Hong Kong: Life planning website enhanced

The Education Bureau has enriched the contents of the Life Planning Information Website by setting up the My Life Planning Portfolio thematic corner.

It is an online learning system that provides handy tools for students to conduct career aptitude assessments and create learning portfolios as well as information on life planning.

Resources are also made available for teachers to assist with students' life planning.

There are seven sections under the new online learning system: Career Assessment (with various tools for career aptitude assessments), My E-lesson, Student Portfolio, Career Information & Video Clips, My Work Values game, Career Adventure Report and Professional Development Programme specifically designed for teachers.

The system originated from the 10-year CLAP for [email protected] project implemented by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust since 2015, under which an online platform was developed to support young people's life planning and development.

In response to the widespread use of the online platform by teachers and students, the bureau has migrated some of its functions to the My Life Planning Portfolio.

Schools are encouraged to make optimum use of the system to help students acquire a better understanding of their interests and strengths, and learn more about different articulation pathways for further studies and careers as well as positive work values, so that they could be well prepared for further studies or career pursuits.

The bureau has also been collaborating with different business entities and community organisations under the Business-School Partnership Programme to provide students with diversified career exploration activities, with a view to equipping them with information about different industries and developing an appropriate attitude towards work.

For details of life planning education, please visit the bureaus Life Planning Information Website.

This story has been published on: 2021-08-04. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
South Africa: Electoral Commission lodges deferral application

Electoral Commission chairperson Glen Mashinini says the Commission has lodged an application at the Constitutional Court for a deferral of the scheduled Local Government Elections.

This court application is an extraordinary one and presumably unprecedented, Mashinini said at a media briefing on Wednesday.

Addressing media in Tshwane, Mashinini said the issues at the core of the application have a bearing on the political rights of citizens, as well as the right to life, bodily and psychological integrity, and access to health.

The application will undoubtedly offer the Constitutional Court another opportunity to contribute to the evolving jurisprudence of our constitutional order. The application is also launched on an urgent basis because there is need for certainty on the preparations for the municipal elections, Mashinini said.

Mashinini said the Commission and electoral stakeholders are currently in an untenable position, where preparations are proceeding for 27 October 2021 -- the scheduled Local Government Elections date -- whilst at the same time, they are anticipating the outcome of the Constitutional Court application for a possible deferral of elections to February 2022.

Background

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, has gazetted the date of 27 October 2021 for the scheduled fifth edition of the Local Government Elections.

Making the announcement on Tuesday, Dlamini-Zuma said this was to comply with Constitutional requirements.

Section 159 of the Constitution, read with the Municipal Structures Act, prescribes that the end of a five-year term of local government elections be held within a period of 90 days.

President Cyril Ramaphosa in April announced that the Local Government Elections will take place on 27 October this year.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commission appointed retired Deputy Chief Justice Moseneke to consider whether the country could undertake free and fair elections in October.

The inquiry received over 4 000 submissions from political parties, health experts and the general public, concluding its work and handing the report to the Commission in July.

The report concluded that it was not reasonably possible to or likely that the October local government elections would be held in a free and fair manner.

In balancing the need to secure livelihoods and democratic obligations, the Commission agreed with the Moseneke Inquiry, which also recommended that the Commission approach a court of competent jurisdiction to seek a just and equitable order to defer elections to not later than February 2022.

The nature of the relief sought by the Commission is largely predicated on the impossibility to perform a constitutional obligation, which is the conduct of constitutionally compliant elections of municipal councils by 1 November 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures that government has instituted to curb the spread of the virus, Mashinini said.

Nature of legal relief sought

Mashinini said in order to avoid uncertainty about the legal status of current municipal councils, the Commission seeks an order that the municipal councils remain competent until newly elected councils are declared elected.

This court application affects the rights of all citizens of the country and thus everybody, has an interest in the proceedings that will evolve in the Constitutional Court, Mashinini said.

In order to facilitate access to the court process, the Commission will immediately place the founding papers on its website as it transmits by electronic means the application to all registered parties, Mashinini said.

He assured South Africans that the Commission is committed to conducting an election in terms of the constitutional standards and it wishes to do so in the shortest reasonably possible period, whilst preserving the rights to life, bodily and psychological integrity and access to health of citizens of the country.

Mashinini said the election timetable will be published today.

He said the Commission will undertake the activities that must be performed in terms of the timetable until a competent court orders differently.

The election timetable spans 85 days and lays down key dates and deadlines for various electoral milestones until voting day on 27 October 2021.

According to Mashinini, the current voters roll stands at 25.7 million registered voters.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2021-08-04. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
South Africa: Help for Emadlangeni Municipality to get its house in order

KwaZulu-Natal Treasury and Co-Operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) have committed to step up efforts to assist Emadlangeni Local Municipality with its financial and governance challenges.

This comes after last weeks Provincial Executive Council special meeting, where the Council took a decision that the departments continue to reinforce support to the municipality by increasing their efforts to resolve municipal challenges.

Finance MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube and COGTA MEC Sipho Hlomuka held a meeting with the council of Utrecht-based Emadlangeni Local Municipality in Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday to communicate last weeks Council meeting decisions.

The municipality has been confronted with serious governance, financial and service delivery challenges, including its failure to convene successfully and legally to pass and approve its annual budgets.

This is despite protracted efforts by both COGTA and Treasury to assist the municipality to resolve its financial and administrative challenges, in line with the prescripts of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) and the Municipal Structures Act.

Dube-Ncube said the provincial government has a constitutional obligation and duty to assist Emadlangeni, one of three municipalities under AmaJuba District Municipality.

The municipality is already under administration but we now have to strengthen that intervention. We will also be appointing financial experts so that we can help them to at least pass an interim budget to allow the municipality to operate. We are prepared to support them and ensure they succeed in closing this chapter, said Dube-Ncube.

Both Dube-Ncube and Hlomuka expressed regret at the decision of the municipality to pay salaries without the approval and authorisation of KZN Treasury.

Dube-Ncube warned that such an illegal decision is viewed as a serious breach, and corrective measures will have to be implemented urgently.

The municipality used funds to pay salaries of the staff and councillors, thus violating sections of the MFMA.

The municipality spent money it didnt have, instead of seeking guidance, approval and authorisation from KZN Treasury. This has left us with no choice but to institute an investigation, open a case and devise measures to recoup this money, Dube-Ncube said.

Hlomuka appealed to councillors to adhere to the rule of law.

There are always consequences and serious implications when the law is broken. Having said that, I must reiterate that we shall continue to support the municipality with everything we have without prejudice and regardless of political allegiance, but we will deal with the issue on a governance basis, Hlomuka said.

Emadlangeni councillors committed to working with the provincial government for a lasting solution to the challenges in the municipality.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2021-08-04. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Hong Kong: Re-positive COVID-19 case reported

(To watch the full press briefing with sign language interpretation, click here.)

The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating two additional imported COVID-19 cases and a preliminary positive local case which is likely to be a re-positive one.

The centre's Communicable Disease Branch Head Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan told a press briefing this afternoon that the preliminary positive local case involves a 43-year-old man who has not been vaccinated against the virus yet.

He worked at construction sites at 248 Queen's Road East and Shiu Kin Lane in Wan Chai, and last worked on August 3.

The patient has tested negative under the regular testing requirement since May. His deep throat saliva sample submitted via regular testing on August 2 preliminarily tested positive with a Ct value of 36 to 38, which indicates a low viral load.

After admission to hospital on August 3, the patient tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies.

Dr Chuang said: There may be hidden transmission in the community that still had not (been) picked up during the past few weeks, (even) though we had a very high testing rate. This is one possibility that we do not wish to have.

And the other possibility is that he had the infection quite a few months ago while there was an outbreak in Hong Kong and there were many cases during that period and his infection went undiagnosed.

The Government will arrange for Block A, Tung Lo Court in Sham Shui Po where the patient lives, his workplaces and the places he had visited during the incubation period to be included in a compulsory testing notice.

Upon assessment and as a precautionary measure, the Government decided to make a restriction-testing declaration for Block A, Tung Lo Court where he lives to ensure the residents there have not been infected.

The declaration took effect from 8pm and people in the area subject to compulsory testing will need to be tested by 1am.

Meanwhile, the centre has received notification from the Macau Health Bureau that a close contact of a COVID-19 confirmed case in Macau - a 13-year-old girl - is currently in Hong Kong.

The girl arrived in Hong Kong with two family members on August 2 under the Return2hk Scheme and they stayed in The Luxe Manor in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Their test results in Macau on August 1 before arriving in Hong Kong were negative.

Given that the confirmed case in Macau carries the Delta mutant strain, as a prudent measure, the premises where the girl and her family members had stayed or visited in Hong Kong will be put under a compulsory testing notice.

The Government also decided to make a restriction-testing declaration for The Luxe Manor to ensure the hotel guests there have not been infected.

The declaration took effect from 8pm and people in the hotel subject to compulsory testing will need to be tested by midnight.

The girl and her two family members have been quarantined immediately.

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

This story has been published on: 2021-08-04. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
RTHK: UK to offer Covid vaccines to those aged 16 and 17

Britain will offer all 16 and 17 year olds their first Covid-19 vaccine shots, Britain's vaccine advisers said on Wednesday, extending eligibility of the shots beyond the clinically vulnerable.

Britain's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) said it was updating initial advice given last month in light of the latest evidence on the benefits and risks of vaccination.

"After carefully considering the latest data, we advise that healthy 16 to 17-year-olds are offered a first dose of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Advice on when to offer the second vaccine dose will come later" said Wei Shen Lim, the JCVI's Covid-19 Chair.

"While Covid-19 is typically mild or asymptomatic in most young people, it can be very unpleasant for some and for this particular age group, we expect one dose of the vaccine to provide good protection against severe illness and hospitalisation."

JCVI said that the benefits to children of keeping them healthy and in school were paramount, though there would also be positive impacts on society more broadly.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said he accepted the advice.

Britain has taken a much more cautious approach to vaccinating children than in the United States and Israel, which have pushed on with a broad roll-out for under 18s.

England's Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty has stressed the need for a full picture on safety data of the shots, given extremely low rates of severe outcomes for the disease in that age group.

The JCVI said it was taking a precautionary approach on July 19 when it initially decided not to offer vaccines to children more broadly.

It maintained previous advice that children aged 12 to 15 with specific underlying health conditions should also get vaccines. (Reuters)

This story has been published on: 2021-08-04. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Hong Kong: Quarantine exemption revised

In the light of the latest COVID-19 epidemic development on the Mainland, only Hong Kong residents returning to Hong Kong from Guangdong will be exempted from quarantine under the Return2hk Scheme from August 5.

The Government announced today people who have stayed in Mainland areas other than Guangdong on the day of arrival in Hong Kong or during the 14 days before that day will not be exempted from quarantine.

They will be subject to a 14-day compulsory home quarantine and must undergo compulsory testing on the third, seventh, 12th, 16th and 19th days of arrival in Hong Kong.

The shortened quarantine period to seven days will also not apply to fully vaccinated people.

This anti-pandemic measure follows on from the inclusion of Macau on the List of At-risk Places Temporarily Inapplicable under the Return2hk Scheme, which took effect today.

This story has been published on: 2021-08-04. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Hong Kong: CE boosts HK-Singapore ties

Chief Executive Carrie Lam today updated the business community in Singapore on Hong Kongs latest developments during a webinar attended by more than 500 participants.

She highlighted Hong Kong's unparalleled strengths under one country, two systems making the city an ideal gateway for Singaporean businesses to tap into the opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Mainland China as a whole.

Mrs Lam said the Free Trade Agreement and the Investment Agreement between Hong Kong and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which came into full effect earlier this year, will further enhance the relationship between Hong Kong and Singapore.

She added that Hong Kong is keen to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership with a view to strengthening regional economic integration and promoting free trade.

With the clear support from some of the partnerships member states, Mrs Lam said she looks forward to beginning discussions on Hong Kongs accession to the partnership at the earliest opportunity.

The Chief Executive pointed out that with the implementation of the National Security Law and improvements to the electoral system, stability has been restored in Hong Kong society and the legitimate rights and freedoms of the people and businesses are safeguarded.

She called on Singaporean businesses to explore the new opportunities in Hong Kong brought about by the National 14th Five-Year Plan which reaffirms the nation's unwavering support for Hong Kong's development in a number of key areas as well as the citys active participation in the bay area development and the Belt & Road Initiative.

Addressing questions from the attendants, Mrs Lam stressed that during the social unrest and the pandemic, Hong Kongs financial system has proven its resilience.

She noted that Hong Kong has unrivalled connectivity with the Mainlands financial markets and offers direct two-way access and encouraged enterprises in Singapore to consider listing in Hong Kong and to set up a presence in the city to tap the opportunities in the financial sector including those in green finance.

Mrs Lam also said Singapore remains Hong Kongs priority candidate among overseas places for the setting up of an air travel corridor, and that the two governments will review the way forward in late August, taking into account the latest epidemic situation.

The Hong Kong - an Ideal Gateway webinar was co-organised by the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office in Singapore and InvestHK.

This story has been published on: 2021-08-04. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Walkout Wednesday to Protest Mandatory Shots

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Liberty Counsel

Aug. 4, 2021



ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 4, 2021 /Christian Newswire/ -- Join the movement to walk out and protest your place of employment and your school at noon in your time zone on Wednesday, August 11. No one should be forced, coerced, or pressured to receive the COVID shots.

The federal Emergency Use Authorization law and the FDA, including the FDA Fact Sheets, state unequivocally that each person has the "option to accept or refuse" the shots. These shots are experimental and investigational and have not been licensed by the FDA. The Nuremberg Code also states that voluntary consent "is absolutely essential."

Healthcare workers and first responders have run to the frontlines. They are heroes, and they should not be terminated for making a personal decision to refuse the shots.

Even if you are not being forced to get the COVID shots, stand in solidarity with others who are being mandated. Stand with your friends, healthcare workers, veterans, or those who serve our veterans, students, and millions of others who are being forced to take the COVID shots or be terminated or removed from school.

Spread the word. Organize WalkOutWednesday in your area on August 11 at noon in your time zone. Employers, businesses, schools, medical facilities, or public places trying to force COVID shots on employees, students, or patrons must hear from you. Walk out at noon on August 11 and gather outside to peacefully protest these mandates.

For more information, visit WalkOutWednesday.net.

Liberty Counsel provides broadcast quality TV interviews via Hi-Def Skype and LTN at no cost.



SOURCE Liberty Counsel



CONTACT: Mat Staver, 407-875-1776, Liberty@LC.org



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Seven-month exports to EU market hit US$22.5 billion
ASEAN, US agree to continue prioritising COVID-19 response, support for sustainable recovery

Foreign ministers of ASEAN member countries and the US agreed to continue prioritising the COVID-19 response and support for sustainable recovery during a meeting held via videoconference on August 4.













US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (centre) addresses the virtual ASEAN - US Ministerial Meeting on August 4 (Photo: VNA)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the administration of President Joe Biden attaches importance to the strategic partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and supports the blocs solidarity, unanimity and centrality, along with the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.



It wants to promote the dynamic and effective strategic partnership with ASEAN on the basis of mutual respect and jointly building an open and inclusive regional architecture of prosperous development, he said.



Blinken affirmed that the US will keep taking the lead in promoting multilateral cooperation in COVID-19 response and increase the production capacity to ensure sufficient supply of safe and effective vaccines.



The US has provided funding of 160 million USD and will continue assisting countries in the region to cope with the pandemic, he said, adding that it will donate 500,000 USD to the ASEAN COVID-19 Response Fund.



As the coordinator of ASEAN - US relations, Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith applauded the USs commitment to bolstering its cooperation with ASEAN and the region, advocating multilateral cooperation, helping to improve the healthcare capacity of, and providing vaccines for ASEAN countries.



He also spoke highly the USs temporary waiver on vaccine patents within the World Trade Organisation (WTO) framework.



Participating countries welcomed the recent cooperation progress despite adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.



Bilateral trade reached 308.3 billion USD in 2020, turning the US into the second largest trade partner of ASEAN. Besides, the US remains the biggest foreign direct investor in the region with 34.7 billion USD.



ASEAN and the US agreed to continue giving priority to the pandemic response and supporting sustainable recovery, focusing on stronger cooperation in trade, investment, digital transformation, and energy and via the US-funded development cooperation programmes for the region.



ASEAN countries hope that the US will continue assisting them in COVID-19 vaccine research, development, production, and distribution. The US also proposed enhancing cooperative ties in such fields as energy, transport, women empowerment, and environment - climate change so as to contribute to even and sustainable recovery efforts.



Pointing out that the international and regional situation remains complex with new challenges arising, the two sides affirmed close coordination to help maintain regional peace, security, and stability, including security and safety of navigation in the East Sea



The US emphasised its support for ASEANs principled stance on the East Sea issue, welcoming the bloc bringing into play its role in promoting cooperation, dialogue, and trust building in the region, ensuring the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and building an efficient and effective Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea in line with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) with the rights and legitimate interests of relevant parties respected and properly mentioned.



The US Secretary of State lauded ASEANs role and efforts to step up dialogue and reconciliation in Myanmar and help the country seek solutions to stabilise its situation. He also underlined support for the bloc to successfully carry out the Five-Point Consensus reached at the ASEAN Leaders Meeting on April 24, 2021.



Addressing the meeting, Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son welcomed the USs extensive and intensive cooperation with ASEAN, stressing the countrys important role in global efforts against COVID-19 and climate change.



He highly valued the USs provision of vaccines for ASEAN nations, including Vietnam, asking it to keep assisting the bloc to gain timely and sufficient access to vaccines and soon transfer vaccine production technology to the blocs members.



Vietnam expects the US to help the regional countries improve their preventive medicine capacity via its regional representative office based in Vietnam, he said.



The ASEAN countries are ready to create optimal conditions for US enterprises to expand investment and business in the region, Son noted, asking the US to continue helping the bloc narrow the development gap and ensure sustainable growth in ASEAN sub-regions, including the Mekong sub-region, and via the Mekong - US Partnership.



The Vietnamese minister affirmed that countries, including ASEAN and the US, share interests and responsibilities in maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea.



He underlined that all parties need to show their goodwill of cooperation, act responsibly, and jointly work towards the East Sea of peace, stability, security, safety, and protected environment.



Son also highlighted ASEANs consistent stance on the East Sea, stressing the importance of building trust, exercising self-restraint, not militarising, peacefully resolving disputes on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, promoting the full and effective implementation of the DOC, and soon finalising an effective and practical COC in line with international law and the 1982 UNCLOS.



He expects that the US will continue playing a constructive role, supporting ASEANs efforts to sustain peace, stability, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea, and backing the blocs efforts to seek solutions to the Myanmar situation.



At the end of the event, part of the 54th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting and related meetings, Indonesia officially assumed the role as coordinator of ASEAN - US relations for the 2021 - 2024 period./.
CPC founding spirit a source of strength as China strives for national rejuvenation

Xinhua) 07:50, August 04, 2021

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.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Iran's supreme leader endorses Raisi as new president

Xinhua) 07:57, August 04, 2021

Iran's President-elect Ebrahim Raisi attends his first press conference after winning the election in Tehran June 21, 2021. (Photo by Ahmad Halabisaz/Xinhua)

TEHRAN, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday endorsed Ebrahim Raisi as the new president of the Islamic republic.

Khamenei gave his official approval to Raisi at a ceremony broadcast live on state television.

He described Raisi as "a popular, pious person with a brilliant record of management," saying that the people's vote to Raisi is a sign of nation's determination to follow the path of justice, progress and freedom.

"Today, our dear homeland is in need of service and is ready to make a leap in all fields," Khamenei said in his endorsement decree, adding that the country needs a competent, wise and brave management that can mobilize capabilities of the nation, particularly the youth, to the field of work and construction and remove barriers to production.

He urged Raisi to "pursue the policy of strengthening the national currency, and improve living condition of the middle and lower classes of society who bear the burden of economic problems."

A woman holds a poster as supporters celebrate after Ebrahim Raisi won the presidential election in Tehran, Iran, on June 19, 2021. (Photo by Ahmad Halabisaz/Xinhua)

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 U.S. sanctions and the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Tuesday, the new Iranian president said that the presidential election of Iran was "a message of change and justice, as well as fighting against corruption, poverty and discrimination."

The economic and cultural problems, the issue of unemployment and housing as well as other issues that people are complaining about would be the concerns of his government, Raisi said.

He blamed the current economic situation both on "the enmity of the enemies and because of the shortcomings and problems we had inside."

He also called on all the intellectuals and sympathizers to play a role in helping the country thrive.

Raisi vowed to pursue the implementation of the policies of the Islamic republic.

As for foreign policy, Raisi has announced his priority is to boost cooperation and interaction with the world.

Meanwhile, there is "a lot of potential" for further enhancement of Iran-China ties, and the incoming administration will "definitely" work to develop that potential, the new Iranian president said in June after his victory.

Facing major domestic and international challenges, Raisi will assume his presidency after taking the oath of office in the parliament on Thursday.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Pentagon lifts lockdown after gunshots fired near Metro bus station

Xinhua) 07:58, August 04, 2021

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.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Wildfires in SW Turkey hit new residential areas, forcing evacuations

Xinhua) 08:03, August 04, 2021

A firefighter battles against a wildfire in Manavgat, Antalya province, Turkey, on Aug. 3, 2021. For the last 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. (Xinhua)

ISTANBUL, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Wildfires in Turkey's southwestern province of Mugla reached several new residential areas on Tuesday, prompting new evacuations.

Footage aired by local media showed the flames engulfed homes in several neighborhoods of the Milas district.

"In Milas, the wind is so strong that it took only 15 minutes for the fire to burn a small settlement of 30 houses," said a resident of the Turkevleri neighborhood, named Firat, on his social media account.

Firat added that he and other residents were evacuated by Coast Guard boats. Milas Mayor Muhammet Tokat announced that the blaze is now threatening a thermal power plant that provides electricity to the region.

"I didn't want to say this, but the thermal power plant and the fire came face to face for the first time," Tokat said on Twitter.

In some parts of Bodrum, one of the main tourist attractions of Mugla, the situation is still worrying. The flames have reached an important highway, disrupting local traffic.

Meanwhile, Fahrettin Altun, communication director of the Turkish presidency, said Turkey has controlled 147 of 156 fires in the last seven days, and nine of the blazes continue.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters in the southern Antalya province that the wind is very strong in the region, and the situation will be critical on Wednesday as well.

For the last 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.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
China strengthens efforts to curb Delta outbreak

Xinhua) 08:07, August 04, 2021

China has stepped up efforts to contain a new cluster of COVID-19 infections, with 328 new locally transmitted confirmed cases registered in July.

The outbreak stems mainly from a flight that departed from Russia and landed in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province.

Viral genome sequencing has found that all strains in the recent resurgence 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 China's National Health Commission.

Currently, the variant has spread to more than 10 provinces, including central China's Henan and Hunan.

Nanjing has manifested a downward trend in its newly confirmed cases with tightened prevention and control measures in place.

The city has launched three rounds of all-inclusive nucleic acid testing and kick-started its fourth mass testing campaign on Monday, covering nine districts, said Yang Dasuo, deputy director of the municipal health commission.

Jiangsu has canceled all flights at Lukou International Airport since July 30. Anyone leaving Nanjing must present a negative nucleic acid test certificate issued within 48 hours before their departure.

The province has also provided relevant information of travelers who had visited 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.

Meanwhile, Nanjing has launched closed-off management in all its nursing institutions for the elderly, beginning July 20.

The city of Zhangjiajie, a renowned tourist destination in Hunan, closed all its tourist sites starting Friday.

All visitors are asked to take three nucleic acid tests and receive negative results for COVID-19 before they leave the city.

China's top epidemiologist Zhong Nanshan said recently that preliminary studies on Guangzhou's latest COVID-19 outbreak show that China's domestic vaccines are proving effective in protecting its people against the Delta variant. 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.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
300 representatives from 100 countries and regions sign joint statement opposing the WHO politicizing virus origin-tracing work

Global Times) 08:16, August 04, 2021

(Photo/Xinhua)

Over 300 political parties, social societies and think tanks in over 100 countries and districts opposed politicizing virus origins-tracing in a joint statement sent to the World Health Organization (WHO) Secretariate on Monday.

The statement came as Chinese experts have been constantly call for thorough and sincere international cooperation over the origin-tracing issue in which China has set an example, and others keep refusing to make a move.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the WHO, recently outlined a plan for a second phase of investigation in the origins of coronavirus targeting China, including a proposal for "audits of relevant laboratories and research institutions operating in the area of the initial human cases identified in December 2019."

China has taken the lead and done a great job in cooperating with the WHO in tracing the origins of the SARS-CoV-2, and it is unfair and unjust if the international community continues to only focus on China over the issue while hyping the "lab leak" conspiracy without evidence, according to Lei Ruipeng, an expert at the School of Philosophy and Center for Bioethics at the Wuhan-based Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and member of the WHO Ethics and COVID-19 Working Group, in an exclusive interview with the Global Times.

In the face of the grave threat COVID-19 poses to life, safety and the health of all mankind. The statement stressed that the international community needs to strength anti-epidemic cooperation, called for the WHO to carry out global virus origin-tracing research in a an objective and fair manner, and stands resolutely against politicizing virus origin-tracing issue.

As of Tuesday nearly 25 million people have signed an online petition for a probe into Fort Detrick lab and its links to the origins of COVID-19 . A group of Chinese netizens drafted the open letter urging the WHO to investigate Fort Detrick lab, and entrusted the Global Times to post the petition on WeChat and Weibo on July 17 to solicit a public response.

However, the server that hosts the petition has been under continued cyberattacks launched from US IP addresses, including high intensity DDoS (distributed denial of service) attacks, the Global Times learned.

"The US must be afraid of exposing Fort Detrick to scrutiny, like what the WHO did in the Wuhan Institute of Virology [WIV]," Zeng Guang, a former chief epidemiologist of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, told Global Times. He noted that the US opposes the Biological Weapons Convention because it is terrified about investigations into its biolabs. The more they want to hide it, the deeper we should dig," said Zeng.

"We as humans live in a community in which we rise and fall together with a shared future. In the face of major crises, no single country can remain insulated and intact. Viruses know no border or races. The only way to defeat them is for the international community to work together," the abovementioned joint statement read.

"(The coronavirus') origin-tracing is a serious scientific issue that must be studied by scientists and medical experts around the world through cooperation before any scientific conclusion is drawn on the basis of facts and evidences," the paper stressed.

"We are of the view that origin-tracing is the shared obligation of all countries. The outline of the next step work plan proposed unilaterally by the WHO Secretariate has neither complied with what is stipulated in the relevant Resolution of the World Health Assembly, nor been consulted adequately with Member States, still less fully reflected the latest research achievements of the global origin-tracing. Hence it is not conducive to offering due guidance for future cooperation thereof," the statement said.

It calls on the Secretariate of the World Health Organization to "act on relevant resolution adopted by the World Health Assembly to advance global origin-tracing study in cooperation with all Member States while giving full consideration to the emerging new scientific evidences and faithfully following the recommendations of the Report of the WHO-China Joint Mission on Coronavirus Disease 2019."

"We support medical experts and scientific researchers in carrying out thorough origin-tracing in a professional spirit covering multiple countries and multiple locations, so as to provide necessary reference experience for the prevention of the next possible pandemic," it noted.

"We resolutely oppose any attempt of politicization, geographical labeling and stigmatisation as well as the obstruction by any political factor and political manipulation to the research process and the international anti-epidemic cooperation," the statement said.

The head of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention Gao Fu previously voiced opposition to politicizing the coronavirus origins probe, saying it is a scientific issue and must not degrade into a witch-hunt.

"We appreciate the fact that China and other countries have taken positive moves in providing vaccines to the rest of the world, in particular to developing countries, making important contribution to the global anti-epidemic cooperation. We call on vaccine-capable countries to refrain from imposing export restrictions or resorting to excessive hoarding and to resolutely oppose vaccine nationalism so that the global immunisation gap can be narrowed, and a stronger international fence against the virus can take shape," it added.

"We are of the view that political parties and organizations of all countries must shoulder their responsibility to enhance cooperation, work hard to facilitate global anti-epidemic cooperation, policy coordination and complementary actions, so as to inject inexhaustible driving force for the global fight against COVID-19 and the building of a global community of health for all," the statement underlined.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Shifting blame reflects selfishness of US

08:27, August 04, 2021 By Yi Li, Su Jingjing ( People's Daily Online

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

Recently, the US has led several countries and media outlets in hyping up the claim that the novel coronavirus was the result of a "lab leak".

While the world is fighting a tough battle against the highly contagious Delta variant of the novel coronavirus, the US, which turned to its intelligence services rather than science in its approach to virus origin-tracing, has exposed its selfishness and played the old trick of passing the buck to others.

No matter how hard it attempts to politicize the virus, the US can't ignore the fact that it has failed to contain the spread of COVID-19.

According to a tally by Johns Hopkins University, total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the US have exceeded 35 million, and more than 610,000 people have died from the disease.

The US faces uneven vaccination rates. Although the overall vaccination rate in the US is about 50 percent, there is a large gap in rates among states.

According to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average 7-day daily increase of confirmed cases as of July 30 has been on the rise since mid-June.

According to data released by the CDC on July 31, 101,171 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported across the US on July 30, the highest single-day increase since February 7 this year.

The failure of the US in the fight against the pandemic has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people, and made relations between different ethnic groups even worse.

By politicizing virus origin-tracing, the US has exposed its selfishness. The US has tarnished its own image as a major country in the world by hoarding vaccines, restricting exports of materials for producing vaccines, being indifferent to the anti-pandemic situations in developing countries and putting its own interests above other countries' and promoting vaccine nationalism.

In fact, politicizing virus origin-tracing is a continuation of the US' habit of blaming other countries in their responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, a tactic the US had adopted since the onset of the crisis. Incapable of coping with various problems, the US shifted the blame to China to try to hide the truth that it has failed to control COVID-19 and is responsible for the global spread of the virus.

In the early days after the pandemic broke out, the Lancet published a joint statement from 27 leading medical experts, who overwhelmingly concluded that the coronavirus originated in wildlife. The statement dismissed the US' conspiracy theory on coronavirus origins.

According to a report released by the World Health Organization on March 30 this year, the introduction of COVID-19 through a laboratory incident is "extremely unlikely".

On July 7, 21 scientists from around the world published an article titled "On the origin of SARS-CoV-2 -- The blind watchmaker argument", which said that SARS-CoV-2 is unlikely to have evolved in a market in a big city and even less likely to have been created in a laboratory.

On July 17, Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the United States, said in an interview that the most likely explanation is a natural evolution from an animal reservoir to a human.

By spreading rumors and hyping up the "ab leak" theory, the US has hindered global anti-pandemic efforts. Nature magazine said in a recently published article that the "lab leak" theory is likely to block the process of tracing the origins of the virus, and has made scientists who uphold the truth the target of cyber violence.

According to the Washington Post, Anthony Fauci and Stanley Perlman, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Iowa, have both been attacked by right-wing extremists in the US.

Virus origin-tracing is a matter of science, and political manipulation can only block the truth-seeking process, hinder science-based efforts, sabotage international anti-pandemic cooperation, and exacerbate the pandemic.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Liang Jun)
Paratroopers descend to landing zone

China Military Online) 09:15, August 04, 2021

Paratroopers assigned to a brigade under the PLA Air Forces airborne troops board a transport aircraft in order during a parachute training exercise in mid-July, 2021. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Liu Huan)

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
China keeps its promise of making COVID-19 vaccines global public good

09:28, August 04, 2021 By Qu Song ( People's Daily

Illustration/ People's Daily

China had offered over 700 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines and concentrates for the world as of July 29, according to the latest data released by China's Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council. The figure is more than that of all other nations combined.

China has always called for closer international cooperation on vaccines to ensure their accessibility and affordability in developing countries and to make them a global public good.

Despite its own huge population and tight vaccine supply, China has actively responded to other countries' requests for vaccine cooperation, which has injected confidence and strength into the global fight against the pandemic.

The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization recently announced that it has signed advance purchase agreements with Chinese vaccine manufacturers Sinopharm and Sinovac, whose COVID-19 vaccine products have been included in the WHO's Emergency Use Listing after strict reviews by WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization. It means that the doses produced by the two companies will join the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) program to make greater contribution to pandemic control in developing countries.

As Chinese vaccines are being administered to a growing number of people around the world, their safety and efficacy are backed by more and more data.

Many developing countries obtained their first batches of vaccines from China, and that's why Chinese vaccines are hailed as a "timely rain."

A foreigner is vaccinated in Jinhua, east China's Zhejiang province, June 6, 2021. (Photo by Li Jianlin/People's Daily Online)

Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of Equatorial Guinea, said the Chinese vaccines have brought hope for the country's fight against the epidemic. President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe compared the vaccines donated by China to a light at the end of a dark tunnel.

The nearly 2 million Cambodians probably couldn't have been vaccinated were it not for China's assistance and the doses purchases from China, said Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen when addressing the opening ceremony of the 26th International Conference on the Future of Asia.

Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, said China has always been leading the world when it comes to helping and supporting developing countries. China's generous aid has become even more precious as certain countries are hoarding vaccines, he added.

The COVID-19 vaccine donation from China arrives in Colombo, Sri Lanka, July 27, 2021. So far, around 80 percent of the vaccines administered in Sri Lanka came from China. (Photo courtesy of the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka)

Apart from vaccine donation and export, China is also cooperating with developing countries, including the UAE, Egypt, Indonesia, Turkey, and Brazil, for joint research and production of COVID-19 vaccines.

It supports relevant enterprises to conduct phase III clinical trials with partners from the above countries, so as to contribute to global anti-pandemic efforts by expanding local vaccine production capacity. So far, production capacity in these nations has expanded to 200 million doses.

This February, Brazilian biologic research center Butantan Institute carried out a mass vaccination trial in Serrana, Sao Paulo. After most residents received two shots of Sinovac vaccines, the number of symptomatic cases in local community dropped 80 percent, and hospitalizations by 86 percent. More importantly, deaths plunged by 95 percent. Besides, infections among the residents under 18 and other groups ineligible for the vaccine also declined.

To build the strongest immunity barrier, protect the health of foreigners in China, and ensure their work, life and studies in the country, China has included the eligible age group among foreigners in the country into the scope of inoculation with domestic vaccines. So far, more than 600,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered to over 350,000 foreigners in the country.

The efforts of the Chinese government and medical staff to advance the vaccination drive are melting the hearts of many foreigners. Recently, a courier in Shanghai shared on a short video platform a special order he received. According to him, a German guy surnamed Frank living in Shanghai bought drinks for health workers at a community health center in Shanghai, just to express his gratitude for their vaccination efforts.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Gross turnover of Chinas national carbon market close to 300 mln yuan in first half month

09:33, August 04, 2021 By Zhao Zhanhui ( People's Daily

Photo taken on June 25, 2021 shows an employee of a biomass power generation company based in Zhangye, northwest Chinas Gansu province, operating grab bucket crane to move waste into receiving hopper. This year, Gansu province has kicked off the construction of 15 clean energy and production projects, including a clean energy industrial park in Zhangye. A total of 400 million yuan has been invested in these projects, which are expected to help realize Chinas goal of peaking carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. (Photo by Wang Jiang/Peoples Daily Online)

Chinas national carbon emission trading market, which commenced trading on July 16, saw its total trading volume reach nearly six million tons and total turnover approach 300 million yuan ($46.44 million) as of July 30.

The national carbon market officially started trading at 9:30 a.m. on July 16. After 10 minutes, the cumulative volume of transactions exceeded 20 million yuan. During the four-hour carbon emission trading on that day, a total of 4.1 million tons of transactions were completed, with the carbon price closing at 51.23 yuan per ton on the very first day, up 6.73 percent from the opening price of 48 yuan.

Since carbon emission trading was kicked off, the national market has witnessed active transactions, steadily rising transaction price, and stable operation.

In the first industrial cycle of the national carbon market, more than 2,000 key carbon dioxide emitters in the power generation industry are included in the first batch of trading, covering approximately 4.5 billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year.

Before the national carbon market was launched, relevant pilot projects had been carried out in a number of provinces around the country for 10 years, promoting green transformation of many enterprises.

Back then, our company bought about 250,000 tons of carbon dioxide emission quotas at around 60 yuan a ton, said Zhou Shuiliang, deputy general manager of Guangzhou Hengyun Enterprises Holdings Ltd., a key emitter of greenhouse gases based in Guangzhou, capital of south Chinas Guangdong province, referring to the first time when his company tried carbon emission trading in 2014.

Photo taken on June 24, 2021 shows staff members of China Longyuan Power Group Corporation Limited checking photovoltaic power generating facilities at an industrial park in Ganzhou district, Zhangye, northwest Chinas Gansu province. (Photo by Wang Jiang/Peoples Daily Online)

Guangdong was one of the first batch of provinces in China that piloted carbon emission trading. As a major power generation enterprise in Guangdong, Guangzhou Hengyun Enterprises Holdings Ltd. was included in the provinces carbon emission management system in 2014, and bought carbon emissions quotas worth about 15 million yuan that year as its actual amount of carbon emissions surpassed its quota.

With the in-depth implementation of the pilot project, Guangzhou Hengyun Enterprises Holdings Ltd. has realized that reducing carbon emissions does not just bring pressure, but also economic benefits as a result of carbon asset management and the application of technologies related to carbon emission reduction.

The company therefore established a work group for energy conservation and carbon reduction, upgraded and retrofitted generator sets, and vigorously carried out low-carbon and clean energy projects including natural gas power generation projects.

A sequence of transformations and upgrades have enabled the company to realize the change from buying carbon emission quotas to profiting from selling carbon assets. Last year, the company gained more than 30 million yuan from selling its carbon assets.

Like Guangzhou Hengyun Enterprises Holdings Ltd., many other enterprises that have made efforts to control greenhouse gas emissions have benefited from carbon market.

More and more companies have realized that only by taking the initiative to reduce carbon emissions can they get a leg up in the wave of green and low-carbon transformation, said Meng Meng, general manager of China Emissions Exchange (Guangzhou), the largest local carbon market in China.

Photo taken on June 24, 2021 shows a wind farm of China Longyuan Power Group Corporation Limited in Ganzhou district, Zhangye, northwest Chinas Gansu province. (Photo by Wang Jiang/Peoples Daily Online)

Carbon market piloted in Guangdong has seen active transactions, and ranked first in the country in terms of the cumulative volume of carbon emission quota transactions, which had exceeded four billion yuan by June this year, according to Meng.

More importantly, carbon markets have practically promoted and yielded good results in reducing carbon emissions. By implementing mechanisms for controlling the total amount of carbon emissions, assigning quotas for carbon emissions, and honoring agreements, Guangdongs carbon markets have realized an overall reduction in carbon emissions in absolute terms, Meng said.

In 2019, Guangdong reduced 11.4 percent of carbon emissions, or 43.74 million tons from a year ago, according to Meng, who pointed out that practice in both foreign countries and domestic pilot areas has proven that carbon market is a policy instrument that can realize the reduction of carbon emissions with the lowest cost and highest efficiency.

The product in carbon markets is the trading of GHG emission permits. Companies that have been included in carbon emissions cap and trade systems like Guangzhou Hengyun Enterprises Holdings Ltd. are assigned quotas for carbon emissions. They need to buy carbon emission quotas from carbon market when they emit more greenhouse gases than they are allowed to, and can sell surplus emission allowances on the market when they successfully bring their actual amount of carbon emissions below their quotas.

The weighted average price for carbon quotas over the past few years stood at about 40 yuan a ton, according to the pilot carbon trading programs in seven cities.

Although pilot areas have carried out helpful exploration, due to limited market sizes, transaction prices of carbon quotas that can truly reflect the social cost of carbon emissions have not been formed, said Mei Dewen, general manager of China Beijing Environment Exchange.

Finding reasonable and effective prices for carbon quotas is an important goal and task in the construction of the national carbon market, according to Mei.

The carbon market can be more dynamic and carbon quotas more efficiently priced only when diversified financial institutions and products are introduced into the market, noted Mei, who explained that diversified market players have different risk preferences, forecasts, and sources of information, which helps form a relatively fair price and an effective market-based pricing mechanism.

To facilitate the development of spot carbon market, China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) has actively provided guidance for Guangzhou Futures Exchange on speeding up the construction of carbon futures market, said Gao Li, spokesperson with the CSRC.

The permits to emit carbon emissions already have some basic properties of futures, such as a high degree of standardization, and long-term demand caused by the time difference between the issuance and performance of carbon emission quotas, said an executive from Guangzhou Futures Exchange.

Spot market is the foundation of the development of the futures market, the executive said, adding that when the futures market related to carbon trading takes shape and grows to a certain size, it will promote the development of the carbon market in various aspects.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
U.S. destined to fail no matter what card it plays to suppress China

09:35, August 04, 2021 By Zhong Sheng ( People's Daily

Photo taken on April 20, 2021 shows the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

Although the U.S. government has always hyped up the lab leak theory, it has failed to find any evidence to support this allegation--not even when it has involved its intelligence agencies in the country.

Still, the U.S. government refuses to accept the fact. According to U.S. media, some American politicians asked the Biden administration to direct the intelligence community to continue thoroughly investigating the origins of COVID-19 until there is a conclusion in which the United States has a high degree of confidence, and some even suggested the government puts up a reward of 10 to 15 million USD for the evidence it wants.

It is clear that the U.S. determines to politicize virus origin tracing and will exhaust all the possibilities, including fabricating stories, so that the intelligence community can cook up a report to frame China. To achieve such a political purpose, American politicians have completely disregarded the spirit of science.

Involving intelligence agencies into virus origin tracing is in fact an old trick played by the last U.S. administration led by Donald Trump.

To alleviate the disadvantages caused by its poor response to the COVID-19 outbreak during the presidential election, the Trump administration engaged itself in scapegoating and slandering China for the pandemic last year. It called COVID-19 a China virus and claimed groundlessly that the virus escaped from a lab in Chinese city Wuhan. Meanwhile, it pressured intelligence agencies into supporting its ridiculous theory, but later shelved the plan due to lack of evidence.

During the presidential election, the Biden administration showed contempt for Trumps buck-passing acts and called on listening to science. How come it has harped on the same old lab leak theory after taking office?

Analysts attributed it to the domestic pressure faced by the current U.S. administration. At the beginning of its tenure, the current U.S. administration could still hold its predecessor responsible for racial division, partisan conflict, gap between the rich and poor, out-of-control pandemic, and other social issues in the U.S. Now that over half a year has passed since the Biden administration took office, it has no one else to blame but its inefficient governance for these social issues.

Concerned that it might not guarantee that Democrats clinch a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives during the midterm election in 2022, the Biden government hopes to blame China for domestic epidemic tragedies and shift the dissatisfaction of American people.

The drawback of American electoral system is certainly one of the reasons. However, fundamentally, it is the wrong U.S. perception of China behind the White Houses attempt to make China responsible for the outbreak.

Faced with the reality that Americas soft and hard power is declining, both the previous and current U.S. administrations have considered China a strategic competitor and major threat. They have tried to take every possible opportunity to politicize issues related to COVID-19, trade, education, science and technology, as well as network security and continuously spread the China threat theory, aiming to isolate China and contain its development.

However, the U.S. government needs to realize that Chinas development and revival are driven by strong endogenous power and represent an inevitable historical trend. The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has become an irreversible course of history that no country or force is able to stop. The U.S. is destined to fail no matter what card it plays to suppress China, which has been proven so far and will continuously be proven in the future.

Virus tracing is a scientific problem that needs to be solved through standardized research, and can only be advanced by science. The so-called lab leak theory is dismissed as unfounded illusions of nonprofessionals by scientists.

While stubbornly resorting to political manipulation in virus origin tracing, the U.S. has only hurt its own image. Its practices of seeking origin-tracing terrorism, including undermining the scientific conclusion of the WHOs report of a joint study with China on the tracing of COVID-19 origins and suppressing scientific workers who take an objective stand, run counter to the principles of science and justice, and have totally reversed peoples impression of the U.S., a country with strong scientific and technological strength and self-proclaimed city upon a hill.

The anti-science deeds of the U.S. have actually limited the ability of its government to control the epidemic at home.

COVID illustrates the chokehold that partisanship, conspiratorialism, and suspicion have on our short-term ability to respond to a public emergency, said an article entitled The U.S. has lost the ability to think or plan ahead published on the website of the Boston Globe.

It is a general consensus in the international community that COVID-19 origin tracing should be based on science, not on presumption of guilt out of political motives.

The scientific community expects the U.S. return to the WHO would bolster efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and save more lives. Unfortunately, Washingtons re-entry has brought geopolitical competition to the science-spearheaded world body, said Swiss biologist Wilson Edwards on a social media platform, who expressed the disappointment of the international scientific community toward the U.S.

It is time that the U.S. government responded to the expectations of the international community, abandoned irresponsible assumptions and confrontations, and stopped playing the role of virologist.

(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by Peoples Daily to express its views on Chinas foreign policy and international affairs.)

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
So-called report by U.S. congressmen on COVID-19 origins not credible: FM spokesperson

Xinhua) 09:57, August 04, 2021

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.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
China's global market share surges despite "decoupling" concerns: UK think tank

Xinhua) 09:59, August 04, 2021

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.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Chinese, Turkish presidents exchange congratulations on 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties

Xinhua) 10:11, August 04, 2021

A shipment containing boxes of China's Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine arrives at Esenboga Airport in Ankara, Turkey, Dec. 30, 2020. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)

BEIJING, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on Wednesday exchanged messages of congratulations on the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between their countries.

Over the past 50 years, bilateral relations have been developing steadily, Xi said in his message, adding that since the establishment of the China-Turkey strategic cooperative relationship in 2010, exchanges and cooperation in various fields have been moving forward in an orderly manner.

Since last year, Xi said, the two sides have been supporting each other in the fight against the COVID-19 outbreak, and carried out fruitful cooperation on vaccines, which has deepened the friendship between the people of the two countries.

He said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Turkey relations, and stands ready to work with Erdogan to take the 50th anniversary as an opportunity to further advance bilateral ties.

The two countries, Xi suggested, should understand and support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, accelerate the aligning of development strategies, and push for steady and long-term development of their strategic cooperative relationship, so as to bring benefits to both countries and their people.

For his part, Erdogan said Turkey-China relations have a sound foundation for mutually beneficial development.

Over the past half century, bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, transportation, tourism and other fields has achieved tremendous development, he said.

The two countries, he added, have also promoted strategic cooperation on the basis of mutual respect and exerted a positive influence on the region and the world.

In the face of COVID-19, the two countries have been working together and helping each other to ensure the health of their people, he noted.

Turkey, he said, attaches great importance to the development of bilateral relations, and will continue to push forward strategic cooperation between the two countries.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Colored relief paintings inside high official tomb in Cairo, Egypt

Xinhua) 10:38, August 04, 2021

Photo taken on Aug. 3, 2021 shows a colored relief painting inside a high official tomb in Saqqara district, south of Cairo, Egypt. The Saqqara area about 30 kilometers south of Cairo is home to numerous pyramids and a number of beautifully decorated mastaba tombs, in which many colored relief paintings depicting ancient Egyptian daily life are preserved. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai)

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Politicizing pandemic harmful to global fight against COVID-19, says Brazilian neuroscientist

Xinhua) 13:15, August 04, 2021

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

"There is no scientific evidence" to validate Washington's assumption that the virus escaped from a Chinese laboratory, said Miguel Nicolelis, a tenured professor at Duke University in the U.S. state of North Carolina.

SAO PAULO, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. government's attempts to politicize the pandemic by claiming China as the source of COVID-19 are not only groundless, but "harmful" to the global fight against the disease, a Brazilian neuroscientist has said.

"There is no scientific evidence" to validate Washington's assumption that the virus escaped from a Chinese laboratory, said Miguel Nicolelis in a recent interview with Xinhua.

The scientific community is very skeptical, and it simply does not accept "this type of political manipulation without evidence," said Nicolelis, who was a tenured professor at Duke University in the U.S. state of North Carolina.

"The politicization of science never brings benefits, on the contrary, it is extremely harmful," he said.

The neuroscientist supports the findings of a joint origin-tracing study earlier this year by over 30 experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) and China, which ended with a report concluding that the laboratory leak scenario was extremely unlikely.

"A detailed genetic scan of the virus was carried out and there is no evidence of tampering or evidence of laboratory accidents," he added.

Unscientific attitudes towards the virus have had disastrous results on healthcare in the United States and Britain, with high rates of infection and mortality, said the neuroscientist.

He noted that there are other instances of Washington misleading the public to further its own interests.

"We need to remember the invasion of Iraq in 2001 ... after the world was led to believe in false evidence about weapons of mass destruction. There was nothing. Iraq was destroyed," he said.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
China spurs digital economy as new driver of growth

Xinhua) 17:27, August 04, 2021

BEIJING, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Putting on a helmet and sitting in front of several big screens, you are able to experience the exciting moment of a spacecraft launch. This is one of the highlights of the 2021 Global Digital Economy Conference that concluded in Beijing Tuesday.

During the two-day event that opened on Monday, cutting-edge technologies featuring data-driven innovation were displayed while participants focused on discussions concerning the digital economy as a new driver of China's economic growth despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

China's digital economy kept a high growth rate of 9.7 percent in 2020 amid the pandemic and global economic downturn, according to a white paper released by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT).

The country's digital economy scale hit 39.2 trillion yuan (about 6.1 trillion U.S. dollars) last year, accounting for 38.6 percent of the GDP.

"As people are more connected than ever due to the increasingly diversified communication means, we have all benefited from the progress of digitalization, especially during the hardest time of the pandemic," said Guido Giacconi, vice-president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China.

The digital economy has become a key to achieving economic recovery and promoting sustainable development with the global economy, which is still in a fragile state of recovery, said Zhuang Rongwen, director of the Cyberspace Administration of China, at the opening.

The digital economy has displayed strong resilience in the face of the pandemic, as it gives a strong boost to a number of new business models such as online shopping and education, telemedicine and artificial intelligence, said Cai Fang, an expert with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

China has built the world's largest optical fiber and 4G and 5G mobile broadband networks, with the number of 5G terminal connections exceeding 365 million and 5G application scenarios becoming increasingly rich, said Xiao Yaqing, minister of industry and information technology.

With its digital economy ranking second in the world, China has highlighted the digital economy development in its 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) to build a digital China.

Chinese companies will also be encouraged to tap opportunities in the overseas digital market in the following decade, said Lei Jun, chairman of Xiaomi Corporation, a Chinese smartphone manufacturer.

According to a guideline jointly released by Chinese government departments on July 23, more efforts will be made to enable domestic digital economy enterprises to accelerate their deployment of overseas research and development centers and product design centers and strengthen cooperation with overseas technology companies in fields such as big data, 5G and artificial intelligence.

The capital city Beijing has also introduced an action plan Monday on accelerating the process of building itself into a worldwide pioneer in digital economic development.

As noted in the plan, the added value of Beijing's digital economy is expected to account for about 50 percent of its GDP by 2025.

Last year, the added value of the city's digital economy has exceeded 1.44 trillion yuan, accounting for about 40 percent of its total economic volume.

The World Trade Organization predicts that digital technologies will promote an annual growth of the global trade volume by around 2 percentage points by 2030, and the proportion of global service trade will be increased from 21 percent in 2016 to 25 percent by then.

"In face of the challenges such as sluggish economic growth and aging society, the digital economy will enable an inclusive high-quality development that enables more elderly people to overcome the digital divide," said Cai.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Anti-science drive in U.S. seriously undermines recovery efforts

Xinhua) 17:40, August 04, 2021

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

With such anti-science sentiments, bigoted Washington elites are fueling an ideology-motivated disinformation campaign, through which they deliberately ignore facts and seek to mislead the public.

BEIJING, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Amid new spikes in COVID-19 deaths and infections in the United States, anti-science rhetoric and conspiracy theories are also gaining steam in the country, triggering concerns that the global anti-pandemic course could worsen further.

The latest episodes of such absurdity include Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson's assertion that it was Anthony Fauci, a top U.S. infectious disease expert, who had "helped to create COVID in the first place," and Congressman Clay Higgins's wild claim that the virus had been weaponized for biological attacks.

These ridiculous statements can not withstand any rational analysis and are nothing but a new epitome of the rising anti-science sentiments in the United States. With such sentiments, bigoted Washington elites are fueling an ideology-motivated disinformation campaign, through which they deliberately ignore facts and seek to mislead the public.

Healthcare workers operate in an ICU in the "COVID Area" of the Beverly Hospital in Montebello City, California, the United States, Jan. 22, 2021. (Xinhua)

What is more worrying is that these delusional minds are bringing about real consequences: In the United States, scientists and health officials, while working overtime to study the novel coronavirus and address the pandemic, have to spare a massive amount of time and resources to bust rumors and refute opinions spread by conspiracy theorists.

Due in part to the anti-science push, the United States overall has responded poorly to the pandemic and remains among the worst-hit countries in the world.

At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, the U.S. government, instead of acknowledging the threat it posed and informing the public in a timely manner, repeatedly downplayed the severity and exaggerated the country's capabilities to handle the disease.

After the situation got worse, some U.S. officials quickly turned to conspiracy theories and anti-science positions in order to deflect attention and blame. The political tricks have gone as far as going after some of the country's leading scientists, including Fauci, who had received death threats for siding with science and evidence.

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)

Since the current U.S. leadership took office early this year, the U.S. government has been accelerating vaccinations for its residents. Over the past few months, states and cities have moved to lift COVID-19 preventive measures. The White House announced last month that the country is "closer than ever" to declaring "independence" from the deadly virus.

However, the pandemic is rapidly rebounding in the United States, with new cases, deaths, and hospitalizations all on the rise. "We're going in the wrong direction," Fauci told CNN during an interview late last month.

The giant gap between the cruel reality and the narrative pushed by the U.S. government and media is eroding people's trust in their government and confidence that a recovery is on the horizon.

In addition, the current White House's political maneuver, including asking intelligence agencies to investigate the origin of COVID-19 with a presumption of guilt targeting China, is further fanning anti-science remarks and activities.

Journalists wearing face masks enter the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, July 28, 2021. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua)

Matthew Kavanagh, director of the Global Health Policy &Politics Initiative at Georgetown University, pointed out that if the aim of the U.S. government was finding a scientific explanation of the COVID-19 origin, it would have tasked health institutes instead of intelligence agencies with the research.

"This tells us that this is a political and an intelligence story: not a story mostly about science," Kavanagh recently told U.S. magazine Rolling Stone. "We're in a place where politics is driving people's scientific understanding in a dangerous way."

As Kavanagh said, anti-science sentiments and rhetoric would be unhelpful in suppressing the still raging COVID-19 pandemic and tracing the origin of the disease, and could further impede global efforts to defeat the pathogen. As a result, the international community should stay alert to the anti-science drive in the United States.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
Racist incidents targeting Asian Americans worry students, parents: U.S. media

Xinhua) 17:42, August 04, 2021

People holding signs take part in a Stop Asian Hate rally in San Jose, California, the United States, April 25, 2021. (Photo by Dong Xudong/Xinhua)

With the rise in hate incidents nationwide and the new school year less than a month away, many Asian American students in central Ohio are bracing for the potential of new or continued verbal assaults by fellow students when they return to school in the fall, said an article published by The Columbus Dispatch.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Racist incidents targeting Asian Americans occurred before COVID-19, but the pandemic has increased the frequency and level of bullying, worrying Asian American students and their parents, said an article published by The Columbus Dispatch, a daily newspaper based in Ohio, on Monday.

One in eight Asian Americans reported hate incidents in 2020, according to AAPI Data, a national coalition battling the problem, and one in 10 reported anti-Asian hate incidents in the first quarter of 2021, including physical assaults, verbal harassment, civil rights violations and online harassment, the article said.

Hate crimes against Asian-Americans overall have reached an "alarming level" in the United States, the article said, noting that more than 1,800 racist incidents against Asian Americans were reported from March to May.

With the rise in hate incidents nationwide and the new school year less than a month away, many Asian American students in central Ohio are bracing for the potential of new or continued verbal assaults by fellow students when they return to school in the fall, the article added.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
China calls on ASEAN Plus Three countries to maintain stability, prosperity in East Asia

Xinhua) 17:45, August 04, 2021

BEIJING, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- China has called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ASEAN Plus Three or 10+3) to make concerted efforts and carry out vigorous cooperation to promote overall economic recovery and improve East Asian countries' crisis response capabilities.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the remarks when attending an ASEAN-China, Japan, ROK (10+3) foreign ministers' meeting on Tuesday.

Wang also said that joint efforts should be made, from a long-term perspective, to improve the mechanism, resilience and vitality of the 10+3 cooperation to maintain the hard-won stability and prosperity that has lasted for many years in East Asia.

Noting that the 10+3 countries are the backbone of East Asian cooperation, Wang said that all parties should consider the 25th anniversary of the launch of 10+3 cooperation next year as an opportunity to plan a roadmap for future cooperation.

Wang put forward a four-point-proposal:

Firstly, all sides should jointly build a barrier against the pandemic in East Asia. Wang said that China has provided countries across the world with over 750 million vaccine doses, will provide 110 million doses to COVAX over the next four months, and will provide an additional 3 billion U.S. dollars of international aid in the next three years. China will further increase its supply of vaccines to assist other countries' vaccination drive.

Virus origin tracing is a serious scientific issue which concerns the common interests of the international community, Wang said.

China hopes that all parties will uphold a scientific, fair and objective position, oppose the attempts to politicize the virus origin tracing, resist the "political virus" infringing on virus origin tracing, and work together to prevent future risks as well as maintain global public health security, said Wang.

Secondly, all sides should jointly promote East Asia economic integration. Wang noted that efforts should be made for the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) at an early date and accelerate the process of regional economic integration.

Thirdly, all sides should jointly seek the transformation and development of East Asia. Wang said that it is imperative to accelerate regional digital transformation, make good use of the scale advantages of the markets in East Asian countries, and carry out practical cooperation on artificial intelligence and the digital economy.

Fourthly, all sides should jointly build a foundation of common values in East Asia, and jointly pursue humanity's common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom, said Wang.

Foreign ministers of Japan, the ROK and ASEAN member states spoke highly of the remarkable results of 10+3 cooperation. All agreed to strengthen vaccine research and development cooperation, uphold multilateralism and free trade, and expand cooperation in emerging areas such as the digital economy and climate change to promote the green and sustainable development in the region.

(Web editor: Xia Peiyao, Liang Jun)
When the Virtuoso VIII Chapter Two tourbillon was introduced last year, it was hailed as an incredible expression of artisanal watchmaking, decorative arts, mechanical ingenuity, and innovation.



This year, the House of BOVET is excited to introduce a new aesthetic that brings this traditional expression of high watchmaking squarely into the 21st century, with titanium cases in brilliant black Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) and Super-LumiNova dials.



Placed side-by-side with the original, the newest Virtuoso VIII Chapter Two is a completely new timepiece, modern and sporty, while still maintaining its high watchmaking excellence. This is a theme moving forward for the House of BOVET  using interesting materials, colors, treatments, and displays that modernize these intricate timepieces, while still emphasizing the artisanal nature of the Maisons in house production.

Virtuoso VIII Chapter Two Reimagined  Bovet 1822

Speaking of in-house production, BOVET 1822s processes greatly benefited from the incredible three-year collaboration with Rolls-Royce that resulted in the stunning pair of bespoke timepieces and the mounting system in the dashboard of the Boat Tail. Like participation in Formula 1 provides a trickle-down of technology into an automakers passenger cars, the intense research, development, and testing (including crash testing) of the Boat Tail timepieces resulted in engineering and production gains that have impacted every aspect of BOVETs manufacture. Every single collection has benefitted from this exchange of engineering and technology, including the brand Virtuoso VIII Chapter Two.



The Super-LumiNova coated dials, not just indices or markings but the entire dial surface, are available in Yellow, Blue, Salmon, Turquoise, Green, and Violet. Each color is limited to eight (8) timepieces. Once charged, these dials really pop, showcasing the luminosity in a unique way. You will be surprised and delighted the first time you see these timepieces when they transition from the light into the dark. Now you can see BOVET in a completely different light  the glow of Super-LumiNova.

Super-LumiNova Coated Dials  Bovet 1822

Over the past few years, the House of BOVET has been integrating Super-LumiNova into its timepieces in unique ways  in the lunar surface of the moon phase, on the sunshine dials of various collections  but this is the first time that Super-LumiNova has been applied so strongly onto the dials, a true statement of modernity.

The Grade 5 titanium cases of these new Virtuoso VIII Chapter Two timepieces have been treated with brilliant black DLC, creating a dark side that contrasts beautifully with the bright and vibrant dial colors.

The Details

The new Virtuoso VIII Chapter Two includes everything else that made this introduction special  the patented flying tourbillon with ten days of power reserve, the patented accelerated rewinding system, the writing slope case and sapphire crystal aperture, the fine movement decoration, the big date display, and the two dials forming a horizontal number eight, which in numerology and in multiple cultures symbolizes luck, perfection, and infinity.

Virtuoso VIII Chapter Two Reimagined  Bovet 1822

For exceptional legibility, the seconds display is carefully designed to be displayed by a Super-LumiNova-coated sub-dial. The arrow of the index hangs over the surface of the delicate circular dial showing the 60 seconds. The easy, precise readability offered by this display, even in the dark, is remarkable. To achieve this, the seconds' dial must be affixed to the plate during the initial assembly phases, which makes the watchmakers work even more delicate when working with the Super-LumiNova coating, as one scratch will necessitate starting over.



It is hard to imagine that a Super-LumiNova dial with such a diameter, hanging over the date disks, could allow for such a large date display. The space between the units' disk and the hours' disk is reduced to optimize readability, making it as large as possible for enhanced legibility. The watchmakers also did not forget the date correction, which does not even require removing the timepiece from ones wrist, and is performed simply by pressing down on the real sapphire cabochon crown. The rapid date corrector and iconic 12-oclock positioning of the crown effectively avoid any accidental date correction.

Virtuoso VIII Chapter Two Reimagined  Bovet 1822

The movement that drives this exceptional timepiece meets BOVETs demanding criteria of chronometry, reliability, and expression. It draws its energy from a single barrel that ensures more than ten days of power reserve, all while maintaining the balance wheel's oscillations at 18,000 vph.



Finally, the power reserve of over ten days, provided by a single barrel, would require meticulous winding if not for the spherical differential winding system. The application of this ingenious mechanism and the multi-gear three-dimensional teeth of one of its pinions, have received two patents. Because of this differential winding system, the number of crown turns needed for full winding of the spring is halved without increasing friction and forces exerted on the gears.

Now You See Them

The Virtuoso VIII Chapter Two limited edition (8 of each color) is a modern interpretation of BOVETs proprietary and patented flying tourbillon with a big date and lengthy power reserve. The Super-LumiNova-coated dials and black DLC titanium cases are a true 21st-century departure for BOVET, and a definite harbinger of things to come.
This year marks the 230th anniversary of Girard-Perregaux. As part of its celebrations, the Manufacture is revisiting its iconic models and releasing a number of new creations. The story of the Maison began in 1791 when Jean-Francois Bautte, aged just 19, produced his first pocket watch. However, the most romantic chapter in the brands history is when Constant Girard married Marie Perregaux in 1854, culminating in the birth of one of the greatest names in watchmaking.



In 1791, clearly a remarkable year, an English clergyman, William Gregor, discovered a black sand called menachanite in Cornwall. He analysed it and concluded that it contained oxides of iron and an unknown metal. This metal was subsequently identified as titanium, an element named after the Titans, the children of Uranus and Gaea in Greek mythology. Today, titanium is widely used, not only in watchmaking but also in the fields of aerospace, medicine and motorsport, selected for its array of benefits.



The Laureato Absolute Ti 230 unites the two stories of Girard-Perregaux and William Gregor, drawing on know-how amassed over 230 years. Titanium comes in many forms, sometimes alloyed with other elements. Girard-Perregaux prefers to use Grade 5 titanium as it is particularly strong, corrosion resistant, lightweight and hypoallergenic; attributes that enrich the wearers experience.

Laureato Absolute Ti 230  Girard-Perregaux

Another reason for using Grade 5 titanium is that the metal can be polished. Girard-Perregaux presents the Laureato Absolute Ti 230 in a 44mm lightly sandblasted case that encompasses polished facets, providing a beautiful gleam and subtle contrast. Successfully combining both types of finish proves more demanding, however, as Girard-Perregaux has repeatedly shown, it never shies from a challenge.

With the release of the Laureato Absolute Ti 230 we wanted to create a new version of our iconic watch from 1975, remarks Patrick Pruniaux, CEO of Girard-Perregaux. This model is modern but encompasses traditional craftsmanship. The sandwich dial construction and GPs world-premiere Rubber Alloy strap, this time incorporating titanium, are further sumptuous details that also feature on this watch. Finally, while the price may be more inclusive, the quality remains typically Girard-Perregaux and the watch feels just as exclusive as our other models.

Rubber Alloy Know-How  Girard-Perregaux

Once again, Girard-Perregaux kindly approached us and offered exclusivity for this new model prior to its worldwide launch, comments Kim-Eva Wempe, managing owner of Gerhard D. Wempe KG of Wempe. We are delighted to have this opportunity and we appreciate the close working relationship we enjoy with Girard-Perregaux, forged over several years but solidified last year when we were fortunate to become their exclusive retailer across Germany.



The combination of curves and lines are juxtaposed with the octagonal bezel and crown, beautifully playing with contrasts. The Laureato Absolute Ti 230 is available with a choice of a blue or grey dial, augmenting eye-appeal. For the first time, the Maison offers a Laureato Absolute where the crown is encircled with a rubber ring, matching the hue of the rubber strap. This detail may not be obvious at first glance, but it will be familiar to those in the know.

Laureato Absolute Ti 230  Girard-Perregaux

The dial is of a sandwich-type construction, comprised of an upper layer, perforated with numerous openings, sat upon a lower layer. The apertures in the upper layer afford partial sight of the lower layer, presented in grey. By adopting this design approach, the apertures form recessed luminescent baton-type indexes, wonderfully playing with depths, thereby heightening the overall appearance of the dial.



Beating at the heart of the Laureato Absolute Ti 230 is a self-winding Manufacture movement, the Calibre GP03300-1060. It contains 218 components, all produced to Girard-Perregauxs exacting standards.



Upholding Laureato tradition, the strap is integrated, a characteristic found on the original model released in 1975. The strap, made of GP Rubber Alloy, this time containing titanium, perfectly matches the colour of the dial, and features a fabric effect texture, tastefully enlivened with grey stitching. Girard-Perregaux, consistent with its no-compromise attitude, has selected FKM rubber, a specification that provides greater suppleness and resistance than conventional rubber. The Manufacture has chosen to pair the strap with a titanium folding clasp with a micro-adjustment system, allowing the wearer to fine tune the size to deliver the optimal wrist fit.

Laureato Absolute Ti 230  Girard-Perregaux

The Laureato Absolute Ti 230, as previously stated, is offered in two variants, blue and grey. Each option is limited to 230 pieces.



The blue dial version of the Laureato Absolute Ti 230 will be sold exclusively by Wempe for one month in its ten boutiques across Germany as well as its flagship stores in New York and London. Thereafter, the model will be available in all authorised Girard-Perregaux retailers and on the brands e-commerce site.



With immediate effect, the grey dial version is available in all authorised Girard-Perregaux retailers as well as the brands e-commerce site.
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


Temperatures as high as 40 C are forecast to continue in Southwest China until Friday, while severe weather including hail and rainstorms is expected to batter northern parts of the country for the next few days, the National Meteorological Center said. On Monday, temperatures in Chongqing and the provinces of Sichuan, Guizhou and Hunan reached 40 C to 42 C, shattering records kept by local weather stations, the center said. The center issued alerts for high temperatures over the past five days. Sichuan's provincial government gave 10 to 18 yuan ($1.55 to $2.80) in daily high temperature subsidies to each outdoor worker, Sichuan Daily reported on Tuesday. Media outlets in Hanzhong, Shaanxi, said a local government notice asked construction companies to allow employees to avoid working in the heat or suspend work outdoors. The high temperatures have scorched the city's kiwi fruit farms, and the notice called for measures to be taken. It added that after the heat wave, severe convective weatherwhich involves the vertical movement of heat and moisturemay cause landslides and floods, and the authorities need to be prepared. Under the influence of Typhoon In-Fa, northern provinces including Liaoning and Shandong, and the central provinces of Henan and Hubei were hit by severe convective weather recently. The typhoon, which formed on July 18, affected East China, including the provinces of Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Anhui, for about 10 days. It dwindled and moved northward to form a tropical low by Friday, the center said. Over the weekend, Shangqiu and Hebi in Henan province experienced hail and thunderstorms, local media reported. Fang Chong, chief forecaster from the center, said such weather will occur frequently in central and northern provinces due to atmospheric conditions. "Affected by the typhoon, most areas accumulated water vapor near the ground. A cold mass came southward and met the vapor. The combination of coldness and heat created favorable conditions for the severe convective weather," he said. "In August, such weather is still highly likely to occur." A tropical low above the northern part of the South China Sea was approaching quickly and was likely develop into a typhoon and make landfall in southern China on Thursday, the center said. After that, the region south of the Yangtze River was forecast to see heavy rain and strong winds this week. Starting Friday, Sichuan and Guizhou will see relief from the heat thanks to rain brought by the typhoon.
BEIJING, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- When extremely heavy rainstorms devastated central China in July, it was hard not to notice the troops of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) on dams, reservoirs and riverbanks -- the most dangerous areas in the battle against floods.

They rushed to the forefront answering the Party's call, fixed dam breaches, evacuated residents in danger, and blasted barriers to release floodwater. The Party's flag flew over the field, and banners on their trucks read "People First, Life First."

This provides a glimpse of how the PLA is fulfilling duties in the new era.

A strong country must have a strong military, as only then can it guarantee the security of the nation, said Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission.

Over the past few years, the PLA is redoubling the efforts to build a peace-loving world-class military that obeys the Party's command, can fight and win, and maintains excellent conduct.

In his latest speech, Xi reiterated that the Party must command the gun.

Firmly following the Party's leadership is the fundamental reason why the PLA triumphed over all kinds of trials and tribulations, and advanced from victory to victory, according to Xi.

MODERNIZATION FOR PROTECTING PEACE

China aims to basically complete the modernization of its national defense and the people's armed forces by 2035, and fully transform its armed forces into world-class forces by the mid-21st century.

Major structural changes took place in the armed forces after late November 2015, when Xi unleashed a sweeping military reform.

He attaches great importance to military training. Combat capability was established as the "sole and fundamental" benchmark of the military.

Only those capable of fighting can stop battles, and only those prepared for war don't have to fall into war, said Xi.

"We must put all of our mind and energy in honing the combat capability, and ensure that we are fully prepared, able to fight and capable of winning any time the Party or the people are in need," said Xu Dawei, a military officer, whose brigade works on drone technology.

As China keeps building up its national defense and armed forces, the defensive nature of the country's national defense policy remains unchanged.

"This is written into the National Defense Law, becoming a basic, abiding and long-term policy we uphold," said He Lei, a national lawmaker and former deputy head of the Academy of Military Sciences.

International public security goods were also provided during the PLA's recent exchanges and cooperation with its counterparts around the world.

Over the past 30 years, China has sent over 40,000 peacekeepers to 25 UN peacekeeping missions, according to a white paper on China's United Nations (UN) Peacekeeping Operations released last September.

China is the second-largest contributor to both peacekeeping assessment and UN membership fees, and the largest troop contributor among the permanent members of the UN Security Council, said the white paper.

China never seeks hegemony or expansion and firmly opposes hegemonism and power politics, Xi said.

Instead, the Chinese military has tasked itself with the mission of building a community with a shared future for humanity, taking an active part in international disaster relief and humanitarian assistance in the wake of COVID-19.

Since February this year, China's armed forces have provided 25 batches of COVID-19 vaccine assistance to armed forces of over 20 countries including Pakistan, Cambodia, Mongolia, and Sudan.

The Chinese military will always be a staunch defender of world peace, said Xi.
BEIJING, Aug. 4 -- Jean-Pierre Lacroix, under-secretary-general for the Department of Peace Operations, expressed his wishes via video link for the 94th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) and the 31st anniversary of Chinese participation in UN peacekeeping operations, and highly acknowledged the contributions made by China and Chinese military in peacekeeping operations.

The following is the full text.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to express my best wishes on the occasion of the 94th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army and the 31st anniversary of Chinese participation in UN peacekeeping operations.

We are very grateful for Chinas support to the work of the United Nations in the field of peace and security, and in particular, its contribution to UN peacekeeping. With close to 2,500 women and men deployed in 8 peace operations, Chinese military and police personnel provided an outstanding contribution to peace efforts in important and complex situations such as Mali, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lebanon and South Sudan. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council and the second financial contributor to the budget of peace operations, Chinas support is essential and multifaceted. We are particularly grateful for Chinas engagement to support peacekeepers in the field and to advance the Action for Peacekeeping initiative. Safety and security of peacekeepers is a priority for us as these women and men implement their complex mandate in challenging environments. We are grateful for Chinas championing of the safety and security of the peacekeepers. And we are, of course, grateful for Chinas support in the efforts to provide vaccination to peacekeepers. We also appreciate Chinas commitment to the protection of civilians and to community outreachas well as to key areas such as medicine and engineering. The performance of Chinese peacekeepers is highly commendable and it has contributed to high operational efficiency of our operations.

On this important occasion, I would also like to pay tribute to the 20 personnel from China who lost their lives while serving under the UN flag, including two who died last year. We are deeply grateful for the sacrifice and for the dedication to the cause of peace. Once again, I would like to address to you my best wishes for these important anniversaries, and I look forward to continuing the strong partnership between China and UN peacekeeping in the service of peace.
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attending the 22nd ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers' Meeting held via video link, in Beijing, China, August 3, 2021. /China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi has called for more cooperation among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and China to face new challenges amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He made the remarks via video link on Tuesday at the 22nd ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

Wang hailed the APT mechanism, saying the 10 member states of the ASEAN and the three countries, or 10+3, are the backbone of East Asian cooperation.

With the resurgence of COVID-19 infections globally, the 10+3 countries should work together to carry out pragmatic cooperation, promote the overall economic recovery and continuously improve the crisis response capacities of the East Asian countries, said the Chinese diplomat.

He urged the countries to take the 25th anniversary of the launch of 10+3 cooperation mechanism next year as an opportunity to formulate a 2023-2027 work plan to better serve the shared goals of the East Asian Community.

Building a shield from pandemic in East Asia

Noting that China has so far provided over 750 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to other countries and regions, Wang said China will provide additional 110 million doses for COVAX in the next four months and offer another $3 billion as international aid over the next three years. He also vowed that the country will continue to increase the vaccines supply.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi is speaking at the 22nd ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers' Meeting held via video link, in Beijing, China, August 3, 2021. /China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs

He said China supports using the 10+3 Cooperation Fund and the ASEAN Anti-Epidemic Fund to procure vaccines and other urgently needed materials to fight the pandemic. It will help speed up the construction of a 10+3 emergency medical supplies reserve center and an ASEAN reserve warehouse, he added.

Wang also called on all parties to oppose attempts to politicize the work of tracing the origins of the novel coronavirus, and resist the "political virus" in order to safeguard the global public health.

Promoting economic integration in East Asia

The Chinese foreign minister said the countries should strive to speed up regional economic integration and ensure that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world's biggest trade pact, takes effect at an early date.

He also urged the countries to improve the risk resistance capacity of industrial and supply chains, and implement the Connecting the Connectivities Initiative among the 10+3 countries.

Seeking transformation of East Asia

Efforts should also be made to accelerate the digital transformation of the region, make good use of the advantages of the East Asian markets, and vigorously carry out practical cooperation in artificial intelligence and digital economy, said Wang.

China is willing to actively carry out cooperation on energy security and promote green growth, he added, vowing the country will also continue to share its experience in poverty reduction with all parties in an effort to help the regional countries ensure better development.

Building foundation for East Asian values

Wang said the countries should jointly pursue the common values of peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom for all mankind, and actively cooperate in education, culture and media sectors.

He urged the East Asia to contribute to global stability, economic recovery and orderly global governance.

The foreign ministers of Japan, the ROK and the ASEAN member states shared Wang's view on the importance of the 10+3 mechanism and the remarkable results it has achieved.

The countries should adhere to solidarity, openness and inclusion, improve partnership, deepen connectivity, ensure a smooth flow of supply and industrial chains, enhance their resilience to tackle various types of challenges, and work together for regional development and prosperity, they said.

The APT foreign ministers also wished the ongoing Tokyo Olympics success, and expressed their expectations for the Beijing Winter Olympics next year.
Afghan security forces start operations against Taliban fighters around Torkham border point between Afghanistan and Pakistan in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, July 23, 2021. /Getty

The Taliban and the Afghan government are far apart in U.S.-backed talks on bringing peace to the country, with the insurgents demanding "the lion's share of power" in a new government and Kabul wanting to bring them into the current government, the special U.S. envoy on Afghanistan said on Tuesday.

Afghan-born veteran U.S. diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad's comment coincides with Taliban advances on provincial capitals as the U.S. troop pullout nears completion after 20 years of war.

"At this point, they (the Taliban) are demanding that they take the lion's share of power in the next government given the military situation as they see it," Khalilzad told the Aspen Security Forum in an online conference.

The deadlocked negotiations in the Qatari capital of Doha were the subject of a telephone call on Tuesday between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, the U.S. State Department said, adding that the two agreed on the need to accelerate the talks.

Blinken and Ghani also "condemned the ongoing Taliban attacks and displacement of the civilian population," State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.

Price told reporters that the insurgents would become "international pariahs" if they renege on their commitment to the negotiations "and the concern on the part of all of us, one of the many concerns, is that the result will be civil war."

U.S. special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad (C) sits in a coffee shop ahead of a session of the peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban in the Qatari capital Doha, July 17, 2021. /CFP

Khalilzad was the architect of the U.S.-Taliban deal for a U.S. troop pullout reached in February 2020.

In his rare public assessment of the Doha talks started under that deal, Khalilzad said peace can only be reached through a ceasefire and negotiations that would establish a transitional government.

Ghani's administration says the talks should focus on "bringing the Taliban into the current government," he said.

The Taliban contend that Ghani's government "is the result of military occupation" and they want an agreement on a transitional government and constitution, Khalilzad continued.

"They are far apart," he said. "They are trying to affect each other's calculus and the terms by what they are doing on the battlefield," he said.

Peace talks between the Afghan government and Taliban negotiators started last year in Doha, without making any substantive progress despite a few rounds. However, the two sides committed to speeding up the talks at a recent meeting.

During a visit to China last week, the Taliban's political chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar said the group is sincere about seeking peace and is willing to work with other parties to create an extensive and inclusive political arrangement that is acceptable to all Afghan people.

Nevertheless, the security situation continues to worsen in Afghanistan. A massive blast rocked Kabul on Tuesday evening, sending a thick plume of smoke into the sky. A security official said the explosion happened near Defense Minister Bismillah Mohammadi's residence in central Kabul.

Meanwhile, 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.

(With input from Reuters, AFP)
By Liu Yujing and Yan Liang

LHASA, Aug. 4 -- The PLA Tibet Military Command hosted a setting-out ceremony in Lhasa on the morning of August 3 for two teams respectively participating in the "Elbrus Ring" and "Army of Culture" of the International Army Games (IAG) 2021 to be held in Russia.

This is the fourth time for the Tibet Military Command to dispatch troops to compete in the "Elbrus Ring" event on behalf of China, and the first time to participate in the "Army of Culture" event. The participants for "Elbrus Ring" are selected through multiple rounds of selection and 20 elites are shortlisted finally, while the 12 participants for the Army of Culture are selected from the art troupe under the Political Work Department of Tibet Military Command.

The "Elbrus Ring" event is held in Mount Elbrus, the highest peak in Europe. It is a comprehensive competition of field skills for teams in high mountains with a total distance of about 116 kilometers from the elevation of 2,356 meters to 5,642 meters, making it feature the longest time span, the most subjects, the highest requirements on physical capability and the worst competition environment among all the events in IAG. The competition will kick off on August 22, local time in Russia, and last for 13 days. Participants from various countries have to complete 15 tasks including cliff climbing, mountain orienteering, and group shooting. Nine countries including China and Russia will participate this year.

It is learned that the troops of the Tibet Military Command has carried out preparations for five months, during which extreme training of physical functions and professional skills are conducted successively in different areas with dense forests, snow mountains and glaciers. Such training enabled the participating players to be more adaptable to the rules of the competition and has effectively tempered the participants' willpower, physical fitness, endurance and military skills.

The "Army of Culture" is a competition involving professional performers, creative groups and representatives of military museums and cultural centers from participating countries of the IAG 2021. The competition aims to deepen the friendship and understanding among the people and the armed forces of the participating countries, popularize military songs, and provide participants with the opportunity to display their creative potential and become familiar with the cultural essence of other countries. A total of 16 countries including China, Russia and Kazakhstan will participate in the competition.

The two participating teams will arrive in Urumqi on August 6, and then take a military plane to Moscow, Russia on August 8.
BEIJING, Aug. 4 -- Recently, a naval rescue detachment under the PLA Northern Theater Command has once again set a deep diving record for a type of deep-sea submersible lifeboat in the South China Sea, further enhancing the extreme rescue capabilities of China's active-service submarines under conditions of great depths and mid-to-far seas.
Photo taken on July 14, 2020 shows the Golden Bauhinia Square in south China's Hong Kong. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaochu)

- The human rights situation in China is at its best in history. Since the national security law in Hong Kong came into effect more than a year ago, human rights and freedoms of the overwhelming majority of Hong Kong citizens have suffered "zero damage."

- If the United States really wants to "stand with" the Chinese people who "pursue" human rights, it should side with the overwhelming majority, not the other way around.

BEIJING, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Since the new U.S. administration took office, it has not changed the hegemonic behavior of its predecessor on issues related to Hong Kong, having launched at least 13 smear attacks against China on those issues and raved about "standing with Hong Kong people" many times.

The U.S. side has also churned out fallacies about the proper measures taken to boost the long-term stability of Hong Kong, including China's implementation of the national security law in Hong Kong and measures to improve Hong Kong's electoral system. Washington has also ganged up with some Western forces to launch a propaganda campaign against China, and even imposed so-called "sanctions" against Chinese officials.

The unprovoked attacks on China by the new U.S. administration on issues related to Hong Kong are listed below in a bid to restore truths through an account of facts.

PART 1

After China's National People's Congress (NPC) adopted a decision on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on March 11, the U.S. State Department issued a statement to attack and discredit China's decision. The U.S. side also issued a statement with other Group of Seven members to defame China. On March 17, the U.S. State Department announced so-called "sanctions" against 24 Chinese officials, including 14 vice chairmen of the NPC Standing Committee, on the eve of a high-level strategic dialogue between China and the United States in the U.S. state of Alaska.

Aerial photo taken on March 6, 2021 shows citizens displaying China's national flag and the flag of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in support of implementing the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" at Tamar Park in Hong Kong, south China. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

After the NPC adopted the decision on improving the electoral system of the HKSAR, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department claimed that the decision attacked Hong Kong's democratic process. However, it is purely China's internal affair to design and improve Hong Kong's electoral system, and no foreign force is entitled to interfere. In fact, the United States has its own strict laws against foreign interference in elections, and the U.S. House of Representatives had passed a bill to improve the U.S. electoral system. Why can the United States itself amend its own electoral laws any time it deems necessary but go all out to denigrate China's improvement of such laws for one of its special administrative regions?

While the U.S. side alleged that the targets of its so-called "sanctions" have "undermined the high degree of autonomy promised to the people in Hong Kong," the U.S. accusation was not consistent with the facts. The NPC has made decisions on safeguarding national security in Hong Kong and improving the electoral system of Hong Kong respectively. The improved electoral system has ensured the implementation of the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong," which excludes anti-China, destabilizing forces from the governance structure and better guarantees the national security and the safety of the HKSAR's body of power. It has also better reflected the extensive and balanced political participation by Hong Kong residents, which in no way weakens Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy, but is more conducive to the healthy and orderly development of Hong Kong's democratic system.

China's measures to maintain the long-term stability of Hong Kong have also won broad international support. During the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), 70 countries issued a joint statement urging relevant parties to stop interfering in issues related to Hong Kong and in China's internal affairs. In addition, another 20-plus countries also voiced support for China's position and measures on issues related to Hong Kong in their respective remarks at the HRC.

The U.S. side, by choosing to announce the so-called "sanctions" against Chinese officials on the eve of the high-level strategic dialogue between China and the United States in Alaska, sought to use extreme pressure to gain bargaining chips. However, such unilateral "sanctions" were only a bluff. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) said previously that the U.S. unilateral sanctions are not adopted by the United Nations, thus having no legal effect in Hong Kong. The HKMA's position on unilateral U.S. "sanctions" is clear: Hong Kong banks have no legal responsibility to act in concert with those "sanctions."

After the announcement of the so-called "sanctions" by the United States in 2020, anti-China and destabilizing forces rejoiced, claiming that those sanctions were "significant indicators" and "champagne corks will be opened tonight for celebration." They also predicted with confidence that "more sanctions will be imposed in the future, not only on senior officials and middle-level officials, but also those who directly endanger the rule of law in Hong Kong." The truth of the claim that "the United States stands with Hong Kong people" is that the U.S. side will always stand with those who create disturbances and undermine Hong Kong's prosperity and stability.

PART 2

On March 30, the amended Annex I and Annex II to the HKSAR Basic Law were passed at the 27th session of the Standing Committee of the 13th NPC, with a unanimous vote from all committee members in attendance. On March 31, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken certified to U.S. Congress that Hong Kong remains undeserving of "special treatment" by the United States under U.S. law. On April 1, U.S. Consul General in Hong Kong Hanscom Smith raved that Hong Kong elections would not produce "meaningful democratic results."

The designing and improvement of the electoral system of the HKSAR is China's internal affair. The amendments enjoy sufficient legal basis and fully embody the spirit of the rule of law in governing the country and Hong Kong by law. The newly amended Annexes I and II of the HKSAR Basic Law are systematic amendments to the method for selecting the HKSAR chief executive and the method for forming the HKSAR Legislative Council, respectively. By focusing on reconstituting the Election Committee and increasing empowerment, the amendments represent an overall planning and design for Hong Kong's electoral system, which have not only fixed the loopholes and defects of the original system in a timely manner, but also effectively enhanced the broad representation and balanced participation of the electoral system. They have optimized and developed Hong Kong's democratic system, and have by no means "weakened democracy."

Citizens sign their names during a campaign in support of the decision on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region by the National People's Congress (NPC) in Hong Kong, south China, March 11, 2021. (Xinhua/Lo Ping Fai)

It is of great significance to improve the electoral system of the HKSAR. By making institutional arrangement at the constitutional level, it combines adherence to the principle of "one country" with respect for the differences between "two systems," and also combines the upholding of the central government's overall jurisdiction over Hong Kong with a guarantee of a high degree of autonomy of Hong Kong. It has fully implemented the fundamental principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong," thus ensuring Hong Kong's long-term stability and prosperity, safeguarding the steady and sustained implementation of the principle of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong, and giving Hong Kong people a promising future.

In any country in the world, loyalty to one's homeland is a basic political ethic that must be observed by civil servants and those who run for public office. In Britain, the electoral system of each region is decided by the central government of Britain. For example, with the highest degree of autonomy, Scotland's electoral system was set by the Scotland Act passed by the British Parliament in 1998 and amended in 2012.

Xulio Rios, director of the Observatory of Chinese Politics in Spain, said that the electoral reform shows the firm will of the Chinese government to preserve the stability of Hong Kong and not to sacrifice sovereignty under any circumstances. In an interview with Chinese media, George Galloway, a former member of the British Parliament, used a vivid expression to illustrate the need to improve Hong Kong's electoral system: to remove hidden enemies in the "Trojan horse."

Hong Kong's special economic status is protected by the Basic Law and is generally recognized and respected by the international community. After Hong Kong's return to its motherland, its fiscal and taxation independence, free trade, issuance of its own currency, free flow of capital, and its status as a free port and a separate customs territory have been maintained and consolidated, which fully demonstrates that Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy is working well. While claiming to support Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy, the U.S. side has cancelled the so-called "special treatment" for Hong Kong. Facts have proved that it is the U.S. side that has undermined Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy.

Hong Kong's development achievements stem from the continuous hard work of generations of Hong Kong people and its great advantage of relying on the motherland. They have never been gifts or charity from any foreign country. The cancellation of the so-called "special treatment" by the U.S. side will stop neither Hong Kong's development and prosperity, nor the general trend of Hong Kong's continued integration with the motherland to gain more space for development.

Smith denied the significance of improving Hong Kong's electoral system, because under the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong," U.S. agents in Hong Kong, namely anti-China and destabilizing forces, will be completely excluded from the governance structure of the HKSAR. This is a huge defeat for those anti-China forces in the United States and the West who stand with such agents.

PART 3

On April 16, anti-China Hong Kong disruptors, including Jimmy Lai Chee-ying and Martin Lee Chu-ming, were sentenced by a Hong Kong court according to law.

Later, Blinken tweeted that the sentences "are unacceptable," and called for the release of those disruptors. He also added the hashtag #StandWithHongKong at the end of his tweet.

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also tweeted that she was "saddened and disturbed" by the sentences, and smeared the sentences as "another sign of Beijing's assault on the rule of law."

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaks during a press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., the United States, Feb. 25, 2021. The U.S. House on Thursday voted to pass an act that will prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua)

Hong Kong is a society under the rule of law. The evidence for the illegal activities of those anti-China Hong Kong disruptors is rock solid, and no external force has the right to butt in.

The West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts announced on April 16 to sentence Jimmy Lai to 14 months in prison for organizing and participating in illegal assemblies on Aug. 18, 2019 in Hong Kong Island, and for participating in an unauthorized assembly on Aug. 31, 2019.

The court also heard two other cases that Lai was involved in, including suspected of violating the national security law in Hong Kong and fraud, which were adjourned to June 15 and May 6 respectively.

The prosecutor also filed charges against Lai over collusion with external forces to endanger national security and conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice.

Facts showed that such perpetrators as Lai and Lee have colluded with Western anti-China forces for a long time and raised the devil. It was also made public that Lai has built shady connections with the U.S. National Endowment for Democracy, a U.S. government-sponsored entity.

During the illegal "Occupy Central" movement in 2014 and the chaos over the amendments to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance and the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ordinance in 2019, the local Apple Daily newspaper, controlled by Lai, served as a propaganda tool for the anti-China and destabilizing forces.

Even after the implementation of the national security law, the perpetrators still kept "fighting for the United States" under the disguise of media workers. Their repeated breaking of the bottom line has made them a common enemy of the Hong Kong society.

The sentences of those who organized and took part in unauthorized and illegal assemblies are based on sufficient factual evidence, with the procedure totally legal and the verdict made public according to law.

Some U.S. politicians, despite chanting the slogan of upholding international rules, have repeatedly trampled on international law and basic norms governing international relations, and wantonly interfered in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs. That fully exposes their entrenched double standards on international rules, the use of which depends on whether they conform to U.S. interests.

When illegal demonstrations broke out in Hong Kong, Pelosi called them "a beautiful sight to behold." In sharp contrast, she unscrupulously slandered the normal law-enforcement measures by the Hong Kong police, who had shown maximum restraint.

When large-scale riots erupted in Los Angeles in 1992, the same California politician did not meet and incite the organizers of the riots.

In 2021, when the U.S. Capitol Hill was under attack, Pelosi, as a congresswoman, did not view the riot as "a beautiful sight to behold," but instead condemned the attackers hard. The ironic contrast laid bare the true color of U.S. politicians' "promise" to firmly stand with the anti-China and destabilizing forces in Hong Kong.

PART 4

On May 7, Blinken wrote on Twitter that the country "stands with the people of Hong Kong," while asking the Hong Kong government to immediately release multiple instigators of riots in the city, including Joshua Wong.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken testifies before U.S. House Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on March 10, 2021. (Ken Cedeno/Pool via Xinhua)

On May 6, four instigators of the Hong Kong riots, including Wong, were sentenced to four to 10 months in prison respectively by the District Court of the HKSAR, for knowingly participating in an unauthorized assembly. The facts of the cases are well-founded, and Wong and the others are guilty as charged. The ridiculous demand for the immediate release of the defendants does not respect the rule of law, revealing Washington's attempt to interfere in China's internal affairs.

While Hong Kong's laws always respect and protect rights and freedoms under the Basic Law, these rights and freedoms are not absolute, and shall be built upon the maintenance of public order and the protection of rights and freedoms of others. Wong and the others knew the assembly was unauthorized but still took part in it.

David Gosset, a French expert on international issues and founder of the Europe-China Forum, described certain Western politicians as hypocrites who turned a blind eye to the violence in Hong Kong. He stressed that the violent and extremist acts in the city, which damaged its people's rights, should be condemned. John Ross, former director of Economic and Business Policy of London, said that he thinks it is a typical example of hypocrisy that certain U.S. politicians play the human rights card only when it comes to Hong Kong affairs.

British barrister Grenville Cross, who started working in Hong Kong in 1978 and served as Hong Kong's first director of public prosecutions after the city's return to China, pointed out that international anti-China forces are trying to undermine the practice of "one country, two systems" by destroying the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong in order to contain China's development.

In 2019, when the Hong Kong government sought to introduce amendments to its extradition laws, anti-China forces in the United States and some other Western countries incited crimes of violence in the city from behind the scenes, insanely challenged the bottom line of "one country, two systems," gravely undermined Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, and put its people under extreme anxiety. In 2021, the U.S. side is still sparing no effort to speak for the criminals, including Wong. This demonstrates again that by claiming it "stands with the people of Hong Kong," Washington is actually siding with criminals and treating the Hong Kong people as enemies.

PART 5

On May 27, the Legislative Council of the HKSAR voted overwhelmingly to pass the Improving Electoral System (Consolidated Amendments) Bill 2021. On May 28, Blinken made rash criticism of the bill, calling for the release of all those charged under the national security law in Hong Kong, and dismissal of charges against them.

Under the improved electoral system in Hong Kong, the composition of the Election Committee and the Legislative Council is more broadly representative, which reflects the interests of all sectors of the Hong Kong society in a comprehensive and balanced manner, safeguards the executive-led political system, ensures that the Legislative Council performs its duties in accordance with the law, and enhances the effectiveness of the HKSAR's governance. It is also conducive to pushing forward joint social efforts to solve deep-seated problems and promoting people's livelihood and economic development.

Before and after the adoption of the NPC's decision on improving the electoral system of the HKSAR, the central government collected opinions from people from all walks of life in Hong Kong in various ways. On March 15-17, the Commission for Legislative Affairs of the NPC Standing Committee, together with the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council and the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, held more than 60 symposiums for three consecutive days on the implementation of the NPC's decision on improving the electoral system of the HKSAR. Together with additional visits and interviews, the relevant views of over 1,000 representatives from all walks of life in Hong Kong were extensively and carefully listened to.

More than 2.38 million signatures were collected in Hong Kong in support of improving the electoral system of the HKSAR during an 11-day campaign starting from March 11. According to a survey by Hong Kong's think-tank Bauhinia Institute, more than 70 percent of Hong Kong residents believe that the improvement of Hong Kong's electoral system has enhanced their confidence in Hong Kong's future. After the passage of the bill, various sectors of the Hong Kong society, including the Hong Kong Civil Servants General Union, the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Hong Kong Guangdong Community Organizations, expressed support for the bill.

The United States has many electoral laws. In the past two years alone, members of the U.S. Congress have introduced more than 40 bills to improve the U.S. electoral system. On the same day when China's top legislature announced its agenda for improving Hong Kong's electoral system, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a "For the People Act" to improve the electoral system and ensure election security.

Photo taken on Feb. 22, 2021 in Brussels, Belgium shows a screen displaying the 46th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) held in Geneva, Switzerland. (Xinhua/Zhang Cheng)

On March 5, Belarus delivered a joint speech on behalf of over 70 countries at the 46th session of the UNHRC, emphasizing that Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs and should not be interfered by external forces. Ambassador Yury Ambrazevich, head of the Belarus mission to the UN in Geneva, said in an interview after the meeting that "we emphasized that Hong Kong is an integral part of China and Hong Kong affairs are China's internals affairs," stressing that China has the sole authority and responsibility to make any decisions, including on improving Hong Kong's electoral system, to promote Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability.

Judging from its call for releasing all those charged and dropping charges against them under the national security law in Hong Kong, the U.S. position is very clear: the United States stands "firmly" in opposition to the national security law in Hong Kong, which has guaranteed the transition from chaos to order in Hong Kong and effectively restored the sense of security of Hong Kong citizens.

PART 6

On June 3, Blinken issued a statement on the website of U.S. Department of State, claiming that the United States will "stand with the people of China as they demand that their government respect universal human rights." On the following day, he tweeted a call for "the immediate release" of some people in Hong Kong that were arrested.

During the disturbance in Hong Kong following the proposed ordinance amendments in 2019, anti-China extremist and secessionist groups supported by the United States did not pursue human rights, but trampled on human rights in an attempt to seize the jurisdiction in Hong Kong and subvert the state power.

From June 2019 to mid-March 2020, there were more than 1,400 demonstrations and public gatherings in Hong Kong, many of which eventually turned into serious violent incidents, such as throwing petrol bombs, vandalism, and burning shops. Rioters attacked police stations and officers, besieged innocent citizens, doxed people who expressed opinions different from theirs, destroyed subways and public facilities, paralyzed airports, blocked traffic and "occupied" university campuses, posing a long-term grave threat to public safety and order in Hong Kong.

Violent protesters throw petrol bombs at police officers in south China's Hong Kong, Aug. 31, 2019. (Xinhua)

Data showed that the number of crime cases in Hong Kong had been on a downward trend in the past years before the "Black Terror" in 2019, but the social unrest reversed the trend, as the number rose by 9 percent and 7 percent respectively in 2019 and 2020.

Luo Changqing, a 70-year-old cleaner in Hong Kong, was hit by rioters and died of serious wounds. A Hong Kong resident surnamed Lee was poured with flammable liquid and set ablaze, following an argument with rioters who were thrashing public facilities. He suffered from burns on almost half of his body, and was once in a critical condition. Chan Tze-chin, a Hong Kong lawyer, was surrounded and viciously beaten up by rioters after he berated them for thrashing shops in a busy shopping area in Causeway Bay, and suffered multiple physical injuries. More than half of the stores of Best Mart 360, the Hong Kong-based snack chain, were vandalized in the social unrest.

Yonden Lhatoo, chief news editor at the South China Morning Post, wrote in an article in 2020: "So when Americans take to the streets in an eruption of rage against systemic racism that has afflicted their country since its founding, they are 'rioters' who deserve to be shot dead? But when radicals in Hong Kong go on the rampage, hurling petrol bombs, destroying public property ... they are mighty champions of freedom?"

The United States itself has terrible human rights records. The Russian Foreign Ministry on July 9 released country reports on human rights situation, which point out that the United States continues to grossly violate human rights both inside the country and beyond its shores. The freedom of the press in the United States, to which Washington declares adherence, is sliding into complete degradation, and the level of racism, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and other manifestations of discrimination and xenophobia continue to rise.

The human rights situation in China is at its best in history. Since the national security law in Hong Kong came into effect more than a year ago, human rights and freedoms of the overwhelming majority of Hong Kong citizens have suffered "zero damage." If the United States really wants to "stand with" the Chinese people who "pursue" human rights, it should side with the overwhelming majority, not the other way around. (more)
NEW DELHI, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- India's first indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier Vikrant Wednesday began its sea trials off the coast of Kochi in the southern state of Kerala, officials said.

"Proud and historic day for India as the reincarnated Vikrant sails for her maiden sea trials today, in the 50th year of her illustrious predecessor's key role in victory in the 1971 war," reads a brief statement issued by the Indian navy.

The navy also described the carrier as the "largest and most complex warship ever to be designed and built in India."

An official statement said Vikrant's propulsion plants will be put to rigorous testing at the sea in addition to the trials of various navigation, communication and hull equipment.

"The commencement of sea trials of the indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC) after trials of various equipment at the harbor, especially during these difficult times of the COVID-19 pandemic is a landmark achievement for the country," the official statement said.

The IAC is the largest warship built in the country having a displacement of about 40,000 tonnes.

The IAC is 262 meters long, 62 meters at the widest part and a height of 59 meters including the superstructure.

India's Defense Minister Rajnath Singh took to social media and described it as a "realization of historic milestone."
Guests pose for a group photo during a ceremony themed on National Security Education Day in south China's Hong Kong, April 15, 2021. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)

PART 7

In June, Smith said in an interview that the imposition of the national security law in Hong Kong had created an "atmosphere of coercion" that threatens both the city's freedoms and its standing as an international business hub.

The disturbance in Hong Kong following the proposed ordinance amendments in June 2019 dealt a heavy blow to Hong Kong's economy and people's livelihood.

In 2019, Hong Kong's economy posted the first negative growth in 10 years. Official data showed that around half of service industries recorded year-on-year decreases in business revenues, as accommodation services and retail industries dropped 14.3 percent and 11.1 percent respectively, with tourist visits to Hong Kong slumping, and unemployment in retails, hospitality and catering sectors staying high.

Since the national security law in Hong Kong took effect by the end of June 2020, the society has returned to the right track and residents have lived in peace, opening up a new situation in Hong Kong where order replaces chaos.

In the first quarter of 2021, the city's number of crimes dropped about 10 percent year-on-year, while gross domestic product (GDP) saw a 7.9 percent year-on-year increase.

In June, the International Monetary Fund released a report that reaffirmed Hong Kong's position as an international financial center.

According to the World Investment Report 2021 released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Hong Kong remained the world's third largest destination for foreign direct investment in 2020.

The national security law in Hong Kong only targets four types of offences, namely, secession, subversion, terrorist activities and collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security. It is designed to deter and punish a handful of criminals seriously jeopardizing national security, and to protect the overwhelming majority of law-abiding Hong Kong people.

All efforts and law enforcement relating to safeguarding national security will be conducted in strict accordance with legal provisions, mandates and procedures. The legislation will not affect the rights and freedoms, including those of speech, of the press, of publication and of assembly that Hong Kong residents enjoy under the law. It will enable them to better exercise their lawful rights and freedoms in a secure environment.

The legislation, since taking effect, has better ensured the city's high degree of autonomy in accordance with law, and created conditions for resolving deep-rooted problems concerning Hong Kong's economy and people's livelihood. It also contributes to Hong Kong's rule-of-law and business environment, addresses the concerns in the business communities on social turbulences, and creates better conditions for people around the world who are willing to work, invest and live in Hong Kong.

Washington, while chanting the slogan of "stand with Hong Kong people," has in fact engaged in actions against the national security law in Hong Kong and imposing the so-called "sanctions." Such self-contradictory behaviour exposed its hypocrisy and despicableness.

Photo taken on May 28, 2021 shows the U.S. Capitol building behind a traffic sign in Washington, D.C., the United States. U.S. Senate Republicans on Friday blocked legislation to establish an independent commission to investigate the deadly Jan. 6 Capitol riot. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

PART 8

On June 25, the White House put out on its website a statement regarding the closing down of Hong Kong's Apple Daily, in which it falsely accused China of suppressing press freedom.

The Apple Daily, under the cloak of a media outlet, had long engaged in illegal acts of harming the country and destabilizing Hong Kong, seriously violating the journalistic ethics and jeopardizing the media environment of Hong Kong.

The newspaper had long been engaged in concocting fake news to mislead the public. During the turbulence over proposed ordinance amendments in Hong Kong in 2019, the newspaper produced a flurry of fake news and peddled wrong values to perplex the public, disseminate "anti-police" and "anti-China" remarks, and instigate "Black Violence."

Hong Kong is a society governed by rule of law and everyone is equal before the law. No one has extra-legal privileges, and no institution is an extra-legal entity. Hong Kong police act against individuals and companies suspected of endangering national security in strict accordance with the law, and their actions are a just move to crack down on crimes and maintain the rule of law and social order.

Those who describe moves on an individual news organization and on those in charge of an individual news organization as acts to crack down on press freedom have ulterior motives and are seeking to talk black into white.

It is the United States which has brutally suppressed the media and restricted press freedom. Analyses by The Guardian and Netherlands-based investigative journalism website Bellingcat showed from May 26, 2020 to June 2, 2020 alone, there were 148 arrests or attacks on journalists covering protests ignited by the killing of George Floyd, among which 34 instances involved officers physically assaulting journalists, and 33 instances involved journalists being arrested or detained. A female photojournalist was left blinded in the left eye by a police projectile during one of the protests. In 2021, the U.S. government forcibly shut down more than 30 foreign news media websites.

German writer Michael Lueders has revealed in his new book "The Hypocritical Superpower" that the U.S. government and its interest groups are apt at influencing and shaping public opinion by selecting information and polarizing public views, so that people are brainwashed without any realization. Washington's repeated provocations in this respect reveal that it is in fact a mastermind of troubles and a public opinion manipulator.

In fact, the press freedom in Hong Kong has not been damaged, but has been consolidated. At present, there are 93 local, 69 overseas and 39 online media organizations registered with the government, respectively, showing increases from a year ago. The press and the general public exercise the right of supervision every day and enjoy the freedom to criticize the administration of the HKSAR government. There is no obstruction for overseas media to interview people with different positions.

PART 9

On July 7, the White House announced the extension of the so-called "national emergency with respect to Hong Kong" and of relevant Hong Kong-related sanctions for one year, and continued with the cancellation of preferential treatment for Hong Kong.

The so-called "national emergency with respect to Hong Kong," a measure announced by former U.S. President Donald Trump's administration on July 14, 2020, is a gross interference in China's internal affairs. The extension of the so-called "national emergency" also marked the first time that Joe Biden, since taking office as U.S. president, continued with Trump's thinking on Hong Kong from the perspective of policy implementation, and once again publicly intervened in Hong Kong affairs, which are China's internal affairs. Such an act seriously undermined China's sovereignty, security and development interests.

Hong Kong residents celebrate the passage of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in Causeway Bay of south China's Hong Kong, June 30, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Shen)

Hong Kong had always been an excuse for Washington to put pressure on Beijing during the Trump administration. At the end of June 2020, the Law on Safeguarding National Security in HKSAR was promulgated and implemented. Trump then signed an executive order, declaring that the United States immediately entered a "national emergency" on the grounds that the situation in Hong Kong would pose a "threat" to the national security, economy and foreign policy of the United States. At the same time, the country also ended its special treatment for Hong Kong. Previously, Hong Kong enjoyed treatment that many cities in the Chinese mainland did not have, mainly in immigration, import and export control, tourism and economy.

The Biden administration followed the Trump administration's wrong acts on Hong Kong, extending the so-called "national emergency," and continued with its outrageous sanctions against China.

Sanctions on Hong Kong, however, will surely backfire and bite the United States. Official data released by China last year showed that there were around 85,000 U.S. citizens and more than 1,300 U.S. enterprises in Hong Kong, including almost all of America's major financial firms. Over the years, the United States has gained a huge trade surplus from its trade with Hong Kong, and its interests in Hong Kong have been deep and direct. Sanctions will bring "complexities" to U.S. enterprises in Hong Kong, subjecting their normal operations to political risks.

In as early as 2020, there was wide condemnation around the world against the so-called "sanctions" imposed on Hong Kong by countries such as the United States. Chester Humphrey, president of the Senate of Grenada, pointed out that the United States just wanted to divert the attention of the American people from domestic problems, and that its "sanctions" against other countries were illegal. Patricio Giusto, director of the Sino-Argentine Observatory, said that the so-called "sanctions" will not pose a substantial threat and have no legal basis, which once again exposed the "double standards" of U.S. politicians.

"Standing with Hong Kong" on one hand and relentlessly sticking to sanctioning it on the other is the absurd logic of U.S. politicians and a logic that no one, including Hong Kong people, can understand.

PART 10

On July 10, the U.S. Department of State posted a statement issued by 21 members of the so-called "Media Freedom Coalition" on its website, expressing "strong concerns" about the judicial organs of the HKSAR handling the case of Apple Daily according to law, and falsely claiming that "the use of the National Security Law to suppress journalism is a serious and negative step."

Freedom is not laissez-faire. Scientific rationality, legal order and international rules are the foundation of freedom. As Montesquieu said in The Spirit of Law, "liberty is the right to do what the law permits." Any freedom has boundaries. Even the so-called "free countries" have also defined clear forbidden zones and restrictions for freedom, and it is never allowed to break through the bottom line of the legal system. "The most stringent protection of free speech would not protect a man in falsely shouting fire in a theater and causing a panic," said U.S. Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes in a judgement in 1919.

Constitutions of over 100 countries in the world stipulate that the exercise of basic rights and freedoms must not endanger national security. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights clarifies that the rights to freedom of belief, expression, peaceful assembly and public trial must be subject to necessary restrictions on grounds of national security, public order, public health or morals or the rights and freedoms of others. The European Convention on Human Rights has similar provisions. The United States, Britain, Canada, Australia and other countries have also established strict legal systems to safeguard national security, and have no mercy in cracking down on criminal acts endangering national security.

In the United States, although the First Amendment to the Constitution stipulates that freedom of speech and press should be ensured, the country still set up state agencies that conduct oversight over on the media. The Federal Communications Commission is responsible for issuing licenses to radio and television stations in the United States and imposes basic restrictions on program content. The U.S. Supreme Court has also said that speech that "directed to inciting imminent lawless action and is likely to produce such action" is not protected.

In Germany, denial of the Holocaust and other forms of incitement to hatred against certain ethnic groups are punishable by up to five years in prison. In August 2018, the German Federal Constitutional Court said in a ruling that punishing the denial of Nazi genocide is fundamentally in line with the constitutional provisions on freedom of speech. In France, the current Law on the Freedom of the Press clearly stipulates that damaging the basic interests of the country, abetting crimes, slandering and insulting, and spreading false news through the media are all illegal and criminal acts, and must be punished. Penalties include fines, imprisonment, and confiscation of publications.

Jimmy Lai Chee-ying is taken by the police to the headquarters of Apple Daily for investigation in Hong Kong, south China, Aug. 10, 2020. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)

Hong Kong police arrested and prosecuted Apple Daily and its personnel and froze related properties for colluding with external forces and jeopardizing national security. These actions are a necessary and legitimate move to safeguard the rule of law in Hong Kong, and has nothing to do with protecting freedom of speech and the press. The United States gathered some members of the so-called "Media Freedom Coalition" to beautify and excuse the anti-China and destabilizing Hong Kong media outlets and their employees in an attempt to put pressure on China. Its actions seriously desecrated the spirit of law and seriously violated the conscience of the media.

Apple Daily is also a mirror, which not only reflects the ending of the anti-China and destabilizing Hong Kong forces, but also clearly reflects the "double standards" of the U.S. side in dealing with the Hong Kong issue. We would like to ask, are Hong Kong people willing to stand with such politicians and governments?

PART 11

On July 16, as a bid to smear Hong Kong's business environment, the U.S. government issued a so-called "business advisory" to caution U.S. businesses about "emerging risks" to their operations and activities in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, Washington imposed sanctions on seven officials of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR.

The U.S. advisory, which attempts to discredit the national security law in Hong Kong while stating that Hong Kong is still a popular investment and trade location for the United States and that it provides competitive financial, trade and professional services, is self-contradictory and illogical.

Investors' moves are an important indicator of Hong Kong's business environment. More than a year after the implementation of the national security law, the initial public offering funds raised in Hong Kong exceeded 500 billion Hong Kong dollars (64.35 billion U.S. dollars), representing an increase of more than 50 percent year-on-year. Total deposits in Hong Kong banks rose by over 5 percent from a year ago.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong said that the city has a crucial role to play as an international business hub, and that it "remains a critical and vibrant facilitator of trade and financial flow between the East and West." Jim Thompson, chairman and founder of logistics company Crown Worldwide Group, said the U.S. administration is making it "harder for American investors to do business in the city, which is like putting handcuffs on them ... This is so sad."

Experts and scholars believe that the so-called "business advisory" from the U.S. government will not affect corporate decisions -- while the United States regularly issues similar warnings, businesses make their own judgements. The enterprises did not withdraw from Hong Kong even when black-clad rioters were running wild in the city, and they are less likely to do so now as Hong Kong's social order has been restored and the city's development has been back on track under the protection of the national security law.

The stepped-up sanctions by the United States have already backfired and bitten the country itself. U.S. trade surplus with Hong Kong totaled 297 billion dollars from 2009 to 2018. When the sanctions were imposed, U.S. trade and finance were the first to take a hit.

In a Foreign Affairs article published mid-July, former U.S. Consul General in Hong Kong Kurt W. Tong wrote that the U.S. Treasury Department knows "sanctions on major Chinese banks could trigger significant instability in the international payment system, by interrupting the huge volume of financial transactions between the world's two largest economies," which would "in turn harm U.S. financial markets and the perceived reliability of the U.S.-centric global payments system."

When even the American people are unwilling to stand with their own government, the lie of U.S. politicians that they "stand with the people of Hong Kong" naturally falls apart.

CONCLUSION

U.S. politicians have been constantly claiming to defend Hong Kong's human rights and freedom and "stand with the people of Hong Kong." But actions speak louder than words. All their slogans have proved to be nothing but lies.

All Chinese people including people in Hong Kong have already clearly seen what these politicians are defending is not the Hong Kong people's human rights and freedom, but the "freedom" of a handful of rioters to disrupt Hong Kong's stability and endanger China's national security, and the "freedom" of these politicians to continue interfering in Hong Kong's affairs and containing China.

Radical protesters attack police officers in Tsuen Wan in the western New Territories of south China's Hong Kong, Aug. 25, 2019. (Xinhua)

Under the pretext of democracy and human rights, these politicians have been offering real endorsements for the rioters, which fully exposes the double standards of these U.S. politicians. They condemned the Capital riot with utmost rage, but nevertheless called similar acts in Hong Kong "a beautiful sight to behold." They have enacted the world's most thorough national security law at home, but nevertheless tried to smear China's parallel efforts to plug the security hole in Hong Kong.

In the name of "press freedom," they are interfering with and undermining the rule of law in Hong Kong. Amid the closure of Apple Daily, those U.S. politicians fully exposed their tricks to smear others. They tried to turn some media organizations into extra-legal entities for anti-China forces to disrupt Hong Kong and contain China. By making waves on Hong Kong issues, the U.S. side has revealed itself as the "black hand" in stirring up opposition and controlling public opinion. The so-called "press freedom" is nothing but a fig leaf for their self interests.

They twisted facts, deliberately smeared the rule of law in Hong Kong and grossly interfered in China's internal affairs. "Patriots administering Hong Kong" is the trend of the times and the aspiration of the Hong Kong people. Improving Hong Kong's electoral system is necessary for the sustained and healthy development of Hong Kong's democratic system. When peace and stability were finally restored in Hong Kong, and the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong citizens were better protected in a secure environment, the United States leveled accusations and attacked Hong Kong's efforts to improve its electoral system, and continued to demonize the national security law in Hong Kong, which fully exposes Washington's hegemonic nature.

While habitually bullying others and wielding the big stick of sanctions, those U.S. politicians have in fact exhausted their tactics. For them, only a chaotic Hong Kong serves their interests. The more stable Hong Kong is, the more anxious they will be. And now, their "agents" were arrested. Their plans for disturbing the city have failed. No matter how much pressure or how many rounds of sanctions the United States can impose, they will be nothing but waste paper.

All in all, some U.S. politicians' concern about Hong Kong's democracy is a sham. Their true intention is to meddle in Hong Kong's politics and China's internal affairs. Their real purpose is to use Hong Kong as a tool to realize their political interests and contain China's development. The so-called "standing with the Hong Kong people" is nothing but a cover to deceive the world and reflects the hypocrisy of the U.S. politicians. What they are doing is to make enemies with the Hong Kong people. Those politicians are advised to stop repeating these cliches.

In 1840, Britain opened the door of China with ships and guns, and Hong Kong was gradually occupied by Britain. For more than 100 years since then, the Chinese people have waged indomitable struggles for national liberation, national independence and social progress. Today, the Chinese nation has made a great leap from standing up, getting prosperous to becoming strong, and their effort to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered an irreversible historical process. China has become an important force in safeguarding world peace and promoting common development, and its relations with the rest of the world have undergone tremendous changes.

With the implementation of a series of effective measures, including the national security law, Hong Kong's social order has been restored, its development has returned to the right track, and the city has opened a new chapter with good governance. Hong Kong is getting more stable and prosperous with a better implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle. This is the strongest response to those U.S. politicians who slander Beijing's Hong Kong policy.

No one can stop Hong Kong from reclaiming its glorious past. The Chinese people will never allow any foreign force to bully, oppress or enslave them, and the cause of "one country, two systems" will never be obstructed or undermined by any external force. Anyone who would attempt to do so will find themselves on a collision course with a great wall of steel forged by over 1.4 billion Chinese people. History has proved countless times that the final victory will always belong to the indomitable Chinese people.
With worries of a sharp increase in COVID-19 infections overwhelming the country's hospitals, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced Tuesday that only seriously ill coronavirus patients or those at risk of becoming so will be admitted for treatment.

Others infected with COVID-19 will have to isolate at home in order to try to make sure there are enough beds available.

Japan is adding about 10,000 new cases per day, prompting the head of the Japan Medical Association to call Tuesday for a nationwide state of emergency.

In China, authorities said Tuesday all residents of Wuhan will be tested after the city recorded its first domestic infections in more than a year. The virus was first detected in Wuhan in late 2019, and the city of 11 million people was put under a strict lockdown in January 2020 that lasted 76 days.

As many countries worry about the spread of the delta variant of the coronavirus, Korean health officials on Tuesday reported the country's first two cases of a sublineage known as delta plus.

Britain, Portugal and India are among countries that previously reported a few cases of delta plus infections.


U.S. President Joe Biden said New York state Governor Andrew Cuomo should resign after a report released Tuesday by the state's attorney general found that Cuomo had sexually harassed numerous women in violation of federal and state laws, allegations that he vehemently denied.

"I think he should resign," Biden told reporters Tuesday afternoon at a press conference in Washington. Letitia James, New York's attorney general, said Cuomo allegedly targeted 11 current and former employees of the state government. The probe uncovered a "climate of fear" created by Cuomo's behavior, which included unwanted kisses, groping, hugging and making unacceptable remarks, James said.

She said the investigation also found that the Democratic governor had retaliated against at least one former employee for complaining about his actions.

At a news conference in Albany, Cuomo denied any wrongdoing, declaring, "I never touched anyone inappropriately." "That is just not who I am, and that's not who I have ever been," he added.

In March, Biden said Cuomo, a fellow Democrat, should resign if the investigation confirmed allegations of harassment. "I don't know that anyone could've watched this morning and not found the allegations to be abhorrent. I know I did," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday.


South Korea's spymaster on Tuesday claimed North Korea is "willing" to improve cross-border relations if joint South Korea-U.S. military drills are suspended.

"It was North Korean leader Kim Jong-un who requested the reconnection of inter-Korean communication lines, which shows his intention to improve inter-Korean relations," National Intelligence Service chief Park Jie-won told the National Assembly's Intelligence Committee.

Park said South Korea should "consider taking a flexible approach toward the joint drills to maintain momentum of dialogue and draw a big picture of North Korea's denuclearization."

That is more or less the official government line but unlikely to win any sympathy from the U.S., which insists the drills must go ahead to provide vital training.


Service improvement is new direction for insurance sector

From:ChinaDaily | 2021-08-04 15:39

Service improvement will be a focus for the development of the country's insurance sector in upcoming years, industry experts said at a recent forum.

"Chinese insurance companies don't suffer from a lack of quality products but are short of quality services," said Jiang Ming, president of Datong Insurance Sales & Services Company Ltd.

"Therefore, the industry should make more efforts in improving relevant services."

Datong, for instance, just upgraded its products by expanding its service scope and quality by including health care and medical evacuation. Relying on Kray Beijing, an emergency rescue platform under Datong operating 24 hours a day, Datong established a network system around the world to provide services in various fields for customers, such as global travel assistance and medical assessment. The newly added service "Tong Yicha" covers nearly 300 items of information from different insurance companies. Based on Datong's insurance service, it helps customers quickly inquire about possible rights and interests according to their insurance policy information.

As an important part of China's insurance industry, the market share of insurance intermediaries has been increasing under the environment of separation between production and marketing. Because of fierce price competition, the development of service becomes a new direction.

As far as consumers are concerned, an insurance product should not only be a sales process, but truly cover the whole extent of customers' demand with quality services. Insurance intermediaries need to break down the barriers between different companies and demand in services, which serves as the main focus of intermediaries' efforts.

Xu Xian, head of the Department of Insurance and Risk Management at Fudan University, said service is very important to both insurance customers and companies. The basis of insurance companies is to keep customers. Only by ensuring customers' rights and interests and maintaining the relationship can companies achieve sustainable development. The key to all this lies in providing quality service to customers.

Wang Hao contributed to this story
Shanghai's new local coronavirus case is the Delta variant strain

By:Zhao Chunyuan, Fu Yifei | From:english.eastday.com | 2021-08-04 17:26

On August 2, Shanghai reported a newly confirmed local case. The Information Office of Shanghai Municipality held a municipal government press conference on August 4, introducing that the strain of this case is the Delta variant strain. It has no association with the recent domestic cases in China, but has a high homology with the Delta strain. According to the comprehensive research from the experts, the source of infection in this case can be traced to exposure to imported viruses.

Zhang Wenhong, head of the Center for Infectious Disease at Huashan Hospital of Fudan University, said at the press conference that the Delta Virus spreads faster than previous viruses. It also has a longer incubation period and a higher viral load, leading to the increasing imported coronavirus cases in China and further spread and infections. However, there is no doubt that the vaccine still has a strong protective effect against the Delta variant and, therefore, the solution is to further expand vaccination coverage.

Up to August 3, 2021, a total of 38.21 million doses of vaccines have been administered in Shanghai, covering about 20.57 million people, among which 18.8 million people have completed the whole process of vaccination. So far, the vaccine reserve in Shanghai is sufficient. Vaccination can effectively reduce the risk of infection, severe symptoms and even death. It is recommended that unvaccinated citizens make an appointment for vaccination as soon as possible.
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Started in 1932, Indiana Heartland Federal Credit Unions history is rooted in service to members of Kokomos agricultural and healthcare communities, beginning with Indiana Farm Bureau and expanding to include St. Joseph Hospital. In Ivy Techs Kokomo Campus Transformation, they found an opportunity to honor both lines of their heritage.

When our leadership team toured the new Kokomo Campus, we were so impressed and knew we wanted to be a part of this transformative project in our community, said Buffey Hedrick, the credit unions chief executive officer.

Being in the business of finance, we have noticed many members with massive debts they are unable to pay off in a timely manner, she continued. Any time members can save money by going to Ivy Tech, then we know their future will be brighter and financially more healthy. We are proud to support areas that will serve both agriculture and healthcare and nursing students for years to come without the stress of how to pay it back.

Thanks to a generous donation approved by the credit unions board of directors, Ivy Techs new campus now includes Indiana Heartland FCU Faculty and Staff Reception Area in the Health Professions Center and the Indiana Heartland FCU Student Commons in the new Agriculture and Automotive Technology Building.

Hedrick was joined by three of the FCUs board members  Steve Carter, Nicholas Smith-McCombs, and David Trine  and two members of her staff  Amber White, vice president of operations, and Mary James, marketing and compliance specialist  to visit the new Indiana Heartland FCU-sponsored facilities.

For Amber White, who graduated from Ivy Tech Kokomo in 2004 with an associate degree in office administration, the new campus is a true revelation.

When I was here, Ivy Tech was just in the one building, she remembered. Interestingly, she also worked in what is now the Agriculture and Automotive Center when it was home to a help desk call center operated by EDS, then the leader in the development of computerized offices at Delphi Electronics.

It was her work as an Ivy Tech student intern in the engineering offices of Delphis Plant 10 that had caught their eye  and kicked off her career in office administration.

Nicholas Smith-McCombs praised the College for the hands-on instruction it offers in every program. Often, college grads are blocked from getting a job because they dont have experience to go along with their degree, he said. Its great that Ivy Tech offers that.

David Trine agreed.

We have a great history in Kokomo in the automotive industry and the medical field and both have urgent needs for skilled employees, he said. Investing in Ivy Tech is investing in our future, in our kids, in our families. The path forward is through education and technology.

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For Mary James, the technology and hands-on experience offered at Ivy Tech Kokomo will make a huge impact on the community.

Students can receive the real-world experience needed for their job field, she said. I am absolutely amazed by the technology you have here.

I feel this transformation is putting Ivy Tech on the map, not only for Howard County but by also bringing in people from the surrounding counties, she continued. Its going to become a staple in our community.

Trine said Ivy Tech fills an important niche. There are a lot of people who wont succeed on a big campus, people just out of high school or those mid-career who are looking to change careers, he said.

Ivy Tech offers a high-quality education at a inexpensive rate, with no room and board charges. Our students can get what they need locally to have successful careers.

Kelly Karickhoff, executive director of resource development for Ivy Techs Kokomo Service Area, thanked the Indiana Heartland team members for their support of the campaign.

Im just thrilled you wanted to support two spaces that are connected to your heritage, she said. Students and faculty alike in a number of our programs will benefit from both areas.

Indiana Heartlands donation is part of a capital campaign that is nearing its goal of raising $3 million in community support to complete the $43 million transformation of the Ivy Tech Kokomo Campus.

An open house, to officially unveil the new campus at 1815 E. Morgan St., is set for Saturday, Sept. 18, from 1 to 4 p.m.

The entire community is invited to come for tour of the new facilities along with demonstrations, games, and refreshments.

For more information on the campus transformation, go to swww.ivytech.edu/kokomotransformation or contact Karickhoff at kkarickhoff@ivytech.edu or 765-252-5501.
A series of meetings across the state will allow Hoosiers to have a voice in Indianas redistricting process.

On Aug. 6-7 and Aug. 11, each of Indianas nine congressional districts will host a meeting focused on redrawing district lines. The state is required to redraw districts for the U.S. House of Representatives, the Indiana House of Representatives and the Indiana Senate based on the results of the recently completed census.

While no meetings will be held in Kokomo, Howard County residents have the option of traveling to Lafayette or Anderson on Aug. 6 (10 a.m. at each citys local Ivy Tech campus) or to Indianapolis on Aug. 11 (1-3 p.m. in the House Chamber at the Indiana Statehouse).

Other meetings will occur in Ft. Wayne, Valparaiso, Elkhart, Columbus, Evansville, and Sellersberg.

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State Rep. Tim Wesco (R-Osceola), chair of the House Committee on Elections and Apportionment, will chair the redistricting meetings in the north, and State Sen. Jon Ford (R-Terre Haute), chair of the Senate Committee on Elections, will chair the meetings in the south. Wesco and Ford are expected to co-chair the central Indiana meeting.

"Public input on redistricting is extremely important to the map-drawing process," Ford said. "We look forward to hearing from Hoosiers from all over Indiana during these meetings."

"I believe it is always important for the public to be involved in the governmental process, said Jennifer Jack, chairwoman of the Howard County Republican Party. The redistricting meetings are no different. Legislators look forward to hearing input directly from their constituents. And I am confident that with that input and the statistics provided by the latest census, both will contribute to a map that will continue to meet all statutory and constitutional requirements.

The Howard County Democratic Party could not be reached for comment.

Ivy Tech campus meeting room information will be updated as it's available on the Indiana General Assembly's website at iga.in.gov. Meetings will be livestreamed and archived at iga.in.gov. Indiana residents will also have the option to draw their own district maps online and submit them for consideration when census data is released on Aug. 16.
Jason Momoa wouldn't play his 'Game of Thrones' character again.

The 42-year-old star portrayed Kahl Drogo in the fantasy drama series and he admitted it was "really, really, really hard" to shoot some of his scenes, including the Dothraki leader's wedding night rape of his young new wife Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) but he accepted it was his job at the time, though it's not an experience he's keen to repeat.

Asked by the New York Times newspaper if he thought differently about the scenes or had any regrets, he said: "Well, it was important to depict Drogo and his style. You're playing someone that's like Genghis Khan. It was a really, really, really hard thing to do. But my job was to play something like that, and it's not a nice thing, and it's what that character was.

"It's not my job to go, 'Would I not do it?' I've never really been questioned about 'Do you regret playing a role?'

"We'll put it this way: I already did it. Not doing it again."

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Later in the interview, Jason admitted he felt the question was "icky" and he was "bummed" by the suggestion he should have intervened to have the scene changed.

He said: "I wanted to bring something up that left a bad feeling in my stomach. When you brought up Game of Thrones, you brought up stuff about what's happening with my character and would I do it again.

" I was bummed when you asked me that. It just feels icky  putting it upon me to remove something. As if an actor even had the choice to do that.

"We're not really allowed to do anything.

"There are producers, there are writers, there are directors, and you don't get to come in and be like, 'I'm not going do that because this isn't kosher right now and not right in the political climate.' That never happens. So it's a question that feels icky. I just wanted you to know that."
(The Center Square)  After the federal government made the controversial decision to require that its employees receive the COVID-19 vaccine, multiple private companies are now following suit.

Multiple major U.S. companies announced Tuesday they would require vaccinations for their employees, a decision that has sparked controversy and likely legal challenges.

Tyson Chicken and Microsoft are two of the largest and most recent companies to make the announcement, saying their U.S. employees must be vaccinated.

As people have heard, new variants of COVID-19 are more contagious, more deadly and responsible for most cases in America today, Tyson said in its announcement. In some communities, doctors and hospitals are once again overwhelmed, while the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 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.

Tyson said all employees must be vaccinated by Nov. 1 and will receive a $200 bonus for doing so but did note that team members that are members of a union will be subject to the results of union bargaining on this issue.

The decision has already drawn backlash from critics who point out the vaccine has not yet received full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA granted emergency use authorization for the vaccines last year.

UFCW is proud to say that we have high vaccination rates among our unionized food workers across the country, and as a result, we have helped reduce COVID-19 infection rates in many of our industries, including meatpacking, Marc Perronne, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, said in response to the Tyson announcement. 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.

So far, federal court rulings have backed institutions that mandated the vaccine, but legal challenges could still arise. Perronne said workers should get paid time off to recover from the side effects of the vaccine.

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We believe the FDA must provide full approval of the vaccines and help address some of the questions and concerns that workers have, Perronne said. 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.

The crackdown comes after the CDC announced even vaccinated Americans should wear masks indoors if they reside in an area of the country experiencing a spike in COVID-19 cases. This CDC reversal from its guidelines in May was followed by a wave of new mandates in the public and private sector.

Other companies, like Google and Walmart, have already made similar requirements.

As we all know, the pandemic is not over, and the delta variant has led to an increase in infection rates across much of the U.S., Walmart said in its announcement last week. Given this, we have made the decision to require all market, regional and divisional associates who work in multiple facilities and all campus office associates to be vaccinated by Oct. 4, unless they have an approved exception. This includes all new hires.

Protests against the vaccine mandates have taken place around the country. Some Republicans have taken up the issue, pointing to personal freedoms and warning of government overreach, especially when questions about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine remain. An outbreak among fully vaccinated residents of Massachusetts has raised more concerns about the vaccines effectiveness.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbot, a Republican, has doubled down on an executive order that bans mask or vaccine mandates in the Lone Star State.

Texans have mastered the safe practices that help to prevent and avoid the spread of COVID-19, Abbott said. They have the individual right and responsibility to decide for themselves and their children whether they will wear masks, open their businesses, and engage in leisure activities. Vaccines, which remain in abundant supply, are the most effective defense against the virus, and they will always remain voluntary  never forced  in the State of Texas.
(The Center Square)  Monroe County, home to Indiana University-Bloomington, is re-imposing a countywide mask mandate, requiring everyone  vaccinated and unvaccinated  wear a mask indoors starting Thursday at 8 a.m.

The mandate applies to everyone over the age of 2.

Masks will be required in all indoor spaces in Monroe County that are open to the public, including businesses, churches and other organizations. Those who are working alone in offices or who can maintain a 6-feet distance from others may remove masks, as can presenters.

County commissioners voted 3-0 on Wednesday morning to approve the local health order, making Monroe County the first county in the state to re-impose a local mask mandate amid news of the new delta strain of COVID-19.

The order was passed unanimously on Tuesday by the countys board of health.

Three members of the public spoke during that meeting. All were opposed to the mandate.

Graham Loughead questioned why Monroe County would want to re-impose a mask mandate when it is doing much better than many other counties in the state in terms of the number of cases.

The virus, the masks, the vaccines have become political even though they were not intended to be so, he said. I ask you to please not cause more division among fellow Hoosiers and to not re-implement this mask mandate and let businesses and the like decide whether or not to require masks.

Scott Reynolds, a local attorney and business owner, said the order fails to provide any evidence or data and appears to be more of an emotional response or desire to appear to be doing something.

A third speaker, Jeff Hauser, said businesses and other organizations should be able to choose whether to require masks.

There has been tremendous confusion, he said. We as the vaccinated people do what you guys say. We get vaccinated. Now, the vaccine doesnt work. Its been said the masks dont work. But now, theyre saying, Well, the masks do work.  It just seems to me like the mayor is asking for an overreachhes trying to cause panic in a place where theres not a need for panic.

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County Health Administrator Penny Caudill said the county based its decision on Indiana State Department of Health data, which showed Monroe County going from blue (good) to yellow (caution) this week, with 58 cases per 100,000 people, compared to 51 last week. The positivity rate also went from 4.56% last week to 6.91% this week.

She also referred to CDC guidance that says even those who are vaccinated can contract and spread the delta variant. All of the samples recently rested in the area, she said, were the delta strain.

But hospitalizations in the area are still low.

A spokesperson for IU Health, Samantha Kirby, told The Center Square on Wednesday there are only 27 COVID patients at its three hospitals in south-central Indiana combined. Those hospitals include Bloomington Hospital, the largest hospital in Monroe County, and hospitals in Bedford, in Lawrence County, and in Paoli in Orange County.

The Indiana State Department of Health dashboard shows 0-3 people with COVID being admitted to one of two hospitals in Monroe County on a daily basis over the last few months. Not since March have more than three COVID patients been admitted per day to either IU Health Bloomington Hospital or Monroe Hospital.

Monroe County was one of the last to lift its local mask mandate in the spring, only scrapping it May 17, several weeks after Gov. Eric Holcomb rescinded the statewide mask mandate. Only Marion County kept its local mask mandate longer, lifting it in June.

Monroe County will also be one of the few counties in the state where children in K-12 schools will be required to wear masks. The first day of school was Wednesday and all students, vaccinated and unvaccinated, were required to wear masks on school buses and inside school buildings.

In addition to putting the mask mandate back in place, members of the county board of health appeared this week to agree on the need for compliance officers to enforce mask wearing in the county.

I thought the compliance officers were great, said board member Carol Litten Touloukian, a local physician. I hope we could have them again, because we got really good feedback from businesses about taking the pressure off of them.

The mask mandate will expire automatically Sept. 30, or when the number of people who test positive for COVID in Monroe County drops below 50 per 100,000 people.
Press Release

August 4, 2021 SENATOR RONALD "BATO" DELA ROSA

Bicameral Conference Committee Report

BFP Modernization Act

August 4, 2021 Good afternoon, Mr. President and colleagues. I have the honor of submitting for ratification the Bicameral Conference Committee Report on the Disagreeing Provisions of Senate Bill No. 1832 and House Bill No. 7406 also known as the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Modernization Act. I am happy to report to this august body that in today's Bicameral Conference Committee Meeting, all the Senate conferees were present and actively participated in our pursuit of the best reconciled version of the BFP Modernization Bill. At the outset, the body adopted the provisions and title of the bill which were approved during the first Bicameral Conference Committee meeting last May 24, 2021 except for Section 4(d) of the conference committee report which includes the establishment of the Security and Protection Unit or SPU. As the Chairman of the Senate panel, I manifested during the bicam meeting the sentiment and concerns raised by the members of the Senate during the first attempt to ratify the reconciled bill on the establishment of BFP Security and Protection Unit. However, the House conferees still insisted with their proposal to establish the BFP Security and Protection Unit or SPU. The Bicameral Conference Committee had a lengthy and extensive discussion regarding the creation and the composition of the Security and Protection Unit. Armed with the guidance from our Senate Majority Floor Leader, Senator Miguel Zubiri, the Senate panel thru Senator Tolentino proposed an amendment to the proposal of the House conferees. We included in the bill the specific number of BFP personnel for SPU in order to limit the authority of the BFP on the issuance of firearms. With this amendment, the Senate panel thru Senator Hontiveros further amended the provision to ensure that those who will be appointed in the SPU will be well trained to handle firearms. As such, all SPU members shall be required to undergo neuropsychological examination before their appointment to the unit as well as periodic trainings. After the comprehensive deliberation, the bicameral committee approved the final reconciled bill that will guarantee not only the modernization of our country's firefighting authority but also the welfare of every Filipino. Mr. President, I would like to thank Senators Tolentino and Gatchalian for sharing their learnings as former local chief executives, and for Senator Go for his experience in his involvement in extending assistance to fire-hit communities. Also, for the invaluable intervention of Senator Hontiveros in ensuring that members of the SPU will be subject to strict qualifications and in highlighting the importance of neuropsychological examination as a requirement. Mr. President, allow me also to thank the co-authors and co-sponsors of this bill: Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III; Senate Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, Majority Leader Miguel Zubiri, Senator Christopher Lawrence Go, Senator Bong Revilla, Senator Pia Cayetano, Senator Francis Tolentino, Senator Sonny Angara, Senator Richard Gordon, Senator Grace Poe, Senator Manny Pacquiao, Senator Joel Villanueva, Senator Imee Marcos, Senator Cynthia Villan and Senator Win Gatchalian; and to all my colleagues who have helped us to further improve this landmark measure. Mr. President, this proposed measure has nothing but good intentions, for our firefigthers and for the Filipino people. With the permission of the Body, I move that the Joint Explanatory Statement on the Disagreeing Provisions of Senate Bill No. 1832 and House Bill No. 7406 be read in toto into the Record and that the Bicameral Conference Committee report be ratified. Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat.
Press Release

August 4, 2021 De Lima to Duterte: No one benefited from drug war but you and your family Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has chided Mr. Duterte for falsely claiming that the Filipino people benefited from the killings in his bloody war on drugs. De Lima said that what she finds absurd is the fact that Duterte thinks that his drug war is beneficial to the people "when it is the very reason for their pain, suffering and trauma." "Pinatayan ka na, gusto pa magpasalamat ka. What a twisted mind!" said De Lima, a staunch social justice and human rights champion. "Duterte and his family benefited from all these senseless killings in the country, not the Filipinos, and definitely not those innocent victims whose lives were lost, as well as the thousands of poor widows and orphans whose dreams were shattered, in this bloody and murderous war on drugs," she added. During his talk to the nation last Aug. 2, Duterte slammed human rights advocates and their criticisms against his administration's drug war, saying that it was Filipinos, and not him or his family, who "benefited" from all these deaths. "Palagay na natin na totoo 'yan sinabi ng human rights, p-- ina sinong nakinabang diyan? Ako? Ako ang nakinabang? Pamilya ko? Nakinabang sila diyan sa p-- inang diyan sa mga patay na 'yan?" Duterte said. "Sino nakinabang? Kayo! Ang anak ninyo! Ang bayan natin ang nakinabang!". Duterte's war on drugs has been receiving worldwide condemnation for killing suspected drug offenders and for largely targeting small-time drug peddlers, but allowing big-time drug lords to run scot-free. The lady Senator from Bicol said that most of the victims of EJKs are from the poor families who do not have the capability to ask for legal assistance, or defend themselves before a proper court. "This reality should be more than enough to remind us to not allow Duterte to brainwash anyone into believing that his drug war is good for us and that we should tolerate all these violence, because we should not, and we should never," she said. "Kahit ano pang sabihin ni Duterte, hindi na kailanman maibabalik ang libo-libong buhay na pinaslang ng drug war--mga inosente, walang kamuwang-muwang na mga bata at walang kalaban-labang maralita," she added. The Senator concluded that, "When you have but one house to live in, what you need is a competent caretaker who would clean up and fix the house and secure the safety of the inhabitants; not someone who burns it all down while cursing at the people burning to death inside. It seems Mr. Duterte cares very little about the devastation he leaves Filipino families in because he counts another nation as his sovereign and brethren. To him, we, Filipinos, aren't human, but pests to get rid of the only way he knows how: through violence." Last June 14, then outgoing ICC Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda announced that she has sought permission for a full-blown investigation to follow her office's preliminary examination into the allegations against Duterte and others involved in the current administration's drug war, committed from July 1, 2016 to March 16, 2019, or prior to Duterte's withdrawal of the country from the Rome Statute.
On the PNP's Restrictions on Fetching APORs During ECQ

More at: https://pinglacson.net/2021/08/04/on-the-pnps-restrictions-on-fetching-apors-during-ecq/

The Philippine National Police should at least take a second look at some restrictions during the two-week Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila - such as not allowing the fetching of Authorized Persons Outside of Residence (APORs).

Huwag naman sanang pabigla-bigla ang restrictions, to a point of being impractical if not illogical. Instead, they may want to exert a little extra effort to find a possible win-win solution.

Baka may paraan to satisfy both health concerns and a little convenience for our APORs who need to work to feed their families, or render indispensable service to others, like health workers and other frontliners.
Press Release

August 4, 2021 Govt must ensure food ayuda during lockdown: Pangilinan THE government must ensure that Filipinos will have food on the table during the lockdown period to keep them at home and out of risk of contracting Covid-19, Senator Francis Pangilinan said Wednesday. "Nakikipagsapalaran ang mga tao at lumalabas ng bahay para magtrabaho o maghanap ng makakain dahil may mga pamilya silang umaasa sa kanila (People risk going out of their homes to work or find food because they have families to feed)," he said. "Madalas, dahil walang kita pag lockdown wala ring pagkain para sa mga pamilya. Dito pinaka-kailangan ang gobyerno. (Often, food security evades many families following income loss due to the lockdown. This is where government intervention is needed most)," he stressed. From August 6 to 20, Metro Manila will be placed under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), the strictest quarantine classification, amid the spike in Covid-19 cases due to the more transmissible Delta variant. Pangilinan said the promised cash aid and other assistance must reach the needy families on time to allow them to prepare and stock up on their requirements for two weeks. "Maagap at sapat na tulong ang susi para matulungang makaraos ang mga tao habang nasa loob sila ng kanilang mga tahanan. Para sa maraming pamilya, mas malaki ang takot nila sa gutom kaysa sa takot sa coronavirus (Timely and adequate assistance are essential to help the people get by as they remain in their homes. For many of the families, the fear of coronavirus will never compare to the more acute daily threat of hunger,)" he said. Filipinos are not only enduring a pandemic, but the country's worst economic slowdown since 1947. The economy shrank 9.5% in 2020, and contracted 4.2% in the first quarter this year. Food has become unaffordable, especially to those who lost their jobs or livelihood. A recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey revealed that 16.8 percent of Filipino families nationwide, or 4.8 million Filipino families, experienced hunger due to lack of food at least once in the previous three months. Pangilinan said the government should be aiming for food security not just during the pandemic but for the long haul. He said policies and laws should be directed toward ensuring that food is available, accessible, and affordable to all segments of the population with or without a crisis. Since becoming a senator, Pangilinan has pushed for legislation that would strengthen the agriculture sector to enable farmers and fisherfolk to produce food and products that would sustain the population and make their industry competitive. Pangilinan is the principal author of Republic Act 11321 or Sagip Saka Act, which institutionalizes support for the country's agricultural workers to help them make a decent living out of farming or fishing. The law also allows all government entities to directly purchase agricultural and fisheries products from local farmer and fisherfolk enterprises, which Pangilinan said helped ensure the availability of food supply amid the pandemic. Pangilinan also authored Republic Act 11524 or the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund Act that paved the way for the return of the billions collected from coconut farmers during the Marcos regime. He also helped steer the passage of Republic Act 11511 which amended the Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 to make it more beneficial to organic farmers and consumers. In the Senate, Pangilinan led in calling for an investigation on the African swine fever that nearly wiped out the local hog industry in some areas. He also took an active role in public hearings that discussed rising food prices. He has also filed bills and resolutions for the preservation of the environment such as the Single-Use Plastics bill; National Land Use bill; Solid Waste Importation Ban bill; National Mangrove Forest Protection and Preservation bill; and inquiry into the flooding in Cagayan Valley and Isabela.
"Tollways should be owned by Filipinos" - Tolentino

MANILA - Senator Francis 'Tol' N. Tolentino has expressed doubts over a proposal which would allow foreign fully-owned companies to control and operate the country's toll expressways.

Tolentino said tollways are the blood veins of the Philippine economy, encompassing our way of life and facilitating the mobility of people, goods, and services.

The senator underscored the importance of tollways, especially during natural disasters and public emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Any major blockage or shutting down of tollways would effectively derail the economy and paralyze the government's disaster and emergency response.

During his interpellation on a Bill proposing amendments to Commonwealth Act No. 146, or the Public Service Act, Tolentino warned that allowing foreign companies to take control of the country's expressways have wide-ranging national security implications.

"We are tiptoeing into some national security land mines, so to speak," Tolentino said.

One dangerous scenario the senator cited is that of foreign state-owned companies constructing and operating toll expressways traversing military facilities and installations or passing near vital infrastructure such as dams and powerplants.

Senate Minority Floor Leader Franklin Drilon, co-sponsor of the Bill, admitted during Tolentino's interpellation that the policy issue on whether or not to allow foreign-owned corporations to operate the country's highways is within the prerogative of the legislature.

According to Tolentino, the construction and operation of expressways under the government's Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Program should remain in the hands of corporations which are majority owned by Filipinos.
American Fireworks CEO Dale Wilson and attorney Paul Scott discuss changes to the fireworks ordinance at the Horn Lake Board of Aldermen meeting on Tuesday.
Is Wise Really The King of Online Money Transfer Services?

Wise, formerly known as Transferwise, has generated tremendous success and hype over the past 10 years in the online foreign exchange transfer industry. Granted, the company is one of many that offer consumers a nearly identical service of transferring funds from one currency to another.

But what separates Wise from so many UK currency brokers is the fact that its two co-founders scaled a solution to a personal problem to become an industry titan.

Wise Co-Founders Shared An Identical Money Transfer Services Problem

Kristo Kaarmann, a native of Estonia, was working in London for the multinational firm Deloitte and was paid in pounds. But each month he had to transfer money to an account in Estonia to pay for a mortgage in his home country.

Kristo was using his high street bank account to transfer pounds to euros and had no option but to accept the banks 5% makeup on the foreign exchange transfer. He said in a 2019 BBC interview he was incredibly stupid for assuming his bank would provide the same exchange rate listed on Reuters or Bloomberg.

But at the time there was no option to accept the fees as it was the cost of doing business. That is until he met Taavet Hinrikus, a fellow Estonian ex-pat living in London.

Taavet, Skypes first-ever employee, was paid in euros as Skype is domiciled in the European Union. This means he needed British pounds to pay for his day-to-day life.

As it turns out the two shared the exact same problem from the opposite side of the transaction. What Kristo had Taavet needed and what Taavet had Kristo needed. If only there was a way for the two to work together and avoid the middleman.

Indeed there was. And it was actually quite simple.

Each month, the two would look up the British pound and euro exchange rate for their own private foreign exchange transfer. Taavet deposited euros into Kristos Estonian bank account while Kristo put pounds into Taavets bank account using the actual exchange rate.

Since no banks were involved, the two were able to transact with each other at the real foreign exchange rate. And this is how the concept of Wise was born: what if millions of people can transact with each other in a similar way.

The Wise Business Model: How Wise Works

Wise has stayed true to its original purpose of helping two people transact more efficiently with each other. The way it works is quite simple: Wise has company bank accounts located all across the world and each is funded in the local currency.

The technology behind the scenes will complete a transaction in the same way Taavet and Kristo did the very first time.

Suppose you live in the UK and have a friend who is studying a semester abroad in France. If you wanted to transfer them money you would essentially make a deposit into Wises UK-based bank account and at the same time, Wises France-based account will withdraw euros to the recipients account.

Unlike pretty much every other foreign exchange transfer service, Wise money doesnt technically move money across borders.

By no means was Wise the first to create a system of exchanging one currency for another, that has existed for centuries. But what it did do is challenge the status quo and give consumers a new option where banks can no longer operate under the assumption it can get away with charging consumers whatever they want.

Taking Over The Money Transfer Service Sector By Storm

The vast majority of start-ups can trace their roots to someones basement or kitchen. Kristos kitchen played double-duty as office space until January 2012, nearly a full year after its first employee was hired.

Within two years Wise was handling more than 1m a day in transactions and the company caught the attention of Sir Richard Branson and Peter Thiel who both became shareholders. By 2017 Wise was able to accomplish a rare feat for startups: turning and sustaining a profit.

By 2020 Wise was valued at 3.58 billion in the private market. Within one year the company doubled in valuation to 7 billion when it became a public company on the London Stock Exchange.

Is this a fair valuation for a company that is still relatively young? By comparison, Paypal Holdings is worth $333.74 billion (238.5billion) so it is technically a drop in the bucket compared to one of the most recognized leaders in the global money transfer and exchange services business.

As part of the IPO process, Wise said it grew revenue at a 54% compounded annual growth rate from fiscal 2019 to fiscal 2021 while profit before tax more than doubled to 41 million from 2020 to 2021.

Looking forward the company expects revenue growth to moderate to a 20% compounded annual growth rate over the medium-term.

These are impressive numbers for a still-young company so a 7 billion company just getting started on its journey to challenge the status quo seems reasonable. It is unlikely that Wise will command a similar valuation compared to PayPal but even if it achieves 25% over the long-term it will imply a valuation of nearly 60 billion which would imply investors will see a fantastic rate of return.

Bottom Line: Wise Continues To Gain Attention

Wise still competes against big banks in the global money transfer services industry but it is showing no signs of slowing down. The company continues to innovate in the space and is investing heavily in technology, including artificial intelligence and to provide consumers with an even better experience banks cant match.

By Boris Dzhingarov

 2021 Copyright Boris Dzhingarov - All Rights Reserved



Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors.

 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication.




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C.T. Vivian views Emorys Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) exhibition in 2013 with co-curators Sarah Quigley, the Rose Library project archivist for the SCLC collection (left), and Carol Anderson, Emory professor of African American Studies (right). Credit: Emory Photo/Video.

A collection of Rev. C.T. Vivians papers in the Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Books Library has seen a recent jump in activity, with new material added from the family, research conducted for an upcoming documentary and instructional use by Emory classes.

The materials have been in particularly high demand since the civil rights activist passed away on July 17, 2020, at age 95. The C.T. and Octavia Vivian papers were originally placed with the Rose Library in 2014, containing notes and articles pertaining to civil rights activities and issues; Octavias work on Coretta, a biography she wrote about Coretta Scott King; congressional materials related to the creation of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday; as well as periodicals, C.T.s outlines for speeches and notes he jotted on napkins and event programs, and other ephemera. Much of the material was collected by Octavia Vivian, who passed away in 2011.

Additions to the collection

The additions, which arrived earlier this year and more than doubled the size of the collection, include audiovisual and printed material, calendars, correspondence, photographs, notes and speeches. C.T. Vivian created most of this material. There are also many handwritten notes by Vivian as he composed his sermons.

The Rose Library also houses several books from Vivians personal collection. (The C.T. and Octavia Vivian Museum and Archives has a large collection of his books as well and plans to open a library to make them available to the public.)

The Rose Library is honored to be entrusted by the Vivian family with this major addition to the Vivian papers, which are central to our African American and civil rights collections, says Rose Library director Jennifer Gunter King.

The papers, preserved by the Rose team, observes King, will be made available to generations of students, scholars and artists who seek to understand the Vivians story. In addition, the papers give us a sense of how essential history is to our lives, to our efforts to bring insights from the Vivian papers into our present and future.

Vivian also worked with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), whose papers are housed at the Rose Library, and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), which was instrumental in the Freedom Rides busing protests and lunch counter sit-ins in the early 1960s.

Clinton Fluker, Rose Library curator of African American collections, says the additions include many items that pertain to Vivians life as an activist. He is excited to see the tie-ins researchers will make with current-day struggles against voting restrictions, excessive policing and other forms of racism.

Im looking forward to seeing the connections that can be made through teaching, instruction and research, Fluker says. Vivian was a strategist in the civil rights movement and somebody who really had a deep sense of history, industry and politics. He helped us grow as a nation through his activism, his teachings, his sermons and through the organizations that he ran. Much of the work he focused on is still relevant today and these papers will help people draw those connections.

Upcoming documentary

Vivian is one of the subjects of a documentary film created by filmmaker Eddy Von Mueller, a former Emory film and media studies senior lecturer, and the late Pellom McDaniels III, former Rose Library curator of African American collections. Into the Archives: Small Steps  C.T. Vivian, Upward Bound and the Fight for Educational Opportunity will debut at the online BronzeLens Film Festival Aug. 17-22.

The film, which includes interviews with Vivian, weaves together his involvement with the civil rights movement in the 1960s; his founding of Project Vision (now Upward Bound), which focused on keeping Black high school students in school and interested in college; and a terrifying confrontation with the KKK during a trip to St. Augustine by a group of young people participating in the program at Emory in 1969.

It will also be shown during In the Wake of Slavery and Dispossession, a symposium slated this fall on the Emory and Oxford campuses, which Dean and University Librarian Yolanda Cooper calls an ideal context for audiences to view this meaningful work.

Mueller recalls poring over the Vivian collection in the Rose Library with McDaniels as they conducted research for the film. McDaniels, who co-wrote and narrated the film and conducted on-camera interviews, passed away in February 2020, before the project could be completed.

The depth and variety of materials in the collection is incredible, and it offers so many opportunities to approach our shared past from new angles, to find the kind of unexpected connections that make this work so rewarding, says Mueller.

Sometimes, sitting right next to the document or poster you thought was that mornings Holy Grail, there would be this other item  a photo, a clipping, a statement in the minutes of some meeting  and the next thing you knew, you were galloping down a whole new trail. That kind of serendipity is irreplaceable, especially for a documentary filmmaker, and the Rose Library is a great place to find it, Mueller notes.

Musical play

The Vivian collection previously played a role in For Peace I Rise, a musical play about the love story of C.T. and Octavia Vivian, two young civil rights activists who shared a commitment to the principles of nonviolent protest and their Christian faith. It was written by Thomas W. Jones II, with music composed by William Knowles and S. Renee Clarke. Theater Emory performed a reading of the musical on Jan. 25, 2020, with Vivian and his family in the audience.

Jones said in a follow-up panel that he based the play on his interviews with Vivian, then visited the Rose Library to gather details about marches, speeches and other parts of the activists life.

[The Vivian collection] was enormously helpful in filling out all of the details, Jones says. There was so much information about how they prepared to march, what the components were, whose job it was, how organized the workshops were for nonviolent direct confrontation. You began to realize that this was not haphazard, but it was clearly defined.

Class and curriculum use

Several classes at Emory, such as the creative writing course Writing about Race and the English class Lines and Design: The Poetry of Digital Culture, already have drawn on the Vivian collection. Fluker looks forward to more students and faculty spending time with the materials and imagines theology and business students finding value in the archive.

It opens up an incredible capacity for learning about his life but also demonstrates how ahead of the curve he was on certain issues like race and social justice in the workplace, and how to deal with diversity and inclusion, how to think about equal access to education in this country, says Fluker.

In addition, a college-level curriculum about C.T. Vivian based on two of his books has been developed and will be used this year by Emory and other universities in the Atlanta area. The curriculum was developed by the C.T. and Octavia Vivian Museum and Archives and Adar Cohen, who has developed other curricula and lectured on civil rights history, conflict resolution and strategic nonviolence at DePaul University, University of Chicago and Harvard University.

Robert M. Franklin Jr., the Laney Chair in Moral Leadership at Candler School of Theology, plans to use a portion of the curriculum for a unit on Vivian in the graduate seminar Religion, Ethics, and Public Intellectuals. The Rose Library is in talks to include class access to the collection as part of that curriculum, Fluker says.

Going forward, Fluker hopes the Rose Library can develop a way to share the C.T. Vivian materials with K-12 schools, similar to its traveling exhibit program in public schools.

The Vivian collection is so significant because it documents the story of one of our countrys most lauded families in the civil rights movement  the work they did, the sacrifices they made and the vision of equality they struggled so tirelessly to make a reality, Fluker says.
Emory faculty authors Carol Anderson (left) and Tiphanie Yanique will be showcased in this years Decatur Book Festival, set for Oct. 2.

Decatur Book Festival Saturday, Oct. 2 Learn more about the festival

The AJC Decatur Book Festival Presented by Emory University is permanently moving from its traditional Labor Day slot to the first weekend in October, and this years literary events will feature two Emory faculty authors.

This years festival will be a one-day program taking place on Saturday, Oct. 2, at the First Baptist Church of Decatur, as part of a larger Festival Weekend lineup that also includes the Amplify Decatur Music Festival (Oct. 1-2), the Decatur Craft Beer Festival (Oct. 2) and the Decatur Arts Festival (Oct. 2-3).

The book festival will take place on the church grounds, and booksellers and food vendors will have pop-up shops at the church. Author panel events will also be streamed online.

I am delighted that we are able to present a book festival this year that is scaled back due to COVID-19 restrictions, yet so rich in content, says Leslie Wingate, Emory Libraries campus and community relations director, who also serves on the AJC Decatur Book Festival board. Our festival theme Diverse Voices Building Community really speaks to the times we are in, and Im proud to have the voices of Emory professors Carol Anderson and Tiphanie Yanique in our author lineup, along with those of many other diverse, talented authors.

Here are the author events featuring Emory faculty:

10:15-11 a.m.: Carol Anderson, Charles Howard Candler professor of African American Studies, will discuss her latest non-fiction book, The Second: Race and Guns in a Fatally Unequal America. Andersons book takes a critical new look at the Second Amendment and how it has been engineered to deny the rights of African Americans. Moderated by WABEs Rose Scott.

12:45-1:30 p.m.: Literary Fiction panel, featuring Tiphanie Yanique, associate professor of English and creative writing. She will discuss her new novel Monster in the Middle (release date Oct. 19), which maps the emotional inheritance of one couple newly in love. She will be joined by Anjali Enjeti, author of the recently released novel The Parted Earth, a heartfelt portrait of the long shadow of the Partition of India on the lives of three generations of women. Moderated by Nicole Stamant, associate professor and chair of English at Agnes Scott College.

Click here for more information about the 2021 AJC Decatur Book Festival Presented by Emory University. For the complete author events schedule, click here.
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Russias Federal Chamber of Lawyers urges investigators to address attacks on lawyers

 RAPSI,Vladimir Burnov

12:21 04/08/2021

MOSCOW, August 4 (RAPSI)  The Federal Chamber of Lawyers has turned to Chairman of the Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin in connection with the attacks on lawyers in Khakassia and the Khabarovsk Krai, the press service of the body informs RAPSI.

The letters sent to the head of the Investigative Committee contain a request to check and take the measures provided for by law on the facts of attacks on lawyer of the Chamber of Lawyers of the Republic of Khakassia Oleg Lytkin and lawyer of the Chamber of Lawyers the Jewish Autonomous Region Alexander Pecheritsa. The regional lawyers' chambers came out in defense of the lawyers and applied for support to the federal Chamber, according to the RAPSI's interlocutor.

The first incident, referred to in the letter to Bastrykin, took place on July 30 in Abakan: three unknown persons beat the lawyer of the local chamber Oleg Lytkin and punctured two wheels of his car. The appeal also mentions the second incident - the use of physical force against lawyer of the Chamber of the Jewish Autonomous Region Alexander Pecheritsa. The federal Chamber notes that the attacker, an inspector of the regional traffic police, used physical force against the lawyer at the moment when he was trying to provide legal assistance to his client.

The attacked lawyers allege the attacks were related to their professional activities. The regional chambers appealed to the investigating authorities, however, it has not yet been possible to ensure that the rights of the lawyers were protected, the federal Chamber notes.

After receiving the aforesaid reports from the regional chambers, the federal Chamber has been monitoring both situations and started to provide methodological support on issues related to the protection of the rights of the attacked lawyers to the regional chambers. Also, the Federal Chamber of Lawyers appealed to the Chairman of the Investigative Committee separately as to each incident requesting him to launch probes into the matter and take appropriate measures provided for by law, the body said.
The uncrewed Multipurpose Laboratory Module (MLM), named Nauka, the Russian word for "science," arrived at the International Space Station's Poisk module on the space-facing side of the Russian segment at 9:29 a.m. EDT, eight days after lifting off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Nauka will serve as a new science facility, docking port, and spacewalk airlock for future operations.

Following the docking of the Multipurpose Laboratory Module (MLM), named Nauka, to the International Space Station at 9:29 am EDT, Russian cosmonauts aboard the space station conducted leak checks between Nauka and the service module. At 12:45 pm, the flight control team noticed the unplanned firing of MLM thrusters that caused the station to move out of orientation. Ground teams have regained attitude control and the motion of the space station is stable.

The crew was never and is not in any danger, and flight controllers in Mission Control Houston are monitoring the status of the space station. Teams are also monitoring the impact to tomorrow's launch of the Boeing Starliner spacecraft. Updates on the space station will be provided on NASA.gov and the agency's social media pages.

On-Orbit Status Report

Significant Events:

Multipurpose Laboratory Module (MLM) Docking: Today at 8:29 AM CT, the MLM docked to the Service Module (SM) Nadir port completing its 9-day rendezvous to the ISS. The MLM, named - the Russian word for Science, is a pressurized module designed to support crew life, science, interior and exterior cargo stowage, and provide additional docking and airlock capabilities to the Russian On-orbit Segment (ROS). The MLM is now the largest module flown to the ISS to-date measuring approximately 43 feet (13 meters) in length and weighing more than 44,000 pounds (20 metric tons). Included on the MLM is the European Robotic Arm (ERA), a mobile robotic arm that will be used to install large-scale payloads, perform transport operations, replace and maintain service and science equipment on the exterior of ISS, support Extravehicular Activities (EVAs), and perform monitoring of the ISS exterior.

On-Orbit Anomaly: At 11:45 a.m. CT today, following the docking of Roscosmos' "Nauka" Multipurpose Laboratory Module (MLM) to the International Space Station, flight control teams noticed the unplanned firing of MLM thrusters, causing the station to move out of orientation. Flight controllers in Mission Control Houston continue to monitor the status of the ISS, but as of this afternoon, ISS has returned to its nominal orientation.

Payloads

InSPACE-4: The crew performed the steps necessary to initiate experiment runs, with a goal of working through runs 54-57. Investigating the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates from Colloidal Ellipsoids (InSPACE-4) studies the assembly of tiny structures from colloids using magnetic fields. These structures change the properties of the assembled material, such as its mechanical response to or interaction with light and heat. Microgravity allows observation of these assembly processes free of confining sample walls and sedimentation and during timescales not possible using simulated microgravity. Results could provide insight into how to harness nanoparticles to fabricate and manufacture new materials.

Manufacturing Device (ManD): The crew removed the printed objects, cleaned the extruder print nozzle, photographed, and stow the pair of printed objects. The Manufacturing Device enables the production of components on the ISS for both NASA and commercial objectives. Parts, entire experiments, and tools can be created on demand utilizing the ManD printer that is installed into an Express Rack locker location. ManD is capable of producing parts out of a wide variety of thermopolymers including engineered plastics.

Pilote: Using a virtual reality headset, a space-mouse and a haptic device, the crew performed several test protocols related to the Pilote investigation. In some of the test protocols, the haptic device produced unexpected jitter, but the ground team reported good data and feedback was obtained during the testing today. In order to test the ergonomics of a multisensory interface for controlling robotic arms and spacecraft, it is necessary to perform the trials in microgravity. Performing the test on Earth would lead to a design of a workstation using terrestrial ergonomic principles that do not correspond to conditions experienced on a spacecraft in orbit. The Pilote investigation tests the effectiveness of novel control schemes for the remote operation of robotic arms and space vehicles, using virtual reality and a new class of user-machine interfaces based on haptics.

Systems

Starliner On-Board Training (OBT): The crew completed several OBTs in preparation for the upcoming Boeing Starliner Orbital Flight Test 2 (OFT-2) mission. The OBTs provided the crew with an overview of the OFT-2 mission profile, crew procedures for rendezvous, interfaces for monitoring/commanding OFT-2, and ISS attitude control expectations.

CASA Airflow and Carbon-Dioxide (CO2) Measurements: The crew stood down from taking airflow and CO2 measurements in CASA due to communication issues with the ground support team. CASA is a crew accommodation located in the Columbus module that can host a 5th United States On-orbit Segment (USOS) crewmember when needed during periods of increased crew capacity. When not used as a crew accommodation, CASA is used for storage.

Completed Task List Activities:

None

Today's Ground Activities:

All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.

Structural Dynamics Measurement System (SDMS) Timeliner Bundle activation

Electrical Power System (EPS) Power Management Controller Unit (PMCU) Diagnostic Buffer Collection List (DBCL) Dump

Video Distribution Subsystem (VDS) Configuration

Look Ahead Plan

Friday, July 30 (GMT 211)

Payloads:

SAMS CU activation, TReK laptop power-on

Systems:

Crew off duty day

Saturday, July 31 (GMT 212)

Payloads:

No utilization activities

Systems:

No systems ops planned

Sunday, August 1 (GMT 213)

Payloads:

HRF urine setup, InSPACE-4, MELFI icebrick inserts

Systems:

No system ops planned

Today's Planned Activities:

All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.

DOCKING PREP

INSPACE-4 (Investigating the Structure of Paramagnetic Aggregates from Colloidal Emulsions 4) Experiment Run

JAXA HRDL to Ethernet Conv Relocation

Solid Combustion (SCEM) Troubleshoot Closeout

PILOTE Science

Photo Survey of T2 Thumbwheels and Jam Nut Witness Markings

Activation of MPEG2 multicast TV coder

Comm Checks from Endeavor.

Crew Dragon PCS Checkout

Monitoring MLM docking to SM 

NORS Shuffle

On-Board Training (OBT) CST-100 OFT Rendezvous Monitoring CBT 2

On-Board Training (OBT) CST-100 OFT-2 OBT Conference

CASA Air Flow Monitoring

Open -(MLM) hatch

CASA CO2 Monitor Reading (Deferred)

On MCC Go Opening MLM- (SM) hatch and preliminary MLM ingress

Countermeasures System (CMS) Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) 6-Month Maintenance

Manufacturing Device Print

Environmental Health System (EHS) Grab Sample Container (GSC) Sampling Operations

Columbus Hardware Consolidate

PMM Hardware Consolidate

Adlink Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter Reset and Power on Thermal Amine AC Power Switch

CASA Stowage

Crew Tagup for MLM Docking

Power off A-2 atmosphere filter

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When Mysweetboymax races in Saturdays (July 31) $375,000 final of the Delvin Miller Adios Pace for the Orchids at The Meadows, Alison and Scott Liroff and their family will be watching from their Basking Ridge, N.J., home with more than the usual interest.

Thats because the horse was named for their late son Max, who succumbed to cancer in 2018 at the age of 25. Mysweetboymax leaves from post six with David Miller aboard in the Adios, which goes as race 15.

The Adios anchors a blockbuster program that includes five other stakes: the $106,745 Quinton Patterson Adioo Volo for three-year-old pacing fillies; a pair of Arden Downs Grand Circuit events for freshman pacers, and a $143,132 Pennsylvania Sire Stakes and a $40,000 Pennsylvania Stallion Series event, both for three-year-old trotting fillies.

In addition, the Adios Day program features five pool guarantees totalling $90,000, including a $40,000 Super Hi-5 guarantee  with a mandatory payout  on the Adios. A livestream of the Adios Day card, produced by the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association (MSOA), will be available on the MSOAs Facebook and YouTube channels as well as Meadows Live! First post is noon.

Max Liroff was a good friend of Casey Horowitz, whose brother Brandon and father Bob bred and own Mysweetboymax and honored their late family friend by naming their horse for him. At two, though, it wasnt clear the son of Sweet Lou and Faster Faster would live up to expectations. He earned nearly $62,000 and took a mark of 1:52.1, but wasnt facing or beating top competition.

He was a little immature, says his trainer, Sam DePinto. I knew he would be a late bloomer. The more he does it, the more he gets the idea what hes supposed to do. He has no physical issues, so I think hell be a very nice horse.

He showed how racy hes become in his Adios elimination when, dismissed at 42-1, he rallied inside to finish second to Hellabalou, beaten two lengths and individually timed in 1:49.3.

DePinto is no stranger to this territory. In 2010, his horse We Will See, finished fourth in the Adios final by challenging for the lead down the backside but tiring in the lane, beaten only a half length by winner Delmarvalous. Thats not the kind of trip DePinto wants Saturday.

I would have to believe he needs to be up close and get good fractions and a covered-up trip. If he can get that, he has a heckuva shot, considering the way he raced last Saturday.

Mysweetboymax is eligible for most major late-season stakes; DePinto and the Horowitz and Liroff families have several reasons for expecting big things.

Hes maturing, and hes maturing at the right time, DePinto says. He might turn around and start winning some of the big ones. Bob Horowitz wants everyone to know that Max Liroff fought like hell to beat that cancer. This horse races with Maxs heart.

(Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)
RAK Ceramics, a leading ceramic products manufacturer based in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, has registered a net profit of AED94.9 million ($25.84 million) for Q2, compared to a loss of AED19.8 million last year, after considering a one-time net gain from the sale of assets in China and after writing-off excess rent from a leased hotel.

Announcing the results, RAK Ceramics said its total gross profit margin reached an all-time high in Q2 increasing by 9.6% year on year to 38.1%.

Operations across all of RAK Ceramics core markets continued to improve, leading to a revenue increase of 70.4% in Q2 2021 to AED700.8 million when compared to Q2 2020.

Total revenue for Q2 2021 surpassed pre-pandemic levels, increasing by 5% when compared to Q2 2019 driven by growth in all core markets.

Q2 2021 net profit is 29.3% higher than pre-pandemic levels of profit in Q2 2019, indicating steady growth of the business.

Operational efficiencies and increased revenue led to higher cash profits, enabling RAK Ceramics to make a significant reduction in net debt during the period.

In addition, the board of RAK Ceramics have proposed a dividend of 10 fils per share for H1 2021. The dividend will be paid subject to regulatory and statutory approvals.

In Q2 2021 total gross profit margin reached an all-time high, increasing by +960bps year on year to 38.1% and by +310bps quarter on quarter due to improved efficiencies and reduction in costs across all of RAK Ceramics production plants. In 2020, gross profit margin was impacted due to Covid-19 lockdowns.

Q2 2021 revenue grew by 114.2% in Saudi Arabia, 142.6% in India, 214% in Bangladesh, 75.5% in Europe and 3.9% in the UAE, when compared to the same period in 2020, when lockdowns impacted operations.

In Saudi Arabia, RAK Ceramics has established itself as a premium provider of ceramic products. The kingdom is now a key market for RAK Ceramics and will continue to play a role in the companys long-term growth strategy.

In India and Bangladesh, the second wave of Covid-19 induced lockdowns restricted the movement of goods and subsequently impacted revenue growth.

In Europe, the business continued to grow driven by revenue from the UK and Central Europe, supported by ongoing cost control measures.

In the UAE, production reached its highest level in 5 years due to increased demand from Saudi Arabia and other countries. The company continued to implement operational efficiencies in its UAE production plants, which led to all-time high gross profit margin.

Revenue from the tableware business increased by 160.2% year on year, indicating early signs of recovery. In 2020, the tableware business was impacted due to decreased demand from the airline and hospitality sector, which have now begun to recover.

RAK Ceramics shut down their production facility in China in 2015. In Q2 2021, the Company sold their remaining assets in China, generating a gain of AED50.1 million.

Abdallah Massaad, Group CEO, RAK Ceramics commented: I am pleased to report strong financial results for the quarter, reflecting continued growth of the business surpassing pre-pandemic levels of revenue and profitability.

We have worked to implement measures across our core markets to improve brand visibility, customer service and production efficiency, which have increased revenue and profit, setting the stage for long-term growth.

While our post-pandemic recovery in India and Bangladesh continues, we are closely watching the situation and monitoring the health and safety of our employees.

Looking ahead for the remainder of 2021, our priority will be to protect our market share, continue to improve overall productivity and efficiency and turnaround the performance of our tableware business.-TradeArabia News Service
Nasma Luxury Stays, a division of Al Tamimi Investments, is gearing up to host Expo 2020 Dubai visitors at their private luxury holiday homes.



The short-term rental specialist has recently added four new sophisticated apartments at The Address Residence, to its portfolio, with several more units in the pipeline.



We are anticipating a positive demand for holiday homes in the coming months. Based on official statistics, Dubai welcomed 3.7 million overnight visitors between July 2020 and May 2021. As travel restrictions ease across the world, these numbers will continue to rise. Organisers are expecting close to 25 million visitors during the course of the six-month exhibition, said Dani Tabbara, COO, Al Tamimi Investments.



Dubai is also leading the safe return of in-person exhibitions and events. Over the past few months, the emirate has successfully hosted Gulfood, Gitex and the Arabian Travel Market, bringing participants from over 100 countries. Alongside, the UAE is leading globally with its vaccination drive. This will further boost traveller confidence and encourage tourists to visit Dubai not only for the Expo 2020 but also to enjoy a holiday in the winter season, added Tabbara.



In addition to this, it has also been recently reported that Dubai is one of the safest cities in the world, being monitored by more than 300,000 cameras round-the-clock, further reinforcing its appeal as a must-visit destination.



Nasma Luxury Stays property portfolio features homes in Dubais premier locations including Downtown Dubai, City Walk, Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Bluewaters Island, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai International Financial Centre and Business Bay.



Guests can choose from chic studio apartments, one to four-bedroom residences or four and five-bedroom villas for long or short-term stays. The holiday homes are a short drive away from the Expo 2020 site (Dubai Exhibition Centre), and close to the citys attractions such as malls, beaches and theme parks. Some residences are located close to business districts making it convenient to attend meetings and other events.



For those that will be travelling with their families, the residences can be equipped with requirements for children such as baby cots, a Nasma statement said.



The firm has also collaborated with Emirates Home Nursing to provide guests with premium in-home services including pre-natal care, childcare, baby-sitting, clinical care and senior care, to ensure guests have a hassle-free and comfortable stay.



The villas are complete with private pools, offering the ultimate indulgent getaway with picturesque views. A four-bedroom villa on Palm Jumeirah typically features a fully functional kitchen, dining and living area for eight people, majlis for eight people and a maids room. The upscale homes are equipped with wi-fi, Smart TV and covered parking spaces, along with access to gyms, swimming pools and Jacuzzi.



Every booking includes access to a round-the-clock concierge service that manages all requests including dining, gifts, excursions and cleaning; a 24/7 Nasma Guest helpline, high quality linen, The White Company amenities and welcome snacks, the statement said.  TradeArabia News Service
The Department of Health (DOH) has accredited the Emergency Department at Burjeel Medical City, one of the biggest quaternary care hospitals in the private sector.

The certification will empower the Emergency Department at Burjeel Medical City to provide critical care to patients affected by acute, life-threatening conditions.

The DOH certification for the Emergency Department is another jewel in the crown for Burjeel Medical City, which aspires to revolutionise the UAE's healthcare landscape by redefining the concept of care and wellness. The certification will aid the hospital in fulfilling its mission of addressing the emergency healthcare requirements of individuals in Abu Dhabi and beyond.

The Emergency Department at Burjeel Medical City is led by a team of doctors trained and certified by the medical board in North America. Committed to providing 24-hour emergency care, the department is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, resuscitation beds for life-threatening cases, and telemetry monitoring beds for those requiring comprehensive medical management.

Additionally, it provides expedited care for minor emergencies via the fast-track zone, designed to ensure priority treatment for all patients. The Emergency Department at the hospital has a designated area for pediatric and critical care. Patients with minor injuries will be taken care of at the fast-track zone, while the needs of the children will be met exclusively at the pediatric emergency care area.

The specialised centre offers round-the-clock comprehensive pediatric emergency care delivered by extensively experienced specialists. Furthermore, the Emergency Department provides sub-specialty services including quaternary medical care outside of the emergency department throughout the day.

It has a satellite blood bank, 24-hour imaging services, and ambulance services and is also equipped with a helipad for critical care transport.

Dr Zuhair Alsharafi, Director & Head of Emergency Department at Burjeel Medical City: At Burjeel Medical City, we are capable and equipped with all the resources to take care of the healthcare needs of any emergency case  adult or paediatric  coming to us. Our doctors and nurses are extensively trained and experienced. We are committed and dedicated to ensuring efficient, and safe emergency care round-the-clock.

A notable feature is the fast-track facility. It ensures minimal waiting time for patients coming to the Emergency Department with minor injuries. We have developed a great system at the department so that no patient coming to us shall wait for unnecessary hours. This happens normally with patients coming with minor injuries. So, at Burjeel Medical City, the fast-track system will ensure that they are attended to at the earliest, added Dr Alsharafi.

Burjeel Medical City CEO, John Sunil, thanked the Department of Health for granting the Emergency Department status to the hospital. We have a highly qualified team of doctors and professionals on board with us. Our responsibility is to provide the community with exceptional service and medical care. Our longstanding experience in healthcare has taught us valuable lessons. We understand the needs and requirements of the people here. At Burjeel Medical City, we continuously strive to meet the expectations of everybody coming to us. The Emergency Department status accorded by DOH will contribute significantly towards our purpose of serving the community better.

Burjeel Medical City, located in Abu Dhabi's Mohammed bin Zayed City, is VPS Healthcare's flagship project. The 1.2 million-square-foot multispecialty hospital provides care in all specialities and subspecialties, with a major focus on adult and paediatric oncology. The hospital is equipped with the most advanced radiology department and has state-of-the-art cancer-treating machinery. -- TradeArabia News Service
More than 1,200 international delegates will gather in Dubai from November 23 to 25, 2021 for the 12th World Chambers Congress (#12WCC).

A flagship event of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the institutional representative of over 45 million companies, and its World Chambers Federation (WCF), the 2021 edition of the World Chambers Congress is co-organised with Dubai Chamber.

The three-day event takes place under the theme, Generation Next: Chambers 4.0, and will examine the role of chambers in reviving global trade and provide a deeper understanding of how technology is empowering todays leaders to pioneer beyond traditional boundaries.

Hamad Buamim President & CEO of Dubai Chamber and ICC WCF Chair said: This World Chambers Congress comes at a time when the world is emerging from an unprecedented global situation  one that is presenting new and significant opportunities for business in what is anticipated to be a new paradigm of commerce and trade.

I am confident that the 12th World Chambers Congress will be an eye-opening and enriching experience for everyone involved. It is crucial that chambers look to the future to not only add value to their members and business communities but help them achieve sustainable growth and enhance their competitiveness.

The high-level event will convene chamber leaders, their member companies and business representatives from around the world to connect, collaborate and discuss new challenges and opportunities emerging in the Covid-19 era. The #12WCCC also aims to enable the transformation of chambers of commerce, industry and their services to meet the changing needs of their respective members.

John W H Denton AO, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce said: Our World Chambers Congress is unrivalled in its capacity to develop connections, showcase innovate solutions, and inspire action that impact local communities in every region. As we navigate our way out of the global health crisis, this edition will be more relevant than ever. It is incumbent on us to activate the collective voice of the global chamber network and undertake ambitious projects that drive a more sustainable future for all.

Placing a key focus on innovation, the Congress will examine how chambers are rethinking their priorities, creating new solutions to address existing challenges, removing trade barriers and driving global prosperity. Other topics slated for discussion include digital disruption and re-imagining the future of chambers.

The Congress will also feature a variety of business-related activities, including business matching meetings, investment and trade opportunities in Dubai, site visits to free trade zones in the United Arab Emirates, Expo 2020 Dubai tours and its showcasing area.

Expo 2020 Dubai is set to be a key feature of the #12WCC experience as chamber representatives will gain access to the much-anticipated mega event, allowing them to leverage the Expo platform, expand their reach and explore cross-border collaboration opportunities.

Another main attraction of the Congress is the World Chambers Competition - the only award programme of its kind to recognise innovative projects undertaken by chambers. The Competition serves to showcase chamber innovation and inspire pioneering chamber solutions that positively impact business communities worldwide. This years Competition categories are Best Resilience Project, Best Digital Project, Best Climate Action Project and Best Unconventional Project. -- TradeArabia News Service
Remarkable Group International, a fast-growing global digital transformation agency group, has announced the acquisition of Tanasuk Technologies, Middle Easts foremost Sitecore partner with a long-standing US office and client base.



The ambitious new group kicked off its growth journey earlier in the year when it acquired Sagittarius, a top 50 UK digital agency, leading Sitecore partner and specialist in digital customer experience. Remarkable Groups eye on the MENA region and the GCC specifically meant that Tanasuk was a natural next step, and the acquisition will represent the cornerstone of best-in-class engineering capabilities that will sit at the heart of Remarkable Group.



Both agencies will work collaboratively on client projects across the Middle East, the US and Europe. Each business will continue to serve its respective markets as a separate entity, with its own specific offerings, able to complement and flex services with group support.



Tanasuk is renowned for being the centre of engineering excellence for Microsoft and Sitecore in the region and was awarded the prestigious Platinum Partner status by Sitecore in July.



While being driven by a majority-female leadership team, joining Remarkable Group will be a commercial and operational game changer as Tanasuk will benefit from the diversity of senior architects, expertise, and resources from across the Remarkable Group enabling them to deliver entire projects that goes beyond pure engineering with a more multi-disciplined digital team.



Shahla Matar, CEO of Tanasuk, and one of the only 300 individuals worldwide recently awarded Sitecore MVP (Most Valuable Professional) status, among only three women across the entire Mena region, said: Joining a group like Remarkable has been a long time coming for Tanasuk. The groups strategic interest in EMEA and the recent rise of various regional economies in MENA and GCC specifically has only made this move even more timely.



We look forward to expanding beyond the US & Middle East markets by tapping into the groups wealth of global resources. Tanasuk has already established itself as the technology powerhouse behind some of the regions biggest brands but being part of the Remarkable Group will allow us to provide a much broader holistic offering.



Tanasuk in Arabic means synergy and harmony, which is probably the best way to describe this union with a team which shares the exact same vision and values, she added.



Nick Towers, CEO of Remarkable Group, said: Tanasuk is the number one Sitecore specialist in the region and that brings an enormous amount of credibility, experience and knowledge to the group. Its growth and success to date has been driven by an incredible powerhouse of female leaders who are exceptional operators, impressing us with their business acumen at every step of our negotiation.



Sitecore has ambitious expansion plans for the Middle East and GCC markets and that drives the need for world-class implementation, which we can now combine with the broader digital transformation solutions that Sagittarius and Tanasuk can offer together. It is no question that Tanasuk is the ideal partner.



The acquisition of Tanasuk brings Remarkable Group headcount to 85 based across 6 locations covering Amman, UK (London, Leeds, Ashford), Ukraine and the US (Chicago). The Group is planning to announce further acquisitions in 2021 in the technology and data sectors, it said in a statement.  TradeArabia News Service
The next generation of automobiles will be the safest ever, thanks to cutting-edge software and hardware levels, coupled with improvements to safety features with the help of real-time data, according to Al Futtaims Trading Enterprises, the distributor of Volvo Cars in the UAE.

Volvo Cars has always used traffic data from real-life situations to develop safety technologies and make its cars even safer. For its next generation of vehicles, the company is looking to process data from customer cars in real time, if customers choose to do so and help make its cars safer.

"By allowing customers to choose and be a part of improving safety levels and traffic safety in this way, we can make continuous and much faster improvements to the cars, constantly improving safety levels," Volvo Cars said in a statement.

This data would include continuous inputs on the cars environment from sensors like the high-resolution LiDAR delivered by technology company Luminar.

Engineers would be able to validate and verify autonomous drive (AD) features quicker, to promote a safe roll-out of AD technology.

Zenseact (Volvo Cars autonomous driving software arm) CEO Odgard Andersson said: With help from real-life data we can speed up our development processes and go from years to days. As real-time collection generates a lot more data, we can create better and higher-quality data sets that allow us to make better and quicker decisions on the next advancements in safety.

To process the real-time traffic data they will collect, Volvo Cars and Zenseact are investing in a data factory that will contain over 200 PebiBytes (225 million gigabytes) of data within the next few years.

By using artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, data can be crunched at record times. Customers will be able to choose whether this data is collected about them, and all collected data will be aggregated with adequate safeguards for customer privacy.

Head of R&D Mats Moberg said: Safety is part of our heritage and the backbone of our company, but software is a crucial part of our modern-day DNA. So while we continue to build on the 50-year expertise of the Volvo Cars Accident Research Team, we can now also leverage AI as a new, virtual accident research team.

The use of real-time data is part of Volvo Cars long term vision for a future where collisions simply no longer happen, by equipping its cars with some of the best sensors available and advanced, continuously improving safety and autonomous drive systems.-TradeArabia News Service
Seven new locations in Germany have been awarded World Heritage Site status by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) during the recently held 44th Unesco meeting in China.



With the updated official Unesco list counting more than 1,000 sites in 167 countries around the world, Germany now boasts 51 recognised World Heritage Sites, the third highest of any nation globally after Italy (58) and China (56). Germanys World Heritage Sites comprise three natural locations and 48 cultural locations.



As a key destination to experience natural and cultural treasures, GCC visitors can discover a plethora of diverse World Heritage Sites along eight routes in Germany, which begin and end near international airports, making them easily accessible from regional gateways. Due to their uniqueness and authenticity, all Unesco World Heritage Sites in Germany are considered significant for humanity therefore under special protection.



New Unesco World Heritage Sites now recognised in Germany include the Mathildenhohe artists colony in Darmstadt, the Lower Germanic Limes, The Danube Limes as well as historic spa resorts in Baden-Baden, Bad Ems and Bad Kissingen, which secured the title of World Heritages Great European Baths.



With this year's new additions, 51 natural and cultural heritage sites in Germany now hold the Unesco World Heritage seal of quality. The international attention granted to the countrys human and natural history continue to elevate Germanys appeal as a globally-recognised travel destination. We now sit at the top of the list of countries travellers are willing to visit in the Europe, averaging 22 percent, or five percent higher than last year," said Petra Hedorfer, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of GNTB.



Mathildenhohe artists' colony in Darmstadt

Founded in 1899 by the Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig, Mathildenhohe artists' colony has been noted as a historic centre of modern-day architecture and art in Europe. Prior to the turn of the century, aspiring architects and artists had the opportunity to turn their ideas into experimentation, inspiring what is now known as the Bauhaus art movement. The infamous location includes a wedding tower designed by the architect Joseph-Maria Olbrich, seen as a landmark of the city and an excellent vantage point over the Rhine-Main plain.



The Lower Germanic Limes

The 400-kilometer section of the ancient Roman border fortifications runs along the North Rhine-Westphalia to Katwijk Rhineland-Palatinate through the Dutch North Sea coast. The Lower Germanic Limes is now noted as a World Heritage Site as part of the 'Borders of the Roman Empire' series. The river formed a natural border between the Roman province, where life across 44 towns, forts, legionary camps and temples formed the roots of today's large cities, including Bonn and Cologne.



The Danube Limes

The Danube Limes follow the course of the Danube River from what is known today as Bad Gogging in Bavaria, through Austria and Slovakia. As the second-longest river in Europe, the Roman military frontiers stretch approximately 600-kilometerand has contributed to the development of the cultural landscape. Parts of the earlier facilities are still visible today and are carefully developed for tourists to visit, the archaeological sites 'document niedermunster' and the 'Porta Praetoria' in Regensburg are key examples of popular destinations.



Significant spa towns in Europe

With European spa culture peaking between the 1700 and the 1930s, Germanys abundant spa towns around mineral springs have far more than historic and medical significance; these major urban developments created architectural framework for recreation, cultural and social life. Not only have the German spa towns of Baden-Baden, Bad Ems and Bad Kissingen been recognised by the Unesco, eight additional European spa towns have been awarded listings.



The ongoing German.Spa.Tradition campaign cements Germanys cultural traditions through a series of high-quality medical-therapeutic applications and wellness offers. In 2019, Germany recorded 7.2 million international overnight stays in spa towns. As a result of the pandemic, interest in wellness and health vacations has increased significantly and continues to steadily increase.



Germany began welcoming European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved, fully vaccinated travellers on June 25. All travellers are advised to check individual German states entry requirements before travel. - TradeArabia News Service
Help India!

Several independent journalists were denied access to cover the recent farmers protest at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi and the Khori Gaon demolition in Haryana. The aggrieved journalists said they are being denied access as independent journalists and freelancers have played a key role in covering the farmers protests while mainstream media has only played into the propaganda.

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Samriddhi Sakunia | TwoCircles.net

NEW DELHI  In recent times, journalists in India  especially those who work with independent media outlets or freelancers, have been prevented from covering protests such as at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi by farmers or by villagers of Khori Gaon whose houses were demolished in a Supreme Court ordered drive.

After the Supreme Court ordered the demolition of Khori Gaon in the Faridabad district of Haryana, several journalists were prevented from covering the demolition. As per reports, the police apart from threatening journalists and obstructing them arrested several villagers who were protesting against the demolition.

In a similar incident, several journalists were denied entry inside Jantar Mantar where the farmers were protesting against the three farm laws. As per the aggrieved freelance and independent journalists, they were made to sit near the barricade which was quite far from the protest site.

I was asked to stop filming testimonies of Khori Gaon villagers

Sumedha Pal, a reporter at the Newsclick shared her experience on covering the Khori Gaon demolition.

On July 30, when Pal visited the site to record the testimonies of the villagers gathered there, several officers repeatedly asked Pal to stop filming.

As per Pal, she filmed the scene which showed the aggression of the police against the villagers. A senior police officer ordered another officer to confiscate my phone while I was filming the police action against the demonstrators, Pal told TwoCircles.net, adding, As soon as the officer approached towards me and tried to grab my phone, I stopped filming and fled the scene.

Pal said she was threatened and obstructed by the Police when she tried to film the demolition. A police officer even tried to block my camera as I filmed the visuals at the site, she said.

According to Pal, she was carrying her press card every time she visited Khori Gaon to cover the demolition, but I still had to face such behaviour.

Female officers were ordered to beat me if I resisted

On July 16, when Nikita Jain, an independent journalist was at the Khori Gaon demolition site taking pictures and videos, an unknown person in civvies approached her and asked her to stop filming. He threatened to inform the police if I didnt stop recording, Jain told TwoCircles.net.

Nikita said that when she was leaving the village, a group of 10 police officers surrounded me and told me that media coverage was prohibited in the area.

Nikita asked the officer to show an official order stating that media coverage wasnt allowed. He refused and asked me to show them my phone and delete all my footage, she said.

Nikita said that when she refused to hand over her phone, the officer ordered female cops to take me away and ordered them to beat me if I resisted.

As per Nikata, the officers threatened to break her phone. I was adamant and left the village, she said.

In a similar incident on July 22, journalists were denied access to cover farmers protests at Jantar Mantar. Several journalists took to Twitter about the resistance they had to face from the police. They complained of the treatment meted out to them just because they dont have a PIB (Press Information Bureau) issued press card.

They didnt let journalists stand close to barricades without a press card

On June 22, many policemen at the Jantar Mantar protest site stopped several journalists who visited the site to cover the farmers protest.

Sandeep Singh, an independent journalist who has been covering the farmers protest from the beginning, was one of the several journalists who were denied entry.

Sandeep took to Twitter and posted a picture with a caption saying that like him several other journalists were denied entry.

The independent journalists were asked to show PIB issued press cards which according to Prabhat Singh, another independent journalist, isnt available with more than 90% of the journalists.

The journalists sat on a protest and demanded to be allowed to cover the protest like other media outlets. The journalists were later allowed to cover the protests but were only allowed to stand near the barricades.

On July 23, Sandeep Singh visited the protest site again and found out that the police werent allowing journalists who didnt possess a press card to cover the protest.

Most of the independent journalists here dont have press cards and they work without the card, Sandeep said.

As per Sandeep, he was not allowed to even stand near the barricades because he didnt have a press card. Journalists working with mainstream media outlets were allowed entry. Independent journalists and other YouTubers have played a huge role in covering the farmers protest from the beginning. Do you think they hold a press card to enter the protest site? asked Sandeep.

The mainstream media which just tries to spread propaganda is being permitted while independent journalists like me who play a key role in pushing forward the truth of the protests in terms of media coverage are denied access, Sandeep added.
In a follow-up to our first article from F-14 Tomcat RIO and TOPGUN instructor Dave Bio Baranek this past May, we thought our readers might enjoy this story about his experiences on a TOPGUN training detachment to NAS Key West in Florida, where he came across a stray SR-71 Blackbird in one of the hangars. As you will know from our first article, Bio Baranek also worked as an adviser on the 1986 film, Top Gun, and that film makes an appearance in this article too

Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West, Florida  April 1986.

Topgun was making another trip from our home base of NAS Miramar in San Diego to Key West, where we had fewer distractions, access to extensive overwater training ranges, great weather, and could work with the local adversary squadron, Attack Squadron 45 (VA-45). Most of us would be on this detachment, or det for one to two weeks. We would concentrate on two primary tasks: training the group of new Topgun instructors who had recently arrived and practicing air-to-air gunnery by shooting at a large banner towed by another aircraft. We would also fly with VA-45, and just maybe get out for some of the great food and drink to be found in Key West. Okay, there was no maybe about that last part, we always had a great time on these trips!

Flying with Topgun commanding officer Dirty Dan Shewell, I arrived in a two-seat F-5F on a Saturday afternoon. The advance party was set up and ready. They had told everyone flying over when to arrive, so several other instructors arrived in A-4s and F-5s about the same time we did. Advance party members drove rental cars out to the flight line to meet us. That would never happen at Miramar, but seemed like a nice touch on a detachment. Something even further removed from normal Miramar operations was their offer of cold beer, just pulled from a cooler in the trunk of one of their cars.

Abnormal? Yes. But it was late afternoon, it was warm and breezy, we were done flying for the day, and we were on det to Key West. It was easy to rationalize

Our amiable Maintenance Control Officer, Derf, walked up to a group of us and said with a grin, Wait until you see whats in the hangar. His excitement was obvious, but he wouldnt tell us any more than that. So we finished our beers and walked over to the hangar he indicated.

NAS Key West was no longer home to any Fleet squadrons, and its hangars were older than those I was used to at Miramar and Oceana. With peeling paint, flocks of birds in the rafters, and old fittings on their walls, they seemed to be relics from World War II.

So when I walked into the hangar I was stunned to see the sleekest, blackest flying machine ever, the SR-71 Blackbird. An Air Force reconnaissance aircraft, at 107 feet long it was huge, even compared to the F-14 that I was familiar with. The smooth underside was roughly six feet above the ground, so I could look under its belly, or look up at its cockpit, engines, and tails. The machine seemed even more fantastic in the ancient dusty hangar, illuminated by the afternoon light that penetrated the yellow windows and gaps in the huge hangar doors.

Six Air Force security policemen in camouflaged uniforms guarded the jet, with M16 assault rifles held across their chests. I dont know how long this shift had been on duty, but they looked alert and intent. I walked into the hangar with four or five other instructors. We started at the Blackbirds nose, walked about three-quarters along the length of the jet, and stopped near the left engine. We were all thrilled to get such a close-up look. Of course, I had my camera in hand and ready.

Sir, no photography is allowed, sir! Sir, I need to see your Armed Forces Identification card, sir. He spoke clearly and authoritatively, using the sir sandwich form of sentence construction.

I outranked him, thus his frequent use of the word sir. But he had an M16 and was doing his job. As I reached for my wallet I looked him straight in the eye and calmly said, Okay, got it. I havent taken any pictures. Heres my ID.

He shifted to a more normal voice but retained the bearing of a sentry. Thank you, sir. We havent seen anyone else in here with a camera. If we see any photos of this jet in this hangar, were going to talk to you first. He wrote down my name, ID number, and other information.

We learned that the jet was on a mission near Key West when it had trouble with its left engine. Indeed, we could see holes where pieces of the disintegrating engine had pierced the skin of the nacelle. The crew made an emergency landing at NAS Key West and taxied into this hangar. Navy security police stood guard until Air Force personnel arrived from the Miami area to take over. It had been in the hangar just a few hours at this point. Repair crews were on the way.

The SR-71 is a beautiful and fascinating aircraft, and we Topgun instructors soaked it in for a few more minutes. But then we returned to the business of the det. Off to change and hit the town, for dinner and a few beers.

It was a different Bio on the Key West det in 1986, compared to the new instructor who made the 1984 Key West det. Now I had been at Topgun a year and a half and was, therefore, one of the old guys. As a RIO, I was definitely a minority on the staff  around this time we had four or five RIOs out of 18 or 20 total instructors  but I had established and proven myself. I gave a tactics lecture and a FAST* lecture  I had become head of the FAST team. I was briefing, leading, and debriefing class flights as well as other training flights. I had learned much and taught much. I had lost arguments and won arguments. I had made mistakes and corrected mistakes. I knew my facts and mission, I knew the aircraft and weapons, I knew the material and the students.

For me, it was a great Key West det.

In five days I flew six 1v1s training new instructors, plus a 4vUNK against some Fleet Tomcats in town to take advantage of the consistent great weather and operating areas near the field. I also flew one air-to-air gunnery flight. During the det shooting the banner was almost equal in priority to training new instructors, as a way of maintaining instructor skill and credibility.

We were busy and enjoying our normal instructor lives, but the movie again became an issue during the det. First, Paramount invited all instructors to a preview at their theater in Hollywood and they needed to know who would attend. This would be the week after we got back from Key West. Second, they were having a West Coast Benefit Premiere in San Diego in mid-May and advised us that tickets would be $50 per seat.

The Hollywood preview was easy, Rat collected names and sent them to Paramount.

As for arranging tickets for the premiere, you might say we were taken aback. It wasnt even going to be the world premiere. And werent we Topgun instructors special? Most of us would be taking wives or dates, and $100 was a lot to see a movie, even if it was about us. Sort of. The resolution to this micro-quandary happened quickly, when Hughes Aircraft Company, manufacturers of the radars in the F-14 and F/A-18, offered to cover the cost of two tickets for each Topgun instructor. So Rat once again sent in a list of names.

The rest of the SR-71 story is a mix of goods and others. Neither the Air Force nor the Navy initially publicized the fact that it was at the base, but its presence wasnt really classified, either. After just a few days it seemed like everyone in Key West knew about the black jet. I guess thats the coconut telegraph that Jimmy Buffett sings about. The public affairs people arranged for the jet to be rolled out of the hangar for viewing on a Wednesday afternoon, four days after its arrival. We were allowed to take photographs, which I did. I heard that a school bus full of children came by for a close-up look. The public showing was a nice move by the Air Force.

The jet took off Thursday morning. I was in a flight briefing that started at 10:00, but when the SR-71 taxied out to the runway we adjourned the brief and went outside. It was an airshow atmosphere as many people walked across the ramp to stand in the grass near the runway. Looking as cool as any man-made object ever looked, the jet sat at the end of the runway while the pilot and back-seater performed takeoff checks. When those were complete the pilot advanced the throttles and lit the burners. The sound was deafening; the sight was exciting.

The jet was large but sleek, and its acceleration was brisk. Halfway down the runway the pilot pulled the nose up, but only climbed a thousand feet or so. He made a sharp left turn and flew toward downtown Key West a few miles away, disappearing behind the tree line. A moment later we could hear their approach. They flew over the field at low altitude, lighting the burners as they passed. The jet was a triple-sonic manta ray of flowing curved surfaces and elegant proportions, painted flat black. The crew made another circuit, and then over the base, they lit the burners and pulled the nose up to climb out of sight.

I walked back inside with the rest of my flight to finish the brief, preoccupied by the great display, but aware of the complex 4vUNK mission I would soon be flying. As the flight lead was finishing the brief and asking for spin procedures, we were distracted again, this time by the wailing sirens of the NAS Key West crash crew. Fire engines raced toward the main runway.

Moments later the same SR-71 eased in for a smooth landing, turned at the end of the runway, and taxied into the same hangar.

The SDO came into our brief to announce the runway was closed. Shortly after takeoff, the Blackbird crew determined they had damage to their other engine. Their home base was in California, but since they had a repair crew at Key West, they returned to the island.

Trucks combed the runway for engine debris and after 30 minutes it was open, so our 4vUNK mission went with just a brief delay.

I left Key West after a week of the det, flying back to Miramar on a Saturday so I could give a FAST course to two air wings the following week. Most of the other instructors also came home that weekend, but a few stayed through the following week.

Meanwhile back in Key West, several Topgun instructors talked to the SR-71 pilots about their departure that Thursday morning. Nice fly-by, but that climb-out. Is that as good as it gets? We had commented to each other how we thought it was kind of weak, and a few of our guys mentioned it to the Blackbirds crew.

I was gone when the repaired Blackbird took off the second time. It didnt do any fly-bys around the island this time, but the instructors who were there said the climb-out was impressive. Impressive  thats a real compliment not often heard from a bunch of Topgun instructors!

* FAST: Fleet Air Superiority Training, a one-week program run by Topgun to give fighter and E-2 Hawkeye aircrews specialized training in defending an aircraft carrier from a raid by bombers, cruise missiles, and jammers. The concept was to apply Topgun-level training to this challenging problem. FAST included lectures and complex scenarios in simulators.

Dave Bio Baranek is also the author of Topgun Days and Before Topgun Days. He enjoyed a successful and satisfying 20-year career in the United States Navy, starting with assignments to F-14 Tomcat squadrons and the elite Topgun training program as an instructor, and on to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the US 7th Fleet. Baranek retired from the Navy in 1999 and is now a defense contractor. He is married and lives in Satellite Beach, Florida.

For more information, visit www.topgunbio.com, or connect with the author on Facebook (search for Topgun Days Tomcat RIO) or Instagram (he is Topgun Bio).
Once again, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 proved to be the worlds greatest aviation event. Better known simply as Oshkosh to those who love aviation, the event in Oshkosh, Wisconsin showcases many incredible aircraft for one week each summer to the several hundred thousand enthusiasts who fly in from across the globe to witness or participate in the spectacle.

And Oshkosh is now in the books for 2021. As ever, it proved highly successful, with another record attendance. The Experimental Aircraft Associations CEO and Chairman, Jack Pelton, had the following to say in a formal press release celebrating this years accomplishments. This was perhaps the most challenging set of circumstances weve ever faced as an organization to make the event happen. I could not be more proud of our volunteers, staff, and participants for the way they came together to exceed our expectations and make AirVenture 2021 a truly memorable experience. We went into this year not knowing what AirVenture would look like and how big of an event was possible. The aviation community spoke loudly, though  it was ready to come to Oshkosh and we were happy that we could welcome them. Our theme was The Wait is Over, and indeed it was. And the wait was worth it. There was joy and excitement throughout the grounds and it set the stage for the return of AirVenture, making us very excited for the future.

Attendance: Approximately 608,000  Only the third time attendance has surpassed 600,000 and within 5 percent of 2019s record total.

Total aircraft: More than 10,000 aircraft arrived at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh and other airports in east-central Wisconsin. At Wittman alone, 16,378 aircraft operations took place in the 10-day period from July 22-31, which is an average of approximately 116 takeoffs/landings per hour when the airport is open.

Total showplanes: 3,176, which included: A record 1,420 vintage aircraft registered, plus 1,089 homebuilt aircraft, 354 warbirds, 148 aerobatic aircraft, 112 seaplanes, 33 ultralights, and 27 rotorcraft.

Camping: More than 12,000 sites in aircraft and drive-in camping accounted for an estimated 40,000 visitors.

Volunteers: More than 5,000, who contributed in excess of 250,000 hours.

Commercial exhibitors: 747.

Forums, Workshops, and Presentations: A total of 1,055 sessions took place throughout the week.

Social Media, Internet, and Mobile: The EAAs social media channels reached more than 18.95 million people during AirVenture, with an engagement of 1.08 million; EAA video clips during the event were viewed 3.48 million times.

International guests: Despite travel restrictions that greatly limited the number of attendees from other nations, the EAA still welcomed visitors from 66 countries during the week.

The Gathering shines The EAA Aviation Foundations annual event to support its aviation education programs attracted more than 500 people and raised more than $1.7 million dollars which will be focused on EAAs mission of growing participation in aviation.

Media: 567 media representatives on-site, from four continents.

Economic impact*: $170 million for the five counties in the Oshkosh region (Winnebago, Outagamie, Fond du Lac, Calumet, and Brown). *  based on a 2017 University of Wisconsin Oshkosh economic impact study





From a warbird perspective, EAA AirVenture 2021 saw the first Oshkosh appearance of the magnificent Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat belonging to Fagen Fighters WWII Museum. This WWII naval fighter made its first post-restoration flight on January 3, 2021, following a two and a half year restoration with Steve Hinton, Jr. at Fighter Rebuilders in Chino, California. The aircraft won the Grand Champion Warbird Award this year, which was not a surprise to anyone whod followed the Hellcats journey back to flight. Another first appearance on the big stage was the Warbird Heritage Foundations Goodyear FG-1D Corsair (BuNo. 92050, N194G). Following an eight-year restoration, Mike Schiffer flew the Corsair for the first time on March 9, 2021. The airplane has been finished in an authentic Naval Reserve paint scheme for the former NAS Glenview. Bernie Vasquez brought the Dakota Territory Air Museums recently restored Hawker Hurricane Mk.XII (RCAF 5708). Another first appearance was the OV-10 Squadrons North American-Rockwell OV-10 Bronco, which they flew all the way from Chino, California. This aircraft, OV-10A BuNo 155474, was the 164th example off the production line and a veteran of three different wars. In February 1969, it deployed to Vietnam with the Black Ponies of Light Attack Squadron Four (VAL-4), serving there until April 1972 (look for a full feature on 474 in a future issue of Warbird Digest Magazine).

As many will know, hundreds of gorgeous, strikingly presented airplanes arrive at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh each and every year hoping to win a Lindy Award. Of course, only a handful can come away with any kind of award, but fewer still earn a Lindy. These awards range across six categories: Homebuilt, Warbird, Vintage, Ultralight, Seaplane, and Rotorcraft. Entrants can only receive consideration for one category in any given year, and are not eligible for the same or any lower-tier awards if they have won previously. While the award judges consider an aircrafts looks in their deliberations, the quality of craftsmanship on display is a crucial factor as well. Careful construction and/or restoration, as well as tireless maintenance, are essential to winning a Lindy.

Here is the list of the winners in the Warbird category.

Preservation Awards

John Schaefer

Waterloo, Illinois

Cessna O-1A Bird Dog, N413PG

Pete Bales

Janesville, Wisconsin

Hughes OH-6A Cayuse, N67PB

Lou Feldvary

Hardy, Virginia

North American T-6D Texan, N757LF

Blake Bosley

Richmond, Texas

Cessna L-19 Bird Dog, N60591

Judges Choice: Military Transport

United States Air Force

Pittsburg, Pennsylvania

Boeing C-17A Globemaster III, 02-1099

Judges Choice: Light Attack Aircraft

Douglas F. Kulick

Reno, Nevada

Piper PA-22-160 Tri-Pacer, N2650A

Judges Choice: Brody Equipped Grasshopper

Ric Woldow

Morton, Illinois

Piper L-4, N50364

Judges Choice: Primary Trainer

Richard Smith

Austin, Texas

Fairchild PT-19A, N48671

Judges Choice: T-34

Gary Otto/CAF Wisconsin Wing

Pewaukee, Wisconsin

Beechcraft T-34A Mentor, N5347W

Judges Choice: Fighter

Warbird Heritage Foundation

Waukegan, Illinois

Goodyear FG-1D Corsair, N194G

Dirty Bird

Hunter Hamilton

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Beechcraft C-45/SNB-5, N97001

Best Military Transport

Joseph Anderson

Phoenix, Arizona

Douglas DC-3A, N8336C

Silver Wrench

Aerometal International Inc.

Aurora, Oregon

Best L-Bird

Phil Hein

Burlington, Wisconsin

Stinson L-5G Sentinel, N2584B

Silver Wrench

Fred Wright

Phoenix, Arizona

Best B-25

Bettys Dream LLC

Minot, North Dakota

North American B-25 Mitchell, N5672V

Silver Wrench

Aero Trader

Chino, California

Best Navy Fighter

American Honor Foundation

Ocala, Florida

Chance Vought F4U-4 Corsair, N240CF

Silver Wrench

American Honor Foundation

Ocala, Florida

Best T-34

Mike Reirdon

El Cajon, California

Beechcraft A-45 Mentor, N4982N

Silver Wrench

Blackwell Aviation

Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania

Best T-6/SNJ

Daniel Van Buskirk

Bismark, North Dakota

North American T-6 Texan, N72176

Silver Wrench

Springer Aeronautics

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Best Fighter

Hannu Halminen

Orono, Ontario, Canada

North American P-51 Mustang, N951HB

Silver Wrench

Glenn Wegman Fighter Enterprises

Indiantown, Florida

Returning Best of Class  Large Plaque

Robert Stoney

Mercer Island, Washington

Cessna O-1E Bird Dog, N4848M

Returning Grand Champion  Large Plaque

Keith Brunquist

Wasilla, Alaska

Boeing YL-15 Scout, N477OC

Keep em Flying Award  Large Plaque

Dan Blackwell

Irwin, Pennsylvania

Beechcraft T-34A Mentor, N557DB

Silver Wrench

Dan Blackwell

Irwin, Pennsylvania

Keep em Flying Award  Large Plaque

Jimmy Hayes

Sarasota, Florida

Aero Vodochody L-39X Albatros, N395MK

Silver Wrench

Code One Aviation

Rockford, Illinois

Keep em Flying Award  Large Plaque

Joe Roetering

Naples, Florida

Beechcraft T-34B Mentor, N434JR

Silver Wrench

Blackwell Aviation

Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania

Phoenix Award

Steve Miller

Naperville, Illinois

Lockheed Airtrooper N100GR

Gold Wrench

George Robertson

Jim Fernandez

Sorrell Brothers

Reserve Grand Champion: Post-World War II

American Honor Foundation

Ocala, Florida

North American F-86 Sabre, N386BB

Gold Wrench

American Honor Foundation

Ocala, Florida

Reserve Grand Champion: World War II

Jordan Deters/CAF Minnesota Wing

Hermantown, Minnesota

Vultee BT-13A Valiant, N52411

Gold Wrench

CAF Minnesota Wing

Grand Champion: Post-World War II

James and Pat Harker

Forest Lake, Minnesota

Convair L-13A, N6615C

Gold Wrench

James and Pat Harker

Forest Lake, Minnesota

Grand Champion: World War II

Fagen Fighters WWII Museum

Granite Falls, Minnesota

Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat, N9265A

Gold Wrench

Fighter Rebuilders

Chino, California

So now we turn to next years EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. Jack Pelton noted that: Planning is well underway for next years event, including discussions during AirVenture 2021 about possible features and attractions for 2022. We also look forward to welcoming more international visitors next year to return AirVenture to a truly global reunion. In the next few months, we will be finalizing highlights in all areas to make the 69th EAA fly-in convention the Worlds Greatest Aviation Celebration.

Some of the many wonderful people who attended this years event!
As some may have inferred from the advertisements in late May, 2021 that a number of the late Paul G. Allens aircraft restoration projects were being put up for sale, it only seemed a matter of time before more gems from his remarkable estate would find their way to the marketplace. And such is the case now for Allens Focke-Wulf Fw 189A-2 (WkNr 2100), believed to be a unique survivor from 846 examples built. The project, in an advanced state of completion, is now available for sale via the workshop tasked with its rebuild, the Aircraft Restoration Company (ARCo).

As the (edited) sales description continues

The twin-boom, twin-engine, heavily glazed aircraft was the main reconnaissance type used by the German Forces on the Eastern Front during WWII and was known as The Flying Eye.

The Fw 189 usually carried a crew of three, with a maximum speed of 217mph and an operating range of just over 400 miles. During our research into the type, we came across stories of an Fw 189 once returning from a sortie with a boom missing, either from flak or ramming, which is a testament to the sturdiness of Kurt Tanks design. For ease of replacement in the field, both booms were interchangeable in order to minimize the number of spare parts required. The Fw 189 could capture reconnaissance photographs from the camera built into the fuselage; indeed the type performed superbly in this role. The Fw 189 combined all of the attributes required on the Eastern Front  strength, maneuverability, toughness, and reliability, combined with the ability to operate from short and unpaved airstrips.

Wr Nr 2100, originally built as an Fw 189-A1, is thought to be the fourth of ten Fw 189s produced at the Aero factory in Prague. The aircraft made its first two test flights on July 23rd, 1941, and another the following day. Receiving its airworthiness certificate soon after, the Fw 189 moved on to the short-range army cooperation unit which would take it into action. It served in the army cooperation role for roughly two years, during which time it likely received an upgrade to A2 specification. Her wartime flying career came to an end on May 4th, 1943. Just after 3 am that morning, the crew  pilot Lothar Mothes; navigator/bombardier/gunner Kurt Lebrecht; and rear gunner Gunther Albrecht  took off on what would be their last mission. The aircraft was to photograph Loukhi III Airbase from an altitude of 20,000ft and then continue north up the Murmansk-Leningrad Railway. Half an hour into the sortie, the crew sent a radio message warning that they were under heavy attack by Soviet Hurricanes, but that was the last communication they were able to make before the aircraft went down. The pilot managed to belly in with the aircraft remaining substantially intact, but Lebrecht and Albrecht died as a result of their wounds. Remarkably, however, Mothes survived the ordeal  and the war. He made his way behind Russian lines, feeding off tree bark and grubs to survive, and finally reunited with German soldiers having evaded Soviet forces for two weeks. He spent nine months in hospital and convalescing as a result of the crash, but returned to his duties as a pilot, flying a further 100 missions in Fw 189s.

Soviet wartime reports state that their forces located Fw 189 wreck site within hours of the crash, the aircraft having come down in a forest near Loukhi, south of Murmansk in far northwestern Russia. It was there, in Arctic conditions, that the aircraft remained for 52 years, surviving relatively undisturbed to become worthy of salvage instead of scrapping, like most of the other examples lost on the battlefield. Indeed, such was the inaccessibility of the crash site that the recovery team had to use a helicopter to hoist her remains from the forest in 1992. Noted British warbird salvager, Jim Pearce, was responsible for saving this remarkable aircraft and transporting her safely back to the UK by air, road, and sea. She went into storage initially, but made a public outing at the Biggin Hill air show in 1996 where her wartime pilot, Lothar Mothes, had the opportunity to revisit his old mount. one can only imagine the emotional experience this must have been.

While Jim Pearce did initiate the aircrafts restoration, with some work taking place, it was clearly a project which required deeper pockets to complete. Pearce sold the aircraft to the late Paul G. Allens Flying Heritage Collection in 2007, and as with most of the other restoration efforts conducted at that organization, they rarely released any details publicly until a project was nearing completion. This was true for the 189

However, despite being a well-kept secret for many years, work on the Fw 189 is well advanced. In the aircrafts fuselage area, the forward frame is 40% complete, the central fuselage 65%, and the aft section 75%, with the rear turret (cupola) also being approximately 75% complete. The structure/skins for the center-wing and the engine nacelles are 80% complete and the fuel tank panels are 60%. The wingtips are at 40% and the starboard outer wing is 65%. Both port and starboard tail booms are 80% and the fin units are 60% complete on the port side and 80% on the starboard. Of the control surfaces, the ailerons are at 50%, the flaps at 40%, and the rudders at 20%.

Fw189 A1/2, Werke Nr 2100, is presented for sale as a unique and ongoing project to be seen through to completion to airworthy or static condition. For more information (and photographs), please visit www.aircraftrestorationcompany.com
Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for New Cancer Center

By West Kentucky Star Staff

MURRAY - Murray-Calloway County Hospital recently held a groundbreaking ceremony and ribbon cutting for its new Regional Cancer Center.The project will take around 18 months to complete, and construction is expected to begin in September. The center represents a significant investment in technology, offering the very latest in cancer treatments.The cancer program at the hospital was recently granted a three-year accreditation by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons."We certainly can't say enough about this building project and want to thank our donors for their continued support. Cancer impacts most everyone in some way, and building a new center will be beneficial for our community and those we serve for years to come," said Lisa Shoemaker, Senior Philanthropy Officer.The Enduring Hope campaign continues to raise money for the $12 million project, which will bring oncologists, social workers, pharmacy, and infusion under one roof. The centerpiece of the new center's equipment will be a state-of-the-art linear accelerator that can deliver stereotactic radiation therapy.You can donate to the project by clicking the links below. For more information on how you can support the project or for naming opportunities, contact Lisa Shoemaker at 270-762-1291.On the Net:
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by Fady Noun

A year ago, entire neighbourhoods in the Lebanese capital were destroyed. It is still unclear why ammonium nitrate was stored in a port warehouse. The investigation into the role played by politicians is proceeding slowly. The Maronite patriarch is set to celebrate Mass without politicians present.

Beirut (AsiaNews)  Today Lebanon held a day of national mourning to mark the first anniversary of the explosion, on 4 August 2020, of more than 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate poorly stored in a warehouse alongside flammable material.

The blast killed more than 200 people, injuring thousands, some of whom will be scarred for life, devastating entire neighbourhoods in Beirut, in particular, some of the oldest near the port.

The blast was so powerful that it blew tiles off the roofs of traditional homes, caused sandstone walls to collapse, turned doors and window frames into sledgehammers, and propelled countless shards of broken windows in every direction.

Thousands of families lost their homes and had to move elsewhere. Hospitals, schools and churches were also damaged by the blast, which was felt for miles around.

The families of the victims organised large rallies on this day of mourning. The days activities include an interfaith ceremony to be followed by a Mass celebrated by the Maronite Patriarch at the very site of the explosion.

Muslim and Druze dignitaries will attend the ceremony, but no political or diplomatic representatives will be present. The interfaith celebration is set for 5:50 pm (2:50 pm GMT).

A moment of silence will be held at 6.07 pm, the exact time of the tragedy, followed by bell ringing and a Muslim call to prayer. The names of the victims will be read aloud.

Mass will begin after a moment of reflection. Led by the Maronite Patriarch, the liturgy will be celebrated in the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon, Archbishop Joseph Spiteri, 25 bishops, 150 priests and 1,200 other participants, including the families of the victims, those who were injured or disabled, and those who lost their property.

The representatives of a few NGOs involved in the reconstruction will be present, as will some journalists.

The ceremony was organised by a group of priests called Eglise pour le Liban (Church for Lebanon) who have been helping the families of the victims and martyrs for the past year.

The event will be broadcast by Lebanese television.

Political negligence

The explosion of 4 August 2020 showed to the Lebanese and the world the negligence of the countrys political leaders.

The investigation launched after the tragedy revealed that the ammonium nitrate had arrived at the port of Beirut in late 2013 on a cargo ship, the Rhosus, chartered by the Savaro company. The vessel had left Georgia on its way to an explosives manufacturing factory in Mozambique.

The stopover in Beirut was supposed to be purely technical, but it proved to be ominous for the future. The nitrate, which can also be used to make fertiliser, was placed in a port warehouse where it lay between 2013 and 2020.

The investigation has not yet fully determined why it was kept for so long, by whom, and what triggered the explosion. No definitive answer has been found yet, but local and foreign interference have hampered the enquiry.

Those responsible could be charged with criminal and/or administrative offences. The magistrate currently investigation the case, Judge Tarek Bitar, is a man known for his probity and seriousness.

He recently decided to question some former ministers and senior officials who stand among the accused, but has been thwarted by the legal immunity which protects them.

Criminal negligence: politicians charged

The ministers involved are Transport (port supervisory authority) and Finance (customs supervisory authority) who have held those positions since 2014. In addition, the judge summoned Brigadier General Jean Kahwagi, the former Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces; Major General Abbas Ibrahim, head of the General Security Directorate; Major General Antoine Saliba, director general of State Security, and a former head of the army's intelligence services.

Current caretaker Prime Minister Hassane Diab has also been summoned. Although he acknowledged that he was informed of the presence of the ammonium nitrate a few weeks before the tragedy, he availed himself of his right to legal immunity.

By contrast, Lebanese President Michel Aoun, who is in the same situation as Prime Minister Diab, set an example, and accepted to appear before Judge Tarek Bitar.

After the explosion, some 30 people were indicted and 25 arrested, including the Director General of Customs Badri Daher, who is under the Ministry of Finance, and Beirut port director Hassan Koraytem Port, whose supervisory authority is the Ministry of Public Works and Transport.

Eight of those arrested have been released. But it is apparent that Mr Daher and Mr Koraytem were well aware of the presence of ammonium nitrate and of its explosive potential.

Writing for the LOrient-Le Jour newspaper, Marie-Jo Sader notes that despite the significant exchange of letters over the seven-year period (2013-2020), no order was ever given to remove the ammonium nitrate from the port of Beirut. The investigation should find out why.
by Card. Charles Maung Bo

The Archbishop of Yangon launches a national prayer campaign against the COVID-19 pandemic. The Delta strain is highly contagious, writes the prelate. This means More infections, more deaths, more need for oxygen. For the cardinal, all health workers must be enabled to reach out to the suffering people.

Yangon (AsiaNews)  Card Charles Maung Bo, Archbishop of Yangon and president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Myanmar, released a statement on Monday calling for a national prayer campaign against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Myanmar is one of the countries most affected by the contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus. The daily count has reached almost 5,000 for a total of 311,000 cases with more than 10,300 dead. According to most experts, however, the actual number is much higher.

Six months after the military coup that overthrew the civilian government of democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the generals' crackdown against the civil disobedience movement has undermined the countrys health system.

The coup plotters are accused of using the health emergency for political purposes, going so far as stealing medical oxygen cylinders and tanks for their own interests.

Threatened by the regime, doctors, nurses and other medical staff have gone into hiding. Local and foreign media have reported that military authorities have arrested and evem killed some of them.

Cardinal Bos appeal follows:

People of Myanmar: Let us raise our hands and pray

Call for National Prayer Campaign as COVID threatens the world and our country

(2nd August, 2021)

My dear brothers and sisters of Myanmar.

As we sail through many challenges in our lives, experts have warned that the world, including Myanmar, need to get ready to face extraordinary challenges from the spiralling virus in the new wave. The Delta strain is highly contagious. More infections, more deaths, more need for oxygen.

These are very threatening times for the dignity and survival of our people. Once again, we plead, unity is needed. No conflict, no displacement. The only war we need to wage is against the virus. Facing this emergency let us arm ourselves only with medical kits, oxygen and other support to our dear people. Because of the shortage of human resources, all health workers must be enabled to reach out to the suffering people.

We are not politicians. We always seek the good of our people. Through this appeal, I call upon all people to enter into a campaign of prayer, raising our hands and hearts to the Almighty, for healing. Let us come together as one community, let compassion become the common religion in these dark days. Transcending our various religious and faith identities, let us come together for inter religious prayer meetings on line. Let us support one another through continuous prayer.

I urge the Catholic Church to have continuous prayers, adorations, Rosary chains in the families and communities. Let us knock at the divine doors, to melt the hearts of all people, to bring healing, peace and reconciliation.

We offer all our people to the protection of God. Our peoples destiny is more and more in the hands of God as we sail through these stormy seas of fear, despair, anxiety and pandemic. Let the divine hand reach out and bless our country and protect our people from the pandemic and all other calamities.

Jesus says: Truly I tell you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you (Mt 17:20). Yes. Our problems press us like mountains. But let us use faith. Let us become prayer warriors; heal ourselves. Let Gods healing hand touch every one and bring health to all our people.

Let us that campaign of prayer starts now and go on at least for two weeks. Let every heart raise its voice to God to save us all.

+ Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, SDB

President, Catholic Bishops Conference of Myanmar
by Nirmala Carvalho

The priest had gathered in prayer with three other Christians when the attackers broke in. Accused of converting tribals by deception. Global Council of Indian Christians: 'After the approval of the anti-conversion law Christians have been targeted'.

New Delhi (AsiaNews) - A Christian priest has been beaten by a group of Hindu extremists in Tichkiya, in the central state of Madhya Pradesh. AsiaNews learned from the Global Council of Indian Christians (Gcic), that the Pentacostal pastor, named Bharat, and belonging to the Bhilala tribe, had gathered in prayer with three other believers in a house when Hindu radicals broke in.

They accused the pastor of "enticing" the tribal population with the Christian faith. After a heated argument, the extremists beat Rev. Bharat and vandalized the prayer center.

Sajan K. George, president of Gcic, said that Pastor Bharat lives in poverty and would have no means to convert tribals by force or deception: "The only thing he has is the good news, which he freely gives to anyone who is ready to listen to him, and for this reason he has been targeted.

In rural areas there has been an increase in attacks against Christians, after Madhya Pradesh also passed an anti-conversion law. According to local residents, the measure is being used for political purposes by movements and parties that draw on Hindutva, an ideology that exaggerates Hindu nationalism.

In January, a leader of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad organized a march in the city of Jhabua, claiming that "gullible natives have converted to Christianity and built churches on protected tribal land." The Hindutva leader had then demanded that the government record all conversion activities and suspend government subsidies for tribal converts.

"Unfortunately, Pentacostal Christians have become the target of a violent campaign in many Indian states," George commented.onavirus, elections, duma
The Royal Navys new flagship aircraft carrier kept away from Chinese-occupied militarised island outposts. For China, coming within 12 nautical miles is a violation of its sovereignty. The UK, Germany and France are trying to back the US without provoking China. India is also sending warships to the area.

Beijing (AsiaNews)  HMS Queen Elizabeth, the United Kingdoms newest aircraft carrier, and its strike group have avoided sailing into the waters around Chinese-occupied islands and atolls in the South China Sea, this according to the Chinas Foreign Ministry.

For China, sailing within its 12-nautical-mile territorial claims would have been a violation of its sovereignty.

British ships left the South China Sea on Monday and entered the Philippine Sea. They are set to remain in East Asia until the end of the year for exercises with allies and partners.

So far, only the United States has directly challenged China's territorial claims in the South China Sea.

According to the South China Morning Post, US warships have come withing 12 nautical miles of the islands and coral reefs more than 40 times since 2015. China has turned the latter into military outposts.

China claims nearly 90 per cent of the South China Sea, a position disputed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, Brunei and, to some extend, Indonesia, with US support.

In 2016, the International Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that China's claims had no legal basis.

France also regularly sends warships to assert freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. Like the British, the French kept at a distance from the Chinese-controlled islands.

A German frigate is also set to sail near the disputed waters in December.

According to several observers, the three European countries are trying to strike a difficult balance between the US request for cooperation against China and their desire not to rock trade relations with that country.

Meanwhile, the Indian government announced today that it is deploying a naval task force to the South China Sea and the Western Pacific over the next two months.

The goal is to expand security ties with "friendly" countries, sending a signal of its willingness to play a greater role in the US plan to contain China.

This announcement comes as India and China agreed to pull back their troops from the Galwan Valley.

Located on the border between Indias Ladakh territory and Chinese Aksai Chin, the area was the scene of brutal fighting last summer between the two neighbouring powers.
Recent polls by the Kaiser Family Foundation, which has been tracking public attitudes during the pandemic, have found that 3 of every 10 unvaccinated people said that they would be more likely to get a shot with a fully approved vaccine. But the pollsters warned that many respondents did not understand the regulatory process and might have been looking for a proxy justification not to get a shot.
The men were not wearing life jackets, according to the Natural Resources Police. When Buelvas began to struggle in the water, the two men threw him a lifejacket and attempted to rescue him from the water by climbing into the kayak, causing it to capsize. Buelvas went under the water and never resurfaced.
Gaelle Rached, a researcher on the study who was in Beirut at the time of the blast, said she realized that the event  broadcast to the world via news and social media  had left an invisible mark on Lebanese friends overseas who viewed the horror through news reports and social media. In conversations with others, she said, I could tell that they were also impacted by the explosion as much as I was.
In Maryland, children ages 14 and older are to be charged as adults if they are alleged to have committed a crime that, if done by an adult, is punishable by life in prison.
With an eye both toward the welfare of the child and public safety, which, in our view are inter-related, the court needs to make an assessment of whether it is likely that the child would benefit from an available DJS program better than he or she would from anything likely to be available in the adult system and whether that would reduce the likelihood of recidivism and make the child a more productive law-abiding person, Wilner wrote.
Assembly Democrats, who lead the chamber, debated virtually for hours Tuesday about whether to impeach the governor now, wait to see whether he resigns, or give the Judiciary Committee time to wrap up its wide-ranging investigation into topics from sexual misconduct to the Cuomo administrations months-long obfuscation of the total number of nursing home residents who died from COVID-19.
We  the community, the zoning board, politicians and businesses  have a chance to stop practices that serve the values of commerce but that do not serve and, in fact, inflict pain on, on our communities of color primarily. I and my concerned neighbors on both the east and west sides of York Road envision a healthy, vibrant community and not one that continues to be sacrificed to the forces of economic growth with little regard for the health of its residents. Additional sources of air pollution will degrade the overall livability of this struggling, beautiful, challenged and vibrant place we call home.
Ms. Mosbys lawyer blames everybody for his clients dilemma. According to him, she is being targeted because she is a black, female and a progressive states attorney. The cabal against her includes the Baltimore City inspector general, the Maryland Attorney Grievance Commission, two highly-respected prosecutors in the United States Attorneys Office as well as representatives in the U.S. Department of Justice.
Would they further allow their children to play alone in the park after dark considering the price of human trafficking? Do they want police officers assigned to schools removed? Parents who object to their children wearing masks must now decide if their preference is for all school systems to revise their mission statements to change their blueprints for progress from safe to unsafe environments.


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Campus News

Freedom Walk kicks off Igniting Hope conference

The conference kickoff event on Aug. 13 will be a two-mile Freedom Walk from the Michigan Street African American Heritage Archway along Michigan Avenue to the Freedom Wall at the corner of East Ferry Street. Photo: Andre Carrotflower Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0

By ELLEN GOLDBAUM

Its an ongoing battle for our own liberation. As long as we in the African American community still have these very real health disparities, theres a level of bondage were still in. 

An ongoing battle. Thats how Pastor George F. Nicholas describes the health disparities that African Americans are still trying to overcome.

Its an ongoing battle for our own liberation, says Nicholas, pastor of Lincoln Memorial United Methodist Church and convener of the African American Health Equity Task Force. As long as we in the African American community still have these very real health disparities, theres a level of bondage were still in.

Thats why Nicholas and his colleagues on the African American Health Equity Task Force and the Buffalo Center for Health Equity are joining with UB and its Community Health Equity Research Institute for Igniting Hope: Healing Historical Trauma from Racist Research, Policies and Practices. The two-day conference is supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health and by several community sponsors.

The conference kickoff event on Aug. 13 will be a two-mile Freedom Walk from the Michigan Street African American Heritage Archway along Michigan Avenue to the Freedom Wall at the corner of East Ferry Street. The walk is open to the community. Alternative transportation will be provided for those who are unable to do the walk. Conference sessions on Aug. 14 will take place virtually from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Registration and additional conference information is available online. A tentative agenda has also been posted.



The purpose of the walk is really to symbolize that people are gathering in the community again, says Nicholas, a member of the board of directors of the UB Community Health Equity Research Institute. Theres a level of celebration in terms of the good work weve been doing.

He notes that if it had not been for the collaborations between the task force, the center and UB and all of their partners, he believes the COVID-19 outcomes in the African American community would have been significantly worse.

But much more needs to be done, and this is the point of the conference, which, the organizers point out, is focused less on health care issues themselves and more on the systems and the infrastructure that create disparities in the first place.

They note that collaborations between UB and the community partners have been solidly based on the idea that it is the root causes of health disparities that exist outside the health care system that so desperately need to be addressed.

This is the fourth year of the Igniting Hope conference series. Each of the first three years attracted approximately 300 attendees. 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 Timothy Murphy, director of the UB Community Health Equity Research Institute.

Weve said we will identify clearly whats driving these disparities, and then we will start to chip away at them, says Nicholas. It takes time. Its not sexy, but its the work that needs to be done, to do the research and get the data on whats really driving these things. Its the work that needs to be done so that our children and grandchildren dont have to be dealing with this stuff.

Keynote speakers are:

Thomas LaViest, Weatherhead Presidential Chair in Health Equity and dean, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Health, who will discuss My Journey to Discover Why Disparities Exist and What to Do about It.



Heidi L. Gartland, chief government and community relations officer, University Hospitals, Cleveland, who will discuss The Anchor Mission: Tackling Economic & Racial Disparities to Create Equitable Health Outcomes.



D onald E. Grant, executive director, Mindful Training Solutions, who will discuss Historical Trauma: A Contemporary Conundrum.

Breakout discussions will focus on topics raised by the keynote speeches, as well as the environment, fines and fees, historical trauma and healing, and nutrition.

In addition to Nicholas, other speakers addressing the conference are:

UB President Satish K. Tripathi, who will deliver opening remarks

Timothy F. Murphy, SUNY Distinguished Professor; director, UB Clinical and Translational Science Institute; director, UB Community Health Equity Research Institute.

Rita Hubbard Robinson, Neuwater & Associates; associate director, UB Community Health Equity Research Institute.
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Homan said in an interview that when he was county budget director, the county turned down other employees who made requests similar to Tirabassis because they had missed the deadline to transfer service credits. He said he came across the case when he was looking for information about a local development on the countys Board of Appeals website.
Desper said Prophet is deeply embarrassed and remorseful for what he did and understands that everyone has a First Amendment right. He invited Anthony Swetz, who provides mental health services, to give a statement about Prophets PTSD. Swetz said based on Prophets past experiences, he sees the world in a negative light. He called Prophet an advocate Trumper with entrenched beliefs that align with the former President Donald Trump, like that the election was stolen.
I just think that this exemplifies us coming together, us making sure that not just throughout Howard County, the state of Maryland, but the nation, the world sees that even though weve come through a time where weve felt physically distant [due to the coronavirus pandemic], sometimes socially isolated, were always still together, Ball said. Were together to make sure that not only everyone in our community is safe, but everyone should be able to feel safe and that only happens when we come together and work together.
Evacuations were taking place in Greeces southern Peloponnese region due to a major fire near ancient Olympia  where the Olympics were held every four years from 776 B.C. for more than a millennium. The adjacent town of Ancient Olympia was evacuated, with another seven nearby villages. The area was ravaged by wildfires in 2007 that cost dozens of lives but spared Olympias ruined sports venues and temples.
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
Retailers scrambled to get face masks on shelves when they became a must-have item overnight during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, then saw sales slump dramatically earlier this year as people got vaccinated and mask mandates lifted. Now some are seeing sales pick back up amid concerns about rising case numbers and new guidance from health officials that has led to mask mandates at some schools and workplaces.
The $127.8 million in recreational marijuana sales statewide is up more than $12 million from June, according to a monthly report by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Through July, the state has generated $753 million in recreational cannabis sales  more than all of last year.
In May, Related set a June 1 deadline for corporate staff nationwide to comply with the policy, and according to the memo, more than 1,000 were vaccinated. Remaining site and building staff are now required to receive at least one dose of the vaccine by Aug. 31.
The country of 1.4 billion people had eradicated the virus so quickly that it was one of the first in the world to open up in spring last year. People removed their masks and gathered for pool parties. In recent months, the government has contended with sporadic outbreaks in various provinces, but stamped them out swiftly by mobilizing thousands of people to test and trace infections, as well as locking down communities.
Pritzkers announcement of new steps to slow the spread of COVID-19, delivered alongside Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike from the Thompson Center in the Loop, brought on a sense of deja vu from earlier days of the pandemic. So did the response from Republicans, who once again criticized the Democratic governor for issuing orders without consulting lawmakers and for taking decisions out of the hands of local officials.
Ethically, it also depends on how things like lotteries are set up, said Jeffrey Kahn, director of the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics. If everybody whos been vaccinated gets put into the lottery, that seems to be a better approach than if starting today, those who sign up to get vaccinated get entered into a lottery. Because then you effectively punish the people who were responsible earlier in the pandemic.
We announced just yesterday that we hit an important milestone of over 110 million vaccines donated to the world. That is more than any other country has shared combined, she said. We also, in this country, have enough supply, to ensure that every American has access to a vaccine. We will have enough supply to ensure, if the FDA decides that boosters are recommended for a portion of the population, to provide those as well.
Our ultimate duty is to protect the health and safety of our team members, patients and communities, President and CEO Jim Skogsbergh told employees in a video Wednesday. The data is overwhelming. This vaccine is safe, and its highly effective in preventing infection and even more so, serious illness and death.
There are few surprises worth waiting for, but Chop Shops oyster special is sure to be one of them. Their oyster day deals will be announced in the days leading up to Thursday, and if theyre anything like years past, itll be worth the wait. 2033 W. North Ave., 773-537-4440, chopshopchi.com
Caraxs vision of Los Angeles, and of America, will strike some as hypnotic and others as snide, fame-mongering, celebrity-driven and drawn to the lonely spaces outside LA proper (Henrys only release, for a while, is to escape on his motorcycle, alone). Both responses are possible, too, of course. As for baby Annette? Its no secret by now that the frankly theatrical realization of the golden child, who turns into a global superstar, takes Annette into full-on Bertolt Brecht alienation-effect territory. (Some of the songs carry an echo or two of Brecht and Kurt Weill.) We watch Henry circle the drain of his misdeeds, and we fall in with him, pushed by the soundtrack.
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.
Bruce McCormack, 63, whose family was one of the first to settle in the area, told the story of how his grandfather, a good friend of one of the slain men, went down to the valley to investigate not long after the murders. He stayed there for three months, McCormack said, and his message when he returned was, Justice was done, and leave it alone.
Winters got up and went to the door, saying, Wait, wait, and Whats going on? as the officers kicked open the door and pointed guns at him, ordering him to get down, the lawsuit stated. An officer got on top of Winters and touched his gun to the back of Winters head. The officer then checked his pulse to determine if Winters was the fleeing suspect. Another officer entered the grandfathers room and pointed a gun at him while he was lying in bed, and a third officer pointed his gun at 5-year-old Reshyla and 9-year-old Savayla, who were lying in their beds even after the other officer yelled, children on the right.
Pantoja knows how hard it can be for families to get the equipment they need, and she wanted to help give back. Some items that families know are necessities for their childrens quality of life are deemed luxuries and not covered by insurance. And even if a piece of equipment ends up being covered, parents have to jump through bureaucratic hoops to get what they need.
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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.
An art exhibition was held yesterday in Beijing at the Russian Cultural Center. Over 30 paintings, sculptures and calligraphy works were on display, covering the latest creations of artists from the National Art Museum of China and some pieces by Russian artists, which are now housed at the National Art Museum of China. Wu Weishan, curator of the National Art Museum of China, expressed at the opening ceremony that the museum aims to provide a platform for cultural exchanges and the display of artworks from both Chinese and Russian artists is a gesture reflecting a cross-cultural conversation. The exhibition will run till Aug 14.[Photo/Xinhua]
"Faith Makes Great," an anthology TV series, recounts 40 stories of outstanding people from over the past 100 years, who advocated noble ideals and made important contributions to China's development.

Across 40 episodes, the TV series features the stories of those who have embodied the spirit of the Communist Party of China (CPC) over the past century. Famous actors Wang Kai, Jing Boran and Deng Lun, pop idols Wang Yibo and Wang Junkai, and actress Zhao Liying participated in the project, effectively bridging the gap between the older stories being told on screen and younger viewers.

Gao Changli, director general of the TV series department with the National Radio and Television Administration, called the creation of the series a "big adventure" during a panel discussion held in Beijing on July 29, noting that "Faith Makes Great" is a groundbreaking TV drama.

"First, no matter whether it is about the themes, contents, or forms, there should be bold innovations; second, it is necessary to explore the most touching stories in history and in life," he said, suggesting that "Faith Makes Great" works best when it threads these two philosophies.

"Faith Makes Great" covers a diverse range of stories, from a young translator who first translated the Communist Manifesto into Chinese to steel workers shifting operations towards ice-surfacing for the Winter Olympics, as well as a cultural relic restoration team at the Forbidden City, protectors of the Yunnan Golden Monkey, and railway engineers.

Fu Dongyu, general director of "Faith Makes Great," explained that the criteria for selecting stories were meant to reflect outstanding individuals whose actions strike the heart of the era in which they lived.

Famous literary and cultural critic Zhong Chengxiang noted, "The TV series adopts a typical anthology TV drama format and so has a special aesthetic advantage. It is in small perspective while exquisite and magnificent, which achieved a novel literary expression."
On July 28, a new military themed subway train, featuring the development of China's military, made its debut in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan province.

The train embarked on its maiden trip along Chengdu's Subway Line 6, the longest stretch of subway opened at one time in China. The launch was timed to coincide with the 94th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China.

The eight carriages of the new train are decorated with posters showing the history of the PLA, images depicting brave acts by the army, and scenes of mutual support between the Chinese military and civilians in multiple dimensions.

A passenger commented that the posters of the military in the carriages increased people's sense of security. A veteran believed that the themed train will be very encouraging for both current and former members of the armed services.

Since June 30, Chengdu has provided free train and bus service to members of the military. The launch of the themed train is another move to protect the legitimate rights and interests of military personnel and make military service an occupation that enjoys respect among the public.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on Wednesday exchanged messages of congratulations on the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between their countries.

Over the past 50 years, bilateral relations have been developing steadily, Xi said in his message, adding that since the establishment of the China-Turkey strategic cooperative relationship in 2010, exchanges and cooperation in various fields have been moving forward in an orderly manner.

Since last year, Xi said, the two sides have been supporting each other in the fight against the COVID-19 outbreak, and carried out fruitful cooperation on vaccines, which has deepened the friendship between the people of the two countries.

He said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Turkey relations, and stands ready to work with Erdogan to take the 50th anniversary as an opportunity to further advance bilateral ties.

The two countries, Xi suggested, should understand and support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, accelerate the aligning of development strategies, and push for steady and long-term development of their strategic cooperative relationship, so as to bring benefits to both countries and their people.

For his part, Erdogan said Turkey-China relations have a sound foundation for mutually beneficial development.

Over the past half century, bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, transportation, tourism and other fields has achieved tremendous development, he said.

The two countries, he added, have also promoted strategic cooperation on the basis of mutual respect and exerted a positive influence on the region and the world.

In the face of COVID-19, the two countries have been working together and helping each other to ensure the health of their people, he noted.

Turkey, he said, attaches great importance to the development of bilateral relations, and will continue to push forward strategic cooperation between the two countries.
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A police officer was killed following a shooting at the Metro bus station outside the Pentagon on Tuesday morning, authorities said.

The officer was stabbed and later died. The suspect was shot and killed by law enforcement at the scene, the AP reported, citing Pentagon sources.

Pentagon Force Protection Agency chief Woodrow Kusse said the officer "was attacked on the Metro bus platform" and "gunfire was exchanged."

The Arlington County Fire Department reported "multiple patients," but it wasn't immediately clear if they were related to the shooting.

The Pentagon went into lockdown after the shooting and reopened one hour and a half later.

"The Pentagon has lifted the lock down and has reopened," the Pentagon Force Protection Agency said on Twitter on Tuesday afternoon. "We request that everyone stay away from the Metro rail entrance and bus platform area."

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority said trains and buses 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.
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The U.S. government's attempts to politicize the pandemic by claiming China as the source of COVID-19 are not only groundless, but "harmful" to the global fight against the disease, a Brazilian neuroscientist has said.

"There is no scientific evidence" to validate Washington's assumption that the virus escaped from a Chinese laboratory, said Miguel Nicolelis in a recent interview with Xinhua.

The scientific community is very skeptical, and it simply does not accept "this type of political manipulation without evidence," said Nicolelis, who was a tenured professor at Duke University in the U.S. state of North Carolina.

"The politicization of science never brings benefits, on the contrary, it is extremely harmful," he said.

The neuroscientist supports the findings of a joint origin-tracing study earlier this year by over 30 experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) and China, which ended with a report concluding that the laboratory leak scenario was extremely unlikely.

"A detailed genetic scan of the virus was carried out and there is no evidence of tampering or evidence of laboratory accidents," he added.

Unscientific attitudes towards the virus have had disastrous results on healthcare in the United States and Britain, with high rates of infection and mortality, said the neuroscientist.

He noted that there are other instances of Washington misleading the public to further its own interests.

"We need to remember the invasion of Iraq in 2001 ... after the world was led to believe in false evidence about weapons of mass destruction. There was nothing. Iraq was destroyed," he said.
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Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn has reiterated the country's support for the elevation of ASEAN-China relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, according to a foreign ministry's statement on Wednesday.

Sokhonn made the remarks during the ASEAN-China Ministerial Meeting via video link on Tuesday.

"In acknowledging the most substantive partnership that ASEAN and China have achieved since the establishment of dialogue relations, he reiterated Cambodia's support for the elevation of ASEAN-China ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," the statement said.

During the meeting, Sokhonn also underlined the need to ensure that cross-border trade and supply chains remains unimpeded to take full advantage from the upgrading of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

He also emphasised the importance of enhancing the implementation of the ASEAN-China Joint Statement on Synergizing the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025 and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

According to the statement, the meeting noted with satisfaction the achievements of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations and applauded the fruitful outcomes of the Special ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting held on June 7-8, 2021 in China's Chongqing as part of the celebration of the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN-China relations.

It added that the meeting looked forward to the 24th ASEAN-China Summit to commemorate the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations.

"On the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, while ASEAN expressed appreciation to China for the extensive regional support, China further reiterated the commitment to strengthen cooperation with ASEAN, including through the support of regional capacity in the production and distribution of vaccines and medical supplies as well as recovery efforts," the statement said.

"Both sides reaffirmed the commitment to maintain peace, security and stability in the region," it added.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping has appointed four new ambassadors in accordance with a decision by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, according to a statement from the national legislature Wednesday.

Qin Gang was appointed ambassador to the United States of America, replacing Cui Tiankai.

Hu Bin was appointed ambassador to Djibouti, replacing Zhuo Ruisheng.

Zhu Liying was appointed ambassador to Mauritius, replacing Sun Gongyi.

Ma Hui was appointed ambassador to Cuba, replacing Chen Xi.
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China urges the U.S. side to heed the universal appeal of the international community, immediately and completely lift the sanctions and embargo against Cuba, and immediately stop making excuses to engage in gross interference and destabilization, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said here Wednesday.

It is reported that on July 30, the U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions against Cuba's National Revolutionary Police and its top two officials, citing repression of anti-government protests. During a meeting with Cuban-American figures at the White House, U.S. President Joe Biden said that there would be more sanctions, "unless there's some drastic change in Cuba".

In response, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said on July 30 that "these arbitrary measures, coupled with disinformation and aggression, are used to justify the inhumane blockade of Cuba."

Separately, 30 ventilators provided by the Chinese government to the Cuban government arrived in Havana on July 31.

In response, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that China firmly opposes any move to arbitrarily impose unilateral sanctions and interfere in other countries' internal affairs under the pretext of so-called "freedom", "human rights" and "democracy".

"The recent U.S. sanctions against Cuban institution and officials severely violate the basic norms governing international relations and once again demonstrate to the world the typical U.S.-style double standards and bullyism," the spokesperson said.

As is known to all, it is the economic, commercial and financial embargo from the U.S. that gravely impedes Cuba's efforts to improve its economy and people's livelihood, and tramples on the Cuban people's right to subsistence and development, the spokesperson added.

"Enough with sanctions! The right way is to support," the spokesperson said.

Recently, China and many other friendly countries and international organizations have extended a helping hand to Cuba, aiding the Cuban government and people to fight the epidemic and improve people's livelihood, illustrating that true friendship stands the test of adversity, the spokesperson said.

China will continue to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, deepen China-Cuba friendly relations and firmly support Cuba's efforts to overcome the impact of the epidemic, promote economic development and maintain social stability, the spokesperson added.
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The staff of the Litchfield Jazz Festival is presenting the fourth installment of their free virtual concert series for April.
Litchfield (06759)

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Ultimately the market ... is determining the pressure on wages, said David Lehman, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development. Connecticut benefits from very high per-capita incomes, pre-pandemic ... as a result of manufacturing and finance and a lot of industries we have here. Its difficult to draw any conclusions [based on] the past 12 months, in terms of wage pressures, but youre really starting to see more and more of them come across.
While being processed at the county jail, Lanz, who was listed as 6 feet, 3 inches (1.9 meters) tall and roughly 190 pounds (86 kilograms), is alleged to have attacked two sheriffs deputies in the intake area without provocation, including one who sustained a chipped bone and torn ligament in her knee. After he was restrained, Lanz reportedly accused the officers of being gay for teaming up on him and asked to be uncuffed so he could fight them one-on-one.
The proposed development, she added, is just the beginning. Eventually our goal is to use all three floors in the building. We would like to curate a banquet facility and have weddings. Thats ultimately. First we need to get our foot in the door. Once we get that squared away, that is the plan, she said.
From the very beginning, state Attorneys General have adhered to an overarching principle  that the money we recover from wrongdoers must be directed to abatement, i.e., strategies, initiatives and programs that help our states, victims and their families confront and overcome the crisis in opioid abuse and addiction, Tong wrote in the letter, responding to concerns from Republican state senate leaders about how the funds would be protected and allocated. To me, this means that we should direct money to treatment, prevention and addiction science.
COVID-19 vaccination is the most effective method for preventing infection and serious illness from the virus, and staff at long-term care facilities and other health care providers serving vulnerable populations are critical in efforts to protect older residents,' he said, in a statement. Todays actions reinforce the states commitment to ensuring the safety and care for these residents, some of our most vulnerable residents.
Theres a famous saying by Tip ONeill that all politics is local, said Sean Scanlon, a Democrat who grew up in Guilford and now represents the town in the legislature. The reality we live in now is that all politics is national. There are people on Fox News and other right-leaning outlets that talk about this every single day, all day, and people who get their news from those places are constantly getting information on this from national groups that are really bent on making this an issue all across America.
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Cut Bank, MT (59427)

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Partly cloudy. Windy. Areas of smoke and haze are possible, reducing visibility at times. Low near 60F. W winds at 20 to 30 mph, decreasing to 10 to 15 mph..

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Partly cloudy. Windy. Areas of smoke and haze are possible, reducing visibility at times. Low near 60F. W winds at 20 to 30 mph, decreasing to 10 to 15 mph.
Having recently turned 65, it is now time for me to embrace change personally as well, Homan said in an email to students Wednesday. The success we have achieved together at EVMS demonstrates this is an appropriate time for me to retire and provide the opportunity for new leadership to shape a future vision for our institution.
Hyderabad: Dalits in Vasalamarri village, adopted by Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, were in for a pleasant surprise on Wednesday as he suddenly launched the much-awaited Dalita Bandhu scheme on the spot without any prior intimation to extend Rs 10 lakh benefit to each of the 76 Dalit families in the village.

Moved by the pathetic living conditions of Dalits in poorly-maintained Dalitwadas during a three-hour padayatra, the Chief Minister advanced the launch of Dalit Bandhu and made it on the spot, much to the disbelief of the locals. He sanctioned Rs 7.6 crore on the spot to cover all 76 Dalit families in the village at one go. With this, Dalit Bandhu has become operational with Vasalamarri village the first beneficiary.

As per the original plan, the Chief Minister was supposed to launch the Dalit Bandhu on August 16 in Huzurabad Assembly constituency as a pilot programme and all arrangements are being made for this event. This event will only be a formal launch now.

Addressing the beneficiaries on the occasion, the Chief Minister stated that Rs 7.6 crore would be at the disposal of the Bhongir collector by Thursday morning and asked Dalits to claim the benefit on Thursday itself. He asked the collector to disburse the amount to Dalits immediately after enquiring what they intended to do with that amount.

The CM asked Dalits to discuss within their families what self-employment they wanted to pursue by utilising Rs 10 lakh, inform the collector the same and claim the benefit. He made it clear that the entire choice of selecting any self-employment would be left to Dalits and the government would not force them to pursue any particular activity.

He cautioned them not to take decisions in haste in their eagerness to claim Rs 10 lakh benefit at the earliest but take their own time before taking a final decision on their choice of utilising money.

"It doesn't matter if you take 15 days or one month to make a decision on how to utilise the money. The money will not go anywhere. The amount will be with the collector. Don't take decisions in haste. The entire family should sit together, discuss all the options and make a wise decision which should click and you should prosper. This amount should not go to waste," the Chief Minister advised.

He urged the Dalits at Vasalamarri to achieve desired results of Dalit Bandhu and save him from the criticism of all those opposing the programme.

"Some people called me mad when I announced the Rs 10 lakh benefit to each Dalit family in the state. If you succeed and prosper with this scheme in Vasalamarri, everyone will praise me for my decision. If not, they will criticise me for introducing a failed scheme. Now it's in your hands whether you want me to be victorious in implementation of Dalit Bandhu or leave me to face criticism of all," the Chief Minister said.
In this Sept. 14, 2017, file photo, a banner erected by the Indian army stands near Pangong Tso lake near the India-China border in Ladakh area. The focus now is on disengaging troops from Hot Springs, Gogra and Depsang areas. (AP/Manish Swarup, File)

New Delhi: India and China could soon reach a final agreement on disengagement from another friction point -- Gogra Post in Ladakh. At the 12th round of the corps commanders talks on Saturday, at Moldo on the Chinese side of the Line of Actual Control, there was a detailed discussion on the disengagement of troops from Gogra Post.

The Chinese commanders will speak to their leadership on the troops disengagement from Gogra Post and then respond to us. We are awaiting a final response from the Chinese which can come in a day or two, said one source. If Chinese leadership agrees, the disengagement from Gogra Post will be announced, he said, adding that there is even a possibility that the announcement might be made in Parliament.

Gogra Post will be the third friction point after the Galwan Valley and Pangong Tso in eastern Ladakh, where disengagement between the two armies will be reached. There will be a buffer zone in Gogra where the troops from both sides will not be allowed to patrol for some time.

After Gogra Post, both sides will discuss the disengagement from Hot Springs. India is hopeful of disengagement from Gogra Post and Hot Springs as both sides had undertaken a partial disengagement in these areas last year. However, the Chinese have hardened their position on the Depsang Plains and Demchok friction points.

In February, India and China had reached an agreement to disengage from the north and south banks of Pangong Tso to pre-standoff status.

Meanwhile, a new video of the deadly June 2020 Galwan clash between the Indian and PLA troops has emerged in the Chinese media. The highly doctored propaganda video is part of the interview of the families of the Chinese soldiers killed during the clash. The Chinese troops can be seen in the video throwing stones from a mountain on the Indian soldiers. The soldiers of both sides are also seen pushing each other on the rocky banks of the Galwan River. There is also footage of Chinese soldiers nearly drowning in the icy and fast-flowing Galwan river during the night and struggling to save each other from being swept away by its flow.
Arguing for the petitioner, senior counsel L. Ravichander said the GO allowed in an unprecedented manner to earmark a huge sum of money for handling contempt of court cases. (PTI Photo)

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Wednesday directed the state government not to release funds under the controversial government order (GO) Rt 208 issued by chief secretary Somesh Kumar, until further orders.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Hima Kohli and Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy issued notices to various officials including Somesh Kumar asking them to file counters by October 27 this year. The bench wondered how the signatory to the order himself would be the beneficiary and made it clear that there should be some logic behind spending public money.

The issue pertains to G O Rt 208 issued by the Chief Secretary on June 7 sanctioning about Rs 60 crore towards pending contempt cases pending in the High Court. Somesh issued the GO in his capacity as the chief secretary under the revenue department which is handled by him, directing the release of funds to the chief commissioner of land administration who again is none other than Somesh himself.

A lecturer based in Mahbubnagar, Prabhakar Chouti, approached the High Court seeking scrapping of the order. Arguing for the petitioner, senior counsel L. Ravichander said the GO allowed in an unprecedented manner to earmark a huge sum of money for handling contempt of court cases. The person who signed and the beneficiary were the same, he argued.

The division bench issued notices to the principal secretary, revenue, principal secretary, finance department, director of treasuries, chief commissioner of land administration and chief secretary, Somesh Kumar, directing them to respond to the notices. The court wanted to know under which head of account such an amount was sanctioned and what were the norms to be followed by the director of treasuries in releasing such an amount. This is public money. The state has to explain the reason for spending such an amount. There shall be some basic logic in spending the public money, observed Justice Kohli.

Meanwhile, in a late evening development, the chief secretary filed a counter affidavit stating that the amount as mentioned in the GO pertains to revalidation of the amount sanctioned for satisfaction (sic) of the execution petitions in land acquisition cases as directed by the High Court.

Further, the chief secretary admitted that though the government accorded administrative sanction for Rs 457.79 crore for disposal of pending execution petitions, some district collectors brought to his notice that the treasury department returned bills due to freezing of budget. As a result, the amount was not drawn and lapsed during the 2019-2020 necessitating issue of the GO in question to revalidate the amounts to 2020-2021. The CS clarified that the amount was not meant to defend contempt cases filed against him.
Allegations of manipulation of the actual Covid infection and death figures have been repeatedly denied by the state health authorities. (Representational image: PTI)

Hyderabad: More evidence came up and added grist to allegations that the actual number of deaths among Covid19 patients in Telangana was played down at the official levels.

Information obtained from sources at Gandhi Hospital showed that on a day when the state health department listed only two deaths from Covid19 last week, the Gandhi Hospital alone had registered deaths of seven Covid19 patients.

On Saturday, July 31, the health department said in its daily Covid19 bulletin that two persons died from Covid19 in the state that day. However, there were seven deaths due to Covid19 at Gandhi Hospital alone, the sources said.

Allegations of manipulation of the actual Covid infection and death figures have been repeatedly denied by the state health authorities and the Telangana government.

During the peak of the first and second Covid waves, the hospital authorities, when asked about reports of more deaths than what were being reported, had said they were not authorised to reveal the actual numbers.

The source said they have strict instructions to remain mum on Covid figures and that no information should ever be leaked to the media or to other outsiders.

Another source said no outsider is being allowed into the hospital premises other than confirmed patient attendants. A strict watch is being maintained against entry of media personnel in the hospital premises.
Krishna river waterAndhra Pradesh said the non-declaration of the jurisdiction of KRMB was 'resulting in illegal acts on part of Telangana and its authorities, giving rise to serious constitutional issues. (PTI Photo)

New Delhi: The Andhra Pradesh government on Wednesday told the Supreme Court that the Krishna river water sharing dispute with Telangana state required adjudication, flagging legal issues that needed to be settled, while being lukewarm to the suggestion by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana to resolve the issue through mediation.

As the Andhra Pradesh government lawyer G. Umapathy said, The state doesnt agree to mediation as suggested by the Supreme Court, Justice Ramana, heading a bench also comprising Justice Surya Kant, said, We will list the case before another bench.

We cannot force you (the Andhra Pradesh government) if you don't want mediation. Let the matter be listed before another bench, Justice Ramana said, recusing from hearing the matter.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the states had no objection to Justice Ramana hearing the matter.

In the last hearing of the matter on Monday (August 2), Justice Ramana said, I am from both the states. I am not interested in hearing legal issues but can help if parties agree to mediation.

The Andhra Pradesh government approached the top court for notification of the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) as stipulated in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act of 2014. The bifurcation of the state as Andhra Pradesh and Telangana took place more than seven years ago, but the jurisdiction of the board has not been notified as yet.

Under the Act, the Union ministry of Jal Shakti was supposed to take over the administrative control to regulate the water supply in the Krishna basin in the two states.

Andhra Pradesh, in its plea, said despite the bifurcation of the state having taken place in 2014, and the apex council being formed, the jurisdiction of the KRMB which was to be declared under Section 87 thereof 2014 Act, had not been notified as yet.

Andhra Pradesh said the non-declaration of the jurisdiction of KRMB was resulting in illegal acts on part of Telangana and its authorities, giving rise to serious constitutional issues.

The petition by Andhra Pradesh said that it was forced to move the top court invoking Article 32 of the Constitution in order to protect the fundamental right of its people, including right to life of its citizens involving water for drinking and irrigation. It said that the rights of its people were seriously impaired and infringed due to unconstitutional, illegal and unjust acts on part of Telangana and its authorities.
NGTs southern bench had directed Krishna river management board (KRMB) to carry out inspections at the contentious Rayalaseema lift scheme (RLS) to assess the progress. Representational Image. (PTI)

Kurnool: The Andhra Pradesh government has welcomed the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) move to inspect the ongoing works on the contentious Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Scheme (RLIS) being carried out at Pothireddypadu in Kurnool district  with a rider.

The team comprising inspectors should not have anyone deputed by the Telangana state government, said Muralinath Reddy, chief engineer of Srisailam project.

The change in the stand of the AP government was in marked contrast to its resistance to the inspection, which it made known before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) via a sworn affidavit.

NGTs southern bench had directed Krishna river management board (KRMB) to carry out inspections at the contentious Rayalaseema lift scheme (RLS) to assess the progress.

On a plea from TS that AP was not cooperating with the inspection, the NGT directed KRMB to carry out the inspection of its own volition and submit a report.

The AP government vehemently opposed the inspections before the NGT bench. The case was posted for the next hearing on August 9 in a petition filed by Gavinolla Srinivas of Nagarkurnool district. The tribunal said contempt proceedings would be initiated if the inspection report revealed any action there that was contrary to its orders.

Expressing reservations on the teams proposed to visit RLIS on August 5, Reddy said the question as to who should be visiting the project must be decided at a board meeting of KRMB and it should be agreeable to all parties involved in the dispute.

The current team consisting of Roy Khaire, Devender Rao, Meena (who retired two days back) and a member from Power department were drafted for the visit to the RLIS. This team is not acceptable to us, Murlinath Reddy said.

Andhra Pradesh state engineer-in-chief (ENC) Narayana Reddy said, "We have asked them to revise the programme. But they are coming on August 5 to inspect RLIS. We don't know what is going to happen."

Narayana Reddy along with managing directors of Transco and Genco attended the KRMB coordination meeting while its counterpart, the TS team, abstained from it.
Tummalas men are alleging that the MLA is protecting the Congress and not the TRS.  DC Image

Khammam: The rift between the groups belonging to former minister Tummala Nageswara Rao and TRS MLA Kandala Upender Reddy in Palair assembly segment is causing a headache to the ruling party while the leaders lodged complaints in the police station against each other.

Differences surfaced between the two groups in Kusumanchi mandal in the run-up to the birthday events for minister K.T. Rama Rao on July 24 in relation to the setting up of flex boards. The leaders lodged complaints against each other at Kusumanchi police station after a flex board was found torn.

Konda Mahipal, TRS leader and follower of Tummala, alleged that the police filed a case against him based on a complaint from the MLAs supporters while cops ignored his complaint. He said that he had torn away a part of the flex board carrying the picture of his relative Upender, as it was printed without Upender's permission.

Further, he said, KTR is against erecting any flex board and I tore it away as part of my concern over protecting the environment.

With this, the followers of Tummala went to his home at Gandugulapalli and complained to him against the Kusumanchi polices attitude in favour of the MLAs men.

The former minister telephoned Khammam police commissioner Vishnu Warior and urged him to investigate the case in a proper manner. The commissioner has started an investigation.

Members of the two groups are forwarding messages against each other on WhatsApp gropus. Tummalas men are alleging that the MLA is protecting the Congress and not the TRS. The MLAs followers alleged that Tummala is not a mass leader and he lost the Palair poll due to his indifferent attitude.

TRS men say there is nobody in the district who can solve the problem and the TRS high command must intervene.
Anantapur: In what brings cheers to the people of the district, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella responded positively to a representation by academic experts and intellectuals to establish Microsoft Innovation Centre in his native district Anantapur to improve skills of engineering graduates from backward areas in the district.

In the representation, they proposed to set up an innovation centre in memory of Satya Nadellas father B.N. Yugandhar, who passed away last year. Satya Nadella is a naive of Bukkapuram village in Yellanur mandal in the district. Nadellas father Bukkapuram Nadella Yugandhar, a 1962 batch IAS officer was a mentor for generations of civil servants through his innovative schemes across the country. Yugandhar frequently visited his native village and initiated developmental activities till his last breath. Nadella often visited Bukkapuram along with his father as his family owned lands in the village.

The Nadella family contributed Rs 2 crore towards women empowerment through SHG groups in the district a few months ago.

In the view of the fact that more than 90 percent of engineering and professional graduates are jobless, their skills should be relevant for a variety of sections and proper training should be given to make them employable, Dr Suresh Babu, an academician said.

Microsoft can organise work-integrated learning programmes both for individuals and organisations. Initially, we should start with individuals and have MoUs with the organisations in the next phase. Students who didnt get placements after completing their graduation can opt for any training course here at the Microsoft Innovation Centre, he briefed in the representation. Courses offered here should be industry and job oriented.

For instance, in the B. Tech course, programming language C is common for all branches and taught for one whole semester. But still thousands of students land up at various private institutes in Hyderabad for a month-long course in C. The trainers are driven by the need to offer training that gives job-oriented skills unlike in a university.

Students who do not get placements after completing their degree course can opt for an IT training course at the proposed Microsoft Innovation Centre. The institute can also offer

industry-specific training and also these courses due to huge demand across the country. The courses can be taught in small classrooms equipped with bare essentials. Sri Krishnadevaraya University and JNTU Anantapur are ready to provide land and infrastructure for the innovation centre.

Satya Nadellas father-in-law K.R. Venugopal, who is also a former IAS officer, informed the team of experts of Anantapur that the representation was sent to Nadella for consideration.

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The Ford Class aircraft carrier is the successor to the Nimitz that served since 1975 and throughout the Cold War. But times have changed, and carriers don't enjoy the domination they had, and whether it can weather a difficult time for such powerful ships.

A single carrier is worth billions. The CVN-78 Ford is equipped with tech and weaponry like the Nimitz. It is made to see service till the next century. Hopefully, like its forebear, it will spawn just as many.

Now, many experts think there are too many ways they can deny it. A carrier's success depends on getting its airwing to deal damage, but adversaries have become creative.

Smaller Ones to Replace Obsolete Supercarriers

The use of lethal anti-access/area-denial systems or A2/AD-like China's is daunting, but other adversaries are just as problematic. The rise of A2/AD has affected this weapon system's cost-effectiveness. The 90 years of sailing threatened left and right is not worth the cost.

It cannot be denied the Ford-class is still an effective system once the threat of missiles is gone!

Many say that they are obsolete, but there is more to it. It means that the Ford is already useless even before entering service ironically, the most advanced ship built by any nation, reported the National Interest.

Although some have been deemed obsolete, the USS New Jersey, A-10 warthog, has soldiered on despite being old. They fought against modern weapons and survived. These proved effective in a new theatre of combat. Similarly, the Ford Class aircraft carrier has a lot to offer and is less likely to be useless as a battlewagon.

In addition to Full Ship Shock Trials, Sailors of #Warship78 "make noise" in several other ways. Check out this video to see some of the things we #Wolverines were up to during our last underway!#NavyReadiness @COMNAVAIRLANT11 pic.twitter.com/B4idNmLXwt  USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) (@Warship_78) July 26, 2021

Read Also: Hypersonic Weapons Will be Armed On U.S. Navy Ohio Class Submarine

Getting close enough for a knockout punch for CVN-78 to enter the A2/AD system is unnecessary, according to War on the Rocks, it can be used differently. US carriers have been used in many missions. And just because they cannot do one kind of mission, that is not the end because they are versatile.

Since the days of the Cold War, Russia has designed ways to combat a carrier airwing, using submarines, sensors, and planes to attack a Nimitz directly. But, the F-14 Tomcat was made for that. Each new weapon system had a counter, but we never had a chance for an exact demo.

The next-generation A2/AD is very fluid. Like Chinese hypersonic missiles are a danger to the CVN-78, using pinpoint defenses, electronic spoofing, or misleading sensors can, in theory, stop an attack. It has some tricks to use for underwater threats as well, and the US Navy is prepared.

Carrier Equipped with Versatile Weapon System

Even older carriers are obsolete, and there is an upgrade to resolve it and keep them helpful even not in fighting.

The problem is not the carrier and its tech. It has the capacity of over 50-planes on the flight deck, which can be modified for whatever missions. So, they cannot deal with A2/AD very well, but there are other tools for the job.

Military planners know what an airwing can do, even far away from the enemy. Undermining the value of what planes or even missiles might be launched is a mistake; they are still lethal.

For now, the Ford-class aircraft carrier can't strike close to the heart of the enemy, but the development of standoff weapons for carriers might fix that.

Even if anti-access weaponry will keep a deadly carrier away, sending missiles from a long distance is from a carrier is not so farfetched.

Related Article: US Navy Submarines to Be Equipped with Anti-Ship Missiles to Take on More Surface Threat

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Israel and Iran have been at each other's throats before, but now with Washington sidelining the Jewish state, it is getting worse. For the most part, the Israeli have been active against Tehran because of its activities that have been terroristic in the past.

Hostilities have existed between the two states as activities engaged in by Iran have been considered unlawful. But, a new tanker attack in the gulf has raised the actions of the rogue Iranians to more significant concern.

Tehran has been bolder since the end of the Trump administration as the current president has ignored warnings not to deal with Iran. Recently, a spate of violence caused by the terror group that acts as proxies of Tehran is suspected.

Drone Attack in Oman

Last July 29, a civilian tanker owned by an Israeli company was attacked by a drone on the coast of Oman. This heinous attack was brutal and killed two people in its wake; one was from Britain and Romania, reported the Express UK.

USS Ronald Reagan was escorting the commercial tanker when it was attacked. Navy officials suspect drones as the culprit in the deaths of the two nationals.

The ship was the MV Mercer Street, a Liberian-flagged, owned by Japanese and Zodiac Maritime, an Israeli firm that operates it, cited Reuters.

Israeli officials said that that Tehran is the one who sanctioned the attack on its tanker, but the Iranians deny it. Israel and Iran have added another reason resulting in more tension.

Read Also: Israeli Air Force F-15I Ra'am: High-Performance Version, Optimized and Homegrown for Air-to-Air Combat

Even if the Islamic state denies having a hand at attacking a non-combatant, the military official of Britain and the US are not fooled so easily. Official statements from the US government say the attack was heinous, a state targeting a civilian.

Officially, the statement mentioned the evidence was definite, and Iran sponsored another terroristic act, using a drone laden with explosives.

Dominic Raab, Foreign Secretary, remarked that the attack was intentional by Tehran, and was a violation of international law, noted Gov UK.

He added that the UK and other nations would not ignore the heinous assault, and a unified response will be given to teaching Iran a lesson.

Innate Cause of Tension Between the Two Countries

The conflict has existed between the two, and periodic conflict does happen and is short of total war that fuels the hostility between them.

Israel knows that Tehran is developing a nuclear capability that will threaten its existence, and the Iranian military holds a grudge against the Israeli Defense Force. Over the year, many clandestine attacks have been made to stop Iran's nuclear ambitions by the IDF.

Like many in the Middle East, they don't think Tehran is forthright about not developing nukes. Jerusalem fears that it will be the first target if the Ayatollah sanctions use it. Iran is working fast and hiding its development of a warhead armed on an ICBM, making it a dangerous state.

Former Israeli PM Benyamin Netanyahu once said that Tehran is a dangerous nation with a radical and militant regime intent on ill ends. Israel is the only nation trying to stop the Iranian fanatics from owning dangerous nuclear arms.

As long as nuclear weapons are a threat, Israel and Iran will be at odds, and the Middle East will never be at peace.

Related Article: Iranian Navy Sails to Support US-Foe Nicolas Maduro, Fears of a US Blockade of the Panama Canal

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A couple from St. Louis who previously brandished their firearms at protesters who were marching outside of their property peacefully last year were pardoned by Missouri Governor Mike Parson, a decision announced on Tuesday by the official's office.

The suspects, Mark and Patricia McCloskey, are two attorneys in their 60s and were photographed showing off their guns to protesters. The couple was given their pardons on July 30. Parson granted the two individuals with 12 pardons and two commutations.

Couple Brandished Weapons

The McCloskeys pleaded guilty to misdemeanors in relation to the incident in June 2020, which caused them to pay fines. Mark pleaded guilty to misdemeanor fourth-degree assault for threatening the passersby with an AR-15 rifle and paid a $750 fine. His wife, Patricia, on the other hand, pleaded guilty to harassment and was fined $2,000.

Despite the pleas, neither of the attorneys lose their law licenses of their firearms during or after the case. During an interview, Mark said that the pardons were only a correction of something that should not have even happened in the first place, Fox News reported.

Special prosecutor Richard Callahan conducted an investigation into the 2020 protest that the McCloskeys were threatened by. He said that there was no evidence to support the couple fearing the crowd of protesters marching along the street. None of the demonstrators had weapons and no one he talked with knew that the street was privately owned.

Read Also: Biden Administration Digs on Heels of ICE Operations, Releases 50,000 Immigrants Without Court Dates at Southern Border

The McCloskeys were defended by many Republican leaders, most notably by then-President Donald Trump. During the Republican National Convention last year, the couple was also invited to speak on video.

After the plea hearing, Mark was unapologetic about his alleged crime, saying he would do the same thing again if he was faced with the same scenario. The attorney said brandishing his firearm was the only thing that kept the protesters from destroying his home and attacking his family, the Associated Press reported. Mark also expressed his gratitude towards Parson for righting a wrong against the couple.

Unfair Treatment

For months, Parson's legal team has been working on a backlog of clemency requests, which has not yet taken action regarding Kevin Strickland, a longtime inmate. Several prosecutors said that the man was wrongfully convicted and is innocent of a 1978 triple homicide in Kansas City. While Parson has the authority to pardon Strickland, he does not believe the suspect is innocent of the crime.

Missouri House Democratic Minority Leader Crystal Quade criticized Parson's treatment of Strickland compared to the McCloskeys. The official called the incident "disgusting" where Parson allowed Mark and Patricia a pardon despite pleading and breaking the law. Unlike Strickland, who has spent 40 years in prison for crimes that are now being contested as fraudulent, remains without clemency, the Washington Post reported.

In a statement, Democratic state Rep. LaKeySha Bosley said that the governor's decision to pardon the McCloskey's severely underscored that under his rule, the privileged control the law and the justice system across the state.

Related Article: Cuomo Allegedly Sexually Harasses 11 Women, Faces Widespread Criticism From Democrats

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On Tuesday, China slammed the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, calling the lawmaker's recently disclosed report claiming COVID-19 originated in a Chinese lab "despicable" and politically motivated.

The report by Texas Rep. Michael T. McCaul is "entirely based on fabricated lies and distorted facts without giving any proof, and is neither credible nor scientific," according to a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry. In a report released Monday, McCaul claimed that the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 spilled from China's Wuhan Institute of Virology in August or early September 2019. Chinese officials were complicit in the world's largest coverup.

China claims COVID-19 originated in the US

According to the publication's authors, data presented in an update of McCaul's research on the COVID-19 origins in September shows that SARS-CoV-2, which had been genetically altered, was unintentionally discharged from the laboratory. In response, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated the PRC's earlier allegations that the virus originated in the United States, The Washington Times reported.

McCaul also asked for senior researchers associated with the Wuhan lab to be sanctioned, singling out Peter Daszak, whose New York-based company EcoHealth Alliance provided $3.4 million in National Institutes of Health funding to the Wuhan lab between 2014 and 2019.

Per Fox News, this comes only weeks before President Joe Biden's deadline for the intelligence community to complete its investigation into the pandemic's origins. Prior to that, Republicans will lay out their most detailed case to date, claiming that Wuhan Institute of Virology researchers may have genetically manipulated the virus. The preponderance of evidence suggests SARS-CoV-2 was accidentally released from a Wuhan lab.

Read Also: Russia Claims US Urges 24 Diplomats to Leave by September, Accuses Threat to Shoot Down Putin's Jet As Tensions Heighten

US military conspiracy theory

Meanwhile, the Chinese statement tried to delegitimize the US intelligence establishment by referencing events leading to the 2003 Iraq War. Republicans claimed the Communist Party's finger-pointing at the US military made sense if it was seeking to hide the outbreak's source.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee Republicans concluded that the World Military Games in Wuhan in October 2019 were one of the pandemic's earliest super spreader events, with COVID-19 emerging from the Wuhan Institute of Virology in late August or early September 2019; and China is covering it up for months, according to the report.

The report focused on the event, which drew over 9,000 military personnel from over 100 nations to Wuhan, where Republicans said the Chinese government was aware of the virus' spread. On Tuesday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a statement titled Remarks on COVID-19 Origins Tracing Disseminated by US Congressmen.

The report allegedly distorts and slanders China for political advantage, and the Chinese government "expresses absolute opposition to and strong condemnation of such vile conduct." The statement was also issued by China's embassy in the United States.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry cited US military troops who reportedly became ill at the Wuhan Military World Games and demanded an international investigation of the US Army's Fort Detrick in Maryland, something China has done dozens of times previously. Since at least March 2020, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian and other Chinese officials and publications have promoted false accusations against the US military.

Zhao and others have been pushing the US Army accusations for months, and they were resurrected earlier this year when the WHO-China COVID-19 report was made public. The US has previously denied the Chinese allegations as erroneous, baseless, unscientific, and a myth. The GOP report believes the infection spread across Wuhan, "possibly via the Wuhan Metro," The Washington Examiner reported.

Related Article: Anthony Fauci Warns of Worsening COVID-19 Situation, Claiming US Trajectory Looks Similar to UK

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Indiana authorities arrested a 34-year-old LaPorte woman who is now charged with shooting and killing her husband, mutilating his dead body, hiding it in her daughter's closet, and asking her children to help dispose of the evidence.

A newly filed charging document noted that the 34-year-old mother involved her two teenage kids in her failed attempt to dispose of her dead husband's body to South Bend, where she planned to burn his body. Authorities charged Thessalonica Allen with the July 27 murder of her husband, Randy Allen.

Brutal Murder

The suspect is also facing two counts of contributing the delinquency of a minor, abuse of a corpse, alteration of a death scene, and two counts of neglect of a dependent, court documents wrote. Officials also charged Allen with misdemeanor interference with the reporting of a crime.

Police said that they received a tip on Thursday about a murder that occurred inside an apartment in the 1400 block of West 18th Street in LaPorte. The man who reported the crime was previously in a relationship with Allen and has one child with her. He told police that his ex called him, claiming that the victim was beating their child, Pantagraph reported.

The man said that when he arrived at Allen's apartment, she immediately showed him Randy's lifeless body stored inside a closet in her daughter's bedroom. The suspect reportedly asked her ex to help her dispose of her husband's dead body. He refused and demanded it to be taken back to his home

Read Also: Biden Administration Digs on Heels of ICE Operations, Releases 50,000 Immigrants Without Court Dates at Southern Border

As the two were driving back, the suspect allegedly told her ex that she shot her husband because he was beating her and her children. Thessalonica later threw away a gun out the window of the vehicle, the informant said, who then kept the firearm.

Authorities were able to locate the suspect in the parking lot of a LaPorte Ace Hardware store where she began to cry after realizing she was being arrested. She said that the officers didn't understand her husband was beating her.

When questioned, Thessalonica confessed to shooting and killing her husband after they got into an argument and later on a physical altercation. The suspect said she came home to her kids telling her their father was beating them. When she confronted him, however, he quickly grabbed her by the neck.

Asking Children's Help

When Randy let go, Thessalonica thought it was over; but when she saw him coming back, she immediately grabbed her gun and shot her husband. She also told police that she hid her husband's body inside her daughter's closet, ABC57 reported.

Thessalonica said in a second interview that she cut off her husband's legs so his body would fit inside the closet. When investigators asked the children, they said they first heard a loud bang and went to check on their parents.

The kids found Randy on the floor, bleeding and asking them to call 911. However, Thessanica reportedly told them not to and told them to go back to their rooms. They said that their mother later woke them up in the middle of the night and asked them to help her dispose of Randy's body, which they failed to do.



Related Article: Tennessee Paramedic Charged After Shooting Woman Dead, Injuring Another During Drunken Brawl

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Following the release of an explosive new report by the New York state attorney general's office on claims of sexual harassment against the governor, President Joe Biden called on Andrew Cuomo to resign. He didn't say whether Cuomo should be impeached and removed from office by the New York State Assembly or if he should be prosecuted.

Many claims of sexual harassment were documented in the report, which also stated that the Cuomo administration had a "hostile work environment" and that Cuomo broke multiple federal and state laws - though the office is not pursuing a criminal probe. Biden said he did not talk with Cuomo on Tuesday and did not review the report in detail. He only knows the outcome, he said.

Joe Biden, senators urge Andrew Cuomo to resign

When asked if he stands by comments made earlier this year in which he suggested Cuomo, a close ally, should resign once the attorney general is convicted of sexual harassment charges, Biden responded, "Yes."

Per NPR, Cuomo and Biden had had a lengthy friendship extending back to when his father, Mario Cuomo, was governor of New York. The elder Cuomo is adored in New York and has gained national acclaim, particularly for his 1984 Democratic National Convention address, which laid out the party's course during the Reagan years when it was in the electoral wilderness. Cuomo maintains that he did nothing wrong, and he defended himself in a recorded video released Tuesday, appealing directly to New York voters.

Biden asked Governor Andrew Cuomo to resign after New York Attorney General Letitia James revealed that Cuomo sexually assaulted women in his state job. Many of these ladies were young, and the governor harassed them by participating in unwanted and non-consensual touching and making provocative and sexual comments, creating a hostile work environment.

Cuomo, who climbed through the ranks of the Democratic Party, is now facing possible legal action and punishment. Several women, including former and present staffers, have accused the governor of making improper statements and behavior, including unwanted touching and unwanted sexual attempts.

Following the revelation of several sexual harassment claims against Governor Andrew Cuomo, members of the New York State Senate are pushing for his impeachment. Many members of the Senate have publicly called for his resignation, and Democratic members of the Assembly attended a meeting Tuesday afternoon to discuss the possibility of impeachment.

"It is abundantly clear to me that the Governor has lost the confidence of the Assembly Democratic majority and that he can no longer remain in office." Speaker Carl Heastie said in a statement following their meeting.

Today, researchers claim 83 percent of New York State Senate members and 56 percent of State Assembly members have called for NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resign or be impeached, Newsweek reported.

Read Also: Anthony Fauci Warns of Worsening COVID-19 Situation, Claiming US Trajectory Looks Similar to UK

Will Cuomo resign or be impeached?

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, whose meticulously planned public appearances during the pandemic elevated him to one of his party's most well-known national figures, is facing an existential threat to his political career in the wake of a troubling report released Tuesday alleging that he sexually harassed 11 women and broke federal and state law.

For a few hours, an already weakened governor lost the backing of a slew of allies and state and national party officials who had been deferring judgment, casting doubt on his ability to stay in office, let alone win a fourth term. The public's reaction to the inquiry revealed by the New York State attorney general's office is yet unknown, as per The NY Times.

Unless Cuomo resigns, the State Assembly, which has opened an impeachment investigation, will determine the most immediate consequences of the report. According to a source familiar with the process, the investigation and compilation of impeachment articles may be completed in less than a month. A State Senate trial may start as early as late September or early October.

Meanwhile, Cuomo has reached the most vulnerable moment of his decades in public life - a moment that has the potential to reshape the political landscape in New York. Lawmakers who were previously hesitant to criticize Cuomo because of his threat of retaliation publicly are now demanding his resignation. Elected politicians representing Cuomo's key constituencies, including Black voters and white suburban voters, have urged him to resign.

Cuomo's Democratic mayoral nominee, Eric Adams, pushed the Assembly to go through impeachment procedures if the governor would not resign earlier this summer. Top labor leaders are gradually splitting with the governor.

Related Article: Cuomo Allegedly Sexually Harasses 11 Women, Faces Widespread Criticism From Democrats



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Princess Diana and Prince Charles's lavish wedding 40 years ago seemed like the ultimate fairytale. The late Princess looked magnificent in her extravagant gown, and the spectators burst into applause as the newlyweds exchanged a kiss on Buckingham Palace's balcony.

However, it appears that both had reservations about the marriage in the months leading up to their wedding although they had only met a handful of times prior to their engagement. Nearly 40 years after the wedding, it was found out that Princess Diana's bridal shoes had a special message inscribed on them for Prince Charles.

Princess Diana's shoe on her wedding day

According to "Town And Country" magazine, Princess Diana's shoes featured a "C heart D" painted on the bottom, indicating the initial etters of their names "Charles" and "Diana." Because it was hidden behind the gown's 25-foot train, it went unnoticed at the time.

A heart-shaped applique was added to the toes of the heels, and the shoe was created with 542 sequins and 132 pearls. While Princess Diana and Prince Charles' married life may not have been perfect, their wedding day was.

The spectacular celebration drew attention worldwide, and everything about this momentous day in British Royal Family history was covered in the media. Princess Diana's wedding gown made her appear like a real-life fairy, and it quickly drew everyone's attention.

Her ivory taffeta gown, created by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, was much discussed in the press, with several editorial pieces devoted to it. Diana's shoe designer, Clive Shelton, told the Daily Mail that the Princess was quite specific about her shoe, requesting a low heel and unique message at the bottom.

Princess Diana was afraid that wearing the high heels would make her appear taller than Prince Charles, who was already 5'10". As a result, she requested that her shoe designers create it without a high heel.

Read Also: Queen Elizabeth Decides to Hand Prince Harry's Royal Responsibility to Kate Middleton; Here Are 2 Major Roles She Will Get

Princess of Wales felt uneasy with Camilla's presence on her wedding day

On this day, July 29, 40 years ago, all eyes were on Lady Diana Spencer as she went down the aisle towards Prince Charles, but the Princess and Prince of Wales' wedding have left an indelible mark. It marked the start of a new era for the British royal family, and it was often characterized as a fairy tale wedding come to reality.

More people watched Diana and Charles' wedding than the moon landing because it was the biggest the royal family has seen since Her Majesty and the late Duke of Edinburgh's wedding in 1947. However, Princess Diana was believed to be growing concerned about her future husband's connection with Camilla Parker Bowles, his then ex-girlfriend.

Per MIRROR, Princess Diana discovered a bracelet in Prince Charles' private secretary Michael Colborne's office only days before her wedding, inscribed with G and F's initials, which stood for Gladys and Fred, the nicknames Charles and Camilla used for each other. So it's understandable that she felt uneasy when she spotted Camilla, who was on the guestlist, seated in one of the pews at St. Paul's Cathedral on the big day.

"Diana told me much later in one of our private conversations that she had felt like a lamb to the slaughter as she walked up the aisle, which was very sad," royal expert Jenny Bond said on the Channel 5 documentary "Charles and Camilla: King and Queen in Waiting."

Meanwhile, Andrew Morton's book Diana: Her True Story included Diana spotting Camilla on the wedding day. Princess Diana remembers a "vivid memory" of seeing Camilla wearing a grey pillbox hat and her son Tom, Prince Charles' godchild, standing next to her on a chair.

Prince Charles had an affair with Camilla in the years after the wedding. In her bombshell Panorama interview with Martin Bashir, Diana alleged, "There were three of us in this marriage." Diana's marriage to Charles broke down by that time, and the two split. Camilla divorced Andrew Parker Bowles, her then-husband, in 1995.

Related Article: Australian Man Who Claims to Be Prince Charles, Camilla's Secret Child Uses Son as New Shocking Proof



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As the HMS Queen Elizabeth entered Asian waters, Kim Jong-un is not happy about this development. The UK is getting more active in sending its most powerful warship, which has even infuriated Beijing. Both North Korea and China have a relationship since they share a common border.

In July, the UK said that two patrol class ships would be operating in the Indo-Pacific, while the British supercarrier will head to Japan in August. It will pass the contested South China Sea as an exercise of Freedom of Navigation Operation or FONOPs.

However, the British Consul in Tokyo assured that the Royal Navy ships would have no permanent dock to stay.

NoKor weighs in on UK's presence

Recently the North Korean Foreign Ministry criticized London and said that Brexit should be its concern, reported Express UK.

An official statement said that for the UK to be sending their carrier in contested waters is pushing everything to be a problem in the region. The presence of the carrier battle group is using the threat as an excuse to project provocation.

Like Beijing, Kim Jong-un called the actions unsafe and forcing an unsavory situation.

According to the announcement, Britain responds on a "ridiculous wager" that Pyongyang and Beijing are conspiring to isolate South Korea and Japan.

North Korea asserted that Britain is doing these actions at the expense of North Korea and China, but it will backfire. It should be considered that a powder keg exists in the Indo-Pacific, ready to be diffused. So, Kim Jong-un is not happy with some developments.

Read Also: Britain Deploys Two Patrol Ships to Indo-Pacific After China's Nuke Threat to Japan

UK's involvement spoils NoKor's power projection

When the UK told of its plan to be actively involved in Asian affairs by sending ships as stationed permanently, is not agreeable to Kim Jong-un.

The decision was first announced when Britain's defense minister, Ben Wallace, had a joint presser with Nobuo Kishi, noted Reuters.

He added that the first deployment of the HMS Queen Elizabeth would follow with the two ships stationed later in the year.

Kishi said that they affirmed their common stance that attempts to disrupt the status quo by intimidation are unacceptably hazardous or that a free and open Indo-Pacific following the rule of law is fundamental.

HMS Queen Elizabeth and its escort ships will split up for separate port calls to the US and Japanese naval bases, Mr. Kishi said, cited Business World.

The composition of the battle group is the HMS Queen Elizabeth are two destroyers, two frigates, and two support ships from the Dutch and US Navy. Wallace said the UK is obliged to insist on traveling on a FONOPs to Japan because it is legal.

China's dominance in the South China Sea disputes has traditionally concerned the United Kingdom.

Several nation's claims have been displaced due to China's belligerence, like Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan, and the Philippines. Chinese have a foothold in the region by building military installations on several reefs with a 12-mile limit from the land.

Wallace remarked that the People's Liberation Army would shadow and challenge ships passing through international waters and official routes. He added it's about mutual respect, international law should be followed, but Kim Jong-un is not happy about it.

Related Article: Beijing Says the UK Seems to Be Asking for a "Beating" After Carrier Queen Elizabeth Entered South China Sea

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A ransomware attack has been reported in Italy's region of Lazio, which made the region's IT systems inoperable, including the COVID-19 vaccination registration portal. The Lazio area was hit by a ransomware cyberattack early Sunday morning, encrypting all files in its data center and disrupting its IT network.

The COVID-19 vaccination scheduling website for the Italian region of Lazio was taken down by a cyberattack, highlighting the fragility of healthcare data and vaccine technology during the pandemic. According to Italian officials, hackers targeted the government of Lazio, the region that includes Rome, on Sunday.

Italy's COVID-19 vaccination schedules delayed

Scheduled vaccination appointments will take place, but the mechanism for booking appointments will be unavailable for a few days, according to Lazio Regional President Nicola Zingaretti. Stefano Fratepietro, CEO of Tesla Consulting S.r.l., said a cybersecurity firm located in Bologna, Italy, the assault appeared to be part of a supply-chain hacking effort targeting Italian firms.

Fratepietro said he is working with another victim of the assault who appears to have used the same source as the Lazio government. He refused to offer any further information. Per Wall Street Journal, requests for more information regarding the attack were not responded to by representatives of the Lazio regional administration.

Since early last year, hacker interest in healthcare institutions and COVID-19 vaccine-related infrastructure has increased significantly. In blog postings published in December and April, security experts at International Business Machines Corp. stated that attackers attempted to hack dozens of firms engaged in the transportation, warehousing, and storage of vaccinations. Last year, the US and other governments warned that Russian, Chinese, and Iranian hackers targeted vaccine development businesses.

Read Also: Russia Claims US Urges 24 Diplomats to Leave by September, Accuses Threat to Shoot Down Putin's Jet As Tensions Heighten

Officials consider terrorism behind Italy cyberattack

Two investigation sources told Reuters on Tuesday that terrorism is among the reasons for a cyberattack that shut down all services supplied by the Lazio region through its website. Hackers targeted and shut down the IT systems of the business that administers COVID-19 vaccination appointments on Sunday, which manages services for 5.9 million people living in a broad area surrounding Rome.

It claimed that all systems, including the region's health site, were disabled and warned that the vaccination inoculation program might be delayed. On Tuesday, two sources told Reuters that Rome's prosecutors had started a probe into the breach, citing terrorism as a possible aggravating element for those responsible.

The hackers have not yet requested for money or other payments, but they started a conversation with the region that may soon lead to a ransom demand. In a Facebook post on Tuesday, the Lazio region announced that services for ordering vaccinations and accessing the immunization register would be restored within 72 hours. According to the authorities, there is still no proof about where the attack originated.

Investigators said critical health data, including President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Mario Draghi, was not compromised by the hackers, who have yet to be identified. The Rome prosecutor's office described the offenses as unauthorized entry and aggravated harm to an IT system, as per CNN.

During a press conference, President of Lazio Nicola Zingaretti claimed that while the attackers have not been recognized, they were from a foreign nation. Emergency services continued to operate normally, and Zingaretti apologized to people for delays in other services while IT professionals worked to prevent the spread of new assaults.

Related Article: China Lashes Out at GOP Report on Wuhan Lab Theory, Accuses US of Lying, Distorting Facts on COVID-19 Origins



@YouTube

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The Toyota Land Cruiser is celebrating its platinum 70th Anniversary! To commemorate this event, the Japanese automaker announced a sale on limited-edition versions of their 70-Series model, complete with visual tweaks and added techs.

Toyota Land Cruiser 70th Anniversary Truck

Autoblog reported that interested buyers for the special edition Land Cruiser could choose pickup variants with a single or double cab. They could also choose it as a wagon version.

There are three colors available: French Vanilla, Merlot Red, and Sandy Taupe. All 70th Anniversary Toyota Land Cruisers get a specific grille with "TOYOTA" letterings instead of the usual oval company emblem. The car would also feature tinted headlights, black paint highlights, 16-inch wheels, and a dark grey finish. Front fog lights and daytime running lights have been upgraded to LED bulbs.

Inside the car, is the combined elements between its old-school design to more advanced tech. The Toyota Land Cruiser has a list of standard equipment which is black leather upholstery, (imitation) wood trim dashboard, and silver accents. Some new equipment added is the center console (with USB ports) and center cupholders. An edition-specific logo is engraved in a metal plate, bottom to the gear shifter.

The anniversary edition Toyota Land Cruiser has no mechanical modifications on its engine. It would be powered by a 4.5-liter turbodiesel V8 engine with 202 horsepower and 317 pound-feet torque. The car uses five-speed manual transmission and has no Automatic variant. This vehicle would also feature a snorkel, low-range gearing, locking front and rear differentials, and a 7,700-pound towing capacity.

Read Also: Tesla Level 5 Autonomy Happening Soon? Expert Warns Elon Musk of Potential Major Problem

Only 600 Units Available for the Toyota Land Cruiser

Toyota emphasized that it would only offer 600 units for the 70th Anniversary Toyota Land Cruiser. Specifically, Toyota would sell 320 double-cabs, 200 single-cabs, and 80 wagons.

Note that 70th Anniversary Toyota Land Cruiser is only available in Australia. Deliveries will begin this September. Pricing is:

AU $ 82,600 - Double Cab

AU $ 80,050 - Single Cab

AU $ 78,500 - Wagon

Toyota Land Cruiser and 70-Series

Toyota Land Cruiser used its 70th anniversary to advertise its dominance, reliability and outdoor performance. Surviving this long in the market, Toyota Land Cruiser continuous to be a popular choice for drivers living in rugged terrain.

Note that the 70th Anniversary Toyota Land Cruiser is different from the 2022 Toyota Land Cruiser J300 that got teased last April. Instead, this Toyota Land Cruiser took heavy inspiration from the 70-series back in 1984.

According to MotorTrend, these limited-edition Toyota Land Cruiser are notably designed to be for classical and collector's purchase. As previously mentioned, no mechanical improvements have been added to its engine.

The 70th Anniversary Toyota Land Cruiser would be a lot boxier and old-fashioned compared to the generic curves found in most modern vehicles. Its interior is also designed to resemble a rustic appearance despite its premium equipment. It is important to consider these details before deciding to purchase the car.



Related Article: 2022 Toyota Tundra Interior Leak Reveals Awesome Terrain Settings; Teases Wireless Charging!
From left, actors Lee Kwang-Soo and Kim Hye-jun, director Kim Ji-hoon, actors Kwon So-hyun, Nam Da-reum, Cha Seung-won and Kim Sung-kyun, pose for pictures during a media conference held in Yongsan-gu, central Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of Showbox





By Lee Gyu-lee







The upcoming tentpole, "Sinkhole," about a group of people who fall 500 meters underground, is seeking to set a new paradigm of disaster movies by adding comedy to the genre.







"Combining two different genres didn't come easy. It was a great challenge (for me and the production team) to put light-hearted humor into a disastrous situation," the film's director Kim Ji-hoon said during a media conference held in Yongsan-gu, central Seoul, Monday.







A poster for the film / Courtesy of Showbox





Dong-won (Kim Sung-kyun) is an ordinary father figure, who is the patriarch and breadwinner of his family. He has been working hard towards his goal of owning a house, and his dream finally comes true when he buys his own apartment in a small building after 11 years.







He is having the time of his life, except for his cat-and-mouse relationship with a nosy, irritating neighbor called Man-soo (Cha Seung-won) after an unpleasant encounter on the day he moved in.







Meanwhile, Dong-won invites his coworkers  Seung-hyun (Lee Kwang-Soo) and intern Eun-joo (Kim Hye-jun)  for a housewarming party. But the party soon becomes a catastrophe when the entire building falls down into a massive sinkhole, leaving Dong-won and Man-soo, each with their sons, to come together to survive, along with the coworkers.







Kim Ji-hoon, who directed the 2012 disaster film, "Tower," which takes place in a 108-story building on fire, said he tried to focus on sharing an optimistic message with his latest film.







"'Tower' was all about showing a disastrous situation, whereas with 'Sinkhole,' I tried to deliver a hopeful message with a touch of humanity and good humor," he said. "I thought that a sinkhole would be an interesting setting for the film. Because we've never been there, it gave me the creative freedom to add from my imagination."







The film lacks edge-of-the-seat, high-flying action from the survivors compared to previous disaster films. But it fills in this void with comic moments and witty characters, like Seung-hyun and Man-soo.







The director noted that he wanted the characters to portray normal people who resonate with viewers.







"The cast members and I discussed a lot about how we, as ordinary people, would try to survive in a disaster if we went through that situation in real life. And I tried to show how they would react and come together as a team to survive without turning against each other," he said. "The cast also helped me a lot by giving me ideas about the comedic scenes."







A scene from the film / Courtesy of Showbox





Man-soo, who is a single father juggling three jobs to raise his son, comes off as a strange character, showing unconvincing hostility towards Dong-won when they first meet. His exaggerated gestures and expressions almost seem obnoxious and trying too hard to force humor onto the audience.







But as the story goes on, the character settles in and blends with the other co-survivors, after the building sinks into the hole, eventually playing the key figure among the survivors.







Actor Cha expressed that the fellow cast members helped him to easily get into his role. "The script was very well-written and pretty self-explanatory. I didn't really have to spend too much to study my role, but it was the co-stars that helped me build my character as we created the scenes together," he said.







Actor Kim Sung-kyun added that the film set, which created a realistic environment down in a sinkhole, helped him play his role.







"The actor who played my son in the film is actually about the same age as my real sons. As we were thrown into the water and had to go through all those tough scenes together on the set, these scenes made him feel like my real son and helped me to get into the role better," he said.







The actors said that they hope this movie will offer a good laugh to audiences especially during the tough times of the ongoing pandemic.







"When we shot the film, we didn't expect it to come out during such a difficult time," Lee said. "If the audience can have a good time with a laugh and a touching moment through our film, I won't hope for anything more."







Cha added, "I hope this film can take your mind off of your burdens during this harsh, stagnant time a lot of money has been put into this film and you'll be able to see that."







"Sinkhole" will have its premiere at the Locarno Film Festival, which kicks off Wednesday in Switzerland, and is set to hit local theaters on Aug. 11.


The flag of the People's Republic of China is seen among representations of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in this photograph. Reuters-Yonhap



By Kim Yoo-chul



Samsung Electronics has decided to participate in a project being pursued by the Bank of Korea (BOK) to build a pilot platform for a central bank digital currency (CBDC).



The BOK began the CBDC pilot program July 28, co-managed by Ground X, a blockchain affiliate of messengerplatform giant, Kakao.



"Samsung Electronics has recently decided to participate in the BOK-led CBDC pilot project, under which interested parties will research the practicalities of the CBDC in a test environment," an executive familiar with the issue said Wednesday.



BOK and Samsung officials said the project was based on the benefits of a CBDC that include more efficient and advanced payments systems and financial inclusion. Samsung is hoping to test the possible usability of blockchain-based systems on its Galaxy mobile lineup.



"Specifically, the Kakao consortium and Samsung Group's two tech affiliates will launch a pilot program aimed at checking on money transfers and remittances between countries, issuing and distributing the CBDC and monitoring how that eventually works in virtual environments," the executive said.



Because the BOK's efforts are aimed at preparing for adjustments in the payment settlement system, Samsung Electronics plans to test the functionality of the digital currency with its Galaxy smartphone. "Will it be possible to conduct payments via mobile phones using the digital currency with no internet availability, or to send CBDC remittances to other mobile phones or to other connected bank accounts, are the two core points that Samsung is looking at," said an official.



Samsung SDS, the group's IT unit, will play some role for the program. Its affiliate, Escor, will handle the procedures for the experiments with the CBDC. Central banks in developed countries have been showing keen interest in the development of a CBDC, with China's digital yuan (E-CNY) being the closest to showing visible results.



BOK Governor Lee Ju-yeol downplayed the significance of crypto-assets, as all types of cryptocurrencies aren't positioned to be valued properly, due to their essential, volatile nature.



But despite his negative stance toward them, he has opened up to the possibility of studying a CBDC and to contemplating why it matters in terms of modernizing financial systems. Because "stablecoins" have become more popular, some observers believe that central banks need to provide alternatives. The BOK will operate its simulation programs regarding the efficacy of the CBDC in two stages.



The BOK plans to use Klaytn, Ground X's blockchain platform, as the main platform for its CBDC structure.






By Jun Ji-hye







Fairmont Ambassador Seoul has won five-star certification, the highest possible rating awarded by the Korea Tourism Association.







The hotel conducted a plaque unveiling ceremony, Monday, to mark its five-star certification, during which time Carl Gagnon, the hotel's general manager, and Kim Gi-seop, CEO of Parc.1 Hotel Management, as well as other hotel executives, were in attendance.







The five-star rating is only awarded to hotels that score at least 900 points out of a total of 1,000 based on all facilities and services offered, with 700 points based on scheduled inspections and 300 based on undercover visits by unidentified inspectors.







Fairmont Ambassador Seoul, the first South Korean property of Accor Group's luxury Fairmont brand, opened on Feb. 24 this year in the Parc.1 complex in Yeouido.







The hotel offers 326 guest rooms and suites on 31 floors, four dining venues, including a rooftop terrace and bar on the 29th floor in addition to Fairmont Gold Lounge, a fitness center, a swimming pool and a spa.







A portfolio of event venues, including the Grand Ballroom, Gallery 7 and meeting rooms, offers options for every occasion.







"It is especially moving to receive five stars, the highest available rating, at a time when COVID-19 is causing such hardship," General Manager Gagnon said.







"I believe the efforts of our associates and the strong interest on the part of our guests since our grand opening in February have helped us gain recognition and achieve this positive outcome. As always, we will continue to strive to deliver unforgettable moments for all of our guests."


New York-based literary agent Barbara Zitwer / Courtesy of Barbara Zitwer



New York-based literary agent recently inked a flurry of deals with big Western publishers to release Korean novels globally



By Kang Hyun-kyung



Exporting Korean novels is a delicate and time-consuming job that requires network with big Western publishers as well as a significant level of knowhow in pitching translated books to them. Adding to the complexity, several different groups of people become heavily involved in the pre-publication process before the translated books eventually go on sale in local bookstores.



Literary translators are the first batch of specialists taking part in the pre-publication process. Unlike other translators who convert Korean into foreign languages verbatim, literary translators are given some room to modify original texts to help readers of target languages easily understand the context of the novel.



Once their partial or entire translation of the book is completed, the ball is in the literary agents' court.



The role of literary agents is pivotal, partly because they are responsible for finding local publishers who can publish the Korean novels.



Finding publishing houses is a waiting game, according to New York-based literary agent Barbara Zitwer.



"The advances are not high and it takes a long time, sometimes years to get an author published and noticed," she said during a recent Korea Times interview. "I worked on Han Kang's 'The Vegetarian' for more than 10 years before I sold it to Granta and also Ashes and Red In many ways, I am supporting the advancement of my Korean author's literature myself and it is not easy."



Over the past decade, Zitwer has discovered "diamonds in the rough" and helped them expand their readership globally.



She said searching for publishers for Korean novels has become tougher than before as more people are participating in the decision-making process inside publishing companies.



"Today, everything is very corporate and there are boards and marketing and sales people involved with every acquisition decision," she said. "Now, big boards have to approve an acquisition, so it is incredibly difficult to market and promote and sell a Korean book that was partially translated into 20 or 30 pages of English. I think that is the biggest stumbling block right now."



In Korean literature's global presence, there is such a thing as the "Zitwer factor."



Before her, few foreign readers were aware of the existence of Korean literature. After she worked with a number of Korean authors and helped them make their successful international debuts, the star writers were able to expand their readership base globally. So for those Korean authors, Zitwer is a critical middle person who served as a bridge between the writers and influential Western publishers.



Kim Young-ha's "I Have the Right to Destroy Myself," Pyun Ae-young's "Ashes and Red" and Han Kang's "The Vegetarian," Hwang Sun-mi's "Leafie" and Shin Kyung-sook's "Please Look After Mom" were able to reach out to Western readers, thanks to Zitwer.



Zitwer herself is not shy about her role behind the meteoric rise of Korean literature on the global stage.



"Korean authors are successful because they incorporate classic thriller elements, but they have made the genre their own," she said. "It is common knowledge in the West that these authors would not be published outside of Korea if it wasn't for my work. I discovered them and worked very hard to sell them to excellent publishers who understood them and would publish them well. I didn't sell them to the tiny, literary non-profit publishers which are great but if you want to become a mega global bestseller it is essential to have big distribution and the support of a major commercial publisher."





This combined image shows, from left, book covers of Han Kang's The Vegetarian, Yun Ko-eun's "The Disaster Tourist," Shin Kyung-sook's "Please Look After Mom," and Jeong You-jeong's "The Good Son." These works were published in the United States and Europe, thanks to Barbara Zitwer.
A screenshot of the website for the "me.Duck" project / Courtesy of Art Center Nabi



By Park Han-sol



Just two weeks ago, the Kansong Art Museum shook the art world through its unprecedented decision to put up the "Hunminjeongeum Haeryebon"  the priceless 15th-century manuscript for the Korean writing system, "Hangeul"  for sale as limited-edition NFTs (non-fungible tokens). The move has stirred up controversy over the commercialization of the country's national treasure.



On Tuesday, the museum in Seongbuk District, northern Seoul, announced its collaboration with the digital art museum, Art Center Nabi, to launch a project called, "me.Duck," where the two will release a series of NFT artworks that creatively utilize and reinterpret the cultural artifacts owned by the museum.



NFTs are one-of-a-kind tokens that can represent any unique digital asset, and which can then be bought and sold virtually. The NFT proves that only the buyer possesses the original image, with the information about each transaction tracked and maintained in its blockchain.



"It's an art project that aims to preserve the spirit of the times, reflected within the items of our cultural heritage in a virtual form," Art Center Nabi stated on its website regarding the "me.Duck" project, expressing its aim to target digital-savvy Millennials and Generation Z, who are becoming more visible as a new group of art collectors.



The first "me.Duck" project, scheduled to be launched online Aug. 15, will revolve around the "House of Fortune: me.Duck Card," a set of 38 collectible cards with designs inspired by the visual symbols within the Kansong Art Museum's collection of cultural artifacts.



The virtual card set  divided into "general," "rare" and "super rare" categories  will add a creative touch to the traditional auspicious symbols of fame, prestige, peace in the home, a long life and wealth, featured in antique Korean paintings and porcelains.



Upon purchase, each card will be distributed at random. They money raised from the sale will be, according to the two organizations, used to preserve the physical artifacts at the art museum and retrieve cultural assets that have been stolen or removed from the country.



"While introducing pieces of cultural heritage to the global audience, we also hope that these NFT purchases will lead to further donations that make the preservation, operation and display of the physical, surviving artifacts possible," Art Center Nabi director Roh Soh-Yeong explained.


A medical worker works at a government-designated COVID-19 treatment hospital in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday. Yonhap



Authorities to decide on whether to extend strictest social distancing Friday



By Lee Hyo-jin



Medical experts here are calling on the government to take preemptive measures against the possible spread of the COVID-19 Delta plus variant, as they view that downplaying its threat may pose a serious risk to the country's efforts to mitigate the coronavirus pandemic.



The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported Tuesday that it had identified the first two cases here of the Delta plus variant, a sub-lineage of the Delta strain first detected in India.



One of the patients was a man in his 40s with no recent overseas travel history, while the other was a man in his 50s who returned recently from the United States, according to the KDCA.



Both had been fully vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine, raising concerns that the new strain may be resistant.



"Though we should be vigilant about the Delta plus variant, we don't need to be overly concerned about it," Lee Sang-won, a senior official at the KDCA, said in a press briefing, Tuesday.



Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum also said people don't need to be excessively worried about the emerging strain. "The Delta variant has become, so to speak, the dominant strain in the country. But there's no need for excessive fear over it," he said during an interview with local radio, Wednesday.



Regarding the Delta plus variant, Kim said there was "no need for excessive anxiety," adding that an epidemiological investigation was underway to discover the source of transmission.





A driver receives a coronavirus test at a drive-thru testing center in Jungnang District, Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap




All 272 sailors and soldiers serving in the Cheonghae anti-piracy unit who contracted COVID-19 are presumed to have come down with the highly transmissible Delta variant, as they were conducting missions in waters off Africa, the health authorities said Wednesday.







The members of the 301-strong unit were airlifted home last month, cutting short their mission in Africa after 247 of them tested positive for the coronavirus.







The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said 64 of them have been confirmed to be infected with the variant that was first reported in India, with the others being highly likely to be infected with the same strain.







The KDCA said there have been no infections that developed into serious ones.







Of the confirmed cases, 268 service members have been released from medical facilities, while four sailors are currently under a two-week quarantine.







South Korea has reported a rising number of infections by the Delta variant, with the total caseload tallied at 4,912, the KDCA said. (Yonhap)


Students hold a protest in Seoul, in this April 3 photo, calling for a refund from universities, as they have had to pay full tuition for "low-quality" online classes, and have been unable to use school facilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yonhap



By Bahk Eun-ji



Nearly 90 percent of college students want their tuition refunded, even if only partially, as their second-semester courses are likely to be provided mostly online again, similar to the past three semesters since early 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.



They claim it is unreasonable for schools to charge the full amount of tuition, because students are not using on-campus facilities, and the quality of online classes is inferior to regular, in-person ones.



After consultations with universities, the Ministry of Education announced on June 24 that schools would expand in-person lectures gradually during the fall semester, starting with classes requiring experiments or practicums, and those with few students.



The ministry had originally said that offline lectures would be expanded starting from the end of September, by which time 70 percent of the population is expected to have received at least their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, according to the government's estimates.



However, as the virus situation has become more serious during this fourth wave of infections, some universities have announced their plans to delay the return to in-person classes. Seoul National University said last week that it will keep lectures online for one more month until the end of September, while many other schools in Seoul have announced that they will maintain online classes as long as the Level 4 social distancing measures are still in place.



These plans are angering students who have been dissatisfied with the quality of online classes and being cut off from school facilities, prompting them to demand tuition refunds.





College students hold a press conference in front of Seoul Central District Court before filing a lawsuit demanding a refund of their spring semester tuition fees from their schools, on July 1, 2020. Yonhap
A photo of Yoo Ah-jin, 11, right, a student of Waegwan Elementary School in Chilgok, North Gyeongsang Province, and the letter she wrote to Chilgok County Governor Baek Sun-ki in the hope of finding the remains of James Elliott, an American soldier who went missing in the region during the Korean War. Yonhap



By Bahk Eun-ji



An elementary school student wrote a letter asking local authorities to search for the remains of an American soldier who went missing while on a mission during the 1950-53 Korean War.



Yoo Ah-jin, 11, of Waegwan Elementary School in Chilgok County, North Gyeongsang Province, sent a letter to Baek Sun-ki, the head of the county, after she learned about the story of James Elliott, a U.S. Army lieutenant who went missing during a night operation around a bridge in the region in August 1950.



After reading the story from a memorial tablet set up near the bridge, she wrote the letter, saying, "I am writing this letter because I am feeling so sorry for the son and daughter who are still waiting for their father.



"I heard that excavation work for Korean War veterans is ongoing in my region, and I hope you will find the remains of Lieutenant Elliott. I express my gratitude and respect to him for protecting my country."



Elliott's wife died of cancer in 2014, and his children brought some of their mother's ashes in a glass bottle to Korea and scattered them along the Nakdong River under the bridge, hoping for their parents' reunion.



After this, County Governor Baek invited Lieutenant Elliott's son and daughter to the Nakdong River World Peace Culture Festival in October 2018 and awarded them the status of honorary residents of the county.



Lieutenant Elliott's daughter, Jorja Elliott Reyburn, still hangs a black flag in front of her house, wishing for the return of her missing father, according to the county office.



Baek delivered Yoo's letter to the commanders who are in charge of the excavation work in Chilgok.



"It's been 70 years since the Korean War broke out, but there are still bereaved family members living in a faraway country waiting for us to find the remains of their family members," Baek said.



Rayburn, the daughter of Lieutenant Elliott, learned about Yoo's letter through social media and recently sent a thank you letter to the girl.



She said that she was grateful to Yoo for writing the letter and that she wants to meet and hug her when she visits Korea in future, according to the county office.


Choe Jae-hyeong, the former chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection, announces his bid to run in the presidential election at a studio in Paju City, Gyeonggi Province, Aug. 4 Yonhap



Choe Jae-hyeong, former chief of the national audit agency, formally declared his presidential bid Wednesday, vowing to restore the principles of a free market economy and ensure fair job opportunities for young people.



"As one of South Korea's citizens, I decided I can't just sit and watch the country crumble," Choe, the former chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI), said, announcing his bid to run in the March 9 presidential election.



The official presidential bid was announced via an online event only about one month following his resignation as the head of the national audit agency amid a feud with the Moon Jae-in administration.



The BAI, under the leadership of Choe, had been at odds with Cheong Wa Dae since its controversial audit last year of the Moon administration's decision to close the Wolsong-1 reactor at an early date as part of the government's broader campaign to phase out the country's use of nuclear energy.



"Some ruling party lawmakers told me, while I was inspecting the validity of the early closure of the Wolsong-1 reactor, that I should resign and join politics if I do not agree with the president's philosophy, but I did not step back," Choe said of the background of his resignation.



"I thought doing my job in keeping with the law should be the way to show my love for the country."



Accusing the Moon administration of populist policies and wasting taxpayers' money, Choe vowed to steer the country closer to the principles of a free market economy if he is elected president.



"Based on the spirit of freedom and autonomy, as well as renovation and creativity, I will make a country where the principles of a free market economy run properly," he said.



He also pledged to "level the playing field" for young people to give them fair job opportunities.



"This nagging political civil war should be ended for a better future for next generations. I will make a nation where people enjoy freedom and prosperity under (the protection of) justice," he noted.



Choe also vowed to reform the country's public education and pension systems, improve the human rights of North Korean people and revisit the country's policy to phase out the use of nuclear power.



Choe, a member of the main opposition People Power Party, is currently the runner-up presidential hopeful on the opposition bloc, with support ratings of less than 10 percent in opinion polls. (Yonhap)


By Jon Jiang





The Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) celebration of its centenary has drawn global attention. In the West, the spreading lament is that nationalism, or patriotism, from the Western and Chinese perspectives, respectively, is becoming the de facto official ideology of Beijing and that it is intertwined with the cliched past century of humiliation. Despite decades of economic integration with the rest of the world, China remains China, and that has always been the case.



This humiliation discourse can be traced to Liang Qichao, a writer and activist of the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China. The discourse was also exploited by the Chinese Nationalist Party, the adversary of the CCP during the Civil War, at the end of the 1920s after the death of Sun Yatsen, who had proposed nationalism as an indispensable component of his "Three Principles of the People" political philosophy. Drawing on, but not limited to the importance of nationalism for Sun, it's no wonder that he is one of the rare historical figures that is well acknowledged by both the mainland and by Taiwan.



As for the Mao era, while it seemed like a period when communism simply took control, this situation was also not totally true. Despite the lip service Mao and the CCP paid to the Soviet Union, their national revolution had little to do with Moscow's brand of communism. "Using the countryside to circulate around cities" shied away from the Marxist orthodox belief that the urban working class should be the key force of socialist revolution.



Wang Fanxi, one of the early CCP leaders, argued that, "Mao built his ideological foundation on the Chinese classics  with the acquired knowledge of Marxism-Leninism a rough superstructure of foreign style on a solid Chinese foundation."



That said, there were still some Beijing-initiated ideological exports during the Mao era. However, when Deng came to power, these exports stopped, and the ideology evolved into much more of a Chinese product: "socialism with Chinese characteristics." Currently, Xi's "Chinese dream" refers directly to the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.



As Andrew Mertha, George and Sadie Hyman Professor of China Studies at Johns Hopkins University, argues, "The genuine narrative that has emerged under the Xi's era is also not an ideology but a blunt, albeit historically grounded, nationalist imperative." Kishore Mahbubani, a renowned Singaporean scholar, went even further to contend that the CCP functionally does not represent the Chinese Communist Party, but rather, the Chinese Civilization Party.



Nevertheless, the West is justified to worry about the overheating nationalism in China, because it may bring danger and chaos to the world. Yes, the Taiwan conundrum concerning the party's legitimacy being based on the whole narrative that there is only one legitimate China is a potential flashpoint.



However, except for the question of Taiwan, I doubt that the Chinese version of nationalism may be based purely in ideology, because all of the logic Beijing has mostly sprung from is not simply communism, but its history and culture that Chinese people have glorified and enshrined for thousands of years, and of course, its desire to remain in power.



Historically, China was not a militarily expansionist country, although in the past, the Chinese had many opportunities to do so. In fact, before the twentieth century, China's historical expansion of influence was often full of indifference, self-centeredness and sometimes ignorance toward other "barbarian" nations, primarily aiming at superiority showcased in a peaceful fashion.



More concretely, Martin Jacques, a British journalist, argued that, unlike the U.S., which advocates democracy while enabling and supporting hierarchical relations internationally, China largely remains aloof to the domestic policies of other countries, unless those policies can be construed as being insulting or demeaning to China. More crucially, China has few formal allies, which is stunningly different compared to the U.S. and Soviet Union.



China's Belt and Road Initiative, widely misunderstood in the West, has been executed in a way that is determined by the recipient governments and their related political and economic interests, offering and providing genuine benefits. Unquestionably though, China is not altruistic and wants to ameliorate its influence abroad to gain status and respect, as it has done for millennia, and this is nothing different from other growing powers.



Nationalism is indeed a useful tool for politics, on both sides. For the U.S., since the Obama administration, it might have understood without public admission that its inherently liberal foreign policy, starting from the aftermath of the Cold War, has failed, and that "the end of history" was just a delusion. That situation may be because, at least for now, no specific set of universal values can define what constitutes a good life, and this fact can be particularly highlighted in the Muslin world, where nationalism and realism are almost always more compelling than liberalism.



Otherwise, Obama would not have pivoted to Asia, Trump might not have initiated a trade war against other nations, including some liberal democracies, as well as proposing his "America First" policy, and Biden would not be allying with other Western powers against China, while renegotiating conversations with Russia.



Currently, despite the accusation that China is a "liberal order challenger" or "human rights abuser" of ethnic and political minorities, the concealing rationale may be no more about liberalism and universal values, but about the competition for power  in other words, a realistic and nationalistic struggle. To this extent, the U.S. is not all that different from China.



So, as the U.S. will not easily let China restore its historical position as a great civilizational leader, China is unwilling to let Taiwan go. When the American and Chinese leaders face irreconcilable conflicts of interest, I only hope they will look into the dark and bottomless chasm and realize, "That it is indeed a very deep hole which we should not fall into."





Jon Jiang is an Australia-based China and Russia analyst, and advisor on business and international affairs. He has published extensively in The South China Morning Post, The Diplomat and The Jamestown Foundation, etc.


Tighten quarantine and speed up vaccination



The highly contagious Delta variant of COVID-19 has already become the dominant strain of the coronavirus. Worse still, two people were found to be infected with the new Delta plus variant even after they were fully vaccinated. Little is known about Delta plus, yet it is feared to be more infectious than the Delta variant and far more difficult to bring under control.



Against this backdrop, the fourth wave of infections here is showing no signs of abating at all. The number of new daily infections surged to 1,725 Wednesday, up from the previous day's 1,202, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). The figure surpassed 1,700 for the first time in five days.



Since the Delta variant has emerged as the common strain, new infections have increased rapidly in countries with higher rates of inoculation. Given this, the United States and others have begun to impose stricter quarantine measures including mandating wearing masks in public places. President Moon Jae-in also expressed concerns about the variant, saying, "We thought vaccines would be the solution. But the situation has unexpected complications."



Though such variants may reduce the efficacy of vaccines, inoculation is, undoubtedly, the most effective way to cope with the pandemic. In fact, 96 percent of new infections in May and June occurred among unvaccinated people. The government should speed up the vaccination program along with tougher quarantine measures including extending the current Level 4 social distancing in Seoul and its metropolitan area.



Major Western countries such as the European Union and the U.S. plan to administer booster shots to tackle the variants, prompting concerns about an acuter shortage of vaccines. Further, global pharmaceutical giants such as Pfizer and Moderna have decided to raise the prices of their vaccines, putting an additional burden on the Korean government.



The KDCA said the administration is engaged in last-ditch negotiations with vaccine makers to secure sufficient coronavirus vaccines for next year. It added that negotiations are underway to purchase about 50 million doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. The authorities should redouble their efforts to ensure the procurement of vaccines without any delay.



What's imperative is to speed up the vaccination process. Any delay in inoculations will cause more infections and extend economically damaging social distancing measures. The Moon administration should do all it can to abide by its pledge to give the first of the two required shots to 70 percent of the country's population by Chuseok, the full-moon harvest festival holiday, which falls Sept. 20 to 22.



The EU has already secured 4.4 billion doses, equivalent to 10 times its total population, while the U.S. and Canada have also stockpiled 10 times and seven times their populations, respectively. As experts put it, COVID-19 can possibly become an annually recurring contagious disease like influenza. Given this, the government should provide all possible assistance to domestic pharmaceutical companies so they can develop their own vaccines as soon as possible.


McDonald's hamburger menu set / Korea Times file



Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission begins investigation of McDonalds



By Kim Jae-heun



McDonald's Korea has admitted that one of its restaurants in Seoul had been using expired hamburger buns and tortillas starting last year. The fast food restaurant chain apologized for the incident, but it said the headquarters had not been aware of the case and attributed it to a part-time worker.



"Our employee confessed that she made the decision to use the expired food materials. We have taken disciplinary action against the part-timer as well as her restaurant manager, who left in July," an official said.



Local reports said Tuesday that a whistleblower reported to the Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission that her colleagues had been using expired hamburger buns and tortillas in food served to customers.



In a video submitted for evidence, McDonald's staffers put new expiration date stickers on top of the old ones. A whistleblower turned in several videos and she claimed that this practice had been taking place for almost a year since 2020.



The former worker said her store manager ordered her and her colleagues to add the new stickers and they had no other choice but to follow orders. They were forced to change the expiration dates every morning and night before the opening and closing of the restaurant.



"We are not the only restaurant doing this as far as I am concerned. Every restaurant is taking care of their own losses coming from the food ingredient waste, and managers are responsible for this. I guess they made the decision to relabel them because they felt like they had to reduce the losses," a whistleblower was quoted as saying in reports.



McDonald's Korea said it will take more thorough steps to protect the quality of food materials served.



"We conducted an internal investigation and there was relabeling of food materials at one restaurant. We took strict measures over the matter in accordance with internal regulations," McDonald's Korea said in a statement released on Wednesday.



This is not the first time McDonald's Korea has been reported for a food safety issue.



In 2019, nine civic groups here filed a complaint through the prosecution that McDonald's Korea served improperly cooked patties that could possibly cause health problems to customers. Prosecutors rejected the claim citing lack of evidence.



To relieve public anxiety though, the fast food restaurant chain held an open kitchen event at one of its restaurants to show customers its food preparation processes.



At that time, McDonald's Korea promoted its new food safety system that included putting expiration date stickers on the ingredient packaging to ensure the staff don't use outdated buns, vegetables or meat.



It is unknown how many customers ate expired foods over the last year, and the fast food franchise has not come up with any measures to determine this.



the company said it will come up with new measures to enable customers to check the expiration dates for their buns or tortillas. In the meantime, the government agency has begun its investigation.






By Kim Jae-heun







Maeil Dairies, the country's largest dairy producer by revenue, is offering activities for visitors, including tours, demonstrations of agricultural and food production techniques and tastings.







Since April 2016, it has been running Sangha Farm, an organic farm in Gochang, North Jeolla Province, which welcomes visitors. The farm was founded to foster mutual growth with local governments and farmers. It was invested in by the dairy firm along with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Gochang County.







Sangha Farm shows a new business model of combining a high value-added service together with primary, secondary and tertiary industries. It adopts a new concept of "make-play-eat" at its rural facility, where visitors learn from experts how to make agricultural products through hands-on experiences, and then try the foods for themselves.







Children can make cookies, sausages and bread at the farm, and see how cheeses are made via a fermentation process.







Local farmers also provide supplementary food ingredients for people to use in one-day cooking classes. They can choose to make sausages, glutinous rice cakes or organic ice cream.







The farmers there also raise livestock, including pigs, sheep, goats and cattle  including dairy cows  which people can see up close and handfeed.







There is also a ham workshop. Sangha Farm only uses clean pork produced in Gochang and certified by the Korea Agency of HACCP Accreditation and Service to make its high-quality ham and sausages, without added sodium nitrite or pigmentation agents.






Afghan security personnel arrive at the site a powerful explosion in Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 3. The powerful explosion rocked a posh neighborhood of the Afghan capital where several senior government officials live including Afghanistan's Defense Minister Bismillah Khan Mohammadi. AP-Yonhap



Four people were killed and 20 wounded in a coordinated bomb and gun attack targeting the Afghan defense minister and several lawmakers in the country's capital Tuesday, not far from the heavily fortified Green Zone.



The wave of blasts, which Washington said bore the "hallmarks" of the Taliban, came 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 U.S.-led foreign forces began their final withdrawal.



Security officials told AFP 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.



Defense 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.



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 U.S. 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 defense 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.





Smoke rises from a powerful explosion in Kabul, Aug. 3. The explosion rocked a posh neighborhood of the Afghan capital where several senior government officials live. AP-Yonhap



Hallmarks of Taliban attacks



No group has yet claimed the attack, but Washington 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."



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 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.



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 evacuate.



"Please leave as soon as possible so that we can start our operation," he said in a message to the city of 200,000 people.



"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," 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" and called for an "immediate end to fighting in urban areas".





Afghan security personnel arrive at the site of a powerful explosion in Kabul, Aug. 3. AP-Yonhap
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo gives a press conference in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, June 2. Cuomo faced mounting pressure to resign after an investigation found he sexually harassed nearly a dozen women and worked to retaliate against one of his accusers. Reuters-Yonhap



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 wouldn't 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 couldn't 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 governor's 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, Cuomo's 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.





U.S. Senate Majority Chuck Schumer (D-NY) speaks to reporters after reading a statement calling for the resignation of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, August 3. Reuters-Yonhap



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 governor's 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, who's 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 this image taken video provided by Office of the NY Governor, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo makes a statement in a pre-recorded video released, Aug. 3, in New York. AP-Yonhap



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 he's 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 investigation's 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 governor's apology ''meaningless.''



''If he were sorry, he would step down. That's how accountability works,'' she told the AP. ''I don't believe he will resign. I think it's the speaker's 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 didn't 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, ''I'm 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.





The New York State Executive Mansion, the state governor's residence, is seen after an independent inquiry showed that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women and violated federal and state laws, New York, August 3. Reuters-Yonhap
1. Comedian Amanda Seales (of HBOs Insecure) is about to take you to school. Sick of the stereotypes about African Americans in media and the overall lack of knowledge of black history, Seales mixes humor and her doctorate in African American studies with her love of games and music to cr


Videos



Duties



Summary This position is at the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) in the Southern Region. This position serves as a Credit Union Examiner. Learn more about this agency



Responsibilities As a Credit Union Examiner, you will:

-Serve as a Principal Examiner, under the supervision of a Supervisory Examiner who is available to provide advice and consultation, you will be responsible for:

-Manage, supervise and conduct examinations which are difficult, complex, or sensitive for an assigned district of federal and federally-insured state credit unions;

-Frequently act as examiner in charge of a team of examiners for large credit unions and/or credit unions requiring special attention;

-Obtain and protect confidential credit union data;

-Analyze credit union data prior to examination to identify areas of examination concentration and the persistency of previous problems; and,

-Prepare reports and give oral presentations of examination findings, conclusions and recommendations to credit union leadership.



Travel Required Occasional travel - Travel is required to visit assigned credit unions in the geographic area. In addition, travel is required to participate in regional team examinations, training events, and conferences. Supervisory status No Promotion Potential 12 Job family (Series) 0580 Credit Union Examiner



Requirements



Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen.

Suitable adjudication of background/security investigation is required.

A financial disclosure is required.

A probationary/trial period may be required.



Qualifications MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS



To qualify for the grade 12, an applicant must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to CU/GS-11 level which including responsibility for managing, supervising and conducting examinations for a financial institution; and serving as examiner in charge of a team of examiners.



You must meet the qualifications for this position by the closing date of this announcement.

Please note, all experience statements (i.e., duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire) copied from this announcement and pasted into your resume will not be considered as a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.



YOUR RESUME MUST provide specific details as to how your experience meets the specialized experience and support your responses to the online questionnaire as described in the vacancy announcement. When describing your experience in your resume, please be specific. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience. Please ensure that your resume includes the grade (if you are a current or previous federal employee), month, and year that you began and ended for each position held or that position may not be credited toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. Full-time employment will be assumed unless otherwise stated on your resume. Part-time employment will be prorated in crediting experience. Failure to provide details will result in an ineligible rating.



Your resume must also support your responses to the online questionnaire. Failure to provide support may result in a lower rating and/or you may be excluded from consideration. Your latest resume submitted for this vacancy announcement will be used to determine qualifications and supersedes previous submissions.



Education There are no education provisions in which an applicant can qualify at this grade level. The applicant must meet the specialized experience described in this vacancy announcement in order to qualify.



Additional information SALARY: Pay will be set within the advertised pay range to align with the selectee's skills and experience and the requirements of the position.



Pay will be set using NCUA's compensation policy. The salary range shown is NCUA's Local Pay Rate (LPR) which includes the locality rate for the Knoxville, Tennessee geographical area. Please click here to review all salary ranges based on locality.



SELECTIVE SERVICE: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. You may register or check the status of your registration by visiting the Selective Service website at: (see application details) .



This position is in the bargaining unit.



NOTE: Effective January 1, 2010, OPM must authorize any employment offers we make to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES (political) employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the point of contact listed on this vacancy announcement.



Illegal drug use by individuals working for or on behalf of the federal government, whether on duty or off duty, is contrary to the efficiency of the service and in direct violation of the Controlled Substance Act and the Drug-Free Workplace Act.



Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NCUA's current posture will not require employees to perform official travel or work onsite at NCUA offices or in credit unions any earlier than August 30, 2021. This date may be extended.



If it becomes necessary for NCUA to request on-site work, NCUA may solicit volunteers for the assignment. Management reserves the right to request employees to perform on-site work in exigent circumstances.



NCUA IS A COMPETITIVE SERVICE FEDERAL AGENCY.



NCUA uses E-Verify, a web-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify , including your rights and responsibilities.



More than the number of positions listed may be filled through this vacancy announcement Read more



How You Will Be Evaluated You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. First, your application package will be reviewed for completeness (resume, completed assessment questionnaire, and supporting documentation). You will not be considered if you fail to submit all the required documents as outlined in this vacancy announcement.



Second, if you have a complete application package, your resume will be reviewed to determine if you meet the basic qualifications and specialized experience requirements (see "Qualification" section). You must provide specific details in your resume as to how your experience meets the specialized experience.



Third, your resume and supporting documentation may be compared to your responses to the assessment questions. The numerical rating you receive is based on your responses to the questions. If upon review it is determined that your resume and supporting documentation do not support your responses to the questions, your numerical rating may be adjusted and you may be excluded from consideration for this position.



The self-assessment questions have been developed to evaluate your competency in the following areas: Accounting Operations

Compliance

Leadership

Oral Communication

Problem Solving

Risk Management

Self-Management



Reference Checks: Reference checks will need to be conducted prior to an offer of employment for the top candidate(s) for this position. The reference checks will need to be conducted with current and former supervisors, if applicable, as a part of NCUA's selection assessment process.



If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, your application will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration. To preview the application questionnaire, please click here: (see application details)



Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Read more



Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance Not Required Drug test required No Position sensitivity and risk Moderate Risk (MR) Trust determination process Suitability/Fitness



Required Documents VETERANS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY ACT (VEOA) Applicants: If you wish to be considered under the VEOA, you must submit a copy of the following:

-DD-214

-Member 4 Copy preferred, however documentation provided must contain dates and character of service); and

-VA letter & SF-15 (if preference eligibility is based off of disability)



CTAP/ICTAP: Federal employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit proof of their eligibility:

-Copy of agency notice;

-Most recent performance rating; and

-SF-50 noting current position, grade level and duty location.



To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced federal employees must receive an 85 or above on the rating criteria for this position. For additional information, click CTAP .



Benefits A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window Learn more about federal benefits . Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.



Fair & Transparent The Federal hiring process is setup to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.



Equal Employment Opportunity Policy The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) for federal employees & job applicants Read more



Reasonable Accommodation Policy Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement. For any part of the remaining hiring process, applicants should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. A reasonable accommodation is any change to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform job duties or receive equal access to job benefits. Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations when: An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job.

An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace.

An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events. You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or hiring process or while on the job. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. Learn more about disability employment and reasonable accommodations or how to contact an agency. Read more Legal and regulatory guidance Financial suitability

Social security number request

Privacy Act

Signature and false statements

Selective Service

New employee probationary period




Location: Milwaukee - Wisconsin

Job Description Rockwell Automation is doing things never before possible. We connect the imaginations of people with the potential of technology to make the world more intelligent, more connected and more productive. We help the world work better and people work smarter and are looking for bright minds to make that happen. The makers, the forward thinkers, the problem solvers. That's where you come in. Rockwell Automation is looking for an innovative engineer to join our global Software and Control organization in Milwaukee, WI. You will be part of a new product development team, with a focus on design, development, and test of embedded software and features for programmable logic controllers (PLCs). You will also contribute to the overall product requirements, process, and tools. An ideal candidate will exhibit the ability to flex between product software design, development, and test activities. Given tightly coupled hardware and software in our products, previous embedded software experience is a plus. Essential Functions Design, and develop embedded software for Programmable Logic Controllers

Build and maintain automated tests in support of new and existing product features

Work in a variety of hardware and software environments, ranging from commercial off-the-shelf to custom System on Chip architectures, and from general purpose to embedded real-time operating systems

Use modern continuous integration and development tools, and promote continuous improvement of tools and practices across the global development organization

Demonstrate a strong understanding of object-oriented programming concepts, C++ and Python are preferred

Operate across the entire software development life cycle: requirements management, design, implementation, test, release, and maintenance

Work on an Agile development team within a larger Scaled Agile Framework organization, participating in short term (sprint), medium term (program increment) and long term (product roadmap) planning

Mentor less experienced personnel, and encourage knowledge sharing and learning among the development community Basic Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or similar discipline Preferred Qualifications Experience developing software and automated tests and tools in object-oriented languages such as C++ or Python

Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering

Typically requires a minimum of 5 years of software engineering experience with demonstrated professional development in software design and implementation

Ability to understand and apply knowledge of object-oriented analysis, design, and programming techniques

Experience with automation frameworks and tools development

Experience in requirements decomposition and test traceability

Experience in using open source tools like Git and Jenkins

Knowledge of unit testing using tools like CppUnit, unittest, etc.

Experience with continuous integration environments, automated test, and acceptance testing

Experience working in an Agile development setting and Agile project tools

Experience working with industrial protocols, especially Common Industrial Protocol (CIP)

Experience developing software and test to safety and security standards such as IEC 61508 or IEC 62443

Advanced courses or degree in engineering, computer science, or controls

*This position is part of a job family. Experience will be the determining factor

#LI-MB1 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).




Description



System ID 719620

Category General Management

Relocation Type No

Employment Status Full-Time

Unit Description

Sodexo is seeking a Manager 3, Regional Operations Support for the Atlanta, Georgia region. The Manager 3, 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 manager 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. We are looking for candidates who will: have oversight of day-to-day operations;

deliver high quality food service and ES;

achieve company and client financial targets and goals;

develop and maintain client and customer relationships;

develop strategic plans;

create a positive environment; and

ensure Sodexo Standards are met. The ideal candidate: has a work history demonstrating strong leadership skills, as well as previous supervisory experience and the ability to work collaboratively;

has culinary production experience and a strong background in safety and sanitation compliance;

has the ability to manage multiple priorities, demonstrate professional communication skills, and a passion for a high level of customer service;

can demonstrate the ability to prioritize tasks and exhibit flexibility to take on additional responsibilities as needed; and

can demonstrate working knowledge of Sodexo Food Management Systems (FMS) and The Market Connection (TMC), and is proficient in computer skills and report management experience. Not the job for you? At Sodexo, we offer Food Service Management positions in a variety of business segments, including Corporate, Schools, Universities, Government and Agencies, Healthcare, Senior Living and Sports and Leisure locations across the United States. Continue your search for Food Service Management jobs.

Position Summary

The Manager 3, 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.

Effectively partners with client and Sodexo stakeholders to drive successful outcomes.

Complies with all client policies and procedures. Operational Excellence - 20% 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.

Brings innovation to client organization through deployment of Sodexo programs and brand.

Utilizes data driven decision making processes around operational expenses and performance outcomes 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 such as labor and turnover reports, etc. to engage in data driven decision making around talent.

Brings insightful analysis to issues 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.

Knows, understands and effectively manages comprehensive unit finances including both Sodexo and Client budgets.

Set 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. Safety - 20% 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 - 20% Ability to effectively manage critical 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.

Develops rigorous plans to continually enhance employee engagement and recognition



Qualifications & Requirements

Basic Education Requirement - Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent work experience Basic Management Experience - 3 years Basic Functional Experience - 5 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








72052221R10008 - Human Resources Assistant The incumbent serves as the Human Resources Assistant by providing assistance to the Human Resources Office in the administration of personnel functions, such as file management, recruitment and selection processes, distribution of Personal Services Contracts, elaboration of Personnel Actions and individual or mission-wide notifications, and administration of personnel data applications and systems. The incumbent will also be required to provide support and guidance to the Administrative Assistant (Rover), to handle special projects, and to provide support during increased workloads. In the performance of these duties, the Human Resources Assistant must be able to acquire a good knowledge and understanding of USAID/Honduras' programs/projects/activities, office operations, policies, regulations, and procedures associated with the specific tasks assigned. Good interpersonal and communication skills, both orally and in writing, are also needed. This position is located in the Executive Office and directly reports to the Human Resources Specialist.



Job Attachment



1 Avenida La Paz Frente a La Embajada Americana P.O. Box 3453 Tegucigalpa, Honduras SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72052221R10008 ISSUANCE DATE: August 02, 2021 CLOSING DATE/TIME: August 20, 2021 (Midnight Local Time - Tegucigalpa, Honduras) SUBJECT: Solicitation for a Human Resources Assistant under a Cooperating Country National (CCN) Personal Service Contractor (PSC) - Local Compensation Plan Dear Prospective Offerors: The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking offers from qualified persons to provide services under a Cooperating Country National (CCN) Personal Services Contract (PSC) as described in this solicitation. Offers must be submitted in accordance with Section IV - Submitting and Offer of this solicitation. Offerors should retain copies of all offer materials for their records. Please refer to the Suggested Checklist shown on the last page of this solicitation to make sure all the required documentation and information for a proper submission of your application is included. Incomplete applications or submissions received after the closing date and time specified will not be considered. This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the offers. Any questions must be directed in writing to (see application details). Sincerely, Brian Chang Contracting Officer SOLICITATION No.: 72052221R10008 Page 2 of 9 I. GENERAL INFORMATION 1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72052221R10008 2. ISSUANCE DATE: August 02, 2021 3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: August 20, 2021 (Midnight Local time, Tegucigalpa, Honduras) 4. POINT OF CONTACT: USAID/Honduras - Human Resources Office: E-mail: (see application details) 5. POSITION TITLE: Human Resources Assistant 6. MARKET VALUE: In addition to a generous benefits package, compensation will be negotiated in accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan (LCP) within the listed salary range for the FSN-07 grade, which is equivalent to L. 273,107.00 - L. 464,279.00. 7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Employment under this contract is of a continuing nature, estimated start date will be contingent upon the successful outcome of a security and medical clearance of the selected candidate. 8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Honduras, Tegucigalpa, Executive Office (EXO), with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties. 9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: All interested candidates. All applicants must be a citizen of the country, or a non- country citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the cooperating country and must have the required work permit or documentation that allows the applicant to work legally in the country in order to be eligible for consideration. 10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: CCN/FSN standard clearance. 11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES: 1. General Statement of Purpose of Contract: The incumbent serves as the Human Resources Assistant by providing assistance to the Human Resources Office in the administration of personnel functions, such as file management, recruitment and selection processes, distribution of Personal Services Contracts, elaboration of Personnel Actions and individual or mission-wide notifications, and administration of personnel data applications and systems. The incumbent will also be required to provide support and guidance to the Administrative Assistant (Rover), to handle special projects, and to provide support during increased workloads. In the performance of these duties, the Human Resources Assistant must be able to acquire a good knowledge and understanding of USAID/Honduras' programs/projects/activities, office operations, policies, regulations, and procedures associated with the specific tasks assigned. Good interpersonal and communication skills, both orally and in writing, are also needed. This position is located in the Executive Office and directly reports to the Human Resources Specialist. SOLICITATION No.: 72052221R10008 Page 3 of 9 2. Statement of Duties to be Performed: 1. Human Resources administrative support: 85% - Obtains all the necessary clearances and signatures of new contracts and contract modifications for proper distribution. - Opens and maintains physical and/or electronic files for new hire Personal Services Contractors (PSC) and US Direct Hire (USDH) employees and updates HR-related working and selection files. Retrieves these files in accordance with Records Management Disposition regulations. Also, assists the HR File Management custodian by administering the Agency Secure Image and Storage Tracking (ASIST) for HR-related files, assuring that all documents are handled appropriately and in a timely manner, in accordance with the Records Management policies and regulations. - Prepares vouchers, exonerations, and requisitions through the Global Acquisition and Assistance System (GLAAS) for all HR related procurement actions and when submitting requests to maintain the inventory of supplies for use in HR activities. - Prepares earning statements, memorandums or notifications of mission-wide dissemination for all Mission employees, orientation, and responds to inquiries from outside customers through the e-mail address assigned to the HR Division. - Provides logistical and administrative support services when needed to conduct in-house training or mission- wide events. - Assists with recruitment and selection processes as per EXO/HR's service standards. This includes but is not limited preparing schedules for interviews; preparing interview packets and delivering these to the selection panel members; escorting applicants when requested; sending regret letters; and requesting references for the selected applicant. - Assists with the elaboration of Personnel Actions through the Overseas Personnel System (OPS) in the role of HR Initiator, which includes creating personnel or position actions for all staff. - When required, assists by performing responsibilities related to the Health and Life Insurance, Retirement Plan, Awards, and Seasonal Hires programs and any other HR related project as assigned. - Prepares welcome packets for new arrivals and newly hired personnel as well as affidavits and departure material for departing personnel. This includes preparation and transmission of cables through SMART, scheduling of security and medical briefings, updates on forms and documentation contained in such packets, preparation of badge and computer access requests, requests for plaques or certificates delivered to departing staff, and maintains direct communication with all parties involved in the incoming and exit check lists for updates and/or changes in the process. - Assist all HR staff with responding to telephone calls; submitting service requests; scheduling meetings and appointments; reserving meeting rooms; receiving/escorting visitors; arranging travel and vehicle requests or other transportation when the HR staff is assigned to TDYs, training abroad, or other official travel; prepares country clearance requests and travel vouchers. SOLICITATION No.: 72052221R10008 Page 4 of 9 2. Administrative support to other offices when required: 15% - With the appropriate guidance and supervision, assists with the assigned office's filing system as per established Agency Records Management Regulations; prepares correspondence, reports and other related program/project/activities documentation ensuring that items prepared are accurate, complete, and that correct formatting, grammar and punctuation are being followed; prepares various correspondence addressed to high- level contacts in accordance with protocol procedures prescribed by Embassy and USAID; serves as an interpreter and translates various technical documents from Spanish to English and vice-versa. - Handles telephone calls; schedules internal and external meetings and appointments, reserves meeting rooms, and receives/escorts visitors for the assigned office; arranges travel, including flight and hotel reservations, vehicle requests and other transportation for the assigned office staff, TDYs, and visitors to post; prepares country clearance requests and travel vouchers. When requested assists with field trips, VIP visits, and CODELs for the assigned office. - Submits requests for maintenance and supplies for the assigned office; receives and controls in-coming and out- going correspondence forwarding it to the appropriate person or employee, on his/her own initiative, ensuring that timely responses are obtained and keeping the assigned supervisor fully informed of any difficulties; prepares vouchers, cash and procurement requests. - Maintains Time and Attendance (T&A) for the assigned office's staff and submits the time and attendance reports including individual time sheets, overtime and compensatory time requests, and any other related documentation required for the timely submission of the final report. - The incumbent coordinates with the Administrative Assistant (Rover) other office's requests for roving services to properly set up a calendar to schedule coverage. Also, maintains close communication with the Mission Director (MD) Office's Secretary to properly plan ahead coverage for the entire year during the MD's lunch hour, annual leave, temporary absences during the work day, or any other absence. The contractor is eligible for temporary duty (TDY) travel to the U.S., or to other Missions abroad, to participate in the "Foreign Service National" Fellowship Program, in accordance with USAID policy. 3. Supervisory Relationship: Direct supervision will be provided by the Human Resources Specialist or his/her designee. When providing roving services, additional work guidance from the assigned office's supervisor will be provided as well. 4. Supervisory Controls: Supervision of other USAID Staff is not contemplated. 12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands. SOLICITATION No.: 72052221R10008 Page 5 of 9 II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION EDUCATION: Two (2) years of college or university studies in the areas of human resources, business administration or other related field is required. Applicants possessing higher level degrees are also strongly encouraged to apply. PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE: At least three (3) years of responsible experience in the human resources or administrative field is required. Those candidates with additional professional experience relevant to the position are strongly encouraged to apply. LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: Level IV (Fluent) in English and Spanish. This will be tested. JOB KNOWLEDGE: Must have, or show the potential to develop, a thorough knowledge of personnel operations and administrative office procedures, including operating procedures, correspondence formats, protocol, filing requirements, and other administrative actions. Must have a good knowledge of PC software applications such as Windows and MS applications. SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills to be able to work with others as part of a team and to assist with outside inquiries. The ability to work calmly and effectively under pressure is essential as well as to maintain strict confidentiality, tact, diplomacy, and high ethical standards in order to manage sensitive information of the programs/projects/activities from the assigned office and also when dealing with outside customers, very high level Government of Honduras (GoH) officials, implementing partners, and other donor country representatives. Ability to obtain, organize, and present data in a logical manner is required. Must be able to effectively use Windows-based computer applications in the preparation of documents/reports that are required. Ability for doing and understanding basic arithmetic in order to prepare routine vouchers, procurement and cash requests is required. Must demonstrate the ability to be a self-starter, with excellent organizational skills to prioritize and follow through on work assignments with minimal supervision and to manage administrative and logistical requirements within the office. Strong proofreading skills and attention to detail to track and report status of assigned actions and tasks is also required. III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215-1. The Contracting Officer (CO) reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c). In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers. The FAR provisions referenced above are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far. Candidates that meet the minimum requirements, as outlined in this solicitation, will be evaluated and ranked based on the following adjectival evaluation criteria and characteristics: SOLICITATION No.: 72052221R10008 Page 6 of 9 EVALUATION CRITERIA / ADJECTIVE DEFINITION Exceptional A comprehensive and thorough application of exceptional merit. Candidate meets and fully exceeds the Government expectations and presents very low risk or no overall degree of risk of unsuccessful contract performance. Strengths significantly outweigh any weaknesses that may exist. Very Good A candidate demonstrating a strong grasp of the requirements of the position. Candidate meets position requirements and presents a low overall degree of risk of unsuccessful contract performance. Strengths significantly outweigh any weaknesses that exist. Satisfactory A candidate demonstrating a reasonably sound application and a good grasp of the position requirements. Candidate meets position requirements and presents a moderate overall degree of risk of unsuccessful contract performance. Strengths outweigh weaknesses. Marginal The candidate shows a limited understanding of the requirements. Candidate meets some or most of the position requirements but presents a significant overall degree of risk of unsuccessful contract performance. Weaknesses equal or outweigh any strengths that exist. Unsatisfactory The candidate does not meet the position requirements. Presents an unacceptable degree of risk of unsuccessful contract performance. Deficiencies and significant weaknesses demonstrate a lack of understanding of the Government's needs. Weaknesses and or deficiencies significantly outweigh any strengths that exist. Neutral Not applicable. Applicants meeting the above required qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the application and obtained through reference checks. The hiring panel may check references that have not been specifically identified by applicants and may check references before or after a candidate is interviewed. USAID/Honduras reserves the right to conduct interviews with the most highly ranked applicants and make the interview a deciding factor in selection. IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER Applicants must follow these instructions when applying to USAID/Honduras' vacant positions. 1. Eligible Offerors are required to complete and submit the following, all included in one single PDF file: a) Cover Letter; b) A current resume or curriculum vitae in English; c) Any other documentation such as diplomas or proof of the education requirement listed on Section II of this solicitation. 2. Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, Item 3, and submitted to: (see application details) 3. Offeror submissions must clearly reference in the e-mail Subject Line the following: "Human Resources Assistant - SOL No. 72052221R10008" SOLICITATION No.: 72052221R10008 Page 7 of 9 The US Mission in Tegucigalpa, Honduras provides Equal Opportunity Employment (EEO) and fair and equitable treatment to all people without regard to race, color religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation. The Department of State also strives to achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs. The EEO complaint procedure is not available to individuals who believe they have been denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation. Individuals with such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief. See https://www.usaid.gov/honduras for additional information on USAID's work and programs. V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD Once the CO, or his/her/their designee, informs the successful Offeror about being selected for a contract award, instructions will be provided about how to complete and submit the following forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award: 1. Completed DS-174 - Employment Application for LE Staff or Family Member form; 2. Copy of the Honduran ID card; 3. Copy of the Driver's License if available; 4. Croquis of the current home address; 5. An original and current "Constancia de Antecedentes Policiales" from the Division Policial de Investigaciones (DPI); 6. An original and current "Constancia de Antecedentes Penales" from the Honduran Court System; 7. Copy of Passport if available; 8. Copy of latest Education Degree (as applicable); 9. Two residential bills to verify current home address; 10. Credit Report from EQUIFAX; 11. Security Questionnaire for Locally Engaged Staff (English or Spanish); 12. Passport size photo; and 13. FSN Medical History and Examination form All candidates for employment with the US Mission must pass a background/security investigation and a medical certification. Any employment offer with the US Mission is contingent upon a candidate's ability to secure the necessary certifications. VI. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: Bonuses: Christmas Bonus, Vacation Bonus, and 14th Month Bonus. Medical, Optical, Dental, and Life Insurance. The Mission pays the full premiums for employee's life and medical insurance and pays 80% of the premiums of the medical insurance for dependents. Local Retirement Plan. The Mission contributes 10% from the employee's Basic Annual Salary and the employee a minimum of 5% of the Basic Annual Salary. Age eligibility requirement to be enrolled in the plan: Minimum entry age: 18; Maximum entry age: 55. Annual Leave according to the following: Completion of 1 year 112 Hours (14 working days) Completion of 2 years 120 Hours (15 working days) Completion of 3 years 136 Hours (17 working days) Completion of 4 years or more 184 Hours (23 working days) SOLICITATION No.: 72052221R10008 Page 8 of 9 1040 hours of Sick Leave per calendar year. Entitlement of American and Local Holidays. VII. TAXES Employees are expected to pay each just financial obligation in a proper and timely manner, especially one imposed by law, such as local taxes. In this context, "in a proper and timely manner" means in a manner which does not, under the circumstances, reflect adversely on the U.S. Government as the employer. If an employee refuses or fails to pay his/her/their financial obligations, this will constitute valid grounds for separation, without liability for severance or notice on behalf of the U.S. Government. U.S. Citizens/U.S. Residents under Cooperating Country National Personal Services Contracts (CCN PSC) are subject to U.S. tax withholding (federal income taxes, OASDI, and Medicare). U.S. taxes are deducted in lempira equivalent. VIII. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs USAID regulations and policies governing CCN PSC awards are available at these sources: 1. USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix J, "Direct USAID Contracts With a Cooperating Country National and with a Third Country National for Personal Services Abroad," including contract clause "General Provisions" 2. Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1. Pricing by line item is to be determined upon contract award as described below: LINE ITEMS ITEM NO (A) SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION) (B) QUANTITY (C) UNIT (D) UNIT PRICE (E) AMOUNT (F) 0001 Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs) - Award Type: Cost - Product Service Code: R497 - Accounting Info: Funding Type: OE Appropriation: 72211000 Template: Mission OE Funds Resource Category: 1130007, 1210601, 1150957 1 LOT $ TBD $TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor 3. All applicable Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for PSCs with Individuals. 4. Ethical Conduct. By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the "Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch" available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635. 5. PSC Ombudsman. The PSC Ombudsman serves as a resource for any Personal Services Contractor who has entered into a contract with the United States Agency for International Development and is available to provide clarity on their specific contract with the agency. Please visit the Personal Services Contracts Ombudsman webpage for additional information. The PSC Ombudsman may also be contacted via email at: (see application details). SOLICITATION No.: 72052221R10008 Page 9 of 9 Suggested checklist for proper submission of information and application requirements 1. Complete Solicitation has been read. 2. Cover Letter prepared. 3. Curriculum Vitae in English. Curriculum Vitae in Spanish is not required but suggested. 4. Proof of diplomas to support the Education Requirement are included. Only include diplomas of Master's and University degree or any other diploma that is relevant to the position. 5. Application Package converted in one single PDF. format. 6. Naming convention for Application Package in one single PDF. file is: "First Name, Middle Name, Last Name", i.e. "John Allan Doe". 7. The Subject Line on the email reads as follows: "Human Resources Assistant - SOL No. 72052221R10008" 8. The application package is sent to the email addresses: (see application details) 9. The full application package must be submitted by August 20, 2021 (Midnight Local Time - Tegucigalpa, Honduras). Application packages submitted after this Closing Date/Time will not be accepted.






72052221R10007 - USAID Project Management Specialist (Private Sector/Energy) The USAID Project Management Specialist (Private Sector/Energy) position is located within the USAID/Honduras Economic Growth Office (EG). The incumbent, in collaboration with the Food Security & Energy Specialist, provides specialized technical leadership, strategic programming advice, and direct management of USAID private sector engagement and alliance building, access to finance across technical sectors, and energy sector reform, all of which are of high diplomatic importance to the Governments of the United States and Honduras. Responsibilities include regular on-going engagement with high-ranking Government of Honduras (GOH) and international donor community officials. The incumbent supports the development, management and evaluation of complex programs, including overall design, management and monitoring of the technical aspects of the activity. The incumbent is responsible for the achievement of the results established for catalyzing private sector investment, facilitating greater inclusive access to finance, and the provision of technical assistance to key actors in the energy sector, as presented in relevant USAID approved strategic and procurement documents. The USAID Project Management Specialist (Private Sector/Energy) will directly report to one of the USAID Project Management Specialist (Food Security & Energy) position or his/her/their designee.



Job Attachment



1 Avenida La Paz Frente a La Embajada Americana P.O. Box 3453 Tegucigalpa, Honduras SOLICITATION NUMBER: 72052221R10007 ISSUANCE DATE: August 02, 2021 CLOSING DATE/TIME: August 20, 2021 (Midnight Local Time - Tegucigalpa, Honduras) SUBJECT: Solicitation for a USAID Project Management Specialist (Private Sector/Energy) under a Cooperating Country National (CCN) Personal Service Contractor (PSC) - Local Compensation Plan Dear Prospective Offerors: The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is seeking offers from qualified persons to provide services under a Cooperating Country National (CCN) Personal Services Contract (PSC) as described in this solicitation. Offers must be submitted in accordance with Section IV - Submitting and Offer of this solicitation. Offerors should retain copies of all offer materials for their records. Please refer to the Suggested Checklist shown on the last page of this solicitation to make sure all the required documentation and information for a proper submission of your application is included. Incomplete applications or submissions received after the closing date and time specified will not be considered. This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the offers. Any questions must be directed in writing to (see application details). Sincerely, Natalya Komarova Contracting Officer SOLICITATION No.: 72052221R10007 Page 2 of 9 I. GENERAL INFORMATION 1. SOLICITATION NO.: 72052221R10007 2. ISSUANCE DATE: August 02, 2021 3. CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: August 20, 2021 (Midnight Local time, Tegucigalpa, Honduras) 4. POINT OF CONTACT: USAID/Honduras - Human Resources Office: E-mail: (see application details) 5. POSITION TITLE: USAID Project Management Specialist (Private Sector/Energy) 6. MARKET VALUE: In addition to a generous benefits package, compensation will be negotiated in accordance with AIDAR Appendix J and the Local Compensation Plan (LCP) within the listed salary range for the FSN-11 grade, which is equivalent to L. 826,630.00 - L. 1,405,258.00. 7. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Employment under this contract is of a continuing nature, estimated start date will be contingent upon the successful outcome of a security and medical clearance of the selected candidate. 8. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: USAID/Honduras, Tegucigalpa, Economic Growth Office (EG), with possible travel as stated in the Statement of Duties. 9. ELIGIBLE OFFERORS: All interested candidates. All applicants must be a citizen of the country, or a non- country citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the cooperating country and must have the required work permit or documentation that allows the applicant to work legally in the country in order to be eligible for consideration. 10. SECURITY LEVEL REQUIRED: CCN/FSN standard clearance. 11. STATEMENT OF DUTIES: 1. General Statement of Purpose of Contract: The USAID Project Management Specialist (Private Sector/Energy) position is located within the USAID/Honduras Economic Growth Office (EG). The incumbent, in collaboration with the Food Security & Energy Specialist, provides specialized technical leadership, strategic programming advice, and direct management of USAID private sector engagement and alliance building, access to finance across technical sectors, and energy sector reform, all of which are of high diplomatic importance to the Governments of the United States and Honduras. Responsibilities include regular on-going engagement with high-ranking Government of Honduras (GOH) and international donor community officials. The incumbent supports the development, management and evaluation of complex programs, including overall design, management and monitoring of the technical aspects of the activity. The incumbent is responsible for the achievement of the results established for catalyzing private sector investment, facilitating greater inclusive access to finance, and the provision of technical assistance to key actors in the energy sector, as presented in relevant USAID approved strategic and procurement documents. The USAID Project Management Specialist (Private Sector/Energy) will directly report to one of the USAID Project Management Specialist (Food Security & Energy) position or his/her/their designee. SOLICITATION No.: 72052221R10007 Page 3 of 9 2. Statement of Duties to be Performed: 1) Private Sector, Trade and Energy Program Management: 40% -The incumbent supports the design and management of private sector, trade, energy, and access to finance implementing mechanisms (grants/contracts/Implementation Letters (ILs), etc.). -Provides independent technical expertise and leadership on program design, review and approval, and project implementation including all associated processes and procedures to assure compliance with contracts or cooperative agreements, compliance with regulations and established procedures and program evaluations, communications to Washington, etc. and participates in making substantive decisions involving implementation matters (e.g., revising results and indicator targets, selecting technical assistance contractors; terminating/canceling activities). -Develops and/or provides guidance on complex procurement documents such as scopes of work, program descriptions, independent government cost estimates, also drafts scopes of work, evaluations, assessments and short- term technical assistance for design, implementation, and evaluation of relevant programs and activities. -Oversees and evaluates technical aspects of private sector, trade, and energy program implementation and assures that program results are being achieved in a manner consistent with implementation mechanism agreements/contracts. The incumbent manages for results using annual work plans, quarterly program and financial reports and site visits. -Maintains oversight of implementer counterparts and makes recommendations for modifications and improvements as necessary to facilitate achievement of program objectives. As COR/AOR, the incumbent will manage all administrative, technical, and financial aspects of the assigned programs/projects. -Provides strategic programming advice, develops and/or reviews Private Sector/Energy components of major USAID strategic planning documents (e.g. Country Strategies, Results Frameworks, Performance Monitoring Plans, etc.), Annual Planning and Reporting submissions (Annual Performance Report, Operational Plan, Congressional Budget Requests/Notifications, etc.) and other ad-hoc requests for program information. 2) Private Sector, Trade and Energy Technical Expertise: 30% -The incumbent is responsible for providing expert technical guidance to the USAID Mission on all aspects of private sector engagement, trade, access to finance, and energy. -Serves as a Contracting Officer's Representative /Agreement Officer's Representative (COR/AOR), for activities dealing with the aforementioned and other areas as identified by management. Expertise will be applied in the design and management of programs and in creating monitoring and evaluation systems. -Serves as an expert advisor within the Economic Growth Office to Mission Management. The incumbent is responsible for tracking USAID and international development community best practices to assure that they are reflected in the design and implementation of USAID programs. He or she will have the expert technical capacity to guide the GOH and Mission teams in the implementation of private sector competitiveness, finance, trade, and energy projects to achieve intended results. He or she will also have a deep understanding of the GOH development strategies to complement the USAID activities, as well as relationships with all relevant international development banks. -Ensures that USAID/Honduras' programs comply with U.S. Government (USG) and USAID Policies and are consistent with the USG or donor initiatives. The incumbent co-leads on private sector, trade, energy, and access to finance strategic and technical documents and prepares concept papers, technical recommendations, and complex analytical reports, and other analytical inputs for new project designs and contributes to the development of scopes of work for new project procurements. SOLICITATION No.: 72052221R10007 Page 4 of 9 3) Program Representation, Coordination and Communication: 30% The incumbent works with USAID/Honduras and USAID/Washington colleagues at all levels including the Mission Director, Deputy Mission Director, other USAID Office Chiefs, the supervising Food Security & Energy Project Management Specialist, implementing partners, and other USG Agencies to promote coordination of relevant programs ensuring that desired results are obtained. The incumbent works with USAID, U.S. Embassy and Implementing Partner communications teams to develop strategies to effectively communicate USAID program results and success stories. -Represents the Mission to USAID Washington and the Government of Honduras to ensure programs are effectively coordinated with policy makers. This includes supporting dialogue at various levels on policy issues pertaining to private sector engagement, energy sector reform, trade, tourism, agriculture, and other sectors. -Serves as the Mission representative, as delegated, to any donor and or GOH coordination mechanisms which focus on private sector, energy sector reform or trade. Collaborates in specific activities as required in cooperation with the GOH, other donor institutions and implementing partners to advance program objectives and advises U.S. and Honduran NGOs, civil society and private sector on USAID environment programs and opportunities. -Represents USAID at events, giving public remarks on behalf of the USAID mission, as delegated. The incumbent performs other responsibilities as directed by the Economic Growth Office Chief or senior management. -Identifies potential alliances and takes the lead drafting Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) for direct partnerships between USAID/Honduras and other donors or stakeholders in coordination with the office chief, Resident Legal Officer, and other appropriate staff. -Ensures coordination among different USAID/USG programs and among Development Objective (DO) teams, and coordination of activities and policy dialogue among GOH host country counterparts and the donor community ensure effective implementation of USAID programs. The contractor is eligible for temporary duty (TDY) travel to the U.S., or to other Missions abroad, to participate in the "Foreign Service National" Fellowship Program, in accordance with USAID policy. 3. Supervisory Relationship: This incumbent will work under the direct supervision of USAID Project Management Specialist (Food Security & Energy Specialist) position or his/her/their designee. 4. Supervisory Controls: Supervision of other USAID staff is not contemplated. 12. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work requested does not involve undue physical demands. SOLICITATION No.: 72052221R10007 Page 5 of 9 II. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION EDUCATION: A Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, International Development or other related field is required. Applicants possessing higher level degrees are also strongly encouraged to apply. PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE: At least five (5) years of prior work experience with a proven capacity to work independently in a program management capacity is required. This experience must be related to the design, management, administration, supervision, monitoring, and evaluation of development programs or related development assistance work with other donors, host government entities or civil society organizations. Those candidates with additional professional experience relevant to the position are strongly encouraged to apply. LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: Level IV (fluent) in English and Spanish is required. At this level, the incumbent must have a high degree of proficiency in both the written and spoken language, including the ability to translate. On occasion, the job holder may need to act as an interpreter. Written English skills are particularly important. Must be able to clearly express ideas and concepts accurately both verbally and in writing. This will be tested. JOB KNOWLEDGE: The contractor must have detailed expert knowledge in principles of private sector engagement, finance, energy, trade, and other related fields. The incumbent must also have expert knowledge of or demonstrated ability to learn about Honduras's particular energy reform challenges, regional trade issues, the local banking sector, and other areas. SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Must have a high degree of managerial, analytical and leadership skills in program management and the ability to negotiate with high level Government of Honduras (GOH) Officials and executive directors of major private sector partners. Must have the ability to plan, design, organize, manage, monitor and evaluate complex multi sectoral programs. Must have the ability to obtain, analyze, and evaluate a variety of data to data to make meaningful recommendations. Must have the ability to identify host-country economic, social, environmental, and political trends and its impact on relevant USAID programming. Must be able to develop and maintain a wide range of senior-level contacts in the public and private sectors. Ability to write clearly and concisely, in English and Spanish, including correspondence to high-level officials in the public and private sectors, and legal documents such as Memorandums of Understanding, and draft/review/comment on complex program design and highly technical reports and assessments. Outstanding computer knowledge in Microsoft Office is required. Above all, a clear ability to learn on the job and respond to changing office and Mission priorities is a priority. III. EVALUATION AND SELECTION FACTORS The Government may award a contract without discussions with offerors in accordance with FAR 52.215-1. The Contracting Officer (CO) reserves the right at any point in the evaluation process to establish a competitive range of offerors with whom negotiations will be conducted pursuant to FAR 15.306(c). In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, if the CO determines that the number of offers that would otherwise be in the competitive range exceeds the number at which an efficient competition can be conducted, the CO may limit the number of offerors in the competitive range to the greatest number that will permit an efficient competition among the most highly rated offers. The FAR provisions referenced above are available at https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far. Candidates that meet the minimum requirements, as outlined in this solicitation, will be evaluated and ranked based on the following adjectival evaluation criteria and characteristics: SOLICITATION No.: 72052221R10007 Page 6 of 9 EVALUATION CRITERIA / ADJECTIVE DEFINITION Exceptional A comprehensive and thorough application of exceptional merit. Candidate meets and fully exceeds the Government expectations and presents very low risk or no overall degree of risk of unsuccessful contract performance. Strengths significantly outweigh any weaknesses that may exist. Very Good A candidate demonstrating a strong grasp of the requirements of the position. Candidate meets position requirements and presents a low overall degree of risk of unsuccessful contract performance. Strengths significantly outweigh any weaknesses that exist. Satisfactory A candidate demonstrating a reasonably sound application and a good grasp of the position requirements. Candidate meets position requirements and presents a moderate overall degree of risk of unsuccessful contract performance. Strengths outweigh weaknesses. Marginal The candidate shows a limited understanding of the requirements. Candidate meets some or most of the position requirements but presents a significant overall degree of risk of unsuccessful contract performance. Weaknesses equal or outweigh any strengths that exist. Unsatisfactory The candidate does not meet the position requirements. Presents an unacceptable degree of risk of unsuccessful contract performance. Deficiencies and significant weaknesses demonstrate a lack of understanding of the Government's needs. Weaknesses and or deficiencies significantly outweigh any strengths that exist. Neutral Not applicable. Applicants meeting the above required qualifications for the position will be evaluated based on information presented in the application and obtained through reference checks. The hiring panel may check references that have not been specifically identified by applicants and may check references before or after a candidate is interviewed. USAID/Honduras reserves the right to conduct interviews with the most highly ranked applicants and make the interview a deciding factor in selection. IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER Applicants must follow these instructions when applying to USAID/Honduras' vacant positions. 1. Eligible Offerors are required to complete and submit the following, all included in one single PDF file: a) Cover Letter; b) A current resume or curriculum vitae in English; c) Any other documentation such as diplomas or proof of the education requirement listed on Section II of this solicitation. 2. Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, Item 3, and submitted to: (see application details) 3. Offeror submissions must clearly reference in the e-mail Subject Line the following: "Private Sector/Energy Specialist - SOL No. 72052221R10007" SOLICITATION No.: 72052221R10007 Page 7 of 9 The US Mission in Tegucigalpa, Honduras provides Equal Opportunity Employment (EEO) and fair and equitable treatment to all people without regard to race, color religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation. The Department of State also strives to achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs. The EEO complaint procedure is not available to individuals who believe they have been denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation. Individuals with such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief. See https://www.usaid.gov/honduras for additional information on USAID's work and programs. V. LIST OF REQUIRED FORMS PRIOR TO AWARD Once the CO, or his/her/their designee, informs the successful Offeror about being selected for a contract award, instructions will be provided about how to complete and submit the following forms after an offeror is selected for the contract award: 1. Completed DS-174 - Employment Application for LE Staff or Family Member form; 2. Copy of the Honduran ID card; 3. Copy of the Driver's License if available; 4. Croquis of the current home address; 5. An original and current "Constancia de Antecedentes Policiales" from the Division Policial de Investigaciones (DPI); 6. An original and current "Constancia de Antecedentes Penales" from the Honduran Court System; 7. Copy of Passport if available; 8. Copy of latest Education Degree (as applicable); 9. Two residential bills to verify current home address; 10. Credit Report from EQUIFAX; 11. Security Questionnaire for Locally Engaged Staff (English or Spanish); 12. Passport size photo; and 13. FSN Medical History and Examination form All candidates for employment with the US Mission must pass a background/security investigation and a medical certification. Any employment offer with the US Mission is contingent upon a candidate's ability to secure the necessary certifications. VI. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES As a matter of policy, and as appropriate, a PSC is normally authorized the following benefits and allowances: Bonuses: Christmas Bonus, Vacation Bonus, and 14th Month Bonus. Medical, Optical, Dental, and Life Insurance. The Mission pays the full premiums for employee's life and medical insurance and pays 80% of the premiums of the medical insurance for dependents. Local Retirement Plan. The Mission contributes 10% from the employee's Basic Annual Salary and the employee a minimum of 5% of the Basic Annual Salary. Age eligibility requirement to be enrolled in the plan: Minimum entry age: 18; Maximum entry age: 55. Annual Leave according to the following: Completion of 1 year 112 Hours (14 working days) Completion of 2 years 120 Hours (15 working days) Completion of 3 years 136 Hours (17 working days) Completion of 4 years or more 184 Hours (23 working days) SOLICITATION No.: 72052221R10007 Page 8 of 9 1040 hours of Sick Leave per calendar year. Entitlement of American and Local Holidays. VII. TAXES Employees are expected to pay each just financial obligation in a proper and timely manner, especially one imposed by law, such as local taxes. In this context, "in a proper and timely manner" means in a manner which does not, under the circumstances, reflect adversely on the U.S. Government as the employer. If an employee refuses or fails to pay his/her/their financial obligations, this will constitute valid grounds for separation, without liability for severance or notice on behalf of the U.S. Government. U.S. Citizens/U.S. Residents under Cooperating Country National Personal Services Contracts (CCN PSC) are subject to U.S. tax withholding (federal income taxes, OASDI, and Medicare). U.S. taxes are deducted in lempira equivalent. VIII. USAID REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND CONTRACT CLAUSES PERTAINING TO PSCs USAID regulations and policies governing CCN PSC awards are available at these sources: 1. USAID Acquisition Regulation (AIDAR), Appendix J, "Direct USAID Contracts With a Cooperating Country National and with a Third Country National for Personal Services Abroad," including contract clause "General Provisions" 2. Contract Cover Page form AID 309-1. Pricing by line item is to be determined upon contract award as described below: LINE ITEMS ITEM NO (A) SUPPLIES/SERVICES (DESCRIPTION) (B) QUANTITY (C) UNIT (D) UNIT PRICE (E) AMOUNT (F) 0001 Compensation, Fringe Benefits and Other Direct Costs (ODCs) - Award Type: Cost - Product Service Code: R497 - Accounting Info: Funding Type: Bilateral (DV-CENGFSI) Appropriation: 7220/211021;7220/211021;7220/211021 Template: Mission Program Funds - BGA Resource Category: 1130007, 1210601, 1150957 1 LOT $ TBD $TBD at Award after negotiations with Contractor 3. All applicable Acquisition & Assistance Policy Directives/Contract Information Bulletins (AAPDs/CIBs) for PSCs with Individuals. 4. Ethical Conduct. By the acceptance of a USAID personal services contract as an individual, the contractor will be acknowledging receipt of the "Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch" available from the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, in accordance with General Provision 2 and 5 CFR 2635. 5. PSC Ombudsman. The PSC Ombudsman serves as a resource for any Personal Services Contractor who has entered into a contract with the United States Agency for International Development and is available to provide clarity on their specific contract with the agency. Please visit the Personal Services Contracts Ombudsman webpage for additional information. The PSC Ombudsman may also be contacted via email at: (see application details). SOLICITATION No.: 72052221R10007 Page 9 of 9 Suggested checklist for proper submission of information and application requirements 1. Complete Solicitation has been read. 2. Cover Letter prepared. 3. Curriculum Vitae in English. Curriculum Vitae in Spanish is not required but suggested. 4. Proof of diplomas to support the Education Requirement are included. Only include diplomas of Master's and University degree or above or any other diploma that is relevant to the position. 5. Application Package converted in one single PDF. format. 6. Naming convention for Application Package in one single PDF. file is: "First Name, Middle Name, Last Name", i.e. "John Allan Doe". 7. The Subject Line on the email reads as follows: "Private Sector/Energy - SOL No. 72052221R10007" 8. The application package is sent to the email addresses: (see application details) 9. The full application package must be submitted by August 20, 2021 (Midnight Local Time - Tegucigalpa, Honduras). Application packages submitted after this Closing Date/Time will not be accepted.




Pitt Community College invites applications for the position of: Registrar



Under general direction, the purpose of the position is to provide supervision of clerical support and to all activities related to the registration process. Employees in this classification perform supervisory and managerial work. Position is responsible for organizing and supervising all activities related to day, evening, and special registrations; curriculum student admissions; access and distribution of student data; and distribution and verification of applicant data, class rolls, advisor lists, advisee lists, grade sheets, and advisor grades to faculty. Performs related work as directed. Reports to the Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Services.



SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within

this classification. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class. The omission of an essential

function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical

assignment to the position.



 Supervises the Office of the Registrars staff.

 Directs, coordinates and monitors all curriculum and continuing education registration activities at the college.

 Sets up the registration files and screens in Colleague and WebAdvisor before each registration period. Interprets registration procedures for faculty and students.

 Directs preparation and issuance of credentials for all completers to facilitate the graduation/completion process.

 Directs the preparation and issuance of official student transcripts in compliance with Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

 Directs compiling and maintenance of centralized academic records for all current and former students and their usage.

 Directs certification of student enrollment to various federal, state, and local government agencies; employers; and financial assistance agencies.

 Directs and supervises entry of grades, official withdrawals, removal of incomplete classes, credit by examination, and graduate data into student database.

 Directs and supervises the evaluation of high school transcripts.

 Confers with counselors, parents, prospective students and others concerning admissions requirements and

student transfer credit policies; directs evaluations of student academic records for transfer credit.

 Develops and directs the implementation of clerical procedures used in the admissions process including

the Office of Placement Testing.

 Ensures campus-wide compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

 Conducts needs assessments and evaluates enrollment activities in order to recommend immediate and future technology and operational enhancements to support the enrollment management goals. Using Informer and other data extraction tools, structures, maintains, retrieves, and assesses data to inform tactical and strategic decision-making in response to requests from faculty, staff and administrators.

 Produces routine Informer reports required by SDS staff, faculty and others.

 Expands and maintains Communications Management tracks to enhance communication with students by

producing more Communication Management emails as reminders, notifications of upcoming events, etc.

 Trains other areas of the college to use this functionality.

 Assists the Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Services with the set-up, testing, design, and implementation of current and future technologies, including the CFNC online application, RECRUIT, Ellucian s self-service portal, Web Attendance Tracking, etc.

 Acts as a liaison with IT to troubleshoot software systems outside of Colleague used by Enrollment Services

(Advisor Track, Placement Testing, etc.)

 Maintains the SoftDocs document imaging software for the Student Services division.

 Conducts training sessions for faculty & staff in using various functions of the Colleague student system. Attends meetings, workshops, and conferences as necessary.

 Provides assistance to auditors such as the FTE, Fiscal, and Veterans Administration. Sets goals and objectives in support of all job requirements.

 Serves on committees and improvement teams as requested.

 Receives and/or reviews various records and reports including inquiries, issues, records, reports,

correspondence, memos, etc.

 Prepares and/or processes various records and reports including reports, records correspondence, etc.

 Refers to policy and procedure manuals, computer manuals, codes / laws / regulations, publications and

reference texts, etc.

 Operates a variety of office equipment such as computer, printer, telephone, calculator, etc. Uses general office supplies.

 Interacts and communicates with various groups and individuals including immediate supervisor, coworkers, staff, and the general public.



ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

While the following tasks are necessary for the work of the unit, they are not an essential part of the purpose of

this position and may be performed by other unit members. Performs related duties as directed.



QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's degree in Business, Accounting, or Computer Science, or closely related field; supplemented by

minimum three (3) to five (5) years previous work experience in a Registrars office at a North Carolina

Community College; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.





Anticipated Mid-Hiring Range ~ $52,000



Preference Given to Applications Received by August 15th, 2021

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BBL Construction Services is seeking a full-time Administrative / Accounting Associate. This individual would be assisting a project team with administrative and accounting needs at our Corporate Headquarters.

The qualified individual must be computer savvy (Microsoft Office Suite required; Timberline / Procore experience preferred but not required), possess excellent math, verbal and written communication skills, be dependable and a team player. We offer a competitive salary and an excellent benefit package including paid time off, medical, 401k and other supplemental benefits.

Please submit resume to: BBL Construction Services, LLC, Attn: Human Resources Manager, PO Box 12789, Albany, NY 12212 or email to resume@bblinc.com E.O.E.

Ranked among the top contractors in the U.S., BBL is an industry leading construction firm, offering a complete scope of services both locally and nationally, for clients across a wide variety of markets. With over 47 years of experience in the industry, we have grown to be subject matter experts in every aspect of construction. From our integrated full-service design-build process to our general contracting and construction management services, BBL offers versatility, expertise and commitment to quality that ensures successful results on all projects regardless of size, type, or complexity.

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Tetra Technologies concludes there's plenty of bromine and lithium in its Columbia-Lafayette mineral leases
Magnolia, AR (71754)

Today

Mainly clear. Low near 70F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Mainly clear. Low near 70F. Winds light and variable.
Tony Earl Taylor, 61, has pleaded no contest to a murder charge in the March 2017 stabbing death of Crystal Reed, 35.
Gold Jumps for Joy Only to Hit the Ceiling Hard

Powells recent dovish remarks started a sugar high among investors. However, it seems like the hangover has already begun.



The Gold Miners



While gold, silver and mining stocks jumped for joy following Fed Chairman Jerome Powells dovish remarks on Jul. 28, their sugar high ended on Jul. 30. And while I warned that FOMC press conferences often elicit short-term bursts of optimism, it was likely another case of been there, done that.



I wrote prior to the announcement:



While the PMs may record a short-term bounce  which often occurs following Powells pressers  lower lows are still likely to materialize in the coming months.

If things develop as they did in 2000 and 2012-2013, gold stocks are likely to bottom close to their early-2020 low. If things develop like in 2008 (which might be the case, given the extremely high participation of the investment public in the stock market and other markets), gold stocks could re-test (or break slightly below) their 2016 low.

In the meantime, though, did you notice the tiny buy signal from the HUI Indexs stochastic indicator? And taking that into consideration, is it time to shift to the long side of the trade? Well, for one, it seems very likely that gold miners are declining similarly to how they declined in 2008 and 2012-2013. In both cases, there were local corrections within the decline. As a result, the recent strength does not justify adjusting our short positions in the junior mining stocks, and I continue to view them as prudent from the risk to reward point of view.Second, after the HUI Index recorded an identical short-term buy signal in late 2012  when the indexs stochastic indicator was already below the 20 level (around 10) and the index was in the process of forming the right shoulder of a huge, medium-term head-and-shoulders pattern  the HUI Index movedhigher, consolidated, and then fell off a cliff.Please see below:Can you see the HUIs rally at the end of 2012 that followed a small buy signal from the stochastic indicator? I marked it with a purple, dashed line.No? Thats because its been practically nonexistent. The HUI Index moved higher by so little that its impossible to see it from the long-term point of view.With the shape of golds recent price action, its RSI, and its MACD indicators all mirroring the bearish signals that we witnessed back in December 2012, the current setup signals that were likely headed for a similar swoon. Thus, with both gold and the HUI Index sounding the alarm, if the bullish momentum continues, its likely to be very limited in terms of size and duration. Conversely, the following slide is likely to be truly profound.For context, I warned previously that the miners drastic underperformance of gold was an extremely bearish sign. I wrote the following about the week beginning on May 24 ()That shows exceptional weakness on the weekly basis and is a very bearish sign for the following weeks.Precisely, something similar happened during the week beginning on July 6. The gold price rallied by $27.40, and the HUI Index declined by 1.39.Likewise, with the HUI Indexs ominous signals still present, if history rhymes (as it tends to), medium-term support will likely materialize in the 100-to-150 range. For context, high-end 2020 support implies a move back to 150, while low-end 2015 support implies a move back to 100. And yes, it could really happen, even though such predictions seem unthinkable.In addition, the drastic underperformance of the HUI Index also preceded the bloodbath in 2008. To explain, right before the huge slide in late September and early October, gold was still moving to new intraday highs; the HUI Index was ignoring that, and then it declined despite golds rally. However, it was also the case that the general stock market suffered materially. If stocks didnt decline back then so profoundly, gold stocks underperformance relative to gold would have likely been present but more moderate.Nonetheless, bearish head & shoulders patterns have often been precursors to monumental collapses. For example, when the HUI Index retraced a bit more than 61.8% of its downswing in 2008 and in between 50% and 61.8% of its downswing in 2012 before eventually rolling over, in both (2008 and 2012) cases, theThus, three of the biggest declines in the gold mining stocks (Im using the HUI Index as a proxy here) all started with broad, multi-month head-and-shoulders patterns. And in all three cases, the size of the declines exceeded the size of the head of the pattern.Furthermore, when the HUI Index peaked on Sep. 21, 2012, that was just the initial high in gold. At that time, the S&P 500 was moving back and forth with lower highs. And what was the eventual climax? Well, gold made a new high before peaking on Oct. 5. In conjunction, the S&P 500 almost (!) moved to new highs, and despite bullish tailwinds from both parties, the HUI Index didnt reach new heights. The bottom line? The similarity to how the final counter-trend rally ended in 2012 (and to a smaller extent in 2008) remains uncanny.As a result, were confronted with two bearish scenarios:

In both cases, the forecast for silver, gold, and mining stocks is extremely bearish for the next several months.



As further evidence, lets compare the behavior of the GDX ETF and the GDXJ ETF. Regarding the former, the senior miners (GDX) RSI rose above 50 last week. However, the milestone preceded several corrective tops in 2020 and 2021. Thus, last weeks Fed-induced strength has only broadened the right shoulder of its bearish H&S pattern, and if completed, the size of the head implies a drawdown to roughly $28.



Please see below:





Meanwhile, the GDXJ ETF invalidated the breakdown below the neckline of its bearish H&S pattern last week. However, with the milestone likely a speed bump along the junior miners bearish journey, a mosaic of indications signal that their medium-term outlook remains quite somber. For context, with the junior miners RSI at 48.35, several flirtations with 50 coincided with the short-term peaks in 2021 and were followed by material declines. I marked these cases with red ellipses. And yes, it was also the case during the final corrective pre-slide upswing in March 2020.



The bottom line?

If gold repeats its June slide, it will decline by about $150. Taking the entire decline into account (since August 2020), for every $1 that gold fell, on average, the GDX was down by about 4 cents (3.945 cents) and GDXJ was down by about 6.5 cents (6.504 cents).



This means that if gold was to fall by about $150 and miners declined just as they did in the past year (no special out- or underperformance), they would be likely to fall by $5.92 (GDX) and $9.76 (GDXJ). This would imply price moves to $27.76 (GDX) and $35.78 (GDXJ).



In conclusion, gold, silver, and mining stocks received a helping hand from the Fed last week, as the charitable contribution uplifted the precious metals. However, while the central bank achieved its objective and talked down the U.S. dollar, prior bouts of short-term optimism faded once reality reemerged. As a result, with the USD Index now in season and the 2012 analogue looking more prescient by the day, gold, silver, and mining stocks will likely suffer profound declines in the coming months. However, with their long-term fundamentals still extremely bullish, new highs will likely dominate the headlines in the coming years.

Thank you for reading our free analysis today. Please note that the above is just a small fraction of todays all-encompassing Gold & Silver Trading Alert. The latter includes multiple premium details such as the targets for gold and mining stocks that could be reached in the next few weeks. If youd like to read those premium details, we have good news for you. As soon as you sign up for our free gold newsletter, youll get a free 7-day no-obligation trial access to our premium Gold & Silver Trading Alerts. Its really free  sign up today.

Thank you.

Przemyslaw Radomski, CFA

Founder, Editor-in-chief

Tools for Effective Gold & Silver Investments - SunshineProfits.com

Tools fur Effektives Gold- und Silber-Investment - SunshineProfits.DE

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About Sunshine Profits

Sunshine Profits enables anyone to forecast market changes with a level of accuracy that was once only available to closed-door institutions. It provides free trial access to its best investment tools (including lists of best gold stocks and best silver stocks), proprietary gold & silver indicators, buy & sell signals, weekly newsletter, and more. Seeing is believing.

Disclaimer

All essays, research and information found above represent analyses and opinions of Przemyslaw Radomski, CFA and Sunshine Profits' associates only. As such, it may prove wrong and be a subject to change without notice. Opinions and analyses were based on data available to authors of respective essays at the time of writing. Although the information provided above is based on careful research and sources that are believed to be accurate, Przemyslaw Radomski, CFA and his associates do not guarantee the accuracy or thoroughness of the data or information reported. The opinions published above are neither an offer nor a recommendation to purchase or sell any securities. Mr. Radomski is not a Registered Securities Advisor. By reading Przemyslaw Radomski's, CFA reports you fully agree that he will not be held responsible or liable for any decisions you make regarding any information provided in these reports. Investing, trading and speculation in any financial markets may involve high risk of loss. Przemyslaw Radomski, CFA, Sunshine Profits' employees and affiliates as well as members of their families may have a short or long position in any securities, including those mentioned in any of the reports or essays, and may make additional purchases and/or sales of those securities without notice.

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Malaysias intensifying social and political crisis has reached a new height. Weeks of chaotic infighting within the ruling coalition, which have involved the monarch, led to the de facto collapse of Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassins majority in parliament. While the ruling class is splitting at the top, the youth are protesting on the streets, doctors are striking, and across the board, the masses are expressing discontent against the regime.

Knives out in the palace

The current governing coalition of Malaysia, with Muhyiddins right-wing coalition Perikatan Nasional (PN, National Alliance) at its head, came to power through a parliamentary coup known as the Sheraton Move in 2020. Now, its 17 months of undemocratic rule appear to be coming to an end.

On Tuesday 3 August, PNs erstwhile coalition partner, UMNO (United Malays National Organisation), announced they would withdraw parliamentary support for Muhyiddins government. One UMNO member of Muhyiddins cabinet, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, also resigned as a part of the manoeuvre.

With this withdrawal of support, Muhyiddins PN has lost its majority in Malaysias Parliament. UMNO now joins a chorus of opposition politicians calling for Muhyiddins resignation, which they are currently unable to legally force, given that Muhyiddin indefinitely shuttered parliament on 1 August, citing COVID-19 cases during the sessions.

Conveniently, this postponement came as opposition parties filed motions of no-confidence against the government, and as hundreds of protesters gathered in Kuala Lumpur calling for the resignation of Muhyiddin, a full parliamentary session, and an automatic loan moratorium for all.

Aduh haritu bangsat lepastu gagal after that cirit now this?! gotta give it to you @MuhyiddinYassin #KerajaanDerhaka pic.twitter.com/FWYS9HkiCU  ipin makhachev (@Ipinthefaiter) July 29, 2021

Why has UMNO, a right-wing Malay party with deep roots in the establishment, decided to abandon Muhyiddin now? Ostensibly, it has claimed that it has done so in defence of the King and the constitution. Muhyiddins cabinet unilaterally revoked emergency lockdown measures on 26 July when such a move was supposed to be reviewed by the legislature on 1 August. The hasty measures provoked a rare rebuke from the King, with all the opposition politicians gasping in horror at the Prime Ministers insolence.

But the real calculations behind these parliamentary manoeuvres express baser motivations. In Malaysias political landscape, the working class is completely unrepresented. Instead, all the major parties are divided along ever-shifting ethnic, regional, factional, or other lines of patronage, each competing for a greater share of the profits looted from the exploited masses.

In UMNOs case, Muhyiddins split from their own ranks in 2018, contributing to the end of their decades-long rule over Malaysia. Additionally, Muhyiddins reluctance to cover for former UMNO Prime Minister Najib Razak in the latters corruption trial, added to a list of many grievances. Thus, they saw an opportunity to pay back Muhyiddins betrayal in kind, and raise themselves once more into government.

From bad to worse

However, the enormous instability in Malaysia did not begin in the past few days or weeks. As mentioned, the current unelected Muhyiddin government was the product of a parliamentary coup in February 2020.

At that time, Muhyiddins BERSATU party torpedoed its own coalition government (known as the Pakatan Harapan, PH, or the Alliance of Hope). This was an alliance with bourgeois liberal parties that was voted into office in 2018. BERSATU left that coalition so that it could form a new coalition, the PN, with parties from the conservative right wing (including UMNO).

This produced an outcry, especially among Malaysian youth, who had looked to PH to end the decades-long era of corruption and ethnically divisive policies under UMNO.

As elsewhere, with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, the existing contradictions of capitalist society burst to the surface in Malaysia. After some successes in maintaining low infection rates in the initial stages of the diseases spread, Malaysias pandemic is by now decidedly out of control.

According to Al Jazeera, which likened Malaysia to a mini-India, the countrys daily infections and death count per capita have surpassed Indias peak. At the end of July, Malaysias daily cases per million people officially stood at 515.9, and its daily deaths per million stood at 4.95. By contrast, at its peak, India officially reached 283.50 cases and 3.04 deaths.

The economy, in turn, was devastated by the pandemic and the ensuing lockdown measures. It is estimated that up to 2 million jobs could be lost in 2021. The mean monthly salaries and wages of Malaysians in 2020 were 9 percent lower than in 2019. The rate of poverty rose by 8.4 percent in the same year, meaning that around 2.4 million people have now been plunged below the poverty line.

The harsh lockdown measures hit the poor especially hard. The bottom 40 percent of income earners, most of whom are wage labourers, have seen their jobs put at risk in the course of lockdown measures. The hunger that resulted from not being able to afford food has forced the poor to appeal to their neighbours for help by hanging up white cloths or flags at their doors, signaling that their household is in distress.

A hashtag #benderaputih (white flag) sprung up on social media to organise food drives and mutual aid networks to cope with this wave of poverty and hunger.

The #benderaputih (white flag) campaign has gained momentum on social media in a bid to encourage people to help others in distress during a prolonged lockdown in Malaysia https://t.co/BOLNuDfFQJ pic.twitter.com/SvFKx649As  Reuters (@Reuters) July 7, 2021

The misery under these conditions also led to a mental health crisis. Almost four suicides per day were reported to the police in the first quarter of 2021.

The disastrous policies of the unelected PN government in handling the pandemic are almost identical to the policies that allowed the pandemic to reach a crescendo in India this year. After some initial successes in 2020, the overconfident government began to allow election campaign rallies in Sabah, the poorest state in Malaysia.

This political opportunism then led to the first genuine outbreak in Malaysia, as Al Jazeera explained:

In total, 257 rallies were approved and many were held with little social distancing, mask-wearing or adherence to health guidelines. On election day, 1.1 million voters turned up at polling stations. Researchers from the National University of Singapore found that the Sabah election contributed 70 percent of cases in the state itself and at least 64 percent in the rest of the country.

Essentially, these rallies opened the floodgates for the virus to reach the least-prepared areas in Malaysia with the worst healthcare infrastructure. The virus thrived in these conditions, in the same way that it thrived in the slums of India and Brazil.

The lacklustre containment effort was exacerbated by the deep divisions that rendered the government from top to bottom  with political parties, factions, and regional interest groups far more concerned about blaming and undermining their adversaries than in coming together to build a united effort to control the outbreak.

None of the above calamities are caused by the virus. The disease merely exposed the rotten reality of Malaysian capitalism, which is currently governed by an unelected coalition. This fact is now being recognised by the masses.

Anger in the streets

The disastrous situation and the endless political manoeuvres waged by the politicians are now unleashing anger in the streets. In the past few days, hundreds of young people have defied the harsh ban on public gatherings and have come out onto the streets of Kuala Lumpur demanding the resignation of the Muhyiddin regime.

The Diplomat reports that:

Nationwide protests led by young people have been gathering momentum over the past week, with thousands of youth protestors staging sporadic rallies throughout the year on issues like voting rights, job security, and democracy.

Prior to the street protests, people all over the country began to hang up black flags in their homes in addition to white flags. Black flags signify a call for the downfall of the current government. The hashtag #BenderaHitam (black flag) has been spreading on social media. Another keyword, #Lawan (struggle), has also been gaining traction.

In the recent street protests, many protesters have been seen holding both the white and black flags, signalling that they are linking their economic woes with the need to topple the Muhyiddin regime.

Towards these outcries, the state has responded with repression. The police launched an investigation into the Black Flag movement, accusing it of sedition. On 25 July, the police summoned Black Flag participants, who were organising a national car convoy of Black Flag protesters.

Ada yang kata geng yang pakai gelang pink pun ikut serta. La awat tak pakai gelang hitam. Salah tema lah. Terbaca tadi kat mana ya..  pic.twitter.com/khgZVcYQKc  Saudagar barang jantan (@Aaron_Amirul_) July 31, 2021

The arrogant bourgeois politicians, the culprits of the present situation, have dismissed both the White and the Black Flag movements as political propaganda.

At the same time, junior doctors and medical staff around the country have been going on strike. Over 20,000 doctors, many of whom are frontline medical workers, are striking against the Muhyiddin governments insane policy of only offering them two further years of fixed contracts, with dismal terms and conditions, rather than permanent posts during the pandemic.

Workers and youth can only trust in themselves

Dramatic events are being prepared in Malaysia. The impending fall of this unelected coalition is only the beginning.

Right now, it is very possible that Muhyiddin and his clique will not survive the current parliamentary intrigue against them. On 4 August, Muhyiddin announced that there will be a motion of confidence in his government in September for which he is now desperately building up support. The opposition parties have begun a festival of horse-trading, with many different coalitions being proposed to replace the PN. The Kings attitude and role will be decisive in determining the outcome, and Muhyiddin is likely to remain in disfavour of the monarch after the recent public clash between the two.

But no matter who replaces the PN as the new ruler of the country, it will become painfully obvious to the masses that nothing will change. The various bourgeois parties are seeking to take advantage of the instability for their own narrow interests, but they have no solutions to the misery affecting the masses. Therefore, whatever happens in the coming weeks, it is inevitable that the movement will return.

What a day. It's been long since we see Anwar, Mahathir, Shafie, Mat Sabu, Lim Guan Eng, all standing together beside each other. Oppositions unite! pic.twitter.com/yAK2m3oL1A  andrewc_95 (@andrewcyj_95) August 2, 2021

The workers and youth should be particularly mindful of the deplorable role that bourgeois liberals in Malaysia will try to play in the coming days. As evident from the tweet below, they are posing as an alternative to the present conservative political bloc in order to divert it into safe channels.

The workers and youths of Malaysia should carefully study the lessons from the recent Thai and Burmese struggles to avoid the same mistakes that these movements fell into. The bourgeois liberals did nothing but hold back the workers and youth, helping to drive these class eruptions into a bloody impasse.

The conclusion is clear: Malaysian workers and youth must trust themselves and no one else. The neighbourhood networks that sprung up from the White Flag and Black Flag movements should set about linking up with the workers and trade unions. All attempts to divide workers along ethnic and regional lines must be rejected.

The present situation in Malaysia runs in direct parallel with the same crises that have been developing all over Southeast Asia. The mass struggles in Thailand and Myanmar, and the renewed crisis in Indonesia all point to the same conclusion: the capitalist system needs to be toppled in order for the masses to win a better existence.

The movement in Malaysia should also actively connect with mass struggles throughout Asia, in which workers and youth are all fighting for the very same class interests.

Only a socialist programme of workers' democracy, and a rationally planned economy, can end the endless social turmoil arising from the senile decay of the capitalist system, and the callous incompetence of its bourgeois representatives.
For years, a toxic culture of rampant sexism has permeated Activision Blizzard, the video game development company behind titles including World of Warcraft and Call of Duty. This was blown open publicly on 20 July when Californias Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) filed a lawsuit against the company, alleging widespread sexism in the workplace, and calling the company a breeding ground for harassment and discrimination. The suit also alleges that women were paid less than men for the same roles, often forced into lower-rank positions, and were promoted less frequently than their male peers.

The DFEH states that Activision Blizzard managers promoted a sexist work culture and enabled their male employees to engage in banter about their sexual encounters, talk openly about female bodies, and make numerous jokes about rape. Women were openly harassed at work and subjected to groping, sexist comments, and unwelcome advances. Furthermore, Black women and other women of color were disproportionately discriminated against, being subjugated to intense scrutinization and micromanagement.

Both HR and executives at the company knew about ongoing harassment reported by female employees. The company, in turn, actively ignored or punished women who spoke out. The frat boy environment was so rampant that in 2013, a top executives BlizzCon hotel room was dubbed the Cosby Suite.

The company responded to the lawsuit with a public statement claiming to value diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. The statement dismissed everything alleged in the DFEH lawsuit as old or inaccurate. Frances Townsend, the Executive Vice President for Corporate Affairs at Activision Blizzard and former Homeland Security Advisor in the Bush administration, circulated an angry memo to employees calling the suit meritless.

Frances Townsend, the Executive Vice President for Corporate Affairs at Activision Blizzard and former Homeland Security Advisor under Bush, circulated an angry memo to employees calling the suit meritless / Image: CSIS, Flickr

The COO, Joshua Taub, called a meeting of 500 staff urging the workers to keep quiet about the investigation. When one staff member asked whether unionizing could help address the issue of sexual harassment, the executive responded, The best way for protection is reaching out to your supervisors, hotline, and avenues.

Within days, the workers anger reached a boiling point, and they began to collectively take matters into their own hands. More than 3,100 employees signed an open letter rejecting the abhorrent and insulting statement by the company executives, stating:

To put it clearly and unequivocally, our values as employees are not accurately reflected in the words and actions of our leadership  Our company executives have claimed that actions will be taken to protect us, but in the face of legal actionand the troubling official responses that followedwe no longer trust that our leaders will place employee safety above their own interests.

The letter called for the resignation of Frances Townsend, and concluded:

We will not be silenced, we will not stand aside, and we will not give up until the company we love is a workplace we can all feel proud to be a part of again. We will be the change.

On 28 July, the workers at Activision Blizzard passed from words to actions by staging a walkouta significant step considering that the workers are not unionized. Even more telling was the class nature of the demands they put forward, including worker participation and oversight of hiring and promotion policiesan advanced demand that puts the workers at the center of the fight against inequality.

The workers also demanded an end to mandatory arbitration clauses in all employee contracts, which organizers say protect abusers and limit the ability of victims to seek restitution. They also called on the company to open the books about compensation data, promotion rates, and salary ranges, as a step toward greater transparency and a way to fight for equality for employees of all genders and ethnicities. The workers also demanded the right to select a third party to audit the companys structures, human resources, and executive departments.

Workers at Ubisoft penned their own open letter in solidarity with Activision Blizzard workers and demanding similar accountability at Ubisoft / Image: Sergey Galyonkin, Wikimedia Commons

Following the leadership of the Activision Blizzard employees, workers at Ubisoft, another game development company, penned their own open letter standing in solidarity with Activision Blizzard workers and demanding similar accountability at Ubisoft.

In response to the walkout and the workers militant demands, Activision Blizzard hired the notorious anti-union law firm WilmerHalethe same union awareness and avoidance law firm hired by Amazon in their effort to sow doubts and misinformation about the organizing drive at their Bessemer Alabama plant. According to coverage by Promethean News, WilmerHales army of lawyers are the Pinkertons of our time. They swapped out their rifles and shotguns for court affidavits to threaten workers into silence. WilmerHale is contracted to do a policy review for the company.

The DFEH lawsuit opened the floodgates at Activision Blizzard, by exposing the disgusting state of the companys culture. However, as weve explained before, the environment of abuse and exploitation is rampant in Silicon Valley and related companies. While the focus is currently on Activision Blizzard, the rest of the tech industry remains unchanged.

Furthermore, Californias DFEH is only requesting as-yet undefined monetary damages and back wages. This amounts to a slap on the wrist for a company with revenues of over $8 billion in 2020. With no fundamental changes in the structure and management of the company, the core internal culture of abuse will almost certainly remain the same.

Tech workers cannot rely on the state to protect them from the bosses. Only by getting organized and mobilizing behind their collective class demands can real change come about. The worker-organized walkout was an important first step and the workers are starting to understand the power in their hands! The walkouts and open letters have already scared the capitalists into hiring an anti-union law firm. United class struggle and organization are the fundamental keys to combating sexist oppression and inequality in the workplace!

Earlier this year, workers at Google began a unionization campaign backed by the Communication Workers of America. But the Google union is a minority union meaning that they have not been officially recognized and have no bargaining power. Organized labor needs to take a much more aggressive approach. They have the opportunity to unionize employees at some of the most profitable companies in the world and which control huge swaths of the media and internet. Organized labor should be aggressively unionizing employees not only at Activision Blizzard, but the tech industry as a whole.

The action taken by Activision Blizzards workers has now forced the companys president, J. Allen Brack, to step down. This is an important victory, but for now it is merely a cosmetic change at the top. In the final analysis, the toxic culture in Activision Blizzard and the tech industry cannot be fully resolved within the limits of capitalism. As long as tech companies remain in private hands, the sexism that permeates all of capitalism will permeate these companies as well. In order to really root out this culture, we must uproot capitalism itself.

In practice, this means nationalizing the major tech companies, to be run as public utilities in the interests of the majority, under the collective control of the workers. Only through the democratic administration of this and every other major industry, including control over hiring and firing and the election and right of recall of management, can workers effectively advance the fight to eliminate sexism. Needless to say, only a workers government could make this a reality across the economyand this is ultimately what we must fight for.

Often perceived as too privileged to attain working-class consciousness due to their relatively high wages and working conditions, tech workers must nonetheless sell their labor power for a wage if they are to survive. It is the exploitation and oppression of capitalism that will eventually compel all workers in all industries to take their collective destinies into their hands. Tech workers hold an enormous amount of power in their hands and they are quickly leap-frogging to the front ranks of the class struggle. Watch this space!

Originally published 3 August at socialistrevolution.org |


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Kuwaits Al-Sumait Prize for African Development today announced that Dr Ismahane Elouafi, the first Chief Scientist of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has joined the Al Sumait Prize Board of Trustees.

Dr Khaled Al-Fadhel, Director General of the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) (www.KFAS.org), member and rapporteur of Al Sumait Board of Trustees, said:  we are privileged to welcome Dr. Elouafi, a distinguished scientist and a leader who has espoused passionately the improvement of the quality of life for African societies. 

Dr Elouafi has been a board member of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), the USA; the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI), the UK; and the Professional Development Institute, Canada. She is also a member of the Scientific Group for the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit and of the CGIAR System Management Board.

Im honored to join the Board of Trustees of the Al-Sumait Prize. It will be my pleasure to contribute in honoring and recognizing our heroes (both individuals or institutions) and their contributions to African development. We need to celebrate their achievements as generating HOPE can have a tremendous impact on peoples wellbeing.  Dr Elouafi said on accepting the invitation.

Her contributions to science and policy have been recognized with a number of prestigious awards and accolades, including the National Reward Medal by His Majesty Mohamed VI, the King of Morocco, and the Excellence in Science Award from the Global Thinkers Forum.

The Call for the 2021 Al-Sumait Prize in Health will close on 15th August 2021.

The Health category includes but is not limited to initiatives, program, and research projects in the following areas: Combating the prevalence of diseases in Africa, with a special focus on the utilization of effective frameworks and programs, to address and manage health crises such as SARS, COVID-19, and infectious zoonotic diseases; National capacity building in medical research and medical education; Upgrading and maintenance of national medical facilities; Developing national health policies and successful implementation of the outcomes.

Eligible candidates include organizations and research institutions whose initiatives and programs contributed significantly to solving health challenges in Africa, as well as outstanding researchers who are nominated by their institutions and peers.
The African Energy Chamber is proud to announce that Ryan Zinke, former U.S. Secretary of Interior under former-President Donald Trump, has confirmed his attendance and participation at African Energy Week (AEW) 2021, taking place in Cape Town on the 9th-12th of November 2021.

Zinke will lead a delegation of American businesses, independent producers, and financiers to Cape Town, capitalizing on the expanding prospects present in emerging African markets, and introducing a wide network of stakeholders to African natural resource opportunities.

In his previous position, Zinke was responsible for all oil and gas licenses in the U.S., and was committed to natural resource expansion through the opening up of federal lands for oil, natural gas and mineral exploration and extraction. Zinke has maintained a strong position for the increased exploitation of fossil fuels. As he announced in the Interior Departments 2018-2022 strategic plan, our mandate is multiple-use of public lands, and multiple-use also includes the development of natural resources as we seek to leverage American energy for American strength. A strong advocate for using oil and gas development as a catalyst for wider economic growth, Zinke will drive a discussion on how Africa can fully utilize its significant resource base  driven by productive U.S.-Africa partnerships  to initiate long-term socio-economic growth.

Meanwhile, Zinke continues to drive a discussion on the role of natural gas as a cleaner-burning fossil fuel. Unopposed to fossil fuel extraction, and yet acknowledging the carbon consequences, Zinke is advocating for the increased development of natural gas, explicating the value of the resource in addressing rising energy demand worldwide. In line with AEW 2021s agenda regarding the role of natural gas in the energy transition, Zinke is expected to initiate a constructive dialogue on natural gas management, monetization and development, whilst introducing American financiers to African projects.

Secretary Ryan Zinke coming to Cape Town is HUGE. He played an important role alongside President Donald J. Trump, in ensuring that the US becomes the worlds largest producer of Oil and natural gas. He cut a lot of red tape and reduce bureaucracy, created an enabling environment for American businesses to thrive in the energy sector. African leaders, businesses and our energy industry will have a good opportunity in Cape Town to interact firsthand with Secretary Zinke and benefit from his network that could help us in our goal to Make Energy Poverty History. stated NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, the AEC.

Under the Trump administration, Zinke was a strong advocate for the American first energy plan  an economic, strategic, and foreign policy goal that aimed to exploit the American landscape and establish American energy dominance. In addition to developing U.S. domestic resources, Zinke is committed to promoting energy sector collaboration and continues to be focused on establishing long-term partnerships with various oil and gas stakeholders. Notably, while in office, Zinke emphasized the value of forming partnerships between the Interior department and Oil Corporations, promoting growth through integration. Accordingly, Zinke has also recognized the value of international partnerships, and leading a delegation of stakeholders from the U.S. to Cape Town, is eager to establish investment deals and sustainable partnership agreements between U.S. companies and African markets.

American businesses, independent producers, and financiers are coming to African Energy Week in Cape Town, and we thank Secretary Zinke for his resolve in supporting Africa fight energy poverty and for being a voice for why energy matters to Africa. Africa stands to significantly benefit from U.S. partnerships, investment and Secretary Zinkes delegation will drive deal-making, investment, and collaboration across Africa. By promoting the role of oil and gas in not only Africas energy future, but the entire globes, Zinke recognizes these resources value in fast tracking economic growth and driving industrialization worldwide, Concluded Ayuk.
The need for cheap energy is a significant reason why most power-thirsty Bitcoin mining had been concentrated in China, though that is starting to change. Even before China announced a crackdown on Bitcoin mining this year, its share of global hashrate, the total combined computational power that is being used to mine and process transactions, dropped from 75% in September 2019 to 46% in April. During that period, the share in the United States grew from 4% to nearly 17%, according to the Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index.
Before the states mandate was lifted, The Morning Call hosted an informal poll on Twitter on the topic. It showed the majority of people who responded would not continue to wear a mask after the mandate was lifted, or about 48% of the almost 400 people who responded. About 29% said they would, while 23% were unsure.
There are places where the Susquehanna River should be a hard stop. It is wide and has few bridges for miles and the communities on either side have nothing to do with each other, Kuniholm said. And then there are places where the Susquehanna River Valley towns are pretty much the same town. Think of Williamsport. Half of it is on one side of the river, half of it is on the other.
That system became more complicated in late 2019. Under former President Donald Trump, the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration said its grant money may not be used, directly or indirectly, to purchase, prescribe, or provide marijuana or treatment using marijuana. The agency also warned that the money could not be provided to any person or organization that permits marijuana use for the purposes of treating substance use or mental disorders.
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Keokuk, IA (52632)

Today

Mainly clear. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 70F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mainly clear. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 70F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Sayre, PA (18840)

Today

A shower is possible early. Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

A shower is possible early. Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable.
International

Afghan Defence Minister targeted in car bomb attack

An Afghan security personnel walks around debris following an attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021.

New Delhi/Kabul, Aug 4 (IANS) | Publish Date: 8/4/2021 11:10:04 AM IST

An explosives-laden car detonated close to the residence of Afghanistan Acting Defence Minister Bismillah Muhammadi in Kabul city Tuesday night.

Local media reports said since Muhammadi was not at the residence at the time of the explosion, neither he nor his family members were harmed.

The Afghan Acting Defence Minister in a video clip confirmed that he and his family members were safe but added that several of his bodyguards were injured.

Attacks of this sort by vampires will not weaken my morale in defending the Afghan people and my country, said Muhammadi in his video clip.

The attack left five dead and 20 more wounded.

The report said the explosion which was heard in kilometers was followed by a gunfight between the guards at the residence and gunmen who entered the home.

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Interior Affairs Mirwais Stanikzai said the gunfight came to an end nearly four hours after the gunmen entered the home and started fighting the police Special Forces deployed at the place.

Stanikzai though did not disclose the number of assailants killed, police had said they had gunned down three gunmen.

The assailants had taken 80 people hostage who were later saved by the police special forces.

No one has taken responsibility for the attack.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar, during a telephone conversation with the External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, talked about the escalation of violence, widespread human rights violations by the Taliban, and the foreign terrorist groups operating in Afghanistan.

Atmar emphasised the need to hold a special session of the UN Security Council on Afghanistan. India currently holds the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council, a statement by Afghan Foreign Office said.

Atmar discussed the unprecedented increase in the Talibans brutal attacks on the Afghan people, which have resulted in the killing of scores of civilians and displacement of many thousands of others.

Atmar highlighted the war crimes committed by the Taliban in their recent attacks carried out in collusion with foreign fighters and terrorist groups in Afghanistan, calling them flagrant violations of international humanitarian law and warned of catastrophic ramifications.

Given the catastrophic consequences of the Afghan war on stability, security, and prosperity in the region, the Foreign Minister raised with his Indian counterpart the proposition of Kabul regarding convening an emergency UN Security Council meeting on issues related to Afghanistan, particularly an immediate cessation of violence and the success of peace talks.

The Indian Minister of External Affairs expressed his countrys deep concern over the escalation of violence, insecurity, and explicit human rights violations by the Taliban and terrorists in Afghanistan.

Jaishankar called the holding of the UN Security Council meeting important for the immediate cessation of human rights abuses and the establishment of lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region. He reassured Minister Atmar of his countrys commitment to reviewing Afghanistans proposal and conducting the necessary consultations.

The two sides also discussed the agenda and the level of participation in the upcoming meetings on the Afghan peace process in Doha.
State

State exports 600 kg of pineapples to Kolkata

Molsang Organic Pineapples Producer Company Ltd in partnership with Agri & Horti departments dispatch pineapples to Kolkata. (DIPR)

DIMAPUR, AUG 4 (NPN) | Publish Date: 8/4/2021 1:17:43 PM IST

Nagaland exported at least 600kg of pineapples through air cargo to Kolkata on Wednesday.

In a press release, deputy director department of horticulture and in-charge marketing, Meya Sashi, said that Nagaland pineapples were considered as one of the sweetest and juiciest pineapples in the world and certified as 100% organic by OneCert International. Sashi informed that at present, the area under organic certified pineapple cultivation in the state was 850 hectares under Mission Organic Value Chain Development, sponsored by Government of India.

The project is being implemented in three villages-- Molvom, Bungsang and Mhainamtsiconsisting of 500 farmers.

He also informed that the production of certified organic pineapple in Nagaland was 10,000 to 12,000 metric ton with turnover of Rs.15 crores per year. Sashi said that the state horticulture department under MOVCD NER vision 2030 was contemplating creating an organic pineapple corridor along the foothill road covering an area of 10,000 hectares.

Nagaland on July 28 exported 250 kg of king chilli (raja mircha) to the United Kingdom. This is the first export consignment of the chilli that has Geographical Indication (GI) tagging.
UAE Lifts Ban On Flights From Nigeria



The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has lifted the flight ban on Nigeria, Uganda, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal.

The National Emergency and Crisis Management Authority (NCEMA) in a post through its official Twitter handle noted that the ban lift, will take effect from Thursday, 5th August.

NCEMA said passengers would be able to transit through its airports from Thursday as long as they present negative PCR tests taken 72 hours before departure.

Recall that UAE, had banned passengers from many South Asian and African countries from travelling through its airports following risen cases of the Covid-19.

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Baysider ABA Monthly Member Highlight: Dockside Restaurant

ALTON  Every month, the Alton Business Association sits down with one of our amazing ABA members to get to know them a little better! For July, we spoke with Rick Almeida, owner of Dockside. We ask each member the same questions, providing an opportunity for our members to highlight the important work that they do in our communities. If you're an ABA Member and would like to be considered for future Monthly Member Highlights, please reach out to us via email at info@altonbusinessassociation.com. Visit our website to read more business highlights & news,



Q: Tell us about your business?



A: Dockside is a year-round steak and seafood restaurant. We are passionate about food and friendships. Our goal is to be upscale but not uppity. We created an eating establishment that is elegant, yet casual and comfortable where you can come after work for a burger and beer, or get dressed up a bit and have your next date night with us. Dockside is a place where you're likely to run into old friends and make new ones at the same time.



Q: Tell us about yourself:



A: I'm originally from Rhode Island, and have lived in New Hampshire now for over 30 years. Dockside is my first foray into the restaurant business. I'm a 30-year marketing executive by background and I am founder and owner of a software company based out of Massachusetts. The company makes software for printed circuit board manufacturing. So naturally opening a restaurant was the next logical step.



Q: How did your business get started?



A: I love cooking and I wanted to bring some of those local Rhode Island dishes that I was making at home to the Lakes Region. The concept of Dockside was to create a casual fun atmosphere that also offered fare you typically couldn't find in the area.



Q: What has your relationship with the Alton Business Association done for you or



your business?



A: The ABA has been very supportive of us getting the restaurant open as well as promoting us to the community. They are constantly coming up with ways to not just promote a business but Alton in general as a destination spot in the Lakes Region.



Q: What do you value most about this community?



A: We had the misfortune to launch Dockside just a couple of months before the Covid-19 lockdown. One of the things that struck me most was how the community rallied around local Alton businesses and made it a point to support us as well as the other establishments in the area during that very difficult time.



Q: Why did you want to open your business in this community?



A: Alton has a great summer tourism business. I felt we could add to that and give Lake tourists another reason to come to Alton from the surrounding regions.



Q: What business accomplishment are you most proud of?



A: Having a strong team that has worked hard to manage Dockside throughout the pandemic and contributed, along with the other Alton eateries, to making Alton a destination spot in the Lakes region.



Q: What does the future hold for you and your business?



A: Hopefully a return to normalcy (laughs).



Q: What is one piece of advice you wish you had as a new business owner?



A: While every business owner has their vision for what they want their business to be, it's important to also temper that with your market audience and be willing to change and adapt to their needs.



Q: How can people who want to learn more about you or your business get in



touch with you?



A: You can reach us via email at info@docksidenh.com or visit our Web site, ALTON  Every month, the Alton Business Association sits down with one of our amazing ABA members to get to know them a little better! For July, we spoke with Rick Almeida, owner of Dockside. We ask each member the same questions, providing an opportunity for our members to highlight the important work that they do in our communities. If you're an ABA Member and would like to be considered for future Monthly Member Highlights, please reach out to us via email at info@altonbusinessassociation.com. Visit our website to read more business highlights & news, www.altonbusinessassociation.com Q: Tell us about your business?A: Dockside is a year-round steak and seafood restaurant. We are passionate about food and friendships. Our goal is to be upscale but not uppity. We created an eating establishment that is elegant, yet casual and comfortable where you can come after work for a burger and beer, or get dressed up a bit and have your next date night with us. Dockside is a place where you're likely to run into old friends and make new ones at the same time.Q: Tell us about yourself:A: I'm originally from Rhode Island, and have lived in New Hampshire now for over 30 years. Dockside is my first foray into the restaurant business. I'm a 30-year marketing executive by background and I am founder and owner of a software company based out of Massachusetts. The company makes software for printed circuit board manufacturing. So naturally opening a restaurant was the next logical step.Q: How did your business get started?A: I love cooking and I wanted to bring some of those local Rhode Island dishes that I was making at home to the Lakes Region. The concept of Dockside was to create a casual fun atmosphere that also offered fare you typically couldn't find in the area.Q: What has your relationship with the Alton Business Association done for you oryour business?A: The ABA has been very supportive of us getting the restaurant open as well as promoting us to the community. They are constantly coming up with ways to not just promote a business but Alton in general as a destination spot in the Lakes Region.Q: What do you value most about this community?A: We had the misfortune to launch Dockside just a couple of months before the Covid-19 lockdown. One of the things that struck me most was how the community rallied around local Alton businesses and made it a point to support us as well as the other establishments in the area during that very difficult time.Q: Why did you want to open your business in this community?A: Alton has a great summer tourism business. I felt we could add to that and give Lake tourists another reason to come to Alton from the surrounding regions.Q: What business accomplishment are you most proud of?A: Having a strong team that has worked hard to manage Dockside throughout the pandemic and contributed, along with the other Alton eateries, to making Alton a destination spot in the Lakes region.Q: What does the future hold for you and your business?A: Hopefully a return to normalcy (laughs).Q: What is one piece of advice you wish you had as a new business owner?A: While every business owner has their vision for what they want their business to be, it's important to also temper that with your market audience and be willing to change and adapt to their needs.Q: How can people who want to learn more about you or your business get intouch with you?A: You can reach us via email at info@docksidenh.com or visit our Web site, www.docksidenh.com

Baysider Woods, Water, and Wildlife festival returns Aug. 14 Thanks for visiting SalmonPress.com
Berlin Reporter WMCC Culinary Arts Program fueled by passionate leader

by Tara Giles

Sports reporter - Coos County Democrat and Berlin Reporter Sports reporter - Coos County Democrat and Berlin Reporter write the author REGION  The Culinary Arts and Hospitality Program at White Mountains Community College has seen an uptick in interest in recent years. Leading the charge is Associate Professor of Culinary Arts/Department Chair of Hospitality and Culinary/Program Coordinator of Culinary Arts, Travis Giles, who graduated from the same program in 1995. With over 35 years in the industry, Giles brings a passion and talent for the art and intense work ethic to his students.



Like most of us growing up in the 1980's, Giles, the eldest of his siblings was often the one at home to prepare meals for his two younger brothers while his mother was at work. His knack for cooking was clear at a young age, as his brothers began to request he cook all the meals.



"I really learned how to cook from my mother, grandmother, and great grandmother," explained Giles.



Inspired by the old New England cuisine the young cook learned classic French techniques which shaped the chef he is today.



"My great grandmother lived to be 102. She lived during the Great Depression where they would utilize everything they had just to get by, this really drew out her creativity," explained Giles.



"She had to think outside the box, and she showed me how to do the same," he added.



At the age of 14, Giles went from his grandmother's kitchen to his first cooking job at the Tugboat Inn, located in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. At the age of 17, he filled an emergency vacancy at the Lobster Dock close by and ended up running the show. Those early years spent in a fast pace environment, allowed Giles to master the art of creating quality dishes, under pressure and remaining calm and efficient while doing so. He has incorporated buffets and large dinners to serve more than 100 people, to give his students an opportunity to produce large quantities of food, yet focus on maintaining quality in every dish.



"There's a science to culinary arts, where ingredients react to one another, and my job as a chef is to manipulate those ingredients to make it taste good. A good chef will know what's going on with their ingredients. That's what good food is all about, a sensory overload and balancing what hits your taste buds," explained Giles.



Any successful individual has someone who inspired them in some way. For Giles, it was Chef Matt Houghton who was the Executive Chef at the Mt. Washington Hotel for several years.



"He made me work 80 hours before he even hired me," Giles joked.



"He just never gave me an ounce of wiggle room, so I felt like he made me earn my place. He knew I could handle tough situations, and the confidence he had in me, changed everything," said Giles.



Houghton had so much faith, that Giles was one of the few chosen to accompany the Executive Chef to London for a fundraiser to raise money for world hunger.



Culinary students at WMCC receive over 1,200 hours of hands on experience, which also requires a 400 hour internship. The Omni Mt. Washington Resort has recently partnered with WMCC as part of an apprenticeship program.



In 2007, a baking and pastry arts program was integrated.



"There was a need for a baking program so we created one and built a brand new kitchen designed just for baking and pastry arts," said Giles.



The niche program was developed by Giles, his colleagues and other industry partners and was voted Best Baking and Pastry Arts program in New Hampshire.



Students this fall, will also participate in creating meals for the Bistro, the on site cafeteria at WMCC as well as assist with the Meals IncludED initiative, which will help enrolled students combat food insecurity.



Looking ahead to the upcoming semester, the professor said, "There will be some new learning elements this fall to refresh course material, bringing in trendy food items and keeping relevant to industry demands. Students will work with a new ice cream machine to create sweet and savory recipes, and will utilize a drying cabinet for dry cured meats and a smoker for preparing meats."



The Culinary Arts program at WMCC began in 1966 and is the longest running program in New England. The college offers two associate degree and certificate programs. Careers in Culinary Arts are expected to grow by 6 percent by the year 2029.



For more information on WMCC's culinary arts programs, contact Travis Giles at tgiles@ccsnh.edu. REGION  The Culinary Arts and Hospitality Program at White Mountains Community College has seen an uptick in interest in recent years. Leading the charge is Associate Professor of Culinary Arts/Department Chair of Hospitality and Culinary/Program Coordinator of Culinary Arts, Travis Giles, who graduated from the same program in 1995. With over 35 years in the industry, Giles brings a passion and talent for the art and intense work ethic to his students.Like most of us growing up in the 1980's, Giles, the eldest of his siblings was often the one at home to prepare meals for his two younger brothers while his mother was at work. His knack for cooking was clear at a young age, as his brothers began to request he cook all the meals."I really learned how to cook from my mother, grandmother, and great grandmother," explained Giles.Inspired by the old New England cuisine the young cook learned classic French techniques which shaped the chef he is today."My great grandmother lived to be 102. She lived during the Great Depression where they would utilize everything they had just to get by, this really drew out her creativity," explained Giles."She had to think outside the box, and she showed me how to do the same," he added.At the age of 14, Giles went from his grandmother's kitchen to his first cooking job at the Tugboat Inn, located in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. At the age of 17, he filled an emergency vacancy at the Lobster Dock close by and ended up running the show. Those early years spent in a fast pace environment, allowed Giles to master the art of creating quality dishes, under pressure and remaining calm and efficient while doing so. He has incorporated buffets and large dinners to serve more than 100 people, to give his students an opportunity to produce large quantities of food, yet focus on maintaining quality in every dish."There's a science to culinary arts, where ingredients react to one another, and my job as a chef is to manipulate those ingredients to make it taste good. A good chef will know what's going on with their ingredients. That's what good food is all about, a sensory overload and balancing what hits your taste buds," explained Giles.Any successful individual has someone who inspired them in some way. For Giles, it was Chef Matt Houghton who was the Executive Chef at the Mt. Washington Hotel for several years."He made me work 80 hours before he even hired me," Giles joked."He just never gave me an ounce of wiggle room, so I felt like he made me earn my place. He knew I could handle tough situations, and the confidence he had in me, changed everything," said Giles.Houghton had so much faith, that Giles was one of the few chosen to accompany the Executive Chef to London for a fundraiser to raise money for world hunger.Culinary students at WMCC receive over 1,200 hours of hands on experience, which also requires a 400 hour internship. The Omni Mt. Washington Resort has recently partnered with WMCC as part of an apprenticeship program.In 2007, a baking and pastry arts program was integrated."There was a need for a baking program so we created one and built a brand new kitchen designed just for baking and pastry arts," said Giles.The niche program was developed by Giles, his colleagues and other industry partners and was voted Best Baking and Pastry Arts program in New Hampshire.Students this fall, will also participate in creating meals for the Bistro, the on site cafeteria at WMCC as well as assist with the Meals IncludED initiative, which will help enrolled students combat food insecurity.Looking ahead to the upcoming semester, the professor said, "There will be some new learning elements this fall to refresh course material, bringing in trendy food items and keeping relevant to industry demands. Students will work with a new ice cream machine to create sweet and savory recipes, and will utilize a drying cabinet for dry cured meats and a smoker for preparing meats."The Culinary Arts program at WMCC began in 1966 and is the longest running program in New England. The college offers two associate degree and certificate programs. Careers in Culinary Arts are expected to grow by 6 percent by the year 2029.For more information on WMCC's culinary arts programs, contact Travis Giles at tgiles@ccsnh.edu.

Berlin Reporter Grenier, Wheeler to represent Berlin at County Delegation meeting Recent Tara Giles Grenier, Wheeler to represent Berlin at County Delegation meeting

2021-Aug-04 WMCC Culinary Arts Program fueled by passionate leader

2021-Aug-04 Local towns discuss where COVID relief funds will land

2021-Aug-04 Grafton County Dispatch takes over for some Coos County towns

2021-Aug-04 City Council discusses EMS, Fire Department

2021-Jul-29 More... Thanks for visiting SalmonPress.com
Carroll County Independent CLC to host Chocorua Lake Paddle & Aquatic Invasives Patrol

CHOCORUAVariegated milfoil? Water naiads? Chinese mystery snail, Asian clam, zebra mussels and spiny water fleas? What do these all have in common? We don't want them in our lakes and rivers! These aquatic invasive species can tangle our feet when we swim, hamper passage for our boats, destroy habitat for native species, and worse.



On Saturday, Aug. 21 from 7:30-10 a.m., join Chocorua Lake Conservancy Stewardship Director Lynne Flaccus for a leisurely guided paddle on Chocorua Lake. We'll leave from the Island public access area on Route 16, and explore the vegetated buffer along the water's edge with its many nooks and crannies. We'll see what insects, reptiles and amphibians we can find and learn what plants grow with their "feet" in wet soils at the lake's edge or on the bottom.



While exploring the native flora and fauna, we'll be on the lookout for signs of exotic aquatic species that could create problems in the lake if they become established. We'll have with us some Weed Watcher Kits from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) to help with our searches and identification. Chocorua Lake is home to many native aquatic plants, and looking for clues to identification can help us all be more aware of what is around us.



Want to learn more in advance about what we can be looking for, both the species that belong here and the ones that cause trouble? Amy Smagula, Exotic Species Program Coordinator at DES, joined us last year for a webinar on "Protecting Our Lakes from Aquatic Invasive Species." You can watch the webinar at chocorualake.org/gallery to learn how to identify the native plants in Chocorua Lake and on the shore, and what the ones we're hoping never to find look like!



If you have not yet been vaccinated, or are less than two weeks from your last shot, please bring a mask for moments when social distancing is not possible. Participants must bring their own canoe or kayak, and paddles, and life jackets are required. Be sure to bring sun and bug protection, a water bottle, and snacks. Please email lflaccus@chocorualake.org with your phone number to let us know you will be coming so that we can let you know of any changes in the schedule.



Presenter: Naturalist Lynne Flaccus has 30+ years of experience in land conservation and stewardship, managing protected properties, studying wildlife, and educating adults and children.



More chances to explore the Chocorua Lake Basin coming up



This event is one in a series of Chocorua Lake Conservancy programs held throughout the year to encourage people of all ages to enjoy Chocorua Lake and the trails and woods that surround it, and to learn more about the natural world we inhabit. Visit







About the Chocorua Lake Conservancy



The CLC is a volunteer-led, nonprofit land trust founded in 1968 to protect the scenic and natural resources of the Chocorua Lake Basin and surrounding area. The CLC is committed to providing convenient and attractive public access to Chocorua Lake and trails on nearby conservation lands for visitors and local residents. For more information, including ways you can get involved, please visit CHOCORUAVariegated milfoil? Water naiads? Chinese mystery snail, Asian clam, zebra mussels and spiny water fleas? What do these all have in common? We don't want them in our lakes and rivers! These aquatic invasive species can tangle our feet when we swim, hamper passage for our boats, destroy habitat for native species, and worse.On Saturday, Aug. 21 from 7:30-10 a.m., join Chocorua Lake Conservancy Stewardship Director Lynne Flaccus for a leisurely guided paddle on Chocorua Lake. We'll leave from the Island public access area on Route 16, and explore the vegetated buffer along the water's edge with its many nooks and crannies. We'll see what insects, reptiles and amphibians we can find and learn what plants grow with their "feet" in wet soils at the lake's edge or on the bottom.While exploring the native flora and fauna, we'll be on the lookout for signs of exotic aquatic species that could create problems in the lake if they become established. We'll have with us some Weed Watcher Kits from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) to help with our searches and identification. Chocorua Lake is home to many native aquatic plants, and looking for clues to identification can help us all be more aware of what is around us.Want to learn more in advance about what we can be looking for, both the species that belong here and the ones that cause trouble? Amy Smagula, Exotic Species Program Coordinator at DES, joined us last year for a webinar on "Protecting Our Lakes from Aquatic Invasive Species." You can watch the webinar at chocorualake.org/gallery to learn how to identify the native plants in Chocorua Lake and on the shore, and what the ones we're hoping never to find look like!If you have not yet been vaccinated, or are less than two weeks from your last shot, please bring a mask for moments when social distancing is not possible. Participants must bring their own canoe or kayak, and paddles, and life jackets are required. Be sure to bring sun and bug protection, a water bottle, and snacks. Please email lflaccus@chocorualake.org with your phone number to let us know you will be coming so that we can let you know of any changes in the schedule.Presenter: Naturalist Lynne Flaccus has 30+ years of experience in land conservation and stewardship, managing protected properties, studying wildlife, and educating adults and children.More chances to explore the Chocorua Lake Basin coming upThis event is one in a series of Chocorua Lake Conservancy programs held throughout the year to encourage people of all ages to enjoy Chocorua Lake and the trails and woods that surround it, and to learn more about the natural world we inhabit. Visit www.chocorualake.org for information, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.About the Chocorua Lake ConservancyThe CLC is a volunteer-led, nonprofit land trust founded in 1968 to protect the scenic and natural resources of the Chocorua Lake Basin and surrounding area. The CLC is committed to providing convenient and attractive public access to Chocorua Lake and trails on nearby conservation lands for visitors and local residents. For more information, including ways you can get involved, please visit www.chocorualake.org

Carroll County Independent A new kind of Olympic experience Thanks for visiting SalmonPress.com
Coos County Democrat Grafton County Dispatch takes over for some Coos County towns

by Tara Giles

Sports reporter - Coos County Democrat and Berlin Reporter Sports reporter - Coos County Democrat and Berlin Reporter write the author LANCASTER  As of Monday, Aug. 2, Grafton County Dispatch has officially taken over the call center for fire and police in several towns in Coos County and some in Vermont to include Whitefield, Lancaster, Jefferson, Dalton, Lunenburg, Guild Hall, Granby, Groveton, Stark, Stratford, Bloomfield and Brunswick. In September, EMS in Lancaster will transition from the Weeks Dispatch system, over to Grafton as well.



This change comes after the Department of Transportation's desire to transition away from 24/7 dispatching which it had provided at no cost for decades.



Lancaster's Assistant Fire Chief, Ted Joubert, said, "This move isn't the perfect scenario, but it is a solution. Right now Grafton County is far cheaper than creating our own dispatch for such a small area. DOT asked us to find an alternative, or take this on ourselves, which right now would have been rather expensive."



As for taxpayers noticing a difference, Joubert explained, "To be fair, the only towns that are really paying substantial amounts are Groveton, Whitefield and Lancaster."



Joubert relayed that in his opinion, the best solution for Coos County is that the County take on dispatch which would help the residents of the entire region, just like Grafton County has done for its residents.



"Essentially, we just need the County Commissioners to agree that we at least need a feasibility study into creating our own dispatch. The county is already paying through tax dollars to have dispatching done through respective dispatches. I believe there is a huge misuse of public money. If the county took a real serious look at it and made a comprehensive plan, and rolled it out over a number of years, we could have the entire County covered, like other Counties in the state with a professional service that's unified in one location," said Joubert.



Joubert added, "Right now, we're not doing what's in the best interest for the county. We need to evaluate a fair and efficient professionally run dispatch that covers everybody. The residents and tourists would be safer, as would every firefighter and law enforcement officer with a unified singular unit covering the County, period, the end."



Lastly, Joubert shared his appreciation for the Grafton County Dispatch for stepping in to help.



"I really appreciate what they're doing for us," said Joubert. LANCASTER  As of Monday, Aug. 2, Grafton County Dispatch has officially taken over the call center for fire and police in several towns in Coos County and some in Vermont to include Whitefield, Lancaster, Jefferson, Dalton, Lunenburg, Guild Hall, Granby, Groveton, Stark, Stratford, Bloomfield and Brunswick. In September, EMS in Lancaster will transition from the Weeks Dispatch system, over to Grafton as well.This change comes after the Department of Transportation's desire to transition away from 24/7 dispatching which it had provided at no cost for decades.Lancaster's Assistant Fire Chief, Ted Joubert, said, "This move isn't the perfect scenario, but it is a solution. Right now Grafton County is far cheaper than creating our own dispatch for such a small area. DOT asked us to find an alternative, or take this on ourselves, which right now would have been rather expensive."As for taxpayers noticing a difference, Joubert explained, "To be fair, the only towns that are really paying substantial amounts are Groveton, Whitefield and Lancaster."Joubert relayed that in his opinion, the best solution for Coos County is that the County take on dispatch which would help the residents of the entire region, just like Grafton County has done for its residents."Essentially, we just need the County Commissioners to agree that we at least need a feasibility study into creating our own dispatch. The county is already paying through tax dollars to have dispatching done through respective dispatches. I believe there is a huge misuse of public money. If the county took a real serious look at it and made a comprehensive plan, and rolled it out over a number of years, we could have the entire County covered, like other Counties in the state with a professional service that's unified in one location," said Joubert.Joubert added, "Right now, we're not doing what's in the best interest for the county. We need to evaluate a fair and efficient professionally run dispatch that covers everybody. The residents and tourists would be safer, as would every firefighter and law enforcement officer with a unified singular unit covering the County, period, the end."Lastly, Joubert shared his appreciation for the Grafton County Dispatch for stepping in to help."I really appreciate what they're doing for us," said Joubert.


Gilford Steamer Heavy rains, flooding leads to local culvert collapse

by Erin Plummer Heavy rains, flooding, and high water levels have resulted in a culvert collapse along Lakeshore Rad and additional warnings from state safety officials about risks on the lake.



Heavy rains and flooding resulted in a collapsed culvert along Lakeshore Road/Route 11 around Walmart Plaza that also collapsed a portion of Country Cook'n at the Lakeside's entrance.



The Gilford Police Department posted an alert on its Facebook Page on Friday that Lakeshore Road was closed to all traffic from the entrance of the Routes 3 and 11 bypass to the area of CVS and McIntyre Circle. The road opened up later on Saturday.



Country Cook'n At the Lakeside posted photos on its Facebook page of the collapse of a section of its entrance. The restaurant was closed Saturday morning but reopened that afternoon, advising patrons to enter on the left side by the old gas station.



On Saturday the restaurant posted a message thanking its staff for their work through the recent trying times including the pandemic, staff shortages, supply shortages, and other challenges.



"You all are so professional and flexible. We can't say thank you enough. You know who you are!" read the post.



They also thanked their patrons for all their support.



"You are polite and *KIND* to our staff, and continue to support us regardless of all the little hiccups that many restaurant are facing right now," read the post.



The recent heavy rains and flooding have also resulted in high water levels on the lake that led to a rescue and a wake advisories in neighboring communities.



New Hampshire Marine Patrol along with State Police and the Laconia Fire and Rescue Department were some of the agencies that responded to a call of a sunken boat that had been moored on the Laconia side of Lake Winnipesaukee on Saturday. Rescue crews received additional assistance from the Department of Environmental Services and Sea Tow.



"In light of the recent heavy rainfall, Marine Patrol reminds boat owners to check docked and moored vessels, including bilge pumps, to prevent damage to personal property and avoid water pollution," read a statement form the New Hampshire State Police. "Additionally, it is recommended to check mooring chains to ensure they are still in serviceable condition."



Also on Saturday Marine Patrol issued a No Wake order on Silver Lake in Belmont, which will remain in effect until the level of the lake drops below 467 feet above sea level. Heavy rains, flooding, and high water levels have resulted in a culvert collapse along Lakeshore Rad and additional warnings from state safety officials about risks on the lake.Heavy rains and flooding resulted in a collapsed culvert along Lakeshore Road/Route 11 around Walmart Plaza that also collapsed a portion of Country Cook'n at the Lakeside's entrance.The Gilford Police Department posted an alert on its Facebook Page on Friday that Lakeshore Road was closed to all traffic from the entrance of the Routes 3 and 11 bypass to the area of CVS and McIntyre Circle. The road opened up later on Saturday.Country Cook'n At the Lakeside posted photos on its Facebook page of the collapse of a section of its entrance. The restaurant was closed Saturday morning but reopened that afternoon, advising patrons to enter on the left side by the old gas station.On Saturday the restaurant posted a message thanking its staff for their work through the recent trying times including the pandemic, staff shortages, supply shortages, and other challenges."You all are so professional and flexible. We can't say thank you enough. You know who you are!" read the post.They also thanked their patrons for all their support."You are polite and *KIND* to our staff, and continue to support us regardless of all the little hiccups that many restaurant are facing right now," read the post.The recent heavy rains and flooding have also resulted in high water levels on the lake that led to a rescue and a wake advisories in neighboring communities.New Hampshire Marine Patrol along with State Police and the Laconia Fire and Rescue Department were some of the agencies that responded to a call of a sunken boat that had been moored on the Laconia side of Lake Winnipesaukee on Saturday. Rescue crews received additional assistance from the Department of Environmental Services and Sea Tow."In light of the recent heavy rainfall, Marine Patrol reminds boat owners to check docked and moored vessels, including bilge pumps, to prevent damage to personal property and avoid water pollution," read a statement form the New Hampshire State Police. "Additionally, it is recommended to check mooring chains to ensure they are still in serviceable condition."Also on Saturday Marine Patrol issued a No Wake order on Silver Lake in Belmont, which will remain in effect until the level of the lake drops below 467 feet above sea level.

Gilford Steamer Gilford expecting more than $378,000 in latest round of rescue funds Thanks for visiting SalmonPress.com
Littleton Courier Franconia selectmen present welcome center plans at public hearing

by Angel Larcom FRANCONIA  Last week, Franconia Selectmen hosted a public meeting to apprise taxpayers of the town's plans for a new welcome center. Town Administrator Kim Cowles said the Select Board aimed to complete the project as quickly as possible.



Although the construction of a new welcome center met voter approval at the 2019 ballot box, a warrant article seeking $250,000 to fund the project failed earlier this year. However, an anonymous donor stepped forward with a $250,000 contribution towards the project in May.



"Most of the concerns raised by taxpayers at the public hearing had to do with clerical housekeeping issues. They wanted to ensure that we were progressing with the project legally and securing quality bids from potential contractors," stated Cowles.



Because the town adopted the correct RSA in 1997, the Select Board could accept the anonymous donation without first seeking voter approval, she added.



"The purpose of the public hearing was to inform Franconia residents that the Select Board intended to accept the donation and would move forward with the building. We're still working on the plans and working out the details for the Request for Proposal (RFP), and I've reached out to several residents with a vested interest in the project," said the administrator.



The gifted funds will be distributed through the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. Cowles said it was a cleaner way to make the donation and allowed the source to remain truly anonymous.



The selectmen hope to complete the construction of the new welcome center before winter arrives. However, Cowles said they recognized the timeline was aggressive and the project may not be completed until next year.



"We have to put the same amount of work into the project, whether it's going to happen now or next year. We're not spinning our tires; we're getting the stuff completed that needs to be done. We have a four-month window to complete construction if we do it in the fall. Then, the public can use the new facility come Christmas," noted Cowles.



If the town waits until next spring to begin the work, it faces an even narrower window of two months. Construction would likely not start until May, and the town's annual Old Home Days event and summer recreation programs would impact the project's feasibility, explained Cowles.



"It would be nice to be able to do it in the fall. Of course, we could wait a year from now and do it next fall, but that would defeat the point of the donation, which was to develop a new welcome center sooner rather than later," she noted.



The current facility is in dire shape and more than fifty years old. It houses a warming hut for ice rink visitors, public restrooms and the Franconia Notch Chamber of Commerce.



At 1,600 square feet, the new facility plans boast a significant footprint increase of nearly double the size of the existing structure. Several Franconia residents that attended the public hearing believed tax rates would increase to offset the increased maintenance costs for a larger facility.



Cowles said the new facility would deliver no tax increases because a structure already existed, and the associated maintenance costs were already calculated in the annual town budget. Franconia officials expect to open the RFP soon, she added. FRANCONIA  Last week, Franconia Selectmen hosted a public meeting to apprise taxpayers of the town's plans for a new welcome center. Town Administrator Kim Cowles said the Select Board aimed to complete the project as quickly as possible.Although the construction of a new welcome center met voter approval at the 2019 ballot box, a warrant article seeking $250,000 to fund the project failed earlier this year. However, an anonymous donor stepped forward with a $250,000 contribution towards the project in May."Most of the concerns raised by taxpayers at the public hearing had to do with clerical housekeeping issues. They wanted to ensure that we were progressing with the project legally and securing quality bids from potential contractors," stated Cowles.Because the town adopted the correct RSA in 1997, the Select Board could accept the anonymous donation without first seeking voter approval, she added."The purpose of the public hearing was to inform Franconia residents that the Select Board intended to accept the donation and would move forward with the building. We're still working on the plans and working out the details for the Request for Proposal (RFP), and I've reached out to several residents with a vested interest in the project," said the administrator.The gifted funds will be distributed through the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. Cowles said it was a cleaner way to make the donation and allowed the source to remain truly anonymous.The selectmen hope to complete the construction of the new welcome center before winter arrives. However, Cowles said they recognized the timeline was aggressive and the project may not be completed until next year."We have to put the same amount of work into the project, whether it's going to happen now or next year. We're not spinning our tires; we're getting the stuff completed that needs to be done. We have a four-month window to complete construction if we do it in the fall. Then, the public can use the new facility come Christmas," noted Cowles.If the town waits until next spring to begin the work, it faces an even narrower window of two months. Construction would likely not start until May, and the town's annual Old Home Days event and summer recreation programs would impact the project's feasibility, explained Cowles."It would be nice to be able to do it in the fall. Of course, we could wait a year from now and do it next fall, but that would defeat the point of the donation, which was to develop a new welcome center sooner rather than later," she noted.The current facility is in dire shape and more than fifty years old. It houses a warming hut for ice rink visitors, public restrooms and the Franconia Notch Chamber of Commerce.At 1,600 square feet, the new facility plans boast a significant footprint increase of nearly double the size of the existing structure. Several Franconia residents that attended the public hearing believed tax rates would increase to offset the increased maintenance costs for a larger facility.Cowles said the new facility would deliver no tax increases because a structure already existed, and the associated maintenance costs were already calculated in the annual town budget. Franconia officials expect to open the RFP soon, she added.

Littleton Courier Conservation agencies restore Ammonoosuc Riverbank in Lisbon Parking fees may be required in Franconia Notch Thanks for visiting SalmonPress.com
POLICE in Bulawayo over the weekend arrested nearly 300 people during raids at shebeens and other nightspots.

Zimbabwe is under level 4 lockdown and there is a 6.30PM to 6AM curfew, while bars and nightclubs remain closed.

Police say in the near future, there could be a custodial sentence for repeat offenders. Suburbs like Nkulumane, according to police, are among the trouble spots as shebeens have been operating.

In the city centre, last Saturday, scores of people were arrested at a local drinking spot and they were taken to the Bulawayo Central Police Station. Bulawayo Police spokesperson Inspector Abedinico Ncube said:

During the weekend, a total of 274 people were arrested in connection with alcohol related cases. That is operating shebeens, bottle stores and public drinking, contravening Covid-19 regulations. Quite a number of people were arrested for improper use of facemasks, but of note was the raids of shebeens in Nkulumane and other suburbs, said Inspector Ncube.

He said some of those arrested were repeat offenders, who in the near future might be jailed.

What we do is confiscate the beer and the equipment that is used. Repeat offenders are taken to court. We are foreseeing in the near future that there will be custodial sentences for those who are continuously breaking the law, said Inspector Ncube.

He urged members of the public to report to the police, shebeens and nightspots that are operating against lockdown regulations.

We still urge people to comply with the law and desist from operating shebeens. Apart from contravening of Covid-19 regulations, the operation of shebeens is illegal in terms of the law. They are also seen as a hive of activity where criminals thrive, where they waylay their victims. We also ask the members of the public to continue to report these people who operate illegally, said Inspector Ncube. Chronicle
PRINCIPALS, who form the MDC Alliance, yesterday said they would demand the reinstatement of recalled MPs, senators and councillors as part of conditions for comprehensive dialogue with the Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC-T, it has emerged.

Last month, one of the MDC Alliance principals, Mathias Guchutu fired the MDC-T from the alliance, saying the party had violated the terms of the electoral pact entered into by late opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai and six other opposition parties in December 2017.

Guchutu, however, later withdrew the suspension, citing the need to pursue dialogue with Mwonzora. He claimed that senior MDC-T party members called him for engagement following the suspension.

Alliance principals said they would set tough conditions for Mwonzora, which include withdrawing his request to President Emmerson Mnangagwa to suspend by-elections. We also want him to reinstate those he fired under our name MDC Alliance, the principals said.

What is clear is we went into the 2018 elections as the MDC Alliance and where we lost, we lost together while where we won, we won together as an alliance so that is a condition we are keen on.

Mwonzora fired over 40 MPs and more than 80 councillors countrywide arguing that they had ceased to be members of the MDC Alliance because of their continued association with the Nelson Chamisa-led party.

They (MDC-T) should know and Zimbabwe must know that as principals, we are in charge, Guchutu said yesterday.

We are not going to be distracted in any way by sideshows. Lloyd Damba (Mwonzoras spokesperson) shot his boss in the foot by trying to defend his turf.

Damba last week dismissed Guchutus letter, claiming that Mwonzora was the head of the alliance.

The statement was miscalculated, uncalled for and mischievous. As principals, we are not going to tolerate any such statements even if they are from Mwonzoras office, Guchutu said. Other parties that formed the MDC Alliance are the Peoples Democratic Party, the MDC led by Welshman Ncube and the MDC-T.

The MDC Alliance refused to join Mnangagwas Political Actors Dialogue, but Mwonzora is convening a national council meeting today to endorse membership of the group, days after other principals were pampered with cars. Newsday
FILE - Douglas Hester, who teaches at Metro Tech High School, filed the suit on Monday in Maricopa County against the Phoenix Union High School District as well as its governing board and superintendent. He accused to group of defendants of lacking the authority required to enforce a mask mandate and has requested a temporary restraining order against the rule. (Shutterstock)
To date, there is no clear evidence that it conveys enough of a benefit to the virus to allow it to dominate the original delta variant, Colin Angus, a public health policy analyst and modeler in England, told the Post. So although it is clearly here, there is no obvious sign that it has gained a foothold over existing variants of the virus.
During the height of the coronavirus pandemic in America last year, New York was under attack, with Harlem and other neighborhoods battling disproportionately high numbers of infections and deaths due partly to the underlying health conditions of their residents.
A July 2 fire on the No. 3 line near 125th St. in Harlem gummed up service for more than two hours, delaying 31 trains and canceling 47 others. Another blaze April 13 near the 191st St. station on the No. 1 line in Washington Heights caused problems for nearly four hours, delaying 25 trains and canceling 73 others.
According to neighbors, Garmie is survived by a 4-year-old daughter, and had started a job at a moving company about eight months ago. He lived on E. 184th St.  around the corner from where he was gunned down  and where his mother and other family members gathered Wednesday to mourn his death.
Zorrillas also been sued six times, costing the city $282,750 in settlement payouts, according to 50-a.org. To date, 21 allegations of abuse and misconduct have been filed against him with the Civilian Complaint Review Board. Only three have been substantiated, two involving allegations of abuse of authority and one for use of pepper spray without cause.. The outcomes of those allegations were not immediately disclosed.
That jurist, Brooklyn Federal Judge William Kuntz, said he might seek a first-hand look after a prisoner complained the toilet in his cell was broken and hadnt been fixed for days  and that jail staff wouldnt let him use another toilet because of a lockdown.
Sally Spinosa, 56, submitted paperwork with the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund claiming she worked at the Fresh Kills landfill in Staten Island for 62 days straight from Sept. 20, 2001, to Nov. 20, 2001. She was actually out on parental leave while pregnant or doing very limited work, Manhattan federal prosecutors said.
The mayor predicted a whole lot of cooperation even as some locals attacked the effort in a city where about 40% of the population has yet to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Health Department. The new requirements, the first of their kind in the U.S., will begin with the start of the school year on Sept. 13.
Cops were called to the Bowne St. apartment near 38th Ave. in Flushing about 1:50 a.m. after the 40-year-old victim was found unconscious in an apartment bedroom, bleeding heavily from a deep gash to the neck.
May first enlisted in the Navy in 2019 with the hopes of completing the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUDS) training program. But just five days in, he opted to quit the grueling course and was ultimately assigned to USS Bonhomme Richard as an undesignated seaman. According to the arrest warrant, its not uncommon for sailors who drop out of the BUDS program to have behavioral issues afterward.
The Pittsburgh-Tribune Review reports Rami Jasim, 33, has been charged with three counts of attempted homicide and aggravated assault. Police responded to a call around 2 a.m. from a man who said someone had tried to kill him in the citys Carrick neighborhood. Officers arrived at the scene to find two men and a woman suffering from stab wounds.
He was the consummate journalist, a man who demanded rigorous analysis of himself and others, and he lived by the dictum of afflicting the comfortable and comforting the afflicted, Kimberley wrote on Truthout. Ford co-founded a publication in line with his core values: He did not suffer fools gladly, succumb to corporate media and government narratives, or feel obligated to change his politics in order to elevate the Black face in a high place.
Fifty years ago (yes 50!), a little girl checked me out of this library in 1971, read an unsigned letter from the perspective of the book it was returned with. At this time, she didnt know they were going to move from Plymouth. Back then, kids werent told things like that.
Once we found out there was an issue, we dealt with it, Sorrell said. If hes a dirty cop, hes going down. Its all about the public trust. I did the best for my agency and recommended to the Select Board that he be terminatedand he was terminated.
To be handling this firearm and then it goes off, Im sure that was terrifying in and of itself, Major Bradley Rule told KFOR. But then to go around the corner and see the result of it, shooting your own mother, I cant imagine what he felt.
The first job of any elected official is keeping safe the people they serve; it is clear from the appalling findings of the attorney generals report, Gov. Cuomo failed to do that, said NYS AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento. We fought for and won the very worker protections that were violated; there must be accountability without exception. Gov. Cuomo can no longer lead the state.
After meeting with his members on Tuesday, Heastie said that it is abundantly clear to me that the Governor has lost the confidence of the Assembly Democratic majority and that he can no longer remain in office.
Clearly, theres grounds for prosecution, de Blasio said at City Hall. But the most important thing right now is for the governor to resign and end the agony hes putting the state of New York through and end the pain these 11 women are going through, who were wronged in every sense in an unacceptable manner.
I would really like to see ... articles [of] impeachment in front of us that we can read, that we are then given a time and date to come back as a Legislature, she said. Every single day that we are not impeaching, thats another day that his staff  the people who are working around him, the women who have been harmed already  are going to continue to be harmed.
The groom was among the injured, but the bride, who was not with them, was not, officials said.
Tuesdays incident occurred off the shores of the United Arab Emirates. It comes as Tehran denies involvement in a deadly drone strike Thursday in the Arabian Sea. The U.S., the U.K. and Israel believe Iran was responsible for that attack, which left two seamen dead.
He previously greeted the public from a balcony at the Agostino Gemelli University Polyclinic hospital in Rome a week after the surgery. The pope had not held his mid-week greetings with people at the Vatican since the operation, however, until Wednesday.
Deserving special mention here, partially because Cuomos rebuttal doesnt mention her at all, is the terrible account by a state trooper. Cuomo briefly met her at an event in November 2017. Afterward, he asked for her to be moved to his Protective Services Unit. Despite a requirement that troopers have three years of service prior to joining the PSU  she had two  thats what happened. Once on his detail, the governor then is said to have engaged in behavior she called flirtatious and creepy. He rubbed his hand across her stomach while she held a door open for him at an even; ran his finger down her back while saying hey, you; and made sexually suggestive comments, including asking her why she wanted to get married when marriage means your sex drive goes down.
Lindenhurst, L.I.: Millions of people were declared nonessential last year and told to stay home by our Washington representatives. Many were not eligible for unemployment. Now, these same leaders decided those nonessential people no longer need a home to live in. They are on a six-week vacation while these people are evicted and foreclosed on. Food prices have doubled. Gas is a luxury. Now it is starting again. Over 65? Youre at risk. Youll need a booster vaccine. Doesnt matter that youre hungry or homeless. Thats what charities and family are for. Cant tell you where the charities are. Thats only released by the news after the event. Doesnt matter that if you have family, they are in the same situation. I sincerely hope our leaders in Washington remember the faces of the people they solicited votes from. Maybe theyll see them while theyre enjoying their vacations. Maybe they have an extra room. Hope they have extra food. Jane Carter
The contrast between some of Cuomos new positions and the outcome of cases involving New York college students charged under his policies is striking. For instance, Cuomo now demands an intent-based carve-out to the affirmative consent standard he formerly championed. Some of the actions detailed in the attorney generals report, he claimed, were innocent gestures, because he intended to put people at ease. I try to make them smile. Contrast that to a case at SUNY-Purchase, where the university not only ignored the accused students intent, but also multiple actions by the complainant indicating consent. It took a state appellate court to set aside the universitys finding. One judge wondered if SUNY believed that the accused student could only satisfy Cuomos affirmative consent standard by at every step along the way, [getting] her to sign a little waiver, or say something.
It will be the fifth season that Perry, Richie and Bryan have worked together. They joined American Idol for Season 16 after the series was acquired by ABC following 15 seasons on Fox.
My kids have been able to heal together and support each other through this, we have a doctor we trust, and hospitals close by, she wrote, adding that her heart breaks for the lives that have been lost, as well as those who do not have the same things that we have or the chance to be with their loved ones throughout this.
I was just trying to say actors are more effective when theyre a mystery. Right? the actor said in defending his remarks to Ellen DeGeneres on her daytime talk show. Somebody picked it up and said I said gay actors should get back in the closet, he said with a laugh. Which is like, I mean its stupid, but it is painful when things get said that you dont believe, and then it gets represented that thats what you believe.
Since I am unable to comply with what is increasingly becoming an industry mandate  it has recently been determined that I am unsafe to be around, in the studio, and on tour, he wrote. I mention this because you wont be seeing me at these upcoming shows.
Jon Bon Jovi also said he got a kick out of Bennett, whom he called the greatest of the greats. Bon Jovi said every day when he vocalizes, he thinks of Bennett, his continuing inspiration.
We are thrilled to recognize these deserving individuals and organizations with Tony Honors this year, American Theatre Wing president Heather Hitchens and Broadway League chief Charlotte St. Martin said with Wednesdays announcement. New Federal Theatre, Fred Gallo, Irene Gandy, and Beverly Jenkins have made immeasurable contributions to the theatre community, and their impact will be felt for years to come. We could not think of a more deserving group of honorees, and we are proud to recognize their many achievements!
Oregon State University fourth-year fine arts student Chloe Zinda, left, and Oregon Governor Kate Brown hold an oversize check for $1 million, the grand prize for the "Take Your Shot, Oregon" campaign. Zinda plans to pay off school loans and invest the money into buying a house or art studio of her own.
Disney and Universal can raise ticket prices without too much of a loss of customers, he said. Its the small businesses that dont have the ability to pass on higher costs to the customers that are going to be in a bind here.
Our ability to protect Florida isnt working right now because we have too many restrictions put in place for local officials to help do their jobs in areas that may be harder hit. We call on Gov. DeSantis to give locals back their control, said Soto.
Perhaps Smith was moved to write his travelogue because the trip, in the spring of 1921, marked his first visit to the country. It also was his first visit to Europe after documenting World War I as a military artist. And, sadly, it was one of his last big trips before the artists health severely declined.
New Smyrna Beach artist Harold Garde, known for creating the Strappo technique of painting, is still working at age 98 and has new works shown at the Mills Gallery Aug. 7-28.
This was a remarkable joint effort between our Major Case Unit Detectives and DBPD to get this guy off the street, said Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly. I want to thank the detectives for their tireless efforts to bring justice to this victim and her family.
We are committed to ensuring that we maintain and restore the publics trust where it has been impacted by ensuring that those who wear the badge do so honorably, Worrell said. ... We believe that the public has a right to know if there is someone who has credibility issues that we would not want testifying.
The Broward County School Board adopted a face mask mandate for students, and everyone else on its campuses, last week but then said it would comply with the governors order and drop that requirement. Now, the school district says the mask mandate remains in effect and will be discussed by the board next week, with the boards chair saying soaring cases and hospitalizations have her ready to keep the rule in place for everyone, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported Wednesday.
Unfortunately, when someone leaves food out for the cats, there is no sign that says Cats Only, Donzelli said. The food attracts other animals  from squirrels to opossums to raccoons  many of which do not interact well with humans. When someone consistently leaves food in an area, animals become accustomed to it being there and it becomes a gathering point for many different animals.
Actors, of course, are not their characters, and Strong has tried to explain that, as much as she is awe-struck by self-confident, can-I-speak-to-the-manager types in real life, she isnt one of them. As she said a few weeks ago, Whenever theres someone making a spectacle in public, its the best thing Ive ever seen. But when I say Im shy or introverted, people are like, I dont think so. Im like, OK  but I am, you know.
Scorching heat, low humidity and strong winds have fed the fires, which so far have killed eight people and countless animals and destroyed forests in the past eight days. Villagers have had to evacuate their homes and livestock, while tourists have fled in boats and cars. In the seaside province of Mugla, where tourist hot spot Bodrum is located, seven fires continued Wednesday. In Antalya, at least two fires raged on and two neighborhoods had to be evacuated.
There are a number of ways that we can work to dilute the number of students who come into a room at a single time, said Joshua Weil, an Osceola County high school math teacher and a Democratic U.S. Senate candidate. ... There are a number of things we can do above and beyond doing nothing.
Thats heartening to hear. Paying ransom to cyber-thieves is tantamount to throwing chum in the water. As more hacked entities capitulate, a growing number of hackers and criminal outfits will be dazzled by the ease of the crime and will want in on the action. As its own enterprise, ransomware has evolved to the point that cybercriminals who developed the ransomware are now renting or selling it to less tech-savvy bad guys who unleash the attacks and collect the money.
According to the White House, the American Rescue Plan increased the Child Tax Credit from $2,000 per child to $3,000 per child for children over the age of six and from $2,000 to $3,600 for children under the age of six, and raised the age limit from 16 to 17. All working families [emphasis added] will get the full credit if they make up to $150,000 for a couple or $112,500 for a family with a single parent.
I feel indignant that all but one of my vaccinated network will be barred from the hospital. At the same time, I am overwhelmingly likely to survive and benefit from my stay. My partner will weather the extra responsibility. We walk this privileged path together.
Now, the mainstream media may have only recently picked up on this problem. But the guys over at Air-Conditioning Heating & Refrigeration News have been all over this for months. (Of course Im a loyal reader. Thats how I know the winter meeting of the Ground Source Heat Pump Association got moved to Nashville. Yay!)
If parents are going to be allowed to send their kids to school without a mask they should not be in the same school as students whose parents choose to comply, Deerfield Beach parent Diana Morillo wrote to School Board members. I will gladly drive my kids to a different school to ensure everyone there is following the same mask-wearing protocol. This is beyond ridiculous that POLITICS are more important than the safety of our students.
DeSantis also described Bidens support of local school boards being able to make their own mask policies as having the government force kindergarteners to wear masks in school. He doesnt believe the parents should have a say in that, he thinks that should be a decision for the government. Well, I can tell you in Florida, the parents are going to be the ones in charge of that decision.
Floridas election totals were tallied rapidly compared to other states in 2020, and there has been no evidence of widespread voter fraud. The results were also good for Republicans. Former GOP President Donald Trump won the state, and Republicans gained seats in the both chambers of the Legislature and flipped two Congressional seats.
Fort Ontario hosts Civil War historian Tom Ebert for a talk at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 11 in the Enlisted mens Barracks inside the old stone fort. The program, which covers Abrahams changing views on emancipation, is free and open to the public.
Port Louis, Mauritius (PANA) - A total of 96 new positive cases COVID-19 cases were detected in Mauritius on Tuesday, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, on Wednesday
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (PANA) - The Ethiopian government on Wednesday announced the suspension for three months of three humanitarian NGOs for "for breaching rules of the nation and operating outside of their mandate"
New York, US (PANA) - As the COVID-19 crisis continues to exacerbate restrictions on government spending throughout the world, the UN chief on Tuesday welcomed the decision by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to approve a $650 billion allocation of Special Drawing Rights to boost liquidity
Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) PLC (AIM: EOG) has launched a formal process for the farm-out of a stake in the Inezgane Offshore Permit, an 11,228 square kilometre area offshore Morocco.

The company describes it as a high-impact exploration opportunity in a highly underexplored area whilst highlighting that the acreage 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.

"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, said chief executive Simon Oddie.
TomCo (LON:TOM) is an oil & gas exploration and production company that operates in the Uinta Basin in Utah. The Uinta Basin and adjacent formations hold some of North Americas largest deposits of oil sands with the potential to yield some 10 billion barrels of oil. In June 2020 the company announced the formation of a joint venture (JV) called Greenfield Energy LLC to unlock the potential for oil sands development within the area using an innovative new production technology. The Greenfield JV has been operating a test facility producing up to 180 barrels per day (bpd) of output, which has provided the necessary data to evaluate a full-scale production plant capable of producing 5000 bpd. TomCo has reached an agreement to acquire a site for the full-scale plant, including the oil sands excavation. The company has recently released two reports providing more details: A front-end engineering design (FEED) study produced by Valkor LLC

A third-party technical verification report produced by Kahuna Ventures LLC The reports provide: Confirmation of US$110mln capital expenditure (capex) cost estimate for a 5000 bpd plant

New estimates for the ongoing operating expenditure (opex) cost, pointing to a cost per barrel (excluding capital cost) of US$22 per barrel. This compares with our previous estimate of US$30 per barrel that formed the basis for our valuation work in our report dated June 28 th

More details provided on the process for cleaning tailings sand Although the economic analysis in these reports does not factor in the saleable value of the sand, we believe we now have enough information to factor sand sales into our model. We assume that each barrel of oil generates 1.6 tons of sand, of which 70% will be suitable for sale as "frac" sand for the oil & gas industry, at a price of US$15 per ton. In addition to including sand in our model, we have updated our discounted cash flow (DCF) to apply the reduced estimate of US$22 per barrel opex. Our new DCF is outlined on p2.
Proactive analyst Ed Stacey talks to Katie Pilbeam about TomCo ( ) an oil & gas exploration and production company which operates in the Uinta Basin in Utah.

The Uinta Basin and adjacent formations hold some of North Americas largest deposits of oil sands with the potential to yield some 10 billion barrels of oil.

In June 2020 the company announced the formation of a joint venture (JV) called Greenfield Energy LLC to unlock the potential for oil sands development within the area using an innovative

new production technology.

Click here to read Proactive analyst Ed Stacey's latest research report on 'TomCo Energy - raising our DCF valuation'
Smarttech247 is an established company in automated managed detection and response cybersecurity

Cash shell Conduity Capital PLC has found a company it wants to take over: Smarttech247, an artificial intelligence (AI) specialist working in the cybersecurity field.

Conduity has conditionally agreed to acquire Smarttech247 for 33.5mln, to be satisfied through the issue of Conduity shares. With a market capitalisation of just 1.6mln, this would count as a reverse takeover (RTO) under AIMs rules.

Trading in the shares of Conduity is currently suspended. As a cash shell, Conduity has until 6 October to complete an acquisition, otherwise its AIM-listing will be suspended. The company still has to do its due diligence on the proposed acquisition and indicated it may not be able to meet this deadline, which would probably result in the company seeking to reapply for a listing on AIM should an acquisition be completed after the deadline.

For the period ended 31 July 2020, Smarttech247 reported audited profits before taxation of 829,000, revenue of 4.8 million and had net assets of 712,084.

These figures represent a significant increase compared to the previous year and the management of Smarttech247 believe that the current year to 31 July 2021 will demonstrate further substantial progress as they build on the stable of internally developed automated security products currently consisting of the successful ThreatTub (threat and vulnerability modelling and management) and NoPhish (an AI driven phishing response solution to threat emails).

Check out our video to hear about how @smarttech247 implemented a 24/7 MDR capability within ASL Aviation Holdings to help them reduce their cybersecurity risk, enhance visibility and protect against imminent threats. Hear what the customer has to say: https://t.co/c0ARbXguMu  Smarttech247 (@smarttech247) August 3, 2021

"Cybersecurity is a fast-growing market, with threats to organisations increasing on a daily basis. We are therefore very excited to be working with Smarttech247 towards a RTO which we believe would be transformational for Conduity, said Greg Collier, the chairman of Conduity.

Smarttech247 is already an established company in the sector with a successful track record of growing revenue and profitability. Going forward, we firmly believe that both the company and the sector are poised for further significant growth, he added.

Ronan Murphy, the chief executive of Smarttech247, said the company was very pleased to have been introduced to Conduity by its advisors.

We believe that the Smarttech247 business is well placed to become a global leader in the automated managed detection and response space. We have a proven track record, strong revenues and growth plans and a fantastic book of clients and we believe that working now with Conduity will help us to achieve our business goals," he said.
The recently rumoured suitor for Channel 4 has European broadcast rights sewn-up for Tokyo 2020, which has boosted direct-to-consumer streaming numbers

Image credit: A.RICARDO / Shutterstock

Discovery Inc said it set a new company record for subscriber sign-ups thanks to its bumper European rights deal for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

The US network, which earlier this week was rumoured as a possible acquirer of the UKs Channel 4 if it is privatised, has the broadcast rights sewn-up with the Olympics and has resold some coverage to the BBC.

Whilst the deal has proved controversial due to less live Olympic coverage for the British public broadcaster, it has evidently been a roaring commercial success for Discovery.

Discovery, which released quarterly results in America on Tuesday, said its coverage has so far seen more than 275mln viewers in Europe  including 175mln via its sub-licences to free-to-air broadcasters like the BBC. Around 10% more people have watched the Olympics compared to the 2018 winter games, it added.

Like its broadcast rivals Disney and Warner, the group is pushing a direct-to-consumer streaming service and according to its second- quarter results, subscribers totalled 17mln at the end of June and rose to 18mln presently as the Olympics continue.

Our first Summer Olympic Games have thus far been a success, supporting healthy viewing and subscriptions across both our linear and streaming platforms, and underscores the importance of our commitment and investment in marquee IP, Discovery chief executive David Zaslav said in a statement.

The rise in D2C subscriptions was among the drivers in a 130% increase in what Discovery calls next generation revenues which totalled US$400mln for the three months. Group revenue, meanwhile, was up 21% to US$3.06bn for the quarter, whilst net income came in at US$672mln versus US$271mln in the same period a year ago.

Discovery also highlighted strong advertising performances in each of its regions, with Zaslav telling investors that ad revenues accelerated through the second quarter, which he said marked a resurgence in key markets back above pre-pandemic levels.
Liberum initiated coverage with a buy recommendation and price target of 305p

( ) Ltd, the spin-off created by ( )s South African thermal coal assets, is likely to benefit from buoyant coal prices as funding for thermal coal projects dries up, said Liberum Capital.

Liberum initiated its coverage with a buy recommendation and price target of 305p and said the company offers pure, undervalued coal exposure.

The most unpopular commodity under our coverage, for our investor group, is thermal coal," said Liberum analysts. "Evolving investor mandates increasingly reject this source of carbon emissions.

On-going decarbonisation of the global economy has prompted a collapse in the funding of coal supply growth. While we embrace the principle that has delivered this outcome, the fact remains that coal will be a critical input for global power.

The problem here is that a third of the worlds power-generating capacity is coal-fired. It will take decades to switch power sources for these economies. Until the Age of Coal passes, expect product prices to remain buoyant, given how total supply is already shrinking on a lack of funding.

In late morning trading, shares in Thungela were up 2.3% at 220.8p.
A glance at some of the day's highlights from the Proactive Investors newswire

( ) said it has disposed of its entire investment in Italian firm Finance Partners Group (FPG) for 2.15mln.

( ) has revealed that it is in discussions to potentially acquire Drum Income Plus REIT PLC through a share exchange.

( , , ) saw organic revenue growth of 23% in the first half of 2021, driven by robust demand for the groups services.

( ), a North America-focused lithium development group, said it received permission to drill on part of its Wikieup project in Arizona.

( ) ( ) said its inaugural drilling programme on the Elizabeth Hill silver project, situated in the resource-rich Pilbara region of Australia, is due to start in coming days.

( , , , ) boosted production from its gold mines in West Africa in the second quarter of by 18% to 409,000 ounces of gold, while all-in sustaining costs decreased by US$15 per ounce to US$853 per ounce.

( ) will ask sharholder to approve a proposed 40mln capital reduction of the company's share premium account at its annual general meeting on 6 September. By reducing the share premium account, the company said it will increase its flexibility to pay dividends, to facilitate any prospective buyback of shares or to provide flexibility for any other general corporate purposes.

( , ) said it has completed the Phase I work programme on its two gold-nickel licences in the Tati Greenstone Belt near Francistown, Botswana.

( ) said the mining licence application for its flagship Bougouni lithium project in southern Mali is in the final stages of approval and that everything is progressing as expected.

Inspired is pleased to announce the appointment of Dianne Walker to the Board as an independent Non-Executive Director with immediate effect.

( ) has received a conversion notice from Atlas Capital Markets for 100,000 of convertible bonds, the second tranche of the second 0.5mln tranche drawn from the 4m facility. Some 150,000 of Atlas convertible bBonds remain outstanding.
( ) (ECP) Chairman Dominic White joins Proactive London's Katie Pilbeam to discuss their disposing of its entire investment in Italian firm Finance Partners Group (FPG) for 2.15mln.

As White explains there is now a better strategic alignment between its wholly-owned investments, Epsion Capital and InnFin, and its other activities.

White also discusses their latest acquisition of Innovative Finance and how it fits with the rest of Eight Capitals businesses.
All of the car dealers have outperformed the FTSE 100 this year, some spectacularly so.

On the stock market, and on the High Street for that matter, it has been a mixed year so far for retailers but one sub-sector that is really motoring is car dealerships.

Todays upbeat trading update from ( ) sent the share price sharply higher, extending the share price gain this year to 64%. Small wonder as the company has now raised full-year guidance three times in 2021.

And yet it is not even the best performing stock in the sub-sector; that accolade goes to ( ), which is up 230% year-to-date.

Some of that is down to the company being let off with a slapped wrist by the Financial Conduct Authority in March over its sales processes in the first half of 2019 but something else is clearly going on in the sector.

Lookers said in its first-half trading update last week that it had delivered an excellent trading performance despite continued disruption and uncertainty caused by COVID-19.

Stop me if you have heard this before but it raised full-year expectations for profit before tax.

This positive momentum has been driven by continued outperformance of the UK new retail car market combined with strong used volumes and margins, underpinned by Lookers' improved hybrid, omni-channel customer experience, Lookers said.

Ah yes, the omni-channel, otherwise known as online sales supplementing good old car showrooms.

Talking of online sales, even ( ), the UKs largest digital automotive marketplace, has had a decent year with its share price up 10%.

Thats despite profit before tax in the year to the end of March slumping 37% to 157.4mln on revenue that was down 38% to 262.8mln from the year before, after the company waived advertising fees to its retailer customers in April, May and December of 2020 and February of this year.

Contrast that solid performance with Cazoo, the online car dealer set to list in New York through a SPAC takeover, which made a small profit in the second quarter of calendar 2021.

Cazoo is valued at US$7bn and Auto Trader at 6.3bn, so there is not much difference in valuations but a huge difference in how the companies are perceived by the market.

A common theme among the car dealers trading updates recently has been what Auto Trader described as unusually strong demand and tight supply.

Its an indication of how dependent cars are now on technology that a shortage of semiconductors has affected new car production.

( , , ) (up 24% this year) said the shortage of new cars is expected to benefit sales of nearly new cars in the short term and could result in a future headwind.

For now, however, things are looking a lot brighter for car dealers than they were a year ago. Even todays news that petrol prices are at their highest level for eight years suggests that, with travellers spurning public transport, Britains love affair with the car is still going strong.
The company has been operating in Greenland, with a focus on the Kvanefjeld Rare Earth Project, since 2007.

The Kvanefjeld Project has an initial mine life of 37 years, based on a 108 million tonnes ore reserve.

( , ) is continuing the permitting process for its flagship Kvanefjeld Project in Greenland and is now awaiting the second consultation phase, which has been extended to September 13.

Public meetings have been earmarked for late August and will be attended by Ministers in Igaliku, Nanortalik, Narsaq, Narsarsuaq, Qaqortoq and Qassiarsuk in southern Greenland, followed by subsequent casework.

This comes after a new Coalition Government formed in Greenland with the Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA) and Naleraq parties in February 2021.

Although the new Governments leadership has stated an intention to oppose the development of Kvanefjeld, the government has agreed to a second round of public meetings during August.

Public consultation status

On December 17, 2020, the Greenland Government approved the commencement of the statutory public consultation of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) for the Kvanefjeld Project, and immediately initiated the consultation period.

This kicked off on December 18, 2020, for initially 12 weeks with Greenlandic, Danish and English versions of the EIA and the SIA made available on the Greenland Governments public hearing portal.

It was then extended to June 1, following the election, and then further extended to September 13 to accommodate another round of public meetings.

Public consultation White Paper

After the consultation period has been completed, the next step is to respond to issues raised during the process.

These responses are then collated in a document referred to as the White Paper.

So far, issues raised in the public meetings during February 2021 have been lodged via the Governments online portal, however, additional questions are expected during the next round of meetings in August.

To ensure that the process proceeds as efficiently as possible, Greenland Minerals has started preparing detailed responses to each of these issues for the White Paper with support from key consultants.

Responses are being prepared by reference to material already contained in the impact assessments themselves or in the consultants reports prepared to support the assessments.

Environmental baseline studies

Through the Greenland summer, GGG has completed additional environmental baseline studies in the broader project area to further increase its understanding of chemical dispersion by natural processes.

The company had intended to conduct an extensive field program this year, which was carefully planned with input from Greenlands independent scientific advisors with approvals in place for the planned drilling and engineering studies from Greenlands Mining Licence and Safety Authority.

Drilling was also planned to generate data for the next steps in permitting beyond an exploitation licence (operations and closure approvals), as well as geotechnical data for engineering studies.

With the change in political sentiment and resulting uncertainty, GGG has postponed the drilling program.

Draft legislation concerning uranium

The Greenland Government has put forward draft legislation for consultation to ban the exploration and exploitation of uranium, which would reverse some of the steps implemented by previous governments that aimed to establish a critical minerals industry in Greenland.

Critical minerals are those classed as being important to future technologies and in particular green industries (renewable energy, electric vehicles) with projected future supply shortfalls.

As the proposed Act is in draft form and in consultation, Greenland Minerals is not able to advise how such legislation could potentially affect the Kvanefjeld development proposal, nor how it would impact other mining projects in Greenland as well as the exploration for a variety of mineral deposit types.
Both parties have agreed to extend the current exclusive agreement to conclude a definitive agreement.

With due diligence completed, substantial progress has been made with negotiations

( ) has made substantial progress with ( ) of Australia Ltd regarding a possible joint venture on the High Purity Alumina Project in Western Australia, with both parties agreeing to extend the exclusive agreement for an extra month.

With due diligence completed, both parties are assessing as part of the content and scope of the project:

The broader development and future growth options for the project; and

Various de-risking options for the project in line with Alcoas operating experience.

An exclusive agreement period was set up with Alcoa to negotiate a binding terms sheet as the basis for a full form joint venture agreement. Both FYI and Alcoa believe the short extension is essential to complete the work required, facilitate the completion of negotiations and draft a binding term sheet.

Both parties aim to accelerate the projects development as outlined in the original MOU remains unchanged notwithstanding this extension.

"Significant opportunity for a unique joint venture"

FYI managing director Roland Hill said: "Alcoa and FYI are negotiating a significant opportunity for a unique joint venture to leverage our combined strengths to capture opportunities in the high-growth HPA market.

While the requirement for the extension is not ideal, our commitment to successfully negotiating a binding agreement is unwavering and we will continue to work constructively towards its completion.

Alcoa president Michael Gollschewski said: While not yet conclusive, Alcoa is encouraged by the progress made towards the establishment of a possible joint venture with FYI Resources for the production of HPA.

Background

FYI's Cadoux Kaolin Project has a 3.2 million tonne reserve and a more than 25-year mine life of aluminous kaolin clay, grading 24.8% aluminium oxide and around 10,000 tonnes per annum of feedstock would be produced via the companys proposed HPA production facility in Kwinana.

The longer-term driver for HPA, with a forecast compound annual growth rate of more than 17%, is the outlook for the burgeoning electric vehicle and static energy storage markets, where the primary function is in the use as a separator material between the anode and cathode in batteries to increase power, functionality and safety of the battery cells and FYI is positioning itself to be a significant producer of 4N and 5N HPA in this rapidly developing high-tech product market.

HPA is increasingly becoming the primary sought-after input material for certain high-tech products, principally for its unique properties, characteristics and chemical properties that address those applications high specification requirements such as LEDs and other sapphire glass products.
The collaboration aims to build on a Proteomics study that identified protein fingerprints in the blood - known as biomarkers - that could be used to test for endometriosis.

The collaboration consists of two phases: validation of existing biomarkers and subsequent discovery of new biomarkers.

( ) has signed a research agreement with the University of Melbourne and the Royal Womens Hospital to collaborate to develop a non-invasive simple blood test for endometriosis.

The partnership aims to develop the worlds first blood test for the painful condition, which affects one in nine women and costs Australia $9.7 billion each year.

The collaboration aims to build on a Proteomics study that identified protein fingerprints in the blood - known as biomarkers - that could be used to test for endometriosis.

An area of great unmet medical need

The key to the research is a world-leading endometriosis database of more than 900 women with endometriosis managed by the hospital, which will be used to validate the panel of biomarkers discovered by Proteomics.

Proteomics managing director Dr Richard Lipscombe said it was fantastic to be working with Australias leading endometriosis research team.

He added: Endometriosis is an area of great unmet medical need.

Were excited to pair our PromarkerTM technology platform - which has already been used to develop the worlds first predictive diagnostic test for diabetic kidney disease - with the University of Melbourne and Royal Womens Hospitals exceptional clinical database and expertise in this field.

It is exciting to think we could develop a worlds first blood test for diagnosing endometriosis.

Agreement terms

Under the terms of the agreement, University of Melbourne and Royal Womens Hospital will provide blood samples and the company will perform the sample analysis.

The collaboration consists of two phases: validation of existing biomarkers and subsequent discovery of new biomarkers.

The agreement is nonexclusive and parties will bear their own costs, with Proteomics further contributing a nominal fee to assist sample retrieval.

Proteomics will retain ownership of its background intellectual property (IP) and grants each other party a non-exclusive licence to use its background IP to carry out the research collaboration.

Newly created IP will be owned jointly by each party that contributes to its creation.
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.
A CMA report highlighted worrying implications for national security, according to Bloomberg

Nvidia Incs US$40bn takeover of UK microchip designer Arm may be blocked by the government for national security reasons, according to reports.

The US tech group has agreed to buy the business from Japans Softbank, but since it was announced in September, the deal has attracted a storm of criticism, initially on competition grounds but now apparently for national security issues as well.

According to Bloomberg, the government received a report from the Competition and Markets Authority on 20 July that as well as looking into the competition issues highlighted worrying implications for national security and that the UK was currently inclined to reject the takeover.

Sources at the office of Oliver Dowden, UK digital secretary, said a decision would be made on the next phase of the investigation in due course.

The news comes as two other UK defence companies are set to change hands, with US private equity-controlled Cobham accruing ( ) and a bid this week for military vehicles group ( ) ( ) from US rival Parker-Hannifin Corp ( ) sparking calls for all such military deals at least to be subject to much more scrutiny and potentially be blocked.

Nvidia boss Jensen Huang has said he wants to retain Arms name and expand its base in Cambridge.

Arms low energy chips are used on hundreds of devices globally and some competitors are worried about the implications if a leading chipmaker such as Nvidia takes it over.

Companies using the firms chips include Apple, Samsung, Qualcomm and MediaTek, with the group happy to license its chips to anyone willing to pay.

Nvidia said: We continue to work through the regulatory process with the UK government. We look forward to their questions and expect to resolve any issues they may have.
During the first month of operations the company's new Orange County store generated around $800,000 in sales, while gross margin for the company during the month was in excess of 50%

Planet 13 is a vertically integrated cannabis company, with award-winning cultivation, production and dispensary operations in Las Vegas and dispensary operations in Orange County

( , ). has reported $11.9 million in sales during July.

During the first month of operations the company's new Orange County store generated around $800,000 in sales, while gross margin for the company during the month was in excess of 50%.

"Based on the early results we've seen from the Orange County store we are confident in the trajectory of sales and the quality of service and product we are providing. Sales have grown week over week as we start to gain traction as one of the top dispensaries in Orange County," said Bob Groesbeck, co-CEO of Planet 13 in a statement.

"Looking back at the early days of Planet 13 Las Vegas is a good reminder that it takes time to build customer trust and awareness. We took that dispensary from generating around $3 million a month to now north of $9 million with gross margins above 50%, all by focusing on the customer and continuing to refine and improve the experience and product selection. We look forward to continuing to update our shareholders and fans as our Orange County location grows to its full potential," Groesbeck added.

On July 7, Planet 13 announced that it had added Moxie as the third store-in-store in its new Orange County SuperStore.

The Orange County SuperStore in California opened on July 1. The other two store-in-store operations are Select and STIIIZY.

Planet 13 is a vertically integrated cannabis company, with award-winning cultivation, production and dispensary operations in Las Vegas and dispensary operations in Orange County.

The company's mission is to build a recognizable global brand known for world-class dispensary operations and a creator of innovative cannabis products.

Contact the author at jon.hopkins@proactiveinvestors.com
One of the intervals reported included 11.75m assaying 3.3 g/t gold, which also included 1.75m at 15.53 g/t gold

The company still has numerous Parbec assays from its 2020/21, 15,569m drill program to report

( , ) said it has successfully completed the final twin hole, with multiple mineralized intervals at its Parbec project in Quebec.

The company said in a statement that one of the intervals included 11.75 metres (m) assaying 3.3 grams per ton (g/t) gold, which also included 1.75m at 15.53 g/t gold.

Renforths drill program was planned to twin, infill and undercut historic drill holes at Parbec, to support a rebuild of the geological model and a resource estimate restatement.

PAR-21-132 was the final planned twin hole to report on, Renforth told investors, but the company still has numerous Parbec assays from its 2020/21, 15,569m drill program to report.

According to Renforth, the current program successfully twinned 10% on the holes drilled on the property between 1986 and 1993. Each twin hole delivered assay results either comparable to, or greater than, the historic ones, the company added.

Renforth said it believes that the historic holes can be relied upon for lithological information as well as assay values.

Surimeau update

Separately, the company told shareholders that it is receiving assay data from a 3,456m drill program at the Victoria West target on its Surimeau project, also in Quebec.

With the assay data received to date, our technical team can see that the nickel versus the zinc (and copper) systems are remarkably separate structures juxtaposed upon each other, the company said in a statement. This observation supports the choice of our technical working model, the Outokumpu deposit model.

Renforth said that the property could host a Outokumpu-type deposit, which would be very unique outside of Finland.

Contact Angela at angela@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow her on Twitter @AHarmantas
It will produce fuel-grade, renewable isobutanol to be used as feedstock by Gevo to make sustainable aviation fuel and renewable premium gasoline to fulfill existing sales contracts

The Luverne facility will allow Gevo to test certain potential unit operations that may be incorporated into its advanced Net-Zero 1 production facility

( ) announced that production operations at its advanced, renewable fuels production facility located in Luverne, Minnesota have restarted, and it is expected to produce fuel-grade, renewable isobutanol (IBA).

The Englewood, Colorado-based company said the IBA produced will be used as a feedstock for Gevo to produce sustainable aviation fuel and renewable premium gasoline to fulfill existing sales contracts. These renewable hydrocarbons will be produced in Silsbee, Texas at the South Hampton Resources Inc hydrocarbon production facility. Gevo also expects to utilize some of the IBA produced to develop certain IBA specialty markets.

Significantly, the production operations at the Luverne Facility will allow Gevo to test and evaluate certain potential unit operations that may be incorporated into Gevos advanced Net-Zero 1 production facility that is expected to begin production in 2024 in Lake Preston, South Dakota.

Agri-Energy LLC, Gevos wholly-owned subsidiary that owns the Luverne facility, has re-hired multiple former employees and is in the process of hiring an additional 11 employees to produce the IBA with the goal to have 30 full-time employees.

The team in Luverne has done an exceptional job restarting isobutanol operations safely and with a focus on continuous improvement for future growth, Agri-Energy President Dr Paul Bloom said in a statement. We appreciate the continued support weve received from the State of Minnesota and City of Luverne and are happy to be increasing the number of high-quality jobs at the site. We see that Luverne has potential to serve specialty markets other than jet and gasoline. We expect to announce more in the coming months as the rest of the plans come together.

Meanwhile, Gevo CEO Patrick R Gruber noted that the company is getting geared up for what will be the next stage of Gevos growth, which is coming at us at an accelerated rate.

We are leveraging our existing Luverne location to optimize conversion of our isobutanol production to develop the standard in operating discipline for efficient and safe IBA production facilities, said Gruber. I like the option of being able to test unit operations that could help optimize and train people for Net-Zero 1. It will be critical for Net-Zero 1 to start-up smoothly and the best way to do that is to do a good job training our people. I expect Luverne to provide some of that experience.

Contact the author Uttara Choudhury at uttara@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow her on Twitter: @UttaraProactive
A glance at some of the day's highlights from the Proactive Investors US and Canada newswires

Your daily round-up from the world of Proactive

( , ) has applied to the TSX Venture Exchange for the approval of a warrant exercise incentive program. The proposed program would work in conjunction with a private placement completed in July that offered 5,750,000 units priced at $0.08 each. In addition to one common share, each unit contained one share purchase warrant valid for three years and priced at $0.12. As such, Falcon Gold has 5,750,000 placement warrants priced at $0.12 each and expiring July 13, 2023.

has published a business update on Ideal Power Inc. which is focused on the development and commercialization of its B-TRAN-based solid-state circuit breakers (SSCBs). The technology acts orders of magnitude faster than incumbent electromechanical devices. Water Tower said Ideal Power is well-placed to capture a slice of the large and growing $6 billion IGBT (insulated-gate bipolar transistors) power switches market. Owing to their superior performance and efficiency, bi-directionality, and fewer thermal management requirements, B-TRAN power switches may be able to replace IGBTs in many applications, Water Tower said. Read more insights from the report here.

African Gold Group Inc has announced the appointment of Douglas Jendry to the board of directors. Jendry is an accomplished executive with over 30 years of international experience in mining and capital markets. He has been involved as an executive and non-executive director for several mining companies with particular focus on companies listed in Australia and London. He has served as chairman of Capricorn Metals and Talon Energy and CEO of Impress Energy. On behalf of the Board and the Company, we are pleased to welcome Douglas Jendry to African Gold Group, said CEO Danny Callow in a statement. Mr. Jendry brings a diverse set of expertise as an accomplished executive which will help us with our continued focus on diversifying our shareholder base and expanding into Australian market.

( ) Inc. said it has completed the acquisition of all the issued and outstanding shares of Earth Circle Organics Chain Inc. Headquartered in Las Vegas, Earth Circle Organics is a direct-to-consumer (DTC) and wholesaler of supplements and superfood products. It operates primarily in the US, but it also has a presence in Canada. For the acquisition, Levitee said it issued 488,702 shares at C$0.51 each and paid US$1,675,000 in cash on closing, with an additional US$125,000 having been previously paid as a deposit.

( ). announced that production operations at its advanced, renewable fuels production facility located in Luverne, Minnesota have restarted, and it is expected to produce fuel-grade, renewable isobutanol (IBA). The Englewood, Colorado-based company said the IBA produced will be used as a feedstock for Gevo to produce sustainable aviation fuel and renewable premium gasoline to fulfill existing sales contracts. These renewable hydrocarbons will be produced in Silsbee, Texas at the South Hampton Resources Inc hydrocarbon production facility. Gevo also expects to utilize some of the IBA produced to develop certain IBA specialty markets. Significantly, the production operations at the Luverne Facility will allow Gevo to test and evaluate certain potential unit operations that may be incorporated into Gevos advanced Net-Zero 1 production facility that is expected to begin production in 2024 in Lake Preston, South Dakota.

( ) Inc. said it has strategically chosen market segments on which it will focus initially, including the pharmaceutical industry and the healthcare sector. The company also said it is now exploring opportunities in agriculture supply chains, which have faced significant challenges such as labour concerns and higher oil prices in recent years. Spotlite360 said its blockchain and internet of things (IoT) technologies can easily be integrated into systems, equipment, and supplies that are common for agriculture industry players that include farmers, ground transporters, distribution centres, and retail grocers.

( ) Corp said that the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has accepted 51 new prospecting rights applications covering around 145 square kilometers (km) around its Barrick alliance Togi project, on the Noto Peninsula of Honshu. The Vancouver-headquartered group said that in November 2020, the Barrick alliance collected 412 rock samples and 88 bulk leach extractable gold (BLEG) samples across the Togi project. Systematic stream sediment sampling defined a continuous, 8 km long corridor of gold anomalous drainages within the Togi project, said the company.

( ) has announced the appointment of professional digital motorsports driver, Kuba Brzezinski as a digital motorsports advisor to the company. The company noted that Brzezinski is a driver with Williams Esports, one of the worlds leading sim racing organizations that competes in Formula 1 Esports Series, Formula E Accelerate, ESL MAPFRE, eWTCR, Le Mans Esports, GT Pro and FIA Gran Turismo Championships. Brzezinski joined Williams in early 2019.Brzezinski began sim racing in 2010 and is now considered one of the top esports drivers in the world, mainly competing in rFactor 2 and RaceRoom. He also brings digital motorsports to the masses via his YouTube channel - Formula 7, where he regularly streams with his Williams Esports teammate Nikodem Wisniewski.

PlantX Life Inc said Lorne Rapkin has been appointed to the role of chief executive officer of the company, effective immediately. Previously, Rapkin held the position of chief financial officer at PlantX Life dubbed the; one-stop-shop for everything plant-based. Julia Frank, who formerly served as CEO will continue as the company's chief operating officer, while Shariq Khan, the company's director of finance, has been appointed the new chief financial officer.

Heritage Cannabis Holdings Corp is getting a new CEO in cannabis veteran David Schwede. The Toronto-based vertically integrated cannabis company is reshuffling its boardroom with outgoing CEO Clint Sharples taking on the role of chairman, following the resignation of Donald Ziraldo for personal reasons. I am very pleased to hand the CEO role to David at a pivotal and exciting time for Heritage, Sharples said in a statement.

( ) has said it will co-produce and participate in the 24th Annual East Coast Gaming Congress and NexGen Gaming Forum in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on October 25-26, 2021. The company is expected to be the only esports operator participating in the conference. "This is a great opportunity to showcase our evolving brand and comprehensive B2B esports solution set with leaders from across the casino industry," said Grant Johnson, CEO of Esports Entertainment in a statement.

( ), Inc. has said it will release its second-quarter 2021 results on Thursday, August 12, 2021, after the market close. The company will also host a conference call and webcast on the same day at 4.30pm EDT to discuss its financial results with analysts and institutional investors. Management on the call will include CEO Dwight Egan and CFO Brian Brown. The call and webcast will be available via: Webcast: ir.codiagnostics.com on the Events & Webcasts page; Conference Call: 877-317-6789 (domestic) or 412-317-6789 (international). For investors unable to participate during the live webcast, the call will be recorded and later made available on the companys website.

( ) ( , ) has signed an exclusive agreement for the use of virtual reality (VR) technology in psychedelic treatments. The company is partnering with OVR Tech LLC to provide its INHALE Wellness Platform during an initial two-year term in ( )s clinics. The technology is an olfactory-enabled VR platform designed to deepen immersion, promote relaxation, and help manage stress.

( , ). has reported $11.9 million in sales during July. During the first month of operations the company's new Orange County store generated around $800,000 in sales, while gross margin for the company during the month was in excess of 50%. "Based on the early results we've seen from the Orange County store we are confident in the trajectory of sales and the quality of service and product we are providing. Sales have grown week over week as we start to gain traction as one of the top dispensaries in Orange County," said Bob Groesbeck, co-CEO of Planet 13 in a statement.

( , ). has announced that after months of R&D and trials, it has successfully completed a full-scale commercial trial manufacturing run of ready-to-drink (RTD) liquid version of its Plant-Based Complete Nutrition for Toddlers and Kids products. This key milestone sets the Company on a path to penetrate the lucrative liquid format in both the Toddler and Kids Nutrition space, said Hamutal Yitzhak, CEO and co-founder of Else Nutrition in a statement. With thousands of families nationwide already using Else products in powder format, being able to offer Clean Label, whole-food-based Else products in convenient RTD form, opens up a further 92% of the Kids nutritional drinks market, a $1 billion category in the US alone," Yitzhak added.

( , , , ) boosted production from its gold mines in West Africa in the second quarter of by 18% to 409,000 ounces of gold, while all-in sustaining costs decreased by US$15 per ounce to US$853 per ounce. Total production for the first half of 2021 amounted to 756,000 ounces of gold and an all-in sustaining cost of US$860 per ounce.

PsyBio Therapeutics Corp. has initiated a new program to study N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists and associated analogs for potential activity against a variety of human health conditions. The company said it has filed a new provisional patent application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office entitled NMDA Receptor Antagonist-Containing Compositions and Methods of Treatment. The addition of NMDA receptor antagonists with pending patent protection is highly focused on the potential improvement of neurological conditions including traumatic brain injury, other neurological deficits, addiction as well as other psychological conditions.

( ) has released a detailed overview of its 2H 2021 exploration plans for both the King Tut and Dunlop Bay properties located in Quebec. Covering the next six months, BMEX has scheduled several drills and reconnaissance surveys for the projects that lie within the Abitibi Greenstone Belt. The gold explorer has also appointed Robert Pryde as president and director of the company.

Empower Clinics Inc announced that it has achieved a major milestone in completing the expansion of its recently acquired Dallas, Texas-based Kai Medical Laboratory, which operates accredited labs that provide reliable and accurate testing solutions for hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and employer groups. Empower, which is one of the largest operators of medical health and wellness centers in the US, acquired Kai with its 8,000-square-foot medical lab and covered drive-up testing center on October 6, 2020. Empower has been able to expand the impact of its integrated health model via a successful pivot towards the coronavirus (COVID-19) testing space through Kai Medical Laboratory.

( , ). has said it is expanding its lithium exploration project at the Salar de Antofalla in Argentina via an option agreement. The company said it has entered into an option agreement with a group of three local vendors to earn a 100% interest in three granted mine concession properties totaling 5,380.5 hectares situated adjacent to the company's 9,000 hectares of 100% held claims. "This acquisition further bolsters our presence in this highly prospective salar. Albemarle Corporation, a major lithium producer, stated that its lithium resource in the southern portion of Salar de Antofalla is expected to be certified as the largest in Argentina," said Nikolaos Cacos, president and CEO of Argentina Lithium & Energy in a statement.

( ) said it has integrated the UserTesting platform into the marketing strategy for its flagship Kash Karnival hyper-casual gaming app. Companies such as Microsoft, ( ) and Canva employ UserTesting - https://www.usertesting.com/ - to gain product feedback and improve the experiences of their customers. Royal Wins will employ UserTesting to rapidly increase the rate at which the company is able to test new games and user interface developments, and to help perfect marketing materials and strategies at scale and in real-time. This integration into the Kash Karnival marketing strategy will assist the company in targeting its marketing efforts more accurately, and therefore more efficiently, it said.

( , ) said it has successfully completed the final twin hole, with multiple mineralized intervals at its Parbec project in Quebec. The company said in a statement that one of the intervals included 11.75 metres (m) assaying 3.3 grams per ton (g/t) gold, which also included 1.75m at 15.53 g/t gold. Renforths drill program was planned to twin, infill and undercut historic drill holes at Parbec, to support a rebuild of the geological model and a resource estimate restatement.

( , ) has announced new drilling and channel sampling results for the ongoing exploration program at the Estrella-Diamantina mineralized trend within its Zara property in Colombia. Soma said it has now completed 2,450m of the 3,500m planned for 2021 on the Estrella-Diamantina trend, noting that drilling and channel sample results have successfully identified a hydrothermal system, including well-developed quartz-carbonate veins. "These results verify the continuity of the mineralization associated with the Otu Fault trend on the company's property, and additional drilling might outline economic mineralization," said Soma CEO Javier Cordova.

Golden Arrow Resources Corporation has identified new anomalies on its Rosales copper property in Chile. The junior resource company said that geophysical surveying had revealed a more conductive and larger feature below the near-surface conductivity anomalies reported in June 2021. According to Golden Arrow, the earlier reported G1 and G2 conductivity anomaly targets cover 800 metres (m) by 500m and 600m by 400m at surface, respectively.

( ) Corp, a junior gold producer with operations in the goldfields of Nevada, posted second-quarter results that saw record production, net income of $8.3 million and a strong cash position of $41.5 million. For the period ended June 30, 2021, Fortitude reported 14,579 ounces of gold produced at $628 per ounce all-in sustaining cost. The company reported 6.75 grams per tonne average gold grade mined. Realized metal prices during the quarter averaged $1,794 per ounce gold, with the company clocking up $25.9 million in net sales. The Nevada-focused mining company posted $8.3 million in net earnings or $0.35 per share in the second quarter. Fortitudes treasury increased to $41.5 million on June 30, 2021, up $13.8 million or 50%, from December 31, 2020.

( , , ) said a summer exploration program is ongoing at its Nelligan property in northern Quebec. Currently, the company is focused on an infill drilling program that has collected data from five holes (1,600 meters) to date. An additional five to 10 holes are anticipated for this zone. Once infill drilling in the target area is completed, Vanstar will shift its attention to the western extension, with the intention of expanding the resource.

( ), Inc. has announced that company management will participate in a fireside chat during the ( , ) 41st Annual Growth Conference being held virtually on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, at 1.30pm ET. Investors interested in arranging a virtual meeting with the companys management during the conference should contact the ( , ) conference coordinator. A webcast of the fireside chat will be available under the Events & Webcasts tab of the Investors section of the Zynerba website at www.zynerba.com. An archived replay will be available on the companys website following the event for 60 days.

CleanSpark, Inc. has announced that it will hold the company's third-quarter 2021 live virtual earnings presentation and business update for investors and analysts on August 16, 2021, at 1.00pm PST/ 4.00pm. EST. To participate in the virtual meeting, investors can use the following link: https://globalmeet.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1486534&tp_key=e7f1f1fab1. This URL can be used for the live event or to watch the recorded version. A transcription will be available on our investor website after the event.

( , ) Inc, has said it will publish its operating results for the second quarter of 2021 on Monday, August 16, 2021. The company will host a live webcast with Robert Kaul, ( , ) CEO to review its progress to date and its fiscal second-quarter results beginning at 1.30pm Eastern time on Tuesday, August 17, 2021. Investors wishing to participate in the webcast can register at: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_aoM3X1mORRmEUTNpQ32RHQ. ( , ) also said that, subject to regulatory approval, it has retained Generation IACP INC. (GIACP) to initiate its market-making services to the Company and Mercova Capital (Evan Eadie) to perform Investor Relations services.

( , ) Inc. said it will release its second-quarter 2021 financial results prior to the opening of the financial markets on Wednesday, August 11, 2021. The release will be followed by a conference call at 8.30am Eastern Time, hosted by Bragg chief executive officer, Richard Carter, chief financial officer, Ronen Kannor, and chief strategy officer, Yaniv Spielberg, to discuss the results and provide a business update. Dial-in information: US/Canada: (844) 965-3274; International: (639) 491-238; Passcode: 7796169. A replay of the call will be available for seven days following the conclusion of the live call. In order to access the replay, dial (416) 621-4642 or (800) 585-8367 (toll-free) and use the passcode 7796169. During the call, management will review a presentation that can be accessed via the following link: http://www.bragg.games/investors

( ), Inc. has announced that Saiid Zarrabian, its chief executive officer, will participate at the BTIG Virtual Biotechnology Conference on August 9, 2021. The company said Zarrabian will deliver his corporate presentation on Monday, August 9, 2021 at 2.00pm ET / 11.00am PT. The live webcast will be available on the BTIG conference website at the time of the event, after which it will be available through BTIG research access. Investors can also request a one-on-one meeting with Zarrabian to be arranged following the conclusion of the conference by contacting a BTIG conference representative.

( ) Limited has said it will host a conference call on Thursday, August 12, 2021, at 8.00am Eastern time to discuss its financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2021, in addition to providing a business update. ( ) Reynolds, ( ) president and chief executive officer will host the call along with Terig Hughes, chief financial officer, Dr Tom Butera, chief executive officer of Volition Veterinary, and Scott Powell, executive vice president, Investor Relations. The call will provide an update on recent developments and Volition's activities, including details of new and ongoing clinical trials, important events which have taken place in the second quarter of 2021, and milestones for 2021 and beyond. Dial-in details: US & Canada 1-877-407-9716 (toll free) UK 0 800 756 3429 (toll free); Toll/International: 1-201-493-6779; Conference ID 13722250 A live audio webcast of the conference call will also be available on the investor relations page of Volition's corporate website at http://ir.volition.com. In addition, a telephone replay of the call will be available until August 26, 2021. The replay dial-in numbers are 1-844-512-2921 (toll-free) in the US and Canada and 1-412-317-6671 (toll) internationally; replay pin number 13722250.

( ) Ltd said the TSX Venture Exchange has consented to an extension in the expiry date of the following warrants all issued under private placements: 385,000 warrants with an exercise price of 50 cents from an original expiry date of July 31, 2021, to a new expiry of January 31, 2022; 790,000 warrants with an exercise price of 50 cents from an original expiry date of July 31, 2021, to a new expiry date of January 31, 2022; 2 million warrants with an exercise price of 50 cents from an original expiry date of July 31, 2021, to a new expiry date of January, 2022.
Previously, Rapkin held the position of chief financial officer at the company dubbed the; one-stop-shop for everything plant-based

PlantX Life also announced that its San Diego-based brick-and-mortar store will open in September 2021

PlantX Life Inc said Lorne Rapkin has been appointed to the role of chief executive officer of the company, effective immediately.

Previously, Rapkin held the position of chief financial officer at PlantX Life dubbed the; one-stop-shop for everything plant-based.

Julia Frank, who formerly served as CEO will continue as the company's chief operating officer, while Shariq Khan, the company's director of finance, has been appointed the new chief financial officer.

In the new role, the company said, Rapkin will use his financial background to propel PlantX's strategic growth in an evolving industry, while also ensuring the execution of the company's future development plans.

"I feel very privileged to continue to serve PlantX as its CEO," Rapkin said in a statement. "Having started with the company when it was just a vision on paper, I have been involved in both the financial aspects of PlantX and its day-to-day operations. Working under Julia's leadership has been an honour and I am determined to build on her legacy and prioritize PlantX's critical mission, while striving to achieve our shareholders' and customers' expectations."

PlantX offers customers across North America access to more than 10,000 plant-based products. In addition to currently offering meal and indoor plant deliveries, the companys expansion plans include cosmetics, clothing, as well as a water brand.

"As PlantX transitions into a new chapter, we have seen a rising interest and demand among our shareholders to strengthen the company," said PlantX founder, Sean Dollinger. "Lorne's appointment as CEO aims to integrate our shareholders' views within the overall direction of the Company. As Chief Financial Officer, he has had an integral role in the founding of PlantX, and he has been adding exceptional value ever since. Lorne is a natural-born leader whose strategic vision and strong work ethic will strengthen PlantX to ensure its long-term success."

Moving ahead, PlantX announced that its San Diego-based brick-and-mortar store will open in September 2021. Also in the US market, the company recently launched a meal-delivery program and expanded its Canadian meal delivery service.

Additionally, the "New Deli" PlantX brick-and-mortar store in Squamish, British Columbia will be rebranded as the "PlantX Market".

Lastly, PlantX reported that it has completed its integration as a seller on Walmart Canada Marketplace and Hudson's Bay Marketplace.

Contact the writer at georgia@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow her on Twitter @MissInformd
New CEO Schwede originally joined Heritage as its president of recreational following the firms acquisition of concentrate brand Premium 5, which Schwede led as CEO

Schwede is also a former senior member of cannabis powerhouse Aurora Cannabis

Heritage Cannabis Holdings Corp is getting a new CEO in cannabis veteran David Schwede.

The Toronto-based vertically integrated cannabis company is reshuffling its boardroom with outgoing CEO Clint Sharples taking on the role of chairman, following the resignation of Donald Ziraldo for personal reasons.

I am very pleased to hand the CEO role to David at a pivotal and exciting time for Heritage, Sharples said in a statement.

David has a long track record of success in the cannabis space, innovating unique products and applying his entrepreneurial spirit to execute on growth strategies. Over the past six months, David has demonstrated that he is capable of leading this company and I have full confidence that he will successfully take Heritage to the next level.

New CEO Schwede originally joined Heritage as its president of recreational following the firms acquisition of concentrate brand Premium 5, which Schwede led as CEO.

He is also a former senior member of cannabis powerhouse Aurora Cannabis. Prior to his cannabis career, Schwede worked with technology startups and helped to scale early-stage, award-winning companies.

Since day one, Heritage has proven to be the platform on which to build a successful house of brands. I am very excited and honored to be given the opportunity to continue to build on the success of the new Heritage, Schwede told shareholders.

As we move into the next phase of our exciting journey, I am confident we will continue to see sequential revenue growth, further distribution nationally, and a presence in the US with products on shelves by the end of the year, all while keeping the path to profitability as our core focus.

Schwede will also take a seat at the boardroom table as director of the company following the resignation of Max Gerard, partner at Merida Capital Holdings, pending security clearance by Health Canada. Gerard will stay on in an advisory role to Heritage. Merida, one of Heritages key shareholders, will appoint a new board member once it is awarded clearance.

Contact Angela at angela@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow her on Twitter @AHarmantas
The proposed program would work in conjunction with a private placement completed in July that offered 5,750,000 units priced at $0.08 each

Falcon gold is currently advancing its flagship project the Central Canada Gold mine in Ontario

( , ) has applied to the TSX Venture Exchange for the approval of a warrant exercise incentive program.

The proposed program would work in conjunction with a private placement completed in July that offered 5,750,000 units priced at $0.08 each. In addition to one common share, each unit contained one share purchase warrant valid for three years and priced at $0.12.

As such, Falcon Gold has 5,750,000 placement warrants priced at $0.12 each and expiring July 13, 2023.

Under the proposed incentive program, if the placement warrants are exercised prior to 4 pm PST on the 30th day after TSX Venture Exchange approval, the holder will receive one additional warrant (an Incentive Warrant) in consideration of the early exercise of each Placement Warrant.

According to the statement: Each Incentive Warrant will be exercisable to acquire one common share of the company at a price of $0.18 per share for a period of one year from the date of issuance. The Company believes this will give existing Placement Warrant holders the right incentive to exercise their Placement Warrants.

If a warrant holder decides to not participate in the incentive program, the holder may exercise the Placement Warrants on their original terms or allow them to expire unexercised after the incentive period.

Falcon gold is currently advancing its flagship project the Central Canada Gold mine in Ontario.

Contact the writer at georgia@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow her on Twitter @MissInformd
Vanstar Mining Resources CEO JC St Amour joined Stephen Gunnion from Proactive with an update on the summer exploration program at its Nelligan property in northern Quebec.

At the Felix property, also in Quebec, an analysis of a recent Induced Polarisation (IP) survey has been concluded.

St Amour also telling Proactive that Vanstar is also moving ahead with exploration work at both the Frida and Eva projects, with a ground grew mobilizing to conduct a prospecting and sampling program at both projects.
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.
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Actor Efremovs appeal against sentence in fatal car crash case set for mid-September

 RAPSI, Eugeny Varlamov

10:53 04/08/2021

MOSCOW, August 4 (RAPSI)  The Second Cassation Court of General Jurisdiction will consider an appeal filed by actor Mikhail Efremov against his sentence in the case over fatal traffic road traffic accident on September 15, the courts press service told RAPSI.

Efremov seeks to mitigate his sentence to reasonable limits as he is sure not to outlive these 7.5 years in custody. The convict also insists that driver Sergey Zakharov, who had died in the crash involving the actor, was not buckled up.

In October 2020, the Moscow City Court reduced jail sentence of Efremov by 6 months, from 8 to 7.5 years. The actor was found guilty of driving under influence (DUI) resulting in vehicular homicide.

As established by the court, on the evening of June 8, Efremov driving his car crossed into the oncoming lane in central Moscow and collided with a delivery service vehicle. He was arrested on the scene. Alcohol and drugs were reportedly found in his blood. Victim Sergey Zakharov was taken to hospital where he died early in the morning of June 9.

Efremov admitted his guilt.
Deripaskas defamation claim against Navalny may be resumed

 RAPSI

13:05 04/08/2021

MOSCOW, August 4 (RAPSI)  The Moscow Commercial Court will hear a bid to resume defamation lawsuit filed by businessman Oleg Deripaska against Alexey Navalny on September 16, according to court records.

In September, the Moscow Commercial Court suspended consideration of the tycoons claim.

The applicant seeks to oblige the defendant to refute information distributed in several videos on the Youtube-channel of Navalny. Moreover, the tycoon demands a 1-ruble moral compensation from the blogger.

Earlier, Navalny filed a petition with Russias Supreme Court challenging an order to remove and refute information on the Crimean meat processing plant Druzhba Narodov he had distributed. The Moscow District Commercial Court has dismissed Navalnys cassation appeal in this defamation dispute. Navalny challenged the Moscow Commercial Courts ruling of February 2019, and the July 2019, ruling of the Ninth Commercial Court of Appeals.

The Moscow Commercial Court ruled in favor of Druzhba Narodov on February 12, 2019. The court declared information distributed by Navalny in one of his videos untrue and discrediting the plants business standing.

The statements read that the meat processing plant inflated prices for food products purveyed for the National Guard, delivered bad quality goods and accused the plant employees of embezzlement during supplies.

According to the court ruling, the defendant did not furnish evidence of credibility of the disseminated information.

On July 26, 2019, the Ninth Commercial Court of Appeals upheld the ruling.




Penitentiary officials seek to detain medical workers union's head in sanitary breach case

 RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov

14:18 04/08/2021

MOSCOW, August 4 (RAPSI)  The Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) has filed a motion seeking to place the head of the medical workers' union Alyans Vrachei (Doctors' Alliance) Anastasia Vasilyeva in detention as part of a sanitary violations case, her attorney Dmitry Dzhulai has told RAPSI.

The petition will be heard by Moscows Preobrazhensky District Court on August 11.

Currently, the woman is under restraining order. She is banned from leaving her place of residence from 8 pm to 8 am, her lawyer said. She stands charged with breaching sanitary and epidemiological rules during the illegal rally held in Moscow on January 23.

According to the Interior Ministry, coronavirus-positive persons ordered to isolation were identified among the rally participants. A criminal case over violation of sanitary and epidemiological rules was opened over this fact.




Russian prosecutors seek to collect $126 mln from ex-Minister, Alfa-Bank

 Moskva city news agency, Alexander Avilov

16:04 04/08/2021

MOSCOW, August 4 (RAPSI)  The Russian Prosecutor General's Office is asking the Moscow Gagarinsky District court to collect in favor of the state more than $126 million from ex-Minister of the Open Government Mikhail Abyzov and Alfa-Bank, the press service of the court informs RAPSI.

The court registered a lawsuit initiated by prosecutors against Abyzov and Alfa-Bank seeking to recover from the defendants more than $126 million in favor of the state. A preliminary meeting on this claim is scheduled for August 12 this year, the court noted.

Prosecutors demand the recovery of $22 million from Abyzov, as well as about $31 million and about 5,6 billion rubles (circa $5.6 million at the current exchange rate) from the bank, according to the statement.

This May, the Moscow City Court ruled in favor of the Russian Prosecutor General's Office, which sought that over 32.5 billion rubles ($435 million at the current exchange rate) worth of funds owned by Mikhail Abyzov were forfeited to the State.

In October 2020, the Moscow Gagarinsky District Court ruled to forfeit to the State 32.5 billion rubles jointly and severally from Abyzov and a number of companies.

In mid-August last year, the Russian Investigative Committee of Russia completed its investigation of the ex-minister and other defendants.

According to investigators, Abyzov, being the beneficial owner of a number of offshore commercial organizations, created and headed a criminal community: acting in complicity with other persons, he fraudulently stole funds in the amount of 4 billion rubles ($54 million) from Sibirskaya Energeticheskaya Kompaniya and Regionalnye Elektricheskiye Seti. Later, the embezzled funds were moved overseas.

The fact of the legalization of funds by Abyzov and other defendants was established thanks to effective interaction with Russian finance watchdog Rosfinmonitoring and with the assistance of the competent authorities of the Republic of Cyprus, as the Investigative Committee had informed earlier.
Two Russian security officers charged with fraud go on trial

 RIA Novosti, Yevgeny Biyatov

15:27 04/08/2021

MOSCOW, August 4 (RAPSI) - Two former officers of the Federal Security Service (FSB) indicted in fraud face trial in the Moscow Garrison Military Court, according to the courts press service.

Earlier, reserve lieutenant colonel of the Federal Security Service Kirill Cherkalin, who had been convicted of fraud and bribe, testified against Dmitry Frolov and Andrey Vasilyev. One more defendant is a shareholder of the bank Creditimpex Georgy Shkurko.

A hearing on the merits begins on August 4. A prosecutor is to read indictment against the persons accused. The defendants are expected to enter the plea of guilty or not guilty.

In April, the Moscow Garrison Military Court sentenced reserve FSB lieutenant colonel Cherkalin to 7 years in high-security prison. The court found him guilty of receiving bribes on a large scale and large-scale fraud. In addition to the prison term he was also banned from holding law enforcement posts for 3 years, deprived of his colonel rank and second-class medal of the Order of Merit for the Motherland.

The case was heard under a special procedure, without examination of evidence and interrogation of witnesses, as the defendant had signed a plea deal with investigators. He has got 4 years less in prison than the prosecutor had asked for.

Civil claims of Sergey Glyadelkin and his cousin Igor Tkach who had been considered victims by the court in the fraud episode were granted partially and collected 318 million rubles ($4.4 million) in favor of each victim, that was in 60 times less than they had initially requested.

Meanwhile, Yury Spesivtsev, the defense lawyer for Frolov, draws attention to an unreliable forensic examination carried out on a fraud count due to what applications were filed with Russias Investigative Committee and Prosecutor General's Office seeking to verify the actions of experts and investigators, who had failed to submit corporate financial reports and bank loan documents on the Yurpromconsultings (YPC) outstanding loan in the amount of 1.9 billion rubles ($26 million) for a forensic study to assess the market value of 49 % of the share of the company YPC.

The attorney also states that the victims have no lawful legal connections on Yurpromconsulting. Tkach, who was recognized as victim in the case a year after the start of the probe along with his cousin Sergey Glyadelkin, can hardly be a victim due to his then official position. At the time of the alleged crime, he acted as the head of Mosnadzor, overseeing on behalf of the Moscow government an investment contract with Yurpromconsulting, the beneficiary of which he calls himself now, Spesivtsev noted.

The lawyer also points that Moscows government waived implementation of a project involving YPC in 2009-2010 after the liquidation of the citys Department for Construction Investment Programs and task budget investment fund of Moscow and changes in land legislation. In late 2011, the law 427-FZ was adopted discharging Moscows authorities from liability for the annulment of all investment contracts envisaging construction in the city that resulted in the YPC bank loan default, Spesivtsev reminds.

Moreover, the defense lawyers have documents reading that the assets (units of the closed-end mutual Investment Property Fund named Fund of Investment properties ), that had been wrongly identified as belonging to Yurpromconsulting LLC as of December 2011, by the experts appointed by investigators and valued them at more than 2.5 billion rubles ($34 million) in fact was actually sold by the company in 2008, and all these circumstances completely exclude the presence of any criminal corpus delicti, Spesivtsev stresses.

According to the defense attorney, Glyadelkin being a repeated victim was directly related to a case against a former vice-mayor of Moscow Alexander Ryabinin convicted in 2012. His judgement contains the confirmation that the municipal project involving Yurpromconsulting was terminated in 2009, Spesivtsev says.

However, for some reason it is now said that someone allegedly threatened Glyadelkin with opening a case against him by Ryabinin. This is one more myth, Spesivtsev emphasises. Glyadelkin was an applicant in the case of Ryabinin, knew his rights very well, had state witness protection by the FSB and understood that he could bear no responsibility for participating in the case in this status. Moreover, a ruling on the refusal to initiate criminal proceedings against Glyadelkin upon an application filed by Ryabinin was issued in the summer of 2011.

The version about possible termination of the investment contract by Moscow in case of refusal to sell 49% share in the YPC in 2011 also looks ridiculous, because as result of the non-fulfillment of this contract by the City of Moscow, Yurpromconsulting itself applied to the Moscow Commercial Court with a claim for such termination at the end of 2010, the lawyer adds.
Supreme Court upholds 13-year sentence of Russian for links with U.S. Intelligence Agency

 RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov

16:38 04/08/2021

MOSCOW, August 4 (RAPSI)  The Supreme Court of Russia on Wednesday upheld the 13-year prison sentence given to ex-employee of an operator of the Northern Fleets ships Yury Yeshchenko for cooperating with the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the courts press service told RAPSI.

In November 2020, the Bryansk Regional Court found the defendant guilty of treason. During the trial Yeshchenko pled guilty.

According to case papers, Yeshchenko working in the organization engaged in the maintainance of the Northern Fleet vessels radioelectronic systems in the town of Severomorsk decided to transfer information on the advanced developments of Russias defense industry to the U.S. intelligence bodies.

Between 2015 and 2017, he intentionally copied secret documents concerning weapon systems used by the North Fleet. In early 2019, he contacted with the CIA. In July 2019, he was arrested by the FSB in the Bryansk Region while attempting to transfer the classified data, the statement reads.
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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.
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.
A 71-Year-old man was arrested by the Police at Thirukoilur in Kallikuruchi district under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Pocso Act, on charges of impregnating his 15-year-old grand daughter.

Two women who assisted him in aborting the foetus were also arrested.

The three were produced before the court which promptly remanded them to judicial custody.

The 15-year-old grand daughter and her younger brother were staying with the grand father who, according to Thirukoilur all-women police was sexually abusing the girl for the past three years.

The local people coming to know of the issue alerted the village officer of Thirukoilur who informed the all-women police that took him into custody along with his two women accomplices - a retired woman nurse and another woman.


Hitting out at former Congress President Rahul Gandhi, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday asked him whether the "Dalit daughters of Rajasthan, Punjab and Chhattisgarh are not the daughters of India"? Addressing a press conference here, BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said, "Yesterday, Rahul Gandhi tweeted that the daughter of Dalit is daughter of the country. There are no two opinions on this, she must get justice. But are the daughter of Dalits in Rajasthan, Punjab and Chhattisgarh, who were subjected to heinous crimes, not daughters of this country." Patra condemned the recent incident in which a nine-year-old Dalit girl was allegedly gang-raped, murdered and then cremated by her attackers in South West Delhi on Sunday evening. "We all strongly condemn the way a small girl was raped in Nangal in Delhi. Law enforcement agency is working on it with full sincerity and more than four people have been arrested. SC Commission and Joint Commissioner of Police also visited the victim's family," Patra said. Referring to the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB), Patra said, "According to NCRB, Rajasthan tops the list of rape cases. Rape cases in Rajasthan have increased by 30 per cent in the last six months. In 2020, there were 13,750 rape cases in Rajasthan. "During a discussion in the Assembly, the Ashok Gehlot government had replied that Dalit women file false cases of rape. Fingers were pointed at all those NGOs on the floor of the Assembly, which fight for the rights of Dalits," the BJP leader said. Patra further asked if Rahul Gandhi did not know or is he deliberately trying to be ignorant about the POCSO ACT in order to take political advantage of the unfortunate incident? "The second provision of section 23 of the POCSO Act makes it clear that you are not to disclose any fact about the victim, which would reveal the child's identity," he said. Patra demanded that the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) should take cognizance and issue a notice to Congress leaders for violating the provisions of POCSO Act. Rahul Gandhi met the family of the victim on Wednesday and shared a picture of him with the parents of the victim.




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.
Rolling Meadows, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/04/2021 -- BEST Inc. is a Chicago-based electronics company that stands out for many reasons. The company doesn't just offer patented electronic products. It also offers extensive training for electricians who wish to sharpen their IPC and PCB skills. The company has so far trained hundreds of technicians within Chicago. It continues to train even beyond Chicago as it now offers online courses. The company's Mobile Training Centre also makes it very easy for anyone who wishes to enroll in any of their courses. MTC as the center is aptly referred to, goes straight to a trainee's location as opposed to the traditional approach where trainees have to go to a service provider.



Speaking about the courses offered at BEST Inc., the company's spokesperson said, "Our main aim isn't making it easy for one to get j-std training kit. We're more than that. We've been in the market long enough to understand its dynamics and what it demands. That explains why the courses we offer are tailored to meet market demands. We know for a fact that for any technician to survive in the job market, IPC-J-STD-001H is a must-have standard especially for technicians who work with printed circuit assemblies. This is yet another gap we bridge, and we do it so effortlessly because we're in touch with market demands."



BEST Inc. also offers extensive courses in different PCB and IPC fields. This means trainees can ace their soldering and PCB or ICP rework and repair skills. Notably, these courses are offered via Mobile Training Center which as already mentioned, is a training center on wheels. Trainees get to benefit from hands-on experience as well first-hand instructions from skilled and experienced technicians.



The company's spokesperson went on to state, "Our Ipc 620 Training is widely respected in the job market. But then again, there's much more to the training than just giving trainees leverage in the job market. We ensure that the training program is extensive. That's because we know our trainees will be dealing with complex Ipc and PCB issues which can easily put people's lives at risk. We can say the same thing about our IPC-A-260 certification program. We can in fact, safely state that the program offers those interested in it wire harness assembly and wire terminal quality assurance that's industry traceable."



So far, BEST Inc. has trained hundreds of technicians within Chicago. It gets better with the fact that BEST isn't just a training institute. BEST Inc. is an electronic products outlet. The company sells patented electronic products countrywide. Much of its success has to do with the special attention it gives to trainees and its customers. The company's patented products and soldering equipment have also proven to be of great value as they last.



About BEST Inc.

Best Inc. is incorporated in Chicago, Illinois as an electronics service provider and training center. The company offers patented electronic products as well as extensive electrical courses and Ipc Certifications Training. Notably, classes offered at BEST Inc. are both online and physical.



Contact Details



BEST Inc.

3603 Edison Place

Rolling Meadows, IL 60008

Phone: 847.797.9250

Fax: 847.797.9255

Email: info@solder.net
Northbrook, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/04/2021 -- The rising incidence of breast cancer and the availability of reimbursement for breast reconstruction are major driving factors for the market. Moreover, the development of 3D-printed breast implants is expected to offer significant growth opportunities to market players in the coming years.



According to the new market research report "Breast Reconstruction Market by Product (Breast implant (Silicone, Saline), Tissue Expander, Acellular Dermal Matrix), Procedure (Immediate, Delayed, Revision), Type (Unilateral, Bilateral), End User (Hospital, Cosmetology Clinics)  Global Forecast to 2025? published by MarketsandMarkets, is expected to grow from USD 603 million by 2025 from USD 430 million in 2020, at a CAGR of 7.0%.



Recent Developments;



 In 2019, Polytech Health & Aesthetics received US FDA approval for its textured breast implants (macrotextured and polyurethane-coated implants)



 In 2018, J&J launched CPX4 breast tissue expander



 In 2018, Polytech Health & Aesthetics merged with G&G Biotechnology



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Geographically; The breast reconstruction market is segmented into North America, Europe, the Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World. In 2019, North America held the largest share of the market, followed by Europe. The rising incidences of breast cancer, increasing awareness of breast reconstruction, and FDA approvals for breast reconstruction products in this region are the major factors driving the growth of the breast reconstruction in North America.



Key Market Players;



The prominent players operating in this market include Johnson & Johnson (US), Allergan (Ireland), Ideal Implant Incorporated (US), Sebbin (France), GC Aesthetics (Ireland), Polytech Health & Aesthetics (Germany), Sientra (US), Integra Lifesciences (US), RTI Surgical Holdings (US), Establishment Labs S.A. (Costa Rica), Silimed (Brazil), Laboratories Arion (France), Guangzhou Wanhe Plastic Materials Co. Ltd.(China), CEREPLAS (France), HansBiomed (South Korea), PMT Corporation (US), and Shanghai Kangning Medical Device (China)



Johnson & Johnson is one of the leading players in the breast reconstruction market. The company offers a broad product portfolio across the globe. Over the years, the company has maintained its leading position in the market.



Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=186501593



Market Segmentation in Detailed:



The breast implants segment is expected to dominate the breast reconstruction market;



Based on the product, segmented into breast implants, tissue expanders, and acellular dermal matrix. The breast implants segment accounted for the largest market share in 2019. This is primarily attributed to the increasing incidences of breast cancer and the rising number of breast reconstruction procedures.



Silicone implants hold the largest share of the market for breast implants;



The breast implants market is segmented into silicone and saline implants. Silicone implants accounted for the largest market share in 2019 due to the large number of silicone breast implantation procedures performed across the globe.
Edison, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/04/2021 -- A new intelligence report released by HTF MI with title "Global Life and Non-Life Insurance Market Survey & Outlook" is designed covering micro level of analysis by Insurers and key business segments, offerings and sales channels. The Global Life and Non-Life Insurance offers energetic visions to conclude market size, opportunities, growth pattern, and competitive surroundings. The research is derived through primary and secondary sourced data and includes both qualitative and quantitative detailing. Some of the key players profiled in the study are China Life Insurance Group, Ping An Insurance Group, People's Insurance Co. of China, National Mutual Insurance federation of Agricultural Cooperatives, Nippon Life Insurance Co., Japan Post Insurance Co., Life Insurance corporation of India, MS&AD Insurance Group Holding Inc., Tokia marine holdings Inc., Dai-ichi Life holdings Co., Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated, Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Cigna Corporation, Metlife Inc., Prudential Financial Inc., Aetna Inc., Centene Corporation, American International Group Inc., State Farm, CHINA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED, Anthem Inc., The People's Insurance Company (Group) of China Limited & NIPPON LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY.



What's keeping China Life Insurance Group, Ping An Insurance Group, People's Insurance Co. of China, National Mutual Insurance federation of Agricultural Cooperatives, Nippon Life Insurance Co., Japan Post Insurance Co., Life Insurance corporation of India, MS&AD Insurance Group Holding Inc., Tokia marine holdings Inc., Dai-ichi Life holdings Co., Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated, Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Cigna Corporation, Metlife Inc., Prudential Financial Inc., Aetna Inc., Centene Corporation, American International Group Inc., State Farm, CHINA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED, Anthem Inc., The People's Insurance Company (Group) of China Limited & NIPPON LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY Ahead in the Market? Benchmark yourself with the strategic moves and findings recently released by HTF MI



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Market Overview of Life and Non-Life Insurance

If you are involved in the Life and Non-Life Insurance industry or aim to be, then this study is vital to keep your market knowledge up-to-date. The Market is segmented by Applications [Direct, Agency, Banks & Other], Types / Coverage [, Segmentation by type: breakdown data from 2016 to 2021 in Section 2.3; and forecast to 2026 in section 10.7., Individual & Group] and major players. To get deep dive in market, geographically 22+ jurisdictions or countries were summarized in the study from Asia Pacific, MEA, South America, Europe and North America.



Geographically, the global version of report has following country inclusion:

- North America [United States, Canada and Mexico]

- Europe [Germany, the UK, France, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Sweden, and Rest of Europe]

- Asia-Pacific [China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, Indonesia and Others]

- South America [Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Rest of South America]

- Middle East and Africa (South Africa, Turkey, Israel, GCC Countries and Rest of Africa)



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This study mainly helps understand which market segments or Country; Insurance carriers, Aggregators should focus in years to come to channelize their efforts and investments in Life and Non-Life Insurance to maximize growth and profitability. The growth in 2020 is noticeably slower and mature markets in North America and Western Europe requires "heavy lifting" to address such trends due to the dynamic macroeconomic and regulatory environment.



The distribution channels in the insurance industry, is always of great importance, reflecting the "push" nature of Life and Non-Life Insurance offering in the industry. The distribution model has continued to evolve as insurers try to better connect with their customers. Over the years, the Life and Non-Life Insurance industry has seen a clear dominance of face-to face selling (agents and brokers). However, with the increasing penetration of the Internet and customers preferring convenience, the digital mode of sales is becoming increasingly popular in Life and Non-Life Insurance.



Furthermore, the years considered for the study are as follows:

Historical year  2016-2020

Base year  2020

Forecast period  2021 to 2026



Access Global Life and Non-Life Insurance Market Report Now; Buy Latest Edition@: https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=3392975



Major Highlights of TOC:



Chapter One: Global Life and Non-Life Insurance Market Industry Overview

1.1 Life and Non-Life Insurance Industry

1.1.1 Overview

1.1.2 Products of Major Companies

1.2 Life and Non-Life Insurance Market Segment

1.2.1 Industry Chain

1.2.2 Consumer Behaviour & Distribution Channels



Chapter Two: Global Life and Non-Life Insurance Market Demand

2.1 Segment Overview

Direct, Agency, Banks & Other



2.2 Global Life and Non-Life Insurance Market Size by Application/End USers (2016-2020)

2.3 Global Life and Non-Life Insurance Market Forecast by Application/End USers (2021-2026)



Chapter Three: Global Life and Non-Life Insurance Market by Type

3.1 By Type

, Segmentation by type: breakdown data from 2016 to 2021 in Section 2.3; and forecast to 2026 in section 10.7., Individual & Group

3.2 Life and Non-Life Insurance Market Size by Type (2016-2020)

3.3 Life and Non-Life Insurance Market Forecast by Type (2021-2026)



Chapter Four: Life and Non-Life Insurance Market: by Region/Country

4.1 Life and Non-Life Insurance Market by Regions

4.2 Life and Non-Life Insurance Market Revenue & share by Region

4.3 North America

4.4 Europe

4.5 Asia Pacific

4.6 South America

4.7 Middle East & Africa



Chapter Five: Player Analysis

5.1 Market Share Analysis by Players (2019-2021E)

5.2 Market Concentration Rate by Regions

5.3 Company Profiles



..........continued



Browse Executive Summary and Complete Table of Content @ https://www.htfmarketreport.com/reports/3392975-global-life-and-non-life-insurance-market-growth



Thanks for reading Life and Non-Life Insurance Industry research publication; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like USA, China, Southeast Asia, LATAM, APAC etc.



About Author:

HTF Market Intelligence consulting is uniquely positioned empower and inspire with research and consulting services to empower businesses with growth strategies, by offering services with extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events and experience that assist in decision making.
Edison, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/04/2021 -- Latest released the research study on Global Protein snack Market, offers a detailed overview of the factors influencing the global business scope. Protein snack Market research report shows the latest market insights, current situation analysis with upcoming trends and breakdown of the products and services. The report provides key statistics on the market status, size, share, growth factors of the Protein snack. The study covers emerging player's data, including: competitive landscape, sales, revenue and global market share of top manufacturers are Chavanaphat Company Limited. (Thailand),PhuKha Food and Beverage Co., Ltd. (Thailand),Rifold (Australia),Jack Link's Beef Jerky (United States),Country Archer Jerky Co. (United States),H.J. Heinz Company Brands LLC (United States),Dollar General (United States),Old Trapper (United States),JerkyXP (United States),Tillamook Country Smoker (United States).



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Definition:

Protein snacks are the highly value-added snack and filled with protein that is either plant-based protein or animal-based protein. Increasing the working population across the globe demands protein snacks as they are so busy to take enough protein intake thereby need of protein. Thus, increasing the working population and disposal income can be considered the major driver for the market. Additionally, increasing urbanization, change living style and rising demand for organic ingredients protein snack have been supplementing the overall growth of the market. However, the high cost associated with protein snack products and pricing wars between the key players further reduces the overall net profit of the company. These are the limiting factors in the operating market. Moreover, increasing consumption of packet food and easy to eat food in Asian countries can create new opportunities for the market in the forecasted period.



Market Trend:

Continuously Rising Trend for Organic Ingredients Protein Snack in North American and Asian Countries

Increasing Cases for Chronic Prevalence of Malnutrition Problem



Market Drivers:

Increasing Demand from Working Population as they donat have time to take Enough Nutritional Intake due to Busy Life Style

Increasing Demand from Urban Population due to Growing Disposal Income & Changing Life Style of People and Continuously Increasing Urbanization across the Globe



Challenges:

Intense Competition among Established Players



Opportunities:

Rising Number of Health Conscious People across the Globe

Rising Consumption of Packet Food such as Snack from Highly Populated Countries such as India and China



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The Global Protein snack Market segments and Market Data Break Down are illuminated below:

by Type (Jerky, Trail Mix, Greek Yogurt Parfait, Roasted Chickpeas, Protein bars, Beancurd Product, Milk Product, Others), Product Nature Type (Organic, Conventional), Distribution Channel (Offline (Supermarkets, Restaurants and Hotels, Malls), Online Channel), Source Type (Animal Source (Meat, Fish, Poultry), Plant Source)



Analyst at AMA have conducted special survey and have connected with opinion leaders and Industry experts from various region to minutely understand impact on growth as well as local reforms to fight the situation. A special chapter in the study presents Impact Analysis of COVID-19 on Global Protein snack Market along with tables and graphs related to various country and segments showcasing impact on growth trends.



Region Included are: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Oceania, South America, Middle East & Africa

Country Level Break-Up: United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, South Africa, Nigeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Germany, United Kingdom (UK), the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Austria, Turkey, Russia, France, Poland, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, China, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, India, Australia and New Zealand etc.



What benefits does AMA research study is going to provide?

- Latest industry influencing trends and development scenario

- Open up New Markets

- To Seize powerful market opportunities

- Key decision in planning and to further expand market share

- Identify Key Business Segments, Market proposition & Gap Analysis

- Assisting in allocating marketing investments



Strategic Points Covered in Table of Content of Global Protein snack Market:

Chapter 1: Introduction, market driving force product Objective of Study and Research Scope the Protein snack market

Chapter 2: Exclusive Summary  the basic information of the Protein snack Market.

Chapter 3: Displaying the Market Dynamics- Drivers, Trends and Challenges of the Protein snack

Chapter 4: Presenting the Protein snack Market Factor Analysis Porters Five Forces, Supply/Value Chain, PESTEL analysis, Market Entropy, Patent/Trademark Analysis.

Chapter 5: Displaying market size by Type, End User and Region 2015-2020

Chapter 6: Evaluating the leading manufacturers of the Protein snack market which consists of its Competitive Landscape, Peer Group Analysis, BCG Matrix & Company Profile

Chapter 7: To evaluate the market by segments, by countries and by manufacturers with revenue share and sales by key countries (2021-2026).

Chapter 8 & 9: Displaying the Appendix, Methodology and Data Source



Finally, Protein snack Market is a valuable source of guidance for individuals and companies in decision framework.



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Key questions answered

- Who are the Leading key players and what are their Key Business plans in the Global Protein snack market?

- What are the key concerns of the five forces analysis of the Global Protein snack market?

- What are different prospects and threats faced by the dealers in the Global Protein snack market?

- What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors?



Definitively, this report will give you an unmistakable perspective on every single reality of the market without a need to allude to some other research report or an information source. Our report will give all of you the realities about the past, present, and eventual fate of the concerned Market.



Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Europe or Asia.
Edison, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 08/04/2021 -- Latest Study on Industrial Growth of Global SaaS-Based Business Intelligence Market 2021-2027. A detailed study accumulated to offer Latest insights about acute features of the SaaS-Based Business Intelligence market. The report contains different market predictions related to revenue size, production, CAGR, Consumption, gross margin, price, and other substantial factors. While emphasizing the key driving and restraining forces for this market, the report also offers a complete study of the future trends and developments of the market. It also examines the role of the leading market players involved in the industry including their corporate overview, financial summary and SWOT analysis.



The Major Players Covered in this Report: PivotLink, Jaspersoft Corp., Actuate Corp., SAS Institute Inc., Host Analytics Inc., GoodData Corp., Bime, Birst Inc., SAP AG, Indicee Inc., Cloud9 Analytics, Microstrategy Inc., Oracle Corp., Kognitio, IBM Corp., QlikTech International AB & TIBCO Software Inc.



SaaS-Based Business Intelligence Market Study guarantees you to remain / stay advised higher than your competition. With Structured tables and figures examining the SaaS-Based Business Intelligence, the research document provides you a leading product, submarkets, revenue size and forecast to 2027. Comparatively is also classifies emerging as well as leaders in the industry.



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This study also covers company profiling, specifications and product picture, sales, market share and contact information of various regional, international and local vendors of Global SaaS-Based Business Intelligence Market. The market proposition is frequently developing ahead with the rise in scientific innovation and M&A activities in the industry. Additionally, many local and regional vendors are offering specific application products for varied end-users. The new merchant applicants in the market are finding it hard to compete with the international vendors based on reliability, quality and modernism in technology.



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The titled segments and sub-section of the market are illuminated below:

In-depth analysis of Global SaaS-Based Business Intelligence market segments by Types: , Private Cloud, Public Cloud, Community Cloud & Hybrid Cloud

Detailed analysis of Global SaaS-Based Business Intelligence market segments by Applications: Query Reporting, Analysis Tools, Data Mining Tools & Data Warehousing Tools



Major Key Players of the Market: PivotLink, Jaspersoft Corp., Actuate Corp., SAS Institute Inc., Host Analytics Inc., GoodData Corp., Bime, Birst Inc., SAP AG, Indicee Inc., Cloud9 Analytics, Microstrategy Inc., Oracle Corp., Kognitio, IBM Corp., QlikTech International AB & TIBCO Software Inc.



Regional Analysis for Global SaaS-Based Business Intelligence Market:

- APAC (Japan, China, South Korea, Australia, India, and Rest of APAC; Rest of APAC is further segmented into Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, New Zealand, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka)

- Europe (Germany, UK, France, Spain, Italy, Russia, Rest of Europe; Rest of Europe is further segmented into Belgium, Denmark, Austria, Norway, Sweden, The Netherlands, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania)

- North America (U.S., Canada, and Mexico)

- South America (Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Rest of South America)

- MEA (Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Africa)



Furthermore, the years considered for the study are as follows:

Historical year  2015-2020

Base year  2020

Forecast period**  2021 to 2027 [** unless otherwise stated]



**Moreover, it will also include the opportunities available in micro markets for stakeholders to invest, detailed analysis of competitive landscape and product services of key players.



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Key takeaways from the Global SaaS-Based Business Intelligence market report:

 Detailed considerate of SaaS-Based Business Intelligence market-particular drivers, Trends, constraints, Restraints, Opportunities and major micro markets.

 Comprehensive valuation of all prospects and threat in the

 In depth study of industry strategies for growth of the SaaS-Based Business Intelligence market-leading players.

 SaaS-Based Business Intelligence market latest innovations and major procedures.

 Favorable dip inside Vigorous high-tech and market latest trends remarkable the Market.

 Conclusive study about the growth conspiracy of SaaS-Based Business Intelligence market for forthcoming years.



What to Expect from this Report On SaaS-Based Business Intelligence Market:

1. A comprehensive summary of several area distributions and the summary types of popular products in the SaaS-Based Business Intelligence Market.

2. You can fix up the growing databases for your industry when you have info on the cost of the production, cost of the products, and cost of the production for the next future years.

3. Thorough Evaluation the break-in for new companies who want to enter the SaaS-Based Business Intelligence Market.

4. Exactly how do the most important companies and mid-level companies make income within the Market?

5. Complete research on the overall development within the SaaS-Based Business Intelligence Market that helps you elect the product launch and overhaul growths.



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Detailed TOC of SaaS-Based Business Intelligence Market Research Report-



 SaaS-Based Business Intelligence Introduction and Market Overview

 SaaS-Based Business Intelligence Market, by Application [Query Reporting, Analysis Tools, Data Mining Tools & Data Warehousing Tools]

 SaaS-Based Business Intelligence Industry Chain Analysis

 SaaS-Based Business Intelligence Market, by Type [, Private Cloud, Public Cloud, Community Cloud & Hybrid Cloud]

 Industry Manufacture, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2015-2020)

 Industry Value ($) by Region (2015-2020)

 SaaS-Based Business Intelligence Market Status and SWOT Analysis by Regions

 Major Region of SaaS-Based Business Intelligence Market

i) Global SaaS-Based Business Intelligence Sales

ii) Global SaaS-Based Business Intelligence Revenue & market share

 Major Companies List

 Conclusion



Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, MINT, BRICS, G7, Western / Eastern Europe or Southeast Asia. Also, we can serve you with customize research services as HTF MI holds a database repository that includes public organizations and Millions of Privately held companies with expertise across various Industry domains.
Paleontologists have identified a new genus and species of small-sized mesoeucrocodylian from the fossilized remains found in the Patagonian mountains of southern Chile.

The newly-discovered crocodile species roamed Earth during the Late Jurassic epoch, some 148 million years ago.

The ancient creature lived alongside giant titanosaurs and other sauropod dinosaurs as well as smaller herbivorous species such as Chilesaurus diegosuarezi.

Named Burkesuchus mallingrandensis, it was a relatively small animal roughly 70 cm (27.5 inches) long.

It belongs to Mesoeucrocodylia, a group that includes all living crocodiles and their fossil relatives.

The discovery of Burkesuchus mallingrandensis expands the meagre record of non-pelagic representatives of this clade for the Jurassic period, said Dr. Fernando Novas, a researcher in the Laboratorio de Anatomia Comparada y Evolucion de los Vertebrados (LACEV) at the Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales Bernardino Rivadavia and CONICET, and his colleagues.

Previously recorded members of non-pelagic Jurassic Mesoeucrocodylia are the presumably fresh-water Atoposauridae, Goniopholididae and Paralligatoridae.

Burkesuchus mallingrandensis expands the taxonomic diversity of Jurassic crocodylomorphs, they added.

Nevertheless, its body size falls within the size range (i.e., less than 1 m  or 3.3 feet  in whole length) that was usual for most Triassic and Jurassic terrestrial crocodyliforms.

The fossilized remains of Burkesuchus mallingrandensis were collected from beds of the Toqui Formation, cropping out in the mountains flanked by the Maitenes and Horquetas rivers in southern Chile.

We found part of the skull, the vertebral column and the lower extremities of the animal, Dr. Novas said.

This was a small crocodile no more than 70 cm long, in clear contrast to the 6-m- (20-foot) long marine crocodiles that were thriving back then in what is now the Chilean province of Neuquen, which was previously covered by the sea.

Although we didnt find the snout of this species, its small size as well as its small and sharp teeth make us think that Burkesuchus mallingrandensis was a small carnivore that possibly fed on invertebrates such as insects or crustaceans, or small vertebrates such as fish, said Dr. Federico Agnolin, a paleontologist in the LACEV laboratory at the Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales Bernardino Rivadavia, CONICET and the Universidad Maimonides.

What we know about Burkesuchus mallingrandensis that it didnt have the ability to capture large prey, or tear large chunks of meat as living crocodiles do.

Burkesuchus mallingrandensis shows how the radiation of terrestrial crocodiles occured, Dr. Novas said.

The shape of its body, its skull and its hind legs also shows us that it was on its way to modern crocodiles that inhabit lagoons and rivers.

A paper on the findings was published in the journal Scientific Reports.

_____

F.E. Novas et al. 2021. New transitional fossil from late Jurassic of Chile sheds light on the origin of modern crocodiles. Sci Rep 11, 14960; doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-93994-z
It was not just fewer babies being born, perhaps, a population slump was seen with more people dying of the pandemic and other causes, making for more uncertainty.

by Victor Cherubim

With the pandemic, more rather than less people around the world, seem more likely to be living with their heads than their hearts, through fear and anxiety.

It is also a fine time to generate new ideas on family life rather than work life and discover ways to boost affairs of the heart.

Who said motherhood does not come during Coronavirus pandemic?

Making the decision to have a baby is a monumental moment. If however, you are among my readers out there, let me be the first to say, Yay! as I am so excited for you and everything that you can realise, as you are the future.

Some 730,000 babies are born each year, only in France. But when France went into lockdown in March 2020, the Baby Boom that was expected never happened.

Although manycouples not only in France were restricted to their homes due to the pandemic, but life went on. Instead, the first nationwide results of births revealed particularly in France, a declinein the birth rate, or 53,000 births drop in the month of January 2020 as compared to a year earlier. Understandably some of it could be attributed to a natural decline in part, as women have in recent times waited longer in their work cycle to have babies.

The pandemic, we note, resulted in some big changes in terms of work and unemployment. At the same time it postponed Baby Making because of the uncertainty and the fear of what may cause the new born. We also know it affected both fertility cycles and libido.

What could happen when life gets back to normal?

When life gets back to normal, if it ever gets back, we were told people may have a job again. In fact, when lockdown measures were eased on 11 May 2021, the question on people minds was,Will Baby Making catch up again, or perhaps, will we see a Boom?

Sharp declines in babies being born 9 months or more after lockdowns in France and elsewhere, in Italy and Spain were alsorecorded.

It was not just fewer babies being born, perhaps, a population slump was seen with more people dying of the pandemic and other causes, making for more uncertainty.

A collapse in the number of new births in the industrialised economics as well as in the underdeveloped nations following the pandemic was expected. It was for all intents and purposes an economic crisis of massive proportions, only seen during war time.

Why was there the fall in birth rates?

Potential parents during the pandemic were typically anxious about their job security and their ability to support their new born. But this time, the added climate of fear of passing on any virus infection to their babies as well as to nurse their new born falling sick from the virus, was paramount.

Italy was the first to feel the full force of COVID-19, recording a 21.6% decline in births in December 2020, compared to a year earlier. China too saw a 15% decline in registered new born.

We could not have the statistical data for India, but it is likely that it would have been over than normal?

However, COVID-19 did not hit the Northern Nordic nations as hard as some of the southern European states.

But luckily, this trend was not necessarily a worldwide phenomenon. In the Philippines, the pandemic did trigger a Baby Boom, which we are not sure resulted in unwanted pregnancies and deaths in childbirth.

Fewer marriages

Besides, new births, there have also been fewer marriages, as wedding celebrations were first forbidden and then subject to restrictions on guest numbers.

If this trend not only in baby births but also marriages were to persist, it would have profound implications for economies and for societies, affecting everything from immigration to education, as well as pensions.

We know uncertainties are one of the lead reasons for trends why people dont have children,

particularly in the western world. But fear of children born with COVID-19 infection may also be a reason for decline in birth rate in the East.

Future workforce

From new technologies to new career trajectories, new skill sets and new mind sets, changing workforce attitudes and new cyber security challenges added to birth rate decline, is putting an inordinate burden not only on parents but more so on governments around the world.

Not only have Governments racked up enormous borrowing to service the debt that Coronavirus has lashed on the public purse, but the fall in birth rate could become a more permanent feature of life in years to come.

HSBC Economist, James Pomeroy states that the worlds population may start to shrink in 2060.

We have heard of Thomas Malthus, the 18th century British Philosopher and Economist used his theory to project population growth that food production was unable to keep up with population growth resulting in disease, famine and war.

Falling population will no doubt hurt potential for growth, but especially tax revenues immediately.

There is the argument for governments around the world to seriously having to boost cash payments to induce citizens to have children.
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Revised prediction for solarcycle 25

A revised prediction from the NASA High Altitude Observatory based at the University Of Colorado.

NASA Heliophysicists have released a revised prediction for Solar Cycle 25.

The report generated by Ricky Egeland a Solar Physicist working in the NASA Space Radiation Analysis Group now calls for the peak of Solar Cycle 25 to top out at a value of 195  17 based upon the new scale for calculating Smoothed Sun Spot Number. For reference Solar Cycle 21 peaked at an SSN 233 (new scale) while Solarcycle 23 peaked at an SSN of 180 (new scale). If this predictions holds up Ham Radio will see Excellent Worldwide F Layer Conditions on 10 Meters for several years around Solar Max. 6 Meters conditions should be good in the Equinox Periods before and after Solar Max with consistent openings on Medium Haul Polar Routes. 6 Meter routes traversing the equator should experience consistent openings  9 months from Solar Max.



Ricky Egeland is a particpating member in the group headed up by Scott McIntosh and Bob Leamon that published a paper 9 months ago outlining the existance magnetic bands within the Sun that govern the Sunspot and Hale Cycles. At the time of its publishing the paper went on to predict the peak of Solar Cycle 25 could be as high Solarcycle 21. Today's released is a revised prediction based upon data observed since the original paper was published. To be sure we are still in early days.

The Solar Rotation Cycle as marked by Sunspot Activity was established on April 19, 2021 so we are only 90 Days into actually observing Cycle 25 Activity. It is now agreed the dramactic run-up in Sunspot Activity we experienced late Last Fall while tied to Cycle 25 was an outlier. When asked directly about whether they can declare if the Terminator Event they wrote about in the Fall 2020 Paper has occurred Scott McIntosh stated "We can't be sure just yet but we are very very close". It also should be noted that while it has been over a year since the sun produced a Cycle 24 Region with a Sunspot worthy of a NASA Classification the Sun has been steadily producing Spotless SC 24 Active Regions the last of which formed right on the Solar Equator at N00-W54 on July 24,2021 as recorded by Jan Alvestad's Solar Terrestial Activity Report Website. These Active Regions being part of a Solarcycle in its final stages of existence produce no spots and only last for a few hours before they dissipate away. The previous SC24 Active Region formed on June 28, 2021. Once the SC24 active regions cease forming Solar Cycle 25 will take off in earnest.



Bob Marston AA6XE



Bob Marston AA6XE email - aa6xe@arrl.net

Ricky Egeland email - egeland@ucar.edu

Scott McIntosh email - mscott@ucar.edu

Bob Leamon via Twitter - https://twitter.com/leamonrj
All our debtors would want us to settle our full liabilities immediately. Our cost of borrowing would increase beyond measure. We simply would not be able to borrow any more. Unless we become a vassal State to a country such as China we simply will not be able to exist. We are bringing out gold coins to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party. Already many institutions have only Chinese name boards  no Sinhala, no Tamil and not even English.

The following essay is based on the speech by the author as a legislator in the House

by Justice C.V.Wigneswaran, M.P.

It is with a heavy heart that I rise to speak on the Central Bank Report 2020. We are at the threshold of erasing our unblemished record with regard to Debt Repayment. If we Default on any loan it is likely to trigger cross-default acrossall our loans. That as you can imagine, Sir, would be an unmitigated disaster. All our debtors would want us to settle our full liabilities immediately. Our cost of borrowing would increase beyond measure. We simply would not be able to borrow any more. Unless we become a vassal State to a country such as China we simply will not be able to exist. We are bringing out gold coins to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party. Already many institutions have only Chinese name boards  no Sinhala, no Tamil and not even English. So perhaps preparation is already afoot to make us a distant province of China in anticipation of where we are heading! Have we forgotten what this means in terms of geo politics? Do we want to cut our nose to spite the face?

One particularly troubling matter is our inability to meet our recurring expenditure through government revenues. The taxation policy that was introduced in 2020 significantly reduced Government revenue in terms of taxation. While this was no doubt beneficial to the ordinary citizen the cost of living that has burst through the roof has more than off-set any benefit from the changed policy in taxation. The result is that the Government coffers remain constantly under pressure with no economic growth. So the problem is we cannot even generate enough revenue to meet our loan obligations and effect the payment of Salaries. This means that the Government cannot even maintain the status quo without resorting to further borrowing. Not only have we been caught in the debt trap, but it looks like we dont even want to get out of it talking only politics to get one over each other.

Recently HonourableKeheliaRambukwela told the Press that the Sri Lankan Government has paid one billion dollars as loan repayment. He was proud of it. But he has forgotten to tell us as to when the balance 34 billion would be paid!

Be that as it may, I am told Letters of Credit have been refused to certain institutions due to paucity of dollars. Our Reserves have gone down to perilous levels? We may not be able to import petrol or diesel. I think it was Dr.W.Dahanayake who came to Parliament by Bullock Cart long ago when Petrol prices went up. That was due to a price hike. But the present situation is much worse. There will be no petrolnor diesel even if you could afford to buy.

We have been printing paper money recently at levels previously unheard of  setting daily, weekly and monthly records. Our currency is being propped up by artificial and extra legal means. The writing is on the wall and we are blissfully engaged in petty politics  even in respect of the most vulnerable groups.

Where have we brought our citizens to? We are prepared to play the fiddle like Nero while the flames of hunger, debt and despair ravage our fellow citizens.

The fertilizer imports were stopped saying we must go for organic fertilizers locally. Noble idea no doubt. But such stoppage was not to save the people from chemical fertilizers. It was to save our dollars that the decision was taken, but like everything else packaged in nationalist terms. Where is the scientific basis for such a decision? Which institution recommended such decision in such drastic terms to the Government? Which is the Government organization that recommended such a dramatic shift overnight without any transitional period? Were studies conducted? Were projections made on the yields that will be expected with the introduction of the decision not to import chemical fertilizers? I am given to understand that the Government is considering importing rice from countries which use the same chemical fertilizers. That means the Government stopped the import of chemical fertilizers not due to their concern towards its citizens but due to paucity of dollars. In any event what steps have the Government taken to ensure a free flow of organic fertilizers? Would it not take at least three to four years for the earth to get used to organic fertilizers after using inorganic fertilizers for so long? Meanwhile will not production come down drastically? At the very least, is it not possible for this Government to tell its citizens the truth? Must everything be viewed through the lens of politics even at this perilous juncture in history?

If I have to refer to the situation in the Northern Province the stoppage of fertilizer imports is going to have a long term negative effect on our economy. Already our Provincial GDP contribution in 2019 was 4.7% only. So many years of war has had a deleterious effect on our economy. Added to that the continuation of the occupation by the Military of the Northern Province has had a negative effect on our performance. Adding to the farmers woes is the Military doing agriculture in the North and East. This affects the locals since the Military is able to produce agricultural products cheaply with the several benefits they enjoy while the farmer finds it difficult to produce and market their goods. In any event no proper planning has been done to find markets for our local produce. I hope the new Minister of Agriculture would take effective steps for the farmers in the North to market their goods. The Northern economy is almost in a stagnant state. Honourable Minister Aluthgamage, who speaks our language too, will no doubt help to alleviate the precarious state into which our farmers have fallen.

I have time and again advised my Sinhala friends on both sides of the Parliament that they should take us, the Tamils, into confidence, solve our problems and invite investments from our diaspora. Our brethren abroad including our Sinhalese brethren would gladly bring in enough foreign currency to tide over the calamitous situation we are in. But our Sinhala politicians are like the moths wanting to run into the burning light and burn themselves out. They are prepared to trust the Chinese but not the Tamils!

Let me again appeal to the saner sections of our Sri Lankan Sinhala Buddhist intelligentsia to consider closing ranks with the Tamils and Muslims and allow copious flow of capital into the Country to tide over the serious foreign exchange problem we are facing today. This is the time to come together to save this Country. I thank you.
In June 2020 at Lively Stone Church of God, the Rev. Darryl Gray, left, Myron Gray, middle, and Bishop Lee Scott distributed masks to representatives of any St. Louis and St. Louis County church that planned to reopen. A recent study concluded that more than 40 percent of Black churchgoers polled favor a hybrid model of in-person and online services.
Missouris public colleges and universities including Harris-Stowe State University are unable to mandate vaccinations as the Delta variant of COVID-19 is causing a surge in cases. Students will be asked to wear masks indoors and practice social distancing.
Research in Singapore, which is to be published in The Lancet, concluded that patients with the delta variant faced higher odds of requiring oxygen, needing intensive care, or dying. And a study in India, which was also posted online and not yet peer-reviewed, found that in the second wave of infection, when the delta variant was dominant, patients faced a greater risk of dying, especially those under the age of 45.
About 1,100 people have been admitted to hospitals Miami Dade and also in Broward counties with COVID in the last seven days, the most of any counties in the U.S. The county with the next highest number of COVID admissions is Los Angeles County which has 8 million more residents.
Migoya said at the peak last summer, Jackson Healths COVID patients made up 49% of the health systems overall patient count. Now, they make up 21%. We are all very busy in our [Emergency Departments], he said. Jackson has 280 COVID patients; at its peak last summer the health system had 500 COVID patients. The spike is strong, the last few days it moved up. We are four weeks in. Last summers surge lasted six weeks to the peak. We are saying one to three weeks more but who knows? We are preparing for the worst.
Jackson CEO Carlos Migoya said South Florida hospitals continue to see patients stream into their emergency departments. The spike is strong, the last few days it moved up. We are four weeks in, he said. Last summers surge lasted six weeks to the peak. We are saying one to three weeks more, but who knows? We are preparing for the worst.
His employer policy prohibits him from naming specific airlines, but he was able to speak in general term. Bigger airlines that serve the whole country or multiple countries are typically able to handle cancellations and delays more easily than smaller or more regional airlines, he said. They have more flexibility in scheduling and diverting planes if weather or other issues arise.
Weve implemented a more thorough reboot of the network, allowing us to reassign our crews more efficiently and restore the network faster. As a result, cancellation numbers will progressively drop in the days to come, the airline said in an emailed statement.
This booking image provided by the Miami-Dade Police Department shows Maxwell Berry, 22, of Norwalk, Ohio, who was arrested Saturday, July 21, 2021, at Miami International Airport and charged with three counts of misdemeanor battery, according to a Miami-Dade police report. Berry is accused of groping two female flight attendants and punching a male flight attendant during a flight from Philadelphia to Miami, officials said. (Miami-Dade Police Department via AP) (AP)
If masking is optional, teachers have zero role in regulating mask wearing, and the union position is they should not get involved, even if a parent has notified them they want their child wearing a mask, Katz said. It is not our job. We have zero authority by way of district policy or state statute to enforce mask wearing by parent preference. It will only cause disruption and drama to try to enforce an unenforceable parent preference to mask their child. That is between the child and their parent. Period.
Max Schachter, father of victim Alex Schachter, said no video could capture the gravity of the crime. The jury should have complete and unfettered access to the crime scene, he said. Looking at pictures and or video is not the same thing as walking the actual hallways and into the classrooms where the victims were murdered.
The question is we can either have a free society or we can have a biomedical security state, DeSantis asserted. And I can tell you, Florida, were a free state. People are going to be free to choose to make their own decisions about themselves, about their families, about their kids education and about putting food on the table.  Let me tell you this: If youre coming after the rights of parents in Florida, Im standing in your way. Im not going to let you get away with it.
The forecast from NOAAs Climate Prediction Center predicts 7 to 10 hurricanes, up from the pre-season forecast of six to 10. The agency predicts a total of 15 to 21 named storms, which means those with winds speeds of at least 39 mph, up from its earlier prediction of 13 to 20. The number of expected major hurricanes, which means those with winds of at least 111 mph, held steady at three to five.
Spain's National Police force has arrested a man, who is a local police officer in Benalmadena, for the alleged sexual abuse of two minors.

Inquiries began after the pair made the accusation and National Police investigators arrested the Local Police officer last Saturday. On Monday the courts issued a restraining order preventing him from contacting or approaching the minors.

National Police officers are working to determine if there could be more victims, and town hall sources have said the council is waiting to receive the crime file for their employee, who is currently on leave.
Spain's state Meteorological Agency (Aemet) has activated a yellow alert this Wednesday, 4 August, for high temperatures that could approach 40 degrees in the Andalusian provinces of Cordoba, Jaen, Malaga and Seville.

After a few days break, the terral wind will return and blow hot air onto the Costa del Sol again with forecasts of the mercury hitting 38 degrees.

Aemet said similar temperatures can be expected in the provinces of Cordoba, Jaen and Seville.

All alerts are activated 1pm to 8pm, except in Malaga province, where the temperature is expected to peak between 3pm and 9pm.

As Jose Luis Escudero explains in his SUR blog, Storms and Lightning, some areas of the Guadalhorce Valley, including Pizarra and Alora, could see the mercury hit 37 or 38 degrees.
The Guardia Civil have staged a reconstruction of events after a 36-year-old Russian woman was allegedly killed by her partner in Rincon de la Victoria, before he drove the body some 40 kilometres and tried to burn it on a bonfire in Maro, on Monday evening.

Police officers took the accused, a 53-year-old Spanish man, who was being held in custody, back to the property for a three-hour investigation of the house and garage.

Officers believe there was a fight between the couple at the apartment they had rented for three months in the Nuevo Rincon area, and the Russian woman died at the hands of her partner. It is understood he used a trolley to take the body, covered in cardboard so no-one would see it, to the basement garage where his car was parked.

Nerja bonfire

A neighbour helped the suspect lift the body into the car after being told the girl had hit her head and that he was taking her to hospital. However, the witness was not satisfied with the answer and he saw that there were traces of blood in the parking area, so he called the emergency services on 112 at around 6pm. Police quickly arrived on the scene, but the man had already left, and a description of the vehicle was circulated to other officers.

Shortly after 7pm the emergency services received another call when a Nerja resident found a body burning on a bonfire in a ravine in the Maro area, between the Aguila Aqueduct and the A-7 Mediterranean motorway bridge.

The suspect was arrested just ten minutes later, when he returned to the garage of the Rincon apartment block where he lived. SUR sources have said that he acknowledged that he had killed his partner and that he had tried to dispose of the body on a bonfire in Maro.

Although there is no record of previous violence between the couple, it has transpired that they were recently questioned by Local Police in Rincon de la Victoria, after they spotted them at a municipal park at 2am in the morning. Officers said they found it suspicious that the couple was in the park at that time, but the pair said everything was fine. When the police saw the two again, later, they noticed that the woman slapped the mans hand away when he was going to grab her by the waist. Police questioned the pair separately and even asked the woman if she had any injuries, but she brushed it off as part of a couples normal heated discussion.
The fifth wave of the coronavirus pandemic continues to advance strongly in Andalucia and, for this reason, the territorial committees of High Impact Public Health in the region's eight provinces have proposed curfews in more large towns.

Last week there were three (Marbella, Estepona and Montoro) and this week the list has gone goes up to eight.

According to the specific evaluation reports the Junta de Andalucia is calling for the restriction of movement at night, from 2am to 7am, for having exceeded the cumulative incidence rate of 1,000 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the following municipalities:

Cadiz: Conil de la Frontera and Paterna de Rivera

Huelva: Punta Umbria

Jaen: Mengibar

Malaga: Campillos

Seville: Marchena, Tocina and El Cuervo de Sevilla

The restrictions will not come into force until they have been ratified by the Superior Court of Justice of Andalusia, the TJSA.
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MBABANE  Twenty Nkosinathi Dlamini claims that he was on duty when he accidentally shot two people during a funeral at Lomahasha last month.

Dlamini is the police officer who allegedly killed two people using a service rifle at Lomahasha in the Lubombo Region. It is alleged that on July 17, 2021, near KaTolo, Dlamini (allegedly) unlawfully killed Mcolisi Sigubhu Nyoni and Sifiso Mpostoli Masilela. In his application for bail, Dlamini told the court that he was being attacked by a group of 40 people who wanted to kill him. He narrated that on July 17, having knocked off from work on the very same morning; he went to sleep since he was meant to report for duty in the evening of the same day at 10pm.

He said having taken a nap in the late afternoon, together with one Mdletshe, they went to braai some meat at Take a Chance Restaurant and after that he went back to his house. The accused claimed that since there was nothing he was doing he decided to report early for work. According to Dlamini, when he arrived at his workstation he did the usual routine, which is or was inclusive of the recording of his report in the occurrence book (OB). He told the court that he was recorded on the OB by Constable Detective Mamba and further deployed to guard at the Vat Camp, where they had been instructed by their superiors that due to the unrest that was prevailing in the kingdom, it should be guarded 24 hours. Dlamini said he then proceeded to Vat Camp to resume duty and as usual, he was carrying a service rifle.

According to the accused, while at his dutystation, about three people informed him that there were individuals who were fighting at Take it Easy Restaurant, where the fight was caused by imbibers. He recounted that, after receiving such information and being acquainted with most members of the community whom he had always assisted whenever there were squabbles, he then proceeded to the scene.

Noise

Dlamini informed the court that as he was approaching, he could tell that there was a lot of noise at a certain KaPeter homestead and he concluded that the people he had referred to above, probably meant that the squabble was at that homestead. Upon arrival at the said homestead, which I was acquainted with and knew that there were preparations for a funeral thereat and even before I could investigate the report, a group of 40 people identified me as a member of the Royal Eswatini Police Service and started hurling insults at me, submitted the accused. He further claimed that they attacked him carrying an assortment of weapons including bush knives, handmade knives, knobkerries and all sort of weapons. I tried to escape from the group which was attacking me for unknown reasons and my escape efforts were becoming more and more in vain and it was then that I used the service rifle to pave an escape route, he argued.

Dlamini said the assault continued, with the group of people even having stripped him the top of his police uniform and trying to dispose him of the service rifle which he had cocked at the time. He claimed that the group was also trying to take the gun from him. As I had reasonable belief that once the gun was taken from me, I was going to get shot, the service rifle fired two shots and the group of people dispersed with about two of them remaining behind. I then realised that the two shots from the service rifle had hit two people and they were already lying on the ground. The bail application is still pending at the High Court and the Crown is yet to indicate whether it is opposing same or not. The accused is represented by Linda Dlamini of Linda Dlamini & Associates in Mbabane.
MBABANE  Some supporters of MP Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and MP Mthandeni Dube have been asking themselves what kind of judgment Judge Mumcy Dlamini is likely to issue on the pairs bail application.

Judge Dlamini reserved judgment in the application for bail filed by the two MPs last Monday which was argued last Thursday. The judge said she would consider the submissions made by the accused persons and the Crown and issue a judgment on a date to be determined by the registrar of the High Court. Some of the MPs supporters fear that Judge Dlamini might not grant the two bail, while others think she will. Last Thursday, before the bail application was argued, others were already asking questions regarding whether Judge Dlamini would release the two MPs.

Companion

Nawucabanga batawphuma? asked a supporter of the MPs, wanting to know if his companion thought the judge would grant the bail application. This was because some of the people who were in court and others who did not attend the proceedings, were of the view that the judge would issue a ruling soon after the submissions. However, the judge reserved judgment. Some even asked reporters if they thought the two would be released. They were informed that judges consider issues of law before issuing judgments. Judge Dlamini has been described by many as one not to be intimidated in that in 2014, she granted bail to seven Peoples United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) members, who were also charged for allegedly contravening the Suppression of Terrorism Act 2008.

Charged

Mabuza and Dube have been charged with same, however, Mabuza alone faces an extra charge of breaching COVID-19 regulations. The seven PUDEMO members were arrested for being found in possession of the banned organisations T-shirts. The arrested members were current PUDEMO President Mlungisi Makhanya, who was the secretary general at the time, Bongani Gama, Brian Ntshangase, Mangaliso Khumalo, Bafana Magongo, Ntobeko Maseko and Siza Tsabedze. Judge Dlamini fixed their bail amount at E15 000 each. The judge ordered each of the accused to pay E5 000 cash and provide surety for the balance. The septet was arrested on April 24, 2014 near the High Court, where the trial of The Nation Magazine Editor Bheki Makhubu and Human Rights Lawyer Thulani Maseko was ongoing. They were charged with four counts which included contravening the Suppression of Terrorism Act No.3 of 2008 and Sedition and Subversive Activities Act No.3 of 2008. There was complete silence in court when Judge Dlamini read the last part of the 16-page judgment.

In her judgment, the judge stated that the Crown strenuously argued that the charges faced by the accused were of a serious nature and she agreed with it in that regard. Generally speaking, all criminal charges are serious in their nature although one must add that it is not from mere reading of a charge that one may infer its seriousness. One has to go further and read the act, commission or omission said to have been committed, she stated. Judge Dlamini stated that the respondent (Crown) also alluded to other grounds such as that the applicants (seven accused) might commit the same offence if released and that they might interfere with Crown witnesses. She said it was not an issue that all the applicants had families in the country. This included Makhanya, who, although was said to have both his businesses in South Africa and came to the country to be with his wife and children almost every weekend. The factor that all the applicants have their families or emotional ties, as we often say, on its own fortifies the ground that the applicants are rooted in the country and this mitigates the likelihood of evading trial, Judge Dlamini stated.

Penalty

She further said another factor that required attention was the ability of the applicants to flee. She said against this ground was the Crowns case, the stringent penalty or seriousness of the charge. A perusal of the four counts reflects that mischief alleged against the applicants is that they unlawfully solicited or gave support to a terrorist entity (PUDEMO) by wearing T- shirts with inscription PUDEMO. Nothing turns on enchanting of terrorist slogans because there are no specific words mentioned in the indictment indicating same, she said. The judge said although the applicants faced four counts, two under the Suppression of Terrorism Act and two under the Subversive Activities Act, only one act was reflected on all the counts and that was of wearing T- shirts and berets belonging to the proscribed entity.

Judge Dlamini further stated that the Crown counsel, during the hearing, submitted that the applicants were charged with the offence of violence. She said when Crown counsel was pressed by the court to demonstrate same from the charges; he informed the court that he was withdrawing such a submission. The judge said on this, nothing much was left to be said on the seriousness of the charge or penalty. Judge Dlamini granted them bail and ordered all the accused to submit all their travelling documents or passports to the head of investigation team and not apply for any.

Challenged

The accused challenged the constitutionality of certain sections of the Suppression of Terrorism Act and the High Court ruled in their favour. Government filed an appeal which is still pending in the Supreme Court due to the fact that most of the judges dealt with the matter one way or the other, and they are conflicted to deal with the appeal. In another matter, in April 2014, Judge Dlamini ordered the release of The Nation Editor Bheki Makhubu and Human Rights Lawyer Thulani Maseko from custody after they were arrested for contempt of court following articles in the magazine in March 2014. The two, who were first jailed in March 18, had written articles that criticised the countrys Judiciary, which was headed by the now deceased Michael Ramodibedi.

Judge Mumcy Dlamini nullified their arrest warrants and ordered that Maseko and Makhubu be released. Former High Court Judge Mpendulo Simelane issued new arrest warrants in that Makhubu and Maseko had supposedly failed to appear before him on April 1, 2014 and they were re-arrested. They were eventually released by the Supreme Court after spending 15 months behind bars. In November last year, Judge Dlamini said she would not be releasing accused persons who had been arrested for robbery during the festive period.

Robbery

As a result, four men, who had been accused of robbery, had to spend Christmas behind bars after the judge granted them bail but ordered that they should be released the following year. Judge Dlamini said they would be released on January 31, 2021. She said she had forgotten that it was the festive season - season for robberies. Asenihlale bantfu batokhona kudla Khisimusi kahle (you should stay in custody while people celebrate Christmas in peace). Kute umuntfu lengitamkhipha nyalo (I wont release anyone), she told the accused persons. The accused persons were Saga Hayden Rosa, Ntokozo Matsenjwa, Nathi Dlamini and Mpendulo Dlamini. They had been charged with robbery.

Forgotten

After the matter had been called, Judge Dlamini said: This group is for robberies. Besengikhohliwe kutsi ngu December, meaning that she had forgotten that it was the festive season during that period. It is time for robberies now that its almost December. All along I have been dealing with rape and SODV cases, but now it is robberies. People want to go on holiday and celebrate Christmas in peace. Your bail is granted but it will be effected on January 31, 2021, the judge said. One of the accused tried to explain that he would behave himself once released but the judge heard none of it. Judge Dlamini told him that a lot of people had lost their property due to robbery and some of the stolen items were being taken out of the country.
MANZINI  The much anticipated civil servants salary review talks between government and PSAs have been grounded.

This is because one of the members of the public sector associations (PSAs), the National Public Service and Allied Workers Union (NAPSAWU), has taken a stand not to partake in meetings with government. This follows the fact that in one of the cases between government and the trade union, the administration questioned its locus standi. A source close to the matter said following governments decision to question the NAPSAWUs locus standi, the union informed the administration in writing that it would not partake in any meeting with it until the matter at hand was resolved. The source said the employer, through the government negotiation team (GNT), was supposed to invite PSAs to the roundtable, where one of the issues to be discussed was the 2021/22 salary review. He said this follow the fact that government asked the PSAs to withdraw the issue of the salary review from court so that it could be discussed at the roundtable.

This publication gathered that on July 27, 2021 government, through the Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Public Service, Sipho Tsabedze, sent a correspondence to the four unions under the PSAs banner and invited them to a virtual Joint Negotiation Forum (JNF) today at 10am. However, on Monday, government sent another letter to the PSAs, postponing the proposed JNF. In the letter, the PS said the Ministry of Public Service was advising them that the meeting which was scheduled for August 4, 2021 (today) had been postponed to Wednesday August 11, 2021 at 10am. The PS confirmed the postponement of the JNF and said the reason was that NAPSAWU had pulled out of any meetings with the employer pending the finalisation of the issue of the unions locus standi. He added that until the issue was sorted, it would be impossible to have the JNF because they would not form a quorum. The JNF guidelines say it cannot be held if one of the members of PSAs was not available. NAPSAWU President Oscar Nkambule also confirmed the developments.

It is worth noting that civil servants last had a salary review during the 2016/17 financial year, wherein the public sector workers were awarded between 14 and 32 per cent increments. It was agreed that another one would be held this financial year.

On another note, there were appeals regarding the 2016/17 salary review and recently, government told the PSAs that it had reserved about E85 million for the implementation of the said appeals. However, it said the money was used on COVID-19 related needs and as such government did not have money for the exercise. After that, government submitted that the 2021/22 salary review exercise would not be held until the economic situation of the country had improved. Thereafter, since the unions were armed with a court order that it obtained using a the 2016/17 collective agreement between the two parties, which was to the effect that in 2021/22, there should be a salary review and government was supposed to implement its recommendations as it is, took the employer to court. It was then that government asked the PSAs to withdraw the matter from court so that they could discuss if at the roundtable.
MANZINI  Government should do away with external examinations this year, says the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT).

President of SNAT Mbongwa Dlamini said his organisation had submitted to government that external examinations should be suspended this year as pupils had not been afforded an opportunity to learn much. He said they had suggested that all examinations be deferred to next year such that those writing a syllabus under the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) would sit for them in June next year. He said during this period, the Cambridge University offered supplementary examinations for pupils which the local pupils could take as their final examinations.

Challenges

The SNAT president suggested that this was because the examinations under the IGCSE were set at an earlier period and did not accommodate the challenges the country faced. European countries vaccinated their citizens long ago and they do not have the same challenges as ours; so insisting that learners write the exams could be to their detriment, Dlamini said. Furthermore, Dlamini said the examinations set by the Eswatini Examinations Council (ECESWA) could also be written next year to accommodate lessons that would empower pupils to qualify for tertiary and not struggle with grasping certain concepts once they were enrolled there. The unionist said it was high time that government considered altering the school calendar in order to address the challenges the country faced. He further said an advantage was that academic years in tertiary institutions began in August or early September annually.

Targets

Worth noting is that last year, SNAT had said in order for teachers to meet their desired targets, government needed to engage head teachers to permit them to teach only examinable topics. We usually teach everything and given the delay, government needs to permit schools to trim the syllabus so that learners cover essential topics that they will be examined on. The organisation said there were topics that were covered in two or more subjects that would need to be trimmed in order for pupils and teachers to maximise the minimal time they had. For example, it was said: There are topics like cattle farming in agriculture which are also catered for in geography. It was also suggested that alternatively, government must engage with his association to have teachers work overtime. It was said the overtime would be in that the teachers were to use their personal time to cover all that needed to be taught. To this, the Ministry of Education and Training said there was an examination syllabus that was used in schools to prepare pupils. It was said teachers were aware of that and in most instances they usually started with it when preparing pupils.
MANZINI  As schools reopen on Monday, there is a dilemma on the academic fate of pupils as head teachers believe they are not ready for examinations.

External classes are expected to first have oral examination assessments and under normal circumstances, these are undertaken in the last week of August or beginning of September. The concerns of the head teachers are that learners only had about 60 days of face-to-face learning this year as schools reopened on March 29, 2021, after an impromptu closure on March 17, 2020. The schools had been closed since June 29, 2021, after the then Acting Prime Minister (PM), Themba Masuku, announced that the third wave of COVID-19 had hit the country.

Rotational

They are expected to reopen next Monday (August 9, 2021). During this closure, pupils are said to have lost about 40 days of learning, amid on rotational basis as means to avoid large groups which could propel the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Secretary General of the Swaziland Association of Schools Administrators (SASA) Siphasha Dlamini said if it were her choice, the Ministry of Education and Training would consider the reopening of schools next Monday as the first term. She said this would then mean pupils would be assessed through final examinations next August. This, she said, was because pupils sitting for their Form III external examinations only had classes for the whole duration of an academic year when they were in Form I.

Classes

Last year, pupils who were not sitting for their external exams didnt attend classes, but were tutored through media platforms such that they were not assessed, Dlamini said. This year, she said, they had only had about 60 days of face-to-face learning despite that they were expected to sit for their external examinations soon. Dlamini said it was the same case with pupils who were to sit for their external examinations in Form V. This, she said, was because the learners last had time to engage and learn fully in class when they were in Form III. The examinations that they are meant to sit for are for lessons that are taught in three and two years, respectively. So, what have they learnt for them to be assessed? she asked rhetorically. Dlamini said if it were her choice, all the external examinations would be suspended; more so, because there had been no communication on whether examinations would be shifted.

On the other hand, Eswatini Principals Association (EPA) President Welcome Mhlanga said they were anticipating engaging on the issue of external examinations with the ministry before the end of the week. Mhlanga expressed uncertainty on whether the meeting would result in the scrapping of external examinations for this year; mostly the curriculum that is set locally. He acknowledged that COVID-19 had altered the education system schedule in the country. Mhlanga said they had raised the issues and they were hoping that in the meeting of stakeholders in the education sector, the challenges would be discussed.

Results

Weve raised concerns and we hope that the meeting will yield results which may include cancelling of external examinations, especially the local ones or the extension of timelines. This will need to follow the relevant steps for implementation, Mhlanga said. He said the biggest challenge was that there was minimal time for lessons and a way forward needed to be forged. Mhlanga said there would be a challenge with practical examinations as pupils had not learned much and the impromptu closure of schools had exacerbated the situation. Mhlanga said the Examinations Council of Eswatini (ECESWA) would have to manage the issue of practical examinations and then communicate with schools.

Meanwhile, the country has started a rollout programme to vaccinate teachers for COVID-19 as a means to bring normality in the education sector. Prime Minister (PM) Sipho Dlamini, on Monday, reported that government had moved the country to an adjusted Level 3 of the COVID-19 regulations. The PM said during the school days wherein learners attended classes, they 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 regulations 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.
Spanish infrastructure major Acciona has announced that it has secured the main contract worth 337 million ($398 million) for the Jubail 3B Independent Water Plant (IWP) in Saudi Arabia.

Located 65 km north of Dammam airport in Saudi Arabia, the Jubail 3B IWP plant will produce 570,000 cu m/day of potable water through reverse osmosis technology to supply the cities of Jubail and Dammam.

The plant will include storage facilities for one operational day in addition to in-house renewable energy capacity to reduce grid electricity consumption throughout the desalination process.

The plant, being set up on a build, own, operate (BOO) model, will begin operations in 2024.

During the first half, Acciona clinched new contracts worth 4.65 billion, of which 2.36 billion corresponded to construction and water projects, said the Spanish company in its H1 results statement issued recently.

Besides the Jubail 3B desalination plant contract,. its other big wins include the Playa Carmen-Tulum stretch of the Mayan Railway in Mexico (315 million), the upgrade of the Frankston railway line in Melbourne, Australia (213 million) and various projects in Poland (249 million).

In June, TradeArabia had reported that Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC) has signed a deal with a consortium led by French energy giant Engie for the commercial close of Jubail 3B Independent Water Project.

The consortium, which included Saudi-based Nesma Company and Abdulaziz Al Ajlan Sons for Commercial and Real Estate Investment Company (each with a 30% stake in the project), was named the preferred bidder by SWPC in April for its SR1.591 halalas per cu m of potable water tariff.

SWPC also signed a 25-year Water Purchase Agreement with the consortium in the presence of Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Engineer Abdulrahman Al Fadli.-TradeArabia News Service
Menap-SMI (Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan Self Medication Industry) has reiterated its commitment to ensure responsible self-care by carrying on the momentum set by International Self-Care Day 2021 (ISD).

Moving forward from International Self-Care Day, it is important to maintain its values throughout the year, as it signifies the advantages and positive effects self-care can bring to people in their daily lives. Introduced through the ISD Foundation, all stakeholders in the health industry uses this day to focus and publicise the importance of the many alternative self-medicinal practices that can be made available to all.

Monitoring and improving the well-being of oneself and others is a non-stop, lifelong effort, placing health as a top priority.

The current status of self-care has made fantastic strides in the industry over the years; however, there is still the capacity to strive for a higher standard of healthcare.

This is why Menap-SMI remains committed to the regions healthcare systems and its vision to reshape the future of self-care. And to do its best in communicating, providing strategic support, and cooperate with local decision makers linked to self-care.

Post-pandemic, Menap-SMI builds on the improvements of the industrys successful transition for individuals taking control of their physical and mental health, seeking an open-minded approach to better self-care.

According to WHO, 130 million people around the world are currently in need of assistance from disease outbreaks, and 400 million lack the access to essential health services. Investments, innovations, and a collaborative movement allows more self-reliance on ones health and relieves pressure off of medical professionals in the most efficient manner. Self-care interventions can significantly lessen the numbers that have been recorded.

Taking care of ones health, and those who care for others, is a 24-7, 365-day obligation, emphasising how integral the recent innovations and initiatives in self-care have been. Digital health solutions, local community programmes, and the consistent efforts to collaborate with policy makers all have its pivotal roles to play for better care in the region. Staying informed, and nurturing mental and physical health practices, improves the overall infrastructure of healthcare systems.-- TradeArabia News Service
Oman Investment & Finance Co (Khedmah), one of the leading investments and services company in Oman, has unveiled its new mascot, named Wafi.

Representing the companys ethos of digital transformation as well as its simple and swift services, Wafi will cater to Khedmahs clients needs and answer their daily queries. The new mascot reflects Khedmahs long-standing commitment of providing high-end, anytime, anywhere services to its clients and meeting their day to day requirements.

In the past, the demand on the companys services, growing customer base and offered solutions witnessed an increase. This is attributed to the high quality of the services and the variety of products that Khedmah seeks to deliver to its clients.

Such factors prompt the company to further innovate on ways to meet customers aspirations and keep up with the competition in the market. Aspiring to serve and connect with the community, the company launched Wafi which denotes in its design, OIFCs technological prowess as well as futuristic vision, and in its identity, fulfilling clients requirements with perfection.

Commenting on the launch, Said Ahmed Safrar, Chef Executive Officer of OIFC said: We are delighted to reveal Wafi to be Khedmahs ambassador and a representative for our brand for all segments of community. We strongly believe that the mascot can contribute to the delivery of the company's messages on services and communicate with beneficiaries in a friendly and unique manner that suits the target people. The name Wafi is an Arabic name which is deeply-rooted in Arab culture and being used since ancient times. It demonstrates loyalty, honesty, and wide knowledge, additionally fulfilling the needs of people with perfection. Hence, we decided to give this name to the mascot, as the characteristics are in line with what the mascot represents to the community.

Khedmahs platforms witnessed a great expansion and renovation focusing on highest standards. The company also saw a strategic development that is aligned with latest technologies used in the market. As such, it was able to provide many electronic payment channels such as Khedmah app and the company website. Via these channels, customers can utilise all services without visiting the branches

Established in 1979, OIFC is one of the leading Investment and Services Company and specialises in billing, collection & debt factoring for electricity, water and telecom services in the Sultanate of Oman.

These services can be availed through the company 65 branches across the sultanate, kiosks and its digital platforms. The companys various payment channels allow corporates, citizens and residents to easily pay and check electricity, water and telecommunications bills as well as making payment to the Public Authority for Social Insurance (PASI). Additionally, top-up phone, pre-paid electricity, and other services.-- TradeArabia News Service
New Delhi, Aug 4 (UNI) The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved continuation of Samagra Shiksha Scheme for School Education for a period of five years from 2021-22 to 2025-26.

Briefing mediapersons about the Cabinet's decision, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, 'The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval for continuation of the revised Samagra Shiksha Scheme for a period of five years, from 2021-22 to 2025-26 with a total financial outlay of Rs 2,94,283.04 crore which includes Central share of Rs.1,85,398.32 crore.'

The scheme covers 1.16 million schools, over 156 million students and 5.7 million teachers of government and aided schools (from pre-primary to senior secondary levels).
Dasu blast effect: Pakistan replaces Asim Bajwa as head of CPEC

Islamabad, Aug 3 (UNI) A fortnight after nine Chinese workers were killed in a blast at Dasu prompting China to suspend work on a key hydropower plant linked to the ambitious China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, the Pakistan government on Tuesday replaced retired Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa as the authority to lead the affairs of the corridor project.

A notification issued by the Prime Minister's Office said that Khalid Mansoor had been appointed as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on CPEC Affairs with immediate effect. The appointment will be in an honorary capacity, Dawn reported.

Bajwa announced his departure in a tweet, saying Mansoor was "fully equipped" to lead the authority in the future.
Annual family income limit of OBC increased to Rs 2 5 lakh for benefits of scholarship scheme 06 Aug 2021 | 11:41 PM Patna, Aug 6 (UNI) Bihar government on Friday increased the annual family income limit to Rs 2.5 lakhs from Rs 1.5 lakh for post matriculation scholarships to OBC students for the financial year 2021-22. see more..

Mid term assembly poll inevitable in Bihar: Chirag 06 Aug 2021 | 10:54 PM Patna, Aug 6 (UNI) Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) National President (Chirag faction) Chirag Paswan on Friday claimed that midterm Assembly Poll was inevitable in Bihar and his party would play a decisive role in government formation. see more..

Bihar: Dignity of party workers would be protected 06 Aug 2021 | 10:44 PM Patna, Aug 06 (UNI) The newly elected national president of the ruling Janata Dal (U) in Bihar Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, MP on Friday assured party cadres that the dignity of each and every worker of the party would be protected and they would also get due share. see more..

CIPET training centre in Bhagalpur Bonanza for youth Shahnawaz 06 Aug 2021 | 10:43 PM Patna, Aug 6 (UNI) Bihar Industry minister Shahnawaz Hussain today said that cabinet's approval for establishing Central Institute of petrochemicals Engineering and Technology (CIPET) is Bonanza for youth. see more..
In this Sept. 2, 2003, file photo, from left, Jack and Jo Ann Hinckley, parents of John Hinckley, leave the U.S. Courthouse in Washington after a hearing regarding John Hinckleys visitation privileges.

Photo by ASSOCIATED PRESS


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Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, are reportedly being lined up for the Emmy Awards.

Bosses for the glitzy event are said to be keen on getting the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on board to present an award at the ceremony in Los Angeles next month.

A source told The Sun newspaper: "Oprah is planning to attend the night, which could help get them there.

"Certainly, there would be a VIP invite for them from Netflix at its evening celebration event.

Netflix knows that shots of them with big Hollywood names would be huge PR.

Oprah is in the running for the Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special Emmy for her tell-all interview with the couple.

Meanwhile, the pair signed a multi-year deal with Netflix last year to produce documentaries, docuseries, feature films, scripted shows and children's programming exclusively for the streaming giant.

At the time, they said in a statement: "Our lives, both independent of each other, and as a couple have allowed us to understand the power of the human spirit: of courage, resilience, and the need for connection. Through our work with diverse communities and their environments, to shining a light on people and causes around the world, our focus will be on creating content that informs but also gives hope."

And earlier this month, it was revealed Meghan is working on an animated series through her and Harry's Archewell Productions banner about a 12-year-old girl on a journey of self-discovery.

The duchess will serve as an executive producer on the series alongside Sir Elton Johns husband David Furnish, as well as Carolyn Soper, Liz Garbus, Dan Cogan and Amanda Rynda.

In a statement, she said: Like many girls her age, our heroine Pearl is on a journey of self-discovery as she tries to overcome life's daily challenges.

I'm thrilled that Archewell Productions, partnered with the powerhouse platform of Netflix, and these incredible producers, will together bring you this new animated series, which celebrates extraordinary women throughout history.

David Furnish and I have been eager to bring this special series to light, and I am delighted we are able to announce it today."
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.
Masks Required When McCracken Schools Start

By West Kentucky Star Staff

PADUCAH - As classes start today, McCracken County Schools will now require masks for everyone in their buildings.Superintendent Steve Carter announced the new policy Wednesday afternoon in a Facebook video, saying this will hopefully allow five days of in-person instruction each week with limited quarantines.Carter said, "In the past eight days alone, there have been over 63 school-age children who have been tested positive for COVID. This is definitely a change we did not want to make, however, we feel it is one that is critical in limiting the number of quarantines and isolations of students and staff."Carter said he hopes this is a temporary adjustment, and he's certain the community will face this challenge and have an outstanding school year.The Facebook post says the decision was made after consulting with local health departments, and the district will review local data weekly.The post also cites state guidelines, which require a person to quarantine for 10 days if theyve had close contact (within three feet in a classroom) with someone whos tested positive for COVID-19. The exposed student does NOT need to quarantine if they are fully vaccinate or both people were properly wearing masks.Since vaccines are not required for students or staff, the district say mask-wearing is their primary tool for preventing quarantines.Information available to West Kentucky Star indicates these mask policies and first day of classes:Masks required- Graves County (Aug. 4), Massac County (Aug. 16), Mayfield (Aug. 11), McCracken (Aug. 5), Murray (Aug. 12).Masks not required- Ballard County (Aug. 10), Carlisle County (Aug. 4), Paducah Public Schools (Aug. 18), Marshall County (Aug. 4).Here is the video from Facebook:On the Net:
Benton Police Still Searching for Missing Teen

By West Kentucky Star Staff

BENTON - The Benton Police are still seeking the public's help in locating a missing 17-year-old.The Police Department said Jeffrey Stokes was last seen Sunday June 13 4:30 pm at the entrance to Eastside Village on Benton Birmingham Road.Stokes is 5'7", approximately 150 pounds, and is currently bald. He was last seen wearing jeans, a white T shirt, and white shoes.Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Benton Police Department at 270-527-3126 or any other local law enforcement agency.
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.
Lyon County Deputies Searching for Fugitive

By West Kentucky Star Staff

LYON COUNTY - The Lyon County Sheriff's Office is requesting the public's help with locating a fugitive.Deputies say 42-year-old Rickey E. Baird failed to appear in Lyon Circuit Court for meth-related charges on Monday. Baird also has a parole violation warrant from the Kentucky Parole Board for multiple offenses, including absconding from parole supervision.Additionally, deputies continue to investigate a July 16 incident at Baird's Lyon County property when deputies and Lyon County EMS were dispatched to a home on KY 1943 for an assault victim. The victim was taken to Caldwell County Medical Center for treatment after wandering to a home from a wooded area and requesting help. Deputies say it was later determined the victim was assaulted on Baird's property.Baird is believed to be staying in the McCracken County area. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Lyon County Sheriff's Office at 270-388-2311 or your local law enforcement agency.
Murray Woman Arrested on Assault Charges

By West Kentucky Star Staff

MURRAY - A report of a fight Tuesday afternoon led to the arrest of a Murray woman on assault charges.Calloway County deputies responded to the fight at a home on Navigator Drive.Upon arrival, deputies say they saw 24-year-old Jamie C. McKinney fighting with two family members. She then reportedly resisted arrest and assaulted a deputy.McKinney was arrested and charged with third-degree assault of a peace officer, two counts of fourth-degree domestic assault, and resisting arrest.She was taken to the Calloway County Jail.
Flags Half-Staff Today For Pearl Harbor Vet

By West Kentucky Star Staff

FRANKFORT - Governor Beshear has ordered flags at all state buildings to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset today in honor of a Kentucky sailor who was killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor.Navy Electrician's Mate 3rd Class 23-year-old Alphard S. Owsley of Paris, Kentucky, died on December 7, 1941. His remains were only identified last year. Owsley will be interred in his hometown today.You can read more about Owsley by clicking here.
I didnt really want to be at the gym, but I was because I think I convinced myself years ago that the best time to work out is when you feel like doing it the least. I know it doesnt make much sense, but, then again, I never pick up pennies off the ground unless theyre heads up, I wont p
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 01:43:45|Editor: huaxia

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Rwandan President Paul Kagame (R) greets his Tanzanian counterpart Samia Suluhu Hassan in Kigali, capital of Rwanda, Aug. 2, 2021. Paul Kagame said on Monday that cooperation agreements signed between his country and Tanzania earlier in the day will give new impetus to the implementation of joint projects like standard gauge railway. (Xinhua/Cyril Ndegeya)

KIGALI, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Rwandan President Paul Kagame on Monday said cooperation agreements signed between his country and Tanzania earlier in the day will give new impetus to the implementation of joint projects like standard gauge railway.

"Rwanda and Tanzania share more than just a border. Our strong historical ties and common aspiration to deliver prosperity to our people have always been central to our cooperation," Kagame told a joint press briefing with his visiting Tanzanian counterpart Samia Suluhu Hassan in the capital city Kigali, shortly after they witnessed the signing of four cooperation agreements in the areas of information and communication technology, immigration, education and regulation of medical products.

The signing of the agreements gives new impetus to key infrastructure and investment projects of mutual benefit, particularly the standard gauge railway line, milk production and improved port logistics, said Kagame.

There is a lot more the two countries can learn from each other in the spirit of strengthening trade ties, ensuring prosperity and development of the economies and peoples, said Hassan, adding that the signing of the agreements would pave the way for this.

She also highlighted the need for cooperation in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic and in full operation of the one-stop border post at Rusumo, a town on Rwanda-Tanzania border.

Rwanda and Tanzania in 2018 agreed on joint construction of a standard gauge railway from Isaka in northwestern Tanzania to Kigali to facilitate logistics movement between the two countries.

Rwandan Minister of Infrastructure Claver Gatete in July presented a bill to the parliament that provides a framework for the country's implementation, management and maintenance of the standard gauge railway project, saying the country plans to commence the construction as soon as the railway line reaches Isaka.

The government has resumed discussions with partners on the funding of the projected railway, which is expected to cost the central African nation about 1.3 billion U.S. dollars. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 15:34:06|Editor: huaxia

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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 23:00:18|Editor: huaxia

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Students attend a class in Changshan School, Huining County, northwest China's Gansu Province, Oct. 22, 2020. (Xinhua/Du Zheyu)

BEIJING, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- About 10,000 normal college students will receive targeted training annually from 2021 in a bid to improve the performance of primary and middle school teachers in underdeveloped areas in China's central and western regions, according to a recent plan.

Normal colleges and universities in China mainly train faculty for educational institutions.

The special training will be conducted by normal universities directly under the Ministry of Education (MOE) and local-level normal colleges for schools in counties that emerged from poverty and along the land borders, says the plan released by nine departments including the MOE and the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

Six normal universities directly under the MOE will enroll students from China's central and western regions for the national-level training program. The students should make a pledge to return to serve in primary and middle schools in designated counties for at least six years, the plan says.

Local normal colleges and universities appointed by provincial-level administrative departments for education in the central and western regions are responsible for local-level special training.

Students enrolled in the plan will be exempt from tuition and accommodation fees and will receive living subsidies. 
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 23:24:29|Editor: huaxia

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Tourists enjoy fresh air at a tourist attraction in Wulingyuan District of Zhangjiajie, central China's Hunan Province, May 1, 2021. (Photo by Wu Yongbing/Xinhua)

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. 
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 00:07:48|Editor: huaxia

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LONDON, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Britain recorded another 138 coronavirus-related deaths, the highest daily total since March 17, according to official figures released Tuesday.

The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now stands at 129,881. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test.

The country also reported another 21,691 coronavirus cases in the latest 24-hour period, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 5,923,820.

Earlier Tuesday, Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that most of the remaining COVID-19 restrictions in the region will be lifted on Aug. 9.

Most COVID-19 restrictions in England have already been lifted last month as part of the final step of the British government's roadmap out of the lockdown.

But unlike England, face coverings in shops and on public transport in Scotland will continue to be mandatory for some time to come.

"While this move will restore a substantial degree of normality, it is important to be clear that it does not signal the end of the pandemic or a return to life exactly as we knew it before COVID struck," Sky News quoted Sturgeon as saying.

"Declaring freedom from, or victory over, this virus is premature. The harm the virus can do, including through the impact of long COVID, should not be underestimated. And its ability to mutate may yet pose us real challenges," She added.

More than 88 percent of adults in Britain have received the first jab of COVID-19 vaccine and more than 73 percent have received two doses, according to the latest figures.

To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Russia, the United States as well as the European Union have been racing against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 00:40:50|Editor: huaxia

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MACAO, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) on Tuesday reported four new COVID-19 cases, according to the Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Center of Macao.

Two of the cases, both Macao residents, tested positive on Monday in Zhuhai of neighboring Guangdong Province. The health authority in Macao later tested them and their two children, which all came out positive, according to the center.

They were confirmed to have infected the Delta variant of COVID-19, the center said.

One of the four confirmed cases, the daughter in the family, left Zhuhai for Xi'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on July 19, boarding a plane which was related to two previously confirmed cases reported in Zhuhai and Zhongshan of Guangdong Province respectively, which could be the source of the infections within the family, the center said.

Starting 9:00 a.m. local time Wednesday, all Macao residents will be required to take nucleic acid tests. The mass testing is expected to be completed within three days, the center said.

Starting 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, all those who need to leave Macao are required to present negative nucleic acid test reports effective within 24 hours, the Macao SAR government announced.

Prior to Tuesday's new cases, Macao had reported a total of 59 confirmed cases, with 57 being imported and two being related to imported cases. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 02:21:30|Editor: huaxia

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A firefighter battles against a wildfire in Manavgat, Antalya province, Turkey, on Aug. 3, 2021. For the last 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. (Xinhua)

ISTANBUL, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Wildfires in Turkey's southwestern province of Mugla reached several new residential areas on Tuesday, prompting new evacuations.

Footage aired by local media showed the flames engulfed homes in several neighborhoods of the Milas district.

"In Milas, the wind is so strong that it took only 15 minutes for the fire to burn a small settlement of 30 houses," said a resident of the Turkevleri neighborhood, named Firat, on his social media account.

Firat added that he and other residents were evacuated by Coast Guard boats. Milas Mayor Muhammet Tokat announced that the blaze is now threatening a thermal power plant that provides electricity to the region.

"I didn't want to say this, but the thermal power plant and the fire came face to face for the first time," Tokat said on Twitter.

In some parts of Bodrum, one of the main tourist attractions of Mugla, the situation is still worrying. The flames have reached an important highway, disrupting local traffic.

Meanwhile, Fahrettin Altun, communication director of the Turkish presidency, said Turkey has controlled 147 of 156 fires in the last seven days, and nine of the blazes continue.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters in the southern Antalya province that the wind is very strong in the region, and the situation will be critical on Wednesday as well.

For the last 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 02:59:41|Editor: huaxia

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Customers wearing face masks visit a shopping mall in San Francisco, the United States, Aug. 3, 2021. Starting from Tuesday, San Francisco Bay Area residents were once again required to wear masks for all in public indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status, to help stem transmission of the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus. (Photo by Li Jianguo/Xinhua)

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Starting from Tuesday, U.S. San Francisco Bay Area residents are once again required to wear masks for all in public indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status, to help stem transmission of the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus.

Health officers for seven of the nine counties in the region -- Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Sonoma, and the city of Berkeley announced the restriction on Monday.

The order affects more than 7 million residents in the region. Solano and Napa counties did not join in the new mask mandate.

"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," said Naveena Bobba, San Francisco's acting health officer.

The Bay Area has been averaging more than 1,400 cases a day over the past several days, surpassing the peak of last year's summer surge in mid-August, according to a report by the San Francisco Chronicle on Tuesday.

Regional hospitalizations have not yet reached last summer's peak but are not far off -- 815 people were in the hospital with COVID-19 on July 28 last year, compared with 713 on Sunday, the report said.

COVID-19 deaths in the Bay Area at about five a day, are well below last summer's peak of 20 a day.

Health officials emphasized that vaccination remains the best measure against the spread of COVID-19, but that masks are a strong tool while many people are unvaccinated. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 07:29:50|Editor: huaxia

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WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Facing mounting pressure from progressive Democratic lawmakers and the spike of the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. President Joe Biden's administration on Tuesday issued a new 60-day eviction moratorium to prevent millions of American renters from being forced to leave their homes.

The "temporary" moratorium, issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), will expire on Oct. 3. Targeting areas with high or substantial COVID-19 transmission, it covers 80 percent of U.S. counties and 90 percent of the U.S. population.

"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 on Tuesday.

"This moratorium is the right thing to do to keep people in their homes and out of congregate settings where COVID-19 spreads," he said.

The new order is limited and targeted, separate from the agency's prior eviction moratorium that expired on July 31, the CDC said.

However, the new eviction moratorium could face legal challenges since the Supreme Court ruled in June that the CDC overstepped its authority when it created such policies and any further extension would require congressional authorization.

The White House said on Monday that the CDC has been "unable to find legal authority for a new, targeted eviction moratorium," urging the Congress to act "without delay."

However, House Democratic leaders repeatedly said that "it is clear" the evenly split Senate won't extend the eviction moratorium, urging the White House to take unilateral action.

Earlier on Tuesday, Democratic lawmakers protested outside the U.S. Capitol, urging the Biden administration to act on the issue.

Biden told reporters on Tuesday afternoon that he isn't sure whether the new order will pass constitutional muster, but any litigation would "probably give some additional time" for rental assistance funds to flow.

"Any call for a moratorium based on the Supreme Court's recent decision is likely to face obstacles. I've indicated to the CDC I'd like to look at other alternatives," said the president.

The prior eviction moratorium was credited with keeping more than 2 million renters in their homes during the rampant pandemic across the country, according to local media reports. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 09:56:25|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on Wednesday exchanged messages of congratulations on the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between their countries.

Over the past 50 years, bilateral relations have been developing steadily, Xi said in his message, adding that since the establishment of the China-Turkey strategic cooperative relationship in 2010, exchanges and cooperation in various fields have been moving forward in an orderly manner.

Since last year, Xi said, the two sides have been supporting each other in the fight against the COVID-19 outbreak, and carried out fruitful cooperation on vaccines, which has deepened the friendship between the people of the two countries.

He said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Turkey relations, and stands ready to work with Erdogan to take the 50th anniversary as an opportunity to further advance bilateral ties.

The two countries, Xi suggested, should understand and support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, accelerate the aligning of development strategies, and push for steady and long-term development of their strategic cooperative relationship, so as to bring benefits to both countries and their people.

For his part, Erdogan said Turkey-China relations have a sound foundation for mutually beneficial development.

Over the past half century, bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, transportation, tourism and other fields has achieved tremendous development, he said.

The two countries, he added, have also promoted strategic cooperation on the basis of mutual respect and exerted a positive influence on the region and the world.

In the face of COVID-19, the two countries have been working together and helping each other to ensure the health of their people, he noted.

Turkey, he said, attaches great importance to the development of bilateral relations, and will continue to push forward strategic cooperation between the two countries. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 10:28:47|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese mainland on Tuesday reported 71 new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases, the National Health Commission said in its daily report on Wednesday.

Of the locally transmitted cases, 35 were reported in Jiangsu, 15 in Hunan, nine in Hubei, six in Shandong, three in Yunnan, two in Henan, and one in Fujian, according to the commission.

Also reported were 25 new imported cases, of which seven were reported in Yunnan, four in Fujian, three in Jiangsu, two each in Shanghai, Zhejiang and Guangdong, and one each in Tianjin, Shanxi, Liaoning, Henan and Sichuan.

Two new suspected cases arriving from outside the mainland were reported in Shanghai on Tuesday.

No deaths related to COVID-19 were reported, the commission added.

By the end of Tuesday, a total of 7,529 imported cases had been reported on the mainland. Among them, 6,816 had been discharged from hospitals following recovery, and 713 remained hospitalized. No deaths had been reported among the imported cases.

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases on the mainland reached 93,289 by Tuesday, including 1,240 patients still receiving treatment, 21 of whom were in severe condition.

A total of 87,413 patients had been discharged from hospitals following recovery on the mainland, and 4,636 had died as a result of the virus.

There were two suspected COVID-19 cases on the mainland on Tuesday.

A total of 27 asymptomatic cases were newly reported. There were a total of 485 asymptomatic cases, of which 367 were imported, under medical observation on Tuesday.

By the end of Tuesday, 11,994 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 212 deaths, had been reported in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), while 63 cases had been reported in the Macao SAR, and 15,721 cases, including 791 deaths, had been reported in Taiwan.

A total of 11,719 COVID-19 patients in the Hong Kong SAR had been discharged from hospitals following recovery, while 54 had been discharged in the Macao SAR, and 12,929 had been discharged in Taiwan. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 10:45:21|Editor: huaxia

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WUHAN, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Central China's Hubei Province reported nine locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases and four asymptomatic cases on Tuesday, said the provincial health commission on Wednesday.

All the locally transmitted confirmed cases were registered in the provincial capital Wuhan, once hard-hit by COVID-19 in 2020.

Among the asymptomatic cases, three were locally transmitted, while the other one arrived at Wuhan Tianhe International Airport from Jakarta, Indonesia, on Monday.

As of Tuesday, there were 33 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Hubei, including 15 locally transmitted ones. There were also 35 asymptomatic cases under medical observation, among whom 11 were locally transmitted. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 15:16:07|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- China has called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ASEAN Plus Three or 10+3) to make concerted efforts and carry out vigorous cooperation to promote overall economic recovery and improve East Asian countries' crisis response capabilities.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the remarks when attending an ASEAN-China, Japan, ROK (10+3) foreign ministers' meeting on Tuesday.

Wang also said that joint efforts should be made, from a long-term perspective, to improve the mechanism, resilience and vitality of the 10+3 cooperation to maintain the hard-won stability and prosperity that has lasted for many years in East Asia.

Noting that the 10+3 countries are the backbone of East Asian cooperation, Wang said that all parties should consider the 25th anniversary of the launch of 10+3 cooperation next year as an opportunity to plan a roadmap for future cooperation.

Wang put forward a four-point-proposal:

Firstly, all sides should jointly build a barrier against the pandemic in East Asia. Wang said that China has provided countries across the world with over 750 million vaccine doses, will provide 110 million doses to COVAX over the next four months, and will provide an additional 3 billion U.S. dollars of international aid in the next three years. China will further increase its supply of vaccines to assist other countries' vaccination drive.

Virus origin tracing is a serious scientific issue which concerns the common interests of the international community, Wang said.

China hopes that all parties will uphold a scientific, fair and objective position, oppose the attempts to politicize the virus origin tracing, resist the "political virus" infringing on virus origin tracing, and work together to prevent future risks as well as maintain global public health security, said Wang.

Secondly, all sides should jointly promote East Asia economic integration. Wang noted that efforts should be made for the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) at an early date and accelerate the process of regional economic integration.

Thirdly, all sides should jointly seek the transformation and development of East Asia. Wang said that it is imperative to accelerate regional digital transformation, make good use of the scale advantages of the markets in East Asian countries, and carry out practical cooperation on artificial intelligence and the digital economy.

Fourthly, all sides should jointly build a foundation of common values in East Asia, and jointly pursue humanity's common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom, said Wang.

Foreign ministers of Japan, the ROK and ASEAN member states spoke highly of the remarkable results of 10+3 cooperation. All agreed to strengthen vaccine research and development cooperation, uphold multilateralism and free trade, and expand cooperation in emerging areas such as the digital economy and climate change to promote the green and sustainable development in the region. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 15:33:01|Editor: huaxia

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DAMASCUS, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- A military bus exploded in Syria's capital here on Wednesday morning, killing the driver and wounding three others, state news agency SANA reported.

The explosion took place following an electrical short that caused the gas tank to blow up inside the bus when it stopped at the Masaken al-Haras area, a neighborhood housing military personnel in northwestern Damascus.

The SANA report dismissed preliminary speculations that the explosion was an act of terror or caused by an explosive device.

People in the area heard the explosion and saw thick columns of smoke rising.

Online photos posted by passers-by showed a badly burnt bus and heavy smoke in the area. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 15:49:37|Editor: huaxia

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MALE, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Maldivian Prosecutor General's Office has raised 13 charges against the four suspects involved in a terror attack targeting former president and Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed on May 6, local media reported here Wednesday.

Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem told the media on Tuesday that his office has submitted charges against the four suspects to the Criminal Court of the Maldives. The four suspects face a maximum prison sentence of 37 years, 49 years, 46 years, and 30 years respectively if found guilty on all charges.

The charges leveled against the four suspects include attempting a terrorist act, planning a terrorist act, participating in a terrorist act, supporting a terrorist group, attempted murder with the use of a weapon, aiding in transporting explosives, and aiding a fleeing criminal.

Shameem said he hopes the trial will be broadcast on public television. The Maldivian Police Service has said that the suspects are inspired by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) but not directly connected to the group.

Nasheed was critically injured by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted on a motorbike near his vehicle in Male on May 6. He was admitted to the ADK Hospital where he received multiple life saving surgeries before being transferred to Germany for further treatment and recovery. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 15:57:29|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Amid new spikes in COVID-19 deaths and infections in the United States, anti-science rhetoric and conspiracy theories are also gaining steam in the country, triggering concerns that the global anti-pandemic course could worsen further.

The latest episodes of such absurdity include Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson's assertion that it was Anthony Fauci, a top U.S. infectious disease expert, who had "helped to create COVID in the first place," and Congressman Clay Higgins's wild claim that the virus had been weaponized for biological attacks.

These ridiculous statements can not withstand any rational analysis and are nothing but a new epitome of the rising anti-science sentiments in the United States. With such sentiments, bigoted Washington elites are fueling an ideology-motivated disinformation campaign, through which they deliberately ignore facts and seek to mislead the public.

What is more worrying is that these delusional minds are bringing about real consequences: In the United States, scientists and health officials, while working overtime to study the novel coronavirus and address the pandemic, have to spare a massive amount of time and resources to bust rumors and refute opinions spread by conspiracy theorists.

Due in part to the anti-science push, the United States in overall has responded poorly to the pandemic and remains among the worst-hit countries in the world.

At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, the U.S. government, instead of acknowledging the threat it posed and informing the public in a timely manner, repeatedly downplayed the severity and exaggerated the country's capabilities to handle the disease.

After the situation got worse, some U.S. officials quickly turned to conspiracy theories and anti-science positions in order to deflect attention and blame. The political tricks have gone as far as going after some of the country's leading scientists, including Fauci, who had received death threats for siding with science and evidence.

Since the current U.S. leadership took office early this year, the U.S. government has been accelerating vaccinations for its residents. Over the past few months, states and cities have moved to lift COVID-19 preventive measures. The White House announced last month that the country is "closer than ever" to declaring "independence" from the deadly virus.

However, the pandemic is rapidly rebounding in the United States, with new cases, deaths, and hospitalizations all on the rise. "We're going in the wrong direction," Fauci told CNN during an interview late last month.

The giant gap between the cruel reality and the narrative pushed by the U.S. government and media is eroding people's trust in their government and confidence that a recovery is on the horizon.

In addition, the current White House's political maneuver, including asking intelligence agencies to investigate the origin of COVID-19 with a presumption of guilt targeting China, is further fanning anti-science remarks and activities.

Matthew Kavanagh, director of the Global Health Policy & Politics Initiative at Georgetown University, pointed out that if the aim of the U.S. government was finding a scientific explanation of the COVID-19 origin, it would have tasked health institutes instead of intelligence agencies with the research.

"This tells us that this is a political and an intelligence story: not a story mostly about science," Kavanagh recently told U.S. magazine Rolling Stone. "We're in a place where politics is driving people's scientific understanding in a dangerous way."

As Kavanagh said, anti-science sentiments and rhetoric would be unhelpful in suppressing the still raging COVID-19 pandemic and tracing the origin of the disease, and could further impede global efforts to defeat the pathogen. As a result, the international community should stay alert to the anti-science drive in the United States. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 16:44:02|Editor: huaxia

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-- Aware of the challenges at home and abroad, China has been seeking a policy mix featuring diversified monetary tools, fiscal support and a firm commitment to opening-up to keep the economy running within an appropriate range.

-- Since the beginning of 2021, the country has expanded its opening-up with concrete measures.

-- Foreign investors have continued to cast a vote of confidence in the country's opening-up.

BEIJING, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Aware of the challenges at home and abroad, China has been seeking a policy mix featuring diversified monetary tools, fiscal support and a firm commitment to opening-up to keep the economy running within an appropriate range.



Owing to a low comparison base and consolidating recovery, China's economy expanded 12.7 percent year on year in the first half of 2021, but the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and unbalanced domestic rebound still call for more attention on downward pressures.

Noting the headwinds in a key meeting last week, the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee stressed the need to maintain consistent, stable and sustainable macro policies, and sound coordination to mesh this year's policies with those for 2022.

Photo taken on May 8, 2021 shows different kinds of alcoholic drinks on display during the first China International Consumer Products Expo in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

CROSS-CYCLICAL ADJUSTMENT

The meeting emphasized "cross-cyclical adjustment" in macro-economic policies, a term analysts interpreted as a focus on boosting economic resilience in the short term while allowing policy leeway for future uncertainties.

The proactive fiscal policy should generate a greater effect, while the prudent monetary policy should maintain reasonably ample liquidity and support the continued recovery of small and medium-sized enterprises as well as industries under stress.

"We believe that policies will become more discretionary, and we should not expect rapid policy relaxation in the near term," said a research note by China International Capital Corporation Limited (CICC).

China's central bank in July cut the reserve requirement ratio (RRR) by 50 basis points for eligible financial institutions to drive down financing costs and boost the real economy.

Nomura Securities believes that the probability of another universal RRR cut is limited, and the central bank may prefer the use of low-profile tools to inject long-term liquidity.

On the fiscal front, the issuance of government bonds has been relatively slow this year as the relatively strong economic momentum has reduced the need for fiscal support.

"We think the issuance quota of local government bonds may remain underused in 2021, and the issuance may continue towards early 2022 to support economic growth in early next year," said the CICC report.

China-Europe freight train carrying anti-epidemic supplies leaves for Belgrade, Serbia from Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, May 9, 2020. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu)

HIGH-LEVEL OPENING-UP

The CPC leadership meeting reiterated China's commitment to high-level opening-up and the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative.

"China is well equipped with the conditions for promoting high-level opening-up," said Zhou Maohua, an analyst with the China Everbright Bank, citing the country's deepening supply-side structural reform and more mature supervision laws and regulations.

Since the beginning of 2021, the country has expanded its opening-up with concrete measures. In July alone, China pledged proactive efforts toward a higher level of financial openness based on a negative list approach, issued a guideline to support high-level reform and opening-up of the Pudong New Area in Shanghai, and released a negative list for cross-border trade in services in its southern island province of Hainan, the first negative list for services trade in the country.

Despite a complex and severe external environment, China's economic and trade cooperation with other countries and regions is thriving. Analysts believe the momentum will continue as the economy generates more opportunities with its doors opening wider.

The country's foreign trade navigated epidemic-induced challenges to become a major support to the international logistics supply chain in the first half of this year. The China-Europe freight train service, a window to the transcontinental trade, handled 7,377 trips, up 43 percent from the same period last year. Around 94,000 tonnes of anti-pandemic supplies were shipped through the route as of late June, reinforcing the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the period, the growth rate of China's trade value with its top three trading partners -- the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the European Union, and the United States -- stood at 27.8 percent, 26.7 percent and 34.6 percent, respectively, official data showed.

China's trade with countries along the Belt and Road rose 27.5 percent year on year to stand at 5.35 trillion yuan (827.5 billion U.S. dollars), while trade with countries of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership grew 22.7 percent year on year.

Foreign investors have continued to cast a vote of confidence in the country's opening-up. In the first half of this year, foreign direct investment into the Chinese mainland, in actual use, jumped 33.9 percent year on year to 91 billion dollars, the highest growth pace in almost 10 years, according to the commerce ministry.

(Video reporters: Sun Qing, You Zhixin, Pang Yuanyuan; Video editor: Luo Hui)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 17:02:31|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Capitalizing on its victory in eradicating absolute poverty, China is ramping up efforts to propel rural vitalization, which is "a major task in realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," as President Xi Jinping put it.

"Promoting rural vitalization on all fronts will be no easier than the anti-poverty battle," said Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission.

The rural vitalization strategy was proposed as a key move for the development of a modernized economy at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2017.

After the country successfully eradicated absolute poverty, the focus of work concerning agriculture, rural areas and farmers has shifted to promoting rural vitalization.

To realize this goal, the country has been working to foster rural industries, promote the application of agricultural technologies and build beautiful countryside.

ENRICHING FARMERS: NO ONE LEFT BEHIND

When visiting a company producing Tibetan carpets during an inspection tour of northwest China's Qinghai Province in June, Xi stressed efforts to better integrate industrial cultivation and enterprise growth with employment, rural vitalization and ethnic unity.

The carpet factory is a typical case demonstrating that the local specialty industries have been crucial to underpin rural vitalization.

China's rural areas saw steady growth of industries in the first half of this year.

A total of 50 modern agricultural industrial zones, 50 industrial clusters with distinctive strengths and 298 towns with strong agricultural industries were established across the country, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

AGRICULTURE: TECHNOLOGY-LED

China's "No. 1 central document" for 2021, the first policy statement released by the central authorities each year, highlighted the role of science and technology in rural vitalization.

When visiting a tea farm at the foot of Mount Wuyi in Fujian Province in March, Xi stressed more efforts in implementing the arrangements to dispatch technical professionals to rural areas and help with local development.

The farm is run by a team led by Liao Hong, a professor at Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University. By interplanting tea with soy bean and oilseed rape, the team has not only increased yields, but also improved the soil and tea quality. Tea produced by the farm could fetch a price 30 percent higher than average products.

Hundreds of thousands of agricultural professionals are working at the grassroots across the country, injecting strong impetus into the high-quality development of the agricultural industry.

China's summer grain output hit a record high this year. The acreage, yield per unit area and total yield all registered year-on-year growth. Special high-quality wheat plantation accounted for 37.3 percent of the acreage, 1.5 percentage points higher than last year, data from the ministry showed.

BEAUTIFUL COUNTRYSIDE: BETTER LIVING ENVIRONMENTS

Apart from boosting local industries in rural areas, Xi also attaches great importance to improving rural living environments to ensure rural residents have better access to high-quality services and facilities.

"Toilet revolution" has been put high on agenda to make the countryside more livable.

By the end of 2020, more than 40 million rural household toilets had been renovated since China launched a three-year rural living environment upgrade campaign in 2018, with the penetration rate of clean toilets achieving 68 percent in China's rural areas, statistics showed.

Rural "toilet revolution" will continue to be an important task of rural vitalization in the next five years, Xi said last month in an instruction on the work to advance the campaign.

He called for solid progress in light of local conditions and in a scientific manner while avoiding formalism and waste of resources.

Besides this, rural household waste treatment and sewage treatment are also deemed important works in rural vitalization.

Li Haimei, a villager in the mountainous area of the southwestern province of Guizhou, saw the dry toilet at her home, which used to be next to the pigsty, rebuilt into a bathroom with a flush toilet and shower fittings in 2020.

Li and her husband, who had been working in cities away from home, have decided to stay in the village and start a homestay and restaurant this year. "We will turn to tourism for a living at our doorstep as the improving village conditions are attracting more visitors." Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 17:13:59|Editor: huaxia

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KABUL -- At least two people were wounded in an explosion near defense facilities in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan on Wednesday, the capital police confirmed.

"An improvised explosive device was detonated roughly at 8:15 a.m. (local time) in Police District 10, injuring two people," Kabul police spokesman Ferdaus Faramarz told reporters via a text message. (Afghanistan-Kabul-Explosion)

- - - -

DAMASCUS -- A military bus exploded in Syria's capital here on Wednesday morning, killing the driver and wounding three others, state news agency SANA reported.

The explosion took place following an electrical short that caused the gas tank to blow up inside the bus when it stopped at the Masaken al-Haras area, a neighborhood housing military personnel in northwestern Damascus. (Syria-Military Bus-Explosion)

- - - -

ULAN BATOR -- Smoke from massive wildfires raging in Russia's Siberia has reached some parts of Mongolia, including the capital Ulan Bator, the country's National Agency for Meteorology and Environmental Monitoring said Wednesday.

"In recent days, the capital city and some northern and central provinces of our country have been covered with white smoke, which is from Russia's Siberian wildfires," the agency said in a statement. (Mongolia-Siberia-Wildfires)

- - - -

HONG KONG -- An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.5 jolted Vanuatu region at 05:55:12 GMT on Wednesday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

The epicenter, with a depth of 22.59 km, was initially determined to be at 20.486 degrees south latitude and 172.6099 degrees east longitude. (Vanuatu-Earthquake) Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 18:00:18|Editor: huaxia

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Aerial photo taken on Sept. 17, 2020 shows a view of the paddy fields at Qintang Township in Jiande, east China's Zhejiang Province. (Xinhua/Xu Yu)

BEIJING, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Capitalizing on its victory in eradicating absolute poverty, China is ramping up efforts to propel rural vitalization, which is "a major task in realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," as President Xi Jinping put it.

"Promoting rural vitalization on all fronts will be no easier than the anti-poverty battle," said Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission.

The rural vitalization strategy was proposed as a key move for the development of a modernized economy at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2017.

After the country successfully eradicated absolute poverty, the focus of work concerning agriculture, rural areas and farmers has shifted to promoting rural vitalization.

To realize this goal, the country has been working to foster rural industries, promote the application of agricultural technologies and build beautiful countryside.

Farmers show newly-harvested peppers in Guncun Village in Nyingchi, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, July 27, 2020. (Xinhua/Zhang Rufeng)

ENRICHING FARMERS: NO ONE LEFT BEHIND

When visiting a company producing Tibetan carpets during an inspection tour of northwest China's Qinghai Province in June, Xi stressed efforts to better integrate industrial cultivation and enterprise growth with employment, rural vitalization and ethnic unity.

The carpet factory is a typical case demonstrating that the local specialty industries have been crucial to underpin rural vitalization.

China's rural areas saw steady growth of industries in the first half of this year.

A total of 50 modern agricultural industrial zones, 50 industrial clusters with distinctive strengths and 298 towns with strong agricultural industries were established across the country, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

Photo taken on Dec. 31, 2020 shows cameras monitoring the plant diseases and pests at a 5G-assisted smart tea farm in Fu'an City, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Xinhua/Lin Chao)

AGRICULTURE: TECHNOLOGY-LED

China's "No. 1 central document" for 2021, the first policy statement released by the central authorities each year, highlighted the role of science and technology in rural vitalization.

When visiting a tea farm at the foot of Mount Wuyi in Fujian Province in March, Xi stressed more efforts in implementing the arrangements to dispatch technical professionals to rural areas and help with local development.

The farm is run by a team led by Liao Hong, a professor at Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University. By interplanting tea with soy bean and oilseed rape, the team has not only increased yields, but also improved the soil and tea quality. Tea produced by the farm could fetch a price 30 percent higher than average products.

Hundreds of thousands of agricultural professionals are working at the grassroots across the country, injecting strong impetus into the high-quality development of the agricultural industry.

China's summer grain output hit a record high this year. The acreage, yield per unit area and total yield all registered year-on-year growth. Special high-quality wheat plantation accounted for 37.3 percent of the acreage, 1.5 percentage points higher than last year, data from the ministry showed.

Villagers enjoy flowers in front of their house in Xiaodi Village, Hesha Town in Handan, north China's Hebei Province, May 29, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Xiao)

BEAUTIFUL COUNTRYSIDE: BETTER LIVING ENVIRONMENTS

Apart from boosting local industries in rural areas, Xi also attaches great importance to improving rural living environments to ensure rural residents have better access to high-quality services and facilities.

"Toilet revolution" has been put high on agenda to make the countryside more livable.

By the end of 2020, more than 40 million rural household toilets had been renovated since China launched a three-year rural living environment upgrade campaign in 2018, with the penetration rate of clean toilets achieving 68 percent in China's rural areas, statistics showed.

Rural "toilet revolution" will continue to be an important task of rural vitalization in the next five years, Xi said last month in an instruction on the work to advance the campaign.

He called for solid progress in light of local conditions and in a scientific manner while avoiding formalism and waste of resources.

Besides this, rural household waste treatment and sewage treatment are also deemed important works in rural vitalization.

Li Haimei, a villager in the mountainous area of the southwestern province of Guizhou, saw the dry toilet at her home, which used to be next to the pigsty, rebuilt into a bathroom with a flush toilet and shower fittings in 2020.

Li and her husband, who had been working in cities away from home, have decided to stay in the village and start a homestay and restaurant this year. "We will turn to tourism for a living at our doorstep as the improving village conditions are attracting more visitors." 
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 18:20:40|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- "The theory that the virus escaped from the Wuhan lab is not credible," a French biosecurity expert who had monitored the construction of the Biosafety level 4 (BSL-4) laboratory of the Wuhan Institute of Virology has said recently in reference to COVID-19.

The lab "was built under the close cooperation between China and France," and "there is no doubt about its compliance with the highest international biosafety standards," Gabriel Gras said.

"I am not speculating, I prefer to rely on facts," said Gras in an interview with Xinhua on Sunday amid growing speculation about a possible laboratory accident that could have triggered the COVID-19 pandemic.

During his stay in China, Gras participated in implementing the 2004 Sino-French Cooperation Agreement in Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases, and supervised the construction and accreditation of the Wuhan Institute of Virology's BSL-4 laboratory in 2017.

The construction and operation of the Wuhan lab conform to very strict standards, he said. "It was my job to check all of this, and there was no doubt about the level of safety of the facility."

Gras also noted that coronaviruses, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus, "doesn't need to be dealt with in a BSL-4 lab" considering the high cost of operating a BSL-4 lab.

Biosafety levels, which are a set of biocontainment precautions required to isolate dangerous biological agents in an enclosed laboratory facility, range from the lowest BSL-1 to the highest BSL-4. A BSL-4 laboratory works with the most dangerous agents that can generate fatal diseases in humans such as Ebola hemorrhagic fever.

"It is very expensive to operate a BSL-4 lab, in money but also in time, since the experiments take longer to set up due to safety constraints such as wearing a high-pressure diving suit," Gras explained, saying that it's "just common sense" that they don't work in BSL-4 labs with BSL-3 pathogens any more than they do in BSL-3 labs with BSL-2 pathogens.

Coronaviruses are mostly classed at BSL-2, sometimes at BSL-3, such as SARS-CoV of 2002, MERS-CoV of 2012, and finally SARS-CoV-2 of 2019, but never at 4, Gras said.

The classifications of pathogens and guidelines on the conditions of their culture are public and available online, and have been established by the World Health Organization and relevant national authorities.

"Using a BSL-4 to work with a coronavirus is like using a 20-ton crane to move a 30-kg refrigerator. It would be completely illogical," said the French expert, adding that "the theory of leak of the SARS-CoV-2 virus from the Wuhan BSL-4 lab is against common sense." Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 18:35:44|Editor: huaxia

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TEHRAN, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Iran is considering imposing a strict two-week nationwide lockdown to deal with the resurgence of COVID-19, as the country's daily caseload continues to hit new records and authorities struggle to speed up vaccination.

In his very last days in office, Iranian Health Minister Saeed Namaki on Sunday advised the country's top leader to order a two-week lockdown.

On Tuesday, Iran's daily infections hit a new high of 39,019 cases across the country, and the deputy head of the health commission at Iran's parliament warned that the capacity of Iranian medical centers to hospitalize new patients is saturated.

The reasons for the sheer increase in infection rates since the end of June are the higher contagiousness of the Delta variant of the coronavirus currently spreading in Iran, and a decline in people's awareness of observing health recommendations.

Last week, Alireza Raisi, spokesman for Iran's national headquarters fighting the coronavirus, noted that the level of people's compliance with health protocols had fallen under 40 percent.

Iranian Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli said on Tuesday at a press briefing that the Iranian people are "under pressure" as a result of U.S. sanctions, which has led to a decrease in awareness to take epidemic prevention measures such as wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing.

Rahmani Fazli also warned vaccinated people against assuming they are invulnerable, adding that individuals who suffer from other health conditions and become infected may develop severe COVID-19 symptoms and die.

The minister was briefing the press about the conclusions reached at a meeting of the anti-COVID-19 headquarters requested by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to decide on the possible two-week lockdown.

The measure, Rahmani Fazli said, would require a precise analysis before it can be implemented.

Given the "extremely high" economic and social cost of such a lockdown, "every action must be smart, precise and purposeful," he added.

A persuasion campaign should be launched before enforcing the lockdown to guarantee cooperation from officials and the general public, the Iranian minister said.

He also requested collaboration from all governmental organizations to speed up vaccinations, which on Tuesday reached for the first time a rate of 500,000 doses administered in 24 hours.

So far, more than 2.8 million people have received two doses of COVID-19 vaccines in Iran, with a population of nearly 84 million, among whom 6.56 percent are aged 65 or older.

Currently, Iran's development and mass production of domestic vaccines still lag behind official promises.

Rahmani Fazli said at the briefing that domestic production of vaccines "may reach an acceptable level" from next week onwards, attaining 1 to 1.2 million doses a week. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 19:03:08|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- China urges the U.S. side to heed the universal appeal of the international community, immediately and completely lift the sanctions and embargo against Cuba, and immediately stop making excuses to engage in gross interference and destabilization, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said here Wednesday.

It is reported that on July 30, the U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions against Cuba's National Revolutionary Police and its top two officials, citing repression of anti-government protests. During a meeting with Cuban-American figures at the White House, U.S. President Joe Biden said that there would be more sanctions, "unless there's some drastic change in Cuba".

In response, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said on July 30 that "these arbitrary measures, coupled with disinformation and aggression, are used to justify the inhumane blockade of Cuba."

Separately, 30 ventilators provided by the Chinese government to the Cuban government arrived in Havana on July 31.

In response, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that China firmly opposes any move to arbitrarily impose unilateral sanctions and interfere in other countries' internal affairs under the pretext of so-called "freedom", "human rights" and "democracy".

"The recent U.S. sanctions against Cuban institution and officials severely violate the basic norms governing international relations and once again demonstrate to the world the typical U.S.-style double standards and bullyism," the spokesperson said.

As is known to all, it is the economic, commercial and financial embargo from the U.S. that gravely impedes Cuba's efforts to improve its economy and people's livelihood, and tramples on the Cuban people's right to subsistence and development, the spokesperson added.

"Enough with sanctions! The right way is to support," the spokesperson said.

Recently, China and many other friendly countries and international organizations have extended a helping hand to Cuba, aiding the Cuban government and people to fight the epidemic and improve people's livelihood, illustrating that true friendship stands the test of adversity, the spokesperson said.

China will continue to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, deepen China-Cuba friendly relations and firmly support Cuba's efforts to overcome the impact of the epidemic, promote economic development and maintain social stability, the spokesperson added. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 19:04:51|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- China's top market watchdog has launched an investigation against chemical fertilizer producers and distributors 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 chemical fertilizers, further strengthen supervision and law enforcement, and punish illegal acts such as hoarding, price hyping and price collusion. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 19:09:50|Editor: huaxia

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MALE, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Maldivian President Ibrahim Solih has told his cabinet ministers to accelerate mass vaccinations in order to control the spread of COVID-19 and revive the economy, state-owned PSM News reported here Wednesday.

Speaking to the cabinet ministers on Tuesday, Solih called for support from all government institutions to fully vaccinate the entire eligible population of the country as soon as possible.

The President's Office issued a directive on Monday requesting all government employees to get fully vaccinated. Government employees must get at least the first dose of the vaccine by Aug. 15.

Director-General of Public Health Maimoona Abubakur was also quoted by PSM News as requesting support from institutions, agencies, and companies to support the national vaccination program which began in February.

The Maldives aims to fully vaccinate 90 percent of the eligible population by the end of August. More than 70 percent of the country's eligible population has been fully vaccinated so far.

The Maldives has inoculated 325,060 people with the first dose and 274,949 people with the second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

The Maldives re-opened government offices and eased several anti-epidemic restrictions in July amid lower detected cases in order to kickstart the economy. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 19:24:15|Editor: huaxia

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BAGHDAD, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi security forces on Wednesday launched an operation to hunt down militants of the extremist Islamic State (IS) group in the northern province of Nineveh, the Iraqi military said.

The Iraqi army and paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces pushed in five routes in the morning toward several villages south of the provincial capital Mosul, some 400 km north of Baghdad, the media office of the Hashd Shaabi forces said in a statement.

The operation, designed to clear the villages scattered in the area of IS remnants, also aimed to secure the lines of the power transmission towers in the southern part of the province from possible sabotage by the militants, the statement said.

Earlier, Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi held meetings to discuss the attacks of IS militants to sabotage power stations and transmission towers in several provinces of the country and directed the security forces to strengthen the protection of power transmission lines.

The security situation in Iraq has been improving since Iraqi security forces fully defeated the IS militants across the country late in 2017.

However, IS remnants have since melted in urban areas or deserts and rugged areas, carrying out frequent guerilla attacks against security forces and civilians. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 19:28:23|Editor: huaxia

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SANAA, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- At least 18 Houthi rebels were killed in overnight airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen's central province of Marib, a government military source said Wednesday.

"The militiamen were targeted when travelling on three pick-up vehicles in a road linking the western districts of Sirwah, Jabal Murad and Rahabah," the source in Marib told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported four coalition airstrikes on Sirwah and Jabal Murad.

The Yemeni army on Tuesday recaptured the strategic mountain of Al-Bayadh in Rahabah district, days after pushing back the Houthi rebels from several other areas in the district.

The Houthis began in February a major offensive on Marib in an attempt to seize control of the oil-rich province.

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 the capital Sanaa.

The Saudi-led Arab coalition intervened in the Yemeni conflict in March 2015 to support Hadi's government. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 20:05:24|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Since the new U.S. administration took office, it has not changed the hegemonic behavior of its predecessor on issues related to Hong Kong, having launched at least 13 smear attacks against China on those issues and raved about "standing with Hong Kong people" many times.

The U.S. side has also churned out fallacies about the proper measures taken to boost the long-term stability of Hong Kong, including China's implementation of the national security law in Hong Kong and measures to improve Hong Kong's electoral system. Washington has also ganged up with some Western forces to launch a propaganda campaign against China, and even imposed so-called "sanctions" against Chinese officials.

The unprovoked attacks on China by the new U.S. administration on issues related to Hong Kong are listed below in a bid to restore truths through an account of facts.

PART 1

After China's National People's Congress (NPC) adopted a decision on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on March 11, the U.S. State Department issued a statement to attack and discredit China's decision. The U.S. side also issued a statement with other Group of Seven members to defame China. On March 17, the U.S. State Department announced so-called "sanctions" against 24 Chinese officials, including 14 vice chairmen of the NPC Standing Committee, on the eve of a high-level strategic dialogue between China and the United States in the U.S. state of Alaska.

After the NPC adopted the decision on improving the electoral system of the HKSAR, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department claimed that the decision attacked Hong Kong's democratic process. However, it is purely China's internal affair to design and improve Hong Kong's electoral system, and no foreign force is entitled to interfere. In fact, the United States has its own strict laws against foreign interference in elections, and the U.S. House of Representatives had passed a bill to improve the U.S. electoral system. Why can the United States itself amend its own electoral laws any time it deems necessary but go all out to denigrate China's improvement of such laws for one of its special administrative regions?

While the U.S. side alleged that the targets of its so-called "sanctions" have "undermined the high degree of autonomy promised to the people in Hong Kong," the U.S. accusation was not consistent with the facts. The NPC has made decisions on safeguarding national security in Hong Kong and improving the electoral system of Hong Kong respectively. The improved electoral system has ensured the implementation of the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong," which excludes anti-China, destabilizing forces from the governance structure and better guarantees the national security and the safety of the HKSAR's body of power. It has also better reflected the extensive and balanced political participation by Hong Kong residents, which in no way weakens Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy, but is more conducive to the healthy and orderly development of Hong Kong's democratic system.

China's measures to maintain the long-term stability of Hong Kong have also won broad international support. During the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), 70 countries issued a joint statement urging relevant parties to stop interfering in issues related to Hong Kong and in China's internal affairs. In addition, another 20-plus countries also voiced support for China's position and measures on issues related to Hong Kong in their respective remarks at the HRC.

The U.S. side, by choosing to announce the so-called "sanctions" against Chinese officials on the eve of the high-level strategic dialogue between China and the United States in Alaska, sought to use extreme pressure to gain bargaining chips. However, such unilateral "sanctions" were only a bluff. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) said previously that the U.S. unilateral sanctions are not adopted by the United Nations, thus having no legal effect in Hong Kong. The HKMA's position on unilateral U.S. "sanctions" is clear: Hong Kong banks have no legal responsibility to act in concert with those "sanctions."

After the announcement of the so-called "sanctions" by the United States in 2020, anti-China and destabilizing forces rejoiced, claiming that those sanctions were "significant indicators" and "champagne corks will be opened tonight for celebration." They also predicted with confidence that "more sanctions will be imposed in the future, not only on senior officials and middle-level officials, but also those who directly endanger the rule of law in Hong Kong." The truth of the claim that "the United States stands with Hong Kong people" is that the U.S. side will always stand with those who create disturbances and undermine Hong Kong's prosperity and stability.

PART 2

On March 30, the amended Annex I and Annex II to the HKSAR Basic Law were passed at the 27th session of the Standing Committee of the 13th NPC, with a unanimous vote from all committee members in attendance. On March 31, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken certified to U.S. Congress that Hong Kong remains undeserving of "special treatment" by the United States under U.S. law. On April 1, U.S. Consul General in Hong Kong Hanscom Smith raved that Hong Kong elections would not produce "meaningful democratic results."

The designing and improvement of the electoral system of the HKSAR is China's internal affair. The amendments enjoy sufficient legal basis and fully embody the spirit of the rule of law in governing the country and Hong Kong by law. The newly amended Annexes I and II of the HKSAR Basic Law are systematic amendments to the method for selecting the HKSAR chief executive and the method for forming the HKSAR Legislative Council, respectively. By focusing on reconstituting the Election Committee and increasing empowerment, the amendments represent an overall planning and design for Hong Kong's electoral system, which have not only fixed the loopholes and defects of the original system in a timely manner, but also effectively enhanced the broad representation and balanced participation of the electoral system. They have optimized and developed Hong Kong's democratic system, and have by no means "weakened democracy."

It is of great significance to improve the electoral system of the HKSAR. By making institutional arrangement at the constitutional level, it combines adherence to the principle of "one country" with respect for the differences between "two systems," and also combines the upholding of the central government's overall jurisdiction over Hong Kong with a guarantee of a high degree of autonomy of Hong Kong. It has fully implemented the fundamental principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong," thus ensuring Hong Kong's long-term stability and prosperity, safeguarding the steady and sustained implementation of the principle of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong, and giving Hong Kong people a promising future.

In any country in the world, loyalty to one's homeland is a basic political ethic that must be observed by civil servants and those who run for public office. In Britain, the electoral system of each region is decided by the central government of Britain. For example, with the highest degree of autonomy, Scotland's electoral system was set by the Scotland Act passed by the British Parliament in 1998 and amended in 2012.

Xulio Rios, director of the Observatory of Chinese Politics in Spain, said that the electoral reform shows the firm will of the Chinese government to preserve the stability of Hong Kong and not to sacrifice sovereignty under any circumstances. In an interview with Chinese media, George Galloway, a former member of the British Parliament, used a vivid expression to illustrate the need to improve Hong Kong's electoral system: to remove hidden enemies in the "Trojan horse."

Hong Kong's special economic status is protected by the Basic Law and is generally recognized and respected by the international community. After Hong Kong's return to its motherland, its fiscal and taxation independence, free trade, issuance of its own currency, free flow of capital, and its status as a free port and a separate customs territory have been maintained and consolidated, which fully demonstrates that Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy is working well. While claiming to support Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy, the U.S. side has cancelled the so-called "special treatment" for Hong Kong. Facts have proved that it is the U.S. side that has undermined Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy.

Hong Kong's development achievements stem from the continuous hard work of generations of Hong Kong people and its great advantage of relying on the motherland. They have never been gifts or charity from any foreign country. The cancellation of the so-called "special treatment" by the U.S. side will stop neither Hong Kong's development and prosperity, nor the general trend of Hong Kong's continued integration with the motherland to gain more space for development.

Smith denied the significance of improving Hong Kong's electoral system, because under the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong," U.S. agents in Hong Kong, namely anti-China and destabilizing forces, will be completely excluded from the governance structure of the HKSAR. This is a huge defeat for those anti-China forces in the United States and the West who stand with such agents.

PART 3

On April 16, anti-China Hong Kong disruptors, including Jimmy Lai Chee-ying and Martin Lee Chu-ming, were sentenced by a Hong Kong court according to law.

Later, Blinken tweeted that the sentences "are unacceptable," and called for the release of those disruptors. He also added the hashtag #StandWithHongKong at the end of his tweet.

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also tweeted that she was "saddened and disturbed" by the sentences, and smeared the sentences as "another sign of Beijing's assault on the rule of law."

Hong Kong is a society under the rule of law. The evidence for the illegal activities of those anti-China Hong Kong disruptors is rock solid, and no external force has the right to butt in.

The West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts announced on April 16 to sentence Jimmy Lai to 14 months in prison for organizing and participating in illegal assemblies on Aug. 18, 2019 in Hong Kong Island, and for participating in an unauthorized assembly on Aug. 31, 2019.

The court also heard two other cases that Lai was involved in, including suspected of violating the national security law in Hong Kong and fraud, which were adjourned to June 15 and May 6 respectively.

The prosecutor also filed charges against Lai over collusion with external forces to endanger national security and conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice.

Facts showed that such perpetrators as Lai and Lee have colluded with Western anti-China forces for a long time and raised the devil. It was also made public that Lai has built shady connections with the U.S. National Endowment for Democracy, a U.S. government-sponsored entity.

During the illegal "Occupy Central" movement in 2014 and the chaos over the amendments to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance and the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ordinance in 2019, the local Apple Daily newspaper, controlled by Lai, served as a propaganda tool for the anti-China and destabilizing forces.

Even after the implementation of the national security law, the perpetrators still kept "fighting for the United States" under the disguise of media workers. Their repeated breaking of the bottom line has made them a common enemy of the Hong Kong society.

The sentences of those who organized and took part in unauthorized and illegal assemblies are based on sufficient factual evidence, with the procedure totally legal and the verdict made public according to law.

Some U.S. politicians, despite chanting the slogan of upholding international rules, have repeatedly trampled on international law and basic norms governing international relations, and wantonly interfered in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs. That fully exposes their entrenched double standards on international rules, the use of which depends on whether they conform to U.S. interests.

When illegal demonstrations broke out in Hong Kong, Pelosi called them "a beautiful sight to behold." In sharp contrast, she unscrupulously slandered the normal law-enforcement measures by the Hong Kong police, who had shown maximum restraint.

When large-scale riots erupted in Los Angeles in 1992, the same California politician did not meet and incite the organizers of the riots.

In 2021, when the U.S. Capitol Hill was under attack, Pelosi, as a congresswoman, did not view the riot as "a beautiful sight to behold," but instead condemned the attackers hard. The ironic contrast laid bare the true color of U.S. politicians' "promise" to firmly stand with the anti-China and destabilizing forces in Hong Kong.

PART 4

On May 7, Blinken wrote on Twitter that the country "stands with the people of Hong Kong," while asking the Hong Kong government to immediately release multiple instigators of riots in the city, including Joshua Wong.

On May 6, four instigators of the Hong Kong riots, including Wong, were sentenced to four to 10 months in prison respectively by the District Court of the HKSAR, for knowingly participating in an unauthorized assembly. The facts of the cases are well-founded, and Wong and the others are guilty as charged. The ridiculous demand for the immediate release of the defendants does not respect the rule of law, revealing Washington's attempt to interfere in China's internal affairs.

While Hong Kong's laws always respect and protect rights and freedoms under the Basic Law, these rights and freedoms are not absolute, and shall be built upon the maintenance of public order and the protection of rights and freedoms of others. Wong and the others knew the assembly was unauthorized but still took part in it.

David Gosset, a French expert on international issues and founder of the Europe-China Forum, described certain Western politicians as hypocrites who turned a blind eye to the violence in Hong Kong. He stressed that the violent and extremist acts in the city, which damaged its people's rights, should be condemned. John Ross, former director of Economic and Business Policy of London, said that he thinks it is a typical example of hypocrisy that certain U.S. politicians play the human rights card only when it comes to Hong Kong affairs.

British barrister Grenville Cross, who started working in Hong Kong in 1978 and served as Hong Kong's first director of public prosecutions after the city's return to China, pointed out that international anti-China forces are trying to undermine the practice of "one country, two systems" by destroying the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong in order to contain China's development.

In 2019, when the Hong Kong government sought to introduce amendments to its extradition laws, anti-China forces in the United States and some other Western countries incited crimes of violence in the city from behind the scenes, insanely challenged the bottom line of "one country, two systems," gravely undermined Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, and put its people under extreme anxiety. In 2021, the U.S. side is still sparing no effort to speak for the criminals, including Wong. This demonstrates again that by claiming it "stands with the people of Hong Kong," Washington is actually siding with criminals and treating the Hong Kong people as enemies.

PART 5

On May 27, the Legislative Council of the HKSAR voted overwhelmingly to pass the Improving Electoral System (Consolidated Amendments) Bill 2021. On May 28, Blinken made rash criticism of the bill, calling for the release of all those charged under the national security law in Hong Kong, and dismissal of charges against them.

Under the improved electoral system in Hong Kong, the composition of the Election Committee and the Legislative Council is more broadly representative, which reflects the interests of all sectors of the Hong Kong society in a comprehensive and balanced manner, safeguards the executive-led political system, ensures that the Legislative Council performs its duties in accordance with the law, and enhances the effectiveness of the HKSAR's governance. It is also conducive to pushing forward joint social efforts to solve deep-seated problems and promoting people's livelihood and economic development.

Before and after the adoption of the NPC's decision on improving the electoral system of the HKSAR, the central government collected opinions from people from all walks of life in Hong Kong in various ways. On March 15-17, the Commission for Legislative Affairs of the NPC Standing Committee, together with the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council and the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, held more than 60 symposiums for three consecutive days on the implementation of the NPC's decision on improving the electoral system of the HKSAR. Together with additional visits and interviews, the relevant views of over 1,000 representatives from all walks of life in Hong Kong were extensively and carefully listened to.

More than 2.38 million signatures were collected in Hong Kong in support of improving the electoral system of the HKSAR during an 11-day campaign starting from March 11. According to a survey by Hong Kong's think-tank Bauhinia Institute, more than 70 percent of Hong Kong residents believe that the improvement of Hong Kong's electoral system has enhanced their confidence in Hong Kong's future. After the passage of the bill, various sectors of the Hong Kong society, including the Hong Kong Civil Servants General Union, the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Hong Kong Guangdong Community Organizations, expressed support for the bill.

The United States has many electoral laws. In the past two years alone, members of the U.S. Congress have introduced more than 40 bills to improve the U.S. electoral system. On the same day when China's top legislature announced its agenda for improving Hong Kong's electoral system, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a "For the People Act" to improve the electoral system and ensure election security.

On March 5, Belarus delivered a joint speech on behalf of over 70 countries at the 46th session of the UNHRC, emphasizing that Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs and should not be interfered by external forces. Ambassador Yury Ambrazevich, head of the Belarus mission to the UN in Geneva, said in an interview after the meeting that "we emphasized that Hong Kong is an integral part of China and Hong Kong affairs are China's internals affairs," stressing that China has the sole authority and responsibility to make any decisions, including on improving Hong Kong's electoral system, to promote Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability.

Judging from its call for releasing all those charged and dropping charges against them under the national security law in Hong Kong, the U.S. position is very clear: the United States stands "firmly" in opposition to the national security law in Hong Kong, which has guaranteed the transition from chaos to order in Hong Kong and effectively restored the sense of security of Hong Kong citizens.

PART 6

On June 3, Blinken issued a statement on the website of U.S. Department of State, claiming that the United States will "stand with the people of China as they demand that their government respect universal human rights." On the following day, he tweeted a call for "the immediate release" of some people in Hong Kong that were arrested.

During the disturbance in Hong Kong following the proposed ordinance amendments in 2019, anti-China extremist and secessionist groups supported by the United States did not pursue human rights, but trampled on human rights in an attempt to seize the jurisdiction in Hong Kong and subvert the state power.

From June 2019 to mid-March 2020, there were more than 1,400 demonstrations and public gatherings in Hong Kong, many of which eventually turned into serious violent incidents, such as throwing petrol bombs, vandalism, and burning shops. Rioters attacked police stations and officers, besieged innocent citizens, doxed people who expressed opinions different from theirs, destroyed subways and public facilities, paralyzed airports, blocked traffic and "occupied" university campuses, posing a long-term grave threat to public safety and order in Hong Kong.

Data showed that the number of crime cases in Hong Kong had been on a downward trend in the past years before the "Black Terror" in 2019, but the social unrest reversed the trend, as the number rose by 9 percent and 7 percent respectively in 2019 and 2020.

Luo Changqing, a 70-year-old cleaner in Hong Kong, was hit by rioters and died of serious wounds. A Hong Kong resident surnamed Lee was poured with flammable liquid and set ablaze, following an argument with rioters who were thrashing public facilities. He suffered from burns on almost half of his body, and was once in a critical condition. Chan Tze-chin, a Hong Kong lawyer, was surrounded and viciously beaten up by rioters after he berated them for thrashing shops in a busy shopping area in Causeway Bay, and suffered multiple physical injuries. More than half of the stores of Best Mart 360, the Hong Kong-based snack chain, were vandalized in the social unrest.

Yonden Lhatoo, chief news editor at the South China Morning Post, wrote in an article in 2020: "So when Americans take to the streets in an eruption of rage against systemic racism that has afflicted their country since its founding, they are 'rioters' who deserve to be shot dead? But when radicals in Hong Kong go on the rampage, hurling petrol bombs, destroying public property ... they are mighty champions of freedom?"

The United States itself has terrible human rights records. The Russian Foreign Ministry on July 9 released country reports on human rights situation, which point out that the United States continues to grossly violate human rights both inside the country and beyond its shores. The freedom of the press in the United States, to which Washington declares adherence, is sliding into complete degradation, and the level of racism, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and other manifestations of discrimination and xenophobia continue to rise.

The human rights situation in China is at its best in history. Since the national security law in Hong Kong came into effect more than a year ago, human rights and freedoms of the overwhelming majority of Hong Kong citizens have suffered "zero damage." If the United States really wants to "stand with" the Chinese people who "pursue" human rights, it should side with the overwhelming majority, not the other way around. (more)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 20:20:30|Editor: huaxia

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HONG KONG, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Japan will provide AstraZeneca vaccine for areas under state of emergency amid the surging number of infections. Thailand's daily COVID-19 cases surpass 20,000 on Wednesday for the first time.

The Japanese government will give priority to providing British drugmaker AstraZeneca PLC's COVID-19 vaccine to six areas under the latest COVID-19 state of emergency, Japan's minister in charge of the country's vaccine rollout has said, according to local media.

The Japanese capital reported a single-day record of 4,166 new COVID-19 cases amid the continuous surge of infection cases in the country, with an all-time high of 14,207 cases nationwide until 6:25 p.m. local time, local media reported.

South Korea reported 1,725 more cases of COVID-19 as of midnight Tuesday compared to 24 hours ago, raising the total number of infections to 203,926. The daily caseload was sharply up from 1,200 in the prior day, hovering above 1,000 for 29 straight days. The daily average tally for the past week was 1,501.

The Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) reported 7,342 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the Southeast Asian country to 1,619,824. The death toll climbed to 28,231 after 90 more patients died from the viral disease, the DOH added.

Thailand reported 20,220 new COVID-19 cases, the first time the figure has surpassed 20,000 since the start of the pandemic. The new infections brought the country's caseload to 672,385, official data from the Ministry of Public Health showed. The new fatalities also rose by a record high of 188, taking the death toll to 5,503.

Cambodia has one of the highest percentages of COVID-19 vaccination among its adult population in the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region, the United Nations in Cambodia said in a statement released late on Tuesday.

As Australia's state of New South Wales (NSW) saw another peak in daily increase of local COVID-19 cases, local transmission again gripped some other states.

NSW Health recorded 233 new locally acquired cases in the 24 hours to 8:00 p.m. local time Tuesday, a slight drop from the 241 cases on Aug. 1, when the highest daily increase in the latest outbreak was recorded.

Australians could get coronavirus vaccines at drive-through clinics within months under a government plan to make inoculation more convenient.

New Zealand saw another milestone in administering COVID-19 vaccines, with two million COVID-19 vaccines being given to Kiwis.

The pandemic is not coming to an end and it is important to keep the virus, particularly the Delta variant, out of the country, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins told a press conference.

The country reported two new cases of COVID-19 in recent returnees in managed isolation facilities, and no cases in the community.

Pakistan on Tuesday reported 4,722 new COVID-19 cases, the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) said, and the country's overall confirmed cases reached 1,047,999, including 945,829 recoveries.

India's COVID-19 tally rose to 31,769,132 as 42,625 new cases were registered during the past 24 hours across the country, showed the federal health ministry's latest data. Besides, as many as 562 deaths due to the pandemic since Tuesday morning took the total death toll to 425,757.

The authorities in Nepal's Kathmandu Valley on Tuesday decided to extend the ongoing lockdown by seven more days as the South Asian country is facing rising COVID-19 cases in recent days. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 20:28:55|Editor: huaxia

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BEIRUT, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese President Michel Aoun said on Wednesday that Lebanon is going through its "most difficult time," calling for urgent help and support from the international community, according to a statement by Lebanon's Presidency.

Aoun's remarks came during the donors' conference held virtually to mark the first anniversary of the Beirut port explosion.

Lebanon is suffering from an unprecedented poverty rate, the COVID-19 pandemic, severe shortage of medicines, the heavy burden of the Syrians' displacement, and the economic plight depriving the country of necessary resources, Aoun said.

Lebanon needs support for the maintenance of infrastructure including water and electricity as well as the Lebanese army, he added.

The president called for restoring full operations at the Beirut port, a vital facility for a prosperous national economy.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron pledged 100 million euros' (118.66 million U.S. dollars) worth of emergency aid and 500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine to Lebanon. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 20:54:47|Editor: huaxia

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by Keren Setton

JERUSALEM, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- An alleged attack by Iran on an Israeli oil tanker off the coast of Oman last weekend has brought hostility between the two countries to an all-time high, analysts said.

While Iran has denied responsibility for the attack that killed two crew members, the United States and Britain still joined Israel in assigning the blame on it.

For years, Israel has engaged in a covert war against Iran. Targeting not only its nuclear program, Israel is also believed to be behind hundreds of airstrikes against the Iranian targets across the Middle East. Meanwhile, Iran has launched attacks against Israel through its proxies in Lebanon, Syria and the Gaza Strip.

With the recent maritime attacks, what has been a shadow war for years could now escalate into a full-blown confrontation.

"Iran already knows the price that we exact when someone threatens our security. The Iranians need to understand that it is impossible to sit peacefully in Tehran and from there to ignite the entire Middle East," said Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Tuesday when visiting a military base on Israel's northern border.

Bennett noted that Israel has provided the United States and Britain with the evidence that Iran was behind the attack last weekend killing a British and Romanian national.

"We are working on enlisting the world, but at the same time, we also know how to act alone," he said.

In addition to attacks on scores of Iranian weapon convoys, Israel has been blamed for numerous cyber-attacks against Iranian nuclear and infrastructure sites.

In June, Iran's largest warship caught on fire and sank off the coast of Oman. Despite speculation that Israel was behind the fire, Iran provided no explanation and the Israeli offices refused to comment on the matter.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the Iranian nuclear deal in 2018. With a new administration in Washington, the United States has declared its wish to re-enter the 2015 deal with the world powers.

New Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who will be sworn in at the end of this week, is considered a hard-liner. This might be manifested not only in the nuclear negotiations but also in Iran's belligerence toward Israel.

Seeing Iran as its arch-enemy, Israel could retaliate differently this time. Bennett, a newly sworn-in prime minister, has vowed a tough approach against Iran.

"Israel needs to take advantage of the incident in order to change the equation," said Soli Shahvar, a professor of Iranian studies at the University of Haifa. "It should equate every attack by an Iranian proxy with an attack by Iran so as to pave the way for attacking targets in Iran publicly."

"Israel should not act unilaterally and needs to act within a larger international context led by other countries," said Nimrod Goren, head of the Mitvim Institute for Regional Foreign Policies.

The recent tensions with Iran, getting both the United States and Britain involved, could play a role in the negotiations on the nuclear deal.

"This could promote the Israeli argument that the international community needs to look not only at Iran's nuclear aspirations, but also its aims for regional influence," Goren told Xinhua.

However, "Israel is not looking for a confrontation with Iran at the moment but is looking to guarantee that its interests are taken into consideration by the international community," he said. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 21:20:28|Editor: huaxia

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PART 7

In June, Smith said in an interview that the imposition of the national security law in Hong Kong had created an "atmosphere of coercion" that threatens both the city's freedoms and its standing as an international business hub.

The disturbance in Hong Kong following the proposed ordinance amendments in June 2019 dealt a heavy blow to Hong Kong's economy and people's livelihood.

In 2019, Hong Kong's economy posted the first negative growth in 10 years. Official data showed that around half of service industries recorded year-on-year decreases in business revenues, as accommodation services and retail industries dropped 14.3 percent and 11.1 percent respectively, with tourist visits to Hong Kong slumping, and unemployment in retails, hospitality and catering sectors staying high.

Since the national security law in Hong Kong took effect by the end of June 2020, the society has returned to the right track and residents have lived in peace, opening up a new situation in Hong Kong where order replaces chaos.

In the first quarter of 2021, the city's number of crimes dropped about 10 percent year-on-year, while gross domestic product (GDP) saw a 7.9 percent year-on-year increase.

In June, the International Monetary Fund released a report that reaffirmed Hong Kong's position as an international financial center.

According to the World Investment Report 2021 released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Hong Kong remained the world's third largest destination for foreign direct investment in 2020.

The national security law in Hong Kong only targets four types of offences, namely, secession, subversion, terrorist activities and collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security. It is designed to deter and punish a handful of criminals seriously jeopardizing national security, and to protect the overwhelming majority of law-abiding Hong Kong people.

All efforts and law enforcement relating to safeguarding national security will be conducted in strict accordance with legal provisions, mandates and procedures. The legislation will not affect the rights and freedoms, including those of speech, of the press, of publication and of assembly that Hong Kong residents enjoy under the law. It will enable them to better exercise their lawful rights and freedoms in a secure environment.

The legislation, since taking effect, has better ensured the city's high degree of autonomy in accordance with law, and created conditions for resolving deep-rooted problems concerning Hong Kong's economy and people's livelihood. It also contributes to Hong Kong's rule-of-law and business environment, addresses the concerns in the business communities on social turbulences, and creates better conditions for people around the world who are willing to work, invest and live in Hong Kong.

Washington, while chanting the slogan of "stand with Hong Kong people," has in fact engaged in actions against the national security law in Hong Kong and imposing the so-called "sanctions." Such self-contradictory behaviour exposed its hypocrisy and despicableness.

PART 8

On June 25, the White House put out on its website a statement regarding the closing down of Hong Kong's Apple Daily, in which it falsely accused China of suppressing press freedom.

The Apple Daily, under the cloak of a media outlet, had long engaged in illegal acts of harming the country and destabilizing Hong Kong, seriously violating the journalistic ethics and jeopardizing the media environment of Hong Kong.

The newspaper had long been engaged in concocting fake news to mislead the public. During the turbulence over proposed ordinance amendments in Hong Kong in 2019, the newspaper produced a flurry of fake news and peddled wrong values to perplex the public, disseminate "anti-police" and "anti-China" remarks, and instigate "Black Violence."

Hong Kong is a society governed by rule of law and everyone is equal before the law. No one has extra-legal privileges, and no institution is an extra-legal entity. Hong Kong police act against individuals and companies suspected of endangering national security in strict accordance with the law, and their actions are a just move to crack down on crimes and maintain the rule of law and social order.

Those who describe moves on an individual news organization and on those in charge of an individual news organization as acts to crack down on press freedom have ulterior motives and are seeking to talk black into white.

It is the United States which has brutally suppressed the media and restricted press freedom. Analyses by The Guardian and Netherlands-based investigative journalism website Bellingcat showed from May 26, 2020 to June 2, 2020 alone, there were 148 arrests or attacks on journalists covering protests ignited by the killing of George Floyd, among which 34 instances involved officers physically assaulting journalists, and 33 instances involved journalists being arrested or detained. A female photojournalist was left blinded in the left eye by a police projectile during one of the protests. In 2021, the U.S. government forcibly shut down more than 30 foreign news media websites.

German writer Michael Lueders has revealed in his new book "The Hypocritical Superpower" that the U.S. government and its interest groups are apt at influencing and shaping public opinion by selecting information and polarizing public views, so that people are brainwashed without any realization. Washington's repeated provocations in this respect reveal that it is in fact a mastermind of troubles and a public opinion manipulator.

In fact, the press freedom in Hong Kong has not been damaged, but has been consolidated. At present, there are 93 local, 69 overseas and 39 online media organizations registered with the government, respectively, showing increases from a year ago. The press and the general public exercise the right of supervision every day and enjoy the freedom to criticize the administration of the HKSAR government. There is no obstruction for overseas media to interview people with different positions.

PART 9

On July 7, the White House announced the extension of the so-called "national emergency with respect to Hong Kong" and of relevant Hong Kong-related sanctions for one year, and continued with the cancellation of preferential treatment for Hong Kong.

The so-called "national emergency with respect to Hong Kong," a measure announced by former U.S. President Donald Trump's administration on July 14, 2020, is a gross interference in China's internal affairs. The extension of the so-called "national emergency" also marked the first time that Joe Biden, since taking office as U.S. president, continued with Trump's thinking on Hong Kong from the perspective of policy implementation, and once again publicly intervened in Hong Kong affairs, which are China's internal affairs. Such an act seriously undermined China's sovereignty, security and development interests.

Hong Kong had always been an excuse for Washington to put pressure on Beijing during the Trump administration. At the end of June 2020, the Law on Safeguarding National Security in HKSAR was promulgated and implemented. Trump then signed an executive order, declaring that the United States immediately entered a "national emergency" on the grounds that the situation in Hong Kong would pose a "threat" to the national security, economy and foreign policy of the United States. At the same time, the country also ended its special treatment for Hong Kong. Previously, Hong Kong enjoyed treatment that many cities in the Chinese mainland did not have, mainly in immigration, import and export control, tourism and economy.

The Biden administration followed the Trump administration's wrong acts on Hong Kong, extending the so-called "national emergency," and continued with its outrageous sanctions against China.

Sanctions on Hong Kong, however, will surely backfire and bite the United States. Official data released by China last year showed that there were around 85,000 U.S. citizens and more than 1,300 U.S. enterprises in Hong Kong, including almost all of America's major financial firms. Over the years, the United States has gained a huge trade surplus from its trade with Hong Kong, and its interests in Hong Kong have been deep and direct. Sanctions will bring "complexities" to U.S. enterprises in Hong Kong, subjecting their normal operations to political risks.

In as early as 2020, there was wide condemnation around the world against the so-called "sanctions" imposed on Hong Kong by countries such as the United States. Chester Humphrey, president of the Senate of Grenada, pointed out that the United States just wanted to divert the attention of the American people from domestic problems, and that its "sanctions" against other countries were illegal. Patricio Giusto, director of the Sino-Argentine Observatory, said that the so-called "sanctions" will not pose a substantial threat and have no legal basis, which once again exposed the "double standards" of U.S. politicians.

"Standing with Hong Kong" on one hand and relentlessly sticking to sanctioning it on the other is the absurd logic of U.S. politicians and a logic that no one, including Hong Kong people, can understand.

PART 10

On July 10, the U.S. Department of State posted a statement issued by 21 members of the so-called "Media Freedom Coalition" on its website, expressing "strong concerns" about the judicial organs of the HKSAR handling the case of Apple Daily according to law, and falsely claiming that "the use of the National Security Law to suppress journalism is a serious and negative step."

Freedom is not laissez-faire. Scientific rationality, legal order and international rules are the foundation of freedom. As Montesquieu said in The Spirit of Law, "liberty is the right to do what the law permits." Any freedom has boundaries. Even the so-called "free countries" have also defined clear forbidden zones and restrictions for freedom, and it is never allowed to break through the bottom line of the legal system. "The most stringent protection of free speech would not protect a man in falsely shouting fire in a theater and causing a panic," said U.S. Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes in a judgement in 1919.

Constitutions of over 100 countries in the world stipulate that the exercise of basic rights and freedoms must not endanger national security. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights clarifies that the rights to freedom of belief, expression, peaceful assembly and public trial must be subject to necessary restrictions on grounds of national security, public order, public health or morals or the rights and freedoms of others. The European Convention on Human Rights has similar provisions. The United States, Britain, Canada, Australia and other countries have also established strict legal systems to safeguard national security, and have no mercy in cracking down on criminal acts endangering national security.

In the United States, although the First Amendment to the Constitution stipulates that freedom of speech and press should be ensured, the country still set up state agencies that conduct oversight over on the media. The Federal Communications Commission is responsible for issuing licenses to radio and television stations in the United States and imposes basic restrictions on program content. The U.S. Supreme Court has also said that speech that "directed to inciting imminent lawless action and is likely to produce such action" is not protected.

In Germany, denial of the Holocaust and other forms of incitement to hatred against certain ethnic groups are punishable by up to five years in prison. In August 2018, the German Federal Constitutional Court said in a ruling that punishing the denial of Nazi genocide is fundamentally in line with the constitutional provisions on freedom of speech. In France, the current Law on the Freedom of the Press clearly stipulates that damaging the basic interests of the country, abetting crimes, slandering and insulting, and spreading false news through the media are all illegal and criminal acts, and must be punished. Penalties include fines, imprisonment, and confiscation of publications.

Hong Kong police arrested and prosecuted Apple Daily and its personnel and froze related properties for colluding with external forces and jeopardizing national security. These actions are a necessary and legitimate move to safeguard the rule of law in Hong Kong, and has nothing to do with protecting freedom of speech and the press. The United States gathered some members of the so-called "Media Freedom Coalition" to beautify and excuse the anti-China and destabilizing Hong Kong media outlets and their employees in an attempt to put pressure on China. Its actions seriously desecrated the spirit of law and seriously violated the conscience of the media.

Apple Daily is also a mirror, which not only reflects the ending of the anti-China and destabilizing Hong Kong forces, but also clearly reflects the "double standards" of the U.S. side in dealing with the Hong Kong issue. We would like to ask, are Hong Kong people willing to stand with such politicians and governments?

PART 11

On July 16, as a bid to smear Hong Kong's business environment, the U.S. government issued a so-called "business advisory" to caution U.S. businesses about "emerging risks" to their operations and activities in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, Washington imposed sanctions on seven officials of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR.

The U.S. advisory, which attempts to discredit the national security law in Hong Kong while stating that Hong Kong is still a popular investment and trade location for the United States and that it provides competitive financial, trade and professional services, is self-contradictory and illogical.

Investors' moves are an important indicator of Hong Kong's business environment. More than a year after the implementation of the national security law, the initial public offering funds raised in Hong Kong exceeded 500 billion Hong Kong dollars (64.35 billion U.S. dollars), representing an increase of more than 50 percent year-on-year. Total deposits in Hong Kong banks rose by over 5 percent from a year ago.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong said that the city has a crucial role to play as an international business hub, and that it "remains a critical and vibrant facilitator of trade and financial flow between the East and West." Jim Thompson, chairman and founder of logistics company Crown Worldwide Group, said the U.S. administration is making it "harder for American investors to do business in the city, which is like putting handcuffs on them ... This is so sad."

Experts and scholars believe that the so-called "business advisory" from the U.S. government will not affect corporate decisions -- while the United States regularly issues similar warnings, businesses make their own judgements. The enterprises did not withdraw from Hong Kong even when black-clad rioters were running wild in the city, and they are less likely to do so now as Hong Kong's social order has been restored and the city's development has been back on track under the protection of the national security law.

The stepped-up sanctions by the United States have already backfired and bitten the country itself. U.S. trade surplus with Hong Kong totaled 297 billion dollars from 2009 to 2018. When the sanctions were imposed, U.S. trade and finance were the first to take a hit.

In a Foreign Affairs article published mid-July, former U.S. Consul General in Hong Kong Kurt W. Tong wrote that the U.S. Treasury Department knows "sanctions on major Chinese banks could trigger significant instability in the international payment system, by interrupting the huge volume of financial transactions between the world's two largest economies," which would "in turn harm U.S. financial markets and the perceived reliability of the U.S.-centric global payments system."

When even the American people are unwilling to stand with their own government, the lie of U.S. politicians that they "stand with the people of Hong Kong" naturally falls apart.

CONCLUSION

U.S. politicians have been constantly claiming to defend Hong Kong's human rights and freedom and "stand with the people of Hong Kong." But actions speak louder than words. All their slogans have proved to be nothing but lies.

All Chinese people including people in Hong Kong have already clearly seen what these politicians are defending is not the Hong Kong people's human rights and freedom, but the "freedom" of a handful of rioters to disrupt Hong Kong's stability and endanger China's national security, and the "freedom" of these politicians to continue interfering in Hong Kong's affairs and containing China.

Under the pretext of democracy and human rights, these politicians have been offering real endorsements for the rioters, which fully exposes the double standards of these U.S. politicians. They condemned the Capitol riot with utmost rage, but nevertheless called similar acts in Hong Kong "a beautiful sight to behold." They have enacted the world's most thorough national security law at home, but nevertheless tried to smear China's parallel efforts to plug the security hole in Hong Kong.

In the name of "press freedom," they are interfering with and undermining the rule of law in Hong Kong. Amid the closure of Apple Daily, those U.S. politicians fully exposed their tricks to smear others. They tried to turn some media organizations into extra-legal entities for anti-China forces to disrupt Hong Kong and contain China. By making waves on Hong Kong issues, the U.S. side has revealed itself as the "black hand" in stirring up opposition and controlling public opinion. The so-called "press freedom" is nothing but a fig leaf for their self interests.

They twisted facts, deliberately smeared the rule of law in Hong Kong and grossly interfered in China's internal affairs. "Patriots administering Hong Kong" is the trend of the times and the aspiration of the Hong Kong people. Improving Hong Kong's electoral system is necessary for the sustained and healthy development of Hong Kong's democratic system. When peace and stability were finally restored in Hong Kong, and the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong citizens were better protected in a secure environment, the United States leveled accusations and attacked Hong Kong's efforts to improve its electoral system, and continued to demonize the national security law in Hong Kong, which fully exposes Washington's hegemonic nature.

While habitually bullying others and wielding the big stick of sanctions, those U.S. politicians have in fact exhausted their tactics. For them, only a chaotic Hong Kong serves their interests. The more stable Hong Kong is, the more anxious they will be. And now, their "agents" were arrested. Their plans for disturbing the city have failed. No matter how much pressure or how many rounds of sanctions the United States can impose, they will be nothing but waste paper.

All in all, some U.S. politicians' concern about Hong Kong's democracy is a sham. Their true intention is to meddle in Hong Kong's politics and China's internal affairs. Their real purpose is to use Hong Kong as a tool to realize their political interests and contain China's development. The so-called "standing with the Hong Kong people" is nothing but a cover to deceive the world and reflects the hypocrisy of the U.S. politicians. What they are doing is to make enemies with the Hong Kong people. Those politicians are advised to stop repeating these cliches.

In 1840, Britain opened the door of China with ships and guns, and Hong Kong was gradually occupied by Britain. For more than 100 years since then, the Chinese people have waged indomitable struggles for national liberation, national independence and social progress. Today, the Chinese nation has made a great leap from standing up, getting prosperous to becoming strong, and their effort to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation has entered an irreversible historical process. China has become an important force in safeguarding world peace and promoting common development, and its relations with the rest of the world have undergone tremendous changes.

With the implementation of a series of effective measures, including the national security law, Hong Kong's social order has been restored, its development has returned to the right track, and the city has opened a new chapter with good governance. Hong Kong is getting more stable and prosperous with a better implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle. This is the strongest response to those U.S. politicians who slander Beijing's Hong Kong policy.

No one can stop Hong Kong from reclaiming its glorious past. The Chinese people will never allow any foreign force to bully, oppress or enslave them, and the cause of "one country, two systems" will never be obstructed or undermined by any external force. Anyone who would attempt to do so will find themselves on a collision course with a great wall of steel forged by over 1.4 billion Chinese people. History has proved countless times that the final victory will always belong to the indomitable Chinese people. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 21:24:45|Editor: huaxia

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NEW DELHI, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- The 20th "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign University Students (India) has been held online.

Chinese Ambassador to India Sun Weidong said at the award ceremony of the competition that the "Chinese Bridge" series of competitions is an important platform for young students from the world to learn Chinese and understand China, and it has become an important brand event for international cultural exchanges.

He said that the "Chinese Bridge" has built a bridge of culture, friendship and soul that connects China and the world.

The theme "One Family in the World" deeply embodies the concept of "a community with a shared future for mankind" and carries forward the cultural tradition of harmony and peace of the Chinese nation, he said.

Sun said China and India are both ancient civilizations, and cultural and educational exchanges between the two countries have a long history.

The "Chinese Bridge" connects the youth of China and India, Sun said, encouraging the students to continue working hard in learning Chinese and calling on more Indian young people to learn Chinese and become cultural envoys promoting China-India friendship.

A total of 23 Indian college contestants participated in the finals of the competition. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 21:31:57|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- China's first robot for assembling building components rolled off the production line in east China's Jiangsu Province, Science and Technology Daily reported Wednesday.

Developed by China Railway Science & Industry Group Co., Ltd and China Railway Construction Engineering Group, the robot is planned to be used for the construction of a metro line in Guangzhou.

Equipped with 72 sensors and 50 cameras, the robot is 80 meters long, with a weight of 460 tonnes and an effective span of 69 meters. It can install beams weighing up to 120 tonnes.

A total of eight independently movable legs consisting of 32 tires allow the robot to walk more flexibly and cross obstacles.

Adopting Beidou positioning technology, the robot has a measurement accuracy of 10 millimeters, and has applied for two national invention patents, said one of the researchers. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 22:00:46|Editor: huaxia

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Photo taken on July 14, 2020 shows the Golden Bauhinia Square in south China's Hong Kong. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaochu)

- The human rights situation in China is at its best in history. Since the national security law in Hong Kong came into effect more than a year ago, human rights and freedoms of the overwhelming majority of Hong Kong citizens have suffered "zero damage."

- If the United States really wants to "stand with" the Chinese people who "pursue" human rights, it should side with the overwhelming majority, not the other way around.

BEIJING, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Since the new U.S. administration took office, it has not changed the hegemonic behavior of its predecessor on issues related to Hong Kong, having launched at least 13 smear attacks against China on those issues and raved about "standing with Hong Kong people" many times.

The U.S. side has also churned out fallacies about the proper measures taken to boost the long-term stability of Hong Kong, including China's implementation of the national security law in Hong Kong and measures to improve Hong Kong's electoral system. Washington has also ganged up with some Western forces to launch a propaganda campaign against China, and even imposed so-called "sanctions" against Chinese officials.

The unprovoked attacks on China by the new U.S. administration on issues related to Hong Kong are listed below in a bid to restore truths through an account of facts.





PART 1

After China's National People's Congress (NPC) adopted a decision on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on March 11, the U.S. State Department issued a statement to attack and discredit China's decision. The U.S. side also issued a statement with other Group of Seven members to defame China. On March 17, the U.S. State Department announced so-called "sanctions" against 24 Chinese officials, including 14 vice chairmen of the NPC Standing Committee, on the eve of a high-level strategic dialogue between China and the United States in the U.S. state of Alaska.

Aerial photo taken on March 6, 2021 shows citizens displaying China's national flag and the flag of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in support of implementing the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" at Tamar Park in Hong Kong, south China. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

After the NPC adopted the decision on improving the electoral system of the HKSAR, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department claimed that the decision attacked Hong Kong's democratic process. However, it is purely China's internal affair to design and improve Hong Kong's electoral system, and no foreign force is entitled to interfere. In fact, the United States has its own strict laws against foreign interference in elections, and the U.S. House of Representatives had passed a bill to improve the U.S. electoral system. Why can the United States itself amend its own electoral laws any time it deems necessary but go all out to denigrate China's improvement of such laws for one of its special administrative regions?

While the U.S. side alleged that the targets of its so-called "sanctions" have "undermined the high degree of autonomy promised to the people in Hong Kong," the U.S. accusation was not consistent with the facts. The NPC has made decisions on safeguarding national security in Hong Kong and improving the electoral system of Hong Kong respectively. The improved electoral system has ensured the implementation of the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong," which excludes anti-China, destabilizing forces from the governance structure and better guarantees the national security and the safety of the HKSAR's body of power. It has also better reflected the extensive and balanced political participation by Hong Kong residents, which in no way weakens Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy, but is more conducive to the healthy and orderly development of Hong Kong's democratic system.

China's measures to maintain the long-term stability of Hong Kong have also won broad international support. During the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), 70 countries issued a joint statement urging relevant parties to stop interfering in issues related to Hong Kong and in China's internal affairs. In addition, another 20-plus countries also voiced support for China's position and measures on issues related to Hong Kong in their respective remarks at the HRC.

The U.S. side, by choosing to announce the so-called "sanctions" against Chinese officials on the eve of the high-level strategic dialogue between China and the United States in Alaska, sought to use extreme pressure to gain bargaining chips. However, such unilateral "sanctions" were only a bluff. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) said previously that the U.S. unilateral sanctions are not adopted by the United Nations, thus having no legal effect in Hong Kong. The HKMA's position on unilateral U.S. "sanctions" is clear: Hong Kong banks have no legal responsibility to act in concert with those "sanctions."

After the announcement of the so-called "sanctions" by the United States in 2020, anti-China and destabilizing forces rejoiced, claiming that those sanctions were "significant indicators" and "champagne corks will be opened tonight for celebration." They also predicted with confidence that "more sanctions will be imposed in the future, not only on senior officials and middle-level officials, but also those who directly endanger the rule of law in Hong Kong." The truth of the claim that "the United States stands with Hong Kong people" is that the U.S. side will always stand with those who create disturbances and undermine Hong Kong's prosperity and stability.





PART 2

On March 30, the amended Annex I and Annex II to the HKSAR Basic Law were passed at the 27th session of the Standing Committee of the 13th NPC, with a unanimous vote from all committee members in attendance. On March 31, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken certified to U.S. Congress that Hong Kong remains undeserving of "special treatment" by the United States under U.S. law. On April 1, U.S. Consul General in Hong Kong Hanscom Smith raved that Hong Kong elections would not produce "meaningful democratic results."

The designing and improvement of the electoral system of the HKSAR is China's internal affair. The amendments enjoy sufficient legal basis and fully embody the spirit of the rule of law in governing the country and Hong Kong by law. The newly amended Annexes I and II of the HKSAR Basic Law are systematic amendments to the method for selecting the HKSAR chief executive and the method for forming the HKSAR Legislative Council, respectively. By focusing on reconstituting the Election Committee and increasing empowerment, the amendments represent an overall planning and design for Hong Kong's electoral system, which have not only fixed the loopholes and defects of the original system in a timely manner, but also effectively enhanced the broad representation and balanced participation of the electoral system. They have optimized and developed Hong Kong's democratic system, and have by no means "weakened democracy."

Citizens sign their names during a campaign in support of the decision on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region by the National People's Congress (NPC) in Hong Kong, south China, March 11, 2021. (Xinhua/Lo Ping Fai)

It is of great significance to improve the electoral system of the HKSAR. By making institutional arrangement at the constitutional level, it combines adherence to the principle of "one country" with respect for the differences between "two systems," and also combines the upholding of the central government's overall jurisdiction over Hong Kong with a guarantee of a high degree of autonomy of Hong Kong. It has fully implemented the fundamental principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong," thus ensuring Hong Kong's long-term stability and prosperity, safeguarding the steady and sustained implementation of the principle of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong, and giving Hong Kong people a promising future.

In any country in the world, loyalty to one's homeland is a basic political ethic that must be observed by civil servants and those who run for public office. In Britain, the electoral system of each region is decided by the central government of Britain. For example, with the highest degree of autonomy, Scotland's electoral system was set by the Scotland Act passed by the British Parliament in 1998 and amended in 2012.

Xulio Rios, director of the Observatory of Chinese Politics in Spain, said that the electoral reform shows the firm will of the Chinese government to preserve the stability of Hong Kong and not to sacrifice sovereignty under any circumstances. In an interview with Chinese media, George Galloway, a former member of the British Parliament, used a vivid expression to illustrate the need to improve Hong Kong's electoral system: to remove hidden enemies in the "Trojan horse."

Hong Kong's special economic status is protected by the Basic Law and is generally recognized and respected by the international community. After Hong Kong's return to its motherland, its fiscal and taxation independence, free trade, issuance of its own currency, free flow of capital, and its status as a free port and a separate customs territory have been maintained and consolidated, which fully demonstrates that Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy is working well. While claiming to support Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy, the U.S. side has cancelled the so-called "special treatment" for Hong Kong. Facts have proved that it is the U.S. side that has undermined Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy.

Hong Kong's development achievements stem from the continuous hard work of generations of Hong Kong people and its great advantage of relying on the motherland. They have never been gifts or charity from any foreign country. The cancellation of the so-called "special treatment" by the U.S. side will stop neither Hong Kong's development and prosperity, nor the general trend of Hong Kong's continued integration with the motherland to gain more space for development.

Smith denied the significance of improving Hong Kong's electoral system, because under the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong," U.S. agents in Hong Kong, namely anti-China and destabilizing forces, will be completely excluded from the governance structure of the HKSAR. This is a huge defeat for those anti-China forces in the United States and the West who stand with such agents.





PART 3

On April 16, anti-China Hong Kong disruptors, including Jimmy Lai Chee-ying and Martin Lee Chu-ming, were sentenced by a Hong Kong court according to law.

Later, Blinken tweeted that the sentences "are unacceptable," and called for the release of those disruptors. He also added the hashtag #StandWithHongKong at the end of his tweet.

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also tweeted that she was "saddened and disturbed" by the sentences, and smeared the sentences as "another sign of Beijing's assault on the rule of law."

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaks during a press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., the United States, Feb. 25, 2021. The U.S. House on Thursday voted to pass an act that will prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua)

Hong Kong is a society under the rule of law. The evidence for the illegal activities of those anti-China Hong Kong disruptors is rock solid, and no external force has the right to butt in.

The West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts announced on April 16 to sentence Jimmy Lai to 14 months in prison for organizing and participating in illegal assemblies on Aug. 18, 2019 in Hong Kong Island, and for participating in an unauthorized assembly on Aug. 31, 2019.

The court also heard two other cases that Lai was involved in, including suspected of violating the national security law in Hong Kong and fraud, which were adjourned to June 15 and May 6 respectively.

The prosecutor also filed charges against Lai over collusion with external forces to endanger national security and conspiracy to pervert the course of public justice.

Facts showed that such perpetrators as Lai and Lee have colluded with Western anti-China forces for a long time and raised the devil. It was also made public that Lai has built shady connections with the U.S. National Endowment for Democracy, a U.S. government-sponsored entity.

During the illegal "Occupy Central" movement in 2014 and the chaos over the amendments to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance and the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ordinance in 2019, the local Apple Daily newspaper, controlled by Lai, served as a propaganda tool for the anti-China and destabilizing forces.

Even after the implementation of the national security law, the perpetrators still kept "fighting for the United States" under the disguise of media workers. Their repeated breaking of the bottom line has made them a common enemy of the Hong Kong society.

The sentences of those who organized and took part in unauthorized and illegal assemblies are based on sufficient factual evidence, with the procedure totally legal and the verdict made public according to law.

Some U.S. politicians, despite chanting the slogan of upholding international rules, have repeatedly trampled on international law and basic norms governing international relations, and wantonly interfered in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs. That fully exposes their entrenched double standards on international rules, the use of which depends on whether they conform to U.S. interests.

When illegal demonstrations broke out in Hong Kong, Pelosi called them "a beautiful sight to behold." In sharp contrast, she unscrupulously slandered the normal law-enforcement measures by the Hong Kong police, who had shown maximum restraint.

When large-scale riots erupted in Los Angeles in 1992, the same California politician did not meet and incite the organizers of the riots.

In 2021, when the U.S. Capitol Hill was under attack, Pelosi, as a congresswoman, did not view the riot as "a beautiful sight to behold," but instead condemned the attackers hard. The ironic contrast laid bare the true color of U.S. politicians' "promise" to firmly stand with the anti-China and destabilizing forces in Hong Kong.





PART 4

On May 7, Blinken wrote on Twitter that the country "stands with the people of Hong Kong," while asking the Hong Kong government to immediately release multiple instigators of riots in the city, including Joshua Wong.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken testifies before U.S. House Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on March 10, 2021. (Ken Cedeno/Pool via Xinhua)

On May 6, four instigators of the Hong Kong riots, including Wong, were sentenced to four to 10 months in prison respectively by the District Court of the HKSAR, for knowingly participating in an unauthorized assembly. The facts of the cases are well-founded, and Wong and the others are guilty as charged. The ridiculous demand for the immediate release of the defendants does not respect the rule of law, revealing Washington's attempt to interfere in China's internal affairs.

While Hong Kong's laws always respect and protect rights and freedoms under the Basic Law, these rights and freedoms are not absolute, and shall be built upon the maintenance of public order and the protection of rights and freedoms of others. Wong and the others knew the assembly was unauthorized but still took part in it.

David Gosset, a French expert on international issues and founder of the Europe-China Forum, described certain Western politicians as hypocrites who turned a blind eye to the violence in Hong Kong. He stressed that the violent and extremist acts in the city, which damaged its people's rights, should be condemned. John Ross, former director of Economic and Business Policy of London, said that he thinks it is a typical example of hypocrisy that certain U.S. politicians play the human rights card only when it comes to Hong Kong affairs.

British barrister Grenville Cross, who started working in Hong Kong in 1978 and served as Hong Kong's first director of public prosecutions after the city's return to China, pointed out that international anti-China forces are trying to undermine the practice of "one country, two systems" by destroying the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong in order to contain China's development.

In 2019, when the Hong Kong government sought to introduce amendments to its extradition laws, anti-China forces in the United States and some other Western countries incited crimes of violence in the city from behind the scenes, insanely challenged the bottom line of "one country, two systems," gravely undermined Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, and put its people under extreme anxiety. In 2021, the U.S. side is still sparing no effort to speak for the criminals, including Wong. This demonstrates again that by claiming it "stands with the people of Hong Kong," Washington is actually siding with criminals and treating the Hong Kong people as enemies.





PART 5

On May 27, the Legislative Council of the HKSAR voted overwhelmingly to pass the Improving Electoral System (Consolidated Amendments) Bill 2021. On May 28, Blinken made rash criticism of the bill, calling for the release of all those charged under the national security law in Hong Kong, and dismissal of charges against them.

Under the improved electoral system in Hong Kong, the composition of the Election Committee and the Legislative Council is more broadly representative, which reflects the interests of all sectors of the Hong Kong society in a comprehensive and balanced manner, safeguards the executive-led political system, ensures that the Legislative Council performs its duties in accordance with the law, and enhances the effectiveness of the HKSAR's governance. It is also conducive to pushing forward joint social efforts to solve deep-seated problems and promoting people's livelihood and economic development.

Before and after the adoption of the NPC's decision on improving the electoral system of the HKSAR, the central government collected opinions from people from all walks of life in Hong Kong in various ways. On March 15-17, the Commission for Legislative Affairs of the NPC Standing Committee, together with the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council and the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR, held more than 60 symposiums for three consecutive days on the implementation of the NPC's decision on improving the electoral system of the HKSAR. Together with additional visits and interviews, the relevant views of over 1,000 representatives from all walks of life in Hong Kong were extensively and carefully listened to.

More than 2.38 million signatures were collected in Hong Kong in support of improving the electoral system of the HKSAR during an 11-day campaign starting from March 11. According to a survey by Hong Kong's think-tank Bauhinia Institute, more than 70 percent of Hong Kong residents believe that the improvement of Hong Kong's electoral system has enhanced their confidence in Hong Kong's future. After the passage of the bill, various sectors of the Hong Kong society, including the Hong Kong Civil Servants General Union, the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Hong Kong Guangdong Community Organizations, expressed support for the bill.

The United States has many electoral laws. In the past two years alone, members of the U.S. Congress have introduced more than 40 bills to improve the U.S. electoral system. On the same day when China's top legislature announced its agenda for improving Hong Kong's electoral system, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a "For the People Act" to improve the electoral system and ensure election security.

Photo taken on Feb. 22, 2021 in Brussels, Belgium shows a screen displaying the 46th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) held in Geneva, Switzerland. (Xinhua/Zhang Cheng)

On March 5, Belarus delivered a joint speech on behalf of over 70 countries at the 46th session of the UNHRC, emphasizing that Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs and should not be interfered by external forces. Ambassador Yury Ambrazevich, head of the Belarus mission to the UN in Geneva, said in an interview after the meeting that "we emphasized that Hong Kong is an integral part of China and Hong Kong affairs are China's internals affairs," stressing that China has the sole authority and responsibility to make any decisions, including on improving Hong Kong's electoral system, to promote Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability.

Judging from its call for releasing all those charged and dropping charges against them under the national security law in Hong Kong, the U.S. position is very clear: the United States stands "firmly" in opposition to the national security law in Hong Kong, which has guaranteed the transition from chaos to order in Hong Kong and effectively restored the sense of security of Hong Kong citizens.





PART 6

On June 3, Blinken issued a statement on the website of U.S. Department of State, claiming that the United States will "stand with the people of China as they demand that their government respect universal human rights." On the following day, he tweeted a call for "the immediate release" of some people in Hong Kong that were arrested.

During the disturbance in Hong Kong following the proposed ordinance amendments in 2019, anti-China extremist and secessionist groups supported by the United States did not pursue human rights, but trampled on human rights in an attempt to seize the jurisdiction in Hong Kong and subvert the state power.

From June 2019 to mid-March 2020, there were more than 1,400 demonstrations and public gatherings in Hong Kong, many of which eventually turned into serious violent incidents, such as throwing petrol bombs, vandalism, and burning shops. Rioters attacked police stations and officers, besieged innocent citizens, doxed people who expressed opinions different from theirs, destroyed subways and public facilities, paralyzed airports, blocked traffic and "occupied" university campuses, posing a long-term grave threat to public safety and order in Hong Kong.

Violent protesters throw petrol bombs at police officers in south China's Hong Kong, Aug. 31, 2019. (Xinhua)

Data showed that the number of crime cases in Hong Kong had been on a downward trend in the past years before the "Black Terror" in 2019, but the social unrest reversed the trend, as the number rose by 9 percent and 7 percent respectively in 2019 and 2020.

Luo Changqing, a 70-year-old cleaner in Hong Kong, was hit by rioters and died of serious wounds. A Hong Kong resident surnamed Lee was poured with flammable liquid and set ablaze, following an argument with rioters who were thrashing public facilities. He suffered from burns on almost half of his body, and was once in a critical condition. Chan Tze-chin, a Hong Kong lawyer, was surrounded and viciously beaten up by rioters after he berated them for thrashing shops in a busy shopping area in Causeway Bay, and suffered multiple physical injuries. More than half of the stores of Best Mart 360, the Hong Kong-based snack chain, were vandalized in the social unrest.

Yonden Lhatoo, chief news editor at the South China Morning Post, wrote in an article in 2020: "So when Americans take to the streets in an eruption of rage against systemic racism that has afflicted their country since its founding, they are 'rioters' who deserve to be shot dead? But when radicals in Hong Kong go on the rampage, hurling petrol bombs, destroying public property ... they are mighty champions of freedom?"

The United States itself has terrible human rights records. The Russian Foreign Ministry on July 9 released country reports on human rights situation, which point out that the United States continues to grossly violate human rights both inside the country and beyond its shores. The freedom of the press in the United States, to which Washington declares adherence, is sliding into complete degradation, and the level of racism, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and other manifestations of discrimination and xenophobia continue to rise.

The human rights situation in China is at its best in history. Since the national security law in Hong Kong came into effect more than a year ago, human rights and freedoms of the overwhelming majority of Hong Kong citizens have suffered "zero damage." If the United States really wants to "stand with" the Chinese people who "pursue" human rights, it should side with the overwhelming majority, not the other way around. (more)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 22:26:28|Editor: huaxia

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CAIRO, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit on Wednesday urged the unity of different political factions in Lebanon to save the country from its ongoing crisis.

"Ending the ongoing crisis is still possible," he said in a statement, as Lebanon marked the first anniversary of the catastrophic Beirut port explosion on Wednesday.

Highlighting the urgent need for Lebanon to restore its economy through forming a technocrat government, Aboul-Gheit said the real reason for the huge explosion of the Beirut port is still dormant because of the deep political differences in Lebanon.

The blast of the Beirut port on Aug. 4 last year, caused by the explosion of a huge quantity of ammonium nitrate that had been stored in one of the port's warehouses since 2013, killed more than 200 and wounded about 6,500 others. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 22:41:45|Editor: huaxia

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YANGON, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- The number of COVID-19 cases in Myanmar has increased to 315,118 on Wednesday after 4,051 new cases were reported in the past 24 hours, according to a release from the Ministry of Health.

A total of 322 new deaths were reported, bringing the death toll to 10,695 in the country as of Wednesday, the release said.

According to the ministry's release, a total of 225,849 patients have been discharged from the hospitals and over 3.20 million samples have been tested for COVID-19 so far.

The Chinese Embassy to Myanmar recently donated a total of 25,000 masks, 500 face shields, a batch of disinfectants and hand sanitizers to the University of Foreign Languages and 35,000 masks, 1,000 face shields, a batch of disinfectants and hand sanitizers to the Higher Education Department in Yangon, according to the embassy's release on Wednesday.

The embassy also donated medical supplies including ventilators, oxygen concentrators, oximeters, test kits, medicines, masks, and oxygen cylinders to the departmental organizations from business sector, the release said.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, China has donated medicines and medical equipment and sent medical experts to assist Myanmar's fight against the pandemic.

Myanmar detected its first two COVID-19 cases on March 23 last year. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 22:56:52|Editor: huaxia

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BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- ASEAN foreign ministers on Wednesday called for making COVID-19 vaccines available and affordable to all as global public goods.

According to a joint communique released by the 54th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, ASEAN foreign ministers noted the need to enhance vaccine production and distribution in the region.

"We called for enhanced collaboration and sharing of experience with ASEAN's partners in research, development, production, and distribution of vaccines, providing equitable access to medicines for COVID-19, making COVID-19 vaccines available and affordable to all as global public goods, as well as preparing for other future public health emergencies."

ASEAN foreign ministers said that they remained deeply concerned with the continued human cost and suffering as well as profound socio-economic impacts of COVID-19.

"We welcomed the progress made in implementing the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework and its Implementation Plan, which serves as a consolidated strategy for ASEAN to emerge more resilient and stronger from the COVID-19 pandemic," the joint communique said.

"We welcomed the continued contributions from ASEAN Member States and external partners to the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund which now has pledged contributions amounting to 20.8 million U.S. dollars," ASEAN foreign ministers added.

To realize vaccine security and self-reliance in ASEAN, the foreign ministers said that they looked forward to the implementation of the Regional Strategic and Action Plan on ASEAN Vaccine Security and Self-Reliance 2021-2025.

The 54th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting was held here in Brunei via videoconference on Monday.

According to the ASEAN schedule, the 29th ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting, 22nd ASEAN Plus Three (China, Japan and South Korea) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, 11th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting, and 28th ASEAN Regional Forum will also be held here in Brunei via videoconference from Monday to Saturday. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 22:58:56|Editor: huaxia

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MOSCOW, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- The sudden shutdown of the Fort Detrick lab in the United States and the pneumonia outbreak that followed are far from coincidental and should be studied in the scope of the ongoing investigation into the pandemic's origins, a Russian political observer has said.

In his article published in the Free Media online newspaper on Saturday, Sergei Plotnikov outlined some striking events that followed after the closure of the prominent military biological lab in Maryland.

Alongside a lack of transparency from the U.S. government in relation to the closure, there was little coverage of the unknown pneumonia outbreak that happened in two nursing homes in July 2019, which were "coincidentally" located close to the military base, Plotnikov wrote.

While the disease continued to spread throughout the United States with its cause and origins remaining unknown, the U.S. lab remained closed and was not involved in any research, he added.

Local authority quickly linked the unprecedented outbreak to e-cigarette use as victims in Wisconsin, northern Virginia and later other parts of the country continued to suffer from the lung disease.

Specialists from the U.S. National Institutes of Health believe that the coronavirus, which was unknown at that time, started spreading in the United States in the fall of 2019, according to Plotnikov.

"Some of the 24,000 blood samples collected in early 2020 from different places in the United States already had antibodies against COVID-19," he wrote.

Other evidence presented in USA Today and The Palm Beach Post shows there were 171 cases linked to the new coronavirus in Florida in December 2019, where 107 of the patients had not traveled outside of the United States.

Taking into account the shutdown of the lab, the sudden outbreak and the U.S. government's refusal to openly investigate the nature of the primary infections in Maryland, it becomes difficult to call these developments a coincidence, Plotnikov concluded. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 22:59:07|Editor: huaxia

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Carrie Lam, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), attends a webinar attended by more than 500 participants from the Singaporean business community, in south China's Hong Kong, Aug. 4, 2021. (Xinhua)

HONG KONG, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong's financial system has proven its resilience during the social unrest and the pandemic, Carrie Lam, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said Wednesday at an online forum.

Hong Kong has unrivaled connectivity with the mainland's financial markets and offers direct two-way access through stock and bond connect programs, as well as the future wealth management connect program, Lam said when speaking at a webinar attended by more than 500 participants from the Singaporean business community.

Lam encouraged Singaporean enterprises to consider listing in Hong Kong and to set up a presence here to tap the opportunities in the financial sector including those in green finance.

With the implementation of the national security law in Hong Kong and improvements to the electoral system, stability has been restored in Hong Kong society and the legitimate rights and freedoms of the people and businesses are safeguarded, she said.

The unparalleled strengths of Hong Kong under "one country, two systems" make it an ideal gateway for Singaporean businesses to tap into the opportunities in the mainland markets, Lam said.

The webinar is part of the efforts of the HKSAR government in reaching out directly to overseas business communities and the chief executive has attended such events with the European Union, Japanese and New Zealand communities in recent months. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 23:21:04|Editor: huaxia

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JERUSALEM -- Israel said on Wednesday that it has fired three rounds of artillery into Lebanon after three rockets were fired earlier from there.

"For the third time within two hours, the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) struck along the Lebanese border," an Israeli military spokesperson said in a statement. (Israel-Lebanon-Artillery Fire)

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ISLAMABAD -- At least four people were killed and three others injured when the wall of a house collapsed in the capital city Peshawar of Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, police sources said on Wednesday.

Members of a family were sitting inside the house when the wall collapsed on them, killing two women and two kids while a man and two kids got injured in the incident, the sources told Xinhua. (Pakistan-Wall Collapse)

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SANAA -- At least 18 Houthi rebels were killed in overnight airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen's central province of Marib, a government military source said Wednesday.

"The militiamen were targeted when travelling on three pick-up vehicles in a road linking the western districts of Sirwah, Jabal Murad and Rahabah," the source in Marib told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. (Yemen-Saudi Airstrikes-Houthis)

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DHAKA -- At least 17 wedding party members were killed on Wednesday by a massive lightning strike in Bangladesh's Chapainawabganj district, some 302 km northwest of capital Dhaka, a senior official said.

Sakib Al Rabbi, head of Chapainawabganj's Shibganj sub-district administration, told Xinhua over mobile phone that "17 people were killed on the spot after lightning struck a wedding party boat." (Bangladesh-Lightning Strike-Toll). Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 23:40:08|Editor: huaxia

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CHANGSHA, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- China has imported its first dried chili peppers from Africa, with 200 kg of these products shipped from Rwanda to the central Chinese city of Changsha, local customs said Wednesday.

On Wednesday, customs authorities in Changsha, capital of Hunan Province, issued an inspection and quarantine certificate for the batch of imports.

"The imported 200 kg of dried chilies will be sold to dealers and then given to customers and food processing plants as samples," said Yu Jian, chairman of GK International in Hunan, the importer.

According to the contract, the supplier in Rwanda will export 50,000 tonnes of dried chili peppers to Hunan Province within five years, and the trade can be settled in the Chinese currency, renminbi, Yu said.

China has the world's largest number of dried chili pepper consumers, exporting 119,900 tonnes of dried chili peppers in the first half of 2021. It is up by 45.55 percent year on year, official data showed. Hunan is a big consumer and processor of chili peppers across the country.

The pepper plantation in Hunan cannot meet the local demand from the dried chili pepper processing industry, said Li Wenxiang, an official with the Hunan provincial department of agriculture and rural affairs.

Before imports from Rwanda, only seven countries were allowed to export dried chili peppers to China.

Last month, the General Administration of Customs gave the green light to dried chili pepper imports from Rwanda. It became the first African country to gain access to the Chinese market for dried chili peppers.

It will give Rwanda opportunities to get a foothold in a lucrative market, and give farmers a sustainable and reliable market for their chili, said Dieudonne Twahirwa with the Rwanda supplier via video link Wednesday. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 23:59:10|Editor: huaxia

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JUBA, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- The UN mission in South Sudan on Wednesday welcomed the swearing in of 504 members of the Revitalized Transitional National Legislative Assembly and 84 members of the Council of States, terming it a positive step forward in the peace process.

Special Representative of the Secretary-General Nicholas Haysom expressed hope that the new lawmakers will tackle their busy legislative agenda effectively.

"We have every confidence that the members will tackle their busy legislative agenda with energy and enthusiasm given that there is still much work to meet the benchmarks set by the peace agreement," Haysom said in a statement issued in Juba, capital of South Sudan.

He said the appointment of the country's first woman Speaker, Jemma Nunu Kumba, is also a notable achievement given the target set in the peace agreement for 35 percent representation for women in governance structures.

"It is very pleasing to see the new members sworn in and we look forward to the legislature becoming fully operational in the coming days," said Haysom.

The legislature is responsible for passing new laws and reforms that will help advance the full implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement, including the permanent constitution-making process and preparations for elections at the end of the transitional period.

South Sudan's transitional unity government which was formed in February 2020 was a key condition for the 2018 peace deal that ended five years of fighting between the government and rebel forces. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-05 00:06:06|Editor: huaxia

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KABUL -- Kabul residents in a move to support the security forces in the war against Taliban militants came to streets and climbed to the roofs of their houses on Tuesday night, announcing to stand alongside government forces.

People in the peaceful procession denounced the ongoing war as illegitimate and claimed to support the country's National Defense and Security Forces against the Taliban militants in the ongoing war.(Afghanistan-Support-Security forces)

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BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN -- ASEAN foreign ministers on Wednesday called for making COVID-19 vaccines available and affordable to all as global public goods.

According to a joint communique released by the 54th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, ASEAN foreign ministers noted the need to enhance vaccine production and distribution in the region.(Brunei-ASEAN-Vaccines)

- - - -

YANGON -- Myanmar approved an appointment of Brunei's Second Minister of Foreign Affairs Haji Erywan as a special envoy of ASEAN to Myanmar on Wednesday, according to a release of the State Administration Council.

The appointment was contained in a joint communique of the 54th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' meeting which was released on Wednesday.(Myanmar-ASEAN envoy)

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PHNOM PENH -- Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn has reiterated the country's support for the elevation of ASEAN-China relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, according to a foreign ministry's statement on Wednesday.

Sokhonn made the remarks during the ASEAN-China Ministerial Meeting via video link on Tuesday.(Cambodia-ASEAN-China relations)

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HONG KONG -- Hong Kong's financial system has proven its resilience during the social unrest and the pandemic, Carrie Lam, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said Wednesday at an online forum.

Hong Kong has unrivaled connectivity with the mainland's financial markets and offers direct two-way access through stock and bond connect programs, as well as the future wealth management connect program, Lam said when speaking at a webinar attended by more than 500 participants from the Singaporean business community.(Hong Kong-Financial system) Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-05 00:08:08|Editor: huaxia

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NAIROBI, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- The chaff-cutter on the farm in Kajiado County, south of Kenya's capital Nairobi, rotates at greater speed as it chops dry grass into tiny pieces.

Standing on the side feeding the machine the grass is a lanky man, who does the job faster to ensure he keeps up with the speed of the machine. Another worker collects the chopped grass and takes it to a cowshed hosting some 15 dairy cows where it is mixed with molasses and fed to the animals.

"We grow the Rhodes grass during the rainy season, harvest, dry and store it for the rainy day. This is what we use during the dry season and it saves us a lot since the rains have become too erratic," farm manager Paul Sosoika told Xinhua in an interview.

The growing and storage of the improved grass breed is one of the climate-smart measures east African nation farmers have adopted. The other one is making silage and storing it in a bunker for use in times of scarcity. The two are some of the climate mitigation measures that have spread at the grassroots in Kenya as the effects of climate change unfold in the country.

With many citizens witnessing the weather becoming erratic, changing farming seasons and an increase in pests and diseases, spreading the knowledge about climate change has become an easy task for campaigners. "It is no longer harder to convince farmers, for instance, to grow trees around their farms as a climate mitigation measure because people are seeing the challenges arising from the weather," said Beatrice Macharia, an agronomist with Growth Point, an agro-consultancy in Kajiado.

The grassroots climate measures are, however, not only being done by individuals but also county governments, which are turning them into policy.

Makueni County is one of the devolved units in the east African nation with the most progressive grassroots climate mitigation measures. The county government has allocated 1 percent of its total development budget to climate change mitigation. This is being done by mainstreaming its climate change regulations into a development plan.

Lydia Muithya, a climate grassroots leader in Makueni County, said recently that with climate change, top-down solutions cannot work. "Various communities and individuals have their own needs depending on how climate change is affecting them. Thus, communities are in place to know what to do at the grassroots," she said, adding climate-smart mitigation measures have caught on.

She noted that many communities in Kenya are coming up with intervention measures and are owning them. "The place of the communities at the grassroots is to prioritize which interventions to implement. They thus own the initiatives and make them sustainable," she said.

Some of the interventions most communities in Kenya have adopted include growing climate-smart crops like sorghum, short-season plants like traditional vegetables and the introduction of community radios to disseminate climate information.

"We get all the information about the weather, what to plant and when to harvest our crops from our community radio station," said Juma Wandera, a resident of Budalangi, a flood-prone area in Busia County, western Kenya.

According to Michael Okumu, deputy director of climate change negotiations and finance, in Kenya's Ministry of Environment, Kenya has a progressive legislative framework that encourages grassroots climate action.

Okumu noted that Kenya in 2010 created its national climate response strategy, which over the years has been trickled down to the grassroots. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-05 00:56:59|Editor: huaxia

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ABUJA, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Nigerian police on Wednesday said 25 people were killed following attacks in four communities in the northwestern state of Kaduna.

The attacks by unknown gunmen occurred on Monday in four communities of the Kauru district of Kaduna which shares a border with the central state of Plateau, Mohammed Jalige, a spokesman for the police in Kaduna, told Xinhua by telephone.

"The death toll might increase, as we are still expecting an update from our personnel who are trying to restore orderliness in the area," Jalige said.

Samuel Aruwan, the state's commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, said in a statement on Wednesday that three residents were injured by the attackers.

According to Aruwan, 68 farms were destroyed and 63 huts were burned following the attack.

The official said an investigation is underway in the general area, as the military and other security agencies have been deployed to contain the renewed cycle of violence in the neighboring districts of Kauru and Bassa in Kaduna and Plateau states respectively. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-05 00:57:20|Editor: huaxia

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NAIROBI, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- The East African Business Council (EABC), a regional trade lobby, on Wednesday urged the East African Community (EAC) partner states to liberalize the air transport services to spur intra-regional trade.

The EABC is the regional apex body of the private sector in the EAC member states of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda and South Sudan.

John Bosco Kalisa, CEO of EABC said that the domestic air transport sector remains protected, reducing accessibility and increasing air transport cost at the expense of potential users.

"Liberalization of air services in the region is set to increase traffic volumes, improve connectivity and lower air transport fares. This will in turn increase trade and tourism, inward investment and productivity growth," Kalisa said in a statement.

According to findings from the latest policy paper by EABC, Costs and Benefits of 'Open Skies' in the EAC region, air-transport liberalization is set to lower flight costs by nine percent and result in a 41 percent increase in flight frequencies.

The policy paper recommends for the EAC partner states to provide subsidies for the aviation industry in the form of direct financial support, loan guarantees, corporate bonds and tax reliefs.

"By removing foreign restrictions, EAC partner states will be able to attract private sector investment. This will open up access to capital and avail investment in infrastructure upgrades and capacity expansion for regional airports," Kalisa added. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-05 01:36:02|Editor: huaxia

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UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Wednesday expressed concern about the worsening humanitarian situation in Yemen as a result of flooding and rise in COVID-19 cases.

Heavy rains and flooding in Yemen have affected at least 28,000 people, according to initial estimates. Humanitarian partners on the ground are conducting assessments and providing assistance, including shelter, food and health care, said OCHA.

Meanwhile, COVID-19 cases have increased over recent days, triggering fears that the country is entering a third wave, it said.

So far, just over 310,000 vaccine doses have been administered, meaning that only 1 percent of the population has got their first dose. This takes place against a backdrop of dire humanitarian needs, conflict and the threat of famine, said OCHA.

More than half of Yemenis are facing crisis levels of food insecurity, and 5 million people are one step away from famine. As the value of the Yemeni rial continues to plummet, more and more Yemenis are being pushed to the brink, it said.

The 3.85-billion-U.S.-dollar humanitarian response plan for Yemen is currently only 47 percent funded. And most of the money available will run out in September, said OCHA. "Additional and predictable funding is urgently needed so that people can continue receiving the lifesaving assistance they need." Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-05 01:54:24|Editor: huaxia

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ADEN, Yemen, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Five Sudanese soldiers of the Saudi-led coalition were killed Wednesday when a blast struck their military vehicle in Yemen's northwestern province of Hajjah, a government official told Xinhua.

The explosion killed at least five Sudanese soldiers at the scene and seriously wounded three others, the official said on condition of anonymity.

Sudanese military units have been participating in the Saudi-led coalition forces fighting against the Houthi militia in Yemen since March 2015.

Large areas of the war-torn country witness almost daily mine explosions, resulting in human and material losses. Previous reports by humanitarian organizations said Yemen has become one of the largest landmine fields in the world since World War II.

The Houthis seized the northern Yemeni provinces including the capital Sanaa in late 2014, forcing President Abdu-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and his government into exile.

A coalition formed by Saudi Arabia and several other Arab countries intervened militarily in the conflict to fight against the Houthis in March 2015, in response to an official request from Hadi to protect Yemen. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-05 02:05:58|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday sternly refuted remarks made by the United States and Japan on issues related to Xinjiang and Hong Kong and their attacks on China on grounds of human rights.

That came as Wang asked for the floor for the second time in response to the above-mentioned accusations, after he had delivered a speech concerning East Asia cooperation via video link at the 11th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

Noting such smearing remarks are cliche that is not worthy of refuting at all and the ASEAN countries have not echoed, Wang said China nevertheless has the right for sure to make refutation based on the reciprocity principle.

As affairs related to Xinjiang and Hong Kong are all China's internal affairs, Wang said making irresponsible remarks over China's internal affairs has seriously breached the basic norms governing international relations, and undermined the principle of sovereign equality.

"For such abominable behavior, we will resolutely make refutation each and every time it comes up," added Wang.

In recent years, the people of Uygur ethnic group in Xinjiang have experienced a doubling of their population, the constant increase of income year by year and elevation of education level, Wang said. "How come there is the so-called 'genocide'?"

He said the previous massive killing exercised by the United States on American Indians is the real genocide, and the massive casualties suffered by innocent civilians as a result of warfare waged by the United States worldwide are crimes against humanity in name and in fact.

Wang said that the Xinjiang government has repeatedly refuted all kinds of lies using facts and data. Ethnic minorities in Xinjiang, including the Uygur ethnic group, have stood up and used their own experiences to fight back against all kinds of misinformation.

"However, the United States has turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to this. Where is your conscience? Where is your credibility?" Wang asked, adding that the paranoia the U.S. had shown is typical Western-style arrogance and impertinence.

He said the enactment of the national security law in Hong Kong and the reform of the electoral system have restored stability and improved the rule of law in Hong Kong, and ensured the legitimate rights and interests of Hong Kong residents and all people living in Hong Kong, making "one country, two systems" go steadily and far. He added that 70 percent of Hong Kong people are satisfied with the current situation.

"Now you are expressing your so-called concerns, then what are you concerned about? You want Hong Kong to return to chaos and turmoil, and 'Hong Kong independence' forces to take to the streets again? Is that what you want?" Wang asked.

"I want to make this clear: drop illusion about the idea. It is impossible for you to see that day!" Wang said. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-05 02:50:25|Editor: huaxia

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UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations is deeply concerned about the safety of civilians in Lashkar Gah, the capital city of Helmand province in southern Afghanistan, fearing tens of thousands were trapped by fighting, UN humanitarians said on Wednesday.

Conflict in the southern provinces of Helmand and Kandahar displaced civilians to adjacent, calmer areas within the provincial capital cities (Lashkar Gah and Kandahar) and neighboring districts, said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

"There are reports of increased civilian casualties, destruction or damage to civilian houses and to critical infrastructure, including hospitals," the office said. "Hospitals and health workers are becoming overwhelmed by the number of wounded people."

The United Nations and its humanitarian partners are assessing needs and responding as access allows. They said they reached over 2,000 people on Sunday with food, water, sanitation and cash assistance in Kandahar.

Since the start of the year, nearly 360,000 people have been forcibly displaced by conflict. About 5 million people have been displaced since 2012.

In the first half of the year, attacks on health facilities deprived 200,000 people in Afghanistan of access to primary care, OCHA said.

The humanitarian office urged parties to the conflict to protect civilians, aid workers and civilian infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, in compliance with international humanitarian law. It also called on parties to grant aid workers access to assistance without interference, honoring humanitarian principles.

Humanitarians are committed to stay and deliver in Afghanistan and expect to have reached almost half of the nearly 16 million people targeted for assistance, so far in 2021, despite worsening conditions, said OCHA.

The United Nations seeks urgent funding for Afghanistan's humanitarian response plan, which requires 1.3 billion U.S. dollars but has received only 485 million dollars, or 38 percent of the request. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-05 03:19:23|Editor: huaxia

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TRIPOLI, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamed Dbeibah on Wednesday met with Italian Interior Minister Luciana Lamorgese in Libya's capital Tripoli and discussed illegal migration issue, the Libyan Government's information office said in a statement.

"Lamorgese stressed the need for continuous communication with the Libyan Ministry of Interior to coordinate on a number of important common issues, the most important of which is the illegal migration," the statement said.

Dbeibah stressed the need to activate the Italian role in the illegal migration issue, and the need for serious cooperation between the two ministries of the two countries.

"The meeting also discussed the current events in Tunisia and their impact on illegal migration in particular," the statement added.

Libya has been suffering insecurity and chaos since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, making the North African country a preferred point of departure for illegal migrants who want to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores.

So far in 2021, more than 19,000 illegal migrants, including women and children, have been rescued at sea and returned to Libya, while 360 died and 570 went missing off the Libyan coast on the Central Mediterranean route, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-05 03:29:15|Editor: huaxia

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CAIRO, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- An Egyptian-South Sudanese joint ministerial committee discussed in Cairo on Wednesday cooperation between the two countries in several sectors, said Egypt's international cooperation minister who chaired the meeting.

The Egyptian-South Sudanese Joint Higher Committee meetings addressed prospect cooperation between Cairo and Juba in the fields of agriculture, water, irrigation, trade and education, Egyptian International Cooperation Minister Rania al-Mashat said in a statement posted on her Twitter page.

"As chair of the committee meetings, I shared that deepening economic relations between Egypt and South Sudan will generate investment and private sector engagement," she added.

The two delegations included the Egyptian minsters of irrigation, education, higher education and agriculture and the South Sudanese ministers of industry, trade, water resources, animal resources and fisheries, higher education and science and technology.

In late July, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and South Sudanese Vice President James Wani Igga witnessed in Cairo the signing of several agreements to boost cooperation between the two countries. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-05 03:38:47|Editor: huaxia

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AMMAN, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Jordan said Wednesday the Jaber Border crossing with Syria was reopened for cargo movement following a 3-day closure over security concerns, the state-run Petra news agency reported.

Association of Owners of Clearance and Transport Companies' President DaifAllah Abu Aqouleh said that back-to-back shipment rule is being employed for imports from Syria and Lebanon, as well as Jordanian exports, until further notice, the agency reported.

Last Saturday, an official source at Jordan's Ministry of Interior said the Jaber Border crossing with Syria would be temporarily closed due to security reasons.

In late July, Jordan and Syria agreed to reopen the border crossing at full capacity as of Aug. 1, according to a statement by the Prime Ministry. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-05 04:33:15|Editor: huaxia

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ISTANBUL, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Wildfire has reached a thermal power plant in the southwestern Turkish province of Mugla and forced the evacuations of people in nearby towns on Wednesday.

Gendarmerie forces ordered the residents of several neighborhoods in the Milas district to leave the area immediately, local officials said.

Media footage showed people trying to leave Oren, a small town, by their vehicles or other means they found through the highway.

The National Defense Ministry announced that citizens who gathered at the pier were evacuated and transported to safe areas with the landing ship of the Naval Forces Command.

The power plant area was completely cordoned off, according to press reports.

Mugla Mayor Osman Gurun confirmed that the fire has spread to the Kemerkoy Thermal Power Plant buildings, and all the explosive chemicals in the facility have been emptied.

"However, there is a risk of the fire spreading to thousands of tons of coal inside," Gurun noted. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-05 04:54:04|Editor: huaxia

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ATHENS, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- A total of 114 fires broke out in the last 24 hours in Greece, as local authorities declared the fire-stricken area of Varybobi and the wider municipality of Acharnes in the north of Athens in a state of emergency.

"We give a titanic battle in multiple fire fronts," Greek Deputy Minister for Civil Protection and Crisis Management Nikos Hardalias told a press briefing Wednesday evening, as wildfires raged across the country.

The biggest of these blazes were on the island of Evia, in ancient Olympia, though wildfires have also ripped through Messinia in the Peloponnese, and in Chalkidiki on the northern side of Greece.

Hundreds of people were evacuated from more than 10 villages on the island of Evia, as wildfire was spreading on four major fronts in the north part of the island, burning houses and forest land since Tuesday evening.

Coast guard vessels along with private boats assisted to transfer 90 residents and tourists of the coastal town of Rovies, in Evia, who were sent to the beach for safety in the port of Edipsos, Greek national news agency AMNA reported.

Similar scenes were unfolding at the same time in the municipality of ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the ancient Olympics in northwestern Peloponnese.

"Seven fires broke out in Ilia prefecture on Wednesday, four of which (are) in the broader area of the town and ancient site of Ancient Olympia," Hardalias said.

Firefighters backed by aircraft dropped water to stop wildfire from burning the 2,800-year-old ruins, one of the most revered sites of antiquity, as alert 112 messages were issued to residents to evacuate eight villages.

Forest fires are common during Greece's hot, dry summers, but nothing has approached the scale of the last four days.

According to the National Observatory of Athens, fires that broke out since the beginning of August have burned more than 50 percent of the land surface usually destroyed in an entire fire season in Greece.

In particular, fires in Attica, on the island of Rhodes and Evia, and in Eastern Mani in August destroyed nearly 6,000 hectares. In the entire fire season of 2020, fires burnt 10,376 hectares of land, and that number was 9,405 hectares in 2019. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-05 04:55:07|Editor: huaxia

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TEHRAN, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Iran's newly-elected President Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday said establishing extensive interaction with neighboring countries constitutes one of his government's main foreign policy principles.

He made the remarks in a meeting with Nurdinjon Ismailov, speaker of the Legislative Chamber of Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan.

"There are countless potentials for the development of relations between the two countries in different fields, especially economy," Raisi was quoted as saying by the Iranian Presidency's official website.

For his part, Ismailov said that Uzbekistan seeks to develop and strengthen comprehensive relations with Iran, especially in the trade and economic sectors.

In the same day, Raisi also held meetings with envoys from other countries dispatched to Iran's capital Tehran to attend Raisi's inauguration ceremony on Thursday.

During his meeting with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Hamad al-Busaidi, Raisi said that Iran aims to develop relations with Oman "in all political, economic, social and cultural fields."

For his part, al-Busaidi greeted Raisi's election, saying the "historical and deep-rooted relationship" between Oman and Iran has become "a model between countries in the region." The Omani envoy also expressed hope to have Raisi as a guest in Muscat "as soon as possible."

During another meeting with Mahmadtoir Zokirzoda, chairman of the Assembly of Representatives of Tajikistan, Raisi called for the development of ties between Iran, Tajikistan and Afghanistan as three Persian-speaking countries.

"The insecurity in Afghanistan today, which is rooted in foreign interference in the country, is not in anyone's interest. Iran and Tajikistan should have closer bilateral and international cooperation with each other to eliminate this common concern," Raisi noted.

For his part, Zokirzoda greeted Raisi on his election, and praised the potential for the development of Iran-Tajikistan ties, which he described as based on "common language, culture, history and civilisation."

The Iranian newly-elected president has set the enhancement of ties with neighboring, Asian, Latin American, and non-Western countries as a priority of his foreign policy agenda. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-05 05:18:34|Editor: huaxia

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BEIRUT -- The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) urged on Wednesday Lebanon and Israel to cease fire and exercise maximum restraint to avoid further escalation after the firing of rockets from southern Lebanon into northern Israel earlier in the day.

"UNIFIL remains fully engaged with the parties through our liaison and coordination channels and we are working with the Lebanese Armed Forces to ensure immediate follow-up on the ground and to reinforce security along the Blue Line," Kandice Ardiel, UNIFIL's deputy chief of strategic communications and public information, said in a statement released by the UN mission. (Lebanon-Israel-UNIFIL)

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TEHRAN -- Iran's total COVID-19 infections have exceeded 4 million after a new record of nearly 40,000 daily cases on Wednesday.

The Iranian Health Ministry reported 39,357 new cases, raising the country's total tally to 4,019,084. (Iran-COVID19)

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RABAT -- Morocco on Wednesday reported 10,603 new COVID-19 cases, the highest daily record so far, taking its total tally of infections to 653,286.

The total number of recoveries from COVID-19 in Morocco increased to 582,692 after 7,774 new ones were added, the Ministry of Health said in a statement. (Morocco-COVID19)

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ANKARA -- Turkey on Wednesday registered 26,822 new COVID-19 cases, raising its tally of infections to 5,822,487, according to its Health Ministry.

The death toll from the virus in Turkey rose by 122 to 51,767, while 6,096 more people recovered in the last 24 hours. (Turkey-COVID19) Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 09:27:48|Editor: huaxia

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GABORONE, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Botswanan President Mokgweetsi Masisi on Tuesday appealed to his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden to assist the southern African country with COVID-19 vaccines.

Masisi made the appeal during a closed-door meeting with visiting U.S. Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland here in Botswana's capital city, press secretary of the presidency Batlhalefi Leagajang told reporters.

The president "expressed frustration at the slow pace of vaccine distribution which he said has resulted in the loss of many lives," said Leagajang, adding that the assistance can go by sales or donations.

Botswana has put many of her development projects on hold and channeled money towards the fight against COVID-19, including vaccine payments, Leagajang said.

Nuland, the first senior U.S. official to visit Botswana after Biden took office, conveyed the administration's admiration for Masisi's governance both at home and in the region.

Botswana currently chairs the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defense and Security Cooperation, an informal SADC mechanism launched in 1996 to promote security and stability in the region. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 09:32:14|Editor: huaxia

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GABORONE, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Southern African Development Community (SADC) will have a virtual deployment of an Electoral Observation Mission for Zambia's upcoming general election, the community said in a statement on Tuesday.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and protocols in place in Zambia, the SADC electoral observation "will engage stakeholders virtually during the pre-election, election and immediate post-election phases," said the statement.

Lemogang Kwape, Botswanan minister of international affairs and cooperation, was appointed as the head of this virtual electoral mission, according to the statement.

The mission will comprise representatives from the SADC Organ Troika member states, namely Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe, as well as members of the SADC Electoral Advisory Council and will be supported by the SADC Secretariat, it said.

Virtual stakeholder consultations are expected to take place on Aug. 3-14, according to the statement. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 19:26:19|Editor: huaxia

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JUBA, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan's health officials on Wednesday warned of surging COVID-19 infections at the community level and urged people to comply with containment measures like wearing of masks and social distancing.

Angelo Goup Thon, manager for the Emergency Operation Center, said the bulk of new cases have been in the capital, Juba.

Mary Denis, director of health education at the Health Ministry, said deaths related to COVID-19 have been recorded outside health centers in significant numbers.

"Many people have been infected, and so many people have died in the communities," she said. "There is still a lot that needs to be done in terms of awareness to the communities on the dangers of the disease."

John Rumunu, director-general for Preventive Health Services, said COVID-19 cases are increasing, noting that the recent deaths from the community were identified through mortality surveillance.

"The deaths recorded by the mortality surveillance team indicate that there is ongoing transmission in the community," he said. "The moving case count is increasing and the positivity rate stands at 2.3 percent,"

As of Tuesday, South Sudan's total COVID-19 cases stood at 11,081, with 10,857 recoveries and 120 deaths. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-05 00:34:38|Editor: huaxia

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Students wearing masks stand in a queue to comply with social distancing at a school in the Namibian coastal town of Walvis Bay on Aug. 4, 2021. Namibian schools re-opened on Wednesday following a one-month COVID-19 lockdown. (Photo by Ndalimpinga Iita/Xinhua)

By Ndalimpinga Iita

WINDHOEK, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Schools in Namibia resumed face-to-face teaching and learning on Wednesday following a reduction in COVID-19 cases in the southern African nation.

Schools reopened for pre-primary to secondary phases on Aug. 4, instead of the initial date of July 26 on account of increasing COVID-19 cases during the third wave.

Returning to school has been a bittersweet reunion for most learners and teachers.

Milka Davids, a learner from capital Windhoek, said that she is pleased to see her friends after a long time.

"Although I am happy to see my mates, I have mixed emotions regarding safety and interactions as it is not the same as in the past years. I could not even hug my classmates," said the grade seven learner on Wednesday.

Erons Louw, a grade nine learner in coastal town Walvis Bay, said he was overjoyed to return to school.

"Although teachers tried their best to keep us busy, learning from home is not the same. I look forward to gaining more knowledge and catching up on my school work," he said.

Louw added that he has newly found respect for his teachers and their hard work.

"My goal is also to support my schoolmates who lost their parents while schools were closed due to the pandemic," he added.

Teachers are also devising new ways of teaching.

Frieda Ndapewa, a teacher at Tulihongeni Combined School in the Ohangwena region, said teachers remain committed to educating.

"We have many gaps to fill in terms of curriculum and support for learners and colleagues to readjust and catch up on their learning," she said, adding that the teachers try to innovate new methods while ensuring safety and maintaining hygiene at school.

Meanwhile, Ayesha Wentworth, Director of Programmes and Quality Assurance in the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, said the COVID-19 pandemic had impacted the school environment.

According to Wentworth, the normal functioning usually observed in school settings is different now.

"Learners are missing out a lot on personal development such as peer-to-peer interaction, support from friends, team building, and they are not able to engage on that daily due to the pandemic," she said.

Teachers are also likely to play a dual role in both teaching and counselling learners.

"And with COVID-19, we are not able to process grief like we normally would, hence the need to give mental health priority as well," Wentworth said.

The government official said that schools have since implemented mechanisms to promote mental wellness on school grounds.

The ministry collaborated with other institutions that have availed social workers to provide psychosocial support to learners and teachers.

"The ministry is also busy strengthening the capacity of teachers to provide counselling to teachers at school level in all 14 regions," Wentworth added.

The ministry has since instructed school principals to consistently enforce safety measures such as social distancing, sanitization, and masks.

"We have re-doubled efforts to ensure safety of learners through measures and other innovative ways such as rotation and reduced number learners in classes to minimize contact," said Augusta De Celestino, school principal of Mupini Combined School in the Kavango West region.

In the interim, learners are looking to the future with a positive mindset. "We are motivated to work hard despite all," said Louw. Enditem


Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-05 04:56:31|Editor: huaxia

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Photo taken on Aug. 4, 2021 shows the interior of a cutter suction dredger in Ismailia Province, Egypt. Egypt's Suez Canal Authority (SCA) held a ceremony on Wednesday to celebrate the recent arrival of a cutter suction dredger (CSD) named Hussein Tantawy. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

ISMAILIA, Egypt, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Egypt's Suez Canal Authority (SCA) held a ceremony on Wednesday to celebrate the recent arrival of a cutter suction dredger (CSD) named Hussein Tantawy.

The ceremony was attended by SCA Chairman Osama Rabie and Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, who hoisted the national flag of Egypt on the new dredger.

"The dredger is the largest and most advanced in the Middle East and Africa," said Rabie during the ceremony, describing the new dredger as "an unprecedented addition to the SCA fleet."

The inclusion of the dredger to the SCA fleet comes as one of the important steps made as part of an integrated development strategy to develop the canal's waterway and maintain its leading position despite various global challenges, the SCA chief added.

Rabie noted that CSD Hussein Tantawy is characterized by advanced technical specifications and equipped with the latest systems of 3D bottom imaging and scanning as well as control, safety and security systems.

With a long slender shape and high spud towers, the dredger is 147.4 meters long and 23 meters wide and can provide a maximum dredging depth of 35 meters.

The SCA similarly celebrated in April the arrival of another giant dredger, CSD Mohab Mameesh. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-03 15:44:21|Editor: huaxia

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SEOUL, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- South Korea reported 2,109 more cases of COVID-19 variants for the past week, bringing the total number of such cases to 8,125, the health authorities said Tuesday.

Among the new cases found since July 25, 240 were imported from overseas while the remaining 1,869 were locally transmitted, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).

The far higher number of local transmissions indicated the domestic spread of the variants.

Of the new cases, 1,929 came from the Delta variant, 176 from Alpha, two from Beta, and two from Gamma.

Among the combined cases involving the variants, 4,912 came from the Delta variant, 3,045 from Alpha, 148 from Beta and 20 from Gamma. The four variants are believed to be more transmissible than the original one.

Meanwhile, the country confirmed the first two cases of the Delta plus variant, a subvariant of the Delta variant.

The two cases were people infected with the Delta plus variant even after a full vaccination, according to the health authorities

In the latest tally, South Korea reported 1,202 more cases of COVID-19 for the past 24 hours, lifting the total number of infections to 202,203. The daily caseload hovered above 1,000 for 28 straight days.

Among the new cases, 50 were imported from overseas, raising the combined figure to 12,069. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 13:38:31|Editor: huaxia

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PHNOM PENH, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia has one of the highest percentages of COVID-19 vaccination among its adult population in the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region, the United Nations in Cambodia said in a statement released late on Tuesday.

"Despite the constrained global supply of COVID-19 vaccines, the Royal Government has been able to secure, through bilateral procurement, COVAX and donations, a pipeline of COVID-19 vaccines to meet its target," the statement said.

The Southeast Asian nation launched a COVID-19 vaccination drive for adults on Feb. 10 and for adolescents aged 12 to 17 on Aug. 1, targeting to inoculate 12 million people, including 10 million adults and 2 million adolescents, or 75 percent of its 16 million population by November.

As of Aug. 3, about 7.48 million adults have received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, among which 5 million were vaccinated with the second dose, the health ministry said, adding that some 124,157 adolescents, or 6.3 percent of the targeted adolescent group, had also been inoculated.

To date, more than 20 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been received in Cambodia and more are expected in the near future, according to the health ministry.

Currently, Cambodia uses China's Sinovac and Sinopharm, and Britain's AstraZeneca vaccines, which have obtained WHO approvals, the statement said.

"Recommended doses of vaccine granted WHO Emergency Use Listing have been shown to provide excellent protection from severe disease and hospitalization against the Delta variant as well as against other variants of concern," it said.

Vaccination is one of the key response strategies in the fight against COVID-19. However, vaccination alone is not enough, WHO representative to Cambodia Li Ailan said, adding that people must continue to strictly follow other effective public health and social measures.

"Feeling a bit released that 93 percent of health care workers had been fully vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccine before the Delta variant circulated," she wrote on Twitter. "Very happy that vaccinations for the elderly continue to be prioritized & accelerated. Remarkable progress!"

Cambodia confirmed 583 new COVID-19 infections including 157 imported cases on Wednesday, pushing the national total caseload to 79,634, the health ministry said, adding that 17 more fatalities had been reported, bringing the death toll to 1,488.

The kingdom also saw another 658 patients recovered, raising the total number of recoveries to 72,803, it added. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 15:08:57|Editor: huaxia

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ULAN BATOR, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia reported 1,444 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours, bringing the national caseload to 168,673, the country's health ministry said Wednesday.

Meanwhile, six more COVID-19 related deaths were reported in the past day, raising the overall death toll to 833, said the ministry.

The latest confirmed cases were all local infections, among which 467 were detected in the capital Ulan Bator, according to the ministry.

Mongolia 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, more than 61 percent of the country's total population have been fully vaccinated, according to the ministry. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 15:39:21|Editor: huaxia

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ULAN BATOR, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia will impose a three-year ban on hunting marmots, the country's Ministry of Environment and Tourism said on Wednesday.

The reason behind the decision is preventing the bubonic plague from spreading to people, and determining the current range and population size of marmots in the country, the ministry added in the statement.

The bubonic plague is a bacterial disease that is spread by fleas living on wild rodents such as marmots. The disease can kill an adult in less than 24 hours if it isn't treated in time, according to the World Health Organization.

Currently, 17 out of all 21 Mongolian provinces are at risk for the bubonic plague, the country's National Center for Zoonotic Diseases said. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 15:42:05|Editor: huaxia

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Photo taken on Aug. 4, 2021 shows damaged vehicles at the site of a car bomb in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan. Militants' attack on the residence of Afghan Defense Minister Bismillah Khan Mohammadi in Kabul left all the four attackers and eight civilians dead, Interior Ministry spokesman Mir Wais Stanikzai said Wednesday. (Photo by Sayed Mominzadah/Xinhua)

KABUL, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Militants' attack on the residence of Afghan Defense Minister Bismillah Khan Mohammadi in Kabul left all the four attackers and eight civilians dead, Interior Ministry spokesman Mir Wais Stanikzai said Wednesday.

"A group of terrorists detonated a car bomb targetting the house of Defense Minister Bismillah Khan Mohammadi on Tuesday evening but all the four attackers were killed after five hours of gun battles," Stanikzai told Xinhua.

The official also confirmed that "eight civilians including a woman were martyred" and more than 20 others sustained injuries.

In the meantime, spokesman for the Public Health Ministry Dastgir Nazari has confirmed to reporters that eight dead bodies and the 22 injured persons have been taken to hospitals.

A group of unknown militants stormed the residence of Defense Minister Bismillah Khan Mohammadi in the fortified Shirpor area in Police Department 10 at 07:45 p.m. local time Tuesday when the minister was reportedly in a meeting with some political and influential figures.

Defense Minister Mohammadi in his short message denounced the attack as a "coward terrorist act," saying such terrorist attacks "will not undermine the morale of the national defense and security forces" in the war against terrorists to defend the country.

According to the latest media reports, Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 18:54:34|Editor: huaxia

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DHAKA, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- At least 17 wedding party members were killed on Wednesday by a massive lightning strike in Bangladesh's Chapainawabganj district, some 302 km northwest of capital Dhaka, a senior official said.

Sakib Al Rabbi, head of Chapainawabganj's Shibganj sub-district administration, told Xinhua over mobile phone that "17 people were killed on the spot after lightning struck a wedding party boat."

He said the tragic incident took place at a boat terminal on the bank of the Padma River at noon on Wednesday.

According to the official, the boat carrying dozens of people of a wedding party was crossing the Padma River amid the heavy downpour.

After the boat anchored at a terminal on the riverbank, it was struck by a massive lightning, killing 17 people and injuring 6 others.

Lightning strikes in the past couple of months reportedly killed scores of people in parts of the country.

Deaths due to lightning strikes is common in Bangladesh during this time of the year, as the weather changes from the dry season to the rainy summer season.

But the country is experiencing a surge of lightning strike deaths in recent years. Experts here blame the rise in lightning strike deaths directly on climate change that made Bangladesh more vulnerable to the impacts. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 19:18:45|Editor: huaxia

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BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- ASEAN foreign ministers reaffirmed the bloc's commitment to upholding and promoting regionalism and multilateralism on Wednesday.

According to a joint communique released by the 54th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, ASEAN foreign ministers believe that regionalism and multilateralism are important principles and frameworks of cooperation, and that their strength and value lie in their inclusivity, rules-based nature and emphasis on mutual benefit and respect.

"We agreed on the need to strengthen multilateral cooperation to effectively address current as well as emerging global and regional challenges of common concern and areas of mutual interest," the joint communique said.

"We therefore welcomed the ASEAN Chair's proposal to prepare an ASEAN Leaders' Declaration on Upholding Multilateralism in 2021 for the 38th ASEAN Summit to reaffirm ASEAN's commitment to upholding and promoting multilateral cooperation, anchored in international law, towards achieving peace, security, stability, and prosperity in the region and beyond," the joint communique added.

The ASEAN foreign ministers also said that they are looking forward to the convening of the 24th ASEAN-China Summit to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations.

The 54th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting was held here in Brunei via videoconference on Monday.

According to the ASEAN schedule, the 29th ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting, 22nd ASEAN Plus Three (China, Japan and South Korea) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, 11th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting, and 28th ASEAN Regional Forum will also be held here in Brunei via videoconference from Monday to Saturday. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 19:45:31|Editor: huaxia

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PHNOM PENH, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn has reiterated the country's support for the elevation of ASEAN-China relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, according to a foreign ministry's statement on Wednesday.

Sokhonn made the remarks during the ASEAN-China Ministerial Meeting via video link on Tuesday.

"In acknowledging the most substantive partnership that ASEAN and China have achieved since the establishment of dialogue relations, he reiterated Cambodia's support for the elevation of ASEAN-China ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership," the statement said.

During the meeting, Sokhonn also underlined the need to ensure that cross-border trade and supply chains remains unimpeded to take full advantage from the upgrading of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

He also emphasised the importance of enhancing the implementation of the ASEAN-China Joint Statement on Synergizing the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025 and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

According to the statement, the meeting noted with satisfaction the achievements of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations and applauded the fruitful outcomes of the Special ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting held on June 7-8, 2021 in China's Chongqing as part of the celebration of the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN-China relations.

It added that the meeting looked forward to the 24th ASEAN-China Summit to commemorate the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations.

"On the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, while ASEAN expressed appreciation to China for the extensive regional support, China further reiterated the commitment to strengthen cooperation with ASEAN, including through the support of regional capacity in the production and distribution of vaccines and medical supplies as well as recovery efforts," the statement said.

"Both sides reaffirmed the commitment to maintain peace, security and stability in the region," it added.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 21:25:37|Editor: huaxia

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BISHKEK, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Kyrgyzstan added 696 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, raising the total tally to 166,236.

The Republican Headquarters for Combating COVID-19 said that 7,005 coronavirus tests had been carried out over the past day.

The headquarters also reported the recovery of 1,681 more patients and nine new deaths, raising the total recoveries in the country to 150,852 and bringing the nationwide death toll to 2,363.

As of Wednesday, 3,393 patients with coronavirus are receiving treatment in hospitals throughout the country and 8,270 patients are being treated at home.

Kyrgyzstan started COVID-19 vaccinations on March 29 after receiving vaccines donated by China. In addition, the Central Asian country has received Sputnik V vaccines from Russia in April and AstraZeneca in July.

A total of 489,810 people have been vaccinated in Kyrgyzstan so far. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-05 00:56:59|Editor: huaxia

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Photo taken on Aug. 4, 2021 shows a building in floodwaters in Hoogly district of India's West Bengal State. (Str/Xinhua)

NEW DELHI, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- The floods in India's eastern state of West Bengal have killed 23 lives, local media reports said Wednesday.

The floods were triggered after heavy rains hit several parts of the state, pushing water levels up in the rivers and dams.

Nearly 250,000 people were displaced from their homes following the discharge of water from dams that inundated six districts.

"The flood situation in West Bengal worsened on Wednesday claiming eight more lives taking the toll to 23 as fresh areas went under water," a local media report said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia relief of 2,695 U.S. dollars to the next of kin of those who lost their lives due to flooding in West Bengal and 673 U.S. dollars to each injured in floods.

Meanwhile, officials said relief and rescue operations were going on in the affected areas.

At present India is in the grip of southwest monsoon and most parts are experiencing heavy to very heavy rainfall, besides extremely heavy spells at isolated spots. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 21:51:08|Editor: huaxia

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Burned trees are seen after a forest fire raged in Varybobi, a northern suburb of Athens, Greece, Aug. 4, 2021. The fire in Varybobi in the north of Athens has burnt approximately 1,250 hectares of forest and other land, while almost 100 houses, dozens of cars and 27 businesses have been damaged so far, Greek Deputy Minister for Civil Protection and Crisis Management Nikos Hardalias told a press briefing here on Wednesday. (Photo by Lefteris Partsalis/Xinhua)

ATHENS, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- The fire in Varybobi in the north of Athens has burnt approximately 1,250 hectares of forest and other land, while almost 100 houses, dozens of cars and 27 businesses have been damaged so far, Greek Deputy Minister for Civil Protection and Crisis Management Nikos Hardalias told a press briefing here on Wednesday.

He also said that the major fire fronts seemed to be in recession. The Fire Service managed to contain the four major fire fronts to one, but there are still many scattered outbreaks.

The fire, which broke out on Tuesday in a dense pine forest area in the northern suburbs of Athens, continued to rage on Wednesday, as thousands of people were evacuated from residential zones.

A total of 442 people were taken to safety by firefighters or police during the evacuation after running into difficulties, Hardalias added.

A large part of the Attica region, including the Athens center, was covered by clouds of thick black smoke, as blazes had swept through the settlements of Adames, Varybobi, Thrakomakedones and were reaching Kryoneri and Tatoi on Wednesday morning.

"We were up against an extremely difficult fire in conditions of extreme hot weather. I hold on to the fact that we have not until now any losses of human life as positive and that the evacuation system operated in an exemplary way," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said as he joined a meeting in the mobile coordination center near the site of the fire earlier Wednesday.

"There are still difficult times ahead. We have some days yet of the heatwave and then the winds will begin, in which case I ask everyone to remain on absolute alert," he added.

Seventy-seven people were hospitalized with breathing problems due to the heavy smoke in the burning area, Health Minister Vassilis Kikilias said while visiting one of the hospitals treating people who suffered from the fire.

Public Power Corporation units were working to restore power supply in the region after power lines were damaged.

Faced with the biggest challenge among hundreds of wildfires this summer, Greece has requested assistance from European partners.

The European Union has activated its emergency mechanism for disasters. Cyprus and Sweden are sending groups of firefighters and firefighting planes which are expected to start operating on Wednesday, Hardalias noted.

Euthymios Lekkas, professor of environmental disaster management at the University of Athens, told the Greek national broadcaster ERT that the morphology of the area itself, the combination of the high temperatures, and the low humidity levels along with the mix of residential and forest zones, led in a condition of self-ignition and spread the fire so quickly.

"In the near future, phenomena like extreme heat waves, wildfires, floods, will be a normality. Climate crisis is here. We must start planning under new procedures. We have to change our way of thinking", he said.

Greece is experiencing its worst heatwave in decades, with temperatures in some places reaching up to 45 degrees Celsiu. The heatwave is expected to continue until the end of the week.

Greek authorities have warned that emergency measures remain in place throughout the week, while alert messages are sent to residents in areas where there is a high risk of fire, including the islands of Rhodes and Crete. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 23:47:30|Editor: huaxia

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PRAGUE, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Two trains collided in the southwestern Czech Republic on Wednesday, killing at least three people and injuring dozens of passengers, including several in critical condition, local media reported.

Two of the dead are train drivers. Among the injured, five people are in very serious condition and four in serious condition, the Czech News Agency (CTK) quoted a regional emergency service spokeswoman as saying.

The accident occurred on the track near the village of Milavce shortly after 8 a.m. (0600 GMT) when a Western Express train from Munich, Germany, collided with a regional passenger train. For unknown reasons, the express train passed the signal at the "Stop" position at the turnout and drove onto a single-track line, colliding with the passenger train.

The railway inspection is investigating the exact causes, according to Czech TV (CT) reports. It is not yet clear whether it was a driver's or dispatcher's mistake, or a technical failure.

The German express belongs to a private carrier Die Landerbahn. In a press release, the carrier said that it is responsible for the operation of trains only on German territory and the journey where the accident occured is in Czech Railways' charge.

The traffic on the line where the trains collided is remotely controlled by a dispatcher. The track is equipped with signals and a relay safety device, reported the CT. The ETCS system, the highest signaling device on domestic lines in Czech Republic that could automatically stop the train at a distance, was not installed on that line.

Securing domestic lines has been a long-discussed topic in the Czech Republic. According to the Ministry of Transport, the state wants to invest over 100 billion crowns (4.6 billion U.S. dollars) in the next 20 years to further secure the lines, and most of the money should go to the installation of the system. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-05 02:41:16|Editor: huaxia

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SOFIA, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Two foresters were killed and one of their colleagues was injured in a forest fire in southwestern Bulgaria on Wednesday, the Interior Ministry said in a press release.

Firefighting operations were underway but the fire was contained, according to the ministry.

Firefighters battled at least two more wildfires in the southern part of the country, said the ministry.

One of the fires started on Wednesday noon near the village of Starosel, 180 km southeast of Sofia and the other one was in the area of the village of Svirachi near Haskovo, 340 km southeast of Sofia. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 14:58:01|Editor: huaxia

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HARBIN, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- The United States pardoned members of a notorious Japanese germ warfare unit after World War II in exchange for their data on biological weapons, research by a Chinese historian has revealed.

In a secret deal struck between September 1945 and November 1948, Fort Detrick of the U.S. Army spent 250,000 yen, about several thousand U.S. dollars at that time, obtaining data and medical papers on human experiments, bacterial tests, germ warfare, and toxic gas experiments conducted by Unit 731, according to Jin Chengmin, curator of the Museum of Evidence of War Crimes by the Japanese Army Unit 731.

The United States subsequently used these data and medical papers to conduct research involving biological weapons, noted Jin. His findings are based on reports and accounts of investigators sent by Fort Detrick to negotiate the deal with the Japanese and archives in U.S. research institutions.

The core evidence of the secret deal is three medical reports on human experiments -- with a total of 1,500 pages -- that Fort Detrick obtained from Unit 731, said Jin, adding that the original copies of these reports are now archived in the U.S. Library of Congress.

"Shady deals and secrecy have long been a trademark of Fort Detrick, as evidenced in its dirty deal with Unit 731," said Jin. "Fort Detrick has long been researching on the virus and still stores a large amount of virus that threatens the safety of humans."

The fact that the United States pardoned members of Unit 731 in total disregard of their criminal activities has jeopardized the justice of WWII trials and shows its longstanding practice of double standards, said Jin. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-08-04 15:41:04|Editor: huaxia

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WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Racist incidents targeting Asian Americans occurred before COVID-19, but the pandemic has increased the frequency and level of bullying, worrying Asian American students and their parents, said an article published by The Columbus Dispatch, a daily newspaper based in Ohio, on Monday.

One in eight Asian Americans reported hate incidents in 2020, according to AAPI Data, a national coalition battling the problem, and one in 10 reported anti-Asian hate incidents in the first quarter of 2021, including physical assaults, verbal harassment, civil rights violations and online harassment, the article said.

Hate crimes against Asian-Americans overall have reached an "alarming level" in the United States, the article said, noting that more than 1,800 racist incidents against Asian Americans were reported from March to May.

With the rise in hate incidents nationwide and the new school year less than a month away, many Asian American students in central Ohio are bracing for the potential of new or continued verbal assaults by fellow students when they return to school in the fall, the article added. Enditem
With a tendency for the dictatorial, Mr Wase has been able to deliver passage of bills that the Executive or the House leadership has an interest in.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Idris Wase, who represents Wase Federal Constituency of Plateau State, is often in the spotlight for the roles that he plays in the passage of bills.

The House Committee of the Whole, which Mr Wase statutorily chairs as the deputy speaker, is very important because every legislation - bill, motion and petition - has to pass through it.

Order 7 Rule 2(2) of the House states that "the Deputy Speaker shall be the chairman of the whole House ... "

With a tendency to be dictatorial, Mr Wase has been able to deliver passage of bills that the Executive or the House leadership has interest in, often denying the minority their say before the majority have their way.

For journalists and observers of the green chamber, Mr Wase's controversial action in the process of the passage of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill and Petroleum Industry Bill is nothing new as he had routinely shown a low tolerance for dissenting voices.

Under the guise of guiding the House, Mr Wase is notorious for involving himself in debates which he should not do as a presiding officer, and swaying debates or foisting a position on the House.

Although he only became the deputy speaker in the current House of Representatives, Mr Wase's rise to fame precedes the current legislature.

Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker house of Reps. [PHOTO CREDIT: Official Twitter handle of the House of Reps]

The rise of Wase

In the 8th Assembly, the death of Umar Jibrin, who was the Deputy Leader of the House, created a vacuum. The House leadership and the caucus of the APC decided to appoint Mr Wase to fill the vacuum as the position was zoned to the North-central.

Prior to that appointment in October 2018, Mr Wase chaired the committee on Federal Character.

Mr Wase, who was first elected in 2007, served as Chairman House Committee on Federal Character from 2011 until his appointment as Deputy Leader.

In 2019, he joined the speakership race as part of the North-central agenda, but later opted to be running mate to the eventual winner, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Some actions Mr Wase has taken, while presiding over the Committee of the Whole, or presiding over the House in the absence of Mr Gbajabiamila, highlight his controversial personality.

Clash with Shina Peller

On October 20 last year, Shina Peller, the lawmaker from Oyo State representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/Kajola Federal Constituency, attempted to raise a point of order to discuss the EndSARS protest that was raging across the country.

Mr Wase, who was presiding over the plenary session after Mr Gbajabiamila left the floor, blatantly refused to recognise Mr Peller.

"As a member of the House voted for by the people of Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/Kajola Federal Constituency, I deserve to be listened to by the House and I have a right to speak here. I have been raising my hand from the beginning of this session to this time, so you need to allow me speak here," Mr Peller said.

But the deputy speaker responded: "I will not allow you to speak."

The response angered Mr Peller who said: "I will speak with the media, I will speak with the press" and also charged towards the Speaker's box but was held back by some lawmakers.

Following that event, Mr Peller tweeted: "As a HOR member, I represent the people of my federal constituency. Any time I stand up to speak, I do not speak for myself but those that I represent. I am their messenger, and nobody, not even the Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila and Deputy Speaker, has the right to suppress their voices."

In an interview with Punch Newspaper, Mr Peller said he wanted to raise a point of order on privilege over the protest, but the deputy speaker asked him: "what privilege?"

This is contrary to the provision of the standing rules of the House. Order 6, Rule 1, Subsection 2 provides that, "Whenever a matter of privilege arises, it shall be taken into consideration immediately."

Rule 2 further reads that "Any member may rise at any time to speak upon a matter of privilege suddenly arising, and he shall be prepared to move without notice, a motion declaring that a contempt or breach of privilege has been committed... ."

It appears that Mr Wase anticipated that Mr Peller wanted to raise a point of order on the brutality against protesters by the security forces; something that would have embarrassed the executive arm of government.

Preventing presentation of petition by MUTA

Mr Wase, also early this year, refused to allow a petition by the Mutual Union of Tivs in America (MUTA) over the killings by suspected Fulani herders in Benue State.

A member of the House, Mark Gbillah (PDP, Benue), had attempted to submit the petition as is always done. However, Mr Wase, a Fulani, ruled that an association in America cannot present a petition in Nigeria.

"If they are in America, could they be an interested party here? Do they really know what is really going on?

"I don't want to make a blanket statement regarding those who are in the Diaspora. If this petition is coming from those within the country, I believe it has a block standard. But those living in America, then coming to lodge complaint?"

He further argued that those presenting the petition probably have dual citizenships, hence, he was not convinced "about the petition."

Mr Wase ignored all arguments, including the fact that such petitions from Nigerians in the diaspora had been heard by the House in the past. The Deputy Speaker was not ready to entertain any debate on the matter.

Following protests by Nigerians in the Diaspora, the petition was later laid by Mr Gbillah when Mr Gbajabiamila was presiding.

Deep Offshore and Inland Basin production sharing contract bill

Back in 2019, when the Executive needed the Inland Basin Production Sharing Contract bill passed, Mr Wase was on ground to lend a hand.

During consideration by the Committee of the Whole, several lawmakers like the Deputy Minority Leader, Toby Okechukwu (PDP, Enugu), Sergius Ogun (PDP, Edo) and others raised concerns on the legislation. However, Mr Wase was able to navigate the bill through.

The bill was so important to the government that the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Umar El-Yakub, was at the gallery to monitor its progress.

Also, the bill was taken through the second reading, the committee of the whole, and third reading on the same day.

Twitter ban report

Last month, the report of the joint committees that investigated the federal government's suspension of operations of Twitter in Nigeria was considered by the House.

Mr Wase, who presided over the House Committee of the Whole, vehemently opposed the report, but not on the grounds that many Nigerians were apparently hoping for. He opposed the report because the chairman of the Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Sha'aban Sharada (APC, Kano), was not involved in the investigation.

After a first glance at the report, Mr Wase asked that the report be stepped down because members of the committee did not sign.

Segun Odebunmi (APC, Oyo), the lead chairman of the joint committees, explained that all the committees signed the original copy.

The back and forth that ensued showed clearly the deputy speaker was out to protect the interest of Mr Sharada, who is a former aide to President Buhari.

In a loud grumbling voice, Mr Odebunmi could be heard saying "the man you are talking about, where is he... does he come around at all?"

It took the intervention of Speaker Gbajabiamila, who was still on the floor as a member, for the report to be considered.

Mr Wase only moved on after a parting shot, "We don't want a situation where you (Gbajabiamila) will give him cover today so that tomorrow he will not do the same thing. The decision was made based on security. It has affected the work."

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Electronic transmission of results

PREMIUM TIMES reported the process of the passage of the Electoral Act amendment bill and how Mr Wase prevented minority members from having their say, including ignoring calls for the division of the House over the controversial clause 52(3).

Mr Wase played the role of an undertaker during the consideration of the report on electoral bill. His disregard for dissenting voices and ruling against the majority led to about four rowdy sessions, fists fight and a walkout by some members of the opposition.

When the deputy minority leader, Toby Okechukwu (PDP, Enugu) moved the amendment for mandatory use of electronic transmission of results, Mr Wase openly debated against it and did everything possible to have his way.

"I want to believe that... . I don't know the coverage of the broadband. Have we covered the entire country so that we can have electronic transmission?

"I make bold to say it, you can go and verify it. We have not more than 20 per cent coverage in my constituency, except you want to disenfranchise some people," he said.

In the course of the bizarre process, even a member of his party, Nkirukah Onyejeocha (APC, Abia) could be heard in the background saying, "this man (Mr Wase) has done it twice, this is not acceptable."

Through the fiasco, Mr Wase maintained a grin on his face and refused to yield even when members of his party tried to appeal to him.

The inability of Mr Gbajabiamila to ensure the full use of e-voting during lawmaking means that Mr Wase could continue to impose his will during consideration of reports.

What to expect on the constitution review exercise

Mr Wase is the Chairman of the Special Committee on Review of the 1999 Constitution. The committee has conducted hearings across the six geopolitical zones, gathering recommendations from Nigerians on the constitution alteration bills.

Here is a poser: Will Mr Wase allow the process to run smoothly without imposing his will on it?
The tribulations bedeviling Deputy President William Ruto deepened Monday when he was dramatically denied from boarding a flight to Uganda for not seeking clearance as all civil servants should.

The DP was scheduled to fly for an unknown mission to Entebbe, accompanied by a seven-man entourage comprising of his close political allies and businessmen.

According to a flight manifest from Phoenix Aviation, he was to use a private jet on flight number Jadestar 12.

The plane he was to use; a Cessna 560XL registered using tail number 5Y WHB, had already been prepared for flight but its crew was told at the last minute that their VVIP guest would not be flying after all.

The DP's office protested what it termed a change of rules on his foreign travels without notice.

"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 DP's office said through his communication secretary David Mugonyi.

Also set to travel with the DP were Kapseret Member of Parliament Oscar Sudi, businessmen David Lagat, Harun Ayoin, David Muge, Simon Mogun and Nelson Kisalit.
Most of the hospitals visited by our reporters only operated at half capacities and the situation could begin to degenerate further, from Tuesday.

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 sister's 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 hospital's 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.

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.

Nigeria's 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 Nigeria's 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 association's 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 Buhari's 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.

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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 Buhari's 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 administration's 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 Nigeria's 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 President's trip abroad as insensitive to the plight of many Nigerians, who he noted "are even struggling to afford high cost of healthcare in Nigeria."

Minister's promise

The Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, however, pledged the administration's 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.
Tanzania and Rwanda Monday signed several bilateral agreements during President Samia Suluhu Hassan's two-day visit to Kigali.

In a press briefing after a 5-hour long meeting between Presidents Samia and Paul Kagame, Ministers of ICT and Communication from both countries, Faustin Ndungulile and Paula Ingabire, signed agreements on cooperation in the field of communication and ICT.

Liberata Mulamula, Tanzania's Minister of Foreign Affairs and East Africa Cooperation, and Vincent Biruta, Rwanda's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, also signed a memorandum of understanding on immigration, education and regulation of medical products.

President Kagame said the agreements will ensure that President Samia's visit leads to tangible results and gives renewed momentum to their bilateral relationship. The agreements are key to new infrastructure and investment projects, he said.

"This gives new impetus to key infrastructure and investment projects of mutual benefits, particularly the Standard Gauge Railway line, milk production and improved port logistics," President Kagame added.

President Samia reiterated the need to strengthen bilateral ties in trade and economy.

"In today's world relations, nations are more focused on economic issues, just as we have to focus on that and other political issues in our East African region and beyond," she said.

"Tanzania and Rwanda are in business and investment and have good relationships. But there are still many opportunities we can use to promote trade and investment for the benefit of both countries."

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President Samia arrived on Monday morning and was welcomed by Dr Biruta at Kigali International Airport before heading to the meeting with President Kagame.

Following the signing of agreements and press briefing, President Samia is expected to pay a visit to Kigali Genocide Memorial site.

Thereafter, President Kagame will hold a State Banquet at the Kigali Convention Center for President Samia and her delegation.

This is Samia's first visit to Rwanda as President and her fourth to an East African country since she became head of state in March. She first visited Uganda in April, followed by Kenya in May and Burundi in July.

Her predecessor John Pombe Magufuli last visited Rwanda in 2016.

On Tuesday, Presidents Samia and Kagame are expected to visit several companies in various sectors, including the Special Economic Zone which is home to 120 companies with activities ranging from manufacturing, agro-processing and education.
As we mark the 2021 World Breastfeeding Week, lactating business mothers in Chuka town continue to enjoy the convenience of breastfeeding their babies at a creche at Chuka open-air market.

Breastfeeding business women in the town handover their babies to caregivers at the facility every morning and proceed to their work places, then regularly come back to breastfeed them.

The creche has provided a friendly breastfeeding environment where the mothers can also monitor the babies' safety and comfort.

Caroline Muthoni, a small-scale cereals trader told nation.africa on Monday that before construction of the creche, most women had to stay at home after giving birth, while others had to frequently rush to the house to breastfeed their babies.

Ms Muthoni said others and especially the shy young mothers could breastfeed their babies inside the toilet for fear of exposing their breasts to customers and passers-by.

"With the creche, we are now able to exclusively breastfeed our babies for six months as recommended by the Ministry of Health," said Ms Muthoni.

Lucy Makena, another beneficiary who sells clothes in the town, said apart from providing a friendly environment for feeding their children, they are also not exposed to the risk of contracting Covid-19.

Never settled

The mother of four said she used to take her children to a private day-care or employ a babysitter before the creche was constructed and was never settled at work fearing for their safety.

"I am now settled at work because, from my shop, I am also able to hear my baby crying at the creche," said Ms Makena.

Early Children Development Education (ECDE) caregivers Emma John and Betty Makena told nation.africa that apart from taking care of the children, they also sensitise mothers on the benefits of exclusively breastfeeding their babies for six months and the importance of immunisations.

Ms Makena said the mothers had noted that unlike before when they stayed with their children at their open workplaces, they nowadays rarely fall sick because the creche is warm, clean not exposed to dust.

Last week, Governor Muthomi Njuki announced plans to construct more creches in the other main markets in the county.

He also appealed to government and private institutions to consider constructing such facilities for lactating mothers.

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Breastfeeding-friendly environments

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), this year's World Breastfeeding Week, under the theme Protect Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility is a time to revisit the commitments made at the start of this year by prioritising breastfeeding-friendly environments for mothers and babies.

Denis Mbae, Tharaka Nithi County Nutrition Coordinator, said breastfeeding within the first hour of birth followed by exclusive breastfeeding for six months and continued breastfeeding for up to two years or beyond, offer a strong line of defence against child malnutrition.

He said breastfeeding also acts as babies' first vaccine, protecting them against many common childhood illnesses.

"Mothers with Covid-19 disease should continue breastfeeding their babies because the virus cannot be transmitted through breast milk," said Mr Mbae.
Deputy President William Ruto was on Monday blocked from flying to Uganda in what his office protested as a sudden change of rules that have governed his trips since he became the second-in-command in 2013.

According to his office, the DP, who was making "a private visit" to Entebbe, arrived at Wilson Airport at noon and spent more than five hours trying to secure clearance from State officials, in vain.

Disappointed, he drove back to his Karen home to end his public humiliation before immigration and airport officials.

However, senior security officials told the Nation that Dr Ruto did not seek the President's clearance to travel as required by protocol.

According to the officials, neither the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, nor the High Commission of Kenya in Uganda was aware of the visit.

While Dr Ruto's office insisted that the visit was private, the security officials said the Deputy President was not a private citizen.

Protocol

According to officials, the DP's office is supposed to get clearance from the Office of the President in case he wants to travel abroad. This is because the DP, courtesy of his office, requires a lot of protocol, aides and State security wherever he goes.

These requirements are not only supposed to keep President Kenyatta's assistant safe but also ensure that the DP's movements and whatever he requires are catered for.

On Monday, the DP's office said the trip had been organised long in advance, and followed all the channels that governed his previous foreign travel, including to Kampala in July.

"We're surprised the Deputy President was denied clearance to go on a planned private visit to Uganda. It's 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 DP's office said through his communication secretary David Mugonyi.

A flight manifest belonging to Phoenix Aviation, and seen by the Nation, showed the DP was supposed to use a private jet on flight number Jadestar 12.

The plane he was to use, a Cessna 560XL registered using tail number 5Y WHB, had even been prepared for boarding until its management were told at the last minute that their VIP guest was not going to fly.

When the denial to travel came through, Mr Mugonyi said, the DP was already at the airport.

"He spoke to the Head of Public Service to enquire about the change of rules and the new requirements, who said he was not aware. The immigration officials at the airport told us that they were under instructions from the Ministry of Interior," Mr Mugonyi told the Nation.

His office refused to confirm whether or not the DP, who met President Yoweri Museveni in July, was to meet the Ugandan strongman in the botched trip.

"This was a private visit. That is all I can say," Mr Mugonyi insisted.

Also scheduled to travel with the DP were MPs Oscar Sudi (Kapsaret), Benjamin Tayari (Kinango) and Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu). The flight manifest included businessmen David Langat, a Mr Harun Aydin, Dr Eric Ruto and Mr Elija Ronoh.

"It's alright... tumwachie Mungu," (we leave it to God)" said the DP on his Twitter handle, presumably about his trip woes.

Isorait....tumwachie MUNGU

- William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) August 2, 2021

But while much attention was focused on the DP and his rude shock, sources told the Nation that it was the presence of Mr Aydin, a Turkish national, that might have caught the attention of the State.

Mr Aydin, 54, who first arrived in the country on May 30, 2018, has been making frequent visits to Kenya, with his passport being stamped at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport more than five times this year alone.

Sources say in his maiden year, 2018, he made six return journeys from Istanbul to Nairobi.

"In 2019, Aydin made four trips to Kenya from Istanbul and London between January and August. In 2020, he made two trips to Kenya from Istanbul in February and August," the sources said.

"Worth noting is that he left Kenya for Istanbul in December having previously departed on August 20, 2020."

This year, the Turk, whose mission to Kenya was not immediately clear, has so far made six trips to Kenya originating from Istanbul, Cairo and Addis.

"On July 5, he departed with DP and returned from Sudan on July 7 through Eldoret. On July 23, he departed with DP for Zanzibar and returned on July 24 through Wilson Airport," the sources said.

"Today, August 2, he's intending to travel to Entebbe with DP through Wilson Airport. The trips with DP have been chartered flights from Phoenix Aviation based at Wilson Airport."

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The DP's visit to Uganda last month caught the government by surprise, according to sources familiar with the developments.

The last-minute blocking of the DP from visiting Uganda also annoyed his allies, some of whom appear to have continued with the trip without their boss.

"I've never seen the kind of embarrassment we were subjected to yesterday. The immigration officials told us we had needed clearance before we could leave the country. The Speaker [JB Muturi] intervened for us, the MPs, but DP couldn't get the clearance," Mr Nyoro said.

He insisted that the trip was a private affair and the State needed not interfere. "We're in Kampala with part of the delegation, Mr Sudi is here and others. The DP had to drive back to Karen after five hours of being taken in circles," he said.

While the Kiharu legislator blamed their trouble on the Interior ministry, Mr Sudi dragged President Kenyatta into the matter.

"We were told President Kenyatta himself declined to clear his Deputy. I've always been telling you that we're officially back to the dark days," the Kapseret MP added.
For the past eight months, the government has been unable to monitor and intercept foreign vessels fishing in its territorial waters in the Indian Ocean, after failing to pay Sh16 million in subscription fees for surveillance.

The Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) programme was operated by Collecte Localisation Satellites, a French company that has been providing satellite data to Kenya for years.

Collecte Localisation Satellites (CLS) says it is a pioneer provider of monitoring and surveillance solutions. It says on its website that it is an exclusive provider of Argos environmental data.

CLS works in sustainable fisheries management, environmental monitoring, maritime surveillance, fleet management and energy and mining. It processes environmental data and positions from 80,000 beacons per month, and ocean and inland waters observations. It also monitors land and sea activities by satellite.

But because of a financial crunch at the Fisheries, Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Centre at the Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS) in Mombasa, Kenya cannot monitor its waters in the exclusive economic zone, leaving its resources to exploitation by foreigners.

"The VMS is not operational because of (an unpaid) Sh16 million subscription fee for maintenance," revealed the National Assembly's Committee on Agriculture.

But committee chairperson Silas Tiren said it will ensure money is provided to the centre for the crucial monitoring.

Lack of funds

Kenya has only one vessel, the MV Doria, used by KCGS for monitoring the country's territory along the Indian Ocean. It was commissioned by President Uhuru Kenyatta in Mombasa in 2018.

Kenya has been monitoring its waters using VMS and the Doria, as well as with assistance from other countries. But with the system failing and a lack of funds to operate the Doria, the country relies on other countries for the monitoring.

Kenya needs Sh1 million a day to operate the Doria.

Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir said lawmakers were informed by fisheries officials at the centre that the system had not been operational since November last year.

"Kenya is now relying on neighbouring countries like Seychelles to relay data on the surveillance and monitoring. They said they were not allocated any funds. The MV Doria is expensive. It costs Sh1 million a day to move the ship. So we only rely on foreign countries," said Mr Nassir, who raised concerns about the matter because his sub-county has many fishermen.

He advised the agencies to collaborate with the Kenya Ports Authority, Kenya Maritime Authority and other government institutions to monitor Kenyan waters.

Protect farmers

Mr Tiren said MPs visited the facility to ascertain whether the system was monitoring all vessels in Kenyan territorial waters.

"That is why we are raising concerns (that) they are facing financial challenges yet we have been allocating funds. We want all vessels to be monitored whether licensed or unlicensed," insisted Mr Tiren, who met officials at the Fisheries, Monitoring, Control and Surveillance Centre.

The committee and officials from the State department for fisheries is on a five-day fact-finding mission in the Coast region. The lawmakers said they will protect farmers and fisherfolk.

"We are here on oversight, to look into the loopholes and improve on the challenges. We have very good laws managing the fisheries industry, we will enforce the regulations," Mr Tiren said.

"We want to know our capacity to survey within our territory. But our monitoring is challenged. This is very bad. Treasury must provide funds to ensure we monitor our waters."

A member of the committee, John Mutunga (Tigani West), said the committee learned that the monitoring equipment is out of service due to a lack of regular payments.

The committee promised to ensure funds are allocated for the monitoring of Kenya's territorial waters.

Surveillance mechanism

"The laboratory also requires a lot of reagents which need to be bought. This is a serious facility yet it is not giving the country the service that it was intended," Dr Mutunga said.

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But though the system was down, he said, there is some surveillance mechanism.

"This is through collaborative efforts between different institutions like the Kenya Maritime Authority which relay information of any strange vessel within our territory," he said.

Once KMA officials notice a strange vessel in Kenya's territory, they alert different agencies charged with protecting Kenya's waters.

"The vessels must declare their intentions. If it's a fishing vessel they are required to pay a licensing fee and surrender a third of their catch to Kenya," he said.

Without surveillance, the committee warned, Kenya might be losing its fish to foreign trawlers.

"But different countries are collaborating on international monitoring and when the vessels cross the borders they alert Kenya. This assists the country in knowing when there is an invasion of such vessels," he said.

The lawmakers said they did not know the number of vessels licensed to fish in Kenya's waters.
Kenya is among 17 African countries that will receive 6.4 million doses of Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccines this month.

This follows the World Bank's approval of $2 billion in financing to the African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team (Avatt) initiative that has secured up to 400 million doses of the vaccine.

There is a commitment for another 220 million doses with the option of an additional 180 million. The latest consignment is expected in the coming two to three weeks.

Kenya's vaccine task force chairperson, Dr Willis Akhwale, said the actual number of doses the country will receive will be known later. But a few months ago he indicated the team had ordered for two million doses.

"I am scheduled for a meeting on this tomorrow [today] and I know they will communicate the final decision they have made on the number of doses allocated to Kenya," the chair said.

The other beneficiaries are Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Guinea, Lesotho, Mauritania, Mauritius, Namibia, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Togo, Tunisia and Zambia.

On Sunday at the virtual finance and health ministers' meeting with the World Bank and Avatt, Strive Masiyiwa, African Union special envoy for Covid-19, said the financing allows countries to purchase vaccines through Gavi-Covax.

The organisation was appointed by the World Health Organization to oversee procurement, allotment and distribution of vaccines to 92 countries that have signed up for the Covax facility.

"Shipment of the vaccines will be on a monthly basis. Once a country meets its order obligations, it will receive a schedule on monthly deliveries through Unicef," Mr Masiyiwa said.

With the financing, African countries should now move faster and apply for funds to ensure their populations are vaccinated, said Dr Vera Songwe, UN under-secretary-general and executive secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA),

The partnership will expedite access and deployment of vaccines in Africa, said Axel Van Trotsenburg, managing director of operations at the World Bank.

The World Bank money will help countries effectively deploy vaccines, including expanding storage and building a cold chain.

Only 17 African countries have ordered and fulfilled all delivery requirements, said Prof Benedict Oramah, president of the African Export-Import Bank.

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Some 13 countries have ordered but not fulfilled all the delivery requirements, 12 countries have indicated interest and not yet committed while 13 countries have not expressed any interest.

At the ministers' meeting, more countries came on board to commit to deliveries while others showed interest and pledged to order. The African Union aims to vaccinate 60 percent of the continent's population by 2022. Of the Covid-19 deaths that occurred in June, 99.2 percent were not vaccinated, said Dr John Nkengasong, director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control. He said 38 countries are experiencing a third wave of the pandemic that is more severe while two, Algeria and Tunisia, are in a fourth wave. Without vaccination, the fourth wave is projected to be worse across the continent

If people in other continents are vaccinated and Africa is left behind, said Botswana finance minister Peggy Serame, the intention of the vaccination drive for the whole world will not be achieved.

Vaccination certificates, she said, should not be a mandatory requirement for travelling or for accessing other services as this will discriminate against Africans. As of yesterday, Kenya had surpassed 200,000 confirmed cases, registering 203,680 infections, 3,946 deaths and 189,131 recoveries after 2,137,572 tests.

The country has also fully vaccinated 662,089 people while 1,064,104 are partially vaccinated, data from the Health ministry shows.
Somalia's South West state on Monday elected five senators, becoming only the second federal region in the country to vote in new representatives to the Upper House.

But the vote held in Baidoa, the interim capital of the State, came amid complaints of favourtism from some of the contenders thrown out of the nomination list.

South West, like Jubbaland which elected five new senators last week, is allocated eight seats in the Upper House. And the local legislative assembly is supposed to endorse or reject nominees provided by the local state president.

And like Jubbaland, local state President Abdiaziz Laftagareen, chose to nominate candidates for the five seats, instead of eight.

It saw Ms Zamzam Ibrahim Ali becoming the first senator elected in Baidoa, and successfully retaining her seat in the Upper House.

Ms Ali beat Ms Sharifo Osman Ibrahim, garnering 81 votes against 4 votes obtained by the latter while 7 votes were spoiled.

According to the list of the candidates who were selected "on the basis of the serious intentions to contest" for the five seats, four women and six men were sent to the local parliament for a vote.

"Three seats are going to be contested by six male candidates, [and]four women are going to contest for the remaining two seats," said Yusuf Abdulkadir, the chairman of the State Electoral Implementation Team (SEIT) for South West, ahead of the polls on Monday morning.

The election of the five senators in Baidoa was preceded by the election of 4 senators in Kismayu town, the interim capital of Jubbaland of Somalia, on 29th of July.

In South West, however, two outgoing senators Ilyas Ali Hassan and Hussein Mohamud complained of foul play after their names were removed from the list and the seats allocated to other clans.

Under Somalia's electoral law, Federal State Presidents wield lots of power when it comes to senators' elections. They choose names of candidates based on a specified criteria including clan membership, ability to pay requisite fees and other conditions. However, they could as well settle scores with it given there is little challenge one can make if they feel unfairly left out.

Under this elections, Somalis are also struggling to achieve the proposed 30 percent quota for women in parliament. Mr Abdiaziz allocated some of the seats to women, but losing contenders argued it had been based on favouritism, rather than need for gender parity.

The much-delayed indirect elections are being held in spite of various challenges such as security and a looming famine that has seen officials admit some 6 million people are in danger of starvation.

Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble who is the top most official in-charge of the elections in Somalia, nonetheless commended the progress and urged all the remaining states and all those involved in the electoral processes to accelerate the implementation of the elections.

On Sunday, PM Roble met with Abdi Hashi Abdullahi, the speaker of the outgoing Upper House of the parliament and Mahdi Mohamed Guled, the deputy prime minister of Somalia.

Abdullahi and Guled are leading two opposing factions of the politicians from the northwestern region also known as Somaliland. The two sides are at loggerheads over the leadership of the electoral processes that are supposed to elect senators and MPs for the Lower House of the parliament.

After the meeting, the Spokesman of the Government Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimu, stated, "The meeting was one intended by PM Roble to get debriefing from both sides that were requested to clear differences a week ago."

Moalimu added, "Speaker Abdullahi requested for one more day before passing on his conclusion."

The Somaliland election process is expected to generate over 61 MPs to the Lower House and 11 senators through a special arrangement to be held in Mogadishu.

Somaliland, an authority in Hargeisa city, which unilaterally declared to be independent from the rest of Somalia, does not consider itself be part of the Federal Government of Somalia.

On Sunday, 25th of July, PM Roble took a giant step by appointed 13 activists led by Ms Batulo Ahmed Gabale, the Chairperson of the Somali National Women's Association, to advocate and ensure that 30 percent quota for female seats are attained in the bicameral Somalia parliament.

The move to fight for seats allocated for women is lauded by both Somali and foreign supporters.

Ms Zahra Haji Khalif, a women affairs activist in Mogadishu, acknowledges that the associated with election of women to political, decision making positions is hampered by Somalia being a patriarchal clan-based society.

"Our lineage is traced paternally, rendering for women participation in clan-based, power sharing politics," said Ms Khalif.

In a joint statement last Thursday, Somalia's international partners, a group of multilateral organizations and countries, partly stated, "Among recent examples of progress is the PM (Roble) appointing Goodwill Ambassadors to promote the women's 30 percent quota."

Both the Federal Electoral Implementation Team and the Federal Electoral Dispute Resolution Team have sent representatives to Baidoa town to ensure the smooth running of the election and that all procedures were observed.

This is technically a repetition of what was done in Kismayu town last whereby the Jubbaland President Ahmed Mohamed Madobe submitted the list of the contestants for each seat and the local legislators voted for the contestants for each seat.

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In Baidoa, the President of South West State of Somalia Abdiaziz Hassan Laftagareen submitted the names of the 10 contestants, leaving the legislators to vote for the candidates and the SEIT to manage the process while representatives of both the federal implementation and dispute resolution teams closely observing the process.

Yet to start elections are the federal member states of Puntland, Galmudug and Hirshabelle and the special delegates to be assembled to vote for the senate and lower House members for Somaliland.

Somalia's parliamentary elections were supposed to take place in 2020, but squabbles between the Federal Govrnment and some of the leaders of the federal member states delayed the process until an accord reached on 27th of May by PM Roble and the leader of the five FMS presidents of Puntland, Galmudug, Hirshabelle, South West and Jubbaland plus the Mayor of Mogadishu paved the way for the election to take place between July and October 2021.

The end of Somalia's election season is marked by the presidential election, scheduled to take place in a joint session of the Upper and Lower Houses of the Parliament on 10 October. It is expected to attract divese candidates including the incumbent Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajaajo and a galaxy of challengers including Former Somali Presidents Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud and Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire.
Artisanal fishermen in Lamu are a worried lot as foreign trawlers continue to fish in deep and shallow fishing areas in the region.

Local fishermen, especially on the northern shores of the Indian Ocean, from Kiwayu to Kipungani and Mpeketoni on the Tana River County boundary, complain that trawlers believed to be from China, Spain and South Korea have been spotted operating illegally in shallow waters at night.

The ships, they say, destroy the fishing gear of locals and damage the sea floor and coral reefs.

Lamu Beach Management Units (BMU) network chairman Mohamed Somo said local fishermen had seen declining catches in recent years.

Trawlers, they said, do not stick to designated areas, adding that areas such as Pezali, Pate, Mwamba wa Hasssan, Mwamba wa Yeye, Ziwayu, Zinyika, Kizingitini, Tenewi and Kipungani were the most affected by destructive trawler activities.

Kenyan law permits trawler fishing starting at five nautical miles but local fishermen lamented that many vessels were fishing as close to the shore as two nautical miles.

In previous years before illegal trawler fishing peaked in Lamu, Mr Somo said, most local fishermen would return home with a bounty of at least 90kg of fish, all caught within five nautical miles into the Indian Ocean. Now they catch less than 40kg.

"During the day, trawlers are in the deep seas but at night, they invade the shallow fishing space which we depend on for our artisanal fishing business," he said.

"The trawler fishing technique is destroying fish breeding grounds and corals used by fish as breeding sites."

He urged the fisheries officials to end trawler fishing in Lamu.

"The trawlers mostly target prized populations of prawns, lobster, crabs and yellowfin tuna but, unfortunately, they end up scooping out everything from the ocean, including young immature fish, and hence destroying their population in the process," he said.

"This has seen a general reduction in catch among local fishermen in recent days."

Twawy Sharif, a BMU member in Kizingitini, blamed the national government for subjecting local fishermen to too many restrictions as foreign fishing vessels operate freely on the Kenyan coast.

Trawlers, he said, are responsible for over-fishing in most areas in Lamu, a situation that has led many fishermen to quit the business.

"Many families depending on fishing will suffer if trawler fishing activities continue in our ocean. We have already witnessed a fall in catches. These trawlers also take all the best fish and leave us with poor quality ones," he said.

Fisherman Abdallah Mahadhi questioned why the government continues to license foreign vessels when it lacks the capacity to monitor their activities.

Foreign trawlers, he said, had also taken advantage of poor surveillance to continue fishing illegally.

Hashim Lali, the chairman of the Kiwayu Beach Management Unit in Lamu East, explained that the trawlers had pushed most of his colleagues out of business.

"Apart from depleting the fish stock, these foreign ships destroy the nesting areas. Every time they move secretly from the deep seas to fish illegally in the shallow waters, they end up destroying our nets," he said.

"This has discouraged many of us here, and they have left the trade to seek other means of earning an income. As you can see, many fishing boats belonging to local fishermen are parked in the yards."

Speaking in his office, Lamu Deputy Governor Abdulhakim Aboud, who is also the county executive for Fisheries, acknowledged that Lamu illegal trawler fishing was a big problem.

Kenyan waters, he noted, are virtually unpoliced, with fisheries personnel in places like Lamu lacking patrol boats to monitor activities at sea.

He said Kenya is still losing millions of shillings annually to foreigners who fish in its waters illegally.

He urged the national government to work closely with county governments to curb illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in Kenyan territorial waters.

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Commercial bottom trawling, he said, had undermined biodiversity and local fishermen's productivity.

"Trawler fishing is a challenge in Lamu and all this is because we lack proper vessel monitoring systems at sea. As a result, trawler owners, mostly international, have taken advantage of the situation to encroach on our territorial waters," he said.

"There's a need for the county governments to be empowered to enable them to directly monitor these huge fishing vessels. Once we create a formidable surveillance system, illegal fishing will be a thing of the past."

He said it is not easy to identify which trawlers are licensed because that is the national government's responsibility.

Records from the county fisheries department show that Lamu produces at least 3,500 metric tonnes of fish annually.

But fisheries officials warn that the yield is likely to decline if illegal trawler fishing is not stopped.

This story is part of a Nation.Africa reporting series on the state of the fishing sector at the Coast region.
15:08 | Lima, Aug. 4.

"The Ministry of Economy is the key piece in the execution of public policies and must lead this process, which involves reaching consensus and agreements with the rest of ministries. So, it is ideal to have a coordination team," Escudero told Andina news agency.





It should be noted that public investment execution reached S/2.840 billion (US$710 million) in July 2021, experiencing a nominal growth of 103.07% over the same month last year, according to MEF figures.





Likewise, the businessman considered that the transfer of government should be prevented from translating into a drop in public execution, which usually happens.





"That depends on a team of the Ministry of Economy and other ministries that are in charge of infrastructure execution, such as Transport-Communications, Education, Housing-Sanitation, and Health," he indicated.





"Those ministries should rely on a kind of ad-hoc mechanism that prevents these replacement circumstances from damaging the normal process of works execution. I understand that it is something which is being carried out at the Council of Ministers because the country cannot stop, given that we are emerging from a very tough crisis," he added.





The economist also commented that local and regional governments are executing their investment levels satisfactorily so far this year, although they can still improve.





"In fact, it is still not the ideal (result) you would expect. However, there was certainly a significant recovery in public investment by local and regional governments," he concluded.




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

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Peruvian Health Minister Hernando Cevallos on Tuesday emphasized that the Government supports dialogue and seeks consensus.Publicado: 3/8/2021
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
A bus carrying Syrian soldiers was blown up on Wednesday in Damascus outside an army hostel in the Masakin al-Haras area, news.am informs, citing SANA.

August 4, 2021, 13:12 Bus with soldiers blows up in Damascus

STEPANAKERT, AUGUST 4, ARTSAKHPRESS: As a result of the terrorist attack, there are dead and wounded, their number is not given.

A photo posted on the agency's website shows a thick column of black smoke rising from the scene of the explosion into the sky.

The last such incident took place in the Syrian capital on June 27, 2019, on the Mezza highway in the west of the city.

According to the police department, a woman and a girl were injured and were taken to the hospital. An explosive device was planted in a parked car.
The hijackers who seized a vessel off the coast of the United Arab Emirates in the Gulf of Oman left the targeted ship on Wednesday, the Royal Navy reported.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations twitter account reported that the "incident," which it had described as a potential hijacking on Tuesday night, was now "complete." It did not provide further details.

It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the attempted ship hijack. Shipping authority Lloyd's List and maritime intelligence firm Dryad Global had both identified the hijacked vessel as Panama-flagged asphalt tanker Asphalt Princess. Lloyds said it had been directed towards Iran.

The vessel's owner, listed as Emirati free zone-based Glory International, could not immediately be reached for comment.

The event unfolded 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 US, the UK 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 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 US Navy blamed Iran for a series of limpet mine attacks on vessels that damaged tankers.

Apparently responding to the incident, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh described the recent maritime attacks in the Persian Gulf as "completely suspicious." He denied that Iran was involved.

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"Depending on the location and market, we will need to hire between 60 and 90 people for each restaurant, and well need to hire another 10 people for the hotel which will get us up to about 35 team members," Patel said.

"My other challenge is evaluating each labor market so that we can understand what it will take to become the employer of choice for prospective job seekers. We are using a quality-of-life strategy that we hope will separate us from other service industry competitors. In addition to understanding the wages and benefits that are currently being offered, we need to understand the needs of our potential employees and meet those needs to the best of our ability; for example, it may mean providing increased schedule flexibility and job certainty among other things."

Adirondack in its legal action cited an affidavit by Patel in which he said the buffet format was irreparably damaged in the public eye due to concerns of hygiene amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Patel's then-lawyer, in a statement to the Gazette, said in October 2020 that the family was looking to convert their restaurants to another format.

But on Friday, Patel suggested he'd be bringing back the buffet format:
The recent uptick in cases led the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday to designate Cayuga County as a county with "substantial" community transmission of COVID-19 because it had more than 50 cases per 100,000 people. The CDC now lists the county's transmission level as "moderate." Neighboring counties Onondaga and Tompkins remained in the "substantial" category, in which the federal agency recommends mask wearing for all people in public settings regardless of vaccination status.

As local cases and hospitalizations spike, Cayuga County's vaccination rate still lags behind the statewide average. According to the CDC, 75.7% of New York adults age 18 and older and 63.4% of the total population have received at least one vaccine dose. More than half of the state's population (57.3%) and two-thirds of adults are fully vaccinated.

But in Cayuga County, 51.8% of residents and 60.8% of adults have received at least one dose. Less than half  48.4%  of the county's population is fully vaccinated.
The state Assembly, which was already conducting an impeachment investigation, could expedite that process based on the attorney general's report.

"No one is above the law," Hochul said. "Under the New York Constitution, the Assembly will now determine the next steps."

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie has signaled that his chamber will move forward with the impeachment inquiry. Assembly Democrats met Tuesday after James released the report. Based on that conference, Heastie said it's clear that Cuomo "has lost the confidence of the Assembly Democratic majority and that he can no longer remain in office."

A simple majority of the 150-member Assembly is required to impeach the governor. If Cuomo is impeached, there will be a trial. The court will consist of every state senator  except Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins  and the seven state Court of Appeals judges. A two-thirds vote of the court is required to convict the governor and remove him from office.

If it reaches that point, Hochul would become governor. It's one reason why she declined to comment on the process in her statement Tuesday.

Politics reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding.

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Former President Barack Obama has dramatically scaled back his planned 60th birthday party on Martha's Vineyard this weekend due to concerns about the highly transmissible Delta variant of Covid-19, according to a spokeswoman.

The birthday bash for the former President was previously planned to be held outside and follow all US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public health protocols, with testing for guests and a Covid safety coordinator on site, a source had told CNN earlier this week.

Keep scrolling to see 60 pics of the former president through the years

More than 400 guests, including celebrities and former Obama administration officials, were reportedly expected to attend the affair, along with nearly 200 hired staff working the party.

But now, the celebration for Obama, who turns 60 on Wednesday, will be only be for family and close friends.
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.
No one was ever quite sure what motivated Smiths apostasy, whether personal resentment of his former ally FDR or the financial blandishments of his new friends. FDR had a withering opinion of the Liberty League, describing it as an organization that only advocates two or three out of the Ten Commandments. ... [They] say you shall love God and then forget your neighbor.

At the league gala, Smith told his audience: Make a test for yourself. Just get the platform of the Democratic Party and get the platform of the Socialist Party and lay them down on your dining-room table, side by side. ... After you have done that, make your mind up to pick up the platform that more nearly squares with the record, and you will have your hand on the Socialist platform.

A thunderstruck FDR remarked to his Labor secretary, Frances Perkins: Practically all the things weve done in the federal government are like things Al Smith did as governor of New York. Theyre things he would have done if he had been president of the United States. What in the world is the matter?

But he also had an ace up his sleeve  a speech Smith had delivered during the 1928 campaign in which he ridiculed the same charge of socialism from Republicans that he now leveled against Roosevelt.
Tata Tiago NRG was officially launched in the Indian car market on Wednesday at an introductory price of 6.57 lakh for the MT and 7.09 lakh for the AMT versions (ex showroom, Delhi). Tiago NRG from Tata Motors is essentially a crossover based on the Tiago hatchback but is strikingly sporty to look at thanks to the numerous visual additions on the outside and updates in the cabin.

Tata Motors is hoping that while the exterior and cabin highlights attract buyers, it is also the better drive capability that will pull enthusiasts. "It is not only strong on the exterior but is feature-loaded & stylish in the interior, and is an absolute pleasure to drive with enhanced abilities to take over rough terrains," said Rajan Amba, Vice President for Sales, Marketing and Customer Care at Tata Motors.

Tata Tiago NRG exterior highlights:

Tata Tiago NRG will come in green exterior hue with a blackened roof. It gets body cladding all along the side while there are roof rails (for aestethics only) and faux silver skid plates as well. The ORVMs are in black.

The car has a ground clearance of 181 mm and stands on 15-inch alloy wheels. It also gets re-tuned Dual Path suspension to tackle broken roads better.

There are four exterior colour options available - Foresta Green, Snow White, Fire Red and Cloudy Grey.

Tata Tiago NRG cabin highlights:

A look at the cabin of Tata Tiago NRG.

The updates on the inside of the Tata Tiago NRG include a rear-view camera, engine start-stop button and a seven-inch infotainment screen which supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Charcoal black colour theme dominates the cabin, a bid to further its aggressive appeal.

Tata TIago NRG cabin is done in all black hues.

Additionally, there is a seven-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and the driver display is all digital.

Tata Tiago NRG engine and transmission details:

Tata Tiago NRG is powered by the 1.2-litre Revotron petrol engine which produces 85 bhp and is brought out with both manual as well as AMT transmission options.

Tata Tiago NRG safety highlights:

The Tiago NRG safety features are primarily highlighted by Dual-front airbags, reverse parking sensor and camera, Follow-me lamps, among others. Tiago already has had a four-star safety rating in Global NCAP tests.

Tiago was first launched in India back in April of 2016 and has since found over three lakh customers. Tata Motors now feels that this will be further bolstered by the launch of Tiago NRG.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- In July 2021, Honda Motor Co., (Honda) saw its China deliveries tumble 20.9% year on year to 108,139 units due to the chip supply constraint, the Japanese automaker said on Wednesday.



Civic; photo credit: Dongfeng Honda



Among the new vehicles delivered last month, 18,866 units were armed with the hybrid powertrain system Sport Hybrid, rising 5.9% compared to the same period of 2020.

Both GAC Honda and Dongfeng Honda posted two-digit decrease in July deliveries. The joint venture with GAC Group delivered 62,030 new vehicles, representing a 10.3% decline from a year earlier. Meanwhile, 46,109 consumers took delivery of the vehicles from Dongfeng Honda, a 31.6% drop year-over-year.

In spite of the decrease in July deliveries, Honda's China business still recorded a 19.5% jump for the Jan.-Jul. period with 894,672 vehicles delivered. The year-to-date deliveries of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) surged 50.3% to 135,670 units.

For the first seven months, GAC Honda's deliveries grew 11% to 426,654 units, while Dongfeng Honda also boasted a 28.4% year-on-year rise with 468,018 vehicles handed over to consumers.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) advises Chinese automakers to expand their shares in Russian new energy vehicle (NEV) market by lifting NEV exports to the country and stepping up marketing deployment and sales promotion, according to a research report the MOFCOM issued on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the ministry also suggests that Chinese carmakers should explore the cooperation on new energy vehicle (NEV)-related infrastructures with Russia, encompassing such projects as the construction of EV charging facilities, the improvement of pipe network and facility distribution, the energy supply to remote regions, and smart services.

Those efforts should be made on a basis of a sufficient argumentation, said the MOFCOM.

Haval F7, Haval H9 sold in Russia; photo credit: Great Wall Motor



By the end of 2020, the electric vehicle (EV) parc in Russia only reached around 6,300 units, representing a penetration rate of 0.01%, according to the report. Besides, the construction of EV-related infrastructures is still at the initial stage. As the pioneer city of EVs, Moscow plans to make the number of charging piles increased to only 600 by 2023, while mapping out the parking spots for EVs.

Despite the limited EV market size and immature infrastructure network, initial success was achieved in Russia's independent R&D of EVs. For instance, the Russian car manufacturer LADA launched an indigenous EV brand Ellada; Peter the Great Saint-Petersburg Polytechnic University developed the Kama-1 compact urban smart crossover of economy class and the Zetta compact EV platform.
With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer at least 10 pieces of daily news about China's automotive industry. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information.

Chinas automobile sales in July likely to drop 13.8% YoY

Chinas automobile sales in July are expected to reach 1.82 million vehicles, down 13.8% year on year and 9.7% month on month, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM). Monthly passenger vehicle sales may decline 11.2% from a year ago while commercial vehicle sales may drop 27.1% year on year.

Nissan China July sales drop 20.8% YoY

Nissan China, including passenger vehicle segment and light commercial vehicle segment, sold 95,783 vehicles in China in July, representing a year-on-year decrease of 20.8%. For the first seven months of this year, the Japanese automaker sold a total of 802,133 vehicles in China, up 11.8% from a year ago.

Xiaomis vehicle business at a very early stage

Yesterday, Lei Jun, Xiaomis founder, revealed that the companys automobile business is at a very early stage and will let the public know if they have any important progress.

Teslas Northwest Supercharging Route have 8 charging stations

Teslas Northwest Supercharging Route, which covers 2,229 kilometers, starts to operate. There are 8 supercharging stations and 3 destination charging stations along the route.

Photo credit: Tesla

Jidu executives visit CATL

Executives from Jidu, EV joint venture between Baidu and Geely, paid a visit to CATL, a local media outlet reported. Discussion between the two parties were not limited to power battery business.

Arcfox delivers 525 vehicles in July

Arcfox, BAIC Groups EV brand, delivered 525 vehicles in July, representing an increase of 90% versus the previous month, according to the brand. The brand also said that its monthly deliveries have realized month-on-month growth for four consecutive months.

Photo credit: Arcfox

Chery Holdings July sales shoot up 49.6% YoY

Chery Holding announced on Wednesday its new vehicle sales amounted to 83,678 units in July 2021, soaring 49.6% from a year ago. For the first seven months, the group sold 508,415 vehicles, a 74.6% hike year-on-year.

Honda Motor sees China deliveries dip 20.9% in July

In July 2021, Honda Motor Co., (Honda) saw its China deliveries tumble 20.9% year on year to 108,139 units due to the chip supply constraint, the Japanese automaker said on Wednesday.

Hefei BYD finishes registration for NEV component project

Hefei BYD Automobile Co.,Ltd. (Hefei BYD) completed earlier this month the registration for the project of new energy vehicle (NEV)-related core components, according to the information posted on the website of Changfeng County government.

Chinas Ministry of Commerce suggests larger NEV exports to Russia

China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) advises Chinese automakers to expand their shares in Russian new energy vehicle (NEV) market by lifting NEV exports to the country and stepping up marketing deployment and sales promotion, according to a research report the MOFCOM issued on Tuesday.




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.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- Arcfox, BAIC Groups EV brand, delivered 525 vehicles in July, representing an increase of 90% versus the previous month, according to the brand. The brand also said that its monthly deliveries have realized month-on-month growth for four consecutive months.

Photo credit: Arcfox

Currently, the brand has two models for sales, the Arcfox T and the Arcfox S. The former, a battery electric SUV, came into the market in October, 2020, with a price range between RMB241,900 ($37,398) and RMB 319,900 ($49,457). The other model, a battery electric sedan, started sales on April 18, 2021, with a price range between RMB251,900 ($38,944) and RMB344,900 ($53,322).

Besides, deliveries of the Arcfox S HI (Huawei Inside) model, jointly developed with Huawei, will start during the 2021 Auto Guangzhou, to be held in November. The presale prices of its two versions were RMB388,900 ($60,124) and RMB429,900 ($66,463) respectively. In June, an executive from the brand revealed that the Arcfox S had received more than 1,000 orders, nearly half of which were for the HI.

Arcfox is also accelerating the building of its sales network to increase its sales. At the end of June, it set up a total of 10 stores in such cities as Hangzhou and Shenzhen. By the end of July, the brand has built 60 stores covering 24 main cities, which will be expanded to 100 stores and 40 cities by the end of this year.

Currently, the brands vehicles are made in its Zhenjiang production base, which has an annual capacity of 150,000 vehicles.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- NIO delivered fewer new vehicles in one month than its two new energy vehicle (NEV) startup rivals, Li Auto and XPeng Motors, for the first time since they started deliveries. But in terms of the year-to-date deliveries, NIO had a clear lead over other rivals.

In July, NIOs deliveries amounted to 7,931 vehicles, jumping 124.5% year on year and falling 1.88% month on month. Even though that is the second highest volume in the first seven months, it was at least one hundred less than that of Li Auto or XPeng, whose July deliveries were both over 8,000 vehicles.

As to the month-on-month decrease of deliveries, it was said that for the moment, NIOs full production capacity was about 7,500 to 8,000 vehicles, thus its monthly deliveries were around 8,000 vehicles in the past two months.

For the seven months of this year, NIO delivered a total of 49,887 vehicles, over 10,000 vehicles more than the deliveries of XPeng and Li Auto, which ranked second and third by year-to-date deliveries.

Monthly delivery volume of both Li Auto and XPeng surpassed 8,000 vehicles for the first time. Li Autos deliveries soared 251.3% year on year to 8,589 vehicles, with only one model while those of XPeng surged 228% to 8,040 vehicles.

The other two brands, namely Nezha and Leapmotor, also achieved best-ever monthly deliveries last month. Nezhas deliveries surged 392% year on year to 6,011 vehicles, a new monthly record while monthly deliveries of Leapmotor exceeded 4,000 units, the highest volume in its history, with a year-on-year increase of 666%.

Two of NIOs three models saw a month-on-month decrease in monthly deliveries. Specifically, deliveries of the ES6 and the EC6 dropped to 3,669 and 2,560 from 3,755 and 2,830 of the previous month while monthly deliveries of the ES8 increased from 1,498 to 1,702, the best result of the past seven months.

Although Li Auto only has one model in the market, namely the Li ONE, its 2021 version, unveiled in May, attracted many new customers. According to the automakers Hong Kong listing document, it aims to launch a full-size premium range-extended electric SUV in 2022, followed by two range-extended SUVs built on the X platform in 2023. Besides, from 2023 on, the company plans to launch at least two high voltage battery electric vehicle models per year based on its Whale and Shark platforms.

XPeng G3i; photo credit: XPeng

As to XPeng, the P7 remained its main sales driver. Deliveries of the smart sedan had set new records for three consecutive months with 6,054 delivered in July. The P7s cumulative deliveries had surpassed 40,000 units since deliveries began last year. The G3s deliveries were up 8.2% versus the previous month to 1,986. The G3i, its all-new version, was unveiled in July with deliveries to start from September. And the companys third model, the P5, is expected to be launched in the third quarter of this year and its deliveries will commence in the last quarter of this year.
A Kentucky woman was found dead at Lake Powell this weekend after authorities say she was caught in a flash flood.

Heather Rutledge, 43, was hiking with her husband and three sons in the Labyrinth Canyon area in Page when they encountered the flooding that caused Rutledge to drown.

The family was able to locate Rutledge and attempted to perform CPR, but were unsuccessful, according to the Coconino County Sheriff's Office.

Unable to move Rutledges body, the family made their way back to a boat they had rented in order to find help, according to sheriffs officials. They discovered that the boat had been damaged and was immobile.

The victims family eventually made contact with a local boater in the area who was able to tow the family and the rental boat out of the canyon.

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The group then encountered a National Park Service boat that transported the family to Antelope Point Marina, where rescuers were preparing to locate Rutledge, according to sheriffs officials.
The district has a plan to move to temporary remote instruction for all grade levels when deemed necessary by the district due to COVID-19, weather or [other] conditions, Walton said.

Penca said the Arizona Legislature had added some new flexibility in their instructional hour requirements that would allow FUSD to rely on surplus time built up throughout the year when deciding whether to have make-up days.

Penca said, in response to a question, it would take a very high bar for FUSD to move to district-wide remote instruction for a prolonged period of time. He was confident the district would be able to clear that bar, since community transmission hadnt been impacted during their return to in-person learning in the spring.

Its more likely that we will continue to experience transmission of COVID-19 in our community and in our school communities this year, he said, but I would expect that we will continue to deal with those on a case-by-case basis.

He said FUSD would still monitor cases and resume last years health updates to families and staff. It plans to release the first of these updates on Friday, Aug. 13. Penca added that the transmission benchmarks would be used as a tool to inform decisions rather than the gatekeeper it was last year.
PHOENIX  A second Arizona school district, Phoenix Elementary, has approved a mandatory mask rule for students, staff and visitors to help curb the spread of COVID-19  despite a recently enacted state law barring school districts from requiring mask-wearing.

Phoenix Elementary's governing board Monday night approved the requirement that included limited opt-out for 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.

Phoenix Union High School District approved a mask requirement last week and that district began its 2021-22 school year on Monday.

It's not clear whether the state's prohibition is now in force.

The prohibition against masking 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.
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The sites also closely resembled 16 additional silos Kristensen and Korda found in February at a known missile test site called Jilantai.

The analysts conclusions received a validation of sorts from StratCom last week, when the military command tweeted out a link to a New York Times story on Kordas discovery, along with the comment: This is the second time in two months the public has discovered what we have been saying all along about the growing threat the world faces and the veil of secrecy that surrounds it.

I view that tweet as a confirmation of our story, Korda said.

Although alarm is widespread, U.S. analysts arent quite sure what China plans to do with the silos.

Lewis believes that the Chinese are playing a shell game, building a large number of silos while planning to put only a few missiles in them. Thats similar to a plan the Carter and Reagan administrations devised for the proposed MX missile, though the plan was abandoned after objections from rural residents of Utah and Arizona, where the MX missiles were set to be deployed.
"You're doing your own thing in the 'Live Free or Die' state, so there's a lot of sympathy to you for that," he said. "But there's a lot of weight on the other side of the balance sheet, and not just about what the (landowner) wants to do with the land, but the weight I feel to uphold the judgment of the court and the rule of law."

Gedeon and other supporters came out to a town selectboard meeting on Monday. Board members said the town currently has no standing in the property dispute.

But even if there were a way to allow Lidstone to stay, it would be an uphill battle. His home is in violation of local and state zoning and environmental regulations, and there is no access to a road.

"You guys are in a quandary. So are we," selectman Robert Steenson said.

The woodlot Lidstone calls home is just a few miles away from Interstate 93. But it's hidden by the trees; it's on 73 acres that's been used for timber harvests. The property has been owned by the same family since 1963. There are no plans at this time to develop it.

Lidstone has claimed that years ago, the owner gave his word  but nothing in writing  allowing him to live there. But in the eyes of the current owner, he's a squatter and needs to go.
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 Montana Department of Revenue has offered its proposed rule changes to the state's medical and incoming recreational marijuana industries.

The department will hold a public hearing in the auditorium of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services on the rule changes at 9 a.m. on Aug. 13.

House Bill 249, sponsored by Republican Rep. Matt Regier of Kalispell, set new rules for the industry's ability to advertise through electronic means, but gave the Department of Revenue authority to adopt and implement electronic advertising rules.

The proposed changes would allow the industry some new advertising leeway as businesses ramp up for the recreational market, which is set to begin in January, although those rules would remain restrictive.

The proposed changes, available at the Department of Revenue's Cannabis Control Division website, would include requiring businesses to list on their advertisements warnings about cannabis' "intoxicating effects" and potential to be "habit forming," among other concerns. The size of these disclaimers would have to be at least 10% of the largest type used in the advertisement.
When someone asks, Whats special about Montana? the answer is usually something about mountains or rivers or quality of life.

Heres the answer we prefer: Montana is special because people help each other.

Its as much in the DNA of the state as self-sufficiency.

Its not hard to understand that in the early days, from tribal life to homesteads, ranches and mining camps, both virtues were necessary to cope with Montanas challenging physical environment. And across rural Montana (and much of urban Montana too!), that has not changed.

Blizzards, drought, fire, personal issues like disease or injury: Whatever the circumstance, when help is needed, help is given. Without hesitation or reservation  even if the act of helping imposes its own hardship on the helper.

All across Montana in this fire season, examples abound. Ranchers have sent crews  including themselves  to fight fire on neighboring ranches. When stackyards full of hay burned  as well as grazing lands themselves  neighbors did all they could in recent weeks to see that afflicted ranchers livestock had enough hay and water to see them through.
Isaak, dressed in khakis, a white shirt and a tie, took notes during the process, spoke at times with one of the three defense attorneys with him in the courtroom and waved at jurors upon being introduced by his attorneys. He has not been handcuffed or shackled during the proceedings at the Morton County Courthouse in Mandan.

No motive in the slayings has been offered by police or anyone at RJR, and the trial that is expected to play out over the next three weeks is likely to largely focus on the evidence that investigators say points to Isaak, a chiropractor whose mobile home is managed by RJR.

Evidence that is expected to be shown includes clothing, handgun parts, a knife and used shell casings, surveillance footage, bank records, and Facebook and phone data.

Some of the evidence could be gruesome. Authorities say the four people were slain in a matter of minutes, with three of them shot and stabbed. One person's throat was cut.

South Central District Judge David Reich has set a limit of 60 spectators in the courtroom. Outside of media, there were fewer than half a dozen observers on Monday and only a couple on Tuesday.

Media cameras were not allowed in the courtroom during jury selection but will be allowed during the rest of the trial.

The slayings drew national attention, and Isaak's trial will be broadcast live by Court TV. Local listings can be found at https://buff.ly/3fuMVNo. The trial also will be livestreamed on Court TV's website, https://buff.ly/2Jmizev.

Reach Travis Svihovec at 701-250-8260 or Travis.Svihovec@bismarcktribune.com

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North Dakota's prison system has begun a technology training program to improve inmates' job opportunities after release.

The Last Mile provides the training to 12 prisoners at the State Penitentiary in Bismarck, through a $250,000 contract funded by a federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act grant administered by Job Service North Dakota. The state's Commerce Department and its Corrections and Rehabilitation Department also are grant partners.

The daily, six-hour classes began July 12. Eligible prisoners must meet several requirements, including the time commitment, and be within a certain window of their release.

The program begun in San Quentin State Prison in California teaches self-paced web design applications. It came to the attention of members of the North Dakota Workforce Development Council, including Penny Hetletved, director of education for Corrections, who serves on a subcommittee.

A lot of employers won't hire felons, she said.

"Within cybersecurity and cyber design and web design, that is a market that they can employ across the nation," she said.
The slain workers had more than 100 stab wounds, and though clothing was found that matched the description of what the suspect was wearing, no blood evidence was found at Isaaks residence. Owning an orange sweatshirt or mask does not make someone a murderer, Quick said.

RJR is a successful business but sometimes not popular, he said. Employees soon after the killings provided police with lists of disgruntled employees and unhappy tenants, who the attorney said were never investigated. He also alluded to an affair Robert Fakler allegedly had with a woman whose ex-husband had a violent past. The man was never interviewed.

Quick said the state is giving considerable weight to a faint shoe print that frankly wont impress you, despite all the high-tech efforts to do so."

All but one emergency responder who testified in the afternoon said their shoes were photographed by investigators.

Quick suggested authorities fell victim to confirmation bias -- focusing on evidence they believed supported their theory and ignoring anything that didnt.

This case is a rush to judgment based on erroneous information that led to erroneous conclusions, Quick said.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The State Department said Wednesday it's looking into the apparent disappearance of a nearly $6,000 bottle of whisky given more than two years ago to then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo by the government of Japan. Pompeo knows nothing about the gift or an inquiry, a representative said.

In a notice filed in the Federal Register, the department said that it could find no trace of the bottle's whereabouts and that there is an "ongoing inquiry" into what happened to the booze. The department reported the investigation in its annual accounting of gifts given to senior U.S. officials by foreign governments and leaders.

The department's Office of Protocol is required to record gifts given to U.S. officials and keep track of their disposition. Recipients have the option of turning gifts of a certain value over to the National Archives or another government entity or purchasing them for personal use by reimbursing the Treasury Department for their value.

The Japanese whisky was valued at $5,800 and was presented to Pompeo in June 2019, presumably when he visited the country that month for a Group of 20 summit that was also attended by President Donald Trump. But unlike other gifts, the department said there was no record of what had become of the bottle.
"We certainly know the structure of the bank, the ownership of the bank, and we've accounted for all of that as we set these salary ranges," said Eric Hardmeyer, who retired last month after 21 years leading the bank. "But even with that discount, the salary that I had and the salary that Todd Steinwand now has I think would still be considered low." Hardmeyer's salary was $356,526.

The salary has been set in the past using industry data, consultants and what Hardmeyer called "a very fair way of looking at it," given the bank's nature.

"I understand that it is high in terms of other state employees, but you have to remember what the Bank of North Dakota's delivering: record profits, a good return on investments, return on assets that is beyond even what the industry is doing, so it's vital that you attract talent from that industry," Hardmeyer said. "It's today a $9 billion bank, and if you don't have the right talent in there, things could go south."

The bank reported a $141.2 million profit last year. The Legislature uses bank profits to help balance the state budget, including $140 million for the 2021-23 general fund. The profits also fund the bank, which uses no general fund money. The bank has a $67.8 million two-year budget.
State regulators have ordered the operator of a wind farm to move one of its turbines following a dispute over the proximity of the tower to a house on a landowner's property in Oliver County.

The North Dakota Public Service Commission voted 3-0 Wednesday to require that Minnesota Power remove the turbine within six months. The company can either leave it down or move it farther away from the home.

Such an order is rare, though disputes have arisen in the past over the proximity of turbines to structures.

The Kessler family raised a complaint with the PSC last year over the placement of the turbine, which is 1,125 feet away from the house. The turbine falls within the 1,400-foot buffer the company indicated it would maintain between turbines and occupied residences at its Bison wind farm that straddles Morton and Oliver counties.

At issue is whether the house is considered an occupied residence, as the Kesslers do not live in it full time but use it from time to time. The PSC determined it is occupied.
President Ronald Reagan was clever in gaming the system. He used recess appointments for the purpose of undermining the Legal Services Corporation, a governmental agency created to provide legal assistance to the poor in civil cases. In his first year in office, President Reagan made no appointments to the board of directors of the corporation. In his second year, for the purpose of ensuring that holdovers from Jimmy Carters term did not dominate the board, Reagan made seven recess appointments at the end of 1981. Over the next couple of years, Reagan nominated people to the board, but then withdrew their names before the Senate could act on the nominations. With the vacancies intact, Reagan proceeded to fill the openings with recess appointments, a strategy that enabled him to control the agency from 1981 through 1984, even though none of his appointees was ever confirmed by the Senate.
No financial support was requested during the meeting.

While the Tribune editorial board likes the idea of renewed rail service, we have to remember why it was dropped in the late 1970s. The interest in rail travel had waned and the cost-effectiveness of maintaining service nosedived. Amtrak struggles to make a go of it with its remaining routes.

Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority needs to come up with a financial plan that doesnt rely on a government subsidy. It needs to be self-sufficient. Whether it can make arrangements to use other railways tracks remains to be seen.

County commissions in Burleigh and Morton along with the cities of Bismarck, Mandan and Lincoln need to be clear where they stand if they offer support. They can support the idea with the understanding that no financial backing is forthcoming.

Rail travel isnt for everyone. Theres an investment in time that you dont have with air travel. Traveling by car allows you to stop whenever you want; not true of trains. Trains have their own attractions. Depending on the length of the journey, the passenger can use a sleeping car and dine aboard the train.

In Canada, Via Rail tours take passengers through the Rockies and other scenic areas of the country. Its a leisurely way to travel.
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The 12-ounce bowl is hefty  the leftovers could resemble those from the holiday dinner  but an easier-to-eat alternative than a Pilgrim sandwich, which Gonzales considered before landing on the bowl.

"I'm going to tell people to just mix it up  that's what's going to make it taste the best," Gonzales said of his concoction. "It will just bring all the elements together."

Chicken-and-waffles skewers from Dirty Bird Chicken n' Waffles

One common assumption about anything served on a skewer is it's a skimpy portion compared to any alternative. Raul Parker, owner of Dirty Bird Chicken n' Waffles, assures eaters that's not the case with his chicken and waffle on a stick, which come two to an order, with each holding three pieces of fried chicken and four pieces of waffle.

The maple bourbon butter glaze, drizzled over the skewers, might even overshadow the other two elements made fresh on the trailer. The sweet-and-salty condiment has been served on Dirty Bird's original chicken and waffle sandwich since the food truck opened in 2015 and will be bottled for retail sales soon, said Parker, who's bringing his Niagara Falls-based business to the fair for the first time.
County officials and health experts have been spending more time focusing on the realistic protections of the vaccine in light of the uptick in cases due to the highly contagious Delta variant and increased talk about "breakthrough" Covid-19 cases among those who have been fully vaccinated.

"What we have to do is take a step back and look at it in perspective," Sellick said.

While some vaccinated county residents are contracting Covid-19, he said, they represent a tiny fraction of the hundreds of thousands of local residents who have been vaccinated.

Vaccine mandates for health care workers draw praise, criticism With the recent rise in Covid-19 cases across the country, more government agencies and private institutions are requiring that workers get vaccinated.

More than 165 million Americans have been fully vaccinated, and 72% of Erie County adults have received at least one dose of the vaccine. As late as May, the number of county residents hospitalized with Covid-19 measured in the hundreds. That's compared to the latest uptick in cases from 10 on July 15 to 40 as of Monday.

"That is miniscule compared to where we were," Sellick said. "These vaccines are working exactly the way we want these vaccines to work."

The Erie County Health Department noted areas of concern Tuesday:
The three adjoining landfills on the Lockport Bypass belong to the county Refuse Disposal District. Two are within the City of Lockport's borders. The third, the construction and demolition landfill, lies within the Town of Lockport.

Thus, both municipalities will need to approve the installation of solar panels on the sites, Timm said.

The landfills cover about 42 acres. The deal allows BQ Energy to lease up to 38 acres for 25 years, but Timm said she expects about 36 acres will be used.

The company will begin by paying the county $1,375 per year for each acre, a price that will rise 2% a year.

Town of Lockport is latest focus of solar opposition as farmer plans small project Several towns in Niagara County have seen loud opposition to solar energy projects, and the Town of Lockport is the latest site of such controversy.

The deal also gives the county an option to buy 20% of the electricity generated at the landfills, or about 2.5 million kilowatt-hours, Timm said. That would be enough to power about 2,800 homes for a month, but the county would use it in government buildings.

That would save the county about $15,000 a year on the fees it pays to New York Electric & Gas Corp. to transmit the power the county receives from the Niagara Power Project.

Timm said with less Niagara Project power being used in county facilities, more would be available for the county's Empower Niagara program, which allots it to local businesses as a development incentive.
WASHINGTON  Americans will finally be able to once again drive over to that Buffalo suburb known as Southern Ontario starting Aug. 9.

But it won't be easy  so it's best that you prepare early.

With the Covid-19 pandemic continuing and in fact flaring in many spots, Canada won't exactly throw open its border on Monday. Instead, Canadian officials have set forth a complicated set of requirements that visitors must comply with, lest they want to have to make a U-turn on the Peace Bridge.

"Communities throughout Western New York need answers, guidance and clarity on how they can travel to and from Canada," said Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, a New York Democrat who, along with Rep. Brian Higgins, a Buffalo Democrat, is pressing the U.S. government to open its border to visiting Canadians, too.

Local congressional offices, other authorities and, yes, newspaper reporters have been deluged with questions from Americans who want to travel to Canada, but who wonder how, exactly, to do that.

So here are some of the most common questions we are hearing, along with their answers.

I know I have to prove that I am vaccinated to go to Canada  but what exactly does that mean?
Andrew M. Cuomos once invincible world began collapsing around him Tuesday as a damning report of sexual harassment comes close to overwhelming his increasingly desperate attempt to hang on as governor of New York.

Official after official flooded the internet with demands he resign after Attorney General Letitia James issued a 165-page compendium of complaints from women in and out of state government alleging incidents of unwanted sexual attention. Though Cuomo took to the airwaves shortly after the attorney generals late morning news conference to deny the claims and offer no hint of resignation, the possibility still looms as his own Democrats  without equivocation  joined the chorus that could end one of the most powerful gubernatorial reigns in state history.

The calls stemmed from the highest echelons of the New York State Democratic Party as Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer and Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand reiterated their demand that Cuomo leave office. In a joint statement, they called the actions profoundly disturbing, inappropriate, and completely unacceptable.

No elected official is above the law, the senators said. The people of New York deserve better leadership in the governors office. We continue to believe that the Governor should resign.

And Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, who would become governor should Cuomo eventually heed the chorus of resignation demands, seemed to reject the governors denial of James finding. Hochul said the report documented repulsive and unlawful behavior by the Governor towards multiple women.

Significantly, the lieutenant governors reaction for the first time recognized the possibility that her longtime boss may not survive what lies ahead.

No one is above the law. Under the New York Constitution, the Assembly will now determine the next steps, she said, referring to expected impeachment proceedings. Because Lieutenant Governors stand next in the line of succession, it would not be appropriate to comment further on the process at this moment.

Tuesdays events conjured still vivid memories around Albanys stately old Capitol of Gov. Eliot L. Spitzers sudden fall following a 2008 prostitution scandal. But Cuomo stubbornly resisted Spitzers route of a quick and decisive resignation, exacerbating the maelstrom surrounding him at least into an expected impeachment by the Assembly.

He promised to fight the charges and avoid trial by newspaper or biased review.

This just did not happen, he said of the accusations.

Still, it appeared difficult for anyone to predict a successful outcome for Cuomo as many of those who may sit in judgement made clear their feelings.

The Governor is unfit for office, said Assemblyman Bill Conrad, D-Tonawanda. If he wont immediately resign, the Assembly must take the next logical steps toward his impeachment.

Even former Cuomo stalwarts like Erie County Democratic Chairman Jeremy J. Zellner signaled that if Cuomo somehow survives the immediate storm, he will have trouble weathering the long-range forecast. He called Cuomos behavior unlawful, inexcusable, adding the accusations transcend all political considerations.

He should resign and allow the work of state government to move forward unburdened by the controversies that would inevitably follow him for the remainder of his term, the chairman said.

Around New York State, talk of gubernatorial succession took on a serious tone for the first time since Cuomos first victory in 2010. State Republican Chairman Nicholas A. Langworthy, whose party appears to be coalescing behind Long Island Representative Lee Zeldin as its candidate next year, renewed his resignation call first issued on Feb. 11.

If he does not immediately resign, Speaker Carl Heastie must call for a special session to bring articles of impeachment to the floor for an up or down vote, Langworthy said. Democrats in Albany have been protecting him for too long  time is up.

One of Cuomo's top political allies, state Democratic Chairman Jay S. Jacobs, did not return a call seeking comment.

Though Republicans face daunting odds statewide as Democrats dominate them 3 to 1, veteran New York City political consultant Hank Sheinkopf sees several scenarios. He envisions left-wing Democrats like New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams contemplating a primary challenge or running on his own, energizing upstate conservatives fearful of the partys steady leftward march (as evidenced by democratic socialist India B. Waltons primary win for Buffalo mayor in June).

The guy who benefits most is Lee Zeldin, Sheinkopf said. If Cuomo doesnt leave or gets a primary from someone downstate like Jumaane Williams, and if he loses or its close," Sheinkopf said, it could all spark chaos and profound statewide change. That same chaos, he added, could prove an advantage for the embattled governor.

Andrew Cuomo gets through this alive if everyone around him cant figure out how to kill him, he said figuratively. Can he survive the daggers?

In addition, Democrat Kevin R. Hardwick offered the dual perspective of a candidate for county comptroller as well as a Canisius College political scientist. On Tuesday, Hardwick called for Cuomo to resign and also introduced a resolution to that effect in his capacity as an Erie County legislator.

He said the governors denial and apology fell far short, and that his continued presence in office could present a host of troubling problems as the state tries to deal with a Covid-19 resurgence. What if the governor must order new emergency measures to fight the Delta variant, he asked, or seeks another lockdown that proved controversial to begin with.

This makes it that much more difficult for such a call to be viewed as legitimate, he said, while his exit will kick off a succession scramble in which our own Kathy Hochul will be right in the middle of it.

Especially after the details in that report, Hardwick said, its not going to get easier or go away.

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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."

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BUT WILL CUOMO BE CHARGED?

State Attorney General Letitia James, who oversaw the probe, said there would be no criminal referral but local police and prosecutors can use the evidence and findings to build their own cases. The district attorney in New York's capital, Albany, said Tuesday he was requesting James' investigative materials and encouraged victims to come forward.

***

CUOMO TOLD THE PUBLIC TO WAIT TO JUDGE HIM UNTIL THE INVESTIGATION WAS COMPLETE. WHAT DOES HE SAY NOW?

Cuomo is more defiant than ever, disputing allegations in a taped response and saying "the facts are much different than what has been portrayed" and that he "never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances." He also alleged that the investigation itself was fueled by "politics and bias."

***

HOW IS CUOMO EXPLAINING HIS BEHAVIOR?
"At one point during this conversation, Ms. Bennett tried to change the topic by discussing a tattoo that she wanted to get for her birthday. The Governor insisted that she get the tattoo on her butt rather than her shoulder, so that people would not see it if she were wearing a dress. The Governor also asked Ms. Bennett about her piercings, and asked if she had piercings anywhere other than her ears. Ms. Bennett described this conversation as 'painfully awkward.' 

Cuomo's response: The governor "denied saying that he would date anyone over 22, saying, '[m]y daughters are over 22 years old. It just doesnt make any sense.' ... [t]he Governor admitted that he asked Ms. Bennett whether she did or does 'have relationships with older men,' and said that Ms. Bennett did not respond to the question. He said that he did so because he had heard rumors about Ms. Bennetts purported involvement with older individuals and wanted to 'give her the opportunity to talk about' that without stating it directly. ... Regarding Ms. Bennetts allegation that the Governor told her to get a tattoo on her butt, the Governor stated that he did not use the word 'butt,' but that he did tell her to get the tattoo somewhere that people could not see it."

Alleged sexual harassment of Lindsey Boylan, chief of staff at Empire State Development:
While many lawmakers are urging a rush back to Albany to impeach Cuomo, the Assembly  which has to act first to move against Cuomo  was seeking to wrap up its investigation of the governor that could result in an impeachment vote, if Cuomo doesnt first resign, sometime in early September.

If a simple majority of the 150-member Assembly vote to impeach, which would easily happen if the voting were held today, Cuomo would then be immediately removed from office pending a trial in the Senate.

Howard Zemsky told aide Cuomo had 'a crush on her' and offered to help her The attorney generals report indicates Zemsky gave a lengthy deposition to investigators that largely backed up aide Lindsay Boylans description of the governors treatment of her.

Since the state constitution first created the office of governor in 1777, only one governor, William Sulzer in 1913, has been impeached.

A poll conducted Tuesday by Marist College found that 59% of New Yorkers believe Cuomo should resign.

The governors legal troubles mounted Wednesday as three more district attorneys  from Westchester, Manhattan and Nassau  said they had opened criminal probes because of the locations where the alleged incidents occurred.

On Tuesday, the Albany County district attorney became the first to say he would use the report by James that Cuomo broke federal and civil laws to determine if criminal statutes were also violated.
Over the past two years, I have found myself saying more often than any other time in my life, This is a historic moment. From George Floyds murder to the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol to the persistent disparate impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on front-line workers and communities.

And I find myself saying it in this moment, as the City of Buffalo is poised to receive more than $330 million from the federal government through the American Rescue Plan. This once-in-a-generation investment is to be spent to address lost state and local government revenue, support for essential workers, aid to impacted industries, infrastructure investments (e.g., water, sewer and broadband), and financial assistance to households, nonprofits and small businesses. The federal government has encouraged local governments and elected officials to engage communities in an authentic way around how this money can and should be spent, and not just to create the plans in a vacuum.

Despite these directives, neither Mayor Byron W. Brown nor the Common Council has carved out the time to draw ideas, dreams, visions or concepts from community members. To date, there has been only one virtual public meeting on this funding and a community survey offered online via the citys website.
The State Legislature passed a bill in May that dictates minimum staffing levels at nursing homes. The law, which will take effect in January, is well intentioned, aiming at bad actors who loot the facilities they own. But it will run into a stark reality: You cant legislate away the industrys staffing problems. With nursing homes already under stress, the new law invites a crisis.

The measure requires nursing homes to provide residents with an average of 3.5 hours of care a day, divided between registered or licensed practical nurses and certified nursing assistants. At the same time, a directive in the state budget requires that nursing homes spend 70% of revenue on direct patient care.

Nursing homes need government oversight, but they are in an impossible situation. Medicaid pays for the majority of nursing home stays in New York and its rates dont cover costs. To balance the books  and maybe turn a profit  nursing homes need to attract higher-paying residents who pay their own way or are covered by Medicare, whose rates are higher.

Together, those factors mean nursing homes simply dont have the revenue to pay their employees well. That creates staff shortages and now, with the new law, nursing homes are being required to hire even more people. They are racing straight for a brick wall.
So Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez express outrage that billionaires Richard Branson (British) and Jeff Bezos travel into space. As usual those three appeal to the most naive, uninformed undergraduate mentalities. They should be giving money to fix problems on Earth. They are angry that these very accomplished wealthy men pay little personal income tax. But five minutes of homework reveals that Bezos, Bill and Melinda Gates, Mark Cuban, Mike Bloomberg etc., give billions of dollars to various worthwhile causes including to fight climate change and bring basic medical care to Africa and to the French Doctors Without Borders.

My disgust with Democrats like Warren and Sanders is they try to demonize the amazing achievements of these public minded men who see no limits to what man can accomplish. Further, the malcontented Democrats are the ones who should be ashamed for basing their careers on a premise of social policies that were ineffective 50 years ago and remain so today. They want every dime they can take from successful folks and pour it all into more social services under government control. And by the way, there have been plenty of ultra-wealthy Democrats and Republicans like JFK, Nelson Rockefeller (Rockefeller Foundation) and FDR who stood up for the working man but helped bring our country together around greatness.
TORONTO, August 04, 2021--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bragg Gaming Group (TSX:BRAG, OTC:BRGGF) ("Bragg" or the "Company"), a global B2B gaming technology and content provider, announced today that it will release its second quarter 2021 financial results prior to the opening of the financial markets on Wednesday, August 11, 2021. The release will be followed by a conference call at 8:30 a.m., Eastern Time, hosted by Bragg Chief Executive Officer, Richard Carter, Chief Financial Officer, Ronen Kannor, and Chief Strategy Officer, Yaniv Spielberg, to discuss the companys second quarter 2021 results and provide a business update. During the call, management will review a presentation that can be accessed here.

To join the call, please use the below dial-in information:

US/Canada: (844) 965-3274

International: (639) 491-2382

Passcode: 7796169

A replay of the call will be available for seven days following the conclusion of the live call. In order to access the replay, dial (416) 621-4642 or (800) 585-8367 (toll-free) and use the passcode 7796169.

About Bragg Gaming Group

Bragg Gaming Group (TSX:BRAG, OTC:BRGGF) ("Bragg") is a growing global gaming technology and content group and owner of leading B2B companies in the iGaming industry. Since its inception in 2018, Bragg has grown to include operations across Europe, North America and Latin America and is expanding into an international force within the global online gaming market.

Through its wholly owned subsidiary ORYX Gaming, Bragg delivers proprietary, exclusive and aggregated casino content via its in-house remote games server (RGS) and ORYX Hub distribution platform. ORYX offers a full turnkey iGaming solution, including its Player Account Management (PAM) platform, as well as managed operational and marketing services.

Nevada-based Wild Streak Gaming is Bragg's wholly owned premium U.S. gaming content studio. Wild Streak has a popular portfolio of casino games that are offered across land-based, online and social casino operators in global markets including the U.S. and U.K.

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In May 2021, Bragg announced its planned acquisition of Nevada-based Spin Games, B2B gaming technology and content provider currently servicing the U.S. market. Spin holds licenses in key iGaming-regulated U.S. states and supplies Tier 1 operators in the region.

Find out more.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005265/en/

Contacts

Yaniv Spielberg

Chief Strategy Officer

Bragg Gaming Group

info@bragg.games

Joseph Jaffoni, Richard Land, James Leahy

JCIR

212-835-8500 or bragg@jcir.com
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 4, 2021) - Canuc Resources Corporation (TSXV: CDA) (OTCQB: CNUCF) ("Canuc" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on the exploration program currently in progress at the Company's San Javier Ag-Au Project in Sonora State, Mexico.

Massive Magnetite Encountered at 343 Metres

Drill Hole number SJ-21-03 is currently in progress. It was designed to intersect a strong magnetic feature interpreted to begin at a depth of 300 m. The hole intersected massive magnetite at 343 m and is still in this zone at a depth of 480 m. Preliminary logging has identified zinc and copper minerals (sphalerite, marmatite and chalcopyrite) in stringers. The entire section will be sampled and analysed, and the results released as soon as verified.

Detailed ground-proofing and re-interpretation of earlier drone based magnetic surveys has also been completed. Several magnetic-high features detected across the property have been selected for drill testing. Further magnetic-high targets scheduled for drill testing include the: Chiripas, Wild Hog and Restauradora Zones where magnetite veining, which is manifest on surface, and in old mine workings near to surface, assayed high to bonanza grades of silver in magnetite and where magnetic anomalies have been confirmed at depths ranging from 100 to 250 m.

Diamond drilling on the first magnetic high at San Javier has resumed following a break designed to resolve mechanical issues encountered in the first two holes of the planned 6,000 m, Phase 1 drill program. During the break, the field crews carried out surface stripping, rock chip sampling and geological mapping as well as road and drill pad construction. Seven drill pads and adjoining roads have now been completed and drilling is in progress on the magnetic-high features detected earlier this year by drone and ground based magnetic surveys.

New Gold Zone

While building a road towards a magnetic-high target scheduled for drill testing in the southern portion of the Company's property, a new gold-bearing zone has been discovered. This zone is coincident with the magnetic-high confirmed for drill testing in this area. The mineralization is associated with a previously unrecognized, northwest-southeast trending, fault related magnetite breccia zone. This structure may be similar to fault structures that are reported to control Cu-Au mineralization on the adjacent property of Barksdale Resources Corp. as described in a recent news release and as proposed in earlier studies of IOCG style mineralization in this area (by Dr. Murray W. Hitzman and associates).

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The gold-bearing breccia zone is at least 50 m wide and has been traced for 100 m. It is open in both directions and appears to be along strike with other exposures on the Company's claims for at least 1 km. Eighty samples have been collected and submitted for analysis from the trace of this zone.

Silver Mineralogy Study

To enhance understanding of the mineralogy for the silver found in massive magnetite veining at San Javier, six high grade silver samples were submitted to ALS Global Laboratories in Kamloops, British Colombia for Quemscan analysis. This study determined that most of the silver minerals found at San Javier (~73%) are silver halides (such as AgCl, AgBr, AgI and AgFl) while a smaller relative percentage (~27%) were found to be Acanthite (Ag 2 S). This relative weighting in silver mineralogy is not common for silver deposits in the Western USA and Mexico but is consistent with silver mineralization that can be associated with IOCG deposit types.

To confirm silver assay accuracy, rejects and pulps from 28 previously assayed samples (surface samples and drill core) were re-submitted to the primary laboratory (ALS) and to a second laboratory (Bureau Veritas). The results generally showed a very good reproducibility.

"Encountering massive magnetite early in our drill program is the strongest evidence yet supporting the IOCG thesis for San Javier. This outcome, in combination with silver mineralogical analysis and previous work on IUGS chemical classification for regional igneous rocks made by Dr. Michael Tedeschi in 2010, greatly increases our confidence in the IOCG model for San Javier. Our exploration objectives are to confirm that San Javier has the potential to host a significant silver and gold metal endowment and to be classified in a similar way to currently acknowledged magnetite-group IOCG deposits such as Ernest Henry (Australia), Candelaria (Chile), Sossego (Brazil), Guelb (Mauritania) and Boss (USA)," stated Christopher Berlet, President and CEO of Canuc.

Seymour M. Sears, B.A., B.Sc., P.Geo. is the Qualified Person for the Company, as defined by NI 43-101, and has reviewed and approved the contents of this press release.

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

About Canuc

Canuc is a junior company focusing on the San Javier Silver-Gold Project in Sonora State, Mexico. The Company generates cash flow from natural gas production at its MidTex Energy Project in Central West Texas, USA where Canuc has an interest in eight producing natural gas wells and has rights for further in field developments. Canuc also has exclusive rights, through a Partnership Agreement with Ioticiti Networks Inc., to sell Industrial IoT applications and infrastructure in the Provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada and in the State of Texas, USA.

For further information please contact:

Canuc Resources Corporation.

(416) 525 - 6869

cberlet@canucresources.ca

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information. All information, other than information of historical fact, constitute "forward-looking statements" and includes any information that addresses activities, events or developments that the Corporation believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future including the Corporation's strategy, plans or future financial or operating performance.

When used in this news release, the words "estimate", "project", "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "believe", "hope", "may" and similar expressions, as well as "will", "shall" and other indications of future tense, are intended to identify forward-looking information. The forward-looking information is based on current expectations and applies only as of the date on which they were made. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, the ability of the Corporation to fund the exploration expenditures required under the Agreement. Other factors such as uncertainties regarding government regulations could also affect the results. Other risks may be set out in the Corporation's annual financial statements, MD&A and other publicly filed documents.

The Corporation cautions that there can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required by law, the Corporation does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking information contained in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

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 news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/91990
He was recorded on video by the security system roaming the house for 13 minutes and turned on all the lights, which police said indicated that he'd been searching through the residence for something or someone. He left without taking anything, according to arrest reports and court filings.

Lanz was arrested and booked on charges of burglary and trespassing charges. When informed he was being charged, Lanz objected, saying, but I didnt take anything, the arrest report said. He then made statements to a police officer about how planes had been flying over the neighborhood and tracking his cellphone.

While being processed at the county jail, Lanz, who was listed as 6 feet, 3 inches (1.9 meters) tall and roughly 190 pounds (86 kilograms), is alleged to have attacked two sheriffs deputies in the intake area without provocation, including one who sustained a chipped bone and torn ligament in her knee. After he was restrained, Lanz reportedly accused the officers of being gay for teaming up on him and asked to be uncuffed so he could fight them one-on-one.

A judge reduced his bond in May to $30,000 and released him, imposing some conditions, including that he not take illegal drugs, that he undergo a mental health evaluation and that he not possess a firearm. The charges against him are still listed as pending.
SALEM, Ore. (AP)  The future ownership of an Israeli spyware company whose product has been used to hack into the cellphones of journalists, human rights workers and possibly even heads of state is up in the air.

Major investors in a private equity firm that has majority ownership of NSO Group, the maker of the Pegasus spyware, are in discussions about what action to take. The Oregon state employee pension fund is one of the largest investors, if not the largest, having sunk $233 million into Novalpina Capital, the private equity firm, in 2017.

Novalpina Capital has been saddled with both an internal dispute among its founding partners and an explosive report showing NSO Group's spyware has been widely misused around the globe.

Oregon State Treasury spokeswoman Rachel Wray told The Associated Press in an email Wednesday the department is getting involved. State officials previously said investors have limited say in private equity investments once they are completed.

I can confirm that, consistent with our fiduciary duties to Oregon beneficiaries, and along with other limited partners, (Oregon State) Treasury is involved in discussions related to our investment in Novalpina, Wray said Wednesday.
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.
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.
How can we ease tensions between Democrats and Republicans? Some clues might be found thousands of miles and several time zones away in Tokyo, where the Olympics are being held.

A wealth of academic research displays the growth and intensity of affective polarization in America today. By affective polarization, I mean the increasing dislike, distrust, hostility, and even hatred between Democrats and Republicans in the general public.

As a memorable example, the political scientists Shanto Iyengar, Gaurav Sood, and Yphtach Lelkes found in their 2012 article, Affect, Not Ideology: A Social Identity Perspective on Polarization, that roughly one-third of Democrats and one-half of Republicans said they would be upset if their child married someone from the other political party.

In 1960, just 4% to 5% of Americans said they would be upset about their child marrying someone from the other political party.

To political scientists, statistics like these demonstrate that much of the partisan divide today is not driven by Americans taking a more positive view of their own party. Instead, the growing partisan divide is mainly fueled by people taking a more negative view of the opposing party.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 4) Opposition group 1Sambayan on Wednesday said it supports Vice President Leni Robredos move to meet with potential 2022 presidential candidates Senators Panfilo Lacson and Richard Gordon.

Lacson, the first to confirm a presidential bid next year, leads political party Partido Reporma.

In a online forum, 1Sambayan convenor Conchita Caprio-Morales described Robredos move as very good because she believes Robredo is trying to unite the opposition.

It would synchronize with the plan of the Sambayan to have just one set of candidates to go against the candidates of the president and his allies, Morales explained.

Morales added the meetings dont necessarily mean the vice president is already aligning with them.

1Sambayan also defended Robredo following criticism from her opposition ally former senator Sonny Trillanes IV about her talk with Lacson and Gordon.

The group is hoping to meet with Robredo soon to discuss the matter.

Para marinig din natin yung kanyang interpretasyon sa mga ginagawa niya, ano ba 'yung ginagawa niya. Siguro within this week or early next week, 1Sambayan convenor Fr. Albert Alejo said.

[Translation: So that we can also hear her interpretation, what she's doing. Maybe within this week or early next week.]

Robredo said she is holding out on making a decision about her plans for the 2022 polls as she remains focused on her offices COVID-19 response.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 3)  One of the best ways to boost the COVID-19 vaccination rates among senior citizens is by vaccinating them at home, a Department of Health official said Wednesday.

As of August 2, only 32% of the country's senior citizens are fully vaccinated, according to DOH Director Beverly Ho.

"One of the really best practices is iyong pagpunta sa mga seniors sa kanilang mga bahay para hindi na po sila mahirapan," Ho said during the Laging Handa briefing.

[Translation: One of the really best practices is going to the homes of seniors so they will no longer have a hard time getting their shots.]

Another good strategy is to set up an area in barangay halls where elderly people - who are unfamiliar with technology - could secure a vaccination slot, she added.

Filipinos usually have to register online to access free COVID-19 vaccines.

Ho said there is a need to immunize more senior citizens as fast as possible, arguing those above 60 years old account for "more than 60%" of the coronavirus-related deaths in the country.
(CNN)  PepsiCo is selling a controlling stake of its juice brands, which includes Tropicana and Naked, to a private equity firm in a multibillion dollar deal. The sale is part of the company's broader efforts to focus on faster-growing beverages as customers increasingly ditch sugary drinks.

In the deal announced Tuesday, PepsiCo's juice businesses in North America will be sold for roughly $3.3 billion to PAI Partners, with PepsiCo retaining a 39% stake in the newly formed business. The deal also includes the option for PepsiCo to eventually sell its European juice businesses at a later date.

PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta said in the press release 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."

Funds from the sale will be used to its strengthen the company's balance sheet and is expected to close later this year or early 2022 depending on regulatory approvals.

PepsiCo's juice business has been a drag on its bottom line. Sales of orange juice have been been declining steadily over the past decade, despite a slight increase in sales last year because of the pandemic.

Some consumers have turned against regular fruit juices. Traditional fruit juice, once thought of as healthy, has been recast as a source of empty calories and sugar. Today, fresh-pressed green juices, water and other low-calorie beverages have inherited that health halo. Plus, regular juice was long marketed as a breakfast drink. When more people started eating breakfast on the go, juice got left behind.

Guggenheim analyst Laurent Grandet wrote in a note on Tuesday that the move is "smart and bold" because Tropicana and Naked are "dilutive to both the top and bottom lines" of Pepsi. The firm praised Laguarta's "willingness and ability to aggressively reshape the PepsiCo portfolio to drive incremental growth and profit."

Shifts in consumer habits have also affected Coca-Cola. Last year, PepsiCo's main rival announced it was shutting down dozens of underperforming brands, including the juice and smoothie label Odwalla.

 CNN Business' Danielle Wiener-Bronner contributed to this report.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "PepsiCo is selling Tropicana as customers continue to ditch juice."
(CNN)  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."

This story was first published on CNN.com Returning to the office? Here's how to avoid miscommunication in the new normal
(CNN)  Earth hasn't always experienced the 24-hour day we're so familiar with now. In fact, the way the world turns not only determines the length of our day, but it could have contributed to an influx of oxygen on early Earth that helped life to flourish, according to new research.

Researchers studying a unique environment in Michigan's Lake Huron used it to effectively look back at ancient Earth and how changing day length could have impacted the earliest forms of life that existed: tiny organisms called cyanobacteria.

Also called blue-green algae, cyanobacteria evolved more than 2.4 billion years ago, and they were churning out oxygen when Earth was still pretty inhospitable. Scientists have struggled to explain why it took so long for Earth's oxygen levels to rise so gradually over almost 2 billion years -- until now.

Cyanobacteria doesn't have a great reputation these days because it's associated with toxic algae blooms in Lake Erie and other bodies of water. But this bacteria has been around longer than any other life form on Earth, and it was the first to convert light into energy through photosynthesis -- and release oxygen as a byproduct.

Researchers began to wonder how an increasing day length on early Earth might have allowed cyanobacteria to create more oxygen and lead to a diversity in animal life.

"When the Earth-Moon system formed, days were much shorter, possibly even as short as six hours," said study coauthor Brian Arbic, a physical oceanographer at the University of Michigan, in a statement. "Could this mean that changing daylength would have impacted photosynthesis over Earth's history?"

When the moon became the Earth's satellite, the tug of the moon's gravity slowed down the rotation rate of our planet, leading to longer days. More sunlit hours would then have a positive effect on photosynthetic activity of cyanobacteria.

Answers in a sinkhole

Beneath Lake Huron is a bedrock formed from ancient seas that once covered the North American continent. This bedrock includes limestone, dolomite and gypsum, and over time, groundwater has dissolved some of it. This has formed cracks and caves, both of which have created submerged sinkholes.

The submerged Middle Island Sinkhole in Lake Huron is where cold groundwater rich in sulfur and poor in oxygen seeps out of the lake bottom. While most plant and animal life avoid this area, microbes have found a home in this extreme environment 80 feet (24.4 meters) below the water's surface. The brightly colored bacteria form colonies called microbial mats, and they are the perfect analog for researchers wanting to study similar colonies that once existed on land and the seafloor billions of years ago.

Today, two types of cyanobacteria form competing colonies here. One is a purple cyanobacteria that produces oxygen, while the other is a white bacteria that generates energy with the help of sulfur.

The sulfur-fueled bacteria lie on top of the cyanobacteria from dusk until dawn, which blocks their access to sunlight. But once the sun emerges, the top bacteria colony moves down and allows the purple cyanobacteria to start the photosynthetic process to produce oxygen.

"However, it takes a few hours before they really get going, there is a long lag in the morning. The cyanobacteria are rather late risers than morning persons, it seems," said study author Judith Klatt, a geomicrobiologist at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology in Germany, in a statement.

"I realized that daylength and oxygen release from microbial mats are related by a very basic and fundamental concept: During short days, there is less time for gradients to develop and thus less oxygen can escape the mats," Klatt said.

By modeling the link between sunlight and oxygen production, Klatt and her colleagues discovered that the release of oxygen during two 12-hour days on early Earth would not match that of a 24-hour day. The study team's findings showed a direct link between day length and how much oxygen can be released by microbes.

"Simply speaking, there is just less time for the oxygen to leave the mat in shorter days," Klatt said.

This suggests that two great jumps in oxygen on Earth, including the Great Oxidation Event more than 2 billion years ago and the Neoproterozoic Oxygenation Event between 800 and 540 million years ago, could both be connected to longer days on Earth.

The study published Monday in the journal Nature Geoscience.

This story was first published on CNN.com Michigan's Lake Huron sinkhole is a window into how Earth's earliest forms of life diversified
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"They (ADM) will continue to have professional people on site to monitor the situation as they move forward," Bulkley said. "ADM will use up the coal thats been in their coal tent, or their coal dome, to get rid of this product because they believe it was this shipment that caused this issue. They have been keeping me posted daily since this situation came to light and will keep me abreast of any changes."

The East-Central District Health Department issued a press release regarding the smoldering coal fire and asking residents around ADM to take precautions against possible carbon monoxide exposure; however, health officials told the Telegram on July 30 that after speaking with CTEH, they no longer have concerns about the air quality surrounding the ADM incident.

"After discussion with their toxicologist, the data are not showing any indication of elevated levels of carbon monoxide outside of the incident site, including in the neighborhoods within the plant's immediate vicinity. Immediate vicinity in this case defined as those neighborhoods that border the Loup Canal. Further, according to CTEH, there are no detectable levels of carbon monoxide within their testing radius, which extends up to 4.5 miles," East-Central Chief Public Health Officer Chuck Sepers said in a July 30 email.
He also said since both the Platte County Sheriffs Office and the detention center operate "24 hours a day, 365 days a year," that means the IT department is always on call for tech support. As of right now, Braun and Hofbauer answer those calls, but the latter said he isnt as familiar with some of the newer issues that could arise. This added position will help lighten those late-night calls for everyone, Hofbauer said.

Platte County Board Supervisor District 3 Jim Scow said it does seem like most of ITs time is spent on handling projects for the sheriffs office and road and bridge department. He asked Hofbauer if the staff track the time it takes to complete such tasks.

Hofbauer said IT has used a ticketing system. This allows County staff to send a ticket to IT and then the workers create a list of these problems based on the level of severity, before fixing whatever tech issue, he added.

We will then have a history of what happened, Hofbauer said.

He said he hopes to have this new role filled soon. He also said before the Board OK'd the new position he has started taking applications.

Andrew Kiser is a reporter for The Columbus Telegram. Reach him via email at andrew.kiser@lee.net.

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GRAND ISLAND -- Danny Anson of Grand Island allegedly used racial slurs against a Hispanic man and threatened him with a crowbar Friday night.

Anson, 64, was charged Monday in Hall County Court with making enhanced terroristic threats, or committing a hate crime. That offense is a Class III felony.

At about 8:40 p.m. Friday, Grand Island Police responded to a disturbance call in the 500 block of East 18th Street. Officers were told that Anson had made racial slurs while threatening the man with a crowbar, and had raised the crowbar at another person.

A witness identified the suspect as Anson.

Police reported that Anson had a large metal crowbar on his motorized bicycle.

Judge Arthur Wetzel scheduled Ansons preliminary hearing for Sept. 23. He was released on a personal recognizance bond.

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" " Because of Section 230, social media giants like Facebook, Twitter and Google aren't liable for any content their users post on their platforms. Ty Lim/Shutterstock

Almost any article you read about Section 230 reminds you that it contains the most important 26 words in tech and that it is the law that made the modern internet. This is all true, but Section 230 is also the most significant obstacle to stopping misinformation online.

Section 230 is part of the Communications Decency Act, a 1996 law passed while the internet was still embryonic and downright terrifying to some lawmakers for what it could unleash, particularly with regard to pornography.

Section 230 states that internet platforms  dubbed "interactive computer services" in the statute  cannot be treated as publishers or speakers of content provided by their users. This means that just about anything a user posts on a platform's website will not create legal liability for the platform, even if the post is defamatory, dangerous, abhorrent or otherwise unlawful. This includes encouraging terrorism, promoting dangerous medical misinformation and engaging in revenge porn.

Platforms, including today's social media giants Facebook, Twitter and Google, therefore have complete control over what information Americans see.

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How Section 230 Came to Be

The Communications Decency Act (CDA) was the brainchild of former Sen. James Exon, Democrat of Nebraska, who wanted to remove and prevent "filth" on the internet. Because of its overreaching nature, much of the law was struck down on First Amendment grounds shortly after the act's passage. Ironically, what remains is the provision that allowed filth and other truly damaging content to metastasize on the internet.

Section 230's inclusion in the CDA was a last-ditch effort by then Rep. Ron Wyden, Democrat of Oregon, and Rep. Chris Cox, Republican of California, to save the nascent internet and its economic potential. They were deeply concerned by a 1995 case that found Prodigy, an online bulletin board operator, liable for a defamatory post by one of its users because Prodigy lightly moderated user content. Wyden and Cox wanted to preempt the court's decision with Section 230. Without it, platforms would face a Hobson's choice: If they did anything to moderate user content, they would be held liable for that content, and if they did nothing, who knew what unchecked horrors would be released.

" " Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is seen here at Facebook Communities Summit in 2019. Facebook has suggested its own ideas on how to reform Section 230 in the future. Facebook

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What Lies Ahead for Social Media Reform

When Section 230 was enacted, less than 8 percent of Americans had access to the internet, and those who did went online for an average of just 30 minutes a month. The law's anachronistic nature and brevity left it wide-open for interpretation. Case by case, courts have used its words to give platforms broad rather than narrow immunity.

As a result, Section 230 is disliked on both sides of the aisle. Democrats argue that Section 230 allows platforms to get away with too much, particularly with regard to misinformation that threatens public health and democracy. Republicans, by contrast, argue that platforms censor user content to Republicans' political disadvantage. Former President Trump even attempted to pressure Congress into repealing Section 230 completely by threatening to veto the unrelated annual defense spending bill.

As criticisms of Section 230 and technology platforms mount, it is possible Congress could reform Section 230 in the near future. Already, Democrats and Republicans have proposed more than 20 reforms  from piecemeal changes to complete repeal. However, free speech and innovation advocates are worried that any of the proposed changes could be harmful.

Facebook has suggested changes, and Google similarly advocates for some Section 230 reform. It remains to be seen how much influence the tech giants will be able to exert on the reform process. It also remains to be seen what if any reform can emerge from a sharply divided Congress.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. You can find the original article here.

Abbey Stemler is an associate professor of business law and ethics at Indiana University and a faculty associate at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University.
On July 29, Christopher issued a related update to district families that said the drafted health and safety plan is based on information we have available to us related to COVID-19 spread and mitigation efforts in mid- to late July, as well as information we gathered from the community as of (our) ThoughtExchange.

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We know from the more than 2,000 comments submitted to the ThoughtExchange that there are areas of significant divide within our community related to expected mitigation efforts, Christophers message said.

Opinions appeared to remain split between the 20 or so locals who spoke out about the districts updated masking regulations during public comment periods at Mondays school board meeting. A Hampden Township man who implored the district to follow CDC guidelines was soon followed by a district mother pleading for district officials to keep masks optional

After hearing your plan, I dont like its wishy-washy language, Matthew Barrick of Middlesex Township said. What I want is that the district will continue to review CDC recommendations, but I also want to see it include a clause for parental, ethical and medical exemptions.
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.

"It's pretty simple. They don't have enough pilots, and they don't 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."
Leo said the puppets were so large nobody wanted to buy them so she and her friend decided to put on some puppet shows.

"We thought it was just going to be a fun interlude, and it sort of exploded into a career," Leo said. "I've been doing that ever since. My mom was a freelance metal sculptor, and when she saw I was interested in art, she said 'if you want to make a living as an artist you need to find something that you enjoy doing and other people enjoy paying money for.' That was good advice."

Leo said she learned quickly that a lot of time goes into running the business and she is not spending all her time on puppetry. She said, as she grew and later registered as a non-profit she was able to do even more for to the community. Eulenspiegel now does more community outreach and has a young puppeteers children's festival in Iowa.

"For anyone wanting to become a puppeteer, I'd say that it is a really wonderful way to make a living and you can approach it one of two ways," Leo said. "You can do what I did, which is try to make your living doing it and that has upsides and downsides, or you can do what some of my friends have done and get a straight job and do puppetry as a hobby."
Gov. Mike Parson has pardoned a couple who pointed guns at protesters passing their Central West End home last summer, the governor's office announced Tuesday afternoon.

Mark McCloskey and Patricia McCloskey pleaded guilty in June to misdemeanor charges, and each were to pay fines without facing jail time. The governor has made repeated statements saying he would pardon the couple.

The pair emerged from their home on a private street on June 28, 2020, and held guns as a crowd of protesters passed on their way to then-Mayor Lyda Krewson's house. The couple said the protesters were trespassing on their private street.

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St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner initially charged the couple with felony gun crimes, but she was disqualified from prosecuting the couple after the McCloskeys were mentioned in her campaign material. Former U.S. attorney Richard Callahan was appointed special prosecutor in the case.

Mark McCloskey announced in May that hes running for U.S. Senate.
James Freas will be Charlottesvilles new director of Neighborhood Development Services, City Manager Chip Boyles announced Wednesday.

Freas, 43, most recently served as director of the Department of Community & Economic Development in the town of Natick, Massachusetts. Before that, he served as chief planner for long-range planning and acting director and later deputy director of the Department of Planning and Development for the city of Newton, Massachusetts.

[Freas] has over 15 years of experience in city planning in Massachusetts and Virginia, where he has built teams to lead collaborative planning and implementation work, Boyles said in a press release. I am particularly pleased that [Freas] has worked directly with municipal leadership and community members in Massachusetts to advance issues of racial equity in zoning and planning. That experience will be very important in Charlottesville.

Freas holds a bachelors in psychology from the University of Virginia, a masters of community planning from the University of Rhode Island and a masters of studies in environmental law from the Vermont Law School.
Right now, the way we do virtual meetings [on Zoom], it works really well because everyone has a camera and a microphone. Once you put all of you into a room, then the microphones and cameras become more labor intensive for us to make work really well for a broadcast, Wheeler said. So the reason were limiting the number of boards that we would recommend get this hybrid treatment is because of staffing issues, and also the number of rooms we have that can work really well.

According to a proposal in Mondays council agenda packet, the communications department would prioritize the four boards and commissions that have traditionally been televised for a hybrid model: the City Council, Planning Commission, Board of Architectural Review and Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority. The department could support two additional boards and commissions for the hybrid model.

By targeting a subset of more prominent boards and commissions, we will set clear expectations about which meetings have Zoom availability for the public while the others return to an in-person-only format, the proposal says. Special events like town halls, public hearings and workshops could also include virtual participation options. Continued availability of Zoom would also support city employees who wish to participate in these meetings virtually.
Carl Tobias, professor of law at the University of Richmond, said lawmakers should have held their discussions in public unless there was a compelling reason not to, like an ethical question or something that would embarrass an applicant.

The issue really is, can you get the best people by using this kind of process, Tobias said. I think thats the question and I dont know the answer to that. Sometimes you can and sometimes you cant. But its usually better if you have those interviews in public with questions from the senators and delegates.

It just seems to be like more sunshine is probably better.

Surovell noted that lawmakers received input and screening by various legal associations, and a list of some applicants recommended by the Virginia State Bar was made public.

He said by text Wednesday from an undisclosed location that the current process is more transparent than past processes and our certification process will have a public hearing just like has been done for decades and is also done in the federal system.
The markers were submitted by students through the AAPI Heritage Month Historical Marker Contest. The contest was launched in May to celebrate the history and achievement of Asian American and Pacific Islander Virginians.

Arthur Matsu and W.W. Yen and so many changemakers like them are integral to the Virginia story and yet their stories have often gone untold, Northam said during a virtual celebration of the markers Tuesday.

The historical marker contest provided the opportunity for students to tell a fuller and more complete version of our shared history, state Secretary of Education Atif Qarni said during the celebration.

Yan still has a presence at UVa. In 2017, the former Lewis House was renamed in his honor, and in 2016, an endowed fund was established in his honor to support Chinese students, faculty and visiting scholars or those researching, teaching or learning Chinese history, society and culture.

Yan came to the United States in 1895 and spent two years in a college preparatory school in Alexandria before enrolling in UVa in 1897. He graduated in 1900 with a major in moral philosophy.

He returned to China, where he taught English for a few years and then studied for his imperial exams during the last few years of the Qing Dynasty.
Bob Pianta will step down as dean of the University of Virginias School of Education and Human Development at the end of the 2021-22 academic year.

Pianta, a professor of early childhood education, was appointed dean of the school in 2007. When he assumed the role, the education schools academic offerings were focused on graduate education, particularly doctoral programs.

During his time in the deans office, he worked to add six undergraduate majors and two minors to the schools doctoral programs.

The teacher education programs three majors now lead directly to licensing in Virginia, a move made to help ease teaching shortages in the state by licensing teachers with bachelors degrees.

The education school also expanded degree partnerships with five other UVa schools, including a masters in business and education program with the Darden School of Business. The school also offers eight online degrees, as well as certificate programs and professional development opportunities.

During Piantas time as dean, the school rose from 35th to 15th in U.S. News & World Report rankings and its slate of online courses ranked 10th.
Yes. I will do my part to conserve household energy usage, even if I'm uncomfortable in my home.

No. It is too hot to conserve household energy usage.

I already conserve, even before ERCOT requested it.

Maybe, depending on the reason ERCOT provides and whether or not I am home during that time.

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"By creating the corps and encouraging young people to participate in those activities, we will help create that next generation of firefighters and folks willing to work for the state and federal governments in forest management," Vilsack said. "Not only do we want these forests to be healthy, we want them to be great places to recreate."

Vilsack and Brown agreed on a need for more federal-state projects such as the Good Neighbor Authority to reduce wildfire threats.

"We leverage federal resources and federal partnerships, and put Oregonians to work doing the thinning and prescriptive burning that needs to happen to ensure that our landscapes are more resilient," Brown said. "I think it is incredibly important that both state and federal governments step up because we are seeing a new era of wildfire. Both in terms of resources, people power and equipment, we both need to step up further."

Both were briefed by state and federal officials in a closed-door meeting on the status of wildfires. According to the state's dashboard, 98 active wildfires involved 463,432 acres in Oregon  although the largest wildfire by far is the Bootleg fire, the nation's largest and the second largest in Oregon history, at 413,462 acres. The fire, first reported on July 6, is 84% contained.

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Infuriated Republican says Texas should close all roads into Mexico to deal with border crisis
Telecom Armenia, an IPTV operator working under the Beeline Armenia brand, has deployed Ateme's OTT video-delivery solution.

The platform will enable the operator to re-launch its TV offering to the Armenian market, said a joint press release.

Ateme provides service providers with a single platform for IPTV and OTT streaming, enabling them to streamline processes and increase productivity.

According to Ateme, with a legacy system in place, Telecom Armenia identified a need for a new video-delivery solution as part of a planned service refresh that included a new front and back office. The operator selected Ateme as a single-source supplier, providing a range of OTT technologies, from reception to content delivery networks (CDN).

Atemes end-to-end offering gives service providers a single platform to leverage transport streams over both IPTV and OTT networks, leading to optimised processes and better performance. Because of its shared workflow approach, it also enables organisations to centralise all media processing workflows and ensure high-quality delivery of any content to any screen.

The system includes Atemes Titan platform for compression, channel origination and reception, and NEA for packaging, VOD, catch-up, and CDN delivery.

Gevorg Gevorgyan, CTO, Telecom Armenia, said: "Our partnership with Ateme also enables optimum video quality, agility and bandwidth savings while ensuring low latency, allowing us to deliver high-quality HD and UHD (4K) TV content to the end customer with minimal delays."

Boris Yurin, Sales Director, CIS, Ateme, added: "As the TV industry evolves and the line between paid-for TV and OTT becomes increasingly blurred, creating a high-quality user experience is a key driver behind business decisions. Telecom Armenia is developing a winning strategy to attract and retain the most valuable viewers, and we are delighted to accompany them on this journey."
The telecommunications company that operates in Albania, One Telecommunications (Telekom Albania), has completed the second and final phase of network modernisation, relying entirely on Ericsson technology.

According to the Albanian mobile operator, the EUR 92 million (USD109.2 million) network modernisation programme was initiated last year, transforming its technology entirely into Ericsson.

"The technical team of One and Ericsson has worked intensively to bring the best network in Albania to the subscribers. Despite the difficult conditions caused by the pandemic, it was achieved that the network optimization was completed within all set deadlines," said the company.

One now offers its users 4G+ technology with downloads speeds of up to 1.2 Gbps, coverage of 98.5 percent of the population, seven times better indoor coverage, VoLTE sound quality and speed, as well as improved security.

"Ericsson has increased the potential of the One Telecommunications network to the Gigabit LTE level by paving the way for the 5G network, through the latest Radio Systems and central network systems," it said.

The cellco, which previously was known as Albanian Mobile Communications, said that the upgrade was part of the US governments Clean Networks Initiative, a drive to exclude China and Chinese companies from participation in digital spaces, which ONE describes as a commitment to using control and computer equipment or data storage only from technologically secure companies.
Statement by Ambassador Flynn at Arria Meeting on Preventing Terrorism and Violent Extremism

Statement

Thank you Chair, and I thank Mexico for their initiative in bringing this important topic to the Councils attention. We also thank the briefers for their informative presentations.

Chair,

A nuanced and comprehensive gender perspective of counter-terrorism considers the multiple roles of women, men and people of diverse gender identities, as well as the impact of structural gender inequality.

Too often within the counter-terrorism context, gender remains a short-form for women.

For counter-terrorism responses to be effective, we should avoid a one-dimensional conception of gender and advance a more holistic understanding, including through the consideration of hegemonic masculinities.

Terrorist groups of different ideological backgrounds use misogynistic rhetoric and notions of hegemonic masculinity to appeal to potential recruits, often with a focus on the subjugation of women and girls, and primacy of the patriarchal family structure.

In particular, the Secretary General has reported that many terrorist groups, including ISIL and Boko Haram, use the promise of marriage and access to sex to recruit men and boys, whilst also engaging in trafficking and other practices that promote and reinforce violent masculinities.

We have seen such groups undermine gains made in achieving gender equality, including through the abduction of girls in school and targeting maternity hospitals and sexual health clinics.

Additionally, terrorist and extremist propaganda elevates physical strength and aggressiveness, portraying terrorists as warriors and defenders - often of women - from the ideological other. These narratives are designed to appeal to young men experiencing disenfranchisement and emasculation. Education to counteract this recruitment propaganda is central to a gender-sensitive counter-terrorism response.

Chair,

We must move beyond binary gender stereotypes, which view men as perpetrators of terrorism and women as victims. Failure to recognise that women can also support, facilitate, and perpetrate terrorism undermines any gender-responsive approach to prevention.

Likewise, as we have already heard today, biased presumptions of men and boys in conflict zones as combatants or otherwise "dangerous, undermines their human rights and disregards the many roles men play in effective prevention efforts. It can also lead to a lack of understanding about men, including gay, bisexual and transgender men, as victims of terrorism.

This Council recognises that acts of sexual and gender-based violence are part of the strategic objectives and ideology of certain terrorist groups.

Though such violence disproportionately affects women and girls, we must also consider the gender-specific experiences and needs of male victims of sexual violence in this context.

For example, security actors have used gender-specific forms of violence in the name of counter-terrorism, including sexual violence designed to emasculate and humiliate male detainees.

Finally Chair, male perspectives shape counter-terrorism responses, with men often dominating decision-making on counter-terrorism policies. The negative impacts of existing counter-terrorism policies on women and girls underline the need for the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in counter-terrorism processes.

Allow me to conclude Chair by reiterating Irelands willingness to work with you and other Council members in furthering and promoting understanding of this important topic.

Thank you.

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Moscow, ID (83843)

Today

Mostly sunny. Areas of smoke and haze are possible, reducing visibility at times. High 81F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph..

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Moscow, ID (83843)

Today

Partly cloudy skies. Areas of smoke and haze are possible, reducing visibility at times. Low 57F. Winds WSW 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 20 mph.
We learned that companies really are resilient, Barker said. They can respond to changing times. When the pandemic started, you worried, Oh, man, are there going to be any jobs created? Is there going to be any new capital investment? Especially when you saw unemployment rates going back to double digits. It was really concerning. The answer is, companies are resilient enough to respond to challenging times and adjust.

Corporations shifted to remote workspaces. Distilleries produced hand sanitizer. Restaurants expanded takeout operations. Small businesses established online presences.

Jim Searcy, executive director of the Economic Development Association of Alabama, said though things slowed down, economic development in Alabama never stopped.

Alabama responded well. We saw a reduction in activity, we saw less project activity, but there was at least a constant flow of activity, Searcy said. A lot of the projects that were close to making the announcement or moving forward went on hold, but conversations stayed in place.

Barker said as companies assessed the impact of the pandemic and looked to the future, they found Alabama was where they wanted to be.
BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP)  The U.S. Justice Department has dismissed a lawsuit against the University of Vermont Medical Center alleging it forced a nurse to participate in an abortion procedure she objected to on religious grounds.

The one-page notice filed by the Justice Department in U.S. District Court in Burlington on Friday gave no reason for its decision. The action was first reported by the online news site VTDigger.org.

The lawsuit, filed last December in the waning days of former President Donald Trumps administration, alleged the Burlington hospital violated the  Church Amendments, which prevent hospitals from discriminating against health care workers who refuse to perform or assist with abortions.

In a Monday statement, UVM Medical Center CEO Dr. Steve Leffler said officials were pleased by the Justice Departments decision.

We are committed to meeting the medical needs of our patients, while respecting the religious and moral beliefs of our employees, Leffler said in a statement. Our opt-out policies and practices for employees who object to participating in certain medical procedures, including abortion, are strong and in full compliance with federal law, and we have only strengthened them over the past two years.
At this rate, well soon be facing capacity challenges, not only for patient beds, but also for nursing teams who care for our patients," Brown said, calling the stress on employees disheartening.

Dr. Stephen Thacker, associate chief medical officer at Memorial Health in Savannah, told WTOC-TV the hospital is relying on contract nurses to fill staff. He said the hospital is not yet at a tipping point but warns that there could be weeks more of increasing cases.

Were definitely bumping up to the constraints of just the number of patients that need care in the region with the number of beds that we have, you know balancing that with the amount of staffing that we have, Thacker said.

Georgia has recorded nearly 1.2 million positive COVID-19 tests and nearly 22,000 deaths from the respiratory illness.

Douglas County became the latest public school district to announce it would require masks in all its schools. At least 25 of Georgia's 180-plus school districts have announced they will require masks for all students and employees regardless of whether they have been vaccinated. That group covers more than a third of Georgia's 1.7 million public school students.
President Joe Biden said on Tuesday that governors who are against mask mandates should get out of the way. DeSantis sharply criticized Biden on Wednesday, repeating his stance that the decision on masks in schools should be left to parents.

If youre coming after parents rights in Florida, Im standing in your way. You wont get away with it, he said. Instead, DeSantis said, the president should do more to secure the border: Until you do that, I dont want to hear a blip about COVID from you.

In Florida's capital, the superintendent of the Leon County school district sent a heartfelt letter to DeSantis asking him to allow a temporary mask requirement.

I have stood firm in my belief that a mask mandate was the wrong course of action. With that said, I believe that new data and information as well as student instructional models compels us to rethink mask protocols," said Superintendent Rocky Hanna, who, like DeSantis, said he was concerned about how mask-wearing was impacting children emotionally.
A batch of Moderna Covid-19 vaccine gifted by the U.S. via the Covax mechanism arrives in Vietnam July 25, 2021. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi.

The United States has distributed more than 100 million Covid-19 vaccine doses overseas, more than all other countries combined, with Vietnam among major recipients, President Joe Biden said Tuesday.

The announcement, which follows the administration belatedly achieving its July 4 target for getting 70 percent of American adults at least one shot, marked "just the beginning" of U.S. efforts to help the world battle the pandemic, the White House said.

"As of today, we have shipped over 110 million doses to 65 nations," Biden said in a national address.

"These vaccine donations from America are free. We're not selling," he added. "There's no favoritism and no strings attached. We're doing this to save lives. That's it."

Since it began in late 2019 the coronavirus outbreak has killed at least 4.2 million people globally, including 613,679 people in the United States, which is the worst-affected nation.

The availability of vaccines saw the daily toll of new cases drop dramatically in many countries earlier this year, but the highly contagious Delta variant has since been driving surging infections.

The United States has shipped 111.7 million doses mostly through the international vaccine distribution system known as Covax, but also in conjunction with organizations such as the African Union and the Caribbean Community, or CARICOM.

"According to the United Nations, this is more than the donations" of all other countries combined, Biden added.

Major recipients of donated vaccine shots include Indonesia, the Philippines, Colombia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Pakistan and South Africa.

Vietnam has received 5 million doses while the Philippines was give 6,239,000 doses, followed by Colombia with 6 million, South Africa 5,660,000, and Bangladesh and Pakistan 5.5 million each.

Starting late this month, the United States will begin sending 500 million Pfizer doses that it has pledged to buy and donate to 100 low-income countries.

Even as the United States stepped up its bid to send shots overseas Biden again appealed to Americans to get vaccinated, warning that the virus is "moving like wildfire through the unvaccinated community."

"It's heartbreaking, particularly because it's preventable," he said.

As cases rise the inoculation drive is slowly picking up steam again after slumping for several months, especially in traditionally conservative areas such as the South and Midwest and among young people, poor people and ethnic minorities.

But in a country where both masks and vaccines have become politicized, Biden also called on local authorities such as Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida -- which is once again a virus hotspot -- to stop blocking businesses and schools from implementing mask mandates.

"If you aren't going to help at least get out of the way of the people that are trying to do the right thing," he said.

Disney, Google, Facebook

Biden highlighted recent vaccination mandates imposed by corporate America on employees, and an upward trend in inoculation rates, particularly in areas with high transmission of the coronavirus.

Disney, Google, Walmart and Facebook have said they will obligate employees to get vaccinated -- as has Tyson Foods, which was forced to close many of its meatpacking plants early in the pandemic after its frontline workers were exposed.

Meanwhile New York City announced Tuesday it would require proof of vaccination for people attending indoor venues such as restaurants, gyms and shows.

Biden has seen his approval rating drop recently, although it remains above 50 percent.

He is looking to seize back the initiative after a difficult week in which the nation's top health authority changed course to recommend that vaccinated people mask up again indoors in areas of high Covid transmission.

The White House has also been criticized for inaction as a moratorium on evictions expired, leaving millions of American facing the possibility of homelessness as the pandemic rages.

The nationwide ban was intended to extend until September, but a recent Supreme Court ruling meant it had to end early unless renewed by Congress, which failed to do so.

Biden said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was expected to have an announcement on a possible extension on the moratorium shortly, suggesting that even if it is struck down by the Supreme Court it will still "give some additional time" to distribute billions in aid which has already been sent to states.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) greets with Russian ambassador in Vietnam Gennady Bezdetko (C) and Leonid Mikhelson, chairman of the Russian gas company Novatek, August 3, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Nhat Bac.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Tuesday requested Russia to speed up procedures for signed Covid-19 vaccine contracts so Vietnam could receive the vaccines as early as possible this year.

In a meeting with Gennady Bezdetko, Russian ambassador in Vietnam, Chinh thanked Russia for having provided its Covid-19 vaccine Sputnik V for Vietnams coronavirus fight.

Chinh has asked Russia to continue to support Vietnam regarding vaccines, including speeding up procedures of signed Covid-19 vaccine contracts so it could receive them as early as possible within this year, and cooperating in tech transfer for Covid-19 vaccine and drug production.

Last month, the government has agreed to a proposal by the health ministry and let the T&T Group negotiate with Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) the purchase of 40 million doses of the Sputnik V vaccine.

The group purchased the vaccine with its own fund, not the national budget nor the Covid-19 vaccine fund. The RDIF has also cooperated with Vabiotech to trial packaging one batch of the Sputnik V vaccine, containing 30,000 doses. The batch has been sent to Russia for evaluation.

The Sputnik V vaccine, manufactured by Russian company Generium, utilizes the vector technology to stimulate immune responses.

Bezdetko affirmed Vietnam has always been Russia's prioritized partner in the Asia-Pacific, and he would strive to strengthen the two countries' relations.

Vietnam has vaccinated more than 7.29 million people against Covid-19, including 744,331 who have been fully vaccinated.

It aims to achieve herd immunity by next year through vaccinating 70 percent of its 96 million population.
I

In mid-July, at a global emerging technologies summit, Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed that the community of nations must work together to reduce the national security risks posed by malicious cyber activities and emerging technologies.

Weve brought countries together around an approach that recognizes international law to make it clear that countries are governed in cyberspace just like they are offline and that defines norms that apply not only in wartime but in peacetime too, because were now dealing with significant cyber incidents outside the context of war.

Less than a week later, the United States issued a statement condemning the Peoples Republic of China, or PRCs, pattern of irresponsible behavior in cyberspace, alongside statements issued by NATO, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.

The PRCs Ministry of State Security, or MSS, has fostered an ecosystem of criminal contract hackers who carry out both state-sponsored activities and cybercrime for their own financial gain, said Secretary Blinken in a written statement.

Responsible states do not indiscriminately compromise global network security nor knowingly harbor cyber criminals  let alone sponsor or collaborate with them. These contract hackers cost governments and businesses billions of dollars in stolen intellectual property, ransom payments, and cybersecurity mitigation efforts, all while the MSS had them on its payroll, said Secretary Blinken.

Secretary Blinken further highlighted that the United States government, alongside our allies and partners, formally confirmed that cyber actors affiliated with the MSS exploited vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Server in a massive cyber espionage operation that indiscriminately compromised thousands of computers and networks, mostly belonging to private sector victims.

Apart from the PRCs direct commitments not to engage in cyber-enabled theft of intellectual property for commercial gain, the international community has laid out clear expectations and guidelines for what constitutes responsible behavior in cyberspace, he said.

The United States and countries around the world are holding the PRC accountable for its pattern of irresponsible, disruptive, and destabilizing behavior in cyberspace, which poses a major threat to our economic and national security, said Secretary Blinken. The United States will impose consequences on PRC malicious cyber actors.
The United States is committed to promoting and expanding respect for religious freedom and tolerance across the globe. Its not just a reflection of who we are as Americans, but of strategic national interest to the United States and a key foreign policy objective, said U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Samantha Power.

We know that when countries promote religious freedom and protect religious minorities, democracy is more stable, communities are more likely to develop equitably and prosper, the rights of women and girls are more likely to be protected, and overall quality of life improves.

Administrator Power said, Research indicates that GDP growth rates in countries where religious restrictions and hostilities decreased, grew at double the rate of countries where restrictions substantially increased. Additionally, Countries which stigmatize or oppress religious minorities or restrict the opportunity to worship freely, are more prone to instability and conflict.

 Denying religious freedoms is associated with higher levels of social conflict and violence. In fact, countries with high government restrictions on religion are more than twice as likely to witness social conflict as those with low or no restrictions.

Indeed, it has become clear that unless people are free to worship according to their conscience, and until people of all faiths have access to holy sites and places of worship, there will be no lasting peace, said Administrator Power.

It is no wonder then that President Joe Biden has made it clear that as far as U.S. Foreign Policy is concerned, development is just as important as defense and diplomacy. That is why, said Administrator Power, in coordination with USAIDs Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, dedicated development professionals at USAID respond to human rights violations, work to prevent atrocities and preserve culture, and protect religious freedom for all people.

"There have long been divergent approaches to advancing international religious freedom, but there is common ground in recognizing that it is a clear, distinct human right and central to the stability and peace of this world that we all share.

The United States, said Administrator Power, Will keep standing for religious freedom around the world. We will remain humble and grateful for the freedoms we cherish here at home, and pray that through Gods grace and wisdom, we have the capacity to affirm dignity and to secure freedom for more people around the world.
ELKO  Nevada Gold Mines has partnered with the Boys & Girls Club to address childcare shortages in its local communities.

Through the partnership, NGM committed $3 million to develop early learning centers in both Spring Creek and Elko, as well as to assist building a new Boys & Girls Club facility in Spring Creek. The learning centers will be named after the company as Nevada Gold Mines Early Learning Center of Elko and of Spring Creek.

The Boys & Girls Club Spring Creek facility was the first project presented to NGM through the Elko/Spring Creek/Carlin/Eureka Community Development Committee (CDC), one of five set up in Nevada. The CDCs aim to ensure NGM is supporting its local communities in meaningful ways that bring long-term sustainable benefits.

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The new Spring Creek learning center will care for infants to 5-year-olds and will serve 110 children daily. The current Elko facility will be renovated to include a learning center, also for infants to 5-year-olds, and will serve 51 children daily. The hours of care at both facilities will be expanded to 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. to accommodate mine employees schedules.
District attorneys in Manhattan, suburban Westchester and Nassau counties and the state capital of Albany said they asked for investigative materials from the inquiry, overseen by Democratic state Attorney General Letitia James. The inquiry found that Cuomo  a former state AG himself  violated civil laws against sexual harassment, and it left the door open for local prosecutors to bring cases.

Joyce A. Smith, Nassau County's acting district attorney, called the findings deeply disturbing and pledged her office would thoroughly and expeditiously investigate.

After James released her report Tuesday, Democrats from the statehouse to the White House called for Cuomo to go. President Joe Biden said the governor should resign, though press secretary Jen Psaki wouldnt say Wednesday whether Biden wanted to see Cuomo removed from office.

"The president believes Governor Cuomo should do the right thing, resign, and leave space for future leadership in New York, Psaki said.

One of the governor's closest allies, New York Democratic Party chairperson Jay Jacobs, declared that Cuomo has lost his ability to govern, both practically and morally. Jacobs told Spectrum News he had tried privately to persuade Cuomo to resign but "wasnt making headway.
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.
Records show about $40 million in tuna and other fish from the Hangton No. 112 have been imported into the U.S. market in recent years despite industry efforts to address the issue, said Ana Hinojosa, executive director of the CBP directorate that investigates allegations of forced labor. The agency does not publicly identify the importers who received the shipments.

CBP said its investigation found evidence that the crew of the Hangton 112 had wages improperly withheld from them, their identity documents were taken and they were kept in debt bondage, which typically involves charging workers an excessive amount in advance for travel and other expenses and holding them until they worked to pay if off.

The agency found additional conditions that were difficult to read, Hinojosa said, even considering that fishing is a notoriously difficult and dangerous industry. I wouldnt call it a fun job, but there are certain protections of human rights that are expected in any kind of working environment."

In May, the U.S. blocked imports of seafood from the entire fleet of a Chinese company with more than 30 ships that authorities say forced crew members to work in slave-like conditions that led to the deaths of several Indonesian fishermen last year. CBP has also issued orders against individual vessels from Taiwan and elsewhere.
On Thursday President Biden made his toughest appeal yet to encourage non-vaccinated American to get the life-saving shot while giving remarks at the White House. With growing concern about the Delta variant of covid-19 he announced the introduction of new rules that will require all federal employees to get vaccinated or face strict testing procedures.

The White House has confirmed that all non-vaccinated federal employees "will be required to wear a mask on the job no matter their geographic location, physically distance from all other employees and visitors, comply with a weekly or twice weekly screening testing requirement, and be subject to restrictions on official travel.

Biden said that those refusing to get vaccinated present a problem to yourself, to your family and to those with whom you work, offering the starkest condemnation yet of the unvaccinated. The new rules only apply to employees of the federal government and states can decide whether to introduce something similar.

Nevada and Louisiana introduce their own mask mandates

With the decision completely in their own hands, two states have already decided to impose some masking rules for residents to curb the re-emergence of covid-19. Nevada imposed a mask mandate for certain counties across the state with high transmission rates. From 30 July the Nevada Health Response team will update the list on a weekly basis with counties having to remain out of the high or substantial transmission category for a full two weeks before the mandate is removed.

In Louisiana the new rules are more universal with all residents required to wear masks in public indoor settings regardless of their vaccination status. This includes K-12 schoolchildren and college students.

Dr Joseph Kanter, the states health officer, released a statement saying: The data in Louisiana clearly point to the severity of our situation, and the urgency to act now.

Some states have opted to go the other way with mask mandates and have passed legislation specifically banning private businesses and schools from imposing their own restrictions. A number of Republican-led state have banned mask mandates, leading to criticism from Biden who said the directives forbid people from doing the right thing.

In his comments on Tuesday Biden was particularly scathing on the decisions of Florida and Texas to prevent mask mandates, due to the fact that the two states currently account for a third of all new cases of covid-19 in the United States.

Biden said of their decisions: I say to these governors, please help. If you arent going to help, at least get out of the way of people who are trying to do the right thing. Use your power to save lives.
Detectives of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) have detained former judge of Dniprovsky District Court of Kyiv Mykola Chaus in the Feofania hospital on Tuesday evening, he was handed a motion on applying a preventive measure, the NABU press service reports on Facebook.

"Just in the Feofania hospital, NABU detectives have detained the former judge of Dniprovsky District Court of Kyiv, suspected of receiving an unlawful benefit. He was handed a motion on applying a preventive measure," the report says.

Reportedly, the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC), at a session on Wednesday, August 4, is to decide on the motion.

"By that time, the suspect will be in a temporary detention facility," the NABU said.

The press service said that at present "this is all the information that we can report, given the secrecy of the investigation."

It was reported that Chaus's attorneys will be present at the HACC session on Wednesday, August 4, but it is not yet known whether the accused himself will be able to attend it.
The electronic health care system provides digital medical services to more than 31 million Ukrainians, Minister of Health of Ukraine Viktor Liashko said during a meeting with representatives of medical information systems (MIS).

"Today, the electronic health care system provides digital medical services to more than 31 million Ukrainians," Liashko said on his official Facebook page.

In particular, it is the conclusion of electronic declarations with family doctors, extraction of electronic prescriptions under the "Affordable Medicines" program, electronic directions, maintenance of the electronic medical card.

According to the Minister, more than 4,500 health care facilities are currently connected to the system.

Liashko also reminded that from September 1 there will be a full-fledged transition to electronic sick leaves.

"We are already working to resolve the issue of rapid data synchronization so that healthcare professionals and patients do not experience any inconvenience in obtaining a medical certificate of temporary incapacity for work. The whole process should take a few minutes," he said.

The head of the Ministry of Health said that the implemented system should be primarily user-friendly, and not create an additional burden and the Ministry of Health will consider the application of sanctions for non-compliance with legal aspects or systemic failures.

In addition, priority projects and their implementation in the near future were discussed, in particular, the introduction of COVID-19 certificates, Central 103 system, electronic prescription for insulin, electronic prescription for all prescription drugs, patient cabinet with integration in action, medical reports for drivers, medical reports on death, compliance with the law on rehabilitation, safety and quality of donated blood, consent to posthumous donation.
An unidentified man has entered the building of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and threatens to detonate a grenade. The corresponding video appeared on social networks.

Kyiv Police confirmed information to Interfax-Ukraine.

"Yes, there was such a call, law enforcement officers are working on the spot," the Kyiv Police Department said.

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine does not comment on what is happening. The issue is being dealt with by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and the police. They also said that preparations for a government session are taking place as usual.

The press service of Kyiv Police said that a special police operation had been launched in the Ukrainian capital.

"Currently, negotiations are underway with the man. In case of refusal to voluntarily stop the offense, the man will be subject to police measures provided for by law," the report says.

A source in the Ministry of Internal Affairs told Strana.ua that the occupant of the building is a sapper and veteran of the Aidar volunteer battalion, who had previously suffered a shell shock. "The man was shell-shocked. He was a sapper in Aidar. We have no reason to think that the grenade is not real," the source said.

Member of Irpin City Council Anton Holovenko confirmed this information. "This is our veteran [...] But I do not know what kind of situation there is. Maybe a nervous breakdown. He is a normal, reasonable guy [...] He is a war invalid," he wrote in the comments to the report about what is happening in the Cabinet of Ministers.
A man who entered the building of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and threatened to detonate a grenade was detained after negotiations led by his acquaintance, volunteer and member of Bucha City Council Vasyl Oleksiuk.

"Seeing the news, I immediately realized that it was necessary to take some action and find an opportunity so that nothing happened, I mean, so that people do not die, God forbid," Oleksiuk said at a briefing near the government building on Wednesday following the intruder arrest.

He confirmed that the detainee took part in the hostilities and, speaking about the motives of the act, said: "This is a person who has a very strong spirit and a heightened sense of justice. Perhaps somewhere, and given his injuries, his current everyday standard of living, perhaps something happened that made him break the law."

At the same time, Oleksiuk stressed that the detainee was employed, but made it clear that he remains financially disadvantaged. Speaking about the possible motives of the detainee's act, he said: "Well, if a person has no good behind his back, I mean housing or something else." "He works, he does not walk and ask for money, he works hard labor, he works at a service station [...] He finished his service several years ago," the volunteer said.

According to Oleksiuk, the detainee periodically turned to volunteers for psychological, moral and occasionally material assistance, and received it.

At the same time, Head of the National Police Ihor Klymenko noted: "The situation is non-standard, because it was an ATO participant who went through the millstones of hostilities, who was wounded twice, including a head injury, and committed this crime because of his life events."
Ukraine expects to boost cooperation with U.S. in defense, military-technical, economic and political spheres  Yermak

One of the main priorities of Ukraine in the world arena is to strengthen cooperation with the United States in the defense, military-technical, economic and political spheres, Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak has said.

"One of the main priorities of Ukraine in the world arena is to strengthen cooperation with the United States in all sectors  defense, military-technical, economic and, of course, political," Yermak said on Facebook.

During their visit to the United States, Yermak and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba are scheduled to meet with U.S. National Security Advisor Jacob Sullivan, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, senators and leading think tanks.

"We are preparing the visit of the President of Ukraine to the United States. This visit will be of great importance for the further development of Ukrainian-U.S. relations," he said.

As reported, on August 4, Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba arrived in the United States to prepare for the upcoming visit of the President of Ukraine, which is scheduled for August 30.
An Austrian Foreign Ministry spokesperson told Interfax that Belarusian athlete Kristina Timanovskaya, who participated in the Tokyo Olympics and refused to return to Belarus, is currently on a flight to Vienna.

"The Austrian Foreign Ministry can confirm that this Belarusian athlete is on her way to Vienna," the ministry spokesperson said.

According to earlier media reports, Timanovskaya was due to fly out to Poland, which earlier granted her a humanitarian visa.

Timanovskaya said in an interview with the BBC that her refusal to return to Belarus is not politically motivated.

As reported, Timanovskaya arrived at the airport from the Polish embassy in Tokyo in a police car and entered the airport's VIP area in the company of several officials, refusing to speak to scores of journalists tracking her movements.

Sources' information indicates that she was due to leave for Warsaw at 10:20 a.m. local time on a LOT Polish Airlines flight.

According to media reports, Timanovskaya sought police protection at the Tokyo airport after she was brought there by representatives of the Belarusian delegation planning to send her back home. International Olympic Committee (IOC) spokesperson Mark Adams told journalists later that the Belarusian athlete had spent the night at a Tokyo airport hotel "in a safe and secure environment." Timanovskaya was then transported to the Polish embassy in Japan, where she requested political asylum.

Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Przydacz said on Twitter on Monday that Poland's authorities had issued a humanitarian visa to Timanovskaya. The possibility of granting political asylum to Timanovskaya will be reviewed as soon as an official application to this effect arrives, he said.

The IOC will investigate the Belarusian delegation's actions related to the scandal around Timanovskaya and has already formed a special commission, Adams said.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in turn, has described the Belarusian authorities' actions in relation to Timanovskaya as an unacceptable violation of her rights and the Olympic spirit.

German Foreign Office spokesperson Maria Adebahr, for her part, has called on Minsk to respect citizens' rights.
The High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine (HACC) has started a hearing to apply a measure of restraint for former judge Mykola Chaus, the State Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) is asking the court for a closed hearing, HACC told Interfax-Ukraine.

"The hearing has started. At present, the SBU is requesting a closed hearing," the court said.

The HACC said the hearing was somewhat delayed, since Chaus communicated with his attorneys.
Detectives of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) informed the head of Kharkiv Regional Council of suspicion of receiving UAH 1 million of improper advantage.

"On August 4, 2021, the SAPO Prosecutor, on behalf of the acting Prosecutor General, together with NABU detectives, informed the head of Kharkiv Regional Council about the suspicion of receiving an improper advantage of UAH 1.05 million," the NABU press service said.

According to the investigation, at the beginning of 2021, the head of Kharkiv Regional Council, in collusion with his deputy, demanded and received the improper advantage of UAH 1.05 million for keeping the position of the head of the regional utility company, the founder of which is Kharkiv Regional Council.

During the first half of 2021, officials received the indicated amount of funds in four tranches, including through the mediation of a lawyer's accomplice.

The official is charged with Part 4 of Article 368 (receipt of an unlawful benefit on an especially large scale by an official in a particularly responsible position, by prior conspiracy by a group of persons, associated with extortion of unlawful benefit) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The sanction of the article provides for imprisonment for a term of 8 to 12 years, with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for up to three years and with seizure of property.

In turn, the deputy head of Kharkiv Regional State Administration and deputy of the regional council from Servant of the People Roman Semenukha said on his Facebook page that an extraordinary meeting of the faction should take place on Wednesday evening, which will consider the issue of expelling head of the regional council Artur Tovmasyan.

"Head of the Servant of the People faction in Kharkiv Regional Council Ihor Zakharchenko, initiated an extraordinary meeting of the faction today at 16:00. The issue of excluding Tovmasyan from the Servant of the People faction, as well as the initiation of an extraordinary session of Kharkiv Regional Council, is under consideration." Semenukha said.
Ukraine has officially applied to join the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence (CCDCOE), which is based in Tallinn.

"On behalf of Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council [NSDC] of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov, the Ukrainian side made an official request to join the CCDCOE," a statement published on the NSDC website on Tuesday said.

On August 3, a delegation of the NSDC's National Coordination Center for Cybersecurity visited Estonia, where it held a series of bilateral meetings aimed at further promoting the two countries' cooperation in cybersecurity, the statement said.

Head of the Information Security and Cybersecurity Service of the NSDC Staff Natalia Tkachuk, who visited Estonia as a member of the Ukrainian delegation, said that such a step is relevant in the context of Ukraine's aspirations to join NATO.

"Ukraine's involvement in the CCDCOE can be an important step toward full NATO membership," the NSDC press service quoted Tkachuk as saying.

The participation of Ukrainian specialists in the CCDCOE will positively impact the effectiveness of its work and will help bolster the capabilities of Ukraine's national cybersecurity system, she said.

"The parties stressed that an effective step toward Ukraine's accession to the CCDCOE can be the involvement of Ukrainian experts in the work of CCDCOE thematic branches," the NSDC said.

Permanent Secretary at the Estonian Defense Ministry Kusti Salm, for his part, reiterated his country's readiness to facilitate Ukraine's accession to the CCDCOE. Undersecretary at Estonia's Defense Ministry Margus Matt, in turn, noted that Ukraine's experience in countering Russian cyberattacks is of significant interest to NATO. Estonia will continue supporting Ukraine in its Euro-Atlantic aspirations, Matt said.
The seal of the United States Department of Justice is seen on the building exterior of the United States Attorney's Office of the Southern District of New York in Manhattan (Photo : REUTERS/Andrew Kelly)

The U.S. Justice Department's internal watchdog has launched an audit into its $115 million contract with General Dynamics to build its new grant management software, which since its launch has been plagued by technological glitches and caused delays in funding criminal justice programs.



The audit by Inspector General Michael Horowitz was announced just a few weeks after Reuters first reported about the system's technology woes and Senator Charles Grassley, the Senate Judiciary Committee's ranking Republican, called on Horowitz to launch an investigation.



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The software program, known as "JustGrants," manages the Justice Department's $4.7 billion portfolio of grants that fund everything from body-worn cameras for police to transitional housing for victims of domestic violence and human trafficking victims.



Built by General Dynamics Corp under a contract with a $115 million ceiling price, JustGrants was intended to consolidate the grants in one place and be compatible with a new government-wide payment system. To date, the Justice Department has spent about $70 million on it.



Reuters interviewed more than a dozen Justice Department employees and grant award winners who said the system has been plagued with severe technological problems which have made it hard to apply for grants or upload documents required in order to be permitted to draw down funds.



In some cases, award winners reported facing months of delays getting their funding.



In announcing the audit, Horowitz's office said it will review the department's transition to the JustGrants system, how it has administered its contract with General Dynamics and whether the company has complied with the contract terms and with federal rules.



Spokespeople for the Justice Department and for General Dynamics had no immediate comment.



The Justice Department has previously acknowledged the system has problems, but said it was unaware of cases in which grantees had not received their funding.


Egypts Ministry of Foreign Affairs is closely following up on the situation of 16 fishermen detained in Tunisia for trespassing in Tunisian territorial waters, state news agency MENA quoted the ministrys spokesman as saying Saturday.

Once the [Egyptian] embassy knew about the detention of the fishermen, an envoy was sent to make sure they were alright, ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid stated.

The crew of the ship Seas Angel surrendered to Tunisian authorities without resistance, Abu Zeid added.

The foreign ministry is working on deporting back to Egypt as many detained fishermen as possible, according to the spokesman.

Meanwhile, Abu Zeid said the ministry is currently following up on three crew members of another Egyptian ship held by Tunisian authorities for trespassing in October, and that are being prosecuted in front of a Tunisian court.

This is the latest incident involving Egyptian fishermen arrested in the territorial waters of neighbouring countries like Sudan, Libya and Tunisia.

Egypts foreign ministry has repeatedly intervened in these cases to ensure the release of the fishermen and has warned Egyptians against trespassing in foreign waters.

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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.

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Egypts Ministry of Health has recently launched 126 centres nationwide for issuing QR-coded certificates for those who wish to travel and need to document their coronavirus inoculation.

Below is a guide for anyone looking to travel abroad from Egypt.

If you have been vaccinated but have not received the new QR-coded certificates, which cost EGP 100 for Egyptians and $10 for foreigners, head towards any of the newly-launched 126 centres nationwide with a valid passport and your vaccination certificate.

If you have already received the new certificate, check whether your QR code is working by scanning it.

If you have not been vaccinated, check your destination countrys travel restrictions in addition to its approved vaccine list before registering for a vaccine.

You can inquire about the nearest documentation or vaccination centre or about any related procedure by calling the ministrys hotline (105 or 15335), or send your inquiry to the WhatsApp number 01553105105.

What you need to know

Some countries allow entry with negative PCR tests or any type of vaccination, while others are less flexible and require travellers to be fully vaccinated using certain vaccines. Some countries even require travellers to be fully vaccinated two weeks before arrival.

Not abiding by the destination countrys restrictions can result in denied entry or a days-long stay in quarantine.

Egypt is currently using the WHO-approved British AstraZeneca vaccine, which is scarce at the moment due to increased demand from travellers. Egypt is also using the WHO-approved Chinese Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines, as well as the Russian Sputnik V, which has not yet been approved.

Meanwhile, those who wish to travel have priority for inoculation by the limited-but-available AstraZeneca shots at certain vaccination centres out of the 400 set up by the health ministry.

Egypt is set to receive successive shipments comprising 20 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, 35.6 million AstraZeneca doses and 2.4 million Pfizer doses before the end of 2021; part of which will be received within days.

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President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said on Wednesday that Egypt calls upon the international community to exert all possible efforts to assist and support the Lebanese people in overcoming the devastating effects of the August 2020 Beirut explosion and rebuilding the city.

In his virtual speech during the Lebanon Donor Conference, which was held at the initiative of French President Emmanuel Macron, El-Sisi reaffirmed Egypts full support and solidarity with the Lebanese people and stressed that it stands ready to assist Lebanon by dispatching more emergency aid.

Along with El-Sisi, US President Joe Biden, and Lebanon's own President Michel Aoun were among the participants of the virtual conference from around 40 countries and multilateral organisations, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the International Monetary Fund.

Egypt will harness its potentials to help the Lebanese people reconstruct affected areas. Thus, engineers and technicians in the fields of infrastructure rehabilitation and power station repair should be sent to Lebanon, El-Sisi said.

Since Beiruts devastating blast last August, Egypt has taken several steps to meet the needs of the Lebanese people and alleviate the burden on the Lebanese government by launching a sealift and tens of airlifts loaded with medical and humanitarian aid, food, and construction materials.

Additionally, an Egyptian field hospital has been constructed in Beirut to provide aid to victims of the blast.

Last week, Egypts Arab Contractors Company won a bid to develop Tripoli port and its facilities in a step reflecting the countrys keenness on supporting Lebanon on all levels, especially developing its ports.

The development of the port will be followed by a number of projects to enhance Egypts economic presence in Lebanon, especially in the fields of technology and expertise exchange, specifically in Tripoli city, according to Egypts Ambassador to Lebanon Yasser Elwi.

President El-Sisi mentioned how the exceptional and difficult circumstances facing the world as a result of the coronavirus pandemic have placed heavy burdens on many countries, particularly those that were encountering major economic challenges in the first place, including brotherly Lebanon.

He added that the provision of international support to the Lebanese people is inevitable and urgent.

It is also important for the international community to put aside political differences, avoid the use of the Lebanese arena to settle regional disputes, and safeguard Lebanons sovereignty, the Egyptian president said in the conference.

By holding this conference, Macron seeks to raise more than $350 million in aid for Lebanon, marking the anniversary of the Beirut port blast.

Lebanon is currently facing huge shortages of electricity, medicine, and basic supplies. This comes in parallel to its teetering economy, with one US dollar equating to 1,514 Lebanese pounds, leading fuel prices to increase by more than a third.

Lebanon, which has always been a beacon of culture, art, and thought, and an important tributary of Arab creativity, is still able, with the determination of its sons, to become as thriving and unique as we have always known it to be, El-Sisi said, addressing the Lebanese people.

El-Sisi called on loyal Lebanese patriots, regardless of their positions, to join hands and to distance their country from regional tensions and conflicts.

I call on them to focus on strengthening Lebanese national institutions and to meet the aspirations of the Lebanese people by implementing inevitable economic reforms that cannot be postponed.

Thereby, Lebanon would gain the trust of international financial institutions and international support, as per the resolutions of the 2018 CEDRE Conference, which will positively affect Lebanon's efforts towards achieving stability, development, and prosperity, he concluded.

This is the third conference organised by former colonial power France in as many years in aid of Lebanon.

The economic crisis in Lebanon is firmly connected to the political crisis extending since 2019, presidential spokesperson Bassam Rady quoted El-Sisi as saying.

President El-Sisi said that this crisis is getting more complicated by the day given the ongoing political vacuum caused by the governments absence, which is preventing efforts to achieve the aspirations of the brotherly people of Lebanon.

El-Sisi stressed the urgent need to end the political vacuum to prevent Lebanon from slipping into a dark tunnel.

This requires all parties to prioritise the higher interest of the country through the quick formation of an independent national government that includes experienced and competent figures, the president said.

The formation of such a government will enable the country to face its current challenges and protect Lebanons sovereignty and unity, El-Sisi said.

The president called on all parties in Lebanon to focus on strengthening state institutions.

El-Sisi also said the conference sends a message to all Lebanese politicians that the international community is willing to support Lebanon once the governmental vacuum is over and once the country restores the trust of the Arab and international communities.

This progress will enable Lebanons transition from the stage of receiving humanitarian aid to receiving economic support and building a better future for its people, El-Sisi said.

The president mentioned Egypts continuous support to Lebanon to resolve the countrys political crisis through communication with the Lebanese political leadership, Rady said.

El-Sisi also mentioned the Egyptian efforts to provide strategic goods and infrastructure support to the Lebanese state to reconstruct and rehabilitate the buildings damaged by the Beirut blast.

The latest of this assistance was the arrival of an Egyptian warship to Beirut loaded with more than 300 tons of aid, El-Sisi said.

This is aside from the efforts of the Egyptian field hospital in Beirut that provides medical services to the Lebanese people on a daily basis.

Egypt has also provided coronavirus treatment drugs.

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The White House announced on Tuesday that the US has now donated and shipped more than 110 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccines to more than 60 countries  a major milestone that cements the United States as the global leader in COVID-19 vaccine donations.

Egypt was not on the list of countries that received the jabs that was released today, though a statment from the US embassy in Cairo said in June that Egypt was on the short list of partner countries to receive US vaccines against the coronavirus.

In a statement, the White House said that President Joe Biden committed in June to donating at least 80 million vaccines from the US supply to countries throughout the world, promising to continue to distribute the vaccines based on the countrys ability to do so.

Todays announcement is a fulfilment of his promise, the statement said.

Of the first 25 million, 19 million will go to COVAX, and 6 million will be targeted to a short list of regional priorities and partner recipients  including Egypt, said the embassy in a short statement at the time.

According to Tuesdays fact sheet, the US has delivered 111,701,000 doses of coronavirus vaccines to 65 countries worldwide, including Tunisia, Jordan, Morocco, Sudan, Canada, and Brazil.

The US administration looks at a variety of factors to prioritise which countries receive the shots first, including COVID-19 case rates, death rates, hospitalisations, current vaccination rates, responses to surges, and a countrys ability to receive vaccines and put shots into arms, the White House statement noted.

Our goals are to increase global COVID-19 vaccination coverage, prepare for surges, and prioritise healthcare workers and other vulnerable populations based on public health data and acknowledged best practice, and help our neighbours and other countries in need. Importantly, the United States has not and will not use its vaccines to secure favours from other countries. Our aim is to save lives, the White House said.

The statement insisted that the more than 110 million doses are just the beginning of the administrations efforts to provide vaccines to the world.

Starting late August, the US administration will begin shipping half a billion Pfizer doses that the United States has pledged to purchase and donate to 100 low-income countries in need, the White House noted without mentioning who is next in line to receive the shots.

Egypt started its vaccination campaign in January; and as of 1 August  according to the World Health Organisation  a total of 5,570,554 vaccine doses have been administered among the 102-million-strong population.

The country has so far registered 284,415 cases since the outbreak began in February 2020, including 16,540 deaths and 232,060 recoveries.

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The Egyptian finance ministry has announced that it is issuing a commemorative coin to mark the Pharaohs Golden Parade that was held last April, which involved the transferring of 22 royal mummies from one museum to another in Cairo.

The parade, which gained international media attention, was accompanied by festivities and artistic shows.

The new 100 Egyptian pound coin has the name and logo of the parade on it in Arabic and English to mark the event, the finance ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said it will also issue EGP 1 and 0.50 coins in circulation with the same design of the EGP 100 coins.

The parade traversed the streets of Cairo from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (NMEC) in Fustat.

The motorcade led 22 ancient Egyptian chariots drawn by 44 horses, and upon their arrival at the NMEC, the mummies were welcomed with full military honours.

One-hundred-and-fifty horses and their riders said goodbye to the royal mummies upon their departure from Tahrir Square and stood ready to welcome them upon their arrival at the NMEC.

The first mummy to lead the parade was that of King Seqnenre, the warrior who led the liberation war against the Hyksos invaders of Egypt. The other kings then followed in chronological order.

The 22 mummies comprised 18 kings and four queens.

The logo of the event is inspired by the ancient Egyptian belief in eternity and resurrection. It consists of a scarab flanked by sun rays and falcon feathers, making this the symbol of this historic event.

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Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry has affirmed to his Italian counterpart the importance of supporting stability in Tunisia, a statement by the Egyptian foreign ministry read.

In a phone call with his Italian counterpart, Luigi Di Maio, Shoukry expressed Egypts support for Tunisian President Kais Saieds measures to protect the states institutions and overcome the current critical situation, the statement added.

The phone call comes one day after Shoukry paid an official visit to Tunisia, during which he met with Saied.

The Tunisian president announced in late July a number of drastic decisions, including suspending the parliament, which was dominated by the Islamist party Ennahdha, and relieving his prime minister in a step that sparked demonstrations for and against the decision.

"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.

During the Wednesday phone call, Di Maio briefed Shoukry on the outcome of his latest visit to Libya and the meetings he held with the different parties in the Arab country.

Shoukry affirmed the need to stick to the roadmap set by the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum and the United Nations Security Resolution no. 2570 on holding presidential and parliamentary elections, as scheduled, on 24 December.

The top Egyptian diplomat also affirmed the need for the exit of all foreign troops and mercenaries from Libya without any delay.

He also affirmed that Egypt welcomes the Libyan step to open the coastal road connecting Misrata with Sirte.

The UN-backed 5+5 committee said in a statement last week that the agreement between warring sides to open the road stretching along the length of Libya's coastline, the most populated part of the country, also includes the withdrawal of foreign fighters.

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Roberto Calasso, a towering figure in European publishing as the driving force behind an esteemed Milan-based publisher, as well as an inquisitive and prolific author himself, has died at 80, his company said.

Italian news media, quoting his publishing house Adelphi, said Calasso died Thursday in Milan following a long illness and a wake was held Friday in the publishing house's Milan headquarters.

Directing Adelphi since 1971 and being its chairman since 1999, Calasso adhered to the philosophy choosing books to publish not on how they might sell but on whether they had something important to say.

A native of Florence, who grew up with parents steeped in the classics, Calasso also wrote his own books, using a fountain pen for all but the final draft. His 1988 'Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony,'' a readable, imaginative exploration of Greek mythology, was his best-known work.

Calasso's tastes in determining what titles Adelphi would publish were eclectic.

Among his literary finds was an Italian physicist, Carlo Rovelli. Calasso started a new imprint to offer readers Rovelli's 2016 'Seven Brief Lessons on Physics.''

In an article Friday in the Corriere della Sera newspaper, Rovelli recalled their first meeting as emblematic of Calasso's attitude toward publishing.

''Carlo, I read what you wrote. I like it. Whatever you write that you think important, send it to me. Don't think about writing books that sell, think only if you have true things to say. I'll publish them,'' Rovelli wrote.

'What more can you hope to have from your own publisher?' Rovelli wrote, adding that the 'extraordinary care with which he published books is mythical.'

His U.S. editor, Jonathan Galassi of Farrar, Straus & Giroux, called Calasso 'one of the great literary publishers of postwar Europe.''

'He was also a prolific writer of wide and deep imagination and insight,'' Galassi said in a statement. 'Basically, his life's work was all one project: to plumb the inter-connectedness of human culture across time and across civilizations. There was no one like him.''

Starting with Adelphi when he was 21, Calasso developed the publishing house. Among those he published were Sicilian writer Leonardo Sciascia and the Czech-born Milan Kundera.

Adelphi was essentially the invention, in 1962, of a Trieste intellectual, Roberto Bazlen, who quickly enlisted the efforts of Luciano Foa' and the young Calasso, then living in Rome. Italian industrialist Roberto Olivetti helped finance the venture.

Corriere della Sera recalled that Bazlen used to say of Adelphi's mission: 'We'll only publish the books we really like.'' Calasso became editorial director, and later administrator and owner of Adelphi, a kind of 'father-master,'' the newspaper wrote.

The Paris Review in an 2012 interview with Calasso called him a 'literary institution of one'' and lauded Adelphi as 'Italy's most prestigious publishing house.''

In that interview, Calasso reminisced about his father, Francesco Calasso, a staunch anti-fascist and a history of law professor at the University of Florence who, in 1944, was almost executed by the then German occupying forces. Calasso reminisced growing up in a 'house lined with books.'' His mother, Melisenda Codignola, who earned a doctorate with a thesis on one of Plutarch's works, translated the classics.

In a poignant turn of events, the publisher died just as two of his works, described as his most auto-biographical, went on sale in Italy's bookshops: 'Meme' Scianca,'' which draws on his Florentine childhood in a household of intellectuals, and ''Bobi,' about the life of Bazlen.

The subjects of Calasso's writing were wide-ranging, reflecting his curiosity, and included artist Giambattista Tiepolo and author Franz Kafka.

Of Calasso's own books, 'it's difficult to say in particular what they spoke about, not because they wander but because they follow an internal logical that knows no borders,'' the Italian news agency ANSA wrote.

Calasso also wrote about what he called the fascination with technology, bemoaning how the digital age was 'the gravest assault that the inclination to expose oneself to the shock of the unknown has shown.'

Wrote Corriere della Sera in its tribute, 'for Calasso, the unknown is the essence of literature.''

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Related South Sudan swears in new parliament vowed under peace deal 'Just a dream': hope for South Sudan dashed after horror decade South Sudan's vice president Riek Machar has been ousted as head of his party and its armed forces, say rival leaders who accuse the rebel-turned-politician of no longer representing their interests.

Machar, a pivotal figure in South Sudan's bloody road to independence and subsequent civil war, was deposed following a three-day gathering of senior SPLM/A-IO leaders in the country's far north, the party's military wing said.

Its chief of staff, First Lieutenant General Simon Gatwech Dual, was declared interim leader of the opposition movement that governs the troubled country in a shaky alliance with former enemies.

It is unclear what the putsch means for Machar, currently South Sudan's first vice president, or his fragile 2018 power-sharing agreement with his old rival President Salva Kiir.

The military wing said Machar had "completely failed" to show leadership and greatly weakened the party's position in the post-war coalition government formed between the warring sides in early 2020.

Machar had engaged in a years-long "policy of divide and rule" and favoured nepotism over unity or advancing their cause, according to a statement signed by the SPLM/A-IO military leadership and dated August 3.

"As a result, the meeting saw there was no option rather than to come up with the decision and finally prompted to declare the denouncement of Dr Riek Machar Teny Dhurgon from the chairmanship of the SPLM/A-IO," the statement said.

Political Disunity

Machar's spokesman in Juba told AFP only that the rival political wing of the party was meeting to discuss the matter and would issue an update on the outcome.

Machar, a wily leader who survived years of bush warfare, close attempts on his life and stretches in exile, served as vice president in the first post-independence government alongside Kiir.

But the pair fell out and Machar was sacked two years later. Troops loyal to each man turned their guns on each other, and South Sudan descended into five years of horrific bloodshed.

In 2018 -- after a string of failed peace accords and violated ceasefires -- a fresh truce paused the fighting that left nearly 400,000 South Sudanese dead.

Under that arrangement, Machar entered another unity government as deputy to Kiir in February 2020.

But distrust lingered and cracks soon appeared, as key provisions of the peace accords went unfulfilled.

As the process drifted, Machar faced growing opposition within his own ranks, with top cadres complaining they had lost out under the power-sharing arrangement struck with the ruling party.

The political disunity comes as South Sudan faces economic disaster and its worst hunger crisis since independence, with tens of thousands of people enduring famine-like conditions in the world's youngest nation.

Already, there are calls for a peaceful public uprising to topple the current regime and end the chronic political and economic crisis.

At least two prominent activists were arrested Monday after they signed a declaration by a coalition of civil society groups saying they have "had enough" after a decade of troubled independence and called for the resignation of Kiir and Machar.

The arrests came the same day that hundreds of lawmakers were sworn in to a newly created parliament, a key part of the 2018 peace deal that had been delayed for almost a year.

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French President Emmanuel Macron aims to raise at least $350 million in emergency aid for Lebanon on Wednesday at a donor conference held on the first anniversary of a massive blast that gutted part of Beirut.

The August 4, 2020 explosion in Beirut port killed at least 214 people, traumatising the nation and bringing an already stuttering Lebanese economy closer to the brink of collapse.

Fuel, medicine and food have all grown scarce, but bickering between Lebanon's political parties has held up the formation of a new government, delaying a much-needed international bailout.

France says Wednesday's video conference, which is being co-hosted by Macron and United Nations chief Antonio Guterres, needs to raise $357 million to meet the most urgent needs of the Lebanese people in terms of food, health, clean water and education.

"One year after the tragedy, Lebanon can continue to count on France's solidarity," Macron tweeted ahead of the virtual meeting.

US President Joe Biden, Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sissi and Lebanon's own President Michel Aoun will be among the participants from around 40 countries and multilateral organisations, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the International Monetary Fund.

The conference is the third in aid of Lebanon to be organised by former colonial power France in as many years.

Each time, donors have pledged millions in emergency relief but conditioned a broader rescue plan on Lebanese politicians forming a government that commits to tackling rampant corruption, among reforms.

Lebanon has been without a government for all of the past year.

Najib Mikati, the billionaire businessman recently appointed prime minister, had hoped to form a cabinet by the anniversary of the blast but squabbling over cabinet posts continues.

"There is no still no progress on the formation of a government or the implementation of urgent reforms. Given the dramatic deterioriation of the economic, this is irresponsible," German foreign minister Heiko Maas, who is taking part in the donor conference, said on Wednesday.

The EU said last week it was ready to impose sanctions on members of the ruling elite who obstruct attempts to improve governance and public sector accountability.

France has already barred several Lebanese officials from its territory, without naming them.

"It's a first step, those who are targeted know it. The pressure will continue to grow," one of Macron's aides told reporters, speaking on condition of anonymity.

One of the chief demands of the Lebanese population and the international community is that top officials be investigated over the warehouse fire that triggered the port blast.

The depot contained hundreds of tonnes of poorly stored ammonium nitrate.

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Related Israeli army says it fires back after 3 rockets from Lebanon

The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) urged maximum restraint" along the Lebanese-Israeli border on Wednesday after Israel had announced that missile attacks were launched from Lebanon into its territory.

A missile exploded in an open site, while Israels defence system, the Iron Dome, intercepted another missile. The Israeli army responded with an artillery attack.

UNIFIL called for a ceasefire to avoid further escalation, adding that Major General Stefano Del Col, its head of mission and force commander, has immediately contacted both parties.

UNIFIL remains fully engaged with the parties through our liaison and coordination channels and we are working with the (Lebanese army forces) to ensure immediate follow up on the ground and to reinforce security along the Blue Line, read a UNIFIL statement.

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Shelling by Turkish forces and their rebel proxies killed three children and a male relative in northern Syria Wednesday, a war monitor said, in an attack condemned by Kurdish authorities.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that rockets were fired on a village controlled by Kurdish forces on the outskirts of the volatile Ain Issa district, near the border with Turkey.

"Four members of the same family were killed, including a man and three children," said the war monitor, which relies on sources inside Syria.

Others members of the family were wounded and are in critical condition, it added.

Pro-Ankara fighters have been stationed to the north of Ain Issa since Turkish soldiers and their Syrian proxies seized a 120-kilometre (70-mile) stretch of territory along the border from Kurdish fighters in 2019.

Since then, pro-Turkish forces have engaged in sporadic skirmishes with Kurdish forces branded as "terrorists" by Ankara.

The autonomous Kurdish administration condemned Wednesday's attack in a statement, saying it was intended "to shake stability in our region and terrorise residents."

Turkey and its Syrian proxies control several pockets of territory in northern Syria as a result of successive operations against Kurdish fighters or the Islamic State group since 2016.

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Related US extends Iraq sanctions waiver until before Biden inauguration The US has granted Iraq a four-month extension to a sanctions waiver allowing it to import Iranian gas, an Iraqi official told AFP on Wednesday.

Iraq buys gas and electricity from neighbouring Iran to supply about a third of its power sector, which has been worn down by years of conflict and poor maintenance, and is unable to meet the needs of the country's 40 million population.

The US blacklisted Iran's energy industry in late 2018 as it ramped up sanctions, but granted Baghdad a series of temporary waivers, hoping that Iraq would wean itself off Iranian energy.

The last exemption period ended last month, and the new waiver took effect last week, the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

It runs until the start of December.

The extensions follow a visit to Washington by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi to meet US President Joe Biden.

Iraq, where legislative elections are scheduled for October 10, must balance its relations with both Washington and Tehran, the arch-rival of the US.

Iraq produces 16,000 megawatts of power, far below the 24,000 megawatts needed, and even further from the expected future needs of a country whose population is set to double by 2050, according to the UN.

The failure of Iraq's energy system is particularly acute in the baking hot summer months, often a time of social protest exacerbated by electricity shortages, when temperatures shoot past 45 degrees Centigrade (113 Fahrenheit).

In early July, several provinces suffered blackouts due to attacks on power lines.

At the same time, Iran suspended its gas and electricity exports for a few days because of Iraq's failure to pay a six-billion-dollar debt for energy received.

While the US sanction waiver allows Baghdad to purchase energy from Iran, it still blocks it from paying its bills in US dollars -- a currency which Tehran, suffocated by sanctions, badly needs.

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Related Hundreds flee homes as heatwave fuels Greek wildfire

At least 150 houses were destroyed by a violent blaze that had surrounded a monastery and a dozen villages on the Greek island of Evia on Wednesday, firefighters and a local official said.

The wildfire is just one of some 40 blazes tearing through parts of Greece as a heatwave hits the country.

Three monks from Saint David Monastery on Evia had refused to leave, firefighters on the island said, adding that everyone else had been evacuated from the villages nearby.

"The flames are 30 to 40 metres high and surrounding the monastery. We're suffocating due to the smoke," one of the monks told the ANA Greek news agency by phone.

Argyris Liaskos, the deputy mayor of a nearby village, told Skai television that no aircraft "were deployed to extinguish the fire."

"At least 150 houses burnt," he said.

Evia island is off the Attica peninsula which also encompasses the Greek capital Athens.

A blaze also started near Olympia, the birthplace of the modern Olympic Games, but the ancient site is not under threat, firefighters said.

Around 100 firefighters are battling the flames there, aided by three helicopters and two water-dropping planes.

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Thousands of grief-stricken Lebanese on Wednesday marked a year since a cataclysmic explosion ravaged Beirut, protesting impunity over the country's worst peacetime disaster at a time when its economy was already in tatters.

Not far from a sombre remembrance service being held at the "ground zero" site of the blast, a group of protesters scuffled with riot police near the entrance to parliament, whose members have been accused of stalling a probe into the disaster.

Police fired tear gas at stone-lobbing demonstrators and beat them with batons, in clashes which the Red Cross said left dozens of people injured.

Mournful tunes rang out above central Beirut, as crowds walked towards the dockside, many brandishing posters demanding accountability over the disaster.

On August 4, 2020, a stock of ammonium nitrate fertiliser haphazardly stored at the city's port exploded and left swathes of the Lebanese capital looking like a war zone.

What went down as one of the largest non-nuclear blasts in history killed at least 214 people, levelled entire neighbourhoods, irreparably scarred the nation's psyche and deepened the country's economic abyss.

At the clock struck 6:07 pm, the exact time of the blast, thousands stood silently on the empty highway running past the obliterated port, the ruins of its grain silos basking in the evening sunshine.

Sandra Abras, 43, said she had come to pay respect to the victims after she was lucky to survive the explosion, but her home was ravaged in the blast.

"We weren't able to return home for a month and a half... We fixed it with our own money," she said, adding she suffered terrible headaches for months after the event.

Lawyers, doctors and engineers also joined in to pay tribute to those who perished in the blast, whose shockwave was felt as far away as Cyprus.

Port workers were buried under gutted grain silos in the explosion, commuters crushed to death and residents lacerated by supersonic shards of glass bled out in their homes.

'My Government Killed My People'



At the march a year later, protesters clad in dark hooded robes paraded a mock guillotine.

"My 'government' killed my people, took our homes and turned our city to dust," one woman's sign read.

Wafaa Karam, 37, mourned her brother, a nephew and a cousin, all firefighters killed last summer after they rushed to extinguish the fire that sparked the blast.

"We want the truth," she said.

The country's already reviled political class has hidden behind its proclaimed immunity to avoid prosecution, stalling the lead investigating judge's work at every turn.

Jeffry Chartouni, a worker at the port's grain silos, said he wanted justice for his seven colleagues killed.

"The security officials, the government, the customs, of course they all knew," the 32-year-old said.

Since the blast, the country has sunk deeper into economic crisis.

With more than half the population now living under the poverty line, former colonial power France Wednesday pledged $118 million and the United States promised $100 million, at the latest conference to drum up humanitarian aid.

'Nitrate Deputies'



Amnesty International has accused the Lebanese authorities of "shamelessly obstructing" justice, while Human Rights Watch accused them of "criminal negligence".

On Monday, relatives of blast victims called on authorities to lift immunity within three days, warning they were willing to "break bones" in upcoming protests.

According to foreign and Lebanese intelligence reports seen by AFP, hundreds of tonnes of fertiliser were carelessly stored in the same warehouse as tonnes of fireworks and rolls of detonating cord, among other dangerous materials.

The reports last year suggested welding work caused the original fire.

But more thorough investigations have yet to ascertain that fact and answer how the shipment got there in the first place, or why the hazardous materials were left to fester for years.

Lebanon's parliamentarians -- some of whom have been nicknamed the "nitrate deputies" on social media -- are ignoring intense international pressure and threats of sanctions.

The political class has also yet to agree on a new cabinet to replace the one that resigned after the explosion, a key condition to unlock any financial assistance to the cash-strapped state.

Lebanon's descent into chaos had already started before the port blast, with a bankrupt state trapping people's savings in banks and the national currency nosediving on the black market.

The country is now facing medicine, fuel and clean water shortages that are crippling a health sector facing a new wave of Covid infections and leading all of those who can to emigrate.

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Israel summoned Wednesday ambassadors of U.N. Security Council member states and urged for action against Iran following last week's drone strike off the coast of Oman on a merchant vessel linked to an Israeli billionaire.

A joint statement by the defense and foreign affairs ministry said that Israel called on the diplomats to have their governments ``set clear boundaries for Iran ... to cease its aggressive conduct.'' At the same time, it restated that ``Israel will maintain the right to act independently in the face of any attack or threat to its citizens and sovereignty.''

The United States, Britain and Israel have all blamed Iran for the drone strike on the Mercer Street last week that killed two, a British national and a Romanian. Iran has denied involvement in the incident.

While no one has claimed responsibility for the attack, Iran and its militia allies have used similar so-called ``suicide'' drones in attacks around the region. The Persian Gulf has seen a rise in attacks on commercial vessels in the aftermath of the disintegration of the Iran nuclear deal in 2018.

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz told diplomats that Iran ``violated all of the guidelines'' set in the now defunct nuclear deal, saying it was ``time for diplomatic, economic and even military deeds _ otherwise the attacks will continue.''

Israel has called for international pressure to halt what it has described as growing regional aggression by Iran, while also threatening to act alone to prevent its arch-enemy from obtaining nuclear weapons.

``This is an attack on the world's trade routes, this is an attack on freedom of movement. This is an international crime,'' said Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid.

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Ankara has criticised a US plan to use third countries such as Turkey to resettle thousands of Afghans who risk being targeted by Taliban insurgents over their US links.

Less than a month before the United States is set to end its longest-ever war, the State Department on Monday announced a new refugee admissions programme for Afghan nationals.

The programme covers interpreters and translators who worked with US forces, Afghans involved with US-funded projects and those employed by US-based NGOs or media organisations.

It involves resettling the Afghans in third countries in the region for around a year while their paperwork is processed.

But Turkey, which is already home to more than four million migrants ,most from war-torn Syria said it was never consulted.

"It's unacceptable to seek a solution to the problem in our country without our country's consent," the foreign ministry said in a statement issued late Tuesday.

The State Department referred to Turkey as one possible relocation point, also mentioning Pakistan.

But the Turkish ministry said the US plan would lead to a "big migration crisis in our region", adding it lacked the capacity to deal with "a new migration crisis on behalf of a third country".

With the ongoing withdrawal of US and NATO forces from Afghanistan, Turkey fears a new influx of refugees.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said Turkish officials were holding high-level talks over the issue with Afghan counterparts.

The issue is also likely to feature in talks between Ankara and Brussels about updating a 2016 deal under which Turkey received aid for hosting migrants seeking refuge in the Europe Union.

Asked about the number of Afghan arrivals in Turkey, a senior State Department official said on Monday: "I don't have numbers on Turkey.

"I would say we haven't seen major large outflows of people yet, but we have seen some numbers of people crossing, but not large numbers yet."

The Turkish foreign ministry said if the US wanted to take in the Afghans, it could do so through "direct flights".

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Cuba's hot spot for COVID-19 infections has shifted to the central province of Ciego de Avila, where officials are converting hotels into hospitals.

Instead of tourists, the Hotel Ciego de Avila will hold up to 240 low-risk pediatric patients, officials say, while the Las Canas Motel will have 53 beds for pregnant women with the coronavirus.

They are also ordering isolation of whole households when a virus is detected.

'The people are very frightened. Every day, more sick, more deaths _ a relative, a neighbor, a friend,' said Mayi Del Valle, a 49-year-old library worker from the town of Ceballos in the province, speaking by phone Wednesday. 'There are people treating COVID in their houses based on herbs.''

Cuba's national director of epidemiology, Francisco Duran, said Wednesday that the province accounted for 23 of the 98 new deaths from COVID-19 recorded the previous day in the country of 11 million people _ the nation's highest death toll yet in the pandemic.

The province of some 430,000 people had about twice as many deaths as in the capital of Havana, a city of 2 million.

The west-central province of Matanzas, famed for the beach resort Varadero, was the center of infection last month, but the wave there seems to have receded.

Deputy Prime Minister Jorge Luis Tapia and Health Minister Jose Angel Portales were sent to Ciego de Avila, about 400 kilometers (240 miles) east of Havana, and government news media said official were sending more ambulances and 100 bicitaxis, which can be used for logistical support.

Since the start of the pandemic, Cuba has recorded 3,091 deaths and 422,614 confirmed infections, a huge share of them just in recent weeks. The country had been highly successful in keeping the virus at bay last year, but cases began shooting up after a brief period of relaxed controls at the start of 2021.

The Pan American Health Organization also expressed concern Wednesday about rising infections in Cuba.

'This is due to the delta variant, which has been reported by authorities in various places in the country,' said Ciro Ugarte, director of health emergencies for the organization, during a news conference in Washington.

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Egypt disbursed EGP 37.3 million as green incentives for citizens who wanted to replace their old cars with new vehicles that run on natural gas, Minister of Finance Mohamed Maait announced on Wednesday.

Maait clarified that the sums were disbursed from April, when new car deliveries were begun, through July, adding that 3,000 cars were handed in this period.

Some 1,700 natural gas-run cars are expected to be delivered to their new owners in August as part of the government efforts to accelerate green transformation and consume clean energy resources, according to Maait.

Egypt launched in March the presidential initiative to replace old cars with new vehicles that run on natural gas.

CEO of of the initiative Amgad Mounir stated that 3,472 old cars were scrapped, adding that the initiative received 217 requests from old minibus owners to obtain new cars that run on natural gas in the governorates where the first phase of the initiative was implemented.

Under the initiative, the natural gas-run cars are required to be assembled in Egypt with at least 45 percent of their components manufactured locally.

The Ministry of Finance, through its Fund to Finance the Purchase of Certain Express Transportation Vehicles, manages the mechanism of the presidential initiative and its electronic platform.

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Under the slogan Truth, Harmony and Hope comes the latest edition of the Thoth festival, which will be held at the premises of New-Hermopolis in Malawi, Minya (24-30 October 2021).

Yesterday, at the premises of the House of Egyptian Architecture, the press conference for the seventh Thoth festival was announced.

Thoth, or Tehuti, was the ancient Egyptian god of wisdom, divine words and the inventor of the hieroglyphs, symbolised by baboons and the ibis.

With the aim of reviving such concepts and having Egyptians reconnect with their ancient origins, Mervat Abdel-Nasser, a consultant psychiatrist, researcher in Egyptology and writer, founded the Thoth festival seven years ago.

"The ancient annual festival of Thoth was usually held on the 19th of Tut (the ancient Egyptian/Coptic month), but I pushed it to 28 October because it is the death anniversary of Taha Hussein," Abdel-Nasser explained.

Hussein was a renowned Egyptian thinker and writer, dubbed the dean of Arabic literature. Born in Minya, he always believed that the only way for a new Egypt to manifest is to reconnect with ancient Egypt, she added, explaining that it was Hussein who singlehandedly managed to save the papyrus of Naga Hamadi, Qena.

This year, the festival will take place in New Hermopolis, which is a village of creativity, as Abdel-Nasser describes it. New Hermopolis aims to be the revival of the concept of the ancient City of Hermopolis, known as the city of creativity, philosophy and enlightenment, where the Hermetic philosophical writing Hermetica was created in the first century BC.

"The festival's activities shall include Gathering Hope activities, where the participants will follow in the footsteps of their ancient ancestors and scribble their wishes on pieces of pottery, or Ostraca, as it is known in Egyptology," explained Abdel-Nasser.

The festival will also see a documentation of Bygone architecture of the area, she noted. as well as an interactive theatre activity shall take place.

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Egypts Culture Minister Ines Abdel-Dayem on Tuesday led an honouring ceremony for the makers of 'Reesh' (Feathers), the debut feature film of director Omar El-Zohairy, celebrating its triumph in Cannes.

Feathers premiered in Paris in mid-July, winning the Critics' Week Grand Prize (Semaine de la Critique) as well as the International Federation of Film Critics Award for best first feature in parallel sections at the 74th Cannes Film Festival.

This is a historic achievement as it is also the first Egyptian participation in the competition, stated Abdel-Dayem during the ceremony attended by tens of filmmakers, critics and cinema personas at the Tharwat Okasha Hall of the National Cinema Centre.

The director and most of the crew were honored, including producers Mohamed Hefzy and Shahinaz El-Akkad, as well as DOP Kamal Samy and editor Hisham Saqr, in addition to the casts rising talents; Demyana Nassar, Samy Bassouny, Fady Mina Fawzy, Abu Sefen Nabil Wesa, Mohamed Abdel-Hady and others.

Feathers is a 112-minute Arabic-language film that explores the adventures of a mother who is stuck in a repetitive daily routine when a magician mistakenly turns her strict husband into a chicken, forcing her to adapt while going through a rough and absurd transformation.

Feathers will be premiering in Egypt in October as part of its participation in the Gouna Film Festival's fifth edition, which is scheduled for 14 to 22 October.

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

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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

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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 of Al-Ahram Weekly

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Beirut blast anniversary

A general view shows the damaged grain silos at the port on August 4, 2021, as Lebanon marks a year since a cataclysmic explosion ravaged the capital Beirut. AFP



Beirut blast anniversary

A man, right, hangs a giant Lebanese flag on a building that was damaged during last year's seaport blast during a commemoration in Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021. AFP

Beirut blast anniversary

Banners hang on buildings that were damaged during the last year seaport explosion during a commemoration of the first year blast anniversary in Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021. AFP

Beirut blast anniversary

Citizens stands on their apartment balcony under a giant banner that hangs on a building damaged during last year's seaport explosion during a one year commemoration in Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021. AFP

Beirut blast anniversary

A truck blocks a road leading to the highway facing Beirut's harbour with banners hanging on a building damaged during last year's port blast across the street, as Lebanon marks on August 4, 2021. AFP

Beirut blast anniversary

Police hold flowers to mark the first anniversary of Beirut's massive 2020 seaport blast in Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021. AP

Beirut blast anniversary

Brazilian former soccer star Ronaldinho, lays a wreath at Martyrs' statue at the firefighter headquarters in solidarity with the firefighters who died in last year's massive blast at Beirut's seaport, in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, July 29, 2021
The United Nations says about 20 peacekeepers in the force charged with monitoring the cease-fire between Israel and Syrian troops on the Golan Heights have been detained by approximately 30 armed fighters.

UN deputy spokesman Eduardo del Buey says the UN observers were on a regular supply mission Wednesday when they were stopped near an observation post which sustained damage and was evacuated last weekend following heavy combat.

He said the UN peacekeeping mission has dispatched a team to assess the situation and attempt a resolution.

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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 of Al-Ahram Weekly

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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

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Since the overthrow of Zine Al-Abidine bin Alis rule, Tunisia has experimented with two forms of government. The first is the parliamentary system, which was implemented from October 2011 until December 2013. In this system, parliament was the political centre of gravity with symbolic powers given to the president. Parliament was elected in a free and direct election by the people and it named the president.

The second is the semi-parliamentary system. Despite the fact that the presidents terms of reference in the 2011 constitution were expanded, the assembly of the People's Representatives remained the political centre of gravity.

During the implementation of the two systems, the battle on the terms of reference between the president on one hand and the head of government and parliamentary speaker on the other didnt stop.

For instance, a conflict broke out in 2012 between President Moncef Marzouki and Hamadi Jebali from Ennahda Movement after the role of the Libyan prime minister, during Muammar Gaddafis rule, was handed over to the Libyan authorities without consulting with Marzouki. The Tunisian president regarded the move as a marginalisation of his role, branding it as a stab in the back.

There was also a conflict between president Beji Caid Essebsi and Youssef Chahed, the head of the government who had the support of Ennahda Movement. The movement stood in the way of Essebsis attempts to dismiss Chahed.

The battle for power paramounted during the presidency of Kais Saied. Rached Al-Ghannouchi, the parliament speaker and Ennahda Movement president, embarked on a series of moves abroad in violation of his constitutional terms of reference in an attempt to drag Tunisia into an ideological regional line-up. In response, Saied announced that there is only one president for Tunisia who represents it at home and abroad.

As it did with Chahed, Ennahda manipulated Hichem Mechichi to exert pressure on the president and tried to impose ministers suspected of corruption.

All this was taking place while there were other battles raging under the roof of the Assembly of the People's Representatives with the severe fragmentation in its constituents and without a clear political majority. Thus, sit-ins recurred in the assembly and its sessions were delayed. Heated arguments took place and verbal and physical assaults from Ennahdas representatives were launched against Abir Moussi, president of the Free Destourian Party.

The message received by the public amid the Covid-19 pandemic and the deterioration of the economic situation is the political class total disconnection from everyday problems.

With the 65th anniversary of Tunisian Independence approaching, angry crowds in several Tunisian cities went out on the streets demanding the parliament be dissolved and the government dismissed. Ennahda Movement headquarters was attacked since it bears a considerable part of the responsibility for the extended political crisis. The crowds, who are angry at the political class, had chosen Saied as president -- from outside the political arena two years ago -- and took him to the Carthage Palace.

The aforementioned incidents provide the general context in which Saied took his decisions on 25 July, which included freezing parliament for 30 days and dismissing Mechichis government. Practically, the parliament was frozen and Mechichis government had been acting like a lame duck with nine vacant ministries run by acting ministers.

Saied relied in those fateful decisions on Article 80 of the constitution which entitles him in a state of imminent danger threatening the integrity of the country and its security and independence to take the measures necessitated by this exceptional situation.

These decisions have triggered widespread debate abound the extent of Parliament's commitment to literal constitutional texts. However, political crises require political flexibility within the frame of being committed to the spirit of the text. The Tunisian president made this crystal clear when he asserted the temporary nature of the decisions he took.

The important question is: What's next? The Tunisian General Labour Union has moved in coordination with some civil society organisations to draft a roadmap and present it to the president on the day this article was to be published. It is known that the president himself has consulted with the Tunisian General Labour Union and leading civil society organisations to inform them of his viewpoint on the crisis; that there is a movement in the political arena but there is a need for speed in the light of the constitutional time frame.

Perhaps one of the points that needs wide consensus is amending the constitution in a way that allows renewing the Tunisian political system; a renewal that consolidates the presidencys role without reproducing a regime like that of Habib Bourguiba or Zine Al-Abidine bin Ali.

It is known that Article 143 of the Tunisian Constitution allows the president to present an initiative to amend the constitution and it grants priority for such a presidential initiative. Thus, the president can present his initiative to the Assembly of the People's Representatives when it resumes its sessions.

It is expected that Ennahda Movement and Al-Karama Coalition, its Salafist ally, wont support this initiative because they benefit from the semi-parliamentary system by virtue of their organisational and mobilisation capabilities. However, together, they dont constitute parliamentary majority. We shouldnt forget that the Heart of Tunisia Party, which supported Ennahda for years and used to strengthen its stand against the president on the back of Ennahda, has moved after criticising the 25 July decisions for one day only to welcome them. This clarifies the state of political parties in Tunisia.

To complete the picture, two observations ought to be noted. The first is that the judiciary has opened an investigation about whether Ennahda and the Heart of Tunisia Party received funds from abroad for their election campaigns in 2019. Yet, it is not known to what extent the investigation results will impact the balance of power in parliament.

The second is that the experience of 2013 has made us accustomed to the fact that when Ennahda Movement is cornered, it retreats. Now it is cornered. Who could have imagined that demonstrators would have attacked Ennahda headquarters, even Al-Ghannouchis car? Some signs of Ennahdas retreat began to emerge already, whether when its supporters left the parliament area or through its call for national dialogue.

When the constitutional amendment initiative is passed in parliament, early presidential and parliamentary elections can be held. Tunisia can turn the page on political instability under two main titles: just development and combating corruption.

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KYODO NEWS - Jul 29, 2021 - 13:40 | World, All

China's new ambassador to Washington, Qin Gang, arrived in the United States on Wednesday, the Foreign Ministry said, with tensions between the two major powers showing few signs of easing soon.

Qin, who served as deputy foreign minister prior to his new appointment, took a tough stance against the United States during his time as director general of the ministry's Information Department until 2011.

China-U.S. relations have "once again come to a new critical juncture, facing not only many difficulties and challenges but also great opportunities and potentials," Qin told reporters upon arrival in the United States, according to the website of the Chinese Embassy in Washington.

"As two big countries different in history, culture, social system and development stage, China and the United States are entering a new round of mutual exploration, understanding and adaptation, trying to find a way to get along with each other in the new era," he added.

Qin's predecessor, Cui Tiankai, had been ambassador to the United States since 2013.

The United States is also expected to replace its ambassador to China in the not-so-distant future with the administration of President Joe Biden in place since January.

Beijing has been at loggerheads with Washington over a wide range of issues such as trade, state-of-the-art technology, Taiwan, Hong Kong and its alleged human rights abuses against the Muslim Uyghur minority in the far western Xinjiang region.

Qin's arrival in the United States came just days after China lambasted the Biden administration for treating it as an "imagined enemy," calling on it to change what the Asian nation claims is its highly misguided mindset.

During talks between Chinese officials and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman in Tianjin on Monday, China also urged the United States to rectify its "wrong" policies against the country, including revoking the visa restrictions on members of the ruling Communist Party.
ASEAN foreign ministers agreed Wednesday to appoint Brunei diplomat Erywan Yusof as the group's special envoy to member country Myanmar, where the military seized power six months ago.

Myanmar's junta's approved Erywan's appointment during a 40-minute special online meeting, which came two days after the ministers held talks without reaching a formal conclusion.

Leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations agreed in April to send a special envoy to Myanmar in the wake of the Feb. 1 coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's democratically elected government, but months passed without one chosen.

The selection of Erywan, who is Brunei's second foreign minister, as the ASEAN special envoy is in fulfillment of a "five-point consensus" agreed upon at an extraordinary ASEAN summit held in Indonesia in April.

A joint communique released Wednesday said the special envoy is tasked with "building trust and confidence with full access to all parties concerned and providing a clear timeline on the implementation of the five-point consensus."

The Indonesian Foreign Ministry's Director General for ASEAN Cooperation Sidharto Suryodipuro told a press conference that the special envoy must report the results of his Myanmar visit at the next ASEAN foreign ministerial meeting in September.

The diplomat stressed that the joint communique "cannot be seen as a (ASEAN) recognition of the military junta."

He pointed out that, unlike previous years' communiques, the latest one does not start with the words "We, the Foreign Ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations..."

The wording avoidance reflects the controversial participation in this week's series of ASEAN ministerial meetings of Myanmar's junta-appointed foreign minister Wunna Maung Lwin.

ASEAN sources earlier said Indonesia opposed the candidacy of former Thai Deputy Foreign Minister Virasakdi Futrakul, who was apparently favored by Myanmar's junta.

Other nominees put forward included Hassan Wirajuda, a former Indonesian foreign minister, and Razali Ismail, a Malaysian who was a U.N. special envoy for Myanmar in the 2000s.

At Monday's meeting, Indonesia and Singapore had pushed for the selection of Erywan, whose country currently holds the rotating ASEAN chair.

Bilahari Kausikan, former permanent secretary of Singapore's Foreign Ministry, described Erywan as "an excellent choice" and a "very experienced ASEAN hand."

"But I hope ASEAN's friends and partners will not burden him with unrealistic expectations and by second-guessing his every move," he said.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
KYODO NEWS - Aug 4, 2021 - 08:59 | All, World, Coronavirus

The administration of President Joe Biden said Tuesday that it has now donated and shipped more than 110 million doses of coronavirus vaccine to more than 60 countries, claiming it a "major milestone" that cements the United States as the global leader in COVID-19 vaccine donations.

"According to the United Nations, this is more than the donations of all 24 countries that have donated any vaccine to other countries, including China and Russia -- all those nations combined," Biden said, naming the two countries that are engaging in their own vaccine diplomacy to exert influence on developing countries.

Reiterating his view that the world is now in a race between democracies and autocracies like China and Russia, Biden said democracies of the world are looking to America to lead in two ways -- by controlling the virus at home and helping address the pandemic around the world.

The Biden administration has committed to donate at least 80 million vaccine doses from the U.S. supply to countries throughout the world, with a majority of the vaccines shipped through the U.N.-backed COVAX global vaccine sharing program.

Countries and regions that have benefited so far include Indonesia, which received 8 million doses, as well as Colombia and the Philippines, which each received around 6 million doses, according to the White House. Vietnam received 5 million shots and Taiwan 2.5 million shots.

Starting at the end of this month, the administration said it will begin shipping half a billion Pfizer Inc. vaccine doses that the United States has pledged to purchase and donate to 100 low-income countries in need.

At home, the Biden administration on Monday achieved its goal of inoculating 70 percent of adults in the United States with at least one shot, about a month later than it initially aimed to.

But it has recently ramped up its vaccination campaign as the highly contagious Delta variant of the virus is pushing up the number of new daily cases to more than 75,000.
KYODO NEWS - Aug 4, 2021 - 20:41 | Sports, News, All, Coronavirus

The Tokyo Olympic organizing committee said Wednesday several confirmed COVID-19 cases among the Greek artistic swimming team are the first cluster of infections in the athletes' village, amid surging infections in Japan.

"I have to say it is a cluster," a spokesman for the organizing committee, Masanori Takaya, said after it reported 29 more COVID-19 cases associated with the Olympics, the highest daily count, bringing the cumulative total to over 300.

It said the 29 cases include three Greek artistic swimmers who were staying in the village for the Olympics, which began July 23 amid a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases propelled by the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus.

Among the 12-member Greek artistic swimming team, four athletes and one official have tested positive for COVID-19. All the members, including seven who had tested negative for the virus, have already left the village and relocated to isolation facilities, according to the organizing committee.

Greece said Tuesday it will withdraw from artistic swimming competitions.

Despite the number of Olympic-related infections remaining relatively low, the Tokyo metropolitan government on Wednesday reported another daily record of 4,166 COVID-19 cases.

"The Olympics have had an impact on people's consciousness," the government's top COVID-19 adviser Shigeru Omi told a parliamentary committee.

As of early August, the Delta variant is believed to be responsible for roughly 90 percent of new infections in the Kanto region including Tokyo and its surrounding prefectures, according to Japan's National Institute of Infectious Diseases.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and senior government officials have stated there is no link between the ongoing games and the COVID-19 spike, stressing strict and adequate measures have been put in place to prevent the participants from coming into contact with the Japanese public.

Among Olympic athletes and stakeholders, the virus positivity rate stood at 0.02 percent with over 500,000 tests conducted so far, Takaya said at a press briefing on Wednesday.

The daily figure includes another athlete from overseas, the organizing committee said, without identifying from which country. Besides the athletes, they are 19 contractors and four volunteers and two games-linked officials. Of the total, 24 were residents of Japan.

One case reported by the committee on Sunday proved to be negative later and was eliminated from the cumulative total, now standing at 322.

The numbers do not include those announced by Japanese central and local governments.

The Tokyo metropolitan police separately said it has confirmed a total of 23 COVID-19 cases among officers dispatched from across the country for Olympic security assistance.
KYODO NEWS - Aug 5, 2021 - 05:35 | All, World, Coronavirus

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed to his counterparts from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations his strong concerns about the military coup in Myanmar and called on ASEAN to urge the junta toward restoring democracy, the government said Wednesday.

After the virtual foreign ministerial meeting arranged on the same day by Brunei, the chair of ASEAN, Blinken tweeted that the 10-member group is "key to the future of the Indo-Pacific," apparently in mind of China's growing clout in the region.

The top U.S. diplomat's attendance at the meeting came as the administration of President Joe Biden is stepping up engagement with Southeast Asian nations amid its ongoing efforts to shore up international support to counter China's assertiveness.

Blinken and the ASEAN foreign ministers discussed regional and international challenges, including combating the coronavirus pandemic, acting boldly against the climate crisis, strengthening human capital development and the "urgency" of action on Myanmar, the State Department said in a press release.

He stressed the U.S. contribution to the response to the pandemic, including donating more than 23 million vaccine doses to ASEAN member states, and announced that the United States plans to provide $500,000 to their COVID-19 response fund to support the purchase of vaccines, the department said.

On Myanmar, the secretary of state "expressed grave concerns about the military coup" in the country and called on ASEAN to "take joint action to urge the military to end the violence, release all those unjustly detained, and restore Burma's path to democracy," it said.

The situation in Myanmar, an ASEAN member, has sparked international condemnation as violence has been seen against anti-coup protesters by the country's security forces since the military ousted the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi in the Feb. 1 coup.

The coup has reversed the Southeast Asian country's democratization less than a decade after its transition to civilian rule.

Blinken said in a separate statement that he welcomed ASEAN's move to appoint Bruneian diplomat Erywan Yusof as special envoy to Myanmar, tasked with facilitating dialogue between the military rulers and their opponents.

The envoy's appointment was endorsed during a meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers also held on Wednesday.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

In a related move, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman had a phone call with a representative of Myanmar's government in exile the same day, according to the State Department, the first such announced contact between a senior U.S. official and the National Unity Government for Myanmar.

Sherman and Zin Mar Aung, who serves in the role of foreign minister of the NUG, discussed ongoing efforts to return Myanmar to a path to democracy, including continued U.S. support for the pro-democracy movement, the department said.

They also held talks on efforts to combat rising coronavirus infections in Myanmar and to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of the country, it added.

The NUG was established in April by members of the National League for Democracy party led by Suu Kyi.
Shillong/Aizawl/Agartala/Kohima/Itanagar/Imphal:

While Assams neighbours were on their toes on Monday to thwart possible infiltration of people who were left out of the NRC final draft, a prominent students body of the region called for extending the citizens register to the other Northeastern states.

The final draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) was released in Assam on Monday.

Lauding the Assam government for its achievement in preparing the draft NRC, the Northeast Students Organisation (NESO), an umbrella body of students of all the Northeastern states, demanded that the exercise be extended to the other states in the region as well as they too faced the illegal immigration problem.

NESO chairman Samuel Jyrwa said, The NRC was one of the demands after the Assam Accord. Now, we desire that it should be extended to all the Northeastern states.

Also Read | Assam NRC: Government did tardy job, must move swiftly to resolve crisis: Rahul Gandhi

He added that the other Northeastern states also suffered due to illegal immigration.

We have seen the quantum of rejections (people left out of the NRC final draft) in Assam and the states in the Northeast are extremely cautious lest these people run for refuge from Assam, Jyrwa said.

The Meghalaya government held a high-level meeting to take stock of the situation along its border with Assam, officials said.

The deputy commissioners and superintendents of police were asked to keep a close watch on the development in close coordination with their counterparts in Assam, state Additional Chief Secretary (home) Peter Ingty told PTI.

The meeting was chaired by Chief Secretary Y Tsering and attended by Ingty, Home Commissioner S Kharlyngdoh and Director General of Police (DGP) Swaraj Bir Singh, the officials said.

Also Read | Monsoon Session Highlights | What is the Centre's role in Assam NRC: Rajnath Singh to Opposition

Ingty said there was no untoward incident reported so far and the state government had taken precautionary measures to prevent any breakdown of law and order, especially in the districts bordering Assam.

We are undertaking a tight vigil and action will be taken against any trouble-monger or alleged infiltrators, the DGP said.

Garo Hills has been kept on high alert as there are apprehensions that many of those, whose names do not figure in the final draft NRC, may use the plains areas there to enter Mizoram, a senior official from the Garo Hills division said.

Meghalayas influential Khasi Students Union (KSU) called upon the traditional bodies and village elders to detect and report any spill-over incidents.

KSU president L Marngar said, Those rejected from Assam will certainly now use Meghalaya as a refuge. Unlike Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, who have the Inner Line Permit (ILP) provisions, Meghalaya does not have such facilities to detect influx.

The Arunachal Pradesh government has issued advisories to the police department to maintain a strict vigil on all the check-gates of the state and carry out frisking of dubious people.

As Arunachal shares an about 804-km boundary with Assam, the state government is apprehensive that many people from that state may try to sneak in, fearing deportation.

Also Read | Manipur encounters: Expedite probe, issue involves life, death, says

All the check-gates have been put on a high alert and the security personnel have been asked to go for rigorous checking of all those entering the state, senior Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Tusar Taba said.

He said the SPs) of all the districts bordering Assam were instructed to keep a close watch on the situation.

The Mizoram government did not sound any security alerts in view of the publication of the final draft of the NRC in Assam, a senior state police official said.

Nagaland, which shares one of the longest borders with Assam, has also been kept on high alert. The Nagaland police has deployed additional forces in the border areas, including Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) units, Chief Secretary Temjen Toy said.

Six districts of the stateKohima, Dimapur, Mokokchung, Wokha, Mon and Longlengshared the border with Assam, he said, adding, We are keeping a close watch on any possibilities of influx.

The state government had also written to the village councils, asking them to remain vigilant and not to allow illegal immigrants to enter their areas or employ them in any manner, he said.

Meanwhile, security was beefed up in Tripura, along its 100-km border with Assams Karimganj district.

Also Read | Highlights | Assam's final NRC draft released; 2.89 crore people included in the list

We have beefed up security along the Assam-Tripura border, apprehending infiltration of people from the neighbouring state. We are keeping a close vigil on the border, Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Dharmanagar in North Tripura district Dhiman Das Chowdhury told PTI.

The Opposition CPI-M said it was against the revision of the NRC in Tripura, while the ruling BJP said it did not see any possibility of Assams NRC revision affecting Tripuras demographic balance.

State CPM secretary Bijan Dhar said his party opposed the NRC revision in Tripura, adding that they had earlier clarified their stand on the issue.

Also Read | Manipur: 10 injured as mob attacks police

We have not discussed the matter in a party forum yet. I do not see any possibility of Assams NRC revision impacting Tripuras demographic balance, state BJP spokesperson Mrinal Kanti Deb said.

In Manipur, police are on the lookout for bamboo structures over the Barak river, which could be used by the immigrants to cross over to the state.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh told reporters, Vigilance along the Barak river, which flows in Jiribam district, has been enhanced and the police have been directed to cross-check suspicious individuals.
Washington:

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he has spoken with the National Rifle Association about downloadable directions others want to provide for people to make 3D-printed guns, adding that the idea doesnt seem to make much sense!

Trump tweeted he is looking into 3-D Plastic Guns being sold to the public and already spoke to NRA. He did not offer further details, and the White House did not immediately provide additional clarity.

The National Rifle Association did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Eight have filed suit against the Trump administration over its decision to allow a Texas company to publish downloadable blueprints for a 3D-printed gun, contending that such hard-to-trace plastic weapons are a boon to terrorists and criminals and threaten public safety.

The suit, filed on Monday in Seattle, asks a judge to block the federal governments late-June settlement with Defense Distributed, which allowed the company to make the plans available online.

Trump softens tone over Iran, says he is ready to meet President Rouhani

Democrats held a news conference today, calling on the administration to reverse the decision. Senators said Trump has the power to stop the company from making downloadable plans available online.

Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal said if Trump fails to act, blood is going to be on his hands. People can use the blueprints to manufacture plastic guns using a 3D printer. But gun industry experts have expressed doubt that criminals would go to the trouble, since the printers needed to make the guns are very expensive, the guns themselves tend to disintegrate quickly and traditional firearms are easy to come by.

Unlike traditional firearms that can fire thousands of rounds in their lifetimes, the 3D-printed guns normally last only a few rounds before they fall apart, experts say. They dont have magazines that allow the usual nine or 15 rounds to be carried; instead, they usually hold a bullet or two and then must be manually loaded afterward. And theyre not usually very accurate.

Cody Wilson, the founder of Defense Distributed, first published downloadable designs for a 3D-printed firearm in 2013. The plans were downloaded about 100,000 times until the State Department ordered him to cease, contending the effort violated federal export laws since some of the blueprints were downloaded by people outside the United States.

Trump willing to shut down government over border security

The State Department reversed course in late June, agreeing to allow Wilson to resume posting the blueprints.

The company filed its own suit in Texas on Sunday, asserting that its the victim of an ideologically fueled program of intimidation and harassment that violates the companys First Amendment rights.

Meanwhile, Defence Distributed agreed to block temporarily Pennsylvania residents from downloading the plans after state officials went to federal court in Philadelphia on Sunday seeking an emergency order. The company said it has also blocked access to users in New Jersey and Los Angeles.

For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Kolkata:

West Bengal Assembly passes motion against NRC final draft

Kolkata, Jul 31 (PTI) The West Bengal Assembly passed on Tuesday a motion against the final draft of the National Register of Citizens in Assam and adopted an unanimous proposal condemning it.

The motion was moved under the Rule 185 by state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee.

We have to stage a protest together irrespective of our political colour. The NRC is nothing but a game plan for vote bank politics, Chatterjee said.

He claimed several well-known people have expressed their wish to visit Assam in this connection.

Leader of Opposition Abdul Mannan (Congress) questioned the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue and said that if needed political parties might visit the national capital to stage protest against the NRC in Assam.

NRC draft to cause 'civil war', 'bloodbath' in India, warns Mamata Banerjee

Senior CPI(M) leader and Left Front legislature party leader Sujan Chakraborty expressed his concern and described the entire exercise as anti-human.

The BJPs three MLAs were not present in the House during the discussion on the motion.

Mannan and Chakraborty had yesterday demanded that a motion be brought in the Assembly to discuss the issue.

Registrar General of India Sailesh had announced in Guwahati on Monday that 2,89,83,677 people were found to be eligible for inclusion in the final draft of the NRC out of a total 3,29,91,384 applicants and around 40.07 lakh of them did not find a place in the document.

The fate of these about 40 lakh people remains in limbo with the Centre declining to comment on their citizenship status.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday warned that exclusion of 4 million people from National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam could lead to bloodbath and a civil war in the country.

No coercive action will be taken over Assam's NRC list: Supreme Court

She also asked Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to clarify whether the Centre intends to carry out an exercise similar to NRC-Assam in her state.

Banerjee had hit out at the Centre yesterday accusing it of resorting to vote bank politics.

This divide and rule policy will finish the country, she told a press conference in Kolkata and alleged it was a gameplan to isolate and throw out of the state Bengali speaking people and Biharis.

Banerjee also claimed that names of people who have passports, Aadhaar and voter cards have also been excluded from the final draft.

Assam, which has witnessed an influx of people from neighbouring Bangladesh since the early 20th century, is the only state to have the NRC, which was first prepared in 1951.

Assam NRC Draft: Who are more important - Indians or Bangladeshis, Amit Shah asks Opposition

The current NRC is being updated with March 24, 1971 as the cut-off date to include names of genuine Indian citizens.

For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps.
Putrajaya :

A long-awaited official report into the disappearance of Flight MH370 gave no new clues today about why the Malaysian plane vanished, sparking anger and disappointment among relatives of those on board.

The report from the official investigation team pointed to failings by air traffic controllers and suggested the Malaysia Airlines plane was likely diverted from its flight path manually, rather than due to a mechanical fault.

But it said the Boeing 777 jet, which vanished over four years ago as it flew from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people on board, was airworthy and the pilots were in a fit state to fly.

After years of fruitless searching in the worlds most enduring aviation mystery, the report offered nothing concrete to grieving relatives of passengersmost of whom were Chineseand crew hoping for some sort of closure.

The team is unable to determine the real cause for the disappearance of MH370, concluded the largely technical 400-page report.

Relatives who were briefed at the transport ministry before the reports public release expressed anger that there was nothing new in the document, with some storming out of the briefing as frustration boiled over.

ALSO READ : Maharashtra bus accident: NDRF rescues 30 bodies from the spot; search operation ends

It is so disappointing, said Intan Maizura Othman, whose husband was a steward on MH370. I am frustrated. There is nothing new in the report.

Those who gave the briefing from the ministry of transport were not able to give answers as they were not (the ones) who wrote the report. She said the meeting between relatives and officials descended into a shouting match as family members frustration boiled over.

Many asked questions, said G. Subramaniam, who lost a son on the flight, but added that unsatisfactory responses left many angry.

The disappearance of MH370 triggered the largest hunt in aviation history. But no sign of the jet was found in a 120,000-square kilometre Indian Ocean search zone and the Australian-led hunt was suspended in January last year.

US exploration firm Ocean Infinity resumed the search in a different location at the start of this year on a no find, no fee basis, using high-tech drones to scour the seabed.

But that search was also called off after failing to find anything.



Only three confirmed fragments of MH370 have been found, all of them on western Indian Ocean shores, including a two-metre wing part known as a flaperon.

Malaysias new government, which took power in May, has said the hunt could be resumed but only if new evidence comes to light and officials have seemed keen to draw under a line the tragedy.

One area that came in for criticism in the report by the 19-member investigation team, which included foreign investigators, was air traffic control.

It said both Malaysian air traffic control and their Vietnamese counterparts failed to act properly when the Boeing jet passed from Malaysian to Vietnamese airspace and disappeared from radars.

Air traffic controllers did not initiate emergency procedures in a timely fashion, delaying the start of the search and rescue operation, it said.

However, it played down concerns about the pilot and first officer, saying neither appeared to have suffered difficulties in their personal lives that could have affected their ability to fly.

It also said the plane was airworthy and did not have major technical issues. This, however, meant that the planes change of course was likely made while the aircraft was under manual control and not the autopilot, the report said.





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New Delhi: India has become the President of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on August 1. India will chair the Security Council for the entire month of August. India has made it clear that it will give priority to maritime security, peace process, and fight against terrorism in the role of president of UNSC. The timing of India's chairmanship of the UNSC is considered crucial. In fact, American troops are returning again from Afghanistan. The Taliban, the terror group, is increasing its strength there. The 2 years of removal of Section 370 in Kashmir are coming to an end on 5th August. India will also celebrate its 75th Independence Day this month. The entire world is watching India's chairmanship in the Security Council.

What is the history of the UNSC?

After the Second World War, the United Nations (UN) was established with the objective of promoting peace, security, and friendly relations between the countries. The United Nations has 6 major organs, of which UNSC is also a part. Its main function is to ensure peace and security all over the world. The first meeting of the UNSC was held on 17th January 1946. There were 11 members in the Security Council at the time of formation. In 1965, the number was increased to 15. Out of the total 15 Member States of the Security Council, 5 are permanent and 10 are temporary. The permanent members include the US, UK, France, Russia, and China. If any of the permanent members disagree with a decision, it can use veto power to prevent that decision from being passed. In addition to these 5 permanent countries, 10 temporary countries are also included in the UNSC for 2 years. These are selected on a regional basis. Five of these 10 temporary seats are provided for Africa and Asian countries, one to Eastern European countries, two Latin American and Caribbean countries, and two to Western European and other countries. A country is made a member-only when two-thirds of the countries vote in favour of that country. India has become a temporary member of the UNSC for the 8th time in January. India got 184 out of 192 votes in the voting held in June last year. India will remain a member of the Security Council till 31st December 2022. Tell you that the chairmanship of the UNSC varies every month. In the chronological order of English words, the Member State gets the chairmanship per month. It was headed by France in July before India. Ireland will be given the responsibility in September. India will be the President of the UNSC 2 times in its 2-year tenure.

What is the problem before India?

In fact, India has been trying to be a permanent member of the UNSC for a long time, but China is the biggest hurdle in India's path. Apart from China, France, the USA, Russia, and the UK have agreed to make India a permanent member of the UNSC, but China has been opposing India's permanent membership on different pretexts. At the same time, there have been several demands for changes in the structure of the UNSC. It is argued that developing countries are underrepresented in UNSC, but permanent members do not want any change and another country gets veto power. Apart from India, Japan, Germany, and Brazil are also trying to become permanent members of the Security Council.

Will India get permanent membership after becoming UNSC President?

According to Dr. Sudhir Suthar, professor at the Centre for Political Studies, JNU, India's leadership of the Security Council is an administrative matter. There is no diplomatic strategy. At the same time, the agenda of each meeting is already decided. So you are unlikely to do too much new. The demand for expansion of the Security Council in UN member states has been rising for decades, but no change is likely unless the five permanent members agree.

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Tokyo Olympics: India freestyle wrestler Ravi Kumar Dahiya stormed into the finals of the men's freestyle 57kg category at the Tokyo Olympics after beating Kazakhstan's Nurislam Sanayev in the semi-finals on Wednesday. The Indian wrestler won by fall. Dahiya will now fight at the finals on Thursday and he is the first to enter the final since Sushil in 2012. In the first period, Ravi Dahiya managed to take a 2-1 lead and in the second period, the pressure was entirely on Sanayev.

Sanayev bounced back strongly in the second period and he quickly eradicated the lead of Dahiya. Early on, in the second period, the entire pressure was put on the Indian wrestler. In the end, Dahiya staged a revival and as a result, India has been assured of a silver medal.

Earlier, Ravi Kumar Dahiya had stormed into the semi-finals of the men's freestyle 57kg category. Fourth-seeded Ravi defeated Bulgaria's Georgi Valentinov Vangelov by pure brute strength and agility at Mat A by 14-4.

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Kabul: The Afghan Ministry of Information and Culture has reported that 51 media outlets in the country have been shut down due to violence in the past three months. The ministry said 16 media outlets, including four TV networks, are in Helmand, which has stopped functioning in recent times.

Acting Minister for Information and Culture Qasim Wafizada said that 35 media outlets have stopped their work so far. More than six media outlets, terror outfits have gone into the hands of the Taliban, and their activities are being used by the Taliban as their voice. Data from Nai, an organization that supports open media in Afghanistan, shows that 51 media outlets across the country have been shut down since April.

According to the data, these outlets were operating in Helmand, Kandahar, Badakhshan, Takhar, Baghlan, Samangan, Balkh, Sar-e-Pul, Jawzjan, Faryab, Nuristan, and Badghis. Five TV networks and 44 radio stations, one media center, and a news agency are among the outlets that halted their operations. In this period, over 1,000 reporters and media workers, including 150 women, lost their jobs. Meanwhile, two journalists, including Indian journalist Danish Siddiqui, have been killed in the Taliban attack so far.

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New Delhi: Losing one's life while fighting for the country is a big deal, recently a similar case has come to the fore where two BSF jawans have been killed in an attack by militants near the Indo-Bangladesh international border in Tripura. He gave his life fighting for it. Among the soldiers who were martyred is 56-year-old Jawan Bhuru Singh of village Ahar of Israna block of Panipat. Martyr Bhuru Singh had gone on patrol at 6:30 am on Tuesday. The militants of the militant organization National NLFT started ambushing the BSF jawans. In which Bhuru Singh Khenchi martyred.

According to media reports, Bhuru Singh was working as a sub-inspector (SI) in BSF. Martyr Bhuru Singh's elder son Ravindra said that he had a conversation with his father on the phone 5 days ago. In a phone conversation, Martyr Bhuru Singh said that he was about to go on training for promotion. Before that, he was talking about coming to the village.

Tomorrow the body will come to the village: Let us tell that Sumit, the younger son of martyr Bhuru, is also working in BSF as a sub-inspector in Kashmir. Sumit's wife Priyankal Khenchi is also a sub-inspector in BSF Punjab. Elder son Ravindra works in a private company. Martyr Bhuru Singh's wife has passed away. The body of the martyr is going to be brought to the native village on Thursday. Where he will be cremated with state honors.

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Samsung is a global leader in the smartphone market. It is also the company to spend the most on research and development (R&D). The recent development in technologies in Samsung is evident that it plans to stay on the top for a long time.

Samsung is also one of the most loved smartphone companies in Nepal as it brings its products to the Nepali market as soon as they launch internationally. It also has a smartphone in every possible segment, from ultra-low-budget to the expensive flagship ones. Since it is one of the most trusted brands in Nepal, people usually do not have second thoughts while purchasing a Samsung smartphone. There are even some hardcore followers that only want Samsung phones.

Here, we will be providing you with an updated price list of Samsung phone models that are available in the Nepali market at the moment.

Plus, we will explain in detail the five best Samsung phones of our choice.

Price list

Models Price Galaxy Z Fold 2 Rs 2,09,999 (256GB) Galaxy S21 Ultra Rs 1,54,999 (12+256GB) Galaxy S21+ Rs 1,29,999 (256GB) Galaxy S21 Rs 1,09,999 (256GB) Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Rs 1,39,999 (256GB) Galaxy Note 20 Rs 1,09,999 (256GB) Galaxy S20+ Rs 94,999 (128GB) Galaxy S20 Fan Edition (FE) Rs 69,999 (8+128GB)

Rs 74,999 (8+256GB) Galaxy Note 10 Lite Rs 58,999 (8+128GB) Galaxy A72 Rs 51,999 (8/128GB)

Rs 56,999 (8/256GB) Galaxy A71 Rs 49,999 (8+128GB) Galaxy A52 Rs 41,999 (8+128GB) Galaxy A51 Rs 39,999 (6+128GB) Galaxy M62 Rs 39,999 (6+128GB)

Rs 42,999 (8+128GB) Galaxy M51 Rs 39,999 (6+128GB)

Rs 43,999 (8+128GB) Galaxy A32 Rs 31,999 (6+128GB) Galaxy M32 Rs 24,999 (4+64GB)

Rs 27,999 (6+128GB) Galaxy M31 Rs 28,999 (6+128GB)

Rs 34,999 (8+128GB) Galaxy A22 Rs 27,999 (6+128GB) Galaxy F22 Rs 20,499 (4+64GB)

Rs 23,999 (6+128GB) Galaxy M21 Rs 21,999 (4+64GB)

Rs 25,999 (6+128GB) Galaxy A21s Rs 22,499 (4+64GB)

Rs 25,499 (6+128GB) Galaxy A12 Rs 18,999 (4+64GB)

Rs 19,999 (4+128GB) Galaxy M12 Rs 18,499 (4+64GB)

Rs 22,499 (6+128GB) Galaxy M11 Rs 17,899 (3+32GB) Galaxy M02s Rs 15,999 (4+64GB)

Rs 14,499 (3+32GB) Galaxy M02 Rs 12,999 (3+32GB)

Rs 11,999 (2+32GB) Galaxy M01s Rs 14,999 (3+32GB) Galaxy M01 Rs 13,599 (3+32GB) Galaxy M01 Core Rs 8,399 (1+16GB)

Rs 9,999 (1+16GB)

Best Samsung phones to buy in August 2021

1. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

Photo: CNN

This is a flagship smartphone of Samsung. The S21 Ultra is also one of the best smartphones in the market right now. This is a feature-packed smartphone and also one of the best camera phones in the market. The phone has a 6.8-inch 2X dynamic AMOLED infinity-o display with a resolution of 14403200 pixels. The phone now supports an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate in full QHD+ resolution. With an 89.8% screen-to-body ratio, it has a peak brightness of up to 1,500 nits. There is a 108-megapixel quad-camera setup in its back that can record videos in 8K. The remaining three cameras can record videos in 4K. The phone runs on Android 11 with One UI 3.1 on top. It has the most powerful chipset of Samsung, the Exynos 2100, at its disposal. The phone is powered by a massive 5000 mAh battery which can be charged by a 25W fast charger.

2. Galaxy Z Fold 2

Photo: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 is the first-ever foldable smartphone to be available in Nepal. With a price of over Rs 200,000, this is also the most expensive Samsung smartphone in Nepal. The device has an outer screen of 6.2 inches with HD+ resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. The inner display is 7.2 inches and it is a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with HDR10+ support and a 120Hz refresh rate. Similarly, Samsung has added an ultra-thin glass (UTG) and added the under-glass cushion on this phone. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 is powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ chipset and comes with 12GB of RAM. It runs Android 10 with One UI 2.5 and is powered by a 4500mAh battery that supports wireless charging, as well as proprietary fast charging. The Android and UI can be upgraded.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 on the rear packs a 12-megapixel primary camera, a 12-megapixel telephoto camera with an f/2.2 aperture, and a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera with an f/2.4 aperture. The rear camera setup has autofocus. On the front, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 packs a 10-megapixel primary camera with an f/2.2 aperture and a second 10-megapixel camera with an f/2.2 aperture. Only the limited stock is available in the market right now.

3. Galaxy M62

Photo: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy M62 is the ultimate mid-range smartphone. In a similar price range, it can compete and outperform almost every smartphone available in the market. It has massiveness in its feature. With a massive 6.7-inch Super AMOLED plus display, one can easily enjoy the movies or attend online classes. There is a quad-camera setup on its back. The 64Mp primary camera is accompanied by a 12MP ultrawide, a 5MP macro, and a 5MP depth sensor while the front-facing is a 32MP selfie camera. The phone runs on Android 11 with One UI 3.1 on top.

The phone is powered by Octa-core Exynos 9825 chipset and has a battery backup of 7000mAh which supports 25W fast charging. This feature is very handy for gamers as they can enjoy decent gaming for a long period of time. You can also check Galaxy A52 and Galaxy A72 on the mid-range category that has a similar feature to M62.

4. Galaxy F22

Photo: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy F22 is the latest release of the Samsung smartphone in the Nepali market. The phone provides adequate features, given the price range. The phone has a massive 6.4-inch super AMOLED display that has a refresh rate of 90Hz. It is built with glass in front, a plastic back, and a plastic frame. Similarly, it runs on the latest Android 11 with One UI Core 3.1 on top while it is powered by an Octa-core Mediatek Helio G80 chipset.

The phone has a quad-camera setup. The primary is a 48MP accompanied by an 8MP ultrawide, 2MP macro, and 2MP depth sensor. On the front, it has a 13MP selfie camera. The phone gets its power from a 6000mAh non-removable battery that supports 15W fast charging.

But, if you want something more and do not want to spend more, you can go for Galaxy M32 and A22.

5. Galaxy M01 Core

Photo: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy M01 Core is one of the most budget-friendly smartphones of Samsung, starting at only Rs. 8,399. There is a 5.3-inch PLS IPS display that has a resolution of 720*1480 pixels. The phone runs on Android 10 and is powered by a Mediatek MT6139 chipset. Since it is the most budget-friendly phone, the slash in the features is inevitable. This phone only has a single 8MP main camera on its back and a single 5MP selfie camera.

The battery backup of this phone is 3,000mAh.
Working as a remote caregiver gave me a sense of practical and intellectual thrill.

A member of the Covid-19 Special Nurse Group

It was at around 4 pm on May 9, 2021. A handful of the nurses specialising in women health and development and child health nursing at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital came together to discuss the possibilities of their contribution during the Covid-19. But, they were least aware that they had initiated a conversation that would later be a pioneering work on remote nursing care in Nepal.

The Covid-19 Special Nurse Group members hail from every province of Nepal and are providing nursing services remotely, using telecommunications guided by the principle of telenursing.

This article will walk you through the group members personal accounts of working as a remote caregiver, the benefits to nurses at the personal and professional levels and in doing so, we will attempt to draw lessons from the developed world where remote care is flourishing.

Personal benefits to members

While asked about the benefits of telenursing practice at the personal level, these nurses became animated. One shared that such engagement gave her a sense of practical and intellectual thrill. For instance, she said, When I received a call, I do assessment using the guideline of telenursing and my clinical judgements. After this, I prepare a few nursing diagnoses and continuously advise patients, follow them up and monitor if their symptoms are improving or need a hospital referral. Thus, I achieve the implementation and evaluation steps of the nursing process. On this very note, another nurse opened up the profound satisfaction in being available to attend to the patients needs without expecting anything in return. Both agreed on one point that such voluntary work gave them a sense of pride and identity in their entire community, something which was not quite possible through a confined role in a clinical setting and with a paid job.

To the question of how they see telenursing contributing at the professional level, I received diverse answers ranging from being able to provide holistic care autonomously, ensuring patient-centred care to a vivid description of the scope of remote healthcare in Nepal. Concerning the feeling of autonomy, this group shared an example of how they formulated a protocol for their remote functioning based on current research and scientific knowledge on telehealth, and most importantly guided by their pilot study. The guideline that they prepared has since then directed them to function autonomously and ethically.

While drawing an intersection between holistic care and functioning autonomously, one respondent compares telenursing to that of her role as a clinical nurse and elaborates that when she is available remotely, she can zoom-out unlike her clinical roles that just makes her attentive to the physical need of the patients. Through this zooming out aspect, she continuously follows up and monitors her patients by asking open-ended questions. She was full of stories of how she listened to not just physical ails, but also other contributory familial and community factors that bar a patient from recovering, mentally and emotionally. She finished by saying, A phone call with me was also a means of catharsis for my patients.

Learning for Nepal

The prospect of remote care as a holistic approach and patient-centred care in medical and nursing care has been emphasised by the western community who have practised it for decades. Dr Karen Rheuban, a medical director of the University of Virginia Office of Telemedicine, in one of her videos describes their cancer centre being without walls where they not only provide patient evaluation and follow up but help the communities get together and have the patient education programme broadcast by the health providers to their patients in their respective settings. She adds that the provision of care away from a hospital or clinic at the comfort of the patients house or community makes them engaged and accountable for their own care.

A nurse from New Zealand Nurses organisation working as a telenurse adds to this narrative. She opines that providing care to patients in their comfort zones ensure even distribution of the balance in power between the nurse and patient, thus empowering them during their healing process. The concept of patient participation in care is hailed by the WHO as an important aspect of patient-centred care to improve patient safety. The nurses of the Special Nurse Group confirmed this with their personal experiences of patients (and their families) feeling more engaged and empowered when they involved them in their care.

In an article, the author from the Kathmandu Medical College outlines the scope of telenursing that runs up and beyond the usual telephonic conversation between nurses and patients. This includes interactive videoconferencing with patients and experts, assessing patients remotely using self-measurement devices or taking care of their personal alarm to ensure immediate care when in distress or receiving experts instructions through manipulative sensors and real-time chat. The writer also succinctly sheds light on telenursing as an evolving opportunity to increase the availability, accessibility and affordability of healthcare, including the skill development of all the human resources involved in the process.

The Covid-19 Special Nurse Group, having deployed the local nurses at the provincial level, shares telenursing is truly a medium to provide culturally and linguistically congruent health services. For instance, the nurses in its team were well-versed with the major linguistic and cultural values and local inclinations of the community that they were in charge of. When patients from such locality hear a voice that is relatable to them, they open up about their medical needs easily. With this level of comfort, these nurses note that they had more people asking for frequent medical advice and also questioning about the discharge instructions. Meanwhile, the nurses also recall patients expressing the benefits of knowing about the preventive measures instead of paying for the expensive hospital beds (which usually is the case). Thus, with these personal observations, the nurses were certain that such remote nursing service could make their patients in charge of their own health behaviours.

Lastly, the concept of remote care in Nepal is at its nascent stage with just a few initiatives such as 30 rural telemedicine services launched by the government, a few community telehealth services or similar ad-hoc projects initiated by hospitals or INGOs and telecounselling services during Covid-19. However, the personal experiences of these nurses and the mammoth of knowledge and application already with the global community, our health system perhaps should encourage research and conversation around telehealth in Nepal. Because, in the end, the faster we acknowledge the unprecedented turn of millennials into digital platforms for services, the better will we be in a position to serve these evolving health needs and demands.



Pun is a registered nurse in Nepal and a freelance writer and health researcher. Sapkota is a youth health advocate and recently honoured by Women on Global Health in collaboration with the WHO, UNFPA, ICM, ICN and Nursing Now. At present, she is working as the national coordinator of Special Force Nurses for Covid-19.
Workforce

White House says agencies will pay for COVID tests as needed for feds

During a press briefing on Friday, White House Principal Deputy White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre gave more details about how the administration's new vaccination and testing requirements for federal employees and onsite contractors will work.

Agencies will foot the bill for feds who are unvaccinated or don't attest to their vaccination status, she said.

The new system, announced Thursday, gives federal employees a choice to either attest to their vaccination status or follow protocols including regular testing.

Agencies have been instructed to establish programs to test feds and onsite contractors who either are not vaccinated or don't provide vaccination information to the agency. They'll have to be tested either weekly or twice-weekly.

Agencies will cover the cost of regular testing for feds in that category, Jean-Pierre said. They'll also be in charge of implementing these new changes.

"Agencies are going to be implementing this program themselves," she said. "So they'll be in charge of how that moves forward, and so that's kind of how that's going to be dispersed."

It is still unclear what timeline agencies, feds and onsite contractors will be under to comply with the new requirements. Guidance implementing the order also doesn't give specifics on what consequences anyone who doesn't comply might face.

Legal experts have also raised questions about complications the new requirements might raise in labor-management relations by violating collective bargaining agreements with federal employee unions, in addition to raising questions about privacy and accommodations for employees who are unvaccinated.

The announcement has sparked mixed responses.

Bob Corsi, the president of the Senior Executives Association, a nonprofit professional association for career federal executives, released a statement prior to the announcement saying that SES "supports the Administration in considering vaccine requirements for federal employees."

Others have concerns on the impact of the new policy on existing union contracts and workplace arrangements.

"We have a lot of questions about how this policy will be implemented and how employee rights and privacy will be protected," said the national president of the National Treasury Employees Union, Tony Reardon, in a statement. "We will work to ensure employees are treated fairly and this protocol does not create an undue burden on them."

The American Federation of Government Employees also released a statement from national president Everett Kelley saying "we expect that the particulars of any changes to working conditions, including those related to COVID-19 vaccines and associated protocols, be properly negotiated with our bargaining units prior to implementation."

Guidance implementing these changes instructs agencies to satisfy their collective bargaining obligations for their workplace safety plans.

House Committee on Oversight and Reform ranking Member James Comer (R-Ky.) released a statement calling the move a "pandemic power grab" that "runs contrary to our nation's cherished value of individual liberty."

About the Author Natalie Alms is a staff writer at FCW covering the federal workforce. She is a recent graduate of Wake Forest University and has written for the Salisbury (N.C.) Post. Connect with Natalie on Twitter at @AlmsNatalie.



The Justice Department and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission have both released information stating that employers can require COVID-19 vaccinations, with some equal employment opportunity and other restrictions.
Workforce

Kiran Ahuja's to-do list at OPM

The federal government's top human resources official told reporters on an Aug. 4 press call that there isn't a timeline in place for the implementation of the Biden administration's new vaccination policy for federal employees.

Last week, the administration set down a policy that requires federal employees to attest to having been vaccinated against COVID-19 or else be subject to frequent tests in order to check the spread of the coronavirus as it enters a new phase with the emergence of the Delta variant.

"There's been a lot of work in the midst of issuing these model safety principles," Kiran Ahuja, director of the Office of Personnel Management, told reporters. "Agencies were already underway in figuring out what their timeline was going to be for reentry and post-reentry. It's going to be really hard to say what the specific timeline is."

More information from the Safer Federal Workforce Taskforce for agencies about Biden's new requirements is forthcoming, Ahuja said, and officials are trying to give agencies flexibility to meet their specific needs in carrying out the guidelines.

"We want agencies to be very purposeful, to really tie themselves to the principles around how they think through what this will look like for not only their agency, but for individual components -- that is going to vary," Ahuja told reporters. She acknowledged that there are "more questions than answers at this point," adding that "folks are hard at work trying to give as much information but also give agencies the flexibility because the workforce differs from agency to agency, even within agencies."

Additionally, federal employee unions are pressing to be included in workplace reentry plans and have expressed strong reservations about a possible vaccine mandate for employees they represent being laid down without bargaining.

"I'll say that what is also emphasized is the union partnership at the agency level and to engage the local unions, to ensure that you are bargaining on those pieces of your reentry that require that type of engagement," Ahuja said.

Longstanding challenges

Ahuja, who was confirmed by the Senate in June arrived at OPM facing challenges not just from the pandemic, but from morale problems stemming from plans made under the Trump administration to merge the agency into the General Services Administration. More generally, the agency has experienced a lack of Senate-confirmed leadership, with just three permanent directors since 2013.

The lack of confirmed leadership has "had a huge impact on the agency," she said. "If you don't have that continuity of leadership, you really can't deal with those larger challenges. I think it definitely affects morale. It affects OPM's positions vis-a-vis other agencies, with [the Office of Management and Budget], to really position the agency."

A March report by the National Academy of Public Administration found that OPM's role in human capital management has diminished over the years as OMB's role has grown, and as acting officials have taken on both positions at once in recent years.

Ahuja, who served as OPM's chief of staff in the wake of the massive personnel records hack in 2015, said that coming back to existing relationships with OPM officials has been helpful.

"I am very well aware that the lack of capacity and people having to work much more to cover two, three jobs is also affecting morale," she said. "And so the ways that we can support our employees through spot awards, through time off as awards, you know, for the work that they're doing. We're trying to think of every possible avenue that we have."

Ahuja said she wants to make a difference on agency morale and deal with long-standing challenges such as the modernization of the paper-based retirement processing system and an exodus of employees in senior positions.

Short term, Ahuja said that the agency is going to deal with current retirement backlogs using tech "sprints." OPM is also going to be piloting an online app for retirement processing and moving into a new contact center, she said. Long term, OPM will have to create a strategic plan and dedicate "dogged leadership attention" over multiple years, something Ahuja said she's committed to seeing through.

"My plan is to be here as long as people will have me," she said.

The future of government work

Ahuja also has her eye on governmentwide priorities to rebuild the workforce, plan for the future workforce and diversify the workforce.

The Biden-Harris administration has proposed hiring surges across several agencies in its fiscal year 2022 budget. Ahuja said that she's interested in ensuring the government has the critical skills it needs and wants to focus on attracting early-career officials to the government.

Ahuja noted that the rapid adoption of telework during the pandemic provides an opportunity to change how federal government work is done. She said that OPM is hearing from agencies that they need guidance on how to support leaders in managing and engaging a remote workforce.

"This pandemic has upended the norms of work and how we think about what work looks like -- and certainly that is having an impact among the federal workforce," she said. There is an "opportunity to really define the future of work."
39% of Singaporeans are worried about retirement inadequacy, with women being at higher risk of retirement inadequacy than men

72% of Singaporeans desire higher returns for their investments, but despite that, only 25% are currently investing their CPF

31% of Singaporeans have indicated that they would like assistance in the form of tools to help them understand the impact of financial decisions around CPF

SINGAPORE, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Endowus Singapore Retirement Report reveals that retirement inadequacy remains a concern for over a third of all Singaporeans, with a significant number having yet to start financial planning aimed at retirement.

The Endowus Singapore Retirement Report aims to understand Singaporean attitudes towards retirement.

According to the survey, while 1 in 2 Singaporeans are planning to utilise their Central Provident Fund (CPF) monies to fund their retirement, even fewer (25%) have considered supplementing their retirement funds through investing, consistent with CPF Board's statistics on CPF investment take up rate1. In that, a majority of respondents have indicated the need for additional tools to help them start planning to chart their path to retirement adequacy.

The Endowus Singapore Retirement Report was commissioned by Endowus -- one of Singapore's leading MAS-licensed investment platforms and the first and only digital advisor for CPF investing -- with the objective of better understanding Singaporean attitudes towards the generational challenge of retirement and the role that CPF monies play in building a retirement lifestyle that is closer to individual goals.

The Report was commissioned in partnership with YouGov Singapore, with fieldwork for the online survey taking place in May 2021, involving a total sample size of 1099 adults, weighted to be nationally representative of Singapore's adult population.

The study comes at a time when the financial situations of individuals could be changing due to the economic and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and is the first comprehensive study on CPF usage and sentiments since the CPF Advisory Panel's own study in 2016. The study examined knowledge, intent, behaviours, and motivations around retirement and the role of CPF and CPF investments.

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To date, CPF members' total balance has grown steadily across the years, from $125.8 billion in 2006 to $474.0 billion in March 2021. While it may seem that Singaporeans are planning and saving well for their retirement based on these numbers, only 63.6% of active CPF members who turned 55 were able to set aside their Full Retirement Sum (FRS) or Basic Retirement Sum if they own at least one property in 2020, based on CPF Annual Report 2020.

Singaporeans are worried about retirement adequacy, but only 1 in 4 have taken action

1 in 3 Singaporeans (39%) are worried about retirement inadequacy, with women being at higher risk of retirement inadequacy than men. The study shows that women are half as likely as men to "strongly agree" that they are confident in having sufficient money for retirement. This is especially concerning considering that women live longer with a life expectancy of more than 86 at birth and beyond 88 if they live to 65.

Results from the survey also indicate that 1 in 2 Singaporeans (53%) are planning to use or are currently using CPF to fund their retirement. However, almost half (45%) have not started planning for their retirement, and this is even more apparent in the younger demographic (aged below 35).

Furthermore, lower-income Singaporeans (below $3,000 monthly income) are less likely than higher-income Singaporeans (above $6,000 monthly income) to fund their retirement with CPF, which may drive them to de-prioritise growing and making better use of CPF, lowering their chances of achieving the Full Retirement Sum (FRS) for financial stability at retirement.

Amidst the uncertainty of having adequate CPF savings for retirement, there is also increasing awareness of CPF being used as a retirement safety net. More CPF members are channelling cash to their CPF through the Retirement Sum Topping-Up Scheme (RSTU), where $3 billion was topped up in 2020, up by 39% from 2019, and through the CPF Voluntary Housing Refund Scheme as well, where $1.48 billion was refunded in 2020, up by 189% from 2019. This shows that a growing group of Singaporeans understand that they might be compromising their retirement plans when they use CPF for housing.





Singaporeans lack confidence in CPF investing

A significant majority or 72% of Singaporeans seek higher returns, but despite that, only 25% are currently investing their CPF, even though it is the only way to achieve higher returns on their CPF. This is largely represented in the Gen X (born 1965 to 1980) segment and employed persons with more than $8,000 in household income.

Singaporeans are unsure of whether they should invest their CPF, as shown by the fact that a majority of them (68%) are not confident in investing their own CPF monies well by themselves.

These figures are consistent with the recommendations from CPF Advisory Panel's findings in 2016. The CPF Investment Scheme (CPFIS) was intended as an option for members to invest and was designed to have a wide menu of investment products that cater to a broad range of investor expertise and experience. The panel concluded that it was not specifically designed to meet the needs of CPF members who wished to invest but feel they lack the financial expertise and/or time and resources to actively manage their investments.

"Endowus was set up to help meet the growing needs of CPF members in receiving better advice in investing and lowering the high costs associated with investing CPF monies that eat away at returns," says Gregory Van, CEO of Endowus. "We provide investment advice that help CPF members gain exposure to globally diversified portfolios, at the lowest cost possible. We are always working with fund managers to bring in better fund products for our clients, so that they are in a position to achieve higher returns and retirement adequacy."

The Endowus Singapore Retirement Report also found that Singaporeans ranked higher returns than the CPF interest rates (72%), guaranteed returns (70%), and low costs (45%) as the most important criteria for CPF investing.

Inadequate tools and resources to close the gap on CPF investing knowledge

Due to the complexities and the uncertainties of using CPF around financial decisions, nearly a third of Singaporeans (31%) indicated that they prefer a tool that can help them understand the impact of their financial decisions around their CPF, with a similar number of Singaporeans (28%) indicating that they are keen on a tool that can help estimate retirement income from their CPF.

"With average life expectancy in Singapore now reaching 83.9 years old, CPF will increasingly need to be augmented to provide sufficient income in retirement," says Samuel Rhee, Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of Endowus. "Considering these shifting time horizons and other uncertainties, more education may be needed to help Singaporeans make better use of their CPF, especially earlier in life, when savers have more time to take advantage of asset growth."

While it has been reported that 1 in 2 CPF members did not do better than the CPF-OA interest rate of 2.5% for the period of Oct'19 to Sept'20, the Endowus balanced portfolio of global stocks and bonds outperformed the CPF OA interest rate with a return 6.4% during this same period. Our CPF equities portfolios also generated +6.7% returns for Q2'2021, with YTD and 12 month performance at +13.2% and +34.3% respectively.

"As a leading digital wealth management platform, we need to help Singaporeans understand and make smarter financial planning decisions regarding CPF," added Van.

"Our goal is to meet the needs of Singaporeans and continue to provide clients with an evidence-based approach to their wealth so they can invest better to live easier today and be prepared for the future."

For more information about the Endowus Singapore Retirement Report 2021, please visit https://endowus.com/insights/singapore-retirement-report-2021/.

About Endowus

Endowus is Asia's leading fee-only wealth platform. Headquartered and MAS-licensed in Singapore, Endowus is the first digital advisor to span both private wealth and public pension savings (CPF & SRS), helping investors grow all their money with expert advice, institutional access to financial solutions, low & fair fees, and a delightful personalised digital wealth experience.

Endowus is backed by UBS, Samsung Ventures, Singtel Innov8, and global leading venture capital firms Lightspeed Venture Partners and SoftBank Ventures Asia.

Endowus has been recognised by the industry with the following awards: Singapore's Rising Star and Fintech Innovation (Asia Asset Management's Best of the Best Awards 2021), and WealthTech of the Year (Asia FinTech Awards 2021).

SOURCE Endowus
Brazil retailers hunt for M&A deals to compete for e-commerce dominance Brazil retailers hunt for deals to fuel their unique brand of e-commerce

By Tatiana Bautzer

August 4 (Reuters) - In March last year, Oziel da Silva Santos needed a new TV but with stores closed due to COVID-19 restrictions in Brazil's northern city of Belem, the 50-year old was clueless about how to get one. He followed a link on the website of furniture retailer Via Varejo and called a store manager.

On the other end of the line was Railton Sampaio, a manager at the city's largest Via Varejo. Sampaio helped him buy the TV online, sending the link for payment through the commonly used messaging app WhatsApp.

Santos is one of the millions of Brazilians making a first-time purchase online as a result of the pandemic, a vital new market for the country's biggest retailers. Stores are adapting their strategies - and pursuing merger and acquisition (M&A) to help smooth the transition to internet shopping for inexperienced customers.

In four months, Santos made five more online purchases with Via Varejo salesmen's help, generating commissions for the store's agents.

Sampaio's sales team is an example of a growing digital strategy among Brazil's largest retailers to increase revenue and attract new online customers after lockdowns shuttered most brick and mortar stores early in the pandemic.

When Brazil's largest cities mandated closure of all stores in March of 2020, Via Varejo's sales dropped 70%. Almost immediately, the retailer mobilized its 20,000 sales people to start selling through social platforms Facebook and WhatsApp. "The pandemic accelerated our digital transformation and we did in a few months what was expected for a year," Via Varejo CEO Roberto Fulcherberguer said.

Each store opened a Facebook account, and salespeople first marketed offers to friends and family. The campaign "Call me on Zap," the Brazilian nickname for the popular WhatsApp messaging app, provided online chatrooms with store managers.

'WINNERS AND LOSERS'

Even as physical store locations reopened in recent months due to the national vaccine rollout, Via Varejo and rivals such as Magazine Luiza SA and Lojas Americanas SA continue to push for online sales. At Via Varejo, 56% of revenue comes from online sales, compared to 30% pre-pandemic.

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"Salespeople are now eager to sell online. I get a good part of my commissions online," said Karina Ferreira Dias, saleswoman at a large Via Varejo store in Sao Paulo metropolitan area. Unlike other companies, Via Varejo has not reduced staff even when most of its stores were closed.

Magazine Luiza has a similar strategy. "During the pandemic, salespeople were able to sell through an app. They get commissions on everything they sell, be it online, third party products in the marketplace or in person," said Eduardo Galanternick, its vice president.

The largest companies, Magazine Luiza, Via Varejo and apparel retailer Lojas Renner raised more than $3 billion in combined share offerings and invested proceeds mainly in M&A.

Magazine Luiza and Via Varejo's M&A strategy was to bulk up their digital presence to face increasing competition from panregional rivals such as Mercadolibre Inc, one of Latin America's most valuable companies, Amazon.com Inc and even AliExpress. They have built large marketplaces with tens of thousands of third party sellers each.

Last month, Via Varejo acquired fintech Celer, aiming to increase financial products it offers through its digital banking and credit app BanQi. It has acquired six companies since last year and created a venture capital fund that will invest 200 million reais over the next five years in tech startups.

Magazine Luiza bought 12 companies last year, of which nine were tech startups. So far this year, the company has bought 10 companies, including delivery firms, fintechs and e-commerce firms specialized in beauty products, food and videogames.

Most of the deals bolstered the "omnichannel" service to consumers, enabling mixes of online and offline services that Brazilian retailers hope will help them compete with big internet companies. Magazine Luiza, for example, has opened 23 news physical stores in Rio de Janeiro last month and plans to reach 50 by the end of the year.

Some retailers, lacking both liquidity during the pandemic and a digital strategy, went into bankruptcy protection, such as bookstore chains Saraiva Livreiros and appliance retailer Maquina de Vendas. They now have a meager chance of emerging from it, financial analysts say.

"The pandemic sharply separated winners and losers in Brazilian retail and what they did during this period will define their future," said Ricardo Lacerda, CEO of investment bank BR Partners, who advised some of Brazil's largest retail deals.

($1 = 5.2128 reais)

(Reporting by Tatiana Bautzer, additional reporting by Jimin Kang; Editing by Aurora Ellis)
China protested against the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) over its reporting on the recent flooding in Henan province and its statement on how foreign journalists were treated, the foreign ministry said on Tuesday.

The Chinese ministry in a statement accused the BBC's reports on the deadly flooding of "distorting the real situation of the Chinese government's efforts to organise rescues and local people's courage to save themselves, and insinuating attacks on the Chinese government, full of ideological prejudice and double standards".

The BBC's flooding reports were strongly criticised on Chinese social media, and its crew allegedly received death threats.

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

Last Wednesday, the BBC stated: "There must be immediate action by the Chinese government to stop these attacks which continue to endanger foreign journalists."

The foreign ministry said the BBC statement was "inverting black and white", and foreign journalists in China have "the right to freely report in China, as long as they comply with Chinese laws and report objectively, balancedly and accurately".

The centre of the controversy was a video of BBC China correspondent Robin Brant describing the flood in the provincial capital Zhengzhou's subway system as "passengers [were] left to die on the platform".

Passengers were trapped in train carriages in an overwhelming flood on July 20 after a sudden historically heavy torrential rain. Twelve people died.

The Foreign Correspondents' Club of China (FCCC) tweeted that Henan's Communist Youth League, a subsidiary of the Chinese Communist Party, had published a call-to-action post asking its followers on Weibo to report the whereabouts of Brant.

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BBC in its statement said "the public comments below the post included death threats against our team".

Aerial photo taken on July 22 shows rescuers using rafts to evacuate people from a hospital in Zhongmu county of Zhengzhou in central China's Henan province. Photo: Xinhua alt=Aerial photo taken on July 22 shows rescuers using rafts to evacuate people from a hospital in Zhongmu county of Zhengzhou in central China's Henan province. Photo: Xinhua

"Journalists from other media organisations reporting in Henan were subsequently confronted by an angry crowd looking for the BBC team," the BBC said.

The FCCC listed the reporters from other media outlets who claimed to be erroneously harassed by residents from Zhengzhou on their hunt for Brant.

The Chinese foreign ministry said they lodged the "solemn representation", or discontent, with the British broadcaster last Thursday.

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2021 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2021. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
TORONTO, Aug. 3, 2021 /CNW/ - First Nations leader and constitutional expert Del Riley today called on the Ontario government to launch an inquiry into the Ontario Securities Commission's handling of its investigation into Bridging Finance Inc. and its former CEO, David Sharpe.

"The manner in which the OSC and receiver PricewaterhouseCoopers have conducted themselves throughout this case suggests that fairness, due process and Sharpe's constitutional rights have taken a back seat to the OSC's wish for publicity around this case and PwC's wish to collect fees for as long as possible," said Riley, who served as President of the National Indian Brotherhood (today known as the Assembly of First Nations) and entrenched sections 25 and 35 of Canada's Constitution Act, which address how rights protected under the Charter will intersect with existing rights held by Canada's Indigenous peoples.

"It's a simple fact that institutional bias and systemic racism persist in Canada. Ontario's government should investigate to ensure that these toxic forces are not interfering in this case, especially given David Sharpe's status as an Indigenous person and his and Bridging Finance's numerous contributions to Indigenous economic sovereignty in Canada," Riley said.

"From the secretive, Friday night hearing in which the OSC obtained the initial court order to put Bridging in receivership, to the fear and uncertainty the receiver has spread among Bridging's unitholders, Indigenous people across the country are watching the case with great interest and anxiety. Many agree that more needs to be done to ensure that this case is treated with full fairness as it winds through the process."

For more information see Real People's Media Op Ed, "Economic Reconciliation or Economic Retaliation? at https://realpeoples.media/economic-reconciliation-or-economic-retaliation/ or send queries to ajijukpublications@gmail.com

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SOURCE Chief Del Riley

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / August 4, 2021 / Bernstein Liebhard, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, reminds investors of the deadline to file a Lead Plaintiff motion in a securities class action lawsuit that has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired the securities of Concho Resources Inc. ("Concho" or the "Company") (NYSE:CXO) from February 21, 2018 through July 31, 2019 (the "Class Period"). The lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas alleges violations of the Exchange Act of 1934.

If you purchased Concho securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Concho Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Noah Wiesner toll free at (877) 779-1414 or nwiesner@bernlieb.com

The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) the well spacing at the Company's Dominator Project was aggressive and highly risky, and premised on no reasonable basis to believe it would work as intended; (ii) Concho's practice of implementing tighter well spacing was not relegated to a handful of "tests" and therefore more widespread than the market was led to believe; (iii) it was known or recklessly disregarded that any measures to mitigate well spacing risks were non-existent and/or impossible; (iv) these risks had manifested during the Class Period, causing underground well interference and permanently decreasing production, forcing the Company to scale back production targets and adopt more conservative spacing measures in its other projects; (v) it would take multiple quarters to unwind the impacts of the widespread well spacing failure; and (vi) as a result of the foregoing, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.

On July 31, 2019, after the close of trading, Concho released its financial results for the second quarter 2019. On this date, the Company revealed that the Dominator Project's 23 wells were spaced "too tight," and that Concho had already "incorporated learnings from [the Dominator Project] into its second half of 2019 program and future Delaware Basin projects." Concho also revealed that it would be forced to scale back production targets for the rest of this year, including by reducing its active rig count to 18, down from 33 in the first quarter 2019.

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On this news, Concho sank 22% to close at $75.97 per share on August 1, 2019, down from the closing price of $97.68 per share on July 31, 2019.

If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than September 28, 2021. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member.

If you purchased Concho securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit https://www.bernlieb.com/cases/conchoresourcesinc-cxo-shareholder-class-action-lawsuit-fraud-stock-422/apply/ or contact Noah Wiesner toll free at (877) 779-1414 or nwiesner@bernlieb.com

Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List" thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for ten consecutive years.

ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.  2021 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. The lawyer responsible for this advertisement in the State of Connecticut is Michael S. Bigin. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

Contact Information

Noah Wiesner

Bernstein Liebhard LLP

https://www.bernlieb.com

(877) 779-1414

Nwiesner@bernlieb.com

SOURCE: Bernstein Liebhard LLP





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Some of the major Europe building materials market players are BASF SE, Bituline Industries S.A., James Burrel, PCI Augsburg GmbH, Murdock Builders Merchant, Saint Gobain, JSC SKY, Fassa Bortolo, UPM Plywood, Danzer Group, Klausner Group among others.

Selbyville, Delaware, Aug. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --



Global Market Insights Inc. has recently added a new report on the Europe building materials market which estimates the regional valuation will cross US$ 145 billion by 2027. The rising residential and commercial construction activities across the region are expected to be the chief growth driver. Europe building materials market will witness moderate growth from 2021 to 2027. Building materials are essential commodities for the construction sector.

Strong growth in the sales volumes of building materials such as gypsum, hardboard (also called High-Density Fiberboard (HDF)) plywood, and Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF) for infrastructure upgrades will drive the Europe building materials market size. Shifting consumer preferences toward a strong building structure for withstanding extreme weather conditions will foster the industry growth. However, sluggish growth of the construction sector in the past few years is a deterrent to market expansion. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic severely hampered the product demand across the region.

Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/3026

Gypsum offers several applications in the construction of buildings, specifically for walls and ceilings. It can be used for production of Plaster of Paris (PoP), wallboard, and retarder in Portland cement. Several building structures have been widely utilizing gypsum, mainly at commercial spaces for noise disturbances. Significant benefits including a smooth surface, balancing the indoor atmosphere, eco-friendly, fire resistant, high acoustic & thermal insulation, functional & aesthetic features, and convenient installation will drive demand at a CAGR of around 6.5% from 2021 to 2027.

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The wooden furniture market is anticipated to expand owing to the changing consumer preferences for modern and architectural designs. The outdoor furniture market registers strong potential in hotels, resorts, and tourist locations. The furniture segment will register around USD 60 billion revenue by 2027. Additionally, roof-top farming and balcony gardening are gaining popularity at a fast pace, which will drive the demand for timber, logs, boards, and different types of materials that provide excellent mechanical strength. Materials such as plywood, particle board, and oriented strand board are used to support the roofing structure, which further boost the industry share.

European Building Materials Market is a developed market with strong presence of global and local market players. The UK, Germany, France, etc. are greatly involved in developing and repairing existing buildings due to rapid population growth. France accounted for around 8.5% revenue share in 2020 and is expected to register considerable growth owing to the shortage of housing in developed areas and rising demand for prefabricated structures include partition panels, frames, metallic roof systems, doors and windows. The French government also introduced plans such as Le Grand plan divertissement to boost their residential construction projects.

Some of the major findings in the Europe building materials market report include:

Recovery of construction sector will propel product demand.





Need for eco-friendly, durable, and sustainable products will create new market opportunities.





Rising demand for modern and aesthetically appealing kitchens, baths, & vanity systems will fuel the market growth.





Wood-based panels are witnessing strong growth across the developing regions owing to rising demand for cost-effective, soundproof, and weather resistance products.





Emerging European countries are continuously enhancing their lumber production through technological advancements of sawmilling and machining via automation and computer supported manufacturing processes.





Request for customization of this research report at https://www.gminsights.com/roc/3026

Partial chapters of report table of contents (TOC):

Chapter 2 Executive Summary

2.1 Europe building materials industry 3600 synopsis, 2017 - 2027

2.2 Business trends

2.3 Material trends

2.4 Application trends

2.5 Country trends

Chapter 3 Europe Building Materials Industry Insights

3.1 Industry segmentation

3.2 COVID-19 impact calculations on industry forecast

3.3 Industry ecosystem analysis

3.3.1 Supply chain

3.3.1.1 SCM practices by the Building Material Industry Participants

3.3.2 Raw material suppliers

3.3.2.1 Lumber

3.3.2.2 Panel Products

3.3.2.3 Gypsum

3.3.2.1 Value chain disruption analysis (COVID-19 impact)

3.3.3 Building material manufacturers or processors

3.3.3.1 Lumber

3.3.3.2 Panel Products

3.3.3.3 Gypsum

3.3.4 Wholesalers

3.3.5 Distributors

3.3.6 Distribution channel analysis

3.3.6.1 Direct distribution

3.3.6.2 Online sales channel

3.3.6.3 Resellers

3.3.6.4 Wholesale

3.3.6.5 Retail

3.3.6.6 DIY Retailers

3.3.7 Distributor Overview

3.3.7.1 Lumber Distributors

3.3.7.2 Panel Products Distributors

3.3.7.3 Key Gypsum Manufacturers & Suppliers in Europe

3.3.7.4 List of key industry players in European market

3.3.8 Profit margin trends

3.3.9 Vendor matrix

3.4 Technology landscape

3.4.1 Lumber manufacturing process

3.4.1.1 Felling

3.4.1.2 Debarking and bucking

3.4.1.3 Headrig sawing of large logs

3.4.1.4 Bandsawing of small logs

3.4.1.5 Resawing

3.4.1.6 Drying or seasoning

3.4.1.7 Planing

3.4.1.8 Grade stamping and banding

3.4.2 Plywood process

3.4.2.1 Log making

3.4.2.2 Veneer

3.4.2.3 Assembly

3.4.3 COVID-19 impact on raw material supply

3.5 Regulatory landscape

3.5.1 Construction Products Regulation (CPR)

3.5.1.1 Timber/Lumber

3.5.1.2 Panel Products

3.5.1.3 Gypsum

3.6 Industry best practices & key buying criteria

3.7 Pricing analysis

3.7.1 COVID-19 impact on pricing

3.7.1.1 Europe

3.8 Innovation & sustainability

3.8.1 Innovation in lumber and wood-based panel materials

3.8.2 Innovations in gypsum building materials

3.8.3 Sustainability

3.9 Industry impact forces

3.9.1 Growth drivers, by country

3.9.1.1 UK: Growth of the construction sector and expansion of infrastructural renovation projects

3.9.1.2 Germany: Rising demand for green building material

3.9.1.3 France: Rising demand for prefabricated residential buildings

3.9.1.4 Benelux

3.9.1.4.1 Belgium: Rising demand for R&M activities

3.9.1.4.2 The Netherlands: Favorable incentive schemes supporting the construction industry

3.9.1.4.3 Luxemburg: Increasing urbanization

3.9.1.5 Italy: Progression in wood industry

3.9.1.6 Russia: Growing awareness towards green building practices

3.9.1.7 Rest of Europe: Preference for wood-based building products

3.9.2 Industry pitfalls & challenges

3.9.2.1 Skilled labor shortage in the European construction industry

3.10 Growth potential analysis, 2020

3.11 Global construction industry overview

3.11.1 Rise in construction spending

3.12 Competitive landscape, 2020

3.12.1 Market share analysis

3.12.1.1 Top player overview (building material)

3.12.1.2 Lumber

3.12.1.3 Panel Products

3.12.1.4 Gypsum

3.12.2 Key identified players from applications perspective

3.12.2.1 Flooring manufacturers (MDF, HDF, plywood, other engineered based and solid)

3.12.2.2 Wooden door manufacturers

3.12.2.3 Wooden interior joinery

3.12.2.4 Kitchen cabinets manufacturer

3.12.2.5 Accessories

3.12.3 Key stakeholders

3.12.4 Strategy dashboard

3.13 Porters analysis

3.14 PESTLE analysis

3.15 COVID-19 impact on building material demand by application

About Global Market Insights

Global Market Insights Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.

CONTACT: Contact Us: Arun Hegde Corporate Sales, USA Global Market Insights Inc. Phone: 1-302-846-7766 Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688 Email: sales@gminsights.com




FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: The logo of Lockheed Martin is seen at Euronaval, the world naval defence exhibition in Le Bourget near Paris

(Reuters) - Security and aerospace company Lockheed Martin Corp said on Tuesday it is searching for a new chief financial officer after Kenneth Possenriede resigned from the post due to personal reasons.

The company said it has appointed Vice President And Treasurer John Mollard as the acting CFO, effective immediately.

Mollard has held several positions within the finance and business operations during his almost four-decade stint at Lockheed Martin, the company said in its statement.

The surprise departure of Possenriede, who joined the company in February 2019, comes ahead of Lockheed Martin's virtual investor event scheduled on Aug. 5.

(Reporting by Anirudh Saligrama in Bengaluru; editing by Uttaresh.V)
NEW YORK, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On July 28, 2021, U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon of the District of Nevada denied, in part, Wynn Resorts Limited's ("Wynn Resorts" or the "Company") motions to dismiss the Second Amended Complaint in a securities fraud class action suit arising from the Company's concealment of a long-running pattern of alleged sexual misconduct by CEO and founder Stephen ("Steve") Wynn against female employees of the company.

Fighting for victims of securities fraud for more than 85 years (PRNewsfoto/Pomerantz LLP)

The misconduct was first revealed in January 2018 with the publication of a Wall Street Journal article detailing numerous Wynn employees' complaints of abuse at the hands of Wynn. Gaming regulators later confirmed that the Company had repeatedly turned a blind eye to allegations regarding Wynn's conduct and failed to investigate reports of sexual assault. Wynn resigned soon after, and the Company was forced to clean house and replace the management that had covered up Wynn's misdeeds.

The district court granted defendant's motion to dismiss the complaint in May 2020, while granting plaintiffs leave to amend. The plaintiffs filed a Second Amended Complaint that challenged four sets of misstatements made by the defendants.

The court denied the defendants' motions to dismiss, in part, upholding the plaintiffs' claims based upon a 2016 press release issued by the Company denying allegations by Steve Wynn's ex-wife that Wynn had engaged in misconduct and that the Company was withholding information from gaming regulators, and statements issued by the Company and Steve Wynn denying the Wall Street Journal's allegations and claiming that the Company had a hotline in place for reporting harassment and similar misconduct (and that no reports had been filed, thereby implying that no sexual misconduct had occurred).

"At this stage, the plaintiffs have sufficiently alleged that Wynn, Maddox, Sinatra and Cootey were aware of information contradicting their statements that denied misconduct allegations," according to Judge Gordon. "The inference that these defendants were aware of Wynn's alleged misconduct at the time of their statements is cogent and compelling."

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Pomerantz Partner Murielle Steven Walsh, who leads the litigation, stated, "We are pleased that the court upheld claims that arose from statements made by the company and Steve Wynn that effectively denied any wrongdoing by Wynn. The court's decision underscores the fact that alleged sexual misconduct and harassment by corporate executives are material issues for investors, especially when management turns a blind eye to reports of wrongdoing. This type of misconduct poses a threat to a company's financial success."

"The decision sends a stark message to corporations and their boards," according to Managing Partner Jeremy A. Lieberman, "that in the twenty-first century, the securities laws will be applied to all matters of import to investors, particularly relating to sexual harassment and ensuring a safe work environment for employees."

The case is Ferris, et al. v. Wynn Resorts Ltd., et al., No. 2:18-cv-00479-APG-DJA (D. Nev.).

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

CONTACT:

Murielle Steven Walsh

Pomerantz LLP

mjsteven@pomlaw.com

646-581-9977

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

rswilloughby@pomlaw.com

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

Cision

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SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
If youre a big Samsung fan, youve probably already marked your calendar for August 11th, when the company is holding its next Galaxy Unpacked event. Though it has held many events already in 2021, at least this time around its one that weve been anticipating. In recent years, Samsung has unveiled new Note phones every August. But at this coming Unpacked, the company will not be showing off a new Note. Thanks to the enterprising rumor mill and, well, Samsung itself, we have a good idea of what to expect next Wednesday.

Foldables: The third generation

The company published a blog post last month in which its president TM Roh teased whats to come. First up: foldables. Yes, thats plural. Well be seeing the third-generation of the Galaxy Z series, including the next Z Flip and Z Fold. If youll recall, the Z Flip is the smaller, Moto Razr-style phone that looks like a regular phone that you can close in half. Meanwhile, the Z Fold is more of a tablet-phone hybrid, where a 6.2-inch device opens up to reveal a 7.6-inch screen.

What might Samsung bring in new versions of these devices? Based on the leaks floating around the internet, the Z Flip 3 will possibly have a 1.9-inch outer screen with a 6.7-inch internal flexible display. That external panel is significantly bigger than the 1.1-inch sliver on the older Z Flip, which could make it more useful when the device is shut. Weve also seen reports that the inside screen will run at 120Hz and sport dual 12-megapixel rear cameras and a 10-megapixel selfie shooter.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 standing in portrait orientation on a wooden table with its screen partly folded and facing the camera. It shows a YouTube video playing.

Meanwhile, the Z Fold 3 is rumored to have a similar setup to the existing model, with a 6.2-inch exterior panel and a 7.6-inch version inside. Itll probably have triple 12-megapixel cameras and two selfie cameras on either side. Both models are reported to be rated IPX8 for water resistance, though dust resistance clearly still remains a challenge. These are all educated guesses based on whats been leaked, so Id take the details with a grain of salt.

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What has been confirmed is that the foldables will support Samsungs S Pen. The stylus has been a hallmark of the Note series and the company enabled support for it on its flagship S series earlier this year. In his blog post, Roh said the S Pen was specifically designed for its foldables.

A stylus made for the pliable screens on foldables has been a widely requested feature, and would make the larger, opened up displays more useful. Of course, Samsung shared little else about this S Pen besides the fact that it's coming, so there are plenty of unknowns at the moment. How will it avoid damaging the softer, flexible screen? What size is its nib, what is its pressure sensitivity and will the foldables have onboard slots to house it? Will it have Bluetooth support for remote control actions? Clearly, these are things we'll have to wait till Unpacked on August 11th to learn about.

Wearables: New headphones and Wear OS watches

Samsung also already spilled the beans on its upcoming Galaxy Watch running the new Wear OS that it co-engineered with Google. Weve also seen plenty of leaked renders of the purported Galaxy Watch 4, which is likely to come in an Active and a Classic edition. The latter might be available in three sizes instead of just two, and appears to feature the popular rotating bezel Samsungs watches are known for. Expect to see more details about the hardware and the UI at Unpacked, in addition to pricing and availability.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 review

Thats not the only wearable that will make an appearance. Weve also seen leaks indicating new Galaxy Buds 2 might show up at Unpacked. The companys next wireless earbuds appear to have a more refined design and more color options. One report based on a beta version of an upcoming plugin on Samsungs update server also indicated the possibility of active noise cancellation, touch controls and a simplified battery interface.

Thats pretty much all we know so far, though I wouldnt put it past Samsung to have something else hidden up its sleeve for the event. Will Blackpink show up? I wish. But as for actual hardware, this is already a pretty long list of things to expect come August 11th. Samsungs launch kicks off at 10am Eastern that day, and you should come watch it with us on Engadgets YouTube channel. Well be starting at 9:40AM Eastern with a pre-show and hanging around after Samsung wraps to answer your burning questions. I hope to see you then!
NEW YORK, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Cassava Sciences, Inc. ("Cassava" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: SAVA). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@pomlaw.com or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.

Fighting for victims of securities fraud for more than 85 years (PRNewsfoto/Pomerantz LLP)

The investigation concerns whether Cassava and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On July 29, 2021, Cassava issued a press release entitled "Cassava Sciences Announces Positive Cognition Data With Simufilam in Alzheimer's Disease." Although the press release touted supposedly positive cognition data, analysts and industry observers noted that the data had not demonstrated that Simufilam was more effective at improving cognition than Biogen Inc.'s drug Aduhelm.

On this news, Cassava's stock price fell $33.82 per share, or 33.82%, to close at $69.53 per share on July 30, 2021.

The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com.

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

rswilloughby@pomlaw.com

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

Cision

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SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
NEW YORK, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of DiDi Global Inc. f/k/a Xiaoju Kuaizhi Inc. ("DiDi" or the "Company") (NYSE: DIDI). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@pomlaw.com or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.

Fighting for victims of securities fraud for more than 85 years (PRNewsfoto/Pomerantz LLP)

The investigation concerns whether DiDi and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On or around June 30, 2021, Didi conducted its initial public offering ("IPO"), selling approximately 316.8 million American Depositary Shares ("ADSs"), priced at $14.00 per ADS. Then, on July 2, 2021, the Cyberspace Administration of China ("CAC") stated that it had launched an investigation into DiDi to protect national security and the public interest. The CAC also reported that it had asked DiDi to stop new user registrations during the course of the investigation.

On this news, DiDi's ADS price fell $0.87 per ADS, or approximately 5.3%, to close at $15.33 per ADS on July 2, 2021.

Then, on July 4, 2021, DiDi reported that the CAC ordered smartphone app stores to stop offering the "DiDi Chuxing" app because it "collect[ed] personal information in violation of relevant PRC laws and regulations." Though users who previously downloaded the app could continue to use it, DiDi stated that "the app takedown may have an adverse impact on its revenue in China." Then, on July 5, 2021, The Wall Street Journal reported that the CAC had asked the Company as early as three months prior to the IPO to postpone the offering because of national security concerns and to "conduct a thorough self-examination of its network security."

On this news, DiDi's ADS price fell another $3.04 per share, or 19.6%, to close at $12.49 per share on July 6, 2021.

Story continues

The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com.

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

rswilloughby@pomlaw.com

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/shareholder-alert-pomerantz-law-firm-investigates-claims-on-behalf-of-investors-of-didi-global-inc-fka-xiaoju-kuaizhi-inc---didi-301347500.html

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
BOSTON, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Trade Hounds, a professional community and hiring platform built for the construction industry, today announced it has entered into a partnership with Deltek, a leading provider of software and solutions for project-based business, including construction firms. Trade Hounds has joined Deltek's Marketplace to provide Deltek + ComputerEase customers direct access to the Trade Hounds hiring platform.

Workers across the country are using Trade Hounds to showcase their work and find jobs

Nearly 250,000 tradespeople have joined Trade Hounds to showcase their work, build professional profiles and find jobs. In the fall of 2020, Trade Hounds launched functionality to enable contractors to hire directly from the platform. Today, more than 500 contractors are using Trade Hounds to source skilled labor, which remains the biggest challenge facing the construction industry today.

Peter Maglathlin, co-founder of Trade Hounds, said: "The construction industry deserves a dedicated hiring platform that meets its unique needs. Skilled tradespeople are hard to find, which is why we built a home for these workers online. Contractors across the country are having success hiring from our deep community of skilled tradespeople."

Trade Hounds and Deltek + ComputerEase are a complementary fit as both are laser-focused on serving America's trade contractors. Trade Hounds is the largest and most active professional community dedicated to the trades. Deltek + ComputerEase powers several thousand contractors through their proactive job costing and construction-focused flexibility. While many Deltek + ComputerEase customers have grown their business over the past year, they have also experienced the pain of the current labor shortage. Deltek + ComputerEase serves as a trusted partner to thousands of trade contractors across the country, and they are focused on helping their customers navigate the complexities of the industry.

John Meibers, General Manager and Vice President of Deltek + ComputerEase said, "We're always looking for partners that bring a unique and valuable product or service to the Deltek + ComputerEase customer. Trade Hounds has built a unique community for the skilled trades. In today's tight construction labor market, getting access to qualified and skilled tradespeople can be a competitive advantage, not to mention a better way to find and hire those people that you need to grow your specialty contracting business."

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To learn more about what Trade Hounds offers contractors, visit their page on the Deltek Marketplace. You can access the Trade Hounds jobs platform at tradehounds.com

About Trade Hounds:

Trade Hounds has built the world's largest professional community for the skilled trades  nearly 250,000 skilled tradespeople have joined Trade Hounds to showcase their work, build professional profiles and find jobs. Today hundreds of contractors across the country are using Trade Hounds to source the skilled workers they need to deliver on projects and grow their business.

About Deltek:

Better software means better projects. Deltek is the leading global provider of enterprise software and information solutions for project-based businesses. More than 30,000 organizations and millions of users in over 80 countries around the world rely on Deltek for superior levels of project intelligence, management and collaboration. Our industry-focused expertise powers project success by helping firms achieve performance that maximizes productivity and revenue. deltek.com

CONTACT: Peter Maglathlin, peter@tradehounds.com

Cision

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SOURCE Trade Hounds, Inc.
10-state campaign will help provide at least 2.5 million meals

SAN ANTONIO, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Whataburger calls its annual tradition of honoring its legacy while giving back to the communities it serves Orange Spirit Week. This year, in honor of its 71st anniversary, Whataburger is partnering with Feeding America to help provide at least 2.5 million meals* through local food banks across Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

Whataburger Logo (PRNewsfoto/Whataburger)

From Sunday, Aug. 8, through Sunday, Aug. 15, customers who donate a minimum of $1 at any of the more than 850 Whataburger restaurants across these 10 states will receive a thank-you coupon for a free Whataburger with the purchase of a medium fry and 32-ounce drink.

Every dollar donated during the week-long fundraiser will go to Feeding America and its member food banks in the local communities where the money is given. It's all in support of Whataburger Feeding Student Success, the company's signature community program operating at the intersection of food insecurity and education and focusing on helping students at all levels of education achieve their goals and dreams.

"Feeding America is doing such amazing work through their network of food banks. All of us at Whataburger are looking forward to joining our customers in showing support for them during Orange Spirit Week," said Ed Nelson, Whataburger CEO. "We invite our friends and neighbors to visit their local Whataburger throughout the week and donate to help keep our children nourished and on the path to bright futures."

The magic of Whataburger started on Aug. 8, 1950, in a tiny burger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas. An entrepreneur named Harmon Dobson set out to build a burger so delicious that customers would take that first bite and say, "What a burger!" Today, Whataburger is known for awesome burgers, big flavor and the brand's pride in taking care of its guests, communities and employees, known as Family Members. Orange Spirit Week celebrates its founding and the foundation for success that Dobson created.

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The 2021 celebration will kick off in San Antonio on Sunday, Aug. 8, with a drive-through teacher appreciation event. During the week, Whataburger employees, known as Family Members, will assemble and deliver 10,000 school supply bags to local organizations across 10 states.

*$1 helps provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of local member food banks. Whataburger guarantees a minimum donation of $250,000 as a result of the Promotion, with no maximum set.



About Whataburger

Whataburger has focused on its fresh, made-to-order burgers and friendly customer service since 1950 when Harmon Dobson opened the first Whataburger as a small roadside burger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas. Today, the company is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, with more than 850 locations across its 14-state footprint, and sales of more than $2.8 billion annually. Whataburger has 50,000 Family Members (employees) and more than 60 million customers who like to customize their Whataburgers just the way they like it. Visit whataburger.com or pivot-you.com for more information. To apply for Whataburger jobs now, visit whataburger.com/careers.

Cision

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SOURCE Whataburger
TULSA, Okla., August 04, 2021--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Williams (NYSE: WMB) announced today that it has reached an agreement with Shell Offshore Inc. and Chevron U.S.A. Inc. to provide offshore natural gas gathering and crude oil transportation services as well as onshore natural gas processing services for the Whale development located approximately 10 miles from the Shell-operated Perdido host facility.

Williams plans to expand its existing Gulf of Mexico offshore infrastructure via a 25-mile gas lateral pipeline build from the Whale platform to the existing Perdido gas pipeline and a new 125-mile oil pipeline to the existing Williams-owned GA-A244 junction platform. The natural gas will be transported to Williams Markham gas processing plant located in Matagorda, TX. First production is expected to come online in 2024.

"Our asset synergies in the Gulf of Mexico are second to none, and we are pleased to strengthen our existing onshore and offshore infrastructure to further serve the growing needs of deepwater producers," said Micheal Dunn, chief operating officer at Williams. "The development of Whale expands Williams footprint in the Gulf by contracting one of the largest discoveries in the past decade and creating future connection opportunities for producers that will capture the full value of these important deepwater resources."

Williams assets in the Gulf of Mexico offer producers the full value chain of capabilities  including gathering, transmission, processing, and fractionation. Williams owns and operates 3,500 miles of natural gas and oil gathering and transmission pipeline, along with 1.8 billion cubic feet per day of cryogenic processing capacity and 60,000 barrels per day of fractionation capacity that span the Gulf of Mexico. The company has ownership in two floating production platforms, multiple fixed leg utility platforms and numerous other related facilities.

About Williams

Williams (NYSE: WMB) is committed to being the leader in providing infrastructure that safely delivers natural gas products to reliably fuel the clean energy economy. Headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Williams is an industry-leading, investment grade C-Corp with operations across the natural gas value chain including gathering, processing, interstate transportation and storage of natural gas and natural gas liquids. With major positions in top U.S. supply basins, Williams connects the best supplies with the growing demand for clean energy. Williams owns and operates more than 30,000 miles of pipelines system wide  including Transco, the nations largest volume and fastest growing pipeline  and handles approximately 30 percent of the natural gas in the United States that is used every day for clean-power generation, heating, and industrial use.

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View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005083/en/

Contacts

MEDIA:

media@williams.com

(800) 945-8723

INVESTOR CONTACT:

Danilo Juvane

(918) 573-5075

Grace Scott

(918) 573-1092
PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESSWIRE / August 4, 2021 / Kehoe Law Firm, P.C. is investigating whether Zymergen Inc. ('Zymergen' or the 'Company') (NASDAQ:ZY) violated federal securities laws.

Zymergen investors who have suffered financial losses greater than $50,000 are encouraged to contact Kehoe Law Firm, P.C. to learn more about the securities investigation or potential securities claims.

On August 3, 2021, CNBC.com reported that Zymergen '. . . has yet to start generating product sales and said it now expects revenue from its products to be immaterial' through 2022.' Stock of the Company, which went public in April 2021, dropped almost 70% on Tuesday, thereby injuring investors.

ZYMERGEN SHAREHOLDERS WITH FINANCIAL LOSSES GREATER THAN $50,000 WHO WISH TO DISCUSS KEHOE LAW FIRM'S CLASS ACTION INVESTIGATION OR HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR POTENTIAL LEGAL RIGHTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO COMPLETE KEHOE LAW FIRM'S SECURITIES CLASS ACTION QUESTIONNAIRE OR CONTACT MICHAEL YARNOFF, ESQ., (215) 792-6676, EXT. 804, MYARNOFF@KEHOELAWFIRM.COM, INFO@KEHOELAWFIRM.COM.

Kehoe Law Firm, P.C., with offices in New York and Philadelphia, is a multidisciplinary, plaintiff-side law firm dedicated to protecting investors from securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duties, and corporate misconduct. Combined, the partners at Kehoe Law Firm have served as Lead Counsel or Co-Lead Counsel in cases that have recovered more than $10 billion on behalf of institutional and individual investors.

This notice may constitute attorney advertising.

SOURCE: Kehoe Law Firm, P.C.





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/658444/Zymergen-Inc--ZY-Investors-With-Losses-Greater-Than-50000-Encouraged-To-Contact-Kehoe-Law-Firm-PC




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Greenes deadly arrest on May 10, 2019, came after he eluded a stop for a traffic violation and led troopers on a chase near Monroe at speeds topping 115 mph. Troopers initially told Greenes relatives the 49-year-old died from a crash at the end of the chase, despite his car showing little damage, and only later did state police acknowledge a struggle.

It took 474 days for state police to launch an internal inquiry and officials from Gov. John Bel Edwards on down refused to release body camera video for more than two years. That was until the AP obtained and published it in May, showing white troopers beating Greene and dragging him by his ankle shackles, even as he pleaded for mercy and wailed, Im your brother! Im scared! Im scared!

A key point under scrutiny in the federal investigation came just a day after the AP published the video, when the head of the state police, Col. Lamar Davis, and his chief of staff, Lt. Col. Doug Cain, made a hastily arranged attempt to dissuade state prosecutors from charging troopers in the Greene case, according to several people familiar with the investigation who spoke on condition of anonymity because they werent authorized to discuss it.
While the average for daily new cases in Virginia fell below 200 in June, Avula said the state is averaging around four to five times as many cases now. He said hospitalizations and deaths from the virus in Virginia have also increased at rate similar to that at the national level, which has increased 25% in the past seven days.

Avula said nearly all deaths and hospitalizations are happening to people who were unvaccinated.

"Because of that, we are more and more convinced that the only path out of this is vaccination," he said. "We will get to high rates of immunity ... by the time this is all said and done. But we want as much of that immunity to come through vaccination and not through infection because there's clearly a significant toll that takes place when it happens through infection."

Richmond's employee mandate comes a week after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revised its guidance on mask wearing, strongly urging those who have been vaccinated to wear masks indoors in areas with high levels of virus transmission.
For centuries, people have used art to reflect the times in which they lived.

Now, local and area residents have created works of art that provide their insights of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The public is invited to see an exhibit of these works during a reception from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 6, in the Fremont Area Art Association building, 92 W. Sixth St.

A Pandemic-Themed Exhibit is on display this month in the Hinds and Dugan galleries of Gallery 92 West in downtown Fremont.

This is only the second reception open to the public since the gallery closed due to the pandemic. The first reception took place during the John C. Fremont Days festival.

Before that, the gallerys last reception was in February 2020.

FAAA Executive Director Angie Olson has seen the enthusiasm of artists and gallery guests.

People are excited to come in and see the exhibits and shop in the art emporium and come for open studio, she said. With the variant, there are some people who are being cautious and staying away, but for the most part were seeing decent-sized crowds and everyone is very respectful of giving people distance and space.
MILWAUKEE (AP)  Wisconsin state Sen. Chris Larson is withdrawing from the Democratic primary race for U.S. Senate and throwing his support behind Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes.

The two-term Republican incumbent, Ron Johnson, has not yet indicated whether he's going to run again.

Mandela is the candidate who is best positioned to defeat Ron Johnson and who Wisconsinites can most trust to fight hard in the Senate for bold progressive policies that benefit working families, Larson said in a statement.

Larson, from Milwaukee, is up for re-election next year in the state Senate, but did not indicate what path he will take politically. Because Barnes is running for U.S. Senate, there's an opening for lieutenant governor on the ticket with Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.

Larson hasn't been able to raise the amount of funds he was likely hoping for with $20,000 cash on hand at the end of June. He reported raising $51,000 during the second quarter.

There is no lack of interest by Democrats willing to take on Johnson if he decides to run.
Pakistan's opposition has decried the nomination of a candidate with links to a militant Pakistani Islamist group to the legislative assembly in Pakistan-administered Kashmir with the support of the ruling Pakistan Tehrik-e Insaf (PTI) party.

The chairman of the opposition Pakistan People's Party, Bilwal Bhutto Zadari, recently accused Prime Minister Imran Khan of issuing a party nomination to Muhammad Mazhar Saeed, a.k.a. Abdullah Shah Mazhar and with links to the militant Jaish-e Mohammed (JeM).

Neither Khan nor his government has officially responded to the reports of Mazhar's allged ties to banned groups, and Mazhar himself has insisted he never held any "official" position for the Taliban.

The JeM is blacklisted by the United States and its allies and was banned in Pakistan in 2002.

Mazhar was elected to the Pakistan-administered Kashmiri legislature in a seat reserved for religious scholars after the PTI secured a majority in elections there on July 25.

Zardari complained at a press conference in Karachi on July 31 that Mazhar's position "will give an opportunity to India to criticize" Pakistan.

A Pakistani online newspaper reported last week that Mazhar had worked on a key position in a province of Afghanistan after the collapse of the government of President [Mohammad] Najibullah, a reference to the period from 1992 when the mujahedin and Taliban gained fragile control of Kabul.

The reports led to government criticism on social media, including by members of the PTI.

Lawmaker Aamir Liaquat Hussain demanded that Khan avoid nominating Mazhar.

Mazhar, 48, is from Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

He has acknowledged being in Afghanistan "under the rule of the Islamic Emirate" run by the Taliban but rejected as "baseless allegations" the suggestion that he held an "official post" for the Taliban.

"I am a representative of Kashmiri nation," he told Radio Mashaal in a telephone interview this week. "I seek the freedom of my nation and Islam, international law, and the United Nations charter have given me the right to demand freedom."

Media reports dating back to 2002 identify Mazhar as a key leader of the JeM.

Syed Saleem Shahzad, the Pakistani journalist who was kidnapped and killed in 2011, wrote in his book Inside Al-Qaeda And The Taliban that Mazhal had worked as the "supreme commander" of the JeM, an anti-India militant group active in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir and blamed for a deadly attack in 2019 in the region against Indian paramilitary police



A leader of the ruling PTI in Kashmir told Radio Mashaal that the central leadership had issued Mazhal a nomination ticket.

The central leadership of the religious parties decided to nominate [Mazhar] -- because we have a political alliance with them, therefore we agreed," the PTI's secretary-general in Pakistani-administered Kashmir told Radio Mashaal. "But I want to emphasize that he will not attempt to present a bill to the legislature which is in clash with our [party] manifesto."

The election commission of Pakistan-administered Kashmir says it has received no complaints over the nomination of Mazhar.

If anyone has a proof of his disqualification, they can challenge it anytime, Farhat Ali Mir, an official of the election commission in Kashmir, said on August 2.
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low around 60F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low around 60F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph.
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 61F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 61F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.
INDUSTRY INSIGHT

A need for speed: Why data at the edge is the ultimate modernizer

Volumes of data, speed of access to information and global enterprise IT describe todays environment thats constantly evolving, from the foundational infrastructure to the end-user experience. Millions of transactions per second unfold between the two, but is that fast enough?

The answer is no, and machine-speed processing is a challenge compounded by the magnitudes of data growing every day. While theres no shortage of technologies promising to accelerate government agencies ability to ingest and analyze mass quantities of data, the reality is there are limits -- even to the advanced solutions already working to improve government services.

What if there were a way to breathe new life into governments legacy, ineffective architectures and siloed IT operations? What if solutions could streamline functionality and meet todays data-driven demands emerging needs for data at the edge?

Regardless of physical location, the edge is where milliseconds matter. Speed and the accompanying protection of data and services are no longer just nice to have for agencies. As expectations grow for public-sector experiences that are accessible, data-driven and mirror those in the commercial world, agencies must provide smart, secure, reliable citizen services wherever and whenever needed.

As the network edge becomes more substantial, speed and flexibility are differentiators for data delivery. These two factors enable lightweight, small-footprint solutions deployable to Department of Agriculture soil sensors or Federal Highway Administration inspection vehicles, U.S. Postal Service mail trucks or ad hoc tactical operations centers; theyre what support continuity amid the noise and bottlenecks of field communications, and theyre key to scalable, low-latency processing of petabytes of data in microseconds.

The mission-critical, latency-intolerant applications that operate at the edge ultimately hinge on three capabilities. The ability to ingest and compute data anywhere, the mobility of that data to the centralized core and the integration of legacy data stores are all fundamental to delivering decision-speed functionality. This is the new frontier for the public sector: real-time data at the edge and in the cloud are the ingredients that matter.

Real time reimagined

As government leaders continue to grapple with COVID-19s impact on everything from the workforce to investments -- including in IT -- the realities of todays limits and the growing demand to deliver at the edge are becoming clearer.

Data at the edge is quickly becoming a benchmark for future-focused modernization goals. But with an edge thats constantly evolving and a seemingly endless array of solutions claiming to deliver to it, how do agencies and program managers determine whats right for their specific mission?

A real-time data platform that securely links across the enterprise -- and delivers resulting performance and reliability -- is almost universally useful. At a passport agency or social services office, it could enable on-the-spot fraud detection. For the military and national security teams, it may provide razor-sharp decision-making thats informed by the most up-to-date intelligence. For search-and-rescue and disaster response teams, it can deliver situational awareness and visibility where every second counts.

These are constituent-facing edges, but the edge can also support telematics, or computer-to-computer, transactions. And thats accelerating whats possible at the edge: By using automation and augmentation for front-end workloads, edge computing brings fresh utility to legacy systems while integrating new capabilities. The edge is aspirational, but its also a strategic way to inject agility into systems written off as obsolete.

Central to making edge computing a reality, though, is the right partnership with the right solutions. With a highly secure, real-time, edge-to-core data platform, agencies can meet their modernization and performance goals while simultaneously building for the future. By tackling whats needed today and anticipating whats expected for tomorrow, agencies can future-proof their data operations and scale, modernize and integrate according to emerging demands.
Water infrastructure rife with cyber vulnerabilities, report says

When hackers exploited an outdated version of Windows in an apparent attempt to poison the water supply in Oldsmar, Fla., ThreatLocker co-founder and CEO Danny Jenkins said he wasn't just alarmed that the attackers had gained remote access to the plant's TeamViewer software to jack up levels of sodium hydroxide to a lethal dosage. It more concerning to the cybersecurity executive that a single operator could tamper with the chemical levels -- regardless of whether that person was a hacker or utility employee.

The legacy infrastructure common in local water treatment plants lacks even the most basic cybersecurity controls. "Why was an operator, a single person, able to turn a dial that could poison the water?" Jenkins said in a recent interview. "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 and detailed the severely limited IT and operational technology 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 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."

This article was first posted to FCW, a sibling site to GCN.
Crowdsourced sensor data powers smoke map

The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) have released updates to the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map to help protect communities from the effects of wildfire smoke.

Started as a pilot project last year, the map pulls data from three sources: temporary monitors such as those the Forest Service and other agencies have deployed near fires; crowdsourced data from nearly 10,000 low-cost sensors nationwide that measure fine particle pollution, the major harmful pollutant in smoke; and monitors that regularly report to AirNow, EPAs one-stop source for air quality data.

On July 19, the agencies announced improvements to the map, including a dashboard that gives users quick access to information that can help them plan their outdoor activities, the current Air Quality Index category at the monitor or sensor location, data showing whether air quality is improving or worsening, and information about actions to consider taking based on the AQI.

EPA and USFS developed the map pilot to provide information on fire locations, smoke plumes and air quality in one place. It had more than 7.4 million views in its first three months.

The map imports data from almost 10,000 sensors from PurpleAir, an air quality sensor network that crowdsources data on particle pollution, providing real-time measurement of air quality on a public map. This was a logical addition to two other projects already under way, Tim Carroll, EPAs deputy press secretary, wrote in an email to GCN: the Forest Services Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program and EPAs AirNow Program.

The extra data points the sensors provided proved useful in characterizing air quality during the 2020 fire season, and we had positive reception from state, local and tribal air agency partners, and from the public, Carroll said.

The map is intended for individuals to use in making decisions about outdoor activities based on air quality, he added, but the unique fire, smoke and concentration data can help increase awareness of the significant impacts  wildfires across all levels of government -- federal, state, local and tribal -- and provide a valuable tool to assist agencies as they work to protect public health from wildfire smoke during these emergencies.

Officials can use the map to compare current air quality from the three main data sources and to view fire locations, basic fire information (if available) and smoke plume information.

Most sensors are operated by private citizens monitoring air quality where it is important to them, Carroll said. PurpleAir sensor users can choose to contribute their data to a public crowdsourced database. Sensor data is transmitted by Wi-Fi back to PurpleAirs database. PurpleAir has partnered with EPA and USFS to provide real-time data to the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map.

To make PurpleAir data more comparable to smoke monitor data on the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map, EPAs Office of Research and Development built a correction equation. When data is imported, the map displays only sensors labeled as outdoor, removes questionable data when internal sensors disagree, applies the correction equation, and then harnesses NowCast, EPAs method for relating hourly data to the AQI, to show data in the context of the index.

In 2020, if you clicked on a monitor or sensor icon on the map, you would get a popup box showing the recent air quality history at that location -- both in terms of the NowCast AQI and in terms for fine particle concentrations, Carroll said. The changes EPA and USFS released [July 22] put a lot more information at the users fingertips. Now when you click on a monitor or sensor, you get the dashboard that shows you the current NowCast AQI, gives you quick information on how you may need to take precautions, and shows you whether recent air quality (usually the past 30 minutes) at the location has improved, worsened, or stayed the same.

The sensor data is not used on other maps on the AirNow website, to calculate the NowCast AQI or to forecast AQI on the AirNow homepage or app, EPA says.

Were exploring other ways to make air quality information more broadly available to the public, Carroll said. The next step in that work is getting the Fire and Smoke Map included in the AirNow app. Look for that in the coming weeks.
Elwood later displayed his gratitude for his fair experiences by serving on the Mitchell County Fair Board, for 20 years.

The fairgrounds look a lot different today, because we have built new buildings since then," he said. "The budget for the fair was minimal back in those days, but now the County Supervisors have been gracious in supporting the county fair.

Shirley has a few memories of her own.

I recall how 4-H girls had a specific project each year like food, clothing, or home furnishing, but now they have many projects to choose from," Shirley said. "I know my 4-H projects have helped me with my homemaking skills, and I know the demonstrations that I did at the fair help me today when I speak in front of people.

Shirley had served as entry secretary for 10 years and worked with the Mitchell County Queen contest for 20 years. Today, the Rakes walk a short distance from their home on Liberty Drive to attend the fair each year.

Clarence Kruse also continues to support the fair he attended as a youth by supporting 4-H auctions for over 25 years. He was once a member of the Osage Jaycees that actively supported county fair events, and he sponsored a Moormans Feed booth for many years.
Still, the process is one that has been ripe for conspiracy theorists in America since the 1940s, when Grand Rapids, Michigan, became the first U.S. city to add fluoride to its drinking water. One such notion from the 1960s was that adding fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral, to water was a way for communists to rot people's brains and stymie their reasoning. Reporting from the Washington Post in the 1980s contradicted that notion by finding that samples from the Soviet Union actually had fluoride levels below 0.8. So if the communists were fluoridating water to control hearts and minds, they weren't doing a great job of it in their own stronghold.
In the absence of a physical border barrier with Belarus, the question arises as to how to ensure that there is no disproportionate use of force against asylum seekers, which by any means could not be justified, she said, adding that the Red Cross understands the states challenges in protecting its border.

Lithuania, a nation of less than 3 million people, has no physical barriers for its 679-kilometer (420-mile) long border with Belarus. Some 4,090 migrants, most of them from Iraq, have crossed this year from Belarus into Lithuania.

Another 35 people crossed into Lithuania illegally on Wednesday, according to the State Border Guard Service, but this was significantly lower than the triple-digit numbers of previous days.

Belarus claimed Wednesday that a non-Slavic person died from injuries at a border town but Lithuania dismissed the report as propaganda from a hostile regime.

This is nonsense, a Brothers Grimm fairy tale, Lithuania Interior Minister Agne Bilotaite told reporters.

Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas called the report an obvious provocation. Lithuania is under hybrid attack and spreading such information is a classic example of this process.
A new survey is biting into the impact COVID-19 has had on restaurants across Southside Virginia.

Eateries are encouraged to answer online questions posed by the SoVa Task Force, an organization formed last year to help share resources and information in an effort to benefit businesses across Southside.

We recognize the restaurant industry has faced  and continues to face  tremendous challenges because of the pandemic, Corrie Bobe, director of economic development for the city of Danville, said in a news release. Restaurant owners and operators were forced to close their dining rooms, reduce their hours, or close entirely. Today, they continue to face a number of challenges.

The 18-question survey asks basic questions about how restaurants coped with closures and fallout from the pandemic. It also asks businesses to detail challenges currently faced.

The responses will remain anonymous, the news release said.

We need to know what the restaurants are doing differently and how we can best assist with the resources we have available, Bobe said. Restaurants in Danville can expect to get a postcard from the Danville Office of Economic Development with information about the survey.
Danville and Pittsylvania County on Wednesday recorded the most daily COVID-19 cases since March 11, and another death from the illness caused by the novel coronavirus brought the toll to 230.

Between both localities, 35 new infections were added in Wednesday mornings update from the Virginia Department of Health, the most since the trend shifted to more vaccines and fewer cases. The latter trend is now reversed.

Now, the Pittsylvania-Danville Health District is averaging about 17 new cases per day, a dramatic rise from only two new infections in July.

Across Virginia, 1,717 new cases were added Wednesday based on data received by 5 p.m. Tuesday, also marking the highest number since mid-March.

The increase mirrors the direction the nation is heading as the powerful delta variant  an altered version of the coronavirus first discovered in India  sweeps across the still mostly unvaccinated landscape. Fewer than half the adults in Danville and Pittsylvania County are considered fully vaccinated, meaning they have received two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna shots or just one of the Johnson & Johnson version.

When factoring in children, less than 40% of the population in the Pittsylvania-Danville Health District is vaccinated.
GREENSBORO  Beginning Saturday, the Guilford County health department is offering $100 gift cards to people who receive their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to a news release from the county.

The cards will be offered through August 31 or while supplies last.

And those who transport someone to a first dose appointment can get a $25 cash card (one card per visit).

The offers are limited to people 18 and older.

Cash cards will be available at all of the Guilford County health department's first-dose community and mobile clinics. For a list of of these vaccine clinics, visit www.GuilfordVaccination.com.

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Cash cards will also be available at both Guilford County Public Health clinics at:

 1100 E. Wendover Ave., Greensboro.

 501 E. Green Drive, High Point.

All clinics accept walk-in appointments and pre-registration is not required.
As a result, Barbara Peck, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee state court system, said Wednesday that lawyers for courts in her state had advised that it is not applicable in Tennessee.

Some housing advocates said the new system would be complicated but would prevent some evictions. Their clients were grateful for the reprieve.

Antoinette Eleby, 42, of Miami, said she had been worried as she expected an eviction order within two to three weeks after she said her landlord twice refused to take federal rental assistance. She had sent five of nine children to live with her mother in another county.

But after hearing about the new CDC order, Eleby said she was hopeful the additional time would persuade her landlord to take the federal funds and she could remain her home. She has been told by her lawyer that the order means she cannot be evicted by sheriffs officers.

Now that this happened, Im kind of at ease. I am just seeing what are the next steps. I just have to continue hoping for the best, said Eleby, who couldnt work for part of the pandemic after her family contracted COVID-19.



Associated Press writers Lisa Mascaro, Darlene Superville in Washington and Michael Casey in Boston contributed to this report.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
The suspect of a homicide in the Tulare County community of Woodville has died following an officer-involved shooting in a cemetery, the Coroners Office confirmed on Tuesday.

On Saturday, deputies with the Tulare County Sheriffs Office responded to a call at a home in the area of Avenue 168 and Road 166 for a woman whod been shot. Inside, they found that the victim, 30-year-old Rachel Martinez, had, dead at the scene. during their investigation, Detectives found that 31-year-old Ruben Isaac Sanchez shot Martinez after a verbal argument, according to reports. Sanchez left the area when Deputies were called. The gun was not found at the scene of the crime, leading investigators to believe he was still armed.

Deputies initially had concerns that Sanchez would head towards Oregon or Washington where he lived previously. However, at 4:30 p.m. Monday, detectives received a tip that Sanchez was hiding in the Woodville Cemetery. When detectives arrived, a shooting ensued, resulting in Sanchez being shot.

Sanchez was airlifted to a hospital, where he later died.

Woodville is a small, census-designated place in the lower, western part of Tulare County, with a population of less than 2,000 people.
" " Surgeons work on a gunshot wound victim at the Ben Taub General Hospital emergency room in Houston, Texas. Wound ballistics is the study of the effects of projectiles on bones, tissue and organs. The study begins if medical staff can't save its patient. Gregory Smith/Getty Images

There is no existing body of work regarding the best place of the anatomy to be shot, but there are a few contenders. To understand where the best place to be shot is, you must first understand a little bit about bullets and the effects they have on the human body.

The study of what bullets do to tissue, bone and organs is called wound ballistics, and this field has come up with some definite conclusions about the destructiveness of projectiles on humans. A bullet is a carrier of force, and its purpose is to transfer that energy within the body. This energy causes all of the injuries sustained, whether directly or in a secondary manner.

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The injury inflicted by a bullet is directly related to the bullet's kinetic energy. This is a measure of the bullet's weight, velocity and gravitational trajectory. The combination of the three describe how much damage a bullet will cause.

As a bullet enters the body, it causes laceration and crushing wounds. The bullet punctures tissue and bone, crushing or pushing aside anything in its path. When a bullet passes through tissue, it creates a cavity that can be 30 times wider than its track (the path it takes). This cavity closes behind the bullet less than a second after the bullet passes, but the cavitation it causes can damage nearby tissue, organs and bones via shock waves.

The type and amount of injury sustained from a bullet also depends on what a bullet encounters. Soft tissue can carry shock waves more easily than bone, but since bone is dense, it absorbs more force (and damage). Bones also splinter, causing further damage as the fragments travel through the body as projectiles themselves.

A bullet that passes through the body (creating an exit wound) generally will cause less damage than one which stays in the body, because a bullet that stays in the body transfers all of its kinetic energy (and ensures maximum damage to tissue). This is the aim of most modern ballistic design. Jacketed bullets are designed to fragment after impact, dividing their destructive power. Hollow-point and soft bullets are designed to flatten and spread, creating a wider area for their tracks and increasing the damage caused by shock waves and cavitation.

Based on this information, we can make some conclusions about the areas you might least like to take a bullet and deduce the best place from there. A bullet can shatter bone, and bone can also ensure a bullet won't leave the body. So you'd want to stay away from areas with a lot of bone mass, such as the ribs. You would also want to stay away from nerve bundles, as Ed Sizemore mentioned. And, most importantly, you'd want to keep your vital organs away from a bullet. This definitely counts your torso out and your head, too.

So it looks like your arms and legs are the best place to take a bullet. But wait: Your thighs and upper arms both feature important arteries  your femoral and brachial arteries. If a bullet severs either one of these, the loss of blood can cause death in just a few minutes. So the legs and arms are out.

Based on their location and relative distance from vital organs, your hands or feet appear to be the best place to take a bullet. Getting shot in a foot or hand would certainly shatter most of the many bones there, and it would be an extremely painful experience, but it would pose little deadly threat. What's more, although you have plenty of bones there to shatter, the fragments are less likely to travel easily to your vital organs, like your heart. Plus, with your hands and feet as relatively thin as they are, a bullet also has a better chance of passing through your body before it transfers the full extent of its power. You might suffer a disability, but you'd be more likely to live through the experience.

Editor's Note: Ed Sizemore was interviewed in 2007.

How a gunshot wound helped us learn about digestion In 1822, Canadian Alexis St. Martin was accidentally shot beneath his left breast at close range. The musket ball tore away parts of his left side, exposing bone, tissue and organs. His stomach was exposed and punctured, and a physician who attended him, Dr. William Beaumont, concluded St. Martin would soon die. He survived an additional 66 years, though his wound never healed. Dr. Beaumont used St. Martin's exposed stomach and hole to extract digested food to determine the functions of the stomach, which had been only theorized until St. Martin's (educationally) fortunate accident [source: University of Houston]. Read More

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The two men applied for over $1,043,000 in PPP loans last year between April and December. In the applications, the men allegedly made numerous false statements about having paid payroll taxes and having employees.
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.

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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.
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
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.
HELENA  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.

Montana had 24 large fires as of Tuesday. Since the beginning of the year, more than 1,800 fires have ignited in the state, burning 750 square miles (1,940 square kilometers)  400 square miles (1,000 square kilometers) of which have burned since July 26.

A historic drought and recent heat waves 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 wildfires more frequent and destructive.

Officials estimate that about 38 homes have been destroyed this year. Around 600 people have been ordered to evacuate their homes as of Tuesday because of nine fires.
Not that the majority party was interested in public comment. GOP legislators voted for some terrible bills (House Bill 505, Rep. Wylie Galt, R-Martinsdale; House Bill 697, Rep. Josh Kassmeir, R-Fort Benton) despite thousands of emails, letters and testimony from hunters. Montana hunters were frequently denigrated by GOP members on the House floor and in committee, along with our existing successful partnership programs like Block Management and game damage hunts. Fortunately, HB 505 and 697 died in process, but not for lack of support by Republicans, and they will probably be introduced again next session.

Some large landowners clearly want to save the regular hunting season for selling bull hunts, and then use arbitrary and ineffective shoulder seasons to kill cows. If these terms are unfamiliar to you, here is the straight talk: more options for the wealthy and fewer for working class Montanans. Block Management and game damage hunts are existing, successful programs that rely on partnerships. We need the current administration to demonstrate support for those collaborative programs instead of undermining them.
Conversations over the past few months reflect a lot of concern about Montanas children returning to school, and the curriculum being provided there. One things for certain -- families are becoming increasingly vocal about the public school environment. This is underscored by the parents who have necessarily become much more engaged with their childrens school work since the 2020 onset of the pandemic. Parents have been more involved in their childrens online and day-to-day academic programs, and are concerned about the current curriculums time and emphasis on trends in social mores  time and effort that could be devoted to reading, writing and math.

Now, with a heightened awareness of what public schools are emphasizing, parents are evaluating options in selecting what and how their children should be learning. During the 2021 Legislative Session, over $1.8 billion was appropriated from the General Fund  your tax dollars -- for the 2022-2023 biennium. At the same time, the Legislature provided the option to maximize eligible tax credits for educational programs for students transitioning from public to private schools. This, along with home schooling and home-school co-ops, allows more educational oversight and preferences for parents.
On Jan. 6, violent rioters attacked the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., under the guise that voter fraud was the reason the former president lost the 2020 election. Although numerous government agencies and courts investigated the rumors of fraud and found no evidence of any improprieties, the rioters stormed the Capitol with the intention of doing harm to lawmakers and Vice President Mike Pence.

While trying to achieve their goal, the rioters were filmed attacking security personnel with numerous types of weapons including guns, clubs, pepper spray and large rocks. During the confrontation the rioters were recorded yelling their intent to kill the police, the lawmakers and to hang the vice president. Unfortunately, even with all the evidence showing this was an out-of-control violent mob, our Congressman Matt Rosendale and a few other politicians put the blame for the violence on the brave personnel assigned to protect the Capitol and the people inside.

Rosendales statement that it was a breach of security, not an armed mob that caused the violence, clearly shows that hes delusional and should be voted out of office.

If you want to save Montana from politicians like Rosendale, please vote in 2022.

Keith Blount

Butte

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DECATUR  Shane McDermith, of Shaners Towing, learned about the various options available to his business during the Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce breakfast on Wednesday at the Decatur Club.

Like many businesses throughout the country, McDermith said he has been in need of employees since before the pandemic.

Im just looking forward to having a life again, he said. Were the night shift and the day shift.

The breakfast was an opportunity for businesses to learn more about Workforce Investment Solutions and other agencies able to connect employers with future employees.

Annamarie Dorr, Central Illinois Regional Workforce Development manager, explained the resources available to businesses during one of their more challenging times.

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act is a public workforce program that is federally funded to help employees prepare for high quality jobs and employers find skilled workers. The purpose is to support local and regional economies, Dorr said.

Working with various governmental departments, Workforce Investments provides skilled and upgrade training, apprenticeships, supportive services such as childcare and transportation costs, and equipment or tools needed for training.

Once someone gets enrolled in the WIOA program we see them through, all the way til they are in the job, Dorr said.

Throughout the training, Workforce Investments also works toward job-readiness skills including interview preparation and communication skills in the workplace.

Our goal is to help people become self-sufficient and help them set out a career pathway, Dorr said.

Rocki Wilkerson, Workforce Investment Solutions executive director, works with the local businesses and employees. She has assisted with training in manufacturing, healthcare and logistics as well as many other careers. We have tried to continue serving this community regardless of the pandemic, Wilkerson said.

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Changes and challenges are expected in the near future.

Its hard to come back in and say How can I be retrained?, Where do I go?, What are the resources?, Wilkerson said. Were there to help those people.

State Rep. Sue Scherer sat among the business owners and representatives during Wednesdays breakfast, but was well aware of the advantages Workforce Investments was able to provide to the communities.

Somebodys always out of work, she said. The first thing I say is Did you go to them? A lot of times they didnt know what it is.

Workforce Investments connects the employer and the employee, as well as providing services for a successful transition. According to Scherer, Workforce Investments has resources available through the use of the American Rescue Plan Act.

Theyve got the money to really give a lot of help right now, she said. You dont have to go through it alone.

For his towing company, McDermith needs about 10 drivers and a second-shift receptionist. Ive had the phones every night, he said. It's a whole different life in Decatur after midnight.

Rick Price, Fuyao Glass Illinois human resources vice president, has a goal of hiring some 10 employees a week. He often partners with Workforce Investments to hire skilled workers. Its hard, Price said. People sign up, but they dont show up.

Fuyao used online interviews during the pandemic, with little success. He hopes once the government ends the stimulus offer which extended unemployment benefits, he will meet serious applicants. In-person interviews and application opportunities, similar to a Fuyao event in January 2020 hosted by Workforce Investments, has proven to be beneficial for companies. Its the in-person, getting to talk to someone, to show them what you do at the plant, Price said.

Price credits Workforce Investments for helping him find qualified employees. Its an untapped source that some businesses dont know about, he said. All you have to do is make the phone call, Workforce takes it from there.

Contact Donnette Beckett at (217) 421-6983. Follow her on Twitter: @donnettebHR

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There's two new family-friendly adventures coming to Springfield next month for you to escape from.

Family-trio Rick Briggs, Brett Moore and Nathan Millspaugh are in the process of building the first two sets for Amazing Xscapes, a new escape room opening in Springfield by September.

"This was a chance for me to bring an attraction to Springfield that we could all be proud of and enjoy," said Briggs, who has spent decades engineering theme park attractions. "We're calling it a kind of Orlando-level-themed attraction for Springfield."

At launch, Amazing Xscapes will boast two escape rooms featuring themed-videos and special effects: one centered around a spy-themed diamond heist with the other room featuring an Egyptian sarcophagus. (Spoiler alert: there's a mummy in that room).

"(The first) room is like a heist super spy room," said Millspaugh, who worked in special effects for movie and TV productions for 18 years. "So you have to get in and take back what the evil villain took from you and save the world."

Amazing Xscapes partnered with Springfield-based The Storyteller Studios to produce original short-film productions that will air alongside the escape room to give it a more movie-like feel, Millspaugh said.

The spy room instantly evokes similarities to various scenes in a James Bond with ice-foam lining the walls. The main villain also bears an obvious resemblance to Dr. Evil in from Austin Powers series.

"It's really an adventure is what you're doing," Briggs said. "You're not really trying to escape the rooms anymore, but that's just kind of the nomenclature of what this is called."

The Egyptian room, meanwhile, features plenty of weight-based keys and traps alongside plenty of tropes typically found in video games and cinema. Millspaugh joked there won't be any Indiana Jones-sized boulders rolling at escapees, however.

"Basically, it's the curse of the mummy type of room, so you have to go in there, you're kind of an explorer and you have to basically best the mummy to escape," Millspaugh said.

The last room under construction is akin to the hit show "Stranger Things," though it won't be open until at least the winter. Millspaugh said they'll likely rotate rooms in future years.

"It's a 1980s theme," Briggs said about the room. "This family disappeared in 1985 and the house is exactly the way it was when they disappeared. So you get to step in and find out what happened to them."

Amazing Xscapes will also have a mobile-tent that doubles as an escape room that'll be available to rent for outings. The business, located in the strip mall at 1650 Wabash Ave., will also have a party room to rent.

Millspaugh will be Amazing Xscapes' game master after spending several years running Escape Springfield, an escape room that closed during the COVID-19 pandemic that used to be located along Chatham Road.

Briggs said he's getting into the escape room business with Millspaugh and Moore, his sons-in-law, to bring an attraction to his hometown of Springfield.

"I've worked all over the world," Briggs said, "but I don't ever do work in Springfield. ... So that's one reason that I was really excited about building this room with the guys, so that we could build something new in Springfield."

Amazing Xscapes will be open Wednesday through Sunday beginning Sept. 1, Millspaugh said. Times will be available to book online at amazingxscapes.com

Briggs said rooms are family-friendly and are suited for those who are at least 8 years old. Groups range from two to 10 but there won't be any random pairings, Millspaugh said, meaning a room is reserved for whoever booked it during that timeframe.

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ST. LOUIS  Area hospital leaders are raising the alarm about an increase in the number of children hospitalized with COVID-19 and asking adults to protect children by getting vaccinated and wearing a mask.

In just one week, the major hospital systems across the St. Louis area have gone from having 13 children hospitalized with COVID to 20, Dr. Clay Dunagan said Tuesday, speaking on behalf of the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force.

Ten were under the age of 12 and too young to get vaccinated, while the rest were ages 12 to 18. Three in youngest age group and four in the oldest were in intensive care fighting for their lives, said Dunagan, chief clinical officer for BJC HealthCare.

The more infectious delta variant began spreading across Missouri in late May and has quickly become the culprit behind most cases, leading to a sharp increases in cases and hospitalizations among the unvaccinated.

Dunagan pointed to data from other countries showing that compared to earlier strains of the coronavirus, the delta variant is two to three times more likely to put an unvaccinated person in the hospital and twice as likely to result in death.

St. Louis task force hospitals have seen a daily average of 420 patients hospitalized with COVID over the past week  four times the average number recorded six weeks ago, Dunagan said.

The latest snapshot shows 84% of those patients were unvaccinated, he said. Fully vaccinated patients tended to have compromised immune systems or other illnesses.

Kids are also getting caught up in the dangerous trends.

Its true that children typically dont have a very rough time with COVID. Many weather it with minor symptoms, not that much worse than a cold, but not all of them do, Dunagan said.

Cardinal Glennon Childrens Hospital in St. Louis started the summer with less than eight children testing positive for COVID-19 in the emergency department and one or two children hospitalized with COVID-19 at any given time.

Since the delta variant has been rearing itself, we are seeing double digits in the emergency department, and we have typically between eight and 12 kids in the hospital with COVID, said the hospitals chief medical officer, Dr. Marya Strand.

Among CoxHealth hospitals serving southwest Missouri, where the delta variant hit first, doctors cared for two children hospitalized with COVID in May, 10 in June and 18 in July, officials said.

The children seen at Cardinal Glennon are either unvaccinated or too young for the vaccine, Strand said. So, these children rely on their families and their community to be vaccinated to protect them, which we havent done.

Statewide, 48% of residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 42% have been fully vaccinated, according the Department of Health and Senior Services.

Dunagan said in order to halt spread, vaccination levels now need to reach 80% to 90% because of how contagious the delta variant is.

St. Louis and St. Louis County reinstated mask requirements indoors on July 26, but the move prompted a large protest by an unmasked crowd at last weeks county council meeting.

State Attorney General Eric Schmitt also filed suit against the local mandate. A temporary halt to enforcement of the order was granted Tuesday.

The mask mandate was prompted by evidence showing that while vaccines remain highly effective at preventing severe illness and death, the fully vaccinated are sometimes still able to spread the virus.

Masking is an easy way to protect kids and for kids to protect themselves and for adults to protect the children around them, Strand said.

Young kids wear a mask when they see their parents do so, she added. Parents have to be thoughtful and set a good example.

Hospitals to the south see surge

Doctors with childrens hospitals in surrounding states such as Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas have also reported caring for more severely ill pediatric patients with COVID-19.

Arkansas Childrens Hospital in Little Rock issued a news release last week saying it was caring for a record number of 24 children hospitalized with COVID-19  a 50% increase over its winter peak.

Of the 24, seven were in intensive care and four were on ventilators, according to the release.

After many months of zero or few pediatric COVID cases, we are seeing infants, children and teens with COVID pouring back into the hospital, more and more each day, she wrote.

Haq is also concerned the delta variant is not only highly contagious but could cause more severe disease.

This time around Im seeing more COVID pneumonia in younger children (previously was seeing COVID pneumonia mainly in tweens and up), now seeing in neonates to preschoolers, Haq wrote.

Strand said she is seeing kids admitted with COVID who are otherwise healthy.

We are not seeing that they have other comorbidities that make them more at risk, these are kids who just happen to have COVID, and it happens to be of a degree that they need hospital-level support, she said.

Theres no predictive model for who is going to be hospitalized and who is going to be able to go home.

She said its too early to tell for certain if the delta variant is making kids more sick. While she is seeing more children being admitted, that may because more kids are getting infected, she said. Most children coming to the emergency department end up having mild enough to symptoms to recover at home.

But she expects that could likely change based on what other regional hospitals are experiencing.

We are seeing a lot more volume of kids testing positive for COVID, but we are not yet seeing the high acuity, which is great, she said. I think its coming, but we havent seen it yet.

Unexpected surge in RSV

Making the situation more dire, Strand said, is that the increase in COVID patients is happening at the same time childrens hospitals are seeing an increase in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a highly contagious flu-like virus which typically peaks in the winter months.

RSV was nearly non-existent last winter as people were more strict about wearing masks, washing hands and social distancing; but cases began to increase in southern states in June.

Cases have also increased in Missouri, prompting DHSS to issue an advisory on July 6 warning providers of the unexpected off-season surge.

Each year in the U.S., RSV leads to about 58,000 hospitalizations and 100 to 500 deaths among children younger than 5 years old.

Im extremely concerned because not only do we see that increased acuity (in pediatric COVID patients) south of us and moving into Arkansas, but when you add that on top of all of our winter viruses peaking right now, our hospitals across the region are already full, Strand said.

So, if we have increased admissions and increased acuity, we are going to really be strapped for resources and space for pediatric patients.

Michele Munz  314-340-8263 @michelemunz on Twitter mmunz@post-dispatch.com

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A couple of months ago, I wrote an op-ed for The Progressive magazine about why President Joe Biden needs to build a bridge with young Americans. The nationally syndicated piece drew hundreds of responses from strangers agreeing with my sentiments. But I heard nothing from the one place that mattered most: the White House.

So I wrote a Playbook on Youth Engagement in the White House and sent it to Bidens staff. They encouraged me to stay in touch; there was no substantive conversation.

Young Americans like me shouldnt feel like kids in the grocery store putting candy in the cart and having our elected officials tell us, Put that back. Our bold policy proposals are not overly idealistic, shortsighted or naive. Theyre necessary. Were fighting for a sustainable future on an emissions-filled planet, for economic equity and a departure from systemic racism. We are demanding fundamental human rights.

President Joe Biden promised us that he would be a president for all. Am I and the rest of the nations 42 million young people included?

The Democratic National Commissions website states, Democrats will promote the rights of young people and nurture young leaders. Where are these young leaders exactly?

In April 2020, the Democratic Party had two primary candidates for President: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, 79, and former Vice President Joe Biden, 78. Four years earlier, Sanders, then 75, was squared off against an establishment Democrat, Hillary Clinton, then 69.

For two presidential elections in a row, millennials and Gen Zers had to choose contenders who were old enough to be their grandparents. Young people were looking for ... whats the term? Oh yes, new blood.

Sanders, its true, is beloved by many young progressives. They felt like a leading Democratic candidate was finally speaking about the issues that matter to them, including student debt, the Green New Deal and higher education. But in 2020 the nod went to Biden, and young people were told, Hey, at least hes not Trump.

The DNC Convention didnt help. Former Ohio Gov. John Kasich might have swayed moderate Republicans to come to the Democratic side, but he didnt excite young people. Why not invite Rep. Sharice Davids, the first Democrat elected to represent a Kansas congressional district in a decade? She was then a mere 40 years old.

Dont tell me that my president and his staff cant respond to everyone and that my want is just one thing on a billion list of things to do. Asking to implement and lead an Office of Young Americans is not asking too much. Young people are willing to do the work.

And how about creating positions that enhance youth voice and youth power?

There are no youth engagement staff housed in Bidens Office of Public Engagement that are under 25, as many groups have urged. Hiring a director of youth engagement and youth liaisons within each department could help build relationships between young people and their government. The key to connecting with young people is creating safe spaces for conversations about the issues that impact them most.

The House and the Senate can create youth councils within their prospective offices to establish stronger bonds between young constituents and staffers.

Real youth engagement. That is what young people want. Im not saying that I expect the age to run for office to be lowered. Im not saying that we cannot have older politicians. I am saying that we need to do a better job at inclusivity, because democracy is for everyone.

Ashley Lynn Priore of Pittsburgh, Pa., is the founder of Youth Political Strategies.

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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%.
Ferguson said the agency, which works to help families avoid homelessness, has already seen increased calls for assistance.

Were now averaging 25 to 30 calls a week. Its been going up on a regular basis, and we expect that to continue. Its still a few more days before it really blows up, but I expect us to be overrun by the time everything goes through, he said.

Ferguson expects large numbers of people may be at risk for eviction in the weeks and months ahead.

If somebody has a 14-day eviction notice from their landlord and they live in Sullivan County, my organization can help them get their back rent caught up and help them going forward until they can return to work or get their finances built back up, Ferguson said. Were able to help with all of Sullivan County for people who meet a certain average monthly income standard, set by HUD. Anyone who meets that monthly income and has a 14-day eviction notice, we are able to help them get caught back up.

He urged anyone needing the assistance to apply as soon as possible.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  A judge indicated Wednesday she is likely to allow California Gov. Gavin Newsom to refer to the recall against him as a Republican effort in the states official voter guide.

Sacramento Superior Court Judge Laurie M. Earl said she will issue a final ruling in the lawsuit brought by recall supporters by Thursday. It seeks to block Newsom, a Democrat, from calling the effort a Republican recall" a Republican power grab" or an abuse of the state's recall laws in the voter guide, which all registered voters will receive this month. Earl sided with Newsom in her tentative ruling but heard from both sides Wednesday afternoon.

If her tentative ruling stands, it will mark a win for Newsom, who has sought to brand the recall as a power grab driven by Republican extremists in an effort to motivate Democrats to vote. In television ads, he has linked the recall to the storming of the Capitol on Jan. 6 and efforts in Republican-led states to overturn results from the 2020 presidential election. The recall was placed on the ballot through a legal process.

Newsom and Orrin Heatlie, one of the activists who filed the suit, were each allowed to write 500- word arguments in support of and against the recall for the guide. Voters will start receiving ballots in the mail in mid-August; the last day to vote is Sept. 14.
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.
But fears of mass evictions after the moratorium's 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.

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.

He said the sheriff's 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 Aug. 9 court date.
Since January, he had been ruling by ordinance without legislative approval because of the suspension of Parliament in a state of emergency declared because of the coronavirus pandemic. Critics say he used the emergency, which expired Aug. 1, to avoid a vote in Parliament that would show he had lost a majority of support.

At the same time, public anger with his government has mounted after a lockdown in June failed to contain the spread of the virus, with daily cases soaring above 10,000 since mid-July.

Because of persistent questions over his legitimacy, Muhyiddin said Wednesday that a motion of confidence in his leadership will be presented for a vote when Parliament resumes next month.

In this way, my position as prime minister and the Alliance National as the ruling government can be determined in accordance with the law and the constitution, he said.

UMNO President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi disputed Muhyiddin's claim of majority support because the governing alliance previously only had a three-seat majority in Parliament.

He said more party lawmakers in addition to the first eight have now signed declarations withdrawing their support for Muhyiddin, and that those documents were presented to the king on Wednesday.
Poster of 'Bridgerton' (Image source: Instagram)

Washington [US], August 4 (ANI): Shooting for the second season of the hit Netflix series 'Bridgerton' has resumed after two abrupt halts due to COVID-19 cases on the sets of the show.

Showrunner Chris Van Dusen confirmed the news to Variety. "We are back underway. We had to delay because of COVID, but we're back in it," said the showrunner, who is currently shuttling back and forth between Los Angeles and the London-based set.

"Right now I'm in post, editing our first couple episodes, which are looking great," the showrunner added.

The romantic period drama was shut down indefinitely in mid-July following a second confirmed case. At the time, Netflix declined to comment on whether the two cases were among members of the cast or crew but confirmed that both persons went into isolation.

'Bridgerton' was one of the several high-profile projects shooting in the UK to be struck by the virus in the last few weeks. 'Game of Thrones' prequel series 'House of the Dragon' being another notable victim.

News of the resumption will come as a sigh of relief to the 'Bridgerton' fans who were beginning to wonder whether they might have to wait a little longer than expected for the return of the 'Bridgerton' clan's marital antics.

The upcoming season of the show, based on the second novel in Julia Quinn's series, is set to focus on the family's eldest son Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and his quest to find a suitable partner.

"We pick up Anthony after we've seen what he's been through with his mistress. He's thinking, 'Was that love?' Some would call it that, others would not. We're exploring those concepts of duty and honour once again," teased Van Dusen.

After breaking Netflix viewership records, the pressure on Van Dusen, who is passing the showrunner baton on to Jess Brownell for seasons three and four, and the folks behind the Shondaland show to deliver another stellar season is mounting. However, Van Dusen welcomed the extra scrutiny.

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"There's always been a pressure with this show from the beginning, being inspired by these beloved novels with fans who are so passionate and feel so strongly about these characters and these stories," he said.

He added, "There's always been a healthy pressure there, I welcome it and I say keep the pressure on. It worked for the first season, and I hope people love this season and beyond as much as they did the first."

The first season was a breakout hit, becoming Netflix's most-viewed series ever, and also scored 12 Emmy nominations last month, including Outstanding Drama Series and Best Actor in a Drama Series for Rege-Jean Page.

Based on Julia Quinn's best-selling series of novels, 'Bridgerton' is set in the lavish and competitive world of London high society during the Regency period of the early 1800s.

The Netflix series has already been renewed through season four, so there's plenty of your period soapy obsession to come. But because each season will be inspired by a different book in the series, that means the focus on each Bridgerton child will change.

The first season of the romantic period drama focused on the steamy courtship between Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) and Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings (Rege-Jean Page).

The first season of 'Bridgerton' is available to watch on Netflix. (ANI)
Afghan Foreign Minister Haneef Atmar met with ambassadors and representatives of neighboring countries

Kabul [Afghanistan], August 4 (ANI): At a meeting with ambassadors and representatives of neighbouring countries, Afghanistan Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar on Tuesday named Pakistan-based terror groups and other terror organisations supporting the Taliban amid the ongoing escalation of violence in the country, said the Afghan Foreign Ministry.

On Tuesday, Afghan foreign minister Haneef Atmar met with ambassadors and representatives of neighbouring countries to discuss the situation in the country.

This came amid heavy clashes between Afghanistan forces and the Taliban in several Afghan cities.

"Minister Atmar noted that the Taliban attacks were carried out in direct collusion with more than 10,000 regional terrorists from Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Ansarullah, Jundallah, al-Qaeda, East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU)," Afghan Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"The rise of the Taliban's bloody attacks in recent months had killed more than 3,000 people, displaced more than 300,000, and disrupted order and provision of services in half of the country's districts. Currently, 18 million people face dire humanitarian situations," Atmar said.

He said the Taliban's war crimes were indescribable, referring to the massacre of more than 100 people in Spin Boldak, forced marriages, destruction of more than 300 public infrastructures, and suspension of services in Taliban-controlled areas.

During the meeting, the representatives of regional countries and the United Nations expressed their support for an immediate cessation of violence and strengthening the peace process.

The UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan Deborah Lyons said the attack on Herat and the UNAMA office showed that actions do not reflect commitments. She added that this was not just Afghan's struggle, but a struggle that we should all pay serious attention to, read the statement.

"Atmar discussed and provided the necessary information on six main areas, including: (1) the security situation, (2) the presence of foreign fighters alongside the Taliban, (3) the dire humanitarian condition, and (4) the Taliban's widespread crimes and human rights violations, (5) the government's new security plan, and (6) main areas of cooperation with the international community," it added.

In the past few weeks, Afghanistan is witnessing a surge in violence as the Taliban has intensified its offensive against Afghan forces and civilians with the complete pullback of foreign forces just a few weeks away. (ANI)
New Delhi, Aug 01 (ANI): Ambassador of Uzbekistan to India, Dilshod Akhatov on August 01 stated that India is one of the biggest members of the United Nations (UN) and plays an important role. He extended support to Indian candidature to obtain the status of a permanent member of UNSC. India is one of the biggest members of the UN and plays an important role. Its permanent membership for the next two years is an important event. Uzbekistan supports Indian candidacy to obtain a permanent membership in the council, Akhatov told ANI. Akhatovs statement comes after India today assumed the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and will be hosting signature events related to maritime security, peacekeeping, and counterterrorism during the month.
Saturday, Aug. 14

The Piedmont Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m. to noon at 518 Winecoff School Road. It features lots of local produce, meat, flowers and other products.

Annual Kayla Berquist Memorial Blood Drive, Hot Dog and Bake Sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be held at St. Enoch Lutheran Church, 701 Campbell Ave. in Kannapolis.

Monday, Aug. 16

The Harrisburg Farmers Market is open from 3-6 p.m. at 6960 Harrisburg Depot Road.

The Salvation Army Womens Auxiliary invites you to participate in a Christmas Stocking Workshop for the Angel Tree program, beginning at 9:30 a.m. The Angel Tree program helps to ensure that children in the community are not forgotten at Christmas due to circumstances beyond their control.

Tuesday, Aug. 17

The Rotary Square Farmers Market is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in downtown Concord at the intersection of Union Street South at Corban Avenue.
CONCORD - Cabarrus County School Board Vice Chair Tim Furr has come under fire after a statement made during Monday's meeting. He said COVID-19 would not be controlled unless the government stops illegal immigrants from entering the United States and spreading the virus.

In response El Puente Hispano Board of Directors issued this statement:

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"It is unfortunate that the blame for the spread of COVID falls on one group based solely on assumptions. The ignorance of this statement is clearly shown through the data and the facts that this global pandemic has affected people of all nationalities, all socioeconomic levels, political positions, and ages. Our organization remains committed to stopping the spread of COVID-19 through our regular vaccination clinics and mask distribution and supports all public health measures recommended by the organizations in charge of the care and protection of our population.
The parental consent language in the latest version of the bill requires written consent from a parent or legal guardian for a minor to receive any vaccine that is approved for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration, but not yet fully authorized.

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.

Sen. Joyce Krawiec, R-Forsyth, made the addition to HB96 on July 21, fulfilling a pledge she made in June. Krawiec is a primary sponsor of Republican health care legislation.

"Parents know their children the best," Krawiec said in a statement following Tuesday's vote. "They, not the government, should have the ultimate say when it comes to their child's health.

"Just like other health care decisions, parents and their children should talk with their doctor before getting any vaccine."

The language added to HB96 says "... 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.

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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.
The 2020 election and subsequent insurrection were new additions to the long trend of political polarization in the United States. Many Americans do not relate to one another and vote to spite the other rather than advance one's self-interest. This trend in society has led to political movements built solely on memes and archetypes of an enemy/other.

These movements are not new, but have gained a new prominence in the social media age. One of the biggest casualties of this breaking of society is critical thinking and variable information.

One example of polarization based on a misconception is the difference between socialism and a strong safety net. The difference between these two concepts has been lost in mainstream politics and caused unnecessary divisiveness and a lack of progress.

Webster defines socialism as any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods.

A social safety net is defined as something that provides security against misfortune or difficulty, which usually translates to government programs and services like Social Security, Medicare and unemployment subsidies.

We are now seeing a lot of discussion around socialism when it comes to raising the minimum wage and the expansion of unemployment benefits. These issues have come up as a cause of the current labor shortage in the United States. Due to the expanded unemployment benefits many Americans are making more money staying at home than they were working full-time for minimum wage. The debate between our political parties and the media is whether the minimum wage should be raised and when extra unemployment benefits should be phased out. Many politicians on the right are calling these two policies socialist even though they are just aspects of a safety net in a capitalist system.

These two ideologies have often been twisted and confused on both sides of the political spectrum. They both aim to promote general welfare but through different means. Oftentimes, people requesting social safety policies are called "socialist" as a means to discredit the idea and sidetrack the true conversation on the merits of the policy itself.

The 2021 stimulus does not mandate stock democratization or worker unionization but rather provides support to workers, businesses and municipalities to maintain their current (capitalist) economic systems in a time of global economic fallout. The problem with this mischaracterization is that it increases polarization among Americans causing the deep divides we see today. It is OK to argue the merits of socialism and capitalism, but this is something different. This is demonizing capitalist policies using the negative feelings associated with socialism and countries that have attempted it.

The ideas of "unity" and "coming together" are amazing goals that every American should strive for. These ideals of unity are in line with the words of the preamble to the Constitution, which states "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." A more perfect union requires many things but at its core it requires good faith and adequate information. In order to take the ideas of bipartisanship, unity and coming together out of the category of empty political platitudes and into action we must put down petty political weapons.

Debating the merits and externalities of social safety net programs is necessary and valuable in a free and just society, but framing these policies through the lens of socialism as a means to turn the public against a policy only hurts American citizens. Issues like poverty and public health are experiences that millions of Americans on both sides can identify with and can come together on. They just need to be given the correct information to make a critical choice.

Evan Malbrough is the founder of the Georgia Youth Poll Worker Project.

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Cooper said he is not prepared currently to replicate the decision by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to require individuals show proof of COVID-19 vaccination at indoor restaurants, shows and gyms. The requirement will be phased in during August and September.

Businesses have made the decision that we just want vaccinated people here so all of our customers and our employees can be much safer. They want to make sure people can stay healthy, Cooper said.

We cant rest until this pandemic is behind us, and the only way that happens is when we get enough people vaccinated.

As of July 31, about 54% of COVID-19 cases involve North Carolinians ages 18 to 49, said Kody Kinsley, chief deputy health secretary for N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.

Kinsley emphasized that the surge in key COVID-19 metrics is completely preventable by unvaccinated individuals choosing to get the vaccine.

Its hard to know exactly what combination of factors draws people in to get vaccinated, Cooper said. One things tends to build upon the other.

As much information as we can get out there, as much incentive we can get out there, the better off that we are.
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If it was $7 million out of $20 million, thats a huge portion of funds, Joines said.

The plan is to develop 15,000 to 16,000 units of affordable housing, and $20 million alone wont accomplish the goal, Joines said. That money, however, can be used to leverage private dollars and create more affordable housing, he said.

Council Member Jeff McIntosh also attended the meeting with the residents.

I hope the takeaway from the group is understanding that the city isnt going to sign off on any development package that doesnt satisfy the needs of the folks who live at Crystal Towers, he said. We have some say in whether the deal goes forward.

Joines said he still has concerns about the proposed sale of the downtown high-rise. He has to sign a letter of support in order for HUD to approve the sale.

Joines said he wants to be clear that HAWS has a plan to relocate residents.

Holland and other residents said they have received no information about the proposed sale or vouchers they could use to move elsewhere.
"Studies have shown that teenage Americans do have enough information to be able to make an informed decision about whether to get vaccinated or not," said Dr. Charles Bregier, medical director for Novant Health Inc.'s corporate and employee occupational health division.

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"I would not be supportive of legislation that took away the ability of teenagers who are well informed and have consented and have talked with it through with their trusted healthcare professional."

Bregier expressed concerns that a parent or guardian who is an anti-vaxxer "whose mindset is not well grounded in science" could harm a child by withholding the vaccine.

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.

Its interesting that the parental consent component raised no objections, said Mitch Kokai, senior policy analyst with Libertarian think tank John Locke Foundation. Perhaps, thats because it deals with the very limited circumstance of a vaccine that has secured only emergency-use authorization from the federal government.
Two people were arrested Friday for violating the city's noise ordinance during a protest in downtown Lexington, the Lexington Police Department said Monday.

Police identified the individuals as Cedarian Markell Lee, 24, of Lexington, and Michael Liquentin Harris, 36, of Reidsville.

They were each released on a $1,000 bond and are scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 24.

The demonstration took place in front of the Davidson County Historical Museum.

Police did not say what the protesters were demonstrating against.

Police said a supervisor and two officers warned the two individuals that using a megaphone was a violation of a city ordinance.

An hour later, the individuals began using their megaphones again, police said. Police said when officers began issuing citations, the two individuals refused to cooperate and were arrested and charged with violation of the noise ordinance and resist, delay and obstruct.

Police said that in the process of making the arrests, others at the demonstration "became aggressive toward officers, many of them trying to stop officers from arresting one individual."
It is, actually, her choice. And its Wake Forest Baptists choice whether to permit unvaccinated people to attend to the health of their patients. Unvaccinated workers not only place patients and co-workers at risk; they also jeopardize their own health and safety and the well-being of their own families.

The vaccine is not FDA approved, another protester said. Its experimental.

But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration did approve the emergency use of the COVID-19 vaccination in December.

Vaccine skeptics are right about one point: We dont know everything about either COVID or the vaccines at this point.

But we know that the vaccines are working. There are mitigating factors and exceptions to the rule, but those are minuscule. Fewer than .001% of Americans who are fully vaccinated have subsequently died of COVID. And fewer than .004% of Americans who are fully vaccinated have had to check into a hospital.

Ultimately, its a matter of consistency. Medical and health practitioners are doing their best to defeat this scourge so that we can, once and for all, get back to free living. Allowing unvaccinated employees to roam their halls just undermines the effort.
Two men were arrested after a 5-year-old child ran into a west Lincoln roadway, prompting an argument between a motorist and the child's father that devolved into a fight and slashing, according to police.

Officer Erin Spilker said Joshua M. Ratkovec, 42, was driving near Walker Avenue and Aurora Street when the child entered the roadway, inciting the argument between Ratkovec and 30-year-old Amilo J. Boone, the child's father.

Witnesses told police the two men argued before Ratkovec threatened Boone and left the scene, later returning with a knife in a sheath attached to his hip, Spilker said.

Upon returning, Boone told police that Ratkovec lunged at him, punched him and reached for the knife. In a struggle that ensued over the blade, Boone emerged with the knife and Ratkovec had a slash wound on his back, according to police.

Boone told police that Ratkovec then retreated, this time threatening to return with a gun, Spilker said.

Before the 42-year-old got the chance to return, Spilker said he was arrested at his residence near 55th Street and Partridge Lane on suspicion of terroristic threats and use of a weapon to commit a felony.
Witnesses reported that people in two vehicles were shooting at each other, and Spilker on Tuesday said investigators still are working to determine what exactly led to the shooting.

The other vehicle thought to be involved in the shooting was gone before police arrived to find Prentice in the front passenger seat of the Mercedes and Duncan lying nearby in the parking lot at Edgewood Shopping Center, Spilker said. Police rendered aid to them until Lincoln Fire & Rescue workers got there.

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.
A 50-year-old Lincoln woman appeared in court from jail Tuesday on a child abuse charge for allegedly encouraging a teenage girl to have sex for money and profiting from it.

The Lancaster County Attorney's Office charged Sonja Douglas with the felony in connection to an investigation that started in December 2019, when a witness reported that a 15-year-old girl was engaging in commercial sex acts out of a home near 56th and Holdrege streets with Douglas' encouragement.

Deputy County Attorney Amy Goodro asked the judge to set a $150,000 bond saying Douglas knew the teen was selling sexual acts, photos and videos and had benefited from the money being paid to the girl.

She said the girl reported being directed by Douglas to perform sexual acts to earn money for specific items.

Douglas said she couldn't pay the bond. But Lancaster County Court Judge Joseph Dalton said, given the seriousness of the offense, the amount was reasonable.

She would need $15,000 to bond out of jail.

In the affidavit for Douglas' arrest, Officer Kyle Meyerson said the witness told police Douglas told the girl to "go work your little magic trick," encouraging her to find someone on Snapchat.
Mueller said the city later scrapped a proposal to build a Shopko in the area because of that agreement.

In 2006, developers approached the neighborhood association with plans to build a Lowes near 61st and Nebraska 2, near the west end of Country Meadows. Mueller said residents negotiated with the developer and came up with a satisfactory plan: the commercial development where Lowe's now sits and another residential development called Artisan Meadows between Country Meadows and the commercial center.

Then, in 2014, Mike Wachel came to the neighborhood association with a proposal: He was going to buy land owned by a church along the west side of 70th Street -- just east of Country Meadows -- and build a self-storage business.

The neighborhood association agreed not to fight the owners proposal.

After years of fighting commercialization of the corner, and after having lengthy discussion amongst the neighbors, we felt this might be the better of several evils, Mueller wrote in a letter to the Planning Commission.

They liked the limited scope of the project, the green space between the business and their neighborhood, Mueller wrote.
For most Americans, Aug. 3 was a normal Tuesday, but for Yazidi-American Wisam Saado, it's a reminder of how precious life is.

It was seven years ago to the day he left behind his homeland, job and family to come to America just to survive.

Lincoln now hosts a large Yazidi community, many of whom gathered to walk at Holmes Lake on Tuesday night to spend time together in solidarity and remember those they have lost.

Persecuted by different groups for centuries, the Yazidis have their own distinct religion and cultural customs. But when Kurdish and Iraqi forces pulled out of the region, the Yazidis were forced to flee to the mountains and surrounding countries.

A newlywed teacher in the Sinjar region of northern Iraq  the Yazidis' ancestral home  Saado and his wife found themselves and much of their community on the run when IS forces invaded the area in August 2014.

They eventually made it to America  an opportunity afforded Saado because he served as an interpreter for U.S. forces during the Iraq War.
The suspect said he ignited an artillery shell and held it outside the vehicle until he heard a noise that he believed was the firework discharging. He then brought the firework inside the car, where it fired through the bottom of the tube.
A 7-year-old boy was missing and presumed to have fallen into the Missouri River at N.P. Dodge Park on Tuesday evening, emergency officials said.

Rescue teams searched for about three hours before stopping due to nightfall. The search will resume Wednesday morning.

At 5:54 p.m. Tuesday, Omaha police were called to the park with the report of the missing child, Lt. Shane Myers said.

Police said the boy was at the park for a family outing and was last seen playing in the river. Family members told police that they lost track of him and were unsure whether he had run off or was in the water.

Three boats belonging to the Douglas County Sheriffs Office, Eppley Fire and Rescue and the Pottawattamie County Sheriffs Office were searching for the boy in the water.

ABLE-1, the police helicopter, searched by air, while officers on foot searched the dense woods around the park but found no sign of the boy. For that reason, Myers said, the search will continue to focus on the water.

Were pretty confident that he didnt run off into the trees, and that hes in the water somewhere, he said.

A dive team was also called in to search the river. The park is on the northern edge of Omaha.

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OMAHA -- Officers from multiple area law enforcement agencies and family members were searching N.P. Dodge Park and the Missouri River Wednesday for a 7-year-old boy.

Abi Gurung last was seen on a sandbar about 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Family members took their eyes off him briefly to assist another child, and when they turned back to Abi, he was gone, said Omaha Police Lt. Neal Bonacci.

Because he wasn't seen entering the water, officials continued to search the 44-acre North Omaha park as well as the river.

Omaha police ask that anyone who was at the park or on the river at the time of Abi's disappearance contact the Omaha Police Department.

There's no reason to believe Abi was abducted, Bonacci said.

Abi last was seen wearing a yellow shirt, blue jacket and red shorts. He is about 3 feet tall and weighs 48 pounds.

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According to a release, Advocate Auroras systemwide test positivity rate is at its highest point since January. The health system also reported Wednesday that COVID-19 inpatient hospitalizations have increased five-fold over the past three weeks.

Advocate Aurora said that the vaccine requirement applies to all of its 75,000 team members across Wisconsin and Illinois, including remote workers and those who dont directly interact with patients and volunteers. Limited exceptions are to be made for specific religious or medical reasons.

While breakthrough infections are still possible for those who have been vaccinated, COVID-19 cases are believed to be less severe and less deadly for those who have been vaccinated compared to those who arent vaccinated.

We are first and foremost a safe, clinical enterprise. Our ultimate duty is to protect the health and safety of our team members, patients and communities, Advocate Aurora President and CEO Jim Skogsbergh told team members Wednesday in a video. The data is overwhelming. This vaccine is safe, and its highly effective in preventing infection and even more so, serious illness and death.
According to the criminal complaint: A Kenosha Police Officer was dispatched to the Kenosha Gas Stop, 2207 60th St., at 3:08 p.m. on July 31 for a report of a stolen vehicle.

The victim told police he saw Johnson walk out of the gas station and then drive away southbound through the parking lot in his yellow Nissan Xterra. The victim stated he left his vehicle parked next to a gas pump with the keys inside.

At about 4:30 p.m., another officer on patrol near Washington Road and 22nd Avenue heard a loud bang and tires squealing. Police were flagged down by witnesses in the 2100 block of 41st Street, where they observed three vehicles that had been struck, including two that appeared to have been pushed up and over the curb.

A witness told police he was next to his sisters vehicle when he observed a yellow car occupied by two males driving recklessly toward him. The yellow vehicle struck his sisters car, and the witness stated he could hear the passenger, later identified as the defendants 13-year-old son, crying.

After impact, the witness stated the defendant put the car in reverse, drove directly into another parked vehicle, then reversed again and left the scene eastbound at a high rate of speed.
Even during the summer months, John XXIII Educational Center, a ministry of St. Patrick Parish, continues to serve the community through outreach efforts.

Geraldine Bodi and Johnathon Emanuelson coordinated outreach groups during the extended learning programs at Julian Thomas and Knapp elementary schools. Games, stories, exercise, and small-group sharing are all part of this experience. Students benefit from the mindfulness techniques which encourage them to pause and take a break from lifes constant bustle and activity. The center plans to offer outreach sessions during the academic year as well, with heartfulness sessions planned to take place at Jerstad-Agerholm Elementary School.

After school program

After a busy and memorable year filled with fun and learning, John XXIII Educational Centers after school program concluded the 2020-2021 academic year on June 3.
Where can I get vaccinated?

Regency Mall: Tuesdays (11 a.m.-7 p.m.) and Thursdays (11 a.m.-5 p.m.), walk-ins welcome, ages 12-17 must be accompanied by parent/guardian

Schedule appointment at City Hall: Visit racinepublichealth.as.me/schedule.php, email publichealth@cityofracine.org or call 262-636-9201.

Get vaccinated at home: Available for homebound individuals living in Racine County through a partnership with the Aging and Disability Resource Center, Ascension, and Hometown Pharmacy. Call 262-636-3200 for an appointment or visit bit.ly/37hjJo2 for more information in English and en Espanol.

Find a provider through the CDC Vaccine Finder: vaccines.gov

Find a provider through the Wisconsin COVID-19 Vaccine Registry: Visit vaccinate.wi.gov or call 844-684-1064.
ZION, Ill.  Traditional Native American crafts, a period village scene and Native American music are only some of the festivities at this years Potawatomi Trails Pow-wow Committees annual gathering.

Gifts are given. Honor songs are sung, said Chairman Bill Brown in a press release.

The 28th annual powwow for Native American and non-native peoples in southeastern Wisconsin and northeastern Illinois will be held on Aug. 28 and 29 in Zion, Illinois. It will take place at the oak grove area of Shiloh Park, 1619 27th St., rain or shine.

A powwow is a planned social event and gathering of Native American people, with trading booths and dancing. Its a time and place to meet old friends and make new ones, Brown said. Anyone may attend the powwow.

On Saturday, the powwow will take place from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The grand entry of dancers event will be at 1 p.m. and at 7 p.m. A dinner break will be held from 5-7 p.m.

On Sunday, the powwows hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a grand entry of dancers at 1 p.m. A giveaway will be held at 12 p.m.
Today, while a committee investigates what happened, Republicans hope we will forget. Easier said than done for the 550 charged so far and facing prosecution, fines and prison time. Or for 150 law enforcement officers viciously attacked; many still recovering. But perhaps most of all, for the families of the five who died as a result of the mayhem. Republicans  including our own Sen. Ron Johnson  have described what we all watched on television as a normal tourist visit. The lone rioter shot by Capitol police in self-defense is being painted as a martyr. Republicans rejected investigation by an independent 9/11 style commission. Now they paint the House committee as partisan because Speaker Nancy Pelosi rejected Trump allies Jim Jordan and Jim Banks, who no one pretends would have looked for truth.
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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

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Killeen, TX (76540)

Today

A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 74F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 74F. Winds S at 10 to 15 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.
More than 400 guests, including celebrities and former Obama administration officials, were reportedly expected to attend the affair, along with nearly 200 hired staff working the party.
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.
A La Crosse organization is among 14 entities statewide to receive a grant to address the physical or mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Wisconsin Partnership Program at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health is awarding a total of $2.7 million to community organizations and researchers throughout the state, including $1.6 million to eight entities focusing on emotional health among youth and $1.1 million to six researchers looking at the health challenges of the pandemic.

The grants expand upon the WPPs COVID-19 Response Grant Program, which in total has given over $6 million through 44 grants to strengthen the resilience of Wisconsin families and communities, deepen understanding about COVID-19 and inform approaches to prevention and treatments.

Among the organizations to receive $200,000 towards adolescent social and emotional health efforts is the La Crosse County System of Care. The funds will go towards expanding and enhancing support for young persons most impacted by the pandemic, in particular Black youth.
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."
Like many hospital systems, UW Health requires annual flu shots for employees.

As part of UW Healths new policy, providers and staff must start their COVID-19 vaccination no later than Oct. 1 and receive a second dose  or final dose for single-dose vaccines  by Nov. 1. Staff who have a documented medical condition that prevents them from being vaccinated or a religious conviction as defined in state law can file for an exemption to the vaccine requirement.

At Meriter, We are actively reviewing our policy around vaccine mandates and expect to have an update to share yet this week, spokesperson Leah Huibregtse said.

St. Louis-based SSM Health became the first hospital group with a presence in Wisconsin to announce a mandate. It owns St. Marys hospitals in Madison and Janesville, St. Clare Hospital in Baraboo, Dean Medical Group and other entities in the state.

SSM Health is requiring COVID-19 vaccination by the end of September for its nearly 40,000 employees, providers and volunteers.
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.
BEIJING (AP)  China's worst coronavirus outbreak since the start of the pandemic a year and a half ago escalated Wednesday with dozens more cases around the country, the sealing-off of one city and the punishment of its local leaders.

Since that initial outbreak was tamed last year, China's people had lived virtually free of the virus, with extremely strict border controls and local distancing and quarantine measures stamping out scattered, small flareups when they occurred.

Now, the country is on high alert as an outbreak of cases connected to the international airport in the eastern city of Nanjing touched at least 17 provinces. China reported 71 new cases of COVID-19 from local transmission Wednesday, more than half of them in coastal Jiangsu province, of which Nanjing is the capital.

In Wuhan, the central city where the first cases of COVID-19 were identified in late 2019, mass testing has shown some of its newly reported cases have a high degree of similarity to cases discovered in Jiangsu province. Those cases have been identified as being caused by the highly transmissible delta variant that first was identified in India.

Meanwhile, another COVID-19 hotspot was emerging in the city of Zhangjiajie, near a scenic area in Hunan province famous for sandstone cliffs, caves, forests and waterfalls that inspired the on-screen landscape in the Avatar films.

The city, with a population of about 1.5 million, ordered residential communities sealed Sunday, preventing people from leaving their homes. In a subsequent order on Tuesday, officials said no one, whether tourist or resident, could leave the city.

The city government's Communist Party disciplinary committee on Wednesday issued a list of local officials who had a negative impact on pandemic prevention and control work who would be punished.

The city itself has only recorded 19 cases since last week, three of which were people with no symptoms, which are counted separately. However, individual cases linked to Zhangjiajie's outbreak have spread to at least five provinces, according to the Shanghai government-owned newspaper the Paper.

Far higher numbers were reported in Yangzhou, a city next to Nanjing, which has recorded 126 cases as of Tuesday.

After announcing last week that they were suspending issuance of passports for travelers except for those with an urgent need, officials at the National Immigration Administration reiterated the message again on Wednesday at a press briefing.

As of Tuesday, China has given more than 1.71 billion vaccine doses to its population of 1.4 billion. It's not clear how many of those are first or both doses, but at least 40% of the population is fully protected, according to earlier announcements.

Chinese companies have not publicly shared real-world data on how effective their vaccines are against the delta variant, though officials have said the vaccines prevent severe disease and hospitalization.

In addition to the 71 cases of local transmission, 25 travelers from overseas have COVID-19 and have entered quarantine, making the total for Wednesday 96 new cases. The National Health Commission also said 15 people tested positive for the virus but have no symptoms.

China has reported 4,636 deaths and 93,289 cases of COVID-19 overall, most of them from the original outbreak in Wuhan that peaked early last year.
SALEM, Ore. (AP)  The future ownership of an Israeli spyware company whose product has been used to hack into the cellphones of journalists, human rights workers and possibly even heads of state is up in the air.

Major investors in a private equity firm that has majority ownership of NSO Group, the maker of the Pegasus spyware, are in discussions about what action to take. The Oregon state employee pension fund is one of the largest investors, if not the largest, having committed $233 million to Novalpina Capital, the private equity firm, in 2017.

Novalpina Capital has been saddled with both an internal dispute among its founding partners and an explosive report showing NSO Group's spyware has been widely misused around the globe.

Oregon State Treasury spokeswoman Rachel Wray told The Associated Press in an email Wednesday the department is getting involved. State officials previously said investors have limited say in private equity investments once they are completed.

I can confirm that, consistent with our fiduciary duties to Oregon beneficiaries, and along with other limited partners, (Oregon State) Treasury is involved in discussions related to our investment in Novalpina, Wray said Wednesday.

The development comes amid a serious disagreement among the three co-founders of London-based Novalpina Capital that, according to press reports from Britain, resulted in investors moving to strip control of the fund after concluding that relations between the three had deteriorated so much that they could no longer work together.

Sky News reported the dispute was about future deployment of Novalpina's 1 billion euro ($1.18 million) fund.

On top of that internal strife, an investigation published in July by the global media consortium Forbidden Stories showed that at least 180 journalists around the world have been selected as targets by clients of NSO Group. In one case highlighted by the Guardian, Mexican reporter Cecilio Pineda Birto was assassinated in 2017 a few weeks after his cellphone number appeared on a leaked list of more than 50,000 cellphone numbers.

French President Emmanuel Macron is one of several world leaders who may have been targeted using the spyware that is capable of checking a cellphone's emails and other data and turning on its microphone and cameras.

NSO Group denied that it has ever maintained a list of potential, past or existing targets. In a separate statement, it called the Forbidden Stories report full of wrong assumptions and uncorroborated theories.

The company insists it only sells to vetted government agencies for use against terrorists and major criminals and that it has no visibility into its customers data. Critics have provided evidence that NSO directly manages the high-tech spying.

Oregon State Treasurer Tobias Read, who serves as the states chief investment officer, is following and (is) concerned about the reporting surrounding Novalpina and the NSO Group, Wray said.

Wray said she cannot get into specifics about the discussions among Novalpina's investors because of confidentiality restrictions and Oregon's obligations as a limited partner. Read declined an interview request.

Oregon was Novalpina's first major investor. Stephen Peel and Stefan Kowski, two founding Novalpina Capital partners, showed up at Oregon treasury offices in the Portland suburb of Tigard in November 2017 to make a pitch to the Oregon Investment Council, which oversees the states $90 billion pension fund.

As investors, we assume we have to be contrarian, Peel told the council. We have to find deals that other people dont see or dont want to do for various reasons.

The Oregon Investment Council unanimously approved a $233 million commitment. It has so far provided to the fund $65.7 million, according to the most recent statistics. The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation and Englands South Yorkshire Pensions Authority invested $59 million and $33 million respectively.

In 2019, Novalpina Capital and the founders of NSO Group acquired a majority stake in NSO Group from another private equity firm, Francisco Partners, that the Oregon pension fund had previously invested in.

Novalpinas largest investors are now considering picking Berkeley Research Group to replace Novalpina, the Financial Times reported. If appointed, the California-based global consulting firm would be given a mandate to return investors money by selling the three companies Novalpina owns, including NSO, for the highest possible price, the London newspaper said.

Berkeley Research Group did not respond to a request for comment. The groups website says it helps leading organizations advance in three key areas: disputes and investigations, corporate finance, and performance improvement.
MUGLA, Turkey (AP)  A coal-fueled power plant in southwest Turkey and nearby residential areas were being evacuated Wednesday evening as flames from a wildfire reached the plant, a mayor and local reporters said as sirens from the plant could be heard blaring.

Milas Mayor Muhammet Tokat, from Turkeys main opposition party, has been warning of the fire risks for the past two days for the Kemerkoy power plant in Mugla province. He said late Wednesday that the plant was being evacuated. Local reporters said the wildfires had also prompted the evacuation of the nearby seaside area of Oren.

Turkeys defense ministry said it was evacuating people by sea as the fires neared the plant. The state broadcaster TRT said the flames had jumped to the plant. Strong winds were making the fires unpredictable.

Authorities have said safety precautions had been taken at the Kemerkoy power plant and its hydrogen tanks were emptied. TRT said flammable and explosive substances had been removed. The privately run plant uses lignite to generate electricity, according to its website.

Videos from the area showed bright orange, burning hills with power towers and lines crisscrossing the foreground. Pro-government news channel A Hbr broadcasting live from near the evacuated power plant late Wednesday said firefighters were working inside the compound cooling equipment and dousing sparks in an effort to keep the fire away. The channel's crew showed an incinerated police water cannon.

As the mayor announced the evacuation on Twitter, Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was speaking live on A Hbr and said the power plant was at risk of burning. Three ministers were there to oversee developments, he said, and added planes and helicopters had been there all day to fight the fires.

But the mayor said air support came infrequently and only focused on the closer flames around the plant rather than addressing the wider fires in the area that were being fanned by shifting winds. At night, air support was not possible at all and videos showed flames in the plants vicinity.

The wildfires have turned into yet another partisan issue in Turkey. Erdogan accused opposition party members of a terror of lies for criticizing Turkeys lack of adequate aerial firefighting capabilities and inadequate preparedness for large-scale wildfires. The president said the municipalities were also responsible for protecting towns from fires and that responsibility did not fall on the central government alone but the mayors say they weren't even invited to crisis coordination.

Firefighters have been trying to protect the power plant for the past two days. Along with police water cannons, they fought back the flames Tuesday night while other rescuers dug ditches around the Kemerkoy plant. Videos from an adjacent neighborhood in Milas showed charred, decimated trees.

Scorching heat, low humidity and strong winds have fed the fires, which so far have killed eight people and countless animals and destroyed forests in the past eight days. Villagers have had to evacuate their homes and livestock, while tourists have fled in boats and cars. In the seaside province of Mugla, where tourist hot spot Bodrum is located, seven fires continued Wednesday. In Antalya, at least two fires raged on and two neighborhoods had to be evacuated.

Officials say 167 fires had been brought under control and 16 continued in five provinces. Thousands of firefighters and civilians were working to douse the flames.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said another firefighting plane and its staff would come from Azerbaijan on Thursday morning and 40 firetrucks would drive to Turkey to help with the fires. He announced four rented firefighting planes had landed and two from Israel would come Thursday.

Environmental groups and opposition lawmakers in Turkey have also been voicing fears that fire-damaged forests could lose their protected status.

Turkey's parliament passed a law in July that gives the tourism ministry power to manage all aspects of new tourism centers, approved by the president, including in forests and on treasury lands for public good, taking away responsibilities from the ministries of environment and forestry. The law says these locations would be identified according to their tourism potential, considering the countrys natural, historic and cultural values.

Turkish officials, including Erdogan, have firmly rejected the speculation that the forests were in danger of construction and said the burned forests were protected by the constitution and would be reforested. While the exact acreage burned in the past week remains unclear, officials have promised the affected areas would not be transformed for other purposes.

Environmentalists were already protesting mining licenses issued for parts of some forests and trying to stop companies from cutting down trees. They have staged sit-ins across Turkey.

A 2020 report by the Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion showed that 58% of Turkeys forests have been licensed to mines. About 59% of Mugla, where the fires have been raging, has been designated for mines, it said.

I wont be able to see the forests that will be replanted. Maybe my kids wont even see them, said Resit Yavuz, a resident in Marmaris, in Mugla province. There are no trees left. Theres nowhere left for fires to erupt.

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 reached an all-time high of 45.5 C (114 F) on Tuesday.

The heatwave is forecast to continue in Turkey and Greece until the end of the week.



Bilginsoy reported from Istanbul.
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, 866-366-3723, uses a risk-based inspection reporting process for restaurants and other food handlers.
As Lancaster County experiences substantial viral spread and heads into another wave of COVID-19 infections, local infectious disease experts LNP | LancasterOnline spoke to said this upsurge was avoidable.

This fifth wave is indeed a pandemic of the unvaccinated, said Dr. Joseph Kontra, chief of infectious diseases at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital.

Kontra added, Theres not a reason to panic, but I think people should be smart.

With the delta variant accounting for the majority of new infections, heres what you need to know to protect yourself, your family and your community:

Im unvaccinated, what does the substantial spread designation mean for me?

In short, youre at a greater risk of contracting a COVID-19 infection. The delta variant is twice as contagious as the original virus that emerged last year.

I strongly believe if we were getting more people vaccinated this wouldnt be happening, said Dr. John Goldman, an infectious disease specialist at UPMC in Central Pennsylvania. You are less likely to be infected if youre vaccinated.

In Lancaster County, roughly 54% of the population 12 and older are vaccinated.

Goldman added, The people who are getting sick are the unvaccinated.

How contagious is the Delta variant?

Infection control experts compare the transmissibility of COVID-19 to chickenpox, an extremely infectious disease. According to the CDC, the varicella zoster virus, which causes chickenpox, can infect up to 90% of the people close to one contagious person.

Anyone waiting for one final reason to get vaccinated now have it with the delta variant, Kontra said.

Im vaccinated, should I be masking indoors?

Yes, now that Lancaster County has a substantial level of community transmission, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends masking indoors.

We need to get COVID under control, said Dr. Mark Goedecker, vice president and regional medical director for WellSpan Healths central region.

How concerned should I be about children under 12, who cannot be vaccinated, transmitting the virus to older relatives or those with a weakened immune system? And what steps should I take to keep everyone safe?

Short of a statewide or national mandate, it all comes down to risk tolerance.

Its complicated, Goedecker said.

Breakthrough cases are rare. A recent breakout in a Massachusetts beach community, though, appears to show vaccinated individuals can acquire and transmit the virus.

If concerned about transmitting the virus, individuals should mask, practice social distancing and follow good hand hygiene.

There are still a lot of people out there that are at risk, Goedecker said.

Pennsylvania has not mandated masking or other mitigation measures. So, why are some businesses requiring masks?

Masks are back on  regardless of vaccination status  for employees in a string of businesses including Kohls, McDonalds, Target and Home Depot.

Home Depot and McDonalds also want customers to don a mask, although only in high transmission areas if at the Golden Arches.

The reason?

The delta surge.

Businesses and workplaces have always had the option of requiring masks and other COVID mitigation strategies of customers and employees. Now many are returning to what theyve seen work.

We know that masking is very effective, Goedecker said. Were also seeing breakthrough cases with the delta variant.

Goedecker added, Vaccination is still the number one way we have of preventing severe disease.

Noting that the CDC recommendation regarding indoor masking is not a mandate, Goedecker said local and county officials could also require masks and other mitigation efforts, in the interest of the public health.

Is it too late to get a COVID-19 vaccine?

No.

If you have a COVID-19 infection, you cannot get the vaccine until after the virus has run its course.

Otherwise, if you have not been vaccinated, health experts urge you to do so as soon as possible.

With a recent increase in COVID-19 cases in Pennsylvania and the increased presence of the Delta variant across the U.S., we are urging all unvaccinated Pennsylvanians who are eligible to receive the vaccine to get one as soon as possible, Mark ONeill, a state health department spokesman, said in an email to LNP.

How do I make an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine?

Patients can call their physicians office or use these resources:

Lancaster General Hospital  717-588-1165 or https://www.lancastergeneralhealth.org/covid-19-information/covid-19-vaccines

UPMC  844-UPMCVAC (844-876-2822) or UPMC.com

WellSpan  855-851-3641
Dark black plumes of smoke could be seen for miles away as a massive fire burned Wednesday evening at a commercial building in Clay Township.

There, bright orange flames could be seen reaching skyward from the roof of the Weaver Nut Co. at 1925 W. Main St., where more than 70 fire units were dispatched along with police and emergency medical responders.

The first of those responders arrived on scene shortly before 6:30 p.m., according to David Steffen, Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Departments chief.

As of 8:30 p.m., Steffen said he did not believe anyone was injured as a result of the blaze.

According to Steffen, Weaver Nut Co. was closed for the day at the time the fire ignited, and its likely that only few  if any  people were inside.

Firefighters remained too busy to talk about two hours after they were initially dispatched to the business, which is described on its website as a family-owned distributor of candy, chocolate, nuts, and bulk foods.

The fire suppression effort still isnt done, Steffen said, adding that he was unable to say what caused the fire or where in the building it started. Its way too early for that.

Steffen was able to confirm that the buildings roof collapsed. He guessed that happened about 7:15 p.m.

The roof imploded, he said.

Steffen said his officers were on scene to control traffic, as well as the hundreds of spectators who gathered in the grassy areas and parking lots surrounding the blaze.

Standing at his side, department Officer Brandon Legerlotz described how just a small amount of dark smoke was visible near the buildings rear when he arrived. However, it quickly grew to engulf what appeared to be the whole business  all the time, it spewed black smoke.

That smoke, Steffen said, was of particular concern as spectators closed in. He feared the plumes may contain substances that would be harmful to breathe. They were also worried about rumors about propane gas inside the building, the chief said, though he could not confirm if they were true.

The chief explained that his officers did their best to control the crowds, blocking roads and taping off the surrounding area in an attempt to keep them away from the smoke.

But they were powerless to control people who chose to fly above the blaze  sometimes through the smoke  with small aircraft, Steffen said.

The response to the fire included a 3-mile flight exclusion zone from Lancaster Airport's control tower, according to police.

Shortly before 8:30 p.m., Steffen watched as what appeared to be a paraglider passed overhead.

Look at the guy. Hes going through the smoke. Unbelievable, the chief said, adding that he has hopes to track the flyers down and to levy prospective penalties.

Those aircraft operators could have gotten in the way of law enforcement and other responders operating drones at the scene, Steffen said.

Thats not to mention their potential to interfere with firefighters who sent water cascading down onto the flames from multiple ladder trucks, as well as from the rooftops of nearby buildings. Firefighters also worked to protect surrounding buildings.

Dozens of firefighters, including from neighboring Lebanon County, were on scene.

Still, at times, intense heat from the blaze could be felt from as far as half a football field away.

By about 8 p.m., firefighters were able to drastically decrease the height of flames and the smoke plume rising from the building.

Responders still remained on scene as of 9:30 p.m.

Vincent Weaver, chief financial officer and commodities buyer with the business, told LNP | LancasterOnline in 2017, "My parents, E. Paul Weaver III and Miriam Weaver, started the company in 1975 and they actually started it in their home basement in Myerstown. Theyre retired from the business now. They started in bulk foods  flours and sugars  then later got into dried fruits and nuts and chocolate chips. We started candy products in the 80s."

Vincent Weaver had just arrived home when he heard that there was a fire at Weaver Nut, he said. He was hoping it was a "mini-fire."

He said he could see smoke from Schaefferstown in Lebanon County, about 8 miles away from Clay Township.

Once he arrived in Clay, he saw "billowing black clouds, and I knew it was bad at that point," Vincent Weaver said.

There were employees in the retail side of the building, but Vincent Weaver said he believes the fire started in the warehouse side. No one was injured in the fire.

"We're thankful that everyone's safe," Vincent Weaver said. "We're looking forward to rebuilding and getting things back to normal as soon as we can."

"We're looking to get the store back open as soon as possible," said Edward Weaver during a Facebook Live with LNP | LancasterOnline.

Edward and Vincent are brothers and owners of the business.

This is a breaking a news story and will be updated with more information as it becomes available
A week after the Hollister family flew to Orlando for a theme park-filled vacation, they were driving the 18 hours straight home to Lancaster in a rental car thanks to a break-through case of COVID-19.

After feeling lousy, Bob Hollister, superintendent of Eastern Lancaster County School District, got a positive test from an urgent care facility in Florida. He could no longer fly home. His wife and two daughters joined him on the drive back north.

Its frustrating for the family, but I think really the biggest takeaway we all have is thank god for the vaccine, Hollister said. I got really sick with the vaccine, but I cant imagine what it wouldve been like without it.

Hollisters bout with COVID-19 comes as Lancaster Countys community transmission rates officially hit substantial levels, according to the latest numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Per the latest CDC guidance, people in areas reporting substantial or high transmission rates are urged to again wear mask indoors regardless of their vaccination status.

The CDC determines transmission rate by studying new cases per 100,000 residents and the rate of new positive tests in the last seven days.

The CDC reports 274,221 residents  or 50.2% of the county's total population  are fully vaccinated.

Hollister, who plans to step down as superintendent by March, said his district is still working toward a normal start to the school year.

We havent changed any of our plans yet, but I think if this continues, it doesnt bode well for school operations deep into winter I would think, Hollister said. If this continues.

Substantial transmission rate is defined as counties having between 50 and 99 new cases per week, and high transmission is more than 100 cases per week.

Hollister said he didn't know whether hed caught the Delta variant.

Farther south, hospitals affiliated with the University of Miami Health System reported on Monday 90% of its COVID patients were infected by the Delta variant, according to NBC Miami.

According to the CDCs data, Lancaster County has seen an 86.5% increase in cases in the last seven days, and a 1.84% increase in positivity rates. New hospital admissions related to COVID-19 have seen a 100% increase in the last 7 days.

Jenn Hollister took turns with her husband driving up the eastern seaboard back to Lancaster last weekend. She said in hindsight, she's surprised the theme parks were still open with people so close together and unmasked.

I dont see how life can return to normal in the fall, she said.
The Lancaster County community will get an opportunity to welcome back a homegrown Olympian on this evening.

Casey Kaufhold, the 17-year-old archery wunderkind who recently placed 17th in individual archery competition at the Tokyo games, will be honored with a ceremony featuring speakers from Conestoga Valley School District, an onstage interview, and a short ride on a fire engine from Lafayette Fire Company.

The event will take place at 6:30 p.m. at Conestoga Valley High School outside of Rill Auditorium. Admission to the ceremony is free and Kaufhold will be on hand until 7:30 p.m. for photos.

"I think I'll be on a fire engine...I'm really excited," Kaufhold says over the phone. "I've seen fire engines up close, but I've never been on one, so it should be interesting. First time for everything!"

Kaufhold beat Spain's Ines de Velasco in the round of 64 before falling in her next match and being eliminated by Japan's Ren Hawakaya. Previously, the Conestoga Valley High School student was part of the U.S. women's team that reached the quarterfinals before losing to Russia.
The Spanish American Civic Associations development arm has won another state grant, this one for $250,000, to help finance the second phase of Conestoga North, an owner-occupied affordable housing development.

The grant, announced this week in a press release from the governors office, comes from the Keystone Communities Program at the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. The program awards state dollars to local community revitalization projects.

Conestoga North, located on Chesapeake Street near South Duke Street in Southeast Lancaster, is the only project in Lancaster County that won Keystone Communities funding this year. Statewide, $5 million in grants went to 41 revitalization projects, according to the governors office.

The roughly $3.3 million second phase of SACA Developments townhome project would make another nine units available for purchase by families with no more than 80% of the area median income.

Area median income, or AMI, is a metric calculated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development each year. In Lancaster County, this year a family of four with an income of more no more than $66,400 qualifies at 80% AMI.

To buy one of the townhomes, SACA and SACA Development Corporation President Jose Lopez said, families agree to purchase the homes with a 15-year deed restriction. That restricts them to selling to other families with income limits.

But after 15 years, that restriction expires, allowing longtime owners to sell at market value and realize more equity.

We view homeownership as a way to help families grow, prosper and earn equity, so they can at some point claim wealth, Lopez said.

The first phase also included nine townhomes. Of those, seven are pending sale, Lopez said, and one buyer has closed on an eighth unit. One remains unclaimed after a buyer recently backed out of the sale, Lopez said.

The first-phase homes were priced at either $165,000 or $170,000 for the corner units, Lopez said.

The second phases financing scheme mostly mirrors the first phase, Lopez said. That includes grants from DCED, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, federal Department of Housing and Urban Development block-grant funding through Lancaster city and conventional financing.

With assistance from Community First Fund, SACA acquired the site on Chesapeake Street in 2017 for $320,000.

Unlike the first phase, SACA Development received half of its requested $500,000 grant from DCED.

Lopez said he was grateful for the award, and that SACA will be look looking at what may be needed to close on the second phases financing and begin construction in January.

One hope is that the high prices of construction materials during the COVID-19 pandemic may dip by then, Lopez said.

The second-phase homes would be priced at $175,000, and $180,000 for end units, Lopez said. The organization already has five interested buyers on a waiting list, he said.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  Four Republicans hoping to claim Gov. Gavin Newsom's job in a September recall election skirmished in their first debate Wednesday, labeling the incumbent Democrat a failure whose pandemic policies sent the state into a tailspin while hewing closely to familiar conservative themes.

There were a few sharp exchanges as candidates sought to distinguish themselves from their rivals, but much of the evening event amounted to a litany of complaints about Newsom and the Democratic-controlled Legislature and the progressive drift of the nation's most populous state.

This used to be the state where anyone could get ahead. Now its the state that many cant wait to leave behind, and our soaring housing costs are central to that, said Kevin Kiley, a state assemblyman who at 36 years old could become the state's first millennial governor.

The stakes were elevated with mail-in ballots for the Sept. 14 contest going to voters in about two weeks. Polls suggest the race is growing tight, with Newsoms once-comfortable edge slipping as coronavirus cases climb and mask restrictions return across much of the state.

The election is being watched nationally as a barometer of the public mood heading toward the 2022 elections, when a closely divided Congress again will be in play. A Republican upset in the heavily Democratic state would be a stunning rebuke, and Newsom has warned that his ouster would have national implications in politics and policy-making.

Many of the exchanges during the 90-minute debate centered on signature conservative issues in the state that appeared aimed at energizing Republican and right-leaning voters, rather than winning over converts from the political center. They included building more water storage, restraining government growth and cutting taxes.

Former congressman Doug Ose promised to swiftly weed out Newsom appointees across state government. Former San Diego mayor Kevin Faulconer was critical of state efforts to expand health care for people who entered the country illegally. Businessman John Cox, who lost to Newsom in the 2018 governor's race, appeared to endorse eliminating the state's minimum wage law.

The real, true minimum wage ... should be zero. It should be set between the employer and the employee, Cox said at one point.

But the debate also offered little drama or memorable lines that might resonate beyond a single night.

A notable point about the debate at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library in Orange County was who didnt show up: the two best-known candidates. Caitlyn Jenner has been in Australia filming a reality TV program, while conservative talk radio host Larry Elder, who has been the leading replacement candidate in polls, attended a Bakersfield fundraiser.

Library officials said Newsom did not respond to an invitation.

Polls have shown many voters aren't paying attention or remain indecisive about the unusual late-summer election, which could remove the governor with about 15 months left in his first term.

One of the tautest exchanges took place when Ose challenged Faulconer's record on dealing with homelessness, a cornerstone of the former mayor's campaign. Ose, a former congressman, said falling numbers of homeless residents cited by Faulconer were the result of rejiggered calculations, labeling Faulconer a plastic man. Faulconer disputed that and defended his record.

Faulconer also stood out by emphatically encouraging everyone watching to get vaccinated against the coronavirus, something none of the other contenders on stage repeated. Cox, for his part, said people who have already had coronavirus should not be vaccinated, which goes against what the CDC recommends.

Faulconer, who made his plea when asked about masks in school, said vaccinations are the best way to end the pandemic. He said he opposes mask mandates in schools, but wouldnt give a clear answer on whether hed prohibit schools from requiring masks.

Kiley said he believes in personal choice on vaccinations.

Democrats have sought to link the recall effort to far-right extremists and supporters of former President Donald Trump. Earlier Wednesday, a judge tentatively ruled in Newsoms favor in a lawsuit that sought to block him from labeling the recall a Republican effort in the states official voter guide.

Faulconer backed Trump in 2020 after spurning him four years earlier. When asked if he would welcome Trump's endorsement, the former mayor called the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol in Washington abhorrent, but said he was eager to win support from Republicans, Democrats and independents, without directly mentioning Trump or ruling out accepting his endorsement.

Newsom's campaign manager, Juan Rodriguez, said in a tweet that California needs to move forward, not back toward Donald Trump."

The debate comes at a time when Republicans already have witnessed signs of infighting that could drive down turnout and distract from the goal of toppling Newsom. Cox has accused GOP insiders of trying to steer an endorsement to Faulconer.

The recall grew out of widespread frustration during the pandemic over whipsaw stay-at-home orders, crushing job losses from business closures and long-running school closures that together disrupted life for millions.

In the election, voters will be asked two questions: First, should Newsom be removed, yes or no? The second question will be a list of replacement candidates from which to choose. If a majority votes for Newsoms removal, the candidate who gets the most votes on the second question becomes governor.

With 46 replacement candidates on the ballot, its possible a winner could emerge with as little as 20% of the vote should Newsom be recalled  a fraction of what a candidate would need in a typical statewide election.

That unusual election math also has allowed Republicans to largely target their campaigns at Republicans and right-leaning independents, which could provide a sufficient coalition to win.

The debate closed with light-hearted questions intended to prompt candidates to reveal something personal about their lives. Faulconer said he cycles for charity, Kiley plugged a restaurant in his district and Ose said his hidden talent was getting things done.

Cox, who branded himself as an outsider throughout the night, took an unconventional approach. Asked what embarrassing information his kids would share about him, he said: My wife doesnt like my nose hair.
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.
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Thank you to the young student for his beautiful letter last year.

I reread Focusing on the good things, which appeared in the Nov. 21, 2020, edition of LNP | LancasterOnline. The writers letter should speak to a lot of adults who are feeling stressed and/or down during these trying times.

I will treasure the writers words, believe that even when a fire burns things down, good things can rise from the embers.

Theres much wisdom there! God bless you; he sure has blessed us through the letter writers words.

Esther Lentz

Lancaster
Antonov Describes Ongoing Contentious Diplomatic Conditions Since Returning to U.S.

Aug. 3, 2021 (EIRNS)The continuing U.S. imposition of restrictions on Russian diplomats in the U.S., and the Russian countermeasures, are fueling a diplomatic crisis. On Aug. 2 the United States handed Russia a list of 24 diplomats who are to leave the country by Sept. 3, in accordance with the U.S. imposition in December 2020 of a unilateral three-year limit on the assignment of Russian personnel in the U.S. In an interview published Aug. 1 with The National Interest, We Have To Counter Lies and Fake News Virtually on a Daily Basis, Russian Ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov strongly countered Washingtons latest move. Antonov had only returned to Washington on June 20, prompting editor Jacob Heilbrunn to ask, Do you have anything positive to report, particularly on the contentious issue of the work of the embassies in the two capitals? Are there any new developments on the status of the U.S. and Russian consulates which were closed in recent years?

The diplomat replied: 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. Regardless of the 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. U.S. colleagues are 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. We received a list of 24 diplomats who are expected to leave the country before Sept. 3, 2021. Almost all of them will leave without replacements, because Washington has abruptly tightened visa issuing procedures.

Heilbrunn asked about the status of new U.S.-Russian dialogue on cybersecurity: Antonov replied that Russia has invited the U.S. administration to discuss cyber threats to arms control systems and hopes for a comprehensive cybersecurity dialogue in the future.

However, when it comes to cybersecurity, Antonov said the U.S. side continues to want to limit discussion to ransomware activities and not extend it to the broader aspects of cybersecurity. Despite Moscows 35 requests to Washington concerning cyberattacks from its territory in the first six months of 2021, as well as 45 for last year, the U.S. has responded to none of them.

We have consistently sought to establish professional cooperation on cybersecurity issues in Washington. In particular, since 2015, we have taken six attempts to launch such interaction. Moreover, on Sept. 25, 2020, the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin proposed a comprehensive program of measures to restore Russia-U.S. cooperation in the field of International Information Security (IIS). Unfortunately, there has been no official reaction from the United States so far,

Antonov said.
EIR LEAD EDITORIAL FOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2021

The Shadow of LaRouches Forecasts in Our Future

Aug. 3, 2021 (EIRNS)The increasingly complex web of processes into which the LaRouche faction has now poised itself to intervene, are the new terrain of a reality that will never again look like that of the pre-2020 world. A unique, though not new, compositional approach must be taken, to change the minds of the people of the trans-Atlantic sector. As the Austrian chancellor said of the Greens, It would be totally wrong to believe that we could save the climate in the future by asceticism ... the only right approach is to rely on innovation and technology.... I do not share at all the view that our direction should be going back to the Stone Age.

The LaRouche forecasts, like the compositions of Beethoven, are the shadow of an unseen power, a principle of nonviolent power, a power of change which floats, though unseen, among us; otherwise we were doomed by what lies immediately aheadnot by our prospects, but by our axioms.

Remember that the city-state of Florence was not, as the credulous believed, depopulated by the Black Death, but by the Black Guelph, as well as other factions of the oligarchy. In fact, the city had begun to lose population from the time of Dantes exile, and consequent triumph of the murderous financial policies of the Italian banking houses. From a height of 105-125,000 in 1300-25, it had declined to 80,000 before the 1347-49 Bubonic Plague, in which about half that number died. Even by 1425, when Cusa was 24, Toscanelli 25 and Brunelleschi 48 years old, the population was only 60,000. Monetarism demanded, and secured, the self-cannibalization of Europe. The disease was the means, not the cause.

From this standpoint, look then, as Dante did, at the ostensible prospects before uswhat we see in the emergence of new strains of disease, including the treatment-resistant Candida auris super-bug, identified as present in New York City hospitals since at least 2019, itself the consequence of failing to care for the General Welfare through public health and sanitation measures, including drug eradication and mental health, which were insisted upon by LaRouche in 1974, 1985, and 2001.

While the Biden Administration drunkenly asserts that it leads the world in vaccine mobilization, China has in fact created vaccine production and research centers in many nations, distributed some 350 million doses of vaccine worldwide, and organized 28 nations to join in launching the China Initiative for Belt and Road Partnership on COVID-19 Vaccine Cooperation. The pathetic EU, which promised 200 million vaccines to help the developing sector, has delivered on 8 million4% of what it promised. The difference is measured in lives, not numbers.

Indias present decision to walk away from the Glasgow COP26 trap, and its crazy kill coal project, has particularly upset Sir Mike Mouseolini Bloomberg, as just expressed in his news service:

When India failed to show up at climate talks in London last week, the meetings British hosts took it as a snub. It was also a stark reminder of how hard its going to be for diplomats to pull the global climate back from the brink of disaster, with less than three months to go before the next round of high-stakes negotiations.

SciTechDaily reported on Aug. 3: Solar Orbiter and BepiColombo are set to make space history with two Venus flybys just 33 hours apart on August 9 and 10, 2021. The Solar Orbiter is a joint NASA/ESA project, which will investigate the poles of the Sun for the first time. BepiColombo is a Japanese Space Agency JAXA/ESA project investigating Mercury. Why are they rendezvousing at Venus? No, its not an extraterrestrial hookup; they will be, in fact, the proverbial two spaceships passing. They wont even be able to take pictures of each other. The two spacecraft need the gravitational swingby to help them lose a little orbital energy in order to reach their destinations towards the center of the Solar System. Its more like a two-part invention, a contrapuntal intersection of the gravitational field of Venus intended to deploy that gravitational field as a brake, allowing both spacecraft to access and ride that orbital pathway to significantly different ends. And BepiColombo will be able to take some pictures from Venus as it moves away from the planet, and maybe a couple of partial selfies as well. Solar Orbiters first visit to the poles of the Sun will be March of 2025, with later visits scheduled for 2027, 2028, and 2029.

This represents the minimal vantage point, the minimal level of physical economy, and is the minimal level of civilization for the human race. Seen from the vantage point of Dantes Paradiso, human navigation of the Solar System is Stage One of culture; human navigation of the Milky Way galaxy is Stage Two; human navigation among galaxies is Stage Three. Anything less than that represents the infancy, childhood and adolescence of humanity. And thus, the science behind the engineering and navigation of these and other missions being carried out by more and more nations, is the minimal conceptual standpoint for a true science of physical economy, a standpoint clearly stated in the LaRouche works There Are No Limits To Growth and Earths Next Fifty Years.

The method of the Committee for the Coincidence of Opposites, as applied by the Schiller Institute in the past 12 days, is a reflection of that method of composition that Dante, Beethoven and LaRouche had mastered. It is politics as art. It is what can give us the power, not through influential people, but through the influence of ideas, to even at this last moment, provide a pathway from Hell to Purgatory, when looked at from the standpoint of the Paradiso, the Promethean mountaintop of forecasting. It is that which underlies the urgent strategic importance of the August 14 symposium reflecting on LaRouches forecast of the end of the Bretton Woods system.
Crews will then move back up Airway Road and complete the section of sewer between Oak Streets and Airport Road. This work will take place this winter and will definitely be an inconvenience for drivers and for the businesses which line Airport Road.

Traffic will be a nightmare, Whitlatch acknowledged.

He said the city will work with business owners to provide advance notice of when their driveways will be impacted. The road will be closed to through traffic by necessity: the equipment involved will be nearly as wide as the road surface itself.

The project will result in the complete destruction of the current road surface between Oak Street and Airport Road and that road will have to be rebuilt, Whitlatch said.

The good news is that homes and businesses will not have to wait for the project to be completed before they can connect to the new sewer. New sections can come online in phases as the work proceeds.

Whitlatch said that the sewer line will be tested as they go. These tests are conducted from one manhole cover to the next, with the distance ranging from 450 to 600 feet.
On the community side, Downey offered a unique perspective when he said the Lexington Veterans Pavilion will, help to complete the whole campus, of Kirkpatrick Memorial Park, the renovated lake, the Dawson County Historical Museum and the

Lexington Family Aquatic Center.

Downey also said the pavilion will tie in with the Heartland Military Museum, located along the Lexington I-80 exit.

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As a young person, Downey said he was impacted by the World War II veterans in their Veterans Day program at his school. He said while the veterans did not tell many stories of their service, it was known from the veterans family members who big of a deal their service during the war truly was.

He said those programs helped to instill a strong sense of patriotism in them at a young age, even though they never served in the military.

Downey said with the changing technology and how wars will be fought in the future, it is important to remember the experience of veterans of past wars. We as a society and country, have to remember how we got here today, we need to remember what the veterans did for everybody.
Keysers iPhone was collected as evidence, according to court documents.

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Officers found several bullet holes at the residence Keyser was found in front of, as well as the neighbors home. Two more bullet holes were found in a vehicle parked along West Ninth, according to court records. No brass ammunition casings were located at the scene.

Police say security camera footage from Caseys showed Saenz-Gonzalez and Hernandez-Corona entering the North Adams Caseys General Store at 1:31 a.m. Keyser entered the store at 1:33 a.m.

After an encounter with Hernandez-Corona, Keyser began to walk back to West Ninth Street.

Lexington officers gave the mens iPhones to Investigator Dan Warrington with the Kearney Police Department, who has technology to perform forensic downloads of cellphone data.

Keysers cellphone had a health application that recorded his steps and distance traveled, as well as a time and date stamp associated with the information. According to that data, after leaving Caseys, Keyser walked 300 meters to West Ninth Street, arriving at 1:44 a.m. After this, there was no health or phone activity.

Based on this information and the report of the gunshot at 1:47 a.m., it is believed Keyser was killed around this time.
Lewiston, ID (83501)

Today

Partly cloudy skies. Areas of smoke and haze are possible, reducing visibility at times. Low 66F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Areas of smoke and haze are possible, reducing visibility at times. Low 66F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph.
Lewiston, ID (83501)

Today

Partly cloudy skies. Areas of smoke and haze are possible, reducing visibility at times. Low 66F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Areas of smoke and haze are possible, reducing visibility at times. Low 66F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph.
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LISD welcomes new teachers with luncheon

Contributed New middle school teachers pose at Lufkin ISDs luncheon with the board of trustees. Hall Henderson, board president, said the district takes a lot of pride in being a welcoming, family oriented and friendly district.

Lufkin ISD welcomed its new teachers with a luncheon with the school board Tuesday morning at the Pitser Garrison Convention Center.

Were pleased to honor you here, superintendent Lynn Torres said. You have joined the Lufkin Panther family as a new teacher, and our pledge to you is that we are here to support you and mentor you as a new staff member in Lufkin.

The luncheon is a favorite of board president Hall Henderson as trustees are able to see new faces and welcome them to the district, and theres no better way to do that than with a good meal, he said.

Its always been a tradition for us to get together with our teachers, and obviously, last year we werent able to do that, he said. We take a lot of pride in being welcoming and being a very family oriented, friendly district, so its good to get together and meet people, see new faces and let them know that as a board, were here for them and we want to support them in any way we can.

Henderson said its important to the district to make its teachers feel welcome so the teachers can, in turn, make their students feel welcome.

If you start with that as a district, if you do it from an administrative and board level, we want that to trickle down into the classroom and into the campuses so that our students feel the same way, he said. The more comfortable they feel, the better time theyre going to have at school, the better opportunity theyre gonna have to get an education. We want them to know that they have teachers and principals that love them, and we want our teachers and principals to know they have a board that loves them.

Freshmen English teacher Aaliyah Overshown said she started teaching for Lufkin ISD last semester and is excited to have her first full school year.

Im excited to start off fresh, she said. Its nice to get to know the admin more and actually get to shake hands with people now that things are different. I feel like Im getting to be introduced officially, so thats fun. Everyone has always been welcoming, even last semester when I came in mid-year. All the teachers want me to succeed, so I feel like I have a lot to learn here.

Fifth-grade science teacher Hanna Van Horn is excited for the upcoming school year and said she thinks it is awesome that the district hosts a welcome luncheon.

Ive been with two other districts, and this is the first welcome party that Ive been a part of, she said. I just think its so neat to have, especially if youre a first-year teacher, getting acclimated and seeing new faces. Im very impressed.
If you go

What: Public hearing on PFAS remediation process at the airport

When: Wednesday, Aug. 3

Time: 5:30 p.m.

How to participate: To join the meeting in Zoom, use the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7pluRAHcRVqIPDuTkV0Fjw

To join the meeting by phone, dial in using one of the following three phone numbers: 1-833-548-0276; 1-833-548-0282; 1-888-788-0099. When prompted, enter the following Webinar ID: 857 3567 9516
The University of Wisconsin-Madison has announced that it will require all students and staff to wear masks when inside campus buildings this fall.

The decision, which will take effect Aug. 5, will not affect plans for in-person classes, returning to work on campus, events or the universitys policy on physical spacing. UW-Madison cited growing concerns around the Delta variant as a motivator for the change to its masking policy.

"Going back to masking is not a step that many of us wanted to take, but it is important to protect the health of those on our campus and in our community," a university news release stated.

UW-Madison had previously communicated to students in June that face masks would no longer be required, but would still be recommended for unvaccinated individuals. Now, officials are also weighing whether or not to establish testing requirements for unvaccinated students and staff.
Madison, in particular, finds itself in a perilous position. Restaurants and stores are open, and students are supposed to begin returning to public schools and the University of Wisconsin campus in the next several weeks. In fact, the moving vans have already begun blocking traffic in the downtown neighborhoods surrounding the campus.

If the infection rates continue to rise, necessary steps will have to be taken in order to assure that the campus and the surrounding community are protected. How far officials will need to go to prevent the spread of the deadly virus, and to keep schools and businesses open  if that is possible  remains to be seen. But new mask mandates and social-distancing orders are likely to be on the table. So, too, could vaccination requirements.

Whats going to be required is a willingness to take the science seriously, a recognition that there may be a need to move quickly, and the flexibility thats required to try approaches that are most likely to save lives.

Unfortunately, the same politicians who dragged their feet last year, making a bad situation dramatically worse, are now talking about erecting roadblocks to administrators on the UW-Madison campus and on other UW campuses statewide.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The State Department said Wednesday its looking into the apparent disappearance of a nearly $6,000 bottle of whisky given more than two years ago to then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo by the government of Japan. Pompeo knows nothing about the gift or an inquiry, a representative said.

In a notice filed in the Federal Register, the department said it could find no trace of the bottles whereabouts and that there is an ongoing inquiry into what happened to the booze. The department reported the investigation in its annual accounting of gifts given to senior U.S. officials by foreign governments and leaders.

The department's Office of Protocol is required to record gifts given to U.S. officials and keep track of their disposition. Recipients have the option of turning gifts of a certain value over to the National Archives or another government entity or purchasing them for personal use by reimbursing the Treasury Department for their value.
Businesses and nonprofits that move into an empty store front may be eligible for a $10,000 grant, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. announced Wednesday.

These grants are designed to give entrepreneurs a helping hand in establishing their physical storefronts and reward small business owners for investing in empty commercial properties across the state, WEDC CEO Missy Hughes said. The businesses that move into these spaces become integral parts of our communities, offering not only goods and services but spaces to gather and celebrate.

Grant funds can be used for rent or mortgage payments, operating expenses, building repairs and improvements, and additional expenses.

Small businesses or nonprofits seeking grant approval are not allowed to close another location in order to open in an empty store front. National or regional chains, unless franchised, are ineligible, as are businesses or nonprofits that plan to use the new location for storage, to hold for investment purposes or to rent out as residential housing.

Applications for the grants open on Aug. 9 and close on June 30, 2022.
Two men were shot and injured in the shooting, but were not on scene when officers arrived.

The next day, about 24 hours after the shooting, one of the victims walked into St. Marys Hospital with a wound that a nurse told police looked like someone took a melon scoop to the victims skin. He also appeared to have glass in his eye.

That man said he was at the BP gas station on Verona Road when a stranger agreed to give him a ride back to the East Side. Within a couple of minutes, he said, he heard several gunshots and saw the front passenger window break.

The vehicle that was shot at and damaged, a Nissan Murano, was later found in a parking lot on High Ridge Trail in Fitchburg. According to a search warrant filed in September, the vehicles owner did not want to talk to police about the bullet-damaged vehicle that police said contained blood stains and bullet fragments.

The man who was driving the Murano at the time of the shooting was contacted on Nov. 19 at the Dane County Jail. He said after the shooting he didnt go to the hospital because he was on the run. He showed a detective a healing wound and said he had used a tweezer to pull a bullet out of his shoulder.
All state of Wisconsin employees will be required to wear face masks in state buildings starting Thursday, regardless of vaccination status.

The new mandate was issued by Gov. Tony Evers Department of Administration to reflect Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Department of Health Services guidance.

It applies to state employees and contractors when inside state facilities or performing duties indoors, regardless of whether they are vaccinated against COVID-19.

The new DOA guidance also recommends, but does not mandate, that members of the public wear face masks when inside state facilities. Members of the public who are not vaccinated will continue to be required to wear face masks, though there isnt a mechanism for verifying vaccination status among the public.

Mask requirements for the vaccinated were lifted for only a short time. Vaccinated people on June 1 were no longer required to wear masks in the state Capitol and most other state facilities.

As with other DOA mandates, the reinstated mask mandate does not apply to the state Legislature, Supreme Court or local school districts.
A nonprofit started by the head of Promega Corp. to study psychedelic drugs for depression and other mental health conditions is getting its own headquarters in Fitchburg amid an expanding national profile for psychoactive medicine.

The Usona Institute, formed by Promega CEO Bill Linton in 2014, is expected to move into a 93,000-square-foot facility on 17 acres adjacent to Promegas Fitchburg campus in 2024.

The practices and the therapy that were embodying here have really gone back for thousands of years, Linton said Tuesday at a groundbreaking ceremony for the $60 million project.

Linton said even single doses of psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin, the hallucinogenic ingredient in magic mushrooms, have been shown to provide long-term benefits for some mental health patients.

Through this experience, theres a connection or reconnection with ourselves that may last for weeks and months, sometimes a lifetime, he said.

Usona, now housed in other Promega buildings, has more than 25 employees and satellite offices in California and Germany.
Madison Firefighters rescued a small dog from a house fire on the North Side that caused $165,000 in damage Wednesday morning.

Just after 7:30 a.m. the Madison Fire Department began to receive multiple calls from concerned neighbors about a house on fire on the 1700 block of Sachtjen Street. One neighbor began pounding on the doors and windows of the home in an effort to alert the owners of the fire but no one appeared to be home, Madison Fire Department spokesperson Bernadette Galvez said in a statement.

Fire crews were able to see smoke coming from the fire from several blocks away. Upon arrival, they searched the home to ensure everyone was out and found a small dog in one of the bedrooms. The dog was brought outside to a neighbor who held it until the homeowners arrived, Galvez said.

Fire crews were able to put out the fire quickly. The homeowners have insurance to help with the cost of repairs and will be staying with friends until they're able to reenter their home, Galvez said.

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I agree with the Wisconsin State Journal's editorial last Sunday, Madison needs to get a homeless shelter done." We are long past the time when church basements and city parks would substitute for a humane and sufficient means of meeting the needs of homeless residents.

But the editorial overlooked a solution that already is at hand and, thus, can meet the needs of homeless people next winter.

Lets use the current shelter on First Street. Last year the city invested over $1 million to turn the city garage into the shelter for 250 men. (The average occupancy last winter was 113.)

This site is on 10 bus lines and a mile from The Beacon for services to homeless individuals.

Whats holding up this solution? It's the mayors insistence that the city's Public Market must be on First Street. This site has little parking and no other shopping options. Compare this to the East Towne Mall site, with shopping at multiple venues, parking and possibly an adjacent "bus rapid transit" hub.
Without being sentimental about pigs, there are some facts relevant to them to consider. Pigs have big litters and making sure that a sow can safely feed them is an issue. The law intended to provide more space for the sow to move while feeding her offspring. Also, anyone who has raised one or more pigs will tell you that they are as personable as dogs. The fact that they exhibit emotions probably means that they have hormones that respond negatively to stress. Over time, those hormones will impact the quality of the meat they eventually produce for our consumption. Some will remember the advertising meme, Milk from contented cows.

Another issue around Confined Animal production is air and water pollution. Hog pens do not smell good. Too many hogs in an area make life unpleasant until a person stops noticing the odor. Support for fewer hogs probably came from that issue.

Another thing to wonder about. How is California going to enforce this legislation? Are they hiring more inspectors? Are they working with other states? How will compliant meat be identified? Will there be a black market in out-of-state pork? Of course, this could be a regulation with no teeth. It was passed to satisfy a special interest, but a lack of funding will render it meaningless.
There also were 21 new deaths reported Wednesday, a number North Carolina hasnt reported since June 4. So far, 13,700 people have died from COVID-19 in the state. The seven-day average number of deaths is now 13, the highest since June 24. The state went over 13,000 deaths in late May.

The most recent positivity rate data available is from Monday, when it was 12.2%, up from 10.6% on Sunday. Mondays positivity rate is the highest since Feb. 1, when 13.6% of tests were positive.

Health officials have said that the target rate is less than 5%  below that suggests that the spread of the virus is slowing. The last time North Carolina was under 5% was July 15.

The recent surge is due to the delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, health officials say. This variant is more transmissible and possibly more deadly.

Most of the new cases and virtually all of the hospitalizations are people who have not been vaccinated.

NCDHHS recently told The News & Observer that more than 94% of cases and deaths reported since May 6 were in people who were not fully vaccinated. People who are vaccinated and contract COVID-19 typically avoid serious illness or hospitalization, the spokesperson said.
The city, with a population of about 1.5 million, ordered residential communities sealed Sunday, preventing people from leaving their homes. In a subsequent order on Tuesday, officials said no one, whether tourist or resident, could leave the city.

The city government's Communist Party disciplinary committee on Wednesday issued a list of local officials who had a negative impact on pandemic prevention and control work who would be punished.

The city itself has only recorded 19 cases since last week, three of which were people with no symptoms, which are counted separately. However, individual cases linked to Zhangjiajie's outbreak have spread to at least five provinces, according to the Shanghai government-owned newspaper the Paper.

Far higher numbers were reported in Yangzhou, a city next to Nanjing, which has recorded 126 cases as of Tuesday.

After announcing last week that they were suspending issuance of passports for travelers except for those with an urgent need, officials at the National Immigration Administration reiterated the message again on Wednesday at a press briefing.
Scorching heat, low humidity and strong winds have fed the fires, which so far have killed eight people and countless animals and destroyed forests in the past eight days. Villagers have had to evacuate their homes and livestock, while tourists have fled in boats and cars. In the seaside province of Mugla, where tourist hot spot Bodrum is located, seven fires continued Wednesday. In Antalya, at least two fires raged on and two neighborhoods had to be evacuated.

Officials say 167 fires had been brought under control and 16 continued in five provinces. Thousands of firefighters and civilians were working to douse the flames.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said another firefighting plane and its staff would come from Azerbaijan on Thursday morning and 40 firetrucks would drive to Turkey to help with the fires. He announced four rented firefighting planes had landed and two from Israel would come Thursday.

Environmental groups and opposition lawmakers in Turkey have also been voicing fears that fire-damaged forests could lose their protected status.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

An artificial pancreas could soon help people living with type 2 diabetes and who also require kidney dialysis. Tests led by the University of Cambridge and Inselspital, University Hospital of Bern, Switzerland, show that the device can help patients safely and effectively manage their blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of low blood sugar levels.

Diabetes is the most common cause of kidney failure, accounting for just under a third (30%) of cases. As the number of people living with type 2 diabetes increases, so too does the number of people requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant. Kidney failure increases the risk of hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemiaabnormally low or high levels of blood sugar respectivelywhich in turn can cause complications from dizziness to falls and even to coma.

Managing diabetes in patients with kidney failure is challenging for both patients and healthcare professionals. Many aspects of their care are poorly understood, including targets for blood sugar levels and treatments. Most oral diabetes medications are not recommended for these patients, so insulin injections are the most commonly used diabetes therapythough optimal insulin dosing regimens are difficult to establish.

A team at the University of Cambridge and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has previously developed an artificial pancreas with the aim of replacing insulin injections for patients living with type 1 diabetes. In research published today in Nature Medicine, the teamworking with researchers at Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, Switzerlandhas shown that the device can be used to support patients living with both type 2 diabetes and kidney failure.

The artificial pancreas is powered by software in the user's smartphone that sends a signal to an insulin pump to adjust the level of insulin the patient receives. A glucose monitor measures the patient's blood sugar levels and sends these back to the smartphone to enable it to make further adjustments.

Unlike the artificial pancreas being used for type 1 diabetes, this version is a fully closed loop systemwhereas patients with type 1 diabetes need to tell their artificial pancreas that they are about to eat to allow adjustment of insulin, for example, with this new version they can leave the device to function entirely automatically.

Dr. Charlotte Boughton from the Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science at the University of Cambridge, who led the study, said that "patients living with type 2 diabetes and kidney failure are a particularly vulnerable group and managing their conditiontrying to prevent potentially dangerous highs or lows of blood sugar levelscan be a challenge. There's a real unmet need for new approaches to help them manage their condition safely and effectively."

The artificial pancreas is a small, portable medical device designed to carry out the function of a healthy pancreas in controlling blood glucose levels, using digital technology to automate insulin delivery. The system is worn externally on the body, and is made up of three functional components: a glucose sensor, a computer algorithm to calculate the insulin dose, and an insulin pump.

The team recruited 26 patients requiring dialysis between October 2019 and November 2020. Thirteen participants were randomized to receive the artificial pancreas first and 13 to receive standard insulin therapy first. The researchers compared how long patients spent in the target blood sugar range (5.6 to 10.0mmol/L) over a 20 day period as outpatients.

Patients using the artificial pancreas spent on average 53% of their time in the target range, compared to 38% when they used the control treatment. This equated to around 3.5 additional hours every day spent in the target range compared with the control therapy.

Mean blood sugar levels were lower with the artificial pancreas (10.1 vs. 11.6 mmol/L). The artificial pancreas reduced the amount of time patients spent with potentially dangerously low blood sugar levels, or 'hypos'.

The efficacy of the artificial pancreas improved considerably over the study period as the algorithm adapted, and the time spent in the target blood sugar range increased from 36% on day one to over 60% by the twentieth day. This finding highlights the importance of using an adaptive algorithm, which can adjust in response to an individual's changing insulin requirements over time.

When asked about their experiences of using the artificial pancreas, everyone who responded said they would recommend it to others. Nine out of ten (92%) reported that they spent less time managing their diabetes with the artificial pancreas than during the control period, and similar numbers (87%) were less worried about their blood sugar levels when using it.

Other benefits of the artificial pancreas reported by study participants included less need for finger-prick blood sugar checks, less time required to manage their diabetes resulting in more personal time and freedom, and improved peace of mind and reassurance. Downsides included discomfort wearing the insulin pump and carrying the smartphone.

Senior author Professor Roman Hovorka, also from the Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, said that "not only did the artificial pancreas increase the amount of time patients spent within the target range for the blood sugar levels, but it also gave the users peace of mind. They were able to spend less time having to focus on managing their condition and worrying about the blood sugar levels, and more time getting on with their lives."

Dr. Boughton added that "now that we've shown the artificial pancreas works in one of the more difficult-to-treat groups of patients, we believe it could prove useful in the wider population of people living with type 2 diabetes."

The team is currently trialing the artificial pancreas for outpatient use in people living with type 2 diabetes who do not need dialysis and exploring the system in complex medical situations such as perioperative care.

Dr. Lia Bally, who co-led the study in Bern, said that "the artificial pancreas has the potential to become a key feature of integrated personalized care for people with complex medical needs."

Explore further Artificial pancreas can prevent dangerously low blood sugar in people with T1D

More information: Boughton, CK et al, Fully automated closed-loop glucose control compared with standard insulin therapy in adults with type 2 diabetes requiring dialysis: an open-label, randomised crossover trial, Nat Med (2021). Journal information: Nature Medicine Boughton, CK et al, Fully automated closed-loop glucose control compared with standard insulin therapy in adults with type 2 diabetes requiring dialysis: an open-label, randomised crossover trial,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41591-021-01453-z
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The race to vaccinate Australians is heating up as the supply of vaccines starts to increase and lockdowns continue.

Labor this week suggested a A$300 cash payment for people fully vaccinated by December. Meanwhile, "Operation COVID Shield", the newly published national COVID vaccine campaign plan, includes support for "freedom incentives" put forward by the Coalition.

Scott Morrison will pursue "freedom incentives" ahead of cash payments under the national cabinet's four-phase reopening plan. #auspol https://t.co/FRXqtYFG3O  Greg Brown (@gregbrown_TheOz) August 2, 2021

Let's take a look at how effective the evidence suggests these measures might be in getting more Australians vaccinated.

Vaccine hesitancy

Vaccination is a key weapon in our armoury as we navigate the pandemic. We know it's very effective in protecting people from illness and death, and also reduces transmission of COVID-19.

At this stage, only 19.8% of Australians over 16 have been fully vaccinated.

Although insufficient supply has been the main reason for the slow rollout to date, vaccine hesitancy is an increasingly important issue as we strive for herd immunity.

The latest data from our Taking the Pulse of the Nation Survey shows vaccine hesitancy in Australia has fallen to 21.5% since the recent outbreaks, from a high of 33% in late May.

Among that 21.5%, 11.8% of Australians remain unwilling to be vaccinated, while 9.7% are unsure.

So can financial or non-financial incentives bring these figures down and in turn speed up Australia's vaccination rollout?

Splashing the cash

The government has proclaimed cash incentives will have minimal impact on vaccination ratesalthough the review of the evidence they conducted hasn't been published.

There is in fact evidence from a range of settings showing cash payments do have one-off effects in terms of persuading people to visit a health professional.

Our survey research has shown 54% of those willing to be vaccinated, but waiting, said they would get vaccinated as soon as possible if offered cash.

Further analysis shows those willing and eligible to be vaccinated (people over 50 at the time these data were collected) were more likely to respond to cash payments if they were male, and if the amount was at least A$100. Overall, half said they would get vaccinated sooner if offered A$100 or more. So Labor's plan of A$300 would be effective for this group.

However, for people who are unwilling or unsure about vaccination, cash payments may make only a small difference. Just 10% of this group said they would respond to cash.

This is because there are many reasons people may be unsure or don't want to get vaccinated. These include a lack of access to unbiased advice and information, strong beliefs about vaccination including around vaccine safety, and medical conditions. To increase vaccination in this group, we need to consider different approaches.

Vaccination as a ticket to freedom

We're likely to see non-financial incentives offered to fully vaccinated Australians as time goes on. These might be in the form of exemptions from health restrictions, or more lenient rules, around, for example, travel and social activities.

We know holding our vaccination records in our smartphones might provide us with more freedom, earlier. The United Kingdom now allows fully vaccinated travellers from the United States and the European Union to enter without quarantine, accepting the risk that even people who are vaccinated can still carry and spread the virus.

Our survey found roughly 70% of Australians think fully vaccinated people should be allowed to participate, without restriction, in sporting events, concerts, interstate travel, religious events, going to restaurants and movies, and the like. Around half believe those who remain unvaccinated once vaccination is available to everyone should be banned from these activities.

Slightly fewer think international travel should be unrestricted even when fully vaccinated.

Of people unwilling or unsure about vaccination, 18-28% stated they would get vaccinated if they were banned from these activities. This suggests that, compared to cash payments, non-financial incentives might be more likely to work for those who are unwilling or unsure about vaccination.

Where to next?

Both Labor's and the Coalition's incentive policies would have some impact on vaccination rates, but the devil is in the detail.

Cash payments are likely to be effective for those who are already willing to be vaccinated, but have not yet done so. This would speed up the rate of vaccination.

Cash is less likely to influence those who are unwilling or are unsure, though it could still work for some of these people.

Allowing fully vaccinated people more freedoms will likely increase the vaccination rates among those yet to get the jab, including those who are unsure or unwilling.

Reaching this group is the holy grail, giving us a better shot of attaining the elusive, but crucial, herd immunity. Incentives matter.

Explore further Paying Australians $300 to get fully vaccinated would be value for money

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
A nurse takes swab samples in the new rounds of Covid-19 testing in Nanjing in eastern China's Jiangsu province Monday, Aug. 2, 2021. China's worst coronavirus outbreak since the start of the pandemic a year and a half ago escalated Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021 with dozens more cases around the country, the sealing-off of one city and the punishment of its local leaders. Credit: Chinatopix Via AP

China's worst coronavirus outbreak since the start of the pandemic a year and a half ago escalated Wednesday with dozens more cases around the country, the sealing-off of one city and the punishment of its local leaders.

Since that initial outbreak was tamed last year, China's people had lived virtually free of the virus, with extremely strict border controls and local distancing and quarantine measures stamping out scattered, small flareups when they occurred.

Now, the country is on high alert as an outbreak of cases connected to the international airport in the eastern city of Nanjing touched at least 17 provinces. China reported 71 new cases of COVID-19 from local transmission Wednesday, more than half of them in coastal Jiangsu province, of which Nanjing is the capital.

In Wuhan, the central city where the first cases of COVID-19 were identified in late 2019, mass testing has shown some of its newly reported cases have a high degree of similarity to cases discovered in Jiangsu province. Those cases have been identified as being caused by the highly transmissible delta variant that first was identified in India.

Meanwhile, another COVID-19 hotspot was emerging in the city of Zhangjiajie, near a scenic area in Hunan province famous for sandstone cliffs, caves, forests and waterfalls that inspired the on-screen landscape in the "Avatar" films.

A worker disinfects the flooring outside the inflated cabins at the pop-up Huo-Yan Laboratory set up in an expo center to test samples for covid-19 virus in Nanjing in east China's Jiangsu province Wednesday, July 28, 2021. China's worst coronavirus outbreak since the start of the pandemic a year and a half ago escalated Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021, with dozens more cases around the country, the sealing-off of one city and the punishment of its local leaders. Credit: Chinatopix Via AP

The city, with a population of about 1.5 million, ordered residential communities sealed Sunday, preventing people from leaving their homes. In a subsequent order on Tuesday, officials said no one, whether tourist or resident, could leave the city.

The city government's Communist Party disciplinary committee on Wednesday issued a list of local officials who "had a negative impact" on pandemic prevention and control work who would be punished.

The city itself has only recorded 19 cases since last week, three of which were people with no symptoms, which are counted separately. However, individual cases linked to Zhangjiajie's outbreak have spread to at least five provinces, according to the Shanghai government-owned newspaper the Paper.

Far higher numbers were reported in Yangzhou, a city next to Nanjing, which has recorded 126 cases as of Tuesday.

Residents line up for Covid-19 tests near a banner with the words "Epidemic is the Order" in Wuhan in central China's Hubei province Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. China's worst coronavirus outbreak since the start of the pandemic a year and a half ago escalated Wednesday with dozens more cases around the country, the sealing-off of one city and the punishment of its local leaders. Credit: Chinatopix Via AP

A woman wearing a face mask to protect against COVID-19 walk across a pedestrian bridge during the morning rush hour in Beijing, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021. China's worst coronavirus outbreak since the start of the pandemic a year and a half ago escalated Wednesday with dozens more cases around the country, the sealing-off of one city and the punishment of its local leaders. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

Residents line up for Covid-19 tests in Wuhan in central China's Hubei province Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. China's worst coronavirus outbreak since the start of the pandemic a year and a half ago escalated Wednesday with dozens more cases around the country, the sealing-off of one city and the punishment of its local leaders. Credit: Chinatopix Via AP

People wearing face masks to help protect against COVID-19 walk past an advertising billboard at a subway station during the morning rush hour in Beijing, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021. China's worst coronavirus outbreak since the start of the pandemic a year and a half ago escalated Wednesday with dozens more cases around the country, the sealing-off of one city and the punishment of its local leaders. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

Residents line up for Covid-19 tests in Wuhan in central China's Hubei province Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. China's worst coronavirus outbreak since the start of the pandemic a year and a half ago escalated Wednesday with dozens more cases around the country, the sealing-off of one city and the punishment of its local leaders. Credit: Chinatopix Via AP

People wearing face masks to help protect against COVID-19 walk through a subway station during the morning rush hour in Beijing, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021. China's worst coronavirus outbreak since the start of the pandemic a year and a half ago escalated Wednesday with dozens more cases around the country, the sealing-off of one city and the punishment of its local leaders. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

People wearing face masks to help protect against COVID-19 walk through a subway station during the morning rush hour in Beijing, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021. China's worst coronavirus outbreak since the start of the pandemic a year and a half ago escalated Wednesday with dozens more cases around the country, the sealing-off of one city and the punishment of its local leaders. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

People wearing face masks to protect against COVID-19 walk across a pedestrian bridge during the morning rush hour in Beijing, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021. China's worst coronavirus outbreak since the start of the pandemic a year and a half ago escalated Wednesday with dozens more cases around the country, the sealing-off of one city and the punishment of its local leaders. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

After announcing last week that they were suspending issuance of passports for travelers except for those with an urgent need, officials at the National Immigration Administration reiterated the message again on Wednesday at a press briefing.

As of Tuesday, China has given more than 1.71 billion vaccine doses to its population of 1.4 billion. It's not clear how many of those are first or both doses, but at least 40% of the population is fully protected, according to earlier announcements.

Chinese companies have not publicly shared real-world data on how effective their vaccines are against the delta variant, though officials have said the vaccines prevent severe disease and hospitalization.

In addition to the 71 cases of local transmission, 25 travelers from overseas have COVID-19 and have entered quarantine, making the total for Wednesday 96 new cases. The National Health Commission also said 15 people tested positive for the virus but have no symptoms.

China has reported 4,636 deaths and 93,289 cases of COVID-19 overall, most of them from the original outbreak in Wuhan that peaked early last year.

Explore further China orders mass testing in Wuhan as COVID outbreak spreads

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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China on Wednesday reported its highest daily number of local coronavirus cases in months as mass testing campaigns uncovered a trail of Delta variant infections, prompting authorities to heavily restrict travel to major cities.

Local governments have tested entire cities and locked down millions, with the official figures on Wednesday revealing 71 new infectionsthe most since January, but a low caseload despite the outbreak spreading to dozens of cities.

China had previously boasted of its success in crushing COVID-19, allowing the economy to rebound and normal life to return while swathes of the globe struggled to douse a pandemic that has killed more than four million people worldwide.

But the latest outbreak is threatening that record with nearly 500 domestic cases reported since mid-July.

The outbreak, which began when an infection among passengers on a flight from Moscow spread to airport cleaners in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, has exposed weaknesses in the country's already strict border containment measures.

China's immigration authority on Wednesday announced it would stop issuing passports and other documents needed for exiting the country in "non-essential and non-emergency" cases.

That does not yet mean an overseas travel ban for the Chinese public.

Foreign crew on hundreds of ships have been stopped from disembarking and changing shifts at Chinese ports.

The central government has also ordered localities to cut off public transport and taxis in and out of areas hit by the outbreak, the transport ministry said at the same press conference.

Mass testing

Wuhan, where the virus first emerged in 2019, reported its first local infections in over a year this week and said Tuesday it was "swiftly launching" testing of all 11 million residents.

Long lines of residents waited at outdoor testing stations in the summer heat Tuesday, fanning themselves with paper forms while workers in hazmat suits took throat samples.

In Beijing, where the city government reported three new virus cases on Wednesday, authorities blocked entrances to a compound where one of the patients lived, while residents reached over fences to receive parcels from delivery drivers.

Nanjing has tested its 9.2 million residents three times after shutting down gyms and cinemas and closing off residential compounds.

And the tourist destination of Zhangjiajie in central Hunan province, where infected travellers who had been in Nanjing attended a theatre performance, abruptly announced Tuesday that no one would be allowed to exit the city after it emerged as an infection hotspot.

Meanwhile, Shanghai is investigating a Delta case detected in an airport worker this week.

Authorities said on Wednesday the infection was not linked to other domestic cases and that they suspected the worker had been exposed after removing protective equipment while in a "contaminated area".

Explore further Millions under virus lockdown as China battles Delta outbreak

 2021 AFP
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Fewer than one in 20 children with symptomatic COVID-19 experienced symptoms lasting longer than 4 weeks, and almost all children have fully recovered by 8 weeks, a new study has found.

In a study published today in Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, researchers at King's College London looked at daily health reports logged in the ZOE COVID Symptom Study app between March 2020 and February 2021 by parents or carers on behalf of more than 250,000 children aged 5-17, with nearly 7,000 having symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and a positive test.

The team previously analysed data from adults using the ZOE COVID Symptom Study, and showed that around one in 7 adults experienced COVID-19 symptoms lasting 4 weeks, while one in 20 were ill for 8 weeks or longer.

For this analysis, the team focused on the period from September 2020 through to February 2021. This coincided with the reopening of schools in the autumn and the peak of the winter wave when there was widespread availability of COVID testing.

During this time, 1,734 children were reported who had a clear start and end point to their symptoms and a positive COVID PCR test, enabling the researchers to determine their duration of illness with some allowance for symptoms reoccurring.

On average, the illness lasted for 5 days in younger children (5 to 11 years old) and 7 days in older children aged 12 to 17. Fewer than one in 20 (4.4%) experienced symptoms for 4 weeks or more, while only one in fifty (1.8%) had symptoms lasting more than 8 weeks.

The most common symptoms reported in children were headaches, tiredness (fatigue), a sore throat, and loss of smell (anosmia). Typically, these children had six different COVID symptoms in the first week, and around eight different symptoms in total over the duration of their illness. Reassuringly, there were no reports of serious neurological symptoms such as fits or seizures, impaired concentration or attention, or anxiety.

The researchers then compared outcomes for the children testing positive for COVID-19 with the same number of age and sex-matched children who were reported as having symptoms in the ZOE COVID Symptom Study app but then tested negative for coronavirus.

On average, these children were ill for only three days, most commonly reporting sore throat, headaches, fever and fatigue. While only a handful of this control cohort had symptoms lasting 4 weeks or more, these children had more symptoms than the children with long illness after COVID-19.

Although the levels of common infectious diseases such as 'flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other, coughs and colds have been unusually low during the 2020-2021 winter due to school closures and social distancing, there is a risk that they will bounce back hard over the coming years.

As well as shedding light on the risk of long illness in children with COVID-19, this study also highlights that other childhood infections can cause long-term illness, with implications for the planning and delivery of child health services after the pandemic.

Health Minister, Lord Bethell said: "Studies like this will help us build our understanding of long COVID and its impact on different groups as we learn to live with the virus. As the Health and Social Care Secretary has said, we want the UK to be a world leader in researching long COVID.

"It's encouraging to see the condition is uncommon among children and we will continue to provide support to those suffering the long term effects of the virus. Already we have opened over 80 long COVID assessment services across England, including specialist services for children and young people backed by 100 million.

"We are also supporting our exceptional scientists with over 50 million for research to better understand the long term effects to ensure the right help and treatments are available."

Senior author Emma Duncan, Professor of Clinical Endocrinology at King's College London, said: "We know from other studies that many children who catch coronavirus don't show any symptoms at all; and it will be reassuring for families to know that those children who do fall ill with COVID-19 are unlikely to suffer prolonged effects. However, our research confirms that a small number do have a long illness duration with COVID-19, though these children too usually recover with time. We hope our results will be useful for doctors, parents, and schools caring for these childrenand of course affected children themselves. It's also important that we remember that there are other infectious diseases that can leave children unwell for many weeks, and these children shouldn't be overlooked."

Professor Tim Spector, ZOE COVID Symptom Study lead, said: "This research highlights the importance of the data that thousands of parents and carers have contributed on behalf of their children. These insights are only possible through large-scale community data science, and we're grateful to everyone who has taken a minute or two out of their busy days to log the health of themselves and their family during the pandemic."

Explore further Troubling rise seen in both COVID, RSV cases among children

More information: Illness duration and symptom profile in symptomatic UK school-aged children tested for SARS-CoV-2, Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, 2021.
Lawmaker Cori Bush, seen on August 3, 2021, had been camping out on the steps of the US Capitol to protest the end of an eviction moratorium.

Under pressure from progressive Democrats, US health authorities on Tuesday declared a new moratorium on tenant evictions until October in much of the country, citing public health risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"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," Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in a statement.

The moratorium applies to "counties experiencing substantial and high levels of community transmission" of COVID-19, according to a CDC statement, and is set to expire on October 3.

"This moratorium is the right thing to do to keep people in their homes and out of... settings where COVID-19 spreads," Walensky said.

Although likely to be challenged in court, the measure will allow tenants extra time to access funds previously issued by Congress to help people pay rent, President Joe Biden said from the White House.

For bureaucratic reasons, these payments were incredibly slow in reaching the US populationonly $3 billion has thus far been distributed to households out of $25 billion allotted to states and localities in early February.

Another $21.5 billion is available in a second round of funding, but it will not go out until the first tranche is spent.

"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," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement.

A previous moratorium put in place in September 2020 by the CDC expired after a Supreme Court ruling in June stipulated that it could not continue beyond July 31 without authorization from Congress.

The Democratic Party's left wing had been raging for days against Biden, whom it held accountable for not having found a solution in time.

House lawmaker Cori Bush, who has herself experienced homelessness, had been camping in front of the Capitol since Friday, calling on Congress and the White House to act without further delay on behalf of the 11 million people threatened with eviction.

"Today, our movement moved mountains," Bush wrote on Twitter, welcoming news of the new moratorium on the steps of the Capitol, accompanied by progressive lawmaker Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, among others.

Explore further Research suggests ending eviction moratoriums led to spikes in COVID cases and deaths

 2021 AFP
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In a newly published study, physician-scientists at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine have shown that the flu vaccine may provide vital protection against COVID-19.

The study, titled "Examining the potential benefits of the influenza vaccine against SARS-CoV-2: A retrospective cohort analysis of 74,754 patients," was published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal PLoS One on August 3. This was the largest study of its kind and analyzed deidentified patient records from around the world, which strongly suggested that the annual flu shot reduces the risks of stroke, sepsis, and DVT in patients with COVID-19. Patients with COVID-19 who had been vaccinated against the flu were also significantly less likely to visit the emergency department and be admitted to the intensive care unit.

"Only a small fraction of the world has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to date, and with all the devastation that has occurred due to the pandemic, the global community still needs to find solutions to reduce morbidity and mortality," said senior study author Devinder Singh, M.D., chief of plastic surgery, and professor of clinical surgery at the Miller School.

"Having access to the real-time data of millions of patients is an incredibly powerful research tool," added Dr. Singh, who conducted the study with medical student Susan Taghioff and plastic surgery resident Benjamin Slavin, M.D., both of whom were lead authors. "Together with asking important questions, my team has been able to observe an association between the flu vaccine and reduced morbidity in COVID-19 patients."

Sharing Findings with Scientists and General Public

The researchers previously presented their preliminary data findings at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID), receiving international attention. Now that the full study has been published, the authors are extremely excited to share their detailed findings for the first time with both the general public and scientific community.

The study was conducted using patient records from a number of countries, including the U.S., the U.K., Germany, Italy, Israel and Singapore. The team screened de-identified electronic health records on the TriNetX research database for more than 70 million patients to identify two groups of 37,377 patients. The two patient groups were then matched for factors that could influence their risk of susceptibility to severe COVID-19, including but not limited to age, gender, ethnicity, smoking, and health problems such as diabetes, obesity, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Members of the first study group had received the flu vaccine two weeks and six months prior to being diagnosed with COVID-19. Those in the second group also had a positive COVID-19 diagnosis but were not vaccinated against the flu. The incidence of 15 adverse outcomes (sepsis; strokes; deep vein thrombosis or DVT; pulmonary embolism; acute respiratory failure; acute respiratory distress syndrome; arthralgia or joint pain; renal failure; anorexia; heart attack; pneumonia; emergency department visits; hospital admission; ICU admission; and death) within 30, 60, 90 and 120 days of testing positive for COVID-19 were then compared between the two groups.

The analysis revealed that those who had not had the flu shot were significantly more likely (up to 20% more likely) to have been admitted to the ICU. They were also significantly more likely to visit the emergency department (up to 58% more likely), to develop sepsis (up to 45% more likely), to have a stroke (up to 58% more likely) and a DVT (up to 40% more likely). The risk of death was not reduced.

Avoiding Adverse Outcomes

The investigators were also able to calculate how many COVID-19-positive patients would need to receive an influenza vaccine to avoid one adverse outcome. Notably, they found that only 176 patients needed to have received a flu vaccine to prevent one ED visit within 120 days of testing positive for COVID-19. Additionally, only 286 patients needed to have received their flu vaccine to prevent one case of sepsis, which is known to be the most expensive condition to treat in the U.S. health care system. Last, for every 440 patients who were up to date on their flu shot, one ICU admission was prevented.

Although it isn't exactly known yet how the flu vaccine provides protection against COVID-19, most theories speculate that the flu shot may boost the innate immune systemgeneral defenses we are born with that do not protect against any one specific illness.

The results, said study authors, strongly suggest that the flu vaccine may protect against several severe effects of COVID-19. However, they strongly recommend that people receive COVID-19 vaccines as well their annual influenza vaccine. They add that more research, in the form of prospective randomized control trials, is needed to prove and better understand the possible link but, in the future, the flu shot could be used to help provide increased protection in countries where the COVID-19 vaccine is in short supply or even aid in the ongoing struggle against breakthrough cases in those individuals already vaccinated against COVID-19.

"Continued promotion of the influenza vaccine also has the potential help the global population avoid a possible 'twindemic'a simultaneous outbreak of both influenza and coronavirus," Taghioff said. "Regardless of the degree of protection afforded by the influenza vaccine against adverse outcomes associated with COVID-19, simply being able to conserve global health care resources by keeping the number of influenza cases under control is reason enough to champion continued efforts to promote influenza vaccination worldwide."

More information: Susan M. Taghioff et al, Examining the potential benefits of the influenza vaccine against SARS-CoV-2: A retrospective cohort analysis of 74,754 patients, PLOS ONE (2021). Journal information: PLoS ONE Susan M. Taghioff et al, Examining the potential benefits of the influenza vaccine against SARS-CoV-2: A retrospective cohort analysis of 74,754 patients,(2021). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255541
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

The age at which women go through menopause is critical for fertility and impacts healthy aging in women, but reproductive aging has been difficult for scientists to study and insights into the underlying biology are limited.

Now, scientists have identified nearly 300 gene variations that influence reproductive lifespan in women. Additionally, in mice, they have successfully manipulated several key genes associated with these variants to extend their reproductive lifespan.

Their findings, published today in Nature, substantially increase our knowledge of the reproductive aging process, as well as providing ways to improve the prediction of which women might reach menopause earlier than others.

While life expectancy has increased dramatically over the past 150 years, the age at which most women go through natural menopause has remained relatively constant at about 50 years old. Women are born with all the eggs they will ever carry, and these are gradually lost with age. Menopause occurs once most of the eggs have gone, however natural fertility declines substantially earlier.

Co-author Professor Eva Hoffmann, of the University of Copenhagen, said: "It is clear that repairing damaged DNA in eggs is very important for establishing the pool of eggs women are born with and also for how quickly they are lost throughout life. Improved understanding of the biological processes involved in reproductive aging could lead to improvements in fertility treatment options."

This research has been achieved by a global collaboration involving academics from more than 180 institutions, and jointly led by the University of Exeter, the MRC Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge, the Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine at the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, and the DNRF Center for Chromosome Stability at the University of Copenhagen. Their findings identify new genetic variations linked to reproductive lifespan, increasing the number known from 56 to 290.

The new discoveries were made possible through analyses of datasets from hundreds of thousands of women from many studies including UK Biobank and 23andMe. Data from 23andMe was provided by customers who have opted-in to participate in research. While the large majority are from women of European ancestry, they also examined data on nearly 80,000 women of East Asian ancestry, and found broadly similar results.

The team discovered that many of the genes involved are linked to processes of DNA repair. They also found that many of these genes are active from before birth, when human egg stores are created, but also throughout life as well. Notable examples are genes from two cell cycle checkpoint pathwaysCHEK1 and CHEK2which regulate a broad variety of DNA repair processes. Knocking out a specific gene (CHEK2) so that it no longer functions, and over-expressing another (CHEK1) to enhance its activity each led to an approximately 25 percent longer reproductive lifespan in mice. Mouse reproductive physiology differs from humans in key ways, including that mice do not have menopause. However, the study also looked at women who naturally lack an active CHEK2 gene, and found they reach menopause on average 3.5 years later than women with a normally active gene.

Co-author Professor Ignasi Roig, from the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, said: "We saw that two of the genes which produce proteins involved in repairing damaged DNA work in opposite ways with respect to reproduction in mice. Female mice with more of the CHEK1 protein are born with more eggs and they take longer to deplete naturally, so reproductive lifespan is extended. However, while the second gene, CHEK2, has a similar effect, allowing eggs to survive longer, but in this case the gene has been knocked out so that no protein is produced suggesting that CHEK2 activation may cause egg death in adult mice".

The genes identified by this work influence the age at natural menopause and can also be used to help predict which women are at highest risk of having menopause at a young age.

Co-author Dr. Katherine Ruth, of the University of Exeter, said: "We hope our work will help provide new possibilities to help women plan for the future. By finding many more of the genetic causes of variability in the timing of menopause, we have shown that we can start to predict which women might have earlier menopause and therefore struggle to get pregnant naturally. And because we are born with our genetic variations, we could offer this advice to young women."

The team also examined the health impacts of having an earlier or later menopause by using an approach that tests the effect of naturally-occurring genetic differences. They found that a genetically earlier menopause increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and is linked to poorer bone health and increased risk of fractures. However, it decreases the risk of some types of cancer, such as ovarian and breast cancer, that are known to be sensitive to sex hormones which are at higher levels while a woman is still menstruating.

Co-author Dr. John Perry, of the Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge, a senior author on the paper, said: "This research is incredibly exciting. Although there's still a long way to go, by combining genetic analysis in humans with studies in mice, plus examining when these genes are switched on in human eggs, we now know a lot more about human reproductive aging. It also gives us insights into how to help avoid some health problems that are linked to the timing of menopause."

Explore further Women with type 1 diabetes experience a shorter reproductive period

More information: Genetic insights into biological mechanisms governing human ovarian ageing, Nature (2021). www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03779-7 Journal information: Nature Genetic insights into biological mechanisms governing human ovarian ageing,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03779-7
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Purchase a pack of cigarettes in Australia and be prepared to be accosted with graphic warning labels depicting the dangers of tobacco useincluding images of gangrene of the foot, a newborn with a breathing tube and throat cancer.

"Graphic warning labels are used in more than 120 countries to counter marketing that promotes cigarette smoking. We wanted to know what effect such cigarette packaging would have on United States smokers," said David Strong, professor at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at University of California San Diego.

Graphic warning labels were mandated by the United States Congress in 2009 but implementation has been stopped pending the outcome of legal challenges to the law by the tobacco industry.

In a paper published online in JAMA Network Open on Aug. 4, 2021, Strong and colleagues at UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, California State University San Marcos, San Diego County Public Health Services, and San Diego State University, demonstrated that graphic warning labels are effective reminders of the negative health consequences of smoking.

"Graphic warning labels caused daily smokers in the United States to perceive cigarettes to be less positive and it increased their concerns about the health effects of smoking on both themselves and their loved ones," said corresponding-author John P. Pierce, Distinguished Professor at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health.

Participants were randomized to receive their cigarettes in one of three pack designs: a blank pack, a standard commercially available U.S. pack, or a package with a graphic warning label used on cigarette packs in Australia (under license from the Australian government). Credit: Commonwealth of Australia

The study manufactured special cigarette packs that incorporated the graphic warning labels used on cigarette packs in Australia (under license from the Australian government). Study participants were 357 smokers living in San Diego who agreed to purchase their preferred brand of cigarettes from a study website. Participants were randomized to receive their cigarettes in one of three pack designs: in package with a graphic warning label, with a blank pack, or in a standard commercially available U.S. pack.

During the study, participants were queried by interactive text messaging about concerns over health risks and about their perceptions of the most recent cigarettes that they smoked. Changes in consumption and smoking status were assessed at the end of the three-month intervention.

Participants who received cigarettes in the standard pack or a blank pack had no change in their positive perceptions of their cigarettes, while smokers randomized to the graphic warning label arm perceived their cigarettes less favorably. Health concerns increased in all three groups, likely due to the intervention that made them think about health consequences more often, said the study authors.

"While these labels make smokers more likely to think about quitting, it did not make them more likely to make a serious quit attempt, nor was it sufficient to help them quit their nicotine addiction. Thus, graphic warning labels are an integral component of tobacco control strategies but they are only one tool for governments to reduce the societal costs from the death and disease caused by tobacco smoking," said senior-author Karen Messer, professor of biostatistics at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health.

Explore further Graphic cigarette warning labels can deter some sales

More information: David R. Strong et al, Effect of Graphic Warning Labels on Cigarette Packs on US Smokers' Cognitions and Smoking Behavior After 3 Months: A Randomized Clinical Trial, JAMA Netw Open (2021). Journal information: JAMA Network Open David R. Strong et al, Effect of Graphic Warning Labels on Cigarette Packs on US Smokers' Cognitions and Smoking Behavior After 3 Months: A Randomized Clinical Trial,(2021). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.21387
People wearing masks as a precaution amid the new coronavirus pandemic speak on the street as they wait to enter a COVID-19 vaccination center set up inside a cultural center in Havana, Cuba, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021. Credit: AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa

Cuba's hot spot for COVID-19 infections has shifted to the central province of Ciego de Avila, where officials are converting hotels into hospitals.

Instead of tourists, the Hotel Ciego de Avila will hold up to 240 low-risk pediatric patients, officials say, while the Las Canas Motel will have 53 beds for pregnant women with the coronavirus.

They are also ordering isolation of whole households when a virus is detected.

"The people are very frightened. Every day, more sick, more deathsa relative, a neighbor, a friend," said Mayi Del Valle, a 49-year-old library worker from the town of Ceballos in the province, speaking by phone Wednesday. "There are people treating COVID in their houses based on herbs."

Cuba's national director of epidemiology, Francisco Duran, said Wednesday that the province accounted for 23 of the 98 new deaths from COVID-19 recorded the previous day in the country of 11 million peoplethe nation's highest death toll yet in the pandemic.

The province of some 430,000 people had about twice as many deaths as in the capital of Havana, a city of 2 million.

The west-central province of Matanzas, famed for the beach resort Varadero, was the center of infection last month, but the wave there seems to have receded.

Nurses attend people who will be given a shot of the Cuban Abdala vaccine for COVID-19 at a cultural center being used as a vaccination center during the new coronavirus pandemic in Havana, Cuba, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021. Credit: AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa

Deputy Prime Minister Jorge Luis Tapia and Health Minister Jose Angel Portales were sent to Ciego de Avila, about 400 kilometers (240 miles) east of Havana, and government news media said official were sending more ambulances and 100 bicitaxis, which can be used for logistical support.

Since the start of the pandemic, Cuba has recorded 3,091 deaths and 422,614 confirmed infections, a huge share of them just in recent weeks. The country had been highly successful in keeping the virus at bay last year, but cases began shooting up after a brief period of relaxed controls at the start of 2021.

The Pan American Health Organization also expressed concern Wednesday about rising infections in Cuba.

"This is due to the delta variant, which has been reported by authorities in various places in the country," said Ciro Ugarte, director of health emergencies for the organization, during a news conference in Washington.

Explore further Iran's daily new coronavirus infections hit another high

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Epileptic seizures trigger the rapid synthesis and release of a substance mimicked by marijuana's most psychoactive component, Stanford University School of Medicine investigators have learned. This substance is called 2-arachidonoylglycerol, or 2-AG, and has the beneficial effect of damping down seizure intensity.

But there's a dark side. The similarly rapid breakdown of 2-AG after its release, the researchers found, trips off a cascade of biochemical reactions culminating in blood-vessel constriction in the brain and, in turn, the disorientation and amnesia that typically follow an epileptic seizure.

The Stanford scientists' findings, reached in collaboration with colleagues at other institutions in the United States, Canada and China, are described in a study to be published Aug. 4 in Neuron. Ivan Soltesz, Ph.D., professor of neurosurgery, shares senior authorship with G. Campbell Teskey, Ph.D., professor of cell biology and anatomy at the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada. The study's lead author is Jordan Farrell, Ph.D., a postdoctoral scholar in Soltesz's group.

The researchers' discoveries could guide the development of drugs that both curb seizures' strength and reduce their aftereffects.

Electrical storm in the brain

About one in every hundred people has epilepsy. Epileptic seizures can be described as an electrical storm in the brain. These storms typically begin at a single spot where nerve cells begin repeatedly firing together in synchrony. The hyperactivity often spreads from that one spot to other areas throughout the brain, causing symptoms such as loss of consciousness and convulsions. It's typical for the person experiencing a seizure to need tens of minutes before becoming clearheaded again.

The majority of epileptic seizures originate in the hippocampus, a brain structure buried in the temporal lobe, said Soltesz, the James R. Doty Professor of Neurosurgery and Neurosciences. The hippocampus plays an outsized role in short-term memory, learning and spatial orientation. Its ability to quickly adopt new neuronal firing patterns renders it especially vulnerable to glitches that initiate seizures. (Most epileptic seizures in adults begin in or near the hippocampus, Soltesz noted.)

In the study, Soltesz and his associates monitored split-second changes in levels of 2-AG in the hippocampus of mice during periods of normal activity, like walking or running, and in experiments in which brief seizures were induced in the hippocampus.

2-AG is an endocannabinoid, a member of a family of short-lived signaling substances that are the brain's internal versions of the psychoactive chemicals in marijuana. 2-AG and these plant-derived psychoactive chemicals share an affinity for a receptor, known as CB1, that's extremely abundant on the surface of neurons throughout the brain.

"There have been lots of studies providing evidence for a connection between seizures and endocannabinoids," Soltesz said. "What sets our study apart is that we could watch endocannabinoid production and action unfold in, basically, real time."

A brake on excitement

Endocannabinoids are understood to play a role in inhibiting excessive excitement in the brain. When excitatory neurons, secreting chemical "go" signals, exceed a threshold, they induce the production and release of endocannabinoids, whose binding to CB1 on an excitatory neuron acts as a brake, ordering that neuron to chill out a little.

While smoking marijuana floods the entire brain with relatively long-lasting THC, endocannabinoids are released in precise spots in the brain under precise circumstances, and their rapid breakdown leaves them in place and active for extremely short periods of time, said Soltesz, who has been studying the connection between endocannabinoids and epilepsy for decades.

But because endocannabinoids are so fragile and break down so quickly, until recently there was no way to measure their fast-changing levels in animals' brains. "Existing biochemical methods were far too slow," he said.

The most recent study had its start when Soltesz learned of a new endocannabinoid-visualization method invented by study co-author Yulong Li, Ph.D., a professor of neuroscience at Peking University in Beijing. The method involves the bioengineering of select neurons in mice so that these neurons express a modified version of CB1 that emits a fluorescent glow whenever a cannabinoid binds to the modified endocannabinoid receptor. The fluorescence can be detected by photosensitive instruments.

Using this new tool, the scientists could monitor and localize sub-second changes in fluorescence that correlate with endocannabinoid levels where that binding was occurring.

Zeroing in on 2-AG

By blocking enzymes critical to the production and breakdown of different endocannabinoids, the researchers proved that 2-AG alone is the endocannabinoid substance whose surges and rapid disappearance track neuronal activity in the mice. Several hundred times as much 2-AG was released when a mouse was having a seizure compared with when it was merely running in place.

The researchers were able to rule out the involvement of an alternative endocannabinoid, anandamide, that many neuroscientists and pharmacologists had assumed was the active substance. Anandamide's name is derived from the Sanskrit word for "bliss."

"This previously undetected activity-dependent surge in levels of 2-AG downregulates excitatory neurons' excessive rhythmic firing during a seizure," Soltesz said.

But 2-AG is almost immediately converted to arachidonic acid, a building block for inflammatory compounds called prostaglandins. The researchers showed that the ensuing increase in arachidonic acid levels resulted in the buildup of a particular variety of prostaglandin that causes constriction of tiny blood vessels in the brain where the seizure has induced that prostaglandin's production, cutting off oxygen supply to those brain areas.

Oxygen deprivation is known to produce the cognitive deficitsdisorientation, memory lossthat occur after a seizure, Soltesz said.

"A drug that blocks 2-AG's conversion to arachidonic acid would kill two birds with one stone," Soltesz said. "It would increase 2-AG's concentration, diminishing seizure severity, and decrease arachidonic acid levels, cutting off the production of blood-vessel-constricting prostaglandins."

Soltesz is a member of Stanford Bio-X, the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute at Stanford, and the Stanford Maternal and Child Health Research Institute.

Another Stanford co-author of the study is postdoctoral scholar Barna Dudok, Ph.D. Other researchers at the University of Calgary, as well as researchers at Vanderbilt University, contributed to the work.
Pixel by pixel analysis of bone marrow DCE-MRI parameters in an example mouse, showing leukemia induced changes to the bone marrow tissue. White rectangles represent the same area in the bone marrow. Credit: The Francis Crick Institute

Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have identified visual changes in the bone marrow caused by acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The imaging technique used is now being tested in hospital to see if it could help predict whether different treatments will be effective in individual patients.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of blood cancer that starts from young white blood cells called granulocytes or monocytes in the bone marrow. It is the most common acute leukemia in adults, with around 3,100 people diagnosed each year in the UK.

In their study, published in Haematologica, the scientists used an imaging technique, Dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI, in mice to see how this cancer affects the bone marrow blood vessels. The technique is particularly useful for measuring blood flow and permeability of different tissues but is not currently routinely used in hospitals to monitor leukemia.

They found that there was decreased blood flow in the bone marrow of mice with AML in comparison to healthy mice.

The team are now working with Barts Health Trust to test whether this imaging method could be a useful tool for doctors. By imaging patients before and after treatment, they hope to identify patterns in the images which could be used to predict if a patient will respond to a particular treatment. For example, those with severely reduced blood flow in the bone marrow, might not respond as well to chemotherapy, as the drugs are less likely to reach their cancer cell targets.

It could also help doctors identify patients at high risk of relapse. This is because reduced blood flow is a sign that the cancer cells have surrounded themselves with a protective microenvironment which helps the cancer cells evade or 'hide' from the treatment.

Dominique Bonnet, author and group leader of the Haematopoietic Stem Cell Laboratory at the Crick, says: "The DCE-MRI imaging technique has existed for over 20 years but is not often used in the clinic due to a lack of image standardization and analysis tools. By developing these tools for AML, we hope to have opened the door for this non-invasive imaging to be used by doctors treating patients with this type of cancer and maybe other conditions too."

The team also used the imaging technique to monitor whether chemotherapy was able to improve blood flow in the bone marrow. They saw that the treatment had different effects in mice which were infected with AML cells from different patients, reflecting the diverse nature of the disease. In some cases, the treatment partially improved blood flow, while in others it made it worse.

Ana Gomes, lead author and senior scientist in the Haematopoietic Stem Cell Laboratory at the Crick, says: "A difficulty in treating AML is that it does not behave the same in everyone. It might affect different parts of the tissue and while some patients may respond well to a given treatment, others do not. Helping doctors to better match patients with the treatment most likely to work for them would be a real benefit for patients and their families."

The work also identified how the bone marrow is affected by aging, with older mice showing a deterioration in vascular permeability. This is the capacity of a blood vessel to allow for molecules to flow in and out of it.

Ana adds: "We think this might be the first time that this aging effect has been captured through non-invasive imaging. This is exciting, as further studies using this method could help us better understand how aging affects the bone marrow and the wider consequences for the way our bodies produce blood cells."

Explore further Chemo-boosting drug discovered for leukemia

More information: Ana L. Gomes et al, DCE-MRI quantification of leukemia-induced changes in bone marrow vascular function, Haematologica (2021). Ana L. Gomes et al, DCE-MRI quantification of leukemia-induced changes in bone marrow vascular function,(2021). DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2020.277269
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

A new Edith Cowan University (ECU) study has found that more than 40 per cent of older Australians living with chronic disease would be unlikely to seek help for mental health conditions even if they needed it.

Ph.D. candidate Claire Adams investigated help-seeking intentions for mental health services by older Western Australians' living with chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease including asthma, and type 2 diabetes.

The study involved 108 people aged 65 years and older living with chronic disease. Participants were asked about their attitudes and beliefs towards seeking help for mental health concerns, and information on their past engagement with mental health services, quality of life, physical and mental health.

Ms Adams found that 41 per cent of older adults with chronic disease did not intend to seek help for their mental health, even if they needed to.

"One in seven Australians is aged over 65. But while we're living longer, we're not necessarily living better or happier," Ms Adams said.

"While it's encouraging that most participants (59 per cent) did say they would seek help if they needed it, a high proportion did not, which is concerning given our aging population."

Internal beliefs are key

Ms Adams said the strongest predictor of whether people would access mental health support was their own beliefs about whether speaking with their doctor was likely to be personally beneficial.

"If people believed that speaking to their doctor would be useful, they were more likely to be willing to seek help, whereas people who were sceptical about the benefits were less likely to seek help," Ms Adams said.

Society's influence and physical capability also factors

Participants were also asked about how they thought society would view them seeking help for mental health, and whether that would influence their decision.

"If they believed that family and friends would not support them it was likely to prevent them from wanting to speak out about their mental health," Ms Adams said.

"Another barrier was whether they believed they were physically incapable of accessing services."

Ms Adams said mental health challenges were becoming increasingly prevalent in Australia, and around the world.

"We know that older people with chronic disease are at risk of mental health decline, so it's important that they engage with support services early to reduce severe mental health problems and improve their quality of life," she said.

"This study demonstrates that attitudinal change is required to increase help-seeking in older people with chronic disease."

To address this issue Ms Adams has developed an intervention to promote help-seeking for mental health problems among older adults with chronic disease. It is currently being tested across Australia.

The paper 'Help-seeking for mental health problems among older adults with chronic disease: an application of theory of planned behaviour' is published in the Australian Journal of Psychology.

Explore further Older people reluctant to ask for mental health support

More information: Claire Adams et al, Help-seeking for mental health problems among older adults with chronic disease: an application of the theory of planned behaviour, Australian Journal of Psychology (2021). Claire Adams et al, Help-seeking for mental health problems among older adults with chronic disease: an application of the theory of planned behaviour,(2021). DOI: 10.1080/00049530.2021.1952850
Credit: Zivica Kerkez/Shutterstock

The coronavirus pandemic changed the way people all over the world accessed abortions. As lockdowns and other restrictions made it difficult to seek in-person terminations of unwanted pregnancies, some countries made at-home abortions more accessible.

In France, the government temporarily changed the law in April 2020 to allow at-home abortion until seven weeks of pregnancy (or nine weeks since the last period). Teleconsultation abortionswhere abortion medication is taken at home in consultation with a medical professional by phone or video callare currently allowed until September 2021.

Similar policies were adopted in England, Scotland Wales and Ireland, as well as some US states.

In a recent study, my colleagues and I investigated the increased demand for telemedicine abortion in France during lockdowns. Our findings show that people sought out this form of abortion for reasons that go beyond the conditions created by the pandemic.

Secrecy, privacy and comfort

Within the scope of our study, we examined online consultations received from France by Women on Web, a Canadian telemedicine abortion NGO that operates worldwide. The online consultation is a survey of 25 questions on individual's demographic and medical background, and also includes research questions on perceived barriers of access to local safe abortion care and motivations for choosing telemedicine for abortion.

At-home abortion was also made available in France via the health system, but national cohort data was not available for our study. Within the framework of this research, we worked on deidentified data obtained from Women on Webin 2020.

Analyzing a total number of 809 Women on Web consultations, we found that the most common reasons people in France sought abortions via telemedecine were secrecy (46%), privacy (38%) and comfort (35%), followed by the coronavirus pandemic (31%). Individuals reported not being able to access local abortion services during the pandemic, because of travel restrictions and lockdowns, lack of availability and delays at health care institutions, and fear of virus contamination.

Only 31% of survey respondents indicated that their motivations for seeking telemedicine abortion were related to the pandemic. When we compared these consultations to those not related to coronavirus, we found similar motivations: privacy, secrecy and comfort were the key drivers of telemedicine abortion both for those who mentioned coronavirus among their reasons for seeking telemedicine for abortion, and who did not.

We also found that, compared to women over 36, women aged 1825 years are twice as likely to find at-home abortion via telemedicine empowering and three times more likely to prefer having someone with them during the procedure. This age groups was also twice as likely to feel stigma about getting an abortion and encounter financial difficulties while accessing abortion care in France.

We found that women continue to encounter macro-level, individual-level and provider-level constraints while trying to access abortion in France. Macro-level constraints include sociopolitical conditions, legal restrictions and term limits, individual-level constraints are personal circumstances and preferences and, provider-level constraints are issues raised around service provision and access to available care.

In this context, women reported financial struggles, an abusive or controlling partner or family, past traumatic experiences, scheduling delays, judgemental service providers, and lack of available medical care as reasons for seeking out abortion online.

The need for self-managed abortions

While telemedicine abortion has been discussed most frequently in the context of the pandemic, it is not a new phenomenon. And there is a large amount of available evidence attesting to its safety, effectiveness and acceptability.

The World Health Organization suggests that individuals can self-manage their abortions, without the direct supervision of a medical practitioner, up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. The organization also states that self-managed abortions can be appealing for several practical reasons, including comfort of home, ease of scheduling, reduced transport needs, and providing people ability to manage stigma.

In the UK, it has been argued that telemedicine can help extend abortion access in rural areas and is likely to benefit those who are most vulnerable, living in poverty and dealing with higher rates of stigma and judgment.

Despite the recommendations of the WHO and an increasing scientific evidence base, countries have been reluctant to allow at-home use of abortion pills until the pandemic. In fact, prior to the coronavirus outbreak, abortion pills were highly regulated, or as some would claim overregulated.

In France, for example, before the pandemic, abortion pills were not available in pharmacies and women were required to go a health facility to take abortion medication in the presence of a medical doctor or a midwife. Medical abortions were only allowed until five weeks of pregnancy and telemedicine was not authorized.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration long required that the abortion medication Mifepristone be dispensed in persona requirement which was only lifted temporarily during the pandemic.

A recent study from the UK has shown that telemedicine abortions during the pandemic led to reduced waiting times and allowed terminations at an earlier gestational age. Another study examining at-home abortion in Scotland has concluded that telemedicine has high efficacy and high acceptability among women.

Building on this literature within the French context, our study suggests there is a case for extending telemedicine abortion care beyond the pandemic. Embracing a hybrid model that offers both in-clinic and remote abortion methods can help meet women's needs, expand access and improve the quality of care.

Explore further COVID-19 impacted access to abortion care all over Europe

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Fiji now heads the grim list of Pacific nations counting their dead from coronavirus, having just passed Papua New Guinea's toll. So far, 254 Fijians have died from the disease, and the nation is recording 1,000 new cases every day.

But numbers are an inadequate and inaccurate way to calculate the cost of the pandemic in the Pacific. Even in the Pacific's COVID-free countries, the pandemic casts an ominous shadow.

The Delta variant has drastically altered the situation for the Pacific. It was first detected in Fiji in April and spread quickly. This is despite Fiji being the first Pacific nation to receive AstraZeneca vaccines through the COVAX program in March.

The Bainimarama government is being blamed for not executing a rapid mass vaccination campaign and not sufficiently locking down the nation. The other contagion accompanying coronavirus around the globemisinformationhas also been blamed for widespread Fijian vaccine reluctance.

Now Fiji's government is desperately fighting to contain the outbreak. Fears are circulating that it is facing a repeat of the 1875 measles epidemic that killed about 40,000 people.

A mandatory vaccination order was issued on July 8 to all government workers. Non-compliance will be punished by job loss. Currently, 25% of Fijians are fully vaccinated. The government has also expanded curfews for the main island and the outbreak epicenter, Viti Levu.

Beyond the urgency of saving lives and halting the disease's spread, Fiji is also economically devastated by the pandemic. Most Pacific borders were closed by March 2020, instantly cutting the economic lifeblood of tourism.

Being a Pacific hub, Fiji is a dangerous launching point for the Delta strain to other nations. In early July, for example, nine travelers from Fiji arrived in New Zealand infected with COVID-19.

The Solomons and Vanuatu

Repatriating students and their families from Fiji remains a serious concern for both the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. The Solomons has decided to repatriate some, but most will remain in Fiji until more vaccines have been administered at home (currently under 3% are fully vaccinated).

Vanuatu's low vaccination rate of under 8% also makes the return of students a perilous decision for lawmakers. Like Fiji, it is now considering a "no jab, no job" policy.

In addition to the risks posed by Fiji, both nations have had numerous scares from infected shipping crews. All Pacific nations must contend with this border vulnerability.

Papua New Guinea

The havoc unfolding in Fiji is bad news for Papua New Guinea. Though PNG recorded its first COVID-19 case in March 2020, it was not until one year later that a health crisis erupted.

PNG's official toll is almost certainly the tip of the iceberg, as COVID testing was scaled back once vaccinations became the main focus for health authorities. And this was before PNG's first confirmed case of the Delta variant was announced on July 16.

Again, mass vaccinations are PNG's only defense. Vaccine donations have arrived from various sources, but only about 1% of the population is fully vaccinated according to available government reporting.

Australia has already donated thousands of doses to PNG and other Pacific nations, but with a reported stockpile of 3 million unused doses of AstraZeneca, the Pacific nations would be obvious places to send these.

Papua and West Papua

Over PNG's border with Indonesia, COVID-19's spread is clashing with another surge in political unrest. Tensions had been building again following the rebel killing of an Indonesian general in April. Then Indonesian legislators voted on July 17 to again controversially reshape Papua.

Protests occurred at the same time the Delta variant entered the community. Police controls limiting movements into rebel areas, ostensibly to curb COVID, have increased.

Papuan activists are concerned vaccine distribution will be withheld from rebel populations as an Indonesian tactic to further weaken them. West Papua leader Benny Wenda has called on the West to vaccinate Indigenous Papuans because COVID is an additional existential threat to his people. Wenda's fears may have foundation. The Papua province has the lowest vaccination rates in Indonesia, at about 6%.

Elsewhere in the Pacific

The news is better in other parts of the Pacific. Numerous Pacific nations, including Tonga, Palau, Federated States of Micronesia and American Samoa, have not recorded any confirmed COVID cases. Kiribati recently reported its first case, matching Samoa's record to date.

The natural isolation of many Pacific populations will protect them for only so long. Analysis of the 1918 influenza epidemic shows outbreaks persisted in the Pacific through to 1921. When it reached the phosphate-mining island of Nauru in 1920, it killed 18% of the local populace.

A century later, Nauru has vaccinated all its adults against COVID and claims this as a "world record".

Niue has also achieved herd immunity thanks to New Zealand's swift donation of Pfizer vaccines, a process now being repeated in Tokelau. The Cook Islands, with its more complex geography, nonetheless has a high vaccination rate (55%) sustaining the travel bubble with New Zealand that opened in May 2021.

In the US territory of Guam, where the first COVID death in the Pacific was recorded in March 2020, tourism and vaccinations have merged in a different way. Travelers from Taiwan began taking "vacation and vaccination" trips from early July. While Guam recently reached 80% vaccinated, it also recorded its 142nd death attributed to the pandemic.

Like Guam, Palau got fast and adequate supplies of vaccines because of its freely associated relationship with the US. This has shielded them from the pandemic with near herd immunity.

Yet Hawaii is seeing the same recent surge as is afflicting mainland US. The Delta variant and July 4 parties have combined to unleash what President Joe Biden called a "pandemic of the unvaccinated".

This latest surge, like earlier ones, disproportionately impacts Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander communities living in the US by a substantial degree.

COVID has devastated the US-based Marshall Islands community, especially in Arkansas, so alarming health officials they investigated it in 2020.

French Polynesia has grappled with the costs of an operating tourist industry since early 2020. Twice, borders have been closed when cases numbers and deaths rose, and then reopened. Now President Edouard Fritch is calling for compulsory vaccinations.

In New Caledonia, COVID has complicated a fractious political situation as it heads towards its final referendum on independence from France in December. In February 2021, a budget crisis exacerbated by COVID's economic impact led to the collapse of the government. In July, the territory elected its first Kanak pro-independence leader in 40 years, increasing the likelihood of a vote to break with France.

COVID has also added complications to the protracted political crisis in Samoa that ended on July 26. Closed borders prevented non-resident voters returning to cast ballots in the April 9 election that saw Fiame Naomi Mata'afa become prime minister.

Samoa has seen the same economic and social stresses due to COVID as elsewhere in the region. Many saw the introduction and extension of emergency powers by the now-defeated government (despite having only one case and no deaths) as another move towards autocracy. The political crisis has been a drag on all Samoan government functions, not least a sluggish vaccine rollout.

In another disaster, COVID pushes climate change to the backburner

Every Pacific nation faces its own challenges due to COVID. The region also has shared ones. The Pacific Islands Forum lost one-third of its members in February 2021 in part because meetings were held virtually. The fracturing of this regional body comes at a bad moment, not least in the fight against climate change.

Until COVID, this was the immediate existential crisis facing the region. Now activist worry climate change initiatives have stalled at the long-term peril of the region. As the Federated States of Micronesia president has argued, "economies can die and be revived but human beings cannot". Whether this also applies to the planet remains to be seen.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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The opioid epidemic remains a U.S. public health crisis and has only worsened since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, with opioid deaths accounting for 69,000 of 93,000 overdose-related deaths in 2020, according to provisional drug overdose data released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in July 2021. Opioid use disorder (OUD) contributes to an overall decrease in mean life expectancy in the U.S. and has an economic cost of more than $786 billion annually. A systematic review and meta-analysis found that using contingency management (CM) at end-of-treatment improved outcomes on six common clinical problems during medication for OUD (MOUD): psychomotor stimulant use, polysubstance use, illicit-opioid use, cigarette smoking, therapy attendance, and medication adherence.

The study and an accompanying podcast appear today in JAMA Psychiatry.

OUD is often accompanied by other substance use and barriers to treatment adherence. Medication for OUD (MOUD) has been transformative in mitigating many of the terrible impacts of the U.S. opioid crisis. However, MOUD is ineffective at reducing the growing epidemic of psychomotor stimulant use (cocaine, methamphetamine). Use of psychomotor stimulants is a major driver behind the dramatically increasing U.S. overdose rates, often related to the drugs being cut with black market synthetic opioids (fentanyl). Importantly, psychostimulant use destabilizes the therapeutic gains from MOUD by promoting a return to illicit-opioid use and disrupting clinic attendance and adherence with prescribed medication regimens.

Led by the Vermont Center on Behavior and Health (VCBH) at the University of Vermont's Larner College of Medicine, the JAMA Psychiatry podcast features senior author and VCBH Director Stephen Higgins, Ph.D., who discusses the findings and the utility of behavioral intervention CM for addressing key clinical problems common among patients enrolled in MOUD. The study's first author is Hypatia Bolivar, Ph.D., additional VCBH collaborators include Elias Klemperer, Ph.D., Sulamunn Coleman, Ph.D., Michael DeSarno, M.S., and Joan Skelly, M.S.

These investigators searched the scientific literature for prospective experimental studies of monetary-based CM among participants enrolled in MOUD. The search identified 1,443 studies, of which 74 studies involving 10,444 adult participants met inclusion criteria. The primary outcome in this review was the effect of CM at end-of-treatment on six common clinical problems during MOUD: psychomotor stimulant use, polysubstance use, illicit-opioid use, cigarette smoking, therapy attendance, and medication adherence. Statical models were used to compute average treatment effect sizes of CM for each clinical problem and collapsing across problem categories to assess efficacy for increasing abstinence from illicit drug use and improving treatment adherence.

CM was efficacious across all six problems examined separately, with mean effect sizes for four of six in the medium-large range (stimulant use, d = 0.70 [95% CI: 0.49-0.92]; cigarette use, d = 0.78 [95% CI: 0.43-1.14]; illicit-opioid use, d = 0.58 [95% CI: 0.30-0.86]; medication adherence, d = 0.75 [95% CI: 0.30-1.21]), and two in the small-medium range (polysubstance use, d = 0.46 [95% CI: 0.30-0.62]; therapy attendance, d = 0.43 [95% CI: 0.22-0.65]). Collapsing across abstinence and adherence categories, CM produced medium effect sizes for abstinence (Cohen's d = 0.58; 95% CI: 0.47-0.69) and treatment adherence (Cohen's d = 0.62; 95% CI: 0.400.84) relative to controls.

"It is Important to underscore that CM is the only intervention shown in randomized clinical trials to be efficacious for treatment of psychomotor stimulant use disorder in more than 30 years of research," said Higgins.

These results provide compelling evidence supporting the efficacy of CM in addressing key clinical problems among patients receiving MOUD, including the ongoing epidemic of psychomotor stimulant use and addiction. Policies facilitating a prompt integration of CM into community MOUD services are sorely needed. Indeed, doing so is a one of seven priorities underscored in the Biden-Harris Administration's Statement of Drug Policy Priorities For Year One released by the Office of National Drug Control Policy earlier this year.

Explore further Pilot program increases access to Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) in Colorado

More information: Hypatia A. Bolivar et al, Contingency Management for Patients Receiving Medication for Opioid Use Disorder, JAMA Psychiatry (2021). Journal information: JAMA Psychiatry Hypatia A. Bolivar et al, Contingency Management for Patients Receiving Medication for Opioid Use Disorder,(2021). DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2021.1969
The makers of the Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V on Wednesday promised to resolve delivery delays this month after several South American countries complained to Moscow.

The delays occurred due to a "production scale up" and will be "fully resolved" in August, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) that financially backs Sputnik V said in a statement.

Sputnik V will "double" its capacity in September thanks to a partnership with the world's largest vaccine producer, the Serum Institute of India, the statement said.

It added that Sputnik V has "built production partnerships with producers in 14 countries."

Several Latin American countries that have relied on the Russian vaccine to protect their populations have in recent weeks complained to Moscow about delivery delays.

Inoculation with Sputnik V requires two doses that differ from one another and cannot be swapped or mixed with other vaccines.

Guatemala last week said it cancelled its order of a second batch of eight million Sputnik vaccines due to a delivery delay of a previous order.

But in a statement to AFP, the RDIF said its contract with Guatemala has been "simply adjusted to a new delivery schedule".

"Deliveries of the vaccines to Guatemala are continuing," it said, adding that half of the vaccines will be the one-dose Sputnik Light jabs.

According to the RDIF, the overall number of doses to the Latin American country will be "less than originally" planned but "the number of people in Guatemala who will be vaccinated with Russian vaccines will stay the same."

Argentinathe first Latin American country to approve the Sputnik vaccinealso complained to Moscow about the delivery delays.

Russia registered Sputnik V last August ahead of large-scale clinical trials, prompting concern among experts over the fast-tracked process.

It has since been declared safe and over 90 percent effective in a report published by leading medical journal The Lancet, restoring confidence in Russia's jab.

The RDIF says its two-dose vaccine has been approved in 68 countries and that it has applied for registration in the European Union.

Explore further Argentina complains to Russia over vaccine delivery

 2021 AFP
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa greets patients as he visits a COVID-19 vaccination centre in Tembisa, Thursday, July 29, 2021. Hitting its stride after a faltering start, South Africa's mass vaccination campaign gave jabs to 220,000 people a day last week and is accelerating toward the goal of 300,000 per day. With large deliveries of doses arriving and some vaccines being assembled here, South Africa appears on track to inoculate about 35 million of its 60 million people by the end of the year. Credit: AP Photo

The cars lined up by the strikingly modern mosque and were guided to parking bays where the drivers soon got jabs.

The brisk pace at the Houghton mosque COVID-19 vaccination center is seeing 700 people per day getting shots and is expected to soon reach 1,000 a day.

"This is exciting! We're vaccinating more people than we expected," said Yaseen Theba, chairman of the Muslim Association of South Africa a day after the vaccination center opened last week. "We created this drive-thru site to accommodate as many people as possible, in a situation where they are comfortable. And it's working! We'll keep it going as long a people need to get vaccinated."

Hitting its stride after a faltering start, South Africa's mass vaccination drive gave jabs to 220,000 people a day last week and is accelerating toward the goal of 300,000 per day. With large deliveries of doses arriving and some vaccines being assembled here, South Africa appears on track to inoculate about 35 million of its 60 million people by the end of the year and 40 million by February.

More than 7.7 million South Africans have received at least one dose, with more than 100,000 fully vaccinated, representing 1.6% of the population, according to official figures. Across Africa, less than 1.5% of the continent's 1.3 billion people have been fully vaccinated, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A minibus vehicle arrives at the Houghton Mosque, which is being used as a drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination centre in Johannesburg, Wednesday, July 28, 2021. Hitting its stride after a faltering start, South Africa's mass vaccination campaign gave jabs to 220,000 people a day last week and is accelerating toward the goal of 300,000 per day. With large deliveries of doses arriving and some vaccines being assembled here, South Africa appears on track to inoculate about 35 million of its 60 million people by the end of the year. Credit: AP Photo/Denis Farrell

After starting with just a dozen vaccination sites, South Africa now has more than 3,000 including government and private hospitals, pharmacies, mines, factories, churches and mosques.

South Africa now appears to have an adequate supply of doses. More than 5.7 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine have arrived this week from the U.S., part of President Joe Biden's distribution of more than 110 million surplus doses to more than 60 countries. South Africa has also purchased more than 40 million Pfizer/BioNTech doses, which are being delivered in regular shipments, and 30 million Johnson & Johnson doses.

Another encouraging factor is the enthusiasm for the vaccines. More than 70% of South Africans say they are eager to get vaccines while just 10% say they are opposed, according to surveys.

People outside the Vaccination Centre of Hope at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in Cape Town, South Africa, Tuesday July 27, 2021. Hitting its stride after a faltering start, South Africa's mass vaccination campaign gave jabs to 220,000 people a day last week and is accelerating toward the goal of 300,000 per day. With large deliveries of doses arriving and some vaccines being assembled here, South Africa appears on track to inoculate about 35 million of its 60 million people by the end of the year. Credit: AP Photo/Nardus Engelbrecht

South Africa has shouldered by far the largest burden of COVID-19 in Africa, with more than 35% of the cases reported by all of the continent's 54 countries, although its population is just 4.6% of the continent's total. More than 72,000 South Africans have died of COVID-19 according to official records, but statistics indicate it's likely that nearly three times that number have actually died.

South Africa is currently the only country in Africa to be able to manufacture COVID-19 vaccines. Its dependence on imported vaccines is set to decline.

A local firm, Aspen Pharmacare, is assembling the J&J vaccines from large batches of the ingredients and putting them into vials, a process called fill and finish. The factory in Gqeberha can produce more than 200 million J&J doses which will be distributed across the continent.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa wears a face mask on a visit to a COVID-19 vaccination centre in Tembisa, South Africa, Thursday, July 29, 2021. Hitting its stride after a faltering start, South Africa's mass vaccination campaign gave jabs to 220,000 people a day last week and is accelerating toward the goal of 300,000 per day. With large deliveries of doses arriving and some vaccines being assembled here, South Africa appears on track to inoculate about 35 million of its 60 million people by the end of the year. Credit: AP Photo

Pfizer has announced that the Biovac Institute in Cape Town will assemble its COVID-19 vaccines in the same fill and finish procedure. Both Pfizer and J&J have agreed that eventually the South African production facilities will be able to manufacture the vaccines from scratch.

The most recent surge of infections, driven by the delta variant, brought President Cyril Ramaphosa to tighten restrictions, including limiting the sales of liquor to Monday through Thursday, to reduce the number of people going to hospital emergency rooms after alcohol-related incidents. Ramaphosa recently visited vaccination sites in the capital, Pretoria, to encourage people to get jabbed.

"South Africa is slowly but steadily coming out of the third wave with a curve that is on a downward trajectory. The peak of the third wave was higher than the previous two peaks and a slightly more severe situation in terms of caseload," said Mosa Moshabela, professor of public health at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

People sit in a minibus vehicle prior to be vaccinated, at the Houghton Mosque, which is being used as a drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination centre in Johannesburg Wednesday, July 28, 2021. Hitting its stride after a faltering start, South Africa's mass vaccination campaign gave jabs to 220,000 people a day last week and is accelerating toward the goal of 300,000 per day. With large deliveries of doses arriving and some vaccines being assembled here, South Africa appears on track to inoculate about 35 million of its 60 million people by the end of the year. Credit: AP Photo/Denis Farrell

A man receives a COVID-19 vaccination at the Houghton Mosque which is being used as a drive-thru vaccination centre in Johannesburg, Wednesday, July 28, 2021. Hitting its stride after a faltering start, South Africa's mass vaccination campaign gave jabs to 220,000 people a day last week and is accelerating toward the goal of 300,000 per day. With large deliveries of doses arriving and some vaccines being assembled here, South Africa appears on track to inoculate about 35 million of its 60 million people by the end of the year. Credit: AP Photo/Denis Farrell

"Our vaccination drive is a source of pride in the current climate. It is building momentum," said Moshabela. "We are beginning to see a lot of creative approaches to reach more people using workplace approaches, trying to get people in hard-to-reach areas."

At the Johannesburg mosque's drive-thru vaccine center, Tumi Sedumedi pulled into the waiting area after getting her J&J jab and bowed her head for a quiet moment of prayer.

"I wanted to give thanks that I received the vaccination," said Sedumedi. "I'm so relieved that I got it, so I wanted to pray about it and just be grateful. To pray for these people that are offering the service. And to hope that all can get vaccinated and we can bring this pandemic under control."

Explore further South African firm to make Pfizer vaccine, first in Africa

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Credit: Source: The COVID States Project. Visualization: Eunice Esomonu/Northeastern University

Public enthusiasm for mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations has steadily grown since the spring, with more people supporting mandatory shots to get on a plane or go back to school. Yet deep pockets of vaccine resistance held firm across the country, even as the highly contagious Delta variant has some areas reinstituting mask mandates, according to a new U.S. survey.

Overall approval for government-ordered vaccinations ticked up two percentage points to 64 percent in the early summer, according to the study by researchers from Northeastern, Harvard, Northwestern, and Rutgers. For activities such as air travel, support was even higher (70 percent in favor) compared to the last survey taken between April and May (67 percent).

While there was broad-based support across the United States for requiring vaccinations, a core group of nearly 15 percent of respondents remained either firmly opposed or highly circumspect about getting vaccinated themselves.

The stiffest opposition to mandatory inoculations came from rural residents, individuals earning less than $25,000 a year, and white people. Those most in favor lived near cities, made at least $100,000 a year, and were Asian American, according to the study.

An increase in calls for requiring vaccinations suggests that there is mounting public frustration with the unvaccinated population.

"They're certainly connected," says David Lazer, university distinguished professor of political science and computer sciences at Northeastern, and one of the researchers who conducted the study. "Mandates don't directly affect the vaccinated because they're vaccinated, but what they are doing is putting an imposition on the unvaccinated, many of whom are choosing not to be vaccinated at this point."

Survey results could also be tied to the belief that public health campaigns have run their course, Lazer adds. After a late April surge in vaccinations by those most enthusiastic about them, "it was inevitable that the curve was going to start leveling off," he says.

The latest poll of more than 20,000 U.S. residents was conducted nationally from early June to early July, weeks before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended on July 27 that vaccinated people resume wearing masks indoors in certain parts of the country, a reversal from earlier guidance.

The change came after new data showed that vaccinated people infected with the Delta variant could spread the virus. The CDC findings likely would not have impacted the Northeastern survey, Lazer says.

"Public opinion generally doesn't move dramatically," he says. Lazer predicts a wave of Delta variant cases in early September is going to "stress a lot of people out" and likely result in moving some people to get vaccinated and others to be more supportive of vaccine mandates.

President Biden has been leading federal efforts to coax the unwilling to get vaccinated, but the federal government will not mandate them, according to CDC Director Rochelle Walensky. "There will be no nationwide mandate," she tweeted on July 30.

The nation's nearly 2 million federal employees, however, will be asked to attest to their vaccination status. Those who do not attest or are not vaccinated will be required to wear a mask at work and get tested for SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

Some states and cities have taken similar steps. California will require state employees and some health care workers to show proof of vaccination or else face mandatory weekly testing.

Other political leaders have balked at vaccine requirements.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has banned vaccine and mask mandates, according to an executive order. It blocks state government agencies from requiring masks or vaccine documentation for employees and also prevents private businesses from requiring masks or vaccine passports for customers.

The Northeastern survey found the highest support for vaccine mandates among residents of Massachusetts and the District of Columbia, at 81 percent each. At least 70 percent of the public in another ten statesall Democratic-leaningapprove of a universal government vaccine mandate. Support was lowest in three Republican-leaning statesNorth Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.

The overall gap between Democrats and Republicans was the widest of any group in the survey. The chasm between the two parties did not budge between spring and summer, remaining firmly locked at a 39-percentage-point difference. Democrats overwhelmingly backed requiring vaccines while Republicans were narrowly opposed.

"It won't surprise me if, come September, we see majorities of Republicans supporting mandates depending on how the Delta variant goes," says Lazer.

Democrats and Republicans also differ on mandating vaccines for a return to the classroom in the fall.

Majorities in 45 states and D.C. support making vaccines mandatory for children to be allowed in school. In five Republican-leaning statesArkansas, Wyoming, Idaho, North Dakota, and South Dakotafewer than 50 percent of respondents were in favor, the study found.

But in Democratic-leaning areas such as Massachusetts and D.C.,over three out of four respondents supported the mandate, while two out of three respondents in mostly Northeastern states such as New York, Connecticut, and Maryland, were supportive.

The Northeastern study found high support (66 percent) among respondents for colleges and universities to require vaccinations, unchanged since April. Majorities of every demographic group surveyed except Republicans support vaccines for students as a condition of attending university in the fall.

More than 600 campuses nationally require students and employees to get vaccinated, according to a list compiled by the Chronicle of Higher Education. Northeastern was among the first to require inoculations for students, and recently announced that it would be required for faculty and staff.

Explore further What do vaccine passports mean to you?
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A new report released by the International Longevity Centre UK (ILC) argues that anti-smoking measures could save billions across the UK economy.

Released following World Lung Cancer Day, ILC's report "Up in smoke" highlights the costs of smoking not just to individuals' health, but to the sustainability of the broader healthcare system and to the public purse as the Government aims to "build back better" from the pandemic.

Smoking is responsible for 77,600 deaths a year in England alone. While tobacco use has been declining in the UK for decades, 14.1 percent of UK adults still smoke and many former smokers are living with the long-term effects of smoking, such as cardiovascular conditions and cancer.

"Up in smoke" by ILC, the UK's specialist think tank on the impact of longevity on society, finds that:

A typical life-long smoker aged 30 can expect to lose about 10 years of life expectancy compared to someone who has never smoked.

Men who have never smoked enjoy five extra years of life free from disability than current or ex-smokers, and this rises to 5.8 years for women.

The health impacts of smoking limit many people's ability to workif current or ex-smokers had never smoked, overall earnings could be 1.9 percent higher, boosting the UK economy by 19.1 billion every year.

In July 2019, the Government stated its ambition of going "smoke-free" in England by 2030. However, at the same time, funding for national behavior change communications campaigns and smoking cessation services has dropped significantly since austerity measures were put in place in 2009.

ILC argue that to follow through with its pledge to go "smoke-free," the Government needs to:

Raise the legal age for purchasing tobacco to 21 (and gradually introduce further raises in the future).

Reduce tobacco affordability by increasing UK tobacco tax each year in stages from the current level of RPI +2 percent to RPI +5 percent.

Reduce the size of the illicit market by introducing a tobacco licensing system for retailers and wholesalers.

Support smoking cessation programs and behavior change campaigns at the local level.

Professor Les Mayhew, Head of Global Research at ILC and Professor of Statistics at The Business School (formerly Cass), argued:

"It's no secret that smoking is bad for our health, but what is lesser known is that it's also bad for our economy. We need people to stay healthy for longer and despite a decline in smoking we are not out of the woods yet."

"The pandemic has shown that smokers and ex-smokers are more likely to end up in hospital if they have COVID. Over the life course they work fewer years, are less productive and quit work sooner. Their later years are more likely to be marred by ill health which means less time for consumption, volunteering and community work."

Explore further Government has failed to deliver on smoke free pledge for England
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The World Health Organization on Wednesday urged COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers to keep their prices low and affordable, after reports that two producers will raise the cost they are charging the EU.

Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna are upping the prices for their messenger RNA vaccines because they have adapted them to the new virus variants, according to reports.

The Pfizer vaccine will jump from 15.5 euros to 19.5 euros ($18.35 to $23) and Moderna from 19 euros to 21.5 euros ($22.5 to $25.45), British newspaper the Financial Times revealed Sunday, citing the contract concluded with the European Union.

Mariangela Simao, the WHO assistant director general for access to medicines, vaccines and pharmaceuticals, told a press conference on Wednesday: "It's very important that we have companies state policies of affordable prices."

She said both Pfizer and Moderna had increased their manufacturing capacities, diversified their plants and increased production line efficiency.

"In a normal market situation, this would lead to a decreased price, not an increasing price.

"We have a market where the demand is very high in comparison with production.

"WHO urges companies to keep prices down and affordable prices."

Half of the EU population has now been fully vaccinated, according to an AFP tally from official sources.

Explore further Pfizer defends high cost of COVID vaccine

 2021 AFP
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Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed what Harvard-affiliated physicians had reported from anecdotal and laboratory evidence: the Delta variant of COVID-19 not only spreads more rapidly than other versions of the virus, it can sicken vaccinated individuals who can then spread the virus to others.

In its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the CDC on Friday revealed that 75 percent of patients in a cluster of 469 cases in Provincetown, Massachusetts, were vaccinated, a sobering statistic for Americans who only weeks ago were optimistic that the pandemic's end was in sight.

"New scientific data shows that Delta behaves differently than other variants," CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said in a briefing last Wednesday. "On rare occasions, some vaccinated people may be contagious and spread the virus to others."

Mark Poznansky, director of Massachusetts General Hospital's Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center and an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, has seen up-close the situation Walensky discussed, including "breakthrough" cases of COVID-19 in vaccinated individuals.

Many of these patients shrug off initial symptoms, Poznansky said, attributing them to a cold or some other mild ailment. When the condition worsens, they get tested and ask for treatment advice, but the delay means that they might have been spreading the virus as they went about their lives. Poznansky, whose clinical practice at MGH is focused on immune-compromised patients who are potentially vulnerable even when vaccinated, said it's important that vaccinated individuals get tested right away if they feel sick with COVID symptoms.

For vaccinated people who develop symptoms, "The stress should be on testing along with mask-wearing in public spaces and self-isolating where possible," he said.

The Delta variant has spread rapidly across the country, with the CDC reporting last week that it has been detected in eight in 10 samples nationally. In Massachusetts, the recent increase in casesstill at a far lower level than in U.S. hotspotshas been virtually all Delta, according to Jacob Lemieux, an instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School and an infectious disease expert at Mass General.

"We are sequencing all the cases from MGH and from the Brigham  and they're all Delta," said Lemieux, whose lab is conducting genetic testing on samples from COVID-19 cases. "It's been present in the region for a couple of months, but really just over the last few weeks, just taken over."

Paul Sax, an infectious disease expert at Brigham and Women's Hospital, said evidence of Delta's surge is apparent not just in lab data. The number of calls from primary care doctors seeking infectious-disease guidance has also signaled a rise in cases.

"I'd say the last three weeks or so it's been quite noticeable, after not really seeing many cases at all," said Sax, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. "As far as hospitalizations go, our numbers are still relatively low and we're hoping it stays that way."

The current level of U.S. infection has already outstripped the pandemic's initial April 2020 surge. By late last week, the seven-day average of new U.S. cases had increased nearly sevenfold from June, reaching 66,000 on July 28. Evidence from earlier in the pandemic indicates that cases are followed within a few weeks by an increase in deaths, which have risen in the seven-day average from 100 to 200 in early July to nearly 400 late in the month.

Delta exploded in India over the winter, infecting millions. In a matter of weeks, cases and deaths soared, followed by a rise in cases around the world as the new variant, believed to be roughly twice as infectious as the original, spread. Delta's rise reinforced warnings by global experts that, in a connected world, leaving millions unvaccinated raises the likelihood that more transmissibleand even more lethalvariants will spread even to vaccinated nations.

In fact, variants have continued to develop and spread since the emergence of Delta. The World Health Organization has designated variants Eta, Iota, Kappa, and Lamba "variants of interest" and is tracking 13 additional variants that originated in the U.S., Brazil, the Philippines, Indonesia, Colombia, and other nations.

Worries about Delta's ability to infect the vaccinated prompted the CDC last week to recommend that schoolchildren wear masks. (Only 30 percent of U.S. youth 12 to 17 are vaccinated.) The agency also recommended masks for vaccinated individuals living in areas of high transmission. The guidelines came after new data demonstrated that levels of virus in breakthrough infections are similar to levels in the unvaccinated. Levels of virus present in the nose and throat are important factors in COVID transmission.

Despite the threat posed by breakthrough infections, Walensky and Harvard infectious disease experts were unanimous that transmission still primarily occurs among the unvaccinated and that vaccination is the No. 1 way to fight the pandemic. In addition, though the Delta variant has darkened the pandemic landscape, a bright spot is that the vaccines appear to retain their ability to protect against serious illness and death. That protection, physicians said, appears to be true even for the elderly.

What that means, physicians said, is that many of the patients who come to the hospital are younger and healthier, though unvaccinated. Patients with breakthrough infections tend to experience less severe symptoms.

"We're seeing mostly younger people who tend to not be as ill, though we're seeing some cases where people are quite sick," said Robert Colgrove, interim chief of infectious diseases at Mount Auburn Hospital and an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. "A welcome development is that totally vaccinated, frail older people with medical conditionseven among them we're seeing very few hospitalizations, unlike in the first couple of pre-vaccine waves of the epidemic when there were just enormous amounts of very, very sick [elderly] people."

Another potential bright spot, Sax said, is the abrupt decline in cases in the U.K., where Delta cases have fallen to half of a mid-July peak of more than 60,000 daily new cases. Though the collapse in cases is poorly understoodsome have speculated that the latest surge caused the nation to reach herd immunitySax said it is possible that Americans will see something similar.

At the end of Wednesday's briefing, Walensky added a personal note that, after 18 months of dealing with the pandemic, the retrenchment on the agency's masking advice was done because of its commitment to science, but was not easy.

"This new guidance weighs heavily on me. It's not a decision taken lightly."

Explore further New data shows the power of COVID vaccines

This story is published courtesy of the Harvard Gazette, Harvard University's official newspaper. For additional university news, visit Harvard.edu.
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New York on Tuesday announced the introduction of a de facto vaccine pass for some public spaces, as China's Wuhan said it would test all 11 million residents after the coronavirus returned to the place where it first emerged.

Meanwhile, half of the European Union's population has now been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, an AFP tally showed on Tuesday, putting the bloc just ahead of the United States.

The highly contagious Delta variant has driven a surge in infections across the world, including places that had touted their success in overcoming the worst of the pandemic.

New York City will require proof of vaccination for people attending indoor venues such as restaurants, gyms and shows, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Tuesday, making it the first major US city to introduce a vaccine pass.

"If you're vaccinated... you have the key, you can open the door. But if you're unvaccinated, unfortunately, you will not be able to participate in many things," de Blasio told a press conference.

With coronavirus cases again surging in the United States, de Blasio said that a health pass called the "Key to NYC" would be launched on August 16, followed by a transition period before enforcement a month later.

"It's time for people to see vaccination as literally necessary to living a good, and full and healthy life," de Blasio said.

Biggest jab donor

The US on Monday hit President Joe Biden's goal of administering at least one jab to 70 percent of adults a month late.

Officials blamed falling vaccine rates for 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.

In a silver lining, US states that previously lagged behind are belatedly catching up according to the latest vaccination data.

And the US also said it has distributed more than 100 million COVID-19 vaccine doses overseasmore than all other countries combined.

The White House said the announcement marked "just the beginning" of US efforts to help the world battle the pandemic which has claimed more than 4.2 million lives worldwide.

China, which had brought domestic cases down to virtually zero after the coronavirus first emerged in Wuhan in December 2019, has seen that record thrown into jeopardy by Delta.

The fast-spreading variant has reached dozens of cities after infections among airport cleaners in Nanjing sparked a chain of cases that have been reported across the country.

Testing times

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 a gruelling lockdown early on in the pandemic.

Across China, authorities have confined millions of residents of entire cities to their homes, cut domestic transport links and rolled out mass testing in recent days.

And elsewhere, Morocco and France were among countries that announced tighter restrictions in the face of the COVID resurgence.

Morocco increased its curfew hours and stepped up travel restrictions to Agadir, Casablanca and Marrakesh in a bid to slow surging coronavirus cases.

In France, Brittany's Finistere area on Monday ordered people to cover their mouths and noses outdoors after authorities said cases had risen over fourfold between June 30 and July 30.

EU passes US

Hit hard by earlier waves of the pandemic and struggling initially to mount inoculation drives, 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.

The EU has now passed the vaccination rate of the United Stateswhich remains on 49.7 percent.

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.

Explore further Half of EU vaccinated as COVID returns to China's Wuhan

 2021 AFP
Shannon-Foynes Port Company has been awarded over 2.3 million in co-funding under the European Unions Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). CEF funding supports projects on the EUs Trans-European Networks in the fields of transport, energy and telecoms.

The funding awarded will support a feasibility study to prepare for future development of a new deep-water berth and associated infrastructure at Foynes Port, Limerick. The required infrastructure includes the construction of a bridge to link the new deep-water berth to the existing port area on the mainland. It will also consider internal rail infrastructure.

The Shannon Estuary counts among the largest gateway areas in Europe and is one of Irelands deep water ports, regularly facilitating large vessels. This development at the Port of Shannon-Foynes will generate a considerably higher level of freight traffic and enhance connectivity along the North Sea-Mediterranean Corridor.

Reacting to the funding announcement, Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan T.D. said: This is really positive news for Shannon-Foynes Port Company and for Ireland. International connectivity is critical for our economic development.

This feasibility study by Shannon-Foynes Port Company will provide the basis for a new deep water berth which can accommodate larger vessels and meet projected demand in the coming years. The project has also been designed to facilitate the potential role the port can play in the expansion of offshore wind energy in the future.

Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton T.D. also welcomed the news: At EU level, the port is part of both the Atlantic and North Sea  Mediterranean TEN-T Core Network Corridors. Irish ports continue to benefit from financial backing by the European Union through the Connecting Europe Facility programme. This award of over 2.3 million to Shannon-Foynes Port Company represents another strong signal of the important role the port and its hinterland areas play in the EUs TEN-T network.

The European Commission announced the selection decision of the call on 15 July and the full list of projects proposed to be funded is available here.

ENDS

Note for Editors:

The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) is a key EU funding instrument to promote growth, jobs and competitiveness through targeted infrastructure investment at European level. It supports the development of high performing, sustainable and efficiently interconnected trans-European networks in the fields of transport, energy and digital services. CEF investments fill the missing links in Europe's energy, transport and digital backbone.

Funding under CEF is delivered in the form of grants allocated following competitive calls for proposals. Funding rates vary depending on the call for proposals and the type of project, generally ranging from 20% to 50% of eligible costs.

In addition to grants, the CEF offers financial support to projects through innovative financial instruments such as guarantees and project bonds. These instruments create significant leverage in their use of EU budget and act as a catalyst to attract further funding from the private sector and other public sector actors.

A new CEF programme will be implemented for the period 2021  2027. It will support the goals of the Commissions Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy (December 2020) laying the foundation for how the EU transport system can achieve its green and digital transformation and become more resilient to future crises. As outlined in the European Green Deal, the result will be a 90% cut in emissions by 2050, delivered by a smart, competitive, safe, accessible and affordable transport system. It will also prioritise environmentally friendly modes such as rail and the development of charging points for vehicles using alternative fuels.

It is expected that the first call for proposals under the new CEF Programme will be launched in September 2021.

ENDS

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Deja vu again. No matter which way the wind blows, you can expect to see smoke, said Ben Schmidt, Missoula air quality specialist, in his Wednesday update.

Air quality continued to be Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups in Missoula on Wednesday, with worse conditions in areas near active fires, including Arlee, Evaro and the Swan Valley.

We do not have monitors in those valleys, so folks should use visibility as a guideline to determine smoke levels, Schmidt said. If you cannot see for five miles, the air quality is Unhealthy. If you cannot see for two miles, it is Very Unhealthy, and if you cannot see for one mile, it is Hazardous.

Because there are fires still burning throughout the Pacific Northwest and into Canada in addition to local blazes, the Missoula area can expect to see smoky conditions for the foreseeable future, Schmidt said.

More than 20,000 firefighters and support personnel were battling 97 large, active wildfires covering 2,919 square miles in 13 U.S. states, the National Interagency Fire Center said Wednesday.

Montana on Tuesday had 25 active large blazes, followed by Idaho with 21 and Oregon with 13. California had 11.

Boulder 2700
With fewer than four weeks until the start of the school year, Missoula County Public Schools administrators are still wrestling with the districts reopening plan and the crux of the discussion has centered on mask use.

The districts COVID-19 task force met over the course of three meetings that ended Tuesday evening to provide superintendent Rob Watson with input as he crafts a recommendation, including a policy on masks, for the next board meeting on Aug. 10.

Theres people on both sides of this issue and its important for me, and I know its important to our school board members, to hear everyones comments that would like to provide them, Watson said at Tuesdays meeting.

The Montana Office of Public Instruction last recommended in May that districts rescind mask mandates and develop policies that make the wearing of face masks and other coverings optional, voluntary and a matter of family choice.

Missoula County fits the criteria of the latest recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that recommends the use of masks in areas of significant spread of COVID-19.
A city plan to buy an irrigation ditch that starts by the old Bitterroot Spur railroad bridge could solve development headaches all the way west to Missoula International Airport.

The Hellgate Valley Irrigation Co. has agreed to sell the Flynn-Lowney Ditch and water rights to the city for $990,000.

If bought, the city would close the ditch and provide wells for an estimated seven farmers in the Hellgate Elementary School vicinity who draw about 4 cubic feet of water per second during their growing season. The ditch has rights to 40 cfs, the balance of which would return to the Clark Fork River.

That extra instream flow would save thousands of fish from getting trapped in the ditch every fall when the headgates close. And it would simplify a major Mullan Road upgrade by eliminating dozens of underground culverts, ditch crossings and safety hazards.

There are a lot of moving parts and it's moving really fast, said city utility engineer Andy Schultz.

Although the ditch currently looks barely able to float a leaf, the deal has some financing challenges that need to be met by mid-September.
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.
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.
State Rep. Andrea Olsen and former state Rep. Tom Steenberg have announced intentions to fill the remainder of state Sen. Bryce Bennett's term.

Olsen posted on Facebook that she was applying, while Steenberg sent out a news release Wednesday.

Bennett, who resigned to take a job with a national group that works to get people to vote, represented Senate District 50. The resignation was effective Aug. 2.

Olsen represents House District 100.

"Dear Friends, Family, Neighbors, Constituents, and all of our dear Missoula County, I am writing to let you know I am running to represent Montana SD50 in 2022, and I am applying to fulfill the rest of the term of our dear Senator Bryce Bennett, who has resigned his seat," Olsen posted.

"I am a constituent of SD50, and have represented HD100, which is part of SD50 for the last 7 years. I know there will be many great people who want to represent SD 50, and I thank them all for their interest and commitment to public service."

Olsen said she has 40 years of active public service and asked for support for her "transfer to the Senate."

Steenberg served two terms representing House District 99. He was Missoula's fire chief prior to his political career.
Dear U.S. Sen. Jon 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.
A local community college will host an orientation event for high school students participating in the dual-enrollment college program.

Western Piedmont Community College will host the career and college promise drop-in orientation event on Aug. 5 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Carr Hall Lobby at WPCC.

The Career and College Promise program gives high school students the opportunity to earn college credits while working toward their high school diplomas. Students are able to take the college credits they earn throughout the program and put them toward their education after they graduate high school. They can also earn dual credit and earn high school graduation credits by taking college courses, according dpi.nc.gov.

Students that enroll in this program must be rising ninth to 12th graders and must attend a high school in Burke County. Students who already have graduated high school are not eligible for this program, the website said.

The orientation is a mandatory session for any student newly enrolled in the CCP program. The event is designed to help students prepare to start their college journey.

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Students will be taught the following during the orientation, according to a post on the Burke County Public Schools Facebook page:
They should believe that their family members are still being protected because the majority of our people are vaccinated  and were still practicing proper PPE to protect those residents even from our germs that we bring from the outside, Carlin said.

She said if she had a family member at the facility, her concern wouldnt be the vaccination status of staff members.

My biggest concern would be, right now, the staff that are going to walk out, the staff that have known their families for years, that have taken care of their family members and they have personal relationships with them, Carlin said. The residents will end up seeing a lot of new faces and I dont think the states prepared to equip us with the staff that were going to need.

Linda Goins, also an employee at the center, suggested that staff and residents be moved around so that residents whose families want them to be cared for only by fully vaccinated staff can all be in one area with staff who fit that criteria.

During a press conference Wednesday, Gov. Roy Cooper was asked what his thoughts were on health care workers at hospitals and other care providers across the state who have protested getting the vaccine. Cooper said he was disappointed.
With cases of COVID-19 rising across the state, including in Burke County, getting more people to become vaccinated is the predominate way to get the virus behind us, say state officials.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said during a briefing Wednesday that the health and safety of the state residents is the primary objective so every option remains on the table to combat COVID-19, but vaccinations will be the primary focus to push the virus off the cliff.

We want to concentrate our efforts on vaccinations, and thats what were doing, Cooper said.

Cooper said the sharp rise in COVID cases is being driven by the unvaccinated. He recently announced that state employees will be required to get vaccinated or be tested regularly. He said the verification of vaccination for employees starts Sept. 1.

Cooper said hes encouraging private businesses to do the same. This week, Walmart and Disney announced they will require employees to be vaccinated.
Government censors arent known for nuance. If Canadian crooner Bryan Adams moved stateside, a vehicular homage to his memorable hit Summer of 69 probably wouldnt pass muster. Joyless paper-pushers might even rebuff Buzz Aldrin if he wanted a license plate commemorating the year he walked on the moon.

Facing free speech lawsuits over rejected vanity plates, Maine rescinded its nebulous ban on offensive character combinations in 2015. Drivers proceeded to register hundreds of personalized tags with four-letter words. The sky didnt fall when every heavy-handed regulators nightmare came true, but turnpike puritans werent content to live and let live.

Gov. Janet Mills signed a bill June 16 allowing Maines secretary of state to nix vanity plates for profanity, obscenity, violence, discrimination and sexual content. News coverage ties the legislation to Brittney Gliddens minivan, which is festooned with suggestive stickers and the license plate TITSOUT.

Glidden told The Intercept that the dual-purpose message is a reference to breastfeeding that also notes her habit of driving topless, which is legal in the Pine Tree State. That vanity plate wouldnt make it past the application stage today  not even for a birder trying to raise awareness of the tufted titmouse, a native species.
That witness said the victim was stabbed several times and kept fighting, according to a charging document.

The fight took a pause for some unknown reason when Shaw turned his attention and went after another individual who was standing near the fight scene, the document says, citing that witness account.

The fight continued, that person said, until the victim was stabbed in the stomach. He went down, caught himself with his hands in a hunched position, and headed toward a friends pickup truck.

Another witness said the victim started walking toward the pickup holding his side, climbed into the truck bed and friends drove him to the hospital.

Police went to Shaws house and were met by his father, who yelled for his son. Shaw came down, was cuffed and put into a patrol car and immediately asserted his right to an attorney, so he was not interviewed. He was then taken to the Great Falls facility.

Officers soon learned that someone had taken video of the fight and posted it on Snapchat, a social media platform, though it wasnt clear who took it.
The Butte-Silver Bow Health Department on Tuesday reported the death of a county resident, due to complications related to COVID-19. The fatality is the countys 87 th related to the virus.

The announcement comes in the midst of a spike of COVID-19 cases in Butte-Silver Bow, in Montana and in portions of the United States.

Butte-Silver Bow Health Officer Karen Sullivan said 41 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the county since July 27, and 34 of those cases remain active. On Tuesday, officials from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services announced 402 newly confirmed cases statewide.

Sullivan said DPHHS releases every Wednesday county-by-county data related to COVID-19 variants. The health officer said one case of the highly contagious COVID-19 Delta variant has been confirmed in Butte-Silver Bow, and she anticipates that number to grow.

The Delta variant, which is up to 222% more contagious than the original Alpha of COVID-19, is now a reality, Sullivan said. We have been working to get people vaccinated to get ahead of the Delta and other variants, but it appears Delta is getting ahead of our vaccination efforts. Sullivan said only 58% of Butte-Silver Bows eligible population is fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Begging for help

Montanas mental health agencies, including our only free-standing child psychiatric hospital, Shodair Childrens Hospital, are begging the Department of Public Health and Human Services to help them shore up unprecedented losses and staffing shortages. I have worked as a psychiatrist in Montana for over 16 years and have never witnessed such a strain on our mental health system.

Montana historically has underfunded community mental health, which in turn leads to higher intensity treatments such as residential facility placements, group home placements and acute psychiatric hospitalizations. Now, these very providers who are serving our most vulnerable citizens  our children and individuals with developmental disabilities who have the highest needs  are at the breaking point.

Montanas mental health fail-safes are failing. Montana has had one of the highest suicide rates in the nation for decades. We need Montana state leaders to lead. Montana has more than enough American Rescue Plan Act federal funding to remedy this crisis.

Will Montanas governor and DPHHS director take action or let our struggling mental health system completely collapse?

Leonard Lantz, MD,

Helena

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Carbon fee benefits

When the City of Whitefish passed a municipal resolution endorsing the Energy Innovation & Carbon Dividend Act, what exactly were they supporting? Whitefish supports putting a price on carbon, which is akin to other national laws created to make our lives better, such as seatbelt legislation.

Heres what actually happens when American lawmakers pass a carbon fee and dividend.

Carbon pricing saves lives. Turns out more Americans die from air pollution than from car accidents and murders combined. Just like seatbelts back in 1968, this new law will save millions of lives and improve the health of millions more.

Carbon pricing protects American business. Several developed countries already tax high carbon goods entering their border unless the exporting country already has a carbon tax. Without this legislation, when the US exports goods, we pay tax to them and money that should stay in our country goes to foreign nations.

Carbon pricing combined with a dividend puts cash money in your pocket. This specific policy returns the collected fees to every American household, and most importantly protects the bottom 40% of households from rising costs. Youll be able to spend the money on anything, and the government doesnt grow.
With this house, the connection with the prison build and the ability to improve recidivism rates for the prisoners is an exciting opportunity, Schafer said. Its a really great project, and it really is like a win-win for our community.

The home the Community Foundation has ordered is a 1,200-square-foot ranch style, with three bedrooms and two baths. After being built and shipped to Muscatine, the home will be placed at 704 Spring St. sometime in September.

Before the move, however, the severely dilapidated house currently at that location will be demolished. The Community Foundation is working with Hackett Construction to prepare and clear the lot for the new house. Hackett Construction will also be handling the homes electrical and plumbing connections, as well as other things that are needed for its completion.

The home will then be sold to a family, with the Community Foundation targeting those of low to middle income  the demographic that is currently struggling the most with finding affordable housing within Muscatine.
Surveys will continue to be taken until Aug. 6 and are available at www.surveymonkey.com/r/LouisaCo2040.

One-on-one interviews are now being conducted by four Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission staffers, with each member interviewing 10 to 15 people, she said.

The final effort to gather public input may come from one or two online public meetings, possibly involving students. Tiwari said it has incorporated results from a concurrent survey the Louisa County Conservation Board conducted.

Following Tiwaris presentation, Lassiter presented a packet of current and future land use township and county maps and explained how that information could be used to promote planning and development.

Supervisor Brad Quigley, who is not a member of the zoning commission but has attended previous meetings, proposed the maps be broken down further, especially conservation/outdoor recreation parcels.

He suggested those areas could be further identified as hunting, camping or other outdoor activity.

I think it could be used as a sales tool for the county after the (comprehensive plan update) is done, he said.
MUSCATINE  Despite a pandemic, Muscatine Sister Cities held a bell-ringing in 2020 to celebrate 75 years of peace with Japan.

The group will hold another bell-ringing this year in the hopes of making it an annual local tradition.

The bell-ringing will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday in front of Susan Clark Junior High. Those who wish to participate are asked to bring bells of any size and style to ring.

During World War II, on Aug. 6 and Aug. 9, 1945, the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

To remember that moment in history and celebrate the peace that followed, the Japan Community from Sister Cities International came up with the idea to mark the milestone anniversary last year, Muscatine Sister Cities president John Dabeet said.

For Muscatine, the event is not only done in solidarity with the two Japanese cities that were hit with atomic bombs, but also Ichikawamisato, one of Muscatine's several sister cities. Dabeet said that was a main reasons why Muscatine Sister Cities would try to hold the event each year.

We felt that such an event is very important in promoting peace, harmony and understanding between our two communities  Muscatine and Ichikawamisato, Dabeet said.
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.
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.
Pacific Rim wants to invest in the CNMIs first international airline.
Rep. Ivan Blanco's daughter, Lily Ann, center, holds the picture of her father, as she, her aunt Grace, third left, and Blanco's secretary, Mercy, second left, pose for a photo with members of the 22nd Legislature after a joint session in honor of the late Precinct 3 representative on Wednesday in the House chamber.
Cases of fruits and vegetables along with other nonperishable goods were given out by staffers from the Barrigada Mayor's Office to island residents during a food commodities distribution in Tiyan on Friday morning.
Comic Con Cape Town is scheduled to happen on 2 October 2021 as a series of pop-up events, organiser Reed Exhibitions Africa announced.

Fans can look forward to exploring exciting pop-up activities, the company announced on Twitter.

There will be a strong focus on connecting the geek & pop culture communities of Cape Town, with these pop-up activations at various locations with Covid19 regulated capacities.

Events will include:

Cosplay competitions for professionals, casuals and kids,

Comic Art Drink & Draw, and sketch-off competitions

Pop culture quiz sessions

Fandom meetups across the city

Gaming and tabletop competitions

Film watch parties

Comic Con Cape Town 2021 will run alongside the Cape Town International Animation Festival and the FAME Africa Week.

The inaugural Comic Con Cape Town was scheduled to be held on 13 May 2020, but was postponed when South Africa declared a national state of disaster due to the Covid19 pandemic.

Mass gatherings were banned, and conference venues prohibited from operating.

Reed Exhibitions Africa optimistically said that it would instead hold the event on 2427 April 2021.

Those who bought tickets had a choice of getting a refund or rolling over their ticket to the new dates.

The announcement that Comic Con Cape Town would be happening in 2021 comes after Reed postponed the next in-person Comic Con Africa to September 2022.

It said it decided to hold out until next year after extensive engagement with fans, exhibitors, and sponsors.

The Covid19 pandemic forced Comic Con Africa into an online format last year, which Reed hosted from 24 to 27 September.

Comic Con Africa 2020 featured live chats, Q&As, panel discussions, fan meetups, talks, gaming tournaments and streams, and artist panels.

However, Comic Con Africa show director Carla Massmann acknowledged the event would never be able to offer quite the same experience as connecting and engaging at the actual show.

Reed will hold next years Comic Con Africa at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, situated at the Nasrec facility next to FNB Stadium in Soweto.

The organisers said the venues size allowed for more than the anticipated 80,000 visitors to attend.

Now read: 2021 Cloud Conference registrations open
Cryptocurrency investment scheme Africrypt allegedly claimed that it had taken on 15% of economist Dawie Roodts portfolio, court documents show.

Adrian Pilling, one of Africrypts former clients participating in the liquidation application of the failed scheme, provided detailed meeting notes that he kept from 10 September 2020 to 2 March 2021.

According to Pillings notes, during a meeting held at the Houghton Hotel on 6 October 2020, Africrypt claimed to have taken on 15% of Dawie Roodts portfolio.

Africrypt co-founder Ameer Cajee reportedly attended the meeting, together with two men identified only as Brad and Warren.

The notes also state that Africrypt claimed it was invited by Zimbabwe to open an exchange in the country.

Africrypt Cryptocurrency Investments was founded in 2019 by Raees and Ameer Cajee, winning new clients thanks to its astounding returns.

An investment presentation from around September 2020 showed that Africrypt achieved returns as high as 13% per month for clients on its Aggressive plan.

Two years after its founding, the brothers informed investors that the company had been hacked and all its cryptocurrency holdings stolen.

They also discouraged investors from instituting legal proceedings, saying it would delay getting the money back.

A group of clients instituted liquidation proceedings against Africrypt on 19 April 2021. The brothers vanished soon thereafter.

Initial media reports about the missing brothers suggested that they had absconded with R51 billion in crypto-assets.

However, several investigations have rubbished these claims with the true amount pegged at R200 million to R1 billion.

Raees Cajee has himself stated that less than R72 million was lost when their platform was hacked.

He also claimed that even at the height of the market, Africrypt was managing just over $200 million (R3 billion).

Cajees claims are at odds with Pillings notes, which suggest that the Cajee brothers informed investors on 20 January 2021 that it had $500 million (R7.4 billion) under management.

While these contradicting claims are interesting, what is ultimately important are the actual claims being lodged against Africrypts estate for the liquidation.

Gerhard Botha, the attorney representing a group of disgruntled investors, previously told MyBroadband that there were claims totalling R115 million against Africrypt.

If the promised returns on the investments are factored in, the claims come to R140 million.

MyBroadband contacted Dawie Roodt about Africrypts alleged claim that they managed part of his portfolio.

Roodt said he never put any money in Africrypt.

Im an asset manager. I dont need anyone else to look after my affairs, Roodt told MyBroadband.

Roodt said it is well-known that he is interested in cryptocurrencies  which he prefers to call private money.

He said one of his financial advisors, knowing his passion for blockchain-related technology, arranged a meeting with the younger of the two Cajee brothers, Ameer.

He truly impressed me, Roodt said. I was immeasurably impressed.

Despite being impressed with Cajee, Roodt said he elected not to do business with Africrypt as he already has partners working with him on cryptocurrency-related ventures.

In addition to the bold claim about managing 15% of Dawid Roodts portfolio, Pillings notes also show that Africrypt claimed to use a Canary system for cybersecurity.

The claim appears on two separate occasions with the following wording:

They use a Canary system for security.  18 January 2021, Houghton Hotel

Africrypt uses CANARY Cyber Security  21 January 2021, Houghton Hotel

Canary is a brand name used by internationally renowned South African information security firm Thinkst.

Thinkst Canaries are an early warning system for intrusions into computer networks  the proverbial canary in the IT coal mine  which is widely used by companies around the world.

MyBroadband contacted Thinkst founder Haroon Meer for comment, who said that Africrypt has never been a client.

Meer said that he isnt sure if they are using the term generically, which in itself would be pretty unusual.

[I] dont know them, and they definitely arent using our stuff, said Meer.

It is worth noting that the replying affidavit is not focused on the minutiae highlighted above.

The bulk of the affidavit is devoted to rubbishing Raees Cajees claims that Africrypts former clients are trying to liquidate the wrong company.

In his responding affidavit filed in July, Cajee contended that the client who brought the liquidation application, Juan Meyer, actually has a contract with Rae Create Wealth in Hong Kong and not with Africrypt.

Meyers application argues that this is a disingenuous claim as the Cajee brothers repeatedly informed clients that they were dealing with Africrypt.

Cajee argued that the bank account clients deposited funds in was not in the name of Africrypt, but Rae Create Wealth.

However, Meyer pointed out that in all communications, the Cajees told clients to use Africrypt (Pty) Ltd as the beneficiary reference for the bank account.

MyBroadband tried to contact the Cajee brothers via their attorney in South Africa, but they did not respond by the time of publication.

Now read: FBI joins Mirror Trading International investigation
Telkom announced that Serame Taukobong is the Group CEO Designate with effect from 1 October 2021.

Taukobong will assume the role of Group CEO of Telkom after Sipho Masekos official exit on 30 June 2022.

Serame is a seasoned executive, with deep experience in the ITC sector in South Africa and the continent, said Telkom chairperson Sello Moloko.

Moloko said that Telkom was pleased that its extensive search confirmed the calibre of Telkoms people.

Taukobong said that after working under Sipho Masekos leadership for 3 years, he knows he will be taking over a solid business with a capable and committed team.

The team and I are conscious of the challenges that lie ahead and are committed to attracting and retaining the best people, winning in the marketplace, and delivering value for shareholders, said Taukobong.

Taukobong previously served as an executive in the MTN group:

October 2003 to December 2005  Chief operations officer of MTN Uganda

January 2006 to February 2007  Sales and distribution executive of MTN Iran

May 2009 to August 2013  Chief marketing officer of MTN South Africa

August 2013 to May 2015  CEO of MTN Ghana

He joined Telkom as chief executive for its consumer business group in June 2018.
It feels like only a few weeks ago I was rejoicing at seeing your lovely faces. Now Im thanking you for covering those same lovely faces, at least indoors. If you havent been vaccinated yet, please do so as soon as possible so we can be rid of this scourge.

***

My tummy is grumbling at the mere thought of the Federated Womens ready-to-bake Gravenstein apple pies ($30), which will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 5, at the Presbyterian church, 1428 Spring St. You can bake them now or freeze them and bake them later. Pick one up, and alert your friends. (Yes, tummy, I heard you the first time.)

***

Its been a delight to see the St. Helena Street Piano in front of Lyman Park lately. The beautiful thing about the Street Piano is that its available to all ages and skill levels. I was strolling past last week when I saw a young man run up to the piano, bang out a few discordant chords, and scurry away with a grin. Tireless Street Piano supporter Bill Ryan sends along a photo of Tyson Lundin and his daughter, Audrey, playing a duet. And if youre lucky, you might spot Mike Greensill plinking out a jazzy solo. If the Street Piano could talk 

***
Hopefully this is the only time I ever do this, said one woman as she turned onto the levee road.

By 7:22, all participants had reached the rally point in front of Vintage Hall.

Vineyard Valley is home to 350 seniors, although some of them live there part-time, so there arent that many people in the park at any given time. Still, along with Silverado Orchards, the park represents one of St. Helena's densest concentrations of elderly and in some cases physically vulnerable residents.

We want (park residents) to feel comfortable, that this is something they can do, said Greg Reynolds, managing partner for Vineyard Valleys ownership group, shortly before the drill got underway.

It was also a learning experience for first responders, said Lieutenant Justin Tharp of the St. Helena Police Department, who organized the drill.

Were learning what its going to take to do this in real life, Tharp said. These are inherently chaotic situations, but we want to try to keep it as orderly as possible, both in a live event and this event.
The show has traditionally been held in the museum's History Gallery in the spring, although last years show 'Not From Around Here,' was moved online due to COVID.

"'Remotely Creative' gave the students a chance to express the frustration of trying to create as an artist during a pandemic," Rafaty said. "This was the second year we did a Peoples Choice vote, and once again this year 300-400 people sent in their votes. The virtual gallery  free to view  has had strong engagement. But we really wanted to try to give the students the opportunity to show their works in the Museum gallery itself."

Kurtz worked with Jacobson and with Michael Mingoia, the museum's new director of exhibitions, to pull together an exhibit in the History Gallery. "Because this is happening during the summer, only a limited number of the works were available to show," Rafaty said. "So Joel created a video version of the exhibition while Michael created a visual display of the artist statements, allowing visitors to see the full scope of the show. We really hope people will visit the exhibit online or in person. Last years student show is still online for viewing as well."

The winners include:

 Best of Show: Fading Away by Arden Lloyd, Justin-Siena High
The rectangles are a key part of the building process. It turns out that the entire school is made of 12x40 foot modules, which were shipped to Napa. Using premade modular buildings helped control costs and speed up the building process, said Schultz.

This is the first time Ive done a project like this, and I think it makes a ton of sense.

I am so thrilled to see this happening because we serve the most at risk, needy population in the county, said Barbara Nemko, Napa County Superintendent of Schools. These are all students who have come to us because the traditional high school (or middle school) was not working for them.

They have been in old portable buildings which were not terribly safe and didnt have all of the modern things we need to run program that will prepare them for their future, said Nemko.

In our new facility, we will have all of that. They will get the kind of pre-work experience they need to go out and get jobs to help to support them, after graduation or college.

To think about them coming back and seeing this beautiful facility which really shows them the respect they didnt feel in an old classroom, it just makes my heart swell, said Nemko.
The Napa Valley Vintners, a nonprofit trade organization, also has some wildfire insurance goals of their own. Michelle Novi, NVV's industry relations and regulatory affairs director, is the group's insurance authority and has been leading their continued efforts with the state legislature.

"We are thrilled that the governor has signed SB11 and that it has an urgency clause," she said. "But at the same time, it's not enough. It's coming pretty late in the year, we don't expect the California FAIR Plan to have all of the documents in place to be able to start writing these policies for at least three more months, which will be very much into the fire season."

Since the bill only ensures up to $3 million in policy coverage  which is not very much for a large-scale operation  Novi and the NVV sent Commissioner Lara a follow-up letter with additional requests and priorities. The list includes increasing the coverage cap, simplifying the application process, and supporting the expansion of statutory authority to pause commercial coverage non-renewals in the wake of a disaster.
"The #CCPVirus has killed more Americans than died in combat in WW I, WW II, Korean War and the War in Vietnamcombined. Yet because Trump suggested it came from a Wuhan lab, the media failed to investigate one of the greatest mass murders in world history," he tweeted in June.

Elder has frequently tweeted at and about Trump and the impact that he has had as president.

".@realDonaldTrump's greatest contribution? HE GAVE THE REPUBLICANS BALLS!!! #WeveGotACountryToSave," he tweeted in 2020.

He is an opponent of the Black Lives Matter movement

Elder, who is Black, denies the existence of systemic racism, and has criticized Black activist leaders including Al Sharpton and members of the Black Lives Matter movement.

"Dear @jack, There's no evidence, let alone 'widespread' evidence, of police 'systemic racism.' Decades of research find cops MORE HESITANT to use deadly force against blacks than whites. Yet @Blklivesmatter routinely posts the 'systemic racism' lie. When will you ban BLM?" Elder tweeted in January to Jack Dorsey, the CEO of Twitter.

Elder also opposes the concept of reparations to Black people for the harms inflicted by centuries of slavery and institutional racism.
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.
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.
As the industry organization representing all of agriculture in Napa County, the Napa County Farm Bureau is excited to celebrate National Farmers Market Week, Aug. 1-7, with our community.

Over the past year, our farmers market community in Napa County has showcased resilience in our rapidly changing world. Farmers markets have always been a hub for innovation, and our farmers markets have been at the forefront of adapting rapid solutions to protect staff, customers, and our community in this time of crisis. More than ever before, National Farmers Market Week is an opportunity to showcase the value of farmers markets in Napa County.

We know that farmers markets are essential  the COVID-19 pandemic made it clear that local food systems with short supply chains are resilient and farmers markets play a vital role in keeping our community connected. Farmers market operators have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to redesign operations and create robust safety plans to continue to serve their communities.

Farmers markets serve as community hubs fostering direct relationships between community members and farmers which work to create a more sustainable food system. Together, there are farmers market operators and community leaders paving the way to improve the effectiveness of farmers markets throughout our community.
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
Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan today visited the Ministry of Justice and introduced the staff to newly appointed Minister of Justice Karen Andreasyan.

Pashinyan thanked ex-minister Rustam Badasyan for his work and congratulated Andreasyan on being appointed minister. He also attached importance to the reforms underway in the justice sector and stated that, at the end of the day, having a sense of the presence of justice is one of the major objectives that the people set forth for the authorities during the revolution that took place in 2018.

In the context of the activities of the Ministry of Justice, the head of government attached importance to the introduction of the Patrol Service, in which the Ministry of Justice actively participated and developed the policy for this.

Badasyan expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for the support provided to the ministry, congratulated Andreasyan on being appointed minister and wished him success in implementing the reforms that have already been launched.

Newly appointed Minister of Justice Karen Andreasyan also expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for the trust and pledged to work with the team of young professionals to make sure justice is served for everyone in Armenia.

Summing up, Prime Minister Pashinyan attached importance to the reforms in the justice sector and the judiciary. Our notions and perceptions must also comply with the vision that citizens of Armenia have. What is necessary is consistency. However, we must not forget that the judiciary is large and includes penitentiary procedure, the Compulsory Enforcement Service, etc. The new model of penitentiary service proposed by the ex-minister is very interesting, and we must talk about this in more detail soon, he said.
The Civil Contract Partys detachment didnt take part in the military operations during the war that took place in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) in April 2016, but whats important is the message that the political party conveyed. This is what deputy of the Civil Contract faction of the National Assembly of Armenia Hovik Aghazaryan said during todays session of the National Assembly.

We immediately sent a signal to the authorities, stating that we, as an opposition force, are ready to make our contribution wherever the military commanders find necessary. We conducted exercises at a military unit for three days, and our detachment headed to the place where it was necessary. We didnt know which specific sector we were going to be in, but the important thing is that we conveyed the message that the radical opposition force is willing to support the government at a crucial moment for our homeland, he stated.

Aghazaryan also addressed leader of the opposition Armenia faction Seyran Ohanyan, telling him that Ohanyan had personally granted a medal to him and that the detachment had gone wherever Ohanyan had told it to go.

In Aghazaryans opinion, the newly elected parliament will show that it is the best and most effective parliament in the modern history of Armenia since there are many experienced politicians and economists among the members of the opposition.
Mayor of Yerevan Hayk Marutyan today hosted representatives of several companies and non-governmental organizations and individuals carrying out activities in various sectors who supported the community during the war in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). The mayor also expressed gratitude for supporting the community during the difficult days of the war, Yerevan Municipality reports.

In 2020, while the whole world was combating the pandemic, we Armenians also faced a war. People cant even picture the large amount of work that was done in the rear during those days, and it was made possible through the efforts of several dedicated people who supported the community, citizens of Yerevan and the Armenians of Artsakh who had moved to Yerevan during those days. I am certain that, if necessary, you will support the community again. We need to become strong, get back on our feet and empower the state again, and this can only be done through joint efforts, he said.

The mayor granted certificates and letters of appreciation to the organizations and individuals for the support that they showed to Yerevan during the war.
Several media representatives today met with Speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia Alen Simonyan to discuss the new decision that the parliament has adopted to set restrictions on the movement of media representatives in the parliament building.

According to Armenpress news agency, the journalists, who will be deprived of the opportunity to go up to the lodge of the sessions hall of the National Assembly or move around in the hallways, presented their demands, expressed their views and listened to the parliamentary speaker to understand the reason for the restrictions.

The journalists informed that the meeting was held in a constructive atmosphere and that the parliamentary speaker said the need for restrictions is due to security and the organizing of activities.

In response, the journalists stated that security needs to be organized properly, but not by obstructing the work of journalists.

The mass media representatives who presented the results of the meeting, also stated that Simonyan had asked them for three to four days to explore their observations and promised to hold a broader discussion.
President of the USA Joe Biden congratulated Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan on the occasion of the victory in the parliamentary elections and formation of the new Cabinet.

Armenpress reports that in the congratulatory message addressed to Pashinyan Joe Biden emphasized that the just an transparent elections shows the desire of the Armenian people to have a more democratic, fair and prosperous society, free from corruption.

''During the last 3 years Armenia recorded progress in those spheres. The USA is happy to assist in those efforts, among which are the assistance to the launching of the new patrol service and the formation of independent institutions for the fight against corruption networks. We will continue to be a reliable partner in your efforts to achieve these goals'', Biden said.

He stated that he understands the difficult security challenges that emerged in 2020 as a result of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. ''The United States is committed to assisting the parties in negotiating a comprehensive, peaceful settlement under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group. We urge Armenia and Azerbaijan to get involved in substantive talks as soon as possible.

The United States was pleased to assist in the efforts to release the Armenian prisoners of war from Azerbaijan, and we will continue to call for the safe return of all prisoners of war. We hope that our progress in this direction with the support of Georgia will be an important basis for further regional cooperation, in supplement to the discussions initiated by the Minsk Group Co-Chairs, Biden said in his congratulatory message.

He added that the United States is ready to strengthen cooperation with Armenia based on common democratic values and institutions. "I look forward to working with you and your new Cabinet, to deepen and expand our bilateral relations, the U.S. President said.
Appointing Makunts to the position of Ambassador to the United States of America is a bad decision of the Prime Minister, just like his other appointments. This is what publisher and editor of California Courier Harut Sassounian said during a conversation with Armenian News-NEWS.am.

They [the Armenian authorities] recalled an experienced ambassador, Varuzhan Nersisyan from the United States and replaced him with an incompetent and inexperienced person who is one of the close ones of Pashinyan and a member of his political party. This will have very bad consequences for Armenias and the Armenians advocacy. It will also mix up the US-Armenia relations and have a negative impact on the Armenian American community, which is against this appointment, Sassounian stated.

Sassounian also informed that the Armenian American community had warned Pashinyan to not take that step months ago.

However, as always, Pashinyan doesnt listen to anyones advice and does whatever he wants. We, as patriotic Armenians, are ready to support our ambassador and our government, regardless of who they are. If we want to help Makunts, she also has to have the desire to help us help her. If she has the desire, were ready to support her with our advice and contacts. However, if she doesnt want to hear our advice, we wont give her advice. This reminds me of my 50 years of experience during the past and current administrations of Armenia, Sassounian stated.
For Sophia Nealon, saving her sisters life was by far the easiest decision she has ever made.

It took a simple swab from me and our entire family to see who had the highest DNA match percentage, said the Osprey, Florida, resident who studies chemistry at the University of Miami. l was a 100 percent match to be my sisters bone marrow transplant donor.

When the family traveled to New York City for a younger sisters birthday, it became obvious to them that something was wrong because Kassandra Nealon got sick again. Once back home in Florida, she went to see a doctor and the family got the devastating news. Kassandra Nealon, Sophias older sister and recipient of the life-saving stem cell transplant, was diagnosed with Acute T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia at 23 years old, after becoming repeatedly ill with flu-type symptoms in late 2019.

They told her that she had two liters of fluid on her lungs, which was making regular tasks exhausting, said Nealon. Her doctors originally thought it was lymphoma but after testing her blood count, they shared with us that it was actually a type of leukemia. It was a big shock to everyone.

Following the diagnosis, the day-to-day routine of the Nealon family underwent a drastic change, as Kassandra Nealons appointments were located miles away in Tampa. Then the world entered a global pandemic. During this time, Nealon enrolled in her first semester as a University of Miami student, opting to complete the semester remotely.

My mom was the only one allowed at my sisters appointments, so it took a lot of coordination, but we figured out a system that worked for uslike staying in Airbnbs for some weekends and utilizing FaceTime to be with her during her chemo and radiation appointments, she said.

The type of cancer Nealons sister had is commonly diagnosed in young children and is rare in adults. After so many visits to various doctors offices, Kassandra Nealon noticed that there werent many books explaining the specific cancer that is faced mostly by adolescents.

Motivated by her friends and family, Kassandra Nealon felt compelled to create Bye, Bye, Bad Blood, a childrens book that lightheartedly explains the cancer to children and their families. Kassandra Nealon looked to none other than her sister, who draws as a hobby, to illustrate the book.

We decided to sell and market the book through Amazon because it would allow us to make the most profit, said Nealon, who had no prior knowledge about self-publishing a book.

That profit margin was important to Nealon and her sister because 100 percent of it goes directly to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the largest voluntary health organization dedicated to fighting blood cancer in the world.

You dont know who youre helping out and how much you can change someones life with your donation, said Nealon, who also encourages the campus community to sign up with BeTheMatch.com to become a stem cell transplant donor. Becoming a donor is super easy and takes seconds of your time.

Nealons sister is now in remission. While promoting her book, she is determined to finish her medical school applicationsa process that was abruptly stopped as she battled cancer.

Those interested in donating a book to a childrens cancer treatment center or purchasing the book can visit byebyebadblood.com.

To learn more about stem cell transplants at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, visit https://umiamihealth.org/en/sylvester-comprehensive-cancer-center/treatments-and-services/hematologic-(blood)-cancers-/bone-marrow-and-stem-cell-transplant.
Two women were found dead Monday inside a Las Vegas hotel room near the Strip in what investigators believe was a murder-suicide.

The women were discovered by employees at the Palms Casino Resort around 3 p.m., Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Homicide Lt. Ray Spencer told reporters across the street from the hotel.

The guests had not checked out Monday, prompting security personnel to visit the room. When they couldn't get in because of the security latch on the door, hotel maintenance employees forced open the door and found the bodies lying on the hotel bed.

CALIFORNIA WOMAN INDICTED ON MURDER CHARGE IN DEATH OF SON, 7, FOUND DEAD NEAR LAS VEGAS HIKING TRAIL

They are believed to be in their mid-to-late 30s and possibly romantically involved, police said. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

Spencer said investigators believe both died from gunshot wounds. Investigators believe the women are residents of the Las Vegas area and died within the past 12 hours of being discovered.

"We know that at least one of them was alive as early as 5 a.m.," Spencer said. "From a note that was left in the room, we believe that they are going to be, at least, somewhat romantically involved."

Investigators were not sure if both women died at the same time. They are working with hotel security to go through video surveillance footage.

Fox News has reached out to the Palms.
Arkansas Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson said on Tuesday that he wished he hadn't signed a ban on mask mandates into law earlier in the year as the country grapples with a surge of coronavirus cases.

In late April, the governor approved a ban on both state and local face covering requirements, which took effect toward the end of July. The law does not forbid businesses from mandating masks and doesn't apply to state-controlled healthcare facilities, prisons, or any entity operated by Arkansas's Division of Youth Services.

When asked by a reporter this week whether or not he regretted his decision to sign the legislation, Hutchinson conceded that he thought it wasn't a good idea.

JUDGE BLOCKS ARKANSAS LAW BANNING MOST ABORTIONS

I signed it for those reasons that our cases were at a low point," he said. "Everything has changed now, and yes, in hindsight, I wish that had not become law, but it is the law, and the only chance we have is either to amend it or for the courts to say that it has an unconstitutional foundation.

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Last Thursday, Hutchinson reimposed a state public health emergency and convened a special session to amend the mask mandate prohibition in a bid to allow more flexibility in public schools. The governor cited a lack of Food and Drug Administration approval for vaccine use on children under the age of 12.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Over the last 14 days, Arkansas has seen a 69% rise in cases, a 52% jump in hospitalizations, and a 246% uptick in deaths. The state has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country, as 39% of residents are fully vaccinated, while 47% have received at least one dose.

Local governments, businesses, and other entities have rushed to reimpose mask mandates and vaccine retirements in response to a surge in the delta variant. In one of the most drastic moves, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Tuesday that restaurants and gyms will require inoculation documentation in the boroughs as part of the "Key to NYC Pass," which will launch on Aug. 16.

Story continues

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Original Author: Jake Dima

Original Location: Arkansas GOP governor wishes he didn't OK ban on mask mandates
By Tom Allard

JAKARTA (Reuters) -Foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have appointed Brunei's second minister for foreign affairs, Erywan Yusof, as special envoy to Myanmar,the group said on Wednesday.

Erywan has been tasked with ending violence in Myanmar and opening dialogue between the military rulers and their opponents in the crisis-torn country, according to a communique released after meetings on Monday and Wednesday by the bloc's foreign ministers.

Yusof will also oversee a humanitarian aid package, although no details were announced. Instead, the communique called for the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance to start work on "policy guidance".

Myanmar's military toppled a democratically elected government six months ago, plunging the country into turmoil as security forces suppressed protests, killing hundreds. The economy has collapsed and a humanitarian crisis worsened in the past month as coronavirus infections surged, overwhelming the health system.

The United Nations and many countries, including the United States and China, have urged ASEAN, whose 10 members include Myanmar, to spearhead diplomatic efforts to restore stability.

The appointment of an envoy was central to those efforts but was delayed for months amid deep divisions within ASEAN.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met virtually with ASEAN counterparts as part of a series of regional meetings he is taking part in this week, and called on the bloc to take joint action to urge the military to end the violence.

He also urged the ministers to push for Myanmar to release all those unjustly detained and restore the countrys path to democracy, a State Department statement said.

During a sometimes fractious ASEAN foreign ministers meeting on Monday, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi - who discussed Myanmar while launching a strategic dialogue with the United States in a meeting with Blinken on Tuesday - questioned the Myanmar military government's status in ASEAN as it baulked at Erywan's nomination, diplomats said.

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Following further negotiations and Wednesdays unscheduled meeting, the special envoy was confirmed.

Indonesia's foreign ministry said the special envoy would start working soon and have "full access to all parties" in Myanmar. Many Myanmar opposition figures, including ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, are detained at home or in prison.

The military government's representative also resisted requests from ASEAN members to grant humanitarian workers freedom to deliver aid to areas they believed needed it most, said two sources familiar with the talks.

Critics have accused ASEAN of conferring legitimacy on Myanmar's military government by accepting its representatives at meetings.

But the Indonesian statement highlighted subtle changes made to the wording in the joint communique so that it "cannot be seen as an acknowledgment of the military junta".

The Myanmar government could not be immediately reached for comment.

On Sunday, its leader, Min Aung Hlaing, announced he had been appointed prime minister and repeated a pledge to hold elections by 2023.

(Reporting by Tom Allard; additional reporting by David Brunnstrom in Washington; Editing by Ed Davies, Simon Cameron-Moore and Steve Orlofsky)
Residents of Buckhead, Ga., who are concerned about a spike in crime are working to separate from Atlanta and form a new city with its own police force.

Bill White, the Buckhead City Committee CEO, told Fox News he expects 80 percent of his community will vote in favor of the split.

We have two bills in the Georgia legislature dropping in January to decide this referendum ballot, White said.

We filed our divorce papers at the city of Atlanta, and our divorce is final, he added.

While Buckhead was one of Atlantas safest communities, it has not been spared from the citys skyrocketing crime. In May, the Washington Post reported that so far this year the police zone that includes much of Buckhead had experienced a 40 percent increase in homicides, a 39 percent hike in robberies and a 64 percent spike in car thefts.

White criticized the policies of Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, saying they have emboldened criminals and left police feeling demoralized, underpaid, [and] under-recognized.

They are being told basically not to fight crime in the way they would like to, he said.

Morale among officers has suffered and the department has seen a rise in retirements. As of May, the city had 400 fewer officers than the departments authorized force of 2,046.

Meanwhile, murders in Atlanta are up 63 percent year-to-date compared to 2020 as of May 29, according to police statistics. In 2020, the city saw a two-decade high of 157 killings.

Were going to get a hold of it here in Buckhead, White said.

The residents are hoping to form an incorporated municipality called Buckhead City, which would have its own law-enforcement system dedicated to lowering crime rates.

Well have our own court. Well have our own judge. Well have our own jail, White said. And we are going to put the smackdown on this crime once and for all here, because the people of Buckhead have had enough.

He said the separation would be mutually beneficial for both Atlanta and Buckhead, which is home to roughly 86,000 residents.

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A new Buckhead city will do a much better job and will work very well with Atlanta, he added. Were going to help Atlanta. Were going to be two strong cities, prosperous and safe, we pray.

More from National Review
By Colin Packham and Renju Jose

CANBERRA (Reuters) -Australia said on Thursday it will offer redress payments of A$75,000 ($55,000) to some members of its Indigenous population who were forcibly removed from their families as children.

More than 100,000 Indigenous children were taken from their families and communities between the early 1900s and about 1970, described by former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd as a "great stain on our nation's soul" during a formal apology to the so-called 'Stolen Generation' in 2008.

Amid mounting criticism and moves to seek compensation through the courts, Australia said eligible survivors would be entitled to a one-off A$75,000 payment for the harm caused by their forced removal, and a further A$7,000 to support their healing.

"This is a long called-for step, recognising the bond between healing, dignity and the health and well-being of members of the Stolen Generations, their families and their communities," said Prime Minister Scott Morrison in parliament on Thursday.

"To say formally, not just that we're deeply sorry for what happened, but that we will take responsibility for it."

The reparations will cover people who are still alive and were under 18 and removed from their families while living in the Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory. Most Australian states have their own compensation schemes.

Indigenous groups welcomed the payments, but cautioned more work needs to be done.

"It's something, but it's not everything. It won't provide that end state of a healed nation, but there is hope," said Fiona Cornfort, CEO of the Healing Foundation, a representative group for some members of the Stolen Generation.

The redress payments came as part of Australia's pledge to spend an additional A$1 billion to improve the lives of its Indigenous population.

Australia last year said it would reset its policies towards Indigenous Australians after acknowledging a decade of efforts to improve metrics such as life expectancy and education had failed.

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Australia's 700,000 Indigenous people track near the bottom of its near 26 million citizens in almost every economic and social indicator.

The life expectancy of Indigenous Australians is eight years shorter than for non-Indigenous people and they are over-represented in prison, government statistics show.

($1 = 1.3554 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Renju Jose and Colin Packham; Editing by Karishma Singh)
Photograph: Canadian Press/Rex/Shutterstock

Lawyers for Meng Wanzhou say American prosecutors acted in bad faith and abused the Canadian justice system when they pursued the Huawei chief financial officer, in final arguments of the telecoms executives closely watched extradition proceedings.

In a Vancouver courtroom on Wednesday, Mengs legal team argued that American prosecutors misled the Canadian justice system in their legal summary of the allegations against Meng. Her team says this abuse of process obliges the judge overseeing the case to toss out the extradition request against Meng and set her free.

Related: Canada risks being outplayed in feud over citizens jailed in China

The long-shot argument is part of a strategy to free the telecoms executive, whose detention has been at the centre of an ongoing feud between the United States and China  with Canada caught in the middle.

American prosecutors allege that Meng misled bankers at HSBC about Huaweis relationship with SkyCom, putting HSBC at risk of violating American sanctions against Iran. Both she and Huawei have denied the charges. She was detained by Canadian officials at Vancouvers main airport December 2018.

Mengs lawyers have previously claimed her rights were breached by comments made by then president Donald Trump, collusion between the two countries to share protected information, and a lack of international jurisdiction.

To be successful in their latest strategy, Mengs lawyers must convince a British Columbia judge that American prosecutors misled the Canadian justice system to the extent that it shocks the conscience of the country  a legal test stemming from a famous 1987 extradition case.

But her team does not have history on its side. According to data from the Canadian government, of the 798 requests made since 2008, only eight have been granted.

This is not a trial. This is an extradition procedure under a treaty that is very much geared towards transferring the accused, said Michael Byers, a political science professor at the University of British Columbia. The presumption is that the extradition will move forward and questions over evidence and law will be left to the trial in the United States.

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Wednesdays legal salvo marks the second recent attempt by the defence to unspool the case against their client.

Last month, associate chief justice Heather Holmes ruled against allowing new evidence in the case, saying the email chains and spreadsheets unearthed by the defence did not expressly support Mengs claim that the US summary of allegations against her were manifestly unreliable.

The decision was a major disappointment to Mengs team, which had hoped the the inclusion of new evidence would prove to be a fatal blow against the US claims and would secure her release.

Byers likened Mengs legal gambit to throwing a whole lot of spaghetti at the fridge in the form of arguments designed to delay the process for as long as possible.

I dont see most of these arguments being taken seriously by the lawyers making them, he said. They seem like a strategy of burning the judge in a whole lot of paper and procedure.

The abuse-of-process arguments are expected to last nearly a month, with a decision likely rendered by Holmes in the fall.

Even if Meng is unsuccessful in convincing the judge that the Americans acted improperly, it could still be years before the appeals process is fully exhausted.

Meanwhile, there have been whispers of a potential deal between the United States and China that could secure Mengs release. While the Americans might opt to fully withdraw the extradition request, Byers suggested the White House might also propose a deferred prosecution agreement, thus allowing the United States to save face while getting Huawei to admit culpability.

Once there is a decision from the judge, there may be an opportunity for a political move by the United States, said Byers. Obviously, everyone is interested to see how [Holmes] rules on this.

The highly political nature of her case has chilled relations between Canada and China. The detention of two Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, both charged with espionage, is widely seen as retribution for Canadas role in the extradition of Meng.

It is obvious that the two Michaels were arrested on trumped-up national security charges days after we fulfilled our extradition treaty responsibilities toward our ally, the United States, prime minister Justin Trudeau told reporters in March.

The two have been held in jail in China for nearly 970 days. Meng, however, was granted bail early on in the process and lives in a multi-million dollar mansion in Vancouver.

But remarks from the Canadian government could make securing the release of the two men difficult.

The biggest mistake the Canadian government made was to explicitly link the detention of the two Michaels to the extradition process involving Meng. They created a situation where the Chinese cannot release the two Michaels now without losing face, said Byers. The fate of the two Michaels is now tied inextricably to that of Meng Wanzhou.
(Bloomberg) -- Growing geopolitical tensions and pulled initial public offerings have done little to damp the appetite of Western banks for Hong Kong and China.

Standard Chartered Plc Chief Executive Officer Bill Winters was the latest executive in recent weeks to signal a sweeping Chinese government crackdown and rising geopolitical tensions between China and the U.S. wont derail his lenders focus and investment in the region.

We dont see a structural or fundamental change in terms of the business opportunities for Standard Chartered, Winters said on a call with reporters Tuesday. Hong Kongs continuing role as a conduit into the Greater Bay Area mean the opportunities for us in corporate banking and wealth management will be very, very substantial.

His comments echo that of other firms such as Citigroup Inc., HSBC Holdings Plc and Credit Suisse Group AG, who all used earnings to underline its business as usual in Greater China. That comes despite a wide-ranging crackdown by Beijing on industries from its booming education industry to the technology sector last month as Xi Jinpings Communist Party tightens its grip on the worlds second-largest economy.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has halted initial public offerings of Chinese companies in response.

The regulatory push is taking its toll on markets, with Hong Kongs benchmark stock index sliding 15% from a high in February. Chinese technology giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. missed sales estimates for the first time in more than two years in the three months ended in June.

International banks have long been bullish on Greater China. Hong Kong has provided growth to international banks as some revenue from their home countries were shaken by the pandemic, while China is viewed by firms as a lucrative area for growth in wealth management.

Strongest Region

Its easy to see why. At Standard Chartered, Asia was the banks strongest region in the second quarter, with profit up 75% to $1.01 billion, countering declines in Europe and the Americas. HSBC, which is moving several of its most senior executives to Asia, said Monday that risk-weighted assets in the region increased by 6% from the start of the year

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Were investing heavily in the market and investing heavily in China and the rest of the region, said HSBC Chief Financial Officer Ewen Stevenson in a Bloomberg Television interview. Were very confident about the long-term macro trends in Hong Kong and the rest of Asia.

Citigroups chief financial officer, Mark Mason, said last week that Chinas recent moves to crack down on companies isnt likely to harm the banks business across the Asia-Pacific region. Credit Suisse CEO Thomas Gottstein said that while recent events contribute to a less predictable short-term situation, the firm sees very strong and robust economic development not only in China, but in Asia, that we consider to be very attractive for our business models.

Chinas clampdown has even boosted business in the region. HSBC said Monday that the local capital markets had been given a boost by a shift in business from the U.S.

The bank said about a quarter of a $35 billion year-on-year increase in customer lending at its wealth and personal banking unit related to short-term loans in Hong Kong was linked to initial public offerings, where clients borrow money to fund their purchase of shares in the latest listings.

Hong Kong is the place to be if you want to participate in the Chinese capital markets, Winters said in a Bloomberg Television interview Tuesday. This is the hub of the Chinese capital markets and I dont think theres going to be any change anytime soon.

(Adds market details in sixth paragraph.)

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

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WARSAW, Poland (AP)  Belarusian Olympic sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya, who feared for her safety at home after criticizing her coaches on social media, flew into Warsaw on Wednesday night on a humanitarian visa after leaving the Tokyo Olympics, a Polish diplomat confirmed.

Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Przydacz said the 24-year-old athlete had arrived in the Polish capital after flying in from Tokyo via Vienna, a route apparently chosen to confuse those who would endanger her safety. In a statement, the diplomat said he wanted to thank all the Polish consular & diplomatic staff involved, who flawlessly planned and secured her safe journey.

The plane that she was traveling on from Vienna was directed to a separate airport building in Warsaw used by government officials. Police vans were seen all over the airport. Passengers from the flight told reporters that one young woman was left on board as they exited the plane and were put on buses to the main terminal.

Tsimanouskaya later was seen with a top Belarusian dissident in Poland, Pavel Latushko, in a photo taken just after her arrival inside the airport building.

We are glad that Kristina Timanovskaya managed to get to Warsaw safely! Latushko said on Twitter, adding he hopes she will be able to return to a New Belarus and continue her career there.

In a dramatic weekend standoff at the Tokyo Games, Tsimanouskaya said Belarus team officials tried to force her to fly home early after she criticized them. She urged the International Olympic Committee to look into the dispute and some European countries stepped in to offer assistance.

It's not clear what's next for the runner  either in her sporting life or her personal one. Before she left Japan, she said she hoped to continue her running career but that safety was her immediate priority. Her husband fled Belarus this week shortly after his wife said she would not be returning, and Poland has also offered him a visa.

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We are very happy that she is here safe, said Magnus Brunner, a top Austrian government official, after Tsimanouskaya's plane arrived in Vienna on Wednesday afternoon. But she is scared about her future and about her family.

At the Vienna airport, the runner was protected by Austrian police officers, public broadcaster ORF reported, and stayed in the transit area. Tsimanouskaya flew first to Austria instead of directly to Poland on the advice of Polish authorities for security reasons, said Vadim Krivosheyev of the Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation.

The drama began after Tsimanouskayas criticism of how officials were managing her team set off a massive backlash in state-run media in Belarus, where the government has relentlessly stifled any criticism. The runner said on Instagram that she was put in the 4x400 relay even though she has never raced in the event. She was then barred from competing in the 200 meters.

She accused team officials of hustling her to the Tokyo airport but she refused to board a plane home and was protected by Japanese security.

The officials made it clear that, upon return home, I would definitely face some form of punishment, Tsimanouskaya told the AP in a videocall from Tokyo on Tuesday. There were also thinly disguised hints that more would await me.

The sprinter called on international sports authorities to investigate the situation, who gave the order, who actually took the decision that I cant compete anymore. She suggested possible sanctions against the head coach.

Reached by phone, Dzmitry Dauhalionak, the head of Belarus delegation at the Tokyo Olympics, declined to comment.

The standoff has drawn more attention to Belarus' uncompromising authoritarian government. When the country was rocked by months of protests following a presidential election that the opposition and the West saw as rigged, authorities responded by arresting some 35,000 people and beating thousands of demonstrators. In recent months the government has orchestrated a strong crackdown on independent media and opposition figures.

President Alexander Lukashenko, who led the Belarus National Olympic Committee for almost a quarter century before handing over the job to his son in February, has a keen interest in sports, seeing it as a key element of national prestige.

And his government has shown it is willing to go to extreme lengths to target its critics. In May, Belarus authorities diverted a European passenger jet to the capital of Minsk, where they arrested an opposition journalist on board.

In the AP interview, Tsimanouskaya expressed concern for her parents, who remain in Belarus.

Her husband, Arseni Zdanevich, left for Ukraine shortly after the drama began. Poland has since issued him a humanitarian visa.

Amid Tsimanouskaya's rift with team officials, two other Belarusian athletes announced their intention to stay abroad.

Heptathlete Yana Maksimava said she and her husband, Andrei Krauchanka, who won silver in the decathlon at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, would remain in Germany.

I'm not planning to return home after all the events that happened in Belarus, Maksimava said on Instagram, adding that you can lose not just your freedom but also your life in her homeland.

Western leaders have condemned Tsimanouskayas treatment by Belarusian authorities.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken denounced Belarusian officials attempt to force Tsimanouskaya to return to Belarus for exercising free speech as another act of transnational repression.

Such actions violate the Olympic spirit, are an affront to basic rights, and cannot be tolerated, Blinken said on Twitter.

While Tsimanouskaya said she hoped to continue her sporting career, she could face lengthy procedures if she wants to compete under a different flag.

Tomasz Majewski, vice president of the Polish Athletics Association and twice an Olympic gold medalist in the shot put, voiced fears that Tsimanouskaya will lose the best period of her career" if she changes citizenship.

These are complicated matters. We know that there will be clear objections from the home team, which will probably make it difficult or even seek the disqualification of the athlete, he said.

___

Follow APs coverage of Belarus at https://apnews.com/hub/belarus

___ Isachenkov reported from Moscow. Associated Press writers Yuras Karmanau in Kyiv, Ukraine; Frank Jordans in Berlin; Alex Schuller in Vienna, and Monika Scislowska and Rafal Niedzielski in Warsaw, Poland, contributed to this report.
Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., addresses a sit-in on Capitol Hill on Aug. 3, 2021, after it was announced that the Biden administration will enact a targeted nationwide eviction moratorium.

From COVID-19 to the collapse of the economy that followed, the nation has had plenty of disasters for which it was caught unprepared. But the brewing eviction crisis is not one of them.

Even as President Joe Biden took the legally questionable step Tuesday of partially reinstating a federal moratorium on evictions that had expired last weekend, the money for months has been there to pay the rent.

Congress allocated $25 billion in rental assistance in December and an additional $21.55 billion in March.

The problem  quite simply  has been getting the cash from A to B. Only $3 billion has gone out to renters since states received the first tranche of funds Feb. 10, and there's more than enough blame to go around. That leaves $43.55 billion unspent.

Lack of awareness, confusion about aid, how program works

The Biden administration and state governments could have done a better and more creative job of making Americans aware of the relief. Even as late as May, more than half of renters and 40% of landlords didn't even know the program existed. And among those aware of the program, there was confusion about how it worked.

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The federal government took weeks to notify states they could ease back on some of the onerous paperwork the previous administration required to apply for relief.

And while it certainly isn't easy for any state to quickly implement a new federal benefit, some seemed to have moved at a glacial pace. Dozens of state and local governments didn't begin disseminating funds until May. Rhode Island, to name one, started issuing relief payments in May, but only to six households. By contrast, Virginia and Texas moved more rapidly, and had doled out tens of millions of dollars by early July.

In recent weeks, as a new variant of the coronavirus has caused the pandemic to come roaring back, liberal Democrats have angrily demanded that Biden issue an executive order extending the moratorium on evictions. It was originally issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last year, at a time when the viral outbreak was decimating the economy and nearly 30 million risked losing their homes for lack of rent money. The moratorium was extended several times since.

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Biden initially complained that his hands were tied after a majority of the Supreme Court, in responding to a lawsuit by landlords in June, indicated the CDC exceeded its authority and the moratorium must end July 31.

But under intense pressure from his party's liberal wing and a plea from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Biden acquiesced Tuesday and the CDC issued a new moratorium through Oct. 3 targeting counties experiencing substantial or high rates of transmission of COVID-19.

If that holds up in court, which is open to question, the new eviction ban will allow additional time for rental relief payment to reach tenants. But through all this, the rights of landlords should not be dismissed. They have lost money for nearly a year under the previous moratorium. Forty-one percent of individual rental units are mom-and-pop operations, and many rely on that income to pay their own bills. In Arizona, 11% of landlords have been forced to sell property and 12% have gone out of business, according to an advocacy group.

Stakes are high, solution is waiting

The bottom line is that this is a crisis with a solution waiting in the wings. Federal and state governments could do a better job of raising awareness of the rental relief program. Biden could talk about it. Alerts could be issued at vaccination sites, or people could be informed about it when they visit food pantries and shelters, or through programs administering Medicaid or food stamps.

In communities where the new moratorium doesn't apply, or should it expire or be struck down by the courts, judges handling eviction cases could divert them until landlords and tenants cooperate to seek federal rental assistance  certainly the most effective way for property owners to recoup missed payments.

The stakes are high. More than a million people fear eviction without a moratorium.

Biden stood before a joint session of Congress in April to make the case that government can still get things done for the American public. "We have to prove democracy still works," he said, "that our government still works and we can deliver for our people."

This eviction crisis could very well be a crucial test of whether the president's right.

USA TODAY's editorial opinions are decided by its Editorial Board, separate from the news staff and the USA TODAY Network. Most editorials are coupled with an Opposing View, a unique USA TODAY feature.

To read more editorials, go to the Opinion front page or sign up for the daily Opinion email newsletter. To respond to this editorial, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: COVID eviction moratorium: Biden and states wasting rental assistance
President Joe Biden nominated Wednesday the son of Zbigniew Brzezinski, one of the most prominent figures in Cold War politics, as US ambassador to his ancestral Poland despite reported hesitation by Warsaw's right-wing government.

Mark Brzezinski, who will need Senate confirmation, is an investor who served in foreign policy roles in previous Democratic administrations including as ambassador to Sweden under Barack Obama.

The nomination had been rumored for weeks and a Polish news site, Onet.pl, reported that the government in Warsaw raised objections by arguing that Brzezinski holds Polish citizenship through his father, making him ineligible to be ambassador.

The Polish government denied the account which came as the Biden administration takes a firmer line on democratic values with nations including Poland, whose populist government was closely allied with former president Donald Trump.

The State Department has voiced alarm over attempts in Poland to amend a law that would force a US company to sell a stake in a television network, which would allow greater state control over the media.

A group of US senators, mostly Democrats but also including the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in a joint statement Wednesday voiced concern over the "troubling trajectory for Poland's democracy" and warned it would scare off US investment.

Mark Brzezinski speaks Polish and studied as a Fulbright Scholar in Poland after the fall of the Iron Curtain, researching the country's constitutional transition.

Zbigniew Brzezinski, who died in 2017, was the son of a Polish diplomat who became a naturalized American citizen and one of the leading tacticians during the Cold War.

As national security advisor to Jimmy Carter from 1977 to 1981, the elder Brzezinski pressed for a firm line against the Soviet Union, notably by backing Islamic guerrillas who fought back Moscow's invasion of Afghanistan.

Mark is the sister of prominent television journalist Mika Brzezinski, co-host of the MSNBC show "Morning Joe."

sct/caw
A group of three lawmakers is trying to change a provision in the bipartisan infrastructure package that industry advocates say could create problems for blockchain software developers, cryptocurrency miners, and other parties.

Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon and Republican Sens. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming introduced an amendment to the spending package on Wednesday that seeks to alleviate some anxieties in the cryptocurrency industry.

The revenue-raising provision would apply new IRS reporting requirements to cryptocurrency brokers, which lawmakers predict would bring about $28 billion in revenue. Crypto proponents feared the original proposal was overly broad and could be interpreted to include not only centralized exchanges but also node operators, developers, and miners.

SEC CHIEF ASKS CONGRESS TO HELP REIN IN WILD WEST OF CRYPTOCURRENCIES

The new amendment clarifies the definition of brokers does not include any person engaged in the business of validating distributed ledger transactions, those who sell hardware or software that allows a person to control private keys used for accessing cryptocurrencies on a distributed ledger, or those who develop digital assets or their corresponding protocols for use by other persons if the other people are not customers.

By clarifying the definition of broker, our amendment will ensure nonfinancial intermediaries like miners, network validators, and other service providers  many of whom dont even have the personal-identifying information needed to file a 1099 with the IRS  are not subject to the reporting requirements specified in the bipartisan infrastructure package, Toomey said on Wednesday.

Wyden said in a statement that investors failing to pay taxes on cryptocurrencies is a real problem and said he strongly supports third-party reporting from exchanges. Still, his amendment clarifies reporting doesnt apply to those developing blockchain technology and wallets.

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The cryptocurrency industry will likely react favorably, as it had been lobbying for the bill's language to be honed to avoid the government interpreting the provision too broadly.

Greg Zerzan, a shareholder at Jordan Ramis and former acting assistant secretary of the Treasury, told the Washington Examiner the amendment narrows the original language so that the provision isnt used to justify a new, wholesale regulatory regime for the crypto industry.

The Toomey/Wyden amendment should limit the danger that the IRS will attempt to subject miners, service providers, and others critical to maintaining the integrity of crypto networks to new reporting requirements, he said.

Eloisa Marchesoni, an angel investor and cryptocurrency consultant, told the Washington Examiner that the original version of the provision was tantamount to government surveillance of the cryptocurrency industry and hailed the amendment.

This amendment will ensure that the provision does not dramatically expand financial surveillance, harm innovation, or undermine human rights. Policies that impact basic freedom and the future of the internet should be debated carefully and should never be attached to must-pass bills, she said in a statement.

The news comes as lawmakers and the Biden administration weigh how best to regulate the burgeoning cryptocurrency industry. This week, Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Gary Gensler asserted Congress should give his agency more regulatory power over digital assets.

We need additional congressional authorities to prevent transactions, products, and platforms from falling between regulatory cracks, he said. We also need more resources to protect investors in this growing and volatile sector. We stand ready to work closely with Congress, the administration, our fellow regulators, and our partners around the world to close some of these gaps.

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Cryptocurrencies are highly reactive to any whiff of new regulation. After Genslers comments, many of the digital assets with the highest market caps were in the red, although they pared some of those losses on Wednesday as Bitcoin rose about 3.5% to $39,500, Ethereum leaped 8.2%, and Ripple climbed 3.4%.

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Tags: News, Cryptocurrency, Pat Toomey, Ron Wyden, Congress, Regulation, Taxes, Infrastructure

Original Author: Zachary Halaschak

Original Location: Bipartisan group of lawmakers offers amendment to fix threat to cryptocurrencies in infrastructure bill
BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazil's incoming presidential chief of staff Ciro Nogueira said on Wednesday the government will relaunch an ambitious social program to fight hunger and poverty ahead of next year's elections.

Far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who swore in Nogueira as his closest aide on Wednesday, said he plans to increase the benefits of the popular Bolsa Familia by at least 50% and rename it Auxilio Brasil.

The long-standing cash handout program, first introduced by leftist former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, benefits millions of poor Brazilians, who have faced increased hardship during the coronavirus pandemic.

Bolsonaro brought Nogueira, a leader of the center-right Progressive Party, into his cabinet to shore up support in Congress as he prepares for the 2022 presidential election.

"His appointment shows that the government wants a better relationship with Congress," the president said.

Bolsonaro had kept some distance from Brazil's traditional center parties, that he accused of being corrupt when campaigning for office in 2018.

But his popularity has dropped during the world's second-deadliest COVID-19 outbreak that has killed more than 550,000 Brazilians, and he has had to secure the support of those parties to shield himself against impeachment petitions in Congress.

A Senate investigation has uncovered potential irregularities in the government's purchase of COVID-19 vaccines.

The appointment of Nogueira is expected to make his PP party the main component of any coalition that Bolsonaro will try to build to seek re-election next year.

Recent opinion polls show Bolsonaro's popularity plummeting and say he would be defeated handily by left-wing leader Lula if the election were held now. Neither Bolsonaro nor Lula have officially announced they will be candidates.

(Reporting by Anthony Boadle; editing by Stephen Eisenhammer and Aurora Ellis)
BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazil has had 40,716 new cases of the novel coronavirus reported in the past 24 hours, and 1,175 deaths from COVID-19, the Health Ministry said on Wednesday.

The South American country has now registered 20,026,533 cases since the pandemic began, while the official death toll has risen to 559,607, according to ministry data, in the world's third worst outbreak outside the United States and India and its second-deadliest.

(Reporting by Anthony Boadle; Editing by Leslie Adler)
British Islamist preacher Anjem Choudary has been blocked from joining employment networking site LinkedIn, the latest decision among major social media platforms to ban him.

A LinkedIn spokesperson said the account belonging to Choudary, who was convicted on terrorism charges in 2016 and once praised the Sept. 11 hijackers as Muslims "carrying out their Islamic responsibility and duty" with the attack, was taken down because the platform doesn't "allow any terrorist organizations or violent extremist groups on our platform."

"And we dont allow any individuals who affiliate with such organizations or groups to promote their activities," the company said in a statement. "We enforce those rules to help keep LinkedIn safe, trusted and professional. These rules apply to everyone on LinkedIn and if they are violated, we take action."

BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TRANSFERS FIRST DETAINEE OUT OF GUANTANAMO BAY

Choudary had already been blocked from Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, with a spokesperson for the latter two saying his accounts violated its Dangerous Individuals and Organizations policies.

"Under these rules, we ban organizations or individuals that proclaim a violent mission or engage in organized hate or violence," the spokesperson said in a statement.

"That was quick, a record, just five days after I set up my account," Choudary told Sky News on July 29 of his ban from Twitter.

Choudary asserted he was "quite moderate" in his Twitter posts and that the company did not provide a reason for blocking him. The companies did not immediately disclose whether a particular post led to their actions. He had been posting about his interpretation of the Quran and Sharia before his accounts were deactivated.

The Washington Examiner contacted Twitter for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

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In July 2016, Choudary was found guilty of providing support to ISIS and was sentenced to five and a half years in prison. He was released in October 2018 and served the rest of his sentence under supervision.

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Choudary had been subject to public speaking restrictions as part of his sentence, most of which expired in the last two weeks.

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Tags: News, Islamism, sharia, Great Britain, United Kingdom, Social Media

Original Author: Jeremy Beaman

Original Location: British Islamist preacher banned from multiple social media platforms
With the Chinese government accelerating moves against its own tech industry, China is  for now  prioritizing Communist Party control of the domestic economy over aggressive international competition.

Why it matters: China and the U.S. are both playing a long game, with tech as the playing field, companies as the pieces and domination of the global economy as the stakes.

Stay on top of the latest market trends and economic insights with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free

Driving the news: A state-owned newspaper in China denounced online gaming as "opium for the mind" Tuesday, driving down shares of Tencent and other Chinese firms, the Wall Street Journal reports.

"Within hours the article was no longer accessible on the papers website, before later reappearing with some of its harsher language removed," including the "opium" line.

But the move is in line with a range of other steps China has taken over the last eight months to rein in its tech sector, from new restrictions on online tutoring firms to limits on firms' overseas investment deals.

Catch up quick: China's own "techlash" kicked off in November, when the Chinese government blocked the IPO for Ant Financial, founded by Alibaba billionaire Jack Ma.

The move was followed in April by a wave of antitrust actions, including a $2.8 billion fine for Alibaba.

Soon after the $73 billion IPO by China's ride-hailing giant, DiDi, government regulators barred its app from app stores.

The big picture: Some of these moves were justified on data security grounds, others on behalf of increasing competition. But China experts say the thread that ties them all together is the party's determination to show tech-sector giants and wealthy moguls who's boss.

Between the lines: "Disruption" is a byword for U.S. tech entrepreneurs determined to challenge incumbents, but for many in China  and certainly for the government  it's a dirty word.

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Chinese leaders fear instability and see online platforms promoting it in two different ways:

Allowing social media platforms to grow independently powerful threatens the ruling party's tight hold on information in any future crisis.

Some experts believe the Chinese government worries about U.S.-scale inequality driven by tech entrepreneurs amassing Jeff Bezos-scale private wealth.

Yes, but: Other observers suggest that Chinese business and culture has a bias towards manufacturing, hardware and physical goods, and against the kind of immaterial goods created by the software and financial industries.

China's role as foundry of the world's tech products gives it a strategic advantage.

Its online platforms and software face an uphill challenge with users and partners in the U.S., Europe and elsewhere, who see Chinese companies as untrustworthy, given laws requiring them to share data with the government.

TikTok remains China's most successful software export, but its survival in the U.S. during the Trump era hung by a thread.

Meanwhile, Chinese companies have come to question the reliability of U.S. partners and suppliers following the Trump administration's broad bans on many of China's leading tech firms. For China today, self-sufficiency looks like a necessity.

The bottom line: China seeks continued economic growth and global power. But if that quest ever threatens to spark opposition to the party or enable dissent, the government will always choose stability.

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CNN anchor Chris Cuomo, right, made no mention of the sexual harassment allegations against his brother, New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, on his top-rated program. (Associated Press)

The show went on for CNN host Chris Cuomo on Tuesday, but he did not cover the biggest news story of the day  an investigation that found his brother, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, had sexually harassed multiple women while in office.

Cuomo made no mention of his brother's escalating scandal on CNN's top-rated program "Cuomo Prime Time" just hours after New York State Atty. Gen. Letitia James issued her devastating report on the governor's behavior.

James' report found that Cuomo harassed women inside and outside state government and retaliated against one of his accusers. The nearly five-month investigation, conducted by two outside lawyers who spoke to 179 people, found that the Cuomo administration was a hostile work environment and that it was rife with fear and intimidation."

Cuomo denied the findings, saying he never inappropriately touched anyone. He now faces calls from Democratic leaders, including President Biden, to resign.

The scandal once again put a spotlight on an ongoing conflict that CNN has navigated since the governor  once considered a hero for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic  ran into serious trouble.

James' investigation confirmed a May 20 Washington Post report that said Chris Cuomo participated in a series of conference calls earlier this year that included the Democratic governors top aide, his communications team, lawyers and outside advisors as Andrew Cuomo faced claims that he made inappropriate comments or touched women without their permission.

When the report first broke, CNN acknowledged in a statement that Chris Cuomo participated in the discussions and called it a mistake, as a journalist taking an active role in politics or government is a fundamental breach of ethics. Cuomo apologized to viewers on his program but was never suspended or disciplined.

The decision by CNN management to allow Cuomo to appear on "Cuomo Prime Time" on Tuesday surprised and upset some CNN employees, according to one company insider who was not authorized to discuss the matter.

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The network covered the scandal extensively on the two programs preceding Cuomo. "Erin Burnett Outfront" spent 22 minutes on the story. "Anderson Cooper 360" devoted 26 minutes to it. Don Lemon went back to the story immediately after Cuomo finished his affectionate handoff to the host.

But Cuomo led with COVID-19 vaccine coverage and made no mention of his brother's troubles or the need to recuse himself from the story for the rest of the hour.

CNN came under criticism in 2020 for allowing Cuomo to appear on his brother's program during the early months of the pandemic.

Since joining CNN in 2013, Chris Cuomo has been banned from covering the governor. But the networks executives made an exception last year as Andrew Cuomo was hailed by the public and press for his daily take-charge press conferences on the states handling of the pandemic.

The Cuomo brothers appeared at least a dozen times on Chris Cuomo Tonight last year, mixing discussion of the coronavirus with fraternal banter. Executives believed that the nature of the crisis at the time gave them the latitude to have the two appear together.

As a stunt, the brother-to-brother conversations worked as the ratings for Cuomo Prime Time climbed during those appearances. Their last joint appearance in May 2020 had Chris Cuomo wielding a giant cotton test swab while poking fun at the governor.

But public opinion on Cuomo began to turn after it was revealed that his office undercounted the number of COVID-19 deaths that occurred in the states nursing homes. CNN again prohibited the Cuomo brothers from appearing together as criticism mounted.

Chris Cuomo also came under fire when multiple news outlets reported Wednesday that he was among the people close to the governor who received priority access to testing last March as the pandemic escalated and available testing was scarce.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Photograph: Luisa Gonzalez/Reuters

Gen Mario Montoya was the star soldier who oversaw the defeat of Latin Americas most powerful insurgency, a US-trained professional hailed for turning around a demoralized army and masterminding a string of brutal strikes against Colombias leftist guerrillas.

After taking command of the South American countrys army in 2006, he regularly appeared on television news, the face of a modern military who even spoke the language of human rights.

Gen Montoya commanded the army at the height of the conflict, when the military was taking the fight to the guerrillas with unprecedented intensity, said Adam Isacson, director for defence oversight at the Washington Office on Latin America. He seemed like an emblem of a new, more professional, more effective army that worked closely with the United States.

Now, however, Montoya is facing murder charges, alleged to have overseen the abduction and execution of up to 104 civilians  including five children  who were falsely described as rebels to boost statistics, in a scandal known in Colombia as the false positives.

Montoyas legacy is very different from what he, and Colombians, had expected it to be in mid-2008, Isacson said. He has since come to be seen as a general who measured success through body counts, and who created an internal climate that tolerated human rights abuses.

The office of Colombias attorney general announced on Sunday that charges would be forthcoming, puncturing the now-retired generals aura of invincibility  and giving victims hope that light will finally be shed on one of the darkest chapters of the countrys internal conflict.

Related: The false positives scandal that felled Colombias military hero

The vast majority of the false positive killings took place between 2002 and 2008, when the government of then-president Alvaro Uribe was waging war against the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (or Farc), a leftist rebel group which ultimately made peace with the government in 2016.

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A special peace tribunal, known as the JEP, found in February that at least 6,402 people were killed as the false positives.

Soldiers who carried out the executions were rewarded with perks including time off and promotions, while their superiors used the figures to justify substantial military aid from the United States.

Montoya, who Uribe once described as a hero of the homeland, commanded the army during the abuses and was in close contact with his commander in chief. He resigned in 2008, when news of the false positives scandal first broke.

One of the victims was Julian Oviedo Monroy, who disappeared in 2008, after being recruited near his home near Bogota with bogus promises of work. His body was eventually found in a mass grave near Colombias eastern border with Venezuela.

As one of his victims, I say to Mario Montoya that I want you to face justice, to face the truth, said Blanca Monroy, Julians mother. Im happy that Colombian justice is finally bringing some results, and I hope that he gets charged and pays many years in jail for what hes done.

While more than a thousand low and mid-ranking soldiers have been convicted and jailed for their roles in the executions, no general has yet faced serious legal jeopardy. Montoya  who is one of the most decorated Colombian military officials alive  would be the highest profile official by far.

Few prominent figures rushed to Montoyas defence after the attorney generals announcement, though a desultory hashtag on Twitter, #ISupportGeneralMontoya gained some traction. Neither Montoya nor Uribe has made any public comment on the looming charges.

But analysts say the charges are more symbolic than practical, given that in 2018 Montoya  who has previously denied wrongdoing  began cooperating with the JEPs investigation of the extrajudicial killings, precluding him from facing justice in regular courts, at least for now.

If Montoya is sentenced by the JEP, he would serve between five and eight years  outside a prison  and community service, though could face the rest of his life behind bars if his case winds up in regular court.

Related: Colombian court accuses soldiers of murdering at least 120 civilians

The announcement is important, but its mostly symbolic while Montoya and other generals are before the JEP, said Jose Miguel Vivanco, Americas director at Human Rights Watch. But he will have to fully confess to his crimes to the JEP or he could be expelled from that process and he would have to face the ordinary courts.

Whatever happens with Montoya, the looming charges have again cast a spotlight on former president Uribes role in the conflict. Activists led by mothers of victims such as Monroy have used the catchphrase Who gave the order? on murals in cities across Colombia.

Montoya drew his power from having a direct line with Uribe, Vivanco said. He was so powerful that Montoya understood he could keep everyone in line that way.
California state Sen. John V. Briggs speaks about the defeat of Proposition 6 on Nov. 7, 1978, at a Costa Mesa hotel. (Doug Pizac / Associated Press)

Sally Miller Gearharts death is a reminder of an era that seems both terribly remote and shockingly recent.

Gearhart was a radical feminist separatist, a communications professor, a Bay Area force of nature, a writer and outspoken gay rights activist. In the 1970s, she published a science-fiction novel about women living apart from men in a rural feminist utopia. In the 1980s, she championed real-life technologies that might allow women to have babies  girl babies  without the meddling of men. Crackpottery, this newspaper called it.

Her death last month at age 90 was also a reminder of the states epic battle over Proposition 6  the so-called Briggs Initiative, which I had mostly forgotten about but in which Gearhart played an outsize role. In 1978, Proposition 6 roiled California, pitting the gay rights movement against the states moralists and fearmongers.

The brainchild, if you can call it that, of State Sen. John V. Briggs, an Orange County Republican, the initiative would have made it illegal for gays and lesbians to teach in Californias public schools.

Gearhart and Harvey Milk, the San Francisco supervisor assassinated just weeks after the Proposition 6 election, were the co-chairs of the campaign to defeat it.

It was a deranged, fear-fueled crusade on the part of the measures proponents. Though it took place only four blink-of-an-eye decades ago, the swirl of hysteria and misinformation suggested something from a previous century. Briggs was inspired to launch the initiative by singer Anita Bryants homophobic Save Our Children campaign a year earlier in Florida's Dade County.

Why did California need to ban homosexuals from teaching in its schools? Briggs claimed that 20% to 30% of L.A. teachers were gay  and more in San Francisco  and that they were all incipient child molesters. He said homosexuality was worse than communism, because it spread like a cancer through society and led to the destruction of civilizations. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times Robert Scheer, he claimed that San Franciscos welfare rolls were growing because homosexuals tend to have more interest in their sexual activities than in working.

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Like most people dont?

Believe it or not, said Briggs, right now in California, a teacher can stand up in the classroom and say he is homosexual and introduce his wife, Harry, and not a single thing can be done about it.

You can write Briggs off as a nut or a Neanderthal, but in fact he represented millions of people in California.

In a televised debate, Gearhart asked Briggs why he wanted to remove homosexuals from schools when it is more than overwhelmingly true that it is the heterosexual men  that are the child molesters?

Briggs tried to brush that off as a myth.

But Gearhart cited the FBI, the National Council on Family Relations, the Santa Clara County Child Abuse and Sexual Treatment Center, among others.

(Interestingly, Gearhart was cut out of the 2008 film starring Sean Penn as Harvey Milk, and some of her debate lines were apparently rewritten and given to Milk  in a case of what some have described as lesbian erasure.)

Briggs died recently too, in April 2020, also at age 90. Theres much heated discussion these days on whether people from earlier eras can be forgiven their backward political views because they were just reflecting what everyone believed in their day. But before cutting Briggs too much slack, remember that he wasnt just spouting conventional wisdom; he was leading the pack.

In the end, the people of California voted down Proposition 6 by a large majority. Hooray for us. It was probably not the work of Gearhart and Milk that won the day so much as a late-in-the-game statement opposing the ballot measure by a former governor and future president, Ronald Reagan, according to Dudley Clendinen and Adam Nagourney in Out for Good, their history of the gay rights movement in America.

Whatever else it is, homosexuality is not a contagious disease like the measles, Reagan wrote in a column in the Los Angeles Herald-Examiner just before the election. Prevailing scientific opinion is that an individuals sexuality is determined at a very early age and that a childs teachers do not really influence this.

To me, it remains shocking that 2.8 million Californians voted for Proposition 6  41% of the total votes. Just as 30 years later, millions of Californians  a 52% majority, that time  voted yes on Proposition 8 to ban same-sex marriage. (A federal judge later threw out that reprehensible law.)

It would be nice to think these examples of prejudice and intolerance are now so far behind us that they can be written off as remnants of a bygone unenlightened era. But thats not so clear.

These days, California performs better on such tests of acceptance and inclusion. A poll conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California in June, for instance, found that 71% of Californians supported the federal Equality Act, which would provide long overdue civil rights protections to LBGTQ Americans and their families. Yet it was depressing that nearly one in four respondents did not support the bill.

Meanwhile, the early battles waged by the likes of John Briggs, Sally Gearhart and others are fading into history.

I did stumble across one recent suggestion of, at the very least, karmic justice. In July, Anita Bryants granddaughter said she was planning to wed another woman. She hadnt yet decided whether to invite her grandmother, who is now 81 years old.

@Nick_Goldberg

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
U.S. intelligence officials face bipartisan congressional pressure to explain their use of surveillance powers, following a rebuke from a federal judge and Fox News host Tucker Carlsons high-profile dispute with the National Security Agency.

Our institutions are only as good as the American publics confidence in them, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio wrote a top intelligence official, requesting an investigation of Carlsons allegation the NSA violated his privacy. The NSA publicly responded to Mr. Carlsons allegations with a statement on Twitter that frankly only created more questions.

Rubio, the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee, did not dispute the NSAs denial of wrongdoing in Carlsons case. Yet, Rubios request for a formal inquiry into Carlsons complaint coincided with a sharper rebuke of the FBI, which has drawn bipartisan ire due to a federal judges revelation of pervasive misuse of data collected by the NSA.

We each share an obligation to protect Americans civil liberties, Indiana Republican Rep. Victoria Spartz and California Democratic Rep. Zoe Lofgren wrote in a Tuesday letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray. However, the FBI has repeatedly violated the civil liberties of Americans through widespread misuse of Section 702 data.

TUCKER CARLSON'S NAME IN NSA INTERCEPTS REVEALED THROUGH 'UNMASKING': REPORT

Section 702 is a provision of federal law that allows the NSA to collect the communications of foreign targets overseas without a warrant. That surveillance authority looms over both controversies, as a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court judge revealed FBI officials have failed to follow the rules designed to prevent the Section 702 program from being used in violation of the Fourth Amendment rights of Americans.

The FBIs failure to properly apply its querying standard when searching Section 702-acquired information was more pervasive than was previously believed, the judge wrote in a November 18, 2020, opinion that the Office of the Director of Intelligence published in April.

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Carlson, for his part, has accused President Joe Bidens administration of spying on him and planning to leak his plans to interview Russian President Vladimir Putin.

I wasn't embarrassed about trying to interview Putin. He's obviously newsworthy, Carlson said last month. But still, in this case, I decided to keep it quiet. I figured that any kind of publicity would rattle the Russians and make the interview less likely to happen. But the Biden administration found out anyway, by reading my emails.

NSA officials denied that Carlson was a target of surveillance, while his account spurred outside analysts to surmise the U.S. spy agencies tasked with monitoring the communications of Putins associates detected Carlsons interview request  a phenomenon known as incidental collection.

By law, I should have been identified internally merely as a U.S. journalist or American journalist, Carlson said. But that's not how I was identified. It was identified by name. I was unmasked.

Rubio, following Carlsons demand for an explanation from National Intelligence director Avril Haines and NSA Director Paul Nakasone, urged Haines to coordinate with the NSA to launch a formal inquiry into both aspects of the controversy: the initial information gathering and the alleged unmasking.

However, the senator did not dispute the NSAs denial and suggested a transparent investigation might clear the air.

Our institutions are only as good as the American publics confidence in them, Rubio wrote to Haines. As such, it is essential that the IC  under your leadership  hold itself to account if misconduct has occurred, and convincingly reassure an American public increasingly attuned to the perception of widespread misconduct where it has not occurred.

Spartz, Lofgren, and 15 other House lawmakers took up the FISA court judge's findings rather than Carlson's complaint. They signaled to Wray they are confident the FBI is guilty of misuse of raw Section 702 data, although they did not refer to Carlson. They set a deadline for the FBI chief to schedule a classified briefing on the controversy.

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The FBI has systematically failed to comply with Section 702 restrictions and its own regulations to protect Americans civil liberties, Spartz, the Indiana Republican, said Tuesday in a statement accompanying the release of the Aug. 2 letter. The core function of the government is to protect our constitutional rights, and members of Congress should be briefed by FBI officials regarding the bureaus efforts to remediate this issue.

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Tags: News, Foreign Policy, National Security, Tucker Carlson, Russia, Marco Rubio, NSA, Avril Haines

Original Author: Joel Gehrke

Original Location: Congress pressures US spy agencies as Tucker Carlson feuds with NSA
Lauded nationwide last year for his no-nonsense coronavirus briefings, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo was clinging to his political life Wednesday as prosecutors opened criminal inquiries into sexual harassment allegations against the powerful Democrat.

As Donald Trump sowed chaos last spring, Cuomo's televised pandemic press conferences comforted Americans and even led to clamor for a presidential run, but the 63-year-old now finds himself a political pariah.

New York state assembly Democrats are poised to complete an impeachment inquiry soon while four district attorneys are pursuing criminal investigations after Tuesday's bombshell report found Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women.

"If you assault a woman, you do something against her will sexually, that's criminal. I think he should be charged," New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democrat, told CBS on Wednesday.

The investigation concluded that Cuomo engaged in "unwelcome and non-consensual touching and making numerous comments of a suggestive sexual nature that created a hostile work environment for women."

It detailed allegations by 11 women that painted "a picture of a pattern of abusive behavior by Cuomo and his senior staff," said state Attorney General Letitia James said, announcing the findings.

The three-term governor came out fighting. He said he'd never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances and suggested he would not step down in a pre-recorded statement.

But pressure continued to build on Cuomo Wednesday as prosecutors in Manhattan, Westchester, and Long Island joined those in Albany in opening a criminal inquiry and requesting documents from James's investigation, which was only civil in nature.

The Westchester case relates to an allegation that Cuomo inappropriately touched a state trooper assigned to his protective detail on her stomach and hip.

"I can see a several counts of forcible touching and possibly sexual abuse -- all misdemeanors," Julie Rendelman, a former Brooklyn prosecutor, told AFP.

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Cuomo has politics in his blood -- his father Mario Cuomo served three terms as the Democratic governor of New York state between 1983 and 1994 -- and is unlikely to go quietly.

He has long been part of the Democratic Party's moderate establishment: in 1990, Cuomo married Kerry Kennedy -- daughter of the late US Attorney General Robert Kennedy. They divorced 15 years later.

Cuomo received praise for pushing through the legalization of same-sex marriage in New York in 2011 and for raising the state's minimum wage to $15 in December 2019.

But he has increasingly clashed with left-wing progressives in the party in recent years who have long accused him of governing with hectoring, bulldog-like tactics.

- Impeachment -

Allies, including President Joe Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and New York City's likely next mayor, Eric Adams, quickly deserted him following the explosive report.

And on Wednesday The New York Times editorial board called on him to quit.

"He wants to survive because the only thing that matters to Andrew Cuomo is being governor of New York," Lincoln Mitchell, a politics expert at Columbia University, told AFP.

"But he's going to have a tough time when the President of the United States, who is the leader of your party, says that he should no longer be in office."

After Cuomo made it clear he had no plans to step down voluntarily, the Democratic speaker of New York's state assembly, Carl Heastie, said an impeachment investigation would be concluded "as quickly as possible."

"He can no longer remain in office," Heastie said.

If the lower house assembly approves impeachment articles, which now seems all but certain, Cuomo would become the first New York governor to be impeached in more than a century.

Cuomo would likely have to temporarily step down as members of the senate and several judges preside over the trial. At least two thirds of jurors must vote to convict to permanently remove him from office.

Although he has not officially announced a run, Cuomo is believed to covet a fourth term as governor, to surpass his father.

pdh/ft
Dallas County Commissioner J.J. Koch is seen being escorted from a commissioners court meeting for not wearing a face mask. Twitter/@KenKalthoffNBC5

Dallas County Commissioner JJ Koch refused to wear a face mask during a meeting Tuesday.

County Judge Clay Jenkins, a Democrat, subsequently had Koch, a Republican, escorted out of the meeting.

Koch said Jenkins was in defiance of the governor's executive order against mask mandates.

See more stories on Insider's business page.

Dallas County Commissioner JJ Koch was kicked out of a meeting on Tuesday for refusing to wear a face mask, The Dallas Morning News reported.

County Judge Clay Jenkins, a Democrat, led the commissioner's court meeting and asked the five commissioners attending to wear face masks due to a local spike in cases, driven by the Delta variant.

Koch, the sole Republican at the meeting, was the only commissioner to refuse Jenkins' order, according to KDFW.

Jenkins told Koch to put on a face mask or leave the room and attend the meeting virtually, said the Dallas Morning News.

When he continued to refuse to mask up, Jenkins ordered a bailiff to remove Koch from the room.

The meeting was then delayed by nearly an hour while Koch figured out a way to attend the meeting virtually from his office, reported the Dallas Morning News.

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When he finally rejoined the meeting, Koch complained that Jenkins had violated Gov. Greg Abbott's executive order, which bans mask mandates.

But Jenkins argued that he has the power to enforce mask-wearing in his court due to a Texas Supreme Court decision that gives judges the power to protect people in their court rooms.

"My enemy is the virus, not each other," Jenkins said in a statement after the meeting, according to the Dallas Morning News. "My actions requiring masks in the courtroom are authorized by the Texas Supreme Court and are intended by me to keep people safe in accordance with the CDC guidelines."

Whether Jenkins has that power is a legal gray zone as he is not a judge in the traditional sense.

According to NBC Dallas-Fort Worth, in Texas, county government meetings are called commissioners court, but the members of the court are members of the executive and legislative branches, not the judicial branch.

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Koch said he's hired a law firm to file a temporary restraining order to stop the court from continuing proceedings without him being there in person, the Dallas Morning News said.

He moved to suspend the meeting until a court could rule on that request, but the meeting continued as usual on Tuesday.

Insider reached out to Koch and Jenkins for comment on Wednesday but did not immediately receive a response from either.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(L-R) James Gunn and Martin Scorsese. Getty

James Gunn weighed in on Martin Scorsese's 2019 comments that Marvel movies are "not cinema."

"That is the only thing that would get him press for his movie," Gunn said.

Gunn, who directed DC's "The Suicide Squad," also directs Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy" movies.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

James Gunn, who is behind Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy" films as well as DC's upcoming "The Suicide Squad" movie, is never shy about offering his opinion. And that includes giving his take on Martin Scorsese's past comments about the MCU.

In a recent interview with the "Happy. Sad. Confused." podcast, Gunn commented on the polarizing quote Scorsese gave while promoting "The Irishman," where he said that Marvel movies are "not cinema."

Video: Where Hollywood shoots all its plane scenes

"I just think it seems awful cynical that he would keep coming out against Marvel and then that is the only thing that would get him press for his movie," Gunn said to host Josh Horowitz. "He's creating his movie in the shadow of the Marvel films, and so he uses that to get attention for something he wasn't getting as much attention as he wanted for it."

However, Gunn added that Scorsese is "one of the greatest filmmakers who's ever existed" and that he agreed with some of what the legendary Oscar winner was pointing out.

"There are a lot of heartless, soulless, spectacle films out there that don't reflect what should be happening," Gunn said. "I can't tell you the amount of times I've talked to film directors before they went and made a big movie, and said, 'Hey, we're in this together, let's do something different with these big movies. Let's make them something different than everything that has come before them.' And then see them cater to every single studio whim and be grossed out, frankly."

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"Guardians of the Galaxy." Marvel Studios

Gunn has been praised for making his "Guardians" movies with a little more edge than the rest of the movies released by Marvel Studios.

In 2019, Scorsese told Empire Magazine that though he's tried to watch Marvel movies, they aren't for him.

"I tried, you know? But that's not cinema," he said. "Honestly, the closest I can think of them, as well made as they are, with actors doing the best they can under the circumstances, is theme parks. It isn't the cinema of human beings trying to convey emotional, psychological experiences to another human being."

Scorsese's comments have since led to lots of debate online between cinephiles and comic-book superfans over whether Marvel movies are cinematic.

Gunn's comments will certainly reignite that debate.

In fact, following the reaction to Gunn's Scorsese comments he tweeted this on Wednesday:

Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy 3," which Gunn directed, will be out in May 2023.

Read the original article on Insider
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden may have averted a flood of evictions and solved a growing political problem when his administration reinstated a temporary ban on evictions because of the COVID-19 crisis. B ut he left his lawyers with legal arguments that even he acknowledges might not stand up in court.

The new eviction moratorium announced Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention could run into opposition at the Supreme Court, where one justice in late June warned the administration not to act further without explicit congressional approval.

Landlords from Alabama whose bid to lift the earlier pause on evictions failed returned to federal court in Washington late Wednesday, asking for an order that would allow evictions to resume.

The administration is counting on differences between the new order, scheduled to last until Oct. 3, and the eviction pause that lapsed over the weekend to bolster its legal case. At the very least, as Biden himself said, the new moratorium will buy some time to protect the estimated 3.6 million Americans who could face eviction from their homes.

Some legal scholars who doubt the new eviction ban will stand up say its legal underpinnings are strikingly similar to the old one.

Meet the new moratorium, same as the old moratorium! Ilya Somin, a George Mason University law professor who backed Biden over former President Donald Trump last year, wrote on Reason.com.

Nicholas Bagley, a University of Michigan law professor, said he expects landlords "all over the country to turn immediately to the courts in an effort to secure a preliminary injunction, an order that would effectively allow evictions to resume.

The basic legal issue is whether the CDC has the authority in the midst of a public health crises to impose a pause on evictions, under existing federal law that dates to 1944.

U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich ruled in May the CDC exceeded its power under that law, a decision Bagley called measured and sensible. But Friedrich kept her ruling in favor of the Alabama landlords on hold pending appeal.

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In June, the Supreme Court voted 5-4 to allow the moratorium to remain in place through the end of July, even though one justice in the majority, Brett Kavanaugh, wrote that he believed CDC lacked authority to order it. Extending the moratorium any further, Kavanaugh wrote, would be possible only with clear and specific congressional authorization (via new legislation).

Congress has not acted. Neither the House nor Senate had the votes for a temporary extension, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi did not so much as hint Tuesday that she would try to move legislation through the House.

Today is a day of extraordinary relief. Thanks to the leadership of President Biden, 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.

Biden was told a new nationwide moratorium, like the one that just expired, would likely be blocked by courts, according to a senior White House official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

But the administration went ahead without Congress weighing in, after officials devised a plan with enough changes to, they hope, make it less vulnerable to court challenges.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki insisted Wednesday that Biden, who has a law degree, would not have supported it if he was uncomfortable with the legal standing or approach, despite the doubts he aired publicly a day earlier.

This is a narrow, targeted moratorium that is different from the national moratorium. Its not an extension of that, Psaki said.

Pelosi helped recruit Harvard University Professor Emeritus Laurence Tribe to work on a solution and persuade the White House that a narrower moratorium could stand up in court, according to a person who was granted anonymity to discuss private conversations.

The new order protects renters only in parts of the country where there is significant COVID-19 transmission, though in practice it initially covers areas where 90% of the U.S. population lives. Evictions can resume once there is a lasting reduction in new infections.

The differences are significant, some legal scholars said.

What this does is very directly link the moratorium to the control of COVID-19, said Emily Benfer, a Wake Forest law professor who studies health and housing. With all the information that is now known about the new delta variant, the war on COVID has changed since last time the question of the moratorium was before the Supreme Court, she said.

Brianne Gorod, of the liberal Constitutional Accountability Center, also cautioned against reading too much into Kavanaughs one-paragraph comment on the moratorium from late June.

Courts will consider how the spread of the delta variant and its significant transmissibility make clear the need for this more targeted moratorium, Gorod said.

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which encompasses Tennessee, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio, ruled in late July in a separate lawsuit that CDC lacks the authority to issue pauses on eviction. And the CDC order itself says it does not apply to the extent its application is prohibited by federal court order.

As a result, Barbara Peck, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee state court system, said Wednesday that lawyers for courts in her state had advised that it is not applicable in Tennessee.

Some housing advocates said the new system would be complicated but would prevent some evictions. Their clients were grateful for the reprieve.

Antoinette Eleby, 42, of Miami, said she had been worried as she expected an eviction order within two to three weeks after she said her landlord twice refused to take federal rental assistance. She had sent five of nine children to live with her mother in another county.

But after hearing about the new CDC order, Eleby said she was hopeful the additional time would persuade her landlord to take the federal funds and she could remain her home. She has been told by her lawyer that the order means she cannot be evicted by sheriffs officers.

Now that this happened, Im kind of at ease. I am just seeing what are the next steps. I just have to continue hoping for the best, said Eleby, who couldnt work for part of the pandemic after her family contracted COVID-19.

___

Associated Press writers Lisa Mascaro, Darlene Superville in Washington and Michael Casey in Boston contributed to this report.
The downfall of Carlos Ghosn made headlines around the world

It was a web of intrigue which led to the arrest and subsequent dramatic escape of one of the world's best-known company bosses.

The spectacular downfall of the former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn in late 2018 made headlines on front pages around the world, as did his audacious escape from Japan more than a year later.

Throughout the affair, Ravinder Passi had a grandstand seat. As Nissan's top global lawyer he was a witness to a corporate meltdown that he describes as "the lunatics taking over the asylum".

At the time of Carlos Ghosn's arrest, Mr Passi, a 45-year-old British lawyer, was working as Nissan's global general counsel, leading a team of 250 people. He was asked to take part in the investigation into Mr Ghosn's affairs.

He says now he has no idea whether or not the former chairman was guilty of the charges he faced in Japan. But he does paint a vivid picture of disharmony and dysfunction within Nissan itself.

Nissan's headquarters: Ravinder Passi says his whistleblowing came at considerable personal cost

He claims his own efforts to blow the whistle on what he saw as wider wrongdoing within the company had serious personal consequences, leading to his demotion and eventual dismissal from Nissan, as well as a raid on his house by Japanese prosecutors and the end of an eight-year stay in the country.

In November 2018, senior executives at Nissan sprung a trap. They lured their jet-setting chairman and his closest associate Greg Kelly to Tokyo for an urgent, high level meeting.

When Mr Ghosn arrived at Tokyo's Haneda airport, however, he soon found himself under arrest. He was charged with financial crimes, including failing to report his true earnings. Prosecutors were acting on information provided by Nissan itself, much of it collated by Mr Ghosn's own chief of staff Hari Nada.

Mr Ghosn subsequently claimed he was the victim of a plot orchestrated by Mr Nada and the chief executive Hiroto Saikawa, alongside high-ranking government officials.

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Mr Ghosn claimed his arrest was to derail a merger between Nissan and partner Renault

It was carried out, he said, to derail a planned merger between Nissan and its French partner company Renault, which they feared would give French shareholders too much influence over the Japanese carmaker.

That is a charge which Nissan and Mr Saikawa, who has since left the company, have repeatedly denied.

Ravinder Passi was one of a handful of people within Nissan who knew about the planned arrests beforehand. But even at this early stage, he says, he had deep misgivings about the process.

"I was called into Hari Nada's officeand told there was going to be a dramatic arrest. Arranged for maximum publicity," he explains.

"When you lie to someone, to get them back into a particular jurisdiction, so that you can have them arrested in a very public manner, that says a lot about what's going on."

Carlos Ghosn was awaiting trial in Japan when he fled house arrest in Tokyo

Chief of staff Hari Nada, he says, had already reached a plea deal with prosecutors, providing them with information to use against Mr Ghosn, in return for immunity over his own involvement.

The deal was necessary because Mr Nada had himself been involved in drawing up the very financial arrangements which prosecutors claimed were illegal, and which had provided grounds for Mr Ghosn's arrest.

For Mr Passi this was a serious problem: "The alarm bells were going off straight away. Anyone who is involved in the underlying activity is supposed to be excluded from the investigation - not put in charge of it."

As the story unfolded, more unusual things began to happen. There were extensive leaks to the media which he says "cast Ghosn in a particular light and was in favour of Nissan". This information, he claims, was coming directly from the CEO's office, which Mr Nada was in charge of - and some of it was "highly classified".

Other concerns emerged from the investigation itself - which implicated not only Mr Nada, but the CEO himself in serious conflicts of interest. These included the fact that Mr Saikawa had himself had signed documents relating to the very pay arrangements later said to be illegal, something which Mr Saikawa later admitted in court.

Ravinder Passi, his wife Sonia, and their four children were ordered to leave Japan within a matter of days

Uncovering these issues made Ravinder Passi worried for his own safety. Having witnessed the way in which - in his view - two foreign executives had been lured to Japan, arrested in a public manner and incarcerated, he was concerned about the treatment he himself would receive if he spoke out.

Nevertheless, unable by now to "defend the indefensible", Mr Passi says he first wrote to the head of Nissan's audit committee, then contacted the company's independent directors.

No action was taken and instead there followed a period of what Mr Passi describes as "gaslighting" by the company. He was removed from the Ghosn investigation and relieved of most of his duties.

Feuding and bloodletting in the Nissan boardroom did not end with the arrest of Carlos Ghosn. Several foreign executives departed abruptly, including chief performance officer Jose Munoz, a key Ghosn ally. Then in September 2019, CEO Hiroto Saikawa himself was ousted - after admitting that he had been improperly overpaid.

But the changes at the top didn't reduce the pressure on the would-be whistleblower. In May 2020 Ravinder Passi was ordered by Nissan to leave Japan in a matter of days. And as he prepared to leave, there was a raid on his house, carried out by Nissan staff and court officials, with police standing by.

The raid, carried out in front of his wife Sonia and their four young girls, was to retrieve a laptop computer and phone belonging to the company. The computer, he says, contained evidence of "inappropriate and egregious" behaviour by Nissan executives.

Ravinder Passi is no longer employed by Nissan. He was removed from his high-ranking post in Japan last year, and sent to work in the UK. Having previously led a team of 250 people, he found himself working alongside just two others. He was fired not long afterwards - and has since taken Nissan to an employment tribunal, claiming unfair dismissal.

Nissan, which still employs Hari Nada, declined to answer a list of questions from the BBC regarding Mr Passi's allegations, on the grounds that it does not comment on ongoing litigation.

The company has, however, stressed that its internal investigation into Carlos Ghosn was "robust and thorough". It says "substantial and convincing" evidence was found which established that Mr Ghosn "intentionally committed serious misconduct and significant violations of corporate ethics".

Nissan CEO Hiroto Saikawa was ousted in 2019 - after admitting he had been improperly overpaid

The carmaker has also pointed out that it has "strengthened its governance structure by making it more independent and transparent", and has also strengthened its internal audit procedures.

Looking back, Ravinder Passi describes his experiences at Nissan as "kind of surreal". And he says he still finds the whole affair puzzling.

After all, he points out, companies do dispose of senior executives on a regular basis. But rarely does that happen in the "contrived, theatrical" way that the company got rid of its one-time boardroom superstar, Carlos Ghosn.
The claim: A serial killer is targeting women in Atlanta

Misinformation is spreading online about a purported serial killer targeting women in Atlanta, where police are investigating two separate slayings of parkgoers.

A July 31 Facebook post with more than 600 shares urges women to be cautious of their surroundings, claiming there is a "leak" from the Norcross Police Department in Georgia about an active serial killer.

"You've all heard about the Piedmont park murder surely, but now FBI is stepping in on this case pointing to the possibility of a serial being on the loose in ATL and surrounding areas," reads the text inside of a screenshot included in the post. "Crime in Atl is not uncommon, but these are."

The post continues on to claim that a Norcross police officer said a female body was found dismembered in the Atlanta suburb, citing an unnamed source.

Over the past few days, other users across Facebook have shared similar versions of the claim, prompting local authorities to dispute the inaccurate information.

Fact check: Image falsely claims to show world's first ambulance

USA TODAY reached out to Facebook users who shared the claim for comment.

Police refute the rumors

The Atlanta Police Department issued a statement on July 30 saying there have been "many rumors and much speculation" surrounding a recent slaying.

Katherine Janness, 40, was found stabbed to death July 28 at about 1 a.m. in Piedmont Park in Atlanta, where she had been walking her dog.

On the same day, police found 18-year-old Tori Lang shot to death in Yellow River Park in Gwinnett County, about 20 miles from Piedmont Park.

Authorities say there is no evidence the two killings are related.

"Detectives have found no connection between the Piedmont Park case and the Yellow River Park case," Cpl. Ryan Winderweedle of the Gwinnett Police Department told USA TODAY via email.

At an Aug. 3 news conference, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said there is no evidence the death of Janness was committed by a serial killer or that it was a hate crime.

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Meanwhile, Norcross Police Chief Bill Grogan told USA TODAY claims that a female body was found dismembered in the city "are only rumors, and there is no validity to them."

The FBI isn't providing details about its involvement in the Piedmont Park case, but Atlanta Police Chief Rodney Bryant told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution the department asked the agency to get involved to add resources.

Fact check: Viral photo of beachgoer wearing face mask is altered

This is not the first time an isolated incident or the FBI's participation in a murder case has sparked false claims on social media of an active serial killer.

USA TODAY has debunked claims about serial killers in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Our rating: False

The claim that a serial killer in the Atlanta area is targeting women is FALSE, based on our research. Atlanta police said there is no evidence that two recent deaths are connected. Norcross police said they are not investigating a killing in that city.

Our fact-check sources:

Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app, or electronic newspaper replica here.

Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fact check: Posts make false claims of active serial killer in Atlanta
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is aiming to give full approval for the Pfizer COVID vaccine by early September, the New York Times reported on Tuesday, citing people involved in the effort.

The FDA gave emergency use authorization to the Pfizer vaccine late last year. Full approval by the FDA could push more Americans to get the COVID-19 vaccine as it might reduce their fears about the safety of the shot.

The agency's unofficial deadline for the approval is the Sept. 6 Labor Day holiday, the Times said.

President Joe Biden said last week he expected the FDA to make the decision by early fall.

The FDA said in a statement on Friday that the agency is moving as rapidly as possible on the Pfizer application.

The spread of the highly contagious coronavirus Delta variant has fueled a new surge in infections, with the CDC reporting rising numbers of cases in nearly 90% of U.S. jurisdictions.

(Reporting by Eric Beech; Editing by Sandra Maler and Stephen Coates)
A fish with human-looking teeth is startling some people after it was caught off the Outer Banks.

Jennettes Pier in North Carolina said Nathan Martin reeled in a 9-pound fish that looks like its wearing dentures. A photo shows the aquatic animal, called a sheepshead, had teeth on the bottom and top of its mouth.

#bigteethbigtimes, Jennettes Pier, a landmark that juts 1,000 feet into the Atlantic Ocean, wrote Tuesday on Facebook.

The post from the fishing destination in Nags Head surprised many social media users and left others creeped out.

Omg thats crazy I would drop and run, one person commented on the photo.

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Nah, another Facebook user wrote. Im not that hungry, thanks.

Other social media users found some humor in the catch, even going as far as recommending a dentist.

I know a good Dentist on the Island, one person wrote.

Another commented: Whos missing their dentures?

It turns out, the sheepsheads teeth allow them to be omnivores, just like humans, according to a Scientific American blog post from 2013. The fish can be eaten and weigh between 5 and 15 pounds.

They are generally found year-round in North Carolinas coastal waters ranging from inshore brackish waters to offshore rocky bottom, the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality said on its website.

Martin didnt immediately respond to McClatchy News requests for comment on Wednesday.
FORT LAUDEREDALE, Fla.  Gov. Ron DeSantis, facing the Florida surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, delivered extraordinary and impassioned remarks on the issue Wednesday  attacking President Joe Biden.

This is a guy who ran for president saying he was going to quote shut down the virus. And what has he done? Hes imported more virus from around the world, by having a wide open southern border, he said. DeSantis offered no evidence to support the claim.

The governor concluded his 4 1/2-minute broadside with this message to the president: So why dont you do your job? Why dont you get this border secure, and until you do that, I dont want to hear a blip about COVID from you. Thank you.

Responding on Twitter, White House press secretary Jen Psaki wrote that 23% of new COVID hospitalizations in the U.S are in Florida, and their hospitals are being overwhelmed again. We are doing everything we can to help the people of FL, and theyre stepping up by getting vaccinated  we hope @GovRonDeSantis joins us in this fight.

DeSantis portrayed himself as the leader who is standing up for individual freedom against what he depicted as a malevolent, big-government Biden. He made a litany of accusations against the president, many of them amped-up versions of what Biden or his administration has said and done that have an element of truth but DeSantis depicted as ineptitude, incompetence or malice.

The question is we can either have a free society or we can have a biomedical security state, DeSantis asserted. And I can tell you, Florida, were a free state. People are going to be free to choose to make their own decisions about themselves, about their families, about their kids education and about putting food on the table. ... Let me tell you this: If youre coming after the rights of parents in Florida, Im standing in your way. Im not going to let you get away with it.

DeSantis made multiple assertions in Panama City after he announced awarding of government money aimed at continuing recovery efforts from Hurricane Michael, then departed without answering questions. The audience cheered. Earlier Wednesday, DeSantis held a virtual roundtable with hospital executives from across the state, several of whom praised his leadership.

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In Panama City, DeSantis claimed that the Biden administration is helping to facilitate (the spread of COVID-19) in our country, by doing nothing to stop the flow of people from around the world and who knows what new variants at the southern border and sending them throughout the U.S. Republican politicians often talk about a threat from immigrants at the border to energize their political base. Most people trying to cross at the Mexican border are being turned away, according to PolitiFact.

And what is his big solution? What is he so upset about Florida? His solution is he wants to have the government to force kindergartners to wear masks in school. He doesnt believe the parents should have a say in that. He thinks that should be a decision for the government. Well, I can tell you, in Florida the parents are going to be the ones in charge of that decision, DeSantis said.

DeSantis portrayed the idea of requiring masks for schoolchildren  those under age 12 cant be vaccinated  as some sort of Biden-big government effort to interfere with the rights of parents.

Though DeSantis opposes, and has vowed to block, schools from requiring masks, there is broad public support for mandating masks for children when classes start later this month.

Several Florida school boards want to require masks. A St. Pete Polls survey, conducted for the Florida Politics website and released Tuesday, said 62% of likely voters believe schools should require students to wear masks.

DeSantis is going around saying he wants to protect Florida parents freedom to not require masks in schools  as Covid cases are spiking in FL risking our economy and our health. The truth is if the DeSantis had done his job right from Day 1, we wouldnt be in this situation, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist wrote on Twitter. Earlier Wednesday, Crist held his own virtual roundtable, addressing a safe return to school during the pandemic.

DeSantis also claimed Biden rejects science because he denies the fact that people that recover from COVID have long-lasting immunity. Recent studies, however, have shown that post-infection immunity is not as long-lasting and strong as vaccinations.

DeSantis comments were a response to what Biden said Tuesday. The president criticized DeSantis and Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas, both of whom have blocked mask mandates even as coronavirus is surging in their states.

If youre not going to help, at least get out of the way of people trying to do the right thing, Biden said.

Also on Tuesday, a reporter asked Biden why he doesnt call DeSantis. To say happy birthday? What? the president said.

Biden said Tuesday he supported New York Citys move to require proof of vaccination for activities including eating indoors at restaurants, going to gyms and attending Broadway shows.

DeSantis take: So his vision is, just like in New York City, restaurants should ban young kids from being able to go in because theyre not eligible for vaccination, and law-abiding citizens have to produce proof of their medical records just to go to the gym or attend an event or just to participate in everyday society, he wants that.

Thats not accurate; New York Citys program wouldnt apply to children who are ineligible for vaccination.

DeSantis continued, arguing that it is hypocritical to support such a vaccine passport during the pandemic while not supporting some state requirements that people show picture identification to vote. So no voter ID, but have to show your medical papers just to able to live an everyday life. Give me a break.

Just five weeks ago, Biden and DeSantis were publicly cooperating in the aftermath of the Surfside condominium collapse, with the president providing federal assistance and the governor welcoming it. The two appeared side by side on July 1.

But the comity hasnt continued. With Florida emerging as the nations coronavirus leader, Democrats have re-intensified their criticism of the Republican governor who has staked the physical and economic health of Florida on a platform of minimizing government mandates during the pandemic.

DeSantis is facing reelection in 2022, a prelude to a widely anticipated candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024.

Tuesdays St. Pete Polls survey found DeSantis was effectively tied with Crist and faring only slightly better than the other leading Democratic candidate, Nikki Fried.

In a Twitter post after DeSantis spoke in Panama City, Fried pointed to one positive development amid the surge: More Floridians are getting vaccinated. Let DeSantis keep whining, because we are winning. More and more Floridians are getting vaccinated.



(Orlando Sentinel staff writer Steven Lemongello contributed to this report.)


Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks during a news conference at West Miami Middle School in Miami (AP)

Floridas governor is sounding off about President Joe Bidens criticism of his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, even as his state is shattering hospitalisation records.

Ron DeSantis responded to several comments from both Mr Biden and members of the White House press team, who have aimed criticism at his state and others where rates of Covid-19 are surging and vaccination rates are low.

"Joe Biden has taken to himself to single out Florida over Covid-19, Mr DeSantis claimed at a news conference, according to local media.

Joining a chorus of Republicans who have sought to link higher migration levels at the US-Mexico border to a surge of new infections, despite being nowhere near it, Mr DeSantis declared: "I don't want to hear a blip about Covid" from the president until he "gets the border secure.

His comments come as Florida on Wednesday broke its record for hospitalisations related to Covid-19 for the fourth day in a row. The number of new Covid-19 cases slightly dropped, but single-day totals remain far higher than previous waves endured by the state.

More than 12,000 people were hospitalised in Florida with Covid-19 as of Wednesday, threatening the states hospital systems with an overwhelming number of patients. In some states, hospitals are once again beginning to cancel elective procedures in efforts to divert resources to Covid-19 care.

President Joe Biden addressed Floridas situation directly during a national address detailing the nations fight against Covid-19 on Tuesday, while he and other administration officials have urges state leaders who they say are not helping end the pandemic to get out of the way.

"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. If some governors aren't willing to do the right thing to beat this pandemic, they should allow businesses and universities who want to do the right thing to be able to do it, said Mr Biden during his address, before adding to Mr DeSantis and Texas Gov Gregg Abbott without naming them: "I say to these governors: please help. If you aren't going to help, please get out of the way of the people who are trying to do the right thing.

Mr DeSantis responded on Wednesday by doubling down on his support for stopping school districts from implementing mask mandates for students.

"If you're coming after the rights of parents in Florida, I'm standing in your way. If you're trying to deny kids a proper in-person education, I'm gonna stand in your way and stand up for the kids in Florida. If you're trying to restrict people and impose mandates and ruin their jobs and livelihood, if you are trying to lock people down, I am standing in your way. I am standing for the people of Florida, said the governor.
A passenger on a Frontier Airlines flight to Miami as he punches a male flight attendant. Sam Sweeney/Twitter

A Frontier Airlines passenger was taped to hit seat after he was accused of abusing the flight crew.

The airline said the crew members would be suspended as an investigation took place.

It later clarified that it supports the crew and they would be on paid leave.

See more stories on Insider's business page.

Frontier Airlines says it supports the members of a flight crew that duct-taped who was accused of being abusive to a seat.

It is an apparent change of stance after the airline earlier said the crewmembers had been suspended.

A passenger on a flight from Philadelphia to Miami on Saturday punched a male flight attendant, touched female crewmembers, shouted obscenities, and took his shirt off mid-flight, police said, as Insider's Avery Hartmans previously reported.

The airline told CNN after the flight that the crew would be suspended. It said they "will be, as required in such circumstances, relieved of flying pending completion of an investigation."

But spokeswoman Jennifer de la Cruz then said in a statement to CNN that it supports the crew and they will be on paid leave.

"Frontier Airlines maintains the utmost value, respect, concern and support for all of our flight attendants, including those who were assaulted on this flight," she said.

"We are supporting the needs of these team members and are working with law enforcement to fully support the prosecution of the passenger involved.

Philadelphia's ABC affiliate reported that 22-year-old Maxwell Berry was arrested after the flight.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A Frontier Airlines passenger was arrested for allegedly groping the breasts of two attendants and punching a third before being taped to his seat for the remainder of his flight from Philadelphia to Miami, per multiple reports.

The big picture: It's been an unprecedented year for reports of unruly and violent airline passengers, with the Federal Aviation Administration dealing with hundreds of cases despite announcing in January a new "zero tolerance" policy.

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Many involve passengers who refuse to comply with pandemic face mask guidelines, but many others concern incidents of violence.

The Association of Flight Attendants said in a statement that this latest incident involving a "drunk and irate passenger" who "verbally, physically, and sexually assaulted multiple members of the crew" was "one of the worst examples" of what flight attendants have faced in the past year.

Details: Miami-Dade County Police Department charged Maxwell Berry, 22, with three counts of battery following the incident on Saturday night.

Frontier Airlines initially released a statement on Tuesday saying the flight attendants would be "relieved of flying" while the incident was investigated, per the New York Times. But the Association of Flight Attendants accused the airline of suspending the crew as "a knee-jerk reaction to a short video clip."

What they're saying: Frontier said in an emailed statement Tuesday night that it "maintains the utmost value, respect, concern and support for all of our flight attendants, including those who were assaulted on this flight."

"We are supporting the needs of these team members and are working with law enforcement to fully support the prosecution of the passenger involved," the statement added. "The inflight crew members current paid leave status is in line with an event of this nature pending an investigation."

Go deeper: In-flight tensions at historic high

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Startups are getting close to being able to sell cultivated seafood products that have been grown from fish cells in a lab-like facility, rather than caught in the wild or farmed.

Why it matters: Developing cultivated animal protein that could compete with conventional products is a promising way for people to eat what they want without killing animals or damaging the planet.

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But cultivated seafood could also help alleviate the conservation pressure on wild fish caused by overfishing.

What's happening: Last week I had the chance to try a few pieces of cultivated salmon sashimi and sushi from the startup Wild Type, which says it is close to being able to commercially produce salmon grown from fish cells in its San Francisco facility.

The verdict: I give it a solid B+  not at the level of the best sushi I've ever had (that would be Sushi no Midori in Tokyo; high recommend, especially if you have a corporate expense account)  but much better than your average weekday takeout restaurant.

In appearance, taste and mouthfeel, the cultivated salmon served to me was indistinguishable from fish that had been caught in the ocean or raised on a farm.

What they're saying: "This is sustainable seafood that is within reach," says Justin Kolbeck, Wildtype's co-founder and CEO. "And the long-term goal is to make it even cheaper than conventional salmon."

How it works: Like other cultivated animal protein  which you may also know as "lab-grown," though the industry is trying to discourage the term  Wildtype's salmon started as a ball of cells harmlessly taken from a live fish egg.

And that's it for live fish in the process. "After we developed these cell lines, we haven't looked at a fish," says Wildtype co-founder Arye Elfenbein.

That was followed by years of scientific work to determine what mix of nutrients and environmental cues were needed to coax the base cells into the mix of muscle, fat and connective tissue a finished product needs.

"The second part is creating a plant-based scaffold, essentially a mesh for the cells to grow within," says Elfenbein.

The end result isn't a live fish but what looks like a block of edible salmon fillet.

The catch: Cultivated seafood  and cultivated animal protein more generally  hasn't yet been approved for commercial consumption, though Kolbeck says Wildtype is in "productive discussions" with the FDA.

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Another barrier is price. Kolbeck estimates that it costs Wildtype about $25 to produce the eight pieces of sushi I ate. That's more than you'd pay for conventional fish, but Kolbeck expects the price to drop "significantly" as the company scales up.

Yes, but: Unlike cultivated beef or chicken  which have to compete with ultra-cheap conventional options  cultivated seafood faces a future where, thanks to overfishing and climate change, the price of much conventional seafood is likely "only going to increase," says Kolbeck.

That gives a conservation spin to cultivated seafood. While we're in no danger of running out of chickens or cattle  there are currently about 23 billion and 1.4 billion, respectively  global wild fish stocks are under severe pressure.

"We're just at the very beginning of a story that will be the next gigantic level of the climate crisis," says Kolbeck. "It's just a downward slope for wild fish."

By the numbers: Cultivated protein companies raised $366 million in funding in 2020, and other startups  like BlueNalu in San Diego, which makes cultivated fish, and Shiok Meats, which makes cultivated shrimp  are competing in the seafood space.

A recent study found that 80% of consumers in the U.S. and U.K. were at least somewhat willing to try cultivated animal protein, with younger generations markedly more open.

What to watch: Wildtype will be opening up a sushi bar at its San Francisco pilot plant in the fall, where visitors will be able to try the product and tour the facility.

The bottom line: If there is going to be fish on our plates in the future, much of it will likely need to be cultivated.

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TBILISI (Reuters) - Georgian police said on Wednesday they were searching for the killer of an Australian woman whose body was found in the woods outside Tbilisi late last week.

The woman, who went missing on Friday, had been walking in the hills outside Tbilisi when she made a phone call in distress to a friend, who notified the police.

On Saturday police said they had found the body of a foreign citizen after several hours of intensive searches and that a criminal investigation had been launched.

Police told Reuters that the woman, who worked as an English teacher, had been attacked. They have not publicly named her.

As part of the investigation, police have searched the woman's house and spoken to her neighbours and friends.

Georgia's Mtavari TV showed footage of police carrying a body out of the woods at night, sealing off the scene and searching for evidence among trees and bushes.

(Reporting by David Chkhikvishvili; Writing by Alexander Marrow, Editing by William Maclean)
BERLIN (Reuters) - German police have detained a Syrian man in Berlin suspected of firing a grenade into a crowd of civilians at a refugee camp near Damascus in 2014, prosecutors said on Wednesday.

The man, identified as Mouafak Al D., according to German reporting custom, is accused of war crimes in Syria, fighting for a militia on behalf of President Bashar al-Assads forces,

the prosecutors said.

The civilians at the Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk, south of Damascus, were part of a crowd waiting for food aid when a man fired at them from an anti-tank weapon, killing seven and severely wounding three, including a six-year-old child, the authorities said.

Mouafak Al D. is suspected of being a member of the Free Palestine Movement, an armed militia fighting on behalf of the Syrian government, the prosecutors said.

The camp, once the largest in Syria for Palestinian refugees, was under siege by the government army and its allied militias from 2013 until 2018 when the army recaptured it from Islamist militants.

Mouafak Al D. will appear on Wednesday before the investigating judge of the Federal Court of Justice which will decide on his pre-trial detention, the prosecutor added.

Germany has "universal jurisdiction" laws that allow it to prosecute people for crimes against humanity committed anywhere in the world.

A German court in February convicted and sentenced a former member of al-Assads security services to 4-1/2 years in prison for abetting the torture of civilians, the first such verdict for crimes against humanity in the 11-year-old Syrian civil war.

(Reporting by Riham Alkousaa; Editing by Nick Macfie)
A Kentucky man reportedly told investigators that God instructed him to burn down his house and flee Kentucky.

Charles E. Mullins now faces arson charges for turning on the oven burners in his kitchen, pouring gas around his Hebron home, then setting it afire with a burning piece of paper, the Boone County Sheriffs office said.

When he met first responders at the end of his driveway, the 65-year-old alleged fire-starter is said to have told them what happened shortly before 3:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Mullins home sits in a wooded area near businesses and another home. No one was hurt, but Mullins bond was set at $25,000. Police say one else was in the home when the fire started.
Two North Carolina men already jailed for the rape of a South Beach tourist who died of an overdose during spring break now also face first-degree murder charges.

A Miami-Dade grand jury indicted the men on Wednesday and added a separate first-degree murder charge against one of the defendants for the death of another man three days later, also on South Beach and over the same spring break holiday.

Both tourists were killed  state prosecutors argued and the grand jury concluded  from overdosing on the powerful and too-often-fatal opioid, fentanyl.

The grand jury found Evoire Collier and Dorian Taylor responsible for the fentanyl-induced death of Christine Englehardt, 24, of Pennsylvania. They already were accused of raping her and stealing credit cards. Grand jurors also found that Taylor sold the same deadly opioid ingested by Englehardt to Walter Riley, 21, from Chicago. He died two days after Englehardt.

Law enforcement sources said Riley believed he was buying Percocet, a common pain pill often used after dental surgery, from Taylor, but it instead turned out to be fentanyl. Riley was found unconscious on Washington Avenue and was taken to Mt. Sinai Medical Center, where he later died.

A three-page grand jury report found that Collier and Taylor killed Englehardt while committing sexual battery and burglary that resulted from the unlawful distribution of fentanyl. It found Riley died the same way, on drugs supplied by Taylor. It also said they unlawfully entered Englehardts hotel room and sexually assaulted her without consent.

After stealing her credit cards, the grand jury found both men used them illegally to make purchases at SOBE Liquors and the Sugar Factory.

Colliers attorney Phil Reizenstein said he was stunned by the grand jurys indictment. He said the medical examiner found Englehardt had ingested so many different drugs that it was near impossible to pin down the one that caused her death.

I think theyre going to regret doing this, said Reizenstein. I think by the time Im finished with them, theyre never going to be able to say she died of this.

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Taylors attorney Liesbeth Boot couldnt be reached.

First-degree murder charges in Miami-Dade County can only be passed down by a grand jury. Both Collier and Taylor remained at Metro West correctional center on Tuesday. Defendants facing a murder charge are automatically denied bond.

Both men were arrested March 23, five days after Englehardt was found unresponsive inside her room at the Albion Hotel. Surveillance video caught the men entering the hotel, then leaving. They were initially charged with sexual battery, burglary with battery, credit card fraud and petty theft. Riley died on March 20.

Collier and Taylor pleaded not guilty to the initial charges. Englehardts death and the ensuing arrests shone yet another blistering and unwanted spotlight on South Beach, which had been dealing with unruly crowds and a heavy-handed response from police.

Colliers arrest report said he confessed to giving Englehardt a green pill and claimed they sexually assaulted her in the hotel room even as she lay unconscious, before stealing her cellphone and credit cards.

Almost a month ago, the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner determined the pills ingested by Englehardt were fentanyl that was ingested and rapidly fatal. Her alcohol level at the time of her death hovered near 2.0, almost three times the legal limit. The medical examiner also said asphyxia may have played a role in her death.

Little was known about Riley before Tuesdays indictment. His Facebook page shows pictures of him and friends partying on South Beach. One caption reads: Anywhere I go imma live it up.

The last post was on March 16, four days before his death.
A police officer stands guard as President Donald Trump speaks to supporters at an evening rally on August 15, 2019 in Manchester, New Hampshire. Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Qualified immunity was established as doctrine by the Supreme Court in 1967.

Critics like US Rep. Cori Bush say that qualified immunity shields police officers from accountability.

Manchester, New Hampshire, police unions have previously based a federal endorsement on whether a candidate supports qualified immunity.

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A recruitment post from the Manchester Police Department in New Hampshire listed qualified immunity as a "unique benefit" in a call for entry-level and certified applicants.

"Located less than an hour from Boston, Manchester enjoys proximity to great schools and attractions, the beach, and the White Mountains. The department offers many opportunities to advance and additional unique benefits including qualified immunity. Click the link and apply now!" the post read.

Hours later, the department took down the post. "Earlier today Manchester Police published a recruitment post that referenced qualified immunity. This post was not the place for the mention of qualified immunity and was not appropriate. The post was removed and archived appropriately. As Chief of Police I take full responsibility for this post and the inappropriate mention of qualified immunity," Chief Allen Aldenberg said in a department Facebook post.

Qualified immunity protects public officials from lawsuits related to the actions they take while acting in their official capacity-even if they violate someone's constitutional rights.

Critics like US Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Pramila Jayapal, and Mondaire Jones say that the doctrine gives officers free rein to use excessive force and escape accountability by requiring the victim to present a previous case with nearly identical circumstances that a court ruled as unconstitutional, CNN reported.

For example, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in a February 2020 case that a prison guard who pepper-sprayed a prisoner "for no reason" was entitled to qualified immunity, Prison Legal News reported.

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In April, the New Hampshire House was six votes short of passing legislation that would have eliminated qualified immunity as a defense in lawsuits against public officials that allege violations of constitutional rights, WMUR News 9 reported.

Police unions in New Hampshire like the Manchester Association of Police Supervisors and the Manchester Police Patrolman's Association typically extend endorsements to candidates who support qualified immunity.

Democratic incumbent Chris Pappas, the representative for New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District, lost police union endorsements after publicizing his support for ending qualified immunity. Manchester's police unions instead backed his Republican opponent in 2020, WMUR News 9 reported.

Both the Manchester Police Department and Manchester Police Patrolman's Association were contacted for statements about their support of qualified immunity. The Manchester Association of Police Supervisors could not be reached for a statement.

Read the original article on Insider
Aug. 3With no statewide mask mandate in place, Gov. Tate Reeves has left it up to individual school districts to determine whether they will require face masks be worn by students in Mississippi's K-12 schools.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Mississippi State Department of Health have recommended that all students, staff and visitors in indoor K-12 settings wear a mask.

Most districts will require students to wear face masks while riding school buses, but inside school buildings and in the classroom, each district decides.

Here's a list of schools in our area, organized alphabetically, that are currently requiring masks for all students, requiring masks for some students/at some times or making masks optional.

MASKS REQUIRED FOR ALL STUDENTS

Aberdeen School District

Calhoun County School District

Marshall County School District

Okolona School District

Oxford School District

Tupelo Public School District

Starkville Oktibbeha School District

MASKS REQUIRED FOR SOME STUDENTS/AT SOME TIMES

Amory School District  Unvaccinated students are required to mask. Vaccinated individuals are not.

Holly Springs School District  Face coverings will be required upon entering and during the time spent on the bus, when entering the buildings and in any area where social distancing is difficult. Students will be able to pull the mask down below the chin when not in use.

MASKS OPTIONAL FOR STUDENTS

Alcorn School District

Baldwyn Public School District

Benton County School District

Booneville School District

Chickasaw County School District

Corinth School District

Itawamba County School District

Lafayette County School District

Lee County School District

Monroe County School District

Nettleton School District

New Albany School District

North Tippah School District

Pontotoc City School District

Pontotoc County School District

South Tippah School District

Tishomingo County School District

Union County School District

This list will be updated to reflect any changes to face mask protocol made by school districts.

blake.alsup@djournal.com
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.
DUBAI (Reuters) -An Iranian Revolutionary Court has sentenced two dual nationals, German-Iranian Nahid Taghavi and British-Iranian Mehran Raouf, to more than 10 years in prison, each on national security charges, their lawyer said on Wednesday.

Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards have arrested dozens of dual nationals and foreigners in recent years, mostly on espionage and security-related charges.

They have accused the Islamic Republic of trying to win concessions from other countries through arrests on security charges that may have been trumped up. Tehran, which does not recognise dual nationality, say such arrests are based on its criminal code and denies holding people for political reasons.

In a Twitter post, the two defendants' lawyer Mostafa Nili said: "Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court sentenced Ms. #Nahid_Taghavi and Mr. #Mehran_Raouf to 10 years in prison for participating in the management of an illegal group and to eight months in prison for propaganda activities against the regime."

The Islamic Republic's judiciary has yet to report the sentences. But Taghavi's daughter Mariam Claren tweeted a confirmation of her sentence. Nili did not say whether Taghavi and Raouf had entered pleas in response to the charges.

Taghavi, 66, a human rights activist who lives in Germany but retained an apartment in Tehran, was arrested there in October 2020 while on a visit. Her trial began on April 28, according to Claren and human rights groups.

"My mother was allowed to see her brothers. They hugged her. Her first hug after almost 7 months," Claren tweeted on April 28.

A German Foreign Ministry spokesman said during a regular news conference in Berlin on Wednesday that Germany could not extend consular assistance to Taghavi as she was on trial in her home country.

Raouf, a 64-year-old labour rights activist who lived between Iran and Britain, was arrested at his residence in Tehran on Oct. 16 last year by the Revolutionary Guards, according to Amnesty International.

Amnesty said in February that Raouf was being held in "prolonged solitary confinement, in violation of the absolute prohibition of torture and other ill-treatment".

(Writing by Parisa Hafezi in Dubai with additional reporting by Alexander Ratz in BerlinEditing by Mark Heinrich)
MIAMI (AP)  Newly acquired Alex Jackson hit his first career home run, Nick Neidert earned his first big league win and the Miami Marlins beat the NL East-leading New York Mets 5-4 Tuesday night.

Isan Diaz also homered, Bryan De La Cruz had three hits and Lewis Brinson had two hits and scored twice for the last-place Marlins, who have won the first two of the four-game series.

We had dicey moments at times but they worked through those dicey moments, Miami acting manager James Rowson said. Our guys did a nice job and once again did it as a team effort.

Home plate umpire Stu Scheurwater ejected New York manager Luis Rojas before the bottom of the seventh after Brandon Nimmo was called out on strikes to end the inning. The Mets have lost five of six and are 8-11 since the All-Star break. Their lead dropped to 1  games ahead of second-place Philadelphia.

This is a time as a team where as a team you come together as brothers and as guys that understand that were going to fight for each other day in and day out, Mets catcher James McCann said.

For New York, frustrations boiled over when shortstop Javier Baez exchanged words with Marlins reliever Richard Bleier after Bleier retired Baez on a fly to right that ended the eighth.

Javi is a guy that wears his emotions, Rojas said. I think he heard something that was said to him and he reacted to that. Theres no frustration to that. These guys fought until the last out of the game.

The Mets were limited to five hits by Neidert (1-1) and four relievers.

We have to put in the work with our hitters and make sure that they are going into the game ready and more aggressive in the zone, rather than expanding, Rojas said.

Neidert allowed three runs and three hits, struck out five, walked four and hit a batter in 5 2/3 innings. The 24-year-old righty was in his 11th game in the majors.

He did a great job giving that lineup fits," Rowson said. "Thats a tough lineup that can do some damage when they connect.

Story continues

Jacksons homer put Miami ahead 1-0 in the second. Acquired from the Atlanta Braves on Friday at the trade deadline, Jackson drove a pitch from Taijuan Walker (7-6) over the center field wall.

You get so caught up in the game that its not really surreal until after the game and things start settling in, Jackson said. I was trying to look for a pitch that I could do something on. I was able to get something over the plate and put a good swing. When you put a good swing, good things happen.

The Marlins increased their lead in the third on Diazs solo homer and De La Cruzs two-run single.

The Mets got to within 4-3 in the sixth on Dominic Smiths second sacrifice fly and J.D. Davis run-scoring double that chased Neidert.

The Marlins padded their lead on Jorge Alfaros RBI double in the eighth.

Anthony Bender relieved Neidert and got the last out in the sixth while David Hess and Bleier combined to retire six straight.

Dylan Floro allowed McCanns RBI double with two outs in the ninth before retiring pinch-hitter Brandon Dury on a grounder for his fourth save.

Walker (7-6) lasted 5 2/3 innings. The right-hander allowed four runs, eight hits, struck out four and walked two.

DE LA CRUZ ALSO EXCELS WITH THE GLOVE

In addition to his multi-hit performance, De La Cruz tracked down and caught McCanns drive to deep right that could have scored Michael Conforto from first. De La Cruz also showed off his arm in the sixth, when he caught Baezs shot in medium right and made a perfect throw home that kept Jeff McNeil at third. McNeil eventually scored on Smiths deep fly to center.

I go out there to give the best effort I can, De La Cruz said.

NEW POSITION FOR ALFARO

Alfaro, the Marlins regular catcher, made his first career start as an outfielder Tuesday, when he played left-field and hit fifth. Alfaro had two putouts, including his catch of Pete Alonsos drive to the warning track in the seventh. Jackson could get the bulk of playing time the remainder of the season. Alfaro s previous experience in the outfield consists of a nine-inning stint in leftfield against Philadelphia May 27 and three innings in right-field against Atlanta last season. With veteran Sandy Leon still on the roster, the Marlins are trying to avoid the three catcher situation, prompting Alfaros move to the new position.

ROSTER MOVE

Mets RHP Miguel Castro was reinstated from the injured list after testing negative for COVID-19. RHP Geoff Hartlieb was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse. ... The Marlins placed LHP Trevor Rogers on the bereavement list.

TRAINERS ROOM

Mets: RHP Robert Gsellman (torn right lat) underwent a recent MRI that disclosed he has progressed sufficiently to begin a throwing program soon, Rojas said.

Marlins: IF Jazz Chisholm Jr. (unspecified) was placed on the injured list. ... RHP Pablo Lopez (right rotator cuff strain) extended his throwing program to 90 feet.

UP NEXT

RHP Carlos Carrasco (0-0, 2.25) will start the third game of the series for the Mets on Wednesday while the Marlins will go with RHP Zach Thompson (2-4, 2.33).

___

More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
By Leika Kihara

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan warned on Wednesday that coronavirus infections were surging at an unprecedented pace as new cases hit a record high in Tokyo, overshadowing the Olympics and adding to doubts over the government's handling of the pandemic.

The Delta variant was leading to a spread of infections "unseen in the past", Health Minister Norihisa Tamura said as he defended a new policy of asking patients with milder symptoms to isolate at home rather than going to hospital.

"The pandemic has entered a new phase ... Unless we have enough beds, we can't bring people to hospital. We're acting pre-emptively on this front," Tamura told parliament.

But he signalled the chance of rolling back the policy, as the decision to ask some sick people to stay at home has drawn criticism from medical experts as putting lives at risk.

"If things don't turn out as we expect, we can roll back the policy," Tamura said, adding the policy shift was a move to deal with the unexpectedly fast spread of the new variant.

Japan has seen a sharp increase in coronavirus cases. Tokyo reported a record 4,166 new cases on Wednesday. Nationwide, newly reported cases totalled a new record of over 14,200, according to public broadcaster NHK.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said on Monday only COVID-19 patients who were seriously ill and those at risk of becoming so would be hospitalised, while others should isolate at home, a shift in policy some fear may lead to an increase in deaths.

Officials in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party have agreed to seek to withdraw of the policy, the Jiji news agency reported on Wednesday, joining similar calls made by opposition lawmakers.

In response to criticism, Suga told reporters on Wednesday that the new hospitalisation policy was aimed at regions with a surge in COVID-19 cases, such as Tokyo, and not uniform throughout the country.

Story continues

"We'll thoroughly explain our policy and seek public understanding," he said.

The outcry is another setback for Suga, who has seen support plunge over his handling of the pandemic ahead of general elections to be held this year.

Polls have shown many Japanese people opposed to holding the Olympics while the country lagged in efforts to contain the pandemic and vaccinate the population.

Suga and Olympics organisers have said there is no link between the July 23-Aug. 8 Games and the spike in cases.

But senior medical adviser Shigeru Omi told parliament that hosting the Games may have affected public sentiment and eroded the impact of government requests for people to stay home.

Imposing a nationwide state of emergency could be an option to deal with the pandemic, he said. States of emergency are already in place in several prefectures, as well as in Tokyo.

NHK reported that the government would expand quasi emergency steps to cover more regions of the country.

"Political leaders are sending out messages to the public in earnest but probably not as strongly and consistently as hoped," Omi said. "We're seeing COVID-19 clusters emerge more broadly including at schools and offices."

(Reporting by Leika Kihara; Additional reporting by Makiko Yamazaki; Editing by Robert Birsel and Mike Harrison)
Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast

Another top editorial figure at G/O Media is leaving the company, joining a string of high-profile departures from the well-known digital-media company over the past year.

Multiple G/O Media sources told The Daily Beast that Julianne Escobedo Shepherd, the editor in chief of Jezebel, the popular website focused on politics, culture, and womens lifestyle, told staff on Tuesday she will leave later this month to write a book published by Penguin Books.

Shepherd has served as the sites top editor for the past three years and was one of the publications longest-tenured staffers, writing and editing for Jezebel since 2014. Her announcement comes just weeks after the departure of G/O editorial director Jim Rich, who exited following internal clashes with other higher-ups, including G/O Media CEO Jim Spanfeller.

G/O Media Tells Deadspin Staff in Leaked Memo: Stick to Sports

While Richs exit made headlines, in recent months a number of other top staff have also quietly left G/O Media, a digital-media company owned by Boston private equity firm Great Hill Partnerswhich houses other well-known brands like Gizmodo, The Onion, The Root, and Kotaku, among other sites. Over the past several months, the heads of audience development, marketing, commerce, as well as the chief revenue, financial, and technology officers have all departed G/O.

Jezebel hasnt settled on a new editor, but a person familiar with the matter told The Daily Beast the candidate pool is extremely strong.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Kendall Jenner began working with Italian fashion brand Liu Jo in 2019. Matt Winkelmeyer/MG18/Getty Images

Kendall Jenner is being sued by Italian fashion brand Liu Jo for $1.8 million.

The company says Jenner breached their contract, attending only one photo shoot instead of two.

Jenner has not yet publicly spoken out about the lawsuit.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Supermodel Kendall Jenner has been sued by Italian fashion company Liu Jo for breach of contract.

The complaint, filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York on Tuesday, says the 25-year-old "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" star had a contract to provide modeling services for two photo shoots for Liu Jo, but that Jenner only showed up for one of them.

Liu Jo, based in Capri, is seeking damages of at least $1.8 million, according to the complaint, which states that the company "has suffered considerable financial harm and damages as a result of Ms. Jenner's breach."

A spokesperson for The Society Management, the talent agency representing Jenner, told Insider in an emailed statement that the lawsuit "is without merit."

"The Society Management, on behalf of Ms. Kendall Jenner, has continually offered Liu Jo alternative dates and locations to fulfill an agreement that was forced to be delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic," the statement said. "Jenner has willingly offered to complete services honoring her commitments."

Liu Jo did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Liu Jo and Jenner began working together in 2019.

The brand's first photo shoot with the model was intended to be used for Liu Jo's spring and summer 2020 campaign, while the second photo shoot was originally slated to be used for the brand's 2020 fall and winter campaign, according to the complaint.

The latter shoot was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Jenner failed to reschedule on multiple occasions, according to the complaint.

Jenner said at the time that she couldn't travel to Italy "due to her health concerns relating to the Coronavirus pandemic," according to the complaint. However, the complaint also states that she was "repeatedly reported to be violating CDC guidelines by engaging in multiple international non-essential trips and hosting large parties with her friends."

Story continues

The complaint also says that "Ms. Jenner had no such health concerns when traveling to Italy in September 2020 to perform a photoshoot" for a different brand.

According to the complaint, Liu Jo gave Jenner notice that she breached her contract in October 2020.

The Italian fashion brand says in the complaint that it has paid Jenner $1.35 million to date for her services.

According to the complaint, the company originally intended to pay Jenner $1.5 million and a 20% service fee if she completed the job, which included both photo shoots, "certain social media activities," and media interviews.

"Ms. Jenner has breached the Agreement by failing to meet her obligations under the Agreement and no payments have, as yet, been refunded to Liu Jo by Ms. Jenner," the complaint states.

Read the original article on Insider
(Reuters) - Lithuania's interior ministry on Wednesday dismissed Belarusian reports that an Iraqi migrant had been found beaten to death after being turned away at the Lithuanian border, describing it as part of a "hybrid war" being waged by Minsk.

Lithuania has accused Belarus of manufacturing a refugee problem on its border in retaliation for European Union sanctions on President Alexander Lukashenko's government. Belarus denies doing so.

Lithuania has reported a surge in illegal border crossings from Belarus and accused Minsk of flying in migrants from abroad and sending them across the border.

Belarus announced an investigation into what it said was the death of an unnamed Iraqi migrant. The head of the Belarusian security council, Alexander Volfovich, said the man was beaten so badly that Belarusian border guards were unable to help him.

"This is a method of hybrid war, disinformation. There was no incident on the border this night, no use of power," said a spokeswoman for the Lithuanian Interior ministry.

Lithuania has authorised its border guards to use force if necessary to turn migrants away.

"I would like to mention in the course of those two days, fortunately there were no situations where our border guard officers used any kind of force," Commander of the Lithuanian State Border Guard Service, Rustamas Liubajevas, told Reuters.

Liubajevas said reports of migrants being injured were "fake news" and said he knew about the allegation of the Iraqi migrant's death only from Belarusian media.

The European Union said last week it would consider sanctions against migrant smugglers and those involved in human trafficking to address a surge in "irregular" border crossings from Belarus.

(Reporting by Lewis Macdonald in Gdansk and Tarmo Virki in Tallinn; writing by Matthias Williams,editing by Timothy Heritage)
The COVID-19 pandemic has made us more aware of many inequities, including how spoiled the restaurant/retail industry has made us customers  despite the short shrift its workers have been given in pay, benefits and, too often, gratitude.

As service sector businesses, especially restaurants, struggle to re-staff, we formerly coddled customers rush back to be waited on exactly as before  only to find frequently long waits due to a lack of help. Those employees who have gamely returned, as well as those who bravely never left, are each doing the work of several people, and shouldnt be met with pre-pandemic expectations.

Even Bill Teel, executive director of the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association, has caught himself feeling a consumers frustration at times. And he certainly hears all about the slow service his friends are getting in restaurants. I have to remind them to be patient, that its difficult getting enough employees. Theyre struggling to keep up.

He hears about the eating-out tension from his fast-food employee daughter, too. They dont have enough people, Teel says. She tells me stories of how they just struggle every night to keep up with the drive-thru and get the orders filled fast enough. I think its just kind of like that everywhere. They just cant quite deliver the level of service theyre used to delivering.

Restaurant and retail workers whove returned have done so in the teeth of a resurgent COVID-19 delta variant, as well as a scarcity of colleagues by their sides  not to mention stir-crazy kids at home and low pay at work. They deserve bigger paychecks, improved benefits and livable shifts from their employers.

In some cases, they are indeed getting higher pay and a few more benefits, Teel says: The pendulums kind of swung over in favor of the workers, and restaurants are just going to have to pay more.

Teel said the June 12 end to federally enhanced unemployment payments in Missouri has helped, but its still difficult to find enough employees. In Kansas, the $300 weekly federal unemployment boost ends with the programs scheduled cessation Sept. 6.

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Along with higher pay, workers need more appreciation. Wait staff need and warrant unprecedented respect, grace, kindness, patience and, yes, generosity from their customers.

Nor is it just about the servers and staff, though our gratitude for them should be made abundantly obvious. Its also about your favorite restaurants actual ability to survive. If they cant attract and retain happy, motivated workers, they cant stay open. Period.

Smokin Joes Bar-B-Q in Olathe announced its closing last month due to continuous price increases on everything, a shortage of employees and repairs. And Overland Parks Smokeys on the Blvd BBQ has closed due to pandemic losses. Employees there were repeatedly challenged over mask requirements, often hatefully, by people who simply refuse, owner Winston Riley said last summer.

The heavy lifting thats needed now must be done by the restaurant industry itself. Its a new world, the COVID-19 pandemic having changed the landscape as surely as an F1 tornado. New calculations and expectations are required to attract and keep the best restaurant workers. Perhaps owners and shareholders can step up to help. Outgoing Kansas City health director Dr. Rex Archer argues that paid sick leave is a must. Hes right.

Then its up to the rest of us. For now, we have to readjust our thinking about how quickly we can get a table, how doted-on we can expect to be, and how thoughtful we should be in return.

This past Sunday at a Kansas City metro chain sit-down restaurant, one had to wait at times to even encounter an employee, as the hostess was helping out in the back and the entire bar area was shut down due to a workers absence. Management was in the kitchen as well. Yet, as few as the place could seat, the more patient customers left happy.

This pandemic has changed nearly everything, and that should include our dispositions. We clearly need to reset our assumptions when shopping and dining out  as well as the working conditions for those who cater to us.
Julia Letlow. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Rep. Julia Letlow of Louisiana is urging people to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Her husband, Luke Letlow, died of COVID-19 last year.

She says she "would have given everything" to have had a vaccine available before her husband died.

See more stories on Insider's business page.

A Republican US congresswoman from Louisiana whose husband died of COVID-19 last year is urging people to get vaccinated against the virus.

Rep. Julia Letlow's husband, Luke Letlow, had just been elected to congress when he died of COVID-19 in December, before he could get a vaccine. Following his death, Julia Letlow took his seat after winning a special election in March.

"He had no preexisting conditions, so there was no reason it had to go down that path," she told "CBS This Morning" on Wednesday.

She said she opted to speak out about her husband's death in hopes of encouraging others to get vaccinated and prevent more deaths.

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"People don't want to feel forced into anything, they don't want to be lectured too," she said of Louisiana residents being hesitant to get the COVID-19 vaccine. "I would have given anything - I would have given everything - for that shot to be available to us."

She said it's "heartbreaking" to see people turn down COVID-19 vaccines.

"My prayer is that not one more person has to lose their life to this virus," she said. "It is a horrific way to leave this world. I don't wish it on anyone else. We have the answer; let's use it."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Aug. 4The Maine Senior American Legion championship largely has been the domain of the state's larger cities over the years. Since the turn of the century, teams featuring players from the Portland, Bangor and Lewiston areas have captured 17 of the 19 state titles.

But as this year's Northeast Regional begins Wednesday at Fitton Field in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, the Maine representative may have played home games in Bangor but has a smaller-town culture around it.

Quirk Motor City has no players from Class A high school programs. While it features six players from reigning Class B state champion Old Town High School including Tanner Evans, the state Legion tournament's most valuable player, the roster also has seven Class D products.

That latter group includes two starters in outfielder Alex Tash of Penobscot Valley High School in Howland and pitcher-infielder Silas Graham, a student at Greater Houlton Christian Academy who played baseball this spring at Hodgdon High School. Tash is batting .476 with 22 stolen bases this summer, while Graham is 6-0 on the mound with a 1.89 earned run average.

The other players with Class D pedigrees, Kaiden Crowley of Jonesport-Beals High School and the University of Maine at Presque Isle, Josh Thomas of Central Aroostook of Mars Hill, Jason Libby and Kaeden Robert of Bangor Christian and Jack Morris of Stearns of Millinocket, also have seen considerable duty throughout the Legion season.

Both head coaches also come from Class D programs, with John Frye leading Searsport to its fifth state championship in the last six seasons this spring and Ryan Lincoln guiding Penobscot Valley to its fourth postseason berth in as many years on the job with the Howlers .

"Not a lot of people expected us to be here, but at the end of the day, it's the family culture that does it for us," Lincoln said. "We might not be the most talented team, but I'm going to tell you right now, we're the team that's going to go out there and grit it out."

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It's a collective biography that has allowed Quirk Motor City to thrive in the role of underdog this summer against foes from larger high school programs even though it takes an 18-3 record into Wednesday's 4:30 p.m. regional tourney opener against Beverly, Massachusetts, a first-time state Senior Legion champion.

The success should not be a surprise. Quirk Motor City captured the Junior Legion state championship in 2019 and last summer won the championship of the Maine Independent League, established after the American Legion season was canceled due to COVID-19.

That chemistry is reflected in a deep, versatile roster led by the Husson University-bound Evans, who is batting .578, including .750 (9 of 12) with five doubles as Quirk Motor City went 4-0 during the state tournament and now has won 18 of its last 19 games after an 0-2 start.

After rarely pitching during the regular season, the right-hander held the top-ranked Bangor Comrades  a team featuring players from the Bangor High School team that advanced to this year's Class A state final  to one run on five hits with six strikeouts during a complete-game 2-1 victory on Day 2 at states. Later in the tournament, he moved behind the plate from his usual shortstop slot to shut down Central Maine of Fairfield's running game.

The Riverkings were 8-for-8 on stolen-base tries against Quirk Motor City through three innings of their first winners'-bracket clash before Evans moved behind the plate. He threw out both runners who attempted to steal during the rest of his team's 8-6 victory. Central Maine never attempted a steal on him during Quirk Motor City's 10-0 championship win the next day.

Quirk Motor City also got strong pitching performances from Matt Seymour (3-0), Michael Brown (3-1) and Crowley (4-2, 2.69 ERA) during the tournament, and the team still had Graham rested if it needed him for an if-necessary game.

"This core of guys from Motor City has pretty much stuck together for the last couple of years," Evans said. "Whether it's been Senior Legion or Junior Legion, we're just a tight-knit group of guys. We've got good chemistry."
A Texas police officer was severely injured in a shooting and a manhunt was underway for the suspect, police said.

Corpus Christi Police Chief Mike Markle said officers responded to a disturbance at an apartment Wednesday afternoon, and man inside opened fire. One of the officers was shot multiple times, he said.

The police officer was severely injured and taken to a local hospital.

Police were searching for 20-year-old Joshua Powell.

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Markle asked residents to call police if they notice any suspicious activity.

We have all hands on deck looking for the suspect, Markle said at a news conference. Thats going to go on until we find him.

Corpus Christi is city 327,000 on the Gulf of Mexico coast in South Texas.
Marjorie Taylor Greene tweeted about the trash left outside the US Capitol after a protest led by communists Democratic Reps Cori Bush Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. (EPA / Reuters)

Georgia Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has been ridiculed on Twitter for ranting about capitalist trash left outside the US Capitol after a protest led by communists Democratic Reps Cori Bush of Missouri and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York.

Ms Greene claimed that the Democrats had turned the East Capitol into a homeless camp by leaving Dominos pizza boxes, Cheez-Its, and Oreos strewn on the ground and added: EVICT THEM!

Republicans have been trying to connect Democrats and their policies to communism and socialism since the days of FDR in the 1930s, when former President Herbert Hoover claimed that President Franklin D Roosevelts New Deal would lead to socialism. Since then, so-called red-baiting has been a common tactic for Republicans.

Ms Bush and Ms Ocasio-Cortez were protesting the end of the eviction moratorium  a pandemic policy helping people stay in their homes even if they were unable to pay rent. The pressure campaign led to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi urging White House officials to renew the moratorium after they had initially argued that they didnt have the authority to do so.

After a blame game between the Biden White House and congressional Democrats, with each calling upon the other to take action, the White House finally gave the green light to renew the eviction ban. Days after the moratorium expired on Saturday night, the CDC issued a new, more limited eviction freeze on Tuesday thats set to expire on 3 October.

This new eviction ban is valid in states with substantial and high rates of transmission. As of Tuesday, that includes most of the US.

The CDC order mentions the spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant in its reasoning: Without this order, evictions in these [higher transmission] areas would likely exacerbate the increase in cases.

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Where we are right now with such high disease rates, we felt a new, tailored order [was needed] to make sure that ... working Americans who were at risk of eviction could be stably housed during this really tenuous, challenging period of time, CDC director Dr Rochelle Walensky told NPR.

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Many Twitter users were quick to note that Ms Greene didnt appear to be as devastated by the damage done to the Capitol on 6 January when a MAGA-mob laid siege to the historic building to prevent Congress from certifying Joe Bidens election victory.

Prosecutors have said that at least $1.5m worth of damage was done to the Capitol on 6 January. Close to 600 people have been charged for their actions surrounding the insurrection so far.

Ms Greene has argued that Capitol rioters are being mistreated by the Department of Justice.

We suspect there is a two-tier justice system in the United States, for Trump supporters that are charged for January 6, and catch-and-release for Antifa and BLM rioters that have rioted and destroyed cities, Ms Greene said last week.

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Read More

CDC issues new eviction ban for most of US through Oct. 3

For Missouri congresswoman, eviction fight is personal

AOC hits out at Biden over eviction moratorium as police ban her from lying down in overnight Capitol protest
Associated Press

From Democratic socialist Bernie Sanders on the left to moderate Joe Manchin on the right, numerous Democratic senators have said they'll support a budget resolution outlining the ambitious domestic goals they share with President Joe Biden. None have said they'll oppose the budget measure, which the Senate seems likely to approve after its expected passage of a smaller, bipartisan infrastructure package as soon as Saturday. The backing of every Democrat in the 50-50 Senate, plus the tie-breaking vote of Vice President Kamala Harris, will be needed to approve the budget over likely solid Republican opposition.
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.

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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.
Mexico said it filed a lawsuit against major US gunmakers in a Boston court on Wednesday over illegal cross-border arms flows that it blamed for fueling rampant drug-related violence.

The Latin American nation, which has long faced pressure from the United States to curb narcotics smuggling, wants its neighbor to crack down on firearms trafficking in the other direction.

This kind of legal action is unprecedented for the Mexican government and has the backing of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard told a news conference.

"We are going to win the trial and we are going to drastically reduce illicit arms trafficking to Mexico," he said.

The companies named in the suit include Smith & Wesson, Beretta, Colt, Glock, Century Arms, Ruger and Barrett.

Together they manufacture more than two-thirds of the over half a million weapons that are illegally brought into Mexico each year, according to the Mexican authorities.

Between 70 and 90 percent of all weapons recovered from crime scenes in Mexico were smuggled in from the United States, Mexico's foreign ministry said late Wednesday.

The flow of arms generates millions of dollars in profits each year for the US gun industry.

The lawsuit seeks compensation -- of an amount to be determined during the trial -- for the damage caused by the firms' "negligent practices," Ebrard said.

But the main aim is to make the companies change their behavior, he added.

"If we don't file a lawsuit like this and we don't win it, they won't understand. They will continue to do the same and we will continue to have deaths every day in our country," Ebrard said.

The government wants the implementation of adequate standards to "monitor and discipline" arms dealers.

- 'Army of lawyers' -

Mexico has seen more than 300,000 murders since 2006 when it deployed the military in the fight on drugs trafficking, most of them blamed on criminal gangs.

Story continues

More than 17,000 killings in 2019 involved weapons illegally trafficked from the United States, according to the Mexican government.

Ebrard even accused US manufacturers of developing different firearm models especially for Mexican drug traffickers -- an argument that is included in the lawsuit.

"They are made for that, so that they buy them," he said.

Mexico was confident that the lawsuit would not spark a diplomatic spat with Washington because it does not target the US government and the complaint has a "legal and moral" basis, he added.

Experts said that Mexico faces a mammoth task taking on the deep-pocketed gunmakers.

The move is "almost an obligation" but likely to be largely symbolic, said Lorenzo Meyer, emeritus professor at the College of Mexico.

"The lawsuit is going to receive a response from an army of lawyers," he said, adding that US law "makes it almost impossible for gun manufacturers to be held responsible" for the illegal trade.

"It's a piece in a chess game that Mexico is forced to play with the United States in disadvantageous conditions," Meyer added.

"We are in a situation in which if the United States does not really intend to end arms flows, it is impossible for Mexico to stop them," he said.

jla-sem-dr/ch/jh
The state police officers association and the leader of a Bloomington political committee are criticizing a city human rights commissioner for describing a recent pro-police rally as fascist.

Commissioner Anita Smithson tweeted that she drove by Bloomington Civic Plaza on July 25 during the second annual Back the Blue rally, which she called a "fascist organized rally."

Smithson, who was appointed to the commission in March, said last year's rally was organized with ACT for America, classified as an anti-Muslim hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. In 2017, the Dar Al-Farooq mosque in Bloomington was bombed by an Illinois man who was convicted in federal court last year.

She said in a series of other tweets that while the rally was raising money for a good cause, it amounted to "fascist radicalization" and was tied to ACT for America.

Becky Strohmeier, chairwoman of the Bloomington Patriots group that organized the 2020 and 2021 Back the Blue rallies, denied in an e-mail that ACT was associated with the events.

"I had one conference call with [ACT] about how to plan an event weeks prior to our Back the Blue in 2020. That hardly constitutes as any sort of association," she wrote.

Strohmeier read a letter at the Bloomington City Council meeting Monday from the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association that called out Smithson's tweets.

The letter from Brian Peters, executive director of the police association, read in part:

"At best, the comments are grossly inappropriate for a city leader charged with defending rights of Bloomington residents. At worst, the comments are appalling, divisive, and bring suspicion to the Human Rights department among residents who deserve qualified staff. We believe Ms. Smithson's comments require a response and potentially further action from the city and its elected leaders to repair the damage caused by her comments."

Peters said in the letter that the rally raised $1,380 for officer Matt Ryan, who is undergoing chemotherapy to treat leukemia, and that such rallies are commonplace across the country to show support for law enforcement. He signed off by saying the "demonization by some community leaders has severe and negative public safety consequences."

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In a statement, Bloomington Mayor Tim Busse said that Peters' letter gives "outsized credence to the comments of a volunteer commission member on her personal social media." He said the human right commission is a volunteer group and that Smithson does not act in an official capacity, and added that the Bloomington City Council strongly supports the police.

"I've spoken with Ms. Smithson to let her know my expectations, and my disappointment that her comments caused collateral damage among our police officers and their family members," Busse said.

In a statement Tuesday, Smithson apologized for any pain caused to Ryan and his family or Bloomington police officers by her Twitter comments.

"My tweets about an individual involved in the event, and that person's association with a known hate group, do not reflect my broader thoughts about how residents, city leadership, and the [Bloomington Police Department] can work to strengthen our collaboration efforts to ensure a safe and secure community for all," Smithson said.

Kim Hyatt  612-673-4751
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson pardoned Mark and Patricia McCloskey, the governor's office announced Tuesday.

The husband and wife, who gained national attention in the summer of 2020 after brandishing firearms at Black Lives Matter protesters outside their St. Louis home, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges in June over the incident.

Video of the encounter showed Mark manning an AR-15 and Patricia holding a handgun to confront the protesters whom they said threatened their lives.

MCCLOSKEYS PLEAD GUILTY TO CHARGES AFTER GUN-TOTING DISPLAY

[They said] that they were going to kill us, Patricia McCloskey said in July 2020. They were going to come in there. They were going to burn down the house."

Mark McCloskey pleaded guilty to fourth-degree misdemeanor assault and was ordered to pay a $750 fine, while Patricia pleaded guilty to second-degree misdemeanor harassment. She was ordered to pay $2,000.

The legal process was not without controversy, as Democratic Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner, who charged the couple, was removed from her prosecutorial role after a judge ruled she would initiate the prosecution "for political purposes.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The two St. Louis-area attorneys quickly became icons on the Right after the initial viral encounter, appearing at the 2020 Republican National Convention to warn viewers, "What you saw happened to us could just as easily happen to any of you."

The McCloskeys have frequented headlines ever since. Mark McCloskey announced a campaign for the Senate to fill retiring Missouri Sen. Roy Blunt's seat.

Washington Examiner Videos

Tags: News, Missouri, St. Louis, Firearms

Original Author: Jeremy Beaman

Original Location: Missouri governor pardons Mark and Patricia McCloskey
Rep. Billy Long raised eyebrows when an invitation to an event launching his Missouri Senate campaign listed his states two Republican senators, Roy Blunt and Josh Hawley, as honorary co-chairmen of his bid for higher office.

Except neither Blunt, who is retiring next year, nor Hawley have endorsed Long, who jumped into the Senate race late Tuesday. Spokesmen for Blunt and Hawley confirmed in statements to the Washington Examiner Wednesday morning that they remain neutral in the Republican Senate primary, which includes former Gov. Eric Greitens, Rep. Vicky Hartzler, and Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt.

ANN WAGNER OPTING AGAINST MISSOURI SENATE BID LEAVES VICKY HARTZLER AS SOLE FEMALE GOP CONTENDER

Sen. Blunt is not endorsing anyone at this time, said Katie Boyd, a spokeswoman for the outgoing senator.

Congressman Long asked Josh to be a host of this event, but as a congressional candidate and before he was a Senate candidate, Hawley chief of staff Kyle Plotkin added. Josh is no longer a host, and he hasnt endorsed anyone.

The most coveted endorsement in this race belongs to former President Donald Trump, who thus far is keeping his powder dry even as he backs candidates in other key GOP primaries. Long is considered a long shot  for Trumps endorsement and to win the primary. However, he does enjoy the backing of Kellyanne Conway, campaign manager of the former presidents 2016 campaign and a top adviser to him in the White House.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

According to a copy of the invitation to Longs Senate campaign launch event, the congressman was scheduled to unveil his bid on Aug. 11 in Springfield, Missouri. Its unclear if the several other supporters listed on the invitation have agreed to support Longs Senate bid, as opposed to his reelection to the House in 2022, should he end up running.

Washington Examiner Videos

Tags: News, Campaigns, 2022 Elections, Missouri Senate, Josh Hawley, Roy Blunt

Original Author: David M. Drucker

Original Location: Missouri senators say Billy Long invite suggesting Senate endorsement is inaccurate
The mummified body of a missing Arkansas woman was discovered recently inside her daughters home, officials said.

The brother of 72-year-old Gloria Pike reported his sister missing last month after he had not heard from her since August 2020, even though they lived next door to each other, according to the Washington County Sheriffs Office.

He told investigators that Pike had breast cancer and lived with her daughter, Geanee Pike, but attempts to find his sister had failed.

When an investigator visited the daughters home, she said her mom wasnt missing but rather with an unknown friend at an unknown location, according to officials. Pike refused to let authorities enter her home.

A subpoena of bank records and surveillance video revealed Pike used her mothers debit card at a Dollar General six days after the investigator visited.

The sheriffs office obtained a search warrant for the home and found the mummified body of a woman wrapped in bedding and newspaper from 2020 in the living room and kitchen area, officials said. The home had no running water, and investigators found buckets of feces and urine throughout.

Pike told investigators her mom died last year from natural causes but she kept collecting Social Security money, officials said.

Geanee told me her mom owed her money, then told me she would pay it back when she got her own disability money back pay from the government, a sheriffs sergeant wrote in a report.

Pike was arrested Monday on charges of abuse of a corpse and financial identity fraud.

Lincoln is a small town in northwest Arkansas.

Harrowing. Aunt hid bodies of 2 young relatives in car for months, Maryland cops say

Tornado may have revealed location of missing Pennsylvania woman, police say

Son who killed mom with baseball bat thinking she was intruder avoids prison in Illinois
Fox Business

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich appeared to fully subscribe to the racist Great Replacement Theory in an interview with Fox Business Maria Bartiromo Wednesday.

In a conversation about Mexican immigrants traveling to the country amid rising COVID-19 cases and low job numbers, Gingrich claimed the immigrants did nothing to represent traditional, classic Americans.

The anti-American left would love to drown traditional, classic Americans with as many people as they can who know nothing of American history, nothing of American tradition, nothing of the rule of law, he said.

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When you go and look at the radical left, this is their ideal model. Its to get rid of the rest of us because we believe in George Washington or we believe in the Constitution, he continued. You see this behavior over and over again.

Bartiromo said the notion was unbelievable before attacking New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio for his COVID-19 measures.

Gingrichs elevation of the racist theory that immigrants were filtering out white Americans reflects a rising discourse in conservative media and politics. But the phrase, which has antisemitic connotations, has been shown to have violent consequences.

The same theory inspired a deadly attack in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 2019, with the shooter identifying fears of white genocide in his Great Replacement manifesto. It was also ingrained in the deadly 2017 attack in Charlottesville, with the nighttime rally preceding the incident featuring anti-Semites proclaiming, Jews will not replace us!

That hasnt stopped some Fox anchors, like Tucker Carlson, from promoting it on the network.

Another Terrible Week for Terrible Human Being Tucker Carlson

I know that the left and all the little gatekeepers on Twitter become literally hysterical if you use the term replacement, he said in April, describing new immigrants as obedient new voters from the Third World. But they become hysterical because thats what is happening, actually. Lets just say it. Thats true.

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Carlson continued his promotion on his show Monday, saying the Biden administration wanted to open the southern border to change who lives in this country to garner more Democratic votes and retain control of the government.

Theyre doing that to undermine democracy itself, he said. When you change who votes, you change the outcomes of elections.

Carlson made his comments from Hungary, where Mondays episode was filmed, because irony is dead.

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Aug. 4Multiple Oregon District businesses will be closed Wednesday for the second anniversary of a mass shooting that killed nine people on Aug. 4, 2019.

Luna Gifts & Botanicals, Omega Music, Beck + Call, Heart Mercantile, Toxic Brewery, Ned Peppers and Hole in the Wall announced they will be closed to allow staff to grieve and honor those impacted by the shooting.

"It's been 2 years since our city was met with utter hatred and violence," Luna Gifts & Botanicals shared on Facebook. "We are closed today in remembrance of the lives that were forever changed because of that day. If you are grieving today, we grieve with you. Take care of each other today. We love you, Dayton."

Omega Music shared that employees will still be working today and can help with special orders and curbside pick up, but the store will be closed to in-person shopping.

"August 4th will forever be a tough day for anyone who loves this neighborhood and this city," the store posted on Facebook. "Today there is a memorial planned on 5th Street, which will be closed to vehicles from 2-9pm. In light of this, we have decided it is in the best interest of our mental health to have the store closed for in-person shopping today."

Omega Music can be reached by calling 937-275-9949.

Beck + Call and Heart Mercantile shared a statement encouraging people to organizations working to end gun violence.

"August 4th, 2019 started off as any busy, summer night here in the Oregon District. It did not end that way. It ended in hatred, violence, and loss," the statement read. "That day and the following days, weeks, months, and now years have been hard for us as we overcome the darkness that has tainted our neighborhood. How do you take such a tragic event and create something positive out of it? Change."

Ned Peppers and Hole in the Wall also shared a joint statement on their Instagram pages.

"In lieu of all the current events we will be closing our doors August 4th in remembrance of those who lost their lives two years ago," the statement read. "I challenge everyone to take the day and spend it doing something you enjoy. Spend time with family and friends, call someone you haven't talked to in a while. Stay strong Dayton."

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Toxic Brew Company announced it will be closed Wednesday to allow staff to be with family and friends.

"To any one and every one affected by that awful day, know we're thinking about you and we hope you're doing ok," the bar shared on Facebook. "Take care of yourselves and each other."

A memorial held by the FUDGE Foundation is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday outside Blind Bob's Bar. It will include a candle lighting service, music, prayer and a nine-minute moment of silence in honor of those who lost their lives in the shooting. There will also be mental health and support group information, as well as resources to help those struggling with trauma.
Aug. 4Victims of the Oregon District mass shooting will be honored during an outdoor ceremony today, the two-year anniversary of the Dayton tragedy.

The FUDGE Foundation will commemorate the lives of the nine people killed on Aug. 4, 2019, as well as honor those in the community forever changed by the shooting.

The event is planned for 6 p.m. outside of Blind Bob's and will include a candle lighting service, music and prayer. Community leaders will speak about gun violence and there will be a moment of silence for nine minutes to remember those killed.

A raffle contest with prizes from Mad River Adventures, Winans and more will also be held.

There will also be resources available to support victims of trauma, including mental health and support group information.

The FUDGE Foundation is a non-profit started to help people impacted by mass shootings, violence, human trafficking and other trauma. It was founded by Dion Green, whose father Derrick Fudge was killed during the Oregon District mass shooting.
For the first time since 2018, the Orioles will open the Major League Baseball season at home.

MLB announced its 2022 schedule Wednesday, and all 30 clubs will begin the regular season Thursday, March 31. The Orioles will host the Toronto Blue Jays for a three-game series to open the season before hitting the road to play the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays. Its the first traditional Opening Day at Camden Yards since 2018, when the Orioles opened the season with a 3-2 win over the Minnesota Twins in 11 innings on Adam Jones walk-off home run.

The Orioles begin 2022 with 18 games against American League East opponents and a 10-game road trip through Oakland, Los Angeles and New York.

For the interleague schedule, the Orioles host the Milwaukee Brewers on April 11-13 for the first time since 2003, and theyll also play a pair of two-game series against the Cubs in Baltimore from June 7-8 and in Chicago from July 12-13. In addition to the traditional Beltway Series against the Washington Nationals  at Camden Yards from June 21-22 and at Nationals Park from Sept. 13-14  the Orioles also play a three-game series against the Reds in Cincinnati from July 29-31, a three-game series against the Cardinals in St. Louis from May 10-12 and host the Pittsburgh Pirates from Aug. 5-7.

Cleveland  which announced last month that it will change its team name from the Indians to the Guardians starting in 2022  visit Camden Yards from June 3-5 and host the Orioles from Aug. 30-Sept. 1.

The Orioles home schedule concludes with a four-game series against the Houston Astros from Sept. 22-25, and they finish the season on a six-game road trip through Boston and New York.

The 92nd All-Star Game will take place Tuesday, July 19 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, its first Midsummer Classic since 1980. The game marks the latest on the calendar for an All-Star Game since 1981 (Aug. 9), and the latest during the month of July since 1977 (also July 19).

Opening Day of the 2022 campaign could become the first season since 1968 in which every team across the majors plays their first game of the season on the same day. Opening Day will feature 11 divisional matchups among the 15 games in addition to one interleague matchup between the Philadelphia Phillies and Astros at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

The full Orioles schedule can be viewed at mlb.com/orioles/schedule/2022-03.
By Ernest Scheyder

(Reuters) - Piedmont Lithium Inc expects to receive state regulatory approval for its proposed North Carolina lithium project and have it fully funded by mid-2022, its chief executive said on Tuesday.

Piedmont's project would be among the largest U.S. lithium mines and a key domestic source of the white metal for electric vehicle batteries. But some local North Carolina officials have voiced concerns about its environmental impact and said they may block or delay it.

The company will apply for a state mining permit by mid-August and expects the review process to last six to nine months, CEO Keith Phillips told the Jefferies Virtual Industrials Conference.

"We're very optimistic of receiving that permit," Phillips said, adding he also expects the company to receive a necessary zoning variance from Gaston County, west of Charlotte. Phillips did not forecast a timeline for county approval.

State and county officials could not immediately be reached for comment after regular business hours.

State officials told Reuters last month they expected an application "in the near future." County officials have said they would not consider a zoning change until a state permit is issued.

During his presentation, Phillips did not discuss an announcement earlier this week that Piedmont has pushed back its timeline to begin shipments of lithium chemicals to Tesla Inc .

To fund the $840 million project, Phillips said Piedmont expects to rely on a U.S. Department of Energy loan and an outside investor who could take a stake in up to half of the project "and hopefully pay a big price for that. If they don't, we won't bring in a partner."

Phillips said he hoped to have funding secured by the middle of next year.

The company, which recently took stakes in lithium projects in Quebec and Ghana, likely won't make other acquisitions in the near future, Phillips added.

(Reporting by Ernest Scheyder; Editing by David Gregorio)
UPDATE: A body matching the description of missing runner Philip Kreycik has been recovered in Pleasanton, California, Pleasanton Police announced at a press conference held just before 5 p.m. local time on Tuesday evening. Lieutenant Erik Silacci said a citizen found the body in a remote area about 250 feet off of a trail on the northern part of the ridge.

The body has not yet been positively identified and the cause of death is unknown.

Pleasanton Police and the East Bay Regional Park District Police Department are at the scene investigating and recovering any pertinent evidence.

The location where the body was found is part of the East Bay Regional Park District jurisdiction and is approximately a quarter mile outside of Philips intended route.

Our thoughts are with the Kreycik family and we are focused on supporting them during this difficult time, Pleasanton Police said in a statement.

This is an ongoing investigation and anyone who may have seen Philip Kreycik on the day of his disappearance is asked to contact the Pleasanton Police Department at (925) 931-5107.

Original report:

After nearly a month of searching for avid runner Philip Kreycik, police say they have pretty much 100 percent covered every single area in and around Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park where the Berkeley, California father could be.

The news came over the weekend when the Pleasanton Police Department resumed its official search for the 37-year-old PG&E analyst, who has been missing since he went for a run on July 10, 2021.

We pretty much 100% covered where he could've been, should've been or would likely show up, Pleasanton Police Lieutenant Chris Niederhaus told the press Saturday, at a local high school where volunteer search teams had gathered.

On Saturday, police crews from 17 Bay Area agencies scoured the many trails and canyons throughout the park. They pulled GPS data from various search teams to make sure every location had been searched - including an area around Tejan Creek, which the lieutenant said came about from a new theory.

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Local runners told police that its not uncommon for runners or hikers to leave the trail, many times due to the heat, and take a shortcut through the heavy brush to return to their cars. The day Philip went missing, temperatures reached 106 degrees.

Earlier that morning, the devoted husband to Jen Yao and father of two young children, a 3-year-old boy and an 11-month-old girl, left their home in Berkeley, telling his wife he was going to run some errands and then squeeze in an hour-long run at Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park before meeting his family in Stockton at Jens parents house later in the day.

But he never made it.

Jen told Dateline it was 10:45 a.m. when she received a text from her husband. He had parked his car in the Moller Trail staging area at Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park in the East Bay Area. Philip told her that he was going for a quick 8-mile run and that his ETA to Stockton would be 12:35 p.m.

When that time came and went, Jen began to worry. She checked his GPS location through his phone and was confused to discover that he was still in Pleasanton.

I thought, OK, maybe he got a little delayed, but he shouldve been in Stockton by now, Jen said. So I checked his status. Every 10 minutes. And called him. Texted. And nothing. Its not like him at all.

At 2 p.m., Jen called the Pleasanton Police Department and reported her husband missing.

Officers responded to the trailhead at the Moller Trail staging area at Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park that afternoon and found Philips vehicle undisturbed in a parking spot. His cell phone and wallet were under the drivers seat.

Jen told Dateline it was normal for her husband to leave his things in the car while going for a run, especially such a short one. She added that he had been wearing a watch, but it didnt have GPS capability.

Extensive searches by police crews and volunteer groups went on for days and weeks. About two weeks in, the search was called off by police. Volunteers and fellow hikers and runners continued their efforts, contributing to ground searches, as well as creating the Facebook group Find Philip Kreycik that quickly reached 12K members.

Last week, Philips friend and fellow runner Chris Thoburn shared new details on the Facebook page. He said that security cameras at a UPS store where Philip was dropping off a package showed him entering and leaving the lot, and traffic cameras and the car's FastTrak also trace him to the staging area at the park.

In the post, Thoburn speculated that heat exhaustion took its toll on his friend. Jen told Dateline she remembers telling her husband to take water and sunscreen that day, but its unclear if he had either with him.

Philip was NOT heat adapted, Thoburn wrote. He lived on the Oakland/Berkeley border and most of his training was on the Bay side of the ridge. This means he rarely ran in temps above 80, and morning and evening runs (where he typically had time) would have been in the 50s or 60s.

Hundreds of posters now line the trails of the park, which spans a large area of rugged and steep terrain, and the streets surrounding it, along with the neighboring cities of Dublin, Fremont and Castro Valley.

Last week, Sgt. Marty Billdt said an official search resumed after a review by Pleasanton Police of GPS coordinates of places already searched determined new areas to examine.

Search teams were again deployed along with members of the Alameda County Sheriff's Department. Search dogs, drones, helicopters and an airplane with advanced thermal imagery have all been deployed as part of the searches.

The teams focused on remote areas of Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park over the weekend, but failed to find any new leads or any sign of Philip.

Today, the search for Philip Kreycik continued as a number of teams were deployed at Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park, police posted to Twitter on Saturday. Unfortunately, no significant evidence was recovered from the area.

Philips family says they are baffled that they havent found anything yet.

Its strange we havent found anything, Jen said. Not even a trace, like a piece of clothing or a shoelace or anything.

Jen and Philip have been married for four years and have two children together. He graduated from Harvard and MIT and is an energy efficiency analyst for Pacific Gas and Electric.

He has a lot of joy in his life, Jen told Dateline. Hes a good man who lives by his values. He challenges everyone he knows to be the best. He just brings people together - even now, even when hes missing.

Jen describes her husband as someone who is not just an avid runner and physically strong, but is mentally strong as well.

He doesnt make rash decisions - hes a very level-headed person and thinks everything through, she said, adding that he runs ultramarathons and has extensive wilderness experience so he might have ventured further than where crews are searching.

In a post on the Alameda County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, Sgt. Ray Kelly described Philip as an endurance athlete who is in top physical condition and "thrives in extreme environments. He has no known health conditions.

The family continues to ask the public to be on the lookout for Philip, noting that he could be disoriented. They ask people to check their outbuildings and Ring cameras in case he stumbled through looking for food or a way to make contact.

Jen told Dateline she remains in awe of the hundreds of volunteers who have dedicated their time and resources to searching for her husband.

Im beyond grateful for the love and support these people have shown to us, Jen said. I feel like just saying that is not enough - I wouldnt know how to even start with showing them how much I appreciate every tiny thing they do. If possible, I would -- I really would like to meet every single person who has helped and thank them.

The search is nearing the 4-week mark, but Philips family remains hopeful that things will turn around for the better.

Were still hopeful, Jen told Dateline. Hes my better half - our childrens more patient parent. They need him. We all need him. Hes out there somewhere and were doing everything we can to find him. We wont give up.

Philip is described as being 511 tall, weighing about 165 lbs. He has a thin build, brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing running shorts and a Suunto Ambit3 watch.

Anyone with information on Philips whereabouts is asked to call the Pleasanton Police Department at (925) 931-5107.
Aug. 4MOUNT VERNON, Mo.  A Virginia man was sentenced to five years in prison Tuesday for kidnapping an elderly Lawrence County woman with dementia in an attempt to defraud her in a driveway repair scam.

Perrin Cooper, 36, pleaded guilty in Lawrence County Circuit Court to a count of first-degree kidnapping in a plea deal dismissing a related count of attempted theft.

The plea agreement called for the defendant, who was facing the possibility of up to 30 years in prison on the kidnapping charge alone, to receive a term of five years on the conviction. Judge David Cole accepted the plea bargain and imposed the agreed-upon length of sentence.

Cooper, of Williamsburg, Virginia, went to the victim's rural residence on July 20, 2020, with two other men in a pickup truck with Illinois license plates and equipment in the back associated with pavement sealing businesses.

Photos taken by a trail camera the woman's family had installed on her property purportedly showed the men spreading sealant over a small portion of her driveway before leaving with her seated in their truck.

A Monett bank teller informed law enforcement that the woman came to the bank in the company of two unknown men who were attempting to withdraw $4,200 from her account.

Cooper, who was wanted at the time in Virginia in a grand larceny case, was identified by Lawrence County sheriff's investigators as one of the men with the assistance of Illinois state troopers and Department of Revenue photos.

The affidavit filed with the court states that the defendant has a criminal history in six states, including arrests for fraud, drug possession and robbery as well as for murder, a charge that was subsequently lowered to robbery.
After the federal government made the controversial decision to require that its employees receive the COVID-19 vaccine, multiple private companies are now following suit.

Multiple major U.S. companies announced Tuesday they would require vaccinations for their employees, a decision that has sparked controversy and likely legal challenges.

Tyson Chicken and Microsoft are two of the largest and most recent companies to make the announcement, saying their U.S. employees must be vaccinated.

As people have heard, new variants of COVID-19 are more contagious, more deadly and responsible for most cases in America today, Tyson said in its announcement. In some communities, doctors and hospitals are once again overwhelmed, while the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 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.

Tyson said all employees must be vaccinated by Nov. 1 and will receive a $200 bonus for doing so but did note that team members that are members of a union will be subject to the results of union bargaining on this issue.

The decision has already drawn backlash from critics who point out the vaccine has not yet received full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA granted emergency use authorization for the vaccines last year.

UFCW is proud to say that we have high vaccination rates among our unionized food workers across the country, and as a result, we have helped reduce COVID-19 infection rates in many of our industries, including meatpacking, Marc Perronne, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, said in response to the Tyson announcement. 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.

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So far, federal court rulings have backed institutions that mandated the vaccine, but legal challenges could still arise. Perronne said workers should get paid time off to recover from the side effects of the vaccine.

We believe the FDA must provide full approval of the vaccines and help address some of the questions and concerns that workers have, Perronne said. 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.

The crackdown comes after the CDC announced even vaccinated Americans should wear masks indoors if they reside in an area of the country experiencing a spike in COVID-19 cases. This CDC reversal from its guidelines in May was followed by a wave of new mandates in the public and private sector.

Other companies, like Google and Walmart, have already made similar requirements.

As we all know, the pandemic is not over, and the delta variant has led to an increase in infection rates across much of the U.S., Walmart said in its announcement last week. Given this, we have made the decision to require all market, regional and divisional associates who work in multiple facilities and all campus office associates to be vaccinated by Oct. 4, unless they have an approved exception. This includes all new hires.

Protests against the vaccine mandates have taken place around the country. Some Republicans have taken up the issue, pointing to personal freedoms and warning of government overreach, especially when questions about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine remain. An outbreak among fully vaccinated residents of Massachusetts has raised more concerns about the vaccines effectiveness.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbot, a Republican, has doubled down on an executive order that bans mask or vaccine mandates in the Lone Star State.

Texans have mastered the safe practices that help to prevent and avoid the spread of COVID-19, Abbott said. They have the individual right and responsibility to decide for themselves and their children whether they will wear masks, open their businesses, and engage in leisure activities. Vaccines, which remain in abundant supply, are the most effective defense against the virus, and they will always remain voluntary  never forced  in the State of Texas.

Washington Examiner Videos

Tags: News, Vaccination, Coronavirus

Original Author: Casey Harper, The Center Square

Original Location: Private sector begins vaccine mandates amid pushback
VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP)  The Red Cross warned Wednesday that Lithuania's decision to turn away immigrants attempting to cross in from neighboring Belarus does not comply with international law.

Lithuania, a member of the European Union, has faced a surge of mostly Asian migrants in the past few months. It says that's due to retaliation by Belarus authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko after the EU put sanctions on his country over an air piracy incident. The Lithuanian Interior Ministry this week distributed a video shot from a helicopter showing large groups of immigrants being escorted to Lithuanias border by Belarus border guard vehicles.

On Tuesday, Lithuania said it reserved the right to use force to stop such illegal immigration and turned away 180 people attempting to enter the country. But rights groups noted that all nations have an obligation to protect vulnerable people.

Push backs of people seeking asylum are not compatible with the Geneva Convention on Refugee Status, the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and other human rights instruments Egle Samuchovaite, program director for Lithuania's Red Cross, told The Associated Press.

Samuchovaite also pointed out that rejecting the admission of vulnerable people into the country would put them into an unsafe environment, trapped between two countries.

In the absence of a physical border barrier with Belarus, the question arises as to how to ensure that there is no disproportionate use of force against asylum seekers, which by any means could not be justified, she said, adding that the Red Cross understands the states challenges in protecting its border.

Lithuania has no physical barriers for its almost 679-kilometer (420-mile) long border with Belarus.

Another 35 people crossed into Lithuania illegally on Wednesday, according to the State Border Guard Service, but this was significantly lower than the triple-digit numbers of previous days.

Belarus claimed Wednesday that a non-Slavic person died from injuries at a border town but Lithuania dismissed the report as propaganda from a hostile regime.

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This is nonsense, a brother Grimm fairy tale, Lithuania Interior Minister Agne Bilotaite told reporters.

Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas said called the report an obvious provocation. Lithuania is under hybrid attack and spreading such information is a classic example of this process.

Some 4,090 migrants, most of them from Iraq, have crossed this year from Belarus into Lithuania, a nation of less than 3 million.

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Follow all AP stories on developments in Belarus at https;//apnews.com/hub/Belarus.

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Follow all AP stories on global migration at https://apnews.com/hub/migration.
BERLIN (AP)  A German-Swiss group that campaigns for human rights in Belarus called Wednesday for Western companies to stop buying airtime for advertising on the authoritarian countrys state broadcasters.

Libereco said major consumer goods companies such as Procter & Gamble, Nestle and Mars were among the top advertisers on Belarusian state TV, according to a week-long analysis of primetime ads last month.

Western companies must immediately end their financial support for dictator Alexander Lukashenkos propaganda TV, the group said.

Contacted for comment by The Associated Press, Swiss food and drinks giant Nestle said that as a matter of principle, we do not position ourselves along political lines in the countries where we operate, and we comply with all applicable laws and sanctions.

In a statement, the company said advertising was an important way to reach consumers but that after a regular review we have already significantly reduced our advertising budget for Belarus.

Sandoz, a subsidiary of Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis, said it complies with all relevant national and international regulations and requirements.

We continue to carefully monitor developments in the country and to evaluate the situation accordingly, the company said in a statement.
Dr. Rebecca Martin talks with Barbara Billigmeier, a patient hospitalized with COVID-19, at Baxter Regional Medical Center in Mountain Home, Ark., on July 8, 2021. Despite her ordeal, Billigmeier said, she hasn't changed her mind about getting vaccinated: "It's just too new."

Dr. Rebecca Martin talks with Barbara Billigmeier, a patient hospitalized with COVID-19, at Baxter Regional Medical Center in Mountain Home, Ark., on July 8, 2021. Credit - Erin SchaffThe New York Times/Redux

Sixteen months ago, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City, Dr. Rebecca Martin was one of thousands of out-of-state doctors and nurses who came to help the city battle what was then a new disease. That spring, the pulmonologist from Arkansas spoke to TIME about her 96-hour stint at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Brooklyn. Martin, 45, wondered at the time how her own hospital, Baxter Regional Medical Center in northern Arkansas, would handle COVID-19 if it arrived. She got her answer this July, when rising infections turned the state into one of the worst virus hotspots in the nation.

***

When I flew to New York City at the height of the pandemic in April 2020, it was my first time practicing medicine outside of my home state of Arkansas. Before I left to battle a strange disease in the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak, I said goodbye to my husband and four young children, making sure to leave them the passwords to our familys financial accounts in case I didnt come back. As a pulmonologist, I suddenly had one of the nations most important occupations. And I couldnt sit around, watching COVID-19 kill more and more people, while my fellow medical workers begged for help.

During the 10 days I spent volunteering at Wyckoff, patients were packed so tightly in the emergency room that it was hard to pass between gurneys. There werent enough sedatives to go around, so patients would sometimes wake up prematurely and pull the breathing tubes out of their throats. The scene was beyond my worst expectation.

I never thought that nightmare would follow me home. But today, our intensive care unit in northern Arkansas is flooded with mostly unvaccinated and young patients on ventilators. Several nurses have quit or retired early, leaving an overwhelmed staff to deal with the constant barrage of patients. Stretchers line the hallways. We had to create a mini ICU in another wing of the hospital to deal with the influx. In the chaos, sometimes we dont know which patient is in which room. Sometimes we send patients home and they come back sicker the next day. More than a year later, people dying of COVID-19 are back to saying goodbye to their loved ones through iPads, while isolated in dark rooms.

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Its hard to be back here. For months, as COVID-19 cases dwindled and vaccinations ramped up nationwide, there was hope that the pandemic could end. We thought we made it through the hard part. We began to get comfortable. We started patting ourselves on the back, thinking, Yeah, we did it! It was a false sense of security. I remember the day. It was a Tuesday in June, and I had nine new COVID-19 consults in one day. I thought, My gosh. I havent seen this in months. Whats going on? I thought it might have been a fluke. It wasnt. By mid-July, the hospital re-opened its COVID-19 ward. There are ten times more cases than there were a month ago, largely due to the Delta variant and low vaccination rates in the state.

"Today, our intensive care unit in northern Arkansas is flooded with mostly unvaccinated and young patients on ventilators."

Its frustrating and exhausting, because this time, its preventable. Its free and quick to get vaccinated. Id like to say that I dont harbor resentment toward those still unwilling to get the shots, but I do. I really wish they would reconsider. I wish they would think about all of the people around them and not just themselves. Now were back to asking, how long is this going to last? Is there just going to be another one with a different strain? Is this the new normal?

It feels like it should be over. But here it is in Arkansas, worse than it ever was to start with and were doing less to combat its spread than we did before.

As told to Melissa Chan
Valentina Urrejola packed her passport, her Social Security card and her laptop  then left her mother a note saying shed be OK, wiped her cell phone clean, and placed her keys underneath the front door.

That was Monday. The 16-year-old Miami girl has not been seen or heard from since, said her mother, Constanza Urrejola Arcos.

I know this was not her idea, she told the Miami Herald on Tuesday. Theres an adult person who is behind this.

On Tuesday, Miami police shared a picture of the teen and asked the community for help in finding her.

She was last seen around 11 a.m. in the area of Northeast Miami Place and 14th Street.

Urrejola Arcos said her daughters sudden disappearance is disturbing and unusual.

Valentina left a note written in English in which she said shed be OK and would act responsibly. It also asked her mother not to involve authorities, Urrejola Arcos said.

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According to phone records from T-Mobile, the last people Valentina contacted were two close friends of hers. But when authorities approached them about Valentinas disappearance, neither of them wanted to cooperate, Urrejola Arcos said.

They were very rude with the police and with me, Urrejola Arcos said. I imagine they know where she is because they would go to the same places... Now Im coming to the realization that I dont know any of her friends.

Valentina has disappeared only once before, her mother said  for two hours; she was found at her grandmothers house.

The last time Urrejola Arcos saw the eldest of her two daughters was on Monday between 11 a.m. and noon. Valentina also hasnt shown up to her job as a hostess at a restaurant in Ocean Drive since Friday.

Valentina is described as being 5 feet tall, 104 pounds, with brown hair and eyes. She was last seen wearing a black shirt and jeans.

Anyone with information is asked to call the City of Miami Police Department Special Victims Unit at 305-603-6300 or 305-579-6111.
CLEVELAND  Shontel Brown, whose campaign highlighted her loyalty to President Joe Biden, won a special election primary Tuesday in Ohios 11th Congressional District, a race that commanded national attention while dividing national Democrats along ideological lines.

Brown, whose victory was projected by The Associated Press, defeated Nina Turner, a former state senator known nationally for her work on Sen. Bernie Sanders presidential campaigns.

"Dont leave this place sad, Turner, who conceded shortly after 10 p.m. ET, told supporters gathered at a bowling alley in Maple Heights. Dont leave this place depressed. I want you to leave this celebration more resolute, because we still have more work to do.

For months, the race had been Turners to lose, given her broader fundraising base and early lead in polling. Brown, a Cuyahoga County Council member who also chairs the countys Democratic Party, caught up in the final weeks as outside groups helped her close the money gap and both candidates invited national surrogates to campaign in the district.

Given the heavy Democratic makeup of the Ohio 11th, Brown is the overwhelming favorite to win the November general election against Laverne Gore, who won Tuesdays Republican primary, the AP projected. Brown, 46, would succeed former Rep. Marcia Fudge, her political mentor, who serves in the Biden administration as secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

As essentially the next member of the 11th Congressional District, the next member of Congress, I can walk in the door with good relationships, Brown, standing alongside Fudges mother, said at her campaign's watch party in Bedford Heights.

I get the recognition, Brown said, but this was a collaborative partnership of the community.

Eleven other Democrats sought the seat, but none had the resources that Brown, Turner and their allies did.

Turner, 53, spent the primarys closing days campaigning across the district's Northeast Ohio footprint with Sanders, I-Vt., and other liberal firebrands, including Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and political activist Cornel West. Brown, meanwhile, held events with top members of the Congressional Black Caucus, including Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C.

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The involvement of Sanders and Clyburn created the aura of a national proxy war and revived the tensions of Democratic battles in 2016 and 2020: the establishment vs. the progressive left. Biden allies are counting on a Brown victory to bolster their case for pragmatism, especially after wins by more moderate or centrist Democrats this year in a special congressional election in Louisiana and in the Virginia gubernatorial and New York City mayoral primaries.

It was Clyburn whose endorsement of Biden last year helped him win the pivotal South Carolina primary and outlast Sanders in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination. He and others cast Brown as a loyal ally of the Biden administration, the suggestion being that Turner would look out more for herself or the squad  the group of progressive House members led by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, who backed Turner.

Outside groups backing Brown were even more explicit about the contrast. The Democratic Majority for Israel PAC spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on local TV, including an ad that emphasized the time Turner equated voting for Biden to eating fecal matter.

State Rep. Kent Smith, a Brown supporter and Democratic leader in the Cleveland suburb of Euclid, said last week: Democrats control the House, Senate and presidency. Shontel Brown is going to come in there as one of 220 Democratic voices in the House, but because of the bridges that she's built already with Clyburn and with Kamala Harris and other significant Democrats, theyve already got her phone number. Im not sure Nina's calls are going to get returned.

Fudge, whose Cabinet post makes endorsements tricky, did not endorse in the race, but her mother starred in a TV ad for Brown  a message that carried little subtlety.

Brown also scored an endorsement from Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee for president in 2016, whom Sanders and Turner worked against. Turner, at the time a top Democrat in Ohio, had been among those initially encouraging Clinton to run, but she abruptly defected to Sanders. After the party nominated Clinton, Turner briefly entertained an invitation to join Jill Stein on the Green Partys national ticket as a candidate for vice president.

Turner and her allies tried to turn Browns loyalty against her, framing her as a go-along-to-get-along politician. A particularly nasty Turner campaign ad in the final days attacked Browns ethics as a County Council member and asserted, without evidence, that she was under investigation. Turners supporters also argued that the district needed someone who would be more comfortable pushing Biden and the Democratic leadership in Congress to move more aggressively to address poverty, health care, gun violence and other issues.

It is a very bad idea to say we just want somebody who's going to do whatever the president says, even if you love the president, Ellison said Saturday at a get-out-the-vote event  headlined by Sanders  that drew 900 people to a concert hall in Cleveland.

The 11th District race was one of two special House primaries in Ohio on Tuesday.

In the 15th Congressional District, which stretches from suburban Columbus into the rural southeastern part of the state, Mike Carey, a coal industry lobbyist who had former President Donald Trumps endorsement, prevailed in an 11-candidate Republican field. He will face Democratic nominee Allison Russo, a state legislator, in November.
A Forest Hill officer who shot and killed a murder suspect over the summer was arrested last week, making him at least the eighth Dallas-Fort Worth police officer to face criminal charges after fatally shooting someone since 2017.

Logan Barr, 23, faces a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in the case, according to a Texas Rangers warrant. Barr fired his shotgun twice at 32-year-old Michael Lee Ross Jr. on the morning of June 9.

Ross held a knife, but Texas Ranger Eisenhower Upshaw determined that he posed no threat to Barr because he was as far as 20 feet away from Forest Hill officers when Barr shot him, according to the warrant obtained by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram on Wednesday. Ross was facing Barr and a Forest Hill sergeant with his hands down by his side, holding the knife in his right hand, according to the warrant.

The sergeant had told Barr to get his less lethal shotgun, which fires beanbag rounds, but Barr retrieved and fired a regular shotgun, according to the warrant.

There is no governmental agency that publicly tracks or disseminates data about police violence or officers who are charged with crimes. The public relies on other resources for data, such as the the Washington Posts police shooting database and a Police Integrity research group at Bowling Green State University.

Convictions are rare for officers who fatally shoot someone, according to data. Between 2015 and mid-2017, about 35 percent of officers arrested in fatal on-duty shootings were convicted of manslaughter or murder charges, according to a 2017 research paper from Philip Stinson of Bowling Green State University.

Police shot and killed 394 people in the line of duty in Texas since 2017, according to the Washington Posts database. Seven officers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area have been indicted since 2017 in connection with killing someone. Three of those officers have been convicted.

In September 2020, jurors indicted ex-Arlington officer Ravinder Singh on a charge of criminally negligent homicide. Singh shot and killed Margarita Brooks as she lay on the grass behind a shopping center in August 2019. He had fired his gun toward Brooks dog, but one of his shots killed the 30-year-old woman, authorities have said. Singh was responding to a call to check on Brooks welfare.

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Aaron Dean, a former Fort Worth police officer, was indicted on a murder charge in December 2019 for fatally shooting Atatiana Jefferson, 28, in her home in October 2019. His trial date has not yet been set.

In October 2019, Amber Guyger was sentenced to 10 years in prison after she shot and killed 26-year-old Botham Jean in his apartment on Sept. 6, 2018. She said she thought she had walked into her own apartment and that Jean was an intruder, causing her to fear for her life.

In June 2019, a Farmers Branch officer was indicted on a murder charge. Michael Dunn fatally shot Juan Johnny Moreno, 35, in Dallas while firing into a moving truck. A court date was set for July 12, but was postponed.

In May 2019, a Tarrant County grand jury handed up an indictment for Arlington Officer Bau Tran, who shot and killed OShae Terry, 24, on Sept. 1, 2018, after another officer stopped Terry. His case is still active.

In August 2018, ex-Balch Springs police officer Roy Oliver was found guilty of murder in the April 2017 death of 15-year-old Jordan Edwards, after Oliver fatally shot him while firing into the back of a 2004 black Impala. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

In December 2017, former Farmers Branch officer Ken Johnson was convicted of murder and felony aggravated assault in connection with a March 2016 incident in which he  while off-duty  chased down two teens in Addison who had stolen seats from his SUV, fatally shooting one of them and seriously injuring another. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Black and Hispanic people are shot and killed by police at a higher rate than white people, according to data from the Washington Post. Black people, for example, account for less than 13 percent of the U.S. population, but are killed by police at more than twice the rate of white people.
The State Department is missing a $5,800 bottle of Japanese whiskey that was gifted to former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, according to a document made public Wednesday.

The agency revealed an ongoing inquiry into what happened to the bottle of liquor in a notice, which is set to be published in the Federal Register on Thursday.

Pompeo received the bottle of whiskey on June 24, 2019, according to the document. The former top diplomat, along with former President Donald Trump, was in Japan around that time for a Group of 20 summit.

William Burck, Pompeo's lawyer, said the former Trump administration official has no memory of receiving the bottle of whiskey or any idea what happened to it.

MIKE POMPEO LAUNCHES PAC TO BOOST 2022 REPUBLICANS IN PRELUDE TO PRESIDENTIAL RUN

He has no idea what the dispensation was of this bottle of whiskey, Burck said, according to the New York Times, which reported that officials asked the State Department's inspector general to look into the matter.

The federal government has strict rules regulating elected officials' acceptance of gifts from foreign governments, which are predicated on the Constitution's emoluments clause. Officials are permitted to accept only on certain conditions. For example, an official may take a gift if refusing to do so would cause embarrassment to the donor or the United States.

The document outlined numerous gifts that were accounted for, including two other bottles of whiskey, offered to former Trump administration officials.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

For example, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el Sisi gave Trump a "large double frame carved from black stone with the image of President Donald J. Trump in precious metal on one side and the coat of arms of Egypt on the reverse." The item is now in the custody of the National Archives.

Lisa Curtis, who was deputy assistant to the president and senior director for South and Central Asian Affairs under Trump, was given a handwoven silk carpet from Uzbekistan's defense minister that is valued at $9,600. The item's transfer to the General Services Administration is pending, the notice said.

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An inspector general investigation into the missing bottle's whereabouts would not be the first to take up a matter associated with Pompeo's tenure. The watchdog's office investigated the former secretary of state and his wife and said in April that the two used public funds to request employees to carry out personal tasks in violation of ethics rules.

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Tags: News, Whiskey, Japan, Mike Pompeo, Trump administration

Original Author: Jeremy Beaman

Original Location: State Department looking for missing $5,800 bottle of whiskey gifted to Pompeo
The Taliban has claimed responsibility for an attack at the home of a top Afghan military official.

Acting Defense Minister Bismillah Khan Mohammadi wasnt home when the Taliban supposedly conducted their planned assassination attempt on Tuesday, which killed eight people and wounded 20, according to multiple outlets.

BIDEN TRIES TO STEM THE ALARMING FLOW OF MINORITY VOTERS AWAY FROM DEMOCRATS AHEAD OF MIDTERM ELECTIONS

The attack, which began when a suicide bomber detonated a vehicle packed with explosives, was the beginning of retaliatory operations against the core officials of the Kabul administration, the Taliban said in a statement.

After the blast, four gunmen wearing suicide vests rushed through the hole in the wall outside Mohammadis house and then entered an adjacent home of a member of Parliament.

The gunmen shot four people who tried to hide while another group of people took shelter behind a bulletproof door. Two of the perpetrators detonated their vests, while two others were killed by guards in a gun battle that lasted several hours.

With the mercy of God, neither me nor my family members were hurt in this attack, Mohammadi said in a video message. I assure you all, my countrymen, that such incidents will not disrupt my will and morale in defending you and my country.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The Taliban are continuing their aggressive push as the U.S. withdrawal continues. The Taliban captured much of the Helmand provincial capital in Afghanistan days ago.

Over the weekend, the Taliban used rocket fire to attack the Kandahar airport in the southern part of Afghanistan, and a Taliban spokesman said the target was strategically chosen because the enemy were using it as a center to conduct airstrikes against us.

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Tags: News, Taliban, War in Afghanistan, Afghanistan, Defense

Original Author: Mike Brest

Original Location: Taliban claim responsibility for attack targeting Afghan defense minister
Target announced Wednesday plans to offer debt-free education assistance to more than 340,000 of its front-line workers.

Why it matters: Americans owe $1.6 trillion in student loans.

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Details: The aid will cover select undergraduate degrees and certificates, tuition assistance supplies and other out-of-pocket expenses at no cost to workers.

The policy, which applies to all U.S. part-time and full-time team members, will include 250 business-aligned programs from over 40 schools, colleges and universities.

Target will also pay up to $10,000 per year for masters degrees. The company plans to invest $200 million in the program, which will take effect this fall, over the next four years.

The move aims to "eliminate student debt and promote equitable access to education for its team as part of Target Forward sustainability strategy."

What they're saying: "Target employs team members at every life stage and helps our team learn, develop and build their skills, whether theyre with us for a year or a career," Melissa Kremer, Target's chief human resources officer, said in a statement.

Yes, but: The company faced protests from workers over COVID-related safety concerns and low wages.

"Were trying to lead the way in showing that theres an alternative here where we dont have to choose between sacrificing our lives for a paycheck that isnt going to cover our medical expenses or our funeral expenses if we catch this virus or die from it," Adam Ryan, a Target employee who participated in a nationwide strike last year, told CNBC.

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Texas state Rep. Jessica Gonzalez is refusing to say whether she is in Europe on a vacation with fellow state Rep. Julie Johnson and their partners.

Gonzalez and Johnson were two of the Texas Democrats who fled their state in mid-July and planned to stay until Aug. 7, intending to disrupt quorum and block the passage of Gov. Greg Abbott's election reform bill.

TEXAS GOP HOUSE SPEAKER ISSUES ARREST WARRANT FOR DEMOCRAT WHO FLED STATE AFTER RETURN

I dont respond to rumors, Gonzalez told the San Antonio Express-News when questioned whether she was on a vacation abroad. No one has shown proof. These are rumors, period. End of story.

The alleged international trip was first reported by Texas Monthly writer John Tilove, who said Gonzalez and Johnson hopped aboard a flight for a Portuguese vacation they had been planning with their romantic partners that was nonrefundable. The women were allegedly participating in the caucus meetings through Zoom calls.



Neither Gonzalez nor Johnson has conclusively denied claims that they are on vacation abroad, and neither has appeared in public since the allegations.

Texas Democrats fled the state on July 12 and began campaign for voting rights in Washington, D.C.

While in Washington, D.C., the group has met with Vice President Kamala Harris and other major figures in the Democratic Party, seeking federal election reform laws. These efforts have been overshadowed by an unexpected outbreak of COVID-19 among the Texas politicians, many of whom were photographed maskless in transit to the nation's capitol.

Texas Republican Rep. Jared Patterson slammed the pair Wednesday in a series of tweets, writing, "Texas Democrats shut down a special session devoted to helping foster kids, retired teachers and property taxpayers and to secure our border and elections. Now, theyve charged taxpayers about $1M while on vacation in DC and Europe."

The Democrats have maintained that their travel and living costs are not being paid with taxpayer money. A transfer from the House Democratic Caucus paid for the flights to Washington, D.C. One House member charged a group of hotel rooms to a personal American Express card. The Dallas County Democratic Party issued appeals for donations to support the renegade politicians, asking for toiletries, snacks, and other items.

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CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Abbott has repeatedly claimed that the politicians will be arrested and forced to vote upon reentry into the state. So far, one person, Rep. Philip Cortez, has had a warrant issued for his arrest after attempting to return to the state. Cortez swiftly returned to Washington, D.C., with his colleagues.

Neither Gonzalez nor Johnson's offices responded immediately to the Washington Examiner's requests for comment.

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Tags: News, Democratic Party, Portugal, Texas

Original Author: Timothy Nerozzi

Original Location: Texas lawmaker who fled to DC won't reveal if she's on vacation
Valerie Junius was planning to leave Lawrence Reed, who has since been charged with her July 29 murder in Katy.

A Katy, Texas mother was killed last week allegedly at the hands of her husband, who authorities say fatally shot her and opened fire on two of her children.

Valerie Junius was planning to leave Lawrence Reed, who has been charged with her murder, according to Harris County Sheriffs. The mother of six was slain on July 29 and found inside her home.

Texas mother of six Valerie Junius (above) was shot dead last month in Katy, reportedly by the abusive husband she was planning to leave, authorities say. (ABC 13)

Deputies responding to the shooting found Reed barricaded inside, and he later surrendered to SWAT. According to a report from People magazine, the couple had been engaged in an ongoing domestic disturbance, and she had been in Chicago for a month with relatives.

My Auntie, Gloria, was on the phone with her daughter, Valerie, while she could overhear her husband, Lawrence Reed, telling Valerie that he was going to kill her and her kids, the organizer of a GoFundMe fundraiser writes. Gloria then had the horrific experience of having to hear Lawrence shoot her daughter Valerie a total of 7 times, ultimately taking her life.

The page was set up to raise $50,000 for homegoing services and support for Junius mother, who is left to raise her six grandchildren.

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Please pray for Valerie in heaven, her children left here on Earth, along with her mother, Gloria, the GoFundMe page concludes.

According to reports, Reed shot at Junius 16-year-old son and 20-year-old daughter as they tried to flee and run out of the house. They were both wounded with non-life-threatening injuries.

Local reporting notes that Junius was planning to leave her husband. She had only returned home to Texas to retrieve personal belongings.

She didnt know she was walking into this, said her cousin, Treshawnda Junius.

He knew it was over when she stayed in Chicago for as long as she stayed, she said. He knew it was over. He killed her. He didnt give her a chance.

Harris County Sheriffs have reported an uptick in domestic violence and fatal domestic shootings in 2021.

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Its alarming. Its disturbing, said Barbie Brashear, executive director of the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council. It matches what we are hearing nationally, that domestic violence is on the rise.

Treshawnda Junius can only offer advice in the wake of her cousins tragedy, saying, If you have family that are unhappy in relationships, I urge you to stand by them. I wish I called my cousin. I wish I called her.

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The Fox News host Tucker Carlson at a summit in 2019. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Fox News' Tucker Carlson is broadcasting from Hungary this week.

Carlson is promoting the worldview of Hungary's authoritarian prime minister, Viktor Orban.

America's far right sees Orban as a more successful, effective version of Trump.

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Fox News' Tucker Carlson is broadcasting from Budapest, Hungary, this week. For a lot of people, this might be perplexing. But for those who've closely followed the far right in recent years, it makes perfect sense.

Many American conservatives admire Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a xenophobic, anti-LGBTQ authoritarian who's been in power for 11 years and who endorsed President Donald Trump's reelection campaign last year. They see Orban as a more effective version of Trump - and a model for the future of right-wing politics in the US.

Carlson is effectively in Hungary to promote Orban's nationalism and antidemocratic approach to governance, and authoritarianism experts are concerned - particularly over what this says about the direction of American conservatism. The Fox host's Hungarian excursion comes as Republicans continue to whitewash the pro-Trump Capitol insurrection and vie to restrict voting in several states, and as recent Morning Consult polling suggested that more than a quarter of Americans qualified as having right-wing authoritarian political beliefs.

Read more: The definitive oral history of how Trump took over the GOP, as told to us by Cruz, Rubio, and 20 more insiders

"There's nothing funny about this encounter," Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a New York University historian and expert on strongman leaders, wrote of Carlson's visit with Orban. "Carlson's world aligns to an alarming degree with that of Orban ... The goal of these alliances has always been to mainstream far-right values."

"Orban has arguably been among the most successful sitting leaders at creating an electoral autocracy - the 21st century way of being a strongman that entails keeping a veneer of democracy going while turning elections into sham events, taking judicial and press freedoms away, and suffocating society slowly," Ben-Ghiat said, adding, "This is where the GOP is heading, accelerating the agenda of the Trump presidency to undo our democratic freedoms and institutions."

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Carlson is boosting Orban's profile while ignoring his autocratic leadership

Carlson, perhaps the most prominent right-wing voice in the US, shared a tweet showing him meeting with Orban on Monday. The Fox host is also set to speak on Saturday at a far-right conference called MCC Feszt that's tied to Orban.

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"If you care about Western civilization and democracy and families, and the ferocious assault on all three of those things by the leaders of our global institutions, you should know what is happening here right now," Carlson said during his show on Monday night, making no mention of Orban's antidemocratic tendencies.

Carlson decried the mainstream media in the US, saying its true purpose was to defend the ruling class. He did not, however, discuss the extreme degree to which Orban had shored up control of the news media in Hungary. In July, Reporters Without Borders pointed to Orban as one of the world's 37 "press freedom predators."

The Fox host on Wednesday gave a talk at a dinner with Orban's office, praising Hungary as a great place that the West could learn from and telling the audience, "You're truly hated by all the right people," according to tweets from Rod Dreher, a senior editor at The American Conservative.

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Dreher has also expressed admiration for Orban and championed the Hungarian leader's politics in his writing.

"What I see in Orban is one of the few major politicians in the West who seems to understand the importance of Christianity, and the importance of culture, and who is willing to defend these things against a very rich and powerful international establishment," Dreher told Vox last year.

"I find myself saying of Orban what I hear conservatives say when they explain why they instinctively love Trump: because he fights," Dreher added. "The thing about Orban is that unlike Trump, he fights, and he wins, and his victories are substantive."

Carlson and Orban have promoted a white-nationalist worldview

Carlson and Orban, who faces elections in 2022, have been looking to each other as allies for some time.

Anna Massoglia, an investigative researcher at OpenSecrets, reported that Hungary in 2019 paid $265,000 to a lobbying firm in Washington, DC, and that the payment was partially designed to help coordinate an interview on Carlson's show.

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Around that time, Carlson on his show praised Orban's ethnonationalist, anti-immigration policies while decrying the "neoliberals who run" the European Union. "Instead of helping the native population to have more children, the Hungarian government, they say, should import a replacement population from the Third World," Carlson said in July 2019.

"But Hungary's prime minister, Viktor Orban, has a different idea," Carlson added. "Instead of abandoning Hungary's young people ... Orban has decided to affirmatively help Hungarian families grow."

Carlson has espoused a white-supremacist "replacement" conspiracy theory on his show, accusing Democrats of "importing" immigrants to "dilute" US voters. Orban, who has presented himself as a defender of Christianity and built a wall to keep out refugees, has made nearly identical talking points.

"We do not want to be diverse," Orban said in a 2018 speech, adding, "We do not want our own color, traditions, and national culture to be mixed with those of others."

Following in Orban's footsteps would spell trouble for American democracy

Viktor Orban and Donald Trump. Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

Orban, who was once described by Steve Bannon, Trump's former campaign CEO and chief strategist, as "Trump before Trump," has eroded democratic institutions and tightened his grip over the central European country's political system over the past decade or so.

The Hungarian leader, a champion of what he calls "illiberal democracy," has packed the nation's courts and media with allies. Orban has also gamed the electoral system - via gerrymandering and other dubious tactics - to favor his Fidesz party.

"At this point, Hungary is a full-on dictatorship. No if, ands, or buts," Sheri Berman, a professor of political science at Barnard College and author of "Democracy and Dictatorship in Europe," told Insider last year as Hungary's Parliament granted Orban broad emergency powers to combat the coronavirus, giving him the ability to rule by decree.

Last year, the watchdog Freedom House said in its annual "Nations in Transit" report that Hungary no longer qualified as a democracy, citing "a stunning democratic breakdown" in the country. In its 2021 report, it continued to criticize Hungary's "unparalleled democratic deterioration over the past decade." Similarly, the Economist Intelligence Unit classified the US as a "flawed democracy" in its latest "Democracy Index" report, falling from its status as a "full democracy" in 2016.

If the far right gains more control over the levers of power in the US, pushing the political system closer to Orban's Hungary, it could have irrevocable consequences for American democracy.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Tucker Carlson onstage during Politicon 2018 at the Los Angeles Convention Center on October 21, 2018. Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Politicon

The New York attorney general released a report concluding Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed women.

Carlson on Tuesday night said the inquiry looked into what he called Cuomo's "serial creepiness."

Cuomo has largely denied acting inappropriately.

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On Tuesday's episode of his Fox News show, Tucker Carlson joked about the new report detailing numerous sexual-harassment claims against Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

The report relayed the findings of an investigation ordered by the New York attorney general's office. After its release Tueday, the lead investigator Joon Kim said during a press conference that the investigators uncovered sexual-harassment claims not just from members of Cuomo's staff but also from other state employees, including a state trooper who served on his protective detail.

Cuomo first met the trooper, identified as "Trooper #1" in the report, in 2017 and requested that she be added to his protection service unit, the report said. Trooper #1 described the governor's behavior toward her after she joined the unit as generally "flirtatious" and "creepy," according to the report.

"One thing we learned: Andrew Cuomo is not against defunding the police - he wants to have sex with them, or at least one of them," Carlson quipped.

At the same press conference, another lead investigator, Anne Clark, said the governor had hugged one of his executive assistants and reached under her blouse to grab her breast.

In response to the report's release, Cuomo continued to largely deny acting inappropriately and showed a slideshow of himself hugging and kissing both strangers and other public officials, including former Vice President Al Gore.

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"Now, we didn't show the tape, but we just want to be totally clear that the video of the slideshow that Andrew Cuomo put on the screen showed him hugging Al Gore but not reaching up under Gore's shirt to grab his man boobs," Carlson said.

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Carlson then had the former federal prosecutor Francey Hakes on as a guest to provide her analysis of the situation, asking her, "How would you assess what we've just learned about Governer Creep-o?"

Hakes said Cuomo could face criminal charges of sexual battery.

"Isn't it convenient that he has built for himself a touchy reputation?" Hakes said. "My question is, did he build that touchy reputation for himself so that he could claim later that these were all misinterpreted touchings and that he's just a very affectionate man?"

Carlson predominantly focused his segment on Cuomo, barely mentioning any of the 11 women who came forward with the sexual-harassment accusations against him.

Read the original article on Insider
By Sarah N. Lynch

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A coalition of U.S. criminal justice reform advocates on Wednesday sent the Justice Department a proposal to help prevent the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) from sending thousands of federal inmates released during the pandemic back to prison.

In a letter to department officials, the groups offered the Justice Department an analysis, which concludes that the BOP has legal authority to keep people out on home confinement after the emergency is lifted.

A Justice Department spokeswoman did not have any immediate comment.

In March 2020, Congress authorized the department to declare an emergency so it could expand the pool of low-level, non-violent federal inmates who could qualify for home confinement, to contain COVID-19's spread throughout the federal prison system.

But in January, the department's Office of Legal Counsel issued a memo which found that once the emergency is lifted, the BOP will have no choice but to "recall prisoners in home confinement to correctional facilities" because the authority to send more people home was temporary.

To date the emergency has not been lifted, and with the spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant, it is not immediately clear when it will be.

Still, criminal justice advocates have urged the Biden administration to take action to make sure vulnerable inmates are not forced back into prison.

BOP Director Michael Carvajal told lawmakers in April that only a legislative fix from Congress will be able to prevent them from recalling inmates back home.

In their letter, the groups said the Justice Department had misinterpreted the law, and that it has the power to act now.

"The authority of the Bureau of Prisons to grant and revoke home confinement is the same as it always was under the pre-existing statutory scheme," they wrote. "We encourage you to reassess the memo because it is incorrect."

The letter was signed by Families Against Mandatory Minimums, Democracy Forward Foundation, Justice Action Network, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Tzedek Association and The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, which was recently led by now-Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta.

(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Editing by Aurora Ellis)
(Bloomberg) -- The U.K. is considering blocking a takeover of Arm Ltd. by Nvidia Corp. due to potential risks to national security, according to people familiar with the discussions.

Nvidia, the biggest U.S. chip company by market capitalization, announced in September a $40 billion deal to acquire Arm from Japans SoftBank Group Corp., as part of a push to spread its reach in the surging market for semiconductors. SoftBank has been selling assets to raise cash for buybacks and fresh investments in startups.

In April, U.K. Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden asked the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to prepare a report on whether the deal could be deemed anti-competitive, along with a summary of any national security concerns raised by third parties.

The assessment, delivered in late July, contains worrying implications for national security and the U.K. is currently inclined to reject the takeover, a person familiar with government discussions said. The U.K. is likely to conduct a deeper review into the merger due to national security issues, a separate person said.

No final decision has been taken, and the U.K. could still approve the deal alongside certain conditions, the people added. Dowden is set to decide on whether the merger needs further examination by the U.K.s competition authorities.

We continue to work through the regulatory process with the U.K. government, said an Nvidia spokesperson in a statement. We look forward to their questions and expect to resolve any issues they may have.

Shares in Nvidia were little changed on Tuesday, while SoftBank fell 1.5% in Tokyo on Wednesday.

If regulators do block the deal, it will impede Nvidias ability to dominate the computing-chip market, but we believe investors already had low expectations that the deal would be completed.

Anand Srinivasan, BI senior semiconductors industry analyst

Chip Technology

A spokesperson for the CMA declined to comment. A U.K. official declined to comment.

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Arm owns the most widely-used set of standards and designs in the $400-billion chip industry. Its technology is at the heart of most of the worlds smartphones and is finding an increasing role in computing, including in server machinery that runs corporate and government systems.

The Cambridge-based company has acted as a neutral party which sells chip blueprints and licenses its standards to a wide range of major technology companies, many of whom are fierce competitors. Ownership by Japans SoftBank, which acquired it in 2016 and which doesnt overlap with Arms customers, has preserved that neutrality.

It is unclear how ARMs change from Japanese to American ownership will affect U.K. national security. However, since SoftBanks acquisition, the semiconductor technology has become a new focus for politicians.

The chip industry became a central part of former President Donald Trumps trade war with China and the U.S. has taken action to restrict that countrys access to know-how thats primarily owned by the U.S. companies that dominate the industry. U.S. government restrictions on the sale of chip technology to China already govern some of Arms inventions, as the company has operations there.

Newport Wafer Fab Ltd., based in Wales, is currently under review from the U.K. government after it agreed to be sold to a Chinese manufacturer for around 63 million pounds ($87 million).

Critical Assets

U.K. to Move Ahead on Nuclear Project Without China Support

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has moved to protect critical national infrastructure including barring Chinese-owned Huawei Technologies Co. and he is also planning to press ahead with a flagship nuclear project without Chinese funding, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Arms position at the heart of the chipmaking industry means the deal has already raised concerns, because Nvidia directly competes with Arms customers like Qualcomm Inc., Intel Corp. and Advanced Micro Devices Inc. Others have publicly endorsed the change of ownership.

Some of Nvidias rivals have said they would be ready to invest in Arm to help it continue independently, if Nvidia isnt allowed to buy it. The deal is also subject to regulatory approvals in China, the European Union and the U.S.

Nvidia has pledged to maintain Arms independence if the takeover is completed and invest heavily to increase its reach. But any takeover deal is likely to attach conditions such as maintaining the about 3,000 U.K. staff, and keeping the companys headquarters in Cambridge.

Nvidia Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang has said he remains confident that regulators will approve the companys acquisition of Arm.

Ever since SoftBank acquired Arm for $32 billion in 2016, its founder Masayoshi Son has positioned the chip designer as the cornerstone for his strategy of investing in AI-driven startups. Arm accounted for about 10% of SoftBanks net asset value as of the end of March, its third-largest shareholding after Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and the Vision Fund investment unit.

Son has been stepping up startup investments through his Vision Fund 2 and the money from an Arm sale could help finance that effort. Nvidia has committed to paying SoftBank $2 billion whether the acquisition goes through or not.

If the deal is blocked by regulators, SoftBank is likely to pursue an IPO of ARM, according to two people familiar with the matter. In a blog post in July, ARM CEO Simon Segars said, The combination of Arm and NVIDIA is a better outcome than an IPO.

(Updates with SoftBanks exposure to Arm in penultimate paragraph)

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On Anderson Cooper 360 Thursday, Cooper aired an interview between CNN investigative reporter Drew Griffin and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell. Lindell has made numerous claims of voter fraud, even claiming to have indisputable evidence that former President Donald Trump won the election, but he has yet to actually provide that evidence. Lindell has claimed to have spent millions in his futile quest to prove the election was fraudulent, leading Griffin to wonder if Lindell is just being scammed. You could possibly be the victim of a scam here, Griffin said. Well then why dont you come to the symposium and make $5 million, Lindell replied. Are you worried about me? We should give a hug. Youre worried about old Mike? Oh, God bless you. But Lindells jovial mood was brief. Were worried that what you are doing is mistakenly or deliberately destroying the confidence in the legitimate, elected President of the United States, and fostering real damage to this country, Griffin said. Lindell furiously denied ever saying anything bad about Democrats or President Biden, and accused Griffin of lying.
Violence by rebel and government forces and their allies in Central African Republic has claimed more than 1,200 lives in the past year, the UN said Wednesday, describing the scale of bloodshed and abuse as "alarming."

Although the conflict that erupted in 2013 has widely fallen back since 2018, at least 1,221 people died from July 2020 to July 2021, including 144 civilians, it said in a statement.

Many more victims could not be identified.

The rights section of the UN mission in the country, MINUSCA, "recorded 526 incidents of abuses and violations of human rights and international humanitarian law across the country," it said in a statement.

By comparison, from July 2019 to July 2020, 880 incidents of abuse and right violations were recorded, involving 1,522 victims including 240 women and 184 children.

Documented abuses over the past year included "extrajudicial and summary killings, torture and ill-treatment, arbitrary arrests and detentions... conflict-related sexual violence and serious violations against children," it said.

A coalition of armed groups, the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC), was responsible for over half of the documented incidents, the report said.

The CPC, created in late 2020, brings together several armed groups controlling large parts of the country and determined to topple the government in Bangui.

"The CPC killed and abducted civilians, attacked UN peacekeepers (and) looted the premises of humanitarian organisations," the UN said.

But it also lambasted regular army forces and their Russian allies -- nominally "military instructors" -- saying they were responsible for 46 percent of the incidents detailed.

The report called on all parties in the conflict to cease attacks on civilians and demanded full and impartial investigation into crimes.

The CAR government did not immediately reply to an AFP request for a response.

Since December last year, government forces have managed to wrest some of the vast swathes of territory from rebel control, with the help of hundreds of Rwandan soldiers and the support of Russian paramilitaries.

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The CAR is the second poorest country in the world, according to UN figures, and since 2013 has been ravaged by a civil war, even if the intensity of the fighting has fallen off since 2018.

An uptick in rebel attcks has been seen in recent weeks.

On Saturday, at least six civilians were killed in the northwest of the country near the border with Cameroon. Another 13 civilians were killed in the north in July.

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Aug. 3The following students have been named to the honor roll for the fourth marking period of the 2020-2021 school year at Urbana High School:

Grade nine, first honors: Sanya Ailawadi, Janine Amefia, Declan Anderson, Nikita Arya, Prince Aryeh, David Avit, Zahra Aziz, Charles Bai, Fatima Baldwin, Emily Barnhurst, Jake Beach, Madelyn Behling, Maia Bell, Parker Bell, Abigail Bennett, Mahad Bhinder, Shayon Biswas, Brandon Bosaz, Nicolas Brown, Nathaniel Browning-Elam, Uyen Bui, Karla Burbano, Kaden Caretti, Elisabeth Castor, Cameron Chang, Shawn Chen, Matthew Chung, Jonathan Clark, Hannah Coffey, Audrey Cowles, Max Dabruzzo, John Damoulakis, Tuan Dang, Sameer Dash, Alyssa Davies, Sunayana Desai, Ava Duerr, Gabrielle Dwoskin, Caleb Edgell, Lillian Eichelberger, Talia Elgin, Zackary Epley, Kaylan Ewing, Icie Favata, David Feliciano Maldonado, Justin Ficklin, Connor Fisher, Natalina Fisher, Meredith Flynn, Julia Fondersmith, Clayton Forsythe and Katherine Fu.

Sidhant Gandhi, Dinesh Ganesan, Alexis Georgilas, Dhruv Girish, Liam Grapes, Sophia Grech, Nathan Gu, Jocelyn Haenftling, Nicole Hani, Miranda Harvey, Thomas Hauerstein, Brianna Henderson, Rhyleigh Heusser, Mia Hibbeler, Kelsey Hipp, Marcus Hirsch, Landon Huffman, Katelynn Inkman, Cassandra Jafari, Nathan Jang, Hannah Jeffries, Mason Jenkins, Carson Jernejcic, Nyasha Jigsa, Cameron Johnson, Andrew Jons, John Jutila, Ethan Kannaian, Aarushi Kariveda, Jacob Kaufman, Cody Keegan, Rahma Khan, Reja Khan, Mackenzie Kilgore, Claire Kim, Chase King, Pranav Konaraddi, Allison Krape, Caius Kubah Taylor, Jackson Laflotte, Minh Le, Stratton Liapis, Camryn Lowery, Jackson Lowery, James Lu and Zachary Luersen.

Carmella Magnanelli, Arya Mahajan, Andrea Marin, Ciara McGarrity, Reagan McKenney, Griffin McKimmie, Joseph Medwid, Gabriel Mejia Sosa, Starlyn Mercado, Joshua Midla, Joshua Min, Daniel Miner, Logan Mitchell, Kaitlyn Mogar, Grace Monyak, Austin Mowdy, Monica Nader, Ananya Nair, Arvind Nalluru, Sruti Nandanavanam, Sharada Narayanan, Sanaa Nayeem, Grace Nelson, Angela Ngo, John Nguyen, Kenny Nguyen, Madison Nguyen, Emily Noel, Ishola Odegbile, Sangita Ohlke, Hadley Parker, William Parson, Suttida Patamawenu, Thierry Patchou, Suchi Patel, Collin Patterson, Matthew Pearson, Erik Pedersen, Austin Pelicano, Aarohi Phadke, Addison Planz, Jackson Planz, Christian Plesh, Lily Poska, Saaket Potluri, Lea Jean Prelewicz and Emily Price.

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Anya Qin, Delainey Quartucci, Marwa Qureshi, Brayden Rahmati, Keira Reinsfelder, Brady Roberton, Kevin Roberts, Skylar Robisch, Isabella Rogers, Connor Roussel, Zackary Russin, Mia Saavedra, Sadie Saba, Amal Sabra, Derrick Sackey, Alan Safadi, Amine Saidi, Christian Sakadales Downey, Shahyan Sanei, Ashley Scott, Anna Serrano, Zayan Shahab, Anushka Sharma, Parinita Sharma, Owen Sheffield, Alexis Siaobungco, Molly Silver, Nicole Simmons, Sibi Sivakumaran, Haley Smith, Jordan Sofon, Aleena Sohail, Yuvorith Sokhon, Dianna Solis, Levi Sontz, Ishaan Srivastava, Priyanka Subramanian, Marjorie Suthard, Dillon Swank, Rayan Syed, Amanda Talbott, Abigail Talmage, Kean Tanyi-Tang, Rayn Taskeen, Samuel Teague, Giovanna Testen, Leah Theus, Seth Thomas, Rachael Thyparambil, Madison Tieu, Liam Timpane, Yeideliz Torres Serrano, Karan Trasi, Kaya Trasi, Preeya Trivedi, Justin Truffer, Yehonatan Vaisband, Julia Valdivia, Brayden Van Ginkel, Lindsay Van Housen, Anthony Verdi, Isabelle Vicari, Roshna Vijayan, Lillianna Violette, Kaylee Vongnaraj, Nicholas Wabik, Jack Walker, Lukas Walker, Daniel Wang, Henry Wang, Benjamin Warner, Duncan Ways, Natalie Westerman, Colin Willens, Ryan Williams, Emily Wlodarczyk, Lily Woodham, Alexander Woolpert, Yidi Zhao and Rachel Zoretich.

Grade nine, second honors: Naa Dede Adoko, Diego Aizvera, Connor Allen, Alexia Arias Mercado, Gustave Arndt, Kayden Ayers, Mauricio Azoulay, Mariana Berrios, Calie Bloomfield, Rylan Bravin, William Brookes, Cedric Brooks, Carson Buist, Kayla Burgess, Jack Byrne, Anqi Cai, Aidan Casey, Ana Castro Orozco, Lucien Chaka, Juan Chiquillo, Gabriela Christian Torres, Jonathan Coa, Molly Cook, Daniel Coronado, Adam Cowles, Ayanna Curtis, Easton Curtis, Logan Curtis, Jonathan Davis, Sophia Davis, Chelsea Defang, Daniela Delgado, Nathaniel Diggs, Gavin Drescher, Madison Ehrhardt, Janna Elzaiat and Samuel Eskay.

Luke Fair, Kate Fanning, Olivia Fanning, Kayla Fuentes, Natalia Galliani, Evelyn Gauthier, Tristan Godard, Madison Gombos, Wyatt Greaves, Sydney Grimes, Mia Guillen Swenson, Lukas Gutierrez, Erin Hackney, Celetra Hartford, Jessica Hawk, Ryan Heflin, Julia Hogan, Max Hornby, Aaron Humes, Jared Huseby, Aditi Immidi, Adam Jacobs, Janvi Jasani, Elijah Jean Jacques, Joshua Jeong, Natalia Johnson, Jason Jutila, Rod Kakhi, Hailey Karira, Ansh Kasana, Gabriel Kaufman, Caroline Kearns, Zoe Keith, Laila Kenney, Emma Kilcoyne, Andrew Knepper, James Knowlton, Evan Koser, Deven Kulkarni, Landon Lacey, Patrick Lakie, William Landon, Jacob Levow, Ryder Levy, Taylor Liang and Kaylan Libert.

Colin Mahaney, Chase Malasheskie, Kaitlyn Mannebach, Emma Martin, Hanna Matheus, Rafael Mayercak, Sebastien Mayercak, Christian Mayers, Matthew McCrimmon, Seamus McGee, Abigael McGough, Alice Mendes, Isaac Mikulas, Samantha Miles, Adrian Navarro Vargas, Hannah Newton, Ella O'Connor, Ivana Ochoa-Martinez, John Park, Ashley Payne, Carson Rao, Lucio Reyna, Nathaniel Rivera, Charles Rizak, Riley Robinson, Nicole Robles, Ethan Schecter, Sedat Sefik, Jaden Serkedakis, Alexander Shaver, Morgan Sherrill, Jack Slyman, Gary Smith, Sophia Smith, Natalya Solano, Annika Solfronk, Leonardo Sotomayor, Zoie Sullivan and Justin Szuchman.

Asel Tabaldieva, Shloka Tambat, Anjali Thomas, Marisa Tomainom, Brandon Tran, Ryan Tran, Marcela Valencia, Leandro Valenzuela-Ruz, Isabella Vallone, Antonio Virata, Nathaniel Walker, William Walker, Taylor Weaver, Trevor Wendorf, Eli Wenk, Adam Wetherby, Paige White, Carter Wilhelm, Katrin Williams, Mathilda Williams, Thomas Wilson, Ryan Wolz and Kendall Wood.

Grade 10, first honors: Pengyu Zhou, Audrey Addis, Javin Ahuja, Gavin Allanach, Rebecca Allen, Angeline Amefia, Jessica An, Horacio Andrade Rodriguez, Isabella Baker, Ammar Baqai, Faith Barford, Dylan Barnes, Jacob Barnhurst, David Barreno, Mara Bell, Logan Betten, Daniella Bowie, Megan Braun, Lauren Broder, Christopher Brunal, Aiden Buckland, Kimberly Bucknor, Siddharth Buddha, Cianna Bullock, Cameryn Burley, Bang Cao, Gabrielle Cappella, Keira Caretti, Jonah Casson, Hope Chandler, Isabel Chen, Jerry Chen, Winnie Chen, Seyeon Cheong, Alicia Clerch, Hailey Cline, Matthew Cobb, Ivy Coldren, Caylee Collins, Mairin Colo, Margaret Cowan, Caroline Croft, Lindsey Croghan, Grant Croman, Jack Crosby, Matthew Crotty, Tag Crown and Elijah Cupeta.

Nathaniel El Taher, Elizabeth Elliott, Amruta Epari, Rebecca Fan, Jadyn Fleming, Stella French, Tyler Gallamoza, Stephanie Gartz, Natalie Garvey, Jahan Gasemy, Emilia Grant, Tatiana Grant, Julia Gustafson, Christopher Guyette, Rahul Harish, Tahir Haroon, Carley Hearne, Cianna Heckler, Samantha Heyison, Annika Hibbeler, Kylie Houston, Sarina Huang, Margaret Hummer, Kim Anh Huyen Ton, Abhinav Inavolu, Alana Jenifer, Jacob Jeong, Keegan Johnson, Noah Jones, Muskaan Kalyar, Michael Kankanian, Elif Karakus, Amogh Kashyap, Divija Katakam, Iman Kazmi, Brett Kekeris, Sophie Kenney, Gabriel Khawaja, Geethika Kondabathini, Nanda Kota, Mayad Koujah, Seraphim Kozlov and Luke Kramer.

Ethan Laflotte, Colin Lansaw, Annaelle Le Guellec, Chaeyeon Lee, Ayva Levow, Anna Liu, Chayan Loun, Paige Magill, Sarah Mansoor, Tana McCoy, Ryan McNerney, Aiden Meadows, Sarah Mendes, Gabriela Mercado Santos, Hannah Miles, Cameron Millar, Agnny Morant, Madison Muragaki, Omar Nasir, Sofia Navarro, Kobe Neal, Akhil Neelagiri, Colby Nguyen, Jaehyun Oh, Vivian Oh, Julianna Ohler, Helena Ortiz, Henry Ortiz, Daniel Parsons, Yasmine Peralta, Olivia Perera, Katherine Peterson, Alexander Phang, Andrew Phillips, Aaliyah Pinto, Stephanie Price, Ta 'Mya Pryor, Ta 'Nya Pryor, Andrew Purcell, Janeth Quinteros, Zachary Reed, Taylor Reel, Holden Reinsfelder, Mike Rexxavier, Isaac Reyes, Bryan Rios Ramirez, Isabella Robey, Myris Rochez, Alana Rodriguez, Riley Rodriguez, Elva Romero Abarca, Rebecca Rooney, Xavier Rosales, Georgia Roy and Tanner Rupinta.

Nusrah Samad, Vidhu Santhosh, Henry Schaefer, Jaiden Schecter, Hannah Scheirey, Manas Sharma, Kaylie Shelton, Zachary Sherwood, Emma Shoemaker, Caitlin Sigler, Bhargav Sristy, Michael Strawbridge, Maria Sulmonte, Colin Sweeney, Calista Sybrant, James Tandy, Manasi Tanikella, Mihir Tanikella, Dabria Taylor, Mudra Thakkar, Claire Thompson, Karley Thompson, Terrance Tomblin, Amaar Trisal, Cecily Tucker, Lillian Van, Amari Varfley, Alejandra Vasquez, Carmen Vega, Jena Vernon, Jenna Vesper, John Vicari, Sanjanaa Viswanathan, Andrew Vollmer, Kellie Voorhees, Cameron Vu, Rhea Vyragaram, Curtis Wang, Emily Wang, Oliver Williams, Charlotte Wilson, Mary Winram, Katie Xiao, Kaitlyn Yagesh, Jinan Yousuf, Alex Zheng and Joshua Zhu.

Grade 10, second honors: Joy Abijah, Joanna Addis, Ralphael Akuta, Michael Albertson, Ashmita Babu, Audrey Bastian, Joshua Betteker, Sumedha Bhat, Manen Bishop, Sean Bishop, Alex Blacklock, Jack Blacklock, Emma Blessing, Alexander Bokelman, Caroline Borleis, Evan Branch, Noah Bravo, Orion Carrera, Philip Castro, Mikayla Chahine, Jessica Chilnick, Audrey Coffey, Meghan Compton, Avery Copeland, Anthony Corso, Angela Cosentino, Isabella Costanzo, Gabriela Crespo, Owen Cucuel, Audrey Dean, Hunter DeGioia, Richard Earl Delasan, James Derr, Scarlett Derr, Ian Devine, Colin Edwards, Martina Elizondo, Alejandro Espinosa, Leyla Falcon, Nadia Faruqui Gauto, Ethan Fauntleroy, Andrew Freund and Alexander Fuentes.

Ayush Gawane, Gavin Gilbert, Jack Gill, Julian Gonzalez, Summer Hacker, Villea Hardesty, Arden Hendrickson, Markcus Hobson Garcia, Lucas Hoffman, Jayden Joseph, Paul Wesley Joseph, Rachel Kennedy, Caris Konath, Cole Kuhar, Dylan Lange, Nicholas LaScola, Sarah Lawrence, Jack Leonard, Arvid Lindquist, Andrew Liu, Marisa Llines, Abigail Logan, Hannah Longo, Natalie Lopez-Cruz, Rachel Lunny, Maxwell MacKenzie, Brendan Manetz, Sydney Marquardt, Sidney Marshall, Cindy Max-Grant, Gabriella Mbaoua, Gavin McKay, Alejandro Melendez Jourdan, Myra Mensah, Gabriel Mercado Santos, Alishba Mubariz, Edwije Mukadi, Aislinn Mulligan, Anton Murray, Lalitha Narayanan, Christian Neill, Kyran Nickens, Jalynn Offord, Mobolaji Ogunbiyi, Jaeyoung Oh, Nicholas Oravsky and Paul Orejimi.

Faith Parks, Benjamin Pendleton, Jason Perdomo, Mayo Perez, Tyler Pilat, Briana Portillo, Emma Pritchard, Rebecca Radonovich, Ariana Rahimi, Anna Ransohoff, Zainab Raza, Luke Read, Zachary Reck, Luke Rivera, Myrriah Roussakos, Kelly Ann Sakyi Danso, Alexa Schmidt, Dorian Sellers, Kris Senapathy, Sarah Seo, Namya Shah, Kyle Sheahin, Marie Sheets, Alysa Shoemaker, Shane Shoemaker, Brianna Shuttlewood, Yannick Siewe, Maclaine Sipes, Riley Smith, Alexander Solow, Brady St. Louis, Julianne Stauffer, Mackenzie Steinheimer, Minerva Stephensbailey, Elijah Strom, Zian Thervil, Justin Tundo, Maira Vasquez Barrera, Joseph Virnelson, August Wageman, Cooper Walder, Ashlynn Waring-Reyes, Layton Wenk, Molly Wilson, Payton Winpigler, Jack Witte, Adrian Yang and Michael Zyrianov.

Grade 11, first honors: Abigail Aboah, Fiona Agyekum, Jeanelle Agyem, Ian Akula, Ella Allen, Santiago Andrade Rodriguez, Alejandro Arias, Michael Armillotti, Alexandria Armstrong, Edith Arunkumar, Maheder Assefa, Britney Ayala, Hamza Azad, John Baik, Eugene Bang, Elaine Barber, Nickolas Barry, Julie Barton, Gurshant Bassan, Ginny Bastian, Kasey Beach, Patrick Becker, Samantha Benedetto, Ryan Bennett, Sarah Benson, Lyna Beraich, Tanvi Bolarum, Jordan Boron, Rachel Boucher, Nicholas Bray, Michael Britton, Chase Bryan, Dalena Bryant, Jamour Bwalu, John Calabrese, Emily Canaday, Isabella Carrero Baptista, Grace Carrico, James Cederdahl, Sofia Cedrone, Anubhav Chanda, Alexander Chang, Mariella Chmaj, Graciela Chrispim, Olivia Chu and Riley Curran.

Aaron Davis, Chloe de la Vega, Ava Deak, Sebastian Decady, Taylor DeGirolamo, Tyler Dickens, Sean DiGiorgio, Charlotte Dohne, Kacey Draves, Brady Duckhorn, Tatiana Edwards, Cooper Estok, Amanda Fairbanks, Rebecca Franco, Shubhi Gandhi, James Garvey, Meray Ghobrial, Alisa Gorham, Kaitlyn Grover, Christopher Harkawik, Jedidiah Hart, Joseph Hauerstein, Ashkon Hazrati, Diego Henriquez, Laurel Hersey, Penelope Hiepler, Mason Hill, Macy Hines, Joseph Hobbs, Grace Hostler, Mitchell Hough, Minsi Hu, Paige Humbert, Humza Husain, Christina Hviid, Galila Ibrahim, Cassidy Irish, Amanee Jamil, Ethan Johnson, Elizabeth Kellogg, Colin Kinnelly, Ryan Klinger, Nia Kombe-Jarvis and Nikhil Kurian.

Addison Lauer, Vinh-Khang Ryan Le, Jolie Li, Grant Lieberman, Michael Light, Rowan Lippy, Michael LoProto, Wojciech Lubkowski, HenriMichael Ly, Abtin Mahdavi, Jesse Martin, Soumya Maturi, Emily McDonnell, Karly McDonnell, Giulianna McKinney, Reagan McMahon, Kaitlyn McNerney, Ethan Mercier, Viren Mistry, Colin Mulcahy, Vrinda Mullapudi, Megan Mulligan, Jordan Murphy, Vincent Natale, Emily Neill, Connor Nelson, Kendall Newton, Bach Ngo, Michelle Nguyen, Thuy Trang Nguyen, Avery Osbon, Grace Pagendarm, Katerina Panichas, Gabriella Papillo, Brice Patchou, Priya Patel, Alexander Pellet, Claudia Perez, Daniel Peterman, Meghna Potluri, Malia Puerto and Maarij Qureshi.

Reshma Ramesh, Diya Rawal, Eesha Reddy, Michael Reilly, Tyson Remsburg, Genevieve Resnik, Andrew Rigg, Sean Rivard, Megan Roberts, Henry Rodrigues, Braeden Romer, Marling Romero Abarca, Ezekiel Roussakos, Tafrid Sadat, Hritaal Saha, Isha Sahai, Adrienne Salcedo, Lucas Sanchez, Christopher Sappe, Dominic Savoy, Samantha Scates, Abhiraman Senthilkumar, Paige Shaver, Alexandra Shishov, Barathi Sivakumaran, Justin Smallwood, Naomi Smariga, Michael Snyder, Voleak Sokhon, William Souder, Quinlan Spotts, Andrew Stedman, Andy Sun, Shuaib Syed,Abby Tang, Anthony Terselic, Marisa Thaden, Justin Theis, Colin Thompson, Vipula Thoppae, Matteo Torres, Vivi Tran, Ashley Truffer, Sujal Umrikar, Wanda Valencia, Celeste Valerio, Jackson Varley, Chaeli Vega, Trevor Walasik, Andrew Wang, Jiayi Wang, Trevor Weakly, Tobias Weichbrod, Conner White, Kyle Yi, Azhan Zafar, Rimsha Zaman, Kevin Zhang and Aleksandra Zvaners.

Grade 11, second honors: Sofia Aizvera, Nathan Akula, Paige Alexander, Vasean Annin, Matthew Appiah, Thomas Arellano, Meklit Assefa, Dante Baldeh, Abigail Bandeira, River Belt, Andrew Bennett, Kristina Bennett, Addison Benton, Emily Blake, Zachary Bokelman, Sarah Brandt, Keira Brown, Micayla Brown, Alixzander Bryan, Kennedy Buist, Peter Bundy, Jacob Casey, Ava Collins, Madison Cooper, Matthew Crawmer, Rebecca Cuebas, William Cullum, Nathan Dacey, Brooke Dalgarn, Wade Day, Ruby Densock, Olivia DiMarzio, Madeline Dowell, Isabella Dressler, Mia Duprey, Andrea Eberhart, Emma Eill, Rylee Ellis, Cameron Esteve, Logan Eversull, Emma Fair, Christopher Farias, Ryan Ficklin, Roselia Flores, Eric Flores Suazo, Mikaella Issay Foley and Evan Foster.

Elena Gajo, Shayan Ganguly, Anson Gentry, Nolan Giegel, Ethan Gitzen, Cassidy Godfroy, Kaitlin Gould, Spencer Grant, Colin Gregowich, Nathan Gunning, Jonnelle Gyamfi, Caitlyn Hardy, Kailee Herald, Tyler Herman, Christopher Herrera, Sydney Hofstetter, Kevin Holley, Austin Holloway, Tiffany Huber, Kennedi Hunter, Autumn Hurst, Aidan Ingram, Madeline Ireland, Keshav Jaitly, Tatiana Johnson, Ayush Joshi, Luis Jovel Lainez, Pola Kasprzak, Pranav Katakam, Colin Kelly, Shane Kendall, Aiden Kile, Jacob Klein, Karthik Kola, Carmen Kweti, Kendall Larade, AnPhi Le, Starr Leaks, Madisyn Lewis, Mason Lim, Alessandro Llines and Charles Lowery.

William Magers, Valentina Mahadevan, Alexis Main, Carleigh Mankowich, Daniel Martin, Carter Mason, Amar Matharu, Victoria Mathis, Hannah McCabe, Bryan McDonald, Thomas McGinley, Bailey McKenzie, Camille Mencarini, Sarah Metz, Nathaniel Miller, Maelyss Milongo, Christopher Mixon, Lorenzo Moreschi, Jolie Mosack, Sebastien Mouton, Samantha Myers, Thomas Nguyen, Pascaline Opoku, Neesha Patel, Charlene Payne, Nicholas Pensiero, Elaina Pharaoh, Yash Phogat, Adam Radford, Emily Radune, Emily Ratti, Ronald Rattie, Lucas Reck, Nathan Ridgway, Matthew Riley, Maxwell Riley, Esteban Rincan, Martha Rodriguez Centeno, Jason Rosado, Annika Rosencrantz and Lauren Rosmarin.

Giancarlo Sanchez-Sosa, Tyler Schmidt, Tyler Schulte, Grant Schumacher, Abigail Shankman, Wesley Sharper, Quinn Sheppard, Emmanuelle Shipley, Nicole Shupe, Kira Sigler, Dustin Silver, Mariana Sotomayor, Timothy Spelman, Tessa Stanley, Christian Staten, Warren Swank, Alexandra Thayer, Atul Thomas, Taylor Thomas, Chase Thompson, Nathan Tieu, Alexandra Tonti, Dieu-Huyen Kelly Tran, Lydia Trumbull, Sebastian Vagner, Rafael Vazquez, Grace Waffo, Vivian Warwick, Luke Wattay, Kyle Wilder, Thomas Wiles, Kate Wills, Arianna Yi, Shane Zaw-Win, Christine Ziadeh and Joseph Zibragos.

Grade 12, first honors: Atyub Ahmad, Javeria Akhtar, Brianna Alba, Brooke Alban, Ralph Aloi, Brooke Amberger-Voyles, Ernst Anderson, Hafsa Anwar, Emily Arnold, Ella Auderset, Zachary Baker, Ryan Banashak, Rio Baran, Patrick Barry, Charles Beadle, Rafe Beckert, Christian Bishop, Maegan Blake, Morgan Blood, Gabriel Bonny, Sascha Bravin, Kiera Breisch, Alexandra Broadhurst, Amanda Brunken, Summer Campbell, Abriella Carioti, Helen Chen, Esha Chopra, Francesca Cinquepalmi, Caitlyn Clark, Sydney Clark, Morgan Cleary, William Coffey, Coltyon Cofone, Jadelyn Coleman, Emma Conover, Christina Cosentino, Cristina Costanzo, Baylor Courchaine, Lillian Croghan, Cameron Crook-Rosales, Collin Crown, Talon Cruz, Sophia Csulak, Kylie Davis, Sandra DeBoy, Lindsey Decady, Estevan Depintor, Matthew Dhima, Cathryn Diaz, Patrick DiMisa, Olivia Dinkel, Debbrielle Driggers, Shannon Duncan and Donovan Duong.

Annette Eldo, Bennett Elgin, Faith Elliott, Audrey Espinosa, Ibukun Fagbohun, Anya Fernandez Foss, Alyssa Ferrante, Alexis Fleming, Karl Fredrikson, Vincent Galliani, Madeline Gardiner, Ava Gayowski, Calla Gentilucci, Miguel Gonzalez, Magdalen Goodwin, Allison Granger, Matthew Grant, Ashley Green, Levi Guerengomba, Liza Guerengomba, Amanda Guettler, Olivia Gustafson, Devin Hackett, Zharia Hall, Olivia Hallowitz, Margaret Hanson, Yusra Haroon, Heidi Hartje, Avery Himes, Madeline Hishmeh, Lucy Horn, Sydney Hsu, Maggie Hu, Jordan Hyde, Daniel Jeong, Christian Johnson, Cassandra Jones, Dylan Jones, Samantha Jones, Tristan Joo, Jack Jozwiak, Jason Jozwiak, Joshua Kaufman, Mahack Kazmi, Lauren Keegan, Sean Kelty, Aahana Kidambi, Ashley Kight, Jessica Kilgore, David Kneebone, Jason Kolar, Sandhya Krishnaswamy, Arush Kumar and Cullen Kweti.

McKenna Ladson, George Lare, Grace LaScola, Kristen Lawrence, Rachael Lee, Madison Lehmann, Paige Leishman, Kevin Li, Gabriela Linares, Selma Lindquist, Emma Liu, Isabella Liu, Brianna Lombardo, Valerie Lopez Cruz, Hasita Madduri, Nicholas Mallory, Emily Marlatt, Victoria Matlock, Georgiana Matthews, Jacob Matthews, Shea McCarron, Daniel McDonald, Austin McMahon, Danielle McNerney, Cassie McQuay, Sebastian Mejia Sosa, Julia Meredith, Duncan Millar, Abigail Min, Alyssa Monsale, Valeria Morant, Christine Moreno, David Moreno, Olivia Moxley, Abigail Mukete, Alejandro Munoz, Srichandra Nalluru, Zoe Nelson, Don Ngo and Evan Osborne.

Camilo Pardo, Allison Peterson, John Phillips, Lon Pierson, Chelsea Pitcher, Sophia Plaschke, Drew Plesh, Shishir Poreddy, Avyay Potarlanka, Stephanie Potisk, Reese Prahl, Rylan Puderbaugh, Emma Purcell, Jared Radwinsky, Andrew Radzikevich, Peter Radzikevich, Millie Ransohoff, Brina Ratangee, Kiersten Read, John Rempe, Jessica Ristau, Courtney Robinson, Olivia Rogers, Omar Sabra, Sarah Sackey, Nuhad Samad, Michael Schifano, Thomas Schupp, Nathan Seidenberg, Bogdan Senic, Danika Senzer, Veronika Senzer, Kendal Seymour, Zara Shamsuddin, Hailey Shannon, Kyle Sheives, Amelia Simpson, Audrey Simpson, Isabella Slyman, Emily Smith, Rachel Smolin, Briana Sofon, Lucas Sotomayor and Evelyn Sun.

Daniyah Taimur, Chase Taras, Makala Thompson, Kailee Trang, Naaman Trumbull, Lauren Tulis, Austin Turley, Shivani Viswanathan, Natalie Voorhees, Zaria Walker, Hannah Wallace, Ashlyn White, Amelia Wiley, Ryan Wilhelm, Dalton Willis, Ruby Wilson Olivo, Taylor Wong, Lukas Wright, Alexis Yim, Eileen Zheng and Owen Zink.

Grade 12, second honors: Colin Acton, Manasi Agisgekar, Nadia Agyekum, Trinity Allen, Kristyn Allgaier, Isaac Andujar Torres, Diego Ayala, Kateryn Ayala, Kenyon Baldwin, Matthew Ball, Emma Banashak, Uriah Banawoye, Brett Bauer, Burke Beasley, Gavin Beck, Hannah Bernard, Jordan Best, Sudharma Bhat, Ella Biggart, Rayah Burge, Jade Candaffio, Alexandra Cappella, Kylie Caretti, Ethan Carlisle, Anthony Carreira, Ember Carrera, Bryn Castor, Blake Compton, Alexander Corea, Colbi Crane, Catharine Croman, Caroline Cummings, Aliyah Cupeta, Lauren Custer, Ashley Day, Alexis Delgado, Jennifer Diallo, Chelsea Dingee, Caroline Dinkel, Madelyne Dukes, Ethan Edwards, Alexandre El Taher, Scott Escalante, Shannon Flynn, Joseph Galloway, Audrey Gammons, Jason Garcia, Joshua German, Izabella Giacalone, Kyle Gibson and Alondra Guevara Muniz.

Luke Hajdaj, Clifford Hedin, Serene Henry, Avery Hines, Patrick Hipkins, Charlotte Hively, Griffin Holder, Anna Holmquist, Kyle Howes, Ryan Hunter, Iyfer Hussain, Benjamin Jernejcic, Julian Kanaskie King, Jordyn Keller, Olivia Keller, Areej Khan, Alexander Kim, Declan Kirk, Hillary Konadu, Olivia Koogle, Katherine Kozimor, Victoria Kremenets, Ella Landon, Ceyda Lane, Kirk Laryea, Edison Lee, Sean Leonard, Candy Lin, Isabelle Linares, Clark Little, Alexander Liu, Dorian Loretto, Culler Loun, Isabella Lowery, Yasmina Lowther, Hannah Luersen, Benjamin Malley, Nicholas Maniyar, Julia Marquardt, Emily Marshall, Madeline McGee, Cullen McKay, Olivia Menusan, Quinn Mitchell, Natalie Mixon, Koby Morales, Madison Moran, Anastasia Morris and Presley Musser.

Imaad Nasir, Sophie Nielsen, Kira O'Connor, Anjuna Ohlke, Garrett Osborne, Devarajan Palaniappan, Bryce Patterson, Taylor Pelicano, Vinh Phan, Ashley Pharaoh, Ashlynne Pillai, Bailey Planz, Kaylee Read, Kailee Reel, Emma Regan, Alexander Rengen, Nicholas Renteria, Rebecca Reyes, Emma Ridgley, Arianna Robinson, Antoine Roseman, Spencer Rupinta, Ariana Sacco, Julian Samonte, Maria Saponara, Markus Senzer, John Shapiro, Gabrielle Shaw, Madison Sheffield, Dominick Shifaraw, Victoria Shovlin, Aakrit Shrestha, Nicholas Smale, Hailey Smith, Jaden Song, Zoerin Stephensbailey, Kathryn Strawbridge, Timothy Sullivan, Emma Sweeney, Nicolas Tadic, Charles Talbott, Kayla Tarigo, Patrick Taylor, Arvin Torabazari, Aizah Usmani, Hudson Van Amburg, Gabrielle Weedon, Jackson Weston, Thomas Wilhelm, Morgan Williams, Andrew Wlodarczyk and Teagan Wootton.
WASHINGTON (AP)  A tuna fishing boat based in the Pacific island nation of Fiji that has been accused of essentially enslaving its crew was blocked Wednesday from importing seafood into the United States, part of an increasing effort to keep goods produced with forced labor from entering the country.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued an order to stop any shipments in American ports from the Hangton No. 112, a longliner operated by a Chinese national, after the agency determined there was credible evidence that the crew was subjected to conditions defined as forced labor under international standards.

It's the latest in a series of such orders targeting Asian fishing vessels amid reports that crews made up largely of vulnerable migrant workers from poorer countries are subjected to horrific conditions by operators traveling farther at sea and for longer periods as fish populations decline worldwide.

Foreign fishing vessels like the Hangton No. 112 continue to lure vulnerable migrant workers into forced labor situations so that they can sell seafood below market value, which threatens the livelihoods of American fishermen, CBP Acting Commissioner Troy Miller said in a statement released ahead of the announcement of the order. CBP will continue to stand up against these vessels abusive labor practices by preventing the introduction of their unethically harvested seafood into the U.S. market.

Records show about $40 million in tuna and other fish from the Hangton No. 112 have been imported into the U.S. market in recent years despite industry efforts to address the issue, said Ana Hinojosa, executive director of the CBP directorate that investigates allegations of forced labor. The agency does not publicly identify the importers who received the shipments.

CBP said its investigation found evidence that the crew of the Hangton 112 had wages improperly withheld from them, their identity documents were taken and they were kept in debt bondage, which typically involves charging workers an excessive amount in advance for travel and other expenses and holding them until they worked to pay if off.

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The agency found additional conditions that were difficult to read, Hinojosa said, even considering that fishing is a notoriously difficult and dangerous industry. I wouldnt call it a fun job, but there are certain protections of human rights that are expected in any kind of working environment."

In May, the U.S. blocked imports of seafood from the entire fleet of a Chinese company with more than 30 ships that authorities say forced crew members to work in slave-like conditions that led to the deaths of several Indonesian fishermen last year. CBP has also issued orders against individual vessels from Taiwan and elsewhere.

The 102-foot (34-meter) Hangton No. 112 operates with a crew of about a dozen, according to online records. The boat was cited in a December 2019 investigative report by Greenpeace Southeast Asia and the Indonesian Migrant Workers Union that documented abusive conditions in the Pacific fishing fleet. The operator denied the allegations at the time.

Advocates such as Greenpeace say migrant workers, often from the Philippines and Indonesia, are particularly vulnerable to abusive labor conditions, with brokers often taking a cut of their wages and ship operators and companies forcing them to work extreme hours and endure brutal treatment, in one of the most dangerous occupations, with no recourse and no way to escape while at sea.

In recent years, the issue of unregulated fishing has gained increased attention not just for the abusive treatment of workers but also the damage it does to the environment, economies around the world and food supply.

An investigation of the fishing industry by The Associated Press, which received the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service, resulted in the freeing of more than 2,000 slaves and traced seafood they caught to supermarkets and pet food providers around the U.S.
US aid chief Samantha Power has called on rebel forces to "immediately" withdraw from two regions bordering Ethiopia's war-hit Tigray, as the conflict threatens to envelop the rest of the country.

Tigray has been in the throes of a humanitarian crisis for months, with hundreds of thousands of people suffering from famine, according to the UN, while aid workers' access to the northern region remains hobbled by delays and bureaucratic hurdles.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sent troops into the northern region last November to topple the ruling Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).

The 2019 Nobel Peace Prize winner said the move came in response to TPLF attacks on federal army camps.

Abiy declared victory within weeks after government forces took the Tigray capital Mekele, but TPLF leaders remained on the run and fighting continued.

The war took a stunning turn in late June when pro-TPLF forces re-entered Mekele, Abiy declared a unilateral ceasefire and the army mostly pulled out of Tigray.

Since then the rebels have launched new offensives into the Amhara and Afar regions which border Tigray, displacing tens of thousands of people.

Power, who is visiting Ethiopia, said on Twitter late Tuesday that the TPLF must "withdraw its forces immediately" from Amhara and Afar.

"If aid is to reach people in need in #Tigray, then ALL parties must end hostilities. There is no military solution to this conflict," she wrote on Twitter.

"All parties should accelerate unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to those affected by the conflict, and the commercial blockade of Tigray must end."

Power also reiterated Washington's demand that Amhara forces withdraw from western Tigray and that Eritrean troops backing up the Ethiopian military also leave the region.

The US has traditionally seen Ethiopia as a crucial partner in the volatile Horn of Africa region, but the Biden administration has been openly critical of the Tigray war.

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In March US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said acts of ethnic cleansing were unfolding in western Tigray.

And in May he announced visa restrictions on Ethiopian and Eritrean officials accused of fuelling the conflict, saying those involved had "taken no meaningful steps to end hostilities."

- More aid arrives -

Abiy has said the ceasefire announced in June was intended to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance, but aid workers say access is as bad as ever.

Ethiopia said Wednesday that 157 trucks of humanitarian assistance had reached Mekele, including food and non-food items from the UN and international non-governmental organisations.

It was not immediately clear whether all those trucks were new arrivals or if the tally included a previous 50-truck convoy that arrived in July.

UNICEF estimated last week that more than 100,000 children there could suffer from life-threatening acute malnutrition in the next 12 months -- 10 times the annual average.

At a press conference Tuesday in Addis Ababa, UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths stressed that 100 trucks need to reach Tigray each day to meet needs on the ground.

Griffiths also condemned "dangerous" accusations by Ethiopian government officials that aid workers were biased in favour of -- and even arming -- TPLF forces.

bur-amu/rcb/txw/bp
A couple from Virginia was sentenced to home detention on Wednesday for charges stemming from the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot.

Jessica and Joshua Bustle were charged with illegally entering the U.S. Capitol building and remaining inside for approximately 20 minutes before leaving. Both pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charges.

"I seriously considered putting you in jail," U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Hogan told the wife and husband from Bristow. Hogan also noted that the couple came to Washington, D.C., to participate in an anti-vaccine protest, not to engage in efforts to block Congress from certifying the election.

The couple was sentenced to two years of probation and 40 hours of community service. Joshua Bustle was also sentenced to home confinement for 30 days, and Jessica Bustle was ordered to serve 60 days, partially based on comments she made supporting rioters following the incident.

SUSAN COLLINS CRITICIZES 'PARTISAN' JAN. 6 COMMISSION

"A riot cannot occur without rioters, and each rioter's actions  from the most mundane to the most violent  contributed, directly and indirectly, to the violence and destruction that day," prosecutors said.

The prosecutors added that the couple already suffered "personal and reputational consequences" following entry into the Capitol, including the husband, who said he was no longer able to sell real estate due to his involvement.

Following the riot, Jessica posted on social media that the 2020 election was stolen and that she was proud of the people who entered the Capitol for "standing up."

She told Hogan that she no longer stood by those claims, adding, "The violence and stuff like that I wasn't aware of, because I didn't see any of those things going on."

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The Washington Examiner contacted the U.S. District Court of Washington, D.C., but did not immediately receive a response.

Story continues

Roughly 550 people have been charged in connection to the swarm of rioters who stormed the Capitol as Congress was certifying President Joe Bidens electoral victory, and a couple dozen have pleaded guilty.

Washington Examiner Videos

Tags: News, Virginia, January 6, U.S. Capitol Building, Washington D.C., Law, Crime

Original Author: Kaelan Deese

Original Location: Virginia couple sentenced to home detention in Capitol riot case
Indonesia's coronavirus death toll topped 100,000 on Wednesday as the country struggles to control the spread of the Delta variant.

Southeast Asia's biggest economy has now detected Delta in dozens of regions since it was first found in the archipelago in June.

Scores of Indonesians are dying at home, unable to access hospital care or medical oxygen supplies as health care facilities are stretched to the limit.

More than 3.5 million infections have been recorded to date though official figures are widely believed to be an underestimate.

"The deaths happened... mainly because of lateness to recognise the severity of the symptoms and to refer patients," said Covid-19 taskforce spokeswoman Siti Nadia Tarmizi.

Indonesia reported 1,747 new deaths on Wednesday, bringing its total to 100,636.

LaporCovid, an NGO that has developed a citizen reporting platform for Covid-19 data, said more than 2,600 patients died at home between the beginning of June and July 24.

Indonesia announced stricter restrictions on July 3 and has extended the policy twice in areas where infection numbers and hospital bed occupancy rates are high.

Offices, shopping malls and schools are closed while dining in at restaurants is limited to 20 minutes.

The curbs have started to take a toll on the country's economy which entered a recession at the end of last year for the first time since the 1997 Asian financial crisis.

"Financially, it really affects me. I have very few customers because people don't go to the office," Dicky, a ride-hailing driver who like many Indonesians goes by just one name, told AFP.

The country aims to vaccinate 208 million of its 270 million citizens but the vaccination rate remains far below the government's one-million-a-day target.

Only about eight percent of the population have been fully inoculated.

dsa/axn
Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast/Photo by Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty

At the end of July, the front page of Ukraines English-language newspaper The Kyiv Post read: Betrayal. Global powers U.S. and Germany turn their backs on Ukraine and undermine European security as they strike a deal allowing the completion of Nord Stream 2, Russias controversial gas pipeline project. The publication declared Angela Merkel Ukraines foe of the week and Joe Biden a close second.

The shift was abrupt. Biden has long been considered Ukraines big friend, with Brian Bonner, the editor of The Kyiv Post, saying that prior to the 2020 U.S. elections, Ukrainians were holding their breath and hoping that Biden wins after the trauma of Trumps inexplicable affinity for Russia. But now, Bidens soft approach to Nord Stream 2 is delighting the Kremlin, and catching Ukrainians off-guard.

Putin Reignites Ukraine Conflict as Rift With Biden Blows Up

The bitter betrayal headline came after the United States and Germany reached an agreement on July 21 that allows for the completion of the pipeline, which will deliver gas from Russia to Germany. The deal will hike up Germanys dependence on Russia for its energy needs, while circumventing Ukraine and depriving it of billions of dollars in lost gas transit fees per year. Russias current transit agreement with Ukraine expires at the end of 2024.

Germany promised to send an envoy to facilitate an extension of up to 10 years on Ukraines gas transit agreement with Russia, but Putins commentary about the prospect of an extension was utterly cynical. The Russian president declared that the decision would hinge on Ukraine demonstrating good will.

Meanwhile, Moscow continues to fund and support violent anti-government forces in Eastern Ukraine. The Kremlin handed out hundreds of thousands of Russian passports to Ukrainians, in order to cement Russias claim of protecting their citizens in the neighboring country. Russia used the same pretext to justify its annexation of Crimea. In July, the host of the Russian state TV program 60 Minutes Olga Skabeeva claimed that the number of Russian passports handed out to Ukrainians recently exceeded one million.

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Cutting off Russias reliance on Ukraine for its gas transit eliminates an element of deterrence against Russias ongoing efforts to violently subvert its neighbor. Russian state television described the ongoing conflict with Ukraine as part of the Kremlins war against the United States.

The U.S. attempted to negotiate a kill-switch clause into its deal with Germany. It would have created a mechanism to cut the flow of gas via the Nord Stream 2 if Russia were to escalate its aggression against Ukrainebut that provision never made it into the final agreement.

The Nord Stream 2 deal was condemned by Robert Menendez, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and by the chairs of the Foreign Affairs Committees in Estonia, Czech Republic, Ireland, Latvia, Poland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and Lithuania.

Kyiv Post columnist Sergii Leshchenko wrote: When Biden took office, he talked a big game about supporting Ukraine. Many pinned their hopes on him as the president who would stand up to Putin. But in spite of bipartisan pressure from Congress, in spite of a law specifically calling for sanctions against the project, he decided to waive sanctions to avoid a quarrel with Germany and other NATO allies. Writing for the Kyiv Post, Max Hunder noted: For U.S. President Joe Biden, the agreement was a way to repair relations with Germany after they soured during the Trump years, seeing Germany as a key ally in combating Chinas influence around the world.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, Ukraines bitter disappointment is rivaled only by Russias gloating. Ukraine lost the battle, Olga Skabeeva of 60 Minutes exclaimed this Monday, while discussing Americas failure to stop the completion of Nord Stream 2. During the same program, Igor Korotchenko, member of the Defense Ministry's public advisory council, portrayed the matter as a major defeat for the United States. He claimed: Today, the United States is totally unsuccessful. The escape from Afghanistan, the crash of the U.S. efforts to stop Nord Stream 2, failures in Libya and Iraq. Everywhere, Americans are getting their asses kicked.

In July, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told state TV propagandist Vladimir Soloviev that the U.S. attempts to stop Nord Stream 2 are finally over. She added, I understand that perhaps they feel like losers, but even if this is so, then they lost to themselves. Citing a poem by Fyodor Tyutchev, Zakharova compared America to winter, a miserable season that is angry because its coming to an end.

Appearing on 60 Minutes in July, popular state TV pundit Karen Shakhnazarov said: Im remembering recent times when all of Russias political elite was overwhelmingly supporting Trump But now, Biden is causing us a lot less damage and his politics are a lot more refined Biden understands that Americas leadership has come to an end. After loudly arguing with a lone panelist who dared to disagree with his conclusion, Shakhnazarov insisted: America is no longer a leader and [Biden] is starting to compromise.

Bidens First International Test: Can He Save Ukraine From Putin?

The pundit then compared former U.S. President Donald Trumps failure to contain Russia to the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte. While Shakhnazarov concluded that Trump was successfully trounced by the Kremlin, he claimed: Biden is not doing anything. Trump tried and failed. Biden is not even attempting to do anything against Russia.

The Wests complacency isnt being seen as a friendly attempt at de-escalation, but instead as proof that Moscows tactics are working and should be taken even further. On Mondays episode of 60 Minutes, Skabeeva asserted: The American empire is falling apart before our very eyes. Military expert Korotchenko immediately cautioned: A wounded animal is twice as dangerous They are a threat to our national security. He baselessly bragged that Russian spies are intercepting a number of secret directives right after they land on Bidens desk, and claimed that America is planning to interfere in Russias upcoming elections.

Addressing Bidens warning as to the Kremlins ongoing interference in next years midterm U.S. elections, Skabeeva scoffed: We interfere only at the presidential level. Echoing accusations from members of the Republican party claiming that Biden was in bed with Putin, Skabeeva resorted to trolling: Its curious how we first elected Trump and Biden came to avenge that. Instead, he also turned out to be our agent.

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Los Angeles Angels manager Dave Roberts relieves pitcher Trevor Bauer during the seventh inning of a game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on June 23, 2021 in San Diego, California. Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

New documents were filed by Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer's defense team.

A woman filed a temporary restraining order against Bauer in late June alleging physical and sexual assault.

The documents include texts from Bauer's accuser to her cousin, saying that Bauer gave her "two black eyes."

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

The woman accusing Los Angeles Dodgers player Trevor Bauer of sexual assault and domestic violence texted her cousin, saying that Bauer gave her "two black eyes," according to new court documents.

The new documents, which contain text message conversations, were filed by Bauer's defense team as he attempts to counter a temporary restraining order filed against him. Bauer denies all of the allegations.

According to the Los Angeles Times, after the incident, the woman sent her cousin a photo of her injured face.

The cousin reportedly wrote back, "As long as it is consensual, I don't have to kill him."

The woman then replied, "It was consensual, but I didn't like the two black eyes ?? Look, he (definitely) took it too far. don't you think lol," the LA Times reported.

Related video: The legal loophole that silences workplace sexual harassment

An attorney for the woman, Bryan Freedman, reacted to the new filing, telling the LA Times that, "Mr. Bauer's defense team is deliberately twisting the tone of text messages exchanged with an assault victim within hours of her being attacked to try to minimize the long-lasting impact on her physical and mental well-being to this day."

Freedman and Bauer's attorney Shawn Holley didn't immediately return Insider's requests for comment.

"In case after case, the law is extraordinarily clear: supposed 'consent' of the victim is not a defense to assault and battery, especially when it results in bodily harm, but, to be clear, this victim did not consent to be punched in her face, punched in her head, punched in her buttocks or repeatedly punched in her vagina," Freedman added.

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In a temporary restraining order application filed June 29, a 27-year-old woman, who Insider has chosen not to name, accused Bauer of getting violent with her during two consensual sexual encounters over a two-month period this spring.

The woman alleged in the request that Bauer performed multiple instances of nonconsensual physical abuse, including strangling her to the point of unconsciousness, hitting her in the face, and anally penetrating her without consent.

In a statement provided to Insider earlier this month, Bauer's agent Jon Fetterolf denied the allegations of abuse and said the encounters between Bauer and the woman were consensual. Bauer is currently on leave from the Dodgers until August 6.

Bauer is expected to appear in court for an evidentiary hearing on August 16.

Read the original article on Insider
A festivalgoer receives a COVID jab at Latitude festival. There is growing discussion about incentives to boost uptake among young people. (PA)

A Labour shadow minister has said paying young people to get coronavirus vaccines is a great idea.

Shadow environment secretary Luke Pollard also said it should be young people, rather than politicians, who design any incentive system for encouraging vaccinations.

The UK has overseen one of the most successful vaccine rollouts in Europe. However, as this chart demonstrates, uptake has gradually slowed down as it has been offered to younger age groups.

Daily first and second doses issued in the UK. (gov.uk)

In England, meanwhile, government data suggests a significant proportion  about 39%  of 18 to 29-year-olds had not received a jab as of Monday. Vaccines have been available to all over-18s since 18 June.

The disparity between older and younger age groups is demonstrated by this heat map.

Vaccine uptake by age groups in England. (gov.uk)

On Sunday, the government announced a partnership with businesses such as taxi app firm Uber and food delivery company Deliveroo to offer discounted rides and meals for young adults who receive a jab.

Pollard, appearing on Sky News on Wednesday, was also asked about young people getting money for receiving a jab.

He said: Well, if it helps with the increase of rollout of the vaccine for young people, thats a great idea.

Watch: Creator of Oxford vaccine made into Barbie doll

Pollard said it is young people who should be the communicators in encouraging others to take the vaccine.

He added: Lets get them to design that incentive system, because then itll be more effective.

Universities minister Michelle Donelan, appearing on the same programme earlier on Wednesday, tried to play down the prospect of cash for jabs.

She said. I think the biggest incentive is to protect their own health and protect the health of their friends and their loved ones.

However, she added the government will keep everything on the table in terms of incentives.

Last week, US president Joe Biden called for states and local authorities to offer $100 (71) for people to receive a vaccine.

Read more:

COVID-19: Double-jabbed are half as likely to be infected with coronavirus, study finds

Story continues

COVID vaccine rollout to be extended to 16-year-olds

It comes as the government is set to extend the vaccine programme to 16- and 17-year-olds.

It would mean more than a million more teenagers will be eligible for a jab, with experts saying it could reduce transmission of the virus and limit disruption to their education.

Watch: Wednesday's politics briefing
As someone who lives nearby ... I think it would behoove the consideration of the turn lanes. You still need to look out for the safety of the individuals coming in there, board chair Jon Hardie said.

The development group sought guidance from VDOT on whether turn lanes were needed, but they did not meet the minimum warrants to require a turn lane on English Tavern Road.

Deanna Jefferson, who lives just off English Tavern Road and travels it daily, came to speak in opposition of the project with a petition that was signed by 73 people, citing the additional traffic that will come with another set of townhomes and apartments.

I am a supporter of development; I am a supporter of revenue for our county, Jefferson said. But I am not a supporter of the safety of the county residents being placed in jeopardy with an excessive volume of traffic in a small radius.

Spring Hill district Supervisor Kenny Brown, who represents the district where the property stands, explained why he voted to approve in his comments at the meeting.

We want to keep our county growing, Brown said. As this growth continues, its going to give me more power to go back to the state of Virginia and VDOT, to get them to change the road.
Sundays homicide on Park Avenue marked the eighth in Lynchburg so far this year, a figure police say is edging close to making 2021 one of the deadliest years in recent memory.

Alfonzo Lynn Spinner, 36, of Lynchburg, was arrested Sunday afternoon and charged with second-degree murder and using a firearm in a felony from the early morning shooting.

Officers arrested him after finding 65-year-old Gary Douglas Braxton, also of Lynchburg, suffering from a gunshot wound near the 1800 block of Park Avenue, according to the Lynchburg Police Department. Braxton died shortly afterward at the hospital.

Lynchburg Police Lt. Adam Sexton said Monday the two men knew each other, but he wouldnt release any further details.

While Sundays shooting marks the citys eighth homicide in 2021 so far, its the fourth one where someones been charged. Sexton said investigators are aware of leads and persons of interest they want to speak to more in regard to the unsolved homicides, but didnt provide any further details.

LPD recorded eight homicides in the entirety of 2018, which was the highest number the department had seen since at least 2000, the earliest year for which LPD has provided homicide numbers and a year when the city saw three homicides.
Tuesday's vote is significant because it applies to the Sacramento and San Joaquin river systems, which together drain 40% of California's land and account for at least a portion of the water supply for two-thirds of the state's nearly 40 million residents.

Known as the California Delta, the river systems get their water mostly from snowmelt in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The past two years have been the second driest on record. The soil was so dry that it absorbed much of the snowmelt that was supposed to flow into the state's rivers. This year, California lost so much water this way that it would be enough to fill nearly all of Folsom Lake.

Extreme conditions like these are often from a combination of unusual random, short-term and natural weather patterns heightened by long-term, human-caused climate change. Climate change has made the West much warmer and drier in the past 30 years, increasing risks for drought and wildfires.

The board's action is possible because Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an emergency declaration earlier this year giving them permission. Newsom, who is facing a recall election next month, has asked residents and businesses to voluntarily cut their water use by 15%.
Every time Trump holds another rally, though, Taylors store gets more business, he said.

Even people who despise Trump stop in, as Utah resident Williams proved. I think I had the only Biden sign in front of my house in my entire city, he said.

As a political science major, hes fascinated by the entire Trump phenomenon. Indicating the row of Trump flags alongside the former church building, Williams said, You dont see stuff like this for Bush, or anybody.

Taylor has had personal interactions with Trump, though they dont rise to anything like a formal meeting or conversation  theyre more the sort of accidental contacts a fan might have with a rock musician whose concerts he regularly attends.

The red ballcap Taylor wore during a Roanoke Times interview read All aboard the Trump Train. More than an expression of loyalty, he wears the caps because it helps to sell them, he said.

While at the front of a rally in Wisconsin, Taylor said, Donald Trump reached over three people to sign the hat Taylor was wearing. People had seen it, and so as I was going out the door, this old farmer says, Hey, whatcha want for that hat? And I said, Give me $200. After Id seen his wallet, I shouldve got $600. He would have paid it, you know.
LINCOLN, Nebraska  Convicted murderer Bailey Boswell will find out Nov. 8 if she will become the first woman sentenced to death in Nebraska.

Saline County District Judge Vicky Johnson, the presiding judge in Boswells case, announced the sentencing date on Friday.

Johnson and two other judges, Darla Ideus of Lincoln and Peter Bataillon of Omaha, heard three days of testimony a month ago on whether Boswell deserved the death penalty or life in prison without parole for her role in the slaying of Sydney Loofe.

Loofe, a 24-year-old clerk at a Menards in Lincoln, disappeared in November 2017 after arranging a date with a woman identified as Audrey via the dating app Tinder. Loofes body was found three weeks later, with her remains in a dozen plastic bags scattered alongside gravel roads in rural Clay County.

Boswell, a 27-year-old former star athlete from Leon, Iowa, was convicted last year of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and improper disposal of human remains. Her 54-year-old boyfriend and self-described sugar daddy, Aubrey Trail, was sentenced to die earlier this year after being convicted of identical charges.
Its as if there are three parallel tracks  appropriations, an infrastructure package and, third, a reconciliation bill coming through a budget resolution, explained Brittany Madni, legislative director for Republican 1st District U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson. The House has done its work on the appropriations bills. Its waiting for the Senate to finish its work on infrastructure package. The budget resolution with reconciliation instructions remains outstanding.

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The analogy works only to the point where the parallel tracks have to intersect when House and Senate leaders try to round up votes to pass those measures, she added.

Theres widespread support  in Congress and among the public  for infrastructure spending. Much of the concern is the $1 trillion price tag. While roughly half is new spending, the House earmarks do not call for new spending. The House bill authorizes spending money that has already been appropriated.

Hinson, who sits on the House Appropriations and Budget committees, explained the House is directing that money already being designated to certain federal programs be allocated to these projects within those programs.

If the money already is approved to be spent, she said, she would prefer it go to projects in Iowa rather than somewhere else.
***

BUT WILL CUOMO BE CHARGED?

State Attorney General Letitia James, who oversaw the probe, said there would be no criminal referral but local police and prosecutors can use the evidence and findings to build their own cases. The district attorney in New York's capital, Albany, said Tuesday he was requesting James' investigative materials and encouraged victims to come forward.

***

CUOMO TOLD THE PUBLIC TO WAIT TO JUDGE HIM UNTIL THE INVESTIGATION WAS COMPLETE. WHAT DOES HE SAY NOW?

Cuomo is more defiant than ever, disputing allegations in a taped response and saying "the facts are much different than what has been portrayed" and that he "never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances." He also alleged that the investigation itself was fueled by "politics and bias."

***

HOW IS CUOMO EXPLAINING HIS BEHAVIOR?
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Big Boy No. 4014, the famed Union Pacific steam locomotive built in the 1940s to conquer mountains while carrying equipment in support of World War II, is embarking on a 10-state tour that will include a two-day stop in North Platte.

On Thursday, Big Boy will leave its home base at the Union Pacific Steam Shop in Cheyenne at 8 a.m. MDT. On Friday, about 2:30 p.m. CDT, Big Boy will arrive in North Platte, where it can be viewed near East Front Street, between Chestnut and Poplar streets.

In addition to North Platte, Big Boy will make two whistle stops Friday in Nebraska and Colorado:

 9:30 a.m. MDT  Julesburg, Colorado, 201 W. First St.

 11:15 a.m. MDT  Ogallala, South Spruce Street.

Big Boy will leave North Platte about 8 a.m. CDT Sunday.

This is the first time Big Boy has gone on tour since its post-restoration debut in 2019 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the transcontinental railroads completion. It is returning in 2021 with brief whistle-stops in more than 90 communities and one-day public display events in five major cities: Fort Worth and Houston, Texas; New Orleans, Louisiana; St. Louis, Missouri; and Denver, Colorado.
GRAND ISLAND -- Danny Anson of Grand Island allegedly used racial slurs against a Hispanic man and threatened him with a crowbar Friday night.

Anson, 64, was charged Monday in Hall County Court with making enhanced terroristic threats, or committing a hate crime. That offense is a Class III felony.

At about 8:40 p.m. Friday, Grand Island Police responded to a disturbance call in the 500 block of East 18th Street. Officers were told that Anson had made racial slurs while threatening the man with a crowbar, and had raised the crowbar at another person.

A witness identified the suspect as Anson.

Police reported that Anson had a large metal crowbar on his motorized bicycle.

Judge Arthur Wetzel scheduled Ansons preliminary hearing for Sept. 23. He was released on a personal recognizance bond.
Photo: Matt Baron/Shutterstock

The newly released report from Attorney General Letitia Jamess office on sexual-harassment allegations against Governor Andrew Cuomo also shed some light on the involvement of the governors younger brother, Chris Cuomo.

The Washington Post had previously reported that Chris, a CNN anchor, had advised the governor as he attempted to navigate the numerous allegations against him.

Tuesdays report stated that as more allegations against Cuomo emerged in the spring, the Governors team of advisors from within and outside the Chamber had ongoing and regular discussions about how to respond to the allegations publicly. This team included Chris as well as top staffers like Melissa DeRosa and Rich Azzopardi.

The report said these advisers suggested that the governor express contrition in the wake of accusations from Charlotte Bennett, a former aide.

The attorney generals office attached three appendixes to the report, which included various documents, text messages, and other exhibits crucial to the investigation. One of these was an email from Chris that appears to be the draft of a statement intended to be read by the governor.

The draft greatly resembles Governor Cuomos press release from February 28, including references to alleged inappropriate comments.

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 draft reads.

The report also revealed that Chris had given testimony to the attorney generals investigators, saying there was talk about the executive chamber implementing new measures in response to the allegations but that some believed they should just wait.

Azzopardi, the governors communications director, testified to investigators that the outside advisers were people who have been with us for a long time who we could trust.

The actions of the younger Cuomo bring up plenty of ethical questions considering his role as a journalist. The pair had already raised eyebrows when the governor began making appearances on his brothers prime-time CNN show in 2020. The network previously said there was a rule in place since 2013 that barred the governor from being covered by his brother but that an exception was made due to the pandemic.
So many shoes have dropped in the Andrew Cuomo sexual-harassment saga that the governor could open up a Florsheim outlet out on I-90. And each time, as each allegation piled up and each Democratic official called on him to resign  dozens of members of the State Legislature, State Senate majority leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, most of the states congressional delegation, U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, Mayor Bill de Blasio  it surely seemed like the end of Cuomos long reign.

And yet it wasnt. He pushed back and punted, asking Attorney General Letitia James to look into the allegations, standing with whatever remaining elected officials would stand next to him and trying to turn the publics attention to the states recovery from the pandemic and how New York City had turned into a swamp of crime and despair under de Blasio.

On Tuesday, James issued the findings that Cuomo had asked her to look into at last. It wasnt a bombshell; it was a nuclear blast, wiping out any doubt for miles around. The investigation found credible allegations by 11 separate accusers. The most damning perhaps came from a state trooper assigned  at his request  to Cuomos protective detail and who, she alleges, was touched and kissed without her consent by the governor, who also asked about her clothes and her sex life.

Other allegations included in the 168-page report had been aired before in the press but were contextualized by James, who said that the findings by independent investigators hired by her office reveal a deeply disturbing, yet clear picture of a governor who sexually harassed a number of current and former New York State employees. They took on the cumulative weight of a coroners report, as James found that the governor was guilty of engaging in unwelcome and non-consensual touching, as well as making numerous offensive comments of a suggestive and sexual nature that created a hostile work environment for women.

And yet.

Not an hour and a half after Jamess press conference ended with her repeating her admiration for the bravery of the women who came forward, Cuomo was out with his own video, in which, in soothing tones and with soft lighting, he told his haters that they could go to Hell.

We are living in a superheated, if not toxic political environment  that shouldnt be lost on anyone. Politics and bias are interwoven throughout every aspect of this situation, he said. We get good things done for people. And that is what really matters. And 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.

A former employee, Charlotte Bennett, who accused the governor of making sexually inappropriate comments and who said he made her retell the story of her sexual assault in college, was, in the governors telling, just someone he was trying to help work through her trauma. Cuomo all but dared a current employee, who accused him of groping her in his office, to take him to court so that the allegations could be fully vetted. If he was a little too touchy with people, no harm was meant by it, and as proof the video included a photo montage of the governor touching and kissing people of all ages and genders, from powerful men like Al Gore to old women on the street.

Andrew Cuomo really thought this montage was a good idea pic.twitter.com/yTzzP9mdaD  philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) August 3, 2021

And still, even as the governor spoke, more shoes (it is hard to believe there are any left at this point) fell. Representatives Hakeem Jeffries, Gregory Meeks, and Tom Suozzi, powerful lawmakers from the moderate Cuomo wing of the party and three of the remaining holdouts in the congressional delegation, called on Cuomo to quit. Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul called Cuomos behavior repulsive and unlawful before noting it would be inappropriate to comment further because she would be governor if Cuomo resigned or was removed from office. Before the day was out, even Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden had joined in the chorus, with the president of the United States answering a simple yes to a reporters question if Cuomos time was up.

And yet.

Cuomos fate ultimately will be decided by the State Legislature. In the Assembly, which is mounting its own investigation into the governors conduct, Speaker Carl Heastie has been one of the few Democrats standing between Cuomo and the unemployment line, refusing to go as far as his counterpart in the State Senate in calling on Cuomo to resign. On Tuesday, Heastie released his sharpest statement yet, calling the allegations gut-wrenching and saying that the attorney generals report would indicate someone who is not fit for office. After Biden spoke, he tightened the screws further, saying in a new statement that the Governor has lost the confidence of the Assembly Democratic majority and that he can no longer remain in office.

People close to Heastie say that he is feeling pressure from his members to act at last, while people close to the governor believe that he can fight it out in the Assembly chamber, convince enough Democrats and maybe even a few Republicans that he is better than whatever option could come behind him. The longer the Assembly waits  its own investigation is now entering its fifth month  the longer Cuomo can argue that his fate is something that the voters of New York should decide next June in the Democratic primary and then in a November general election.

Cuomo thinks that if he can make it that far, that if he can get out of another tough spot, he can prevail before the voters next year. His staff have monitored poll numbers closely, and until this latest round of news, they showed that he remained popular, especially among older voters. It would be hard for James, after commissioning a report that the governors team has derided as political, to use that report as the basis to run against him. The remaining options, de Blasio and possibly State Senator Alessandra Biaggi, dont have either his name recognition or his fundraising prowess. The governor is unlikely to resign unless he absolutely has to, people close to him say, in part because as a government employee, he could be entitled to have his legal fees covered by the state.

And so once again, we remain in the place we ever have been, a chorus of voices calling on the governor to resign, a set of facts that it looks impossible for him to get out of, a legislature sounding more and more like it is ready to move.

And yet.
Photo: Nathan Howard/Getty Images

As America contends with a surge in COVID cases thanks to the Delta variant, businesses are suddenly getting tougher with their vaccination policies. On the latest Pivot podcast, Kara Swisher and guest co-host Stephanie Ruhle discuss the evolving corporate response to the virus.

Kara Swisher: Hi everyone. This is Pivot from New York Magazine and the Vox Media Podcast Network. Im Kara Swisher. Scott Galloway is out the entire month of August. Today Im joined by our very good friend, NBC News senior business correspondent and MSNBC anchor Stephanie Ruhle. Welcome, Stephanie.

Stephanie Ruhle: Thank you so much. Good to be here. And Scott  a month off? Are you kidding me?

Swisher: He thinks hes European or something like that. Im not sure whats going on.

Ruhle: Hes Floridian. Thats far from Europe.

Swisher: You were my first choice, obviously, because were such a hit together and Im trying to find new partners in case something happens with Scott, which, as you know, could at any moment. So I like to be prepared and see who I get along with and who I spark with, and obviously 

Ruhle: Wait, do you think we get along?

Swisher: Yeah, I do. I do. I think we get along really well.

Ruhle: Its because I just agree with you.

Swisher: No you dont, no you dont.

All right. Time for the big story. The newest trend in corporate America is vaccine mandates. Walmart, Disney, Facebook, Google are requiring some or all of their employees to be vaccinated to come to work. Walmart and Disney are two of the countrys largest private employers. Heres a list of companies that are requiring vaccines: Netflix, Saks Fifth Avenue, BlackRock, Goldman Sachs, Delta, and United Airlines for new employees only  Morgan Stanley, the Washington Post, which was a surprise to me. Lyft, Uber, Twitter. What do you think? Its not just employees  restaurants and Broadway shows are starting to require ticket holders to show proof of vaccination. Will this work or produce a backlash, Stephanie?

Ruhle: Who cares if it produces a backlash? They damn well should. Right? In France, every day we could turn on the TV and say, look at the protesters. What are there, a thousand protesters, 10,000 protestors? The first week Emmanuel Macron put the requirement in place, almost 4 million people in France got vaccinated. It works. And I guess Im angry because for all the noise corporate America gives us about wanting to do the right thing and being leaders for social justice and writing letters for voting rights, heres something they absolutely can do to protect our country, to protect their employees, to also pay back the government who just bailed out businesses big and small to the tune of trillions of dollars. And now do your part. Businesses have that giant carrot. Youre always going to have anti-vaxxers, right? But in the middle are all of these people, and especially youngish people who are like, Im healthy. I dont really need it.

But if you say to that person Great, well  you cant go to work, cant go to a bar, cant go to the gym, and cant go to your favorite sporting event, theyre going to run out and get vaccinated. And I think its super-selfish and shortsighted that businesses  Remember when we first got the vaccines, we kept hearing that people who are fully vaccinated will be able to go to this store without a mask on. When was the last time anyone asked you your vaccination status when you walked in a store? When Im in a store and I see people with masks on, they dont seem to be people who arent vaccinated. More likely, theyre people who are being extra cautious.

This will be the next big wave of people getting vaccinated. And I think when the vaccines go from emergency approval to full approval, youll see a lot more businesses do it.

Swisher: Incentives have been tried. Monetary rewards, event tickets, time off. I just talked to the head of American  they were doing things like that, an extra vacation day for current employees. So what would be your argument that you should make them? I was like, I dont think Ill fly American Airlines if I dont know if all your people are vaccinated. Ill be honest with you, I dont think I will.

Ruhle: I just think this argument that you cant make people  I dont know. I dont like shots either, but when I walked my 5-year-old to show up for kindergarten on the first day, if he wasnt vaccinated, my other choice was to homeschool. So we, of course, yes, boom, Im going to get my kids vaccinated. So all of this is just crazy. Businesses are being shortsighted. Theyre saying, I dont want to make this hard decision. I dont want to face the backlash. I dont want to lose customers. Well, guess what? If we dont do something significant, were never getting rid of COVID. If you want to actually have your business flourish, long term, require it.

Pivot is produced by Camila Salazar.

This transcript has been edited for length and clarity.
Nina Turner speaks at a campaign stop in Cleveland, Ohio. Photo: Getty Images

Nina Turner compared voting for Joe Biden last year to eating a bowl of shit, so it shouldnt exactly be a surprise that she lost her bid for Congress after the race became about her disdain for the Democratic Establishment.

Turner lost a special primary election for Congress in Cleveland on Tuesday to rival Shontel Brown, a county councilwoman, by a margin of 50-45 percent. The seat was vacated when Marcia Fudge resigned from Congress to become Bidens secretary of Housing and Urban Development. It seemed like a lock for Turner, a former state senator who raised the most money and went on TV the earliest. But then the campaign turned into an intra-Democratic proxy fight between the partys left wing and normie Democrats.

Although Turner was originally a vocal leader in the Ready for Hillary Clinton presidential effort in 2014, she became one of Bernie Sanderss most prominent surrogates in the actual 2016 presidential campaign. Afterward, Turner flirted with an offer to be Jill Steins running mate and declined to back Clinton against Donald Trump in the general election. Although Turner eventually backed Biden in 2020, she did so only after comparing a vote for the Democratic nominee to eating excrement: Its like saying to somebody, You have a bowl of shit in front of you, and all youve got to do is eat half of it instead of the whole thing. Its still shit.

This was an opportunity for Brown, her top opponent in a splintered field, to turn the race into a referendum on Biden and loyalty to the Democratic Party in a district heavily populated by Black and Jewish members of the partys base.

Although Turner initially ran to the center, she eventually embraced the partys left after she plummeted in the polls. The former Sanders surrogate brought him to Ohio along with a variety of other high-profile backers of his campaign in the closing days of the race, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

In contrast, James Clyburn, the number-three Democrat in the House, came to stump on Browns behalf. Clyburn was lured into the race after rapper Killer Mike at a Turner campaign event described the South Carolina Democrat as incredibly stupid to endorse Biden during the 2020 presidential primary, which saved Bidens campaign in the state. Turner, who was sitting alongside Killer Mike, seemed to agree.

In another Ohio special election, the leader of the Republican Party had a good night as well. Trumps candidate in an otherwise low-stakes primary for a congressional seat outside of Columbus won, only one week after a Trump-endorsed candidate lost a Republican runoff in a special election in Texas. In Ohio, he backed Mike Carey, a coal lobbyist and longtime friend of Trumps first campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, in a crowded Republican primary to replace outgoing representative Steve Stivers. Carey won by an overwhelming margin, getting 37 percent of the vote, nearly three times as much as his closest competitor.

But Trumps endorsement didnt keep other Republicans from backing other candidates, such as Kentucky senator Rand Paul backing former state representative Ron Hood while Stivers supported state representative Jeff LaRe. The two were tightly bunched for second behind Carey. Trump stepped up his efforts on behalf of Carey in the final days of the campaign in order to avoid another blemish on his endorsement record and a pro-Trump super PAC spent over $300,000 on television ads on behalf of the former presidents favored candidate.

The results Tuesday showed that the most popular figures in their respective parties still have coattails. Both districts are safe in general elections but, for now, the most popular figure in each political party can still swing primary elections.
In an interview with the Opelika-Auburn News, Albrecht said the creation of a data center in the middle of Auburn would create better and faster wireless connectivity for businesses and individuals by providing a local spot for all of the service providers to have their information run through.

"A minimum of seven fiber optic networks run through Auburn, and none of them have a place to stop and meet, like a railroad station," Albrecht said. "A data center, or internet exchange, is where networks come out of the ground and literally sit in parity next to each other, connect their fiber optics and exchange traffic. ... We're like a railroad, but we're digital. We're digital infrastructure."

Albrecht, an Auburn University alumnus, said he decided to start AUBix with the help of friends and business partners in March 2020 after he moved back to the city in the summer of 2018.

Auburn Mayor Ron Anders praised the company and the benefits and economic impacts the new facility will bring to the areal.
"And you wonder about these children growing up, wondering why they don't have any value. Look at where theyre living! Theyre paying rent, and look at where theyre living and where they have to come home to.

Newkirk said she knew those who rented property from landlords who were able to make their living by mowing the lawns of the nice houses belonging to those they paid rent to, only to come back to homes in disrepair.

You all need to go out, look over this city, go to these areas you dont know anything about and look at the living conditions! You do that and tell me if you are proud to be a citizen of Opelika, Newkirk said. You pledged to take care of the citizens of Opelika, not just the few, so you go back and get those ones. There is a Jewish carpenter that said, 'What you have done to the least of them, you have done it unto Me!'

Near the end of the meeting, the Opelika City Council ultimately voted to table the ordinance until it is picked back up by the council again. The only vote not in favor of tabling the ordinance came from Ward 1 Councilmember George Allen.
HTMLCountry1

Reem Alsalem, Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences

Ms. Reem Alsalem was appointed United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences in July 2021 by the UN Human Rights Council for a three-year tenure. She started her tenure on 1 August 2021.

Reem Alsalem is an independent consultant on gender issues, the rights of refugees and migrants, transitional justice and humanitarian response. She has consulted extensively for United Nations departments, agencies and programmes such as UN-Women, OHCHR, UNICEF and IOM, as well as for non-governmental organizations, think tanks and academia. Previously, she worked as an international civil servant, serving with the UNHCR in thirteen countries. During her service, she has planned, implemented, and monitored programs that served to protect persons that were survivors of gender-based violence, particularly women and girls.

She has also been a visiting professional with the Prosecutors Office of the ICC from January to March 2009 and a visiting researcher with the Feinstein International Center of Tufts University in December 2008. Visiting Professional, Investigation Unit of the Prosecutor Office, International Criminal Court, the Hague, the Netherlands, January 2009-March 2009.

Reem has a Masters in International Relations from the American University in Cairo, Egypt (2001) and a Masters in Human Rights Law from the University of Oxford, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (2003).
Cheatsuhisa LOL



Urgh I feel so bad for her ):



I was gonna say I feel bad for Yorke too but he prob knew and didnt care _



Edited at 2021-08-04 12:31 pm (UTC)

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I wish LiSA all the best!! <333

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She is a queen and this is how you disrespect her you stupid fuck!!



Bounce back Queen you will get through this!









#menaintshit you have to be an absolute dumb cunt to cheat on LiSA.She is a queen and this is how you disrespect her you stupid fuck!!Bounce back Queen you will get through this!

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Okay, but he's still gonna be doing the voice acting for Draken... right? You messed up your marriage don't mess up Tokyo Revengers too!

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If it is still airing, he probably will.

Namidai and Okamoto continued voicing their characters in later seasons of HQ, even after getting exposed as cheaters.

(I actually remember reading something many many years ago about how seiyuu will sign a contract to voice a character in a certain media, they are like "bound" to keep voicing them or sth like this. I think it was a column on ANN with someone asking how come established seiyuu will still continue voicing the same characters in BL audio drama that they did at the beginning of their careers).

Although I remember when Yuuichirou Umehara went on hiatus, his character in Tada-kun never falls in love got voiced by someone else, but in his case he actually had to undergo treatment for an acute autoimmune disease, he was not caught cheating on his wife.

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If I recall correctly the same happened with KENN who took over for Kamakari Kenta in role when he went on hiatus for some (medical?) reason.

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yeah, i think it all falls down to 1) how far the production of the anime is (the voice recording is actually done pretty early from what i can tell) 2) the gravity of the illness itself.



I remember when Hosoya Yoshimasa went on medical hiatus twice and i think he got switched only when it came to brand new series, i don't remember him being temporary substituted in any of his ongoing works.

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Also maybe if the voice actors sounds similar enough. Like Nobutoshi Canna who voices Kabuto did Shikamaru when Morikubo Showtaro was sick.

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What a douchebag, hope Lisa gets better soon.



Obligatory: my baby Makoto would never!

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lol thats my reaction to this news too, cant believe such trash has played an angel like makoto!!

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Makoto is a darling of course he'd never!  Just goes to show that we probably should stick with fictional men because reality isn't any better lmfao.

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people have been putting pieces together and there are now rumours that the mistress is allegedly a vtuber and made a twt alt pretending to be a passerby to defend herself LOL (including choice phrasing such as 'LiSA is also at fault for leaving the house empty' AND APPARENTLY CHEATSUHISA leaked the demo of the Free! movie OP to her hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh



wishing LiSA a quick recovery and leave this trash



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that said the nerds are too good at puns...i haven't stopped laughing at 

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for leaving the house empty aka having a thriving career? lmao boy bye

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Again, really, really thankful my #1 movie of the year was just released, and I don't have to go back except for Candyman...provided it's not pushed back again.



No surprise young men don't care about public health and safety, so Venom might still have a chance. I only hope this means Disney blinks and puts Encanto on Premium Access as well as theatrically, bc it ain't getting any better.

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we saw A Quiet Place II in theaters, and that was the first movie we saw in over a year. but yeah, i'd be hesitant to go back right now.

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I wanted to see Dune in theatres but I am definitely having doubts :/

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I think the only thing i'd go back for is Shang-Chi. And i'd probably use a hazmat suit.

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If theaters go back to mask mandates with limited seating Id feel more comfortable with going to the theater.

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Here's the article



Edited at 2021-08-04 04:28 pm (UTC) I was just reading about the Delta+ variant and I'm shitting bricks tbh. It looks like it's gonna be bad.

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Delta plus?! Jesus, we're so fucked.

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Its still too early to tell if this is the one that borks us but I'm only going to small outdoor events with other vaxxed people.

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I think that just means it's very similar to delta with another additional component in it.

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Angus also noted that delta-plus cases have primarily been in younger people

holy shit, i work with kids. i really hope they can get vaccinated soon  it seems like if adults are vaccinated, it should be okay, but they let this go so far out of hand.

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I was curious about the name and why it wasn't called Epsilon but turns out Epsilon is already out there and is resistant to vaccines? I'm freaked out now this is why I stopped reading covid news no more Google for me.

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I saw this yesterday and thought it was interesting. A site that tracks variants: https://nextstrain.org/ncov/gisaid/global

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I wanted to take my dad to the theatre to Shang-Chi when it comes out. I planned to take time off on like a tuesday to see it in the morning.



But we'll see how I feel then

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yeah between delta and the two kids who were shot to death in a movie theater one county away from me, my ass won't be back in those seats til 2022 probably 

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I haven't been to the movies on a long time.



On other COVID news, I'm glad that the eviction moratorium got extended all thanks to Cori Bush. It's only until October so Congress needs to get their shit together and make it longer.

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I was going to see Suicide Squad in theaters this week, going to stick to watching it on HBO Max instead.



If Candyman ends up actually getting released instead of pulled/pushed back, I will mask up (no snacks...) and see it.

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I really wanted to support Mortal Combat and F9 in theaters but alas... sigh. Gonna pass on Suicide Squad and Venom too. I miss seeing action movies on the big screen. :(

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If candyman the only movie I've wanted to see in over a year gets pushed back for the like 4th time I'm going to be sad. 

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I went yesterday to see Old (very weird movie with some underwhelming acting)

And everyone was wearing a mask. Thankfully cause the last time I went before that there were A LOT of people maskless

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Yep thats pretty much it

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the last movie i saw in theatres remains Cats back in 2019 

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I still hate the fact that the last movie I ever saw in theaters was Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker, I would've rather it been Cats.

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Me too. Lets start a support/shame group tbh

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The last movies I saw in 2020 were Parasite and Sonic back to back

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last one i saw was parasite.

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Last Friday, a Megapack at the worlds biggest energy storage construction site caught fire. It took firefighters three days to put the fire out. In a way, however, the incident, which took place in Australia, ignited another fire: a debate about the safety of lithium-ion batteries. Media coverage of energy storage rarely mentions any risks. The focus is invariably on bigger and better storage in anticipation of the future low-carbon energy systems that we are now trying to build. New technologiesincluding alternatives to lithium-ion batteriesare a frequent topic, and stats and forecasts about storage capacity are also a favorite.

Combustion risks, not so much.

Yet, like EV batteries, energy storage batteries like the Tesla Megapacks at the Victoria, Australia, site are prone to combustion under the right circumstancesbecause of the things they are made of.

An article in the Australian website EcoGeneration lists some of the flammable elements of a lithium-ion battery: the liquid electrolyte through which those famed lithium ions travel is flammable, for example. So is the graphite in the anode and the plastic in the insulation of the battery.

But how do fires start in batteries? In short, they start when optimum operating conditions are compromised, according to an associate professor from the Australian National University and Research Lead in Battery Materials in ANUs Battery Storage and Grid Integration Program, who spoke to EcoGeneration.

Related: Shell Reports $5.5 Billion Net Profit And Hikes Dividends

Batteries are sensitive to overheating and overcharging, Alexey Glushenkov explained to EcoGeneration. Overheating initially happens in a single battery cell but can quickly spread to all the other cells in a battery pack. Battery manufacturers seek to minimize the chance of that happening. Unfortunately, recent battery incidents have proven that it is not always possible to completely eliminate the danger.

When a battery cell overheats, gases begin to build up inside it, swelling it and eventually opening it, allowing oxygen to come in and spark a fire.

But how does overheating happen? By overcharging, which can also cause unwanted chemical reactions in the battery cellsagain threatening fire.

The most common cause for all of this is a short circuit. According to Glushenkov, it could be the result of a bad battery design or a manufacturing defect. Short circuits can also start at a molecular level when overcharging the battery cell results in the buildup of metallic lithium in the anode. These buildups grow into what are commonly known as dendrites.

As the process happens again and again those structures, called dendrites, can penetrate the separator [between the two electrodes], he says. A short circuit will result and the battery discharges instantaneously, causing a lot of heat to be generated.

The risk of a fire is certainly a problem, but perhaps a bigger one is that extinguishing that fire is not as easy as putting out a normal fire. This is because of all the chemicals that go into making a battery cell. Those chemicals create the gases that build up in batteries right before they explode.

We dont have a definitive answer of what is the best way to deal with an EV [electric vehicle] fire or energy storage fire, Newcastle University professor Paul Christensen told the Financial Times, commenting on the Victorian Big Battery incident.

They [lithium-ion batteries] are essential to the decarbonisation of this planet but their penetration into society has far outstripped our actual knowledge of the risks and hazards associated with them, he added.

One might suggest that the risk is minimal; otherwise, we would be hearing about battery storage fires every day. But, in fact, there have been quite a few battery storage fires recently, according to Christensen: a total of 38, in fact, since 2018, including one at an Orsted battery storage site in the UK, and one in Arizona, at a battery storage facility operated by Arizona Public Services.

There are many similar battery enclosures operating today that could experience the exact same kind of failure, warned Matthew Paiss, a technical advisor on battery materials and systems at the pacific Northwestern National Laboratory, at the Energy Storage Summit USA earlier this year.

The way to reduce the risk is to ensure the rapid release of gasses built up in a battery cell, according to experts. Yet achieving this rapid release may be easier said than done. In the meantime, the risk will only grow, as the FT notes, because of the wider adoption of lithium-ion batteries, including in households.

2020 was a record year for global energy storage, said Wood Mackenzies head of energy storage, Dan Finn-Foley, earlier this year. The market exceeded 15 GW/27 GWh in 2020, increasing 51% in GWh terms, and is expected to grow 27 times by 2030 by adding 70 GWh of storage capacity a year to surpass 729 GWh in 2030.

This rate of growth will likely make the need to reduce the risk of fires more urgent. Whether it will be addressed with an appropriate urgency remains to be seen.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
After a few uncertain months, as OPEC oil cuts continued and Covid restrictions came back into place, oil demand for 2021 finally seems stable, with price and demand increases set to continue. As the Delta variant became more prominent in July, initially in India and the U.K. and then gradually across the rest of the globe, many countries were forced back into lockdown or experienced other restrictions to work and movement. This led several experts to speculate that oil and gas demand would inevitably be driven down once again in the face of global restrictions limiting travel and industry. However, as the U.K. reduced all restrictions in mid-July, and several other countries continue to ease lockdowns, this anticipated dip in demand did not hit the industry as hard as expected.

Brent crude posted a fourth monthly gain in July, as oil demand grew faster than supply thanks to a successful vaccine rollout and the increase in work and travel activities worldwide. As vaccine efforts in North America and Europe continue, international air and local road travel trends are finally picking up, sending demand for petroleum products soaring.

While American oil firms have kept production in check through the course of the pandemic, this trend is likely to change as demand continues to rise. Rob Haworth, senior investment strategist at U.S. Bank Wealth Management stated, Its a matter of when, not if, before we see more of a supply response in the U.S.

In addition, after months of steep output cuts, OPEC+ production reached a 15-month high in July, pumping an average of 26.72 million bpd as Saudi Arabia agreed to ease cuts in line with global demand.

Related: Top U.S. Negotiator: Iran Nuclear Deal May Be Impossible

Carsten Fritsch of Commerzbank explained an important shift in the demand trend in relation to the coronavirus, which could mean the two are no longer inextricably linked. "Most forecasts are still predicting robust growth in demand in the second half of the year," as "It is easy to believe that the oil market has learnt to live with the virus, in other words.", he stated.

Even though some dips are likely to continue around the world, as restrictions come in and out of place, the pandemic no longer seems to be the universal demand killer.

For example, demand went down for the first time in a year in China this July, causing oil prices to dip as factory activity fell in the country in response to high product prices. In addition, an increase in Covid-19 cases has led China to introduce new pandemic restrictions further adding to the decrease in demand.

While in India, despite the ongoing challenges of continued Covid-19 cases, oil demand is rising. In fact, at the end of last week, Indias fuel demand peaked as petrol consumption reached pre-pandemic levels in response to easing pandemic restrictions across the country.

State-owned fuel companies sold 2.37 million tonnes of petroleum in July, a 3.56 percent increase on pre-pandemic sales in July 2019. Diesel sales also increased, by 12.36 percent to 5.45 million tonnes, on 2020.

With Asia driving global oil demand and expected to be the main market over the next decade, China and India have a significant impact on global demand levels. However, with Europe and the U.S. making the statement that they are learning to live with the coronavirus, changes in Asian oil needs are countered with greater stability in long-established markets meaning the increasing oil demand is set to continue through 2021.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Japan has been making headlines with its plans to significantly increase its reliance on hydrogen to satisfy its energy needs. Right now, it is demonstrating its transformation into a hydrogen economy by showcasing hydrogen buses and cars used in the Olympics. But there is a problem with that for those nit-picky enough to notice. This hydrogen is not green. In a recent article for Forbes, tech journalist James Morris noted that the hydrogen used in Japan right now is made from natural gas rather than through the electrolysis of water. Green hydrogenthe one produced through hydrolysis using electricity from renewable sourcesis an ideal case scenario, he said, but its still far in the future. So Big Oil is pushing the other kind of hydrogen.

The argument Morris puts forward is that Big Oil is feeling threatened by electric cars, so it is doing whatever it can to keep the world running on its hydrocarbons even if they are used to produce a fuel that could be an alternative to gasoline and diesel. In fact, according to the tech journalist, who is also the editor of a website dedicated to electric cars, hydrogen as a fuel is no viable alternative to either combustion engine cars or EVs. They are still a lot more expensive than either, and fueling stations are few and far between.

That Big Oil is pushing grey hydrogen to keep itself alive is a refreshing argument in a discourse dominated by oppositions like EVs vs Gas Guzzlers and Hydrogen vs Gasoline. Yet this argument misses the point of the bigger hydrogen argument, and that point is that the only hydrogen that will have a place in the net-zero world would be green hydrogen.

Related: Libya: Shell Considers Resuming Activities In Country That kind of hydrogen is currently a lot more expensive than grey hydrogen, and some argue that it will never become as cheap as the gas-derived version of the gas. Yet dozens of companies are putting together mega-plans for green hydrogen production, confident it will be economically viable within years.

The list of these plans, recently compiled by Recharge News, makes for interesting reading for sure. Take the HyDeal Ambition project, for example. The project envisages building 95 GW of solar power capacity to provide electricity for 67 GW worth of electrolyzers located in Spain, France, and Germany. Plans are to have the green hydrogen produced for 1.50 euro per kg, or about $1.19 before 2030. To compare, a kilo of green hydrogen currently costs about $5 to produce.

Interestingly, the companies involved in the project do not give a cost estimate for it, but those behind another green hydrogen project do: the Australian Western Green Energy Hub that will use 50 GW of wind and solar capacity to power 28 GW of electrolyzers will cost $70 billion to build. Thats about the same as the costincluding delays and overrunsof a large-scale LNG project. Yet the goal is noble: reduce the use of hydrocarbons and switch to clean hydrogen.

Related: Santos, Oil Search Merger Creates $16 Billion Giant

When it comes to cars, EVs are certainly further along in their evolution than fuel-cell cars. And yet, even EVs still need heavy government subsidies to compete on cost with ICE cars. This will need to change if EVs are to become the dominant mode of transportation for humans because heavy subsidies are not a practical long-term strategy. Competition from fuel-cell cars, however, minuscule though their number may be, could be good for the EV industry, where internal competition is heating up too.

Outside EVs, the argument of Big Oil sponsoring hydrogen as a way to stay in the energy game might make sense for those who cheered President Biden killing the Keystone XL pipeline, forgetting that this would have no effect whatsoever on the amount of Canadian oil the U.S. consumes. In fact, exports of Canadian oil to the U.S. rose. The oil was simply transported by train rather than a pipeline.

Those who look beyond the ideology would see that Big Oil might indeed be in favor of hydrogen as long as its grey hydrogen since that involves the use of natural gas, but they would also see that it is just one of many uses for natural gasand crude oil, for that matter. And these uses would be a lot harder to eliminate than by promoting affordable EVs for everyone.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Russias gas giant Gazprom boosted its natural gas exports to Europe by 23 percent annually in January to July 2021, Gazprom Export said this week.

In the first seven months of this year, Gazproms gas sales to Turkey and Europe reached 115.3 billion cubic meters, up by 23.2 percent annually, but lower than the record high from 2018, according to Gazprom Exports data.

Demand for natural gas in Europe has rebounded strongly this year, following the slump in the spring and summer last year when demand fell with the pandemic-induced lockdowns across Europe.

This year, Gazprom boosted significantly its gas supply between January and July to Turkey (by 203.9 percent), Germany (by 42.2 percent), Italy (by 16.2 percent), Romania (by 318.3 percent), Poland (by 14.6 percent), Serbia (by 118.1 percent), Bulgaria (by 47%), France (by 6 percent), and Greece (by 18.8 percent).

The Russian giant also continues to increase pipeline gas exports to China via the Power of Siberia pipeline, the companys export arm said.

Gazproms natural gas production rose by 18.4 percent in January-July 2021 compared with the same period of 2020, Gazprom Export said.

Despite the rising output and pipeline shipments of more gas this year compared to the pandemic-hit 2020, Gazprom continues to withhold gas supply to Europe.

Even with the strong rebound in European natural gas demand and surging prices, Gazprom has not booked additional entry capacity to Europe via Ukraine. Despite maintenance on the northern pipeline routes to Europe in July, Gazprom hasnt taken extra capacity offered in Ukraine.

Analysts say that this could be an opportunistic move from the Russian giant to drive up Europes gas prices further and take advantage of what are now the highest prices in 13 years. Other analysts think that Gazproms effective reduction in supplies would be to force Europe to recognize that gas customers on the continent need the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline to Germany bypassing Ukraine.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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The American Bakers Association (ABA) is lobbying with the Biden Administration to lower or at least halt the rising mandates for biofuel blending in gasoline and diesel, fearing that rising agricultural commodity prices could raise the costs for bread and donut makers.

Representatives of ABA have told Reuters that they had met with officials from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last week to call for reduced volumes of blending of biofuels.

The EPA is the agency responsible for supervising and mandating the so-called Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), under which oil refiners are required to blend growing amounts of renewable fuels into gasoline and diesel.

The baking industry, however, is concerned that the rising mandates for biofuel blending, and the Biden Administrations ambitions to continue raising those mandates, will weigh on the agricultural commodities at a time when those commodities have seen prices soar in recent months.

We are trying to ring the alarm without being alarmists, ABAs President and CEO Robb MacKie told Reuters.

Amid soaring agricultural commodity prices and a tight global market, the associations members are hearing that soy oil and canola oil suppliers could run out of stock by the end of this year, also because of rising demand from the biofuel industry, MacKie told Reuters.

ABA focuses on government policy and is communicating the industrys needs to federal agencies, such as by providing input to USDA as it explores supply chain security issues, senior ABA officials said in a podcast in June.

ABA and the baking community also have an opportunity to provide comments to the Environmental Protection Agency, which is responsible for the Renewable Fuel Program that focuses on annual quotas of biodiesel and other renewable fuels. EPAs decisions need to take into account factors such as price and supply of agricultural commodities and food prices, said Rasma Zvaners, ABAs Vice President of Regulatory and Technical Services.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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A tanker carrying bitumen has been hijacked in the Gulf of Oman and has been ordered to sail to Iran, the BBC reported, citing information from Lloyds List Maritime Intelligence.

An earlier report by The Independent said that the Royal Navy's UK Maritime Trade Operations had reported that a tanker had been hijacked off the coast of Fujairah in the UAE, saying that soldiers stormed the Panama-flagged Asphalt Princess.

The BBC notes in its report that, according to analysts, Iran's military will be the primary suspect. Iran, for its part, has dismissed the hijacking reports as a pretext for "hostile action."

An earlier report by the AP said that four tankers in the Gulf of Oman had reported they were "not under command," which means a vessel has lost power. Later, according to the report, one of these tankers began moving again.

TankerTrackers.com co-founder Samir Madani tweeted that the headlines were getting out of hand. "There are actually 15 vessels right now in the Gulf of Oman that have changed their AIS status to 'Not Under Command' because that's normal there," he wrote, adding, "[This] Doesn't mean they suddenly updated it to that. There are those that did it days and weeks ago."

A CNBC report, on the other hand, said that the status of four tankers remained unclear.

Iran called these reports suspicious, according to the BBC, and warned against attempts to "create a false atmosphere."

The reports of a hijacking come just days after another tanker, the Mercer Street, was attacked with drones off the Omani coast. Israel, the UK, and the United States were quick to blame Iran for the attack. The UK and U.S. also said they were preparing a concerted response to the attack.

Iran has responded to the accusations by saying it would deliver a "strong and crushing" military response to any hostile move against it.

These latest geopolitical developments put an even bigger question mark over the Iran nuclear deal and the consequent lifting of sanctions that are preventing Iran from selling as much oil internationally as it could.

"It is alarming given the fact we had two fatalities on Friday," CNBC quoted RBC commodity head Helima Croft as saying. "You have to put it in the context of Iran continuing to make progress on the nuclear restart against the backdrop of a new hard-line government coming to power in Tehran. It raises the risk of unintended escalation, or one side not appreciating the other's red lines."

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Spains Repsol is willing to resume oil exploration activities in Libya in light of the improved security situation in the African OPEC member, Libyas National Oil Corporation (NOC) said on Wednesday after a meeting between Repsol representatives and NOC chairman Mustafa Sanalla in Tripoli.

Repsol is a joint venture partner in the company Akakus Oilalong with NOC, Frances TotalEnergies, Norways Equinor, and Austrias OMVwhich operates the largest oilfield in Libya, Sharara, with a capacity to pump more than 300,000 barrels per day (bpd).

Repsol, which started oil exploration activities in Libya in the 1970s, suspended exploration of oil blocks in 2011 during the uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi.

Repsol and NOC discussed at the meeting this week the need to carry out regular maintenance work on the surface equipment at the Sharara oilfield, which has stopped operations too many times in recent years because of port or oilfield blockades.

The possible return of Repsol to Libyas upstream could be another oil major resuming operations in the country.

Earlier this week, Libya Herald reported, citing NOC, that Shell is considering resuming operations in Libya by contributing to oilfield developments and increasing marketing and refining activities.

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.

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 Sharara.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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A shortage of tanker truck drivers has caused fuel delivery disruptions at airports from Nantucket to California.

The Federal Aviation Administration issued a "Notice to Airmen" warning that some airports would not have enough jet fuel through Monday.

Flights were delayed at California's Santa Barbara airport, and some departing planes were forced to add stops for refueling last weekend. Meanwhile, the airport in Nantucket, Massachusetts, ran out of jet-A-grade fuel over the weekend.

Those problems followed a similar situation last week at the airport serving Reno, Nevada, and Lake Tahoe. - Bloomberg

These problems are strictly labor challenges and not supply issues with jet fuel in U.S. inventory. As early as May, we noted semi-truck driver shortages may spark fuel shortages by summer.

"We've seen unprecedented demand for Jet-A on the island, both in our corporate general aviation and our commercial air carrier traffic," Nantucket's assistant airport manager Noah Karberg told Bloomberg.

"I expect we're going to have ongoing issues for Sundays throughout the rest of the summer," he said.

The hiccups with deliveries are supply-chain oriented and come as travel demand is surging again. TSLA checkpoint travel numbers show air travel over the weekend is nearing full recovery from pandemic lows.

Delivery delays are having a meaningful impact on prices. Los Angeles jet fuel prices spiked last week.

Some domestic flights have had to make additional stops to refuel due to a lack of jet fuel at certain airports.

"We continue to closely monitor the situation and make arrangements to minimize any disruptions for our customers," United Airlines Holdings Inc. said in a statement.

At the tiny airport in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, fuel deliveries were delayed. There were also reports of delays at the Santa Barbara airport.

Americans are increasingly getting out of the house and traveling after a year of being cooped up inside. They're traveling on planes to resort destinations, and this has severely caught the travel industry off guard and unprepared to handle the surge in traffic.

By Zerohedge.com

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Whats more, the highest proportion within the pediatric cases is among children ages 5 to 9.

According to the Douglas County COVID dashboard, 77 cases of COVID were reported among 5- to 9-year-olds in the week ending July 31, up from 16 the week before. The number of reported cases among all youths up to 18 years old rose from 69 to 157 over those same two weeks.

As you can imagine, that creates some concern when we are about to put kids back into a congregate setting, Huse said. Something that I just want to make sure that everyone is fully aware of, especially in light of recommendations that came out last week from various organizations. ... Our elementary kids are the ones who are being impacted most frequently and are of course the ones who havent had the chance to be vaccinated because theyre not eligible yet.

County Board Member Jim Cavanaugh asked Huse if she had recommended to Omaha Public Schools officials that they not require children to wear masks.

She replied: The recommendation to all school districts was to follow CDC, AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) recommendations and they were all given the exact same recommendations, which are that everyone right now should be in masks.
A Douglas County judge on Wednesday ordered a 22-year-old man to be held without bail after the man was charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of an Omaha woman.

SirTommy Sutton of Omaha also has been charged with two counts of use of a firearm to commit a felony and unlawful discharge of a firearm. He is accused of fatally shooting Jennifer J. Hickman, 45, and wounding Jermaine Watkins, 41, early Sunday near 43rd and Ohio Streets.

Hickman was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. Watkins was treated for his injuries at Creighton University Medical Center-Bergan Mercy.

According to an affidavit filed by an Omaha police detective, officers were called to 43rd and Ohio about 1:15 a.m. Sunday to investigate a notice from ShotSpotter, a gunshot detection system. They found Hickman in a vehicle, suffering from a gunshot wound.

Detectives determined that Sutton had fired at a passing vehicle that Hickman and Watkins were in. Sutton was taken to Omaha Police Department headquarters for an interview and later was booked into the Douglas County Jail.
With the start of the school year just around the corner, one school district in the Omaha metro area has announced that masks will be required for its youngest students  who are not yet eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine.

Westside Community Schools Superintendent Mike Lucas said Monday that his district will require masks for all elementary students, along with staff and anyone visiting elementary buildings. He announced the changes at the district's school board meeting.

In a letter to families on Monday night, Lucas said families of students younger than 12 do not yet have the choice whether to get their kids the COVID-19 vaccine.

Children under 12 are not eligible for vaccines, but medical initiatives are underway nationally to provide the vaccine to younger children.

Westside secondary students and staff will have the choice whether to wear masks because they are eligible to receive the vaccine.

Lucas said that the plan is a starting point and that the district will reevaluate it by Sept. 17, and possibly sooner if conditions warrant it. The Westside school year starts Aug. 17.

Gov. Pete Ricketts has said schools should convene in person without mask or vaccine requirements.
A skin graft to help an injured bald eagle heal went well four years ago today.

The bird was found with a scab-like mark on his head in May 2017 near Syracuse, Nebraska, and was taken to Fontenelle's Forest's rehabilitation center near Elmwood.

The skin graft was done at the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, and Dr. Coleen Stice and zoo veterinarian Dr. Trenton Shrader spoke at a press conference afterward.

"Everything went very smoothly," said Stice, an Omaha plastic surgeon and a member of the team that performed the surgery.

In July, Stice had determined that the bird had suffered an electrical burn, possibly caused by a power line, that destroyed the tissue and feathers on the top of his head, leaving only one thin layer of bone covering the eagle's brain.

During the procedure, feathered skin was removed from the eagle's inner leg and attached to his head. The skin graft was an essential step for the bird to be released into the wild. Without feathers, the bird would suffer dangerous sunburn.

The zoo continued to care for the eagle after the surgery. The feathers on the top of the birds head, which were both brown and white, continued to grow.
We thought that kids could benefit from a boost like this at the start of the school year, he said.

There isnt a universal kit sent to each child. Each kit is reflective of the age, gender and ethnic makeup of the recipient, so we can be as cultural culturally sensitive as possible, Wallen said.

Funding for the kit supplies have come from all across the community who have an interest in supporting our kids and who want to see the success of kids in school, Wallen said. This includes presenting sponsor United Way of the Midlands-Women United, and community sponsors Bakers, Veridian Credit Union, Mid-America Center, Medica, Heritage Health, Nebraska Total Care, Bridges Trust and Werner Enterprises.

With about 250 volunteers, kit assembly began Wednesday and will continue Thursday at the Mid-American Center in Council Bluffs.

Omahan Alexandra Stewart, 27, was at the Mid-America Center Wednesday helping set up hygiene products for the kits.

When I was a kid, we went to the food pantry and we used public programming all the time. Im not ashamed of that, she said. Thats why I think its so important that stuff like this is happening.
After a record-breaking storm rolled through eastern Nebraska last month, Susan Ochoa of Bellevue was among the many who lost power for nearly a week, she said. Without power, she also lost the food in her refrigerator and freezer.

An extended outage that spoils food is inconvenient in any circumstance. But it presents a particularly dire situation for Ochoa and others like her who rely on monthly nutrition assistance benefits.

Ochoa told The World-Herald she had used last months Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, formerly known as food stamps, before the storm hit. She submitted paperwork within days, requesting replacement benefits via the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, she said, but still hadnt received them as of Wednesday.

Regular SNAP benefits are issued at the beginning of each calendar month on the first through the fifth, according to a DHHS spokesperson, based on the last digit of the head of households Social Security number.

Ochoa has received dry goods through the local food pantry, she said, but her diabetes makes the need for replacement benefits all the more urgent.
For Catholics, love entails protecting rights by fulfilling responsibilities. Rooted in Matthew 25, Catholicism recognizes a special duty to those whose rights are most vulnerable to violations.

Since persons are sacred and social, the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church describes rights and duties as indissolubly linked and denounces the contradiction inherent in affirming rights without acknowledging corresponding responsibilities. As Saint John XXIII asserted, To claim ones rights and ignore ones duties, or only half fulfill them, is like building a house with one hand and tearing it down with the other.

Catholicism does not declare, Dont Tread on Me but calls for solidarity which Saint John Paul II defined as a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good; that is to say, to the good of all and of each individual, because we are all really responsible for all. Catholicism does not support mask opposition that absolutizes ones nonessential right to freedom of expression and rejects duties to protect others essential rights to life and health.
We dont need speed bumps, narrower lanes and wider sidewalks. We need people who use common sense and what they were taught in kindergarten  to look both ways before crossing the street, cross at the corner/light or crosswalk. Pedestrians may have the right-of-way but that does not mean they can just dart out into the street wherever they want. This is getting ridiculous.

Susan Peters, Omaha

Gray is worthy

I am very disappointed that the Omaha City Council failed to put former city councilman Ben Gray on the board of the Omaha Municipal Land Bank.

The appointment to the land bank was not to lord over Councilwoman Juanita Johnson, who defeated Gray in May as he sought reelection. Mayor Stothert certainly wanted Gray on the board due to his expertise.

We do not live in the black district; we live in District 2, which is much more racially diverse than some other districts. We live 89 feet away from Mr. Gray. From casual observation, our neighborhood is about 50/50, black and white.
Mr Alan Kyerematen, the Minister of Trade and Industry, has reiterated that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), will provide a unique platform to guide Africas post-COVID-19 economic recovery effort.



Mr Kyerematen said this in his address at the maiden AfCFTA - Angola Business Investment Forum in Accra.



The event forms part of activities marking the three-day official visit of President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco of Angola to Ghana.



The aim of the forum was to further expand bilateral business relations through the promotion of two-way investment and mutually complementary partnerships in the relations between the two countries.



The forum was expected to drive networking for investment opportunities to boost trade and to discuss concrete solutions to attract investment, improve value addition and increase exports between Angola and Ghana.



The Minister said under the framework of AfCFTA, Ghana and Angola had a lot to gain from working together in fields such as agriculture, fisheries, livestock, industry, oil and gas, the petrochemical industry, value addition to their mineral resources, development of energy resources particularly renewable energy and the FinTech industry.



"In this regard, it is worth noting that the AfCFTA Protocol on services covering five priority sectors namely; transport, communication, financial services, tourism, and business services, which have been negotiated as part of the Phase One the AfCFTA Negotiations, had the potential of creating a robust ecosystem for supporting the productive sectors of African countries."



Mr Kyerematen noted that Ghana and Angola were the second and third largest producers of cassava in the world, with Nigeria being the first.



He said Ghana and Angola had enjoyed deep fraternal relations for many decades based on shared values, mutual respect, and a common heritage as Africans.



He noted that these fraternal relations had been strengthened even further with high level official visits between the two countries; saying, "exactly two years ago, the President of Ghana paid an official visit to Angola and this week, we have the privilege of hosting the President of Angola".



He acknowledged the support received from the Government of Angola for Ghanas bid to host the AfCFTA Secretariat.



"It is no longer a matter of international public debate that Africa is rising. Yes, Africa is indeed rising because of the commitment and dedication of a new generation of African leaders who are leading the Africa Renaissance, and this includes President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo and President Goncalves Lourenco," Mr Kyerematen said.



"It is the zeal and determination of our leaders, which has led to the historic decision to establish the AfCFTA, the largest trading bloc outside the World Trade Organization."

Source: GNA









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The University of Ghana has been slapped by United States Federal Court with $165 million judgement debt for wrongly terminating the Africa Integras Contract in 2018.



This was after Global insurer Chubb Ltd. asked a New York federal judge to confirm a $165 million arbitration award against the University after it defaulted on a flagship development partnership backed by the U.S. government.



According to the petition filed in the Southern District of New York, W.P Carey investment trust won the award in 2018 after the University of Ghana terminated an agreement to construct and maintain four new facilities and a dormitory on its campus.



The award reflects the value of rent income that the new campus facilities would have generated, Chubb told the court.

SEC reports show that the $64 million partnership was signed in 2016, with a mortgage financing agreement from the U.S. State Departments Overseas Private Investment Corp. (now Development Finance Corp.) of up to $41 million. The project was insured with a Chubb corporate country risk policy. According to a public information summary filed with OPIC, the project would help meet a demand for higher education in Africa. University press releases said the expansion would help attract and accommodate Ph.D. students, transforming the school into a first-class research institution.

But UG was unable to procure a contractually required letter of credit, according to the Chubb petition, and moved to terminate the contract, triggering arbitration in 2018. The W.P. Carey trust settled with Chubb for $45.6 million later the same year  $10 million more than what it spent on the project  transferring its right to collect tenant default damages, according to company financial records.



While Chubbs petition stated that the agreement was terminated because of the universitys failure to procure a letter of credit, the deal appeared to go sour earlier, when a new vice chancellor took office and openly voiced his opposition to the contract in a series of inflammatory letters and statements to the press. According to W.P Careys partner Africa Integras, the companies had already poured tens of millions of dollars into the expansion, and the project was only a year away from construction completion.



Andrea Pizziconi, founder and managing principal, told Law360 that new chancellor Ebenezer Owusu was actually offered several options to obtain the letter of credit. However, against the strong advice of his own advisers, Owusu refused to proceed with any of the options presented to him. Pizziconi noted that his actions seemed personally motivated as even the Ghanaian government, at times, attempted to intervene to avoid the disastrous termination of the project that ensued.



In a 2019 press release, the university denied being subject to any arbitration award. Meanwhile, Owusu personally attacked his predecessor and Pizziconi in the press.



The project would have expanded the university facilities by 60%, Pizziconi said. As it stands today, I estimate that at least 20,000 additional Ghanaian students were prevented from enrolling at UG because those facilities were not finished, she said.

The financial default also cast a chill over development projects across the region, since UG was a flagship project for education public-private-partnerships in Africa generally, Pizziconi added. This impact exacerbated the losses felt across the continent with so many universities keen to access private finance to address their own infrastructure constraints.



Now, to make matters worse, if this claim is not paid, the entire insurance industry will become more reticent to insure key infrastructure projects in Ghana, which will impact the countrys entire development agenda, she continued. Also, with an unpaid insurance claim, the U.S. governments Development Finance Corp. will struggle to proceed in financing other projects in Ghana that require government commitments, which could cost Ghana billions in development financing.



The University of Ghana did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Counsel for Chubb declined to comment.

According to Chubbs petition Thursday, the court has no basis to refuse confirmation of the award, which falls under the New York Convention.



Chubb is represented by Kurt W. Hansson, Joshua M. Bennett and Jonathon C. Drimmer of Paul Hastings LLC.

Counsel information for the University of Ghana was not immediately available. The case is Ace American Insurance Company v. University of Ghana, case number 1:21-cv-06472, in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.







Source: 3news.com









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The one-time national chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and campaign manager for Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addos successful bids for the presidency in the 2016 and 2020 elections, Peter Mac Manu, has been appointed the board chairman of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).



Mac Manu is expected to take over the role from Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, who served as the COCOBOD chairman during President Akufo-Addos first term in office.



The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Owusu Afriyie Akoto, is expected to swear in the new COCOBOD board of directors by Friday 6 August 2021.



Ghana Cocoa Board

The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) was established by ordinance in 1947 with the sum of 27 million (being Ghanas share of the net profit from the West African Produce Control Board) as its initial working capital.



The organisation traces its beginnings further back to the cocoa hold-up of 1937, sparked by a farmer-organised boycott.



The boards mission is to encourage and facilitate the production, processing and marketing of good-quality cocoa, coffee and shea nut in all forms, in the most efficient and cost-effective manner.



Drive and functions

COCOBOD has many objectives and functions. Among them are to initiate programmes aimed at controlling pests and diseases of cocoa, coffee and shea nut; to undertake and encourage the processing of cocoa, coffee, shea nut and cocoa waste with the aim of adding value for export and local consumption; and to undertake, promote and encourage scientific research aimed at improving the quality of cocoa, coffee, shea nut and other tropical crops.



The organisation also regulates the internal marketing of cocoa, coffee and shea nut.



COCOBOD further seeks to secure the most favourable arrangements for the purchase, grading, sealing, certification, sale and export of cocoa, coffee and shea nut, as well as the purchase, market and export cocoa and cocoa products produced in Ghana.



Such produce is graded for export under the Cocoa Industry (Regulations) (Consolidation) Decree 1968 (NLCD 278), or any other enactment as suitable.



Chairmans role

As the newly appointed board chairman, Peter Mac Manu will be expected to work closely with the COCOBOD management, led by its chief executive officer, Joseph Boahen Aidoo.



His primary task will be to assist in the development of the cocoa, coffee and shea nut industries in Ghana.



Profile

Peter Mac Manu served as the national chairman of the New Patriotic Party from December 2005 to February 2010. He was made manager for the successful campaigns by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party towards the presidential and parliamentary elections of 2016 and 2020.



Mac Manu has a Bachelors degree in business administration from the School of Administration of the University of Ghana. He later worked as a businessman and entrepreneur, founding and managing many companies.



Before being elected national chairman of the party, Mac Manu served as the chairman of the NPP in the Western Region.





Source: asaaseradio.com









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WASHINGTON  Case counts are mounting in Texas and Florida, the two states where one-third of all infections nationwide were recorded last week. But the Republican leaders there have strenuously resisted public health advice, pushing back against mask mandates and vaccination requirements. That has led to mounting frustration within the White House with Ron DeSantis, the Florida governor, and Greg Abbott, the governor of Texas.

On Tuesday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the White House had offered help to both governors. She described the talks with Austin and Tallahassee as ongoing, suggesting that the offer from Washington had not yet been accepted. The standstill has plainly exasperated the White House, which wants to see the spike in the Delta variant subside. That will be impossible without curbing its spread across the Southeast.

If you aren't going to help, if you aren't going to abide by public health guidance, then get out of the way and let people do the right thing, Psaki said on Tuesday in response to a question from Yahoo News about DeSantis and Abbott in particular.

Asked to clarify what she meant by having the two governors get out of the way, Psaki elaborated, That means don't ban, don't make it harder for people to put requirements on masks  or asking for vaccination status  into law.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki at a press briefing on Tuesday. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)

Psaki had also addressed the worsening situation in Florida and Texas on Monday, alluding to the political ambitions of both governors, who are widely believed to harbor presidential aspirations. Leaders are going to have to choose whether theyre going to follow public health guidelines or theyre going to follow politics, she said.

The DeSantis administration quickly punched back. By dismissively ignoring Gov. DeSantis efforts to protect vulnerable Floridians, Psaki is the one playing politics with the pandemic, his communications director, Christina Pushaw, told Fox News on Monday.

Story continues

Abbott has denounced what he described as draconian controls related to the pandemic, arguing that undocumented migrants at the border with Mexico presented a greater problem than the spread of the Delta variant.

The friction between the White House and the two governors is not unlike what took place during the Trump administration, when President Donald Trump frequently fought with Democratic governors like Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan and Andrew Cuomo of New York.

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The difference today is that the end of the pandemic appeared to be at hand only weeks ago: President Biden went so far as to declare independence from the coronavirus during the Fourth of July holiday. No independence, however, can be possible without widespread vaccination, which the United States has not yet achieved. Last week, the European Union overtook the U.S. in vaccinations after lagging behind for the first half of 2021.

Since the arrival of Delta in the United States late in the spring, some Republican governors, such as Alabamas Kay Ivey, Jim Justice of West Virginia and Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas, have forcefully spoken about the need for people to get vaccinated. DeSantis and Abbott appear to be following a more ideological approach, one that dismisses new restrictions as unnecessary and oppressive.

On Tuesday, DeSantis said it was wrong to blame the unvaccinated, as Ivey has done. Closely echoing one of Trumps favorite complaints, he chided the media for being judgmental.

To be sure, the Delta spike will not be nearly as severe as previous surges of the coronavirus, most experts agree. On Monday the White House announced that 70 percent of American adults are now vaccinated. Biden had hoped to reach that goal by Independence Day.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The White House has shown frustration with some reporting about the Delta variant, with one of Psakis deputies taking to Twitter to lambaste the Washington Post and the New York Times for their allegedly hyperbolic reporting on a recent Delta cluster in Provincetown, Mass. Although an epidemiological investigation of that cluster made clear that Delta is more transmissible than previous strains of the coronavirus, the vaccines are highly effective in preventing infection in the first place.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended renewed masking, including for vaccinated people, after studying the Provincetown outbreak. After the small vacation town  which swells with revelers in the summer months  reimposed a mask mandate of its own, infection rates there plummeted. Masks compensate for the vaccines lower efficacy in keeping down Deltas transmission rate.

Parts of the Northeast and Pacific West rushed to reimpose mask mandates of their own, even though populations there  as in Provincetown  are highly vaccinated and therefore protected to begin with.

The situation is reversed in Florida, Texas and their neighbors, where vaccination rates are low and resistance to masking is high. There, and in other Republican enclaves, the notion of masking up again was met with strong resistance and vows of defiance. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, a centrist Democrat, announced Monday that his state would be reimposing a mask mandate, providing a potential test case for stricter measures in the region.

A pop-up COVID-19 testing location in Miami on July 26. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

DeSantis, in particular, has willingly assumed the role of White House foe, a role he appears to believe could help him politically, should he seek the presidency in 2024. He spent much of the spring and early summer celebrating his record in handling the pandemic. Critics say that record is exaggerated and inaccurate.

In recent days, DeSantis has fought the imposition of new mask mandates, including in schools. Before that, he fought the cruise industry in court for trying to impose vaccine mandates in Florida ports.

The frustration with Abbott and DeSantis is surely informed by the fact that both men appear as if they would like the office currently occupied by Biden. They have little political incentive to follow his administrations guidelines, as the Republican base would almost certainly penalize them for doing so.

A reporter asked Psaki on Tuesday if the president had spoken to DeSantis about Floridas spike. "If we thought it would make a difference, she answered, I'm sure he would.

____

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Close up of a tropical house gecko in Florida. Credit: Matt edmonds / CC BY-SA 3.0

A team of researchers from Villanova University, the Thackeray Wildlife Foundation and Museu de Historia Natural e da Ciencia da Universidade do Porto has found evidence that the African house gecko made its way to the New World by riding aboard slave trading ships hundreds of years ago. In their paper published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, the group describes their DNA analysis of gecko specimens from around the world.

In the 1960s, two research teams published papers suggesting that the African house gecko, now considered to be an invasive species, made its way to the Americas hundreds of years ago by riding ships involved in the slave trade across the Atlantic Ocean. As its name suggests, the African house gecko is native to Africa, having originated in Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Today, the gecko is found all around the globe.

In this new effort, the researchers wondered how the African house gecko managed to spread so far and wide. To find out, they studied both its DNA and its ability to survive in different environments.

To learn more about its DNA, the team tested samples from museums around the world. In all, 186 of the geckos underwent genetic analysis and the researchers discovered approximately 20 interrelated species. But only one of those lineages managed to make its way to the Americas and to flourishHemidactylus mabouia. The researchers also found that the species in the Americas had undergone few genetic changes, suggesting it had not lived there for very long, perhaps just a few centuries.

The researchers also noted that H. mabouia has a characteristic that makes it better able to adjust to living in varied conditions. It inhabits wide open spaces, including human-populated areas, rather than forest or bush. It has also been found to hunt in artificial lighting conditions, which tend to attract the kinds of bugs the geckos eat.

Given the confluence of the data, the researchers suggest it that H. mabouia likely made its way to the Americas via the slave tradea time when there were significant numbers of boats traveling between Africa and North and South America.

Explore further How does gecko tape work?

More information: Ishan Agarwal et al, How the African house gecko ( Hemidactylus mabouia ) conquered the world, Royal Society Open Science (2021). Journal information: Royal Society Open Science Ishan Agarwal et al, How the African house gecko ( Hemidactylus mabouia ) conquered the world,(2021). DOI: 10.1098/rsos.210749

 2021 Science X Network
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Democracy in ancient Athens looked quite different from democracies today. Instead of elections, most officesincluding those in the legislature, governing councils, and magistrateswere filled by citizen volunteers, selected by random lottery. These citizens' assemblies drafted, debated, and passed laws; made major foreign policy decisions; and controlled military budgets.

Today, citizens' assemblies are making a comeback. In 2019 and 2020, citizens' assemblies in France and the UK convened to draft measures to address climate change. Citizens' assemblies in Ireland have led to changes to the Irish constitution which legalized abortion and same-sex marriage.

One of the biggest challenges in organizing these assembliesboth in ancient times and todayis deciding who should serve. The assembly needs to be representative of the population as a whole. But selection should be randomideally, with all volunteers having an equal chance of being chosen.

To balance those two goals, the ancient Athenians used a rudimentary machine called a kleroterion, which randomly selected panels of volunteers from different tribes. Now, a team of computer scientists has devised a 21st century solution.

Now, a team of computer scientists from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) and Carnegie Mellon University, in collaboration with a practitioner from and the Sortition Foundation, have designed an assembly selection process that satisfies representation and fairness simultaneously.

This paper was published in Nature.

"Ideally, a citizens' assembly acts as a microcosm of society," said Ariel Procaccia, Gordon McKay Professor of Computer Science at SEAS and co-author of the study. "Whether this goal is realized in practice, however, depends on exactly how assembly members are chosen."

"First, we need to ask how do we even think about fairness in the context of panel selection, and then how do we formalize it in a way that means that everyone gets a fair chance," said Bailey Flanigan, a graduate student at Carnegie Mellon University and co-author of the study."

The research team examined a typical two-stage assembly selection process. In the first stage, thousands of randomly selected people are invited to participate. The final assembly is chosen from the pool of volunteers using a selection algorithm. However, the pool of volunteers tends to be unrepresentative of the population as a whole because certain groups, such as those with more education, are more likely to volunteer.

"Giving all volunteers exactly equal probabilities is generally impossible to do while also satisfying demographic quotas," said Paul Golz, a graduate student at Carnegie Mellon and co-author of the paper. "Our selection algorithm finds a panel that satisfies quotas while giving potential participants as equal a chance as possible of being selected."

It does this by computing a distribution over many panels, all of which satisfy the quota requirements, and then randomly drawing a panel from this distribution. A distribution of panels is then chosen in a way that the minimum probability of any volunteer appearing on the panel is as high as mathematically possible.

This open-source algorithm has already been used to select more than 40 citizens' assemblies around the world, by organizations in countries including Denmark, Germany, the U.S., Belgium, and the UK. Procaccia, along with his co-authors and Gili Rusak of Stanford University, developed a website called Panelot.org, which makes their selection algorithm available free of charge.

Going forward, the researchers will continue working with practitioners to learn from their experience about how these new selection algorithms can be made even more useful.

"We are excited to explore new ways in which math and computer science can contribute to the practice of democracy," said Procaccia.

Explore further Why we need a global citizens' assembly on gene editing

More information: Flanigan, B. et al, Fair algorithms for selecting citizens' assemblies, Nature (2021). Journal information: Nature Flanigan, B. et al, Fair algorithms for selecting citizens' assemblies,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03788-6
Signs of concrete damage are evident under this bridge, and thousands of other bridges in the United States are in need of significant maintenance, rehabilitation or replacement, according to the Federal Highway Administration. Credit: University of Delaware

It's a most unlikely habitat and really has no creature comforts to recommend it. But University of Delaware researcher Julie Maresca and students in her lab are studying concrete and the life that stubbornly persists within.

Yes, life happens in concrete, despite its hard, dry, salty environment and despite the typical pH of about 12.5, which makes it about as inviting as moving into a bottle of bleach or oven cleaner.

Some hard-core bacteriafor example, Psychrobacter, which are found in Antarctic ice, among other challenging placesjust won't take "no" for an answer.

And because concrete is ubiquitousthe most common building material in the worldanyone concerned with the health of buildings, roads, bridges and other concrete structures should take note of these microbial masses.

In a new study published by the American Society for Microbiology, Maresca, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, and her students demonstrate that even in a harsh concrete habitat, bacterial communities can survive, thrive and do what all living things dochange. Such change can have important implications for the degradation and potential repair of concrete structures.

Researchers have long known that microbes and concrete have a love-hate relationship. But their study has been mostly of surface bacteria, the sort that is introduced to concrete after it has been poured.

Maresca's studies have gone beyond the surface to study the bacteria within, the microbes that either hitched a ride on the gravel and sand included in the concrete mix or seeped in through cracks. Her lab's previous research had shown that small numbers of bacteria were there and their DNA could be extracted.

Credit: University of Delaware

Now she and her students have shown how time and weather affect bacterial communities living in concrete.

Among the team's findings:

The diversity of bacteria declined over time, but some had seasonal bounces.

Bacterial communities within concrete could provide early warning of alkali-silica reactions that degrade concrete but are difficult to detect. Typically, these reactions are only recognized when cracks are forming in the concrete.

Bacteria have the potential to provide "biorepair" of concrete, but which kinds are up to the task? Some produce calcium carbonate, a substance that can fill in cracks and pores in concrete. Previous research on this process shows that many bacteria capable of biorepair can only survive in concrete for a month or two.

"There is not a lot of life in concrete," Maresca said. "It has a very low biomass."

But what if we knew which kind of bacteria survive and thrive there and which could be recruited in the effort to improve the world's infrastructure?

The need for new approaches to concrete maintenance and repair is clear.

In a 2020 report, the Federal Highway Administration listed the condition of more than 45,000 of the nation's 618,456 bridges as "poor." These bridges are considered structurally deficient, which is defined as "needing significant maintenance attention, rehabilitation or replacement."

University of Delaware microbiologist Julie Maresca holds one of the concrete cylinders she and her students have used to study bacterial communities that live in concrete. Credit: University of Delaware

The condition of other concrete structures also has been of great concern, especially since the devastating partial collapse of a beachfront condominium near Miami, Florida, on June 24, a disaster that claimed 98 lives. Though the cause has not yet been determined, inspectors three years earlier had identified damaged concrete as a significant structural problem that needed attention.

No one is saying (yet) that bacteria will help to address such problems. They mightsomedaybut much more research is needed.

To study these concrete-based bacterial communities, Maresca's students poured concrete samples into 40 cylinders, each about the size of a one-liter bottle. Two kinds of mixes were used. Some cylinders included only standard concrete mixes, prone to degradation from alkali-silica reactions. Some used mixes with fly ash to reduce such reactions. Control samples were made with sterilized glass beads, allowing researchers to see how much contaminating DNA was introduced in the lab.

The cylinders were placed on the roof of UD's Spencer Lab. DNA samples were collected about every six weeks over a two-year period. Then the DNA was sequenced and analyzed.

Maresca, a microbiologist who studies bacteria in natural and engineered environments, did not have concrete on her list of potential natural environments to study when she joined the UD faculty in 2011.

But almost as soon as she arrived, another new faculty memberThomas Schumacher, a civil engineer now at Portland Stateshowed up in her office. He studied bridges and was aware of biorepair experiments with bacteria. They should collaborate, he told her.

He sent some papers and she got to wondering, which is how so much research begins.

Forty concrete cylinders were placed on the roof of the University of Delawares Spencer Lab to see how time and temperature changes would affect the bacterial communities within them. DNA samples were taken periodically and those samples were then sequenced and analyzed. Credit: University of Delaware

"There was really nothing at all known about microbes in concrete," she said. "It's the most commonly used building material in the world, but we just don't know anything about what lives in there. It's in wet environments, sewer systems, bridge pilings and we know that microbes on surfaces can degrade it. But what's in there and does it do anything? Can it tell us anything?"

Why, yes. It can.

To get useful information, though, researchers must screen out extraneous data from contaminants and be sure the bacteria analyzed were those associated with the concrete. That included detecting and excluding contaminants.

"DNA can come from a lot of different places," said Anders Kiledal, a doctoral student in Maresca's lab and the first author on the paper. "Animals, people and the environment can introduce certain types of contaminants, but there is also contamination from the actual reagents you are using. We're trying to get samples as pure as possible."

No one sterilizes the raw materials of concrete, of coursenot the sand, gravel or creek water they may have passed through.

"Each has its own microbiome," Maresca said. "Most bacteria in concrete are coming in with the large aggregates and the cement powder."

How bacteria survive in such inhospitable areas is a question of keen interest.

Students took DNA samples from concrete cylinders that had been exposed to the elements over a two-year period. Credit: University of Delaware

"What are they eating?" Maresca said. "It's possible they're eating the dead bodies of other microbes. If there's nothing to eat, some of them can form spores or form a dormant cell type and do nothing until it rains, then eat as much as they can and go dormant again."

Studying these bacterial communities and their survival methods could give civil engineers and others critical information about the condition of many structures. Maresca said the goal is to identify which bacteria indicate a normal concrete environment and which show that the concrete is damaged in some way.

With that kind of early-warning system, transportation officials can prioritize repairs and replacements and shape their budgets accordingly.

"The earlier you can detect a problem, the more time you have to solve a problem before it becomes a real problem," she said. "And since we have all these roads and bridges at risk, we need a way to prioritize them. Which are in dire need and which aren't?"

Before diagnoses can be made, more work is needed to identify the correlation of specific kinds of bacteria and concrete damage, not because the bacteria are causing the damage, but because their presence indicates damage is happening.

"As far as we know, the microbes are not damaging the concrete," Maresca said. "Microbes are not eating the foundations. We're hoping to use them for information and potentially to help with repair."

Kiledal has worked with the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) and the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) to collect field samples. In the next phase of the study, Kiledal and Maresca are analyzing DNA extracted from bridges, roads and foundations in Delaware and New Jersey.

Chunks broken off of the concrete cylinders allowed for more analysis of internal conditions. Credit: University of Delaware

"Now our information is more complete," Maresca said. "We have field samples from roads and bridges and we have sequenced all of the DNA. Do these microbes survive in salty environments? Dry environments? What kind of carbon do they use?"

The work was supported with funding from the Delaware Department of Transportation and by the Delaware Environmental Institute.

There are many other potential frontiers for similar studiesstone monuments, desert soils, even the red rocks on Mars.

Explore further Tough microbe settlers in the concrete jungle

More information: E. Anders Kiledal et al, Bacterial Communities in Concrete Reflect Its Composite Nature and Change with Weathering, mSystems (2021). E. Anders Kiledal et al, Bacterial Communities in Concrete Reflect Its Composite Nature and Change with Weathering,(2021). DOI: 10.1128/mSystems.01153-20
Credit: Illus Man/Shutterstock

The world has become interconnected at a level we never before imagined possible. States, banking, communications, transport, tech and international development organizations have all embraced digital identification. The current conversation hinges on the need to speed up registrations to ensure that every person on this planet has their own digital ID.

We have not stumbled into this new age of digital data management unwittingly. International organizations such as the World Bank and the UN have actively encouraged states to provide citizens with proof of their legal existence in an effort to combat structural poverty, statelessness and social exclusion.

To achieve this, social policy has deliberately targeted poor and vulnerable populationsincluding indigenous and Afro-descended people and womento ensure they get an ID card to receive welfare payments. By aiming to include marginalized populations, they are targeting groups that historically have faced systematic exclusion and have been barred from formal recognition as citizens.

My research has revealed how states can weaponise internationally sponsored ID systems. The book that has come out of this workLegal Identity, Race and Belonging in the Dominican Republic: From Citizen to Foreignerhighlights how, in parallel with World Bank programs providing citizens with proof of their legal existence, the government introduced exclusionary mechanisms that systematically blocked black Haitian-descended populations from accessing and renewing their Dominican ID.

For years, people of Haitian ancestry born in the Dominican Republic have found themselves in a fierce battle to (re)obtain their ID. Officials claimed that for over 80 years they had erroneously provided people born to Haitian migrants with Dominican paperwork and now needed to rectify this mistake. These people say they are Dominican. They even have the paperwork to prove it. But the state doesn't agree.

These practices culminated in a landmark ruling in 2013 that stripped Haitian-descended people born in the country of their Dominican nationality, rendering them stateless. In response, a fight-back campaign called for the civil registry to provide all people of Haitian descent with their state-issued ID documents as Dominicans.

In a damning critique of global identification practices, my research has revealed how international organizations at the time "looked the other way" as the state began weeding out and then deliberately blocking Haitian-descended people from accessing their documentation.

Who was deemed eligible for inclusion in the civil registry (meaning Dominican citizens) and who was excluded as foreigners (the Haitian-descended) was considered a sovereign issue for the state to address. As a result, tens of thousands of people found themselves without documentation and subsequently excluded from essential healthcare services, welfare and education.

Closing the global identity gap

We are seeing similar cases of this kind of exclusion erupting around world. In June 2021, I organized a conference at the University of London called (Re)Imagining Belonging in Latin America and Beyond: Access to Citizenship, Digital Identity and Rights. In collaboration with the Netherlands-based Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion, the event explored the connections between identity and belonging, digital ID and citizenship rights.

It included a paper on the French citzens caught up in BUMIDOMknown as France's Windrush. We also heard about legal challenges brought by non-binary people in Peru, the experiences of non-domiciled Cubans rendered stateless, and the "anchor babies" debate over whether children born to undocumented migrants should be granted automatic access to US citizenship.

The event ended with an international roundtable that examined the use of digital ID registrations for discriminatory purposes in other parts of the world. This included discussions about vulnerable populations such as the people of Assam in India, the Rohingya in Myanmar and Somalis in Kenya.

Debates like these are only going to become more prevalent over the next 10 years: a homeless man who can no longer travel on public transport because the bus company only takes card, not cash payments; an elderly African American woman blocked from voting because she cannot provide a federal-issued ID; or a woman told she has to stop working because the system has flagged her up as an "illegal" immigrant.

For people who find themselves excluded from this new digital age, daily life isn't just difficult, it is almost impossible.

And while the need to speed up digital ID registrations is pressing, in this post-pandemic world we need to take a step back and reflect. Calls for digital COVID passports, biometric ID cards and data-sharing track-and-trace systems are facilitating the policing not only of people crossing borders but also, increasingly, of the populations living within them.

It is high time we had a serious discussion about the potential pitfalls of digital ID systems and their far-reaching, life-altering impact.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
The mayor of Milas said the staff had been evacuated from the power plant.

A thermal power plant on the Aegean Sea was evacuated on Wednesday as a deadly wildfire that has ravaged Turkey for the past week reached its outer edge.

An AFP team saw firefighters and police fleeing the plant near the hillside town of Milas, while orange flames lapped at the station's gate as night fell.

"The plant is now being completely emptied," the mayor of Milas, Muhammet Tokat tweeted.

Earlier, local officials said hydrogen tanks used to cool the station had been emptied and filled with water as a precaution.

Officials told AFP that the plant operates using coal and fuel oil. It was still believed to be hooked up to Turkey's energy grid when the fire reached its gates.

More than 180 wildfires have scorched huge swathes of forest and killed eight people since breaking out east of the Mediterranean vacation hotspot Antalya last Wednesday, then spreading west.

The European Union's satellite monitoring service said their "radiative power"a measure of the fires' intensity"has reached unprecedented values in the entire dataset, which goes back to 2003".

'No room for politics'

The fires' strength and scale have exposed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to days of criticism for what some observers say has been his sluggish response to the crisis.

Officials say the plant operates using coal and fuel oil.

Erdogan had just begun a live television interview about the fires as news broke about the evacuation of the plant.

He acknowledged that the efforts of firefighters to save the station were failing in the face of "tremendous wind" fanning the flames.

An AFP team confirmed that strong gusts of wind were spreading the flames, meaning flashpoints were reappearing in places where the fires had been put out only hours earlier.

Erdogan lashed out at Turkey's opposition leaders for trying to score political points by questioning his governments' readiness and response.

Other countries besides Turkey were having similar forest fire problems as a record heatwave grips Europe's southeast, he argued.

Turkey's neighbour Greece is also being ravaged by flames, which officials blame on a heatwave caused by climate change.

Residents are helping fire crews fight the wildfires.

"Forest fires are an international threat just like the Covid-19 pandemic," Erdogan said.

"Like elsewhere in the world, there has been a big increase in the forest fires in our country. There should be no room for politics here."

Rattled

The Turkish government appears to have been rattled by the scale and ferocity of the flames.

Its media watchdog on Tuesday warned broadcasters that they might be fined if they continue showing live footage of the blazes or air images of screaming people running for their lives.

Most rolling news channels were only showing sporadic reports about the unfolding disaster on Wednesday afternoon.

Erdogan himself has been subjected to days of ridicule on social media after he tossed bags of tea to crowds of people while touring one of the affected regions under heavy police escort.

The opposition has also accused the powerful Turkish leader of being too slow to accept offers of foreign assistanceincluding from regional rival Greeceand for having failed to properly maintain firefighting planes.

Strong winds had hampered efforts to bring the fire under control.

Flames soar close to a power Plant near Oren, in Turkey's Mugla holiday region.

'Be patient'

Erdogan's office blamed the very first blazes near Antalya on arsonists, which pro-government media linked to banned Kurdish militants waging a decades-long insurgency against the state.

But more and more public officials now link them to an extreme heatwave that has dried up reservoirs and created tinderbox conditions across much of Turkey's south.

Experts have warned that climate change in countries such as Turkey increases both the frequency and intensity of wildfires.

Turkey's Agriculture and Forestry Minister Bekir Pakdemirli said temperatures in the Aegean city of Marmaris reached an all-time record of 45.5 degrees Celsius (114 degrees Farenheit) this week.

"We are fighting a very serious war," the minister told reporters. "I urge everyone to be patient."

Explore further Deadly wildfire encircles Turkish power plant

 2021 AFP
Fig. 1. Examples of bird- and bat-mediated ecosystem services linked to human well-being. All services present opportunities for the development of more sustainable agricultural management. Credit: DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2021.06.010

Innovation arises through the transfer of research results into practice.

Valuable research results threaten to gather dust in university libraries if they are not put into practice. While transdisciplinary research seems to become increasingly important in sciences, funding programs and media, there are still many misunderstandings to be clarified. In their recently published article, ecologist Bea Maas from the University of Vienna and her international co-authors discuss the opportunities and challenges of this disciplinary integration. With numerous examples from bird and bat research, they show how different disciplines such as biology, psychology and technology can jointly contribute to and improve the sustainable development of agricultural landscapes.

The United Nations Global Goals set specific requirements for sustainable development, often at the crossroads of society, economy and the environment. Strong partnerships are highlighted as key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. "From research to practice is no different," explains Bea Maas, lead author of the recent perspectives article in Basic and Applied Ecology. She and her colleagues argue for more cross-disciplinary collaboration between different disciplines and stakeholders. Whether and how this collaboration can contribute to achieving sustainability goals depends, the authors say, on whether findings from other disciplines are merely taken into account or actually integrated.

"What seems obvious is often not easy to implement due to widespread misunderstandings and structural hurdles," Maas emphasizes. According to the authors, multi-, inter- and transdisciplinary research approaches are often confused or used as synonymseven though they are distinguished by the increasing degree of integration of different disciplines. In addition, they say, there is a lack of support for mediation between expert groups and respective decision-makers. "Increased funding and particularly expert guidance of more integrative, trans-disciplinary research has enormous potential to foster research and innovation in ecology and beyond," says co-author Carolina Campo-Ariza of the University of Gottingen.

Using the example of bird- and bat-mediated ecosystem services, the three authors illustrate the close links between society, the economy and the environment in sustainability development. "We know a lot more about how to use these opportunities than we actually implement," explains co-author Christopher Whelan of Chicago University. The authors discuss benefits of transdisciplinary work, such as increased data quality, innovation and productivity, as well as potential pitfalls of these approaches. "A stepwise approach is critical to the success of integrative collaboration," Maas explains. She and her colleagues use international examples from bird and bat research to describe how this can save costs and promote the implementation of research results. Maas concludes, "Many bird and bat species, as well as their economically valuable ecosystem services, could not have been protected in the first place without integrative approaches! This win-win way of thinking can take us a decisive step forward in sustainable development."

Explore further International survey shows different perceptions in science and practice

More information: Bea Maas et al, Cross-disciplinary approaches for better research: The case of birds and bats, Basic and Applied Ecology (2021). Bea Maas et al, Cross-disciplinary approaches for better research: The case of birds and bats,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2021.06.010
The projected status of emperor penguin colonies by 2100 and annual mean change of sea ice concentrations between the 20th and 21st centuries. Credit: Natalie Renier/WHOI, Jenouvrier et al. 2021

Emperor penguins thrive on Antarctica's coastlines in icy conditions any human would find extreme. Yet, like Goldilocks, they have a narrow comfort zone: If there's too much sea ice, trips to bring food from the ocean become long and arduous, and their chicks may starve. With too little sea ice, the chicks are at risk of drowning.

Climate change is now putting that delicate balance and potentially the entire species at risk.

In a new study, my colleagues and I show that if current global warming trends and government policies continue, Antarctica's sea ice will decline at a rate that would dramatically reduce emperor penguin numbers to the point that almost all colonies would become quasi-extinct by 2100, with little chance of recovering.

That's why the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to list the emperor penguin as "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act. The proposal will be published in the Federal Register on Aug. 4, 2021, starting a 60-day public comment period.

The greatest threat emperor penguins face is climate change. It will disrupt the sea ice cover they rely on unless governments adopt policies that reduce the greenhouse gases driving global warming.

The U.S. Endangered Species Act has been used before to protect other species that are primarily at risk from climate change, including the polar bear, ringed seal and several species of coral, which are all listed as threatened.

Emperor penguins don't live on U.S. territory, so some of the Endangered Species Act's measures meant to protect species' habitats and prevent hunting them don't directly apply. Being listed under the Endangered Species Act could still bring benefits, though. It could provide a way to reduce harm from U.S. fishing fleets that might operate in the region. And, with expected actions from the Biden administration, the listing could eventually pressure U.S. agencies to take actions to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

Marching toward extinction

I first saw an emperor penguin when I visited Pointe Geologie, Antarctica, during my Ph.D. studies. As soon as I set foot on the island, before our team unpacked our gear, my colleagues and I went to visit the emperor penguin colony located only a couple of hundred meters from the French research stationthe same colony featured in the movie "March of the Penguins."

Penguin curiosity meets a GoPro camera. Credit: C. Marciau/IPEV/CNRS

We sat far away to observe them through binoculars, but after 15 minutes, a few penguins approached us.

People think that they are awkward, almost comical, with their hobbling gait, but emperors walk with a peaceful and serene grace across the sea ice. I can still feel them tugging on my shoelaces, their eyes flickering with curiosity. I hope my children and future generations have a chance to meet these masters of the frozen world.

Researchers have studied the emperor penguins around Pointe Geologie, in Terre Adelie, since the 1960s. Those decades of data are now helping scientists gauge the effects of anthropogenic climate change on the penguins, their sea ice habitat and their food sources.

The penguins breed on fast ice, which is sea ice attached to land. But they hunt for food within the pack icesea ice floes that move with the wind or ocean currents and may merge. Sea ice is also important for resting, during their annual molt and to escape from predators.

The penguin population at Pointe Geologie declined by half in the late 1970s when sea ice declined and more male emperor penguins died, and the population never fully recovered from massive breeding failuressomething that has been occurring more frequently.

To assess whether the emperor penguin could qualify for protection under the Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service encouraged an international team of scientists, policy experts, climate scientists and ecologists to provide research and projections of the threats posed by climate change to emperor penguins and their future survival.

Every colony will be in decline by 2100

Emperor penguins are adapted to their current environment, but the species has not evolved to survive the rapid effects of climate change that threaten to reshape its world.

Decades of studies by an international team of researchers have been instrumental in establishing the need for protection.

The number of breeding pairs of emperor penguins at Pointe Geologie is projected to decline significantly in a world with high greenhouse gas emissions. The chart uses the RCP 8.5 climate scenario of high-emissions future. Credit: Jenouvrier et al., 2020, CC BY-ND

Seminal research I was involved in in 2009 warned that the colony of Pointe Geologie will be marching toward extinction by the end of the century. And it won't just be that colony. My colleagues and I in 2012 looked at all known emperor penguin colonies identified in images from space and determined that every colony will be declining by the end of the century if greenhouse gases continue their current course. We found that penguin behaviors that might help them adapt to changing environmental conditions couldn't reverse the anticipated global decline.

Major environmental shifts, such as the late formation and early loss of the sea ice on which colonies are located, are already raising the risk.

A dramatic example is the recent collapse of Halley Bay, the second-largest emperor penguin colony in Antarctica. More than 10,000 chicks died in 2016 when sea ice broke up early. The colony has not yet recovered.

By including those extreme events, we projected that 98% of colonies will be extinct by 2100 if greenhouse gas emissions continue their present course, and the global population will decline by 99% compared with its historical size.

Meeting the Paris goal could save the penguins

The results of the new study showed that if the world meets the Paris climate agreement targets, keeping warming to under 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 F) compared to pre-industrial temperatures, that could protect sufficient habitat to halt the emperor penguins' decline.

But the world isn't on track to meet the Paris Agreement. According to one estimate, by Climate Action Tracker, countries' current policy pathways have a greater than 97% probability of exceeding 2 C (3.6 F). With recent government announcements factored in, the increase is estimated to be around 2.4 C (4.3 F).

So it appears that the emperor penguin is the proverbial "canary in the coal mine." The future of emperor penguins, and much of life on Earth, including humanity, ultimately depends upon the decisions made today.

Explore further New study finds emperor penguins increasingly threatened by climate change

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Credit: Shutterstock/Rudmer Zwerver

New Zealand's endemic tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) are the sole survivors of an ancient reptile order called Rhynchocephalia. Once widespread across New Zealand, tuatara survive in only a fraction of their historic range, on small offshore islands and in fenced eco-sanctuaries.

Despite massive conservation efforts to restore populations, our lack of knowledge about tuatara reproduction means some conservation techniques remain currently off the table.

Tuatara are unique among reptiles in that males don't have a penis or hemipenes, making sperm collection difficult. But in our latest research, we describe how we managed to collect and characterize live sperm from tuatara for the first time.

Perhaps surprisingly, we found that tuatara sperm are the fastest swimmers of any reptile studied to date. This could help us boost the conservation of this unique and treasured species.

The global decline of wildlife has necessitated creative and far-reaching conservation efforts, including the freezing of eggs and sperm (known as gametes).

Gamete banking is a proactive conservation approach where researchers preserve genetically important sperm and egg cells before this genetic diversity is lost. While this is never preferable to natural reproduction, assisted reproduction has already been used with success on critically endangered species like the New Zealand flightless parrot kakapo (Strigops habroptilus).

However, developing the methods for gamete cryopreservation for any species, especially one that represents a unique evolutionary branch, takes time.

"Cloacal kisses' and speedy sperm

Our first challenge was to figure out a way to sample live sperm. The male reproductive anatomy sets tuatara apart from other reptileswithout a penis, their reproduction is more bird-like.

Tuatara transfer sperm when the male aligns his cloaca (which serves as the opening for digestive, reproductive and urinary tracts) with the female's. We found the best approach to collect a viable, sufficient sperm sample was just after this "cloacal kiss," when the sperm was still visible on the edge of the female's cloaca.

For the very first time, we were able to collect, image and measure the speed of swimming tuatara sperm. Even though tuatara generally live a long, slow life, it turns out their sperm are surprisingly fast.

Having fast swimmers may be an adaptation to aid male tuatara in their reproductive efforts. Other reptiles have an intromittent organ (either a penis or a pair of hemipenes) to aid in sperm delivery, but tuatara rely solely on the ability of their sperm to swim inside the female's cloaca after mating.

While having sperm with distinct characteristics may be what helps tuatara reproduce, it also means the techniques required for cryobanking this sperm must be equally unique.

Climate change and tuatara conservation

Once widespread across New Zealand, tuatara now persist in 45 distinct populations across a fraction of their historic range.

The sex of tuatara hatchlings is determined by the temperature the eggs are exposed to during incubation, with more males hatching at warmer temperatures. As climate change continues to raise temperatures in New Zealand, we expect this will skew tuatara sex ratios, with the potential to drive some populations to be male-dominated and therefore functionally extinct.

Such local extinctions will lead to a loss of valuable genetic diversity. Cryopreservation of tuatara eggs and sperm, to be used for assisted reproduction, could provide the insurance required to preserve genetic diversity and aid conservation of this vulnerable iconic species.

Formulating the best cryoprotectant to preserve sperm from the sole surviving species in a lineage as old as the dinosaurs with a unique reproductive anatomy amongst reptiles, would be challenge enough. When you add in the fact that tuatara mate like birds, are slow to reproduce, but paradoxically have extremely fast swimming sperm, it makes cryopreserving tuatara sperm a thorny problem.

Our efforts to help ensure the future of the last of the Rhynchocephalians also taught us a great deal about these unique animals, viewed by Maori as guardians of knowledge.

Earlier this year, at the end of the Austral summer, we undertook another research season, collecting sperm and characterizing the males it was collected from. Going forward, we will undertake more trials, test new cryopreserving agents and progress toward long-term gamete banking of this important reptile. Doing so will provide a pathway toward new conservation strategies for this taonga (treasured) species.

Explore further Bigger is better for Zealandia's tuatara

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Credit: Shutterstock

No link currently exists proving climate change is driving migration out of East Africa, despite a widespread acceptance that human mobility is a key impact of climate change, according to research today from a multi-disciplinary Oxford University team, which maintains the factors driving migration are complex.

The study, published in Frontiers in Climate, argues future research, using evidence of extreme event attribution and changing weather and human mobility could provide better understanding.

Lisa Thalheimer, the lead author, says, "We were very interested in finding if there is a link between mobility and climate change...especially after international organizations started coming up with projections.

"We wanted to see what the evidence tells us and we very soon saw that climate change is often referred to in existing literature...but climate data is not really used. The evidence is a bit scant."

Both weather and climate impacts and movements of people were studied by the team, as well as earlier research, and it maintains there is no direct causal link between a changing climate and human mobility. According to the paper, "We find that, although climate change is referred to...as a tipping point for human mobility, studies imply a causal link between human mobility and climate change.

"Our findings show that climatic influences on human mobility are not independent. Rather, climate factors influencing human mobility are closely connected with contextual factors such as social norms, economic opportunities, and conflict."

The lead author continues, "East Africa is a well-known climate change hotspot...but the picture is much more complex than is often represented."

The Oxford team, which includes a migration expert and climate scientists, maintains, "The links between weather and climate-related events, contextual factors and human mobility are complex, defying simplistic reasoning according to which climate change would "lead" to human mobility."

The situation in the region is highly complex, according to the study, and reasons for migration show an interwoven picturesometimes involving pastoralism, social norms, traditions and economic opportunities. Blaming climate change is 'simplistic," say the researchers, especially if migration has traditionally been used to sustain livelihoods, and often does not take account of climate data.

Today's study says, "Crucially, we find that the use of climate data in all studies is inconsistent if data is used at all."

The paper maintains, "There is not yet a basis to causally link anthropogenic climate change to human mobility in this region."

Co-author Dr. Friederike Otto, Associate Director of the Environmental Change Institute, says, "This research shows that, despite the overwhelming evidence of human-influence on weather and climate in many parts of the world, crucial gaps remain in particular in lower income countries. I hope we can inspire more rigorous research on this crucially important topic."

The team argues inter-disciplinary studies, such as this one, using climate and mobility data, could provide future understanding and insights. At Oxford, Lisa Thalheimer says, because many disciplines are involved, there is research into weather attribution, and the potential to use data for studies on the impact on human migration and displacement.

The study says, "A new framework of interdisciplinary research is needed, which integrates diverse data into models that simulate how human mobility is impacted by contextual and climate change-related factors." Such research is already underway involving the Oxford-based research group Climate Econometrics.

Professor Sir David Hendry, co-director, Climate Econometrics, maintains, "The powerful tools developed at Climate Econometrics for modeling complex data and evolving relationships can help clarify key issues such as the impact of climate change on (forced) migration in environments where it is a serious problem."

Explore further Poor use of science jeopardizes climate lawsuits: research

More information: Lisa Thalheimer et al, Deciphering Impacts and Human Responses to a Changing Climate in East Africa, Frontiers in Climate (2021). Lisa Thalheimer et al, Deciphering Impacts and Human Responses to a Changing Climate in East Africa,(2021). DOI: 10.3389/fclim.2021.692114
This 3D view of geologic feature the Mars Perseverance rover team calls Raised Ridges was generated from data collected by Ingenuity during its 10th flight at Mars, on July 24, 2021. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Ask any space explorer, and they'll have a favorite photo or two from their mission. For Kevin Hand, a scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California and co-lead of the Perseverance rover's first science campaign, his latest favorite is a 3D image of low-lying wrinkles in the surface of Jezero Crater. The science team calls this area "Raised Ridges." NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter captured the two shots for this stereo image on July 24 during its 10th flight.

"Ingenuity is allowing the Perseverance science team to be in two places at once," said Hand. "Right now, we are at the 'Crater Floor Fractured Rough,' where the rover is preparing for the mission's first sample acquisition on Mars. Yet at the same time, Ingenuity is providing a detailed preview of a potentially intriguing geologic features hundreds of meters away from us."

The Raised Ridges intrigue Hand and his colleagues because they consist of three distinct surface fractures that converge at a central point. On Earth, similar fractures in desert environments might be a clue to past liquid water activity and thus past habitability. The Perseverance science team wants to know if what is good for the third rock from the Sun is good for Marsand if so, whether the Raised Ridges tell them something significant about Mars' watery past.

The Return to Earth camera on NASAs Ingenuity Mars Helicopter snaped this picture of geologic feature the Mars Perseverance rover team calls Raised Ridges during its 10th flight at Mars, on July 24, 2021. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Ingenuity captured the images during its most complex flight yet. After taking off from its seventh airfield, it climbed to a new record altitude of 40 feet (12 meters). The helicopter then made four heading changes and took 10 images with the rotorcraft's color camera before landing at a new airfield. The 3D image was created by combining two of those images, offering the rover team a richer perspective as they plan the next steps in their science campaign.

"In 3D it almost feels like you can reach out and touch the Raised Ridges," said Hand. "But along with its immersive beauty, the image provides great detail. If you look closely, you can see some curious lines across the surfaces of several rocks. Are these just made by eons of wind and dust blowing over the rocks, or might those features tell the story of water? We just don't know yet."

Those details are important. In their search for signs of ancient life on Mars, the team is considering drilling a rock or sediment sample in the Raised Ridges, which would take several Martian days, or sols, of driving to reach. With Ingenuity's images, the rover team now has a much better idea of what to expect if they were to go there, and the science value of doing so. In the weeks to come, the science team will pour over this and other 3D images from Ingenuity and debate the merits of such a visit.

"Since landing at Jezero Crater, it's clear to all of us that there is an abundance of geologic riches for us to explore. It's a good problem to have," said Ken Williford, deputy project scientist for Perseverance at JPL. "These aerial previews from Ingenuity provide the kind of actionable data that allow us to whittle down our options and get on with the business of exploring our corner of Mars."

Explore further NASA's Mars helicopter reveals intriguing terrain for rover team
Deadly flood events, such as recently in India, China, Germany and Belgium, inflict billions worth of damage.

The number of people exposed to floods worldwide has surged almost a quarter over the last two decades, according to satellite-based data that shows an additional 86 million now live within flood-prone regions.

Flooding is by far the most common of extreme weather events made more frequent and potent by rainfall patterns supercharged by climate change.

Deadly inundations, such as recently in India, China, Germany and Belgium, inflict billions worth of damage, often disproportionally affecting poorer sectors of society.

Most flood maps rely on modelling based on ground-level observations such as rainfall and elevation, but they can often entirely miss regions that are historically not flood-prone.

To fill in those gaps, a team of US-based researchers examined satellite data from twice-daily imaging of more than 900 individual flood events in 169 countries since 2000.

They used the data to create the Global Flood Database, which provides open source information on the death toll, displacement and rainfall levels linked to each of the 913 floods.

Writing in the journal Nature, the researchers found that up to 86 million people, driven by economic necessity, moved into known flood regions between 2000-2015a 24-percent increase.

A total of 2.23 million square kilometres (860,000 square miles)more than the entire area of Greenlandwere flooded between 2000 and 2018, affecting up to 290 million people.

And it's only going to get worse.

Computer modelling produced estimates that climate change and shifting demographics would mean an additional 25 countries facing a high risk of flooding by 2030.

Lead study author Beth Tellman, a researcher at Columbia University's Earth Institute and co-founder of the flood analytics firm Cloud to Street, told AFP the number of additional people now at risk of flooding was 10 times higher than previous estimates.

"We are able to map floods that are often unmapped or not typically represented in flood models, such as ice melt floods or dam breaks," said Tellman.

"Dam breaks are especially impactful. In these dam overflow or dam break events, up to 13 million people were impacted, across just these 13 events."

The majority of flood-prone countries were in South and Southeast Asia, but the satellite data showed previously unidentified increases in exposure across Latin America and the Middle East.

'Retreat only option'

A leaked UN climate science report, seen exclusively by AFP, predicts flooding will in future displace 2.7 million people in Africa annually and could contribute to 85 million forced from their homes by 2050.

Just 1.5 degrees Centigrade of warmingthe most ambitious Paris Agreement temperature goalwould see two or three times more people affected by floods in Colombia, Brazil and Argentina, four times more in Ecuador and Uruguay, and a five-fold jump in Peru, the IPCC report said.

Most flood events in the database unveiled on Wednesday were caused by excess rainfall, followed by storm surges, snow or ice melt, and dam breaks.

Tellman said the research showed the benefit of building in flood prevention measures to rural and urban planning.

"It is well known that spending $1 on disaster management and prevention can save up to $6 on relief and recovery efforts," she said.

In a linked comment, Brenden Jongman, an expert at the World Bank, said the flood database was a "crucial step" in understanding the link between climate change and socio-economic development.

"Satellite technology can track changes in protective ecosystems, similarly to its use in monitoring flooding and population changes," he said.

"However, even the best combination of infrastructure and nature-based approaches might be insufficient to deal with rising sea levelsthe only option for some communities will be to manage their retreat out of flood-prone areas," added Jongman.

More information: B. Tellman et al, Satellite imaging reveals increased proportion of population exposed to floods, Nature (2021). Journal information: Nature B. Tellman et al, Satellite imaging reveals increased proportion of population exposed to floods,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03695-w

 2021 AFP
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

An international team of researchers has found evidence of multiple waves of ancient brown bears migrating to the Japanese island of Honshu over vast periods of time. In their paper published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, the group describes their genetic analysis of tissue recovered from a brown bear skull found near Tokyo, and what they learned from it.

The only brown bears living in modern Japan reside on the northern island of Hokkaidobut thousands of years ago, some of them lived on Japan's main island, Honshu. Researchers have found approximately 10 incomplete brown bear remains on Honshu, all believed to have been from the Pleistocene. In this new effort, the researchers analyzed a newly found skull. More specifically, they studied material from its petrosalsthe thick bony material that surrounds a bear's inner ear. Prior research has shown these bones retain more DNA than other bones.

The researchers found that the bear lived approximately 32,000 years ago, putting it at the end of the Pleistocenea time when it is believed there was a land bridge between parts of the Japanese islands. The team then compared the DNA of the bear with that of other ancient samples and also with modern brown bears on Hokkaido. They found that the new skull was from a bear belonging to a previously unknown lineageone that had split off from the bear lineage on Hokkaido approximately 160,000 years ago.

Prior research had found evidence that a bear occupied Honshu approximately 340,000 years ago, suggesting that different lineages of bears made their way across the Tsugaru strait to get to Honshu during a time when the waters were shallow. They also note that all of the bears living on Honshu appear to have died out at the end of the Pleistocene, along with a giant deer species, Naumann's elephants and other large mammals. Notably, humans arrived on Honshu approximately 30,000 years ago, though it is not known if they were responsible for the disappearance of the other creatures on the island.

Explore further Ancient extinct cave bear DNA found in modern bears

More information: Takahiro Segawa et al, Ancient DNA reveals multiple origins and migration waves of extinct Japanese brown bear lineages, Royal Society Open Science (2021). Journal information: Royal Society Open Science Takahiro Segawa et al, Ancient DNA reveals multiple origins and migration waves of extinct Japanese brown bear lineages,(2021). DOI: 10.1098/rsos.210518

 2021 Science X Network
Examples of grapples used for gear retrieval during retrieval efforts for recovering lost or abandoned fishing gear. Credit: Coastal Action photos

Southwest Nova Scotia is one of Canada's most productive lobster fishing region, spanning more than 21,000 square kilometers and contributing a significant portion of the country's lobster supply.

With a busy fishery, though, has come the growing challenge of abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear (ALDFG)a collection of traps, ropes, hooks, cables and other fishing-related equipment that drift through the water column or litter the ocean floor. It is a global problem, but one that hasn't been widely quantified.

Researchers at Dalhousie University wanted to find out how much gear might be in the Southwest Nova Scotia (SWNS) fishing zone and how it might be affecting the existing fishery. Their recently published baseline study provides the first preliminary assessment of environmental and economic impacts of ALDFG on the commercial lobster industry in the area.

Significant impact

Tony Walker, an associate professor in Dal's School for Resource and Environmental Studies, co-authored the paper, which suggests the commercial losses from ALDFG could be in excess of $175,000 (Cdn) annually.

"This study is important because although we have known about the problem of ALDFG or ghost gear and were aware of where the hot spots are in the region, this is the first time that a systematic project has focused and targeted on retrieving the gear, while simultaneously quantifying the environmental and economic impacts," says Dr. Walker.

"This tells us that there are not only obvious environmental impacts of leaving this gear in place, but it also highlights the potential economic losses that can be incurred without mitigative or policy action."

Fishers did 60 retrieval trips in the summer and fall of 2020, searched roughly 1,523 square kilometers of the seafloor and removed 7,064 kilograms of ALDFG. Captains towed grapples behind their commercial fishing vessels from either a hydraulic hauler and winch or a steel cable dragger and A-frame winch, at a speed of 0.5 to 3 knots.

Lobster traps made up the majority of retrieved gear, while 1,500 kilograms of dragger cable comprised 22 percent of the recovered gear. Lost traps continued to capture 15 target and non-target species, including 239 lobsters and seven groundfish. Five of those were species-at-risk and included Atlantic wolfish, sculpin, Atlantic cod and cusk.

Tires, party balloons, a fan belt and buoys with U.S. markings were also recovered.

Hazards and concerns

About 35 percent of the recovered traps were less than three years old and based on the quantity of cable recovered, the authors suggest that cable is discarded by commercial trawl vessels or draggers when it is no longer of use. In Atlantic Canadian trap fisheries, it's estimated that up to two percent of total allowable traps are lost annually.

"This may create operational hazards for other commercial vessels (lobster or groundfish) as it may compromise active gear, create marine debris and disturb sensitive benthic habitats," states the study, which was also authored by Alexa Goodman, Ariel Smith and Jessie McIntyre of Coastal Action, and Craig Brown and Leah Fulton of Dal's Department of Oceanography.

It also sets off an endlessly destructive cycle as cod, cusk, wolffish and sculpin are known lobster predators and are frequently caught as by-catch in active lobster fishing gear. Traps retrieved with these by-catch fish also contained lobster, indicating the self-baiting cycle of ghost gear. Self-baiting occurs when animals become trapped in ALDFG and die, attracting new scavengers that also become trapped, says the report.

The oldest trap found was from 1987, while most retrieved gear was not highly degraded, losing less than 25 percent of its original integrity.

A global problem

It's estimated that abandoned, lost, and discarded fishing gear makes up a significant majority of the 20 percent of the world's marine debris. For example, discarded fishing nets account for over 46 percent of debris in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

"ALDFG is unfortunately a pervasive global problem. Many people may be unaware that much of the global plastic pollution found in our oceans is comprised of ALDFG," says Dr. Walker.

"While this study focused on SWNS, results are comparable to similar fisheries in the US, Europe and South America."

Other jurisdictions are also grappling with the problem. In the U.S. Chesapeake Bay blue crab fishery, an estimated 18 crabs were killed per derelict pot annually. The Florida Keys' spiny lobster fishery has recorded smaller losses to derelict traps, but studies suggest that estimates of lobster by-catch rates could potentially be two to four times lower than true levels of ghost fishing.
More than 500 firefighters, dozens of water-bombing planes and five helicopters have been battling forest fires near Athens since Tuesday afternoon.

Greek firefighters said Wednesday that they hope to bring a forest fire blazing near Athens under control "in the coming hours".

"The situation has improved and we hope to bring the fire under control in the coming hours," the fire service said in a statement.

More than 500 firefighters, a dozen water-bombing planes and five helicopters have been battling the blazes outside the capital since Tuesday afternoon.

Around a dozen houses have been destroyed in the flames, and dozens of businesses, bars and holiday accommodation have been severely damaged in Varympompi, 30 kilometres (20 miles) northwest of Athens, officials said.

Villages have been evacuated and part of a major motorway linking the capital with the north and south of the country was cut for safety reasons.

With the country reeling under a severe heatwave, the blaze spread at the foot of Mount Parnith, sending thick smoke over the capital.

Local media reported dozens of children had been rescued from a holiday camp near the Athens suburb of Varympompi.

"We are facing a difficult fire in extreme heatwave conditions," said Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis who went to Varympompi during the morning.

With the country reeling under a severe heatwave, the blaze spread at the foot of Mount Parnith, sending thick smoke over the capital.

Deputy minister for civil protection Nikos Hardalias told reporters that after "an exceptionally difficult night", with four fire fronts, "there is only one left now".

Experts have warned climate change is increasing both the frequency and intensity of the wildfires.

Several other blazes were still raging Wednesday in Greece, notably in the southern Peloponnese region, 300 kilometres from the capital, three villages were evacuated after a fire started Tuesday afternoon.

Another was blazing on the island of Euboea, some 200 kilometres east of the capital where eight villages were evacuated.

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.

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 Thick smoke over Athens as suburbs battle wildfires

 2021 AFP
This Thursday, July 29, 2021 image provided by NASA shows the 20-metric-ton (22-ton) Nauka module, also called the Multipurpose Laboratory Module as it approaches the International Space Station space station. Russia's long-delayed lab module successfully docked with the International Space Station on Thursday, eight days after it was launched from the Russian space launch facility in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Credit: NASA via AP

Space engineers will analyze whether a glitch that caused the International Space Station to spin out of its normal orientation could have impacted any of its systems, a Russian space official said Wednesday.

Sergei Krikalev, the director of crewed space programs at the Russian space corporation Roscosmos, emphasized that last week's incident did not inflict any observable damage to the space station but he said that experts would need to study its potential implications.

"It appears there is no damage," Krikalev said in an interview broadcast by Russian state television. "But it's up to specialists to assess how we have stressed the station and what the consequences are."

NASA emphasized Wednesday that the station was operating normally and noted that the spin was within safety limits for its systems.

Thrusters on Russia's Nauka laboratory module fired shortly after the module arrived at the International Space Station on Thursday, making the orbiting outpost slowly spin about one-and-a-half revolutions. Russia's mission controllers fired thrusters on another Russian module and a Russian cargo ship attached to the space station to stop rotation and then push the station back to its normal position.

Both U.S. and Russian space officials said the station's seven-person crew wasn't in danger during the incident.

In this photo taken by Russian cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky and provided by Roscosmos Space Agency Press Service, the Nauka module is seen prior to docking with the International Space Station on Thursday, July 29, 2021. The newly arrived Russian science lab briefly knocked the International Space Station out of position Thursday when it accidentally fired its thrusters. For 47 minutes, the space station lost control of its orientation when the firing occurred a few hours after docking, pushing the orbiting complex from its normal configuration. The station's position is key for getting power from solar panels and or communications. Communications with ground controllers also blipped out twice for a few minutes. Credit: Roscosmos Space Agency Press Service photo via AP

The station needs to be properly aligned to get the maximum power from solar panels and to maintain communications with space support teams back on Earth. The space station's communications with ground controllers blipped out twice for a few minutes on Thursday.

NASA said in a tweet Tuesday that the station was 45 degrees out of alignment when Nauka's thrusters were still firing and the loss of control was discussed with the crew. "Further analysis showed total attitude change before regaining normal attitude control was (tilde)540 degrees," NASA said.

On Wednesday, NASA noted that "continued analysis following last week's event with unplanned thruster firings on Nauka has shown the space station remains in good shape with systems performing normally."

"Most importantly, the maximum rate and acceleration of the attitude change did not approach safety limits for station systems and normal operations resumed once attitude control was regained," it said.

Roscosmos' Krikalev, a veteran of six space missions who spent a total of 803 days in orbit, noted Wednesday that firing orientation engines created a dynamic load on the station's components, making a thorough analysis of whether some of them could be overstressed necessary.

"The station is a rather delicate structure, and both the Russian and the U.S. segments are built as light as possible," he said. "An additional load stresses the drivers of solar batteries and the frames they are mounted on. Specialists will analyze the consequences. It is too early to talk about how serious it was, but it was an unforeseen situation that requires a detailed study."

In this photo taken by Russian cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky and provided by Roscosmos Space Agency Press Service, the Nauka module is seen prior to docking with the International Space Station on Thursday, July 29, 2021. The newly arrived Russian science lab briefly knocked the International Space Station out of position Thursday when it accidentally fired its thrusters. For 47 minutes, the space station lost control of its orientation when the firing occurred a few hours after docking, pushing the orbiting complex from its normal configuration. The station's position is key for getting power from solar panels and or communications. Communications with ground controllers also blipped out twice for a few minutes. Credit: Roscosmos Space Agency Press Service photo via AP

Krikalev said Nauka's engines fired because a glitch in the control system mistakenly assumed that the lab module hadn't yet docked at the station and activated the thrusters to pull it away.

The launch of the 22-ton (20-metric-ton) module has been repeatedly delayed by technical problems. It was initially scheduled to go up in 2007, but funding problems pushed the launch back, and in 2013 experts found contamination in its fuel system, resulting in a long and costly replacement. Other Nauka systems also underwent modernization or repairs.

Nauka is the first new compartment for the Russian segment of the International Space Station since 2010, offering more space for scientific experiments and room for the crew. Russian crew members will have to conduct up to 11 spacewalks beginning in early September to prepare it for operation.

The space station is currently operated by NASA astronauts Mark Vande Hei, Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur; Oleg Novitsky and Pyotr Dubrov of Roscosmos; Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide and European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Pesquet.

In 1998, Russia launched the station's first compartment, Zarya, which was followed in 2000 by another big piece, Zvezda, and three smaller modules in the following years. The last of them, Rassvet, arrived at the station in 2010.

Explore further Russia launches lab module to International Space Station

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Numerical modeling of sediment subducted beneath North American crust suggests that the sediment may buoyantly rise up through the mantle, like a lava lamp blob, and become attached to the base of the crust. Credit: Jay Chapman

A University of Wyoming professor has used computer modeling to propose that sand and mud subducted off the coast of California around 75 million years ago returned to the Earth's crust by rising up through the mantle as enormous diapirs, like blobs in a lava lamp.

These blobs are now found at the surface of the Earth, far inland from the coast, in places including the Mojave Desert and western Arizona.

"These rocks aren't the prettiest to look at, but they went on an extraordinary journey and have an incredible story to tell," says Jay Chapman, an assistant professor in UW's Department of Geology and Geophysics who focuses on tectonics.

Chapman is the author of a new paper, titled "Diapiric relamination of the Orocopia Schist (southwestern U.S.) during low-angle subduction," which was published in the August issue of the journal Geology.

"The rocks started their lives as sediment eroded from the Sierra Nevada Mountains and carried by rivers and streams down to the ocean, where they ended up deposited in a subduction trench, similar to the modern-day Marianas trench," Chapman says. "Then, they were carried about 20 miles deep into the Earth by a subducting oceanic plate, where the sediments were metamorphosed into a rock called schist. That in and of itself is pretty amazing, but the truly special thing about these rocks is that they didn't stay subducted, but somehow made their way back up to the surface, where you can go stand on them today."

How the subducted sediments returned to the surface of the Earth and the distribution of the sediments in the subsurface are some of the questions Chapman is trying to answer with his research.

"The prevailing theory is that the sediments were smeared against and plastered to the base of the North American tectonic plate, forming a sheet-like layer," Chapman says. "However, the density of these sediments is much lower than rocks in the mantle or lower crust and, over millions of years, computer modeling predicts that the sediments will flow and buoyantly ascend, like hot wax in a lava lamp."

The research has implications for understanding subduction zone processes and the distribution of natural resources.

"Geoscientists around the world are working to understand what gives continental crust its unique composition, and subduction and reincorporation of sediment are a popular hypothesis," Chapman says. "In addition, many researchers are now wondering whether fluids and elements released from the subducted sediments may have contributed to the concentration of economically important minerals and metals."

Explore further Scientists probe mysterious melting of Earth's crust in western North America

More information: James B. Chapman, Diapiric relamination of the Orocopia Schist (southwestern U.S.) during low-angle subduction, Geology (2021). Journal information: Geology James B. Chapman, Diapiric relamination of the Orocopia Schist (southwestern U.S.) during low-angle subduction,(2021). DOI: 10.1130/G48647.1
Map of study sites in NW Sweden. Red number indicates areas where the eelgrass meadows have been lost. Credit: DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3658

Losses of important eelgrass meadows in western Sweden since the 1980s have led to considerable bottom erosion and the release of carbon and nitrogen; substances that contribute to increasing climate change and eutrophication. This is shown in a new study by researchers at the University of Gothenburg, Stockholm University, Abo Akademi University and the University of Southern Denmark, published in the journal Ecosphere.

Eelgrass beds play an important role for coastal ecosystems and provide humans with several valuable ecosystem services. They constitute important habitats for cod and other commercial dish species, they increase biodiversity and provide clearer water by stabilizing the bottom. They also capture and store organic material rich in carbon and nutrients for a long time in the sediment, which reduces climate effects and eutrophication. The ongoing loss of eelgrass meadows along e.g. the Swedish West Coast worries researchers that carbon and nutrients can be released from sediment when the protective meadow disappears. However, studies on this have been lacking.

An international research group, led by researchers at the University of Gothenburg, is now publishing a study in the journal Ecosphere, which for the first time can show that losses of eelgrass give rise to significant emissions of both carbon and nutrients to the environment. The researchers compared sediments in eelgrass meadows with areas where the meadows have been lost in southern Bohuslan on the Swedish west coast, where large losses of eelgrass have occurred since the 1980s. The results show that Bohuslan's eelgrass beds are unusually efficient at storing both carbon and nutrients in the sediment, especially meadows in wave-protected areas that have unusually high levels.

"These meadows can have several meter-thick layers of organically rich sediment, which makes them global "hot-spots" for carbon and nitrogen storage," says Per Moksnes who is the main author of the study.

The study also shows that the levels of carbon and nitrogen are several times lower in the sediment where eelgrass beds have disappeared, and indicates that at least 35 cm of the organically rich sediment has eroded away and released carbon and nitrogen to the environment. The results also show that meadows in protected areas, with the largest layers of carbon and nitrogen, are the ones that have the most sensitive sediment, and are most easily eroded after a loss of eelgrass. Conservative calculations estimate that for every hectare of eelgrass that disappears, an average of over 60 tons of carbon and 6.6 tons of nitrogen are released into the environment.

"The emissions of nitrogen from one hectare of lost eelgrass are in the same order of magnitude as the average annual emissions from a fish farm in Sweden. It is therefore important that these emissions are taken into account in permit trials concerning activities that damage eelgrass," says Per Moksnes.

"Eelgrass meadows are disappearing in many other countries than Sweden. All over the world, sea grasses are declining; especially in areas with a high level of tourism and construction activities. It is important to conserve existing meadows and to re-establish lost meadows," says co-author Marianne Holmer, who is an expert in coastal ecology and a professor at University of Southern Denmark.

Restoration of eelgrass meadows is presently carried out both in Denmark and Sweden, where new eelgrass shoots are planted in fjords and other protected coastal areas, where eelgrass meadows once were common. Such an approach is a so called nature based solution: By planting new meadows, you use nature's own solutions to capture and store carbon and nutrients instead of applying, say, technological solutions.

Denmark, Finland and Sweden are members of International Union for Conservation of Nature; an organization focused on addressing societal challenges like climate change, loss of biodiversity and food security with nature based solutions.

The study also shows that the cost to society to compensate for these emissions is significantly higher for nitrogen (SEK 1.3 million per hectare of lost eelgrass) than for carbon (SEK 71,000 per hectare) and that Bohuslan's eelgrass is therefore extra important to counteract eutrophication.

In the fjord areas within Marstrand in southern Bohuslan, almost 10 km2 of eelgrass has disappeared since the 1980s, which has resulted in an estimated emission of over 60,000 tons of carbon and 6,600 tons of nitrogen over a 20-year period.

"The estimated emission of nitrogen from this loss is three times greater than the annual load of nitrogen to the Skagerrak from all Swedish watercourses, and would cost society about SEK 1.3 billion to compensate," says Per Moksnes.

The results strengthen the view that eelgrass meadows are very important for both the environment and humans, where old meadows in protected areas are extra important as they protect their large sediment stocks of carbon and nutrients from leakage. Eelgrass beds in wave-protected areas are today particularly vulnerable as humans like to build docks and marinas in these areas, and as the loose sediments are extra sensitive from waves from boats.

"We hope that the study can shed light on the importance of identifying and increasing the protection of these valuable and sensitive eelgrass meadows," concludes Per Moksnes.

Explore further Are we losing one of our biggest carbon dioxide sinks?

More information: PerOlav Moksnes et al, Major impacts and societal costs of seagrass loss on sediment carbon and nitrogen stocks, Ecosphere (2021). Journal information: Ecosphere PerOlav Moksnes et al, Major impacts and societal costs of seagrass loss on sediment carbon and nitrogen stocks,(2021). DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3658
Illustration of what the Sun may have been like 4 billion years ago, around the time life developed on Earth. Credit: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Conceptual Image Lab

New research led by NASA provides a closer look at a nearby star thought to resemble our young sun. The work allows scientists to better understand what our sun may have been like when it was young, and how it may have shaped the atmosphere of our planet and the development of life on Earth.

Many people dream of meeting with a younger version of themselves to exchange advice, identify the origins of their defining traits, and share hopes for the future. At 4.65 billion years old, our sun is a middle-aged star. Scientists are often curious to learn exactly what properties enabled our sun, in its younger years, to support life on nearby Earth.

Without a time machine to transport scientists back billions of years, retracing our star's early activity may seem an impossible feat. Luckily, in the Milky Way galaxythe glimmering, spiraling segment of the universe where our solar system is locatedthere are more than 100 billion stars. One in ten share characteristics with our sun, and many are in the early stages of development.

"Imagine I want to reproduce a baby picture of an adult when they were one or two years old, and all of their pictures were erased or lost. I would look at a photo of them now, and their close relatives' photos from around that age, and from there, reconstruct their baby photos," said Vladimir Airapetian, senior astrophysicist in the Heliophysics Division at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and first author on the new study. "That's the sort of process we are following herelooking at characteristics of a young star similar to ours, to better understand what our own star was like in its youth, and what allowed it to foster life on one of its nearby planets."

Kappa 1 Ceti is one such solar analog. The star is located about 30 light-years away (in space terms, that's like a neighbor who lives on the next street over) and is estimated to be between 600 to 750 million years old, around the same age our sun was when life developed on Earth. It also has a similar mass and surface temperature to our sun, said the study's second author, Meng Jin, a heliophysicist with the SETI Institute and the Lockheed Martin Solar and Astrophysics Laboratory in California. All of those factors make Kappa 1 Ceti a "twin" of our young sun at the time when life arose on Earth, and an important target for study.

Airapetian, Jin, and several colleagues have adapted an existing solar model to predict some of Kappa 1 Ceti's most important, yet difficult to measure, characteristics. The model relies on data input from a variety of space missions including the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite and NICER missions, and ESA's XMM-Newton. The team published their study today in the Astrophysical Journal.

Star power

Like human toddlers, toddler stars are known for their high bursts of energy and activity. For stars, one way this pent-up energy is released is in the form of a stellar wind.

Stellar winds, like stars themselves, are mostly made up of a superhot gas known as plasma, created when particles in a gas have split into positively charged ions and negatively charged electrons. The most energetic plasma, with the help of a star's magnetic field, can shoot off away from the outermost and hottest part of a star's atmosphere, the corona, in an eruption, or stream more steadily toward nearby planets as stellar wind. "Stellar wind is continuously flowing out from a star toward its nearby planets, influencing those planets' environments," Jin said.

Younger stars tend to generate hotter, more vigorous stellar winds and more powerful plasma eruptions than older stars do. Such outbursts can affect the atmosphere and chemistry of planets nearby, and possibly even catalyze the development of organic materialthe building blocks for lifeon those planets.

An artist concept of a coronal mass ejection hitting young Earth's weak magnetosphere. Credit: NASA/GSFC/CIL

Stellar wind can have a significant impact on planets at any stage of life. But the strong, highly dense stellar winds of young stars can compress the protective magnetic shields of surrounding planets, making them even more susceptible to the effects of the charged particles.

Our sun is a perfect example. Compared to now, in its toddlerhood, our sun likely rotated three times faster, had a stronger magnetic field, and shot out more intense high-energy radiation and particles. These days, for lucky spectators, the impact of these particles is sometimes visible near the planet's poles as aurora, or the Northern and Southern Lights. Airapetian says 4 billion years ago, considering the impact of our suns wind at that time, these tremendous lights were likely often visible from many more places around the globe.

That high level of activity in our suns nascence may have pushed back Earth's protective magnetosphere, and provided the planetnot close enough to be torched like Venus, nor distant enough to be neglected like Marswith the right atmospheric chemistry for the formation of biological molecules.

Similar processes could be unfolding in stellar systems across our galaxy and universe.

"It's my dream to find a rocky exoplanet in the stage that our planet was in more than 4 billion years ago, being shaped by its young, active star and nearly ready to host life," Airapetian said. "Understanding what our sun was like just as life was beginning to develop on Earth will help us to refine our search for stars with exoplanets that may eventually host life."

A solar twin

Though solar analogues can help solve one of the challenges of peeking into the suns past, time isn't the only complicating factor in studying our young sun. There's also distance.

We have instruments capable of accurately measuring the stellar wind from our own sun, called the solar wind. However, it's not yet possible to directly observe the stellar wind of other stars in our galaxy, like Kappa 1 Ceti, because they are too far away.

When scientists wish to study an event or phenomenon that they cannot directly observe, scientific modeling can help fill in the gaps. Models are representations or predictions of an object of study, built on existing scientific data. While scientists have previously modeled the stellar wind from this star, Airapetian said, they used more simplified assumptions.

The basis for the new model of Kappa 1 Ceti by Airapetian, Jin, and colleagues is the Alfven Wave Solar Model, which is within the Space Weather Modeling Framework developed by the University of Michigan. The model works by inputting known information about a star, including its magnetic field and ultraviolet emission line data, to predict stellar wind activity. When the model has been tested on our sun, it has been validated and checked against observed data to verify that its predictions are accurate.

The hot stellar corona, the outermost layer in a star's atmosphere, expands into the stellar wind, driven by heating from the stars magnetic field and magnetic waves. The researchers modeled the stellar magnetic corona of Kappa 1 Ceti in 3D, based on data from 2012 and 2013. Credit: NASA

"It's capable of modeling our star's winds and corona with high fidelity," Jin said. "And it's a model we can use on other stars, too, to predict their stellar wind and thereby investigate habitability. That's what we did here."

Previous studies have drawn on data gathered by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and Hubble Space Telescope (HST) to identify Kappa 1 Ceti as a young solar proxy, and to gather the necessary inputs for the model, such as magnetic field and ultraviolet emission line data.

"Every model needs input to get output," Airapetian said. "To get useful, accurate output, the input needs to be solid data, ideally from multiple sources across time. We have all that data from Kappa 1 Ceti, but we really synthesized it in this predictive model to move past previous purely observational studies of the star."

Airapetian likens his team's model to a doctor's report. To get a full picture of how a patient is doing, a doctor is likely to talk to the patient, gather markers like heart rate and temperature, and if needed, conduct several more specialized tests, like a blood test or ultrasound. They are likely to formulate an accurate assessment of patient well-being with a combination of these metrics, not just one.

Similarly, by using many pieces of information about Kappa 1 Ceti gathered from different space missions, scientists are better able to predict its corona and the stellar wind. Because stellar wind can affect a nearby planet's magnetic shield, it plays an important role in habitability. The team is also working on another project, looking more closely at the particles that may have emerged from early solar flares, as well as prebiotic chemistry on Earth.

Our sun's past, written in the stars

The researchers hope to use their model to map the environments of other sun-like stars at various life stages.

Specifically, they have eyes on the infant star EK Dra111 light-years away and only 100 million years oldwhich is likely rotating three times faster and shooting off more flares and plasma than Kappa 1 Ceti. Documenting how these similar stars of various ages differ from one another will help characterize the typical trajectory of a star's life.

Their work, Airapetian said, is all about "looking at our own sun, its past and its possible future, through the lens of other stars."

To learn more about our sun's stormy youth, watch this video and see how energy from our young sun4 billion years agoaided in creating molecules in Earth's atmosphere, allowing it to warm up enough to incubate life.

Explore further Planetary shields will buckle under stellar winds from their dying stars

More information: Vladimir S. Airapetian et al, One Year in the Life of Young Suns: Data-constrained Corona-wind Model of  1 Ceti, The Astrophysical Journal (2021). Journal information: Astrophysical Journal Vladimir S. Airapetian et al, One Year in the Life of Young Suns: Data-constrained Corona-wind Model of  1 Ceti,(2021). DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/ac081e
A Greenland glacier meets the ocean. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

This week, NASA's airborne Oceans Melting Greenland (OMG) mission begins its final survey of glaciers that flow from Greenland into the ocean. OMG is completing a six-year mission that is helping to answer how fast sea level is going to rise in the next five, 10, or 50 years.

Greenland's melting glaciers currently contribute more freshwater to sea level rise than any other source does. The glaciers are melting six or seven times faster today than they were only 25 years ago, and OMG is the first NASA mission to focus solely on what the ocean contributes to this ice loss. That's a critical part of helping improve calculations of future melt rates so that coastal communities worldwide can take timely precautions to limit the damage from higher seas.

Ice melts faster in warmer water than it does in colder water, but before the OMG mission, the temperature of the ocean water touching Greenland's more than 200 coastal glaciers was largely unknown. Simply measuring the temperature at the ocean surface isn't enough. The upper layer of the ocean around Greenland consists largely of Arctic meltwater, and it's very coldsometimes even below freezing temperature. About 600 or 700 feet (200 meters) down is a layer of warmer, saltier water carried northward from less-frigid latitudes. Many glacier fronts extend down into the warmer-water zone, where they melt more rapidly.

This visualization explains how a glacier melts from below. Credit: NASAs Scientific Visualization Studio

No satellite instrument can peer deep into the ocean to measure temperature. The only way scientists have found to do that is to drop a probe into the water and let it sink. That's what the OMG team has been doing every summer since 2016.

This year, Principal Investigator Josh Willis of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California and OMG Project Manager Ian McCubbin, also of JPL, will fly around the entire coast of Greenland with a crew of pilot and engineers in a specially modified DC-3 aircraft. From early August through early or mid-September, they'll drop probes out of the belly of the plane into the ocean at about 300 target locations in front of glaciers. As the probes sink, they transmit temperature and salinity readings by radio waves to the plane overhead until they reach the ocean floor.

More ocean changes off Greenland's west coast?

OMG's five years of dataincluding other measurements, such as a survey of the topography of Greenland's continental shelfhave already greatly improved researchers' understanding of what the ocean is doing to Greenland's ice sheet. To date, almost 60 research papers in multiple fields have used the data. But Willis is hoping to achieve at least one more objective with this year's fieldwork, following up on a surprising observation last year.

Back in 2017, the team had documented a drop of more than 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 degrees Celsius) in water temperature off Greenland's west coast, which was most likely the result of natural ocean and atmospheric patterns that effectively "flip a switch" between warmer and cooler currents flowing along the coast.

Since the switch may stay in the same position for decades, the OMG scientists felt lucky to observe the dramatic changeespecially when they saw how it affected Greenland's largest glacier, Jakobshavn (also called Sermeq Kujalleq). The glacier had been shrinking rapidly and retreating almost 2 miles (3 kilometers) inland annually. But the colder water revived Jakobshavn; it began to grow and advance toward the ocean.

In 2020, the OMG team found that warm water was beginning to return to Greenland's west coast, and Jakobshavn appeared to be returning to its previous pattern of loss and retreat. The team knew there was more to discover. "With one more year of observations, we may have the opportunity to see the ocean change in a dramatic way and see how the ice is reacting to it," said Willis.

"It was a fortunate opportunity for NASA to observe a rare phenomenon around Greenland as the North Atlantic Ocean was undergoing a shift towards colder waters after being in a warm phase for nearly 20 years," said Nadya Vinogradova-Shiffer, OMG program scientist at NASA, who is planning to join the team during its final campaign in Greenland this year. "Capturing this reversal in real time is giving us new insights into the complex physics of ocean-ice coupling, which is crucial to improve NASA's projections of future sea level rise."

If the OMG team does find a warming event under way that's comparable in scope to the 2017 cooling event, Willis says it would provide a good handle on how the oceans are driving the ice changes in West Greenland, which is what OMG is about. "One thing about airborne science in a place like Greenland is that we really don't know until we get there what we're going to find," Willis said.

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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Twenty natural strongholds would protect red squirrels in Scotland even if grey squirrels were to run rampant across the country, a new study shows.

The UK's red squirrels are under threat from their invasive, north American grey counterparts. Scotland is now home to around 75% of all the UK's red squirrels.

A variety of conservation measures have been implemented or proposed, from grey squirrel culls to creating managed strongholds.

A new study from Heriot-Watt University and Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) shows that over 20 forests in Scotland could act as natural strongholds for red squirrels.

Professor Andy White, a mathematical biologist at Heriot-Watt University, developed a computational model to determine whether the current composition of Scotland's forests could protect red squirrels.

Professor White said that their "model shows that, even in a worst case scenario, if greys are allowed to run rampant around Scotland, red squirrels will find haven in these natural strongholds."

"This is great news for red squirrels. About 10 years ago, it was a real worry that grey squirrels would spread north through Scotland and wipe out the reds. Red squirrels dominate in coniferous forests, whereas grey squirrels do better in broadleaf and mixed forests. The current policy is to create 19 managed strongholds for the reds, where broadleaf trees are removed and replanted with conifers that would protect their red populations. However, this would reduce tree species diversity for other species. Our model shows that over 20 existing forests in Scotland would act as natural strongholds for the reds. This means we don't have to remove broadleaf species like oak. Natural strongholds could conserve red squirrel populations while simultaneously maintaining forest diversity."

White and his team combined satellite data with tree species' locations and field data that linked red and grey squirrel populations to different tree types. They then built a model that represented how red and grey squirrels compete for resources in different forests.

They found natural strongholds from Eskdalemuir forest in Dumfries and Galloway in the south to Newtyle forest in Moray in the north of Scotland.

Kenny Kortland, FLS wildlife ecologist said that "this modeling work confirms that forest landscapes managed for timber production create safe havens for viable populations of red squirrels, even if grey squirrel populations were to expand."

"This is great news, as we can all continue to use timber products from Scotland safe in the knowledge that the sector supports one of Scotland's most popular species."

The research was published in Nature Conservation.

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More information: Andrew Slade et al, Natural strongholds for red squirrel conservation in Scotland, Nature Conservation (2021). Journal information: Nature Conservation Andrew Slade et al, Natural strongholds for red squirrel conservation in Scotland,(2021). DOI: 10.3897/natureconservation.43.62864
Vivien von Konigslow catches the bees and hoverflies with a landing net to better identify them during pollination. Credit: Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg/Photo: Vivien von Konigslow

Freiburg ecologists observe the diversity of insects on the edge of apple orchards on Lake Constance.

At the moment, many flower strips are buzzing and humming: cornflowers, poppies, wild carrots and many other flowers attract numerous insects. The field edges covered by these flowers typically bloom between mid-May and mid-August. Complementary habitats are needed to support pollinator insects in agricultural landscapes throughout the year. Semi-natural small structures, such as ditches, banks, hedgerows, or overgrown fences, could provide such a complement.

"Researchers have already shown many times how important natural habitats are for pollinators. Almost always, however, only large-scale structures have been researched for this purpose, for example, wide meadows or pastures. Studies on what small structures mean for pollinators and which species particularly benefit from them are rare," says Vivien von Konigslow from the Institute of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Freiburg.

As a result, together with Dr. Anne-Christine Mupepele and Prof. Dr. Alexandra-Maria Klein, she studied flower strips as well as semi-natural habitat patches in the Lake Constance area over a period of two years, a place in which there is a particular interest in pollinating insects due to large-scale fruit cultivation. The researchers published their results in the journal Biological Conservation.

Semi-natural habitats attract more bees

"Our goal was to find out how the diversity of wild bees and hoverflies can be promoted in the vicinity of large-scale orchards," says von Konigslow. To do this, their study compared the occurrence of bees and hoverflies in flower strips and in existing flower-rich habitats, each located on the edge of conventional apple orchards in southern Germany. Their analysis showed that the different flowering times and plant species in the semi-natural habitats, such as hedgerows and small groves, mainly benefit solitary and oligolectic bees, i.e. those that collect only one pollen species. The existing biotope areas attracted bee species with a different pollen specialization than the sown flower strips. At the same time, the researchers found a greater number of pollinators in the flower strips and counted more species than in the small structures. "Thus, semi-natural habitats complement existing flower strips," von Konigslow concludes.

For their research, the ecologists established flower strips at the edge of private orchards in 2018. Semi-natural small structures, including drainage ditches, embankments and overgrown fences, were already in place. The researchers monitored the bees and hoverflies at least once a month from spring to late summer.

Effective and cost-efficient

"Semi-natural habitat patches can play an important role in protecting pollinators because they help ensure that flowers are available all year round," says Klein, head of the Chair of Nature Conservation and Landscape Ecology at the University of Freiburg. They also provide potential retreats and nesting sites, which are important for overwintering bumblebees, for example. "For effective and cost-efficient protection of pollinating insects, the focus should not only be on flower strips," Klein concludes. "Existing small structures of spontaneous vegetation, plant species that grow on their own from existing seeds in the soil, are also attractive to insects and should be preserved."

The Freiburg scientist explains that at present, however, there are hardly any incentives for farmers to develop and preserve small semi-natural habitat patches.

Explore further Wild bees need diverse agricultural landscapes

More information: Vivien von Konigslow et al, Overlooked jewels: Existing habitat patches complement sown flower strips to conserve pollinators, Biological Conservation (2021). Journal information: Biological Conservation Vivien von Konigslow et al, Overlooked jewels: Existing habitat patches complement sown flower strips to conserve pollinators,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109263
The image shows galaxy Arp 148, captured by NASA's Spitzer and Hubble telescopes. Specially processed Spitzer data is shown inside the white circle, revealing infrared light from a supernova hidden by dust. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Exploding stars generate dramatic light shows. Infrared telescopes like Spitzer can see through the haze and to give a better idea of how often these explosions occur.

You'd think that supernovaethe death throes of massive stars and among the brightest, most powerful explosions in the universewould be hard to miss. Yet the number of these blasts observed in the distant parts of the universe falls way short of astrophysicists' predictions.

A new study using data from NASA's recently retired Spitzer Space Telescope reports the detection of five supernovae, that going undetected in optical light, had never been seen before. Spitzer saw the universe in infrared light, which pierces through dust clouds that block optical lightthe kind of light our eyes see and that unobscured supernovae radiate most brightly.

To search for hidden supernovae, the researchers looked at Spitzer observations of 40 dusty galaxies. (In space, dust refers to grain-like particles with a consistency similar to smoke.) Based on the number they found in these galaxies, the study confirms that supernovae do indeed occur as frequently as scientists expect them to. This expectation is based on scientists' current understanding of how stars evolve. Studies like this are necessary to improve that understanding, by either reinforcing or challenging certain aspects of it.

"These results with Spitzer show that the optical surveys we've long relied on for detecting supernovae miss up to half of the stellar explosions happening out there in the universe," said Ori Fox, a scientist at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, and lead author of the new study, published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. "It's very good news that the number of supernovae we're seeing with Spitzer is statistically consistent with theoretical predictions."

The "supernova discrepancy"that is, the inconsistency between the number of predicted supernovae and the number observed by optical telescopesis not an issue in the nearby universe. There, galaxies have slowed their pace of star formation and are generally less dusty. In the more distant reaches of the universe, though, galaxies appear younger, produce stars at higher rates, and tend to have higher amounts of dust. This dust absorbs and scatters optical and ultraviolet light, preventing it from reaching telescopes. So researchers have long reasoned that the missing supernovae must exist and are just unseen.

"Because the local universe has calmed down a bit since its early years of star-making, we see the expected numbers of supernovae with typical optical searches," said Fox. "The observed supernova-detection percentage goes down, however, as you get farther away and back to cosmic epochs where dustier galaxies dominated."

Detecting supernovae at these far distances can be challenging. To perform a search for supernovae shrouded within murkier galactic realms but at less extreme distances, Fox's team selected a local set of 40 dust-choked galaxies, known as luminous and ultra-luminous infrared galaxies (LIRGs and ULIRGs, respectively). The dust in LIRGs and ULIRGs absorbs optical light from objects like supernovae but allows infrared light from these same objects to pass through unobstructed for telescopes like Spitzer to detect.

The researchers' hunch proved correct when the five never-before-seen supernovae came to (infrared) light. "It's a testament to Spitzer's discovery potential that the telescope was able to pick up the signal of hidden supernovae from these dusty galaxies," said Fox.

"It was especially fun for several of our undergraduate students to meaningfully contribute to this exciting research," added study co-author Alex Filippenko, a professor of astronomy at the University of California, Berkeley. "They helped answer the question, 'Where have all the supernovae gone?'"

The types of supernovae detected by Spitzer are known as "core-collapse supernovae," involving giant stars with at least eight times the mass of the Sun. As they grow old and their cores fill with iron, the big stars can no longer produce enough energy to withstand their own gravity, and their cores collapse, suddenly and catastrophically.

The intense pressures and temperatures produced during the rapid cave-in forms new chemical elements via nuclear fusion. The collapsing stars ultimately rebound off their ultra-dense cores, blowing themselves to smithereens and scattering those elements throughout space. Supernovae produce "heavy" elements, such as most metals. Those elements are necessary for building up rocky planets, like Earth, as well as biological beings. Overall, supernova rates serve as an important check on models of star formation and the creation of heavy elements in the universe.

"If you have a handle on how many stars are forming, then you can predict how many stars will explode," said Fox. "Or, vice versa, if you have a handle on how many stars are exploding, you can predict how many stars are forming. Understanding that relationship is critical for many areas of study in astrophysics."

Next-generation telescopes, including NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope, will detect infrared light, like Spitzer.

"Our study has shown that star formation models are more consistent with supernova rates than previously thought," said Fox. "And by revealing these hidden supernovae, Spitzer has set the stage for new kinds of discoveries with the Webb and Roman space telescopes."

Explore further A massive protocluster of merging galaxies in the early universe
A model of eight reconstructed brains of the C. elegans, including all cells contained in the neuropil, colored by cell types. Credit: Dr. Mei Zhen, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute

Researchers at Sinai Health have used a tiny worm to track how an animal's brain changes throughout its lifetime, shedding new light on how human brains develop.

In new research out today in Nature, scientists from the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute (LTRI) at Sinai Health describe four basic patterns of how new connections are made in the brain of the nematode worm, Caenorhabditis elegans, or C. elegans.

"This is the first time that an entire brain's structure is deduced and compared across developmental stages, from birth to adulthood," said Dr. Mei Zhen, a senior investigator at the LTRI. "These new findings have powerful implications for the fundamental rules that allow the brain's developmental maturation to take place."

Zhen and her colleagues used state-of-art electron microscopes to reconstruct the full brain of eight C. elegans individuals to learn how it changes with age. Although C. elegans is a relatively simple organism, many of the molecular signals controlling its development are also found in more complex organisms, like humans. They also have a short life cycle of only two weeks, making it useful for studying their development.

"We examined every connection for every neuron and found many new connections are added as animals grow older," said Dr. Zhen. "When we analyzed these connections like wires in a computational network, we discovered the new additions follow patterns and their collective changes serve one purposeeffective information processing."

The first wiring map of C. elegans was generated by John White and his colleagues at MRC Cambridge more than 30 years ago, and it was a composite of partial maps from several different worms, including some at different developmental ages.

Dr. Daniel Witvliet, a former Ph.D. student in the Zhen lab at the LTRI, led the current study, alongside scientists from Harvard's Brain Institute, including Drs. Aravi Samuel and Jeff Lichtman.

The researchers looked at how the worm's brain structure changed both at single synapse resolution and at the geometry level as a whole, discovering that a few structural properties in the newborn's brain allow them to correctly predict the wiring patterns of the mature brain.

"Our research shows that different parts of the brain have different degrees of flexibility," Dr. Zhen said. "Knowing which part of the brain has more plasticity can help scientists come up with strategies to overcome genetic vulnerabilities to diseases during the brain's development. We are humbled by and proud to continue the legacy from our scientific pioneers."

While identifying some key patterns of the brain's development, researchers also discovered substantial connectivity differences that make each brain unique.

Dr. Zhen said they noticed consistent wiring changes between different neurons, where each change altered the strength of existing connections and in turn created new connections, ultimately altering how information was being processed. Over the course of development, researchers found their central decision-making circuitry was maintained, where its sensory and motor pathways were substantially remodeled.

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More information: Daniel Witvliet et al, Connectomes across development reveal principles of brain maturation, Nature (2020). Journal information: Nature Daniel Witvliet et al, Connectomes across development reveal principles of brain maturation,(2020). DOI: 10.1101/2020.04.30.066209
A long-tailed weasel captured on camera by the NC Weasel Survey in 2019. The photo was cropped. Credit: NC Weasel Survey, published on eMammal https://emammal.si.edu/content/southmountains2, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

Researchers, including a North Carolina State University zoologist, found in a new study that three species of weasels once common in North America are likely in decline, including a species that's considered the world's smallest carnivore.

The findings show there's a need to better track weasels, researchers say. With better data, they could understand the weasels' disappearancewhether it's due to climate change, pesticides and rodenticides, diseases, or predation from raptors or owls.

"We're trying to put weasels on the radar," said study co-author Roland Kays, research professor of forestry and environmental resources at NC State and head of the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences' Biodiversity Lab.

The Abstract spoke with Kays about what the study, published in PLOS ONE, shows for weasels in North Carolina:

TA: Why weasels?

Kays: They're an important part of our ecosystem. They're also the smallest carnivore. While the polar bear is the largest carnivore in the world, a type of weasel known as the least weasel is the smallest. They're important predators of mice and rodents. But now it seems like no one is seeing weasels anymore. We see them very rarely on our camera traps in North Carolina. We were concerned they were declining.

TA: Are weasels still trapped for their fur?

Kays: There used to be a lot more fur trapping of weasels in the United States than there is now, although there still is a market for them. Trappers were getting a lot of weaselswhether by accident or on purpose. Historically, they've been trapped more frequently in northern areas. In North Carolina, we've seen less trapping than we have in the past. There are very few weasels caught.

TA: How did you study weasel populations?

Kays: We analyzed four different data sets. One of them was trapping data. The trapping data goes back a long time, and it's recorded every year by every state. We used data gathered by museums. We also used a citizen science data set from a resource called iNaturalist. Lastly, we have data from the National Trail Camera Survey. None of the southern cameras picked up any weasels; only cameras located north of 40 degrees latitude detected weasels. The trapping data shows a dramatic, many-orders-of-magnitude decline.

TA: What did you notice about weasel populations in North Carolina?

Kays: What we found in North Carolina is representative of the region in the South, which is that weasels have declined in lowlands, but they're still in the mountains. There were lots of records in the past of weasels in the Piedmont, for example, and in the mountains. We still found recent records of them in the mountains.

For one species, the long-tailed weasel, or M. frenata, there were big areas where there were lots of old records in certain areas, but almost no recent records. That was particularly concerning, and that includes the Piedmont and coastal areas of North Carolina. The other species were more or less consistent across their historical ranges.

TA: What is your major finding from this analysis? What could be the cause of their decline?

Kays: It's hard to say anything conclusive other than these data sets are all are painting the same picture.

In terms of the cause, I thought it was striking that the long-tailed weasels declined in the South. A study in New Mexico found climate warming was a problem for weasels. Just the fact that they're disappearing from the Piedmont, and not the mountains, suggests it might be a climate issue.

In terms of rodenticides, those poisons bio-accumulate in predators. If the mice and rats are getting it, they will accumulate that toxin. Obviously, that's not going to be happening out in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There could be a combination of different factors.

TA: Are there other small carnivores that are of concern?

Kays: There is another species in particular that we're already concerned with, and that's the eastern spotted skunk, which is a small predator. It survives in the North Carolina mountains. State wildlife experts are studying that skunk. We don't track these small predators very well. We need to start keeping track, and we need to start doing better surveys of weasels.

Explore further Less snow leaves weasels exposed to predators: scientists

More information: David Jachowski et al, Tracking the decline of weasels in North America, PLOS ONE (2021). Journal information: PLoS ONE David Jachowski et al, Tracking the decline of weasels in North America,(2021). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254387
Photograph of a Japanese Quail. Credit: Ingrid Taylar, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

When animals become parents, they often need to change their behaviors in ways that allow them to protect and ensure the survival of their offspring. What happens in the brain when an animal becomes a new parent?

In humans, even people who have not experienced pregnancy, such as fathers and adoptive parents, are able to experience behavioral changes. A new study by researchers from Chapman University demonstrates how the brain changes as birds, which do not undergo changes in physiology associated with pregnancy, experience the transition to becoming parental. The results show that as non-reproductive birds become parental, their brains mimic changes observed in female mice post-partum. The results reveal molecules that were not known to have a role in parental care in non-placental species and open new avenues for the understanding of the regulation of parental care across vertebrates. The study was published in the journal Scientific Reports on July 29.

The research makes use of an unusual characteristic of a domesticated bird, the Japanese quail. Over the course of being bred for more egg production, Japanese quail lost their parental behavior. Very few birds are spontaneously parental towards chicks. Interestingly, there is a simple procedure than can help these birds become parental. Dr. Patricia C. Lopes, an assistant professor of biological sciences in the Schmid College of Science and Technology, induces the birds to become parental towards chicks so that she can study how their physiology, brain, and behavior change.

"If you place these birds in a nest box with small chicks overnight, most of them will show parental behaviors towards chicks the next morning! It was really striking to observe how birds that had no reproductive experience could transition to being parental so quickly," Lopes said.

Using this setup, Lopes and postdoctoral fellow Dr. Robert de Bruijn studied the molecular differences in the brain of non-breeding birds that spent the night with chicks relative to those that did not. They were surprised to find that very few differences could be detected, but the major molecules that were different also appear to be important in regulating parental behavior and parental aggression in mice.

"It is exciting to observe these similarities between animals that have placentas and those that do not because it might indicate that these mechanisms are evolutionarily conserved. However, we do not yet know the full story. We will continue studying these molecules to understand more precisely how they might support parental behaviors," Lopes concluded.

Explore further Female snowy plovers are no bad mothers

More information: Patricia C. Lopes et al, Neurotranscriptomic changes associated with chick-directed parental care in adult non-reproductive Japanese quail, Scientific Reports (2021). Journal information: Scientific Reports Patricia C. Lopes et al, Neurotranscriptomic changes associated with chick-directed parental care in adult non-reproductive Japanese quail,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94927-6
Credit: Shutterstock

In a non-COVID year, Australia's vineyards host more than eight million wine tourists. While these visitors benefit wine producers and regional communities, they also generate a substantial amount of greenhouse gases.

If fact, our recent research showed tourist visits to vineyards comprise more than one-third of the industry's total carbon footprint.

Wine tourismalso called "cellar door" visitsinvolves visiting vineyards, wineries, wine festivals and events to taste, drink and buy wine.

The Australian wine industry has already been forced to adapt to the effects of climate change. If it fails to curb emissions associated with wine tourism, the industry is contributing to its own demise.

Temperature change and 'terroir'

In 2019, wine tourism contributed A$9.3 billion to the Australian economycreating more jobs and economic output than any other part of the industry. It promotes exports and provides vital financial support for small winemakers and family farms that rely on cellar door sales to visitors.

When wine tourists aren't in vineyards and tasting rooms, they often visit local restaurants, as well as cultural attractions such as museums, concerts and festivals.

Wine tourism gives travelers the chance to experience a region's "terroir"the particular geology, landscape, soil and climate that come together to make a region's wine special.

Wine grapes however are particularly susceptible to temperature changes. In fact, the wine industry has been described as "the canary in the coal mine" for the way climate change will affect agriculture.

In Australia, winemakers have already been forced to adapt to heatwaves, drought, increased fire risk and salinity.

Previous research commissioned by Wine Australia has found global warming will bring many changes to the industry. For example, Australian winemakers may struggle to grow cool-climate varieties such as chardonnay and pinot noir.

Despite the industry's vulnerability, the environmental sustainability of wine tourism is rarely addressed by either the industry or the academic literature. Our recent research sought to close this knowledge gap.

Wine tourism accounts for one-third the industrys carbon footprint. Credit: Shutterstock

Our findings

Past research into the wine industry's carbon footprint has examined factors such as the emissions created by shipping the wine in heavy glass bottles.

Our research examined wine tourism activities that create carbon emissions, such as those associated with transport, accommodation, food and shopping. We traced how much wine tourists spend on the journey and the energy required to produce those services. We then allocated a share of total emissions to cellar door visits.

We found Australian wine tourism generates 790,000 tons of greenhouse gas emisisons each yearone-third of the industry's total carbon footprint. This translates to an average 101 kilograms of carbon emissions per winery trip, per person.

Domestic overnight wine tourists contributed the majority of environmental impacts (82%). However, due to their higher spending at wineries, their carbon emissions were lower than that of travelers from overseas when measured per dollar of spending.

We estimate one-quarter of wine tourists in Australia come from overseas, and long-haul flights form around 75% of international wine tourism's carbon footprint.

Because of factors such as shorter flights, visitors from countries nearer to Australiasuch as New Zealand, Hong Kong, China and Singaporeproduce 20-40% fewer emissions per dollar spent than visitors from the United States and the United Kingdom.

Stock up at the cellar door

Given the emisisons associated with international wine tourism, Australian wineries should target visits by domestic tourists. This would benefit both the environment and regional economies starved of international visitors during the pandemic.

In terms of overseas travelers, the Australian wine industry should target short-haul markets such as China, Japan and Singapore. This would reduce the industry's reliance on tourists traveling to Australia on emissions-intensive long-haul flights.

Many of us will be wine tourists at some pointperhaps for an afternoon, overnight or even on an overseas trip to a famous wine region. So what can you do about your carbon footprint?

Visit accredited wineries that commit to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. And while you're there, buy more bottles than you might have otherwise.

The typical Australian wine tourist buys three or four bottles at the cellar door. Why not make it a half dozen or more? A trip in which you buy ten bottles is more environmentally friendly than ten trips where you buy one bottle each time. And join the wine club for direct shipping.

Our cellar door purchases can also boost the bottom lines of wineries and enable them to invest in environmental sustainability. Few virtuous acts taste as good.

Explore further New model gives wineries better data from existing tests

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
In this Wednesday, June 30, 2021 file photo, a man stands under a water feature trying to beat the heat at a splash park in Calgary, Alberta. Scientists say there's something different this year from the recent drumbeat of climate weirdness. This summer a lot of the places hit by weather disasters are not used to getting extremes and many of them are wealthier, which is different from the normal climate change victims. That includes unprecedented deadly flooding in Germany and Belgium, 116-degree heat records in Portland, Oregon and similar blistering temperatures in Canada, along with wildfires. Now Southern Europe is seeing scorching temperatures and out-of-control blazes too. And the summer of extremes is only getting started. Peak Atlantic hurricane and wildfire seasons in the United States are knocking at the door. Credit: Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press via AP, FIle

As the world staggers through another summer of extreme weather, experts are noticing something different: 2021s onslaught is hitting harder and in places that have been spared global warming's wrath in the past.

Wealthy countries such as the United States, Canada, Germany and Belgium are joining poorer and more vulnerable nations on a growing list of extreme weather events that scientists say have some connection to human-caused climate change.

"It is not only a poor country problem, it's now very obviously a rich country problem," said Debby Guha-Sapir, founder of the international disaster database at the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters at Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium. "They (the rich) are getting whacked."

Killer floods hit China, but hundreds of people also drowned in parts of Germany and Belgium not used to being inundated. Canada and the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. had what climate scientist Zeke Hausfather called "scary" heat that soared well past triple digits in Fahrenheit and into the high 40s in Celsius, shattering records and accompanied by unusual wildfires. Now southern Europe is seeing unprecedented heat and fire.

And peak Atlantic hurricane and U.S. wildfire seasons are only just starting.

In this Thursday, July 15, 2021, 2021 file photo, a regional train in the flood waters at the local station in Kordel, Germany, after it was flooded by the high waters of the Kyll river. This summer a lot of the places hit by weather disasters are not used to getting extremes and many of them are wealthier, which is different from the normal climate change victims. That includes unprecedented deadly flooding in Germany and Belgium, 116-degree heat records in Portland, Oregon and similar blistering temperatures in Canada, along with wildfires. Now Southern Europe is seeing scorching temperatures and out-of-control blazes too. And the summer of extremes is only getting started. Peak Atlantic hurricane and wildfire seasons in the United States are knocking at the door. Credit: Sebastian Schmitt/dpa via AP, File

When what would become Hurricane Elsa formed on July 1, it broke last year's record for the earliest fifth named Atlantic storm. Colorado State University has already increased its forecast for the number of named Atlantic stormsand the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Wednesday said it was expecting one or two named storms more than it predicted in May.

For fire season, the U.S. West is the driest it has been since 1580, based on soil moisture readings and tree ring records, setting the stage for worsening fires if something ignites them, said UCLA climate and fire scientist Park Williams.

What happens with U.S. hurricane and fire seasons drives the end-of-year statistics for total damage costs of weather disasters, said Ernst Rauch, chief climate and geo scientist for insurance giant Munich Re. But so far this year, he said, wealthier regions have seen the biggest economic losses.

In this Friday, July 16, 2021 file photo, awoman stands outside while cleaning mud and water out of her house after flooding in Ensival, Verviers, Belgium, Scientists say there's something different this year from the recent drumbeat of climate weirdness. This summer a lot of the places hit by weather disasters are not used to getting extremes and many of them are wealthier, which is different from the normal climate change victims. That includes unprecedented deadly flooding in Germany and Belgium, 116-degree heat records in Portland, Oregon and similar blistering temperatures in Canada, along with wildfires. Now Southern Europe is seeing scorching temperatures and out-of-control blazes too. And the summer of extremes is only getting started. Peak Atlantic hurricane and wildfire seasons in the United States are knocking at the door. Credit: AP Photo/Francisco Seco, File

But when poorer countries are hit, they are less prepared and their people can't use air conditioning or leave so there's more harm, said Hausfather, climate director of the Breakthrough Institute. While hundreds of people died in the Pacific Northwest heat wave, he said the number would have been much higher in poor areas.

Madagascar, an island nation off East Africa, is in the middle of back-to-back droughts that the United Nations warns are pushing 400,000 people toward starvation.

Though it is too early to say the summer of 2021 will again break records for climate disasters, "We're certainly starting to see climate change push extreme events into new territories where they haven't been seen before," Hausfather said.

The number of weather, water and climate disasters so far this year is only slightly higher than the average of recent years, said disaster researcher Guha-Sapir. Her group's database, which she said still is missing quite a few events, shows 208 such disasters worldwide through Julyabout 11% more than the last decade's average, but a bit less than last year.

In this Saturday, July 17, 2021 file photo, a man stands on a bridge and surveys the damage after flooding in Pepinster, Belgium. Scientists say there's something different this year from the recent drumbeat of climate weirdness. This summer a lot of the places hit by weather disasters are not used to getting extremes and many of them are wealthier, which is different from the normal climate change victims. That includes unprecedented deadly flooding in Germany and Belgium, 116-degree heat records in Portland, Oregon and similar blistering temperatures in Canada, along with wildfires. Now Southern Europe is seeing scorching temperatures and out-of-control blazes too. And the summer of extremes is only getting started. Peak Atlantic hurricane and wildfire seasons in the United States are knocking at the door. Credit: AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, File

Last year, the record-shattering heat that came out of nowhere was in Siberia, where few people live, but this year it struck Portland, Oregon, and British Columbia, which gets more Western media attention, Hausfather said.

What's happening is "partly an increase in the statistics of these extreme events, but also just that the steady drumbeat, the pile on year-on-year ... takes its cumulative toll on all of us who are reading these headlines," said Georgia Tech climate scientist Kim Cobb.

"This pattern of recent Northern Hemisphere summers has been really quite stark," said University of Exeter climate scientist Peter Stott.

While the overall temperature rise is "playing out exactly as we said 20 years ago, ... what we are seeing in terms of the heat waves and the floods is more extreme than we predicted back then," Stott said.

FILE - In this Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021 file photo, people run away from the fire-devastated Sirtkoy village, near Manavgat, Antalya, Turkey. Scientists say there's something different this year from the recent drumbeat of climate weirdness. This summer a lot of the places hit by weather disasters are not used to getting extremes and many of them are wealthier, which is different from the normal climate change victims. That includes unprecedented deadly flooding in Germany and Belgium, 116-degree heat records in Portland, Oregon and similar blistering temperatures in Canada, along with wildfires. Now Southern Europe is seeing scorching temperatures and out-of-control blazes too. And the summer of extremes is only getting started. Peak Atlantic hurricane and wildfire seasons in the United States are knocking at the door. Credit: AP Photo, File

Climate scientists say there is little doubt climate change from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas is driving extreme events.

A new study using satellite images of global flooding since 2000, shows that flooding worldwide hits 10 times as many people as previously thought. Wednesday's study in the journal Nature finds that from 2000 to 2018 between 255 and 290 million people were directly affected by floodswhich lead author Beth Tellman of the University of Arizona says is based on 913 floods with thousands more not counted because of satellite image problems.

Previous estimates showed far fewer people hit by flooding because they were based on computer simulations, rather than observations. The new study finds that population within flooded areas grew 34% since 2000, nearly twice as fast as those outside flooded areas.

In this Friday, July 16, 2021 file photo, a car sits submerged in the water after flooding in Chenee, Province of Liege, Belgium. Scientists say there's something different this year from the recent drumbeat of climate weirdness. This summer a lot of the places hit by weather disasters are not used to getting extremes and many of them are wealthier, which is different from the normal climate change victims. That includes unprecedented deadly flooding in Germany and Belgium, 116-degree heat records in Portland, Oregon and similar blistering temperatures in Canada, along with wildfires. Now Southern Europe is seeing scorching temperatures and out-of-control blazes too. And the summer of extremes is only getting started. Peak Atlantic hurricane and wildfire seasons in the United States are knocking at the door. Credit: AP Photo/Valentin Bianchi, File

In this Monday, July 26, 2021 file photo, a man carries goods on his bicycle as he walks out of the the Yubei Agricultural and Aquatic Products World in Xinxiang in central China's Henan Province. Scientists say there's something different this year from the recent drumbeat of climate weirdness. This summer a lot of the places hit by weather disasters are not used to getting extremes and many of them are wealthier, which is different from the normal climate change victims. That includes unprecedented deadly flooding in Germany and Belgium, 116-degree heat records in Portland, Oregon and similar blistering temperatures in Canada, along with wildfires. Now Southern Europe is seeing scorching temperatures and out-of-control blazes too. And the summer of extremes is only getting started. Peak Atlantic hurricane and wildfire seasons in the United States are knocking at the door. Credit: AP Photo/Dake Kang, File

In this Saturday, June 26, 2021 file photo, Salem Fire Department Capt. Matt Brozovich, left, and Falck Northwest ambulance personnel help treat a man experiencing heat exposure at a cooling center during a heat wave, in Salem, Ore. Scientists say there's something different this year from the recent drumbeat of climate weirdness. This summer a lot of the places hit by weather disasters are not used to getting extremes and many of them are wealthier, which is different from the normal climate change victims. That includes unprecedented deadly flooding in Germany and Belgium, 116-degree heat records in Portland, Oregon and similar blistering temperatures in Canada, along with wildfires. Now Southern Europe is seeing scorching temperatures and out-of-control blazes too. And the summer of extremes is only getting started. Peak Atlantic hurricane and wildfire seasons in the United States are knocking at the door. Credit: AP Photo/Nathan Howard, File

In this Monday, July 19, 2021 file photo, a woman tries to clean the mud in front of her house in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, Germany. Scientists say there's something different this year from the recent drumbeat of climate weirdness. This summer a lot of the places hit by weather disasters are not used to getting extremes and many of them are wealthier, which is different from the normal climate change victims. That includes unprecedented deadly flooding in Germany and Belgium, 116-degree heat records in Portland, Oregon and similar blistering temperatures in Canada, along with wildfires. Now Southern Europe is seeing scorching temperatures and out-of-control blazes too. And the summer of extremes is only getting started. Peak Atlantic hurricane and wildfire seasons in the United States are knocking at the door. Credit: AP Photo/Bram Janssen, File

In this Monday, July 26, 2021 file photo, a man carries bags of onions out of the flooded Yubei Agricultural and Aquatic Products World in Xinxiang in central China's Henan Province. Scientists say there's something different this year from the recent drumbeat of climate weirdness. This summer a lot of the places hit by weather disasters are not used to getting extremes and many of them are wealthier, which is different from the normal climate change victims. That includes unprecedented deadly flooding in Germany and Belgium, 116-degree heat records in Portland, Oregon and similar blistering temperatures in Canada, along with wildfires. Now Southern Europe is seeing scorching temperatures and out-of-control blazes too. And the summer of extremes is only getting started. Peak Atlantic hurricane and wildfire seasons in the United States are knocking at the door. Credit: AP Photo/Dake Kang, File

In this Saturday, July 17, 2021 file photo, Wiel de Bie, 75, stands outside his flooded home in the town of Brommelen, Netherlands. Scientists say there's something different this year from the recent drumbeat of climate weirdness. This summer a lot of the places hit by weather disasters are not used to getting extremes and many of them are wealthier, which is different from the normal climate change victims. That includes unprecedented deadly flooding in Germany and Belgium, 116-degree heat records in Portland, Oregon and similar blistering temperatures in Canada, along with wildfires. Now Southern Europe is seeing scorching temperatures and out-of-control blazes too. And the summer of extremes is only getting started. Peak Atlantic hurricane and wildfire seasons in the United States are knocking at the door. Credit: AP Photo/Bram Janssen, File

Tellman identified 25 nations that are "climate surprise" countries that will have to cope far more with the flooding problems than they do now. Those countries include the U.S, as well as Germany, Belgium and China, which were hit by flooding this summer.

Aside from dramatic floods and fires, heat waves are a major risk to prepare for in the future, Guha-Sapir said.

"It's going to be a very big deal in the Western countries because the most susceptible to sudden peaks of heat are older people. And the demographic profile of the people in Europe is very old," she said. "Heat waves are going to be a real issue in the next few years."

Explore further Deadly summer of extreme weather as climate change bites

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
GLENS FALLS  Monument Square, the citys tallest and most prominent downtown office building, is for sale.

The 10-story building at 333 Glen St. is currently on the market for $15 million. The building is home to 37 suites and is 95% occupied, according to a real estate listing.

Levack Real Estate Inc., a Glens Falls-based commercial real estate firm, is handling the listing. The Albany Business Review first reported the property is for sale.

Mark Levack, the listed real estate agent for the property, did not return a phone call for comment.

The 190,000-square-foot building was constructed in 1973 by the Firemens Insurance Co. of Newark, New Jersey, according to Warren County property records.

The building has 163,373 square feet of office space as well as a surface lot, parking garage and three satellite parking lots along Bay and Washington streets.

In 2006, the building was sold to 333 Glen Street Associates for $4.7 million, according to property records.

That company is the real estate holding firm for a number of investors, including Bruce Boswell, vice president of Boswell Engineering in Albany.
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.
Could invoking the Golden Rule be enough to induce vaccine-skeptical people of faith to finally get their COVID-19 jab? According to some new polling data, that may well be the case.

A recent poll of 5,123 adults by the Public Religion Research Institute and the Interfaith Youth Core found that nearly four in 10 vaccine-hesitant Americans (38 percent) who attend religious services at least a few times a year said that one or more faith-based approaches would make them more likely to get vaccinated.

And, as it turns out, when you tell people that getting vaccinated allows them to live out one of the core tenets of Christianity  loving their neighbor as themselves the message tends to resonate.

And it resonates across all faith and demographic groups.

For instance, four in 10 vaccinated Hispanic protestants and three in 10 vaccinated Black protestants were more likely to say that one or more faith-based approaches convinced them to get their jab, the poll found.

And more than three in 10 (31 percent) of vaccine-hesitant white Catholics told pollsters that a faith-based approach could encourage them to get vaccinated, up from 15 percent earlier in the year, the poll found.
To the inevitable disappointment of some and the relief of others, this is a book about Tesla, not about its founder. Elon Musk already does a fine job aiming the spotlight on himself. As Higgins details, it took a village to build Tesla. "Power Play" at its core is about the many employees not named Elon Musk who made essential contributions to whatever success the carmaker enjoys today.

Don't fret: Musk is always part of the story, contributing his own brand of drama to keep things moving along. But in this book, the self-anointed "TechnoKing" (his actual job title at Tesla) serves not as main character but dramatic foil to those doing their best under chaotic, dysfunctional conditions.

One is J.B. Straubel, the Stanford engineer who teamed with Musk to take over the original Tesla, founded in 2003 by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning. Musk was the money man, Straubel the brains behind the battery technology. Straubel departed Tesla in 2019 after the board of directors agreed to a pay plan that has made Musk one of the richest people on the planet.
NONFICTION: Anna Qu tells the harrowing tale of working in her parents' sweatshop.

"Made in China" by Anna Qu; Catapult (224 pages, $26)



To write about trauma, memoirist Debra Gwartney advises, "when the action is hot, write cool." Anna Qu's debut memoir "Made in China: A Memoir of Love and Labor" embodies this guidance. Qu writes with clarity and restraint about her Cinderella-terrible childhood spent working in her parents' sweatshop and eating alone after her stepsiblings finished. Facts like these don't need embellishing to cut deep.

However, as stark as these details seem, when adult Qu pores through social service records and reflects on her mother's life, she learns her childhood is part of a larger story with myriad complexities.

Qu's story begins in Wenzhou, China, where she was born when her mother was 18. Her father died when she was a toddler, and her widowed mother left Qu with her grandparents and headed to New York. In 1991, when Qu is 7, her mother brings her to the U.S., not because she misses her  but rather to display her financial status: "To have your children with you was a talked-about privilege."
PLEASANTVILLE  City Council on Monday night paid tribute to a member of the community who died recently, acknowledging Tereasa Callaways actions on July 14 showed courage, compassion and love for her fellow human.

Callaway, 57, of Pleasantville, was assisting a woman who had been involved in a motor vehicle crash on Route 30 in Atlantic City when she was struck and killed by another vehicle.

Council and the Police Department on Monday presented a civilian citation to Callaways husband, David Callaway, and her eldest son, Tiriq Callaway, recognizing the familys personal tragedy.

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Tereasa stopped to assist when many others would have simply glanced at the crash and continued on their way. It is a rare and admirable trait to have the mental and intestinal fortitude to put oneself in danger with the goal of protecting another, the citation read.

Atlantic City woman struck, killed while assisting in motor vehicle crash ATLANTIC CITY  A woman who stopped to assist in a motor vehicle crash was struck and killed

Callaways actions and that fortitude are worthy of emulation by all, the citation read. Tereasa made the ultimate sacrifice while selflessly attempting to safeguard the life of another. For this, she and the Callaway family are forever owed a debt of honor and gratitude for her sacrifice, the citation read.
The special election for the 3rd District commissioners race between Democrat Thelma Witherspoon, of Hamilton Township, and Republican Andrew Parker, of Egg Harbor Township, will happen with the general election this year.

Atlantic County elections board splits over early voting site The Atlantic County Board of Elections agreed at a meeting Tuesday night on four of the five

The elections board first rented the space last September in preparation for the states first mostly vote-by-mail general election in November, which was ordered by Gov. Phil Murphy to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Previously, the board operated out of the renovated historic county jail in Mays Landing, a small stone structure where many offices were in former inmate cells. There was one meeting room, but it was nowhere near large enough for the extra staff needed in November 2020  let alone the additional space for proper social distancing.

Republican Commissioner Frank Balles asked whether the county should consider buying or building space for the elections board.

It appears that this is going to go on a long, long time, having to rent this space, said Balles. I think there will be special elections and recounts in our future. We have to be able to plan for it.

Over time, Balles said, rent could easily cost more than building or buying.
In the end, only 10 of 180 workers quit, and McNeil said Canterburys nursing home, independent living and assisted living facilities have reported no new COVID-19 cases since February.

It was a gamble that paid off for us, McNeil said. I thought more people would have mandated it by now.

At Jewish Home Family in Rockleigh, New Jersey, only five of 527 workers at its nursing home and assisted-living facilities quit. Westminster Village in Bloomington, Illinois, lost only two out of 250.

+5 Cape takes COVID-19 vaccines to the people WOODBINE  On Tuesday morning, as temperatures inched closer to 90 degrees, the crew of Cape

Its important to educate, but at some point we have to end this pandemic, said Scott Crabtree, CEO of Lambeth House in New Orleans, which lost only 10 of 200 workers after it started requiring shots when they became available last year. When do we say, Enough is enough?

More than 130,000 nursing home residents in the U.S. have died from COVID-19, making such institutions by far the deadliest place to be during the pandemic. About 80% of residents have been vaccinated, double the rate for staff, according to the government.

Some workers have rejected the vaccine because they think it was rushed into development and is unsafe, or they feel protected because they already got COVID-19.
BLOOMINGTON  A Virginia man is in McLean County jail custody after police arrested him Tuesday on a warrant for his connection to a June shooting in Norfolk, Virginia.

Bloomington police responded at 3:55 p.m. Tuesday to the 800 block of West Washington Street for a fireworks complaint, where officers found a suspect who had given them a false name.

Travarish D. Carpenter, 29, of Portsmouth, Virginia, was eventually identified and arrested after Bloomington police learned of a warrant for his arrest in Virginia.

Carpenter is charged in Virginia with aggravated malicious wounding, attempted malicious wounding, reckless handling of a firearm, discharge of a firearm in a public place and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

He is accused of being connected to a June 12 shooting in Norfolk that hospitalized one man with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police said Carpenter was with a relative, Catherine D. Lewis, 64, of Bloomington, who helped Carpenter hide his identity.
Local COVID-19 facts and figures

According the CDC, Scott County has registered 104 new cases in the last seven days and has an 11.29% positivity rate from 1,611 tests performed.

The CDC considers Scott County to have a high rate of COVID-19 transmission.

In terms of vaccinations, the CDC reported 83,166 Scott County residents are fully vaccinated. That's 48.1% of the county's population of just under 173,000.

The CDC reported 108 new COVID-19 cases in Rock Island County over the last seven days. The county has a positivity rate of 7.94% from the 1574 tests performed in the last seven days.

Rock Island County's vaccination efforts have resulted in 60,499 fully vaccinated residents  42.6% of the roughly 143,000 people who live in the county.

Both Rock Island and Scott County Health Departments have issued recommendations aligned with CDC guidance that people in areas with substantial or high transmission  all of the Q-C area  should mask when in indoor public spaces whether vaccinated or not. Vaccinations do not provide full and immediate immunity which is all the more reason for everyone to mask up when indoors.
Phillips-Harris and her family became homeless around 2015 and spent about 2 1/2 years living in a hotel and with family members. The time aligned with the beginning of James' leadership at the church. He recognized her calling. Her family now resides in their own home in Collinsville.

"It was literally in months of Pastor James being here," Phillips-Harris said. "I went into his office to talk to him and he said 'What is your purpose?' I'm saying all of this other stuff because I did work with the youth, and I was doing other things, and he kept looking at me like 'Alright, when are you going to tell me the real (thing)?'"

She went through a year of minister-in-training in 2016 and started the ordination process in April of this year. She hopes her role can inspire other women to pursue their dreams.

"I hope it helps some other women to say 'Hey, I can reach out and do some things or accept my calling,'" Phillips-Harris said. "Maybe it's not even related to ministry. Maybe it's something else that they've been fighting as a woman to do."

Elder Trena McGuire discovered her passion for ministry at a young age. She was raised at the Orr-Weathers Apartments in East St Louis during the 1970s when she became intrigued by her friend's mom.
Illinois Adjutant General Richard Neely, commander of the Illinois Army and Air National Guard, said in July that the funding situation was "very upsetting."

He said canceling Guard training sessions at more than 50 Illinois armories and Air Guard sites at the 183rd Wing in Springfield, the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria and at Scott Air Force Base in August and September would leave Guard troops less prepared for future missions and create financial hardships for part-time soldiers who depend on their pay for household bills.

The unprecedented shortfall amounted to about 15% of the Illinois Guard's budget for pay and operational support. About 98% of the Guard's funding comes from the federal government.

"We don't get a lot of very wealthy folks who join the Guard," Leighton said. "Particularly in the lower ranks, these are people who are just getting started in life and careers. A lot of them depend on that monthly check for their Guard service."

The reimbursement from Congress had been delayed by debate in Washington over how to pay for additional security at the U.S. Capitol in the future after the Jan. 6 riot by supporters of former President Donald Trump, a Republican.

Gov. JB Pritzker, a Democrat, had called on Congress to repay the debt to the Guard.
We are endangered from several sources: (1) North Korea, a small, well-armed country with a suppressed but united population developing nuclear weapons and bolstered by China. (2) Iran, larger, more populated and also developing nuclear weapons; supports wars against our allies. (3) Russia, with half our population, who, like us, include different races and ethnicities that have problems uniting. (But not dozens of hate groups.) They also have as many nuclear weapons as we have. (4) The Chinese, who have come up suddenly to challenge our primacy with a well-educated and ambitious population more than three times ours, and much more united. The 90% who are Chinese have minimal freedom. The 10% not Chinese are badly treated and smothered by an oppressive government. They have nuclear weapons, but less than the U.S. and the Russians. (5) The planet we live on; now falling apart at the seams. Every effort must be made to preserve it, which means more scientific research and sacrifices and support from the rest of us. It also means we must unite behind the Democrats, the only large party that is living in the real world. Those Republicans who live in the real world must join the Democrats or form a party of their own, calling it, perhaps, the Grand New Party, or bring back the Whigs.
Existing employees will be asked to work more hours, and store hours may not be as long as they usually are around the holiday season, Rowley said. Im encouraging everyone I know to shop earlier.

A big reason holiday hiring will be a challenge this year is that people dont need the money, Rowley said. Putting a pencil to a 10- to 15-hour-a-week job for six weeks comes to about $1,000. Families with two or three children will see that kind of extra money from the child tax credits that started in July, he said.

Many front-line workers are experiencing psychological burnout, Stevenson said, and theyre worried about their own safety, higher costs for child care and lingering concerns for at-risk family members.

Some experts see the end of federal supplement unemployment benefits in September as a turning point, but Stevenson said the payments have stopped in several states, including Texas, and there have been no big changes in the labor supply.

He believes traditional white-collar job benefits, such as tuition and bonuses, will continue to be offered to hourly workers. Store operations need workers who can advance, and hourly workers need to see a clear career path, he said.
"For many of these people, it's now simply a matter of taking the things most important to them and leaving the rest behind," he said.

The eviction help desk set up by Iowa Legal Aid and Community Action of Eastern Iowa stayed busy Tuesday afternoon, the only day during the week evictions are heard in Scott County.

Inside the court was just as busy. Two magistrates heard a rapid succession of landlords and tenants, many who didn't show to the hearing, and several who appeared with help from Iowa Legal Aid.

Judicial Specialist Holly Crabb, who directed traffic inside magistrate court, said 60 evictions cases were originally scheduled for Tuesday. In some, tenants failed to appear. In other cases the landlord did not show up.

As in Gallagher's case, three Iowa Legal Aid attorneys were in and out of the courtroom, huddling with landlords set on eviction to let them know local Scott County housing advocates had a pool of money to give stop-gap payments to landlords to allow tenants time to apply for state rental assistance that could clear a backlog of rent. Some landlords agreed, others didn't.

Attorneys couldn't present the eviction moratorium documentation, which could be sent to landlords if the renter met certain conditions to prevent being removed from their home.
H.W. Lochner is the Chicago-based firm that supplies planning, environmental, design, construction engineering and inspection services for all means of transportation across the U.S.

The company has assigned a former chief engineer and director of highway project implementation for the Illinois DOT to work with the Bison Bridge Foundation.

Our firm brings decades of inspection experience that will help ensure a safe and structurally sound design for the new Bison Bridge," said Lochner's Paul Loete.

He inspected the I-80 bridge in March and December of 2010, so he has knowledge of the bridges history and its current structural conditions, Pregracke said.

Lochner also has experience designing long-span river crossings, as well as ground/landscape covered bridges.

Thank you to Lochner Engineering for believing in this project and bringing their expertise to what I hope will become a national treasure for our community and people from all over the world to enjoy, Pregracke said this week. We are proud of the worldwide support that this unique way of repurposing the I-80 bridge has gained and look forward to sharing more about the many benefits this project will bring to the region."
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.

There will be an opportunity for public comments. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. at the Coolidge Professional Development Room, 3430 Avenue of the Cities, for the public with the meeting set to start at 6 p.m. Per the CDC and Illinois Department of Public Health, individuals who are not fully vaccinated should wear a face covering and practice social distancing if they choose to attend.

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Armstrong considered COVID-19 and its effect on his life.

"I got out the joint this last time and I got a job at XPac, you know, packing," he said. "Then the bug hits and I've got a problem because they don't need workers every day because all the shipping is falling off.

"That's one problem. The other problem is I have no car. So I was paying for a ride to work. The way it's set up is you show up at work to find out if you got work. Well, I'm paying for my ride every day and getting, maybe, one or two days of work."

Armstrong shrugged his shoulders, shuffled his Pumas on the courthouse's black-and-white tiled floor and announced his decision.

"I'm going down to the clerk to see if I have to see the magistrate first, then I'll come back here and see about this," Armstrong announced.

He returned 20 minutes later with a nine-day extension on his eviction.

"I don't know about this," he said, squinting as he watched Iowa Legal Aid's attorneys interview people. "Those are lawyers? I don't know about lawyers."

Armstrong shook his head.
In all, six Crestwood tenants were evicted in violation of the state and federal eviction bans, according to court records, due to a lack of enforcement that has led landlords to ignore the law, according to legal observers. In all but one of the six cases, tenants failed to appear for trial or court hearings and were evicted by default, according to court records.

In two of the cases, evictions were ordered and granted after a federal eviction moratorium for federally connected properties ended on July 25, 2020, but before the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention halted residential evictions to help slow the spread of COVID-19. That moratorium, which sought to protect millions of Americans behind on their rent from being tossed out of houses and apartments, expired July 31.

Crestwood Townhome, LLC, which lists the same address as one of the rental properties owned by Crestwood Apartments Cooperative of Forest Lake, Minn., moved to evict Anna Vela in June 2020.

Vela, who lived with her three children in a two-bedroom townhome, was paying $650 in rent for a unit at 3811 Bridge Ave., but had her weekly hours working at a Davenport supermarket cut during the pandemic to 11 hours from 35 hours.
Like President Joe Biden, Sen. Chuck Grassley has doubts that a new federal eviction moratorium could withstand a legal challenge, but Im not going to fuss as long theres an end date.

Grassley was kind of surprised by the Biden administration issuing a new eviction moratorium after the previous one expired July 31.

In a 5-4 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allowed the moratorium to stand, the justices indicated it would take congressional action to extend it.

I've also heard (House Speaker Nancy) Pelosi say that it can't be done except by Congress passing laws, and Congress hasn't passed laws, the Iowa Republican said Wednesday. I read yesterday that CDC itself said that they didn't have the legal authority to do it.

However, if the moratorium is going to end Oct. 3, I'm not going to squabble about it, Grassley told reporters.

The eviction moratorium, like the add-on federal unemployment benefits and other measures, were written to help Americans through the pandemic and were meant to last only as long as there is a national emergency.

Its got to end, Grassley said, but now wouldn't be the time for me to expect this to happen.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill.  Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday ordered face coverings for all school children from preschool through 12th grade to thwart the continued spread of the COVID-19 virus and the Democrat will require all state employees who work in highly populated facilities such as prisons to be vaccinated.

With the potentially deadly virus continuing to spread, worsened by the more virulent delta variant, Pritzker urged residents who have not been vaccinated to get the shots necessary to prevent the illness.

"Every time we think we know where this virus is headed, it changes, and it shifts...," Pritzker said in Chicago. "I want to say this, specifically to young adults: Please do not think that the worst-case scenario cannot happen. It can. Get vaccinated."

The required vaccination for state employees applies to those who work in prisons and juvenile detention facilities, veterans' homes and state facilities for the mentally and developmentally disabled. Each must be fully vaccinated by Oct. 4.

Employers both private and public have begun requiring shots against the deadly virus  President Joe Biden is considering such a requirement for all federal employees  and the law appears to be on the side of the boss. Employers can make vaccination a condition of employment, experts say.
Three cataclysmic events during the last 12 months have forever changed our lives. In all three cases, there were preceding events that led up to these cataclysmic events. In all three cases, the repercussions of these events will be with us for years to come.

One of these cataclysmic events has been something that has been on our minds every day for the last 12 months  the Covid-19 pandemic, which has claimed the lives of more than 600,000 Americans and an even greater number of lives worldwide. In the United States, the death toll peaked in January and February, when more than 3,000 people a day died from this deadly disease.

The good news is that vaccines have significantly reduced the death toll from the deadly virus that causes Covid-19. The bad news is that the rapid spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant of this deadly virus, particularly among those who have chosen not to be vaccinated, has resulted in the number of cases of Covid-19 spiking up again in many parts of the country, including here in the Quad Cities.

We had allowed ourselves to assume that once we got vaccinated for Covid-19, we could go back to doing all of the things that we enjoyed doing before the pandemic so drastically changed our lives. The reluctance of a substantial portion of the population to be vaccinated, however, has punctured that myth.
Theres a strong case that Congress should give legal status to millions of immigrants who are here illegally, at least under certain conditions. Theres 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.

There is, by contrast, no real case that the rules in place today allow it.

If Democrats try to enact an amnesty that way, they will probably, and rightly, get shot down  but not before doing a bit more damage to public confidence in our political system.

The gambit some Democrats are considering would put a broad amnesty in a budget reconciliation bill that cannot be filibustered. If all the Democrats voted for the bill and all the Republicans against it, it would pass the Senate on a 51-50 vote with Vice President Kamala Harris breaking the tie.

The argument for trying this maneuver has three parts: It would meet the technical requirements to qualify for inclusion in a reconciliation bill, there is precedent for it, and it would be popular. None is persuasive.
Gov. Kim Reynolds has confused me once again. The CDC comes out with new mask guidance, and Reynolds blasts it saying it is counterproductive to our vaccination efforts and is not grounded in reality or common sense.

Previously, she and the Republican-led Legislature prohibited vaccine passports, meaning any unvaccinated person can still go to any public place and schools cannot require masks. This seems counterproductive to me.

Meanwhile the average daily rate of new Covid cases in Iowa are the highest since May. As of this writing, only 49.4% of Iowans have been vaccinated. That is the reality. And for common sense, apparently half of Iowans dont have it. So much for Reynolds trust that Iowans will do the right thing.

Now she complains that unvaccinated immigrants are the cause of the rise in Covid cases. Seriously? Gee, maybe she should have sent our unused doses down to Texas with our state troopers and have them give shots to immigrants. A win-win!

John R. Martin

Davenport

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WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP)  The queen's representative in New Zealand said Prince Harry and Meghan discussed moving to the South Pacific country during their 2018 visit, more than a year before the couple stepped back from royal duties and moved to the United States.

Governor-General Patsy Reddy also told The Associated Press in an interview she believes the British monarch should remain New Zealand's head of state and described the hand-typed letters she sends to Queen Elizabeth II.

Reddy, 67, will leave her largely ceremonial role representing the queen in New Zealand in October after a 5-year term. A lawyer who was given the honorific Dame for her services to arts and business, Reddy officially signs bills into law, presides over many public ceremonies and tours the country, meeting with various groups including Indigenous Maori.

Harry and Meghan visited New Zealand at the end of a hectic 16-day royal tour of the South Pacific, and Reddy recalled the couple as being tired.

"I remember theyd just been down to the Abel Tasman National Park when we sat down and had a drink, and they said that they could imagine living in a place like this and wondered whether we thought it would be theoretically possible. Even possible for them to have a place in New Zealand.
Published in 2017, Nomadland is a portrait of retirement-age Americans forced out of their homes and into RVs, vans and cars.

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When Bruder decided to immerse herself in the lives of Linda May and Charlene Swankie, she never dreamed readers and moviegoers would watch Frances McDormand bring Nomadland to life. When Bruder initially decided to camp for a few weeks with a group of modern nomads, she was planning a magazine profile, not a book. However, the story soon took on a life of its own, and Bruder ultimately traveled in an RV for 15,000 miles for more than three years to gather material for the book.

"They felt incredibly validated by the experience," Bruder said in an interview at the Columbia Journalism School, after watching this years Academy Awards ceremony on television and seeing May and Swankie mingle with movie stars. "I was delighted to see them up there. ... I followed these women for three years, and none of us expected this would be part of their journey."
Active COVID-19 cases in South Dakota climbed this week to the highest levels since May 19 as 429 new infections were reported by the Department of Health.

The number of active cases rose to 657  an increase of 223 since last week's report.

The Delta variant of the virus is making up about 90% of new cases across the country. In South Dakota, the Department of Health is only performing sentinel monitoring instead of testing each positive sample.

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Even with highly limited testing, the number of cases of the Delta variant increased from 13 to 54 in one week. The number of hospitalizations increased to 39 with 12 in intensive care units and five using ventilators across the state. In the Black Hills region, there are 12 patients being treated for COVID-19 illnesses with three in ICU and three on ventilators.

Seven deaths were reported this week after only eight were reported in July. There have been 2,050 deaths in South Dakota during the pandemic. Pennington, Butte and Lawrence counties each reported a death as did Beadle, Charles Mix, Faulk and Hughes counties. There were four women and three men who died. Three were over 70, two were in their 60s, one in their 50s and one in their 30s.
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.
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.
The concept of the government funding a program that would improve communications and connect America, is not a new concept. Historically, our government has worked hard to connect our nation, funding projects in order to move us forward. The railroads of the 19th century, the 41,000 miles of interstate and highways in the 20th century and now broadband in the 21st century. The implementation of the Broadband Initiative will provide a strong digital highway system that will give South Dakotans the opportunity to work locally and reach out and connect with the world, all the while enjoying the benefits of living in the Black Hills and South Dakota. This is not a new concept. It is simply a different vehicle that delivers information and online commerce.

There are always many facets to implementing a new endeavor especially one of this magnitude. As the guidelines and guardrails are put into place, we as legislators need to ensure that the funds are not only used properly, but we dont overbuild. We have boots on the ground with legislators involvement and oversight. Oversight is key!
Issues need to be cleared up

I love my country even if I see issues that need to be addressed, and most Americans would likely agree with me. However, some of these issues need to be seen clearly. First, the January 6 attack on the Capital building in D.C. was an attempted coup and those who directed and participated in this violence are not patriots but terrorists. This was an attack against our country, elections, and democracy. Second, Biden won the 2020 presidential election in a fair and almost entirely fraud-free election. Trump speaks the Big Lie. Third, many states have passed new legislation about their elections; this is fine but if these new laws actually reduce voter access or restrict voting rights unfairly then these laws, these actions, work against our democracy. Fourth, Covid is not a hoax. And while people have the right to refuse the vaccine, they do not have the right to then get sick and pass the Covid virus to other people or to give the virus time to mutate. Would we feel the same about sharing the plague, smallpox, or polio? If we want to get past the virus and live normal lives again, most Americans should take the vaccine.
The Nest Predator Bounty Program is inhumane, wasteful and not based on science. When South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks accepted public input on this program last spring, less than 7% of the 400 + written submissions were in favor of the program. Some reasons many South Dakotans are opposed to this bounty program:

1. The Nest Predator Bounty Program could unbalance our state's ecosystem. There was no scientific study done on the number of these nest predator species that currently inhabit South Dakota and no cap on each species to be killed. According to the GFP Operational Dashboard, the following tails have been submitted since this bounty program began in April 2019: 106,000 Raccoon, 15,700 Striped Skunk, 10,600 Opossum, 1,121 Red Fox and 1,093 Badger. Since the program began each spring, the kill totals dont include the many young that starved to death when their mothers were trapped.

2. Trapping is inhumane. In South Dakota, trappers are only required to check traps and snares every 3 days west of the Missouri River and every 2 days east of the Missouri River (with exemptions for illness and bad weather). Animals caught in traps for several days can be attacked by other animals, starve, dehydrate, or mangle their mouths and limbs trying to free themselves.
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.
Blaskovich also hears from parents concerned that things have been rushed with the vaccine roll out, and some of that is associated with the messenger RNA that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines utilize. She notes that mRNA research and use goes back decades. When COVID hit the reason they were able to start everything and do it so quickly is because there was a lot of money that was able to be pooled in order to get through all of the clinical trials quickly, Blaskovich said. There were a lot of participants because a lot of people wanted the vaccine and it was very easy to get to the number needed to treat because there was so much COVID around.

In some instances parents are concerned about things they've heard, like the vaccines can change a childs DNA. Blaskovich explained that an mRNA vaccine doesnt alter DNA because it can't enter the nucleus of cells and that the mRNA degrades after less than 72 hours in the body.

There are also some parents who posit that maybe getting infected with the virus is better than getting protected, but Blaskovich points out that a COVID-19 infection does not offer the same degree of protection the vaccines do, and that infection might not protect someone from a variant like the Delta variant. There are also the risks that come with infection both to the individual and people they are in contact with.
SEATTLE  When the pandemic hit, Pearl Jam was ahead of the curve. On the cusp of releasing its electrifying new album "Gigaton," the Seattle juggernaut became one of the first major acts to halt tour plans as the coronavirus rippled through its own community.

Bassist Jeff Ament, who splits his time between Seattle and Montana, retreated to his less populous home state as lockdowns took effect. What was supposed to be a celebratory period, playing an exciting batch of new songs  Pearl Jam's first studio album in seven years  before tens of thousand of fans each night was instead a reclusive one.

Passing isolated time, Ament unknowingly began work on what would eventually become his fourth solo album under his last name only, the appropriately titled "I Should Be Outside" and an accompanying visual art project.

"When I started looking over the lyrics again [recently], I started thinking back to the beginning of the pandemic," Ament says of the album arriving Tuesday. "I think everybody was like, 'What the hell's going on?!' The scientists and the CDC and the president, everybody was saying different things. And a week later, there would be a completely different thing they were saying."
Richmond-based WayForth is working on a policy that would require its employees to be vaccinated.

The company, which provides moving services in nine markets from Massachusetts to Florida, has its largest business in providing home decluttering and moving services for older people who are relocating to smaller homes or living facilities.

The proposed policy would require employees to be vaccinated unless they have a health or religious reason not to get the vaccine, said Craig Shealy, WayForths co-founder and CEO. The company has been careful not to impose draconian measures regarding vaccinations.

We have been giving people time, because depending on where you are, the availability of vaccines was an issue, Shealy said.

The company is working on setting a deadline for when employees must get vaccinated, but has not yet selected the date. All new employees will be required to be vaccinated.

Businesses across the Richmond region are facing a decision on whether to require all employees to be vaccinated. About a dozen or so area businesses  from Fortune 500 firms to small companies  say they have not made a decision on vaccination requirements but are monitoring the surge of infections blamed on the delta variant of the coronavirus.
The shifting nature of the federal order will likely make it difficult for families in crisis to keep track. Given that, Horrock said it is crucial for the Virginia General Assembly to reinstate certain state protections during its special session.

Those include a requirement that landlords apply for rental assistance on behalf of their tenants before pursuing an eviction and also notify them of assistance programs that are available. Gov. Ralph Northam proposed re-enacting the protections in his budget proposal, a month after they lapsed at the end of Virginias state of emergency order in June.

Any mechanism that helps speed the process of settling back rent balances will help avert a worst case scenario, said Ralph Hodge, a pastor at 2nd Baptist Church on Broad Rock Boulevard in South Richmond and a past co-president of Richmonders Involved to Strengthen our Communities. The faith-based advocacy coalition has lobbied for anti-eviction measures and affordable housing in the region.

Its not an issue of resources, its really an issue of access and ease of access, Hodge said. Thats whats been frustrating to me, Ill tell people to call the [rent relief] number and theyll wait for months even after theyve submitted all their paperwork.

Last month, Virginia awarded a $3.5 million contract to Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia and legal aid organizations across the state to lead outreach and provide application assistance for the program. The initiative is meant to reduce barriers, specifically for economically disadvantaged tenants, to navigate the program and secure the help they need.
Thanks, but no thanks.

Thats what the Richmond School Board told Mayor Levar Stoney again this week after the citys deadline passed for bids to design a new George Wythe High School.

Administration officials will not say how many proposals the city received, citing provisions in the citys code. But that matters little to the School Board after a razor-thin majority on Monday reaffirmed that the school system should manage school construction projects.

The latest rebuke of a compromise the mayor proposed three months ago comes as the Richmond NAACP and other civic leaders are now publicly discussing suing the School Board and petitioning for the removal of its members before the next election cycle in 2024.

The discourse centers around how soon it would take the school division to rebuild the high school in the citys South Side, which is more than 60 years old and in poor condition. The mayors administration had set a 2024 opening date earlier this year, but Superintendent Jason Kamras says it may now take until 2027 to complete.

We dont care who builds schools are long as they are built, said Richmond NAACP President James J.J. Minor. The school isnt safe. ... What we want is for them to listen to the community.
While the average for daily new cases in Virginia fell below 200 in June, Avula said the state is averaging around four to five times as many cases now. He said hospitalizations and deaths from the virus in Virginia have also increased at a rate similar to that at the national level, which has increased 25% in the past seven days.

Avula said nearly all deaths and hospitalizations are happening to people who were unvaccinated.

Because of that, we are more and more convinced that the only path out of this is vaccination, he said. We will get to high rates of immunity ... by the time this is all said and done. But we want as much of that immunity to come through vaccination and not through infection because theres clearly a significant toll that takes place when it happens through infection.

Richmonds employee mandate comes a week after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revised its guidance on mask wearing, strongly urging those who have been vaccinated to wear masks indoors in areas with high levels of virus transmission.
The rupture in the sewer line occurred the night of July 27, a few hundred feet from River Road and Tuckahoe Creek, which serves as the boundary between Goochland and Henrico Counties. The flow was immediately siphoned, but it took three or four hours for the leak to subside, said Matt Longshore, head of public utilities in Goochland County.

Workers finished cleaning the pooled sewage Saturday, and they restored service to the pipe Tuesday.

When officials first tested the creek, they found levels of bacteria 800 times greater than the level considered safe by the Environmental Protection Agency, Smigo said. When they tested again Monday, those levels had decreased to three times the safe level. The creek should return to a normal level on its own.

Officials tested five sites along the James last week, and four of them passed the safety standard. At Belle Isle, the site farthest away from the spill, bacteria levels slightly exceeded the standard. The sewage was likely not the cause, Smigo said. Some localized, unknown factor caused a higher level of bacteria.

By Monday, all tests produced safe water quality.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP)  Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday ordered face coverings for all school children from preschool through 12th grade to thwart the continued spread of the COVID-19 virus. The Democratic governor also said he will require all state employees who work in highly populated facilities such as prisons to be vaccinated.

With the potentially deadly virus continuing to spread, worsened by the more virulent delta variant, Pritzker urged residents who have not been vaccinated to get the shots necessary to prevent the illness and its spread.

Every time we think we know where this virus is headed, it changes, and it shifts...," Pritzker said in Chicago. I want to say this, specifically to young adults: Please do not think that the worst-case scenario can't happen to you. It can happen. It is happening. Get vaccinated."

The required vaccination for state employees applies to those who work in prisons and juvenile detention facilities, veterans' homes and state facilities for the mentally and developmentally disabled. Each must be fully vaccinated by Oct. 4.
The Virginia State Corporation Commission on Wednesday approved a request by Dominion Energy to recover costs of a new program designed to reduce carbon emissions from power plants.

Dominion made the request in November 2020, after Democrats in control of the Virginia General Assembly approved the states participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative program, which Republicans previously had blocked.

Energy producers in states that participate in the program can trade emission reductions for credits, or buy credits to emit carbon dioxide past their cap.

According to Dominions filings at the SCC, the impact on a typical residential customer bill effective Sept. 1 will be an additional $2.39 a month. But other unrelated adjustments have taken place this year and will continue ; the SCC projects the cumulative effect will result in an increase of $4.84 in a typical monthly residential Dominion customer bill starting Dec. 1.
Its said that Youngkin and Wilder, who is largely estranged from the extant Democratic establishment, have conferred. And it did not go unnoticed that Youngkin announced his budget plan outside a library named for Wilder at Virginia Union University, Wilders undergraduate alma mater.

Perhaps the biggest reason Republicans are enthusiastic about Youngkin is that, because they have not won a statewide election since 2009, he represents their best chance to restore their relevance. He writes his campaign big checks  $12 million, so far  and, having no record other than his disputed performance at the Carlyle Group, is difficult to attack.

Thats where Trump comes in. Both candidates need Trump  McAuliffe, so he can demonize Youngkin; Youngkin, so he can energize the GOP base. He must do so carefully. Should Youngkin seem less than loyal to Trump, the Former Guy could publicly attack him, likely causing more trouble for Youngkin than three Trump endorsements already have.

Democrats, in contrast, are not as much passionate about McAuliffe as they are practical. Hes well known and viewed favorably. Hes a potent fundraiser and tireless campaigner. Having lost and won, hes become deeply familiar with the state and its government. Having been out of office only four years, he is, in effect, the incumbent.
House Minority Leader Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, said Democrats gave Republicans no choice by shutting them out of the budget process and giving them just two minutes to explain their amendments before killing them.

At the end of the day, we had some different ideas we thought had merit, Gilbert said in an interview after the votes. Just different priorities.

The differences between the parties are much the same in the Senate, where members are not facing re-election this year, but the tone and process were friendlier. Democrats agreed to wait a day before acting on proposed amendments and Republicans promised not to hold up final action on the budget on Wednesday.

Not all of the amendments proposed in the Senate came from Republicans. Sen. Chap Petersen of Fairfax City, a business-minded Democrat, called for state workers to return to their offices. He also wants the Department of Motor Vehicles to open its doors to walk-in traffic after responding only to appointments since the COVID-19 pandemic began 17 months ago.

Petersen wants the state human resources department to report on how many state employees are back in the office or still working remotely, although he said he plans to withdraw an amendment that would require them to return to work in person within 30 days.
This is the best, most practical idea Ive seen since Ive been in Richmond this week, declared Sen. Richard Stuart, R-King George.

But Democratic leaders warned that requiring DMV offices to reopen for walk-in service before the COVID-19 pandemic is fully under control could endanger the health of state employees and the customers they serve.

Weve got an unknown situation thats heading our way, and the numbers dont look good, said Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw, D-Fairfax, who noted that COVID-19 cases had jumped above 1,700 a day with the spread of the delta variant of the coronavirus.

Petersen withdrew an amendment he had proposed to require all state employees to return to work in their offices within 30 days of the budgets passage, but he succeeded in requiring the Department of Human Resource Management to submit a detailed report on how many employees are working remotely or in their offices.

We have over 100,000 state employees and we need to know where they are, he said.
Virginias senators are asking the U.S. Senate to send more relief to restaurants still struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, both Democrats, asked Senate leadership on Wednesday to take action to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, an emergency aid program that fell more than $40 billion short of fulfilling requests for help.

The American Rescue Plan Act created the fund with $28.6 billion, far less than the $120 billion that Warner and Kaine proposed last year in a relief bill that ultimately became part of the package that President Joe Biden signed in March.

Restaurants across the country responded with 278,000 applications seeking $72 billion in aid.

In light of the extraordinary demand for the program, we urge you to replenish the Fund to meet the current need among eligible applicants, they wrote Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., on Wednesday.

The senators did not specify a dollar amount for additional relief, but they support legislation introduced by Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., that seeks an additional $60 billion for the industry.
The effort is not limited to health care providers. Google, Facebook, Walmart and Disney are among the corporations that will require employees to be vaccinated. Across Virginia, a number of higher education institutions are requiring vaccinations for students. Required vaccinations for faculty and staff likely are not far behind.

Some might argue that the danger is that we end up with a patchwork of vaccination requirements that vary from employer to employer and city to city. Absent an overarching state or federal mandate, this likely will occur. But a decentralized approach that allows consensus to grow about vaccine requirements might be preferred in this case.

Why? As more employers require vaccinations, the incentive to get vaccinated increases. An employer-based mandate also provides reputational relief for the resistant who now can say, I didnt want to, but I also wanted to keep my job.

If insurers decide to treat vaccination like smoking, the incentives become even stronger. Those who choose not to get vaccinated can seek employment elsewhere and internalize the cost of contracting COVID-19 in the future.

Allowing restaurants, bars, hotels and other establishments to decide whether they want to cater to vaccinated or unvaccinated customers is more in line with Virginias business-friendly climate.
Last year marked the centennial of women getting the right to vote, but this year marks another centennial  the first year in which women could run for office in Virginia. And some did.

They all lost, but that does not diminish the historic nature of what they did and it shines some light  not always a favorable light  on our politics today.

By the time the 19th Amendment was ratified in August 1920, the party slates for president, U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives already were set.

But 1921 was a different matter. That year, like this year, Virginia elected statewide officers and members of the House of Delegates.

One woman dared to run for governor. Lillie Davis Custis of Accomack County got into the race late  she didnt declare until October  and polled either 227 or 251 votes, 0.11% of the total (accounts vary).

Still, she goes down into Virginia history as the first woman to run for governor. She also was a Socialist.
Vaccination is our way back to get back to normal, she said, referring to the crucial role of vaccines in the control of polio and eradication of smallpox.

Some school board members asked Bissell about masks after hearing from several speakers who questioned their effectiveness.

Comments from those against masking requirements ranged from health and functional challenges sometimes posed by the coverings to outright denial of their effectiveness. Several speakers claimed masks do not work and implored others to do their own research on the issue.

Theres plenty of studies that say they do not work. All you have to do is your own research, speaker Amy Love told the board.

Molly Surface, whose children attend the Auburn strand of schools, echoed some of Loves comments. Surface said her daughter had developed asthma as a result of double masking during school and further masking while playing volleyball. She said her childs respiratory issues disappeared during track when she wasnt required to wear a mask.

This is child abuse, Surface said in opposition to masking requirements. What you are doing is criminal.
Further north, DWR is still recommending people discontinue bird feeding in affected areas.

When we use bird feeders it can actually have a negative impact by not allowing certain birds to learn to forage for food naturally, Leonard said. That being said, the best way to care for and feed our local birds is to plant native perennials.

Now is an opportunity for transitioning to native plants as bird food sources, Leonard said. Native plants provide more habitat and nutrition for birds, especially babies, and are not as likely to transfer disease from bird to bird, better supporting bird populations for the long-term.

If you do elect to keep them up, please clean them frequently  at least once a week  to ensure bird health, Leonard said. Hopefully cases will continue to decline, we will get definitive answers, and by autumn we can use feeders without worry.

Its uncertain how long it might take for scientists to definitively determine what illness caused the bird deaths. There are countless tests to conduct, as researchers seek causes that could be pesticide-inflicted, herbicidal, viral, bacterial, parasitic, or perhaps something else entirely.
That is the premise behind a new initiative called G3. Signed into law earlier this spring by Gov. Northam, the Get a Skill, Get a Job, Get Ahead program helps low- to middle-income students pursue work in high-demand fields, from welding to cybersecurity to nursing. Educational programming like that offered at Virginia Westerns School of Career and Corporate Training, is the kind of needed curriculum to connect students to real jobs in their communities.

G3 is making those programs and others in fast-growing fields possible for more people by removing costs as a barrier. Qualified students (i.e. annual incomes under $100,000) receive free tuition (as well as other support) toward degree and certification programs within the states community college system, opening wide the door to opportunity for thousands of Virginia students.

Whether a student just graduated high school, is an adult learner, returning to school or is starting college for the first time, community colleges were designed to serve as an educational safety net for our community. And so weve designed G3 to support students who dont have the luxury of focusing solely on education. Its meant to support students with financial hardship, those with jobs and childcare and other real-life obligations.
Rural Virginians have no particular reason to be excited about the prospect of another four years of McAuliffe  and Youngkin now seems to be saying we have no reason to be excited about four years of him, either.

Oh, people who care about culture war issues might occasionally get to feel good about something, but none of those change the daily economic realities.

Maybe Youngkin is right that tax cuts will lead to more economic growth  well let others marshal their competing statistics on that  but we all know where that "rip-roaring" economic growth will be and it wont be here.

We have only a lifetime of experience to tell us that  underscored by the great divergence that has opened up between metro areas and rural areas in the information age. Tax cuts wont change the fundamentals  economic growth is accelerating in talent-rich metro areas, and leaving rural communities behind. Youngkin seems uninterested in addressing that.

Youngkin must be a serious man. He wouldnt have risen to his CEO position otherwise. Youd think he might have at least one creative thought.

But when it comes to the economic challenges facing rural Virginia, he seems incapable of anything except cliches.

Thats not being a different kind of leader. Thats being exactly the kind were used to.
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CALmatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California's state Capitol works and why it matters. Dan Walters has been a journalist for nearly 60 years, spending all but a few of those years working for California newspapers.
The British navy says hijackers who boarded a vessel off the coast of the United Arab Emirates in the Gulf of Oman have left the ship, without elaborating
Program Description:This program will explore Lima and the Andes while students participate in one of three courses. Students will also visit the iconic Macchu Picchu site.

Courses: Students may enroll in one of the following courses:

HRTM 280: Fulfills Carolina Core GSS requirement. This course is designed to provide an introduction to the discipline of travel and tourism with emphasis on human dimension of global tourism, and with a special emphasis in the Peru and its multiple ecosystems. It introduces the social science of tourism through the lens of historical, cultural and environmental tourism and the global implications of the travel and tourism history, present characteristics, motivations for travel, factors influencing demand-side and supply-side growth, the tourism product, the experience of travel and impacts on host communities, segmentation and marketing, socioeconomic and ecological impacts, and destination life cycle dynamics.

Fulfills Carolina Core GSS requirement. This course is designed to provide an introduction to the discipline of travel and tourism with emphasis on human dimension of global tourism, and with a special emphasis in the Peru and its multiple ecosystems. It introduces the social science of tourism through the lens of historical, cultural and environmental tourism and the global implications of the travel and tourism history, present characteristics, motivations for travel, factors influencing demand-side and supply-side growth, the tourism product, the experience of travel and impacts on host communities, segmentation and marketing, socioeconomic and ecological impacts, and destination life cycle dynamics. HIST 110: Fulfills Carolina Core GHA and VSR requirements. As this course will be taught on location at various sites in Peru, we will balance covering the broad history of Latin America with specific readings, materials, and locations dealing with Peruvian history from the indigenous Inca civilization, conquest by the Spanish, and the ongoing legacy of colonial rule for contemporary society.

Fulfills Carolina Core GHA and VSR requirements. As this course will be taught on location at various sites in Peru, we will balance covering the broad history of Latin America with specific readings, materials, and locations dealing with Peruvian history from the indigenous Inca civilization, conquest by the Spanish, and the ongoing legacy of colonial rule for contemporary society. SPAN 350: This course is an introduction to the socio-historic Peru context. Students will explore pre-Hispanic culture, Hispanic influence, political development, architecture, music, crafts, textiles, food and customs and traditions of the Peruvian people. This course fosters an understanding of the Latin American culture, the ability to communicate in Spanish, the establishment of elements of comparison with the culture of the United States, and a critical understanding of the Latin America reality, with a focus on Peruvian culture. The course is for intermediate students. Students must have completed SPAN 122 before the program or receive special permission from the instructor.

Dates: 12/27/2021-01/08/2022

Program Contacts: Matt Childs - childsmd@mailbox.sc.edu

Application Deadline: September 15
Course: UNIV 290 (1 Credit)

Dates: 03/05/2022-03/13/2022

Program Contact: jmcnevin@mailbox.sc.edu

Program Description:

Costa Rica is a leader in conservation efforts with 98% of its electricity generated from green sources, and is actively working to become carbon-neutral by 2021. In addition, it tops the Happy Planet Index rankings, a rating system that measures sustainable wellbeing, considering factors such as life expectancy, wellbeing, ecological footprint, and inequality.



Pura Vida is a common phrase used in Costa Rica. Simply translated, it means simple life, but in Costa Rica, it is more than just a sayingit is a way of life. Well be visiting a country that prides itself on their sustainability efforts as well as their demeanor regarding stressful situationspura vida to them means being thankful for what they have and not dwelling on the negative.



Throughout this course, we will explore the three components of sustainability: environmental, societal, economic. Well learn how the Costa Rican culture informs sustainable living and the role of the collective versus the individual in carrying out the pura vida lifestyle.

Application Deadline: December 1
Course: IBUS 490

Dates: 05/09/2022-05/21/2022

Program Contact: studyabroad@moore.sc.edu

Program Description:

This course will explore the dynamic relation of business in culture in Thailand with special focus on how culture, religion, history, government and international relations have impacted the economic development of Thailand over the past several decades and explore the impact of its future development. Students will gain insights into the current Thai economy by visiting and interacting with Thai business leaders, local universities, and cultural representatives. Students will be required to prepare and interact during these meetings.



This class will primarily explore two key urban environments of Thailand--Bangkok and Chiang Mai--in order to gain insight into the diversity that exists within Thailand and specifically to experience the cultural identities of these two regions. In Bangkok, students will experience the fluid business environment where Eastern and Western cultures merge into a setting that is uniquely Thai. In Chiang Mai, students will examine the role of tourism on the modern Thai economy and explore rural Thailand to gain first-hand knowledge of current Thai issues such as wealth disparity and ethnic minorities.

Application Deadline: March 1
South Carolina Maritime Heritage Resources

A collection of maritime heritage, underwater archaeological, relevant sites, and references in, around, and beyond the waters and borders of the state:

Historic Port Settlements:

Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site encompasses the site where British settlers arrived from Barbados and established the first permanent European colony in the Carolinas in 1670. The Park also includes a replica of the ship that brought the colonists to the new colony.

Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site preserves the site of the town of Dorchester, which flourished from 1697 through the Revolutionary War, located on the banks of the Ashley River just above Charleston. Park archaeologists conduct ongoing research of the town through excavation and interpretation.

Fortifications:

Fort Sumter National Monument and Fort Moultrie commemorates the first American victory over the British Navy in 1776 at Fort Moultrie and the first shots of the Civil War at Fort Sumter. The two forts also contain remnants of late 19th century coastal fortifications associated with the Spanish-American War.

Fort Fremont Historical Preserve situated at the mouth of the Beaufort River was built in 1899 to protect the Naval Station on Parris Island and now used to promote the educational, historical, natural, and cultural resources of the preserve.

Canals:

Old Santee Canal Park commemorates South Carolina's natural resources and emphasizes the historical significance of the Santee Canal built in the early 1800s.

Landsford Canal State Park centers on the best preserved of numerous 19th-century South Carolina river canals, and retains remnants of all its major structural features.

Lighthouses:

The Morris Island Lighthouse, now surrounded by water due to erosion, stands just west of Charleston Harbor. The lighthouse is owned by Save The Light, Inc. for 99 years to coordinate the stabilization, erosion control and restoration of the lighthouse and to raise the necessary funds for that work.

Hunting Island State Park is an historic 19th-century lighthouse is Hunting Islands most popular landmark, and where visitors can climb to the top for a spectacular view of the coastline. The lighthouse and its complex are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Lighthousefriends.com site contains photographs, descriptions, travel directions, and GPS coordinates for lighthouses in the United States. Choose South Carolina to learn more about the history of several lighthouses in South Carolina.

Museums:

The South Carolina State Museum is the Palmetto State's flagship museum, and features a rotating exhibit of artifacts and fossils collected in waterways throughout the state by MRD hobby licensed divers.

The Berkeley Museum traces the countys history back 12,000 years, and exhibits a replica of the semi-submersible CSS David, built at nearby Stoney Landing, that attacked the USS New Ironsides off Charleston Harbor, and an exhibit on the Lewisfield Shipwreck, a Revolutionary warship sunk in the Cooper River.

The Charleston Museum founded in 1773 is commonly regarded as Americas First Museum, The museum's collections now represent the most comprehensive assemblage of South Carolina materials in the nation. Focusing on the South Carolina Lowcountry, modern collecting emphases include historical material culture and both documentary and photographic resources.

The Georgetown County Museum operated by the Georgetown County Historical Society seeks to preserve and promote the history of Georgetown County from its origins to the present, providing perspective on the past and a legacy for the future.
Programs

The South Carolina Assitive Technology Program Resource Center provides many technological devices to assist those who are hard of hearing.

In addition, the South Carolina Equipment Distribution Program helps residents with a speech or hearing challenge by providing enhanced phones and alerting devices. SCEDP products are free of charge for those who qualify, including people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf/blind, vision with hearing loss, and speech impaired. There are no income requirements to qualify, and the equipment is yours to use as long as you reside in the state of South Carolina.

Beginnings is a nonprofit organization that helps parents and family members of children who are deaf or hard of hearing understand hearing loss and the diverse needs of their children. Its impartial support helps families make informed decisions and empowers them to advocate for their childs needs. Staff members also support deaf parents who have children with hearing loss as well as all the professionals who serve hearing impaired children.





Definitions

Use these definitions to better understand your assistive technology options.
Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero has asked Roma to come and get Denmark's Euro 2020 sensation Mikkel Damsgaard this summer as Jose Mourinho's new side look to strengthen ahead of the new Serie A season.

Damsgaard stepped in to replace Christian Eriksen after he suffered a heart attack in Denmark's opening match at the Euro, and the 21-year-old helped drive an impressive Danish team all the way to the semi-finals after a traumatic start to the tournament.

"Damsgaard is the midfielder that Mourinho needs," Roma fan Ferrero told Wednesday's edition of Corriere dello Sport.

Roma's bid to prise Granit Xhaka from Arsenal failed and Ferrero is reportedly willing to sell Damsgaard for 25 million euros ($29.6 million).

"If they call me we can find a way to make it happen. Xhaka isn't going to Roma so they need a midfielder. I want him to go to Roma, I'm a Romanista and Damsgaard would be a great signing."

Damsgaard arrived in Italy from Danish club Nordsjaelland last summer for just under seven million euros and impressed in his debut season in Serie A for a Samp team that finished ninth.

He then excelled for his country at the Euro after seeing Eriksen nearly die on the pitch during Denmark's 1-0 loss to Finland at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen.

He scored the opening goal in the 4-1 win over Russia which put the Danes into the knockout stage and also opened the scoring with a superb free-kick in the semi-final against England at Wembley which they eventually lost 2-1.

td/iwd
The Centre told states on Wednesday they should consider restrictions in view of the coming festive season, amid rising Covid-19 cases in many regions of the country.

The Union Health Ministry said the states should actively consider local restrictions, pointing to the festivities starting with Muharram on August 19 to Durga Puja on October 15, NDTV reported.

Indian Council of Medical Research and National Centre for Disease control have expressed concern regarding the mass gathering events during festivals turning into super spreader events, said a letter from the Union Health Ministry to Chief Ministers and administrators of all states.

With 42,625 people testing positive for the coronavirus infection in a day, Indias total tally of COVID-19 cases rose to 3,17,69,132 and the active caseload increased to 4,10,353, according to data updated by the Union Health Ministry on Wednesday.

The death toll climbed to 4,25,757 with 562 fatalities.

The number of active cases increased to 4,10,353 and accounted for 1.29 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate rose to 97.37 per cent, the data updated at 8 am showed.

An increase of 5,395 cases has been recorded in the active caseload in a span of 24 hours.

India recently witnessed a devastating second wave of the disease in April and May this year, following which most states implemented Covid-19 restrictions and lockdowns, which have now begun opening up in a phased manner.

However, with festivals approaching and people becoming lax on following Covid-19 appropriate behavior, the Health Ministrys suggestion may be an attempt to avoid high cases, amid warnings of an impending third in tow.

Read all the Latest News, Breaking News and Coronavirus News here
Emergency personnel responded at 11:26 a.m. to a report of a male who had gone underwater near the west shore of the lake in the 16000 block of 255th Avenue in the Francis Sites area.

According to the Dickinson County Sheriff's Office, Brandon Urban, 41, had swam to rescue his son, who had fallen off a paddleboard and become entangled in weeds. After Urban freed the boy, he became entangled in the weeds himself and was unable to stay above water. Friends of Urban were able to find him and bring him to shore, where lifesaving measures were administered. Urban was transported by ambulance to Lakes Regional Healthcare, where lifesaving measures continued until he was pronounced dead.
The $50,000 winners all were vaccinated after the MI Shot to Win Sweepstakes was launched. They include three women and three men  a hospital cook from Port Huron, a West Bloomfield realtor, the manager of a welding and fabrication company in Kincheloe, a Grand Rapids resident who works in the construction and supply industry, a Ford Motor Co. machinist from South Lyon and a respiratory therapist from Grand Rapids.

The latter, Brianna Hrejsa, said she was hesitant because the vaccines have emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration but not full approval. Pfizer and Moderna have applied for full approval, and a Pfizer decision is expected soon.

She said she did more research because she has contact with patients and her partner is immunocompromised.

I want to do my part in ... helping keep myself but my partner, my patients and my community safe, said Hrejsa, who plans to save most of the money, potentially for a down payment on a house, and to use some to pursue another degree. I'm tired about being anxious about getting sick.

Registration for the monthlong vaccine lottery ended Tuesday.
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.
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.
In its filing with the NLRB in April, the Retail Wholesale and Department Store Union, which spearheaded the unionization campaign in Bessemer, said that Amazon threatened workers with layoffs and even closing 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 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.

In making her recommendation, Meyers wrote that the NLRB must consider several factors, including the number of incidents; the severity of the incidents and whether they were likely to cause fear among employees in the voting unit.

The evidence demonstrates that the employers conduct interfered with the laboratory conditions necessary to conduct a fair election," Meyers wrote.
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.
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.
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.
Approval of the resolution would break with the regents tradition of leaving curricular matters to administration and faculty  a separation of powers that the Higher Learning Commission, the organization through which NU is accredited, describes as fundamental to sound university governance. Management of a university system is the responsibility of administration, and faculty are to oversee academic matters.

Pillen is running for governor, and his focus on critical race theory  spurred by his rivalry with candidate Charles Herbster  risks warping the role of the regents in the way it has already warped the 2022 Nebraska governors race. The contest for the Republican nomination so far is focusing on hot-button issues pegged to inflammatory claims on social media and cable TV. Thats woefully shortsighted. The election needs to be about the future  about how Nebraska can best position itself to maximize economic opportunity, keep communities strong and send the message that the state is a welcoming place for all.
Brigid Bergin is a senior reporter at WNYC in New York who attended a press conference held Tuesday about the states governor, Andrew Cuomo. He has been under investigation for sexual harassment for monthsand yesterday, state Attorney General Letitia James laid out the findings of her 168-page report that resulted: The independent investigation has concluded that Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women, and in doing so, violated federal and state law. Another prosecuted stated that our investigation revealed that these were not isolated incidentsthey were part of a pattern. (Full disclosure: My husband works for the attorney general, but he was not involved in the investigation.) One investigator after another laid out the specific stories of nearly a dozen women, from where they were touched to what nicknames Cuomo gave them. Most of these women were state employees who had uncomfortable experiences with the governor. Some of them had come forward months agolike Charlotte Bennett, an aide who said Cuomo asked her how she felt about monogamy and nicknamed her Daisy Duke. All of their stories are backed up with an appendix full of text messages and email exchanges. On Wednesdays episode of What Next, I spoke with Bergin about what happens now that the investigation into Andrew Cuomo has come to an endand why his political fight may be just getting started. Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.

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Brigid Bergin: I think what was so surprising was the level of detail that they revealed even in the press conference. I spoke with an employment attorney who investigates and prosecutes cases of sexual harassment, and she told me she was stunned about how specific the details are in this report. It describes each of these interactions from members of his office, executive assistants who worked with him, all to way to a state trooper who was assigned to his detail!

Mary Harris: Something else was clear in this press conference, which is that the attorney generals investigation is limited in some ways. Reporters kept asking her, Whats your next move right now? James wont be able to prosecute anything here, even though she found real harm was done and concludes that firmly.

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I think that while this may be the end of James investigation of this, we are very far from the end of this story. The effort to make clear to the public everything that the investigators have found is something that I think from the beginning they had committed to doing. I think its not something we always see. Certainly, this report is beyond thorough.

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What was also interesting ws to hear how the governor responded to it, which is to say, his lawyers issued their own report where they tried to respond to some of the complaints that had been made public and that they anticipated. That was also that was a strange strategy.

One of the things that was clear even back in March, when some of these allegations were coming out, the pushback you would hear was related to due process. That was the talking point that a lot of lawmakers who were supporting the governor were using

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Let the investigation play out.

Exactly. That he was entitled to hear what the charges were against him and to be able to respond. But Tuesday, some of the individuals who were more generous or supportive earlier this year started to take a much more aggressive stance.

One reason some politicians may be reconsidering having Cuomos back is because this new report lays out so much. Some allegations are corroborated. Many stories seem to show an abuse of power. The case of the state trooper is a good example. The attorney generals report documents how this young woman was hired for her job after being spotted at an event by the governor. The qualifications for her position were even altered so she could transfer to the state Capitol, despite the fact that she hadnt served the standard number of years for a gubernatorial detail. And once she was in her job, the harassment began.

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Even staffers who werent being harassed thought their workplace was toxic, and they shared notes and texts revealing that they believed the governors accusers. Part of Cuomos defense is, I didnt intend to treat people in a certain way. Theyre seeing it in a way that I didnt intend. But when you have all this documentation from other people in the workplace saying that they see these dynamics too, it kind of means that that defense isnt valid anymore. It doesnt matter how you intended it if actually your entire office perceives it in a different way.

Exactly. Its the pattern, and thats what makes it makes it so significant. It is not a one-off incident or a single individual that were talking about. Its multiple individuals over overlapping periods of time. It suggests a culture. It suggests a way of being and a way of governing, frankly.

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Its interesting to look at what Cuomo released and what the attorney general released side by side, because I think that reveals how much the governor was caught by surprise by the depth of the investigationand theres such a mismatch in the intent of each of these. If you look at James report, there are a ton of details: conversations where the governor is talking to employees about his hand size in ways that make people uncomfortable, asking his employees to memorize song lyrics and sing them back to him. All of these details are there but are not addressed in Cuomos response, which is much more general and has a lot of different excuses in there. One of them is, Im just kind of a handsy guy in comparison with other politicians, who also give hugs.

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Are you saying that because of the seven pages of photographs of him embracing other lawmakers, Mary?

Yes. I mean, just picture after picture of him embracing his mother, President Barack Obama embracing a hurricane victimall with the implication that this is what politicians do. Theres even a paragraph in there where he brings in Sen. Chuck Schumer and says, He runs his office like a family, and thats what Im trying to do with my employees. I dont know how Schumer feels about that. Hes already called on Cuomo to resign.

And Schumer reiterated that call.

To think about Cuomos comments in response, I think its worth reflecting on his initial comments about some of the earlier allegations this spring. There was one press conference where he apologized and said he never meant to hurt anyone, but also that hed never touched anyone inappropriately. That moment is described in this report as triggering for some women who had experienced inappropriate contact with him. The response he gave, which was announced shortly after the press conference with James wrapped up, was a taped message. It was played through the governors website. He said the investigation was biased.

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Some of the previous reporting that has been done on Cuomo discusses the experience of Charlotte Bennettwhod stated that she was formerly a sexual assault survivorwith the creepy conversations that ensued between the governor and her, related to her relationships and her sex life and things that you would not imagine your supervisorlet alone the governor of New York statetalking to you about. In his response video, Cuomo made an explicit apology to her, but he also characterized her interpretation and her lawyers interpretation of things that he said as inaccurate. He also revealed that part of the reason he had engaged with her the way he had was because he had a family member who also experienced a sexual assault while in high school, and the family had gone through counseling. He said he was bringing that experience to the workplace, which, in retrospect, he said was wrong. But again, hes framing it as being well intentioned, not necessarily understanding how some of his comments and behaviors could have rightfully been interpreted. And then he also went on to deny some of the allegations of inappropriate touching and went so far as to suggest that he looked forward to having his day in court so he could deny it.

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So what happens now? It seems pretty clear from watching the governors response that he doesnt plan to resign. Hes been embattled politically for months, and it hasnt seemed to have made a difference. Are there any signs his fortunes could be changing?

Well, I think when the president of the United States, who is seen as an ally, says that you should resign, that is a sign of changing fortunes for sure. He is losing a lot of support among his most high-profile allies. And now were shifting into what could be a drawn-out or very swift impeachment trial by the New York State Assembly.

If Cuomo ends up leaving office in some way, what happens then?

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So, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul would become the acting governor, should Andrew Cuomo resign or be forced out of office. If that is the case, we move obviously very quickly into an election cycle. Should she run for election to the to the post, she would very likely face a challenger. There would be a real domino effect, should Cuomo leave office or be removed, that would create a lot of openings and a lot of very ambitious and potentially patient people whove been waiting a long time for that moment.

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If you had to guess, do you think were going to see Andrew Cuomo this week have any kind of appearance that isnt recorded, that is with reporters where we understand what happens next?

I dont think we are going to see him comment on the findings of this report in a way that is not controlled until he has figured out a strategy for dealing with it.

Thats different from the strategy that hes been pursuing for the past few months.

Well, or it could be the same strategybecause that had worked up to this pointwhich is to see if he can let some time pass and let the news cycle change and then go back to doing the work he does and hope this doesnt go any further than it has. I find it hard to believe that the state and state lawmakers will do nothing, and that that there wont be additional lawsuits Cuomo could face, whether they are criminal or civil in nature.

I should note that the Assembly speaker recently issued some comments, and I think they suggest there will be action: It is abundantly clear to me that the Governor has lost the confidence of the Assembly Democratic majority and that he can no longer remain in office. Once we receive all relevant documents and evidence from the Attorney General, we will move expeditiously and look to conclude our impeachment investigation as quickly as possible.

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The fight over Arizonas Trump-inspired audit of the 2020 presidential election in Maricopa County escalated again this week, with the Republican-led County Board of Supervisors calling it an adventure in never-never land and rejecting the Arizona Senates demands that more materials be handed over to Cyber Ninjas, the conspiracy-theory promoting audit firm leading the effort.

With ongoing legal challenges, the internal state battle will continue over whether the audit will go on indefinitely for months after it was supposed to end. There was, however, the first glimmer of possibility that the auditorswho have already spread easily debunked lies claiming the existence of tens of thousands of potentially fraudulent voteswill face serious public scrutiny.

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First, on Tuesday an Arizona judge ruled that Cyber Ninjas needed to turn over audit-related materials to a watchdog group that had filed a public records request. The audit firm has promised to appeal that ruling, but on Wednesday I learned that the Cyber Ninjas are now facing even greater scrutiny from a body that has the power to move faster than the courts: the House Oversight Committee.

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Cyber Ninjas, Ive been told, missed last weeks deadline to produce all materials surrounding the audit, as requested by the committee in a letter last month. The Cyber Ninjas have, according to an Oversight Committee staff member involved in the inquiry, requested through counsel more time to meet the letters demands. But the Oversight Committee is already preparing for what happens if the firm doesnt cooperate. Our expectation is that the company will comply in full with our requests in short order, according to the staff member. If they do not, then the Chairwoman will take steps to ensure we get the answers from them that we need.

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Indeed, Oversight Committee chairwoman Carolyn Maloney confirmed that the committee would escalate the matter if Cyber Ninjas does not comply with its records request, which would likely mean congressional subpoenas into every aspect of the Arizona audit.

Partisan audits funded by dark money groups undermine Americans confidence in elections, Maloney said in a statement sent to me on Wednesday, referring to the handful of Trump-linked 501(c)(3) entities that have poured more than $5.7 million into the audit effort. Cyber Ninjas must provide complete transparency over its questionable activities and sources of funding, and answer Congresss questions without further delay. If it does not, we will use all tools available to ensure we get the answers we need to protect the integrity of federal elections.

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The Oversight Committee has requested any and all documentation about every minute detail of the Maricopa County audit, including information on its bizarre vote-counting procedures, complete data about its funders, training materials, any documented complaints about the audit, details around the audits hunt for bamboo-laced paper, and any communications auditors had with former President Donald Trump or anyone in his orbit, including Rudy Giuliani, Michael Flynn, or former Trump administration officials.

On Tuesday, I spoke with Rep. Jamie Raskin, the chairman of the Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties that is spearheading the audit inquiry and a member of the House Select Committee that is investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection. Raskin explained why Congress is investigating the audit and described how he views the efforts to cast doubt on the election in Arizona as the natural progression of the mob assault on the Capitol of Jan. 6 and as an attempt to set the stage for Trumps comeback as a political candidate. The following conversation has been condensed for length and clarity.

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Jeremy Stahl: When I read the letter that your committee and sub-committee sent to Cyber Ninjas, I thought it was the first thing that Ive seen that could work to create some transparency around this very, very secretive process.

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Jamie Raskin: It appears to be an utterly fraudulent outsourcing of whats a public function. If we need election audits, they should be conducted by public actors, but theres no grounds to think that any further election auditing was needed because these results have already been confirmed in Arizona.

As the Committee on Oversight and Reform, we have the authority to investigate anything that would implicate the integrity of government and the rights of the people. This kind outsourced corporate ambush of a public election is a very dangerous trend that Donald Trump wants to take us down and everybody can see how this development is a logical implication of the big lie. This is just the big lie filtering down to the state and county level and corrupting and undermining genuine public process.

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There has been this sort of attitude, particularly it seems to me on the Republican side, around these challenges to democracy that goes if you just let these sorts of efforts play themselves out itll just burn itself out without actually having to confront anything. Does that resonate with you at all?

The Republican establishment keeps appeasing Trumps insatiable appetite for lies, corruption, and violence. They keep hoping that someone else will put an end to it. It doesnt work like that. Theyve helped to create a monster and thats why we owe it to  Liz Cheney, the Lincoln Project, and the Republicans who are willing to stand up to say that the destruction of the rule of law in this way is the road to fascism.

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How was this specific audit and the issues around it brought to the oversight committees attention?

I chair the oversight subcommittee on civil rights and civil liberties. Obviously, Im passionate about the right of the people to vote.  Maricopa County has been much on my mind because Donald Trump keeps talking about and seems to believe that somehow the fix is in such that he will be able to stage his political comeback based on whatever conclusions they concoct in this private corporate so-called investigation. 

He continually invokes Arizona and Maricopa County as the beginning of his political resurrection. So, whatever they have planned in Maricopa County is obviously going to be an important part of Trumps argument to his movement about why he needs to be restored to office. Thats extremely dangerous rhetoric. As somebody who lived through Jan. 6 with my staff and my family, I take all of Donald Trumps extremist rhetoric seriously. Some more people could be killed if he decides to whip up his violent mass movement. 

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What can a congressional inquiry reasonably be expected to learn about the funders of this audit, many of whom are 501(c)(3) organizations whose donors are secret?

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They owe us answers to everything, to all of the questions weve posed. Everybody owes Congress honest and truthful answers.

The committees letter said: The Committee is particularly concerned that your companys actions could undermine the integrity of federal elections and interfere with Americans constitutional right to cast their ballot freely and to have their votes counted without partisan interference. What does that specific danger look like to you?

Its hard to think of a more quintessentially public function than the counting of ballots, the reporting of election results, and the auditing of elections, but what weve seen from Donald Trump is an effort to undermine and second-guess election authorities. The country saw dramatically in Georgia where he called up Brad Raffensperger, the secretary of state, and demanded that he find him 11,779 votes [Bidens margin of victory in the state]. This was an audio record of an attempt to commit election fraud. 

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Similarly, he tried to get state legislatures to overthrow popular election results in the presidential contest and just replace them with slates of Trump electors.  We have a definitive record by more than 60 federal and state courts that there was no fraud and there was no corruption. So having failed at every turn, including in Congress, to overthrow the election through public process, he turned to violence. And now hes turning to private corporate outsourcing of the public function of conducting an election audit. And the point there obviously is to obtain the result he is seeking by shielding this private corporate election Ninja process from real public transparency and scrutiny. So thats the role of the oversight committee and my sub-committee. We have at least the opportunity to try to bring some public sunlight back to a process that Donald Trump is determined to corrupt.

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This audit is halfway across the country from D.C. and your district in Maryland. How focused can you be on the specifics and intricacies of this?

Were very focused on following it however we can. Ive been fascinated by the coverage and its obviously unsettling already to find out how much motivated right-wing political money has gone into this outfit. I dont know why the public should be asked to have any confidence at all in what these people are doing. Essentially, theyre asking the people of Arizona to distrust and abandon the public election authorities who are Republican, Democrats, Independentsbut professionals committed to electoral integrityand place their faith into a pro-Trump ideological outfit created for this purpose.

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Even the Arizona Senates liaison to this audit who was nominally in charge of the thing, former Arizona Secretary of State Ken Bennett, has raised serious doubts about the audit, saying he was intentionally denied access to vote tabulation procedures and that he was concerned that the auditors might try to force balance its results after-the-fact to appear to meet a more accurate count. Is there a potential for more compulsory action to try to get either documents or witnesses like Ken Bennett to actually reveal whats been going on there?

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Its alarming but highly unsurprising that Ken Bennett would be raising so many skeptical concerns about what has been taking place. Its clear that the whole deployment of the Cyber Ninjas has been meant to vindicate Trumps most outlandish claims. We regard whats happening in Arizona with a lot of seriousness and we will get to the bottom of it. We are not going to allow federal election processes to be corrupted and drained of all their integrity by these indefensible ambushes after the fact.

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It is parallel in some sense to what was attempted on Jan. 6. It was clear that Joe Biden had beaten Donald Trump by more than seven million votes. It was clear that he had beaten him in the Electoral College by 306 to 232 and then the Trump forces, combining both violent and non-violent means, attempted to coerce Vice President Pence and Congress to reject the Electoral College votes of Arizona, Georgia, and Pennsylvania in order to deny Biden a majority in the Electoral College. 

In the big picture, what they did was try to transform a completely ministerial and pro forma function by the vice president into a moment for political decision-making and this is essentially what theyre doing in Arizona. The election is over, its settled, the results were certified, and validated and confirmed, and with this rearguard ambush Trumps forces are trying to nullify a bona fide and certified public election. Theyre using their control over one legislative body to manipulate and overthrow the electoral process.

When I spoke with people who had some knowledge of how both activists and the Department of Justice might push back against this in terms of legal action, what I was struck by was the explanation that there was limited to no legal tools to combat this. Which again is why I was struck by you all doing this work.

We have a constitutional responsibility under the Republican guarantee clause and under the 14th Amendment, equal protection, to guarantee to the people of the states a representative and democratic form of government and the right to vote. So we cannot allow state legislatures to pull a fast one against legitimate political electoral processes in order to gerrymander particular results in an election. Congress has a critical role to play in guaranteeing that public elections are transparent and fair and public election results have integrity and are protected.
Facing lots of friendly fire from angry progressives, the White House decided to change course. After days of the Biden administration saying it couldnt do anything to save the eviction moratorium that lapsed over the weekend, it changed its mind Tuesday as activists and Democratic lawmakers increased pressure on the White House to act. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention unveiled a new two-month, more limited moratorium on Tuesday at a time when the Delta variant is quickly spreading across much of the country. The ban would temporarily stop evictions in counties with substantial and high levels of virus transmissions, meaning it would cover around 90 percent of Americans who are renters, according to the White House. In justifying the measure the CDC said the new moratorium was needed because the evictions of tenants for failure to make rent or housing payments could be detrimental to public health control measures.

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The new moratorium came after days of Biden saying he didnt have the legal authority to extend the measure. Even as he unveiled the measure, the president said he was unsure if it would survive legal challenges, noting experts arent very optimistic. 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 said that regardless of what happens in the courts, the new moratorium would at least provide some temporary relief. And by the time it gets litigated, it will probably give some additional time so local governments can release billions of federal dollars in relief aid to renters. Congress has allocated $46.5 billion in rental assistance as part of two COVID-19 relief packages but only around $3 billion had been disbursed through June.

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The change in tactics for the White House came amid a furious backlash from many Democratic allies on Capitol Hill, not to mention progressive activists. The pressure mounted after several Democrats joined Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri who had set up camp outside the Capitol for several days to demand action. Bush shed what she described as joyful tears after news of the temporary fix. My God, I dont believe we did this, Bush said. We just did the work, just by loving folks to keep millions in their homes. Many Democratic leaders praised Bush, a freshman congresswoman, for helping spark the pressure that led the White House to take action. I particularly applaud Rep. Cori Bush, who understands what its like to be evicted and who took her passion and turned it into amazingly effective action, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer said. Bush has talked about how she was forced to live in her car as a young mother.

Housing advocates praised the move while landlord groups blasted the administration. This is a tremendous relief for millions of people who were on the cusp of losing their homes and, with them, their ability to stay safe during the pandemic, said Diane Yentel, president and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition. David Howard, executive director of the National Rental Home Council, in contrast, criticized the White House for creating more uncertainty for renters and owners.
On Tuesday, ABC News reported that Jeffrey Bossert Clarkthe Justice Department official who spearheaded an effort to overturn the 2020 electionsought to convince the Georgia General Assembly to throw out the actual results of the race and award its electoral votes to Donald Trump instead. In a draft letter, sent last December, Clark alleged that mass voter fraud had compromised the legitimacy of Georgias election, in which Joe Biden narrowly prevailed. As a remedy, Clark, speaking on behalf of the Justice Department, advised the state legislature to call itself into a special session, investigate the alleged fraud, and appoint a separate slate of electors who would cast their votes for Trump. Clarks superiors ultimately quashed this attempt to nullify millions of valid votes.

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This scheme marked just one of Clarks several desperate, last-minute maneuvers to overturn the election. But none of these well-documented, corrupt, anti-democratic plots seems to have hurt his career prospects. To the contrary, after leaving the Justice Department, Clark landed a position as Chief of Litigation and Director of Strategy at the New Civil Liberties Alliance, a conservative-libertarian law firm that battles the administrative state. (Its latest actions: supporting a law professor who refuses to get the COVID vaccine and opposing the federal eviction moratorium.) Clarks transition back into the conservative legal movement illustrates once again that there have been virtually no professional consequences for the many Republican attorneys who tried to steal the election for Trump.

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Until he launched a direct assault on American democracy, Clarks resume looked much like that of countless conservative lawyers. He clerked for Judge Danny Boggs, a hard-right Ronald Reagan nominee, and worked at the big law firm Kirkland & Ellis. Naturally, he joined the Federalist Society, frequently participating in the organizations events and serving as chair of its environmental law and property rights practice group for seven years. Clark also taught at George Mason University School of Law (now Antonin Scalia Law School), a hub of conservative-libertarian legal studies lavishly funded by the Koch brothers. When he entered Trumps Justice Department in 2018, he served as assistant Attorney General of the Environment and Natural Resources Division; in that position, he sought to weaken federal environmental protections, freeing polluters to disregard long-standing regulations.

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So far, par for the course. But Clark took a turn in the final months of the Trump administration, when he ascended to acting Assistant Attorney General of DOJs Civil Division. In the wake of the 2020 election, Clark latched onto the lie that mass voter fraud had tainted the results, and that Trump was the true victor. He scrambled to throw the Justice Department behind Trumps machinations to toss out millions of votes and seize an unearned second term. Documents obtained by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform show Clark urging the Justice Department to investigate conspiracy theories about voter fraud in Georgia. (In one email, Clark noted that he was on the phone with a pro-Trump activist who claimed to have filmed proof of voter fraud in Atlanta. The alleged video evidence never materialized.) He also pressured U.S. Attorney BJay Pak to probe these nonsensical allegations, leading Pak to resign abruptly.

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Moreover, Clark appears to have been involved in the campaign for the Justice Department to sue Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, Arizona, Nevada, and Wisconsin. The lawsuit wouldve asked the Supreme Court to nullify the election results in each state and award their electors to Trump rather than Biden. It included claimsmade infamous by Sidney Powells Kraken litigationthat Dominion Voting Systems somehow facilitated voter fraud.

Until he launched a direct assault on American democracy, Clarks resume looked much like that of countless conservative lawyers.

When these efforts failed, Clark launched a conspiracy to oust acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen, who declined to facilitate his various plots. Trump and Clark devised a plan: The president would fire Rosen and elevate Clark as acting attorney general; Clark would then inject the Justice Department into Trumps mad dash to overturn the election. (Recently released contemporaneous notes confirm that the president considered putting Clark in charge of the entire agency.) This coup only failed when DOJ officials threatened to resign en masse upon Rosens termination.

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Despite the extreme and dangerous nature of these antics, Clark has not been exiled from the conservative legal movement. Clarks new employer, the NCLA, was founded in 2017 by Philip Hamburger, a legal scholar who believes that much of the administrative statethe hundreds of agencies that enforce federal regulationsis unlawful. It is largely funded by the Charles G. Koch Foundation. routinely sues the government. In recent months, the NCLA has fought to overturn the federal ban on bump stocks, shield the Federalist from an unfair labor practice after its publisher threatened any employee who tried to unionize, and topple the federal governments COVID eviction moratorium. On Tuesday, the organization filed suit on behalf an Antonin Scalia Law School professor who refuses to get vaccinated against COVID, arguing that the schools vaccine mandate is illegal.

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The NCLA is not a fringe firm. Its Board of Advisors includes retired conservative judge Janice Rogers Brown, prominent libertarian law professors Randy Barnett and Eugene Volokh, Supreme Court litigators Mike Carvin and Chuck Cooper, former Trump lawyer William Consovoy, and Clarks former DOJ colleague Jennifer Mascott, who served as Associate Deputy Attorney General under Trump. The NCLA did not return my repeated requests for comment for this article.

Like other right-wing legal groupsincluding Clarks own Federalist Societythe NLCA appears to have decided that abetting a failed coup does not render an attorney unfit for employment. The conservative legal movement has welcomed Trumps schemers back into the fold with open arms. They will, it seems, experience no ramifications for their plots to steal the race. Exploiting the legal system to nullify millions of legal votes is not a deal-breaker for these attorneys; it might even be a job qualification. After all, the many Republican attorneys general who tried to overturn the 2020 electionmost of them affiliated with the Federalist Societyfaced no consequences for their actions; most of them are already back at the Supreme Court asking the justices to overturn Roe v. Wade.

The insurrectionists, the coup abettors, the lawless partisans demanding mass disenfranchisement: With very few exceptions, they have returned to their plum pre-election posts, or secured even more influential or lucrative new sinecures. Trump is gone, but his most corrupt allies are only amassing more power in his absence.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson made good on his promise and pardoned the couple who gained national attention after waving their guns at social justice demonstrators who marched past their home in St. Louis last year. Mark McCloskey had pleaded guilty to misdemeanor fourth-degree assault and was fined $750, while Patricia McCloskey pleaded guilty to misdemeanor harassment and was fined $2,000. Neither one was facing jail time, and because the convictions were misdemeanors, they didnt face the prospect of losing their law licenses or their rights to own guns.

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The McCloskeys celebrated the pardon. Theyre thrilled, the couples attorney Joel Schwartz said. As Mark McCloskey has stated, if he faced the same situation again, he would conduct himself in the same manner, and he feels hes been vindicated by the governors pardon. Parson, a Republican who has made gun rights advocacy into one of his signature issues, had already said he would pardon the couple.

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The couple, who are both lawyers, have said they felt threatened by the protesters who marched on a private street on June 28, 2020. They waved their guns around as the protesters, many of whom were Black, passed by, accusing them of trespassing on their property. Mark McCloskey carried an AR-15-style rifle, and Patricia McCloskey had a semi-automatic pistol. The images of the gun-toting couple quickly went viral, and the McCloskeys gained national notoriety. Even then-President Donald Trump retweeted a video of the couple that quickly came to symbolize the countrys divisions as hundreds of protests took place across the country following the death of George Floyd.

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Special prosecutor Richard Callahan, who took over investigation of the case after a previous prosecutor was kicked off after she mentioned the couple in campaign material, said the demonstrators 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 statement.

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All the national attention helped the McCloskeys gain national prominence as Republican leaders and conservative activists rallied to their defense. The couple even spoke at last years Republican National Convention, and Mark McCloskey is now running for a U.S. Senate seat from Missouri. He has never expressed any regret for his actions even as he agreed that he had put protesters in danger. Id do it again, he said earlier this year. 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.

Democrats criticized the governor for the pardon, particularly considering there is a large backlog of clemency requests in the state. Parson still hasnt taken action on inmate Kevin Strickland who has been behind bars for decades even though several prosecutors have said he is innocent of a 1978 triple homicide. Parson says he isnt convinced of Stricklands innocence. 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.

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Former President Barack Obama was planning a huge bash this weekend to celebrate his 60th birthday. But now hes slashed the guest list amid concerns about the COVID-19 Delta variant. Some of the hundreds of guests had already arrived, or were on their way, to Marthas Vineyard for the Saturday party when Obama canceled the big bash and transformed it into a gathering for family and close friends, according to a spokeswoman.

More than 400 people, including former administration officials, celebrities, and Democratic Party donors, were planning to attend the party that included a medical coronavirus coordinator charged with collecting proof of vaccination and negative COVID-19 tests. Among the celebrities expected to attend were several big names, including Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg. The party, which would have also included some 200 staff, was planned as an outdoor gathering that followed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocols. Theyve been concerned about the virus from the beginning, asking invited guests if they had been vaccinated, requesting that they get a test proximate to the event, said David Axelrod, a former top Obama adviser. But when this was planned, the situation was quite different. So they responded to the changing circumstances.

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The change in plans came after Obama seemed willing to move forward with the event despite controversy. Some of Obamas supporters were quick to point out that Marthas Vineyard is in an area that has been designated of moderate COVID-19 community spread and Massachusetts has a high vaccination rate. Even Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary who worked in Obamas administration, came to the former presidents defense.

Despite the preparations and protocols, the event raised criticism as some feared it would send the wrong message at a time when the White House is calling on Americans to take the virus more seriously. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican, said he wasnt invited but wouldnt have gone regardless. I can tell you If I were invited I would have declined. Because I think 700 people at an event like that is not a good idea, Baker said. Its a judgement call all the way around, but thats the beauty of judgement calls. We can all make our own decision about what we think is most appropriate to us.
This article is part of the Free Speech Project, a collaboration between Future Tense and the Tech, Law, & Security Program at American University Washington College of Law that examines the ways technology is influencing how we think about speech.

On Tuesday, the House held its first hearing for the committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol Buildingan attack that was livestreamed.

As the country scrambled to understand what was unfolding at the Capitol, those storming the building uploaded selfies, live video, and status updates in real time to a handful of popular social media platformsincluding the relatively new, but rapidly growing, platform called Parler.

The rally and march that led to crowds fighting Capitol police, scaling the Capitol walls, and ultimately breaking into the halls of Congress were the culmination of a months-long #StopTheSteal movement that unfolded across the internetfrom social media platforms to event planning and ticketing websites, crowdfunding campaigns, and independent online message boards. And though it was clear to many journalists, researchers, and community organizers that major platforms like Facebook and Twitter were early social media hubs for #StopTheSteal content and organizing, the sheer volume of evidence uploaded to Parler on Jan. 6 turned a spotlight on the lesser-known platform in the hours and days immediately following the attack. Within 48 hours, the Parler app had been suspended by both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. It wasnt long before Amazon Web Services, Parlers web host, followed suit, forcing the platforms operational back-end offline and rendering it inaccessible to users.

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Large social media platforms have faced mounting pressure regarding their content moderation policies and practices from users, activists, and, increasingly, members of Congress. In 2020, an onslaught of election- and pandemic-related disinformation supercharged calls for more transparency and greater accountability from popular platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. But in debates on internet content moderation, policymakers continue to exclude, or at least relegate to the margins, the rest of the online ecosystemfrom payment processors to website hosts to mobile app storesinvolved in content creation, storage, and dissemination. Parlers brief exile brings into sharp focus how companies throughout the internet ecosystem not only can, but frequently do, make critical content moderation decisionsoften risking collateral and disproportionate impacts while simultaneously failing to meaningfully address the spread of harmful content online.

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Under the hood of every website, every online article, every viral video is an entire ecosystem of companies and organizations that make it possible for us to access that piece of content through an Internet-connected device. As we detail in a new report, authored for the Tech, Law, & Security Program at the Washington College of Law, these actors all play necessary functional roles in the distribution of content online. Their functions can overlap, with some companies falling into multiple functional categories, and certain functions are frequently bundled together and sold as a single service. Some of these actors are household names, like Amazon and Google. Many others are not. Yet without them, the Internet as we know it would not function.

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There are companies that provide accessincluding internet service providers like AT&T and Comcast and virtual private networkslinking devices to the online world. Other actors route internet traffic from users to sought-after content once those connections are made; this includes registries and registrars that operate the internets Domain Name System (something akin to a phone book), as well as content delivery networks like Cloudflare and Akamai that allow websites and platforms to operate at scale as their user bases grow. Web hosts and content delivery networks provide a place for content to securely sit. Meanwhile, many other companies provide or enable such functions as browsing, financial facilitation (think PayPal or Alipay), and search (like Google or DuckDuckGo).

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These categories matter because many of these actors are already involved in online content moderation, even if their histories of doing so are only sporadically publicized. On Aug. 3, 2019, a gunman stepped into a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, and opened fire, killing 22 people and injuring two dozen more. The suspect was soon linked to a lengthy and hateful diatribe posted on the notorious message board 8chan, prompting one of 8chans key service providers, Cloudflare, to essentially boot it from the internet. Just months earlier, in the wake of the Christchurch terrorist attack in New Zealand, internet service providers in Australia and New Zealand had temporarily blocked access to 8chan countrywide to prevent viewing of the shooters live-streamed attack video (though larger platforms like Facebook were allowed to remain online despite hosting the initial livestreamand hundreds of thousands of copies).

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Paypal froze Wikileaks-affiliated accounts in 2010; self-styled mens rights activists have leaned on Paypal to freeze the accounts of sex workers and other adult content creators, who also face persistent censorship on social platforms. These are hardly the only money-related content moderation incidents: In April 2020, registries and registrars worked with the U.S. Department of Justice to disrupt hundreds of COVID-19 scam websites, which tried to steal visitors money with false information; U.K. domain registry Nominet did the same of its own volition, screening COVID-19-related websites by default when registered with the company and refusing to service those it deemed illegitimate. In December, Mastercard and Visa cut payment services to Pornhub after a New York Times article alleged the website was hosting volumes of child sexual abuse material.

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Internet service providers can block or throttle (slow down) access to particular websites; browsers can filter out certain kinds of content. Domain registrars can stop servicing particular domains, app stores can boot applications off their marketplaces, and hosting services can refuse to support particular websites or content or actors. All of these actors canand doexert a range of controls over online content creation, storage, and dissemination. But rarely do they have clear policies and frameworks in place for making these decisions, in large part because their ability to exert this influence is often left out of online content moderation discussions.

All told, Facebook, Twitter, and the large social media platforms have an outsized influence on the distribution and amplification of harmful content onlinebut they are not the whole internet. Shaping the content moderation conversation around the largest players in the ecosystem ignores the range of othersometimes smaller, sometimes dominantactors who also exercise levers of control over content availability online, whether they make the headlines or not. The continued failure to include these actors in conversations about when and how content can and should be regulated online leaves private companies that control large portions of the Internet in a position to continue making opaque, ad hoc decisions regarding what content should, or shouldnt, remain onlinedecisions that typically leave users with limited recourse while also rendering efforts to effectively combat harmful content online incomplete by default.

Parler, meanwhile, has already found a new web host.

You can also find it in the Apple App Store.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
Parental bonus amendment proposed as first change to pension system, coalition partners at odds

Labour Ministry has unveiled the first part of its proposed pension scheme reform. Long-awaited tax system reform still out of sight.

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The Eduard Heger government is set to make fundamental changes to Slovakia's pension scheme, after the previous Smer-led governments made the system unsustainable in the long run, so much so that observers have dubbed it a time bomb for public finances.

But Labour Minister Milan Krajniak of Sme Rodina cannot be sure to gain the necessary support of the ruling coalition for the major pension reform he has drafted.

Krajniak expects objections not only from coalition partners, but also from the central bank, the fiscal council and other relevant players.

We have decided to propose a compromise that will help people receive decent pensions, all the while ensuring that [pensions remain decent] 50 years later, Krajniak stated.

Some changes have already been made via an amendment appended to the judiciary reform by Justice Minister Maria Kolikova (Za Ludi), which the MPs passed in December 2020. The amendment creates the constitutional framework for the parental bonus, a planned new feature of the pension system, while further legislation is needed to put the bonus into practice.

Related article Old-age pension scheme gains three new features Read more

Two of the four coalition parties have voiced disagreement with the new legislation. Several employers organisations have opposed the proposed hike in the levies of the biggest earners, deeming it a punishment of those who work hard on their expertise.

Three laws instead of one constitutional law change

Shortly before the 2020 parliamentary election, the Smer-led government changed Slovakia's three-pillar old-age pension scheme. In one main change, it replaced the pinning of the retirement age to the average life expectancy with no fixed upper limit to the 64-year pension cap. Analysts have warned that the pension system has become unsustainable in the long run.

4. Aug 2021 at 17:01 | Jana Liptakova
Oligarch believed to be close to former PM Fico charged in major corruption case

Miroslav Vyboh was detained along with several former Smer-nominated high state officials.

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Entrepreneur Miroslav Vyboh, who has been described as a close friend of former prime minister, now Smer MP, Robert Fico, has been charged in the Mytnik (Toll Collector) case.

The National Criminal Agency (NAKA) detained the former head of the Financial Administration Lenka Wittenbergerova and ex-deputy minister of the Finance Ministry from the era of Smer-led governments, Radko Kuruc, on August 4. The Dennik N daily was the first to report the news.

The police failed to arrest Vyboh, who is reportedly abroad.

The Special Prosecutors Office can confirm the operation called Mytnik 3 was carried out today, said its spokesperson Jana Tokolyova, as quoted by Dennik N, without revealing more details.

The charges are linked to other Mytnik cases that involve corruption in IT orders of the Financial Administration, according to the daily.

Who is Miroslav Vyboh?

4. Aug 2021 at 16:44 | Compiled by Spectator staff
At that time, a spokesman for Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said it was important to empower school divisions to make their own decisions on masks. The states school divisions have seen varied responses to mask policies, from protests at school board meetings to residents pleas that people remain masked up.

This fall, all school systems in Virginia are required to offer five days of in-person instruction due to Senate Bill 1303, which the General Assembly passed in February.

Culpeper board acts

In Culpeper, a School Board majority voted in late June to make masks optional if Northam did not extend or issue his executive order requiring masks in Virginia public schools. The governor has not done so, Houck noted.

On Tuesday, July 27, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged everyone over age 2not just the unvaccinatedto wear masks inside school buildings.

That shift from guidance issued just three weeks prior, when the agency said only unvaccinated people in school buildings needed masks, came in response to rising concerns about the much-more transmissible delta variant of the coronavirus, the CDC said.
That approach is better for patients and it costs less than hospitalization, said Kobuchi with the RACSB. The timing couldnt be better, she said.

Weve definitely seen an increase in individuals seeking services, especially on the mental-health side, and a decrease in the availability of private providers, she said. Thats led more people to our doors to seek services. Its just the stress of the pandemic and financial issues and health issues and schedules being disrupted.

Increased funding has allowed the RASCB to provide more services for veterans because of the high numbers of service members in the region, Kobuchi said. Additional services include more resources, therapists and peer specialists, trained people who have been through the same experiences as the veterans, who also are screened for suicide risk.

As a result of this climate, theres a shortage of beds in state hospitals because there arent enough staff members to take care of them, Kobuchi said. Its part of the same workforce shortage that everyone is dealing with, and it started well before the pandemic, she said.
The important part is that actually a system of structured standards will not solve all of those issues. What we need is a structure within our education system that supports students where theyre at academically, whether socially or emotionally or wherever they may be. The important work that were going to have to do is to continue to work with adults to understand those students who might be left out.

Following the release of the second draft, Abbi Swatsworth, executive director of OutNebraska, an advocacy organization for Nebraskas LGBTQ+ community, said, We are deeply disappointed to learn that the second draft of the proposed health standards have largely omitted the reality of LGBTQ+ youth and families. A recent study by the Trevor Project suggests that as many as 1 in 4 young people identify as non-binary.

Swatsworth said schools need to be welcome, safe spaces for all students and such omission does nothing to protect LGBTQ+ students.

Gov. Pete Ricketts, who has spoke publicly about his opposition to the standards, also said the second draft needs improvement. Ricketts said sex education and other controversial topics should be addressed at home rather than in the classroom.
Prepare for an evening of drink tasting and networking when the NEXT Young Professionals group hosts their 10th annual Best of the West Beer and Wine Festival on Friday, Aug. 13.

The festivals organizers say the event is a way to jumpstart new connections. We get people in the community, who otherwise would have never met each other, to get to know each other, NEXTs past president Jordan Diedrich said. Its where members and nonmembers alike come together, meet new people...and step out of their comfort zone.

The festival will run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. It will make its return to its usual location at the 18th Street Plaza in Scottsbluff after the pandemic forced its cancellation last year. Diedrich said many of NEXTs events have experienced record participation when they returned from hiatus over the last few months. The Beer and Wine Fest, he said, shouldnt prove any exception.

I believe this year a lot of people are just ready to get out, Diedrich said. The Young Professionals most popular event, and their longest-running, the festival normally serves around 500 guests, though Diedrich estimated they could get as many as 600 or 700 attendees this time around.
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.
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The school will feature labs complete with state of the art equipment, so students get the hands on experience they need.
Bigger solar panels could soon arrive in neighborhoods across Washington County.

And that may even mean the snooty neighborhoods.

At the July 27 meeting of the Washington County Board of Supervisors, the supervisors considered an ordinance to allow large-scale solar energy projects.

There basically would not be limits in the ordinance to what would be allowed, said County Attorney Lucy Phillips.

Right now, small-scale projects are limited to panels of 700 square feet.

The large projects are not limited by the ordinance, Phillips said.

Supervisor Randy Pennington envisioned a solar-panel project that could span several acres  something that could be useful, he said. But it could be ugly.

Such projects would be allowed under a special-exception permit.

Even so, subdivision covenants would prevail to restrict some solar panels from being installed, Phillips said.

Supervisor Mike Rush jokingly asked if such panels could be restricted by the subdivision covenants of snooty residential area.
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.
If you go on a cruise and dont gain at least a couple of pounds, either youre doing it wrong or you are blessed with amazing metabolism.

For most vacationers, one of the highlights of cruising is indulging in the vast array of plentiful foods on board, and Carnivals new Mardi Gras ship fits the bill.

Im pretty sure I gained at least a pound while attending the Sip and Sea preview event. And I was only on board for six hours! Was it worth it? Absolutely.

Visitors to the ship were greeted with champagne and welcomed by Cruise Director Chris Williams. Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy gave a short presentation acknowledging those who played a role in the ships creation and completion. A brief musical number activated the fun, and then visitors were invited to ride Bolt, the first roller coaster at sea. I worked up a big appetite while waiting in line for the ride.

The first food I sampled was a chicken tender, fries, pickles and potato salad from Shaquille ONeals Big Chicken. The chicken was tender and juicy, and the fries were thinly cut and nicely crisp. The pickles and potato salad were available at a self-serve bar, along with various dipping sauces for the chicken. I could have eaten a lot more of the creamy, dreamy potato salad, but I had to pace myself because there was much more on board to try!

My next stop was Street Eats, a quick-service venue for international street food located near the ships main pool. I sampled a char siu pork dumpling, chicken satay with rice, and Philly cheesesteak fries. The clear winner of the three was the dumpling. Fresh and fully-stuffed, it paired well with a small side of pickled vegetables. I had to summon all my self control to not get seconds, because there was still a lot more sampling ground to cover.

My next visit was to Bonsai Sushi, one of the ships elegant sit-down restaurants. The items I tasted here were among my favorites of the day. Both the Bang Bang Bonsai Roll and the Rock Shrimp Tempura were worth repeating. But I passed on seconds and pressed on, determined not to tap out before trying all the available offerings.

I was excited to try ChiBang, a restaurant featuring Chinese and Mexican cuisine. The mini quesadilla was well prepared, but the lettuce wrap could have used more filling and flavor.

Emerils Bistro 1396 offers a taste of New Orleans from famed chef Emeril Lagasse. Of the three items available for sampling, the Natchitoches meat pie was far and away the best. Stuffed with savory sauced meat, it reminded me of an empanada. The jambalaya was supposed to include shrimp, chicken and sausage but I only detected a bit of shrimp. While the sausage in the gumbo was melt-in-your-mouth tender, the duck skin in the soup was unappealing.

My culinary journey continued to Java Blue Cafe for a chicken pie and foursome of donuts. The pie was pretty and petite. The small donuts were just the right size for snacking, but they tasted slightly on the stale side.

A much better sweet treat was the sorbet-stuffed macarons at Carnival Kitchen, which features chef-led cooking demonstrations. The raspberry sorbet was fantastic; this was where a broke down and surrendered to a second helping.

Fueled by a sugar high, a headed up to the 17th deck to tackle my final stop: Guys Burger Joint. While eating, diners can watch a video of Guy Fieri demonstrating how he makes his burgers. I tried The Ringer, a cheeseburger topped with lettuce, tomato, raw onions, pickles, an onion ring and BBQ sauce. After I snapped the picture, I took out most of the lettuce and all of the raw onions and substituted them with bacon and sauteed onions, which were found at the restaurants topping bar. It was a mighty fine burger, but I was too full to finish it. I preferred the fries at Big Chicken to Guys fries, which were quite salty.

Fortunately, there were plenty of bars on board to choose from to quench my thirst after the salty fries. I opted to cap off the day with a strawberry banana daiquiri from Red Frog Tiki Bar, which I thoroughly enjoyed sipping while strolling the ships cabins, spa and other amenities.

After the Sip and Sea preview, the Mardi Gras staff went right to work to prepare the ship for its maiden voyage the very next day. The ship set sail on July 31, making it the first cruise to depart from Port Canaveral since the industry-wide pause 16 months ago. Mardi Gras will visit San Juan, Puerto Rico; Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; and Nassau, The Bahamas.

Cheers to a successful first voyage!

For more information, visit www.carnival.com
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Under current city policy, the board is five people with one alternate, meeting at least 10 times per year. The roles are four-year terms and Jorgensen said he will start advertising for interested candidates.

Cole also issued a challenge to the community to match his donation to the Rainier Oregon Historical Museums proposed new building, across from the senior center.

Anyone who wants to match my donations, and Im not looking to get recognition so I wont say the amount publicly, call me and Ill tell you, Cole said.

The museum is housed in City Hall and has been since 2017. Cole said so long as they need a place, we have a home for them, but they are serious about raising money and getting out of here into their own, larger space.

If the museum can raise $100,000, they will get a $100,000 match, Cole said. Donations are tax deductible, and can be made monthly or as a single payment. People who donate $500 will get their names on a founders plaque at the museum.

Theyve got $28,000 more they have to raise to hit that $100,000 mark and I want to see that happen sooner than later, Cole said.

In other business, the council:

Heard stairs down to the water along the Riverfront Trail are under construction and the city is waiting on the design and estimate for the phase two bridge project.

Passed a resolution to abate a nuisance property at 516 East E. St., which burned and the city declared a dangerous property. The owners have until Sept. 30 to abate the property or the city will do it.

Accepted a roughly $170,000 bid from WesTech to refurbish Filter 1 at the water treatment plant. Filter 2 was refurbished by the company last year to like-new status, Public Works Director Sue Lawrence said, after being online for about 20 years without any major work on them.

Approved an emergency removal of an abandoned sailboat for $13,800 after it sunk at the marina.

Heard the city will get $446,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Approved reimbursing JT Marine about $8,900 for the installation of a pump station after workers on the A Street project accidently cut through its sewer line, thinking it was abandoned.

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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.
Ransomware Increasingly Targeting SMBs and Impacting Individuals, Say Experts

Cybersecurity technology is not seen as a solution for smaller organizations that cannot afford it. What's needed is government action on cryptocurrency transparency to help deter attacks.

Ransomware attacks are expanding beyond targeting large enterprises; SMBs and individuals are being hit in a widespread blitz, according to two U.S.-based experts on the international impact of cybercrime.

Beyond encrypting business and personal data and holding it hostage, ransomware damages Americans' confidence in infrastructure, said Matthew Rojansky, director of the Kennan Institute at the Wilson Center, a nonprofit forum chartered by the U.S. Congress, which sponsored a recent press briefing on the topic. Despite the availability of cybersecurity software, experts expressed doubts about a technological solution, instead advocating for stronger diplomatic efforts aimed at law enforcement cooperation in Russia, where most of the ransomware attacks originate.

A more helpful deterrent would be government action to control cryptocurrency, the crooks' preferred ransom payment method, said the other expert on the call, Dmitri Alperovitch, chairman of the Silverado Policy Accelerator and the former CTO of CrowdStrike.

"In terms of regulatory control, the thing that is enabling this whole ransomware epidemic is cryptocurrency," Alperovitch said. "It's no accident that prior to 2009 -- when Bitcoin was invented -- we had no ransomware. It was not because the technology wasn't available. It was because there was no anonymous way to receive ransom payments without exposing your identity. If you provided instructions for a bank account, it would be very easy for law enforcement to trace that back, shut it down, and (in some cases) recover the funds. Cryptocurrency provides that anonymous way of doing the payments."

One way to discourage ransom payments in Bitcoin would be a global expansion of the know your customer (KYC) standards used within the investment and financial-services industries to cover cryptocurrency, Alperovitch said. Enforcement of money-laundering prevention measures would have a "huge impact" on ransomware by making sure payments were "de-anonymized." He also pointed to the deterrent impact of the U.S. Justice Department's recovering $2.3 million of the ransom paid in the Colonial Pipeline attack.

Technology solutions for ransomware are promising but are limited in what they can accomplish.

"There are a lot of good cybersecurity companies out there, but the reality is we're not going to defend our way out of the problem," Alperovitch said. "Technology is not a panacea."

The human and financial resources an organization needs to build a software security wall to stop ransomware are not available to most hospitals, municipalities, and SMBs that are increasingly the targets of ransomware attacks, the experts said.

"We have way too many companies, way too many nonprofits, school districts, municipal governments, etc., that will never be able to afford the technology, the expertise, or have the funds necessary to do what's needed," Alperovitch observed. "So even if you can protect the Fortune 500 companies and the military and major government agencies, we still have a huge underbelly of vulnerability that we'll never solve."

He acknowledges that it is important for organizations to make every effort to protect themselves from cyberattacks but expressed doubts about a technological solution to the overall problem.

Rojansky and Alperovitch are focused on the Biden Administration's diplomatic efforts to persuade Russia to crack down on the ransomware operations that are based there. They do not accuse Russian President Vladimir Putin of being behind the attacks, but Russia is suspected of being the home base for hacker groups such as REvil, which many believe is behind a July attack targeting an IT operations tool used by about 40,000 companies worldwide.

Attacks have also come from China, North Korea, and other countries, but Rojansky and Alperovitch say well-organized and technologically savvy hacker groups based in Russia represent the largest threat to American businesses, municipal governments, and individuals.

The two experts recently wrote an op-ed piece in the Washington Post, Ransomware Attacks Won't Stop Unless Biden Keeps the Pressure on Putin, arguing that if the recent blitz "becomes routine, businesses and the economy will suffer." "Because smaller and medium-size businesses and organizations were targeted," the two experts wrote, "it represents a chance for Biden to make good on his promise of 'a foreign policy for the middle class' and his pledge that 'economic security is national security.'"

Beyond the economic impact that grabs all the headlines in ransomware attacks, Rojansky said that collateral damage such as the gasoline shortages resulting from the Colonial Pipeline attack is undermining Americans' faith in infrastructure. Attacks on hospitals have caused delays in surgeries directly affecting patients and demonstrating ransomware's potential to threaten the lives of individuals. The attack in early July on Kaseya, a Florida-based IT monitoring software provider, shows how ransomware is targeting smaller businesses and individuals.

"This is a criminal act," Rojansky said. "It can appear to be relatively small scale, but clearly something like Kaseya -- which wasn't targeting what we traditionally define as critical infrastructure -- needs to be taken deadly seriously because it's a direct attack on the livelihoods of ordinary Americans."
With bated breath, management at Samsung Electronics is waiting to see if the conglomerate's leader, Jay Y. Lee, will be released on parole this month. Support for his parole, both political and amongst the public, has grown amid anxiety that key strategic decisions are not being made at the South Korean tech giant. If he is released, Samsung would be able to move forward with major investment and M&A projects - decisions company sources say should only be made by Lee who has been unable to address them while he sits in jail convicted of bribery and embezzlement.

In particular, a decision on the location of a $17 billion US plant to produce advanced logic chips awaits his return, four Samsung sources told Reuters on condition of anonymity. "The word is that the US investment will be finalised when Vice Chairman Jay Y. Lee is back," said one of the people.

Kinam Kim, head of chips and components at Samsung and one of the firm's three co-CEOs, made a rare direct appeal to President Moon Jae-in in June, arguing Lee's return was crucial. "Semiconductors need large investment decisions and the decisions can only be made quickly when the head of the conglomerate is present," Moon's office quoted Kim as saying.

Lee served one year of an initial 5-year sentence from August 2017 which was later suspended. That court decision was overturned and the sentence revised to 30 months, putting him back in jail in January this year. Having served some 18 months, he has just become eligible for release.

The Justice Ministry last month eased parole eligibility guidelines for first-time offenders with good behaviour like Lee to 60% of sentence term served. The average eligible time for all criminals in South Korea was 80% prior to the easing.

Lee's parole is expected to be reviewed on Aug. 9, and within Samsung hopes are high that he will be freed around Aug. 15 when the country celebrates Independence Day and pardons have traditionally been issued, three of the Samsung sources said.

The Justice Ministry and Samsung declined to comment.

If paroled, Lee would need the Justice Minister to approve his return to work as the law bars persons from working for companies involved in certain convictions for five years. He is likely to get that, legal experts say, as the amount deemed embezzled has been repaid.

While there have been some protests against an early release for Lee and civic groups have voiced opposition, public support for his early release is at about 70%, according to two polls.

A parliamentary committee leader has also voiced his support while other members of the ruling party have visited Samsung's chip complex noting that Lee is eligible for parole.

Support on social media ranges from those who think he has already paid his dues while others fret that without Lee at the helm, South Korea's flagship conglomerate will fall behind competitors at a time when there is a global chip shortage and rivals like TSMC and Intel Corp are making large investments.

Cash pile awaits use

South Korea's biggest conglomerates are still owned and controlled by their founding families and there is little precedence for handing over the reins to non-family members even when a senior family member has been jailed.

On one hand, Samsung's day-to-day operations have been little affected by Lee's stints in prison. Operating profit in the latest quarter surged 54% and while he was jailed in 2017, Samsung reported its second-largest annual profit of 53.6 trillion won ($46.6 billion).

But experts say Samsung's organisational structure makes it difficult for anyone besides Lee to sign off on strategic decisions that draw on cash pooled from its three main divisions - mobile, consumer electronics and chips.

"Realistically, risky strategic decisions like M&A, multibillion dollar deals, are left to the owner at Samsung," said Jaeyong Song, professor at Seoul National University and author of "The Samsung Way", a book about Samsung's management style.

"CEOs in Korea are more like chief operating officers in a way. They take care of the short-term profits, while the owner takes on long-term competitiveness because their tenure is for life."

Analysts have also linked Lee's legal troubles to Samsung's huge pile of cash, which has swollen 57% over four years to stand at just under $100 billion as of end-June, noting it has not made a major acquisition since 2016.

Chief Financial Officer Choi Yoon-ho told an earnings briefing in January the increase was mainly due to Samsung's inability to "execute meaningful M&A activities".

In addition to the decision on the planned US chip factory - which has come down to Austin, Texas which is widely seen as the favoured location, another area in Texas, New York or Arizona - Lee's return would likely trigger potential acquisitions of stakes in companies, analysts said.

NXP Semiconductors NV, a Dutch maker of automotive chips with a market value of about $58 billion, has often been cited by analysts as a good fit for Samsung's strategic needs and a likely target. NXP declined to comment.

Samsung SDI is considering an investment of at least $3.5 billion in the United States to produce batteries for electric vehicles, but a final decision will rest with a task force for the wider Samsung group and is unlikely to be made before the chip plant decision, one of the sources said.

($1 = 1,151.4100 won)
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Banks, consumer advocates and think tanks are weighing in to federal bank regulators about potential pitfalls in the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in making loan decisions.

In responses to regulators' call for comments, many expressed interest in an increased use of AI and machine learning in the banking business, along with caveats about fair lending and unlawful discrimination concerns.

FinRegLab, a Washington-based research group that says it has launched a broad inquiry into the use of AI in financial services, told the agencies that machine learning could be "transformational," as current gaps "increase the cost or risk of serving particular consumer and small-business populations using traditional models and data."

At the same time, the predictive power of machine learning models can increase potential risks "due to the models' greater complexity and to their potential to exacerbate historical disparities and flaws in underlying data," FinRegLab said. AI and machine learning might amplify patterns of historical discrimination and financial exclusion through reliance on flawed data or mistakes in development.

The Boston-based National Consumer Law Center was even more blunt, warning in its July 1 letter to regulators that "the use of complex, opaque algorithmic models in consumer credit transactions also heightens the risk of unlawful discrimination, and unfair deceptive, and abusive practices."

The law center noted that there isn't even agreement on the definition of "artificial intelligence," which adds to the concerns about how it is used.

"The lack of a definition for AI is understandable, but it is also problematic," the group wrote. "There may be incorrect assumptions that the use of AI necessarily makes a system more accurate or predictive, or that it is unbiased and unquestionably fair."

The pro-consumer legal organization said public perception of what constitutes AI has been heavily influenced by Hollywood with movies such as "2001: A Space Odyssey" or the Terminator series. "Many think of AI as incredibly human-like and sentient, which is very far from current reality," it said.

State Street Corp., one of the largest banks in the U.S., with nearly $317 billion in assetstold regulators that in its experience, AI and machine learning models may face data quality challenges, including bias introduced by mislabeled data or embedded in data provided by a third-party vendor.

'Hard issue to regulate'

Jo Ann Barefoot, a former deputy comptroller of the currency and Senate Banking Committee staff member who now leads the Alliance for Innovative Regulation in Washington, said there are numerous possible benefits to the use of AI in credit underwriting. But regulators need to ensure that banks comply with fair lending laws and that machine learning doesn't lead to denials of credit based on prohibited reasons such as race and gender, she said.

She warned of a "very disturbing potential" for the use of poorly designed AI.

"This is a very hard issue to regulate," Barefoot said. "They are going to have to develop smart and informed policies on this issue. I don't envy them."

Former Comptroller of the Currency Thomas J. Curry, a Barack Obama appointee and strong proponent of innovative financial technologies during his tenure from 2012 to 2017, said he is encouraged that several agenciesthe Federal Reserve, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and National Credit Union Administrationare working together in gathering the information because it will help promote uniformity and clarity in how regulators approach these issues.

"The fact they put out an RFI [request for information] as the vehicle for collecting this data importantly shows their desire to have a unified approach" when it comes to studying and understanding the issues surrounding AI and machine learning, he said.

Curry acknowledged that there is "real concern" in the credit underwriting area about the perpetuation of biases in the use of AI and machine learning and that unless the financial industry gets clearer guidance from regulators on fair lending, the issue could hold some financial institutions back from employing the technologies to their maximum potential.

"There is a lot of controversy around Big Data and its potential abuses, and that likely partially drove the decision to issue the RFI," he said.

Like Curry, Melissa Koide, CEO of FinRegLab, said in an email it was gratifying to see regulators looking to learn more about the roles that artificial intelligence and machine learning can play in the banking system.

"Policymakers are actively building their understanding of the implications of AI/ML on model governance, fairness, explainability, and financial inclusion," said Koide, who spent more than four years in the Obama administration as the Treasury Department's assistant secretary for consumer policy. "It's exciting to see they are working together to build a shared understanding."

Regulators say the RFI responses will help them determine whether any clarifications are needed for banks to use AI and machine learning in a manner that fully complies with laws and regulations, including consumer protection statutes.

The banking industry appears all in on new technologies, saying it welcomes the government's research as a step in clarifying existing rules and guidelines to address the risks and opportunities presented by AI.

While clarification is welcome, the American Bankers Association said it doesn't believe that new regulations are necessary or warranted.

The Bank Policy Institute, another industry group, echoed those sentiments, writing, "AI is a technology like any other, and the risks posed by AI as outlined in the RFI can be managed within existing laws and regulations on the activities in which AI is applied across the financial industry. BPI believes that new regulations are not necessary."

The agencies accepted responses through July 1 and must now go through the comments. Curry said it will take a while to digest all the information but the process is off to a good start in developing a unified regulatory approach.

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Transmission grids are struggling to keep up with the growth of renewable energy. In Bulgaria, the installation of a novel mobile power flow control system is now making it possible to greatly increase the amount of renewable energy that the country's power grid can handle. It's also unlocking cross-border electricity flows.

The technology was installed in Bulgaria's transmission system as part of the EU-funded FLEXITRANSTORE project, with collaboration between the Bulgarian transmission system operator, electricity system operator (ESO) and global power technology company Smart Wires.

Power flow control technology allows grid operators to unlock their systems' currently underutilized transmission capacity, making their power grid infrastructure more efficient and resilient. Grid congestion is reduced and quicker connections are made possible between new renewables and demand. The pioneering mobile power flow control solution developed by Smart Wires was installed in north-east Bulgaria, where 750 MW of wind energy is generated. The installation took only 2.5 days.

"This project allows us to capture excess capacity on our grid to increase renewable penetration, reduce constraints and improve cross-border flows between Bulgaria and Romania," stated ESO's National Dispatching Center Director Dimitar Zarchev in a news release posted on 'CISION PR Newswire'. "ESO is proud to be part of this important work, which is vitally important to the Southeastern European network."

Good for customers, good for the environment

Further describing the benefits of the mobile power flow control technology, Zarchev explained it would enable them to vastly improve the network's capacity and flexibility and speed up the region's decarbonisation efforts. "[T]he value of Smart Wires' mobile technology is that it can be delivered in months, installed in hours and reused at multiple different locations," he continued. "Power flow control is not new, but this innovative mobile deployment method provides the industry with an incredibly flexible and high-impact solution, which ultimately delivers a faster, lower cost and better way to plan and operate power systems."

Mark Norton, Smart Wires' Vice President of European Business Development, commented on the Bulgarian undertaking: "[T]his project showcases true innovationredeploying large scale grid infrastructure seamlessly from one grid to another to solve multiple problems. This equipment was first deployed in Greece in 2019 to reduce renewable congestion as a joint project with the Greek Independent Power Transmission Operator. ESO and IPTO [the Independent Power Transmission Operator] have shown global leadership on this project which has caught the imagination of operators from all over Europe, the US, Australia and Latin America. We're proud to partner with the FLEXITRANSTORE consortium to ensure these types of tools can be adopted across Europe."

The FLEXITRANSTORE (An Integrated Platform for Incresed FLEXIbility in smart TRANSmission grids with STORage Entities and large penetration of Renewable Energy Sources) project aims to transform Europe's power system with interventions that target the entire energy value chain.

Explore further European grid prepares for massive integration of renewables

More information: FLEXITRANSTORE project website: FLEXITRANSTORE project website: www.flexitranstore.eu/
Researchers have developed sphere-based triboelectric nanogenerators that can be incorporated directly into navigational buoys to provide electricity from ocean waves. Credit: Catia Rodrigues

To find a power source for buoys, look no further than the ocean itself.

During the AIP Publishing HorizonsEnergy Storage and Conversion virtual conference, which will be held Aug. 4-6, Catia Rodrigues, from the University of Porto, will discuss the prospects of using power generators in the ocean to address the energy concerns of marine exploration. The presentation, "Performance of triboelectric nanogenerators based on rolling spheres motion under realistic water waves conditions," will be available during the three-day conference.

Traditionally used energy harvesting technologies, like photovoltaic panels or wind turbines, suffer from several limitationscritically, their intermittency and inability to maintain continuous operation. In the absence of daylight and wind, neither of the two can supply any power.

In the case of ocean buoys, a potential solution is omnipresent: wave energy. Abundant, predictable, and consistent, the ocean's own waves can be used to power navigation buoys.

"Even so, the development of wave energy converters has not yet reached its full potential due to the lack of technological consensus, uncompetitive energy generation costs, and the irregular and low-frequency nature of waves at sea," said Rodrigues.

The team developed sphere-based triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs)devices that convert mechanical motion into electrical powerthat can be incorporated directly into navigational buoys to provide electricity from ocean waves.

When testing the TENGs on a 1:8 scale in real conditions, they determined maximum voltages can be generated when waves occur at heights of 0.1 meters approximately every 2.6 secondsclose to the natural period of the buoy. Even when waves are inconsistent and slow, the energy conversion efficiency of the TENGs is much larger than standard generators.

"Concerning wave energy, some relevant challenges still exist to the viable deployment of conversion technologies, mostly linked to the irregular nature of waves and the distribution of energy in both direction and frequency," Rodrigues said.

The group plans to deploy a prototype in Figueira da Foz, a seaport in Portugal.

Explore further Researchers develop water-tube-based triboelectric nanogenerator for efficient ocean wave energy harvesting
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JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  Albert Wilson Sr. was unsure whether to trust the COVID-19 vaccine when it came out. He told his family he wanted to wait a few months to see how it affected other people before making a decision about himself.

That was before the 58-year-old maintenance technician from Utica was hospitalized with the virus in June. During his two weeks at St. Dominic's in Jackson  the last weeks of his life  he was begging his wife and four children to get it.

He told us to come get the vaccine before he died," said Eric Wilson, Albert's 20-year-old son. "He said if he ever made it out, he was going to get that vaccine. He said he wished he would have.

Eric Wilson, a student at Jackson State University, was one of dozens of people lining up to get the COVID-19 vaccine at the historically Black university Tuesday. He said he was nervous at first, but he had to do it for his dad.

I had to  I promised I would, he said, sitting in the auditorium stands afterward with a Band-Aid on his arm.

The number of people receiving doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in Mississippi, one of the country's least vaccinated states, is increasing slightly as infections surge in the state.
Richwood, TX (77531)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Mainly clear skies after midnight. Low 77F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Mainly clear skies after midnight. Low 77F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Jehovahs Witnesses spread the message of that kingdom, because thats what God had set up through his son to be able to eliminate the problems in the world today, he said. So we feel its good news that was preached by the apostles and disciples. We do the same today because that kingdom will give the earth a paradise condition that we lost.

Most people we meet, even at the door, we dont want to be there if they dont want us to be there, Melvin said. We leave quickly. We dont argue or anything like that.

They dont really get into debates, he said.

If people are interested, we like to go back. If they like literature that we offer, we like to continue to give it to them at no cost, Melvin said.

Justin Cassell of Grand Island, another member of Jehovahs Witnesses, said going door to door is just part of being a Witness. Its our commission. We take it seriously, to spread the good news.

Still spreading the good news

Since theyre not able to go door to door right now, theyre spreading the good news in different ways. Theyre sending letters and making phone calls.
Donner said he is concerned Hall County could see another spike in COVID cases because it is below the goal of having 70% of its eligible population with at least one vaccination.

He said health professionals need to push to get as many people vaccinated as possible to prevent a COVID spike.

Dental care

Dr. Steve Anderson said he likes to have brand new patients come for a thorough initial examination.

We have X-rays, we measure their gums, we check their bite, we check their whole oral cavity for any bumps, lumps or sore spots, or changes that may be there that arent normal for an oral cancer exam, Anderson said.

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Once we get that done, we look for decay on the X-rays, he said. We look to make sure their teeth are aligned properly, whether they need to have orthodontics or not.

Anderson added, If they have missing teeth, we try to explain that missing teeth are not good for your whole bite, because one cog in the wheel, if its out of place, can cause the whole machine not to work properly.
Lierman said that for a community Grand Islands size, there are hundreds of opportunities to donate ones time and talents, both big and small.

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For example, she said the chambers Nebraska State Fair volunteer program began in an effort to help offset the unbelievable costs that the fair would incur upon its relocation to Grand Island.

The volunteer program has since grown to nearly 800 individuals putting forth approximately 15,000 hours, annually, Lierman said. When asking fair officials if they could host their event without volunteers, the short answer is no  thinking that 15,000 hours at minimum wage would be enough to sink the organization financially.

Last year, even though the pandemic was affecting many in Grand Island and the surrounding areas, there still were those who stepped up and lent their time and talents to at least making sure some of the communitys events went on in the face of the public health concerns.

Lierman said Grand Islands large number of volunteers during the years has demonstrated the community pride people have about where they live.
Mothers who produce more breast milk than they need now have an easy way to give that precious liquid to other mothers.

A new donor breast milk collection site has opened at CHI Health Clinic Womens Health, 705 Orleans Drive.

CHI Health hopes that area mothers will donate breast milk to protect the lives of vulnerable infants across the country.

People are starting to see the research that breast milk is the best nutrient that we can try to give our infants, said Chelsey Kennedy of CHI Health St. Francis.

Parents want to do whats best for their infants, so the demand for breast milk is growing, Kennedy said.

Breast milk contains important nutrients that cannot be replicated by commercial formula. It is sometimes called Liquid Gold.

Research shows that infants should have nothing but breast milk for the first six months of life, said Kennedy, a womens health nurse practitioner.

In addition, medical professionals are seeing a lot more premature deliveries for whatever reason, said Beth Deida, the obstetrics educator at CHI St. Francis.

Premature babies and other infants with health issues can benefit from breast milk.
 The council will hold a public hearing to consider amending the A-L Agricultural Zone to allow public events that may or may not involve the payment of admission fees, to include but not be limited to outdoor arenas, tracks, concession buildings, restrooms, offices, spectator stands, livestock stables and parking lots and areas by special permit. The planning commission already heard the proposal and is sending forward a recommendation for passage. This comes as an application has been made by a non-profit corporation in York to the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission for live horse racing (with no decision yet being made by the state commission). The matter before the council does not pertain to that particular project  this would just make it possible to allow such a venue in that type of zone, by special permit, should an application come forward in the future.
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:
MADISON COUNTY  A Brooklyn, Illinois, police officer with Southern Illinois ties was fatally injured early Wednesday on the McKinley Bridge while trying to stop a car fleeing from a nightclub in the Metro East.

The officer who died was identified by his family as Brian Pierce Jr., 24, who has been with Brooklyn force about nine months. Pierce was struck by a car around 3 a.m. while trying to deploy stop sticks on the bridge to flatten the tires of the car that had fled the nightclub, said Lt. Michael Lewis of the Illinois State Police.

Pierce formerly worked for about two years with the police agency in Spillertown, Illinois, and was also a lieutenant with the Makanda Fire Department. Until he moved to Carbondale recently, he had been making the 100-mile drive every day from Makanda to Brooklyn to work the night shift, his mother said.

Police are still searching for the driver who hit the officer.

"He was born with a passion to be a police officer," Pierce's mother, Tammy Pierce, told the Post-Dispatch. "His favorite thing about police work was just being out in the public and stopping crime."

Brooklyn has about 10 officers on the department.
In 1962, Don accepted a position in general medicine at the Carbondale Clinic. He expanded his expertise to include hematology and oncology and proudly served at the Clinic until his retirement in 1999. He became known throughout southern Illinois as a cancer specialist and served the entire region at a time when local oncologists were a rarity.

In 1968 Don and Betty built a home at 2603 Sunset Drive which has recently been named a landmark by the City of Carbondale. Due to its unique architecture and his contributions to the community, it is now listed on the Carbondale Register of Historic Places.

Donald Darling served his community as a member of the Lions Club and as a board member of the YMCA of Jackson County. He also served as a lecturer at the College of Medicine at SIU. He and Betty were long and faithful members of the First Presbyterian Church of Carbondale, where he sang in the choir. We know he is singing again today.
For those downstate Illinois residents who want to breakaway from Chicagoland and form their own state, two Southern Illinois University Carbondale researchers have an emphatic caution: do not do it.

In a whitepaper released earlier this year by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, a think tank at the university, political scientists John Foster and John Jackson said analysis of Illinois state revenue and budgeting over recent years shows downstate Illinoisans would be worse off without Chicago than they are with their northeastern neighbors.
After picking out notebooks and clothes during a back to school shopping trip to Target on Tuesday, Brenda Perez and her daughters stopped at a display full of face masks.

Perezs daughters both need masks for school and the call center where she works recently began requiring all employees  even those who are vaccinated, like Perez  to mask up at work.

Retailers scrambled to get face masks on shelves when they became a must-have item overnight during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, then saw sales slump dramatically earlier this year as people got vaccinated and mask mandates lifted. Now some are seeing sales pick back up amid concerns about rising case numbers and new guidance from health officials that has led to mask mandates at some schools and workplaces.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced a mask mandate for preschool through high school students and staff statewide Wednesday afternoon. Chicago Public Schools adopted a similar policy late last month after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidelines including a recommendation that everyone wear masks in schools, regardless of vaccination status. The CDCs guidelines also advised everyone, including people who are vaccinated, to wear masks indoors in areas of substantial or high transmission, which includes most of Illinois.
The group appears unwilling to budge further, noting that at a certain point, a climate bill ceases to be one. Their mantra over the past few months has been, No climate. No equity. No deal.

And Pritzker seems to agree, saying in his own response letter to the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition that pro-coal forces have shifted the goalposts throughout this process" and that "any decarbonization framework must move Illinois aggressively beyond the status quo."

"That compromise bill is the best starting place for you as you consider possible next steps," Pritzker wrote to labor leaders. "I have always believed that we can decarbonize while creating and maintaining good paying, union jobs. Thats why I negotiated a clean energy bill that would do just that."

A lot is at stake.

Though there has been a lot of focus on trying to save union jobs at coal plants, such as the Prairie State Energy Campus in Marissa, and natural gas plants across the state, there are thousands of union jobs that could be lost at the nuke plants slated for closure.

Exelon filed paperwork with federal regulators late last month to begin the process of closing its nuclear plants in Byron and Dresden.
Haq is also concerned the delta variant is not only highly contagious but could cause more severe disease.

This time around Im seeing more COVID pneumonia in younger children (previously was seeing COVID pneumonia mainly in tweens and up), now seeing in neonates to preschoolers, Haq wrote.

Strand said she is seeing kids admitted with COVID who are otherwise healthy.

We are not seeing that they have other comorbidities that make them more at risk, these are kids who just happen to have COVID, and it happens to be of a degree that they need hospital-level support, she said.

Theres no predictive model for who is going to be hospitalized and who is going to be able to go home.

She said its too early to tell for certain if the delta variant is making kids more sick. While she is seeing more children being admitted, that may because more kids are getting infected, she said. Most children coming to the emergency department end up having mild enough to symptoms to recover at home.

But she expects that could likely change based on what other regional hospitals are experiencing.
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National

AP

CDC issues new ban on evictions

AMANDA ANDRADE-RHOADES, ASSOCIATED PRESS Abbas Alawieh, chief of staff for Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., takes a break after sitting on the steps of Capitol Hill on Tuesday in Washington. Bush has been camped outside the U.S. Capitol in protest of the eviction moratorium lapse, since the weekend.

WASHINGTON  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday issued a new moratorium on evictions that would last until October 3, as the Biden administration sought to quell intensifying criticism that it was allowing vulnerable renters to lose their homes during a pandemic.

The new moratorium 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 something of a reversal for the Biden administration after saying that a Supreme Court ruling prevented a moratorium. But the choice to impose a new measure in the face of legal uncertainty was also a win for the progressive lawmakers who pushed the White House to do more to prevent some 3.6 million Americans from losing their homes during the COVID-19 crisis.

President Joe Biden stopped short Tuesday afternoon of announcing the new ban on evictions during a press conference at the White House, ceding the responsibility to the CDC.

My hope is its going to be a new moratorium, Biden told reporters.

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 as the delta variant of the coronavirus spread and a prior moratorium lapsed over the weekend.

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 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, the freshman congresswoman who once lived in her car as a young mother, leading a passionate protest urging the White House to prevent widespread evictions.

For 5 days, weve been out here, demanding that our government acts to save lives, she tweeted. Today, our movement moved mountains.

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, saying states and cities must be more aggressive in releasing nearly $47 billion in relief for renters on the verge of eviction.

The president said he sought input from legal scholars about whether there were options and said the advice was mixed, though some suggested, Its worth the effort. Biden also said he didnt want to tell the CDC, which has taken the public health lead in responding to the pandemic, what to do.

I asked the CDC to go back and consider other options that may be available, he said.

The CDC has identified a legal authority for a new and different moratorium for areas with high and substantial increases in COVID-19 infections.

Biden also insisted there is federal money available  some $47 billion previously approved during the COVID-19 crisis  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.

As the eviction crisis mounted, the White House frequently said Biden was doing all he could under legal constraints. 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.

As the initial moratorium expired, the administration emphasized many Americans will be able to stay housed with money already approved for aid and other efforts underway. The White House noted that state-level efforts to stop evictions would spare a third of the country from evictions over the next month.

Still, Biden faced 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.

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.
But when poorer countries are hit, they are less prepared and their people can't use air conditioning or leave so there's more harm, said Hausfather, climate director of the Breakthrough Institute. While hundreds of people died in the Pacific Northwest heat wave, he said the number would have been much higher in poor areas.

Madagascar, an island nation off East Africa, is in the middle of back-to-back droughts that the United Nations warns are pushing 400,000 people toward starvation.

Though it is too early to say the summer of 2021 will again break records for climate disasters, We're certainly starting to see climate change push extreme events into new territories where they haven't been seen before," Hausfather said.

The number of weather, water and climate disasters so far this year is only slightly higher than the average of recent years, said disaster researcher Guha-Sapir. Her group's database, which she said still is missing quite a few events, shows 208 such disasters worldwide through July  about 11% more than the last decade's average, but a bit less than last year.
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon will not issue another mask mandate for public schools, his office announced Wednesday afternoon.

Wyoming was first in the nation in having a safe and successful in-person school year last year, Gordon said in a statement. My focus is on supporting local school boards as they take into account conditions in their community and work to assure students learn safely this year too.

When asked what, if any conditions would require the governor to reconsider a K-12 mask mandate, Gordons spokesperson Michael Pearlman said, as we stated clearly in the release, the decision on masks in schools this school year will be left to local school districts.

Pearlman was also asked if the state health officer or other epidemiologists were consulted about the move, which is being made without transmission data for August.

This was the Governors decision, Pearlman responded.

Gordons announcement adds that his office will work with the state health and education departments, and that we need to follow and respect the science.
The first steps toward ballot initiatives that would make Wyoming a more marijuana-friendly state are underway, but there are still big hurdles that need to be cleared.

The Wyoming Secretary of States office granted whats known as conditional certification Monday to the two proposed ballot initiatives: the Wyoming Patient Cannabis Act of 2022 and the Wyoming Cannabis Amendments 2022. The first would legalize medical marijuana and the second would reduce the fines and punishments related to consumption, possession and cultivation of marijuana, better known as decriminalization.

Organizers went through multiple meetings with the Secretary of States office that changed the initiatives, but they still accomplish the original goals. If the decriminalization initiative is passed, Wyomingites will receive $50 fines for first offense possession under four ounces and $75 fines for third and subsequent offenses. Jail time will be eliminated.

The organizers, which are made up of the state and national Libertarian Party as well as Wyoming community leaders, now have 30 days to collect the first 100 signatures of people to act as co-sponsors and make the certification final. The certification does not make any judgement on the status of weed in Wyoming, but rather certifies that the initiative is in the format required by law.
JACKSON  Some of former President Trumps most ardent allies  U.S. House Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Jim Jordan and former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows  will be in Jackson Hole to fundraise Thursday for some of the House GOPs most conservative politicians.

The main event begins at 7 p.m. at Spring Creek Ranch and will be hosted by Peter and Stephanie Lamelas, Dan and Carleen Brophy, and Jay and Karen Kemmerer, owners of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Admission starts at $2,000 for couples.

An event organizer confirmed that all three were invited because they are either members or have been members of the House Freedom Caucus, which includes the most conservative of all Republicans per the Pew Research Center.

Reactions to the guest list from members of the local Republican party were mixed.
The chapel does not have an estimate on how many people theyre anticipating, but the building has a capacity of 4,000.

A number of state lawmakers are also expected to attend the service. The Legislatures Corporations Committee postponed its meeting, which had been set for Friday, so it would not conflict with the memorial.

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Enzi served eight years as Gillettes mayor and 10 years between the Wyoming House of Representatives and Senate before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 1997.

After roughly 23 years in the Senate, Enzi announced in May 2019 he would not be running for reelection in 2020.

He was succeeded by Lummis, and had his fair share of electoral history with the rest of the congressional delegation. In 1996, Barrasso ran for U.S. Senate, losing by two points to Enzi in a crowded Republican primary. Cheney temporarily ran against Enzi in 2014 for his Senate seat, but dropped out a few months after announcing her bid, citing family health issues.
CHEYENNE  The Laramie County School District 1 Board of Trustees shut down public comment early Monday night after a resident began yelling at trustees and refused to give up the mic when his allotted public comment period was over.

Although there were more members of the community who wished to address the school board, trustees called the meeting off due to the disruption.

LCSD1 Board Vice Chair Marguerite Herman said they welcome all public input from stakeholders, including by email and phone, but they set meeting parameters so nothing gets in the way of carrying out district business they were elected to do.

Obviously, politics come into the boardroom, and we have to resist that temptation to get distracted from that singular duty we have to the children, Herman said, speaking for herself, and not the entire board.

The board reserves the right, outlined in state statutes, to call recess on any public meeting that has become disruptive, and they exercised that right Monday  as the Natrona County commissioners did last year when a heckling crowd inhibited a meeting related to COVID-19 from moving forward.
Ann Tollefson, a founder of ART 321 who has served three terms on the board, writes:

To preserve this wonderful institution, I urge the community to demand the accountability denied to ART 321s members. We need an independent audit of the organizations finances. We need an independent look at its management practices. Most importantly, we need to give members back their voice in the organizations direction.
She noted that measures adopted by the Arizona Legislature, with only a few exceptions, do not take effect until 90 days after the end of the session. This year, that is Sept. 29.

What that means, OGrady said, is that there is no evidence that the PUHSD did anything illegal this past Monday when it adopted its policy of requiring masks indoors. OGrady said that leaves no basis for Warner to hear the lawsuit filed by Douglas Hester, a teacher in the district, asking that the policy be struck down as illegal.

The law is not the law right now, she said.

The issue, however, is not that simple.

While the statute is technically effective until Sept. 29, it also contains a provision making the ban on face coverings retroactive to July 1. And it will be up to Warner to decide whether that makes what PUHSD has done illegal.

The issue no longer is just about that one district. Governing boards of several others have followed suit, including a vote Wednesday morning by Tucson Unified School District, effective immediately, to require masks.
But Kristen Randall, the presiding Pima County constable, said experiencing two days without a moratorium  Monday and Tuesday of this week  showed that the situation was highly stressful.

Even though this lapse was only two days long, countless families texted, emailed and called to find out if their rental assistance was going to get to their landlord quick enough, when they would be evicted, where they could go, and what to do about the delta variant, she said, explaining some were afraid they would become homeless and vulnerable to getting COVID-19.

Whats needed now is a stronger focus on a Plan B, Randall said.

With shelters already at capacity, we have no room for families whose rental assistance did not get paid out in time, she said. With the time granted by the extension of the moratorium, we should be identifying where the gaps are in our social safety nets and preparing them for the inevitable final days of the eviction delay.

Reducing the number of families being sent to crowded shelters following evictions will also help slow the spread of COVID and the variant, Randall said, which she believes is an important consideration as Arizona sees numbers increase at a concerning rate.

Contact reporter Patty Machelor at pmachelor@tucson.com.
More housing, shopping and possibly a restaurant, are planned for Tucsons south side as some retailers report having their best sales in the historically underserved area.

Larsen Baker sold 6.54 acres of vacant land at the northwest corner at Kino Parkway and Benson Highway to CID Opportunity Zone QOB LLC for nearly $1.3 million.

The owner intends to use the land to develop apartments.

Larsen Baker retained the southern 2.05 acres at the hard corner of the property to bring in retail.

Isaac Figueroa represented the seller, Kino Investment Associates LLC, an affiliate of Larsen Baker.

Tucson, right now, is suffering from extreme housing shortage, he said. Any opportunity where the zoning is already there, is a good opportunity.

As for bringing in more retail, Figueroa said shopping centers such as Spectrum and The Landing  at Irvington Road and Interstate 19  and The Bridges  on Park Avenue and Interstate 10  are examples of how much consumer need exists in that area.
But if you make your way through the throngs of students typing up papers toward the front of the coffee shop/hookah bar, you'll find a separate area of Espresso Art dedicated to the joys of alcohol, and dressed up in a Greek design.

Manager Isaiah Bruno said the former employee who built the bar studied classic Greek literature at the University of Arizona, which explains the Greek lettering along the top of the room  the same inscriptions found at the Temple of Apollo in Delphi.

Come early and you may still find a grad student or two hanging in Castalian Spring, puffing on a hookah and working away on their term papers.

Short Rest Tavern

4500 N. Oracle Road, facebook.com/ShortRestTavern

Perhaps the most inconspicuous of all of Tucson's hidden bars, Short Rest Tavern can be found in the backroom of Tucson Games and Gadgets on the northwest end of the Tucson Mall.

Mark Kadow, owner of Games and Gadgets, opened the fantasy themed craft beer bar as a way to keep gamers happy and hydrated during round after round of in-store tabletop gaming.
And while some parents, especially those with children not old enough to be vaccinated, fear for their childrens safety in a packed classroom with unmasked people, other parents are staunchly against mask mandates, saying it is unnecessary and even harmful.

In an informal survey by the Arizona Daily Star, with 180 participants two weeks ago when the COVID-19 numbers were lower, less than a third of respondents said masks should be optional, in line with the new state law. The other two-thirds said masks should be required or schools should at least have the option to require them.

TUSD, with about 42,000 students, follows at least two other school districts in the state, the Phoenix Union High and Phoenix Elementary school districts, in defying the governor and state Legislature by requiring masks.

A Phoenix Union teacher sued the district over the mandate, but a court hearing on the case that was set for Wednesday morning was postponed until next week.

Science teacher Douglas Hester filed a lawsuit against the Phoenix Union school districts board members and superintendent on Aug. 2, saying the mandate is illegal and cant be enforced. A hearing on the case is set for Aug. 13.
But even if there were a way to allow Lidstone to stay, it would be an uphill battle. His home was in violation of local and state zoning and environmental regulations, and there was no access to a road.

You guys are in a quandary. So are we, selectman Robert Steenson said.

The woodlot Lidstone called home was just a few miles away from Interstate 93. But it was hidden by the trees; its on 73 acres thats been used for timber harvests. The property has been owned by the same family since 1963. There are no plans at this time to develop it.

The owner of the land had been seeking to tear down the cabin before the fire.

Lidstone has claimed that years ago, the owner gave his word  but nothing in writing  allowing him to live there. But in the eyes of the current owner, hes a squatter and needs to go.

Property owner Leonard Giles, 86, of South Burlington, Vermont, didnt even know Lidstone was there until the town administrator found out in 2015 and told him, expressing concern with regard to the solid and septic waste disposal and the potential zoning violations created by the structure, according to Giles complaint in 2016.
The rules differed from the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at the time, which said fully vaccinated people didn't have to wear masks indoors. The CDC has since reversed course, saying fully vaccinated people should wear masks indoors again in places with high COVID-19 transmission rates.

The federal agency also said last month that students and staff should stay at least 3 feet (1 meter) apart to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

State officials say they worried that imposing physical distancing rules would make it harder for some schools to accommodate all students. So they dropped the distancing requirement and required masks for everyone; a tradeoff they say will enable all students to return to in-person classes.

In recent weeks, COVID-19 cases have surged in Orange County and statewide due to the highly contagious delta variant.

On Monday, Orange County reported an average of 626 new COVID-19 cases a day for the previous seven days, up from 72 new cases a day reported on July 2.

Last August, the same school board sued Newsom to reopen schools that had been closed due to COVID-19. A petition went to the state Supreme Court asking it to review the case, but was ultimately denied.
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.
River discharge that drained into the Gulf of Mexico was above normal for the three weeks before the weeklong survey started on July 25. It was conducted by scientists from Louisiana State University and the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium.

The distribution of the low dissolved oxygen was unusual this summer, Nancy Rabalais, the lead investigator, said. The low oxygen conditions were very close to shore with many observations showing an almost complete lack of oxygen.

Human activities in urban and agricultural areas throughout the Mississippi River watershed primarily cause the annual dead zone. Excess nutrients flow into the Gulf of Mexico and stimulate an overgrowth of algae, which die and decompose. The algae deplete oxygen as they sink to the bottom.

NOAA highlighted efforts to reduce fertilizer runoff and other pollution from contributing to the hypoxic area. Radhika Fox, the Environmental Protection Agencys assistant administrator for water, said climate change also needs to be considered to make progress.

This year, we have seen again and again the profound effect that climate change has on our communities  from historic drought in the west to flooding events, Fox said. Climate is directly linked to water, including the flow of nutrient pollution into the Gulf of Mexico.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
The three are among more than 500 people charged in the riot that sent lawmakers into hiding and disrupted the certification of President Joe Bidens election win. About thirty defendants have pleaded guilty, mostly to misdemeanor charges. The first defendant sentenced for a felony - a Florida man who breached the Senate chamber while carrying a Trump campaign flag - received eight months behind bars.

Dresch posted pictures and videos on social media that were taken inside the Capitol on Jan. 6, which he described in one message as the best day ever, according to court documents. The day after the riot, he wrote of the then-vice president: Mike Pence gave our country to the communist hordes, traitor scum like the rest of them, we have your back give the word and we will be back even stronger.

Jackson slammed Dreschs views as misguided, noting that judge after judge smacked down the former presidents claims of election fraud. She also took a swipe at Republicans whove tried to downplay the violence on Jan. 6  including one lawmaker who suggested that video of the rioters looked like a tourist visit  calling Dresch not your typical tourist.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation, the U.S. firearm industrys trade association, said in a statement that it rejected Mexicos allegations of negligence.

These allegations are baseless. The Mexican government is responsible for the rampant crime and corruption within their own borders, said Lawrence G. Keane, the group's senior vice president and general counsel. The Mexican government is responsible for enforcing its laws, he said.

The group also took issue with Mexicos figures for the number of guns recovered at crime scenes and traced back to the U.S. It said that traces were attempted on only a fraction of the recovered guns and only on the ones carrying a serial number, making them more likely to have originated in the U.S.

Alejandro Celorio, legal advisor for the ministry, told reporters Wednesday that the damage caused by the trafficked guns would be equal to 1.7% to 2% of Mexicos gross domestic product. The government will seek at least $10 billion in compensation, he said. Mexico's GDP last year was more than $1.2 trillion.

We dont do it to pressure the United States, Celorio said. We do it so there arent deaths in Mexico.
I am now a huge advocate for doctors orders, Daniels added. They think we ought to get vaccinated, I think we ought to get vaccinated.

Daniels, who lives in Gonzales, about 57 miles (92 kilometers) northwest of New Orleans, said he and Contreras were the only unvaccinated members of their households. Daniels' wife and live-in mother-in-law, both of whom were inoculated months ago, have both tested negative twice since he tested positive.

Contreras' mother, Tarsha Bradstreet, had also been vaccinated, as had her 19-year-old son who lives in the same house in New Orleans. Bradstreet said she tried to persuade Contreras to get the shot, but said she had only so much pull over him.

Josh hardly goes anywhere since COVID hit, so he didnt think he needed the vaccine, Bradstreet said.

One of the places to which Contreras did go, however, was his summer job at Cafe Reconcile. About the time he started getting ill, he got a call from the restaurant telling him that a co-worker had tested positive for the virus and he needed to get tested himself.
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.
Earlier in the week, SOS Mediterranee said many of the migrants were suffering from sea-sickness while several others fainted in the heat on a crowded deck.

Aboard a German-flagged vessel operated by the Sea-Watch humanitarian group were more than 250 migrants, rescued in five separate operations in the last days. Many are dehydrated & seasick, some received infusions after collapsing,'' Sea-Watch tweeted on Wednesday. Our medics are doing what they can, but the people need adequate treatment on land."

During the pandemic, Italy has been transferring many of the rescued migrants to unoccupied passenger ferries so the migrants can do a precautionary quarantine against COVID-19 before eventually transferring them to residential facilities on land.

Past years have seen Italy's pleas for fellow EU nations to take in some of the migrants, many of whom want to reach families in northern Europe, go unheeded as part of a voluntary solidarity arrangement in the 27-member bloc.

In her appeal to Johansson, the Italian minister pitched for negotiations for a new immigration and asylum pact to call for obligatory redistribution of the migrants saved at sea.

Many of those brought to Italy's shores are fleeing poverty, not conflict or persecution, and are eventually found to be ineligible for asylum. But only a few countries, notably Tunisia, have repatriation agreements with Italy, and tens of thousands of migrants wind up staying illegally for years.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
ISTANBUL (AP)  Turkeys foreign ministry has called the United States irresponsible after the Biden administration announced it would expand efforts to assist at-risk Afghan citizens with the major caveat that the adjudication process would take months in a third country.

Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tanju Bilgic said Wednesday the U.S. statement had suggested Turkey as an application spot without consultation. He said Turkey does not have the capacity to shoulder another migration crisis.

The U.S. may directly transport these people by plane. Turkey will not take over the international responsibilities of third countries, Bilgic said and added Turkey would not allow its laws to be abused by other countries. He said the U.S. announcement would trigger a major refugee crisis.

Turkey is already hosting some 3.7 million Syrians who fled the civil war there. Afghans have also fled to Turkey to escape their countrys war and instability. Media reports from border towns with Iran show the number of Afghans crossing into Turkey are on the rise.
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.
I will tell you that the numbers that we are seeing now are like they were back at the end of January, February time frame, so its the real deal, and its increasing, he said at the meeting.

I appreciate this document. I hope we have a successful school year, and I appreciate what weve done in giving the responsibility to the individuals, because we know we cant require" compliance with mandates.

But I would highly recommend that people take the precautions that are out there to protect themselves and protect others, because its the real deal, he said.

Asked Tuesday afternoon whether Senate Bill 658 is constraining local school officials from making the decisions they think are best for their districts, Mullins said it is.

Last year, it was a real challenge because our board was split on what actions to take with regard to COVID-19. That particular bill is not even giving us the chance to look at it now.

Nevertheless, he said, were going to do everything we can to make the children as safe as possible.

Weve got very professional people that work at the school, he said. The nursing staff has done a herculean job these past couple of years keeping us as safe as we can be.
New city employees would receive signing bonuses ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 under a proposal unveiled by the working group overseeing the distribution of American Rescue Plan Act funds.

We do have a lot of vacancies that need to be filled, and we are competing with other employers that have signing bonus programs to try and get those people on our team, Mayor G.T. Bynum, who established the working group, told city councilors Wednesday.

The city has more than 200 nonsworn positions it needs to fill and also is struggling to keep up with retirements and early departures from the Police Department. The plan presented Wednesday identifies three categories of employees and sets a signing bonus amount for each.

The first group includes entry-level workers, primarily in labor, who would receive a $1,000 stipend upon being hired. Jobs included in that category include court reporters, kennel workers and neighborhood inspectors.

The city is offering a $2,000 signing bonus for positions deemed difficult to fill and critical to city operations, many of which are skilled trade positions. Those jobs include electricians, carpenters and 911 operators.
Cherokee Nation Health Services is suspending elective surgeries after seeing an over 80% increase in COVID-19 cases throughout the health system, it announced Tuesday.

More than 600 new cases were reported in the tribal health system, the largest number of cases since January, the Cherokee Nation said in a news release. Unvaccinated people accounted for 90% of the new cases.

As well as suspending elective surgeries, the Cherokee Nation is reactivating its surge plan for W.W. Hastings Hospital in Tahlequah to increase in-patient capacity by 50% to care for the rising number of COVID patients requiring hospitalization, the news release states.

The surge plan for Hastings Hospital reallocates non-ICU beds to emergency use so the hospital can care for more COVID-19 patients.

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said the delta variant of COVID-19 accounts for 80% of the new COVID cases.

The current swell in COVID-19 cases and related hospitalizations is driven by the spread of the highly contagious delta variant of the COVID-19 virus, according to our Cherokee Nation Health Services and Public Health teams, both of which are working around the clock to address this situation, Hoskin said.
Update (noon Thursday): Oklahoma has reached early-November levels of hospitalizations, with 954 patients requiring COVID-19 treatment at hospitals across the state. It represents a 29% increase over four days.

The peak for hospitalizations in Oklahoma was Dec. 28 with 1,995 patients in ICUs and other hospital beds.

Tulsa County patients account for 351 hospitalizations, up 20% since Monday. The peak for Tulsa County hospitalizations was Jan. 11 with 468.

The story below published in the Thursday edition of Tulsa World:

Two months ago, Oklahoma had about 1,000 active documented cases of COVID-19. Nearly 15,000 were active Wednesday, when a new report showed that breakthrough infections killed three more Oklahomans in the past week.

In the most recent federal data available, the state on Monday bumped up to the federal governments dark-red zone for new cases per capita and remained in the dark-red zone for test positivity rate.

Oklahoma has the second-highest test positivity rate in the nation  20.9%  and ranks eighth for new cases per capita, with about 213 cases per 100,000 residents.
The Osage Nation is using American Rescue Plan Act funds to provide cash assistance to tribal members who were negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tribal members who have experienced a negative economic impact can receive up to $2,000 in cash assistance to help recover from the pandemic, the Osage Nation announced Wednesday.

Since early 2021, the (Principal Chief Geoffrey) Standing Bear administration has been planning to continue our individual assistance program with ARPA funds, James Weigant, head of the Osage Nations COVID-19 Task Force, said in a news release.

It is proven that Indian Country is being hurt by COVID much worse than the rest of the U.S. population. That need is well defined. We have now developed a solid program to address that need, compliant with federal law and regulations, to continue to provide this much needed assistance to our Osage people during this global pandemic.

Those who wish to receive funds must be an enrolled member of the Osage Nation, attest to negative economic impact and complete an application.

The application period opened Wednesday and will stay open until funds are no longer available, the news release states.
Vietnam has overtaken Bangladesh as the second-biggest garment exporter in the world, according to the latest data released by the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Vietnam sold US$29 billion worth of apparel merchandise to the global market in 2020, while Bangladeshs garment exports were valued at $28 billion, the World Trade Statistical Review revealed.

As a result, Bangladeshs share in global garment exports slipped to 6.3 percent last year from 6.8 percent a year earlier.

Meanwhile, Vietnams share improved to 6.4 percent in 2020 from 6.2 per cent in 2019.

China remained the largest apparel exporter in 2020, despite a seven-percent year-on-year drop to $142 billion, or 31.6 percent of the global total.

According to Nguyen Thi Tuyet Mai, deputy secretary of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association (VITAS), Vietnams ascension to the second rank in global apparel exportation, as reported by WTOs data, is a match with the state of production and operation of domestic garment businesses in 2020.

Although Bangladesh proves to have an edge on cheap labor, plus the ability to fulfill large orders with low prices, the countrys garment industry was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing international partners to redistribute orders to other countries, including Vietnam.

In the meantime, thanks to the early success in containing the epidemic, plus the countrys participation in international trade agreements, Vietnam has given its garment manufacturing industry a leg-up in attracting global demand.

From a mere 2.9 percent in 2010, Vietnams share in global apparel exports has jumped beyond twofold in just ten years, Mai pointed out.

However, Vietnams newly-acquired position is no longer a given in 2021, considering the countrys advantage in COVID-19 safety and control has been leveled.

As the coronavirus flared up in Vietnam in late April, inflicting damage of unprecedented level and forcing many factories to either close down or shrink production to ensure safety, domestic garment firms will face more struggles in the last quarter of the year, Mai predicted.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnams garment export revenue amounted to $18.6 billion between January and July in 2021, a 14.1 percent surge compared to the previous year.

As of Wednesday morning, Vietnam had documented 174,461 coronavirus cases, with 50,831 recoveries and 2,071 deaths, according to the health ministry.

The country has recorded 170,563 local infections in 62 out of 63 provinces and cities since the flare-up on April 27.

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Read what is in the news today:

COVID-19 Updates

-- Vietnams Ministry of Health registered 4,271 COVID-19 infections, including 2,365 cases in Ho Chi Minh City, on Wednesday morning, raising the national tally to 174,461, with 50,831 recoveries and 2,071 deaths.

-- The Ministry of Health has recommended that people who have received AstraZeneca vaccine as their first shot should only be offered either the same vaccine or Pfizer for their second dose.

-- Authorities in Hanoi are looking for visitors to Long Bien Market and Alley 187 in Ba Dinh District between July 18 and Tuesday in the wake of a number of new COVID-19 infections detected at those two clusters.

-- The U.K. Embassy in Hanoi handed over 415,000 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to the Vietnamese Ministry of Health on Tuesday.

-- The health ministry has decided to allocate Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi 980,000 and 700,000 additional COVID-19 doses, respectively.

-- Ho Chi Minh City began the sixth phase of its COVID-19 vaccination program on Tuesday with a target of administering doses to five million residents above 18 years old this month.

Society

-- A 12-year-old girl died after falling from a higher floor to the third floor of an apartment building in Hoang Mai District, Hanoi on Tuesday night.

-- Police in north-central Ha Tinh Province have arrested a 34-year-old woman from Hanoi after her failed attempt to rob a credit fund by threatening its office worker at knifepoint on Tuesday.

-- Police in Japans Osaka Prefecture on Tuesday confirmed the identity of a young Vietnamese man who was assaulted and pushed into the river in the pedestrian area near Ebisu Bridge in Osaka City a day earlier, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

Business

-- Vietnam has overtaken Bangladesh as the worlds second-largest exporter of ready-made garments, according to the latest figures from the World Trade Statistical Review 2021 released by the World Trade Organization.

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Authorities in Hanoi have decided to shut down the microbiology department of a district-level general hospital after an employee was confirmed as a COVID-19 patient.

The city logged 17 new coronavirus transmission cases from 6:00 pm on Tuesday to 6:00 am on Wednesday, with one being a medical practitioner at Dong Da District General Hospital, the municipal Center for Disease Control (Hanoi CDC) announced on Wednesday morning.

L.K.T.O., 43, a practitioner at the microbiology department of Dong Da District General Hospital, is among the newly-detected COVID-19 cases, according to Hanoi CDC.

After having a sore throat on Tuesday, O. was tested and received a positive result the same day.

The result prompted the microbiology department to be sealed off and all medical practitioners in the hospital to undergo testing.

Discussing with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Wednesday, Pham Ba Hien, director of Dong Da District General Hospital, confirmed O.s case.

The leader affirmed that the hospital is screening their workers for COVID-19 every three days, and they are upholding Hanois four-on-the-spot mechanism, which means the practitioners must work, have meals, maintain patients treatment, and rest after work at the same place.

Hien also revealed that O.s main work duty is to convey testing samples to Hanoi CDC and Ba Dinh District's Xanh Pon Hospital, and that she tested negative for the coronavirus on July 30.

So far, we have yet to detect the source of O.s infection. Her workplace is not linked to the patient treatment wards, Hien said.

We have cordoned off the microbiology department to perform safety protocols.

The hospital has also detected five individuals as O.'s direct contacts, all of whom have been sent to quarantine centers.

We have also tested over 400 practitioners and received negative results for all of them.

Meanwhile, the leaders of Vien An Ward in Ung Hoa District, where O. resides, have found 13 direct contacts and 18 indirect contacts of the infected medical worker.

Hanoi CDCs Wednesday morning statement also mentioned two infections linked to the cluster at Duc Tam Pharmacy at 95 Lang Ha Street in Dong Da District.

On July 19, the drugstore was sectioned off after three of its staff members tested positive for the virus.

Hanoi authorities started contact tracing on the same day and found a total of 17 cases linked to the drugstore within three days, national radio VOV reported.

Two other cases announced on Wednesday morning were found related to the cluster at food supplier company Thanh Nga, which provides meat for dozens of convenience stores and large supermarkets in Hanoi.

On Sunday, Hanoi CDC detected 21 infections at the Hai Ba Trung District-based company after an intern was confirmed coronavirus-positive at Xanh Pon Hospital a day earlier.

Following the detection, several supermarkets and convenience stores that use Thanh Nga as their supplier were deemed at high risk and were promptly shut down.

Hanoi has documented 1,429 COVID-19 cases, with 864 found in the community, since the fourth wave emerged in the Southeast Asian country on April 27.

As of Wednesday morning, Vietnam had documented 174,461 coronavirus cases, with 50,831 recoveries and 2,071 deaths, according to the health ministry.

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Police in Nghe An Province, located in north-central Vietnam, have discovered 15 fully grown tigers at a local residents house.

A source close to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper confirmed on Wednesday morning that officers had raided a house in Do Thanh Commune, Yen Thanh District earlier the same day.

At least 15 adult tigers, each weighing more than 200 kilograms, were found being raised illegally at the venue.

The tigers were then put into metal cages and brought to a local animal rescue center for further care and investigation.

The Tuoi Tre source stated that similar cases have been detected in Do Thanh Commune over the past years.

Tiger cubs are fostered at the rescue center at Pu Mat National Park in Nghe An Province, Vietnam after being rescued from illegal trade on August 1, 2021. Photo: Xuan Cuong / Tuoi Tre

On Sunday, police in Nghe An arrested two men, aged 37 and 54, after they were caught transporting seven live baby tigers for sale.

They failed to show police any documents proving the origin of the wild animals, stating that they had been hired by an unidentified Laotian man.

The tiger cubs were then transferred to the rescue center at Pu Mat National Park.

Tigers and many other wild animals are strictly banned from being traded in, imported to or exported from Vietnam as they are on the list of endangered wildlife protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), to which the country has been party since 1994.

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Vietnams Ministry of Health has decided to shorten the quarantine period for international arrivals who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to seven days, if they test negative for the novel coronavirus within three days before their entry.

The new quarantine regulation was issued on Wednesday morning, based on the opinions of researchers, scientists, the World Health Organization (WHO) Vietnam, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

International arrivals who have been fully inoculated against COVID-19 or have recovered from the disease will be quarantined for seven days and have their health monitored for another seven days.

They still have to meet some other requirements to be eligible for the new protocol.

Accordingly, they must test negative for the novel coronavirus via real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) methods within 72 hours prior to their arrival.

The tests must be done by authorized facilities.

Travelers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with the final shot taken within the period of 14 days to 12 months before their entry.

A certificate of full vaccination is also required.

Regarding those who have already recovered from COVID-19, they must present a positive RT-PCR test result, which had to be conducted within six months before their arrival, along with a certificate of recovery issued by a competent authority.

International arrivals who are eligible for the seven-day quarantine period have to be tested on their first and seventh days of quarantine.

A rapid test can be carried on the first day, but a real-time RT-PCR test must be conducted on the seventh day.

After completing the seven-day period, they will have their health monitored at their accommodations.

On the way from quarantine facilities to their accommodations, they must wear face masks, keep safe distance, and turn on Bluezone  a Vietnamese-made contact tracing app  on their smartphones.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for providing guidance on checking and approving vaccination certificates and records of recovery from COVID-19 provided by travelers.

Vietnam previously required all international arrivals to quarantine for 14 days and have their health monitored for another 14 days.

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The Vietnamese Ministry of Health is slated to authorize the inclusion of Remdesivir in the treatment of COVID-19 soon, national radio VOV quoted Deputy Minister Nguyen Truong Son as saying on Tuesday.

However, Son advised that Remdesivir must be prescribed by doctors at COVID-19 treatment facilities.

The deputy minister warned people against buying and using the drug without a doctors prescription.

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration approved Remdesivir for adults and pediatric patients, who are 12 years and older and weigh at least 40 kilograms, for the treatment of COVID-19 requiring hospitalization on October 22, 2020.

Remdesivir is an antiviral drug that can shorten the duration of treatment and accelerate recovery in patients with severe COVID-19 conditions.

At the moment, the drug has been included in the treatment of the respiratory disease in 50 countries such as the U.S., Australia, Japan, Singapore, India, and many nations in Europe.

Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup successfully negotiated an order of 500,000 vials of Remdesivir previously.

The vials are manufactured by Cipla Ltd., a leading pharmaceutical company in India, under a non-exclusive voluntary licensing agreement from Gilead Sciences Inc., a research-based biopharmaceutical company in the U.S.

The order is expected to be shipped to Vietnam this month so that the drug can be promptly presented to the Ministry of Health.

The drug will be used for COVID-19 patients at moderate and more severity levels, Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said at an online meeting on the COVID-19 pandemic prevention on Monday.

In the past, a number of coronavirus patients in Vietnam have been prescribed Remdesivir donated to the Southeast Asian country, according to Deputy Minister Son.

The drug is helpful to reduce the viral load in the body quickly, Son assessed.

The deputy minister added that Vietnam will import a number of other drugs that support the treatment of COVID-19 in the near future.

The Ministry of Health registered 4,271 COVID-19 infections on Wednesday morning, raising the national tally to 174,461, with 50,831 recoveries and 2,071 deaths.

Vietnam has recorded 170,563 local infections in 62 out of its 63 provinces and cities since the fourth wave began on April 27.

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The Ministry of Health confirmed over 7,600 domestic COVID-19 cases in Vietnam on Wednesday, along with more than 3,500 and 250 deaths.

Forty-four provinces and cities reported 7,618 locally-infected patients, down by 759 infections from Tuesday, while five separate cases were imported from abroad, the health ministry said.

A total of 1,865 transmissions were found in the community whereas the remainder were logged in isolated areas or centralized quarantine facilities.

Ho Chi Minh City detected 3,300 of the latest local infections, down by 871 patients from yesterday, Binh Duong Province 2,143, Long An Province 427, Dong Nai Province 389, Tay Ninh Province 194, Binh Thuan Province 161, Dong Thap Province 156, Can Tho City 150, Khanh Hoa Province 150, and Da Nang 93.

Since the fourth COVID-19 wave began in Vietnam on April 27, the country has recorded 173,914 community transmissions in 62 out of its 63 provinces and cities.

Ho Chi Minh City stays on top with 106,030 patients, followed by Binh Duong Province with 21,556, Long An Province with 7,450, Bac Ninh Province with 5,737, Dong Nai Province with 5,684, Dong Thap Province with 3,561, Khanh Hoa Province with 2,633, 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 announced 3,501 recoveries on Wednesday, bringing the total to 54,332 recovered patients.

The death toll has climbed to 2,327 after the ministry recorded 256 fatalities the same day, including 217 registered in Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday.

The Southeast Asian country has overall logged 175,484 domestic and 2,329 imported cases since the COVID-19 pandemic first hit it on January 23, 2020.

Health workers gave a record 405,884 vaccine doses today.

Almost 7.3 million COVID-19 vaccine shots have been administered in Vietnam since the country rolled out vaccination on March 8, with above 744,000 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.

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Production has wrapped in Adelaide today on Season 2 of ABC MEs ground-breaking First Day.

US streamer Hulu has now boarded the 4-part series, which stars Evie Macdonald as transgender student Hannah Bradford in her second year at Hillview High School.

Produced by South Australias Epic Films in association with Kojo Studios, it also has investment from Screen Australia, the South Australian Film Corporation and the ABC.

Director, writer and co-producer Julie Kalceff said, We are grateful to audiences all over the world for embracing First Day and we are honoured to have the opportunity to further explore Hannahs journey. We are thrilled to be partnering with US streamer Hulu, who are widely recognised for their commitment to diverse programming and are a natural fit for the story we are telling in First Day.

Lee Naimo, Senior Online Investment Manager at Screen Australia said, First Day brings viewers a well-crafted and authentic story that weaves humour and lightness in with an important message for young viewers. We were so proud to see this multi award-winning series make a mark around the world and I cant wait to see it return with season two.

Head of Production and Development at the South Australian Film Corporation, Beth Neate said The SAFC is thrilled to support production of season two of this ground-breaking and multi award-winning childrens series here in Adelaide. First Day has not only been a trailblazer for diversity on screen but off screen as well, and the SAFC is proud to be funding a paid attachment for a gender diverse screenmaker on series two. We congratulate SA producers Kirsty Stark and Kate Butler, writer / director Julie Kalceff and the entire First Day team on this beautiful and authentic series which has resonated with audiences around the world.

ABC Head of Childrens Production Libbie Doherty said The ABC ME audience are on the edge of their seats to see what happens next to Hannah in this new season of First Day  they wont be disappointed! Evie Macdonald brings a stunning performance alongside the spectacular supporting cast and most excellent crew who have been working tirelessly in Adelaide to complete production. First Day continues to wow audiences all over the world and the commitment from Hulu is another fantastic example of Australian creatives delivering world class content. Huge congratulations to Creator / Director Julie Kalceff and Producers Kirsty Stark and Kate Butler who have led this production to great heights.

The series has been awarded by AACTA Awards, Rose dOr Awards, GLAAD Media Award, Kidscreen Award, Chicago International Childrens Film Festival, ATOM Awards and was a finalist in the Primary Division of The Japan Prize.

It also screens on UK (CBBC), Canada (CBBC), Japan (NHK), France (France Televisions and Okoo), Finland (YLE), Norway (NRK), Sweden (SVT), Denmark, Israel (Hot TV), New Zealand (TVNV), Taiwan (MOMOKIDS), Ireland, South Africa and Brazil.

Season 2 will premiere on ABC ME next year.

First Day is produced by Kirsty Stark and Kate Butler, and written, directed and co-produced by Julie Kalceff. Director of Photography is Anna Howard ACS, with Production Design by Erica Brien and Costume Design by Oriana Merullo. Editor is Christine Cheung.

Production credit: First Day is an Epic Films production in association with KOJO Studios for Hulu. Principal production investment from Screen Australia in association with the South Australian Film Corporation and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Developed with the assistance of the Australian Childrens Television Foundation
The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
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After 16 years, Askar Akayev returned to Kyrgyzstan in connection with the Kyrgyz states growing case against the Canadian mining company Centerra Gold. Askar Akayev, Kyrgyzstans first president, fled the country in 2005 after a flawed parliamentary election triggered protests. He led Kyrgyzstan from 1990 until the Tulip Revolution chased him from power. On August 2, after 16 years living in exile in Russia, Akayev returned to Bishkek, The Diplomat reports.

In early July, the head of Kyrgyzstans State Committee for National Security (SCNS), Kamchybek Tashiev, said that the government had added Akayev and Kyrgyzstans other exiled ousted president, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, to the growing list of wanted persons in connection to corruption at the Kumtor Gold Mine.

Bishkek is clearly committed to an extended battle with the Canadian mining company, Centerra Gold, which until May 17 operated Kyrgyzstans most lucrative asset. In early May, the Kyrgyz parliament passed a bill allowing the state to seize temporary control of the mine, which it swiftly did, boosted by conveniently timed court rulings alleging environmental damages, tax evasion, and corruption. The temporary external management of the mine is set to expire later this month, but theres no indication Bishkek will give up control.

Centerra Gold has said it will pursue international arbitration against Bishkek. In an early July letter addressed to the Kyrgyz people, Centerra President and CEO Scott Perry reiterated the companys stance that [t]he seizure of the mine is based on false information and groundless allegations that undermine everything we have built together.

Centerra has been involved with Kumtor since 2004, though the first agreement regarding the mine was reached in 1992. Over the years, the terms have changed as have the composition of the involved parties, particularly on the Kyrgyz government side.

As with extractive industries the world over, there have always been allegations of corruption and environmental depredations that went along with the mines development and operations. Across the presidencies of Akayev, Bakiyev, and Almazbek Atambayev, the contracts between the state and the company have been negotiated and renegotiated, adjustments made and compensation for environmental damage paid.

As of 2019, the mine accounted for nearly 10 percent of Kyrgyzstans GDP and the company was one of the states largest private sector employers. Despite the headaches, Kumtor remains a literal gold mine.

As of the beginning of 2021, Centerra operated the mine via a local subsidiary, the Kumtor Gold Company. The Kyrgyz state gold refining company, Kyrgyzaltyn, meanwhile, was the largest shareholder in Centerra Gold, with a 26.1 stake.

The present Kyrgyz government under President Sadyr Japarov  long a proponent of nationalizing the mine  alleges all three former presidents, among others, were involved in corrupt dealings regarding the mine.

So why, amid this mess, did Akayev return to Kyrgyzstan? While the earliest reports were unclear on whether he voluntarily returned to the country or was made to return, it is now clear that he chose to return. After being questioned by the SCNS, Akayev met with Japarov and then told the press, per RFE/RLs Kyrgyz Service, I am grateful to President Sadyr Japarov for giving me the opportunity to come to Kyrgyzstan. He gave permission and I am very happy, because for the first time in 16 years I have returned to my homeland.

Akayev said he would be in Kyrgyzstan for about a week, cooperating with the investigation into Kumtor. I came to cooperate, he said. I will tell everything that I know about Kumtor. You know that I have complaints about this project: Kumtor was built under me. Therefore, I want to help the investigation and give evidence.

Writing for Eurasianet, Ayzirek Imanaliyeva provides a concise explanation of what many think is happening behind the scenes: an extension of the Japarov governments catch-and-release policy (Outlined in a June article). Put simply: Wealthy individuals  like Omurbek Babanov and Raimbek Matraimov  have been arrested and later released, usually after paying something to the state. In Babanovs case, charges were dropped in March after he agreed to pay the state $1.2 million. Matraimov was released and paid $24 million under an economic amnesty scheme. Babanov was detained again in May but in late July was allowed to leave the country for medical treatment (where to and what for remain unknown.)

Imanaliyeva cited comments from Dastan Bekeshev, a Kyrgyz MP, saying that Akayev would not have returned without assurances and suggested an agreement had been made, possibly involving some amount paid.

A deposit made to ensure a safe exit from Kyrgyzstan would not be surprising. Akayev, long retired from Kyrgyzstans political battlefield, is making a gamble that the Japarov government is more interested in pursuing and punishing Centerra than following through with corruption charges against him. Any corruption Akayev may admit to witnessing (let alone participating in) would most certainly be weaponized to fight Centerra over the mine, rather than bring any corrupt Kyrgyz officials to justice.
The Afghan government is ready to negotiate with the Taliban movement banned in Russia. Afghan Foreign Minister Mohammad Hanif Atmar said in an interview with Izvestia that the government in Kabul agrees to share power with the Taliban and include them in the government, but under certain conditions.

There are not many conditions, Atmar explained. The Taliban need to agree with the free expression of the will of citizens and stop their contacts with other terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda (banned in the Russian Federation).

(Taliban - ed.) Are actively working with them (al-Qaeda - ed.) Now, and there is no reason why they will not do the same in the future. And it will be a huge mistake to think that Afghanistan, led by the Taliban, will not be a safe haven for international terrorists and a threat to the countries around it. It will definitely be, "the minister said.

The Taliban do not reciprocate, because they feel the weakness of the enemy. Their representative, Zabiullah Mujahid, threatened to "finish off" Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. Loud speeches of the president, in his opinion, are only an attempt to "cope with their fears." Neither blaming the Taliban nor declaring war can prolong Ghani's political life, the Taliban said. "The nation has decided to persecute and bring to justice the national traitors," Mujahid added.

By offering diplomacy, Ghani himself knows that there will be no peace talks until the situation on the battlefield changes in his favor, and he speaks about this openly. On the ground, the situation is getting worse and worse for Kabul every day. The Taliban launched an attack on the capitals of three provinces - Lashkar Gah, Kandahar and Herat. They need Kandahar as a temporary capital, and Lashkargah is located at the intersection of trade routes from Kandahar to Herat, in Helmand province, where the bulk of Afghan heroin is grown. It was in Helmand that the fiercest battles between the Taliban and the US Armed Forces once took place. Two days ago, gunmen attacked the runway at Kandahar Airport, which plays a key role in providing logistical support to government forces.

After Lashkar Gah, according to Western media estimates, the Taliban may take Herat. They already control the road from Herat to the local airport. If any of these cities falls, then the Taliban will be able to take the first of 34 provincial capitals. This will be a huge reputational loss for the Ghani government. To date, according to statistics from the Long War Journal, the Taliban control 223 counties in Afghanistan, the government - 68, and fighting continues for 116. 17 of 34 provincial capitals are under Taliban attacks.

The Ghani government blames the United States for its defeat. The Americans are striking the Taliban from the air, but not with the same force as before the withdrawal of the main air force group. There are no Americans at all on earth. The Afghan president says the rapid withdrawal of US troops has escalated violence in the country. We will remind, in March, Washington agreed with the Taliban on the evacuation of the US Armed Forces from Afghanistan, provided that the militants do not attack them and the start of inter-Afghan negotiations. The withdrawal is successfully coming to an end on August 31, but the Taliban will not compromise with the Ghani government. Speaking to parliament on August 2, Ghani said America's hasty peace process "not only failed to bring peace, but also raised doubts and ambiguity" among Afghans. "The Taliban do not believe in a lasting or just peace," he added.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan is plunging into humanitarian disaster. Thousands of citizens are fleeing from Herat, Kandahar and Lashkar Gakh, fearing the accession of the Taliban regime. Hundreds of people turn to the local MFC to get a passport. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan has documented 5,183 civilian casualties (1,659 killed and 3,524 injured) since early 2021, up 47% over the same period in 2020. Since the withdrawal of foreign troops and the Taliban advance since January, some 294,000 people have fled their homes, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said on July 21. The total number of internally displaced persons has exceeded 3.5. million. This is every 10th Afghan. There are not enough medicines in the cities, pharmacies are closed, telecommunication lines are destroyed, and hospitals do not have time to receive the wounded, the Guardian reports.

The Taliban have already taken over a TV station in Helmand province. They shoot the captured Afghan army soldiers and hang them on poles. According to the NGO Human Rights Commission (AIHRC), the Taliban have killed at least 40 people since July 16 in Spin Boldak County (border with Pakistan) in Kandahar province. Taliban kill residents who welcomed the return of Spin-Boldak to Afghan forces. The Taliban executed 22 Afghan soldiers who tried to surrender. Vajma Frock, a prominent Afghan women's equality activist, accused the Taliban of stealing food from women, killing them and forcibly recruiting 11-year-old boys into the army.

Commenting on reports that Kabul is ready for negotiations, Georgy Asatryan, an expert at the Valdai International Discussion Club, noted that such calls do not speak of a desperate situation in the government of Ashraf Ghani.

"This does not mean that Kabul has thrown a white flag. Since 2017, negotiations have been underway between the Taliban and the official Kabul. Once a month, such statements are made. There is nothing sensational here. Both are ready to talk. The Taliban are also ready to talk every three months. declare that they offer to sit down at the negotiating table and sign a truce. This is a usual Afghan trade policy, nothing new, "he said in an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza.

In general, in his opinion, the situation in Afghanistan is stalemate: "The Taliban look more preferable on the battlefield, but they are also unable to crush Kabul. The situation is stalemate, neither side is able to completely defeat the other. And in this regard, a deadlock situation arises. It is unclear whether to negotiate or not to negotiate. "

Time will tell how the next Afghan epic will end. So far, Russia is preparing for new challenges on its southern borders. Military exercises with Uzbekistan are currently underway, and joint Russian-Uzbek-Tajik military exercises will begin on August 5. Russia is using a powerful group of 1,800 troops and 420 pieces of military equipment.
The long-awaited first session of the renewed Armenian parliament was immediately disrupted. Thus ended the first meeting of irreconcilable political opponents within the walls of a state institution. Prior to that, supporters and opponents of the "revolutionary" government of Nikol Pashinyan clashed with each other only during political actions on the streets of Armenian cities.

The work of the parliament began with a provocation: the opposition blocs "Armenia" and "I have the honor" nominated the former heads of the municipalities of Meghri and Sisian Mkhitar Zakaryan and Artur Sargsyan, who are under investigation, for the post of deputy speaker of the parliament. Both of those under investigation are active supporters of the party of ex-President of Armenia Robert Kocharian, who was defeated in the early elections in June this year. Zakaryan and Sargsyan are deputies, and therefore can hope for parliamentary immunity if their party members are able to secure the release of both politicians.

The opposition's actions looked like a political manipulation doomed to failure, since the re-elected Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan personally supervises the initiation of criminal cases against deputies and other politicians, who is not used to retreating in an effort to put as many opponents as possible behind bars. The current investigation into Zakaryan and Sargsyan, who are accused of exceeding their official powers, is quite an ordinary event in post-revolutionary Armenia, and therefore the current activity of the parliamentary opposition is aimed exclusively at supporters of the Armenia and I have the honor blocs, so that they do not rush to turn away from the nationalists who passed into parliament.

The Karabakh separatists and their supporters who entered parliament intend to boycott the work of the National Assembly, and not cooperate for the good of society. This is largely due to the fact that an atmosphere of healthy political competition has not formed in Armenia over the past thirty years. Armenian politicians are not used to working together, preferring to create the illusion of political pluralism, behind which the hegemony of one political force is hidden. It is difficult to imagine what the political forces can agree on, which preferred to start the first session of the renewed parliament by leaving the conference room without waiting for the end of the working day. Therefore, the release of two deputies with a dubious reputation for the nationalist opposition is a much more significant agenda than the discussion of the current internal political problems of Armenia.

Nikol Pashinyan, who officially took office as prime minister, refrained from making any comments regarding the political demarche of his opponents. He tries to ignore the policy of the "Armenia" and "I have the honor" blocs, consistently forming an alternative belt of the Armenian opposition, which corresponds to the canons of Armenian politics - consistency, controllability. A week and a half before the parliamentary meeting the day before, the prime minister held the first meeting with the participation of extra-parliamentary parties. The political culture of post-Soviet Armenia has formed a simple rule: if you cannot subjugate the parliamentary opposition, create your own. Pashinyan follows this path, preferring to give the deputies of the nationalist blocs the right to destroy their own reputation and appear in the eyes of the public as an embittered minority, unable to do anything other than disrupt parliamentary sessions.

But despite the clear antagonism between the parliamentary majority and the opposition, parliament is unlikely to become an arena for a showdown. Of course, pathetic speeches will be heard in the conference room of the National, which may alternate with curses against the dominant Civil Contract faction, but they will not affect real life in the country. Since neither Pashinyan nor his opponents intend to work with each other, a real political struggle will unfold on the streets. To do this, Pashinyan and his faction need to remind from time to time of the past of his political opponents from among the former political elite, for whom a return to big politics became possible as a result of the revanchist sentiments spread throughout the country after the crushing defeat of Armenia in Karabakh.
Since Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced last month that his nations troops would continue to secure Kabul international airport in Afghanistan, the leader has been both pressured and praised.

Asia Times reports that the Taliban (a terrorist organization forbidden in Russia), which has recently accelerated its military campaign across the war-torn country, on July 13 described any further Turkish military presence as reprehensible and warned of dire consequences. Yet Ankaras agreement to secure the vital air link was also key to US President Joe Bidens positive and productive description of his meeting with Erdogan at Junes NATO summit. Indeed, Turkeys continued presence at the airport helps the US and its allies both cover their military withdrawal and maintain links to their embassies and missions in the Afghan capital. It also helps Turkey mend some of its battered fences with the US, after years of argument and division. Ankara wants to bring these relations to a better ground, former Turkish ambassador to NATO Mehmet Fatih Ceylan, told Asia Times. Afghanistan is one area where Turkey can do this. Yet the Turkish garrison at Kabul airport may be about more than just Ankara improving relations with its NATO allies.

Turkey has long-standing links to Afghanistan after years of close involvement in the country and centuries of cultural and historical ties to the region. Theres a school of thought here that we cant leave Afghanistan in the lurch, adds Ceylan. We have unique relations with them, with Pakistan, and with the Turkic republics surrounding them. The thought was, we cant just sit back and watch events unfold. However, what happens now remains highly uncertain as Afghanistan falls deeper into conflict, while the country also becomes a battleground for a range of competing international interests.

Follow the gray wolf

A popular Turkish foundation myth has the original Turks, denizens of Central Asia and western China, following a gray wolf west out of their ancestral homelands to their current Anatolian location. Reality or myth, many of todays Turks do have ancestry and family stretching across Central Asia, with the Turkic peoples including Azeris, Turkmens, Uzbeks, Kyrgyz and Uighurs. Afghanistan has also long had a special place in recent Turkish history. Turks see Afghanistan as a society with kinship, Murat Aslan, from the SETA Foundation in Ankara, told Asia Times. Since the 1920s, Turkey has been assisting the Afghans, while the Afghans supported us during our War of Independence.

Another nation that established links with modern Turkey early on was Pakistan, Afghanistans neighbor, with Ankara one of the first to recognize this fellow Sunni Muslim nations independence. Turkey has excellent strategic relations with all these neighboring states, Zalmai Nishat, a researcher at the Afghanistan Institute of Strategic Studies in Kabul, told Asia Times.

It also has a lot of recent experience on the ground, with a Turkish general, Hilmi Akin Zorlu, commanding NATOs initial deployment, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), from 2002-2003. While Turkish troops have played no combat role in the country, they have trained thousands of Afghan security forces over the last two decades, while also investing in the countrys education and infrastructure.

Turkish troops have also been responsible for the security of Kabul airport, under a separate, non-NATO mandate. Turkeys relationship with Pakistan and Ankaras good relations with Qatar, where the Taliban have a delegation, also potentially give Turkey access across the frontlines. Turkey is a Muslim member of NATO, has supported the Afghan government for years in a non-combat role and can also bring a lot of pressure to bear on the Taliban, via its ties to Pakistan and Qatar, says Nishat. Pakistans intelligence services are widely held to have connections to the Taliban, although the Pakistani government strongly denies any link.

That access to both sides may also be having results already. In recent days, says Ceylan, back channels via Qatar and Pakistan do seem to have been trying to soften the Talibans approach to a Turkish presence, pressuring the more radical elements in the Taliban to accept at least some foreign force at the airport.

Indeed, with the Taliban now making nice with neighbors such as China, a different pitch and tone from the Taliban is emerging, adds Ceylan. At the same time, while over the years, all our neighbors have interfered in Afghanistan, adds Nishat, Turkey has no boundary with us, helping it to be seen as quite different from Iran, Russia or China. Yet Afghanistan is also a mosaic of different groups and ethnicities, says Nishat, with Turkey seen as closer to the Turkic ethnicities, such as the Uzbeks, from the perspective of other groups. Turkey needs to be very mindful of this.

Interests and aims

Meanwhile, major domestic pressure is also building on Erdogan over Afghanistan. Instability there leads to refugees, with many of these being sent on through Iran to Turkey, says Aslan. Turkey already has 3.5 million Syrian refugees, along with many others, and cant absorb another wave of refugees heading in. Those bonds of kinship have also made Turkey a key destination for many fleeing the growing violence, with some 200,000 Afghans already estimated to be living in Turkey, according to the UN. Yet popular sympathy, both for refugees already in Turkey and for those coming in, is at an all-time low.

One example of this that recently went viral on social media was from the opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP) mayor in the northwestern Turkish town of Bolu, Tanju Ozcan. He tweeted on July 28 that hospitality has gone on too long, after announcing plans to charge foreigners  refugees  10 times the normal rate for water and waste services. The CHP has since disavowed this, but clearly political pressure is mounting for Erdogan to stop the refugee flow  a factor behind recently announced plans to extend an existing wall on the Turkish-Iranian frontier to the entire length of the border.
China has welcomed Russian troops to hold joint strategic drills for the first time next week on the territory of the People's Republic as part of growing ties between Beijing and Moscow, Newsweek repors.

Russian personnel were met with a warm reception over the weekend as Chinese People's Liberation Army Lieutenant General Liu Xiaowu, deputy commander of the Western Theater Command and commanding officer of Chinese forces in the upcoming exercise, presented a bouquet of flowers to members of the Russian military delegation visiting ahead of the Zapad-Interaction, or West-Interaction, drills set to play out from August 9 to 13.

Liu "remarked that in the context of the big changes and pandemic, this is the first joint strategic exercise participated by Russian troops in China," according to a readout published Monday by the Chinese Defense Ministry.

The ministry also noted that this is the fourth consecutive such training held by the Russian and Chinese militaries after the Vostok (East) 2018, Tsentr (Center) 2019 and Kavkaz (Caucasus) 2020 exercises, all of which were held across different regions of Russia.

The latest Zapad-Interaction training will mostly take place near the city of Qingtongxia in northwestern China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and takes place as the U.S. pulls the last of its troops from neighboring Afghanistan, a nation in which both China and Russia seek to invest in long-term stability.

The drills are set to involve some 10,000 personnel and various types of aircraft, weaponry, equipment and vehicles from both countries, whose forces "will set up a joint command, make plans and conduct training in mixed combat groups, so as to improve the joint anti-terrorism capabilities of the troops."

As news of the ceremony emerged Monday, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Colonel-General Alexander Fomin took part in a virtual conference dedicated to the 94th anniversary of the establishment of the People's Liberation Army of China.

Fomin "noted that Russian-Chinese military cooperation is characterized by high dynamics of development, consistent expansion of areas of interaction and a great intensity of contacts," according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

He also "drew attention to the fact that the two countries regularly hold joint combat training events, and that China is one of the most active participants in the International Army Games."

These annual games are also set to begin later this month, running from August 22 to September 4, and present yet another opportunity for Chinese and Russian troops to interact.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported on Sunday that a separate contingent of Russian military personnel flew along with equipment to China to take part in three International Army Games competitions to be held in Korla of China's northwestern Xinjiang Autonomous Province. Other events will be held in Russia, where Chinese troops recently arrived with China with various materiel.

Also next month, China and Russia will train together alongside India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's Peace Mission 2021 drills.

The heightened level of military collaboration between Beijing and Moscow in the defense realm was also discussed Saturday by People's Liberation Army Major General Kui Yanwei, who serves as China's defense attache at the country's embassy in Russia and also was present for Monday's videoconference.

In an article published in the Russian Defense Ministry's official Krasnaya Zvezda (The Red Star) newspaper, Kui praised the direction of Sino-Russian relations under the leadership of Presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin.

Through their guidance, "the Sino-Russian comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction in the new era has withstood the test of a pandemic and unprecedented changes in a century, reaching the highest level in all its history in all areas," Kui wrote.

"The China-Russia tandem has become an unshakable guarantee of world justice and a progressive force that contributes to world development and prosperity, firmly protecting world security and stability," he wrote.

He also took note that July marked the 20th anniversary of the Sino-Russian Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, which Xi and Putin renewed during a virtual meeting in late June. The two heads of state also produced a lengthy joint statement in which they discussed a relationship "based on equality, deep mutual trust, commitment to international law, support in defending each other's core interests, the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity."

"While not being a military and political alliance, such as those formed during the Cold War, the Russian-Chinese relations exceed this form of interstate interaction," the statement said, "they are not opportunistic, are free of ideologization, involve comprehensive consideration of the partner's interests and non-interference in each other's internal affairs, they are self-sufficient and not directed against third countries, they display international relations of a new type."

The United States considers China and Russia to be its top two great power competitors and has feuded with both nations on a wide range of geopolitical issues including human rights, territorial disputes and cybersecurity, for all of which Washington charges Beijing and Moscow with regular abuses.

President Joe Biden has set out to pursue a relationship with China that has "cooperative," "competitive" and "confrontational" elements, while he sought to establish "a predictable and stable relationship" with Russia.
Fifteen Russian nationals who were injured in a traffic accident in Turkey have been released from hospitals, five more are still in hospital, the Russian health ministry said on Tuesday.

"By now, fifteen people hurt in the traffic accident in the city of Manavgat in Turkeys Antalya have been released from hospitals. Five more people are still in hospitals. They are in a serious condition. Three have been operated. The patients are under medical supervision. Russias health ministry is monitoring the situation with the Russian nationals treated in hospitals," TASS cited the statement as saying.

A road accident involving a bus that was carrying 22 Russian tourists occurred on Monday 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 Russias Samara Region. According to preliminary reports, the bus driver lost control of the vehicle and the bus crossed the center line into oncoming traffic, and overturned. Three people died.
The units of the Armenian Armed Forces opened fire at the Azerbaijani positions by using small arms in the direction of Yellije settlement of Kalbajar district from the positions located in Azizli village of Basarkechar district (Armenia) on August 4 at 14:50 (GMT+4), Trend reports on Aug. 4 referring to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

There are no casualties among the Azerbaijani servicemen.

Presently, the situation in this direction is stable, the situation is controlled by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces.
Belgium will donate AstraZeneca vaccines to so-called third countries, including Georgia, through the Covax platform, InterPressNews reported citing the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo stated that Belgium aims to donate 4 million doses of the vaccine by the end of 2021.

At the first stage, Ukraine will receive 168 thousand doses of Astrazeneca vaccine, and at a later stage, Georgia, Armenia and Kosovo will receive more than 225 thousand doses.
As Turkey extends a helping hand to other states, it is similarly ready to accept help from other countries amid recent forest fires that have led to deaths and material damage, Turkey's foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said.

"Just as Turkey helps other countries as part of the spirit of solidarity, we wouldn't be hurt if other countries or institutions help us. This isnt a matter of pride, this is a natural disaster. Solidarity is, of course, important in disaster situations and difficult conditions," Cavusoglu told reporters at the Fire Management Center in Antalya, which has been battling blazes.

Noting that Turkey faces big fires, Cavusoglu said that many countries, neighboring states, "friendly and brotherly countries" and European states contacted Turkey to offer help.

After the EU sent its announcement to all member states that it would help Turkey, there were responses from four countries  Croatia, Romania, France, and Spain," said Cavusoglu, adding that Turkish authorities assessed the help offered, such as planes, helicopters, and other relevant firefighting equipment.

Cavusoglu also thanked Azerbaijan for sending equipment, a helicopter, and firefighting teams to Turkey.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan thanked his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, as well as a number of other world leaders, for support and assistance in fighting wildfires.

"In the name of my country, I would like to express special gratitude to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, President of Russia Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez for their unwavering support since the first moment [of emergence of wildfires]," Erdogan said in his Telegram channel Tuesday.

He also thanked the leadership of Iran, Qatar, Croatia and Ukraine for "strong support."

"In the name of my people, I would like to say thank you to all friendly countries and organizations, who expressed their condolences, their readiness to help, who sent us aid. I hope that we will overcome this difficult period shortly," he said.

He also published an infographic with flags of over 70 countries and 10 international organizations that Turkey expresses its gratitude to.

Large-scale wildfires sparked in the republic six days ago, covering a number of coastal resort regions, including Mugla and Antalya provinces. Although firefighters were able to localize most hotspots, the combat with fire continues. According to the Turkish Disaster And Emergency Management Presidency, eight people have died, and over 850 people have suffered from the disaster.
As forest fires continue affecting various regions in the Mediterranean and the Western Balkans, the European Commission is mobilising support to assist countries in limiting the spread of the fires and protect lives and livelihoods.

Two Canadair firefighting airplanes from France are being sent to affected areas in Italy to start firefighting operations today.

Two firefighting planes from Cyprus are supporting Greece, on top of a firefighting team to support operations on the ground.

Two helicopters to support operations in Albania will be equally dispatched from Czechia and the Netherlands.

In addition, Slovenia is sending a team of 45 firefighters to North Macedonia.
Iran has rejected claims that its naval forces seized an oil tanker off the coast of the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh termed reports about Iranian armed forces entering ships in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman "fake news," urging all sides to be cautious about news regarding maritime security in the region.

Media reports quoting unnamed maritime security sources said Iranian-backed forces were believed to have seized an oil tanker in the Gulf off the coast of the UAE.

The reports came hours after a British maritime trade agency said a "potential hijack" was underway near Fujairah, with at least four ships broadcasting warnings that they had lost control of their steering under unknown circumstances.

In a statement, Khatibzadeh said the incidents related to ships in the Persian Gulf and the Oman Sea were "utterly suspicious," warning against what he termed "false propaganda" against Iran.

He expressed Irans commitment to regional stability and maritime security and said his country is willing to offer assistance in case of any maritime accidents in the region, Anadolu Agency reported.

According to reports, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has also denied reports of Iran seizing a ship, calling it a "pretext for hostile action" against Tehran.

A news agency affiliated with Iran's top security agency, quoting a senior official, said the passage of commercial vessels was "quite normal" and naval sources of countries in the region had not reported any "uncontrollable incident."
The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed that a Pentagon Force Protection Agency officer was killed in a shootout near the Pentagon building on Tuesday.

"On behalf of everyone working at the Pentagon, and across the Department of Defense, I extend my deepest sympathies to the family, loved ones and colleagues of the Pentagon Force Protection Officer who died as a result of injuries he received this morning," U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said in a statement.

In his words, an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Woodrow Kusse, head of the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, told reporters that a Pentagon police officer was attacked near the building on Tuesday, and gunfire took place during the incident. He confirmed that several people were injured as a result. In his words, FBI officers have arrived to the scene, and the investigation is ongoing.

Kusse said the investigation has not yet established the attackers motives, adding that it was too early to describe the incident as a terror attack. Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby, who was also present at the briefing, said U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was not in the building at the time of the incident.

Associated Press reported on Tuesday that a Pentagon police officer was stabbed to death outside the building. The attacker was shot by police, the agency said.
The UK has reported a "potential hijack" of a ship off the coast of the United Arab Emirates as a security source said a tanker appears to have been seized.

UK Maritime Trade Operations, a part of the Ministry of Defence, described the incident as a "potential hijack".

A group of eight or nine armed individuals are believed to have boarded the vessel, named Asphalt Princess, the security source told Sky News.

"It was an unauthorised boarding in the Gulf of Oman," the security source said.

It comes as Associated Press reported that at least four vessels sent out warnings saying they had lost control of their steering.

Oil tankers called Queen Ematha, Golden Brilliant, Jag Pooja and Abyss all reported through their Automatic Identification System trackers they were "not under command", according to MarineTraffic.com. That typically means a vessel has lost power and can no longer steer.
Two rockets launched from Lebanon struck Israel on Wednesday, the Israeli military said, adding that it fired artillery into Lebanese territory in response to the attack.

Israels Magen David Adom ambulance service said there were no casualties on the Israeli side of the frontier. It posted a photograph on Twitter showing smoke rising from a field.

Sirens warning of a rocket attack sounded in several Israeli communities, including the town of Kiryat Shmona, near the Lebanese border.

In a statement, the military said three rockets were launched from Lebanon, with one falling short of the Israeli border and the others striking inside Israel. Witnesses in Lebanon also reported that several rockets were fired at Israel.

In response, (Israeli) artillery forces attacked Lebanese territory, Reuters cited the military as saying.

The border has been mostly quiet since Israel fought a 2006 war against Hezbollah guerrillas, who have sway in southern Lebanon and advanced rockets.

But small Palestinian factions in Lebanon have fired sporadically on Israel in the past, and two rockets were launched at Israel on July 20, causing no damage or injuries. Israel responded to that incident with artillery fire
The number of new coronavirus cases in Turkey jumped to nearly 25,000 on Tuesday, government data showed, the highest level in almost three months, and the health minister urged Turks to get vaccinated against the virus.

The number of deaths from COVID-19 also rose to 126, the most fatalities since June 1, as the country battles another wave of the virus which has spread since authorities relaxed pandemic-related restrictions.

The number of new cases hit 24,832 on Tuesday, up from 22,898 the day before, Reuters reported.

"If we follow the rules of combating the epidemic and get our vaccinations, we will take action to end the epidemic," Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said in a tweet accompanying the daily data.

Two-thirds of Turkish adults have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine, while slightly less than half have received two or more doses.
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili commented on the agreement, mediated by European Council President Charles Michel between the Georgian Dream government and the opposition to end a six-month political stalemate in the country.

"I believe that the process behind [the April 19] document, the goals that this document pursues and the principles on which this document is based on are not exhaustive and represent the path that this country must go through and that I support," Zurabishvili said in an address she released on Tuesday..

"I personally take some responsibility and I am even proud to have supported the involvement of the EU at a time when the political crisis in the country was at a standstill. However, I cannot take responsibility for certain elements of the document that were agreed between parties, nor on their annulment.

"However, today the post-facto discovery that it turns out we gave up something that was unacceptable and that might harm the country is incomprehensible. In my experience, red lines are crossed before signing. I believe that the process behind this document, the goals that this document pursues and the principles on which this document is based on are not exhaustive and represent the path that this country must go through and that I support," Agenda.ge cited the President of Georgia as saying.

The April 19 Agreement is a "real bridge between us and Europe", Zurabishvili underscored in her speech, adding she had told members of the ruling party that the deal should be "understood, valued, used and taken care of". The comments come in the wake of the ruling party Georgian Dream's decision to unilaterally leave the agreement.
Georgia is at a crossroads with the challenge of the latest wave of the Covid-19 pandemic and continued political polarisation ahead of municipal elections in October, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili said in an address she released on Tuesday.

In a lengthy speech at Tbilisi's Orbeliani Palace residence, delivered amid intensifying election campaigns from parties and accompanying rhetoric - in addition to sharply increased rates of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the country - the president appealed to common citizens as well as political forces about a critical point for the society, Agenda.ge reported.

Zurabishvili urged sceptics of vaccination among the population to reconsider "behaviour [that] is neither a question of personal choice nor of freedom of expression", stressing "[t]rue patriotism" would lie in "courage" of vaccination and "a sense of responsibility as members of society."
Thanks to vaccine diplomacy, Vietnam has received more than 15 million doses of covid-19 vaccine, with more than 12 million doses allocated to epidemic-hit localities in July alone.

Resolution 21 of the Government dated February 26, 2021 clearly states that Vietnam targets to have 150 million doses of vaccine to vaccinate 70% of the population.

In the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, the COVAX Facility mechanism is one of the best solutions to ensure the rapid and equitable deployment of safe and effective vaccines to all countries around the world.

As a member of COVAX, in December 2020, Vietnam submitted a dossier to propose vaccine support. On that basis, COVAX has allocated vaccines and committed to provide Vietnam with vaccines to immunize 20% of the population, equivalent to nearly 39 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine.

Thanks to vaccine diplomacy, in July alone, more than 12 million vaccine doses were allocated to epidemic-affected localities; provinces and cities that are economic locomotives; and others.

Explaining to the National Assembly on July 25, Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said that following the conclusions and direction of the Politburo and the Secretariat of the Central Party Committee, starting early 2020, the Government gave instructions on the implementation of a comprehensive vaccine strategy.

Vietnam has actively lobbied governments and vaccine manufacturers to speed up the delivery of vaccines to Vietnam. This advocacy is very important in the context of global vaccine scarcity. On the basis of active and drastic advocacy and negotiation, in just over a month, the amount of vaccines for Vietnam has increased significantly.

To date, partners have signed contracts with and committed to provide Vietnam with about 105 million doses of vaccine, including: 38.9 million doses sponsored by COVAX, 30 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine imported by the Vietnam Vaccine Joint Stock Company (VNVC), 31 million doses of Pfizer vaccine purchased by the Government, 5 million doses of Moderna vaccine purchased via Zuellig Pharma Vietnam, and 55 million doses under negotiation (40 million doses of Sputnik-V vaccine negotiated by T&T Group with the Russian Direct Investment Fund and 15 million doses of Covax negotiated by the Ministry of Health with India).

Vaccine diplomacy has been strongly promoted with a series of talks and exchanges in bilateral and multilateral meetings of the Party General Secretary, the State President, the National Assembly Chairman, and the Prime Minister with many positive results.

Through a network of more than 90 Vietnamese representative agencies abroad, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health have coordinated to drastically implement this task. Thereby, Vietnam has had access to a number of vaccine sources of other countries and international organizations. That has made an important contribution to Vietnam's vaccination strategy.

So far, Vietnam has made commitments, agreements, contracts and has received many aid sources from China, the US, Japan, Australia, the UK and other countries with an amount of over 130 million doses. The country is negotiating to purchase another 40 million vaccine doses to bring the total to 170 million doses by the end of 2021.

Thanks to vaccine diplomacy, in July alone, more than 12 million vaccine doses were allocated to epidemic-affected localities; provinces and cities that are economic locomotives; and other provinces to give vaccinations to priority subjects under Resolution 21 of the Government.

In July, despite the complicated pandemic, Vietnam's diplomacy was active with two visits by the British and US defense ministers. The significance of these two visits goes beyond normal defense cooperation.

At the meeting between the Vietnam - UK Defense Ministers, Minister Phan Van Giang thanked the British Government for its concern and experience sharing in the prevention and control of the Covid-19 epidemic and for putting Vietnam on the priority list for vaccine supply. He also proposed that within his authority, his British counterpart could assist the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam in accessing Covid-19 vaccine supply.

During a meeting with Vietnamese leaders, referring to the context of the Covid-19 epidemic, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was happy to disclose information about the supply of 5 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine for Vietnam in the spirit of friendship in the fight against the global pandemic. Mr. Lloyd Austin said that in the coming time, the US would continue to cooperate with Vietnam to develop a vaccine against Covid-19, provide equipment for Vietnam's Covid-19 prevention and control efforts, and do the best they can to support Vietnam in this regard.

The Vietnamese Party, State, Government and people always appreciate the practical and timely help of international friends in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. In exchanges, phone calls and letters to the leaders of other countries, Vietnamese top leaders all expressed their sincere and deep thanks for foreign partners assistance, considering this as proof of the good relationship between the two sides.

For its part, Vietnam has also shown a sense of responsibility by joining the international community to fight this dangerous disease through international cooperation activities, sharing experiences and epidemic prevention and control resources to the fullest extent possible for people of other countries, devotedly treating Covid-19 infected foreigners, and contributing $500,000 to the COVAX fund.

These achievements are considered a bright spot in Vietnam's foreign affairs activities in the first six months of the year as well as a bright spot in its efforts to prevent and control the Covid-19 epidemic.

The largest vaccination campaign ever is being rolled out across the country. As of August 1, more than 6.2 million were vaccinated, including about 5.5 million people getting the first dose and more than 620,000 people getting the second dose of vaccine.

Tuan Minh
Freelance shippers in Hanoi and HCMC have turned off apps and stopped working, creating 'holes' in goods circulation. But Vietnam Post and Viettel Post have committed to fill the need.

In an effort to reduce traffic density, local authorities of HCMC, a Covid-19 epicenter, on July 26 told enterprises to reduce the number of shippers by 10 percent. Enterprises were asked to provide identity characteristics of shippers. Each shipper would operate in one district only.

However, the regulation on the area for shippers to operate was loosened on July 29, allowing those who carry essential goods to travel among districts and Thu Duc City.

In Hanoi, since the first day of the social distancing campaign, the municipal authorities stopped goods carried on motorbikes by freelance shippers. Meanwhile, postal services and shippers put under the management of enterprises have to register to get operation codes from the Transport Department.

As of July 30, as many as 15,255 postmen and shippers had been granted operation codes for social distancing days, including 13,668 postmen of 20 postal companies, which accounted for 89.5 percent.

Postal workers and shippers said the shipping activities in some localities under social distancing still faced difficulties in the first days. Some postal staff were prevented at checkpoints because they carried non-essential goods. However, the disagreement in understanding about essential goods has been clarified.

In HCMC, not only freelance shippers, but shippers of some companies have also stopped working and turned off delivery apps because of the limited working conditions, the fear of infection, and the risk of being fined when going through checkpoints.

The Vietnam E-commerce Association has warned that if shippers resign from their post en masse, this will lead to a crisis and supply chain disruption.

At a meeting on July 30 between Ministry of Information and Communications and two postal companies Vietnam Post and Viettel Post, and representatives of 19 southern provinces under lockdown, MIC Deputy Minister Pham Anh Tuan once again emphasized the role of postal workers and shippers in maintaining local supply chains.

He said that tightened measures are applied in pandemic hit areas, which are necessary to maintain the operation of postmen and shippers.

Tuan, at an online forum discussing the supply-demand connection, asked the 19 southern provinces to create favorable conditions for postal services and shippers to work.

With 8,000 postal workers granted operation codes in Hanoi and HCMC, Vietnam Post and Viettel Post are making a great contribution to ensuring the uninterrupted supply of essential goods.

Vietnam Post and Viettel Post have been working with some supermarkets, food shops and e-commerce sites to deliver goods ordered online by consumers.

Trong Dat
Ho Chi Minh City has received the largest number of Covid-19 vaccine doses in the country, with a total so far of nearly 4.1 million doses.

Vietnam has just received 1,074,380 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Accordingly, 659,500 doses purchased through VNVC were allocated to HCM City and 414,880 doses from the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland were distributed to Hanoi.

On August 3, the Ministry of Health adjusted Decision 3600/BYT-QD on the allocation of Covid-19 vaccines to allocate an additional 319,000 vaccine doses to Ho Chi Minh City and 284,000 doses to Hanoi.

In total, Ho Chi Minh City will get an additional 978,500 doses and Hanoi 698,880 doses.

In the last three rounds of vaccine distribution, Ho Chi Minh City received 1,148,500 doses and Hanoi 868,880 doses. In addition, hospitals and agencies in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi were allocated 40,000 and 74,500 doses, respectively, in these phases, to vaccinate local residents.

According to the Ministry of Health, so far Ho Chi Minh City has been allocated the highest number of vaccine doses - 4,075,270, covering 29% of the population aged 18 and over.

Hanoi ranks second, with 2,943,770 vaccine doses, covering 26% of the population aged 18 and over.

By 8:30 a.m. on August 2, Ho Chi Minh City finished the fifth round of vaccination, with 930,000 doses allocated by the Ministry of Health. HCM Citys Vice Chairman Duong Anh Duc on August 3 said that the city had entered the 6th round of vaccination, which will last until the end of August. During this round, the city still uses three types of vaccines - AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Moderna. Sinopharm vaccine of China is still waiting for the Ministry of Health to verify its safety, so it will not be used in this round of vaccination.

According to the National Expanded Immunization Program, by August 2, Vietnam had administered 6,959,197 doses of Covid-19 vaccine, including 6,246,333 first shots and 712,864 second shots.

The total number of vaccine doses available in the country is more than 17 million, including AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, Sinopharm and Sputnik V vaccines.

Tu Anh - Nguyen Lien
At least three provinces, including Binh Duong, Khanh Hoa and Dong Thap, said they want to participate in the trial phase of the locally-made Covid-19 vaccine Nanocovax.

At a vaccination site in the southern province of Binh Duong.

Due to the rapid increase in the number of Covid-19 cases while supply of vaccines is limited, the southern province of Binh Duong  a pandemic hotspot - has asked for the Ministry of Healths approval for its participation in the pilot vaccination of Made-in-Vietnam Nanocovax vaccine.

Previously, the Union of Binh Duongs Enterprises sent an official dispatch to the People's Committee of Binh Duong province, proposing to participate in the pilot vaccination of Nanocovax vaccine for employees and workers at enterprises in the province. On August 2, Binh Duong authorities sent an urgent document on this issue to the Ministry of Health.

According to the Binh Duong Provincial People's Committee, if its proposal is approved, the province will allow the participation of 200,000 volunteers who are employees and workers of enterprises in Binh Duong province.

It is reported that up to half of the province's population (about 1.2 million people) are workers. Most of Covid-19 cases in this province are workers.

Meanwhile, the province has administered only 97,000 vaccine doses so far. It is administering an additional 285,000 doses allocated by the Ministry of Health.

Bin Duong plans to vaccinate over 95% of people over 18 years old, with a total of 3.2 million vaccine doses. However, the supply of vaccines is limited.

As of August 3 morning, Binh Duong had recorded more than 18,300 Covid-19 cases, ranking second in the country after Ho Chi Minh City (over 100,000 cases).

Khanh Hoa province has also asked the Ministry of Healths approval for trial vaccination of Nanocovax vaccine in this province. Dong Thap province has voiced its wish to join the trial phase of this vaccine.

Nanocovax vaccine has been developed by Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Joint Stock Company since May 2020, based on recombinant protein technology. This vaccine is now under phase 3 of trial since June 11, 2021, in four provinces including Hanoi, Hung Yen, Long An and Tien Giang. This phase is scheduled to finish in August 2021.

Phase 3 trials are being conducted with 13,000 volunteers, divided into two phases, 3a with 1,000 people and 3b with 12,000 people. As many as 13,000 first doses in phase 3 have been administered, with the second dose expected to be completed before mid-August, according to the company.

Surrogate virus neutralization tests (sVNT) for the 1,000 people involved in phase 3a revealed 100% production of neutralizing antibodies at levels higher than 30 per cent, but further monitoring is needed.

In tandem with applying for conditional approval for emergency use, Nanogen is also asking the health ministry to consider phase 3c trials, which would involve 500,000 to 1 million volunteers. Trials of the vaccine on children 12-18 years old would be conducted once full approval is obtained.

Deputy Health Minister Tran Van Thuan said on August 2 that the Ministry of Health strongly supports provinces participating in the clinical trial of Nanocovax vaccine to expand the scope of research to assess the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.

However, registration to participate in clinical trials of vaccine must follow the research process. In particular, during the testing process, it is necessary to ensure the collection and management of data in a scientific, reliable and accurate manner," he said.

The Ministry of Health has always supported and created the most favorable conditions for companies and individuals to participate in the production of COVID-19 vaccines, having mobilized many industry-leading scientists in the country to participate in the assessment of vaccines, he said.

The health official wants Nanogen to submit a report on research results for phase 2 and initial phase 3 so that the National Ethics Committee in Biomedical Research can start evaluation for emergency approval for NanoCovax.

Xuan An - Thuy Hanh

Dong Thap-based firm gets nod to order 200,000 doses of Nanocovax The Dong Thap government has approved Vinh Hoan Corporations proposal to order 200,000 doses of the locally-made Covid-19 vaccine Nanocovax and distribute them in the province.
Vietnam is stepping up its efforts to secure vaccine technology transfer to get access to inoculations, paving a way to enter the global vaccine supply chain.

A number of vaccine transfer-and-produce initiatives have been endorsed by the Ministry of Health (MoH) through Decree No.2301/QD-BYT released on May 7 on the establishment of a steering committee for COVID-19 vaccine research and production technology transfer, to beef up vaccine production from Vietnam to around 200 million doses by the first half of 2022. Among them, Vietnam has successfully secured tech transfer from Japan, Russia, and the United States.

Vietnamese firms AIC and Vabiotech have inked a deal with Japans Shionogi & Co., Ltd. to produce COVID-19 vaccines. The deal was subject to a confidentiality agreement but would be based on the local production of recombinant protein-based vaccines. The MoH is preparing to conduct phase three clinical trials for Shionogis vaccine in Vietnam and it is hoped the vaccine will be rolled out to the market by June next year.

Meanwhile, the Russian Direct Investment Fund and Vabiotech are actively cooperating in the tech transfer process to provide easier access to Sputnik V vaccines for the population of Vietnam. The first batch of Sputnik V was produced in Vietnam, and it is expected that the tech transfer from Russia will be completed by the end of 2021.

For related initiatives with US partners, the MoH has sent a group of experts to coordinate with the World Health Organization (WHO) to support relevant units in completing dossiers for clinical trial phases 1-3 according to a shortened process, with the research expected to start on August 1 and end in late December. The transfer and building of a vaccine factory in Vietnam will be completed in June 2022.

Vietnamese behemoth Vingroup was also in talks with San Diego-headquartered Arcturus Therapeutics Holding on mRNA vaccine production. Clinical trials could begin in Vietnam in August, adding that the firms could produce 100-200 million doses a year under such a deal.

Pham Cong Hiep, senior lecturer and research cluster lead at RMIT University, said that it is clear the government is taking decisive action to establish Vietnam as a world vaccine supply source through technology transfer agreements and domestic research and development.

Hiep pointed out Vietnam can take advantage of its high-quality infrastructure in industrial zones, and experienced workers in many high-tech firms to participate deeper in the value chain of vaccine production. This can contribute to reducing global shortages and making vaccines more affordable to less developed countries like Vietnam. Importantly, participating in the vaccine supply chain can enhance the countrys ability to counter future pandemics as COVID-19 may not be the last, Hiep added.

According to Nguyen Manh Hung, another lecturer of RMIT University, the COVID-19 vaccine supply chains differ significantly from traditional vaccine supply chains in their scope, objectives, and regulated platforms. Asian countries like South Korea and Indonesia have quickly engaged in tech transfer hubs to move a step closer to the ambition to become a major vaccine manufacturing centre. South Korea is also willing to offer its state-of-the-art facility and skilled human resources with GMP-standard practices. However, limited sources of supply create a significant bottleneck in low-to-middle-income countries such as Vietnam.

The WHO reported that 80 per cent of global sales for coronavirus vaccines so far come from five large multinational corporations. Traditional vaccine supply chains for less developed regions have often been initiated from the Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers Network, multi-agencies, and donors such as the European Vaccine Initiative and International Vaccine Institute. The COVID-19 vaccine supply chains have multiple approaches and often accompany bilateral connections.

As reported by Reuters, South Korea has approached Pfizer, Moderna, CureVac, and BioNTech in a step closer to its ambition to become a major vaccine manufacturing centre. Indonesia is enlarging the Sinovax supply chains to provide the vaccine to the Asia-Pacific region.

According to Hung, original vaccine manufacturers are now under pressure to forgo their patents to support poor countries, and many producers are now willing to transfer vital know-how to various countries. For example, BioNTech is basing its regional centre and a new factory in Singapore for its vaccines as part of steps taken by the company to address the increasing demand locally.

However, he added this process depends not only on the needs of the local markets but also on the government direction and national vaccine production capability. Vietnam should take measures for accelerated approvals through a fast-track approving system for vaccine manufacturing-related ventures, including related logistics to speed up manufacturing locally, Hung noted.

Source: VIR

Vietnam expects COVID-19 vaccine tech transfer from Russia 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.
The man was still alive and armed after he was shot, and officers slowly engaged him and attempted life-saving measures before calling over emergency medical personnel who were nearby. He was taken to a local hospital, where he died. His is not yet being named, pending identification and notification of next of kin, according to the press release.

Nine officers fired, Victorian said.

She said she did not yet have information on a potential motive in the initial shooting or the relationship between the two men.

This is a very, very tragic situation for two families, Victorian said.

It is not yet known how many shots were fired, but police were able to check neighboring apartment units and make sure no one else was injured, she said.

In addition to the weapon the man had when he was killed, police found a 12-gauge shotgun at the scene, Victorian said.

All nine officers who fired are on administrative leave, which is standard practice after officer involved shootings.

The department and Texas Rangers are conducting a joint investigation.

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COVID-19 vaccination clinics continue

The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District will host free COVID-19 vaccination clinics this week. The Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and Pfizer vaccines will be available. Parents or a consenting adult must accompany minor children to receive the vaccine. Walk-ins are welcome along with scheduled appointments via covidwaco.com . The schedule is:

I-35 frontage road closing

The Texas Department of Transportation plans to close all lanes of the northbound Interstate 35 frontage road from 12th Street to Fourth Street, from 11 p.m. Wednesday to 5 a.m. Thursday for paving work. Drivers will be directed to the northbound main lanes near 17th Street, and local traffic can use Speight Avenue and 16th Street to access businesses and residences.
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 this close 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-19?
Theres a strong case that Congress should give legal status to millions of immigrants who are here illegally, at least under certain conditions. Theres 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.

There is, by contrast, no real case that the rules in place today allow it.

If Democrats try to enact an amnesty that way, they will probably, and rightly, get shot down  but not before doing a bit more damage to public confidence in our political system.

The gambit some Democrats are considering would put a broad amnesty in a budget reconciliation bill that cannot be filibustered. If all the Democrats voted for the bill and all the Republicans against it, it would pass the Senate on a 51-50 vote with Vice President Kamala Harris breaking the tie.

The argument for trying this maneuver has three parts: It would meet the technical requirements to qualify for inclusion in a reconciliation bill, there is precedent for it and it would be popular. None is persuasive.
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.
Leidos versus SAIC continues as they fight for $2.5B NASA contract

On Tuesday, Leidos CEO Roger Krone said during the company's second quarter earnings call that NASA was taking a corrective action involving a $2.5 billion IT infrastructure contract the company had taken away from Science Applications International Corp.

SAIC naturally filed a protest at the Government Accountability Office.

Krone told investors that NASAs corrective action would include a new award decision for the contract known as AEGIS. That isn't unusual and GAO usually dismisses protests when a corrective action is taken by an agency.

But that isnt what we are seeing here. GAO has not dismissed the SAIC protest. The only thing Im getting from GAO is that it is an active case and cant comment on whether a corrective action has been taken or if a dismissal is imminent.

Ive reached out to Leidos and SAIC as well. Leidos declined to comment and Ill update this post if SAIC responds to a separate request for comment.

But this is what I think is going on.

Leidos thinks the corrective action warrants a dismissal. SAIC disagrees and is telling GAO that NASA is not addressing the issues the company raised in its protest. GAO now has to decide to dismiss or not.

One thing NASAs corrective action does not do is pull the award back from Leidos. The reason I say that is if NASA told GAO the award to Leidos was pulled back, then GAO would have no choice but to dismiss SAICs protest because technically there no longer is an award to protest.

Whatever NASA has said to GAO, Leidos and SAIC apparently falls short of entirely nixing the contract award.

GAO could still decide to dismiss SAIC's protest if it agrees with NASA and Leidos that the corrective action addresses the challenges raised in SAICs protest.

If that happens, SAIC could then protest that decision and continue its arguments that the corrective action is inadequate.

If the protest is dismissed, Ill send a records request to GAO to get more details on what NASA proposed and perhaps/hopefully to see what SAIC and Leidos argued over. Dismissal means a closed case, so there is no reason GAO should share that information.

But if GAO doesnt dismiss, the protest continues on. Right now a decision on the protest is expected by Oct. 14.
He sounds almost like a robot, she said, holding onto memories of when her son could do the things he liked  ride his bike, sing, dance.

Months after the attack, Hollis is still at MercyOne Medical Center Waterloo because he isnt stable enough to move back home to Texas or even to a larger hospital.

Originally from Humble, Texas, near Houston, Hollis met Kayla Tiefel of Waterloo on a dating app and after a few months decided to travel to see her in person. He had been in town for about four days.

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According to testimony at trial, Tiefel and Heggebo had a child born weeks earlier, but werent a couple at the time of the attack. Earlier that day Tiefel had been in an altercation with an acquaintance of Heggebo. The acquaintance told Heggebo about the encounter and questioned if anyone was looking after the infant during the altercation.

Heggebo and his friends went to Tiefels home on West Third Street to look for a phone that was misplaced during the altercation and to address the infant care question (Tiefel told jurors her cousin was babysitting). When they arrived, they found police trying to settle a parking dispute between Tiefel and a neighbor.
TAYLOR GREENE AT FAIR: U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene told Bloomberg News she will be attending the Iowa State Fair.

The fair  and the Des Moines Register Soap Box  is a frequent stop for politicians seeking to raise their profile, especially if they have presidential ambitions. However, the Register is not hosting the Soap Box this year.

A spokesman for the Republican Party of Iowa said it was not involved in her visit.

Greene has been a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump and advanced theories about deep state opposition to Trump and that President Joe Bidens victory was invalid.

UNION ENDORSEMENT: Sami Scheetz has secured the endorsement of Teamsters Local 238 in his bid for the Democratic nomination in Iowa House District 65 on Cedar Rapids southeast side.

Teamsters 238 is the largest local union in Iowa, with more than 5,000 members working in industries ranging from transportation and warehousing to manufacturing and public service.
CEDAR FALLS  A commission appointed to handle eminent domain appeals said a Cedar Falls couples seized property is worth more than twice what the city offered.

The property owner is still deciding whether its enough.

Last October, Cedar Falls City Council approved going forward with construction of a roundabout at Greenhill Road and South Main Street. Brian McElhose, whose property is located at 4309 Spruce Hills Drive, was among those asked to surrender land to the $3 million project.

The back half of McElhoses land is covered with 60-foot eastern white pine trees, 12 of them to be exact. With the citys proposed plan, McElhose stood to lose half of them, and gain a new fence, albeit one that would run only halfway down the width of his back yard, parallel to Main Street.

Its like a park back there. That was the whole reason we built a $100,000 addition on the house, McElhose said.

When a local government needs private property to undertake a project it believes is for the good of the community, such as reconstructing a road or building a new public facility, there is little a private landowner can do to challenge it beyond making sure the government pays an adequate price for either the temporary or permanent use of their land.
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.
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.
Barack Obama has "significantly scaled back" his 60th birthday party due to COVID-19 concerns.

The former US President and his wife Michelle were planning to celebrate his big day next weekend with a huge guestlist - including friends, family and former staff - set for the bash at the family's estate in Martha's Vineyard, but this has now been reduced.

The family's spokeswoman Hannah Hankins told PEOPLE magazine: "This outdoor event was planned months ago in accordance with all public health guidelines and with COVID safeguards in place.

"Due to the new spread of the Delta variant over the past week, the [former] President and Mrs. Obama have decided to significantly scale back the event to include only family and close friends.

"He's appreciative of others sending their birthday wishes from afar and looks forward to seeing people soon."

Even before the event was cut back, Barack had not asked for any gifts, as he would prefer donations to the Obama Foundation's philanthropic projects.

The outdoor gathering will be held next weekend, and guests were told that they must undergo coronavirus testing and that the event will be overseen by a medical professional to ensure pandemic protocols are followed.
Q: What is the blue plastic item that was put on my garbage can?

A: The Waterloo Sanitation Department is installing RFID tags  radio frequency identification  on city garbage bins. The tags will let the department track all of its garbage carts.

Q: How much does the GoFund me program get off each open account?

A: GoFundMe doesnt charge a platform fee. Each donation is subject to a transaction fee (that includes debit and credit charges) of 2.9% + $.30. Campaign beneficiaries receive all money raised minus the transaction fees.

Q: Do you deliver to Clarksville?

A: We certainly do. Monday-Friday delivery is via the United States Postal Service and Sunday with a contracted courier.

Q: Do you have to pay to print an obituary without a picture?

A: Yes. You can get more information about obituaries by calling (641) 421-0514.

Q: Which of the three vaccines did Tucker Carlson take?

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The skate- and streetwear brand from late legend Keith Hufnagel was born in the Tenderloin 19 years ago and moved out of SF a decade later. But this week, the label makes its return with a fresh store in the Mission.

Plus, it's not too late to score at Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale; ThirdLove and Sarah Flint get into bed sleepwear; and Allbirds lands in Palo Alto.

The Mission welcomes back iconic skater brand Huf. (Courtesy of Huf) On Saturday, August 7th, Huf makes a meaningful return to San Francisco, the city where it all began. Renowned skateboarder Keith Hufnagel opened his first storefilled with real deal skate- and streetwear plus hard-to-find sneaker brandsin 2002 in what's now called the Tendernob (back then, it was just regular old Tenderloin). Pretty quickly, the boutique and the man became institutions. Ten years ago, though, Huf said seeya to SF and moved to L.A.. But now, Huf 2.0 is opening in the Mission. Gotta say, the store, especially the exterior, looks eerily reminiscent of the original. The minimalist space is filled with cool men's and women's clothes and gear from the Huf label, which is known and coveted for its many artist collabs. Unfortunately, the guy who started it all isn't around to enjoy it; Hufnagel passed away last year. "SF is where it started. It's home," says Huf brand director Hanni El Khatib "This one's for Keith. He always wanted Huf back in the city. Now we're making it happen for him." // 968 Valencia St. (Mission), hufworldwide.com

Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale is still on, but don't lollygag. (Courtesy of Nordstrom) No question, the Anniversary Sale is Nordie's best. Not only are things for the whole family (men's, women's and kids clothing, shoes, accessories, beauty and home) on significant sale, the stuff is good. It's summer and fall stuff you want including brands that normally never get marked down. Just a few to whet your appetite: Nike, Ugg, Jenni Kayne, Vince, Ted Baker, Ksubi, Zella, Bony Levy, Marine Layer, La Ligne, Necessaire, Re/done, and True Botanicals. Those who have yet to indulge, hop to it. Prices will absolutely go back up on Monday, August 9th. And, yeah, you can shop online, but it's worth whirling around the store in SF Westfield Centre or Village at Corte Madera. You can try stuff on and, hello, customer service. Perhaps, make a complimentary appointment with a stylist or shop online/pickup in store for the best of both worlds. We're making a beeline for the beauty dept (lots of exclusives) and Open Edit. // 865 Market St., SF Westfield Shopping Centre, nordstrom.com

Grazie, ThirdLove x Sarah Flint, for the sweetest ever PJs. (Courtesy of ThirdLove) We didn't see this one coming: SF's not-just-an-undergarment-brand ThirdLove has teamed with Sarah Flint, founder of her namesake handcrafted-in-Italy footwear label, to drop a mini PJ collab. It includes a lightweight cotton shirt, pants, and shorts made to mix and matchand stars a charming floral print. Did we mention the print is everything? (Adds all three dreamy pieces to cart.) This coupling may seem a little confounding at first but when you think about it, but not so muchboth fashion players are all about empowering women and helping them look and feel their best with products that focus on fit, comfort, and style. Amen, sister. // Individual pieces retail for $60-$65; sizes range from XS to XL. Shop online, thirdlove.com
Evolving to Better Serve Its Members

by Fast Company magazine

Last year, as the U.S. went into lockdown, a clear need arose: Many older Americans needed assistance with simple tasks like picking up prescriptions and going to the grocery store. At the same time, volunteers around the country had raised their hands to let the organization know they were ready to help. The problem was connecting the two groups.

Just days after the pandemic was declared, AARP Innovation Labs quickly developed and launched its new Community Connections platform within 10 days, with a Spanish-language site coming just five days later.

To be able to move at such a quick pace and to be helping millions of people across the country in a short period of time was amazing, says Jo Ann Jenkins, CEO of AARP.

In fact, such innovation has been part of AARPs DNA since its founding 63 years ago. AARP is constantly pushing boundaries both inside and outside the organization, challenging staff and start-up organizations to think creatively and take risks in order to transform industries and disrupt the notion of aging.

We do everything we can to make sure people over 50 have what they need to live a long, fulfilling life, Jenkins says.

Change from within

For AARP, innovation starts at home. As everyday innovators in aging, every employee is committed to thinking of new ways to help older people, Jenkins says. Over the past two years, the organization has embarked on a campaign of digital change, unifying 30 years worth of data systems and creating programs to better meet members rapidly changing needs. This has allowed the organization to manage member information more efficiently and has given rise to new products such as AARP Perks, a web browser extension launching this year that alerts members to valuable benefits and content as they browse the internet.

The organization also runs an enterprise-wide pitch contest, tapping employees for ideas to help deliver on AARPs mission. One past winner was an app that allows an individual to scan rooms in their home to receive retrofitting recommendations on making it more senior friendly. This year, employees are working on ideas for career development that enable AARP staff to work at their full potential and better serve their members.

Disrupting the market

AARP also collaborates with start-ups through AARP Innovation Labs to create new products and services that address the needs for everyone as they age.

Were working on how to get the market to not just focus on the young but to really create ageless products and services that allow all people, regardless of their age, to live their best life, Jenkins says.

To date, AARP Innovation Labs has attracted hundreds of start-ups and worked directly with 45 of them. One product to emerge is Zibrio, a smart scale that gathers information on a persons balance and postural stability to help assess whether theyre at risk for falls.

We are becoming a center of age tech, and challenging the outdated beliefs about what it means to be older in this country, Jenkins says. In everything we do, from our advocacy work and services to our content and platforms, we continue to evolve in terms of what we deliver, how we deliver it and who we can help.


Nanadie Well 180m Sulphide Ore Grade Cu Intercept from 10m

Perth, Aug 4, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Cyprium Metals Limited ( ASX:CYM ) is pleased to provide the third diamond drillhole results from the Phase 1 diamond drilling programme that was conducted at the Nanadie Well Copper-Gold Project in December 2020 and January 2021.HIGHLIGHTS- Third diamond drill hole NWD2003 continues extensive shallow sulphide copper-gold intersection immediately below oxide copper-gold halo- Broad 180m zone of copper mineralisation from 10m to 190m intersected in drillhole NWD2003Executive Director Barry Cahill commented:"We are excited to announce the assay results from the third drill hole of the Phase 1 Nanadie Well diamond drilling campaign that was completed earlier this year, with all drill holes intersecting visible copper mineralisation.Diamond drill hole NWD2003 was drilled in the central section of the deposit and returned another strong intersection of 180m at 0.6% Copper and 0.2 g/t gold. The mineralisation has been consistent in the central section of Nanadie Well and we look forward to commencing metallurgical studies to optimise the extraction of copper and gold from a potential heap leach operation at the deposit.This is another set of fantastic drill results for this extensive deposit, which is very shallow, broad, consistently mineralised and is open in multiple directions."Near-surface oxide and extensive sulphide mineralisation has been identified during the Phase 1 drilling programmes, which is open along strike to the north and south and across strike to the west. The mineralisation does not outcrop and is covered by 1 to 25 metres of transported material. Preliminary investigations of the Nanadie Well deposit data indicates potential for oxide and sulphide mineralisation over the currently identified strike of 750 metres.The Company's 1,328 metre Nanadie Well diamond drilling programme was completed in January 2021 and was primarily designed to test the sulphide mineralisation below 50m depth at the deposit. There is an extensive shallow sulphide copper-gold intersection continuing immediately below the oxide material derived from the layered mafic intrusive unit that has been outlined in the previous Reverse Circulation ("RC") drilling announcements and quarterly reports (refer to Quarterly Activities Report - 31 Dec 2020, Quarterly Activities Report - 31 March 2021 and June 2021 quarterly activities report at:The results from this drilling, the Phase 1 RC January 2021 campaign and subsequent drill programmes will be used in the preparation of a JORC 2012 compliant mineral resource estimate for Nanadie Well during 2021 for inclusion in the Murchison Copper-Gold scoping study.The assay results for NWD2003 are presented in Appendix 2, Tables 1 and 2*.*To view tables and figures, please visit:About Cyprium Metals Ltd

Cyprium Metals Limited (ASX:CYM) is poised to grow to a mid-tier mining business and manage a portfolio of Australian copper projects to deliver vital natural resources, strong shareholder returns and sustainable value for our stakeholders. We pursue this aim, in genuine partnerships with employees, customers, shareholders, local communities and other stakeholders, which is based on integrity, co-operation, transparency and mutual value creation.
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Paul Gessing, director of the Rio Grande Foundation, wrote (Journal July 21) about the need to continue using oil and gas without once acknowledging climate change and its effects. No mention of heat domes, wildfires across the entire western United States or a drought that has been running since the late 1990s and is now considered by experts to be the new normal for the foreseeable future.

Gessing also managed to write an op-ed that was almost completely devoid of facts.

He claims most Americans rely on natural gas. This is wrong: 60% of Americans use electric stoves, and those stoves are generally cheaper than gas stoves.

He says that only radical environmentalists would call for the end of natural gas. This is wrong: In May this year, the International Energy Administration, an organization that works to secure oil supplies for industrialized nations, called for an end to all new oil and gas exploration and stated that the role of fossil fuels should reverse from 80% of global energy needs today to less than 20% by 2050.

Relying on fear-mongering rather than actual debate, Gessing says that electrification means a government-enforced abandonment of natural gas in homes and businesses. This is wrong: the resolution has a goal of supporting and incentivizing the residential and commercial deployment of electric technologies; this is not forcing anything.

Gessing says that electrification will come at great economic cost to the ratepayer, but he ignores the fact that the G20 countries have subsidized oil and gas with $3.3 trillion just since 2015. This is the equivalent of three times the cost of the U.S. electric grid. What were really talking about, then, is shifting subsidies, not creating new ones.

Another unpleasant fact Gessing ignores is the costs of fossil fuel energy that Americans pay for: climate change-related weather disasters, health problems from polluted air, cleanup of orphaned and abandoned wells, and the inability to use public lands for other economic purposes because of oil and gas activity.

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Gessing really goes off the rails when he starts talking about gas versus electric stoves. He claims that electric stoves are not desirable in restaurants. However, electric induction technology heats a pan faster than gas, has no wasted heat pouring into the kitchen and requires about 25% less energy. Since most restaurants survive on thin profit margins, anything that makes a significant difference to the bottom line will be adopted.

Gessing is correct about one thing. China does now emit more CO2 than any other country. However, he is also well aware the United States still produces far more greenhouse gas emissions per capita. Furthermore, just because China  and India, Russia and some other countries  are not doing what they should and can, although they arent doing nothing, is not a reason for the United States to avoid taking action.

As Gessing noted, another so-called radical, President Franklin Roosevelt, used his New Deal to bring electricity to rural and impoverished areas. That, Gessing says, was a worthwhile effort to improve lives.

Sen. Martin Heinrich and President Joe Biden are also working to improve lives. A study by Rewiring America states There is no other public infrastructure investment that can so efficiently deliver monthly cost savings to consumers, improve our air quality indoors and out, create jobs in every ZIP code in the country and cut so much in carbon emissions than electrifying the economy with renewables.
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CHANDLER, Ariz.  Microchip Technology Inc. (MCHP) on Tuesday reported fiscal first-quarter earnings of $252.8 million.

On a per-share basis, the Chandler, Arizona-based company said it had net income of 89 cents. Earnings, adjusted for amortization costs and stock option expense, were $1.98 per share.

The results beat Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of 10 analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of $1.90 per share.

The chipmaker posted revenue of $1.57 billion in the period, also exceeding Street forecasts. Seven analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $1.55 billion.

For the current quarter ending in October, Microchip Tech expects its per-share earnings to range from $2.05 to $2.17. Analysts surveyed by Zacks had forecast adjusted earnings per share of $1.99.

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The company said it expects revenue in the range of $1.62 billion to $1.68 billion for the fiscal second quarter. Analysts surveyed by Zacks had expected revenue of $1.6 billion.

Microchip Tech shares have risen slightly more than 6% since the beginning of the year, while the S&Ps 500 index has risen 18%. In the final minutes of trading on Tuesday, shares hit $146.82, an increase of 40% in the last 12 months.

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This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on MCHP at https://www.zacks.com/ap/MCHP
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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  The number of new COVID-19 cases in New Mexico has ticked up to its highest rate since March, driven by elevated infection rates in several counties with lagging vaccination rates.

While statewide infection rates are still far lower than the mid-November peak, the recent increase in cases comes amid a nationwide spread of the highly contagious delta variant, which has also made its way into New Mexico.

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State health officials reported 478 new cases Tuesday and one additional virus-related death. The new cases included an outbreak of 94 new infections among detainees held at the Torrance County Detention Facility in Estancia.

Statewide, a 94% of the new confirmed virus cases since Feb. 1 have been among unvaccinated individuals, according to state Department of Health data released Tuesday.

Of the 537 deaths during that period, a 527  or about 98%  were among unvaccinated individuals, and unvaccinated individuals made up 93% of the roughly 2,500 who were hospitalized, according to the DOH data.

Meanwhile, four New Mexico counties averaged more than 30 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents over the past week  Hidalgo, Eddy, Roosevelt and Lincoln  while several other counties were not far behind.

Those counties all had COVID-19 vaccination rates below the statewide rate of 65.1% of residents who had, as of Tuesday, received all necessary shots to be fully vaccinated.

The recent uptick in cases and hospitalizations comes after the elimination of statewide business restrictions July 1 and prompted Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to implement a requirement that all state workers be vaccinated or be tested every two weeks.

Other institutions have followed suit in recent days, as New Mexico State University leaders said Tuesday that they would reverse course by requiring all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the end of September or undergo weekly testing.

A decision on whether NMSU students will face a similar vaccination or testing requirement is expected to be announced in the coming days.

The New Mexico State University system continues to prioritize being agile and adaptive in its response to the changing pandemic landscape and evolving guidance from state and federal officials, NMSU Vice Chancellor Ruth Johnston said in a Tuesday letter.

The vaccination policy mirrors the approach taken by the University of New Mexico, which announced Monday that all students, faculty and staff would also face a vaccine requirement by the end of September if the universitys board of regents adopts UNM President Garnett Stokes recommendation.
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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

As it takes the next step toward creating an overnight shelter for the homeless inside the old Lovelace hospital, the city of Albuquerque has begun revealing its more specific plans for the site, including transportation, security and intake hours.

But the citys draft operations plan for what it is calling the Gateway Center at Gibson Health Hub does not answer one of the most contentious questions  how many people the shelter will accommodate on a nightly basis.

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The city posted the 11-page plan on its website Tuesday, the same day it applied for the permit needed to run an overnight shelter inside the onetime hospital. A zoning hearing examiner will hear the request Sept. 21, and city officials think they have made a good case for permitting a shelter as a conditional use on the property at 5400 Gibson SE. They say it will enhance Albuquerques larger homeless services landscape at a time of increased need.

On some nights this year, more than 700 people have used a shelter-and-hotel system the city and other partners established to provide emergency shelter.

We have great providers (already in the city); they do a remarkable job, Albuquerque Chief Operating Officer Lawrence Rael said Tuesday during a meeting with Journal editors and reporters. But, like anything else, they are quite frankly being overwhelmed by the number of folks that need service.

An open and inviting center for community

The newly released Gateway Center operations plan offers some insight into what the citys facility could look like.

According to the plan, the city will use contractors to operate the shelter and the accompanying engagement center, where staff will help direct clients to services. But the city will have an on-site Gateway Center administrator overseeing operations, plus a community outreach coordinator and systems analyst.

Clients referred by police and hospitals will be allowed to enter around the clock, but those coming from community partner organizations will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Gateway Centers dining room will open for three meals per day, and a facility shuttle system will transport referred clients into the shelter and, eventually, to their exit destination, the plan says. Carol Pierce, the citys director of family and community services, said clients may also need rides to conduct necessary errands, like applying for disability benefits.

We want to have transportation that helps move them out of the facility and bring them back in, and I think thats key, she said.

The facility will accept people who are not sober but will not permit on-site drug use. Weapons are also banned, the plan says.

The Gateway Center will have an open, safe and inviting floor plan and the city intends to have separate entrances for men, women and families.

Officials say that proper design can eliminate some barriers that stop people from using shelters.

Things like accommodating pets (and) providing spaces to safely store personal items are important, said Lisa Huval, Albuquerques deputy director for housing and homelessness. We also know trauma-informed design is a key element.

The plan says the city and the shelters operators will establish appropriate security systems, including metal detection, security cameras, fire and alarm systems, and there will be an appropriate ratio and balance of 24/7 on-site security, though the plan does not provide a specific ratio.

Some remain skeptical about traffic, capacity

Rachel Conger Baca, president of the nearby Siesta Hills Neighborhood Association, said the plan appears to have included some of the communitys input but still has some big gaping holes. While the document states the city will perform a speed study and road audit of Gibson Boulevard to identify potential improvements, Baca said the city should have completed a traffic study and other impact studies prior to any operational planning.

I still dont think theres the level of detail that we want to have, she said. I still see a lot of aspirational language and not a lot of nuts and bolts.

And by not providing the number of beds the shelter will have, she said the city is not being forthcoming. The capacity question has swirled around the project for years.

Mayor Tim Kellers administration had in 2019 proposed a Gateway Center to accommodate around 300 people nightly, but the scope sparked backlash. Members of the community  including some homeless services providers  had criticized the idea of housing that many people in one place, arguing that it was not a good idea for the clientele or surrounding neighborhood. Keller last summer announced a 300-bed shelter was off the table and that the city would consider alternatives, such as a series of smaller, scattered shelters.

This spring, the city purchased the 572,000-square-foot former Lovelace hospital for a Gateway Center. Officials have said that tentative plans included 150 to 175 shelter beds, but some neighbors have complained that is still too many and suggested that 30 is more appropriate. Huval said the city should have a number by the end of this month. She said officials are still reviewing a consultants report and continuing their own research by visiting some programs in Arizona later this week.

We know we owe the community an answer on that, (but) we are still in the process of evaluating what the right bed capacity is for the Gateway Center, she said.

Pierce said the shelter will ultimately be just a slice of the overall project. Existing tenants on the property  including some health care providers  currently occupy about a quarter of the square footage, and the city is looking to recruit more.
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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  Public Regulation Commissioner Joseph Maestas has launched a campaign to serve as New Mexicos next state auditor, vowing to bring experience as a state and federal regulator to the job.

Maestas, 60, has a 14-year background in municipal government, having served as a Santa Fe city councilor and as mayor and councilor in Espanola.

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An engineer, he also worked for federal agencies overseeing road and water projects.

Trust in government is waning, Maestas said, and I really think I can help restore citizen and taxpayer trust, so the people have more faith in those elected to serve them, instead of serving themselves.

Maestas is seeking the Democratic nomination to succeed Brian Colon, who won the office in 2018 and is now running for attorney general.

Also campaigning for state auditor is Democrat Zack Quintero, a former state ombudsman.

Maestas said he has a history of serving as a progressive reformer willing to expose government wrongdoing and push for change. As a Santa Fe city councilor, he said, he sought a special audit that revealed improper spending of proceeds from a 2008 bond issue for parks.

Im not afraid of making the tough decisions, Maestas said.

As auditor, he said, he would propose more stringent checks of the accuracy of financial disclosure forms submitted by elected officials to the Secretary of States Office.

Maestas also said he would strengthen oversight of guardianship and other legal arrangements used to handle the financial affairs of people without capacity to make their own decisions. He said his own mother is ill and requires around-the-clock care.

The state auditor has a solemn duty to protect the vulnerable, like senior citizens on fixed incomes, under guardianships, Maestas said.

Maestas grew up in Santa Cruz, just east of Espanola, and is the great-grandson of a signer of the New Mexico Constitution when New Mexico became a state in 1912.

Maestas was elected to the Public Regulation Commission last year, but the agency is moving to a system of appointed members.

The state auditor oversees annual examinations of the financial affairs and records of public agencies in New Mexico. The office has a staff of about 35 people, and the auditor draws a salary of $85,000 a year.

New Mexicos primary election is scheduled in June. Voters next year will decide statewide elected offices  including governor, attorney general and treasurer  and all 70 seats in the state House.
Instagram Celebrity

The 'Scream Queens' actress tries to keep her social media posts 'limited to books or fashion or vacations' as she's not too concerned about how many likes or followers she gets.

Aug 4, 2021

AceShowbiz - Emma Roberts is being selective with her social media posts but is celebrating a funny viral reaction to a recent video.

Roberts' 24 July (21) Instagram clip of herself at the beach - where she laughs, sticks her tongue out, and flips her hair - spiralled into a Twitter meme referencing a sentimental flashback video a tormented movie hero might have made about his now-dead wife.

She responded by thanking "gays and whoever else" made the video so popular.

The new mum, who gave birth to her first child Rhodes with boyfriend Garrett Hedlund in December (20), loves sharing elements of her life with her friends, family and fans on her social networking sites, but is mindful not to overshare.

"We live our whole lives online now," she told Bustle. "Sharing on social media has always been something that I've loved, but I always err on the lesser side because you can't take back anything you've shared online. Even when a post is taken down, it still lives somewhere."

When the "Scream Queens" star does post pictures, she focuses on the positive.

"I try to keep it limited to books or fashion or vacations. The internet can be such a dark and polarizing place, so my corner of the internet I try to keep lighthearted and fun, because that's what I like to see on Instagram."

She added she's not too concerned with how many followers she has online, "After the pandemic, I feel like I don't need fans, I need friends!"
Warner Bros. Pictures Movie

The 'Victor Frankenstein' actor would love to switch roles from Harry Potter to one of the Hogwarts teachers if the J.K. Rowling story is brought back to the big screen.

Aug 4, 2021

AceShowbiz - Daniel Radcliffe is keen to play Sirius Black or Professor Remus Lupin if the "Harry Potter" franchise is rebooted.

The 32-year-old actor shot to fame after playing the titular wizard in the movies based on J.K. Rowling's book series and revealed he would love to take on the characters portrayed by Gary Oldman and David Thewlis respectively.

Speaking during an appearance on Josh Horowitz's "Happy Sad Confused" podcast, Daniel said, "I would probably want to go with like, Sirius or Lupin."

"Those were always the two characters that I was like, 'They're great'. And also like, I'm obviously biased by my experience of filming those scenes, with those people, and they're like some of my favourite memories."

Daniel recently opened up about his fond recollections of filming with Oldman and Thewlis as they helped him "figure out what acting was."

The "Guns Akimbo" star said, "I have really, really fond memories of all my scenes with Gary Oldman and David Thewlis."

"They were some of the first scenes on the third and the fifth film where I started to feel like I was a young man who was just starting to figure out what acting was, and they were pretty cool people to be around."

The "Harry Potter" film franchise is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year but Daniel has no plans to mark the occasion as he is busy working.

He said last month, "I'm in the Dominican Republic at the moment filming and then I'm going to be busy, kind of working on bits and pieces until the end of the year."

"So yeah, I don't know. I'm sure there will be some sort of celebration but I don't know if we will be getting together or anything. I'm sorry if that's a bit of a disappointment to anyone."
WENN/Will Alexander Music

The 'Wash Us in the Blood' rapper will once again gather his devotees to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta one day before he releases his 10th studio album.

Aug 4, 2021

AceShowbiz - Kanye West has proven how much he is adored for his music. The "Wash Us in the Blood" rapper, who will host another listening party for his long-awaited album "Donda" at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, reportedly has sold out more than a half of the tickets in just one hour.

The second show, which is creative-directed by Demna Gvasalia, will be held on Thursday, August 5 at 9:00 P.M. EST. It will take place at the same 71,000-seat venue where the 44-year-old MC hosted the first "Donda" listening party.

Kanye himself confirmed the date on Instagram page. Fans can visit Ticketmaster.com to purchase the tickets, which have been up for sale since Monday, August 2 at 10:00 A.M. EST.

Kanye initially premiered "Donda" on July 22 to a sold-out crowd at the Atlanta stadium. Among those who attended the event was his estranged wife Kim Kardashian, their four children, North, Saint, Chicago and Psalm, as well as Kim's sister, Khloe Kardashian.

The billionaire "Gold Digger" spitter even resides at the stadium to finish his 10th studio album. He reportedly pays $1 million a day for his residency. A few days earlier, he gave fans a look at his small bedroom inside the venue, which only features one single bed, a flat-screen TV and a digital clock that were hanging on the walls as well as one small wardrobe with a few clothes.

"Donda" was previously slated to be released on Friday, July 23. However, social media star Justin LaBoy announced on Twitter that the release date was changed to August 6. "KANYE WEST WILL MOVE THE RELEASE DATE OF DONDA TO AUGUST 6TH. THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE. HE WANTS TO GIVE HIS FANS THE BEST POSSIBLE PRODUCT WITHOUT RUSHING ANYTHING. HE LOVES YALL WITH ALL OF HIS HEART. GOD BLESS #DONDA #RESPECTFULLY (sic)," so read the tweet.
WENN/Instar Celebrity

Detailing his arrest during a live stream, the 'Live Your Life' hitmaker reveals that the police officers didn't put him in handcuffs and they just 'opened the door and invited' him to the backseat.

Aug 4, 2021

AceShowbiz - Rapper T.I. was arrested following a bike incident that involved a police officer in Amsterdam. Detailing his arrest during a live stream, the "Live Your Life" hitmaker admitted that he had a "phenomenal time" when he was booked.

"So, I'm locked up now," the 40-year-old musician began his Instagram live session. He recalled the incident, "I'm obviously not supposed to have my phone as I'm biking, and because the policeman ran into me and broke his rear view [mirror], and because I didn't have my passport on me."

T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris Jr., continued his story, "I don't know, it'll be fine. But [the cop] was extremely upset." Keeping a positive attitude, the "Dead and Gone" spitter claimed, "I myself, I was having a great time. Still, I'm still not upset. I'm having a phenomenal time."

Of the reasons why he had "a phenomenal time," T.I. shared, "They arrested me, they didn't even put me in handcuffs." The three-time Grammy winner detailed, "They just opened the door and invited me to the backseat. I obliged."

T.I. also said that the police officers weren't letting him post a bond with a large amount of cash he showed to have on him. As a result, the rapper had to call someone to bail him out. "We're working on the buddy system out hereand I like," he explained before ending the Instagram live session.

According to TMZ, T.I. went on Instagram Live after being released and said that he wasn't mad that he got detained. During his live session, the Dave depicter in "Ant-Man" casually said that "everybody has a bad morning."

The "Kill the King" artist has been vacationing around Europe with his wife Tameka "Tiny" Harris as they celebrate their 11th anniversary. The happy couple must have stopped in Amsterdam while they're in Europe.
WENN/Avalon Celebrity

The Harley Quinn depicter in the DC Comic film who is also a global ambassador of Chanel, stuns in the luxury brand's Resort 2022 collection and a pair of By Far's Lotta leather sandals.

Aug 4, 2021

AceShowbiz - Margot Robbie is turning heads with her unique look at the "The Suicide Squad" premiere. When hitting the red carpet, the "Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn" actress stunned in a white quirky Chanel jumpsuit.

During the event, which took place at The Landmark Westwood in Los Angeles, California on Monday, August 2, the 31-year-old actress could be seen wearing a very unique, slightly confusing jumpsuit from the luxury brand's Resort 2022 collection. Her top had draped fabric that looped around the bodice and heart-shaped pearl accents and it was placed over a sheer white long-sleeved T-shirt.

The midsection also crisscrossed in the front and flowed into a bra top and two more strips of fabric to create a halter top. Margot, who is a global ambassador of Chanel, added the brand's logo-encrusted pendants on her top.

The outfit's baggy pants tapered off at the bottom of the leg and were decorated by a pearl belt. For her footwear, Margot slipped into a pair of By Far's Lotta sandals. The shoes featured white leather uppers, which coordinated with the rest of her ensemble and created a streamlined monochrome look.

To complete her look, the actress, who reprises her role as Harley Quinn in the standalone sequel to the 2016 film, added Chanel heart-shaped drop-earrings. For her makeup, she kept it simple with soft make-up to let her natural beauty shine through.

Other big names supporting the event included Taika Waititi, who walked the red carpet with his girlfriend, British pop star Rita Ora. "The Suicide Squad" cast member Joel Kinnaman could be seen walking hand-in-hand with his fiancee, supermodel Kelly Gale. The film's director James Gunn and star John Cena, who wore his Peacemaker costume, were also in attendance.

In a recent cover story for British Vogue published in June, Margot talked about how thankful she was to have scored a lead role in an action film. "Those scenes  where everything's exploding around you, and you make it just in time, those massive epic war hero runs? Those movie moments? Girls never get those. Girls never get those," so said "The Wolf of Wall Street" actress.

"The Suicide Squad" will be released this Friday, August 6, in theaters in the U.S. and on the HBO Max streaming platform.
WENN/Frederic Kern Movie

Giving first look at the 'Batman Begins' star as the movie villain, the new pictures from the set in Malibu see the actor completely unrecognizable under his full face prosthetic.

Aug 4, 2021

AceShowbiz - Christian Bale transformed into Gorr the God Butcher in new set pictures of "Thor: Love and Thunder". Taken during the filming of the upcoming Marvel movie, the photos give first look at the actor as the movie villain.

During the shooting in Malibu, California this week, the 47-year-old was seen for the first time in character. In the images obtained by Daily Mail, he was completely unrecognizable as he was going gray from head to toe.

Bale looked menacing underneath a silver ensemble while he sported a full face prosthetic. His exposed arms and hands were also painted gray as he tried to hide himself under a black robe when crossing the set.

Bale's transformation into Gorr the God Butcher is quite a surprise since it could be done with CGI during post-production. Still, other MCU characters such as Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista), Nebula (Karen Gillan) and Mantis (Pom Klementieff), who are all also set to return for the fourth "Thor" movie, also went with practical makeup during the shooting.

Gorr the God Butcher is an alien who hails from a planet afflicted by environmental calamities and whose prayers to the gods go unanswered. He first appeared in the January 2015 comic, "Thor: God of Thunder #2". The character suffered a crisis of faith after his whole family was killed due to the harsh conditions in his homeworld.

He eventually planned his revenge on the Gods by bonding with a weapon called All-Black the Necrosword which he used to kill his first God victim. In the comics, he encounters Thor and tortures him to reveal the location of the Asgardians.

"Thor: Love and Thunder" has shot its major portion in Sydney, Australia before Bale was spotted on the set in Malibu. It's unclear how long the production will continue in the states or how many scenes are left to be filmed.

In the upcoming movie, Chris Hemsworth will reprise his titular role as the God of Thunder, Natalie Portman returns as Jane Foster, who will become the superhero the Mighty Thor, and Tessa Thompson is back as Valkyrie. "Guardians of the Galaxy" stars Chris Pratt, Sean Gunn, Jeff Goldblum as well as Vin Diesel are also set to appear in the film.

Taika Waititi once again serves as director. Disney has announced February 11, 2022 as the release date of the movie.
WENN Celebrity

The 'X-Men: Apocalypse' actor and the 'Tomb Raider' actress, who confirmed they had officially tied the knot in October 2017, were first hit with pregnancy rumors last summer.

Aug 4, 2021

AceShowbiz - Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander may have quietly enjoyed their time as first-time parents during the lockdown. The couple sparked a speculation that they have welcomed their first child after the actor was seen with a baby, months after her pregnancy rumors.

On Monday, August 2, the Irish-German actor star was pictured cradling a baby while supporting his wife on the set of "Irma Vep" in Paris. In photos which have circulated online, he looked in good spirits as he walked around with the infant in his arms while watching Alicia working on the upcoming HBO series.

Michael was seen dressing casually in a pale brown T-shirt and gray pants teamed with matching gray sneakers. He was also seen wearing a black face mask at one point during the set visit. The baby in his arms, meanwhile, donned a white long-sleeve shirt and pale grey pants, but went barefoot.

Michael Fassbender was spotted with a baby on the set of his wife Alicia Vikander's upcoming series.

Alicia was also spotted on the set, albeit separately from her husband. The Swedish beauty was seen wrapping herself in a white robe with minimum makeup. Her hair was styled in waves and half updo as she also wore white slippers.

Michael's sighting with the baby came more than a year after the couple was first hit with pregnancy rumors stemming from their picture during their vacation in Ibiza last summer. Later the speculation was fuelled with the couple's outing in Stockholm, during which the 32-year-old actress was wearing a loose sweatshirt that could barely cover her increased waist. They, however, never announced that they're expecting a child.

Michael and Alicia have been notoriously private about their personal lives. Meeting on the set of "The Light Between Oceans", they began dating in December 2014. The two married in a private ceremony on October 14, 2017 in Ibiza, Spain. They have since kept a low-profile while residing in Lisbon, Portugal.
CHICO, Calif. - The Chico Unified School District will discuss its plans for masks in the fall on Wednesday.

For first-grade teacher and parent Katie Bailey, masking up for the fall semester is a no-brainer.

"Kids should be wearing masks because they are not vaccinated and everything that I have read the delta variant is affecting kids a lot more because they aren't vaccinated, said Bailey.

But for other parents, they think wearing a mask should not be required.

"I don't like them to wear a mask because I feel like they can't breathe and not seeing each other's face is sad, said parent Brenda Lomeli. Especially for a kid. They need to see a face to feel the love and the interaction."

Mixed reactions when it comes to students having to wear a mask in the classroom this fall semester.

Wednesday, Chico Unified plans to discuss further details on when outside of the classroom will masks be required.

For example, for when students are on the bus or in the cafeteria.

"The protocols will be discussed, said community relations for Chico Unified Erica Smith. A student or parent may provide medical release documents from a medical practitioner to be exempt from the face-covering requirement. What does that form look like and what does that process look like."

"I think it is healthier for my kids to breathe and they have a strong immune system, and I don't want to scare them in this, said parent Lisa Moore.

The educational services team for Chico Unified will provide board members with a presentation at its special meeting Wednesday to come up with a more concrete plan on how it will enforce the mask requirement.

The Chico Unified School Board meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Khabri, one of Indias leading vernacular audio platforms , announced that it has raised USD 2.1 million in a pre-series A funding round to strengthen its product and tech offerings aimed at empowering the next half a billion internet consumers.

Having spread its wings in the Hindi speaking markets, the future plans entail launching multiple languages like Tamil, Telugu ,Kannadda, etc in that order in coming two quarters.

Also, funds will be used in strengthening the tech capabilities, such as improving the recommendation and search engine for easing content discovery. For creators we would be focusing on easing content creation further by enhancing noise cancellation and volume normalization with ML techniques.

Speaking on the development, Pulkit Sharma - Co Founder & CEO of Khabri said, Around 850 million Indians, below the age of 35, are looking at financial stability. This is achievable via learning, upskilling, and upgrading in the language of their comfort. What better way to do it through a medium which is completely non-intrusive i.e. Audio. As a leading digital audio content platform in a local language, Khabri has been instrumental in creating an influencer-user ecosystem for Hindi language speakers, so far, aiming at adding multiple languages soon with the new influx of funds. Our app is playing a pivotal role in providing learners with more passive learning opportunities, and teachers to get a bigger outreach. Khabri users have also been enjoying seamless access to content even in the areas with weaker internet bandwidth.

Commenting on the same, Jared Heyman, Managing Partner of Rebel Fund, seed stage, Y Combinator-focused venture fund said. Were excited to be early investors in Khabri. My partner Steve Huffman, co-founder of Reddit, met with the Khabri founding team in March 2021 and noted how impressed he was with their early user traction, fast growth, and strong App Store ratings. We feel the company is poised for significant further growth and look forward to supporting it along the way.-

By honouring the audio aspect of content, the Khabri team removes the heavy time and expense tax creators pay for audio-visual content production, freeing creators to instead invest more deeply in their message and meaningful ongoing engagement with their listeners. Khabri's elimination of heavy production barriers -- combined with the team's deep expertise in content distribution and community-building -- means incredible access for both experienced and new creators from all over India, allowing creators and listeners the intimacy of connecting within and among vernaculars like never before. Khabri is today India's fastest-growing vernacular audio platform; given the team's commitment to serving the next billion internet users and excellence in supporting the diversity of hundreds of vernaculars in India, Khabri will soon be a driving force in helping communities connect with and learn from one another in vernaculars and countries around the world , Said Anya Hayden - General Partner, ANIM Fund (Backed by Founders Fund)

Shailesh Rao, an Advisor/Investor of Venture Highway and BigSpring (ex-Google/Twitter/TPG) also funded in Kabri. "I have been a big believer in the power of audio to expand access to digital services. And now I can say that I have found the team and the company that is delivering on that promise in Khabri. Pulkit and Sandeep are product-first founders who have built a vernacular first audio platform that gives all Indians access to a path to employment and a better quality of life by focusing on skill development and access to jobs." he commented

Pioneer Fund has also funded the Khabri, Pioneer Fund is a fund of 225+ Y Combinator alumni working together to invest in and support the top YC startups. Their portfolio has gone on to raise from the top VCs in the world, including Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia, Accel, Founders Fund, and many others.

In Tier-II and-III cities of India, there are millions of ambitious youths who aspire to achieve greater career heights. Thus, this has been a major goal for Khabri since its founding, to offer better learning opportunities to deserving youngsters. The app has been providing millions of users with podcasting experiences on their mobile devices. With close to 4Mn downloads,, thousands of influencers are taking to the platform to create content for their audiences in the Hindi language.

Recently, the leading Hindi language podcasting platform also launched over 40 audio courses in Hindi for aspirants who are preparing for government job exams.
Leo Burnett India announces a slew of new hires to strengthen its strategic planning team with 2 new appointments in Mumbai  Mittu Torka as Executive Vice President  Strategy and Bonnie Michael as Executive Vice President  Strategy and elevates Ankit Singh as Executive Vice President  Strategy in Delhi.

Bonnie joins Burnett as Executive Vice President- Strategy. With almost 2 decades of experience across FMCG, finance, technology, auto and hospitality. Bonnie specializes in providing strategic solutions to brands and organizations, and helping them engage with their audience, to improve their customer experience in an effective manner.

Mittu who joins Leo Burnett as Executive Vice President  Strategy brings in valuable perspective having worked in markets across India and Southeast Asia. Her experience ranges from online platform development, customer lifecycle management to crafting brand narratives and go-to-market strategies. She has worked on marquee brands like Samsung (Global), Coca Cola, Guinness, Huawei (South Pacific), OLX, General Mills and Mead Johnson over the course of her career. Mittu also has her own entrepreneurial venture - Mannmitr a mental health platform which she hopes to build further.

Ankit has been with Leo Burnett since the past years and has over the years successfully built brands, high-performance teams and businesses for the agency. He has been instrumental in leading the agencys Delhi strategy team and integral to the multi-fold growth we have seen in our Delhi office, in the last 3 years.

Speaking about the appointments Dheeraj Sinha CEO & Chief Strategy Officer  South Asia, Leo Burnett said, At Leo Burnett India strategy has always been core to building success for clients businesses. This is also a testimony to the success of our Leo Burnett Consult offering which has already completed several projects within a year of its launch. Our new age thinking, and growth trajectory has always attracted the top talent from the industry. Mittu and Bonnie both come with valuable knowledge and experience having worked across diverse sectors and some of the best-in-class brands. Their addition to the planning team will only help us sharpen our thinking and output on our businesses.

Ankit has been a valuable part of the Leo Burnett planning team and this promotion is not only well deserved but also a testament to our commitment to nurture homegrown talent. I am looking forward to seeing how each of these talented planners are going to create magic for our clients.
Chicnutrix, an innovative nutrition supplements company to bring world class supplements to India inks fashion designer and actor Masaba Gupta as its first ever brand ambassador. Masaba will be spearheading several initiatives for the brand in the space of health, wellness and nutrition.

Its vision is to create the finest women beauty and health nutrition venture from India. Chicnutrix has been delivering beauty and health, inside out, with a touch of science for the glamour quotient. The start-up is taking healthcare beyond the traditional drugs, excavating the hidden molecular gems from all that mother earth has to offer. Chicnutrix persistently strives to translate this science to resolve the practical issues of our modern-day lifestyle.

GAMEXX Awards 2021 Stakeholders to share their learning & experiences on the gaming industry in India... - Thursday, August 12, 2021 - REGISTER NOW

Commenting on the collaboration, Designer-actress Masaba Gupta said, I have always felt that there is a need to take care of oneself from a very holistic approach, whether it is wellness, beauty, nutrition or overall related health. Vibing with our proud stories of womanhood, I am elated to join Chicnutrix as their first ever brand ambassador. I swear by something which is science backed nutrition with premium ingredients and that is exactly what Chicnutrix brings to the table. It is a start to a very interesting journey, and I am looking forward to take this common goal of forming good habits help achieve good health inside-out.

Speaking on the development, Ms. Shilpa Khanna Thakkar, CEO at Chicnutrix said, With immense pleasure, we welcome Masaba to our Chic Tribe. She is someone who is unabashedly unique, unarguably fearless, undeniably original and most importantly unquestionably inspiring. As a woman who has disputed all the 'so called' norms of normal to create a global brand name for herself is truly an incredible feat. It feels great to associate with an authentic voice who resonates so well with the brand. Her transformation over the years has been truly inspirational to many across the globe. With this association, we aim to amplify brand awareness across urban and rural markets to create many more captivating stories fuelled by pure, clinically proven and convenient nutrition.

Within 2 years of brand launch, Chicnutrix has serviced more than 2970 pin codes within India and has presence in 6 countries around the globe. It started from beauty nutrition and is now exemplifying beauty and nutrition supplement by its expansion towards women wellness.
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

Bern, 04.08.2021 - On his trip to South East Asia, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis met the president and several ministers for talks in Vientiane on 3 and 4 August 2021. During his visit, Mr Cassis signed a framework cooperation agreement on development cooperation. The SDC will launch its new four-year cooperation programme in Laos next year. Mr Cassis also visited a quarantine camp for migrants, which Switzerland is supporting financially alongside the Swiss Red Cross and the World Food Programme.

This is the first bilateral visit of a Swiss foreign minister to Laos. Switzerland has maintained diplomatic relations with Laos since 1963 and has been involved in development cooperation there since 1995. Switzerland's long-standing development cooperation work was the key topic of Mr Cassis's meeting in Vientiane with Lao's deputy prime minister and minister of planning and investment, Sonexay Siphandone. The deputy prime minister thanked Switzerland for its long-standing commitment as well as for its disaster relief efforts following the devastating dam collapse in 2018.

Cooperation for balanced economic and social development

At their meeting, the two men signed a bilateral framework cooperation agreement that aims to deepen cooperation on employment and vocational education and training, agriculture and food security, the impact of climate change, improving local governance and citizen participation, and humanitarian aid in Laos. The agreement establishes a legal framework for the implementation of cooperation measures. In signing it, both partners commit to respecting democratic principles and fundamental rights, the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement on climate change. "I am convinced that with this agreement Switzerland can contribute to balanced economic and social progress in Laos," Mr Cassis said after signing the agreement.

Switzerland is the eighth-largest bilateral donor to Laos, and opened a cooperation office in Vientiane in 2006. Since then, it has invested more than CHF 100 million in bilateral development projects in Laos. The SDC's new four-year cooperation programme for the period 202225, which is worth over CHF 60 million, is based on Switzerland's International Cooperation Strategy 202124.

Mr Cassis also inaugurated a new consular agency in Vientiane in the presence of representatives of the Swiss community. This agency will strengthen consular services for Swiss nationals in Laos as well as for the more than 8,000 Swiss tourists who visit the country every year.

Humanitarian support during the COVID-19 pandemic

While in Vientiane, Mr Cassis also met President Thongloun Sisoulith and Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith. Their discussions focused on the COVID-19 pandemic and its long-term socio-economic implications. Mr Cassis also visited a quarantine camp where workers returning from Thailand are required to enter a 14-day quarantine to protect against the spread of the virus. Mr Cassis announced that Switzerland would increase its contribution for food and hygiene articles at the camp to CHF 1.25 million. Switzerland is thus providing a total of around CHF 6 million to support the country in dealing with the consequences of the pandemic.

Under the chairmanship of Laos, Switzerland became a member of the group of 51 Asian and European states. ASEM was established in 1996 as an informal platform for dialogue to promote political, economic, social, and cultural cooperation between Asia and Europe.

Following visits to Thailand and Laos, Mr Cassis travels to Vietnam today for a two-day visit.

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The American Farm Bureau Federations Market Intel is publishing a two-part series to highlight the agricultural losses that occurred in 2020 
FARGO, N.D.  A lot of money has been floating around following the 2020 pandemic, and its up to farmers and the ag community to use those do
As a journalist, I know the importance of a good government watchdog. Government should be by the people and for the people, and having a free press  the fourth estate  constantly watching those in power and keeping them honest is important.

Since President Biden signed an executive order on conservation in January, theres been a lot of backlash and a lot of talk about a land grab. Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts embarked on a statewide tour to caution his constituents of this radical plan.

Bidens order sets a goal of conserving 30% of the nations land and water by 2030, hence its popular name, the 30x30 plan. It doesnt lay out any real details on how that will happen. Conserving 30% of our nations landscape would equate to 729 million acres or another 437 million acres that isnt already protected. Its an area a little less than nine times the size of South Dakota.

Thats no small parcel. And those in agriculture, who make their living from the land certainly should take note, keeping a close eye on what it will mean for their property.

But the 30x30 plan does not equate to a land grab, according to area experts who take a more reasoned approach than some heads of state.

More likely, it will look like more funding for conservation programs that already exist and adding new ones. The feds have assured their approach is about voluntary efforts and local decision making.

A paper from the federal departments of agriculture, interior and commerce laid out a few more details on the nations first conservation goals this spring. It talked about access to natural areas for people and wildlife. Those wildlife coridoors are where the government could look to acquire land, according to Dave Aiken, Professor and Water and Agricultural Law Specialist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, talking in a webinar last week. Ultimately the government will respect private property rights, he said, basically because they have to.
Just when they thought the condition of the Ahwatukee Lakes Golf Course couldnt get any wor
Gordon Hardy, 5, had been hospitalized since November with bone cancer and as his treatment neared the end, the youngster got a surprise visit from Riley, one of Banner Healths many volunteer pet therapy dogs.
State health director Dr. Cara Christ, who recommends that kids and adults wear masks on campuses, announced last week she is leaving her position at the end of this month to become chief medical officer for Blue Cross Arizona.
Erik Jessen has spent the last 11 years teaching digital arts and media communication at Sowela Technical Community College. He said the magic of the job still comes from working directly with students.That student-teacher connection was not only disrupted last year by COVID-19, but by the d
NEW ORLEANS (AP)  Oil companies fighting dozens of lawsuits that blame drilling for decades of coastal erosion and wetland loss in Louisiana are pleased with a new appeals court ruling that could lead to some of the cases being heard in federal court.
Its amazing how many people are trying to tear down present glories in the name of a past none of them have any interest in going back to. Bringing this to mind is the underreported story of the Canadian church burnings, acts inspired by the claim that Christian-run residential schools abused, brutalized, and murdered Canadian Indian children.

I investigated this story recently, and it wont surprise many readers that the Enemedia have completely misrepresented it. And while I covered it here and will have a long magazine essay on the topic go to print this week, the shorter version is this: Insofar as Indian children were forcibly taken to the schools, it was the result of Canadian government policy; many (in fact most, it appears) Indian parents of school pupils wanted their children to attend; and some ex-students describe their years at the institutions as their lives best.

Furthermore, the media provocatively speak of residential schools' mass child graves. But these sites are merely quite typical church cemeteries, and it appears that, at least in some cases, people of all kinds from the local communities were buried therein. But, hey, the Enemedia cant be bothered with the facts. What I want to address today, however, is something even the churches/schools defenders dont say.

A central charge made against the churches/schools and the government is that they aimed to stamp out Indian culture. In point of fact, John A. Macdonald, Canadas first prime minister  and a main residential school system author  was a benefactor to the Indians and called many of them his friends. Admittedly, though, he did consider their culture doomed to extinction and thus believed they needed to be westernized to survive as individuals. Horrible, isnt it?

Only, he was right.

And Indian culture is, largely, extinct  by the Indians own choice.

Heres reality: We all enjoy the wonders of Western culture, from modern conveniences to human rights. Virtually all of us love our refrigeration, indoor plumbing, heat, air conditioning, cars, and computers, not to mention a multitude of other luxuries. We all want most of what modern science offers, such as advanced health care (we want it so much, in fact, that many demand it be free). As with everyone else, all responsible Indians want their children educated in the Western sense (the pre-European Indians didnt have the written word). In other words, American Indians today dont want to live as their antebellum ancestors did any more than Id embrace my pre-Roman, European forebears lifestyle.

Its also true that virtually everyone has ancestors whose culture, at some point, was extinguished by someone else (e.g., Europes many medieval tribes  such as the Vandals, Goths, Marcomanni, Quadi, and Galatians  were subsumed by others). Should we go on about how these peoples, whose times and tribes we wouldnt return to if we could, were culturally extinguished while we sip our cafe latte and compose angry missives on the computer?

Yet this is analogous to what too many indigenous (and other) activists do today. It much reminds me of an episode of the old Sanford and Son, one in which the son character, Lamont, decides to embrace his African roots. So he dons a dashiki and takes a couple of Nigerian friends  one of whom finally gives him a stern lecture (amusing video below) about how his Africanism is all superficial, style, and no substance.

Lamont was posing, but no more than many indigenous and other activists do. Its easy to grow your hair long as did Indian ethnic studies professor Ward Churchill (who, it turned out, didnt even have Indian blood) or adopt African names as did Ibram X. Kendi (of The only remedy to past discrimination is present discrimination fame), as he uses the millions he makes race hustling and attacking America to finance his opulent American lifestyle. Its also easy getting in a 16-year-olds face and banging a drum  as Indian activist agitator Nathan Phillips did in 2019 with the Covington kids  while chanting gibberish (actually learning your ancestors language would be too much, I guess).

YouTube screengrab

Of course, most of us find our remote ancestors lifestyles intriguing and perhaps even somewhat romantic; I myself am a fan of the Middle Ages and wouldnt mind going back to that period for a day. But Id want to return to our time, and I dont lament that the Romans, Charlemagne and, perhaps, others might have extinguished some of my forebearers culture.

This said, if youre shattered because the Romans  or the British, French, or early American settlers  made your ancestors culture history, then go native. Knock yourself out. But show you mean it: Enter the wilderness with a band of fellow travelers wearing a loincloth or animal skins, carrying only bronze or stone tools, depending on whom your ancestors were, and carve a life out of the forest. Best of luck to you.

As for me, the Alaskan Indian below (hilarious 90-second video follows) is my kind of guy.

Ill also point out that leftists love affair with the indigenous is highly selective and becomes a hate-fest when those indigenous happen to be European; in fact, its as if were to believe Europe doesnt even have indigenous people. Exemplifying this attitude was Social Democrat politician Mona Sahlin, who said in 2001 in reference to the Mideastern Muslim (im)migration transforming her country that the Swedes must be integrated into the new Sweden; the old Sweden is never coming back.

Note that far from evoking outrage and Sahlins cancellation, her attitude is trumpeted as multiculturalist progress. And whats befalling the Swedes isnt called cultural genocide, but nation-strengthening Diversity.

The bottom line is that we have a civilization here, now, today. If its worth preserving  and it has given us lifestyle and law unprecedented in history  then we should robustly defend its institutions and traditions. Tearing it down in deference to a false noble-savage fantasy that wed never actually want as reality is, frankly, stupid.

The kicker is that too many of todays indigenous activists not only dont want to truly go native; they actually want to swap our system for another European-born one: socialism. So they dont really want to dispense with the West  they just want the worst it has to offer.

Contact Selwyn Duke, follow him on Gab or Parler or log on to SelwynDuke.com.

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Update:

The New York Times reports:

Due to the new spread of the Delta variant over the past week, the President and Mrs. Obama have decided to significantly scale back the event to include only family and close friends, Hannah Hankins, a spokeswoman for the former president, said in a statement Wednesday morning. Hes appreciative of others sending their birthday wishes from afar and looks forward to seeing people soon.

The Delta variant is not news. But the cascade of criticism the Obamas experienced is news.

Forget about the violation of COVID protocols  those are a passing fancy on the left. Barack Obama's sixtieth birthday bash this coming weekend threatens to violate just about every progressive virtue the Obamas and their woke pals have ever signaled.

Officially, Obama's birthday falls on August 4. As I will explain, that may not be the real date, but the "optics" problem facing Barry and his bourgeois buddies is a more pressing one.

As planned, some 475 invited guests and at least 200 worker bees will swarm the Obamas' waterfront estate on Martha's Vineyard, a tony little island off the coast of Massachusetts. In addition to their vax cards, I suspect the worker bees and even the guests will have to show a photo ID. Apparently, birthday invites are more vulnerable than ballots in Obama world.

On a side note, rumor has it that the ever-cautious Georgia congressman, Hank Johnson, passed on the invite for fear that the whole island would become so overly populated that it would tip over and capsize.

Among the invited guests are George Clooney, Steven Spielberg, and Oprah. I could be wrong, but my guess is that these and the Obamas' other jet-setting friends are not going to fly commercial.

The Obamas bought this nearly 7,000-square-foot waterfront home in the fall of 2019. They paid nearly $12 million for their new digs. No big deal. They had pocketed a reported $65 million advance for their respective memoirs from Penguin Random House.

In his 2020 memoir A Promised Land, Obama worries that he did not do enough to deal with "America's escalating inequality." He wonders if he should have tried "to exact more economic pain" on corporate America in the hope of creating a more just economic order.

"The thought nags at me," insists Scrooge McWoke. That thought might have nagged a little less if Obama had bought a three-bedroom cottage on Lake Michigan and spread the wealth around, but then again, how do you entertain 475 people in a three-bedroom cottage? What if it rains?

Back at Martha's Vineyard, Obama and his guests will enjoy a glorious view of a barrier beach and the ocean beyond. This view might have soothed the troubled soul of the ordinary nouveau riche, but it had to nag Obama even more than his anxieties about inequality.

What's weird, given his beachfront property, is that in his new memoir Obama is downright paranoid about climate change. He writes:

By the time I was running for president, the clear consensus among scientists was that in the absence of bold, coordinated international action to reduce emissions, global temperatures were destined to climb another two degrees Celsius within a few decades. Past that point, the planet could experience an acceleration of melting ice caps, rising oceans, and extreme weather from which there was no return.

If we are to take Obama at his word, his anxieties make Hank Johnson's seem sensible. "Reading the literature," writes Obama, "I pictured caravans of lost souls wandering a cracked earth in search of arable land, regular Katrina-sized catastrophes across every continent, island nations swallowed up by the sea."

Apparently, the fear of islands being swallowed up did not worry him enough to relocate to his imagined Kansas homeland. "Geez, he really did stop the oceans," wrote one wry blogger in a headline Obama totally deserved.

Now wallowing in F-you money, Obama can afford to ditch his beliefs, such as they are or seem to be. After all, a man turns 60 only once. Or does he? In my deep dive into Obama's past for my new book, Barack Obama's Promised Land: Deplorables Need Not Apply, I came to the conclusion that Obama may have actually turned 60 several months ago.

What I discovered is that Obama's three-year resistance to producing his birth certificate was no casual thing. To fight off curious litigants, Obama hired the big guns at the Dems' go-to, Deep State law firm, Perkins Coie.

The evidence strongly suggests that Obama was trying to conceal not the where of his birth, but the when. It seems highly likely that when his grandparents abruptly pulled up stakes in the summer of 1960 and moved from Seattle to Hawaii, Obama's mother Ann Dunham was already pregnant by a Black man.

Until the time he ran for president in 2007, Obama may have believed the origins story he had been fed since childhood. That story that would get him elected only if preserved. In David Axelrod, Obama had the best dumpster-diver in the business. As in any campaign, Axelrod would have dug up the dirt on his own candidate before the opponents did.

Beyond caring about appearances  the birthday party makes that clear  Obama no longer has a need for his presumed "father" or his living African relatives. They have felt the sting. The best man at Obamas' wedding, Malik Obama, voted for Donald Trump in 2016. Don't expect to see him or the other kin at the bash.

In 2011, embarrassed by Donald Trump's prodding, Obama commissioned the Perkins Coie attorneys to produce a birth certificate. Five years later, they outdid themselves. They produced the Steele dossier.

Jack Cashill's new book, Barack Obama's Promised Land: Deplorables Need Not Apply, is now available wherever you buy books.

Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.

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America Second. Thats the current administrations goal. Almost immediately once President Biden was in office, crude oil and retail gasoline pricing went through the roof. In a blatant, reckless, unthinking cave to the environmental/green lobby, the new administration canceled the Keystone XL pipeline, forfeiting thousands of good-paying, permanent union jobs in favor of enhancing their woke credentials in the eyes of radical progressives and the leftist media. Then they withdrew permission to explore for oil in Alaskas ANWR region and canceled several exploratory licenses on federal lands. Biden also rejoined the meaningless Paris Accords, further demonstrating that the new government is not interested in pursuing an energy independence policy that actually benefits America.

Along with canceling the fossil fuel industry as the very embodiment of anti-woke capitalistic conservatism, the administration wants to cancel or rescind any policy, legislation, or Executive Order put in place by President Trump, simply because it was done by President Trump. Evaluating the actual efficacy of the Trump-era measure is not the goal; doing away with anything positive -- as quickly as possible -- that could accrue to President Trumps credit in the voting publics mind is the real aim.

It's the whole notion of private companies run by conservative white men making billions of dollars in profits in the open marketplace that really gets the progressives goat. They need to knock them down. The Kerrys, Obamas, and Pelosis of the world fly on their petroleum-fueled private jets, stay in opulent, wasteful five-star locales, and spew empty, duplicitous platitudes. They dont care about the environment. They only care about sabotaging conservatives. Thats what this is all about.

However, the actual result of this administrations anti-oil actions has been a devastating rise in all things even remotely connected to the fossil fuel industry. Obviously, gasoline has risen from the low $2.00/gallon range when President Trump left office to well over $3.00/gallon today, and its still rising. Heating oil and natural gas have experienced similar increases. A rise in gas, heating oil, and natural gas affects the lower-income segment most because energy costs represent a higher percentage of their household expenses and such purchases are not discretionary. So much for progressive compassion for the underprivileged.

Of course, rising fossil fuel costs negatively affect every aspect of the economy. Transportation costs are higher for every single category of consumer goods, commercial supplies, and manufacturing raw materials. Retail and wholesale customers alike are paying more for everything, because it costs more to get the goods to their destination. Airline travel -- just starting to recover a bit from COVID-induced lockdowns -- is now hit with dramatically higher fuel costs, which then have to be passed along to the passengers.

But why have oil prices risen so dramatically? We hadnt yet gotten Drop One from ANWR, so its not like an existing supply was cut off. Likewise, the Keystone XL pipeline hadnt been built, so the Canadian crude that would flow faster and more cheaply to American Gulf refineries was a future occurrence, not a present one. Again, the existing supply wasnt affected.

The answer is buyer psychology.

When events influence the mindset and expectation of a given markets customers, then prices will be affected accordingly. In the case of the oil market, the Biden administration is giving off signals that the U.S. will be producing less oil in the future. So even though the existing supply is unaffected, the market presumes there will be less supply at some indeterminate point down the line. Therefore, pricing rises today in anticipation of a possible future shortfall. The opposite is also true: when a country actively explores for oil and discovers new reserves, the market reacts with lower pricing, since buyers are reassured that new supplies will be forthcoming and steady.

There is another aspect of buyer psychology at work here too: Even if that newly discovered oil reserve hasnt yet made it to the market, just the knowledge that its coming will influence current suppliers to keep pricing low in an effort to retain their existing customers.

Heres a good analogy, one that actually occurs in the real world. There is a good local building supply house with many significant construction company customers in their area. They are the go-to building materials supplier.

A major national company, say Home Depot, announces that they will enter that market two years from now with their big wholesale materials department, ready to supply all the local construction companies. Just that announcement alone is enough to cause the local building supplier to sharpen their prices and redouble their efforts to better service their existing customers. The local supplier will do anything and everything they can to retain their customers in the face of new (albeit future) competition.

OPEC and the other big foreign producers would do the same (theyd sharpen their prices and increase their production) if they knew that big future U.S. oil supply was definitely coming -- even if a few years off -- and that the new U.S. production might very well elbow them out of some of their biggest customers. But they would do the opposite if they know that future U.S. production will be curtailed.

Do the progressives understand how market forces and buyer psychology works on a worldwide trading level? Since no one in the administration or any top Democrat party politician in either House has any top-tier real-world business experience whatsoever, its actually likely that they just dont understand how any of this works.

The far more frightening possibility is that the progressives do in fact understand how markets work but are so intent on damaging Trump-supporting billionaire conservative white men and pushing their progressive woke agenda that they just dont care that middle-class Joe the Plumber has to shell out $180 more per month in gasoline and heating oil and now cant afford high-speed Internet access for his stay-at-home community college daughter.

Welcome to the America Second Agenda.

Image: Flappiefh

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A manufactured panic over the January 6 rally has provided Biden and his flunkies with an excuse to attack the U.S. military. The Biden administration has implemented an effort to root out political "extremism" in the military in order to work toward a military with more 'diversity, equity, and inclusion', despite little evidence of any such extremists actually operating within the ranks:

"But a large majority of those charged have no known connections to established extremist groups... Experts say there's little evidence that current or former members of the military are more susceptible to radicalization than the general population. Still, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has called combating extremism in the ranks a top priority."

So let's examine what Austin has done. As head of the Department of Defense (DoD), Austin created the Countering Extremism Working Group (CEWG). However, the potential unintended consequences of its anti-extremism effort could harm recruiting if religious Americans or those on the political right feel unwelcome in the military ranks. The DoD's definition of extremism is so broad and imprecise that some retired officers and military analysts fear it could inadvertently include traditional Catholics, Republicans, and people who aren't racist or violent but simply choose conservative, pro-life politics. For example, DoD considers "'patriot' extremism" to include any non-extreme position, such as conservative views, religious teachings such as those against abortion or LGBTQ lifestyles, and failure to actively support gay rights demonstrations or mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations. They are therefore legitimate targets for the CEWG.

Further, as a Revolver article says, if one accepts the DoD's 'diversity, equity, and inclusion' policy as a matter of national security, any conviction that doesn't agree with Biden's (or Austin's) perspective of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the military can be considered a national security threat. Thus all policies and personnel that supported Donald Trump's border wall, illegal alien deportations, DACA criticism, the military's transgender ban, and military bases named after Confederate generals can be considered an extremist and a threat to national security. The CEWG is a mechanism for eliminating in the military anything or anybody Biden (or more likely his flunky Austin) doesn't like.

Let's look further into the CEWG. "The CEWG will be led by Mr. Bishop Garrison, Senior Advisor on Human Capital and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion." Just who is Bishop Garrison? He is a 2002 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the College of William and Mary Law School, and the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership's Political Leaders Program at the University of Virginia. He earned two Bronze Stars, a Combat Action Badge, and a Meritorious Service Medal. He is also an Operation Iraqi Freedom Army veteran. Garrison was a member of the Obama 2012 Re-election Campaign, the Obama Administration's National Security Leadership Workshop as well as Advisor to the Science and Technology Directorate at the Department of Homeland Security. He served as the Deputy Foreign Policy Adviser on the Presidential campaign of Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton. His Democrat credentials are impeccably well established. And he was appointed by Austin.

Garrison's West Point major was Pre-Law. He holds a J.D. as well as a Political Leaders Program certificate. I found nothing that qualifies him to be a Senior Advisor on Human Capital and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Perhaps his study of law qualifies him.

Garrison, in July 2018, wrote: "America again finds itself at the precipice: what nation do we want to be? What world do we want to live in? This is no longer some metaphysical hypothetical meant to test the limits of our philosophical thinking. It's a real and tangible question. Our history is plagued with ugly, vicious truth. Our past is troubled by violence and hatred. But our evolution has always been a bout our struggle towards a more perfect union, our effort to be something greater holistically than we have been historically. Today, however, America is renouncing its position as the world leader. We're relinquishing the long-fought diplomatic collateral that has defined our security and western world stability since World War II. If we allow this digital black plague to spread further, the shining city on the hill will undoubtedly find itself alone in the darkness for years to come."

This passage provides Garrison's view of this country, especially the final three sentences. But that isn't the worst of it. Garrison, in July 2019, tweeted that "...any supporter of former President Donald Trump unequivocally supports extremism and racism. Support for him, a racist, is support for ALL his beliefs. ...He's dragging a lot of bad actors (misogynists, extremists, other racists) out into the light, normalizing their actions. If you support the President, you support that... There is no room for nuance with this. There is no more 'but Im not like that' talk."

Says Revolver: "This isn't just some random case of Trump Derangement Syndrome on Twitter. As the new head of the U.S. military's 'Countering Extremism' task force, this critical race theory loving, Trump Derangement Syndrome suffering, fake news spreading, 100% partisan hack is the man who will now separate permissible 'opinion' from purgeable 'extremism' at the Pentagon ...[.]"

Fox News host Pete Hegseth said this about Bishop Garrison: "This is not the woke military stuff you have been hearing about. This is not extremism stand down or a social justice reading list or even a foolish CIA recruitment video we have all seen by now. This is worse. This is way worse. This, my friends, is a purge. A purge of the Defense Department led by a new and now powerful radical leftist. A 1619 project activist [he defended it against criticisms from historians, called their assessment extremism, racist policies, and white supremacy existential threats to the nation], a hard-core social justice Democrat. A man who believes all, all Trump supporters are racist and extremists. And what must we do to racists? We must define them and then we must purge them."

Are Garrison and CEWG needed? No! Of the 222,000 men and women in the Marine Corps, it discharged four members last year for extremist activity. American Defense News managing editor Paul Crespo had this to say: "To date [22 April], despite the massive ideological witch hunt and outrageous, fact-free partisan allegations, less than a handful of active military members have been identified as having any real 'extremist' affiliations, out of nearly one and a half million serving today."

DoD spokeswoman Lisa Lawrence said, "The Department is focused on addressing the corrosive and potentially dangerous behavior that can be inspired by extremist ideology -- behavior that harms good order and discipline and our readiness." But the DoD has yet to provide (if it can) any data to show where even one extremist threat exists in our military, or how it is harming 'good order and discipline and our readiness.'

Image: Pixabay

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One of the biggest proponents behind the vaccine mania has been the health establishment.

Why? Is it to protect public health from a deadly virus? How can that be the case when the mortality rate is relatively low for the Wuhan flu.

After all, the average (IFR) death rate of COVID is a mere 0.26% of those infected (this is the stat that the media consistently and deliberately refuses to mention in public). This means that 99.7% of the public is in no danger from COVID whether they are vaccinated or not.

The answer for the vaccine push has many facets and here I'll focus on just one -- Big Pharma. The pharmaceutical industry is a central part of the health establishment. It's the tail that wags that dog. Not surprisingly, it comes down to money. Last week, it was reported that pharmaceutical giants are raking in the money with the sale of their novel and inadequately tested COVID-19 vaccines. Pfizer expects to earn $33.5 billion in 2021. J&J estimates its full-year COVID-19 vaccine sales to be $2.5 billion while Moderna forecasts $19.2 billion. This is big money.

Pfizer has said it believes a third 'booster' dose of its vaccine will be needed in the future, which you help it bring in more sales in 2022. The company said it would file on July 28 for an emergency use authorization for a potential booster as early as August.

The Wuhan flu is proving to be a money tree for Big Pharma. As they keep shaking it, dollars fall into their lap.

Now a 'delta' variant has emerged. Will there soon be an epsilon variant and then a zeta one? Why not? We all know viruses naturally mutate. Where will it end, at an omega variant? Come hell or high water, you can be sure Big Pharma will be pushing its products. Corporate bonuses and the value of stock options are at stake.

Big Pharma has the muscle to push its vaccines. When it comes to lobbying money spent in 2021, the Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America group ranks number three nationally. Interestingly, the fourth, fifth, and sixth positions are also members of the health establishment. These are the American Hospital Association, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and the American Medical Association, respectively. Pfizer by itself is number 15. This is power to make their voices heard. And Big Pharma does more than just use its money to buy politicians to do its bidding. It calls the tune much of the media dances to through advertising dollars.

Here is what Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. wrote in the forward of The Truth About COVID-19 by Dr. Joseph Mercola and Ronnie Cummings.

Big Pharma's $9.6 billion annual advertising budget gives these unscrupulous companies control over our news and television outlets. Strong economic drivers (pharmaceutical companies are the biggest network advertisers) have long discouraged mainstream media outlets from criticizing vaccines manufacturers. In 2014, [Fox] network president, Roger Ailes, told me he would fire any of his new show hosts who allowed me to talk about vaccine safety on air. "Our news division," he explained, "gets up to 70% of its ad revenue from pharma in non-election years.

So in conjunction with the censorship by Silicon Valley giants like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, Big Pharma is manipulating the public to accepting the party line on vaccines. That message says the vaccines are both safe and effective. Neither claim has yet to be proven.

Image: Mike Licht

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A series of graphs compiled by Twitter user @holmenkollin (Corona Realism) document that "the most-vaccinated countries in the world are experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases, while the least-vaccinated countries are not."

Iceland, Gibraltar, Malta, and Cyprus, for example, have vaccination rates of 9098% and are experiencing surging virus cases. European countries with high vaccination rates are experiencing increasing infection rates, while those graphs show minimal infection rates among the countries with the lowest vaccination rates.

In Israel, where COVID cases are spiking despite a vaccination rate of 80%, the government is launching a campaign to inoculate its population with a third jab. The vaccines' effectiveness may very well be wearing off after a few months, but doubling down on booster shots may prove counterproductive if something else is at work.

Some doctors have been warning that vaccine-induced antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) may contribute to long-term adverse effects that would begin to manifest themselves 312 months after vaccination. That prediction is based upon animal studies over recent years from SARS-CoV vaccine trials, where the vaccinated animals became extremely sick after being exposed to coronaviruses later, in the wild. ADE is based upon the idea that the antibodies generated from the vaccines are "suboptimal" compared to those produced from natural immunity and that ADE subsequently enhances viral infection and replication in the body's host cells. Various government-funded studies relating to ADE document the historical difficulties of developing vaccines and therapies for COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases. It remains an open question whether or not the mRNA vaccines will react, or are starting to react, in a similar fashion on humans.

Natural immunity is given short shrift by the CDC; we have no idea how many Americans carry antibodies from previous infections, either symptomatic or not. A Wall Street Journal article titled "Maybe With Delta the CDC Will Learn to Count" reports that "92% of Brits now show evidence of antibodies."

Britain has seen its Delta surge wane rather quickly. And unlike the U.S., it is not flopping around in the half-dark about what's going on. Thanks to biweekly blood-sample surveys, the U.K. government knows how many people have antibodies from vaccination and/or infection. Thanks to surveys and modeling it also has a good idea how many are currently infected, invariably a multiple of those who get a positive test.

Joe Biden says that "in all probability," we can look forward to more guidelines and restrictions. Unless the government and the CDC start treating the American people with more honesty and transparency, they may discover that the reservoir of goodwill the country displayed during last year's lockdowns has been greatly depleted.

Image: Our World in Data.

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There are two kinds of viruses that most people know about: computer and biological. There is a third kind that we are beginning to understand more fully than ever before. It is cultural and political. It is leftism.

All three viruses work on the same principle. They hijack the host. Computer viruses work their way into the programming software. Biological viruses (such as the China Virus) insert their genes into the genetic code of the host cell. In both cases, they use the host to create more viruses, and eventually, in the worst case, to so overwhelm the host's normal functions that it expends all its energy on creating more viruses until the host can no longer function at all. It dies. Thereafter, some of the viruses may go into a sort of hibernation, until they are inserted into a new victim.

In the case of a society, a small number of people insert themselves into a nation's institutions. They then begin subverting those institutions, not to serve the needs of productive citizens, but instead to work against them. It matters not that the majority of voters oppose the leftist policies that are destroying the nation because those votes are reversed inside the voting apparatus. In other cases, uninformed voters are deceived into voting for their own destruction. Finally, there are those citizens upon whose greed and cowardice the leftists can capitalize.

For some viruses, certain medicines may destroy them, but once the infection has gone too far, the medicines are ineffective and, in some cases, counterproductive.

Any analogy can go too far, and this one has gone far enough. We do have a remedy for the "Woke Leftism" that is ruining our future, but by this time, we have run out of all the easy options. The only remedy remaining is for a general uprising of a huge segment of the population. Nothing short of that has any hope of success.

The general uprising means widespread and fervent civil disobedience. When ordered to surrender our firearms, we must refuse. When ordered to teach our children that they are guilty of the crimes of past centuries, we must disobey. When we are commanded what to say, and what not to say, we must speak our minds without fear. When required to be injected with substances of questionable medical value, we must resist.

Some state governments are already showing early signs of throwing off the yoke of tyranny. Florida and Texas, among others, are waking up to the fact that their constitutional authority to govern is being systematically and illegally revoked. Florida refused to comply with onerous rules from Washington, D.C. to shut down its economy. Texas is attempting to restrain the flood of illegal aliens, aliens who the left affirms should be entitled to vote.

These actions must be only the beginning. Other states must join in. The leftists will never surrender their illegal powers. Those powers must be taken from them, with neither hesitation nor apology. There are peaceful ways of doing this, even though the left never constrains itself to peaceful methods. Its willingness to riot, loot, and impose martial law has been on display for over a year now.

If we sit and wait, we can be assured that Communist China will act, and act decisively, to our detriment.

Image via Max Pixel.

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The current Texas legislative session will end on August 8 and the new one starts the next day. The governor will continue to start new sessions until he signs the vote integrity law or they run out of money to support the Texas gang in Washington. My money is on Governor Greg Abbott winning this contest. The governor has time and the votes to move on. The Democrats in Washington do not have the votes and depend on someone paying their hotel bills.

The Texas Democrats were visited by fellow liberals over the last couple of days. It's nice but won't change a thing. It's sort of like your friend leaving you a voice mail after you got an eviction notice: "Bro, I'm sorry to hear that and we'll be thinking of you"

Last, but not least, Senator Joe Manchin is not supporting the "For the People Act". My guess is that the people of West Virginia are not into federalizing elections.

They are not getting help from President Biden either. He seems focused on an infrastructure bill and the Delta variant has not helped the Texans get their phone calls returned in Washington.

Even Beto, the self-appointed defender of voting rights, is showing a little anger. This is what he said:

We have not gotten to that level of urgency that this crisis demands from us, ORourke said in an interview ahead of the march.

I guess not, my friend Beto.

To my knowledge, there is no polling data on how this detour to Washington is playing back in Texas. My gut feeling is that the Democrats have not gained many votes but have put their fellow legislators in competitive districts in trouble. Add redistricting to the mix and it won't be pretty.

A liberal friend at church, who voted for Senator Elizabeth Warren in the 2020 primary, put it this way: "Okay, you made your point. Come home and do something about it in 2022."

One way or another, they will return to Texas. My only question is whether anyone will show up to greet them.

P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk).

Image: Pixabay

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As a private investigator in Arizona, I always look forward to each day's surprise or learning experience.

Several years ago, one of my attorney clients wanted to visit the scene of an accident. It was a complicated traffic light situation involving multiple sequences of traffic light changes on an overpass on the I-10. When we arrived, we had to park quite a ways away, in a hotel parking lot, and then walk to the location. As we were setting up our equipment on the sidewalk, an individual on crutches, about 35 years old, with his left leg gone below the knee, hobbled over and asked us what we were doing. He had a cardboard sign on the back of a soft drink 12-pack container, written in black ink, that said, "Homeless need help." I related to him the accident information  color of cars and other details. He commented that he was there on Christmas Day when the accident happened. There were no witnesses listed on the police report, but he knew all the details of the accident. We were trying to establish liability on an adverse driver, but he said he could not help, as the accident had happened behind him as he was standing on the median, with his back to the accident and the light sequence.

As an investigator, I am not a stranger to asking probing questions of people. I asked him how he lost the lower portion of his left leg. He told me that about ten years before, he was involved in a drug deal gone bad, and he was shot in the left leg, and it shattered the bones, and they amputated his leg.

He went on to tell me he had done five years in state prison before being released. I asked him if he was receiving Social Security benefits for the loss of his leg, and he acknowledged that he was receiving about $1,350 per month. I asked him where he lived, and he told me about five miles from the intersection. He pointed out his Monte Carlo that he drove to the location. He told me he received subsidized housing, electricity, internet, rent, and utilities. I asked him how often he was at the location on the median, and he told me about 360 days a year. He said that Christmas Day was always "very good" and that he never missed "working" that day. I asked him how much money he generated begging for donations, and he told me about $2,5003,500 a month in the slow summer months, but about $3,5004,000 per month during the good months. He also told me that since he is unemployed, the State of Arizona gives him about $300 per month in food stamps. He also receives full medical care through the program the state runs for indigent persons.

His net income is between $35,000 and $40,000 from panhandling. About $3,600 in food stamps, and about $16,200 in SSI disability. He is pulling in about $55,000 tax-free, every year, and he gets subsidized everything. He was not ashamed of what he did; rather, he was proud.

Next time you see someone with a cardboard sign asking for money, think twice and reject the idea. There are more than enough services to accommodate the homeless.

Image: SLR Jester via Flickr, CC BY 2.0.

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Where do I begin? I think I'll start with the "Green New Deal." Proponents emphasize the zillions of "green" jobs that will be created, putting everybody to work for a noble cause. What could be wrong with that? Historically there was the Works Progress Administration, WPA, that was part of FDR's original New Deal. People were put to work building stuff, including the first buildings of my high school. Jokes were made about the "special" shovel that had a padded headrest  so a worker could doze in comfort during his shift. Jobs may have been created, but what was not created, at least in sufficient quantity, was wealth.

Back to the GND. Making stuff such as electricity or transportation more expensive than it was before destroys wealth. Conversely, when Nikola Tesla pioneered the use of alternating current to lower the cost of delivering electricity to end-users  or when John D. Rockefeller invented the tank car to lower the cost of shipping petroleum  wealth was created.

Just to put things into perspective, there are two inexorable trends concerning the human population: the mechanization of agriculture and the growth of cities. As food production became more efficient, humans were freed up to become factory workers, accountants, pharmacists, surveyors, etc. When I interviewed the famed biologist Garret Hardin in 1972, he told me that the shift really got going around the year 1200 A.D. with the invention of the horse collar. After that, it became a lot easier to plow a field, without choking the noble steed that pulled the plow.

Another semantic deception concerns the left's sacred cow of the minimum wage. "If only we could increase the incomes of the lower echelon of working stiffs, people would live much better lives." Confused in all of this is the difference between price and value. Raising the price of a worker's time does nothing directly to increase his productivity or, rather, the value of his work. What it does do is decrease the value of entry-level workers, who often need a lot of training in their respective fields. End result: employers are seriously more reluctant to invite newcomers into the job pool.

It is my earnest suspicion that the continuing political push for raising the minimum wage is mostly intended to conceal the effects of the abject failure of government-run K12 schools. Young adults who have little, if any, ability to deal with numbers, and who are seriously deficient in reading and writing (AKA using language to communicate), are mostly worthless as employees. Yeah, they can sweep floors and gather shopping carts  but there's only so much of that low-end stuff that needs to be done.

A particularly interesting word is infrastructure. Although it sounds really serious, nowadays it can mean anything you want it to. Also, it is mostly used only by hack politicians and other government officials when they're gearing up to rape a large bunch of taxpayers. This all harkens back to the WPA, the difference being that modern infrastructure proposals mostly involve private contractors rather than workers under the employ of a government agency. This now allows "crony" contractors to make significantly generous donations to their political benefactors. Can you say "money laundry"?

Then there's equity. Its use has been expropriated by the SJWs, but it still has serious meaning in the world of finance: the net value of an asset. Stocks of corporations are also known as "equities"  because they represent an ownership share. But the real deal is found in the value of your home  after you take out what you owe the bank. Reverse mortgages have been around for a while, but now, with the aging of the Baby Boomers, they are attracting a lot more attention. As you draw on your reverse mortgage, you have less and less equity. But what the hell  it still beats working for a living.

And, finally, we come to investment. In political patois, it means spending. In the real world, investment is supposed to refer to a reliable place to store wealth, preferably with it accruing further earnings. None other than Thomas Edison said that the most powerful force in the universe is compounded interest. In the political world, investment is a euphemism for wasting other people's wealth. Remember the Train to Nowhere? They're still working on the rail line  even though there's really no chance that some new-fangled, super-duper, ultra-fast locomotive will ever be on those tracks. But the "investment" continues. Eventually, tour buses will come by the abandoned construction site  as part of a journey to various mothballed utopian communities  and the visitors will be told that it is now known as "Stonehenge West."

Image: PublicDomainPictures via Pixabay, Pixabay License.

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The mainstream media have been promoting the truism that California's embattled Gov. Gavin Newsom will win his voter recall referendum. It's in the bag.

The Democratic Party, meanwhile, has been saying since at least 2008 that it has the Hispanic vote locked up. Another "certainty."

Here comes a poll, though, reported by the Daily Caller, showing that both are deluding themselves:

More than half of Hispanics in California say they would vote to recall Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, according to an Inside California Politics/Emerson College poll published Tuesday. The poll of 1,000 registered voters, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3%, showed Californians are split on the issue with 46% in favor of recalling Newsom and 48% are against it. Among Hispanics, 54% said they would vote to recall.

This is a startling counter-indicator, given that not only is it unfavorable to Newsom, but it's also not consistent with the views of other demographic groups, such as blacks, who support Newsom; Asians, who support Newsom; and whites, who are almost evenly divided about him.

Here's the big kicker: Hispanics form 39% of the population and 35% of the voter base, making them California's biggest and most important constituency.

The bad news gets worse, according to reporting from the California Globe:

The Globe spoke with Mark Meuser and compared notes on the latest poll and the data. "First, looking at the data, we see that the hispanic community is 54.4% planning on voting for the recall," Meuser said. The state of California has approximately 35% registered Hispanic voters. But this poll only made up of 24.2% hispanic voters, Meuser noted. "It appears that this Emerson poll has under sampled hispanic voters." This is also posted on his Senate campaign Facebook page. Meuser continued: "Second, the Emerson poll sampled 46.4% democrats, 23.1% republicans, and 30.5% other parties, which may be close to actual party affiliation breakdowns." However, Meuser said they do not track with typical turnout in California for special elections. "During special elections, Californian republicans tend to turn out in much higher numbers," he said.

According to the Public Policy Institute of California, using data from 2019 to 2020, 31% of Hispanics identify as conservative, and 16% are registered Republicans. Hispanics are less likely to vote than other demographic groups. However, their poll data shows that other factors suggest they may be more energized to vote than commonly supposed.

To look at that, consider the typical reasons the recall effort has taken off with voters: number one, Newsom's COVID handling, and COVID lockdowns.

Those hit Hispanics very hard. According to this New York Times report from June:

Hispanic American communities have been pummeled by a higher rate of infections than any other racial or ethnic group and have experienced hospitalizations and deaths at rates exceeded only by those among Native Americans and Alaska Natives. But new research shows the coronavirus has also attacked Hispanic Americans in an especially insidious way: They were younger when they died. They are much more likely than white Americans to have died of Covid-19 before age 65, often in the prime of life and at the height of their productive years. Indeed, a recent study of California deaths found that Hispanic Americans between the ages of 20 and 54 were 8.5 times more likely than white Americans in that age range to die of Covid-19. "It matters how old you are when you die, because your role in society differs," said Dr. Mary Bassett, director of the Francois-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

It's natural to wonder why the wokester Democrats running the state have this particular record, which speaks very ill of them, as they virtue-signal all over the place about their love for Hispanics.

Here may be an even bigger one: the state's extended COVID lockdowns, which exceeded those of other states, hit small businesses exceptionally hard. And here's some Census data on how many Hispanic small businesses there are that got knocked flat, thanks to Newsom and his fancy French Laundry dinners eaten without masks:

That's deadly.

Now let's look at another reason: crime.

Here are the findings from the state of California's first-ever survey of victims of violent crime:

Two in three of these crime victims acknowledge having been victims of multiple crimes in the past five years. African Americans and Latinos are more likely to have been victims of three or more crimes in the past five years.

The PPIC survey, cited above, notes that 54% of Hispanic voters are homeowners, having a stake in the system. Also, 30% are recent immigrants, meaning they may well have fled countries with considerable crime to start with. To find it here is pretty baleful. Also, the largest percentage of Hispanics, 39%, live in Los Angeles County, home of let-'em-all-out-of-jail district attorney George Gascon. So much for defunding the police, a huge percentage of whom are Hispanic, too, especially in Los Angeles County, where 49% of the force is Hispanic.

Homelessness, too, is an issue that affects property values and standards of living, and is a top voter issue overall, so it's likely that the concern among Hispanics is multiplied.

Other factors figure in as well  they don't like the bad public schools they are forced to send their kids to; they don't like wokester Critical Race Theory, "which teaches my kids to hate other people," as one Hispanic told me; and they don't like illegal immigration, many of whom have gone to great ends to accomplish their American Dream by immigrating here legally, and who see the crime, drugs, and social disintegration firsthand that comes of mass uncontrolled illegal immigration. Just go to the San Fernando Valley for a glimpse at that. I suspect that the PRI-style corruption of California's one-party state disgusts a certain percentage, too, particularly since California's Hispanic population is overwhelmingly Mexican-derived.

It all points to bad news for Newsom, who has patronized and acted weird around Hispanics already. Remember this?

One can only hope that Democrats and the press keep deluding themselves about having the Hispanic vote in the bag and Newsom's recall referendum win all but assured. The Emerson poll, cited above, shows that the voters are moving toward Elder and away from Newsom. The trend is the friend. And Democrats? California's Hispanics may well have a big surprise for them.

Image: U.S. Bureau of the Census, government work.

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In August 1923, Bobbiean average-looking collie puppyaccompanied his owners, the Braizer family, on a cross-country summer road trip from their home in Silverton, Oregon, to Wolcott, Indiana, where they were visiting some relatives. While filling up gas at a station in Wolcott, Bobbie was chased away by some street dogs. The family waited for Bobbie to return, but he did not. They placed ads on newspapers and after a week of intense searching, the Brazier family gave up hope. Heartbroken, they continued their trip before returning home to Oregon, expecting never to see their dog again.

A statue of Bobbie the Wonder Dog at Silverton. Photo: Rick Obst/Flickr

To everyones surprise, Bobbie did return, six months after he had disappeared. He hobbled back into Silverton one February day in 1924, ragged, dirty and scrawny with his toenails worn down to nothing. Unbelievable as it may seem, the two-year old puppy had walked 2,550 miles all by himself to get home.

The news of Bobbies incredible feat soon spread across the nation, and the Braizer family was flooded with fan mail, some addressed to Bobbie himself. Some people claimed they had seen Bobbie at various places and were able to identify him by his distinguishing features.

Officials from the Oregon Humane Society was skeptical at first, and launched an investigation into the Braziers' claims. By talking with people who claimed to have fed and sheltered Bobbie on his journey, the Humane Society was able to confirm that Bobbie had indeed traveled 2,550 miles, and perhaps more, in the dead of winter swimming across rivers and walking through deserts to return home. The society was even able to assemble a relatively precise description of the route Bobbie took.

Bobbies journey. Image credit: imfreakinawesome.com

Offbeat Oregon reports:

After coming back to Wolcott and finding the Braziers gone, Bobbie first followed them northeast, farther into Indiana. Then he started striking out on what must have been exploratory journeys in various directions  perhaps trying to pick up a familiar scent to give him a sense of the direction to take. Eventually, he found what he was looking for, and struck out for the West Coast. On their trip, the Braziers had left their car in service stations each night. Bobbie visited each of these on the way, along with a number of private homes. He also spent some time in a hobo camp. In Portland, he stayed for some time with an Irish woman, who nursed him back to health after some sort of accident left his legs and paws gashed up. About two weeks later, Bobbie was back in Silverton.

Bobbie the Wonder Dog perches on the trunk of the Braziers' touring car in Silverton. Photo: Offbeat Oregon

After a happy reunion, Bobbie became a celebrity. He was featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not. He even starred in a silent movie called The Call of the West, where he played himself. Bobbie was showered with fan mails, he received medals from various societies, and he was the guest of honor at the Portland Home Show, where over 40,000 people came to view him, and he was presented with his own dog-sized bungalow.

Bobbie died in 1927. Doctors suggested that his early demise was as a result of the strain of his journey catching up with him. He was buried at the Humane Societys pet cemetery in Portland. Rin Tin Tin, a German shepherd who was a Hollywood film star, later laid a wreath at his grave.

Decades later, a 70-foot-long mural of his life was painted on a wall facing the busiest street in Silverton. A life-size statue of Bobbie was also erected on one end, and next o the statue is a replica of Bobbie's fancy dog house.

A replica of Bobbies elaborate bungalow. Photo: Debra Jane Seltzer/Flickr

Murals at Silverton. Photo: Thomas Schrantz/Flickr

Murals at Silverton. Photo: Thomas Schrantz/Flickr

Murals at Silverton. Photo: Thomas Schrantz/Flickr




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AP Government Suspends Three Officials For Leaking Confidential Information:- Andhra Pradesh is in a deep financial crisis and the government is struggling to pay the salaries for the government employees and pensions for the retired. The exceeded debt limit turned out to be the topic of discussion across the circles of national media too. Pankaj Chaudhary, the Union for the State for Finance revealed that AP has exceeded its limit by Rs 4000 crores. The government of Andhra Pradesh suspended three officers of the State's Finance Department for leaking sensitive and confidential information to the media. Principal Finance Secretary Shamsher Singh Rawat issued orders suspending Assistant Secretary N Venkateswarlu and Section Officers K Vara Prasad and D Sreenu Babu from their service. The decision was made on the report that is submitted by KV Rajendranath Reddy, the Director-General of Vigilance and Enforcement.

After a series of articles are published across the media against the government, the government of Andhra Pradesh ordered a vigilance inquiry which revealed that Vara Prasad leaked the information to the media. The report said that the officers are aware that the information was sensitive and had to be kept private. The government is keen to keep the financial records under wraps but they are leaked to the media. The government has sent warnings to all those who are keen to tarnish the image of the AP government. The government officials, teachers and other employees are yet to receive their salaries for this month.

(Video Source: Prime9 News)
(Image source from: Twitter.com/TSeries)

Team RRR shooting in Ukraine:- RRR happens to be the most awaited film and it is carrying top-class expectations. RRR happens to be the next directorial of SS Rajamouli after the Baahubali franchise and two Tollywood Superstars Ram Charan and NTR are on the board as the lead actors. They will be seen playing the fictional characters of Alluri Seetharama Raju and Komaram Bheem respectively. The film is planned on a budget of Rs 450 crores and it is announced for a pan-Indian release on October 13th. Alia Bhatt, Olivia Morris are the heroines and Ajay Devgn, Shriya Saran will be playing other important roles in this periodic action drama.

As per the latest update, the movie unit of RRR landed in Ukraine. A song on Ram Charan and NTR will be shot in various locations of Europe. The song will be shot in countries like Georgia and Ukraine mostly. The team of RRR will return back to Hyderabad by the end of this month and Rajamouli will be occupied with the post-production work after their return. MM Keeravani is the music director and the first single Dosti received exceptional response from the audience. DVV Danayya is the producer and all the theatrical, non-theatrical deals for RRR are closed long ago.
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Lebanon: crisis, international donors' conference starts French initiative on anniversary of port explosion

(ANSAmed) - BEIRUT, AUG 4 - On the first anniversary of the devastating explosion at the port of Beirut in which over 200 people died and more than 6,000 were injured, in the midst of a long-lasting economic and financial crisis, France and the United Nations on Wednesday are hosting a new international donors' conference for Lebanon. The event will be held in video conference in the respect of anti-Covid rules.



The objective of the French initiative, supported by Italy and by other countries interested in maintaining stability in Lebanon, is to gather over 350 million US dollars to support the country's suffering economy.



Lebanon declared a financial default in March 2020, months ahead of the August 4 explosion. But the economic crisis started in the fall of 2019, several weeks before the start of the pandemic. (ANSAmed).




Lebanon: Macron pledges 100 mn euros At donors' conference

(ANSAmed) - PARIS, AUG 4 - France has pledged 100 million euros to attempt to save Lebanon from collapse. The announcement was made on Wednesday by French President Emmanuel Macron at the start of the new international conference of donors for Lebanon, which has been hit for nearly two years by the worst financial crisis of the past decades.



The conference opened virtually at the initiative of France and the United Nations on the first anniversary of the devastating explosion of Beirut's port on August 4 last year in which over 200 people died.



Macron said this new installment of aid promised is a "new pledge" of Paris "in direct support to the Lebanese population".



France has organized more international meetings over the last few months to raise funds for Lebanon.



According to western diplomatic sources quoted on Wednesday by Lebanese and French media, the United Nations with today's conference are attempting to raise over 350 million euros for the Lebanese economy. In March 2020, the government of Beirut announced the collapse of the country's financial system.



(ANSAmed).




Covis: restrictions on travel, curfew restored in Morocco With 36 milion residents, 14 mn have had one jab, 10 mn two

(ANSAmed) - RABAT, AUG 4 - A series of anti-Covid measures eased at the beginning of June were reinstated last night in Morocco, including a ban to travel to Casablanca and two major tourist attractions, the cities of Marrakech and Agadir, for those without a vaccine passport. The nighttime curfew, which strated at 11 PM until 4:30 AM, was pushed back to 8 PM and extended until 5 in the morning.



Other measures decided by the Moroccan government included a ban on gatherings of more than 25 people, a limit for hotels to 75% of capacity and 50% for restaurants.



Yesterday, the country recorded 60 deaths caused by the virus. A total of 642,683 cases, including 9,949 deaths, were recorded since the start of the screening in March 2020, according to an official report.



With its 36 million residents, the kingdom is hoping its immunization campaign will halt the virus: over 14 million people have received the first dose of the vaccine against Covid-19 and more than 10 million the second.



Since the end of May, Morocco has gradually eased restrictions tied to the pandemic and has opened its borders to international travellers, under certain conditions. (ANSAmed).




Victims of the IRA Docklands bombing have condemned Government proposals to end prosecutions for Troubles offences as immoral and abhorrent.

Two people were killed and many others injured by the IRA bomb, which had been left in a lorry in the London Docklands on February 9 1996.

Some of those who were hurt, as well as family members of victims, met with officials from the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) on Wednesday to outline their opposition to the Government plans.

Last month, Northern Ireland Secretary of State Brandon Lewis announced that he intends to introduce legislation to create a proposed statute of limitations which would end all prosecutions for incidents up to April 1998 and would apply to military veterans as well as ex-paramilitaries.

The proposals, which Prime Minister Boris Johnson said would allow Northern Ireland to draw a line under the Troubles, would also end all legacy inquests and civil actions related to the conflict.

The plan has been heavily criticised by all the main political parties in Northern Ireland as well as the Irish Government, and a range of victims and survivors groups.

A statement on behalf of the Docklands Victims Association said: This has caused immense distress to all the innocent victims of the Troubles.

On behalf of all the victims of the Troubles within mainland GB, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland we have expressed to the Northern Ireland Office our concerns as we feel very strongly that no amnesty should be issued.

The killing of innocent people, including children, and leaving people severely disabled are undoubtedly crimes against humanity and should never be given immunity from prosecution.

This would be immoral and abhorrent to any civilised society.

The Docklands victims said Labour MP Meg Hillier had written to Brandon Lewis over Government plans to deal with legacy in Northern Ireland (PA)

The statement added: Our MP Meg Hillier has written to Brandon Lewis and we recently initiated an online petition against this amnesty and so far with have received approximately 1,000 signatures opposing this absurd proposal.

In addition a number of letters and emails have been sent by the victims and their families to prevent this absurd legislation.

We feel any kind of amnesty for those who commit terrorist atrocities such as those witnessed during the Troubles would encourage and inspire other new terrorists who try to achieve their aims by horrific violence.

Docklands Victims Association president Jonathan Ganesh (Aaron Chown/PA)

Jonathan Ganesh, who was injured in the 1996 bombing, said: Our offices have been inundated with calls, letters and emails concerning the UK Governments proposal. I was pleased to meet with the NIO but I do not feel they have thought this policy through.

Murder is a heinous crime and any kind of immunity from a crime of such magnitude is immoral and devalues humanity.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex asked the Queens representative in New Zealand about moving to the country less than six months into their life as a working royal couple.

Harry and Meghan spoke to governor-general Dame Patsy Reddy during their autumn 2018 trip to the country and inquired whether it would be theoretically possible to live there.

The Sussexes thoughts about moving to a Commonwealth country were aired during their bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview, when the duchess revealed at the time they wanted to take a step back and had suggested New Zealand, South Africa or Canada.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex put on traditional Maori cloaks called Korowai during their 2018 visit to New Zealand (Paul Edwards/The Sun Wire)

Dame Patsy revealed details about her discussions with the duke and duchess in an interview with the Associated Press, ahead of the governor-general stepping down from her post in October when her five-year term ends.

She recalled the couple were tired, adding: I remember theyd just been down to the Abel Tasman National Park when we sat down and had a drink, and they said that they could imagine living in a place like this and wondered whether we thought it would be theoretically possible. Even possible for them to have a place in New Zealand.

Of course, we said, Sure. It would be fine. There are lots of opportunities to live in New Zealand, but that would be something that theyd have to explore.

They were looking at how they might raise their family. And obviously theyve made some decisions since.

Harry and Meghan had visited New Zealand over a few days at the end of October and beginning of November 2018, the last stop in a hectic 16-day royal tour of the South Pacific.

Harry and Meghan, pictured during their visit to Rotorua, New Zealand, enquired about moving to New Zealand (Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA)

Dame Patsy said she did not view it as a formal request for assistance but more of an informal discussion about the couples hopes for the future.

She said they seemed impressed with access to the outdoors and their interactions with New Zealanders.

During the month of October, former royal aide Jason Knauf, who at the time worked for the Sussexes as their communications secretary, made a bullying complaint against the duchess to the Duke of Cambridges then private secretary, in an apparent attempt to force Buckingham Palace to protect staff.

Meghan revealed in her Winfrey interview how a few months later in mid-January 2019 when pregnant with son Archie, she told Harry she was having suicidal thoughts and said to her husband she could not be left alone, when he suggested she not attend an event at the Royal Albert Hall.

The Sussexes decision to leave the UK was effectively made a year after their New Zealand trip when, following a royal tour to southern Africa, they travelled to North America for a break in autumn 2019 and never permanently returned.

The governor-general was asked about her relationship with the Queen and added that she regularly expresses her confidential views of what is happening in New Zealand with its head of state, such as the nations response to the pandemic.

She said the communication is quite touchingly old-fashioned, by letter.

Dame Patsy Reddy with the Queen (Victoria Jones/PA)

She has told me on the times that Ive seen her that she finds it interesting to have a personal perspective on whats happening, Dame Patsy said.

As she says, I like to know whats happening between the lines.

Many people in New Zealand believe the country should become an independent republic but Dame Patsy said she believes the Queen should remain the head of state because the arrangement works and has strong historical links.

She said New Zealand has a special connection to the monarchy because its founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi, was signed by Maori and a representative of Queen Victoria.

Asked about a future scenario in which a monarch might turn out to be dictatorial or autocratic, Dame Patsy said the same scenario with an elected president would be likely to be worse.

Weve seen how that doesnt work in other countries in the world, she said.

But actually, because the monarch is much more of a theoretical construct, a figurehead rather than an actual ruler, I think it gives us a measure of safety, constitutional safety.

She said she agreed with Prime Minister Jacinda Arderns assessment that there was currently little appetite among New Zealanders for a constitutional change, and that people were concerned about more pressing issues such as climate change, inequality and the pandemic.
Boris Johnson was travelling to Scotland on Wednesday but has declined an invitation to hold talks with Nicola Sturgeon.

The Scottish First Minister had invited Mr Johnson to meet at her official Edinburgh residence, Bute House, to discuss the UKs recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

But the Prime Minister will not find time to meet Ms Sturgeon during his two-day visit.

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In letter to Ms Sturgeon, 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.

Mr Johnson said he was particularly keen that we work closely together on the vaccination booster campaign this autumn.

He added: 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 invitation letter on Monday she and Mr Johnson differ politically, but stressed the Scottish and UK governments must work together where we can.

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The Prime Ministers visit to Scotland is likely to see further questions about his resistance to a second referendum on independence.

Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove used a Sunday Mail interview to say the UK Government would not stand in the way of a plebiscite if it was the settled will of the Scottish people.

But he stressed: I just dont think that it is right, and the public dont think it is right, to ask that question at the moment.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is also in Scotland, where he is focusing on the fight against climate change in the run-up to the United Nations Cop26 climate summit which will see world leaders gather in Glasgow in November.

Sir Keir wrote in the Guardian that the Prime Minister was missing in action on the climate agenda.

The world is looking to Britain, as host of the summit, to deliver, Sir Keir said. We cannot afford to miss this moment, but I fear we will.
A convicted terrorist told a mentor he had changed his ways, days before carrying out a high street knife rampage which ended in him being shot dead by police, an inquest has heard.

Sudesh Amman, 20, confided how he now realised that those who committed terrorist acts ended up pushing people away from Islam.

Amman, from Coventry and of Sri Lankan heritage, made the comments on January 30 2020, three days before he stole a knife and ran down a south London street stabbing randomly at members of the public before being fatally brought to a halt.

An inquest into Ammans death at the Royal Courts of Justice heard Amman had been provided with support from both a practical and a theological mentor, both of whom had met with him following his release from prison earlier in January.

CCTV footage of Sudesh Amman walking along Streatham High Road on the day of the attack (Metropolitan Police/PA)

The pair described being shocked and gobsmacked when they realised they knew the man responsible for the atrocity, on Streatham High Road, on February 2.

A report prepared by Witness M following his final meeting, read by Jonathan Hough QC, counsel to the inquest, said: He (Amman) said he now realised that people who hurt other people through things like acts of terror were pushing people away from the faith and causing hatred.

Giving evidence to the inquest on Wednesday, Witness M said Amman had been the most relaxed that Id seen him in all of their previous four face-to-face chats, both in prison and out.

Witness M said: He was happy to talk, he had no moments where he held back from saying anything and he seemed happy and relieved at being released.

I took him at his word. He seemed sincere the way he was saying it.

Asked by Mr Hough if Amman had been plausible, Witness M replied: Yes, I believe he was.

Police conduct a finger tip search following the terror attack in Streatham High Road (Aaron Chown/PA)

He added he did not feel the need to report any behaviour of concern about Amman but had later felt shocked after reports of the attack emerged.

Witness M said: I saw when it said the incident was in Streatham, I knew I visited him, I hoped it wasnt (him).

I kept watching the news and I had a little bit of disbelief, to be honest.

A second mentor, known only as Witness T to protect his identity, said his duty was to discuss religious matters with Amman during their only meeting, on January 29 2020.

A report prepared for Witness T ahead of that meeting raised a number of concerns with Amman, including over his mindset, his potential for indoctrination, and his need for status.

Sudesh Amman running along Streatham High Road as he stabbed passers by (Metropolitan Police/PA)

Following that meeting, Witness T described how Amman revealed himself to be ignorant of Islam, but said he had kept to himself in the week since his release from prison to a Streatham probation hostel in case people believed he was radicalising others.

Witness T agreed with Mr Hough that Ammans background of offending and behaviour in prison meant he presented as quite a tough case.

However, Witness T said he did not get the impression that Amman was being insincere.

Witness T said he learned of Ammans atrocity on the day it happened, leaving two people injured.

I was gobsmacked, I was shocked, I was surprised, he told the inquest.

His probation officer, Leon Campbell, flagged Ammans risk of serious harm to the public ahead of his release from prison, and said he did not take at face value claims Amman made later that he no longer had an extremist mindset.

He told the inquest: I did believe there were elements of him telling me what I wanted to hear.

Mr Campbell said Amman would frequently shutdown when challenged over certain things such as his offending history.

He said he feared local gangs approaching him and police following him in Streatham, so said he would stay in his room.

Sudesh Ammans probation hostel in Streatham, south London, where he lived for ten days following his release from prison (Metropolitan Police/PA)

Mr Campbell said the first he heard of the atrocity was when he finally took a phone call from Ammans mother while out with his family after he had ignored her previous repeated attempts to contact him.

He said: She was crying down the phone.

I recall her saying: Is it him, is it him?

But I had no idea.

Amman was automatically released from Belmarsh prison on January 23, part-way through his 40-month sentence for preparing and engaging in acts of terrorism.

The inquest previously heard how prison intelligence suggested he had made threats to kill the Queen, to commit a terrorist act, and radicalise others.

The inquest was adjourned until Thursday.
A man with a genetic disorder has said he feels happy and shocked after thousands of people on Twitter congratulated him for landing his first job.

Justin G, who did not wish to share his second name, went viral overnight after he tweeted about landing his new position.

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I am in a loss of words and do not know what to say other then lets party, the 25-year-old from Boston, Massachusetts, wrote in the post, which has more than 24,000 likes.

This is my first ever job in my whole life I wont let my disability stop me.

Justins role will see him creating social media posts for Charge Across America, a TV docuseries about racing electric vehicles, and he is set to start on Monday or Tuesday next week.

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DiGeorge syndrome, also known as 22Q syndrome, is a disorder where part of a persons 22nd chromosome is missing.

The disorder has a number of symptoms, but for Justin it has given him heart issues and learning difficulties.

I want to share people with special needs you can a job and you cant let your disability get in the way, Justin told the PA news agency.

I feel so amazing the internet is celebrating my success I felt so, so, so happy and shocked when I was getting tons of support.

It made me more confident in myself to keep going and pushing.

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This is not the first time Justin has gone viral  he has received thousands of messages, likes and shares at different times, sometimes when he has asked Twitter users to say hello to him or wish him a happy birthday.

Among a number of celebrities to send him greetings or messages of support are talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, Star Wars actor Mark Hamill and billionaire Mark Cuban.
Amanda Knox has a rainbow baby on the way. The criminal justice activist shared her pregnancy news in a Wednesday, August 4, podcast episode.

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Thats right, were pregnant, the Waiting to Be Heard author, 34, said on Labyrinths: Getting Lost With Amanda alongside husband Christopher Robin. Weve been recording audio of our own experience since day one. Stay tuned for our next mini-series, 280 days, where we take you on an intimate journey from conception to birth.

Courtesy of Amanda Knox/Instagram

The couple subsequently shared audio taken while awaiting their pregnancy test results. The Washington native said that she hoped for three bars, then could be heard yelling, Yes! Thank goodness. We did it!

Last month, Knox revealed that she had suffered a miscarriage. Season 2 of [the] Labyrinths [podcast] premieres today with episode one of a five-part miniseries on infertility, Knox tweeted in July. In todays episode, I bare my soul about my recent miscarriage.

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In the episode, she told her listeners that she was haunted by the pregnancy loss and trying and failing to be OK. The baby didnt have a heartbeat and Knox experienced abdominal pain like [she had] not experienced before.

Courtesy of Amanda Knox/Instagram

Knox added, I thought I knew exactly what I want to do with my first pregnancy and [to] have it not come to fruition, not through choice, felt like a betrayal. Do I have bad eggs? Am I too old? Did something happen to me while I was in [prison in] Italy? As soon as I learned it wasnt alive, I tried to divorce those two ideas in my head, that was not my baby, it doesnt have a name.  I dont know that baby, I dont think I ever will.

The Scarlet Letter Reports host is best known for being acquitted of the murder of former roommate Meredith Kercher in 2015. She and ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were convicted on charges of faking a break-in, defamation, sexual violence and murder until an appellate court found them not guilty in 2011. They were retried and found guilty in 2014.

Following their 2015 exoneration by the Italian Supreme Court, Knox got engaged to musician Colin Sutherland. When they split, she moved on with Robin.

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The pair got engaged in November 2018, two years after moving in together. They wed in February 2020 in Washington.
Team Greg! Connor Brennan defended his fellow Bachelorette contestant Greg Grippo after Katie Thurston hinted that the finalist gaslighted her ahead of their breakup.

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Relationships are nuanced. Breakups are nuanced. Sometimes theres not a good guy or a bad guy, Connor B., 29, wrote via Twitter on Monday, August 2, after fans watched Greg, 28, walk away from the ABC show and leave Katie, 30, in New Mexico. Sometimes cameras and tweets cant accurately capture the complexity of real life. Kindness is free, love is complicated.

One Twitter user, however, wasnt buying the TV personalitys explanation amid Gregs messy split from Katie.

Bachelorettes Connor B Defends Greg After Katie Gaslighting Comments

And sometimes manipulative gaslighting turns into physical abuse and the perpetrator excuses it because his friends defend him, the user wrote in response. This is an opportunity to still support your friend and acknowledge he crossed a line and encourage him to get help before it escalates.

Connor doubled down on his comments, responding, There was no gaslighting in this episode, there was a fight between two people that you saw maybe 20 percent of.

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The teacher later reposted another one if his tweets via his Instagram Story to again show how much he loves his former castmate. Greg wondering what Connor B is up to back on the outside #TheBachelorette, the original tweet read.

The Nashville resident shared a screen shot of the picture, adding, Rebranding my Twitter as yet another @greggrippo fan account.

Katie and Gregs fallout on Mondays episode caused a stir among a lot of Bachelor Nation fans. While some people felt that Gregs confession that he was in love with the Bachelorette and that he told his mom she was The One was sweet, others thought he was being manipulative.

During the episode, the Washington native told Greg that she loved looking at him before revealing that she told his family that he would be receiving a rose that evening. That comment, however, caused the New Jersey native to blow up at the former bank manager.

I dont give a fk about the rose. I was just telling you that you filled a hole in my heart, Greg said before choosing to exit the show. Ive never given up on you. Ive fought so hard for you here  As much as it hurts me, Ive reached my breaking point with this. I gave you everything. I really hope you find something.

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Katie, for her part, took to Instagram after the episode aired and hinted that Gregs explosion was somewhat planned. She shared a post that read, So you want to talk about gaslighting.

The slideshow included a definition for the term, referring to gaslighting as a form of emotional abuse or psychological manipulation involving distorting the truth in order to confuse or instill doubt in another person to the point they question their own sanity or reality. The account explained that signs of gaslighting include lying, discrediting, deflecting blame, minimizing, shifting blame and denying wrongdoing.

The three-hour season 17 finale of The Bachelorette airs on ABC Monday, August 9, at 8 p.m. ET.
One week after returning from a family vacation to the Dominican Republic, Kailyn Lowry and her four sons have tested positive for the coronavirus.

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For those of you guys listening who dont know, [my cohost], Vee [Rivera], and I have COVID, the Teen Mom 2 star, 29, said during a Baby Mamas No Drama podcast episode on Tuesday, August 3. I would not have been around people if I knew I had COVID, but I tested negative twice.  I dont even know how this happened.

Courtesy of Kailyn Lowry/Instagram

The reality star, who tested negative for COVID-19 when she returned from the trip, added that her ex Javi Marroquin has also contracted the coronavirus.

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I knew because I felt like st all week, the Pennsylvania native said, although sons Isaac, 11, Lincoln, 7, Lux, 3, and Creed, 12 months, have all been asymptomatic. Once I lost my taste and my smell, I knew what it was. I knew.

The Hustle and Heart author has battled COVID before, contracting it in 2020 after a trip to Iceland. Lincoln also tested positive in March.

In April 2020, the MTV personality tweeted that she absolutely [would] not get the COVID vaccine and neither would her kids.

The Pride Over Pity author came under fire the previous year when she shared her decision not to vaccinate Lux. I definitely think this is a controversial topic, and I dont want to lose listeners because of my opinion  but, I did vaccinate Isaac, because to me, I didnt know any better, and I gave  I let them vaccinate him with whatever they basically said that he needed, Lowry said during a January 2019 Coffee Convos podcast episode. And I feel like I was ignorant, and didnt do research, and didnt know any better.

While raising Lincoln, the 16 and Pregnant alum began watching documentaries on Netflix that began changing her mind. He hasnt ever really been sick, and for me, I just think the more research that I do, and the more educated Ive become, I just dont vaccinate him, Lowry said.

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At the time, Jennifer Shu, an MD and pediatrician in Atlanta who does not treat the reality star, exclusively told Us, People seem to equate reading about vaccines on the internet to doing actual scientific research about vaccines. Speculation and opinions are given equal weight to large-scale scientific studies.

Lowry responded to backlash, saying she is raising her kids in the way she believes is best for them. People dont love everything I do, but I dont shove my beliefs down anyone elses throat, the A Letter of Love author told InTouch. I know whats best for my kids and other parents know whats best for theirs.
FULTON COUNTY, Ga.  Fulton County commissioners voted unanimously Monday to formally adopt a ballot measure this November calling on voters to decide whether to extend the countywide .75-cent transportation sales tax for five years.

The decision followed an agreement with mayors from all 13 cities outside Atlanta.

Atlanta has its own transportation tax.

The .75-cent transportation special purpose local option sales tax, or TSPLOST, was first passed in 2016 by Fulton County voters in those 13 cities and runs through next March. Updated estimates predict the tax could generate up to $546 million in extra funding for municipalities to improve traffic flow, provide and upgrade pedestrian and bicycle pathways and improve safety.

The money will be distributed to cities based on population, putting Sandy Springs, Roswell and Johns Creek atop the list for funding.

District 1 County Commissioner Liz Hausmann called Mondays action a historic moment that will benefit the residents of Fulton County.

It has taken a lot of collaboration between Fulton County and the cities to bring us here today, she said.

County officials said they are mounting an information campaign with cities to cite statistics on the sales tax, including data showing what the current tax has accomplished.

The voter education rollout emphasizes what the tax has accomplished over the course of the past five years, they said. The tax has committed $177 million to pedestrian, bike, landscape and streetscape projects, another $152 million for operations and safety projects and $82 million to congestion relief and roadway projects.

Estimated TSPLOST II revenues Updated estimates from Georgia State University show a sales tax would generate even more revenue to cities than previously thought.  A 0.75 % sales tax over five years would generate around $554 million in collections. Earlier estimates called for collections of about $525 million.  The Georgia Department of Revenue gets 1% of the money collected  estimated at a little more than $5 million.  Fulton County would receive .5%  a little more than $2 million  in program management fees.  That would leave about $546 million for distribution to Fulton County cities  outside Atlanta  according to population.

Rental relief expanding

County commissioners also spent time during the special meeting to update cities on efforts to distribute rental relief aid to residents facing eviction. The action comes with the July 31 expiration of the Federal Eviction Moratorium that went into place with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020.

The relief program began and was built as federal dollars began arriving in the spring. Fulton County has adjudicated and paid 100% of all eligible applications that were received.

I could not be more proud of the progress we have made as a county and as cities of Fulton on our emergency rental assistance program, Fulton County Chief Operating Officer Anna Roach said.

To date, Fulton County has expended $9.84 million of its available $16 million in rental relief assistance. It has an additional $1.1 million set for distribution this week.

The dispersals to date represent assistance to 1,852 residents outside the City of Atlanta, Roach said.

The county continues to see growth in distributions, and it plans to maintain increased staffing levels to handle the need, she said.

To broaden the outreach, Roach said the state of Georgia is also working to intensify its efforts to open portals for rental and mortgage assistance so that residents across the state can apply.

Locally, residents can apply through the Fulton County website, fultoncountyga.gov/rentalassistance, or call 855-776-7912 to speak to a live agent. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.5 p.m.
Medicare has been in existence since 1965 (fun fact: President Harry Truman was the first Medicare beneficiary), and the Medicare system has been changed or updated multiple times since. This is partially the reason for the confusion to Medicare consumers. Read more
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YEREVAN, AUGUST 4, ARMENPRESS. President Armen Sarkissian held a meeting with Ombudsman Arman Tatoyan to discuss the situation at the Armenian-Azerbaijani border regarding the violations of rights of persons living at the border towns and villages.

Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan briefed the president on the results of his fact-finding mission and examination of complaints from the provinces of Gegharkunik, Syunik and Ararat. Tatoyan said that the illegal actions of the Azeri military are continuously violating the rights of the border community residents of Armenia. He noted that the facts prove that the Azeri military are regularly instigating shootouts, while the Armenian military are fulfilling their function of protecting the population.

Arman Tatoyan told the president that the facts on the Azeri violations have already been presented to the diplomatic corps and international organizations in Armenia.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
YEREVAN, AUGUST 4, ARMENPRESS. Armenian SPRING PR-company has been announced among the winners of IPRA Golden World Awards - 2021 - a major award in the field of communication. IPRA Golden World Awards is the most important, influential and prestigious award in the PR world; it is considered the Oscar of the field.

SPRING PR is the first company from Armenia to win the prize. Tatevik Simonyan, the co-founder and director of the international projects of SPRING PR, says, As a communication field agency SPRING PR-company has always been guided by international standards, competent and ethical principles of communication. It has always been of primary importance for us to present Armenia to the international community especially through this campaign, to show our great culinary traditions and experience and to position our country as a desirable and demanded destination.

SPRING PR came forward with the cultural PR campaign called The Road of Flavors which was announced the winner of Travel and Tourism nomination. In collaboration with Yeremyan Projects the aim of multiple stage campaign was to popularize Armenian cuisine, the principles of Armenian culinary traditions and hospitality, promote the potential development of Armenian gastronomical tourism and improve the knowledge of national cuisine among tourists and residents of Armenia. The Road of Flavors campaign includes several projects, e.g. a film named The Road of Flavors, press tour of internationally renowned media representatives in order to get acquainted with Armenian gastronomical culture and the variety of national dishes. Besides, the campaign also presented "GASTRO COUTURE" project based on the concept of creating a unique fashion show inspired by the traditions of Armenian cuisine. "GASTRO COUTURE" was initiated by Yeremyan Projects in collaboration with Harmony Yerevan fashion house. The unique fusion of two creative esthetic worlds, cuisine and fashion, resulted in this project inspired by Armenian traditional dishes. Davit Yeremyan, Director General of Yeremyan Projects, notes, The mission of Yeremyan Projects company is to raise the awareness of Armenian cuisine and culinary art around the world which has always been the objective of our years-long collaboration with SPRING PR-company. All our daring ideas and projects have undoubtedly had positive influence on the development of Armenian gastro-tourism, tourism in general and observance and proliferation of Armenian traditions. I can proudly state that our partner SPRING PR has managed to present Armenia decently on international platforms and through continuous and persistent efforts contributing to the realization of the campaign to show the attraction of our country to the world. Philip Sheppard, IPRA Secretary General, says, The winner of the agency Travel and Tourism category this year was SPRING PR's The Road of Flavors campaign which helped elevate knowledge of traditional Armenian cuisine to a world literally hungry for new gastronomic experiences." IPRA Golden World Awards is given in a variety of categories for successful communication campaigns in the fields of tourism, information technology, finance, healthcare, etc. In 2019 in the framework of 10-years Anniversary of SPRING PR-company the award ceremony and Gala dinner of Golden World Awards 2019 took place in Yerevan. Around 120 experts, representatives of state institutions, top-level managers of major companies, communication specialists from more than 50 countries arrived in Armenia at the initiative of SPRING PR-company. For the first time in the history of IPRA Golden World Awards ceremony the Global Host Award was given to SPRING PR-company for carrying out such a great event and communication campaign. * SPRING PR-company, founded in 2009, is one of the leading companies in the field of communications in Armenia. The Company is specialized in strategic communications, event management, planning and development of PR projects, public opinion surveys both in Armenia and abroad. SPRING PR Company cooperates with professional international networks, associations and organizations, such as, International Public Relations Association (IPRA), Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR). SPRING PR is the winner of several influential Awards of the field such as IPRA Golden World Awards, Eventiada IPRA Golden World Awards, C4F Davos Awards (Communication for Future Davos Awards).
YEREVAN, 4 AUGUST, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 4 August, USD exchange rate up by 1.37 drams to 492.30 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 0.45 drams to 583.77 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.02 drams to 6.76 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 2.94 drams to 686.02 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price down by 28,190.51 drams to 400.99 drams. Silver price down by 28,289.29 drams to 28690.28 drams. Platinum price stood at 16746.57 drams.
YEREVAN, AUGUST 4, ARMENPRESS. The personnel of the 4th Army Corps artillery units held specialized joint exercises on August 4 to check combat readiness and their tactical-specialized skills. The troops also improved their skills in completing missions in field conditions.

Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan
YEREVAN, AUGUST 4, ARMENPRESS. President of the USA Joe Biden congratulated Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan on the occasion of the victory in the parliamentary elections and formation of the new Cabinet.

ARMENPRESS reports in the congratulatory message addressed to Pashinyan Joe Biden emphasized that the just an transparent elections shows the desire of the Armenian people to have a more democratic, fair and prosperous society, free from corruption.

''During the last 3 years Armenia recorded progress in those spheres. The USA is happy to assist in those efforts, among which are the assistance to the launching of the new patrol service and the formation of independent institutions for the fight against corruption networks. We will continue to be a reliable partner in your efforts to achieve these goals'', Biden said.

He stated that he understands the difficult security challenges that emerged in 2020 as a result of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. ''The United States is committed to assisting the parties in negotiating a comprehensive, peaceful settlement under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group. We urge Armenia and Azerbaijan to get involved in substantive talks as soon as possible.

The United States was pleased to assist in the efforts to release the Armenian prisoners of war from Azerbaijan, and we will continue to call for the safe return of all prisoners of war. We hope that our progress in this direction with the support of Georgia will be an important basis for further regional cooperation, in supplement to the discussions initiated by the Minsk Group Co-Chairs, Biden said in his congratulatory message.

He added that the United States is ready to strengthen cooperation with Armenia based on common democratic values and institutions. "I look forward to working with you and your new Cabinet, to deepen and expand our bilateral relations, the U.S. President said.
According to information published by the "Armadni Noviny" website on August 3, 2021, the Czech Ministry of Defense negotiates the acquisition of Israeli Rafael Spyder mobile air defense missile systems to replace Soviet-made2K12 Kub, NATO reporting name SA-6 Gainful currently in service with the Czech army.

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Spyder MR air defense missile system. (Picture source Army Recognition)

According to the military balance 2020, air defense systems of Czech armed forces consist of 9K35 Strela-10 NATO code name SA-13 Gopher, 9K32 Strela-2 NATO code name SA-7 Grail, RBS-70 MANPADS, and 2K12 Kub NATO code name SA-6 Gainful.

The government of Czech Republic is trying to replace legacy equipment in order to both modernize the armed forces and reduce dependence on Russia for spare parts and services. Modernization priorities include infantry fighting vehicles, self-propelled howitzers, multi-role helicopters, transport aircraft, short-range air-defense systems, and UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles).

The 2K12 Kub is a Soviet-made self-propelled air defense missile system that entered into service with the Russian armed forces in 1967. The vehicle is based on a tracked chassis with three Kub missiles mounted on a turntable that can be traversed through a full 360 with the missile elevated on their launchers to a maximum of +85. When traveling, the turntable is normally traversed to the rear and the missiles are horizontal to reduce the overall height of the vehicle.

Four variants of the missile is available, the Kub M2 is in service with the Czech armed forces and has an effective firing range of 23 km. The missile is fitted with a 59 kg HE (High Explosive) fragmentation warhead.

The Spyder is a family of short/extended/medium/long-range air defense missile systems fully designed and manufactured by the Israeli company Rafael. It can be used to destroy aerial targets as fighter aircraft, helicopters, bombers, cruise missiles, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAVs), and stand-off weapons.

The Spyder systems incorporate the most advanced, proven performance air-to-air missiles including the Python-5 dual waveband imaging infrared missile, , the I-Derby active radar beyond visual range missile, and I-Derby ER long-range missile, based on two pulses advanced rocket motors.

The Spyder family has autonomous capabilities. The system detects threats while on the move and firing is performed instantly after the halt. The Python has a firing range from 5 to 20 km with a maximum altitude of 9,000 m, while the Derby has a maximum firing range of 50 km with an altitude of 16,000 m.



Czech army 2K12 Kub SA-6 Gainful Soviet-made air defense missile system. (Picture source Army Recognition)
What PM Modi needs to realise is that when the external environment degrades, domestic politics must adjust if it can't be insulated from it

On July 28, Americas secretary of state Antony J. Blinken held formal discussions with Indias external affairs minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. Before that, however, he held a meeting with and addressed select civil society leaders, including a representative of the Dalai Lamas Tibet House. The visits choreography was significant as it occurred just a month before American deadline for the withdrawal of its military forces from Afghanistan and almost simultaneously with the visit of Mr Blinkens number two, deputy secretary of state Wendy Sherman, to Beijing.

The issues on the table were obvious, although their order of importance for either side naturally varied. For the United States it was climate change, China, democracy and human rights, the Quad (that comprises, besides the US and India, Australia and Japan) and Afghanistan. For India, it was understandably the Afghanistan-Taliban nexus, climate change and the other issues in descending order. Of course, the hype before the visit that somehow American concerns about the democratic slippage in India would be an irritant proved wrong. Like all nations, the US can mix pragmatism with evangelistic pursuit of democratic values.

After the external affairs ministrys two-questions by media per side rule, which belies a proper assessment of diplomatic parleys, four questions were posed. Two Indian journalists asked about Afghanistan and the Indo-Pacific against the backdrop of speculation that the US was planning a first in-person Quad summit, after the online meeting hosted by US President Joe Biden soon after assuming office. Both the ministers concurred that the Quad was not a military alliance, nor was it aimed at opposing any other nation and was in fact aimed at furthering cooperation among the four democracies. Not surprisingly, China viewed that explanation with much scepticism.

One of the two US journalists, Courtney McBride of the Wall Street Journal, asked the question the Indian journalists chose to skip  on the supposedly shared democratic values. Ms McBride wondered that if the US looks to partner on issues such as climate and Covid to offer a democratic alternative to China, how do you address the Indian government backslide on issues such as human rights?. Mr Blinken conceded that the US was drawn to India by the steadfast commitment of its people to democracy, to pluralism, to human rights, to fundamental freedoms. These shared values, he added, are a basis for seeking a free and open Indo-Pacific or indeed, a free and open world. But then he left the door open on the Indian slippage by adding that every democracy, starting with our own, is a work in progress.

This is an argument that hasnt been heard from American leaders in decades, if not ever. It also reflects the damage that has already been done to Americas democratic credentials by President Joe Bidens predecessor Donald Trump, who continues his crusade to delegitimise Americas electoral process and deny his own defeat. Republican Party governments in several US states are tweaking electoral rules to make it more difficult for the less prosperous and education-deficient working classes among the minority communities. This also allowed Mr Jaishankar to grab the life jacket thrown to him. He intoned that the quest for a more perfect union applies as much to Indian democracy as it does to the American one  indeed to all democracies. This was an intellectual leap that would surprise even his friends, as the globally uncovered Pegasus snooping scandal was flaring up in India, causing daily disruptions of Indias Parliament all through the Blinken visit. Surely the visiting minister would have been briefed by his embassy and seen in the local newspapers that the Indian government was not only unwilling to order a judicial probe into the shocking breach of privacy of journalists, Opposition politicians, etc, but even refusing to answer with a simple yes or no whether it had purchased the malware.

Even more disturbing was the Indian ministers follow-up reasoning that much of the alleged human rights abuses were merely legacy issues and historical wrongs that needed correcting. Surely the minister knows that the Constitution of India was drafted by our founding fathers after living through many of the wrongs. The sacred document was the result of a national consensus to bury the past in order to ensure a better future. Digging up real or imagined past hurts to justify present breaches of the rule of law and constitutionalism is treading a dangerous path. For instance, considering the minister is a Dravidian, where would the argument end if debate began on who were the original occupants of South Asia and who were the invaders. Take the sacrifice of 9th Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadurji, who offered his head to defend the principle of freedom of faith, although at stake was not his own faith, Sikhism, but that of Kashmiri Brahmins. History is a dangerous weapon, often presenting arguments that negate your thesis.

Similar dissimulation persisted on Afghanistan. India must have in private taken up its concerns over the vacuum, caused by the sudden exit of the US military, being exploited by the Taliban in league with Pakistan. A Taliban delegation led by co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani was hosted by Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi in Tianjin, China. It suited the Taliban to both seek legitimacy by diplomatic talks with major nations while persisting with its military operations to capture more space and corner the current Kabul government by blocking its lifelines. The US position that moral pressure shall keep the Taliban from seizing power by force sounds unrealistic, if not deceptive. Clearly, the US has washed its hands off military intervention in Afghanistan and is willing to live with the Taliban dominance of any future order in Kabul. The key question is whether India can adopt the same blase attitude.

Therefore, the related question arises on whether the BJP-led Union government can persist with its majoritarian project to reshape India, or as Mr Jaishankar justified maintain the correction of historical wrongs? A Taliban-led Islamic caliphate in Kabul, recognised by most neighbours, as it was not when it captured power in the 1990s, would be the font of Islamic radicalism. The contrary US assurances wont change that. What Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the eternal political pragmatist, needs to realise is that when the external environment degrades, domestic politics must adjust if it cannot be insulated from it. He needs to buy peace with Indias farmers, curb the polarising narrative in Uttar Pradesh and reach out to the Opposition parties. Current wrongs need contemporary solutions, not alibis from history.
The feature should be welcome when a user is using the app at night or in dark environments

This is not all that Google has planned to roll out for its users as Google Maps on iOS is getting a couple of other features in August as well. (AFP Photo)

Washington: iOS users will finally be getting the dark mode feature for Google Maps in the coming weeks, two years after Apple rolled out dark mode as part of iOS 13.

As per the Verge, the feature should be welcome when a user is using the app at night or in dark environments.

To turn on dark mode, click on the settings menu, tap on dark mode, and then tap "on." "And if you want Google Maps to flip between light and dark mode to match your system settings, you'll be able to do that," Google told The Verge.

This is not all that Google has planned to roll out for its users as Google Maps on iOS is getting a couple of other features in August as well.

As per The Verge, the app will support widgets and will offer two different options: one that shows the traffic conditions near you and another that has shortcuts for Google Maps' search bar and places like your home or restaurants near you.

The search engine giant will also soon let its users share their live location from iMessage, which could be a handy way to tell your friends or family in a group chat where they are if the internet is not working.

By default, the location will only be shared for an hour, but it can be shared for up to three days too.
A recommended plan from the Roaring Fork School District superintendent specifies that all students wear masks while indoors but not while outdoors. Staff will be required to wear masks in the presence of students, but fully vaccinated staff members will not have to wear masks when students arent present.
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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.
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Offered in four trim levels named the S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line, the 2022 VW Tiguan is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, with 184and 221 lb-ft (300 Nm) of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard in all models, save for the range-topper, and all of them get an eight-speed automatic transmission.Pricing kicks off at $25,995, before the $1,195 destination and dealer fees, and standard features include the 17-inch wheels, LED head- and taillights, LED DRLs, black roof rails, body-colored side mirrors, keyless entry with push-button start, and remote start. The base version is also equipped with a 6.5-inch infotainment system, 8-inch digital instrument cluster, reversing camera, two USB-C ports, multi-function steering wheel, and heated front seats.The SE trim level starts at $29,495 withand $30,995 with, bringing 18-inch alloy wheels, silver roof rails, 8-inch infotainment system with voice control, wireless smartphone charging pad, two more USB-C ports, SiriusXM with three-month trial, leatherette accents, dual-zone climate control, eight-way power adjustable drivers seat, auto-dimming rearview mirror, power tailgate, and others.Choosing the SE R-Line Black version of the 2022 Tiguan is a $32,295 affair for the front-wheel drive model, or $33,795 for the one equipped with all-wheel drive. It rides on 19-inch wheels, has R-Line bumpers, side sills, and badges, chrome details inside and out, black headliner, panoramic sunroof, and ambient lighting.The SEL R-Line has an MSRP of $36,595 (standard AWD) and comes with 20-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights with adaptive front-lighting system, Light Assist, Park Assist, Dynamic Road Sign Recognition, 10.25-inch digital dials, MIB3 infotainment system with navigation, heated steering wheel, leather upholstery, and a few other gizmos.Depending on the trim level, the 2022 Tiguan can also be ordered with several options.
About fifteen years ago, Ducati unleashed what many would consider to be one of the sexiest machines designed by Pierre Terblanche  the 2006 Paul Smart 1000 LE. This graceful piece of Italian machinery was brought into existence to commemorate Smarts triumphant performance at the 1972 Imola 200 race.Bolognas gladiator underwent a production run of only 2,000 copies, making it a highly desirable rarity for any true Ducatista you'll encounter. It comes with a fierce 992cc L-twin engine thats good for up to 92 untamed ponies and 67 pound-feet (91 Nm) of twist at optimal rpm. The Duc is fully capable of accelerating from zero to 60 mph (0-100 kph) in a remarkable 3.1 seconds, while top speed is rated at 135 mph (217 kph).Sprinkle that with Brembo brakes, drool-worthy cosmetics and top-shelf suspension goodies from Ohlins, and youve got yourself one hell of a bike! Long story short, theres absolutely no shortage of things to love about this two-wheeled stallion, so youll be thrilled to learn that one such entity could end up in your garage.What youre seeing in this articles photo gallery is an unblemished Paul Smart 1000 LE thats been ridden for as little as 948 miles (about 1,500 km). Moreover, were immediately greeted by a pair of Ducati Performance lower fairings and an aftermarket exhaust that looks arguably neater than the stock module, as well as an open clutch cover and stainless-steel bar-end mirrors.For an ultra-tidy appearance, a dual-function LED lighting strip keeps the rear end free of any dreaded clutter. Submitting your bids for this limited-edition treasure will be possible until August 6, when the BaT (Bring A Trailer) auction will end. At this time, the top bid is placed at $9,160, but were expecting to see that figure surge over the next couple of days.
Stellantis has revealed its plans for the next two years along with its financial results for the first half of 2021. The conglomerate is going strong when profit is concerned, which is good news for investors, but that is not the only news from the online presentation.

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According to several reports, Apple currently has 92 employees with state-issued permits to operate self-driving vehicles. Even with the expansion of its driver roster, Apple is still third in the self-driving car game in California, as GM's Cruise and Waymo have numerous more drivers and vehicles.Reports claim Waymo has about 373 drivers in its roster, nearly four times more than Apple's recently expanded crew, while GM-owned Cruise has 102 state-certified drivers. As Apple Insider notes , Waymo has 615 cars in-field testing, while GM's Cruise division has 201 vehicles involved in self-driving car testing.Unlike GM, Apple does not build cars, and it is unclear what the American technology corporation will do with its self-driving car tech. Rumors about a car from Apple appeared back in 2014, and its Project Titan had over 1,000 employees until late 2016 when company executives decided to cut back the team.If Apple does decide to sell a car that drives itself , the company would have to partner with an automaker to enable it to develop a vehicle within a reasonable time. Hyundai was one of the brands that were involved in negotiating with Apple for the manufacturing part of the alleged Apple car, but the deal fell through.With no official partnership with a manufacturer, Apple is left with buying vehicles from whatever automakers it chooses until the company develops a fully functional self-driving car technology. Some believe that Tesla would be the best partner for the role, but the two companies did not share the same vision.Apple's self-driving car project was not left ignored by competitors in its field, as tech giants like Xiaomi and Huawei have announced similar plans
In 1974 motorcycle manufacturer Ducati appointed the car stylist Giorgetto Giugiaro and his company Italdesign to draw a new model. What resulted was the Ducati 860 GT , which, thanks to its angular drawn tank and the similarly designed engine case, showed a completely new style for a Ducati.Fans of the earlier "round case" Ducati 750 twins, which featured rounded engine cases and cafe racer style, were taken aback by Giugiaro's squared-off styling, which was more popular in the automotive industry. The new look of the 860 twins was widely overlooked by the public, and sales plummeted, prompting the company to restyle the 860 GT.Two years later, the model, renamed 860 GTS , featured a less angular fuel tank than the GT, a seat without the duck-tail, smaller handlebars, and a reduced final drive ratio. And that's where things started to stray further away from the original square-off styling, ending the production of the model altogether in 1979.Returning to the initial design, the Ducati 860-E Concept reimagined by Italdesign five decades later still keeps some of the iconic lines of the original one, like the tank hull continuing under the saddle.The ride's retro feel is still there, along with its lines and color scheme. What's new is the electric twist the Italian design company gave it. The air-cooled 90-degree V-twin engine is replaced by a large battery module and an electric motor. And you clearly cannot miss the new LED front light, which shines brighter than ever on this 860-E.As cool as this concept might sound, Italdesign says that it's just a "mere exercise in style" which celebrates the Italian work of art from the '70s. As one might guess, there's no production planned in the foreseeable future.
The airplane is one of the oldest, most widespread, and reliable currently in service. It flew its first mission for the American military in 1978, and since then the fleet has grown to a record number for a plane manufactured in times of relative peace, over 4,500 units.Countless variants, from the initial F-16A/B to the most insane, unmanned QF-16 shown close to a decade ago, have come and went, and enough of these planes are still in service to be deployed by around 25 countries.By July 2021, the last time the planes current maker, Lockheed Martin , updated us on the status of the fleet, the Falcons, also known as Vipers among their pilots, had flown for around 19.5 million hours, during 13 million sorties.Those numbers probably include the miles covered last month by the F-16 we have featured as the main pic of this piece (click main photo to enlarge). This particular plane, belonging to the U.S. Air Force 79th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, is seen here taking off from the Comando Aereo de Combate Number 5 base in Rionegro, Colombia.With some editing help from the Air Force, the airplane sure seems to be giving us a taste of the blistering speed it is capable of once in the air, blurring everything around it and becoming a perfect fit for that section of ours that hosts all sorts of military wonders, Photo of the Day The plane, alongside other military units in the region, including personnel from the Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina, was part of the Relampago VI exercise that took place in mid-July.American forces were in Colombia for the exercise to provide rapid integration into theater training, as well as joint, coalition and partnered missions, according to the USAF.
Never imagined a Netflix documentary when we kicked off @inspiration4x just 8 months ago. Amazing how fast things come together. Proceeds from this directly benefit @StJude & our $200 million fundraising objective. https://t.co/7Wslcd6m8a  Jared Isaacman (@rookisaacman) August 3, 2021

Netflix has announced a five-part docuseries documenting the September 15 launch of the SpaceX Dragon mission called Inspiration4, which will be the first all-civilian mission to orbit. It is the first near-real time program for the network and will strive to educate viewers at home on the challenges, risks and benefits of space travel.The documentary is called Countdown: Inspiration4 Mission to Space, and will be directed by Jason Hehir, whose most recent credit includes the Michael Jordan doc The Last Dance. The first four episodes will focus on the days leading up to the launch, and will air on September 6 and 13 in batches of two, showing training, emotional moments, and challenges. Have a hankie nearby, is what were saying.The feature-length finale will air at the end of month, if the schedule for the SpaceX launch holds and Inspiration4 kicks off on the 15th, The Wrap reports. It will feature unprecedented access inside the spacecraft capturing the launch and the crews journey to space, as well as their return home to Earth, as per the network.Inspiration4 is the first step toward making space available to private individuals by SpaceX. The four people who will be flying higher into space than the International Space Station (ISS) are Jared Isaacman, CEO of Shift 4 Payments, geosciences professor Sian Proctor, physician assistant Hayley Arceneaux, and US Air Force veteran Chris Sembroski. Isaacman is using the mission to raise $200 million for St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, half of which he donated himself when he signed on for the mission.With Netflix declaring September the month when everybody goes to space, theyre also preparing something for the kids. A StoryBots Space Adventure is a hybrid live-action animation special for kids and families airing on September 14 and offering the basics on space exploration, from how rockets fly and what astronauts eat while on a mission.
More specifically, the Mountain View-based search giant has announced a trio of improvements for Google Maps that are currently rolling out to iPhones out there, with everybody supposed to get them in the next few weeks.First and foremost, its the feature that is specifically aimed at iPhones running the latest version of Apples mobile operating system. Released last fall, iOS 14 comes with support for widgets, and thanks to this latest update, Google Maps now offers users the option of accessing helpful information right from the home screen However, worth knowing is that iOS 14 widgets are still static, so for Google Maps, for example, you wont be able to do anything else than launch the app to a specific section.The second feature coming to iPhones with this new Google Maps update is support for a full dark mode. In theory, the dark mode makes the app easier to use at night, which obviously makes sense for drivers who rely on Google Maps for navigation purposes , but on the other hand, its good news for pretty much anyone who wants an interface thats more comfortable to look at in low light.In addition, the dark mode also helps save battery life. You can enable the dark mode from the settings screen, but you can also configure the interface to follow the system configuration.And last but not least, Google has added live location sharing support for iMessage, which means that you can now let someone know where you are using the default messaging app on your iPhone. By default, your location is shared for one hour, but you can very well extend the time to a maximum of three days.
More specifically, Waze has been updated with Halo Infinite-inspired content, but once again, the whole thing is available only for a limited time.In other words, you will only be allowed to use the new car icons, moods, and voice navigation for a few weeks, most likely until the end of August, after which Waze would return to your previous configuration.As part of the partnership, the Halo Infinite-themed content includes two new moods called Master Chief and Escharum, as well as two car icons, namely Warthog and Ghost.As for navigation, the new voices are Master Chief and Escharum, but you should know these are only supported for a few languages, such as English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. The rest of the content can be enabled in any country out there.Setting up a new car icon or mood doesnt take more than a few seconds. After installing the most recent Waze update , you should see a new menu entry called Drive with Master Chief right in the navigation menu. Tapping it launches the main configuration screen where you can choose a new navigation voice, car icon, or mood from the Halo-themed pack.Again, Waze hasnt provided any specifics as to when the company plans to remove these goodies from the app, but most likely, the campaign will come to an end in late August.This is quite a shame, as Waze users out there absolutely love these customization options, especially because they make the application overall feel fresh and more interactive. Of course, theres no way to retain the special-edition car icons and moods after Waze officially pulls them and the campaign comes to an end.
And caught he did get. One 84-year-old man from Germany has been sentenced to suspended prison time and a hefty fine, following the 2015 discovery of an entire arsenal hidden in the cellar of his home in Heikendorf, Germany. At the time, the case made international headlines and the recovery of the items, particularly of a fully restored and complete (save for the tracks) 1943 Panther tank, became a public spectacle At the end of last month, the mans case was in the final stretches . His attorney told the court that both a U.S.-based museum and local German collectors had approached him for the tank, and that he was willing to hand it over. He will have no choice but to do so now, since the court has ordered him to dispose of all the military equipment either by donation or sale within two years, the BBC reports.Moreover, the man has received a suspended prison sentence of 14 months and a fine of 250,000 (approximately $300,000 at the current exchange rate). Thats a lot of money, but its actually half of what he was facing as a maximum, for being in violation of Germanys War Weapons Control Act.The 2015 raid took place as authorities were hunting for illegally obtained or owned Nazi memorabilia. In addition to the Panther tank, the man also owned an 88mm anti-aircraft flak cannon, a section of a V1 rocket, an assortment of pistols and assault riffles, and over 1,000 rounds of ammunition. Hed owned the Panther since at least 1978, when he was seen driving it through town either for fun during the snow blizzard or as a snow plow. So, the fact that he had on his property was not a secret within the community.When removed, the Panther no longer had tracks. The Army had to use modern-day tanks to tow it to the open road, where it was loaded onto a platform. This part of the recovery mission lasted some nine hours and required the participation of 20 men.
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Now, with the Italian government making it easier for people to attend certain events, the Raging Bull has officially kicked off the test drives for the exotic machine.Lamborghinis Huracan STO got to experience the streets of Rome firsthand, and it also showed what its made of by attacking the apexes on the Vallelunga circuit, near Italys capital city.As one can expect, the feedback received was positive all-around, the automaker states, and thats hardly a surprise, considering that the Huracan STO is basically a racer for the road. In fact, you can no longer buy a first-year production example, because all of them were sold out, despite the steep starting price that scratches on the $330,000 mark.Deemed as one of the most track-capable vehicles out there, it boasts enhanced aerodynamics inspired by the Squadra Corse models. The hood, fenders, and bumper have the Sesto Elemento to thank for, and the front splitter is also new, alongside other parts. An increased wheel track, stiffer suspension, quicker gear changes, sharper steering, and improved engine sound are other things that make it great.New driving modes for the ANIMA system were added, and the Huracan STO , which is lighter than the Performante, uses the famous naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10. The engine develops 631(640 PS / 471) and 417 lb-ft (565 Nm) of torque, with the latter number being 26 lb-ft (35 Nm) less than in the EVO variant. The 0 to 62 mph (0-100 kph) sprint takes 3.0 seconds; from rest to 124 mph (0-200 kph), it needs 9.0 seconds, and flat-out, it can do 193 mph (310 kph).
The mission is a European affair, and it is scheduled to depart next year on a Proton-M rocket. ExoMars , Europes first rover to be sent to the Red Planet, has been delayed several times, but now seems on track for the scheduled launch.The European Space Agency (ESA) has begun testing the things motoring skills earlier this year, using an exact replica of the rover that will be making the journey to Mars, and now it says it moved to perform the first scientific tests using the same machine, in a simulated Martian environment somewhere in Italy.And the rover sure packs some serious hardware, clearly destined to leave no chance for Martian life, if any, to go undetected.Four cameras are on deck to help the thing move along. Two of them, called NavCam and LocCam, are located at the top and at the bottom of the rovers mast, helping it see in three dimensions and identify the rocks and slopes ahead. The other two, PanCam and CLUPI, help the machine get a whole picture of the site with high-resolution imaging.A ground-penetrating radar called WISDOM is also on deck to look at the surveyed areas in a grid fashion, helped by a neutron spectrometer called ADRON and meant for detecting signs of water and hydrated minerals below the surface.When a site of interest is detected, the rover will use its onboard drill to extract samples. It can dig to a depth of two meters (6.5 feet) beneath the surface, the deepest anyone has managed before.Once the samples are collected, theyll be crushed and moved into the onboard laboratory, where sensors and such will look to understand their mineralogy and chemistry. This will be done by means of another suite of instruments called MicrOmega, Raman and MOMA, each tailored to look for a particular thing during the soil sample analysis.Testing of these instruments has only begun, and will continue over the next few months, while the rover that will actually leave for Mars is getting ready for its trip.
Rolls-Royce North America officially announced that it will be launching a modern test facility at Purdue. The location was chosen due to all the benefits of the companys decades-long partnership with Purdue University, including employees selected from Purdue engineers, and the advanced engine research conducted at the universitys Zucrow Propulsion Labs.Located close the university campus, at the Purdue Aerospace District, Rolls-Royce West Lafayette is meant to be a one-of-a-kind facility that will incorporate the latest digital technologies for engine development and testing.One of the groundbreaking features of the new facility will be the integration of high-altitude test cells. These kind of test cells are rare in the U.S., at the moment, so Rolls-Royce plans to advance engine development with the help of this innovative type of testing. This allows simulating air conditions and testing the engine at high altitudes, as if in flight, while the actual engine doesnt physically move from the ground.The new high-altitude test cell, along with modern digital systems, will skyrocket Rolls-Royces testing capability for current and future engines , including the V-22 Ospreys AE 1107C engine and C-130J Super Hercules AE 2100 engines.The company is even developing the engines for Bells V-280 Valor, one of the aircraft that could become the U.S. Armys long-range assault model for the next 50 years. Bell is one of the 2 finalists in the U.S. Armys Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) program, competing against the Sikorsky-Boeing Defiant X . If the V-280 wins, Rolls-Royce will be officially developing the engine for the next-gen military aircraft.And thats not all. With an increased interest in hybrid and electric solutions in the aerospace industry, Rolls-Royce is set to also expand its capabilities and further test hybrid-electric technologies at this new facility. Batteries, generators and power electronics are just some of the components that will take the companys expertise further than ever before.
This is also the reason the 68 Impala sold like hotcakes after two years of decline, with Chevrolet eventually shipping more than 710,000 units, up more than 61,000 units versus 1967.The engine lineup included both economic choices, such as the 250 (4.1-liter) six-cylinder, as well as V8 monsters, as its the case of the top-of-the-range 427 (7.0-liter) that developed no less than 385 horsepower.The Impala that we have here was born with a 396 (6.5-liter) under the hood, but as eBay seller buyemallbill puts it, this engine is long gone due to a reason that hasnt been disclosed. On the other hand, the Impala now comes with a 427 in charge of putting the wheels in motion, as well as with a 4-speed transmission carried-over from a Chevrolet Corvette.Without a doubt, restoring this Impala will be quite a challenge, and you can easily tell this is the case by simply checking out the photo gallery in this article.The car doesnt necessarily come in its best shape, and theres plenty of rust the buyer will have to deal with, including the floors. These would require serious patching, and without a doubt, theres plenty of rust in other areas not seen in the photos, so make sure you inspect the car in person before committing to a purchase.Clearly, this Impala will be a challenge to restore, but eventually, it could end up becoming quite a head-turner. The only question is whether its worth the effort from a financial perspective, especially as the car is already rather expensive. The buyer is asking $9,500 for the car, but some other offers might be considered as well.
The direct-to-consumer (DTC) wine industry is big and getting bigger, growing 27% by volume in 2020, the largest increase year over year to date. Yet while residents of most states can let their wine come to them, Delawareans must don shirt and shoes and then visit a winery in person to receive a DTC wine shipment.

Most states allow wineries to make off-site shipments, meaning residents can order wine online  or by phone or mail  and have it shipped to their homes. Delaware is different: A winery cannot ship directly to consumers in the First State unless the consumer places the order in-person, at the winery. Arkansas and Rhode Island have similar restrictions.

This poses obvious challenges in the best of times. Throw a pandemic into the mix and it can become downright difficult for residents of Arkansas, Delaware, and Rhode Island to procure wine from favorite out-of-state wineries or explore new vintners.

House Bill 210, introduced May 20, 2021, would eliminate Delawares on-site sales restriction. The measure would permit licensed in-state and out-of-state wine producers to obtain a license to ship wine directly to Delaware consumers through a common carrier, and to use a fulfillment house if desired. However, it doesnt authorize wine retailers to ship to consumers in the state.

The DTC license proposed by HB 210 would need to be renewed every two years, for a fee to be determined by the commissioner after the bill becomes law.

If the measure is enacted as introduced, each winery would be able to ship a maximum of three 9-liter cases per year to a single household. This is a low volume limit, according to Jeff Carroll, general manager for Avalara for Beverage Alcohol: A typical volume limit is two cases per month. Shipments to the state overall would be limited to 1,800 9-liter cases per winery per year.

As in other states where DTC wine shipments are allowed, wineries would be responsible for ensuring all wine shipments are labeled, Contains alcohol: Signature of individual age 21 or older required for delivery (or similar). Theyd also be responsible for paying the taxes normally due for wines. As Delaware has no sales tax, only excise tax would apply.

Although the Delaware State Legislature adjourned June 30, 2021, without considering HB 210, its expected to take up the bill when it reconvenes in January 2022. Thus, Delaware residents could be able to enjoy the privilege of DTC wine shipments afforded to most other Americans by this time next year.
President Biden pledged nearly $100 million in humanitarian assistance to Lebanon on Wednesday, the first anniversary of a port explosion that killed more than 200 people and injured thousands of others in the country's capital of Beirut.

Why it matters: Biden urged Lebanon's leaders to reform the country's economy and crack down on corruption after more than a year of economic and political instability.

No senior official has been held accountable for the blast, which was caused by a large amount of ammonium nitrate stored unsafely at the port for years.

What he's saying: Biden said the new $100 million pledge adds to $560 million that the U.S. has provided to Lebanon over the last two years, and he urged other leaders around the world to increase their assistance to Lebanon.
Rep. Jim Clyburn is cementing his Biden-era kingmaker status with Shontel Brown's win in Ohio, showing progressives he has a finger on the pulse of Democratic Party politics in a way they must acknowledge.

Driving the news: "I was going to stay right here in South Carolina minding my business until I got called stupid, Clyburn told Axios in an interview Wednesday.

Why it matters: The latest in a string of primary wins by centrists over progressives is bolstering the playbook that Clyburn, 81, a Black South Carolina Democrat and the House majority whip, has championed since his endorsement helped Biden clinch the nomination.

Clyburn, along with many in congressional leadership and those on Biden's team see this as the best path for Democrats to try to hang on to control in next year's uphill midterm elections.

Progressive favorite Nina Turner lost Tuesday night to Cuyahoga County Councilwoman Brown in the primary for the special election to fill the seat vacated by Marcia Fudge whom Clyburn had personally encouraged Biden to tap as the head of Housing and Urban Development.

The Aug. 3 contest follows progressive losses in the 2020 presidential election, the New York mayoral primary, the Virginia gubernatorial primary and the New Mexico special election for Deb Haaland's House seat.

Progressives also are backing challengers in upcoming, high-stakes primaries in Nashville, New York, and Chicago  all attempting to unseat Democratic incumbents.

Progressives are active online, get outsized media attention, and fundraise with the help of big name celebrities. But Clyburn has worked behind the scenes to shape the future of his party.

What they're saying: "Jim Clyburn is really good at politics and he really understands, especially, where African-American and older African-American voters are," said Matt Bennett, co-founder of Third Way, a moderate Democratic group that spent roughly $500,000 on digital attack ads against Turner.

"Voters of that district really liked Joe Biden," he said of OH-11, "and they want someone whos going to be pragmatic and make progress."

Clyburn told Axios: "I had no plans to go to Cleveland or to get physically involved in the campaign until the Turner campaign invited me in."

Turner in June appeared onstage with Killer Mike at an economic justice town hall hosted by liberal group The Young Turks and agreed when he called Clyburn "incredibly stupid" for backing Biden. "That's the kind of BS that sent me to Cleveland," Clyburn said.

He said he saw Turner as too divisive for Congress.

He campaigned for Brown in Cleveland the week before the election. Clyburn also took issue with Killer Mike and Turner saying all the Democrat has gotten from President Biden is Juneteenth being a federal holiday.

By the numbers: Clyburn said Juneteenth isn't the point. He highlighted $65 billion for rural broadband to be included in the infrastructure package, the adoption of his "10-20-30" anti-poverty formula, and advancements for community health centers:

" Those are Jim Clyburns creations," he said. He also mentions $40 million secured for community projects in his South Carolina district.

He also mentions $40 million secured for community projects in his South Carolina district. I got all this and I can keep going on, he said. $5 billion to Black farmers in the Rescue Act. Lifting half of children who lived in poverty out of poverty  that's in the Rescue Act.

$5 billion to Black farmers in the Rescue Act. Lifting half of children who lived in poverty out of poverty  that's in the Rescue Act. "These are creations, and to say all we got out of endorsing Joe Biden was a federal holiday? Thats the kind of BS that sent me to Cleveland, I was going to stay right here in South Carolina minding my business until I got called stupid.

What we're watching: Clyburn predicted Rep. Carolyn Maloney will face an even tougher election this time around than she did last cycle against a progressive challenger, but said he plans to support her along with Reps. Danny Davis and Jim Cooper in their re-election efforts. All are being targeted by Justice Dems.
Rep. Julia Letlow (R-La.), whose husband, Luke, died of COVID-19 in December, made an emotional, urgent plea on "CBS This Morning" for more Louisiana residents to get the coronavirus vaccine as the state faces a surge in new cases.

Driving the news: "He and I had prayed for weeks prior about the possibility of the vaccine and we were so excited that it was coming out and that it was going to be widely available," Letlow said in an interview that aired Wednesday. "And he missed it by two weeks."

Republican Luke Letlow was elected to Congress in a Dec. 5 runoff election. He died from COVID-19 complications on Dec. 29, just days before he was set to be sworn in.

Julia Letlow won a special election on March 20 to replace her late husband.

What she's saying: Letlow, whose state of Louisiana is experiencing an uptick of COVID-19 cases and has low levels of vaccinations, is using her husband's story to encourage residents to get the vaccine.

"It all happened very quickly. He was very aware and cognizant and speaking to people and then he kind of crossed over a threshold, where I started to see the color drain. And that's when it hit me that he might not come home," Letlow told CBS.

"I would've given anything, I would've given everything for that shot to be available for us. Looking back now, and for someone to turn it away, it's heartbreaking to me," she said.

The big picture: Louisiana recorded 2,112 COVID-19 hospitalizations on Wednesday, breaking the previous record of 2,069 set on Jan. 7, according to WAFB.
Five other members of his cabinet -- Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigorian and the current ministers of economy, health, education and emergencies -- were reappointed to their posts in separate decrees initiated by Pashinian and signed by President Armen Sarkissian.

Sarkissian formalized on Monday several other cabinet appointments made by Pashinian. In particular, Armenias second deputy prime minister, Tigran Avinian, was replaced by Minister for Territorial Administration and Infrastructures Suren Papikian. Two other ministers retained their posts.

Armenias new finance minister, Tigran Khachatrian, served as economy minister from October 2018 to November 2020.

Khachatrian replaced Atom Janjughazian, another technocrat who joined Pashinians first cabinet formed after the 2018 velvet revolution. Janjughazian, 50, had headed the Armenian state treasury for nearly two decades preceding his ministerial appointment.

Also replaced was Justice Minister Rustam Badasian. According to Armenian press reports, he will be appointed as head of the State Revenue Committee.

Badasians successor, Karen Andreasian, was Armenias human rights ombudsman from 2011-2016.

Pashinians reshuffled government is due to submit later this month a five-year policy program to the new Armenian parliament elected on June 20. Its almost certain approval by the National Assembly controlled by the ruling Civil Contract party would amount to a vote of confidence in the government.
The bill passed by the National Assembly in March would empower the government to appoint most members of the boards of trustees that elect university rectors and make other key decisions. Most of their current members were chosen by university faculties as well as student councils.

Yerevan State University (YSU) and the National Academy of Sciences strongly oppose those changes, saying that they would violate a clause in the Armenian constitution which entitles state-funded colleges to a high degree of autonomy.

President Armen Sarkissian likewise suggested that they are contentious in terms of constitutionality when he decided in April not to sign the bill into law. He also asked the Constitutional Court to rule on its conformity with the constitution.

The court sided with the critics of the legislation in a ruling handed down on Monday. It backed their view that the new mechanism for the formation of university boards is unconstitutional.

The Armenian Ministry of Education did not comment on the ruling as of Tuesday. Education Minister Vahram Dumanian said earlier that he will accept any decision by the court.

The government kept trying to control YSU and two other state-run universities even after Sarkissians appeal to the Constitutional Court. An executive order issued by it in May stipulates that they will have new boards consisting of 20 members mostly appointed by the government and the Ministry of Education.

A senior ministry official defended the measure, saying that it is needed to address a management vacuum within the universities. She claimed that their current boards have failed to properly perform their duties.

Vahe Hovannisian, an YSU professor, said on Tuesday that the ministry itself has contributed to the turmoil. He argued that his university, which is the largest and oldest in Armenia, has not had a rector for more than two years.

YSUs last rector, Aram Simonian, resigned in May 2019 under strong government pressure. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian and his associates accused Simonian of placing YSU under the strong influence of the former ruling Republican Party.

Critics say the post of YSU rector remains vacant because of the current governments inability to replace Simonian with a figure loyal to it.
Pashinians office said on Wednesday that he will meet with Raisi shortly before the latter is sworn in before the Iranian parliament.

Ultraconservative Raisi was credentialed by Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Tuesday in a two-step inauguration process.

The 60-year-old incoming president is a former judge loyal to Khamenei and subject to U.S. sanctions imposed for alleged human rights abuses. He has pledged to take measures to rid the Islamic Republic of the tyrannical sanctions.

Pashinian sent a congratulatory message Raisi the day after his victory in Irans June 18 presidential election marred by the disqualification of some of his rivals.

I would like to take this opportunity to emphasize Irans important role in maintaining stability and peace in the region and at the same time reaffirm Armenias readiness to neutralize regional challenges through joint efforts, the Armenian leader wrote.

I am confident that with joint efforts we will manage to advance the agenda of our bilateral cooperation, enriching it with new programs and initiatives, he said.

Pashinian said in May that relations with Iran are of strategic importance to Armenia and that his administration remains committed to deepening them. He said the Armenian-Iranian border has been vital for his countrys national security.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian dismissed Eduard Hovannisian in an ongoing post-election reshuffle of his cabinet. Five of his ministers have also been replaced so far.

The new head of the SRC, Rustam Badasian, has served as justice minister for the past two years. He was in turned replaced by Karen Andreasian, Armenias human rights ombudsman from 2011-2016.

Pashinian praised Hovannisians track record and the SRCs stable performance on Thursday when he presented Badasian to senior officials from the government agency comprising the national tax and customs services.

But the truth is that there is never a surplus of money, he said. At every stage of its development -- and especially at this stage -- our state needs to conduct a more effective fiscal policy.

Pashinian said he expects the 30-year-old Badasian to carry out reforms that will further improve tax administration and minimize corrupt practices among SRC officials.

The SRC collected 750 billion drams ($1.53 billion) in various taxes and customs duties in the January-June 2021. The figure was up from 680 billion drams collected in the same period of 2020. It also exceeded a 698 billion-dram revenue target set by the government for the first half of this year.

The sizable increase resulted from a continued fight against tax evasion and Armenias unfolding recovery from last years recession primarily caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The recession led to a serious drop in tax revenues, forcing the government to resort to large-scale external borrowing.

Badasian, who worked as a deputy head of the SRC from 2018-2019, said one of his main missions will be to maintain this years good indicators. He said he will also aim to ensure that businesses get better tax and customs services.
PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) -- Maricopa County joined an ever-growing number of municipalities in requiring masks while inside of their owned buildings as the Delta variant of COVID-19 takes hold across the country.

In an update released Wednesday morning, the county's Animal Care & Control facilities reported that all employees and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, need to wear a mask inside all county-owned buildings and properties.

Cities within Maricopa County including Phoenix, Peoria, and Tempe have instituted their own mask mandates, as allowed by state law, with workforce and visitor requirements. The mandate does not apply to outdoor spaces or public squares.

Superintendent Kathy Hoffman calls on Gov. Ducey to follow CDC guidelines Superintendent Kathy Hoffman is encouraging schools to mask up as COVID cases rise in Arizona.

Coconino County also announced that they will be returning to mask requirements in county buildings. Effective August 4, all county employees and visitors will be required to wear masks in public and common areas of all county buildings.

Gov. Doug Ducey never formally issued a statewide mask mandate, but encouraged Arizonans to mask up in the midst of the pandemic last year. Ducey signed an executive order banning cities from issuing mask mandates back in March. Recently, Superintendent Kathy Hoffman criticized Ducey's response to mask mandates in schools, telling the governor to "follow the guidance of public health experts."

According to the Centers for Disease Control COVID-19 data tracker, an overwhelming majority of Arizona is considered to have concerning levels of COVID-19 transmission. Most of the state is in "high' or "substantial" levels of transmission. More than 2,000 new cases were reported on Wednesday, according to the Arizona Department of Health. Inpatient bed use by COVID patients are also at the highest levels since late February.
PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) -- The extreme heat is returning this week, and The City of Phoenix is testing its new policy, closing popular valley hiking trails for much of the day. Last month, the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Board approved a pilot program, closing trails on Piestewa Peak and Camelback Mountain during extreme heat.

Extreme heat will restrict use of Phoenix hiking trails Tuesday & Wednesday Trails on Camelback Mountain and at Piestewa Peak will be restricted from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The city chose those mountains because of their difficulty, and they had the most rescues. This comes after two firefighters were hospitalized in June after multiple mountain rescues in the extreme heat. Just days ago, a woman from out of town died hiking Camelback Mountain.

"If it saves the fire department from going up there and people that shouldn't be up there, then sure," said hiker Greg Rose.

Rose spent Tuesday morning hiking Piestewa Peak before the mountain closed from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The hope is to avoid anyone getting hurt by closing down the popular trails on extreme heat days.

"If I was a local, and it was something I did on a regular basis, yeah, I would be upset about it, but at the same time, you have to look at for everyone," said Chris Edwards, who hiked Piestewa Peak before the trails closed.

Many people hit the trails before 11 a.m., despite it being a hot day.

"It's not bad because it's a dry heat," said Ryan Gist, who is here from Iowa, visiting trails. "Once you start sweating, and there's a little bit of a breeze, it doesn't get too bad."

Rangers turned away several cars Tuesday and closed the gate to get to Piestewa Peak's main parking lot.

"I got down here fast too, I guess. Get out of the heat and get out of here before they close everything down," said Rose.

A spokesperson from The City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation said citations could be given to people who break the rules. It would be a class one misdemeanor, with a fine of up to $2,500 and 6 months in jail. Park rangers said they don't want to give anyone a ticket and would prefer this to be educational. The city said no citations were issued Tuesday. As for the other hiking spots in Phoenix, the city said it's not looking to close those, at least for this year.
Boeing set to retry test flight in bid to take on SpaceX
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The Beatles tribute band Liverpool Legends will return to Beaumont this month to perform songs spanning the bands entire career, including their solo work.

The concert starts at 7 p.m. Aug. 28 at the Jefferson Theatre.
Like many eventual journalists, Rachel Kersey had a strong interest in storytelling.

Kersey, the Beaumont Enterprises new government reporter, said from a young age, she had two distinct attributes  she loved to read and she asked a lot of questions, no matter how bold.

My mother thought, Wow, she has no fear, shes a natural interviewer. Shes going to be a journalist, Kersey said. She always wanted me to be the next Soledad OBrien, but I didnt study broadcast so it doesnt look like Im on (that) track.

Kersey was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, but then her father joined the military and her family moved a lot. Kersey has lived all over the world from Washington, D.C. to Okinawa, Japan, to Plymouth, Minnesota; Lexington, Kentucky; Ramstein, Germany; and before moving to Beaumont, San Antonio.

She said while she loved moving around as a child, its bittersweet now.

Theres always the feeling of adventure that you get, but its sad to leave behind your friends, she said.

Kersey loved fiction novels throughout her childhood  and still does. She said she was blown away by the idea that authors could create completely new worlds, and she wanted to do the same.

I wanted to be a fiction writer, and my mother always wanted me to be a journalist. When it was time for me to go to college, she said You need to go and study something that youre actually going to make money in, so I begrudgingly studied journalism, Kersey said.

Kersey went on to earn a bachelors degree in print and online journalism from Howard University in 2016.

As soon as I was done with (my degree), I was like, Finally, Im going to go get a masters degree in something I actually care about, she said. So, I went to study fiction for two years.

During her masters degree program, however, Donald Trump ran for and was elected to the presidency. The news cycle surrounding his campaign and election fascinated Kersey, she said.

Kersey graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing in 2018. She said journalism at that time ignited her interest in the real world, instead of the fictional worlds she had been reading about in novels.

I see this very disturbing trend of people not agreeing on what truth is, and I feel very strongly that the truth is important, she said.

Kersey said its important for journalists to tell the truth, regardless of how it makes people feel.

The truth has weight, because what you believe about the world and about other people around you and about yourself affects everything, even if you dont see it, she said. Journalism is important, and I want to do this because I want to help people to know the unbiased truth and to make good decisions based on that.

Her new position is Kerseys second journalism job after working for the Joint Base San Antonio Legacy where she was a staff writer. In January, Kersey joined Hearsts mentorship program and was paired with executive CJ Kettler, who helped her find the open position in Beaumont.

Im looking forward to the adventure of being a fully independent adult with a job that I feel like Im making a difference in the world and in my local community, Kersey said. I am looking forward to a sense of peace about my place in the world and my purpose. I feel like thats something I was lacking in San Antonio, but I can feel myself settling in here and I feel like Im in a better place.

oliviasmalick@gmail.com

twitter.com/oliviamalick
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.
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.
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.

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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.
A Port Arthur man on Monday pleaded guilty to a federal firearms violation after he fled from police before ultimately crashing into a pole.

Jesus Antonio Ceja, 30, faces up to 10 years in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, a news release from The U.S. Attorneys Office in the Eastern District said.

Court documents show that Port Arthur Police officers saw a vehicle stopped in an intersection in 5200 block of 15th Street on February 9, 2020. The officer drove toward the vehicle to see if the driver needed help. Instead, he found the driver, Ceja, with his head down.

Ceja looked at the officer and accelerated away at a high rate of speed, court documents stated. As the officer turned around to follow the vehicle, he saw that Ceja had crashed his vehicle into a pole at the nearby intersection of Lewis and Lakeview streets.

Ceja repeatedly reached under the seat and ignored commands to show his hands and exit the vehicle, the release said. After the officer opened the passenger door, Ceja exited the vehicle and crawled on top of it, refusing to come down. Once other officers arrived, Ceja came down off the car and told officers there was methamphetamine and a firearm in the car.

Ceja was a convicted felon, who previously had been found guilty of felony escape in Jefferson County in 2008.

Ceja was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 27, 2021. While he faces up to a decade in prison, the sentencing will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

This case is being investigated by the Port Arthur Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Quinn.

It is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justices violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.

meagan.ellsworth@beaumontenterprise.com

twitter.com/megzmagpie
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. (AP)  Officials are closing some areas on the south shore of Lake Tahoe after some chipmunks tested positive for plague.

The Tahoe Daily Tribune reports that the Taylor Creek Visitor Center, Kiva Beach and their parking areas will be off limits through Friday.

During that time, the U.S. Forest Service will be conducting vector control treatments to those areas.

El Dorado County spokeswoman Carla Hass said the chipmunks that were tested had no contact with any people.

Forest Service officials expect the facilities to be open again by the weekend.

According to the El Dorado County Public Health, plague is naturally present in some areas of California.

People hiking and doing other outdoor activities should avoid contact with animals. They should do the same for their pets.

Plague is an infectious bacterial disease that tends to be spread by chipmunks, other wild rodents and their fleas. For humans, symptoms can show up within two weeks of exposure to an infected animal. They include fever, nausea, weakness and swollen lymph nodes.

If caught early, it can be treated with antibiotics.

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This story corrects National Forest Service to the U.S. Forest Service.
A man stands near solar panels installed on the roof of a government office building in Dhaka, June 7, 2021.

Environmentalists and government officials have slashed Bangladeshs goal of ensuring that 30 percent of its energy comes from renewable sources by 2030, saying the country lacks land and resources needed to meet the target.

During a meeting on Tuesday to review the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan, which the government unveiled at the Vulnerable 20 group meeting chaired by Bangladesh in July, a local climate-change expert cast doubt on those renewable energy goals.

The governments new renewable energy plan seems to me to be unrealistic. The plan targets producing four gigawatts (4,000 megawatts) from wind in the Bay of Bengal. It further proposes increasing the share of renewable energy to 30 percent by 2030 and 40 percent by 2041, Mizan R. Khan, a deputy director of the International Center for Climate Change and Development, who addressed Tuesdays meeting, told BenarNews.

We have no wind potential so this is almost impossible to achieve, he said. Not only had I, but other speakers expressed their surprise at the wind-power target.

On Wednesday, an energy ministry official said the government had revised the goals.

We are working with a new plan to produce 15 percent power from renewable sources by 2030 and 40 percent by 2050. We are hopeful, said Mohammad Hossain, director general of the research wing at the power cell of the energy ministry.

In 2009, the government decided to meet 5 percent of the energy needs from renewable sources by 2015 and 10 percent by 2020. But the targets have yet to be achieved, he said. Currently, renewable sources provide less than 4 percent of our total energy.

Bangladesh, which has been identified as among countries threatened most by the potential effects of climate change  particularly along its low-lying coastal areas  faces natural road blocks in meeting its goals for renewable energy.

Solar power  the countrys main renewable energy source  requires major land and economic investment, making it impractical to set up plants.

We have been a land-hungry country. We cannot set up solar panels on vast swaths of land. We have been trying to generate wind power, but we are not sure about its success, Hossain told BenarNews.

Officials noted that three acres are needed to produce one megawatt of solar power. A government policy allowing rooftop solar panels was scrapped because of alleged corruption.

Since land is in short supply, officials set up a floating solar panels in Mongla, a city on the southwestern coast.

But I think floating solar plants would not work as hundreds of thousands of fishermen depend on these water bodies for livelihood. Besides, fish and other aquatic creatures need sunlight for survival, Khan said.

Tamim, a professor at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), also questioned the governments energy figures.

As regards to renewable energy, we are naturally disadvantaged. The government says the renewable contribution is 4 percent. Actually, this is less than 1 percent as most of the solar projects meet local demands and do not supply power to the national grid, Tamim told BenarNews.

He said wind-generated power had proven unreliable.

There is no potential for wind power as we have no consistent flow of natural wind along the coast. The power development board set up a wind power plant in Feni on a trial basis, but it failed, Tamim said.

Feni is a coastal city in southeastern Bangladesh.

Despite that failure, the government in December 2020 awarded a contract to a Chinese company to produce 55 megawatts of wind power daily in Mongla. Announcing the project, officials said consumers would pay U.S. 13 cents per kilowatt hour generated by the plant, compared to 7 cents paid now.

Old energy grid

In a bid to promote renewable sources of energy, the government in 2014 set up a new agency, the Sustainable Renewable Energy Development Authority. In its 2019-2020 report, the authority said the nation produced more than 650 megawatts of electricity per day from renewable sources  about 3 percent of the total power generation of 21,354 megawatts.

Tamim noted that Bangladesh must rely on traditional sources of energy to meet the countrys needs.

Our electricity distribution grid is more than 40 years old and cannot intake more than 10 percent electricity from renewable sources. So, if the government plans to increase supply from renewable sources, it must replace the whole distribution network, which warrants a huge investment, he said.

Meanwhile in June, the government canceled plans to construct 10 coal-fired power plants over price concerns and because it could not find funders.

We have abandoned the 10 coal projects on environmental grounds, but we cannot totally discard fossil fuels. We have to adjust with fossil fuels and renewable sources, Hossain said, adding, The government has been trying to find ways to increase the share of renewable energy.

In addition to committing to increase renewable energy, Bangladesh officials pledged to cut carbon emissions, which have been linked to climate change, by 5 percent.

Bangladesh is not a polluter. We are rather a victim of emissions by developed countries, M. Ziaul Haque, a director at the governments Department of Environment, told BenarNews. The Paris agreement does not force us to cut emissions. But we are doing it willfully.

We have been working hard to set a new target for further emission reductions. And our commitment and goodwill in this regard are highly respected around the world.
Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof, Bruneis second minister for foreign affairs and trade, addresses the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Sept. 30, 2019.

Updated at 6:32 ET on 2021-08-04

ASEAN appointed Bruneis top diplomat as its special envoy to Myanmar on Wednesday, more than 100 days after the Southeast Asian blocs members agreed to send an emissary to help resolve the post-coup crisis there.

Observers and human rights advocates skeptically greeted the appointment of Erywan Yusof, the second foreign minister of Brunei Darussalam, as special envoy. Some pointed to his perceived inefficacy and lack of transparency in dealing with Myanmar while the Borneo sultanate held this years ASEAN chairmanship.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations tasked Erywan with implementing a five-point consensus, which the bloc had reached at a special summit in Jakarta in late April to discuss the Feb. 1 military coup in Myanmar and its violent aftermath, according to a joint statement issued after an unscheduled ASEAN foreign ministerial meeting.

Erywan will start his work in Myanmar, including building trust and confidence with full access to all parties concerned and providing a clear timeline on the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus before the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting, the communique said, referring to a meeting scheduled for September.

The 10-member regional bloc had been widely criticized for taking more than three months after the Jakarta summit to decide who to appoint to the special ambassadorial role.

Erywan is one of the two Bruneian officials who represented ASEAN when they visited Naypyidaw in May to meet Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the architect of the coup, and present him names of envoy candidates.

The two officials were criticized for an ill-considered statement issued after the meeting, and which ASEAN later removed from its website. Their statement had referred to Min Aung Hlaing by a title he gave himself  chairman of the State Administrative Council  the official name of the Burmese junta.

ASEANs communique did not call for the release of Burmese civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, whose government the military toppled. The statement, however, noted that the blocs foreign ministers had heard calls for the release of political detainees including foreigners.

The statement also expressed concern about the fatalities and violence in Myanmar.

More than 900 people  most of them anti-coup protesters  have been killed by Myanmar security forces since the coup.

The naming of an ASEAN envoy came soon after Washington said this week it was imperative for ASEAN to speed up its plan for initiating dialogue and reducing violence in Myanmar, especially now that the junta chief had appointed himself prime minister and announced that elections would not take place until 2023.

ASEAN also issued the communique two days after an official scheduled meeting of the blocs foreign ministers.

At the April summit, ASEAN leaders  including Min Aung Hlaing  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.

Its a relief

Disagreements between ASEAN member-states, however, delayed the start of implementing those measures.

These contentious issues persisted during Mondays meeting of ASEANs top diplomats, leading to the bloc delaying its announcement on the appointment of a special envoy, said Sidharto Suryodipuro, director for ASEAN cooperation at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The last paragraph that delayed the validation [of the communique] was one on Myanmar, he told a news conference on Wednesday.

Ultimately, all ASEAN members were firm in supporting Erywan as envoy, Sidharto said, adding there was also a concrete commitment that the envoy will be given full access to all parties in Myanmar.

All decisions in ASEAN are taken by consensus, which implies that the Myanmar junta-appointed foreign minister agreed to provide access to all parties.



But the junta has once before veered from the consensus, as was the case after Aprils ASEAN meeting, when Min Aung Hlaing said he would implement the five-point agreement only when violence ended and stability returned.

Burmese political analyst Than Soe Naing cast doubt about who the ASEAN envoy could negotiate with because officials from the elected civilian government were now in jail.

The military council has put everybody concerned into the prison and filed various charges, Than Soe Naing told Radio Free Asias Myanmar Service. BenarNews is affiliated with RFA.

Who would be negotiating with [ASEAN]? ASEAN could make proposals. But Min Aung Hlaing has ignored all of these proposals, under the guise that the stability shall be achieved first.

Sidharto, however, said ASEAN ministers were united in their view that the consensus must be implemented urgently and without conditionalities.

He also said the joint communique did not constitute recognition of the military rule in Myanmar.

Since the February 1 coup, every [ASEAN] official documents starts with the phrase The meeting., and not with We the ministers, Sidharto said.

He was noting the participation of the Myanmars junta-appointed foreign minister, Wunna Maung Lwin, at the Monday meeting. Burmese pro-democracy activists have denounced junta appointees being allowed to attend such meetings.

Still, its a relief that the special envoy on Myanmar has finally been appointed, Eric Paulsen, Malaysias representative to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights, said via Twitter.

Another observer criticized ASEAN for losing valuable time in appointing a special envoy to Myanmar.

[A]t this point its pretty clear that the problem is not about who will be special envoy. The problem is that ASEAN has not actually acted in good faith, Debbie Stothard, coordinator of the Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma, told RFAs Myanmar Service.

[W]e have not seen a halt in violence against civilians. In fact, what we are seeing is more war crimes and crimes against humanity taking place in the country.

However, a Burmese human rights attorney was more optimistic about the appointment of Erywan as ASEANs envoy.

[H]e could bring something to the table, instead of the continuing stalemate, Min Lwin Oo told RFA. I think the ASEAN envoy need to execute the tasks, such as pushing for the release of detained leaders.

[W]e know that the military council will delay its actions and the negotiations will not go smoothly. I think the special envoy will have to go through the delaying techniques, such as suspending, postponing or denying the meeting with the persons concerned, or allowing to meet the person only at the second or third request, Min Lwin Oo said.

Brunei was not transparent

Another analyst, Lina Alexandra, senior international relations researcher at the Jakarta-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), warned against high expectations.

Brunei was not transparent to the other foreign ministers on the visit to Naypyitaw [in May], and on the process of appointing the special envoy, she told BenarNews.

It seems like they are making too many compromises with the Myanmar military, which is the source of the problem there.

Erywan has been chosen as envoy to mollify those ASEAN members who are not invested themselves in human rights, said Dinna Prapto Raharja, an international relations expert at Synergy Policies, a Jakarta-based think-tank.

He has not been chosen for his ability to navigate complex issues in Myanmar, but to come to terms with other ASEAN members that are half-hearted in their efforts, or even actively rejecting efforts to find a solution rooted in democracy and human rights, she told BenarNews.

Dinna didnt name names, but among ASEAN members, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam are one-party states and Brunei is a sultanate.

Thai leader Prayuth Chan-o-cha became prime minister after a coup he spearheaded in 2014 as the army chief. The former general retained the post in a 2019 election, which opposition parties viewed as rigged in the militarys favor.
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin waves as he leaves the Palace after meeting with King Al-Sultan Abdullah Riayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah, in Kuala Lumpur, Aug. 4, 2021.

Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on Wednesday rejected resignation calls, saying he would prove he has majority support during next months parliament session.

Muhyiddin said King Al-Sultan Abdullah Riayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah  who summoned him  agreed to his proposal.

Im aware that questions about my position as PM have often been raised. Therefore, I have informed the king that I will determine my legitimacy in the lower house when parliament reconvenes in September, Muhyiddin said in a special nationally televised address at 12:30 p.m.

Opposition parties said the PM must call a special parliament session immediately or resign along with his cabinet.

Prior to his speech, lawmakers were seen entering and leaving Muhyiddins residence on Tuesday and Wednesday. Speculation went into high gear when the countrys military and police chiefs went to the PMs office early Wednesday.

The king wrote a letter to Muhyiddin late Tuesday after United Malays National Organization (UMNO), the ruling coalitions largest party, said the monarch had been informed that enough of its lawmakers had withdrawn support for the PM.

Muhyiddin said a vote of confidence would be tabled in parliament when it reconvenes Sept. 6.

One analyst told BenarNews that if such a vote is put on the agenda, it would be the first time in Malaysian history that a sitting prime minister called for a vote of confidence in the lower house.

Muhyiddin is confident he will win.

I informed the king however, that based on declaration letters I have received from MPs, I am convinced that I still command the majority support from members of the [lower] house. Therefore, the issue of me resigning does not arise.

UMNO remains split

During the special address, nine cabinet ministers including his deputy, UMNO member Ismail Sabri Yaakob, flanked Muhyiddin.

UMNO is split on whether to support Muhyiddin, but calls for the unelected PMs resignation began to gather steam in March and April.

Frustrated Malaysians have said that an emergency to contain the pandemic imposed on the PMs advice did not stem new COVID-19 infections.

Instead, new cases rose more than eight-fold since the emergencys imposition on Jan. 12, with the country recording a record high 19,819 cases and 257 virus-related deaths on Wednesday.

The king on July 29 reprimanded the government for allegedly misleading lawmakers about the status of emergency ordinance.

Shortly after, more than 100 lawmakers said the PM must resign for disrespecting the monarchy and acting unconstitutionally.

The final nail in the coffin, as it were, was UMNO leader Ahmad Zahid Hamidis announcement on Tuesday that a sufficient number of the partys lawmakers had withdrawn support for Muhyiddin.

In his afternoon address, Muhyiddin said doubts about his legitimacy as PM were raised by certain parties who were unhappy that his government did not intervene in corruption cases against them in court.

Its impossible for Muhyiddin

Opposition leaders, analysts and an election watchdog said that because of confusion over who in UMNO does or does not support Muhyiddin, he should call a special parliament session now and not wait until next month.

The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) said such a delay could lead to backdoor enticements and concessions  or worse, state machinery put to use for political ends.

A delay would prolong political instability with parties vying for support for MPs through promises of lucrative appointments to government-linked companies or even cabinet positions, or the use of enforcement bodies to investigate and bring charges to those who do not align themselves with the government, Bersih said in a statement.

Jeniri Amir, National Council of Professors senior fellow, said the sooner a confidence vote is held the better.

I hope that after [a confidence vote] we could all move forward as we all are tired of the political instability, he told BenarNews. Whats important now is to focus on steering the country out of the health crisis and looking after the welfare of the people.

UMNOs Zahid and opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan said there was no question that Muhyiddin had lost majority support.

Malaysias parliament has 222 seats, two of which are vacant because of the deaths of MPs. Muhyiddin needs the support of a simple majority of lawmakers  112  to stay in power.

Muhyiddin said his ruling coalition had the backing of 114 lawmakers before some UMNO MPs  Zahid says 12, while the PM claims the king told him eight  withdrew support.

It is impossible for Muhyiddin to still have the majority support of MPs after the withdrawal of support by the UMNO MPs on Tuesday, Pakatan said in a statement on Wednesday signed by three leaders of opposition parties from Malaysian Borneo and an independent MP.

We insist that Muhyiddin and his whole cabinet resign."

S. Adie Zul in Kuala Lumpur contributed to this report.
The rain didnt stop people from attending Gallery Walk in downtown Brattleboro on July 2. People were able to visit multiple stations including Shakespeare in the Streets, a trivia show, drawing with raptors and a BIPOC voices mic. COVID-19 vaccines were also available while walking around enjoying the art.
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Travelers between New York and Boston tired of the time-consuming hassles of crowded airports and commerical flights now have a more convenient but pricey alternative
An assessment or critique of a service, product, or creative endeavor such as art, literature or a performance.
PITTSFIELD  The city is set to receive about $32.4 million in American Rescue Plan Act money over the next two years, and it needs your help 
PITTSFIELD  When Melissa Fawcett and her husband were looking for options for their young son, the child care programs they found kept coming up short.

So, the Fawcetts set out to make the program they were dreaming of: an all-day child care facility equally focused on fun and learning and with the kind of structured instruction meant to prepare kiddos for kindergarten. The end result was Ready Set Learn Preschool.

In the six years since, they have expanded from a residence on Virginia Avenue to the once-vacant St. Martins Episcopal Church on Dalton Avenue. With a waitlist of more than 35 kids this year, Ready Set Learn is expanding again.

More information Ready Set Learn Preschool cares for children ages 3, 4 and 5. This year, the program is expanding to serve kindergarten-age children at the program's new Wendell Avenue location. The tuition rates for Ready Set Learn are $135 for three days, $180 for four days and $225 for five days a week. The preschool does not accept child care vouchers. For more information, visit ready-set-learn.co.

The preschool is working with Mill Town Capital to renovate the former American Legion post on Wendell Avenue. The property, now owned by Mill Town and Scarafoni Financial Group, will be leased to Ready Set Learn for five years once renovations are complete and the preschool opens this fall.

The new location will have room for 80 students across two 3-year-old classrooms, a prekindergarten class and a kindergarten class. The second preschool will more than double Ready Set Learns current capacity.

I wouldnt have thought that I would open a second location, Fawcett said. But, we definitely want to offer as much as we can to the community at large.

I think theres a growing need for quality early education, and I think there are families that are aware of that, she added.

The new location helps serve a growing need.

Photos: Ready Set Learn Melissa Fawcett is the owner of Ready Set Learn on Dalton Ave., a preschool that is expanding to a second location at 42 Wendell Avenue in Pit

Ready Set Learn is one of 60 licensed child care providers in Pittsfield, according to a registry maintained by the states Department of Early Education and Care.

In 2019, the American Community Survey estimated that Pittsfield was home to about 2,000 children younger than 5. That means that there is about one child care provider or program for every 33 children.

Fawcett said the gap between program space and the number of children only has been exacerbated in recent months as some programs have had to shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic.

I dont think were going to have any issue [filling this new location], Fawcett said.

Fawcett said she was considering expanding the program before the pandemic, but those plans were delayed when her own program had to shut for several months under state health guidelines.

When a waitlist of more than 30 kids popped up this year, Fawcett said, she knew it was time to revisit her plan. The couple reached out to Mill Town to talk about leasing one of its properties in Pittsfield. Thats when Mill Town and Ready Set Learn agreed on the former American Legion post.

We view this as an opportunity to turn a vacant building into a productive facility that fulfills a significant, unmet need in the area, Tim Burke, CEO and managing director of Mill Town, said in a release. We are excited to have Melissa and her top-notch operation as a tenant and partner.

Fawcett said the new classrooms are taking shape out of the American Legions former banquet hall. She said the aesthetics of the new learning areas closely will match the look of the preschool in the St. Martins building.

To staff the new building, Fawcett has hired several former Pittsfield Public School teachers. Those educators are key to Ready Set Learns curriculum, which aims to send students off to kindergarten with the ability to read and do basic math.

Children start the day with reading practice, have outdoor play, weather permitting, then end the day with math practice. The preschool builds out its curriculum with monthly field trips to places like the Berkshire Museum, the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art and the Springfield Science Museum.

Fawcett said enrollment is open for the new Ready Set Learn location for the period of September through June.
Community News Editor / Librarian

Jeannie Maschino is community news editor and librarian for The Berkshire Eagle. She has worked for the newspaper in various capacities since 1982 and joined the newsroom in 1989.
The BBC is highlighting stories from Nigerians who have been affected by a law in the country that allows so-called "unclaimed bodies" to be given to medical schools.

Enya Egbe, now 26, said seven years ago he was in his anatomy class at Nigeria's University of Calabar when he recognized a body laid out on a table to dissect. It was his friend Divine, who had been shot and killed by police. There were two bullet holes on the right side of his chest, the outlet reports.

Egbe ran out of the class.

He later notified Divine's family who had been searching for him by going to police stations in the area. Its not clear how or why Divine was shot by police but he was arrested by security agents after a night out and was killed.

Divines family was able to reclaim his body.

RELATED: Police Brutality Caught On Camera: 22 Videos That Explain Why Black Lives Matter

Nigeria also allows sending the bodies of executed criminals to medical schools.

The BBC reports over 90% of the bodies used in Nigerian medical schools are "criminals killed by shooting", according to 2011 research in the medical journal Clinical Anatomy, which means they were likely suspects shot by security forces.

The bodies are 95% male, ages 20 to 40 years old, and three out of four are from a lower socio-economic class.

Enya Egbe currently works at a hospital lab. As for the family of Divine, the closest they came to justice was getting some of the officers involved in his killing fired.
News

Ahead of reopening schools, some parents are uneasy

In July, as the delta variant of the coronavirus was fueling a spike of cases across the state, local school district leaders weighed their options ahead of another school year defined by a pandemic.

Feeling the pressure to reopen schools full-time and get students back into their classrooms, superintendents and school board members often heard from a vocal and organized constituency  parents opposed to masks. Hoping to sway decision-makers, the parents showed up at school board meetings, signed up for public comment and made their voices heard.

When the Warren County Board of Education held a meeting July 19, one speaker added her voice to the anti-mask chorus, telling the board she was concerned that masks might come back into the situation.

We pray not for that to happen because theres a lot of bad results from wearing masks, emotionally and mentally, said Cynthia Ribeiro, despite data that show community mask-wearing is effective at reducing coronavirus spread and the wearers exposure to infection.

Still, another comparatively quieter constituency of parents is making its disappointment known  now that its clear both local school systems intend to start the school year without a mask mandate in place.

Its terrifying, Bethany Roberts, a mother of four, told the Daily News.

Throughout Warren County, the vaccination rate remains low. Though the local rate has seen some uptick in recent weeks, only about 40% of the countys population has been vaccinated, according to a state-maintained data dashboard.

Roberts youngest is too young to get the vaccine and will attend Cumberland Trace Elementary School when it opens Wednesday.

After mixed results with the districts virtual academy last year, Roberts and her husband knew it was vital for all of her children to be back in school full-time this year.

But WCPS decision to start school without a universal mask mandate  despite updated advice from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and warnings from Gov. Andy Beshear  has left Roberts at her wits end and worried for her childrens health.

I dont understand how this is a political issue. I want my kids to be safe, she said.

Roberts knows people are free to make their own choices. Still, that truism doesnt free individuals from the potential consequences and responsibility of their choices  those who choose not to get vaccinated when it is made available to them should have to quarantine to protect others, she said.

It feels like some have made major sacrifices and some have not, Roberts said.

With Warren County Public Schools slated to officially open to students Wednesday, district spokeswoman Lauren Hanson Thurmond told the Daily News on Tuesday that it would stick with its current reopening protocol.

WCPS Superintendent Rob Clayton did not respond to a request for comment regarding any last-minute changes or whether the district sees any downside to reopening without a mask mandate in place.

Under that protocol, masking remains recommended, though not required for the unvaccinated. The only exception is on school buses, which the district points out is the result of mandates by the CDC and the Kentucky Department for Public Health.

Getting the coronavirus vaccine is also recommended, though not required, to attend school in the district.

WCPS is constantly monitoring local COVID-19 data and hospital capacity through area health experts and the Barren River Area District Health Department. We will continue to monitor the spread of the COVID-19 virus and its variants as the new school year approaches, WCPS said in its reopening protocol. In the event community conditions warrant reconsideration of these guidelines, WCPS is committed to notifying our entire school community in a timely manner.

Under its own protocol, the Bowling Green Independent School District is taking a similar approach on masks and vaccines.

Asked about whether the school district sees a detriment in starting school without requiring masks, BGISD Superintendent Gary Fields told the Daily News that just because the district starts school without them doesnt mean thats set in stone.

It could be that, soon after we start, we have to implement a universal masking policy, Fields said. Some might think that would be embarrassing since the governor might say I told you so, but our approach is similar to last school year.

We started school last year on a hybrid schedule that most people thought was crazy and unsustainable, but it ended up being a success. When it wasnt working  Thanksgiving through the holidays  we were virtual because that was what was needed at that time. Then in March we brought everyone back and many thought that wouldnt go well, but our kids and staff made it work. So here we are in August  nine weeks after the end of last school year, a summer break when very few, if any, of our students wore a mask anywhere in our community  so we feel like we can start the school without a mask mandate. If our data tells us that we need to mask, then we will do it immediately, Fields told the Daily News.

Rita Conquergood, who identified herself as a grandmother of a child starting kindergarten Wednesday and a retired WCPS employee, said she was disappointed with the districts reopening plans.

I would like to see mask mandates. I am concerned there will be outbreaks and it will not matter to them one bit, Conquergood told the Daily News.

Other local parents who either did not give their names or did not want to be identified also contacted the Daily News to express their misgivings and disappointment about how schools were choosing to reopen without a universal mask mandate in place.

One such parent  who asked to be identified only as the parent of a Potter Gray Elementary School student out of concern for any negative consequences for his children  told the Daily News that while children still seem to be at much lower risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and death, these risks are still associated with children contracting Covid-19.

Additionally, we still do not know what the long-term health consequences may be for children and adults of any age who contract Covid-19, the Potter Gray parent told the Daily News.

While none of us wants to wear a mask, requiring masks again seems like a reasonable and fairly low barrier measure to take in a public school setting to at least mitigate the risks for those in the school communities, the parent said.

On Tuesday, Fayette County schools in Lexington reversed course and said it will require masks, and school districts in Carter and Martin counties announced they are delaying the start of school because of a surge in coronavirus cases.

 Follow education reporter Aaron Mudd on Twitter @NewsByAaron or visit bgdailynews.com.
Spearfish, SD (57783)

Today

Thunderstorms early, then becoming mostly clear after midnight. A few storms may be severe. Low near 60F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms early, then becoming mostly clear after midnight. A few storms may be severe. Low near 60F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Spearfish, SD (57783)

Today

Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to mainly clear skies after midnight. A few storms may be severe. Low around 60F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to mainly clear skies after midnight. A few storms may be severe. Low around 60F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Spearfish, SD (57783)

Today

Isolated thunderstorms early, becoming mostly clear after midnight. A few storms may be severe. Low near 60F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Isolated thunderstorms early, becoming mostly clear after midnight. A few storms may be severe. Low near 60F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
BOISE - Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a threat to Idahos big game animals, and the Idaho Fish and Game needs hunters' help to help prevent it from entering the state and monitor for it within the state. CWD is a contagious and fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk, and moose in North America. There is no live test or known cure for CWD.

CWD has not been detected in Idaho to date; however, animals in Montana, Utah and Wyoming have the disease, and infected animals have been found close to the Idaho border.

Idaho Fish and Game staff sampled 1,113 mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk and moose in 2020 and early 2021 to test for Chronic Wasting Disease, and found no positive cases. This is an ongoing effort, and the majority of the animals tested came from hunters who allowed samples to be taken from big game they harvested. That will continue during fall hunting seasons.

Hunter participation is critical for monitoring CWD and keeping it out of Idaho, and here are ways hunters can help.

Are you hunting in Idaho for deer, elk or moose?

The Idaho Fish and Game needs help to get more Idaho big game animals tested for CWD. Hunters can help increase the number of Idaho deer, elk and moose sampled for CWD by doing one of the following:

Collecting samples from harvested animal and dropping them off at identified Idaho Fish and Game collection locations or a Regional Office.

Dropping the head of harvested animal at identified Idaho Fish and Game collection locations or a Regional Office.

Stop at one of Fish and Games big game check stations during hunting season.

All drop off locations and check station information will be available on the Idaho Fish & Game CWD page.

CWD sample kits can be requested directly from Fish and Game by emailing your mailing address to: wildlifelab@idfg.idaho.gov.

Are you hunting outside Idaho for deer, elk, moose or caribou?

Do not bring whole carcasses back. Idaho law does not allow hunters to bring into Idaho a whole carcass, or any part of a wild deer, elk, moose or caribou from any state, Canadian province, or country with a documented case of CWD.

States and provinces in orange and tan have known cases of CWD.

Dont worry, you can still bring the meat and antlers into Idaho, exemptions to the ban include:

Meat that is cut and wrapped

Quarters or deboned meat that does not include brain or spinal tissue

Edible organs that do not include brains

Hides without heads

Upper canine teeth

Ivories, buglers or whistlers

Finished taxidermy

Dried antlers

Cleaned and dried skulls or skull caps

What if you see an animal that appears to have CWD?

Fish and Game welcomes reports by hunters and citizens. A person should accurately document the location of the animal (GPS coordinates if possible) and report the species and gender, if known. Take pictures, if possible, and immediately contact the nearest Fish and Game regional office.

Do not attempt to touch, disturb, kill or remove the animal. Remember, early detection in an area is vital to containing the disease and preventing it from spreading to other areas of the state. You can also report online at Fish and Games Wildlife Health webpage.
**UPDATE 1:00PM** According to an update from Evan Ellis with Pullman Radio News, the fire on Moscow Mountain is now contained.

MOSCOW - Moscow Rural Fire Department Volunteers were called to a new blaze on Moscow Mountain around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday after a thunderstorm rolled through the area, according to a report from Pullman Radio News.

Crews were assembling and trying to get to the blaze around sunrise this morning. Idaho Department of Lands and Moscow City Volunteer Firefighters have been called in to assist as well.

The fire is reportedly burning on the north slope of the mountain just below the top of the ridge, and was estimated at approximately 10 to 15 acres in size as of about 8:00 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Moscow Rural Fire Department Chief Brian Nickerson told Pullman Radio News the fire was likely sparked by lightning.
Watch as I analyze the latest development at the chaotic southern border, something that has gone totally unreported by the corporate media. The Biden administration will reject infected migrants and will face lawsuits from loony groups on the far left that don't care a whit about what diseases are brought into the USA.

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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.
Award-winning through-the-line agency Think Creative Africa welcomes Zetu Damane and Thibedi Meso as chief strategy officer and executive creative director, respectively. The agency has been on a winning trajectory in the past year - which has seen it partnering with VMLYR to win the Vodacom account and, more recently, winning the Inspired Education Group account (Reddam House and Reddford House schools). Some of the brands under their belt include Multichoice, AMKA, Gautrain and Jack Ma Foundation.

Left to right: Zetu Damane and Thibedi Meso.

#YouthMonth: Think like these young, creative African females... Think Creative Hub's cofounders and creative directors Nkgabiseng 'Nkgabi' Motau and Mukondi Ralushayi explain their Cannes Lions links and why they just couldn't ignore feeling the itch of entrepreneurship two years ago...

#Newsmaker: Nkgabiseng Motau, CCO at Think Creative Africa Nkgabiseng Motau, CCO and founding partner at Think Creative Africa, was once again selected to be part of the jury for Cannes Lions 2021...

Ad Stars 2021 announces final jury, Nkgabiseng Motau to represent SA Ad Stars has confirmed that Nkgabiseng Motau, co-founder and CCO at Think Creative Africa will represent South Africa on its Executive Jury...

Zetu Damane has joined the team as chief strategy officer, bringing with her over 15 years of strategic communication experience. She is a multiple-award-winning strategist and was voted one of SAs Young Guns by the Financial Mail in 2006. Her experience spans a range of sectors including FMCG, financial, automobile, QSR, medical and travel. Damane has worked at some of South Africas top agencies and has collected a number of Apex awards for effectiveness. Her insight driven work typically lands on Kantars Best Liked Ads list.Co-founder and chief executive officer of Think Creative Africa, Mukondi Kgomo, says: Damane is a perfect fit for our team. She is a data-driven individual who thrives on human-inspired insights. She is fearless and bold, fighting for depth over superficiality and it is this ability that allows her work to profoundly connect with audiences and shine. She is a sharp creative mind on the crest of the changes we are witnessing in the industry.Zetu Damane says of her new position: My role as chief strategy officer at Think Creative Africa provides a platform for creating exciting work that not only resonates but also shapes change. I love data and people, and it is at the intersection of these factors where brilliance happens. I have joined a solutions driven agency that celebrates boldness.Thibedi Meso has joined Think Creative Africa as executive creative director. With an impressive background in graphic design and having worked over a decade as a copywriter he has built an impressive portfolio. Brands such as Standard Bank, Nissan, Mazda, Discovery Life, M-Net, Metropolitan, OLX andhave benefitted from his advertising acumen.With awards won both locally and internationally, his proudest moment is still the time his grandmother bragged to her friends about a TV commercial he produced for Discovery Life, Ela ya makgoa a go bina ko lenyalong, which reflects his passion for creating insightful work that resonates with the local market.Meso says: I want to make work that inspires. I want to create discourse that spurs the new generation to pursue their place in the world. I want to execute work that opens the space to understand who we are, where we come from and to choose where we are going. The Think Creative Africa team is strongly local and understands the nuances in the marketplace. The team is passionate and connected to the youth and mass-market, which are exciting and evolving audiences.Nkgabiseng Motauco-founder and chief creative officer  says: We are always looking to solve business problems creatively and we welcome the talents and insights Damane and Meso bring to our already strong team. There are no limits to innovation, social change, advertising and design and our values and work ethic hinge on that. Damane and Meso align with our exploratory ideology and align with us personally as change-makers. The now as well as the new is very exciting.Think Creative Africa is an independent through-the-line advertising agency that combines truly African creativity and data-led insights to generate ideas that solve business problems and impact society. Clients include Vodacom, Multichoice, AMKA, Gautrain and Jack Ma Foundation. Co-founder and chief creative officer Nkgabiseng Motau is on the Cannes Lions Jury 2021 and has been invited to represent South Africa at Ad Stars.For more information visit www.thinkcreativeafrica.co.za or follow the agency on Instagram
Coca-Cola has always been about music and connecting people through the power of refreshment. This time around, the brand is taking the music out of the booth and putting it in your hands. Literally.

Introducing Coca-Cola Beatnation  a consumer-led engagement campaign that seeks to celebrate the youth by connecting them through music.The campaign launched with a combination of 40 new Coke cans and bottles with unique phrases on them, representing the four main components of music, namely  a Beat, Melody, Effect and Lyric  which combined can produce thousands of different tracks.The phrases were created in a way that all you needed to unlock the music was a Coca-Cola and your mouth, highlighting the simplicity of making music with your crew. To bring the campaign to life FCB Joburg assisted Coca-Cola in leading an online series, which saw them collaborate with the hottest names in the music industry like Big Zulu, Costa Titch, Paxton and Dee Koala among others, and partner with leading South African online music platform SlikourOnlife and popular radio stations, demonstrating how an ice-cold Coca-Cola can turn any dull day with your squad into an instant mic drop!When briefing FCB Joburg and partner-agencies, integrated marketing communications manager at Coca-Cola, Karen Alexander, explained: With the Beatnation campaign, we have an opportunity to celebrate our youth and encourage them to creatively share their own musical expressions with us by simply using the various Coca-Cola cans and bottles and collaborating with their friends to make their own unique tracks.To deliver on the client ask and showcase leading creative thinking, the campaign was developed by FCB Joburg creative team comprising creative director Jonathan Wolberg, art director Naledi Manama, copywriter Marvin Mpanda and business unit director Pascale Oswald."South African youth are the heartbeat of the nation, they are very progressive and continue to set global trends with music, through genres like Amapiano, Gqom, Afrobeat and Hip-Hop. So, with this campaign our aim was to go beyond the brief and create something that would deeply resonate with them, inspire creativity, and perhaps unearth the musician in all of us, says Jonathan Wolberg.To launch this campaign Coca-Cola leveraged the following elements: tactical radio placement, digital and OOH as well as social media, encouraging youth participation using the hashtag #RefreshWherevs . There was also an online tutorial series created on coca-cola.co.za to help teach and inspire teens how to make all the different sounds.This campaign has inspired the creation of incredible user-generated content that captured the youths imagination and interpretation of music, resulting in the brand receiving double brand love mentions and seeing the campaign trend on Twitter during its first week of launch.
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.
COVID-19 spike would have put most of Oregon under former 'extreme risk' rating
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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.

Supporters of Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., camp with her outside the U.S. Capitol, in Washington, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, as anger and frustration has mounted in Congress after a nationwide eviction moratorium expired at midnight Saturday. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

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.

Abbas Alawieh, chief of staff for Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., takes a drink of water after sitting on the steps of Capitol Hill in Washington on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Bush has been camped outside the U.S. Capitol in protest of the eviction moratorium lapse, since the weekend.(AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades)

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.

Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., second from left, sits with supporters advocating for reinstating the now-expired nationwide eviction moratorium sit outside of Capitol Hill in Washington on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Bush 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. (AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades)

Top Democratic leaders joined Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., who has been camped outside the U.S. Capitol for several days. 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.

President Joe Biden answers a question from a reporter as he speaks about the coronavirus pandemic in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

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.

Casey Long and Adrienne, a service dog in training, sit on the steps of Capitol Hill in Washington on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. 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. (AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades)

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.

From left, Rep. Mondaire Jones, D-N.Y., Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., celebrate the announcement that the Biden administration will enact a targeted nationwide eviction moratorium outside of Capitol Hill in Washington on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades)

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.
With the 2021-22 post-secondary school year quickly approaching, the Manitoba Organization of Faculty Associations is urging the province to implement mandatory vaccine requirements for staff and students who are attending in-person activities this fall.

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With the 2021-22 post-secondary school year quickly approaching, the Manitoba Organization of Faculty Associations is urging the province to implement mandatory vaccine requirements for staff and students who are attending in-person activities this fall.

According to a Tuesday morning news release, MOFA recently passed this unanimous motion in the hopes of influencing university administrations to be proactive and prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

"With a fourth wave looming, and a highly transmissible delta variant in the community, a mandatory vaccination policy is the prudent move," MOFA president Scott Forbes said in Tuesdays release.

MOFA representatives acknowledged that this mandatory vaccine policy should come with some exceptions, proposing a "science-based grace period" for international students who didnt have the time or the opportunity to get fully vaccinated before arriving in Manitoba.

The organization believes that students or staff with certain medical conditions should also be exempt from this policy.

This MOFA motion comes after hundreds of post-secondary institutions in the United States have already implemented similar mandatory vaccine requirements, including such prestigious schools as Harvard University and the University of California, Berkeley.

While this approach hasnt been widely adopted here in Canada, Seneca College officials announced in mid-July that vaccinations are required for students and employees looking to return to their Toronto, York Region and Peterborough campuses this fall.

University of Manitoba assistant professor Jason Kindrachuk, who specializes in viral pathogenesis, characterizes MOFAs motion as a "reasonable precaution," especially given the success vaccinations have had in the fight against COVID thus far.

"I hope that by calling for this approach with time before the beginning of the term that our administrations and provincial government can take a science-based approach as they support our universities in the return to in-person learning," Kindrachuk said in Tuesdays news release.

MOFA currently represents around 1,500 academics, with its members being made up of representatives from Brandon University, Universite de Saint-Boniface, University of Manitoba and University of Winnipeg.

Three members of the Brandon University Faculty Association currently sit on MOFAs council, according to the groups official website.

However, BUFA president Gautam Srivastava told the Sun on Tuesday that the union itself still hasnt officially endorsed mandatory vaccinations for staff and students, since its executive hasnt had time to properly discuss the matter in full.

"What I will tell you is that, with (the BU administration), were working on a memorandum of understanding for the fall term right now, which we havent released yet," Srivastava said over the phone.

"Theres a bunch of issues that weve pinpointed that would need to go into the memorandum of understanding for the fall, especially because we are doing kind of a mixed learning environment."

With that being said, BU president David Docherty told the Sun that the school isnt going to adopt any mandatory vaccine policy for staff or students, since doing so at this point wouldnt give them enough time to properly prepare for the fall semester.

"Had the province said yes, you can require vaccinations two months ago, we might have had time to do it," Docherty said. "But it isnt really feasible to do it right away."

But the BU president is still encouraging staff and students to get vaccinated as soon as possible, since school officials are preparing for in-person learning to take place this fall for classes that dont exceed 25 people and can provide up to two metres of physical distancing.

All other classes will take place online.

"Were hopeful that were going to be full-on come January," Docherty said.

When asked about mandatory vaccine policies during a Tuesday news conference, chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin replied by saying that the province doesnt have any plans to mandate vaccines at post-secondary schools for the fall.

"But certainly  as we move to public health recommendations from orders, we may see certain businesses or organizations doing things that they feel protects their patrons and employees the most," he said.

Roussin also mentioned that the provinces official back-to-school plan will be unveiled sometime later this week.

 kdarbyson@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @KyleDarbyson
Premier Brian Pallister appeared unapologetic when asked during Tuesdays press conference to announce loosened health restrictions in the province if it was hypocritical of his government to hire a private investigator to investigate NDP Leader Wab Kinew.

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Premier Brian Pallister appeared unapologetic when asked during Tuesdays press conference to announce loosened health restrictions in the province if it was hypocritical of his government to hire a private investigator to investigate NDP Leader Wab Kinew.

In early July, Manitoba Court of Queens Bench Chief Justice Glenn Joyal said he had been followed by a private investigator in an attempt to catch him breaking COVID-19 rules. The private investigator had been hired by a lawyer for the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, which was working on behalf of the group of churches challenging the provinces public health restrictions. Provincial Justice Minister Cameron Friesen expressed his concern at the time.

A year before the snap election call in 2019, Pallisters office made plans to hire a private investigator to investigate Kinew.

Pallister ordered his senior political staff to hire a private investigator to dig up dirt on Kinew in the prelude to the 2019 election, a violation of strict guidelines preventing partisan activities from intruding on the business of government, it was reported recently by the Winnipeg Free Press.

"Its our obligation to do research. And when we received allegations that someone has covered up a criminal record, its important to do the research and get the facts. This record was covered up. So we had a criminal record check done, and I think thats an appropriate thing to do. I think research matters," Pallister said in Tuesdays press conference.

Questioned about his justification for using taxpayers resources for the executive council to proceed with the plan to dig up dirt on Kinew, Pallister replied, "This closed criminal record is hardly the same as digging up dirt."

"When we had information brought to us, a criminal record, that the NDP had covered up and that their leadership candidate Wab Kinew had covered up, we didnt take it at face value. We researched it first to make sure that it was factually correct. And it turned out it was."

Pallister said Kinew had covered up his record.

"It wasnt in his book. It wasnt in any of his previous statements," Pallister said. "He ran for public office, without disclosing a rather lengthy, over a number of years, interaction with the justice system."

Pallister said its his governments obligation to do research in political parties, and media as well.

"Thats what we did. I would encourage people who want to enter public life to remember, just as I am reminded frequently, that your life is on display. And I encourage Mr. Kinew to come clean for any other interactions he may have had with the justice department for various criminal activities. Because the sooner he wrestles those demons, the sooner forgiveness will come. Thats what I hope for him."

During a period in which he admits to being an alcoholic, Kinew had had several run-ins with police, including incidents in which he assaulted a cab driver and faced criminal charges relating to allegations he physically assaulted a former girlfriend. The charges were eventually stayed.

Kinew secured 18 seats for the NDP in the 2019 election.

 kkielley@brandonsun.com, with files from the Winnipeg Free Press
Police are investigating after part of a monument to children who died in residential schools went up in flames early Tuesday.

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Police are investigating after part of a monument to children who died in residential schools went up in flames early Tuesday.

At approximately 3 a.m., police responded to a report from a private security company of a small fire outside St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic church, police say. A "small household-type decoration" was in flames.

Police say the decoration was part of the "Every Child Matters" memorial, which was erected on the steps of the church after hundreds of unmarked graves were found at residential schools across the country.

The fire was extinguished by security, but police are now investigating.

Brandon police public information officer Sgt. Kirby Sararas said the fire is suspicious as there is no explanation for the item catching fire.

"It is believed to have been intentionally done and the motive behind why it was intentionally done is unclear," she said.

"In light of current events in Canada and just the nature of whats been happening, it prompted us to open up an investigation into the burning of this particular item at a church."

When the Sun visited on Tuesday afternoon there were scorch marks visible on the stone at the top of the churchs front steps off Lorne Avenue. Bits of burned orange string were scattered on the steps, but it was unclear what the burned item was.

Several pairs of shoes that are part of the monument were left on the lower stairs undamaged.

A sign posted on the railing says the memorial was placed there "in memorial of all the Indigenous children who died at Residential Schools and for the families and communities who are grieving their loss."

"We grieve with you. We are sorry this happened to you," it reads.

The sign encourages people to pause at the monument and tie and orange ribbon on the wreath of reconciliation.

The Sun reached out to St. Augustines for comment on Tuesday but was told Pastor John Okosun was away.

Christian Martinez, the director of communication services for the Archdiocese of Winnipeg, said the Archdiocese was unable to comment.

"Unfortunately, the Archdiocese of Winnipeg has no comment on this incident at this time. We are unaware of the details of the incident and so couldnt give you an informed/good comment," an email from Martinez read.

Anyone with information regarding the alleged arson is asked to contact Brandon Police Service at 204-729-2345 or brandon.ca/police-contact/police-contact.

No arrests had been made as of Tuesday.

 dmay@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @DrewMay_
OTTAWA - Canadians may have to wait a few days to find out the final results of a federal election called in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada's chief electoral officer warns.

Chief Electoral Officer Stephane Perrault signs the writs of the 43rd general election during a photo opportunity in Gatineau, Que., Friday, Sept. 20, 2019. Canadians may have to wait a few days to find out the final results of a federal election called in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada's chief electoral officer warns. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

OTTAWA - Canadians may have to wait a few days to find out the final results of a federal election called in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada's chief electoral officer warns.

And they may find themselves voting in unusual places or having to go a bit further afield to cast their ballots.

But Stephane Perrault wants Canadians to know there's nothing nefarious about the departures from the norm.

They're part of a process Elections Canada has devised to ensure an election can be conducted safely and produce trustworthy results while the country remains in the grip of COVID-19.

"It's important for Canadians to understand that this is part of the plan of deliberate choices that we've made," Perrault said in an interview with The Canadian Press.

"It's not an accident, it's not a sign of things going wrong but in fact is part of the process as we've designed it in these very unique circumstances of the pandemic."

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is widely expected to pull the plug on his minority Liberal government later this month for an election in mid to late September. All parties are gearing up for a campaign, even as chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam is warning that Canada is on the verge of a fourth wave of COVID-19, driven by the more infectious Delta variant.

Should a summer election call occur, Elections Canada is ready for a potentially explosive increase in the number of Canadians who choose to vote by mail during the pandemic  as many as five million, compared to fewer than 50,000 in the 2019 election.

Perrault said mail-in ballots will not be counted until the day after the election, in order to allow them to be received right up to the last minute before polls close and to give election officials time subsequently to carefully conduct checks to ensure no one who voted by mail also cast a ballot in person.

In a worst-case scenario, he said it may take two to five days to complete the mail-in ballot count.

That could mean the results of close races in some ridings won't be known immediately. And, if the national results are tight, it could mean the overall outcome  which party wins the most seats, whether it has a minority or majority  could be equally in limbo.

But Perrault said the time lag is necessary to guarantee the integrity of the results.

"As much as we like early results, I think Canadians expect that we do it right."

Mail-in ballots during last fall's U.S. election became fodder for Donald Trump's unfounded claims that voter fraud robbed him of the presidency. Millions of Republican supporters and conspiracy theorists continue to believe that, undermining the legitimacy of the American electoral process.

But Perrault is hopeful the vast majority of Canadians will continue to have confidence in the electoral process here. Unlike the U.S., he noted there is no "deep partisan divide" in Canada over the issue of voting by mail.

"All parties see the need to have vote by mail, they understand that we have controls in place ... People should not expect what happened in the U.S. to happen in a federal election in Canada."

In anticipation of a dramatic increase in demand for mail-in voting, Elections Canada plans to make it possible to apply online for mail-in vote kits. Voters who fear their mail-in ballots won't be received on time will be able to drop off their ballots at their local polling place on voting day or have a friend do it for them.

The names of anyone who is issued a mail-in ballot will be crossed out on voting lists as having already voted. Individuals who don't receive their mail-in ballot by voting day may swear an oath to that effect and still vote in person.

However, the mail-in ballots of anyone found to have voted in person will not be counted.

Elections Canada still expects the majority of Canadians will choose to vote in person. The agency has stocked up on face masks, sanitizers, single-use pencils and plexiglass partitions to ensure the safety of voters and poll workers.

It has also attempted to line up potential locations for polling stations in advance. Nevertheless, Perrault said he expects some of the usual polling locations, like schools and recreation facilities, will not want to allow large numbers of voters coming into their buildings during the pandemic.

Consequently, he said some voters, especially in small communities, may wind up going to unusual places like hotels or movie theatres to cast their ballots. It may mean some voters will have to travel further to get to their polling place.

"Some may be suspicious and wonder what's going on and it's important that they understand that there's nothing nefarious going on. We're trying to find the best available locations for them," he said.

Last summer, Perrault called for legislative changes that would, among other things, allow a pandemic election to be held on two weekend days, rather than the usual Monday.

The Trudeau government did introduce a bill that incorporated some of Perrault's recommendations but it was not passed before the House of Commons broke for the summer.

Perrault said his original recommendations were based on the state of the pandemic at the time, when no vaccines were available and he feared that his usual poll workers, who tend to be over 60 years of age, would not put themselves at risk.

The situation now is quite different, with Canada among the world leaders in vaccinations, and Perrault said he's confident Elections Canada can deliver a safe, fair pandemic election without legislative changes.

Perrault had also wanted legislative endorsement of his discretionary authority to allow for more flexibility in how ballots are cast at vulnerable long-term care facilities. While he didn't get that in legislation, he said he feels he did get all-party endorsement of his plans in any event.

He also called last summer for a long campaign period in order to give Elections Canada more time to implement safety measures and process mail-in ballots.

By law, an election period must be set at a minimum of 36 days and no longer than 50 days but it is up to the prime minister to determine the exact length of the campaign within those parameters.

Perrault said Elections Canada is prepared to run an election, regardless of the length of the campaign. Still, he said "there is merit to a longer period," to give people more time to vote by mail and to give the agency more time to recruit workers and find polling places.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 4, 2021.
FUJAIRAH, United Arab Emirates (AP)  The hijackers who captured a vessel off the coast of the United Arab Emirates in the Gulf of Oman departed the targeted ship on Wednesday, the British navy reported, as recorded radio traffic appeared to reveal a crew member onboard saying Iranian gunmen had stormed the asphalt tanker.

FUJAIRAH, United Arab Emirates (AP)  The hijackers who captured a vessel off the coast of the United Arab Emirates in the Gulf of Oman departed the targeted ship on Wednesday, the British navy reported, as recorded radio traffic appeared to reveal a crew member onboard saying Iranian gunmen had stormed the asphalt tanker.

The incident  described by the British militarys United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations the night before as a potential hijack"  revived fears of an escalation in Mideast waters and ended with as much mystery as it began.

A ship in the Gulf of Oman may have been a hijacking target Tuesday. (AP Graphic)

Hints of what unfolded on the Panama-flagged asphalt tanker, called Asphalt Princess, began to emerge with the maritime radio recording, obtained by commodities pricing firm Argus Media and shared with The Associated Press. In the audio, a crew member can be heard telling the Emirati coast guard that five or six armed Iranians had boarded the tanker.

Iranian people are onboard with ammunition, the crew member says. We are  now, drifting. We cannot tell you exact our ETA to (get to) Sohar, the port in Oman listed on the vessels tracker as its destination. It was not clear whether the crew members, whom he identified as Indian and Indonesian, were in immediate danger.

No one took responsibility for the brief seizure, which underscored mounting tensions as Iran and the United States seek a resolution to their standoff over Tehran's tattered 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

Apparently responding to the incident, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh on Tuesday denied that Iran played any role. He described the recent maritime attacks in the Persian Gulf as completely suspicious.

Over the past years, the rising tensions have played out in the waters of the Persian Gulf, where just last week a drone attack on an oil tanker linked to an Israeli billionaire off the coast of Oman killed two crew members. The West blamed Iran for the raid, which marked the first known fatal assault in the yearslong shadow war targeting vessels in Mideast waters. Iran denied involvement.

The oil tanker Mercer Street, which came under attack last week off Oman, is seen moored off Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021. The British navy warned of a "potential hijack" of another ship off the coast of the United Arab Emirates in the Gulf of Oman on Tuesday, though the circumstances remain unclear. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

Late on Tuesday, the intruders boarded the Asphalt Princess sailing off the coast of Fujairah, authorities said. The official news agency of Omans military said it received reports that the Asphalt Princess had been hijacked and immediately dispatched Royal Air Force maritime patrol aircraft and naval vessels to contribute to securing international waters.

In the recorded radio traffic, when the Emirati coast guard asks the crew member what the Iranian gunmen were doing onboard, he says he cannot understand the (Iranians), his voice muffled, before trying to hand over the radio to someone else. The call then cuts off.

Possible signs of trouble began to emerge that evening when six oil tankers off the coast of Fujairah 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.

Satellite-tracking data for the Asphalt Princess had showed it gradually heading toward Iranian waters off the port of Jask early Wednesday, according to MarineTraffic.com. Hours later, however, it stopped and changed course toward Oman, just before the British navy group declared the hijackers had departed and the vessel was now safe.

A fisherman brings his boat in after casting his nets in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021. The British navy warned of a "potential hijack" of another ship off the coast of the United Arab Emirates in the Gulf of Oman near Fujairah on Tuesday, though the circumstances remain unclear. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

In an analysis, maritime intelligence firm Dryad Global described the seizure of the Asphalt Princess as the latest Iranian response to outside pressures, economic conflicts and other grievances.

Iran has consistently shown that in conducting this kind of operation, it is calculated in doing so, both by targeting vessels directly connected with ongoing disputes and (vessels) operating within the grey space of legitimacy, which may be involved in illicit trade, Dryad Global said.

The owner of the Asphalt Princess, listed as Emirati free zone-based Glory International, could not immediately be reached for comment.

The U.S. militarys Mideast-based 5th Fleet and the British Defense Ministry also did not respond to requests for comment. The Emirati government did not immediately acknowledge the incident.

An Emirati Coast Guard vessel patrols off Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021. The British navy warned of a "potential hijack" of another ship off the coast of the United Arab Emirates in the Gulf of Oman near Fujairah on Tuesday, though the circumstances remain unclear. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

The Gulf of Oman sits near the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all traded 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, after then-President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from Iran's nuclear deal and imposed crushing sanctions, the waters off Fujairah have witnessed a series of explosions and hijackings. The U.S. Navy has blamed Iran for a series of limpet mine attacks on vessels that damaged tankers.

In the summer of 2019, Iran's Revolutionary Guard troops detained a British-flagged tanker, the Stena Impero, near the Strait of Hormuz. Last year, an oil tanker sought by the U.S. for allegedly circumventing sanctions on Iran was hijacked off the Emirati coast and later 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 claimed it detained the ship over pollution concerns, it appeared to link the seizure to negotiations over billions of dollars in Iranian assets frozen in South Korean banks.

DeBre reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
(The Center Square)  Texas Republican Congressman Chip Roy is calling for the impeachment of President Joe Biden and the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, citing their reckless immigration policy that many lawmakers argue is endangering the lives of Texans and Americans.

"Total encounters: 205,029. Total known getaways: 37,400. 1.3 million for 2021 so far. Largest monthly encounter number since 2000," Roy tweeted.

Roy told Newsmax that what is happening at the Texas-Mexico border is endangering Texans, endangering ranchers, endangering our country with opioids flowing in, and cartels having operational control. Youve got thousands of immigrants who are in these horrible conditions and are risking their lives and are being abused by cartels.

Assuming that Republicans will regain control of Congress in the next election, Roy said, We ought to impeach Mayorkas, we ought to consider impeaching President Biden. They are not faithfully executing the laws of the United States, they are doing it purposefully. They are endangering Americans, its enough. The American people have had it, the Texans have had it, and they can all just go to hell.

Roy also repeated what he told The Center Square that one of the best ways to secure the border is to shut ports of entry in Texas, an action Texans have been asking Gov. Greg Abbott to take, which he has not done.

I think we're getting to a point right now where we ought to consider just shutting down the ports of entry, to send a loud signal to the United States that we're not going to deal with this anymore, Roy told Newsmax. I think we need to go put our own manpower down at the border.

While Abbott has authorized another roughly 300 Texas National Guardsmen to assist Texas DPS, none are on the ground, in the bush patrolling or positioned along the actual border. The initial 500 tasked with duties at the border have provided administrative support only. Critics argue the way in which the Texas National Guard has been deployed does not actually defend Texas and doesnt utilize the military training or experience of Texas guardsmen and women who have served overseas defending other countries borders.

Roy said hes fed up with a federal mask mandate on Americans while the Biden administration has opened up the border to people who have the coronavirus.

He told Fox News Tucker Carlson, Im over it. I'm sick of it. I'm watching Texas get decimated with opioids flowing into Texas, fentanyl. La Joya, Texas right now, we have a hotel filled with individuals who came here illegally that Catholic Charities put in a hotel that they knew had COVID.

Here we are saying, oh, we're going to have to wear masks on the floor of the House, but we're going to do nothing to stop the flow of people coming across our border. Republicans should be ashamed of themselves. I introduced legislation for a discharge petition to require the enforcement of Title 42 so that we will turn people away at the border who have COVID rather than forcing this ridiculousness on the American people... And you know what? Only about 125 of my Republican colleagues have signed the petition yet. Where are the other 80 Republicans?

The petition began April 20 and as of July 30, 149 Republican House members have signed it.

Earlier in the year, Roy asked on the House floor, Why did Texas join the Union if the Union wont defend it? in a video the Texas Nationalist Movement has helped publicize. The movement, which calls for Texas to leave the Union, has grown since 2016, when delegates of the Texas Republican Party debated adding secessionist language to its platform.
The head of fruit and vegetable giant SPC is hoping many other businesses will follow his companys decision to mandate vaccinations for all onsite personnel, though experts are querying the legality of the move.

SPC, which produces its eponymous goods alongside Ardmona and Goulburn Valley-branded products, announced on Thursday its staff will need to be vaccinated by November and will not gain entry to any of its locations if they are not - a decision made in the face of the quickly spreading Delta variant of the coronavirus.

SPC is the first Australian company to mandate staff get vaccinated against COVID-19. Credit:2004

What really prompted us this week was how Delta is spreading in the community and resetting the rules, chief executive Robert Giles told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.

After aged care, healthcare and frontline workers, were the next area that should be vaccinated - not only to protect our staff, but to protect the food supply for the country.
Its an increasingly rare species, an accomplished local drama series that has the broad appeal required to secure a prime-time slot on network television. The eight-part RFDS: Royal Flying Doctor Service is also a noteworthy departure from current trends: No dystopian darkness, no murder plot, no mothers behaving badly or singles lookin for love. Shot on location in Broken Hill, in large part at the RFDS base, and with a focus on rural and regional Australia, its a tribute to the services staff and to the vast community that relies on them.

One of my favourite shows is Friday Night Lights, says co-creator and producer Imogen Banks. I love the way that the town is one of the main characters. That was one of our early references; we wanted to build a mosaic of a community. As well, says co-creator, co-script producer and writer Ian Meadows, We wanted to represent the truth of being someone who is relied upon at the frontier of medicine and aviation, and the sole connection for these families and communities that are hundreds of kilometres from help. We were interested in the psychological, physical and mental challenges for the front-line health workers and first responders.

The cast of RFDS (clockwise from left): Stephen Peacocke, Rodney Afif , Jack Scott, Thomas Weatherall , Rob Collins, Ash Ricardo, Emma Hamilton, Justine Clarke, Kate Mulvany Credit:Daniel Asher Smith

The drama aims to portray the town as a vibrant destination. Banks says that she, along with many members of the cast and crew, fell in love with the place, happily noting the availability of good coffee, that unofficial yet widely accepted gauge of liveability. Its a sophisticated place, she says. Its not like being dumped in the middle of nowhere, which is often how these stories of remote places are told: theyre all about hardship and lack of choice. Broken Hill is a thriving community. Of course, its got its problems because there are 18,000 people living there, so theres the full spectrum of humanity. But we didnt want to make a patronising show about rural-dom that portrayed Australians as unsophisticated people in a big, brown land being bitten by things.

A key goal of that portrayal was to capture the desert landscape in a style that was vivid without being postcard kitsch. Whats beautiful about Damos work (cinematographer Damian Wyvill) is that he found specificity in it, says Banks. He didnt over-crank the red. Its not red all the time. Thats whats addictive about being there: theres a spectrum of beautiful bruised colours. Adds Meadows, We didnt want that blue-rinsed, washed-out, very cool tone but we also didnt want it to be too rosy. We were trying to capture how stunning and stark it is.
The state government is refusing to release a report into how logging operations should change in the wake of the Black Summer bushfires even as felling begins in a sensitive South Coast region hit hard by the blazes.

Planning Minister Rob Stokes asked the Natural Resources Commission to examine forestry operations after the Environment Protection Authority and Forestry Corp, the state-owned logging body, clashed over so-called site specific conditions that limited the amount of native trees that could be felled in state forests.

A logging truck is loaded up with timber in a region of the South Brooman State Forest. A report by the Natural Resources Commission into forestry after the bushfires is sitting with ministers but has not been released because of cabinet confidentiality. Credit:Janie Barrett

The Commission has completed its report and sent it to Mr Stokes and his colleagues, Deputy Premier John Barilaro, and Environment Minister Matt Kean.

A spokeswoman for Mr Barilaro said the report was being considered by the NSW government and remains Cabinet in Confidence.
It may surprise some Australians that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander boys born in the Northern Territory and Western Australia have a shorter life expectancy than boys born in Iraq, Libya and the West Bank and Gaza. Born into a nation racked by decades of war, Iraqi boys can expect to live to 68 while in resource-rich, First-World Western Australia, the average Indigenous boy wont live to see 67.

There has been a lot of commentary about Australias lagging in certain global rankings, especially vaccines, but this is a shocking outcome that no Australian should tolerate, especially as we rapidly approach a critical juncture in Indigenous policy.

On current projections, most Indigenous children alive today will not witness a closing of the gap on incarceration in their lifetimes. Credit:Angela Wylie

The Productivity Commission last week released its Annual Data Compilation Report, the first snapshot of progress under the new National Agreement on Closing the Gap. On Thursday, the Prime Minister will release the federal governments Closing the Gap implementation plan.

Yet on Monday, the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt, cast doubt on his plans to legislate a Voice to Parliament for First Nations Australians before the next election. This, perversely, is a good result for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who have not asked for Wyatts legislated Voice. Instead, they want a Voice that is guaranteed by the constitution, as proposed in the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
The Victorian government announced earlier this evening that new coronavirus restrictions would apply across the state for seven days from 8pm Thursday.

There are now only five reasons to leave home. You can leave your home to get food and supplies, to exercise for up to two hours, for care or caregiving, or work or education if you cant do it from home. You are also allowed to leave your home to get vaccinated, but the five-kilometre limit has been re-imposed.

You can, however, travel further than five kilometres for essential goods and services when they cannot be accessed closer to home, to visit an intimate partner or a person in your single bubble and for authorised work and caring. Only one person per household is allowed to leave to do the shopping.

Gatherings are not permitted in private or public settings with exemptions for intimate partners and single person bubbles.

If you can work from home you must work from home.

Mask rules remain as they were with face coverings compulsory indoors outside of the home and outdoors including all workplaces.

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Exercise and Recreation must be done within five kilometres of your home and limited to two people. Indoor physical recreation and sport is closed with limited exceptions for hydrotherapy.

Outdoor physical recreation and sport is closed except for outdoor playgrounds, skate parks and gym equipment.

Primary and secondary schools will return to remote learning except for vulnerable children or children of authorised workers. Childcare and early childcare will remain open.

For a full rundown of all the rules that apply in Victoria for the next seven days, take a look at this handy explainer.
Frustrated pharmacists say they are waiting up to two weeks for COVID-19 vaccine deliveries to arrive, with hundreds of the states pharmacies signed up for the program still waiting for jabs.

About 1250 pharmacies in NSW were authorised to administer AstraZeneca vaccines in April, but according to the states pharmacy guild only 314 are inoculating customers, with many concerned the rollout is being stymied by a sluggish supply chain while waiting lists grow.

Pharmacist Mario Barone, in Sydneys hotspot of Fairfield, said despite placing a second order for AstraZeneca doses on Monday the vaccines are only due to arrive on August 20. Pharmacies were initially able to order 300 doses each fortnight but the maximum order has been doubled to 600.

Fairfields Barone Pharmacy will be administering COVID-19 vaccines. Credit:Louise Kennerley

We wait patiently on the sideline as the weeks go by, said pharmacist Warren Del-Grande from Lugarno Pharmacy, on the cusp of the Canterbury-Bankstown local government area. There are a number of pharmacies wishing they could be giving doses but its now a waiting game.
New South Wales has effectively killed off the border bubble by forcing its residents into isolation if they have visited the south-east Queensland lockdown zone.

NSW Health issued an order requiring any resident who has been in any of the 11 south-east Queensland council areas covered by this weeks lockdown to stay at home for 14 days.

It means people living inside the border bubble in northern NSW effectively can not travel into south-east Queensland because they would be forced to isolate on their return.

Anyone who has been to any of the 11 affected council areas in Queensland since July 21 must stay at home and only leave with a reasonable excuse.
Queensland Health Minister Yvette DAth has asked for AstraZeneca doses to be delivered directly to pharmacies to help speed up their delivery into residents arms as political point-scoring continues to overshadow rollout efforts.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt declared on Monday he could offer Queensland 150,000 AstraZeneca doses immediately if required, an offer that was welcomed by his state counterpart, Yvette DAth.

On Wednesday, Ms DAth told reporters she would write to Mr Hunt to ask for the vaccines to be sent directly to the 224 community pharmacies approved this week to start delivering doses to help speed up the process.

But she said those who had put in the orders had been told they would not be arriving until next week.
One of Victorias biggest private schools will begin vaccinating its staff on campus this week, with several others looking to follow suit after the union for non-government school staff said an unvaccinated workforce poses an unacceptable risk to the community.

Wesley College will begin a voluntary on-site vaccination program for 700 staff across three campuses on Friday.

Wesley College will start vaccinating its 700 staff on Friday. Credit:Michael Clayton-Jones

The school was approached with free leftover COVID-19 vaccinations by an unnamed vaccination provider that administers the schools annual flu shots and owns and operates GP clinics. There is no cost to the school.

The high-fee co-educational school said it was inoculating staff because the best way out of this pandemic is vaccination and staff had embraced the initiative.
Dinosaur workers in mining need to be rehabilitated and not just sent down the road to other companies.

That was the message West Australian lithium executive Ken Brinsden had for the Diggers and Dealers conference following media exposure of sexual harassment and rapes in the broader sector.

Pilbara Minerals managing director and chief executive Ken Brinsden at the annual Diggers and Dealers conference. Credit:Peter de Kruijff

Mr Brinsden, the managing director and chief executive of Pilbara Minerals, told the Kalgoorlie conference on Tuesday that the industry was better than some of the behaviour reported in the past 12 months.

I encourage you all work harder on the culture in and around the workforce, in and around work sites, in and around our camps, we can do a much better job, he said.
A West Australian man who vanished while working on a remote road in the states North West more than 40 years ago likely walked into the dense bushland, became disorientated and died, a coroner has found.

Desmond Carr, 32, was last seen on August 2, 1979 on a road about 90 kilometres south of Broome at 3pm working on a road roller. An hour later when his Main Roads work colleagues came to pick him up and drive him back to camp, he was nowhere to be seen, but his vehicle was still running.

Desmond Carr disappeared in WAs North West outback in 1979.

The case was thrust back into the spotlight in 2019 after his nephew created a podcast to try and solve the outback mystery.

During a coronial inquest into Mr Carrs death held on Wednesday, Deputy State Coroner Sarah Linton said the police investigation at the time was inadequate.
Attorney-General John Quigley did not know of former Supreme Court judge Neville Owens personal and business relationships with billionaire Kerry Stokes before Mr Owen was selected to lead the Perth Casino Royal Commission.

But he sees no issue with the former judges appointment.

Commissioners Lindy Jenkins, Neville Owen and Colin Murphy on day one of the Perth Casino Royal Commission. Credit:The West Australian

On Friday, Mr Owen publicly declared he sat on the board of a Stokes investment company called Clabon, after earlier declaring a personal relationship with the billionaire who, as chairman of Seven West Media, has strong ties to witnesses in the inquiry.

These ties include Seven West Media WA chief executive and Crown Resorts Perth director Maryna Fewster, who appeared at a hearing last week, and Seven West director and former Crown Resorts chief executive John Alexander, who is expected to front the inquiry in the future.
Twenty-four school nurses would help vaccinate about 70,000 recipients per week, up from 55,000, and assistants in nursing would replace more highly skilled registered nurses, according to the minister. There is a significant program of works going on at the moment to try to get our hospital and retired nurses back into the hospitals so that we can have those people available in our hospital care systems but make sure that we dont draw people away from our vaccines, Mr Cook said on Tuesday. So were trying to strike that balance. WAs School-Aged Health Service Review found mental health was the leading cause of concern and a priority for school nurses. Credit:CAHS report But the withdrawal of nurses from schools will have a knock-on effect if the School-Aged Health Service Review conducted by CAHS in 2019 is to be believed.

It found that children and young people with chronic or complex health conditions including mental health and wellbeing, obesity, sexual health, diabetes and asthma needed to be prioritised and given easy access to community health nurses (CHNs) in schools. The nine key recommendations that were due to rollout at the start of 2020 identified mental health issues as the greatest health and wellbeing concern and the need to have highly skilled nurses in schools since CHNs expressed concerns about their capacity to support young people experiencing mental health concerns, particularly where families cannot access specialist or acute services in a reasonable time frame. WAtoday also saw community child health nurses who monitor newborn development working shifts at the Claremont Showgrounds vaccination centre prior to the announcement. Kwinana vaccination centre co-ordinator Debbie Rolls, who was previously a freelance neonatal clinical nurse to Fiona Stanley Hospital, said they were getting a lot more staff from CAHS after an incredible recruitment drive to the clinic since it opened in June.

Weve gathered staff from everywhere, but the majority of us actually came from Fiona Stanley  so we were running the vaccination clinic at Fiona Stanley and the Harry Perkins building, she said. CAHS looks after community health services for Aboriginal and refugee children, schools and immunisation; child mental health services; neonatal clinics; Perth Childrens Hospital; and Midlands hospital and health hub. The state we are in is horrific, its a horror show, the worst I have seen it in 23 years. Mark Olson, ANF state secretary Mr Cook admitted on Wednesday that CAHS staff within hospitals had been manning the vaccine clinics. Look originally it did; we had to staff a lot of our [vaccine] clinics with nurses that would have otherwise been practicing in the hospitals and weve been undertaking a program over the last few weeks of bringing other nurses into our vaccination clinics, he said.

Child mental health numbers have been skyrocketing, with 7217 young people seen by the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service in 2019-20, up from 6319 the year before. Loading In February 2021, there were 1307 mental health inpatient admissions to WA hospitals of which 47 per cent were admitted via an emergency department. One mother in March told WAtoday of her struggle to get her son admitted to PCH for a severe psychosis because of a bed shortage. Morale at PCH hit rock bottom in the wake of Aishwarya Aswaths death in the hospitals waiting room on April 3, with many nurses calling in sick or taking stress leave. The Australian Nursing Federation reported that PCH had one nurse responsible for more than seven patients  when the safe ratio is one to four on a general ward  with no nurses available to assist in interventions or to make up a full resuscitation team, and no nurse in the waiting room over the weekend.

On Monday there were 290 admissions to PCHs emergency department, almost double the 160 admissions usually experienced, with Mr Cook calling it a tough gig. ANF state secretary Mark Olson said nurses were exhausted after unprecedented overtime and double shifts, while feeling scared and overwhelmed with guilt about not wanting to leave their colleagues to finish a shift. The state we are in is horrific, its a horror show, the worst I have seen it in 23 years, Mr Olson said. We are in a state of emergency and the minister will have to start closing beds due to staffing shortages while he continues to promise more beds with no one to staff them. He told WAtoday that WA nurses were being robbed from one area to service another despite the government knowing for more than four years that its system was being crippled by soaring population numbers and the tsunami of chronic disease.

Most of the problems we are seeing in the health system are exacerbated by underlying issues that have been expected over decades, Mr Olson said. The issue is no one has done anything to counter them. Loading Mr Cook said they had integrated 100 nurses to PCH since April and he was fixing the problem by increasing the number of graduate nurses in hospitals from 700 to 1000 for this year and next as the biggest intake in the states history. This is part of Labors election commitment at the last election but also as part of a capacity surge, which the department is undertaking to continue to build out our nursing numbers, he said.

Mr Cook said he would free up hospital nurses by utilising assistants in nursing  who have slightly lower level or different level of skills  in vaccination centres. All nursing staff, if they come into a COVID [vaccine] clinic, undertake a training course  which is on top of theyre already basic clinical studies  to deliver the vaccination safely, he said. Royal Perth Hospital staff told WAtoday that hospitals already had plenty of junior nurses and the huge gaps in the system were senior nurses, with not enough upskilling and an overabundance of graduates who felt undersupervised and underqualified from a lack of practical experience after being churned out by universities. Mr Olson said while the state government was upping the placement of graduate nurses in hospitals there wasnt the qualified staff to oversee them and those numbers barely covered the attrition rates from nurses retiring, having children or seeking less stressful work in other sectors. The whole thing is smoke and mirrors, he said.
A national advertising blitz will aim to spur millions of vaccinations by Christmas but the federal government has ruled out using cash vouchers in an escalating fight with Labor over the best way to encourage more jabs and ease the need for lockdowns.

The national plan will launch four advertising campaigns over six months to motivate people and will consider using lotteries and gifts rather than adopting Labors call for a $300 payment to every adult who is fully vaccinated by December 1.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison apologised in Parliament on Wednesday for delays to the vaccination rollout but argued that millions of Australians were booking vaccine doses without needing a federal payment.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison does not want to use cash payments to encourage vaccinations. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

The coordinator of the vaccine rollout, Lieutenant General John Frewen, named supply problems as a key barrier, as the government forecasts a surge in Pfizer imports in the final three months of the year.
Christine Holgate has received a $1 million payout from Australia Post for her controversial downfall as chief executive over the Cartier watches scandal, with the board saying it regretted her departure but stopping short of an apology.

The negotiated settlement between the postal service and its former chief executive, announced by the parties on Wednesday, draws a line under the spectacular 10-month long corporate feud that engulfed the Prime Minister and piled pressure on his government over its treatment of women.

Under the settlement, Ms Holgate received $1 million which will be taxed as an employment termination payment  the equivalent of about eight months of her annual salary  plus $100,000 for legal costs.

Postal players: Lucio Di Bartolomeo, Christine Holgate, Scott Morrison. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen, Dominic Lorrimer

In a joint statement, the parties said Ms Holgate had released Australia Post from all legal claims and Australia Post was making the payment without any admission of liability.
Singapore: As he does around the same time each week, Malaysian leader Muhyiddin Yassin turned up at the Istana Negara - the royal palace - on Wednesday morning for an audience with the king.

Its customary for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, as the king is known, to be briefed before the weekly meeting of cabinet ministers that follows.

Muhyiddin Yassin is refusing to give in amid calls for him to resign. Credit:AP

This visit to the palace on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, however, was like no other.

Notoriously volatile, with alliances shifting on multiple party lines as well as factional and personality divides, Malaysian politics has outdone itself with a public standoff between king and Prime Minister that has loosened Muhyiddins grip on authority.
So how might she capitalise on the extraordinary successes that she enjoyed during her 30s? It is perhaps first worth reflecting on how a younger Meghan Markle viewed growing older. In a previous birthday blog on her now defunct website, The Tig, she wrote in 2014: I am 33-years-old today. And I am happy. And I say that so plainly because, well... it takes time. To be happy. To figure out how to be kind to yourself. To not just choose that happiness, but to feel it. Admitting that her 20s had been brutal, she reflected on a conversation, which seems to have set the tone for how she would go on to live the remainder of that decade. I must have been about 24 when a casting director looked at me during an audition and said, You need to know that youre enough. Less make-up, more Meghan.

Addressing her fans, she added: You need to know that youre enough, as she urged them to find your happiness. Little did she know that, just four years later, she would find her own happiness by marrying one of the worlds most eligible bachelors in a ceremony at Windsor Castle, watched by millions on television, before the couples Megxit withdrawal from royal duties in 2020. Indeed, some might argue that the next 10 years could be Less Meghan, more making up. There remains a sense that there is still a lot more to come from the Duchess. Credit:Getty Speak to friends of the Duke and Duchess and the first thing they are likely to say is just how happy they are together in their $US15 million ($21 million) Montecito mansion. However, as they settle into daily life in the United States and continue to make plans for their new Archewell Foundation, the world is waiting to see what Meghan might do next. Not least when, since their bombshell CNN interview with Oprah Winfrey in March, it has been Harry who has been doing most of the talking  in podcasts with the likes of Dax Shepard and, now, through the medium of his own memoirs, due to be published next autumn.

While she may be on maternity leave following the birth of Lilibet in June, a sister for the couples two-year-old son Archie, Meghan will be acutely aware that she should not waste too much time before forging ahead. After all, it was post-40 that the three women she admires so much  Michelle Obama, Oprah, Hillary Clinton  began to truly make their mark on the world. La-La Land can be a fickle place at the best of times. However, when you are a woman in midlife there is arguably only a finite period in which to bask in the limelight. The great news about turning 40 is that its now considered the new 30; the time when most women can go full guns on their careers, and possess the wisdom to make it count. Though, somewhere at the back of Meghans mind may be the worry that, by the time she hits 50, she will have been enveloped in a cloak of perimenopausal invisibility, with the likes of Netflix and Spotify more interested in the new kids on the block in 2031. Having been forced to put their stateside relaunch on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic, pressure is now mounting on the self-exiled royal couple to power up in the vein of their heroes, the Clintons, Obamas and Clooneys.

As Martin Townsend, the former newspaper editor turned PR guru, puts it: If they are going to do something, they need to put their mouth where their money is. So far weve had a load of word salad: lets all live in peace in harmony while on the other hand waging war on the royal family, which has struck many as contradictory. Its time for them to put all that behind them and work on content rather than conjecture. Their 40 to 50 era has to be one of substance rather than gloss. If theres a definitive Harry and Meghan guide to how to live your life, they better start writing it, and fast. Loading It is certainly telling that while the couples Los Angeles-based public relations people are often at pains to point out inconsistencies in press coverage, there has been little push back against the much-repeated notion that Meghan will be pursuing a political career further down the track. The Duchess reportedly held an hour-long meeting last October with Californias Democratic governor Gavin Newsom. According to Tom Bower, Prince Charless biographer, who is currently writing a book about the Duchess, she could make a run for the US presidency within a decade.

Pointing out that California has a strong tradition of Hollywood actors going on to win elections, with Arnold Schwarzenegger serving two terms as state governor (from 2003 to 2011) and Ronald Reagan, also serving two terms but as US President (1981 to 1989), he wrote last month: With the support of Democrat godfathers the Clintons and the Obamas, Meghan should have little difficulty getting nominated as one of the states 40 Congressmen sent to Washington. Loading After that, fate would take over. If one of the states two Senate seats comes free and shes mastered the trade, a mixed-race woman should be a strong runner. Suggesting that she could also run for the states governorship, one of Americas most prestigious offices, he added: At the end of 10 years, the prime of a politicians life, her record could well justify a bid for the Democrat nomination for the presidency. Meghan certainly has the guts and self-belief to fight to the top of the greasy pole. The question is whether she has the stamina.
Washington: The Democratic governor was drowning in scandal and under attack from his own party. He looked like he would almost certainly be forced out of office. Yet he managed to survive.

Thats what happened when Ralph Northam, the Governor of Virginia, was embroiled in a blackface scandal two years ago.

Its a storyline that besieged New York Governor Andrew Cuomo wants to repeat after a state investigation on Wednesday (AEST) found credible evidence that he sexually harassed 11 women.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo was found to have sexually harassed multiple employees. Credit:Getty

According to the report, Cuomos behaviour included unwanted touching and inappropriate comments as well as cultivating a toxic work environment.
Bryan, OH (43506)

Today

Partly to mostly cloudy with scattered showers and thunderstorms developing overnight. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy with scattered showers and thunderstorms developing overnight. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
on Wednesday said it has expanded the Tiago range with the launch of a new sporty trim, Tiago NRG, with price starting at Rs 6.57 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

The new sporty version of the hatchback comes with high ground clearance, bigger tyres, body cladding and roof rails to give it a SUV look.

The is powered by 1.2 litre petrol powertrain (86 PS power) which comes mated to five speed manual and AMT (automated manual transmission) transmission. The model has a four star safety rating by Global NCAP.

"Truly energetic just like its name, the NRG fits well with the growing trend of bringing to market more SUV like vehicles. It is not only strong on the exterior but is feature-loaded & stylish in the interior, and is an absolute pleasure to drive with enhanced abilities to take over rough terrains," Vice-President (Sales, Marketing & Customer Care) Rajan Amba noted.

Crowning the Tiago range, the NRG will continue to help the company increase its brand presence, he added.

"We are confident that our customers will appreciate the new as much as its predecessor," Amba said.

The comes with 181 mm of ground clearance, 15 inch wheels and retuned suspension enabling it to glide over broken surfaces. Other features include push button start, rear parking camera, autofold ORVM, black interiors, ABS with EBD and defogger with rear wiper.

Amba noted that the model has been developed after taking feedback from the customers.

Hatchbacks currently contribute 43 per cent to the overall passenger vehicle sales in the country. For Tata Motors, such models currently contribute around 46 per cent of its overall sales.

The auto major till date has sold around 3.5 lakh units of Tiago in the domestic market.

(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.)
Lenders to (VIL) are expected to hold talks to decide on the future course of action with regard to their exposure to the debt-laden telecom player which is struggling to stay afloat.

This comes in the wake of Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla offering to hand over his stake in VIL to the government or any other entity so that the company remains functional.

Meanwhile, Birla on Wednesday stepped down as non-executive director and non-executive chairman of

S S Mallikarjuna Rao, MD and CEO of Punjab National Bank, on Tuesday said the developments in the last few days were areas of concern for the banking industry, referring the AGR-related issues for the telecom players.

Rao, however, said PNB's exposure is not very high in VIL and it is not going to impact its balance sheet.

"However, we will be definitely discussing with other bankers to see what kind of action we need to take going forward considering the statement of K M Birla only yesterday," Rao said, referring to the billionaire businessman's offer to hand over his stake in VIL to the government or any other entity.

The Supreme Court has dismissed applications by telcos for recalculation of AGR-related dues.

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.

The apex court, in an order passed in September last year, had asked the telecom players to settle their AGR related dues worth Rs 93,520 crore towards the government over a period of 10 years.

VIL's gross debt, excluding lease liabilities, stood at Rs 1,80,310 crore as of March 31, 2021.

IDFC First Bank has marked the account of VIL as stressed and has made provisions of 15 per cent (Rs 487 crore) against the outstanding exposure of Rs 3,244 crore (funded and non-funded).

"This provision translates to 24 per cent of the funded exposure on this account. The said account is current and has no overdues as of June 30, 2021," the lender said in its Q1FY22 investor presentation, referring to the account as "one large telecom account".

Writing a letter to Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba in June, 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 being above the cost of service.

"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.

Among the other players, the AGR liability of Bharti Airtel is Rs 43,980 crore, Tata group Rs 16,798 crore, BSNL Rs 5,835.85 crore and MTNL Rs 4,352.09 crore.

Bharti Airtel has paid the government Rs 18,004 crore, Tatas Rs 4,197 crore and Reliance Jio has cleared its entire dues of Rs 194.79 crore.

Anil Ambani-owned Reliance Communications owes Rs 25,194.58 crore, Aircel Rs 12,389 crore and Videocon Telecommunications Rs 1,376 crore.

However, these are under liquidation process.

like Loop Telecom, Etisalat DB and S Tel, which jointly owe the government Rs 604 crore, have shut down their India operations.

(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 Aditya Kalra

NEW DELHI (Reuters) -Carlsberg's partner in India called on the Danish brewer to improve governance standards at their joint venture on Wednesday, citing "grave concerns" over its operations.

Nepal-based Khetan Group and have been embroiled in a row since 2019 over how India has conducted internal inquiries into its business practices. This has led to protests from Khetan's representatives and raised concerns from India's auditor.

In its first public comment since the dispute began, Khetan's CSAPL (Singapore) Holdings Pte Ltd, the JV partner, urged Carlsberg "to honour its obligations to improve governance and act in the long-term interests of the business".

Carlsberg, one of India's biggest beer with a share of about 17% of a $7-billion market, said in a statement to Reuters that the company had taken efforts to improve governance in India to bring it up to "par with the high standards governing the other across our group."

"Unfortunately our JV partner has not always been a constructive partner in these efforts," Carlsberg added.

The Khetan group entity said in its statement that suspected governance issues prompted the resignation of Carlsberg India's auditor and an inspection of its accounts by Indian authorities.

It added that for several years it had "consistently expressed grave concerns over suspected irregularities and illegalities at the joint venture company's India business". It did not cite any evidence in its statement.

Carlsberg said it was not surprised by the move.

"As the commercial conflict with our JV-partner continues, we are unfortunately not surprised that our JV-partner and his representatives continue to share wide-ranging accusations," Carlsberg said in its statement.

The partnership is managed by C.P. Khetan for the Khetan Group. However, Carlsberg has day-to-day control as its majority shareholder, the Khetan entity said.

Carlsberg India's auditor, an affiliate of global accounting firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers, quit last year after it declined for two successive years to give an opinion on the joint venture's financials, Reuters reported in November.

Carlsberg is also facing scrutiny from India's antitrust authority whose investigation found in 2020 that the company colluded with other brewers to fix beer prices.

A final ruling has not yet been given. Carlsberg has previously filed a leniency application in the case and in December declined to comment on the matter.

Meanwhile, internal investigations into allegations of unlawful practices at found potential improper payments to government officials and other lapses, while another found child labour issues at one of its warehouses, Reuters reported in January.

Carlsberg said in response at the time it could not rule out breaches of policies and its code of conduct and did everything possible to prevent such incidents.

(Reporting by Aditya Kalra in New Delhi; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Alexander Smith)

(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.)
AI-powered finance concierge Zeni said it has raised $34 million in a Series B funding round led by Elevation Capital with participation from new investors Think Investments and Neeraj Arora. Zeni has seen 550 per cent revenue growth year-over-year driven exclusively by referrals and organic growth. Existing investors Saama Capital, Amit Singhal, Sierra Ventures, Twin Ventures, Dragon Capital and Liquid 2 Ventures also participated in the round.

Today, Zeni manages more than $500 million in funds each month across more than 100 startup customers, ranging from pre-revenue to businesses generating more than $100 million in annual revenue. Zeni will use the capital infusion to bring its intelligent bookkeeping and accounting platform and services to more customers. It would invest aggressively in its team in the US and India across product, technology, marketing, sales and finance operations.

Zeni was founded in 2019 by twin brothers and serial entrepreneurs, Swapnil Shinde and Snehal Shinde, who also founded Mezi, the AI-powered travel assistant acquired by American Express in 2018. The Zeni team is spread across Palo Alto, New York and Pune.

 and small businesses are fundamentally changing how they operate based on digital-first tools and services that are displacing the traditional, slow and human-intensive services across every category, said Swapnil Shinde, co-founder and CEO, Zeni. There is a huge demand from to digitize and automate their business finances, leading Zeni to experience 550 per cent revenue growth and 375 per cent customer growth year-over-year.

He said Zeni is tackling the root of startup riskfinancial managementby applying artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotic process automation. This creates a fast, streamlined, intuitive way for startups to manage their finances.

The firm said it is the only bookkeeping and accounting platform that provides real-time insights and flux analysis of a companys key financial metrics via its platform. This includes Zeni dashboard, including cash in and cash out analysis, universal search of transactions across a startups entire finance stack and spend and income trends for every customer and vendor in their ecosystem.

Our focus at Zeni is to make finance management as seamless as possible for our customers, which carries over to the minimalist, intuitive product experience within the Zeni Dashboard, said Snehal Shinde, co-founder and chief product officer, Zeni. Every feature we introduce has an explicit purpose based on our customers needs and is meticulously crafted to allow startup founders to find the answers to their questions in the most direct, actionable way possible.

Digital transformation is fueling the growth of businesses like Zeni as the startup and small business sector is feverishly digitizing and automating every part of their business operations.

Digitizing and automating the bookkeeping and accounting functions and giving founders an up-to-the-minute understanding of their finances is critical for informed decision making in a fast-paced start-up environment, said Ravi Adusumalli, founder and managing partner at Elevation Capital. Zeni is making these tasks infinitely easier for founders.
Technology giant on



Wednesday announced that it is working to establish a Software Lab in Kochi.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Viajayan hailed the IT major's decision, saying this will pave the way for a huge leap in the state's IT development.

The announcement came a day after Chief Minister Vijayan, India Managing Director Sandip Patel and Vice President, India Software Labs Gaurav Sharma - discussed the role of technology in accelerating the states digital mission in a virtual meeting.

IBM Software Labs are leading global innovation centers that develop and deliver next-generation software portfolio and cloud offerings.

Thanking IBM for their interest to take up a more active role in the state's IT growth, Vijayan said, "undoubtedly, IBM's expansion will pave the way for a huge leap in Kerala's IT development."



" government will ensure the commitment and support required to materialise the project", the Chief Minister said in a Facebook post.

Vijayan said he had a "very fruitful meeting" with Patel and Sharma on Tuesday and "extended Kerala's wholehearted support to the new venture."



This center in Kerala, will focus on developing solutions, infusing global design techniques, agile methodologies and advanced technologies including automation, data and AI, and security to support the requirements of the government and global customers, he said.

In a statement, IBM said during the meeting on Tuesday, the chief minister shared his vision of making a Digital Knowledge Economy, the changes introduced in the IT policy and the role of technology in helping sectors reset and recover from the pandemic.

Vijayan also discussed the importance of collaboration between Industries, Government and the Academia to drive growth opportunities within the state, it said.

Speaking on the occasion, Patel said IBM India is a microcosm of the IBM corporation committed to furthering the countrys vision of Make in India, for India and the World.

"IBM brings its global best practices to India and we hope to do that in as well, by building indigenous skills in the state that will create a talent pool for the global marketplace.

Expansion in Kerala would provide us access to world- class skills and diversity of talent, drive skills development and enhance employability", he said.

Vijayan said Kerala is a talent hub for IT professionals and entrepreneurs, and "we are pleased with IBMs proposed expansion in the state."



"Technology Development Centers play an important role in driving economic growth by bringing innovations to the market quickly.

We will extend our full support to IBM to establish its software development center in Kerala.

Im confident that our talent and IBMs leading technologies will have a far-reaching impact which will create employment opportunities, accelerate digital innovation and provide a strong foundation for the IT/ITeS sector in the state", Vijayan is quoted as saying in the IBM statement.

The company said the proposed expansion is aligned to it's vision to shape the future of software development- through an open, secure, decentralized architecture that helps clients automate, secure, modernize and predict.

Currently IBM Software Labs operates from Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad and Chennai in India.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Amid Vodafone Ideas struggle to stay afloat, Bharti CEO Gopal Vittal on Wednesday asserted that a large nation like India needs three private players in telecom, and hoped the government would take measures to offer relief to the financially-stressed industry.

Vittal said the recent changes effected by in some of its plans is a step towards raising average revenue per user (ARPU), which is currently abysmally low.

At the same time, he indicated that the company, which already has a premium positioning in the market, may not initiate a broader tariff revision unilaterally and risk any erosion of customers and competitiveness.

On the Supreme Court dismissing applications by telcos for recalculation of AGR-related dues, Vittal said while is disappointed with the outcome, the company has provisioned for the onerous payout and already paid over Rs 18,000 crore covering its obligations for the first few years.

On the next steps relating to any review petition, we will be guided by legal advice and no decision has been taken on this yet, Vittal said at Airtels Q1 earnings call.

Responding to an analyst query on how Airtel perceives industry structure to be in next 1-2 years, and whether the Sunil Mittal-led telco is prepared for a two-player market, if the situation arose, Vittal said the Indian market can easily accommodate three private players.





ALSO READ: Bharti Airtel posts net profit of Rs 284 cr in Q1, misses street estimates

I think just from national perspective, it would be appropriate to see an industry structure where three players not just survive, but thrive and of course the government player is always there, he said.

Vittals comments assume significance in the backdrop of looming uncertainty over Vodafone Idea.

I feel as a country we do need three players... it is a large enough country with 1.3 billion people, which can easily accommodate three (private) players in this market, Vittal said. 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 to ensure that the company remains a going concern.

Vittal said, There is clearly a situation of serious financial stress in the industry and we have seen one of the players actually saying to the government that they may not be able to pay their dues coming up in March 2022. We hope that the government does something to provide some relief to the industry.

Flagging the extremely low ARPU in the Indian telecom market, Vittal said that the level needs to rise to Rs 200 and eventually Rs 300.

As we have always said, ARPU in India is extremely low and at this level, our return on capital is in the low single digit. ARPU must rise first to (Rs) 200 and eventually to (Rs) 300," he said.

If ARPU rises, the industry repair can "certainly happen", he noted.

Having three private players in the telecom market would be an "appropriate outcome" for a country as large as India, he said, adding that substantial investments have already been infused by the industry.

"There are lots of jobs not just direct but indirect jobs, and there are many parts of the ecosystem which depend on industry for employment and livelihood...I would love to continue to see a three-player market," Vittal pointed out.

(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 stepped down as non-executive chairman of Idea (Vi) after offering to give up his stake in the debt-ridden telecommunications (telecom) company.

Himanshu Kapania, a telecom industry veteran and a nominee of Aditya Birla Group on the board, will take over the chairmans post. Kapania served on the global GSMA board for two years and was also chairman of the Cellular Operators Association of India, the company said in a stock exchange notification.

Birla Group Chief Financial Officer Sushil Agarwal has been named additional director on the Vi board. The Vi board approved the leadership changes on Wednesday. Birla, who was earlier chairman of Idea Cellular, took over as chairman of the combined entity, following its merger with India in August 2018.

The companys stock was priced at Rs 34 at the time of its merger. It closed at Rs 6.03 on Wednesday, shedding 27 per cent in two days after Birlas submission to the government became public.

In his letter written on June 7 (before the Supreme Court dismissed its application on adjusted gross revenue, or AGR, issue), Birla said he was willing to offer his stake to any government or domestic financial entity to keep Vi afloat.





ALSO READ: Banks to discuss next course of action on debt-laden Vodafone Idea

While the Birlas own around 27 per cent stake in the company, Group Plc has over 44 per cent stake. Birlas letter highlighted the need for urgent measures from the government, while offering to give up control of the company.

It is with a sense of duty towards 270 million Indians connected by Vi, 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 his letter.

- rebranded Vi last year - has been under stress, losing market share, while its huge Rs 1.8-trillion debt liability has raised concerns about its survival. The companys efforts to raise Rs 25,000 crore from investors have not yielded result, in the absence of any relief measures from the government. The Supreme Court, too, has ruled against its application for recomputation of AGR dues, dealing a blow to its revival.

To actively participate in the fund-raising, potential foreign investors want to see clear government intent to have a three-player telecom market (consistent with its public stance) through positive actions on long-standing requests, such as clarity on AGR liability, adequate moratorium on spectrum payments, and most importantly, a floor pricing regime above the cost of service. In the absence of definitive steps in this regard, potential investors have understandable hesitation to invest, wrote Birla.
Standard and Poor's has upgraded Ltd's long term issuer rating from "BB-" to "BB" on significant expected deleveraging.

The outlook on ratings is stable and reflects the view that the company can adequately deleverage to reduce volatility in credit metrics during industry downturns.

also raised the long-term issue rating on the senior unsecured notes issued by its subsidiary ABJA from "BB-" from "BB".

Continued strength in has accelerated the company's deleveraging, said in a statement. In the base case scenario, Tata Steel's adjusted debt is expected to decline by over 30 per cent by March 2023 from its March 2021 levels.

Tata Steel's adjusted debt (including customer advances and securitised receivables etc) will fall to about Rs 60,000 crore by March 2023 from about Rs 91,500 crore as of March 2021. This would significantly outperform the stated intention to reduce debt by at least $ 1 billion per year, and continue the trend of declining debt from March 2020. The company had a debt of Rs 1.1 trillion in March 2020.

While the company has increased capital expenditure (capex), the increase is still small in relation to the operating cash flows and does not affect the path of deleveraging.

"We expect capex of about Rs 11,000 crore annually, up from about Rs 7,000 crore in fiscal 2021," it said. The agency expects the company's EBITDA of Rs 1 trillion and free operating cash flow of Rs 35,000 croreRs 40,000 crore, respectively, over fiscals 2022 and 2023. This is despite assumption of a 10 per cent decline in in fiscal 2023 from the current levels.

The commissioning of the ongoing 5 million tons per year capacity expansion at the Kalinganagar facility will significantly strengthen the credit profile over the next three to four years. This is especially so since the facility will be added without material debt. It will improve Tata Steel's profitability with accompanying cold-rolled mill and pellet plant facilities also being set up.

In addition, the company's European operation is expected to be EBITDA positive in the forecast period, despite its contribution to the group's overall earnings being small, the rating agency added.
Mohalla Tech, the parent of short video app Moj and Indic language social media platform ShareChat, announced a multi- year agreement with India's largest music label

The partnership allows and Moj to access an extensive catalog of Indian music and provide an enhanced experience to its creator communities.

Incidentally, and Moj were also the first in the Indian social media and short video landscape to strike a licensing agreement with last year, thereby setting the path for the rest of the industry to follow.

Moj and together, with a 340 million-strong monthly active user community and over 82 million creator community, represent a significant share of the internet population in India.

The collaboration will help ShareChat and Moj communities to explore sound recordings from T- Series music library and create meaningful social experiences with videos, messages, and other

creative formats.

Were thrilled to strengthen our partnership with With this partnership we can drive more value to the industry, support more artists and deliver an incredible creative experience to our users across India," said Farid Ahsan, COO and co-founder, Moj and ShareChat.

Music labels and platform partnerships ensure platforms do not get held liable for copyright infringement, apart from providing a vast library of music for content creators to work with.

In 2019, top music labels including T-Series Music, Zee Music Company and Yash Raj Films had signed partnerships with Facebook for licensing their music for use in social experiences such as videos, messages, stories and other creative content on Facebook and Instagram. The tech giant has music licensing deals with almost all major music labels.

ShareChat and Moj have been a wonderful partner and they are a true long term partner for us in the Indian short video space. This long-term license reciprocates both of our intent to support the creator economy and build a robust foundation for the creator-led content ecosystem in the country, Bhushan Kumar, managing director, T-Series said.

Neeraj Kalyan, president, T-Series, said, This is an important step forward and sets the standard in the Indian social media and short video space that acknowledges and respects the music industry. With this continued commitment, ShareChat and Moj will bring more innovation and creativity for the Indian short video space an objective we share mutually. We are hopeful this would drive deeper engagements on the platforms and create a mutually benefitting partnership for years to come.
State-owned of India Ltd (SCI) has reported a 52.94 per cent decline in consolidated net profit to Rs 158.51 crore for the first quarter of the current fiscal.

The company had clocked a consolidated net profit of Rs 336.87 crore in the corresponding period a year earlier, it said in a regulatory filing on Tuesday.

Its total income declined to Rs 1,048.47 crore in the latest June quarter as against Rs 1,178.43 crore in the year-ago period.

The company's total expenses during the quarter under review increased to Rs 899.25 crore from Rs 846.85 crore in the same period last year.

said the impact of the second wave of the COVID-19 continued in the first quarter of 2021-22.

The government is selling its entire 63.75 per cent stake in the company along with the transfer of management control.

(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.)
Karan Bajaj, Founder and CEO of leading online learning platform WhiteHat Jr, is moving on to kick off the next chapter in his life and Trupti Mukker, Head of Customer Experience and Delivery, will lead the organisation, according to an internal email seen by IANS.

The internal email, sent by Byju Raveendran, Founder and CEO of the leading firm Byju's to employees on Wednesday said that "Karan is now ready, as we had mutually decided at the time of acquisition, to progress to the next chapter of his life".

"This week, we completed one year of WhiteHat Jr joining the BYJU'S family. With Karan's departure, Trupti Mukker, whom you know well as the Head of Customer Experience and Delivery, will lead the organisation, ably supported by the extremely strong leadership team that Karan and I have set in place," Raveendran wrote in the email addressed to employees.

Byju's in August last year acquired Mumbai-based live online coding provider WhiteHat Jr in an all-cash deal worth $300 million (roughly Rs 2,246 crore).

Bajaj founded WhiteHat Jr in 2018 with a vision of making children creators of technology rather than being passive consumers of it.

Today, WhiteHat Jr is not only a Maths and coding learning platform but also forayed into 1:1 online music classes, and brought physical-digital blended coding curriculum to Indian schools with an aim to teach 10 lakh students by the next academic year.

Raveendran said that under Bajaj's leadership, WhiteHat Jr and Byju's 'FutureSchool' now enable hundreds of thousands of students in countries around the world daily to learn and create with 11,000+ deeply committed teachers.

According to Bajaj, he will be fully present in transition for the immediate period, then intend to carve out a career in public service next.

"Only three years ago, WhiteHat Jr was just an idea. Now, we're a team of 17,000+ employees and teachers in multiple countries around the world from India, Australia and UK to US and Latin America, all deeply united by our mission and values," Bajaj said.

A striving yogi, Bajaj has written three bestselling novels so far published by HarperCollins-India and Penguin Random House: Keep Off the Grass, Johnny Gone Down and The Seeker. Together, his novels have sold more than 200,000 copies in India.

A graduate of IIM-Bangalore, Bajaj has earlier served as the CEO for Discovery South Asia. He's been associated with like P&G, BCG, and Kraft Foods Group in the past.

Currently, more than 11,000-strong teacher workforce conducts thousands of Live Coding, Math and Music online classes every day on its platform.

Cumulatively, the company has conducted more than 8.5 million classes to date.

--IANS

na/

(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 total of 218 people have died and 12 are missing in in the last three weeks this monsoon season, Jal Shakti Minister Mahender Singh Thakur informed the state Assembly on Wednesday.

Replying to a discussion on climate change on the third day of the ongoing monsoon session, Thakur said the state suffered a total loss of Rs 451.56 crore due to damaged roads, water lines and power transmission since June 13.

A maximum of 34 people died in Shimla, followed by 25 in Kangra, 23 in Sirmaur, 21 in Chamba, 19 in Mandi, 18 in Lahaul-Spiti, 17 in Kullu, 16 in Solan, 14 each in Una and Kinnaur, 12 in Bilaspur and five in Hamirpur from June 13 to July 3, he added.

Several roads, bridges, PWD property, water lines had been fully or partially damaged due to heavy rains, he said.

The state government has so far suffered a loss of Rs 451.56 crore, the minister said.

Global warming is resulting in climate change which sometimes causes drought-like situations and sometimes heavy rains, he added.

Earlier participating in the discussion, Congress's Kinnaur MLA Jagat Singh Negi stated that 70 per cent of the crops of farmers in Lahaul were damaged as they were unable to take their ripe crops to the mandis due to damaged bridges and roads.

The situation could not be properly managed by the government and the administration after the cloudburst in Udaipur subdivision of Lahaul-Spiti district, he alleged.

Several people had to spend some days in a cave as the administration could not rescue them, he claimed.

Earlier, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal (Congress), Vishal Nehriya (BJP), Balbir Singh Verma (BJP) and Jiya Lal (BJP) also spoke on the impact of climate change on the people, especially on the agriculturists and horticulturists.

(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.)
With Covid-19 shots in billions of arms by now, evidence is emerging of how well they work in real-world settings. Vaccines authorised for emergency use have successfully subdued epidemics in nations where at least half of the population is fully immunised. But as more-transmissible variants spread, driving fresh outbreaks and an increase in breakthrough infections, health authorities are recommending some immunised individuals wear face-masks indoors to augment the protection of vaccines.

How good are Covid vaccines?

In general, the Covid shots are extremely good, though not perfect, at protecting against hospitalisation and death. Researchers in Taiwan found that a 10 per cent increase in coverage is associated with a 7.6 per cent reduction in the case fatality ratio. Most vaccines also provide a very good shield against developing Covid symptoms, and some are able to provide good protection from being infected with the virus that causes Covid, SARS-CoV-2. The latter ability is important because it results in the kind of sterilising immunity that stops the virus from spreading  a feat that will bring the world closer to ending the pandemic via so-called herd immunity. In any case, is associated with a 40 per cent to 50 per cent reduction in Covid cases among an infected persons household contacts, and its anticipated that newer generation vaccines will be even better at preventing onward transmission.

What are the caveats?

The evidence so far is skewed, with Israel, the US and UK supplying the majority of the data, which pertains mostly to vaccines made by AstraZeneca and Pfizer and its partner BioNTech. Estimates for Sputnik V and Sinopharm vaccines are the most limited. Also, although more than 90 effectiveness studies have been made publicly available, their quality varies considerably, according to the World Health Organisation.

Are some vaccines better than others?

It seems so, though there have been no head-to-head clinical trials. For now, the so-called mRNA vaccines made by Moderna Inc and Pfizer-BioNTech appear superior. Also, mixing the vaccines (most require two shots) appears to generate a robust immune response. Doctors have reiterated, however, that the best is the one thats available where you are, as any protection is better than none against this virus.

How durable is the protection?

Well know as more time goes by. An unpublished study by Pfizer researchers that followed vaccinated individuals for up to six months reported a gradually declining trend in vaccine efficacy against a symptomatic infection, but found their shot remained highly efficacious overall. Efficacy peaked at 96.2 per cent in the two months after a second shot, and declined gradually to 83.7 per cent from four months, and then by an average of 6 per cent every two months. Waning vaccine-induced immunity is likely to be first detected by vaccine failures in vulnerable individuals, such as diabetes and heart-failure patients, and reflect lower levels of virus-blocking antibodies. UK researchers say that a likely scenario is that, as immunity gradually wanes, more vaccinated individuals will get infected, but their immune system will rapidly control the infection, resulting in no or mild symptoms.





ALSO READ: No recommendation made so far on mixing Covid vaccines, govt to Rajya Sabha

However, exposure to the virus will further boost and broaden their immune response to it. campaigns against SARS-CoV-2 may continue for years, though follow-up research is needed to understand when boosters will be needed and the optimal frequency for successive inoculations.

What effect are variants having on the potency of vaccines?

They differ. Delta, the strain first reported in India in October, is the most worrisome detected so far. Twice as transmissible as the that sparked the pandemic, delta is becoming dominant. Studies from the UK have shown that its more resistant to vaccines than the alpha variant that emerged there in late 2020, particularly in people who have received just the first dose. Some researchers say that will require a higher proportion of people in the community to be immunised to slow, and eventually stop, transmission through herd immunity. The reduction in vaccine effectiveness caused by delta may vary by type. The Pfizer-BioNTech shot appeared to be more effective than AstraZenecas in a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in July.

What makes delta more tricky?

Vaccines have been shown to reduce the concentration of virus particles, or viral loads, in the airways of individuals who become infected. But delta is associated with viral loads that are 1,200 times higher in newly infected individuals compared with the original strain  a feature that helps delta spread as easily as chickenpox. That was seen in a dramatic outbreak in Provincetown, Massachusetts, in mid-to-late July, in which about three-quarters of the 469 Covid cases detected occurred in fully vaccinated people. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently recommended people return to wearing masks indoors in some situations. It considers delta more prone to breaking through vaccine-induced immunity and says it may cause more severe disease than other forms of the virus, the New York Times reported in late July, citing an internal document that argues officials must acknowledge the war has changed.
As new variants--delta, and then probably epsilon and whatever comes next--bring us more waves of Covid-19 in the fall and winter, policymakers and citizens in all developed countries should say out loud and in unison: This time, lets save our kids.

This means, yes, offering youngsters vaccinations if the parents agree, as Germany just decided to do for children older than 12, even while a commission of scientists still dithers about recommending this step.

Even more importantly, it means that the vaccine slouches among us adults should finally bare arms to build the epidemiological equivalent of a firewall around the young. Im still against mandating shots. But the moral case for getting jabbed is now incontrovertible and overwhelming.

But above all, it means that--come fall, winter and spring--schools must stay open whether infections rise again or not.

In this pandemic so far, children have not suffered much in purely medical terms. They rarely get bad cases of the disease, although research is woefully lacking about long Covid in young patients. Theyve instead suffered in every other way--educationally, psychologically and socially-- because they cant develop healthily without physically attending school.





ALSO READ: Covid-19: India records 42,625 fresh cases and 562 deaths in a day

In effect, we tacitly decided as societies in 2020 that we needed to circle our wagons around the most vulnerable group--the yet-unvaccinated elderly-- by shuttering schools, which we suspected (often without good evidence) of super-spreading the virus.

In doing so we accepted that many kids would plummet into loneliness, anxiety and depression; that they would spend a sizable part of their young lives without social contacts; and that they would fall far behind in their learning--so far that they may never be able to make up the loss.

Starting in this next academic year, therefore, we must collectively return the favor: Now we adults must circle the wagons around the young, so they can resume their much needed learning and socializing.

As mentioned above, the easiest way we can do that is by getting vaccinated, if we havent done so already. But we can also help by foregoing some of our other relics of adult normality, which seem trivial compared to the needs of children. In a pinch, is it really more important to open cinemas and bars, or to keep kids in their classrooms? Next time--if there has to be a next time--let everything else go into lockdown before even looking at schools.

Even as we open schools again, of course, we must take many precautions, which may become quasi-permanent--and why not? The kids should generally wear masks, unless common sense suggests a situation is safe (as when gathering outdoors, say). Windows should stay open as long as the weather allows it. And schools should install air filters, which we as taxpayers should fund generously and without whining.



ALSO READ: India's gender inequity in Covid-19 vaccinations narrows, shows govt data

But the in-person teaching--by vaccinated educators--and the learning must go on. Education is a right too fundamental to sacrifice for the sake of flattening curves. For that matter, as were learning to live with this virus for the long term, we should also bid farewell to infection numbers as a metric for policy, and base our decisions exclusively on hospitalizations and deaths, as we would in a flu outbreak.

And yes, I say all this as an irate and worried dad. Overall, weve managed the pandemic reasonably well in countries like Germany, where I happen to live, especially given that we always had bad, shifting or contradictory information to work with. But we werent being fair to the kids. Whatever the virus has in store for us, lets put the children first from now on.
The flood situation in West Bengal worsened on Wednesday claiming eight more lives taking the toll to 23 as fresh areas went under water, with Chief Minister Mamata Bannerjee complaining to Prime Minister that the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) caused the "man-made" deluge by releasing water from its dams in an unprecedented manner.

The DVC, however, said that it discharges water after taking consent of the state government and blaming it for the flood is not justified



The prime minister telephoned Banerjee in the afternoon to take stock of the flood situation which affected seven districts of the state. During the talks, the CM blamed the DVC for the flood in the state and raised the issue in a letter she wrote to Modi in the evening.

Heavy rain and subsequent discharge of water in the last few days have inundated large parts of Purba and Paschim Bardhaman, Paschim Medinipur, Hooghly, Howrah, South 24 Parganas and Birbhum districts.

The was 15 till Tuesday evening and the number of affected districts was six.

A tweet issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said that Modi assured Banerjee of all support from the Centre to help mitigate the situation.

"PM @narendramodi spoke to WB CM @MamataOfficial on the flood situation caused by water discharge from dams in parts of the state. PM assured all possible support from the Centre to help mitigate the situation. PM Modi prays for the safety and wellbeing of those in affected areas," the PMO tweeted.

Large swathes of Nanoor and Labhpur block in Birbhum districts were flooded since early Wednesday morning, leading to the displacement of more than 3000 people.

Banerjee surveyed parts of Howrah on Wednesday to take stock of the situation.

The chief minister wrote to Modi claiming that desilting and dredging activities were not taken up and water-holding capacity of the DVC's dams was not increased, though the issues were raised way back in 2015.

The state is facing a "grave man-made flood situation" in some districts due to "unprecedented" release of water from the DVC dams at Panchet, Maithon and Tenughat, she alleged.

"In respect of the current flood, we will shortly be sending our damage assessment for your kind intervention. I would reiterate the need to develop holistic and long-term solutions in respect to the augmentation of the storage capacity of the DVC system to ensure that West Bengal is spared the regular devastation and suffering from man-made floods perpetrated by huge releases from the DVC dams," she said in the letter.

The DVC, since July 31, has released 6.38 lakh cusec of water till Wednesday afternoon. On Wednesday alone 95,000 cusecs in two tranches.

The DVC, however, rejected the charge saying it does not decide about water regulation and decisions on this are taken by the Damodar Valley Reservoir Regulation Committee (DVRRC) where the state's irrigation secretary is a member.

"The DVC only implements the decision of the committee on water regulations. The state government's consent is taken before water discharge, and the DVC issues a warning to district administrations. So blaming DVC for the flood is unjustified," DVC executive director (Maithon) S Banerjee told PTI.

The DVC official said that the DVRRC tries to restrict water release to the maximum possible but further regulating will put the dams in danger.

Meanwhile, state Irrigation Minister Soumen Mahapatra wrote to the DVC authorities requesting them not to release water for the next three days.

The districts of Hooghly, Howrah and Paschim Medinipur are the worst affected.

Since Wednesday morning, rising water levels in Birbhum's Labhpur and Nanoor blocks forced thousands of people to flee their homes as houses and agricultural land got submerged in water.

More than 4 lakh hectares of agricultural land in these seven districts is under water now.

"Six people each have died due to wall collapse and lightning and seven due to drowning. Two each have died because of landslide and electrocution so far," a senior state government official said.

The chief minister, who was scheduled to conduct an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas in Howrah and Hooghly districts, was forced to suspend the programme due to bad weather conditions. Instead, she took the road to Amta in Howrah.

Standing in knee-deep water, Banerjee spoke to the affected people in Amta and assured them of all help by the state government.

On Banerjee's allegations against the DVC, the state BJP leadership claimed that the state government is looking for a face-saver to hide its failure.

"The entire irrigation system in West Bengal has gone for a toss during the TMC rule. The day is not far when the TMC government might demand that the DVC's dams be dismantled," state BJP spokesperson Shamik Bhattacharya said.

The already grim flood situation in south Bengal is likely to worsen, with the Met department forecasting heavy rain in the region owing to a cyclonic circulation over the North Bay of Bengal and the presence of an active monsoon trough.

The Met department warned of heavy to very heavy rain at one or two places in the flood-hit districts till Thursday morning.

The weatherman also cautioned against a rise in the water level of rivers and the inundation of low-lying areas in Gangetic West Bengal.

(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 special court here will on Thursday pass an order on NIA's application seeking one-month extension to file a charge-sheet in the Antilia bomb scare-Mansukh Hiran murder case and also decide on a default bail plea of dismissed police officer Sachin Waze, who appeared in the court through video link on Wednesday.

Waze, an accused in the case, is currently in jail under judicial custody.

The court had, on June 9, granted an extension of two months to the Investigation Agency (NIA) to file its charge-sheet.

The probe agency has sought another extension, saying investigation into the high-profile case was still underway. On Tuesday, the NIA had argued in the court on its plea seeking one-month extension to file the charge-sheet.

Waze has sought bail on the ground that the probe agency has failed to file the charge-sheet within the stipulated time (90 days), making him eligible for bail by default. The former Assistant Police Inspector was arrested on March 13 and is currently lodged in the Taloja central jail in Navi Mumbai.

Waze, on Wednesday, argued for his bail in-person from the jail through video conferencing.

Citing an order in a case where he was an investigating officer, Waze submitted in the court that the when a person is arrested, the original offence under which he was booked is counted for filing the charge-sheet and not the charges added at a later stage.

In Waze's case, he was initially arrested under relevant sections of the IPC and provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) were added against him later.

Therefore, the stipulated period of 180 days for filing a charge-sheet under the UAPA was not applicable to him, he argued.

He was, thus, entitled for default bail on the 91st day of his arrest under CrPc section 167, Waze submitted. After hearing NIA arguments on Tuesday and those of Waze on Wednesday, the court said it will give its orders on both pleas on Thursday.

This is Waze's second attempt to seek a default bail. The court had rejected a similar plea of his in June. Besides Waze, former encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma and a few other ex-policemen are also accused in the case. The case relates to recovery of an explosives-laden SUV near the south Mumbai home of industrialist Mukesh Ambani on February 25. Thane-based businessman Mansukh Hiran, who had claimed he was in possession of the SUV, was found dead in a creek in Thane on March 5.

(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 on Wednesday reserved its verdict on a default bail plea filed by lawyer-activist Sudha Bharadwaj, an accused in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case.

Opposing her plea, the Maharashtra government told the HC on Wednesday that a sessions court had the power to take cognisance of the charge sheet filed in the case in 2019, since the Investigation Agency (NIA) was then yet to take over the investigation into the case.

The NIA took over the case in January 2020.

Appearing for the Maharashtra government, Advocate General Ashutosh Kumbhakoni told a bench of Justices S S Shinde and N J Jamadar that as long as the investigation in a case was not assigned to the NIA, the proceedings pertaining to the same could continue before a regular court.

Bharadwaj had approached the HC earlier this year, seeking default bail on the ground that Pune additional sessions judge KD Vadane, who had taken cognisance of the police chargesheet in the case filed in 2019, was not authorised to do so.

Bharadwaj had annexed RTI (Right to Information) replies from the HC to demonstrate that judge Vadane was not a designated special judge, as was necessary to adjudicate offences under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

Senior counsel Yug Chaudhry, who appeared for Bharadwaj, had earlier told the HC that Vadane pretended to be a special judge and had signed orders as the special judge.

On Wednesday, Chaudhry referred to portions of a recent Supreme Court judgement to show that a special court alone has exclusive jurisdiction to try UAPA offences.

Kumbhakoni, however, opposed the submission and said Chaudhry was only citing such portions of the judgement that suited his case and not the judgement in its entirety.

He said in the case cited above, the circumstances were different from those in Bharadwaj's case.

"There are elementary principles of reading a judgement. You cannot read a few paras and say I have succeeded in freeing (someone accused of being involved in) Naxalite activities," Kumbhakoni said.

"The facts of every case are different, you can't use one to colour the other," he said.

Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, who appeared for the NIA, reiterated that the sessions court had been within its powers in taking cognisance of the case.

The HC closed all arguments and reserved its verdict on Bharadwaj's plea.

The Elgar Parishad case is related to inflammatory speeches made at a conclave held in Pune on December 31, 2017, which, the police claimed, triggered violence the next day near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial located on the outskirts of the western Maharashtra city.

(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 Centre has indicated that with lower utilisation of Covid vaccines by the private sector, its 25 per cent quota may not be necessary.

Health minister Mansukh Mandaviya told Rajya Sabha, in response to a question by MP Sushil Kumar Modi, that the government took over 7-9 per cent of the private sectors quota since it had not been utilised.

Vaccine makers, the government has indicated, can provide doses to the according to demand and the remaining would be bought by the government.

If private players do not pick up 25 per cent of the vaccines produced, manufacturers may face financial losses. The prices of Covishield and Covaxin are Rs 600 per dose and Rs 1,200 per dose, respectively, for the The Centre procures Covishield at Rs 215 per dose and Covaxin at Rs 225 per dose, inclusive of taxes.

The revised guidelines for vaccine management came into effect from June 21. The government would procure 75 per cent of the vaccines being produced in the country and make them available to states for free for all above 18 years of age. The remaining 25 per cent could be directly accessed by the private hospitals.

A source in a vaccine manufacturing firm said that the government has indicated that vaccine makers need not compulsorily hold 25 per cent of their monthly production for the private sector, but continue to supply based on orders placed.

We usually indicate our production plan to the government in advance, which helps it to plan the procurement and distribution. We will continue to do so. The Centre also knows about a consolidated demand from the private sector, as state governments collate the demand from the and indicate this to the Centre, said an executive.

This also implies that the Centre can procure more than the 75 per cent quota that it has allocated for government purchase, if the demand from the private sector is less.

Another executive at a vaccine making company said, The private sectors drive is now spreading beyond metros. Demand would be there. Some hospitals had created a stockpile, and are thus ordering according to their consumption pattern, the executive said.

At least two leading hospitals said they have not yet heard from either the Centre or vaccine makers about any policy change. We continue to place orders based on our requirements, said a senior executive.

Private hospitals also feel that with the Centre deciding to increase the free vaccinations to 75 per cent, the number of people willing to pay for a jab has reduced significantly. Consequently, the private sector has been able to only vaccinate about 7 per cent of the people in May. Government buying all the remaining doses would lead to faster of the adult population, and hopefully, lead to minimising effects of the third wave, said Harsh Mahajan, president, Nathealth, a healthcare body.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday spoke to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over rising cases in the state and sought his cooperation in managing the situation.

has been witnessing a surge in the cases, with 49.85 per cent of the total COVID-19 cases in the country being reported from the southern state.

"The Central Government's team headed by NCDC has returned from & submitted its report. I have spoken with the Chief Minister of Kerala, @VijayanPinarayi ji, over the phone and discussed the matter of the rising #COVID19 cases in the State," Mandaviya tweeted.

"I have also written a letter to CM Vijayan Pinarayi ji for taking more proactive measures and precautions to control the ongoing situation in Kerala. I have sought the State's cooperation in managing the situation and have assured Central Government's complete support," he said in another tweet.

The Centre had sent a six-member team to Kerala and it had shared some of the observations with the state on the overall management of the situation.

Kerala had on Tuesday reported 23,676 fresh COVID cases, pushing the total infection count to 34.49 lakh, with the number of people succumbing to the virus touched 17,103 after 148 additional deaths, officials 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.)
Indian need to remove perceptions that they are only for the service of rich people by taking up pro-bono cases and helping those who are inhibited from accessing courts, Chief Justice of India N V Ramana said on Wednesday.

The CJI recalled the old days and said although it was very easy to obtain a law degree, but, extremely challenging to have a livelihood out of the same and the situation is not much different as even today inequity in opportunities for lawyers existing.

Justice Ramana was speaking in a virtual event organised by the Society of Indian and lawyer Lalit Bhasin for releasing a Coffee Table Book which contains information about practice areas, business sectors, clients and activities of more than 100-member of SILF with over 3000 lawyers.

A significant aspect that Indian law firms need to consider is their community outreach. The prevailing perception is that law firms are only for the service of rich men. There exists misconception among the people, even among lawyers who practice in the courts, that activities of the law firm do not relate to society.

The need of the hour is to remove such perceptions. Internationally, law firms are taking up several social causes and actively engaging in providing justice to those in need. I urge you all to take up more and more pro-bono cases and reach out to those who are inhibited from reaching us. When it comes to fulfilling our constitutional aspirations, we all must do our bit, he said.

The head of the judiciary simultaneously hailed Indian law Firms saying they are on the same footing as their global counterparts and referred to their roles in India's economic growth post liberalisation.

Admittedly, despite the pandemic in 2020, India recorded over 350 Mergers And Acquisitions deals worth USD 37.5 billion, he said.

The cross-border deal activity recorded over 140 transactions with deal values worth USD 21 billion. Moreover, 2020 saw record Private Equity deal making activity in India with investments worth USD 40 billion, 28 per cent higher than the previous record witnessed in 2019, with around 950 deals. There is no denying that the law firms have been in the forefront of India's economy, he said.

The CJI said the law firms must focus on retaining more women lawyers by incorporating necessary institutional changes.

The CJI said that it was a well-known fact that law firms provide economic mobility for first-generation law graduates who otherwise would have struggled within the system of litigation practice, however, often "we hear issues about lack of diversity within law firms."



Major law firms tend to go to only Tier-I cities and select universities for recruitment. In this process, many young talented lawyers, despite their interest and willingness, are left out of the process, he said.

There are diamonds in the rough everywhere. I would urge you all to take up initiatives to ensure inclusivity and realize full potential of our human resources. After all, diversity brings wide-ranging opinions to the table. A diverse team can provide more equitable and holistic solutions, he added.

He added that some of the best lawyers in our countries legal history have been from small towns and villages.

While we are aiming to compete with the best international firms, we must not forget to look inward as well, he added.

Tier 2 and 3 cities are becoming hubs of commercial activities. This would necessarily lead to transactions and disputes. Law firms must find local talent to handle these clients. Law firm training camps can be set up in regional law schools to prepare future lawyers and find talent, he said.

Lastly, an area in which law firms need to a pay particular attention to is the impact of ethics in their practice, he said.

We all are custodians of a very rich tradition. We must pursue our chosen path with utmost integrity, he said.

Also speaking at the occasion, Attorney General K K Venugopal said that the legal profession cannot lead in ignorance of the reality of India- a society that is characterised by massive inequality and injustice.

(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.)
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Most who develop COVID-19 symptoms recover after six days, and the number who experience symptoms beyond four weeks is low, according to a large UK study published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health journal.

The study, based on data reported through a smartphone app by parents and carers, provides the first detailed description of COVID-19 illness in symptomatic school-aged

"It is reassuring that the number of experiencing long-lasting symptoms of COVID-19 symptoms is low. Nevertheless, a small number of children do experience long illness with COVID-19, and our study validates the experiences of these children and their families," said Professor Emma Duncan, lead author of the study, from King's College London, UK.

The researchers noted that some adults experience a prolonged illness after COVID-19, described as long-COVID, where symptoms persist for four weeks or longer, but it is not known whether children can develop a similar condition or how common this is.

Many children infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus do not develop symptoms, but those who do tend to have a mild illness, they said. The latest research used data collected through the ZOE COVID Study smartphone app, which includes data from more than 250,000 UK children aged five to 17 years.

The team focused on reports collected between September 1, 2020 and February 22, 2021.

Some 1,734 children developed symptoms of COVID-19 and received a positive PCR test result close to the onset of symptoms, with their symptoms reported regularly until they were healthy again.

Overall, these children were ill for an average of six days and experienced an average of three symptoms in the first week of illness, confirming that COVID-19 tends to manifest as a mild illness in children, and that they usually recover quickly, the researchers said.

The study found that most children recovered within four weeks, with a minority experiencing symptoms after a month.

Typically, they had only two symptoms remaining after four weeks.

The most common symptom experienced by children with long illness duration was fatigue.

As many as 84 per cent of children were reported with fatigue at some point in their illness, and this was the most persistent symptom.

Headache and loss of sense of smell were also common, the researchers said, adding, however, headache was more common early in illness while loss of sense of smell tended to occur later and to persist longer.

Of the 1,379 children who developed symptoms at least two months before the end of the study period, fewer than 2 per cent experienced symptoms for longer than eight weeks, they noted.

Older children in the 12 to 17 years age group were typically ill for longer than primary school aged children aged 5 to 11 years, according to the researchers.

Older children were also more likely to have symptoms after four weeks than younger but there was no difference in the numbers of children who still had symptoms after eight weeks, they said.

The researchers also assessed the children who tested negative for COVID-19 who may have had other childhood illnesses, such as colds and flu.

They found that children with COVID-19 were ill for longer compared to children with other illnesses who tested negative for COVID-19.

However, the study shows at four weeks, the small number of children with other illnesses tended to have more symptoms than those who were ill with COVID-19.

"Our data highlight that other illnesses, such as colds and flu, can also have prolonged symptoms in children and it is important to consider this when planning for paediatric health services during the pandemic and beyond," Michael Absoud, a senior author of the study and Consultant & Senior Lecturer at King's College London, said.

"This will be particularly important given that the prevalence of these illnesses is likely to increase as physical distancing measures implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are relaxed," Absoud said.

The study authors note some limitations to their findings.

They could not cross-check the symptoms reported by parents and carers with health records, and there may be inconsistencies in the way people interpret symptoms on behalf of their children.

Also, only children who had an adult who was participating in the COVID Symptom Study were able to participate, which may bias participation towards certain demographic groups, the researchers added.

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Amid sloganeering by Opposition Parliamentarians over various issues, the and were adjourned till 2 pm on Wednesday.

While the Upper House was adjourned once amid the ruckus created by the Opposition over the 'Pegasus Project' media report, the Lower House was adjourned twice first till 11:30 am and then till 2 pm.

Earlier in the day, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay gave adjournment motion notice in to discuss the 'Pegasus Project' media report.

Several Congress MPs Manickam Tagore and Manish Tewari also gave adjournment notices in the today to discuss the Pegasus issue.

The Opposition has alleged that names of several Indian politicians, journalists, lawyers, and activists have appeared on the leaked list of potential targets for surveillance by an unidentified agency using Pegasus spyware. This comes following reports published in The Wire.

Meanwhile, Floor leaders of "like-minded" Opposition parties will meet today at senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition (LoP)

Mallikarjun Kharge's office in Parliament at 10 am to chalk out floor strategy.

Both and Lok Sabha were adjourned repeatedly on Tuesday amid ruckus by Opposition members over several key issues.

Earlier on Tuesday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called a 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.

Amid the continuous ruckus created by the Opposition over the 'Pegasus Project' issue, both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have been facing repeated adjournments during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.

The two Houses have been witnessing protests from the Opposition since the start of the monsoon session on July 19.

(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.)
Even as both the houses of Parliament were once again adjourned today due to vociferous protests by the Opposition on a variety of issues, including the three farm acts, a group of claiming to represent over 100 groups across India gathered at a Gurudwara in Delhi, with the aim of breaking the deadlock between the protesting and the Government.

The group, which calls itself Rashtriya Kisan Morcha (RKM), said that amendments announced by the Centre on the three farm acts that were presented during 11 rounds of discussions are unacceptable to them but instead some fresh amendments could be incorporated to further assuage the concerns of the

That apart, the leaders also wanted a new law that will guarantee Minimum Support Price (MSP) to farmers.

One grave concern of the farmers is that once the acts come into force, their ownership of agricultural land will cease. We have suggested amendments to the existing laws that will ensure it does not happen, Ajit Chaudhary, one of the participants in the meeting said.

Meanwhile, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), which has been spearheading the over six-month long farmers agitation in the capital, and is now holding farmers Parliament daily in Jantar Mantar, too discussed the contours of a proposed MSP guarantee law in its mock Parliament today.





ALSO READ: Govt says no proposal under consideration to waive farmer loans

The Law will have basic five objectives, which are: improving the cost estimates, ensuring a formula that fixes a MSP which is 50 per cent over C2 or Comprehensive Cost of Production, operationalising this guarantee with 50 per cent procurement by the government, smarter market intervention by the government and ensuring that traders are required to pay at least MSP to farmers, the SKM said in a statement.

The Lok Sabha proceedings meanwhile were adjourned for the day again on Wednesday after the passage of two bills, amid vociferous protests by the opposition over Pegasus snooping allegations and other issues.

As soon as the House met again at 3.30 pm, Rajendra Agrawal, who was chairing the proceedings, took up the Coconut Development Board (Amendment) Bill, 2021, which was moved by Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar.

However, the opposition members continued their protest on the Pegasus snooping row as well other matters.

Amid the din, Tomar moved the bill, saying the proposed legislation will benefit coconut farmers in different states. Soon thereafter, the bill was passed without debate even as the opposition objected to the hasty approval to the bill. The bill has already been approved by the Rajya Sabha.

As the opposition uproar continued, Agrawal adjourned the proceedings for the day.
Zika virus

Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Wednesday said a three-member central team is in Pune district where a woman was diagnosed with the recently, and urged people not to panic.

Steps are being taken to ensure there is no spread of the mosquito-borne disease, he said. The woman patient (50) diagnosed with the infection, the first such case reported in Maharashtra, has recovered completely, the state health department had said last week. Tope said the multidisciplinary team, dispatched by the Union Health Ministry, is visiting Pune district to review the situation after the case was found in a village under Purandar taluka. "Mosquito breeding areas are being destroyed and symptoms of patients monitored. Steps are being taken to ensure there is no spread of the disease," he said and urged people not to panic. The three-member team consists of a public health expert from the office of Regional Director, Pune; a gynecologist from Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi; and an entomologist from Institute of Malaria Research (NIMR), ICMR, New Delhi.

A state government medical team visited the village on Saturday and met the sarpanch and gram panchayat members and instructed them about preventive measures. The spreads through the bite of the aedes aegypti mosquito and most patients do not have symptoms. Its typical symptoms include fever, body ache and conjunctivitis. State surveillance officer Dr Pradip Awate last week told PTI that there was no need to panic. "Zika is a moderate disease as 80 per cent patients do not get any symptoms and remaining 20 per cent have moderate flu-like symptoms. One can recover by drinking enough water, taking rest and having a simple paracetamol tablet," he 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.)
: Lieutenant Governor of



Tamilisai Soundararajan on Wednesday urged the people to know the importance of vaccination against

Addressing reporters here after the observance of the World Breastfeeding Week at the Government Rajiv Gandhi Hospital for Women and Child, the Lieutenant Governor said, "Nothing is left wanting in keeping the pandemic at bay."



She said the infrastructure in hospitals and the stock of medicines have been improved and an intensive anti- COVID programme has been launched.

" has covered more than 58 per cent of the population eligible for vaccination," she said while emphasising on public awareness on vaccines.

"Our aim is 100 per cent coverage of people by August 15. Already, more than 58 per cent of eligible sections has been covered," she said.

Medical teams have been asked to make door-to-door visits to ensure all the residents are given the vaccine, she said.

"Nothing is left wanting and there is adequate stock of vaccines in Puducherry," she said.

Later, she addressed the weekly meeting and reviewed the COVID-19 situation in the Union Territory.

(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 Wednesday reported



623 new COVID-19 cases, pushing the tally to 6,47,229, while the death toll rose to 3,814 with three more fatalities.

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 77, followed by Karimnagar (65) and Warangal Urban (59), a state government bulletin said, providing details as of 5.30 PM on Wednesday.

It said 594 people recuperated from the infectious disease on Wednesday, taking the cumulative number of recoveries to 6,34,612.

Active cases stood at 8,803, the bulletin said.

It said 1,12,796 samples were tested on Wednesday and the total number tested till date was 2,24,19,167.

The samples tested per million population were 6,02,341.

The case fatality and recovery rates were at 0.58 per cent and 98.05 per cent, respectively.

(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.)
steps down as non-executive chairman of Vodafone Idea

Vodafone Idea on Wednesday said its board accepted the request of Aditya Birla group Chairman to step down as non-executive director and non-executive chairman of the Board.

Himanshu Kapania, currently a non-executive director, has been appointed as non-executive chairman. Read more

CCI approves acquisition of equity stake by Carlyle in PNB Housing Finance

Competition Commission has given its nod for the proposed investments by Carlyle Group and other investors in Ltd.

Under the deal, Pluto Investments S.a.r.l. and Salisbury Investments Pvt Ltd would acquire an equity stake in PNB Housing Finance, where state-owned Punjab Bank holds a little over 32 per cent stake. Read more

Suzuki Motor Gujarat to scale down production in Aug due to chip shortage

Suzuki Motor Gujarat (SMG), a 100 per cent subsidiary of Japan's Suzuki Motor Corporation, will scale down production activity this month at its Ahmedabad-based manufacturing plant due to semiconductor shortage, Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) said on Wednesday.

SMG, which supplies cars exclusively to MSI, has also decided to scale down production to single shift at some manufacturing lines in the plant. Read more

Tokyo Olympics: Medal assured as wrestler Ravi Dahiya storms into finals

India grappler Ravi Kumar Dahiya stormed into the finals of the men's freestyle 57kg category at the Tokyo Olympics after defeating Kazakhstan's Nurislam Sanayev in the semi-finals here at Makuhari Messe Hall A, Mat B on Wednesday. The Indian wrestler won by fall.

Dahiya will now contest the finals on Thursday and he is the first to enter the final since Sushil in 2012. Read more
The UK government is soon expected to roll out Covid shots to more than a million 16 and 17-year-olds, media reports said on Wednesday.

The roll out is based on recommendations of the independent UK Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), but it is not known when the jabs will start, the BBC reported.

Currently, the vaccine is offered to people aged above 12 with underlying conditions or living with others at high risk.

The JCVI had, last month, recommended Covid jabs to children aged over 12, who are at higher risk of getting ill and to those on the verge of turning 18.

But, it delayed it as it was awaiting for further reports of rare adverse events such as inflammation of heart muscles among young adults, the report said.

However, the new advice as hinted by Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's on Tuesday, said "hoping" to receive updated advice from the JCVI on the vaccination of 16 and 17-year-olds.

Sturgeon said the UK's four chief medical officers had written to the JCVI, asking them to look again at vaccination advice for young people, the report said.

The only Covid jab currently authorised in the UK for under-18s is the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

According to the Telegraph, Pfizer and Moderna vaccines would be available in line with guidance for young adults.

Countries, including the US, Canada and France, have already rolled out vaccines for people aged 12-years-old and above.

According to the latest UK government data, 88.7 per cent of people in the UK have now had one dose of vaccine, while 73 per cent have had two jabs.

--IANS

rvt/in

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The United States is helping India and other countries to be able produce the vaccines by themselves, President has said.

With a need for several billion doses around the world, the US was committed to provide half a billion, Biden said during a press conference at White House on Tuesday.

We have committed to over a half a billion doses. And we're trying to provide for more and provide for the capacity of countries like India to be able to produce the vaccine themselves. And we're helping them do that. That's what we're doing now, he said in response to a question.

And we're trying toby the way, it's free. We're not charging anybody anything. And we're trying to do as much as we possibly can, he added.

In this fight against COVID-19, Biden asserted, the United States was committed to become the arsenal of vaccines, the manner in which it was the arsenal of democracy during World War II.

We are backing up that commitment. We have contributed more than any other nation to COVAX as a collective global effort to deliver COVID-19 vaccines across the world. We have supported manufacturing efforts abroad through our partnerships with Japan, India, Australia known as the Quad, he said.

Biden said that during his trip to Europe in June, he had announced that the US would purchase a ground-breaking 500 million doses of Pfizer and donate to nearly a hundred low-and middle-income countries that don't have the vaccine. Those doses will start to ship at the end of this month, he said.

We also announced that we would donate 80 million doses of our own vaccine to supply the world, which has already begun, Biden said, adding that so far, the US has shipped over 110 million doses of its vaccines to 65 countries, which are among the hardest-hit in the world.

We will continue to give tens of millions of the doses away across the summer and work to increase US manufacturing and manufacturing of vaccines around the world as well. It is not just vaccines. We are continuing to provide countries in need with more testing, protective equipment, and personnel to stem the surge of the virus. We have done it in India and elsewhere, the President said.

In the race for the 21st century between democracies and autocracies, we need to prove that democracies can deliver. The democracies of the world are looking to America to lead again in two ways. First, to demonstrate we can control this virus at home. And second, to show we can help address it around the world. Vaccinate America and help vaccinate the world. That's how we are about to beat this thing, he added.

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The Union Health Ministry on Wednesday clarified that while some COVID-19 cases could go undetected as per the principles of infectious disease and its management, missing out on deaths was completely unlikely given the robust and statute-based death registration system in India.

During the peak of the second wave, the health system across the country was focused on effective clinical management of cases requiring medical help due to which correct reporting and recording of Covid deaths could have been delayed but it was later reconciled by states and UTs, the ministry said in a statement.

The reconciling of deaths is still being carried out allaying all speculations of under-reporting and under-counting of deaths due to COVID-19, it said.

Noting that there have been some speculative media reports inferring under-counting of deaths from eight states, the ministry said the deaths can only be estimated and the exact data may never be known.

The reports highlight data from the Civil Registration System (CRS) and Health Management Information System (HMIS), including all-cause death numbers, leading to erroneous inferences terming it as 'counting the uncounted', it said.

"It is clarified that given the robust and statute-based death registration system in India, while some cases could go undetected as per the principles of infectious disease and its management, missing out on deaths is completely unlikely.

"This could also be seen in the case fatality rate, which as on 31st December 2020 stood at 1.45 per cent, and even after an unexpected surge observed in the second wave in April-May 2021, the case fatality rate today stands at 1.34 per cent," the ministry said.

Moreover, the reporting of daily new cases and deaths in India follows a bottom-up approach, where districts report the number of cases and deaths to state governments and to the Union ministry on a continuous basis.

As early as May 2020, to avoid inconsistency or confusion in the number of deaths being reported, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had issued 'Guidance for appropriate recording of COVID-19 related deaths in India' for correct recording of all deaths by states and UTs as per ICD-10 codes recommended by the WHO for mortality coding, the ministry said in the statement.

The Union Health Ministry has repeatedly been advising states and UTs through formal communications, multiple video conferences and through deployment of central teams for recording of deaths in accordance with laid down guidelines. States have been advised to conduct thorough audits in their hospitals and report any cases or deaths that could have been missed with district and date-wise details so as to guide a data-driven decision-making, it said.

The ministry has regularly emphasized the need for a robust reporting mechanism for monitoring district-wise cases and deaths on a daily basis. States consistently reporting lower number of daily deaths have been advised to re-check their data, the statement said.

A case in point is the Union Health Ministry writing to the state of Bihar to provide detailed date and district wise break-up of the reconciled number of deaths.

"In addition to reporting by states and UTs, the robustness of statute based Civil Registration System (CRS) ensures all births and deaths in the country get registered. The CRS follows process of data collection, cleaning, collating and publishing the numbers, which although is a long-drawn process, but ensures no deaths are missed out. Because of the expanse and the amplitude of the activity, the numbers are usually published the next year, which has also been acknowledged in the referred to media report," the statement said.

"It is a well-known fact that there shall always be some differences in mortality recorded during a profound and prolonged public health crisis such as Covid pandemic. Well conducted research studies on mortalities are usually done after the event when data on mortalities are available from reliable sources. The methodologies for such studies are well established, the data sources are defined as also the valid assumptions for computing mortality," it added.

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: The Airports Authority of India



(AAI) is not a part of the Central government and it cannot be absolved from the requirement of paying urban land tax, the has said.

cannot be construed as 'Central Government' within the meaning of exemption clause as contemplated under section 29 (a) of the Tamil Nadu Urban Land Tax Act, 1966 and consequently, the State government is empowered to levy the Urban Land Tax, Justice S M Suhbramaniayam said.

The judge was dismissing a batch of writ petitions from the recently challenging the levy of tax by the State government for its properties on the outskirts of the city.

The petitioner is liable to pay the said tax as applicable and in this view of the matter, all the writ petitions fail and stand dismissed, the judge said.

Earlier, counsel submitted it is a statutory organisation functioning under the administrative control of Union Ministry of Civil Aviation.

It was managing the civil airports and civil enclaves at defence airports across the country. It holds certain lands in the surrounding villages of Chennai and they were exempted from paying the tax.

There is no infirmity or perversity in respect of the orders impugned in the order passed by the State government, the judge said and dismissed the petitions after holding that the AAI is liable to pay the Urban Land Tax as applicable.

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The Deposit Insurance and Credit Corporation will get 30 days to authenticate claims of depositors of a failed bank after it receives a list of outstanding deposits from the lender.

According to the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2021 passed by Wednesday, depositors of a stressed bank, put under moratorium, will be able to withdraw up to Rs 5 lakhs within 90 days.

Once a stressed bank is put on moratorium, DICGC will be liable to pay depositors an insured amount of Rs 5 lakh. A list showing the outstanding deposits of each depositor of the insured bank will have to be furnished by the lender within 45 days.

The DICGC, within 30 days of receiving the list will have to verify the authenticity of the claims made, and ascertain the willingness of each depositor to receive the amount due to him, out of his deposit in the insured bank. The entire process, from the time a bank is placed under moratorium to depositors receiving the insured amount, should not exceed 90 days, according to the DICGC Bill, 2021.

The bill also amends Section 15 of the DICGC Act to enable the corporation to increase the ceiling on the amount of premium paid by to DICGC to 15 paisa per annum for Rs 100 worth deposits, with the prior approval of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

The amendments also allows the corporation to impose penal interest for the amount to be repaid by the liquidator. According to Section 21(2)(a) of DICGC Act, liquidator is bound to repay the Corporation for the amount paid by it or provided for in case the depositors are not traceable. Given the paucity of time for liquidator to draw up claims and secure liquid funds, the proposed amendments to the Act provide flexibility to the liquidator to seek deferment for such repayment to the Corporation for the period as may be decided by the board of directors of DICGC," said Nischal S Arora, partner at Nangia Andersen.

In case of further delay beyond the time stipulated by the Board, the Corporation may charge penal interest at a maximum rate of 2 per cent above the repo rate per annum, for the amount to be repaid by the liquidator to the Corporation.

"There was no mechanism to impose a penalty under the earlier law in case of a default in repayment, Arora said.
India is sending a naval task force to the South Sea this month to expand security ties with friendly countries, officials said on Wednesday, signalling its intent to play a bigger role in regional efforts to counter

The Indian military has been traditionally wary of antagonising but the mood has hardened following clashes between troops on the disputed land border last year. The government has since drawn closer to the United States in efforts to push back against China.

Four ships including a guided missile destroyer and a missile frigate will be deployed for a two-month period to southeast Asia, the and the western Pacific, the navy said in a statement.

"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..." the navy said.

The has become one of many flashpoints in the testy relationship between China and the United States, with Washington rejecting what it calls unlawful territorial claims by Beijing in the resource-rich waters.

In June, a U.S. aircraft carrier group led by the USS Ronald Reagan entered the as part of a routine mission and a British carrier group is due to undertake exercises in the Philippine Sea this month.

As part of their deployment, the Indian ships will take part in annual joint war drills involving the United States, Japan and Australia off the coast of Guam, the navy said.

The four countries make up the Quad, an informal group, that U.S. President Joe Biden's administration is promoting as a way to counter an assertive China.

"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 Indian navy said in its statement.

China has in the past criticised multilateral military manoeuvres as destabilising to the region.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Three students of National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela were offered annual pay packages of Rs 45 lakh, the highest so far, in the online drive for the academic year 2020-21, the institute said.

With 84 companies offering 253 students more than Rs 10 lakh per annum, the average CTC offered was about Rs 9.36 lakh per annum, an increase of over 4 per cent from the previous year, an official release issued by the institute said.

The IT and software sector has emerged as the top recruiter (41% of total recruitment) till date. The Core Engineering like Electrical & Electronics Manufacturing, Analytics and Consulting, Banking Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI), and sectors sharing the rest of the part, it said.

Another 211 students bagged prestigious internship offers from global majors like Microsoft, Barclays, Citi Bank and Qualcomm with the highest stipend rising to Rs.1 lakh per month.

So far, the Institute received more than 841 full-time offers. The 256 companies that participated in the drive are from the diverse sectors like software, manufacturing, electronics, finance, education, petroleum, construction and top rung public sector units.

Prof Umesh C Pati, Head of Training and Centre, Rourkela, said, "This year, taking up the placement drive was a rigorous task. But, keeping up with the new normal of virtual placement drive, the training and placement centre worked very hard to adapt quickly and enable the students to be at their best for the process. We witnessed 101 new companies which have participated in this placement season. Some of them are Amazon Web Services (AWS), Barclays, Citi Bank, Siemens Gamesa."



Congratulating the placement committee and students, the Director of the Institute, Prof Animesh Biswas said, "This year's placement season has witnessed remarkable success despite the current Covid-19 pandemic, which is a testament to the imparted at Rourkela and the hard work put in by our students. I am very proud of our students for their dedication which has led to such coveted employment offers. We are continuously striving to exceed the expectations of the recruiters as well as stakeholders and thank them for reposing faith in the institute as well as its distinct academic culture."



The Computer Science and Engineering Departments bagged 187 jobs, the maximum among all departments. More than 230 Postgraduate students have bagged job offers so far. Undergraduate students did well too, with the Chemical Engineering department attaining 100% placement, followed by Computer Science and Electronics & Communication Engineering departments, which achieved 98%. Among the others, the Electronics & Instrumentation Engineering and Electrical Engineering attained 92% and 88% placements respectively.

Rourkela is one of the premier national level institutions for technical in the country and is funded by the Government of India. NIT Rourkela has earned 16th position in NIRF Ranking 2020 (Engineering Category) and overall 32nd position. In Atal rankings 2020, NITR has been placed in Band A (Rank Between 11th 25th) among the Institute of National Importance, Central Universities.

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The on Wednesday said the ICSE, CBSE and IGCSE boards can submit question banks to the Maharashtra state board so that it can set a single paper for a Common Entrance Test (CET) for admission to Std 11th.

As no external examination was held for Std 10th this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, a CET will be held on August 21 for students from all the boards for admission to the first year of junior college.

A division bench of Justices R D Dhanuka and Riyaz Chagla was hearing a petition by ICSE student Ananya Patki, challenging a May 28 government resolution which said the CET will be based solely on the SSC (Secondary School Certificate) board's syllabus. Advocate General Ashutosh Kumbhakoni, appearing for the state government, opposed the petition and said if the CET was cancelled, it would affect the rights of lakhs of students.

"Over ten lakh students have already registered for the CET," he said.

The state government has requested other boards to submit question banks of 200 sample questions each, to be fine-tuned and included in the CET, he said.

The CET would have seven groups of questions of 25 marks each. Questions in four groups would be based on the SSC board syllabus for maths, science, social sciences and English, while three groups would comprise questions from the other boards, he said.

Students can attempt questions from any four of these seven groups, the advocate general explained. While the CBSE has not taken any objection to the CET, the ICSE is not party to the petition before the HC, he said.

Stating that there was no unanimity among various boards, Kumbhakoni said that if there was further delay, the admission process will be over only in October.

The bench said the other boards can submit question banks to the state government if they wish. It would take up the plea for final hearing on August 6, it added.

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The Standing Committee on chaired by Lok Sabha member Jayant Sinha observed that park their stressed assets with asset reconstruction companies (ARC) to hide the actual extent of bad debts and this should not be encouraged.

At the same time, should be encouraged to bring down their leverage and the present grim situation should not be used as an alibi for bank privatisation.

The ARCs have become an instrument to park the non-performing assets (NPA) of as simply a window-dressing exercise. The committee would therefore recommend that this policy should not be misused in such a manner, as it does not really serve the purpose of resolving NPAs, the committee said.

At the same time, the committee also urged the government to focus their endeavour to speed up the establishment of the Asset Reconstruction Company and Asset Management Company, which was announced in the 2021-22 Union Budget, to consolidate and take over the existing stressed debt and manage and dispose of the assets to Alternative Investment funds etc.

However, the Standing Committee was satisfied with the coherent policy response by the government in resolving the bad assets problems in banks. The committee was told by the government that gross NPAs have come down from Rs 8.96 trillion in March 2018 to Rs 5.77 trillion in December 2020. There was a record recovery of Rs 2.27 trillion during this period and asset quality as a percentage of lending improved from 7.97 per cent of net NPA (bad debts after provisioning) to 2.32 per cent. At the same time, because of capitalisation in government owned banks, capital adequacy ratio improved from 11.66 per cent in March 2018 to 13.74 per cent in December, 2020.

The government infused Rs 3.17 trillion in banks, while the lenders mobilised over Rs 2.49 trillion themselves. As a result, provision coverage ratio in banks improved to 87.5 per cent in December 2020, from 62.7 per cent in March 2018, reflecting increased resilience, the committee noted.

The committee noted that despite several steps taken by the government to nurse back health of the public sector banks after the asset quality review of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the large legacy NPAs remaining unresolved/unsettled cannot be ignored.

The committee reiterated that large legacy NPAs must be segregated for resolution, allowing banks to move ahead with their regular business without getting bogged/dragged down with legacy issues.

The committee, however, was critical about high write-offs and leverage in banks particularly in public sector banks. It said 16 large and mid-sized public sector banks wrote off more than Rs 31,000 crore in the June quarter of 2018-19, an increase of 37 per cent year on year, whereas, the loan books grew only 4.5 per cent in that period.

Although the situation is no doubt grim, the committee would remain optimistic that as most of the large legacy NPAs get resolved/settled either through the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) process or outside it, the consequential recoveries/write-ins will help the banks shore up their balance sheets.

The need of the hour for the banking sector is to look ahead and progress with vigour and vitality, it said, adding, both the government and regulator RBI should formulate coherent policies to overcome the present challenges and chalk out their growth path with confidence. While doing so, special focus should be given on challenges emerging from the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, the challenges should not be an excuse for privatisation of banks, it said.

In this connection, the committee would like to emphasise that the present crisis which the committee believe is transient, should not become an alibi for privatisation of PSBs
In the age of smartphones, international wire transfers belong in money museums.

In more than 60 countries, including many developing nations, it has become incredibly easy to send funds in real time to someone else over the internet--knowing nothing more than their mobile phone number.

However, 24/7 fast payment systems, a technology thats starting to work pretty well for small-value transfers in domestic situations, have no counterpart when money has to jump over national borders.

For a bank to move funds from one country to another, it needs to either have a presence in both, or keep idle funds to maintain correspondent relationships with other financial institutions in the middle. Payments take at least a few hours, and sometimes get stuck for days because of a typo in the beneficiarys name, address or account number. Which is when we wish we could just whip out our phones and pay an individual or a merchant in another part of the world on the spot by using only their phone number.

Thats why, in the coming months and years, well probably hear more about Nexus, currently a blueprint drawn up by the Bank for International Settlements innovation hub.

Transfers are expensive. The global average cost of sending $200 was 6.4% in the first quarter of 2020, according to the World Bank. Fintech firms like Wise Plc (formerly known as TransferWise) and crypto players like Ripple Labs Inc. have, in their own ways, tried to address the problem of high costs. One reason to welcome the upcoming official digital currencies is that several of them can share a technical bridge and allow participating central to clear one anothers IOUs. Users will gain from instantaneous settlement. Even in cross-border situations.





ALSO READ: UPI logs record 3 bn transactions in July, riding on digital payments

But theres another way: hooking up the domestic smartphone-oriented payment systems that are already gaining popularity. Trouble is, with two countries, you need one link, and with three, you need three. Expand the network to 20 economies, and you need 190 connections. Thats where Nexus: A blueprint for instant cross-border payments comes in.

Nexus wont be another app. Think of it as a world wide web of payments, a set of rules--the Nexus Scheme--any country can adopt. After that, its a question of setting up payment gateways, the software. on the gateway will compete to offer foreign exchange. Once payment firms know whats expected in compliance, currency conversion, and message translation, theyll rush in to provide add-on services.

The sender will simply select Make an international payment on her existing app for domestic fund transfers. She will then choose the country, define the amount and opt for the most convenient address format for the receiver. For example, if its possible to send money within Australia to an email address, a mobile number or a company registration number, then the Nexus protocol will allow the same for any overseas payment to an Australian recipient. Once the sender has keyed in this minimum required information, shell be shown the exact amount to be paid out, along with the full or partly masked name of the receiver to confirm that the money is going to the right person. A click on the Send button will see funds appear in a bank account on the other side in a minute or less.

An expensive proposition

Its an approach that deserves to be explored. Domestic fast payments are practically free now. Using the smartphone to shave off most of the costs of a conventional international transfer would make for tremendous savings on the $540 billion received by low- and middle-income countries last year as officially recorded remittances. Throw in the benefits to small online businesses that work on margins too thin for them to accept cards or services like PayPal. Taking fast payment systems global would mean that even mom-and-pop outlets can transact with customers anywhere and get paid in real time. It would have a democratizing influence on global commerce.



Thats the first reason for taking the BIS report seriously. The second is that its supported by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the National Payments Corporation of India. Singapore-India is a busy corridor for remittances. The MAS is a credible, innovation-friendly regulator and the NPCI oversees a powerful domestic network. Known as the Unified Payments Interface, the mobile-based system cleared 4.9 trillion rupees ($66 billion) in May, five times the value of card-based transactions. Alphabet Inc.s Google recommended UPI to the Federal Reserve as a possible model for FedNow, the instant payment system the U.S. wants to put in place by 2023.





ALSO READ: Paytm Money had more millenials, women investors in the past one year

Its still early days, but if India agrees to become the third pillar in the recent linkup of mobile payment systems between Singapores PayNow and Thailands PromptPay, it may not be long before their rules of engagement morph into the Nexus Scheme, an international standard.

None of Indias three biggest digital wallet operators are commercial banks: Google Pay, Walmart Inc.s and Paytm, the Indian fintech that will soon go public. Facebook Inc.s WhatsApp is fine-tuning its own rival product. If the Indian-inspired architecture becomes the Nexus prototype, international transfers will no longer be a preserve of Consumer internet firms may dominate, with passively receiving and sending funds. Minus the fat fees.

With Nexus, itll be possible before hitting Send to establish if the payment will succeed. For instance, by validating that the recipients bank account is operational and checking for compliance with anti-money-laundering rules. The uncertainty associated with traditional one-way communication  filling a paper or digital transfer form and waiting for confirmation from the other end--will become history.

Can you wire me the money? will become as quaint as sending a telegram.
The (RBI) on Wednesday gave time till October 31 to comply with its guidelines on current account and overdraft facilities. The central bank indicated that it was in no mood to change the proposed rules, but would only allow for stretching the timeline for smoother implementation.

The initial deadline had ended on July 31, leading to thousands of current accounts being closed or frozen by Lenders had requested the for some more time to resolve the operational issues in implementing the provisions of the August 2020 circular in letter and spirit.

According to bankers, the accounts that were frozen can now be operationalised for three more months, during which would be able to iron out the issues. State Bank of India Chairman Dinesh Khara said while most of the challenges had already been addressed, the timeframe given by the was reasonable to engage with clients on the matter.

Banks will be able to resolve the outstanding issues harmoniously in this period, Khara said. The frozen accounts, he said, could now be reopened for the ease of migration to a new arrangement.

Till now, banks were closing accounts or freezing them unilaterally, but now they will have to consult the clients about the migration path, bankers say.





ALSO READ: RBI's MPC begins deliberations, may maintain status quo on interest rate

A senior banker with a private bank said most current accounts were frozen and not closed outrightly. The debit side was kept open, while the credit side was frozen. That means the accounts could be used for payment, but no fresh money was allowed to be deposited in them.

However, there are some cases where accounts have been closed permanently.

HITTING PAUSE not likely to dilute current account norms

Banks in the interim had frozen thousands of accounts on the credit side

After unfreezing the accounts, banks will guide clients towards migration

Accounts already closed unlikely to be reopened

IBA to coordinate rules with the RBI on behalf of banks

Banks have been giving notices to their clients for 30 days. Responding to those notices, many accounts have been closed already. Besides, banks also closed a few accounts on the last day, and settled the outstanding in many cases. They cannot be reopened, said another private banker, who said the RBI relief should have come before the deadline, and not after four days.

Pushing the deadline to October 31, the RBI said, This extended timeline shall be utilised by banks to engage with their borrowers to arrive at mutually satisfactory resolutions within the ambit of the circular.

Banks shall ensure that the contents of the circular are implemented in letter and spirit without causing undue inconvenience to their borrowers, the RBI said in its notification.

Cases that banks are unable to resolve themselves will have to be escalated to the Indian Banks Association (IBA) for appropriate guidance. The banking industry lobby would flag any regulatory considerations required to the RBI by September 30. This may indicate that the October 31 deadline is flexible, provided banks sort out the issue with their customers and come to a solution.

In the original circular, the RBI had said a customer can open a current account with any bank if she has not availed of overdraft facility from any bank, and the exposure to the banking system is less than Rs 5 crore. If the exposure is between Rs 5 crore and Rs 50 crore, the lending bank can allow the customer to open a current account as well.



ALSO READ: RBI should ease regulations for shipment credit

However, for large borrowers above Rs 50 crore exposure and having multiple bank exposures, current account and cash credit/overdraft facility has to be with a single bank. In essence, a customer has to have a single current account, and that too with the bank with which it has a loan facility running. In the case of multiple banks, the borrower and the banks can decide mutually where to keep the current account.

The current account has to be run through an escrow mechanism, and current accounts of such borrowers can only be opened/maintained by the escrow managing bank, the RBI had said in its August circular.

The RBIs proposed rules gave rise to problems in many cases, as firms generally take loans from public sector banks, but run current accounts with private and foreign banks that offer better services. The RBI wanted to stem this, saying the core banking system (CBS) connects all the banks and the firms should not have any problem integrating accounts. The idea was to make sure that funds are not routed through multiple check-in accounts, and that by limiting such accounts within one bank, the firms are better monitored.
A bombing attack that targeted Afghanistan's acting defence minister killed at least eight people and wounded 20, authorities said Wednesday. The deputy minister was not hurt in the attack claimed by insurgents.

The blast went off late Tuesday in a heavily guarded upscale neighbourhood of the capital of It was followed by a gun battle that also left four militants dead, authorities said. The casualty toll could rise, Interior Ministry spokesperson Mirwais Stanekzai said on Wednesday.

spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in a statement on Wednesday claimed responsibility for the attack. It came as the insurgent group presses ahead with an offensive that is putting pressure on provincial capitals in the south and west of the country.

Mujahid said the attack was revenge for recent attacks by Afghan national forces in various provinces that he said caused civilian casualties and displacement.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
With less than two months before holds an election, the environmentalist Green party has announced a 10-point plan that puts the Paris climate accord's goal at the heart of its election program.

Among the measures proposed on Tuesday 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 party's 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 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 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.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
US President called on Andrew Cuomo to resign after the release of a state report finding that the governor sexually harassed multiple women, created a climate of fear in his office and violated federal and state laws.

Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the nations two most senior Democrats, on Tuesday both joined a chorus of politicians from both sides of the aisle demanding Cuomo step down. Cuomo, also a Democrat, responded defiantly earlier in the day, insisting hed done nothing wrong and calling the probe by Attorney General Letitia James biased.

The president said he thought Cuomo should resign in response to a reporters question at a briefing. Pelosi said in a statement, Recognising his love of and the respect for the office he holds, I call upon the Governor to resign.

James, also a Democrat, said Cuomo engaged in unwanted groping and kissing of current and former state employees as well as women outside of state government. He and his staff also retaliated against at least one former employee for coming forward, the attorney general said at a press conference Tuesday morning announcing her offices report on Cuomos misconduct.

Biden, who weathered his own controversy related to inappropriate behaviour, and Pelosi both stopped short earlier this year of seeking Cuomos resignation when harassment allegations first surfaced, but Jamess report intensified the firestorm engulfing a politician who just last year was touted as a hero and a possible Democratic presidential contender.

Other political figures who previously reserved judgment on Cuomo, like New York Representative Hakeem Jeffries, the No. 3 House Democrat, also said Tuesday he should resign. New York Representative Elise Stefanik, the No. 3 House Republican, said Cuomo should be arrested. New York Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand renewed their previous demand from March that Cuomo resign.

Cuomo denied the findings of Jamess report in his own press conference held Tuesday afternoon. I never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances, he said.
By Ahmad Ghaddar

LONDON (Reuters) - fell on Wednesday as the spread of the coronavirus Delta variant in top consuming countries outweighed Mideast geopolitical tensions and a fall in U.S. inventories.

oil futures were down 67 cents, or 0.9%, to $71.74 a barrel by 1144 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 86 cents, or 1.2%, to $69.70 a barrel.

"Worries continue to grow over the spread of the Delta variant in China, which has weighed heavily on in recent days," analysts at bank ING said.

The United States and China, the world's two biggest oil consumers, are grappling with rapidly spreading outbreaks of the highly contagious Delta variant that analysts fear will limit fuel demand at a time when it traditionally rises in both countries.

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.

An expected fall in U.S. inventories, however, capped some losses, and both contracts traded slightly higher earlier in the session.

"[Oil] bulls have drawn support from U.S. inventory dynamics, with commercial stocks falling to their lowest since January 2020 and indications that the tightening is set to continue," oil brokerage PVM said.

U.S. crude inventories fell by 879,000 barrels for the week ended July 30, according to two market sources, citing figures from industry group American Petroleum Institute (API).

Gasoline inventories fell by 5.8 million barrels and distillate stocks fell by 717,000 barrels, the data showed, according to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Official Energy Information Administration numbers are due later on Wednesday.

Tensions in the Mideast Gulf also lent prices some support.

On Tuesday, three maritime security sources clamed Iranian-backed forces seized an oil product tanker off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, though Iran denied the reports.

This is the second attack on a tanker since Friday in the region, which includes the Strait of Hormuz. The UK and the U.S. are also blaming Iran for the earlier incident, in which drones crashed into the vessel and killed two sailors.

(Additional reporting by Naveen Thukral in Singapore; editing by Jason Neely)

(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.)
raised oil for prices for buyers in Asia and the US for September in a sign the worlds largest crude exporter sees demand continuing to recover despite a surge in coronavirus cases in some of the worlds main energy importers.

OPEC+, the oil-producers group led by the Saudis and Russia, agreed last month to ramp up production over the rest of the year. Most analysts still see the market facing a shortage of barrels amid a global economic recovery from the worst of the pandemic.

Saudi Aramco will increase its key Arab Light grade for Asia by 30 cents from August to $3 a barrel above the state companys benchmark, according to a statement. Thats slightly less than the 50-cent increase forecast in a Bloomberg survey. Aramco is raising pricing for other grades to the region by between 20 and 60 cents.

sends more than 60 per cent of its crude exports to Asia, with China, South Korea, Japan and India the biggest buyers.

Brent crude has dropped 5 per cent this week to just above $72 a barrel on concern about the spread of the delta variant of the coronavirus, particularly in Asia. That could temper buyers uptake of Saudi barrels, even with the lower-than-expected increase. Abu Dhabi also increased September pricing for the region.

Still, many analysts and traders see the latest Covid-19 flare-ups as a short-term hit to oil demand. The market has tightened this year  Brent is up around 40 per cent despite falling this week  due to rising consumption and OPEC+ only slowly easing deep supply cuts it started early last year to boost prices.
Korean government will import 200 million by next month to stabilise egg prices. It is planning to increase direct sales of imported to customers by supplying more than half to large supermarkets.

Hong Nam-ki, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Strategy and Finance, announced the import plan after visiting Daejeon Ojeong-dong Agriculture and Seafood Market and E-mart Dunsan Branch on the 3rd to check consumer prices.

The government will significantly increase the volume of imported to 100 million in August and 100 million in September.

More than half of imported eggs will be supplied to large retailers such as supermarkets.

Previously, imported eggs were mainly supplied to catering companies and processing companies, but now consumers can purchase imported eggs directly.

The price of 30 imported eggs of the aT Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation will also be reduced by 1,000 won from 4,000 won to 3,000 won from coming 5th.

"In order to cut the price of eggs as soon as possible, imported eggs should be supplied to consumers at a lower price for the time being," Deputy Prime Minister Hong said. "The government will do the best to reduce the price of eggs, which is currently stagnant at around 7,000 won, to around 6,000 won."

In addition, the government decided to increase the supply by 1.6 times of beef and by 1.25 times of pork to stabilize meat prices during Chuseok, when demand for gifts increases.

The government is planning to expand imports by 10 per cent of beef and 5 per cent of pork compared to the average of the year, and also it will simplify import inspection procedures.

(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 Biden administration encouraged lawmakers to repeal an authorisation for military action in crafted when was still alive, rejecting Republican arguments it would further signal to that the US is retreating from the Middle East.

Debate in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on ending Congress's 2002 resolution for military force against Tuesday comes as part of a larger discussion by some lawmakers on axing or replacing decades-old congressional authorisations 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 US 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 US troops to strike in US forces acting on later disproven US 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 US-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 US invasion, which effectively ended in 2011.

Several committee Republicans argued repealing the decades-old authorizations would send the wrong message to

That's especially so as the Biden administration ends the US 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 America's 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 US 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.

(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 on Wednesday called for a "moratorium" on booster shots of the Covid-19 vaccine until at least the end of September, noting with concern the disparity in levels in low and high-income countries.

Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a news conference in Geneva that while high-income countries have now administered almost 100 doses for every 100 people, low-income countries have only been able to administer 1.5 doses for every 100 people, due to lack of supply.

"We need an urgent reversal, from the majority of vaccines going to high-income countries, to the majority going to low-income countries, he said.

Accordingly, is calling for a moratorium on boosters until at least the end of September, to enable at least 10% of the population of every country to be vaccinated, the chief said.

WHO urged everyone with influence -- Olympic athletes, investors, business leaders, faith leaders, and every individual in their own family and community -- to support its call for a moratorium on booster shots until at least the end of September.

Ghebreyesus said ensuring increased coverage in low-income countries requires everyone's cooperation, especially the handful of countries and companies that control the global supply of vaccines.

So far, more than four billion Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered globally and over 80% have gone to high- and upper-middle income countries, even though they account for less than half of the world population.

ALSO READ: China seals city as it battles worst coronavirus outbreak in months

And yet even while hundreds of millions of people are still waiting for their first dose, some rich countries are moving towards booster doses, Ghebreyesus said.

Emphasising that while he understands the concern of all governments to protect their people from the Delta variant, the WHO chief said, We cannot accept countries that have already used most of the global supply of vaccines using even more of it, the world's most vulnerable people remain unprotected."



Ghebreyesus had in late May called for global support for a sprint to September, to enable every country to vaccinate at least 10% of its population by the end of September.

We're now more than halfway to that target date, but we're not on track.

Calling on vaccine producers to prioritise the vaccine distribution alliance COVAX, Ghebreyesus underscored that vaccines are not the only tool to defeat the pandemic.

Indeed, there is no single tool that will defeat this pandemic. We can only defeat it with a comprehensive approach of vaccines in combination with the proven public health and social measures that we know work, he said.

Indonesia second in Asia to hit 100K Covid-19 deaths



Indonesia has reached a grim milestone as more than 100,000 people died from the coronavirus, becoming the second country in Asia to breach that threshold. After weeks of topping the worlds tally of daily Covid-19 deaths, Southeast Asias largest economy added 1,747 fatalities on Wednesday, according to data from the health ministry, bringing its total number to 100,636. Indonesia joins 11 other countries  including Brazil and India 3 that have lost more than 100,000 lives in the pandemic that began 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.)
The price of 10 gm of 22-carat gold slipped by Rs 420 on Wednesday to trade at Rs 46,960. Silver was selling at Rs 67,600 per kg, down Rs 250 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 47,050 per 10 gm. For Mumbai, the yellow metal is selling at Rs 46,960, while, in Chennai, it is at Rs 45,330, according to the website.

The rate of 24-carat gold stood at Rs 47,960 per 10 gm, down Rs 420 compared to yesterday.

In the global market, on Tuesday, edged lower, as traders stayed on the sidelines in advance of US jobs data due later this week that could influence the timeline of when the Federal Reserve cuts back on its asset purchase programme, Reuters reported.

Spot gold fell 0.2% to $1,809.79 per ounce by 1:55 p.m. EDT (1755 GMT), while US gold futures settled 0.4% lower at $1,814.10.
Shares of Indus Towers dipped 6.5 per cent to Rs 207.75, hitting an over eight-month low on the BSE in intra-day trade on Wednesday, in an otherwise strong market, amid growth concerns. The stock was trading at its lowest level since November 20, 2020. Indus share price has underperformed the market owing to concerns over its key tenant Vodafone Idea's (VIL) survival.

Indus Towers Limited (formerly Bharti Infratel Limited) is Indias leading provider of passive telecom infrastructure and it deploys, owns and manages telecom towers and communication structures, for various mobile operators. It caters to all wireless telecommunication service providers in India.

According to analysts, lower penalty receipts from VIL in FY23E should taper growth. Furthermore, its situation remains precarious, weighed by ballooning debt and its inability to raise funds and improve its liquidity. This remains the biggest overhang for Indus Towers as VIL is its large client and the tower-sharing business has a limited business case for single-tenancy operations. On the other hand, the threat from RJios increased focus in the Tower Infrastructure space may weaken Indus positioning, brokerage firm Motilal Oswal Financial Services said in a result update.

In the past one week, the stock has slipped 10 per cent following the announcement of financial results for the first quarter ended June 30, 2021 (Q1FY22). Telecom infrastructure firm Indus Towers posted consolidated profit after tax of Rs 1,415 crore in Q1FY22, against Rs 1,121 crore in the same quarter a year ago.

Consolidated revenue grew 11.7 per cent year-on-year (YoY) at Rs 6,797 crore as compared to Rs 6,086 crore in the year-ago period. Ebitda (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) came in at Rs 3,517 crore, up 3 per cent quarter-on-quarter (QoQ), with Ebitda margins at 51.7 per cent (down 83 bps QoQ) due to negative energy margins.

The management said the quarter was impacted by a cyclone in 13 circles, which affected business and cost. The 25 per cent increase in trade receivables during the quarter was attributable to timing issues, while the remainder was due to a delay in payment by a customer. Indus has sufficient security cover towards the pending amounts.

"The long-term network upgrade opportunity in the towards 5G, fiberization, small cells, and indoor coverage would continue to drive growth in the telecom passive infrastructure industry. Recovery in tenancy adds and a reduction in exits have also brought about stability in earnings," according to an analyst at Motilal Oswal Securities.

The tenancy addition for a third consecutive quarter is decent but sustainability ahead will be important, analysts at ICICI Securities said. "The key risk of VILs survival continues to remain and stretched receivables are the first sign of the same. Moreover, while opportunities in adjacent areas (viz. small cells/smart cities/in building solutions/active network sharing) exist, these may fructify only over the long term, they added.

At 01:40 pm, the stock was trading 4.7 per cent lower at Rs 211.75 on the BSE, as compared to a 0.93 per cent rise in the S&P BSE Sensex. A combined 7.3 million equity shares had changed hands on the counter on the NSE and BSE so far.
By Scott DiSavino

Oil prices fell for a third day in a row to a two-week low on Wednesday on a surprise build in U.S. crude stockpiles, negative U.S. economic report and worries the spread of the Delta variant will weigh on global demand.

Traders noted the oil price drop came despite reports of increased Mideast geopolitical tensions.

Brent futures fell $2.03, or 2.8%, to settle at $70.38 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell $2.41, or 3.4%, to settle at $68.15.

That was the lowest close for both benchmarks since July 20.

The U.S. Information Administration (EIA) said crude stockpiles rose by an unexpected 3.6 million barrels last week, while gasoline inventories fell by a bigger-than-forecast 5.3 million barrels. [EIA/S]

" remained heavy after the EIA crude oil inventory showed stockpiles unexpectedly rose last week," said Edward Moya, senior market analyst at OANDA, noting "the report was mixed as gasoline stockpiles fell more than expected."

With U.S. gasoline futures near their highest since October 2014, the gasoline crack spread - a measure of refining profit margins - closed at to its highest since hitting a record in April 2020 when WTI settled in negative territory.

cases worldwide surpassed 200 million on Wednesday, according to a Reuters tally, as the more-infectious Delta variant threatens areas with low vaccination rates and strains healthcare systems.

The United States and China, the world's two biggest oil consumers, are grappling with rapidly spreading outbreaks of the highly contagious Delta variant that analysts anticipate will limit fuel demand at a time when it traditionally rises in both countries.

The World Health Organization is calling for a halt on COVID-19 vaccine boosters until at least the end of September as the gap between vaccinations in wealthy and poor countries widens.

Also weighing on oil prices was a report from ADP showing U.S. private payrolls increased far less than expected in July.

Tensions in the Mideast Gulf, meanwhile, gave oil prices some support.

On Tuesday, three maritime security sources claimed Iranian-backed forces seized an oil product tanker off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, though Iran denied the reports.

Oman on Wednesday identified the Panama-flagged Asphalt Princess as the tanker involved in a hijacking which Britain's maritime trade agency earlier said was over.

This is the second attack on a tanker since Friday in the region, which includes the Strait of Hormuz. Britain and the United States are also blaming Iran for the earlier incident, in which drones crashed into the vessel and killed two sailors. Iran denies the reports.

(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.)
Nifty futures on the Singapore Exchange traded 63 points higher at 16,227 around 8.50 am, indicating a firm start for the benchmark indices on Wednesday.

Here are the top stocks to track in today's session:

Results Today: Nearly 70 companies, including State Bank of India, Titan Company, Godrej Consumer Products, HPCL, and PNB Housing Finance, that are slated to report their June quarterly result.

Analysts expect SBI to report a healthy set of numbers, supported by recovery from United Breweries Group's stake sale and lower interest income reversals. They are pencilling-in a year-on-year rise in net profit between 33 per cent and 63 per cent. READ HERE

Bharti Airtel: The telecom firm reported a net profit of Rs 283.5 crore, in the first quarter ended June 30 (Q1FY22). This was much lower than consensus estimates which had pegged the same at Rs 604 crore. The company had reported a loss of Rs 15,933 crore in the year ago quarter on account of one-time provision for dues related to adjusted gross revenues.

Tata Consumer: Tata Consumer Products reported a decline of 42.05 per cent YoY in consolidated net profit to Rs 200.24 crore for the first quarter ended June 2021. However, its revenue from operations in April-June 2021 jumped 10.85 per cent YoY to Rs 3,008 crore.

Adani Enterprises: The Adani group firm reported a consolidated profit of Rs 265.60 crore for the quarter ended on June 30, 2021 on the back of higher revenue from operations. The company had posted a consolidated loss of Rs 65.67 crore in the year-ago period.

Vodafone Idea: Vodafone Group Plc ruled out any further equity infusion in its debt-ridden telecom joint venture in India.

Ashoka Buildcon: 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 Maldives Police Service.

BPCL: Privatisation-bound Bharat Petroleum Corporation on Tuesday announced the appointment of VRK Gupta as chief financial officer, following the superannuation of N Vijayagopal, who was Director of Finance.

IOB: State-owned Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) reported a 170 per cent YoY jump in its standalone profit after tax of Rs 327 crore for the June 2021 quarter, helped by better recoveries. In the year-ago quarter, the lender's standalone profit after tax stood at Rs 121 crore.

J&K Bank: regulator Sebi on Tuesday exempted the Jammu and Kashmir government from making an open offer to the shareholders of Jammu and Kashmir Bank following a proposed equity infusion that would hike the promoter stake by 6.06 per cent in the lender.

Trident: The company announced a foray into the laundry business through its 'Tri-Safe' washing powder.

Tata Steel: Global rating agency S&P has upgraded the companys long-term rating to BB from BB-; outlook remains stable.

GR Infraprojects: The company has received Letter of Acceptance from Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation for construction of 5 metro stations, elevated structures, road widening and allied works. The contract price is Rs 365 crore.

Linde India: The company has signed a Business Transfer Agreement with HPS Gases Ltd., Vadodara to acquire its entire packaged gases business along with certain distribution assets with effect from November 1, for an aggregate cash consideration of Rs 27.5 crore.

Canara Bank: The lender plans to raise up to Rs 2,500 crore through QIP/Rights Issue/any other approved means during the financial year 2021-22.

IIFL Wealth Management: The company has reported 42 per cent jump in its net profit of Rs 119 crore versus Rs 83 crore and revenue was up 43 per cent of Rs 283 crore versus Rs 199 crore.

Navneet Education: CRISIL Ratings assigns CRISIL A1+ rating to the company's commercial paper.

TCS: Rich Products selects company for intelligent supply chain modernization to improve operations and agility.
Shares of (Vi) were slipped 18.5 per cent at Rs 6.03, hitting a fresh 52-week low on the BSE in the intra-day trade on Wednesday, after report suggested that Vodafone Group Plc has ruled out any further equity infusion in its debt-ridden telecom joint venture in India.

With today's fall, the stock of the telecom services provider has tanked 26 per cent in two days after reports suggested Kumar Mangalam Birla has told the government that he is willing to give up promoter stake in the company.

The stock was trading at the lowest level since June 2020. It had hit a record low of Rs 2.61 in November 2019. At 12:44 PM, Vi was trading 13 per cent lower at Rs 6.43 on the BSE, as compared to a 0.95 per cent rise in the S&P BSE Sensex. The counter has seen huge trading volumes, with a combined 1,157 million equity shares having changed hands on the NSE and BSE till the time of writing of this report.

On the companys plans to support Vi, which is struggling to raise fresh capital, the UK-based telecom majors chief executive officer Nick 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 adjusted gross revenue dues, Business Standard reported. CLICK HERE FOR FULL REPORT



Meanwhile, Birla has expressed willingness to offer his groups 27 per cent stake in Vi to any government or domestic financial entity in order to keep the stressed telecom company alive.

The Aditya Birla Group chairman and promoter of Vi made the suggestion in a letter to Union Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba on June 7. The Vi debt has more than trebled in the last four years to Rs 1.6 trillion as of the end of March 2021, from around Rs 37,000 crore in FY16. This includes deferred spectrum obligations and adjusted gross revenue (AGR) liabilities. CLICK HERE FOR FULL REPORT



Analysts at ICICI Securities have sell rating on Vi as the brokerage firm sees payment of liabilities coming soon, while fund availability remains a challenge. The efforts to raise funds have also not yielded any outcome yet.

VILs weak liquidity position restricts its capability to invest in network improvement, as evident from its reducing capex intensity. The significant amount of cash required to service its debt, leaves limited upside opportunity for equity holders, despite the high operating leverage opportunity from any ARPU increase. The current low EBITDA would make it challenging to service debt without an external fund infusion, analysts at Motilal Oswal Financial Services had said in the March quarter result update.
Alkem Laboratories announced the launch of Ibuprofen and Famotidine tablets (800 mg/26.6 mg) in the United States, following an approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA).

Ibuprofen and Famotidine tablets is AB-rated generic therapeutic equivalent version of Horizon Medicines LLC's Duexis tablets, 800 mg/26.6 mg.

This combination medication is used to relieve pain from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis while decreasing the risk of developing an ulcer from Ibuprofen use.

"This is the first generic approval of Duexis tablets, 800 mg/26.6 mg by the US FDA. The launch is a subject of ongoing litigation, the company said in a statement.

The announcement was made before market hours today, 4 August 2021.

Alkem Laboratories is a pharmaceutical company with global operations. The company produces branded generics, generic drugs, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and nutraceuticals, which it markets in India and International markets.

The company's board will meet on 6 August 2021 to consider and approve financial results for the quarter ended on 30 June 2021.

The scrip is currently up 0.30% at Rs 3,520.15 on the BSE. In the past three months, the stock has gained 26.10% while the benchmark Sensex has added 12.28% during the same period.

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Bharti Airtel reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 284 crore in Q1 FY22 as against a net loss of Rs 15,933 crore in Q1 FY21. Total revenues increased by 15.3% YoY to Rs 26,854 in the first quarter. EBITDA improved by 30.3% to Rs 13,189 crore in Q1 FY22 from Rs 10,119 crore in Q1 FY21. EBITDA margin was at 49.1% as on 30 June 2021 as compared with 43.4% as on 30 June 2020.

Tata Steel said that rating agency S&P has upgraded the company's long-term rating to BB from BB-; outlook remains stable. S&P expects Tata Steel's debt levels to decline materially over the next two years on the company's commitment to deleverage, supported by strong operating cash flows.

Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, along with its subsidiaries announced the re-launch of over-the-counter (OTC) Naproxen Sodium Tablets USP, 220 mg, the store-brand equivalent of Aleve, in the U.S. market, as approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA).

Natco Pharma announced that it has transferred the Lenalidomide Capsules ANDA to Arrow International as per an earlier agreement between the parties.

G R Infraprojects has received Letter of Acceptance (LoA) for 'Construction of Elevated Structures (Viaduct & stations) from Gottigere to Swagath Road Cross of Bangalore Metro Rail Project, Phase- 2 worth Rs 364.87 crore.

Linde India has signed a business transfer agreement with HPS Gases, Vadodara to acquire its entire packaged gases business along with certain distribution assets for an aggregate cash consideration of Rs 27.5 crore.

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The issue received bids for 30.22 crore shares as against 11.25 crore shares on offer.

The initial public offer of quick-service restaurant chain (QSR) operator Devyani International received bids for 30.22 crore shares as against 11.25 crore shares on offer on Wednesday (4 August 2021), according to stock exchange data at 16:55 IST. The issue was subscribed 2.69 times.

The issue opened for bidding on Wednesday (4 August 2021) and it will close Friday (6 August 2021). The price band of the IPO is fixed at Rs 86-90 per share. An investor can bid for a minimum of 165 equity shares and in multiples thereof.

The IPO comprises of fresh issue of equity shares aggregating upto Rs 440 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) of 15,53,33,330 crore equity shares by Dunearn and RJ Corp, the investor shareholders.

Promoters of the company are Ravi Kant Jaipuria, Varun Jaipuria and RJ Corp. The promoters holds an aggregate of 87,43,39,464 equity shares, aggregating to 75.79% of the pre-offer issued and paid-up equity share capital. Post issue, the selling shareholders will have about 67.99% of the share capital.

The objectives for the fresh issue are repayment/ prepayment of Rs 324 crore of borrowings and remaining amount to be used for general corporate purposes.

Ahead of the IPO, Devyani International on 3 August 2021 finalized allocation of 9,16,52,499 equity shares to anchor investors, at Rs 90 per equity share, aggregating to Rs 824.87 crore.

Devyani International is the largest franchisee of Yum Brands in India and is among the largest operators of chain quick service restaurants (QSR) in India on a non-exclusive basis. Yum Brands Inc. operates brands such as KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell and has presence globally with more than 50,000 restaurants in over 150 countries, as of 31 December 2020.

As of 31 June 2021, Devyani International operate 696 stores across 166 cities in India. The company is a franchisee for the Costa Coffee, Pizza Hut and KFC brands and stores in India. Other than Pizza Hut, KFC, and Costa Coffee company operates brands such as Vaango, Taco Bell, coffee chain Costa Coffee, Food Street, Masala Twist, Ile Bar, Amreli, and Ckrussh Juice Bar.

The business is broadly classified into three verticals: core brands (includes stores of KFC, Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee operated in India) which contributed 81.95% of total revenue in FY 2021, International business (stores operated outside India primarily comprising KFC and Pizza Hut stores operated in Nepal and Nigeria) contributing 12.23% of total revenue and other business contributing 5.81% of total revenue (includes certain other operations in the F&B industry, including stores of its own brands such as Vaango and Food Street).

The core brands and international segment together accounted for 94.19% of total revenue in FY 2021. Out of this, 70.20% is said to be earned due to delivery sales, a jump of 19% in delivery sales compared to 51.15% in FY 2020.

The company reported a net loss of Rs 55.21 crore and sales of Rs 1,134.84 crore in the twelve months ended 31 March 2021.

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Indices were trading at record high level with decent gains in morning trade. The Nifty surpassed 16,250 level with ease to hit an all-time high of 16,278.95. Barring media and metal stocks, broad based buying was seen across the board. Meanwhile, the Sensex scaled record high of 54,385.83.

At 10:31 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was up 561.58 points or 1.04% at 54,384.63. The Nifty 50 index gained 144.75 points or 0.9% at 16,275.40.

In broader market, the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index was up 0.24% while the S&P BSE Small-Cap index was up 0.5%.

The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, was strong. On the BSE, 1826 shares rose and 1119 shares fell. A total of 133 shares were unchanged.

COVID-19 Update:

Total COVID-19 confirmed cases worldwide stood at 199,523,213 with 4,245,626 global deaths.

India reported 410,353 active cases of COVID-19 infection and 425,757 deaths, according to the data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

Results Today:

State Bank Of India (down 0.36%), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (up 0.36%), Titan Company (down 0.43%), Adani Green Energy (up 0.76%), Godrej Consumer Products (down 1.3%), Apollo Tyres (up 0.26%), Adani Total Gas (up 0.61%), Blue Star (up 0.64%), Bosch (up 1.68%), Butterfly Gandhimathi Appliances (down 0.83%), Chambal Fertilisers & Chemicals (up 1.36%), Nava Bharat Ventures (up 1.58%), PNB Housing Finance (up 0.49%), Solara Active Pharma Sciences (up 0.89%), Sonata Software (up 2.93%), Subros (up 2.26%) and Tata Communications (down 1%) are some of the companies that will announce their results today.

RBI MPC Meet:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is set to begin its three-day meet to decide key monetary policy rates on Wednesday. The central bank will announce its bi-monthly monetary policy review on Friday, at the end of the meeting.

Earnings Impact:

Adani Enterprises fell 0.1%. The company's consolidated net profit stood at Rs 265.60 crore in Q1 FY22 as compared to a net loss of Rs 65.67 crore in Q1 FY21.

Consolidated revenue from operations soared 138.90% to Rs 12,578.77 crore in Q1 FY22 from Rs 5,265.19 crore in Q1 FY21. Pre-tax profit was at Rs 379.54 crore in Q1 FY22 as against a pre-tax loss of Rs 137.54 crore in Q1 FY21. During the quarter, consolidated EBIDTA surged 215% Y-o-Y (year-on-year) to Rs 948 crore due to increase in revenue and better margins across all operating segments.

Tata Consumer Products declined 1.34%. The FMCG company's consolidated net profit dropped 38.15% to Rs 240.65 crore on a 10.85% rise in revenue from operations to Rs 3,008.46 crore in Q1 FY22 over Q1 FY21. For the quarter, revenue from operations increased by 10.85% (10% in constant currency) as compared to corresponding quarter of the previous year, mainly driven by growth of 28% in India beverages (including NourishCo) and 20% in India Foods. International business reported lower revenue as previous year benefitting from COVID-19 induced pantry stocking. Consolidated profit before tax skid 32.65% to Rs 336.36 crore in Q1 FY22 as against Rs 499.49 crore in Q1 FY21. Profit before exceptional items and tax is lower as previous year had the benefits of softer tea commodity cost in India and pantry stocking gains in the international business. The group's consolidated net profit was lower, mainly driven by lower PBT and one-time exceptional gain in the previous year.

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Prataap Snacks gained 1.87% to Rs 746 after the company reported a lower consolidated net loss of Rs 1.59 crore in Q1 FY22 as compared to a net loss of Rs 5.96 crore posted in Q1 FY21.

Net sales increased by 43.1% to Rs 278.2 crore in Q1 FY22 from Rs 194.45 crore in Q1 FY21. The company reduced its pre tax loss to Rs 2.17 crore in Q1 FY22 from Rs 7.54 crore recorded in Q1 FY21. Meanwhile, the company's operating EBITDA increased by 34.5% year on year to Rs 11.08 crore in Q1 FY22.

Commenting on the Q1 FY22 performance, Amit Kumat, MD & CEO of Prataap Snacks said, We have delivered a robust performance despite the severe second wave of the pandemic in India. The learnings of the past year had made us better prepared to face the disruptions and our team responded with agility to overcome challenges and restrictions to ensure uninterrupted supplies to trade channels. This has helped us to post revenue of Rs 279.6 crore which is higher by 43% on a YoY basis. We have witnessed unprecedented rise in palm oil prices over the same quarter last year, which has exerted significant pressure on profitability. Our continuous steps towards cost rationalisation and process improvements have significantly offset this impact. Even as we work towards fully rebuilding the business back to pre-COVID levels, we are implementing initiatives to enhance performance and profitability. We are implementing our telecalling to a larger number of territories to improve distribution throughput in the existing channels. We have set up a plant in Kolkata which will serve as a hub and enable us to optimise distribution in the Eastern region with cost efficiency. Further, implementation of our direct distribution model is progressing steadily, leading to structural improvement in profitability.

Prataap Snacks is a leading Indian snack foods company. It offers multiple variants of products across categories of Potato Chips, Extruded Snacks, Namkeen (traditional Indian snacks) under the popular and vibrant Yellow Diamond brand.

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Key benchmark indices are trading firm in early trade on buying demand in index pivotals. At 9:25 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was up 404.27 points or 0.75% at 54,227.63. The Sensex scaled record high of 54,262.70 in early trade. The Nifty 50 index was up 113.65 points or 0.7% at 16,244.40. The Nifty hit record high of 16,253.95 in early trade. Asian stocks are trading mixed.

The S&P BSE Mid-Cap index was up 0.38%. The S&P BSE Small-Cap index was up 0.57%.

The market breadth, indicating the overall health of the market, is strong. On the BSE, 1847 shares rose and 765 shares fell. A total of 93 shares were unchanged.

Stocks in news:

Bharti Airtel fell 1.15%. Bharti Airtel reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 284 crore in Q1 FY22 as against a net loss of Rs 15,933 crore in Q1 FY21. Total revenues increased by 15.3% YoY to Rs 26,854 in the first quarter. EBITDA improved by 30.3% to Rs 13,189 crore in Q1 FY22 from Rs 10,119 crore in Q1 FY21. EBITDA margin was at 49.1% as on 30 June 2021 as compared with 43.4% as on 30 June 2020.

Tata Steel gained 2.37%. Tata Steel said that rating agency S&P has upgraded the company's long-term rating to BB from BB-; outlook remains stable. S&P expects Tata Steel's debt levels to decline materially over the next two years on the company's commitment to deleverage, supported by strong operating cash flows.

Dr. Reddy's Laboratories rose 1.68%. Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, along with its subsidiaries announced the re-launch of over-the-counter (OTC) Naproxen Sodium Tablets USP, 220 mg, the store-brand equivalent of Aleve, in the U.S. market, as approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA).

Natco Pharma rose 0.32%. Natco Pharma announced that it has transferred the Lenalidomide Capsules ANDA to Arrow International as per an earlier agreement between the parties.

G R Infraprojects rose 0.45%. G R Infraprojects has received Letter of Acceptance (LoA) for 'Construction of Elevated Structures (Viaduct & stations) from Gottigere to Swagath Road Cross of Bangalore Metro Rail Project, Phase- 2 worth Rs 364.87 crore.

Linde India rose 2.34%. Linde India has signed a business transfer agreement with HPS Gases, Vadodara to acquire its entire packaged gases business along with certain distribution assets for an aggregate cash consideration of Rs 27.5 crore.

Global Markets:

Asian stocks are trading mixed on Wednesday, a private survey showed accelerating Chinese services activity growth in July.

The Caixin/Markit services Purchasing Managers' Index for July came in at 54.9 on Wednesday, up from June's reading of 50.3.

U.S. stocks moved higher on Tuesday and the S&P 500 set a new record high as broad market strength outweighed the travel names held back by Covid fears.

Back home, the benchmark indices closed at all-time high level on Tuesday amid broad based buying. The barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, surged 872.73 points or 1.65% at 53,823.36. The Nifty 50 index jumped 245.6 points or 1.55% to 16,130.75.

Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) bought shares worth Rs 2,116.60 crore, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs), were net sellers to the tune of Rs 298.54 crore in the Indian equity market on 3 August, provisional data showed.

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The offer received bids for 1.93 crore shares as against 61.36 lakh shares on offer.

The initial public offer of Windlas Biotech received bids for 1.93 crore shares as against 61.36 lakh shares on offer on Wednesday (4 August 2021), according to stock exchange data at 16:55 IST. The issue was subscribed 3.15 times.

The issue opened for bidding on Wednesday (4 August 2021) and it will close on Friday (6 August 2021). The price band of the IPO was fixed at Rs 448-460 per share. An investor can bid for a minimum of 30 equity shares and in multiples thereof.

The IPO comprised of fresh issue of equity shares aggregating up to Rs 165 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) of up to 51,42,067 equity shares by existing shareholders Vimla Windlass and Tano India Private Equity Fund II.

Ashok Kumar Windlass, Hitesh Windlass, Manoj Kumar Windlass, and the Promoter Trust are the promoters of the company.

Promoters and promoter group holds an aggregate of 14,201,352 equity shares, aggregating to 78% of the pre-offer issued and paid-up equity share capital. The post IPO shareholding for the same is expected to be around 65.16%.

While the company will not get any proceeds from the OFS, Rs 50 crore out of the proceeds from fresh issue will be used for purchase of equipment required for capacity expansion of existing facility at Dehradun Plant - IV and addition of injectables dosage capability at existing facility at Dehradun Plant - II; Rs 47.5 crore will be spent on funding incremental working capital requirements; Rs 20 crore will be spent on repayment/prepayment of certain borrowings; and remaining amount will be spent on general corporate purposes.

Ahead of the IPO, Windlas Biotech on 3 August 2021 finalized allocation of 26,18,706 equity shares to anchor investors, at Rs 460 per equity share, aggregating to Rs 120.46 crore.

Windlas Biotech is amongst the top five players in the domestic pharmaceutical formulations, contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) industry in India, in terms of revenues. The company operates three distinct strategic business verticals (SBVs): CDMO Services and Products (contributing 84.66% of total FY2021 revenues), domestic trade generics and over the counter (OTC) brands (10.22 % of total) and, lastly, exports (5.12 % of total).

The company provides comprehensive range of CDMO services ranging from product discovery, product development, licensing, and commercial manufacturing of generic products (including complex generics) with a focus on improved safety, efficacy and cost.

The company reported a net profit of Rs 15.83 crore and sales of Rs 427.60 crore in the twelve months ended on 31 March 2021.

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Bahujan Samaj Party supremo on Wednesday demanded strict action against the culprits in the alleged and murder case of a nine-year-old Dalit girl in southwest Delhi.

"The brutal murder of a nine-year-old Dalit girl after and then burning her body in Nagal village of Delhi Cantt is very sad and shameful. demands strict action against the culprits and necessary steps to prevent recurrence of such incidents," the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said in a tweet in Hindi.

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.

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Chief Minister on Wednesday said the Delhi government will order a magisterial inquiry into the death of a nine-year-old girl following an alleged sexual assault.

The chief minister also announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the family of the girl.

Our girl cannot come back. The injustice done to the family is unfortunate and cannot be compensated, but the government will give Rs 10 lakh to them and order a magisterial inquiry into the matter, he told reporters after meeting the family.

There is a need to strengthen law and order in Delhi. I appeal to the central government to take firm steps in this direction, he said.

In a tweet, the chief minister said that the government will appoint top lawyers to ensure the guilty is punished.

The parents of the girl accompanied by hundreds of locals were staging a protest near the site of the incident in Old Nangal area in southwest Delhi, demanding capital punishment for the accused.

The girl lived with her parents in a rented house in front of a crematorium. On Sunday at around 5.30 PM, she went to get cold water from a cooler at the crematorium after informing her mother, her parents said.

Around 6 PM, the crematorium's priest, Radhey Shyam, and two-three other people, known to the girl's mother, called her there and showed her daughter's body claiming that she got electrocuted while getting water from the cooler.

There were burn marks between her left wrist and elbow, and her lips were also blue, according to police.

It was alleged the priest and the others dissuaded her mother from making a PCR call, saying police will make a case out of it and during the post-mortem, doctors will steal the girl's organs, so it was better to cremate her.

Police had on Monday said that based on the statement of the victim's mother, rape charges have been added in the FIR. Four people, including the priest, have been arrested.

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(SMG), a 100 per cent subsidiary of Japan's Corporation, will scale down production activity this month at its Ahmedabad-based manufacturing plant due to semiconductor shortage, Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) said on Wednesday.

SMG, which supplies cars exclusively to MSI, has also decided to scale down production to single shift at some manufacturing lines in the plant.

"Owing to the semiconductor shortage situation, the company has been informed by its contract manufacturing company, SMG, that production will be partially impacted in this month," MSI said in a regulatory filing.

SMG will tentatively not carry out production on the three Saturdays (August 7, 14 and 21) this month, it added.

In addition, some of the production lines at SMG plant may see temporary reduction from two-shift to one-shift working, MSI noted.

As the situation is dynamic and uncertain, the company will monitor and take a day-to-day decision on models, lines or shifts to optimise resources for maximum efficiency, it added.

Semiconductors are silicon chips that cater to control and memory functions in products ranging from automobiles, computers and cellphones to various other electronic items.

The usage of semiconductors in the auto industry has gone up globally in recent times with new models coming with more and more electronic features such as bluetooth connectivity and driver-assist, navigation and hybrid-electric systems.

Industry experts feel that enhanced demand for automobiles in the past few months has put pressure on the global supply chains leading to a shortage.

SMG has an installed production capacity of 7.5 lakh units per annum. Together with MSI's production ability of 15 lakh units, Suzuki's production ability of automobiles in India is around 22.5 lakh units.

All units produced in SMG are supplied to MSI.

Suzuki had established SMG in March 2014, aiming to secure production ability in preparation for the automobile market growth in India, as well as for expansion of exports from the country.

In October 2020, SMG became the fastest production site of Suzuki to achieve accumulated automobile production of 10 lakh units.

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New Delhi [India], August 4 (ANI/SRV Media): Talking Tomorrow - the online L & D 2.1 Enclave, presented by Sodexo in association with IndianOil took place with around 100 delegates, 12 sessions, 5 C Suite speakers and 3 celebrity international trainer motivators on the 27th & 28th of July, 2021.

Day 1 on July 27 began with the Keynote Session featuring Ranjan Kumar Mohapatra Director, HR- Indian Oil, who made the introductory remarks and declared the Enclave open. Mohapatra highlighted the 3 gateways of transition into tomorrow's business multiverse as 'adaptability, agility and alignment'.

The Keynote address was delivered by Anish Sarkar, CEO-Sodexo BRS India and a prominent voice in corporate India. He underlined the concept of 'digital fluency' integral to learning & development and the road ahead for Sodexo BRS India with its immersive suite of new-age employee benefits for superior employee experience.

On Track Two the C Suite Panel discussion on Day 1 included Harish Sarma, VP - Marketing, Sodexo BRS India and a Marketing Excellence Awardee from IIM Calcutta chairing the session which featured K K Mohanty, M.D. Gammon Infra and an alumnus of Harvard Business School, Amitava Saha, CHRO BIOCON & an alumnus of IIM Calcutta & Harsh P Bhosale, Chief People Officer of Nayara Energy and interestingly an ex-athlete. They highlighted the next up trends in Working in the New Normal.

The high point of Day 1 was the highly energetic 30-minute session by International Trainer motivator Melanie Martinelli live from Switzerland called "Mix it Up!, demonstrating next age learning tools like Mentimeter, Flippity, Padlet, & Conceptboard much to the delight of the L & D community members in the audience who quizzed her about technical issues like software whitelisting and international copyrights.

Day 2 of Talking Tomorrow on July 28, started with 'Straight Talk' on Sustainability with Dr Subramanya Kusnur, Founder Chairman, Aquakraft introducing futuristic concepts like Water Balance Sheet & Water Bank and the enclave continued on Track Two with a thought provoking session on Creativity in Chaos by best-selling author & corporate storyteller Vinay Kanchan putting forward the IDEAS model of creative thinking & moved into high gear with "Get Well Sooner" by CEO, AMRI Hospitals, Rupak Barua who highlighted the global experience nature of the black swan pandemic and outlined the road ahead in the medical landscape and the resulting sweeping changes in corporate life.

On both days Track One Training was conducted by Krish Banik, CEO, EMG HRD on the Winning Habits in Disrupted Times with participant interactivity both in audio and video modes and concluded with a real time multiplayer gaming experience on Kahoot!

In the valedictory session called Sodexo Masterclass, Abhishek Kurdukar, VP - Sales, Sodexo BRS India, closed the 2-day enclave with a prediction of a hi-tech hybrid future where corporates with hi-touch will have a sustainable competitive advantage.

The delegates of Talking Tomorrow included participants from Public and Private Sector corporates. Organisations represented included Biocon, IndianOil, PC Chandra Jewellers, IFFCO, SREI, Dalmia Bharat Cement, Gammon Infra and JIS Group among others.

The event was powered by AMRI Hospitals, Purity Partner AQUAKRAFT and Academic Partner GNIHM of the JIS Group of Educational Institutions.

The event was curated by EMG HRD - the L & D Division of the Worldofemg and concluded with a jam session by new age trending talent Anisha Lakhmani performing international hits like Imagine, Times Like These and Lost Stars.

When contacted Chaitanya Chatterjee, Learning & Organisational Development Head , Biocon Ltd., who attended all the sessions on both the days commented: "According to me Krish Banik's sessions were wonderful & crisply summarized. The session by Melanie Martinelli was timely. The session by Vinay Kanchan was another reminder to practitioners like us to be more creative and ideas driven. The chat with the HR leaders on the C Suite panel helped us understand their vision and priorities for today. To sum up: a well timed and much needed event in challenging times like these!"

Krish Banik, Lead Trainer & CEO of EMG HRD pointed out that Talking Tomorrow began as an Annual Open Training Program in 2005 & will be held as a yearly Enclave going forward.

This story is provided by SRV Media. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/SRV Media)

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Rakhiz.com is an e-commerce website that deals with the sale and delivery of Rakhi and Rakhi Gifts for Raksha Bandhan.

The digital venture was started by Preeti Chhipa 6 years ago in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Rakhiz.com focuses on keeping traditions alive and bringing families closer with their rakhi delivery services.

The company promises to provide high-quality products, timely services, and easy approachability. Their parent organization, Aarav Rakhi, offers services that make the festival more memorable and enjoyable for families. With "Send Rakhi Online" services, rakhiz.com helps siblings to deliver gifts on special occasions to each other.

This venture was started realizing that families that are separated by distance could not celebrate festivals together. Thus, the founder reinvented traditional arts and crafts and made it a niche e-commerce website.

This e-commerce website has a variety of rakhi collections for every Raksha Bandhan occasion. There are Bhaiya-Bhabhi Rakhis, in which two matching pairs of Rakhis are sold together. These rakhis are made up of using artistic zardosi, kundan, pearl work, etc.

The Lumba Rakhi is the beautiful string of love tied on the bangle/ wrist of the sister-in-law. This is a custom that began amongst Marwaris but is now being practiced by most of the other communities.

Further, there are kids rakhis that have imprints of cartoon characters or superhero characters. Other than this, they have Rakhi pooja thalis, designer rakhis, fancy rakhis, traditional rakhis, chocolates, dry fruits, sweets, and other rakhi gifts.

Once an order is placed through their website, Rakhiz.com takes the responsibility of delivering the orders safely to the recipient. The delivery services aren't just limited to India only but it can also be shipped worldwide to The United States, The United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, etc. with the worldwide delivery of rakhis, around 1.5 lakh rakhis were delivered in 2020 alone.

Preeti Chhipa, the founder of Rakhiz.com said, "Despite being born into a traditional Rajasthani family, my parents encouraged me to study hard, and I was a bright student from the start. I have an MA in English, an MA in Hindi, a BA, a B.Ed, and an M.Ed, among other degrees. I have a dream to make a significant contribution to the development of my country.

Rakhiz.com is a source of livelihood for around 500-600 local women who handcraft rakhis with a focus on worldwide delivery. The company is named after my elder son, Aarav. Last year, our company shipped around 1.5 lakh rakhis globally."

The company's motto was to contribute to the development of the country and to empower women. Hence, with this venture, around 500 to 600 local women found employment. These women intricately handcraft these rakhis using materials provided by the company like Moli thread (Mauli or Kalava), fancy Zari, Rudraksha, Pearls, Pom Poms, Tassels adorned with motifs like Swastika, Om, deity, paisley, flowers, etc.

To know more visit (https://www.rakhiz.com/)

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Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 4 (ANI/Heylin Spark): Franchise 100 connects franchise investors to various brands helping them to achieve high success rates in their entrepreneurial journey.

They help brands expand according to their growth strategy i.e Franchise expansion, Fundraise, and acquisition of the business. Franchise 100 envisions keeping the spirit of entrepreneurship alive and offering them value-added services to strengthen their journey.

With their exclusive services, they have helped clients fulfill their dream of becoming business visionary.

Franchise 100 believes in offering augmented services with the best results. Akash Shetty, the founder of franchise 100 believes in creating an ecosystem that understands the dreams and aspirations of both investors and brands. He says that the best way to fulfill your dream is to work towards it and achieve it.

After his successful business journey from the R-Infra, he incubated Franchise 100 to support all those entrepreneurs who didn't anticipate franchise business due to failure stories in the franchise industry. India being a land of inventions and innovations offers multiple platforms for budding entrepreneurs and business owners to give shape to their ideas.

Franchise 100, being one among them, has helped entrepreneurs who are looking to start new businesses, entrepreneurs looking for secondary sources of income, brands looking to expand their current business, and organizations looking forward to scaling the business through acquisition, to grow multifold. Some of their clients are Rocky Rolls,

The Bombay Gourmet Market Store Retail, The Bombay Sultani Biryani House, The Cloud9 Fitness Club and Bhauki Chai. The team helped Rocky Rolls QSR concept curated by celebrity chef Ameya Mahajani signed up 6 outlets in 6 months and generate a revenue of more than 25 lakhs. The Bombay Gourmet Store Retail store concept owned by Akshay Kumar serial entrepreneur signed up 8 outlets in 5 months and generated revenue of more than 45 lakhs.

Regardless of whether you are looking for franchise opportunities, business expansion, fundraising, turn-key project support, or selling your business, Franchise 100 is a one-stop destination for all your business needs. Right from preparing the deck & financial projection to connecting with the right investor and signing the term sheet, the professional team ensures it goes well.

The team also helps the brand with its exit strategy by getting it acquired by a prospective investor looking for scaling his business through acquisition, thereby making it a win-win for both brand & investors. Franchise 100 provides support for setting up outlets that include interior designing & contracting, kitchen design & manufacturing, and consulting for various licenses required to run the business.

Franchise 100 is looking forward toon-board with 100 brands by the year-end and signing up 100 outlets 2021-2022 for franchise 100 Top brands. With extensive business knowledge, sheer determination, and an efficient team, Franchise 100 is on a mission to empower people through its services. Visit (https://franchise100.in/) to know more about the franchise business model.

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There was no looking back for the bulls as they pushed the benchmark indices further higher on Wednesday, breaching the psychologically important mark of 54,000 for the BSE Sensex and 16,200 for Nifty50. Banks and financials were the star performers behind today's gain as a strong show by SBI in Q1 powered the sector.

Signs of macroeconomic recovery and firm global market mood were among the major factors that aided indices' rise to record highs. BSE Sensex closed at a fresh peak of 54,370, up 546 points or 1.02 per cent after scaling an all-time high of 54,465.91 in trade. Meanwhile, NSE's Nifty50 hit a new high of 16,290.20 to end the session 128 points or 0.79 per cent higher at 16,259.

In spite of indices being at record high levels, losers outpaced gainers on both Sensex and Nifty. Even, the overall market breadth favoured sellers as investors booked profit in the midcap and smallcap players.

Both BSE Midcap and BSE Smallcap ended over 1 per cent lower after scaling fresh peaks in the morning session.

Sectorally, Nifty Financial Services and Nifty Bank were the top performers, up over 2 per cent each. Nifty Realty meanwhile snapped its 4-day winning streak and ended 1.7 per cent down to emerge the worst loser.

In stock-specific action, the shares of Vodafone Idea continued to see hefty selling, so much so, that it declined 18.5 per cent to Rs 6.03 on the BSE. The shares took a beating after Vodafone Group Plc ruled out any further equity infusion in its debt-ridden telecom joint venture in India and promoter Kumar Mangalam Birla offered his stake in the company to the government.

On the other hand, SBI investors rejoiced after the lender posted its highest ever quarterly profit at Rs 6,504 crore in Q1, up 55 per cent YoY. The stock hit a new high of Rs 467.30 on the NSE and ended the day at Rs 457.05, up 2 per cent.

Meanwhile, Adani Green Energy also put up an impressive show in Q1 as its profit swelled by 10 times to Rs 219 crore for the June quarter but the shares still ended 1.50 per cent lower at Rs 694.60.

Titan shares declined over 2 per cent ahead of the Q1 earnings to Rs 1799.80 on the BSE to emerge as the worst-performing Sensex stock.

The primary market, meanwhile, remained abuzz. All four IPOs that opened for subscription got fully subscribed on Day 1 itself thanks to the retail frenzy in IPO mart. Exxaro Tiles was the most subscribed at nearly 4 times, followed by Windlas Biotech and Devyani International that received nearly 3 times bids. Krsnaa Diagnostics was subscribed over 1.7 times.

Lastly, on the macroeconomic front, India's Services PMI for July contracted for the third month in a row but analysts found a silver lining as the pace of contraction slowed. Services PMI rose from 41.2 in June to 45.4 in July. In Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) parlance, a print above 50 means expansion, while a score below 50 denotes contraction.

Going into trade on Thursday, it remains to be seen if profit booking ensues at higher levels after two days of stellar gains or if bulls hold their mettle. That said, volatility could remain high on account of the weekly F&O expiry. Further, Q1 earnings will remain in focus as over 100 companies, including Adani Power, NCC, GAIL, Tata Chemicals, Cipla, Quess Corp, Indiabulls Housing Finance and Gujarat Gas are slated to post their results. The action will remain high in the primary market with four IPOs open for subscription.
Babcock & Wilcox Sets Second Quarter 2021 Conference Call and Webcast for Thursday, August 12, 2021 at 5 p.m. ET
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A ship in the Gulf of Oman may have been a hijacking target Tuesday. (AP Graphic)
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It isnt clear which of Carlsons pieces MacFarlane is referring to. The commentator has expressed anti-vaccine sentiments and conspiracy theories about the origins of the pandemic, among other false and controversial statements.

This isnt the first time MacFarlane has voiced anger with Carlson and Fox. In 2018, he tweeted that he was embarrassed to work for this company after Carlson told the channels viewers to believe the opposite of everything they hear on other major news networks. He later donated $2.5 million to public radio (and deleted the tweet).

MacFarlanes relationship with Fox has undergone a few changes since then. In 2019, Disney acquired most of 21st Century Fox, and as such it now produces Family Guy through its 20th Television Animation unit. But the show airs on the Fox network, which is still a part of Fox Corporation, the Murdoch-controlled company that owns Fox News.

Meanwhile, MacFarlane personally broke with Fox by signing a nine-figure overall deal with Comcasts NBCUniversal last year  hence the reference to NBC in his tweet. His contract with Fox had expired in June 2019.

Fox has renewed Family Guy through season 21. MacFarlane is also the creator of American Dad, which was broadcast by Fox for 11 seasons before moving to TBS, and the live-action The Orville, which spent two seasons on the network then went to Hulu.

MacFarlanes tweet is significant because few animation creators go about publicly criticizing their broadcaster. That he feels able to do so, without fear of repercussions, speaks of his clout in the industry.
The death of Thea White, the voice of Muriel Bagge on Courage the Cowardly Dog, has prompted an outpouring of tributes from the industry. Marty Grabstein, who played Courage in the Cartoon Network series, has added his unmistakable voice to the chorus of condolence, as has the shows creator John Dilworth.

In a video posted to Facebook, Grabstein pays tribute to his old colleague, who passed away aged 81 on July 30 following surgery related to liver cancer. She made a very, very deep impact upon my life, says the actor, adding, She was a warm, loving, kind, extremely funny woman with a whole lot of energy  she had the energy of a 50-year-old. Watch the video below:

Grabstein and White worked together on all four seasons of Courage the Cowardly Dog (19992002) as well as spin-offs and specials, including the forthcoming crossover film Straight Outta Nowhere: Scooby-Doo Meets Courage the Cowardly Dog. As this latest project got underway, the pair started speaking again regularly, chatting about all kinds of nonsense at 2 a.m., Grabstein recalls.
Photo: BCWS

The Michaud Creek wildfire south of Edgewood has grown to 8,847 hectares in size.

Crews report reduced fire activity on the fire line. However, conditions could change quickly, the BC Wildfire Service reports.

The Regional District of Central Kootenay lifted an evacuation alert in the vicinity of the fire on Monday.

Good progress is reported on the control line to the north of the wildfire.

Crews have established pumps and water hose from the lake and continue to work toward the west.

Firefighters continue to look for and extinguish spot fires across Johnson Creek with water and hose, along with helicopter assistance as visibility allows.

Crews have also begun to establish a guard line south of Michaud Creek.

The majority of the fire has been inaccessible for helicopters due to smoke conditions; however, the wildfire is being monitored by satellite imagery. Planned control lines will be constructed as soon as conditions allow, with heavy equipment and planned ignition where possible.



A 15-person team from Alberta is assisting on the fire, based out of Nakusp.
Photo: The Canadian Press FILE - In this June 28, 2020 file photo, armed homeowners Mark and Patricia McCloskey, standing in front their house confront protesters marching to St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson's house in the Central West End of St. Louis. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has made good on his promise to pardon the couple. The Republican governor announced Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021 that he pardoned the McCloskeys, who pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges in June. (Laurie Skrivan/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP, File)

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.

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.

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.
Photo: MADELINE MILNE A bentwood box containing the ashes of her mother was taken from Madeline Milne's Victoria home some time between July 27 and Aug. 1, 2021.

Madeline Milne cant believe that the person who stole a wooden box from her home had the callousness to throw away her mothers ashes after finding them inside.

Her mother, Metchosin councillor Moralea Milne, died in a car crash in Surrey in 2018.

Its absolutely shocking that this is the one item that they would steal, and not the laptop or the TV or whatever, Milne said.

The ashes were found in an alley along Vancouver Street and taken to the Sands funeral home on Quadra Street, she said.

The funeral home messaged her Monday night to say it had the bag, then confirmed they contained her mothers remains on Tuesday morning.

Unbeknownst to me theres an ID tag on these things, and it turns out is our mothers remains, Milne said.

It is good news that the ashes are back, she said, but what a heartless thing to do.

The break-in is believed to have happened at Milnes Collinson Street residence some time between July 27 and Aug. 1, when the home was unoccupied. The theft was discovered by her roommate on Monday afternoon.

It was only thing stolen from the house, which was odd, she said. It would suggest that whoever stole it understood its monetary value. But if they understood its monetary value then they would probably also understand its cultural value  which is surprising to me they would then in turn steal it.

Milne said the bentwood box, which has a First Nations design, has been in the family for about 15 years.

It was where our fathers remains were and then our grandfathers and now our mothers, she said. Its a very distinctive piece of First Nations art, so anyone trying to sell it, I think, with the media coverage were getting right now, is going to be hard-pressed to sell it to any legitimate dealer, thats for sure.

Victoria police ask anyone with information to call them 250-995-7654 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Photo: File photo

The hijackers who captured a vessel off the coast of the United Arab Emirates in the Gulf of Oman departed the targeted ship on Wednesday, the British navy reported, as recorded radio traffic appeared to reveal a crew member onboard saying Iranian gunmen had stormed the asphalt tanker.

The incident  described by the British militarys United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations the night before as a potential hijack"  revived fears of an escalation in Mideast waters and ended with as much mystery as it began.

Hints of what unfolded on the Panama-flagged asphalt tanker, called Asphalt Princess, began to emerge with the maritime radio recording, obtained by commodities pricing firm Argus Media and shared with The Associated Press. In the audio, a crew member can be heard telling the Emirati coast guard that five or six armed Iranians had boarded the tanker.

Iranian people are onboard with ammunition, the crew member says. We are  now, drifting. We cannot tell you exact our ETA to (get to) Sohar, the port in Oman listed on the vessels tracker as its destination. It was not clear whether the crew members, whom he identified as Indian and Indonesian, were in immediate danger.

No one took responsibility for the brief seizure, which underscored mounting tensions as Iran and the United States seek a resolution to their standoff over Tehran's tattered 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

Apparently responding to the incident, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh on Tuesday denied that Iran played any role. He described the recent maritime attacks in the Persian Gulf as completely suspicious.

Over the past years, the rising tensions have played out in the waters of the Persian Gulf, where just last week a drone attack on an oil tanker linked to an Israeli billionaire off the coast of Oman killed two crew members. The West blamed Iran for the raid, which marked the first known fatal assault in the yearslong shadow war targeting vessels in Mideast waters. Iran denied involvement.

Late on Tuesday, the intruders boarded the Asphalt Princess sailing off the coast of Fujairah, authorities said. The official news agency of Omans military said it received reports that the Asphalt Princess had been hijacked and immediately dispatched Royal Air Force maritime patrol aircraft and naval vessels to contribute to securing international waters.

In the recorded radio traffic, when the Emirati coast guard asks the crew member what the Iranian gunmen were doing onboard, he says he cannot understand the (Iranians), his voice muffled, before trying to hand over the radio to someone else. The call then cuts off.

Possible signs of trouble began to emerge that evening when six oil tankers off the coast of Fujairah 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.

Satellite-tracking data for the Asphalt Princess had showed it gradually heading toward Iranian waters off the port of Jask early Wednesday, according to MarineTraffic.com. Hours later, however, it stopped and changed course toward Oman, just before the British navy group declared the hijackers had departed and the vessel was now safe.

The owner of the Asphalt Princess, listed as Emirati free zone-based Glory International, could not immediately be reached for comment.

The U.S. militarys Mideast-based 5th Fleet and the British Defense Ministry also did not respond to requests for comment. The Emirati government did not immediately acknowledge the incident.
Photo: The Canadian Press

The first strike at Vale Canada in more than a decade is ending after unionized workers at the Sudbury, Ont., mine ratified a collective agreement.

The company says members of United Steelworkers Local 6500 voted 85 per cent in favour of the five-year deal that takes effect immediately.

Employees will return to work beginning Monday with production ramping up in the weeks ahead.

The union says the agreement that expires May 31, 2026 provides a $2,500 payment in August in recognition of efforts during the pandemic, a $3,500 signing bonus to be paid in September, and a six per cent wage increase and minimum $2.46 per hour cost of living adjustment over five years.

Other changes include improved pension and health-care benefits.

The labour disruption began June 1 after workers rejected a proposal by the Brazilian mining company and opposed a subsequent offer.

"The past two months have been challenging for everyone," stated Dino Otranto, chief operating officer, North Atlantic Operations.

"We are pleased that the company and the union were able to find common ground and a path forward. We look forward to welcoming everyone back.

He said there are many opportunities ahead for the business because of the growing electric vehicle market since the nickel, copper and cobalt the mine produces are critical metals to achieve a low-carbon future.
Photo: The Canadian Press Bootleg fire in southern Oregon.

The federal government says neither Canada nor the United States can lend each other any extra firefighters as they deal with one of the most severe wildfire seasons in recent memory.

Last year, Canada sent 529 front-line crew members, 62 supervisory teams and a number of aircraft to help the U.S. battle rampant wildfires in California and the Pacific Northwest.

This year, however, Ottawa says there's not enough personnel to go around  and that the problem is only going to get worse.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Joe Biden discussed the wildfire situation Monday when the two leaders spoke by phone.

A Natural Resources Canada background memo says it's time for a new collaborative strategy, given the strain on resources caused by longer, more intense fire seasons.

In addition to their shared focus on mitigating climate change, the memo says Canada and the U.S. are discussing a "co-ordinated investment program" to increase the pool of trained firefighters.
Photo: Glacier Media

Vancouver Island hotels were at capacity, restaurants and bars were overflowing, and tourism operators saw encouraging numbers over the August long weekend.

Business was crazy  in some places even better than pre-COVID  as pent-up demand for travel spilled in from the mainland, aided in large part by wildfires and smoke blanketing most of the province.

Many of those rushing to the Island had originally planned to vacation in hotspots like the Okanagan and Kootenays, where wildfire smoke has been an issue for weeks.

Favourable winds have kept smoke away from the Island, which has no major fires, attracting visitors from elsewhere in B.C. and other provinces alike.

The number of places people can go has just shrunk  and were really seeing that demand here, said Bill Lewis, general manager of the Magnolia Hotel in downtown Victoria.

Accommodations in Tofino and Ucluelet were booked solid, mountain bikers invaded Cumberland and the Comox Valley, hikers packed the trails and parks, and restaurants and pubs up and down the Island saw lineups, and posted signs asking for patience. Licence plates from every province have been spotted throughout the Island.

A B.C. Ferries spokeswoman said from Friday to Monday, the major routes between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland carried more vehicles than the same period in pre-pandemic 2019. Sailings Monday were sold out.

At the Malahat Skywalk, the Islands newest attraction, 4,000 visitors walked the spiral walkway to the top on Sunday  far more than general manager Ken Bailey had expected. There were lots of pople from the Lower Mainland here, he said. But also a lot of people from the Island who decided to stay on the Island.

The increased tourism traffic comes with challenges, says Anthony Everett, chief executive of the Vancouver Island Tourism Association. He said most hotels, restaurants and other operaters are still recovering from the pandemic and are understaffed.

People are coming whether they have a booking or not, Everett said. Being busy is great, but it leads to challenges.

And it could get even busier when the province opens to fully vaccinated Americans this Monday.

Travelling with patience now is really important, said Everett. Im hearing that people are finding ad-hoc places to stay. The hotels are full, campsites are full.

The crisis is labour.

Everett said only about 20% of tourism businesses are operating with full labour pools, leaving the majority still grappling with new hires to meet demand.

Ian Tostenson, chief executive of the B.C. Restaurant and Food Services Association, said the industry has lost 45,000 workers since the start of the pandemic. It needs about 190,000 to operate efficiently. Thats an all-time low for the industry in B.C., he said, noting the shortages are most severe in Victoria, Vancouver and Kelowna.

We arent getting those people back  theyre gone, said Tostenson. I talk to restaurant owners who say they put out ads and nobody answers. The people who left are still on federal wage subsidies or are finding the industry isnt dependable and theyve left for tech jobs or food delivery or other work.

Tostenson said restaurants and pubs are compensating for short staffing by altering hours, simplifying menus and closing off some seating areas. Some owners are working seven days a week, 18 hours a day.

At Prince of Whale Whale Watching, the company had 10 of its 15 vessels operating over the long weekend as demand soared from B.C. residents and Albertans, as well as a growing number from Ontario.

Company spokesman Ian Macphee said although the rest of the summer looks bright, the company will still be down by 60% compared to pre-pandemic summers. Theres just not enough summer left  you cant catch up.
Photo: TNG

Chief Joe Alphonse, Tribal Chair of the T?ilhqotin National Government near Williams Lake, will receive B.C.s highest honour.

Alphonse is one of 16 people who will be appointed to the Order of British Columbia.

On June 26, 2014, after 25 years of litigation fought by the T?ilhqotin people, the Supreme Court of Canada declared Aboriginal title for the first time in Canadian history, in the T?ilhqotin homeland.

This marked a new era of recognition and respect for Indigenous rights and self-determination.

Alphonse would be the first to credit the victory to the sacrifice and bravery of the elders who testified at trial, and to the many who fought in court.

However, the nation says it is fitting that Alphonse receive the honour because of his critical role in advancing the rights and recognition of Indigenous peoples.

Despite various challenges such as the T?ilhqotin Nation's victory to protect sacred lands and waters at Fish Lake from destruction by open-pit mining, he has remained dedicated and a driving force behind much of the progress within, not only the T?ilhqotin Nation, but also with Indigenous rights provincially, nationally and internationally said TNG vice-chair Otis Guichon.

He is a good person to have at the negotiation table. He is a warrior for our people and passionate about preserving and protecting our traditional way of life and culture.

Alphonse also drove efforts to secure exoneration from British Columbia and Canada for T?ilhqotin War Chiefs who were wrongly executed in 1864.

During the Chilcotin War of 1864 and 1865, six chiefs were tried and hanged while negotiating peace talks with the colonial government. In 2014, the provincial government exonerated them of any wrongdoing. Then in 2018, the federal government followed suit.

The T?ilhqotin Nation said Alphonse has inspired and empowered Indigenous peoples around the world.

This year, 257 British Columbians were nominated and since its inception, 475 British Columbians have been appointed to the Order of B.C.

"Each one of this year's Order of British Columbia recipients has made tremendous contributions to their communities," said Premier John Horgan.
Photo: UNBC

British Columbia's inland temperate rainforest is in danger of being wiped out in nine to 18 years if logging continues at the current pace, an international team of scientists is warning.

The alarm bell was raised in a recently published study of the forested portion of the province's Interior wetbelt (IWB), a 16.46 million-hectare region that extends from Pine Pass down through the Cariboo Mountains and into Southeast B.C.

Inland temperate rainforest (ITR) covers 1.33 million hectares.

The ITR is also known as snow forest due to groves of interior cedar, hemlock and Engelmann spruce that have taken root on the slopes of valleys where discharge from deep winter snows provide an abundance of coastal-like moisture.

Ancient Forest-Chun T'oh Whudujut Provincial Park 115 kilometres east of Prince George is perhaps the best-known example.

Researchers scored watersheds for their risk of extinction and found the IWB met the criteria for being endangered and ITR for critically endangered  just one stage short of collapsed. They point to industrial logging as the main culprit.

Over the past 50 years, logging has removed 524,003 hectares of the trees in the ITR subzone, the authors state. Some 806,245 ha remains of which 235,449 ha are within provincial parks, leaving 570,746 ha exposed to logging.

Moreover, they say the rate of logging in the overall Interior wetbelt has roughly doubled from 5.3 per cent in the 1970s to 10 per cent in the early 2000s before declining to 7.04 per cent in the 2010s but still within the band the authors say will lead to ecological collapse within 9-18 years.

The authors also note the pace has increased more recently with approvals for logging rising by more than 40 per cent from 2020 to 2021, "presumably reflecting strong demand for timber and a shift away from interior pine towards IWB spruce especially in upslope areas."

B.C. is home to just one of three inland temperate rainforests on Earth, the others being in the Russian Far East and Southern Siberia.

The report authors suggest the region should be given the same attention the Great Bear rainforest on the coast has received and doing so would help the federal government meet its pledge to protect 25 per cent of lands and waters by 2025 and 30 per cent by 2030.

The findings of this research are a wake-up call for the province of British Columbia, said Dr. Darwyn Coxson, one of two professors at the University of Northern British Columbia who contributed to the study. Urgent action is required in consultation with First Nations to identify and protect remaining intact watersheds within the inland temperate rainforest and interior wetbelt and to look at ways in which the existing protected areas network can be supported.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Film and television giant Walt Disney Animation Studios has announced the planned opening of a new studio in Vancouver set for January next year.

The company says in a news release that the new studio would focus on long-form series as well as special projects created for the Disney+ streaming platform.

It says the Vancouver studio's work will begin with the musical series "Moana."

Story development, storyboarding and production design for all projects will still be based in its Burbank, Calif., studio, which also handles all of Disney's feature films.

The company says Amir Nasrabadi will head the studio in Vancouver after working in senior roles with Vancouver-based WildBrain Studios, Pixar Canada and Paramount Animation.

Disney Animation president Clark Spencer says both Burbank and Vancouver are home to some of the world's most talented artists and technicians.

"We believe the storytelling and visual quality created within each location will meet the incredibly high standards we set for ourselves and (which) audiences have come to expect from Disney Animation," he said in a statement on Wednesday.
ATLANTA (CBS46)  The Atlanta Police Department has released several new photos of people they say were in or around Piedmont Park on the night Katie Janness was murdered.

Police say the people in the images are not considered suspects, and APD hopes they are willing to come forward to share anything they may know about what happened that night.

If anyone was in the area around the time of the murder, or if anyone knows someone in these photos, we ask that they contact Atlanta Police Homicide Investigators or Crime Stoppers.

The photos were released while Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Police Chief Rodney Bryant were holding a press conference to update the community on the murder.

While the press conference was meant to be focused on the COVID-19 pandemic and what the city was calling a "Covid Crime Wave," both the mayor and the chief admitted the murder of Katie Janness did not fit the description of violence seen in the city over the last year.

What we are hoping is that these individuals will come forward and what we are hoping is that that they saw something while in the park, said Atlanta Police Deputy Chief Charles Hampton explaining why the department released the photos.

Atlanta's top leaders explaining today they need more help in solving the case.

Unfortunately, we still don't have all of the information in her murder to make an arrest, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said.

Emma Clark says she found her life-partner, Katie, stabbed to death that night. She went looking, pinging Katie's phone after she didn't respond to calls or texts.

Emma says she saw others in the park when she made the gruesome discovery.

I know somebody walked up on it right after I did, Clark said. I guess, because he came running out too. If anybody else saw something before I did. Because there are photos of people 20 minutes before I got here and theres people walking right past the entrance.

They're adding details on the type of person the public may want to look out for.

If you saw anyone with any unexplained injuries, an intense attraction to this case in the media. A change in appearance. A change in hair color. A change in any type of facial hair. An absence of school work, come forward give us a call, said Deputy Chief Hampton. There is nothing too insignificant, he added.

APD said Monday that the cameras were working the night of the murder, but clarified Tuesday that the 9 cameras in Piedmont Park are not integrated into the citys current video integration center that it tracks in real time.

CBS46 has multiple crews on this story today and will have much more on www.cbs46.com and tonight on CBS46.
California Department of Education

News Release

California Department of Education

News Release

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Announces 2021 National Youth Science Camp Delegates

SACRAMENTOState Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond named four outstanding students as Californias delegates at the 2021 National Youth Science Camp (NYSCamp).

Angelina Lee, Cerritos High School in Cerritos (Los Angeles County); Jessica Qu, Evergreen Valley High School in San Jose (Santa Clara County); Michael Zhao, Lynbrook High School in San Jose (Santa Clara County); and Vivian Hir, Quarry Lane School in Danville (Alameda County), were selected for their high achievement and proficiency in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

STEM educationor STEAM education, which aligns the arts with STEM learningis an incredibly important priority of mine. Not only is a STEAM education a great equalizer for our students with career opportunitiesespecially for our disadvantaged students and students of colorits the foundation for our future thought-leaders in science, the individuals we need as our society grapples with climate change, Thurmond said. Our students, who are our future CEOs and elected officials, need a solid education in environmental literacy to combat the deadly effects of a changing climate and a pandemic while moving forward in developing future technologies and industry.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this years NYSCamp was hosted as a virtual experience where delegates had the opportunity to attend over 325 individual sessions, including lectures, seminars, directed studies, and special events. The California nominees joined similar students from all across the country in gaining knowledge and experience in the STEM field. 132 top science students from across the United States and 12 Western Hemisphere nations represented the 59th class of delegates. Typically, the NYSCamp is held in the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia.

The NYSCamp is made possible through the planning and fundraising of the National Youth Science Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, whose mission is to inspire lifelong engagement and ethical leadership in STEM and related professions through mentoring, challenging, and motivating students.

Angelina Lee (Cerritos, Los Angeles County)

Angelina has been a part of the Science Olympiad, building Rube Goldberg machines and becoming interested in cryptography, since 2018. Frequently participating in Codebusters (a Science Olympiad event), she spent hours after school decoding secret messages using her knowledge of math and linguistics. As a part of the Science Olympiad Club in her high school, she has displayed her leadership talents through her recruitment of members and frequent training.

Through this passion and her experience in the Model UN, Angelina hopes to study math to become a computational linguist so she can help preserve languages and their cultural significance. She is planning to study computer science at the University of California this fall.

Jessica Qu (San Jose, Santa Clara County)

Jessica has been the head of Girls Who Code, a female-focused coding club at her high school, and part of her high schools math club. She not only shows impressive coding and math skills, but a passion for closing STEMs gender gap through her active recruitment and activity in Girls Who Code.

She is a talented scientist and mathematician as well as a determined student and leader who, in her own words, uses disappointment as a tool to drive her ambitions and bounce back from any setbacks. She hopes to study software engineering at either UCLA or Berkeley.

Michael Zhao (San Jose, Santa Clara County)

Michael became intensely interested in applying his lifelong interest in biology to public health during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. He collaborated with his countys Department of Public Health to inform his local community about the pandemic in addition to leading efforts to provide personal protective equipment to his community.

He actively works to improve his school and community. He worked to establish Silicon Valley STEM 4 Youth, which promotes STEM curriculum to youth in the community, and served as chair of the Santa Clara Valley Water District Youth Commission implementing youth creek clean-up events. He is planning to study biology and government at Harvard University, where his future plans include science in service of society.

Vivian Hir (Dublin, Alameda County)

A Science Olympian, Vivian found her passion for biochemistry and plans to become a biomedical researcher. In her leadership positions, she has continually assisted her fellow students in learning and enjoying science.

Vivian not only has a passion for biochemistry and medical sciences but science in general and hopes to connect multiple scientific disciplines in order to be a better scientist and mathematician. She is planning to study chemistry and biology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology this fall.

The National Youth Science Camp is made possible through the planning and fundraising of the National Youth Science Foundation , a nonprofit organization with the mission to honor, foster, and encourage youth interest and excellence in science.

# # # #

Tony Thurmond  State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Communications Division, Room 5602, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100

Last Reviewed: Wednesday, August 4, 2021
New northern Pakistan crushing site planned

04 August 2021

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial government of Pakistan has planned a limestone mining/crushing site at Khanpur for the cement industry. The scheme has been approved by the Cabinet and the Assembly as Annual Development Plan (ADP) in the FY21-22 financial budget for the country's northern area.

KP Chief Minister Special Assistant on Mining, Arif Ahmadzai, informed the media that the KP Mines Department had awarded rights for establishing stone crushers near Khanpur Dam, covering an area of 3750 acres with the potential of 300 crusher plants. He added that the area with reserves of around 8bnt of limestone could initially generate PKR200m-500m per annum (US$1.21m-US$3.04m), rising to PKR8bn per annum.

However, environmental experts are surprised about how the scheme was approved and became part of the ADP without any environmental assessment by the authorities.

It is pointed out that, after the Supreme Court ordered the removal of 60 stone crushers from Margala mountains in Islamabad, which was a significant source of limestone for stone crushers, and imposed a complete ban on mining, the owners of the displaced stone crushers were desperate to obtain mining rights in the vicinity. The then chief justice, while ordering the removal of stone crushers from Margala in 2016, said, "We don't want to make people jobless, but we have to protect the environment.

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Buzzi Unicem's net sales rise 6% in 1H21

04 August 2021

Buzzi Unicem's net sales in the 1H20 increased 5.8 per cent, standing at EUR1608.7m versus EUR1520.1m in 1H20, while EBITDA improved by 12.3 per cent, advancing from EUR313.9m to EUR352.5m.

After amortisation and depreciation of EUR122.8m (EUR128.4m in the previous year), EBIT amounted to EUR229.7m (EUR185.5m in 1H20). The income statement for the 1H21 closed with a net profit of EUR209.7m, compared to EUR216.7m in the same period of 2020.

Cement sales of the group in the first six months of 2021 stood at 14.8Mt, up 10.9 per cent when compared to the same period of 2020. The positive development in sales volumes recorded in the first three months of the year continued in the second quarter. Changes were favourable in all the markets where the company operates, except for a limited decline in Poland and a more marginal one in Germany.

However, it should be remembered that sales in April-May last year were penalised by heavy economic restrictions aimed at containing the pandemic, above all in Italy and Benelux.

Ready-mix concrete output also increased, reaching 5.8Mm3, up seven per cent compared to the previous year. In this business, the positive development recorded in Italy, Poland and Ukraine more than offset the unfavourable changes in the USA, Germany and the Czech Republic.

Outlook

"Looking at the second half of the year, the most recent estimates indicate that economic growth should continue, supported by the stability of the industrial sector and by the recovery in the services sector," reported Buzzi Unicem. "However, some uncertainties remain on the macroeconomic framework about the future evolution of the pandemic, in particular regarding the spread of the new COVID-19 variants."

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Chatham, VA (24531)

Today

Partly cloudy skies early then becoming cloudy with periods of rain late. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early then becoming cloudy with periods of rain late. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.
Chatham, VA (24531)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to cloudy skies and rain overnight. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening will give way to cloudy skies and rain overnight. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch.
McKamey Animal Center announces its newest initiative, K-9 to 5, bringing adoptable pets into offices and businesses around town to spend time and hopefully find a permanent new home. MAC K-9 to 5 partners get all of the benefits of furry friend companionship and the reward of potentially finding an adoptable pet a new home without any of the long-term commitment, said officials.

MAC has had a large influx of animals come into the shelter in the last few months, as it does every summer, and currently has over 560 animals in its care. This new K-9 to 5 initiative offers a new way to showcase some of these animals and expose them to potential adopters.

Having pets in the workplace can be a great morale booster, and getting the opportunity to spend time out of the shelter is critical for our animals," said Inga Fricke, MAC executive director. "This program is a huge win-win, for MAC, for the animals, and for the participants."

If a business is interested in participating, visit MAC's website and fill out the K-9 to 5 Partner Application. When ready, MAC will hand pick a dog or cat suited to hang out at the workplace. The K-9 to 5 program allows for dogs, cats, kittens and puppies to spend a day, a week, or even a month with a workplace. This flexible program allows participants to set the schedule  all MAC asks is that the workplace animal stays safe and happy while in care.

Chattanooga Police Department and the Family Justice Center are two local workplaces that have already signed up to participate as lifesaving K-9 to 5 Partners. Elisa Myzal, communications coordinator of CPD said, Having an adoptable dog with us at the Chattanooga Police Department makes for some of the best days, not just for the dog, but also for the dog-loving employees. The dog gets so much attention (treats too) and even a short time spent with a silly, happy pup is a welcome break from some of the hard stuff CPD personnel encounter on a way too regular basis. CPD gives McKamey's K-9 to 5 two paws up!

For more information, or to sign up to be part of the K-9 to 5 Program, please visit www.mckameyanimalcenter.org/k-9-to-5.
Not since the COVID pandemic first began 18 months ago have conditions been as grave as they are right now in Louisiana. Today a sweeping masking mandate will begin statewide for everybody, vaccinated or not, after the states hospitals on Tuesday set an all-time record for inpatients with 2,112, breaking the previous mark of 2,069 set in January. On Monday there were 11,109 confirmed new cases with at least 2,000 believed to be children.

The vast amount of the new cases, driven by the highly contagious delta variant, are patients who are un-vaccinated but Louisiana health officials said that some vaccinated people are included in the early week statistics.

The same health official believe that a fully vaccinated person is 25 times less likely to be hospitalized or die in this so-called fourth surge of the highly contagious disease and eight times less likely to get infected.

With hospitals so overwhelmed there is a fear their efforts to control the disease in-house might be compromised. I cannot in good conscience sit by while our hospitals lose the capacity to deliver life-saving care to COVID patients and non-COVID patients alike, said Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards as he called for total masking when anyone is in an inside setting. This includes schools, churches, and all universities.

In Florida there was a record 11,515 confirmed COVID-19 hospitalizations in the state, according to data released Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The delta-driven surge has hit a younger population than prior surges while filling hospital beds at a rapid clip, according to the Florida Hospital Association, which represents health centers in the state,

The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Florida jumped from 2,000 to 10,000 in 30 days during this current surge, double the pace seen last summer, said Mary Mayhew, the associations chief executive, per the Wall Street Journal. This is putting 25-year-olds in the hospital, in intensive care and on ventilators, Ms. Mayhew said.

What makes Louisiana and Florida so important is that they are 10-14 days ahead of Tennessee in the progression of the disease. While both states are reeling with the variant, Chattanooga and its region have yet to witness the true might of this delta variant.

* * *

THIS FROM THE WASHINGTON POST: Average daily new U.S. cases over the past month surged past 85,000 on Monday, surpassing last summers peak and now the highest since Feb. 18. Hospitals are treating around 50,000 COVID-19 patients, a census that more than doubled in two weeks but remains below last summers levels. Deaths have risen slightly to around 370 a day but remain far below the 1,000 daily averages in early August of last year.

Aileen Marty, an infectious disease expert at Florida International University, said new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing that the delta variant appears to cause more severe illness and is transmissible by fully vaccinated people echoes how her lab has been detecting high viral loads among the vaccinated in South Florida as it battles a surge.

Unfortunately, its not acting in such a way its preventing that vaccinated person from being a transmitter, Marty said. We are really thinking this is going to go on through August unless theres a massive change in behavior and vaccination rates.

Available research has repeatedly confirmed that vaccinations still offer robust protection against serious illness and death caused by coronavirus. The latest CDC data raises concerns about the role of vaccinated people who develop uncommon infections in spreading the virus, which is what inspired recommendations for wider masking as a precautionary measure.

Delta spreads like wildfire. But vaccines contain that fire and will eventually help to put it out, said Aditi Nerurkar, a physician at Harvard Medical School. For now, our shared goal must be to vaccinate everyone and avoid breeding vaccine discontentment. Vaccines continue to be the surest bet to keep people out of hospitals, ICUs and the obituary pages.

* * *

SURGE WILL GET WORSE BEFORE BETTER

THIS FROM THE WASHINGTON POST: The newly resurgent coronavirus could spark 140,000 to 300,000 cases a day in the United States come August, fueled by the highly transmissible delta variant and the widespread resumption of normal activities, disease trackers predict. The nation is already reporting more than 70,000 cases a day, according to The Washington Posts rolling seven-day average - an increase of nearly 60,000 in the daily average in less than six weeks. Cases, measured as that rolling average, have risen to levels last seen in February.

Justin Lessler, a University of North Carolina epidemiology professor who assisted in coordinating pandemic forecasts through the COVID-19 Scenario Modeling Hub, said he was quite concerned.  It worries me that we may have been too optimistic in projecting lower caseloads into the fall.

The seven-day average of cases nationwide has risen by about 60 percent in the past week alone. Daily hospitalizations rose by roughly 40 percent and deaths rose almost 30 percent, now averaging more than 300 each day. It is getting worse, and at least as of right now, it is not really slowing down in the U.S., said David W. Dowdy, an associate professor of epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

If there is a silver lining, it is this: Experts do not expect hospitalizations and deaths to rise to the levels experienced in the winter. The people who are getting sick are younger and healthier, Dowdy said. The surge has multiple propellants. The delta variant, which transmits more easily between people, is one.

Delta, originally detected in India and first diagnosed in the United States in March, rapidly replaced other variants to become dominant. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates delta is responsible for more than 8 in 10 new cases.

* * *

HIGHEST HOSPITALIZATIONS SINCE FEBRUARY:

THIS FROM ARIELLE MITROPOULOUS AT ABC NEWS -- According to federal data, nearly 56,000 patients are now hospitalized with COVID-19 across the U.S., marking the highest number of patients receiving care since February. Ninety-one percent of Americans are now living in high (a seven-day new case rate = 100) or substantial (a seven-day new case rate between 50-99.99) community transmission in the last week.

Seven states - Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Louisiana, and South Carolina -- have high or substantial community transmission in every county. Louisiana, Arkansas, Florida, Missouri, and Alabama currently have the nation's highest case rates, followed by Mississippi, Texas and Oklahoma.

* * *

ARKANSAS WITNESSES HIGHEST PEAK

THIS FROM MSN NEWS -- Another 81 COVID-19 patients were admitted to Arkansas hospitals on Monday, the highest increase in hospitalizations since the beginning of the pandemic, Governor Asa Hutchinson tweeted. The state now has 1,220 COVID-19 patients in hospitals, including 250 on ventilators.

"We continue to see nearly all hospitalizations among the unvaccinated," the governor wrote. "Hospitals are full & the only remedy is for more Arkansans to be vaccinated."

* * *

NEARLY 72,000 CHILDREN TEST POSITIVE

THIS FROM ABC NEWS ARIELLE MITROULOS -- Nearly 72,000 children in the U.S. tested positive for COVID-19 last week, a massive jump from the approximately 39,000 cases among kids one week earlier, according to a new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Childrens Hospital Association. Children represented 19 percent of all COVID-19 cases for the week ending July 29.

Severe illness due to COVID-19 remains "uncommon" among children, the two organizations wrote in the report. According to the nearly two dozen states that reported pediatric hospitalizations, 0.1 percent to 1.9 percent of all child COVID-19 cases resulted in hospitalization.

However, the two organizations warned that there is an urgent need to collect more data on long-term impacts of the pandemic on children, "including ways the virus may harm the long-term physical health of infected children, as well as its emotional and mental health effects."

royexum@aol.com
The next author featured in Southern Lit Alliances South Bound presentation series will be Susan Cushman, author of John and Mary Margaret, a novel about an interracial couple who meets at Ole Miss in the 60s.

Ms. Cushmans interview will be in person at the Arts Building, 301 E. 11th St., at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 1. Masks will be required for all attendees. Tickets are $15 for this event.

Ms. Cushman currently lives in Memphis, where she has lived since 1988. She has written in many genres, including short stories, novels, and memoirs. Her short story collection Friends of the Library performed well and is the basis for the expanded story of the characters in John & Mary Margaret. Her other works include but are not limited to the novel Cherry Bomb and the memoir Tangles and Plaques: A Mother and Daughter Face Alzheimers. Ms. Cushman is a frequent speaker and director at numerous writing conferences, workshops, and literary festivals, and her latest endeavor involves leading a monthly creative writing group at a senior living facility. Learn more about Susan Cushman and her career at susancushman.com.

About John & Mary Margaret:

In John and Mary Margaret, Ms. Cushmans second novel and seventh book, she fleshes out their stories, covering over 50 years of their lives in Mississippi and Memphis against the setting of the Civil Rights Movement and on into present day.

The novel is ultimately an exploration of white privilege and romance as we watch Mary Margaret grow up in Jackson, Ms. and participate in sorority life at Ole Miss in the late 1960's while John pursues his dream to study law at the predominantly white university. What happens when what begins as a shared love of literature between the two blossoms into a romance? How will the couple cope?

For more information about Southern Lit Alliance, please visit www.southernlitalliance.org or call 777-4221.
Publix Super Market, Inc. agreed to pay $50,000 to settle a religious accommodation discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the federal agency announced Tuesday.

According to EEOCs lawsuit, Publix violated federal law when it made an offer of employment to an applicant, a member of the Rastafarian religious sect, at a Publix store location in Nashville and then asked the applicant whether he was withdrawing his application after he refused to cut his hair to meet Publixs grooming policy. The applicant, who wears dreadlocks as part of his sincerely held Rastafarian religious belief, requested a religious accommodation that Publix allow him to continue to wear his dreadlocks without cutting them. Because Publix denied the applicants request for a religious accommodation, the applicant chose not to work for Publix.

Publix's alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bans religious discrimination in the workplace. The EEOC filed suit in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, Nashville Division, (Civil Action No.3:17cv1308), on Sept. 27, 2017 after attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process.

In addition to the monetary relief, the two-year consent decree, entered by Judge Eli Richardson, requires, amongst other things, Publix to consider applicants requests for religious accommodations; reasonably accommodate qualified employees or applicants whose religious beliefs conflict with Publixs Grooming Standards; and to distribute and provide training on Publix's non-discrimination and religious-accommodation policy to all human resource employees, managers, supervisors at Publix Store 12 in Nashville.

Employers must consider an applicants sincerely held religious belief and not judge the merits of a particular religion when deciding whether to provide a religious accommodation, said Faye Williams, regional attorney of the EEOCs Memphis District Office. Going forward, Publix will not only consider requests for reasonable religious accommodation but will conduct training sessions for its managers and supervisors to ensure they know about Title VII and its requirements.

Edmond Sims, acting district director of the Memphis District Office, said, The Memphis District Office is pleased with the outcome of this case. It sends a clear message to employers that they should not require applicants and employees to choose between gainful employment and their religious beliefs.




River City Company announces its new 2021-2022 Board of Directors. New Board of Directors members Include: Martha Leiper, executive vice president and chief investment officer Unum, and James McKissic, president, ArtsBuild.

Also serving on the 2021/2022 Board of Directors are:

Executive Committee:

Andrew Kean: Sovereigns Capital, Board Chair

Jennifer Goodman: Elliott Davis, Vice Chair

John Giblin: BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Treasurer

Dana Perry: Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, Secretary

Tom Griscom: Consultant, Immediate Past Chair

At-Large Members:

Valoria Armstrong, Tennessee American Water

Dr. Rebecca Ashford, Chattanooga State Community College

John Bilderback, CARTA

Mayor Jim Coppinger, Hamilton County

Ken DeFoor, DeFoor Development

Alnoor Dhanani, Double Cola

Yancy Freeman, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Mayor Tim Kelly, City of Chattanooga

Greg Martin, Commissioner District 3

David Wade, EPB

Barry White, Chattanooga Tourism Company

Honored at the July Board of Directors meeting with a Resolution of Distinguished Service were Charlie Arant and Corky Coker, who both served on the Board of Directors for over two decades and contributed insight, advice, and perspective on the many projects of River City Company.

In addition to the new Board of Directors members, River City Company also welcomed Amanda Mayo Leming as the new director of Operations and Special Projects. Since 2009 Ms. Mayo Leming has worked in property management, focusing on business development and project management. During that time, she spent over seven years focused on multi-family housing in the greater Chattanooga area.

Ms. Mayo Leming has served over three years on the Nightingale Network Grant Committee for the Womens Fund of Greater Chattanooga, and previously spent two years as the secretary on the Board of Directors to the Nooga Diversity Center.

She said she is excited to work as the director of Operations & Special Projects and collaborate with the entire River City Company team on her passion to make downtown accessible and inclusive for all Chattanooga area residents and visitors.
Local nonprofit Bible in the Schools presented Hamilton County Schools with its annual community gift of almost $1.8 million as reimbursement for the 2020-2021 countywide Bible History elective program. Bible in the Schools Board Chairman Tom Glenn and President Cathy Scott presented Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson with the $1.8 million gift. Also present was Bible in the Schools' board member Mike Harrell.

Dr. Johnson said, "It is an honor to once again accept the gift of Bible History on behalf of Hamilton County Schools. This gift sponsors the education of thousands of public school students in our district. The countywide Bible History elective program encourages students in grades 6-12 to recognize the rich cultural connections between an ancient text and our modern world. Hamilton County seeks to graduate students who are future-ready and prepared for success in college and career. By thinking critically and engaging in historically rich conversations, HCS is preparing students to become global thinkers and responsible citizens."

Founded in 1922, Bible in the Schools provides Bible History elective courses for public school students in Hamilton County. Entering its 100th year, Bible in the Schools now reaches 29 public schools and over 4,600 students in grades 6-12. Demand for Bible History continues to grow, as 2021 recorded the highest Bible History enrollment numbers yet. HCS data reveals that, of the 19,006 students in the county who had access to Bible History elective courses in 2020-2021, one in four students completed a Bible course for graduation credit.

Bible History courses are funded entirely by the supporters of Bible in the Schools. Mr. Glenn said, "As we approach our 100th school year, it is an honor to present this gift to our public schools, as it represents the heart behind so many donors in this community. Such generosity makes the gift of Bible History available to so many young lives." Because of the generosity of the community, Bible in the Schools provided the largest community partner donation to Hamilton County Schools given in the 2020-2021 academic year.

Ms. Scott said, "The Hamilton County public school Bible History program has been a daily dispenser of hope in this community and reflects the generosity of so many committed partners. Studying Bible History in our public schools helps ground and awaken students to the rich cultural footprint that the Bible has had on history while offering students hope, values, and life lessons relevant to the tough issues they wrestle with daily. We believe that a knowledge of the Bible is a key component to a well-rounded education that encourages students to not just be passive observers of society, but active contributors in a global world. Thank you to all who have donated generously to enrich Hamilton County Schools with a text that crosses all cultural, socioeconomic, and racial barriers while still touching lives each day."

Bible History classes follow guidelines established by a 1980 federal court ruling which affirmed that the teaching of for-credit Bible History elective classes in Hamilton County's public middle and high schools is constitutionally permissible. The Bible History curricular framework is court-approved and aligns with the Tennessee Department of Education's state academic standards. The Hamilton County-based program also leads the nation with the largest concentration of public school students in any one school district studying the Bible. The program is entering its 100th year.

More information regarding participating schools and courses offered is available at www.bibleintheschools.com.
Graduates walk across campus on their way to the commencement ceremony

Lee University conferred 178 degrees on Saturday during its summer commencement ceremony. Attendees heard speaker Phil Cook challenge the graduates in Lees traditional ceremony in the Conn Center.

Today is about you, Mr. Cook told the graduates in his address. The robes, the music, the honors, and the applause are meant for you. But what about the rest of your life? When you leave today, the rest of your life shouldnt be about you, it should be about serving God and serving others.

Mr. Cook also urged graduates to consider the words his father told him, that leaders eat last. Mr. Cook warned that society advocates for always coming in first, but that it is important for a leader to put others first.

Mr. Cook has been a part of the Lee University family for more than 30 years. He and his wife Tonya, both Lee alums, began their service at Lee as resident directors. He served at the university from 19932021, and his tenure in the Office of Admissions began in 1997. Most recently, he served as the vice president for enrollment, where he was responsible for admissions, financial aid, graduate enrollment, international students, Kingdom Players, and veterans affairs.

Mr. Cook recently moved to Fort Wayne, In., where he works as executive director and CEO of the North American Coalition of Christian Admissions Professionals, an organization that supports and coordinates the student enrollment efforts of 300 faith-based institutions across the country.

He earned a Master of Divinity at the Church of God School of Theology and his Bachelor of Science in business from Lee. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in higher education administration at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Of the 178 degrees conferred on Saturday, 117 were bachelors degrees and 61 were graduate degrees. The summer event is one of three graduation weekends at Lee each year. Lee also holds commencements in May and December.

Saturdays ceremony was preceded by the Commissioning Service on Friday night, which featured five student speakers sharing their experiences at Lee. The student speakers were Micah Davis, Christopher Gill, Lauren Goss, Corrine Perez, and Hope Sheppard.

The commencement and commissioning ceremonies can be viewed at https://livestream.com/leeu.
Isaiah 57:1-10 paints a clear picture of the great difference between men who attempt to live righteous lives and those who have no such intention. Unrighteous men will always persecute righteous men and rob them of any chance at peace in this life. Unrighteous men will always mock authority, including The Supreme Authority who created all things. The Righteous Judge of the whole universe will certainly call those rebels who mock Him to account.

If and when He leaves us to our own desires, we receive a most terrifying punishment.

Isaiah 57:11-13 continues the rhetorical questioning, "Whom have you so dreaded and feared that you have been false to me, and have neither remembered me nor pondered this in your hearts? Is it not because I have long been silent that you do not fear me? 12 I will expose your righteousness and your works, and they will not benefit you. 13 When you cry out for help, let your collection [of idols] save you! The wind will carry all of them off, a mere breath will blow them away. But the man who makes me his refuge will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain." (NIV) It is a tragic mistake to fear pieces of carved wood and stone instead of the Living God who spoke creation into existence. Jesus sheds sobering light on this issue, Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28 NASU)

We like to think that we have good deeds to weigh against our bad deeds, but the truth is that we really do not have good deeds to speak of because almost always our motives are bad. Thus, our so-called good deeds are not righteous at all. In any case, they will not earn any good standing before God. The idols we worship will be of no help to us either. Our only hope is to put our trust in Christ and take refuge in Him. Then, and only then, will we inherit eternal life with God in heaven.

The passage has one other question, and it relates to our lack of fear of God and falsehood toward God that has caused us to forget God. Verse 11b asks, Is it not because I have long been silent that you do not fear me? This is a common problem with human beings. Our short-sightedness leads to impatience and forgetfulness. We seem to think that the only important time and place in history is that which is occupied by us. We live as if we are the first people to occupy time and space. We seem to believe that delayed judgment means judgment is not coming. 2 Peter 3:8-9 clears this misconception up and at the same time speaks of Gods patient love, But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (NASU)

God is patiently waiting for the time He has already chosen. As every moment passes, humans either accept opportunities to trust God or reject opportunities to trust God. At the perfect time, the time God chooses, He will call every human being to account. Because He has not yet done it, does not mean He never will. Repent and believe the gospel before it is too late.
Election officials said over $51,000 was spent conducting the recent special primary election for House District 29 in which each party had only one candidate.

The general election pitting Democrat DeAngelo Jelks and Republican Greg Vital will be Sept. 14. 14.

The seat was formerly held by Rep. Mike Carter.

Election Administrator Scott Allen said election commissioners need to begin thinking about whether they want to expand early voting for the 2022 elections.

He said the startup cost for an early voting site is $70,000, and it takes $35,000 per site for operations costs.

In order to get ready for the May 2022 primary a decision needs to be made by this October, he said.

Mr. Allen said he was one of a small number of election administrators across the state invited by Secretary of State Tre Hargett to Nashville on Tuesday to meet with Committee on House Administration Ranking Member Rodney Davis (R-Ill.). There was a roundtable discussion "about Tennessees safe, fair and secure elections."

Rep. Davis is working on crafting a Faith in Elections project.

He said, Whether its Ohio where I was earlier this week or here in Tennessee, local and state officials are working to make it easy to vote and hard to cheat. Secretary Hargett and local election officials helped ensure a record-number of Tennesseans could cast their vote in last years elections. As part of our Faith in Elections Project, were seeing exactly how a one-size-fits-all, federal takeover of election administration just will not work.

Congressman Davis's visit to Tennessee was part of his Faith in Elections Project tour across the country. During the tour, Congressman Davis is meeting with state and local elections officials, legislators and others to learn about their work on federal elections and discuss ideas for state-level reform and the removal of federal impediments. The purpose of the Faith in Elections Project is "to promote voter confidence in our elections systems and outcomes through education, engagement and reform."

Secretary Hargett said, "I was honored to welcome Congressman Davis to Tennessee for this important roundtable discussion. Our office worked with county election administers across the state to conduct a safe, trustworthy election with record turnout in the midst of the pandemic. Our success is evidence that the best way to ensure election integrity is at the state level, not a one-size-fits-all mandate from Washington, D.C.

During the roundtable, Secretary Hargett, Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins and county election officials discussed Tennessee election procedures, what the federal government could do to support election administration in Tennessee and how proposed federal legislation could negatively impact Tennessee elections.

Thirteen Tennessee county administrators of elections and one assistant administrator attended the roundtable, including Mr. Allen and Mark Stephens from Anderson County, Summer Leverette from Bedford County, Josh Blanchard from Cocke County, Jill Davis from Cumberland County, Amber Moore from Hardeman County, Chris Davis from Knox County, Susan Harrison from Loudon County, Elizabeth Black from Montgomery County, Tim Sweat from Morgan County, Alan Farley from Rutherford County, Linda Phillips from Shelby County, Lori Atchley from Sumner County and Tammy Smith from Wilson County.

Mr. Allen said other election officials at the meeting "were really impressed with the audit process that we use. We have received a lot of praise for that process."

He said in Tennessee that election results are compiled very quickly with a minimum of instances of fraud or error.
Mr. Boyd's statement, calling all us American citizens, choosing to practice our rights not to take the "vaccine", was on the stupid side. Personally, I feel like people who take a vaccine that has been thrown together in a matter of months, that looses 80 percent of its effectiveness in six months, could be making a big mistake.

Notice that instead of calling you an idiot, Mr. Boyd, it is obvious that you are choosing to take the vaccine, which is your right, just like me not taking it is my right. It's just one more right that is being taken away from us.

You might want to re-phrase your words next time and don't come off sounding like a bully. You have no right to scare people, when you don't know what the side affects of this vaccine are 10 years from now.

Maybe if the information that our officials give us didn't change every time you speak, the American people might have some confidence in you.

Regina Townsend

* * *

Rather than respond with my own thoughts, I would much prefer to invoke the late, great defense secretary, Donald Rumsfeld.

He wisely made his choices by acknowledging: there are known knowns; there are known unknowns; and there are unknown unknowns.

If the writer of the letter above is still with me, then we can all agree that there is no way to know for certain what the 10 year potential vaccine side effects are. That is a known unknown.

We do know that refusing the vaccine and becoming infected with COVID can result in sickness and hospitalization up to and including death. Not to mention spreading it to others. That is a known known.

How we and our fellow citizens choose to survive this pandemic remains an unknown unknown.

Michael Mallen, health, safety and environmental attorney

* * *

For the record, Moderna says its vaccine is 93 percent effective after six months.

Pfizer says its vaccine is 91 percent effective after six months.

Chris Blevins



* * *

You know who doesn't get to decide whether to get the COVID vaccine? Children under 12. They are completely without protection.

The only thing that will keep them safe is you, getting yourself vaccinated.

It's not a matter of "If I die, I die". You're also saying "If the kids die, they die". Because you have the ability to do something about it and are choosing not to.

It's not a matter of being an idiot not to get vaccinated. It's a matter of being selfish, cowardly, and shamefully willing to endanger children over your own fears.

Ray Ingraham

* * *

There are many reasons to encourage (not require) people to get vaccinated, but with all due respect to Mr. Ingraham, "It's for the children!" isn't a very good one.

According to official CDC statistics, children up to the age of 14 represent less than 0.1 percent of COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. It truly is a disease that overwhelmingly kills older people, all of whom have either been vaccinated or chosen to take the risk of declining the jab.

Statistically, children under 14 are more likely to die in an auto accident than of COVID. So by Mr. Ingraham's logic, parents who transport their children anywhere in a car (or allow them to ride on a school bus) must be "shamefully willing to endanger" their progeny.

Joe Dumas




The investiture of U.S. District Judge Charles E. Atchley, Jr., will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20, in the Joel W. Solomon Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Chattanooga.

The judges of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee invite the public to attend.

Judge Atchley succeeded Judge Harry S. Mattice, Jr., who took senior status last year. He previously served with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee for 20 years, including as First Assistant U.S. Attorney since 2018. He was an Assistant District Attorney General in Tennessees Fourth Judicial District from 1994-2001.

Judge Atchley holds a bachelors degree from the University of Tennessee and a juris doctor from Samford Universitys Cumberland School of Law.

Retired U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander will speak, along with former U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey and Knoxville lawyer Wade V. Davies. The Right Reverend Brian L. Cole, Fifth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee, will offer the invocation and benediction.



A reception will be held at The Read House immediately following the ceremony.
Amazon Primes longest-running series Bosch made Titus Welliver a household name. The star who plays Hollywood homicide detective Harry Bosch has appeared in dozens of projects over more than three decades in the industry. That said, Welliver can relate to his unbreakable character for the most heartbreaking reason.

Titus Welliver almost pursued art long before Bosch

Titus Welliver at a screening for Bosch | Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Amazon Studios

RELATED: Bosch Star Titus Welliver Once Explained Why He Doesnt Cover Up His Almost 30 Tattoos for the Show

Titus Welliver tried to follow in his father Neil Wellivers footsteps, but art school didnt stick for the Bosch star.

I became very disillusioned after a year of art school and my father said to me, If its not what you love and want to do then dont do it. He said, Youve always loved the theater and acting why dont you consider that? Welliver told the Toledo Blade in 2015.

So I did. I kind of packed up my stuff in an Army duffle bag, my dad bought me a bus ticket back to New York, and it has been many years  it was not romantic and was hard work  but it sustained me and fulfilled me.

Welliver has a long list of credits

It eventually paid off in spades. As one of Amazon Prime Videos most successful projects to date, Bosch may not have necessarily put Welliver on the map, but it did put a name to his recognizable face. Since 1990, Welliver has starred in a plethora of projects including Deadwood, The Good Wife, Sons of Anarchy, and Lost.

Harry Bosch isnt Wellivers first law enforcement role, either. The veteran star has played some version of a cop or agent in many shows and films. NYPD Blue, Big Apple, Shaft (and more) showcase Wellivers talents in the crime drama sector. Hes also played a number of senators in Red 2, White Collar, Kidnapped, and more.

Bosch is Wellivers longest role yet and arguably his most successful. As the lead homicide detective in Hollywood, Harry Bosch balances a traumatic past with solving some of the citys worst murders. Unfortunately, Welliver can relate to the darker parts of his character.

Why Welliver connects to Harry Bosch on a deep level

RELATED: Bosch Season 6 Recap: Everything You Need to Remember Before Watching Season 7

You cant tell by looking at Welliver but his life was filled with tragedy. To start, his baby sister died when he was a child and it only got worse from there.

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. He died at 45, he said. When one sustains that kind of loss I think its very difficult to trust happiness.

He continued: So I think in many ways it formed not always the best parts of myself. I lost my wife a couple years ago who was the mother of my daughter, and I was married before and we had our two sons together, he said, referring to his wife Elizabeth Alexander who died of breast cancer in 2012.

Those losses, he said, prepared him for the role of Harry Bosch.

Theres an aspect of Bosch which is deeply appealing to me, he said. He has a tremendous vulnerability. This is a guy who sustained a really traumatic childhood, we get glimpses into that in the pilot. And the readers of the books know his back-story is deeply painful.

He added: But I think that anybody who has a job that faces the darkest parts of society and sadness cant go untouched by that. So theres that great righteousness that Harry has. Being the advocate, he speaks for the victim, and hes driven by that to seek that justice. But hes a deeply haunted character. Hes seen too much.

Welliver finds light in his children but struggles with faith

And thats that  TitusWelliver (@welliver_titus) July 11, 2021

RELATED: Bosch Cast Members Titus Welliver, Madison Lintz to Star in Spinoff of Amazon Series

Despite the challenges, Welliver looks to his children for respite.

To regain a sense of footing and trust and have your spouse die is devastating, to say the least. That being said, the births of my three children are the most magical and beautiful moments of my life.

The star now has four children saying, Im blessed to have such wonderful children and they made me very, very proud and I, in some way, define my success in life by my children. Because I look at them, Ive had a tough go of it, but they are a source of light and love that is immeasurable.

However, his sense of faith was shaken by the loss of his baby sister.

I thought if there is a God and we are led to believe by religious texts that God is here to protect us, why would you take a life of an infant child? It makes no sense, he said.

He continued adding tragedy is tragedy but theres a way to carry on through the darkness. Its something he and his character aim to do.

We spend lives as human beings loving people we are close to and there is a chapter in which they depart. And its completely unfair, but theres no way around it. You see the train coming, but you cant anticipate the impact.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry tied the knot in front of millions of people in 2018. The couple has since moved to California and is raising two young children together.

A lot of onlookers wonder about the ins and outs of the Sussexes marriage, and according to a royal expert, it works because of Meghans decisiveness.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | Karwai Tang/WireImage

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry had a whirlwind courtship

Meghan and Harry first met in the summer of 2016 when Meghan was visiting London. The two of them went on a blind date and quickly began a relationship. For their third date, Meghan and Harry even went on a trip to Botswana.

Some people around the couple were concerned about how quickly the relationship was progressing. For example, Harrys older brother, Prince William, reportedly advised him to take things slow, but royal experts say Harry went ballistic at the suggestion.

In the fall of 2017, Meghan and Harry announced their engagement. Then, they got married several months later.

The Sussexes stepped down as senior royals in early 2020less than a year after Meghan joined the royal family. Meghan and Harry, then, moved to California with their son, Archie. The couple welcomed daughter Lilibet in 2021.

Meghan Markle makes decisions for Prince Harry, royal expert claims

RELATED: Prince William and Kate Middleton Have Been Sending Secret Messages to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Royal Expert Claims

Onlookers have often compared Meghan and Harrys marriage to that of Queen Elizabeths uncle, King Edward VIII. In 1937, Edward married American divorcee Wallis Simpson against the wishes of his family and political leaders, forcing him to abdicate the throne.

Royal expert Tom Quinn noted in the recent documentary Meghan at 40: The Climb to Power that Meghan and Harry have a dynamic similar to that of Edward and Wallis.

Mrs Simpson was a strong, dominant woman who gave Edward VIII everything his mother hadnt given him, he was vulnerable just as Harry is vulnerable, Quinn said, according to Express. If a man who is not very decisive meets a very decisive woman or the other way around they often get on very well because one makes the decisions and the other one goes along with it.

Quinn added, Meghan and Harry work because Harry is quite a vulnerable person who only lived in this gilded cage, hes not very worldly. Meghan makes things happen, Meghan makes the decisions.

What Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are doing in California

RELATED: Princess Anne Allegedly Thought Meghan Markle Was Attention-Seeking and Told Prince Harry Not to Marry Her

After stepping down as senior royals, Meghan and Harry announced they would pursue financial independence from the royal family. While living in California, they are each taking on different jobs.

For example, Meghan and Harry both signed a deal with Netflix, though at the moment they are working on different programmings. Earlier this year, it was revealed that Harry is creating a docu-series about the Invictus Games. Meanwhile, Meghan is an executive producer for a childrens show about influential women.

Additionally, Harry has also signed on to be a Chief Impact Office at the mental health startup BetterUp.

The Sussexes have become authors as well. Meghan recently published a childrens book called The Bench. Next year, Harry will release a memoir about his life.
Raiders of the Lost Ark, starring Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones, is one of the most important movies in pop culture history  having inspired so much of the current media landscape thanks to its unique spin on the 30s and 40s adventure novels that inspired Steven Spielberg and George Lucas to make it. As fantastic as the film turned out, however, it wasnt always an easy project to work on. Beyond just coordinating the dangerous yet impressive stunts and wrangling the star-studded cast, there were a few moments where everyone might have wished they were working on Jaws. One of these occasions came when almost the entire cast and crew came down with an illness at the same time except for Spielberg himself.

Most of the Raiders of the Lost Ark cast and crew got sick in Tunisia  except Steven Spielberg

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, directed by Steven Spielberg. Seen here, Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones. | CBS via Getty Images

Just like in the movie, the filming of Raiders took everyone around the globe to get the right locations. One of the countries where Spielberg and the gang decided to shoot was Tunisia, using it as a stand-in for Egypt. This proved to be a mistake.

According to IMDb, over 150 crew members became sick at the same time from eating the local food. It probably didnt help that the desert heat was also peaking at around 130 degrees most days, either. Put all of that together and you have yourself a truly miserable shoot.

Surprisingly enough given his past experience on the aforementioned Jaws, Spielberg managed to dodge the food poisoning that wrecked the rest of his people. Seemingly having foreseen this kind of thing happening, the director opted to only eat and drink what hed brought with him from England  primarily Spaghetti-Os and bottled water. While he was probably sick of the flavor by the end of filming, he was at least not sick with dysentery.

Harrison Fords illness changed one key scene in the film

Among the people affected by the food poisoning was none other than Harrison Ford himself. The Han Solo actor had a miserable time on set during this part of filming, especially since he had to perform in a number of action scenes while actively sick. Despite this, its hard to tell without this foreknowledge given just how good he is as an actor, keeping up his energy and banter with Karen Allen like nothing was wrong.

That said, some things did have to change because of the illness. This was most notable in what was meant to be the epic confrontation between Doctor Jones and the sword-wielding henchman seen near the middle of the film. What was meant to be a full fight scene complete with extensive choreography by both parties was reduced to a single, comical gunshot by Indy, taking out his would-be nemesis in a single attack. This happened because Ford was simply too sick to be doing all the necessary stunts for the scene, so he suggested the now-iconic change to Spielberg.

Filming Raiders of the Lost Ark in Tunisia was not pleasant

Even without the food poisoning, Tunisia was not kind to the people behind Raiders of the Lost Ark. The deserts were extremely hot throughout the entire shoot, which was bad news for everyone who had to be shoveling sand for the dig site scenes. For his part, Ford suffered yet another injury during filming when a real plane went out-of-control and ran over his knee. Thankfully, his injuries were less serious than expected, as the heat had actually worked in the crews favor and softened the rubber tire enough to prevent a broken bone. Ford, apparently fed up with the whole country by this point, opted to simply wrap his knee in ice and keep filming instead of seeking out a Tunisian hospital.

All in all, the experience was so unpleasant that Spielberg managed to compress the six-week shoot schedule into just four and a half weeks. That kind of efficiency is almost unheard of, but it makes a lot of sense knowing what everyone was dealing with on location. According to Spielberg and Lucas, the only thing that kept them going was thinking of David Lean, 54 at the time of shooting Lawrence of Arabia in 1962, when they endured these conditions for 14 months of filming. Compared to that, things didnt seem too bad.

RELATED: Indiana Jones Movies in Order and How to Watch Them
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic isnt over quite yet. With cases of the Delta variant rising, many people are starting to be more cautious once again. Teen Mom 2 star Kailyn Lowry and her family have been traveling throughout the pandemic and the former teen mom had strong opinions against getting any of the coronavirus vaccines. Now, the reality star has tested positive for the virus, as well as infected her podcast co-host.

Kailyn Lowry | Matthew Eisman/FilmMagic

Kailyn Lowry has COVID

On Tuesdays episode of her podcast, Baby Mamas No Drama, Lowry revealed that she and her co-host Vee Rivera had contracted the virus.

For those of you guys listening who dont know, Vee and I have Covid, she said.

Were Covid queens, Rivera added.

Lowry revealed that she and her sons had tested negative while on vacation in the Dominican Republic and after she returned, but started feeling sick a few days later.

I knew because I felt like s all week, she said. Once I lost my taste and my smell, I knew what it was. I knew.

Kailyn may have given her costar COVID

Rivera thinks that she could have contracted COVID from Lowry.

I think it was the same for me, Rivera said. I was with you Sunday and I was perfectly fine. But after spending the day at a water park, she said the virus took her out. She was in bed all day and just felt all around awful.

I felt bad, we were on vacation, Lowry said. I would not have been around people if I knew I had Covid, but I tested negative twice.

Lowrys four sons, Isaac, Lincoln, Lux Russell, and Creed all tested positive, as well as Lincolns father Javi Marroquin.

Thankfully, the kids have been asymptomatic, Lowry recently told HollywoodLife. So that was good. Im coming through the other side of it. And Im hoping to be cleared later this week, and you know, get back to work and do all the things, but I feel better now. So Im feeling better, thank you.

Is Kailyn vaccinated?

This isnt Lowrys first time getting COVID. Lowry first contracted COVID last year after a trip to Iceland. In March, her son Lincoln had it as well. It is unclear whether Lowry is vaccinated. However, in 2020 when she was asked about getting vaccinated, she said Absolutely no, according to Too Fab.

Rivera, on the other hand, is vaccinated.

I am 100% vaccinated, so that could have helped me, Rivera said. The worst part about having COVID for Rivera has been being isolated from her family. Lowrys oldest son Isaac is fully vaccinated and Lincoln is at least partially vaccinated. The star received backlash earlier this year for not vaccinating Lux.

I guess the only thing I can really say and continue to stand for is to parent how its best for your child and family, Lowry told InTouch after receiving criticism. People dont love everything I do, but I dont shove my beliefs down anyone elses throat. I know whats best for my kids, and other parents know whats best for theirs.

RELATED: Teen Mom 2: Kailyn Lowry Claims MTV Tried to Fake Her First Meeting With Javi Marroquin
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
In mid-July, after thousands of Cubans in multiple cities demonstrated against their government on a scale not seen in the communist nation in decades, US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told them not to look to the United States for sanctuary.

The time is never right to attempt migration by sea, he said at a press briefing. To those who risk their lives doing so, this risk is not worth taking. Allow me to be clear: if you take to the Sea, you will not come to the United States. The Caribbean passage is dangerous, particularly during hurricane season, continued Mayorkas, a Cuban immigrant himself. Any Cubans who attempt it, he reiterated, will risk death for nothing.

This isnt a new policy. Neither is it a good one. Mayorkas is right about the danger of the trip, and perhaps as a practical matter his advice against attempting it is wise. But as a matter of principle and policy, the United States should stand ready to welcome Cubans who flee here.

The type of safe haven Mayorkas refused Cubans is called asylum. Asylum seekers meet the requirements for refugees but have a different process for admission to the US. A refugee, per the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is a person who is unable or unwilling to return to his or her country of nationality because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. Refugees apply for entrance to the United States from outside our borders, then undergo a vetting process that takes around two years.

Asylum seekers are a smaller category of people. An asylee, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says, is someone who meets the above definition of a refugee and is either already present in the United States, as were the Olympic athletes who entered with legal visas and then sought asylum, or is at a port of entry, such as an airport or border crossing.

US law says foreign nationals have a right to ask for asylum if they can get here, even if they initially enter our country illegallylike landing on a Florida beach after a boat ride from Cuba. There are a few exceptions to that right. Most are about individual history, but one can be applied more broadly: Asylum requests can be dismissed if the attorney general determines asylum seekers can be sent to a safe third country with that countrys assent. Thats the loophole Mayorkas invoked for Cubans. (He didnt specify what third countries might be used.)

On paper, asylum may seem uncontroversial. If someone fleeing, say, religious persecutionwhich continues in Cuba, despite some liberalization since the fall of the Soviet Unioncan get to the United States, shouldnt we let them come in? After all, pursuit of religious liberty is one of the reasons this country exists, and if we can share that blessing with people who cant obtain it in their home countries, surely were living up to the greatest of our national aspirations.

The trouble is that many immigrants who make asylum claims on arrival to the US dont meet the definition of a refugee. Thats not to say they havent experienced severe hardship, but often theyre better characterized as economic migrants than true asylees. They seek asylum not because they honestly believe theyre qualified but because without special professional skills, educational plans, or family connections in the US that could get them a visa, asylum is their only remotely plausible way to immigrate here legally. Its this misuse of the system that has made asylum a deeply contentious matter.

For those fleeing Cuba, their hardship will always have a political element, which our country should consider. As President Joe Biden said this month, mere days after Mayorkas told Cubans to go away, Cuba has suffered 62 years of repression under a communist regime. Havana is a totalitarian police state, a dictatorship without regard for the most basic human rights, including religious freedom. Browse CTs archives on Cuba and youll find accounts of the evil institutionalized in this government; of lives transformed by escape from Cuba to the US; of pastors arrested, surveilled, and harassed.

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Its like a cold war, one Cuban pastor told CT for a 2009 report. Its a psychological bombardment. In recent protests, police set dogs on a Baptist pastor who recorded their violence on his phone. He and a fellow pastor, also arrested, havent been heard from since they were taken into custody. Thats not unusual for this regime. Government tactics against critics include beatings, public shaming, travel restrictions, short-term detention, fines, online harassment, surveillance, and termination of employment, Human Rights Watch reports.

This is a distinct situation from that of would-be asylees from most other Latin American and Caribbean countries (with the exception of Venezuela and perhaps Nicaragua, the other Western Hemisphere states to consistently join Cuba near the bottom of international freedom rankings). People coming from Mexico, for example, may be fleeing grave poverty, gang violence, and/or government dysfunction. But they arent fleeing an explicitly communist regime that barely pretends to guarantee freedom of worship and freedom of conscience.

Cuba stands out as the most politically oppressed country close to US borders. That combination of proximity and politics should give Cubans special consideration. US politicians, on the right and the left, who condemn the brutal, communist regime in Havana, do seem to give it that consideration. But when Cubans trying to escape brave the journey to the US, where we fashion ourselves an international beacon of liberty, too many of those same politicians turn them away. This is an unseemly doublemindedness that discredits the best principles we claim (Matt. 5:37; James 3:10).

What Im suggesting here isnt outlandish. In fact, priority admission for Cuban migrants on exactly these grounds was US policy for roughly half a century. From the 1960s until 1995, any Cuban who got to US territorial waters could pursue permanent residency here. Then, until early 2017, the wet foot, dry foot policy said Cubans had to reach US soil to be thus permitted to stay. The Obama administration ended that policy, the Trump White House further hindered Cuban entry, and the Biden administration has responded to Cubas present turmoil by sanctioning Cuban officials while also refusing entry to their victims.

Immigration policy is a sprawling mess over which reasonable people can disagree in good faith. I favor looser immigration rules as a matter of individual liberty, but I understand and take seriously many of the objections raised by those who want more restrictions.

I think, though, that Cuba is a relatively simple case, since it is so close and its government so oppressive.

Many Cubans, of course, will want to stay where they are, particularly if these protests prove to be the start of a durable shift in Cuban life. But for any who want to come to the United States in search of freedom, especially the right to worship as they please, the door should be open.
Ive been teaching for nearly 40 years and the best experiences I have had teaching have been the cohorts at Northern Seminary. The combination of a week-long intensive with an active Facebook cohort page along with trips abroad for 10plus days  the classes become a fellowship of friends, of fellow followers of Jesus, and a classroom joy that transcends ordinary classes.

Think of joining us this summer. We begin with a one-week intensive but then the classes during the school year can be on campus or in our innovative Northern Live alternative. Think about enrolling.

A whole new perspective. One night a week is our normal schedule after the summer intensive. From anywhere in the world.

Transform the way you do life and ministry with Northern Seminarys Master of Arts New Testament degree in whatever format works best for your busy life.

Classes are held just once a week so you can still work in the church, have a job and spend time with your family.

Regardless if you are with us in person at our state of the art facilities or through our easily accessible Northern Liveonline platform , you get the opportunity to interact with our Faculty at Northern Seminary.

By studying the New Testament in a Jewish and Greco-Roman context, the life of Jesus, Paul, Peter and John  among other characters like Junia and Priscilla and Phoebe and Mary  are seen in a refreshingly new way. Class after class, you will feel your confidence rising as a competent minister of the gospel, built on a solid foundation of biblical understanding and application.

For more information, reach out to our admissions department or visit the website anytime at www.seminary.edu/mant/.

Spots are open, so apply today!
At least 7 killed, over 250 houses destroyed in series of overnight attacks in Nigeria

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A series of violent attacks during weekend nighttime raids in Nigeria blamed on Fulani radicals has reportedly led to the deaths of about seven people, the destruction of nearly 300 houses and the displacement of many. However, a leading Fulani advocacy group has put the blame for the violence on local youths.

Suspected Fulani militants attacked villages in Nigerias Miango district in the Plateau state during unhindered and undistracted attacks that began Saturday night into Sunday morning, according to a statement released Sunday by the Irigwe Development Association.

According to the statement, the violence resulted in around 100 acres of farmland being destroyed, at least 250 houses burned and mass displacement.

We are calling on government and security agencies to come to our aid, as our people have been left homeless, their farms destroyed and loved ones killed," IDA Secretary-General, Comrade Danjuma Dickson Auta, said in an interview with The Daily Post.

He said these actions have been a recurring decimal as the many homes and farms have been destroyed by the heartless people.

According to the United Kingdom-based aid agency Barnabas Fund, the attack occurred in a "predominantly Christian area."

Sen. Hezekiah Ayuba Dimka, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics who represents Plateau Central District, called on security agencies to find the perpetrators of the barbaric crimes, The Sun News reported.

Week after another, communities of Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Bassa, Jos South and Jos East local government areas have come under intense attacks," the senator said. "The pattern has been the decimation of farmlands, killing and maiming as well as loss of lives in the most barbaric manner."

He emphasized the attacks should not be glossed over, and the perpetrators should be brought to justice.

Coming as they did, and disturbing as we have witnessed them, these are not isolated cases going by the pieces of information that are circulated before the attacks take place, he continued. It is expected the security should be on top of the situation.

Ezekiel Bini, the national president of the Irigwe Development Association, told This Day newspaper that assailants organized themselves into different groups that destroyed crops and looted households before setting properties on fire.

Our people are in pains following yesterdays attack by Fulani gunmen in some of our communities including Zanwrah, Kpachudu and Kpatenvien. What we have is a humanitarian crisis in Irigwe land," Bini stated. So far, we have counted seven people that were killed during the attacks and nine people who sustained gunshot injuries."

As we speak, 275 houses were burnt down and over 22,000 people displaced including women, children and the aged," he added. "Some of the displaced persons are currently taking refuge in neighbouring communities in Miango district, while many others have relocated to Jos for safety.

However, the state chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Nura Muhammad, which advocates for the Fulani pastoralists, blamed the continued violence in the region on Irigwe youths, adding that six members of the Fulani herding community lost their lives in the violence over the weekend and 11 were hospitalized.

What happened yesterday was that the Irigwe people mobilized their kinsmen and attacked our people in Rafin Bwauna village, a settlement mainly occupied by the Muslims, Hausa and Fulani," Muhammad was quoted as telling This Day. "We tried as much as possible to inform the security but to no avail."

The United States-based religious persecution watchdog organization International Christian Concern reported that a contact in the region visited the affected area and confirmed the attack.

We call on the international community to come to our aid, the local ICC contact was quoted as saying. The Nigerian government has betrayed us and allowed us to [fall] under the mercy of guns because of our faith.

The military cannot help by containing the situation, but they were rather on the side of the Fulani (militants), the contact continued. The house of the chief of Jebu Miango was burned down along with scores of other houses. It was [a burning] spree for the marauders while the security watched without saying anything.

Please pray as we are helpless, the contact added.

The attack comes as Open Doors USA reports that more Christians are murdered for their faith in Nigeria than in any other country.

In recent years, thousands of Nigerian civilians have been killed in violent attacks by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province in Nigeria's northeast, and radicalized Hausa-Fulani herdsmen have attacked and razed predominantly Christian farming communities in Nigeria's Middle Belt.

As killings have escalated in recent years in the farm-rich Middle Belt, the government has claimed that the violence is nothing more than decades-old clashes between herding and farming communities. However, some advocates have contested that explanation and fear religious factors are also at play.

A recent report from the Anambra-based International Society for Civil Liberty & Rule of Law estimated that over 3,400 Nigeria Christians have already been killed in 2021.

Around half of Nigeria's population identifies as Christian, and there are over 95 million believers in the country. The divide between Christians and Muslims is roughly even, according to Open Doors.

Nigeria, Africas most populous nation, recently became the first democratic nation to be added to the U.S. State Department's list of "countries of particular concern" for tolerating or engaging in egregious violations of religious freedom under the International Religious Freedom Act.

Open Doors USA ranks Nigeria No. 9 on its 2021 World Watch List of countries where Christians face the most severe faith-based persecution for extreme levels of Islamic oppression.

A commissioner on the U.S. Commission on International and Religious Freedom warned in an annual report that Nigeria will move relentlessly toward a Christian genocide if action is not taken quickly by the government and international community.

The Global Terrorism Index ranked Nigeria as the third-most affected country by terrorism in 2020. The index reports that over 22,000 people were killed by acts of terror from 2001 to 2019.

Critics have slammed the Nigerian government for failing to thwart the terrorist activity in the country. Insurgent groups continue with violence and kidnappings and often receive ransom payments even though the government denies paying ransom to terrorists.
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Over the weekend, gunfire erupted in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Five people were shot on Bourbon Street, while another four were shot, and one person was killed, on Iberville Street. The crown jewel of New Orleans tourism has now become a shooting gallery. It is no longer a rare event to learn of multiple shootings in the French Quarter during a weekend.

For a city that depends on tourism, these kinds of incidents are devastating to the economy of New Orleans.

Videos showed hundreds of people fleeing the gunfire, running for their lives. Even though police officers were in the vicinity last night, the brazen shooters were not deterred. A 15-year-old boy was the shooter in the Iberville Street incident. The victims were also teenagers.

On Bourbon Street, the victims ranged in age from 25 to 51. If officers cannot provide safety on Bourbon Street, there is little hope that there will be adequate safety in other crime-ridden areas of New Orleans.

In the French Quarter, there are always extra officers since members of the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) are assisted by members of the Louisiana State Police. Unfortunately, it does not seem to deter the regular outbursts of violent crime.

In New Orleans, crime increased dramatically in 2020 and the trend is continuing for 2021. Violent crimes such as shootings, armed robberies, carjackings and murder are significantly higher this year.

According to the personal finance website, WalletHub, New Orleans has suffered through the highest per capita increase in homicide in the country since the start of the pandemic. WalletHub reported that there were 18 homicides per 100,000 residents in Q2 2021, which topped the list, as did its 7.42 homicide increase since Q2 2019.

Similar data is also being reported by residents of New Orleans. In the annual Crime Coalition survey, New Orleans residents testified that the city is becoming unsafe. In the 2020 survey, 57 percent of residents said the city was safe. In the 2021 survey, only 35 percent say its safe  thats a 22-point drop.

The citizens of New Orleans have an accurate perception of the crime. According to the NOPD, by mid-July, there were already 250 shootings, 108 murders, 120 carjackings and 192 armed robberies in New Orleans.

New Orleans has had a violent crime problem for decades; however, it has only gotten worse in recent years. Historically, New Orleans has been ranked as one of the murder capitals in the nation.

The reasons for the carnage are longstanding and multifaceted, such as broken families and no discipline in public schools. However, New Orleans also has a dysfunctional criminal justice system. The recently elected Orleans Parish District Attorney was financially supported by George Soros and believes in a much more lenient approach to dealing with criminals than his tough-on-crime predecessor. Also, the criminal court judges are notoriously lax in handling juvenile offenders, who comprise a major percentage of these violent offenses.

Just like many cities across the country, New Orleans suffers from a massive shortage of police officers. In New Orleans, there has been a shortage of police officers for many years.

Currently, the city has about 1,150 police officers, but to adequately provide safety to citizens and tourists alike, law enforcement experts contend there need to be approximately 1,600 officers.

The shortage began during the last mayoral administration when budget cuts resulted in the cancellation of new recruitment classes of officers. The deficit has never been addressed since that time. In the meantime, the overall anti-police attitude across the country has impacted New Orleans as well. This has led to many officers taking retirement or leaving for other departments such as the neighboring Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office.

In this respect, New Orleans is like many other cities led by Democrats. Statistics show that crime is exploding in all these areas. While the soft-on-crime approach was a problem for many years, the riots of 2020 truly accelerated the crisis in urban America.

In the aftermath of the death of George Floyd, crime in cities across the country erupted. Along with riots and looting, there were irresponsible calls to defund the police. With police being targeted by Antifa and Black Lives Matter protesters, more officers decided to retire. At the same time, it became much more difficult to recruit new police officers to join departments under siege.

Throughout the country, cities with Democratic leadership are seeing a tremendous increase in crime in 2021. While President Biden and congressional Democrats like to blame guns, the real problem is that there are too many criminals on the streets. Cities across America do not need gun control, instead, what is really needed is criminal control.
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A July 23 New York Times full page ad implored: Let Cuba Live!

Readers may have expected the ad to offer solidarity to anti-regime protests and to call for an end to Cubas 62-year-old communist dictatorship with one-party rule enforced by a police state.

But no, the ad urged removal of U.S. sanctions on Cuba, which it claimed are the real cause of Cuban suffering, repeating the claims of Cubas dictatorship. There was no mention of human rights or the appeals of protesters.

Signers to the ad were predictable: Jane Fonda, Daniel Ellsberg, Susan Sarandon, Noam Chomsky, Oliver Stone. Jeremy Corbyn. CODEPINK, and Black Lives Matters Global Network. Regarding the latter, it should be noted that black Cubans have prominently protested against the regime and suffered consequences for it.

Also signing was Jim Winkler, chief of the National Council of Churches (NCC), which includes over 30 mainline Protestant, historic black and Eastern Orthodox communions, although it is mainly associated with liberal mainline Protestants. Winkler formerly headed the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

Similarly, a Presbyterian Church (USA) official on July 23 penned his own letter blaming the U.S. for Cubas troubles, while silent about the dictatorship, addressed to Cuban siblings in Christ: We recognize and confess the part our country plays in the suffering of the Cuban people. Perhaps these Cuban siblings were befuddled by the silence about the more proximate cause of their sufferings.

There is no surprise here. The NCC, United Methodist and mainline Protestant agencies have for 50 years apologized for Cubas dictatorship. During the 1970s and 1980s mainline agencies were enmeshed in Liberation Theology and saw Castros revolution supposedly on behalf of the poor and oppressed as an expression of Gods Kingdom. They hailed Cubas supposedly high-quality free healthcare while ignoring Castros totalitarianism, which included persecution of religion, no free speech, and incarceration if not death for tens of thousands of dissenters, not to mention the poverty enforced by corrupt state ownership of property.

These churches, without informed consent by their memberships, also hailed Cuban proxies like the Sandinista dictatorship in Nicaragua and the FALN guerrillas in El Salvador, along with other Marxist liberation movements backed by the Soviet Union.

Its a sad history. U.S. church delegations commonly visited Havana, as in 1991, met with Castro, and said little to nothing about human rights abuses. Sometimes they hosted Castro in New York, as in 1996, when Castro told the NCC: We see in you and your actions the expression of the best values and intentions of the American people, and, We love you very specially, and always welcome you to our country. You are teaching us to be Christians.

Then NCC chief Joan Brown Campbell in 1999 joined Castro to address a regime rally of 10,000 in Havana, apologizing for U.S. policies. In 2000, Riverside Church, cathedral of liberal Protestantism, hosted Castro in its pulpit in 2000 as hundreds in the pews cheered and waved Cuban flags in what might be called Cuban Communist Christian nationalism.

With other clerics, Campbell hailed Castro for, among other accomplishments, orchestrating the return of little Elian Gonzalez, in which Campbell played a prominent role. Castro of course denounced Americas criminal embargo as the real violation of human rights. And he thanked the NCC for its solidarity. (Watch amazing video.) (Heres text of his speech.)

In 2015, Campbell, by then retired from the NCC, met with Castro in Havana a final time. Cuban media hailed her for having shown many times her solidarity with Cuba. The following year she joined Jesse Jackson in Havana to speak at an ecumenical memorial service for Castro.

Campbell and other U.S. church officials who collaborated with Castro and other regime officials no doubt would argue that their relationships with that regime, and near public silence about its human rights abuses, facilitated liberalization of anti-regime policies in Cuba. Churches now have more freedom, and by some accounts there is Christian revival in Cuba. Its safe to say that the Gospel is now more popular in Cuba than communism.

But U.S. church groups that continue their silence about the dictatorship have even less excuse now that Cuban churches are speaking in solidarity with calls for more freedom. Heres what Cubas Methodist Church recently said:

"We reject the repression exercised against the people who were protesting. Confrontation and violence only lead to death, mourning, and insecurity. Refusing to listen to the peoples voice, those who were peacefully making their claims, equals to closing the only door to understanding and the power to live in peace. We declare that the people must have freedom of speech. The peoples voice must be heard when they claim for their rights. In these few years, the government has been proclaiming that the Cuban nation must be inclusive, rejecting the exclusion of minority groups; therefore, the fact that an individual does not agree with the political system does not make them antisocial or delinquent. They must receive the same right as other groups in society. Because Cuba ought to be a free and sovereign country, where all their children are respected, both those who support the revolution, as those who do not sympathize with the sociopolitical system."

Maybe U.S.-based mainline Protestant groups could at least echo U.S. Catholic bishops:

"As protests continue in Cuba and among the diaspora in the United States, we would like to express our solidarity, as well as that of our brother bishops in the United States, with our brothers in the Cuban episcopate, and with all men and women of goodwill in Cuba."

Its true that U.S. mainline Protestant groups like the NCC are much diminished and no longer influential. Their leaders never spoke for most church members on political issues like Cuba. But their tragic history of abetting Cuban oppression is a black mark on Christian political witness. They now have the opportunity, while Cubas dictatorship still lamentably stands, to rectify that tragic history and offer genuine solidarity to Cubans seeking the same liberties that Americans too often take for granted.

Originally published at Juicy Ecumenism.
Hundreds volunteer with Samaritan's Purse to help victims of deadly flooding in Germany

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Over 350 volunteers affiliated with the international evangelical humanitarian organization Samaritan's Purse have partnered with a church to bring emotional, spiritual and physical support to the victims of the flooding that killed over 200 people across Europe this month.

Over 177 people died in Germany as a result of the historic natural disaster. In the rural Western German district of Ahrweiler, a record amount of rainfall recently caused the regions Ahr River to pour muddy rainwater into various towns.

Nearly 200 residents of the town drowned to death because there was reportedly nowhere for the rapidly rising muddy water to travel due to the communitys valley, which has steep hills on both sides full of vineyards, according to North Carolina-headquartered Samaritan's Purse.

The Samaritans Purse German affiliate office began organizing volunteers the day after floods swept through North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatine states. Samaritans Purse has deployed 14 international disaster response specialists to support the efforts of its German affiliate office.

Samaritan's Purse disaster relief specialist Nick Bechert told The Christian Post that numerous homes and family businesses, which have been around for thousands of centuries, have been destroyed by over 6 feet of mud water. The water swept into the villages in Ahrweiler and eventually washed into the North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatine states.

After the floodwaters receded the next day in western Germany, thousands of volunteers from Evangelische Freikirche Koeln Ostheim church in Cologne, Germany, partnered with Samaritan's Purse to bring physical, emotional and spiritual support to residents in need.

Over the past week, mud has been removed from the centuries-old structures bucket by bucket. Many homes are reportedly still in the de-mudding process and various structures in the path of the flood water will have a long way to go to be rehabilitated.

There were untouched piles of debris all over entire streets  and much of the towns were filled with a thick, slippery mud, said Bechert. He is just one of the 14 international disaster response specialists for Samaritans Purse who has worked tirelessly using a bucket in his hands to remove mud from many buildings and homes.

It was hard to hear stories of how fast the water came through, how there was no time to prepare for it, leading to the loss of life and increased property damage.

Bechert, a 35-year-old Zionsville, Indiana resident who discovered his Christian faith in his early teens, said he has worked with Samaritans Purse for 11 years since the organization's response effort in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake.

He said he'd had a passion for helping and extending love in times of crisis since his sophomore year at Indiana University when his Campus Crusade chapter sponsored a spring break trip to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

When you are away from your comfort zone and focused on the work God has prepared for you, you will learn, grow and see amazing things. ... Helping often leads to great opportunities to share why you are there and provide hope that goes beyond the physical support, he said.

I believe that God calls us to help our neighbor  no matter where in the world that neighbor may be. Right now, they happen to be in Germany after a flood. A major component of this response [effort in Germany] has been facilitating hundreds of Christians from all over Germany to be present and supportive, working in homes along with families and individuals working to rebuild their lives.

Bechert said Samaritan Purse has a team of counselors on staff in various villages who listen to impacted individuals and remind them that God loves them and they are not alone.

Our site leaders have been trained in spiritual and psychosocial first aid and they know the common signs of trauma to be looking out for, how best to listen and be present with hurting people, and then what resources to link to, he said.

The loss of life from this disaster has been devastating, Bechert stressed.

Please pray for the families in Germany and pray for our teams as we provide immediate aid and that God would use us to continue ministering to families in the weeks and months to come.

Local law enforcement continues to search for missing people. And within damaged businesses and homes, generations of families priceless heirlooms and personal belongings have been destroyed or lost.

For many of the survivors, Bechart said, they will remain impacted by the flood for months due to physical needs and emotional trauma.

Homeowner Michael Munn-Buschow told Samaritan Purse that he and his wife, Iris, live in a home that has been in Iris family for hundreds of years.

Within a matter of hours, not only his basement but also the first floor was underwater.

I looked out the roof window, and suddenly the Ahr came closer and closer to us, he was quoted as saying. Employees from Samaritans Purse came and helped us.

Bechert said he often reminds survivors affected by natural disasters about Gods love. However, he often receives questions, such as: Why did God let this happen? Is this punishment or a test? or How could a loving God allow such pain and suffering?

Ive learned over time that it is best to be honest that I dont have all the answers and to sit and listen and share in their lament, Bechert said. What I can be confident in is sharing about Gods love for us, not just by sending His followers from around the world in a time of crisis, but also by making a way for us to be in a relationship with Him.
Families 'rejected' by churches unable to handle special needs children find acceptance

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The DiToro family in Westbury, New York, is among many that have felt rejected by churches incapable or unwilling to handle the challenges presented by their children with special needs.

Edward and Jessica DiToro and their 7-year-old special needs son, Samuel, say they were turned away and rejected from a local church. They claim that their son was not welcomed in, wrongfully judged and misunderstood.

The DiToros, both in their 40s, told The Christian Post that they left their previous church because they did not like the way the Sunday school nursery teachers treated their son.

The teachers reportedly told the couple that their son "should walk and talk like the other children" and "should be more social with the other children.

Samuel was often told to leave the nursery when he would hit another child and the teachers reportedly never took preventive steps to prevent the incidents from happening in the first place.

I believed that the nursery teachers felt that our son had to fit the same phenotype as the other children in the nursery, Edward DiToro recounted. I also don't think that they spoke to him to make sure Samuel felt like he was welcome there. He was just thrown in with the other kids and expected to behave like them.

All they would do was say that Samuel did something wrong, whether it's hitting a kid or soiling himself or having a temper tantrum. And there was never any positive feedback given on any week, nor did anyone work one-on-one with Samuel, Jessica DiToro added.

The DiToros said the churchs congregation often avoided Samuel on multiple occasions and the pastor treated Samuel differently for years.

Eventually, in 2019, the family switched to another church called Point Lookout Community Church in Point Lookout, New York.

They said that their son is constantly engaged in an activity at their new church, whether coloring pictures or reading.

Like DiToro's, many parents with special needs children are searching for in-person or online ministries geared towards meeting their childrens needs or even having the ability to attend a church that welcomes and loves their special needs children.

For some, such ministries helped them overcome their painful experiences in their previous churches, but it has also helped them remain hopeful amid the challenges they have faced during the pandemic.

The youth ministry curriculum developer Orange published a recent article titled How to Start a Special Needs Ministry at Your Church." The piece details three ways any church can learn and meet the needs of special needs children with ministries designed explicitly for them.

The author, Rev. Meaghan Wall, has lead the special needs children's ministry at Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas. She is the lead pastor of the special needs ministry for dozens of kids of all ages called GIFT: God Is Faithful Throughout." The ministry aims to nurture special needs students by encouraging their desire for a Savior and developing their faith.

Having heard countless stories of church hurt from hundreds of families involved with her special needs ministry, Wall said she felt led by God to write the article because she truly believes all special needs children are made in the image of God and are created with great purpose."

"Because God has a plan for them and churches can potentially harm family generations by turning families with special needs children away from the church," she told CP in an interview.

Some churches put up barriers because they dont think God has it in their plan to serve the special needs population, and they dont take the time to learn how to meet the needs of special needs children, Wall added. How will the family members of these special needs children view the church as a whole if their sibling or child has been turned away from the church?

When they see their special needs sister or brother was wrongfully rejected, they are likely to turn away from God," she continued. "[A]nd when these siblings get older, they will raise up children that also dont believe in God, and the cycle goes on and on for generations. ..."

Many of the parents Wall works with have previously attended churches without special needs ministries, and some were asked to leave. Others were given ultimatums that involve choosing to follow strict stipulations for their special needs children or not return to the church.

The pastors of these churches, she said, often demand the parents to have their special needs children sit very still, quiet, remain separated from the other children, or even stay monitored at all times by a caregiver in addition to the Sunday school teachers.

It takes a lot for families to come back to church when theyve been hurt and told, your child cant be handled,' Wall said. We have to serve and love everyone and point everyone to the Gospel. Every church should have a special needs ministry, and every seminary school should teach special needs instructional classes to raise up generations of pastors who can meet everyone's needs.

Wall said that "there is no excuse" for pastors and church leaders not to be educated on working with special needs children. Wall contends that pastors can "take a class, read a book, or an article online."

Pastors can even go to their special needs teachers in the school districts in their communities and learn a thing or two from them, she added.

Since the pandemic hit, Wall said, she has seen an increase in the number of people who attend her virtual special needs ministry classes from other countries. Her adult special needs class attendance has increased. And throughout the pandemic, she offered an online special needs marriage class, which was attended by more people than she has ever seen before.

The pandemic has led me to offer activities in an online format which has allowed those who dont have access to a church with a special needs ministry to attend, she said.

Although the DiToros new church does not have a ministry specifically designed to meet the needs of special needs children, the family said their new church had done its homework.

The parents said the church had made an effort to treat special needs children equally and they are educated on special needs childrens specific needs and ways to work with them.

The congregants have been very welcoming of Samuels needs in the Sunday school program during church services, Jessica DiToro said.

When the pandemic first hit in 2020, the DiToros said their new church took it as an opportunity to love them even more deeply through maintaining connections virtually.

At first, the pandemic transitions were frustrating and difficult because Samuel did not want to wear a mask and didn't understand the importance of wearing a mask. As a result, it was difficult for them to take Samuel to places where masks were required.

During those early months of the pandemic, the DiToros said they would often take turns to run errands to allow for one parent to stay home to watch Samuel. They also stayed home and watched church virtually.

Point Lookout church has a number of special needs children of all demographics, who were facing similar challenges during the pandemic, Edward DiToro said. The church rose to the occasion and provided not only the virtual services to those children in need but also a networking system with the parents of special needs children.

Point Lookout Church has reportedly helped many parents with special needs children similar to the DiToro family. Although their ministry leaders and pastors do not specialize in special needs care and education, parents have said they have seen firsthand how the church demonstrates their mission to be and to build community for the glory of Jesus Christ.

Long Beach, New York, resident Kathy Butler, 65, said when the pandemic first hit, she was riddled with fear about her safety and worried about the emotional and physical well-being of her 28-year-old autistic son, Charlie.

She told CP that her family has attended Point Lookout Church for over 20 years and the church has "loved Charlie even in the very hard years when he was young.

Despite her growing fears, she maintained her Christian faith while encouraging her son to have faith in God and participate in the church's networking and virtual services.

Jesus loves all children and doesnt distinguish between special needs and other children, Butler said. I cant get through the day without Jesus, and it is very hard for special needs children during this pandemic, especially for those with serious behavior issues.

Charlie, who has limited verbal abilities and was diagnosed with autism at age 3, had difficulty understanding the importance of wearing masks and social distancing.

In addition to having her churchs support, Butler also found solace in another program for special needs young adults called Hangout One Happy Place. The nonprofit organization in Nassau County was founded in February of 2019 to provide an inclusive environment that allows young adults with special needs to create their own hands-on curriculums and do recreational activities together.

However, she said it took many long weeks to find the program because many similar programs were shut down and not offering virtual services during the pandemic.

Butler said for her and many other parents who found Hangout One Happy Place, finding such a program during the pandemic to meet the needs of their special needs children was no easy feat.

"There are possibly many parents in the world who struggled the same or might still be searching for any program to meet their special needs childrens needs, especially a Christian-based program.

The pandemic caused Charlies volunteer jobs to shut down and his college class and day program became remote. And Charlie began to miss having in-person contact with his peers at church and school and he was left feeling isolated, Butler said.

The program Hangout One Happy Place changed Charlies life because he got to have social and emotional interactions with peers again during a really tough time.

The founder of the program, Baldwin resident Angela Lucas, 53, has worked with special needs children for 15 years in various roles in the Baldwin School District.

Although her nonprofit is secular, Lucas, who is Catholic, said she does not discourage the concept of parents establishing religion in the lives of their special needs children.

It depends on the child because some special needs children are not able to fully understand religion because they are unable to speak, but clients like Charlie are verbal, she said. Faith definitely has an impact on everyone. And just because someone is special needs, does not mean they shouldnt have access to a form of religion.
Church petitions Supreme Court after denial of ministers' parsonage tax exemption

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Religious liberty legal organizations petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court this week to reverse a Virginia courts decision denying a parsonage exemption to unordained college ministers based on the citys interpretation of Presbyterian doctrine.

The City of Fredericksburg denied a tax exemption for New Life in Christ Churchs parsonage housing for its college ministers, a married couple who serve students at the University of Mary Washington through hosting Bible studies and worship.

Parsonages are homes provided by a church for pastors or ministers. They are subject to the church's tax exemption status.

City officials deemed, however, that the couple does not quality as ministers even though they act in the capacity of ministers since they are not officially ordained, based on the citys interpretation of the Presbyterian Book of Church Order.

The University of Mary Washington is a public university located about an hour's drive outside of Washington, D.C. and has around 4,400 undergraduate students.

Religious liberty legal firms First Liberty Institute, Christian Legal Society and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLC filed the petition to the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday on behalf of New Life in Christ Church. The petition comes after the Virginia Supreme Court refused to review the citys decision to deny the tax exemption for the parsonage.

Attorneys for New Life in Christ Church argue that the Supreme Court should review the judgment of the city's circuit court, calling the court's ruling in favor of the city an erroneous application of federal law.

For over 150 years, the Court has confirmed that civil authorities may not second-guess religious organizations on questions of discipline, or of faith, or ecclesiastical rule, custom, or law, the petition reads.

It is a foundational premise of our constitutional system that religious organizations enjoy power to decide for themselves, free from state interference, matters of church government as well as those of faith and doctrine."

Jeremy Dys, special counsel for litigation and communications at First Liberty Institute, told The Christian Post in an interview that the New Life in Christ Church is being denied the freedoms that come with being a church.

On top of that, and I think this should scare most Americans even more, you have a city and a court unilaterally deciding on their own, evaluating religious doctrine and coming to the conclusion that these are in fact not ministers according to the Presbyterian tradition, Dys said.

Well, thats just ludicrous that you would have government officials examine whether or not a church is following their own doctrine or questioning whether or not this church will call ministers."

Dys reiterated that state and elected officials should not determine what constitutes a minister since this infringes on the constitutional rights of a religious institution to decide.

The state of Virginia and its elected officials have no business determining who is and who is not a minister for religious reasons, Dys said. If they can say these college ministers are not necessarily ministerial, then what is the limiting principle from saying any minister or rabbi or iman or other religious leader merits the protections that are offered to ministers or religious leaders in this country?

Thats the type of independence [in the] Constitution ... that the religious ministries get to determine who are their religious leaders who will teach their doctrine, he continued.

Dys said the churches should ultimately decide what constitutes a minister, not elected officials.

Government officials have no right to substitute their theology for that of the church, Kelly Shackelford, CEO and chief counsel for First Liberty Institute, said in a statement.

New Life in Christ Church considers its college campus ministers actions to be essential functions of the ministry of the church, and the city should abide by that decision."

Shackelford said the citys interpretation of church doctrine on what constitutes a minister requires the government to unnecessarily violate the Constitution's First Amendment by delving into issues of faith and doctrine.

Kim Colby, director of the Christian Legal Societys Center for Law and Religious Freedom, said in the petition that New Life in Christ Church simply seeks the respect that the Constitution guarantees.

In the Supreme Court appeal, the lawyers argued that the nation's high court has long "recognized" that "the Religion Clauses protect the right of churches and other religious institutions to decide matters of faith and doctrine without government intrusion.

They cited the 2020 Supreme Court case of Our Lady of Guadalupe Sch. v. Morrissey-Berru, where the court held 7-2 that a ministerial exception prevents civil courts from adjudicating discrimination claims brought by former employees against the religious schools.

The appeal also cites the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. v. Mary Elizabeth

Blue Hull Meml Presbyterian Church, a 1969 ruling stating that civil courts can't interpret church doctrine to decide church property disputes.

"While 'there are neutral principles of law, developed for use in all [civil] disputes, which can be applied without' running afoul of the Religion Clauses, 'First Amendment values are plainly jeopardized when church [civil] litigation is made to turn on the resolution by civil courts of controversies over religious doctrine and practice,'" the petition states.
India: Christian persecution watchdog fears police orders to surveil Christians activities will increase attacks on believers

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As Christian persecution continues to rise in India, all police stations in one district have been ordered to keep surveillance on Christians and report on any "conversion activities. A U.S.-based persecution watchdog group now fears that attacks on Christians might intensify.

The Superintendent of Police of the Sukma District in Chhattisgarh state has issued a circular to all police stations directing officers to surveil the districts Christian community and be on the lookout for fraudulent religious conversions and to act against Christians where these activities are found, International Christian Concern reports.

Several incidents of intimidation, threats and assaults against the Christians of Sukma have been reported since the circular was sent, ICC reports.

Four policemen came to our village while we were having a prayer gathering on July 23, Bhima, a Christian from Sukma, was quoted as saying. They enquired about conversions. They did not do anything to us, but after the police left the Hindu radicals in the village started using abusive words against all Christians. They threatened that they would chase us away from the village.

Another local pastor was quoted as saying that all churches in the villages had been forced to stop all the worship gatherings.

Christians make up about 2.5% of Indias population, while Hindus comprise 79.5%.

India ranks as the 10th worst country globally when it comes to Christian persecution, according to Open Doors USA's 2021 World Watch List. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has urged the U.S. State Department to label India as a country of particular concern for engaging in or tolerating severe religious freedom violations.

The Evangelical Fellowship of India says in a report that it documented 145 cases of atrocities against Christians  three murders, 22 attacks on churches and 20 cases of ostracization or social boycott in rural areas  in the first half of 2021.

The violence, detailed in the report, itself was vicious, widespread and ranged from murder to attacks on churches, false cases, police immunity and connivance, and the now normalized social exclusion or boycott which is becoming viral, the report says.

Since the current ruling party (Bharatiya Janata Party) took power in 2014, incidents against Christians have increased, and Hindu radicals often attack Christians with little to no consequences, noted Open Doors World Watch List last year.

The view of the Hindu nationalists is that to be Indian is to be Hindu, so any other faith  including Christianity  is viewed as non-Indian. Also, converts to Christianity from Hindu backgrounds or tribal religions are often extremely persecuted by their family members and communities, Open Doors said at the time.

Several Indian states have anti-conversion laws, which presume that Christian workers force or give financial benefits to Hindus to convert them to Christianity.

In July, at least 30 Christians were falsely accused of engaging in forced religious conversions and arrested in Indias most populous state of Uttar Pradesh, according to ICC.

Like we have seen in other states, Uttar Pradeshs anti-conversion law provides a legal cover for radical Hindu nationalists seeking to persecute Christians, ICCs Regional Manager for South Asia, William Stark, said. If the government of Uttar Pradesh allows this to continue, radical Hindu nationalists will know they have absolute impunity to harass Christians and close down their places of worship.

While the anti-conversion laws have been in place for decades in some states, no Christian has been convicted of forcibly converting anyone to Christianity. These laws, however, allow Hindu nationalist groups to make false charges against Christians and launch attacks on them under the pretext of the alleged forced conversion.

Some of these laws state that no one is allowed to use the threat of divine displeasure, meaning Christians cannot talk about Heaven or Hell, as that would be seen as forcing someone to convert. And if snacks or meals are served to Hindus after an evangelistic meeting, that could be seen as inducement.
One Million Moms urges parents to take action against Eli Lilly over repulsive ad

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The Christian conservative group One Million Moms is urging parents to protest a one-minute ad released by the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, which says the sex of a child is randomly assigned at birth.

Because the body you are randomly assigned at birth shouldnt determine how well you are cared for, says the ad, titled Lilly  A Medicine Company, featuring a woman with double mastectomy scars wearing an open shirt and identifying as a man.

Can you imagine what goes through the mind of a child when he or she sees this ad? asks a statement released by One Million Moms, which regularly launches campaigns against organizations that produce questionable content.

Lilly chose to air this commercial knowing it would be controversial, the group says. We all know children imitate what they see and repeat what they hear. Lilly should be ashamed!

One Million Moms warns that Lilly will push away customers if it continues advertising in a repulsive manner that offends parents.

Parents, it adds, do not approve of this advertising tactic!

To remove this offensive commercial, please share with your family and friends, it urges.

As of early Sunday, more than 16,400 people had signed a petition it launched against the ad.

Im not buying into your social agenda to push transgenderism. Your latest ad offends me and many other conservative consumers. I wont be buying your products either. Im taking Lilly off my shopping list since I will be purchasing from your competitors instead, it says.

In February, tens of thousands of people backed the groups online petition asking The American Girl company to scrap an LGBT storyline tied to its 2021 Girl of the Year doll.

One Million Moms launched the online campaign after Mattel named 10-year-old Kira Bailey from Michigan the 2021 Girl of the Year in December.

The doll came with an accompanying book, Kira Down Under.

In the book, Kira visits an animal sanctuary in Australia operated by her great aunts, who are in a same-sex marriage. The book details how the aunts got married after laws were changed in 2017 to allow for same-sex marriages.

As Christians, we know that even though something is legalized doesnt make it moral or right, One Million Moms said at the time. American Girl could have chosen another storyline or characters to write about and remained neutral in the culture war. American Girl is attempting to desensitize our youth by featuring a storyline with two lesbian aunts.
China arrests 5 Christians for attending religious gathering in Malaysia where Tim Keller spoke

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Communist authorities in China arrested five Christians from a house church in Shanxi Province because they attended a Christian conference in Malaysia last year where Pastors Tim Keller and D.A. Carson were speakers.

The five Christians are from Xuncheng Reformed Church in Taiyuan city and were arrested and detained on Monday for taking part in KL2020 Gospel and Culture conference hosted by a Chinese Indonesian Pastor Stephen Tong, the U.S.-based persecution watchdog International Christian Concern reported.

Two of the church members were arrested when they went to pick up their church co-worker, Zhang Ligong, as he was being released after serving a 15-day administrative detention for his faith, a church preacher named An Yankui was quoted as saying.

The other three were arrested from their homes.

The five traveled together to Malaysia to attend the conference from Jan. 2831.

Keller, a theologian and bestselling author, and Carson, emeritus professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and co-founder of The Gospel Coalition, were among the speakers at the international conference.

The five Chinese Christians had legally traveled to Malaysia with their valid passports but are now facing charges.

Preacher An Yankui has requested that believers worldwide pray for the five Christians. May God never forsake His children and continue to grant mercy to His church on the path carrying the cross, he wrote on Facebook.

As of Saturday, it was not known if the Christians had been released.

Xuncheng Church has been heavily targeted in recent months, including constant harassment and the detention of a preacher and several members last November.

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.

Authorities in China are also continuing their crackdown 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.

ICCs Regional Manager for Southeast Asia, Gina Goh, said, Since the Revised Regulations on Religious Affairs took effect in February 2018, the Chinese government has added more laws seeking to curb religious activities that are not state-sanctioned.

Goh added: Beijing is paranoid about Chinese Christians interaction with Christians overseas. As a result, they are penalizing Christians to deter them from receiving foreign influence. It is a shame that the Chinese government constantly manipulates laws to violate the religious freedom of its citizens.

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.
Christian CEO fired over views on marriage wins religious discrimination case

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A court in Scotland has ruled in favor of a Christian CEO who they said was unjustly fired by the countrys biggest grant-making trust because of his Christian views on marriage.

Kenneth Ferguson was unlawfully discriminated against by The Robertson Trust and its Chairwoman Shonaig Macpherson for believing that marriage is exclusively between a man and woman, an Employment Tribunal has ruled.

The Christian Institute, which supported Ferguson, announced the ruling in a statement on Friday.

Ferguson is an elder of Stirling Free Church, which holds traditional views on marriage and abortion.

The Christian CEO was dismissed from the Glasgow-based Trust last March after Macpherson objected to the church hiring the Barracks Conference Centre, a Trust property, for its Sunday services.

But the Trust reportedly cited performance issues as the reason for his firing.

I was told by two members of my senior management team that Shonaig Macpherson went ballistic and was almost unable to speak because she was so angry, Ferguson said previously, according to The Herald.

She kept asking why the Trust had rented to the Stirling Free Church. One colleague told me that Shonaig had said definitely not the Free Church, anyone but the Free Church, they dont believe in same-sex marriage. They said she was incandescent with anger.

The Tribunal observed that Macpherson appeared to be seeking to find reasons to justify firing Ferguson prior to March 2020.

The issue of the beliefs of the claimant and Church with which he was associated had been on the mind of Macpherson throughout the whole procedure, the ruling said.

It added that Fergusons beliefs on marriage were protected and that it was trite that it is lawful to hold such beliefs and to express them.

Im just relieved this is over, Ferguson was quoted as saying after the ruling. Its been a very difficult time for me and my family.

He added, I was treated by The Robertson Trust in a way I had never been treated before in my whole professional life. But Im satisfied that justice has been done. The Tribunal has ruled that they were wrong to behave that way and Im grateful.

The Christian Institutes Deputy Director for Public Affairs Simon Calvert called the ruling a welcome re-statement of the principle, upheld again and again in the courts, that the Christian belief that marriage is between a man and a woman is a belief protected by equality law and worthy of respect in a democratic society.

Calvert said it was a just outcome and one which sounds a warning to those who think they can mistreat Christians in the workplace.

Although the church had hired the property in June 2019 for one year, it was asked to quit for not complying with the Trust policy.

The court's next step is to hold a hearing to decide the amount of damages which The Robertson Trust will have to pay Ferguson.
Fulani herders kill kidnapped pastor; behead father, 7-year-old son

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Fulani herdsmen beheaded a Christian man and his 7-year-old son and killed a pastor they had kidnapped two weeks earlier in two separate attacks in northern Nigeria, according to reports.

Thomas Wollo, 46, and his 7-year-old son, Nggwe Thomas, were beheaded by herdsmen close to their home in Tafigana village in Plateau states Bassa Local Government Area as they were returning from choir practice at about 8:50 p.m. on Sunday, the U.S.-based persecution watchdog group International Christian Concern reported.

Zongo Lawrence, the spokesman for Miango Youth Development Association, was quoted as saying that the herdsmen destroyed a large part of farmland in a nearby village after the attack.

Seventeen of our people have been killed by Fulani herdsmen this year. The international community should come to our aid; we are under heavy siege, Lawrence said.

In Kogi State last Thursday, the Rev. Danlami Yakwoi of the Evangelical Church Winning All died in captivity after being tortured by Fulani herdsmen, Morning Star News reported.

Yakwoi had been kidnapped along with two of his sons and a nephew in Tawari area on July 12, church secretary Musa Shekwolo was quoted as saying.

The news of the pastors death came after one of his children who was kidnapped was released.

Yakwois family paid a ransom for the release of his son, Shekwolo said.

ICC designates Fulani radicals as the fourth-deadliest terror group globally, which has surpassed the Boko Haram terrorist group as the greatest threat to Nigerian Christians.

Many believe that the attacks are motivated by jihadist Fulanis' desire to take over farmland and impose Islam on the population and are frustrated with the Muslim-dominated government that is believed to be enabling such atrocities, ICC warned in May.

The Anambra-based International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law estimated in May that as many as 1,470 Christians were killed in Nigeria during the first four months of 2021, the highest estimate in the first four months of any year since 2014. The number also surpasses the estimated number of Christians killed in 2019. The report estimated that as many as 300 people had been killed in Kaduna in the first four months of 2021.

In the first four months of this year, the organization estimates that at least 2,200 Christians were abducted. Kaduna state recorded the highest number of abductions at 800.

The Global Terrorism Index ranked Nigeria as the third-most affected country by terrorism and reported over 22,000 deaths by acts of terror from 2001 to 2019.

Advocates, including U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Commissioner Gay Bauer, have warned that Nigeria will move relentlessly toward a Christian genocide if action is not taken. The U.S. State Department recognizes Nigeria as a "country of particular concern" for tolerating or engaging in severe violations of religious freedom.

Islamic extremism, notably carried out by groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province in northeast Nigeria, has led to thousands of deaths and millions displaced in recent years.
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP)  The state of Washington has reached a settlement with Gebbers Farms Operations, LP to spend more than $2 million improving housing, quality of life, safety and access to health care for farm employees and their families.

The Washington state Department of Labor & Industries announced the settlement Wednesday in a case that involved one of the largest workplace safety and health fines in state history.

Gebbers Farms, located in Brewster, Washington, was fined $2 million and $13,200 after two inspections in 2020 found 24 egregious willful violations  12 for unsafe sleeping arrangements in temporary worker housing and 12 for unsafe worker transportation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Two farmworkers died from coronavirus while living and working on the farm. Gebbers was also cited for six other serious violations, including not reporting a fatality.

The other investigation found the farm was not ensuring adequate social distancing by allowing workers to sleep in both top and bottom bunks and there were no barriers in the kitchen/cooking areas.

Real, on-the-ground improvements for farmworkers and their families are a fitting way to honor the memories of the Gebbers workers who died, said L&I Director Joel Sacks.

An effort to reach Gebbers for comment wasn't immediately successful.

Under the settlement, Gebbers will make approximately $1.4 million in capital improvements to temporary worker housing. That includes demolishing and rebuilding one of its older, temporary worker housing camps. Three new living units with all new amenities will be built in its place.

The company will also build a cell tower so workers have reliable communication with family, upgrade electrical to support washing machines and dryers for workers, buy new mattresses for temporary worker housing, and install air conditioning units and make power upgrades

The company will also donate $513,000 to improve access to health care for workers and their families. The money will go to area hospitals, health care centers, emergency medical services, day care and recreational centers serving the workers and their families.

Gebbers Farms will also spend $150,000 to hire a full-time employee for three years to supervise worker safety and health. The officer will have authority to stop any activity deemed unsafe or in violation of the safety and health rules.

In exchange for these actions, the fines resulting from the citations will be reduced to $10,000.

Sacks said the settlement will end what could have been years of expensive court fights.

This settlement means the company will put significant money where it will help the most: improving health, safety, and quality of life for farmworkers and their families, Sacks said.
South Korea's Disease Control and Prevention Agency said Tuesday that it had recorded at least two cases of the new coronavirus delta plus variant, which some experts believe to be more transmissible than the original delta variant that was first detected in India and has since thwarted plans for returning to life before the pandemic.

But what exactly do we know about "delta plus," yet another new variant causing alarm among governments and health officials? First identified in Europe in March, the variant is also known as B. 1.617.2.1 or AY.1.

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It has been detected in several countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States and India.

Last month, experts in India labeled the variant one of concern and warned that it appeared to be more transmissible than most. Citing studies, the country's health ministry said that the variant has the ability to bind more easily to lung cells and could be resistant to therapies used to treat the infection.

Union science and technology minister Jitendra Singh announced last Friday that up to 70 cases of the delta-plus variant were detected in genome sequencing as of July 23, Hindustan Times reported.

How India has weathered the devastation of the delta variant and how it has named the delta-plus variant as one of concern should place public health leaders on notice, said James Hildreth, president and chief executive of Meharry Medical College.

"We've got to be more willing to consider observations made in other countries dealing with [the coronavirus]," he said, noting that the relative of the highly contagious delta variant is concerning. "Again, we saw what happen with delta in India and how quickly it spread . . . Why would we think the delta-plus variant would be different?"

The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium have since said that the delta-plus variant is unlikely to be more transmissible than the delta variant and trends have yet to emerge, according to Hindustan Times.

The variant was has listed as one of concern by the international health agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it will continue to evaluate its independent classification.

However, Melita Vujnovic, World Health Organization representative to Russia, said last month that face coverings and vaccinations will be needed to fight the latest variant.

Last month, German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned that Europe was still "on thin ice" and expressed caution that authorities across the continent should remain "cautiously optimistic."

"We must remain watchful, new variants in particular, notably the delta variant, mean we must be cautious," she said during her last government statement.

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In the United Kingdom, where more than 72% of adults have been fully vaccinated, the delta variant has been accounting for nearly all new infections even though coronavirus cases overall are on the decline.

At least 39 confirmed cases of the delta-plus variant have been found in the country along with six probable ones, according to a July briefing from Public Health England.

The virus hasn't appeared to have gained intense traction on British soil, said Colin Angus, a public health policy modeler and analyst in England.

The "plus" of the variant's name refers to its K417N spike protein mutation, which was also found in some substrains of the alpha variant - the dominant strain in the country before the delta variant - but the substrains never got a foothold, he explained.

"To date, there is no clear evidence that it conveys enough of a benefit to the virus to allow it to dominate the original delta variant," he said. "So although it is clearly here, there is no obvious sign that it has gained a foothold over existing variants of the virus."

Angus also noted that delta-plus cases have primarily been in younger people but that preliminary data has shown that antibodies from vaccinated people are still effective against the variant.

"This was in a very small sample," he said of the data. "We need more evidence to get a clear picture about any possible advantage against vaccines that delta plus may have, but the fact that we haven't seen it clearly outcompete delta despite having been found in several countries with high vaccination rates, suggests that any advantage can only be very small."

Richard Novak, Head of the Division of Infectious Diseases at University of Illinois Health, said it's too soon to say how the delta-plus variant could evade vaccines or whether it's more infectious than the original.

He noted that the variant is alarming, as it's related to the more contagious delta variant and coming at a time when breakthrough cases are popping up among the vaccinated.

"This is just a process of natural selection and selecting viruses that are more contagious. All viruses want to do is reproduce themselves. The ones that do become the dominant virus," he said. "We're going to see other variants. It's on a continuum. The variants are likely to get more efficient as time goes on."

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The variant and the others that the Centers for Disease Control is monitoring, greatly underscores the need for ramped-up vaccination efforts, Hildreth said, pointing out the large swaths of the population who are still unvaccinated and minority communities with underlying health conditions that make them more susceptible to variants.

"The virus is not going to wait around for us to get our act together," he said. "We're in danger of something that's going to set us back."
Throughout the pandemic, I have cared for kids admitted with covid-19 to the children's hospital in Houston where I am a pediatrician. These children have included newborns with fevers who require a sepsis evaluation, school-age kids whose bodies are ravaged with inflammation associated with covid-19 in children, and tweens and adolescents with covid pneumonia who need oxygen and other respiratory support. I've cared for children whose entire families have been devastated by covid - sometimes the child was sick enough to be admitted but had no parent at their bedside because the parents were critically ill at the adult hospital down the street or, worse, had recently died from covid.

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All the while, as both a doctor and mother, I've wrestled with a certain dissonance: There is this popular notion that covid doesn't affect children - and my public health and epidemiologic training reminds me that on a population-level, it's true, the majority of children who contract covid-19 will be asymptomatic or have mild disease. But I contrast this with the reality of being a clinician at the bedside of children critically ill from covid and covid-related illnesses. These two perspectives battle in my brain as I make risk assessments for my own school-aged child. One thing that terrifies me as a parent is that we can't predict why some children get so incredibly sick from covid while others have mild disease; we don't know why some go on to have lingering debilitation and symptoms for months, and others make quick recoveries.

What I do know is that in this moment, as the highly contagious delta variant becomes the predominant strain circulating and we enter another covid surge, I am more worried for children than I have ever been.

First and foremost, this is because the high transmissibility of the delta variant will translate into a greater number of children being exposed than before, which will lead to a greater number of children infected. Even if the delta variant is no more virulent in children than the original virus was, the sheer numbers will translate into more children being admitted to the hospital with covid and covid-related illnesses. As school reopenings coincide with the growth of the delta variant, I worry we will see large outbreaks in school settings that we didn't see with less-contagious versions of the virus.

I wonder, if more people saw what I see at patient bedsides, would they do more to protect children? I talked with one mother who wondered whether she could have done something to prevent her child from ending up sick in the hospital with covid. I recall providing emotional support - in addition to oxygen, steroids and remdesivir - to a teenager admitted with covid pneumonia who was grappling with the recent deaths of multiple family members with covid. His life had turned upside down in a few short weeks.

Over the course of the pandemic, our hospital system has diagnosed more than 15,000 children and adolescents with covid - a number that is trending up. About 10 percent of them have required hospital admission. Up to one-third of children admitted to our hospital have required critical care - including oxygen delivered through high-flow nasal cannula, non-invasive ventilation and intubation with mechanical ventilation. When I discharge children from the hospital, I know that many of them have a long road to recovery, and many will require follow-up for cardiac clearance and long-term care in our hospital's long-covid clinic. More than 300 children across the United States have died from covid since the beginning of the pandemic, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most children with covid will make a complete recovery, but up to 10 percent, including those with mild illness not requiring hospital admission, go on to develop months-long symptoms of long covid.

During previous covid surges, children's hospitals in the United States experienced very low patient volumes compared to prior years because people were not seeking routine medical care or elective procedures. We could easily handle the influx of children with covid because we also were not seeing much of the common viruses of childhood, such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or influenza, which typically keep children's hospitals busy all winter. During previous surges, children's hospitals across the country were able to serve as pop-off valves for adult hospitals overwhelmed with covid admissions, in many instances stepping up to admit and provide direct clinical care to adult patients, or lending equipment to adult hospitals.

What's different this time is that children's hospitals are also dealing with an unusual summertime surge in respiratory viruses, including RSV, which causes acute illness in infants and toddlers. Our hospitals are seeing a huge, sustained influx of patients with RSV - who often need oxygen and respiratory support - and we are busier at our baseline than at other times during the pandemic. I worry how children's hospitals will handle a covid surge on top of the RSV surge, which will stress hospital systems and staff.

Adding to my concerns as a pediatrician is that our society is dealing with covid-fatigue. Children younger than 12 remain ineligible for vaccination, but people are tired of following mitigation measures and eager to get back to normal life. Too many eligible adults and adolescents over 12 years of age remain unvaccinated. One important step that families can take to protect their children of all ages is to ensure that all eligible household members over age 12 are vaccinated; it is heartbreaking to care for children hospitalized with covid when I know this could have been prevented.

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I am often approached by friends, family members and neighbors facing the difficult decisions that I also face as a pandemic parent: How do we keep our children safe? I like to remind them that during the past 18 months, we've gained both experience and knowledge and developed tools and recommendations to help limit the spread of covid - all based on scientific evidence. Masking (including universal masking in schools), physical distancing, testing, contact tracing, quarantining and vaccinating do help. If we abandon these crucial tools now, we are putting our children in harm's way.

- - -

Heather Haq is an assistant professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine and a pediatric hospitalist at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston. She is also the chief medical officer for the Baylor College of Medicine International Pediatric AIDS Initiative at Texas Children's Hospital.
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The opening night of the Locarno Film Festival was led by a pair of rousing call to arms for the theatrical experience.

Early on it was rain, rather than COVID-19, which threatened to put a dampener on proceedings, as sodden conditions in the famous Piazza Grande forced the world premiere of Beckett indoors. However, ironically, the comments made by the Netflix films lead John David Washington felt even more powerful in front of a vast, crowded indoor theatre.

Asked how he found playing the films central character, an American tourist who gets caught up in a deadly manhunt, Washington had a blunt, yet thoughtful response.

Stressful, Washington began, to a titter from the crowd. I just connected with the story. When I think about Beckett, I think of survival and thats very personal to me. Part of the reason were all here tonight is survival of the theatrical experience, so thats what connected me to it.

Washingtons words were met with rapturous applause, and mere minutes before, festival president Marco Solari had issued an even firmer stance on theatrical distribution.

Solari said Locarno will continue to serve as a unique environment to celebrate to see films on the big screen, switching to English for a moment to invoke Winston Churchill.

We shall never surrender, Solari repeated several times.

The launch of Beckett at Locarno represents a homecoming of sorts for its director Ferdinando Cito Filomarino, who burst onto the scene in 2010 when his short Diarchia picked up the fests Leopard of Tomorrow prize.

Filomarino described Locarno as a place of baptism for him, adding that being back at the fest with his Greece-set thriller felt like being comfortable, back at home.

Washington and the director were joined on stage by co-star Vicky Krieps (a recent standout from M. Night Shyamalans Old and a firecracker in Phantom Thread), who was asked how she connected with her activist character.

Its very easy when you walk down the street in any kind of town and you just talk to the next person sleeping in the street and you ask them how they feel about today, or about capitalism. It was really easy, Krieps said.

Earlier in the night, Laetitia Casta received the Locarnos Excellence Award Davide Campari, which pays tribute to film personalities who have left their personal stamp on contemporary cinema.

Speaking almost entirely in Italian, Casta discussed her ability to move between modeling and acting, sharing that meetings with legendary designers Yves Saint Laurent and Jean Paul Gaultier when she was still only a teenager helped inspire her to take up acting.

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Last December, news outlets across the region began reporting on a 100-mile nature trail that would begin at the Alamo in San Antonio and end at the Texas Capitol in Austin. Using a mix of already existing trails, such as the Howard W. Peak Greenway, and planned trailway, the project would stitch together four counties in South Central Texas. Along the way it would hit the small towns and booming 'burbs in between, pumping an estimated $55.9 million into local economies, according to the Great Springs Project (GSP), the nonprofit spearheading the plan.

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Within weeks, news of the sprawling public works project was being reported in national outlets and magazines, evidence perhaps of the region's popularity, but also of some grander: a once-in-a-generation idea that just might become a reality in our lifetimes.

The trail's goals are both noble and practical: protect the Edward's Aquifer, the main source of water for the region; link together the San Antonio, Comal, San Marcos, and Barton springs; conserve 50,000 acres of land amid an unprecedented population boom along the I-35 corridor; and provide a natural attraction for locals and tourists alike.

But for all its great ambitions, so too are the projects challenges, beginning with an aggressive 15-year timeline. Factor in the needs (and personalities of) local governments, which range from small towns to the seventh biggest city in the country; the breadth of the project; and stakeholders ranging from developers and politicians to environmentalists and former oil industry CEOs, and things get a little more daunting. And then there's the fact that there is no bundle of money pay for it, leading one to wonder if this is ever really going to happen.

Courtesy, City of New Braunfels

Paving the way forward

As the story goes, the idea for the monumental conservation effort was sparked decades ago by Deborah Morin, an Austin-based environmentalist who also happens to be married to Whole Foods Market founder John Mackey.

[Morin] had the idea of conserving that amount of land and protecting the springs with her friends 25 years ago, explains Emma Lindrose-Siegel, chief development officer for the nonprofit Great Springs Project. They didnt anticipate the way Austin would explode with growth over the next 25.

In 2018, with the regions growth showing no signs of slowing down, the nonprofit launched to bring Morins vision to life. Over the past three years, the Great Springs Project's has gathered together a whos who advisory board featuring a mix of environmental and industry heavyweights, and includes among others, former San Antonio Mayor Phil Hardberger, San Antonio starchitect Ted Flato, and Mackey.

Despite all those big names, there is still that whole fuss about how to pay for it. Though some news reports have estimated the cost of the trail, GSP refutes those, noting that a final number wont be known until the master is unveiled in December 2021. Though many of the trails have already been established, especially in the bigger cities like San Antonio, San Marcos, and Austin, smaller stops like New Braunfels will need to create trailways in order to participate.

Katie Friel/MySA

The concern from the community has been how do we go about paying for it? Where are the financial resources?, says Ylda Capriccioso, parks development manager for the City of New Braunfels. "Our response is were not sure where any or all of the project funding will come from. Thats why we look at various topics  conservation, flood control  all of those things to see if we can tap into those funds.

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Helping identify funding is where the GSP steps in. With its mix of business, political, and environmental acumen, the nonprofit serves as a sort of trail yenta, connecting different stakeholders with different funding sources, ranging from federal grants to private donations.

We provide technical assistance. Were helping act as a catalyst for civic engagement, says Lindrose-Siegel. People really value access to the outdoors, and green space, and water supply. And the city and county governments and nonprofits we work with reflect that.

A ticking clock

Texas biggest cities, including San Antonio and Austin, have seen record-breaking population booms over the past decade. Between 2010 and 2019, the population of the Alamo City grew 16.7 percent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, while Austins ballooned by 22.1 percent. But its the cities in between where the numbers become eye-popping. New Braunfels watched its population boom 56.4 percent over that same period. Meanwhile in San Marcos, that number grew by more than 46 percent.

Growth puts a strain on natural resources, making the protection of the Edwards Aquifer even more critical. Along with being, you know, life sustaining, conservation is also cool. As Capriccioso notes, the cultural shift over the past decade (and especially during the pandemic) has made conservation and access to green space a key indicator of one's quality of life, meaning that a trailway of this scope could be a major economic benefit. (Theres a reason why developers are among the projects stakeholders.)

Kylie McLaughlin/Getty Images/Lonely Planet Image

[The Great Springs Project] achieves a lot of different things: environmental conservation, water conservation, storm runoff, green space, air quality. Weve seen them in the last decade hit a bit of a renaissance, says Capriccioso. A lot of communities in Texas are doing these visionary projects.

Its those visionary projects that are helping provide a pathway for this 100-mile trail. Many of the stakeholders  including Lindrose-Siegel and Capriccioso  have experience in some of the biggest public works projects in the nation. Working on the similarly ambitious Louisville Loop in Kentucky has taught Capriccioso that while exciting, the sheer size of a project like this requires a measured approach and patience.

"Its a very long-term project. And they don't get done overnight. They take several years to conceptualize, to negotiate, Capriccioso explains. The River Walk as an example, that was 10-,12-, 15-year project. And its still going on. But its been realized and its possible.

While it arguably be much easier if, say, a Dell or Musk dropped many millions into the GSP bank account, thats unlikely to happen  and perhaps it shouldnt. So much of what this 100-mile trail will look like will be the direct result of community engagement, of conversations between cities and public servants. How this trail is shaped, both literally and figuratively, will be because a group of people came together to champion an ambitious idea and find a way to execute it.

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After the master plan is formally released this winter, the public will have a better sense of both timeline and cost, but if those leading the project are any indication, the 100-mile trail is likely to happen, and perhaps sooner than we think.

Conserving 50,000 acres and preserving the four springs, says Lindrose-Siegel, this will be the work of my lifetime.
White Linen Night in the Heights may be officially canceled for 2021, but that's not stopping everyone from pulling out their brightest whites.

Some local businesses are hosting smaller celebrations on Aug. 7 to mark White Linen Night.

New Orleans transplants Kay and Chris Thayer first brought the event to Houston in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina, modeling it after a similar festival in New Orleans' Art District. It's since become a favorite summertime tradition for the Heights.

If you're still looking to get out in your favorite white linen, there are a few unofficial events still happening.

Shop, eat and enjoy live music at the scaled-back block party on 19th Street as local businesses team up for the event in lieu of the official White Linen Night (but you should definitely still wear white). The Heights Theater will also host live music starting at 5 p.m.

White Oak Drive is hosting family-friendly festivities from 2 p.m. until 2 a.m. with local vendors, food trucks, live music and more. Christians Tailgate Bar & Grill, Onion Creek, Permission Whiskey, Public House, BBs Cafe, Bobcat Teddys, Little Woodrows are participating. Bobcat Teddy's is offering VIP passes to a private tent with its own bar for $25.

More than 30 artists will show off their work at this group show that's raising money for PrintMatters starting at 5 p.m. at G Spot Contemporary Art Space. Shop from other vendors and enjoy live music, refreshments and more. Prints and drawings will be available for bidding and purchase during PrintMatters Annual Art Auction Fundraiser there.

The Houston Young Professionals Chamber of Commerce are hosting an unofficial pub crawl and hitting plenty of spots on White Oak Drive starting at 6 p.m.
The diffusion of chorioactis geaster, more commonly known as the "Texas star" tends to puzzle scientists. The fungus is entirely unique to Texas, with the exception of the odd sighting around Kyushu, Japan, making it one of the rarest mushrooms in the world.

To the delight of the local mushroom enthusiasts, on June 22, Gov. Abbott finally signed legislation declaring the mushroom as Texas' first official state fungi.

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For the regionally minded, the Texas Star mushroom is a bit of local flora that Texan's can claim proudly (while tipping their hats toward the Western Pacific Ocean). The Central Texas Mycological Society, who seek to "strengthen fungal understanding" is even working to raise enough money to slap its likeness on a license plate.

I'm not in the business of trend forecasting, but you heard it here first: the Texas Star is shooting toward Texas bluebonnet status. Whether or not ritualistic family photos will ensue near damp mushroom enclaves is too soon to tell.

The fungi approaching fame is appropriately named for its leathery, star-like characteristics, visible only once it blooms. While otherwise absent across the world, the fungi is not entirely uncommon in Texas when the conditions are ripe. If you see a cluster of them pre-bloom, the bunch might cloak itself as the smokey, rolled offerings resting inside of your humidor. This deception has earned it the seductive nickname, "the devil's cigar."

It is said that when the devil's cigar unfurls, it releases a strange hissing noise and hazy cloud of spores.

If you take a mushroom walk through the Austin Nature Center on a damp December day, like Angel Schatz, a member of the Austin-based mycological organization often does, you might find yourself having a fungus run-in.

"It's rare in that its only found in very geographic specific spaces, but in the correct season it can be found fairly easily," Schatz tells MySA.

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Angel Schatz

Having a childhood fertilized with experience scavenging for morel mushrooms with her grandad in Mississippi, the Austin-ite rediscovered a passion for fungi before joining the leadership team at the Central Texas Mycological Society during the pandemic.

"There's so many wonderful things about mushrooms, something for everyone, too," Schatz says, continuing on to discuss the appeal, from the culinary aspect, to the environmental benefits and medicinal properties many mushrooms can possess.

Beginning in 2019, the educational, volunteer-run organization has grown to 400 members across Texas, with some living across state lines. Boasting a variety of online workshops, and nature walk opportunities, certain members of the network were also pivotal in organizing toward getting the star mushroom its due.

Throughout the process, one member  who chooses to remain anonymous  documented the progression of the legislation until its victorious end through a Facebook page. In a livestream, you can view the moment the devil's cigar was elevated to its current status, with help from Republican Senator Dr. Donna Campbell. Across the country only Oregon (Pacific Northern chanterelle) and Minnesota (common morel) have made the motion to designate an official state mushroom, this summer, Texas became the third. It's an exciting journey for the Texas fungi, which was first documented in Austin in 1893.

Like all things worth waiting for, you'll have to catch it at the right time and in the right place if you wish to witness this homegrown jewel in bloom. From a narrow corridor spanning as far south as San Antonio to as far north as the Oklahoma border, you can find the creature colonizing decomposing cedar elm trees. In Japan, the mushroom targets oak trees.

"We don't know if there's something very specific about these two species, or if there's something in the soil that makes it specific to the liking of this mushroom," explains Schatz.

HOT SUMMER: Some Houstonians are renting out their pools as summer heat rises

Angel Schatz

The mushroom hobbyist credits the lack of knowledge to shortcomings in funding, and states that one of Central Texas' Mycology Society's long term goals is to be able to provide research money to scientists looking to explore the great mushroom mysteries of our day.

Until then, Texan's can celebrate the state's new official 'shroom, which Schatz tells me isn't poisonous, but not entirely edible. Instead, mushroom fans might be better satisfied with a portobello-based dinner.
COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are continuing to increase dramatically in Montgomery County and around the region as the delta variant surges in unvaccinated residents.

While the Department of State Health Services recently started tracking cases in vaccinated people and specific data is not yet available, county health officials are reporting most new cases in unvaccinated residents.

We can say that the vast majority of new cases, hospitalizations and deaths have not been vaccinated, said Misti Willingham with the Montgomery County Hospital District. Vaccines help reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death. Being vaccinated does a great job prepping your immune system should you encounter the virus.

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.

Were heading into dark times, said Texas Medical Center CEO Bill McKeon in a Houston Chronicle story. McKeon previously noted ICUs are filled with unvaccinated people.

According to data from the health district since July 7, total hospitalizations in Montgomery County increased from 42 to 238 with 48 of those patients in critical care beds. MCPHD noted 157 of those 238 are Montgomery County residents.

The countys active cases jumped 767 to 4,219. Since July 7, active cases in the county have surged by 3,624. The countys total number of cases is now 60,941, increasing from 55,838 since July 7. Additionally, the county added three more reinfections bringing that number to 26.

However, health officials did not report any additional deaths from the virus. The total number of deaths remained at 354.

The countys testing positive rate has climbed from 4 percent in early July to 19 percent. To date, 30,742 people have fully recovered.

The CDC has confirmed the transmission of the delta variant has led to accelerated community transmission in the United States. Currently, the delta variant is the predominant strain circulating in the United States and is estimated to account for over 82 percent of cases since July 17. Additionally, the delta variant is more contagious than other variants to date, CDC officials stated.

Late last month, the CDC updated its guidance for fully vaccinated people, recommending that everyone wear a mask in indoor public settings in areas of substantial and high transmission, regardless of vaccination status.

In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott has extended the states COVID-19 disaster declaration through August and has prohibited all mask mandates. Abbotts most recent executive order, issued July 29, prohibits any government entity, including school districts, from mandating masks, meaning that students, staff and visitors may not be required to wear masks at public schools in the state. Failure to comply with the governors order could result in a fine of up to $1,000.

With a new school year starting, some health officials believe the lax in precautions could led to an increase in new cases and hospitalizations, especially among children. In previous surges, Texas Childrens Hospital has taken pressure off other Houston-area hospitals by accepting non-COVID adults. But officials say 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 RSV 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.

As far as vaccinations, MCPHD confirmed 244,448 people 12 years of age and older have been vaccinated. Thats about 49 percent of the countys 12 and up population.

Willingham urged residents to take precautions as the cases continue to spike.

Do your part to slow the spread of COVID-19, she said. The best way to protect yourself and those around you is to be vaccinated.

Houston Chronicle reporter Lisa Gray contributed to this story.

cdominguez@hcnonline.com
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?

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Follow Juan A. Lozano on Twitter: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70
Md Jahangir Alom/AP

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP)  Lightning killed at least 16 people who were traveling to a wedding party in western Bangladesh and injured several others, including the groom, an official said..

Local government official Sakib Al-Rabby said the bride was not with the group when the incident occurred Wednesday in Shibganj in Chapainawabganj district.
MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. (AP)  Three people found dead last week in a northwest Indiana apartment are believed to have died from drug overdoses, a coroner said.

The bodies of Debra Anderson, 50; Mary Wilson, 59; and Donnie Dennis, 68, all of Michigan City, were found on July 28 in the LaPorte County city.
TOWSON, Md. (AP)  A $3 million settlement has been reached in the 2016 death of a Black woman shot by Baltimore County police after a standoff, a county official and attorneys for the womans family confirmed to a newspaper Wednesday.

The Baltimore Sun reports that the settlement comes five years after Korryn Gaines' death and resolves claims brought by her parents, daughter and estate, according to a copy of the agreement obtained by the newspaper.
Sunday, Aug. 8

On this date in 1876, Dr. Walter Reed reported for duty as post surgeon for Fort Lowell.

On this date in 1930, cloudbursts over the state caused extensive damage. A trestle gave way near Winslow and the Santa Fe eastbound passenger train dropped into a wash. Two were killed and 39 injured. Nogales was swept by a wall of water which filled streets, leaving four dead and hundreds homeless. The Red Cross and Salvation Army rushed aid.

On this date in 1933, Arizona became the 21st state to sanction the repeal of national prohibition in a landslide vote.

Monday, Aug. 9

On this date in 1860, Sylvester Mowry became the owner of the Patagonia Mine for which he paid $22,500.

On this date in 1909, a party of six men with Dean Byron Cummings, archaeologist from the University of Arizona, became the first white men to see the Betatakin Ruins.

On this date in 1913, 25 citizens of Douglas were sworn in as special officers and armed for the purpose of patrolling the city at night to stop crime.

Tuesday, Aug. 10

On this date in 1861, declaring that Arizona had been deserted and left to the Apaches by the federal government, 68 citizens held a mass meeting in Tucson and voted to join the Confederacy.

On this date in 1867, the United States Army established Fort Crittenden between Sonoita and Patagonia.

On this date in 1869, Jack Sumner, one of John Wesley Powells boatmen, noted in his diary that the Little Colorado River was a loathsome little stream, so filthy and muddy it fairly stinks.

Wednesday, Aug. 11

On this date in 1881, Clarence Budington Kelland, newspaperman and author of many books and short stories about Arizona, including the novel Arizona, was born.

On this date in 1931, 75 residents of Mammoth were forced to leave their homes and retreat to the hills as floods swept the San Pedro Valley, leaving four persons dead.

On this date in 1936, the municipality of South Tucson was born as 87 citizens met and voted on incorporation. The measure passed by 17 votes.

Thursday, Aug. 12

On this date in 1878, Jack Swilling, one of the founders of the town of Phoenix, died.

On this date in 1883, the Florence to Globe stage and the Prescott to Ash Fork stage were both held up on the same night. The shotgun messenger on the Florence to Globe stage was killed.

On this date in 1886, fire destroyed a block of 14 business buildings in Phoenix, causing $100,000 in damage.

On this date in 1890, Professor Frank A. Gully was made the first faculty member of the University of Arizona by the Board of Regents.

On this date in 1919, 2,000 citizens of the Casa Grande Valley attended a mass meeting in Florence and pledged $50,000 to finance a campaign for the San Carlos Dam.

Friday, Aug. 13

On this date in 1816, William Oury, who arrived in Arizona in 1857 as the first agent for the Butterfield Overland Stage Line, was born.

On this date in 1875, the Prescott postmaster disappeared with all the post office funds. He was later captured in Nevada.

On this date in 1889, a tornado hit Fort Lowell.

On this date in 1915, a stock company was organized in Los Angeles to search for the fabled buried treasure of Tumacacori.

Saturday, Aug. 14

On this date in 1898, a violent storm swept through Gila Bend, demolishing the school, tearing the drug store off its foundation, wrecking the Southern Pacific roundhouse and overturning freight cars.

On this date in 1904, Tucson police began a series of raids designed to close down the citys opium dens.

On this date in 1913, 10 men were killed at the Coronado Mine near Clifton when two loaded ore cars broke loose and rolled down the steep grade.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden called on resistant Republican governors to get out of the way of vaccine rules aimed at containing the more transmissible and dangerous COVID-19 variant. He backed city and private mandates requiring people to be vaccinated to go about some daily activities.

Speaking Tuesday from the White House, Biden sharply criticized Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and other officials who have moved to block the reimposition of mask mandates to slow the delta strain of the virus. The strain is surging in their states and other parts of the country that have large numbers of unvaccinated people.

If youre not going to help, at least get out of the way of people trying to do the right thing," Biden said.

Biden endorsed New York City's move to require vaccinations to dine indoors or go to the gym, as well as corporate moves to require vaccines to return to work, and said more localities and businesses should follow suit. Such policies have been barred to varying degrees in at least seven GOP-led states.

A rise in infections in the U.S., fueled by the highly contagious delta strain of the virus, led U.S. public health officials last week to recommend that even people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 resume wearing face coverings in some public indoor settings.

After months of dangling carrots of incentive to Americans to get vaccinated  including million- dollar cash lotteries and opportunities to earn free college tuition  the Biden administration is looking to wield a stick by making it harder for people to remain unvaccinated without seeing their daily lives disrupted.

As he seeks to drive up vaccinations at home, Biden is also spotlighting his administration's progress in sharing shots with the rest of the world  an initiative helped in part by the slowed pace of domestic vaccination that has increased the nation's stockpile of doses. Roughly 90 million eligible Americans aged 12 and over have yet to receive one dose of vaccine.

Biden announced that 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.

Vaccinate America and help vaccinate the world, Biden said, That's how we're going to beat this thing.

Biden has promised that the U.S. will be the arsenal of vaccines for the world, but while notable, 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 said in a statement Tuesday that U.S. at the end of August will begin shipping 500 million doses of Pfizer vaccine that it has pledged to 100 low-income countries by June 2022.

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.

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Associated Press writer Jonathan Lemire contributed to this report.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP)  Hospitals in Birmingham are seeing a surge in COVID-19 patients  usually unvaccinated and often younger  as doctors and administrators pleaded Wednesday for people to get vaccinated.

Doctors and administrators at seven Birmingham hospitals participated in a media briefing to discuss the recent surge in cases. The overwhelming majority of current COVID-19 patients are unvaccinated, and patients tend to be younger than they were at the start of the pandemic before vaccines were available, the hospitals officials said.

Dr. Elizabeth Ennis, chief medical officer of Brookwood Baptist Health, said the delta variant of the virus is moving like wildfire through the state.

Whats different this time is we are seeing much younger people in the hospital, Ennis said. Vaccination rates have typically been higher in older age groups.

Across Alabama, the number of COVID-19 patients in state hospitals jumped from 213 on July 4 to 1,802 on Aug. 4, according to the Alabama Hospital Association. The current hospitalization numbers are far less than the 3,000 COVID-19 patients in state hospitals at the peak of the pandemic in January. However, health officials have expressed concern about the steep upward trend. As of Wednesday, there were 508 patients in state hospitals, compared to 848 on Jan. 12, said Dr. Don Williamson, head of the Alabama Hospital Association.

Alabama ranked fifth in the nation for new cases per capita in the past 14 days, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University. The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Alabama has risen over the past two weeks from 1,013.71 new cases per day on July 19 to 2,525.71 new cases per day on Aug. 2.

People who have been vaccinated can contract the coronavirus, but health officials have said they are far less likely to get seriously ill.

Dr. Jeremy Rogers, an emergency room physician and director of clinical services at Grandview Medical Center, said 92% of incoming COVID patients at his facility are unvaccinated, and a majority are under age 60. He said they recently admitted a 19-year-old with COVID.

This is absolutely heartbreaking what we are seeing. Its tragic. And unfortunately, its largely preventable, Rogers said.

Weve talked a lot about vaccine hesitancy, but Ive seen a lot of vaccine regret in patients, in family members that wish they would have been vaccinated sooner. Vaccines are widely available, and so nows the time to get vaccinated before its too late, Rogers said.

Dr. Timothy Bode, chief medical officer at Ascension St. Vincents Health System, said 88% of their nearly 100 COVID-19 patients are unvaccinated. He said 93% of COVID-19 patients in critical care units and on ventilators are unvaccinated.

Dr. Mark Wilson, health officer for the Jefferson County Department of Health, urged people to get vaccinated and to get back to basics with wearing masks and avoiding crowds.

We are in a big scary surge right now, Wilson said.
BOISE, Idaho (AP)  An Idaho woman has been charged with four misdemeanors after prosecutors said she participated in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol by loyalists of then-President Donald Trump.

Like many other defendants who have been charged in connection with the siege, Pam Hemphill of Boise posted videos to social media sites that showed her in Washington, D.C., in the days surrounding the insurrection and at the Capitol when it was happening. In one video, she compared breaking windows at the federal building to actions protesters at the Idaho Statehouse had taken months earlier. In another, she said she avoided getting into trouble after being found inside the Capitol by telling police that she became lost after being pushed into the building by the crowd. The videos were later removed.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)  Des Moines Public Schools is among the thousands of school districts scrambling to determine how to both teach students and protect this coming school year them from a new surge of coronavirus cases across the country.

A district summer day care program was abruptly shut down this week following several positive COVID-19 tests within the program. District officials announced Tuesday that the MetroKids program at Hubbell Elementary School is closed until at least Aug. 9, and the school will undergo extra cleaning during the closure, KCCI reported.
Despite expressing concern about some recent COVID-19 outbreaks in Connecticut, notably at a birthday party and a summer camp, Gov. Ned Lamont said Wednesday that he does not foresee the state following the lead of New York City and requiring vaccination declarations for a variety of indoor activities.

Lamont said he also expects to give a green light to local officials to impose their own higher standard for masking, based on their local infection rates, rather than impose a statewide mask mandate for both vaccinated and unvaccinated people.

Look, weve got towns where less than 50% of people are vaccinated. Weve got towns where 99% of the people are vaccinated. So I think giving some flexibility there makes a fair amount of sense and well be issuing some directives on that within a day," Lamont told reporters during an event in Manchester. They know their communities pretty well.

Various communities around the state have already reinstated mask mandates for everyone who visits municipal buildings. Meanwhile, Lamont's order requiring indoor mask-wearing for unvaccinated people in public places remains in place until at least Sept. 30 and state public health officials have strongly recommended everyone in Connecticut over age 2 now wear a mask indoors.

Lamont said his administration is, however, weighing the possibility of requiring nursing home staff to get vaccinated, calling it a priority" for them to get the shot. In neighboring Massachusetts, Gov. Charlie Baker announced Wednesday that his administration will begin mandating that staff in long-term care facilities receive COVID-19 vaccines to help protect some of the states most vulnerable residents.

Shortly after talking to reporters, Lamont and Dr. Deidre Gifford, the state's acting commissioner of the Department of Public Health, issued a written statement about recent outbreaks in the state among vaccinated and unvaccinated people. They include a birthday party in June in an unidentified community with 50 people that began outdoors and then moved indoors. A week later, there were 10 cases among 13 unvaccinated attendees and six cases among 33 fully or partially vaccinated party-goers. Four cases led to hospitalization.

Lamont and Gifford also noted an outbreak at an unidentified summer camp where 13 out of the approximately 50 campers, ages 11-14, tested positive. No cases were identified among the roughly 20 staff members, all of whom were vaccinated. DPH said the vaccination status of the campers is unknown. Additionally, 28 Connecticut residents who've tested positive have been associated with a recent outbreak in Provincetown, Massachusetts. Of those, 26 were vaccinated and none were hospitalized.

Vaccination remains the most important defense against illness and hospitalization from COVID-19, according to the statement, which stressed that so-called breakthrough cases in the state remain rare and most hospitalizations and deaths in Connecticut and around the U.S. have involved unvaccinated people.

Over the past two weeks, the rolling average number of daily new cases has increased by 284.7, an increase of 188.5%, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins. Lamont stressed Wednesday that Connecticut still has a very low infection rate and while hospitalizations have mostly increased over the past six weeks, there still remains good capacity to care for people.

As of Wednesday, there were 163 hospitalizations, a decline of three from Tuesday. Meanwhile, there were 537 newly reported probable or confirmed cases.

In other coronavirus-related news:

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EMPLOYMENT BONUSES

To date, more than 5,000 residents who've been unemployed long-term have submitted applications for the state's Back to Work CT program, hoping to receive a $1,000 incentive payment after finding and keeping a job.

In May, the governor allocated up to $10 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds for the initiative to provide one-time bonuses to as many as 10,000 people. As of Wednesday, the Department of Revenue Services had received 5,199 applications. The program, which began on May 30 and runs through the end of the year, is intended to encourage the long-time unemployed to find work.

A spokesman for DRS said the response to the program so far has been very positive.

Eligible applicants must spend at least eight weeks in their new full-time job between May 30 and Dec. 31 as well as meet other requirements.

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MASKS AT CASINOS

Foxwoods Resort Casino is updating its COVID-19 protocols in response to the recent recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC last week recommended that people in areas with substantial levels of community transmission wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status.

The entire state now falls into that category.

Jason Guyot, the president and chief executive officer of Foxwoods, said as a result of that guidance, the casino will now require all employees to wear facial coverings, regardless of vaccination status. Guyot said the move comes despite the fact that more than 75% of Foxwoods employees are fully vaccinated.

Guyot said that fully vaccinated guests are also encouraged to wear masks, but will not be required to put them on.

We still request non-vaccinated guests wear facial coverings for their own safety, he said. Well continue to monitor and adjust our safety guidelines as needed to ensure a safe environment for all.

Connecticuts other casino, the Mohegan Sun, does not require vaccinated staff or guests to wear masks. A spokesman for the casino did not return messages Wednesday seeking comment.
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.

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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.
MADISON, Wis. (AP) 

Wisconsin elections officials said Wednesday that they have removed more than 205,000 voters from the rolls as part of routine work to keep the state's registration lists up to date.

Purging voters from the rolls has been a point of major contention in the perennial swing state. Conservatives filed a lawsuit in 2019 demanding that the Wisconsin Elections Commission remove voters from the rolls if they didn't respond to mailings within 30 days. The lawsuit ultimately failed and Democrat Joe Biden went on to beat Donald Trump by about 20,000 votes.

Commission officials announced Wednesday that they deactivated 174,307 voter registrations on Saturday because the voters hadn't cast a ballot in four years and didn't respond to a mailing. They said they are required by law every two years to identify registered voters who haven't voted in the previous four years and deactivate them unless they wish to remain registered.

The commission on Saturday also deactivated 31,854 registrations of voters who may have moved and didn't respond to a mailing. The commission mailed postcards during the summer of 2019 to more than 230,000 voters identified by the Electronic Registration Information Center as having possibly moved.

The commission voted that summer not to deactivate them until after the April 2021 election to give them several chances to affirm they hadn't moved. That stance prompted a lawsuit from a conservative law firm, the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, demanding the commission remove those voters within 30 days if they didn't respond to the mailing. The state Supreme Court ultimately ruled that the commission wasn't required to remove voters within that window.

Voters who were removed from the rolls can become eligible to cast ballots again by re-registering. People can check their registration status through the MyVote Wisconsin website at https://myvote.wi.gov or by contacting their municipal clerk.

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This story has been updated to correct that conservatives filed their lawsuit in 2019, not 2020.
CONCORD, N.H. (AP)  The federal government's new moratorium on evictions is being implemented in three New Hampshire counties with high or substantial COVID-19 community transmission.

The state court system said Wednesday that it has paused eviction proceedings for tenants covered by the moratorium in Hillsborough, Rockingham and Strafford counties.
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP)  An explosion at the entrance of military barracks on the western edge of the Syrian capital Wednesday set a bus on fire, killed its driver and sent black smoke billowing over the area, Syrian state media reported.

Initial reports on state media said the explosion in the gas tank of a bus at the entrance of the barracks near Qudsaya, west of Damascus, caused the fire. It said three others were injured and were hospitalized.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)  A fire Wednesday destroyed a small set at the Netflix film studios in Albuquerque, the fire department said.

Chief Tom Ruiz of Albuquerque Fire Rescue said crews responding to the pre-dawn blaze found the set fully involved" in flames and smoke. He said the fire was extinguished quickly but that the set was a total loss."
BERLIN (AP)  The German government said Wednesday it will strengthen its battle against the quickly growing antisemitism in the country by investing 35 million euros ($41.5 million) into research and educational projects focused on understanding its causes and effectively fighting hatred of Jews.

Police registered 2,351 cases of antisemitism in Germany last year, which was an increase of 15% compared to the year before, officials reported.

This is the highest number in the last couple of years, German Education and Research Minister Anja Karliczek said. There's reason for worry that this is only the tip of the iceberg and that the unreported number of daily attacks on Jews is substantially higher.

Karliczek said that the government wants to invest millions into researching the causes of antisemitism because we need deep knowledge in order to be able to efficiently fight" it.

She said millions would be given to universities to examine the different facets of hatred against Jews and to develop strategies on what to best do against it. Various projects will focus on antisemitism in schools, in the German justice system or on the internet and social media.

Funds will also be given to hire junior scholars focusing on the topic and to support projects trying to educate the non-Jewish majority in the country about Jewish life, customs and religious rituals.

In a second step, scientists will be tasked to develop practical guidelines based on their findings to help teachers and others tackle the growing hatred.

It is a shame that Jews feel threatened in our country, the minister said. Especially in view of our history, we have a special obligation to protect Jews and Jewish life in Germany.

Six million European Jews were killed in the Holocaust, the German-orchestrated genocide during World War II.
(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)

Arturo Ramirez-Valdez, University of California San Diego

(THE CONVERSATION) I was looking at the seafloor, focused on identifying fish species as I normally did when diving off of the California coast, when suddenly I felt something large above me. When I turned my head I saw a giant fish  more than 6 feet (2 meters) long  calmly interested in the air bubbles coming from my SCUBA regulator. This was 2016 and was my first encounter with a giant sea bass.

I am a marine ecologist, and I study how international borders pose challenges for conservation and management efforts in the marine environment. Although there are no walls or fences in the ocean, borders still act as stark barriers for a variety of things.

Giant sea bass live off the west coast of North America in both Mexican and U.S. waters. I have found that large differences in regulation and research effort between the two countries has led to a significant misunderstanding of giant sea bass population health.

Different countries, different science

The giant sea bass is the largest coastal bony fish in the Northeastern Pacific. It can grow up to 9 feet (2.7 meters) long and weigh up to 700 pounds (315 kg). It lives in coastal waters from northern California to the tip of the Baja California peninsula in Mexico, including the entire Gulf of California.

In California, commercial fishing for the species began in the late 1880s. Large fish used to be very abundant across the entire range, but the fishery collapsed in the early 1970s. As a response, in 1981 the U.S. banned both commercial and recreational fishing for giant sea bass, and there are many ongoing research and population recovery efforts today.

The collapse and subsequent protection and flurry of research in the U.S. stand in stark contrast to Mexico. In Mexico, there are minimal regulations on fishing for the species, and there is almost a complete lack of data and research on it  there are only three studies on giant sea bass with any data from Mexico.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature considers giant sea bass to be a critically endangered species due to the population being severely fragmented, leading to a continuing decline of mature individuals. But this decision was based on a report that had no data whatsoever from Mexico. This lack of data is concerning, considering 73% of the species range is in Mexican waters.

This knowledge gap made me wonder if ecologists had the wrong idea about the health of giant sea bass populations.

Healthy fish in Mexico

In 2017, I led an effort to document the giant sea bass population in Mexico and look for clues to what it was in the past. At the beginning of the project, my colleagues and I feared that the records in Mexico would confirm the precarious situation of the fish in the U.S. But the reality turned out to be the opposite.

To our surprise, we found giant sea bass everywhere in the fish markets and fishing grounds from our very first assessments. The fishmongers were never out of the fish; instead, they would ask us, How many kilos do you need? It was clear that for fishers in Mexico, the species is still common in the sea, and therefore, in their nets. It is still possible to find big fish up to 450 pounds 200 kilograms, and the average catch was around 26 pounds (12 kilograms).

It was fantastic to see an abundance of these fish in markets, but I also wanted to understand the fishery trends through history and how current fishing levels compared to previous years. I looked at historical and contemporary fishing records and found that the Mexican commercial fleet has caught an average of 55 tons per year over the past 60 years, and the fishery has been relatively stable over the past 20 years, with a peak in 2015 at 112 tons.

According to U.S. and Mexican records, the largest yearly catch ever recorded for giant sea bass in Mexico was 386 tons in 1933. Biologists consider a fishery to have collapsed when total catches, under the same effort, are less than 10% of the largest catches on record. So a steady trend of 55 tons per year shows that the fishery in Mexico has not collapsed. It is clear that giant sea bass populations have faced severe declines throughout their range; however, the health of the species is not as dire as thought.

Another interesting finding from my research is that the apparent collapse of the giant sea bass fishery documented in the 1970s actually began as early as 1932.

Over the first half of the 20th century, as the U.S. commercial fleet overfished U.S. waters, they began fishing in Mexican waters too  but they continued to count all catches as from the U.S. This changed in 1968 when the two governments signed the MexicoU.S. Fisheries Agreement, limiting how much fish each countrys fleet could take from the other countrys waters. The collapse of the U.S. fishery in the 1970s was not due to a drastic reduction in fish numbers in Mexican waters, but driven by changes in fishing regulation between the U.S. and Mexico. The California fish populations had been depressed for decades, but this was hidden by fish from Mexico.

Better data, better management

Based on my research, I believe that the giant sea bass may not qualify as a critically endangered species. My analysis of modern catch data suggests that the population of this iconic fish is likely much larger than biologists previously thought, especially in Mexico.

I am leading the next assessment for the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and now that we have accumulated better data, we can make a more informed decision that balances responsible management of the species with human needs.

I hope that our study inspires policymakers in the U.S. and Baja to start a conversation about how to manage this incredible fish in a collaborative way. But I feel our work also has larger implications. It shows how asymmetry in research and data can create significant barriers to understanding the past and present status of a species like the giant sea bass and make it harder to implement sustainable practices for the future.

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This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/giant-sea-bass-are-thriving-in-mexican-waters-scientific-research-that-found-them-to-be-critically-endangered-stopped-at-the-us-mexico-border-165153.
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP)  Interior Secretary Deb Haaland has not decided the position she will take on a proposed land exchange aimed at building a road through a national wildlife refuge in Alaska, a U.S. government attorney said Wednesday in arguing the position taken by Haaland's predecessor.

Michael T. Gray, a Justice Department attorney, told a federal appeals court panel Haaland planned to review the record and visit King Cove, the community at the heart of the dispute, before making a decision. He said the position he was arguing had not been taken back in any way.

Gray last month sent a letter to the clerk of court for the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals stating that Haaland was expected to visit King Cove in September. The letter outlined the position that a decision on whether to enter into a land exchange agreement was a policy call on which different Interior secretaries could reach different conclusions, even on the same record.

Judge Kim McLane Wardlaw on Wednesday called the letter perplexing."

She pressed Gray for a timeline and said going forward with the case seemed a tremendous ask of the judiciary while Haaland was deciding what position to take.

Gray later said he would not oppose a stay of proceedings. But an attorney for the state, Sean Lynch, expressed concerns with a stay. The state has supported the position defending the land exchange, and Lynch said he believed King Cove Corp., another intervenor in the case, would oppose a stay.

King Cove residents have long sought a land connection through Izembek National Wildlife Refuge to Cold Bay, which has an all-weather airport. Supporters of the effort see it as a life and safety issue.

The refuge, near the tip of the Alaska Peninsula, contains an internationally recognized habitat for migrating waterfowl.

In 2013, Interior Department officials declined a land exchange, with then-Interior Secretary Sally Jewell calling the refuge an extraordinary place and saying she supported the conclusion that building a road through the refuge would cause irreversible damage.

Under the Trump administration, efforts to move forward with a land exchange faced legal challenges, including the current case, brought by a coalition of conservation groups.

A federal judge last year set aside a proposed 2019 agreement between the Interior Department and King Cove Corp., an Alaska Native village corporation. The judge found in part that then-Interior Secretary David Bernhardt had failed to provide adequate reasoning to support a change in policy in favor of a land exchange and road.

Conservation groups also said the agreement did not include a provision limiting use of a road to health and safety purposes.

Interior Department spokesperson Melissa Schwartz could not provide details Wednesday of any travel plans by Haaland. But Schwartz, by email, confirmed that Haaland had not made a final decision regarding a position on the land exchange issue. She said Haaland had told Alaska U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski she would travel to Alaska to inform that decision.

Murkowski has supported road access, which she has said would provide a lifeline for emergency medical care.
SAULIEU, France (AP)  An international conference on Lebanon on Wednesday raised some $370 million in aid to meet the country's humanitarian needs, one year after the massive explosion at Beiruts port, the French presidency said.

The pledges, to be delivered over the next 12 months, go beyond the $357 million sought in the third global effort to show support for the Lebanese people, President Emmanuel Macron said at the virtual conference co-hosted by France and the United Nations.

France will provide 100 millions euros ($118.6 million) in the coming months, Macron said. Paris will also send 500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines for the country.

President Joe Biden, who addressed the conference in a video message, pledged to give $100 million in new humanitarian assistance.

The conference drew 33 states, some represented by heads of state or government, diplomats and 13 international organizations, plus five representatives of Lebanese civil society, according to a final statement from Macron's office. Participants included Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Egypts President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, King Abdullah II of Jordan and European Council President Charles Michel.

Lebanon's current humanitarian needs have been estimated by the U.N. to be at least $357 million. Aid is to focus on food, schools, the health sector and clean water supply.

Wednesday's event was also meant to mount pressure on Lebanese leaders to form a new government able to implement reforms and start rebuilding the country.

Lebanon is going through the worst economic and financial crisis of its modern history, and a political stalemate has kept the country without a functioning government for a full year.

Biden said that no amount of outside assistance will ever be enough, if Lebanons own leaders do not commit to do the hard but necessary work of reforming the economy and combating corruption. Thats essential, and has to start now.

Lebanese politicians have only made the situation worse by placing their individual and political interests above the Lebanese peoples interests," Macron criticized. Lebanon definitely deserves better."

Macron said that humanitarian aid promised Wednesday will be unconditional.

However, he warned that there will be no blank check to the Lebanese political system because it is defaulting. ... Lebanese leaders seem to opt for the deterioration (of the situation). I regret it. I think its an historical and moral error.

Michel, the European Council President, stressed that the EU adopted a few days ago a sanctions framework ... to target those in Lebanon who obstruct efforts to end the political crisis. We obviously hope that we will not be obliged to activate it.

Macron, who went to Beirut twice since the explosion at the port, has led international efforts to try to help the former French protectorate by providing emergency aid. Last year's conference on Lebanon, organized in the wake of the explosion, raised about 280 million euros ($332 million).

In a statement laying out the conference's conclusions, participants said that Lebanon's development model needs to be overhauled to ensure the country gets back into a sustainable and people-centered development process.

Humanitarian assistance cannot be a long-term solution, the conference concluded, noting that structural economic and financial assistance will require profound changes expected from Lebanons leaders.

The conference said a new government under Lebanon's new Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati must start by swiftly launching, conducting and concluding negotiations in good faith with the International Monetary Fund," as well as preparing transparent and impartial" elections for 2022, and repairing the damaged port.

According to the U.N., over half of Lebanese people now live in poverty, one in three Lebanese suffer from food insecurity and nearly 4 million people are at risk of not accessing safe water.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  Louisiana's public school student performance on key standardized tests plunged in the last school year, according to state education data released Wednesday that provides the first glimpse of how students fared during the coronavirus outbreak.

The LEAP 2025 exams measure what students know in math, English, science and social studies. Students in grades 3 through 12 took the tests in the spring after they were canceled a year earlier because of the pandemic.

The Advocate reports the states goal is for students to reach the fourth-highest achievement level, called mastery. The number of students reaching that level or above in grades 3 through 8 fell to 29%, down from 34% two years ago. High school students achieving mastery dropped from 37% two years ago to 32% this time.

Jim Garvey, the longest serving member of the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, said he expected the decline in scores to be twice as large amid back-to-back interrupted school years.

I would say the reduction in scores are not nearly as bad as I was expecting, Garvey told the newspaper.

Statewide, only one school district improved overall: Jackson Parish, which grew one percentage point. The district with the sharpest decline was Evangeline Parish, where the number of students reaching the mastery benchmark dropped 10 percentage points.

The decline in this years results showed up across all grade levels, subjects and subgroups, according to the state Department of Education. The number of students that scored unsatisfactory  the lowest of five levels on LEAP 2025  rose by five percentage points.

The drop in scores mirrors trends in other states.

This LEAP 2025 data will be invaluable in guiding our instructional, policy and resource allocation decisions as we recover and accelerate from this unprecedented interruption to student learning, state Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley said in a statement announcing the results.

Carrie Monica, executive director of the education advocacy group Stand For Children, said Louisiana has to address learning loss, with a priority on in-person classes. She said in a statement that the data clearly shows that student achievement was higher when students had in-person instruction.

Classrooms in Louisiana closed nine weeks early in March 2020 during the early stages of the pandemic. The 2020-21 school year featured a mixture of in-person classes and distance learning, ending with about 75% of students attending classes in person.

Educators said online learning posed huge problems for a state where two-thirds of students live in low-income homes and internet access is patchy, especially in rural areas.
WILMINGTON, Del. (AP)  Two women who confronted supporters of Donald Trump and took a Make America Great Again hat from them at the Democratic National Convention in Wilmington last year have pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of theft, child endangerment and hate crimes.

The News Journal of Wilmington reports that Olivia Winslow and Camryn Amy will be sentenced for those charges in September. Plea paperwork in court records indicate that prosecutors will not seek prison time.
PHOENIX (AP)  Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona used his first speech in Congress on Wednesday to pay tribute to John McCain, the late Republican U.S. senator whose seat Kelly now holds.

His legacy is something that cannot be matched, Kelly said. But it's what inspires me serving in this Senate seat. And it's his example of bipartisanship and independence that continues to demand more of us."

McCain's widow, Cindy McCain, watched from the gallery as Kelly's guest. Shes awaiting Senate confirmation after President Joe Biden nominated her as the U.S. representative to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture.

Kelly was elected last year to finish the last two years of McCain's final term. He is a top target for the GOP and faces a tough reelection fight next year for his own six-year term.

Kelly has gone out of his way to pay his respects to McCain, a Vietnam War hero who was tortured during more than five years of captivity. He visited McCains grave at the U.S. Naval Academy the day before taking office last year and talks regularly about being inspired by McCains example not just as a politician but also as a fellow Navy fighter pilot and a prisoner of war.

McCain was elected six times to the U.S. Senate from Arizona and was the 2008 Republican nominee for president. With his maverick persona and willingness to buck his own party, McCain remains a revered figure in Arizona, particularly with suburban independents and Republicans whom Kelly will need to win reelection. McCain died of brain cancer in 2018.

Cindy McCain was among Biden's most high-profile Republican endorsers. She did not weigh in on the race to finish her husband's Senate term, but her decision not to endorse Republican Martha McSally helped Kelly build his independent brand.

Kelly is a retired astronaut and the husband of former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, whose own promising political career was cut short when she was shot in the head during a constituent event in 2011.

In his maiden speech, Kelly also touted the bipartisan infrastructure deal, which he said will deliver wildfire and drought resiliency in Arizona. He celebrated Arizona's thriving semiconductor manufacturing sector, saying national security depends on expanding U.S. production of computer chips. And he said the recovery from the coronavirus must focus on building good-paying jobs.

Arizonans have chased down this virus and the economic fallout that came with it with determination, Kelly said. I came here to have their back.
PORTLAND, Maine (AP)  A Massachusetts construction worker pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and will serve an 18-month sentence for the punch that killed his friend and co-worker last year.

Robert Clarke and Elliott Fama came to Maine in October last year for a construction job. Police said Clarke hit Fama during a fight over a cigarette. Video evidence showed that Fama lost consciousness after he was hit and hit his head on a curb. He died days later in the hospital, The Portland Press Herald reported.
PARADISE, Mich. (AP)  Two people who were missing after their canoe overturned several times in the Tahquamenon River have been found following a search in a heavily forested part of Michigans Upper Peninsula.

Conservation officers located Ezequiel Gianfranco, 19, of Homestead, Florida, and Nathalie Hoste-Skrzypek, 20, of Chicago, on Monday in a boat operated by a good Samaritan, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said.

Gianfranco and Hoste-Skrzypek were overdue by three hours when friends reported them missing about 6:30 p.m. Sunday to staff at Tahquamenon Falls State Park, near Paradise and northwest of Sault Ste. Marie.

They had traveled to the falls with some friends from the Chicago area for a day trip to visit the falls, conservation officer Cole VanOosten said Tuesday in a news release.

They split into two groups in rented canoes.

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 added. They were also inexperienced in operating a canoe.

As VanOosten and a park ranger began searching Sunday evening for the pair, Gianfranco and Hoste-Skrzypek called their friends to say their canoe had overturned and that they made it safely to shore, according to the DNR. They were walking along an off-road vehicle trail when a cellphone battery ran out of power.

As VanOosten and the park ranger located the canoe about 8:45 p.m., roughly 5.5 miles (8.8 kilometers) from where the paddlers entered the river. Authorities searched a 7-mile (11.2-kilometer) radius of their last known location but were unable to find them.

A Coast Guard helicopter joined the search about 2 a.m. Monday. Two other conservation officers spotted Gianfranco and Hoste-Skrzypek late Monday morning in the good Samaritans boat.

The pair told officers that they spent Sunday night in a small cabin. A person living nearby took them downriver in a boat. They were reported to be in good condition afterward.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP)  Faced with a labor shortage and a growing number of vacancies, Nebraska state officials are offering bigger incentive packages to try to get people to work in the states prisons, veterans homes and other facilities that require around-the-clock staffing.

State officials said the new, more generous bonuses are a short-term solution to keep the state competitive while they look for a longer-term fix, according to the Omaha World-Herald.

But one union official said higher wages, not temporary bonuses, are the only real fix for staffing shortages at facilities such as the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution, a chronically understaffed prison in rural, southeast Nebraska.

Mike Chipman, the head of union that represents prison workers and regional centers, said workers are regularly called on to work a second shift at the Tecumseh prison. He said activities for inmates often must be canceled due to a lack of security staff, even though workers are transported daily from Omaha.

Its getting worse and worse, Chipman said. Ive never seen anything like this.

Eric Maher, a spokesman for the State Department of Administrative Services, said labor negotiators will be meeting with union representatives in September to discuss possible solutions.

Chipman said at least 150 of the 300 open security staff positions at state prisons are at Tecumseh. There are another 50 vacant posts at the Lincoln Regional Center, which houses inmates with mental illnesses.

Job vacancies are also at a record high at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. The number has grown by 200 since Jan. 1, to 988 vacancies, a department spokeswoman said. That has prompted new incentives for nurses and food service workers.

Gov. Pete Ricketts announced the new hiring and retention bonuses on Friday, with extra incentives available for protective services staff willing to relocate to the Tecumseh prison for a year. They would receive an immediate $7,500 bonus.

Thats on top of the stipends Tecumseh workers receive for commuting there, which range from $100 to $200 a month. 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 up to $10,000. Bonuses also are offered for employees who recruit new staffers.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP)  A bronze sculpture depicting Italian immigrants is the top choice of a New Haven panel to replace a statue of Christopher Columbus that was removed from a city park last year amid protests.

The design by Branford sculptor Marc-Anthony Massaro has been chosen by the Wooster Square Monument Committee to replace the Columbus statue that had stood for 128 years in Wooster Square, the New Haven Register reported Tuesday. The choice is being submitted to the Board of Alders and three other city agencies for final approval.

Massaro's work is titled Indicando la via al futuro, Italian for pointing the way to the future. It shows a boy, his older sister and their parents, newly arrived in America from Italy with suitcases. The father is holding the boy, who is pointing to something in the distance. Massero made a one-sixth-scale model of the image.

I think the committee felt that his proposal exemplified the story that we are telling  that is, the story of Italian immigration, said William Iovanne, co-chairman of the Monument Committee. "His sculpture is incredible.

Columbus statues across the country have been removed amid widespread racial injustice protests that began last year following the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.

Protesters clashed in brief skirmishes when the New Haven statue was taken down. Columbus supporters called the statue an important symbol of Italian American heritage, while opponents condemned Columbus as a white supremacist who touched off centuries of European oppression and the decimation of Indigenous peoples.

The city Parks Commission had voted to take down the statue amid demands by many city residents, including Italian Americans.

If Massaro's design is approved, Iovanne said there would be about 18 months of fabricating and designing. It would cost $300,000 to $350,000, money that would be raised privately, he said.

Massaro grew up in New Haven and his grandfather, Frank Consiglio, was an Italian immigrant who came to America in 1918 and lived in Wooster Square. Consiglio's nephew founded the popular Sally's Apizza restaurant.

It is a deeply, deeply emotional experience, Massaro said. When I look at the sculpture, having created it, I see my own family.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The party for the nation's 44th president will go on, but only for family and close friends.

Former President Barack Obama has scaled back his 60th birthday bash set for this weekend at his Martha's Vineyard home off the Massachusetts coast due to the surge of infections blamed on the delta variant of the coronavirus, his office said Wednesday.

Attendance is now limited to family and close friends. Published reports had said hundreds of celebrities, politicos and others were expected at Obama's sprawling house.

This outdoor event was planned months ago in accordance with all public health guidelines and with COVID safeguards in place," Obama spokesperson Hannah Hankins said in a statement. Due to the new spread of the delta variant over the past week, the President and Mrs. Obama have decided to significantly scale back the event to include only family and close friends.

President Obama is appreciative of others sending their birthday wishes from afar and looks forward to seeing people soon, Hankins added.

The two-term president turned 60 on Wednesday. Some conservatives criticized the plans for a milestone birthday celebration after details about the event were published this week.

If the CDC doesnt recommend Obama cancel his birthday party, dont listen when they recommend you shut down your business, conservative activist Charlie Kirk tweeted on Monday.

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that people  including those fully vaccinated against COVID-19  resume wearing face coverings in public indoor spaces in areas of substantial or high transmission t o protect against the delta variant. Some states and cities also have reinstated mask requirements as infections surge around the country.

The CDC website on Wednesday listed the rate of transmission in Dukes County, Massachusetts, which includes the island of Martha's Vineyard, as substantial."

Massachusetts has not reinstituted mask requirements, leaving those decisions to individual communities. So far, the towns on Martha's Vineyard have issued mask advisories, but no mandates.

The Biden administration has blamed the latest surge on the approximately 90 million people who remain unvaccinated.

Obama's defenders stressed that the birthday party is being held outdoors, guests were asked to provide a negative COVID-19 test result and that a coordinator had been enlisted to ensure the event followed all public health guidelines.

Both Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and have urged Americans to also get their shots and follow public health protocols.

COVID-19 has gotten more contagious, so its more important than ever to get vaccinated, the former president said last week in a tweet that included a link for people to find vaccines. Vaccines are safe, and the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones.

President Joe Biden, Obama's vice president, tweeted birthday wishes on Wednesday. He did not plan to attend the party.

Im proud to call you a brother and a friend  and Im grateful for your selfless service to this nation, Biden wrote to the former president.

___

Associated Press writer Mark Pratt in Boston contributed to this report.
COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP)  A Southern California school board announced plans to sue Gov. Gavin Newsom over a state mandate requiring K-12 students to wear masks in classrooms, saying face coverings are harmful to children and the governor is abusing his power.

The Orange County Board of Education, which last year unsuccessfully sued Newsom to reopen classrooms, voted 4-0 in a closed session Tuesday in favor of filing a lawsuit against the Democratic governor, The Orange County Register reported.

A statement read aloud by the boards counsel said that Newsom has abused his authority by continuing to issue coronavirus health edicts under a state of emergency and that the latest school mask rule is a burden that compounds the harm to Californias children previously caused by prior school closures and unwarranted masking requirements.

The board did not present any data as evidence of adverse effects of masking on children or acknowledge public health studies that have shown masking reduces the spread of the virus.

The board does not have the authority to implement rules over the countys 27 school districts.

Last month, state health officials announced that all teachers and students will be required to wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status, when classrooms reopen for the fall term.

The rules differed from the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at the time, which said fully vaccinated people didn't have to wear masks indoors. The CDC has since reversed course, saying fully vaccinated people should wear masks indoors again in places with high COVID-19 transmission rates.

The federal agency also said last month that students and staff should stay at least 3 feet (1 meter) apart to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

State officials say they worried that imposing physical distancing rules would make it harder for some schools to accommodate all students. So they dropped the distancing requirement and required masks for everyone; a tradeoff they say will enable all students to return to in-person classes.

In recent weeks, COVID-19 cases have surged in Orange County and statewide due to the highly contagious delta variant.

On Monday, Orange County reported an average of 626 new COVID-19 cases a day for the previous seven days, up from 72 new cases a day reported on July 2.

Last August, the same school board sued Newsom to reopen schools that had been closed due to COVID-19. A petition went to the state Supreme Court asking it to review the case, but was ultimately denied.

Last month, two parent groups  Let Them Breathe and Reopen California Schools  filed a lawsuit against Newsom and state public health officials seeking to end the school mask mandate.

The mask mandate and Newsoms handling of the pandemic are among the politically charged issues Republicans have seized on to fuel a recall campaign against the Democratic governor.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The State Department said Wednesday its looking into the apparent disappearance of a nearly $6,000 bottle of whisky given more than two years ago to then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo by the government of Japan. Pompeo knows nothing about the gift or an inquiry, a representative said.

In a notice filed in the Federal Register, the department said it could find no trace of the bottles whereabouts and that there is an ongoing inquiry into what happened to the booze. The department reported the investigation in its annual accounting of gifts given to senior U.S. officials by foreign governments and leaders.

The department's Office of Protocol is required to record gifts given to U.S. officials and keep track of their disposition. Recipients have the option of turning gifts of a certain value over to the National Archives or another government entity or purchasing them for personal use by reimbursing the Treasury Department for their value.

The Japanese whisky was valued at $5,800 and was presented to Pompeo in June 2019, presumably when he visited the country that month for a Group of 20 summit that was also attended by President Donald Trump. But unlike other gifts, the department said there was no record of what had become of the bottle.

The department is looking into the matter and has an ongoing inquiry, it said in the Federal Register notice. The notice offered no additional detail. A representative for Pompeo said Pompeo has no knowledge of the gift and has not been contacted by anyone regarding an investigation of it.

Pompeo also reported receiving two carpets worth a total of $19,400 from the president of Kazakhstan and the foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates. Both floor coverings were transferred to the General Services Administration, the notice said.

The filing said Trump and his wife, Melania, received more than $120,000 worth of presents from foreign leaders in 2019, compared with $88,200 the year before. In Trump's first year in office, in 2017, they reported receiving more than $140,000 in gifts.

There was no significant common theme to the 2019 gifts. At least three foreign leaders  from Australia, Egypt and Vietnam  presented Trump with photographs or portraits of himself that collectively were valued at more than $10,000.

Trump received a painting of himself on dual pane glass from then-Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong that was worth an estimated $5,250, according to the filing. It also says Trump got a large double frame carved from black stone with image of President Donald J. Trump in precious metal on one side and the coat of arms of Egypt on the reverse worth $4,450 from Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison gave Trump a framed photo of himself and his wife worth $470.

Other more expensive gifts Trump received included an Ottoman Empire rifle valued at $8,500 from the prime minister of Bulgaria, a bronze sculpture of an Arabian horse from the crown prince of Bahrain worth $7,200 and a gold, onyx, emerald and diamond statue of an Arabian oryx worth $6,300 from the emir of Qatar.

All of those gifts, including the portraits and photograph, were turned over to the National Archives, according to the report.

Another significant recipient of gifts was now-retired Gen. Joseph Votel, commander of U.S. Central Command until March 2019; that command oversees American military operations in the Middle East. The government of Qatar lavished Votel with nearly $37,000 in luxury watches in 2019, including one Rolex timepiece valued at $14,995, according to the report. Votel turned those watches over to the GSA.
VATICAN CITY (AP)  Pope Francis resumed his routine of holding weekly audiences with the general public a month after he underwent bowel surgery, and during the much-awaited appearance Wednesday he recalled the anniversary of the devastating Beirut port explosion and expressed the desire to visit Lebanon.

After removing his face mask to protect against COVID-19, Francis walked unaided to the center of the stage of a Vatican auditorium. He smiled as he gestured toward the visitors, before taking his seat in an upholstered chair and addressing several hundred pilgrims and tourists, who wore masks as part of the Vatican's anti-pandemic measures for crowd situations.

Near the end of an almost hour-long audience, Francis spoke of the Beirut explosion, recalling the victims, their families, the injured, and all those who lost homes and work in the blast.

Lebanon's people, he said, were still tired and disappointed in the aftermath, a reference to the economic and political crises convulsing the Middle Eastern nation on the Mediterranean Sea. Francis appealed to the international community to offer concrete gestures of help to the Lebanese people and not just words.

My desire to visit you is great, Francis said, adding he never tires of praying for them.

Francis, 84, was hospitalized on July 4 in Rome for an operation in which a section of his colon was removed. The Vatican said the surgery was necessitated by diverticular stenosis, or a narrowing of the bowel.

On Wednesday, audience members clapped vigorously after he finished his introductory remarks and after he greeted each language group. After the pope gave participants his closing blessing, he went down the stage's steps with the help of two aides to greet some members of the public, pausing for a selfie with an audience member.

I hope that the coming summer holidays will be a time of refreshment and spiritual renewal for you and your families, Francis said during his scripted remarks.

Unlike previous pontiffs, who spent summers at the Vatican's holiday retreat in the cooler hills near Rome, or, in the case of John Paul II, who liked to vacation in the Italian Alps, Francis stays at the Vatican each summer.

But during his papacy, the Wednesday audiences have been suspended in July to give Francis some extra rest time during Romes hot summers. His hospitalization therefore didnt interfere with his regular general audience schedule.

While recovering at the hospital, Francis stepped onto a 10-floor balcony to greet well-wishers. He still looks somewhat wan, but Francis has been in good spirits and adlibbed at times during his traditional Sunday window appearances to the crowd in St. Peters Square.

His wish for a peaceful future for Lebanon echoed sentiments he voiced three days before his surgery. On July 1, at a prayer service in St. Peters Basilica, Francis insisted that Lebanon must remain a land of tolerance and pluralism as he welcomed the countrys Christian patriarchs to the Vatican to pray for an end to that countrys crises.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  A state investigation into the fatal police shooting of a Black man in an Ohio emergency room is being referred to the county prosecutor, the attorney general announced Wednesday.

The state completed its probe into the April shooting death of Miles Jackson at Mount Carmel St. Anns Hospital in suburban Columbus and submitted it to the Franklin County prosecutor, who will determine whether to file charges against the officers involved.
WILMINGTON, Del. (AP)  A Millsboro man accused of possessing four homemade bombs and an AK-47 with an altered serial number is facing federal charges, according to prosecutors in Delaware.

A federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment Tuesday charging Job Gillette, 23, with four counts of possession of an unregistered destructive device and one count each of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and possession of a firearm with an altered or obliterated serial number. The indictment alleges that on March 24, Gillette, who was prohibited from possessing firearms, was found in possession of an AK-47 rifle with an altered serial number, one improvised incendiary device and parts to assemble three more.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP)  Dock workers who launched a strike that prevented thousands of shipping containers with items including food and medicine from reaching Puerto Rico in recent weeks have reached a tentative agreement with their employer, officials said Wednesday.

Many in the U.S. territory were relieved at the announcement, given the islands huge dependence on imports. However, concerns remain since the deal between Puerto Ricos Union of Dock Workers and stowage company Luis Ayala Colon Sucres, Inc. is in place for only 45 days.

The strike had prevented some 4,500 shipping containers and 13 boats from reaching Puerto Rico and another 5,000 containers from leaving the island. It also prompted the U.S. territory's government to file a lawsuit on Monday against union workers and the company known as LAC, which handles 80% of all international cargo entering the Port of San Juan.

The situation has reached a breaking point, Puerto Ricos Ports Authority said in the lawsuit.

It is seeking a permanent injunction ordering that those sued meet their responsibilities, noting that it has been unable to collect more than $400,000 in fees and tariffs.

Noelia Garcia, the governments chief of staff, said the lawsuit will be withdrawn only when the deal between dock workers and the stowage company is final. She also hinted that government officials might look into contracting other companies to avoid a repeat.

Diversity is healthy, she said. Were going to take proactive measures to ensure this wont happen again.

Garcia declined to provide more details.

Hernan Ayala, vice president of the stowage company, said there are no plans to prioritize items.

Well empty the ships as they arrive, he said. This will be done as quickly as possible.

The workers were striking in part because they said the company had given workshop tasks to managers.

While the strike did not cause severe shortages of life-saving items, the Association of Hospitals of Puerto Rico issued a statement Tuesday warning that supplies of certain medical equipment would run out in two to six weeks as the island faces a spike in COVID-19 cases it blames on the delta variant.
BURBANK, Calif. (AP)  Three people were killed and two were injured in a fiery crash involving several cars near Los Angeles, authorities said.

Police are investigating whether street racing was involved in the wreck late Tuesday in Burbank.
TOKYO (AP)  Ask him how many languages he speaks, and Alexandre Ponomarev replies: If you mean to make myself understood, I've lost count.

Count 'em. Ponomarev speaks Russian, Ukranian, English, German, Spanish, French and Danish. And gets by in Swedish, Portuguese, Italian and Norwegian.

Ahh, but how about your Japanese?

Muzukashi, replied Ponomarev, which means difficult in Japanese, and can be interpreted to mean he doesn't speak much.

OK, nobody's perfect.

Ponomarev is the chief interpreter for the Tokyo Games, overseeing a staff of almost 100 interpreters who render Olympic joy and Olympic heartbreak into a calibrated cacophony of 11 languages: Japanese, English, French, Spanish, German, Russian, Italian, Arabic, Chinese, Korean, and Portuguese.

Ponomarev worked his first Olympics in 2008 in Beijing and took over as the chief in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. His mother got him started with language learning, smuggling videos of American films into the old Soviet Union. One by one, the languages piled up.

When somebody walks into a room full of interpreters, and it's somebody who doesnt speak the languages, it does feel like the Tower of Babel," he explained. "You can see people speaking at the same time in all these dialects and languages and using strange words. It may seem crazy but we are actually not.

What they are in Tokyo is busy.

Most work in the Main Press Center in a cable-strewn room with 20 translation booths lining the walls. Wires, screens, and computer coders splice their words onto a network. The booths are decorated with Japanese art from famous masters like Hokusai, and carry labels like JPN or ENG to designate the languages being worked.

Unlike previous Olympics, all the interpretation is being done remotely. Press conferences from remote venues are fed into the press-center hub. Some two dozens interpreters aren't even in the country, chiming in from the Americas or Europe to handle late night events in Japan.

Their simultaneous translations can be accessed at all Olympic venues on an app. This eliminates interpreters getting tied up in traffic heading to a venue  and there's no longer any need to distribute handheld translation devices.

We are here in the press center all the time, and we watch the events on the TV just like anybody else, said Andrea Hofmann Miller, a German interpreter. In Rio, we had to be on the bus for about four hours just to get to the swimming venue. And in my case, if a German-speaking athlete didn't win, we spent eight hours on a bus for nothing.

Ponomarev pointed out that cultural differences affect language. He may assign a speaker of Brazilian Portuguese to a Brazilian, and a peninsular Portuguese speaker to someone from Portugal; likewise with Spanish, which is spoken differently across 20 countries.

A visitor entering his office the other day found Ponomarev speaking Spanish with an accent from Spain. He was chatting with an Argentine, a Venezuelan and another Spaniard. They were all speaking their own brand of Spanish, and a few times they slipped into French.

When you get four or five interpreters in the room, and they all share at least two or three languages, they automatically switch back and forth, Ponomarev explained. The conversation starts in one language then quickly switches to another simply because another language is more conducive to talking about a specific topic.

For a polyglot, toggling among several language seems more natural than staying in only one, sort of like a musician who plays several instruments. He used the example of the German word schadenfreude," which means pleasure derived from the misfortune of others.

"This kind of word exists only in German and it would be difficult to express that concept in English. By the same token, there are concepts that exist only in Russia and we dont convey them very well in any other language. To avoid lengthy descriptions, we switch to another language and people will understand instantly.

He said his interpreters all bone up before the Olympics, studying the nuances of judo or the vagaries of Modern Pentathlon. But they can be stumped, particularly in new events like surfing and skateboarding.

These are young people and they have their own speak, he said. "If somebody says the wave are bad, man'  meaning the waves were great.

Ponomarev and much of his staff have worked high-powered political events like the G20 or the World Economic Forum, which are far trickier than the Olympics.

There you have a wide variety of people  presidents, royalty, politicians, interesting influencers, you name it," he said.

Sometimes, though, things can get incredibly delicate at the Olympics. Hofmann Miller nearly teared up talking about the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, where Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili died in a training run before the opening ceremony. He lost control of this sled and hit a steel pole beside the track.

I was chosen to do the press interview for that, and it was a very, very sad event and I will never forget that, she said. It was very moving, and it was really tough for all of us sitting on stage taking the questions from the press and to keep our emotions back.

Interpretation is, in the end, more art than science  a discipline that requires skill, yes, but a strong dose of humanity as well. Both Ponomarev and the German interpreter, Hofmann Miller, acknowledge cheering for the athletes, or sympathizing with them in defeat.

We all get absolutely excited for these athletes, Ponomarev said. Because when you interpret, youre in someone elses head. You dont interpret words, you interpret meaning. And when youre in somebodys head, you start sympathizing.

___

More AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2020-tokyo-olympics and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
SEATTLE (AP)  Its been a tough summer for agriculture across Washington state.

Crops like berries have struggled under record heat and drought. Now, some worry about how smoke in August could stunt the growth of some crops should the haze intensify and linger, KOMO-TV reported.

Jennifer Schuh has worked with her father Steve Schuh for decades in the Skagit Valley, growing everything from corn to berries, squash, cucumbers and pumpkins. She said a long stretch of thick smoke could hurt their crops.

Steve Schuh isnt letting the potential of damaging smoke worry him, but he acknowledges that ash can block a plant access to light and food.

They dont function right if theyre all covered in smoke, said Steve Schuh.

While smoke has stayed in the upper levels of the atmosphere in Western Washington this week, communities in Central and Eastern Washington have battled wildfires and bad air quality for weeks.

Some winemakers say smoke has not impacted their wine grapes so far, but it could get bad in August.

They can get something called, smoke taint, said Nick Bond, the Washington state climatologist. That is especially a problem right before theyre harvested.

Bond said wildfires could intensify in the next few weeks, posing a threat to agriculture around the region.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP)  A Kansas legislator accused of kicking a high school student in the testicles has surrendered his state substitute teacher's license and said Wednesday that extreme stress caused him to have "an isolated episode of mania with psychotic features" in a classroom.

Republican state Rep. Mark Samsel disclosed in a Facebook post that he has seen mental health professionals over the past three months. He also wrote that he is studying ways to handle stress so that there is no likelihood an episode will occur again. He surrendered his teaching license Tuesday.

He faces three misdemeanor criminal charges of battery following what the local prosecutor described as rude, insulting or angry interactions with two students, ages 15 or 16, during an April 28 art class at the high school in his hometown of Wellsville, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) southwest of Kansas City. One student told a sheriff's deputy that Samsel had manhandled him and kicked him, according to an affidavit from the deputy.

Samsel, a 36-year-old attorney who has served in the House since 2019, has pleaded not guilty to the charges, each of which is punishable by up to six months in jail. He has a court hearing scheduled for Aug. 16 and said during a brief interview that he does not know how the surrender of his teaching license or his mental health treatment will affect the case.

It just felt it was the right time to share, that God was calling on me to do it," Samsel said during the interview. I just hope this brings light to the mental health battles, that a lot of us are struggling.

Samsel's attorney, Christopher Scott, did not immediately return a telephone message Wednesday seeking comment. County Attorney Brandon Jones, the local prosecutor, is out of the office until next week, his office said, and he did not immediately return a telephone message.

Kansas House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr., a Kansas City-area Republican, said Samsel's situation shows the importance of mental health services.

"Im pleased to see those services are being used and hope they will continue to be used by any Kansan feeling the weight that often comes with stress and anxiety, he said.

Videos shot by students on April 28 and provided by a parent showed Samsel talking about suicide, God and sex in a noisy classroom. According to the deputy's affidavit, Samsel said he only demonstrated a kick for one boy who had disrupted class but did not kick him. The deputy also wrote that Samsel said God told him to do what he did.

Samsel said Wednesday that he was trying to make a point about mental health issues and the need for people to be kinder to one another.

A judge in May ordered Samsel to undergo a mental health evaluation, and the resulting report remains under seal. Samsel said in his Facebook post that he suffered from extreme stress, pressure, and agitation over a sustained period of time, with the worst of it during April and May, when lawmakers were wrapping up their business for the year.

There was a lot of pain and struggle involved, but I think  I mean, it's all moving in the right direction, Samsel said during his interview. I do think God's using it for hopefully higher purposes.

___

Follow John Hanna on Twitter: https://twitter.com/apjdhanna
SAN FRANCISCO - Yogi and Carolyn Vindum were still asleep late last year when their Tesla Model S beamed an alert that charging was interrupted.

Twelve minutes after that, they awoke to a blaring car alarm and a fire consuming their house in San Ramon, Calif. The blaze had started in one of the two electric vehicles in their garage and spread to the other.

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"If we had lived upstairs in this house, we'd be dead," said Yogi Vindum, a retired mechanical engineer.

The fire, which has not previously been reported on in the news media, is one in a string of recent examples showing what can happen when electric cars are left parked in garages to charge overnight. The issue is causing mounting concern as a number of electric-vehicle makers have warned owners not to leave the cars charging unattended in certain circumstances, or sitting fully charged in garages.

Automakers including General Motors, Audi and Hyundai have recalled electric vehicles over fire risks in recent years and have warned of the associated dangers.

Chevrolet last year advised owners not to charge their vehicles overnight or keep their fully charged vehicles in garages. It recalled more than 60,000 of its Bolt electric vehicles over concerns about the cars spontaneously combusting while parked with full batteries or charging, after reports of five fires without prior impact damage. The company issued another recall last month covering the same vehicles after two reports of battery fires in repaired vehicles.

"We don't think every vehicle has this rare manufacturing defect," General Motors spokesman Dan Flores said. "But we can't take a chance, so we're recalling all the vehicles."

Luke MacGregor / Bloomberg

Tesla, which does not typically answer media inquiries, did not respond to a request for comment. A spokesman for Hyundai, which recently recalled Kona and Ioniq EVs and advised owners to park the vehicles outside, did not respond to a request for comment. Audi did not immediately have comment.

Automakers face numerous challenges as they race to get electric vehicles to consumers ahead of regulatory and company deadlines for shifting production away from gas-powered vehicles. They face skepticism about the availability of charging stations, concerns about vehicle range and apprehensions over cost. Fires have drawn attention because of the high-profile recalls and blazes that followed product rollouts, analysts say, further complicating the automakers' calculations.

Tesla in the past has argued that its cars are 10 times less likely to catch fire than gas-powered vehicles, drawing on data from the National Fire Protection Association and U.S. Federal Highway Administration.

Still, safety experts note that the fires can burn more intensely and last much longer.

"Battery fires can take up to 24 hours to extinguish," Tesla's website says in an emergency response guide for the Model S. "Consider allowing the battery to burn while protecting exposures."

Tesla owners have reported numerous fires involving older-model vehicles, though not all under the same circumstances. The Washington Post has documented at least five fires involving the Model S, including the blaze on Dec. 30, 2020, that destroyed much of the Vindums' home in San Ramon. In that case, Yogi Vindum recalled, at least six firetrucks came to the home.

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Also late last year, flames started shooting out of a five-year-old Tesla Model S in Frisco, Texas, and firefighters struggled to gain access to the cabin after the motorized doors failed to open. Tesla said in 2019 that it had sent investigators to the site of an explosion involving a Model S in a Shanghai car park. Surveillance video showed smoke billowing from the parked car before a fiery blast. In 2018, a Tesla Model S caught fire "out of the blue" on a Los Angeles street, said actress Mary McCormack, whose husband owned the vehicle. Tesla acknowledged that the flames came from the battery.

In late June, a new, top-of-the-line Tesla Model S "Plaid" was destroyed when it erupted in flames shortly after the owner took delivery of the vehicle.

Meanwhile, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been investigating Tesla's battery management system since 2019. The agency said Tuesday it does not comment on open investigations.

Tesla had come under scrutiny over concerns it allegedly manipulated battery software in older vehicles to lessen the risk of fire. The company has proposed a settlement over the issue, and Elon Musk tweeted late last month: "If we are wrong, we are wrong. In this case, we were."

NHTSA opened an investigation into Chevrolet Bolt fires in October 2020, before the initial recall of that vehicle.

Battery-powered vehicles have not been shown to catch fire at rates higher than gasoline cars, but when fires do erupt, they burn longer and hotter, propelled by lithium-ion batteries that supercharge the blazes, experts say. Including gas-powered cars, the National Fire Protection Association says there were 189,500 overall highway vehicle fires in the United States in 2019, encompassing passenger and other types of road vehicles.

The case involving the Vindums' cars is unique because it involved two electric vehicles parked next to each other in a garage, demonstrating the explosive force they can unleash when burning.

A fire inspection report obtained by the Vindums in July cited the Tesla Model S's thermal management system as one of two possible causes of the fire, the other being a fault in the car's electrical system as it was charging.

Tesla did not respond to a request for comment on the specifics of the Vindums' case, including a short narrative of the events and the Vindums' view of Tesla's response to the fire.

Yogi Vindum, who described himself as a fan of Tesla's, missed the initial alert to his iPhone at 5:25 a.m. In the garage, where the 2013 Tesla Model S 85 had been charging overnight, flames broke out and began spreading rapidly. The other Tesla Model S was parked next to it. The garage erupted in flames, with violent explosions powerful enough to blow off the metal garage doors, they said.

A blaring car alarm woke them up. The house was filling with smoke and alarms were going off as they escaped, he said.

From across the street, the Vindums watched as their home went up in flames. Footage from a nearby doorbell camera includes audible explosions.

The Vindums have not been able to live in their home since the Dec. 30 fire, which led to more than $1 million worth of damage, according to a report from the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District, which was viewed by The Post.

"The firemen said it was so hot that they couldn't walk up the driveway," Vindum said.

Vindum eventually replaced the Teslas with a gasoline-powered Audi from the insurance payout, which covered the Blue Book values of the cars. He was disappointed, he said, in what he described as Tesla's lack of interest after the fire. The charred shells of the cars sat in the couple's driveway for weeks "waiting for Tesla to assess what went wrong."

"They never showed as far as I know," Vindum said.

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The fire at his home changed his perspective on whether vehicle fires present a unique risk for owners of electric cars.

"Gasoline driven cars don't catch fire in the garage when they're sitting there. And that's the difference," he said. "I don't worry about [my] Audi catching fire downstairs when it's not running."
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Treasury Department announced Wednesday it will raise $126 billion to finance the government in a series of auctions next week by employing emergency measures to keep from broaching the newly imposed debt limit.

The Treasury announcement, part of Treasury's quarterly refunding operations, will see the $126 billion raised by auctioning 3 and 10-year notes and a 30-year bond with the auctions occurring on Tuesday through Wednesday of next week.

Those auctions will raise money to meet debt-servicing requirements on $58.6 billion in Treasury notes and bonds that are coming due plus raising approximately $67.4 billion in new cash to keep the government operating.

The government's debt ceiling which had been suspended for two years, went back into effect on Aug. 1 at $28.4 trillion, the level the debt had risen to since the limit was suspended. That period has seen the annual federal deficit hit a record $3.4 trillion last year as the government approved trillions of dollars of support to an economy hit by a global pandemic.

The emergency measures Treasury is employment involve book-keeping maneuvers to disinvest various government employee pensions funds to free up more borrowing room while remaining under the debt limit. Once the deadlock over approving a higher debt limit is resolved the funds are returned along with all the interest lost to the various accounts.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has called on Congress to quickly lift or suspend the borrowing limit to avoid the threat of the government defaulting on its debt, something Yellen has said would be catastrophic.

Treasury officials said Wednesday they still did not have an estimate of when the government will run out of maneuvering room to use what it calls extraordinary measures" to avoid a default, saying the unusual financing issues raised by the pandemic have made forecasting difficult.

The period of time that extraordinary measures may last is subject to considerable uncertainty due to a variety of factors ... exacerbated by the heightened uncertainty in payments and receipts related to the economic impact of the pandemic, Brian Smith, Treasury deputy assistant secretary for federal finance, said in a statement.

The Congressional Budget Office estimated in July that Treasury could exhaust its maneuvering room in either October or November. The need to deal with the debt limit is likely to become embroiled in the fight between Democrats and Republicans over passage of pending infrastructure bills.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said on July 21 that he doubted that any Republican would vote to increase the debt limit.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  Cedric Daniels and Joshua Bradstreet Contreras didn't think they really needed the coronavirus vaccine. After all, the uncle and nephew are both young  37 and 22, respectively  and Contreras was as healthy as a horse, Daniels said.

But just days after Daniels went to visit Contreras in New Orleans  a long-awaited reunion that came after not seeing each other for months because of the pandemic  the nephew was rushed away in an ambulance. He couldn't breathe, even when sitting completely still. He is now in a hospital in a New Orleans suburb, on a ventilator and in a medically induced coma.

At about the same time, Daniels started feeling weak, had blurred vision and was so short of breath he could barely make it from his couch in the living room to the bathroom. He tested positive for the virus, then went to a hospital in Baton Rouge already overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients, where he stayed for a week on oxygen as he recovered from pneumonia.

Contreras and Daniels are among a flood of patients filling up overloaded hospitals across the U.S. amid a surge of COVID-19 cases driven by the virus's highly contagious delta variant. Health officials say the most serious cases have been among the unvaccinated.

It is frustrating, because its preventable  but more than that, its really sad, said James Ford, a critical care doctor in the ICU at Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center in Baton Rouge, where Daniels was treated.

To help with the influx, the hospital brought in a disaster medical assistance team of nearly three dozen health care workers on Monday. That same day, hospital leaders at a news conference where Gov. John Bel Edwards announced a reinstated statewide mask mandate described grim conditions across Louisiana: facilities filled with COVID-19 patients, including children, and hospital hallways lined with stretchers because there arent enough beds.

A lot of them are debilitated and need around-the-clock care," said Ford, who has been working on his days off to help ease his hospital's burden. "Its very labor intensive.

Some of those patients, like Daniels, now wish they had taken the shot.

Theyre talking about putting tubes down your throat possibly if your oxygen doesnt go up within the next hour, and that is frightening, he told The Associated Press on Monday as he lay in a bed with an oxygen tube in his nose. He was released shortly afterward but still must use oxygen at home.

I am now a huge advocate for doctors orders, Daniels added. They think we ought to get vaccinated, I think we ought to get vaccinated.

Daniels, who lives in Gonzales, about 57 miles (92 kilometers) northwest of New Orleans, said he and Contreras were the only unvaccinated members of their households. Daniels' wife and live-in mother-in-law, both of whom were inoculated months ago, have both tested negative twice since he tested positive.

Contreras' mother, Tarsha Bradstreet, had also been vaccinated, as had her 19-year-old son who lives in the same house in New Orleans. Bradstreet said she tried to persuade Contreras to get the shot, but said she had only so much pull over him.

Josh hardly goes anywhere since COVID hit, so he didnt think he needed the vaccine, Bradstreet said.

One of the places to which Contreras did go, however, was his summer job at Cafe Reconcile. About the time he started getting ill, he got a call from the restaurant telling him that a co-worker had tested positive for the virus and he needed to get tested himself.

He had a headache and some nausea, so at first we thought it was dehydration, Bradstreet said. A week later, he couldnt smell. He couldnt breathe. I noticed his breath was quick and rapid, and he could barely stand up or do anything. I had to call an ambulance.

A while later, the hospital called and said, 'Your son is on a ventilator,' and I almost died, Bradstreet said. I couldnt believe it. I didnt realize how serious it was. I didnt know. He almost died.

Bradstreet talks to her son every day through one of the hospitals portable laptops, so that he can hear her voice even if he cant see her.

She also prays a lot, and hopes that sharing her sons story will motivate others who have not yet been vaccinated to go and get the shot.

When we go through things, its to help other people, to teach people something, she said. Their choice may leave them in the hospital. Maybe theyll get the lesson before they have to go through this.
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP)  The head of the U.S. Agency for International Development expressed concern Wednesday about the dehumanizing rhetoric used by Ethiopias leaders amid the nine-month conflict in the Tigray region, whose forces last month were described as weeds" and cancer by the countrys Nobel Peace Prize-winning prime minister, Abiy Ahmed.

Samantha Power spoke to reporters after pressing Ethiopias government to ease a blockade of humanitarian aid to Tigray, where hundreds of thousands of people face famine in the worlds worst hunger crisis in a decade. Just 10% of targeted aid has reached the region since mid-July, she said  153 trucks as of two days ago, while the United Nations has said 1,500 trucks were needed during that time.

Ethiopias government in recent weeks has accused aid groups of arming Tigray forces, without providing evidence, and suspended the work of two international aid groups while accusing Doctors Without Borders and the Norwegian Refugee Council of disseminating misinformation.

Meanwhile, Power said, desperate humanitarian needs are growing more acute with every passing day in Tigray, where more than 5 million people need help after Ethiopian and allied forces pursuing Tigray fighters were accused of looting and destroying food supplies. Tigray remains cut off from the outside world, with communications links down and just one road available for aid convoys, which have faced numerous checkpoints and searches.

While the West is said to be exploring the possibility of a humanitarian aid corridor from neighboring Sudan into western Tigray, the head of Ethiopias national disaster risk management commission this week rejected that idea. A USAID spokesman did not respond when asked whether Power, who visited Sudan before Ethiopia, discussed the idea with Sudanese leaders.

Power also noted the increasingly heated talk by both sides in the conflict and said the kind of virulent language used by the prime minister and other officials, also seen on social media in Ethiopia, often accompanies ethnically motivated atrocities.

She called for an immediate cease-fire and dialogue.

Chances of dialogue appear slim as Ethiopias government has declared the Tigray forces a terrorist group.

The war started in November after a political falling-out between the Tigray ruling party, which had dominated Ethiopias government for nearly three decades, and the current prime minister. Now the Tigray forces say they want Abiy out as a precondition to talks.

Power also warned that the resurgent Tigray forces presence near key roads is going to obstruct access as well. She said some 76,000 people have been displaced in the neighboring Afar region and 150,000 in the Amhara region after the Tigray forces entered those areas in recent weeks.

Separately, Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke Wednesday with Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok about the expansion of armed confrontation in the Amhara and Afar regions of Ethiopia, the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Tigray region, and reports of Eritrean troops re-entering Ethiopia, all of which impact regional stability, the State Department said.

Witnesses in Tigray have alleged widespread abuses by soldiers from Eritrea, which shares a border with the region and fought on the side of Ethiopian forces. Abiy for months denied their presence.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP)  Having just had her flight canceled, a Missouri woman's luck quickly changed when she won $1 million from a Florida Lottery scratch-off ticket.

Angela Caravella, 51, of Kansas City, Missouri, claimed a $1 million top prize last month from The Fastest Road to $1,000,000 scratch-off game, according to a Florida Lottery news release. She chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $790,000.
The COVID-19 risk level moved from moderate to severe in Bexar County as the highly contagious delta variant continues to spread within the city.

City officials continue urging residents to masks up and get vaccinated if they haven't already. Mayor Ron Nirenberg reports the latest hospitalization count was 920 as of Tuesday, Auggust 3, with 260 patients in intensive care and 132 on ventilators. One week ago, it was 620 patients. Of those in the hospitals, "about 88 percent are unvaccinated," the mayor notes.

"Our hospitals are stressed," Nirenberg says. "Elected surgeries and other medical procedures are being put on hold because COVID patients are once again filling up our local hospitals."

As of Tuesday evening, Bexar County recorded a seven-day moving average of 1,146 new cases, increasing from 724 the week prior. In San Antonio, about 63.4 percent of those 12 years or older are fully vaccinated, as of Wednesday. About 76.3 percent of that age group, have received at least one dose of a vaccine. The age range with the lowest vaccination rates is for the 19 to 29 group, officials say.

"It's frustrating. I understand that. We join you in that," Nirenberg says. "It's frustrating that we are back in this situation, but there is a major difference compared to previous surges. This time, we have the tools. Fight back, and vaccinations are our best defense to stopping the spread of COVID."

Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff says every single death that has occurred at University Hospital were unvaccinated patients. He adds 99.5 percent of COVID deaths in Texas were patients who were unvaccinated.

Nirenberg and Wolff asked Gov. Greg Abbott last week to send additional support and nurses to help the overwhelmed local hospitals filled with COVID-19 patients. However, Nirenberg says Abbott's response was basically "you're on your own."

On Thursday, Abbott released an executive order clarifying his stance on local government officials mandating masks and vaccines. In his order, he restricts any state or local agency and any public or private entity that is receiving or will receive public funds through any means from mandating masks or requiring proof of vaccination.

Other Texas cities are also dealing with high COVID-19 levels. On Tuesday, Austin health officials reported 80 percent of people hospitalized for COVID-19 in the metro area in the past two weeks were unvaccinated. Currently, the seven-day moving average of new hospital admissions is 61, and an average of 346 people are hospitalized as of August 3. This puts Austin-Travis County at Stage 5 COVID-19 levels, according to KVUE.

Dallas County also raised the color-coded warning level back to the highest level possible, red. Dallas County's COVID-19 threat level has not been red since March, before vaccines were widely available, according to Fox 4 News.

On Tuesday, White House COVID-19 response coordinator Jeff Zients announced Texas and Florida account for a third of the new COVID-19 cases reported in the United States over the last week.

With the delta variant spreading, the number of hospitalized Texans has increased to levels not seen since February, according to the Texas Tribune. As of August 2, 7,305 Texans are hospitalized for the coronavirus.

San Antonio officials announced it will begin updating its COVID-19 numbers daily, rather than only on Tuesday and Thursday. On Wednesday, August 4, the city will issue an emergency mobile alert letting residents know about the widespread infections within the community.
WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden on Tuesday denounced Republican officials who have blocked efforts to mandate vaccines, while encouraging cities and states to require that individuals show proof of vaccination to visit restaurants and other public spaces.

In a notable toughening of his message, the president called out Republican governors who have banned businesses and universities from requiring vaccines or defied masking guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"I say to these governors: Please help. But if you aren't going to help, at least get out of the way," Biden said. "The people are trying to do the right thing. Use your power to save lives."

When asked specifically about Republican Govs. Ron DeSantis of Florida and Greg Abbott of Texas, Biden said "their decisions are not good for their constituents." DeSantis signed an executive order last week that prohibits schools from requiring masks, and Abbott signed an order that bans local governments and state agencies from mandating vaccines.

Until now, Biden has largely sought to avoid statements that could exacerbate the partisan cast of the vaccine debate and has gone out of his way to praise Republicans who are promoting vaccinations. But the White House has grown increasingly frustrated with leaders who are actively seeking to block efforts to encourage or require vaccinations.

Both governors have questioned the effectiveness of mandates.

Before Biden spoke Tuesday, DeSantis blamed media "hysteria" for making conditions in Florida seem worse than they are.

Renae Eze, a spokeswoman for Abbott, said in a statement: "Governor Abbott has been clear that we must rely on personal responsibility, not government mandates. Every Texan has a right to choose for themselves and their children whether they will wear masks, open their businesses, or get vaccinated."

In remarks from the East Room of the White House, Biden also pleaded again with Americans to get vaccinated, warning against the dangers of the delta variant. Cases of the virus have skyrocketed in recent weeks, particularly in communities where vaccination rates remain low.

New daily cases have risen 52% over the past week, according to The Washington Post coronavirus tracker. Still, hospitalizations and deaths have lagged, which Biden noted was because the vaccines are effective in reducing the likelihood of severe illness or death.

"If you're unvaccinated, you are much more likely to, one, get covid-19; two, get hospitalized; and, three, die if you get it," Biden said. "This is a tragedy. People are dying and will die who don't have to die."

The resurgence of the virus has also caused an uptick in overall vaccinations, with the president finally meeting his goal of having at least 70% of adult Americans get at least one dose of a vaccine. Biden had aimed to meet that goal by the Fourth of July, but it took until Monday.

Still, infections are tearing through parts of the country and local health officials are warning that hospitals are reaching capacity, largely because of unvaccinated young and middle-aged adults. As a result, some cities and states have taken more aggressive steps to encourage vaccinations, as they look to balance public health with businesses' ability to operate and keep the economy open.

On Monday, New York City announced it would require proof of at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine for a range of activities, including dining indoors, attending the theater and working out at a gym. The announcement followed similar mandates in countries such as France and Italy, where leaders have found success in boosting vaccination rates by requiring people to show proof to enter public spaces.

"If you want to participate in our society fully, you've got to get vaccinated," New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said Tuesday. "It's time."

Biden said he supported New York City's mandate, and while he stopped short of advocating vaccine "passports," he encouraged other localities to follow New York's lead.

"I think they just need to give the authority for those restaurants and business to say, 'In order to come in, you have to give proof that you've been vaccinated or you can't come in,' " he said.

Biden's remarks Tuesday underscored how the resurgence of the coronavirus has roiled Washington over the past week, threatening White House efforts to prioritize other parts of the president's agenda.

On Tuesday, Biden announced that the United States had donated and shipped more than 110 million doses of coronavirus vaccines to more than 60 countries. The United States has donated more vaccines than all other countries combined, the president said, adding that his administration has surpassed its promise from June to donate at least 80 million doses.

At the end of the month, the White House said it would begin to ship the first batch of the half a billion Pfizer-BioNTech doses it has pledged. The doses are largely being distributed through Covax, a World Health Organization-backed initiative to distribute vaccine doses to poorer countries.

"In the fight against covid-19, the United States is committed to be the arsenal of vaccines just as we were the arsenal of democracy during World War II," Biden said.

The White House had been eager to shift the focus beyond the pandemic and put more emphasis on the president's efforts to enact an infrastructure package and a social spending bill. But the highly transmissible delta variant, along with the refusal of so many Americans to get vaccinated, has forced Washington to refocus on the coronavirus.

The latest example came Tuesday when the CDC announced a new federal moratorium on evictions after intense pressure from liberal Democrats over the expiration of the previous moratorium. Led by Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., some Democrats had camped outside the Capitol and rebuked the White House for not doing more to protect millions of renters.

Biden previewed the order after his speech Tuesday, but he acknowledged the move was likely to face a court challenge and said scholars he consulted thought the measure was probably not constitutional.

"Whether that option will pass constitutional measure with this administration, I can't tell you. I don't know," Biden said. "The bulk of the constitutional scholarship says that it's not likely to pass constitutional muster. . . . But there are several key scholars who think that it may, and it's worth the effort."

Biden's message Tuesday reflected a tone and approach that has become steadily tougher as it has become clear that a significant percentage of Americans are refusing to get vaccinated not because they are hesitant or fearful, but because they have a firm ideological objection to the shots and in many cases embrace conspiracy theories about them.

Last Thursday, the president announced he was requiring all federal workers to get vaccines, or else they would have to wear masks at work and take regular coronavirus tests. The goal in part was to persuade other employers, public and private, to follow suit, in hopes of covering millions of Americans.

That new policy came as the White House grew increasingly worried about the highly contagious delta variant raging through the country at the same time that vaccination rates are stalling, a development that could threaten the country's economic and social reopening.

"You want to know how we put this virus behind us? I'll tell you how," an evidently exasperated Biden said in announcing the move last week. "We need to get more people vaccinated."

But the path has not been easy. Thursday's announcement drew immediate opposition, including from unions that Biden has long considered allies but that resist the prospect that their members would be required to get vaccines.

A growing number of political and business leaders have sought in recent days to meet the continued resistance with more forceful tactics, concerned that if vaccination rates do not increase, infections could surge even higher in the fall.

The president now regularly decries the "pandemic of the unvaccinated," stressing that those who have been inoculated rarely get infections and that when they do their symptoms are almost invariably mild. The nation's current deaths are especially tragic because they are avoidable, Biden suggested Tuesday.

The need for broad vaccine mandates was dismissed by many at first because public health officials assumed they wouldn't be necessary once the shots were widely available. But with up to 30% of American adults forgoing a vaccine, that viewpoint has changed for many officials.
The Texas House Democratic Caucus could not account Tuesday for two of the members who broke quorum and fled for Washington, D.C. over Republicans' priority elections bill, while a Texas Monthly reporter said the members were on vacation in Portugal.

State Reps. Julie Johnson of Farmers Branch and Jessica Gonzalez of Dallas were not with other House Democrats on Tuesday in the nation's capital, according to a person familiar with the situation. On Tuesday evening, Texas Monthly reporter Jonathan Tilove tweeted that he "can confirm [Johnson] and her wife & [Gonzalez] and her fiance are in Portugal for a vacation they had been planning, with non-refundable tickets, for a year-and-a-half." [SIC]

Both Johnson and Gonzalez, as well as their staff, did not respond to requests for comment from The Texas Tribune throughout Tuesday and Wednesday morning.

Their absence from Washington does not affect the lack of quorum that the House has in Austin to pass the elections bill. But it is at odds with House Democrats insistence that they would use their time away from the state Legislature, which they left in July, to advocate for federal voting rights legislation in the nations capital.

Gonzalez is an especially prominent player in the voting rights fight as the vice chair of the Texas House Elections Committee. 

While it was reported that Johnson and Gonzalez were "still participating in caucus meetings via ZOOM," the news of their absence came the same day that over 100 state legislators from across the country came to Washington for a rally to support the Texas Democrats. This is the last week of the special session in Austin.

The news of the Democrats' vacation brought a wave of House condemnation from their Republican colleagues who have been stuck in Austin waiting for them to return.

"Wow, just wow. Had to cancel my familys vacation last week to Grand Teton [National Park] because of a special session they helped create back in May," tweeted state Rep. Tom Oliverson of Cypress, referring to the House Democratic walkout that killed the elections bill during the regular session. "Texas deserves better than this."

Hours before word got out that Johnson and Gonzalez were missing from Washington, three of their Democratic colleagues held a news conference where they continued to express optimism about the federal elections push.

We are squarely focused on getting those pieces moving, state Rep. Joe Moody of El Paso said. I think were gonna have a lot of success this week.

The Texas Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans  and engages with them  about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
NEW LONDON  The Connecticut Port Authority on Tuesday received one of the final two permits it needs to complete the planned $235 million redevelopment of the State Pier into a hub for offshore wind projects.

The environmental permit, from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, authorizes the Port Authority to place several cubic acres of fill between two existing piers on the site, creating enough room for the heavy-lift equipment that will be used to assemble the massive wind turbines.

Additionally, the authority will be allowed to dredge the riverbed around the site and lay gravel to support a jack-up vessel that uses powerful legs to lift itself out of the water.

The decision to award the permit was made by DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes, who dismissed objections to the project that were filed by a road salt business that was forced off the pier as a result of the renovations.

The business, DRVN Enterprises, had argued its dependence on the piers waterfront location be considered in the permitting process. Dykes found the argument unpersuasive, however, noting the offshore wind projects slated to use the site also rely on access to the water.

In her ruling, Dykes wrote that DRVNs frustration with the cessation of its business activity at the State Pier is apparent, but by itself does not support the findings it seeks.

Keith Anthony, an attorney representing DRVN, said Wednesday he would talk to the company's owners about their options following the ruling and declined to comment further.

Work on the pier redevelopment began earlier this year, but has largely been limited to remediation, demolition of existing buildings and re-grading portions of the project site while officials wait to complete the permitting process.

Officials are still awaiting the projects final approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which could come in the next few weeks, according to a statement released Tuesday by a Port Authority spokesman.

Once the renovation is completed, the site will become a staging area for wind energy projects being built off the coast of Rhode Island and New York as part of a joint venture between Eversource Energy and rsted. The two companies released a joint statement Wednesday praising the approval of the environmental permit.

Commissioner Dykes' decision brings Connecticut one step closer to realizing the significant benefits that a revitalized State Pier in New London will deliver to the region while helping the state achieve its ambitious clean energy and climate goals, the statement read. We congratulate the CPA on this significant milestone

As part of an agreement between the state and the energy companies, Eversource and rsted have contributed $75 million toward the redevelopment of the pier. The overall cost of the project  including $160.5 million from the state  has rankled some conservative lawmakers, who point to much lower earlier estimates.

The project is expected to create 400 temporary jobs during the construction phase, according to the energy companies, who say they will also employ around 100 people at the pier once work on the wind projects is underway.

Connecticut is also slated to receive 304 megawatts of energy from one of the offshore wind sites, enough to power $350,000 homes.
The first word that comes to mind as I walk through San Francisco International Airports new Harvey Milk Terminal 1 is "serenity."

Which, understandably, may seem like an oxymoron. Airport terminals are humanity's most chaotic, necessarily awful invention, second only to perhaps the DMV in how much anxiety and turmoil these bureaucratic institutions inspire among even the most grizzled of human beings.

That, coupled with the perpetual stress of the pandemic  I was at the Transportation Security Administration screening area when seven Bay Area counties once again issued a mask mandate  should not make for a particularly soothing experience.

And yet, here I am, seated at Gate B18 on a Monday afternoon, people-watching and at peace. As I nurse a creamy mango boba drink from the Filipino fast-casual restaurant Goldilocks, it almost feels like Im at a park watching slackliners and picnickers, except here Im watching travelers stroll to baggage claim. (More on the food  local, delicious and sometimes shockingly cheap  in a future story.)

Maybe it was because I wasn't rushing to my gate with a barely zipped suitcase in tow (I had purchased a $50 one-way ticket to Vegas that I had no intention of taking just to hang out at Harvey Milk all day in the name of journalism), but I felt at ease at an airport for the first time in years.

Relaxed? At an airport?

Harvey Milk Terminal 1 is, dare I say it, peaceful  the least distressed I've been in a Bay Area airport during quarantine (or bear with me) ever. It's certainly one of the few nonstressful experiences I've had at an airport as an adult.

Many of the decisions that contribute to the terminals chill factor are intentional.

The new $2.4 billion domestic terminal, which is named after the legendary gay rights activist (and is the first in the world to honor an LGBTQ leader), is being opened in phases. The most significant launch in the yearslong process took place in May, while the rest is set to open in 2024, nearly eight years after SFO broke ground on redevelopment.

The Milk terminal is a "quiet terminal," which, by SFO rules, means a kibosh on flight announcements blaring for everyone to hear (except at their respective gates).

Another key change to the airport experience that feels like a legitimate game-changer: the aforementioned security screening area.

In most airports, after removing your shoes and sending your luggage through the scanner, the unloading area where your things are deposited is usually just a few feet long. At Harvey Milk, it is extended to let at least three or four people's stuff linger on the belt while each retrieves their respective belongings and gets their bearings.

As someone who has, more often than not, rushed to put my shoes back on and flee the TSA check-in area, it's remarkable that such a simple design change can fundamentally alter how I feel about the most stressful part of the airport experience.

So much space for activities

The terminal has a trendy, mid-century feel, with modernist chandeliers in the gate area, marbled and curved tables, mirrors and play spaces and a lot of faux-nature. Walking Harvey Milks quiet corridor feels like an idle stroll through an Ikea at closing time, or an Apple Store in the sky. In the best way.

But the key design choice that sets the terminal apart is space.

So many airport terminals (ahem, Oakland; double-ahem, other SFO terminals) just feel so tightly packed, with minimal room to walk and restaurants placed willy-nilly next to each other. Theyre like a preview of what the next six hours of your cross-country flight will look like  people and objects crushed into a proverbial tin of sardines.

Harvey Milk isnt that. It is open and bright, as if they took the edict to socially distance and made that the entire ethos for how the terminal should feel. (Despite the fact that the terminal was in the works for years before the pandemic hit.)

Theres so much floor space to leisurely explore that even on a Monday afternoon, with a slew of flights about to depart, I found an area that was nearly empty  something Id never seen outside of spending a night at an airport.

And it's not just floor space.

The ceilings reach all the way to high heaven, with massive windows and printed art on the walls that's larger than life. (Right now, it's photos of Harvey Milk and cute maneki-neko cat statues.) It's great for making sure that noise  and ostensibly air  is as distributed as possible.

Workers seem to like it, too, especially in comparison with other terminals.

They have areas away from everybody that you can sit down and just really relax, said Jesus Trevino, the general manager at Bourbon Pub in the terminal.

Hes worked at other parts of the airport over the past two decades, and hes not kidding when he says Harvey Milk is gorgeous.

If I go to Terminal 2, I almost get depressed, Trevino joked. If I go to Terminal 3, then I get really depressed.

You can really tell, like, just like how low the ceiling is in Terminal 3, he said, in comparison with where Bourbon Pub is now.

But first, some downsides

To be sure, I wouldnt just jaunt to an airport if I didnt have to.

It's still an airport during a pandemic, so the occasional message will blare reminding fliers to keep their mask on lest they get fined or kicked out. Occasionally, youd overhear a snippy customer being mad about, like, the bread choices at a sandwich shop, or being curt to a bartender.

And one too many times, the terminal-wide speaker would blare with airport workers asking for people to come to their gates (including another person also named Joshua, which made me think I was about to miss a flight).

But man, when I found myself getting drowsy after a second airport drink (a Golden State Jamaica cider from Drakes, in this case), I sincerely considered taking a quick nap in the remote area, far away from all the gates, just like Trevino suggested.

I don't think I'll find myself at an airport all too often, especially now that the delta variant is altering our new normal once again. But as the worst part of travel goes, SFOs Harvey Milk terminal makes this normally miserable experience unexpectedly pleasant.
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.

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Whiteness in America isnt just the neutral norm against which racial minorities, particularly Black people, are measured. Whiteness in America means having the privilege and power that go along with being part of that supposed norm. And becoming whitenot in terms of pigment but of social statusis a choice that nearly every immigrant or refugee group in America has had to embrace or reject. In the second episode of How We Got Here, a podcast by the Columbia Journalism School faculty, Professor Sam Freedman talk with two scholars in the field of Whiteness Studies about how understanding the construction of white identity in this polyglot country gives us keen insights into its troubled racial history.

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.
Live by the press conference, die by the press conference. Last year, as the pandemic ravaged his state, Andrew Cuomo, the governor of New York, was widely lauded for the way he communicated. Pundits hailed him as authoritative, reassuring, even sexy; national networks carried his press conferences live, and they won a special Emmy award for Cuomos masterful use of television to inform and calm people. Then, early this year, Cuomo experienced a vicious narrative shifthe was accused first of covering up nursing-home deaths in his state, then of bullying, then of sexual harassmentand his media relations became a lot less open. Even though he met in person with journalists at the beginning of the pandemic (and continued to meet in person with supporters), Cuomo transitioned to remote press conferences, citing public-health grounds, with the first preceding his scandals; as the allegations piled up, his remote briefings became less and less frequent. Journalists who had held Cuomos feet to the fire found themselves frozen out. On a press call in April, a reporter asked Cuomo if he would resign should a probe into the sexual-harassment claims conclude that he broke state law. As the reporter pressed for an answer, his mic was cut.

Yesterday, that probe came to a close: the state attorney generals office published its report on the matter, and it was even more damning than many media observers had expected. The report found that Cuomo did indeed violate both state and federal law, corroborating the claims of eleven women who said that Cuomo touched them without their consent and/or made lewd remarks. Ironically (or perhaps not), the words press conference appear thirty-eight times in the report, and are central to some of its most serious revelations. An unnamed executive assistant who said that Cuomo groped her, including under her blouse, told investigators that she was prepared to take her experience to the grave, only to become visibly distressed in front of colleagues while watching Cuomo claim, at a press conference in early March, that he had never touched anyone inappropriately. A second accuser, Virginia Limmiatis, testified that she decided to come forward as a direct result of the same press conference: He is lying again, she said. I am compelled to come forward to tell the truth. A third woman, an unnamed official at the New York State Department of Health, said that Cuomo made sexual comments to her both before and during a press conference in March 2020, at which she gave him a COVID swab for the cameras. Colleagues of the physician recalled that she was shocked that the governor had made such a comment on national television, and concerned that it would take away from the important public health service she was trying to perform. Emmy-worthy, indeed.

ICYMI: The eviction moratorium, the child tax credit, and the episodic poverty news cycle

After the report dropped, Cuomo responded not with a press conference but with a recorded video statement. Reporters were not given the opportunity to ask questions, but were given plenty to chew on. Cuomo again denied that he has ever touched anyone inappropriately, and accused the investigators of politics and bias. At one point, he referenced photos that appeared on A1 of the New York Times showing him touching a womans face and kissing her on the cheek; he described the images as not front-page news, then displayed a slide deck of pictures showing him similarly kissing other people. I do it with everyone, he said. Black and white, young and old, straight and LGBTQ, powerful people, friends, strangers, people who I meet on the street. The video did not address some of the more serious allegations against Cuomo. Charlotte Bennett, one of his accusers, dismissed it as propaganda, calling it not only uncomfortable and inappropriate, but downright weird and unnecessary. Many journalists agreed. Rebecca Baird-Remba, of the Commercial Observer, raised a question as to whether Cuomo filmed this months ago and it was not edited after the report was released.

The report was also bad news for one member of the press who has covered Cuomo: his brother, Chris, who is a star anchor on CNN. In May, the Washington Post reported that Chris privately advised Andrew on his response to the sexual-harassment allegations, at one point referring to them as cancel culture; the report confirmed that Chris was among a group of advisers that had ongoing and regular discussions with Andrew, and reproduced an email chain that appears to show Chris helping to draft a statement on Andrews behalf. (Sometimes I am playful and make jokes You have seen me do it at briefings hundreds of times.) After the Post story dropped, Chris apologized and admitted that his involvement was inappropriate, though he also described himself as family first, job second. CNN declined to discipline Chris; the network noted, in a statement, that he hadnt been involved in the networks extensive coverage of the scandal, in part because he could never be objective. As many critics pointed out at the time, a lack of objectivity didnt seem to concern CNN last year, when Andrews stock was high and he appeared regularly on Chriss show to discuss important stories like COVID and who was moms favorite. (The network said it made a brief exception to longstanding rules preventing Chris from covering Andrew, on grounds of significant human interest.) As with Andrews briefings, a TV format that was hot last spring has come to look grotesque.

Yesterday, CNN again covered the Andrew report extensively. Chriss involvement was mentioned a handful of times on air, and only then as a limp disclosure that he was interviewed for the report as someone who reached out and talked to his brother as this crisis was unfolding. Last night, Cuomo himself came on air and didnt mention Andrew at all. Were focused on COVID here, he said, opening his show. This was surely an attempt to separate church and state, but its worth remembering that COVID coverage is actually central to the Andrew-Chris nexus; as outlets including the Albany Times Union have reported, Andrew secured preferential access to COVID testing for Chris and other relatives in the early part of the pandemic, when tests were scarce for the general public. This revelation has, understandably, received less attention than the conflict of interest around the harassment allegations. While CNN called the latter a mistake, the network defended Chriss testing access, noting that he caught COVID early on and turned to anyone he could for advice and assistance, as any human being would.

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The big problem here, aside from basic fairness, is that when Chris got sick, he presented himself as something of a COVID everyman, and won lavish praise for doing so. Every man could not, of course, get a COVID test off his brother, the governor. Taken together, Chriss testing access and harassment advice reveal a fundamental inconsistency in his shows self-conception. He is, it seems, permitted to present himself as an average Joe whos looking out for his family, and an opinionated motormouth, and an objective journalist as it suits him. But when youre related to a powerful politician, these various identities will have very different ramifications for the credibility of your coverage; you cant simply shuffle between them and expect people to take you seriously. According to CNNs media reporter Brian Stelter, some staffers at the network expressed sympathy for Chris yesterday, on the grounds that no one chooses their family. The world is going to need a much smaller violin.

Not that the sympathy was universal. Yesterday, various journalists called on CNN to fire Chris; one CNN staffer even told BuzzFeed that the networks failure to do so is a disgrace to journalism. It doesnt seem, for now, like theres much chance of that changing: a former CNN employee told BuzzFeed that the more prominent you are at the network, the less the rules and discipline apply to you, and that Jeff Zucker, CNNs president, has made it clear that he has Chriss back no matter what. Andrew might not be so fortunate: hes made it clear he doesnt want to quit as governor, but the walls are closing in fast, and his political allies have abandoned him en masseincluding, late yesterday, President Biden, who said Cuomo should resign. Biden was pressed for his views at a press conference. As CNN repeatedly reminded its viewers, it was the networks White House reporter who doggedly solicited them.

Below, more on Andrew Cuomo:

Other notable stories:

ICYMI: How major media outlets screwed up the vaccine breakthrough story

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop.
BOZALAN, Turkey (AP)  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, 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 nine fires in the coastal provinces 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 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 governments 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 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.

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 Bekir Pakdemirli rejected that accusation, saying the government had only refused offers for small water-dumping planes.

The Israeli Embassy 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 were joining 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 countrys 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 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. In the Oristano province of Sardinia alone, 20,000 hectares of woodlands have burned, dealing a blow to local beekeeping.

About the photo: A fire engulfs a house in Cokertme village, near Bodrum, Mugla, Turkey, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. 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. (AP Photo/Emre Tazegul)

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Wendy Sherman signs her appointment papers to become the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State at a ceremony at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on April 14, 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.
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Mary Shaw passed away August 2. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday August 6th at Law Jones FH in Savanna. Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
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 Philippines, August 3) Independent research group OCTA on Tuesday lauded the governments decision to place Metro Manila under the strictest enhanced community quarantine as early as Aug. 6 amid the ongoing threat of the more contagious Delta coronavirus variant.

In an online forum, OCTA said that based on previous experiences, early action can also yield faster results.

OCTA fellow Guido David cited a situation in August last year when the government placed the capital region under modified enhanced community quarantine. He said the COVID-19 reproduction number decreased to 1.13 from 1.76 in just two weeks.

The group added that postponing the Aug. 6 lockdown to a later date could lead to more coronavirus infections and deaths.

OCTAs position is centered on go early, go hard. The idea is to take an early intervention while COVID-19 cases driven by the Delta variant are still relatively low to reduce infections and mortality, OCTA Research Fellow Ranjit Rye said.

The group also stood by its recommendation to place Metro Manila under a stricter quarantine rule while the reproduction number is still relatively low at 1.33.

This is based on data and not theories -- based on what has happened in the past and that is why we are confident in the recommendation, added David.

Metro Manila is currently under general community quarantine with heightened and additional restrictions but will revert to ECQ on Friday amid calls for tighter lockdown measures.

COVID-19 cases nationwide reached 1,612,541 after the Department of Health logged 6,879 new COVID-19 infections on Tuesday.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 4)  The country will have stronger military capability, including against external aggressions, by the time the Duterte administration ends, newly installed Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino, Jr. said.

The modernization of the army, although gradual, has come a long way, Faustino told CNN Philippines in an interview aired Wednesday.

From beefing up internal security, the military is now moving to ensure it can protect Philippine territory.

"I am very positive that within the term of President Rodrigo Duterte, we will be able to transition, little by little, to territorial defense," Faustino said.

The AFP's 15-year modernization program is divided into three horizons. It is now in the second phase, which runs from 2018 to 2022, and enjoys a 300-billion funding.

Faustino said they are now "heavily" purchasing hardware concentrated on developing territorial defense, such as ships, planes, and helicopters.

Before this, in line with the first horizon, they have also acquired more equipment to address internal security threats.

"Unti-unti, nararating natin 'yung tinatawag natin na credible defense [We're gradually developing what we call credible defense]," the AFP chief said.

"Whatever kind of threat, be it terrorism, be it external aggression, that's what we're preparing for," he added.

But this doesn't necessarily mean the country is preparing for combat with other nations, according to Faustino.

Asked about asserting the country's rights over the West Philippine Sea and why military vessels have not been deployed amid recent Chinese incursions, he said the challenge is "to protect our sovereignty without going to war."

"Tama ang ginagawa ng National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea [The NTF-WPS is doing the right thing], that it is a law enforcement issue," Faustino said. "That's why we have the coast guard, the Philippine National Police, you have the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources."

What the AFP does besides visibility patrols, he said, is "supporting the law enforcement agencies with the proper doctrine when it comes to maritime."

Duterte has repeatedly said the Philippine military cannot yet take on Chinese soldiers should a war erupt over the disputed resource-rich waterway.

RELATED: Duterte told: No need for war to assert maritime rights in South China Sea

Meanwhile, Faustino welcomed the renewal of the Visiting Forces of Agreement with the United States, saying this will help improve the training of Filipino soldiers.

"Remember that we have the biggest military exercise with the US, ito nga 'yung Balikatan [the Balikatan Exercise], and all the other things like 'yung exchange sa [of] students program," he said.

He called the near-abrogation of the decades-long military pact "a small bump," adding the Philippines has always had a "very good relationship" with the US.

Last week, Duterte decided to recall the termination of the VFA after his meeting with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III in Malacanang.

READ: EXPLAINER: The Visiting Forces Agreement
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 4)  The governor of Aklan is seeking help from the national government as COVID-19 cases in the province have been rising at a fast pace for the past three months.

"Halos puno iyong aming mga hospital, iyong aming mga healthcare workers ay humihingi na ng time out. Sila ay pagod na pagod na rin sa pag-care ng mga COVID-19 patients natin kaya nga humihingi kami ng tulong sa IATF na kung pwede bigyan pa kami ng additional equipment, supplies, medicine for our COVID response," Gov. Florencio Miraflores said during Wednesday's Laging Handa briefing.

[Translation: Our hospitals are almost full. Our healthcare workers are already asking for a time out. Caring for COVID-19 patients has left them exhausted, that is why we are asking for help from the Inter-Agency Task Force. We need additional equipment, supplies, medicine for our COVID response.]

Miraflores also said more than 80% of the province's COVID-19 beds are already occupied.

"At the same time, humihingi kami ng (we are asking for) additional [vaccines] kasi (as) that is the best prevention against any further death dito sa (here in) Aklan," the governor added.

He said only 7% of their target population of 400,000 are fully vaccinated.

Miraflores noted a spike in the number of deaths in Aklan, which he said is currently at 184.

From March 2020 until April this year, Aklan only had 47 fatalities, according to the governor.

Miraflores earlier told municipal mayors in Aklan to prepare their cemeteries to receive COVID-19 deaths after the provincial government's partner crematorium facility in Iloilo City said it would temporarily stop its services due to the huge volume of bodies received daily.

Aklan is under the stricter modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) until August 15 to slow the spread of the coronavirus there.

"From May to July, dito talaga nag-surge ang cases sa (cases really surged in) Aklan," Miraflores said.

"Na-observe namin na sobrang bilis ng pag-infect ng [coronavirus] ngayon," the governor added.

[Translation: We observed that the coronavirus is infecting people at an extremely fast pace now.]

He said while Aklan still has no confirmed cases of the highly contagious Delta variant, they are looking at the possibility it might be triggering the increase in infections in the province.

Miraflores explained that Antique, where the Delta variant has recently been detected, borders Aklan.

He added that a number of people from Antique go to work in Aklan.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 4) The Senate on Wednesday approved the bicameral conference committee report on the bill that seeks to modernize or strengthen the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

The report hurdled the upper chamber after a 14-4 vote with two abstentions.

In June, the Senate voted to reject the bicam version of the BFP modernization bill due to disagreements over a provision allowing some firefighters to carry firearms.

A number of senators earlier rejected the provision, saying arming firemen was unnecessary.

Under the final version of the bill that will be sent to President Rodrigo Duterte, there will be a security and protection unit for each of the 17 regional offices and 146 city fire stations of the BFP.

Each unit shall be composed of 14 personnel who will be provided with the equipment necessary to secure fire suppression operations, including firearms.

This will result in the arming of 2,282 firefighters.

Senator Bato Dela Rosa, who sponsored the measure in the plenary, estimated that nearly 80 million will be needed to purchase the guns.

"It was spread in the records, during our deliberation, that we specified that it's only short firearms...for security purposes," Dela Rosa said during the session.

The BFP modernization bill seeks to expand the powers and functions of the bureau, and establish regional fire laboratories and research and testing facilities, among others.

This is a developing story.

CNN Philippines Correspondent Eimor Santos contributed to this report.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 4)  Former Senator Bongbong Marcos said "solid support" is the one thing that could convince him to run for president in next year's polls.

"The usual thing  if there is solid support for you. A presidential campaign is not run by itself... Iyon ang unang tignan (That is the first thing to look at)," Marcos said in the government's Laging Handa briefing when asked about what would make him seek the presidency in the upcoming elections.

Marcos ranked third among possible 2022 presidential bets, based on the Pulse Asia survey conducted in June. But he said he is skeptical of these polls.

"Iba ang tingin ko sa mga survey. First of all, I try to go down to the grassroots level para malaman kung ang maganda bang numero sa survey totoo ba iyan. Tapos kung ang local leaders ay handa ka ba tulungan - sila ang magdadala ng boto," added the son of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, who was ousted in a people power revolt in 1986 after his 20-year strongman rule.

[Translation: I view surveys differently. First of all, I try to go down to the grassroots level to confirm if the good survey results are true and also to know if local leaders are willing to help you and carry the votes.]

"If you have all that, and you feel the context of whatever else is happening -- na may paraang manalo (that you have a way to win)... then that's when you run. Until that is clear, it would be premature to make a decision," he added.

For now, Marcos said he is still weighing his options, since the filing of certificates of candidacy is still two months away.

It was not clear why Marcos, who currently does not hold any public office, was a guest at the government briefing on COVID-19 response that is broadcast live on national television. Aside from talking about the election, he praised President Rodrigo Duterte's recent State of the Nation Address.

Marcos ran for vice president in 2016 but lost to Leni Robredo. He filed an election protest against Robredo, but the Supreme Court unanimously dismissed it.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 4)  National officials will decide on Thursday if they will place Calabarzon under enhanced community quarantine or just some provinces in that region, Health Secretary Francisco Duque has announced.

Duque said the Department of Health was still waiting for the latest data from the COVID-19 monitoring tool FASSSTER to assess if they will recommend a hard lockdown on the region to the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

"We will find out tomorrow based on the latest data on the COVID situation and the FASSSTER projections," the secretary told a hearing of the House of Representatives' Committee on Health on Wednesday.

Duque said officials are evaluating whether to place the entire Calabarzon under ECQ or just a few areas such as Laguna, Cavite and Rizal.

Metro Manila is set to implement the strictest form of lockdown once again on August 6 until 20 to contain the spread of the highly contagious COVID-19 Delta variant. Based on the DOH's latest data, Metro Manila has 47 local Delta cases - the highest in any region - while Calabarzon has 28. The DOH earlier said it is already assuming that there is community transmission of the Delta variant though there is still no evidence to say so.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 4)  A medical expert is urging the national and local governments to focus on vaccinating individuals aged 50 years old and above to better deal with the dangers of the more transmissible Delta coronavirus variant.

Dr. John Wong, an epidemiology and data analytics expert working with the government's Inter-Agency Task Force, on Wednesday said shifting the focus on those younger than the elderly  who are second in the vaccination priority list due to their vulnerability to COVID-19  will greatly help the country's healthcare and intensive care capacity during the surge.

He added it will be a better use of resources especially when vaccine supplies are unstable and while there is a two-week limit on the hard lockdown in Metro Manila.

"More important than how many people you vaccinate a day is who you vaccinate. The best way to decrease hospitalizations and deaths is to select the population at high risk. These are the people more than 50 years old," he said in an online townhall meeting. "This gives us greatest value for our money."

He said vaccinating those aged 50 years old and up will decrease deaths related to COVID-19 by 80%.

"It's not that scary if you are vaccinated," he said.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles admitted there is a low demand for vaccines in the A2 sector that groups seniors, but the government is working to improve the numbers.

The national government is allocating an additional four million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Metro Manila for the enhanced community quarantine from Aug. 6 to 20. Local governments are targeting to administer 250,000 shots daily across the region to maximize the lockdown period.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 4) The Labor Department has requested emergency funding worth 2 billion to help workers who will be affected by the imposition of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila.

In a letter addressed to the Budget Department and released to the media on Wednesday, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello said the supplemental budget would aid "a significant number of workers" from affected sectors, including those from small and medium enterprises.

"The department would need emergency funds to be able to serve a significant number of workers from small and medium enterprises who will be affected by the ECQ considering that DOLE will be receiving applications for those who want to avail of the cash assistance program," the document read.

For now, DOLE said it would be utilizing a portion of its emergency employment fund to assist workers who will be displaced during the lockdown period.

The agency estimated around 300,000 to 400,000 workers in the National Capital Region will be affected by the ECQ, which starts on Friday.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 4) - Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Jose Faustino, Jr. said he supports a fixed term for the head of the military organization.

Faustino formally took on the role just last week - the tenth to assume the post under the Duterte administration.

But like those who came before him, his term will only run for a few months.

Faustino is scheduled to retire in November, when he turns 56.

"You know, we are now, I should say, limited by the provisions in the law that all of us will retire by the age of 56," he told CNN Philippines in an interview aired on Wednesday.

"I agree that there should be a fixed term for the chief of staff," he said.

Bills that set a fixed term for top AFP officers and raise the mandatory retirement age have already been filed in Congress.

Among those pushing for a longer tenure for generals is Senator Richard Gordon, who said there's a need to put an end to the "revolving door" policy.

In filing Senate Bill No. 1785 last year, Gordon said this kind of short-term leadership "allows for political patronage and accommodation promotion, which favors personalities over the security and defense of our nation."

Still, Faustino said the AFP's goals aren't negatively affected by the constantly changing leadership, noting that they are all following the same roadmap.

"Based kasi sa institution 'yung mission namin [Our mission is based on the institution], not on the person," he said.

"If you will look at the...accomplishments na nagawa ng AFP with all those short-term chiefs of staff na sinundan ko, maganda 'yung resulta," he added.

[Translation: If you will look at the AFP's accomplishments under all those short-term chiefs of staff I succeeded, the results are good.]

Earlier, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said he also agrees there should be a fixed term for AFP officers, saying it will "lend more stability" among uniformed ranks.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 4)  The distribution of cash assistance to Metro Manila residents who will be affected by the upcoming lockdown will face delays, Quezon City's mayor said Wednesday.

Mayor Joy Belmonte said there is no definite date yet on when assistance will reach 10.7 million residents of the capital region who are eligible to get aid.

"The ayuda coming from the national government will be delayed as of our meeting with DILG yesterday," she said in an online townhall meeting.

She also appealed to the private sector to reach out to the local government units to pledge financial assistance or donate goods.

Metro Manila will be placed under the strictest enhanced community quarantine from Aug. 6 to 20, with millions of residents forced to stay home except for essential trips outside. The national government is granting a cash aid of 1,000  or a maximum of 4,000 per household  during the said period.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 4)  An online course supposedly to be taught by revered Filipino tattooist Apo Whang-od Oggay, or better known as Whang-od, was taken down from a digital learning platform by vlogger Nas Daily after a relative of the 104-year-old artist called it a scam.

Gracia Palicas, a tattoo artist herself, said in a post on a Facebook group that her grandmother never agreed to teach an online class.

"My grandmother did not sign any contract with @NasDaily to do any academy," she said. "PLEASE HELP US STOP this disrespect to the legacy of Apo Whang Od and the Butbot Tribe."

The now-unavailable course from the Nas Academy was priced at P750 and it promoted lessons on Whang-Od's journey, her methods in traditional Kalinga tattoo making, and the cultural aspect of her medium.

The course also drew the ire of netizens, accusing Nas Daily of exploiting Filipino culture. He has yet to respond to these allegations.

Nas Daily, or Nuseir Yassin, rose to social media fame by producing informative one-minute travel videos. The vlogger later opened Nas Academy which features multiple virtual courses including some taught by Filipino professionals such as Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray who will teach "How To Be A Queen", designer Michael Cinco who will teach about fashion, and reporter Jessica Soho who will teach about broadcast journalism.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 4)  Children who are admitted to the Philippine General Hospital due to COVID-19 are now getting sicker, its spokesperson disclosed on Wednesday.

Speaking to CNN Philippines' The Source, PGH spokesperson Jonas del Rosario said seven out of eight allocated beds for pediatric COVID-19 patients are already occupied.

He said three of the patients were intubated, while "the rest are oxygen-requiring."

"We did admit pediatric COVID-19 cases in the past," Del Rosario said. "It just seems to us they are sicker now."

"When we mean sicker, most have severe pneumonia and need to be intubated," he explained, adding that some of the cases have underlying comorbidities and are more vulnerable to the virus.

The PGH is also grappling with the rising COVID-19 cases, as its intensive care unit for adult patients already reached almost 90% capacity, with only five or six remaining buffer beds that are not enough for admitted moderate cases and other patients waiting to be accommodated.

"Doon sa waiting to be admitted (from other hospitals), there are about five na nakalista," Del Rosario pointed out. "Sa iba naman na nasa bahay pa, close to 10 na severely ill na dapat ma-admit sa ICU setup ng PGH."

[Translation: For those who are waiting to be admitted, five have been listed. But there are others at home, close to 10 of them who are severely ill, also need to be admitted to the ICU setup of PGH.]

Dr. Benjamin Campomanes, chief medical officer and vice president at St. Luke's Medical Center, said he is also seeing a "steady increase" in hospital admissions in Quezon City and Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City, with most of the admitted patients unvaccinated or only had their first dose.

"They are definitely younger," he said of the patients. "We are seeing people in their late 30s...to 50s and I would think that this would comprise the unvaccinated or had only the first dose."

"Remember these are the patients or profile patients not in the A1 to A4 group," he noted.

Campomanes added that in just two weeks, their admitted COVID-19 patients also rose from 55 to 149, while occupied ICU beds rose from 13 to 27.

St. Luke's is ready to increase manpower and expand its capacity to up to 50% if the situation worsens due to the feared Delta variant, he also said.

The government is prioritizing individuals within the A1 to A4 sectors for vaccination. They are comprised of health workers, senior citizens, persons with comorbidities and other essential workers.

No announcement has been made as to when the other succeeding groups can be vaccinated.

The government, however, said it will ramp up its vaccine drive for those under A1 to A4, as Metro Manila shifts to the strictest enhanced community quarantine for two weeks starting Aug. 6.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 4)  Vice President Leni Robredo offered Wednesday her recommendations on the government's pandemic response as Metro Manila shifts to the strictest enhanced community quarantine on Friday.

In a statement, Robredo said a higher testing and vaccination capacity among other measures that do not stick to the "status quo" should be implemented so that Malacanang's hope for the "last ever lockdown" will be achieved.

Increase testing capacity to 120,000 daily

Robredo said that from around 50,000 COVID-19 tests being conducted in the Philippines per day, the government must aim to increase this target to 120,000 daily.

Testing czar Vince Dizon said in a briefing that they are still doing "risk-based testing," or testing symptomatic people and contacts of positive and symptomatic cases. He added capacity will be ramp up if needed.

"In terms of capacity to test, if we need to test a lot of people at one time, we have that especially in NCR and the big cities all over the country. We are averaging 40-50,000 a day but if needed to ramp up based on the risk profile, we now have the capacity to do that unlike a year ago," he said.

Unified contact tracing

"'Yung contact tracing, labo-labo pa rin, ang daming app, ibig sabihin ang daming database. Pag-isahin na natin 'yan," she said.

[Translation: Contact tracing is still mixed up, since there are a lot of apps, this means there are a lot of databases to consider. We should just combine them all.]

Prepare hospitals for possible surge

Robredo said the government should help hospitals prepare for the surge in cases by hiring more medical personnel and by ensuring access to medicines, oxygen, and other equipment.

She also warned against those who might take advantage of higher prices of available medical supply.

Increase vaccination to 750,000 daily

From the current 500,000 daily inoculations, Robredo said administered COVID-19 shots should now be increased to 750,000 a day "to easily reach herd immunity."

Faster aid distribution

She also called for a faster and more efficient distribution of cash aid for pandemic-hit families and businesses.

Eligible beneficiaries will be given 1,000 with a maximum of 4,000 cash assistance during the lockdown.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chair Benhur Abalos earlier said local government units in Metro Manila will still likely opt for face-to-face distribution during the ECQ. No date has been set yet for the start of the distribution.

Metro Manila will shift to ECQ on Aug.6 to Aug.20 to control the spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 4) - Six members of an organized crime group extorting money using the name of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte turned themselves in to authorities, and were presented Wednesday afternoon.

The suspects acted as "researchers, callers, and receivers" of the Cerbito-Fernandez Organized Crime Group, according to National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Legal Division Chief Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Orsos.

Orsos said the syndicate poses as senior local government officials to solicit money for "humanitarian projects," such as community pantries supposedly done under the presidential daughter's name.

Members of the group also pretend to be Davao City assistant administrator Tristan Domingo to seek financial support from businessmen and contractors for Mayor Duterte's potential bid for the presidency in next year's elections, he added.

"The solicited money was deposited under the name of a certain Kristian Acero," Orsos said.

"It was then revealed that the group is operating nationwide, targeting or has targeted 209 more government officials and other private companies based on documents handed over to the PNP," he added.

The NCRPO also said the group uses chat apps and social media sites, such as Viber and Facebook, to text and call suppliers in Davao, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Batangas, Quezon, Negros Oriental, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Cagayan, Leyte, and Baguio to solicit funds.

Syndicated estafa charges are now being prepared against the group leaders, identified as Patrick Cerbito, Antonio Cerbito, Ramon Segundo, and Anthony Segundo.

In a statement, the City Government of Davao commended the NCRPO for its "aggressive and successful" operation.

It also reiterated Mayor Duterte's previous call to report suspicious fund-raising or campaign activities to davaocitymayor@gmail.com, or course it through the National Bureau of Investigation and the police.

President Rodrigo Duterte's daughter previously said she is "open" to running for president, but added there is no final decision yet.

Mayor Duterte is currently the chairperson of the regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago.

READ: Sara Duterte now 'open' to run for president in 2022
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 4)  State health insurer PhilHealth has not yet paid close to 2 billion worth of claims of St. Luke's Medical Center since the pandemic started, an official of the hospital bared Wednesday.

"We have accounts receivable from Philhealth close to 2 billion. Thats a big amount of money," Benjamin Campomanes, chief medical officer and vice president of St. Luke's Medical Center told CNN Philippines' The Source.

"If we were just a small hospital, Im sure we would have folded up," he noted.

Senators are looking into a possible probe on unpaid hospital claims as Metro Manila prepares to shift to the strictest enhanced community quarantine this week.

On Monday, Senate finance committee chair Sonny Angara said only about 6.3 billion in hospital claims have been released by PhilHealth to more than 200 healthcare facilities, a "measly amount" compared to the 28 billion in unpaid claims as stated by the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines.

Sen. Grace Poe, who chairs the public services committee, said in a statement on Tuesday that senators are considering an inquiry into the matter to speed up the claims process.

Meanwhile, Campomanes noted that despite their healthcare workers receiving hazard pay from the government, rising COVID-19 cases would mean higher claims that will need to be reimbursed from the state insurer.

"We are also scared of COVID-19 again because we know that more of these accounts receivable will go up," he said.

St. Luke's alone has reported a 40% increase in its admitted COVID-19 cases in two weeks, Campomanes noted.

There was no immediate comment from PhilHealth on the issue.
The State College Police Department arrested and charged a Woodward man on several counts for unlawful contact with minors on Tuesday, according to a release.

David R. Snyder was charged with misdemeanor counts of Indecent Exposure and Open Lewdness, as well as felony charges of Unlawful Contact with Minors and Corruption of Minors.

SCPD opened an investigation on July 7 after the 57-year-old man allegedly exposed himself to several young girls "around 7 years of age" at Spring Creek Park, the release said. The suspect fled the scene in a silver minivan.

One of the individuals disclosed to Centre County Child Advocacy center that Snyder had "talked to her and exposed" himself to her, according to the release.

After returning to the park on July 19, Snyder was identified. He was then arraigned in court by Magisterial District Judge Casey M. McClain and sent to the Centre County Correctional Facility.

According to court documents, Snyder was previously charged on Feb. 17 for invasion of privacy for viewing and photographing a person without consent and tampering with physical evidence. The previous incident took place July 31, 2020.

Police are asking anyone who may have information to contact them at 814-234-7150.

MORE BOROUGH COVERAGE
Monday marked what would have been Osaze Osagies 32nd birthday, and State Colleges 3/20 Coalition hosted a party at the Allen Street Gates in his honor.

Osagie, a 29-year-old Black man, was killed by a State College police officer on March 20, 2019 when three officers arrived at his apartment to serve a mental health warrant.

Osagie, who had autism and a history of schizophrenia, allegedly ran at the officers with a knife. After an unsuccessful attempt to deploy a Taser on him, he was allegedly shot by Officer M. Jordan Pieniazek.

The three officers involved in the shooting have not been charged.

Sylvester Osagie, his father, filed a lawsuit in November 2020 against the borough of State College, and Judge Matthew W. Brann of the U.S. Middle District Court of Pennsylvania set a long-term trial date in 2022.

The case may be ready for trial in approximately 729 days, according to Judge Branns case management plan. This puts the suggested date for trial in November 2022, two years after the lawsuit was filed.

Featuring an assortment of cookies, cupcakes, water and Osagies favorite music, the bash lasted an hour and a half and garnered nearly two dozen attendees  members and nonmembers of the 3/20 Coalition alike.

Across the sidewalk, chalk messages, drawings and commemorative etchings in a myriad of colors were made to honor Osagies life and legacy.

I miss my best friend, read one heartfelt message written by Osagies best friend, Yum Yum Abdul. Others read Happy Birthday Osaze! and Together We Can.

Abdul, 25, has been involved with the 3/20 Coalition since its start and said she has been fighting for Osagie since day one.

I wanted to make sure that no one would forget who he was and to humanize him, Abdul said. Im going to keep his legacy alive.

And that was something Tierra Williams, chair of State College's 3/20 Coalition, swore to do as well.

Its Black August  which is a tradition thats been celebrated since the 1970s  and now we have to add Osazes birthday to that, Williams, 29, said. We felt like it was very important to acknowledge [Osagies birthday] and let everybody in the city know that we havent forgotten him.

A facet of the celebration was the prevalence of the color blue  Osagies favorite, according to Williams, but also a representation of those who killed him. From the balloons to outfits and even the birthday banner, the color blue was everywhere.

Williams called the celebration Osagies Birthday Blues, which for her is also a reminder of how old Osagie would have been this year had he still been alive.

Thirty-two years of age is not old at all, and he didnt make it there, Williams said. He was the same age I am when he died. Its just very close, very personal.

For Abdul, the Birthday Blues is a reminder of how few people know about Osagies strife and the mission of the 3/20 Coalition, she said.

Its sad that only people downtown know about him, and it breaks my heart, Abdul said. With us coming out here all the time, we want to bring awareness so people know these things.

Student attendee Vince Smedile said Abduls and Osagies strife might have been lessened  if only slightly  had his death been publicized nationally like that of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and several others.

Its important that people still understand that [Osagies struggle is] not something thats dead, Smedile (junior-astrophysics and political science) said. Its alive. Its still kicking.

Smedile said the birthday celebration made Osagies death seem more real to him.

Its an acknowledgement that he existed as a person, Smedile said. Hes not just something that you read in a newspaper. Its an affirmation of his life, that he was a community member, that he was someone who was real.

Smediles friend Jake Otto said attending the event was almost a necessity for them as members of Penn States United Socialists. Otto (junior-history and German) said he came to the celebration because his beliefs align with the 3/20 Coalition's mission.

Weve been active in the struggle here, Otto said. They called for our solidarity, and we are always ready to offer it.

And Smedile, who identifies as Asian, agreed. Racism of any kind  whether it be against Black people or people of other races  warrants his attention and involvement as a member of the community and of the United Socialists, he said.

Following the main celebration, there was a brief march through downtown to the Memorial for Black Lives on Foster Avenue. The march was replete with singing and chanting as attendees marched along College Avenue and up Foster.

A short memorial ritual and moment of silence took place at the memorial, after which the attendees slowly filtered back to their vehicles or homes.

For many, Osagies birthday celebration was more than just a party  it was a way to advance the 3/20 Coalitions agenda but also, more importantly, it was a way to keep Osagie and his memory alive, Abdul and Williams said.

If us coming out here and celebrating his birthday keeps him alive, were going to do it, Abdul said. I will never stop fighting for him. He was there for me when I was struggling, so now its my turn to be there for him.

Williams echoed this sentiment but also said she hopes Osagies birthday celebration will go beyond just Osagies strife.

Even after theres justice for Osaze, theres still justice for others, Williams said. We want to build a community that can talk to each other, that can sit down and have conversations, and this is part of the way in which we do that.

The ultimate goal of the 3/20 Coalition and Williams herself, she said, is to ensure there will never be another case like that of Osagie in State College and then to reform the police, specifically by working toward implementing the proposed Community Oversight Board for the State College Police Department.

Were not terrorists. Were not angry and unreasonable people, Williams said. But we will speak up for the justice of Black lives, and we do believe Osaze was murdered, and until he receives justice, we wont stop.

It was, in part, this very mission that drew Judy and Bob Andronici to the event. The two said they had heard about the event from someone they had a meeting with earlier in the day, so they decided to come out and show their support.

[The party] humanizes him, Judy, 75, said, and it makes it clear that a life was snuffed out unnecessarily.

At the forefront of both their political agendas is police reform and an overhauling of the police response system in State College and beyond. And both said they attended to help play their part in causing such a reform.

[The party] keeps alive the concept that behavior by police has a major, major impact on the way the community goes forward psychologically  either together or separated, Bob, 76, said. Unfortunately, theres been more separation as of late.

Bob made it clear that, in his opinion, defunding the police isnt the answer, but all-around police reform, behavioral training and increased sensitivity could be, he said.

Im here for police reform, Bob said. I do not believe in defunding police, but I do believe that it makes good sense to take a look at the way the police operate and maybe bring some changes in the form of either additional training and or introduction of social services people into the mix of engagement.

Judy and Bob both said attending was also a way to showcase their concern for social issues relating to race  both are members of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Centre County and a racial justice committee. The benefit of attending, they said, stretches beyond just the celebration at Monday evenings event.

To come here and have people remember the event, in my opinion, hopefully helps them to recognize that the behavior of police is critical to society moving forward, Bob said. Its really about the concern for the issue  the issue being the impact of police  both good, bad and indifferent  on the community.

One aspect both Smedile and Otto agreed on about their own attendance at the event was their strong will to be there as members of the Penn State community. They said their presence was not to represent the community but to ameliorate its reputation.

The university has a very big problem with living up to all of the diversity that [it claims] to preach, Smedile said. When I came here, I was under the impression that this was going to be a very [open] and welcoming campus. Thats not to say I havent found people who are like that, but there is a very big problem with turning a blind eye to racisim and to discrimination on this campus  whether it be because the administration is just unsympathetic or because [it doesnt] understand, given [its] composition in terms of demographics and income.

Smedile said he believes coming out to the celebration and to other protests and marches the 3/20 Coalition has hosted in honor of Osagie is a way to showcase truth.

You have parents and students who are coming here, Smedile said. They need to be aware that... there are some great benefits to coming here, but there are also stains on this university that need to be made aware of before we can clean them.

Otto agreed, and called out the university for what he said he believes is a lack of action on topics like racism, diversity and equality.

Penn State as an institution  which prides itself on its diverse and large student body and alumni  needs to recognize that racism isnt just a thing thats rhetorical, Otto said. Its a thing thats actively felt in very serious ways that are lethal to Black people and to other [people of color].

A potential solution to this could be affirmative action against racism on behalf of the university, Otto said.

The university has to do more than just say that theyre pro-Black Lives Matter, Otto said. They have to provide material assistance to students and community members of color.

Penn State Ph.D. Vice Provost for Educational Equity Marcus Whitehurst said in a statement the university has made progress toward diversity and equity, but the "work is not done."

"Penn State recognizes the challenges that exist around creating a more welcoming and inclusive community," Whitehurst said. "The Office of Educational Equity remains deeply committed to working with our students and employees to collectively improve our campus climate."

Whitehurst said students and employees are encouraged to reach out to Educational Equity for support and learn more about the university's inclusion initiatives at the Action Together website.

"We know the need is urgent, and Penn State remains fully committed to confronting these critical issues, and we will continue the vital work in making the university a welcoming place for all," Whitehurst said.

The State College and even broader Centre County communities are impacted by Penn States actions and policies, Otto said, which he said makes it all the more important for the university to do the right thing.

There are people in State College who arent associated with the university, Otto said, but this very much is a college town.

Yet not all of Osagies birthday celebration was full of doom and gloom like Abdul said last years celebration was.

Im so happy that were out here having fun, reminiscing and keeping his legacy alive, Abdul said. Were out here together, of all races, genders, sexualities, and were celebrating whats right because were going to be on the right side of history.

Reminiscing was a large part of Abduls experience at the celebration this year, she said.

Abdul said she remembers the birthday celebrations she had with Osagie before his death and said she will cherish every birthday she had with him and those he can no longer have. She also said she remembers the immense amount of love people showed Osagie at his funeral  love she said she wishes he had known in life.

Osaze was treated so badly when he was alive, Abdul said. To see how much love he has after death makes my heart melt. I just wish he wouldve seen what we saw.

The birthday celebration this year will be the second of many more to come, Abdul said, as she said she hopes to grow the organization back to its large member levels and make Osagies birthday an annual event.

Smedile said he believes having celebrations like that of Monday evening remind those seeking social justice the benefits of their work.

Sometimes, if youre fighting for something, for justice, it also is a joyous thing, Smedile said. I think a birthday party is a perfect example of that.

And this was a sentiment Samantha Moorhead agreed with. Moorhead (senior-food science), like Smedile and Otto, is a member of Penn States United Socialists.

Tragedies and general systematic oppression is what brings people to these struggles, but there are still things to celebrate, Moorhead said. Osaze Osagie was a person, and he had friends, family and was part of the community. He deserves to have his birthday celebrated.

Abdul said she believes in the juxtaposition of good and bad that comes with fighting for justice for Osagie  its important to celebrate the good but to always remember the real purpose of the fight. She said it breaks her heart not being able to celebrate with Osagie himself.

He should be here, Abdul said. He aint do nothing wrong besides being Black and mentally ill. Is that a death sentence?

That, Abdul said, is why she fights.

I love you, Osaze. You are my best friend, and Ill never, ever, ever stop fighting for you.

MORE NEWS COVERAGE

State College approves new traffic pattern for upcoming high rise construction The State College Borough Council approved Monday a new traffic pattern at the corner of Het
Former U.S. Postal worker Jessica Stover was sentenced Tuesday after pleading guilty to mail theft from an investigation in 2018 involving mail intended for Penn State students.

Chief United States District Judge Matthew Brann placed Stover on a one-year probation and ordered her to pay an assessment of $100 and restitution of $350, due immediately.

Three Penn State students were mentioned in legal documents, and they will receive portions of the restitution for stolen mail. From "in or around January 2018 through on or about [Aug.] 31, 2018" Stover "embezzled letters, postal cards, packages and mail," the court documents said.

Stover changed her plea from "not guilty" to "guilty" on March 17 and was represented by Gerald Lord, a public defender in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

The case concluded Tuesday after sentencing.

MORE CAMPUS COVERAGE
James Binney, a 58-year-old Penn State World Campus assistant teaching professor, filed a lawsuit against the university on July 23, demanding $150,000. The suit was filed for 13 alleged counts of Age Discrimination in Employment Act violations, according to legal documents within the U.S. Middle District Court of Pennsylvania.

Binney alleges he "has been harmed" by Penn State's "discriminatory employment practices," which resulted in the university's "failure to hire" Binney, the documents said. Binney has been working for Penn State since 2008.

"Through the present, [Penn State] continues to hire significantly younger, less qualified, less experienced individuals in non-tenured lecturer positions in its Political Science Department," the filed complaint said.

Penn State has offered Binney to teach three courses since his final full-time contract expired in May of 2018 and has not rehired him as a non-tenured lecturer, according to the documents.

Binney is requesting trial by jury.

MORE COURTS COVERAGE
A national group devoted to campaign finance and election reform is endorsing Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser's bid for a second term, calling the Democrat a key figure in the fight against efforts to undermine the right to vote.

A spokesman for the joint End Citizens United/Let America Vote organization said Wednesday that it's adding Weiser to its "Democracy Defender" program, with plans to spend $7 million to help elect attorney general and secretary of state candidates in nine states, including Colorado.

The group kicked off the program a month ago when it threw support behind Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, a Democrat also seeking re-election in 2022.

Since assuming office, Attorney General Phil Weiser has been a tireless advocate for Colorado families, said Tiffany Muller, president of the organization formed last year when the two advocacy organizations merged.

His commitment to expanding access to the ballot box is a big reason why Colorado enjoys the second highest voter turnout in the country. And given the nationwide assault on voting rights by self-serving politicians and dark money special interests, its critical that we reelect Attorney General Weiser to protect those rights and increase transparency in the state. Were proud to endorse Attorney General Weiser and we look forward to helping him win.

Weiser, a former dean of the University of Colorado Law School and Justice Department official under President Barack Obama, has yet to draw a Republican opponent. His campaign has raised $1.7 million for the cycle and last month reported $1.5 million on hand at the end of the second quarter.

In December, Weiser joined a brief filed by 23 states challenging a Texas lawsuit that sought to throw out the presidential election results in four battleground states. He also took the U.S. Postal Service to court last year to block proposed changes Weiser argued could disrupt mail balloting.

We in Colorado are poised to be leaders in defending our democratic institutions," Weiser said in a statement. :It is critical that our elected officials take seriously any and all attacks on voting rights, redouble our efforts to overturn Citizens United, and promote government of the people, by the people, and for the people. I am honored to earn the confidence of End Citizens United/Let America Vote and will continue to defend our voting rights and protect Coloradans."

The endorsing group spent $65.5 million in the last election cycle and ranked fifth for independent expenditures among Democratic-aligned issue groups. It counts more than 4 million members nationwide, including more than 160,000 Coloradans, a spokesman said.

The End Citizens United/Let America Vote political action committee earlier this year endorsed U.S. Rep. Michael Bennet and U.S. Rep. Jason Crow, two other Colorado Democrats running for re-election next year.
Colorado Politics is published both in print and online. Our website features subscriber-only news stories daily, designed for public policy arena professionals. Member subscribers also receive the weekly print edition of our award-winning newspaper, containing outstanding features and news stories, in their mailboxes every Saturday.
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!
Danville, IL (61832)

Today

Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 67F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 67F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
There are countless ways to communicate electronically, including texting, social media, collaboration apps like Teams and Slack, and video software such as Zoom and Skype.

Given the myriad ways you can get in touch with others, you may well think email is dead.

Think again.

Email, the mainstay of workplace communications, is stronger than ever. An estimated 306.4 billion emails were sent every day in 2020, according to Statista  a figure that the market research firm expects to grow to 376.4 billion daily emails by 2025.

If youre using an email client rather than a cloud-based email service, theres a very good chance that youre using Microsoft Outlook, the most popular Windows-based piece of email software. Although you may have been using Outlook for some time, you might be missing out on some of its worthwhile features.

Microsoft sells Office under two models: Individuals and businesses can pay for the software license up front and own it forever (what the company calls the perpetual version of the suite), or they can purchase an Office 365 or Microsoft 365 subscription, which means they have access to the software for only as long as they keep paying the subscription fee.

When you purchase a perpetual version of the suite  say, Office 2016 or Office 2019  its applications will never get new features, whereas Office 365 apps are continually updated with new features. (For more details, see Microsoft Office 2019 vs. Office 365: How to pick the best one for you) Confusing matters even more, Microsoft has recently renamed some, but not all, of its Office 365 subscriptions under the Microsoft 365 moniker, which generally means the plan includes everything from the old Office 365 plans plus some additional features and apps.

This cheat sheet gets you up to speed on the features that have been introduced in the Windows desktop client for Outlook in Office 365 and Microsoft 365 since 2015. Well periodically update this story as new features roll out. (If youre using the perpetual-license Outlook 2016 or 2019, see our separate Outlook for 2016 and 2019 cheat sheet.)

Share this story: IT folks, we hope youll pass this guide on to your users to help them learn to get the most from Outlook for Microsoft 365/Office 365 in Windows.

Use the classic or simplified Ribbon

The Ribbon interface that you came to know and love (or perhaps hate) in earlier versions of Outlook has gotten a nice tweak for those who prefer simplicity to an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink look. You can now use a simplified Ribbon that shows only the most frequently used features, rather than the full panoply of whats available to you in Outlook. You can switch back and forth between the new simplified Ribbon and the classic one with a single click.

(Because the Ribbon has been included in Office applications since Office 2007, we assume youre familiar with how it works in general. If you need a refresher, see our Outlook 2010 cheat sheet.)

IDG For those who like the everything-but-the-kitchen-sink look, the classic Ribbon is still available in Outlook. (Click image to enlarge it.)

To switch from the classic Ribbon to the simplified one, click the small down arrow (also called a caret) in the lower right-hand corner of the Ribbon. The Ribbon narrows considerably and shows only the most common tasks you need to do, giving you more screen real estate to do your actual work. To get the classic Ribbon back, click the caret again (its now upfacing).

IDG Heres the stripped-down, simplified Ribbon, which shows only the most commonly used commands. (Click image to enlarge it.)

However, you dont necessarily have to go back to the full, classic Ribbon if you are looking for a specific task. If a button on the simplified Ribbon has a caret on it, you can click it to see a drop-down menu with related tasks. Theres also a three-dot icon at the right end of the Ribbon; click it and a drop-down menu appears with several tasks you might want to do related to the Ribbon tab youre currently on  for example, managing junk mail if youre on the Home tab. Select the task you want to do, and youre set.

You can also add any task from the drop-down menu to the simplified Ribbon itself. Right-click any of them and select Pin to Ribbon to do it.

To find out which commands live on which tabs on the Ribbon, download our Outlook for Microsoft 365 Ribbon quick reference. Also note that you can use the search bar above the Ribbon to find commands, as Ill discuss in the next section of this story.

As in previous versions of Outlook, if you want the Ribbon commands to go away completely, press Ctrl-F1. (The tabs above the Ribbon stay visible.) To make them reappear, press Ctrl-F1 again. That works for both the simplified Ribbon and the classic one.

Youve got other options for displaying the Ribbon as well, and these options also work with both the simplified and classic Ribbons. To get to them, click the Ribbon Display Options icon at the top right of the screen, just to the left of the icons for minimizing, maximizing, and closing Outlook. From the drop-down menu, you can choose Auto-hide Ribbon (hide the entire Ribbon, both the tabs and commands underneath them), Show Tabs (show the tabs but hide the commands underneath them, as when you press Ctrl-F1), or Show Tabs and Commands (show the whole Ribbon).

And if for some reason the blue color on Outlooks title bar is too much for you, you can turn it white, gray, or black. To do it, select File > Options > General. In the Personalize your copy of Microsoft Office section, click the down arrow next to Office Theme, and select Dark Gray, Black, or White from the drop-down menu. To make the title bar blue again, instead choose the Colorful option from the drop-down list. You can also choose to have the theme match your overall system settings by selecting Use system setting.

Just above the Office Theme menu is an Office Background drop-down menu  here you can choose to display a pattern such as a circuit board or circles and stripes in the title bar.

IDG You can change Outlooks blue title bar to gray, black, or white: In the Personalize your copy of Microsoft Office section, click the down arrow next to Office Theme and pick a color. (Click image to enlarge it.)

Use the Search bar for more than searching emails

The search bar at the top of Oulook is deceptively simple-looking. You likely assume you can use it for searching through your emails and thats it.

But the search bar does double duty: you can, of course, use it for searching, and it can also help you find any Outlook capability, no matter how hidden, even if youve never used it. (This hands-on help capability replaces the Tell Me feature found in Outlook 2016 and 2019.)

To use it, click in the search box, and then type in what task youd like to do. (Those who prefer keyboard shortcuts can instead press Alt-Q to get to the search box.)

For example, if you want to filter your mail to see only messages with attachments, type in filter email. In this instance, the top result is a Filter Email listing with an arrow to its right, indicating that it has many options. Hover your mouse over it, and you see multiple options for filtering your mail, including Unread, Has Attachments, This Week, and others. Choose the option you want, and the task will be performed instantly.

IDG You can use Outlooks search bar to perform just about any task. (Click image to enlarge it.)

For the most common basic tasks, you wont need this capability. But for more complex ones, its worth using, because its much more efficient than hunting through the Ribbon to find a command. It also remembers the features youve previously clicked on in the search results, so when you click in the box, you first see a list of previous tasks youve searched for. That makes sure that the tasks you frequently perform are always within easy reach, while at the same time making tasks you rarely do easily accessible.

Do online research from right inside Outlook

Sometimes emails are just quick notes that dont require much research, and you can toss them off with little or no thought. Other times, though, youll want to include relevant information before sending them off. Those are the times youll appreciate being able to do online research from right within Outlook. You can do this while youre writing an email, so you wont have to fire up your browser, search the web, and then copy the information or pictures to your message.

To do it, highlight a word or group of words in an email  it can be a new draft, a message youve received, or one youve already sent  and select Search from the menu that appears. Outlook then uses Bing to do a web search on the word or words, displaying definitions, related Wikipedia entries, pictures and other results from the web in the Search pane that appears on the right.

IDG You can do web research from right within Outlook. (Click image to enlarge it.)

To use online research in Outlook or any other Office app, you might first need to enable Microsofts intelligent services feature, which collects your search terms and some content from your documents and other files. (If youre concerned about privacy, youll need decide whether the privacy hit is worth the convenience of doing research from right within the app.) If you havent enabled it, youll see a screen when you click Search asking you to turn it on. Once you do so, it will be turned on across all your Office applications.

Get a more focused inbox

If youre like the rest of the world, you suffer from email overload. Your most important messages are mixed in with the dross of everyday email life  retailing come-ons, groups begging for donations, pointless newsletters and more.

Focused Inbox helps solve the problem. Using artificial intelligence, it determines which messages are most important to you and puts them into a Focused tab, while putting everything else into an Other tab. That way you can spend most of your time handling important messages in the Focused tab, only occasionally checking the Other tab.

To turn on Focused Inbox, select the View tab from the Ribbon, then click the Show Focused Inbox icon. From now on, youll have two tabs in your Inbox, Focused and Other. The Focused tab should have the most important messages, and the Other tab should have less important messages. If thats not the case, you can manually move messages from one folder to the other and tell Focused Inbox to automatically filter them in that way in the future.

IDG Turning on Focused Inbox puts less important emails out of your way in the Other tab. (Click image to enlarge it.)

To move a message from one tab to another, right-click the message you want to move, then select Move to Other or Move to Focused, depending on where you want the message moved. That will move the message just this once. If you want to permanently route all messages from that sender to the other tab, choose either Always Move to Other or Always Move to Focused.

Focused Inbox isnt for everybody. If you find that Focused Inbox hinders more than it helps, you can toggle it back off by selecting View > Show Focused Inbox.

Keep email messages out of the way but handy with the Archive folder

Outlook has long offered email message archiving  that is, the option to move messages out of your Outlook mailbox and into a separate PST file as a space-saving measure. Corporate versions of Office, such as Office 365 for Enterprise, offer their own archiving features that automatically archive users older messages, again to save space. These methods remove the messages from the users Outlook mailbox. You can still get them back, but it takes some doing.

Theres another option in Outlook for Microsoft 365: You can move specific pieces of mail out of your inbox or other folders and into the Archive folder. That way, when looking for a message, you can browse or search the Archive folder and find the message more quickly.

Using the Archive folder doesnt reduce the size of your mailbox; it simply helps tidy up your inbox while keeping older messages instantly accessible. Microsoft recommends that you use the Archive folder to store messages that youve already responded to or acted on.

If you already have a system of folders and subfolders in Outlook, you might not need the Archive folder, but it can be a boon for those of us who tend to leave everything in the inbox. And even if you do have a folder system, you might find that not all of your email fits neatly into your folders and subfolders; you can move these messages to the Archive folder to keep your inbox clean.

To move messages to the Archive folder, first select one or more that you want to archive. (Select multiple messages by holding down the Ctrl key and clicking each one you want to select.) With the message or messages selected, go to the Ribbons Home tab and click Archive in the Delete group, right-click the message or group of messages and select Archive, or simply drag the selected message(s) to the Archive folder. You can also move an individual email to the Archive folder by pressing the Backspace key when the message is highlighted or when youre reading it.

IDG Choose the last item in the pop-up menu to move the selected messages to the Archive folder. (Click image to enlarge it.)

Now when you need to find a message, you can browse the Archive folder or else go to the Archive folder and launch a search.

To move a message out of the Archive folder to a different folder, simply drag it to its destination.
Apple has updated its website with the reintroduction of an easy-to-find "Store" section and I cant help but wonder why it was ever made harder to find in an earlier site redesign.

Sales didnt stop

Sales didnt stop when Apple redesigned its site and made the store a more discreet space. To get to it, youd either use a link in the site menu, a link at the bottom of the page, or via the "Buy" button on any product page.

However, as Apples business becomes increasingly online, its not especially surprising the company would choose to make it easy to find its online shopping mall. While the rationale for the earlier discretion was likely to reflect that Apples an experience company, not a sales company, that schtick became harder to accept once sales broke a trillion dollars.

Changing direction?

It is, however, interesting to consider whether the change will be matched by a move to transform Apples retail stores into more sales-driven operations.

I hope this isnt so. One of the key elements to those stores since the beginning has been a focus on identifying what people need, rather than on sales.

You can feel what the Apple brand is by the experience you have in the space. Now, more companies see their stores as brand touch points, rather than just a transaction space, Tim Kobe, who helped design the first Apple retail stores, said in 2019.

I hope Apple isnt changing its store philosophy too much  it has, after all, turned those places into the worlds most profitable retailers. I also hope the company really embraces hybrid working practicses, rather than the hobbled back-to-work-on-certain-days model it has taken up.

A good overall move

The decision to make the online Apple Store easy to get to is a good one. You can get there via a tab at the top of the page.

Once there youll find an experience that seems very much modelled on the one offered in the Apple Store app (because Apple gets the omnichannel). That means neat little sections for each product type, special offers, and links to useful services such as specialist advisors, genius support, and free personal sessions.

When you purchase an Apple thing, you can get free delivery or pay to have the product delivered within two hours. Pick up, trade in, and payment plans and links to the companys really useful Today At Apple tutorial sessions are all there, as are links to education, business, and the refurb store.

In other words, its just like the old store, but with a facelift and a more unified shopping experience across all devices, online and through apps. Which means your user experience should be the same, however you choose to visit.

And that's the point

Apple knows that delivering consistent retail strategies across multiple touchpoints boosts customer engagement, retention, and sales. Its a customer-focused approach in which you offer an integrated experience across every point. Its an approach Target profited from in Q2 20, when it found that multi-channel consumers spend four times as much as store-only consumers and 10 times more than digital-only consumers.

Apple also knows that todays consumers use an average of almost six touch-points when purchasing an item, and 98% of Americans switch between multiple devices in a day. The importance of delivery and store pick up also grew during the pandemic, when Adobe Analytics claims the number of orders placed online and picked up in stores grew 208%.

Wheres the AR?

One missing piece seems to be the absence of artificial-reality (AR) content. Given Apples continued focus on AR, it seems strange the online store lacks access to AR-driven product experiences. I cant help but think theres a missed opportunity for an App Clip or QR code on page to unlock AR product experiences for shoppers. Why is it Ikea can show you what your desk might look like in your home office, but Apple isnt delivering the same thing for an iMac, MacBook Pro or HomePod mini?

I know Apple does make AR product assets available sometimes, but I think it should consider making them universal and available across every one of its retail store touchpoints. It feels like such an obvious lack.

The bottom line is that Apple now has a metaverse-friendly online store experience to provide a multi-device, and (via the web) multi-platform portal to the unique, customer-focused experiences its retail outlets are already famous for: tutorials, training, advice, and more.

The next step, I expect, will be to expand the number of available touch points while expanding the product range, and, presumably, generating additional sales.

Companies with extremely strong omnichannel customer engagement see a 9.5% year-over-year increase in annual revenue, reports the Aberdeen Group.

Chasing growth is the Apple way, after all, so its teams probably take a little mid-pandemic confidence in that total retail sales in Q3 2021 set a June quarter record, as Apple revealed during its most recent fiscal call.

Please follow me on Twitter, or join me in the AppleHolics bar & grill and Apple Discussions groups on MeWe.
Reading the Wrack Lines

To raise awareness about climate change, Professor of Art Andrea Wollensak launched an environmental project designed to engage the local community.

To raise awareness about how climate change impacts Conns community, Professor of Art Andrea Wollensak has launched Reading the Wrack Lines, an environmental literacy and educational outreach project designed to engage the local community in innovative learning approaches based on southeastern Connecticuts coastal environment and our changing climate.

The project represents a unique, diverse and inclusive partnership of faculty, students and youth clubs at Connecticut College, UConn Avery Point and Stonington High School. Focused workshops promote local and global awareness of climate issues and provide opportunities for the general public to participate, Wollensak said.

A wrack line is said to be the debris washed onto the beach by high tide. The wrack can be made up of seaweed, crustaceans, feathers and bits of plastic.

Reading the Wrack Lines, a Connecticut Sea Grant funded public art project, premiered on Earth Day, April 22, at 8 p.m. at UConn Avery Point. It features creative writing responses to climate change by UConn Avery Point and Connecticut College students which are used as audiovisual source material within generative multimedia artwork projected onto both the Branford House and the Avery Point Lighthouse. Collaborators for Reading the Wrack Lines include software developer and Professor Emerita of Mathematics and Computer Science Bridget Baird and sound artist Brett Terry. The exhibit is presented in cooperation with The Alexey von Schlippe Gallery of Art.

This project will continue into next year with additional support from a recently awarded Ammerman Faculty Research grant, a summer 2021 ConnSSHARP grant with Althusa Lin 22, and as part of an upcoming year-long hybrid artist residency at the Anchorage Museum beginning in October 2021.
Corsicana, TX (75110)

Today

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low near 75F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low near 75F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.
An upcoming panel of leaders behind some of beauty's most resilient and fast-growing brands will discuss the strategies and practices of successful executives. "Driving Growth in Complex Times," taking place during Beauty Accelerate Virtual 2021 (October 18-21), will feature Malaika Jones of BROWN GIRL jane, JuE Wong of Olaplex and Nicola Kilner of Deciem.

The executives will offer insights into post-pandemic beauty, business pivots, the leading consumer and market trends shaping planning, lessons learned over the last 12-24 months, and much more.

Other topics will include the underlying qualities of successful brands and strategies for growth.

Registration is now open.

View the full schedule here.

About the Experts

JuE Wong, CEO of Olaplex Inc., has held key roles at Cargill Inc., PepsiCo, Dial Corp., Murad Inc., NV Perricone MD Ltd., ZO Skin Health by Dr. Obagi, Astral Health and Beauty comprising Aloette, CosMedix and Pur Minerals and StriVectin. She has also held the role of president at the Elizabeth Arden brand and global CEO of Moroccanoil. Wong has been identified as one of the go-to progressive executives driving intrinsic change to increase portfolio value through traditional, digital, emerging channels and mediums of commerce.

Nicola Kilner, co-founder, Deciem, began her beauty career at Boots where she met the founder of Indeed Labs, Brandon Truaxe. The two went on to co-found DECIEM, bringing their first product to market in 2013. DECIEM now features more than 10 brands, 32 stores globally and 1,000 employees.

Malaika Jones is the CEO and founder of BROWN GIRL jane, a luxury wellness and beauty company specializing in plant-based CBD products for women, which has received media attention from Refinery29, Vice News, Popsugar and more. Jones previously was an investment banking and trading executive at JP Morgan.
If mounting concerns surrounding the Delta variant of Covid-19 weren't enough to spark widespread alarm about the current state of global health, it seems the universe decided it was high time for a mid-1300s throwback, adding a sprinkle of the plague into the mix.

Yep, earlier this week, the U.S. Forest Service announced that several areas, including a few popular hiking spots, near the south shore of Lake Tahoe on the Nevada/California border would be temporarily closed after local chipmunk populations tested positive for the plague. I always knew Chip and Dale were up to no good 

The shutdown is set to last until later this week, after Vector Control" completes its eradication treatments, according to a recent Facebook post from the agency.

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Now, before you start panicking and layering your period-accurate plague doctor garb atop your double masks and face shield, Lisa Herron, a spokeswoman for the US Forest Service clarified that despite this startling discovery, we're not doomed  the discovery is actually somewhat normal.

Bubonic plague is naturally occurring in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and this region, Herron explained, per The Guardian. Its something that visitors need to take precautions about, but its not something that they need to worry about," she continued, noting that guests should keep themselves and their pets away from chipmunks, squirrels, and rodent burrows, and report any lethargic animals or any wildlife acting strange to rangers at the park.

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Although symptoms of the plague include fever, swollen lymph nodes, nausea, and weakness, which generally tend to show up within two weeks of exposure, according to NBC News, the disease can be treated with antibiotics if caught early enough. That said, a spokesperson for El Dorado county told the publication that the chipmunks in question had not been in contact with any visitors.

So, Covid-19, if you're reading this, you better watch out. The plague is coming for your gig  at least among southwestern, lake-dwelling chipmunks.

Top Image: Shutterstock

For more internet nonsense, follow Carly on Instagram @HuntressThompson_ on TikTok as @HuntressThompson_, and on Twitter @TennesAnyone.
Theresa Allen often drives from her home in Springfield, Massachusetts, to Old Lyme to enjoy one of the few public beaches in Connecticut: Sound View, which is only 100 feet long but sees wide use during warm months. Its an easy ride, only an hour and 10 minutes, Allen says as she relaxes on a beach chair, watching the gentle waves roll in and gazing out at a distant strip of Long Island.

This is one of my go-to spots, she adds. Its one of my favorite beaches in Connecticut. The water is very clean; its pristine.

But theres another thing she likes about Sound View Beach: Its got two bars near the water, referring to the restaurants Kokomos and The Pavilion. When I started coming here 20 years ago, we used to really party!

Indeed, Sound View has seen more than its fair share of bar-hoppers, bikers, bootleggers, beer brawls and striptease dancers (Busty Hart among them). During its heyday in the 40s and 50s, the Sound View crowd rattled the residents of Old Lyme, a generally staid group of folks who prefer a quiet, tame environment. For decades, Sound View has been the Rodney Dangerfield of beaches: comical, a bit schlubby and getting no respect at all, Jim Lampos and Michaelle Pearson write in their 2010 book Rum Runners, Governors, Beachcombers and Socialists: Views of the Beaches in Old Lyme.

Brian A. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media

But that seems to be changing, the authors added; Sound View has been recognized by the state as A Connecticut Historic Place. And the long-time residents who populate three dead-end streets leading to the beach say its become far less rowdy and much more family friendly. They play up the historic carousel, the Independence Day parade, bingo nights and the popular doughnuts sold on weekends at the Community Center.

Allen and the thousands of others who flock to Sound View can thank Harry J. Hilliard, an avowed socialist who in 1892 began buying up 44 acres of the old Swan Farm and selling small parcels for $25 each. This was affordable for the Greek, Italian, Irish and Jewish immigrants who also were attracted to the beautiful natural setting but had been denied access.

Hilliard did something truly radical and revolutionary for a conservative state where towns restrict use of their beaches: he deeded Sound View Beach to the unorganized general public for its perpetual use. I rather like the idea of equal opportunities for all, special privileges to none, Hilliard said.

Sound Views residents are proud of their history. If you stroll down Hartford Avenue, the main strip, youll see colorful banners on lamp posts proclaiming: Americas first public beach.

The people of Revere Beach in Massachusetts beg to differ; they claim their much-larger expanse is the countrys oldest public beach. But Lampos asserts that he and Pearson did a rigorous study for their book. He notes that Revere Beach didnt open until 1896  four years after Hilliard got started.

Brian A. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media

Sound View was a great place to grow up, says Dennis Melluzzo, past president of the Sound View Beach Association. And it was the only place [in Old Lyme] where the middle class could go to the beach. Old Lyme is old Yankees. Sound View was built by blue-collar immigrants of a lower social status.

Melluzzo admits it got kind of salty on Hartford Avenue during the 40s through the 70s. We had arcades, a roller-skating rink, dance halls and restaurants to beat the band! There was a strip joint in the Branmor Hotel and 11 bars.

Melluzzo remembers seeing Westerns and B movies at the Strand, one of two movie theaters then in the neighborhood. If you went to the Colony Theater you bought your tickets from a young Ella Grasso, who spent her summers at Sound View. She had met her husband Tom Grasso (who ran the Colonys projector) when he was a lifeguard. He later became a teacher, while she was elected governor.

Although the Grassos always spoke fondly of their days at Sound View, the beach community was rocked by a murder in August 1944. A Navy man from Groton picked up a young woman, strangled her and dumped her naked body behind a billboard. For many years afterward, parents had even more reason than before to tell their kids: Dont you ever go to Sound View!

Nevertheless, for dec-ades many mothers and fathers have taken their kids to the Sound View Carousel. Built in 1925, it showcases 20 hand-painted horses and two chariots. Generations of young riders have eagerly reached for the brass ring, entitling them to a free ride.

Jerry and Dee Vowles have run the carousel and adjacent ice cream and beach attire shops since 1988. The Vowles and their patrons are especially happy to be back at the carousel this summer after being denied the opportunity last year by the pandemic. The carousel operates daily 79 p.m., Memorial Day through Labor Day.

The Sound View Beach Association (soundviewbeach.com), a volunteer nonprofit group, offers bingo on Wednesday nights and sells doughnuts on weekends in the summertime from its Community Center on Hartford Avenue. Association President Gail Fuller oversees the sales of those renowned doughnuts, which are baked in Hartford. Her volunteers sell up to 60 dozen of them on weekend mornings. People start lining up as early as 6 a.m. for the 7 a.m. opening. Often the doughnuts are sold out by 8:30. (You can pre-order by calling 860-463-6906.)

The Independence Day parade resumed its tradition in July. Its a real hometown event, says Frank Pappalardo, who chairs the towns Sound View Commission. Kids ride in it with their decorated bikes.

Brian A. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media

There are outdoor concerts this summer, held at 7 p.m. at the beachs flagpole. The final two are Aug. 5 and 19.

If you want to hit the beach at Sound View on a sunny weekend, youd best arrive by 9 a.m. We have capacity limits and parking fees are strictly enforced, says Pappalardo, noting Sound View has a little over 100 parking spots.

We certainly do have a colorful history, Pappalardo adds. But were looking at where were going, not where weve been.

Original article: From booze and strippers to doughnuts and family fun, Old Lymes Sound View Beach has come a long way

Randall Beach is a former columnist and reporter for the New Haven Register. He can be reached at rbeach8@yahoo.com.

This article appears in the August 2021 issue of Connecticut Magazine. You can subscribe to Connecticut Magazine here, or find the current issue on sale here. Sign up for our newsletter to get our latest and greatest content delivered right to your inbox. Have a question or comment? Email editor@connecticutmag.com. And follow us on Facebook and Instagram @connecticutmagazine and Twitter @connecticutmag.
NEW YORK (AP)  A long-awaited report issued Tuesday by New York Attorney General Letitia James into sexual harassment allegations against Gov. Andrew Cuomo detailed several accounts from accusers who have gone public.

But the report also revealed previously unknown accusations, including one by a state trooper assigned to Cuomo's security detail.

Investigators hired specifically for this case said they corroborated the accounts of at least 11 women.

Cuomo denied many of the allegations, saying he never touched anyone inappropriately. Those he didnt deny  like kissing women on their cheeks and calling them names like sweetheart  were innocent or overblown, he said.

AP

Here's a look at the women and their allegations, as described by the investigators, and Cuomo's responses:

___

TROOPER NO. 1

A state trooper whom Cuomo successfully sought to have assigned to his security detail said the governor kissed her cheek, touched her belly and back and made inappropriate, gender-based remarks to and about her, including asking her why she did not wear a dress. Several other troopers witnessed these acts and corroborated her allegations, according to the report. The trooper wasn't identified by name in the report and has not told her story publicly.

A 26-page statement issued by Cuomo's attorney, Rita Glavin, after the report's release does not mention the trooper, whose account was not public before Tuesday.

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT NO. 1

A woman who worked in Cuomo's office became visibly emotional watching a press conference early this year in which Cuomo denied ever touching anyone inappropriately, investigators wrote. She told colleagues Cuomo had reached under her blouse and groped her breast in his office at the governor's mansion three months earlier. The governor's staff later reported the allegations to Albany police.

The woman also told investigators Cuomo had, on various occasions since 2019, grabbed her buttocks, kissed her on the lips, hugged her inappropriately and pried into her personal life.

Cuomo says he never groped her, pointing to text messages the executive assistant sent to other staff on the day in question, indicating nothing was amiss, as evidence it didn't happen. He told investigators she initiated their hugs, and that he was more in the reciprocal business. CHARLOTTE BENNETT

Bennett, a low-level aide to Cuomo, said the governor asked her about her love life, including whether she ever had sex with older men, whether she had been with older men and whether she was monogamous. He also told her that he was lonely and wanted to be touched, according to the report.

When Bennett complained to administration officials that she felt like the governor was hitting on her, she was transferred to another job. The administration did not formally investigate or report the allegations to the governor's Office of Employee Relations, the attorney general's investigators determined.

Cuomo apologized to Bennett in a recorded video released in response to the attorney general's report, saying that he had been trying to counsel her after she confided in him that she is a sexual assault survivor because someone in his family had suffered a similar experience.

STATE ENTITY EMPLOYEE NO. 1

A woman who worked for an entity affiliated with the state told investigators that Cuomo tapped and grabbed her butt while they posed for a photo at a 2019 event sponsored by her organization. She told friends about it at the time, the report states.

Cuomo's statement does not mention this interaction.

VIRGINIA LIMMIATIS

Virginia Limmiatis, an energy company worker, said Cuomo ran his fingers on the lettering that ran across the chest of her shirt when they met in a rope line at a 2017 event. He then told her he was going to say there was a spider on her shoulder and proceeded to brush her chest with his hand, the report said.

Limmiatis immediately told other attendees what had happened, investigators found, but she didn't come forward until seeing Cuomo's press conference this year denying he'd touched anyone inappropriately.

The statement from Cuomos attorney does not mention this interaction.

LINDSEY BOYLAN

The report found that Cuomo kissed, touched, and made inappropriate comments to Lindsey Boylan while she served in various roles working closely with the governor. He commented on Boylan's physical appearance and attractiveness, compared her to a former girlfriend and suggested they play strip poker, investigators found.

The attorney general's report also says that "the Executive Chamber actively engaged in an effort to discredit her" after Boylan, the governor's first accuser to go public, reported the harassment in December 2020. This included leaking records related to her departure from her job.

The statement released by Cuomo's attorney delves into those details, saying Boylan was dismissed for bullying subordinates and suggesting she made up her sexual harassment claims to further her own political aspirations.

ALYSSA McGRATH

Cuomo made inappropriate comments to another executive assistant, Alyssa McGrath, including commenting on her neckline after staring down her loose shirt, regularly asking about her marital status and asking whether she would tell on Executive Assistant No. 1 if she were to cheat on her husband, the report says.

Cuomo's attorney's statement concedes he referred to McGrath and Executive Assistant No. 1 as mingle mamas, but only after they said they were single and ready to mingle ahead of a business trip.

KAITLIN

Another woman, listed just as Kaitlin in the report, was hired to work for the governor after meeting him at a fundraising event in December 2016. Cuomo regularly made Kaitlin uncomfortable by commenting on her appearance and telling her she was not ready for work if she was not wearing makeup, and by calling her sponge  apparently a reference to his advice to soak up knowledge from others  which she told investigators she found embarrassing, condescending and demeaning.

Glavin's statement says the governor frequently comments on staffers' appearances, usually in a complimentary fashion. It also says he was frustrated with Kaitlin's job performance.

ANA LISS

Ana Liss worked as an aide in Cuomo's office from 2013 to 2015, and told investigators he kissed and touched her, addressed her almost exclusively as sweetheart or darling," made inquiries about her relationship status and made inappropriate remarks about her appearance. In the report, Liss explains that she did not immediately come forward about the harassment because, in the governor's office, the typical rules did not apply.

Cuomo's attorney's statement notes that Liss tweeted favorably at and about Cuomo long after she left his office, suggesting that undercuts her account. The attorney's statement also suggests the timing of Liss coming forward was politically motivated.

The governor's interactions with Alyssa McGrath, Ana Liss and Kaitlin were unremarkable, Glavin's statement says.

STATE ENTITY EMPLOYEE NO. 2

A doctor at the state health department told investigators Cuomo made a sexually suggestive comment just before she performed a COVID-19 nasal swab test on him during a televised press conference at the start of the pandemic.

You make that gown look good," Cuomo said after thanking her during the press conference.

She told investigators she found the comments demeaning and felt Cuomo wouldn't have made them to a male doctor.

Glavin's statement doesn't address this allegation.

ANNA RUCH

In September 2019, Anna Ruch met Cuomo at a wedding reception for one of Cuomo's staff members. She told investigators Cuomo touched her bare back and, after she removed his hand, grabbed her face and kissed her. Ruch said the governor remarked, Wow, youre aggressive." Ruch's friend photographed the encounter.

Cuomo says he commonly kisses people on the face, attributing it to his Italian heritage, and said he didn't mean to make Ruch feel uncomfortable.
Gov. Ned Lamont is considering a vaccine mandate for state workers, but his office doesnt have any information on how many employees have already rolled up their sleeves.

There simply isnt a count among the roughly 50,000 state employees, nor even a reliable estimate.

Max Reiss, communications director for the governor, said Tuesday the administration is not tracking vaccination rates among state employees, but has received anecdotal information from department heads, commissioners, and others.

As the threat of highly contagious delta variant grows in Connecticut, Lamont said this week he is looking into a statewide vaccine policy, which could include requiring workers who dont get inoculated to wear a mask on the job or submit to regular testing.

Its not needed if everybody would just voluntarily go get vaccinated but we still have certain groups within state employees where you have 40 percent of the people unvaccinated and some of them are very forward facing, dealing with patients with special needs, corrections, Lamont said after an event in Groton Monday.

Its not clear where the governor got the vaccine rates he cited Monday. Union leaders said they do not have counts.

Lamont acknowledged that a decision couldnt be made without collective bargaining. He said state union leaders, in informal discussions, have shown broad agreement about keeping workers safe, and the state employee bargaining coalition said it would be willing to cooperate, as it has with mandatory testing for some employees.

House Republican leader Vincent Candelora of Branford said if the governors office knows whos been vaccinated on a town-by-town basis then it should probably figure out whos vaccinated in the state workforce.

That should be a factor into whether the governor needs to make a decision about a vaccine mandate for state workers, Candelora said. Id be very reluctant to support a broad mandate. That should be a last resort.

The State Employee Bargaining Agent Coalition said through a spokesperson Tuesday that it doesnt have vaccine data but has been encouraging members to get vaccinated.

SEBAC, which represents about 46,000 state employees, recently released a statement saying it would carefully consider 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.

People speaking for individual unions said the same as SEBAC  that they are focusing on underscoring the importance of the vaccine, not tracking who is and who isnt getting inoculated.

Pedro Zayas, spokesman for SEIU District 1119, said the health care union has done a lot of outreach to its members about the importance of getting vaccinated for their safety and the safety of those around them. But the union has not polled its members on their willingness to get immunized. That could come up during any negotiations on a statewide mandate, he said.

Reiss, the governors spokesman, also indicated Tuesday that any poll or request for data on vaccination rates among state workers would likely come up during negotiations on a vaccine rule for state agencies.

Larry Dorman, spokesman for Council 4 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, said the union, which represents about 14,000 state employees, is currently focused on encouraging its members to get vaccinated, but is not tracking how many have been immunized.

About 8,000 state employees, including the Department of Correction and various health care workers, currently have a choice whether to get vaccinated or undergo mandatory testing, per an existing agreement between the unions and the Lamont administration.

After vaccinations began in Connecticut, those roughly 8,000 people were allowed to opt out of the testing if they were fully vaccinated. So, in effect, they work under the same policy as New York has ordered  vaccination proof, or mandatory testing.

But because vaccinations were administered in many places, no one has tracked the numbers. There was a shortage of vaccinesWe were all scrambling to say, How to we get vaccine into peoples arms? We werent sitting around saying How do we keep track of who was vaccinated? said a person close the state employee unions.

The Department of Correction, for example, had dedicated vaccination clinics over the winter and did track those numbers, but employees could have gotten their inoculations on their own. Likewise, the state has offered one hour of comp time for anyone getting a vaccination, but tracking those numbers is not a reliable way of knowing the totals.

And, under federal privacy laws, if a person went to a vaccination clinic and showed an insurance card, their employer - including the state - would not have the right to see that transaction.

julia.bergman@hearstmediact.com
WASHINGTON (AP)  Roughly two decades before she was elected to Congress, Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri lived in a Ford Explorer with her then-husband and two young children after the family had been evicted from their rental home.

So for Bush, a first-term Democrat from St. Louis, the debate over whether to revive the moratorium on evictions during the pandemic is deeply personal. To dramatize her point, she started to sleep outside the U.S. Capitol last Friday to call attention to the issue as part of the effort to pressure President Joe Biden and Congress to act.

On Tuesday, she won. After coming under intense pressure, the Biden administration issued a new eviction moratorium that will last until Oct. 3, temporarily halting evictions in counties with substantial and high levels of virus transmissions, which covers areas where 90% of the U.S. population lives.

Bush's experience sets her apart from the more conventional partisan sniping and grandstanding in the capital because of her direct connection to an urgent problem affecting millions of Americans.

I know what its like to be evicted and have to live out of my car with my two babies, Bush said in an interview Saturday. "As long as I am a sitting U.S. congressperson, I will not keep my mouth shut about it.

Bush was a prominent part of a larger push among progressives to stop evictions. Her Capitol campout resonated: She was thrust into meetings with top congressional leaders and administration officials and sought after for interviews.

She met Monday with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and had a brief chat with Vice President Kamala Harris  attention that punctuates a political rise that took Bush from leading protests against police brutality in Ferguson, Missouri, to the halls of Congress in little more than five years.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Tuesday gave a salute to Bush "for her powerful action to keep people in their homes.

Schumer was more effusive. She made yesterdays announcement possible, he said Wednesday.

Before reversing course, the Biden administration initially argued that it didn't have legal authority to extend the moratorium again, pointing to a Supreme Court opinion in June that suggested Congress should pass legislation to do so.

A last-minute attempt to pass a bill through the House also came up short Friday. Then the chamber adjourned and lawmakers left town for an extended August recess  a response Bush says "failed to meet this moment."

On Tuesday, before the administration's announcement, Bush said: Am I supposed to just go home? No, Im an organizer. I am an activist. So I fell back into what I know how to do.

It is activism born of personal experience.

In 2001, Bush became ill while pregnant with her second child and had to quit her job at a preschool. The lost income led to their eviction.

For about three months, the couple lived out of their Explorer with two playpens in the back. She said that, at the time, she was working in a low-wage job. Eventually, her family, already struggling themselves, was able to help her find a home.

I dont want anyone else to have to go through what I went through, ever, Bush said while wiping away tears.

The couple later divorced, and Bush went back to school, earning a nursing degree. She also became a pastor.

Her life changed in 2014 when a white police officer fatally shot Michael Brown, a Black 18-year-old, in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson, Missouri.

Bush joined the thousands of activists in the protests that followed the shooting and quickly became a leader of the movement that sought police and criminal justice reform in Ferguson and throughout the St. Louis region. She was back on the streets again three years later after a white St. Louis police officer was acquitted in the shooting death of a Black suspect.

Her activism fueled an interest in politics. She ran unsuccessfully in the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate in 2016, followed by another losing primary race for a congressional seat in 2018. She was defeated by roughly 20 percentage points.

Two years later, her supporters sensed a change in the political landscape after George Floyds death. With backing from the progressive group Justice Democrats, she sought a rematch against longtime Democratic Rep. William Lacy Clay  and won.

They counted us out, Bush said after her primary win. They called me  Im just the protester, Im just the activist with no name, no title and no real money. Thats all they said that I was. But St. Louis showed up today.

She won easily in heavily Democratic St. Louis in November.

The Rev. Darryl Gray, a political adviser to Bush, said her tenacity was apparent early in her failed 2016 bid for Senate, when she was willing to campaign in rural and very conservative corners of the state.

She wasnt afraid to show up and speak for justice in places where people would warn us about going, some of these sunset towns, Gray said. She knew she wouldnt get support, but people respected the fact she showed up.

Still, there are some who questioned the decision to pick a fight with congressional leadership and the president from her own party. Administration and congressional officials also noted that much of the money Congress had allocated to provide housing assistance has not been distributed by states.

House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., said he was "sensitive" to Bush's aim, but suggested she may be waging the wrong battle.

Its not the federal government thats doing it, Clyburn said. "If youve appropriated $46 billion for the country, and only $3 billion has been used, then thats not Congress. ... Its on whoever has got the money tied up.

On Tuesday evening, after the administration made its announcement, Bush tweeted out a photo of her and others sitting on the Capitol steps with a one-word caption: Grateful.

___

Salter reported from OFallon, Mo. Associated Press writers Kevin Freking in Washington and Meg Kinnard in Columbia, S.C., contributed to this report.
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.
MIAMI (AP)  Despite a ban by Gov. Ron DeSantis, two Florida school districts have decided to require masks when children return to classrooms because of dramatic rises in coronavirus infections, with the state leading the country in hospitalizations.

School boards in Duval County, home to Jacksonville, and Alachua County, home to Gainesville, made the decision based on rising hospitalizations and new cases of the coronavirus. The surge has hit parts of northeast Florida particularly hard.

The Duval County School Board voted late Tuesday to require students to wear masks unless parents submit paperwork to opt out. The Alachua County board said it had voted to require masks for the first two weeks of school, adding that the decision will be reevaluated in two weeks. Students in both districts go back to school next Tuesday.

We applaud the school boards of Alachua and Duval County for listening to and following the advice of the doctors in their community, the Florida Education Association said in a statement. "We hope other school districts will also heed the advice of the trusted medical professionals.

In Arizona, at least three school districts are also defying the state on masks, despite a recently enacted law barring mask requirements. Other states such as Arkansas, Iowa, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Utah have also banned mask mandates in schools.

President Joe Biden said on Tuesday that governors who are against mask mandates should get out of the way. DeSantis sharply criticized Biden on Wednesday, repeating his stance that the decision on masks in schools should be left to parents.

If youre coming after parents rights in Florida, Im standing in your way. You wont get away with it, he said. Instead, DeSantis said, the president should do more to secure the border: Until you do that, I dont want to hear a blip about COVID from you.

In Florida's capital, the superintendent of the Leon County school district sent a heartfelt letter to DeSantis asking him to allow a temporary mask requirement.

I have stood firm in my belief that a mask mandate was the wrong course of action. With that said, I believe that new data and information as well as student instructional models compels us to rethink mask protocols," said Superintendent Rocky Hanna, who, like DeSantis, said he was concerned about how mask-wearing was impacting children emotionally.

Hanna said that only in the past 10 days, and before classes resume, four school-aged children in Leon County had been admitted to local hospitals with COVID-19 and two pre-K teachers were fighting the virus in intensive care units.

Because the COVID-19 landscape continues to evolve, as superintendent, Im learning that no matter how far you may have gone down a road, it is never too late to turn back and make a choice that is best for the community as a whole," he wrote.

The governor of Arkansas turned back. Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson called the majority-GOP Legislature back into session to revert a state law he signed earlier this year prohibiting school mask mandates. Hutchinson expressed some regret about signing the ban but said the states cases were much lower when the bill passed.

Everything has changed now, he said Tuesday. And, yes, in hindsight, I wish that it had not become law.

Last Friday, DeSantis issued an executive order ordering school districts not to mandate the use of masks or they could risk losing state funding. The order cited a Brown University study that looked at schools in New York, Florida and Massachusetts, but with a caveat: It analyzed cases associated with schools and not cases spread in schools.

One of the authors, Emily Oster, an economist at Brown University, said she was not consulted by the governor's office and said the study relied on data prior to the emergence of the more contagious delta variant.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the nations top public health agency, last week recommended that masks be worn indoors at schools nationwide -- by teachers, staff, students and visitors -- regardless of their vaccination status.

Before vaccines became available at the end of 2020, masks were seen as a key way of reducing spread. One study involving Floridas own Health Department found that mandatory mask last fall use appeared to be a factor in lower infection rates among students, while another found that Wisconsin schools with mask requirements and other measures had fewer cases than their surrounding communities in the first few months of last school year.

The CDC said the need for returning to masks has become greater with the spread of the more contagious delta variant, which has fueled a surge in cases in Florida. On Wednesday, more than 12,000 patients were hospitalized with COVID-19, and nearly 2,500 of them were in ICU beds.

On Tuesday, the CDC added more than 50,000 new COVID-19 cases in the state over the previous three days, pushing the seven-day average to one the highest counts since the pandemic began, an eightfold increase since July 4.

In total, the state has seen more than 2.6 million cases and 39,179 deaths.

While some school districts decided to require masks, others have backpedaled.

The Broward County School Board, representing one of the largest districts in the state, had voted to require masks after hours of contentious debate that included a screaming match from angry anti-mask parents who set fire to masks and held picket signs outside. The board reversed course Monday over fear of losing funding, but on Wednesday said in a statement on Twitter that they are waiting for guidance in light of the governors orders.

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Associated Press writers Kelli Kennedy in Fort Lauderdale and Curt Anderson in St. Petersburg contributed to this report.
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."

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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.
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.
Multiple shoreline towns began requiring face coverings in municipal buildings this week, following the guidance from state and federal authorities that masking indoors is necessary to combat the spread of the COVID delta variant.

Leaders in Clinton, Westbrook, Killingworth and Essex said Tuesday they reinstated mask mandates for public buildings, mirroring similar steps taken in recent days by New London and Guilford.

All of Connecticut is now experiencing substantial spread of the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which recommends that people in these areas wear masks indoors, even if they are vaccinated.

Based on that guidance and conversations with the local health department, Westbrook First Selectman Noel Bishop said he chose to put the towns mask requirement for public buildings back in place Monday morning. The town is also holding all meetings either fully or partially online, Bishop said, after going back to a few meetings entirely in-person this summer.

Were taking this very seriously, we dont know how long this will last, but were monitoring it every day, Bishop said.

Clinton Town Manager Karl Kilduff said residents appeared well-adjusted to the reinstated rules.

Its taking us back to where we were a few months ago, Kilduff said. It didnt seem to cause us any issues then, and its not causing any issues now.

Other shoreline towns, including Old Saybrook, Lyme and East Lyme have stuck with directives giving vaccinated residents more discretion.

Old Saybrook First Selectmen Carl Fortuna said the town is recommending vaccinated people wear masks when visiting municipal buildings, but not requiring it. Unvaccinated people are being required to wear masks, he said.

In Lyme, First Selectman Steve Mattson is taking a similar approach, pointing to the low number of reported cases in town. Fewer than five new cases were reported there in each of the last two weeks, according to the state Department of Health.

Were prepared to go back to a little bit more stringent requirements if the numbers locally start to go up, Mattson said Tuesday.

While local public health decisions are focused largely on public buildings such as town halls and libraries, Gov. Ned Lamont this week is weighing broader directives, such as requiring state employees to get vaccinated.

The state DPH strongly recommends that people return to wearing masks indoors whether they are vaccinated or not, though Lamont has not mandated the precaution for private businesses.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong reiterated this week the states plan to use its approximately $300 million share of a national settlement of opioid crisis-related claims to tackle the epidemic.

The statement was made in response to state legislators who expressed concerns about the funds distribution.

In a letter Tuesday to Republican and Democratic leaders of the state House of Representatives and state Senate, Tong again outlined the main components of the states portion of a $26 billion agreement that would resolve local and state governments claims of wrongdoing against pharmaceutical distributors AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson and drugmaker Johnson & Johnson. Announced on July 21, the settlement would generate the largest-ever payout from opioid-related litigation.

From the very beginning, state attorneys general have adhered to an overarching principle  that the money we recover from wrongdoers must be directed to abatement, i.e., strategies, initiatives and programs that help our states, victims and their families confront and overcome the crisis in opioid abuse and addiction, Tong said in the letter. To me, this means that we should direct money to treatment, prevention and addiction science.

Tongs correspondence followed a July 22 letter from the Senates Republican leaders addressed to Tong, Gov. Ned Lamont and Melissa McCaw, secretary of the state Office of Policy and Management.

We were pleased to hear state leaders pledge that these funds will be used to respond to the opioid crisis and not for other purposes, Sens. Kevin Kelly, Paul Formica, Tony Hwang and Heather Somers said in the letter. We must ensure that these dollars are used to continue this fight.

We must not repeat the infamous misuse of the states tobacco settlement funds. In Connecticut, funds promised to curb smoking have far too often been relied upon as a budgetary escape hatch. We must learn from the past and do better because peoples lives are in the balance.

Connecticut has so far received about $2.8 billion in tobacco-related payouts, according to the state Attorneys General Office. The office was not able to immediately provide a summary of the allocation of those funds.

For the 2021 fiscal year, states will collect about $27 billion from states 1998 settlement with tobacco companies and tobacco taxes, according to the nonprofit Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. But they will spend only about 2 percent on programs to prevent kids from smoking and help smokers quit, the nonprofit said.

Aiming for bipartisan collaboration

Funds from the new opioid settlement would be distributed over an 18-year period.

Of the total, 85 percent would be distributed to the state with the other 15 percent directed to municipalities that sign on to the deal.

In his letter, Tong cited the settlements requirement for the state to create an Opioid Settlement Remediation Advisory Committee to solicit public input and make recommendations on expenditures. The committee must include at least an equal number of local representatives as state representatives, a process for receiving input from municipalities and other groups and other administrative requirements, according to Tong.

Not including the settlements terms, the final decision on the actual appropriations is ultimately up to the legislature and Gov. Lamont, with input from the public and key stakeholders, Tong said.

The agreement would also cover attorney fees.

Connecticut is represented by me and attorneys and staff in our office, Tong said in the letter. Other states are represented by counsel in different and varying degrees.

Tong, a Democrat who was sworn in as attorney general in January 2019, also noted in the letter his intent to take a bipartisan approach to tackling the opioid crisis. The four GOP senators who sent the July 22 letter responded Tuesday with a statement that laid out similar objectives.

We must work together to ensure settlement funds are used to fight the opioid epidemic. We wrote to Gov. Lamont and Attorney General Tong last month to start conversations on safeguarding these funds, Kelly, Formica, Hwang and Somers said in the statement. We fully support holding hearings and working with stakeholders to ensure the funds are used to combat the opioid epidemic, prevent addiction and help people on the long road to recovery.

The opioid epidemic has not abated since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, 1,273 people in the state died from opioid-involved overdoses, up 13 percent from 2019, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

The focus should be on evidence-based programs and services for prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery support services, said Courtney Gallo Hunter, vice president of state policy for Norwalk-based nonprofit Shatterproof, which is working to end the addiction crisis in the U.S. Connecticut should prioritize saving lives now through reducing harms and ensuring access to evidence-based treatment for addiction.

pschott@stamfordadvocate.com; twitter: @paulschott
BRIDGEPORT  It has been a tough couple of weeks for City Council President Aidee Nieves as she faces opposition from a trio of fellow Democratic movers-and-shakers, plus a fellow council member.

This is just a sign of my independence not being welcomed, Nieves said in response to the recent setbacks to her political career, arguing she is being targeted for shaking up the status quo and for being a powerful Hispanic leader.

Facing opposition from City Clerk Lydia Martinez and Democratic Town Chairman Mario Testa, Nieves in late July lost the Democratic Town Committees endorsement for her 137th Council District seat. She now has until Aug. 11 to gather 227 signatures to force a September primary, according to the Registrars of Voters office.

Meanwhile the Connecticut State Elections Enforcement Commission is looking into a complaint filed by Councilwoman Maria Pereira alleging Nieves used taxpayer dollars and city resources to try to win her nomination.

And retired public facilities director John Ricci, an ally of both Testa and of Pereira who sometimes butted heads with Nieves before he left his job in early 2019, is also taking credit for helping try and unseat Nieves.

I think that Aidee is not good for the city, Ricci said, confirming he worked behind-the-scenes on both Pereiras SEEC complaint and to ensure Nieves did not have enough votes at the convention.

Nieves insisted neither the opposition nor the complaint will impact her job as one of Bridgeports most influential elected officials after Mayor Joe Ganim. She has four months left in her current term as the head of the 20-person, currently all-Democrat council.

Im still forging forward with my role and my responsibility, Nieves said.

First elected to represent the East Side in 2015, Nieves, after winning a sophomore term in 2017, was chosen by her colleagues to succeed the retiring Tom McCarthy and become the first Hispanic woman to run the council.

But at the Democratic Town Committees July 26 convention, Nieves and her council district co-representative, Maria Valle, lost the endorsement to candidates backed by Martinez. The council is composed of 10 districts, each with two seats, and Martinez is the Democratic Town Committees leader in the 137th District.

Not only did Martinez have a hand in trying to oust Nieves from the council, but the convention vote in the 137th District was a tie, broken in favor of Martinezs nominees by veteran Town Committee Chairman Mario Testa.

Martinez, herself a former council member, said in an interview afterward that she has tried to work with Nieves and been told to stay in my lane.

Aidee stopped communicating with me about seven or eight months ago and sent me a message Im not a councilwoman, Martinez said. I need to work with people that are going to work with me and the community. Shes a young woman. She has a lot to offer. But she needs to learn.

As for Testa, he said he has no issues with Nieves  shes doing a good job  but backed Martinez out of loyalty.

Nieves said that in a potential primary I think my accomplishments speak more than charges she had stopped talking with Martinez. She argued she has worked hard with Valle to address district-specific quality-of-life issues on the East Side while also, as council leader, dealing with citywide matters, from economic development to policing reforms to the response to the COVID-19 pandemic to racial equity for Hispanic and Black residents.

Im doing things that are not the norm for what the machine would want, or my district leader, Nieves said.

Meanwhile Pereira, normally a vocal critic of Testas, submitted her elections complaint to the state and sent copies to members of the press several days before the convention.

One of Pereiras main allegations focused on the other services section of the councils budget  funds council presidents typically use for donations to area causes and events. The council budget effective July 1 contains $60,000 for other services.

According to Perieras complaint, beginning in May Nieves spent $12,610 to benefit nonprofits and constituents in the 137th District.

Nieves spent this money, including $985 for catering for the council Pereira said went to a Democratic Town Committee member, knowing she was facing a challenge for her council seat, Pereira alleged.

Pereira in her complaint also argued Nieves does not have the authority to unilaterally spend any funds, although that is what McCarthy and other council presidents have done.

Nieves, who said she was aware of the SEEC complaint against her, said not only does she as a department head have the power to disperse the money  the council is characterized in the budget as the legislative department  but she will field any and all requests from other council members for it as well.

Ive not turned anyone down, Nieves said. Ive used the same rule of thumb as my predecessors in supporting the local community.

Pereiras elections complaint also claimed a flagrant appearance that two other town committee members received municipal jobs in exchange for their support of Nieves at the convention. However Pereiras complaint provided no direct proof of Nieves involvement in the hirings.

Nieves said she recommended one of the candidates for their experience and I recommended other people from other (council) districts as well but has no final say in personnel matters.

Im not the human resources director for the city, Nieves said.

Pereira has had mixed success with other recent elections complaints. Her detailed case that Board of Education member Christopher Taylor did not reside in Bridgeport resulted in elections watchdogs last summer offering to settle with Taylor in exchange for his paying a $750 fine. But a complaint Pereira filed over state Sen. Dennis Bradleys, D-Bridgeport, 2018 campaign paved the way for his arrest in May on federal charges he attempted to fraudulently obtain $179,850 in state campaign grants.

Ricci said he wants to see Nieves gone from the council because she is a tyrant that bullies people and misuses her authority.

Nieves in response noted previously reported controversies involving Ricci that occurred prior to his resignation, including a federal criminal investigation into illicit scrap metal sales  no arrests were made though Ganim docked Ricci four weeks pay for his role  and cost overruns at the new public facilities garage.
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.
Johan Victor/AP

JERUSALEM (AP)  Israel summoned Wednesday ambassadors of U.N. Security Council member states and urged for action against Iran following last weeks drone strike off the coast of Oman on a merchant vessel linked to an Israeli billionaire.

A joint statement by the defense and foreign affairs ministry said that Israel called on the diplomats to have their governments set clear boundaries for Iran ... to cease its aggressive conduct. At the same time, it restated that Israel will maintain the right to act independently in the face of any attack or threat to its citizens and sovereignty.
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
OKLEE, N.D. (AP)  The manhunt for the man accused of fatally stabbing his wife in northwestern Minnesota is over.

According to the Red Lake County Sheriffs Office, Eric Reinbold, 44, was arrested early Wednesday morning in a wooded area north of Oklee, KFGO reported.
RICHMOND, Ky. (AP)  A Kentucky man killed a married couple outside an apartment building they owned, then barricaded himself inside the residence for hours and set a fire before police arrested him, officials said.

Officers responded Tuesday afternoon when a witness reported a shooting, Richmond Police Chief Rodney Richardson told news outlets. The couple had been shot multiple times and were pronounced dead at the scene, he said.

The victims were identified as Christopher Hager, 54, and Gracie Hager, 52, Madison County Coroner Jimmy Cornelison said.

The suspect, later identified as Thomas Birl, 51, of Cadiz barricaded himself in the residence and set a fire that caused severe damage before police shot rounds of powdered gas inside, prompting Birl to come out, Richardson said.

Birl was taken into custody and taken to a hospital as a precaution, police said. He remained hospitalized Tuesday and will be taken to the Madison County Detention Center as soon as he is released, police said in a statement.

He will be charged with two counts of murder, arson, tampering with physical evidence and criminal mischief, the statement said.

A motive for the shooting wasn't clear. Police said they don't know if the victims knew Birl.

Richardson said the community was saddened by the deaths.

The Hagers were pillars of the community and a lot of people know them and have had contact with them," he said.
LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP)  A Kansas man has been arrested for animal cruelty after he allegedly threw his girlfriends caged miniature poodle into a river Monday.

Police said the 24-year-old man tossed the kenneled dog into the Missouri River at Riverfront Park in Leavenworth, Kansas, the Leavenworth Times reported.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP)  The deaths of a man and woman in Kansas City, Kansas, are being investigated as a double homicide, police said Tuesday.

Jordan Horton, 24, and Heather Miller, 22, were found dead at a Kansas City, Kansas apartment on Thursday. Police initially said the case was a death investigation but changed it to a double homicide case on Tuesday.
COVID accelerated the online movement for all aspects of social and economic life. In credit unions, some assert the transition away from the branch-based model of financial services to an all virtual one is now inevitable.

One example of this total virtual embrace is the former United Airlines, now Alliant CU with $14 billion in assets. It has no branches and is the ninth largest credit union in the country. In contrast the $8 billion Wings Financial whose initial sponsors were also airlines, still has 30 branch operations in airports as well as in the communities surrounding its home office of Minneapolis-St Paul.

The Startups

Multiple startup financial providers, relying solely on virtual platform services, are attracting venture capital and IPO attention. As described by Ron Lieber of the New York Times, Whats in a First Name for the New Money Apps:
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
Kankakee, IL (60901)

Today

Thunderstorms likely. Rainfall will be locally heavy at times. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 67F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall may reach one inch..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely. Rainfall will be locally heavy at times. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 67F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall may reach one inch.
Kankakee, IL (60901)

Today

Thunderstorms likely. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.
Elizabeth City, NC (27909)

Today

Chance of an isolated thunderstorm early, then variable clouds overnight with more showers at times. Low 73F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Chance of an isolated thunderstorm early, then variable clouds overnight with more showers at times. Low 73F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
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

A shower is possible early. Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 67F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

A shower is possible early. Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 67F. Winds light and variable.
The scene is only too familiar. On the dusty plains of Afghanistan, a trail of refugees heads for the beleaguered capital. On the streets of Kabul, a car bomb outside the home of the defence minister kills eight people.

In the western city of Herat, people huddle in their homes as enemy rockets pound down. And in the southern province of Helmand  where hundreds of British servicemen lost their lives in recent years  dozens of civilian bodies lie rotting on the country roads.

Such is the news from Afghanistan, where the resurgent Taliban have made extraordinary gains in recent days. Across much of the country, their white flag now flies unchecked.

You might be forgiven for thinking you've read this all before. It's a quarter of a century since the Taliban swept to power in much of Afghanistan, imposing a hideously oppressive Islamist regime that treated women as slaves and banned films, TV, music and dancing.

The scene is only too familiar. On the dusty plains of Afghanistan, a trail of refugees heads for the beleaguered capital. On the streets of Kabul, a car bomb outside the home of the defence minister kills eight people. Pictured: Welsh Guards in 2009

Atrocities

Perhaps more significantly, in just a few weeks it will be exactly 20 years since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 in New York and Washington.

It was in reaction to these atrocities that Tony Blair and George W. Bush launched Operation Enduring Freedom, promising to dismantle the al-Qaeda terrorist camps, overthrow the Taliban and usher the Afghan people into a brave new world of democracy.

'Operation Enduring Freedom'. How blackly ironic that name sounds today!

For the Afghan people, the cause of freedom now hangs by a thread. Ever since the spring, when President Joe Biden announced that the last U.S. personnel would leave at the end of this month, the Taliban have swept across much of the country.

Only a few weeks ago, U.S. intelligence analysts reportedly warned that without Western intervention, the government in Kabul might have only six months left. And now, with an estimated 85,000 Taliban fighters pressing towards the capital, that bleak prognosis looks decidedly optimistic.

Yet this is merely part of a bigger picture.

Twenty years after the War on Terror began, it's time that we took a long, unsparing look at what it really achieved.

To revisit the news reports from 2001 feels like entering a different world. At the Labour conference, Tony Blair tells his party that he intends to fight for freedom 'from the deserts of Northern Africa to the slums of Gaza, to the mountain ranges of Afghanistan'.

'Let us re-order this world around us,' he says grandly, as if there is no limit to his ambitions. A few weeks later, his friend Bush appears before the U.S. Congress, pledging to dismantle an 'Axis of Evil' that threatens the peace of the world. He names three regimes in particular: Iran, Iraq and North Korea.

How arrogant, how criminally naive this sounds today. The regime in Iran still stands, its position apparently as secure as ever. North Korea, too, remains defiant, having built an estimated stockpile of some 40 nuclear weapons.

Twenty years after the War on Terror began, it's time that we took a long, unsparing look at what it really achieved. Pictured: A Royal Marine Commando firing a mortar in 2007

Carnage

As for Iraq, that desperately sad story is only too familiar. However you measure it, the carnage since the Anglo-American invasion of 2003 has cost at least 150,000 lives, and perhaps more than a million.

I say 'has cost', rather than 'cost', because Iraq is still not at peace. It has never been at peace. Even now, the Baghdad government and its Western sponsors are fighting a low-level Islamist insurgency, with bombings and killings almost every single day. What, then, is the verdict on the War on Terror?

There's no doubt that some of its progenitors, at least, had noble motives. When Blair says he genuinely wanted to export Western freedoms to Afghanistan and Iraq, I believe him.

But the verdict must be utterly damning.

How can this naive, undefined, unachievable crusade go down as anything other than a catastrophic failure?

Take the cost in lives first. Some 456 British servicemen and MoD civilians were killed in Afghanistan, and a further 179 in Iraq. And for what?

As the Taliban surge towards Kabul, many of the bereaved must be asking themselves: was it all in vain?

Price

It would be utterly foolish to pretend that this is the outcome we wanted.

Then there's the cost. In June this year, the Ministry of Defence admitted that the war in Afghanistan cost British taxpayers a staggering 22 billion, with the campaign in Iraq estimated to have cost a further 10 billion.

The grim irony, of course, is that our politicians blew all that money just before the financial crisis of 2007-8, from which the Western economy has never really recovered. And given that Britain was about to be plunged into a long period of economic austerity, don't you wish we had saved it for other things?

The greatest cost of all, though, is much harder to measure. It's the price in moral capital and political credibility, which Britain and the U.S. are still paying to this day.

Believe it or not, the invasion of Afghanistan was much closer in time to the end of the Cold War than it is to us today. The U.S. was the world's unchallenged 'hyper-power', the march of democracy seemed unstoppable and some American thinkers were even proclaiming the 'end of history'.

The events of the last two decades, however, turned that story on its head. For the Iraqi people, the Allied invasion brought a living nightmare. For the people of Afghanistan, meanwhile, it brought a gruelling, apparently interminable campaign, which now seems likely to end as it began  with the Taliban as masters of their native land.

The events of the last two decades, however, turned that story on its head. For the Iraqi people, the Allied invasion brought a living nightmare. For the people of Afghanistan, meanwhile, it brought a gruelling, apparently interminable campaign, which now seems likely to end as it began  with the Taliban as masters of their native land. Pictured: Royal Marines in 2006

No wonder, then, that America's image abroad has plummeted over the last 20 years. According to the respected Pew Research Center, people in almost every major Western country now have an unfavourable impression of the U.S.

In Japan, its popularity has dropped by 30 per cent since 2001. In France, too, it has fallen by 30 per cent, in Germany by almost 50 per cent. And what of faith in democracy  the one thing for which Blair and Bush claimed they were fighting?

According to a massive international study by Cambridge University, satisfaction with democracy has never been lower. In almost every country on earth, faith in the Western capitalist model has plummeted in the last 20 years  especially among the young, to whom the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are simply incomprehensible.

And here's another brutal irony. At the very point when Britain and the U.S. were wasting so much money and so many lives on their Middle Eastern misadventures, the real threats to Western democracy were hauling themselves off the canvas and preparing to rebuild.

The winners of the War on Terror were not the British and American people, and still less the people of Afghanistan and Iraq. They were Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, the authoritarian strongmen of Russia and China, who watched with undisguised satisfaction as the Western powers discredited their own values.

That, I think, was the real legacy of the past 20 years: a shattering reversal of Western progress, for which we will be paying  quite literally  for the rest of our lives.

But perhaps it would be wrong to end by talking about ourselves. After all, the greatest casualties of the last two decades came among the people of Afghanistan and Iraq themselves, who have never known a single day of peace since the War on Terror began.

Nobody can say how their lives would have turned out if we had left well alone. No doubt they would have endured more than their fair share of tragedies anyway.

What we can say, however, is that they have paid a terrible price for our politicians' hubris and folly. And if we fail to learn that lesson, it would be the greatest betrayal of all.
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A cabin in an 'enchanting' apple orchard in the New South Wales Blue Mountains is drawing couples in search of a romantic escape while Australia's international border remains closed.

Tucked away on a sprawling estate near Blackheath, 112 kilometres west of Sydney, the cosy retreat is one of the top three 'most wish-listed' property on Airbnb for 2021 - and it's not hard to see why.

Perched on a raised timber platform overlooking a valley, the one-bedroom shed boasts some of the region's most breathtaking views, delighting guests with an outdoor stone bathtub that captures a panorama of the mountains from a secluded terrace.

But the perfect hideaway, which contains a blazing log fire and twinkling ceiling lights that bring a sense of the starry night sky inside, comes at a hefty price, with a nightly rate of $785 (AUD).

This cabin in an 'enchanting' apple orchard in the New South Wales Blue Mountains is drawing couples in search of a romantic escape while Australia's international border remains closed

Guests can enjoy an outdoor stone bathtub that captures a panorama of the mountains from a secluded terrace

The cosy retreat contains a blazing log fire and twinkling ceiling lights that bring a sense of the starry night sky inside

The cabin has been carefully positioned to take full advantage of the surrounding plot, which includes rows of apple trees, a chicken coop and spectacular scenic views.

It has all the creature comforts you could want for a weekend getaway, including air conditioning, WiFi, cable TV and a fully functional kitchen, according to the Airbnb listing.

Unsurprisingly, the orchard escape is almost fully booked until December, with limited availability remaining for weekdays.

The cabin has been carefully positioned to take full advantage of the surrounding plot, which includes rows of apple trees, a chicken coop and spectacular scenic views

It has all the creature comforts you could want for a weekend getaway, including air conditioning, WiFi and cable TV

Inside is a bathroom with a freestanding tub (left) and a fully functional kitchen where visitors can prepare meals (right)

But the perfect hideaway comes at a hefty price, with a nightly rate of $785 (AUD)

Guests have left glowing reviews after their stay, giving the property an overall rating of 4.98 out of five stars online.

One man called it the 'most amazing Airbnb' experienced he has ever had.

Another said: 'Words really don't do justice, and photo's don't fully capture how magical this little orchard experience really is!'

Others called it a 'perfect wonderland' and the 'most romantic getaway'.

Australia's top 10 'most wish-listed' stays on Airbnb for 2021 1. The Pod, Lewisham, TAS ($280 per night) 2. Alkira Eco-Glamping Hut, Emerald, VIC ($220 per night) 3. Apple Orchard Farm Stay, Blackheath, NSW ($785 per night) 4. Little Red Barn, Doonan, QLD ($310 per night) 5. Ryans Rest Tiny House, Pemberton, WA ($185 per night) 6. The Cube, Murray River, SA ($284 per night) 7. Bruny Island Hideaway, Bruny Island, TAS ($385 per night) 8. Retro Tram and Cottage, Lauriston, VIC ($320 per night) 9. Treehouse, Blue Mountains, NSW ($1,095 per night) 10. Clouds Safari, Beechmont, QLD ($288 per night) Advertisement

Guests have left glowing reviews after their stay, giving the property an overall rating of 4.98 out of five stars online

The mountain-top estate even has its own chicken coop (pictured)

Demand for quirky accommodation has soared since the pandemic began in early 2020, with Australian hosts of unique stays earning a collective $12.5million (AUD) between March 2020 and April 2021.

One third of Australia's 100 'most wish-listed' Airbnb properties are classified as unique stays, according to the travel platform, with a tram, a treehouse and a house that floats on the ocean among the most popular.

Searches for unique stays have nearly doubled since the Covid crisis broke out, and it seems interest is only increasing.

In the first three months of 2021, Australian searches for yurts - portable, round tents covered with skins or felt that are traditionally used as homes by nomadic groups in Central Asia - surged by 80 percent compared to the same period last year.

Inside Australia's most popular Airbnb unique stay A wooden box on stilts overlooking the ocean on the wild coast of southeastern Tasmania is Australia's 'most wish-listed' unique stay on Airbnb for 2021. The Pod, a box-like structure in Lewisham, 34 kilometres west of Hobart, is owned by travel writer Alice Hansen who likes to think of her property as a 'love letter' to the country's famously picturesque island state. Suspended metres above a mossy hillside, the 40sqm one-bedroom retreat is the perfect escape for couples, inspiring guests with its breathtaking views and quirky interior. The romantic getaway, which contains a freestanding outdoor bathtub and a fireplace that hangs from the ceiling, comes at a remarkably affordable price, with a nightly rate of just $280 (AUD) for two. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame sweeping views of the surrounding area, capturing a panorama that takes in Frederick Henry Bay and the Southern Ocean to the east and Mount Wellington/kunanyi to the west. It has a custom pine couch and a kitchenette kitted out with the latest appliances, according to the Airbnb listing, but you'll need to be willing to go off-grid because the Pod doesn't have WiFi. This wooden box on stilts overlooking the ocean on the wild coast of southeastern Tasmania is Australia's 'most wish-listed' unique stay on Airbnb for 2021 The Pod, a box-like structure in Lewisham, 34 kilometres west of Hobart, is owned by travel writer Alice Hansen who likes to think of her property as a 'love letter' to the country's famously picturesque island state Advertisement

Demand for tiny homes increased by 76 percent, the platform reported, while searches for farm stays also skyrocketed by 66 percent.

Airbnb's country manager for Australia and New Zealand, Susan Wheeldon, urged Aussies with quirky properties to capitalise on the enthusiasm for domestic travel by becoming a host on the site.

'More than ever, Aussies are looking at their accommodation itself as the destination - and that means homes that are a fun, quirky adventure in their own right,' Ms Wheeldon said.

She added: 'The sky's really the limit when it comes to the types of spaces people can list on Airbnb.'
Women are calling a new eye cream from an Australian skincare brand the 'best they have ever used'.

Packed neatly into a travel-size syringe-shaped bottle, Dr Naomi's 'Catfish Blurring Eye Cream' has sold more than 10,000 units and made major waves across the beauty industry since launching on May 19.

Just two daily pumps of the $89 product - which can be ordered online from the brand's website - claim to smooth fine lines, brighten dark circles and tighten sagging complexions, leaving skin looking years younger in a matter of weeks.

Packed with powerful anti-ageing ingredients including kangaroo paw extract and hyaluronic acid, the cream is the best-seller from a collection of 19 home treatments developed by Sydney cosmetician, Dr Naomi McCullum.

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Women are calling Dr Naomi's new Catfish Blurring Eye Cream (pictured on reality TV star, Martha Kalifatidis) 'the best' they have ever used

Just two daily pumps of the $89 cream claim to smooth fine lines, brighten dark circles and tighten sagging complexions, leaving skin looking years younger in a matter of weeks. (Pictured: A customer before and two months after starting to use the product)

The 'Instagram-famous' physician affectionately known as Dr Naomi opened her first luxury clinic in Paddington in 2016, and quickly cemented herself as a leader in non-invasive treatments, chiefly injectables.

Five years later she has expanded her expertise into a self-titled skincare range, made and packaged in Australia, which contains products that focus on fixing pigmentation and discolouration.

In a nod to Dr Naomi's sustainable ethos, each product comes in an airless bottle, with an outer shell that can be refilled with any serum from the range.

Many of the products have attracted attention online, but none more so than the Catfish Eye Cream.

Laced with the proprietary brightening cocktail used in Dr Naomi's clinical treatments, the serum is a chance to achieve salon-style results from the comfort of your own home - at a fraction of the cost.

Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid spheres help to instantly blur the appearance of crows feet, while organic kangaroo paw extract boosts the production of collagen, leaving skin plumper.

The cream also contains peptides and plant extracts which have been proven to lessen the severity of dark circles and puffiness, smoothing skin and brightening under-eye bags.

Customers have been raving about the benefits of the cream in glowing reviews, with some saying they already 'can't live without it'.

The 'hero ingredient' behind Dr Naomi's 'best-ever' eye cream Dr Naomi's Catfish Filter is packed with powerful natural ingredients including kangaroo paw flower extract and hyaluronic acid. Known for its anti-ageing benefits, kangaroo paw speeds the skin's renewal process, strengthening its barrier function and repairing the links between your skin cells. It has been shown to reduce fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes and neck by firming skin as little as one hour after application. Kangaroo paw has also been shown to hydrate and brighten skin, restoring its natural radiance. Similarly, the hyaluronic acid contained in Dr Naomi's eye cream Advertisement

'BEST EYE CARE EVER! It's so nice and feels luxurious. The packaging is EVERYTHING. Hands down the best eye cream I've ever used,' one customer wrote.

Another said while the cream is more expensive than her usual brand, she will buy it again because of the almost instant results.

'Usually there's something that lets an eye cream down - too thick for under makeup or too thin to feel like it's working - neither of those apply here,' she wrote.

The woman said the cream has a thick texture that's easily thinned for daywear which doesn't cause her under-eye concealer to slip or cake.

And after wearing it to bed at night, her eyes look hydrated without being congested.

Many of Dr Naomi's new products have attracted attention online, but none more so than the Catfish Eye Cream (left)

'It has not caused me any irritation and my skin can be fairly sensitive. Bit pricey but I would repurchase,' she added.

Others said the cream has corrected long-term pigmentation under their eyes.

'All my other eye treatments are sitting sadly on the shelf, because this has become my superstar product,' one woman wrote.

'I suffer from dark circles and I am certain they are looking better, as I don't need to as much colour corrector.'

The cream has also been promoted by some of Australia's leading influencers, including makeup artist turned reality TV star Martha Kalifatidis who shared a video of herself applying it on Instagram.

'Catfish Eye Cream has you covered, literally. It hydrates, plumps, brightens and blurs away imperfections,' she captioned the paid partnership post uploaded on July 28.
Apprentice star Ryan-Mark Parsons has been branded 'insulting' for saying that young people who continue to work from home are 'unmistakably lazy'.

The 21-year-old TV personality, from west London, appeared on Good Morning Britain today alongside Cumbria-based entrepreneur Izzy Obeng to debate whether younger employees should start working from the office.

It comes after Chancellor Rishi Sunak said last month that it was really important for young people to be in a workplace in order to boost their careers.

Ryan-Mark said that remote working is promoting a 'really apathetic attitude', while Izzy said that the idea of young people being lazy because they don't want a long commute into the city is 'absolutely ludicrous'.

Apprentice star Ryan-Mark Parsons appeared on Good Morning Britain today to debate whether younger employees should start working from the office

Cumbria-based entrepreneur Izzy Obeng branded him 'insulting' for saying that young people who continue to work from home are 'unmistakably lazy'

'Certainly everyone I've spoken to, all of my friends, they are itching, including myself to get back to the office,' said Ryan-Mark. 'Because it's that sense of pride, when you're getting up in the morning, you're putting on your suit.

'Certainly for people who have just graduated from school, if they're starting an apprenticeship, if they've just graduated from university, it's about taking pride in your appearance.

'You know what, I think it's lazy. I think what Izzy is suggesting is unmistakably lazy and promoting a really apathetic attitude towards working - where you're complaining about your commute, you're complaining about getting dressed. Listen, it is laziness disguised as saying "I think I thrive at home".

'You need to get up, you need to get dressed and go to work and you're going to succeed in your career.'

Ryan-Mark said that remote working is promoting a 'really apathetic attitude', while Izzy said that the idea of young people being lazy because they don't want a long commute into the city is 'absolutely ludicrous'

Izzy vehemently disagreed, saying: 'I think it's insulting to the tens of thousands of young people who have worked really hard to build their careers over the course of the pandemic.'

The businesswoman, who is managing director of non-profit Foundervine, said that many organisations have used remote working as an opportunity to build relationships overseas using tools like LinkedIn.

'To suggest that someone is being lazy because they don't want to trek two and a half hours into the centre of the city, just so they can sit in an office all day is absolutely ludicrous,' said Izzy.

She went on to argue that in a globalised environment small businesses will benefit from flexible working 'where you spend some time in social spaces and some time working from home'.

Izzy, who is managing director of non-profit Foundervine, said that many organisations have used remote working as an opportunity to build relationships overseas using tools like LinkedIn

Ryan-Mark disgareed, arguing that as a young employee building relationships and 'collaboratively working with your colleagues' isn't possible over a computer screen

'It hasn't worked well for everyone, I completely acknowledge there are some challenges from working from home, but I think what is key here is to have flexible working arrangements.'

But Ryan-Mark disgareed, and said that while he acknowledges there are some benefits to working from home, building relationships and 'collaboratively working with your colleagues' isn't possible over a computer screen as a young employee.

'I know Izzy said it's worked for her, but it is simply not going to be the same kind of relationship you're building, if you're actually in the office with your colleagues, with your boss that you can achieve when you're doing a Zoom call,' said Ryan-Mark.

'I completely agree with the Chancellor. He was younger he was doing his summer internship - he wouldn't have had the progression and the relationships he built as a youngster if he was doing it over Zoom, you can't have the same relationship over a computer, I'm sorry, absolutely not.'
Parisian luxury fashion house Balenciaga is a go to for many celebs, with Justin Bieber, Beyonce and Adele among its famous fans.

But it's latest offering - a 1,350 knitted hoodie covered in holes - has raised eyebrows for many.

The blue and red number - which is currently sold out in the UK - is 100 per cent polyester and has holes in the chest, arms, back and bottom.

Parisian luxury fashion house Balenciaga is a go to for many celebs, with Justin Bieber, Beyonce and Adele among its famous fans. But it's latest offering - a 1,350 knitted hoodie covered in holes - has raised eyebrows for many

The item was spotted by Twitter user Liam, who joked: 'For a mere 1300 you can look like you have lost a square go with a staffy,'

Others joked that it must be a 'p***take' while one compared it to a bin bag.

Farfetch, which sells the jumper in the UK , writes in the description: 'Balenciaga has never been afraid to push the boundaries as far as design is concerned.

'This distressed embroidered-logo hoodie from the Spanish founded brand provides glimpses of whatever is worn underneath as a result of ripped detailing and frayed edges.

Farfetch, which sells the jumper in the UK , writes in the description: 'Balenciaga has never been afraid to push the boundaries as far as design is concerned.

The item was spotted by Twitter user Liam, who joked: 'For a mere 1300 you can look like you have lost a square go with a staffy,'

Balenciaga was founded in Spain by Cristobal Balenciaga, who was known as the 'The King of Fashion' and was described by 'the master of us all' by Christian Dior.

The brand, which relocate to Paris after the Spanish civil war, has a range of 'destroyed' items - including jeans with holes in, frayed hem shirts, and faded caps.

Last year, the brand was mocked for a series of bizarre Instagram posts, which included dogs posing in giant hoodies and modelling earrings on lemons.

Balenciaga was founded in Spain by Cristobal Balenciaga, who was known as the 'The King of Fashion' and was described by 'the master of us all' by Christian Dior. The hoodie is pictured

The luxury fashion house which has been worn by stars including, Meghan Markle, the Kardashians and Kanye West, boasts more than 11million followers on Instagram.

But the now-deleted lockdown posts of the French brand were very creative, including posing a pair of shoes underneath a bin bag, a model posing in a jumper with their face warped into a flattened and distorted shape.

Another shows one of the brand's waistcoast - which often sells for upwards of 1,000 - hanging up with vegetables and bread in its pockets, and a banana taped to the front.

The lockdown posts of the French brand have been very creative including a model posing in a jumper with their face warped into a flattened strange shape

One shot shows a lemon with pieces of paper in the shape of a mouth, nose and eyes modelling a pair of  295 earrings

One shot shows a lemon with pieces of paper in the shape of a mouth, nose and eyes modelling a pair of 295 earrings.

In another, a model sporting a 395 T-shirt and luxury trousers has her face covered by a series of emojis.

Meanwhile, fans were particularly amused by a small dog posing in a an oversized puffer jacket.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex discussed moving to New Zealand during a 2018 visit, according to the Queen's representative in the country, more than a year before they stepped back from royal duties and moved to the US.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who now live in California and have since welcomed their second child, daughter Lilibet Diana on June 4, 2021, visited New Zealand at the end of a hectic 16-day royal tour of the South Pacific three years ago.

Governor-general Dame Patsy Reddy recalled the couple saying they 'could imagine living in a place like this' and questioned whether it would be 'theoretically possible'.

She told Associated Press in an interview: 'They were looking at how they might raise their family. And obviously they've made some decisions since.'

Harry and Meghan, who also share son Archie, two, shocked the world when in January 2020 they announced their intent to step back from senior royal roles, become financially independent and spend more time in North America.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visit Te Papaiouru Marae on October 31, 2018 in Rotorua, New Zealand

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex speak with the Governor General of New Zealand Dame Patsy Reddy (right) and her husband David Gascoigne (left) after the official welcoming ceremony at Government House on October 28, 2018 in Wellington, New Zealand

Following crisis talks with the Royal Family, it was agreed the couple would no longer be working royals and gave up their 'Royal Highness' titles.

In March that year, Harry and Meghan carried out their last official engagement at the annual Commonwealth Day service in London, before settling in California.

Recalling the couple's trip to New Zealand, and how they appeared tired, Dame Patsy, 67, said: 'I remember they'd just been down to the Abel Tasman National Park when we sat down and had a drink.

'They said that they could imagine living in a place like this and wondered whether we thought it would be theoretically possible. Even possible for them to have a place in New Zealand.

'Of course, we said, "Sure. It would be fine". There are lots of opportunities to live in New Zealand, but that would be something that they'd have to explore.'

Governor-general Dame Patsy Reddy (pictured) recalled the royal couple saying they 'could imagine living in a place like this' and questioned whether it would be 'theoretically possible'

The discussion suggests the couple were considering options outside Britain less than six months after they married and well before their eventual move to the US.

Dame Patsy said she did not view it as a formal request for assistance but more of an informal discussion about the couple's hopes for the future.

She said they seemed impressed with access to the outdoors and their interactions with New Zealanders.

During a widely watched interview with Oprah Winfrey earlier this year, Harry and Meghan said they had offered to take a step back from royal life in a Commonwealth country such as South Africa or New Zealand.

Dame Patsy said she watched the interview but did not want to comment on internal royal family business.

'I thought they were a lovely couple and I hope they've got a great future where they are,' she said.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who now live in California and have since welcomed their second child, daughter Lilibet Diana on June 4, 2021, visited New Zealand (pictured) at the end of a hectic 16-day royal tour of the South Pacific three years ago

Meanwhile, Dame Patsy also said the British monarch should remain as New Zealand's head of state, and described the hand-typed letters she sends to the Queen.

Dame Patsy will leave her largely ceremonial role representing Her Majesty in New Zealand in October after a five-year term.

A lawyer who was given the honorific Dame for services to arts and business, she officially signs bills into law, presides over public ceremonies and tours the country, meeting various groups including Indigenous Maori.

She added that she regularly expresses her confidential views of what is happening in New Zealand to the Queen, such as the nation's response to the pandemic. She said the communication 'is quite touchingly old-fashioned, by letter'.

'She has told me on the times that I've seen her that she finds it interesting to have a personal perspective on what's happening,' Dame Patsy said. 'As she says, "I like to know what's happening between the lines".'

During a widely watched interview with Oprah Winfrey earlier this year, Harry and Meghan (pictured) said they had offered to take a step back from royal life in a Commonwealth country such as South Africa or New Zealand

Some people in New Zealand believe the country should become an independent republic but Dame Patsy said she believes the queen should remain the head of state because the arrangement works and has strong historical links.

She said New Zealand has a special connection to the monarchy because its founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi, was signed by Maori and a representative of Queen Victoria.

Asked about a future scenario in which a monarch might turn out to be dictatorial or autocratic, Dame Patsy said the same scenario with an elected president would be likely to be worse.

'We've seen how that doesn't work in other countries in the world,' she said. 'But actually, because the monarch is much more of a theoretical construct, a figurehead rather than an actual ruler, I think it gives us a measure of safety, constitutional safety.'

She said she agreed with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's assessment that there was currently little appetite among New Zealanders for a constitutional change, and that people were concerned about more pressing issues like climate change, inequality and the pandemic.

She said the royal family had been great role models during the pandemic, using the internet and social media to great effect and abiding to the rules imposed by the UK Government.

'So we saw tragically the funeral of Prince Philip, where they could only have 30 mourners,' Dame Patsy said. 'But there was no question that there'd be any kind of dispensation, even from the requirements for isolation, when, for example, Prince Harry came back to that funeral.'
A woman has revealed how she's had to endure abuse in the street after she fell in love with her teenage son's best friend when he was just 16.

Marylin Buttigieg, 60, a mother-of-seven from Crawley, West Sussex, met her now-husband, William Smith, 31, when her son brought him over after school in June 2006.

The pair say they 'naturally gravitated towards each other' but that William was initially hesitant, fearing what people would think.

After coming out as a couple, and getting wed in April 2009, Marilyn and William are now celebrating their 12th wedding anniversary despite the 29-year age gap.

They admit that they've faced plenty of vitriolic comments from strangers about their relationship and have lost many friends and family members who strongly disagree with them being a couple.

Only one of Marilyn's seven children speaks to her - including the son who introduced them - and William is no longer in contact with his family.

Marylin Buttigieg, 60, a mother-of-seven from Crawley, West Sussex, met her now-husband, William Smith, 31, when he came over to hang out with her then 16-year-old son in 2006

The couple became friends and then fell in love and have now celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary - but say they've lost friends and family because of their unusual relationship. They were wed in April 2009, pictured above.

However, the couple, pictured on holiday together, say they 'would do it all again' and are still very happy

The relationship began when William would come over to Marilyn's house to play video games with her son.

They say they slowly got to know each other, and William started to help around the house. They say they've been inseparable ever since.

Marylin, who owns a cleaning business, says: 'William and I are still so in love. We're never apart and if we are we miss each other so much. He's my soulmate.'

They say they've lost most of their friends and family because they chose to be together but admit they 'would do it all again' and are still very happily loved up.

She continues: 'We have suffered a lot of hate over the years and I've been called a "paedo" but we've always had each other. We've stayed true to ourselves and our feelings and that is what matters.'

William, a film producer, says he knew it was love and still feels as strongly today: 'I knew we had something special. She was and still is my dream woman.'

'We've stayed true to ourselves and our feelings and that is what matters,' Marilyn says the pair have no regrets about their relationship and are still happy 15 years on

Their love grew when William started helping Marylin around the house after she was diagnosed with ME - a long-term illness causing extreme tiredness and muscle pain

The couple say they want to change the narrative and judgement surrounding age gap relationships

After their first meeting, William started helping Marylin in her home; she has ME, a long-term condition which causes extreme tiredness and muscle pain among other symptoms.

Before long their friendship grew into something romantic, but they were both hesitant - after already being mocked by their family before they were even a couple.

'I didn't want to take away William's life,' says Marylin.

'I didn't want to have any more kids, but I didn't want to stop William having a family if he wanted. My family had also already judged us for being friends and thought we were something more before we were - just because William helped me out.

We've been to hell and back and even now we get nails in our tyres and I've been called a paedo more times than I can remember... Marilyn Buttigieg, on her age gap relationship

'I think that made us gravitate towards each other to be honest.'

William says they discussed being a couple before actually getting together: 'She quizzed me to make sure I was sure this was what I wanted. I was 100% sure it was.'

After a long chat they decided to give it a go and moved in together quickly. Marylin says all but one of her children 'disowned her', but the couple stuck by each other and fell head over heels in love.

William has also since lost touch with his family.

In February 2009 William proposed and the couple got married soon after in April 2009. They enjoyed a honeymoon to Gibraltar - where Marylin is originally from.

William says: 'We've struggled a lot with hate over the years and lost our families too but we are now family. People hurl us abuse and it's affected my jobs in the past, but it is getting better now.'

Enduring love: Marilyn and William say they now want to make a film about their affair

Marilyn adds: 'We've been to hell and back and even now we get nails in our tyres and I've been called a paedo more times than I could remember. People just can't just leave us alone.'

Despite the abuse the couple have stayed strong and have stopped worrying about what anyone thinks.

'I tell William to kiss me in the streets because why should anyone care?' Marylin says. 'I'm proud of him and our relationship - let them stare if they want to.'

The couple are now raising money to make a film about their story.

William now plans to turn their love affair into a film and is crowd-funding to raise money for the project: 'We want to tell our story our way and to change the judgement surrounding an age gap relationship.'

Marylin says: 'I think people's perceptions still need to change. I couldn't imagine anyone else loving me more than William does. I trust him with everything.'
Amanda Knox has announced that she is pregnant with her first child, just weeks after she revealed she had suffered a devastating and painful miscarriage during the pandemic.

The 33-year-old and her husband, Christopher Robinson, shared the news of their baby joy on the latest episode of their podcast, during which Knox recorded herself celebrating the moment that she learned they were pregnant.

The couple's happy news comes just one month after Knox and Robinson, who tied the knot in early 2020, opened up about their first-trimester miscarriage - with Knox revealing that the loss of her child made her question whether 'something had happened to her in Italy' to cause fertility issues.

Speaking out about her struggle with infertility, Knox, who was convicted and then acquitted of the 2007 murder of her former roommate Meredith Kercher in Italy, recalled having to go through an agonizing induced birth after the miscarriage.

However, her devastation turned to joy in the latest episode of Labyrinths: Getting Lost with Amanda Knox, during which she shared an audio recording of the moment she learned her pregnancy test was positive.

'I'm still several days early,' Knox is then heard saying, before her husband remarks: 'Yeah it looks pretty negative.'

However, over the next couple of minutes, the couple becomes increasingly hopeful as faint lines start to appear on the test.

Celebration: Amanda Knox has announced that she is pregnant with her first child, just one month after revealing she had suffered a devastating miscarriage during the pandemic

Overjoyed: In a new episode of their podcast, Knox, 33, and her husband Christopher Robinson are heard celebrating the moment that they realized her pregnancy test was positive

'There is a faint, faint, faint line,' Robinson says, before asking his wife to 'turn the lights up a little'.

'Oh my god,' she replies, 'that is a faint, faint line! OK, OK, OK don't get too excited, [but] it's not even that faint! That is so something faint right now!

'Thank goodness, we did it!'

Knox then bursts into happy laughter, before explaining in a voiceover: 'When you've had a loss, it's hard to trust a sign of good news staring you in the face, especially since we'd been immersed in all these tragic stories [of infertility struggles].'

Speaking about her first-trimester miscarriage, Amanda recounted the heartbreaking moment they learned their baby didn't have a heartbeat - after doctors advised the couple at their eight-week scan to wait another week because the baby only appeared to be six-weeks developed.

However, when they returned a week later, they were given the devastating news that their unborn child had not grown any more, and there was no heartbeat to be found.

Questions: Last month, Amanda, who was convicted and then acquitted of the 2007 murder of her former roommate Meredith Kercher, spent four years in jail in Italy and said she questioned if 'something happened to her' while she was there to caused fertility

'We went back a week later... and it hadn't grown. It didn't have a heartbeat,' she recalled, before admitting that she was left dumbstruck by the news - in part because she hadn't experienced any of what she believed to be the tell-tale signs of a miscarriage.

'That was confusing to me because I thought, "Why would there be a dead baby just hanging out in there?" If it wasn't viable, why wasn't it going away,' she said.

''My body didn't even know, and that felt weird to me that something that your body is so in tune with... it didn't know? I didn't know that you could have a missed miscarriage.

'For all intents and purposes, I was pregnant with something that was just not growing.'

Amanda's doctors explained that her body would likely 'figure it out sooner or later' but they advised that she go through an induction to push her body to expel the fetus, explaining that if she waited for it to happen naturally, she could be forced to undergo a D&C, which is a much more 'invasive' procedure.

However, the induction, which required Amanda to take two prescription pills, left her in horrific agony - which she said was unlike anything she had ever experienced before.

'I went into the bathroom to take the pills and then I just kind of laid on the bed and waited for something to happen,' she recalled, explaining that she didn't initially take the pain medication that they prescribed because she wasn't someone who usually struggled to deal with pain.

But within 30 minutes, Amanda was 'shaking' in pain, and she decided to take the pain pills in the hopes of getting some relief.

'I didn't take the pain medication, I thought that was absolute last resort, probably not going to need [it],' she recounted. 'And it took about half an hour before I felt anything. But abdominal pain like I've not experienced before. I was shaking.

'Eventually I was like, I can't take this anymore, I need to take pain medication. I took some and then it was like another half an hour before that kicked in and I was able to stop shaking from pain.'

Christopher admitted he was horrified at seeing his 'usually tough' wife in such pain, explaining that he found her 'crumpled' and 'wracked with pain' in their bedroom.

Devastated: Knox (pictured at a conference in 2011) broke down in tears as she recalled the moment she learned she had miscarried during a podcast episode last month

Amanda went on to detail the upsetting experience that she had to go through for the next two days, revealing that she essentially had to 'birth blood' every time she went to the bathroom.

'For like two days, I was birthing blood, wads of blood. Not like a period at all,' she said, noting that she had 'read stories' about people who'd had to 'go through the toilet' to try and locate their embryo, which she was 'grateful' she didn't have to do.

Still, her own miscarriage process was, she said, incredibly upsetting, particularly because she kept asking herself whether her baby was somewhere in the 'clumps' that she saw in the toilet.

The couple has been documenting their infertility struggles in a mini-series on their podcast, Labyrinths

'I remember the biggest clump was about the size of a plum,' Amanda revealed. 'There were smaller clumps that came out. And every time I went to the bathroom to do that and I saw those clumps, I kept thinking, "Is that the baby? Where is it in all of this?"'

After going through her miscarriage, Amanda says she began questioning whether she was to blame for it in any way - admitting that she even wondered whether 'something [had] happened to her while she was over in Italy' that might have caused fertility issues.

'I did feel incredibly disappointed that was the story of my first ever pregnancy,' she said, adding: 'I thought, "I know exactly what I want to do with my first pregnancy," and to have it not come to fruition not through choice felt like a betrayal.

'Why? Do I have bad eggs and I never knew? Am I actually too old? Did something happen to me while I was over in Italy?

'If it's not easy and you don't know why then anything could be the problem. And it's frustrating how little information you have at any point in the process.'

She did not specify what incidents occurred in Italy to cause a fertility issue, however in her 2013 book, Waiting to be Heard, Amanda claimed that she had been subject to sexual harassment at the hands of a senior guard during her time in jail.

Questions: Amanda and her then-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito (left) were convicted and then acquitted of the 2007 murder of British student Meredith Kercher (right) in Italy

Amanda also said that she was given a false HIV diagnosis by medical staff and that following her 2007 arrest, when she was 20 years old, she was forced to strip naked and spread her legs while a doctor measured her vagina.

'The doctor inspected the outer lips of my vagina and then separated them with his fingers to examine the inner. He measured and photographed my intimate parts,' she wrote, according to the Daily News.

Amanda spent four years in an Italian prison after she was convicted of the November 2007 murder of her former roommate, British student Meredith Kercher, while they were living together with two other women in a shared house in the small town of Perugia.

The 21-year-old's body was found half-naked in the property, and it was revealed that she had been stabbed 47 times and had her throat slashed. Police also found signs of sexual assault.

Amanda, who was dubbed 'Foxy Knoxy' by the press and her then-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito were both convicted of Kercher's murder in a 2009.

However, Amanda was acquitted of the crime in 2011, and she returned to the US, having spent close to four years in jail. She refused to go back to Italy for a retrial three years later - during with she was convicted again - before that conviction was overturned by the Italian Supreme Court in 2015.

The couple shared that they are going to try to conceive again - and Amanda vented her frustration at being told to 'give herself time' after her miscarriage.

'[They told me] to give yourself time and I don't want time, I want to get back on track,' she said. 'Why can't my body just work?'

Both Amanda and Chris confessed that they had gone into the process with a naive view, and assumed that 'it was a straight line from unprotected sex to baby'.

'We were wrong, painfully wrong,' Chris noted.
Michelle Obama has brought some levity to former President Barack's controversial 60th birthday celebrations by posting a sweet tribute to the 'wonderful father and husband' - shortly after it was announced he had canceled his 'tone deaf' 500-person party amid furious backlash.

The 57-year-old former First Lady took to social media on Wednesday morning to share a sweet message for her husband, while also posting a never-before-seen photo of the couple posing with their daughters, Malia and Sasha.

While Barack and Michelle are seen smiling happily for the cameras in the snap, Malia, 23, is flashing a goofy thumbs up, while 20-year-old Sasha pouts furiously at the camera.

Posting the image on Twitter and Instagram, Michelle praised her husband for being such a 'loving, present father' to their two daughters, noting that his role as a parent 'tops... all of his accomplishments'.

Tribute: Michelle Obama posted a gushing tribute to husband Barack on his 60th birthday on Wednesday, while sharing a fun photo of the couple with daughters Malia and Sasha

High praise: The 57-year-old former First Lady thanked her husband for being such a 'present, loving father' to their children

'Of all of your accomplishments, I know that being a present, loving father to our girls tops them all,' she wrote.

'Thank you for never letting the weight of the world get in the way of being a wonderful husband and father. Happy 60th birthday, @BarackObama!'

Michelle's public birthday tributes have become something of a ritual over the past several years, with the mother-of-two regularly marking special occasions by gushing about her husband on social media.

However her latest post comes as the couple was facing furious backlash over their plans to host a lavish 500-person soiree at their Martha's Vineyard home this weekend in celebration of Barack's milestone birthday.

After plans for the party were revealed, the couple came under heavy criticism, with many branding the even 'tone deaf' given the increasing number of cases of the Delta variant and the number of breakthrough cases among vaccinated people.

Amid ongoing public outcry, the Obamas' spokesperson announced on Wednesday that he had canceled the event, and will instead celebrate his birthday with a much more low-key gathering of just a handful of his closest friends and family.

'This outdoor event was planned months ago in accordance with all public health guidelines and with COVID safeguards in place,' spokesperson Hannah Hankins said in a statement on the change of plans.

Heartwarming: Michelle and Barack regularly share public tributes on special occasions, with the former First Lady posting this sweet photo of her husband and kids last Father's Day

Levity: Her latest tribute to her husband comes after the couple (pictured in a post from last year) faced furious backlash over plans to host a 500-person party this weekend

'Due to the new spread of the Delta variant over the past week, the President and Mrs. Obama have decided to significantly scale back the event to include only family and close friends,' the former president's spokesperson continued.

'President Obama is appreciative of others sending their birthday wishes from afar and looks forward to seeing people soon.'

Obama turns 60 today and planned to celebrate the occasion over the weekend with hundreds of his former administration officials, celebrities and Democratic donors with a massive party on Martha's Vineyard island off the coast of Massachusetts.

Many guests, according to The New York Times, were already en route to the island on the ferry from the mainland.

Among the 475 guests expected to attend the event this weekend were actor George Clooney, director Steven Spielberg and notorious talk show host Oprah Winfrey, the New York Post reported.

President Joe Biden never intended to go to the party, as he already had a beach trip planned to his vacation home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, which he is traveling to on Friday.

Instead of the big soiree, the former president will celebrate with only close friends and family at his 7,000-square-foot mansion in the Edgarton section of Martha's Vineyard.

Uproar: As news of Obama's party broke, some took to Twitter to call it irresponsible amid the resurgence in COVID cases - and on Wednesday, it was revealed he has cancled the event

Concern: COVID cases have been rising throughout the country as a result of the Delta variant

Statistics: Deaths, however, have continued on a downward trajectory

'They've been concerned about the virus from the beginning, asking invited guests if they had been vaccinated, requesting that they get a test proximate to the event,' David Axelrod, a former top Obama adviser, said, according to the Times.

'But when this was planned, the situation was quite different,' he added of the change. 'So they responded to the changing circumstances.'

Before the scale back, the White House defended Obama's plans on Monday.

'I would note first that former President Obama has been a huge advocate of individuals getting vaccinated,' White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki dodged when asked about her former boss' big birthday bash.

The party, according to multiple reports, was supposed to take place outdoors on the Obamas' $12 million 30-acre Martha's Vineyard waterfront mansion.

But as more plans became public this week, the former president came under fire for the tone deaf event as many areas of the country returned to pandemic restrictions, including mask mandates indoors.

There was also a 'coronavirus coordinator', who was making sure the event was compliant with the most recent CDC guidance. Guests were required to take coronavirus tests and submit their results to the medical 'coronavirus coordinator' to gain entry to the Obama compound.
Former 90210 star AnnaLynne McCord has shared more details of her childhood trauma and how it led her to develop dissociative identity disorder, revealing that the abuse she suffered was so severe that as an adult she would often feel numb  so she turned to self-harming and risky sexual behavior just to feel anything at all.

Earlier this year, AnnaLynne, 33, opened up about the 'horrific' sexual assault she experienced as a child, explaining how she fragmented into different versions of herself to cope.

Speaking on a new episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast today, AnnaLynne recounted how the 'level of torture' she underwent was so terrible that she ultimately 'just stopped feeling pain'  so as an adult, she experimented with cutting and BDSM and admits, 'I was so abusive to myself.'

Opening up: Former 90210 star AnnaLynne McCord has shared more details of her childhood trauma and how it led her to develop dissociative identity disorder

'The level of torture that I went through as a child that I now remember was so horrific that my brain said ... we're gonna shut off feeling,' she said. 'I just stopped feeling pain'

'A big part of BDSM for me was just trying to feel anything in my body at all,' she admitted

AnnaLynne said she grew up moving around from trailer park to trailer park with her mother and sisters.

'We packed that trailer up and we rolled it down the freeway,' she told host Alex Cooper.

It was during that time that she was abused, though she had no memory of it until she was 31 years old.

At 15, she left home and began working as a model, and recalls turning herself off to any deep human connection.

'I did not have time for feelings. Those were things that we did not do... I did not believe in relationships. You make your mark on the world, that's what you're here for. If you like a dude, cool, but make that a super lowkey thing,' she said.

She struggled with depression and anxiety, eventually turning to self-harming like cutting herself, explaining: 'The self harming started just because I couldn't feel anything.'

She also entered into a 'very sexual' relationship with a man that involved lots of BDSM.

Flashback: AnnaLynne, pictured with her mother, only remembered much of her childhood abuse a few years ago

'You are not multiple personalities when you experience DID. You are fragmented versions of yourself,' she explained

'I was opening up Pandora's box sexually without consciously knowing why I might like these things, why they might turn me on the way they did,' she said. 'Because our beautiful brains that put pain and pleasure together to try to help us, ended up keeping me in a body that would go on to abuse herself for a very long time.

'A big part of BDSM for me was just trying to feel anything in my body at all,' she admitted.

'The level of torture that I went through as a child that I now remember was so horrific that my brain said no, she can't feel, so we're gonna shut off feeling.

'I just stopped feeling pain,' she said. 'People laugh and say, "Oh, I have a high tolerance for pain," you should ask yourself why. Because that's not a good thing. You should ask yourself why. We have pain for a reason, it's to let us know something's wrong. And you don't win awards for having a high tolerance for pain. That's unkind to your body.'

Even as she rose to fame on 90210, she was unknowingly struggling with dissociative identity disorder, or DID, which meant there were multiple versions of herself that would come out in various situations.

'You are not multiple personalities when you experience DID. You are fragmented versions of yourself,' she explained. 'The reason that the brain splits in this regard, it's always a protective mechanism.'

She described suffering from severed depression, having 'blackout panic attacks where I was losing time'

She also realized that it might not be OK that her legs would go completely numb when she would sleep with a man

What is dissociative identity disorder? Dissociative identity disorder (DID) was previously known as multiple personality disorder and is classified by the presence of two or more distinct personality states in those who have it. Dissociative disorders - including DID - usually develop as a reaction to trauma, as a means of keeping difficult memories at bay. As well as the presence of alternate identities, DID symptoms can also include amnesia and other mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. The most commonly used treatments for DID are talk therapy and medication; however, other methods may be suggested depending on the individual and their symptoms. Advertisement

For example, she went on, 'If I'm on a red carpet, I have to say everything just right... But my nervous system was so overwhelmed by people, humans around me ... so I just felt really comfortable in my body.'

She would go on autopilot, and suddenly it would be hours later and she would be at home.

'I wouldn't fully black out,' she said. 'I could remember things, but my life in a lot of ways was a blur.'

A version of herself she calls 'Little Anna'  who employed baby talk  would mostly come out when she was dealing with men, or if she had to express a need for something.

'I had this mechanism with men where I thought I had to be really small. And it wasn't a conscious thought. Bad things happened if I wasn't a good little girl, who was the special girl, who did the things that she was supposed to do,' she explained.

'I didn't know why I had to just give my body to people and I didn't realize that I was doing it because I was hoping that I'd get some love back. And I was so desperate to be loved because I was so alone and had been so alone for so long,' she added.

There was also a 13-year-old version of herself, whom she has previously described as 'balls to the wall, middle fingers to the sky, anarchist from hell who will stab you with the spike ring that she wears, and youll like it.'

'I was ice cold and I could be a real c**t,' she said on Call Her Daddy.

Candid: AnnaLynne has shared details of her journey toward healing

'[That version of myself] had enough and she became the thing that terrified her. I became a bully, I could be very emotionally, psychologically abusive... I would go into an alter that was just ice cold and impossible to get through to.

'And I thank her now, I have so much gratitude to her,' she added, saying it was this tough personality that saved her.

It was while visiting Cambodia on volunteer trips that she realized she might need some help.

'I realized from former slaves how enslaved I was. I was a total prisoner to my mind. I was so rigid, I had all these standards of perfection, I was so abusive to myself,' she said.

She was suffering from severed depression at the time, having 'blackout panic attacks where I was losing time.'

She also realized that it might not be OK that her legs would go completely numb when she would sleep with a man.

So she started seeing a doctor who explored her repressed memories with her. Among the tactics they used was EMDR, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, the same practice Prince Harry demonstrated in the Apple TV+ series The Me You Can't See.'

Moment of truth: It was while visiting Cambodia on volunteer trips that she realized she might need some help

'I realized from former slaves how enslaved I was. I was a total prisoner to my mind. I was so rigid, I had all these standards of perfection, I was so abusive to myself,' she said

On August 16, 2018, everything about her childhood abuse started coming back to her.

'The memories of a trauma survivor are fragmented. They come in pieces, they come in waves, they come in impressions, they come in sounds, they come in smells, they come in all of this different imagery, whatever. There are no two experiences alike,' she said.

AnnaLynne has shared few specifics about what she endured, but indicated in the podcast that she was choked with a rope during this time.

She also said that said her mom had had no idea what was going on, but has since been great about helping her.

In April, AnnaLynne first spoke openly about how her trauma has continued to impact her, divulging her battle with DID, which was formerly known as multiple personality disorder.

Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is characterized by alternating between multiple identities, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

A person with the disorder may feel like one or more voices are in their head and have gaps in memory of events, including trauma.

Scary: AnnaLynne previously spoke about how her abuse led to her having dissociative identity disorder

Candid: The star publicly revealed her diagnosis on in a YouTube video she filmed with brain disorder specialist Dr. Daniel Amen

She shared her diagnosis in a YouTube video that was posted by brain disorder specialist Dr. Daniel Amen.

She said she is now examining how the sexual abuse she suffered may have led to her dissociative identity disorder.

She discussed her memory loss, explaining that she doesn't remember anything about her life before the age of five, and after that, she can only remember several 'incidents' of abuse, recollections that were triggered by her rape at age 18.

'I don't have anything until around five, and then from five to 11. I recount incidents throughout,' she said, noting that she also has gaps in her memory after age 11.

'And then when I was 13, I have a singled-out memory that was just one thing, that I don't have a sense of anything else at that time.'

The actress, who received her DID diagnosis before meeting with Dr. Amen, revealed that her doctor told her she suffered from it 'pretty seriously,' and that she likely had 'definitive splits' prior to her memory returning.

Although she can now identify she had a split personality from the age of 13, she can look back on her childhood behavior and see evidence of the disorder at an earlier age, before her memories came back.

'Before my memories came back, I had definitive splits. In my history, youll see me, I would just show up with the black wig and a new personality and I was this tough little baddie, and then Id be the bohemian flower child,' she explained.

Looking back: The 33-year-old actress has also shared details of the night a friend raped her in her own bed at age 19

The anti-trafficking activist now believes that her disorder also played a part in her work as an actress, explaining that all of her roles, in one way or another, were 'splits'  split personalities  although she was not aware of it at the time.

Dr. Amen explained that he scanned AnnaLynne's brain and the results are 'not like many of the other multiples he has seen,' before questioning whether the actress has ever been given a bipolar diagnosis, which she confirmed she had.

'In 2017, I actually went [to a psychiatrist], knowing for years that I felt like I was [bipolar], considering the fact that I have family history and the symptoms seemed to line up,' she said.

She added that she had struggled with symptoms of bipolar disorder for years, but admitted that she actually relied on her 'manic' behavior as a means of pulling herself out of a depressed state.

'I would use my manic symptoms to get me out of depression, I would kind of manipulate my symptoms,' she explained. 'I knew that if I went on a crazy sex spree, or a shopping spree, or any kind of heightened thrill-seeking type things, I could always manipulate myself out of depression so I never really got too stuck.'

However, in 2017, she 'went down a depression spiral' that she could not bring herself out of 'no matter what she did.'

'I tried to go on no-sleeping benders to activate my mania, I tried sex, spending [sprees], I tried traveling all over the globe the first part of that year but I could not get out of the depression.'

'From my point of view, [they] deserve an opportunity for redemption,' she said of her abusers (pictured in Las Vegas on June 10)

Referring to AnnaLynne's brain scan, Dr. Amen said that he believes the actress used her split personalities as a means of 'managing' her childhood sexual trauma.

'When you've had intense childhood sexual trauma, you split as a way to manage it,' he said. 'And the brighter you are, the more you split.'

He also suggested that the actress may have had an undiagnosed brain injury, which could also be an underlying cause of her condition.

The star, who noted that there is a 'massive spectrum obviously' of disorder in how it impacts people battling it, said that her goal is to shift the way society views people dealing with the disorder.

'For me, my heart is to change this narrative around these behaviors that follow trial of the trauma, and not treating someone or responding to someone or judging someone from their actions but asking, "What happened to you? How did we get here?' she said.

Then in July, she spoke to creative agency House of Influence, sharing a very magnanimous perspective on the people who sexually abused her as a child and raped her as a teenager.

'The truth is, we're not good and we're not bad. Even the person who sexually abused me as a child, and the person who sexually assaulted me when I was 19, they're not bad people,' she said, according to The Sun.

Triggering: The actress recalled a triggering moment on the show 90210, when her what happened to her in real life happened to her character

'They make bad decisions from bad places that they were in at the time. From my point of view, [they] deserve an opportunity for redemption,' she added.

AnnaLynne has managed to find it in her to be forgiving towards her abusers despite years of trauma.

'I came from horrible abuse. I grew up going through all of these horrible things that that caused me absolute terrible pain,' she said.

She'd blocked out her childhood abuse for years, but it all came pouring back in when she was raped at 19.

AnnaLynne first shared story in essay for Cosmopolitan in 2014, recalling how a man in her friend group whom she had considered a friend needed a place to sleep for the night, so she invited him over.

'We sat on the bed and talked for a while, then I fell asleep. When I woke up, he was inside me,' she wrote for Cosmo.

'At first, I felt so disoriented and numb, I closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep,' she went on. 'I wondered if I had done something to give him the wrong idea. I felt afraid of making him angry. Believe it or not, I didn't want to offend him. I just wanted it to be over.'

Finally, when she worked up the nerve to tell him to stop, 'He stopped and went in the bathroom and finished.'

'I did nothing, I laid there until 5:00 AM, until the sun started to peek through, and I could feasibly, in my mind, explain that I got up early,' she said.

'I wrote a note like I suddenly had to go to a meeting at 5:00 AM. It wasn't really making any logical sense, but I had to get out of my own house.

'I sat in my vehicle down the street hidden by a bush, waiting to see his car leave and then I went back to my place and showered and tried to pretend like that had never happened.

AnnaLynne said she didn't acknowledge what had happened until ten months later, when a mutual friend speculated that she was in love with the man who raped her  and she correct him.

'I was like, "No, he Yeah, no he raped me,"' she said.

A couple of years later, AnnaLynne was on 90210, where no one knew about her history. But coincidentally, the script featured a storyline in which her character was raped by her English teacher. After, she, too, was accused of being in love with him.

'The showrunner literally writes my story in the script of 90210 without knowing it, unfortunately, because it is so common,' she said.

'It was as if I got thrown back to when I was 19 in this moment with my friend, and this whole thing happened. I went into hysterics, just my whole body was wrapped with tears.'

The star noted that it's a prime example that 'you never know what someone's battle is, you never know what someone's going through.'
We like to believe love brings out the best in us: that the heart-swelling joy and quiet comfort of a partner takes us away from our baser natures. Yet when sexual jealousy rears its ugly head, even the most pragmatic of us can lose our own.

All too soon, we cave in to rage, hurt and insecurity. But a recent study has revealed that men and women feel sexual jealousy in different ways. For men, it is sparked by infidelity in the bedroom, according to researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

But for women, hardwired to want someone who will stick around to raise children, jealousy peaks when their partner develops romantic feelings for someone else.

Four UK-based writers recount their own experiences with sexual jealousy, including Candida Crewe (pictured), who developed a rash after discovering her ex-partner had been unfaithful

Research from 2015 even puts a figure on it, with scientists from Chapman University in California suggesting that 65 per cent of women would be more upset by emotional infidelity than by the sexual sort.

Here, four Femail writers agree with the findings  and share their own devastating stories of this most toxic emotion.

MADNESS MADE ME COME OUT IN A RASH

By Candida Crewe

There are two extreme human emotions, to my mind: bereavement and jealousy. Both constitute the worst feelings in the world  but I will stick my neck out and claim jealousy as the worse of these two.

Bereavement is an ongoing ache that ebbs and flows and can last a lifetime. But jealousy is like possession. Something moves into your body and takes over, so you dont recognise yourself. It consumes you at a cellular level, eats up every minute of your day. It is a terrifying madness.

When I discovered my ex-partner was being unfaithful to me, it felt like an inward explosion, as if an alien had burst into my body.

And the torment of my mind, so overtaken by distress, anger and hurt, gave rise to a horrifying physical reaction. I developed a livid rash from the top of my head to my toes, and my face swelled up so I looked like a creature in a Victorian freak show.

This, I thought, is what jealousy looks like, right there in the mirror.

I was rushed to A&E and given an urgent dose of steroids. The doctors there spoke of some sinister viral infection but it was just too much of a coincidence.

I knew the real cause. It was that malign gatecrasher, the cliche of the green-eyed monster.

I know the shrapnel wounds inflicted by betrayal can heal relatively quickly compared with the ongoing ache felt when someone dies. But betrayal works on a person differently from loss.

Candida, who was rushed to A&E and given an urgent dose of steroids, said jealousy demands action at any cost (file image)

Loss leaves a vacuum; infidelity gives rise to an overwhelming feeling of hatred and the desire for revenge. It is these, not the traitor and their new lover, that a woman  or indeed man  must fight.

Jealousy demands action at any cost, but control and restraint are crucial. For vengeful acts give short-term, superficial satisfaction only. The one who suffers in the end? The avenger, because revenge is grubby and nearly always ineffectual.

Silence and dignity were the route I chose through the madness which, kept closely under wraps, always fades away eventually.

Of course, the lasting legacy, once the alien has been seen off, is learning to trust again  either the unfaithful partner or someone new.

This is, arguably, even harder to achieve. But if you pull it off, it can liberate you to love again. And that, surely, is the ultimate triumph over the monstrous green demon.

LURKING BY HIS OFFICE WAS MY LOW POINT

By Lucy Cavendish

I have always prided myself on not being jealous. I thought jealousy was such an unattractive emotion. If someone is going to cheat, you have two choices  accept it (its more about them than you) or walk away. But then I found out a long-term partner had become close to a female work colleague and it almost drove me crazy.

It was his change in attitude I noticed first. He went from arriving late at work and not really caring about his appearance to being suited, booted and up with the lark.

Then he began taking his phone to the loo with him  and every time I pretended I needed his phone to check something on Google, he would refuse to let me have it.

Eventually, inevitably, he left his phone on the table and an over-friendly text from his work colleague flashed up. When challenged, he told me he was close to this woman. But he swore it wasnt sexual.

Lucy Cavendish (pictured) said she turned into someone she barely knew and became obsessed after discovering her long-term partner had been lying

From then on, though, there was surreptitious texting, even though he promised he had stopped talking to her. When I found out he was lying to me, I was devastated  and then I became obsessed. I turned into someone I barely recognised, a woman I couldnt like or understand.

Full of fury, I constantly checked his phone. Any sign that he was in touch with her set me off ranting and raving. I even hacked into his email.

I considered hiring a private investigator. Instead, I followed his car after work, went through every piece of paperwork, compulsively logged into his satnav to see where he had been. I became deranged  partner-turned-PI. The low point? That was when I began hanging about outside his office.

Over time, I realised it was the emotional connection that really hurt. He kept telling me he was seeing her to talk about our relationship and that made everything worse. It felt like a deep betrayal, that somehow she knew the inner workings of his mind and soul in a way I didnt.

I realised years later that at the bottom of it was my own deep sense of insecurity. His emotional infidelity with another woman cut into me in a way that maybe a sexual infidelity might not have.

From my experience as a counsellor, I do think women are far more jealous of emotional intimacy than of sexual intimacy  men are the other way around.

I HID IN A SHOP TO SPY ON HIM WITH LOVER

By Marion McGilvary

My ex used to say I was a loss to the Stasi because I had an uncanny knack for knowing when something was off.

So one day, a note on his blotter with Heathrow Express train times jotted down raised a red flag  he was supposed to be in meetings all weekend.

And then I was on it . . . I went through his bin and opened all the scrunched-up paper, seeing Air France scribbled next to more numbers on a discarded scrap.

Marion McGilvary (pictured) was wild with jealousy, anger and fear after discovering that her ex had been spending time with another woman

My stomach turned to concrete. Our relationship was floundering and, while neither of us was innocent, this was like being hit by a truck. I tried calling him. His phone was switched off. In any case, he would have denied it and accused me of snooping, which I was. So I kept looking. I needed proof. On another scrap, I found the initial N written beside 8pm, which I assumed was a dinner reservation  and made the leap to Nobu, the only restaurant I knew that began with that letter. So I rang them and they confirmed the booking.

I checked the flight and saw that the train times directly followed the flight arrival at Heathrow. Then, feeling sick, I put on my daughters coat and my sons hat and took the bus to Paddington Station, where I hid in Paperchase. And there he was. Waiting for her on the platform.

It was like walking into an abyss. I was wild with jealousy, anger and fear. I have thought of that day often since and wonder what would have happened if Id confronted him.

But I didnt. I was afraid to make it real  that this was the end. Instead I went home, got into bed and curled up in a ball, contemplating my life.

But it wasnt so much the idea of sex that bothered me. It was the intimacy. The shared emails Id previously found. The fact that he was spending the day with her.

I wanted to be wined and dined at Nobu. I wanted to be met off a train. He had never once been on time for any train he had met me from.

He was a lovely man but his focus was always on his work. He never really engaged with me. And it was this that killed me.

The attention, the focus, the time this other woman was stealing from me, so freely given, while I was at home with the kids like a sap. All alone.

I waited up for him. When he came back, I asked how his dinner at Nobu was . . . it was one of the worst days of my life.

Years later, I saw the woman tagged in a picture on Facebook. I always wondered what you looked like, I commented. She replied with a smiley face.

She had no idea who I was.

Nice to put a face to the woman who slept with my man, I said. Hope youre proud.

I SLEPT IN HIS BED JUST SO SHE COULDNT GET IN IT

By Emily Hill

Emily Hill (pictured) said she once passed out after getting blind drunk, when a boyfriend's ex turned up to his house party

Jealousy is a disease. So wrote noted essayist and It girl Paris Hilton  and I agree with her. Sexual jealousy is such a canker on my love life, I dont know if Ill ever cure it.

I meet a man and he sweeps me off my feet. I gratefully sigh: Thank you, God, old Scarletts finally met her Rhett, only for him to turn around and say Frankly, my dear, I dont give a damn while Im still asking Where shall we go? What shall we do? six to twelve months later.

Exhibit A was the man I call Mr Maldives, because he whisked me off on holiday there just ten days after we met. The sex was so unbelievable, I couldnt understand why he wanted to spend all the time on his phone. Then, sneaking a look over his shoulder one morning, I saw he was communicating with someone called Blondemoney.

Youve got a perfectly good blonde with no money right next to you, I seethed.

He insisted it was a financial services company. A likely story, I thought, in a frenzy of suppressed envy. But I let it go. I didnt want to ruin our time in paradise with my jealousy, although fear ate away at me, tainting the relationship anyway.

Its only now, more than a year since he ghosted me, that Ive bothered to check his claim and so discovered that Blondemoney is, in fact, a financial services company.

Weve all met someone who is so insecure and consumed by their partner that they see anyone in the vicinity as a serious threat. So I try hard to keep my simmering doubts to myself, so it doesnt hurt anyone but me. But the men I meet all seem to love the chase and loathe the prize. I fear Ill be replaced because I always am.

Its hard to be your best self in the circumstances, so instead I act out in fiction  my book Bad Romance is about psychotically jealous heroines destroying their exes weddings and so forth.

The worst thing Ive done in real life was become so unstable that when a boyfriends ex turned up to his house party, I got blind drunk, crawled under the duvet in mid-party and passed out, defiantly claiming the whole bed. Waking up alone with the worst hangover, I crept out at dawn past the sofa they were curled up on downstairs. The only way to pull the plug on my sexual jealousy seems to be to stop having sex altogether.
Rachel Thurlow had barely switched her computer on at work one morning when she was called to a meeting room and told she was being made redundant. Shed spent years as a data analyst, putting in 12-hour days in the office before logging in at home to meet deadlines.

Until she planned to get pregnant, that is. Unable to conceive naturally, Rachel had three rounds of fertility treatment  a gruelling process that left her shattered and meant time off work.

For ten days of each IVF cycle, instead of leaving the office at 8pm as usual, she clocked off at 5.30pm so she could inject herself with hormones in the privacy of her own home. It didnt affect the quality of her work, she insists  she took annual leave for hospital scans and egg retrieval operations and still fulfilled all my obligations.

Yet as a result, she claims, she lost her job: It wasnt becoming a mother that made me a liability, so much as the time Id taken off beforehand to conceive.

Antonia Hoyle investigated the number of women who are experiencing discrimination in the workplace after having fertility treatment (file image)

With no sympathy from her boss, and what she says was obvious irritation at her temporary absences, Rachel found herself isolated and vulnerable.

Redundancy came as a bitter blow. Though she contemplated it, legal action against her employer would have backfired, she says. Instead, like most women in her situation, she swallowed her humiliation. I work in a small industry. Word would spread and I didnt want to get known as a troublemaker.

Shockingly, Rachels tale is far from unique. A Femail magazine investigation has revealed a raft of disturbing stories from women who claim they suffered discrimination in the workplace as a result of having fertility treatment  from sexist remarks behind their backs, to blatant sidelining of their roles, to the loss of jobs.

Some spoke of their terror that by taking on such a gruelling treatment  where the success rate for women under 35 is less than a third for the first cycle  they risked losing everything: not only their job but their relationship, too.

One in seven couples now receives fertility treatment, thanks in part to advances in medicine and the fact women are leaving it later to start trying for a baby (ironically, often because they are trying to establish careers first).

Although most employers now outwardly champion equality, many are still intolerant of women who need help conceiving. Women fear  correctly, it seems  any hint of IVF treatment will hobble them in the eyes of employers.

Thats why Rachel, 43, from Birmingham, didnt let on that she was about to undergo IVF in 2015, two years after she and her 45-year-old investment analyst husband Carl started trying to conceive, and nine years after she joined her retail company.

We discovered my husband had low sperm mobility and were told our only chance was IVF, she recalls. I was heartbroken but still professionally driven. My job was competitive, and I felt planning to have babies would be perceived as a negative.

Rachel, 43, from Birmingham, whose third round of IVF was successful, said she was made redundant three months after returning to work (file image)

The procedure would require Rachel to inject herself in the stomach twice daily  exactly 12 hours apart for ten days, to suppress her menstrual cycle, before injecting herself with a follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) for a further ten days to increase the number of eggs produced. Rachel injected at 6am and 6pm.

I thought it would be obvious if I did it in the work WC, she said. So Id say I had to leave early, without giving a reason, and finished my work at home.

Rachels ultrasound scans to check the drugs were working required taking mornings off work. An egg retrieval operation under anaesthetic meant another day, as did the subsequent embryo transfer.

The clinic gave me a sick note for my employer after the transfer as they suggested I take a week to recover, recalls Rachel. But I didnt take it out of fear. People had already started making comments, such as, Oh thanks for popping in even though I wasnt leaving till 5.30pm.

Her boss  a married man with a stay-at-home wife  became ever more reluctant to sign her time-off-work forms.

I was sidelined and felt bullied and vulnerable

Yet she knew if I told him the truth he would have made my life more difficult. After all, her cut-throat department didnt even have any female staff with children, let alone an IVF policy.

When Rachels IVF failed  in 2015 and 2016  she hid her grief from colleagues. When I got my period at work Id cry in the toilets. I felt a sense of inadequacy, she says.

In 2017, at last, her third round was successful but her bosss reaction to the news she was expecting twins was predictably lukewarm: He said I wouldnt want to come back to work afterwards. I assured him I would.

When she did return to work in 2019, her maternity replacement  a man was kept on. I was sidelined and my work picked over, says Rachel. I felt bullied and vulnerable.

After she was made redundant three months later, with three months salary, she was escorted out of the building.

Jill Steele, 45, was signed off sick by her GP after hearing how her colleagues had made sexist remarks while she was at a hospital appointment (file image)

Once Id stopped over-committing, I was seen as replaceable, she says. I dont want other women to be treated like I was.

It would seem fertility treatment is the latest hurdle for working women, with more and more of them encountering the problem.

Solicitor Louisa Ghevaert, one of the UKs leading fertility law experts, says there is growing anxiety for working women seeking fertility treatment.

There is already a lot of pressure and stress for many women undergoing fertility treatment. Struggling to conceive can be heartbreaking and to then raise this sensitive issue in the workplace, where many women already feel they have to work harder than men to beat the gender gap, is tough.

We need change in workplace culture and policies to better support working women undergoing fertility treatment.

Part of the problem lies in old-fashioned views of IVF. While its seen as the cure to a disease by the fertility industry  and the World Health Organisation  its still characterised as a lifestyle choice by others.

Amin Gorgy, founder of London clinic, The Fertility & Gynaecology Academy, says most of his female patients choose not to tell their bosses they are having treatment. They think they will be discriminated against. But, he insists, fertility problems are like any other medical problems. You are entitled to take time off.

WHAT ARE YOUR RIGHTS? Legally, youre pregnant from the day your embryo is implanted, and are protected under pregnancy and maternity discrimination law. Before this, youd have to prove unfair treatment, which would be as an indirect sex discrimination claim, says Gemma Wilson, a solicitor at Stephensons Solicitors. There is no legal right to attend IVF sessions, she adds. Advertisement

Jill Steele did reveal her fertility treatment at work  but was publicly shamed as a result.

After two years of trying for a baby, in 2010 her husband was diagnosed with a low sperm count and they were told their only chance of conception was through ICSI  a form of IVF in which a womans eggs are extracted and sperm is injected into it.

A senior executive working in hospitality, Jill, 45, was nervous about telling her boss of five years, a father of two in his 40s.

I was the only woman in a team of six. Our firm had just been through a merger and my job felt insecure, she says. But my appointments would stop me coming in so I had to tell him  and initially he was supportive.

Yet Jills relief soon gave way to stress. His behaviour quickly changed. He piled work on  I was in the office at 10pm, desperately trying to finish reports, she recalls. I felt he was predicting me becoming a nuisance. Either I was going to get pregnant and hed lose me, or I would have to continue with treatment and not be as useful.

When Jills first IVF round failed, her agony was compounded by her bosss attitude: He suggested taking a demotion to take the pressure off. I felt undermined.

After a second unsuccessful IVF cycle a year later, Jill was called to a meeting. My boss said my work wasnt up to standard and I had three months to sort myself out, or you know what happens, she says. Fortunately we had savings but I was frightened at losing my job on top of the IVF trauma.

Two days later, a colleague revealed that while shed been at a hospital appointment her boss had told her team that she was off being impregnated. And another staff member had joked that if her husband wasnt up to the job hed stand in for him.

I was distraught and utterly humiliated, says Jill, whose GP signed her off work sick as she took out a grievance against her employer on four counts  discrimination, breach of confidentiality, harassment and bullying.

I presented pages of documentation, she adds. But in a meeting the MD said of myself and my boss, I understand youve had an Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton falling out. It was only when I got a solicitor they realised I wasnt going away. Even then her boss faced no disciplinary action.

Theresa Johnson, 35, from the South West of England, was told that she wasnt performing to the level expected after revealing her fertility treatment to her boss (file image)

He just denied everything, says Jill, who accepted a settlement of six months salary, on the condition she would never speak ill of the company. The grievance was running parallel to another round of IVF, and my only other option was taking it to tribunal.

After six rounds of IVF, costing about 25,000, the stress of which eventually broke up her marriage of 15 years in 2014, Jill gave up her dream of motherhood and started her own business.

Kate Davies, an independent fertility nurse who trains employers on how to manage employees going through IVF, says she sees women quit careers all the time as a result of treatment. They often work with predominantly male directors, which makes it harder to have sensitive conversations.

And theyre right to worry. The first major research carried out on the subject, Experiences and Psychological Distress of Fertility Treatment and Employment, published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynaecology in 2019, found that out of the 72 per cent of women who disclosed their fertility treatment to their employer, only 42 per cent received adequate support and 19 per cent either reduced their hours as a result or left their job altogether.

As of 2019, only 23 per cent of employers had fertility treatment policies, although more are creating them. In May, online bank Monzo introduced eight days of paid leave to employees undergoing treatment, for example, while last month U.S. law firm Cooley said its UK staff would be entitled to 45,000 for fertility treatment.

On average a woman will require nine days out of the office per IVF cycle, according to independent fertility nurse Kate Davies (file image)

Yet disregarding the fact that many women will be too afraid of being discriminated against to request their employers financial support, even these policies are often inadequate, says Davies.

On average a woman will require nine days out of the office per IVF cycle. A lot of organisations offer five paid days a year which is just not enough.

Theresa Johnson, 35, an orthopaedic nurse from the South West of England, kept two rounds of IVF secret from her employer.

There was an element of shame, and planning children behind my bosss back almost felt like a malicious secret, says Theresa, married to Christopher, 35, a shop manager.

Initially, her boss was fine about the time off, Theresa recalls: But before the fifth appointment she looked uncomfortable. I trusted her. So I told her I was having IVF.

A fortnight later, Theresa was told by her immediate boss and manager that she wasnt performing to the level expected.

Theresa recalls: I was shocked. The month before theyd said how impressed they were with my work. All I remember saying is, I really liked this job. I really liked you.

As she left the building, the nurse shed confided in told Theresa she was sorry. Theresa says: I knew it was because of the IVF. There was no other explanation.

Trudy Simpson, 35, from Nottingham, avoided telling her boss about having treatment because she had previously seen friends sidelined for revealing their pregnancy (file image)

The next day, Theresa found she was pregnant, and her anger was temporarily forgotten, as she found another nursing job before throwing herself into motherhood. But now her son is two, she says: I dont want other women to get burned like I did. Yes, we should be able to tell employers about fertility treatment. But in reality its often too risky.

Indeed, as it stands, women are largely unprotected. Although the government-backed Employment Statutory Code of Practice suggests employers should treat requests for absences for fertility treatment sympathetically, they are under no legal obligation.

If a woman is denied the right to attend treatment, her only recourse is to launch a claim for sex discrimination, on the grounds a man would be treated differently.

Paradoxically, during the last part of IVF  the two weeks after the embryo transfer  they are protected by pregnancy rights as they might actually be pregnant.

In 2016 Trudy Simpson kept the fact she was taking Clomid from her former employer, a well-known retail chain, where she was a manager working a 60-hour week. An orally-taken drug to stimulate egg production, it can cause nausea, bloating and mood swings.

My abdominal pain was excruciating, says Trudy, 35, from Nottingham. But Id seen friends sidelined at work simply for telling their bosses they were pregnant.

Not eligible for treatment on the NHS because her husband had children from a previous marriage, the best nearest private clinic was a 45-minute drive away. Id dread telling my boss, who didnt want children, about each appointment. Nothing was said, but she started to train someone below me to do my job.

Eventually, a laparoscopy  a diagnostic operation in which a camera is inserted via the abdomen  revealed Trudy had endometriosis, requiring surgery to improve her chances of pregnancy. I needed a fortnight to recover but my boss wouldnt let me take it as paid leave. I was distraught.

In the event, Trudy fell pregnant a month before her operation date. Her daughter is now three months old. They think of themselves as a forward-thinking company with policies in place to protect employees, she says. Yet they discriminated against me for trying to have a baby.
The first time someone told me on Facebook that the Jews deserve what is coming to them after the way theyve behaved towards Jeremy Corbyn, the shock was so profound, so sharp, it felt like I had been slapped across the face.

I was on a Facebook group with left-wingers talking about the last election and expected someone to denounce the comment. Instead, they gave it like after like, compounding my pain. Thumbs up for telling the Jew they deserve anti-Semitism for speaking out against anti-Semitism.

I reported the message to Facebook and was told it didnt go against their community standards. Theres an option to get hate messages looked at for a second time, which I did, but still the moderators saw nothing wrong with it. It is probably still there.

I was shocked, but not surprised. I know people who have had temporary Facebook bans for a single swear word yet the platform hosts groups of neo-Nazis and Holocaust deniers who happily go about their merry business of pretending Jews have made up the murder of six million people.

Nicole Lampert (pictured) explored the real life consequences of social media platforms continuously failing to tackle anti-Semitism

On Twitter, meanwhile, I have been sent photographs of the Star of David turned into a swastika, called a Nazi Zio, and an apartheid-loving baby-killer. That tends to be from left-wing people with peace and love or anti-racist on their online biographies. From the far right, Ive had k***, y** and Jew b****. From both Ive been told: Hitler was right. In fact, during the last skirmish between Israel and Gaza in May, #HitlerWasRight was trending on Twitter. For a full 24 hours, it was one of the most popular phrases used on the site.

So, its no surprise that a report published last week found the five biggest social media platforms  Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok  have systematically failed to tackle anti-Semitism. The report, for the Centre for Countering Digital Hate, called social media a safe space for racists because platforms had failed to act on 84 per cent of complaints about posts spreading anti-Jewish hatred.

Ironically Facebook, created by a Jewish man, was the worst offender with just 10 per cent of its hateful posts removed. Im a secular Jew, and my religion and ethnicity form just a very small part of my identity, but I started speaking out in 2018 when it became clear that Labour, under Jeremy Corbyn, had an insidious anti-Semitism problem and that a lot of my non-Jewish friends couldnt understand the issue.

Because of the derisory way anti-Semitism is taught in schools, many believe it started and ended with the Holocaust. They dont understand Jews have been marginalised and killed for 2,000 years simply for being Jewish. Having said that, until I went online, I saw very little anti-Semitism in my day-to-day life.

But then I started looking at what was happening in the Labour party. A large percentage of it came down to councillors and officials repeating  or updating  the same anti-Semitic tropes on social media which have, throughout history, led to Jews being murdered because of our religion.

Some of them were about Jews owning the media, paying critics of Jeremy Corbyn to lie about anti-Semitism, enjoying killing children, being the puppet masters of the Tories or Trump, while others were straight-out Holocaust deniers or, just as heinously, claimed that Jews were somehow complicit in it. Others just called Jews Nazis, equating us with the people who killed one third of our entire community. It was  and to an extent remains  an obsession even though there are only 300,000 Jews in the entire UK and just 14 million of us in the world. We simply arent that powerful.

Almost a year ago social media companies pledged to do better when rapper Wiley, went on a cross-platform rant against Jews (file image)

There are benefits to being on social media; I published a primer about Labours anti-Semitism and it was read by tens of thousands. Many wrote to say thank you  several even told me how I had inspired them to fight the issue in their own local branches. But for all the people who appreciate what I do, there are just as many who would love nothing more than to shut me up.

And so, it continues. Once, I wrote on Twitter that it was perfectly possible to be a Zionist and pro-Palestinian. But that led to two days of being trolled and called a Nazi, apartheid-lover, fascist, Trump fan and stupid.

Sometimes I laugh it off. Almost all of my haters are grammatical imbeciles; often they cant even spell anti-Semitism or Israel, so I correct them. Most often I just mute or block them. Occasionally though, I cant sleep after a particularly nasty social media bashing. I wake up tense, my hands in balls, feeling a mixture of rage, fear, upset and worry. Ive made Jewish friends online and we comfort each other; for some it becomes too much and they prefer to leave.

This latest report into anti-Semitism online wont be news to the social media companies. Almost exactly a year ago, they pledged to do better when rapper Wiley, who had nearly half a million followers, went on a cross-platform rant against Jews. It was only when the Jewish community and thousands of allies took part in a 48-hour social media walk-out that his rants were taken down. And then, inevitably, some claimed Jews were the real racists because Wiley was a black man.

The fact is, social media is a cesspit of hatred for all minorities and this affects all of us. And that seems to suit social media companies just fine  after all, sadly it is the hatred and fights that draw millions to their platforms.

Nicole said many Jews that she knew were frightened to leave their houses during the fighting between Israel and Gaza earlier this year, as social media attacks spilled over into the streets (file image)

But for minorities such as Jews, this has real-life consequences, where social media attacks spill over into the streets. We saw this all too clearly during the fighting between Israel and Gaza earlier this year when a sustained social media assault led to physical attacks on Jews  regardless of what they thought of Israel  and a convoy of men rampaging around North London threatening to rape Jewish women.

For the first time, many Jews I knew were briefly frightened to leave their houses. The CST, a charity which measures hatred against British Jews, called it the month of hate with more than 600 reports of anti-Semitism; the majority were limited to verbal abuse but several turned violent.

More than a quarter happened at schools and university campuses. Jewish kids became afraid to attend classes and one friends daughter was suddenly ostracised  I dont want to sit next to a Jew, she was told. It hit home hard, especially when my own 14-year-old son was told by his peers that Jews liked to kill kids. And then he got a chilling anonymous phone call asking if he was a f****** Jew because if he was, he needed to watch his back.

Social media has legitimised Jew hatred and while once anti-Semites had to go to the effort of publishing their poisonous tracts, now anybody can simply go online to voice dangerous conspiracy theories and lies, which will then be shared by potentially millions of others. Six million Jews were killed in living memory in a modern and so-called civilised society because of these same lies which are now being spread, untrammelled, on social media. And that is terrifying.
Ferrero is launching a range of premium Ferrero Rocher chocolate bars for the first time in history.

The famous taste of Ferrero Rocher, which is loved by generations all over the world, will be available for 2 in a 90g bar with three delicious chocolate varieties to choose from.

Chocolate fans can get their hands on white chocolate, milk chocolate and a dark chocolate variety with 55 per cent cocoa from 9th August in all major UK supermarkets.

Ferrero is launching a range of premium Ferrero Rocher chocolate bars for the first time in history. It's available in milk (left), dark and white bars

Chocolate fans can get their hands on white chocolate (pictured) , milk chocolate and a dark chocolate variety with 55 per cent cocoa from 9th August in all major UK supermarkets.

The treat has been developed by a team of 50 people over more than three years, with 300 recipes tried out before finding the perfect new way to experience Ferrero Rocher in a premium high-quality chocolate bar.

The new bars feature domes of luxurious chocolate to reflect the distinctive shape of the much-loved Ferrero Rocher.

Inside the sumptuous bars are different levels which Ferrero say will 'take you on a delicious taste journey'.

Each bar consists of a refined chocolate base supporting a soft, creamy filling, as well as a top layer of chocolate mixed with crunchy pieces of hazelnuts, meaning customers can enjoy a multi-sensory taste experience.

Enrico Martini, Category Director, Ferrero Pralines UK & Ireland, told FEMAIL: 'With the launch of the new Ferrero Rocher bars, we wanted to offer a new taste experience inspired by one of our most iconic brands that is loved all over the world.

'Our expert team has been dedicated to crafting a new innovation that delivers the impeccable quality and taste that Ferrero Rocher prides itself on. We are excited to hear what our fans think about our new luxurious bars!'

The new bars feature domes of luxurious chocolate to reflect the distinctive shape of the much-loved Ferrero Rocher

Classic Ferrero fans need not fear, as the confectionery giant will continue to make their classic ball-shaped treats.

It comes following a 26 per cent rise in sales due to consumers taking the firm's slogan 'now you're really spoiling us' to heart.

Bars are aimed at consumers looking to 'trade up to something special' as well as tempting 'lovers of the brand to try the chocolate in a different way' said the company's customer development director, Levi Boorer.

He added: 'We've not seen growth like this for many years. We are living in a very changing world where consumption trends have changed a lot.

'(Consumers) have navigated back towards brands they trust and have strong quality cues attached to them. Rocher has been a real beneficiary of that,' he told trade journal The Grocer.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is aiming to give full approval to Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine by early next month.

People involved in the effort told The New York Times that the federal health agency has accelerated the timeline for approval from January 2022 to an unofficial deadline of Labor Day on September 6.

The FDA gave emergency use authorization to the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine in mid-December 2020, making it the first to be distributed in the U.S.

Full approval by the FDA could push more Americans to get the COVID-19 vaccine as it might reduce their fears about the safety of the shot.

It comes as the country enters its fourth wave of the pandemic with average daily cases surpassing 90,000, which is the highest figure recorded since February.

The FDA is hoping to grant full approval to Pfizer-BioNTech's coronavirus vaccine by early September with an unofficial deadline of Labor Day. Pictured: A vial of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in Potsdam, Germany, January 2021

It comes as average daily cases surpass 90,000, which is the highest figure seen since February and a 283% jump in the last three weeks

Because Pfizer's vaccine is currently approved for use on an emergency basis, it is still considered somewhat experimental despite data showing it safe and effective.

Additionally, emergency use authorization requires less clinical trial data, with the FDA only requiring two months of follow-up before approving the shot for those 16 and older last year compared to six months for full approval.

In a statement to DailyMail.com, an FDA spokeswoman said the agency could not comment on specific timing, but has been moving as quickly as possible to review Pfizer's application.

'Acknowledging the urgency related to the current state of the pandemic, we have taken an all-hands-on-deck approach, including identifying additional resources such as personnel and technological resources from across the agency and opportunities to reprioritize other activities, in order to complete our review to help combat this pandemic surge,' the statement read.

The designation is also intended to be temporary.

If and when the shot is fully approved, companies and schools may feel more comfortable requiring employees and students to get it.

A recent report from the Kaiser Family Foundation found three in ten unvaccinated adults said they would be more likely to get vaccinated if one of the vaccines were fully approved.

However, the researchers warned that most unvaccinated respondents did not understand the FDA approval process and may just be looking for a reason to not get vaccinated.

'If vaccines are fully authorized, that would take that excuse [for not getting vaccinated] off the table,' Dr William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine and infectious diseases at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told DailyMail.com in an interview last week.

'If fully licensed, I think that movement of [vaccine] mandates would accelerate and generate lots of vaccinations.'

The decision would also allow the vaccine makers to market their shots directly to the general public.

President Joe Biden said last week he expected the FDA to make the decision by early fall, but didn't provide any additional details.

The spread of the highly contagious Indian 'Delta' Covid variant has fueled a new surge in infections.

Cases have risen in nearly 90 percent of U.S. jurisdictions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

What's more, average daily infections have risen 283 percent in the last three weeks from 23,613 to 90,576 - Johns Hopkins data show - and are currently at their highest levels since February 2021.

Deaths, which are a lagging indicator have also begun rising after holding flat for about a month, by 53.3 percent in the last three weeks from an average of 260 virus-related fatalities ore day to an average of 399 per day.
Unvaccinated Americans largely blame foreign travelers, the mainstream media and President Joe Biden for the recent surge of COVID-19 cases in the U.S., a new poll finds.

Average daily infections have risen 283 percent in the last three weeks - from 23,613 to 90,576 - and are currently at their highest levels since February 2021.

The survey conducted by Axios-Ipsos showed that that vaccinated Americans overwhelmingly blame the unvaccinated, with 78 percent saying people who haven't gotten their shots are responsible for the summer surge.

But those who haven't received vaccines believe the spike is mainly caused by visitors from other countries.

A vast majority of vaccinated Americans blame the unvaccinated for the recent surge in COVID-19 cases. The unvaccinated blame foreigners, Joe Biden and some public health officials

Biden's COVID response plan so far has focused on getting more Americans vaccinated to protect them from the virus. Pictured: President Biden delivers remarks on the efforts to get more Americans vaccinated, July 2021

It seems unvaccinated Americans aren't sure which people or groups are to blame and their views are more split than their vaccinated peers.

More than a third of the unvaccinated, 36.7 percent, blame foreign travelers while 27.1 percent blame mainstream media.

They also blame public figures such as President Joe Biden and national health experts like Dr Anthony Fauci at 21.4 percent and 17.6 percent respectively.

Some unvaccinated Americans also say the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is at vault with 18.6 percent assigning blame to the agency.

Vaccinated Americans largely let them skate by, with only 11.5 percent pointing the finger at Biden, 9.8 percent at the CDC and 6.8 percent at national public health officials.

Biden has largely focused his pandemic response on getting more Americans vaccinated, investing more into acquiring the vaccine and delivering funds to struggling areas to boost their vaccine rollouts.

The President set a goal of getting 70 percent of American adults partially vaccinated by July 4, though the nation did not reach that mark until 29 days later on August 2.

He also ordered that all federal workers either get vaccinated, or agree to abide by masking and distancing guidelines in the workplace.

While vaccinated Americans largely blame the unvaccinated at 78.6 percent - who make up a majority of COVID-19 cases and deaths - some conservative figures are getting blamed as well.

Former President Donald Trump is blamed by 35.7 percent of the vaccinated, the poll found.

Trump was heavily criticized last year for his mishandling of the pandemic.

In the time since he has left office, though, he has gotten vaccinated and even pushed his conservative base - who are less likely to have received the shots so far - to get vaccinated as well.

President Donald Trump is blamed by many vaccinated people for the current surge in COVID cases. Trump is vaccinated, and encouraged his supporters to get jabbed. Pictured: Former President Trump makes an entrance at the Rally To Protect Our Elections conference in Phoenix, Arizona, July 2021

Trump dodges criticism from the unvaccinated, with only 11.2 percent blaming him.

Many unvaccinated Americans - 27.1 percent - blame the mainstream media, though conservative media eats little of the blame at only 7.5 percent.

Vaccinated Americans point more at conservative media, with 33.4 percent blaming the right-wing media sphere.

Some popular figures in right wing media - most notably Fox News' Tucker Carlson, one of the most popular hosts on television - have spread skepticism and misinformation about the vaccines.

Meanwhile, conservative politicians have tended to blame of the surge on foreign travelers.

Senator Ted Cruz, a Republican from Texas, blamed migrants coming over the border for surges of cases in South Texas last month.

'We're seeing COVID positivity rates rising in South Texas. We're seeing COVID positivity rising in Laredo. We're seeing COVID positivity rising in San Antonio,' Cruz said at a news conference last month.

'Just yesterday, I spoke with the mayor of Uvalde, Texas, who said as a result of the illegal immigrants being released - in Uvalde they're seeing COVID positivity spiking up. And Biden wants to release even more COVID positive illegal immigrants. This is lunacy.'

In Texas, cases have grown by 211 percent over the past two weeks, from 3,469 on July 20 to 10,821 on August 3.

Gov Greg Abbot has blamed immigrants for his state's recent COVID surge. An executive order telling state troopers to pull over trucks carrying migrants was struck down by a federal court

Texas Gov Greg Abbott, also a Republican, also pointed the finger at foreigners.

At the end of July, he signed an executive order to instruct state troopers to pull over vehicles carrying migrants, and either reroute them or seize the, in an effort to curb COVID-19.

The move received swift condemnation, including from the American Immigrant Council (AIC).

'It is mind-blowingly fascistic that Abbott is literally citing COVID while ordering police to forcibly seize the vehicles of big-hearted Texans who are helping migrants while simultaneously screaming about the need to protect Texans' freedom from mask mandates,' wrote Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, policy counsel at AIC, wrote on Twitter.

A federal judge blocked the order from Abbott on Tuesday, saying it could lead to racial profiling.

Senator Jon Barrasso, a Republican from Wyoming, also blamed case surges on immigrants coming over the border last month.

There has been no demonstrated link between large case surges around the country and immigrants coming over the southern border, especially in states like Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Missouri and South Carolina, which do not share a border with Mexico yet still have the country's largest COVID-19 surges.

Around 25 percent of vaccinated people and 22.7 percent of unvaccinated people also blame Americans who are travelling internationally for a recent uptick in cases.

The United States is averaging 92,000 new cases every day as a Indian 'Delta' variant caused fourth wave of the pandemic is underway.

Cases have grown by 139 percent - from 38,453 on July 20 - in the past two weeks.

Over the last month, cases have grown by 357 percent, up from 20,104 new cases a day on July 3.

The U.S. south - where vaccination rates are the lowest - is being hit the hardest.

All 50 states are now seeing an increased demand for the vaccines in the wake of recent surges.
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The average number of daily COVID-19 cases being reported in the U.S. has reached a six-month high as the Indian 'Delta' variant continued to spread across the country.

On Wednesday, officials recorded 106,557 new cases of the virus with a seven-day rolling average of 90,576, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

This represents a 283 percent from the average of 23,613 reported three weeks ago and is the highest figure seen since February 14, when the average sat at 94,551, according to a DailyMail.com analysis.

Every state - aside from Kansas - and the District of Columbia have seen infections either increase or remain steady in the last seven days.

Deaths, which are a lagging indicator, are also starting to tick upward.

There were 616 virus-related fatalities recorded on Wednesday with a seven-day rolling average of 399, which a 53 percent increase from the average of 260 reported three weeks prior and the highest number seen since June 9.

It comes as the Delta variant continues to the drive the latest surge in cases, particularly in states with lower vaccination rates.

However, the World Health Organization called for moratorium on booster shots on Wednesday until the end of September so all countries can vaccinate at least 10 percent of their populations.

On Tuesday, Dr Anthony Fauci said the U.S. is currently on a trajectory in its Indian 'Delta' Covid outbreak that is similar to the one seen in the UK earlier this year.

Daily cases in Britain have hit a five-week low after peaking around 54,000 in mid-July, meaning the U.S. could see a similar trend in the next two to three weeks.

'Since an acceleration of vaccines doesn't give a result until several weeks after, we are already on a trajectory that looks strikingly similar to the sharp incline that the UK saw,' he said in a conversation with the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

On Wednesday, the U.S. recorded 106,557 new cases of coronavirus with a seven-day rolling average of 90,576, a 283% increase from the 23,613 recorded three weeks ago and the highest average since February 14

COVID-19 deaths are also rising with 616 recorded on Wednesday with a seven-day rolling average of 399, which is the highest figure since early June

Every state, aside from Kansas, and the District from Columbia are seeing coronavirus cases either increase or hold steady in the last week

Florida is currently recording the highest number of average infections per day in the nation with 22,145 reported on Tuesday.

This means the Sunshine State has seen cases rise by 111 percent in two weeks from an average of 10,452 cases per day, a DailyMail.com analysis of data from Johns Hopkins University shows.

On Tuesday, Florida reported an all-time high of 11,515 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

This not only breaks the 10,389 record set the day before but surpasses the previous record set on July 23, with 10,170 hospitalizations, before vaccines were available.

Despite the rising number of cases and hospitalizations, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis insisted on Tuesday that he will not invoke another shutdown.

'We're not shutting down,' he said at a press conference.

'These interventions have failed time and time again throughout this pandemic, not just in the United States but abroad. They have not stopped the spread. And particularly with Delta, which is even more transmissible, if it didn't stop it before, it definitely ain't going to stop it now.'

As of Wednesday, 58.4 percent of Floridians have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose and 49.1 percent are fully vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In Florida, infections have risen by 111% in two weeks from an average of 10,452 cases per day to 22,145 (left). On Tuesday, Florida reported an all-time high of 11,515 hospitalized COVID-19 patients (right)

In Louisiana, cases are rising rapidly from an average of 2,414 per day to 3,965 per day (left). Currently, 2,112 patients are hospitalized with the virus, a record-high number (right)

Cases in South Carolina have soared by 209 percent over the last 14 days from an average of 718 per day to 2,225 per day (left). Hospitalizations have also risen by 170 percent over the same time period from 219 patients to 593 (right)

Meanwhile, in nearby Louisiana, cases are also rising rapidly from an average of 2,414 per day to 3,965 per day, up 64 percent over the last two weeks, the DailyMail.com analysis found.

Just last week, the state recorded its highest average ever at 4,622 cases per day.

According to the state's Department of Health, 2,112 patients are currently hospitalized with the virus, a record number and surpassing the previous high of 2,069 recorded on January 7.

It prompted Republican Governor John Bel Edwards to issue an indoor mask mandate, regardless of vaccination status.

'Nobody should be laboring under the misapprehension that this is just another surge,' Edwards said during a press conference on Monday.

'We've already had three of these. This is the worst one we've had thus far.'

The state's vaccination rate is behind the national average with 43 percent of residents having received at least one dose and only 37.1 percent fully vaccinated, CDC data show.

Recently, South Carolina has also been emerging as a new pandemic hotspot.

In the last two weeks, cases have soared by 209 percent over the last 14 days from an average of 718 per day to 2,225 per day, one of the biggest increases seen in the U.S.

Hospitalizations have also risen by 170 percent over the same time period from 219 patients to 593, according to data from the CDC.

The state's Department of Health and Environmental Control says the surge is likely due to the Delta variant, which makes up more than half of all cases undergoing genomic sequencing.

Last month, the variant only made up five percent of cases, indicating a rapid increase in transmission, which DHEC spokesman Derrek Asberry said is 'incredibly concerning,' according to The State.

'Given that the Delta variant has proven to be more transmissible than prior strains, the spread of it could increase faster and/or to a larger degree,' he said.

Also to blame is the state's low vaccination rate, with only 47.2 percent of residents having received at least an initial shot of the COVID-19 vaccine and 47.1 percent fully vaccinated.
Recipients of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine in San Francisco will be able to request a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna Covid vaccine.

The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) and Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital made the announcement on Tuesday.

The SFDPH said that it decided to make the decision after receiving requests from residents to get a second shot for extra protection against COVID-19.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is hoping to track down and record these types of shots - which they have not yet approved.

San Francisco residents who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be allowed to request a 'supplemental' dose of the Pfizer or Moderna shots, Pictured: Carl Champion receives the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in San Francisco, California, April 2021

The Johnson and Johnson vaccine is believed to be effective at combatting all strains of COVID-19, including the Delta variant. Pictured: a vial of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine

'We have gotten requests based on patients talking to their physicians, and that's why we are allowing the accommodations,' said Naveena Bobba, deputy director of health at SFDPH, per CNBC.

San Francisco officials do not want to refer to these shots as booster shots, instead referring to them as 'supplemental doses'.

The CDC does not yet recommend Americans get boosters - or additional COVID-19 shots, though officials are discussing the potential of approving third doses in the near future.

Taking matters into your own hands, and getting a third dose before approved, is not recommended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Mixing different COVID-19 vaccines with one another is also not recommended by federal health officials at this time.

However, the practice has been adopted in another countries, such as Thailand and Canada, despite the lack of data on long-term effects.

The CDC has launched trials to investigate the matter, though.

The SFDPH says that its decision is not a deviation from CDC recommendations.

'This move does not represent a change in policy for SFDPH,' the agency said in a statement.

'We continue to align with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance and do not recommend a booster shot at this time. We will continue to review any new data and adjust our guidance, if necessary.'

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is the only one dose Covid vaccine available in the United States.

While the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been maligned by some in comparison to the other two vaccines available, it is believed to be effective against the Indian 'Delta' variant that is causing case surges across the country.

At the start of July, J&J published data showing their vaccine was effective at preventing complications from the variant, even eight months after receival.

Many are seeking out third doses anyways, though, even lying about being fully vaccinated to get jabbed once again.

Dr Rochelle Walensky, director of the CDC, said earlier this week that her agency has the ability to find these incidents in their data.

The U.S. is currently sitting on a large surplus of vaccines, leading to many providers not being shrewd with their supply.

Some experts recommend they begin checking vaccine records to avoid giving someone an unapproved COVID vaccine dose.

'Reviewing a person's history before administration has been the best practice for many years,' Rebecca Coyle, executive director of the American Immunization Registry Association, told STAT News.

'It's time for a conversation about 'Maybe I should do that,' as it hasn't been on everyone's minds yet.'

Health insurers, which are billed by providers when a someone they cover is vaccinated, may also have a right to refuse the bills since they are not approved.

It is unsure whether these costs will be passed over to the patient instead.
Brain Hayes (pictured), Macon County Coroner, admitted to the KC Star that he was removing COVID-19 from death certificates. The coroner, an elected Republican, was arrested for DWI in 2018. Pictured: Hayes' mugshot from the arrest

A small Missouri county may be undercounting COVID-19 cases because the virus is being removed as cause of death from some death certificates.

Brian Hayes, coroner of Macon County - which is home to 15,000 residents - told the Kansas City Star that he has excluded coronavirus at the request of family members.

The Kansas City Star reports that up to a dozen potential COVID-19 deaths have been undercounted by Hayes and that the death toll of 19 could actually be 30 or higher.

While small, Macon County plays into a larger ongoing issue in the way Missouri records COVID-19 deaths, which includes not counting any cases missing a positive PCR test in official death counts.

Hayes, a Republican who was elected to his position, told the Star that he would replace the deaths on some certificates with pneumonia or another symptom of the virus instead of COVID itself.

The action is not illegal unless in the case of a criminal investigation, though it is frowned upon.

However, he only did it it he could saw another major factor as playing a role in the person's cause of death.

'A lot of families were upset. They didn't want COVID on the death certificates,' Hayes said.

'I won't lie for them. It's gotta be true, but I do what pleases the family.'

Deaths in Missouri may be undercounted across the state.

In total, the state has recorded 10,000 COVID deaths, thought the figure is likely even higher.

A person who tests positive for COVID-19 via a rapid antigen test, and never takes a PCR test - which takes days for results tp be returned - before they die, is not counted as a COVID-19 death by official totals.

Antigen tests account for around 25 percent of COVID-19 tests administered in the state, according to official data.

Missouri has been criticized for this decision, for which it is among only a handful of states to do so.

Cases in Missouri are trending downwards again after a massive surge of cases in June and July

In general, Missouri coroners have had trouble properly recording deaths, with an analysis finding that nearly half of deaths in the state were misreported in 2017.

Hayes said that families who asked him often were traumatized by the virus, and did not want to see the word 'COVID' on a death certificate.

This is not the first time the coroner has been involved in controversy.

In 2018, Hayes was charged with misdemeanor driving while intoxicated after crashing his car in downtown Macon.

No one was injured in the crash.

The coroner's reveal comes as Missouri is recovering from a massive COVID-19 surge over the past few months.

Cases spiked from around 300 new infections per day in early June to more than 2,600 cases per day in late July.

Things are trending in the right direction now, though, as the average new cases per day has fallen to around 2,300, and will likely fall more in the coming days.

Macon County stayed in the single digit daily case average throughout the surge, and has remained at that level since March.

Deaths may be being undercounted throughout the country.

An analysis by the University of Washington from May predicted the true death total in the United States at the time could be as high as 900,000.

As of now, 614,000 COVID-19 deaths have been officially recorded out of over 35 millions cases - both the highest totals in the world.

Some predict the country's crisis is likely to get worse, with Dr Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, projecting cases could get reach high as 200,000 per day in the coming weeks before declining.
Admiral Lord West was in charge of the Navy from 2002 to 2006

A former Royal Navy chief is the latest public figure to sound the alarm on takeover offers for British defence companies Meggitt and Ultra Electronics.

Admiral Lord West (pictured), who was in charge of the Navy from 2002 to 2006, said he believed there would be a real risk to the UKs long-term security and military capabilities if the FTSE 250 firms are sold.

Meggitt has agreed a 6.3 billion deal with US industrials giant Parker-Hannifin, while Ultra Electronics said in late July it was minded to accept a 2.6 billion bid from American private equity giant Advent International. Wests intervention comes as politicians and the industry have become alarmed by a raid on UK plc by foreign buyers and private equity groups keen to snap up companies whose values have plunged during the pandemic.

Firms such as the AA, Aggreko, St Modwen Properties and supermarket Morrisons have all been targeted. But the loss of aerospace and defence companies could see the UK lose access to vital technology and leave workers with world-leading skills without jobs.

West told the Mail: All these are superb UK companies but theyve all been weakened on the stock exchange because of Covid  and all are now vulnerable to takeovers.

'I do believe there is a real risk to the UKs long-term security and military capability, and it could have a big impact on skilled jobs. The Government has got to take some very resolute action on this.

Meggitt has agreed a 6.3 billion deal with US industrials giant Parker-Hannifin

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng is monitoring the Ultra and Meggitt deals, fuelling speculation he plans to intervene if the deals are formalised. Kwarteng can launch investigations into takeovers that can weigh up whether they are a threat to the UKs security.

Meggitts board has backed the deal but it will still need shareholder sign-off, while Ultras suitor Advent has not yet tabled an official offer. Parker proposed legally binding promises in its bid, which include keeping Meggitts HQ in the UK, continuing to take on apprentices and investing more in its research division.

It has put these forward after Advent was scrutinised by the Government over its 4 billion deal to buy Cobham last year. West said firms that break undertakings agreed with ministers should be fined. He said: Money always makes these people think. If you can tie it to some huge penalty if they break the undertaking, then they might think twice.
Rio Tinto has been accused of short-changing the traditional owners of an iron ore mine in Western Australia  to the tune of 200 million.

A year after blowing up the sacred Juukan Gorge caves in the Pilbara, the mining giant has clashed with other aboriginal communities in Australia's iron ore heartlands.

This dispute centres on almost 25 years of royalties the Gumala Aboriginal Corporation (GAC) says it is owed by Rio from the Yandicoogina mine as part of an agreement signed in 1997.

Backlash: The Yandicoogina mine in Western Australia

Relations have soured since July last year when Rio was scrambling to make amends with traditional landowners following the Juukan Gorge scandal. The Anglo-Australian giant wrote to the GAC declaring it had underpaid royalties from the Yandicoogina mine 'for a number of years' totalling 21 million plus interest.

The cheque was rejected by the GAC which ordered a forensic audit of royalties paid since 1997. The audit, which was funded by Rio, is understood to have identified up to 210 million in underpayments, according to The Australian newspaper.

The sums at stake are insignificant for Rio, which last week announced it had raked in almost 9 billion in profits in the first half of the year on the back of a boom in iron ore prices driven by FTSE 100 giant accused of short-changing Australian aboriginal land owners by 200 million Page 75 demand from China.

Shareholders have been lined up for a record half-year dividend of 6.6 billion. The FTSE 100 giant will be desperate to head off another public row with indigenous communities after promising to treat them more fairly.

Relations have soured since July last year when Rio was scrambling to make amends with traditional landowners following the Juukan Gorge scanda

Rio faced international condemnation and a shareholder backlash after destroying the sacred Juukan Gorge, which contained DNA of ancestors of the Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura people dating back 46,000 years.

The GAC, represents three aboriginal groups  the Banjima, Yinhawangka and Nyiyaparli  and distributes mining royalties to alleviate poverty, sickness and homelessness. Its 1997 agreement with Rio is one of the oldest between native title owners and a major miner.

Royalties are calculated based on the level of ground disturbance around the mine, with adjustments for the iron ore price. The disagreement between Rio  led by chief executive Jakob Stausholm (pictured)  and the GAC revolves around differences in their interpretation of what constitutes 'disturbance'.

Rio is led by chief executive Jakob Stausholm

Rio's initial offer of 21 million was based on a recognition that it failed to include damage to the land caused by infrastructure, such as railways, in its original payments. But the GAC audit also included land that had been 'partially' affected by mining operations, to come up with a far bigger sum.

Rio said it was only provided with a copy of the report last Thursday and is in 'talks with the GAC in an effort to resolve this issue related to historical payment for infrastructure ground disturbance'.

A spokesman said: 'Rio Tinto has provided both GAC and its auditors with all relevant information, including aerial surveys and detailed financial models of payment calculations.'

Indigenous groups argue they have been exploited for decades and want new laws giving them the power to veto projects. Under controversial aboriginal heritage laws drafted in Western Australia almost 50 years ago, mining firms can be granted ministerial consent to destroy or damage sacred sites.

The Western Australian government promised to bring in new legislation following the Juukan Gorge scandal. But although the draft bill gives indigenous groups the right to appeal against mining projects, the state's aboriginal affairs minister has the final say.
The boss of L&G has urged pension funds and savers to invest more in Britain

The boss of Legal & General (L&G) has urged pension funds and savers to invest more in Britain if they want to stop the stock market being plundered by pandemic predators.

Nigel Wilson, who has led the insurance giant for nearly a decade, said he was increasingly worried about companies being snapped up by private equity giants and overseas rivals.

He has urged UK investors to get better at investing in domestic companies and realising their value, adding: 'We have to invest more in the UK. There's a big difference between being a UK company and being a subsidiary of a foreign company, in terms of where the decisions are made and the levers are pulled.'

Companies including grocer Morrisons, defence firms Ultra Electronics and Meggitt, and housebuilder St Modwen have all found themselves in bidders' crosshairs in recent weeks. L&G, which is the UK's largest provider of workplace pensions, with more than 1 trillion of savers' money, has been trying for several years to push for greater flexibility in where pension pots can be invested.

It already invests in affordable housing, and has a partnership with Oxford University to build homes for students and staff.

But Wilson thinks pension pots could be used to boost the economy, while also still providing a good return for savers, if more of the money went towards venture capital, green infrastructure and affordable homes.

L&G unveiled its results for the first half of the year. Operating profit climbed 14pc to 1.1bn, and its investment management business pulled in 27.4bn more. It will pay a dividend of 5.18p, up 5pc from last year.
The bosses of Meggitt could reap more than 12 million from the sale of the company to US industrials giant Parker-Hannifin. The company became a takeover target on Monday when Parker tabled a 6.3 billion bid for the FTSE 250 firm.

The deal values its stock at 800p per share  a whopping 70 per cent more than it was worth before the approach  and the board has backed the deal.

If it goes through, chief executive Tony Wood could take away as much as 7.4 million from the sale of his stake in the company and his long-term share awards.

Meggitt traces its history back to 1850s and the invention of the altitude meter for the hot air balloon. It now has a 9,000-strong global workforce, including 2,000 in the UK, and makes parts for planes and military aircraft such as the F/A18 Hornet

Finance boss Louisa Burdett could pocket up to 2.8 million. And chairman Sir Nigel Rudd, dubbed by his critics 'The Man Who Sold Britain', will receive 2 million for his 250,000 shares.

Coventry-based Meggitt traces its history back to 1850s and the invention of the altitude meter for the hot air balloon. It now has a 9,000-strong global workforce, including 2,000 in the UK, and makes parts for planes and military aircraft such as the Royal Air Force's Typhoon jets.

Wood, 55, has led it since the start of 2018, when he was promoted from operations chief. He was previously the head of Rolls-Royce's aerospace division. Burdett, 52, assumed her role in 2019, after four years at Victrex. Rudd, 74, has been at the helm of Meggitt's board since 2015.

He was planning to step down as chairman last year but when Covid broke out postponed his retirement to give continuity. Rudd has earned more than 2.1 million in chairman fees from his time at Meggitt, and owns another 2 million of shares in the group.

Should the merger go through, it will be the seventh mega-deal Rudd has overseen with an overseas buyer, and the second in a year. He also chaired Signature Aviation  previously known as BBA  when it was sold to a consortium including Microsoft founder Bill Gates and private equity firm Blackstone last year.

The serial chairman sold a series of businesses between 2006 and 2016, including glass maker Pilkington and Boots. The Meggitt trio's takings would be determined by a board committee that decides their remuneration packages.

The head of Parliament's defence committee, Tobias Ellwood, has said the Government should take 'golden shares' in companies such as Meggitt to stop them falling prey to foreign takeovers

Parker said in its offer documents that the pay committee is likely to hand Wood and Burdett less than the full amount of shares that are bound up in long-term performance plans. But it is at their discretion, and often in takeovers these board groups allow bosses to receive the maximum amount of shares.

Rudd, Wood and Burdett's payouts could come at the expense of UK jobs and factories. Parker's bid has proven controversial, and it comes at the same time as US private equity group Advent International is trying to buy Meggitt's FTSE 250 peer Ultra Electronics.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng is closely monitoring the deal talks, signalling he is considering intervening. Although Parker has taken the rare step of offering a string of promises, such as keeping Meggitt's headquarters in the UK and investing in its research division, almost all the undertakings only cover a 12-month period.

This has prompted concerns about the long-term prospects for its staff, sites and technology.

Meggitt chief executive Tony Wood

There is now a growing chorus of politicians and former military chiefs urging ministers to call in the deals and investigate them to see if they pose a threat to Britain's national security.

The head of Parliament's defence committee, Tobias Ellwood, has said the Government should take 'golden shares' in companies such as Meggitt to stop them falling prey to foreign takeovers. Such shares, which ministers have in BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce, mean they can veto takeovers.

And the former head of the Royal Navy, Admiral Lord West, has said he believes the Meggitt swoop could be a threat to national security. He added that ministers should consider levying fines against companies that break their undertakings.
Regina Turner was a high school dropout who grew up in an untidy three-bedroom home on a busy main street in a middle-class Connecticut quarry town.

She planned to follow in the health-care footsteps of her parents, by becoming a dental assistant, or maybe even a dentist.

But after winning a beauty pageant, Turner's modest dreams were suddenly eclipsed when a world-renowned, multi-millionaire spinal surgeon whisked her off her feet, married her and introduced her to a life of unimaginable luxury.

And a decade after quitting school in her sophomore year, she had managed to get it all, living with her new husband Dr. Han Jo Kim in a magnificent Upper East Side apartment with panoramic views over Manhattan.

If that weren't enough, she and Kim could while away their summers in a $2.6 million vacation home set on more than an acre of land overlooking the Long Island Sound. They took no-expense-spared vacations to Greece, Spain and France.

But now Turner's meteoric rise in fortune is over after Kim sensationally divorced her, claiming in divorce papers she worked as a high-end hooker before and throughout their 5-year marriage.

Manhattan spinal surgeon Dr. Han Jo Kim, 41, divorced his beauty queen wife Regina Turner, 32, (pictured together) after claiming he discovered she was a high-end hooker

DailyMail.com can reveal Regina Turner was a high school dropout who grew up in an untidy three-bedroom home on a busy main street in a middle-class Connecticut quarry town. Her family home (pictured) has seen better days. Small saplings grow from the foundations around the door and mildew covers the clapboard

Millionaire surgeon Dr. Kim said he never would have married former Miss Connecticut Regina Turner had he known of her past. The couple are pictured on their wedding day in 2015

In a 264-page court filing in New York, Dr. Han Jo Kim claimed he found out about his wife's secret double life after he found a raunchy iMessage to her on a computer.

In a 264-page court filing in New York, Dr. Han Jo Kim claimed he found out about his wife's secret double life after he found a raunchy iMessage to her on a computer

When he dug deeper, Kim found she had made nearly $700,000 from her work in the oldest profession, going off to China for weeks at a time, supposedly because she was developing a clothing app.

'In fact such travel was in connection with defendant's provision of sexual services in exchange for money,' her husband said in his court filing.

'Not to belabor the obvious but ... defendant clearly committed material fraud upon Dr. Kim by concealing her sale of sexual services in exchange for money prior to the marriage,' the doctor said.

'As is further obvious, plaintiff would have never married defendant absent her lies and concealment.

'It remains inconceivable to plaintiff that given his substantial earnings as a spine surgeon, and his enormous generosity to defendant, that defendant continued to sell sex for money during the marriage,' he continued.

The couple settled their divorce confidentially last week, one day after Kim's allegations about his wife were made public. He had wanted an annulment on grounds of fraud.

Regina Turner, 32, grew up in Portland  a small eastern Connecticut town whose quarries provided much of the material for New York's famed brownstone townhouses.

Her family home has seen better days. Small saplings grow from the foundations around the door and mildew covers the clapboard.

Her younger sister Iseabal told DailyMail.com that Regina was 'unavailable' before firmly shutting the door.

Regina's younger sister Iseabal (pictured) told DailyMail.com that Regina was 'unavailable' before firmly shutting the door

Regina stands out among the many awkward teens in Portland High School yearbook pictures in her freshman and sophomore years, with her confident beaming smile and long dark ha

Regina stands out among the many awkward teens in Portland High School yearbook pictures in her freshman and sophomore years, with her confident beaming smile and long dark hair.

When he dug deeper, Kim found she had made nearly $700,000 from her work in the oldest profession, going off to China for weeks at a time, supposedly because she was developing a clothing app

'She was beautiful even then,' one classmate told DailyMail.com. 'As you can imagine she was the one that all the boys wanted to date.

'I sure had a crush on her. I think every boy in Portland did.'

But there is no mention of Turner in the yearbooks in what should have been her upperclassman years of 2007 and 2008, supporting Kim's court claims that she never graduated high school.

Kim, 41, claimed his wife had told him she had taken a leave of absence from the University of Connecticut  where she was three years into a science major  after winning the Miss Connecticut USA title in 2011.

In fact, she went to the somewhat less prestigious Tunxis Community College in Farmington.

She struggled for money. Records show she was twice sued for non-payment of rent on an apartment on New York City's Mott Street. One was for $10,185 and the second for $13,845.

But Regina Turner's life changed when she won her state's beauty pageant, putting her into the Donald Trump-run Miss USA pageant.

Kim, 41, claimed his wife had told him she had taken a leave of absence from the University of Connecticut  where she was three years into a science major  after winning the Miss Connecticut USA title in 2011. But DailyMail.com has learned she was a high school dropout

Regina's life changed when she won her state's beauty pageant, putting her into the Donald Trump-run Miss USA pageant

At the time, she told the Middletown Press she was confident of lifting the national title.

'Whenever I decide to do something, I go all in,' she said. 'I truthfully expect to win. I do it well, and I do it the right way. I put all my heart into it, and I always try my best.'

'I hope this title will help me with school, as well as furthering my hobbies of modeling and acting,' Turner added. 'Possibly, I can turn those hobbies into a second career.'

But according to Kim, her second career was much seedier. Three prominent men  a New Jersey real estate executive, an award-winning lighting designer and a businessman  were all regular clients, he said.

According to her bank records, which Kim subpoenaed, the real estate executive wrote out several $2,000 checks for cash that ended up in Turner's account. The lighting designer's company wired her a total of $116,000 over six years, much of it in payments of $10,000 each.

Financial records from Turner's account showed cash deposits of $675,030 between 2015 and 2021, even though she claimed she earned nothing and was 'totally dependent on' Kim.

Kim's work straightening backs earned him $3.2 million in 2018. His luxurious weekend home is in Greenport, on the North Fork of Long Island (pictured)

Kim had arrived at the house, a three-hour drive from his Manhattan apartment, shortly after noon on Friday. He had driven there in his $200,000 black convertible Aston Martin DB11 Volante

Kim's work straightening backs earned him $3.2 million in 2018. He has a champagne lifestyle  a crate of Veuve Clicquot was just inside the front door of his luxurious weekend home in Greenport, on the North Fork of Long Island, when DailyMail.com knocked.

Kim had arrived at the house, a three-hour drive from his Manhattan apartment, shortly after noon on Friday. He had driven there in his $200,000 black convertible Aston Martin DB11 Volante  top speed 192 mph.

He refused to comment to DailyMail.com. 'You've got to get off my property right now,' he said before going back inside the house he bought in 2018.

Kim wins plaudits for being a genius as a back surgeon at New York's Hospital for Special Surgery, although many online reviews fault his bedside manner.

His online profile says he specializes in cervical spine and scoliosis surgery. He is the Director of the Spine Fellowship and has won 'multiple awards in the national and international arena.'

'Dr. Kim believes in a comprehensive approach to patient care,' the profile reads. 'With individual patient goals in mind, if surgery is necessary, he will perform spine surgery utilizing the most effective and safe techniques tailored for each person in an effort to minimize complications, recovery time and optimize outcomes.'
A union chief slammed American Airlines for blaming the weather for them cancelling hundreds of flights and delaying thousands more since Sunday - as he says the airline's staffing issues and antiquated system are causing chaos for customers.

The airline had cancelled 632 flights, 11 per cent of its schedule, and delayed 632 flights, 21 per cent on Tuesday - affecting nearly 50,000 passengers.

Spirit Airlines canceled nearly half its schedule for Tuesday, the third straight day of extremely high cancellation numbers at the budget airline.

By afternoon, Spirit had canceled about 404 flights, or 58% of its schedule, according to the FlightAware tracking service, with 93 flights, or 13% of its schedule delayed. The blame appeared to lie at least partly with a technology outage affecting crew scheduling.

About three-fourths of the American cancellations appeared to be due at least partly to a lack of pilots, according to a company log. But American Airlines continues to blame the chaos on weather.

While weather was the catalyst to these mass cancellations and delays, union spokesman Pilot Dennis Tajer claims, 'You cant blame the weather on everything. The system is collapsing on the passengers, gate agents, and pilots.'

He explained to DailyMail.com that the hectic scene the past few days following Sunday's storm is, 'Not just because of weather but the inability to hold the schedule together.'

According to Tajer, American Airlines uses an 'antiquated' system that does not allow for flexibility to allow for adjustments when weather disrupts the schedule which is also exasperated by the lack of staff. He claims that while American Airlines has a larger percentage of pilots on reserve than most they're 'stingy with overtime' and are incapable of making quick scheduling fixes that follow the Federal Aviation Administration's max daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly hours that pilots are legally permitted to fly.

Passengers form a line that extends outside LAX Terminal 5 Tuesday morning

Flights all across the country were disrupted for the third day in a row

The mass cancelations were blamed on a thunderstorm in Dallas on Sunday night

Tajer questions, 'How long can you keep blaming the weather? It's not just because of weather but the inability to hold the schedule together.'

'Weather hits. We all get that but we have clear skies now and are still canceling flights,' he points out.

Tajer claims that, 'Enough is enough weve seen this happen a couple times and we need a team that will support us to get the job done to fly our passengers.' Speaking of the nearly 500,000 passengers who were affected by these cancellations and delays he says, 'Thats a lot of plans and events. A lot of that could have been avoided. We warned them in the spring.'

He says that American Airline workers have been complaining to management for some time now to fix these avoidable messes saying that the current system 'Is destined for failure' despite the fact that 'we have many of the solutions'. They just haven't been set in place.

Pilots share in the displaced passengers' frustration as they are also left stranded, missing their own scheduled plans. Tajer feels responsibility and compassion for his upset passenger's saying, 'Im responsible for them and protecting peoples wellbeing doesnt just stop at the door it's a personal commitment and we need that commitment from management.'

'Mother Nature creates a storm and then management creates a secondary storm.'

'Its pretty simple. They dont have enough pilots, and they dont have modern scheduling practices to do more with what they have,' Tajer. He said that bad weather 'hits every airline, but American is the last to recover. This has to change.'

American Airlines and Spirit Airlines are the only airlines still experiencing mass cancelations and delays days after the storm in Dallas

On Tuesday, American Airlines canceled 340 flights and delayed 632

Spirit Airlines canceled over half of flights scheduled for Tuesday by the afternoon

AA spokesperson Curtis Blessing insist that, '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. 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.'

'We worked throughout the day and night yesterday to reposition our aircraft and crews  many of who had timed out as a result of long delays and unexpected diversions, and we expect to see improvements to our operation today.'

American's difficulties Tuesday came as the airline canceled over 1,224 flight and delayed over 2,600 flights. Spirit canceled over 900 and delayed over 300 flights since Sunday, according to FlightAware. Most were at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, where thunderstorms disrupted flights for several hours Sunday.

The disruptions at American and Spirit 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 airline was proactively canceling some flights - dropping them before most passengers drive to the airport - to 'reset' the operation. Thousands of passengers have taken to social media to share their stories of chaotic travel experiences.

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 claims that 'disruptions caused by overlapping operational challenges including weather, system outages and staffing shortages'

@SpiritAirlines this is not it. Waited at the airport from 3PM to 10PM just so you can cancel the flight. Then we had to wait to speak with someone at the ticket counter for 5 hours and we were not even close. Due to COVID, we decided to leave the airport and call. pic.twitter.com/ctGPFRDQc7  johnny A. Vee (@xXAngelDelReyXx) August 3, 2021

Johnny Angel Villaneda, 28, was scheduled to fly from Las Vegas to Houston on flight 932 at 6:05 pm on Monday with his mother Ivonne Sandoval De Villaneda, 47. Johnny recounted his miserable travel experience to DailyMail.com.

They arrived to the airport at 3 pm but as they sat and waited they noticed 'the waiting area was packed, there were people laying on the floor, no seats and definitely no social distancing. While we were waiting, we noticed that only two ladies were working all of the gates for Spirit Airlines.'

They also kept hearing of other flight cancellations. 'Around 5:30 pm we were all getting worried because there was no one at the Gate 10 and we have not been boarded on the plane. Around 6:30 pm we were notified via the intercom that the flight to Houston was delayed until 8:30 pm. Around 8:45 pm, one of the ladies came to the gate and notified that they did not have any pilots available and that she was waiting to receive more information from corporate and that the flight was delayed until 9:00 pm.'

'During this time, fight attendants that were in the aircraft came out and they were telling us that they did not know what was going on, that they just knew that they did not have a pilot and that they are waiting on some pilots that will be arriving in another flight.'

The flight was not officially cancelled until 10 pm when passengers were advised to go downstairs to retrieve their luggage and then head to the ticket counter to sort out their travel.

'The ticket counter was busy. We got to the ticket counter around 10:30 pm. We kept calling Spirit Airline while in line, 3 times they answered and hung up quickly. We tried their chat feature, which kept telling us to call the reservation number.'

Thousands of passengers were affected by the scheduling disruptions

Upset passengers took to Twitter to share videos of the scene at airports across the country

Travelers were forced to wait in lines for hours hoping to be refunded or rebooked

Las Vegas Police arrived on the scene to help manage the crowd and handed out water bottles to the distraught travelers. The Villaneda's heard people in line saying that the airline was 'all out of vouchers, and that they were refusing to rebook flights.'

'There were only 3 people working at the ticket counter. We stayed in line until 4:00 am and we were nowhere near the ticket counter.' On the ride home Johnny was finally able to get in contact with Spirit at 5 am. 'We were told that we were already booked at an Alaska Airline which left at 7 am from Las Vegas to Portland with a layover of 6 hours then leaving from Portland to Houston.'

But the Villaneda's were already headed back to stay with their family. 'We told the lady on the phone that we were already heading back to Arizona and that we will not be making the flight on time, we also informed her that we did not receive any email or notification and that the Spirit Airline app on my phone still showed up as a cancelled flight.'

'She apologized and she said she was going to change the flight but that it will take about an hour or so to receive a confirmation. We got off the phone around 6 am. Around 8 am we decided to contact Spirit Airlines because we still have not received an email in regard to the new flight booking, we only received an email confirmation for the flight leaving at 7 am for Oregon at 7 am.'

But when Johnny called Spirit back he was not given good news, 'Once we called, they basically said that it was our fault, that they never promised to rebook and that we will not be receiving any refund for our flight. We have used Spirit Airlines before, and we never have experienced anything like this.'

Along with the emotional toll of the chaos, Johnny estimates that he and his mother spent nearly $800 on switching their travel plans. He says he plans to join other upset passengers in a class-action lawsuit.

Spirit Airlines did not respond to DailyMail.com requests for comments on the situation.

Southwest canceled about 3% of its flights Tuesday, and other large U.S. airlines had even fewer cancellations

Some passengers have threatened to file class action lawsuits against the airlines

Spokesperson Erik Hofmeyer released a statement saying, '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. 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.

Southwest canceled about 3% of its flights Tuesday, and other large U.S. airlines had even fewer cancellations, according to FlightAware. The numbers don't count flights on smaller planes that are branded as American Eagle, United Express or Delta Connection.
North Korea is pushing for the end of sanctions on imports of luxury goods including Kim Jong Un's favourite fine liquors, according to South Korean lawmakers.

North Korea wants international sanctions banning its metal exports and other necessities lifted before it restarts denuclearisation talks with the United States, lawmakers said.

The move is said to be an indication that Kim Jong Un and his elite are being hit hard by the sanctions, as a South Korean politician said the luxury goods would be 'distributed to Pyongyang's elite'.

It comes amid speculation about the North Korean dictator's health, after he was spotted last month with a dark spot on the back of his head.

Park Jie-won, head of the South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS), said in a briefing to lawmakers that North Korea had proposed a relaxation on sanctions.

North Korea reportedly wants sanctions on imports of luxury goods, including Kim Jong Un's (pictured) favourite liquors, lifted before it restarts denuclearisation talks with the US

The politician said that North Korea want sanctions to be eased on luxury goods, including high-class liquors and designer suits, 'not just for Kim Jong Un's own consumption'.

The briefing by Park Jie-won came a week after the two Koreas restored hotlines that North Korea suspended a year ago, the first hint in months that North Korea might be more responsive to engagement efforts.

'As a precondition to reopen talks, North Korea argues that the United States should allow mineral exports and imports of refined oil and necessities,' Ha Tae-keung, a member of the parliamentary intelligence committee, told reporters, citing Park.

'I asked which necessities they want the most, and they said high-class liquors and suits were included, not just for Kim Jong Un's own consumption but to distribute to Pyongyang's elite,' he added.

North Korea's state-run media made no mention on Tuesday of any new request for the lifting sanctions to restart talks.

Washington has given no indication of a willingness to ease sanctions ahead of any talks. Secretary of State Antony Blinken planned to call on Southeast Asian counterparts in a virtual meeting this week to fully implement sanctions on North Korea, department spokesman Ned Price said on Monday.

North Korea's state-run media made no mention on Tuesday of any new request for the lifting sanctions to restart talks. Pictured: Kim Jong Un on July 30

Price reiterated on Tuesday that the United States was willing to meet North Korea 'anytime, anywhere, without preconditions,' but there had been no response.

Another State Department spokesperson added: 'In the meantime, in the absence of any type of engagements, United Nations sanctions on (North Korea) remain in place and we will continue to enforce them along with the international community.'

The United Nations has imposed a wide range of sanctions on North Korea over its development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. The United States and others have also imposed their own sanctions.

North Korea has not tested a nuclear weapon or an intercontinental ballistic missile since 2017 and a historic meeting between Kim Jong Un and former U.S. President Donald Trump in 2018 raised hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough.

Trump had two subsequent meetings with Kim but made no progress in getting North Korea to give up its nuclear and missile programmes in exchange for sanctions relief.

Kim Byung-kee, another South Korean legislator, said North Korea appeared to have 'harboured discontent' with Washington for not offering concessions for the test freeze.

'The United States should be able to bring them back to dialogue by readjusting some sanctions,' Kim said, citing Park.

Kim Jong Un's sister, Kim Yo Jong warned South Korea on Sunday that its joint exercises with the United States, which North Korea sees as preparations for an invasion, would undermine a thaw between the two Koreas.

Trump had two subsequent meetings with Kim (both pictured) but made no progress in getting North Korea to give up its nuclear and missile programmes in exchange for sanctions relief

Kim Byung-kee quoted Park as saying there was 'a need to consider responding flexibly to South Korea-U.S. military exercises'.

Ha Tae-keung said Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in had expressed a willingness to rebuild trust and improve ties since April and Kim had asked to reconnect the hotlines.

The lawmakers said North Korea needed of some 1 million tonnes of rice, even after releasing reserves saved in case of war, as its economy had been battered by the coronavirus and bad weather.

'They're running out of the reserves and banking on some 400,000 tonnes of summer crops including barley and potatoes they've just harvested,' Kim Byung-kee said.

It comes after 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.

The news comes amid speculation about the North Korean dictator's (pictured) health, after he was spotted last month with a dark spot on the back of his head

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.

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.
Dr. Dre's estranged daughter has revealed she is homeless and has been living out of her car, while her superstar father is ordered to pay his ex-wife Nicole Young $300,000 a month in spousal support.

LaTanya Young, 38, works as a delivery driver for DoorDash and Uber Eats and as an assembler at a warehouse but claims that she can't afford to secure an apartment in California and is living in a rental vehicle.

The single mother-of-four told DailyMail.com that she has repeatedly asked her producer dad, who is said to be worth a colossal $800million, for financial help but she has not received a dime in 18 months.

LaTanya is Dr. Dre's daughter by Lisa Johnson, 53. The couple split when LaTanya was five years old.

She has not seen her famous father, whose legal name is Andre Romelle Young, in 18 years and doesn't even have his cell phone number, admitting that she has to communicate with him through his team.

Dr. Dre's eldest daughter LaTanya Young says she has been living out of her car while working as a delivery driver for DoorDash and Uber Eats to make ends meet

The single mother-of-four claims she can't afford to secure an apartment in California and has been trying to reach her multimillionaire father to ask for financial help

The hip hop legend, 55 - who is believed to be worth around $800million - is in the midst of a bitter divorce and was recently ordered to pay his ex-wife Nicole Young $300,000 a month in spousal support

LaTayna, mom of Tatiyana, 16, Rhiana, 13, D'Andre, eight, who is named after his grandfather, and Jason III, three, said: 'I've been working in a warehouse and doing Uber Eats and DoorDash.

'My kids are staying with friends - they are not living in the car, it's just me,' she told DailyMail.com.

'I'm taking odd jobs just to make it now - I got paid $15 an hour as an assembler at the warehouse.

'I'm trying to keep my head above water. I've been in debt for a while.'

LaTanya said she now fears she will lose her rental car as she has not been able to make payments.

'The car is a pretty penny,' she said. 'It's an SUV that costs $2,300 for three weeks and I only paid for one week.

'Sooner or later they are going to take the car.'

LaTanya moved with her kids from Nevada to California a month ago in the hope that she would earn better money after her work dried up.

'The wage is higher in California - there was no work in Nevada.

'There weren't enough jobs.

'I have friends and family that will let us come back and forth but the majority of the time I'm living out of my car,' she added.

Dre and ex-girlfriend Lisa Johnson had three children together: LaTanya (right), LaToya, now 36, (center) and Ashley (left), now 35

Ever since she was a little girl, LaTanya claims, she was forced to go through her father's staff to communicate with him

Dre split with Johnson, 53, when LaTanya was five years old. Pictured: LaTanya's birth certificate

LaTanya has been asking Dr. Dre's lawyer for help but he has told her that since she has spoken about her father to the press in the past, he will not give her any money.

She added that it pains her that her children have never met their famous grandfather.

'I'm homeless and I've been reaching out to my dad for help.

'His lawyer has said that my dad doesn't want to help me because I've spoken about him in the press.

'I feel like I'm damned if I do, I'm damned if I don't.

'I'm just trying to communicate with him and see if he wants to talk to his grandkids.

'My kids are old enough to know who he is. They are in shock that he doesn't want anything to do with them.'

When Dr. Dre was rushed to hospital with a brain aneurysm in January, LaTanya found it difficult to even know if her father was in a stable condition.

'It was like pulling teeth just to know if he was alright in the hospital,' she said.

She admitted that he has in the past helped her, by paying her rent and giving her an allowance, but that help ended in January 2020.

LaTanya told DailyMail.com she now fears she will lose her rental car as she has not been able to make payments

'The car is a pretty penny,' she said. 'It's an SUV that costs $2,300 for three weeks and I only paid for one week

LaTanya says she has not seen her famous father in 18 years and doesn't even have his cell phone number

'People label me as a millionaire's daughter so they don't understand why I'm working.

'It makes me want to crawl under a rock.

'He used to help with our rent and gave an allowance but he told us he wouldn't do anything anymore. I'm out on the streets.

'I asked him for help and I haven't got a response back from his lawyer.

'I'm hearing about mistresses that he's bought houses for. It's a messy situation.'

She added that it hurt her to hear of the generous financial settlement a divorce judge ordered Dre to pay Nicole, his wife of 24 years, earlier this month.

The 56-year-old record producer has eight children in total. He shares two kids with now ex-wife Nicole Young, son Truice and daughter Truly

'I just heard that he has to pay $300k a month for spousal support - it's embarrassing because people are looking at me wondering: why?

'What Nicole has got is what my mom should have got.

'I honestly wrote a proposal and asked him if he could get a home for me and my sister and my kids.

'He was supposed to put us through college and pay for our health insurance and he never did that.

'My mom felt like he never upheld his end of the bargain.

'I commend Nicole in a way - she did what she had to do.'
Amazon has fired most of the people that make up its Prime Air team in the U.K. which was charged with getting its drone-delivery program off the ground, according to a report.

Because the U.K. team was at the center of Amazon's efforts to launch a global drone-delivery service, with Amazon-owned drones expected to zoom packages right to a person's door, the sacking of more than 100 people has led to questions if the whole program is now dead.

Amazon wouldn't say how many people still are working on the drone project in the UK, and didn't address questions raised in the report in Wired that said the global drone program was now uncertain.

The Amazon Prime Air initiative debuted in 2016 with the promise that customers would be able to get their orders within a half hour - delivered by drones, which Amazon also was developing.

The UK fast-tracked regulatory approvals to allow the company to deliver by drone, which made the country a good testing ground for the project. The US's Federal Aviation Administration approved the Prime Air drone delivery fleet in August 2020 - and the company said it'd use the FAA's certification to begin testing customer deliveries, CNBC reported at the time.

But that FAA approval hasn't led to a fleet of working drones, Wired reports. And the publication says Amazon didn't say how test flights happening in the US would differ from ones that had already happened in the UK - from the team that is now mostly grounded.

Meanwhile, five years after announcing its program with plenty of hoopla, the drone dream remains grounded as the tech giant laid off people in its pioneering British aviation team. Staff there have said Prime Air is 'dysfunctional'.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity to Wired, former employees of the UK team described a work environment in which managers were put in place to oversee the drone delivery project without any technological knowledge and people would drink at their desks due to a lack of motivation.

Eventually, more than 100 employees at the Cambridge office lost their jobs and dozens of others were moved to other projects, Wired reports, just months after the company laid off dozens of employees working on the project in the United States.

The Amazon Prime Air initiative debuted in 2016 as a way to provide customers with their orders within half an hour

According to videos posted on the company's website, the drones would travel down an automated track at one of the company's fulfillment centers before taking off

It would then travel as far as 15 miles to touch down in front of the customer's front lawn

Amazon Prime Air was billed as a way for the company to deliver packages weighing less than five pounds within 30 minutes of a customer making an order.

People at an Amazon fulfillment center would process the order and package the shipment, before attaching it to a drone that would go down an automated track and rise into the sky, videos posted to the company's website show.

The drones would then be able to travel 15 miles with the package, guided by a GPS, before descending on the customer's front lawn with the product in tow.

Amazon debuted one of its new electronic delivery drone at its re:MARS conference in June 2019 that was capable of carrying products under five pounds to customers within a 15-mile radius within just half an hour.

Jeff Wilke, Amazon's CEO of worldwide consumer, said at the time that the drone could be used by the company 'within months' to deliver packages.

By August of that year, the company submitted a petition for Federal Aviation approval of its plans, saying it would deliver packages in areas with low population density and would only carry products weighing five pounds or less, according to CNBC.

The FAA approved the company's request to 'safely and efficiently deliver packages to customers ... beyond the visual line of sight of the operator' just over a year ago.

'This certification is an important step forward for Prime Air and indicates the FAAs confidence in Amazon's operating and safety procedures for an autonomous drone delivery service that will one day deliver packages to our customers around the world,' David Carbon, vice president of Prime Air, said in a statement following the announcement.

'We will continue to develop and refine our technology to fully integrate delivery drones into the airspace and work closely with the FAA and other regulators around the world to realize our vision of 30-minute delivery.'

He added that the company was not yet ready to deploy its fleet, but has been 'actively flying and testing the technology.'

Last November, Amazon Prime Air announced it had reached tentative deals with two external manufacturers, but also said it laid off dozens of its staff members working in research and development and manufacturing on the project in the U.S.

'We are reorganizing one small team within our larger Prime Air organization to allow us to best align with the needs of our customers and the business,' Amazon spokeswoman Kristen Kish said in a statement to Reuters.

She added that the company was working to find roles for the affected employees 'in the areas where we are hiring.'

Jeff Wilke, Amazon's CEO of worldwide consumer, debuted one of its new electronic delivery drone at its re:MARS conference in June 2019 and said that the drone could be used by the company 'within months' to deliver packages

People at the warehouses would pack up the boxes and attach it to the drones

Across the pond, the situation seems to have been more dire, with Wired reporting that more than 100 employees at Amazon Prime Air losing their jobs and dozen more being moved to other projects.

The company had been working on drones in the U.K. since 2016, when it made a spectacle across the country, releasing promotional videos that received millions of views, offering local schools a tour of its drone lab and opening a new office in Cambridge.

It was so popular, Wired reports, that U.K. regulators fast-tracked approvals for drone testing.

But former employees at the company said the project has been 'collapsing inwards,' 'dysfunctional,' and 'resembled organized chaos,' run by managers who were 'detached from reality.'

The managers who were appointed to oversee the project were often longtime Amazon employees who specialized in logistics and warehouse operations and had little to no knowledge of the technology done on the project that they couldn't answer basic questions, the former employees said, adding they had to train their replacements in Costa Rica.

Amazon opened a new office in Cambridge in preparation for its drone delivery system

Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos was able to travel into space last month

The problems reportedly began in late 2019, when the drone team was broken into three divisions that analyzed footage for different threats: humans and animals, other man-made objects in the sky, and 3D mapping - which would help drones know where someone's lawn is located.

The company began to hire many people for its data analysis team, which was tasked with manually going through test flight footage and identifying relevant threats or objects, Wired reports, but there was frequent turnover.

Employees also said they would often be told to do two opposing things.

And the teams dealt with some technological difficulties, as they were trying to build drones that would land outside people's homes, but the systems required to do so were heavy, and a heavier weight for a drone came with more regulations in the U.K., including higher safety requirements to protect people on the ground from potential collisions.

In February 2020, Wired reports, the entire human and animals data analysis team, which employed dozens of people, was shuttered and reassigned, just to reopen three months later with new staff.

At around the same time, the former employees said, the company began restructuring, and managers told them that they were no longer guaranteed permanent positions - further hindering morale.

Afterwards, employees said, one person opened a beer at his desk at around 11 a.m. or 12 p.m., and another person charged with sifting through the footage for possible problems started approving all of the frames even if there were hazards in them.

'Everything started collapsing because they piled too much on, they put people in charge who didn't now anything about the project and they oversold,' one of the former employees said.

'It's all one gigantic oversell - just so many promises that can't be kept.'

An Amazon spokesperson told Wired it still has people working for Prime Air in the U.K., but refused to confirm how many employees there are.

He also said the company has 'rigorous procedures in place' to check employees' work and that 'swift action' was taken in any cases of misconduct.
The heartbroken mother of a Celeste Manno, who was killed by a stalker, is fighting for a major law reform in honour of her daughter.

Ms Manno, 23, was allegedly stabbed to death as she slept at her family's home in Mernda in Melbourne's north on November 16 last year.

Her former work colleague Luay Sako, 35, was charged with her murder and remains on remand pending a trial.

Celeste reported the alleged stalking twice to police, before taking out an intervention order - which was in place at the time of her death, a court previously heard.

Celeste Manno, 23, (pictured) was allegedly murdered as she slept in her north Melbourne home last November

Ms Manno's former colleague Luay Sako (pictured), 35, has been charged with her murder

Now her devastated mother Aggie Di Mauro is campaigning for the Victorian government to amend stalking laws.

Mrs Di Mauro said she looks at her daughter's photo daily and promises her she will keep fighting until changes are made.

'I'm her mum, it happened in our home, in the middle of the night. I should have been able to do something,' Mrs Di Mauro told A Current Affair.

'I say to her, "I already failed you - and I can't fail her again.

'The choice was not to get out of bed, or do something for my daughter, I knew it's something she'd want me to do.'

The Victorian Law Reform Commission has opened a consultation which allows the community to voice concerns about issues with the law to be reviewed.

The commission then makes recommendations and advises the Attorney General on how to improve the state's laws.

One of the many issues listed within the paper is how police are not equipped with a specific code of practice on managing stalking cases.

Ms Manno's devastated mum Aggie Di Mauro (pictured) is campaigning for changes to Victoria's stalking laws

Ms Manno had reported the alleged stalking to police twice and had an intervention order in place. Pictured: Ms Manno's Mernda home

Mrs Di Mauro said she will continue to fight for change in the honour of her daughter

'Police have limited written guidance on how to manage non-family violence stalking offences,' the paper reads.

'By contrast, Victoria Police has a Code of Practice to guide decision making in situations of family violence.'

Mrs Di Mauro said she finds it 'incredible' that it took her daughter's death to shine a spotlight on cracks in the system.

Between March 2020 to March this year, there were 14,000 reports of stalking - but an estimated 85 per cent of incidents are not reported to police.

QC Tony North, who is leading the commission, said the current intervention order system deals with both minor issues, such as neighbourhood disputes, and serious offences like stalking, which can lead to murder.

He said the police guidelines in place do little to help officers differentiate the seriousness of cases and how to respond them accordingly.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson announced Tuesday that he made good on his promise to pardon a couple who gained notoriety for pointing guns at Black Lives Matter protesters as they marched past the couple's home in a luxury St. Louis enclave last year.

Parson, a Republican, 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 shot to notoriety last June when they were caught on camera emerging from their home in an upscale neighborhood in Missouri brandishing firearms at protesters marching past.

The couple, both lawyers in their 60s, said they felt threatened by the protesters, who were passing their home 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.

Mark and Patricia McCloskey, standing in front their house, confront protesters marching to St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson's house on June 28, 2020

The McCloskeys shot to notoriety last June when they were caught on camera emerging from their home brandishing firearms at protesters marching past

Mark and Patricia McCloskey confront protesters in front of their home last year

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, a Republican, pardoned the McCloskeys

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.

Mark, who fast became the GOP's poster boy and spoke at August's Republican National Convention in support of Donald Trump, is now running for US Senate.

He 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.'

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.

They agreed to give up the weapons used in the incident.

Patricia and Mark McCloskey leave a St. Louis court house in June after pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges

But shortly after the guilty plea, Mark McCloskey showed off his new rifle.

'Checking out my new AR, reads the caption on photos he posted to social media. McCloskey is seen in the photos wearing a curt smile and brandishing the weapon with a finger just above the trigger. One photo also includes his wife Patricia giving a thumbs up.
A terrified woman was forced to duck for cover after a mob of kangaroos bounced towards her at a popular lookout.

Emilie Kenny, 27, made her way to scenic Cape Bridgewater in Victoria on Monday about 1.30pm with the aim of seeing a seal colony.

After parking her car and setting off on foot, she was then confronted by a mob of close to 20 kangaroos.

'I didn't know what to think initially,' the Melbourne bank manager told Daily Mail Australia.

Melbourne woman Emilie Kenny (pictured) had a recent close encounter with a mob of kangaroos she won't forget in a hurry

'I'm on annual leave at the moment, I was actually supposed to be at the snow.

'It is an experience I won't forget in a hurry, I was a little worried one (kangaroo) might crack the s**ts and charge at me.

'I just made sure I stayed out of the way, my friends and family all think it is hilarious.'

Ms Kenny sets the scene in her video, declaring 'just in case I die there is a stampede of kangaroos coming towards me'.

After muttering a few understandable obscenities, she quickly composes herself and hides in a nearby shrub as up to 20 kangaroos head in her direction.

Melbourne woman Emilie Kenny was terrified after a 'stampede' of kangaroos (pictured) approached her at a popular tourist attraction in Victoria on Monday

Ms Kenny then expresses concern about being 'kangaroo kicked in the face' - but the roos all bounce over a nearby fence metres away after being collectively startled.

'I put the video on my Snapchat and my Instagram stories and then was approached by someone wanting to post it on You Tube,' she said.

'Despite what happened, I will probably go on that same walk again, the views are great.

'I'm also thankful nothing happened to any of the kangaroos, the cliff face wasn't that far away.'

The bank manager hid in nearby bushes, with the kangaroos (pictured) just metres away
A western Sydney mayor has angrily accused the state government of making it much easier for people in wealthier postcodes to get a Covid vaccination as poorer outer suburbs suffer an outbreak.

Australia's biggest city is a tale of stark contrasts when it comes to getting either an AstraZeneca or Pfizer jab.

Sydney's south-west, taking in the Liverpool and Fairfield council areas, has eastern Australia's lowest metropolitan vaccination rate despite being in a Covid hotspot.

Just 14.6 per cent who those aged 16 and over have had two doses, with 33.1 per cent so far receiving one injection.

A western Sydney mayor has angrily accused the state government of making it much easier for people in wealthier postcodes to get a Covid vaccination as poorer outer suburbs suffer an outbreak. Sydney's south-west, taking in the Liverpool and Fairfield council areas (pictured is Cabramatta), has Australia's lowest metropolitan vaccination rate despite being in a Covid hotspot

On the other side of the city, 26.9 per cent of people are fully vaccinated on the North Shore where a majority, or 51.9 per cent, have had one dose, federal Department of Health data shows.

In the eastern suburbs, where the outbreak of the more contagious Delta strain began in June, 23.9 per cent of eligible residents were fully vaccinated with 44.8 per cent having receiving a single jab as of August 1.

Cumberland Mayor Steve Christou said he and his wife Josephine struggled to book a timely vaccination in their part of western Sydney, where only 17.7 per cent of people are fully vaccinated and 35.1 per cent have had a first dose.

'I don't think it's as easy for people to book an appointment in western Sydney and get vaccinated as easy as it is in the more affluent suburbs,' he told Sunrise on Wednesday.

'Only last night my wife, she conducted a little test with me in our loungeroom, where she jumped online and she could potentially book herself a vaccination appointment within seven days if her postcode was within the northern suburbs or eastern suburbs area.

'But for western Sydney, there's was potentially up to a 30-day wait so that may be part of the problem. We're a bit short of jabs out here.'

Cumberland Mayor Steve Christou (pictured right with Sunrise host David Koch) said he and his wife Josephine struggled to book a timely vaccination in their part of western Sydney, where only 17.7 per cent of people are fully vaccinated

Australia's lowest vaccination rates for two doses Western Australia outback north: 8.6 per cent Whitsunday-Mackay, regional north Queensland: 10.2 per cent Logan-Beaudesert, suburban and rural south-east Queensland: 13.2 per cent Western Australia outback south: 13.3 per cent New South Wales far west: 13.4 per cent Hunter Valley outside Newcastle: 14.1 per cent Sydney south-west: 14.6 per cent Coffs Harbour-Grafton, regional NSW north coast: 14.6 per cent Perth north-east: 14 per cent Source: Department of Health data for fully vaccinated Australians aged 16 and over on August 1, 2021 based on Australian Bureau of Statistics SA4 areas Advertisement

Sunrise host David Koch was outraged.

'That's silly when southwestern Sydney is one of the real hotspots,' he said.

New South Wales recorded 233 new daily Covid cases on Wednesday, a level only marginally below Sunday's 239 which was the highest since the Delta outbreak, with an overwhelming majority of cases in south-west Sydney.

Residents in the Fairfield, Liverpool, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Blacktown, Parramatta, Campbelltown and the Georges River are subject to stricter measures banning them from venturing more than 5km from home, even for work unless they are employed in the health or emergency services sectors.

With Premier Gladys Berejiklian calling on NSW to hit a six million vaccination target, Mr Christou said he had offered 19 community centres to be turned into immunisation hubs.

'Just come in: give us the nurses, give us the jabs, and we'll absolutely help you reach your six million target,' he said.

'But it's hard to do that when you're not giving us nurses or jabs.'

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese called on the federal government to beg Israel and the United States for leftover Pfizer jabs.

'I would have been on to our allies firstly,' he told the 7.30 program.

'In the United States, which, of course, was able to provide additional vaccines to Canada and Mexico.

'I would have got onto Israel that provided its Pfizer vaccines that it couldn't use before the expiry date to South Korea.

Residents in the Fairfield, Liverpool, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland (pictured is an Auburn Covid testing queue), Blacktown, Parramatta, Campbelltown and the Georges River are subject to stricter measures banning them from venturing more than 5km from home, even for work unless they are employed in the health or emergency services sectors

'I would be doing everything that is possible to try to get access to more vaccines.'

Westpac is offering to vaccinate its 10,000 bank employees in Sydney's eight worst-affected local government areas.

Chief executive Peter King said this would enable them to turn up to work, with banking considered an essential service.

'For employees who continue to attend a work site, such as a branch, having access to these pilot vaccination hubs will make it easier for them to balance the demands of work, home life and being in lockdown, while prioritising their health and getting vaccinated,' he said.
A prediction that more than 3,000 Australians will be admitted to intensive care with Covid-19 even with 70 per cent of adults vaccinated has been rejected as a 'doomsday scenario' by a leading diseases expert during an interview with the ABC.

Doherty Institute modelling released on Tuesday showed a six-month outbreak of the Delta strain would kill 1,984 Australians if 70 per cent of adults were vaccinated and 1,281 if 80 per cent were double-jabbed.

The same worst case forecasts 393,515 infections and 14,130 hospital admissions, of which 3,084 would be to an intensive care unit.

But these numbers would only be hit if Australia had 'minimal' density restrictions and 'partial' Test, Trace, Isolate, and Quarantine effectiveness, prompting Professor Gail Matthews, head of infectious diseases at Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital, to say they are not realistic.

Pictured: Australians line up to get jabbed at Homebush, Sydney on Tuesday as the city recorded another 199 cases, with a further 239 on Wednesday. At least 70 per cent of adults must get jabbed to make lockdowns much less likely

Doherty Institute modelling (pictured) released on Tuesday showed that if an outbreak of the Delta strain lasted for six months with only 'baseline restrictions' - which means only minimal density restrictions as in NSW in March 2021 and 'partial' Test, Trace, Isolate, and Quarantine effectiveness - then 1,984 Australians would die if 70 per cent of the population were vaccinated and 1,281 would die if 80 per cent were fully-jabbed

ABC radio host Fran Kelly (pictured) mentioned the modelling in an interview with Professor Gail Matthews on Wednesday

'Well I think that is a worst case scenario and I don't think those things are going to happen,' Professor Matthews told Fran Kelly, the host of ABC's RN Breakfast on Wednesday.

'I don't think we're going to stop testing and tracing and putting other restrictions in place so that's a doomsday scenario.

'Modelling can look at all sorts of scenarios and I don't think that's likely to be plausible.'

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison also said the scenario wouldn't happen because state governments would re-introduce restrictions regardless of vaccination rates.

'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 a press conference.

'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.'

Sydney residents (pictured in Double Bay on Wednesday morning) are in lockdown until at least the end of August

Australian Defense Force troops are pictured outside a pop-up Covid-19 vaccination clinic in Wattle Grove, Sydney on Tuesday

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.

The average number of flu deaths per year between 2016 and 2019 was 642.

'There will always be infectious diseases resulting in hospitalisation, and indeed in death,' Mr Morrison said.

'That is something that happens, sadly, each and every day, that is the world we live in, and I think Australians understand that.'

Professor Gail Matthews (pictured) also warned Sydney would see more Covid hospitalisations in coming days

The Federal Government has used the Doherty modelling to fashion its four-stage re-opening plan which removes large lockdowns when 70 per cent are vaccinated and opens the international borders when 80 per cent are jabbed.

Even with high vaccination rates, Covid hospitalisations and deaths are unavoidable, said Professor Jodie McVernon, Director of Epidemiology at the Doherty Institute.

'The reality is we can't avoid Covid forever. This is the reality check, this [Delta strain] is twice as infectious as what we started with,' she told RN Breakfast.

'So we've got to be realistic in framing the future for people and explaining that mobile phones have changed our lives forever and so has Covid, certainly for the near term.'

Dr McVernon said it was not a realistic option to keep Australia shut off from the rest of the world to keep out the virus.

'This is not something that is going to go away, we can't hide and hope it goes past,' she said.

'We do have to have a mature approach about how we're going to move forward as a society in a way that doesn't require lockdowns and all this uncertainty. We're going to have to keep adapting.'

It comes as Sydney braces for a spike in Covid hospitalisation and deaths after the city's outbreak rose to 4,063 cases on Wednesday.

Professor Matthews said St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney's east was bracing for more patients even if case numbers go down, due a lag of up to two weeks between infection and hospitalisation.

'We will see increasing numbers of patients because we're still seeing the same number of cases and those cases are going to translate into more patients needing to come into hospital because of the natural history of the infection,' she said.

'Even if we saw the cases go down to zero next week, we will still be expecting a lot more patients. We know we have to plan for that.'

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has flagged that some restrictions could ease when six million jabs have been given out in the state, meaning 50 per cent of adults will be fully vaccinated.

But the relaxation also depends on case numbers being reduced dramatically.

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.

The Prime Minister 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'.

NSW Police patrol Bondi Beach in Sydney on Wednesday morning as the city remains in lockdown for another four weeks

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.

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.
A couple has been charged with a string of offences after allegedly breaching Sydney's lockdown by travelling 44km from a Covid hotspot to a bank.

Residents in eight local government areas of concern in Sydney's coronavirus-hit southwest and west are under tighter restrictions than the rest of the city, as authorities struggle to contain the highly infectious Delta outbreak.

Those who live in the Canterbury-Bankstown, Fairfield, Liverpool, Blacktown, Cumberland, Parramatta, Campbelltown, and Georges River councils can only travel within a 5km radius from home and must wear a mask in public spaces at all times.

The married couple from Eagle Vale were arrested after allegedly venturing out of the Campbelltown LGA to visit a Commonwealth Bank branch in Sydney's inner-west.

Police will allege the 55-year-old man (pictured) refused to sign in using a QR code, abused bank staff, and resisted arrest

Police were called to Ashfield Mall about 3.30pm on Tuesday to reports staff inside the bank branch were being abused.

Staff told police the man allegedly entered the premises without scanning the QR code, and became abusive after an employee asked him to sign in.

A 46-year-old male security officer intervened and was then allegedly pushed by the man and threatened.

Police arrived to find the 55-year-old man still at the scene. He allegedly became abusive towards officers as they approached him.

He then allegedly tried to resist arrest, with his 63-year-old partner stepping in to try and intervene. She was also arrested.

The man's 63-year-old wife was also arrested after allegedly trying to hinder his arrest

The pair were taken to Burwood Police Station where they were both charged with resist or hinder police officer in execution of duty and failure to comply with noticed direction in relation to section 7/8/9 - COVID-19.

The man was also charged with common assault.

They have been granted conditional bail to appear at Burwood Local Court on October 5.

It comes as NSW recorded 233 new locally-acquired Covid cases on Wednesday, with 47 people in the community throughout their infectious period.

Overnight, more than 170 new venues were added to the NSW Health exposure site list - the highest number of daily additions since the outbreak began in June.
Boris Johnson will take a holiday in the UK later this month after deciding not to travel abroad.

The move brings the Prime Minister in line with many holidaymakers who are staying in Britain to avoid Covid testing and restrictions.

Mr Johnson, his wife Carrie and son Wilfred took a trip to Scotland last year but it is not clear where he will go this time.

A senior government source told the Telegraph: 'The PM's going to staycation this year.'

It comes despite it emerging double-jabbed holidaymakers returning from France, Spain and Greece could soon be spared the threat of quarantine.

Whitehall sources said ministers will scrap the 'amber plus' travel list which saw isolation kept in place for tens of thousands of tourists arriving back from France.

Several other major destinations which had been considered for the list, including Spain and Greece, will now be reprieved.

The move means  barring a surge in Covid cases  fully-vaccinated holidaymakers will not need to quarantine on their return to the UK from these destinations.

Boris Johnson will take a holiday in the UK later this month after deciding not to travel abroad. Pictured in Scotland with Carrie and Wilfred last summer

Mr Johnson, his wife Carrie and son Wilfred took a trip to Scotland last year (pictured) but it is not clear where he will go this time

The change is set to be signed off at a crunch meeting of the Cabinet's Covid operations sub-committee which could come as early as today.

Ministers will also put all countries on to either the green, amber or red list.

A string of European destinations, including Germany and Austria, are expected to move to the green list.

The allocations are reviewed every three weeks, so should then stay in place until almost the end of August.

Boris Johnson has already vetoed the idea of a new 'amber watch list', which was approved by ministers last week.

The scheme could have seen countries like Spain and Greece close to moving to the red list, which would have forced returning tourists to undertake hotel quarantine at a cost of 1,750.

The PM said on Monday that, following criticism of the complex patchwork of travel warnings, he wanted to move to a system that is 'as simple and user-friendly for people as possible'.

Boris Johnson is under pressure from aviation chiefs to scrap the Government's traffic light travel rules and replace them with a single 'red list' of banned destinations

Officials have warned that amber countries could still be placed on the red list in the event of a major outbreak or the emergence of a new variant.

But a Whitehall source said it was almost unthinkable that any major tourist destinations would be turned red this summer.

The source added: 'The truth is that none of the mass market destinations can really go red at the height of the holiday season.

'It would cause so much disruption to so many people and we have not got anywhere near enough capacity for hotel quarantine.'

Travel expert Paul Charles, of the PC Agency, said the latest data suggested at least a dozen countries should go green tomorrow, including Canada, Poland and Slovenia, as well as Germany and Austria.

But he urged ministers to move to a simpler red/green list, with the fully-vaccinated allowed to travel freely to any country not rated as red.

The idea was backed by more than 300 travel firms. In a letter to the PM, they said the '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.'

The travel sector is also pressing ministers to cut the number and cost of tests required, amid fears that large bills for testing will make it impossible for many families to travel.

Whitehall sources did not rule out a move to a red/green system, but said it was more likely they would retain the amber list to help travellers judge the risk involved.

The Confederation of British Industry has called for a 'new settlement' to help the travel industry and the UK economy more broadly 'live with Covid', which would mean fewer people flying into the UK would need to isolate on arrival.

John Foster, CBI policy director, said: 'The international travel sector is in the last chance saloon for the summer season.

'Restrictions must be relaxed if beleaguered businesses are to salvage any opportunity to trade their way towards recovery this year.

The UK's successful vaccine rollout, coupled with lessons learned throughout the pandemic, offer genuine opportunity for more travel to resume safely.

'Rebuilding passenger confidence will be key. Establishing simple, consistent rules and communicating them clearly is essential.'

A Department for Transport spokesman said: 'We recognise this is a challenging period for the sector, as we seek to balance the timely reopening of international travel while safeguarding public health and protecting the vaccine rollout.'
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ordered his state board of administrators to place Unilever on its list of 'scrutinized companies' which is made up of companies that participate in boycotts of Israel after a decision by subsidiary Ben & Jerry's to end sales in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem last month

Florida has placed Ben & Jerry's parent company Unilever on its list of 'scrutinized companies' after the ice cream maker's decision to end sales in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis made the announcement Tuesday after he directed the state's board of administrators to place the company on the list, which is made up of companies that participate in boycotts of Israel or limit commercial activities with the Jewish state.

The designation means Unilever has 90 days to force Ben & Jerry's to reverse its boycott or become subject to a prohibition on state investments in the company and against contracting with it or its subsidiaries.

Perhaps most painfully for the company, it could mean Florida would prohibit state pension funds holding any investment in Unilever.

'As a matter of law and principle, the State of Florida will not tolerate discrimination against the State of Israel or the Israeli people,' DeSantis said in a statement Tuesday. 'By placing Ben & Jerrys Fortune 500 parent company Unilever on our List of Scrutinized Companies that Boycott Israel, Florida is sending a message to corporate America that we will defend our strong relationship with the Jewish State.'

The decision would mean Unilever has 90 days to force Ben & Jerry's to end its boycott or face prohibition on Florida state investments in the company and against contracting with it or its subsidiaries. Pictured Ben & Jerry's main factory in Beer Tuvia, Israel on July 22

The sunshine state is home to a relatively large Jewish population of 657,095 permanently living in the state, which is the third highest in the US behind New York and California.

Other companies to be included on Florida's list include Airbnb, which announced in 2018 that it would cease listing properties in the West Bank.

DeSantis first directed his State Board of Administration to place Unilever on the list on July 22, three days after Ben & Jerry's made the announcement that it would stop ice cream sales in the contested areas, saying they were 'inconsistent with our values.'

Ben & Jerry's cofounders Bennett Cohen (left) and Jerry Greenfield (right), who sold the company to Unilever in 2000, have supported its decision

Unilever CEO Alan Jope (pictured above in New York in 2019) said that while his company remains 'fully committed' to Israel, it cannot force its subsidiary, Ben & Jerry's, to reverse its decision to stop selling ice cream in Jewish settlements on the Israeli-occupied West Bank

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegars office said it would probe placing Ben & Jerry's on a blacklist banning it from doing business with the state in response to its Palestine policy

The board says that on July 28 it made an 'engagement call' with Unilever Investor Relations during which the company, it says, told them it 'has no current plan to prevent Ben & Jerrys from terminating business activities in Israeli-controlled territories.'

The call came the same day, DeSantis noted in his Tuesday announcement, as Bennett Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, who co-founded the ice cream chain in 1978 and sold it to Unilever in 2000, endorsed the decision in an op-ed for the The New York Times.

'We are the founders of Ben & Jerry's. We are also proud Jews. It's part of who we are and how we've 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,' Cohen and Greenfield wrote.

'But it's possible to support Israel and oppose some of its policies, just as we've opposed policies of the U.S. government.'

Unilever CEO Alan Jope has distanced himself from his subsidiary's decision, saying in a conference call with investors on July 22 that the global consumer goods giant remains 'fully committed' to doing business in Israel.

But Jope gave no indication that Unilever would force Ben & Jerry's to roll back its controversial decision.

Other recent executive actions taken by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis July 30: An executive order prohibiting schools in the state from mandating mask wearing July 9: An executive order waiving the tax payment deadline for survivors of the deadly Champlain Towers South collapse July 3: An executive order declaring a state of emergency due to Tropical Storm Elsa June 24: An executive order declaring a state of emergency in Miami-Dade County after the deadly Champlain Towers South collapse June 16: An executive order pardoning businesses that violated Covid-19 restrictions May 11: An executive order declaring a state of emergency related to the Colonial Pipeline hack May 3: An executive order ending all state Covid-19 mandates April 2: An executive order banning businesses from requiring customers show proof of vaccination or 'vaccine passports' Advertisement

The Ben & Jerry's announcement is one of the strongest steps by a well-known company against Israel's settlements, which are widely seen by the international community as illegal.

The Israeli government has condemned the decision, accusing the company of joining a Palestinian-led boycott campaign against Israel.

It has urged 35 American states with anti-boycott laws to punish Unilever.

In addition to Florida, Texas could blacklist Ben & Jerrys as punishment for the move.

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegars office announced that it will investigate whether the company violated Chapter 808 of the Texas Government Code which forbids the state from giving contracts to firms that boycott Israel.

'Texans have made it very clear that they stand with Israel and its people. We are against all those wishing to undermine Israels economy and its people,' Hegar told the Dallas Morning News.

Jope said that Ben & Jerry's, which has a long history of social activism, had made the decision on its own.

He noted that under its purchase agreement with Ben & Jerry's in 2000, the iconic ice cream company maintained broad independence over its social justice policies and that Unilever respected that arrangement.

'Obviously it's a complex and sensitive matter that elicits very strong feelings,' he said.

'If there is one message I want to underscore in this call, it's that Unilever remains fully committed to our business in Israel.'

That includes a new $41million razor factory, corporate offices and facilities that employ some 2,000 people, hundreds of millions of dollars of investment and support for 'social programs,' he said.

He said 'it is not our intent' to regularly delve into such sensitive matters.

'It's been a longstanding issue for Ben & Jerry's,' he said.

'We were aware of this decision by the brand and its independent board, but it's certainly not our intention that every quarter will have one quite as fiery as this one.'
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

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.

'Since we did our seniors first vaccination effort at the end of last year, beginning of this year, we've seen between a 70 and 75 percent reduction in mortality year-over-year compared to last summer's wave as well as in the January peak,' he said.

'We've also seen almost 25.000 fully vaccinated people test positive. I think we had assumed that it would provide more sterilizing immunity.'

But President Biden on Tuesday demanded that DeSantis, along with the Republican governor of Texas use his 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.'

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 generally 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.'

The nation's top infectious disease expert has also urged more people to get vaccinated as he warned that the U.S. is currently on a trajectory in its Indian 'Delta' Covid outbreak that is similar to the one seen in the UK earlier this year.

In a conversation with the Center for Strategic and International Studies on Tuesday, Dr Anthony Fauci discussed the recent surge in America, where average cases have risen 266 percent in the last three weeks from 23,000 per day to 85,000.

Meanwhile, in Britain, daily cases have hit a five-week low after peaking around 54,000 in mid-July.

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.

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.

Dr Anthony Fauci said on Tuesday (above) that the U.S is currently on a trajectory in its recent surge of COVID-19 cases that is 'strikingly similar' to the outbreak seen in the UK

Coronavirus infections in Britain peaked at 54,000 in mid-July and have since declined to a five-week low of 21,691 recorded on Tuesday, while the U.S. has been about three to four weeks behind

Fauci said the U.S. is seeing a rise in people getting vaccinated, but that is likely to have a delayed effect on case rates.

'Since an acceleration of vaccines doesn't give a result until several weeks after, we are already on a trajectory that looks strikingly similar to the sharp incline that the UK saw,' he explained.

The director of the National Institute of Allergy and infectious Diseases also predicted that the U.S. would see as many as 200,000 cases a day before infections start to decline.

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.

'Media does hysteria, you try to fear monger, you try to do this stuff and when they all talk about hospitalizations, our hospitals are open for business,' he said.

Seven children have been taken to Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital with COVID-19

An ambulance enters the emergency room wing at Tampa General Hospital amid a coronavirus disease outbreak in Tampa, Florida on Tuesday

Miami-Dade residents line-up as they are tested for COVID-19 at Cagni Park in North Miami on Sunday

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.

DeSantis also battled with a reporter over students wearing masks during the Tuesday press conference.

He was asked if being required to wear masks would have prevented seven children from landing in Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital after he banned school districts from requiring masks in schools.

'Seven kids are in Joe DiMaggio Hospital, two of them are in the ICU. Don't you think that wearing masks would help in those particular- ' the reporter asked as she was cut off by the governor.

DeSantis said: 'Do you have any data to suggest that? Do you know if they were wearing masks? Well they're not, right, they're not eligible for the vaccination. I mean, that's not, I mean - you know - well.'

'So you're- you're- you're blaming the kids saying they weren't wearing masks, so they're in the ICU,' he continued.

'With all due respect, I find that deplorable to blame a victim who ends up being hospitalized. You don't know their story. You don't know what happened with that.'

He added: 'This has been a really negative thing throughout this whole thing with some of these experts, some in the media, somebody contracts a highly transmissible airborne virus, and they're viewed as having done something wrong.'

Nurse Alix Zacharski, right, sanitizes her hands as other doctors and nurses continue to care for a patient in the Medical Intensive Care Unit for COVID-19 patients at Jackson Memorial Hospital on July 23

Medical personnel conduct Covid-19 testing at a 'drive-through' site in Miami on Tuesday

DeSantis notably did not answer the reporter's question if he believes masks would have prevented those children from landing in the hospital.

The governor also said during the press conference that the best indicator for how the Sunshine State is handling the pandemic are measurements such as the emergency room visits for COVID-like illness.

'When you see that go up, you know you're going to see increase in prevalence and an increase in hospital admissions,' DeSantis said.

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.'

Jacksonville doctor Leonardo Alonso told WESH that Floridians should dismiss DeSantis' comments.

'He's not on the front lines like myself and my colleagues,' Alonso said.

'We should be practicing safe masking and social distancing in school. Some of his statements just make no public health sense.'

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 don't comply.

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.

Broward's 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 if their children should wear a mask to school.

On Friday, DeSantis had issued Executive Order 21-175, in response to several Florida school boards like Broward considering or implementing mask mandates in their schools.

He said in a press release that the school boards had been responding to 'unscientific and inconsistent recommendations that school-aged children wear masks' from the Biden Administration.

'Masking children may lead to negative health and societal ramifications,' the order reads. 'Studies have shown that children are at a low risk of contracting a serious illness due to COVID-19 and do not play a significant role in the spread of the virus.'

The order added that forcing kids to wear masks 'could inhibit breathing, lead to the collection of dangerous impurities including bacteria, parasites, fungi, and other contaminants, and adversely affect communications in the classroom and student performance.'

DeSantis had barred school districts from enforcing mask mandates claiming school officials had been responding to 'unscientific and inconsistent recommendations' that they wear masks from the Biden Administration

July and August's COVID spike has been attributed to the highly transmissible Delta variant spreading among unvaccinated Americans

DeSantis wrote in the order that 'there is no statistically-significant evidence to suggest that counties with mask requirements have fared any better than those without mask requirements during the 2020-2021 school year.'

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 City's move to require vaccinations to dine indoors or go to the gym.

'If you're not going to help, at least get out of the way of people trying to do the right thing,' Biden said.

Dr. O'Neil 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.

'They're 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 CDC 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.
The brother of one of Australia's most notorious killers who beheaded her boyfriend and boiled his head in a pot is back on the street just days after he was charged with the sexual abuse of two young boys.

Neville Roughan, 71, was arrested last Thursday for allegedly plying the boys with drugs and alcohol so he could systematically abuse them over 14 years.

The former youth worker was due for release on Tuesday night after prosecutors abandoned plans to appeal a magistrate's decision to grant him bail.

Roughan is the brother of Katherine Knight, 64, who was the first woman in NSW to be sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole after she murdered and skinned her boyfriend John Price in Aberdeen, NSW, in 2000.

Neville Roughan, 71, brother of one of Australia's most notorious killers Katherine Price (pictured right with her victim John Price) is set to be released on bail after he was charged with the sexual assault of two young boys

John Price (pictured) was 44 when he was stabbed 37 times, beheaded and skinned, and cooked in a pot with vegetables by his partner Katherine Knight in February 2000

Roughan was granted conditional bail by magistrate Brett Thomas after the alleged assaulter voiced fears his killer sibling's notoriety would make him a target in jail.

Prosecutors quickly filed for a stay which bought them an extra 72 hours to keep him behind bars while they mounted a challenge.

However, on Tuesday afternoon the court was instructed the detention order application was no longer going ahead and Roughan would walk free.

The 71-year-old has been charged with 15 crimes, including six counts of sex with a person aged 10 to 16.

Pictured: Convicted killer Katherine Knight, the sister of Neville Roughan

One of the boys was just 11 when the alleged abuse began and the other was 13, the Newcastle Local Court heard last week.

Roughan allegedly abused the boys over 14 years from 1990 to 2004, with two other alleged victims recently coming forward, the court heard.

Police alleged one of the boys travelled with him to meet then-Swansea MP Milton Orkopoulos, a convicted paedophile, in 2004.

Orkopoulos, who was still in office at the time, connected with Roughan through his now deceased brother, Patrick Roughan, the court heard.

Neville Roughan successfully argued that due to his age, physical and mental condition, and connection to his killer sister, he should be released on bail.

The 71-year-old will be forced to abide by strict bail conditions until he faces court again on September 23.

Roughan is banned from being in the company of anyone under 18, contacting his alleged victims or leaving the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie local councils and will continue to report to police.

On the fateful night of one of Australia's most horrific crimes, the then-44-year-old Knight stabbed her partner as he slept before skinning and beheading him.

Over the course of the sweltering night in February, the abattoir worker put her defacto husband's head in a pot with vegetables and slow cooked it on the stove before making gravy.

The main street of Aberdeen, the small town in the Upper Hunter region of New South Wales. Knight's house is on the right as you exit town (the white arrow)

Knight had lived in Aberdeen in the Upper Hunter Region of NSW, (pictured) all her life

With her meal complete, she set the kitchen table and plated up her 'stew' along with 'steak' cut from his buttocks.

Next to each plate she left a note with the names of her victim's three children.

When Price did not arrive at work the next morning worried friends went to his house, saw blood on the handle of his front door, and called police.

In a chilling twist, Price had mentioned to his colleagues that if he didn't come in the next day he had been murdered by Knight.

The officers who were first on the scene that morning would never be the same, with some leaving the force just days later after seeing Price's dismembered body.

Knight's murder of 'Pricey' in the small town of Aberdeen, in the Upper Hunter region of NSW, was so horrific, premeditated, and devoid of mercy that a judge ordered her 'never to be released'.

John Chillingworth (pictured) who began dating Knight in 1990 and had a son with her, revealed he had visited the convicted killer in Silverwater jail

Knight (right) pictured with another former partner David Kellett (left) on their wedding day

Last year on the 20th anniversary of one of Australia's most horrific crimes, another ex-boyfriend John Chillingworth revealed he still visited Knight at Silverwater jail.

Mr Chillingworth said the killer 'had never been better' and did pottery and painting classes with other inmates who have nicknamed her grandma.

'She's aged a bit, a hell of a lot actually. She looks older in the face and her hair, it's not fiery red it's grey now. She's also put on a little weight,' he said.

Knight and Mr Chillingworth began dating in 1990 and by March of the next year welcomed a son.

He claimed when his former girlfriend realised the severity of what she had done to Price, she was horrified and 'wanted to kill herself'.

'Everyone made Pricey out to be some angel, but Pricey was never an angel. What happened to him was the worst imaginable, it was horrific, but it was a volatile relationship. I knew him well, years before he was seeing Katherine,' he said.

'I think everyone deserves a second chance.'

On the night of the murder Price was stabbed 37 times as he returned from the bathroom after the couple had sex.

'He wanted sex so we had it. He was gentle and kind... (after) he went to the toilet. He was walking back to bed and that's it,' Knight told investigators.

In this police photo blood can be seen covering the walls of the hall inside Price's home, where Knight had dragged his body after killing him

After having sex Knight fatally stabbed Price an estimated 37 times, before dragging his body out of the bedroom and down the hall to the front door

She then dragged his lifeless body out into the hall, leaving a trail of blood as she went, and began to skin him and later behead him.

After preparing dinner and setting the table, Knight attempted to overdose on prescription drugs and was found by police asleep on the couch the next day.

Knight initially pleaded not-guilty to murdering Price and stood trial before the NSW Supreme Court at Newcastle, but on the fourth morning of the trial changed her plea to guilty.

She was sentenced to life imprisonment, never to be released.

Knight appealed against her sentence in 2006 but it was dismissed. She is 64 and will die in jail.
British tourists wanting to holiday in the likes of France, Greece and Spain, will have to pay a 7 (6) charge from next year, EU officials confirmed last night.

Brussels is working up plans to introduce the new travel system which will see non-EU citizens from 62 countries - including Britain - ordered to pay to enter the border-free Schengen zone.

Officials say the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will allow the EU to pre-screen the information of travellers, including criminal records.

The scheme will be similar to the US's Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) system - which allows citizens from 39 countries a 90-day visa-free stay.

However the EU's version will be valid for up to three years - and will count for multiple entries.

It is being brought in, in part, to avoid the need for more complex visas - though travellers who need visas to enter the EU will still require them.

Plans were first suggested in 2016, prior to Brexit. But the regulations for the system were officially confirmed by EU officials on Tuesday.

The ETIAS scheme is expected to be in place by the end of 2022.

British tourists wanting to holiday in the likes of France, Greece and Spain, will have to pay a 7 (6) charge from next year, EU officials confirmed last night

Brussels is working up plans to introduce the new travel system, which will see non-EU citizens ordered to pay to enter the border-free Schengen zone

According to the proposal: 'ETIAS will not change which non-EU countries are subject to a visa requirement and will also not introduce a new visa requirement for nationals of countries that are visa-exempt.

'Visa-exempt non-EU nationals will only need a few minutes to fill in an online application which in a vast majority of cases (expected to be over 95 per cent) will result in automatic approval.'

The system will ask applicants to submit a list of personal data through an online application from.

Travel documents, such as a passport and the EU country in which a traveller is first intending to stay, will also be required.

There will also be questions on a person's criminal record and if they have ever asked to leave an EU country by officials.

Applicants will then have to submit the 7 fee, which the ETIAS system will then check through an automated process. If an issue is flagged, it will be checked manually.

After that a person will either be accepted or rejected within a four-week window - with those rejected allowed an appeal.

Carriers will be expected to check that a person has been authorised to travel to the EU under the ETIAS scheme.

When the system was put forward in 2016, Sir Julian King, the UK's last EU Commissioner before Brexit, backed the plans.

He said: 'Terrorists and criminals don't care much for national borders.

'The only way to defeat them is by working together effectively.

'ETIAS will help do that: by spotting problem individuals and stopping them from coming, we'll enhance Europe's internal security.'

The UK is also reportedly considering a similar system for non-British nationals - a system which could be in place by 2024.
An immaculate Audi Quattro has sold for a world record price of 163,125.

The iconic eighties motor was believed to be the last one ever manufactured by the German car giant when it rolled off the production line in 1991.

The UR Quattro 20V has had just two owners in its 30 year life and has just 9,700 miles on the clock.

As a result the pearly-white vehicle proved highly desirable when it went under the hammer.

It sold for a hammer price of 145,000. With auctioneer's fees added on the total price paid by the winning bidder was 163,125.

It beat the previous British auction house record paid for a Quattro road car that stood at 72,000 in 2017.

An immaculate Audi Quattro (pictured) has sold for a world record price of 163,125

The iconic eighties motor was believed to be the last one ever manufactured by the German car giant when it rolled off the production line in 1991

The UR Quattro 20V has had just two owners in its 30 year life and has just 9,700 miles on the clock

As a result the pearly-white vehicle proved highly desirable when it went under the hammer

It sold for a hammer price of 145,000. With auctioneer's fees added on the total price paid by the winning bidder was 163,125

The unnamed vendor was said to have been 'over the moon' with the price.

The Audi Quattro, so-called because they were four wheeled drive road cars, were made between 1980 and 1991 and have become a cult classic over the years.

As well as its illustrious rallying history the Quattro is recognisable as the car DCI Gene Hunt drove in the hit TV crime drama Ashes to Ashes.

Gary Dunne, sales controller of Silverstone Auctions, said: 'The car is quite simply the best Quattro we have ever seen.

It beat the previous British auction house record paid for a Quattro that stood at 72,000 in 2017

The unnamed vendor was said to have been 'over the moon' with the price of the car (pictured)

The Audi Quattro, so-called because they were four wheeled drive road cars, were made between 1980 and 1991 and have become a cult classic over the years

As well as its illustrious rallying history the Quattro is recognisable as the car DCI Gene Hunt drove in the hit TV crime drama Ashes to Ashes

Gary Dunne, sales controller of Silverstone Auctions, said: 'The car is quite simply the best Quattro we have ever seen'

'It is believed to be the last one to be produced and until the sale it had had just two owners. The first for 17 years and the second, our vendor, for the past 13 years.

'The condition of the car was superb, with less than 10,000 miles covered, and we are thrilled we were able to achieve such a fantastic result for our vendor.

'The vendor is over the moon with the result and the world record price achieved.'

It was sold alongside a 2002 Volkswagen Golf GTI 25th Anniversary edition with a mere eight miles on the clock, having been stored from new by its only keeper.

It sold for 38,250, also a record figure for this limited-edition version of the Mk4 Golf GTI.

The Quattro has a 2.1-litre turbocharged engine that produces 217bhp and a top speed of 143mph.

It still has its original Pirelli tyres and Blaupunkt radio/cassette player. It was sold with its original purchase invoice showing it was bought for 38,995.

Mr Dunne said: 'It is believed to be the last one to be produced and until the sale it had had just two owners. The first for 17 years and the second, our vendor, for the past 13 years'

Mr Dunne added: 'The condition of the car was superb, with less than 10,000 miles covered, and we are thrilled we were able to achieve such a fantastic result for our vendor'

The Quattro has a 2.1 litre turbocharged engine that produces 217bhp and a top speed of 143mph

The vehicle )pictured, its gearstick) still has its original Pirelli tyres and Blaupunkt radio/cassette player

The car (pictured, its engine) was sold with its original purchase invoice showing it was bought for 38,995

While this example now holds the record figure paid for an Audi Quattro road car, it is some way off the outright record for this model.

In February of this year, a 1988 Audi Sport Quattro S1 competition model sold for a staggering 2million - almost 1.8million - at the Artcurial Parisienne collectible car event in Paris.

Not only was the winning bid twice the figure predicted ahead of the sale but set a world record for the highest fee paid for any rally car at auction.

It is the final version of the Audi Quattro competition car to be created and was described as being in 'exceptional condition' for a rally car before the sale took place.

This competition car is the last of the legendary Quattro rally cars produced and was said to be in exceptional condition for a racing machine when it went under the hammer in Paris in February. It sold for almost 1.8million - a record highest fee paid for an Audi Quattro - and any rally car - at auction
Former Australia Post boss Christine Holgate will receive a $1 million settlement for losing her job under a deal struck more than nine months after the acrimonious split.

Ms Holgate left the organisation last year following a scandal over four luxury Cartier watches worth $20,000 being gifted to executives.

Australia Post has also agreed to pay $100,000 of the former chief executive officer's legal costs.

'Australia Post regrets the difficult circumstances surrounding Ms Holgate's departure from her role as CEO,' a statement shared statement from the company and Ms Holgate reads.

Former Australia Post boss Christine Holgate will receive a $1 million settlement for losing her job under a deal struck more than nine months after the acrimonious split

Ms Holgate left the organisation last year following a scandal over four luxury Cartier watches worth $20,000 being gifted to executives

In a joint statement, both parties revealed on Wednesday that $1 million would be given to Ms Holgate as a taxable employment termination payment.

'To finalise the matter so that both parties can move on, Ms Holgate has released Australia Post from all legal claims and Australia Post is making the payment without any admission of liability.'

Australia Post 'acknowledged it lost an effective chief executive' following the events of October 22 when a furore erupted over the Cartier watches when the gifts were revealed in parliament.

'Australia Post recognises and thanks Ms Holgate for her outstanding contribution and strong leadership during her employment as CEO of Australia Post,' the statement says.

The company also agreed to pay $100,000 of Ms Holgate's legal fees.

Mr Morrison has previously said he regrets causing hurt to Ms Holgate but has not apologised

On hearing about the reward last year, a furious Scott Morrison told Parliament the gifts were disgraceful and said: 'She's been instructed to stand aside and if she doesn't do that, she can go.'

Ms Holgate, who resigned in November, said she was treated 'like a criminal', 'abandoned to a media firestorm' and wrongfully ousted against her will, leaving her suicidal and needing insomnia medication.

A report into her departure by the Senate's Environment and Communications References Committee said the prime minister should apologise.

'The committee recommends that the Australia Post Board and Shareholder Ministers and the Prime Minister apologise to Ms Holgate for denying her the legal principles of procedural fairness and natural justice in her departure from Australia Post,' it said.

Mr Morrison has previously said he regrets causing hurt to Ms Holgate but has not apologised.

'I see that this has caused some very strong reaction from Christine and had hurt her deeply. That was not my intention and so I regret that,' he said in an interview in April.

'The issue here was how taxpayers' funds were being used in a government-owned company and as prime minister I have to stand up for those standards and did.

'It was not my intention to upset or offend Ms Holgate. I appreciate she has gone through a difficult time and that's not something that I would have liked to have seen happen.

'But we're all accountable for the decisions we make and the things that we do.'

Ms Holgate has since become CEO of Toll Global Express.
A woman has described the frightening moment she was attacked by a butcherbird inside a cafe.

Debbie Jones was having a quiet breakfast in a popular Burleigh Heads cafe on the Queensland coast when she decided to share her meal with the local wildlife.

The bird landed a single powerful peck on Ms Jones' eye when she tried to finish her toast, leaving her in severe pain and rushing to the doctor's surgery.

Debbie Jones (pictured) was sharing her lunch with a butcherbird when it attacked her, landing a peck into her eye

'It just attacked me in the eye,' Ms Jones told 9 News.

'I started to run down the road; there was all blood pouring down my face.

She escaped the incident with no serious injuries, with doctors saying the bird's beak was millimetres away from causing her serious harm.

'They swished my eye out with saline stuff and an gave me an injection and now I have an eye patch, I'm walking round at work like a pirate,' she laughed.

Ms Jones (pictured) rushed to the doctor's surgery where they said she missed serious damage by millimetres

Ms Jones joked she would start entering the lottery every day in a bid to cash in on her good luck after escaping serious injury.

Despite the altercation, she says she wouldn't hesitate to feed the birds again, just with a little more caution.

Beth Hall of Birdlife Australia's Gold Coast branch urged people not to feed magpies as swooping season approaches.

'One of the things they do say is that you should wear sunglasses if they're in an attacking or swooping mood and do not look them in the eye.'

Ms Hall suggested cafes or restaurants should also display signage that discouraged the feeding of birds where appropriate.
A political newcomer backed by Donald Trump won a crowded Republican primary contest in an Ohio House special election Tuesday night, showing the former president's influence on his party.

Coal lobbyist Mike Carey, who never held political office before, beat out 11 other Republicans for the nomination in Ohio's 15th Congressional district, to replace former Rep. Steve Stivers. Many of his competitors also had the backing of big-name Republicans.

The Associated Press called the race for Carey, who will compete against Democrat Allison Russo in the November general election. Carey is favored to win the GOP-leaning district.

'Great Republican win for Mike Carey. Big numbers! Thank you to Ohio and all of our wonderful American patriots. Congratulations to Mike and his family. He will never let you down!,' Trump said in a statement after the race was called.

Carey was a little known contender until he earned Trump's endorsement - a sign of the former president's influence on the Republican voters who decide the party's nominee. Carey is a close friend of Corey Lewandowski, Trump's former campaign manager.

'Tonight, Republicans across Ohios 15th Congressional District sent a clear message to the nation that President Donald J. Trump is, without a doubt, the leader of our party,' Carey said in a statement after his victory.

The two special House elections in Ohio on Tuesday tested both political parties: Trump's sway on the Republican Party and the moderate and liberal divisions among Democrats.

Donald Trump backed candidate, coal lobbyist Mike Carey (above), won Ohio's crowded Republican primary in the 15th Congressional district

Mike Carey had never held elected office and was a little known contender until Trump endorsed his campaign

The former president has touted his blessing as the political equivalent of a golden ticket. But he's struggled 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 was an assortment of other candidates running the Republican primary for the 15th district - all with their own big name backers:

state Rep. Jeff LaRe, who was endorsed by Stivers to replace him in his seat

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.'

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.

Meanwhile, a moderate Democrat backed by Hillary Clinton won an Ohio House primary race Tuesday night in a contest that turned into a war among the center and progressive wings of the party.

Shontel Brown, who ran as a candidate who would support President Joe Biden, defeated Nina Turner, a progressive favorite endorsed by Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

NBC News has called the race.

Brown also had the support of Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn, the Democratic kingmaker whose endorsement gave Biden a victory in South Carolina's presidential primary, thus saving his White House bid.

She will face Republican Laverne Gore in the November election. The Democrat is favored to win.

The primary battle in Ohio's 11th Congressional district became nasty as Democrats battled over who would replace Democratic Rep. Marcia Fudge, who Biden named as his housing secretary.

Shontel Brown, backed by Hillary Clinton and Rep. Jim Clyburn, beat a progressive favorite to win a crowded Democratic primary in an Ohio House race

Democrats were at war in the primary in the 11th Congressional district - Bernie Sanders endorsed Nina Turner, a progressive favorite

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has also endorsed Turner and campaigned for her in Cleveland last month

Brown and Turner emerged as the leading contenders among 13 Democrats running in the 11th district.

Big name Democrats flooded the district. Clyburn was in to campaign for Brown while Sanders and 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 got nasty.

Turner ran a commercial questions Brown's ethics and ends with the image of a jail door slamming.

She also criticized Brown for accepting a campaign contribution from New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, a close ally of Donald Trump's.

Brown touted Turner as too much of an outsider and too critical of Biden to accomplish anything in Congress.

Outside money played a big factor in the race. Democratic Majority for Israel, a super PAC, spent $1.2 million on ads supporting Brown and opposing Turner.

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 group of mates have been slapped with hefty fines after breaching Brisbane's Covid lockdown to 'drink and smoke' at the beach.

District Superintendent Craig Hawkin has warned to residents to follow the stay-in-home orders in place across southeast Queensland after police issued 48 penalty infringement notices on Tuesday.

It comes as the state recorded 16 new locally-acquired Covid cases on Wednesday bringing the west Brisbane outbreak to 63 cases.

Of the 48 fines, 34 were issued caught breaching lockdown without a valid reason.

Supt Hawkins said the most concerning incident was four friends who travelled from Brisbane's north east to the Sunshine Coast.

Four Brisbane residents have been fined $1378 each after breaching lockdown by travelling to Caloundra (pictured) on the Sunshine Coast

'Three men and a woman, all in their 20s, came to the Coast from Redcliffe just to meet up and socialise on the beach,' he said.

'They were just sitting around drinking and smoking at Caloundra about 8pm last night.'

The four people were each hit with a $1378 fine for failing to comply with Covid directions.

Supt Hawkins said rule-breakers could result in the eight-day lockdown - which is due to end on Sunday - being extended.

'These type of offences are reckless and selfish and only likely to spread the virus, which means more time in lockdown,' he said.

Queensland Police are considering implementing RBT-style interceptions to monitor residents movements and ensure they are following the public health measure.

All of the 16 cases reported Wednesday are the Delta variant, with 14 in the community while infectious.

The infections were detected from 51,479 tests conducted in the 24 hours to Tuesday morning.

District Superintendent Craig Hawkin (pictured) has warned that rule-breakers could see the lockdown across southeast Queensland extended

'This has become our biggest outbreak since the first wave last year,' Deputy Premier Steven Miles says told reporters on Wednesday.

Four cases are linked to the Ironside State School, two are linked to Indooroopilly State High School, one is linked to Brisbane Boys Grammar and nine cases are close contacts or family members.

Another new Delta case in Cairns is not genomically linked to Brisbane cluster.

The case is a reef pilot who is fully vaccinated with Pfizer and he's believed to have been infected by a crew member on a ship.

Almost 10,000 people are in home or hotel quarantine, and two new cases were not in the community for any point of their infectious period.

Chief Health Health Officer Jeannette Young said there's still hope the lockdown could end at 4pm on Sunday.

Supt Hawkin said the group were found 'drinking and smoking on the beach' around 8pm Tuesday

The aim of the lockdown isn't to eradicate the cluster, she said, but keep the number of people infectious in the community down.

'It doesn't matter (if) we've had those cases because they're in quarantine, so it won't stop us lifting the restrictions on Sunday,' she said.

'So please, everyone just think of what you can do in the next few days so we can lift this and we can beat all their predictions about how long it takes to get such a large cluster under control.'

Mr Miles urged people to stay home unless they absolutely need to do essential shopping or get health care.

'You can't go out because you need milk, but stop to look at EB Games or JB Hi-Fi,' he said.

'So the requirements are there, the police are checking people for the first time those RBT style interceptions. We just urge everyone to really, just for a few more days we hope, do the right thing.

'Five more days, do the right thing, and then next week you can buy all the sun lounges you think you need.'

Dr Young asked people to even delay online and 'click and collect' shopping for non-essential items until lockdown lifts.

Queensland recorded 16 new locally-acquired cases of Covid on Wednesday. Pictured: Brisbane's deserted CBD amid lockdown

'I'm a great online shopper, could you think about whether you need to do online shopping this week,' she said.

Queensland's Ekka public holiday set for next Wednesday will also be rescheduled.

Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said she hopes to receive 150,000 extra AstraZeneca vaccine doses from the Commonwealth next week.

'If (federal Health Minister" Greg Hunt's says they've got 150,000 now, which I have no doubt they do, of AstraZeneca then it should be on trucks today,' she said.

Ms D'Ath also said the government was also trying to work out what was causing vaccine hesitancy in Queensland.

'We do a lot of consumer advocacy and reach out to find out why it is that we, you know, have a vaccine hesitancy or why we're not coming forward,' she said.

'We need to break down the data as to whether it's AstraZeneca or Pfizer.'

Until recently, the state government had warned people under 40 not to get AstraZeneca due to the extremely small risk of a rare blood clotting disorder, which is treatable.

Earlier this week, Dr Young changed her advice and said people who think they are at risk should talk to their GPs about getting AstraZeneca.
A moderate Democrat backed by Hillary Clinton won an Ohio House primary race Tuesday night in a contest that turned into a war among the center and progressive wings of the party.

Shontel Brown, who ran as a candidate who would support President Joe Biden, defeated Nina Turner, a progressive favorite endorsed by Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

NBC News has called the race.

Brown also had the support of Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn, the Democratic kingmaker whose endorsement gave Biden a victory in South Carolina's presidential primary, thus saving his White House bid.

She will face Republican Laverne Gore in the November election. The Democrat is favored to win.

The primary battle in Ohio's 11th Congressional district became nasty as Democrats battled over who would replace Democratic Rep. Marcia Fudge, who Biden named as his housing secretary.

The two special House elections in Ohio on Tuesday tested both political parties: Donald Trump's sway on the Republican Party and the moderate and liberal divisions among Democrats.

Shontel Brown, backed by Hillary Clinton and Rep. Jim Clyburn, beat a progressive favorite to win a crowded Democratic primary in an Ohio House race

Democrats were at war in the primary in the 11th Congressional district - Bernie Sanders endorsed Nina Turner, a progressive favorite

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has also endorsed Turner and campaigned for her in Cleveland last month

Brown and Turner emerged as the leading contenders among 13 Democrats running in the 11th district.

Big name Democrats flooded the district. Clyburn was in to campaign for Brown while Sanders and 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 got nasty.

Turner ran a commercial questions Brown's ethics and ends with the image of a jail door slamming.

She also criticized Brown for accepting a campaign contribution from New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, a close ally of Donald Trump's.

Brown touted Turner as too much of an outsider and too critical of Biden to accomplish anything in Congress.

Outside money played a big factor in the race. Democratic Majority for Israel, a super PAC, spent $1.2 million on ads supporting Brown and opposing Turner.

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.

Meanwhile, a political newcomer backed by Trump won a crowded Republican primary contest in an Ohio House special election Tuesday night, showing the former president's influence on his party.

Coal lobbyist Mike Carey, who never held political office before, beat out 11 other Republicans for the nomination in Ohio's 15th Congressional district, to replace former Rep. Steve Stivers. Many of his competitors also had the backing of big-name Republicans.

The Associated Press called the race for Carey, who will compete against Democrat Allison Russo in the November general election. Carey is favored to win the GOP-leaning district.

'Great Republican win for Mike Carey. Big numbers! Thank you to Ohio and all of our wonderful American patriots. Congratulations to Mike and his family. He will never let you down!,' Trump said in a statement after the race was called.

Carey was a little known contender until he earned Trump's endorsement - a sign of the former president's influence on the Republican voters who decide the party's nominee. Carey is a close friend of Corey Lewandowski, Trump's former campaign manager.

'Tonight, Republicans across Ohios 15th Congressional District sent a clear message to the nation that President Donald J. Trump is, without a doubt, the leader of our party,' Carey said in a statement after his victory.

Donald Trump backed candidate, coal lobbyist Mike Carey (above), won Ohio's crowded Republican primary in the 15th Congressional district

Mike Carey had never held elected office and was a little known contender until Trump endorsed his campaign

The former president has touted his blessing as the political equivalent of a golden ticket. But he's struggled 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 was an assortment of other candidates running the Republican primary for the 15th district - all with their own big name backers:

state Rep. Jeff LaRe, who was endorsed by Stivers to replace him in his seat

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.'

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.
Angela Tramonte, 31, (pictured) was found dead at around 4.40pm Friday off the Echo Canyon Trail of Camelback Mountain after she went hiking with Phoenix cop Dario Dizdar

The Phoenix cop who took a Massachusetts woman he met online on a first date hike before she was found dead in the Arizona desert had a history of lying to investigators, it has been revealed.

Angela Tramonte, 31, agreed to go hiking on Camelback Mountain last Friday with Phoenix Police Officer Dario Dizdar, whom she had been talking to on Instagram for the past two months and had traveled from her hometown of Saugus, outside Boston, to meet in person.

She was found dead at around 4.40pm off the Echo Canyon Trail near a home at the base of the mountain.

Dizdar told investigators that Tramonte had become 'overheated' and decided to turn around about halfway up the mountain, while he continued up the peak.

When he returned back to the parking lot, Didzar said Tramonte was nowhere to be found and he called emergency services to report her missing.

Authorities have said they do not believe any foul play was involved in Tramonte's death.

But Tramonte's friends back home in Massachusetts are now calling for a thorough investigation, expressing their doubts over Dizdar's story.

The friends' suspicions were exacerbated by the revelation that Didzar - who joined the Phoenix Police Department in 2007 - has a history of being untruthful to cops, the Daily Beast reported.

The outlet obtained documents which showed Didzar was disciplined in 2009 after he lied to cops about who he was during a criminal investigation and gave them a false name and age.

No charges have been made in connection with Tramonte's death and the cause of her death is still listed as 'pending' by the coroner.

Records showed Phoenix Police Officer Dario Didzar (pictured) was disciplined in 2009 after he lied to cops about who he was during a criminal investigation and gave them a false name

Dizdar is seen near the hiking trail after cops responded to his call about Tramonte

Tramonte's friends have demanded a thorough investigation into her death.

'We want answers, we want justice and we want an investigation to go further and we want to see what this guy was really all about,' Stacey Gerardi told CBS Boston.

'As a first responder you're supposed to help people,' she said. 'Why would you not walk her back down? Why would you continue to walk back up.'

'Knowing she'd be down there, she'd be by herself, it makes no sense,' another friend, Sarina Viola, interjected.

'It does not make any sense,' Gerardi agreed. 'They need to keep looking.'

Dizdar - who was first identified by ABC15 - reportedly told police Tramonte had asked him to continue walking up the mountain so he could take pictures that she could share to her social media pages, and they agreed to meet back at the car.

He requested assistance at around 1pm Friday, authorities said, after reportedly not finding her at the parking lot like they had agreed, and rescue teams, including over 30 fire personnel and a police helicopter were dispatched to the scene.

Her friends back home in Massachusetts are now calling for an investigation into her death, even though authorities have said they do not believe any foul play was involved

After a few hours of searching, authorities said they found her body 'unresponsive [and] beyond resuscitative efforts' and she was pronounced dead on the scene.

She did not appear to have water with her - and neither did Dizdar - when she was found dead, despite temperatures reaching 104 degrees Fahrenheit that day, according to the Boston Globe.

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.

He described the mountain as 'unforgiving.'

This mountain doesn't care who you are, or how great of a hiker or an experienced hiker you are,' McDade said. 'The mountain, in a situation like that, usually wins.'

Dizdar was seen at the scene talking to authorities from inside his car

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

Police in Phoenix, Arizona say foul play is not suspected in the death

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.'

In a statement to DailyMail.com, she said: '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.'

Tramonte's body did not seem to have a water bottle with her at the time of her death

Tramonte's body was found near a home at the base of the mountain (pictured), and authorities believe she was trying to reach the home to get some help

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.'

It has since raised more than $44,500.
Don Lemon awkwardly addressed Andrew Cuomo's sex allegations just seconds after exchanging pleasantries with the governor's brother Chris on CNN last night.

Lemon said 'I love you brother' to Chris during the handover before questioning whether Andrew should resign as New York state governor.

During the exchange, the pair discussed the Capitol riots after Cuomo failed to address the bombshell report accusing his brother of sexually harassing 11 women.

Lemon told his colleague: ' You know what? I love you, brother.'

Cuomo replied: 'I love you D Lemon.'

Cuomo then disappeared from view as Lemon immediately switched focus to the embattled governor.

Don Lemon started talking about Andrew Cuomo the second that his brother got off the air pic.twitter.com/Pd1e7QgogL  Jordan Lancaster (@jordylancaster) August 4, 2021

Don Lemon awkwardly addressed Andrew Cuomo's sex allegations just seconds after exchanging pleasantries with his brother Chris on CNN last night

He said: 'The calls are getting louder and louder. This is what I'm talking about: top Democrats from New York to the White House calling on Governor Andrew Cuomo to resign.

'That in the wake of a bombshell report from the state's attorney general that alleges the governor sexually harassed 11 women, including state employees and a state trooper.'

Earlier in the show, Chris failed to mention the scandal at all, instead focusing on Covid and the January 6 riots.

The CNN host was also seen yesterday taking a helicopter to the Hamptons hours after he was named in the report as one of the governor's 'inner circle' that offered him advice amid the allegations.

During the exchange, the pair discussed the Capitol riots after Cuomo failed to address the bombshell report accusing his brother of sexually harassing 11 women

Cuomo then disappeared from view as Lemon immediately switched focus to the embattled governor

As the accusations against his brother were flowing this spring, Chris said he could not discuss the story on air. It later emerged that Chris was advising his brother on media strategy - angering many of his colleagues within the network.

'Obviously I am aware of what is going on with my brother,' he said on March 1.

'And obviously I cannot cover it because he is my brother. Now, of course CNN has to cover it. They have covered it extensively and they will continue to do so.'

He then moved on, having thanked his audience 'for being straight with me, and I've always been straight with you'. He said he 'always cared very deeply about these issues, and profoundly so.'

On Tuesday night, he failed to address it entirely - even as his previous anchors devoted much of their shows to the scandal.

Chris Cuomo on Tuesday night was discussing COVID - and studiously ignoring the major news scrolling constantly beneath his screen (circled)

The 50-year-old CNN anchor ignored the report into his 63-year-old politician brother

>> @ChrisCuomo at the top of @CuomoPrimeTime tonight: "Obviously I am aware of what is going on with my brother. And obviously I cannot cover it because he is my brother. Now, of course CNN has to cover it. They have covered it extensively and they will continue to do so." pic.twitter.com/G49mZYTG4D  Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) March 2, 2021

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

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

Don Lemon, who came on immediately after, at 10pm ET, was damning in his criticism of the governor and spent a large chunk of his opening discussing the dramatic day.

The 168-page report, overseen by Letitia James, the New York attorney general, found the allegations by the 11 women to be credible. Her team spent five months interviewing 175 people.

They reported that Chris Cuomo was part of an 'inner circle' of advisers brought in to do damage control in the wake of the sexual harassment allegations this spring.

Chris 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 Andrew 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.'

The document confirms previous reports about Chris's involvement in the scandal for which he was forced to apologize.

The investigation, which took five months to complete, concluded that Cuomo engaged in a 'disturbing' pattern of conduct and created a 'toxic' workplace environment.

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 was also brought in even though his only credentials appear to be being related to Cuomo and working in the media.

The investigation found Chris and other advisers counseled Governor Andrew Cuomo to 'express contrition' after the allegations from Charlotte Bennett (pictured) the second accuser to come forward, emerged in February

Cuomo, who has always denied the allegations, gave a televised address an hour after James's report was released during which he denied all of the claims and called the report a political attack on his character

Report states investigators found it 'revealing and consistent with the Executive Chamber's overall approach' that the inner circle of advisers brought in 'included a number of individuals with no official role in the Executive Chamber'

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

The governor made numerous appearances on his own brother's show last year, for lighthearted interviews that featured brotherly banter

The report cites internal documents and communications obtained during the investigation which show that 'the governor's advisors, including Mr Pollock and Chris Cuomo, counseled him to express contrition after the press published Ms. Bennett's allegations.'

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.'

'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.'

Charlotte Bennett, 35, claimed that in June 2020, when she was alone with Cuomo he told her he was open to a relationship with a much younger woman.

Cuomo supposedly complained that he 'can't even hug anyone' during the pandemic and said: 'No, I mean, like really hugged somebody?'

Bennett told the New York Times: 'I understood that the governor wanted to sleep with me, and felt horribly uncomfortable and scared.'

On February this year, the day when the story was published, Cuomo released a press release saying he did not 'intend to act in any way that was inappropriate.'

The next day, he issued another press release saying that he 'never intended to offend anyone or cause any harm.'

The report states that during his testimony to investigators, Chris Cuomo said there was 'discussion about remedial measures the (executive) chamber should take in light of the sexual harassment allegations, but some people had taken the position that 'they should just wait.'

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

The report does not explain if Chris Cuomo's advice to his brother was born of efforts to make his brother feel contrition or if it was a strategic move to help him survive the scandal.

Previous reports in the Washington Post painted a different picture and said that Chris Cuomo urged his brother to take up a 'defiant' position amid calls for his resignation.

Chris Cuomo supposedly brought up 'cancel culture' and encouraged his brother to stand his ground.

Andrew Cuomo responded to the Attorney General's report in a televised address Tuesday saying the 'facts are much different than what has been portrayed'.

He said: 'I want you to know that I never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances

'That is just not who I am and that's not who I have ever been'.

Cuomo said he'd never sexually harass anyone, much less a sexual assault survivor like Charlotte Bennett - claiming 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.
A flock of galahs entertained a small seaside town by spinning and flipping upside down on power lines.

The eight native Australian birds held on to the wires showing their acrobatic skills in Jan Juc, a small town on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria on July 16.

Mesmerising video shows the striking pink birds somersaulting and opening their wings to let rain shower over them.

Video has been captured of a mob of pink galahs spinning and flipped on high electrical wires to let rain wash every part of their body

The galahs embraced the rain and used it for a natural shower, moving around the power lines to let the water flow across them.

Galahs can fly at up to 70km/h and are generally acrobatic birds.

They usually travel in big flocks of up to 100 birds but will split off into smaller groups when they land.
Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson are still confident that their vaccines can protect against COVID-19 variants despite a recent report warning about hundreds of breakthrough infections in a Massachusetts town.

The new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention focused on an outbreak in the Cape Cod town of Provincetown, a heavy tourist hotspot in Barnstable County, after the July 4 weekend.

Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson told Fox News that they remain certain that their vaccines prevent severe illness and death despite the alarming report amid the spread of the Delta variant.

Moderna, the third major COVID-19 vaccine maker in the United States, did not appear to address the efficacy of the vaccine with Fox News.

Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson are still confident that their vaccines can protect against COVID-19 variants and serious illness, despite a recent report warning about hundreds of breakthrough infections in a Massachusetts town. Pictured: Pedestrians reflected in a store window walk down Commercial Street in Provincetown during the coronavirus pandemic

A nurse gives Eric Wilson, 20, a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in Mississippi on Tuesday

Moderna said that the safety of the company's products is 'paramount' as it monitors 'safety across all products in practice and in trials'

Bartender Denis Angelov pours drinks at Tin Pan Alley restaurant in Provincetown in April

DailyMail.com has reached out to the three vaccine makers for more information and additional comment in the wake of the CDC study.

'The vaccine continues to be highly efficacious in preventing COVID-19, including variants and to date, no variant, including Delta, appears to have escaped the protection of the vaccine,' Pfizer said in a statement to Fox News.

'Furthermore, two doses of BNT162b2 continue to show high efficacy from preventing severe disease and hospitalizations.'

Pfizer reportedly declined to comment on the CDC data to Fox News.

Johnson & Johnson also maintained their vaccine while backing a recent change to federal mask guidance. The CDC recommended last Tuesday that even those who are fully vaccinated should wear masks in indoor public settings in areas where COVID-19 transmission is high or substantial.

'All authorized COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to help prevent infection and reduce the severity of illness, which is why COVID-19 vaccinations are such an important tool to help end the pandemic,' Johnson & Johnson told Fox News.

'As noted by the CDC, though a small percentage of people who are fully vaccinated can still get COVID-19, developing severe illness is still a rare occurrence.'

Johnson & Johnson reiterated findings from the CDC study which found that, of the 469 cases of breakthrough infections observed in Barnstable County, only 1.2% were hospitalized.

'As of July 27, no deaths were reported in the cases the CDC studied, which is a sign vaccination is working as intended,' Johnson & Johnson told Fox News.

In a press release ahead of the July 4 weekend, Johnson & Johnson announced data 'that demonstrated its single-shot COVID-19 vaccine generated strong, persistent activity against the rapidly spreading Delta variant' and other variants.

'In addition, the data showed that the durability of the immune response lasted through at least eight months,' the release reads.

Meanwhile, Moderna told Fox News that the safety of the company's products is 'paramount' as it monitors 'safety across all products in practice and in trials.'

The CDC study, published on Friday, found 469 cases of COVID-19 associated with multiple summer events and large public gatherings - even though 69% of Massachusetts residents were vaccinated.

A map shows the total number of coronavirus infections and deaths in the United States

A graph shows the number of deaths from the coronavirus in the United States per day since the start of the pandemic

A graph shows the number of coronavirus deaths in the United States per day in July and August

A graph shows the number of coronavirus infections in the United States per day since the start of the pandemic

A graph shows the number of coronavirus infections in the United States per day in July and August

Researchers said that 346 cases - or 74% - occurred in fully vaccinated people. Scientists did DNA sequencing on 133 of those patients and found that 119 of them, or 89%, had the Delta variant.

The study found that 79% of vaccinated patients with breakthrough infection were symptomatic. There were five COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized, four of whom were fully vaccinated - though no deaths were reported.

Researchers found that the Delta variant is 'highly transmissible' but that 'vaccination is the most important strategy to prevent severe illness and death.'

The study found that viral loads, which indicate the likelihood that someone could transmit the virus to others, were similar among 127 fully vaccinated people and 84 people who were unvaccinated or partially vaccinated.

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky called the 'pivotal discovery' on viral loads 'concerning' in a statement issued on Friday

This graph shows how many people someone infected with the above diseases is likely to transfer them on to. For people who catch chickenpox, scientists estimate they will pass on the infection to between 10 and 12 others. And for those who catch measles, they are thought to pass it on to 12 to 18 others. Scientists at the CDC have estimated every person who catches the Indian 'Delta' variant of Covid could pass it on to eight other people. But British scientists say this is not correct

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky called the 'pivotal discovery' on viral loads 'concerning' in a statement issued on Friday.

'High viral loads suggest an increased risk of transmission and raised concern that, unlike with other variants, vaccinated people infected with Delta can transmit the virus,' she said.

'This finding is concerning and was a pivotal discovery leading to CDCs updated mask recommendation. The masking recommendation was updated to ensure the vaccinated public would not unknowingly transmit virus to others, including their unvaccinated or immunocompromised loved ones.'

The CDC has noted that all authorized vaccines have shown 65% to 95% efficacy in preventing symptomatic, laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 - and more than 89% effectiveness against the coronavirus severe enough to require hospitalization.

While some breakthrough cases are possible, health officials have continued to tell Americans that vaccines substantially reduce the spread of COVID-19 - even against the Delta variant.

On Monday, Walensky reiterated that 'this remains a pandemic of the unvaccinated' - noting that unvaccinated Americans are the primary cause for recent transmission rates and account for most new hospitalizations and deaths.
A cancer survivor is 'gutted' her Pfizer jab was 'ruthlessly' cancelled by SMS as health authorities divert vaccines to Year 12 students in Covid hotspots.

Jules Dos Santos, 41, a Newcastle single mother who is has been in remission from breast cancer for five years, was relieved to be in line for a Pfizer jab on August 17 - but on Sunday she received a text message cancelling the appointment.

'I'm sick of fighting for my life I shouldn't have to fight with NSW Health for my vaccine, it should just be reinstated,' a distraught Ms Dos Santos, who has a weakened immune system. told Daily Mail Australia.

Jules Dos Santos, a Newcastle single mother who has been in remission from breast cancer for five years, was relieved to be in line for a Pfizer jab on August 17 - but on Sunday she received a text message cancelling the appointment

Ms Dos Santos has an allergic reaction to many medications as a result of her long cancer battle - which has seen her go through chemotherapy and six surgeries. She fears a major reaction to AstraZeneca

NSW Health fears an outbreak of the dangerous Indian Delta variant of Covid-19 after the virus was detected in the town's sewage.

Ms Dos Santos has a weakened immune system after undergoing chemotherapy, radiation and six surgeries in her cancer recovery and fears what AstraZeneca might do to her.

She typically has an anaphylactic reaction to penicillin, is allergic to codeine and analgesics and 'couldn't breathe' after a recent 'mild infusion' given to help ward off a return of her breast cancer.

The NSW government announced this week it was diverting 40,000 jabs from regional areas to vaccinate the students in Sydney hotspots as the city's Covid-19 outbreak persists.

HSC student Keira (pictured) agreed it's not fair that jabs are being rediverted from regional areas by the NSW government

After cancelling her Pfizer jab, NSW Health instead offered Ms Dos Santos the confronting choice of either an AstraZeneca shot this Thursday or to wait three months for another Pfizer dose.

Although she fears the AstraZeneca side effects she feels she has no choice with Covid detected in sewage in Newcastle.

'I cant afford to fight Covid, my body isn't the same as what it was before I had cancer,' she said.

'I cried on the phone to a lovely lady at the Gosford vaccination hub on Monday.'

Ms Dos Santos said the nurse at Gosford was 'shocked' at her treatment and gave her an email address at NSW Health to 'plead' her case.

NSW Premier Gladys Ms Berejiklian defended the diversion of Pfizer vaccines out of regional areas

But the response was a 'generic response pretty much saying tough luck'.

'It's ruthless what they've done, dropping me to the back of the queue.

'I feel gutted and really overwhelmed, I feel confused and let down by the health system that looked after me so well.'

'I've always said how lucky and proud I am to be in Australia, the healthcare system saved my life. But they've ripped away my vaccine - it doesn't make sense.

Ms Dos Santos is more frightened of the side effects of an AstraZeneca dose than blood clots.

'It's not blood clots I'm worried about, it's having an extreme reaction to AstraZeneca,' she said.

'Joe Blow might feel a bit off from the vaccine, but I don't just get a bit of vomiting, honestly. I get extreme vomiting, with constant nausea and headaches.'

All that while she is caring for her pre-schooler at home.

Ms Dos Santos said she was watching NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian on television urging people to get vaccinated and 'yelling at the TV, I'm trying to!'

'I'm sure I'm not the only one in this situation, there are a lot of other immunocompromised people - there must be hundreds like me?'

Daily Mail Australia contacted NSW Health regarding Ms Dos Santos on Wednesday afternoon.

Australians in regional areas are up in arms about their appointments for the coronavirus vaccine being cancelled and given to Year 12 students instead.

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.

Aged care worker Angela Murry was furious that her appointment was put on hold

'The message is quite clear, vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate,' Ms Murry told A Current Affair.

'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.

Craig Murry (pictured) is currently unable to reschedule his cancelled appointment

'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.

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.

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.'

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.
Christine Weston Chandler, 39, was arrested on Sunday on a felony count of incest for reportedly raping her elderly mother

A transgender YouTube star and comic creator who considers herself a 'goddess' had been embroiled in a series of controversies before being arrested over the weekend for allegedly raping her elderly mother.

Christine Weston Chandler, 39, who is better known online as 'Chris Chan,' has gained fame as the founder of the Sonichu and Rosechu web comic books that take place in her CWCville.

The main character, Sonichu, is a mix of Pikachu and Sonic the Hedgehog that is modeled after her standing her ground against witches, evil cops and internet trolls, with its love interest, Rosechu.

The series gained notoriety among 4Chan users in the early 2000s, and Chandler has since garnered an internet following, with 27,000 followers on Twitter and 50,000 subscribers on YouTube.

'I am Mrs. Christine W. Chandler Sonichu, Goddess of the Nations of CWCville, Comma and the Commodore Consoles, and the creator of Sonichu and Rosechu,' her twitter bio reads.

She has frequently featured her mother, Barbara Chandler, on her social media, and on Sunday she was booked into the Henrico County Jail in Virginia 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.

Video recorded by alt-right podcaster Ethan Ralph purports to show Chandler being arrested at a motel in Richmond, Virginia, on Sunday

As she is being led to the car, she could be heard yelling: 'I am compliant, I am good like this'

Chandler, who is autistic and receives disability from the state, was born Christopher Weston Chandler to Bob and Barbara Chandler, KVIA reports, and when she was still a child she legally changed her name to Christian for religious purposes, before ultimately changing it to Christine after coming out as transgender.

She first became infamous in the early 2000s, when 4Chan users first became aware of her web comic.

In 2007, Chandler went viral when Encyclopedia Dramatica mocked her comics allegedly ridiculing women and being homophobic, The Sun reports.

Over time she became embroiled in further controversy over her cartoon porn and a video she made in which she told internet trolls 'It is war' as she pointed a gun at the screen.

It is unclear whether the gun was real.

Then in October 2011, Chandler and her mother were arrested after Barbara hit a manager of a game center with her car, reported Insider. They paid a fine and underwent community service and a year of probation.

At around the same time, Chandler started to describe herself as a 'tomgirl' and said she was going through gender dysmorphia after years of homophobic remarks she later apologized for.

Five years later, she once again changed her name to Christine and came out as transgender. She also reportedly legally changed her gender and came out as bisexual, telling her followers she was looking for love.

After that, The Sun reports, Chandler seemed to fade into obscurity, until a 2014 fire at her mother's home, after which she was the target of people catfishing her and leaking her personal information.

That same year, she was arrested for spraying a GameStop employee with mace after he reportedly asked her to leave, and was charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor assault, according to filings from the Albemarle General District Court obtained by The Sun.

It was a lower charge than what she was originally booked for, a Class 6 felony for 'dangerous gas unlawful release.'

Chandler was given a 180-day suspended jail sentence and was ordered to pay $514 in court costs, The Sun reports.

Chandler gained notoriety in the early 2000s for her web comic series Sonichu and Rosechu

Chandler's most recent run-in with the law comes after a nine-minute recorded conversation was reportedly leaked on Discord, an instant messaging and digital distribution platform.

In the conversation, 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.

She apparently tells the friend that it was her mother who had 'made the first move,' leading to two to share a kiss, according to the audio file, which Newsweek reported.

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 previously 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.

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. It was streamed to 3,000 people live.

'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.'
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce was caught on camera scrambling to put on his mask after forgetting to wear it in Parliament.

With Covid-19 ravaging Sydney and Brisbane, MPs are being asked to wear masks when they are 'not participating in debate' in the House of Representatives in Canberra.

Just before Question Time began at 2pm on Wednesday, Mr Joyce was seen laughing and chatting with a colleague without wearing his face covering.

As Prime Minister Scott Morrison stood up to answer his first question, Mr Joyce appeared to have been reminded of the rules and frantically scrambled to retrieve his mask from his jacket pocket before putting it on.

Leader of the Nationals Barnaby Joyce poses for a photograph with partner Vikki Campion and sons Sebastian and Thomas after being sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister by Australia's Governor General David Hurley at Government House on June 22

Just five weeks ago Mr Joyce revealed he was fined by New South Wales Police for failing to wear a mask, in what he called a 'funny story'.

The Nationals leader was reported by a member of the public while filling up at a petrol station in Armidale, in northern NSW.

The local resident called Crime Stoppers to report 54-year-old after he was inside the store for less than a minute.

Officers checked the petrol station's CCTV and later issued the $200 penalty.

Just before Question Time began at 2pm on Wednesday, Mr Joyce (pictured left) was seen laughing and chatting with a colleague without wearing his face covering

Mr Joyce called his brief Covid breach a 'funny story' when he relayed it to Alan Jones on Sky News.

'You'll like this story. I went into the Caltex service station. I was going to the airport. I forgot to get fuel for Biggie, fill the car up with fuel,' he said.

'Went in, 30 seconds later... two hundred bucks it cost me because I didn't wear one of these. That's life.'

NSW Deputy Police Commissioner Gary Worboys said the fine was a warning to the public that no one was above the law.
Australia's biggest banks are offering free Covid vaccinations for their staff in Sydney's Covid hotspots.

Both the Commonwealth Bank and Westpac are this month offering AstraZeneca jabs to staff members who have to attend a branch in one of eight local government areas hardest hit by this virus outbreak.

On Wednesday, New South Wales recorded 233 new community-transmitted cases of the more contagious Delta variant, with Sydney's south-west and west being the epicentre of the outbreak.

The area also has the state's lowest Covid vaccination rate with just 14.6 per cent of residents aged 16 and over fully vaccinated in these outer suburbs.

Australia's biggest banks are offering free Covid vaccinations for their staff in Sydney's Covid hotspots. Both the Commonwealth Bank and Westpac are this month offering AstraZeneca jabs if they have to attend a branch in one of eight local government areas (pictured is a Westpac branch at Cabramatta in Sydney's south-west)

Commonwealth Bank chief executive Matt Comyn said that from Monday, staff in Sydney's worst-affected areas would be offered a free Covid jab on a voluntary basis.

'As one of the countrys largest employers, we fully support all of the efforts being made to vaccinate Australians,' he said.

'We are going to start offering the vaccine to our people in customer-facing roles in the impacted Sydney LGAs from Monday.'

His Westpac counterpart Peter King said the bank's 10,000 employees in those eight council areas would be able to book online this month for a vaccination.

'We know that a vaccinated population is how we will have more freedom, open borders and a more normal way of life,' he said.

'We are committed to doing what we can to get more people jabbed and the vaccination rates at the levels they need to be for lockdowns to lift.

On Wednesday, New South Wales recorded 233 new community-transmitted cases of the more contagious Delta variant, with Sydney's south-west the epicentre of the outbreak. The area also has the state's lowest Covid vaccination rate with just 14.6 per cent of residents aged 16 and over fully vaccinated in these outer suburbs (pictured is a woman shopping at Cabramatta)

'With around 10,000 Westpac employees living in the eight most impacted Sydney LGAs, it is a heartland area for our organisation.'

While non-essential retail shops are now closed across Sydney, banks are allowed to operate during the Covid lockdown which will not be lifted until August 28 at the earliest.

In a bid to boost Australia's low Covid vaccination rate, the federal government is setting up drive-through vaccination clinics in shopping centres and schools.

Under the immunisation blitz, participating pharmacies will stay open long into the night and on weekends to offer the life-saving shots to the public, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison aiming for an 80 per cent vaccination rate to end lockdowns.

Commonwealth Bank chief executive Matt Comyn said that from Monday, staff in Sydney's worst-affected areas (pictured is Cabramatta's main mall) would be offered a free Covid jab on a voluntary basis

Nationally, just 19.7 per cent of Australians aged 16 and over are fully-vaccinated but in Sydney's south-west, covering the Liverpool and Fairfield council areas, that stands at 14.6 per cent.

By comparison, 26.9 per cent of people on the affluent North Shore have had two doses of either AstraZeneca or Pfizer.

Mr Morrison on Tuesday said an 80 per cent vaccination rate would make lockdowns 'almost completely unnecessary' and allow the nation to treat Covid like the flu.

'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.'

Government modelling by the Doherty Institute said that a 70 per cent vaccination rate could be achieved by October 18 if AstraZeneca doses are given four weeks apart, and 80 per cent could even be vaccinated by November 8.

If doses are given 12 weeks apart then the latest date an 80 per cent rate is predicted to be reached is November 22.
A partner of a sheep shearer has shared a video detailing the amount of money he makes in a 38-hour working week.

Shania Starick, who lives outside Adelaide, shared a video to her TikTok page on Monday in which her boyfriend explains just how much he earns in his job.

He says that in a usual five day week he shears over 1000 sheep at around $3.80 a head.

That comes to just under $4000 in a working week.

Shania Starick's partner (pictured) has detailed the huge amount of money he gets in a 38-hour working week for shearing sheep.

The video was in reply to Ebony Matheson who asked asked users to duet her video with where they live, where they work and how much they earn per hour.

The video was duetted with Ebony Matheson (pictured) who asked other TikTok users details about their work and how much they earn

Top 10 Occupations by Average Taxable Income 2018-2019 According to Australia Tax Office 1. Surgeon - $394,303 2. Anaesthetist - $386,065 3. Internal Medicine Specialist - $304,752 4. Financial Dealer - $275,984 5. Psychiatrist - $235,558 6. Other Medical Practitioner - $222,933 7. Judicial or other legal professionals - $188,798 8. Mining Engineer - $184,507 9. Chief Executive Officer - $164,896 10. Engineering Manager - $159,940 Advertisement

Users of the social media site were gobsmacked at how much he was earning - but many did admit they'd struggle with the job.

'Hard work - you pay what you deserve,' wrote one admirer.

'Good on you. Hard work, and must be back-breaking,' said another. 'You deserve good pay for it. I couldn't even shear one!'

In a follow up video replying to a comment, Ms Starick shows off her bloke's skills in a competition - showing him shearing two sheep in under one minute.

In this TikTok, her boyfriend is taking part in a sheep shearing competition and shears two sheep in just over a minute.

Many of the 1,400 viewers were impressed by the speed he works at.

'How the hell do you keep this up for 38 hours? You're a machine.' wrote one.

'Can't say you don't earn those $$$,' said another. 'That's hard bloody work.'

Some weren't as impressed with his form, saying that they found the handling of the sheep very rough and uncomfortable.

Ms Starick replied to one of these comments saying: 'The sheep was fine, and honestly, the quicker you are the more comfortable the sheep is.'

Many commented on the impressive speed that he shears in Ms Starick's follow up video (stock image)

Other unusual jobs that have a higher than expected salary include an ice cream taster (food scientist), who can be paid up to $56,000 a year.

A personal shopper can earn as much as $100,000 a year, while a television voice-over artist earns $62.15 per hour.

Ethical hackers in the US earn six figure salaries at $132,332 (AUD$178,000)

Traffic controllers in Sydney earn an average of $130,000 - with some earning as much as $180,000 a year due to high demand.
A teenage girl has died after being stabbed in a home and then rushed to a nearby medical centre in a critical condition.

Emergency services were called to Spearwood medical centre about 4.30pm Tuesday after the 18-year-old went there seeking medical attention.

She was treated by staff before paramedics rushed her to Fiona Stanley Hospital for surgery, but later died from her injuries.

It's understood the woman suffered the fatal wounds at her boyfriend's Galian Way home, The West Australian reports.

An 18-year-old girl has died after presenting to a Spearwood medical centre with a stab wound

Homicide Squad Detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding the young woman's death.

Investigators are currently at a home in Galian Way in Spearwood and a 17-year-old man is assisting them with their inquiries.

Anyone with any information is being urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or by making a report online at crimestopperswa.com.au.
A western Sydney man has filmed himself embarrassingly lecturing 'un-Australian' police and blasting 'Waltzing Matilda' on his car speakers while parked at a BP petrol station.

The man, who posted the footage to TikTok, was being questioned by police before going on a nonsensical diatribe about changing his address, accusing them of needing counselling and refusing to get out of his car.

The female officers tell him he 'can't change his address to any thing you'd like' if you don't reside there, before the man goes off on a rant.

'You're just looking for an excuse to harass citizens. This is nothing to do with health or Covid,' he yells.

'This is an embarrassment. Our glorious Anzacs died for this flag, for the freedom of this country.'

When officers try to calm the situation, the agitated man says 'no I'm talking'.

'I'm going to give you a lecture in politics because you guys don't understand what Australian values are, your behaviour is un-Australian.'

He then accuses the officers of swearing in public, claiming to be highly offended by their language.

'Go back to the police station. Maybe see a psychologist or counsellor,' the man said.

'Was this a very hard event for you to handle? Maybe get some sick leave?

'If it's too hot honey get out of the kitchen.'

Both of the officers appear visibly frustrated by the man's antics, and the confrontation becomes even more intense when he accuses the pair of being 'racist.'

Pictured: A western Sydney man has filmed himself embarrassingly lecturing 'un-Australian' police and blasting 'Waltzing Matilda' on his car speakers while parked at a BP petrol station

Pictured: The female officers (pictured) tell him he 'can't change his address to any thing you'd like' if you don't reside there, before the man goes off on a rant

'Is that a racial slur?' he says to the officer.

'I'm going to inform your commanding officer.'

In a second video, also posted the social media platform, officers direct the man to open his door.

'I'm not opening the door. Why do you want me to open the door? You had your hand on the gun, now you want me to open the door?' he said.

'You came up to the car with your hand on your gun. You were holding your gun. Were you gonna shoot me? You wanna shoot me now huh?'

The officers (pictured) direct the man to open his door but he refuses and blasts the Australian bush ballad Waltzing Matilda

With the man still refusing to open the door despite a contingent of four police officers surrounding his vehicle, he then blasted the iconic Australian bush ballad Waltzing Matilda.

At the end of the bizarre video one of officers can be seen smiling in amusement at the strange behaviour of the man.

Daily Mail Australia have contacted NSW Police for comment on the incident but were not able to ascertain if the man has been charged.
Australians are in stitches after discovering many Americans don't understand how roundabouts works and have no idea how to use them.

Chaotic video showed drivers struggling to use a new roundabout installed at an intersection in Kentucky.

Trucks and cars used both sides of the road, and went around the wrong way in laughable fashion with clearly no idea how to deal with it.

Australians are in stitches after discovering many Americans don't understand how roundabouts works and have no idea how to use them

The roundabout was installed after many high-speed crashes at the intersection when cars and trucks failed to stop.

'Its going to throw them for a loop. A complete 360. No doubt about it,' local Jason Whisman said of plans to install it.

The main reason for Americans' inability to navigate what Australians believe to be a relatively simple traffic feature is that there aren't many of them.

The whole country only 7,100 operational roundabout for a population of 333 million, while Britain, a country 40 times smaller has more than 25,000.

Australians posted on social media mocking Americans for being unable to navigate roundabouts, joking they were afraid of them.

One user questioned how the common six-point intersections used in Los Angeles were simpler than the common roundabout.

So youre telling me that Americans are fine using this, but they cannot figure out how to use a god damn roundabout. pic.twitter.com/j03iWpno2f  George T (@GTonaerio) September 8, 2020

Why are Americans more afraid of roundabouts than of semi automatic rifles?????!!!!  Mohn (@Sonic_peed) November 11, 2020

I'm from Australia, forgive me, but for those in USA, this is an Intersection in LA, how on earth does this 6 way intersection work? Like where is the roundabout? We give way to our Right, who do you actually give way to? #ConfusedAustralian #RHOBH @BravoTV @hayu_au pic.twitter.com/juBht0sSeF  Richard Kris (@RichardAKris) July 8, 2021

A 2009 Slate article attempted to encourage people in the US to embrace the new intersection system.

'Here is a narrative that has been playing out over the last several years in any number of American towns,' it argued.

'Traffic engineers notice that a particular intersection has a crash problem or is moving traffic inefficiently.

'Engineers propose a roundabout. Townspeople raise concerns. Roundabouts are not safe, they say. They are confusing. They are bad for pedestrians. They will hurt local businesses.

'Then, the roundabout is built, the safety record improves, traffic congestion doesnt seem any worse than before, and the complaints begin to fade.'
An elderly couple who moved from Victoria to regional Queensland before the state border closed found themselves forced into hotel quarantine and fined thousands of dollars for alleged Covid breaches.

Robyn Anderson and Robert Legg arrived in Roma, 470km west of Brisbane, in mid-July from Victoria to begin a new life.

Both claimed to have filled out the correct entry form to enter Queensland, arriving the day before Victoria was declared a Covid-19 hotspot by the Sunshine State.

But the pair were soon visited by police in Roma after they started 14 days of quarantine, who said they had breached entry requirements.

They were each issued with $4,003 fines and ordered to head to Brisbane to go into hotel quarantine at their own expense.

Robert Legg and Robyn Anderson in their forced hotel quarantine accommodation in Brisbane

The couple claim they were then escorted from town, despite warning police their car would not make it to Brisbane.

When the car broke down near Toowoomba, police told them to take a taxi to Brisbane where they are in quarantine at serviced apartments in Chermside.

'We believe we did everything right but we got slapped with $4,000 fines for breaching border orders, were now stuck in hotel quarantine and our car is in a holding yard somewhere,' Ms Anderson told The Courier-Mail.

'All our savings are gone and weve got rent due on both the Roma and Victorian houses.'

The couple's car broke down in Toowoomba after police in Roma told them they needed to quarantine in Brisbane, 470kms away

Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski was first asked about the couple on Tuesday but only responded at Wednesday's press conference.

He said he was satisfied that police actions in the case were appropriate.

'The investigations of the police disclosed that they had initially denied coming out of a hotspot but had, in fact, come out of the hotspot, which was a breach,' he said.

'They have been issued with a penalty infringement notice for that and the evidence exists that that's what was required.'

Ms Anderson said she would be appealing the fines.

'It has been stressful,' she told 9News. 'I know Rob's blood pressure is starting to play up.'

When the car broke down near Toowoomba, police told them to take a taxi to Brisbane where they are in quarantine

Queensland Deputy Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said on Wednesday morning that he was satisfied police actions in the case were 'appropriate'

Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli defended the couple to 9News.

'I tell you what I saw - I didn't see rule-breakers, I saw a couple of battlers trying to do the right thing,' he said.

Ms Anderson and Mr Legg are able to leave hotel quarantine on Thursday night after Queensland Health revoked the orders.

They were expected to head back to Roma via Toowoomba to collect their car.

Ms Anderson said they were looking forward to 'steak, eggs and chips' because food in their quarantine accommodation was 's**t'.
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Pictures have emerged appearing to show detectives are now being used to enforce Sydney's lockdown laws.

Two officers in suits, typically worn by police detectives, were spotted confiscating what appeared to be a longneck beer from a sheepish man in Bondi Beach on Wednesday afternoon.

The detectives allowed the man to take one last sip of the drink before taking it from him. They then appeared to check his ID to confirm whether he lived in the eastern suburbs before telling the man to move on.

He was seen walking down the beachfront promenade moments later with a huge grin on his face.

NSW Police were unable to confirm whether the officers were detectives or if the man was fined.

A man was allowed one more sip before his alcohol was taken away from him at Bondi Beach in Sydney's east on Wednesday

Two men, believed to be detectives, confiscated the drink and appeared to check the man's ID before letting him go

With Greater Sydney 40 days into a strict lockdown, residents are only allowed to leave their homes for four reasons.

These include for exercise, essential shopping, to give or receive medical care and for essential work or school.

Police have ramped up their presence throughout Sydney in response to the extension of the lockdown which is due to end on August 28 - as Covid-19 infections continue to surge.

On Sunday officers in a police helicopter were filmed demanding sunbathers pack up and leave Gordon's Bay at Clovelly in Sydney's east, or be hit with fines for breaking stay-at-home orders.

Some commenters on the video which was shared to TikTok called the bizarre police measures 'over the top' and compared it to something that might be seen in North Korea.

Others said it shows that those living in Sydney's glamorous eastern suburbs are not taking lockdown seriously.

Meanwhile in the city's west and south-west where the majority of cases have emerged, 300 ADF soldiers have joined the efforts of NSW Police in enforcing the lockdown.

One of the suited officers appeared to check the man's identification to check he lived in the area

The man had a huge grin on his face as he was eventually moved on by the policemen

The detectives then parted ways from the Sydney resident and continued walking down the main promenade

Two million people locked-down in eight hotspot LGAs in the areas are under a harsher lockdown than the rest of the city and must stay within 5km of their home and wear a mask whenever they're outside.

Those who work outside of home can't leave the area unless they have an exemption.

The ADF soldiers will be patrolling the streets and door knocking to ensure those that are meant to be isolating are at home.

The military had been requested by Police Commissioner Mick Fuller last Thursday.

It comes after NSW recorded 233 new cases on Wednesday and two deaths.

Ady Al-Askar, 27, collapsed in his shower on Tuesday afternoon and was unable to be revived.

Meanwhile in the city's west and south-west where the majority of cases have emerged, 300 ADF soldiers have joined the efforts of NSW Police in enforcing the lockdown

Residents are seen in locked down Fairfield on Wednesday

The 27-year-old had been isolating in his Liverpool unit in Sydney's southwest with his aged care nurse wife, Yasmin, who first contracted the virus and brought it home from work.

The couple were due to end their 14-day mandatory quarantine period on Wednesday and relatives are questioning whether Covid contributed to his death.

Mr Al-Askar was not vaccinated. .

An unvaccinated woman in her 80s from Sydney's inner-west also died at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital on Tuesday, taking the death toll from the city's latest outbreak of the highly-contagious Delta strain to 17.

Forty-seven of the new cases were infectious in the community. The source of 133 infections is still under investigation.

The isolation status of another 73 cases is unknown, while 130 cases are yet to be linked to a known cluster.

The cases, reported in the 24 hours to 8pm on Tuesday, mean 1489 cases have been recorded in a week.

'I actually think they will get worse,' NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.

'If you look at the number of people infectious in the community, it indicates that perhaps we haven't reached our peak.'

She said mobility data showed fewer people were moving than during Victoria's 2020 winter lockdown, but NSW was facing a more contagious virus strain.

NSW recorded 233 new cases on Wednesday and two deaths with one aged 27

Facing questions about why Bunnings and other retailers were still open, the premier said restrictions were the harshest the nation had seen and the list of authorised workers was 'very small'.

Overnight, NSW listed 275 different visits by positive cases at more than 170 venues.

Venues included a Parramatta Centrelink visited four times in eight days, several post offices, more than 50 supermarkets and two McDonalds visited more than a fortnight ago.

The additions were so extensive NSW Health unusually did not list each out in a media release or social media, instead directing people to check its website regularly.

Nearly 40 venues are Woolworths, extending from Brookvale in Sydney's north to Figtree in Wollongong.

Meanwhile, hundreds of residents of an apartment block in Campbelltown are in a severe lockdown after several residents were infected with Covid-19.

All perimeters of the Warby Street complex were surrounded by police officers to ensure no-one enters or leaves the building on the orders of NSW Health.

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant has since confirmed there are nine infected resident in seven units at the complex.

Similar action was taken earlier in the outbreak at unit blocks in Blacktown and Bondi Junction.

Having once lauded NSW as the 'gold standard' in Covid-19 management, Prime Minister Scott Morrison now concedes that's not fit for purpose due to the highly infectious nature of the Delta strain.

Meanwhile, residents of an apartment block in Campbelltown are in a severe lockdown after several residents were infected with Covid-19

Wednesday night will be the 40th night in lockdown for Greater Sydney and surrounding regions.

Nearly 85,000 vaccine shots were administered in NSW on Monday. Figures show 42.3 per cent of people 16 and older have had at least one shot, while one-in-five residents are fully vaccinated.

'It is just really tragic when I see that people in their 70s, 80s and 90s are yet to be vaccinated,' Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said.

'We know vaccines work. Vaccines protect you, even one dose.'
A fly-in fly-out worker has tested positive to Covid-19 in Perth after flying into the city's airport from a rural mine - as hundreds of travellers are ordered to self-isolate.

Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan said the worker tested positive to the virus after returning from the Fortescue Cloudbreak mine site in the state's north-west on July 27.

The worker returned a 'weak' positive result and authorities are unsure when, or for how long, he was infectious in the community, but say it could be as long as 16 days.

His girlfriend was tested and has returned a negative result.

He is believed to have caught the virus at Perth Airport on July 20 from a traveller who flew to WA after completing hotel quarantine in Queensland.

Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan has announced a fly-in, fly-out worker has returned a 'weak' positive result for Covid-19

Health Minister Roger Cook said it was unlikely genomic testing would reveal which strain of the virus the FIFO worker had contracted because his result was so weak.

'To further complicate matters, the FIFO worker had been COVID-positive back in March and April last year,' Mr McGowan said.

'There is some confusion, we don't know if he is actually a shedder of the virus now, although that is unlikely.

'We don't actually know that he acquired it from the gentleman at the airport on July 20, but that is the most plausible explanation we have.'

The worker is believed to have spent most of his time in the coastal suburb of Fremantle and Greenwood in Perth's north since returning from a week-long stint at the mine site.

Six exposure sites have so far been announced across the city, including the Subiaco Hotel in the inner-city and the Indian Ocean Hotel in Scarborough in Perth's north-west.

Anyone who was at either terminal three or four at Perth Airport on July 20 between 4am and 7am has been told to get tested for Covid-19 and isolate until they receive a negative result.

The same order has been given to travellers and staff at the two terminals on July 27 between 4.15am and 6am.

The worker tested positive to the virus after returning from the Fortescue Cloudbreak mine site in the state's north-west on July 27. Pictured are mine workers boarding a flight at Perth Domestic Airport in December 2020

WA VENUES POTENTIALLY EXPOSED TO COVID-19 Fremantle, Pathwest waiting room, Fremantle Hospital - August 2 - 1.00pm - 3.00pm Subiaco, Subiaco Hotel 465 Hay Street - July 31 - 6.30pm  12.00am Scarborough, Indian Ocean Hotel (Indi Bar) 23-27 Hastings Street - July 29 - 7.30pm  1.00am Fremantle, Old Faithful Hotel 1 Packenham Street - July 28 - 5.00pm  7.30pm Perth Airport, T3/4 Perth Domestic Airport Dunreath Drive - July 27 - 4.15am  6.00am Perth Airport, T3/4 Perth Domestic Airport Dunreath Drive - July 20 - 4.00am  7.00am Advertisement

A healthcare worker takes a swab from a patient at a drive-through testing station in Perth on June 29. Six possible exposure sites have so far been announced across the city by health officials

Passengers wearing PPE arrive at Perth Airport from Brisbane on January 8. Anyone who was at either terminal three or four at the airport on July 20 between 4am and 7am has been told to get tested for Covid-19 and isolate until they receive a negative result

Mr Cook said it was possible the FIFO worker was not infectious at all given this was the second time he contracted the virus.

'The suspicion is that if he did acquire the virus again then there is a possibility he wasn't infectious at all,' Mr Cook said.

'He has three very close contacts in relation to work, one of those has been tested and is also negative.'
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The Met Office has issued a four-day yellow weather warning across areas in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with heavy rain set to start tonight before thunderstorms deluge parts of the UK on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. More than a month's rainfall in a single day is possible in some areas.

The worst of the conditions will be on Friday with up to 4in (100mm) of rain forecast over the day in a Met Office weather warning covering the Midlands and North of England, North Wales and Northern Ireland.

There are no flood warnings in place over the four nations, but this could change due to the intense showers expected to batter the country over the weekend.

Areas hit by the storms could receive as much as 1.2in (30mm) of rain in just a couple of hours between the period of 10am to midnight  compared to the normal August rainfall for England which is 2.7in (69mm).

But the Met Office has at least predicted some good news for staycationers and families on school holidays, with the second half of August set to be 'drier' with 'higher than average' temperatures.

Hot air balloons take off at the launch of the 2021 Bristol International Balloon Fiesta this morning

Hot air balloons rise over Bristol this morning at the launch of the 2021 Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

Hot air balloons take off in Bristol today at the start of 'Fiesta Fortnight' which see balloons fly from locations across the city

Hot air balloons take off at the launch of the 2021 Bristol International Balloon Fiesta this morning

People walk by Umberslade Farm in Tamworth in Arden, Warwickshire, during the morning sunshine today

A beautiful sunrise at Ibsley Common in the New Forest this morning ahead of thunderstorms over the next few days

Met Office spokesman Oli Claydon said: 'We've got an area of low pressure that's moving in from the west from the Atlantic and across the UK which is going to bring very unsettled conditions across the weekend.

'The weather warnings have been put in place from today lunchtime right the way through to Saturday morning at around 9am. It's going to start tomorrow with rain in Northern Ireland and then thunderstorms are going to extend across the central slice of the UK.'

He added: 'We could see 20-30mm of rain in a short space of time on Friday. With some places even seeing between 80-100mm, most likely in north Wales and north west England.'

There has been heavy rain in parts of north Wales and northern England on Wednesday.

But the showers will mostly die out until Thursday, when Northern Ireland will begin to bear the brunt of the thunderstorms.

Bands of rain will then move northeastwards across the UK, becoming heavy in places with downpours and strong winds.

The worst of the wet weather, however, will be seen throughout Friday and into Saturday morning when the weather warnings stretch from Perth in Scotland down through to the Midlands and across north Wales. Those areas will likely see longer spells of thundery rain and lower temperatures.

The driest areas will be in the south east of the UK.

And although the turbulent weather looks set to continue for a time, the Met Office has said there are early signs that temperatures could start to increase through next week.

The UK recorded its joint fifth warmest July on record this year after a heatwave that saw the first extreme heat warning.

In contrast, the second half of the month saw some areas hit by intense downpours which caused flooding.

Cyclists make their way through the early morning light at Richmond Park in South West London this morning

The sun rises over Steetley Pier off North Sands in Hartlepool, County Durham, on a beautiful morning today

Cyclists make their way through Richmond Park in South West London in the early morning light today

Steetley Pier is seen at sunrise in Hartlepool this morning on a beautiful morning in North East England today

Swans on Ullswater lake in the Lake District at dawn this morning ahead of a day of fine weather in the region

Anglers hoping to catch mackerel and other fish cast from the end of Blyth pier in Northumberland at sunrise this morning

Met Office forecaster Nicola Maxey stressed the weather may still be under an 'Atlantic influence', with showers in the North and West, adding: 'We are likely to see potential for thunderstorms through much of this week.'

The average temperature for August is 70.5F (21.4C) in southern England and 66F (19C) in the UK as a whole. Ms Maxey added: 'There's little signal we're going to see any exceptionally hot temperatures.'

Forecasts again say 'torrential downpours are likely in some places', while 'there is a risk of strong winds at times for some'. Miss Maxey said accumulations of rain in areas receiving a couple of thunderstorms could be high.

The Met Office weather warning for thunderstorms on Friday

But she added that it was 'quite usual to receive most of the month's rain in two to three bursts during the summer months'. The thunder could bring more flooding and make driving conditions difficult due to surface water and poor visibility.

An improvement in the weather is likely in the second half of next week. Miss Maxey said: 'From the 10th, 11th up to late August, there's some indication that we might see more settled weather as an area of high pressure moves in.

'But we'll continue that Atlantic influence, so it's unlikely to be a situation where temperatures build day by day, as happened in July. It could mean dry conditions become more prevalent but with the risk of showers and thunderstorms.

'Temperatures are due to turn higher than average but there's little signal we're going to see any exceptionally hot weather for the second half of the month.'

Miss Maxey said it was too early to give further details about the warm conditions. Temperatures over the coming days are only set to reach highs of 70F (21C) to 72F (22C) in northern and southern areas of England and Wales.
Victoria has recorded a new coronavirus case after initially revelling in a day of no infections.

The Department of Health on Wednesday afternoon said it was investigating a confirmed case.

Earlier in the day, authorities had warned Victorians will not get an early rules reprieve despite the state notching its first Covid-19 clean sheet since the fifth lockdown.

Covid-19 commander Jeroen Weimar said it was cause for quiet celebration and satisfaction.

'It's a symbolic marking of a point where there's no more Covid cases,' he told reporters.

Covid-19 commander Jeroen Weimar (pictured) said no positive Covid cases since lockdown ended in Victoria weeks ago was cause for quiet celebration and satisfaction - hours later a mystery case was confirmed

Victorian residents have endured five snap lockdown due to the spread of the coronavirus since last year (pictured, a woman exercising in a Melbourne gym)

'It means we're on track with the strategy that we set three or four weeks ago.'

But it has not inspired health officials to bring forward a review on restrictions and the current batch will remain in place until August 10.

'We still have active cases in our community right here that we know about...we've still got just under 3,000 primary close contacts...and we still have ongoing risks in the rest of the eastern seaboard,' he said.

He noted it was only a week ago that officials were caught off guard by the unlinked case of a Moonee Valley testing site traffic controller.

It remains unclear how the man caught the virus, but Mr Weimar said a review into the source of his infection would ramp up on Wednesday afternoon.

'There's a strong line of investigation around some movements that he had at work,' he said.

Victorian premier Daniel Andrews pointed to Sydney's Delta outbreak as a reason for the state to take 'cautious steps' towards greater freedoms (pictured, retail workers preparing a store in Melbourne's CBD)

Premier Daniel Andrews similarly cited Sydney's Delta outbreak as a reason for the state to take 'cautious steps' towards greater freedoms.

'I fully acknowledge that there are some rules that are on at the moment that are very difficult, but they are nothing compared to being locked down again,' he said outside parliament.

Opposition Leader Michael O'Brien, however, seized on the figures to call for the ban on home visits to be lifted and the 25 per cent cap on workers in offices to be increased.

'Our city is a ghost town,' he said.

Active cases are continuing to fall, down from 124 on Tuesday to 99. As is the number of exposure sites, dropping to 33 after soaring to over 400 at the peak of the outbreak.

More than 30,000 test results were received over the past 24 hours, while about 17,600 vaccine doses were administered at state-run sites.

Active cases are continuing to fall, down from 124 on Tuesday to 99. As is the number of exposure sites, dropping to 33 after soaring to over 400 at the peak of the outbreak

There are nearly 60,000 vaccination bookings available in Victoria, including some 14,000 Pfizer appointments each week until early September after second dose wait times at state clinics were upped from three to six weeks.

Naomi Bromley, deputy secretary of Covid-19 vaccinations, also said the health department was looking at rolling out AstraZeneca shots at mass vaccination hubs for Australians under 60.

'We are actively considering that at the moment, and we think we'll have more to say on that in coming weeks,' she said.

None of the nine Covid-19 patients hospitalised in Victoria were fully vaccinated. Two remain in intensive care, including one on a ventilator.

Meanwhile, the Victorian-NSW border bubble officially tightened for residents just before midnight on Wednesday, with all non-essential movement across state lines outlawed.
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Amazon's drone delivery project is struggling to get off the ground after the company cut back the project team in Britain.

Over 100 employees from Amazon's Prime Air division lost their jobs or were reassigned at its Research and Development (R&D) facility amid claims the operation had descended into 'organised chaos'.

Sources from within the UK-based operation told Wired that the project 'was never going to get off the ground', five years after it was launched in 2016 as a way to provide customers with their orders within half an hour.

The California-based technology giant quietly began testing drones in a field near Cambridge that year after the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) lifted strict drone flying restrictions.

Engineers moved in on the farm land, but for the first two years just used a small strip of grass to practice take offs and landings.

In December 2016, an Amazon Prime Air drone made a 13-minute flight in Cambridgeshire to drop off its first package. The flight was the first in a 'private' trial to deliver packages to a number of customers.

Amazon's drone delivery project is struggling to get off the ground as the company has cut back the project team at its offices in Cambridge (pictured), with more than 100 people losing their jobs

The initiative debuted in 2016 as a way to provide customers with their orders within half an hour

By 2019, the company appeared to increase their activity and expanded the testing area in Cambridge but there were few updates on when the project would launch.

That same year, Amazon unveiled its latest Prime Air drone design at its MARS Conference (Machine Learning, Automation, Robotics and Space) in Las Vegas.

How was Amazon Prime Air supposed to work? Amazon Prime Air had been billed as a way for customers to have packages weighing less than five pounds delivered within 30 minutes of making an order. People at an Amazon fulfillment centre would process the order and package it, before attaching it to a drone. This would go down an automated track and rise into the sky, before travelling up to 15 miles with the package, guided by GPS. They would then descend on the customer's front lawn with the product in tow. Researchers developing it were working out how the drones would detect humans and animals while travelling, as well as man-made objects in the sky. They were also developing 3D mapping to help drones know the location of a lawn, but faced trouble in cutting the weight because of how heavy the system had to be. Advertisement

In a blog post after the event, Jeff Wilke, CEO of Amazon Worldwide Consumer, said they expected to 'scale Prime Air both quickly and efficiently, delivering packages via drone to customers within months.'

But the plan remains grounded for now as the tech giant laid off people in its pioneering British aviation team, as staff claim Prime Air is 'dysfunctional'.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity to Wired, former employees of the UK team described a work environment in which managers were put in place to oversee the drone delivery project without any technological knowledge and people would drink at their desks due to a lack of motivation.

Eventually, more than 100 employees at the Cambridge office lost their jobs and dozens of others were moved to other projects, Wired reports, just months after the company laid off dozens of employees working on the project in the United States.

Amazon Prime Air was billed as a way for the company to deliver packages weighing less than five pounds within 30 minutes of a customer making an order.

People at an Amazon fulfillment center would process the order and package the shipment, before attaching it to a drone that would go down an automated track and rise into the sky, videos posted to the company's website show.

The drones would then be able to travel 15 miles with the package, guided by GPS, before descending on the customer's front lawn with the product in tow.

Amazon debuted one of its new electronic delivery drones at its re:MARS conference in June 2019.

The demo showed that it was capable of carrying products under five pounds to customers inside a 15-mile radius within just half an hour.

According to videos posted on the company's website, the drones would travel down an automated track at one of the company's fulfillment centers before taking off

It would then travel as far as 15 miles to touch down in front of the customer's front law

Last November, Amazon Prime Air announced it had reached tentative deals with two external manufacturers, but also said it laid off dozens of its staff members working in research and development and manufacturing on the project in the U.S.

'We are reorganizing one small team within our larger Prime Air organization to allow us to best align with the needs of our customers and the business,' Amazon spokeswoman Kristen Kish said in a statement to Reuters.

She added that the company was working to find roles for the affected employees 'in the areas where we are hiring.'

In the UK, the situation seems to have been more dire, with Wired reporting that more than 100 employees at Amazon Prime Air losing their jobs and dozen more being moved to other projects.

The company had been working on drones in the U.K. since 2016, when it made a spectacle across the country, releasing promotional videos that received millions of views, offering local schools a tour of its drone lab and opening a new office in Cambridge.

Pictured: Jeff Wilke, Amazon's CEO of worldwide consumer, debuted one of its new drones at its re:MARS conference in June 2019 and said that the drone could be used 'within months'

Proposals suggest workers at Amazon warehouses would pack up the boxes and attach them to the drones for delivery. Pictured: scenes from inside an Amazon warehouse in Scotland

Reports suggest it was so popular that UK regulators fast-tracked approvals for drone testing.

But former employees at the company said the project has been 'collapsing inwards,' 'dysfunctional,' and 'resembled organized chaos,' run by managers who were 'detached from reality.'

The managers who were appointed to oversee the project were often long-time Amazon employees who specialized in logistics and warehouse operations and had little to no knowledge of the technology involved with the project.

Sources claim this meant they couldn't answer basic questions, adding that they had to train their replacements in Costa Rica.

The problems reportedly began in late 2019, when the drone team was broken into three divisions that analysed footage for different threats: humans and animals, other man-made objects in the sky, and 3D mapping - which would help drones know where someone's lawn is located.

Amazon opened a new office in Cambridge in preparation for its drone delivery system

Pictured: Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos was able to travel into space last month

The company began to hire many people for its data analysis team, which was tasked with manually going through test flight footage and identifying relevant threats or objects, Wired reports, but there was frequent turnover.

Employees also said they would often be told to do two opposing things.

And the teams dealt with some technological difficulties, as they were trying to build drones that would land outside people's homes, but the systems required to do so were heavy, and a heavier weight for a drone came with more regulations in the U.K., including higher safety requirements to protect people on the ground from potential collisions.

In February 2020, Wired reports, the entire human and animals data analysis team, which employed dozens of people, was shuttered and reassigned, just to reopen three months later with new staff.

At around the same time, the former employees said, the company began restructuring, and managers told them that they were no longer guaranteed permanent positions - further hindering morale.

In September 2019, operations at the Cambridge base of the project appeared to accelerate with test sites expanded and special rigging (pictured) set up on land near the offices

Afterwards, employees said, one person opened a beer at his desk at around 11 a.m. or 12 p.m., and another person charged with sifting through the footage for possible problems started approving all of the frames even if there were hazards in them.

'Everything started collapsing because they piled too much on, they put people in charge who didn't now anything about the project and they oversold,' one of the former employees said.

'It's all one gigantic oversell - just so many promises that can't be kept.'

An Amazon spokesperson said: 'We recently made organizational changes in our Prime Air business and were able to find positions for affected employees in other areas where we were hiring.

'We remain committed to our Development Centre in Cambridge, UK, where Amazon has hundreds of talented engineers, research scientists, and technology experts working across a range of innovations. Prime Air continues to have employees in the UK and will keep growing its presence in the region.'
An oil tanker thought to have been hijacked off the coast of the UAE is now safe after boarders left the vessel, the UK's maritime security agency has said.

'Boarders have left the vessel. Vessel is safe. Incident complete,' a brief warning notice issued Wednesday by United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said.

Tracking data showed the vessel - believed to be the Panama-flagged Asphalt Princess, located 60 miles from the port of Fujairah - is now 'underway using engine' having previously shown it was 'stopped'.

The news came just hours after it was reported that nine armed men - thought to be in the employ of Tehran - had seized the ship and were diverting it to an Iranian port.

It is not clear why the men left the vessel, which now appears to be heading for Oman. Iran has denied involvement.

A suspected hijacking of an oil tanker identified as the Asphalt Princess (pictured) off the coast of UAE is now over and the vessel is safe, the UK's maritime safety authority has said

Reports of the ship's potential hijack made headlines around the world, coming just days after another vessel with links to an Israeli billionaire was struck by a drone - killing one Briton and one Romanian.

The UK and Romania subsequently blamed the attack on Tehran, and vowed there will be consequences.

The Maritime Trade Operations agency initially drew attention to Tuesday's incident, flagging what it described as a 'non-piracy event' in the waters.

It later updated that description to say it was a 'potential hijacking'.

Sources within the shipping industry then identified the vessel as the Asphalt Princess, though several ships in the area were either showing as 'stopped' or 'not under command' at the time.

British sources then told The Times newspaper that they were 'working on the assumption Iranian military or proxies boarded the vessel'.

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'.

It is not clear exactly what Britain's connection to the ship is.

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.

It was thought the vessel had been boarded by armed men with links to Tehran who began directing it towards the port of Jask, but the boarders have now left the ship

Iranian 'shadow war' threatening major Middle East conflict In recent months, there have been several reported attacks on Iranian ships that Tehran has linked to Israel. In March, Iran's foreign ministry said it was 'considering all options' in response to an attack on a cargo ship in the Mediterranean it blamed on Israel. And in April, Tehran said its freighter Saviz was hit by an 'explosion' in the Red Sea, after media reports said Israel had struck the ship. The New York Times reported at the time that the Saviz had been targeted in an Israeli 'retaliatory' attack after 'Iran's earlier strikes on Israeli ships'. It came at a time of heightened tensions between the foes, with reports of a series of tit-for-tat strikes on shipping since early March. In a report published in March that cited US and Middle East officials, the Wall Street Journal said Israel has targeted at least a dozen vessels bound for Syria, mostly carrying Iranian oil, since late 2019. 'The occupier regime knows that such (accusations) will not fix its problems. Whoever sows the wind reaps the whirlwind,' Khatibzadeh said. Iran has also accused Israel of being behind sabotage attacks against its nuclear sites, and killing a number of its scientists. The tanker strike comes as Tehran and world powers are engaged in talks in Vienna in an effort to return Washington to a 2015 nuclear deal and lift sanctions, and bring Iran back in compliance with nuclear commitments it waived in retaliation for sanctions. The accord was strained when in 2018 former president Donald Trump withdrew the US unilaterally and reimposed sanctions. Advertisement

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.

Iran and its proxies have been engaged in a shadow conflict with rivals Israel, Saudi Arabia and their allies around the Arabian Peninsula since at least 2019.

During that time tankers with links to Saudi and Israel have been struck by mines and other explosives, while Saudi's largest oil refinery was also blown up in a bold strike using drones and missiles.

An American drone was even shot down by Tehran's forces, bringing the two sides close to all-out conflict.

Iran has used its armed forces to seize a tanker once before - the British-flagged Stena Impero which was detained in the port of Banda Abbas in September 2019.

Tehran struck in a tit-for-tat action after the Royal Navy seized one of its vessels near Gibraltar. The two ships were ultimately freed after a weeks-long standoff.

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.
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Britain's daily Covid cases have increased for the first time in almost a fortnight but hospitalisations continue to fall, official data revealed today.

Health chiefs posted 29,312 positive tests, an increase of six per cent on last week's 27,734. It is the first time the cases have risen week-on-week since July 27 (44,104).

Coronavirus-tracking experts warned the recent fall in cases  which sparked hopes the worst of the third wave was over  was beginning to flatten out as a delayed result of Freedom Day.

Another 119 laboratory-confirmed deaths were also recorded today, up by around 31 per cent on the 91 victims declared last Wednesday.

But the number of people being admitted to hospital with the virus is continuing to fall. Admissions dropped 19.1 per cent to 668 on Saturday  the latest data figures are available for.

It is the fifth day in a row hospitalisations fell on the week before, in a glimmer of hope that Britain may be turning a corner in the amount of severe disease caused by the third wave. The number of infected people occupying NHS beds in England has fallen below 5,000 for the first time since July 25.

The fall in admission can be explained in part by the effect of Britain's successful vaccine drive. Some 29,508 first doses were given out yesterday, taking the total amount of adults to have had a jab up to 46.9million  88.7 per cent of the population.

Meanwhile, another 143,002 second doses were put in people's arms, meaning 38.7million (73.2 per cent of adults) are now fully protected against the virus.

It comes as ministers today confirmed 16 and 17 year olds will be offered Covid vaccines. No10's top experts also opened the door to jabbing younger teenagers later in the year.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which advises the Government on the vaccine roll-out, recommended that the 1.4million older teenagers should be offered the Pfizer jabs 'as soon as possible'.

England's deputy chief medical officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said there was 'no time to waste'.

Despite the slight increase in cases today the seven-day average for infections is continuing to fall, dropping 13.6 per cent today. The measure  which provides a more well-rounded picture of where cases are compared to just daily figures  suggests the rate at which cases are falling may be slowing, however

A Department of Health graph shows the number of people being treated for the virus in England has fallen below 5,000 for the first time since July 25

16 and 17 year olds will NOT need parental consent to get Covid vaccines: 1.4million teenagers to get Pfizer jab 'as soon as possible' as health chiefs open door to inoculating all over-12s Sixteen and 17-year-olds will not need parental consent to get the Covid vaccine, health chiefs have revealed as they open the door to jabbing younger teenagers. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) today recommended that the 1.4million people in the age groups should be offered the Pfizer jabs 'as soon as possible' with Professor Jonathan Van-Tam saying there was 'no time to waste'. Ministers have accepted this advice and the NHS is now preparing to dish out their first doses at centres across the country. Officials said they expected the first to be invited for jabs in 'a very short number of weeks'. There are currently no plans to offer the age group second doses, but scientists are reviewing more data to understand the risks of administering the jabs. Officials close to the programme said a child would be able to give consent for the jab if they were able to understand the risks and benefits of any medical treatment. The JCVI is also considering vaccinating 12 to 15-year-olds, but they said they will need to review more safety data before they can update their recommendation for this group. Boris Johnson today called on families to listen to the advice from No10's top scientists, saying that the committee was 'among the best in the world' and that the country should 'take our lead from them'. Professor Van-Tam, the deputy chief medical officer for England, told a Downing Street press conference today that the first inoculations for 16 and 17-year-olds would be dished out 'in a very short number of weeks'. He said: 'Children are going to start going back to colleges and sixths forms from September, and in Scotland that will be slightly earlier, so there is no time to waste in getting on with this. 'The NHS has been kept informed of what is being deliberated for JCVI, it has been preparing for multiple options for very many weeks now and I would expect this programme will start in a very short number of weeks.' He added there was 'plentiful' supply of the vaccines to meet the top scientists recommendation that 16 and 17-year-olds should be vaccinated. Advertisement

In other Covid developments today:

Official figures suggested almost 80 per cent of 16 to 24-year-olds already have Covid-fighting antibodies;

A fit and healthy 42-year-old father with a love of rock climbing and bodybuilding died of Covid after refusing the vaccine, according to his twin sister has said;

Aviation bosses urged ministers to relax travel testing rules after data suggested no coronavirus 'variants of concern' were found in hundreds of thousands of travellers returning from amber and red list countries;

Portugal got set to lift quarantine requirements for Brits jabbed with the Indian-made AstraZeneca vaccine.

Despite the slight increase in cases today, the seven-day average for infections is continuing to fall, dropping 13.7 per cent.

However, the measure  which paints a clearer picture of where cases are compared to just monitoring daily figures which fluctuate heavily  suggests the rate at which cases are falling may be slowing.

Infections are still falling in the North East and North West of England but appear to be flatlining in London, the South East, South West, East Midlands and East of England.

However, data for regions in England lags behind the United Kingdom as a whole, so the slight increase seen across has yet to be reflected in the English numbers.

It comes after the JCVI today recommended that the 1.4million people in the age groups should be offered the Pfizer jabs 'as soon as possible'.

Ministers have accepted this advice and the NHS is now drawing up plans to offer first doses to them in the coming weeks. There are currently no concrete plans to offer the age groups second doses, with scientists set to review more safety data before pressing ahead.

Officials close to the programme said a child would be able to give consent for the jab if they were able to understand the risks and benefits of any medical treatment.

Boris Johnson today called on families to listen to the advice from No10's top scientists, saying that the committee was 'among the best in the world' and that the country should 'take our lead from them'.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said they had accepted the advice from the scientists and were aiming to start rolling out jabs for younger age groups 'as soon as possible'.

Many experts welcomed the move to protect people in younger age groups, but several have slammed it for being 'too little, too late' because young people now cannot be jabbed before the Autumn term. The return of schools in September is likely to spark another rise in cases.

Some scientists have, however, said it was 'pointless' to vaccinate the age groups because most of them already have immunity from past infection. Office of National Statistics figures suggest up to 60 per cent of 16 and 17-year-olds already have antibodies against Covid to fight off the virus.

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, the deputy chief medical officer for England, said there was 'no time to waste' in starting the extension of the vaccination programme to 16 and 17-year-olds.

He told a Downing Street press conference: 'Children are going to start going back to colleges and sixths forms from September, and in Scotland that will be slightly earlier, so there is no time to waste in getting on with this.

'The NHS has been kept informed of what is being deliberated for JCVI, it has been preparing for multiple options for very many weeks now and I would expect this programme will start in a very short number of weeks.'

He added there was 'plentiful' supply of the vaccines to meet the top scientists recommendation that 16 and 17-year-olds should be vaccinated. He said: 'We have the supply and Im expecting this to start in a very short number of weeks indeed.'

Many experts welcomed the move to protect people in younger age groups, but Independent SAGE members slammed it for being 'too little, too late' because young people now cannot be double-jabbed before the Autumn term. Scientists say the return of schools in September is likely to spark another rise in cases.

Some scientists have, however, called the plans into question saying it was 'pointless' to vaccinate the age group because they are at such low risk from the virus and most already have immunity from previous infection. Office of National Statistics figures suggest up to 60 per cent of 16 and 17-year-olds already have antibodies against Covid to fight off the virus.

The JCVI, which advises No10, last month ruled only over-12s with serious underlying health conditions or who live with a vulnerable adult should get jabs.

The panel, made up of the country's top experts, warned the 'minimal health benefits' did not outweigh the risks to justify vaccinating all children. It adopted a 'precautionary approach' because of a rare link between the jab and a cases of heart conditions called myocarditis and pericarditis.

Officials are keen to push the immunisation drive on to more youngsters in order to prevent an autumn surge in infections when they return to schools in September.
Chris Cuomo boarded a helicopter from The Hamptons to New York city hours after a bombshell report dropped accusing his brother Andrew of sexually harassing 11 women.

The CNN anchor, 50, stepped out in shorts and a t-shirt at the New York heliport as he was seen for the first time off-camera since the damning claims by AG Letitia James against the New York Governor.

Chris, who appeared on his primetime show later yesterday evening, was named in the report as a member of Andrew's 'inner circle' that advised him over the allegations but has remained tight-lipped publicly on the scandal.

Chris Cuomo boarded a helicopter from The Hamptons to New York city hours after a bombshell report dropped accusing his brother Andrew of sexually harassing 11 women

The news anchor, 50, boarded a helicopter just hours after the bombshell claims from AG Letitia James against the New York Governor

Andrew, 63, is refusing to resign over the scandal despite senior Democrats telling him to go, while brother Chris is also remaining tight-lipped on the situation

Chris was part of an 'inner circle' of advisers brought in to do damage control in the wake of the allegations against his brother (pictured)

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

On his CNN show yesterday, the journalist did not acknowledge the huge story at all, instead focusing on COVID-19 and the January 6 attack on the Capitol.

Chris was one of a number of advisers brought in to do damage control in the wake of the allegations against his brother.

The presenter was one of a dozen 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.'

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 was also brought in even though his only credentials appear to be being related to Cuomo and working in the media.

As the accusations against his brother were flowing this spring, Chris said he could not discuss the story on air. It later emerged that Chris was advising his brother on media strategy - angering many of his colleagues within the network.

'Obviously I am aware of what is going on with my brother,' he said on March 1.

'And obviously I cannot cover it because he is my brother. Now, of course CNN has to cover it. They have covered it extensively and they will continue to do so.'

He then moved on, having thanked his audience 'for being straight with me, and I've always been straight with you'. He said he 'always cared very deeply about these issues, and profoundly so.'

On Tuesday night, he failed to address it entirely - even as his previous anchors devoted much of their shows to the scandal.

Chris Cuomo on Tuesday night was discussing COVID - and studiously ignoring the major news scrolling constantly beneath his screen (circled)

The 50-year-old CNN anchor ignored the report into his 63-year-old politician brother

>> @ChrisCuomo at the top of @CuomoPrimeTime tonight: "Obviously I am aware of what is going on with my brother. And obviously I cannot cover it because he is my brother. Now, of course CNN has to cover it. They have covered it extensively and they will continue to do so." pic.twitter.com/G49mZYTG4D  Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) March 2, 2021

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

Don Lemon, who came on immediately after, at 10pm ET, was damning in his criticism of the governor and spent a large chunk of his opening discussing the dramatic day.

The 168-page report, overseen by Letitia James, the New York attorney general, found the allegations by the 11 women to be credible. Her team spent five months interviewing 175 people.

They reported that Chris Cuomo was part of an 'inner circle' of advisers brought in to do damage control in the wake of the sexual harassment allegations this spring.

The investigation, which took five months to complete, concluded that Cuomo engaged in a 'disturbing' pattern of conduct and created a 'toxic' workplace environment.

The investigation found Chris and other advisers counseled Governor Andrew Cuomo to 'express contrition' after the allegations from Charlotte Bennett (pictured) the second accuser to come forward, emerged in February

Cuomo, who has always denied the allegations, gave a televised address an hour after James's report was released during which he denied all of the claims and called the report a political attack on his character

Report states investigators found it 'revealing and consistent with the Executive Chamber's overall approach' that the inner circle of advisers brought in 'included a number of individuals with no official role in the Executive Chamber'

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

The report cites internal documents and communications obtained during the investigation which show that 'the governor's advisors, including Mr Pollock and Chris Cuomo, counseled him to express contrition after the press published Ms. Bennett's allegations.'

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.'

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.

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

'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.'

Charlotte Bennett, 35, claimed that in June 2020, when she was alone with Cuomo he told her he was open to a relationship with a much younger woman.

Cuomo supposedly complained that he 'can't even hug anyone' during the pandemic and said: 'No, I mean, like really hugged somebody?'

Bennett told the New York Times: 'I understood that the governor wanted to sleep with me, and felt horribly uncomfortable and scared.'

On February this year, the day when the story was published, Cuomo released a press release saying he did not 'intend to act in any way that was inappropriate.'

The next day, he issued another press release saying that he 'never intended to offend anyone or cause any harm.'

The report states that during his testimony to investigators, Chris Cuomo said there was 'discussion about remedial measures the (executive) chamber should take in light of the sexual harassment allegations, but some people had taken the position that 'they should just wait.'

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

The report does not explain if Chris Cuomo's advice to his brother was born of efforts to make his brother feel contrition or if it was a strategic move to help him survive the scandal.

Previous reports in the Washington Post painted a different picture and said that Chris Cuomo urged his brother to take up a 'defiant' position amid calls for his resignation.

Chris Cuomo supposedly brought up 'cancel culture' and encouraged his brother to stand his ground.

Andrew Cuomo responded to the Attorney General's report in a televised address Tuesday saying the 'facts are much different than what has been portrayed'.

He said: 'I want you to know that I never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances

'That is just not who I am and that's not who I have ever been'.

Cuomo said he'd never sexually harass anyone, much less a sexual assault survivor like Charlotte Bennett - claiming 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.
Britain's Covid's self-isolation sentence could be halved to just five days, academics say.

Under current rules designed to curb the spread of the virus, infected people must quarantine at home for 10 days.

But data suggests 98 per cent of transmission occurs either before people become ill, or within five days of symptoms starting.

Scientists believe the UK's isolation period 'could be much shorter' for anyone who gets infected.

Similar findings led No10 to tweak the NHS app earlier this week, it was claimed.

The software  blamed for triggering the 'pingdemic' chaos  now only tells people to quarantine if they were in contact with an asymptomatic infected person two days before they tested positive, rather than five.

England's 'pingdemic' chaos is only getting worse A record 1.5million people were asked to self-isolate to thwart the spread of coronavirus for the week to July 21, official data revealed today as England's 'pingdemic' chaos continues to rage on. NHS figures show nearly 690,000 alerts were sent out by the NHS app last week  the most since the voluntary software was introduced. A further 536,000 people were reached by Test and Trace call handlers and ordered to quarantine at home, while 308,000 were told to self-isolate after testing positive for Covid. The damning statistics come as Boris Johnson continues to face heavy criticism for refusing to ditch the isolation rules until August 16, despite lifting restrictions on 'Freedom Day'. Millions of workers haven't been able to do their jobs because they've been told to isolate, leaving supermarket shelves empty, pubs and restaurants shut, and trains cancelled across the country. One of the Government's scientific advisers said the quarantine rules that have fuelled the pingdemic and caused 'massive problems' to the economy, schools and everyday life are unnecessary and should have been scrapped six months ago. Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick acknowledged the system is 'frustrating' but urged people to keep isolating if they are pinged. Advertisement

Fresh data from Oxford Universitys Pathogen Dynamics Group shows up to 40 per cent of transmission occurs before symptoms emerge.

But most of this happens during the two days before people fall ill, which prompted the alteration of how the NHS Covid app works.

Around 35 per cent of transmission occurs within the first two days of people having symptoms.

However, the data came from September  before the highly-infectious Delta variant took off.

Ministers are keen to replace quarantine rules with daily testing, with scientists now investigating if it is safe to make the drastic move.

Dr Muge Cevik, an infectious disease expert at the University of St Andrews, told the Telegraph: 'Given most transmission happens very early on, the isolation period could be much shorter for the cases.

'Viral load peaks pretty quickly, so people are highly infectious within the first few days.

'Also importantly, many people have non-specific mild symptoms before developing more noticeable ones, like fatigue or myalgia, so that's probably when people are highly infectious too but continue daily activity.

'So, the current self-isolation guidelines, especially given the lack of support provided for sick leave, does not serve for the purpose.'

The drop off in transmission could also be down to symptomatic people adhering to self-isolation rules.

But Dr Cevik was behind research last November which found people were most infectious within the first five days of having symptoms.

France, Germany and the US have already cut their quarantine period after reaching similar findings, with people in those countries isolating for just five to seven days.

Anyone who breaches Britain's 10-day isolation law can be fined up to 10,000. First-time offenders can get a 1,000 penalty.

But the findings don't offer any hope curbing self-isolation times for close contacts of the infected.

This is because people are 'pinged' as soon as someone tests positive, meaning it may take several days for them to develop symptoms.

However, latest figures from the Oxford scientists also revealed that just 15 per cent of people pinged test positive for the virus.

It comes as 1.5million self-isolation alerts were sent out last week either through the NHS or due to a positive test result.

Professor Paul Hunter, an infectious disease expert at the University of East Anglia, told the Telegraph: 'Having to quarantine for a one per cent risk is marginal, in my view  100 people have to quarantine for every case transmission.

'Given the state that we are at now, the benefits of quarantining for relatively casual contact do not justify the negative impact, in my view.

'But if you are positive, still self-isolate and if you live with someone who is positive, still quarantine.'

In an attempt to fix the pingdemic chaos, ministers have already announced fully-vaccinated people who are told to self-isolate either by the app or Test and Trace will no longer have to do so from August 16.

But No10 is under pressure to bring this date forward to the end of this week in order to be in line with Wales.

Supermarket shelves have been left empty as a result of the chaos, while trains have been cancelled due to a lack of staff and one in ten pubs and restaurants have been forced to shut temporarily.
The Taiwanese dean of Oxford University's law department says it is 'alienating' and 'exhausting' to be constantly challenged by porters because of her skin colour.

Professor Mindy Chen-Wishart has called for anti-racism training across the esteemed university after revealing she is questioned by porters for 'looking out of place'.

Prof Chen-Wishart, a renowned contract law specialist, told the Telegraph that it happens so 'frequently I would normally not even register it.'

'This happens a lot. Every time you get into a college you have to get past porters, facilities managers, people of colour are challenged or searched,' she explained.

One instance last month prompted the professor to share her experiences more widely across social media.

As Prof Chen-Wishart entered the Law faculty, she was stopped and queried, despite being the head of the department, before being followed as she walked towards her office by a building manager.

The person said they 'forgot' she was the Dean and she assumed they followed her to ensure she had the correct key to her office.

Professor Mindy Chen-Wishart has called for anti-racism training across the esteemed university after revealing she is questioned by porters for 'looking out of place'

The Taiwanese-born dean of Oxford University's law department says it is 'alienating' and 'exhausting' to be constantly challenged by porters because of her skin colour

Born in Taiwan, Prof Chen-Wishart previously worked at Otago University, New Zealand, as a senior lecturer.

Initially moving to Oxford as a Rhodes Visiting Fellow in 1992, the professor watched her three sons grow up in the United Kingdom.

Speaking in an interview with the Rhodes Project in 2015, Prof Chen-Wishart says Oxford and the university's culture has changed significantly in the last 20 years.

She said: 'The university is more transparent and accountable now, but its clear we still have a gender and other equality issues.

'Its more diverse and more equal, but we have a long way to go.'

But, the decorated academic says she still faces constant battles with university porters which are 'alienating and exhausting'.

Initially moving to Oxford as a Rhodes Visiting Fellow in 1992, the professor watched her three sons grow up in the United Kingdom. Pictured: Merton College

Sharing her experiences on social media with the hashtag RaceMeToo, Prof Chen-Wishart says she has received messages of support from within her faculty and academics from across the world.

'People will say they are just doing their job,' she told the Telegraph.

'I would really like to understand why they are so good at doing their job when people of colour are concerned.'

Prof Chen-Wishart says she is eager to collaborate with her employer on more expansive diversity and inclusion training.

She says she has sent a series of plans, including anti-racist training, that she hopes will harbour an environment of inclusion to one of Oxford's pro-vice-chancellors.

The new measures will work towards ensuring people of colour are not 'constantly challenged and made to feel they don't belong' by porters and facility managers.

An Oxford University spokesman said: 'The University does not tolerate any form of racial harassment or victimisation and expects all members of the University community to treat each other with respect, courtesy and consideration.

'We have a robust policy which enables any member of the University community to make a complaint if they feel that they have been subject to harassment from a staff member.'
Israel has warned military action is needed to stop further attacks by Iran following a deadly drone strike on an oil tanker off the coast of Oman.

Israel Defence Minister Benny Gantz told ambassadors from the UN Security Council countries on Wednesday: 'It is time for diplomatic, economic and even military deeds. Otherwise the attacks will continue.

'Now is the time for deeds - words are not enough'.

Iran has denied involvement in the drone strike last week, but Gantz Wednesday claimed the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' UAV Command Saeed Ara Jani was behind the attack.

He said he would provide detailed intelligence on the matter to participating countries.

The US, UK, and Israel have all vowed to respond the the attack, with Israel saying it reserves the right to act unilaterally.

Israel's Defence Minister Benny Gantz warned military action is needed to stop further attacks by Iran following a deadly drone strike on an oil tanker off the coast of Oman

Iran has denied involvement in the drone strike on an oil tanker identified as the Asphalt Princess (pictured) off the coast of Oman last week

Gantz told UNSC ambassadors: 'Ara Jani is the head operator of the IRGC Air Force's UAV system, which struck the Mercer Street'.

He added: 'Jani provides the supplies, training, plans and is responsible for many acts of terror in the region', the Jerusalem Post reported.

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid urged the international community to take action, describing the attack as an 'international crime'.

He added it would be 'every man for himself' if the international community failed to react.

'What is the international community going to do about it?' he asked.

'Does international law still exist? Does the world have the ability and the will to enforce it? If the answer is yes, the world needs to act now.'

Israel's Ambassador to the UN and US, Gilad Erdan made similar remarks and called on the UNSC to 'not sit idly by in the face of such violations by Iran'.

It comes after the British man killed in the drone strike was identified as father and army veteran Adrian Underwood.

Mr Underwood, who was born in Fiji before moving to the UK, was working as a security officer on board Liberian-flagged tanker Mercer Street when it was attacked off the coast of Oman last week.

Mr Underwood, who served in the British army in the early 2000s, was killed alongside a Romanian man in an attack that both the UK and Romania blame on Iran.

General Sir Nick Carter, head of armed forces, warned today that Tehran made a 'big mistake' in attacking the tanker as the UK, US, Israel and allies plot a joint response.

Adrian Underwood, a Fijian-born British army veteran, has been identified as the security officer killed when an explosive drone hit an oil tanker off the coast of Oman last week

Speaking to BBC Radio 4, he added: 'What we need to be doing, fundamentally, is calling out Iran for its very reckless behaviour.

'We have got to restore deterrence because it is behaviour like that which leads to escalation, and that could very easily lead to miscalculation and that would be very disastrous for all the peoples of the Gulf and the international community.'

Family and friends of Mr Underwood, who are spread between the UK and Fiji, have begun raising funds for his funeral via a JustGiving page.

Writing on the page, friend Mark Wilson wrote: 'In memory of Adrian Underwood, who sadly died when the ship that he was protecting was attacked.

'A humble gentleman, funny and loved by so many.

'Our love, thoughts and blessings go to his wife Kiasia, young son Zac and his family and friends and of course the Fijian brotherhood. God bless Adrian.'

Mr Underwood's family have a history on military service in his native country, the Fiji Sun reported, identifying him as the son-in-law of a Colonel Sakiusa Raivoce.

A close relative of Mr Underwood said the tanker attack is still being investigated and refused to comment further until the probe is complete.

Tehran has denied involvement in Thursday's attack on the ship - which is Japanese-owned but managed by Zodiac Maritime, a firm owned by an Israeli billionaire.

The Mercer Street, which is linked to an Israeli billionaire, was badly damaged in the late Thursday attack which destroyed part of the bridge (pictured)

Attack on the Liberian-flagged vessel also killed a Romanian national, with both countries joining Britain to blame the blast on Iran

The attack comes amid a shadow war being fought between Iran and its proxy group, and regional rivals Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Attacks have been ongoing since at least 2019, with tankers linked to Saudi and Israel struck by mines and other explosives.

Saudi's largest oil refinery was also blown up in a bold strike using drones and missiles.

An American drone was even shot down by Tehran's forces, bringing the two sides close to all-out conflict.

In recent months, a number of vessels with links to Israel have been hit with Iran suspected to be behind the attacks.

The Mercer Street was given a US Navy escort following the attack, and has now reached port in the UAE - arriving early on Tuesday.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said his government is 'working on enlisting the world' in response to the attack but warned 'we also know how to act alone.'

'The Iranians need to understand that it is impossible to sit peacefully in Tehran and from there ignite the entire Middle East. That is over,' he said.

The Mercer Street is now docked in the UAE (pictured) having been escorted there by US warships so it can be repaired

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken predicted a 'collective response' to the incident, which British Prime Minister Boris Johnson described as an 'outrageous attack on commercial shipping'.

Britain summoned the Iranian ambassador and demanded that vessels navigate freely in the oil-rich region.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh, meanwhile, said that Israel 'must stop such baseless accusations' and called on the US and Britain to provide evidence to support their claims.

Iran 'will not hesitate to protect its security and national interests, and will immediately and decisively respond to any possible adventurism,' Khatibzadeh said.

Iran said on Monday it would respond promptly to any threat against its security.

Iran and Israel have exchanged accusations of carrying out attacks on each other's vessels in recent months.

Tensions have increased 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.
A father has revealed how a 4,000 family break has turned into the 'holiday from hell' after being forced to quarantine with his partner and two young children despite the fact that he tested negative for COVID on six separate occasions.

Andy Stanton, 32 was randomly tested for COVID at the airport after arriving on the Greek Island of Zante with his wife Katrina, 31 and their two children; Olly, 3 and Isla, 4 on July 29 for what they thought would be the ideal way to overcome their lockdown blues.

Mr Stanton received a message telling him he was negative but just hours after checking into the four-star Caretta Beach and Water Park resort for their two-week break he was called by Greek health officials and told that he had in fact tested positive.

After being confined to their room at the resort, the family was then moved to a special quarantine hotel, where they have been forced to remain in a room infested with ants and mice. The have also described the food as so poor that their children go to bed crying each night on empty stomachs.

Andy Stanton and his family (pictured) has revealed how a family break turned into the 'holiday from hell' after they were forced to quarantine despite the fact he tested negative for COVID

The family have said their quarantine room is in a dire condition and is infested with ants

Andy said they are served cold and stale food during their stay meaning they often go hungry

With temperatures on the island reaching 35C, Mr Stanton fumed that the air conditioning in their room does not work all the time while the WIFI is only intermittent.

He sobbed: 'We are desperate, this is the worst thing that has ever happened to us.

'My partner is crying each day and so are the kids and we shouldn't even be in quarantine because I have tested negative six times since arriving in Greece.

'We were so looking forward to this holiday after the long lockdown in Britain. The kids were so excited at having fun in a water park resort and they just don't understand what's going on.'

He added: 'The room we're in is so filthy that if you walk across the floor without any shoes and socks, your feet turn black. It's hot and sticky, there's no WIFI to keep the kids entertained and it's worse than being in prison.'

The family have reported mice and ants in their room. Pictured: a mouse in their hotel room

Desperate to show that he did not have COVID, Mr Stanton paid for three tests at a private clinic, which cost him around 600 and were all negative. He also carried out three lateral flow tests himself, which were also negative.

He added: 'I've done my own tests and had proper ones at a clinic and all of them are negative.

'Greek officials told me that if I tested negative for COVID after two PCR tests we would not have to quarantine but I've done that, and we're still stuck in this hell hole.

'I also asked them to provide me proof of the positive test at the airport, but they've not shown me anything.'

Both Mr Stanton and Katrina are double vaccinated.

Katrina cried: 'I think there's been some kind of mix up at the airport because so many passengers were getting tested and they gave Andy the wrong result.

Mr Stanton, pictured with Katrina, has warned other Brits seeking a trip abroad to avoid the experience as his 4,000 much-needed family break has turned into a holiday from hell

'But it's ruined our holiday. We're stuck in this disgusting room being served stale bread and cold food.'

Mr Stanton, a kitchen and bedroom fitter from Wigan who runs his own business complained that he has been constantly on the phone to Jet2, the company he booked the holiday with and British embassy officials.

He moaned: 'Jet2 have abandoned us and said it's up to us to sort out. How can that be right? We've paid them a lot of money but they're doing nothing.

'We've told them about the conditions in the hotel and that I can prove I'm COVID negative and we're not getting any help.

'The British embassy in Greece said it's got nothing to do with them as they can't interfere with the Greek authorities.'

The family have been told that they will have to remain in quarantine until August 10, the date their holiday was supposed to end.

Infested: Pictures taken during their stay show ants and mice on the floors of their hotel room

Katrina said: 'I don't know how we're going to survive because the conditions in this hotel are truly terrible. There's more chance of us getting COVID by staying here.'

In an attempt to keep their children occupied, the couple have managed to secure a paddling pool which they have placed in a small patio area adjoining their room, the only area they are allowed to go out to.

Mr Stanton said: 'It's not quite a water park and the kids are very disappointed but we're doing our best to pass the time.

'I just don't understand why after six negative COVID tests we can't be allowed to leave and have our holiday?'

In a warning to other British holiday makers, he added: 'I would advise people not to go abroad for a break because the testing regime in a lot of countries is a mess.

'And if they get the result wrong, as in my case, then the consequences are disastrous.'

A JET2 spokesperson said: 'Following a positive Covid-19 test result, the authorities in Zante initiated health protocols meaning that these customers are required to complete a required period of isolation.

'It is important to note that these protocols are enforced and implemented by the local authorities, and we have had no input into these.

'The protocols also mean we are unable to have in-person contact with Mr Stanton. Despite this, our teams have been in contact with Mr Stanton daily so that we can provide all possible support and assistance.

'We are also liaising with the local authorities to try and improve these protocols.

'We are of course very sorry to hear about this experience and we will continue to do what we can to support Mr Stanton and his family.'
Aviation bosses have urged ministers to relax travel testing rules after data suggested no coronavirus 'variants of concern' were found in hundreds of thousands of travellers returning from amber and red list countries.

Testing remains a key part of the Government's traffic light scheme, with even travellers coming back from green list countries having to take a test after they get home.

But analysis of official data published by The Telegraph showed that fewer than one in 60 people returning from an amber or red nation tested positive for Covid-19.

More than 320,000 people arrived back in the UK from countries in those categories between July 1 and July 21 and no 'variants of concern' were identified.

The disclosure came amid claims that ministers will not move Spain to the 'red list' because of falling case numbers in the country and fears the Government's hotel quarantine system would be unable to cope.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is expected to deliver his three-weekly update to the rules tomorrow.

Boris Johnson refused to be drawn on what will be announced as he answered questions this afternoon during a visit to Scotland.

But he said he recognised that 'people yearn to go abroad' and insisted the Government must strike a 'balance' between opening up travel and protecting against importing coronavirus variants.

Spain is currently on the amber list which means fully-vaccinated Brits can return home without having to quarantine.

There had been fears the country could be moved up to the 'red list' but it is now thought it will remain in the medium tier.

Meanwhile, holidays to France are expected to be back on the table with the 'amber plus' list set to be scrapped.

Spain is not expected to be added to the 'red list' when Grant Shapps delivers an update to the traffic light rules tomorrow. The Amadores beach in Gran Canaria is pictured yesterday

Spain is currently on the amber list which means fully-vaccinated Brits can return home without having to quarantine

Boris Johnson said during a visit to Scotland today that he recognised that 'people yearn to go abroad' but he insisted the Government must strike a 'balance' between opening up travel and protecting against importing coronavirus variants

France is the only country in the category which currently means that even double-jabbed travellers have to quarantine when they come home.

Ministers are expected to streamline the traffic light system but Boris Johnson remains under pressure to go further and scrap it completely.

Aviation bosses and Tory MPs believe the system should be replaced with one simple 'red list' of banned nations, with vaccinated tourists allowed to travel everywhere else quarantine-free.

France was put on the 'amber plus' list due to fears over the spread of the Beta coronavirus variant.

But numbers now show that just 0.4 per cent of Covid-19 cases in France are Beta while the number is 0.5 per cent in Spain, according to The Times.

Ministers were considering rolling out a new 'amber watchlist' for countries currently amber but at risk of imminently turning red.

It had been suggested that Spain could be put in the new category but Mr Johnson torpedoed the new list after a ferocious backlash.

As well as a fall in case numbers in Spain, it is also thought the nation will be spared the 'red list' because of logistical concerns around hotel quarantine.

All travellers returning from a 'red list' nation have to spend 10 days in a Government-approved hotel at their own expense.

The Government has tens of thousands of rooms reserved but with an estimated one million UK tourists in Spain there would not be space in the system for all of them to be housed.

A Whitehall source told The Times: 'Spain won't be going on the amber watchlist - the only danger is it going red but that's very unlikely.

'Cases are coming down. And they haven't got enough beds to quarantine everybody. So it's not going to happen.'

Mr Shapps is expected to add up to 10 countries to the green list tomorrow, with Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic all being tipped.

Mr Johnson refused to be drawn on what will be announced as he said: You wont have to wait long. I have said before, I think a couple of days ago, that I know how important holidays are to people.

People think about them, they save up for them. People yearn to go abroad this year, I totally get that.

We have got to balance that against the need to protect our country against the influx of new variants.

We have got a balance policy but clearly we have the benefit now of the double-jab system that is enabling us to go to countries in the EU and to come back from countries in the EU without having to quarantine and same goes for the US.

The Government remains under pressure to do more, with aviation bosses and Tory MPs calling for the current system to be scrapped.

They believe the UK should follow the lead of the US where double-vaccinated travellers can visit any country which will welcome them. They do not have to quarantine on their return.

Travel bosses believe introducing a single 'red list' of countries which are out of bounds would also make it much easier for holidaymakers to book trips.

Meanwhile, new data has increased calls for the Government to ease travel testing rules.

Travellers coming back from 'red list' countries must take numerous tests while in hotel quarantine while travel from amber and green nations requires tests to be taken before departure and after returning home.

Numbers published by The Telegraph showed that in the first three weeks of July, some 1.5 per cent of people returning from an amber country tested positive.

The number was 1.4 per cent for red list arrivals and just 0.7 per cent for green list travellers.

No 'variants of concern' were identified - a term which refers to Covid-19 mutations which are tracked closely because they could be more infectious or cause more severe disease.

As a result, aviation bosses believe testing requirements should be relaxed to make travel easier for families.

Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and former boss of British Airways, told The Telegraph: These tests are unnecessary and have spawned an unregulated industry supported by Government.

Tomorrow's update to the travel rules comes after it emerged that Boris Johnson will be taking a holiday in the UK this summer rather than heading a broad.

Mr Johnson, his wife Carrie, and son Wilfred took a trip to Scotland last year but it is not clear where he will go this time.

A senior government source told the Telegraph: 'The PM's going to staycation this year.'

Universities Minister Michelle Donelan insisted the PM's apparent decision was not a comment on whether people should be staying in the UK.

She told Sky News: No, I think that some people have planned some fantastic holidays to countries including green list countries.

We will get that update as you said this week from the Department for Transport as to the latest iteration around the traffic light system as we do every three weeks.

Also, there are some fantastic and amazing places to holiday here in the UK I would strongly advocate that a staycation is a good option this year just as going abroad is too.
Transgender YouTuber Chris Chan, 39, was identified as female by police and will be housed with women despite being biologically male, after she was arrested for raping her mother.

The vlogger and artist, who goes by Christine Weston Chandler, was arrested after leaked phone calls allegedly revealed her admitting to raping her mother, 79, who suffers from dementia.

Chandler is being held in Central Virginia Regional Jail alongside 59 other detainees. She was jailed without bail on suspicion of incest, a felony punishable by up to 12 years in prison.

Chandler is biologically male but came out as a transgender woman at the end of 2014.

YouTuber Christine Chandler, 39, has been arrested in Virginia on an incent charge involving her 79-year-old mother, who allegedly has dementia

Chan, 39, was listed as female on Henrico County Jail's custody record, despite being biologically male and arrested for allegedly raping her mother

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'

Chandler was transferred on Monday from Henrico County Jail to Greene County, where the sheriff's office issued a statement confirming her arrest.

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 'made the first move,' leading the two to 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 the call continues, 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.
This is the moment a group of friends on a night out were met with rapturous applause as they lugged a car off tram tracks.

Onlooker Charlotte McEvoy recorded the footage on Saturday night on West Street in Sheffield city centre.

She filmed the burly men as they worked together to lift the Ford Fiesta out of the tram's way after the car driver parked on the line.

Onlooker Charlotte McEvoy recorded the footage on Saturday night on West Street in Sheffield city centre

In the clip, the men can be seen rolling up their sleeves and huddling around the white 1.0 litre car after the tram came to a stop directly behind it.

Charlotte can be heard behind the camera shouting in disbelief: 'Are you going to lift it? No!'

The men then grab hold of the bodywork at the rear of the car and begin hauling it away from the track.

The crowd that has gathered to watch cheers as Charlotte shouts: 'No f***ing way man. No way. Get the front, get the front guys.'

She filmed as the burly men as they worked together to lift the Ford Fiesta out of the tram's way after realising its driver had parked on the line

The group were met with a rapturous applause, having succeeded, before they nonchalantly walked away to carry on their night out

The group reposition themselves to the front of the vehicle as they once again work together to move the obstruction.

Then, having succeeded, they nonchalantly walk away to carry on their night out.

Charlotte later said: 'The poor tram lady was stuck for about five minutes with traffic behind her before the guys moved the car.'

She claimed the driver of the car was picking her friend up from a bar and was confronted by other revellers when she left later on.

Fortunately for the driver, the car was not damaged whilst being moved.

Social media users were quick to comment on the feat as one wrote: 'Didn't know the Hulk lived in Sheffield.'

Another added: 'Don't need the recovery truck.'

And a third simply said: 'What thoughtful lads.'
A school teacher in her 20s at a prestigious Islamic school in Melbourne has tested positive for Covid-19, sending 2,100 students and 300 staff members into isolation for 14 days.

The Victorian Department of Health on Wednesday confirmed the Al-Taqwa College educator in Truganina, Melbourne's west, may have been in class for three days last week while infectious.

At this stage it remains a mystery where she contracted the virus, but investigations are already underway to determine the source of the infection, with the teacher spending the afternoon detailing her movements to the state's contact tracers.

The $3,000-a-year school was the site of one of Victoria's largest clusters during the state's disastrous second wave last year, resulting in the faith-based school being shut down for two months after being linked to more than 200 cases.

Melbourne has only recently been released from yet another lockdown.

The Victorian Department of Health on Wednesday confirmed the Al-Taqwa College (pictured) educator in Truganina, Melbourne's west, may have been in class for three days last week while infectious

The school teacher's positive test has sent 2,100 students and 300 staff members into isolation for 14 days (stock image)

A statement by the health department said the transmission risks at the school are urgently being assessed, as fears grow that a large number of new infections could soon follow.



'The Department will support the school community in partnership with Western Public Health Unit,' the statement said.

'In the meantime, the school will close, and all students and staff will be instructed via direct communications to get tested and isolate until further notice.'

Two other Islamic schools in Melbourne's west also announced they would return to online learning on Wednesday night as a precaution.

Ilim College in Dallas said in a statement that even though there have not been any positive cases, they felt closing the doors would be an appropriate step.

The Islamic College of Melbourne in Tarneit made the same call while the Australian International Academy in Coburg, Melbourne's north, will also close.

The teacher may have worked at the school while infectious for three days last week. Pictured: A healthcare worker is seen outside of a pop-up Covid-19 testing facility outside of the LaCrosse apartment block in Docklands, Melbourne

The state's first positive case in three weeks comes as Victoria recorded it's first Tier Two Covid exposure site since Saturday. Pictured: Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews speaks to the media at a press conference in Melbourne

'This is a precautionary measure as our students engaged in sporting activities with other schools,' the Australian International Academy wrote in a letter to parents.

Dr Hanna El-Khoury, a GP who is close to the school community said there is 'great frustration' in the local area after the events of last year.

'This is no different to anywhere else, it could happen anywhere,' he told the Herald Sun.

'The issue is how did it happen? Hopefully it will be an isolated case and there will not be any greater consequence.

'We all understand everything better now - this virus is very bad and needs no excuse. Everyone is very responsible, everyone is feeling it.'

Victoria's Covid Response Commander Jeroen Weimar said the woman, who lives in the Hobsons Bay local government area, may have been infectious while teaching at the school on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday last week.

A statement by the health department said the transmission risks at the school are urgently being assessed, as fears grow that a large number of new infections could soon follow. Pictured: People are seen waiting in line at a pop-up Covid-19 testing facility outside of the LaCrosse apartment block in Docklands, Melbourne

'We have been through a number of these outbreaks in schools before, in very recent memory,' he told ABC Radio.

'They're obviously a cause of significant anxiety for the school community.

'We have had some good conversations with the school leadership today, they have been hugely supportive and have done all the right things, as has the teacher.'

The state's first positive case in three weeks comes as Victoria recorded its first Tier Two Covid exposure site since Saturday.

Shoppers who visited Coles in Yarraville between 4:30pm to 5:30pm on July 29 are urged to immediately get tested and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.
Diplomatic efforts to repair the strained relationship between the UK and France have stalled as attempts to organise a face-to-face summit between Boris Johnson and Emmanuel Macron have failed to make progress.

Officials are said to have been working on getting a date in the diary for the two world leaders to meet in person to discuss increasing co-operation.

But The Times said French figures are refusing to agree a date, with some in Paris of the view that there is 'no point' in holding talks.

Meanwhile, UK sources are angry at some elements of the Macron administration because they believe they are 'crossing the street to pick a fight every day'.

Diplomatic efforts to repair the strained relationship between the UK and France have stalled as attempts to organise a face-to-face summit between Boris Johnson and Emmanuel Macron have failed to make progress

French figures are reportedly refusing to agree a date, with some in Paris of the view that there is 'no point' in holding talks

Anglo-French relations have deteriorated in recent months after a series of explosive rows.

One senior diplomatic source told the newspaper: 'The Government has reached out to try to arrange a summit but the French aren't interested.

'They've simply said there's no point.'

Anglo-French summits have been taking place roughly every two years with the most recent edition in January 2018.

Lord Ricketts, the UK's former ambassador to France, said Mr Macron will be in 'no great hurry' to agree to a summit because 'he doesn't know what the man [Mr Johnson] might say at the joint press conference'.

Both sides of the Channel now admit that levels of trust between the two nations have fallen to their lowest point in recent history.

The recent rows between the UK and France have spanned numerous subjects, with many continuing to rumble on.

Earlier this year there was a confrontation over post-Brexit fishing rights relating to access for French boats off the coast of Jersey.

That saw threats from Paris to cut off the island's electricity supply, prompting Mr Johnson to send Royal Navy ships to the area.

There have also been points of conflict over cross-Channel migration, vaccine supplies and coronavirus travel rules.

Mr Johnson and Mr Macron held a bilateral meeting at the G7 summit in Cornwall in June as a row raged over post-Brexit border rules in Northern Ireland.

Mr Macron prompted fury after it was briefed that he had suggested that Northern Ireland was not part of the same country as the UK.

French figures were left fuming at the disclosure from the private talks and insisted the French President's remarks had been misinterpreted.
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Experts are divided over the hugely controversial topic of vaccinating children, given their tiny risk of dying or falling seriously ill.

Some countries  including the US and Israel  began months ago, which made Britain an outlier in so far only vaccinating the most vulnerable over-12s.

Now the UK has U-turned to fall in line, with scientists advising the Government now saying it will help to head off any autumn surge by stopping schools becoming hotbeds for transmission when children return to classrooms in September.

But the move has prompted fierce debate among the country's top scientists.

Some academics are concerned any risks of the vaccine  which are rare  may slightly outweigh any benefits because the overwhelming majority of infected youngsters escape serious illness.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which advises No10, used the delicate risk/benefit ratio to advise against routinely dishing out Covid jabs to all children just two weeks ago, when the expert panel last reviewed the evidence.

Other critics of the JCVI's reversal  which was confirmed this afternoon argue spare doses should be sent to poorer countries, which are lagging massively behind in their roll-outs.

Professor Anthony Brookes, a geneticist at Leicester University, described the Government's drive to vaccinate children as an 'obsessive ratchet' and said 12-year-olds could be 'the next target'. The JCVI will continue reviewing data before pressing ahead with any move to jab younger children.

However, advocates for vaccinating children warn it will be impossible to achieve any kind of population immunity without inoculating under-18s.

One top expert told MailOnline they were 'annoyed' and believed the programme should have started sooner. And a group of hardline scientists  representing Independent SAGE  called the delay 'unacceptable', arguing it was 'too little, too late'.

The major safety concern surrounding giving Covid vaccines to children centres around a heart condition called myocarditis, which UK regulators accept is a potential side effect of Pfizer's jab  which will be the only one given to youngsters for now.

The issue is much more common after the second dose, which has prompted UK health chiefs to only commit to giving 16 and 17 year olds their initial jab. Regulators are waiting for more safety data before pressing ahead with plans to give them a top-up.

Data from the US suggests that there are 9.8 cases of myocarditis reported among 12 to 17 year old boys for every million first doses given. This rises to 67 per million after the second dose.

Around one in 14,500 12- to 17-year-olds given two doses of Pfizer's or Moderna's mRNA-based vaccines are thought to develop the rare heart condition myocarditis, according to the Centers for Disease Protection and Control (CDC). However the proportion of children who are saved from being hospitalised after both doses is higher in all age groups

While infections are significantly higher in younger age groups in the UK, hospitalisations and deaths from Covid are far lower in youngsters despite them not having received the vaccine

Chart shows: The proportion of hospital admissions in each age group. Just 1.1 per of all people admitted to hospital with Covid since England were newborns to five-year-olds and only 0.8 per cent were aged six to 17

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)

Top graph: Data from June 24 to July 12 (red 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 (yellow 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

While little is known about the effects of long Covid on children, a study by Imperial College released today showed most symptoms in older (12- to 17-year-olds) and younger (12-year-olds and younger) children clear up before six days

Some experts say vaccine doses should be sent to more vulnerable adults in poorer countries, which are lagging massively behind in their roll-outs, before they are used on children here. Graph shows: The proportion of adults given first doses (orange + green) and second doses (orange) in countries around the world

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, deputy chief medical officer for England, today announces 16- to 17-year-olds will be given the vaccine

Schools should not be responsible for promoting or policing jabs for pupils, union says Schools should not have any responsibility for promoting, enforcing or policing vaccination of pupils, a union has said. School leaders' union NAHT said UK policy on jabs for children should be led by clinicians. Paul Whiteman, NAHT general secretary, said: 'The debate about whether or not to vaccinate older children has been raging for many weeks. NAHT has always said that UK policy on child vaccination should be led by clinicians. 'To the extent that any such policy is controversial it is clear that schools should not carry any responsibility for vaccination promotion, enforcement or policing.' He said Covid remains a worry for school leaders, given the large numbers of absences related to the virus last term. A record 1.13million children in England were out of school for Covid related reasons towards the end of term, recent Government figures showed. The figures included 994,000 children self-isolating due to a possible contact with a Covid case, 48,000 pupils with a confirmed case of coronavirus, and 33,300 with a suspected case. A further 50,700 pupils were off as a result of school closures due to Covid-related reasons, the Department for Education (DfE) statistics showed. Mr Whiteman said: 'Regardless of the extent that young people might suffer directly from the virus, the large numbers of pupils absent from school at the end of last term showed that Covid still has the power to affect the quality and continuity of the education they receive. 'That is a continuing worry for school leaders. 'Pupils will return to schools next month, and the Government needs to take every possible step to prevent transmission of the virus amongst people in school communities, no matter their age. 'As ever, it will be a matter of public confidence in whatever these measures are deemed to be, so the Government also has a duty to communicate carefully and clearly in order to avoid any more unnecessary disruption and missed education for pupils.' Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said extending the jabs rollout would reduce disruption to schooling. He told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: 'Anything that gives the reassurance to young people that they are being treated in the way that the adult population is and that their education won't be disrupted to the extent it has been  that has to be welcomed. 'I'm sure many parents, with their youngsters, will think at last we're starting to give a real sense of priority to young people's education.' He said generally he thinks 'young people feel they've been let down educationally'. He added: 'If this is one way we can get rid of that disruption I think we will see a great sense of a lot of young people, not all, but a lot of young people thinking, 'Actually, I'm going to have the vaccine, just like my mum or my dad has'.' Mr Barton suggested vaccination for younger pupils could also be considered. Advertisement

But US officials, who've been investigating the link between the jabs are the rare complication for months, say the benefits still outweigh the risks, despite clear data showing teenagers are more likely to be struck down.

Around one in 14,500 12-17 year olds given two doses of Pfizer's or Moderna's mRNA-based vaccines are thought to develop the condition, according to the Centers for Disease Protection and Control (CDC).

The risk drops to one in 18,000 among 18- to 24-year-olds. But it plunges even further for over-30s, with rates of just one in 250,000.

But the US agency has not clarified exactly how much more often myocarditis is occurring, so it is not clear exactly how much risk is posed by the vaccine.

In real terms, they expect to see between 56 and 69 cases of myocarditis per 1million doses given out among the youngest age group. Under the same circumstances, just two deaths will be prevented  with Covid-infected children facing roughly a one in 500,000 risk of dying.

However, in a clear sign that the vaccines would have some benefit, more than four times as many hospitalisations were prevented as there were cases of myocarditis caused by the vaccine in 12- to 17-year-olds, the CDC's data show.

Vaccines  which are proven to be life-saving and have a tiny risk of serious side effects in rigorous analyses  have already saved tens of thousands of lives in Britain, researchers estimate.

Covid poses the greatest threat to the elderly, meaning the risk/benefit ratio of vaccines is clearly one-sided for the oldest adults.

But a clear trend in how dangerous Covid is as people get older has led to difficult decision who to vaccinate, especially given the jabs do carry some side effects  albeit extremely rare ones.

For example, UK health chiefs recommended under-40s should alternative jabs to those produced by AstraZeneca, after the British-made vaccines were linked to ultra-rare blood clots.

At the time, infection rates were low, skewing the risk ratio against the company's jab. Experts always said that if Covid took off again, the algorithm could change.

Now that Covid is highly prevalent in the UK, some say any conversations about the close risk/benefit ratio is in favour of vaccines.

But cases have actually started to fall in Britain since the JCVI announced its previous advice on jabbing children, prompting question as to whether the panel was 'bounced' into the move.

Now scientists want the JCVI to release evidence justifying its decision, in particular why doses are not being offered to 15-year-olds.

Experts and MPs criticised No10's plans to ease lockdown last month by warning long Covid could become rife in youngsters.

But the poorly-understood condition is rare among youngsters, a major study revealed last night. Fewer than two per cent still suffer symptoms eight weeks after getting infected.

Yet some of the country's top scientists say it is crucial to vaccinate children because the true extent of long Covid remains a mystery, especially among youngsters.

Meanwhile, new Office for National Statistics (ONS) research released today left experts even more divided.

It showed nearly 60 per cent of 16 to 17 year olds have Covid-fighting antibodies, suggesting the group already have high levels of immunity.

The data suggests little need to vaccinate children according to some experts.

But Professor Paul Hunter, an infectious disease expert at the University of East Anglia, claimed it may still be the 'correct option' even though most in this age group will already be immune.

Professor Jonathan Ball, a molecular virologist at the University of Nottingham, said immunity from natural may be short-lived, if SARS-CoV-2 is anything like other seasonal coronaviruses.

As plans to vaccinate children in the are due to be unveiled by No10's scientists, MailOnline asked the experts whether teenagers really need to be vaccinated.

The Pros

Dr Bharat Pankhania, a clinical lecturer in public heath at the University of Exeter Medical School, says the rollout should have been extended to youngsters far earlier

Dr Bharat Pankhania

Public health expert at the University of Exeter

Dr Bharat Pankhania, a clinical lecturer in public heath at the University of Exeter Medical School, said the roll-out should have been extended to youngsters far earlier.

He told MailOnline that while Covid does not pose a large threat to children themselves, they can act as 'agents' of transmission, keeping levels of the virus high in wider society and infecting vulnerable adults.

Dr Pankhania added that while initial infection may not be severe in children, the threat of long Covid would be curbed by vaccines.

And he said having core immunity in both adults and children would help protect against future variants that may emerge.

He told MailOnline: 'I am so pleased [the rollout has been extended] and I feel I was right and the JCVI was wrong. I'm annoyed, as they should have started it sooner.

'The vaccine rollout should be expanded further to 12-year-olds and over. It's disappointing that the UK is doing it in smaller groups.

'If the vaccine is found to be protective in youngsters, then there is no harm whatsoever in having some vaccine protection in the population - we do that with flu jabs, where we vaccinate youngster to protect older groups.

'I hope the Government will further expand the vaccine rollout, but I have feeling we are not being told the full reasons for just vaccinating over-16s. It may be a supply issue and if it is, it's still better to honestly say that and explain when it is fixed we will have more vaccinated. But that is just speculating.'

Dr Stephen Griffin says vaccinating children will protect them as well as vulnerable adults and the jab should be rolled out to younger groups

Dr Stephen Griffin

Head of antivirals and viral oncology at the University of Leeds

Dr Stephen Griffin told MailOnline vaccinating children will protect them as well as vulnerable adults and the jab should be rolled out to younger groups.

The virus expert from the University of Leeds said: 'It's been approved in 12 and over and I would love to see those groups getting it as well.

'The numbers the JCVI used to reach its decision have not been released, but I can't see a big different in the risks and benefits for 15-year-olds compared to 16-year-olds. Other countries have used the wider group of those aged 12 to 17. You don't want to vaccinate arbitrary groups and I worry they have decided on over-16s to allay different groups.

'What's the point in having just half of secondary school covered? They should be thinking about preventing cases and not take the risk.

'Regardless of what proportion of children get severe disease, there have been thousands of children in hospital with the virus. A small proportion of a very large number is still a big number, so it is not just about protecting others.'

He added: 'But vaccinating children to protect others is not a bad thing.

'Some children will be living with vulnerable adults who can't get the vaccine and what are they supposed to do when their children go back to school?

'The risk of unvaccinated children going back to school in September is higher than last year because they have got rid of bubbles and are relying on contact tracing. They have also not made progress on ventilating school buildings in England.

'We should not underestimate the risk of myocarditis and other possible long-term side effects, but the incidence is so low and mild most of time. The US has vaccinated 9million children and its myocarditis rates are so low. So, the benefits far outweigh the risks.'

Professor Peter Openshaw says Covid transmission in children and teenagers is the highest of any age group and vaccines could help curb the rampant spread in youngsters

Professor Peter Openshaw

Experimental medicine expert at Imperial College London

Professor Peter Openshaw said Covid transmission in children and teenagers is the highest of any age group and vaccines could help curb the rampant spread in youngsters.

He said: 'Infections are generally mild but some are not. Both the short and long-term effects of Covid can seriously disrupt education and leisure.

'Teenagers have not had the benefit of being naturally infected in early childhood and therefore have no immunological resistance to infection with highly transmissible variants.

'Estimates of the proportion of young people affected by long Covid varies, but symptoms range from mild to disabling and Covid may present in unfamiliar ways in childhood.

Professor Openshaw, an experimental medicine expert at Imperial College London, added: 'The information that we have so far shows that vaccines are highly effective and safe in childhood and adolescence.

'There are reports of rare cases of myocarditis and pericarditis in young males after mRNA vaccines, but the reasons for this and the frequency has yet to be proven.

'JCVI are right to continue to monitor safety data from UK studies and from other countries, balancing risks and benefits of vaccination versus natural infection at different ages.

'Vaccination of teenagers may have a major effect on the return of Covid next winter, assuming that the rates will drop this summer.

'Full vaccination takes time, so the sooner we start the sooner this age group will be protected.'

The Cons

Professor Robert Dingwall told MailOnline the risk-benefit for vaccinating children is 'increasingly precarious' as you move down the age groups

Professor Robert Dingwall

Medical sociologist at Nottingham Trent University

Professor Robert Dingwall, a sociologist at Nottingham Trent University, told MailOnline the risk-benefit for vaccinating children is 'increasingly precarious' as you move down the age groups.

The Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) said vaccines have to be proven to be incredibly safe to be used on healthy teenagers.

He cited a paper in the Lancet today showing that people aged five to 17 suffer serious illness from Covid 'very rarely'.

Professor Dingwall, a former Government adviser, told MailOnline: 'The risk-benefit ratio for vaccination compared with infection becomes increasingly precarious as we move down from 30-year-olds into younger age groups.

'As the Zoe group paper in today's Lancet shows, Covid very rarely causes a serious illness in 5- to 17-year-olds.

'This sets a high bar for the safety of vaccines in healthy teenagers.

'In 2009, JCVI decided not to recommend childhood vaccination against chicken pox precisely because this was such a mild illness.

'It is important not to overlook that precedent simply because some people think it is desirable to eliminate all possibilities of infection.'

Professor David Livermore told MailOnline vaccinating children aged 16 and 17 against Covid will be 'pretty pointless'

Professor David Livermore

Medical microbiologist at the University of East Anglia

Professor David Livermore, a medical microbiologist at the University of East Anglia, told MailOnline vaccinating children aged 16 and 17 against Covid will be 'pretty pointless'.

The medical microbiologist at the University of East Anglia said people in the age group are at very little risk of serious illness from the virus.

He said school age children will have already built up a fair amount of immunity from natural infection and will continue to do so when schools reopen.

Vaccines would therefore be of better use being given to countries where rollouts have not yet reached more vulnerable age groups, he argued.

Professor Livermore said: 'Sixteen to 17-year-olds are at low risk of serious disease and, through exposure, are developing immunity anyway.

'We do not know if vaccine-induced or infection-induced immunity will prove the longer lasting, and to the better contributor to herd immunity.

'Given this I can see no good reason to prioritise vaccinating them.

'Limited vaccine supplies would be far better used in countries and regions with large vulnerable elderly populations who presently remain unvaccinated  Australia, much of South East Asia and Latin America, as well as Africa.'

Professor Anthony Brookes says the risks of heart inflammation blood clotting and potential unknown future side effects outweigh the risks of Covid in children

Professor Anthony Brookes

Geneticist at the University of Leicester

Professor Anthony Brookes said the risks of heart inflammation, blood clotting and potential unknown future side effects from vaccination outweigh the harms caused by Covid to children.

The genetics expert at the University of Leicester said the risks of vaccinating young people was recognised by the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) last month, so the U-turn in policy could have been caused by political pressure from the Government.

Professor Brookes told MailOnline: 'Serious future harms [of vaccinating children] cannot be ruled out.

'This compares to the almost non-existent risk of serious harm from Covid for the young.

'The JVCI recognised these truths and the responsible balance of risks just a few weeks ago.

'Therefore, many will conclude that political pressure from government to 'reconsider' is the only reason JCVI will now be changing their position.

'So the obsessive ratchet effect continues, and we might well expect 12-year-olds to be the next target, and then everyone down to infants.'

WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF VACCINATING CHILDREN? Pros Protecting adults The main argument in favour of vaccinating children is in order to prevent them keeping the virus in circulation long enough for it to transmit back to adults. Experts fear that unvaccinated children returning to classrooms in September could lead to a boom in cases among people in the age group, just as immunity from jabs dished out to older generations earlier in the year begins to wane. This could trigger another wave of the virus if left unchecked, with infection levels triggering more hospitalisations and deaths than seen during the summer. Avoiding long Covid in children While the risk of serious infection from Covid remains low in most children, scientists are still unsure of the long-term effects the virus may have on them. Concerns have been raised in particular about the incidence of long Covid  the little understood condition when symptoms persist for many more weeks than normal  in youngsters. A study released last night by King's College London showed fewer than two per cent of children who develop Covid symptoms continue to suffer with them for more than eight weeks. Just 25 of the 1,734 children studied  0.01 per cent  suffered symptoms for longer than a year. Cons Health risks Extremely rare incidences of a rare heart condition have been linked to the Pfizer vaccine in youngsters. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC) in the US  where 9million 12- to 17-year-olds have already been vaccinated  shows there is around a one in 14,500 to 18,000 chance of boys in the age group developing myocarditis after having their second vaccine dose. The risk is higher than in 18- to 24-year-olds (one in 18,000 to 22,000), 25- to 29-year-olds (one in 56,000 to 67,000) and people aged 30 and above (one in 250,000 to 333,000). However, the risks are far outweighed by the benefits of the vaccine and the CDC say myocarditis incidents are extremely rare. More than four times as many hospitalisations were prevented as there were cases of myocarditis caused by the vaccine in 12- to 17-year-olds, the health body's data show. Jabs should be given to other countries Experts have also claimed it would be better to donate jabs intended for teenagers in the UK to other countries where huge swathes of the vulnerable population remain unvaccinated. Not only would this be a moral move but it is in the UK's own interest because the virus will remain a threat to Britain as long as it is rampant anywhere in the world. Most countries across the globe are lagging significantly behind the UK in terms of their vaccine rollout, with countries in Africa, Southeast Asia and South America remaining particularly vulnerable. Jabs could be better used vaccinating older people in those countries, and thus preventing the virus from continuing to circulate globally and mutate further, than the marginal gains to transmission Britain would see if children are vaccinated, experts argue. Advertisement

What Covid vaccine will 16 and 17 year olds get? Will they get jabs in school? And will they need to show parental consent? All your questions answered about the Government's plan to inoculate 1.5million teenagers

Health chiefs have recommend all 16 and 17-year-olds get jabs, marking a dramatic U-turn.

Just two weeks ago the same expert panel  the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI)  advised against doing so.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid accepted the advice and asked the NHS to prepare to vaccinate the group 'as soon as possible'.

The Government has not yet given a timeline on when 16 and 17-year-olds can start coming forward for jabs. But even if the roll-out out to older teenagers begin straight away, there will only be time to give them one dose by the time the school year begins on September 6

Officials said there is 'no time to waste' and want to give all 1.4million older teens the Pfizer vaccine before schools return in September. Detailed plans will be set out this week.

At a Downing Street press conference this afternoon, JCVI chair Professor Wei Shen Lim revealed 16-17 year olds won't be booked in for second doses just yet, with the panel wanting to wait for more safety data.

The major safety concern around vaccinating children centres on a heart condition called myocarditis, which is six times more common after the top-up jab.

Health chiefs confirmed that children will be able to overrule their parents and opt to get the vaccine without their permission.

But experts are divided over the hugely controversial topic of vaccinating children, given their tiny risk of dying or falling seriously ill.

Some countries  including the US and Israel  have already started, which made Britain an outlier in so far only vaccinating the most at-risk over-12s.

As plans to vaccinate children in the are due to be unveiled by No10's scientists, MailOnline answers your questions about the roll-out to youngsters.

When will children be vaccinated?

Those aged 16 and 17 will be offered the jab within weeks, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, England's deputy chief medical officer, said today.

At a Downing Street press conference, he said: 'I want us to proceed as quickly as practically possible.

'That isn't going to be tomorrow. I don't think its likely to be early next week.

'But I can tell you the NHS has been kept informed of what's been deliberated and it has been preparing for multiple permutations and options for weeks.'

Mr Javid confirmed 16 and 17-year-olds will be offered the jab this month.

How long will it be until they get their second dose?

The children will initially be given one dose of Pfizer's vaccine to give them 'some immediate protection from severe disease'.

But the committee is yet to decide when they will receive their second dose.

Regulators are waiting for more safety data before pressing ahead with plans to give them a top-up.

Data from the US suggests myocarditis, a rare heart condition linked to the jab, is occurring more frequently after second doses.

The JCVI is looking at the evidence on whether the top-up jab is best delivered at eight weeks, as with adults, or sooner or potentially later.

Professor Lim told the press conference: 'We are expecting more data to accumulate in the coming weeks. And that means we can offer advice that is the most up to date and relevant.'

The UK has so far only approved Pfizer's coronavirus jab for use in children over 12

Even if the roll-out to older teenagers began straight away, there will only be time to give them one dose before the school year begins on September 6.

Will jabs be dished out in schools?

Jabs will be administered in schools, like how the HPV vaccine is rolled out for 12 and 13 year old boys and girls.

Speaking to reporters at a vaccination centre in Bournemouth, Mr Javid revealed GPs and hospital hubs will also dish out jabs to children.

He said: 'The way we're going to roll this out, I think as people will expect, is working through the clinicians, GPs, primary care networks. Also, we will use hospital hubs.'

'And we'll be working through the existing schools vaccination programme, which I think will help to bolster this.'

But Education Secretary Gavin Williamson is expected to push for them to continue to be given at GP surgeries and NHS hubs, sources claimed.

What vaccine will youngsters get?

The UK has so far only approved Pfizer's coronavirus jab for use in children over 12.

Health chiefs today confirmed it would the US-made vaccine would be given to 16 and 17 year olds.

Moderna's vaccine  which works in a similar way  has not been given the green light for youngsters yet.

AstraZeneca's injection has been linked to rare blood clots, and health chiefs have already restricted its use to over 40s. Therefore, the British-made vaccine won't be offered to children.

Scientists are currently testing nasal spray forms of the Covid vaccine  a method already used to give out children's flu jabs. But none of the candidates being studied have yet to make it out of trials.

Which countries have already began vaccinating children?

Until today, Britain was the 'outlier'. Major European countries and the US are already giving vaccines to children.

A quarter of 12 to 15 year olds in the US have received two doses, while a third have received their first jab.

France, and Spain, Hungary have already starting giving the jab to over-12s, while 10 per cent of children are already vaccinated in Germany.

Independent SAGE members say plans to vaccinate 16 and 17-year-olds have come 'too late' A group of 18 scientists including Independent SAGE members today slammed plans to vaccinate 16 and 17-year-olds as coming too late. They said it would be impossible to get the group fully inoculated before the start of term because of the required eight-week gap between doses. The JCVI today announced the Pfizer vaccine would be offered to all 16 to 17-year-olds, in a dramatic U-turn after saying last month it was ethically challenging. They said the age group would be able to get the first dose, but they were waiting for further data before also approving the second dose. Concerns have been raised over a very rare heart condition that has been linked to the Pfizer jab. But Britain's medical regulator says most cases are 'very mild' and cured after a period of rest. Ministers accepted the recommendation, and the NHS is now preparing to dish out the jabs to the younger age groups as soon as possible. They hope to head off a surge in cases expected in the Autumn when schools return. Independent SAGE expert Professor Christina Pagel said: 'While it is really good news that 16 and 17-year-olds can now benefit from the protection given by the highly effective vaccine, an opportunity to fully vaccinate students before the start of the next school term has been missed. 'This same decision even a month earlier would have allowed this.' Epidemiologist at Queen Mary University Dr Deepti Gurdasani said: 'The decision from the JCVI is welcome, but the delay in this is unacceptable, given the Pfizer vaccine was approved by the MHRA in 16-year-olds in December, and the benefit vs risk has been clear for a while. 'The late change means that many in this age group have been infected over the past weeks, with several developing chronic illness, when they could have been vaccinated.' They have today submitted a paper to prestigious medical journal The Lancet calling on the JCVI to release its analysis that showed jabs could now be dished out to younger groups. Advertisement

Meanwhile, Canada, Denmark, Austria, Italy, Lithuania, Estonia, Norway, Switzerland, are expected to start giving youngsters jabs soon.



Israel approved the jabs for over-12s in May and subsequently approved it for 5 to 11-year-olds.

Have the vaccines been trialled on children?

The companies that make the vaccines, as well as other scientists, have studied how safe they are among children.

Pfizer and Moderna found their jab poses little risk in over-12s and are now trialling the injection in under-11s.

Rigorous analysis also revealed the jabs were effective.

The JCVI said a trial of 1,000 12 to 15-year-olds who received the Pfizer jab found it to be effective and only cause short-term side effects like a fever.

University of Oxford scientists are testing the AstraZeneca jab on children aged six to 17.

Do children get ill with Covid?

Most children who get infected have no or mild symptoms.

Fewer than 30 under-18s have died of Covid in the UK since the pandemic began  which scientists say is the equivalent of around one in 500,000 who get infected.

And a major study last night revealed just one in 50 develop symptoms which persist for longer than eight weeks.

So, what are the benefits of vaccinating children?

Scientists claim vaccinating children will curb the spread of the virus, with younger adults known to have fuelled Britain's third wave.

Rolling out jabs to children, advocates insist, minimise the numbers having to take days off school to self-isolate.

Others say it will be impossible to achieve any kind of population immunity without inoculating under-18s.

Building up immunity now, before children return to classrooms in the autumn, will help keep infections down.

This is because vaccinating children can cause 'knock on benefits across the whole population', Imperial College London researchers say.

So what are the potential risks?

Since the vaccine roll-out has been expanded to children around the world, there have been reports of rare heart conditions: myocarditis and pericarditis.

Myocarditis is the inflammation of the heart muscle, while pericarditis is when the protective layer around the heart gets inflamed.

Data from the US shows those aged 12-17 are at the most risk of developing the heart problem after a Covid jab, compared to other age groups.

In that group, 10 cases of myocarditis were reported per million first doses given. This rises to 67 per million after the second dose. Most people recovered quickly.

There are no specific causes of the conditions but they are usually triggered by a virus.

The British Heart Foundation says in some cases, myocarditis can affect the heart's electrical system, stopping it from pumping properly. 'This can cause an abnormal heart rhythm, known as an arrhythmia,' it claims.

But British regulators insist the 250 cases seen among Pfizer recipients are 'typically mild'. Affected patients recover 'within a short time with standard treatment'.

What explains the sudden U-turn?

Ministers had urged the JCVI to keep reviewing its decision and were keen to expand the roll-out to children.

No major new evidence has emerged, but the committee said they now 'have more certainty' that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks.

Crucially, they are reassured that the side-effect of heart inflammation is extremely rare. Data from the UK shows it affects just one in 100,000 people and most make a full recovery.

The situation has also changed because high vaccine uptake in adults mean the UK's epidemic is increasingly concentrated in un-jabbed teenagers.

Will parents have to give consent for the jabs?

It has been one of the most controversial issues surrounding the roll-out, but health chiefs said today that parents will not be able to decide whether their child gets the vaccine.

Professor Lim said: 'In the UK a person who is 16 years and above is deemed able to consent for themselves.

'If they are competent and able to consent for themselves, then that consent holds.'

This means children will be able to overrule their own parents if they disagree.

Government sources had claimed last night that under-18s wanting the jab would have to provide proof of parental consent.

But hinting at the JCVI's stance, universities minister Michelle Donelan would not confirm that would be the case when quizzed about the move this morning.

Will more young people be offered the vaccine?

As it stands, at-risk 12 to 15-year-olds are already eligible for the vaccine.

But health chiefs hinted that more people in this age group could be offered the jab in the future.

Children in that age group are already eligible if they have a severe neurodisability, Down's syndrome, underlying conditions resulting in immunosuppression, profound or multiple learning disabilities, severe learning disabilities, or those who are on the learning disability register.

But Professor Van-Tam said: 'We have asked the JCVI to continue to review that list on an ongoing basis and my sense is that it is more likely rather than less likely that that risk will broaden over time as data becomes available.'

The JCVI said they are reviewing the evidence and want to 'go very carefully and very safely' before recommending it to more children.

The jabs are not currently licenced for under-12s, so use in young children is not on the horizon.

Will children be incentivised to come forward?

It is not yet clear what, if any, incentives will be offered to older teens to encourage them to get vaccinated.

But with younger adults being offered discounts for takeaways and taxis, ministers may make offerings to 16 and 17-year-olds.

Asked whether teens could be offered cash to come forward, Ms Donelan refused to rule it out.

She said: 'We look at a variety of mechanisms to encourage young people.

'I think the biggest incentive is to protect their own health and protect the health of their friends and their loved ones and we are seeing young people come forward every day and get vaccinated.

'But we will keep everything on the table and review all options for incentivising everybody to get the vaccine.If cash for jabs was offered, the Government would be following in the footstep of US President Joe Biden, who told states to offer $100 (71) to newly vaccinated people to encourage more to come forward.
Boris Johnson is 'missing in action' in the war to defeat climate change, Labour leader Keir Starmer claimed today.

He accused the Prime Minister of a failure of leadership ahead of a major UN environmental conference the UK is hosting in November.

COP26 takes place in Glasgow in less than 100 days' time and the Opposition Leader accused the Government of lacking ambition ahead of the meeting of senior world leaders.

Speaking on a visit to Glasgow today, Sir Keir said: 'The UK needs to show leadership, leadership from the Prime Minister, at the moment he is missing in action.

'We need the ability to build coalitions, to bring the world together, and we need to show we are keeping to our obligations.'

He argued skills in 'international diplomacy and bringing people together in a coalition' were needed to achieve this, but added: 'Those skills are missing with this Prime Minister.

'He's not known for his diplomacy abroad, he's not known for building coalitions, he's actually known across the globe for his rule-breaking.'

In a separate interview with the Independent the Labour leader said he would uphold a pledge by his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn to cut a 'substantial majority' of greenhouse gases by the end of this decade.

Visiting Scotland today (pictured), Sir Keir accused the Prime Minister of a failure of leadership ahead of a major UN environmental conference the UK is hosting in November.

Writing in the Guardian today, Sir Keir said: 'Time is short and history will not forgive a failure to act now. Yet at this vital moment, Boris Johnson is missing in action'

COP26 takes place in Glasgow in less than 100 days' time and the Opposition leader accused the Government of lacking ambition ahead of the meeting of senior world leaders.

Sir Keir continued: 'The preparation between now and what happens in November in Glasgow is hugely important, we can't miss this moment. The climate crisis is at a critical stage,'

Action over the next decade will be key in whether climate change targets can be met, he added. 'Everybody needs to come together to deliver here in Glasgow, it is a very important moment for us,' Sir Keir said.

Sir Keir is in Scotland today at the start of a two-day visit focused on climate change ahead of the November summit.

'The world is looking to Britain, as host of the summit, to deliver,' Sir Keir said. 'We cannot afford to miss this moment, but I fear we will.'

Questions have been raised over what might be achieved when leaders come to Scotland, with cost-heavy projects looking less attractive in the wake of the Covid pandemic.

Government insiders fearful that the proposals could add another 400billion on top of the enormous sums accrued by heavy public spending on coronavirus.

Last month it was revealed Britons are set to be allowed up to five more years before a ban on sales of all new gas boilers comes into force amid a backlash over the soaring cost of the PM's 'net zero' ambitions.

Mr Johnson is looking at delaying the ban by five years to 2040, in a move which would give millions of UK households more time for new hydrogen boilers and heat-pumps to fall in price, and for businesses to pump more money into shifting people over gradually.

The public is set to be incentivised to buy an eco-friendly heat-pump next time their boiler breaks down - but the delay to introducing the ban means working boilers could have to be taken out before 2050, or the UK could fail to hit its 'net zero' carbon emission targets to that date.

Sir Keir and Scottish labour leader Anas Sarwar during a visit to the Hamiltonhill Claypits Local Nature Reserve in Glasgow this afternoon

In July Mr Johnson's climate change spokeswoman said people should freeze leftover bread, order shampoo in cardboard packaging and not rinse plates before putting them in the dishwasher.

Allegra Stratton says many British households are already taking the 'micro-steps' in order to be environmentally friendly.

She admits that the government is not pretending that the steps taken on their own will 'stop climate change', but says the suggestions are intended could still have a positive impact.

Writing in The Telegraph, Ms Stratton says: 'Did you know, according to COP26 principal partner Reckitt, who make Finish, you don't really need to rinse your dishes before they go into the dishwasher?

'Does your brand of plastic bottle shower gel come as a bar in cardboard packaging? I bet it does. It might be freezing half a loaf of bread when you get it home, to get out later in the week, rather than throwing half of it away when it goes mouldy.'
Maxwell Berry, 22, was arrested on three counts of battery on Saturday

A drunk Frontier passenger screamed his parents were worth $2million after groping two flight attendants then punched a third before crew duct taped him to a chair.

Footage captured the moment Maxwell Berry, 22, was duct taped to his seat while on a Frontier flight to Florida.

A second video showed Berry repeatedly shouting 'help me, help' while wriggling free from the duct tape around his mouth as the plane came into land.

He 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.'

Drunk Frontier passenger Maxwell Berry (pictured) screamed his parents were worth $2million then groped two flight attendants and punched a third before the crew duct taped him to a chair

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

Video showed Maxwell Berry repeatedly shouting 'help me, help' while wriggling free from the duct tape around his mouth as the plane came into land

Berry was seen wriggling free from the duct tape in a second video filmed as the plane came into land in Philadelphia

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!'

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.'

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'

Berry was seen scuffling with a Frontier flight attendant before he was duct taped to a chair while on a flight from Philadelphia to Miami on July 31

Passengers filmed Berry, 22, as he sat taped to a chair for the remainder of his flight to Florida

Berry later retweeted footage of the incident, writing: 'This will forever be the most dehumanizing experience in my entire life.

'Many people laughed and ridiculed me as I was mistreated by staff of a PROFESSIONAL airline.

'Just to make matters worth this has gone viral on the internet and will never disappear. My life will never be'

He followed the message with a series of tweets, including the hashtag #JusticeForMaxwellBerry, about the incident.

'Safe to say Im never flying Frontier again', read one tweet.

'To be clear I DID NOT GROPE ANYBODY. This is just the stupid narrative that the media is pushing', said another.

He later boasted he could buy the airline and asked followers, 'Can somebody tell what the hell is funny about being duct taped to an airplane seat? I was treated like livestock'.

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 heartbroken father of an eight-week-old baby who was allegedly murdered by his mother fought back tears today as he carried his son's casket at his funeral in Belfast.

Liam O'Keefe was found dead in a house in the Ardoyne area of north Belfast last Tuesday evening.

His mother Raluca Ioana Tagani, 29, who is originally from Romania, is accused of his killing as well as the attempted murder of a two-year-old child in the same stabbing incident in the home.

Today, his grieving father, who is also named Liam O'Keefe, broke down as he carried the baby's tiny casket at the funeral in Belfast.

Supported by friends, Mr O'Keefe wore a jumper with his son's photo on the front as he cradled his casket.

Liam O'Keefe carries the coffin of his son, also named Liam, after he was allegedly stabbed to death by his mother

Supported by friends, Mr O'Keefe wore a jumper with his son's photo on the front as he cradled his casket.

Raluca Ioana Tagani, 29, appeared via video link before a judge in Belfast Magistrates' Court last week. She is accused of murdering her son Liam O'Keefe

Mr O'Keefe, who gave permission for his son's funeral to be covered by the media, is laying his son to rest today.

He broke down as he held the white coffin containing Liam's remains while mourners wore matching grey jumpers with a picture of the baby on them.

So far, more than 3,430 has been raised to support the family and pay for Liam's funeral.

His older daughter revealed her family's heartache after her brother Liam was stabbed 'repeatedly'.

Speaking from her home in Wolverhampton, she told The Sun: 'They were meant to be having the baby's Christening soon - and now it's going to be a funeral.

'He was only eight weeks old so I didn't get to meet him. My dad is in absolute bits.

'Liam was a beautiful baby - I just can't get my head around it. We are all devastated.'

The baby's mother appeared before a judge at Belfast Magistrates' Court on Friday morning before being remanded in custody.

Tagani appeared from a custody cell for the brief hearing before deputy district judge Liam McStay.

She spoke only briefly to confirm she understood the charges she faced and a Romanian interpreter translated the court proceedings.

Baby Liam, who was eight weeks old, was found dead in a house in the Northern Irish capital

Mr O'Keefe at the funeral today. His older daughter revealed her family's heartache after her brother Liam was stabbed 'repeatedly'

Liam O'Keefe, the father of baby Liam, speaks to local residents last week as they take part in a vigil and balloon launch at Brompton Park, Ardoyne, North Belfast

She will next appear in court on August 27.

A detective sergeant with the Police Service of Northern Ireland told the court he could connect the accused to the charge.

A solicitor for Tagani said he had no questions for the officer in respect of the connection.

The lawyer also said he would not be applying for bail for his client. Tagani was remanded in custody to appear before the court again on August 27.

Mr O'Keefe travelled from England to Northern Ireland shortly after his son's death.

Speaking to residents at a vigil last week in a blue balloon-filled street, he said he was 'truly heartbroken' as he thanked the community for their support.

Speaking to residents at the vigil on Thursday in the blue balloon-filled street, Liam said he was 'truly heartbroken'

A local priest also offered up prayers outside the Brompton Park home in north Belfast

Police forensics officers at the scene following the incident. A detective sergeant with the Police Service of Northern Ireland told the court he could connect the accused to the charge

He said: 'To all the neighbours and the full community for all their help and support, I really appreciate it all.

'Holding this vigil means the world to me. I am truly heartbroken but it gives me the strength to know you are all giving so much love and support.

'Thank you from the bottom of my heart.'

A local priest also offered up prayers outside the Brompton Park home.
China's worst Covid-19 outbreak in a year is rapidly escalating with cases hitting a six-month high and prompting authorities to seal off a city and 'punish' local officials.

The Communist Party had previously boasted of its success with gratuitous propaganda showing people returning to normal life in restaurants and nightclubs while the rest of the world suffered from the virus which first emerged in Wuhan.

But on Wednesday, China officially recorded 71 new infections - the highest daily figure since January - and with incidences of local transmission and 500 new cases since July, its zero-Covid strategy is on the brink.

The Delta variant is believed to have first infected airport workers in Nanjing but has now spread throughout the colossal country of 1.4 billion people.

Now the tourist hub of Zhangjiajie, famed for its stunning forests and waterfalls, has been identified as a hotspot and residents have been ordered to stay inside their homes and nobody can leave the city.

A boy is swabbed for Covid by a medic wearing full PPE at a testing facility in Yangzhou in China's eastern Jiangsu province. The city had recorded 126 cases by Tuesday

An official with a loudhailer informs residents of the new Covid-19 infections in Yangzhou

On Wednesday, China officially recorded 71 new infections - the most since January - and with incidences of local transmission and 500 new cases since July, a huge blow to its zero-Covid strategy

Deaths remain low in China but the authorities are concerned about the recent uptick in infections

Retribution for the allegedly lax local officialdom was swift.

The city's Communist Party disciplinary committee on Wednesday issued a list of local officials who 'had a negative impact' on pandemic prevention and control work who would be punished.

Zhangjiajie itself has only recorded 19 cases since last week, three of whom were people with no symptoms, which are counted separately.

However, individual cases linked to Zhangjiajie's outbreak have spread to at least five provinces, according to local media.

Far higher numbers were reported in Yangzhou, a city next to Nanjing, which had recorded 126 cases by Tuesday.

In Beijing, where the city government reported three new virus cases on Wednesday, authorities blocked entrances to a compound where one of the patients lived, while residents reached over fences to receive parcels from delivery drivers.

Wuhan, where the virus first emerged in 2019, reported its first local infections in over a year this week and said Tuesday it was 'swiftly launching' testing of all 11 million residents.

The decree sparked a wave of panic-buying in supermarkets as citizens feared being shuttered in their homes in another draconian lockdown.

Long lines of residents waited at outdoor testing stations in the summer heat, fanning themselves while workers in hazmat suits took throat samples.

The testing has already turned up cases of the highly-infectious Delta variant which was first detected in India.

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

A worker disinfects the flooring outside the inflated cabins at the pop-up Huo-Yan Laboratory set up in an expo center to test samples for covid-19 virus in Nanjing in east China's Jiangsu province

Police officers wearing protective gear against the spread of Covid-19 spray disinfectant at Nanjing port

A nurse takes swab samples in the new rounds of Covid-19 testing in Nanjing in eastern China's Jiangsu province on Monday

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

After announcing last week that they were suspending issuing of passports for travellers except those with an urgent need, officials at the National Immigration Administration reiterated the message on Wednesday at a press briefing.

As of Tuesday, China has given more than 1.71 billion vaccine doses to its population of 1.4 billion. It is not clear how many of those are first or both doses, but at least 40% of the population is fully protected, according to earlier announcements.

Chinese companies have not publicly shared real-world data on how effective their vaccines are against the Delta variant, though officials have said the vaccines prevent severe disease and hospital admissions.

In addition to the 71 cases of local transmission, 25 travellers from overseas have Covid-19 and have entered quarantine, making the total for Wednesday 96 new cases.

The National Health Commission also said 15 people tested positive for the virus but have no symptoms.

China has reported 4,636 deaths and 93,289 cases of Covid-19 overall, most of them from the original outbreak in Wuhan that peaked early last year.
Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed a doctor who swabbed his nose during a Covid test, the bombshell report into the scandal-hit governor claims.

The Department of Health doctor performed a live Covid test in front of TV cameras on the New York state governor in May last year.

Off camera while preparing for a press conference, Cuomo asked the woman, referred to as State Entity Employee number two by the report, to not put up the swab 'so deep that you hit my brain', it is alleged.

She replied that she would be 'gentle but accurate' in carrying out the test, to which Cuomo replied: 'Gentle but accurate, I've heard that before.'

The doctor said she felt the Governor was trying to make a 'joke of an implied sexual nature'.

Moments later at the press conference, Cuomo said to the doctor in front of the cameras: 'Nice to see you, Doctoryou make that gown look good.'

Andrew Cuomo told the doctor who carried out his COVID-19 test last spring that she 'made the gown look good'

The Department of Health doctor performed a live Covid test in front of TV cameras on the New York state governor in May last year

The attorney general's report (pictured) said the woman 'found the Governor's comments offensive and that they would not have been made to an accomplished physician who was a man'

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

The attorney general's report said the woman 'found the Governor's comments offensive and that they would not have been made to an accomplished physician who was a man'.

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.

There are now a total of 11 woman that Cuomo allegedly sexually harassed, according to the bombshell report.

In one instance, an executive assistant says he groped her breast at the governor's mansion in Albany in November 2020.

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.

The governors of neighboring Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Connecticut, plus Rhode Island, all joined in the chorus of condemnation. All four are fellow Democrats.

Letitia 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.

'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.'
The owners of a brand new pick-up truck were less than impressed when it rolled down a boat launch and sank into a lake on live TV.

Reporter Jakob Emerson was delivering a live report on a proposed building project for WICS ABC NewsChannel 20 at Lake Springfield, Illinois, totally unaware of the drama unfolding behind him.

The white GMC Sierra HD Denali, which cost around $70,000, could be seen in the background slowly sliding out of view before becoming fully submerged in just 25 seconds.

The driver, who had climbed out to release the boat it was towing from its trailer, was helpless to intervene.

The footage was captured during a broadcast by WICS ABC NewsChannel 20 at Lake Springfield, Illinois

The white GMC Sierra HD Denali, which cost around $70,000, can be seen in the background slowly sliding out of view

In the clip, recorded on July 29 at 6.20pm, Emerson can be seen standing in front of the boat ramp as he presents a piece to camera about calls to build an artificial lake in the area.

But the real drama is happening in the background as the pick-up slowly edges out of view and down the Spaulding Dam boat launch.

Emerson eventually reaches a natural pause in his presentation and turns to glance over his shoulder before letting out a gasp.

The water bubbles as the white truck continues to sink - taking just 25 seconds to become fully submerged.

The driver, who had climbed out to release the boat it was towing from its trailer, was helpless to intervene before it became fully submerged

The GMC Sierra took just 25 seconds to become fully submerged (pictured being towed back out of the water)

The white GMC Sierra HD Denali pick-up truck (stock image) is thought to have cost around $70,000

Fortunately, nobody was inside the pickup at the time and no injuries were reported.

Sangamon County Emergency Management Office Director Bill Lee said that particular boat launch used by the driver posed risks.

'Most of them have a very gradual decline, this one seems to drop off relatively quick,' Lee told WCIS.

'It's always best to park at the top of the ramp and go down and walk the ramp to identify if that thick algae is there and makes it real slick.'
Health chiefs have recommend all 16 and 17-year-olds get jabs, marking a dramatic U-turn.

Just two weeks ago the same expert panel  the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI)  advised against doing so.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid accepted the advice and asked the NHS to prepare to vaccinate the group 'as soon as possible'.

Officials said there is 'no time to waste' and want to give all 1.4million older teens the Pfizer vaccine before schools return in September. Detailed plans will be set out this week.

At a Downing Street press conference this afternoon, JCVI chair Professor Wei Shen Lim revealed 16-17 year olds won't be booked in for second doses just yet, with the panel wanting to wait for more safety data.

The major safety concern around vaccinating children centres on a heart condition called myocarditis, which is six times more common after the top-up jab.

Health chiefs confirmed that children will be able to overrule their parents and opt to get the vaccine without their permission.

But experts are divided over the hugely controversial topic of vaccinating children, given their tiny risk of dying or falling seriously ill.

Some countries  including the US and Israel  have already started, which made Britain an outlier in so far only vaccinating the most at-risk over-12s.

As plans to vaccinate children in the are due to be unveiled by No10's scientists, MailOnline answers your questions about the roll-out to youngsters.

The Government has not yet given a timeline on when 16 and 17-year-olds can start coming forward for jabs. But even if the roll-out out to older teenagers begin straight away, there will only be time to give them one dose by the time the school year begins on September 6

When will children be vaccinated?

Those aged 16 and 17 will be offered the jab within weeks, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, England's deputy chief medical officer, said today.

At a Downing Street press conference, he said: 'I want us to proceed as quickly as practically possible.

'That isn't going to be tomorrow. I don't think its likely to be early next week.

'But I can tell you the NHS has been kept informed of what's been deliberated and it has been preparing for multiple permutations and options for weeks.'

Mr Javid confirmed 16 and 17-year-olds will be offered the jab this month.

How long will it be until they get their second dose?

The children will initially be given one dose of Pfizer's vaccine to give them 'some immediate protection from severe disease'.

But the committee is yet to decide when they will receive their second dose.

Regulators are waiting for more safety data before pressing ahead with plans to give them a top-up.

Data from the US suggests myocarditis, a rare heart condition linked to the jab, is occurring more frequently after second doses.

The JCVI is looking at the evidence on whether the top-up jab is best delivered at eight weeks, as with adults, or sooner or potentially later.

Professor Lim told the press conference: 'We are expecting more data to accumulate in the coming weeks. And that means we can offer advice that is the most up to date and relevant.'

Even if the roll-out to older teenagers began straight away, there will only be time to give them one dose before the school year begins on September 6.

Will jabs be dished out in schools?

Jabs will be administered in schools, like how the HPV vaccine is rolled out for 12 and 13 year old boys and girls.

Speaking to reporters at a vaccination centre in Bournemouth, Mr Javid revealed GPs and hospital hubs will also dish out jabs to children.

He said: 'The way we're going to roll this out, I think as people will expect, is working through the clinicians, GPs, primary care networks. Also, we will use hospital hubs.'

'And we'll be working through the existing schools vaccination programme, which I think will help to bolster this.'

But Education Secretary Gavin Williamson is expected to push for them to continue to be given at GP surgeries and NHS hubs, sources claimed.

What vaccine will youngsters get?

The UK has so far only approved Pfizer's coronavirus jab for use in children over 12.

Health chiefs today confirmed it would the US-made vaccine would be given to 16 and 17 year olds.

Moderna's vaccine  which works in a similar way  has not been given the green light for youngsters yet.

AstraZeneca's injection has been linked to rare blood clots, and health chiefs have already restricted its use to over 40s. Therefore, the British-made vaccine won't be offered to children.

The UK has so far only approved Pfizer's coronavirus jab for use in children over 12

Scientists are currently testing nasal spray forms of the Covid vaccine  a method already used to give out children's flu jabs. But none of the candidates being studied have yet to make it out of trials.

Which countries have already began vaccinating children?

Until today, Britain was the 'outlier'. Major European countries and the US are already giving vaccines to children.

A quarter of 12 to 15 year olds in the US have received two doses, while a third have received their first jab.

France, and Spain, Hungary have already starting giving the jab to over-12s, while 10 per cent of children are already vaccinated in Germany.

Meanwhile, Canada, Denmark, Austria, Italy, Lithuania, Estonia, Norway, Switzerland, are expected to start giving youngsters jabs soon.



Israel approved the jabs for over-12s in May and subsequently approved it for 5 to 11-year-olds.

Have the vaccines been trialled on children?

The companies that make the vaccines, as well as other scientists, have studied how safe they are among children.

Pfizer and Moderna found their jab poses little risk in over-12s and are now trialling the injection in under-11s.

Rigorous analysis also revealed the jabs were effective.

The JCVI said a trial of 1,000 12 to 15-year-olds who received the Pfizer jab found it to be effective and only cause short-term side effects like a fever.

University of Oxford scientists are testing the AstraZeneca jab on children aged six to 17.

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)

Do children get ill with Covid?

Most children who get infected have no or mild symptoms.

Fewer than 30 under-18s have died of Covid in the UK since the pandemic began  which scientists say is the equivalent of around one in 500,000 who get infected.

And a major study last night revealed just one in 50 develop symptoms which persist for longer than eight weeks.

So, what are the benefits of vaccinating children?

Scientists claim vaccinating children will curb the spread of the virus, with younger adults known to have fuelled Britain's third wave.

Rolling out jabs to children, advocates insist, minimise the numbers having to take days off school to self-isolate.

Others say it will be impossible to achieve any kind of population immunity without inoculating under-18s.

Building up immunity now, before children return to classrooms in the autumn, will help keep infections down.

This is because vaccinating children can cause 'knock on benefits across the whole population', Imperial College London researchers say.

So what are the potential risks?

Since the vaccine roll-out has been expanded to children around the world, there have been reports of rare heart conditions: myocarditis and pericarditis.

Myocarditis is the inflammation of the heart muscle, while pericarditis is when the protective layer around the heart gets inflamed.

Data from the US shows those aged 12-17 are at the most risk of developing the heart problem after a Covid jab, compared to other age groups.

In that group, 10 cases of myocarditis were reported per million first doses given. This rises to 67 per million after the second dose. Most people recovered quickly.

There are no specific causes of the conditions but they are usually triggered by a virus.

The British Heart Foundation says in some cases, myocarditis can affect the heart's electrical system, stopping it from pumping properly. 'This can cause an abnormal heart rhythm, known as an arrhythmia,' it claims.

But British regulators insist the 250 cases seen among Pfizer recipients are 'typically mild'. Affected patients recover 'within a short time with standard treatment'.

What explains the sudden U-turn?

Ministers had urged the JCVI to keep reviewing its decision and were keen to expand the roll-out to children.

No major new evidence has emerged, but the committee said they now 'have more certainty' that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks.

Crucially, they are reassured that the side-effect of heart inflammation is extremely rare. Data from the UK shows it affects just one in 100,000 people and most make a full recovery.

The situation has also changed because high vaccine uptake in adults mean the UK's epidemic is increasingly concentrated in un-jabbed teenagers.

Will parents have to give consent for the jabs?

It has been one of the most controversial issues surrounding the roll-out, but health chiefs said today that parents will not be able to decide whether their child gets the vaccine.

Professor Lim said: 'In the UK a person who is 16 years and above is deemed able to consent for themselves.

'If they are competent and able to consent for themselves, then that consent holds.'

This means children will be able to overrule their own parents if they disagree.

Government sources had claimed last night that under-18s wanting the jab would have to provide proof of parental consent.

But hinting at the JCVI's stance, universities minister Michelle Donelan would not confirm that would be the case when quizzed about the move this morning.

Will more young people be offered the vaccine?

As it stands, at-risk 12 to 15-year-olds are already eligible for the vaccine.

But health chiefs hinted that more people in this age group could be offered the jab in the future.

Children in that age group are already eligible if they have a severe neurodisability, Down's syndrome, underlying conditions resulting in immunosuppression, profound or multiple learning disabilities, severe learning disabilities, or those who are on the learning disability register.

But Professor Van-Tam said: 'We have asked the JCVI to continue to review that list on an ongoing basis and my sense is that it is more likely rather than less likely that that risk will broaden over time as data becomes available.'

The JCVI said they are reviewing the evidence and want to 'go very carefully and very safely' before recommending it to more children.

The jabs are not currently licenced for under-12s, so use in young children is not on the horizon.

Will children be incentivised to come forward?

It is not yet clear what, if any, incentives will be offered to older teens to encourage them to get vaccinated.

But with younger adults being offered discounts for takeaways and taxis, ministers may make offerings to 16 and 17-year-olds.

Asked whether teens could be offered cash to come forward, Ms Donelan refused to rule it out.

She said: 'We look at a variety of mechanisms to encourage young people.

'I think the biggest incentive is to protect their own health and protect the health of their friends and their loved ones and we are seeing young people come forward every day and get vaccinated.

'But we will keep everything on the table and review all options for incentivising everybody to get the vaccine.'

If cash for jabs was offered, the Government would be following in the footstep of US President Joe Biden, who told states to offer $100 (71) to newly vaccinated people to encourage more to come forward.
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The historic home of Charles Darwin could become a vegan museum dedicated to 'animal empathy' - if the owners donate it to PETA.

Animal charity PETA has penned a letter to the owners of the famous biologist's Ramsgate cottage urging them to consider turning it into a space dedicated to animal rights.

The Grade II listed home is where Mr Darwin studied barnacles as part of his ground-breaking scientific research which paved the way for modern understanding of human evolution.

PETA's founder Ingrid Newkirk wrote in the letter: 'While the theory of evolution is Darwin's legacy, many people don't know that this groundbreaking theory laid much of the foundation for modern animal rights, changing our perception of other animals and illuminating the fact that humans are animals.

The holiday home of Charles Darwin could become a vegan museum for 'animal empathy' - if the owners donate it to PETA

PETA have asked the estate agents if they would consider donating the home, with a stunning view of the sea, to the charity

'It is because of Darwin's research that people started to realise that other animals are like us in all the ways that matter - we all feel pain, engage in play, parent, and experience emotions such as joy, love, loneliness, and fear.

'This led to the understanding that all animals should be treated with compassion and respect and that the exploitation of others is an evil to overcome.'

The letter adds: 'Darwin once wrote, 'I have all my life been a strong advocate for humanity to animals'.'

The museum would be home to exhibits where science-lovers could learn how Darwin laid the foundation for legislation to regulate experiments on animals in England.

Some of his work led to new laws created to reduce animals' suffering, and Darwin also campaigned against cruel steel-jaw traps used by game wardens and fur trappers that crush animals' limbs.

PETA says Darwins theory of evolution established humans as just one animal among many  which they call 'the very foundation of the modern animal rights movement'.

In a letter written to the estate agents who are selling Darwin's property (right), PETA president Ingrid Newkirk (pictured left) said it is because of Darwin's research that people started to realise 'other animals are like us in all ways that matter'

Pictured: the patio doors in the living area lead out onto the terrace and feature some stunning sea views off the Kent coast

Spacious: the ground floor of the six-storey property has a large living area with a bay window and original shutters

They say the museum would celebrate his legacy by reminding visitors that 'were all part of the great orchestra of life on Earth'.

The charity has asked estate agents Miles & Barr Exclusive to donate the cottage to them or sell it for a 'modest amount'.

The property is currently on the market for a cool 925,000.

It has stunning sea views of the gorgeous Kent coast as well as boasting six bedrooms, original fireplaces and sash windows.

The Blue Plaque property also houses a grand total of five reception rooms, two kitchens and a double garage.

On the exterior of the building, there is a blue plaque commemorating its former famous resident who is renowned for his theory of evolution, stating he stayed at the home in 1850 - a few years before his most famous work The Origin of the Species was published.

Pictured: the six-bedroom property retains some original features, including the sash window in this kitchen

The property, which is on the market for 925,000, enjoys a central location in Ramsgate and has a total of six bedrooms

Charles Darwin's former home is on the Kent coastline with views of Ramsgate harbour where carried out a study of barnacles

He went to Ramsgate with his family for a short holiday and carried out a study of barnacles during his stay there.

Tom Parker, of property website Zoopla, said: 'This seaside property is steeped in history and was once the residence of Charles Darwin, who would have enjoyed its elevated sea views from the spacious balcony and bedrooms.

'Darwin famously spent eight years studying barnacles and the seafront location of this property would have made the perfect base for his research.'
Fox News senior meteorologist Janice Dean has branded Andrew Cuomo a 'monster' who 'deserves to go' in the wake of the bombshell report detailing his alleged sexual harassment of 11 woman.

Dean lost both of her in-laws to Covid-19 and holds Cuomo responsible after he sent patients who had tested positive for the virus into nursing homes last year.

She wrote after New York Attorney General Letitia James revealed the report into his sex pest claims: 'I've always said I don't care what brings him down.

'He's a monster and deserves to go in shame. But also, please don't forget our loved ones that are no longer with us to testify.'

Dean also called on New York lawmakers to impeach the governor if he doesn't step down amid the growing scandal.

Fox News senior meteorologist Janice Dean (pictured) has branded Andrew Cuomo a 'monster' who 'deserves to go' in the wake of the bombshell report

Dean lost both of her in-laws to Covid-19 and holds Cuomo responsible after he sent patients who had tested positive for the virus into nursing homes last year

Dean's in-laws, Michael and Dolores Newman, both died from the virus in spring last year.

The Newmans were married for 59 years and lived in Brooklyn for the majority of their lives.

Her father-in-law was the first of the two to become sick, in late March, and he passed away not long after.

Two weeks later, her mother-in-law caught coronavirus at an assisted living facility and died at a hospital.

'The reason I am vocal is because I'm trying to seek some kind of justice for my husbands' parents and the thousands of other families out there,' she said.

'My response is we care because they're our are family members an we are not going to give up on this.'

On March 25, 2020, Governor Cuomo ordered nursing homes to readmit patients who were positive for Covid due to concerns about hospital capacity

Dean's mother-and father-in law, Dolores and Michael Newman (above), are among the patients who died of coronavirus in nursing homes and assisted living facilities

She has long called for Cuomo's resignation and for him to face consequences for his actions.

In January, a shocking report from Letitia James' office detailed how the state had undercounted the number of nursing home deaths by as much as 50 percent.

It forced New York State's Department of Health to reveal the true death toll among nursing home residents was 12,743, rather than the previously acknowledged figure of 8,711.

On March 25, 2020, Governor Cuomo ordered nursing homes to readmit patients who were positive for Covid due to concerns about hospital capacity.

He later reversed the ruling, on May 10, 2020 barring nursing homes from accepting patients without a negative test first.

The New York state assembly launched an impeachment probe in March, including the sexual harassment allegations and the nursing home scandal.

The Newmans were married for 59 years and lived in Brooklyn for the majority of their lives. They are pictured above in an undated family photo

Michael and Dolores 'Dee' Newman died from COVID-19 in spring last year

The lawmakers are now meeting to discuss whether to continue to seek impeachment on multiple counts or whether to only pursue the recent bombshell report.

Dean previously told DailyMail.com: 'There has to be some accountability in the form of an investigation.

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

'One that is bipartisan, one that involves subpoenas, one that involves getting the governor, his health director... under oath to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

'If it is proven that this governor has been corrupt and there is criminality to his actions, he should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.'

Cuomo refused to resign on Tuesday and is contesting a damning report which found he did sexually harass 11 women, claiming it omits facts and is a political attack on him despite growing calls to step down and the increasing likelihood of impeachment.

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.

There has been no comment from the White House, despite President Biden saying in March that Cuomo should resign and be arrested if the report substantiates the women's allegations.

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.

'This has been a long and painful period for me and my family as others feed stories to the press. 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 said.

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.'

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

President Biden - who said in March that Cuomo should resign if the report finds the allegations true - is yet to comment but while speaking with Latino leaders in the State Dining Room of the White House said: 'Im going to be speaking on COVID at 4 oclock and will take questions on COVID and other issues after that.'

He had been asked if Cuomo should resign.

In his rebuttal, Cuomo said he'd never sexually harass anyone, much less a sexual assault survivor like Charlotte Bennett - one of the accusers - claiming 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.

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 Generals 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,' NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement.

New York Senate Minority and Majority Leaders both called for him to resign.

'The Attorney Generals report clearly and concisely documents that Governor Cuomo engaged in disturbing and unacceptable behavior.

'Andrew Cuomo lacks the integrity required to be the leader of our state and can no longer serve as New Yorks Governor.

'He must heed the calls of so many New York leaders and resign,' Senate Minority Leader Michael Gianaris said.

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.'

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) 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. Todays 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 governors 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'.

Charlotte Bennett, who worked for Cuomo last year, told CBS News she felt 'vindicated' by the report

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.
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Uber Eats customers hoping to order their favourite pizzas and burgers are to be bombarded with calorie counts so they can 'make better choices', the takeaway giant revealed today.

Britons sifting through menus for Pizza Hut, Burger King and Leon on the app will be shown the calorie counts for each option later this week.

The firm  which sells food from more than 25,000 restaurants  wants to 'empower customers' with the update, and said more businesses would follow the lead of the three fast-food giants.

Ministers championing healthy eating welcomed the move as an 'important step' to make customers aware of the number of calories in their meal.

As part of the Government's war on obesity, all restaurants will be forced to display the number of calories in each meal option on their menu from April.

Junk food giants will be banned from advertising online and before 9pm on TV and supermarkets won't be allowed to slap buy-one-get-one-free deals on biscuits, cakes and crisps.

The drastic plans come amid a wider Government crackdown on the nation's waistline, spearheaded by the Prime Minister after his near-fatal brush with Covid last year.

Boris Johnson  once a vocal opponent of nanny state meddling in eating and drinking habits  said being 'too fat' was the reason for his stint in intensive care.

But the PM last month slapped down demands from his own food tsar to introduce the world's first tax on sugary and salty food, saying he was 'not attracted' to the idea of imposing the burdens.

Uber Eats said Britons sifting through menus on Pizza Hut, Burger King and Leon would be confronted with calorie counts from next week

Unveiling the move, Uber Eat's manager for the UK and Ireland, Sunjiv Shah, said: 'It is more important than ever to focus on our own health in light of the Covid pandemic.

'We want to empower our customers to make healthier choices. This is why were giving them the information they need to compare different meals and make an informed decision about what they order.'

Pizza Hut says its 10-slice pepperoni feast with stuffed crust contains 2,290 calories, or 292 per slice.

This is more than the 2,000 calorie recommended daily limit for women, and 91 per cent of the 2,500 for men.

For those ordering from Burger King, a double whopper with medium chips contains more than 1,150 calories, or 57 per cent of the daily recommendation for women or 46 per cent for men.

And in Leon, buying an aioli chicken box and baked fries contains 858 calories, or 42 per cent of the recommended intake for women and 34 per cent for men.

Multimillionaire Eton-educated food tsar who wants YOU to pay more for food Henry Dimbleby and his journalist wife Jemima Lewis (left, in London in 2015) were most recently listed as living in a three-storey townhouse (right) in trendy Hackney, East London, which was bought in 2002 and sold last summer for 1.75million The man who wants to increase the cost of Britons' weekly food shop in a bid to force them to lose weight is a multi-millionaire who made his fortune selling 'healthy' fast food. Henry Dimbleby, 51, is the son of BBC broadcaster David Dimbleby - and grandson of the late war correspondent Richard Dimbleby - was educated at Eton College and Oxford before becoming a gossip columnist and management consultant. And despite his weight loss plan for the British public that includes calls for them to pay more and eat more algae, Mr Dimbleby admits struggling with his own weight and says he 'oscillates' between 'the high end of healthy weight and the low end of obese'. Before becoming Boris Johnson's food tsar, married father-of-three Mr Dimbleby made a multi-million pound fortune in April with the sale of his fast food chain Leon which went for a total of 100million. The upmarket chain, which he founded with fellow management consultant John Vincent and chef Allegra McEvedy in 2004 now has 61 stores in the UK, promotes a healthy image and is known for its halloumi wraps and aioli chicken. However, nutritionists have pointed out some items on the menu which include 'hot boxes' are high in fat and salt - while its outlets, most of which are in London, also sell traditional fast food staples such as chips and burgers. Advertisement

The number of calories in every meal is already displayed on Burger King's and Leon's website.

But Pizza Hut website users currently need to search for calorie counts before they can find out how health their choices are.

Jo Churchill, the Government's public health minister, welcomed the move.

She said: 'This is an enormously important step by Uber Eats, and the restaurants they work with, to help customers make informed choices about the food they eat  well ahead of next Aprils deadline. I was pleased to see this action.'

Uber Eats delivers to more than 100 towns and cities across the UK, and has more than 10,000 restaurants listed on its app.

It comes after a report by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) warned last month that hard-pressed British families will see an extra 160 slapped onto their annual shopping bill because of Boris Johnson's crackdown on obesity and plastic.

They said firms faced 8.3billion in extra costs over the next three years as a result of schemes aimed at slimming the country's waistline and making the UK more sustainable.

These included the Government's tax on sugary drinks and ban on daytime advertising of fatty foods and buy one get one free junk food offers.

Mr Johnson has previously slapped down demands from his own eating tsar for a tax on sugary and salty food amid fury over 'nanny state meddling'.

Answering questions at an event in Coventry last month, the Prime Minister said he was not 'attracted' to the idea of imposing new burdens on hard-pressed families after critics condemned the policies of Leon founder Henry Dimbleby.

'I am not, I must say, attracted to the idea of extra taxes on hard working people,' he said.

Leon's founder and Oxford University graduate Mr Dimbleby was mired in criticism last month after he led the charge for a 'fat tax'  despite meals at his former fast food chain being laden with more calories, salt, fat and sugar than their equivalents at McDonald's and KFC.

The London chain's Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets contain more calories, salt, and fat than McDonald's' McNuggets, for example.

Leon's version contain 371 calories, 21g of fat and 1g of salt compared to the 260 calories, 13g of fat and half a gram of salt found in a standard box of six McNuggets.

Mr Dimbleby, who was also educated at Eton, had called for a tax to be slapped on junk food high in sugar and salt in a controversial report commissioned by No10.

He said the move was essential to get a grip on the country's growing obesity epidemic, although Mr Johnson swiftly slapped down his proposals amid outcry at 'nanny state meddling'.

The Government's healthy eating drive comes after Boris Johnson almost died from Covid, which the Prime Minister has blamed on his then-large waistline.

Mr Johnson has since committed to losing weight and regular exercise. He also reportedly told friends 'don't be a fatty in your 50s'.
The Reaper was built in 1903 in Sandhaven, near Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire

A historic ship which once held the Shetland record for herring fishing and starred in TV drama Outlander is set to welcome visitors today after a 1million refurbishment.

The Reaper, a Viking-inspired 'Fifie' ship, was built of oak and larch in 1903 in Sandhaven, near Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, and is one of the few in the UK's prestigious National Historic Fleet still in seagoing condition.

With its two masts, weighing in at 50 tonnes and standing at 70 feet tall, it is the last of the first-class Scottish herring luggers and is from the golden age of Scottish salt-cured herring fishing.

The 118-year-old vessel also has a history of appearing on the screen, including most recently in historical TV drama 'Outlander' and the 2016 film 'Tommy's Honour'.

The Scottish Fisheries Museum in Anstruther, Fife, is set to welcome visitors back onboard the Reaper today.

The Reaper - the last of the first-class Scottish herring luggers from the golden age of Scottish salt-cured herring fishing - opens to visitors again today after a 1millon restoration

The ship, a piece of living history, is also famed for its various film and television appearances, including most recently in 'Outlander' and the 2016 film 'Tommy's Honour'

The rare fishing boat (pictured left in shot) appeared in the Outlander television show, where it was one of the vessels in season 2 found in the port of Le Havre, according to the Daily Record

The iconic ship is described as a 'rare survivor' from a golden age of sail and is a 'Fifie' - inspired by the Viking longship design, which was a popular fishing vessel on Scotland's North Sea coast from the 1850s to the mid 20th century.

This is thanks to its huge lugsails which stretch over 3,355sq feet.

In the 1930s the Reaper held the Shetland record for a catch of 223 crans - which translates to almost 250,000 herring.

The ship, a piece of living history, is also famed for its various film and television appearances.

The rare fishing boat appeared in season 2 of the Outlander television show, where it was one of the vessels found in the port of Le Havre, according to the Daily Record.

The Reaper's conservation project began back in 2018 under the direction of the Scottish Fisheries Museum's Historic Boat Expert Leonardo Bortolami and the Reaper's Skipper Mike Barton.

The refurbishment includes a new 67-foot foremast and strengthening work which has given the Reaper the strongest hull of any 'Fifie' ever built.

Installation of a new air compressor to power the original steam capstan was also added by the Volunteers at the Scottish Fisheries Museum's Boat Club, who contributed 700 hours of work to the project.

The funding for the refurbishment of the ship was provided by the Scottish Government, Museums Galleries Scotland and Oor Bairns Charitable Trust, while the main contractor, Babcock International Group, also made a charitable donation.

The Reaper was built of oak and larch in 1903 in Sandhaven, near Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, and is one of the few in the UK's prestigious National Historic Fleet still in seagoing condition

The refurbishment includes a new 67-foot foremast and strengthening work which has given the Reaper the strongest hull of any 'Fifie' ever built

Karen Seath, Chair of the Scottish Fisheries Museum Trust, said: 'The Reaper is a stunning and extraordinary vessel and a significant part of Scotland's rich national maritime and fishing heritage.

'She's a rare survivor of the golden age of sail and our booming herring industry of the past.

'The Reaper is also unusual in that, through ongoing conservation and care, she remains seaworthy and has become a striking sight at Anstruther and ports across the UK, welcoming some 180,000 people on board to date.

'We are grateful to our funders, skilled boat builders, Museum Boat Club volunteers, supporters and visitors, everyone who has made this conservation of the Reaper possible.

'It has been a true labour of love and craftsmanship and we look forward to welcoming visitors onboard during what is her first full summer in Anstruther Harbour.'

Lucy Casot, CEO of Museums Galleries Scotland added: 'We are delighted to have supported the Scottish Fisheries Museum with the conservation and interpretation for the nationally important vessel the Reaper.

'This is an incredible example of conservation bringing history to life, allowing visitors and residents to once again experience life aboard the Reaper and explore the rich heritage of Scotland's maritime industry.'

Tickets for a tour aboard the Reaper are available at the entrance to the pontoon at Anstruther Harbour and are priced at five pounds for adults, and it is free for children.
The owner of an alpaca which could be 'slaughtered' on Thursday has called on Boris Johnson to intervene to save the 'perfectly healthy' animal.

Helen Macdonald lost a High Court appeal last month to prevent her stud alpaca, Geronimo, from being killed after he tested positive twice for bovine tuberculosis (bTB).

The veterinary nurse, who breeds the species at her farm in south Gloucestershire, has been locked in a legal battle with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) since 2017.

Helen Macdonald has made an 11th-hour appeal to Prime Minister Boris Johnson to reprieve her pet alpaca, Geronimo, pictured left next to Ms Macdonald. Geronimo, who has tested positive twice to Bovine TB faces destruction following a High Court hearing

The High Court upheld a decision that Geronimo, pictured, should be destroyed within the next 30 days

After losing her original High Court bid in 2019, a district judge signed a destruction order in May 2021 to allow the Animal and Plant Health Agency (Apha) to seize Geronimo

After losing her original High Court bid in 2019, a district judge signed a destruction order in May 2021 to allow the Animal and Plant Health Agency (Apha) to seize Geronimo.

Ms Macdonald's most recent attempt to get a reprieve for the six-year-old was rejected by a judge, Mr Justice Griffiths, who said there was a need to protect against the 'serious consequences' of bTB.

The second warrant to be issued for the death of the alpaca from New Zealand is due to begin from tomorrow morning and is valid for 30 days.

Ms Macdonald has indicated that she is not willing to kill Geronimo herself, so Defra will have to contract someone to destroy the alpaca.

More than 36,000 people have signed a petition calling on officials to reprieve Geronimo.

Ms Macdonald has said the Prime Minister may be the only chance to 'reverse the decision'.

'At the moment I don't know what else I can do.

'They (Defra) won't hear me,' Ms Macdonald said.

'We're asking Boris Johnson to intervene to sort this out and stop the slaughter order.

'The entire industry is up in arms because this really is the senseless destruction of an innocent animal,' she added.

'They have a choice here. They don't have to kill him; they could at least test him first.'

Ms Macdonald claims Defra has 'lied' about the testing of Geronimo.

Ms Macdonald's legal team said Geronimo has shown no sign of symptoms and should be retested. But lawyers on behalf of the government insist a third test would be 'futile'

Her barrister Cathryn McGahey QC said the results of the positive tests were skewed after he had several quicker, but less accurate, skin tests for bTB, which the lawyer said were like the 'bovine equivalent of a lateral flow test'.

Ms McGahey told the court that despite bTB being a disease which progresses swiftly Geronimo had shown 'not a whisker of symptoms' and should be tested again.

But Ned Westaway, for Apha, which is part of Defra, said a third test would be 'futile'.

He added: 'The disease can take years to progress and it is on that basis that we maintain our suspicion that Geronimo has bTB.'

Ms Macdonald said: 'They have admitted in writing to doing that.

'The Government knows what's happened.

'George Eustice knows they lied to cover up their incompetence.

'Yet he's sitting there doing nothing.

'He's ignored me for three years.

'I just want him (Geronimo) to be properly tested, with an approved test, and then if he was to test positive, I'd of course agree to put him down.'

TV nature expert Chris Packham has supported the campaign to save Geronimo

She has said there will likely be a stand-off between herself and the Defra officers if the warrant is acted upon this week.

However, Defra will have 30 days from the warrant's start date to kill Geronimo.

'It's a really upsetting situation.

'I don't want Geronimo's last moments to be of being caught by a man who will put a gun to his head before he's shot, but then I don't want to consent to having him euthanised.

'That's no choice at all,' she said.

'Asking me to do that to a healthy animal as a vet who has been saving lives for 30 years is the worst thing they can do to my mental health.

'They are putting me through hell.'

Westminster insiders claim George Eustace, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, is under intense political pressure to reprieve Geronimo, but such a decision would wreck the Government's TB policy.

Wildlife TV presenter Chris Packham has been vocal in his support to save Geronimo and in a tweet on Monday called on Mr Eustice to stop the killing.

He wrote: 'Geronimo will be killed on Thurs. If @alpacapower refuses they'll use a warrant, bring the police and force entry to kill a beautiful animal which is not diseased. Like millions of others. FFS @MPGeorgeEustice get a grip please stop this.'

A crowdfunding page set up in July to help pay for legal fees has now raised almost 18,000.

A Defra spokesperson said: 'We are sympathetic to Ms Macdonalds situation  just as we are with everyone with animals affected by this terrible disease.

'It is for this reason that the testing results and options for Geronimo have been very carefully considered by Defra, the Animal and Plant Health Agency and its veterinary experts, as well as passing several stages of thorough legal scrutiny.

'Bovine TB causes devastation and distress for farmers and rural communities and that is why we need to do everything we can to reduce the risk of the disease spreading.'
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Governor Andrew Cuomo 'doesn't live in reality' and must resign before he is impeached, a chorus of Democrats and his accusers said on Wednesday morning after watching him deny the findings of the Attorney General's damning sexual harassment report yesterday and hole up in the Governor's mansion in Albany, refusing to step down.

Cuomo was found to have sexually harassed at least 11 women, including Bennett, by a team of investigators put together by Attorney General Letitia James. She does not have the legal scope to charge him criminally, but the Albany District Attorney said he has launched an investigation and is inviting women to come forward.

Everyone from NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio to President Joe Biden and Speaker Nancy Pelosi - some of Cuomo's most trusted Democratic allies - is telling him it's time to resign but he is clinging on, insisting he's the victim of a politicized attack by James and that his accusers either lied about him or misinterpreted his 'warmth' for sexual predatoriness.

On Wednesday, Charlotte Bennett - one of his accusers - appeared on Good Morning America to slam Cuomo's response to the report and call on him to stand down.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, who would oversee impeachment proceedings in the New York legislature, released a statement on Wednesday confirming that an impeachment investigation was underway and that it would conclude 'expeditiously' but impeachment articles are yet to be drawn up.

First, the Assembly Judiciary Committee needs to give the findings of its investigation to the New York Assembly. The committee's next meeting is on Monday.

The next step would be an impeachment trial in the Assembly. A simple majority is needed for it to proceed to the High Court of Impeachment which would consist of all 63 New York State Senators and seven judges from New York's Court of Appeals.

In the event that all both the Assembly and the High Court of Impeachment vote to remove him, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul would take over and serve out Cuomo's term which ends in November 2022.

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On Good Morning America on Wednesday, Bennett - who worked as an aide for Cuomo in 2019 - said his 'apology' to her that was televised yesterday was 'not much of an apology at all'.

Former Cuomo aide on sexual harassment claim: It wasnt an apology and he didnt take accountability for his actions.@GStephanopoulos https://t.co/t16e6xggNQ pic.twitter.com/8SVNN9BqrW  Good Morning America (@GMA) August 4, 2021

New York Speaker Carl Heastie, who would oversee impeachment proceedings against Cuomo, released this statement on Tuesday saying an investigation was underway and would conclude 'expeditiously'. Critics say the legislature needs to act fast to remove the Governor, who has 'lost the confidence' of his peers

On Good Morning America on Wednesday, Bennett - who worked as an aide for Cuomo in 2019 - said his 'apology' to her that was televised yesterday was 'not much of an apology at all'.

THE CALLS FOR CUOMO TO STAND DOWN FROM BIDEN, PELOSI, AOC, DE BLASIO AND MORE President Joe Biden In March, when the AG launched her investigation into Cuomo, Biden said that if he was found culpable, Cuomo should stand down. Yesterday, when asked again about the report, Biden said he 'stands by' his earlier statement and believes he should resign. Speaker Nancy Pelosi 'As always, I commend the women who came forward to speak their truth. Recognizing his love of New York and the respect for the office he holds, I call upon the Governor to resign.' AOC and 12 New York Reps 'For the good of New York State, Cuomo must resign. If he does not, the NY State Assembly must begin impeachment proceedings.' Governors of NJ, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Rhode Island 'We are appalled by the findings... Governor Cuomo should resign from office.' NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio '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' Carl Heastie, NY speaker It is abundantly clear to me that he has lost the confidence of the Assembly Democratic majority. Once we receive all relevant documents and evidence from the Attorney General, we will move expeditiously and look to conclude our impeachment investigation as quickly as possible. LT Gov Kathy Hochul, who would replace Cuomo No one is above the law. Under the New York Constitution, the Assembly will now determine the next steps.

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She and her attorney are calling on the New York State Legislature - which is on summer break - to be reconvened to start impeachment proceedings against him, saying it's 'clear' he won't go quietly and must be removed from office.

'Based on his apology which was not much of an apology at all, he's not living in reality. It's up to us to take action. It is the responsibility of Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie to impeach him immediately. He is a danger,' Bennett said.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio appeared on CBS to say Cuomo must resign before he is impeached and that he thinks he should face criminal charges.

He dismissed Cuomo's claim that his behavior is of a certain generation and said: 'He has the audacity to say, "oh, you know, I like to hug people." I mean, that's just out of touch with reality, but it's also profoundly disrespectful.

'How about saying, I did something wrong, I have to atone for my sins, I need to go and deal with my problems?"'

Cuomo denies the most specific allegation - that he groped an accuser's breast under her blouse after calling her into his office in November 2020. The AG says it is credible.

'Putting your hand up a woman's shirt and touching their breast is not generational. I know plenty of guys who are older, who would never in a million years do that. Talking to 20-something year old women, asking them if theyd date an older guy and then leering at them  this is not acceptable behavior, its not even close,' de Blasio said.

He added that Cuomo should be criminally charged.

Cuomo, in his pre-recorded video in response to the AG's report, said the women had either mistaken his comments as nefarious, lied about him or exaggerated.

The only apology he issued was to Bennett and it was in response to her complaint that after she confided in him about being a sexual assault survivor, he brought it up to her in different conversations afterwards and reminded her of it.

He said that he was only drawing from past experience, when he helped an unnamed female relative overcome a sexual assault of her own.

Bennett said on Wednesday that the Governor blamed his victims and that the 'line of questioning' was 'inappropriate'.

'The victim blaming is not OK. When there are two women there are more than two... we know that. He has been an established political figure for so long and he rules by fear. He is scary. I was scared - I didn't know where to turn,' she said.

The substantiated more serious allegations like that of an unidentified female assistant who said Cuomo groped her breast at his Albany mansion in November last year, and that of an unnamed State Trooper who claims he assigned her to his protective security detail despite her being inexperienced then subjected her to a torrent of abuse which included 'running his hand down her back from her neck and saying "hey you"' when they were in an elevator together.

Another state worker, who also isn't named in the report, said he ran his hands over her 'belly'.

Bennett's attorney Debra Katz said: 'At this point it's on the New York Legislature to take decisive action to impeach him.

The Governor is clearly not living in reality, he's refusing to step down. His performance yesterday was belligerent and made it clear he's unfit to serve.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio appeared in studio for CBS This Morning on Wednesday to repeat his calls for Cuomo to resign and say he should be criminally charged. He says Cuomo's behavior 'wasn't even close' to acceptable

.@NYCMayor Bill de Blasio says New York Gov. Cuomo should "resign for the good of New York state" and believes he should be charged criminally. pic.twitter.com/tZurQMJhLK  CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) August 4, 2021

'He still does not get it. Shockingly, he even blamed his mother yesterday for teaching him to kiss people in appropriately.'

She was referring to Cuomo's excuse that he is handsy with people because he comes from a tactile Italian family.

To demonstrate that trait, he included an image montage in his pre-taped response yesterday that showed him hugging and kissing men and women in public, including Rev. Al Sharpton and Bill Clinton.

In March, when the AG launched her investigation into Cuomo, Biden said that if he was found culpable, Cuomo should stand down.

Yesterday, when asked again about the report, Biden said he 'stands by' his earlier statement and believes he should resign.

In addition to the potential criminal charges by Albany DA David Soares, Cuomo is also facing civil lawsuits from the 11 women.

He mentioned one to be filed by the executive assistant who says he groped her breast, which he said was in the works already.

In his rebuttal to the women, his attorney issued an 85 page denial of their claims.

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 Governor's CNN host brother Chris - who was revealed as one of his advisors in the report - ignored the subject on his show on Tuesday. He is pictured returning to New York City from the Hamptons on Monday night, the day before the report emerged

The sexual harassment report comes after Cuomo - once a pandemic hero who the world looked to for leadership because of his handling of the COVID-19 disaster in New York - was stripped of his emergency powers because of his administration's skewing of nursing home death numbers.

His administration wasn't counting nursing home deaths as that but rather as hospital deaths for some time, which gave the impression that fewer people were contracting COVID in nursing homes and dying from it than was the case.

It was relevant because he had signed a controversial order that forced nursing homes to accept COVID-recovering patients, even when they were still contagious, in an effort not to overwhelm the state's hospitals.

Critics say he intentionally hid the true number of deaths to underplay the effects of that order.

Protesters descended on Cuomo's NYC HQ on Wednesday to demand his resignation after the damning AG report. The Governor is holed up in Albany

NYC Republican Mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa - the head of the vigilante justice group Guardian Angels - led the calls for him to resign

The protesters held signs declaring Cuomo guilty of sexual harassment, as the AG did. He is now facing criminal investigations in Albany and Westchester

He has also been slammed for writing a sanctimonious memoir titled Lessons in Leadership and releasing it last October - just before NY cases and deaths soared again in a second wave of infection and before vaccines were available.

He is expected to have made millions from the advance of that book and he gave each of his three daughters $300,000 each from it.

At the time, he'd kept businesses closed for months without explanation.

Cuomo's office is yet to release his schedule for Wednesday. He is understood to be holed up at the Governor's Mansion in Albany.

THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST CUOMO THAT THE AG REPORT SAYS ARE TRUE - GROPING, UNWANTED HUGGING AND KISSING, INAPPROPRIATE COMMENTS AND RETALIATING AGAINST ACCUSER WHO SPOKE OUT

'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.
A 'financially unsophisticated' aristocrat could be left penniless after she gave full control of her 2million fortune to her disgraced lawyer who has since declared himself bankrupt.

Baroness Jacqueline Van Zuylen told the High Court she has suffered sleepless nights due to stress after handing all her money - including her divorce payout - to 'Svengali' lawyer Rodney Whiston-Dew to invest on her behalf in 2012.

Baroness Van Zuylen, whose former husband was the scion of a mega-rich Dutch banking family, was promised a monthly income for life by the now-disgraced celebrity solicitor.

But, she said he refused to hand her cash back and lawyers for the former semi-professional dressage rider - who says she has 'never worked' - told the court that she has been left having to 'beg, steal and borrow' to get by without her savings.

Mr Whiston-Dew denied any wrongdoing, claiming he did not have access to the Baroness' money, having invested it an offshore trust with her permission while trying to get her 'to rein in her extraordinary spending habits' and 'exorbitant personal expenditures'.

Judge Nicholas Thompsell today ruled that he had carried out acts of 'deceit' towards his aristocratic client and ruled that he is personally responsible for reimbursing her.

Baroness Jacqueline Van Zuylen (pictured) won her case against 'Svengali' lawyer Rodney Whiston-Dew, who had vowed to invest her 2.1m fortune on her behalf in 2012

Lawyers for the former semi-professional dressage rider, who says she has 'never worked', told the High Court at an earlier hearing that she has been left having to 'beg, steal and borrow'

Ruling in her favour, the judge said: 'She entrusted over 2.1 million - effectively her entire fortune - to the stewardship of, Mr Rodney Whiston-Dew.

'Less than half of this money has been returned to her and, with one exception, she has little idea of what has happened to the rest of it.

'By means of this case, she is now seeking to make recovery of her losses against the first defendant and against the second defendant, a company incorporated in the Seychelles, now called GBT Global Limited.

'The claimant's overarching case is that she has been the victim of what Mr Dale describes as a 'fraudulent scam' and which I would characterise as being most likely a form of Ponzi scheme.

'Mr Dale put it very simply. She was deceived.

'She paid over her money, not as a gift, and wants it and its fruits, to the extent that they are traceable, or compensation for being denied the ability to profit from its investment.'

Mr Whiston-Dew, who said he could not attend the final hearing of the case due to stress, was 'technically made bankrupt' during the course of the trial, his barrister told the court.

But he may still be liable to pay the Baroness back when his bankruptcy is over, having been found liable in deceit.

Mr Whiston-Dew (pictured), 70, who was struck off as a solicitor after being jailed in 2017 for his role in a 65million tax scam, will now be made to reimburse the aristocrat

'This head of claim may continue to be enforceable after the end of any period of bankruptcy,' the judge pointed out.

The final amount the Baroness will receive back has yet to be calculated.

Baroness Van Zuylen was the third wife of Baron Thierry van Zuylen, a scion of a Dutch noble family who made a fortune in banking, owned a string of high profile racehorses and was a leading figure on the French racing scene for more than 50 years.

After their split, the Baroness settled into rural high society in the picturesque Cotswolds village of Little Farringdon, while her daughter Allegra - an alumni of top girls' private school Cheltenham Ladies' College - went to New York to study art.

The Baroness, who claimed to be 'financially unsophisticated,' said she was persuaded by Mr Whiston-Dew to transfer cash including her divorce payout, in the sum of 2,103,619, via solicitors to GBT Global Ltd, an offshore company of which he was at the time director.

She claimed she was promised a monthly income for life and signed a power of attorney in Mr Whiston-Dew's favour, giving him the right to handle her financial dealings.

Baroness Jacqueline Van Zuylen with her daughter Allegra pictured back in October 2010

But in 2017, after losing faith in the arrangement, she says she asked for her money back plus an explanation of what happened to it, but received neither.

That same year, Mr Whiston-Dew was jailed for ten years for his role in a 65m tax avoidance scam, purportedly linked to an eco-friendly reforestation project in Brazil.

He was struck off the register of solicitors the following year.

The Baroness sued Mr Whiston-Dew and GBT Global Ltd, demanding the whole of her original sum back, plus compensation for lost potential investment gains.

Outlining her case, her barrister Derrick Dale QC told the judge that Mr Whiston-Dew had told the Baroness her money would be put into a long-term property investment in a block of flats in Norwich and land in Essex.

Baroness Jacqueline Van Zuylen says she was tricked into investing 2m in her High Court writ

'On the premise of very casual conversations, she is persuaded to transfer all her life savings,' he said.

'He immediately sets up a situation which involves him having control of everything.

'This is a complete fraudulent take, an investment scam. Her confidence is being manipulated and exploited in a Svengali way.'

The Baroness, giving evidence, told the judge she had not understood the arrangement she was getting into with Mr Whiston-Dew.

'My career has been a semi-professional dressage rider,' she told the judge. 'I've not been a businesswoman.'

During an earlier hearing in the battle, Mr Dale said Baroness Van Zuylen had been left in a 'desperate' situation with no access to her cash.

'She handed all of her money to Mr Whiston-Dew and, since he has gone to prison, although payments continued for a short period, she has received no money, no money at all,' he said.

'She has had to beg, steal and borrow in order to be able to survive in a day to day existence. She can't pay her rent on the property she lives in.'
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A shepherd's cottage with no electricity and in desperate need of renovation, but which sits on Scotland's scenic North Coast 500 route, has gone on the market for a quarter of a million pounds.

The two-bedroom house in Drumrunie, Sutherland, Caithness, Highlands, is surrounded by some of Scotland's most dramatic and beautiful landscapes with rugged mountains stretching into the distance.

It also neighbours the River Runie, and is directly off the A835 - the famed NC500 route.

The offgrid retreat needs a full renovation and has no electricity, but it is set within nearly six acres of land with stunning wildlife including rare and protected species on the doorstep.

The two-bedroom former shepherd's cottage in Drumrunie in the Scottish Highlands (pictured) has no electricity and is in need of a full renovation

But it is selling for a quarter of a million pounds as the property can be found along Scotland's scenic North Coast 500 route

The Highland cottage comes with six acres of land, and there is also a timber barn (pictured) and another stone barn in the grounds

Claire Macdonald of Galbraith, who is handling the sale, said: 'Shepherd's Cottage is a traditional Highland cottage in a beautiful location.

'The property requires full renovation and offers the opportunity, subject to the necessary consents, to upgrade into a modern country home or potentially to rebuild entirely.

'Given the beauty of the setting and its prime location on the route of the NC500, there is clear potential to develop a tourism business or simply to create your own private sanctuary in one of Scotland's most celebrated settings.'

The plot extends to about 5.94 hectares (14.68 acres), comprising primarily rough grazing land with some naturally regenerating woodland, and is gently undulating with some rocky outcrops.

The tiny two-bedroom house in Drumrunie, Sutherland, Caithness, Highlands, is surrounded by some of the most dramatic and beautiful landscapes in Scotland with rugged mountains stretching into the distance

Estate agents Galbraith say the cottage has 'clear potential to develop a tourism business' or could also be developed into a private home

Ullapool, about 10 miles away, has good amenities including a supermarket, primary and secondary schools, popular restaurants and cafes

It also has a timber barn and a traditional stone barn with tin roof.

Ullapool, about 10 miles away, has good amenities including a supermarket, primary and secondary schools, popular restaurants and cafes.

The city of Inverness is approximately an hour and half by car and offers all the facilities of a modern city including an airport, train station and many high street shops.

Shepherd's Cottage is for sale through Galbraith for offers over 250,000.

It comes as a new initiative encourages young people and families to move to remote Scottish islands - which are popular with tourists - by offering them incentives of up to 50,000.

The Scottish Government said the bonds could allow people to buy, build or renovate homes, as well as start a business, in a bid to help them live a sustainable lives on the islands.

Ministers hope the initiative will address concerns that a lack of jobs and opportunities on many of Scotland's 93 inhabited islands are forcing younger locals to move to the mainland.
The woman accusing Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer of sexual assault described their encounters as 'consensual,' but said he 'took it too far' by leaving her with black eyes, according to text messages released by his attorneys on Tuesday.

Bauer, 30, has been on paid leave since late June after the woman filed, and ultimately received, a temporary restraining order against him. His accuser, identified by her attorneys as 'Ms. Hill,' claimed in her filing that she consented to have sex with Bauer on two occasions, but said he went overboard by punching her, chocking her unconscious, and sodomizing her without her consent.

Hill's original filing includes pictures of herself with scratches and bruising on her face and lips. She also said she had bruising on her gums and near her vagina, where Bauer had punched her repeatedly, leaving her 'crying and violently shaking.'

Court records obtained by DailyMail.com show she was diagnosed with 'significant head and facial trauma.'

'It was consensual but like didnt expect two black eyes!?' Hill wrote her Cousin in the newly released text messages obtained by DailyMail.com. 'Like he def took it too far dont you think lol.'

Trevor Bauer, 30, has been on paid leave since late June after the woman filed, and ultimately received, a temporary restraining order against him. His accuser, identified by her attorneys as 'Ms. Hill,' claimed in her filing that she consented to have sex with Bauer on two occasions, but said he went overboard by punching her, chocking her unconscious, and sodomizing her without her consent

In one text exchange, Hill told her cousin that her face was 'f***ed up' and asked the cousin not to say anything about the injuries

Hill shared pictures of her injuries with her cousin over text messages

The woman accusing Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer of sexual assault described their encounters as 'consensual,' but said he 'took it too far' by leaving her with black eyes, according to text messages released by his attorneys on Tuesday

In her original filing, Bauer's accuser included pictures of herself with scratches and bruising on her face and lips. She also said she had bruising on her gums and near her vagina, where Bauer had punched her repeatedly, leaving her 'crying and violently shaking'

Court records obtained by DailyMail.com show that Hill was diagnosed with 'significant head and facial trauma.' Pictures in the filing show Hill with two black eyes

Attorneys for Bauer and Hill did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for the text messages, and the filing was not yet available on the Los Angeles County Superior Court website as of Wednesday morning.

Bryan Freedman, one of Hill's attorneys, responded to the release of the text messages to the Los Angeles Times.

'Mr. Bauer's defense team is deliberately twisting the tone of text messages exchanged with an assault victim within hours of her being attacked to try to minimize the long-lasting impact on her physical and mental well-being to this day.

'In case after case, the law is extraordinarily clear: supposed 'consent' of the victim is not a defense to assault and battery, especially when it results in bodily harm, but, to be clear, this victim did not consent to be punched in her face, punched in her head, punched in her buttocks or repeatedly punched in her vagina,' read the statement from Freedman.

Bauer has not been arrested or charged in the case. Pasadena, California police previously told DailyMail.com that there is an ongoing investigation into the accusations.

Bauer's accuser included text messages in her request for a restraining order back in June. In this exchange, Bauer writers that he feels 'so had that this happened'

On May 21, three days after their second and final sexual encounter, Pasadena Police had the accuser ask Bauer for a phone call, which they planned to record. In the text exchange pictured above, Hill is seeing telling Bauer 'hearing your voice would help' and he responded by asking her if she wanted to discuss the incident

Hill, 27, said she had sexual encounters with Bauer in April and May, but that both episodes turned violent. She specifically alleged that Bauer punched her in the face, vagina, and buttocks, and strangled her with her own hair until she lost consciousness. Hill was later hospitalized for her injuries.

During one encounter, Hill claims she passed out and found Bauer sodomizing her when she regained consciousness.

'I agreed to have consensual sex; however, I did not agree or consent to what he did next,' Hill said in her filing. 'I did not agree to be sexually assaulted.'

Hill said she was bleeding and struggling to walk after non-consensual anal sex, but added: 'In my state at that time, I did not think Trevor was a threat to do anything against my will for the remainder of the night.'

The following day, Hill said, Bauer asked Hill jokingly if she was 'feeling a little sore this morning?'

Hill said she told him that she didn't enjoy it and said he seemed to understand.

In one of her last messages to Bauer, Hill claims she told him the best way for him to help her would be to 'never do this to anyone else ever again'

Bauer continued to communicate with Hill over text messages and social media for the next three weeks, discussing baseball and her new job. Some of the conversations were of 'a sexual nature.'

When the pair met again, Hill said they agreed on a safe word which she says Bauer ignored, choking her until she lost consciousness. When she awoke, he was punching her in the face, she claimed.

'This was the first punch I felt but it is very possible that Trevor had already been punching and scratching the right side of my face while I was unconscious,' she said.

'Trevor then punched me hard with a closed fist to the left side of my jaw, the left side of my head, and both cheekbones. I remember this vividly and it was extremely startling and painful.

'I was absolutely frozen and terrified. I could not speak or move. After punching me several times, he then flipped me back onto my stomach and began choking me with hair. I lost consciousness again.'

Many of the text exchanges between Bauer and Hill had both sexual and violent references

Hill said that she was crying and shaking after regaining consciousness and that Bauer reportedly began to console her, allegedly saying: 'You're safe. I'm here. You're safe... I would never do those things to you if it wasn't sexually.'

When she returned from Pasadena to San Diego the following day, Hill experienced severe headaches and began vomiting. After speaking with friends, she checked herself into a local emergency room where she told medical staff what happened to her.

In a subsequent text message exchange included in the petition and reviewed by DailyMail.com, Hill told Bauer that doctors thought the 'bruises/swelling' on her face would last another week, but that she wasn't sure when her 'head symptoms' would subside.

'I just want it all to go away,' she wrote Bauer.

'I feel so bad that this happened,' he responded. 'Wish I could be there with you through it.'

'Just grateful that you are showing that you care,' she wrote.

'I do. I absolutely do,' he texted her. 'Never want to see you hurting.'

In this exchange, Bauer asks Hill 'Do you even know what pain is?'

After going to the hospital, Hill spoke to multiple San Diego Police Department detectives but said she downplayed the alleged incident as 'rough sex' and did not reveal Bauer's name.

'I was afraid what Trevor would do if he found out,' Hill said in the restraining order request. 'I remain afraid that Trevor will find me and hurt me for going to the hospital.'

In the document, Hill explained that she spoke with Bauer by phone at the instruction of police, who were recording the call.

During that conversation, Hill said she asked Bauer: 'What did you do to me when I was unconscious?'

In response, he allegedly admitted that he had repeatedly punched her in the buttocks. She said that he changed the topic when she said she did not consent to being punched.

Bauer, 30, won the National League Cy Young Award as a member of the Cincinnati Reds last year before signing a three-year, $102 million free agent deal with the Dodgers in February. He is 8-5 with a 2.59 ERA in 17 starts for Los Angeles this year

Hill claimed that the call ended with Bauer acknowledging that he punched her and asking how they could move forward and if he could contact her.

'I told him that he could because I did not know if the police still needed to collect more messages from him as evidence,' she said. 'It is my understanding that there is an open criminal investigation. I have not been informed whether the proper authorities intend to arrest and press charges against Trevor.

'I intend to comply with whatever is requested of me in connection with criminal proceedings,' she continued. 'As the shock has worn off, I recognize the seriousness of the sexual assault I endured. I do not want Trevor to put anyone else through what I suffered.'

In one of her last messages to Bauer, Hill claims she told him the best way for him to help her would be to 'never do this to anyone else ever again.'

'I would never do anything to hurt anyone,' he responded. 'That includes you.'

The California-born Bauer ranks among baseball's best pitchers and won the National League Cy Young award last season as a member of the Cincinnati Reds. He last pitched on Monday, yielding two runs over six innings in a win over the San Francisco Giants.

He celebrated his impressive 2020 season by inking a three-year, $102 million contract with the Dodgers before the 2021 campaign.

Prior to his successful one-year stint with Cincinnati, Bauer pitched for the Cleveland Indians and Arizona Diamondbacks. He also played collegiately at UCLA where he set a single-season Pac-12 strikeout record.
The sailor charged with arson for allegedly setting aflame the 40,000-ton USS Bonhomme Richard, injuring more than 60 people, has been identified in an NCIS search warrant as a failed Navy SEAL bent on revenge.

Ryan Sawyer Mays, 20, was named the primary suspect for the first time in the legal document, which was obtained by the Daily Beast and seen by the Daily Mail. Investigators were led to Mays after interviewing the 177 service members assigned to the Bonhomme Richard and several of them claimed to either see Mays around the scene of the fire before it was set, hear him say he was guilty while talking to himself or hear him express extreme disdain for the Navy.

The warrant also says a polygraph revealed Mays was lying about certain relevant questions pertaining to the events of July 12, 2020, the day the fire was set. And further red flags were raised when Mays allegedly also lied to investigators about his personal life, claiming he had gotten another sailor pregnant. When she was questioned, the sailor denied ever being pregnant and said Mays was 'volatile and bipolar.'

The affidavit states that Mays joined the Navy in 2019 'with the intent on becoming trained in the Advanced Electronics Computer Fields,' but 'changed his career goals to becoming a Navy SEAL.' Five days into his training, he dropped out and was assigned as an 'undesignated Seaman' abroad the Bonhomme Richard.

Ryan Sawyer Mays was named as the primary suspect for allegedly setting aflame the 40,000-ton USS Bonhomme Richard that injured 63 people. Above is a screenshot from a search warrant showing an Instagram post he made two days after the fire

Investigators were led to Mays after a sailor claimed to either see Mays around the scene of the fire before it was set

Mays joined the Navy in 2019 'with the intent on becoming trained in the Advanced Electronics Computer Fields,' but 'changed his career goals to becoming a Navy SEAL,' according to the search warrant

Above is the disastrous blaze, which began July 12, 2020, and damaged all of the ship's 14 decks

Two sailors also told investigators that they 'heard Mays say (unasked) that he was guilty, seemingly talking to himself,' an affidavit reads

The affidavit reads, 'According to Navy leadership, the morale and behavior of sailors who had aspired to become a SEAL, and then find themselves serving in a more traditional role on a Navy ship, are frequently very challenging.'

Mays faces possible charges of aggravated arson and willful hazarding of a vessel, if the Navy seeks a court martial, though the probe is ongoing. As of now, he is in custody in the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction, where he is charged with arson, use of fire to damage federal property and making a false statement, the warrant states.

The ship fire reached 1,000-degrees and damaged all 14 decks, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday told reporters last summer. The ship was docked in San Diego during the blaze, which continued for four days until it was eventually snuffed out by about 400 sailors from 16 vessels, a number of helicopters dumping water from above, the Naval Base San Diego Fire Department, and multiple volunteer fire departments from surrounding cities.

At least 63 people were injured, including 18 firefighters who filed workers' compensation for suffering concussions, orthopedic issues, dehydration and smoke inhalation.

Sailor Seaman Kenji Velasco explained over the course of several interviews that he saw Mays enter Lower V, the lower vehicle storage area where the fire took place, minutes before the blaze started.

He said that he saw a 'light-skin male' wearing clean coveralls and a facemask who was carrying a silver or metal bucket and, when he passed Velasco, the person said, 'I love deck,' a sarcastic phrase Mays had said before.

Five days into his training, Mays dropped out and was assigned as an 'undesignated Seaman' abroad the Bonhomme Richard. He is pictured above in a Facebook photo with his mom Christina Mays

Command Master Chief Jose Hernandez told investigators that Mays 'showed disdain towards authority and the U.S. Navy'

Mays allegedly also lied to investigators about his personal life, claiming he had gotten another sailor pregnant. When she was questioned, the sailor denied ever being pregnant and said Mays was 'volatile and bipolar'

Mays faces possible charges of aggravated arson and willful hazarding of a vessel, if the Navy seeks a court martial

Photos show the charred insides of the amphibious assault ship Bonhomme Richard, which burned for more than four days

Velasco stated that he didn't recognize the person at first, but later said he was 'fairly sure' and '90percent sure' that it was Mays. He added that Mays hates the U.S. Navy and the Fleet.

Command Master Chief Jose Hernandez also told investigators that Mays 'showed disdain toward authority and the U.S. Navy,' and days before the fire had lashed out at a contractor who confronted him for sleeping during his duty day, the affidavit reads.

Days after the blaze, Velasco said he questioned Mays on whether he went to Lower V before the fire started and Mays said he had. May's friend, Matthew Gonzalez, said he was there during the interaction and that Mays look uncomfortable when asked the question.

Two Master-at-Arms sailors told investigators that they 'heard Mays say (unasked) that he was guilty, seemingly talking to himself,' according to the search warrant.

Following their reveal, Mays was arrested and began the booking process to be turned over to the Marine Corps. Air Station.

Investigators told Mays that soldiers saw him enter the lower deck before the fire and he responded by saying he was being 'set up,' the affidavit reads.

When Mays was asked, along with his soldiers, about his first thoughts on learning about the fire, he allegedly said he felt a 'small amount of adrenaline and anxiety.'

On June 14, 2020  two days after the fire  Mays posted a photo of himself on Instagram with the caption, 'I love the smell of napalm in the morning.' Pressed by investigators about it, Mays said it was a reference to Apocalypse Now, the Francis Ford Coppola film about the Vietnam War.

Mays also was asked about the alleged self-incriminating comments the sailors said they heard him make, but he denied ever making them and agreed to take a polygraph. According to the affidavit, 'deception was indicated' during the test in response to a number of relevant questions pertaining to the events of the fire. When he was told about the polygraph results, Mays 'became extremely upset and denied any involvement in starting the fire,' the affidavit says.

Investigators also noted a number of red flags raised from Mays' personal life, including a lie that he broke up with a female sailor after learning she was pregnant with another man. Investigators 'later learned this was mostly contradicted by the female sailor' in question, the warrant said.

That sailor, U.S. Sailor Petty Officer Third Class Armelle Ane, said that Mays told everyone that she was pregnant and he was the father, but she said she never was pregnant and even got a test to prove it to people. She also told investigators that Mays is 'volatile and bipolar,' according to the search warrant.

The affidavit states, however, that Mays gave authorities contradicting statements about where he kept his computer, 'possibly for the purpose of frustrating the investigation,' before investigators found it.

They also seized his iPhone, searched his car and apartment, and swabbed his cheek for a DNA sample. However, his DNA has not been a match for DNA found at the scene as of now.

Meanwhile, the Bonhomme Richard, which was awaiting a $250 million upgrade before the fire, was scrapped in November after repairs were estimated at $3.2billion. The ship originally cost $750 million when it was built in 1998, which is roughly $1.2 billion today.
This is just one of the several sexual assault allegations made against the governor who furiously denies impropriety and refuses to resign from office

She claimed she 'was shaking so much during this interaction' that the photos came out blurry

The assistant, who has not been identified, says Cuomo 'moved his hand to grab her butt cheek and began to rub it' while she took the photo

A selfie released in the official report into sexual harassment allegations against NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo shows him smirking after allegedly groping an assistant

A selfie taken moments after Andrew Cuomo allegedly groped an executive assistant's butt at his home shows New York's governor with gleaming eyes and a broad smirk.

Cuomo allegedly asked the woman assistant, whose identity remains anonymous, to take a selfie with him while they worked together at his office in the Executive Mansion in Albany on December 31, 2019.

As she held up the camera, Cuomo allegedly 'moved his hand to grab her butt cheek and began to rub it' for at least five seconds.

The assistant claims she was '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 aide testified that she 'did not know why the Governor wanted her to send the photograph to Ms. McGrath, but guessed that the Governor 'wanted to make [Ms. McGrath] jealous' or 'wanted to see what her reaction was''.

A selfie released in the official report into sexual harassment allegations against NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo (right) shows him smirking after he allegedly groped an assistant (left)

She notes that she didn't report what happened because she was terrified Cuomo's top aides would force her out.

'[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.

'And if Stephanie Benton or Melissa [DeRosa] heard that, I was going to lose my job,' she added. Benton and DeRosa are two of the governor's top aides.

The unidentified staffer claims Cuomo asked him to forward the photo to another employee, believing he wanted to 'make her jealous'. He also instructed her not to share the picture with anyone else.

That snap was released Tuesday as part of Attorney General Letitia James' bombshell report into the sexual assault allegations made against the governor.

He release a pre-recorded statement furiously denying the women's allegations, and refused to resign.

Cuomo's own Democrat party - which controls both the New York State House of Representatives and Senate - have vowed to launch impeachment proceedings to try and get rid of him, with President Biden also calling for him to quit.

The report was released Tuesday by Attorney General Letitia James (pictured) and outlines several instances of alleged harassment

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.'

The report also alleged that Cuomo routinely engaged in a pattern of impropriate conduct towards the same assistant, beginning back in late 2019.

The report says Cuomo repeatedly sexually harassed 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 one instance outlined in the report, the assistant claims Cuomo groped her breast at the Executive Mansion in November 2019.

She was summoned to the mansion under the pretext of having to assist Cuomo with a technical issue involving his phone, a source familiar with the incident previously reported.

The pair were alone together on the second floor of the residence when Cuomo allegedly closed the door, reached under the assistant's blouse and began to fondle her.

Cuomo, (pictured) who has formally been accused of sexually harassing eleven women, furiously denied impropriety and refused to resign from office

'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.

The assistant had reportedly asked Cuomo to stop.

For over three months, the woman kept the groping incident to herself, planning to 'take it to the grave'.

However, she ended up '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.

The executive assistant claims Cuomo told her to send the selfie to another staffer, Alyssa McGrath (pictured). McGrath has also accused the governor of sexual harassment

The attorney general's report outlines a slew of accusations against Cuomo, including some made by McGrath, the alleged recipient of the smirking selfie.

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.

Cuomo is also accused of fondling a state trooper and sexually harassing a doctor while she administered his COVID-19 test on camera, among other things.
Senior Department of Justice officials last year rejected a colleague's request that they ask lawmakers in Georgia to investigate President Biden's election victory there, as former President Trump's supporters sought ways to overturn his election defeat, according to newly released emails.

The communications, from late December, show how the former acting head of the DOJ's civil division Jeffrey Clark circulated a draft letter urging Georgia to look into claims of irregularities, according to ABC News.

The draft, dated Dec. 28, began by claiming the DOJ was investigating 'various irregularities.'

'In light of these developments, the Department recommends that the Georgia General Assembly should convene in special session so that its legislators are in a position to take addition testimony, receive new evidence, and deliberate on the matter consistent with its duties under the constitution.

'Time is of the essence,' it says pointing out that certification at the U.S. Congress is due to begin on Jan. 6.

It was sent to acting attorney general Jeffrey Rosen and acting deputy attorney general Richard Donoghue, who rebuffed the request, saying there was no evidence that any irregularities would change the outcome.

Acting head of the DOJ's civil division Jeffrey Clark was touted in December for higher things by then President Trump, just before he urged colleagues to write to Georgia lawmakers recommending they investigate the results of the 2020 election in their state

The draft letter was sent to acting AG Jeffrey Rosen and acting Deputy AG Richard Donoghue on Dec. 28. They both rejected the request

Georgia became one of the key post-election battlegrounds for Trump and his allies as they claimed he had been cheated of victory.

The extent of their pressure, and the way the former president tried to use the DOJ to press his case, has emerged in the weeks and months since Trump's defeat.

Before leaving office Trump pressured Georgia's Republican secretary of state to 'find' enough votes to reverse the result, according to a recording of a telephone call that surfaced in January.

And notes from a December phone conversation with senior DOJ officials reveal how Trump tried to get them to declare the 2020 election 'corrupt.'

'We have an obligation to tell people that this was an illegal, corrupt election,' Trump is quoted as saying.

They refused, according to documents passed to a House committee.

In the same call, Trump appeared to threaten a leadership overhaul in the department and suggested

Trump also appeared to threaten a leadership shakeup in his final days in office, suggesting he might promote Clark.

'People tell me Jeff Clark is great, I should put him in. People want me to replace DOJ leadership,' Trump said, according to the notes.

That phone call came a day before Clark circulated his draft letter in an email to Rosen and Donoghue.

A day before the email was sent, a recording captured President Trump on the telephone with senior DOJ officials urging them to declare the 2020 election to be 'corrupt'

'We have an obligation to tell people that this was an illegal, corrupt election,' according to notes on Trump call with DOJ officials in December last year

He told them he thought they should 'get it out as soon as possible.'

'Personally, I see no valid downsides to sending out the letter,' he wrote.

'I put it together quickly and would want to do a formal cite check before sending but I don't think we should let unnecessary moss grow on this.'

But his request received short shrift as 'not even within the realm of possibility,' according to Donoghue.

'There is no chance that I would sign this letter or anything remotely like this,' he wrote.

'While it maybe true that the Department "is investigating various irregularities in the 2020 election for President" (something we typically would not state publicly) the investigations that I am aware of relate to suspicions of misconduct that are of such a small scale that they simply would not impact the outcome of the Presidential Election.'

Donoghue made his case by pointing out that former Attorney General William Barr had said a week earlier the department had no evidence that fraud had affected the election's outcome, and that nothing had changed since Barr resigned.

Rosen responded later, saying: 'I confirmed again today that I am not prepared to sign such a letter.'
Matthew Kirby, 16, faces an attempted murder charge for allegedly attacking a 14-year-old boy, beating him unconscious and leaving him naked in the woods

A 16-year-old Florida boy has been charged with attempted murder after he allegedly dragged a disabled 14 year-old boy into the woods, stripped him naked and beat him unconscious before leaving him for dead.

The suspect, identified as Matthew Kirby, of Leesburg, allegedly admitted to investigators that his goal was to kill the 14-year-old victim after the younger boy made a comment about his sister. Kirby is also said to have laughed while describing the violent attack.

The victim, who has not been named, survived and was taken to Arnold Palmer Hospital in stable condition.

His harrowing ordeal began unfolding on Monday night, when deputies with the Lake County Sheriff's Office were called for a report of a missing child, reported ClickOrlando.

The parents of the child told the deputies that their 14-year-old son, who has a learning disability, left home to go for a bike ride at around 7.30pm, but by 8.45pm he still had not returned, raising concerns for his safety.

Deputies scoured the area for three hours before discovering the victim walking in th nude in the 11000 block of Huggins Street.

Arrest records describe the 14-year-old's face as covered in bruises, with blood dribbling from his mouth and both his eyes nearly swollen shut.

Before being taken to the hospital, the victim told deputies that it was Kirby who attacked and choked him until he lost consciousness.

When the victim came to, he said he was naked in the woods, where Kirby continued to punch him in the face while asking 'why he wouldn't die,' according to the arrest report.

The victim passed out again, and when he regained consciousness at a later time, he said he was naked and alone.

A deputy discovered the 14-year-old victim with both his eyes swollen nearly shut walking naked in the 11000 block of Huggins Street in Leesburg, Florida, early Tueaday

The 14-year-old provided a detailed description of the house where Kirby lived with his father, allowing deputies to track him down.

It is unclear how the boy's knew one another prior to Monday's attack.

When law enforcement officials arrived, Kirby walked off a porch and headed to a wooded area behind his home, telling deputies that the victim's belongings, including his clothes and iPhone, were hidden there.

During an interview with investigators, Kirby allegedly said he saw the 14-year-old riding his bike and struck up a conversation with him.

Kirby said the younger boy said something about his sister, which prompted Kirby to choke the victim until he passed out, according to the records.

Kirby admitted to dragging the unconscious child to multiple locations near his home, before taking him into the woods to continue the beating.

The victim begged Kirby to stop, but the attacker admitted to ignoring the boy's pleas, pummeling him with both fists and feet, and kicking him in the throat, according to the report.

Kirby told deputies he only stopped beating the 14-year-old when he got tired. He allegedly confessed that it was his aim to kill the child, and he expressed frustration that instead of dying, the teen only passed out four times.

Deputies noted in the report that Kirby showed 'no remorse' for his actions and even laughed at the victim during the interview.

Kirby was booked into a juvenile facility on charges of attempted murder, kidnapping, inflicting bodily harm and strong-arm robbery.
The desperate hunt for a 5-year-old Idaho boy missing for a week continued without any luck, police said Tuesday.

Michael Joseph Vaughan, also known as 'Monkey', disappeared near his home in Fruitland on July 27. The 3-foot-7-inch tall blonde-hair boy has blue eyes and weighs about 50 pounds.

Michael was last seen wearing a light blue Minecraft shirt, dark blue boxer briefs and size 11 blue flip flops.

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The ongoing search for 5-year-old Michael Joseph Vaughan continues after he disappeared from his Fruitland, Idaho home on July 27

Michael's mother Brandi Neal spoke at the conference and said: 'Anyone who has any information, please contact the Fruitland police. We just want our Monkey home. We miss our baby and we want him home.'

Witnesses are urged to come forward with any information, especially if they have been in the area of Southwest 9th Street and Arizona Avenue

The boy was in an 'open field' close to his home at Southwest 9th Street and Arizona Avenue around 6.30pm when he went missing, according to the Idaho Statesman.

Police in Fruitland, about 55 miles northwest of Boise near the Oregon border, have asked anyone with information to come forward.

'Anyone who has any information, please contact the Fruitland police. We just want our Monkey home. We miss our baby and we want him home,' said Michael's distraught mother, Brandi Neal, at a press conference on July 31.

Tyler Vaughan, Michael's father, added: 'Anything helps. Anything.'

It wasn't clear whether the family was under investigation. Calls to the FBI field office in Omaha and the police department in Fruitland were not returned to DailyMail.com

It is also unclear if the family has any other children. Fruitland Police Chief JD Huff has requested the public give the family privacy during this time.

The FBI, Idaho State Police and other law enforcement agencies are also involved in the investigation

Two irrigation ditches were drained by the Fruitland Public Works Department and the search continued with K9's as well as aerial, marine and land support

A press conference was held at Fruitland City Hall which was attended by Michael's family and Police Chief JD Huff who spoke at the event

The FBI, Idaho State Police and other law enforcement agencies also joined the investigation.

'If you live in the immediate area, please thoroughly search your property, to include any outbuildings, vehicles, anything that a five-year-old can get into. We also ask that you review any security footage you may have that may be attached to your house,' Huff said.

He also said that two irrigation ditches were drained by the Fruitland Public Works Department and that a search has continued involving the use of K9's as well as aerial, marine and land support.

Police have also advised volunteer search parties to be careful of trespassing on certain properties without their permission.

The last update of the search was on the afternoon of July 31 as the Snake River area was being investigated.

If anyone has any further information, contact Fruitland Police at 208-642-6006.
Embattled New York Governor Andrew Cuomo could face an impeachment trial led by his own party's majority government 'as soon as late September or early October,' according to recent reports - a move which only happened once in New York history.

Top lawmakers including Joe Biden have called for the governor's resignation after state Attorney General Letitia James revealed the findings of a bombshell sexual harassment report that detailed 11 women's claims against him and accusations he bred a 'hostile' workplace.

Some of those allegations were not previously known, like a state trooper and an executive assistant who says he groped her breast at the governor's mansion in Albany in November 2020.

Cuomo denied the allegations in a 14-minute long statement after AG Letitia James's press conference

But after Cuomo denied the allegations in a public message, the New York State Assembly's top Democrat announced he lost the party's support.

'It is abundantly clear to me that the Governor has lost the confidence of the Assembly Democratic majority and that he can no longer remain in office,' Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie wrote in a statement after lawmakers held an emergency meeting.

'Once we receive all relevant documents and evidence from the Attorney General, we will move expeditiously and look to conclude our impeachment investigation as quickly as possible.'

Who wants Cuomo to resign?

A poll surveying 500 New Yorkers on Tuesday found that 63 percent believe Cuomo should be booted for the alleged sexual harassment.

In a scathing op-ed titled 'You Should Resign, Governor Cuomo' the New York Times editorial board joined calls for his departure.

'If Mr. Cuomo cares for the well-being of the state and its citizens as much as he has said he does over the years, he needs to do the right thing and step down,' the body writes.

Joe Biden unambiguously called for Cuomo's resignation after a Tuesday press conference on coronavirus vaccinations

Nancy Pelosi echoed the sentiment when she called on Cuomo to resign 'recognizing his love of New York and the respect for the office he holds' on Tuesday.

Joining Pelosi and Biden are 13 New York federal lawmakers.

A letter signed by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, Jerry Nadler, Kirsten Gillibrand and others called on him to step down in the wake of James's reports.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Nancy Pelosi and Bill De Blasio are three of the prominent Democrats leading the charge against Cuomo after the allegations

New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio, a longtime political rival of the governor, said Tuesday that Cuomo is 'not fit to hold office and can no longer serve as governor.'

On Tuesday night the fellow 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.

'We are appalled at the findings of the independent investigation by the New York Attorney General. Governor Cuomo should resign from office,' they said.

Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries are also two of the Congressional Democrats from New York calling on Cuomo to resign

The statement was signed by Phil Murphy of New Jersey; Ned Lamont of Connecticut; Dan McKee of Rhode Island and Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania.

Democratic Rep. Ted Lieu and former HUD Secretary Julian Castro also called for his ouster.

New York GOP Reps. Elise Stefanik and Lee Zeldin are looking for Cuomo to depart as well, with the former calling for his arrest. Zeldin is running for New York governor.

Four governors including Connecticut's Ned Lamont (left) and New Jersey's Phil Murphy (right) called on their fellow Democratic governor to resign

Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel also joined the fray in calling for the governor's resignation.

As the calls swell the heat is on the New York State Assembly to wrap its impeachment probe of Cuomo, which was started in March and ran parallel to James's investigation.

How would it work?

New York's legislature is made up of two houses - the Assembly and the Senate. Impeachment proceedings would begin in the former, which is the lower of the two houses.

Democrats hold a 107-43 supermajority in the Assembly and a 43-20 supermajority in the Senate.

While an investigation is not necessary, the state Assembly's Judiciary Committee launched its probe to determine whether Cuomo 'has engaged in conduct which merits impeachment.'

New York Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie said Cuomo lost the faith of Democrats in the state's lower house on Tuesday after an emergency meeting of lawmakers

Unlike a presidential impeachment, for which the US Constitution specifies 'high crimes and misdemeanors' as offenses, New York's constitution offers only 'misconduct or malversation.' It loosely outlines a process for impeachment in the Assembly followed by a state Senate trial.

It could take a month for the committee to wrap its investigation and for the Assembly to draft articles of impeachment, a source familiar with the process told the New York Times.

But after an emergency Assembly meeting on Tuesday, most lawmakers reportedly said enough evidence exists to draw the impeachment articles up as soon as possible, four people told the outlet.

Heastie and Judiciary Chair Charles D. Lavine said they could not be drawn up immediately, according to the same report.

The Judiciary Committee, which until now has reportedly been accused of acting as a firewall to bide time for Cuomo, are scheduled to meet on Monday.

When the articles are complete the vote to impeach requires a simple majority of 76 Assembly members.

If impeached Cuomo would immediately be stripped of his decision-making abilities. Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul would be acting governor.

If impeachment proceedings would begin, Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul (left) would step in as acting governor and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins would serve as Hochul's number two

A trial would then be held in a High Court of Impeachment, consisting of all sitting state senators except for the majority leader and all seven judges on New York's Court of Appeals.

Cuomo would be allowed the help of outside counsel - as a lawyer himself he could also potentially speak for his own defense.

A two-thirds majority is needed to remove the governor from office.

Majority Leader and President Pro Tempore Andrea Stewart-Cousins, who called for Cuomo's resignation soon after James announced her findings, would not get a vote.

The state constitution specifies 'neither the lieutenant-governor nor the temporary president of the senate shall act as a member of the court.'

If Cuomo is removed Stewart-Cousins would become the Lt. governor to Hochul for the remainder of Cuomo's term.

Has it happened before?

Governor William Sulzer was impeached in 1913, the first and only time in New York history

Only one other governor has been impeached since New York adopted its constitution in 1777.

In 1913 Governor William Sulzer was impeached, found guilty and removed after just 10 months in office.

Sulzer was first elected to public office in 1890 with the help of powerful Democratic political machine Tammany Hall.

As his power grew he began pulling away from the group and embracing more progressive policies. Immediately after he was elected Tammany Hall boss Charles F. Murphy forced his impeachment.

A committee made up of Murphy's allies opened an investigation into Sulzer and found he failed to report all the money raised during his campaign, which he was accused of putting into the stock market.

Sulzer was impeached after going against the wishes of Tammany Hall boss Charles F. Murphy (pictured: Murphy stands outside the headquarters of the powerful Democratic machine)

Sulzer's case leaves little precedent for today's possible proceedings. His offenses took place before he took office, while accusations against Cuomo run throughout his term.

Sulzer also declined to testify in his own impeachment proceedings. His allies insisted the charges were false, and Sulzer's refusal to recognize his lieutenant governor's promotion led to a weeks-long standoff ahead of the impeachment trial.
Afghanistan becoming a failed state is 'one of the scenarios that could occur' unless government forces can resist the Taliban, the head of the UK's armed forces said today.

General Sir Nick Carter said the Afghan forces had to reach a military stalemate with the Taliban, at which point peace talks could occur.

The Chief of the Defence Staff also warned the international community not to legitimise the Taliban and its leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who has recently held talks with senior figures in China.

In recent days there has been intense fighting for Lashkar Gah, the capital of blood-soaked Helmand province, as well as bombings targeting politicians in Kabul, in growing signs that the Taliban are intent on overthrowing the government.

In a bitter irony the jihadist commander leading the assault on Lashkar Gah, Mawlavi Talib, was released with 5,000 fighters in a deal with the United States last year.

Private militia loyal to Ismail Khan, the former Mujahideen commander patrols after security forces took back control of parts of Herat city following intense battle with Taliban militants, in Herat, Afghanistan, on Wednesday

Children displaced by fighting between the Afghan army and the Taliban await relief as they live in temporary shelters in Kandahar on Wednesday

General Sir Nick Carter (pictured speaking to Andrew Marr last month) said the Afghan forces had to reach a military stalemate with the Taliban, at which point peace talks could occur

Now the Afghan forces, backed by the US, have launched air strikes in a last ditch effort to hang onto the Helmand stronghold.

The fall of Lashkar Gah would be a major turning point in the offensive the Taliban have waged over the recent months as US and Nato forces complete their pullout from the war-torn country.

Helmand province was the location for some of the fiercest fighting involving British troops during the Afghanistan war, with Lashkar Gah the site of a major military base.

Asked whether Afghanistan could again become a failed state, Gen Carter said: 'That is one of the scenarios that could occur, but we have to get behind the current Afghan government and support them in what they are trying to do.

'And if they can achieve a military stalemate, then there will have to be a political compromise. Even the Taliban at the level of Baradar recognise that they can't - in inverted commas - conquer Afghanistan.

'There has to be a conversation. And the important thing is to achieve the military stalemate that can then bring on that conversation.'

Gen Carter told BBC Radio 4's Today there was a 'real risk' that 'we're giving far too much legitimacy to the Taliban movement'.

'There is a huge disparity between what Mullah Baradar is saying publicly, and what he's doing publicly in travelling around countries like Russia and China, and so on and so forth, and a disparity between what's actually happening on the ground.

Afghan security officials stand guard outside the house of acting Defense minister Gen. Bismillah Mohammadi, after an overnight explosion and attack, in Kabul on Wednesday

Ismail Khan (C), the former Mujahideen commander talks with supporters as security forces and Khan's loyal armed militia took back control of parts of Herat city following intense battle with Taliban militants, in Herat

In some places the fighting has been fierce, with Taliban fighters scoring major battlefield victories. In others, government forces have fled or surrendered

'And the international community has got to do much more about calling out the way that the people on the ground are trashing government buildings, they are threatening the population, there are reports of people being forced into marriages.'

He said there have been 'grisly videos of war crimes' and 'we mustn't let them get away with this - we've got to call them out'.

Gen Carter also acknowledged the UK had a 'huge moral responsibility' to the Afghans who helped British troops by acting as translators.

There was a 'serious moral commitment that we have to those who've helped us', he said, with no cap on the numbers who can come forward for help.

Four dead - including several attackers - and 20 hurt after gun and bomb assaults targeting defence minister in Afghan capital Kabul

By Chris Pleasance and Lauren Lewis

A car bomb followed by several blasts and gunshots shook Kabul on Tuesday

Officials say the residence of the acting defence minister came under attack

Minister was not in guesthouse at the time and his family have been evacuated

Came as Taliban attack regional capitals in Afghanistan after US forces withdrew

Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand, has been hardest hit as parts of city centre fall

General Sami Sadat, the commander in charge of city's defence has urged civilians to evacuate ahead of an army offensive against the Taliban

He also warned victory for the Islamists would inspire terror groups worldwide

'This is a war between liberty and totalitarianism ,' General Sami Sadat said

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.

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

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.

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.'

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.'

Taliban fighters have also attacked Herat (pictured), in the north west of the country, and Kandahar in the south

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.
Two women have pleaded guilty after they were caught on video stealing a 'Make America Great Again' hat from a child and punching a man who tried to get it back near the Democratic National Convention in Wilmington, Delaware, last year.

They will be sentenced in September.

Olivia Winslow and Camryn Amy, both 21, were caught on camera first destroying signs outside the DNC August 20, 2020, when now-President Joe Biden gave his DNC acceptance speech.

Seven-year-old Riley Wigton and his Trump-supporter mom Abbey, 27, who said they attended the convention to peacefully protest Biden as the Democratic nominee for president, were waiting outside a restaurant at the time when they were 'attacked.'

Camryn Amy (left) and Olivia Winslow (right), both 21, have pleaded guilty to charges of theft, child endangerment and hate crimes after stealing a 'Make America Great Again' hat from a child and punching the man trying to get it back at a Democratic National Convention in Wilmington, Delaware, last year

Referring to the signs, the mother asks in the video tweeted by Students For Trump, ''Are you destroying my property?'

'Yes, we are,' Winslow says.

The footage then shows the red MAGA hat on the floor - how it got there is not captured on video - and Amy says, 'get it Liv, get it'.

Winslow throws the hat as Riley runs after it. 'That's somebody else's hat,' the boy says, as he seems to start to cry.

'Your mom f***ing likes Trump' Winslow says to Riley.

In the beginning of the video Winslow is seen picking the cap up off the floor and throwing it

Amy was caught on camera trying to rip up a Trump sign outside the DNC

Amy picks up the hat again and continues to walk toward her car.

A frightened, crying Riley says: 'Mom, call 9-1-1.'

Then a man comes into frame demanding that Amy give him the hat. Amy shouts 'don't touch me,' and punches the man.

After Winslow threw the cap to Amy, she marched off with it and ignored Riley's cries

In the video Amy is seen throwing a punch at a man who tried to get the hat back

Both women were arrested three days later and a grand jury in Delaware indicted them September 8, on felony charges of robbery, conspiracy and hate crimes and a misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of a child.

Amy also was indicted on misdemeanor charges of assaulting the man who tried to retrieve the hat, attempting to assault the mother and offensive touching of the boy.

The indictment accuses the women of committing the crimes 'for the purpose of interfering with the victim's free exercise or enjoyment of any right, privilege or immunity protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, or committed said crime because the victim had exercised or enjoyed said right or rights'.

Seven-year-old Riley Wigton and his Trump-supporting mother Abbey, 27, attended the convention to peacefully protest Biden's victory as the Democratic nominee for president

Prosecutors said they will not seek prison time.

Other charges including assault, attempted assault and conspiracy were dropped as part of a plea deal struck on Monday, Delaware Online reported.

The women's attorneys said they think probation is the 'appropriate sentence' and declined to comment further.

Now ex-President Trump saw the viral video at the time and sent a gift package to Riley, which included a new, signed MAGA hat, a mug, a water bottle, presidential bags and other swag.

Riley's mother, Abbey, released a statement about what happened leading up to what was captured in the video.

Ex-President Trump saw the viral video and sent a gift package to Riley, which included a new, signed MAGA hat, a mug, a water bottle, presidential bags and more paraphernalia

The statement read: 'We were standing outside peacefully minding our own business waiting for our table. Suddenly, two Joe Biden supporters began to yell political epithets at my child.

'They ripped the sign from my arms and assaulted my seven year old son. The Joe Biden supporters laid hands on my child and ripped his "Make America Great Again" hat from his head while cursing at him and pushing him over.

'The two Joe Biden supporters verbally and physically assaulted my child. My seven-year-old child was sobbing and screaming.'

Abbey also claimed she was punched in the face and hit with the women's purses several times.

The day after the incident, Trump's eldest son Donald Trump Jr tweeted the video and said what happened was 'sick'. He also called on for help identifying the women in the video.

The two offenders also were caught on video in their car before the confrontation when a local reporter asked them why they supported Biden.

At the end of the clip Winslow is seen throwing her coffee cup at the reporter.
President Joe Biden's administration will offer the COVID vaccine to migrants in U.S. custody along the Mexico border, a new report revealed, as the number of people stopped reaches a 20 year high.

The administration plans to offer the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine to migrants as they await processing by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, The Washington Post reported, citing sources in the Department of Homeland Security.

The vaccine would be given to those facing deportation as well as though released into the United States pending a court hearing. Migrants who are being sent back to Mexico under the Title 42 public health law would not be offered a shot.

Biden administration will offer the COVID vaccine to migrants in U.S. custody along the Mexico border

An asylum seeker camping at El Chaparral crossing port is vaccinated against COVID-19 in Tijuana, Baja California state, Mexico, on the border with the US

The rollout is being done as states in the Southwest have seen an uptick in COVID cases thanks to the highly contagious Delta variant.

In Texas, the daily case count exceeded 10,000 last week for the first time since February. And Republican Gov. Greg Abbott blamed Biden's border policies for spreading the virus.

Abbott last week authorized Texas state troopers along the border to 'stop any vehicle upon reasonable suspicion' that it transports migrants, citing the growing COVID case rate in his state. But a federal judge on Tuesday blocked his order, saying it would have the effect of 'exacerbating the spread of COVID-19.' The judge also blocked Abbotts attempt to restrict bus companies and other transportation firms from carrying migrants.

Arizona reported more than 2,000 new cases on Saturday and Sunday, the highest daily totals since early March.

In July, 210,000 migrants crossed into the U.S. along the southern border, the highest one-month total in 21 years, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

The number of children traveling alone who were picked up at the border reached an all-time high of more than 19,000 in July, according to preliminary numbers shared with the Associated Press by David Shahoulian, assistant secretary for border and immigration policy at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

'The rates at which encountered noncitizens are testing positive for COVID-19 have increased significantly in recent weeks,' Shahoulian said. 'And although the rate of infection among CBP officers had been declining, this rate recently began increasing again, even though the percentage of officers and agents who have been fully vaccinated has grown significantly since January.'

The U.S. has more than enough supplies of the COVID vaccine than it needs domestically and President Joe Biden has started donating doses to countries around the world

According to preliminary figures, 210,000 were apprehended in July at the southern border. The chart shows a comparison between apprehensions in 2021 and 2020

CBP was holding more than 10,000 migrants in custody as of August 1, nearly eight times its COVID-adjusted capacity.

On Monday, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) extended an order limiting entry for migrants due to coronavirus, Title 42.

The Biden administration said Title 42 is responsible for sending away most single adult migrants who cross illegally, and the United Nations and the ACLU had called on President Biden to end the order. The order is used to expel roughly 100,000 mostly single adults each month.

Additionally, about 20,000 detainees in Immigration and Custom Enforcement custody have received a dose of the COVID vaccine so far. More than 1,000 immigrants were actively infected as of August 1 and nine have died.

The U.S. government is holding more doses of the COVID vaccine than it need domestically.

The administration donated and shipped more than 110 million doses of the vaccines to more than 60 countries, ranging from Afghanistan to Zambia, the White House announced Tuesday.

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.
They said all the rail safety mechanisms were working properly during both accidents

Police also suspect Baltazar was drunk during his accident last week, which saw his Toyota Tundra struck as he ignored a warning not to cross

Both men were pronounced dead at the scene by medics

They were struck by a light rail tram while walking along tracks

Pablo Tiquiram Us and Jose Tiquiram Us were drunk and attempting to hold a memorial service for their brother Baltazar Tiquiram Us

Two brothers died after being struck by a train while walking along tracks at a memorial service to commemorate their other brother who was struck and killed by another train a week previously.

The two men were allegedly drunk when conducting a memorial tribute for a family member who was killed by a CATS light rail last week in Charlotte, North Carolina, when another tram struck and killed them at the same sport Tuesday morning.

Pablo Tiquiram Us, 29, and Jose Tiquiram Us, 20, were walking north on the southbound tracks in Charlotte, North Carolina on Tuesday when they were struck and killed by a CATS light rail tram.

They were mourning the loss of sibling Balthazar Tiquiram Us, 27, who died at the same spot on July 26 when he drove across the tracks and his Toyota Tundra was struck by a train. An unidentified passenger who was in his truck remains in hospital.

All three victims are believed to have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of their deaths the Charlotte Observer reported.

After Tuesday's accident, the tram operator stopped the train immediately, and both men were pronounced dead at the scene by medics.

Police say Pablo Tiquiram Us, 29, and Jose Tiquiram Us, 20, were drunk when walking north on the southbound side of the tracks when they were struck

The incident took place at the train crossing at Hebron Street and South Boulevard

The two men were attempting to hold a memorial service for their brother Baltazar Tiquiram Us, 27, who died at the same spot last week

The two men were declared dead at the scene by medics. They are believed to have been drunk when they were struck

All safety mechanisms for the CATS line were in full effect and working properly, CMPD officials said.

Police said Baltazar was struck on July 26 when he drove his Toyota Tundra pickup truck around the Hebron Street train crossing's arms and into the path of a LYNX train.

Baltazar died in the incident, and a passenger was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

None of the four passengers on the train were injured.

Police said the rails safety mechanisms were all functioning as they should during the crashes

CMPD suspect that Baltazar was also drunk during the crash on July 26, pictured, that took his life

The passenger in Baltazar's pick up truck was transported to a nearby hospital with serious injuries. The four passengers aboard the train were not injured

Police found that the train operator honked his horn as he approached the crossing and the warning lights and cross arms were all operational, La Noticia reports.

They suspect that Baltazar was also drunk during this incident.

Another incident occurred at the train crossing in 2017, when a 26-year-old woman failed to stop for the crossing arms and signal and was killed.

Operation Lifesaver North Carolina, a nonprofit that works to reduce the number of deaths at rail crossings in the state, says accidents like this persist because of drivers get distracted and overestimate how loud a train can be.

'You can't always depend on hearing a train,' Margaret Cannell, execuitve director of Operation Lifesaver, told ABC 6. 'They're much quieter until they get right up on you.'
A San Francisco elementary school principal died after suffering a serious head injury during a camping trip with his family last month.

Heath Caceres died last Thursday surrounded by family after spending a week in intensive care in a Modesto hospital.

Caceres, who was the principal at New Traditions Elementary School for over a year, was on the trip in mid-July when he suffered an accidental head injury, a GoFundMe set up to help his family with expenses said.

Caceres leaves behind his wife Mariah, (pictured) a fourth-grade teacher in San Rafael, and their four daughters

Heath Caceres died last Thursday surrounded by his family after spending a week in intensive care in a Modesto hospital

Heath pictured with his widow Mariah, a fourth-grade teacher the San Rafael elementary school

The page, which has raised over $125,000 for the family, was started by Lucas Valley teacher Nicole Cunha, a co-worker of Heath's widow, Mariah, a fourth-grade teacher the San Rafael elementary school.

'He spent over a week in the intensive care unit in Modesto,' Cunha wrote. 'The family stayed nearby the hospital to be with him daily, hours from home. Despite the immense work of the doctors and nurses, the endless love of his family, and the support of his friends, Heath passed away on July 29 with his wife Mariah at his side.'

Authorities have not released any details regarding the cause of the head injury.

Caceres leaves behind his wife and their four daughters, the fundraiser said.

The fundraiser, which dubbed Heath 'a hero to the end,' said that the principal was an organ donor.

The longtime educator previously was principal at Park School in Mill Valley and Lafayette Elementary in San Francisco, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Caceres served as principal at New Traditions Elementary School in San Francisco for over a year

Caceres (pictured with one of his daughters) said that he grew up in rural Marin County and was happy to be back in the area to teach

The school will provide 'additional support' for students when the school year starts next month in the wake of his death.

'Mr. Caceres was an extremely important part of our community and we are deeply saddened by this loss,' San Francisco Unified School District officials said in an email to the New Traditions community.

'Death can be difficult for us to understand, especially when it is sudden,' the email added. 'What is most important is that we care for and support each other.'

A parent to a student at New Traditions remembered Caceres as a great leader during the pandemic.

'During the last year, we were graced with Mr. Caceres' smile and warm heart as he took over as principal New Traditions,' Angie Kim commented on the fundraiser. 'Throughout this tremendously trying time, Heath was always genuine, caring and enthusiastic - he quickly earned the respect and trust of even our kindergartners who were always so happy and calmed to see him. He was a true leader and our hearts go out to the entire Caceres family for their enormous loss.'

In a September 2018 video for Park School Caceres said that he grew up in rural Marin County and was happy to be back in the area, the Chronicle reported.

'Now, when I come back to Marin, what I really love is to be able to be back out in nature,' he said. 'In those mountains, in the creeks, by the seashore is where I love to go.'
A homeless man was wrongly arrested, locked up in a state mental hospital for nearly three years and forced to take psychiatric drugs before being released with only 50 cents to his name when police realized they had made a mistake.

Joshua Spriestersbach, 50, was mistaken for a man who had violated probation by Hawaii officials and arrested while in line for food outside a Honolulu shelter in 2017.

Hawaii cops, prodded to reduce homelessness by elected officials, tossed Spriestersbach in jail when they found him asleep waiting for food.

The arresting officer confused Spriestersbach for Thomas Castleberry, who violated probation in Hawaii in 206. Castleberry actually has been sitting in an Alaskan prison since 2016 for holding a woman hostage at gunpoint at an Alaska campsite.

Spriestersbach had no connection to Castleberry and insisted to the cop that they had the wrong man. But the more he protested, the more cops ignored his pleas - even dubbing him Castleberry.

His various public defenders, even after he provided his relevant identification, also didn't believe him. Spriestersbach was eventually committed to the Hawaii State Hospital.

'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,' said the Hawaii Innocence Project, which filed a petition Monday asking a judge to vacate the arrest and correct Spriestersbach's records.

The Hawaii Innocence Project is a nonprofit 'with a mission to free prisoners who are factually innocent but who have been wrongfully convicted.'

Joshua Spriesterbach, 50, was mistaken by Thomas Castleberry and wrongfully arrested by Honolulu Police when he was waiting outside a shelter to get food

Mr Spriestersbach now lives with his sister in Vermont and is afraid to leave her 10-acre property, thinking he is going to get arrested again

'Right now we just want his record cleared. He could get arrested again under the same predicament,' said a spokesman for the organization.

His attorneys argue the ordeal could have been avoided if police simply compared the two men's photographs and fingerprints.

It wasn't until a compassionate psychiatrist at the hospital listened to Spriestersbach that his two-year and eight-month ordeal came to end.

Through simple Google searches and a few phone calls, it was verified that Spriestersbach was on another island when Castleberry was initially arrested.

The psychiatrist asked a detective to come to the hospital, who verified fingerprints and photographs to determine the wrong man had been arrested.

Cops discovered that Castleberry has been incarcerated in Spring Creek Correctional Facility in Seward, Alaska since 2016.

The Hawaii Innocence Project document also says that police, the state public defender's office, the state attorney general and the hospital 'share in the blame for this gross miscarriage of justice.'

Once the fingerprints and photographs were verified, officials moved quickly, but secretly, to release Spriestersbach in January 2020.

A secret meeting was held with all of the parties, except Mr. Spriestersbach, with no court or public record documenting it.

Mr Spriestersbach was then quietly released with only 50 cents to fend for himself.

The Hawaii Innocence Project is a non-profit 'with a mission to free prisoners who are factually innocent but who have been wrongfully convicted'

Mr Spriesterbach was committed to a Hawaii State Hospital, where he was heavily medicated, for two years and eight months until a psychiatrist listened to him

Thomas Castleberry has been incarcerated in Spring Creek Correctional Facility in Seward, Alaska since 2016

Hawaii has one of the highest rates of homelessness in the US, with 465 homeless people per every 100,000 residents, according to the Washington Post.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell has directed the police force to carry out a 'war on homeless.'

Areas homeless people frequent are often targeted by police, with officials putting homeless people in jail for minor, victimless offenses.

'We cannot let the homeless ruin our economy and take over the city,' said Caldwell in 2014.

After his release, he ended up at a homeless shelter, which contacted his family.

His sister, Vedanta Griffith, had spent nearly 16 years looking for him. The Vermont woman moved to Hawaii with her brother and her husband, who was stationed on Oahu with the Army in 2003.

Spriestersbach then moved to the Big Island and disappeared while suffering mental health issues, she said.

'Part of what they used against him was his own argument: `I'm not Thomas Castleberry. I didn't commit these crimes. ... This isn't me,' Griffith said.

'So they used that as saying he was delusional, as justification for keeping him.'

'And then when light is shown on it, what do they do? They don't even put it on the record. They don't make it part of the case,' Griffith said. 'And then they don't come to him and say, `We are so sorry or, how about even `Gee, this wasn't you. You were right all along.'

Spriestersbach now refuses to leave his sister's 10-acre property.

'He's so afraid that they're going to take him again,' Griffith said.
A Colorado woman who shot an ex-lover she claimed broke into her home has been charged with attempted murder three days later after police uncovered new information on the case.

Emily Strunk, 25, called 911 on Saturday and told police that she'd shot a man who'd barged into her house in Aurora and assaulted her associate, 27-year-old Kevin Wertin.

The victim was not named but police said Strunk had previously been in an 'intimate relationship' with him. He was hospitalized and remains in critical condition.

Strunk was detained after the shooting but later released - until a warrant was issued for her arrest on Tuesday.

Both Strunk and Wertin are now facing charges of first-degree attempted murder.

The Aurora Police Department said investigators discovered additional evidence that led to the arrests - but did not disclose any details about that evidence.

Emily Strunk, 25, (left) and Kevin Wertin, 27, (right) were both charged with first-degree attempted murder on Tuesday, three days after Strunk shot a man she claimed broke into her home in Aurora, Colorado, and assaulted Wertin

Strunk dialed 911 around 12.30am on July 31, telling dispatchers that she had shot a male intruder at her apartment on East 13th Avenue.

The intruder, she told police, had forced his way into her home and attacked Wertin.

After the initial incident, Strunk was released after a brief detainment.

Now, both she and Wertin are in custody, according to Public Information Officer Crystal McCoy.

The relationship between Wertin and Strunk remains unclear.

Aurora's Major Crimes Homicide Unit is currently investigating the incident, and is offering $2,000 to anyone who can offer additional information.

Strunk dialed 911 around 12:30 am on Saturday, telling dispatchers that she had shot a male intruder at her apartment on East 13th Avenue (pictured). The intruder, she told police, had forced his way into her home and attacked Wertin.

Colorado is one of 23 states with castle doctrine laws, also called 'Make My Day' laws and 'Stand Your Ground' laws - which state that homeowners are immune from prosecution if they shoot or use or use force against any individual in their home who they think might use physical force 'no matter how slight'.

Colorado's law was established in 1985, and most recently upheld in June of last year.

The shooter 'must have reason to believe that he or someone else would otherwise suffer serious bodily injury or death' to be covered.

The law does not extend to front porches and backyards.

Fists can be considered deadly weapons warranting deadly force, per the law.

Unlike similar laws in other states, Colorado citizens do not have a 'duty to retreat' according to the law - even if an investigation reveals that they had an opportunity to escape safety without using deadly force they are still granted legal immunity.

Colorado's state supreme court is reviewing the state's so-called 'Make My Day' laws this year.

The high court agreed to reexamine the contours of the law this March after a Colorado Springs man fought second-degree murder charges for shooting an allegedly homeless and belligerent man in the basement of his apartment complex, which was not considered to be his property under the wording of the law.
Cuomo gave female staff roses and autographed photos on Valentine's Day in 2017 and showed off a cigar humidor from Bill Clinton, which one accuser thought was his attempt at a Monica Lewinsky-style affair with her.

The new details of how he treated staff emerged in the Attorney General's report into how he sexually harassed staff for years, all of which he denies and says is a misinterpretation of the 'banter' he tried to foster with staff.

Cuomo's attorney issued an 85-page rebuttal to the report on Tuesday which, among other things, addresses the roses.

She says that he gave female staffers roses because he was trying to be 'thoughtful' and because they weren't seeing their own loved ones in office hours.

Gov Andrew Cuomo with former President Bill Clinton, one of his Democratic allies who he remains friends with. Clinton gave Cuomo a cigar box and he liked to show it off to aides, according to the AG's report, including an accuser who says he brought her into his office at a 2016 holiday party to show it to her

Clinton and White House assistant Monica Lewinsky had an affair when he was in office in the 1990s and the pair used cigars as a euphemism for sex. That is why one of Cuomo's accusers thought he was inviting her to have an affair with him when he showed her the cigar box

'The Governors office sent flowers as a good-faith gesture to dozens of dedicated female employees in his office on Valentines Day, many of whom would not see their families or children that day, to thank them for their dedication.

'His intention was to be thoughtfuland most certainly not, as Ms. Boylan contends, to exploit[] the power dynamic with the women around him,"' Cuomo's attorney Rita Glavin said, adding that he'd been advised 'by a friend of his in public relations' to send roses 'only to women on the staff in the office on Valentine's Day.'

Another complaint by Boylan is that Cuomo invited her into her office to show off a cigar humidor that he'd been given by Bill Clinton.

She took it as an inference that he wanted to have an affair with her, like Clinton had had with Monica Lewinsky, a woman who worked for him in the White House in the 1990s and who testified about how they used 'cigars' as a euphemism for sex

The claim about the humidor was made by Lindsey Boylan, one of Cuomo's accusers, who also claims he told her he wanted to 'mount her like a dog'

Boylan said it was during a holiday party at the State Capitol in 2016 when Cuomo showed her his cigar box. He'd seen her 'from across the room' at the party then a 'staff member' called her from an unlisted number and told her Cuomo wanted her to come 'for a tour of the second floor of the Capitol'.

She agreed and went to his office, claiming she feared for her job.

'Ms Boylan testified that the Governor showed her around his office and pointed out a cigar box which he said was from Bill Clinton. [She] felt that the Governor was pointing out the cigar box as an allusion to President Clinton and Monica Lewinsky,' the report reads.

In his rebuttal, Cuomo said he didn't remember showing Boylan the box specifically but that he regularly showed it off. He denied the Lewinsky claim.

'The Governor enjoys showing guests the humidor given to him by President Clinton because, as he tells guests, it contains the last legal cigars imported from Cuba before they were embargoed. Indeed, there is a handwritten note in the humidor signed by Bill Clinton.

'The Governor does not doubt that he gave Ms. Boylan a tour of his conference room because he routinely gives visitors the same tour. He certainly did not intend to make Ms. Boylan uncomfortable or give Ms. Boylan any impression that he was romantically interested in her by showing that humidor,' his attorney said.

Boylan also claimed that Cuomo told her he wanted to 'mount her like a dog' - a claim he denied and calls 'unfortunate'- and that he told her she looked like his ex-girlfriend Lisa Shields or her 'better looking sister' which he also denied because he says he 'does not feel comfortable comparing the attractiveness of two women'.

Another complaint of Boylan was that Cuomo brought her into his office to show her a cigar humidor that former President Bill Clinton had given.

The Governor testified that a friend of his in public relations once recommended that he send roses only to women on the staff in the office on Valentines Day, and that is why he did that.

The report includes photos of Cuomo with women - some whose faces were muzzed, some whose weren't - as proof of how tactile he is

The Governor recalled asking Ms. Benton to start doing so, but he was not sure if this was still in practice.

The Governor testified that he usually does not see the list of recipients of the roses.

His understanding was that the top 20 or 30 women on the staff got a rose, and that Ms. Boylan was the only staff member on her floor to get a rose because there were no other senior staff members on her floor.

Cuomo's lawyer, in her response, also attacks Boylan's credibility and mentions 'hyperbolic tweets that border on the absurd'.

They say Boylan launched her allegations against Cuomo after launching a campaign for Manhattan Borough President and claiming, falsely, that he was trying to hamper it by shortening petition period times during COVID-19.

They say that it was Boylan's allegation against Cuomo, in a Medium essay, that triggered the other women to come forward.

One of the allegations Cuomo's team denies flatly is that he groped the breast of an executive assistant in his office in November 2020.

She says he called her to his office in Albany, shut the door, then groped her breast over her bra but under her shirt.

He insists it never happened.

'He has never behaved in this manner and never would. It would be a pure act of insanity for the Governorwho is 63 years old and lives his life under a microscopeto grab an employees breast in the middle of the workday at his Mansion Office.

'This simply did not happen,' his attorney wrote in the response.

Elsewhere in their rebuttal, they say that Cuomo did refer to two assistants as 'mingle mamas', but says he did so because they were going on vacation without spouses or children and thus, he surmises, 'single and ready to mingle'.
A convicted terrorist told a mentor he had changed his ways, days before carrying out a high street knife rampage which ended in him being shot dead by police, an inquest has heard.

Sudesh Amman, 20, confided how he 'now realised' that those who committed terrorist acts ended up 'pushing people away' from Islam.

Amman, from Coventry and of Sri Lankan heritage, made the comments on January 30, 2020, three days before he stole a knife and ran down Streatham High Street, stabbing randomly at members of the public before being fatally brought to a halt.

He was under 24-hour security surveillance at the time of the attack and had previously vowed 'to kill the Queen' while behind bars serving a three-year prison term.

A London inquest into his death heard Amman had been provided with support from both a practical and a theological mentor.

Amman was released from high-security Belmarsh Prison part way through his 40-month sentence for disseminating terrorist material in January 2020, and assigned the two mentors.

The pair described being 'shocked' and 'gobsmacked' when they realised they knew the man responsible for the atrocity on February 2.

Sudesh Amman, 20, confided to his mentors he 'realised' that those who committed terrorist acts ended up 'pushing people away' from Islam, days before the 2020 Streatham terror attack

CCTV image of Sudesh Amman at his approved premises on January 31, 2020, two days before he randomly stabbed two people and was fatally shot by police in Streatham, London

Amman was automatically released from prison on January 23, 2020, and placed under 24-hour surveillance by police and security services.

Speaking with mentors following his return to society, Amman sounded 'calm and sincere' when he told them acts of terror and hatred 'turned people away from Islam.'

Just 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.

Sudesh Amman at the till in Poundland in Streatham on January 31, 2020 - two days before the atrocity - where he bought items including four bottles of Irn Bru and kitchen foil,

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.

Witnesses, anonymised for their protection and speaking at the Royal Courts of Justice, today admitted they were left stunned by the tragic news.

'I was gobsmacked, I was shocked, I was surprised,' a person known to the court as Mr T, said.

Amman was seen walking the streets of Streatham moments before his terror attack, in these CCTV images released by the Metropolitan Police

Sudesh Amman running along Streatham High Street captured on CCTV before the attack

A report prepared by Witness M following his final meeting, read by Jonathan Hough QC, counsel to the inquest, said: 'He (Amman) said he now realised that people who hurt other people through things like acts of terror were pushing people away from the faith and causing hatred.'

Giving evidence to the inquest on Wednesday, Witness M said Amman had been 'the most relaxed that I'd seen him' in all of their previous four face-to-face chats, both in prison and out.

Witness M said: 'He was happy to talk, he had no moments where he held back from saying anything and he seemed happy and relieved at being released.

'I took him at his word. He seemed sincere the way he was saying it.'

Asked by Mr Hough if Amman had been 'plausible', Witness M replied: 'Yes, I believe he was.'

He added he did not feel the need to report any behaviour of concern about Amman but had later felt 'shocked' after reports of the attack emerged.

Witness M said: 'I saw when it said the incident was in Streatham, I knew I visited him, I hoped it wasn't (him).

'I kept watching the news and I had a little bit of disbelief, to be honest.'

Armed police shot dead Amman after he grabbed a knife from a shop and stabbed a man and a woman in Streatham

A second mentor, known only as Witness T to protect his identity, said his duty was to discuss religious matters with Amman during their only meeting, on January 29 2020.

A report prepared for Witness T ahead of that meeting raised a number of concerns with Amman, including over his 'mindset', his potential for indoctrination, and his need for status.

Following that meeting, Witness T described how Amman revealed himself to be 'ignorant' of Islam, but said he had 'kept to himself' in the week since his release from prison to a Streatham probation hostel in case people believed he was radicalising others.

Witness T agreed with Mr Hough that Amman's background of offending and behaviour in prison meant he presented as 'quite a tough case'.

However, Witness T said he did not get the impression that Amman was being insincere.

His probation officer, Leon Campbell, flagged Amman's risk of serious harm to the public ahead of his release from prison, and said he did not take at face value claims Amman made later that he no longer had an extremist mindset.

He told the inquest: 'I did believe there were elements of him telling me what I wanted to hear.'

Mr Campbell said Amman would frequently 'shutdown' when challenged over certain things such as his offending history.

He said he feared 'local gangs' approaching him and police following him in Streatham, so said he would stay in his room.

Mr Campbell said the first he heard of the atrocity was when he finally took a phone call from Amman's mother while out with his family after he had ignored her previous repeated attempts to contact him.

He said: 'She was crying down the phone. 'I recall her saying: "Is it him, is it him?"

'But I had no idea.'

Amman was automatically released from Belmarsh prison on January 23, part-way through his 40-month sentence for preparing and engaging in acts of terrorism.

The inquest previously heard how prison intelligence suggested he had made threats to kill the Queen, to commit a terrorist act, and radicalise others.

The inquest continues.
Young Australians refusing the AstraZeneca vaccine have been warned they have a one in 50 chance of ending up in ICU with Covid unless they get jabbed.

With stubborn case numbers still refusing to come down in New South Wales, experts say mass vaccination is the only way for Australia to escape a constant cycle of lockdowns.

But a large section of the population, especially those under 40, are still delaying getting jabbed - and it could cost them their life.

Dr Norman Swan said Sydney's Indian Delta strain is more virulent and more likely to cause disease than the first version of the virus, with a 27-year-old Sydney man the latest victim after taking a sudden turn for the worst and collapsing in the shower.

His concerns were echoed by a Who's Who of Australia's top doctors, who signed an open letter begging young Australians to get the first vaccine available to them - and not to wait for Pfizer.

'There are younger people in intensive care and on ventilators in New South Wales, and it's a dangerous virus for young people,' Dr Swan told The Project on Wednesday night.

Australia's top doctors have urged young Aussies to get vaccinated as soon as possible with the first vaccine available to them (pictured, walkers in Sydney's Rushcutters Bay on Wednesday)

'You have lots of younger people dying in America and the UK and so on, and this is what happens - and you've got to balance it up.

'You've got a 1 in 30,000 risk of a clotting syndrome with Astra, and a 1 in 50 chance of ending up in ICU if you've actually got infected.'

There were 3,719 active cases of Covid-19 across Australia on Wednesday, with 57 of them in ICU - a rate of 1.53 per cent or 1 in 65 cases.

Forklift truck driver Ady Al-Askar, 27, collapsed and died in the shower at his home in Liverpool after he caught Covid from his wife, who is an aged care nurse.

He had delayed getting vaccinated because of concerns about possible 'long-term' side effects, relatives said.

A 16-year-old is also on life support in the intensive care unit of Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney's inner west after also becoming infected.

Dr Swan explained young men in particular are putting off the vaccine.

'This requires particularly getting through to young men, not just young men where English is not their first language, young men everywhere think that they're bulletproof,' he added.

'It's well recognised, [we need to] convince them there's no bravado here.'

Forklift truck driver Ady Al-Askar (pictured) collapsed and died at the age of 27 in the shower at his home in Liverpool after he was caught Covid from his wife, who is an aged care nurse

Six Australians have died as a result of developing blood clots after receiving their AstraZeneca jab, out of about 12.3 million doses administered (pictured, a pop-up vaccination clinic in Sydney's south-west)

Dr Swan's warning comes as Australia's former deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Nick Coatsworth went even further in the open letter published in The Australian on Thursday.

Co-signed by 13 other world-renowned Australian experts in the field, the letter warns the chance of dying from Covid is a shocking 1 in 35 on average across all age groups.

By contrast, death from the very rare blood clotting side effects of the AstraZeneca vaccine are less than 1 in 1,000,000, they say.

'Do not wait for the Pfizer vaccine if the AstraZeneca vaccine is available to you,' they wrote.

'AstraZeneca is an excellent vaccine that has already saved millions of lives and will save many more.

'Covid kills, and by the time you or someone you love is infected, hospitalised or in ICU it is too late.'

Six Australians have died as a result of developing blood clots after receiving their AstraZeneca jab, out of more than 12.3 million doses administered.

Meanwhile 17 people have died as a result of the current Covid outbreak in NSW in the last six weeks.

Former deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Nick Coatsworth (pictured) warned the chance of dying from Covid in Australia is a shocking 1 in 35 if you are infected

The health experts recommend two doses of either vaccine as soon as possible (pictured, a woman in exercise gear on a stroll in Sydney's eastern suburbs on Wednesday)

The letter adds: 'While the risk of death is highest in older age groups, we are now seeing serious illness and death in unvaccinated young patients.

'The risk, however, is also not all about simple survival. Between 10 and 30 per cent of people who contract Covid will suffer long-term health consequences, the seriousness of which is yet to be fully understood.'

They also smashed some of the myths in circulation about the vaccine with real-world data from hundreds of millions of AstraZeneca vaccine doses given globally.

'People with a heart condition, diabetes, a history of deep vein thrombosis, a history of cancer, and many other chronic or severe conditions can be reassured they face no additional risks,' they say.

'There is no evidence the vaccine impacts fertility.'

The rising number of Covid cases in NSW in the current outbreak has been slowly creeping up since the first case emerged on June 16

Seventeen people have died as a result of the current Covid outbreak in NSW (pictured, women exercising in Bass Hill on Wednesday in the midst of the current lockdown)

Pregnant women are advised to get the Pfizer jab rather AstraZeneca, they say, simply because there is more evidence that it is safe for pregnant women, rather than the AstraZeneca jab being unsafe.

But they warn vaccination is vital: 'If pregnant women become infected with Covid-19, they are more likely than other women of the same age to have severe symptoms and need hospital admission.'

They also lay waste to the myth that AstraZeneca is less effective as a vaccine than Pfizer.

'In terms of preventing severe disease, both AstraZeneca and Pfizer have similar profiles against Delta,' they say.

'Two doses - whether AstraZeneca or Pfizer - are both highly protective against severe disease.'

They urged everyone to get vaccinated at the earliest chance.

'At present there are two Covid-19 vaccines available in Australia,' their letter says.

'Both are highly effective at preventing serious illness from Covid-19. Both have very rare side effects.

Younger Australians are feared to be hesitant to get vaccinated after changing health advice caused confusion (pictured, a Sydneysider in Centennial Park on Wednesday)

The message was reiterated by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian (pictured) on Wednesday as the state recorded another 233 cases and two deaths

The move by the leading health experts to speak out is a bid to reverse the effect of continually changing official advice on the safety of Astra Zeneca from ATAGI, the government agency which oversees immunisation.

It went from signing off AZ for over 40s to restricting it to over 50s and then over 60s only, until the decision was reversed in the wake of the current NSW outbreak.

The current advice is: '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.

'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.'

The Australian health experts smashed the myth that AstraZeneca is less effective as a vaccine than Pfizer (pictured, a woman exercising in Centennial Park in Sydney's eastern suburbs on Wednesday)

Federal government Treasury modelling has also estimated the impact of limited vaccination take-up at a potential cost of $7billion to the nation in lost growth every three months, if only 50 per cent of the country is jabbed.

The message was reiterated by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Wednesday as the state recorded another 233 cases and two deaths.

'This disease is lethal and it affects people of all ages,' she said.

'We can't stress how important it is to come forward and get vaccinated.

'If you are vaccinated you are staying out of hospital, staying out of the ICU and helping to reduce the spread of the virus.'

The 27-year-old had been isolating in his Liverpool unit in Sydney's southwest with his aged care nurse wife, Yasmin (pictured together), who first contracted the virus and brought it home from work

Australia's latest young victim of the virus, Mr Al-Askar, had barely showed any symptoms, but collapsed in the couple's shower on Tuesday afternoon.

Next door neighbour Mimi Anzures overheard his last tragic moments as relatives discovered him after he collapsed.

'At first I heard crying, then shouting and howling,' she told the ABC.

'After that two ambulances came and after a few minutes there were police cars everywhere.'

Mr Al-Askar's cousin Bash Mnati said Ady's symptoms were brief and not severe.

'His head was hurting the day before. He wasn't feeling well.'

Mr Al-Askar was said to be anxious about getting vaccinated because he feared it could have long-term side effects.
Two Colombian women have been caught smuggling cocaine hidden in their genitals after they were spotted 'walking strangely.'

The pair were caught at the Rafael Nunez International Airport in the city of Cartagena trying to board a flight to the Caribbean island of San Andres.

They had 1,000 doses of cocaine and 60 pills of benzodiazepines which were wrapped in latex-coated cylinders and inserted in their vaginas, the police said.

Police officers pose with the women after they were caught smuggling cocaine inside their genitals at the Rafael Nunez International Airport in the city of Cartagena

The women are marched along by police after they were arrested when officers spotted them making 'strange movements'

Police said the women appeared nervous and made 'strange movements' which gave them away just minutes before they boarded the flight.

A spokesperson for the Cartagena police said: 'Units carried out a meticulous inspection of the hand luggage of the passengers boarding the domestic flight and 60 tablets of Rivotril synthetic drugs were found inside.'

According to the authorities, the two women were immediately taken to a police station where they both voluntarily removed the packages from their genitals.

The police added that an anti-narcotics experts was summoned to carry out tests on the drugs and they were indeed proven to be illicit substances.

Both women face charges of manufacturing narcotics and drug trafficking as the investigation continues.

The Colombian island of San Andres is known for its party scene and is a popular tourist destination where narcotics are rife.

It is a smuggling hub for the global drugs trade, serving as a strategic stopover point for cocaine smugglers from Colombia to enter central America and other Caribbean islands where tourism provides a lucrative market for the illicit powder.

The women aren't the first bungling Colombian smugglers to make the news. In July 2019, a Colombian was stopped at Barcelona airport when authorities noticed his toupee appeared to be sitting very high on his head. He had tried to conceal half a kilo of cocaine beneath the wig in an effort that was so absurd the police described it as a 'mockery.'

The women aren't the first bungling Colombian smugglers to make the news.

In July 2019, a Colombian was stopped at Barcelona airport when authorities noticed his toupee appeared to be sitting very high on his head.

He had tried to conceal half a kilo of cocaine beneath the wig in an effort that was so absurd the police described it as a 'mockery.'
Texas Sen. Rand Paul has once again called for Americans to resist mask mandates, lockdowns, and 'harmful' policies, even as another COVID scare makes its way through the Senate.

Paul, who this March became the first senator to contract COVID-19, urged Americans to refuse to comply with government restrictions  even as a spike in coronavirus infections driven by the Delta variant has states and localities reimposing measures like mask requirements for indoor establishments.

'They cant arrest us all. They cant keep all your kids home from school. They cant keep every government building closed  although Ive got a long list of ones they should,' he wrote in an op-ed.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) tore into mask mandates and urged Americans to resist them, as U.S. coronavirus cases spiked amid the spreading Delta variant

'We dont have to accept the mandates, lockdowns, and harmful policies of the petty tyrants and feckless bureaucrats. We can simply say no, not again,' wrote Paul, who argues that vaccines for the elderly and natural immunity through infection will provide necessary protections.

In his op-ed, which ran on the Fox News website, Paul rips into House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who cited the U.S. Capitol physician last week as the House put back in place indoor mask requirements (the rules are looser in the Senate, where more lawmakers are vaccinated). He accused her of being 'drunk with power.'

'Speaker Nancy Pelosi  you will not arrest or stop me or anyone on my staff from doing our jobs. We have all either had COVID, had the vaccine, or been offered the vaccine. We will make our own health choices. We will not show you a passport, we will not wear a mask, we will not be forced into random screening and testing so you can continue your drunk with power rein over the Capitol,' he wrote.

Paul called Speaker Nancy Pelosi 'drunk on power'

He told President Biden 'we will not accept your agencies mandates'

Paul has tangled with infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci over the origins of the virus

Paul, a physician, was the first senator to contract covid. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) was under quarantine after contracting the coronavirus despite being vaccinated

His missive came as Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) is in quarantine after contracting the coronavirus despite being vaccinated. This caused numerous senators who along with Graham had attended a bipartisan gathering on a houseboat owned by Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) to seek testing.

He also went after President Joe Biden, and threatened to try to slash funding for government agencies to force employees who have been working from home back to the office.

'President Biden  we will not accept your agencies mandates or your reported moves toward a lockdown. No one should follow the [Centers for Disease Control] CDCs anti-science mask mandates. And if you want to shutdown federal agencies again  some of which arent even back to work fully  I will stop every bill coming through the Senate with an amendment to cut their funding if they dont come to work,' he said.

Customers leave a bakery in Chinatown on Saturday, July 17, 2021 before a mandate went into effect

Paul also told the network: 'They're all freaking out right now about the Delta variant,' but acknowledged low death rates for vaccinated people under 50 and even unvaccinated people under 50.

Unchecked spread also has the potential to infect older people who are unvaccinated and younger people who have not been approved for the vaccine who could then spread it to others.

He called for 'not getting hysterical over the Delta variant.'

'The only thing that's slowing the virus down is the vaccine and natural immunity,' he said.
Kate Coyne-McCoy, a top consultant for the Rhode Island Democratic Party, is having her contract reviewed after sending a tweet Monday night suggesting she hopes Sen. Lindsey Graham dies from COVID

The Black Lives Matter branch in Rhode Island is calling on one of the state's top Democratic Party strategists to resign after her tweet suggesting she hopes Republican Senator Lindsey Graham dies after testing positive for coronavirus.

'In a time where many human lives have been lost to COVID-19 all across Rhode Island, this comment is extremely distasteful and insensitive,' the BLM Rhode Island political action committee wrote in a tweet Tuesday.

'Anything short of an immediate resignation, would signal that these types of comments are acceptable within the RI Democratic Party,' it continued in the three-tweet thread.

Kate Coyne-McCoy, a top Democratic consultant in Rhode Island, received a slew of backlash for her Monday tweet wishing ill of Senator Graham after he was diagnosed with COVID-19 despite being vaccinated.

'It's wrong to hope he dies from COVID right? Asking for a friend. #COVIDIsNotOver #LindseyGraham,' Coyne-McCoy wrote in a now-deleted tweet.

By Tuesday morning she tweeted: 'I made a mistake. I used poor judgement which I obviously regret.'

'Regardless of political affiliation the disregard for human life is unacceptable and should not be tolerated anywhere within any political party,' the Rhode Island BLM PAC tweeted in response to Coyne-McCoy's original tweet about Graham.

'How can we trust someone with such blatant disregard for human life with the will of RI voters?' they added. 'Anyone affiliated with the Democratic Party should be held to a higher standard, as @katecoynemccoy was hired to 'modernize the party and position Democrats to win from the top to the bottom of the ballots.'

Coyne-McCoy wrote in a now-deleted tweet, 'It's wrong to hope he dies from COVID right? Asking for a friend. #COVIDIsNotOver #LindseyGraham' after the South Carolina Republican senator announced he tested positive for coronavirus despite being vaccinated

The Black Lives Matter Rhode Island political action committee responded in a statement Tuesday claiming the tweet was 'distasteful and insensitive' at a time where many people are losing loved ones to the virus

The group questioned how they could trust Coyne-McCoy with 'the will of Rhode Island voters'

In the Twitter statement, BLM RI PAC called on the executive consultant for the Democratic Party in the state to 'immediately resign'

Rhode Island Democratic Party Chairman Joe McNamara also told radio host Gene Valicenti Tuesday morning that the party is 'reviewing her contract.'

'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.'

Coyne-McCoy's second tweet walking back on her original comments received swift condemnation on Twitter, as well.

Graham announced Monday that he tested positive for COVID-19 and is experiencing mild flu-like 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 symptoms Saturday night and went to the doctor Monday morning.

Sen. Lindsey Graham said Monday he tested positive for COVID and is experiencing mild flu-like symptoms. The South Carolina Republican is captured without a mask walking around the Capitol Building on Friday

Coyne-McCoy pinned a tweet Tuesday morning, claiming, 'I made a mistake. I used poor judgement which I obviously regret'

'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, 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.

Sen. Lindsey Graham announced on Twitter Monday afternoon that he 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'

Graham attended a gathering on West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin's house boat 'Almost Heaven' over the weekend

Manchin hosted a bipartisan group of senators, including Graham, at his D.C.-docked 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.'
A woman is behind bars in Brazil after she confessed murdering her seven-year-old son and stuffing his body into a duffle bag before dumping him in a river.

Yasmin Rodrigues, 26, was taken into custody in Rio Grande do Sul last Thursday after the Civil Police discovered several inconsistencies in her report about her Miguel dos Santos' disappearance, according to Brazilian digital news outlet G1.

Her girlfriend, Bruna Porto, was also apprehended Sunday. However, Rodrigues told authorities that Porto, who has autism, was not directly involved in the plot.

Rodrigues visited the Tramandai Police Station last Thursday to report that Miguel had gone missing two days earlier in the nearby city of Imbe.

Police chief Antonio Ractz said that Rodrigues claimed she failed to report her son's disappearance immediately because she had checked on Google and learned that she had to wait 48 hours to file a police report.

During the questioning, Rodrigues eventually admitted to giving medicine to Miguel and then placing his body in a large gym bag without knowing if he was dead.

Yasmin Rodrigues was arrested last Thursday after confessing to police that she had killed her seven-year-old son, Miguel do Santo, in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Authorities have yet to find the body of Miguel dos Santos, who was reportedly dumped into the Tramandai River by his mother, Yasmin Rodrigues, last Wednesday

Miguel dos Santos' body was reportedly stuffed into a suitcase before his mother removed him and dumped him in the Tramandai River, which empties into the Atlantic Ocean

Ractz said that Rodrigues left her home and avoided police detection by staying off the main avenues, instead traveling along streets that did not have a lot of pedestrian and vehicle activity before tossing dos Santos' body into the Tramandai River, which runs through the border of Tramandai and Imbe and connects with the Atlantic Ocean.

Following Rodrigues' murder confession, authorities searching her home recovered a chain that was used to restrain dos Santos inside a closet.

Investigators also discovered a video in which Porto threatened to beat dos Santos with a stick if he peed on himself.

'If you piss (on yourself) I'll take your piss and rub it in your face,' Bruno is heard telling Miguel in Portuguese. 'Do you understand? And it will be very easy for me.'

On Tuesday, investigators discovered a notebook with two pages in which Rodrigues allegedly forced Miguel to write down phrases that harmed his self-esteem.

The defenseless boy wrote: 'I'm an idiot. I don't deserve the mom I have. I am a thief. I'm bad. I am cruel. I am evil. I'm no good. I don't know how to value nothing. I am a horrible son.'

Police on Tuesday recovered a notebook in which Miguel dos Santos was forced to degrade himself by his jailed mother, Yasmin Rodrigues. Rodrigues admitted before the police in Brazil to drugging him and then dumping his body in a river. The child's body has yet to be located

Bruna Porto, the girlfriend of Yasmin Rodrigues, was arrested Sunday. Rodrigues, however, told authorities that Porto was not part of the plot to murder her seven-year-old son, Miguel dos Santos. Police said Porto is diagnosed with autism

The Civil Police recovered a chain that had been purchased to restrain Miguel dos Santos inside a closet at his home

'What is already clear and we will confirm during the investigations is that the child was living under intense physical and psychological torture,' Ractz said.

'He was malnourished. Although he was enrolled in school, had no friends, did not go anywhere. Was locked in a room in the house, placed in punishment, locked and tied inside a closet.'

G1 reported that Rodrigues had agreed in principle to relinquish the custody of her son to her mother. The woman filed a petition with the city of Casca on June 8 and was instructed to provide a series of documents in order to begin the process.

Rodrigues submitted the required documents July 8, but she was notified last Wednesday - the day that she reportedly killed her son - that other documents showing proof of income and residence were still missing.

Local authorities or the Mateus Dal Pozzo School that dos Santos attended did not have complaints of the child's abuse.

As punishment, Yasmin Rodrigues force her seven-year-old son Miguel dos Santos to write: 'I'm an idiot. I don't deserve the mom I have. I am a thief. I'm bad. I am cruel. I am evil. I'm no good. I don't know how to value nothing. I am a horrible son'

Military Fire Department lieutenant Elisio Lucrecio told G1 on Wednesday that drones had already been deployed as part of the search efforts to recover dos Santos' body from the river, which has been checked by a search-and-rescue team of divers.

Divers were expected to also search the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.

A fisherman recovered children-sized slippers in the area, but the mother told cops she was not sure what type of footwear the boy had when she dumped him in the river.

Authorities have not discarded searching other areas in Tramandai and Imbe in the event that Rodrigues may have dumped the body elsewhere.
The mother of a 14-year-old influencer in Brazil has taken a drastic step and deleted her daughter's social media accounts after describing TikTok and Instagram as 'unhealthy'.

Mother Fernanda Rocha Kanner said she did not want her daughter Valentina judging herself on 'online feedback'.

Valentina, known online as Nina Rios, had amassed 1.7 million followers over her TikTok and Instagram accounts.

Fernanda said the role of a mother was 'not to be your buddy' but admitted Valentina would probably only realise that in hindsight.

'I don't think it's healthy even for an adult and much less for a teenager to base her self-discovery on online feedback', she said.

Fernanda Rocha Kanner (right), the mother of 14-year-old influencer Valentina (left), has taken a drastic step and deleted her daughter's social media accounts after describing TikTok and Instagram as 'unhealthy'

Valentina, known online as Nina Rios, had amassed 1.7 million followers over her TikTok and Instagram accounts

Fernanda told Fantastico: 'It's hard enough for you to find out who you are at 14 years old,

'When there are two million you've never seen in your life thinking they know you, it's even more dangerous. It's easier to lose yourself.'

Fernanda said she knew it was time to delete her daughter's accounts 'when I logged in, I'd see 30 identical selfies and little dances that anyone can do.'

She said of her decision: 'Radical, yes. Necessary, too.'

Fernanda (centre) said she deleted the accounts because the role of a mother was 'not to be your buddy' but admitted Valentina (left) would probably only realise that in hindsight

Fernanda added she did not want Valentina 'to grow up believing she's this character'.

'I don't want her advertising flammable polyester clothing made in China. I don't want my brilliant daughter doing her daily dances like a trained baboon.

'It's a sad generation for which this counts as fame.'

Fernanda explained that she received praise from other mothers for her actions, while other teenagers described her as 'possessive'.

Nina told Fantastico of her mum's decision to delete her account: 'I obviously wasn't very happy. I got quite angry.'

She is now unsure when - or if - she will return to social media.

She told Fantastico: 'I'll choose. At the moment, I don't want to. It's going to be something that's only going to get in my way and it will only make it worse.'
Former President Trump on Wednesday filed court papers challenging a Justice Department order that his tax returns be handed over to Congress, and blasting the moves as 'illegal retaliation' for his political career.

It marks the latest twist in a years long battle to delve inside the Trump finances.

In a filing in federal court in the District of Columbia, Trump's lawyers said the House Ways and Committee lacked a legal basis for seeking his tax returns and that it was seeking to reveal his tax information for political gain.

'The requests single out President Trump because he is a Republican and a political opponent,' it says.

'They were made to retaliate against President Trump because of his policy positions, his political beliefs, and his protected speech, including the positions he took during the 2016 and 2020 campaigns.'

Trump has long fought requests by the Democratically-controlled congressional committee to gain access to his financial information.

But on Friday he suffered a setback. The Justice Department, reversing its stance from when he was in office, ordered the Treasury Treasury to turn over his tax returns to the House Ways and Means Committee, which first requested them more than two years ago.

Former President Trump's lawyers filed their response on Wednesday after the DOJ ordered the Treasury Department to turn his tax returns over to Congress. In a filing, they said: 'The requests single out President Trump because he is a Republican and a political opponent'

Trump's lawyers said the moves to turn over his tax returns, which he has been fighting for more than two years, amounted to illegal retaliation. 'They were made to retaliate against President Trump because of his policy positions, his political beliefs, and his protected speech, including the positions he took during the 2016 and 2020 campaigns,' they wrote

Former President Donald Trump's lawyer said Monday he will continue to fight to keep his tax returns secret after the Justice Department told the Treasury Department to release his financial records to the Democratic-controlled Congress

His lawyers, in a response filed in federal court in the District of Columbia, say that Trump declined to release his tax returns during the 2016 election because they were being audited.

'The tax returns became a major campaign issue,' they write.

'Secretary Clinton repeatedly insinuated that their nondisclosure suggested they contained politically damaging information.'

After his election, Democrats only became more eager for their release, they continue, and openly discussed the secrets they thought they would find.

'Then-Leader Nancy Pelosi, for example, said there was a popular demand for the Presidents tax returns, which she suspected would reveal a Russia connection and what [the] Russians have on Donald Trump.

'In a press conference with the House Democratic Leadership, she reiterated her concern about Russia and called on the Ways and Means Committee to make those tax returns public.'

It all added up to a specific campaign against Trump, say his lawyers.

The committee has said it wants the data to assess whether the Internal Revenue Service is properly handling presidential tax returns to decide whether new legislation is necessary.

But Trump's lawyers dismissed that as 'pretextual' rationalization.

'The record overwhelming reveals that the purpose of the requests for Intervenors tax information is to expose the private tax information of one individualPresident Trumpfor political gain. The requests are tailored to, and in practical operation will affect, only President Trump,' they conclude.

The filing came in response to an opinion issued by the DOJ's Office of Legal Counsel on Friday

President Biden's Justice Department ruled there was a 'sufficient' reasons for Congress to request and receive Trump's tax returns

'The Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee has invoked sufficient reasons for requesting the former President's tax information,' it said.

The opinion noted the request for Trump's taxes 'would further the Committee's principal stated objective of assessing the IRS's presidential audit programa plainly legitimate area for congressional inquiry.'

'Treasury must furnish the information to the Committee,' it read.

Trump's lawyers quickly indicated they would fight the order.

'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,' Trump's lawyer Ronald Fischetti told The Wall Street Journal reported Monday.

Democratic Rep. Richard Neal, the chairman of the committee, first sent a request for six years of Trump's personal business tax returns Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Charles Rettig in April 2019.

The IRS is part of the Treasury Department.

In his request, Neal said his committee had the responsibility of ensuring elected officials complied with the nation's tax laws.

The Ways and Means committee is the tax-writing body in Congress.

Then-Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said he wouldn't turn over the tax returns because he concluded they were being sought by Democrats who control the House of Representatives for partisan reasons.

Trump also defeated congressional attempts in court.

Trump, unlike previous presidential nominees, declined to release his tax returns during the election, saying he was the subject of an IRS audit.

The decision comes more than a year after the U.S. Supreme Court said that Trump's tax returns and other financial records had to be turned over to Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr., who is conducting a separate investigation into Trump's business practices.
Pope Francis today held his first weekly audience since undergoing bowel surgery a month ago.

The 84-year-old pontiff walked unaided to the centre of the stage to address the Paul VI Hall, offering his prayers and condolences to Lebanon on the anniversary of the Beirut port blast.

After an almost hour-long sermon, Francis descended the stairs and greeted the faithful, shaking their hands, posing for selfies and blessing small children without a mask on.

It was his first audience since being admitted to hospital in Rome on July 4 for an operation to remove a section of his colon. The Vatican said the surgery was necessitated by diverticular stenosis, or a narrowing of the bowel.

Pope Francis poses for a selfie as he holds his first general audience in the Paul VI Hall since undergoing bowel surgery last month

The pontiff prompted some smiles from the audience as he fidgeted with his cap

Francis reaches out to give his blessings to small children held aloft by their parents

The Pope holds the arm of an aide as he attends the general audience at the Paul VI Hall on Wednesday

As he arrived at the Nervi Hall on Wednesday he smiled and gestured towards the visitors before taking his seat in an upholstered chair and addressing several hundred pilgrims and tourists, who wore masks as part of the Vatican's anti-pandemic measures for crowd situations.

After removing his face mask to protect against COVID-19, Francis walked unaided to the center of the stage of a Vatican auditorium.

Near the end of his sermon, Francis spoke of the Beirut explosion, recalling the 'victims, their families, the injured, and all those who lost homes and work' in the blast.

Lebanon's people, he said, were still 'tired and disappointed' in the aftermath, a reference to the economic and political crises convulsing the Middle Eastern nation on the Mediterranean Sea. Francis appealed to the international community to offer 'concrete gestures' of help to the Lebanese people and not 'just words.'

'My desire to visit you is great,' Francis said, adding he 'never tires of praying' for them.

On Wednesday, audience members clapped vigorously after he finished his introductory remarks and after he greeted each language group.

Pope Francis greets a child at the end of his weekly general audience in the Paul VI hall at the Vatican

The Pope laughs with the faithful as he leaves the Paul VI Hall on Wednesday

The Pope rubs his eyes during the general audience

The Pope is seen receiving a gift from a member of the congregation

After the pope gave participants his closing blessing, he went down the stage's steps with the help of two aides to greet some members of the public, pausing for a selfie with an audience member.

'I hope that the coming summer holidays will be a time of refreshment and spiritual renewal for you and your families,' Francis said during his scripted remarks.

Unlike previous pontiffs, who spent summers at the Vatican's holiday retreat in the cooler hills near Rome, or, in the case of John Paul II, who liked to vacation in the Italian Alps, Francis stays at the Vatican each summer.

But during his papacy, the Wednesday audiences have been suspended in July to give Francis some extra rest time during Rome's hot summers. His hospitalization therefore didn't interfere with his regular general audience schedule.

The Pope smiles and waves to the camera as a young man poses for a selfie

The Pope without a mask is surrounded by congregants

While recovering at the hospital, Francis stepped onto a 10-floor balcony to greet well-wishers. He still looks somewhat wan, but Francis has been in good spirits and adlibbed at times during his traditional Sunday window appearances to the crowd in St. Peter's Square.

His wish for a peaceful future for Lebanon echoed sentiments he voiced three days before his surgery.

On July 1, at a prayer service in St. Peter's Basilica, Francis insisted that Lebanon must remain a 'land of tolerance and pluralism' as he welcomed the country's Christian patriarchs to the Vatican to pray for an end to that country's crises.
Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber ripped Ron DeSantis for his 'tragically nutty' decision to accept the high rate of COVID cases in the state, charging the Florida governor with looking to gain a 'political advantage' out of the pandemic.

With the highly contagious Delta variant now spreading rapidly, 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. The state is headed toward its worst outbreak since the start of the pandemic.

Gelber told CNN's Chris Cuomo on Tuesday evening that DeSantis has simply accepted that there will be people who die as a result of his 'brazen political decision ... he's doing in order to gain some political advantage.'

He slammed the governor for not embracing mask mandates and for not allowing the cruise industry to use vaccine passports.

'It really is sort of nutty too -- tragically nutty in a sense,' he said.

Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber ripped Ron DeSantis for his 'tragically nutty' decision to accept the high rate of COVID cases in the state

Floridas governor is slowing down the states Covid-19 response by design, says Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber.



It feels like hes doing everything in his power to make this disease incredibly difficult to challenge and to cabin. pic.twitter.com/k8bS8kUZNz  Cuomo Prime Time (@CuomoPrimeTime) August 4, 2021 Twitter Privacy Policy

Gelber accused the governor of playing to the conservative crowd of the Republican Party, the fervent MAGA supporters of Donald Trump.

'The point is that the governor has just decided as a show of, really, just to show off to this base that he's currying favor with that he's going to just stop all local officials from having any impact on this,' he said.

DeSantis, a close ally of Trump, is seeking a second term in the Florida governor's mansion in next year's election. He's also thought to be eyeing a run at the Republican presidential nomination in 2024.

The governor came to nation-wide attention and became a hero to the right with his willingness to defy COVID restrictions to keep his state open.

On Friday, DeSantis barred school districts from requiring students to wear masks when classes begin next week after the CDC recommended they wear them. It will be up to parents to decide whether their children wear masks in school.

'In Florida, there will be no lockdowns,' DeSantis said. 'There will be no school closures. There will be no restrictions and no mandates.'

And he said on Tuesday that he expects hospitalizations to drop in the next couple weeks, arguing 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.

'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

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)

But President Biden on Tuesday demanded that DeSantis, along with the Republican governor of Texas use his 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.

'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.'

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 generally 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 Melbourne man is facing more than a dozen charges over an alleged attempt to kidnap a child.

Tyrone Abella, 20, was arrested and charged on Wednesday over an incident in Frankston a day earlier, when he is alleged to have tried to take a teenage girl from a bus stop.

Abella, who has no fixed address, is facing an attempted kidnapping and attempted child stealing charge over the incident on Tuesday morning.

He's also facing three unlawful assault charges, including one which prosecutors said was an alleged sexual offence, and charges of possessing ice, cannabis and an imitation firearm.

Tyrone Abella, 20, was arrested and charged on Wednesday over an incident in Frankston a day earlier (stock image)

Other charges allege he stole a rental car and drove carelessly in Edithvale and Carrum Downs, where he was arrested.

He faced Melbourne Magistrates Court by videolink from Frankston on Wednesday afternoon.

Wearing a black and green jumper with a mask over his mouth, Abella rested his head on a table during the hearing.

The court heard he had a fractured eye socket and neck injury that needed to be seen by a nurse.

He has an intellectual disability and may also be withdrawing from drugs of addiction, the court heard.

He's due back in court on October 27.
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Migrants have boasted of dodging quarantine due to poor security at hotels being paid for by the British taxpayer, reports say.

Some admitted they left their rooms and were allowed to go shopping amid confusion among guards over who was supposed to be self-isolating.

It comes despite Britons returning from trips abroad having to lock themselves away for ten days with police checking up on them and daily phone calls.

The Channel migrant crisis reached new heights yesterday as the number reaching Britain this year topped 10,000.

More than 260 are thought to have arrived aboard a dozen boats yesterday. They were brought to Dover Marina in Kent for processing by immigration officers.

There had been 9,740 confirmed arrivals by the end of Tuesday, plus an estimated 269 yesterday. By comparison, there were 8,500 arrivals across the Channel in the whole of last year and 1,850 in 2019.

The latest staggering milestone was reached while Home Secretary Priti Patel was in Greece during a visit to an asylum reception centre.

Ms Patel sailed on the Aegean with the Hellenic coastguard, who have been accused of deploying hard-line tactics against migrants attempting to reach Europe.

Her fact-finding mission to the Greek government's recently completed processing centre on the island of Samos is expected to feed into Home Office plans to build similar facilities here.

The Home Secretary's official visit to Greece will allow officials to gather information on how 'turnaround' tactics are currently deployed at the EU's external border so similar methods could be used in the Channel

More than 260 are thought to have arrived aboard a dozen boats yesterday. They were brought to Dover Marina in Kent for processing by immigration officers

A group of migrants are brought into the shore at Dungeness Lifeboat station on the Kent coast on Wednesday

The migrants who admitted dodging quarantine to go out shopping when they were supposed to be in their rooms aired their claims to the Telegraph yesterday.

One, who is being houses in a hotel in Peckham, south London, said: 'I was quarantining for 12 days but I could go outside. Security asked for your room numbers when you left and to sign back in.'

Asked if he could go shopping, he said: 'Yes'.

A security guard at a hotel in Kensington, in the west of the capital, added: 'I don't know how many are in quarantine, whether it's one, two or none.'

Asked about the fact migrants were going in and out of the building without restrictions, he said: 'I see what you're saying, but those ones are probably not quarantining.'

Ms Patel is introducing powers to allow Border Force to turn migrant boats around in the English Channel back to France.

But the French have so far refused to allow similar tactics, claiming it is in breach of international maritime law.

The Home Secretary's official visit to Greece will allow officials to gather information on how 'turnaround' tactics are currently deployed at the EU's external border so similar methods could be used in the Channel.

Miss Patel said: 'We have seen a surge in illegal migration across Europe, and we must continue to work closely with our Greek partners to tackle this challenge that both our countries face.

'Only by working together can we break up these crime gangs that extend throughout Europe and beyond and stop the horrific trade in people across the Continent.

'Inaction is not an option whilst people are dying across Europe making these dangerous and illegal journeys. The Government continues to take steps to tackle the unacceptable problem of illegal migration through the Nationality and Borders Bill which will protect lives and break this cycle of illegal migration.'

Yesterday's arrivals included a group of 55 aboard the RNLI lifeboat at Dungeness. Some flopped exhausted on to the shingle beach after disembarking the lifeboat down a ladder.

UK Border Force vessels brought in groups numbering 80, 40, 38 and 26 throughout the day, and the RNLI brought in a further 30. Last month Miss Patel announced she had agreed to give France an extra 54million in UK taxpayers' money to increase security patrols on the other side of the Channel.

Dan O'Mahoney, the Home Office's clandestine Channel threat commander, said: 'There is an unacceptable rise in dangerous small boat crossings across the Channel because of a surge in illegal migration across Europe. We have signed a strengthened agreement with our French counterparts to increase police patrols on French beaches and enhance intelligence sharing.'

Greece is thought to have deployed several hundred 'pushback' operations since March last year to deter migrants attempting to reach their territory from Turkey. In some cases, the engines of migrant boats are alleged to have been disabled by Greek security patrols.

In April, the Greek organisation Legal Centre Lesvos lodged a claim at the European Court of Human Rights alleging tactics used against 200 migrants in an incident last October were illegal.

Onlookers monitoring activity off the Kent coast said that Wednesday was been another 'very busy' day for crossings with more than a dozen boats spotted in the Channel.

Young children were spotted on boats while a group of around 40 men were brought ashore by the RNLI on Wednesday morning.

Very young children were spotted coming ashore with what appeared to be family members

A group of around 40 migrants arrive via the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) on Dungeness beach on Wednesday

A group of migrants lie down and sit on the beach after arriving on Dungeness beach on Wednesday afternoon

The group of migrants were corralled by police officers after arriving on Dungeness beach earlier on Wednesday

RNLI workers are seen helping migrants off one of their lifeboats

A group of mostly male migrants are seen walking up the beach in Dungeness after arriving via an RNLI lifeboat on Wednesday

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution brought the migrants to the beach at Dungeness

At least 269 more migrants were counted by observers at the Dover Marina in Kent on Wednesday

The first boat group of eight men and two women wearing orange lifejackets were brought into Dover Marina, Kent shortly after 9am on board a black Border Force RHIB.

A grey inflatable boat and a khaki dinghy were towed into the docks before the Border Force vessel returned with another 16 male migrants.

The vessels they used to cross the Dover Strait - a white inflatable and a black RHIB - were brought in afterwards.

Border Force coastal patrol vessel Hunter brought around 40 migrants into harbour around noon.

One woman, wearing a headscarf, blue dress and wrapped in a red blanket, appeared very uneasy on her feet and held her back as she disembarked before being put in a wheelchair by medics to be pushed up the gangway for processing.

The rest of the group were men who appeared to be from the Middle East. One was wearing a black Armani jacket with its hood up while another wore Nike tracksuit bottoms.

The RNLI's Dover Lifeboat Daniel L Gibson was tasked to rescue around 55 migrants for the second consecutive day.

A mum held the hand of her son, who appeared to be aged around four, as he wore yellow boots to walk up the gangway for processing.

Two more young boys wearing identical bobble hats raced up the walkway afterwards followed by their mum.

They were followed by a woman holding her young son's hand and two mums carrying their infant daughters, no more than two-years-old, in their arms.

The 16 women and children, who appeared to be from Africa, were followed by a Middle Eastern family, consisting of a mother, father, two sons and a daughter, and another mother with three daughters.

Onlookers monitoring activity off the Kent coast said that Wednesday has been another 'very busy' day for crossings with more than a dozen boats spotted in the Channel

So far in August, 325 migrants have been intercepted in eight boats though Tuesday's and Wednesday's figures are thought to have raised the total significantly

Migrants from nations including Vietnam, Iran and Eritrea sit on a beach after being rescued by the RNLI in the English Channel

Police officers intercepted the group of migrants after they arrived on the beach in Dungeness

The migrants were mainly men and came from different countries including Vietnam, Iran and Eritrea

Migrants are seen eating food and drinking water after arriving on the beach at Dungeness

A police officer searches one of the migrants who arrived at Dungeness beach earlier on Wednesday

The migrants are herded onto a coach after arriving at the beach in Dungeness earlier on Wednesday

Police officers talk to migrants before they are transported from the beach in Dungeness

A group of migrants walk through the shallows of Dungeness beach before being intercepted by police officers

Migrants sit and lie down as they wait for transportation with police officers after arriving at Dungeness beach on Wednesday

One of the approximate 30 young Middle Eastern men who left the boat was wearing a Chelsea FC tracksuit top.

Around 60 Middle Eastern men aged in their 20s were brought in at 2pm on Border Force catamaran Hurricane.

It came after around 30 migrants were rescued by the RNLI off Dungeness. They were seen sitting on the shingle as they disembarked the lifeboat one by one while their grey RHIB with outboard engine was towed to shore.

They follow Tuesday's arrivals which began shortly after 8am when search and rescue cutter Speedwell brought the first boat in containing around 25 men, mainly from the Middle East in their late teens or early 20s, wearing coats and hoodies.

Some were seen carrying their possessions in camouflage patterned rucksacks while one young man required a walking stick to make his way up the gangway.

The RNLI's Dover Lifeboat was also tasked to rescue a red rigid hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) off Capel-le-Ferne with around 35 migrants onboard.

A tiny toddler and a baby no more than a year old were among many young migrant children brought in later that afternoon.

Migrants arriving in Dover on Wednesday after being picked up in the Channel following another busy day of crossings

Some were seen carrying their possessions in camouflage patterned rucksacks while one young man required a walking stick to make his way up the gangway

Home Secretary Priti Patel recently said that the government would seek to criminalise irregular migration

One mother, wearing a head scarf, could be seen walking across the mooring. A female 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 behind a male officer who held the hand of a young boy aged around five who hesitantly approached the processing tent at Tug Haven.

The day's total soared when Border Force catamaran Hurricane, the latest vessel added to its search and rescue fleet off the Kent coast, brought around 90 men, women, and kids into harbour around 2pm.

A young boy around three years of age was lifted off the boat by a female Border Force officer wearing white PPE overalls.

He was followed by a slightly older girl and their mother wrapped up in a black Parka jacket and red blanket.

A girl aged around five then left the vessel followed by a two-year-old boy wearing a bobble hat covered in multi-coloured dinosaurs sucking his thumb as he held the hand of his mother aged in her 30s.

A huge black RHIB with items of clothing, a small pink children's backpack and multiple foot pumps discarded on its plywood hull could be seen floating in the harbour as they walked up the gangway for processing.

French authorities stopped just 20 people in one boat on Tuesday. They were spotted in difficulty off the coast of Boulogne-sur-Mer by a fishing boat who called the French Navy rescue tug Abeille Languedoc to return them to port.

It is a record-breaking year for migrants crossing to the UK - despite vows from the Home Office to make the route 'unviable'

It comes after 44 migrants made the treacherous trip across one of the world's busiest shipping routes on Monday.

Speedwell brought the men, who appeared to be African, into port around 8.30am.

That was the first crossing since 160 migrants arrived in five boats on Monday July 26 as people smugglers took advantage of a break in bad weather.

So far in August, 325 migrants have been intercepted in eight boats.

Dan O'Mahoney, Clandestine Channel Threat Commander, said: 'There is an unacceptable rise in dangerous small boat crossings across the channel because of a surge in illegal migration across Europe.

'We have signed a strengthened agreement with our French counterparts to increase police patrols on French beaches and enhance intelligence sharing.

'This joint work has already prevented over 8,000 attempts by migrants to enter the UK - nearly treble the number for the same period in 2020.

'The Government continues to take steps to tackle the unacceptable problem of illegal migration through the Nationality & Borders Bill which will protect lives and break this cycle of illegal crossings. The Government is also continuing to return those with no legal right to remain in the UK..'
Guests wishing to attend the Met Gala, the Sundance Film Festival or Cirque de Soleil will need to show proof of full vaccination to enter, it has been revealed.

The New York fashion event, which takes place on September 13, is also requiring all guests including the rich and famous to wear face masks inside while not eating and drinking.

Billie Eilish will make history at the charity fundraiser by being the gala's youngest ever co-chair.

At the Met Gala, Billie Eilish will make history by being the youngest ever co-chair of the prestigious event

The popstar will join other celebrities including Naomi Osaka (pictured), inauguration poet Amanda Gorman and Timothee Chalamet as co-chairs

The theme for this year's New York social event is America: A Lexicon of Fashion, which is named after a new exhibition at the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

A spokesperson told The Daily Beast: 'Currently, all attendees at The Met Gala on September 13 must provide proof of full vaccination and will also be expected to wear masks indoors except when eating or drinking. We will update these guidelines as needed.'

The popstar will join other celebrities including Naomi Osaka, inauguration poet Amanda Gorman and Timothee Chalamet as co-chairs, while Tom Ford, Adam Mosseri and Anna Wintour will set as honorary chairs.

Announcing the hosts in May, Vogue said: 'Each of the Met's four co-hosts embodies the defining factor of American style: individualism.

The Met Gala, which takes place on September 13, is requiring proof of full vaccination for all attendees. Pictured: fundraiser organizer Anna Wintour

'[They have] developed a distinct visual language for their public personas, one that is informed by the legacy of iconic fashion made in the USA.'

Meanwhile the Sundance Film Festival, which is not taking place until January 20, has already said all participants must be fully vaccinated.

The 2022 Festival is requiring all people including volunteers, filmmakers and passholders to show proof of inoculation.

Following the largely virtual Sundance earlier this year, organizers are planning to hold in-person events in 2022 with screenings in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, as well as some 'satellite' screenings at regional theaters throughout the US.

The Sundance Film Festival, which is not taking place until January 20, has already said all participants must be fully vaccinated

Festival director Tabitha Jackson told Deadline: 'Health and safety is paramount. As we plan for the 2022 Festival, one of our most important considerations is how best to safely bring together artists, audiences, volunteers, and staff from around the world.

'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 are providing this information now to ensure that all in-person participants feel comfortable attending, and can adjust their travel plans if needed.'

Officials have not yet announced if attendees will need to wear a face mask at the festival.

Cirque de Soleil at Las Vegas is allowing guests in who take regular tests if they have not been fully vaccinated.

Cirque de Soleil at Las Vegas is allowing guests in who take regular tests if they have not been fully vaccinated

In a statement to KSNV, organizers said: 'As we continue to gradually reopen our shows, a series of protocols have been implemented with regard to Covid-19 in order to keep our artists, employees and audiences safe.

'In alignment with these policies, Cirque du Soleil will require for all show staff, artists and technicians to be fully vaccinated prior to reopening.

'Given the unique nature of our productions and operations, it is imperative that we embark on this process to maintain the continuity of our operations.

'Artists and employees that are not vaccinated are required to be tested regularly.'

While there is no decision yet on the wearing of face masks, Las Vegas Governor Steve Sisolak has reintroduced a mask mandate regardless of vaccination status.

New York Fashion Week will also require all guests and staff to be fully vaccinated, organizers announced this week.

The show, from September 8, will apply to everyone entering Spring Studios, while those under 16 will need to show a negative PCR or antigen test for entry.
A famous ballerina and her instructor husband have been accused of restraining then sexually abusing their former protege in a gun-filled room.

Sage Humphries and another professional dancer, Gina Menichino, on July 28 filed a civil complaint in US District Court in Nevada, accusing Mitchell Taylor Button of sexually and emotionally abusing the two women years apart.

Button is the husband of Dusty Button, Boston Ballet's former principal dancer who now has a large following on social media. She has also been named as an alleged predator in Humphries and Menichino's suit, but is not listed as a defendant.

Former Boston Ballet star Dusty Button (left) has been implicated in a federal lawsuit accusing her husband, Mitchell Button (right), of sexually abusing young dancers, including a child

Boston Ballet dancer Sage Humphries (left) and professional dancer Gina Menichino (right) together filed the lawsuit against Mitchell Button

Humphries, now 23, claims Mitchell repeatedly sexually assaulted her in 2017, including with the help of his prima ballerina wife. They deny her claims

The lawsuit alleges that on multiple occasions, Dusty held down Humphries so she could not move while her husband violently penetrated the young woman without her consent, including in her sleep.

In one instance, as alleged in the complaint, the Buttons ordered Humphries to don a head-to-toe spandex suit, tied her to a table in a room filled with guns and sexually assaulted her as she screamed and cried.

Through their attorney, the Buttons denied the allegations detailed in the lawsuit, calling them 'false and fraudulent.'

Humphries, now 23, told the New York Times in an interview that the Buttons had 'complete control' over her while she was a young dancer at Boston Ballet II, the company's apprenticeship program.

The complaint states that Humphries, who was new to Boston at the time and had no family or friends in the city, first met Dusty Button, then a world-renowned prima ballerina, and her dance instructor husband in 2016.

The Buttons befriended the young dancer in early 2017 and soon began inviting her over to their home, where Humphries was expected to drink heavily, according to the complaint.

The 19-page federal complaint does not name Dusty as a defendant but as a 'non-party co-conspirator' and implicates her in some of the alleged abuse targeting Humphries.

It is alleged in the explosive complaint that 'the Buttons abuse their positions of power and prestige in the dance community to garner the loyalty and trust of young dancers. The Buttons then exploit those relationships to coerce sexual acts by means of force and fraud.'

Dusty, pictured furthest left, departed from the Boston Ballet in 2017. She allegedly held down Humphries while her husband sexually penetrated her without the woman's consent

Humphries claims in the lawsuit the Buttons had complete control over her and isolated her from family and friends. She was forced to live with the couple, who together would sexually abuse her, according to the complaint

'The Buttons also began to insist that Sage sleep at their apartment on a regular basis,' the lawsuit alleges. 'The Buttons instructed Sage to wear their clothes and style her hair to match Dustys hair.'

Mitchell allegedly told Humphries that if she agreed to hand over control of her social media accounts to him, including her passwords and access to her text messages and email, he would make her as famous as his wife.

'If Sage ever attempted to distance herself or disobey the Buttons, they would threaten to revoke their financial support and sabotage her career,' the complaint alleges.

One evening, the Buttons and Humphries were lying on a mattress together watching a movie when Mitchell sexually assaulted his young protege after his wife dozed off, according to the complaint.

'Any time Sage attempted to develop other friendships and spend time apart from the Buttons, the Buttons would become enraged,' the lawsuit alleges.

On one occasion, Mitchell allegedly forced Humphries to preform oral sex on him as punishment for having lunch with a group of women.

The lawsuit alleges that the Buttons insisted that Humphries 'prioritize them over her family,' and even joined her on a trip to California to visit her parents 'she she could not be alone with her family.'

Humphries was eventually rescued by her parents, who flew her home to California

After returning to Boston, the sexual abuse intensified, according to the lawsuit.

'One evening, Sage went to the Buttons apartment after rehearsal, and the apartment was completely dark,' reads the complaint. 'Dusty and [Mitchell] demanded that Sage put on a spandex suit that covered her entire body, including her mouth and eyes, and left only her nose and ears exposed.

'Dusty led Sage into a room of the Buttons apartment that had an arsenal of guns hanging on the wall. Sage told the Buttons she was scared. They instructed her to lie down on a table, and they tied up her arms and legs so she was unable to move. The Buttons then sexually assaulted Sage.

'Sage began sobbing and screaming, begging the Buttons to untie her. The Buttons told her she was being weak and stupid.'

After that incident, Mitchell allegedly began having sex with his protege 'whenever he pleased,' including sometimes while she was sleeping.

'[Mitchell] regularly shoved Sage to the ground or on the bed and violently penetrated her without her consent,' claims the complaint. 'On several occasions, Dusty held Sage down while [Mitchell] penetrated her so that Sage could not move.'

During sex, the dance instructor allegedly would 'choke, slap and pull' Humphries' hair, leaving her covered in bruises.

'The Buttons also regularly used painful sex toys on Sage and would tie Sage up in order to have sex with her,' the lawsuit contends. 'Sage never consented to these violent sex acts.'

By May 2017, the Buttons allegedly forced Humphries to live with them full time. They did not charge her rent and paid for her meals and personal expenses, rendering her financially dependent on the couple.

'If Sage ever attempted to distance herself or disobey the Buttons, they would threaten to revoke their financial support and sabotage her career,' according to the lawsuit.

Eventually, Humphries' parents became concerned with her living situation and forced her to return home.

Mitchell continued communicating with Humphries on Snapchat. At one point, he allegedly told her he wanted to rape the woman and leave her to die in a warehouse, and also threatened to travel to California and slit her father's throat.

In August 2017, Humphries sought and received abuse protection orders against the Buttons.

The Boston Ballet has issued a statement expressing support for Humphries, who is still part of the company.

'Boston Ballet supports Sage Humphries who is bravely coming forward, sharing her experience to protect others, and seeking accountability and justice,' the statement read.

According to the dance company, Dusty Button's employment with the Boston Ballet was terminated in May 2017.

The federal lawsuit also details allegations of sexual abuse from a decade ago targeting Mitchell Button's former dance student Gina Menichino.

According to the complaint, Button, who at the time went by the name Taylor Moore and worked as a dance instructor at a studio in Tampa, Florida, began grooming Menichino for abuse when she was 13 years old and he was 25.

'Taylor took a special interest in Gina and would single her out for special attention and opportunities in dance class, such as allowing her to assistant teach his dance classes,' alleges the complaint.

Menichino, a dancer from New Jersey, claims that when she was 13 years old and attending a dance studio in Florida in 2010, Mitchell Button sexually assaulted her

On two separate occasions in 2010, Button allegedly sexually assaulted Menichino while the two were sharing a blanket while watching a movie with other dance students.

Button then began regularly 'sexting' the young girl, including sending her shirtless photos of himself and videos showing him pleasuring himself, the suit claims. He also solicited similar content from Menichino.

'Taylor used his position of power and authority over Gina to force her to comply with his sexual demands,' according to the lawsuit.

If the 13-year-old resisted her teacher's sexual advances, Button allegedly threatened to hurt her dance career.

'The whole game was to keep him happy,' Menichino, now 25, told the Times. 'Dont get him angry, or I was unworthy and I would lose my dance career.'

Ken Swartz, the attorney representing the Buttons, said in a statement to the paper that his clients 'categorically deny these baseless claims and they look forward to the opportunity through court proceedings to disprove all of the plaintiffs false and fraudulent allegations.'
Fed-up police on the Covid front line have sent out a stark warning to anyone flashing a fake face mask exemption, saying they face serious prison time.

New South Wales Deputy Commissioner of Metropolitan Field Operations, Malcolm Lanyon, said making a false declaration to an officer is an indictable offence which carries a five year jail term.

With Greater Sydney now in the midst of its sixth week of lockdown, a trend has emerged where rule breakers have manipulated the public health mandate.

Some are faking statutory declarations which excludes them from having to wear a face mask - even though they do not have a lawful reason not to do so.

Fed-up police on the Covid front line have sent out a stark warning to anyone flashing a fake face mask exemption (pictured, a masked woman in Yagoonal, Sydney, on Wednesday)

Police in Campsie, southwest Sydney, are seen speaking to people outside a grocery store on Wednesday (pictured) amid warnings about face masks

'The mask wearing requirements have evolved over time to match the changing settings as the Government has responded to the escalating Covid-19 Delta variant case numbers,' Deputy Commissioner Lanyon said.

'Clearly the rules now state that people need to abide by the mask wearing requirements of the Public Health Orders unless they have an exemption.'

Anyone with an exemption must either carry a medical certificate issued by a doctor or a statutory declaration.

'If police ask to see the exemption people are required to present that documentation, and we will investigate all exemptions,' Deputy Commissioner Lanyon said.

'Make no mistake, police are investigators by trade.

'If we have any reasonable doubt that a document may be false, we can and will investigate these matters thoroughly to bring people before the courts,' he said.

The five year prison sentence falls under The Oaths Act of 1900 and is the maximum penalty for making a false declaration.

'Clearly the rules now state that people need to abide by the mask wearing requirements of the Public Health Orders unless they have an exemption,' the deputy commissioner said (pictured, police patrol Bankstown on Wednesday)

The five year prison sentence falls under The Oaths Act of 1900 and is the maximum penalty for making a false declaration (pictured, Bankstown on Wednesday)
China's economic boom is hardly a secret: Four decades of economic growth that not even a pandemic could touch, the country added a new billionaire every 17 hours in 2020 - with tech entrepreneurs dominating lists of the newly-minted.

The tech sector now accounts for almost a third of China's economy - but since the start of the year, Beijing has been waging a war on big tech and its billionaire owners that has seen some of its biggest firms lose $1.2trillion in value in just six months.

Jack Ma, once China's richest man, disappeared for three months and had his firms forcibly restructured; DiDi - China's Uber - was pulled from app stores; and games developer Tencent was accused of poisoning children with 'spiritual opium.'

Which begs one big question: Why?

Jack Ma disappeared for three months and was hit with investigations that have wiped more than $100billion off the value of his empire after he criticised China's financial sector

At least in public, the Communist party claims to be hitting back at anti-competitive practices, wealth inequality, and a soul-crushing workplace culture at startups where a typical week runs from 9am to 9pm, six days a week - the so-called '996' routine.

That has sparked a millennial movement called 'tangping' - or 'lying flat' - which rejects climbing the career ladder acquiring material goods in favour of living a modest lifestyle - a worrying trend to a regime hell-bent on growth.

In a sign of the party's anxiety about 'tangping', almost all references to it are banned on China's tightly-controlled internet and state-owned media have also denounced the movement, CNN reports.

However, other analysts believe the CCP's motives after less public-spirited and may stem from old-fashioned jealousy at the newly emergent billionaire class.

Where once Xi Jinping dominated headlines about China's success, his name and face were replaced in recent years by the high-flyers of tech, most notably Jack Ma - owner of online store Alibaba and the country's answer to Jeff Bezos.

That would help to explain why, on the eve of Ma's Ant Group hitting the stock market last year in what was expected to be the biggest ever public offering at $37billion, he suddenly disappeared.

Ma stayed gone for five months - an absence that has never officially been explained - during which time Ant's stock market debut was cancelled and its business model forcibly restructured, wiping some $70billion off its value.

When Ma did finally reappear, his Alibaba web store - China's equivalent of Amazon - was hit with a $2.8billion fine for anti-competitive practices, just for good measure.

It is widely thought the CCP acted against him after comments he made to a conference shortly before he vanished, criticising China's financial system.

Speaking to the BBC earlier this year, Christina Boutrup - a China analyst who has interviewed Ma - said it seemed Ma crossed 'the invisible red line'.

The message to other billionaires was clear: Keep politics and business separate.

In the wake of Ma's disappearance, fellow entrepreneurs raced to protect themselves - with Pony Ma, who heads up online gaming firm Tencent, even going so far as to call for more regulation of his own company to appease the powers in Beijing.

Ride-hailing app DiDi was pulled from Chinese app stores and banned from accepting new users just days after floating on the New York Stock Exchange

Game developer Tencent was accused of corrupting children with 'spiritual opium' by state media, sparking a sell off which has seen billions wiped off its value

It did little to appease the powers that be, which subsequently hit the firm with anticompetition lawsuits that saw an eye-watering $170billion wiped off its value in July this year alone.

Also in the wake of Ma's punishment, Simon Hu - director of Ant Group - quit his role, while Colin Huang stepped down as the chairman of Pinduoduo, an online grocery firm, causing its share price to plunge.

Speaking to The Economist, one source close to Huang directly linked his departure to Ma's public censuring. 'He understands very well that it is not safe to be at the top or at an extreme,' the source said.

Another added: 'He saw what was going on next door and decided to leave.'

A second theory is that China is punishing tech firms that try to raise capital in the West, with a number of targets having made big bucks on foreign stock exchanges.

Perhaps the most prominent example is ride-hailing firm Didi, which raised $4.4bn when it debuted in New York in July - but just days later was pulled from app stores back home and banned from accepting new users over alleged misuse of data.

Two other firms - truck-hailing app Manbang and recruitment firm Kanzhun - also faced similar probes not long after floating in New York, devastating their value.

China claims to be tackling wealth inequality and abuse of workers and data by big tech, but observers believe Xi has other motives

Beijing then announced a tightening of rules for home-grown companies looking to list overseas, forcing each one to undergo a cyber security review in advance.

The review will look into any national security implications of companies accepting foreign investment, officials said - in a clear sign of what the ruling regime perceives the threat to be.

Another possibility is that China doesn't actually want a large tech sector - or at least not a tech sector filled with firms designing games, peddling cheap goods, and distracting people on attention-hoarding social networks.

Instead, observers suggest, Xi could be trying to drive money towards hard tech sectors with bigger implications for China's march to power - including robotics and semiconductor manufacturing, a key component in computer chips used in cars, satellites and military tech.

Evidence of this is seen in the stock market: While Alibaba and Tencent have seen their values slide, two of the country's largest semiconductor manufacturers have seen theirs soar by more than 20 per cent.

Indeed, China is throwing money at creating a domestic semiconductor industry to end its reliance on foreign imports.

It is perhaps no coincidence that the push comes amid China's military development, as it modernizes everything from nukes to tanks, planes, ships and guns with Xi vowing at the 100th anniversary of the CCP to grow the army 'to world class standards.'

A lack of computer chips - amid a worldwide shortage - could have a devastating impact on those plans.

Just recently, Russia's space agency was reduced to begging America to send a specific kind of chip which it had run out of - saying it could not put satellites into space without it.

And, in a further indication of Xi's thinking, the President declared during an event last year that - while digitization is important - 'we must recognize the fundamental importance of the real economy and never deindustrialize.'

Whatever the reason, Beijing's intervention in the free market has proved devastating for some of China's biggest firms.

Spooked by the declaration that Tencent was producing 'spiritual opium', Wall Street investors scrambled to move their money elsewhere.

China has for years given tech giants free reign to generate value, but this year launched a crackdown that has wiped out $1.2trillion in value (pictured, China's tech capital of Shenzen)

Tencent fell 6 per cent and was briefly knocked from its mantle as Asia's most valuable company.

Shares in gaming firm NetEase fell nearly 8 per cent on Tuesday while game developer XD Inc fell 8 per cent and mobile gaming company GMGE Technology Group Ltd dropped almost 14 per cent.

Investors believe a major shift is under way in China as the government aggressively pursues reform of the tech sector.

Chaotic selling last week, triggered by leaked details of an education-sector crackdown, capped the worst month for Chinese stocks in nearly three years as investors worried about where the next target may lie.

China's securities regulator, in a meeting with foreign brokerages last week, had sought to soothe fears with a promise of a steadier reform rollout, yet Tuesday's news sparked fresh concern that nowhere is safe.

'(The share price moves) showed how investors are jumpy these days,' said Ether Yin, partner at Beijing-based consultancy Trivium.

'They don't believe anything is off limit and will react, sometimes over-react, to anything on state media that fit the tech crackdown narrative.'

The nerves have coincided with a slowdown in China's economy - factory activity grew at its slowest pace since February 2020 last month - adding to a broad sense of caution in markets even among investors who say the crackdowns are manageable.

'We see little global spillover risk from China's assertion of greater control over certain industries, even as it potentially leads to market volatility,' analysts at BlackRock Investment Institute said in a note.

'We remain tactically neutral on China stocks and see further monetary and fiscal policy loosening as beneficial for cyclical assets in China.'
A California man was sentenced Monday to 12 years in prison for running a 'sophisticated' real estate scheme that brought in more than $7.6million, which he spent on luxury car rentals, five-star hotels and escorts.

Patrick Joseph Soria, 35, of West Hollywood spent his nights at the Waldorf-Astoria in Beverly Hills and his days cruising in Lamborghini and Bentley rentals while defrauding more than 2,000 people over a three-year period.

The 'skillful conman' ran the nationwide two-part scheme from January 2015 to June 2018, according to the Department of Justice.

The first part of the scheme involved hijacking real property titles by using fake filings at county recorders' offices.

Soria acquired the titles, falsified them to show him as the owner, then turned around and sold them to unsuspecting buyers.

In the second part of the scheme, he convinced homeowners that he could lower their mortgage payments through a loan modification or by taking over the mortgage from their lender.

In some cases, he befriended them 'to gain their trust and give them hope,' the DOJ said.

Soria, described at his sentencing by a judge as a 'skillful conman,' stayed at the Waldorf-Astoria in Beverly Hills at a cost of up to $2,000 per night

At one point, he had Waldorf-Astoria staff help him remove property that was to be seized

When the victims' banks started sending them eviction and foreclosure notices, he 'falsely lulled [them] into doing nothing to protect themselves,' leading many of them to lose their homes.

The targeted properties were spread across Texas, New York, Nevada and in the California cities of Vernon, Beverly Hills, Santa Ana, Yorba Linda, and Anaheim, among others, the DOJ said.

Soria targeted properties throughout Los Angeles and in states like Nevada and New York

Soria tricked his victims with company names like 'HBSC US' and 'Deutsche Mellon National Asset LLC,' which were meant to sound like real financial firms.

'This is not the largest case I have presided over in terms of dollars, but it is the most brazen and heartless,' said US District Judge Dale S. Fischer.

'Mr. Soria turned their hopes into a nightmare.'

Soria had previously committed multiple acts of contempt of court in a related civil case before Judge Fischer, which found him lying to the court about living in a hotel.

In fact, he had 'regularly resided' at the SLS Hotel and the Waldorf-Astoria in Beverly Hills since December 2017, where he spent up to $2,000 a night.

Soria was found to have spent $2,500 a day on cars from Legends Car Rentals in Beverly Hills

Among his preferred ways to get around were a Bentley and a Lamborghini, pictured above

On June 3 and 4, 2018, he 'knowingly and willfully removed or otherwise hid property' that was to be seized by law enforcement with the help of Waldorf-Astoria employees, according to a court transcript from March 2019.

He also changed the password to his email address and deleted thousands of emails and text messages so that law enforcement couldn't access them.

He was found to have spent $2,500 a day in luxury car rentals from Legends Car Rentals in Beverly Hills, and between $4,000 to $6,000 a day on escort services.'

Soria pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of contempt of court earlier this year, but he wasn't sentenced until Monday.

A restitution hearing is scheduled for October 25.
A Pentagon cop who was fatally stabbed in the neck has been named - with his suspected killer since identified as a wannabe Marine with a previous arrest for attacking the police.

Army veteran George Gonzalez was killed outside the Washington DC US Defense HQ on Wednesday, with tributes revealing how he'd been born in Brooklyn, before serving in Iraq. He began working for the Pentagon Police Department three years before his murder.

Disturbing details of alleged killer Austin William Lanz's background have also now been revealed.

No motive for Gonzalez's murder was given, but Lanz, 27, was arrested in Cobb County, Georgia in April on suspicion of crimes including two counts of aggravated battery on police.

He was also accused of making a terroristic threat, rioting in prison, criminal trespassing and burglary.

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 agency's detention center but referred all other questions to the FBI's field office in Washington.

Despite his lengthy rap sheet, a judge reduced Lanz's bond to $30,000 in May, leaving him free to travel to DC to allegedly carry out Tuesday's atrocity.

He enlisted as US Marine in October 2012, but was 'administratively separated' from the military department a month later. No further details on that 'separation' have been shared.

An attorney who represented Lanz in the Georgia cases didn't immediately respond to requests for comment, and messages left with family members at Lanz's home in the Atlanta suburb of Acworth, Georgia, were not immediately returned.

Pentagon Police Officer George Gonzalez has been named as the man stabbed in the neck outside the US Defense HQ in Washington DC on Tuesday

The suspect - identified as Austin William Lanz, 27 - was shot by law enforcement and died at the scene

Pentagon Police issued a statement in a five-tweet tribute to Gonzalez after his killing, saying 'he took our mission of 'protecting those who protect our nation' to heart.'

Gonzalez was promoted twice and became a Senior Officer in 2020 and awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his service in Iraq.

'A gregarious officer, he was well-liked and respected by his fellow officers,' the police said in on Twitter.

'Officer Gonzalez embodied our values of integrity and service to others. As we mourn the loss of Officer Gonzalez, our commitment to serve and protect is stronger. Officer Gonzalez's family is in our thoughts and prayers. May he rest in peace.'

The Pentagon cop who was stabbed to death on a bus platform outside the building was identified as Brooklyn native Officer George Gonzalez, an Army veteran who served in Iraq and had been on the force for three years.

Pentagon Police issued a statement in a five-tweet thread saying 'he took our mission of 'protecting those who protect our nation' to heart.'

Gonzalez was promoted twice and became a Senior Officer in 2020 and awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his service in Iraq.

'A gregarious officer, he was well-liked and respected by his fellow officers,' the police said in on Twitter.

'Officer Gonzalez embodied our values of integrity and service to others. As we mourn the loss of Officer Gonzalez, our commitment to serve and protect is stronger. Officer Gonzalez's family is in our thoughts and prayers. May he rest in peace.'

Scroll down for video.

Law enforcement officers from Washington's Metropolitan Police Department, the U.S. Capitol Police, the Pentagon Force Protection Agency and other police departments salute the ceremonial procession

Several people were said to have been injured in the shooting outside the Pentagon, among them a police officer who was stabbed and later died

A crowded scene in the Metro bus station outside the Pentagon on Tuesday afternoon

Tuesday's attack on a busy stretch of the Washington area's 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.'

Pentagon Police Chief Woodrow Kusse refused to confirm the deaths of the officer and the suspect during a briefing at the Pentagon on Tuesday

The lockdown went into effect at 10.30am and was lifted at 12.15pm on Tuesday

Police block off an entrance to the Pentagon following reports of multiple gun shots fired on a bus platform near the facility's Metro station Tuesday, killing an officer

The Pentagon was on lockdown for nearly two hours on Tuesday after multiple gunshots were fired

Metro subway trains are bypassing the Pentagon because of the lockdown

Kusse and other officials declined to rule out terrorism or provide any other potential motive. but he 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, and the FBI only confirmed that it was investigating and there was 'no ongoing threat to the public' and 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.

Gonzalez's identity wasn't released until Wednesday morning.

'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.'

The attack 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 police officer in tactical gear looks at vehicles outside the Pentagon on Tuesday as cops hunt for a shooting suspect

Heavily armed law enforcement officers are seen near the entrance of the Pentagon after a report of an active shooter and lockdown in Washington, DC

A police officer holding an assault-style rifle is seen looking at vehicles outside the Pentagon

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.
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As part of his attempt to excuse hugging and kissing female staff inappropriately over the years, Governor Andrew Cuomo pointed to photos of President Biden, Kamala Harris, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Obama and his own father doing the same.

The photos are included in the Governor's own 85-page rebuttal to the allegations against him by 11 women, which the NY AG upheld yesterday in a bombshell report that has prompted calls for Cuomo to resign.

He is clinging on, refusing to throw in the towel despite being told by Republicans and Democrats alike that it's time to go.

The next step for Cuomo is an impeachment trial at the New York legislature, which has been set in motion by speaker Carl Heastie.

Until then, he will continue to fight his case insisting that he is just a tactile, Italian-American whose friendliness has been misinterpreted.

Here are the images he says show his behavior is nothing out of the ordinary - at least not for prominent Democrats.
Officer George Gonzalez, an Army veteran who served in Iraq, was the officer who was stabbed to death outside the Pentagon on August 3

The Pentagon cop who was stabbed to death on a bus platform outside the building was identified as Officer George Gonzalez, an Army veteran who served in Iraq.

Gonzalez, a New York native, had been on the force for three years before he was killed Tuesday morning during a burst of violence at the transit center outside the Pentagon, which was temporarily locked down between 10.30am and was lifted at 12.15pm.

The suspect - identified as Austin William Lanz, 27 - was shot by law enforcement and died at the scene after he stabbed Gonzalez in the neck, authorities said.

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.

That set off a ripple effect of violence that included a volley of gunshots, resulting in 'several casualties,' said Woodrow Kusse, the chief of the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, which is responsible for security in the facility

Investigators are still trying to determine a motive for the attack and were digging into Lanz's background, including any potential history of mental illness or any reason he might want to target the Pentagon or police officers.

Law enforcement lined the streets in front of the Capitol to salute a lengthy ceremonial procession of police bikes and cars in honor of an officer who died after being repeatedly stabbed in the neck on Tuesday

Law enforcement officers from Washington's Metropolitan Police Department, the U.S. Capitol Police, the Pentagon Force Protection Agency and other police departments ride in a ceremonial procession past the East Wing of the National Gallery of Art

Law enforcement officers from Washington's Metropolitan Police Department, the U.S. Capitol Police, the Pentagon Force Protection Agency and other police departments salute the ceremonial procession

The officials could not discuss the investigation publicly and spoke to The AP on condition of anonymity.

'The Pentagon Force Protection Agency mourns the tragic loss of a Pentagon Police Officer killed during this morning's incident at the Pentagon,' the agency said in a statement this afternoon. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with the Officer's family. Additional info on the officer will be forthcoming, following full next of kin notification.'

The suspect - identified as Austin William Lanz, 27 - was shot by law enforcement and died at the scene

Later on Tuesday, motorcycle officers from Washington's Metropolitan Police Department passed saluting officers from the U.S. Capitol Police, the Pentagon Force Protection Agency and other police departments in his honor.

During a press conference earlier in the afternoon, Pentagon Chief of Police Woodrow Kusse said that the crime scene was secure and that police were not looking for a second suspect, contrary to previous news reports. He also confirmed that multiple people were injured, but would not say how many, or comment on the extent of their injuries.

The Pentagon lifted the lockdown and reopened at 12.15pm, according to a tweet from the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, which said that the scene was secure.

Arlington Fire Department previously said its crews encountered 'multiple patients,' but it is unclear at this time if any of them was shot.

A police officer was said to be among the victims. He was taken to George Washington Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead from stab wounds, according to reports.

News that he had been stabbed in the neck was reported by NBC.

Several people were said to have been injured in the shooting outside the Pentagon, among them a police officer who was stabbed and later died

Police block off an entrance to the Pentagon following reports of multiple gun shots fired on a bus platform near the facility's Metro station Tuesday, killing an officer

The Pentagon was on lockdown for nearly two hours on Tuesday after multiple gunshots were fired

The lockdown went into effect at 10.30am and was lifted at 12.15pm on Tuesday

A crowded scene in the Metro bus station outside the Pentagon on Tuesday afternoon

The deaths of the unnamed officer and the suspect were 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.

Senator Mark Warner, a Democrat from Virginia, also took to Twitter to address the 'passing of a Pentagon police officer, who was killed earlier this morning in a senseless act of violence outside the Pentagon.'

At the 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 can't compromise the ongoing investigation,' Kusse said.

The FBI issued a similar statement, confirming only that it was investigating and that there was 'no ongoing threat to the public' but declining to offer details or a possible motive.

The incident occurred on a Metro bus platform that is part of the Pentagon Transit Center. The hub 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.'

A Pentagon announcement said the facility was on lockdown due to 'police activity.'

Pentagon Police Chief Woodrow Kusse refused to confirm the deaths of the officer and the suspect during a briefing at the Pentagon on Tuesday

Emergency vehicles are seen outside the Pentagon Metro area Tuesday amid lockdown

Heavily armed law enforcement officers are seen near the entrance of the Pentagon after a report of an active shooter and lockdown in Washington, DC

Metro subway trains are bypassing the Pentagon because of the lockdown

A police officer holding an assault-style rifle is seen looking at vehicles outside the Pentagon

A police officer in tactical gear looks at vehicles outside the Pentagon on Tuesday as cops hunt for a shooting suspect

Metro subway trains were ordered to bypass the Pentagon due to the police investigation.

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.

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.
Surveillance footage captured the horrifying moment a driver ran over and killed a 91-year-old woman on her morning stroll, got out of the truck to check on her and then drove off.

Soon Kim, 91, a mother and grandmother who immigrated to Los Angeles from Korea 30 years ago, is the victim, according to family.

Surveillance footage released by the Los Angeles Police Department shows Kim taking a leisurely walk with her walker in the University Park neighborhood of South Los Angeles on Monday morning.

Stroll Down For Video:

Moments before 91-year-old Soon Kim is killed by a hit-and-run driver who flees the scene

Surveillance footage shows the hit-and-run driver exit her vehicle, see an injured Kim in the roadway, and drive off

At one point, Kim is turned away from a white pickup truck backing out of an alley.

The pickup appears to have a pile of mattresses stacked in the cargo bed potentially blocking the driver's back view.

The driver, identified as a woman by police, is captured backing up 'unsafely' and running over Kim.

At one point, she stops and drives forward, running over Kim again, before getting out of the vehicle.

Once out of the vehicle, the driver looks at Kim on the pavement, then gets back into the truck and moves her car out of the road.

Again, she exits the truck, and stands near the vehicle for about three minutes before getting back in and driving off, LAPD said.

The driver does not appear to offer assistance to the wounded grandmother.

Kim was later taken to a local hospital where she died from her injuries, police said.

Kim's grandson, Hyun Cho, said Kim's greatest love was her family and she enjoyed cooking for them

91-year-old Soon Kim (pictured) was a mother and grandmother who immigrated to Los Angeles from Korea 30 years ago

Kim (pictured left) was described as 'fiercely independent' by her grandson's wife Susan Cho

Kim's grandson, Hyun Cho, told KTLA News that his grandmother's greatest love was her family and that she enjoyed cooking for them.

'She was very fiercely independent,' Hyun's wife, Susan Cho, told KTLA. 'She lived by herself with no complaint. She enjoyed her independence.'

Susan Cho is pleading with neighbors to come forward with information regarding the driver, who she believes is well known in the area.

'We understand that the woman that struck her is someone known in the neighborhood,' Susan Cho said. 'People recognized the car and that she had sort of a regular routine of putting up mattresses and other things in the area  It gives us some hope that she may be found.'

Police are offering a $50,000 reward for anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest of the driver, who is still at large.
The death of a nine-year-old girl after she was allegedly gang-raped, murdered, and set on fire while fetching water for her parents has sparked four days of protests in India.

The girl, who has not been named, was sent by her mother to fetch water from the nearby crematorium in New Delhi on Sunday evening.

An hour later, she was found dead with wet clothes, a bloodied nose, bruised hands and arms, and blue lips, on the crematorium floor.

A Hindu priest and three accomplices have been accused of raping, killing, and forcibly cremating the nine-year-old girl.

The death of a nine-year-old girl after she was allegedly gang-raped, murdered, and set on fire while fetching water for her parents has sparked four days of protests in India

A Hindu priest and three accomplices have been accused of raping, killing, and forcibly cremating the nine-year-old girl in an incident which has sparked protests in New Delhi

Protesters this week have burned effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of failing to condemn the alleged rape

The body was discovered by her mother who went searching for her only child after she failed to return more than an hour after she was sent to fetch water.

The mother told the BBC she found her daughter's body on the crematorium floor but was not allowed to take it away.

Three suspects, including a Hindu priest, closed the gates and refused to let her leave, she said.

The trio told her not to phone the police, claiming officers would 'steal her organs and sell them' and also demand an autopsy.

Instead, they forcibly cremated the corpse.

The girl's father and around 150 villagers put out the pyre, but only managed to save the girl's legs - meaning police may never be able to prove if she was raped.

The girl was a member of the Dalit class, formerly known as the untouchables, and made a living begging outside a Sufi Muslim shrine.

The alleged rape and murder of a nine-year-old girl in New Delhi has been branded a caste crime by members of her community, sparking four days of protests

Activists of the Bheem Army stage a candle march protest against alleged rape and murder of a nine-year-old girl

The alleged rape and murder of a nine-year-old girl while she was fetching water for her parents on Sunday has sparked four days of protests in India

The alleged gang rape and murder of a nine-year-old girl in New Delhi has sparked four days of protests in the Indian capital

Hundreds of women demonstrated in New Delhi on Sunday evening after a nine-year-old girl was allegedly raped, murder, and forcibly cremated

The alleged rape has sparked widespread anger in India.

Protesters this week burned effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of failing to condemn the alleged rape.

Demonstrators also burned the likeness of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal outside the Nangal crematorium. He visited the family this week and has reportedly offered to ensure justice is served.

Hundreds of protesters have demanded the suspects face the death penalty and called for several police officers to be suspended for allegedly harassing the family.

Members of the Dalit community in New Delhi have repeatedly expressed outrage online and branded the incident a 'caste crime' because the accused priest is an upper-caste Brahmin.

Others have participated in mass rallies calling for justice.

Hundreds of protesters have demanded the suspects face the death penalty and called for several police officers to be suspended for allegedly harassing the family

The alleged rape and murder of a nine-year-old girl in New Delhi has been branded a caste crime by members of her community, sparking four days of protests

Protesters carry an effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to burn at a demonstration on Sunday after he was accused of failing to condemn the alleged rape and murder of a nine-year-old girl

A Hindu priest and three accomplices have been accused of raping, killing, and forcibly cremating the nine-year-old girl in an incident which has sparked protests in New Delhi

An average of nearly 90 rapes were reported in India every day last year, according to data by the National Crime Records Bureau

Sunday's alleged sex attack is just the latest to be reported in India, where a woman or girl is raped every 15 minutes according to federal data

Sunday's alleged sex attack is just the latest to be reported in India, where a woman or girl is raped every 15 minutes according to federal data.

India's 200 million low-caste Dalits have long faced discrimination, and campaigners say attacks have increased during the coronavirus pandemic.

An average of nearly 90 rapes were reported in India every day last year, according to data by the National Crime Records Bureau, but large numbers are thought to go unreported due to social stigma and a lack of faith in police and judicial authorities.
A father, his two young daughters and his niece who were killed in a horror car crash while driving home from a birthday party were not wearing seatbelts at the time, police have said.

George Ritter, 33, his daughters Alivia, five, and Elsie, nine, and niece Kenzie Mammoccio, eight, died in the car wreck in Westville, New Jersey, on Saturday night.

They were returning home from a toddler's party at Westville Power Boat Association when Ritter's 1987 black Ford Mustang hit a utility pole.

George Ritter, 33 (left), daughters Elsie (top right) and Alivia (left), and his niece Kenzie Mammoccio (bottom right) died after he crashed into a utility pole

Kenzie's father, Brian Mammoccio (right, pictured with Kenzie), said to ABC6 'Cherish every moment you have with your children'

The car crash in Gloucester County, New Jersey, claimed the lives of four members of the same family

Westville police chief William Whinna said the driver may have been speeding at the time and the car had been modified with specialized tires and a roll cage designed to race at private tracks.

Police have also ordered a toxicology report on the father.

The family were just minutes away from home when the crash happened around 9pm.

Kenzie's father, Brian Mammoccio, said to ABC6: 'Cherish every moment you have with your children because you never know when that moment can be taken away. I only got eight years with mine.

'I wish I could have her here next to me, give her one last hug because I never got to say goodbye to her.

'She was caring and honest and full of life and spark,' said Mammoccio about her daughter, Kenzie

Ritter, Alivia, Elsie and Kenzie were returning from a birthday party at the Westville Power Boat Association

Mourners have left teddy bears and flowers on the place of the crash to pay respect for the victims

'She was caring and honest and full of life and spark.'

The crash happened on the 1000 block of Gateway Boulevard in Westville.

Mourners have paid their respects to the victims by leaving teddy bears and flowers at the site of the crash.

The Westville Power Boat Association is organizing a fundraiser to cover the cost of the funerals.

The GoFundMe page description read: 'They have touched the lives of so many and it's our turn to show our appreciation for George and the girls one last time.'

More than 700 people have donated around $48,000 of the $50,000 goal.

The Westville Power Boat Association has organized a fundraiser to cover the funerals cost
Rudy Giuliani on Wednesday appears to support a debunked conspiracy theory that hero DC metro police officer Michael Fanone, who testified in Congress about being pummeled by violent Trump supporters on January 6th, took part in the MAGA riot himself.

A conspiracy theory floating around social media in late July accused Fanone of carrying a confederate flag into the US Capitol and participating in the riot.

Various users across Facebook and Instagram shared side-by-side images of Fanone testifying with rioter Kevin Seefried - who turned himself in to authorities in January - with the caption 'It's the Same b----.... yo Michael, we see you.'

Giuliani appeared to support the baseless conspiracy theory when he called attempts to fact-check it a 'hysterical lie'

He also continued the right-wing defense of rioter Ashli Babbitt, who was killed by law enforcement (pictured in Miami on July 26)

One user claimed it was evidence the riot was staged even though Seefried admitted to being the rioter in question.

But Giuliani took issue with a Politifact check labeling the baseless claim Pants on Fire.

Babbitt, an Air Force veteran, was trying to break into the Speaker's Lobby with dozens of others when she was shot

'Another hysterical lie about 1/6. So many and the cover-up of killing an unarmed woman by a still unidentified police officer,' Donald Trump's ex-lawyer tweeted.

The 'unarmed woman' he refers to is Ashli Babbitt, a Capitol rioter who was shot and killed while trying to break into the building through a barricaded door.

The 35-year-old veteran from California was trying to break into a door leading to the Speaker's Lobby. Video shows lawmakers and other officials just yards away from the Trump supporters attempting to get inside.

Giuliani was immediately slammed by fellow Twitter users for the statement.

Radio host Dean Obeidallah wrote, 'After 9/11, Rudy led NYC against the terrorists. After Jan 6, Rudy is leading the defense of the Trump terrorists. Rudy is a traitor.'

Another user simply retweeted a picture of the gallows set up by Trump supporters outside the Capitol.

'This is also fake?' they questioned.

Brennan Murphy, a producer at The Recount, jokingly asked if it was an 'angry morning poop' tweet.

In a later post Murphy accused Giuliani of spreading 'insurrection misinformation' for sharing the debunked claim.

Twitter users lined up to criticize Giuliani, including a radio host who called him a traitor

Another user retweeted a photo of gallows built by Trump supporters outside the Capitol

A producer for The Recount mocked Giuliani's early morning Twitter post

Fanone was tased, beaten and suffered a heart attack when defending the Capitol and the lawmakers within on January 6th.

He told House representatives on the January 6 committee that he feared for his life at times and even thought rioters would take his gun and kill him with it.

The DC cop said it wasn't until he desperately shouted to the crowd that he was a father that someone helped him.

'I was at risk of being stripped of and killed with my own firearm as I heard chants of 'Kill him with his own gun.' I can still hear those words in my head today,' he said.

DC cop Michael Fanone was beaten and tased on January 6th and told lawmakers he feared he would get shot and killed with his own firearm at a July 27 hearing on the riot

Fanone testified alongside three other Capitol and DC officers

He recounted how he and his fellow officers held the line in one of the underground tunnels that lead from the Capitol to the lawmakers' personal office buildings, holding back the mob so they could not break through.

Fanone joined Officers Harry Dunn, Aquilino Gonell, and Daniel Hodges to give harrowing testimony to the panel of seven Democrats and two Republicans - Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger - describing how they feared the rioters would kill them and criticized the treatment of their colleagues.

Shortly before Trump supporters stormed the Capitol Giuliani gave a speech at the ex-president's Stop the Steal rally where he encouraged them to a 'trial by combat.'

He later claimed it was 'hyperbole' and is being sued by Democrat Rep. Eric Swalwell for inciting the riot.
Outrage against budget airline Spirit Airlines has mounted amid a fourth day of chaos which saw 50 per cent of its flights axed, and distressing stories of travelers left stranded at airports.

The Florida-based air carrier canceled more than 340 flights before noon on Wednesday, half of their scheduled routes for the day.

Many passengers, including seven months-pregnant Robin Wilson, were left to fend for themselves. Wilson's intended flight from Cleveland to Atlanta was rerouted to LA. She was told by Spirit that she'd have to wait four days for the next flight, but Wilson did not have the funds to book a hotel to stay in.

She faced spending four days 'living' in the terminal of Los Angeles International Airport, and was only put up in a hotel when FOX 11 reported her story, and shamed Spirit into providing the 'high risk' passenger with accommodation.

'I definitely don't have a flight out from LAX to Cleveland until Thursday. [I have] no accommodations at allI'm seven months pregnant, I'm high-risk,' Wilson told the network before her issue was resolved.

Spirit began canceling hundreds of flights on Sunday. It has cited inclement weather, technological issues and and 'operational challenges,' but refused to offer further detail. Thousands of travelers have flooded social media with incandescent rage about the airline's lack of contact with them, and accused Spirit's bosses of lying.

The airline's pilots were even rumored to have gone on strike, although Spirit has made no reference to this claim in its comments to the ongoing fiasco.

Robin Wilson (pictured), who booked a direct flight from Cleveland to Atlanta for Tuesday, is now stuck in Los Angeles until Thursday. She is seven months pregnant

Travelers are frustrating as Spirit has canceled hundreds of flights for the fourth day in a row. In the above photo, passengers are lined up at the Spirit terminal in Los Angeles on Tuesday, waiting for news of their canceled flights

Spirit has cited 'operational challenges' as the reason for the delays and says the number of cancellations will 'progressively drop in the days to come'

According to USA Today, a total of 523 flights were axed across the United States Wednesday morning, with Spirit cancellations accounting for the majority of them.

The air carrier claims the routes were changed due to summer storms, technology outages and staffing shortages. The company says as a result of proactive cancellations made Tuesday they were able to '[implement] a more thorough reboot of the network, allowing us to reassign our crews more efficiently and restore the network faster'.

Adding, that the airline is will 'continue to work around the clock' to get travelers to their intended destinations.

It insists cancelations will taper off as the week continues - but those left high-and-dry by Spirit say they'll believe it when they see it.

Brenda Deleon told DailyMail.com how her family's eight day vacation to Puerto Rico had to be extended by two days - at a cost of $1,000 - because of Spirit.

After receiving notification of a cancellation late Tuesday night, Deleon tried to contact Spirit customer service but wasn't able to speak with someone.

'I called last night and was on hold for 42 minutes, but figured they were closed. This morning I went to the airport to talk to someone but the Spirit kiosk was empty,' she said.

The Deleon family says their Puerto Rican vacation got extended from eight days to ten. While they were able to get rebooked on another flight home, the family did have to spend over $800 in additional expenses and accommodations

Deleon called the airlines 1-800 again on Wednesday and was able to rebooked their family's flights for Friday at 2.50am. But, they still faced issues with accommodations.

'Our AirBnb was booked tonight so we looked for another home for $478.41 and two days of car rental for $342.34,' she said.

'[Spirit said] they will refund only half of what trip costs which is not an option since prices with other airlines skyrocketed. We have to wait it out.'

Traveler Sakinah Scott told of how sitting on the tarmac for five hours on a Spirit jet left her fearing she'd caught COVID while heading home from LA to see her family in Philadelphia for the first time since the virus hit US shores.

Sakinah Scott (pictured) says she sat on a crowded airplane for five hours before the plane actually took flight. She was then faced with additional delays

'I was extremely excited about the trip. I arrived on time to LAX and boarded my Spirit plane with ease and quickness. I thought it was going to be an easy flight,' she shared.

However, her experience quickly 'turned into a complete nightmare'. She says right after the boarding pass was completed, the pilot instructed passengers that the plane had to remain on the ground due to misplaced paperwork.

She told DailyMail.com it took officials over two hours to locate the paperwork, but by that point a storm had developed over Las Vegas and they weren't permitted to fly.

'We were told that no one could get into Vegas. Then we were told to wait on a full plane on the ground not in the airport,' she shared. 'I spent five hours on a packed plane on the ground wondering 'is the moment I contract COVID?''

Scott eventually made it to Philadelphia, but is now stranded in the city due to a cancelled return flight. She has tested negative for COVID.

'I received a text message last night saying my flight was canceled with no explanation,' she said, noting that she was unable to get in contact with a customer service agent.

'I am stranded in Philadelphia now, so my nightmare is ongoing.'

Social media users echoed similar tales, saying they found themselves stranded without fair compensation.

Social media users are expressing frustrations with the airline, some even indicating they will never fly with Spirit again

'Spirit Airlines, this is the absolute first and last time I ever travel with you,' one passenger tweeted.

'I didn't know anything could be as bad as Spirit Airlines,' said another.

One traveler even reported that the airline provided them with inaccurate tracking information - raising travelers' hopes they'd escape the wave of cancelations, only to cruelly dash them shortly after.

The Twitter user called Snackicakes shared a grab from the airlines's app showing their flight apparently en route to the airport they were departing from, and a claim that it would even arrive early.

'We never took off. The plane left the bay and came back ten minutes later with ORLANDO as the destination,' she tweeted, accompanied with a photograph of the alleged tracking information.

One traveler said Spirit provided passengers with tracking information indicating their flight was en route and that they would land early, although it never even left the jetbridge

Spirit passengers have experienced issues since Sunday. The airline canceled 42 percent of flights on Monday and 61 percent on Tuesday.

'The last three days were extremely difficult for our guests and team members, and for that we sincerely apologize. We understand how frustrating it is for our guests when plans change unexpectedly,' Spirit spokesman Field Sutton told USA Today. 'We're working to provide refunds for cancellations and, when possible, to re-accommodate our guests.''

Spirit says they have rebooted their system and expect cancellations to decrease.

'We've implemented a more thorough reboot of the network, allowing us to reassign our crews more efficiently and restore the network faster. As a result, cancellation numbers will progressively drop in the days to come,' the airline told the Sun Sentinel in an emailed statement.

Spirit has warned travelers to continuously check their flight status before heading to the airport.

Anyone whose flight has been canceled is entitled to a refund, according to Department of Transportation rules.

Spirit says the easiest way to receive a refund is through their online chat feature.

The Florida-based air carrier canceled more than 340 flights before noon on Wednesday, which was half of their scheduled routes

Several other air carriers, including American Airlines, have also reported delays and cancellations due to weather and other extenuating circumstances

Meanwhile, American Airlines is also experiencing delays and cancellations.

Robin Phelps, of Kentucky, told WSOC that she and her family missed out on their family vacation to New York after being stranded at Charlotte Douglas International Airport during their layover.

Phelps, who was traveling with her husband and two kids, said their flight from Charlotte to New York was delayed due to weather.

The family reportedly boarded plane and sat on the tarmac for over an hour before being instructed to exit the aircraft.

'My kids were starving. We hadn't had a proper dinner at that point. It's past bedtime. We already missed naptime for the baby, so now we were getting to bedtime,' she explained.

The Phelps family spent the night at a hotel, then rented a car and drove back home to Kentucky.

Stranded my family with no flights/hotels/food/luggage. Kids hadnt eaten or slept all day stuck on planes,' she tweeted at American Airlines.

Phelps says the air carrier refunded the family for their unused flights and baggage fees, as well as issued a $500 credit for each member of their family.
Progressive Ohio Congressional candidate Nina Turner blamed 'evil money' for her loss Tuesday night to Shontel Brown, a moderate Democrat supported by Hillary Clinton who said she'd back President Joe Biden and his agenda.

'I am going to work hard to ensure that something like this doesn't happen to another progressive candidate again,' Turner said. 'We didn't lose this race, evil money manipulated and maligned this election.'

Turner got pilloried by $1.2 million in super PAC ads from the group Democratic Majority for Israel.

She lost the race by nearly 6 points - receiving 44.5 per cent of the vote to Brown's 50.2 per cent.

Her 'we didn't lose this race' quip garnered comparisons to former President Donald Trump's 'frankly, we did win this election' line on social media.

David Sirota, a journalist-turned-Bernie Sanders adviser, floated the theory that Turner lost because voters prefer a 'corporate government.' Turner, he said, 'ran a brave campaign.'

Ohio Congressional candidate Nina Turner, who's politically aligned with Bernie Sanders and AOC, said in a concession speech Tuesday night, 'We didn't lose this race, evil money manipulated and maligned this election'

David Sirota, a journalist-turned-Sanders adviser, blamed Turner's loss on voters preferring 'corporate government.' Turner ran against a $1.2 million campaign from the super PAC Democratic Majority for Israel

'More Dem voters supported her corporate opponent not just because an overwhelming amount of super PAC money was spent to destroy Nina, but also because in general more Dem voters want a corporate government than something else. This is reality,' Sirota wrote.

Turner's race went similar to Sanders' 2020 run - with moderate Democrats eventually coalescing around a more mainstream candidate - in this case, the current president.

Brown ran as a candidate who would support Biden. Beyond receiving Clinton's endorsement, she had the support of Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn, the kingmaker whose endorsement gave Biden a victory in South Carolina's presidential primary, thus saving his White House bid.

She will face Republican Laverne Gore in the November election. The Democrat is favored to win.

The primary battle in Ohio's 11th Congressional district became nasty as Democrats battled over who would replace Democratic Rep. Marcia Fudge, who Biden named as his housing secretary.

The two special House elections in Ohio on Tuesday tested both political parties: Donald Trump's sway on the Republican Party and the moderate and liberal divisions among Democrats.

Shontel Brown, backed by Hillary Clinton and Rep. Jim Clyburn, beat a progressive favorite to win a crowded Democratic primary in an Ohio House race

Democrats were at war in the primary in the 11th Congressional district - Bernie Sanders endorsed Nina Turner, a progressive favorite

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has also endorsed Turner and campaigned for her in Cleveland last month

Brown and Turner emerged as the leading contenders among 13 Democrats running in the 11th district.

Big name Democrats flooded the district.

Clyburn was in to campaign for Brown while Sanders and 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 got nasty.

Turner ran a commercial questions Brown's ethics and ends with the image of a jail door slamming.

She also criticized Brown for accepting a campaign contribution from New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, a close ally of Donald Trump's.

Brown touted Turner as too much of an outsider and too critical of Biden to accomplish anything in Congress.

Outside money played a big factor in the race. Democratic Majority for Israel, a super PAC, spent $1.2 million on ads supporting Brown and opposing Turner.

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.

Meanwhile, a political newcomer backed by Trump won a crowded Republican primary contest in an Ohio House special election Tuesday night, showing the former president's influence on his party.

Coal lobbyist Mike Carey, who never held political office before, beat out 11 other Republicans for the nomination in Ohio's 15th Congressional district, to replace former Rep. Steve Stivers. Many of his competitors also had the backing of big-name Republicans.

The Associated Press called the race for Carey, who will compete against Democrat Allison Russo in the November general election. Carey is favored to win the GOP-leaning district.

'Great Republican win for Mike Carey. Big numbers! Thank you to Ohio and all of our wonderful American patriots. Congratulations to Mike and his family. He will never let you down!,' Trump said in a statement after the race was called.

Carey was a little known contender until he earned Trump's endorsement - a sign of the former president's influence on the Republican voters who decide the party's nominee. Carey is a close friend of Corey Lewandowski, Trump's former campaign manager.

'Tonight, Republicans across Ohio's 15th Congressional District sent a clear message to the nation that President Donald J. Trump is, without a doubt, the leader of our party,' Carey said in a statement after his victory.

Donald Trump backed candidate, coal lobbyist Mike Carey (above), won Ohio's crowded Republican primary in the 15th Congressional district

Mike Carey had never held elected office and was a little known contender until Trump endorsed his campaign

The former president has touted his blessing as the political equivalent of a golden ticket. But he's struggled 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 was an assortment of other candidates running the Republican primary for the 15th district - all with their own big name backers:

state Rep. Jeff LaRe, who was endorsed by Stivers to replace him in his seat

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.'

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.
Publisher HarperCollins has settled a claim with two businessmen after an author made false allegations that the pair were connected to the KGB.

Misleading references to Russian business magnates Petr Aven, 66, and Mikhail Fridman, 57, have been cut from ex-Financial Times journalist Catherine Belton's book Putins People: How the KGB Took Back Russia and then Turned on the West.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is currently suing HarperCollins in the High Court after writer Catherine Belton said he bought the club on the orders of Vladimir Putin.

Belton quotes exiled oligarch Sergei Pugachev - once dubbed Putins Banker - as the source of the Chelsea FC claims - but Abramovich maintains the allegations are untrue and damaging both to him and the club.

Misleading references to Russian business magnates Petr Aven, 66, and Mikhail Fridman, 57, have been cut from ex-Financial Times journalist Catherine Belton's book Putins People: How the KGB Took Back Russia and then Turned on the West'

The publishers apology to the businessmen comes days after Pugachev denied making key claims about Abramovichs 150million purchase of Chelsea FC in a radio interview.

In a statement HarperCollins admitted there was no evidence whatsoever to suggest Aven and Fridman were linked to the KGB.

Since publication of the first edition of the book by Catherine Belton, Petr Aven and Mikhail Fridman have contacted HarperCollins to say that the book contained inaccurate personal data concerning them, the publisher said.

HarperCollins has amended some statements in the book in order to record the position as accurately as possible.

Fugitive Russian oligarch Sergei Pugachev known as 'Putin's Banker' (right), pictured with Putin in 2000, was quoted within Belton's book

The publisher added: HarperCollins and the author recognise and regret that comment was not sought earlier from Mr Aven and Mr Fridman in relation to statements suggesting Mr Aven or Mr Fridman had connections with the KGB in the early part of their careers in the late 1980s.

HarperCollins has been happy to amend the text to delete references to connections between Mr Aven, Mr Fridman and the KGB (claims for which HarperCollins recognises there has been no significant evidence), and to apologise that the subject was not discussed with them prior to initial publication.

The book also makes a series of false allegations about Mr Fridman selling theatre tickets.

The publisher said: HarperCollins has also recognised that the timing of when Mr Fridman sold theatre tickets as a student was inaccurate.

Mr Fridman disputes certain other details relating to his selling theatre tickets as a student, which HarperCollins has agreed to remove from future editions.

There was also an inaccurate statement in the book about gold bullion which mysteriously vanished.

The publisher added: HarperCollins further recognises that Mr Aven was not the minister who hired Kroll to track down missing Communist Party gold in the early 1990s.

HarperCollins has amended the text of the book accordingly.

Abramovich, 54, is suing HarperCollins and former FT Moscow correspondent Belton over claims he bought the club in 2003 on the order of the Russian president.

Hugh Tomlinson, QC, for Abramovich, told the defamation hearing at the High Court last week that the allegations are completely without foundation.

The claimant is described in the book as Putins cashier and the custodian of Kremlin slush funds.

The book alleges Abramovich covertly paid Putin large sums of money, then purchased Chelsea FC at his request in order to corrupt the British elite.

Mr Tomlinson said the book repeats lazy inaccuracies about Abramovichs role in various events and makes false and damaging statements about him.

Court documents prepared by the defendants described Pugachev as one of the authors significant sources.

Pugachev is a former banker, industrialist and senator who left Russia for London in January 2011.

The exiled oligarch claimed in a radio interview last week that Putin never said that he instructed Abramovich to buy Chelsea FC.

He went on to claim he had not been interviewed specifically for Beltons book, despite the index listing 21 separate interviews with the author over the course of six years.

Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich (pictured next to Putin) is also suing the international publisher over claims the Russian President directed him to purchase the club in 2003

He told Ms Rykovtseva he only spoke to Belton about his ongoing litigation in the UK, and the journalist was covering the proceedings for her then-employers, the FT.

During the litigation Pugachevs evidence was branded self-serving and impossible to believe in a series of High Court rulings.

Pugachev then fled the UK in violation of a court order, earning a two-year sentence.

He claimed in the interview with Radio Free Europe on 29 July that Putin never said that he instructed Abramovich to buy Chelsea FC.

He went on to claim he had not been interviewed specifically for Beltons book, despite the index listing 21 separate interviews with the author over the course of six years.

He told Ms Rykovtseva he only spoke to Belton about his ongoing litigation in the UK, and the journalist was covering the proceedings for her then-employers, the FT.

During the litigation, Pugachevs evidence was branded self-serving and impossible to believe in a series of High Court rulings.

Pugachev fled the UK in June 2015 in violation of a court order, earning a two-year sentence.

Andrew Caldecott, a lawyer representing HarperCollins and Belton, described Pugachev as someone prone to overstating his role and argued readers would factor his credibility into account when reading the book.

Mrs Justice Tipple is expected to make her first ruling on the meaning of key passages in the book in September ahead of a full libel trial at the High Court next year.
This is the moment Nashville Police shot and killed a worker for the braces firm Smile Direct Club after he turned up at one of its warehouses and opened fire on security guards.

Antonio King, 22, can be heard firing three shots at the security officers in the surveillance footage outside the warehouse, which he worked at, on Tuesday morning.

Police said King fired more than 20 shots and injured three people before they arrived.

Police said Antonio King, 22, fired more than 20 shots at the Smile Direct warehouse where he worked during a shift change on Tuesday morning.

Officer Dylan Ramos gave repeated warnings for King to drop his weapon and stand down. When King refused and reached for his semi-automatic pistol, Ramos opened fire

King worked as a dayshift employee at the Smile Direct warehouse in Antioch, Tennessee. His family said he was quiet, caring, fun loving and hardworking, and were shocked to learn about the shooting

Body cam footage reveals how the officers approached King, who was walking down the sidewalk armed with a semi-automatic pistol with an extended magazine.

Officer Dylan Ramos repeatedly yelled at King to drop his weapon as the shooter continued walking towards a nearby intersection.

'Do not move,' Ramos yelled. 'Drop the weapon! Drop the weapon! Drop it now!'

The officers followed King for nearly a minute until he stopped in the middle of the crosswalk.

As Ramos and fellow officer Cherell Kinchlowe continued to yell at King to stand down, King raises the gun, and they opened fire.

The body cam footage shows that Ramos shot at King nearly a dozen times, before the gunman falls to the ground.

Neither officer was hurt by gunfire.

King appears to flail around as he inches towards his gun before officer move in to handcuff him.

He was transported to a local hospital where he died.

King was a dayshift employee at the warehouse, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department told the Tennessean.

He allegedly entered the building during a shift changed and opened fire on his coworkers.

Three people were injured after King opened fire at the warehouse. Another employee injured his ankle running from the gunfire

Ramos and officer Cherell Kinchlowe followed King down the street from the warehouse as they kept yelling for him to drop his weapon

Security guards Johnny Hardin, 46, and Carlton Watson, 66, responded to the shooting and were left injured, News4 reports.

Hardin was left in critical condition, and Watson was said to be stable.

Thomas Abbot, 54, was also injured, but had been treated and released, police said.

Another employee injured his ankle while running from the shots and was taken to the Century Farms Emergency Room.

King's family released a statement describing him a quiet, caring, and fun loving young man.

They said King had suffered from mental illness, and offered an apology to the victims and their families.

'The heart of our family is broken at the news of the shooting at Smile Direct Club. For the families impacted by the shooting we cry and pray with you. For those who were injured and frightened by the event we empathize with you and pray for you. When we say we are praying for you, it is not a cliche, it is heartfelt. Our deepest sympathies and prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured and everyone else who was involved, as we mourn the loss of Antonio.'

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation will go over the case as it involves a shooting by police.
A January 6 rioter who described the storming of the US Capitol the 'best day ever' was branded a 'big talker' by a judge as he was sentenced to time served.

Karl Dresch, 41, is set to be freed Wednesday or Thursday after admitting to a misdemeanor, and has also agreed to be interviewed by investigators about the riot on being released as part of his plea deal. He has been behind bars since his arrest in January.

US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson labeled Dresch a 'big talker' for engaging in rhetorical saber-rattling on social media about the insurrection.

She told the court how Dresch managed to avoid any actual violence during the 25 minutes he spent inside the seat of the US government, despite making fierce calls to action on social media.

January 6 rioter Karl Dresch, 41, on Wednesday pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of demonstrating in a Capitol building and was sentenced to time served

Dresch is pictured on January 6 holding a Donald Trump flag while standing next to a statue of slavery defender John C. Calhoun

'You don't get to call for a war because you don't like the results of the election,' Berman Jackson said.

Dresch is at least the fourth January 6 defendant to be sentenced, after pleading guilty to a charge of demonstrating in a Capitol building.

A federal official said that 28 defendants facing riot-related charges have entered guilty pleas, with sentencing for most still pending.

More than 535 people face charges arising from the riot in which supporters of Donald Trump sought to block Congress from certifying President Joe Biden's election victory.

Before the riot, Trump delivered a speech to supporters repeating his false claims that the election was stolen from him through widespread voting fraud.

'Were not here today because he supported the former president,' Berman Jackson said of Dresch. 'Millions of people voted for him and did not heed his call to descend on the nations Capitol.'

A prosecutor conceded that Dresch, pictured far left with a white backpack on his shoulder, did not engage in violence in the 25 minutes which he spent in the US Capitol

Dresch posted photos from inside the US Capitol on January 6, which he called 'best day ever'

The judge continued: 'at the end of the day, the fact is that the defendant came to the Capitol because he placed his trust in someone who repaid that trust by lying to him.'

Dresch was arrested in January and has been held without bond since.

His social media activity, especially photos, led investigators to him. Dresch posted several messages, including one describing January 6 as the 'best day ever' and another calling Vice President Mike Pence 'traitor scum,' and joked about the use of tear gas by police at the Capitol.

Dresch posted a photo of himself holding a Donald Trump flag while standing next to a statue of slavery defender John C. Calhoun of South Carolina, who was vice president from 1825 through 1832.

While Dresch didnt commit violence, 'he was arrested because he was an enthusiastic participant in an effort to subvert and undo the electoral process,' the judge said.

Berman Jackson stressed that Dresch was 'not a political prisoner' and was not prosecuted for exercising his First Amendment rights, but rather for breaking federal law.

A federal judge said Dresch (pictured top right) was a 'big talker' and 'not a political prisoner'

Dresch had been held in pre-trial detention for six months - the maximum sentence for a conviction on the charge to which he pled guilty. As part of his plea deal, prosecutors dropped four additional charges including a charge of witness tampering.

Prosecutor Jennifer Blackwell noted that Dresch posted multiple inflammatory social media posts encouraging possible January 6 violence but did not actually engage in violence in the 25 minutes which he spent in the Capitol during the riot.

Judge Berman Jackson said that 'while the defendant is a big talker his actions did not match his rhetoric.'
Federal prosecutors are investigating whether Louisiana State Police leadership obstructed justice to protect the white troopers seen on long-withheld body camera video punching, dragging and tasing black driver Ronald Greene during his fatal 2019 arrest.

The new investigation, which was ordered by the FBI last month, marks a significant expansion of the federal inquiry that began as a blow-by-blow examination of the troopers' violence against Greene and their apparent efforts to cover it up.

Investigators are now moving up the chain of command, probing allegations that supervisors disregarded the video evidence. They are also looking into whether cops quashed a recommendation to arrest one of the troopers and pressed a state prosecutor not to bring any charges on the same day that bodycam footage of Greene's fatal arrest was released, triggering nationwide outrage.

'Their investigation is far beyond just use of force,' said Ron Haley, an attorney for Greene's family, who met with federal authorities at length last month. 'They're casting a very wide net.'

A new federal investigation has been launched into the death of black Louisiana motorist Ronald Greene in May 2019. Greene died after being arrested by white troopers

This image from Louisiana State Trooper Dakota DeMoss' body camera shows troopers hold a bloodied Greene during his arrest on May 10, 2019, which followed a 115mph chase

Video that was released in May 2021 shows troopers bashing and dragging Greene, who is heard screaming: 'I'm scared!' This image shows Trooper Kory York standing over Greene lying on his stomach

The development comes as federal prosecutors are preparing to present their findings to a grand jury by the end of the summer, which could bring the first charges of any kind in a case that's long been shrouded in secrecy.

Greene's deadly arrest on May 10, 2019, came after he eluded a stop for a traffic violation and led troopers on a chase near Monroe at speeds topping 115mph.

Troopers initially told Greene's relatives the 49-year-old died from a crash at the end of the chase, despite his car showing little damage. It was only later that state police acknowledged there had been a struggle.

It took a total of 474 days for state police to launch an internal inquiry and officials from Gov. John Bel Edwards on down refused to release body camera video for more than two years.

That was until the AP obtained and published it in May, showing white troopers beating Greene and dragging him by his ankle shackles, even as he pleaded for mercy and wailed, 'I'm your brother! I'm scared! I'm scared!'

A key point under scrutiny in the federal investigation came just a day after the AP published the video, when the head of the state police, Col. Lamar Davis, and his chief of staff, Lt. Col. Doug Cain, made a hastily arranged attempt to dissuade state prosecutors from charging troopers in the Greene case, sources claimed.

Davis and Cain traveled to District Attorney John Belton's office in Ruston - more than 200 miles north of Baton Rouge - on May 20 to review the video frame by frame and make the case that the troopers' actions were justified. Belton, who told colleagues he was deeply disturbed by the footage, referred the case to federal authorities in September 2019 but has not ruled out prosecuting the troopers at the state level.

Capt. Nick Manale, a state police spokesman, said the agency is continuing to cooperate with the federal investigation and 'intends to release all documents and investigative files at the appropriate time.' He said the federal inquiry 'prevents the release of further information.'

Chris Hollingsworth (left), a veteran trooper, was seen on the video stunning Greene. He was later recorded boasting to a colleague that he choked Greene and beat the 'ever living f*** out of him.' Trooper Kory York (right) was seen on camera dragging Greene on his stomach

Bloodstains are seen on the shield and uniform of Hollingsworth after Greene's arrest

Davis has declined repeated interview requests. Cain did not respond to messages seeking comment.

Of particular interest to federal investigators is why the state police failed to arrest Chris Hollingsworth, a veteran trooper who can be seen on the video stunning Greene and was later recorded boasting to a colleague that he choked Greene and beat the 'ever living f*** out of him.'

Seven days after Greenes death, on May 17, 2019, state police detectives told their superiors that Hollingsworth should be arrested for turning off his dashboard and body cameras before the high-speed pursuit and later when he realized one of the devices was recording him talking about beating Greene, according to notes written by the lead investigator, Det. Albert Paxton.

But state police commanders in Monroe pressured their detectives to hold off, the notes say. Among those present at the meeting were Capt. John Peters, the regional troop commander, and Bob Brown, then the major over statewide criminal investigations.

The meeting became 'very heated,' the notes say, with the commanders warning that charging Hollingsworth would cause investigators to 'have issues with patrol.'

The detectives also suggested Hollingsworth be charged with aggravated battery. Peters responded, 'What is evidence and who decides?'

This undated photo provided by the family of Ronald Greene via the Baton Rouge chapter of the NAACP in September 2020 shows injuries on his body

Hollingsworth was never arrested and was only fired in September after he admitted to bashing Greene's head with a flashlight - a use of deadly force internal investigators said was unjustified. The 46-year-old died in a single-car highway crash in Monroe hours after he learned of his firing.

DeMoss was only recently fired and a third, Master Trooper Kory York who dragged Greene on his stomach by his ankle shackles, has been suspended.

Also under scrutiny, according to those familiar with the probe, is why the state police failed to provide the body camera video and even the most basic police reports for the official autopsy.

It listed Greene's cause of death as 'cocaine induced agitated delirium complicated by motor vehicle collision, physical struggle, inflicted head injury and restraint.' The forensic pathologists, however, say the lack of supporting materials left them unable to determine whether the crash or excessive police force caused his most severe injuries, including a fractured breastbone and lacerated aorta.

'There were lacerations of the head inconsistent with motor vehicle collision injury,' the 10-page autopsy report says. 'These injuries are most consistent with multiple impact sites from a blunt object.'

The FBI recently asked the pathologist to make another attempt at such a conclusion accounting for the evidence state police initially failed to provide.

As federal prosecutors home in on possible obstruction charges, state police leaders have redoubled their hunt for leaks in a case that's steeped the agency in controversy and divided its ranks.

At least six high-ranking state police officials - including Peters, Brown and Col. Kevin Reeves, the head of the state police at the time of Greene's death - have retired amid the growing fallout from the case.

Last month, Peters announced his departure as head of the Monroe-based Troop F - which has become notorious for its harsh treatment of black suspects - with an email saying, 'Shamefully, we have now seen there are those within our own ranks tearing this agency apart from the inside.'

Peters didn't mention in his email that he recently received a 32-hour suspension for signing off on a use-of-force report without reviewing the body camera footage of his troopers beating yet another black motorist, according to state police records.

Troopers initially told Greene's relatives the 49-year-old died from a crash at the end of the chase, despite his silver Toyota showing little damage (pictured)

Peters, who was among the commanders to sign off on the use-of-force reports in Greene's case, told investigators it was 'common practice' for him to approve such documents without reviewing the materials. He declined to comment to AP.

Video of Greene's May 2019 arrest in Monroe County depicts what happened when state troopers pulled him over after the barber led them on a 115mph chase. He died in an ambulance after suffering a cardiac incident during the arrest.

It begins with Hollingsworth and DeMoss rushing Greene's SUV, as he can be seen appearing to raise his hands and repeating, 'OK, OK. I'm sorry.'

Greene is also heard to say: 'Im your brother! Im scared! Im scared!'

Hollingsworth shocks Greene with a stun gun within seconds through the drivers side window as both troopers demand he get out of the vehicle.

Greene exits through the passenger side as Hollingsworth appears to wrestle him to the ground, putting him in a chokehold and punching him in the face while another trooper can be heard calling him a 'stupid mother***r.'

Hollingsworth strikes Greene multiple times and appears to lie on one of his arms before he is finally handcuffed.

The troopers then leave the burly man unattended, facedown and moaning for more than nine minutes, as they use sanitizer wipes to wash blood off their hands and faces.

'I hope this guy aint got f***ing AIDS,' one of the troopers can be heard saying.

At one point, another trooper, Kory York, yanks Greenes leg shackles and briefly drags the man, facedown on his stomach.

Moments before, York was seen kicking Greene as he tried to shift from his stomach onto his side in an apparent attempt to breathe more easily.

At least six troopers were on the scene of the arrest but not all had their body cameras on.

In this August 28, 2020 file photo, family members of Ronald Greene listen to speakers as demonstrators gather for the March on Washington

After a several-minute stretch in which Greene is not seen on camera, he appears again, limp, unresponsive and bleeding from his head and face. He is then loaded onto an ambulance gurney, his arm cuffed to the bedrail.

Leading the federal inquiry is Assistant US Attorney John Luke Walker, a Lafayette-based prosecutor who won accolades for his role in a sprawling child exploitation case that resulted in dozens of convictions.

Walker is also investigating Louisiana state troopers' beatings of at least two other black motorists. They include Aaron Larry Bowman, who was pulled over near his Monroe home just 20 days after Greene's death and was struck 18 times with a flashlight, leaving him with a broken jaw, ribs and wrist, and a gash to the head.

Trooper Jacob Brown, the son of Bob Brown, was arrested in December on second-degree battery and malfeasance charges in Bowman's beating. Brown did not respond to requests for comment.

Bowman's lawyer, Donecia Banks-Miley, said federal prosecutors met with her and her client in June and showed them Brown's 2019 body camera footage for the first time.

'It's been covered up for so long,' Banks-Miley said. 'It's just been covered up.'
An Illinois woman faces federal charges after a video surfaced of her standing roughly 15 feet away from a grizzly bear and her cubs in order take an up-close photo of the animals at Yellowstone National Park.

Samantha Dehring, 25, was in the Roaring Mountain area of the park on May 10 when she was recorded by a visitor around 4.45pm.

In the video, a mama bear can be seen briefly charging at Dehring, who holds a cellphone in her hands directed at the animals.

Samantha Dehring, 25, faces federal charges after video surfaced of her standing roughly 15 feet away from a grizzly bear and her cubs because she was trying to take a picture of them

When other visitors noticed the animals, they backed off, but Dehring continued to take pictures. She now faces federal charges

The bear then retreats as two of her cubs run to the forest and Dehring walks away while she puts her cellphone inside her pocket.

A person in the background says: 'Oh my god! I got that on video.'

Darcie Addington, who recorded the scene from her car window, said that other visitors tried to warn Dehring not to get too close to the bear, but she didn't listen.

"It was terrifying," Addington told USA Today.

Dehring, of Carol Stream, will next appear in court in Mammoth Hot Spring, Wyoming, on August 26, ABC reported.

She faces one count of willfully remaining, approaching and photographing wildlife within 100 yards, and one count of feeding, touching, teasing, frightening or intentionally disturbing wildlife, U.S. attorney for the district of Wyoming, Bob Murray, said on Monday.

The mama bear briefly charged at Dehring, who walked away, while the cubs ran to the forest

The National Park Service has reported an average of one bear attack per year at Yellowstone. But recently, incidents involving grizzly bears have increased. A man was killed by a bear just outside the park in April. And another 39-year-old man was attacked inside the park in May

Murray said: 'While other visitors slowly backed off and got into their vehicles, Dehring remained.'

If found guilty, she could be jailed up to a year and would have to pay a $10,000 fine.

Yellowstone National Park regulations state that visitors should keep a minimum 100-yard distance from bears at all times and to never feed or approach a bear to take a photo.

The park has experienced a spike in visitors upon reopening from lockdown. There were 438,000 visitors in May compared with 434,000 in 2019 - an 11 percent jump and the busiest May on record.

In May, a ranger shot at a grizzly bear as it charged toward him and a road filled with cars.

The National Park Service has registered an average of one bear attack per year at Yellowstone, with three fatal incidents since 2010. But incidents with bears and visitors have increased this year.

A 39-year-old man was injured at Yellowstone in May when he was hiking alone on a trail near Mammoth Hot Springs. He sustained injuries on his legs but managed to hike back on his own.

A man was fatally attacked by a bear just outside the park in April.

The last fatal incident inside the park happened in 2015, when a day hiker was killed by an adult female grizzly bear with two cubs near the Elephant Back Loop Trail in the Lake Village.
Animal Kingdom Lodge lifeguard Kenneth Javier Aquino of Orlando, 26, (pictured) and two other Disney employees were among a group of 17 suspects arrested in a massive child sex sting in Florida

Three employees of Walt Disney World in Orlando were among 17 suspects arrested in a massive child sex sting in Florida.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office announced the arrests stemming from 'Operation Child Protector' at a news conference on Tuesday.

Collectively, the group was charged with 49 felonies and two misdemeanors, including: traveling to meet a minor for sex, attempted lewd battery, use of a computer to seduce a child and transmission of material harmful to a child.

Officials said the majority of the suspects had communicated with undercover agents who were posing as 13- and 14-year-old children and then traveled to a location with the intention of meeting and sexually battering the victims.

Six of the suspects brought condoms to the meet-ups. Two of the suspects did not actually go to meet-ups but sent sexually explicit messages, photos and videos to underage targets online.

Three of the suspects - Kenneth Javier Aquino, Jonathan McGrew and Sarah Lawrence - stood out among the group because they are each employed by Disney.

Aquino, a 26-year-old Animal Kingdom Lodge lifeguard, was wearing his Disney polo shirt, swim trunks and crocs when he was arrested by undercover detectives on July 27, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said at a press conference.

Jonathan McGrew, 34, (left) and his girlfriend Sarah Lawrence, 29, (right) - who are both custodians at Disney's Hollywood studios - allegedly tried to arrange a threesome with an undercover detective posing as a 14-year-old girl on August 1

Aquino drove to meet with the girl straight from work after starting a conversation with who he thought was a 14-year-old girl that day after asking for nude photos and sending lewd videos of his own, Judd said.

'He bragged about his prowess and how wonderful he was,' said Judd of Aquino, who was the first arrested in the week-long sting. 'He left his girlfriend who was seven months pregnant with his child in order to have sex with a child.'

McGrew, 34, and girlfriend Lawrence, 29, both of Kissimmee and both custodians at Disney's Hollywood studios, allegedly tried to arrange a threesome with an undercover detective posing as a 14-year-old girl on August 1.

Police said McGrew contacted two undercover detectives posing as underage girls within the same timeframe, inviting one to his apartment and sending videos of him and Lawrence performing sex acts.

'Our fantasy is to play step-dad/step-daughter/step-mom, teacher/student maybe even shoplifter where we do a strip search,' McGrew wrote in one message.

Lawrence told police she was 'just a follower', Judd said. The two took an Uber to the detective's location, attempting to meet a minor for sex, and were arrested at the scene without incident.

'Our detectives that work this operation are simply the very best,' said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd (pictured) at a press conference. 'Theyre skilled at talking as though theyre 13- and 14-year-old children and they worked around the clock for a week in order to arrest 17 people.'

We want to enjoy this opportunity, we dont want to rush,' McGrew allegedly wrote to the detective. 'Maybe at the conclusion well cuddle a little bit.

At least 35 Disney employees were arrested for charges related to pedophilia between 2006 and 2014, according to PIX.

A chef and food runner at Disney facilities were nabbed in a child sex ring in 2018, according to Newsweek, and Metro reported that two more Disney employees were pegged for involvement in a 2019 child porn sting, Metro reported.

Walt Disney World has not responded to DailyMail.com's requests for comment.

Judd told reporters that one of those arrested, who couldn't be singled out due to HIPAA laws, admitted to officers after his arrest that he was HIV-positive. He was not one of those arrested with condoms on their person.

Dominos pizza driver Lior Enbar of Orlando, 31, vacationing and married LA-resident Jarrod Justice, 33, and Irving Oliver of Lakeland, 41, were all charged within the same day on July 27 for the felonies of traveling to meet a minor for sex and attempted lewd battery.

Justice allegedly brought condoms and Sour Patch Kids to the scene. Enbar allegedly dialed *67 to call the 14-year-old 'girl' he was corresponding with, asking for photos and videos and detailing what he wanted to do sexually.

Previously, Oliver had been arrested for battery domestic violence, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and for violating a restraining order.

Detectives said they found PCP in the wallet of 30-year-old Joshua Ortega of Davenport when he was jailed, adding two additional felonies to his charges of traveling to meet a minor for sex and attempted lewd battery.

He was released from state prison in June of last year after he was jailed for cocaine possession, marijuana-related charges, burglary, grand theft and violation of probation.

Ortega told detectives that he was unemployed, lived with his mother, and that he walked to the location to have sex with the assumed-14-year-old because he 'hadn't had sex in awhile.'

Registered nurse Juan Guadalupe-Arroyo of Davenport, 47, was arrested after arriving at the detective's location to meet with what he thought was a 14-year-old boy for sex on July 30, police said.

He detailed what he wanted to do sexually in conversations with detectives and brought condoms to the scene. In addition to charges relating to the sex attempt, Guadalupe-Arroyo was also charged with the felony of misrepresenting his age online - he told the boy he was only 40 years of age.

Carlos Flores of Orlando, 36, was also charged for lying about his age on July 30 when he told a detective posing as a 13-year-old girl that he was 17.

'He did not want to come inside the building, he wanted the girl to meet him in his carthat was his fantasy, to have sex in a car,' said Judd.

That day, Enrique Medina of Orlando, 47, and Adam Smith of Kissimmee, 30, were also charged with felonies for traveling to meet a minor and attempted lewd battery.

Custodian Thomas Snyder of Lakeland, 44, was at work while he corresponded with detectives posing as a 13-year-old boy on July 31, sending an explicit photo of himself from his job site, Judd said.

'He said "I like smelly feet" - he wanted to smell the little boys feet, and then he wanted to play with his toes,' Judd said. 'He talked really, really nasty during the undercover conversations.'

Garbage truck driver Jeremiah Davis of Clewiston, 27, David Ring of Lakeland, 34, and Philip Nelson of Polk City, 27, were all charged with felonies that day on July 31 for communicating with and traveling to what they thought were 14-year-old girls.

Julio Enrique Cedeno Jr. of Zephyrhills, 45, and self-identified professional poker player Edward McGaffigan of Orlando, 37, were both charged with transmission of material harmful to a minor and unlawful use of a two-way communication device for sending lewd photos of themselves to 13- and 14-year-old 'girls' and requesting the same in return.

'He sent harmful material, he thought it was a 14 year old girl. When we went to pick him up, we actually showed him the chats. You know what he said? "well, this is real bad." No kidding,' said Judd of McGaffigan. 'He couldnt travel- somebody stole his car, so he just talked nasty and sent harmful material.'

The Polk County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Auburndale Police Department, the Orlando Police Department, the Winter Haven Police Department and the Orange County Sheriff's Office in the undercover sting.

'Our detectives that work this operation are simply the very best,' said Judd at the press conference. 'Theyre skilled at talking as though theyre 13- and 14-year-old children and they worked around the clock for a week in order to arrest 17 people.'
During a preliminary court hearing in San Luis Obispo Superior Court Monday, Stan Smart, (left) father of missing Cal Poly freshman Kristin Smart, (right) shared an emotional testimony on his relationship with his daughter and his heartbreaking attempts to find her

The man accused of killing California college student Kristin Smart in 1996 was sporting a black eye when he was questioned by police three days after her disappearance, it has been revealed.

Paul Flores' alleged injury was brought to light by a retired detective who testified during his preliminary hearing in San Luis Obispo Superior Court on Wednesday.

The hearing, which is expected to last over a week, began on Monday with testimony from Smart's father Stan Smart, who recounted his desperate search for his daughter after she disappeared from Cal Poly University over 25 years ago on May 24, 1996.

The father told the court about his 'close, nurturing and wholesome' relationship with his then-19-year-old daughter and described his own efforts to find her.

'I crawled through a lot of culverts. I looked through a lot of dumpsters' during that time, Stan Smart told Deputy District Attorney Christopher Peuvrelle.

He said believed Cal Poly police were 'ill equipped' to handle his daughter's disappearance and that he 'wasn't very satisfied' with their attempts in finding her.

'They didn't seem to have the expertise in the field with somebody who's disappeared,' Stan Smart added.

The hearing continued into Wednesday, with Lawrence Kennedy, a retired Cal Poly police detective, testifying Flores, 44, had a black eye when he came in for questioning - three days after Smart vanished.

Flores is accused of raping or attempting to rape Smart in his dorm room before killing her, while his father, Ruben Flores, 80, was charged as an accessory and is alleged to have helped conceal the body.

The hearing is a part of a criminal case against Paul Flores, 44, (pictured) and his father Ruben Flores, 80, which is expected to last 12 days.

Ruben Flores (left) is pictured in court on July 14. A former tenant claimed Ruben would refer to Smart as a 'dirty slut'

Paul Flores, 44, is charged with murder in the commission of a rape or attempted rape. His father, Ruben Flores, 80, is charged with accessory after the fact

A photo depicting Flores' black eye had been kept aside for evidence, but the quality is poor and could not be enhanced to highlight Flores black eye.

Initially, Superior Court Judge Craig van Rooyen would not admit the photo as evidence because it could not be verified as authentic.

He changed his mind and allowed the photo into evidence after the prosecution provided witnesses to confirm Flores' black eye on May 27, 1996.

Prosecutors will later play audio from Kennedy's interview with Flores, following cross-examination from defense attorneys.

Paul, who was 19 at the time of Kristin's disappearance, was the last individual to see her alive before she vanished while walking home from a campus party 25 years ago.

He and his father were arrested in connection with Smarts disappearance on April 13 in San Pedro and Arroyo Grande, and have pleaded not guilty to their charges.

If convicted of first-degree murder, Paul could face 25 years to life, while Ruben could face up to three years.

Smart's body has never been discovered, but investigators believe she was buried at the residence of Ruben Flores in Arroyo Grande, and 'recently moved.'

A series of of witnesses, including investigators, archaeologists and cadaver dog experts, as well as women who are expected to testify to Paul Flores' past sexual assaults and predatory behavior.

When called to the stand, Stan Smart (left) said he had a 'close, nurturing and wholesome,' relationship with his 19-year-old daughter, (right) and that he physically searched for Kristin following her disappearance on May 24, 1996.

Stan Smart (right) said believed Cal Poly police were 'ill equipped' to handle his daughter's disappearance and that he 'wasn't very satisfied' with their attempts in finding her.

'I crawled through a lot of culverts. I looked through a lot of dumpsters' during that time, Stan Smart (second from left) told Deputy District Attorney Christopher Peuvrelle during Monday's preliminary hearing

In addition to Smart's father testifying, Paul's mother, Susan Flores, also took the stand Monday.

However, when Van Rooyen swore Mrs. Flores in, she said she intended to invoke her Fifth Amendment rights if called to testify.

The judge then ruled that she could not be called to the stand.

The hearing continued Tuesday with Matthew Toomey, Cheryl Manzer, and Detective Clinton Cole taking the stand.

Toomey and Mazner both resided in the Sierra Madre dorms and attended the party on May 24, 1996.

Toomey said he arrived at the party with his friend, Ross, whom Kristin supposedly kissed that night. He said Paul Flores approached him and began inquiring about Kristin and whether or not she was dating Ross.

Based off the way Flores was asking questions about Kristin, Toomey said it appeared as if he were interested in her.

Toomey also described Flores as 'being socially awkward.'

When Toomey and Ross left the party around midnight, he told the court he noticed Kristin lying on a nearby lawn intoxicated. When he offered to help her, Toomey said Kristin told him to 'leave me alone.'

When Mazner took the stand, she told Peuvrelle she left the party at around 1 a.m. with a friend and noticed another friend assisting Kristin Smart off the ground.

Mazner said the four of them walked back to the dorms together, with Flores later joining the group, placing his arm around her waist.

When Mazner got to the corner of the street, she split off from Smart and Flores, before asking Flores if he would escort Smart back to her dorm.

Paul Flores, 44, was arrested in April for Smart's murder. He has denied any wrongdoing

In February 2020, police executed a search warrant at Paul's San Pedro, California, home, and seized electronic devices containing homemade videos and rape porn, prosecutors say

Two searches were carried out in February and March 2020 as part of the investigation into Smart's death

'Yes,' Flores replied, according to Mazner.

Mazner testified that the last thing she saw before leaving was Paul with his arm around Kristin's waist.

'I didn't think anything bad would happen to her,' she said.

Kristin's friends told detectives Paul had been 'lurking' around her dorm and seemed to be 'hunting her' in the weeks before she vanished.

It's unclear if her friends told cops that he'd been following her back in 1996, when she first vanished, or if they made the claim more recently.

The case was unsolved for 25 years until earlier this year when a popular Spotify podcast titled Your Own Backyard prompted detectives to revive their investigation and ultimately arrest Flores and his father.

In 2019, we interviewed several witnesses that had not been previously interviewed and some of that information came to light through the podcast that many of you are familiar with, San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Ian Parkinson told FOX 40 in Sacramento in April.

The witness led investigators back to Paul Flores, the prime person of interest in her disappearance.

Documents obtained by the San Luis Obispo Tribune describe how police found videos that showed Flores raping a drunk woman when they searched his home earlier this year.

Police also found a pornographic film titled 'Real Drunken Girls Drugged and Raped While Passed Out.' According to the prosecutor, the videos were stored in a computer file labeled 'Practice.'

The search further yielded 'fetishized rape fantasy porn' and prescription drug medications that could be used as date rape drugs, especially when taken with alcohol.

Meanwhile, a separate search at the home of Ruben Flores earlier this year turned up likely traces of human blood and a patch of dug-up dirt beneath a deck, where authorities believe Smart's body was once buried.
President Bidens nominee to lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Harris County sheriff Ed Gonzalez, who's been critical of the agency he's been tapped to lead, advanced out of committee for a full Senate vote on Wednesday.

Gonzalez was approved by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee in a party line 7-6 vote. At the same time, the Homeland Security Committee advanced Rob Santos nomination to lead the Census bureau in a 10-3 vote.

The sheriff, if confirmed, will be the first Senate-confirmed ICE director since the Obama administration.

Republicans have spoken out against Gonzalez, who leads one of the largest sheriffs offices in the country that includes Houston, due to his combative record with the agency under President Trump. Gonzalez terminated a formal cooperation agreement with the agency known as 287(g), which deputizes state and local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration law.

Gonzalez, pictured above at a Senate hearing, ended a voluntary cooperation agreement with ICE as sheriff

Migrants line up at a border facility to receive a coronavirus vaccine, as Republicans voice concerns that they are bringing the virus into the nation

His history with ICE, both his statements and his actions, regarding the agency he is nominated to lead, are deeply conquering to me, the committees ranking member Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, said of Gonzalez during Wednesdays meeting.

On numerous occasions during his time as sheriff he criticized ICE and said he only worked with them because he was compelled to do so under Texas law, a law that he openly and vocally opposed, Portman said.

Gonzalez said he made the decision so officers could maintain the trust of his diverse community.

'I had to consider obviously the local realities as well and the importance of local law enforcement also working with a diverse immigrant community. I also wanted to make sure that we continued to remain focused on having the avenues necessary to arrest serious offenders in our community that impact our public safety,' he said.

Gonzalez has touted that he had an amicable relationship with ICE and never declined a detainer, allowing agents into his jails when they sought to take custody of unlawful immigrants, as required by Texas law.

As the U.S. faced a previous immigration surge in 2019, former President Trump threatened ICE raids across the country to capture those who already had court orders to be removed.

'I do not support #ICERaids that threaten to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, the vast majority of whom do not represent a threat to the U.S.,' Gonzalez tweeted at the time. 'The focus should always be on clear & immediate safety threats. Not others who are not threats.'

Gonzalez wrote in another tweet of ICE raids that pursuing any undocumented immigrants except safety threats 'silences witnesses & victims' as they are afraid to come forward and report crimes.

But during his initial hearing on July 15, Gonzalez said he said that illegal immigrants should be subject to removal from the U.S., and believes that those with orders of removal should be deported.

Gonzalezs advancement comes as Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) picked up a record number of migrants along the southern border in July, many of whom are processed and released into the interior to await a later court date. Republicans for months have cried of a border crisis amid the rise in numbers.

Migrants cross into the US from Mexico along Rio Bravo in Ciudad Juarez Mexico

According to preliminary figures, July saw 210,000 border apprehensions. Meanwhile, ICE arrests have significantly decreased under the Biden administration.

There were 1,661 ICE arrests in July, 3,432 in June, 2,835 in May and 2,847 in April. In 2020 under President Trump, ICE arrested 5,855 in July, 5,103 in June, 5,394, in May and 5,613 in April.

The drop in arrests coincided with new guidance mandating that officers get pre-approval before arresting immigrants who do not pose a threat to national security, who are not recent border crossers and those who have not committed aggravated felonies.

The Biden administration will offer Covid-19 vaccines to immigrants in custody along the Mexico border, the Washington Post reported Wednesday.

The vaccine would be given to those facing deportation as well as though released into the United States pending a court hearing. Migrants who are being sent back to Mexico under the Title 42 public health law would not be offered a shot.
A famous walrus who has travelled around 4,000km and has been spotted in the UK and Europe delighted locals after making an appearance in an Irish seaside town.

Wally the Walrus was photographed attempting to hop on to a boat owned by a local hotelier off the coast of Ardmore, Co Waterford, on Wednesday.

The marauding mammal was seen attempting to climb into a boat for a rest, much to the amusement of nearby canoeists, who kept an eye on the walrus as he continued his adventure.

The lonely walrus is believed to be from Svalbard, north of Norway, and has been on a 4,000km solo trip for months.

Wally the Walrus was photographed attempting to hop on to a boat owned by a local hotelier off the coast of Ardmore, Co Waterford, on Wednesday

The famous mammal was seen attempting to climb into a boat for a rest, as he continued his European adventure

Wally was first spotted in Ireland off the coast of Valentia Island in March, and has since travelled along the coast of western Europe, being spotted in France, Spain and the UK.

Most recently he has been sighted in the Isles of Scilly, off Cornwall in England, with experts claiming he may be heading back to the Arctic after his European venture.

Patrick Shields, general manager at the five-star Cliff House Hotel in Ardmore, joked that staff were surprised to see international guests arriving in the summer of a pandemic.

I have been fortunate over the years to have enjoyed many memorable wildlife scenes....



But,

a #Walrus - climbing into a boat - in #Ardmore, Co. Waterford is....

Well, definitely the most unexpected in a lifetime spent watching wildlife!@RTECountryWide @RTENationwide @NatureRTE pic.twitter.com/WjyTd4WXtV  Wicklow Nature (@WicklowN) August 4, 2021

He said: 'I received a phone call at home to say we had a visitor in the bay since early morning.

'I was aware that Mike Dunne, a local fisherman, was going out to check and that there was a boat with a walrus on it in the harbour, which was surprising to me, initially. I needed to see it with my own eyes.

'When I came to the hotel around lunchtime I was surprised that Wally the Walrus had shown up.

The marauding mammal was seen approaching canoeists off the coast of Ardmore, who kept an eye on the walrus as he continued his adventure

The walrus is believed to be from Svalbard, north of Norway, and has been on a 4,000km solo trip for months. Pictured: Wally takes an interest in a boat off the coast of Ardmore

Dozens of excited locals and tourists arrived with binoculars and telescopes in a bid to get a view of the famous travelling walrus (pictured with canoeists on Wednesday)

'We haven't had a lot of international visitors this summer. So someone from Norway was exciting, and in particular a walrus, which was amazing. It's gathered a lot of attention.

'We understand he's been here since about 9am yesterday morning, or maybe a little bit before. There have been sightings all day yesterday and today as well.'

Dozens of excited locals and tourists arrived with binoculars and telescopes in a bid to get a view of the famous travelling walrus.

Mr Shields continued: 'A lot of people have been doing their own research online and they've discovered that he's been seen in France and Wales and England as well.

'I'm hopeful that he can make his journey back to Norway eventually, safely and soundly. It's garnered a lot of local interest and now international interest as well.

'The hotel owner owns the boat. I suppose you could say that the walrus is staying with us at the moment.'

Dubliner John Burn, who was visiting Ardmore on holiday, was among those seeking Wally out.

He said: 'I'm going to have a look at him. I'm going up Declan's Way for the walk. I didn't think he was here today.

Wally was first spotted in Ireland off the coast of Valentia Island in March, and has travelled along the coast of western Europe. Pictured: Wally climbs on a boat in Ardmore on Wednesday

Hotel manager Patrick Shields joked that staff were surprised to see international guests arriving in the summer of a pandemic. Pictured: Wally climbs on a boat off coast of Ardmore

'I just seen a picture of him in the paper this morning. He's a long way from home, isn't he?'

The walrus had previously been in the Isles of Scilly since June 17 and proved a popular hit with tourists and locals, before leaving St Mary's to head back to Ireland.

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.'

Animal welfare groups believe Wally initially came across the North Atlantic ocean from Greenland on an ice floe.

He 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 has finally left the UK and been spotted in Ireland, with experts claiming he may be heading back to the Arctic after his European venture

Alaskan walrus expert Lori Quakenbush said Wally will only be able to move on if the has the energy to make the 3,200km journey home

'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 organisations who have been monitoring his movements since he was first spotted last March, to minimise 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 previously pictured hitching a ride on a boat so he could sunbathe and rest as experts believe he was seeking physical contact

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 was able to travel again.

Locals on the Isles of Scilly were warned to stay away from Wally the Walrus as high temperatures are 'challenging him'.

The Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust warned: 'This heat is not something he is adapted for so it's more important now more than ever to give him rest and space.'

Dan Jarvis from British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), which has been monitoring the walrus, said a sighting was confirmed on Monday afternoon.

The walrus had previously been in the Isles of Scilly since June 17 and proved a popular hit with tourists and locals, before leaving St Mary's to head back to Ireland

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.'

Alaskan walrus expert Lori Quakenbush said Wally will only be able to move on if the has the energy to make the 3,200km journey home.
Joe Biden's pick to head the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives did not disclose with Congress earlier this year his previous interview with Chinese state-run media, a Wednesday report revealed.

David Chipman, a senior policy advisor at the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence and former ATF special agent, appeared on China Global Television Network  formerly CCTV  to discuss the Sandy Hook mass shooting in December 2012, Fox News first reported.

A YouTube video of the interview, titled 'David Chipman on Connecticut school shooting: What can be done next?', is still up on CGTN's channel, but only has amassed a little over 6,000 views in the eight-and-a-half years it has been uploaded on the site.

The interview, however, was not included as part of the media appearances Chipman disclosed to the Senate as part of a 16-page list of previous interviews and quotes he provided to media.

It is believed that Chipman was used by Chinese Communist Party (CCP) as propaganda to cover up for a mass stabbing of two dozen children in China on the same exact day as the school shooting in the U.S.

Joe Biden's pick to head the ATF, David Chipman, failed to disclose in a questionnaire for the Senate earlier this year that he participated in an interview with Chinese state-run media about the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012

It is believed that the interview was used as propaganda to cover up a mass stabbing of two dozen children in China on the same exact day as the Sandy Hook shooting in the U.S.

As the Sandy Hook Massacre on December 14, 2012 unfolded, across the world a 36-year-old man, identified as Min Yongjun, stabbed 23 children and an elderly woman at a school in Henan Province, China.

None were fatally injured in the stabbing, but 26 people, including 20 children 6-7 years old and six adult staff members, were killed in the Newton, Connecticut shooting by 20-year-old Adam Lanza.

Chipman was brought on the day after the attacks to speak with CGTN, a state-run television company in China, about the gun violence in America.

'I have done my best to identify all interviews given, including through a review of my personal files, and searches of publicly available electronic databases. Despite my searches, there may be other materials that I have been unable to identify, find, or remember,' Chipman included as a disclaimer.

Chipman, as a Cabinet nominee, was required to submit a questionnaire to the Senate as part of his confirmation process including a list of his media appearances.

Biden's pick to head the ATF has come under intense scrutiny by Republicans who claim it would be unethical to have a gun control advocate lead up the Justice Department sub-agency that oversees the regulation and federal enforcement of firearms laws.

It is not clear when the Senate plans to vote on Chipman's nomination after already going through a round of questioning before the Senate Judiciary Committee in May.

Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, doubled down on his support for the nominee this week.

Chipman appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee for a confirmation hearing in May, but his nomination process has yet to move forward as Republicans object to a gun control advocate heading the federal law enforcement agency focused on gun crimes and regulation

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki also defended the pick during her press conference on Wednesday.

'We knew this wouldn't be easy,' Psaki said when asked about Chipman's nomination seemingly getting held up at the confirmation step. 'ATF hasn't had a confirmed director in six years and only one confirmed director since the position became Senate-confirmable.'

'We are disappointed by the fact that many Republicans are moving in lock step to try to hold up his nomination and handcuff the chief federal law enforcement agency tasked with fighting gun crimes,' she added.

Chimpan's confirmation could hinge on the vote of independent Senator Angus King's vote, who caucuses with Democrats.
A majority of state Assembly members said they will start impeachment proceedings against Gov. Andrew Cuomo if he doesn't resign over investigative findings that he sexually harassed at least 11 women, according to an Associated Press count.

At least 83 of the Assembly's 150 members have said publicly or told AP they favored initiating the process of ousting the third-term Democratic governor if he doesn't quit. A simple majority is needed to authorize an impeachment trial.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said in a statement on Tuesday that Cuomo 'can no longer remain in office' and that the state's legislative body 'will move expeditiously and look to conclude our impeachment investigation as quickly as possible.'

If the Assembly votes to impeach Cuomo, the state Senate could launch an impeachment trial 'in weeks,' Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris told the Associated Press.

At least 83 of the Assembly's 150 members have said publicly or told the Associated Press that they favored initiating the process of ousting Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Assembly Republican Leader Will Barclay, left, urged Speaker Carle Heastie, a Democrat, to convene an emergency special session to vote to impeach Cuomo.

Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris said the state Senate could launch an impeachment trial 'in weeks' if the Assembly votes to impeach Cuomo

Gianaris, a Democrat, said the chamber has been preparing for a potential impeachment trial for months.

'We'll be ready to go if and when the impeachment articles are sent over,' he said. 'It could happen very quickly.'

If Cuomo were to resign, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul would become New Yorks first female governor. Hochul would also take office and serve out the rest of Cuomo's term until 2023 if state lawmakers voted to remove him from office.

In order to remove Cuomo from office, the Assembly would need 76 votes to impeach Cuomo and send articles of impeachment to the Senate where a trial would be held. At least two-thirds of the state's 63 senators would then have to vote in favor of convicting and removing Cuomo from office.

Heastie would oversee the impeachment proceedings against Cuomo in the Assembly and Janet DiFiore, as chief judge of the Court of Appeals, could oversee the trial in the state Senate.

The Assembly includes 106 Democrats, 43 Republicans and one Independent. At least 40 of the 830 Assembly members who say they are ready to start impeachment proceedings are Democrats.

Assembly Democrats, who lead the chamber, debated virtually for hours Tuesday about whether to impeach the governor now, wait to see whether he resigns, or give the Assembly Judiciary Committee time to wrap up its wide-ranging investigation.

The Judiciary Committee is investigating topics from sexual misconduct to the Cuomo administrations months long obfuscation of the total number of nursing home residents who died from COVID-19.

Some said the Assembly should vote for impeachment now, while others said the chamber should impeach Cuomo if he doesn't resign.

Assembly Republican Leader Will Barclay urged Speaker Heastie, a Democrat, to convene an emergency special session to vote to impeach Cuomo.

Heastie, left, said in a statement on Tuesday that Cuomo 'can no longer remain in office' and that the state's legislative body 'will move expeditiously and look to conclude our impeachment investigation as quickly as possible'

New York Speaker Carl Heastie, who would oversee impeachment proceedings against Cuomo, released this statement on Tuesday saying an investigation was underway and would conclude 'expeditiously'. Critics say the legislature needs to act fast to remove the Governor, who has 'lost the confidence' of his peers

New York Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins is pictured

The tally reflects a governor plunged into a political deep freeze - a Democratic scion who has lost most, if not all, of his allies in the party establishment, just a year after basking in national attention as the voice of fighting the coronavirus.

Cuomo has denied that he made any inappropriate sexual advances and insisted the findings didn't reflect the facts. But while political pressure grew, so did the potential for criminal charges against Cuomo.

District attorneys in Manhattan, suburban Westchester and Nassau counties and the state capital of Albany said they asked for investigative materials from the inquiry, overseen by Democratic state Attorney General Letitia James.

James' investigation found that Cuomo - a former state AG himself - had violated civil laws against sexual harassment. Making no conclusions about whether he should be criminally charged, investigators left the door open for local prosecutors to bring cases.

THE CALLS FOR CUOMO TO STAND DOWN FROM BIDEN, PELOSI, AOC, DE BLASIO AND MORE President Joe Biden In March, when the AG launched her investigation into Cuomo, Biden said that if he was found culpable, Cuomo should stand down. Yesterday, when asked again about the report, Biden said he 'stands by' his earlier statement and believes he should resign. Speaker Nancy Pelosi 'As always, I commend the women who came forward to speak their truth. Recognizing his love of New York and the respect for the office he holds, I call upon the Governor to resign.' AOC and 12 New York Reps 'For the good of New York State, Cuomo must resign. If he does not, the NY State Assembly must begin impeachment proceedings.' Governors of NJ, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Rhode Island 'We are appalled by the findings... Governor Cuomo should resign from office.' NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio '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' Carl Heastie, NY speaker It is abundantly clear to me that he has lost the confidence of the Assembly Democratic majority. Once we receive all relevant documents and evidence from the Attorney General, we will move expeditiously and look to conclude our impeachment investigation as quickly as possible. LT Gov Kathy Hochul, who would replace Cuomo No one is above the law. Under the New York Constitution, the Assembly will now determine the next steps.

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'We are reviewing the deeply disturbing findings,' said Joyce A. Smith, the acting district attorney in Long Island's Nassau County. She pledged her office would 'thoroughly and expeditiously investigate any potential crimes' that happened there.

After James released her report Tuesday, Democrats from the statehouse to the White House called for Cuomo to go. President Joe Biden said the governor should resign, though press secretary Jen Psaki wouldnt say Wednesday whether Biden wanted to see Cuomo impeached and removed from office.

'The president believes Governor Cuomo should do the right thing, resign, and leave space for future leadership in New York,' Psaki said.

And one of the governor's closest allies, New York Democratic Party Chairman Jay Jacobs, declared that Cuomo 'has lost his ability to govern, both practically and morally.' Jacobs told Spectrum News he had tried privately to persuade Cuomo to resign but 'wasnt making headway.'

Cuomo showed no signs of heeding such messages, saying that some episodes described in the report never happened, others were misconstrued or mischaracterized and the whole exercise was tainted.

'Politics and bias are interwoven throughout every aspect of this situation,' he said in a recorded video response.

James' investigation, conducted by two outside lawyers, painted what she called a 'clear picture' of a governor who touched or made sexually inappropriate comments to a series of women, many of whom worked for him. One is a state trooper whom Cuomo successfully sought to have assigned to his security detail.

While many of the allegations against Cuomo involve verbal comments, some women have also alleged that he gave them unwanted kisses or touches. One aide said the governor reached under her shirt and groped her breast at the governor's mansion in Albany.

The governor denied Tuesday that he ever inappropriately touched anyone and said that he never intended harm.

To date, Cuomo has rebuffed calls to step down and has moved ahead with plans to run for a fourth term in 2022.

As New York went through a harrowing coronavirus surge in spring 2020, Cuomo's daily briefings garnered him fans around the country and an International Emmy Award.

Casting himself as a tough-minded yet compassionate leader who steered the state through its biggest public health emergency in a century, the governor even wrote a book about it.

Now, that book itself is among the focuses of investigations into Cuomo, with James examining the role some of his aides played in producing it.

As complaints and investigations accumulated in recent months, Cuomo became an embattled but unabashed figure. He often still touts the state's handling of the pandemic despite now-rising infection rates amid a national surge in the more infectious delta variant.

He took office in 2011, following in the footsteps of his father, former Gov. Mario Cuomo, who served three terms in the 1980s and '90s.
A group of Democratic House members wrote to the attending physician of the Capitol on Wednesday to ask that Congress have a vaccine mandate for members and staff as COVID cases are on the rise and the Delta variant has been detected on Capitol Hill.

A group of Democratic House members wrote to the attending physician on Capitol Hill on Wednesday to ask that Congress have a vaccine mandate for members and staff - Speaker Pelosi has made clear she would enforce any health guidelines

'Congress should be considering a vaccine requirement for Members and staff of the U.S. Capitol complex or, at minimum, twice per week testing for those who are unable to verify positive vaccination status,' the 18 Democratic members of Congress, led by Missouri Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, wrote to Dr. Brian Monahan.

'To prevent the spread of COVID-19, Capitol Hill must do everything possible to lead by example and ensure the safety of our own workforce,' they wrote.

They noted waivers should be granted to anyone with religious objections or health reasons but added those people should be subjected to regular testing.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters in the Capitol on Wednesday a vaccine mandate would be 'up to the capitol physician.'

The lawmakers cited their concern about the safe working conditions for their staff, noting there are unique factors that make COVID a greater danger for those in the Capitol, including 'a high level of domestic and international travel by those who work here.'

Last week, Monahan recommended every lawmaker and staffer in the House, including those fully-vaccinated, wear a face mask in accordance with new CDC guidelines. He also encouraged lawmakers to get vaccinated.

In his note on the matter, he noted the Delta variant of the coronavirus had been detected on Capitol Hill. 'To be clear, for meetings in an enclosed US House of Representatives controlled space, masks are REQUIRED,' he wrote.

'We know that your recommendations regarding the health and safety of the U.S. Capitol are free from partisan calculations and grounded in science, which is why we ask you to follow the science and require vaccination,' the lawmakers wrote to the Monahan, who is a retired rear admiral in the Navy.

Pelosi has made it clear in the past she would enforce any health guidelines Monahan recommended for the U.S. Capitol.

Some Republican lawmakers have publicly expressed skepticism about the COVID vaccine and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (above) refused to answer if she has been vaccinated

Some Republican lawmakers have publicly expressed skepticism about the COVID vaccine.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia refused to answer last month when asked whether or not she was vaccinated. She called the question 'a violation of my HIPAA rights.'

And several Republicans refused to follow Monahan's face mask guidelines, walking around the Capitol without wearing one. If they go on the House floor without a mask, they face a monetary fine.

A survey of all 535 members of Congress by CNN found that in May, 100 percent of Democrats from both chambers were fully vaccinated, while only 44.8 percent of House Republicans and 92 percent of Republican senators could claim the same.

Since then a few other Republicans have said they've been vaccinated, including Rep. Steve Scalise, the Number 2 GOP lawmaker in the House.

Some fully-vaccinated lawmakers and staff, including Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, have tested positive for COVID in what is called a 'breakthrough' infection.

'I was just informed by the House physician I have tested positive for COVID-19 even after being vaccinated,' Graham said in a statement on Monday.

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,' he added.

Several members of the Senate were seen wearing face masks after Graham's announcement.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Andrew Cuomo should be criminally charged with assault for allegedly groping the breast of a female aide in his office last year, a claim that the New York Attorney General says is corroborated.

Appearing on CBS This Morning, de Blasio repeated calls for the Governor to stand down and called his behavior 'not even close' to acceptable.

The 168-page report backs up the allegations of 11 women who say Cuomo sexually harassed them either by touching them, kissing them, hugging them or subjecting them to inappropriate questioning or comments.

He denies all of the groping allegations and says he may have been too handsy with hugs and kisses, but that's how he was raised. He says the inappropriate comments were intended as banter and the women misinterpreted them.

Cuomo is now facing three criminal investigations in Manhattan, Westchester and Albany - in addition to an impeachment trial at the State Legislature. A judiciary committee has been tasked with investigating whether impeachment is warranted and that probe is underway.

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New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio appeared in studio for CBS This Morning on Wednesday to repeat his calls for Cuomo to resign and say he should be criminally charged. He says Cuomo's behavior 'wasn't even close' to acceptable

.@NYCMayor Bill de Blasio says New York Gov. Cuomo should "resign for the good of New York state" and believes he should be charged criminally. pic.twitter.com/tZurQMJhLK  CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) August 4, 2021

De Blasio said on Wednesday that Cuomo's excuses aren't good enough and that he ought to stand down before he is impeached because he's lost the support of everyone, including his own party.

'If you assault a woman, if you do something against her will sexually, that's criminal. And the Albany County District Attorney is looking at that and I think he should be charged,' he said.

'When you read this report, 11 women systematically wronged; 11 women confronted by a powerful guy who could crush their career, and their reputation, and he's the kind of guy that everyone assumes would if you crossed him. And he harassed them, he assaulted them in several cases, it's not even close.

Digging his heels in: Cuomo (shown in the video denial he issued yesterday) is refusing to stand down and insists he did nothing wrong

Lindsey Boylan and Charlotte Bennett, two of Cuomo's accusers. They are among the few that are publicly named

'And then, he has the audacity to say, oh, you know, I like to hug people. I mean, that's just out of touch with reality, but it's also profoundly disrespectful.

'How about saying, I did something wrong, I have to atone for my sins, I need to go and deal with my problems?' he said.

De Blasio slammed Cuomo's attempted excuse that he is of a friendly and tactile generation, saying: 'Putting your hand up a woman's shirt and touching their breast is not generational.

'I know plenty of guys who are older, who would never in a million years do that.

'Talking to 20-something year old women, asking them if theyd date an older guy and then leering at them  this is not acceptable behavior, its not even close.'

Cuomo is refusing to stand down, despite being told to by President Biden and countless others.

He insists he is the victim of a political attack.
Six men were rescued from a home where they were held captive by members of a Mexican criminal organization that forced them to build a tunnel for smuggling drugs into the US.

The kidnapped workers were saved after one of the victims went up to a security forces convoy that had passed by the residence in the Mexicali neighborhood of Santa Clara on Monday, according to Mexican news outlet Jornada.

The home was just 100 yards from the international border line.

The kidnapped workers, identified as Juan, 60; Ramon, 54; Ricardo, 33; Eduardo, 31; and Daniel, 29, were led out of the property without incident.

The men were transferred to the custody of the Baja California state Attorney Generals Office.

A perimeter is set up outside a home in Mexicali, Mexico, near the United States border where six men were rescued Monday. The victims were held captive at the property where they had built a tunnel intended to be used to smuggle drugs

A criminal organization built a tunnel that connected a residence in Mexicali, Mexico, to the Grand Plaza Outlets in Calexico, California (pictured)

Security forces found the secret underground passageway after Ramon gave them a tour of the property.

The tunnel, which went under construction at the beginning of the year, was located 52 feet below the ground surface and extended 262 feet out towards the Grand Plaza Outlets in the California border town of Calexico.

It's the first one discovered near the two international border cities, La Jornada reported.

The tunnel discovery comes after the Mexican military in May found a secret underground path which was still under construction in Tijuana, about 109 miles away from Mexicali. Soldiers spotted while were searching for a kidnapping victim.

The tunnel was located under a house across the street from a National Guard station, and just a few hundred feet up the road from the Otay Mesa Land Port of Entry with the United States.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, there are as many as 13,000 underground passageways in Mexico.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has seen his popularity slip with voters in his own state and now trails Democratic challenger Rep. Charlie Crist, according to a new poll.

DeSantis had seen his national profile and popularity balloon during the COVID-19 crisis to the point where he has been touted as the best hope for Republicans to retake the White House in 2024.

But the survey, by Florida-based St. Pete Polls, found voters disapproved of the governor's opposition to mask mandates in school.

Overall 45.3 percent of voters said they backed Crist, who was governor from 2007 to 2011, compared to 43.8 percent who favored DeSantis.

DeSantis is seeking a second term as governor in next November's election, while Crist is his the frontrunner to be win through the Democratic primaries.

The poll was based on automated phone calls with 3,900 people, giving a 1.6 point margin of error.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (right) has slipped behind Rep. Charlie Crist in a new poll amid deepening scrutiny of his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic as the number of cases hits record levels in the state

Rep. Charlie Crist seized on the poll's results to say he was best positioned to win Florida's gubernatorial race, unseating Gov. Ron DeSantis who's star has been rising

DeSantis allies rubbished the poll but the Crist campaign immediately seized on the results to send out a fundraising blast.

'This has our whole team energized and ready to build a Florida for All,' posted Crist on Twitter. 'Will you chip in right away to help us defeat DeSantis?'

Political pundits in Florida said the numbers were a shock, coming after months of headlines positioning DeSantis as a 2024 contender and praising his handling of coronavirus pandemic and the Surfside condo collapse.

Helen Aguirre Ferre, former communications director to DeSantis, told DailyMail.com she hoped the pollsters had other jobs to go to 'because they aren't very good at this.'

'This is the same polling company that said the Democrat Andrew Gillum held a five-point lead over then candidate DeSantis the night before Gillum lost,' she said.

'They were wrong then, they are wrong now.'

However, he is under fresh pressure as cases of COVID-19 hit record levels in the state at the weekend.

Florida is recording almost 20,000 new cases each day, according the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - the highest of any state.

DeSantis has not backed away from his laissez faire attitude, banning schools from issuing mask mandates and businesses from insisting staff be vaccinated.

In contrast Crist this week demanded that state employees be vaccinated.

'The way to stamp out the virus, and protect our public health, economy and our jobs, is to get everyone vaccinated,' he said.

The poll suggests Crist is more in line with voters on COVID-19.

Some 62 percent of respondents believe masks should be required for children when they return to school after the summer vacation, while 31 percent say they should not.

That put DeSantis's overall approval rating into negative territory. Some 43.7 percent said they approved of the job he was doing, compared to 48.5 percent who did not.

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)

'We are not shutting down,' said DeSantis on Tuesday amid growing concern about surging COVID-19 cases and his opposition to school mask mandates

A day earlier his leadership was called out by President Biden, who pointed out that Texas and Florida were responsible for a third of all COVID-19 cases in the country.

He said the governors of the two states were making bad health policy decisions.

'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.'

He was also condemned by Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber for his decision to seek 'political advantage' by accepting the high rate of infection.

'It really is sort of nutty too - tragically nutty in a sense,' he told CNN.

But DeSantis has continued to play down the surge.

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 said he expected hospitalizations to drop in the next couple weeks, claiming that the spike was seasonal as Floridians spend more time together indoors to escape the summer heat and humidity.

'We are not shutting down,' DeSantis said 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.'
A fugitive paedophile was arrested by police in Dover after being found hiding in a lorry bound for France.

Mezbaha Uddin is now facing a long spell in jail after a jury convicted him of a string of child sex offences.

The 39-year-old had been under investigation by Nottinghamshire Police in relation to a series of offences between September 2018 and July 2020.

A jury has now found him guilty of 16 child sex offences including 10 counts of attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child and six counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

He is due to be sentenced on October 22.

Canterbury Crown Court heard that Uddin's arrest followed an allegation of sexual communication with a child in Nottinghamshire in July 2019.

Jurors heard that Uddin had communicated with a decoy account set up by an online child activist group.

A jury at Canterbury Crown Court (pictured) has found Mezbaha Uddin guilty of 16 child sex offences including 10 counts of attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child and six counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity [File photo]

The group alerted police when he sent indecent images of himself and arranged to meet what he thought was a 14-year-old girl in Mansfield.

Uddin was arrested and his mobile phone was seized.

Messages from a chatroom website found that Uddin had attempted to engage in sexual communications with more than a dozen underage girls, in some instances with a view to meeting them in person.

On other occasions, he encouraged girls to engage in sexual activity while he watched.

Detective Constable Stuart Dolby, of Nottinghamshire Police's public protection team, welcomed the convictions.

'This was a complex and thorough investigation which included disturbing evidence for our officers to deal with.

'I am pleased with the verdicts and I hope they send a clear message that Nottinghamshire Police will do what is necessary to tackle these crimes and to protect the most vulnerable people in our communities.

'Child sex offences of any kind are taken incredibly seriously and we have a number of tactics in place to catch offenders out.

'No child should be subjected to any sexual offence and it's our duty to protect them.'
Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson is regretting the statewide ban on mask mandates he signed into law in late April as it's revealed the entire state is down to 25 available ICU beds in hospitals.

The number is a record low for the entire pandemic, Angela Rachels, a journalist at a local ABC affiliate confirmed on Twitter.

According to US News & World Report there are just over 1,100 total ICU beds across the whole state.

There are currently 469 COVID patients in the ICU and 'around half of those are on [ventilators], Rachels writes.

A journalist at a local ABC affiliate reported the record low number of ICU beds

In a press briefing Tuesday Hutchinson was asked whether restricting local officials from requiring masks at a time when the state's cases were plummeting was a 'bad decision.'

'Our cases were at a low point,' he prefaced, adding 'Everything has changed now. And yes in hindsight I wish that had not become law but it is the law, and the only chance we have is either to amend it or for the courts to say that it has an unconstitutional foundation.'

Hutchinson argued the law would have passed either way because 'it would be overridden by the state legislature if I didn't sign it.'

Governor Asa Hutchinson said the mask mandate ban came at a time 'cases were at a low point' in a Tuesday press conference when asked if he regrets the decision

The governor appeared to begin saying he was 'not supportive' of minority rule before correcting himself to say he eliminated the state's existing mask mandate.

The number of people hospitalized with COVID in Arkansas rose by 30 on Tuesday to 1,250 - the highest level since January 19th, according to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette.

The number of new cases is outpacing the number of recoveries, the outlet reported.

Patients on ventilators number at 260 now, the largest number of COVID patients on the machines since the state's all-time high of 268 on January 11th.

Active coronavirus cases in Arkansas climbed to nearly 19,500.

Before admitting his mistake Tuesday Hutchinson has been desperately trying to backtrack on the ban.

Hutchinson reinstated Arkansas' pandemic emergency declaration two months after he lifted it. The previous emergency window, declared in March 2020, expired on May 30th.

This week Arkansas saw its highest 7-day average number of infections since January

The number of vaccinations has climbed in recent days after hospitalizations made a troubling spike through July

Hutchinson is calling on lawmakers to hold an emergency session to discuss making an exception to the mask mandate ban for public schools

He also called for a special session of the state legislature last week to urge lawmakers to lift the mask mandate ban in public schools weeks before students ready to get back to school. He made the call official on Tuesday.

Children ages 11 and under can't get the vaccine, according to CDC guidelines.

The state's top health official Jose Romero said 19 percent of people hospitalized with COVID are children under 18.

A local Fox affiliate reported seven children in Arkansas Children's ICU and four were on ventilators.

The state's vaccination rates also lag behind most of the country.

The number of new COVID infections surged across the entire US in July

Arkansas lags behind the rest of the country's vaccination rate with only 37% of residents fully vaccinated - the third lowest in the US

Arkansas is third to last of all US states in the number of fully vaccinated residents - just 37 percent, the New York Times reports, only ahead of Mississippi and Alabama.

Only 47 percent of adults received just one dose, well under the national average of 58 percent.

Vaccinations have also risen by more than 30,000 in recent days, the state's third-largest one-day increase since the Health Department began recording the daily figures in January.

Hutchinson said roughly 25,000 of those were first doses, adding he was 'pleased' with the increased demand.
Including Saturday's fatal black bear maulings, there have been a total of six in the Canadian province of Alberta since 1958

A Canadian woman was mauled to death by a black bear Saturday while planting trees for a logging operation in a remote area - a typically rare occurrence that's now happened three times in the area in the last several months.

The 26-year-old helicopter engineer, who's name was not released per the family's request, was attacked by what witnesses describe as an adult black bear, one of the largest predators in North America.

One of the woman's co-workers tried to scare away the animal prior to calling for help, the Guardian reports.

'She was evacuated by her co-worker on a helicopter and brought back to the Swan Hills airport,' RCMP spokesperson Cpl Troy Savinkoff told the Canadian Press.

He said she was declared dead at the airport.

Officials found three adult black bears near Saturday's fatal attack, and have since identified one responsible for the mauling through DNA samples. The bear was euthanized, a Alberta Fish and Wildlife spokesperson said according to CBC News.

The victim was hired by a private company to re-forest large parts of the woodlands in northwest area of Alberta after logging operations in the area.

Officials said planters often work long hours in the dense forest and have encountered wild animals in the past, including bears, wolves and cougars, according to the news outlet.

Black bears are some of the largest predators on the North American continent

Pictured: David Lertzman, a beloved Calgary professor, was killed during a bear attack near Waiparous Village, northwest of the city, in late May

A seasonal influx of more outdoor activity during the summer months explains the spike in bear attacks during May, June, July, and August, officials added.

It is the second time a tree planter has been killed by a black bear since 1985, when a 24-year-old named Gordon Ray was mauled in British Columbia.

Including Saturday's attack, there have six deadly black bear attacks reported in Alberta since 1958. While fatal black bear attacks in the province are considered rare, the same can't be said for other types of bear attacks, namely grizzlies.

On May 4, Calgary professor David Lertzman was killed in a grizzly bear attack near Waiparous Village, northwest of the city in Alberta, according to Global News Canada.

A female black bear forages in the forest along the Bow River Parkway in Alberta, Canada for food

The outlet reports that Lertzman's wife, Sarah, found his body after he didn't return home following a jog along a nearby trail.

'I was looking for a man in trouble and not for a scene of something that had happened,' she wrote on her Facebook page.

'I did not know the risk to myself in that moment, and I am truly blessed that nothing happened to me, as the officers reminded me repeatedly later in the night,' she added.

Lertzman was attacked from behind by the animal, which pushed him off a nearly 1000-foot embankment, officials said.

A map of the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, which has been the sight of several deadly bear attacks in recent months

'The wounds were consistent with an instantaneous death, so he suffered very little. This was important for me to know,' his grieving wife wrote.

Three weeks later and just 15 miles away, a 68-year-old woman was mauled to death by a grizzly near Water Valley, according to a statement by Alberta Fish and Wildlife.

In that attack, officials discovered the woman's body partially buried. Authorities ultimately determined that she died in a defensive bear attack. Two female grizzlies were captured five days after the fatal mauling.
Ken Burns blasted Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg as an enemy of the state who doesnt give a s*** about the United States and thinks he and his No. 2, Sheryl Sandberg, should be tried for crimes against humanity and put in prison.

He knows he can transcend it. He can get away to any place, Burns, the award-winning film documentarian and historian, told The New York Times.

And so its just about filthy lucre, thats it.

Burns, the 68-year-old two-time Oscar winner, made the remarks during an interview with Times podcaster Kara Swisher, who invited the filmmaker to talk to him about his latest project - famed boxer Muhammad Ali.

He brought up Zuckerbergs name unprompted even though Swisher didnt ask about the tech mogul.

Swisher did not follow up on Burns' comments, and the filmmaker did not specify why he thought Zuckerberg was a traitor.

Instead, Swisher responded to the Zuckerberg comments by cryptically telling Burns: 'Youre going to love my memoir, Ken.'

The two then move on to discuss the craft of documentary filmmaking.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Facebook and Burns seeking comment.

Zuckerberg, the founder of the world's most popular social media platform that counts more than 2.7 billion users globally, is the fifth richest person on the planet thanks to a net worth that is estimated at around $130billion.

Ken Burns (left) blasted Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg as an enemy of the state who doesnt give a s*** about the United States and thinks he and his No. 2, Sheryl Sandberg (right), should be tried for crimes against humanity and put in prison

Swisher asked Burns who he thought would be the version of Muhammad Ali in 100 years?

Burns then mentioned Stacey Abrams, the 2018 Georgia gubernatorial candidate.

Abrams lost her election to the Republican, Brian Kemp, though she did make history as the first black woman to represent a major party in a race for governor.

Shes the real deal, Burns said. I mean, I hope Zuckerberg is in jail by then.

Burns also lashed out at Sandberg, the Lean In author and Facebook COO who, along with her boss, has come under fire in recent years over data leaks and the platforms role in helping Donald Trump win election.

Burns, the documentary filmmaker, also hit out at Zuckerberg's top deputy, Sheryl Sandberg (seen left with her boss in Sun Valley, Idaho last month), saying she was 'complicit'

The filmmaker said he thought tech moguls like Zuckerberg, Sandberg, and others should stand trial like the Nazis at Nuremberg after the Second World War.

Because these people - and Sheryl is a complicit - the Nuremberg of this, is if it ever happens, which it wont, will be pretty interesting, he said.

The way that weve been able to temporize and say, oh, its okay, well just go a little bit further. Right?

For years, Burns has been a prominent supporter of the Democratic Party, which may explain his antipathy toward Zuckerberg.

Facebook and other social media platforms have been accused by Democrats of allowing Trump and other Republicans to spread misinformation - leading to the 2016 shock election victory over Hillary Clinton.

A BuzzFeed News report from November 2016 revealed that fake news stories outperformed actual news on Facebook - particularly in the weeks and months leading up to the election.

The most widely read 'news' article that year was a fake story which claimed that Pope Francis endorsed Trump. That story generated more than 900,000 engagements on Facebook.

In 2018, Facebook was once again in the news - this time after it was learned that Cambridge Analytica, the now-defunct political consulting firm, mined the data of tens of millions of Facebook users.

The firm was hired by Trump's campaign in 2016.

Facebook has also drawn the ire of conservatives and Trump supporters, who accuse the social network of having an inherent liberal bias and of censoring pro-Republican views.

In April, Facebook stopped users from sharing articles by DailyMail.com about a BLM founder Patrisse Cullors' multi-million dollar property empire while users were allowed to share it from other outlets.

Burns, a supporter of the Democratic Party, did not say why he thinks Zuckerberg is a traitor. The social network has been blamed for allowing misinformation to spread during the 2016 election, when Trump defeated Hillary Clinton (pictured right at Sundance Film Festival)

Users that wanted to share links to the DailyMail.com were met with a message that said it 'couldn't be shared.'

'This content was removed for violating our privacy and personal information policy,' a Facebook spokesperson told DailyMail.com.

However, other outlets, such as Black Enterprise, a media company that covers black-owned businesses, was allowed to be shared by Facebook users.

It's not the first time Facebook has censored content from conservative voices.

In March, the social media platform removed a video interview from Lara Trump, interviewing her father-in-law, Donald Trump.

In the interview, Trump tore into social media and the mainstream media for suppressing the Hunter Biden laptop story, he criticized President Biden's green agenda and railed against cancel culture which he said obliterates US culture.

Readers of the New York Post on Facebook were also blocked from sharing a story about Cullors' multi-million-dollar property holdings.

The Facebook spokesperson claimed that the article 'shared multiple details which could identify the residence of one of the BLM founders, in violation of her privacy rights.

'As per our Community Standards: We do not allow people to post personal or confidential information about yourself or of others,' the spokesperson said.

'We remove content that shares, offers or solicits personally identifiable information or other private information that could lead to physical or financial harm, including financial, residential, and medical information, as well as private information obtained from illegal sources.'

Earlier this year, Facebook lifted its ban on discussing whether COVID-19 originated in a lab in Wuhan - this after the claim that was once dismissed as a fringe conspiracy theory has now been accepted as a real possibility.

In April of last year, Facebook announced that it was imposing limits on 'harmful misinformation about COVID-19', including about how dangerous the virus is and how many people it was killing.

And in February of this year, the company announced that it was expanding its crackdown to include claims that the virus was man-made, insisting it was a conspiracy theory that had been 'debunked'.

Earlier this year, Trump filed suit against Facebook, Twitter, and Google, claiming he and other conservatives have been wrongfully censored.

But legal experts say the suits are likely doomed to fail, given existing precedent and legal protections.

Trump introduced other members of the class action suit who had also been kicked off social media. His team has set up a website for other people to sign on

Trump announced the action against Facebook, Twitter and Googles YouTube, demanding that his accounts be reinstated.

Trump has been suspended from the platforms since January, when his followers violently stormed the Capitol building, trying to block Congress from certifying Joe Biden's presidential win.

The companies cited concerns that Trump would incite further violence and have kept him locked out.

'We're asking the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida to order an immediate halt to social media companies' illegal, shameful censorship of the American people,' Trump said of the filings.

'We're going to hold big tech very accountable.'

Twitter, Facebook and Google are all private companies, and users must agree to their terms of service to use their products. Under Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act, social media platforms are allowed to moderate their services by removing posts that, for instance, are obscene or violate the services' own standards, so long as they are acting in 'good faith.'

The law also generally exempts internet companies from liability for the material that users post.

But Trump and some other politicians have long argued that Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms have abused that protection and should lose their immunity - or at least have it curtailed.

While conservatives often claim the sites are biased against them, several recent studies have found that isn't the case.

Indeed, posts by conservative commentators like Ben Shapiro, Franklin Graham, Dan Bongino and Dinesh DSouza are routinely among the most widely shared on Facebook.
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Cuomo tweeted twice on Wednesday but ignored the mounting calls for him to resign

Governor Andrew Cuomo stuck his head in the sand on Wednesday, ignoring the mounting calls for him to resign or face criminal charges for sexually assaulting female staff and three looming criminal investigations.

Cuomo was found to have sexually harassed at least 11 women by a team of investigators put together by Attorney General Letitia James.

She does not have the legal scope to charge him criminally, but the Albany District Attorney said he has launched an investigation and is inviting women to come forward.

Everyone from NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio to President Joe Biden and Speaker Nancy Pelosi - some of Cuomo's most trusted Democratic allies - is telling him it's time to resign but he is clinging on, insisting he's the victim of a politicized attack by James and that his accusers either lied about him or misinterpreted his 'warmth' for sexual predatoriness.

The District Attorneys of Manhattan, Albany and Westchester have now all opened criminal investigations into Cuomo's conduct.

Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance, the most recent to launch an investigation, said: 'When our office learned yesterday that the Attorney Generals investigation of the Governors conduct was complete, our office contacted the Attorney Generals Office to begin requesting investigative materials in their possession pertaining to incidents that occurred in Manhattan.'

The Manhattan DA is investigation the allegation of State Trooper #1 who says Cuomo ran his finger down her back inappropriately in an elevator and State Entity Employee #1, who said he tapped her buttocks twice at an NYC event.

The Albany District Attorney is investigating Cuomo as is the Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, whose staff confirmed as much on Wednesday

The Albany DA is investigating any allegation of misconduct in Cuomo's office at the Governor's Mansion or in the State Capitol.

The Westchester DA is also investigating Cuomo for criminal offenses

The Westchester DA asked the AG's office for more information on State Trooper #1's claims and any other alleged incident that happened in Westchester County.

On Wednesday, de Blasio said he ought to be criminally charged with assault for allegedly groping the breast of an executive assistant in November 2020. He says it never happened, the AG says that it did.

Cuomo's office on Wednesday sent out several press releases on governmental issues but ignored the elephant in the room, instead only pushing out statements about COVID and vaccines.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, who would oversee impeachment proceedings in the New York legislature, released a statement on Wednesday confirming that an impeachment investigation was underway and that it would conclude 'expeditiously' but impeachment articles are yet to be drawn up.

First, the Assembly Judiciary Committee needs to give the findings of its investigation to the New York Assembly. The committee's next meeting is on Monday.

The next step would be an impeachment trial in the Assembly.

A simple majority is needed for it to proceed to the High Court of Impeachment which would consist of all 63 New York State Senators and seven judges from New York's Court of Appeals.

New York Speaker Carl Heastie, who would oversee impeachment proceedings against Cuomo, released this statement on Tuesday saying an investigation was underway and would conclude 'expeditiously'. Critics say the legislature needs to act fast to remove the Governor, who has 'lost the confidence' of his peers

In the event that all both the Assembly and the High Court of Impeachment vote to remove him, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul would take over and serve out Cuomo's term which ends in November 2022.

On Good Morning America on Wednesday, Bennett - who worked as an aide for Cuomo in 2019 - said his 'apology' to her that was televised yesterday was 'not much of an apology at all'.

THE CALLS FOR CUOMO TO STAND DOWN FROM BIDEN, PELOSI, AOC, DE BLASIO AND MORE President Joe Biden In March, when the AG launched her investigation into Cuomo, Biden said that if he was found culpable, Cuomo should stand down. Yesterday, when asked again about the report, Biden said he 'stands by' his earlier statement and believes he should resign. Speaker Nancy Pelosi 'As always, I commend the women who came forward to speak their truth. Recognizing his love of New York and the respect for the office he holds, I call upon the Governor to resign.' AOC and 12 New York Reps 'For the good of New York State, Cuomo must resign. If he does not, the NY State Assembly must begin impeachment proceedings.' Governors of NJ, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Rhode Island 'We are appalled by the findings... Governor Cuomo should resign from office.' NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio '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' Carl Heastie, NY speaker It is abundantly clear to me that he has lost the confidence of the Assembly Democratic majority. Once we receive all relevant documents and evidence from the Attorney General, we will move expeditiously and look to conclude our impeachment investigation as quickly as possible. LT Gov Kathy Hochul, who would replace Cuomo No one is above the law. Under the New York Constitution, the Assembly will now determine the next steps.

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She and her attorney are calling on the New York State Legislature - which is on summer break - to be reconvened to start impeachment proceedings against him, saying it's 'clear' he won't go quietly and must be removed from office.

'Based on his apology which was not much of an apology at all, he's not living in reality. It's up to us to take action. It is the responsibility of Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie to impeach him immediately. He is a danger,' Bennett said.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio appeared on CBS to say Cuomo must resign before he is impeached and that he thinks he should face criminal charges.

He dismissed Cuomo's claim that his behavior is of a certain generation and said: 'He has the audacity to say, "oh, you know, I like to hug people." I mean, that's just out of touch with reality, but it's also profoundly disrespectful.

'How about saying, I did something wrong, I have to atone for my sins, I need to go and deal with my problems?"'

Cuomo denies the most specific allegation - that he groped an accuser's breast under her blouse after calling her into his office in November 2020. The AG says it is credible.

'Putting your hand up a woman's shirt and touching their breast is not generational. I know plenty of guys who are older, who would never in a million years do that. Talking to 20-something year old women, asking them if theyd date an older guy and then leering at them  this is not acceptable behavior, its not even close,' de Blasio said.

He added that Cuomo should be criminally charged.

Cuomo, in his pre-recorded video in response to the AG's report, said the women had either mistaken his comments as nefarious, lied about him or exaggerated.

The only apology he issued was to Bennett and it was in response to her complaint that after she confided in him about being a sexual assault survivor, he brought it up to her in different conversations afterwards and reminded her of it.

He said that he was only drawing from past experience, when he helped an unnamed female relative overcome a sexual assault of her own.

Bennett said on Wednesday that the Governor blamed his victims and that the 'line of questioning' was 'inappropriate'.

'The victim blaming is not OK. When there are two women there are more than two... we know that. He has been an established political figure for so long and he rules by fear. He is scary. I was scared - I didn't know where to turn,' she said.

The substantiated more serious allegations like that of an unidentified female assistant who said Cuomo groped her breast at his Albany mansion in November last year, and that of an unnamed State Trooper who claims he assigned her to his protective security detail despite her being inexperienced then subjected her to a torrent of abuse which included 'running his hand down her back from her neck and saying "hey you"' when they were in an elevator together.

Another state worker, who also isn't named in the report, said he ran his hands over her 'belly'.

Bennett's attorney Debra Katz said: 'At this point it's on the New York Legislature to take decisive action to impeach him.

The Governor is clearly not living in reality, he's refusing to step down. His performance yesterday was belligerent and made it clear he's unfit to serve.

On Good Morning America on Wednesday, Bennett - who worked as an aide for Cuomo in 2019 - said his 'apology' to her that was televised yesterday was 'not much of an apology at all'.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio appeared in studio for CBS This Morning on Wednesday to repeat his calls for Cuomo to resign and say he should be criminally charged. He says Cuomo's behavior 'wasn't even close' to acceptable

.@NYCMayor Bill de Blasio says New York Gov. Cuomo should "resign for the good of New York state" and believes he should be charged criminally. pic.twitter.com/tZurQMJhLK  CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) August 4, 2021

'He still does not get it. Shockingly, he even blamed his mother yesterday for teaching him to kiss people in appropriately.'

She was referring to Cuomo's excuse that he is handsy with people because he comes from a tactile Italian family.

To demonstrate that trait, he included an image montage in his pre-taped response yesterday that showed him hugging and kissing men and women in public, including Rev. Al Sharpton and Bill Clinton.

In March, when the AG launched her investigation into Cuomo, Biden said that if he was found culpable, Cuomo should stand down.

Yesterday, when asked again about the report, Biden said he 'stands by' his earlier statement and believes he should resign.

In addition to the potential criminal charges by Albany DA David Soares, Cuomo is also facing civil lawsuits from the 11 women.

He mentioned one to be filed by the executive assistant who says he groped her breast, which he said was in the works already.

In his rebuttal to the women, his attorney issued an 85 page denial of their claims.

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 Governor's CNN host brother Chris - who was revealed as one of his advisors in the report - ignored the subject on his show on Tuesday. He is pictured returning to New York City from the Hamptons on Monday night, the day before the report emerged

The sexual harassment report comes after Cuomo - once a pandemic hero who the world looked to for leadership because of his handling of the COVID-19 disaster in New York - was stripped of his emergency powers because of his administration's skewing of nursing home death numbers.

His administration wasn't counting nursing home deaths as that but rather as hospital deaths for some time, which gave the impression that fewer people were contracting COVID in nursing homes and dying from it than was the case.

It was relevant because he had signed a controversial order that forced nursing homes to accept COVID-recovering patients, even when they were still contagious, in an effort not to overwhelm the state's hospitals.

Critics say he intentionally hid the true number of deaths to underplay the effects of that order.

Cathy Renee Haupt parks on her car outside Governor's mansion after Attorney General's investigation with a message of protest on the exterior of her car

Maria Dziamba delivered an orchid to show the governor that she supports him despite the Attorney General's report

Protesters descended on Cuomo's NYC HQ on Wednesday to demand his resignation after the damning AG report. The Governor is holed up in Albany

NYC Republican Mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa - the head of the vigilante justice group Guardian Angels - led the calls for him to resign

The protesters held signs declaring Cuomo guilty of sexual harassment, as the AG did. He is now facing criminal investigations in Albany and Westchester

He has also been slammed for writing a sanctimonious memoir titled Lessons in Leadership and releasing it last October - just before NY cases and deaths soared again in a second wave of infection and before vaccines were available.

He is expected to have made millions from the advance of that book and he gave each of his three daughters $300,000 each from it.

At the time, he'd kept businesses closed for months without explanation.

Cuomo's office is yet to release his schedule for Wednesday. He is understood to be holed up at the Governor's Mansion in Albany.

THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST CUOMO THAT THE AG REPORT SAYS ARE TRUE - GROPING, UNWANTED HUGGING AND KISSING, INAPPROPRIATE COMMENTS AND RETALIATING AGAINST ACCUSER WHO SPOKE OUT

'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.
A black teenager found shot dead at the home of a white man who made racist online posts did not kill himself, a jury has ruled as it overturned a previous verdict.

A six-person jury scrutinized the April 25 shooting of Derontae Martin, 19, during a coroner's inquest on Friday, in Madison County, Missouri.

While an initial autopsy said Martin died from a gunshot wound fired from close range to his head, a second autopsy, commissioned by Martin's family, revealed that the gun was fired from farther away.

After two hours of testimony and two hours of deliberations, the jury ruled that Martin's death was not a suicide.

Jurors found that 19-year-old Derontae Martin (pictured) did not take his own life inside the attic of a rural Missouri home during a prom party in April

19-year-old Derontae Martin was described by family as a playful and outgoing 'big kid.' His family did not believe that he killed himself and ordered a second autopsy

Martin (pictured right) was a former star defensive tackle who earned a scholarship to a small out-of-state college. The second autopsy commissioned by his family revealed he had received a shot to the head from a further distance than previously believed

Derontae Martin died in the home of James Wade, pictured above. Wade has repeatedly put up racists and homophobic posts on social media

They did not determine who was responsible for his death or whether it was accidental or deliberate, and made no further comments.

The decision means Madison County Sheriff's Department and the Missouri Highway Patrol must go back and re-investigate.

'We don't have the answers to who did it, we don't have the answers to why they did it,' Kimberly Robinson, Derontae Martin's grandmother, told KSDK, an NBC affiliate station. 'But one thing is for sure and two things are for certain, God ain't through yet.'

'I am so glad and happy that they saw through all their lies and they saw the truth, that my baby did not kill himself,' said Erica Lotts, Martin's mother.

Madison County Prosecutor M. Dwight Robinson that the inquest was called due to the uncertainty of Martin's death.

Russell Deidiker, who performed the first autopsy, said the findings of the second autopsy did not change his mind. He said he stood by his initial suicide ruling.

Three Missouri Highway Patrol troopers testified that they believed the death was a suicide.

Witnesses who were there at the party said Martin appeared to be on drugs and paranoid.

A toxicology screening found significant levels of methamphetamine in his blood, with the teenager's family insisting that he was not a drug user.

No updates have been given on whether the case has since been reopened.

Friends, family and local racial injustice activist gathered in Fredericktown on May 14 to remember Martin and call for justice in his case during a protest march

Derontae Martin's mother Ericka Lotts (pictured) says she does not believe her son would have committed suicide and is seeking answers into his death

Derontae Martin's grandmother Kimberly Lotts-Robinson shared on Facebook that she believed her grandson was murdered and that local authorities were trying the 'cover up his murder as a suicide'

Martin was found shot to death during a prom party inside the rural Missouri home of James Wade, a white man with a history of bigoted social media postings.

They appear to show openly racist and homophobic memes that include jokes about slavery and swastikas.

That area of Missouri was also home to Frank Ancona, a Missouri Ku Klux Klan leader shot to death by his wife in 2017.

Wade often posted racist memes on social media. His background added the suspicion that Martin's death was not a suicide

Wade also posts defensive statements about being white and not being a racist

Many of Wade's postings contained gags made at the expense of black people's skin color, but he has denied being a racist

Wade put up this post on Facebook three days after Martin's death as doubts came in that Martin had committed suicide in his home

Described by family as a playful and outgoing 'big kid,' Martin was a former star defensive tackle who earned a scholarship to a small out-of-state college.

After graduating high school in 2020, Martin worked at a Walmart store and a restaurant as he worked to bring up his entrance exam score so he could attend college.

Martin lived with his mother in a house in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson. It is unclear why he was at the party at Wade's home on the evening of his death.

Madison County Sheriff's Office initially ruled his death a suicide by gunshot wound to the head, but Martin's family says the outgoing 19-year-old was not suicidal and find the circumstances surrounding his death 'questionable.'

In May, about 100 people gathered in Fredericktown during a protest march demanding Justice for Derontae Martin, who died on April 25

Reverend Darryl Gray, (pictured) a St. Louis activist leader says he won't rest until the mysteries of Martin's death are solved

Rev. Darryl Gray said that counter-protesters tossed two nooses at protesters and yelled racial slurs during a protest seeking justice for 19-year-old Martin

In May, about 100 people, including Martin's mother, friends, family and activists gathered in Fredericktown to remember the 19-year-old and call for justice in his case during a protest march.

Rev. Darryl Gray, a St. Louis activist leader, told the Associated Press that counter-protesters tossed two nooses at protesters and yelled racial slurs.

Gray said that despite the slurs and the threats, activists won't rest until the mysteries of Martin's death are solved.

'Why did he end up in this particular house?' he asked KMOV. 'If he ended up in the attic and that's the story, how did he end up in the attic? If the story is that he was on drugs, how did he get the drugs, who gave him the drugs, who witnessed this?'
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Summer holidays have been saved at the 11th hour today after double-jabbed tourists returning from France will be spared quarantine from Sunday and seven European countries including Germany and Norway were added to the green list of destinations.

Spain has also been spared being given red status - potentially forcing thousands into 2,285-a-stay quarantine hotels - but the Government is urging travellers to take a PCR test before they fly home from the Iberian country.

Tens of thousands of Britons are now expected to head to France for August - although tourism chiefs have warned millions more Frenchmen are staying in the country this summer so there is a lack of accommodation. There is a particular shortage of gites and hotel rooms in the south of the country, especially near beach resorts.

But there is growing anger about the decision to turn Mexico red with just three days' notice, with panicked and 'f***ing fuming' Britons trying to get home before 4am on Sunday. Georgia, La Reunion and Mayotte will also turn red this weekend.

Austria, Germany, Latvia, Norway, Romania, Slovenia and Slovakia will all move to the quarantine-free tier at the end of the weekend, in a huge boost for those looking to book a late summer getaway on the continent. But while there is no quarantine people will still have to take a negative test before returning and a PCR test on day two back in the UK.

Meanwhile, the status of India, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates will switch from red to amber, meaning arrivals from those countries will no longer have to spend 11 nights at pricey quarantine hotels.

While Spain avoided joining them, those flying back will soon face higher testing costs after ministers urged holidaymakers to take a PCR for the mandatory pre-departure test, rather than the cheaper lateral flow alternatives, 'as a precaution against the increased prevalence of the virus and variants in the country'.

With the guidance being advice, rather than law, many travellers may feel entitled to refuse to take the gold-standard test, which can cost as much as 175 per person.

Elsewhere, as expected, the Government also confirmed that arrivals from France will no longer need to self-isolate, likely sparking a surge in cross-Channel bookings, as is the custom in August when traditionally more than four million Britons make the trip.

France will be aligned with all other amber nations, from which arrivals only need to quarantine at home if they are not fully vaccinated. The changes to the travel lists come into force at 4am on Sunday.

Those who do have to quarantine in hotels after returning from red-list countries are now facing a heftier bill, however, which the Government says it to 'better reflect the increased costs involved'.

From August 12, the rate for solo travellers will rise from 1,750 to 2,285, while additional adults sharing a room will see their bill hiked from 650 to 1,430.

Children over the age of 12 are charged at the same rate as adults, while parents will have to cough up an additional 325 for those aged between five and 12.

It means a family of four with two teenage children now faces a hefty bill of 6,575, compared to 3,700 under previous rules - an increase of some 77.7%.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the Government is 'committed to opening up international travel safely, taking advantage of the gains we've made through our successful vaccination programme'.

He went on: 'While we must continue to be cautious, the changes reopen a range of different holiday destinations across the globe, which is good news for both the sector and travelling public.'

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said changes to the travel lists are 'based on the latest data and expert public health advice'.

He added that the announcement 'demonstrates the need for continued caution', with additions made to the red list to 'help protect the success of our vaccine rollout from the threat of new variants'.

It comes as:

Some 1.4million teenagers are urged to get the Pfizer jab 'as soon as possible' as health chiefs open door to inoculating all over-12s;

16 and 17-year-olds say they WILL get the Covid vaccination when they become eligible regardless of their parents' opinions;

Britain's daily Covid cases RISE for first time in nearly a fortnight: UK records 29,312 cases in 6% jump on last week as deaths jump by a third to 119 - but hospitalisations fall again;

Now almost 80% of 16 to 24 year olds in England have Covid antibodies, official figures show;

Portugal will lift quarantine requirements for Brits jabbed with Indian-made AstraZeneca vaccine;

Changing travel rules: What you need to know There have been more changes to the rules for international travel, with some popular destinations climbing the ladder to the green list and others sliding down on to the red. The Government has also hiked the price of hotel quarantine, meaning a trip to a red list country is a pricey affair. Here is the state of play for your summer holidays. Is there any good news? Seven countries will be added to England's green travel list from 4am on Sunday, the Government announced on Wednesday. Anyone returning from Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Slovakia, Latvia, Romania and Norway will no longer need to quarantine on arrival. France has also lost its confusing 'amber plus' status, which meant all travellers and not just those who are not fully vaccinated had to self-isolate for 10 days upon return. Our nearest neighbour had been in a category all by itself because of concerning levels of the beta variant of Covid-19 there. Is that it? Sadly yes, but it just got slightly easier to visit India, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates as they have been downgraded from the red to the amber list, meaning arrivals will no longer have to spend 11 nights in a quarantine hotel. There are currently 24 countries on the green list, including the popular holiday destinations of Barbados, Croatia and Malta - unfortunately 16 of these are on the 'green watch list' meaning they could be suddenly be shunted up to amber. Australia and New Zealand are both unambiguously green - unfortunately neither are welcoming British travellers at the moment. Has anyone joined the red list? Yes - Mexico, Georgia and the French overseas territories of La Reunion and Mayotte are joining the red list. If you have a holiday to one of those destinations already booked and want to press ahead, bear in mind the cost for solo travellers in a quarantine hotel in England will be ramped up from 1,750 to 2,285 from August 12. The charge for an additional adult sharing a room will more than double from 650 to 1,430 to 'better reflect the increased costs involved', the Government said. Is my trip to Spain safe? There were fears in the travel industry that Spain - the most popular overseas destination for UK holidaymakers - could be added to England's red list. The Government announced it would keep its amber status, but urged travellers arriving in the UK from Spain to take a PCR test for the mandatory pre-departure test 'as a precaution against the increased prevalence of the virus and variants in the country'. Many travellers have been relying on the cheaper lateral flow test kits which are less reliable than PCRs. Things keep changing - what do I have to do when I get home again? There are different rules for countries on the red, amber and green lists that also differ according to a traveller's vaccination status. Passengers to England returning from a red list country must have proof of a negative Covid-19 test before departure and must book a hotel quarantine package including two Covid-19 tests even if they have had both jabs. They must also complete a passenger locator form. If you have come from an amber list country, you need proof of a negative test before travel and those who are not fully vaccinated must self-isolate 10 days upon arrival and take a PCR test on day two and day eight. You might be able to get out of quarantine early if you pay for a private PCR test to be taken on day five under the Test to Release scheme. Those with two vaccines only need to take a PCR test on day two of their arrival and can skip self-isolation - the same rules apply to those who are under the age of 18 regardless of their vaccination status. Anyone returning from a green list country need only have proof of a negative Covid-19 test before travel, fill in a passenger locator form and take a test on day two after arrival. Do these changes apply elsewhere in the UK? The devolved nations have control over their own amber, red and green lists of countries as well as the rules around quarantine upon return, and the recent changes have attracted criticism from some quarters. The Welsh Government is still advising against 'all but essential' travel abroad, and those who have been to a red list country cannot even enter until they have completed 10 days of quarantine in England or Scotland first. In a statement, a spokesman for the Welsh Government said: 'We have long called for a clearer system of rules regarding international travel. 'The ad-hoc nature of the decisions made by the UK Government on the issue does little to instil confidence or provide clarity for travellers. 'We continue to advise against all but essential travel abroad because of the continuing risk of infection, including with new variants of coronavirus which may not respond to our vaccines. 'We will consider the latest changes announced by the UK Government.' Advertisement

There were fears in the travel industry that Spain - the most popular overseas destination for UK holidaymakers - could be added to the red list, but it is staying amber.

The Government urged travellers arriving from Spain to take a PCR test 'wherever possible' as their mandatory pre-departure test.

Many people currently use cheaper lateral flow tests to meet the testing requirement.

In a statement, the Government said PCR tests should be used 'as a precaution against the increased prevalence of the virus and variants in the country'.

It added that UK clinicians and scientists 'remain in close contact with their counterparts in Spain to keep abreast of the latest data and picture of cases'.

The Government claimed its decision to scrap the amber plus list and align France in line with the rest of the amber list 'simplifies the system to three categories'.

But the green watchlist - which is designed to give travellers notice where green status is at risk - remains in use, and is unchanged.

Karen Dee, chief executive of the Airport Operators Association, said the extension of the green list is 'a positive step forward' but warned that the UK remains 'a long way off a full and meaningful restart of international travel'.

Tim Alderslade, boss of Airlines UK, the industry body representing UK-registered carriers, described the announcement as 'another missed opportunity'.

He added that the travel industry has not had 'anything like the reopening it was hoping for'.

Meanwhile, Rory Boland, travel editor at Which?, welcomed the addition of more green list countries, but warned that the constant chopping and changing would cause further disruption for many.

'The cost for travellers can be significant,' he said. 'Some holidaymakers whose countries have now been placed in the red category will find that their airline or tour operator is unwilling to give them a refund. Other providers won't refund or even facilitate rebooking if a country is moved from green to amber.'

Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency, said: 'While there's some welcome progress, the Government is still being too cautious at a time when they should be opening up travel faster to help the sector's recovery.'

Johan Lundgren, chief executive of easyJet, said: 'Now summer is fully under way, this provides some reassurance to consumers by keeping the status quo for key holiday destinations, as well as adding some Green list destinations for last-minute bookers where there are still great flight and holiday deals available.

'But we remain disappointed at the double standards applied to travel versus the domestic economy. With infection rates remaining lower in much of Europe and the high vaccination levels in the UK, if not now, it is hard to know when the time is for much of Europe to genuinely turn Green.

'And Government urgently needs to tackle this expensive testing regime which is adding unnecessary cost, especially for the fully vaccinated. No one wants to see flying become a preserve of the rich again - particularly when so many need to get away or reunite after such a long time.'

Mark Tanzer, chief executive of Abta - The Travel Association, said: 'Today's confirmation that France joins popular holiday destinations such as Spain and Greece on the list of countries that fully vaccinated individuals and their families can travel to without the need to quarantine on return is positive, particularly as we are now in the critical school holiday season.

'However, the Government is still failing to capitalise fully on the success of the vaccine rollout with a very cautious approach to the Green list and failure to relax restrictions on travel, including requirements for multiple tests even when visiting low risk destinations.

'As a result, the UK is falling behind our European competitors and the opening up of international travel from the UK is progressing at a snail's pace - making it extremely difficult for travel agents and tour operators to generate enough income to kickstart a recovery, which is desperately needed to protect jobs, businesses and livelihoods.'

It comes after aviation bosses urged ministers to relax travel testing rules on Wednesday after data suggested no coronavirus 'variants of concern' were found in hundreds of thousands of travellers returning from amber and red list countries.

Testing remains a key part of the Government's traffic light scheme, with even travellers coming back from green list countries having to take a test after they get home.

But analysis of official data published by The Telegraph showed that fewer than one in 60 people returning from an amber or red nation tested positive for Covid-19.

More than 320,000 people arrived back in the UK from countries in those categories between July 1 and July 21 and no 'variants of concern' were identified.

The disclosure came as it was confirmed that Spain will not be moved to the 'red list' because of falling case numbers in the country and fears the Government's hotel quarantine system would be unable to cope.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is expected to deliver his three-weekly update to the rules on Thursday.

Boris Johnson refused to be drawn on what will be announced as he answered questions this afternoon during a visit to Scotland.

But he said he recognised that 'people yearn to go abroad' and insisted the Government must strike a 'balance' between opening up travel and protecting against importing coronavirus variants.

Spain will remain on the amber list which means fully-vaccinated Brits can return home without having to quarantine.

There had been fears the country could be moved up to the 'red list' but it has now been confirmed that it will remain in the medium tier.

Quarantine hotel bills rocket to 200 a NIGHT: Cost of isolation on returning to UK is set to soar after ministers agreed to hike prices to 'reflect increased costs involved' Hotel quarantine costs are to soar to more than 200 a night, it was revealed last night. All travellers returning from red list countries  such as Brazil, Turkey and South Africa  must quarantine in a Government-approved hotel for 11 nights. Until now, the cost of staying in a 'managed quarantine facility' has stood at 1,750. But yesterday ministers agreed to hike prices by more than 30 per cent to 'better reflect the increased costs involved'. From next Thursday, the price will jump to 2,285 for a single person. Additional adults and teenagers will be charged 1,430  more than double the current 650 rate. The price for children aged five to 12 will remain at 325, while under-fives will continue to stay for free. The rise means that, for a family of four with two teenage children, the cost will jump from 3,700 to a staggering 6,575  a rise of 78 per cent. Officials said the cost would include transport to the hotel, security and food. It would also include provision of welfare services and two coronavirus tests which are required by law on days two and eight of quarantine. Some travellers have complained of 'prison-like' conditions in the hotels, with little access to fresh air and poor food. Others have been forced into debt by the crippling costs. Last month, the Government announced that solo women travellers would be given female guards, following allegations of sexual harassment. Failure to arrange a quarantine hotel is an offence carrying a 4,000 fine for people returning from a red list country. Offenders still then have to pay for a hotel. Breaking quarantine rules attracts a fine of 10,000. Advertisement

Meanwhile, holidays to France are expected to be back on the table with the 'amber plus' list reportedly set to be scrapped altogether.

France is the only country in the category which currently means that even double-jabbed travellers have to quarantine when they come home.

Ministers are expected to streamline the traffic light system but Boris Johnson remains under pressure to go further and scrap it completely.

Aviation bosses and Tory MPs believe the system should be replaced with one simple 'red list' of banned nations, with vaccinated tourists allowed to travel everywhere else quarantine-free.

France was put on the 'amber plus' list due to fears over the spread of the Beta coronavirus variant.

But numbers now show that just 0.4 per cent of Covid-19 cases in France are Beta while the number is 0.5 per cent in Spain, according to The Times.

Ministers were considering rolling out a new 'amber watchlist' for countries currently amber but at risk of imminently turning red.

It had been suggested that Spain could be put in the new category but Mr Johnson torpedoed the new list after a ferocious backlash.

As well as a fall in case numbers in Spain, the nation has also been spared the 'red list' because of logistical concerns around hotel quarantine.

All travellers returning from a 'red list' nation have to spend 10 days in a Government-approved hotel at their own expense.

The Government has tens of thousands of rooms reserved but with an estimated one million UK tourists in Spain there would not be space in the system for all of them to be housed.

A Whitehall source told The Times: 'Spain won't be going on the amber watchlist - the only danger is it going red but that's very unlikely.

'Cases are coming down. And they haven't got enough beds to quarantine everybody. So it's not going to happen.'

Meanwhile, Britain's daily Covid cases increased for the first time in almost a fortnight on Wednesday, but hospitalisations continue to fall, official data revealed.

Health chiefs posted 29,312 positive tests, an increase of six per cent on last week's 27,734. It is the first time the cases have risen week-on-week since July 27 (44,104).

Coronavirus-tracking experts warned the recent fall in cases  which sparked hopes the worst of the third wave was over  was beginning to flatten out as a delayed result of Freedom Day.

Another 119 laboratory-confirmed deaths were also recorded, up by around 31 per cent on the 91 victims declared last Wednesday.

But the number of people being admitted to hospital with the virus is continuing to fall. Admissions dropped 19.1 per cent to 668 on Saturday  the latest data figures are available for.

It is the fifth day in a row hospitalisations fell on the week before, in a glimmer of hope that Britain may be turning a corner in the amount of severe disease caused by the third wave. The number of infected people occupying NHS beds in England has fallen below 5,000 for the first time since July 25.

The fall in admission can be explained in part by the effect of Britain's successful vaccine drive. Some 29,508 first doses were given out yesterday, taking the total amount of adults to have had a jab up to 46.9million  88.7 per cent of the population.

Meanwhile, another 143,002 second doses were put in people's arms, meaning 38.7million (73.2 per cent of adults) are now fully protected against the virus.

It comes as ministers confirmed 16 and 17 year olds will be offered Covid vaccines. No10's top experts also opened the door to jabbing younger teenagers later in the year.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which advises the Government on the vaccine roll-out, recommended that the 1.4million older teenagers should be offered the Pfizer jabs 'as soon as possible'.

England's deputy chief medical officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said there was 'no time to waste'.

Despite the slight increase in cases today the seven-day average for infections is continuing to fall, dropping 13.6 per cent today. The measure  which provides a more well-rounded picture of where cases are compared to just daily figures  suggests the rate at which cases are falling may be slowing, however

A Department of Health graph shows the number of people being treated for the virus in England has fallen below 5,000 for the first time since July 25

16 and 17 year olds will NOT need parental consent to get Covid vaccines: 1.4million teenagers to get Pfizer jab 'as soon as possible' as health chiefs open door to inoculating all over-12s Sixteen and 17-year-olds will not need parental consent to get the Covid vaccine, health chiefs have revealed as they open the door to jabbing younger teenagers. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) today recommended that the 1.4million people in the age groups should be offered the Pfizer jabs 'as soon as possible' with Professor Jonathan Van-Tam saying there was 'no time to waste'. Ministers have accepted this advice and the NHS is now preparing to dish out their first doses at centres across the country. Officials said they expected the first to be invited for jabs in 'a very short number of weeks'. There are currently no plans to offer the age group second doses, but scientists are reviewing more data to understand the risks of administering the jabs. Officials close to the programme said a child would be able to give consent for the jab if they were able to understand the risks and benefits of any medical treatment. The JCVI is also considering vaccinating 12 to 15-year-olds, but they said they will need to review more safety data before they can update their recommendation for this group. Boris Johnson today called on families to listen to the advice from No10's top scientists, saying that the committee was 'among the best in the world' and that the country should 'take our lead from them'. Professor Van-Tam, the deputy chief medical officer for England, told a Downing Street press conference today that the first inoculations for 16 and 17-year-olds would be dished out 'in a very short number of weeks'. He said: 'Children are going to start going back to colleges and sixths forms from September, and in Scotland that will be slightly earlier, so there is no time to waste in getting on with this. 'The NHS has been kept informed of what is being deliberated for JCVI, it has been preparing for multiple options for very many weeks now and I would expect this programme will start in a very short number of weeks.' He added there was 'plentiful' supply of the vaccines to meet the top scientists recommendation that 16 and 17-year-olds should be vaccinated. Advertisement

Despite the slight increase in cases today, the seven-day average for infections is continuing to fall, dropping 13.7 per cent.

However, the measure  which paints a clearer picture of where cases are compared to just monitoring daily figures which fluctuate heavily  suggests the rate at which cases are falling may be slowing.

Infections are still falling in the North East and North West of England but appear to be flatlining in London, the South East, South West, East Midlands and East of England.

However, data for regions in England lags behind the United Kingdom as a whole, so the slight increase seen across has yet to be reflected in the English numbers.

It comes after the JCVI today recommended that the 1.4million people in the age groups should be offered the Pfizer jabs 'as soon as possible'.

Ministers have accepted this advice and the NHS is now drawing up plans to offer first doses to them in the coming weeks. There are currently no concrete plans to offer the age groups second doses, with scientists set to review more safety data before pressing ahead.

Officials close to the programme said a child would be able to give consent for the jab if they were able to understand the risks and benefits of any medical treatment.

Boris Johnson today called on families to listen to the advice from No10's top scientists, saying that the committee was 'among the best in the world' and that the country should 'take our lead from them'.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said they had accepted the advice from the scientists and were aiming to start rolling out jabs for younger age groups 'as soon as possible'.

Many experts welcomed the move to protect people in younger age groups, but several have slammed it for being 'too little, too late' because young people now cannot be jabbed before the Autumn term. The return of schools in September is likely to spark another rise in cases.

Some scientists have, however, said it was 'pointless' to vaccinate the age groups because most of them already have immunity from past infection. Office of National Statistics figures suggest up to 60 per cent of 16 and 17-year-olds already have antibodies against Covid to fight off the virus.

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, the deputy chief medical officer for England, said there was 'no time to waste' in starting the extension of the vaccination programme to 16 and 17-year-olds.

He told a Downing Street press conference: 'Children are going to start going back to colleges and sixths forms from September, and in Scotland that will be slightly earlier, so there is no time to waste in getting on with this.

'The NHS has been kept informed of what is being deliberated for JCVI, it has been preparing for multiple options for very many weeks now and I would expect this programme will start in a very short number of weeks.'

He added there was 'plentiful' supply of the vaccines to meet the top scientists recommendation that 16 and 17-year-olds should be vaccinated. He said: 'We have the supply and I'm expecting this to start in a very short number of weeks indeed.'

Many experts welcomed the move to protect people in younger age groups, but Independent SAGE members slammed it for being 'too little, too late' because young people now cannot be double-jabbed before the Autumn term. Scientists say the return of schools in September is likely to spark another rise in cases.

Some scientists have, however, called the plans into question saying it was 'pointless' to vaccinate the age group because they are at such low risk from the virus and most already have immunity from previous infection. Office of National Statistics figures suggest up to 60 per cent of 16 and 17-year-olds already have antibodies against Covid to fight off the virus.

The JCVI, which advises No10, last month ruled only over-12s with serious underlying health conditions or who live with a vulnerable adult should get jabs.

The panel, made up of the country's top experts, warned the 'minimal health benefits' did not outweigh the risks to justify vaccinating all children. It adopted a 'precautionary approach' because of a rare link between the jab and a cases of heart conditions called myocarditis and pericarditis.

Officials are keen to push the immunisation drive on to more youngsters in order to prevent an autumn surge in infections when they return to schools in September.

'I'm definitely getting the jab - not like my naive mum and dad': 16 and 17-year-olds say they WILL get the Covid vaccination when they become eligible regardless of their parents' opinions

Sixteen and 17-year-olds have insisted that they will get the Covid-19 vaccination when they become eligible, regardless of their parents' opinions.

It has been revealed that 16 and 17-year-olds won't need parental consent to get Covid vaccines, while No 10's top scientists have hinted children as young as 12 could be offered jabs later this year.

And 16 and 17-year-olds in Manchester have said that they plan to get the Covid vaccine as soon as they are eligible - even if their parents do not agree with them.

One 16-year-old said he is planning to get the Covid jab so he won't have to 'worry' about getting the virus, and criticised his 'naive' parents for choosing not to get vaccinated.

Clayton Murdock, 16, slammed his parents for being 'naive' in not getting vaccinated themselves, but insisted that will not stop him from getting the Covid jab

Meanwhile, another teenager said he would get the Covid vaccine so he can go to gigs next year, while one 17-year-old said she was hoping to bag a 'free kebab' for getting vaccinated.

But some teens have remained sceptical about the vaccine after the announcement, with one woman saying she has heard of women suffering from bad periods after the jab, while another teen said he would only get the vaccine if he is 'forced' to.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended the 1.4million youngsters should be offered Pfizer jabs, marking a U-turn on guidance the same panel issued two weeks ago.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the NHS would dish out invites for vaccines 'as soon as possible', with the goal of getting the oldest teenagers protected before they return to classrooms in September.

Clayton Murdock, 16, from Manchester, slammed his parents for being 'naive' in not getting vaccinated themselves, but insisted that will not stop him from getting the Covid jab.

He continued: 'I'm definitely for taking the Covid vaccine. If it's helping people then I'm all for it.

Amy Blackshaw, 16, expressed her concerns that some women have complained about missing their periods after getting the jab, but said she would get the vaccine to keep others safe

'I've heard though that it's killing people but I don't care as long as it's helping people.

'I'd take it so I could go out and not worry about getting the virus. My parents haven't had it, but that's because they are naive.'

Meanwhile, Annie Sawbridge, 17, from Manchester, said she too wants to get vaccinated, sharing her hopes that she might be able to bag a free Uber or a free kebab if she is double vaccinated.

Annie said that her father is already double vaccinated, while her mother has had her first vaccine, and she plans to join them in getting the Covid jab as soon as she is eligible.

She added: 'I would take the vaccine. I've heard you can get a free Uber or a free kebab out of it, so I'd get it and hope for a free kebab.

'I'd take it to keep people safe.'

Elsewhere, Amy Blackshaw, 16, from Manchester, expressed her concerns that some women have complained about missing their periods and getting 'swollen' breasts after getting the jab.

But she said that despite her belief that people should be told 'what's going to happen' after getting the jab, she still plans to get the vaccine in a bid to keep other people safe.

She explained: 'I'd love to take the vaccine, but I've heard women saying that their boobs are swelling and that they're missing their periods from it and it's a shame that women's mental health isn't taken into account, but I'd still take the vaccine anyway because it's important.

Meanwhile, Annie Sawbridge, 17, said she wants to get the Covid jab, sharing her hopes that she might be able to bag a free Uber or a free kebab if she is double vaccinated

One teenager who feels slightly sceptical about getting the Covid jab is Kieron Booth, 16, from Ponteland in Northumberland. He said he will only get vaccinated if he is 'forced' to

'I think when you take it, you should be told what's going to happen. I don't think people are told enough what can happen.

'I'd take it to be safe for other people.'

Another teenager who feels slightly more sceptical about getting the Covid jab is Kieron Booth, 16, from Ponteland in Northumberland.

Kieron said he will only get the vaccine if he is 'forced' to, saying he feels safe in the knowledge that he is young and believes that Covid will not 'affect' him 'as much'.

He said: 'For me getting it depends on if I'm forced to have it to go on holiday.

'I would definitely get it if I had to for holidays. I would preferably not get it but if they forced me I would.

'I've missed out on a couple of things like holidays because of Covid.

'But I'm not in any rush, not until I have to. I feel safe enough as being younger I don't think it affects you as much.

'My family have had their first jabs and my mam has been really ill with it so I don't want to get it unless I have to.'

Childcare and education student Millie Coulson, 16, from Blyth, said she plans on getting the vaccine as she trusts the Government and said getting the jab would make her feel safer amid the pandemic.

She explained: 'I definitely plan on getting it when I get the chance.

Childcare and education student Millie Coulson, 16, from Blyth, said she plans on getting the vaccine as it would make her feel safer amid the pandemic

'If the Government are advising it then we just have to trust them really, that's all you can do.

'I don't feel that safe at the moment because I know Covid is deadly but I would definitely trust the injection.

'I have no issues in getting it. I'd love to go to festivals and holidays later on so I would have to get it.'

Lauren Nicholson, of Blyth in Northumberland, admitted that her grandparents have been encouraging her to get the Covid jab, despite her not really thinking about it.

The 17-year-old sixth form student said: 'I haven't had the vaccine yet and I haven't really thought about it.

'I think I might get it in the future especially if you have to for if you're going abroad and things like that.

'My grandma and grandad have encouraged me to get it and they want me to have it when I can.

'I would like to go away places on holiday at some point in the future so I will end up having it at some point.'

One teenager whose parents have opted to get the Covid vaccine is 17-year-old Freddie Wakeling, from Manchester, who said he is one of the only people in his family not to have been vaccinated yet.

He said that while he is in no rush to get the vaccine, as he is not clinically vulnerable, he wants to get the jab when he can so he is able to attend gigs and other events next year.

One teenager whose parents have opted to get the Covid jab is 17-year-old Freddie Wakeling, who said he is one of the only people in his family not to have been vaccinated yet

Bailey Wressell (left), 17, from Chester-le-Street in County Durham, and Lauren Nicholson, of Blyth in Northumberland, both plan to get the Covid vaccine when they are eligible

He explained: 'It's something I would take if I was offered it, but as I'm not particularly vulnerable, I'm not in any hurry to get it.

'The main reason I want to get it is from fears of not being able to do things in the future especially with big public events with gigs and that kind of thing.

'That's something I don't want to miss out on, especially next year because I've got a few booked now.

'I'm pretty much the only person in my family not to be vaccinated yet, but that's only because I've not been eligible.'

Bailey Wressell, 17, from Chester-le-Street in County Durham, also had concerts and public events on her mind as she said she is planning on getting the vaccine as soon as she can.

The sixth form student said: 'When I am eligible I will definitely be having it.

'I want to stay safe and I think it would be silly not to get it really. We don't want to end up back in lockdown so you might as well get it.

'I feel it's important to keep older people safe too such as grandparents.

'Me and my friend have got a concert booked for next year so I will need it for that.'

Evan Cooper, 17, has already had both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, which he got in a bid to protect his grandparents and to allow him to go on holiday with his friends.

Evan, from Manchester, said he could not afford to pay for the PCR tests required before going abroad, so decided to get the Covid jab so he was able to go on holiday.

He added: 'I'm double vaccinated but the main reason I took it was because I'm going on holiday with some friends and if I don't have it, then the PCR tests are really expensive and I'm young as it is, so I can't really afford it, so I took it for that reason and to protect my grandparents.

Evan Cooper, 17, has already had both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, which he decided to get in a bid to protect his grandparents and to enable him to go on holiday with his friends

While Mila Jowett, 17, from Chester-le-Street in County Durham, said she feels a certain duty to have the Covid jab, saying the only reason she hasn't had it is because she is not eligible yet

'Both of my parents are double vaccinated, my sister is 22 and she has had her first vaccine.'

Evan is not the only teenager thinking about going on holiday in the future, as photographer Alex Elliot, 17, of South Shields in South Tyneside, said he wants to get the jab so he knows that he is 'safe' to go abroad.

Alex, who turns 18 next month, said: 'I've read in the news that young adults can get it. 'But I've not actually had any contact personally saying I'm eligible.

'I wouldn't be in a rush for it but definitely when I have the time and if I wasn't busy, I would go and get it.

'It's more about me not wanting to restrict anybody in the future and I don't want to be seen as bad by anyone.

'I would rather just get it for other people. I definitely want to be part of a group effort to keep people safe.

'Getting it to go places isn't really on my mind but it would be comforting to know that if I needed to go abroad in the future, I would be safe to do so.'

And waitress Neeve Rogers, from Newcastle, also plans on getting the vaccine so she is able to travel abroad and visit her family in America.

The 17-year-old said: 'I haven't had it yet but I do plan on getting it.

'I think it's important because it will help everything get better and the quicker everyone gets vaccinated then the quicker it should all be over.

Waitress Neeve Rogers, from Newcastle, also plans on getting the vaccine so she is able to travel abroad and visit her family in America

'I really want to travel, just anywhere abroad once I get my vaccine.

'I'd like to travel back to America as I have family there so if I got the jab I'd be able to go see them.'

Michael Hale, 16, from Manchester, said he has already had Covid and would choose to get the vaccine when he is eligible, adding: 'I think it's about safety.

'I've already had Covid, so I shouldn't get it for a while, but I think you need to take into account other people. My parents have both been vaccinated.'

While Mila Jowett, 17, from Chester-le-Street in County Durham, admitted that she feels a certain duty to have the Covid jab, saying the only reason she hasn't had it is because she is not eligible yet.

She continued: 'I haven't had the jab because I'm not eligible I don't think.

'I think it's important for my state of mind and I do think there is a duty to have it.

'I will feel safer once having it, sometimes I feel a bit on edge now after lockdown and especially with people getting pinged which is a hindrance.

'Definitely in the future I would like to go on holiday as well.'

The teenagers' eagerness to get the vaccine comes after it was announced that 16 and 17-year-olds won't need parental consent to get Covid jabs.

Photographer Alex Elliot, 17, of South Shields in South Tyneside, said he wants to get the jab so he knows that he is 'safe' to go abroad

Michael Hale, 16, said he has already had Covid and would choose to get the vaccine when he is eligible, adding that he thinks people need to take into account other people as well

Health Secretary Sajid Javid accepted advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and asked the NHS to prepare to vaccinate the group 'as soon as possible'.

And Boris Johnson called on families to listen to the advice, saying that the committee was 'among the best in the world' and that the country should 'take our lead from them'.

Officials said there is 'no time to waste' and want to give all 1.4million older teenagers the Pfizer vaccine before schools return in September. Detailed plans will be set out this week.

At a Downing Street press conference this afternoon, JCVI chair Professor Wei Shen Lim revealed 16-17 year olds won't be booked in for second doses just yet.

There are currently no concrete plans to offer the 16 and 17 year olds second doses, with the expert panel wanting to buy more time to understand the safety risks.

Meanwhile, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, England's deputy chief medical officer, said there was 'no time to waste' and that there was 'plentiful' supply of the vaccines.

Unveiling the inoculation drive expansion in a Downing Street briefing today, Professor Van-Tam said: 'Children are going to start going back to colleges and sixths forms from September, and in Scotland that will be slightly earlier, so there is no time to waste in getting on with this.

'The NHS has been kept informed of what is being deliberated for JCVI, it has been preparing for multiple options for very many weeks now and I would expect this programme will start in a very short number of weeks.'
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Top scientists today heaped criticism on No10 for the 'unacceptable' delay in rolling out vaccines to 16 and 17-year-olds, saying the move was 'too little, too late'.

The Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations (JCVI) has recommended the 1.4million youngsters should be offered Pfizer jabs, marking a dramatic U-turn on guidance the same panel issued two weeks ago.

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, England's deputy chief medical officer, has also laid the groundwork for ministers to expand the inoculation drive to all over-12s in the near future saying they would 'continually review' the evidence.

But a group of 18 scientists  including SAGE advisers and Independent SAGE members  today slammed the move as too late, adding youngsters will not be fully protected before the start of the Autumn term when the return of schools is expected to spark an uptick in cases.

In a paper submitted to The Lancet they said the UK was a 'global outlier' in vaccinations, because it was not immunising 12 to 15-year-olds unlike the US, Canada, Israel and much of Europe.

They said there have not been any deaths or serious adverse affects recorded so far in the nine million under-18s who have already received the Covid vaccine.

Lead author and Independent SAGE member Professor Christina Pagel said: 'While it is really good news that 16 and 17-year-olds can now benefit from the protection given by the highly effective vaccine, an opportunity to fully vaccinate students before the start of the next school term has been missed. This same decision even a month earlier would have allowed this.'

There are currently no concrete plans to offer the 16 and 17-year-olds second doses, with the JCVI wanting to buy more time to understand the safety risks.

But the eight-week gap between doses means even if the oldest teenagers got their first dose tomorrow, they would not be able to get their second until October.

Pfizer's vaccine has been linked to a rare side effect called myocarditis  inflammation of the heart muscle. Data from the US, which has been giving the jab to children for months, shows the complication affects one in 100,000 teenage boys after the first dose, but this rises to about one in 15,000 after the second dose.

Many experts welcomed the move to vaccinate people in younger age groups as 'sensible' and 'another piece of the jigsaw for the UK to return to some kind of normality'.

More than eight in ten Britons also support the move, polling suggests, including more than 50 per cent of people who strongly support offering jabs to the younger age groups.

But others called the plans into question saying it was 'pointless' to vaccinate the youngsters because they are at such low risk from the virus and most already have immunity from previous infection. Office of National Statistics figures suggest up to 60 per cent of 16 and 17-year-olds already have Covid-fighting antibodies.

It comes after Britain's Covid cases rose by five per cent in a week today to 29,312, the first time they have gone up in almost two weeks. Another 119 deaths were also recorded, which was up 30 per cent in seven days.

A group of scientists has slammed the JCVI decision as 'too little, too late'. Lead author Professor Christina Pagel said it did not leave enough time for older teenagers to be double-vaccinated before returning to school in September. Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said they were also considering rolling out doses to 12 to 15-year-olds

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) today recommended that 1.4million people in the age groups should be vaccinated against Covid 'as soon as possible'. Pictured (left to right) is JCVI chair Professor Wei Shen Lim, England's deputy chief medical officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam and Britain's drug regulator the MHRA's chief executive Dr June Raine

Top graph: Data from June 24 to July 12 (red 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 (yellow 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

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)

Who are the scientists that criticised No10 for 'unacceptable' delay in vaccinating children Professor Christina Pagel, an Independent SAGE member and modeller at University College London. She was the lead author on the letter sent to The Lancet. Professor Susan Michie, SAGE member and Independent SAGE member and health psychologist at University College London. Dr Samir Bhatt, SAGE advisor and infectious disease modeller at Imperial College London. Dr Gabriel Scally, Independent SAGE member and public health expert at the University of Bristol. Professor Stephen Reicher, Independent SAGE member and psychologist at the University of St. Andrews. Professor Anthony Costello, Independent SAGE member and global health and sustainable development expert at University College London. Dr Deepti Gurdasani, epidemiologist at Queen Mary, University of London. Professor Spiros Denaxas, modeller at University College London. Dr Seth Flaxman, Covid modeller at Imperial College London. Professor Trish Greenhalgh, primary care health scientist at the University of Oxford. Dr Stephen Griffin, associate professor in virology at the University of Leeds. Dr Zoe Hyde, health data scientist at the University of Western Australia. Professor Aris Katzourakis, a virologist at the University of Oxford. Professor Martin McKee, European public health expert at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Dr Oliver Ratmann, infectious disease modeller at Imperial College London. Dr Gillian Tomlinson, clinical scientist at University College London. Dr Kit Yates, mathematician at the University of Bath. Dr Hisham Ziauddeen, senior clinical researcher at the University of Cambridge. Advertisement

It comes as:

Ministers get set to axe the controversial 'amber-plus' list, meaning holidays to Spain are back on for thousands of British sunseekers;

Britain's daily Covid cases rose for the first time in a fortnight with 29,312 recorded, a six per cent jump on last week;

And deaths rise by a third to 119, but hospitalisations continued to drop;

Office for National Statistics figures showed now almost 80 per cent of 16 to 24-year-olds in England have Covid antibodies;

Study suggests Covid self-isolation period could be halved to just five days because only two per cent of virus transmission happens after infection;

Portugal prepares to lift quarantine requirements for double-jabbed Britons with Indian-made AstraZeneca vaccine;

Boris Johnson jets into Scotland with visit to police college just 30 miles from Sturgeon's Edinburgh residence after rejecting her offer for talks  but denies it is a snub.

The paper sent to The Lancet also called on the JCVI to publish their analysis of the risks and benefits of 16 and 17-year-olds getting the vaccine. It was published as a pre-print.

Professor Russell Viner, an expert in child and adolescent health at University College London who was not involved in the paper, welcomed the JCVI decision today as a 'sensible step'.

He said: 'Vaccinating all 16 and 17-year-olds with the Pfizer vaccine is a welcome and sensible step given what we know about Covid risks and the safety of vaccines in this age group and where we are in the pandemic.'

'The risk of severe illness from Covid in 16 to 17-year-olds was about one in 60,000 in England during the first year of the pandemic, with a risk of death around six in a million.

'These risks are very low but they overlap with the risks for 18 to 19-year-olds, who are eligible for vaccination.

'So, this decision recognises the (similar data) between 16 to 17-year-olds and 18 to 19-year-olds but also that there are important social and educational benefits for protecting young people and reducing transmission in the upper years of secondary school.'

He added: 'There are risks from any vaccine and we now are clearer that the risks of inflammation of the heart or heart linings (myocarditis or pericarditis) are also low (around 30 to 100 per million) and most cases are mild and recover quickly.'

For comparison, the chance of finding a four-leaf clover is about one in 10,000 and the risk of being struck by lightning is less than one in a million.

Boris Johnson today called on families to listen to the advice from the JCVI, saying that the committee was 'among the best in the world' and that the country should 'take our lead from them'.

Speaking to reporters on a trip to Scotland today, he said: 'I think its very important that everybody in politics listens first to the clinicians and to the medical experts.

'I would just urge all families thinking about this across the country to listen to the JCVI, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and immunisation.

'They are extremely expert there, theyre amongst the best if not the best in the world, they know whats safe and I think we should listen to them and take our lead from them.'

Unveiling the inoculation drive expansion in a Downing Street briefing today, Professor Van-Tam said: 'Children are going to start going back to colleges and sixths forms from September, and in Scotland that will be slightly earlier, so there is no time to waste in getting on with this.

'The NHS has been kept informed of what is being deliberated for JCVI, it has been preparing for multiple options for very many weeks now and I would expect this programme will start in a very short number of weeks.'

Experts are divided over the hugely controversial topic of vaccinating children, given their tiny risk of dying or falling seriously ill.

The JCVI, which advises No10, last month ruled only over-12s with serious underlying health conditions or who live with a vulnerable adult should get jabs.

The panel, made up of the country's top experts, warned the 'minimal health benefits' did not outweigh the risks to justify vaccinating all children. At the time, it stated that only under 18s with learning disabilities or chronic health conditions should be eligible.

Officials are keen to push the immunisation drive on to more youngsters in order to prevent an autumn surge in infections when they return to schools in September.

What Covid vaccine will 16 and 17 year olds get? Will they get jabs in school? And will they need to show parental consent? Your questions answered When will children be vaccinated? Those aged 16 and 17 will be offered the jab within weeks, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, England's deputy chief medical officer, said today. At a Downing Street press conference, he said: 'I want us to proceed as quickly as practically possible. 'That isn't going to be tomorrow. I don't think its likely to be early next week. 'But I can tell you the NHS has been kept informed of what's been deliberated and it has been preparing for multiple permutations and options for weeks.' Mr Javid confirmed 16 and 17-year-olds will be offered the jab this month. How long will it be until they get their second dose? The children will initially be given one dose of Pfizer's vaccine to give them 'some immediate protection from severe disease'. But the committee is yet to decide when they will receive their second dose. Regulators are waiting for more safety data before pressing ahead with plans to give them a top-up. Data from the US suggests myocarditis, a rare heart condition linked to the jab, is occurring more frequently after second doses. The JCVI is looking at the evidence on whether the top-up jab is best delivered at eight weeks, as with adults, or sooner or potentially later. Professor Lim told the press conference: 'We are expecting more data to accumulate in the coming weeks. And that means we can offer advice that is the most up to date and relevant.' Even if the roll-out to older teenagers began straight away, there will only be time to give them one dose before the school year begins on September 6. What vaccine will youngsters get? The UK has so far only approved Pfizer's coronavirus jab for use in children over 12. Health chiefs today confirmed it would the US-made vaccine would be given to 16 and 17 year olds. Moderna's vaccine  which works in a similar way  has not been given the green light for youngsters yet. AstraZeneca's injection has been linked to rare blood clots, and health chiefs have already restricted its use to over 40s. Therefore, the British-made vaccine won't be offered to children. Scientists are currently testing nasal spray forms of the Covid vaccine  a method already used to give out children's flu jabs. But none of the candidates being studied have yet to make it out of trials. Which countries have already began vaccinating children? Until today, Britain was the 'outlier'. Major European countries and the US are already giving vaccines to children. A quarter of 12 to 15 year olds in the US have received two doses, while a third have received their first jab. France, and Spain, Hungary have already starting giving the jab to over-12s, while 10 per cent of children are already vaccinated in Germany. Meanwhile, Canada, Denmark, Austria, Italy, Lithuania, Estonia, Norway, Switzerland, are expected to start giving youngsters jabs soon. Israel approved the jabs for over-12s in May and subsequently approved it for 5 to 11-year-olds. Advertisement

Professor Shen Lim said it was not a 'missed opportunity' that 12 to 15-year-olds are not set to be offered vaccines in the coming weeks because children in this age group who were deemed to be at serious risk from Covid were already able to get the vaccine.

But he added the JCVI would continue to review the data before deciding whether to roll out the vaccines to everyone in this age group.

Mr Javid said after the announcement that the NHS was ready to start delivering the jabs 'as soon as possible'. When asked when the roll out would begin, he told reporters at a vaccination centre in Bournemouth: 'It will be this month and so the way were going to roll this out, I think as people will expect, is working through the clinicians, working through GPs, through the primary care networks.

'Also, we will use hospital hubs, we will use hubs like this in Bournemouth today that I have visited, that I was very impressed by, and also well be working through the already existing schools vaccination programme, which I think will help to bolster this.'

Mr Javid said: 'Of course, theres no compulsion in this, like all our vaccination offer, its something for people to consider and to decide if its something they want to do.'

The JCVI reassessed their recommendation following the surge of infections in younger people in July and in the wake of getting more data on the safety of jabs.

Sixteen and 17-year-olds will be offered the Pfizer vaccine because it is the only one Britain's drug regulator has approved for use in this age group. The Moderna vaccine  which uses the same mRNA technology  has only been approved for over-18s.

Many experts heralded the move to offer jabs to 16 and 17-year-olds today as a step in the right direction.

Professor Alex Richter, an immunologist at Birmingham University, also welcomed the move today. He said: 'We know the vaccines are highly efficacious and this is another piece in the jigsaw for the UK returning to some kind of normality.'

Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at Warwick Medical School, said vaccinating the young could help ensure there are no further disruptions to the school term.

He said: 'Vaccination of 16 and 17-year-olds will protect them from getting sick and from developing long-term consequences of infection (long covid), both of which rare in this age group but can still be very debilitating.

'Vaccination will also reduce the ability of youngsters to spread the virus and will also prevent the generation of new variants.

'Perhaps the most significant benefit of vaccinating this group is to ensure that there are no further disruptions to their education once they return to school or college.'

Scientists are divided over the hugely controversial topic of vaccinating children, given their tiny risk of dying or falling seriously ill if they catch Covid.

Microbiologist Professor David Livermore told MailOnline today: 'Sixteen to 17-year-olds are at low risk of serious disease and, through exposure, are developing immunity anyway.

'We do not know if vaccine-induced immunity will prove the longer lasting, and the better contributor to herd immunity. Given this, I can see no good reason to prioritise vaccinating them.'

He added: 'Limited vaccine supplies would be far better used in countries and regions with large vulnerable elderly populations who presently remain unvaccinated  Australia, much of South East Asia and Latin America, as well as Africa.'

Experimental medicine expert and SAGE adviser Professor Peter Openshaw also backed the suggested plans to jab 16 and 17-year-olds today.

The Imperial College London expert told BBC Radio 4's World at One he would be 'completely happy' if his own teenage children were jabbed.

Professor Openshaw said: 'It is a very difficult individual decision isnt it? If it was my own teenage child I would be completely happy about them being vaccinated.

'Obviously we are concerned about the risks and there have been various concerns about things like myocarditis  extremely rare  and the risks of being infected and developing complications, even in people of this age, are considerable.

'I think we just need to balance those different pressures, and my judgment is there is a lot to be said for vaccinating teenagers.'

Myocarditis is the scientific name for inflammation of the heart muscles. There have been suggestions that a string of cases among young adults in Israel and the US could be linked to the Pfizer jab. British regulators list this as a very rare potential side-effect of the Belgian-made jab, but say cases are 'very mild'.

Professor Steven Riley, of Imperial College London and co-author of the React study which has been tracking the outbreak, said that the latest results from the study would 'support' extending the vaccination programme to 16 and 17 year olds.

No10 'rules out' cash bribes for young people to get Covid vaccines No10 has ruled out cash bribes for young people to get the vaccines, MailOnline understands. It was today suggested that money could be used to encourage young people to get vaccinated before the JCVI confirmed it was recommending inoculations for 16 and 17-year-olds. Ministers have already roped in Uber and Deliveroo to offer deals for young people in a bid to get them vaccinated. But a No10 source said there were no plans to offer cash incentives to under-18s. Universities minister Michelle Donelan failed to rule out the bribes today, however, during a round of interviews. She told Times Radio: 'There may be an element of Government money attributed (to incentives).' She did not say whether the UK would follow the US, where young people are offered $100 (71) to get the vaccine. She told Sky News: 'We've looked at a variety of mechanisms to encourage young people (to get the jab). 'I think the biggest incentive is to protect their own health and protect the health of their friends and their loved ones. 'We are seeing young people every day come forward and get vaccinated. 'But we'll keep everything on the table and review all options for incentivising everybody to get the vaccine.' The vaccine drive has been open to all over-18s since mid-June. But ministers have been left raging against low uptake in younger age groups, with 3million people aged 18 to 30 still yet to book their first dose. Advertisement

He told LBC: 'Our data would support that in that we'd expect there to be a really good knock-on effect from extending the vaccinations for that group.'

The study  based on random swab-testing of tens of thousands of people across England  found a 'lot of transmission' among secondary school-aged children.

The Pfizer vaccine is approved for children aged 12-and-over.

Professor Riley added: 'If that could be prioritised that would also reduce transmission'

'What we should probably think about is September, October, November: how much immunity can we have in order to hopefully keep prevalence going down, or if prevalence does start to go up a little bit for it to be as slowly as possible, so there is justification in extending those vaccinations down.

'But we have to balance against the other needs for the vaccine as well.'

It comes after Universities minister Michelle Donelan this morning refused to confirm whether parental consent would be needed for youngsters to get vaccinated, merely saying advice from the JCVI was 'imminent'.

Asked whether parents would be consulted on whether they wanted their children to receive a vaccine, she told Sky News she would not 'pre-empt' the announcement.

Ms Donelan: 'As a representative of the Government I am waiting for the JCVI update on this which could be today but it is very imminent. As I have already said I am not going to preempt a policy announcement.'

Asked why the Government has had a change of heart on moving the roll-out on to children this morning, Ms Donelan said: 'We haven't announced that.'

She added: 'What we're doing is waiting for the JCVI announcement.

'At every stage throughout the pandemic we've adopted their advice on this.

'They are the experts of course when we're determining the vaccine rollout and we'll await their imminent announcement shortly.

'We are awaiting the feedback from the JCVI and then we will update accordingly, so we haven't actually had a change of heart, there's been no policy announcement.'

Ms Donelan said the advice was expected 'imminently' and denied was based on 'political pressure'.

Questions are now being raised as to what has prompted the sudden change in advice from the panel, which just two weeks ago said it was 'not currently advising routine vaccination of children'.

Sources close to the JCVI, according to The Times, warned of political attempts to 'bounce' the group into making the decision.

But other insiders claimed the decision was based on fresh evidence that makes the case for jabbing all over-16s, suggesting the risk of myocarditis among teenagers may be lower than feared.

Ms Donelan insisted the decision was 'not based on political pressure'.

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

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

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 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

Schools should not be responsible for promoting or policing jabs for pupils, union says Schools should not have any responsibility for promoting, enforcing or policing vaccination of pupils, a union has said. School leaders' union NAHT said UK policy on jabs for children should be led by clinicians. Paul Whiteman, NAHT general secretary, said: 'The debate about whether or not to vaccinate older children has been raging for many weeks. NAHT has always said that UK policy on child vaccination should be led by clinicians. 'To the extent that any such policy is controversial it is clear that schools should not carry any responsibility for vaccination promotion, enforcement or policing.' He said Covid remains a worry for school leaders, given the large numbers of absences related to the virus last term. A record 1.13million children in England were out of school for Covid related reasons towards the end of term, recent Government figures showed. The figures included 994,000 children self-isolating due to a possible contact with a Covid case, 48,000 pupils with a confirmed case of coronavirus, and 33,300 with a suspected case. A further 50,700 pupils were off as a result of school closures due to Covid-related reasons, the Department for Education (DfE) statistics showed. Mr Whiteman said: 'Regardless of the extent that young people might suffer directly from the virus, the large numbers of pupils absent from school at the end of last term showed that Covid still has the power to affect the quality and continuity of the education they receive. 'That is a continuing worry for school leaders. 'Pupils will return to schools next month, and the Government needs to take every possible step to prevent transmission of the virus amongst people in school communities, no matter their age. 'As ever, it will be a matter of public confidence in whatever these measures are deemed to be, so the Government also has a duty to communicate carefully and clearly in order to avoid any more unnecessary disruption and missed education for pupils.' Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said extending the jabs rollout would reduce disruption to schooling. He told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: 'Anything that gives the reassurance to young people that they are being treated in the way that the adult population is and that their education won't be disrupted to the extent it has been  that has to be welcomed. 'I'm sure many parents, with their youngsters, will think at last we're starting to give a real sense of priority to young people's education.' He said generally he thinks 'young people feel they've been let down educationally'. He added: 'If this is one way we can get rid of that disruption I think we will see a great sense of a lot of young people, not all, but a lot of young people thinking, 'Actually, I'm going to have the vaccine, just like my mum or my dad has'.' Mr Barton suggested vaccination for younger pupils could also be considered. Advertisement

She also claimed the Government was considering 'all options for incentivising' younger people to get the Covid vaccine, with ministers hoping to encourage hesitant youngsters into centres with the promise of cut-price taxis and takeaways. Cash bribes have also not been ruled out.

Schools unions have backed the move, saying anything that reassures young people that they are being treated like adults 'has to be welcomed'. But they insisted schools should have no responsibility for promoting, enforcing or policing inoculation uptake.

A quarter of children aged 12 to 15 in the US have received two doses, while a third have received one dose.

Other countries, including Israel, Italy, France and Germany are making progress in this age group - and Israel has even approved the vaccine for vulnerable 5 to 11-year-olds.

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.'

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.

Jonathan Van-Tam says he would get his own teenage children vaccinated Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said today he would be 'very much in favour' of getting his own teenage children vaccinated against Covid. England's deputy chief medical officer revealed at a Downing Street press conference that he has one child who is an adult and two that are under-16. But he said he would be very happy to follow the JCVIs guidance and get his children jabbed if they were 16 or 17-years-old. The committee has recommended that everyone in this age group should get a first dose of the vaccine as soon as possible. Professor Van-Tam said: 'I have one child who is an adult (and) I have two children who are younger than 16 and 17. 'However, I would be very much in favour based upon the adjudication of JCVI if they were 16 or 17 for them to be vaccinated initially with that first dose, as JCVI has said.' He continued: 'All of the adults in my known family group have had all of the Covid vaccines that they are eligible for. 'Im a strong believer that these vaccines are safe and effective. Im a strong believer that they are changing how we can learn to live in a much more normal way with Covid-19 for the foreseeable future.' Advertisement

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.'

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.'

What Covid vaccine will 16 and 17 year olds get? Will they get jabs in school? All your questions answered about the Government's plan to inoculate 1.4million teenagers

Health chiefs have recommend all 16 and 17-year-olds get jabs, marking a dramatic U-turn.

Just two weeks ago the same expert panel  the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI)  advised against doing so.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid accepted the advice and asked the NHS to prepare to vaccinate the group 'as soon as possible'.

Officials said there is 'no time to waste' and want to give all 1.4million older teens the Pfizer vaccine before schools return in September. Detailed plans will be set out this week.

At a Downing Street press conference this afternoon, JCVI chair Professor Wei Shen Lim revealed 16-17 year olds won't be booked in for second doses just yet, with the panel wanting to wait for more safety data.

The major safety concern around vaccinating children centres on a heart condition called myocarditis, which is six times more common after the top-up jab.

Health chiefs confirmed that children will be able to overrule their parents and opt to get the vaccine without their permission.

But experts are divided over the hugely controversial topic of vaccinating children, given their tiny risk of dying or falling seriously ill.

Some countries  including the US and Israel  have already started, which made Britain an outlier in so far only vaccinating the most at-risk over-12s.

As plans to vaccinate children are unveiled by No10's scientists, MailOnline answers your questions about the roll-out to youngsters.

The Government has not yet given a timeline on when 16 and 17-year-olds can start coming forward for jabs. But even if the roll-out out to older teenagers begin straight away, there will only be time to give them one dose by the time the school year begins on September 6

When will children be vaccinated?

Those aged 16 and 17 will be offered the jab within weeks, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, England's deputy chief medical officer, said today.

At a Downing Street press conference, he said: 'I want us to proceed as quickly as practically possible.

'That isn't going to be tomorrow. I don't think its likely to be early next week.

'But I can tell you the NHS has been kept informed of what's been deliberated and it has been preparing for multiple permutations and options for weeks.'

Mr Javid confirmed 16 and 17-year-olds will be offered the jab this month.

How long will it be until they get their second dose?

The children will initially be given one dose of Pfizer's vaccine to give them 'some immediate protection from severe disease'.

But the committee is yet to decide when they will receive their second dose.

Regulators are waiting for more safety data before pressing ahead with plans to give them a top-up.

Data from the US suggests myocarditis, a rare heart condition linked to the jab, is occurring more frequently after second doses.

The JCVI is looking at the evidence on whether the top-up jab is best delivered at eight weeks, as with adults, or sooner or potentially later.

Professor Lim told the press conference: 'We are expecting more data to accumulate in the coming weeks. And that means we can offer advice that is the most up to date and relevant.'

Even if the roll-out to older teenagers began straight away, there will only be time to give them one dose before the school year begins on September 6.

Will jabs be dished out in schools?

Jabs will be administered in schools, like how the HPV vaccine is rolled out for 12 and 13 year old boys and girls.

Speaking to reporters at a vaccination centre in Bournemouth, Mr Javid revealed GPs and hospital hubs will also dish out jabs to children.

He said: 'The way we're going to roll this out, I think as people will expect, is working through the clinicians, GPs, primary care networks. Also, we will use hospital hubs.'

'And we'll be working through the existing schools vaccination programme, which I think will help to bolster this.'

But Education Secretary Gavin Williamson is expected to push for them to continue to be given at GP surgeries and NHS hubs, sources claimed.

What vaccine will youngsters get?

The UK has so far only approved Pfizer's coronavirus jab for use in children over 12.

Health chiefs today confirmed it would the US-made vaccine would be given to 16 and 17 year olds.

Moderna's vaccine  which works in a similar way  has not been given the green light for youngsters yet.

AstraZeneca's injection has been linked to rare blood clots, and health chiefs have already restricted its use to over 40s. Therefore, the British-made vaccine won't be offered to children.

The UK has so far only approved Pfizer's coronavirus jab for use in children over 12

Scientists are currently testing nasal spray forms of the Covid vaccine  a method already used to give out children's flu jabs. But none of the candidates being studied have yet to make it out of trials.

Which countries have already began vaccinating children?

Until today, Britain was the 'outlier'. Major European countries and the US are already giving vaccines to children.

A quarter of 12 to 15 year olds in the US have received two doses, while a third have received their first jab.

France, and Spain, Hungary have already starting giving the jab to over-12s, while 10 per cent of children are already vaccinated in Germany.

Meanwhile, Canada, Denmark, Austria, Italy, Lithuania, Estonia, Norway, Switzerland, are expected to start giving youngsters jabs soon.



Israel approved the jabs for over-12s in May and subsequently approved it for 5 to 11-year-olds.

Have the vaccines been trialled on children?

The companies that make the vaccines, as well as other scientists, have studied how safe they are among children.

Pfizer and Moderna found their jab poses little risk in over-12s and are now trialling the injection in under-11s.

Rigorous analysis also revealed the jabs were effective.

The JCVI said a trial of 1,000 12 to 15-year-olds who received the Pfizer jab found it to be effective and only cause short-term side effects like a fever.

University of Oxford scientists are testing the AstraZeneca jab on children aged six to 17.

Do children get ill with Covid?

Most children who get infected have no or mild symptoms.

Fewer than 30 under-18s have died of Covid in the UK since the pandemic began  which scientists say is the equivalent of around one in 500,000 who get infected.

And a major study last night revealed just one in 50 develop symptoms which persist for longer than eight weeks.

So, what are the benefits of vaccinating children?

Scientists claim vaccinating children will curb the spread of the virus, with younger adults known to have fuelled Britain's third wave.

Rolling out jabs to children, advocates insist, minimise the numbers having to take days off school to self-isolate.

Others say it will be impossible to achieve any kind of population immunity without inoculating under-18s.

Building up immunity now, before children return to classrooms in the autumn, will help keep infections down.

This is because vaccinating children can cause 'knock on benefits across the whole population', Imperial College London researchers say.

So what are the potential risks?

Since the vaccine roll-out has been expanded to children around the world, there have been reports of rare heart conditions: myocarditis and pericarditis.

Myocarditis is the inflammation of the heart muscle, while pericarditis is when the protective layer around the heart gets inflamed.

Data from the US shows those aged 12-17 are at the most risk of developing the heart problem after a Covid jab, compared to other age groups.

In that group, 10 cases of myocarditis were reported per million first doses given. This rises to 67 per million after the second dose. Most people recovered quickly.

There are no specific causes of the conditions but they are usually triggered by a virus.

The British Heart Foundation says in some cases, myocarditis can affect the heart's electrical system, stopping it from pumping properly. 'This can cause an abnormal heart rhythm, known as an arrhythmia,' it claims.

But British regulators insist the 250 cases seen among Pfizer recipients are 'typically mild'. Affected patients recover 'within a short time with standard treatment'.

What explains the sudden U-turn?

Ministers had urged the JCVI to keep reviewing its decision and were keen to expand the roll-out to children.

No major new evidence has emerged, but the committee said they now 'have more certainty' that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks.

Crucially, they are reassured that the side-effect of heart inflammation is extremely rare. Data from the UK shows it affects just one in 100,000 people and most make a full recovery.

The situation has also changed because high vaccine uptake in adults mean the UK's epidemic is increasingly concentrated in un-jabbed teenagers.

Will parents have to give consent for the jabs?

It has been one of the most controversial issues surrounding the roll-out, but health chiefs said today that parents will not be able to decide whether their child gets the vaccine.

Professor Lim said: 'In the UK a person who is 16 years and above is deemed able to consent for themselves.

'If they are competent and able to consent for themselves, then that consent holds.'

This means children will be able to overrule their own parents if they disagree.

Government sources had claimed last night that under-18s wanting the jab would have to provide proof of parental consent.

But hinting at the JCVI's stance, universities minister Michelle Donelan would not confirm that would be the case when quizzed about the move this morning.

Will more young people be offered the vaccine?

As it stands, at-risk 12 to 15-year-olds are already eligible for the vaccine.

But health chiefs hinted that more people in this age group could be offered the jab in the future.

Children in that age group are already eligible if they have a severe neurodisability, Down's syndrome, underlying conditions resulting in immunosuppression, profound or multiple learning disabilities, severe learning disabilities, or those who are on the learning disability register.

But Professor Van-Tam said: 'We have asked the JCVI to continue to review that list on an ongoing basis and my sense is that it is more likely rather than less likely that that risk will broaden over time as data becomes available.'

The JCVI said they are reviewing the evidence and want to 'go very carefully and very safely' before recommending it to more children.

The jabs are not currently licenced for under-12s, so use in young children is not on the horizon.

Will children be incentivised to come forward?

It is not yet clear what, if any, incentives will be offered to older teens to encourage them to get vaccinated.

But with younger adults being offered discounts for takeaways and taxis, ministers may make offerings to 16 and 17-year-olds.

Asked whether teens could be offered cash to come forward, Ms Donelan refused to rule it out.

She said: 'We look at a variety of mechanisms to encourage young people.

'I think the biggest incentive is to protect their own health and protect the health of their friends and their loved ones and we are seeing young people come forward every day and get vaccinated.

'But we will keep everything on the table and review all options for incentivising everybody to get the vaccine.'

If cash for jabs was offered, the Government would be following in the footstep of US President Joe Biden, who told states to offer $100 (71) to newly vaccinated people to encourage more to come forward.

Do 16 and 17 year old children REALLY need to get Covid vaccines? Top experts are divided over the controversial topic that's plagued by safety fears and ethical concerns... but some are 'annoyed' it's taken so long

By Joe Davies and Emily Craig Health reporter for MailOnline

Experts are divided over the hugely controversial topic of vaccinating children, given their tiny risk of dying or falling seriously ill.

Some countries  including the US and Israel  began months ago, which made Britain an outlier in so far only vaccinating the most vulnerable over-12s.

Now the UK has U-turned to fall in line, with scientists advising the Government now saying it will help to head off any autumn surge by stopping schools from becoming hotbeds for transmission when children return to classrooms in September.

But the move has prompted fierce debate among the country's top scientists.

Some academics are concerned any risks of the vaccine  which are rare  may slightly outweigh any benefits because the overwhelming majority of infected youngsters escape serious illness.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which advises No10, used the delicate risk/benefit ratio to advise against routinely dishing out Covid jabs to all children just two weeks ago, when the expert panel last reviewed the evidence.

Other critics of the JCVI's reversal  which was confirmed this afternoon argue spare doses should be sent to poorer countries, which are lagging massively behind in their roll-outs.

Professor Anthony Brookes, a geneticist at Leicester University, described the Government's drive to vaccinate children as an 'obsessive ratchet' and said 12-year-olds could be 'the next target'. The JCVI will continue reviewing data before pressing ahead with any move to jab younger children.

However, advocates for vaccinating children warn it will be impossible to achieve any kind of population immunity without inoculating under-18s.

One top expert told MailOnline they were 'annoyed' and believed the programme should have started sooner. And a group of hardline scientists  representing Independent SAGE  called the delay 'unacceptable', arguing it was 'too little, too late'.

The major safety concern surrounding giving Covid vaccines to children centres around a heart condition called myocarditis, which UK regulators accept is a potential side effect of Pfizer's jab  which will be the only one given to youngsters for now.

The issue is much more common after the second dose, which has prompted UK health chiefs to only commit to giving 16 and 17 year olds their initial jab. Regulators are waiting for more safety data before pressing ahead with plans to give them a top-up.

Data from the US suggests that, in males aged 12- to 17-year-olds, 9.8 cases of myocarditis were reported per million first doses given. This rises to 67 per million after the second dose but most people recovered from the condition quickly.

While infections are significantly higher in younger age groups in the UK, hospitalisations and deaths from Covid are far lower in youngsters despite them not having received the vaccine

Chart shows: The proportion of hospital admissions in each age group. Just 1.1 per of all people admitted to hospital with Covid since England were newborns to five-year-olds and only 0.8 per cent were aged six to 17

While little is known about the effects of long Covid on children, a study by Imperial College released today showed most symptoms in older (12- to 17-year-olds) and younger (12-year-olds and younger) children clear up before six days

Some experts say vaccine doses should be sent to more vulnerable adults in poorer countries, which are lagging massively behind in their roll-outs, before they are used on children here. Graph shows: The proportion of adults given first doses (orange + green) and second doses (orange) in countries around the world

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, deputy chief medical officer for England, today announces 16- to 17-year-olds will be given the vaccine

Schools should not be responsible for promoting or policing jabs for pupils, union says Schools should not have any responsibility for promoting, enforcing or policing vaccination of pupils, a union has said. School leaders' union NAHT said UK policy on jabs for children should be led by clinicians. Paul Whiteman, NAHT general secretary, said: 'The debate about whether or not to vaccinate older children has been raging for many weeks. NAHT has always said that UK policy on child vaccination should be led by clinicians. 'To the extent that any such policy is controversial it is clear that schools should not carry any responsibility for vaccination promotion, enforcement or policing.' He said Covid remains a worry for school leaders, given the large numbers of absences related to the virus last term. A record 1.13million children in England were out of school for Covid related reasons towards the end of term, recent Government figures showed. The figures included 994,000 children self-isolating due to a possible contact with a Covid case, 48,000 pupils with a confirmed case of coronavirus, and 33,300 with a suspected case. A further 50,700 pupils were off as a result of school closures due to Covid-related reasons, the Department for Education (DfE) statistics showed. Mr Whiteman said: 'Regardless of the extent that young people might suffer directly from the virus, the large numbers of pupils absent from school at the end of last term showed that Covid still has the power to affect the quality and continuity of the education they receive. 'That is a continuing worry for school leaders. 'Pupils will return to schools next month, and the Government needs to take every possible step to prevent transmission of the virus amongst people in school communities, no matter their age. 'As ever, it will be a matter of public confidence in whatever these measures are deemed to be, so the Government also has a duty to communicate carefully and clearly in order to avoid any more unnecessary disruption and missed education for pupils.' Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said extending the jabs rollout would reduce disruption to schooling. He told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: 'Anything that gives the reassurance to young people that they are being treated in the way that the adult population is and that their education won't be disrupted to the extent it has been  that has to be welcomed. 'I'm sure many parents, with their youngsters, will think at last we're starting to give a real sense of priority to young people's education.' He said generally he thinks 'young people feel they've been let down educationally'. He added: 'If this is one way we can get rid of that disruption I think we will see a great sense of a lot of young people, not all, but a lot of young people thinking, 'Actually, I'm going to have the vaccine, just like my mum or my dad has'.' Mr Barton suggested vaccination for younger pupils could also be considered. Advertisement

But US officials, who've been investigating the link between the jabs are the rare complication for months, say the benefits still outweigh the risks, despite clear data showing teenagers are more likely to be struck down.

Around one in 14,500 12-17 year olds given two doses of Pfizer's or Moderna's mRNA-based vaccines are thought to develop the condition, according to the Centers for Disease Protection and Control (CDC).

The risk drops to one in 18,000 among 18- to 24-year-olds. But it plunges even further for over-30s, with rates of just one in 250,000.

But the US agency has not clarified exactly how much more often myocarditis is occurring, so it is not clear exactly how much risk is posed by the vaccine.

In real terms, they expect to see between 56 and 69 cases of myocarditis per 1million doses given out among the youngest age group. Under the same circumstances, just two deaths will be prevented  with Covid-infected children facing roughly a one in 500,000 risk of dying.

However, in a clear sign that the vaccines would have some benefit, more than four times as many hospitalisations were prevented as there were cases of myocarditis caused by the vaccine in 12- to 17-year-olds, the CDC's data show.

Vaccines  which are proven to be life-saving and have a tiny risk of serious side effects in rigorous analyses  have already saved tens of thousands of lives in Britain, researchers estimate.

Covid poses the greatest threat to the elderly, meaning the risk/benefit ratio of vaccines is clearly one-sided for the oldest adults.

But a clear trend in how dangerous Covid is as people get older has led to difficult decision who to vaccinate, especially given the jabs do carry some side effects  albeit extremely rare ones.

For example, UK health chiefs recommended under-40s should alternative jabs to those produced by AstraZeneca, after the British-made vaccines were linked to ultra-rare blood clots.

At the time, infection rates were low, skewing the risk ratio against the company's jab. Experts always said that if Covid took off again, the algorithm could change.

Now that Covid is highly prevalent in the UK, some will argue any conversations about the close risk/benefit ratio will be skewed in favour of vaccines.

But cases have actually start to fall in Britain since the JCVI announced its previous advice on jabbing children, prompting question as to whether the panel was 'bounced' into the move.

Now scientists want the JCVI to release evidence justifying its decision, in particular why doses are not being offered to 15-year-olds.

Experts and MPs criticised No10's plans to ease lockdown last month by warning long Covid could become rife in youngsters.

But the poorly-understood condition is rare among youngsters, a major study revealed last night. Fewer than two per cent still suffer symptoms eight weeks after getting infected.

Yet some of the country's top scientists say it is crucial to vaccinate children because the true extent of long Covid remains a mystery, especially among youngsters.

Meanwhile, new Office for National Statistics (ONS) research released today left experts even more divided.

It showed nearly 60 per cent of 16 to 17 year olds have Covid-fighting antibodies, suggesting the group already have high levels of immunity.

The data suggests little need to vaccinate children according to some experts.

But Professor Paul Hunter, an infectious disease expert at the University of East Anglia, claimed it may still be the 'correct option' even though most in this age group will already be immune.

Professor Jonathan Ball, a molecular virologist at the University of Nottingham, said immunity from natural may be short-lived if SARS-CoV-2 is anything like other seasonal coronaviruses.

As plans to vaccinate children in the are due to be unveiled by No10's scientists, MailOnline asked the experts whether teenagers really need to be vaccinated.

The Pros

Dr Bharat Pankhania, a clinical lecturer in public heath at the University of Exeter Medical School, says the rollout should have been extended to youngsters far earlier

Dr Bharat Pankhania

Public health expert at the University of Exeter

Dr Bharat Pankhania, a clinical lecturer in public heath at the University of Exeter Medical School, said the roll-out should have been extended to youngsters far earlier.

He told MailOnline that while Covid does not pose a large threat to children themselves, they can act as 'agents' of transmission, keeping levels of the virus high in wider society and infecting vulnerable adults.

Dr Pankhania added that while initial infection may not be severe in children, the threat of long Covid would be curbed by vaccines.

And he said having core immunity in both adults and children would help protect against future variants that may emerge.

He told MailOnline: 'I am so pleased [the rollout has been extended] and I feel I was right and the JCVI was wrong. I'm annoyed, as they should have started it sooner.

'The vaccine rollout should be expanded further to 12-year-olds and over. It's disappointing that the UK is doing it in smaller groups.

'If the vaccine is found to be protective in youngsters, then there is no harm whatsoever in having some vaccine protection in the population - we do that with flu jabs, where we vaccinate youngster to protect older groups.

'I hope the Government will further expand the vaccine rollout, but I have feeling we are not being told the full reasons for just vaccinating over-16s. It may be a supply issue and if it is, it's still better to honestly say that and explain when it is fixed we will have more vaccinated. But that is just speculating.'

Dr Stephen Griffin says vaccinating children will protect them as well as vulnerable adults and the jab should be rolled out to younger groups

Dr Stephen Griffin

Head of antivirals and viral oncology at the University of Leeds

Dr Stephen Griffin told MailOnline vaccinating children will protect them as well as vulnerable adults and the jab should be rolled out to younger groups.

The virus expert from the University of Leeds said: 'It's been approved in 12 and over and I would love to see those groups getting it as well.

'The numbers the JCVI used to reach its decision have not been released, but I can't see a big different in the risks and benefits for 15-year-olds compared to 16-year-olds. Other countries have used the wider group of those aged 12 to 17. You don't want to vaccinate arbitrary groups and I worry they have decided on over-16s to allay different groups.

'What's the point in having just half of secondary school covered? They should be thinking about preventing cases and not take the risk.

'Regardless of what proportion of children get severe disease, there have been thousands of children in hospital with the virus. A small proportion of a very large number is still a big number, so it is not just about protecting others.'

He added: 'But vaccinating children to protect others is not a bad thing.

'Some children will be living with vulnerable adults who can't get the vaccine and what are they supposed to do when their children go back to school?

'The risk of unvaccinated children going back to school in September is higher than last year because they have got rid of bubbles and are relying on contact tracing. They have also not made progress on ventilating school buildings in England.

'We should not underestimate the risk of myocarditis and other possible long-term side effects, but the incidence is so low and mild most of time. The US has vaccinated 9million children and its myocarditis rates are so low. So, the benefits far outweigh the risks.'

Professor Peter Openshaw says Covid transmission in children and teenagers is the highest of any age group and vaccines could help curb the rampant spread in youngsters

Professor Peter Openshaw

Experimental medicine expert at Imperial College London

Professor Peter Openshaw said Covid transmission in children and teenagers is the highest of any age group and vaccines could help curb the rampant spread in youngsters.

He said: 'Infections are generally mild but some are not. Both the short and long-term effects of Covid can seriously disrupt education and leisure.

'Teenagers have not had the benefit of being naturally infected in early childhood and therefore have no immunological resistance to infection with highly transmissible variants.

'Estimates of the proportion of young people affected by long Covid varies, but symptoms range from mild to disabling and Covid may present in unfamiliar ways in childhood.

Professor Openshaw, an experimental medicine expert at Imperial College London, added: 'The information that we have so far shows that vaccines are highly effective and safe in childhood and adolescence.

'There are reports of rare cases of myocarditis and pericarditis in young males after mRNA vaccines, but the reasons for this and the frequency has yet to be proven.

'JCVI are right to continue to monitor safety data from UK studies and from other countries, balancing risks and benefits of vaccination versus natural infection at different ages.

'Vaccination of teenagers may have a major effect on the return of Covid next winter, assuming that the rates will drop this summer.

'Full vaccination takes time, so the sooner we start the sooner this age group will be protected.'

The Cons

Professor Robert Dingwall told MailOnline the risk-benefit for vaccinating children is 'increasingly precarious' as you move down the age groups

Professor Robert Dingwall

Medical sociologist at Nottingham Trent University

Professor Robert Dingwall, a sociologist at Nottingham Trent University, told MailOnline the risk-benefit for vaccinating children is 'increasingly precarious' as you move down the age groups.

The Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) said vaccines have to be proven to be incredibly safe to be used on healthy teenagers.

He cited a paper in the Lancet today showing that people aged five to 17 suffer serious illness from Covid 'very rarely'.

Professor Dingwall, a former Government adviser, told MailOnline: 'The risk-benefit ratio for vaccination compared with infection becomes increasingly precarious as we move down from 30-year-olds into younger age groups.

'As the Zoe group paper in today's Lancet shows, Covid very rarely causes a serious illness in 5- to 17-year-olds.

'This sets a high bar for the safety of vaccines in healthy teenagers.

'In 2009, JCVI decided not to recommend childhood vaccination against chicken pox precisely because this was such a mild illness.

'It is important not to overlook that precedent simply because some people think it is desirable to eliminate all possibilities of infection.'

Professor David Livermore told MailOnline vaccinating children aged 16 and 17 against Covid will be 'pretty pointless'

Professor David Livermore

Medical microbiologist at the University of East Anglia

Professor David Livermore, a medical microbiologist at the University of East Anglia, told MailOnline vaccinating children aged 16 and 17 against Covid will be 'pretty pointless'.

The medical microbiologist at the University of East Anglia said people in the age group are at very little risk of serious illness from the virus.

He said school age children will have already built up a fair amount of immunity from natural infection and will continue to do so when schools reopen.

Vaccines would therefore be of better use being given to countries where rollouts have not yet reached more vulnerable age groups, he argued.

Professor Livermore said: 'Sixteen to 17-year-olds are at low risk of serious disease and, through exposure, are developing immunity anyway.

'We do not know if vaccine-induced or infection-induced immunity will prove the longer lasting, and to the better contributor to herd immunity.

'Given this I can see no good reason to prioritise vaccinating them.

'Limited vaccine supplies would be far better used in countries and regions with large vulnerable elderly populations who presently remain unvaccinated  Australia, much of South East Asia and Latin America, as well as Africa.'

Professor Anthony Brookes says the risks of heart inflammation blood clotting and potential unknown future side effects outweigh the risks of Covid in children

Professor Anthony Brookes

Geneticist at the University of Leicester

Professor Anthony Brookes said the risks of heart inflammation, blood clotting and potential unknown future side effects from vaccination outweigh the harms caused by Covid to children.

The genetics expert at the University of Leicester said the risks of vaccinating young people was recognised by the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) last month, so the U-turn in policy could have been caused by political pressure from the Government.

Professor Brookes told MailOnline: 'Serious future harms [of vaccinating children] cannot be ruled out.

'This compares to the almost non-existent risk of serious harm from Covid for the young.

'The JVCI recognised these truths and the responsible balance of risks just a few weeks ago.

'Therefore, many will conclude that political pressure from government to 'reconsider' is the only reason JCVI will now be changing their position.'So the obsessive ratchet effect continues, and we might well expect 12-year-olds to be the next target, and then everyone down to infants.'
Sixteen and 17-year-olds have insisted that they will get the Covid-19 vaccination when they become eligible, regardless of their parents' opinions.

It has been revealed that 16 and 17-year-olds won't need parental consent to get Covid vaccines, while No 10's top scientists have hinted children as young as 12 could be offered jabs later this year.

And 16 and 17-year-olds in Manchester have said that they plan to get the Covid vaccine as soon as they are eligible - even if their parents do not agree with them.

One 16-year-old said he is planning to get the Covid jab so he won't have to 'worry' about getting the virus, and criticised his 'naive' parents for choosing not to get vaccinated.

Clayton Murdock, 16, slammed his parents for being 'naive' in not getting vaccinated themselves, but insisted that will not stop him from getting the Covid jab

Meanwhile, another teenager said he would get the Covid vaccine so he can go to gigs next year, while one 17-year-old said she was hoping to bag a 'free kebab' for getting vaccinated.

But some teens have remained sceptical about the vaccine after the announcement, with one woman saying she has heard of women suffering from bad periods after the jab, while another teen said he would only get the vaccine if he is 'forced' to.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended the 1.4million youngsters should be offered Pfizer jabs, marking a U-turn on guidance the same panel issued two weeks ago.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the NHS would dish out invites for vaccines 'as soon as possible', with the goal of getting the oldest teenagers protected before they return to classrooms in September.

Clayton Murdock, 16, from Manchester, slammed his parents for being 'naive' in not getting vaccinated themselves, but insisted that will not stop him from getting the Covid jab.

He continued: 'I'm definitely for taking the Covid vaccine. If it's helping people then I'm all for it.

Amy Blackshaw, 16, expressed her concerns that some women have complained about missing their periods after getting the jab, but said she would get the vaccine to keep others safe

'I've heard though that it's killing people but I don't care as long as it's helping people.

'I'd take it so I could go out and not worry about getting the virus. My parents haven't had it, but that's because they are naive.'

Meanwhile, Annie Sawbridge, 17, from Manchester, said she too wants to get vaccinated, sharing her hopes that she might be able to bag a free Uber or a free kebab if she is double vaccinated.

Annie said that her father is already double vaccinated, while her mother has had her first vaccine, and she plans to join them in getting the Covid jab as soon as she is eligible.

She added: 'I would take the vaccine. I've heard you can get a free Uber or a free kebab out of it, so I'd get it and hope for a free kebab.

'I'd take it to keep people safe.'

Elsewhere, Amy Blackshaw, 16, from Manchester, expressed her concerns that some women have complained about missing their periods and getting 'swollen' breasts after getting the jab.

But she said that despite her belief that people should be told 'what's going to happen' after getting the jab, she still plans to get the vaccine in a bid to keep other people safe.

She explained: 'I'd love to take the vaccine, but I've heard women saying that their boobs are swelling and that they're missing their periods from it and it's a shame that women's mental health isn't taken into account, but I'd still take the vaccine anyway because it's important.

Meanwhile, Annie Sawbridge, 17, said she wants to get the Covid jab, sharing her hopes that she might be able to bag a free Uber or a free kebab if she is double vaccinated

One teenager who feels slightly sceptical about getting the Covid jab is Kieron Booth, 16, from Ponteland in Northumberland. He said he will only get vaccinated if he is 'forced' to

'I think when you take it, you should be told what's going to happen. I don't think people are told enough what can happen.

'I'd take it to be safe for other people.'

Another teenager who feels slightly more sceptical about getting the Covid jab is Kieron Booth, 16, from Ponteland in Northumberland.

Kieron said he will only get the vaccine if he is 'forced' to, saying he feels safe in the knowledge that he is young and believes that Covid will not 'affect' him 'as much'.

He said: 'For me getting it depends on if I'm forced to have it to go on holiday.

'I would definitely get it if I had to for holidays. I would preferably not get it but if they forced me I would.

'I've missed out on a couple of things like holidays because of Covid.

'But I'm not in any rush, not until I have to. I feel safe enough as being younger I don't think it affects you as much.

'My family have had their first jabs and my mam has been really ill with it so I don't want to get it unless I have to.'

Childcare and education student Millie Coulson, 16, from Blyth, said she plans on getting the vaccine as she trusts the Government and said getting the jab would make her feel safer amid the pandemic.

She explained: 'I definitely plan on getting it when I get the chance.

Childcare and education student Millie Coulson, 16, from Blyth, said she plans on getting the vaccine as it would make her feel safer amid the pandemic

'If the Government are advising it then we just have to trust them really, that's all you can do.

'I don't feel that safe at the moment because I know Covid is deadly but I would definitely trust the injection.

'I have no issues in getting it. I'd love to go to festivals and holidays later on so I would have to get it.'

Lauren Nicholson, of Blyth in Northumberland, admitted that her grandparents have been encouraging her to get the Covid jab, despite her not really thinking about it.

The 17-year-old sixth form student said: 'I haven't had the vaccine yet and I haven't really thought about it.

'I think I might get it in the future especially if you have to for if you're going abroad and things like that.

'My grandma and grandad have encouraged me to get it and they want me to have it when I can.

'I would like to go away places on holiday at some point in the future so I will end up having it at some point.'

One teenager whose parents have opted to get the Covid vaccine is 17-year-old Freddie Wakeling, from Manchester, who said he is one of the only people in his family not to have been vaccinated yet.

He said that while he is in no rush to get the vaccine, as he is not clinically vulnerable, he wants to get the jab when he can so he is able to attend gigs and other events next year.

One teenager whose parents have opted to get the Covid jab is 17-year-old Freddie Wakeling, who said he is one of the only people in his family not to have been vaccinated yet

Bailey Wressell (left), 17, from Chester-le-Street in County Durham, and Lauren Nicholson, of Blyth in Northumberland, both plan to get the Covid vaccine when they are eligible

He explained: 'It's something I would take if I was offered it, but as I'm not particularly vulnerable, I'm not in any hurry to get it.

'The main reason I want to get it is from fears of not being able to do things in the future especially with big public events with gigs and that kind of thing.

'That's something I don't want to miss out on, especially next year because I've got a few booked now.

'I'm pretty much the only person in my family not to be vaccinated yet, but that's only because I've not been eligible.'

Bailey Wressell, 17, from Chester-le-Street in County Durham, also had concerts and public events on her mind as she said she is planning on getting the vaccine as soon as she can.

The sixth form student said: 'When I am eligible I will definitely be having it.

'I want to stay safe and I think it would be silly not to get it really. We don't want to end up back in lockdown so you might as well get it.

'I feel it's important to keep older people safe too such as grandparents.

'Me and my friend have got a concert booked for next year so I will need it for that.'

Evan Cooper, 17, has already had both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, which he got in a bid to protect his grandparents and to allow him to go on holiday with his friends.

Evan, from Manchester, said he could not afford to pay for the PCR tests required before going abroad, so decided to get the Covid jab so he was able to go on holiday.

He added: 'I'm double vaccinated but the main reason I took it was because I'm going on holiday with some friends and if I don't have it, then the PCR tests are really expensive and I'm young as it is, so I can't really afford it, so I took it for that reason and to protect my grandparents.

Evan Cooper, 17, has already had both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, which he decided to get in a bid to protect his grandparents and to enable him to go on holiday with his friends

While Mila Jowett, 17, from Chester-le-Street in County Durham, said she feels a certain duty to have the Covid jab, saying the only reason she hasn't had it is because she is not eligible yet

'Both of my parents are double vaccinated, my sister is 22 and she has had her first vaccine.'

Evan is not the only teenager thinking about going on holiday in the future, as photographer Alex Elliot, 17, of South Shields in South Tyneside, said he wants to get the jab so he knows that he is 'safe' to go abroad.

Alex, who turns 18 next month, said: 'I've read in the news that young adults can get it. 'But I've not actually had any contact personally saying I'm eligible.

'I wouldn't be in a rush for it but definitely when I have the time and if I wasn't busy, I would go and get it.

'It's more about me not wanting to restrict anybody in the future and I don't want to be seen as bad by anyone.

'I would rather just get it for other people. I definitely want to be part of a group effort to keep people safe.

'Getting it to go places isn't really on my mind but it would be comforting to know that if I needed to go abroad in the future, I would be safe to do so.'

And waitress Neeve Rogers, from Newcastle, also plans on getting the vaccine so she is able to travel abroad and visit her family in America.

The 17-year-old said: 'I haven't had it yet but I do plan on getting it.

'I think it's important because it will help everything get better and the quicker everyone gets vaccinated then the quicker it should all be over.

Waitress Neeve Rogers, from Newcastle, also plans on getting the vaccine so she is able to travel abroad and visit her family in America

'I really want to travel, just anywhere abroad once I get my vaccine.

'I'd like to travel back to America as I have family there so if I got the jab I'd be able to go see them.'

Michael Hale, 16, from Manchester, said he has already had Covid and would choose to get the vaccine when he is eligible, adding: 'I think it's about safety.

'I've already had Covid, so I shouldn't get it for a while, but I think you need to take into account other people. My parents have both been vaccinated.'

While Mila Jowett, 17, from Chester-le-Street in County Durham, admitted that she feels a certain duty to have the Covid jab, saying the only reason she hasn't had it is because she is not eligible yet.

She continued: 'I haven't had the jab because I'm not eligible I don't think.

'I think it's important for my state of mind and I do think there is a duty to have it.

'I will feel safer once having it, sometimes I feel a bit on edge now after lockdown and especially with people getting pinged which is a hindrance.

'Definitely in the future I would like to go on holiday as well.'

The teenagers' eagerness to get the vaccine comes after it was announced that 16 and 17-year-olds won't need parental consent to get Covid jabs.

Photographer Alex Elliot, 17, of South Shields in South Tyneside, said he wants to get the jab so he knows that he is 'safe' to go abroad

Michael Hale, 16, said he has already had Covid and would choose to get the vaccine when he is eligible, adding that he thinks people need to take into account other people as well

Health Secretary Sajid Javid accepted advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and asked the NHS to prepare to vaccinate the group 'as soon as possible'.

And Boris Johnson called on families to listen to the advice, saying that the committee was 'among the best in the world' and that the country should 'take our lead from them'.

Officials said there is 'no time to waste' and want to give all 1.4million older teenagers the Pfizer vaccine before schools return in September. Detailed plans will be set out this week.

At a Downing Street press conference this afternoon, JCVI chair Professor Wei Shen Lim revealed 16-17 year olds won't be booked in for second doses just yet.

There are currently no concrete plans to offer the 16 and 17 year olds second doses, with the expert panel wanting to buy more time to understand the safety risks.

Meanwhile, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, England's deputy chief medical officer, said there was 'no time to waste' and that there was 'plentiful' supply of the vaccines.

Unveiling the inoculation drive expansion in a Downing Street briefing today, Professor Van-Tam said: 'Children are going to start going back to colleges and sixths forms from September, and in Scotland that will be slightly earlier, so there is no time to waste in getting on with this.

'The NHS has been kept informed of what is being deliberated for JCVI, it has been preparing for multiple options for very many weeks now and I would expect this programme will start in a very short number of weeks.'

He also laid the groundwork for ministers to expand the inoculation drive to all over-12s in the near future, saying that the JCVI would 'continually review' the evidence.

The major safety concern around vaccinating children centres on a heart condition called myocarditis, which is six times more common after the top-up jab.

Health chiefs confirmed that children will be able to overrule their parents and opt to get the vaccine without their permission.

But experts are divided over the hugely controversial topic of vaccinating children, given their tiny risk of dying or falling seriously ill.

Many experts welcomed the move to vaccinate people in younger age groups as 'sensible' and 'another piece of the jigsaw for the UK to return to some kind of normality'.

But others attacked it for being 'too little, too late' because younger people cannot be double-jabbed before the autumn term. A group of 18 top scientists called for vaccines to be rolled out to over-12s immediately.

More than eight in ten Britons support the move, polling suggests, including more than 50 per cent of people who strongly support offering jabs to the younger age groups.

Some countries - including the US and Israel - have already started, which made Britain an outlier in so far only vaccinating the most at-risk over-12s.

The JCVI, which advises No10, last month ruled only over-12s with serious underlying health conditions or who live with a vulnerable adult should get jabs.

Officials are keen to push the immunisation drive on to more youngsters in order to prevent an autumn surge in infections when they return to schools in September.

Britain's Covid cases rose by five per cent in a week today to 29,312, the first time they have gone up in almost two weeks. Another 119 deaths were also recorded, which was up 30 per cent in seven days.
President Joe Biden made a surprise visit Wednesday to a union training facility - for the Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 5 in Lanham, Maryland - after keeping a light schedule all day in advance of his August vacation.

'Should I jump in?' the president joked as he walked into a 'sand room,' literally a room filled with sand that trainees use to learn how to install pipe in the ground.

Biden assured the future plumbers and the trainers that 'a lot of jobs are coming' before watching the demonstration.

President Joe Biden made a surprise trip Wednesday to Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 5 Training Facility in Lanham, Maryland. 'Should I jump in?' he said when entering a 'sand room' plumbing trainees use to learn how to install pipes in the ground

President Joe Biden observes trainees at Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 5 Training Facility in Lanham, Maryland during a visit Wednesday. Biden was originally not supposed to have any public events

President Joe Biden watches students how to assemble correct plumbing in sinks at the Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 5 Training Facility in Lanham, Maryland. Biden is expected to head to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware over the next few days for an August vacation

President Joe Biden takes a look at sinks used to train future plumbers during a stop at a union training facility on Wednesday. Biden told the students and teachers, 'a lot of jobs are coming,' as the bipartisan infrastructure package crawls through Congress

'Union Strong' signs were on display all over the facility that President Joe Biden toured in Lanham, Maryland on Wednesday

President Joe Biden mostly talked out of earshot from watching reporters as he toured the Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 5 Training Facility in Lanham, Maryland on Wednesday

At another stop, Biden talked to students - out of earshot from watching reporters - as trainees kneeled underneath a wall of sinks.

Signs like 'Union Strong' and 'Creating Jobs for America's Future' decorated the room.

Biden visited a welding station and a final assembly station as well, the White House said.

Trainees from the Maryland facility - which was about a 30-minute motorcade drive from the White House - have worked on projects including water service at the Pentagon, gas upgrades at the State Department and mechnical service upgrades on the D.C. Metro subway system.

The White House had originally said Biden wouldn't be holding any public events Wednesday.

On his schedule, the president, alongside Vice President Kamala Harris, was receiving the President's Daily Brief.

He then had a closed door meeting with his top science adviser, Dr. Eric Lander, to discuss preparing for future pandemics.

On Capitol Hill, Biden's $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill is inching through the Senate, with more amendment votes planned through Wednesday afternoon.

Asked Tuesday if Biden might delay his Delaware travels if the Senate stays in session extra days, press secretary Jen Psaki said 'the president's travel has not changed.'

'But as you have seen the president do over the last several weeks and months, he is ready and - ready to be called into action, whether it's a phone call or bringing people to the White House or to meet in the Oval Office, and that remains the case as we work to get this infrastructure bill across the finish line,' she said.

Biden is expected to leave for Rehoboth Beach, Delaware in the next few days, as presidents typically go on vacations - albeit working ones - in August.

Former President Donald Trump would spend summertime vacations at his Bedminster resort, while reserving Mar-a-Lago - nicknamed the 'winter White House' - for colder breaks.

Former President Barack Obama would make summer trips to Martha's Vineyard - and then do his home state of Hawaii for Christmas.

Earlier at Wednesday's White House press briefing, Psaki told DailyMail.com Biden would not be holding a press conference before his departure.
The chief executive of GETTR, a new social media platform that appeals to MAGA world, hit back on Wednesday at claims it was 'inundated' by ISIS extremists, saying the reports were based on research funded by Facebook, Google, Microsoft and other competitors.

Jason Miller, who was previously spokesman for former President Trump, said the result was a hit piece designed to discredit the new venture.

GETTR launched last month and is approaching two million users.

But on Monday Politico reported the platform was awash with propaganda spread by supporters of the Islamic State - including video of beheadings.

It said it was alerted to the content by Moustafa Ayad, of the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, a think tank that tracks online extremism.

Miller said the work was funded by Big Tech.

'If you go to Mr. Moustafa Ayad's website - the Institute for Strategic Dialogue - he lists [his funding sources] out. Facebook, Google, YouTube, Microsoft,' he told former Trump adviser Steve Bannon on his War Room radio show.

'Industry Big Tech giants are who fund him and they don't even point that out in the story.'

Ex- Trump adviser Jason Miller led GETTR's launch on July 4 and hit back at reports the platform was inundated with ISIS propaganda, saying the research was funded by Big Tech

ISIS members have predicted GETTR will be successful and moved in to exploit its free speech promises (file image). Miller said all major platforms had battled extremist content

On the Apple store, GETTR advertises itself as a 'non-bias social network' that will 'allow anyone to express their opinion freely.' It has the highest profile of any conservative alternatives to mainstream social media

He said it was all a part of a liberal conspiracy to silence opposition.

'Here's the thing. They're scared of us,' he said.

'They know that we're growing. There know that we've added 2 million users to the platform.'

In an earlier riposte, published by the right wing National Pulse website, Miller wrote that it was inevitable that Big Tech would have its knives out for a start-up.

'Its a team of heavyweights, with Audible, Facebook, GIFCT, Google, Google.org, Jigsaw, Microsoft, and YouTube listed as private sector funders of the Institute,' he wrote.

'In short, Politico failed to disclose that the primary detractor in their story is funded by GETTRs competitors in the tech and social media marketplace.'

The Institute for Strategic Dialogue disputed the characterization.

'ISD has a long track record of exposing terrorist activity across all major platforms though its independent research so the claim that our report shows GETTR has a terrorism problem at the behest of Big Tech is laughable and shows a complete ignorance of our work in this space, which includes advancing proposals for regulating Big Tech,' said its chief executive Sasha Havlicek.

Research by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue has been cited by the BBC, CNN, NBC News and other media organizations.

Conservatives have been seeking out new spaces online as major social media platforms clamped down on election misinformation and misleading COVID-19 posts.

Trump himself was banned from Twitter and Facebook amid the fall-out from the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and has hinted that he is planning his own platform.

GETTR so far has the highest profile of any conservative alternatives to mainstream social media, though Trump himself was not directly involved in its launch and does not have a verified account on the platform.

The family foundation of Miles Guo, business partner to former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, was one of the early funders of the app. And early adopters include former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Fox News host Sean Hannity who regularly post content.

On the Apple app store, GETTR advertises itself as a 'non-bias social network' that will 'allow anyone to express their opinion freely.'

But that has apparently attracted extremists testing to see whether they can find a new foothold.

'Is Daesh here?' asked one account whose profile photo was the flag of the Islamic State, according to the Politico report. Daesh is the Arabic acronym for the terrorist group. Replies suggested it was well-represented  and some users praised the network for being willing to host such content.

'We will come at you with slaying and explosions you worshippers of the cross,' wrote one account whose name reference the Islamic State. 'How great is freedom of expression.'

GETTR so far has the highest profile of any conservative alternatives to mainstream social media

ISIS members have predicted the network will be successful.

'If this app reaches the expected success, which is mostly probable, it should be adopted by followers and occupied in order to regain the glory of Twitter, may God prevail,' one Islamic State account wrote of GETTR on Facebook in early July.

Miller, GETTR's CEO, said that ISIS was targeting the MAGA movement in retaliation to Trump's policy toward them.

'ISIS is trying to attack the MAGA movement because President Trump wiped them off the face of the earth, destroying the Caliphate in less than 18 months, and the only ISIS members still alive are keyboard warriors hiding in caves and eating dirt cookies,' he said in a statement. 'GETTR has a robust and proactive moderation system that removes prohibited content, maximizing both cutting-edge A.I. technology and human moderation.'

After news broke of GETTR's struggles with ISIS content, Miller tweeted an NPR article from 2019 that detailed Twitter having a similar problem.

Twitter Struggling To Shut Down Bot And Impersonation Accounts Created By ISIS : NPR https://t.co/xBNvF6F73J  Jason Miller (@JasonMillerinDC) August 2, 2021

Some jihadi posts on GETTR from early July have been removed, and the platform's terms of service state that offensive content, including that related to terrorism, could be removed. Politico found at least 250 Islamic State-related accounts had been regularly posting content since July.

Trump declared ISIS '100% defeated' in 2019. The Islamic State no longer has a caliphate and its influence has largely diminished in the Middle East, though it maintains a presence in Iraq and Syria.

GETTR in its early days was also reportedly flooded with pornographic content, though Miller has instituted a strict policy against doxxing, or sharing people's addresses and personal information with malicious intent.

After the former president was banned permanently from Twitter and for at least two years from Facebook and Instagram following the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, some of supporters fled mainstream social media for smaller networks.

Parler, an early favorite among conservatives, took a major hit when it was banned from Apple, Amazon and Google. It temporarily went offline as a result, but it has since been allowed back onto Apple's app store after changing its content moderation policy to detect violent posts.

Meanwhile, Trump continues to express an interest in launching his own social media network. He launched his own blog, 'From the Desk of Donald J. Trump,' though it was taken down weeks later amid a poor following.
A Pennsylvania school board president is being called to resign after he cut off an Iranian mother speaking out against CRT during a meeting and had her escorted out.

Iranian immigrant and mother of three Anita Edgarian expressed concerns to Chester School District board members about Critical Race Theory curriculum on July 26.

She was recorded at the meeting telling board President Chris McCune that she grew up during the Iranian revolution when Iran was 'ravaged by communism'. Sitting through a meeting where the board is split into groups - for and against CRT - is a 'complete nightmare', she said.

Scroll Down for Video:

Anita Edgarian expressed concerns to board members at Chester School District regarding the controversial Critical Race Theory curriculum during a meeting on July 26

As Edgarian yells into the microphone, McCune stands up, approaches the podium, and takes the mic from Edgarian, telling her to go

'I send my kids to study mathematics, literature and history, and I want them to study every kind of history,' she says.

Edgarian has a son in high school and twin girls in eighth grade.

Critical race theory is an educational concept that claims racism is a social construct that has been embedded in American legal systems and policies.

During the meeting, Edgarian says her house is known as the 'International House of Pancakes' because her kids' diverse group of friends are all welcome there.

On the recording of the meeting, she compliments retiring superintendent Jim Scanlon, telling him, 'you did a good job for 12 years,' but then says, 'you are leaving a mess, you have brought division to us.'

That comment is met with a round of applause from some parents in the audience.

But before she can continue, she is cut off by McCune and told, 'Anita, you're at time.'

Edgarian objects, repeating 'no, no,' but McCune responds, 'Yes, you are.'

As Edgarian yells into the microphone, McCune stands up, approaches the podium, and takes the mic from Edgarian, telling her to go.

'This is shameful,' McCune says as he returns to the stage. 'We've had a respectful meeting up until you. You bombarded up there, and now you want to monopolize the meeting. Not happening. You're gone.'

Officers come to escort her from the building as she continues to shout at board members on stage.

'Why did you say you cannot teach history without CRT?' she is heard yelling before an officer removes her from the auditorium.

Anita Edgarian (right) told Fox and Friends host Kayleigh McEnany (left) that she thinks the school board president reacted the way he did because he did not like that she dared question the board

The Republican Committee of Chester County is calling for school board president Chris McCune's (pictured) resignation

This is not the first time a school board has erupted over CRT, as the curriculum has become a hot topic.

It sparked a fierce nationwide debate in the wake of Black Lives Matter protests around the country over the last year. Supporters say it is vital to eliminate racism in America and opponents claim it actually promotes racism by categorizing people.

In response to Edgarian being cut off and escorted out, the Republican Committee of Chester County called for McCune's resignation.

In a statement, the committee called his actions 'reprehensible' and acknowledged that while Edgarian did speak over her allotted 2 minutes, so did other speakers that evening.

The committee condemned McCune for approaching the mother of three and shouting at her, and said McCune was 'unable to control his anger' and acted like a bully.

'Since when do policemen haul off parents for exercising their 1st Amendment right of free speech?' the committee asked in its letter. 'Shouldn't she be allowed to return to her seat instead of being turned out of the building?'

DailyMail.com reached out to the West Chester Area School District for comment.

On Wednesday, Edgarian appeared on Fox and Friends and told host Kayleigh McEnany that she thinks the school board president just did not like that she dared question the board.

'I just don't think he likes the fact that I was saying, ''Why the division?'' she said.

Edgarian added that she just wanted to clarify what her children were going to be taught and get answers.

'I have friends on both sides of this aisle. Friends and, you know, close friends sometimes,' she said. 'And you know, so I don't want my kids to grow up feeling that they cannot talk to this person or that person. And I just wanted to know and, you know, the best thing is to come out and frankly ask the question.'
One of Facebook's top communications managers allegedly helped New York Governor Andrew Cuomo lead a smear campaign against sexual harassment accuser Lindsey Boylan while working for the tech giant.

Dani Lever is accused of helping Cuomo's staff distribute Boylan's personnel files in an effort to discredit her allegations against the governor. She is said to have done so even though she had already started working at Facebook, according to the investigative report released by Attorney General Letitia James on Tuesday.

Lever worked on Cuomo's staff for six years before joining the social media platform's communications team in August 2020.

The smear campaign against Boylan was launched in December of that year, just hours after she accused Cuomo of harassment. According to the report, Lever also regularly participated in discussions about Cuomo's communications strategy following the allegations.

Facebook executive Dani Lever (right) is accused of helping New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (center) lead a smear campaign against sexual harassment accuser Lindsey Boylan

In a string of tweets on December 13, 2020, Boylan became the first woman to publicly announce allegations against Cuomo.

'Yes, @NYGovCuomo sexually harassed me for years. Many saw it, and watched,' she wrote.

A few hours later, Boylan's confidential personnel file, accompanied with a statement from Press Secretary Caitlin Girouard stating saying there was 'simply no truth' to her allegations, was distributed to reporters at numerous media outlets, the AG's report states.

Although she was no longer employed with the governor's office, the report alleges that 'Lever coordinated with some of the reporters who received the documents to let them know that the Executive Chamber would be sending them'.

Members of the Executive Chamber testified that they only disclosed Boylan's files 'in order to correct demonstrably false information' surrounding the circumstances of her departure from the Chamber.

However, another Cuomo accuser, identified in the report as Executive Assistant #1, claims to have witnessed the Chamber's attempts to retaliate against Boylan.

'I would be in the room when they were actively trying to discredit her. They were actively trying to portray a different story of it. Trying to make her seem like she was crazy and wanting to get her personnel file out,' the former said.

'That was the first time that I had seen someone publicly come out and saying something against him and sexually harassing them and them going behind the scenes and trying to discredit her.'

Cuomo (pictured) faces allegations from 11 women who say he sexually harassed them either by touching them, kissing them, hugging them or subjecting them to inappropriate questions or comments. The governor denies all accusations made against him

The governor also had a 'team of advisors from within and outside the Chamber [who] had ongoing and regular discussions about how to respond to the allegations publicly'. According to the report, Lever was an advisor on the team. It is unclear if her bosses at Facebook had given her permission to work on the second gig.

Amid the attempt to 'discredit and disparage' Boylan, the team devised a letter outlining complaints against Boylan from her personnel file and specific interactions between her, Cuomo and other male colleagues. Investigators say the letter also accused of Boylan of working with some of Cuomo's political adversaries.

Cuomo aide Melissa DeRosa reportedly sent the letter to several individuals asking for their signature, including Lever who declined to sign it because she believed it 'amounted to 'victim shaming''.

Boylan claimed that Cuomo made inappropriate remarks to her while she served on his staff, including saying 'let's play strip poker' to her while on an airplane.

Lever was one of several individuals who signed a statement in February 2021 asserting that the exchange never occurred.

'We were on each of these October flights and this conversation did not happen,' the statement read.

DailyMail.com has contacted Lever and Facebook for a comment.

Lever (left) is credited with is accused of coordinating the distribution of Boylan's (right) personnel files to numerous journalists, as well as actively trying to 'discredit' her. She signed a statement asserting that a conversation Boylan alleges she had with Cuomo 'did not happen'

In addition to inappropriate remarks, Boylan claims Cuomo physically touched her on various parts of her body, including her waist, legs, and back.

Boylan is one of 11 women whose allegations were backed up in the AG's 168-page report.

The women claim Cuomo sexually harassed them either by touching them, kissing them, hugging them or subjecting them to inappropriate questioning or comments.

Cuomo denies all of the groping allegations and says he may have been too handsy with hugs and kisses, but that's how he was raised. He says the inappropriate comments were intended as banter and the women misinterpreted them.

The governor is now facing three criminal investigations in Manhattan, Westchester and Albany - in addition to an impeachment trial at the State Legislature. A judiciary committee has been tasked with investigating whether impeachment is warranted and that probe is underway.
The nation's largest nursing home chain told its workers this week they will have to receive the COVID-19 vaccination or risk losing their jobs, joining a slew of companies requiring vaccine mandates as COVID-19 cases continue to surge throughout the nation.

On Monday, Genesis Healthcare - which has 70,000 employees at nearly 400 nursing homes and senior communities - announced a 'universal' COVID-19 vaccine policy for all employees, with three weeks to comply or risk termination.

The announcement came with 40 percent of US nursing home workers yet to be vaccinated.

On Monday, Genesis Healthcare, which has 70,000 employees at nearly 400 nursing homes and senior communities, announced a 'universal' COVID-19 vaccine policy for all employees.

The announcement comes as 40% of U.S. nursing home workers still have not gotten a shot

But Genesis isn't the only company requiring their employees to 'vax up.' Twitter, Facebook and Tyson Foods are among several that have also made vaccinations a requirement.

'While we would have greatly preferred a strictly voluntary process, our commitment to health and safety outweighs concerns about imposing a requirement,' Harry Wilson, Genesis HealthCare's CEO, said in a statement Tuesday.

'Universal COVID-19 vaccination provides the safest and most effective course of action to ensure the health and welfare of our patients, residents and staff,' he added.

More than 1,250 nursing home residents across the U.S. were infected with COVID-19 in the week ending July 25, double the number from the week earlier, and 202 died, according to federal data

More than 1,250 nursing home residents across the U.S. were infected with COVID-19 in the week ending July 25, double the number from the week earlier, and 202 died, according to federal data.

Some local governments are also taking the decision out of the industrys hands, with Massachusetts and Denver announcing mandatory vaccinations at nursing homes this week.

The question has become more urgent as the highly contagious delta variant drives up new COVID-19 cases in the US to about 90,000 a day on average - the most since mid-February - and sends hospitalizations surging in states like Florida and Louisiana to the highest levels since the pandemic began.

Despite the terrible toll taken by the disease at nursing homes, many of the nations 15,000 such institutions have rejected mandatory vaccinations for fear large numbers of workers will quit. Nearly a quarter of nursing homes are already short of nurses or nurse's aides.

But Associated Press interviews this past week with managers at 10 mostly smaller nursing home operations across the nation that are requiring vaccines found that the threat of workers quitting en masse over the shots may be overblown, with those numbers far lower than expected.

After Canterbury Court in Atlanta announced a mandate in January, CEO Debi McNeil was so fearful of a 'massive walkout' that she brought in medical experts to talk to workers, met with holdouts one-on-one and invited staff to gather in the community room for meetings that occasionally got heated.

In the end, only 10 of 180 workers quit, and McNeil said Canterburys nursing home, independent living and assisted living facilities have reported no new COVID-19 cases since February.

'It was a gamble that paid off for us,' McNeil said. 'I thought more people would have mandated it by now.'

The question has become more urgent as the highly contagious delta variant drives up new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. to about 90,000 a day on average - the most since mid-February - and sends hospitalizations surging in states like Florida and Louisiana to the highest levels since the pandemic began

At Jewish Home Family in Rockleigh, New Jersey, only five of 527 workers at its nursing home and assisted-living facilities quit. Westminster Village in Bloomington, Illinois, lost only two out of 250.

'It's important to educate, but at some point we have to end this pandemic,' said Scott Crabtree, CEO of Lambeth House in New Orleans, which lost only 10 of 200 workers after it started requiring shots when they became available last year. 'When do we say, "Enough is enough?"'

More than 130,000 nursing home residents in the U.S. have died from COVID-19, making such institutions by far the deadliest place to be during the pandemic. About 80% of residents have been vaccinated, according to the government.

Some workers have rejected the vaccine because they think it was rushed into development and is unsafe, or they feel protected because they already got COVID-19.

'It's too soon to put that crap in my body,' said Christina Chiger, a nurse's aide at a nursing home in Tampa, Florida. 'It took how many years to perfect the polio vaccine? This was done in months.'

Others have been swayed by false rumors that the vaccine was made from dead babies or contains microchips or will make you infertile. That last notion concerned Michaela Murray, a nurse's aide at an Alabama nursing home that made vaccinations mandatory.

'I was kind of worried, but I talked to the doctors and they put my mind at ease,' said Murray, who agreed to get a vaccine to keep her job at Hanceville Nursing & Rehab Center, which had only six of 260 workers quit. 'I had had COVID and didn't want to go through that again.'

Pennsylvania-based Genesis said volunteer vaccinations were appropriate earlier in the pandemic, but not now, as the more infectious variant spreads and only 65 percent of its staff has received shots. Genesis is giving employees until August 23 to get their first shot.

'To succeed against the Delta variant is going to require much higher vaccination rates,' said Chief Medical Officer Richard Feifer. 'Our tactics in the fight have to change.'

Jennifer Moore of Hollywood, Florida, whose husband is living at a nursing home where only 35 percent of the staff is vaccinated, said it's also a matter of ethics.

'Whenever I see a story about somebody being anti-vax, I just want to scream,' said Moore, whose husband, Thomas, has Parkinsons disease. 'I understand people have concerns about the vaccine, but these people are working with the most vulnerable population. They have a duty to their patients.'

The latest numbers also indicate more Americans are concerned about the pandemic than any other issue facing the country

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

On Tuesday, Microsoft announced all staff working at its US offices will have to show proof of their COVID-19 vaccination from September.

The company announced the new requirement, which will also apply to vendors and guests in their buildings.

'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,' Microsoft said.

In addition, Tyson Foods, Walmart, Equinox, The New York Times, and The Washington Post are also requiring their employees to show proof of their vaccination.

In a memo sent out last week, Washington Post CEO Fred Ryan told staff they must demonstrate proof of vaccination as a condition of their employment when they return to the office on October 18.

'Even though the overwhelming majority of Post employees have already provided proof of vaccination, I do not take this decision lightly,' he said.

'However, in considering the serious health issues and genuine safety concerns of so many Post employees, I believe the plan is the right one.'
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CNN host Chris Cuomo was reportedly offered a 'leave of absence' to formally advise his brother Gov. Andrew Cuomo through his sex-pest scandal.

Executives with the network informally proposed the idea that the younger Cuomo could take an optional leave of absence to advise his brother and return to the network later, sources told The New York Times.

Chris Cuomo, 50, has faced a slurry of criticism for participating in strategy sessions during his brothers political crisis while serving as CNNs star journalist  all the while refusing to cover the scandal.

The possible leave of absence was suggested in May when the Washington Post revealed Chris Cuomos involvement in his brothers scandal.

In response to the proposal, Chris Cuomo told network executives he wanted to continue on his primetime program while obeying rules preventing him from commenting on the scandal, sources told The New York Times.

Chris Cuomo is seen on Wednesday flying by helicopter from the Hamptons - where he has a home - back to New York City. The CNN host, who is paid $5 million a year, is under fire for his actions during the scandal enveloping his brother, Governor Andrew Cuomo

He was pictured playing in his phone while waiting for his helicopter in the Hamptons on Wednesday

Chris Cuomo is pictured arriving at the Blade heliport in New York City amidst his brother Governor Andrew Cuomo facing multiple criminal investigations

The younger Cuomo was pictured wearing headphones as he left the heliport on Wednesday

Chris Cuomo also promised not to discuss his brother's crisis strategy with any government officials besides Andrew Cuomo himself, according to the outlet.

The new revelations reflect comments Chris Cuomo publicly made at the time, telling his followers on air that he was 'truly sorry' for taking part in the strategy calls - and adding that he compromised his colleagues at the network.

He publicly said at the time that when his brother's situation 'became turbulent' he started getting 'looped into calls with other friends of his and advisers that did include some of his staff.'

'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.

Chris Cuomo added that has never tried to influence CNN's coverage of his brother and has in fact 'been walled off from it.'

Cuomo is pictured leaving the Hamptons for New York City on Wednesday

Chris on Wednesday boarded the helicopter in the rain for the 30-minute trip to Manhattan

He was pictured carrying his phone and some sort of beverage before the trip

Chris Cuomo get set to board a helicopter at East Hampton Airport to the City late this afternoon

A CNN spokesman admitted at the time that Chris Cuomo's behavior was 'inappropriate. The network added that he would not face punishment - but allowed unnamed staff members to stick the knife into him in its own report on the gaffe.

CNN is facing mounting calls to fire Chris Cuomo after a more detailed account of his involvement with the scandal emerged on Tuesday in the new explosive report by the New York Attorney General Letitia James.

The calls for his removal grew further after his show Prime Time with Chris Cuomo aired on Tuesday night at 9pm and completely ignored the report into his brother.

Critics have called it a clear conflict of interest that can no longer be ignored.

CNN did not respond to requests on Wednesday afternoon and it has offered no public statement on the issue.

Andrew Cuomo was not seen on Wednesday, instead issuing a statement about COVID. Protesters gathered outside his Albany home, however - rallying at the gates of the Executive Mansion to demand his resignation.

Chris Cuomo is shown arriving at a heliport in the Hamptons on Tuesday. He didn't address the sex scandal engulfing his brother last night on air. Critics say it's the cherry on top of unprofessional year of reporting and that Chris should be fired

Chris Cuomo has been slammed as unprofessional and unethical for his coverage of the scandal

The AG's report named Chris, who makes $5million-a-year-at CNN, as one of his brother's advisers and told how he'd helped Andrew write statements in response to the allegations of 11 women.

He wanted to make sure he sounded 'contrite' enough, according to the report.

Media pundits claim his conduct has been unprofessional and that his generally inappropriate working relationship with his brother needs to come to an end.

Some have pointed to the fact that CNN VP of Communications, Allison Gollust, used to work for Governor Cuomo as his communications director.

She joined his team in 2013 after working with CNN President Jeff Zucker at NBC for 15 years.

Gollust only spent four months on the Governor's team then went to CNN to reunite professionally with Zucker.

Chris Cuomo on Tuesday night was discussing COVID - and studiously ignoring the major news scrolling constantly beneath his screen. He didn't mention the AG report - which he is named in - once

These text messages between Cuomo's senior aides in February this year show how Chris Cuomo helped his brother draft statements to make sure they had 'enough contrition' when the allegations emerged. He was ignoring the subject on his own CNN show at the time

On Wednesday, FOX host Ari Fleisher pointed out Gollust's role and said she is one of the reasons CNN protects the brothers.

'Do you know who is in charge of communications at CNN? Governor Cuomo's former communications director, Allison Gollust. She now runs the show.

'She is the number two to Jeff Zucker at CNN, and one of the reasons CNN has not taken any disciplinary action against journalist Chris Cuomo is because of the relationship she has with Governor Andrew Cuomo.'

CNN VP of Communications, Allison Gollust, worked for Governor Cuomo as his Director of Comms in 2013

Janice Dean, senior meteorologist for FOX News Channel, lost both her mother-in-law and father-in-law to COVID, with the pair dying after Andrew Cuomo ordered that nursing home residents recuperating from the virus be allowed to return to their residences. He reversed the decision several weeks later, but critics say it cost hundreds of lives.

Dean has become one of Andrew Cuomo's fiercest critics, and told DailyMail.com that Chris Cuomo had been 'dishonest' with his viewers.

'Chris Cuomo never thought anything of it when he had his brother on during the height of the pandemic and instead of asking serious questions about what was happening in New York, resorted to prop comedy and jokes about COVID, his love life and their family,' she said.

'As soon as the news stories started to break about his brother's many scandals, Chris then decided he could no longer interview is brother, and now that we're finding out Chris was not only involved in the governor's sexual harassment issues (giving him and his staff advice/drafting his response) we also know he was receiving special treatment using state resources by getting VIP COVID tests while nursing homes were not allowed to receive them to test incoming patients.

'The fact that Chris Cuomo also faked his own quarantine and lied to his viewers should also raise questions about ethics, honesty and how dishonest Chris Cuomo is to his audience and his employer.'

Meghan McCain, co-host of The View, said that the Cuomos were guilty of 'the worst kind of nepotism'.

Meghan McCain on Wednesday accused Chris Cuomo of 'the worst kind of nepotism' for refusing to cover a story that dealt with his brother

A plane flying a banner demanding Cuomo resign flies over the Executive Mansion on Wednesday

Andrew Cuomo was holed up inside the Executive Mansion on Wednesday

Last week, during a segment about Hollywood nepotism, she said that people assume she will be 'a lazy, spoiled brat that wont contribute anything because you have famous parents.'

On Wednesday, she said: 'You want to talk about nepotism? Not having to talk about the biggest scandal in the country when it has to do with your brother and you're hosting CNN, that's nepotism.

'The Cuomo family and CNN are the worst kind of nepotism that the media has an example of.'

She called Chris and CNN 'cowards,' saying that if her brother was governor and accused of sexual harassment, 'you are damn straight I'd be talking about it on 'The View' this morning.'

When one person pointed out that her famous father helped open doors for her, she replied: 'Say whatever you want about me but if my dad or brother had an investigation completed about their disgusting behavior sexually harassing women I wouldnt be a p**** and not talk about it on my show - cause my job is to talk about the news. But I aint a Cuomo (thank God).'

Other critics include MSNBC's Laura Bassett, who wrote an op-ed saying: 'Both brothers need to go

'It's extremely inappropriate and unethical for a journalist to advise and craft the statements of a politician, regardless of family relation.

'New Yorkers deserve better than a lying, harassing, misogynistic creep presiding over the state.

Glory days: Chris Cuomo quarantining in his Hamptons basement last year with Cuomo, speaking with his brother on his show, when Andrew was a pandemic hero

The two regularly joked around on Chris's show at a time when hundreds were dying of COVID. Chris played with a giant swab on one show.

'And CNN's viewers deserve better than a news anchor who is working on behalf of a politician he covers and helps to manipulate public opinion of him.

'Both Cuomo brothers have amassed massive power and influence, while betraying public trust. And both brothers must go,' she wrote.

She also referred back to the friendly, light-hearted interviews the pair engaged in on Chris's show at the height of the pandemic when hundreds of people were dying every day.

'Chris Cuomo has interviewed his brother on CNN multiple times about the elder Cuomo's coronavirus response, as scores of New Yorkers were dying in a pandemic; Albany is part of his beat.

'In one interview, Chris Cuomo told Andrew Cuomo he is 'the best politician in the country.'

'The anchor's attempt at a journalistic compromise was to abstain from interviewing his brother about the sexual harassment scandal,' she said.

DePauw University journalism professor and media critic Jeffrey McCall told FOX News: 'The lack of professional standards was appalling during the early days of COVID coverage when Chris routinely had the governor on his program to show off about Andrew's handling of COVID, bash Trump and do comedy sketches.

'CNN should have never let Chris cover his brother for either good or bad news, and only decided to prohibit such coverage once the governor's news became all bad.'
Samsel faces three misdemeanor criminal battery charges and has a court hearing scheduled for Aug. 16

A Kansas lawmaker has given up his state substitute teacher's license after he was accused of kicking a student in the testicles.

Republican State Rep. Mark Samsel, 36, of Wellsville said on Wednesday that 'extreme' stress caused him to have 'an isolated episode of mania with psychotic features' in the classroom.

He also said that he was trying to make a point about mental health and the need for people to be kinder to one another in defense of his actions.

He has a court hearing scheduled for Aug. 16 and said during a brief interview that he does not know how the surrender of his teaching license or his mental health will affect the case.

He faces three misdemeanor criminal charges of battery following what the local prosecutor described as 'rude, insulting or angry' interactions with two students, ages 15 or 16, during an art class.

Samsel, who has served as an attorney in the House since 2019, pleaded not guilty to the charges, each of which was punishable by up to six months in jail.

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Kansas lawmaker Mark Samsel, 36, gave up his substitute teacher license on August 3 after he claims that 'extreme stress' led him to kick a student in the testicles

One student told a sheriff's deputy that Samsel had manhandled him and kicked him, according to an affidavit from the deputy.

Samsel said in a Facebook post that he has seen mental health professionals over the past three months. He also wrote that he is studying ways to handle stress so that 'there is no likelihood' an episode will occur again.

He surrendered his teaching license on August 3.

The videos of Samsel's actions were shot by students on April 28 and were then provided by a parent.

It shows Samsel talking about suicide, God and sex in a noisy classroom at Wellsville's secondary school.

A series of videos recorded by students at Wellsville's secondary school revealed Samsel giving lectures about God, suicide and sex on April 28

He had what was described by a local prosecutor as 'rude, insulting, or angry interactions' with two male students, aged 15 or 16, in an art class

Samsel was then booked into the Franklin County Adult Detention Center the day after the incident and was released on a $1,000 bond

In one video, the footage shows Samsel threatening a male student about 'the wrath of God' as he followed him around the classroom

He then tells the students in another video, 'Class, you have permission to kick him in the b---s.'

Several parents told local media that Samsel allegedly kneed the student in the crotch.

The kneeing incident was not caught on camera, but footage shot after the alleged incident shows the student lying on the ground, with Samsel standing over him and asking: 'Did it hurt?'

Samsel asks the student whether he was going cry, pats him on the shoulder and apologizes, and then says he can 'go to the nurse, she can check it for you.'

He was booked into the Franklin County Adult Detention Center on April 29.

He was released on $1,000 bond, Sheriff Jeff Richards said.

Samsel was ordered by a judge in May to undergo a mental health evaluation after the incident occurred

According to the deputy's affidavit, Samsel said he only 'demonstrated a kick' for one boy who had disrupted class but did not actually do it. The deputy also wrote that Samsel said God told him to do what he did.

'It just felt it was the right time to share, that God was calling on me to do it,' Samsel said during the interview, 'I just hope this brings light to the mental health battles, that a lot of us are struggling.'

A judge in May ordered Samsel to undergo a mental health evaluation, and the resulting report remains under seal.

Samsel said in his Facebook post that he suffered from 'extreme stress, pressure, and agitation over a sustained period of time,' with the worst of it during April and May, when lawmakers were wrapping up their business for the year.

'There was a lot of pain and struggle involved, but I think - I mean, it's all moving in the right direction,' Samsel said during his interview. 'I do think God's using it for hopefully higher purposes.'
Zachariah Konkle, 32,now faces murder after the man he allegedly strangled and punched died this weekend

A pedophile carnival worker faces murder charges for allegedly strangling a co-worker to death after a family told him someone had made fun of their special-needs son.

Zachariah Konkle, 32, was originally arrested and charged with strangulation on July 28 after he allegedly put his co-worker Michael Steele in headlock and said 'go to sleep b***h.'

A parent told Konkle that someone was making fun of a special needs child, and Konkle reportedly told the family, 'he would take care of the problem,' according to court documents.

Konkle, who was previously convicted of sexual misconduct with a 15-year-old girl in 2015 and required to go on the sex offender registry, told police that he was talking to someone about the situation around 12:30am Wednesday when Steele allegedly approached him and hit him in the side of the head.

Steele is said to have squared up to Konkle while the alleged killer was talking to another co-worker about the incident, and told Konkle: 'If you're going to slap someone slap me.' It remains unclear who made the remark about the disabled child.

Witnesses told WDRB.com that Steele threw the first punch, sparking a brawl between the two men.

Konkle allegedly dragged Steele to the ground in a headlock until he went limp and then punched him five to six times in the back of the head, a witness told police, according to court documents obtained by WDRB.com.

A picture of the sign to the Jackson County Fair in Indiana, where the fight took place last Wednesday

The two co-workers brawled, and Konkle allegedly put Michael Steele in a headlock until he went limp

A witness said she performed CPR on Steele until Konkle pushed her out of the way and started CPR himself.

Steele later died in the hospital on July 31, and charges were upgraded to include murder on Tuesday.

According to multiple media outlets, police discovered Konkle was a sex offender and shouldn't have been working at the carnival to begin with.

In 2014, he was convicted of sexual misconduct with a minor.

His supervisor told police she was unaware that he was a registered sex offender, Fox59 reported.
Antonia Ashford ,44, was charged with murder and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose for allegedly killing her husband Roderick Ashford, 47, by shooting him in the face

An associate warden at a Brooklyn federal jail has been arrested for killing her husband by shooting him in the face at their New Jersey residence, police said.

Antonia Ashford, 44, was taken to the Ocean County Jail after cops found her husband, Roderick Ashford, 47, shot dead at their home on Harvey Jones Drive in Jackson Township.

Ashford works at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Sunset Park, where alleged Jeffrey Epstein madam Ghislaine Maxwell is jailed awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

Ashford was charged with murder and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Police Chief Matthew Kunz said in a statement.

Her husband was a Bureau of Prisons employee in New Jersey, The Washington Post reported.

The Jackson Police Department arrived at the crime scene after receiving a 911 call that a man had been shot. They found Roderick Ashford with a gunshot wound to his face and on the floor. He died at the scene after paramedics tried to revive him

The couple had just purchased their $600,000 home on Harvey Jones Drive in Jackson Township earlier this year and had moved in just a few months ago

Police in Jackson Township received a 911 call around 2am on Monday that a man had been shot.

When they arrived, they found Roderick Ashford on the floor with a gunshot wound to his face.

He was pronounced dead at the scene after paramedics tried to revive him.

The couple had purchased their home for $600,000 earlier this year, and had only been living there for a few months, the Daily News reported.

Ashford worked at the Metropolitan Detention Center as an associate warden. The facility is infamous for the poor conditions inmates are under, with a federal judge calling it 'an ongoing disgrace'

Ghislaine Maxwell has also complained through her lawyer of an 'overwhelming stench from the overflowing of toilets in the cellblock above.'

The Metropolitan Detention Center is infamous for the poor conditions inmates have had to endure.

The facility was called 'an ongoing disgrace' by William Kuntz, a federal judge.

In June 2020, 35-year-old inmate Jamel Floyd died under suspicious circumstances after correction officers pepper-sprayed his face, prompting protests outside the facility.

In December 2019, a power outage at the detention center forced more than 1,500 inmates to live in freezing temperatures for a week.

Ghislaine Maxwell has also complained through her lawyer of an 'overwhelming stench from the overflowing of toilets in the cellblock above.'
A woman shot her husband, chopped up his body with an ax and then got her two children to help put his dismembered remains into bags, police say.

Thessalonica Allen, 34, allegedly shot spouse of one year Randy Allen, 50, on July 27 inside their apartment in La Porte, Indiana.

The fatal row is said to have begun after Randy confronted Thessalonica after her usage of an undisclosed website.

She is then said to have struggled to dispose of his remains, so allegedly got to work hacking them up with an ax to make them easier to carry away and burn.

Investigators say Allen's two, both minors, heard a 'loud bang' and ran to their mother's bedroom, according to court documents.

They found Randy on the ground, asking his children to call 911, but their mother ordered them to go back to their room, it is alleged. The couple did not share any children, Randy's grieving relatives told the NWI Times.

Thessalonica Allen, left, was arrested for allegedly murdering her husband Randy Allen, fight, and chopping his corpse up with an ax

Police found notes from Thessalonica, detailing a plan to frame Randy for drug possession. Another note described how she would get rid of his body

The murder took place inside the couples apartment in La Porte, Indiana. Thessalonica said she stored Randy's body inside her daughter's closet

Later that night, Thessalonica woke her kids and asked them to drag Randy's body out of the house and load it into his car, court papers say.

When his body proved too heavy to move, Thessalonica went out and returned the next day with cleaning supplies and an axe, it is alleged.

Although she chopped the body to pieces, it was still too heavy for them to move, distressing investigative records show.

Thessalonica allegedly asked an ex-boyfriend for help two days after the killing, and he refused and reported the incident, the South Bend Tribune reports.

Police found the vehicle outside a hardware store in La Porte and the tote bag containing Randy's dismembered corpse inside a closet in the children's bedroom

Thessalonica had allegedly planned to burn the body in South Bend.

Randy's family mourned his loss and refuted Thessaloncia's claims that he beat her and her kids. Randy had five kids of his own, with the oldest starting a GoFundMe for his burial costs

Randy, pictured above, was beloved by his family, who say the whole ordeal has been heartbreaking

The GoFundMe has raised more than $3,500. Randy is, pictured with his five kids outside his marriage with Thessaloncia. None were present at the time of his killing

The children told cops their mom and Randy had been arguing about a website Thessalonica had visited just before Randy was shot.

They added that Randy appeared to be packing his things and leaving.

Thessaloncia claims she shot Randy after he started choking her.

She told the ex-boyfriend that she shot Randy because he was beating her and her children, ABC reports.

'You guys don't understand, he beats me,' Thessaloncia told the officers who arrested her.

Randy's family disputed her claims and said he was always a loving father and grandfather, the NW Times reports

'He was a sweet person,' Jakelia Dooley-Jones, his oldest daughter, said. 'He was caring. He was nurturing.'

Commenting on his dad's alleged killer, Dooley-Jones said: 'He didn't give me any indication that she was crazy.'

'We're devastated. This was a senseless murder that didn't have to happen,' added Randy's older sister, Sharon Colmen.

During a search of the home, police allegedly found three notes detailing Thessaloncia's actions before and after the shooting.

One note is said to have said:

Get drugs from friend Get ziplock bags When Randy is in shower, get pawn tickets out of wallet Put gun/drugs in car under seat while in car Call Hearthside and tell them Rand had drugs and gun in car

A second note said:

Spray [expletive deleted] in face, hit him in right knee w/hammer Hit w/hammer/stab him Roll body up in sheets & plastic bags Pick up Jay no phones, Jay follows me to LP, put body in Lincoln w/his Boost phone leave Jay car here Take my keys and his car key off the ring

A third note said: 'Go to SB, Jay follow me back to LaPorte put body in Lincoln, Drive to SB, leave body in car while running, Jay brings me back to LP. While doing this be on 'compt' doing ATI.'

Thessalonica faces felony charges of abusing a corpse, altering a death scene, contributing to the delinquency of her two minor children, and neglecting the children.

She is being held in the LaPorte County Jail without bond.
A black activist who said that a group of white men assaulted him, pinned him to a tree and threatened to 'get a noose' has now been hit with felony charges in connection with the incident that made national headlines.

Vauhxx Booker, 37, a local civil rights leader and member of the Monroe County Human Rights Commission, was charged with misdemeanor trespass and felony battery last week.

He was hit with the charges over his involvement in the confrontation that took place on July 4, 2020, at Lake Monroe, Indiana, according to court documents filed last Friday by a special prosecutor in the case.

Booker condemned the decision, calling it an 'outrageous act of punitive retaliation and prosecutorial vindictiveness.'

During a press conference held on Monday outside Monroe County courthouse, Booker said: 'theres nothing more American than charging a black man in his own attempted lynching,'

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Vauhxx Booker (center), who claimed to have been attacked by a group of white men in July 2020, speaks during a press conference on August 2 after a special prosecutor charged him with felony assault and trespassing over a year later

Booker's alleged attackers Sean Purdy (left) and Jerry Cox II (right) were charged with felonies last summer

Booker slammed the decision to bring charges against him as an 'outrageous act of punitive retaliation and prosecutorial vindictiveness'

If convicted as charged, Booker could face more than three years in prison and $15,000 in fines.

The Monroe County Branch of the NAACP demanded that the charges against Booker be dropped immediately and called for the special prosecutor, Sonia Leerkamp, to resign.

'This incident has been a continual case of a victim being re-victimized by the system,' Booker's legal team said in statement Monday. 'It is the victim in this assault - Vauhxx Booker - who is being made to pay for having stood his ground against malicious racist name-calling, physical assault, and threats against his life.'

The alleged assault gained widespread attention last summer when Booker said he called 911 after five white men attacked him and pushed him against a tree at the lake just south of Bloomington.

He said the men accused him of trespassing on private property and, after he tried to apologize, the situation turned physical.

Part of the July 4, 2020, confrontation at an Indiana lake was captured on video, which shows at least three white men pinning Booker to a tree. Booker posted the footage on Facebook along with his version of events

Footage recorded by Booker shows several of the white men cursing and using racially-charged language at him after he said onlookers were able to pull him out of harm's way

Booker said the men threatened to break his arms and said, 'get a noose,' while telling his friends to leave the area. He said one of the men wore a hat decorated with a Confederate flag and that the men made statements about 'white power.'

Witnesses who were with Booker that day said they heard racial slurs being shouted and that someone said 'get a noose' and 'leave the boy here, we will take care of him.'

Cellphone video posted on Facebook that showed part of the altercation was viewed millions of times online.

The FBI said it was investigating the incident as a possible hate crime, although no further updates have been provided about the investigation.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources, which responded to the reported assault, recommended charges against everyone involved, including Booker.

Monroe County prosecutors only charged two white men, however. Sean Purdy faces charges of felony criminal confinement, battery resulting in moderate bodily injury and intimidation. Jerry Cox II was charged with felony criminal confinement and battery resulting in moderate bodily injury, as well as two misdemeanors.

Cox and Purdy claimed Booker was trespassing and denied the allegations regarding a noose. Both maintain that Booker threatened them first, and their lawyers have said the two men are victims of a 'smear campaign.'

Purdy's attorney David Hennessy denied Booker's allegations, saying that he was the instigator, and that his client was the victim of a 'smear campaign'

The case against Cox and Purdy is still pending more than a year later, awaiting a trial date.

At Monday's press conference, Booker accused Leerkamp of threatening to bring charges against him for the past year, unless he agreed to have the charges dropped against Purdy and reconcile with him, reported The Washington Post.

'I am not going to let these folks go on about their lives like they didnt victimize me, like their crime didnt impact an entire community,' Booker said. 'I am going to stand up for myself.'

Leerkamp indirectly defended her decision to charge Booker in a statement to The Post by saying that she was doing her 'best to apply the law to the facts available to me and to follow the principle that we are a nation of laws, not men.'

Monroe County Prosecutor Erika Oliphant recused herself from the case in response to public concern about whether she was impartial.

The charges against Booker, filed in Monroe Circuit Court, are the same recommended by IDNR investigators last summer. An initial hearing is set for September 14.

Booker has said that he and his friend were on their way to watch the lunar eclipse at an organized event on July 4, 2020, when a white man with 'an oversized hat with a confederate flag print on it' began following them in an ATV.

Booker claimed the man informed him and his friend that they were trespassing on private property, so they apologized and continued on their way to the event.

That's when he said the man and his friends began following him and two of them knocked him to the ground from behind.

'I tussled with the two and another one joined in, then two more,' he wrote in a viral Facebook post about the incident. 'The five were able to easily overwhelm me and got me to the ground and dragged me pinning my body against a tree as they began pounding on my head and ripped off some of my hair, with several of them still on top of my body holding me down.'

'They held me pinned and continued beating me for several minutes seemingly become more and more enraged as they kept trying to seriously injure me and failing. At one point during the attack one of the men jumped on my neck. I could feel both his feet and his full bodyweight land hard against my neck.'

Booker further claimed that one of the men threatened to break an arms and repeatedly called out: 'Get a noose.'

Only part of the altercation was captured in videos recorded by Booker's acquaintances that he included in his Facebook post.

One clip shows Booker hunched over as at least two men pinned him against a tree and several other people in their group crowded around, while Booker's friends begged for them to let him go.

A second clip, filmed after Booker was released, shows a man repeatedly calling someone off-camera a 'nappy-headed b***h'.

In a third clip the same man yells: 'You invaded us!' and calls someone in Booker's group a 'stupid f**king liberal f**ks.'

As Booker's group walks away, one of the men follows them shouting: 'Those black boys want to start it all.'

Booker, pictured above crying during a press conference last year, claimed that a special prosecutor had been pressuring him for a year to reconcile with Purdy

Booker said he suffered a minor concussion, cuts, bruises and had patches of his hair pulled out during the attack.

Many of Booker's descriptions, including the lead-up to the confrontation, the call to 'get a noose', the threat to break his arms and a man stomping on his neck, were not captured by the videos.

Witnesses told IDNR investigators that Booker threatened them, claiming to be a county commissioner. Then, he said, Booker 'got in the face' Purdys girlfriend and punched Purdy three times.

Cox, who is Purdy's friend, said Booker also punched him in the face and that he 'was pretty sure' that he hit Booker twice in the face.

Defense lawyer David Hennessy claimed that Booker was the instigator of the violence and accused him of 'race baiting.' The attorney said Purdy did not hear or said 'get a noose,' but that 'some racially insensitive stuff' was said by people known to them.

'No talk of a noose, no talk of a rope, no talk of a lynching. No white power,' he said.
Progressive Democratic Rep. Cori Bush sent a threatening message to Mark and Patricia McCloskey on Wednesday after the Missouri couple was pardoned for charges stemming from waving their guns at Black Lives Matter protesters - including Bush herself.

'Mark McCloskey is an absolute liar. He has spat on my name and because of that, his day will come,' Bush said on CNN.

She then directed her ire at McCloskey and continued, 'You will not be successful in all that you're trying to do when you are hurting the very people that are out trying to save lives.'

Bush told CNN that Mark McCloskey's 'day will come' in an explosive interview Wednesday

Rep. @CoriBush, who took part in trespassing on the McCloskeys property, threatens the family after they received a gubernatorial pardon: "Mark McCloskey is an absolute liar. He has spat on my name. And because of that, his day will come." pic.twitter.com/XEe5DNOxKM  Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) August 4, 2021

The McCloskeys were pardoned on Tuesday by Missouri Governor Mike Parson (right) for charges stemming from waving their guns at social justice protesters in June 2020

Bush vowed to 'not allow' the St. Louis-based attorney or Governor Mike Parson 'to hurt the very people that are doing the work they should be doing.'

Parson, a Republican, 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.'

Bush called the pardons 'absolutely unbelievable.'

'They stood there, they pointed their guns - totally reckless - to a group of nonviolent protesters walking down a street that had no clue that they lived there, didn't care that they lived there, didn't know them, didn't want to know them,' the freshman lawmaker said.

The Black Lives Matter protesters were on their way to Mayor Lyda Krewson's house when they were passing the McCloskeys (pictured on Krewson's lawn)

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 mayors house nearby in one of hundreds of similar demonstrations around the country after George Floyds 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.

No shots were fired and no one was hurt. A special prosecutor assigned to the case determined the protesters were peaceful and said no one he interviews had weapons or realized they were in a private area.

The McCloskeys became right-wing darlings and were defended by top Republicans including Donald Trump.

At last year's Republican National Convention as a featured speaker Mark McCloskey called Bush a 'Marxist liberal activist leading the mob' and accused Democrats of wanting to 'abolish the suburbs.'

The McCloskeys were unapologetic about their actions (pictured here leaving a St. Louis court on June 17. The couple both pleaded guilty to their respective charges)

McCloskey called Bush a 'Marxist' who was leading a 'mob' on June 28, 2020 in an RNC speech given last year (pictured: Bush outside the Capitol on August 2)

Bush, a social justice activist as well as a pastor and a nurse before serving in Congress, brushed them off as 'just trying to get attention' at the time.

Mark McCloskey announced in May he was running for US Senate.

A statement from his campaign released Tuesday read, 'Today we are incredibly thankful that Governor Mike Parson righted this wrong and granted us pardons.'

Bush challenged Parson to 'stand up and be the governor of everybody' and again blasted his decision as 'ridiculous.'

'Do something, actually show up and be the governor of all the people of Missouri, not just those that follow your type of politics that actually hurt... people who are struggling in this country,' Bush said.

Parsons legal team has been working through a backlog of clemency requests for months.

He hasnt 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.

The McCloskeys became right wing darlings and even spoke via video at last year's RNC

Mark McCloskey announced his bid for a US Senate sea this year

Missouris Democratic leader contrasted Parsons treatment of Stricklands case with the McCloskeys in bitter denunciations of the governors 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.
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis furiously attacked President Joe Biden on Wednesday after the president implored governors to 'get out of the way' of COVID restrictions - accusing Biden of failing to do his job.

DeSantis complained that Biden was trying to 'single out Florida,' after the state broke its own record for COVID-19 hospitalizations, and attempted to shift the focus to the president's handling of a surge in apprehensions at the southern border.

'Why don't you do your job? Why don't you get this border secure?' DeSantis angrily told Biden, in a press conference on Wednesday.

'And until you do that I don't want to hear a blip about COVID from you.'

Florida set an all-time record for COVID hospitalizations on Tuesday, with 11,515 hospitalized in one day.

The previous day also saw a record 10,389 hospitalizations, outpacing its previous peak on July 23, 2020, when there were 10,170 hospitalizations.

'Joe Biden has taken to himself to try to single out Florida over COVID,' said DeSantis.

'This is a guy who ran saying he was going to shut down the virus. What he's done is imported the virus from around the world with a wide open southern border.'

The Republican governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, left, during an angry press conference asked Joe Biden, right, 'why don't you do your job at the border'

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)

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

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (pictured on Fox News) furiously attacked President Joe Biden on Wednesday after the president implored governors to 'get out of the way' of COVID restrictions - accusing Biden of failing to do his job

'Joe Biden has taken to himself to try to single out Florida over COVID,' said DeSantis

'We can either have a free society or we can have a biomedical security state.

'And I can tell you, Florida, we're a free state. People are going to be free to choose.'

Conservatives applauded DeSantis's punchy remarks.

'Gov. DeSantis takes a massive wrecking ball to Biden's absurd criticism on his handling of COVID,' tweeted Benny Johnson, Turning Point USA chief creative officer.

'Watch the whole thing. COMPLETE. MIC. DROP.'

Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, urged DeSantis to do more to help Florida's COVID battle.

'Twenty three per cent of new COVID hospitalizations in the U.S are in Florida, and their hospitals are being overwhelmed again,' she said on Twitter.

'We are doing everything we can to help the people of FL, and they're stepping up by getting vaccinated  we hope @GovRonDeSantis joins us in this fight.'

Marco Rubio, senator for Florida, tweeted: 'You want to help #Florida?

'Stop sparking fights over mask mandates & pushing contradictory courses of action.

'Thankfully vaccinations are up.

'But thats in spite, not because of the Biden Administration.'

23% of new COVID hospitalizations in the U.S are in Florida, and their hospitals are being overwhelmed again.



We are doing everything we can to help the people of FL, and they're stepping up by getting vaccinated  we hope @GovRonDeSantis joins us in this fight. https://t.co/53y97ngQ4E  Jen Psaki (@PressSec) August 4, 2021

Joe Biden is pictured on Tuesday, urging more Americans to get vaccinated and prevent the spread of the Delta variant

On Tuesday, Biden had singled out DeSantis' state and Texas for particular criticism.

Ted Cruz laughs at Joe Biden urging governors to 'get out the way' The Texas senator was asked on Wednesday about Biden calling for governors to 'get out of the way' of federal efforts to combat COVID. 'There's a Yiddish word called chutzpah,' said Cruz, speaking to Fox News. 'And I think Joe Biden is embodying that word right now.' Cruz then echoed DeSantis' response, criticizing the Biden administration for allowing COVID to spread among migrants and then releasing the infected migrants into the community. 'We just had news breaking today that in the last several months, the Biden administration has released over 7,000 illegal aliens who were COVID positive just in one Texas city, in the city of McAllen, in the Rio Grande Valley,' said Cruz. 'Last week, the Biden administration released over 1,500 illegal aliens in McAllen who were COVID positive. 'That is unacceptable and they keep doing it.' Cruz said that the election of Biden was in itself 'a superspreader event' because of his approach to migration. 'And Joe Biden likes to talk about this pandemic,' Cruz concluded. 'Well I'll tell you what: the election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris was a superspreader event because their open border is endangering not just the people of Texas, but the people all across the country.' Advertisement

'Just two states, Florida and Texas, account for one third of all new COVID-19 cases in the entire country. Just two states,' he said.

Biden criticized Florida and Texas for barring schools and local governments from imposing mask mandates.

'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.

'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.'

DeSantis shot back: 'Joe Biden suggests if you don't do lockdown policies then you should 'get out of the way.'

'Well let me tell you this, if you're coming after the rights of parents in Florida, I'm standing in your way.

'If you're trying to lock people down, I'm standing in your way.'

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 said he expects hospitalizations to drop in the next couple weeks, insisting that the spike is seasonal as Floridians spend more time together indoors to escape the summer heat and humidity.

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 per cent 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.

And on Tuesday, New York City announced that if residents aren't vaccinated, they won't be able to participate in day-to-day activities like going out to dinner indoors and going to the gym.

'No voter ID but you have to show your medical papers just to be able to live everyday life,' DeSantis said, blasting the city's measure and nodding to Democrats who have opposed strict voter ID laws.

In an executive order signed on Thursday, 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, DeSantis issued an executive order rejecting mask mandates in schools.

A vaccination site is seen at Miami airport in Florida on May 28. Florida is currently seeing a surge in cases

Miami-Dade residents line-up as they are tested for COVID-19 at Cagni Park on August 1

Both Biden's and DeSantis' approval ratings have slipped as the nation takes on another wave of the virus.

A Harvard-Harris poll taken in the end of July found that Biden's approval rating had tanked 10 percentage points to 52 per cent, from 62 per cent in June, as his promise of a 'summer of freedom' slips from his grasp with increasing COVID-19 cases.

DeSantis, meanwhile, has seen his popularity slip with voters in his own state and now trails Democratic challenger Rep. Charlie Crist, according to a new poll.

DeSantis had seen his national profile and popularity balloon during the COVID-19 crisis to the point where he has been touted as the best hope for Republicans to retake the White House in 2024.

But the survey, by Florida-based St. Pete Polls, found voters disapproved of the governor's opposition to mask mandates in school.

Overall 45.3 per cent of voters said they backed Crist, who was governor from 2007 to 2011, compared to 43.8 per cent who favored DeSantis.
Jared Kushner handed over to the American government a signed and framed photo from The Queen that he received during the June 2019 state visit to the United Kingdom.

But Kellyanne Conway forked over the $2,830 to keep hers.

The gifts, handed out to Trump administration officials by foreign leaders in 2019, were revealed in a new filing in the Federal Register on Wednesday.

The State Department's Office of Protocol is required to record gifts given to U.S. officials over $390 in value and keep track of their disposition. Recipients either have to turn them over to the National Archives or another government entity or purchase them for personal use at their valued cost.

The Queen handed out several signed and framed photographs of herself to Trump aides during the June 2019 state visit.

Besides Kushner and Conway, Stephanie Grisham, Dan Scavino, Lindsey Reynolds, Stephen Miller, and Sarah Huckabee Sanders all received one, the filing shows.

And all of them handed their photo over to the U.S. government - except Conway.

Jared Kushner handed over to the American government a signed and framed photo from The Queen that he received during the June 2019 state visit to the United Kingdom - above Kushner and Princess Anne arrive for the June 2019 state dinner at Buckingham Palace

Kellyanne Conway forked over the $2,830 to keep her signed and framed photo of The Queen; above Kellyanne Conway and The Duke of Kent arrive for the June 2019 State Dinner at Buckingham Palace

During the Trumps' June 2019 State visit to the UK Sarah Huckabee Sanders (left), Kellyanne Conway (center), and Dan Scavino (right) received signed and framed photos of The Queen; only Conway paid the federal government for hers

The 92 page document reveals that Donald Trump received multiple photos of himself, Melania Trump got a sterling silver jewelry box from the Queen and a $5,800 bottle of Japanese whisky given to Mike Pompeo has gone missing.

The missing Japanese whisky as given to then Secretary of State Pompeo in June 2019, presumably when he was there for a G20 meeting.

But it's location is listed as 'unknown.'

'The department is looking into the matter and has an ongoing inquiry,' it said in the Federal Register notice.

A representative for Pompeo told the Associated Press that Pompeo 'has no knowledge of the gift and has not been contacted by anyone regarding an investigation of it.'

And The New York Times reported the U.S. government was never paid for the bottle and the State Department has asked its inspector general to determine what happened to it.

It's illegal for an official to keep a gift without purchasing it and the person could face civil penalties.

The State Department's Office of Protocol released gifts foreign leaders gave U.S. officials in 2019; The Queen gave Donald Trump a first edition copy of The Second World War by Winston S. Churchill - the abridged version - and she gave Melania Trump a specially commissioned sterling silver jewelry box with enamel lid

A $5,800 bottle of Japanese whisky given to then Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during the 2019 G20 meeting (above) has gone missing

Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong gave Donald Trump a painting of Trump 'on dual pane glass' valued at $5,250

The filing in the Federal Register noted Trump and former first lady Melania received more than $120,000 worth of presents from foreign leaders in 2019.

One theme of the gifts to the then-president was images of himself.

Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong gave a painting of Trump 'on dual pane glass' valued at $5,250.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi gave a 'large double framed carved from black stone with image of President Donald J. Trump in precious metal on one side and the coat of arms of Egypt on the other.' It was valued at $4,450.

Australian Prime Minister gave Trump a framed photo of the first couple valued at $470.

The Queen, meanwhile, gave Trump a pen set during his June 2019 state visit and a first edition copy of The Second World War by Winston S. Churchill - the abridged version.

Trump also received a couple of fire arms as gifts.

Prime Minister of Bulgaria Boyko Borissov gave him an Ottoman Empire rifle valued at $8,500. And Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Andrew Babis gave Trump a CZ 75 9mm pistol valued at $710.

Trump also received a bronze sculpture of an Arabian horse from the crown prince of Bahrain worth $7,200 and a gold, onyx, emerald and diamond statue of an Arabian oryx worth $6,300 from the emir of Qatar.

All the gifts are in the hands of the National Archives.

The filing details the more than $120,000 worth of presents from foreign leaders that Donald and Melania Trump received in 2019

Melania Trump amassed quite a jewelry collection, although she, too, turned her gifts over to the government.

The former first lady received white gold diamond earrings from the wife of the Czech PM (valued at $470), an ornamental Japanese lacquer box and a signed photo from the Empress of Japan (valued at $1,130), pearl earrings valued at $2,600 from the wife of Japanese Prime Minister Abe, and pearl earrings valued at $700 from the wife of the Australian PM.

The Queen gave Melania a specially commissioned sterling silver jewelry box with enamel lid valued at $390.
Dominic Cummings has claimed that Boris Johnson said his partner Carrie was driving him 'crackers' and suggested finding her 'a job with lots of foreign travel'.

The Prime Minister's former chief adviser also said that Mr Johnson offered him a peerage when he left No 10.

Downing Street sources were quick to deny his allegations last night.

Mr Cummings said he thought the former Miss Symonds was a 'wrong 'un' from the moment he met her.

He left No 10 in November last year following a dramatic fall-out with the PM and his then-fiancee.

Mr Cummings said his relationship with the PM changed after he won a massive majority at the general election in December 2019, adding: 'The entire situation was completely transformed.'

In an interview with The Spectator  the magazine that employs his wife  he said he had a bad impression of the PM's wife from their earliest meeting.

'I thought she was a wrong 'un from the day I first met her back in 2016 when she was a press officer of some kind,' he added.

Dominic Cummings has claimed that Boris Johnson said his partner Carrie was driving him 'crackers' and suggested finding her 'a job with lots of foreign travel'. Pictured L-R: Carrie Symonds, Boris Johnson and Dominic Cummings celebrate on Election Night 2019

Mr Cummings claimed that in the final few days before he walked out of Downing Street, Mr Johnson said his then fiancee was driving him 'crackers'. He said: 'So when Boris and I came to the break-up in the final few days, we sat on the sofa and he started reading out questions from his phone and I said, 'Have you lost your mind? Your crazy girlfriend is sitting upstairs texting you questions?'

'And he was like, 'Oh my God, you're right, she's driving me crackers. We've got to find her a job with lots of foreign travel.

'Could we get the Cabinet Secretary to give her a job on COP26, travelling round with Kate Middleton?'

'That's the weird thing: part of his brain knows that his girlfriend is crackers, but he's also trapped.' Mr Cummings added: 'Well, you know this crazy thing happens with people, they just get trapped by crazy girlfriends. It's not the first time it's happened.'

A source inside No 10 said the claims were 'risible, like much of Dom's recent output'. They added: 'These claims are untrue.'

The PM's former chief adviser admitted he has not spoken to Mr Johnson since leaving Downing Street.

But he said Mr Johnson had offered him a peerage when he quit. Asked if it would have made him 'Lord Cummings of Barnard Castle', he replied: 'No! He said it but then he almost immediately started laughing and realised that that was not exactly the sort of thing that would buy me off.' Asked whether he rejoiced when Matt Hancock stood down as health secretary over leaked CCTV footage of him kissing an aide in his office, Mr Cummings said: 'Well, obviously it would have been better if Boris had fired him last May when I told him to. But if it ends with a sex scandal, fine by me.'

He added: 'I suspect that all his officials knew what was happening, and they knew that what I said about him was true, and someone in his private office will also have had access to CCTV and thought: Ah, we'll get rid of that lying b******.'

Mr Cummings said he thought the former Miss Symonds was a 'wrong 'un' from the moment he met her. Pictured: Carrie (left) and Boris Johnson on holiday with their child and dog in Scotland

Mr Cummings said he told the Prime Minister that he planned to leave on December 18 last year, adding that he had never wanted a career in Westminster. But he says his departure was hastened when Mrs Johnson started plotting to remove his allies from No 10.

'I walked out. And then she was terrified that Boris would reverse-ferret so she deliberately blew everything up in the media to cause maximum carnage,' he said. 'So then all relations between us were severed and I haven't spoken to him since.'

Asked why he agreed to work for the PM when he thought him 'unfit' for office, Mr Cummings said that the alternative was former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and a second Brexit referendum which he believed could lead to violence.

'MPs wouldn't be able to campaign safely outside the M25 without armed guards,' he said. Mr Cummings now writes a blog on the Substack website.
Healthy children as young as 12 are likely to be offered Covid jabs, scientific advisers said last night.

Vaccine officials yesterday confirmed that doses will be offered within weeks to all 16 and 17-year-olds  and they will not need parental consent.

But Jonathan Van-Tam, the deputy chief medical officer, strongly hinted the programme could be extended to those aged 12 to 15. In a clear sign this could happen this year, he stressed the need to 'continually review the emerging data'.

Children over 12 are eligible for the jab only if they have severe underlying health conditions or live with a vulnerable relative.

But Professor Van-Tam said it was 'more likely, rather than less likely' that the list of eligible 12 to 15-year-olds would grow.

At a Downing Street briefing, he said there was 'no time to waste' in starting the rollout to 1.5million 16 and 17-year-olds. 'Children are going to start going back to colleges and sixth-forms from September, and in Scotland that will be slightly earlier, so there is no time to waste in getting on with this,' he said.

Pictured: Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England, during a coronavirus media briefing in Downing Street on August 4, 2021

'Now we have the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation advice on starting that initial first dose in 16 and 17-year-olds, then I want us to proceed as fast as is practically possible.'

Although he said this rollout was unlikely to start next week, it is set to commence very soon, with the jab initially delivered via existing vaccine clinics, GP surgeries and pharmacies. The rollout could later be expanded and delivered at secondary schools.

It will be one dose initially, with the JCVI yet to make a decision on whether, or when, to give a second dose.

Although the NHS is soon to embark on a booster programme for some more elderly and vulnerable people, Professor Van-Tam insisted there was a 'plentiful' supply of vaccine. He added: 'The NHS has been preparing for multiple options for very many weeks now and I would expect this programme will start in a very short number of weeks.'

The JCVI's decision to recommend the jabs for 16 and 17-year-olds came less than three weeks after it stated that only under-18s with learning disabilities or chronic health conditions should be eligible for a vaccine.

That had followed concern over a rare side effect called myocarditis, a type of heart inflammation.

Pictured: A teenager reacts while receiving a dose of a vaccine against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at a Clalit healthcare maintenance organisation in Tel Aviv, Israel June 21, 2021

School segregation fears By Eleanor Harding, Education Editor for the Daily Mail Pupils who refuse the Covid vaccine must not be treated differently, families have urged. Parent campaigners UsforThem fear unvaccinated children could be split into different groups and separated from their friends as schools try to control the virus. Some schools previously made pupils sit apart and banned them from PE if they refused to wear a mask, the group says. They fear another a two-tier system over vaccines, adding: Its not hard to imagine where this could lead. However head teachers union ASCL stressed last night that all pupils will be treated the same, as schools will not know which ones have been vaccinated. It is understood the Government will also insist unvaccinated pupils are not treated unfavourably. Molly Kingsley, co-founder of UsforThem, said: While vaccination of children will in theory be voluntary, a number of measures rolled out over the last year have been voluntary in name only. Were already seeing widespread peer pressure being applied to young people to take the vaccine. In France, where the vaccine is approved for those aged 12 and over, unjabbed children are already being treated unfavourably, she said. Last week a French minister said pupils who are not vaccinated will be sent home in the event of a Covid outbreak, while inoculated ones will be allowed to stay. Advertisement

Now however, the committee believes it has 'more certainty' that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks and that serious side effects are rare and mainly come after a second dose.

Universities minister Michelle Donelan yesterday denied the Government had piled pressure on the JCVI to reverse its policy. Downing Street also insisted it had not leant on the panel.

But, in private, ministers have made little secret of their frustration, especially because authorities in the US, France and Germany have started jabbing children.

Professor Adam Finn, a member of the JCVI and a paediatrician at the University of Bristol, said it was clear myocarditis was primarily a 'second dose risk'. The 16 and 17-year-olds will initially be given Pfizer jabs because Moderna has not yet been approved for them.

Boris Johnson encouraged families to listen to the JCVI's advice, saying: 'They are extremely expert there, they're among the best, if not the best, in the world, they know what's safe and I think we should listen to them and take our lead from them.'

Health Secretary Sajid Javid added: 'The JCVI will continue to review data and provide updates on at-risk groups aged 12 to 15 and whether any additional groups will be added.'

He later confirmed the rollout for those aged 16 and 17 could take place via schools. 'It will be this month and so the way we're going to roll this out, I think as people will expect, is working through the clinicians, working through GPs, through the primary care networks,' he said.

'Also, we will use hospital hubs, we will use hubs like the one in Bournemouth I visited today  that I was very impressed by. And also we'll be working through the already existing schools vaccination programme, which I think will help to bolster this.'

But some scientists questioned why the JCVI was not including 12 to 15-year-olds.

Peter Openshaw, a professor at Imperial College London and a government adviser, said: 'Vaccination of teenagers may have a major effect on the return of Covid next winter, assuming that the rates will drop this summer.

'Full vaccination takes time, so the sooner we start the sooner this age group will be protected.'

Much-needed, but this may be too little too late, say scientists By Eleanor Hayward, Health Correspondent for the Daily Mail Scientists have called for vaccines to be available to younger children immediately  claiming the decision to jab over-16s is too little, too late. The group of 18 healthcare experts have written a paper stating the UK is now a global outlier because it is not immunising 12 to 15-year-olds. They claim the jabs benefits clearly outweigh the risks in younger children. The scientists said there have so far been no deaths or serious adverse effects in the nine million under-18s vaccinated around the world. The paper, which is under review at The Lancet medical journal, added that the position of the Governments vaccines advisory committee contrasts with the policies of many other countries, including the US, Canada, Israel and much of Europe and south-east Asia, all of whom are currently vaccinating 12 to 17-year-olds. They criticised the JCVIs unacceptable delay in approving vaccines for over-16s, warning it means it will not be possible to fully vaccinate older teenagers before schools reopen. Lead author Professor Christina Pagel, of University College London, said: An opportunity to fully vaccinate students before the start of the next school term has been missed. This same decision even a month earlier would have allowed this. Advertisement

Dr PAUL McKAY: I understand parents' concerns over Covid jab, but vaccinating is the right thing to do

Commentary By Professor Paul McKay

Any parent can be forgiven for feeling perplexed, if not alarmed, by the rapid reversal of the Governments position on Covid vaccination in the under-18s.

Less than three weeks ago, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) ruled out the routine use of universal vaccination of children as data suggested the benefits did not outweigh the risks for youngsters.

Yesterday we learned the jab is to be offered to 16 and 17-year-olds after all.

So what is going on and how worried should parents and their teenagers be about the claims and counter-claims on safety? Tens of millions of Britons are now double-jabbed  part of a coronavirus shield that protects us individually as well as those around us.

Pictured: Professor Wei Shen Lim, chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), during a media briefing in Downing Street, London, on coronavirus (Covid-19). Picture date: Wednesday August 4, 2021

But vaccine availability has largely been limited to adults. That has set us apart from many other countries, including the US, Canada and France, which are routinely vaccinating all over-12s. That does not mean that we are lagging behind. On the contrary, assessing the benefits of vaccinating youngsters against any possible risks is an on-going process.

And now JCVI scientists have analysed further data on vaccine safety and also taken into consideration the impact of the pandemic on school closures.

They are confident that the jab is safe for teenagers and so issued new recommendations.

This is good news. New infections are still flourishing  and largely in younger age groups  fuelled by the emergence of the more transmissible Delta variant. Some people think this doesnt matter, given that many youngsters appear to be largely asymptomatic and very few suffer long-term effects.

But it matters a great deal because they can still infect others  especially vulnerable individuals, including those who cannot have the vaccine.

It will also matter a great deal come autumn when schools return. A surge in cases could have serious consequences for the education of our youngsters and wider society.

I understand this decision has been greeted with caution by some parents who worry about potential longer-term consequences. And there is, I know, particular concern about fertility in the wake of reports of menstrual irregularities linked to the vaccine.

Parents  and teenagers  are right to ask questions and they deserve honest answers. But too much of this debate is being played out in the lawless world of social media  often in a post from an anonymous doctor or my friend who is a nurse or someone from the anti-vax movement.

Such accounts have assiduously and shamelessly fed lies and misinformation to the public from the start of the pandemic. This sort of content, steeped as it is in conspiracy and paranoid thinking, can prove more exciting than the dry pronouncements of boring old experts  and it is being lapped up by the young.

Well, I do hope young people and their parents will listen to this boring old scientist when I tell them that all the evidence shows that Covid vaccines are every bit as safe for the young as they have proved in the elderly who were first in the queue many months ago.

And as for fertility concerns, anecdotes and hearsay are no match for clear and rigorous evidence  and our evidence is that the vaccine has no effect whatsoever on the male and female reproductive systems.

What we do know is that the Covid virus can spread to the reproductive organs  it has been found in testicles and ovaries. In other words, any young person who is concerned about their future fertility should, in my view, have the vaccine. Getting jabbed is the right thing to do to protect yourself and others.

Dr McKay is a senior vaccine research scientist at Imperial College London.
Celebrities, animal welfare campaigners and politicians joined forces last night to try to save an alpaca that faces being put down, possibly today.

Joanna Lumley and Chris Packham are among those demanding ministers give a last-minute reprieve to eight-year-old Geronimo, who is believed to have bovine tuberculosis.

The alpaca twice tested positive for the disease on arrival from New Zealand in 2017, despite previously testing negative. His owner Helen Macdonald, 50, from Wickwar, Gloucestershire, claims the tests produced false positives after Geronimo was injected with the drug tuberculin.

She asked the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to carry out another test, but was refused. A judge issued a new warrant for Geronimo  who is in isolation  to be put down following a judicial review in the High Court last week.

Geronimo the alpaca (pictured with his owner Helen Macdonald, 50) twice tested positive for bovine tuberculosis on arrival from New Zealand in 2017, despite previously testing negative

The warrant takes effect from today. Actress Miss Lumley, a prominent animal rights activist, said last night: 'When in doubt, don't. So please spare Geronimo, as there is real doubt hanging over this death sentence.'

Naturalist Packham called for Environment Secretary George Eustice to 'get a grip' and halt the planned killing.

'If [Miss Macdonald] refuses they'll use a warrant, bring the police and force entry to kill a beautiful animal which is not diseased,' he said.

Miss Macdonald has spent 100,000 in legal costs and lost her alpaca business a further 80,000 in her bid to save Geronimo, who originally cost 15,000.

She accused Defra of causing harm to her mental health. 'I am in complete limbo,' she said.

Joanna Lumley (pictured) and Chris Packham are among those demanding ministers give a last-minute reprieve to eight-year-old Geronimo, who is believed to have bovine tuberculosis

A judge issued a new warrant for Geronimo  who is in isolation  to be put down following a judicial review in the High Court last week. Pictured: Chris Packham

'They are giving me no ethical choice. I feel like a criminal.'

Miss Macdonald appealed to Mr Eustice to provide consent to test Geronimo again. He has refused several previous requests. Defra has claimed its bovine tuberculosis test, designed for cattle, was effective for Geronimo.

Liberal Democrat rural affairs spokesman Tim Farron said Geronimo's fate lay in Mr Eustice's hands.

'I'm sure he doesn't want to be known as the politician who effectively commissioned death by bureaucracy for this poor animal that might not even be diseased,' he said.

Defra said: 'We are sympathetic to Miss Macdonald's situation. The testing results and options for Geronimo have been very carefully considered by Defra, the Animal and Plant Health Agency and its veterinary experts.'
The devastated boyfriend of an Australian teacher who was raped and murdered while solo hiking a mountain in Georgia has vowed to avenge her death.

Shanae Brooke Edwards, 31, was ambushed as she climbed Mount Mtatsminda, in Tbiilsi, on Friday, before search and rescue teams found her body the next day.

Her enraged partner Moudy El Sayed vowed to track down her killer, not matter how long it took him, and give them a horrible death.

'I have one mission now in my life and that is to kill the person who took her life,' he said.

'I dont care if I spend the rest of my life behind bars, justice will be served and you are going to suffer the same she suffered.

'Justice will be served my love, that person I will personally bury him down under, nothing is going to stop me I promise you.'

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

Mr El Sayed said he planned to be in Europe with Ms Edwards but the coronavirus pandemic kept them apart.

He called her the 'love of his life' and said they had plans to start a family before she was callously murdered.

Ms Edwards had been teaching English in the former Soviet republic for two years and travelling the world since 2016, when she left Melbourne.

Georgia's Ministry of Internal Affairs launched an investigation into her death, which is being treated as a premeditated murder.

Local media has reported a potential suspect with blonde hair, aged in his 30s, is now believed to be a person of interest.

Mr El Sayed said the pair planned to move to Georgia together from Cambodia 'to start a new life', but they broke up and she went on her own.

'I was super proud of you, of what you achieved there quickly, and you were happy so I was happy,' he wrote on Facebook.

Mr El Sayed, from Lebanon, said that last year they realised they were still 'madly in love', but Covid restrictions prevented them from reuniting.

Ms Edwards' heartbroken former boyfriend Moudy El Sayed (pictured together) has vowed to avenge her death

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

'I was ready to fly instantly to Georgia to be with you but the entry was forbidden unless I [was] vaccinated,' he wrote.

'At that point, getting vaccines in Lebanon was a hard mission but I tried and I tried and I tried and kept hitting walls of curfews, lockdowns, no vaccines and more.

'I was supposed to be there to protect you like I did all the time we were together.

'Your life was taken away by an evil person while you were doing something you loved hiking was one of your favourite things.'

Mr El Sayed said the 'world and time' had stopped since he learnt of Ms Edwards death.

'I cant even think straight.[It's the] first time in my life Im lost and without a purpose,' he said.

'I lost the love of my life. We were supposed to get back together and have a family.'

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'.

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

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.

On Friday 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'.

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.

Her friends reported finding black leggings and winter boots discarded along her likely route.

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

Ms Edwards' final Instagram post, of her on a motorbike on July 29, was captioned 'Joy'

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

'There's also a tent and some weird s**t. Worth searching properly,' one searcher reported seeing.

An old, rusty shovel was found, as were strange signs of life living among the trees.

'Signs of activity, firepits, used needles, lots of bottles in some spots,' one man reported.

'This spot below was freshly used and had some linens or clothes inside a plastic bag nearby. Bad smell in the area but more like human waste.'

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

'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.'

'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.
The Biden administration is developing a plan to require nearly all foreign visitors to the United States to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The move would be part of eventually lifting travel restrictions that bar much of the world from entering the United States, a White House official told Reuters on Wednesday.

The White House is not ready to immediately lift travel restrictions because of the rising COVID-19 case load, the official said.

President Joe Biden 's administration is developing a plan that would require foreign visitors to show proof of vaccination Reuters first reported Wednesday

Foreign visitors will have to show proof of vaccination to enter the U.S. if the plan goes through. A plane is seen taking off at Los Angeles International Airport

The US border remains closed to 26 European countries, the UK, Iran, China, South Africa, Brazil and India because of COVID-19 concerns. Some of the border bans have not been updated since they were put in place back in March 2020 when the pandemic first took hold

There have been worldwide concerns about the more contagious Delta variant of the virus.

The Biden administration has interagency working groups working 'in order to have a new system ready for when we can reopen travel,' the official said.

The source added it includes 'a phased approach that over time will mean, with limited exceptions, that foreign nationals traveling to the United States [from all countries] need to be fully vaccinated.'

The White House has been asked frequently when travel restrictions might be lifted.

On Tuesday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki was asked why unvaccinated individuals from other parts of the world were allowed to travel into the U.S., but vaccinated individuals from Europe and other banned countries weren't let in.

'I would certainly point you to our health and medical teams who make these decisions and evaluate what we need to do, from a public health perspective, to keep the American people safe at a time where the Delta variant is rising, and one where we are very cognizant about keeping the American people safe,' Psaki replied.

During her visit to the White House last month, German Chancellor Angela Merkel articulated one sticking point: that countries don't want to have to close down travel again once it's initially opened.

'And obviously before such a decision, one has to reflect, and it has to be a sustainable decision,' Merkel said then. 'It is certainly not sensible to have to take it back after only a few days, so I have every confidence in the American COVID team.'

Currently, non U.S.-citizens aren't allowed into the country from China, Iran, most of Europe, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Brazil, South African and India.

Some of the border bans - such as the ones imposed on the EU, UK and China - have not been updated since they were put in place back in March 2020 when the pandemic first took hold.

Biden has been facing mounting pressure to lift the ban - including from travel industry groups and lawmakers in his own party.

On Monday the United Kingdom announced that fully vaccinated travelers from the U.S. and the European Union would be allowed back into the country without quarantining for 10 days.

The EU reopened its borders to American tourists in June.

The Biden administration has shied away from creating any sort of vaccine passport for Americans.

Instead the White House has pushed local authorities and businesses to mandate vaccines for their work forces and customers.
A fifth of women claim that their body confidence  or lack of it  has a constant impact on their sex lives.

A similar proportion worry a 'great deal' about what partners thinks of their body, a body image study revealed yesterday.

Some 18 per cent of women and 10 per cent of men say how secure they feel about their body constantly affects their sexual relationships.

Women were more likely than men to feel pressure to look a certain way and worry about their partner's view of their body, with younger women particularly affected.

Some 18 per cent of women and 10 per cent of men say how secure they feel about their body constantly affects their sexual relationships (stock image)

Overall, 61 per cent of respondents said their feelings about their body affected sexual relationships, with one in seven adults (14 per cent) saying this was constant.

A quarter said their sex lives were occasionally affected by these feelings.

YouGov surveyed 2,271 UK respondents aged 16 and over in February for its body image project.

The results show 21 per cent of women and 11 per cent of men worry a great deal about what their partner thinks of their body.

A further 43 per cent of women and 39 per cent of men said they are 'somewhat bothered' by this.

Three in ten women under 40 said they were very concerned about their partner's views on their appearance.

GENES THAT PREDICT THE MENOPAUSE A blood test could tell women if they are close to menopause  and when they might run out of time to have children. Scientists have found almost 300 genetic differences in women which can help to predict the timing of their menopause. Those with one genetic mutation can expect it 3.5 years later, which could give them longer to have a baby. It means a blood test to scan a woman's genes could determine when she will hit the menopause  which typically comes age 45 to 55  and identify those at risk of very early menopause. Researchers from Cambridge, Exeter and Copenhagen universities looked at the genes of more than 200,000 women to discover 290 genes linked to the timing of the menopause. The study in the Nature journal identified one important gene called CHEK2  around one in 1,000 women have an inactive version of this gene. These women went through the menopause around 3.5 years later than those with an active version. Senior author Dr John Perry, of Cambridge University, said the results were 'exciting'. Advertisement

As people get older they are less likely to report their sex lives being affected by body confidence issues  but the gap between men and women persists, YouGov found.

Women are more likely than men to feel that physical appearance matters 'a great deal', and feel pressured to have a certain body type.

More than half (52 per cent) of women said physical appearance mattered a great deal, rising to 61 per cent of those aged 16 to 24. Some 39 per cent of men felt this way.

Half of respondents (51 per cent) also felt pressured to have a certain body type  with women significantly more likely to feel this way than men (61 per cent compared with 40 per cent).

Younger women were far more likely than men of their age, and older women, to report feeling a great deal of expectation to look a certain way.

Sex and relationships therapist Ammanda Major, head of service quality and clinical practice at Relate, said women faced unrealistic expectations.

She said that 'people are consistently surrounded by images of perfect bodies, perfect everything in the media, in films, on social media, and it can be an insidious thing', and gradually they start 'to form a belief that you're not OK unless you are doing everything you can do to look a certain way'.

She added: 'I think that's what becomes the pressure  people telling themselves they're not good enough because they don't look like stuff they are seeing on social media or wherever.

'So there is something around standing back and learning to love that person in the mirror  because that person is very likely absolutely fine.'

The research also found that 87 per cent of respondents believed some people are treated more favourably because they are good looking.

YouGov project manager Milan Dinic said the survey suggested women felt body image pressures more acutely than men, with very few feeling no pressure to look a certain way.

He said: 'The vast majority of the public think that how someone looks matters a lot in today's society.'

Tom Madders, from the charity YoungMinds, said body image concerns can have a significant impact on the mental health of young people, adding: 'Be kind to yourself and try to remember that images online are often digitally altered to make them look 'perfect'.'
Cancer patients have been 'forgotten' during the pandemic with one in three suffering disruption to treatment, a report has revealed.

Cancer Research UK found 29 per cent of patients had life-saving treatment including chemotherapy or surgery delayed, cancelled or changed.

And 31 per cent said their care had deteriorated compared with before Covid. One in ten said 'very good' care had slipped to 'average' or below.

The survey of 900 cancer patients was conducted between December 2020 and March this year, during the second wave of the UK's epidemic.

Cancer Research UK found 29 per cent of patients had life-saving treatment including chemotherapy or surgery delayed, cancelled or changed (stock image)

Around two-thirds said they now feel more 'frustrated' and 'anxious'.

Many reported a sense of being forgotten, with one breast cancer patient saying: 'I felt abandoned and in the dark.'

Michelle Mitchell, Cancer Research UK's chief executive, said: 'Covid-19 hit the health system hard, but even before the pandemic struck, cancer targets were not being met.

'And now, for the first time in decades, we're faced with the fact that cancer survival could go backwards.'

Latest data shows 38,000 fewer people have started treatment for cancer in the past year, and the charity said tens of thousands are still facing delays to tests and treatment.

Thousands of non-Covid operations were cancelled to free up space for patients with the virus.

Data shows 38,000 fewer people have started treatment for cancer in the past year, and Cancer Research said tens of thousands are still facing delays to tests (stock image)

The Government's 'stay at home' message during lockdown has also been blamed for putting people off getting symptoms checked, meaning many people are getting diagnosed when their cancer is at a more advanced stage.

Professor Charles Swanton, Cancer Research UK's chief clinician, said: 'Remarkable adaptability and resilience has been shown by NHS staff, with hospitals providing COVID-19 free spaces and tele consultations.

'But we also know cancer patients faced a lot more uncertainty than usual and last-minute changes to their care, as a result of the pandemic.

'Although there are challenges in the health system, it's very important that anyone who has noticed an unusual change in their body, gets in touch with their GP.

'And if it's tricky getting an appointment, do keep trying because your GP wants to hear from you. Early diagnosis can make all the difference.'
If you're struggling to love your body, a new study suggests you'll be happy with it eventually.

Researchers assessed the body satisfaction of around 15,000 men and women in New Zealand over the course of six years.

They found body satisfaction increased across the lifespan for both men and women, but women specifically started to love their body around the age of 60 and men between the ages of 59 and 64.

It's possible that a newfound appreciation for how we look around the 60-mark coincides with our health becoming more important than our looks  for both men and women.

The researchers warn that for women, pregnancy and postpartum periods typically lead to physiological changes that can negatively affect body image.

These are 'inconsistent with rigid beauty ideals', they say, such as weight gain, body shape changes, hair thinning and skin blemishes.

Despite this, it may be possible that body dissatisfaction is less severe than it was several generations ago, according to the researchers.

Body satisfaction increases across the lifespan for men and women, a new study from experts in Australia and the University of Auckland in New Zealand reveals. But women specifically started to love their body around the age of 60

BODY SATISFACTION IS BEST AROUND AGE 60 Women Heightened body satisfaction: 60 years old Lowest body satisfaction: 2429 and 3439 years Men Heightened body satisfaction: 59-64 years old Lowest body satisfaction: 44-49 years old

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The study was conducted by scientists at Griffith University and the University of Queensland in Australia and University of Auckland in New Zealand.

'Results of this study show a relatively flat pattern for women with a slight increase in womens body satisfaction across the lifespan, especially in later years of life  from roughly 60 years of age,' they say.

'This finding sits in contrast to our predictions and a body of research suggesting that body dissatisfaction is relatively stable across the female lifespan.'

The team claim 'body-related perceptual shifts' may gradually occur across the female lifespan as women get older.

This buffers against the impact of 'damaging thin and youthful ideals' in Western cultures that may make women want to lose weight.

For the study, researchers examined patterns of change and cohort effects in body image across the male and female adult lifespan.

The longitudinal study assessed body satisfaction in 15,264 participants  62.9 per cent of whom were women  aged between 18 to 94 years of age from various waves of the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study.

It's possible that a newfound appreciation for how we look around the 60-mark coincides with our health becoming more important than our looks - for both men and women

EIGHT YEAR OLDS HAVE BODY IMAGE ISSUES Children as young as eight have body image issues, a 2018 study. Youngsters become self-conscious of their appearances when their hormone levels rise in preparation for puberty, according to the authors. They analysed sex hormone levels in 516 boys and 621 girls aged between eight and nine years old. The youngsters were shown eight illustrated silhouettes of children that ranged from very thin to very obese. They were asked to choose the silhouette they felt they most looked like, known as the self rating, and then the image they wished to look like; the ideal rating. Lead author Dr Elizabeth Hughes, from the University of Melbourne, said: 'What we have learnt is that pre-pubescent children, as young as eight and nine, are vulnerable to poor body image and the dissatisfaction does appear to be linked to hormone levels associated with the onset of puberty. Advertisement

The participants' body satisfaction was assessed over the course of six years, from 2010 to 2015.

Body satisfaction was measured with the response to a single statement  'I am satisfied with the appearance, size and shape of my body'  scored on a scale from 1 (very inaccurate) to 7 (very accurate).

Body satisfaction increased across the lifespan for men and women, while men were shown to consistently have greater body satisfaction than women, the study found.

Contrary to existing research, the findings also found recent improvements in body image for women of a certain cohort.

Young and middle-aged women were shown to grow happier with their bodies during the studys assessment period.

Women who entered the survey at 19, 29, 39, 44, and 49 years of age each showed significant improvement in their body image over the five years of assessment.

'These patterns were so marked, that in many cases women were entering age stages with higher body satisfaction than that reported by their preceding cohort who entered the study five years prior,' the authors say.

'These results depict a positive story that sits in contrast to much of the past literature, in which body image appeared to be getting increasingly worse across time and generations.'

For women aged 54 years and below, all but two cohorts (24 to 29 and 34 to 39 years) displayed an upward trajectory in their body satisfaction.

Declines in body satisfaction for these two cohorts may be due to potential declines during biological periods of vulnerability, such as post-partum and menopausal periods.

In men, meanwhile, the 39 to 44 cohort had higher levels of body satisfaction than the 44 to 49 cohort, which showed a marked decline.

'Overall, the results of the current paper demonstrate an improvement in body satisfaction across the lifespan for both men and women.

'While men consistently demonstrated greater body satisfaction than their female counterparts, cohort effects suggest increasing body positivity (or at least less appearance related negativity) for women.'

The study has been published in the journal Body Image.
NASA has revealed new details about a worrying mishap that saw the International Space Station (ISS) thrown out of control by a 22-ton Russian research module.

The US space agency said the ISS backflipped and was left upside down when Nauka's jet thrusters misfired, just hours after docking with the space station.

When the incident happened last Thursday, NASA said it 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.

However, the flight director who was in charge at the time has since revealed this was 'a little incorrectly reported' and the actual figure was closer to 540 degrees.

This means the ISS performed 1.5 backflips when it was sent spinning and required a 180-degree forward flip to regain its original position.

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.

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NASA has revealed new details about a worrying mishap that saw the International Space Station (ISS) thrown out of control by a 22-ton Russian research module. Nauka (left) is seen docked to the ISS next to the Soyuz MS-18 spacecraft on July 29, 2021

Russian cosmonauts aboard the ISS shared a glimpse of their new module Nauka earlier this week, after it made headlines when it inadvertently fired its thrusters after docking

THE NAUKA MODULE The Nauka module is designed to serve as a research lab, storage unit and airlock that will upgrade Russia's capabilities aboard the ISS. Nauka will be a new science facility, docking port and spacewalk airlock for future operations, along with providing additional crew quarters, a galley and a toilet. Nauka, which means 'science' in Russian launched on July 21 atop one of the country's Proton rockets. It docked with the ISS on July 29 - but for some reason mistakenly fired its thrusters and caused the ISS to move out of orientation. Advertisement

Zebulon Scoville told the The New York Times it was actually his day off from NASA's mission control center in Houston when the tumbling mishap took place.

He had led earlier preparations for Nauka's arrival and out of curiosity 'decided to put on a tie and just go and watch it [the docking] from the viewing gallery behind the control room'.

Nauka, which is designed to serve as a research lab, storage unit and airlock, docked at the ISS on Thursday at 9:29am EDT (2:29pm BST).

The flight director in charge had several meetings that afternoon so Mr Scoville was asked if he would step in to cover the second half of the shift.

But within seconds of taking over he said 'the caution warning board lit up.'

The US space agency said 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.

However, Mr Scoville said it was the first time he had declared a 'spacecraft emergency' in his seven years as a NASA flight director.

'You get about half a breath of "Oh, geez, what now?" and then you kind of push that down and just work the problem,' he said.

The incident began about three hours after Nauka latched onto the ISS, as mission controllers in Moscow were performing some post-docking 'reconfiguration' procedures.

Nauka's jets inexplicably restarted, causing the entire station to pitch out of its normal flight position some 250 miles above the Earth, setting off a 'tug of war' between the two modules as NASA struggled to regain control of the ISS.

The space station performed a backflip at the rate of 0.56 degrees per second as the aft section was pulled down by the Russian module on its underbelly.

Onboard: This graphic offers a sneak peak inside the 22-ton Russian research module Nauka

Pictured is the current configuration of the International Space Station (ISS). Three spaceships are docked at the space station including the SpaceX Crew Dragon, Russia's Soyuz MS-18 crew ship and ISS Progress 78 resupply ship. The new Nauka Multipurpose Logistics Module (MLM) is now attached to the Zvezda service module's Earth-facing port

An unexpected drift in the station's orientation was first detected by automated ground sensors, followed 15 minutes later by a 'loss of attitude control' that lasted a little over 45 minutes, according to Joel Montalbano, manager of NASA's space station program.

Russian specialists were unable to stop Nauka's thrusters so tried to counteract the momentum by firing thrusters on both the Zvezda Service Module and a Progress cargo ship docked to the station.

For reasons unknown, the Nauka engines eventually cut off  perhaps because they ran out of fuel  before the ISS was stabilised and its orientation restored by activating thrusters on another module of the orbiting platform.

Communication with the astronauts was lost for several minutes twice during the disruption, but 'there was no immediate danger at any time to the crew', who 'really didn't feel any movement', Montalbano said.

Had the situation become dangerous enough to require evacuation, the crew could have escaped in a SpaceX capsule still parked at the outpost and designed to serve as a 'lifeboat' if needed.

Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft sits atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket, on Space Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station ready for the second un-piloted test flight to the International Space Station. The launch was scheduled for July 30 but has been delayed until today

Explaining the cause of the problem, the Russian space agency Roscosmos said last Friday there was a software glitch on Nauka, and as a result, 'a direct command was given to fire the module's engines.'

A NASA spokesperson said the 45 degrees figure was reported as the drama was still unfolding and that the actual value of 540 degrees was only confirmed following post-incident analysis.

The malfunction forced NASA to postpone its planned launch of Boeing's new CST-100 Starliner capsule on a highly anticipated uncrewed test flight to the ISS until August 3, before a technical problem pushed that to today.

The Starliner, which will transport up to seven passengers to and from low-Earth orbit, had been set to blast off atop an Atlas V rocket on July 30 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
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A Swiss startup has revealed plans for a hyperloop system that could transport passengers at speeds of up to 745 miles per hour beneath the Alps.

Monthey-based firm Swisspod is promising a hyperloop system capable of transporting passengers and cargo from Geneva to Zurich in only 17 minutes or New York City to Washington, DC in just 30 minutes.

This is about one ninth the duration of the equivalent train journey in Switzerland and one seventh the duration of the US journey, all at a fraction of the carbon footprint of plane travel.

Swisspod plans to bring its hyperloop to the market in four to five years, according to Denis Tudor, its CEO and co-founder, and will 'know within nine months from now' how to implement the technology based on its work at a mini test site.

Tudor previously said his company's vessels will travel somewhere between 620-745 miles per hour (1,000-1,200 kilometres per hour), if it can successfully build the propulsion system required.

The firm hasn't revealed costs for the ambitious project, but if rolled out, the passenger vessels will be able to automatically decelerate during tunnel curvatures 'for a ride thats as smooth as silk', according to the firm.

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Swisspod is a Hyperloop startup founded in 2019. Its passenger pods, pictured here in an artist's impression, will be capable of transporting passengers at high speeds

The vessels will travel somewhere between 1,000-1,200 kilometres per hour, or 620-745 miles per hour, if the firm can successfully build the propulsion system required

Swisspod plans to bring its hyperloop to the market in four to five years, according to Denis Tudor, its CEO and co-founder. The firm was only founded two years ago and is based in Monthey, Switzerland

Swisspod is promising a hyperloop system capable of transporting passengers and cargo from Geneva to Zurich in only 17 minutes or New York City to Washington, DC in just 30 minutes. This is about one ninth the duration of the equivalent train journey in Switzerland and one seventh the duration of the US journey, all at a fraction of the carbon footprint of plane travel.

HOW DOES IT WORK? One of the big challenges of a Hyperloop is its propulsion system. To keep costs down, the energy required for propulsion in the EPFL design will not come from the track  as it does for Maglev trains  but will be carried by the pods themselves. They will be equipped with linear induction motors, although further development work is needed to reduce the pods power consumption. Linear induction motors produce motion in a straight line, as opposed to the rotational motion of a wheel. The target is to reach a power consumption of 1050 Wh/km per passenger (depending on how long the trip is), compared with 97100 Wh/km for electric cars and 515600 Wh/km for planes. Advertisement

Hyperloop is a proposed method of travel being worked on by several companies that would transport people at top speeds between distant locations.

The concept  first proposed in 1910 by US engineer Robert Goddard  received renewed interest in 2013 due to a white paper by billionaire entrepreneur and SpaceX founder Elon Musk.

But the Swisspod project is unique in that it relies on linear induction motor within its high-speed autonomous vessels.

Linear induction motors directly produce motion in a straight line, as opposed to the rotational motion of a wheel.

Other hyperloop projects make use of the 'Maglev' system, which involves two sets of magnets  one set to repel and push the train up off the track, and another set to move the elevated train ahead, taking advantage of the lack of friction.

'To keep costs down, the energy required for propulsion in the EPFL design will not come from the track  as it does for Maglev trains  but will be carried by the pods themselves,' EPFL says in a statement.

'They will be equipped with linear induction motors, although further development work is needed to reduce the pods power consumption.'

Swisspod and EPFL have just finished construction of its miniature prototype track for the project, funded by a Swiss government grant.

Hyperloop is a proposed method of travel being worked on by several companies that would transport people at top speeds between distant locations

The interior and exterior of the moving vessels, as well as the huge underground tubes, will feature a minimalist red and white design in a nod to Switzerland's national flag

Artist's impression of the interior where passengers would be sat, in plush red seats. One disadvantage of travelling underground is the lack of view

Hyperloops stand to revolutionize long-distance travel. The concept, first proposed back in 1910 by US engineer Robert Goddard - received renewed interest in 2013 thanks to a white paper by Elon Musk

The small circular version of the final system, about 130 feet in diameter, is based at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL).

The large vacuum tube will allow experts to test the linear induction motor that will propel the real thing.

'With this reduced-scale test track, we will be able to study the fundamental aspects of our pods electromagnetic propulsion and levitation system,' said Mario Paolone, head of the EPFLs distributed electrical systems laboratory.

Swisspod and EPFL have just finished construction of its miniature prototype track for the ambitious project, funded by a Swiss government grant

The miniature circular version of the final system, about 130 feet in diameter, is based at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL)

'We'll use the results to enhance the pod design and make the loop operate more efficiently.'

Swisspod was founded in 2019 by Tudor and Cyril Denereaz, multiple-award winners of the SpaceX Hyperloop Competition run by Musk's firm.

Hyperloop projects are already under way the Port of Hamburg, Toulouse, the Near East, China and in the Nevada desert, courtesy of Sir Richard Branson's company Virgin Hyperloop.

Last November, Virgin Hyperloop staff rode a pod along a portion of massive white tube, which is still being constructed in Nevada.

Virgin Hyperloop co-founder Josh Giegel said the experience will feel like an aircraft at take-off and at speed for passengers.
Scientists are working on a pacemaker of the future that is battery-free and could be powered by the heart itself.

Typical pacemakers consist of a pulse generator, which has a battery and a tiny computer circuit, and one or more wires known as pacing leads, which attach to your heart.

The pulse generator emits electrical impulses through the wires to your heart and the rate at which they are sent out is called the pacing rate.

The devices are life-saving, but they don't last forever. Currently, most pacemaker batteries have to be replaced every five to 12 years, and doing so means invasive surgery each time.

However, researchers from Shanghai Jiao Tong University are trying to solve this problem by developing a device that piggybacks off the heart itself to generate energy  meaning a pacemaker battery would never have to be replaced.

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Scientists are working on a pacemaker of the future that is battery-free and could be powered by the heart itself. At their device's centre are layers of piezoelectric material, which generate power whenever it is bent

How do traditional pacemakers work? A pacemaker is a small device about the size of a matchbox or smaller that weighs 20 to 50g. It consists of a pulse generator, which has a battery and a tiny computer circuit, and 1 or more wires known as pacing leads, which attach to your heart. The pulse generator emits electrical impulses through the wires to your heart. The rate at which the electrical impulses are sent out is called the pacing rate. Almost all modern pacemakers work on demand. This means they can be programmed to adjust the discharge rate in response to your body's needs. If the pacemaker senses that your heart has missed a beat or is beating too slowly, it sends signals at a steady rate. If it senses that your heart is beating normally by itself, it doesn't send out any signals. Most pacemakers have a special sensor that recognises body movement or your breathing rate. This allows them to speed up the discharge rate when you're active. Doctors describe this as rate responsive. Source: NHS Advertisement

Yi Zhiran and his team are investing batteryless powering and leadless pacing, but the challenge has been to obtain sufficient power by harvesting heart kinetic energy.

'If the practical force of the heart is 0.5 newtons, the output power should be about 192 microwatts,' Yi said.

'Therefore, for the commercial pacemaker, just about no less than 10 microwatts is sufficient for its normal work.'

A healthy heart can keep time for itself, by way of an internal pacemaker called the sinus node in the upper right chamber.

It fires off an electrical charge some 60 to 100 times a minute, and that electrical energy sets off a series of contractions of heart muscle which in turn pumps blood throughout the body.

But as the heart ages or once it becomes diseased, the sinus node takes a hit, too, and may fail to keep the heart beating in time or at all.

Fortunately, since the late 1950s, we've been able to substitute a small, implantable, battery-powered device to send these electrical signals once the heart can't any more.

Even 60 years later, however, we haven't figured out what to do about the device's power supply.

Surgery to place the pacemaker and wires that feed its electrical pulses to the heart is complex, requiring doctors to open the chest cavity.

The pacemaker itself is tucked away in a 'pocket' much closer to the skin surface.

Once the battery runs out, usually only a local anesthetic is required to remove the old device and put a new, fully charged one in.

Still, the procedure is an unpleasant hassle that comes with a risk of infection, and it's expensive to have done.

But Yi and his team now think they have an answer to the problem.

At their device's centre are layers of piezoelectric material, which generate power whenever they are bent.

Many materials acquire an electrical charge when force is applied to them, including natural ones in our bodies.

Typical pacemakers (pictured) consist of a pulse generator, which has a battery and a tiny computer circuit, and one or more wires known as pacing leads, which attach to your heart

Crystals, DNA and even bone are capable of capturing electrical energy.

The trick is to apply enough force to a piezoelectric material, then supercharge it, because, on their own, these materials don't work up much energy.

Scientists have long been looking to piezoelectricity as an elegant solution to recapturing otherwise wasted energy, and some have even applied it to the pacemaker before.

But, previously, other researchers have not been able to create a device that bends enough to generate sufficient power.

Yi said: 'A batteryless pacemaker is feasible through using implantable energy harvesting technology, which provides a sustainable power supply method.'

He and his team are now trying to overcome some drawbacks to the device, such as its long-term stability in the human body, the implanting method, and the integration between the rigid pacing chip and the flexible energy harvesting unit.

'The first research plan is to achieve the integration of the flexible pacing circuit and the energy harvesting unit. Then, we will carry out the verification of long-term stability in vivo,' he added.

The presentation 'Mechanism on Buckled Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting for Batteryless Heartworn Pacemaker' will be available during the three-day conference.
The oldest example of applied geometry has been discovered on a 3,700-year-old clay tablet featuring maths attributed to Pythagoras 1,000 years later.

The tablet, known as Si.427 was discovered in the late 19th Century in central Iraq, but its significance had remained unknown until it was analysed in more detail by mathematicians from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.

The tablet dates from the Old Babylonian period, which was between 1900 to 1600 BC, and includes maths that was used by surveyors to define land boundaries.

Lead author Dr Daniel Mansfield described it as a 'significant object' due to the fact it includes an example of what is now known as 'Pythagorean triples', used to make accurate right angles, but 1,000 years before Pythagoras was alive.

The oldest example of applied geometry has been discovered on a 3,700-year-old clay tablet featuring maths usually attributed to Pythagoras

WHAT IS A PYTHAGOREAN TRIPLE? A Pythagorean triple is three positive numbers - a, b and c. Triples are commonly written as (a,b,c) and a common example is 3,4,5. It is derived from Pythagorean theorem where every right triangle has side lengths that satisfy a2 + b2 = c2. Other triples include (5,12,13), (7,24,25) and (8,15,17). While attributed to the Greek philosopher Pythagoras, they have been found on tablets from 1,000 years before he lived. They are widely used by engineers and architects in planning everything from a roof slope to engine position. Advertisement

'It's the only known example of a cadastral document from the Old Babylonian period, which is a plan used by surveyors to define land boundaries, said Dr Mansfield.

'In this case, it tells us legal and geometric details about a field that's split after some of it was sold off.'

He said the discovery and analysis of the tablet have important implications for the history of mathematics, putting geometry centuries earlier than first thought.

In 2017, Dr Mansfield found that another fascinating artefact from the same period, known as Plimpton 322, was a unique kind of trigonometric table.

He said: 'It is generally accepted that trigonometry - the branch of maths that is concerned with the study of triangles - was developed by the ancient Greeks studying the night sky in the 2nd Century BC.

'But the Babylonians developed their own alternative 'proto-trigonometry' to solve problems related to measuring the ground, not the sky.'

Si.427 is thought to have existed even before Plimpton 322 - in fact, surveying problems likely inspired Plimpton 322, according to Dr Mansfield.

He said: 'There is a whole zoo of right triangles with different shapes.

'But only a very small handful can be used by Babylonian surveyors. Plimpton 322 is a systematic study of this zoo to discover the useful shapes.'

Back in 2017, the research team speculated about the purpose of the Plimpton 322, hypothesising that it was likely to have had some practical purpose, possibly used to build palaces, temples, canals or survey fields.

Dr Mansfield said the new tablet reveals why they were interested in geometry when creating Plimpton 322 - to lay down precise land boundaries.

'This is from a period where land is starting to become private - people started thinking about land in terms of 'my land and your land', wanting to establish a proper boundary to have positive neighbourly relationships,' he said.

Lead author Dr Daniel Mansfield (pictured) described it as a 'significant object' due to the fact it includes an example of what is now known as 'Pythagorean triples', used to make accurate right angles, but 1,000 years before Pythagoras was alive

PYTHAGORAS: GREEK PHILOSOPHER Pythagoras of Samos was an ancient Ionian Greek philosopher famed for his work in geometry. He was the founder of the school of Pythagoreanism and was influenced by Plato and Aristotle. He was born around 570 BC and lived until about 495 BC, at about age 75. He was credited with mathematical and scientific discoveries. These included the Pythagorean theorem, the Theory of Proportions and the sphericity of the Earth. He also identified Venus and was the first to call himself a philosopher. A number of the discoveries attributed to Pythagoras may have been developed originally by Babylonians. Advertisement

'And this is what this tablet immediately says. It's a field being split, and new boundaries are made.'

Dr Mansfield says there are even clues hidden on other tablets from that time period about the stories behind the boundaries.

One refers to a dispute between Sin-bel-apli - a prominent individual mentioned on many tablets including Si.427 - and a wealthy female landowners.

The dispute is over valuable date palms on the border between their two properties. The local administrator agrees to send out a surveyor to resolve the dispute.

'It is easy to see how accuracy was important in resolving disputes between such powerful individuals,' said Dr Mansfield, adding the way boundaries are made reveals a real understanding of geometry.

'Nobody expected that the Babylonians were using Pythagorean triples in this way,' he added.

'It is more akin to pure mathematics, inspired by the practical problems of the time.'

Dr Mansfield explained that a simple way to make an accurate right angle is to make a rectangle with sides 3 and 4, and diagonal 5.

These special numbers form the 3-4-5 'Pythagorean triple' and a rectangle with those measurements has mathematically perfect right angles.

The tablet, known as Si.427 was discovered in the late 19th Century in central Iraq, but its significance had remained unknown until it was analysed in more detail by mathematicians from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia

This was important to ancient surveyors and is still used thousands of years later.

'The ancient surveyors who made Si.427 did something even better: they used a variety of different Pythagorean triples, both as rectangles and right triangles, to construct accurate right angles,' said Dr Mansfield.

However, he said it is difficult to work with prime numbers bigger than five in the base 60 Babylonian number system.

'This raises a very particular issue - their unique base 60 number system means that only some Pythagorean shapes can be used,' he explained.

In 2017, Dr Mansfield found that another fascinating artefact from the same period, known as Plimpton 322 (pictured), was a unique kind of trigonometric table

WHAT IS THE PLIMPTON 322 TABLET? A trigonometric table allows people to use one known ratio of the sides of a right-angle triangle to determine the other two unknown ratios. Plimpton 322 uses a particular form of trigonometry to make these calculations. The tablet has four columns and 15 rows of numbers written on it in the cuneiform script of the time using a base 60, or sexagesimal, system. The 15 rows on the tablet describe a sequence of 15 right-angle triangles, which are steadily decreasing in inclination. This would have let builders quickly calculate how to build palaces, temples and canals. Researchers believe that there were originally six columns and that the tablet was meant to be completed with 38 rows. This would have allowed for an even greater number of calculations. Advertisement

'It seems that the author of Plimpton 322 went through all these Pythagorean shapes to find these useful ones.

'This deep and highly numerical understanding of the practical use of rectangles earns the name 'proto-trigonometry' but it is completely different to our modern trigonometry involving sin, cos, and tan.'

Dr Mansfield first learned about Si.427 when reading about it in excavation records - the tablet was dug up during the Sippar expedition of 1894, in what is the Baghdad province of Iraq today.

He added: 'It was a real challenge to trace the tablet from these records and physically find it - the report said that the tablet had gone to the Imperial Museum of Constantinople, a place that obviously doesn't exist anymore.

'Using that piece of information, I went on a quest to track it down, speaking to many people at Turkish government ministries and museums, until one day in mid 2018 a photo of Si.427 finally landed in my inbox.

'That's when I learned that it was actually on display at the museum.

'Even after locating the object it still took months to fully understand just how significant it is, and so it's really satisfying to finally be able to share that story.'

But one mystery remains, according to Dr Mansfield. On the back of the tablet, at the very bottom, it lists the sexagesimal number '25:29' in big font - think of it as 25 minutes and 29 seconds.

He added: 'I can't figure out what these numbers mean - it's an absolute enigma.

'I'm keen to discuss any leads with historians or mathematicians who might have a hunch as to what these numbers are trying to tell us.'

The findings have been published in the journal Foundations of Science.
Stonehenge may have lasted so long because of the unique geochemical composition of the standing stones, a new study suggests.

An international team of scientists analysed wafer-thin slices of a core sample from one of the great sandstone slabs, known as sarsens, under a microscope.

The 3.5-foot-long sample, called Philip's Core, was extracted more than 60 years ago and only returned to Britain two years ago after being kept souvenir in the US for decades.

Philip's Core has broken into six separate pieces since it was extracted  one of which, measuring just 2.6 inches (67mm) in length, the researchers borrowed for their analysis.

The analysis shows the sarsen is made up of mainly sand-sized quartz grains that are cemented tightly together by an interlocking mosaic of quartz crystals.

This explains the stone's resistance to weathering over the last 5,000 years and why it made an ideal material for building such a monument, according to the experts.

Geochemical analysis shows Stonehenge (pictured) may have survived so long due to sand-sized quartz grains that are cemented tightly together by an interlocking mosaic of crystals

Microscope image from the sarsen sample showing the tightly interlocking mosaic of quartz crystals that cement the rock together. The outlines of quartz sand grains are indicated by arrows

Pictured is the 2.6-inch (67mm) piece of Phillip's Core that the authors of this new study borrowed for analysis. It's the shortest piece of Phillip's Core that now remains

WHAT IS SARSEN? The word 'sarsen' is a shortening of 'Saracen stone' that arose in the Wiltshire dialect. By definition, it refers to any of numerous large sandstone blocks or fragments found in south-central England. Sarsens were used to construct Stonehenge and other prehistoric stone circles, such as those around the Wiltshire village of Avebury. Advertisement

Chemical data from the Phillip's Core were used last year to show that most of the large sarsen stones came from around 15 miles to the north, in West Woods on the edge of the Marlborough Downs, Wiltshire.

This new research provides further data that could be used to trace the sources of the remaining stones, according to the team.

The study was led by Professor David Nash at the University of Brighton and involved geologists, geomorphologists and archaeologists from institutions including British Geological Survey, English Heritage and the Natural History Museum.

'It is extremely rare as a scientist that you get the chance to work on samples of such national and international importance,' said Professor Nash.

'Thanks to help from organisations such as the British Geological Survey and the Natural History Museum we have been able apply a suite of state-of-the-art techniques to the Phillip's Core.

'We have CT-scanned the rock, zapped it with X-rays, looked at it under various microscopes and analysed its sedimentology and chemistry.

Aerial view of Stonehenge (pictured) - one of the worlds most famous prehistoric monuments

Photo shows the length of the longest piece that remains of Philip's Core. It once measured 3.5 feet in length

'This small sample is probably the most analysed piece of stone other than Moon rock!'

Sarsens were used to construct Stonehenge and other prehistoric stone circles, such as those around the Wiltshire village of Avebury.

Typically weighing 20 tonnes and standing up to 7 metres tall, sarsens form all 15 stones of Stonehenge's central horseshoe, the uprights and lintels of the outer circle, as well as outlying stones such as the Heel Stone, the Slaughter Stone and the Station Stones.

Drilling work at Stonehenge in 1958 during which cores of sarsen stone were extracted from Stone 58, part of the trilithon horseshoe at the centre of the monument. Robert Phillips, who returned one of the cores to Britain in 2018, is pictured left

The experts wanted to investigate how the stones originally formed before being moved into place at the monument during the Neolithic period.

Researchers were gifted a unique opportunity to analyse Philip's Core, the narrow cylindrical sample, which was drilled from Stone 58 at Stonehenge during conservation work by British firm Van Moppes in 1958.

The location of the core remained a mystery until 2018 when the late Robert Phillips, a representative of Van Moppes, returned it to Britain from his home in Florida.

Robert Phillips had been given permission to take the core in the 1950s after the drilling work was completed. It may have broken into pieces soon after it was extracted, according to Professor Nash.

'The core went right through the sarsen upright as there is dead lichen at either end,' he said.

After it was returned to Britain, Robert's sons, Lewis and Robin, were pictured at Stonehenge with the full length core in a perspex tube that hung in their father's office.

Left, Lewis Phillips, and right, Robin Phillips (the sons of Robert Phillips) holding the full 3.5-foot core in a perspex tube. Professor Nash says: 'If you look closely at the area just to the right of Lewis Phillips' left hand you can see one of the cracks.' In the middle is Heather Sebire from English Heritage

Jake Ciborowski (University of Brighton) analysing the whole of Philip's Core being analysed with a portable x-ray fluorescence spectrometer

Due to its protected status, taking samples directly from stones at Stonehenge would be almost impossible today.

Stone 58, from which Philip's Core was taken, is representative geochemically of 50 of the 52 sarsens remaining at Stonehenge, the study authors say.

Chemical isotopes in the sample indicate that the sand grains were originally eroded from pre-existing sedimentary rocks from the Mesozoic era.

David Nash (University of Brighton) analysing the sarsen core extracted from Stone 58 at Stonehenge.

The Mesozoic Era is a the name given to the period from 250 million to 65 million years ago and encompasses the lifetime of dinosaurs.

What's more, these Mesozoic rocks incorporated much older sediments from the Mesoproterozoic era  1 billion to 1.6 billion years ago.

The experts used a technique called cathodoluminescence imaging, which collects and measures the light generated by an electron beam directed at a material.

Image from the interior of a sarsen stone using cathodoluminescence imaging. The outlines of sand grains (pale blue, black) and multiple layers of quartz cement (red) are clearly visible

It revealed the interlocking quartz cements developed through at least 16 cycles of mineral deposition, most likely as a result of wetting and drying while the sediment was buried underground.

According to the experts, no previous investigation has analysed a single sarsen boulder with such a range of complementary techniques.

Professor Nash said the data will support future research on sarsens at Stonehenge and other nearby Neolithic monuments.

The study has been published in the journal PLOS One.
A group of New York University researchers say they have been banned from Facebook for looking into political ad transparency and misinformation on the ubiquitous social network.

Members of the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, who call themselves Cybersecurity for Democracy (CFD) created Ad Observer, a browser plug-in that automatically scrapes data on what political ads users are being shown and why.

On its website, the group insists the plug-in does not collect personal information, like names, Facebook friends, or how users interacted with the ads.

Claiming their work was non-partisan, they say it's 'important to democracy to be able to check who is trying to influence the public and how.'

But in a blog post Tuesday, Facebook project management director Mike Clark said the personal accounts of three CFD members were suspended because the Ad Observer plug-in used 'unauthorized means to access and collect data from Facebook, in violation of our terms of service'.

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Members of NYU's engineering school created a plug-in that scrapes political ads, like this for Marjorie Taylor Greene, from Facebook users' feeds to show visitors when the ad ran, its reach, how much it cost and who paid for it

'Today, we disabled the accounts, apps, Pages and platform access associated with NYU's Ad Observatory Project and its operators,' Clark wrote in a post titled 'Research cannot be the justification for compromising people's privacy.'

CFD says the plug-in was developed to examine the origin, reach and cost of political ads on Facebook.

Using its search capabilities, site visitors can see ads commissioned by politicians like Marjorie Taylor Greene, Jon Ossoff and Donald Trump, even if they never made it into their personal Facebook feed.

Once you choose to download the extension 'it copies the ads you see on Facebook and YouTube, so anyone can see them in our public database,' the CFD explained on its website.

NYU academics who created a plug-in that scraps info from Facebook users about political ads say the social media site has suspended their personal accounts. But the members of Cybersecurity for America says their Ad Observer extension helps improve ad transparency by showing people how they're targeted by politicians

Facebook acknowledged in blocked the accounts of at least three members of Cybersecurity for Democracy because their Ad Observer plug-in violated its terms of service

The plug in scrapes the text of the ad, along with any images or links and the advertiser's name, and provides information on when the ad was shown, how much it cost, and information Facebook provides about how and why it was targeted to the user.

Cybersecurity for Democracy member Laura Edelson (pictured) said she was one of the NYU researchers suspended from Facebook for launching a plug-in that scrapes accounts for political ads. She said the social media giant 'is silencing us because our work often calls attention to problems on its platform'

'If you want, you can enter basic demographic information about yourself in the tool to help improve our understanding of why advertisers targeted you. However, we'll never ask for information that could identify you.'

In a tweet Tuesday evening, CFD's Laura Edelson confirmed Facebook had suspended her personal account and 'the accounts of several people associated with Cybersecurity for Democracy.'

'This has the effect of cutting off our access to Facebook's Ad Library data, as well as Crowdtangle,' Edelson, a PhD engineering student at NYU, said.

'Facebook has also effectively cut off access to more than two dozen other researchers and journalists who get access to Facebook data through our project, including our work measuring vaccine misinformation with the Virality Project and many other partners who rely on our data.'

In a May blog post, CFD argued that while Facebook does share some information on ad sources and has pledged to fight disinformation, it doesn't offer full transparency or fact-check political ads.

Edelson said their project had uncovered 'systemic flaws in the Facebook Ad Library, that identified misinformation in political ads, 'including many sowing distrust in our election system.'

In a series of tweets, Edelson criticized Facebook for silencing their research. Worst of all, Facebook is using user privacy, a core belief that we have always put first in our work, as a pretext for doing this,"

Clark said the social media giant had tried 'for months' to work with NYU to provide the team 'the precise access they've asked for in a privacy protected way.'

'The researchers gathered data by creating a browser extension that was programmed to evade our detection systems and scrape data such as usernames, ads, links to user profiles and 'Why am I seeing this ad?' information, some of which is not publicly-viewable on Facebook,' he said.

Claiming also claimed the extension collected data about Facebook users who didn't install it and archived it offline.

Edelson countered the company 'is silencing us because our work often calls attention to problems on its platform'.

'Worst of all, Facebook is using user privacy, a core belief that we have always put first in our work, as a pretext for doing this,' she said in a statement shared with Mail Online. 'If this episode demonstrates anything it's that Facebook should not have veto power over who is allowed to study them.'

CFA says it doesn't gather personal information of people who download the Ad Observer extension, but Facebook claims the plug-in collects data about users who didn't install it and archived it offline.

Facebook says its tried since summer 2020 to work with NYU and the members of Cybersecurity for Democracy. Pictured: A political ad for Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene that appears in the Ad Observatory database, with details on when it ran, who paid for it, and why the user was targeted

Clark says Facebook first told Edelson's team the Ad Observer extension was in violation last summer, even before it launched.

'In October, we sent them a formal letter notifying them of the violation of our Terms of Service and granted them 45 days to comply with our request to stop scraping data from our website.'

The deadline ended on November 30, well after Election Day, but Clark said Facebook kept trying to work with Edelson and her colleagues on privacy concerns 'and offered them ways to obtain data that did not violate our terms.'

The company offered the three access to its US 2020 Elections ad targeting data, which it says is more comprehensive than their plug-in, 'but they declined.'

'While the Ad Observatory project may be well-intentioned, the ongoing and continued violations of protections against scraping cannot be ignored and should be remediated,' Clark added..

'Today's action doesn't change our commitment to providing more transparency around ads on Facebook or our ongoing collaborations with academia,' he said.

'We'll continue to provide ways for responsible researchers to conduct studies that are in the public interest while protecting the security of our platform and the privacy of people who use it. '

An ad for Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff from the Ad Observor site

Cybersecurity for Democracy co-founder Damon McCoy, a professor of computer science and engineering at NYU, called Facebook's ban 'disgraceful.'

'Facebook is attempting to squash legitimate research that is informing the public about disinformation on their platform,' McCoy said in a statement shared with Mail Online.

'With its platform awash in vaccine disinformation and partisan campaigns to manipulate the public, Facebook should be welcoming independent research, not shutting it down.'

In advance of the 2020 elections, Facebook launched an theoretically objective oversight board to mediate thorny questions about who should be allowed on the site and what they could share.

In response critics formed a rival organization, 'The Real Facebook Oversight Board,' (RFOB), of which Edelson, is a member.

In a statement on Wednesday, the RFOB claimed that, 'Like the authoritarian governments they court, Facebook is cracking down on its critics.'

'As Facebook expands its stranglehold on the academic community studying the impacts of digital technology and social media, this is sure to have a chilling effect on other academic institutions,' it added. 'We can't allow it. The NYU Ad Observatory researchers are performing a critical service for democracy that must be protected.'

Insisting the information the Ad Observatory gathered was already public, the board called on the site to restore the members' accounts immediately.

It's not entirely clear who besides Edelson was banned: Facebook cited three members of Cybersecurity for Democracy, though the group's website lists seven main members.

Facebook did not respond to a request for comment about whether the suspensions were temporary or permanent, or if the banned members had the option to appeal.
A single-celled yellow slime called 'Blob' is set to blast off to the International Space Station (ISS) where astronauts will study how it learns and adapts despite being brainless.

Blob is scheduled to launch on August 10 aboard Northrop Grumman's 16th NASA commercial resupply mission.

European Space Agency's (ESA) Thomas Pesquet will conduct several experiments with the slime mold with a focus on studying how microgravity and radiation affect it.

One of the studies will see how Blob behaves in a microgravity environment without food and the other with, which it will be given oat flakes.

Similar experiments will be conducted on Earth by primary, middle and high school students, which will be compared to a time-lapse video from space to observe differences in Blob's speed, shape and growth.

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A single-celled yellow slime, called 'Blob,' is set to blast off to the International Space Station (ISS) where astronauts will study how it learns and adapts despite being brainless

The mold, or Physarum polcephalum, has become highly interesting to the scientific community due to its ability to think, make decisions, sleep, learn and even navigate a maze.

Evelyne Cortiade-Marche, head of the CNES' education department, said in a statement: 'Blob is a unique experience that stimulates student curiosity about themes such as the impact of the environment on organisms and the development of living organisms.'

A Blob kit will launch to the ISS, containing for slime mold cells, a syringe and other components for Pesquet to begin his research.

Once received, he will wake the molds with water and place them in cylinder dishes.

A Blob kit will launch to the ISS, containing for slime mold cells, a syringe and other components

According to Dr. Audrey Dussutour, a slime mold specialist and director of research at the French National Center for Scientific Research, the Blob's growth and behavior will be observed over seven days after which it will go into a dormant state and stay aboard the ISS.

'Our aim is to investigate the effect of microgravity on slime mold behavior, especially exploration behavior but also growth,' Dr Dussutour said during a press conference on Monday.

'But the real main objective of this project is to engage kids in interesting, exciting scientific experiments.'

A recent study of Blob was conducted by the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization in Gottingen, Germany in February, which found he bright yellow slime mold records where its last meal was by changing the shape of its tubular tendrils.

The mold, or Physarum polcephalum, has become highly interesting to the scientific community due to its ability to think, make decisions, sleep, learn and even navigate a maze

A recent study of Blob was conducted by the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization in Gottingen, Germany in February, which found he bright yellow slime mold records where its last meal was by changing the shape of its tubular tendrils

If it encounters food while weaving around an environment, the mold will keep its specific structure in that area to know where to return to feast.

Karen Alim, head of the institute's biological physics and morphogenesis group and her colleague Mirna Kramar observed P. polycephalum under a microscope.

Typically, P. polycephalum reabsorbs and restructures its tendrils as it moves along in a new environment.

But if it encountered a tasty morsel, it kept that structure in place.

'[We] observed a distinct imprint of a food source on the pattern of thicker and thinner tubes of the network long after feeding,' Alim, a biological physicist at the Technical University of Munich, said in a statement.

According to Kramar, lead author in a report in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 'previous encounters imprinted in the network architecture weigh into the decision about the future direction of migration.'

The pair believe that, after a meal, the mold releases a chemical that softens the tubes in its network, effectively reorienting the whole organism toward the food source.
A bejeweled 6th century sword adornment was found in east England by an amateur archaeologist with a metal detector.

The artifact, made of gold and garnet, is known a 'sword pyramid' or 'sword harness,' and dates to between 560 and 630 AD when Norfolk was part of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of East Anglia.

The small mounds are often ornately decorated and would be attached to the end of bands wrapped around a sword.

This one was uncovered in Breckland, Norfolk, in April, where it was turned over to the Norfolk Coroner's Office, as required by law.

Sword pyramids always came in pairs, Finds liaison officer Helen Geake told BBC News, so just uncovering just one 'was like losing one earring - very annoying.'

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A 'sword pyramid' made of gold and garnet was found in Norfolk, England. It dates to between 560 and 630 AD when Norfolk was part of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of East Anglia

With the rise in metal detectorists, finding sword pyramids has become increasingly common.

Rather than the result of a burial or death in battle, Geake imagines many were dislodged accidentally.

'Lords would have been careening about the countryside on their horses and they'd lose them,' Geake said.

An Anglo-Saxon civilization, East Anglia emerged in the 6th century but was finally absorbed into the Kingdom of England in 918 AD.

It's not entirely clear what purpose these mounds served, but experts believed they helped secure a sword to its scabbard, perhaps event to prevent a hasty withdrawal of a weapon

The pieces of garnet embedded in the Norfolk pyramid are from India or Sri Lanka, she added, representing a distance of more than 5,000 and underscoring the incredible global trade occurring at the time.

Though tinyabout 0.4-inch by 0.4-inch and weighing just 3 gramsthe mount is of fine quality, with incredibly fine foil work on the back. It would have belonged to someone of the upper class, Geake said.

'Somebody in the entourage of a great lord or Anglo-Saxon king, and he would have been a lord or thegn [a medieval nobleman] who might have found his way into the history books,' she told the BBC.

'They or their lord had access to gold and garnets and to high craftsmanship.'

Pictured: Sword pyramids, which always came in pairs, were discovered in the 1930s at Sutton Hoo, an Anglo-Saxon burial site

Pictured: King Rdwald (c.560 - c.624), an East Anglian king suspected to be buried in Sutton Hoo

A more ornate pair now on view at the British Museum was discovered in the 1930s at Sutton Hoo, an Anglo-Saxon burial site popularized by the recent Netflix movie The Dig.

According to the National Trust, an East Anglian king or warrior was laid to rest at Sutton Hoo in a 90 foot-ship 'surrounded by his extraordinary treasures.'

It's not exactly clear what the sword harness' purpose is, but archaeologists believe they may have helped keep a weapon holstered in its scabbard, 'possibly acting as a check on an angry reaction,' Geake said.

Discovering one on his first post-lockdown outings was the 'find of lifetime,' detectorist Jamie Harcourt told Treasure Hunting.

'It is very similar to those examples recovered during the world famous 1939 excavation at Sutton-Hoo,' he said. 'The garnet workmanship is also reminiscent of several items in the Staffordshire Hoard matrix.'
This year's Gulf of Mexico's dead zone  an area of low oxygen that can kill fish and marine life  is larger-than-the average, scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced Tuesday.

Data shows the dead zone has been 5,380 square miles for the past five years, but recent measurements show it is now 6,334 square miles - an area slightly larger than Connecticut.

The dead zone covers a massive area of the Gulf bottom waters that contains fewer than two parts per million of oxygen, a condition called hypoxia, which suffocates bottom-living organisms.

NOAA is blaming the larger-than-normal dead zone on high freshwater runoff from the Mississippi River, which measured above normal for three weeks prior to the agency conducting the test.

'Each year, excess nutrients from cities, farms and other sources in upland watersheds drain into the Gulf and stimulate algal growth during the spring and summer,' NOAA explained in its report. 'The algae eventually die, sink and decompose.'

'Throughout this process, oxygen-consuming bacteria decay the algae,' the report continued.

'The resulting low oxygen levels near the bottom are insufficient to support most marine life, rendering the habitat unusable and forcing species to move to other areas to survive.'

Data shows the dead zone has been 5,380 square miles for the past five years, but recent measurements show it is now 6,334 square miles - an area slightly larger than Connecticut

Nutrient runoff from the Mississippi River has a large role in determining the size of the dead zone.

This nutrient pollution, mainly from agriculture and developed land runoff in the Mississippi River watershed, is affecting coastal resources and habitats in the Gulf by stimulating algal growth.

Eventually, the algae decomposes, which uses up the oxygen needed to support life in the Gulf.

This loss of oxygen in the water can cause the loss of fish habitat or force them to move to other areas to survive.

NOAA started

It also leads decreased reproductive capabilities in fish species and a reduced average size of caught shrimp.

Nancy Rabalais, a Louisiana State University researcher who has led the dead zone studies for years, said in a statement: 'The distribution of the low dissolved oxygen was unusual this summer.

'The area from the Mississippi River to the Atchafalaya River, which is usually larger than the area to the west of the Atchafalaya, was smaller.

'The area to the west of the Atchafalaya River was much larger.

'The low oxygen conditions were very close to shore, with many observations showing an almost complete lack of oxygen.'

NOAA is blaming the larger-than-normal dead zone on high freshwater runoff from the Mississippi River, which measured above normal for three weeks prior to the agency conducting the test

NOAA forecasted in June that the hypoxic zone would be 4,880 square miles, but freshwater runoff was higher than expected and it is now 2.8 times times larger than the 2035 target set by the Hypoxia Task Force.

However, the largest measurement to-date is 8,776 square miles in 2017.

EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox said in a statement: 'This year, we have seen again and again the profound effect that climate change has on our communities  from historic drought in the west to flooding events. Climate is directly linked to water, including the flow of nutrient pollution into the Gulf of Mexico.

'As we work to address the Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone, we must consider climate change and we must strengthen our collaboration and partnerships to make needed progress.'
Harry Kane has effectively ruled himself out of Tottenhams season opener against Manchester City - the team he wants to join - by spending another day outside the UK.

As reported by Sportsmail on Wednesday, Kane stopped in Florida on his way back from a family holiday in the Bahamas, despite being due to report for pre-season training on Monday.

And as we also revealed, his no-show has disappointed Tottenham, who were still awaiting confirmation of his return to England on Wednesday - with Kane understood to have remained in Florida.

Harry Kane has effectively ruled himself out of Tottenham's opener against Manchester City

Kane's decision to stay away from training is an attempt to force a move to City this summer

The 28-year-old still plans to return to Spurs this weekend, but he will likely need to take a Covid test at their Enfield HQ and complete a period of isolation before he can return to training.

Kane will need to isolate for up to 10 days upon his return, but he can take a test to release procedure on day five, which would end his quarantine provided he tests negative. He intends to take the day five test.

Despite this, the fact Kane was still in Florida on Wednesday means he will not resume training until at least the start of next week.

Wantaway star Kane stopped in Florida on his way back from a family holiday in the Bahamas

Kane (left) must now test negative in the 'Test to Release' scheme this week to return to Spurs (pictured: with his wife Katie on a separate holiday)

This virtually rules the 28-year-old out of next Sundays clash against City as he wont have played any pre-season games or trained for an extended period.

City expect their pursuit of Kane to go to the wire this month due to the different valuations placed on the striker.

Their initial offer of 100million was rejected by Spurs, and there is uncertainty over whether the Premier League champions can strike a compromise with Daniel Levy.

Kane is hoping to pile the pressure on Daniel Levy (right) to allow him to leave Tottenham now

The Spurs chairman has put a 150m price tag on last seasons top scorer, and the Kane saga is expected to drag on unless Spurs alter their demands.

City have already raised around 50m from sales this summer, while Leroy Sanes move to Bayern Munich for an initial 45m is accounted for this year.

However, it is likely that a first-team regular like Bernardo Silva, courted by Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, would have to be moved on if City were to get closer to Levys asking price.
When Sky Brown looked across to her father for help in the interview area, you suddenly remembered this was a child, barely 13 years old.

She has the Nike contract, the one million TikTok followers, the book deal and the million dollar smile, but Britains youngest Olympic medal winner needed some prompting about what exactly it was her father had said to her after she had fallen on her first two runs in the final.

Put it behind you, Stewart Brown murmured from the sidelines. Put it behind you, Sky repeated. That made me feel better. It is just a contest. If you fall, thats all it is.'

Sky Brown, 13, made history by securing a bronze medal in the park skateboarding in Tokyo

Brown celebrates with the Great Britain flag after making history at the Olympic Games

And thats precisely how she seems to have viewed it, because winning and losing are relative concepts in the sport of park skateboarding - a part of this Olympics bid for relevance and new appeal.

The pressure on Brown, who turned 13 last month, had seemed as unyielding as the 33C temperatures on the hottest day of these Olympics.

Her kickflip indy trick twice failed her and it all came down to her last run in the final.

Yet in that enormous moment, she stood side by side with fellow competitor Sakura Yosozumi, talking away while Browns father applied ice packs to her neck under a red Team GB umbrella.

The 13-year-old could not believe it after pulling off the perfect final run with the pressure on

When 19-year-old Yosozumi had completed the first routine which would ultimately secure gold, Brown ran across the course to embrace her. For a moment or so, it was just the two of them - Yosozumi with board under her arm, Browns arms wrapped around her neck.

This was not sport as we have come to know it.

Yosozumis words for Brown after her two falls actually seem to have resonated far more than her fathers. I was a little shocked and it was like, Am I going to make it? she related.

Sakura said, Youve got it Sky. I know youre going to make it. That really made me feel better.

Brown did make it. With her signature frontside 540, where she loops the skateboard into one and a half rotations, and other leaning spins - they call it corking it out - she took bronze.

She dissolved in tears of relief and was mobbed by the entire field. It took a minute or so for her to emerge from the huddle. You could hardly call them opponents.

Team GB's teenage star showed off her skills from the get-go and deserved her bronze medal

Healthy though this inclusive, appealing vision of sport was to the millions who were watching Brown and will pick up a skateboard now, you worry the spotlight will burn her out. If the media presence here was any gauge, then Brown comfortably surpassed Naomi Osaka and Simone Biles as a source of global fascination.

By the time she arrived to speak to the small British contingent, Brown looked drained and hot but reached for that smile again.

Im so stoked, she said. I cant believe it. Its unbelievable. Its like a dream.

She is all things to all people. A child who might have appeared for the host nation before the fledgling Skateboard GB organisation, set up for this Olympics, made an appealing, no-strings pitch of their own.

Brown was a prominent part of the wall-to-wall Japanese TV coverage of the sport here on Wednesday, despite the hosts own competitors. Her mother, Mieko, is Japanese and the family are based in Miyazaki, on the Japanese island of Kyushu.

Brown has eclipsed 15-year-old Sarah Hardcastle from 1984 as Britains youngest medal winner

But the Americans were equally absorbed with a teenager who speaks American English and spends much of her time in Oceanside, California, for skateboard competitions.

The British connections remain slightly loose. Browns father was born in Cornwall and her grandparents live in Bramshaw in the New Forest. But she was born in Japan.

She has eclipsed 15-year-old swimmer Sarah Hardcastle from 1984 as Britains youngest medal winner. But hers is a textbook celebrity narrative for these times. It began when a Facebook clip, showing a four-year-old Brown performing a series of beginner moves on a mini ramp, was posted by her father and went viral.

Sky and her brother, Ocean, were propelled on to television chat shows from Australia to America.

She was at these Olympics despite a training accident last May, which left her with a fractured skull, left arm and wrist.

The IOC certainly wants a slice of all this. Its president, Thomas Bach, was here to see and be seen with her. Asked what the man in the suit had said to her, she replied: Sorry? Who?

The conversation moved on.

Any number of things could happen next. Brown wants to participate in skateboarding and surfing at the 2024 Paris Olympics. I really hope so, she said. But surfing takes place in Tahiti, in French Polynesia, almost 10,000 miles away from the Paris skateboard park. Doing both would be some story.

Itll be up to her by then, shell be 16, her father said.

Time will tell. Deep in the history of child Olympians, there is a story of a French boy, aged seven, who competed as cox for the Dutch pair rowing team in the 1900 Olympics.

He vanished into obscurity after his moment in the sun, neither identified nor seen again. Sky Brown does not have that option.

Stream every unmissable moment of Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 live on discovery+, The Streaming Home of the Olympics.
Pregnant Louise Thompson was rushed to hospital after coughing up blood amid fears a suspected clot could spark more baby heartbreak following her tragic miscarriage.

The Made In Chelsea star, 31, revealed she's endured a difficult pregnancy after feeling unwell and being in a 'high risk category' due to her autoimmune condition, causing her to have more frequent scans.

In an exclusive interview, Louise admitted she's fearful of not delivering a healthy baby after miscarrying earlier this year but vows she can handle any future challenges as a new mother once she's reached the final 'goalpost' and given birth.

'It hasn't been the easiest road': Louise Thompson was rushed to hospital after coughing up blood amid fears a clot could spark more baby heartbreak following her tragic miscarriage

Louise, who's expecting with fiance Ryan Libbey, 31, told MailOnline: 'In the beginning I was so happy just to see the two lines on the stick. I was elated. We have wanted another addition to the family for years.

'I spoke openly about having a miscarriage earlier in the year and it hasn't been the easiest road to get here so, we're trying to feel grateful but at the same time I'd be lying if I said I found pregnancy easy. There seems to be a new hurdle every month.

'Everyone's experience is different, some people find it a doddle and they feel guilty for saying how easy they found it but I almost feel guilty saying how hard I find it because there are people that can't get pregnant in the first place.

'There have been a number of scans and I was quite unwell about three weeks ago. I had to go to Chelsea and Westminster hospital because I was coughing up blood.

'I had to have scans because they were worried I had a blood clot. The chance of getting a blood clot in pregnancy is a lot higher than not in pregnancy, and I have an autoimmune condition as well. I spent 24 hours there and everything came back fine but because of my condition I'm in a high risk category.'

'I was quite unwell': Louise, who's expecting with fiance Ryan Libbey (pictured), revealed she's endured a difficult pregnancy and is in a 'high risk category' due to her autoimmune condition

'I just want to get to that end point': In an exclusive interview, Louise admitted she's fearful of not delivering a healthy baby after miscarrying earlier this year

Despite feeling unnerved by her experiences during pregnancy, Louise, who's due in November, is relieved to have finally passed the six-month milestone.

She added: 'For me, delivering a healthy baby, that's where all my fears lie. Anything that comes after that I can handle.

'I just want to get to that end point in one shape and for it to all turn out well. Anyone that has had fertility issues or a miscarriage, the fear that it will end before that goalpost

'The good news is I am about six and a half months now. I shouldn't even think about this but I am someone that knows all the stats, babies can be delivered prematurely so, I feel like I'm in a really comfortable place now.'

Louise, who rose to fame on E4 reality series Made In Chelsea in 2011, reflected on how her priorities changed when she turned 30, and she questioned why she was ever so concerned with her public image.

'I'm in a comfortable place': Despite feeling unnerved by her experiences during pregnancy, Louise, who's due in November, is relieved to have finally passed the six-month milestone

She said: 'It's a combination of turning 30 and you think 'oh God, why did I care about being cool? Why did I care about what other people thought of me?' I just want to be with the people that I like and my animals.

'Now, I'm really excited about the prospect of motherhood. Ryan is apprehensive, and really excited but he's a little bit more nervous. It's such a big change.

'We're also doing our home renovation project at the moment  the deadlines for both things  I don't know if one is more predictable than the other, both can be early and both can be late. There's not a lot of security in that sense.

'We're trying to get the nursery sorted in the house at least so at the bare minimum we will have a bedroom and the nursery.'

Louise and Ryan's new arrival will join the couple's two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Koji and Toto, and complete their close-knit family.

'Giving back': Louise is an ambassador for the UK's largest pet insurance provider Petplan, who are hosting The Pet Awards this month, giving owners the chance to nominate their animals

Louise is an ambassador for the UK's largest pet insurance provider Petplan, who are hosting their second award ceremony this month to honour the animals that have change their owner's lives for the better.

The Pet Awards, that features a range of categories such as Hero Pet of the Year and Rescue Pet of the Year, received over 7,000 entries in 2020, and there's still the chance to nominate your furry friend for this year's event.

Entries, which can be submitted via the Petplan website, close on Friday, August 6, with finalists and winners being announced the last week of this month.

Louise explained: 'Pet insurance is so important, I learned that mistake the hard way when I didn't have any in the beginning. I am a responsible dog owner and any signs of anything that was potentially wrong, I would go straight to the vets and the bills were tallying up.

'When Petplan got in touch about wanting to collaborate on a bigger project, I was really keen because I love their ethos. People have until Friday, which is August 6, to enter The Pet Awards and it's just such a lovely event.

'I love their ethos': The Pet Awards received over 7,000 entries in 2020, and there's still the chance to nominate your furry friend for this year's event by searching for the Petplan Pet Awards 2021

'It gives people the chance to enter something for free and pet owners the chance to give back by being able to win prizes. There are different categories, including one for new pets that have adopted into new families.'

Louise believes her dogs are even aware of her pregnancy, and she hopes one day they will feel the baby kick.

She said: 'They do lay on my tummy now a lot, Koji will lay his head on my tummy, which is the coolest thing ever. I am still waiting for the moment where I feel a kick, and the dogs feel that through my tummy.

'I am not terribly nervous because they are so good with children. I hate this, but I know people that have got rid of dogs or cats when they've had a baby and it's as though their priorities change. But no one is replacing my pets, they are on a level pedestal.

'We have a massive bed when we do move back home and the dogs will be on one side, and the baby on the other, we will make it work.'
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.

Brooks was already scheduled to take a three-week break after the Aug. 14 show in Nebraska and will take that time to assess what to do about the remainder of the dates in 2021.

Living legend: Country star Garth Brooks (seen in Washington DC in March 2020) said he will be reassessing whether to continue his stadium tour because of the rising number of COVID-19 cases

He is also scheduled to play Cincinnati; Charlotte, North Carolina; Baltimore and Boston.

Brooks released a statement over the matter which read: '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.

'We have a three week window coming up where we, as a group, will assess the remainder of the stadium tour this year. Its humbling to see people put this much faith in you as an artist, and it kills me to think I am letting them down.'

Brooks (seen in May) released a statement over the matter which read: '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'

Optimism regarding the global pandemic had reached its peak in June, then just as it seemed the U.S. could put the pandemic in the rear-view, the Delta variant struck.

After months of declining cases, America lost control of its COVID-19 situation once again in mid-July.

Over the past month, new average cases have increased by 315 percent, from around 20,000 in early July to over 85,000 in early August.

Icon: In a statement issued on Tuesday, Brooks (seen in March 2020) 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

The light Americans saw at the end of the pandemic-tunnel seems to have gotten further away as well.

Brooks, one of the biggest selling entertainers in music, restarted touring in July and regularly performs in front of 60,000-70,000 people per stadium. Many of his shows sell out well in advance.

Brooks has been doing his part to get his fans vaccinated as last week it was announced that attendees at his concert in Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium this upcoming weekend also can get a COVID-19 vaccination.

During his August 7. show at Arrowhead Stadium, Brooks, 59, (pictured) will offer an onsite COVID-19 vaccination clinic for individuals who have yet to receive the vaccine, the Kansas Star reported Wednesday

Kansas City Chiefs President Mark Donovan (pictured) announced the news during a media call Monday, saying the organization's 'goal is to get as many people vaccinated as possible, on the business side as well as in the community.'

During the two-time Grammy winning artist's August 7 concert, individuals who have yet to receive the vaccine can visit the onsite COVID-19 vaccination clinic, the Kansas Star reported Wednesday.

Kansas City Chiefs President Mark Donovan announced the news during a media call Monday, saying the organization's 'goal is to get as many people vaccinated as possible, on the business side as well as in the community.

'We're going to continue to take advantage of every opportunity we can to create vaccination opportunities,' Donovan said. 'We've got a little concert coming up here with Garth Brooks with about 70,000-plus fans, and we're working on having a vaccination site on-site for the concert.'

Tickets for the August 7 show range from $52 to $22,000.
Teen Mom star Kailyn Lowry, her children, and her ex-husband Javi Marroquin have all contracted COVID-19.

Speaking on her podcast, Baby Mamas No Drama, Kailyn said she knew she was infected with the virus after losing her sense of taste and smell.

'I knew because I felt like s**t all week,' the 29-year-old said. 'Once I lost my taste and my smell, I knew what it was. Like, I knew.'

'I felt like s**t for a week': Teen Mom star Kailyn Lowry, her children, and her ex-husband Javi Marroquin have all contracted COVID-19

The reality star believes she and her children may have become infected with the virus during their recent travels to the Dominican Republic.

Kailyn is tested regularly as part of her job filming Teen Mom. She tested negative both while on her trip and again after returning.

Not only did Kailyn test positive, but her podcast co-host Vee Rivera is also currently battling the virus.

She expressed regret about potentially exposing people, despite her negative test results.

'I felt bad, we were on vacation': Kailyn believes they contracted the virus after traveling to the Dominican Republic last month (pictured 2018)

'I just felt bad, we were on vacation. I obviously would not have been around people if I knew I had Covid, but I tested negative twice,' Kailyn said.

Fortunately, Kailyn's children are 'asymptomatic.'

'So all the kids have it. They're all asymptomatic really,' she explained.

Kailyn said she sent her son Lincoln to stay with his father Javi after the youngster tested negative.

Uh-oh: Kailyn apologized for potentially infecting Vee with the virus as the duo had recorded a podcast together after her negative test

However, Lincoln ended up testing positive, and his father now has the virus as well.

In an update regarding her illness, she told Hollywood Life: 'Thankfully, the kids have been asymptomatic. So that was good. I'm coming through the other side of it. And I'm hoping to be cleared later this week, and you know, get back to work and do all the things, but I feel better now,' she told Hollywood Life.

Vee is vaccinated, however it is not entirely clear if Kailyn has received the jab. Earlier this year, Kailyn said she and her children would 'absolutely not' be getting the vaccine.

This is not Kailyn's first brush with COVID-19; the reality star also revealed on her podcast that she had became sick with the virus last year during a trip to Iceland. Her son Lincoln also had COVID-19 earlier this year in March.

Kailyn has four children. She shares son Isaac, 11, with ex-boyfriend Jo Rivera. Son Lincoln, seven, is ex-husband Javi Marroquin's. She and ex Chris Lopez have son Lux, three, and one-year-old Creed.

Lowry first joined the cast of Teen Mom 2 in late 2010 after appearing on the MTV series 16 & Pregnant earlier that year. Teen Mom 2 recently finished its 10th season on MTV and stars Lowry, Briana DeJesus, Chelsea Houska, Jade Cline, and Leah Messer.
Sydney Sweeney sizzled in a tropical swirl print bikini while vacationing in Capri with her boyfriend Jonathan Davino.

The 23-year-old Euphoria star set pulses racing after she shared three sexy snaps in which she was seen posing in a 437 x The Mayfair Group two piece and a matching sarong.

Sydney posted the trio of images to Instagram on Tuesday and captioned the photo set simply with a spaghetti emoji.

Wow! Sydney Sweeney sizzled in a tropical swirl print 437 x The Mayfair Group bikini while vacationing in Capri with her boyfriend Jonathan Davino

The White Lotus actress's ample cleavage was on full display in the triangle top. She tied the top's strings on a bow around her waistline, accentuating her slender midriff.

The blonde beauty tossed her tousled tresses and pouted her lips as she gave the camera a sultry stare.

In the next shot, she bent over and lifted her head, smiling brightly as she closed her eyes. Sweeney was standing on a balcony overlooking the beautiful Italian coastline.

Sizzling: The 23-year-old Euphoria star set pulses racing after she shared a few sexy snaps in which she was seen posing in the two piece and a matching sarong

In the third photo, Sydney took a mirror selfie as she held the gauzy sarong that was wrapped around her waist.

The influencer-loved set is from 437's collaboration with The Mayfair Group. The triangle top is reversible and can be worn 14 different ways.

Recently, Sweeney was seen packing on the PDA with her longtime beau Jonathan as the two relaxed during a luxurious boat outing.

Striking a pose: In the third photo, Sydney took a mirror selfie as she held the gauzy sarong that was wrapped around her waist

And after a busy few years of work, Sydney definitely deserves some fun in the sun.

Sydney's long list of credits include a role on the hit HBO series Euphoria, which sees star opposite the likes of Zendaya and Jacob Elordi.

She also stars on the newly released satire comedy-drama series The White Lotus, which debuted on HBO earlier this month.

Sydney plays college sophomore Olivia Mossbacher in the series which chronicles the various staff and guests staying at a Hawaiian resort over a single week.

Recently, Sydney admitted she almost didn't audition for the controversial series Euphoria, fearing backlash from her family.

Recently, Sweeney was seen packing on the PDA with her longtime beau Jonathan as the two relaxed during a luxurious boat outing. Seen in 2018

But she ended up going for it, and booked her role over a tape she submitted of herself.

'What's crazyand this is going to sound really badis when I first got sent the audition, I was too nervous to go do it,' she told StyleCaster.

'I grew up in a smaller town with my family, who are a little more conservative, and I was like, "They're going to kill me if I do something like this." The audition got sent again to me. I read it again, and I was like, "This is so incredible. How could I pass an opportunity like this?" I'll just really try to explain this to my mom one day. I put myself on tape. I didn't even go in, and I ended up booking it off the tape.'

Not only that, but Sydney had already booked a regular role in a straight-to-series Netflix show at the time she landed the Euphoria gig.

Taking a break: After a busy few years of work, Sydney definitely deserves some fun in the sun. Pictured in July 2021

Euphoria was only a pilot at the time, and Sydney grappled with remaining on the Netflix show or going with Euphoria.

Ultimately she chose Euphoria.

'Do I go do a pilot for HBO on an incredible show but run the risk of not having a series? Or do I do a Netflix series that's already picked up but my role is not as big?' she told StyleCaster.

'I had a personal conversation with [Euphoria creator] Sam Levinson, and he just told me his vision and everything about what he sees and wants to achieve in the show. There was no way I could not be a part of this, so I signed on and here we are.'

New role! The actress stars in the new HBO series, White Lotus
The Bachelor's Brooke Cleal is set leave the Channel 10 dating show following the death of her grandfather.

A production insider revealed that the 27-year-old occupational therapist's time in the mansion was cut short after receiving the unexpected news while filming the show.

'Brooke was so upset so the producers gave her permission to leave the mansion and fly back to Melbourne for her grandpa's funeral,' an insider told Daily Mail Australia.

It's actually disrespectful': Jimmy Nicholson 'called grieving Brooke Cleal and begged her to return to the mansion after the death of her grandfather'

'Everyone understood she wasn't going to come back,' they added, before revealing the fellow bachelorettes were shocked to see her return after a few days.

According to the source, producers got Jimmy to FaceTime her to ask how she was doing, before begging her to return to the show.

'It's just actually disrespectful. They ended up getting Jimmy to FaceTime her and begged her to come back,' they said.

'Brooke was so upset so the producers gave her permission to leave the mansion and fly back to Melbourne for her grandpa's funeral,' The Bachelor 's Brooke Cleal is set leave the Channel 10 dating show following the death of her grandfather. A production insider revealed that the 27-year-old occupational therapist's time in the mansion was cut short after receiving the unexpected news while filming the show

Desperate: According to the source, producers got Jimmy to FaceTime her to ask how she was doing, before begging her to return to the show

'She was pretty close with her grandpa. Imagine grieving, and then being asked by producers to come back.'

'That's just actually really traumatic for someone,' they continued. 'Why would you bring someone back and then reject them and kick them out again? .'

Jimmy's decision to ask Brooke to return to the show could be a telling clue that she will make the finale.

Is she the one? Jimmy's decision to ask Brooke to return to the show could be a telling clue that she will make the finale

Brooke is currently the second-favourite to win, sitting behind Holly Kingston at $5.

Bondi-based Holly Kingston, 27, emerged as the clear favourite, according to multiple Australian betting sites.

The Sydney-based blonde has odds of $2.00 on Sportsbet, while TAB is offering $1.15.

The Bachelor continues Wednesday at 7.30pm on Channel Ten
Amelia Hamlin looked absolutely stunning in a black criss-cross top, which showed off her incredibly toned midriff on Tuesday afternoon.

While snapping a few sultry selfies standing outside in her backyard, the 20-year-old model subtly paid homage to her boyfriend Scott Disick.

The daughter of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Lisa Rinna was a doting girlfriend as she held onto her phone with a sticker of her man's face on it.

Bombshell: Amelia Hamlin looked absolutely amazing in a black criss-cross top, which showed off her incredibly toned midriff on Monday

She completed her chic ensemble with a black skirt, a handful of bracelets and nude lipstick on her plump pout.

'Mirror mirror on the floor,' she captioned her slideshow, while sporting head to toe Boohoo.

Amelia posted another shot in the same outfit on her Instagram Story that showed her standing in front of a white wall as she looked away from the camera.

Sweet: While snapping a few sultry selfies standing outside in her backyard, the 20-year-old model subtly paid homage to her boyfriend Scott Disick

She also made sure to showcase her envy-inducing tan after enjoying a fun trip to The Hamptons last week with her boyfriend Scott Disick, 38.

Amelia documented their getaway on her Instagram Story, including posting a picture of them cuddling under a Hermes blanket on a boat ride.

The duo were accompanied by Scott's nine-year-old daughter Penelope whom he shares with ex Kourtney Kardashian.

Looking good: The daughter of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Lisa Rinna was a doting girlfriend as she held onto her phone with a sticker of her man's face on it

Model: Amelia posted another shot in the same outfit on her Instagram Story that showed her standing in front of a white wall as she looked away from the camera

The social media star, who was 19 when she started dating the father-of-three, has previously defended their 18-year age gap back.

'People can embrace themselves however they feel fit for them at that moment in time. People grow. People learn to love themselves more and more,' she said in December.

Last year Scott broke up with Sofia Richie, whom he began dating when she was 19, and before that he was linked to Bella Thorne when she was also 19.

Doting girlfriend: Amelia was first seen rocking the sticker of her boyfriend in May (pictured at the time)

Heating up: She also made sure to showcase her envy-inducing tan after enjoying a fun trip to The Hamptons last week with her boyfriend Scott Disick, 38

On the Keeping Up With The Kardashians finale in June, he said he was 'coming to terms' with the idea that he and Kourtney may never get back together.

'The fact that we have what we have is amazing, and I am grateful for that,' he said, pointing out: 'Our kids are happy.'

Kourtney and Scott began their whirlwind on-off romance after they met in 2006 at the Mexican home of Girls Gone Wild founder Joe Francis.

Their turbulent relationship was documented on the show and was beset by problems including his past alcohol abuse and rumors he was unfaithful.

The two welcomed three children into the world - Mason, 11, Penelope and Reign, six - but ended their romance for the last time in 2015.
American Idol will return for its fifth season on ABC with all of its' judges panel intact, including Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie, as well as stalwart host Ryan Seacrest have all been re-signed.

The show, which is in its 20th season overall (since its 2002 debut on Fox) is set to return to the air next spring.

Seacrest posted on Instagram Tuesday, 'Season 20 here we come!' with a shot of all four.

The latest: American Idol will return for its fifth season on ABC with all of its judges panel and its host intact, including (L-R) Lionel Richie, 72, Ryan Seacrest, 46, Katy Perry, 36, and Luke Bryan, 45, as all have all been re-signed

The 2021 season will be the first with Megan Wolflick as showrunner following the retirement of Trish Kinane.

'American Idol is still the original music show that genuinely creates superstars and continues to evolve to allow true artists to succeed in this unique business,' Wolflick told Deadline in a statement. 'The chemistry and passion Katy, Luke, Lionel and Ryan bring is second to none.

'We couldn't be more ecstatic that they are returning for this iconic 20th season in search of the freshest new talent that this nation has to offer.'

Walt Disney Television exec Rob Mills said in a statement that the quartet 'are music and industry icons that have become synonymous with Idol on ABC.

At the helm: Richie, Perry and Bryan were snapped in April on the set of the series

Stalwart: Seacrest, seen on set in May, has been with the series since its 2002 beginning

'Their star power is unmatched, and their support is a gift to our contestants that have deeply benefited from their wisdom over the past four seasons - and they're ready to do it again,' Mills said. 'As we begin a momentous season, I think it's safe to say this dream team has officially cemented their legacy on Idol.'

Executive producer Eli Holzman said, 'We are thrilled that Katy, Lionel, Luke and Ryan will be back to help discover our next American Idol.

'This dream team has selected and guided some of the most talented Idol contestants in the history of the series, and we can't wait to see who they'll find next.'

Auditions for the show's fifth season will span from August 6 thru September 21 with its virtual competition Idol Across America.
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Ryan Reynold's action-comedy film Free Guy premiered at the AMC Lincoln Square Theater in New York City on Tuesday evening.

And the 44-year-old actor could hardly contain his excitement as struck poses on the red carpet with his stunning wife Blake Lively.

The couple, each dressed to the nines, were not accompanied by their three daughters, James, six, Inez, four, and Betty, one.

Red carpet ready: Blake Lively and husband Ryan Reynolds attended the red carpet premiere of the actor's action-comedy film Free Guy in NYC

Dazzling: Blake dazzled in a pink sequin-covered gown with silver beaded lining on its unique bodice

Blake dazzled in a pink sequin-covered gown, which featured silver beaded lining along the perimeters of its unique bodice.

The gown featured dramatic cut-outs that exposed Lively's cinched waist, ample cleavage, and toned back.

The 33-year-old Gossip Girl star wore her lengthy golden blonde hair in a sleek ponytail and amplified her features with neutral toned makeup, including a beautiful lipstick combination created by celebrity makeup artist Kristofer Buckle, who used Bite Beauty's newly-launched Power Move Hydrating Soft Matte Lipstick in two shades to create the perfect color.

He also prepped Blake's pout with the brand's Agave Vegan Lip Mask to ensure they remained soft and supple all night long.

Lively accessorized with mismatched silver earrings, as well as several diamond rings in her fingers.

Bringing the drama: The gown featured dramatic cut-outs that exposed her cinched waist, ample cleavage, and back

Sleek: The 33-year-old Gossip Girl star wore her lengthy golden blonde hair in a sleek ponytail and amplified her features with neutral toned makeup

Ryan beamed for shutterbugs in a beige corduroy suit with a black and white plaid shirt layered beneath.

The Deadpool star completed the look with some brown suede dress shoes and a pair of grey marled socks.

He had his brunette hair slightly slicked back and rocked his wire-framed seeing glasses for the big premiere.

Loved-up: Blake and Ryan could hardly keep their eyes off one another as they posed for snaps on the red carpet

Stylish: Ryan beamed for shutterbugs in a beige corduroy suit with a black and white plaid shirt layered beneath

Finishing touches: The Deadpool star completed the look with some brown suede dress shoes and a pair of grey marled socks

Blake and Ryan, who married in 2012, appeared to be having a blast on the red carpet, often posing with their arms linked and their eyes locked on one another.

The Hollywood lovebirds were spotted walking up to the premiere together as fans cheered from the sidelines.

Aside from Blake and Ryan, the red carpet premiere of Free Guy was attended by a bevy of stars anxious to see the long awaited action-comedy.

Glitzy: Lively accessorized her red carpet-ready look with some mismatched silver earrings, as well as with several diamond rings

Proud: Ryan looked proud of his latest film as he posed next to director Shawn Levy (right)

Stranger Things actress Sadie Sink looked sweet in a bright white blazer layered over a sparkly bustier top.

The 19-year-old completed the ensemble with some high-waisted denim skinny jeans and a pair of designer color-blocked heels.

Sink's signature auburn strands were tied up into a romantic messy bun.

Date night? The couple, each dressed to the nines, were not accompanied by their three daughters, James, six, Inez, four, and Betty, one

Smiley: Blake looked to be in an extra jovial mood while celebrating her husband's latest project

She was joined by her Stranger Things costar Joe Keery, who looked suave in a royal blue jacket with gold buttons.

The 29-year-old actor also had on black dress shirt tucked into some matching black trousers.

Sports Illustrated alum Camille Kostek oozed glamour in a retro-inspired gown covered in multi-toned sequins.

Proud: Ryan poses with costars Lil Rel Howery, Camille Kostek, Joe Keery and director Shawn Levy at the Free Guy premiere in NYC

Gather round! Adam Kolbrenner, Steve Asbell, Ethan Tobman, Tyler "Ninja" Blevins, Lil Rel Howery, Ryan Reynolds, Joe Keery, Shawn Levy, Camille Kostek, Matt Lieberman, Zack Penn and Francisco Marquez pose for a celebratory snap at the big premiere on Tuesday night

It also featured a dramatic font slit that exposed her shapely legs and strappy gold heels.

The 29-year-old model added a bit of Old Hollywood edge to her look by wearing her bright blonde strands in waves stemming from a side part.

Lil Rel Howery made a bold move by attending the Free Guy premiere in an all-denim getup, complete with a jacket, button-up shirt, and baggy jeans.

Sweet: Stranger Things actress Sadie Sink looked sweet in a bright white blazer layered over a sparkly bustier top

Reunion: She was joined by her Stranger Things costar Joe Keery, who looked suave in a royal blue jacket with gold buttons

Glamour girl: Sports Illustrated alum Camille Kostek oozed glamour in a retro-inspired gown covered in multi-toned sequins

The 41-year-old Bad Trip actor had a glistening gold chain with a large pendant fastened around his neck and a pair of white Adidas sneakers on his feet.

Richard Tyler Blevins - known as Ninja on YouTube - allowed his blue hair to pull focus by slipping into a black jacket, white shirt, and fitted trousers for Tuesday night's star-studded event.

Free Guy is scheduled for an August 13 theatrical release.

Denim-on-denim: Lil Rel Howery made a bold move by attending the Free Guy premiere in an all-denim getup, complete with a jacket, button-up shirt, and baggy jeans

Bold: Richard Tyler Blevins - known as Ninja on YouTube - allowed his blue hair to pull focus by slipping into a black jacket, white shirt, and fitted trousers for Tuesday night's star-studded event

Glam squad: Lively gave a shoutout to hairstylist Rod Ortega and jeweler Lorraine Schwartz

Nails: She also raved about her 'pressed flower nails' from celeb nail stylist @enamelle

Husband and director: She also framed husband Ryan Reynolds and his Free Guy director Shawn Levy in a hand heart

Hubby love: She also shared another shot of Reynolds with a heart emoji over him
Her last major film role was way back in 2014 for the remake of the musical Annie.

But Cameron Diaz was focused on other things on Tuesday, when she was seen holding baby daughter Raddix in her arms as she made her way to the car in Beverly Hills, California.

The Mask actress, 48, was summery in a black maxi sundress with thin straps.

Cameron Diaz was focused on family on Tuesday: She was seen holding baby daughter Raddix in her arms as she made her way to the car in Beverly Hills

The long flowing dress hung from the elastic bust in soft ruffles all the way down to Cameron's ankles.

She wore light-colored Birkenstock-style sandals, and had a pair of red sunglasses on.

Her blonde hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail with strands hanging down around her face.

Mom duty: The Mask actress, 48, was summery in a black maxi sundress with thin straps

Diaz sported three small hoops in her left ear, and had a maroon woven tote bag hanging from one elbow.

She held one-and-a-half-year-old Raddix, whom she shares with her husband Benji Madden, in her other arm.

The mother-daughter pair were apparently leaving a private home after attending a swim class for the little girl.

'We love you Mrs. Hannigan': Cameron's last major film role was way back in 2014 for the remake of the musical Annie

Since leaving a career in front of the camera behind, the Being John Malkovich star has largely focused her time and energy on Avaline, a vegan and organic wine label she launched with her friend and partner Katherine Power.

Cameron is also focused on family life, after marrying Benji, lead guitarist and backing vocalist of band Good Charlotte, in 2015.

The pair went on to welcome baby Raddix on December 30th, 2019.

Since leaving a film career behind: Diaz has largely focused her time and energy on Avaline, a vegan and organic wine label she launched with her friend and partner Katherine Power
Walking Tudor England

Rating:

Write Around The World With Richard E Grant

Rating:

A trip to the theatre feels like a reckless and dangerous business these days.

For my wife's birthday, we dared a West End show last month. I was afraid to clear my throat, in case it was mistaken for a cough and panic swept the stalls.

But as Professor Suzannah Lipscomb discovered in Walking Tudor England (5 Select), in Shakespeare's time an evening of drama really could turn into a crisis.

At The Globe theatre on the South Bank, a pregnant woman and her daughter on the front row were killed when a special effect blew up.

As Professor Suzannah Lipscomb (above with Tudor dancers at Michelham Priory) discovered in Walking Tudor England, in Shakespeare's time an evening of drama could turn into a crisis

And the actors halted a performance after a gang of toughs barged past the ticket booth without paying. In the brawl that followed, one freeloader was stabbed to death.

Complete disaster struck during the Bard's Henry VIII, when a live cannon was fired. The red-hot ball struck the thatch and set it alight, and the theatre burned down.

This series is crammed with juicy anecdotes, rattled off with relish. There's no time wasted on waffle: the Prof marches up with her knapsack on her shoulders, paints a vivid picture of the era with a few well-chosen tales, and strides off to her next destination.

It's history on foot for super fit tourists. Stragglers are advised to stick to the open-top bus.

Suzannah started at Greenwich Palace, where Henry VIII had his fateful fall during a jousting match in 1536. She looked in at the Dutch church in Austin Friars, then took a brisk stroll up Turnmill Street in Farringdon  once 'the most disreputable street in London'.

Then she drew breath at Bridewell hospital, a prison workhouse for Tudor petty criminals, 'arrant bawds and strumpets', and 'idle loitering knaves'.

With a suitcase full of paperbacks, Richard E Grant (pictured) was reading his way from Naples to the heel of Italy, on the first part of his literary travelogue, Write Around The World

The language has changed but, human nature being what it is, the country is still full of arrant bawds and idle knaves.

She picked a cold day for this highly entertaining walk, and the Prof was bundled up in quilted jacket and scarf  which sometimes meant her commentary sounded slightly muffled.

No such problems for actor Richard E. Grant, who was clad only in green trunks and sunhat for a dip off the Amalfi Coast.

He lay in the water, watched from above by a drone camera, with his arms and legs splayed like a starfish.

With a suitcase full of paperbacks, Richard was reading his way from Naples to the heel of Italy, on the first part of his literary travelogue, Write Around The World (BBC4).

At each place, he dipped into a classic set in an Italian town starting in the oppressive suburbs in the shadow of Vesuvius.

That's the backdrop for a quartet of novels, beginning with My Brilliant Friend, by the mysterious Elena Ferrante  a pseudonym masking a writer so secretive Grant claims no one knows whether the author is male or female.

The story charts an obsessive, destructive friendship between two girls whose community is blighted by crime.

Richard's final stop was in Matera where 20,000 people lived in caves until a few decades ago, was spectacular. This was a splendid concept for a travel show, and the locations did it justice

Seek out, if you can, the TV adaptation. Though its young stars had never acted before, they are mesmerisingly good.

It's a pity Richard didn't explore Ferrante's Naples in more depth. He got sidetracked instead by Dickens's descriptions of the city, before a brief excursion to Pompeii that told us nothing at all.

But he was on better ground in Positano, staying in the very hotel room where Patricia Highsmith first got the idea for her charming serial killer, Tom Ripley.

And his final stop, in Matera where 20,000 people lived in caves until a few decades ago, was spectacular.

This was a splendid concept for a travel show, and the locations did it justice.
Jonathan Ross showcased his quirky sense of style on Tuesday when he and wife Jane Goldman made their way to Lily Allen's new show in the West End.

Stepping out in the capital wearing green pinstripe trousers and animal print brogues, the presenter, 60, teamed his statement bottoms with a patterned black and white coat and covered his nose and mouth with a mask.

Screenwriter Jane, 51, wore her bright orange hair loose and opted for a plunging black camisole and trousers teamed with an unbuttoned checked shirt as they headed inside The Noel Coward Theatre to watch 2:22 A Ghost Story.

Night out: Jonathan Ross, 60, showcased his quirky sense of style on Tuesday when he and his wife Jane Goldman made their way to Lily Allen's new show in the West End

Quirky: Stepping out in the capital wearing green pinstripe trousers teamed with animal print vogues, the presenter teamed his statement bottoms with a patterned black and white coat

Jane was also wearing a facemask and opted for comfort in black trainers with bow detailing.

Around her wrist Jane wore a leopard print hair tie as she grasped onto the pair's theatre tickets.

The couple's friend Lily, 36, is currently starring in a new play called 2:22 A Ghost Story.

Stylish: Jane, 51, was also wearing a facemask and opted for comfort in black trainers with bow detailing

Tickets: Around her wrist Jane wore a leopard print hair tie and the star appeared to hold her and Jonathan's theatre tickets in her right hand

Layering up: Making sure to stay warm in the unreliable London weather, Jonathan layered a crisp black T-shirt beneath his stylish jacket

The new play is by Danny Robins and will run at the Noel Coward Theatre until October.

Lily plays Jenny in 2:22, a supernatural thriller about four friends caught up in a night of high tension.

The play follows Lily's character, who believes her new home is haunted - but her husband Sam (Hadley Fraser) remains skeptical.

They argue with their first dinner guests, old friend Lauren (Julia Chan) and new partner Ben (Jake Wood) and decide to stay awake until 2.22am to discover the truth.

Robins is best known for his docudrama horror podcast The Battersea Poltergeist, starring Dafne Keen and Toby Jones, which is being made into a TV series.

The new play is his debut in the West End.
Michael Jai White is opening up about the loss of his oldest son, who passed away a few months ago at 38 years of age.

The 53-year-old actor had his first son, whose name he didn't reveal, when he was just 15 years of age, he revealed in a wide-ranging interview with Vlad TV.

White revealed that his son had a compromised immune system due to substance abuse, and he had been hospitalized for quite some time before he passed, adding he had not been vaccinated from COVID-19.

Opening up: Michael Jai White is opening up about the loss of his oldest son, who passed away a few months ago at 38 years of age

Compromised: White revealed that his son had a compromised immune system due to substance abuse, and he had been hospitalized for quite some time before he passed, adding he had not been vaccinated from COVID-19

White said that both he and his son, 'grew up at the same time, but unfortunately, the street element was still very much a part of his life growing up.'

While they wouldn't say exactly when he passed away, the interviewer noted it was 'a few months ago' and he was still living in Connecticut, where White grew up.

When asked what he thought when he heard the news, White said, 'He was in the hospital for awhile, so it wasn't immediate.'

Grew up: White said that both he and his son, 'grew up at the same time, but unfortunately, the street element was still very much a part of his life growing up'

'Unfortunately, he was still like kinda out there in the streets, hustling. He wasn't doing well. He started getting on substances. He'd come out, go back in, all that stuff,' White added.

The Black Dynamite star said he tried to help him along the way, 'but ultimately it's up to that person, especially if that somebody is a grown person.'

White added that his son, 'never shook the streets,' adding, 'that was his thing,' and that he, 'lived the life he wanted to live.'

Hustling: 'Unfortunately, he was still like kinda out there in the streets, hustling. He wasn't doing well. He started getting on substances. He'd come out, go back in, all that stuff,' White added

The actor added that when he got sick and went to the hospital, 'COVID was waiting for him,' adding COVID-19, 'was the knockout blow.'

'He wasn't doing well and his system was compromised because of the other abuse,' referring to several years of drug abuse, adding his oldest was also a father of six children.

White also has a daughter named Morgan with Courtney Chatham, who he was married to from 2005 to 2011.

Daughter: White also has a daughter named Morgan with Courtney Chatham, who he was married to from 2005 to 2011

He has been married to Gillian Iliana Waters since 2015, who he has three children with.

White made history as the first Black actor to portray a superhero when he played Al Simmons in the 1997 film Spawn.

He has over 100 film and TV credits to his name, including his portrayal of Mike Tyson in the 1995 HBO movie Tyson, the title character in 2009's Black Dynamite and Bronze Tiger in the hit CW series Arrow.
Farmer Wants a Wife star Nickia has lashed out at farmer Will Dwyer, who is expecting a child with contestant Hayley Love.

Nickia, who is close friends with Hayley, 25, slammed Will, 39, after he released a statement this week saying he will be 'the best dad when the time comes'.

In a scathing Instagram post, she said Will, 39, should have stepped up when Hayley first revealed she was pregnant.

'The time came 6 months ago, buddy': Farmer Wants a Wife star Nickia has lashed out at farmer Will Dwyer, who is expecting a child with contestant Hayley Love

'When the time comes? The time came 6 months ago buddy when Hayley fell pregnant,' Nickia wrote on an Instagram story.

On the show, Nickia was matched with Farmer Sam Messina, but they failed to find love.

Her scathing post comes after Will released a statement on Monday finally addressing Hayley's bombshell pregnancy news.

'When the time comes?' Nickia, who is close friends with Hayley, 25, slammed Will, 39, after he released a statement this week saying he will be 'the best dad when the time comes'

Fan favourite: On the show, Nickia was matched with Farmer Sam Messina, but they failed to find love

He vowed to be 'the best dad I can be... when the time comes' - but qualified this promise with a caveat.

Daily Mail Australia cannot publish Will's full statement for legal reasons.

Alongside a photo of himself as a child with his own father, he said in a statement: 'My family are my world, and my parents were the perfect role models.

'When the time comes, I will be the best dad I can be. [Redacted for legal reasons], I'll be there whenever the child needs me. Even if as parents we can't be a couple, our family will be filled with love for our child.'

He added: 'But one thing I learnt from my father is that discretion is the better part of valour. I'm sad that this has played out in public. I want only the best for Hayley. I'll say what needs to be said in private and let my deeds do the talking.'

Speaking out: Her scathing post comes after Will released a statement on Monday finally addressing Hayley's bombshell pregnancy news. He vowed to be 'the best dad I can be... when the time comes'

Alongside a photo of himself as a child with his own father, he said in a statement: 'My family are my world, and my parents were the perfect role models'

Meanwhile, Will has turned off all comments on his latest Instagram posts.

Hayley revealed she was 22 weeks pregnant with Will's child in a bombshell statement last week, but confirmed they were no longer together.

She was originally matched with farmer Matt Trewin on the Channel Seven show, but he broke up with her shortly before the finale.

She went on to briefly date Will and became pregnant with his child, but they broke up after she told him she was expecting.

Hayley and Will had a short-lived romance after the FWAW finale was filmed in December - and after he'd split from his winning contestant, paediatric nurse Jaimee.

But they ended things around April.
Seven's newest drama series, RFDS, is still a week away from premiering in Australia.

But the gripping medical show has already been snapped up internationally, as reported by TV Tonight on Wednesday.

The program, about the lives of those serving in the Royal Flying Doctor Service, has already 'secured sales in six territories', according to the industry website.

Going global: Channel Seven has sold local drama RFDS to British and American TV networks before the show has even premiered in Australia

RFDS has been bought by PBS in the United States and Channel 4 in the UK.

It has also been sold to New Zealands TVNZ, TV4 in Sweden, Belgiums SBS and Talpa in the Netherlands.

RFDS will premiere on Australia's Channel Seven after the Farmer Wants a Wife reunion on Wednesday, August 11, at 8:40pm.

The show, which was filmed on location in Broken Hill, stars Stephen Peacocke, Rob Collins, Emma Hamilton, Justine Clarke and Ash Ricardo.

Coming soon: Gripping medical drama RFDS, which was filmed on location in Broken Hill, stars Stephen Peacocke (pictured) and Rob Collins. It debuts on Wednesday, August 11, at 8:40pm

Set in the outback, the show follows the doctors and nurses of the Royal Flying Doctor Service - Australia's famous rural medical service - as they race against time to save the lives of Aussies living in isolated parts of the country.

The show's 90-second trailer, which was unveiled earlier this month, begins with Peacocke standing in the middle of the outback, looking up at the night sky.

His voiceover begins: 'Out here, you can see just about every star.'

'If you screamed, you'd be pretty sure no one would hear you,' he continues, before adding: 'You'd be surprised.'

Cast: The medical drama, about the lives of those serving in the Royal Flying Doctor Service, will premiere after the Farmer Wants a Wife Reunion special

High drama: Seven dropped its action-packed trailer for new series RFDS earlier this month

All-star cast: The medical drama stars Stephen Peacocke (left), Rob Collins, Emma Hamilton (right), Justine Clarke and Ash Ricardo

Revved up: Viewers are then treated to a high-octane montage of mid-air birthing, car crashes and epic dust storms

Viewers are then treated to a high-octane montage of mid-air birthing, car crashes and epic dust storms.

There's also a romantic storyline, with Peacocke's character engaging in a workplace affair with his boss, played by The Tudors star Hamilton.

Seven's Executive Producer Julie McGauran said: 'This compelling series, led by an incredible cast and team of creatives, is based on the real-life stories of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and highlights the extraordinary work they do, day in, day out.

'RFDS showcases powerful contemporary Australian drama on an epic scale. We are thrilled to bring this rich and engaging series and its magnificent setting of outback Australia to audiences.'

Tryst: There's also a romantic storyline, with Peacocke's character engaging in a workplace affair with his boss, played by The Tudors star Hamilton

Ambitious: Seven's Executive Producer Julie McGauran said: 'This compelling series, led by an incredible cast and team of creatives, is based on the real-life stories of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and highlights the extraordinary work they do, day in, day out'

Return: Peacocke (left) is now back in Australia after spending a few years in Hollywood

Peacocke is now back in Australia after spending a few years in Hollywood.

The actor won a number of Logie Awards for his portrayal of Darryl Braxton on Home and Away from 2011 to 2016, before leaving the show to pursue a career stateside.

He went on to appear in U.S. films such as Me Before You and Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.

RFDS premieres Wednesday, August 11, at 8:40pm on Channel 7 and 7Plus
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Christian Bale was spotted for the first time in character as he filmed Thor: Love And Thunder in Malibu this week.

The 47-year-old superhero star is featuring as the villainous Gorr The God Butcher who was introduced in the comics in 2012.

He was pictured emerging on set in full costume - a menacing silver ensemble that included a full face prosthetic.

Sneak peek: Christian Bale was spotted for the first time in character as he filmed Thor: Love And Thunder in Malibu this week

Christian's character is an alien who hails from a planet afflicted by environmental calamities and whose prayers to the gods go unanswered.

After the deaths of his parents and pregnant wife Gorr becomes violently opposed to the gods as a result of their indifference.

Gorr and his army of Berserkers set off on a mission to systematically eliminate the Norse deities earning him his nickname of God Butcher.

His supervillain ensemble includes a flowing hooded sleeveless robes that could be seen fluttering in the breeze as Christian crossed the set.

Details: The Batman Begins star was covered in prosthetics that gave him deep grey skin on not just his face but also his exposed arms and hands

Who's who: The 47-year-old superhero star is featuring as the villainous Gorr The God Butcher who was introduced in the comics in 2012

Turn to evil: After the deaths of his parents and pregnant wife Gorr becomes violently opposed to the gods as a result of their indifference

On the make: Gorr and his army of Berserkers set off on a mission to systematically eliminate the Norse deities earning him his nickname of God Butcher

Unrecognizable: Christian is pictured at the Le Mans 66 premiere in Paris in 2019 (left) and on the set of Thor: Love And Thunder this week (right)

The Batman Begins star was covered in prosthetics that gave him deep grey skin on not just his face but also his exposed arms and hands.

For part of his workday Christian could be seen wrapping a voluminous black robe, including a hood, around the costume.

The American Psycho lead was surrounded by masked crew members as he ambled around on the beach between takes.

Christian is a new addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, having crossed over from playing the DC superhero Batman in a trilogy directed by Christopher Nolan.

Barefoot: For part of his workday Christian could be seen wrapping a voluminous black robe, including a hood, around the costume

By the sea: The American Psycho lead was surrounded by masked crew members as he ambled around on the beach between takes

Back at it: Christian is a new addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, having crossed over from playing the DC superhero Batman in a trilogy directed by Christopher Nolan

For Thor: Love And Thunder he will be joining a cast of franchise mainstays including Australian heartthrob Chris Hemsworth as the title character.

Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie, Natalie Portman as the Mighty Thor and Chris Pratt as Star-Lord are among the MCU stalwarts who are back for another film.

Taika Waititi, who also helmed this movie's prequel Thor: Ragnarok, is directing Thor: Love And Thunder which is scheduled for release next May.

While the Australian shoot wrapped at the beginning of June it appears that additional filming is taking place stateside.

Esteemed company: For Thor: Love And Thunder he will be joining a cast of franchise mainstays including Australian heartthrob Chris Hemsworth as the title character

What a cast: Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie, Natalie Portman as the Mighty Thor and Chris Pratt as Star-Lord are among the MCU stalwarts who are back for another film

Looking ahead: Taika Waititi, who also helmed this movie's prequel Thor: Ragnarok, is directing Thor: Love And Thunder which is scheduled for release next May

Globetrotting: While the Australian shoot wrapped at the beginning of June it appears that additional filming is taking place stateside

Christian was spotted with a bald head Down Under during principal photography in Australia earlier this year leading to online speculation he might be there for the film.

It emerged at the beginning of last year that Christian would be taking a role in Thor: Love And Thunder - evidently marking a change of heart for the actor.

'No, Im not interested in doing that,' he told Collider in 2017 when asked about the prospect of his starring in another superhero movie.

'Ive never seen -- Im trying to think if thats correct, I think Im actually correct, I cant remember a single superhero film that Ive ever watched. Apart from the ones I made and like, the Christopher Reeve Superman films.'

Incidentally: Christian was spotted with a bald head Down Under during principal photography in Australia earlier this year leading to online speculation he might be there for the film

Looking back: It emerged at the beginning of last year that Christian would be taking a role in Thor: Love And Thunder - evidently marking a change of heart for the actor

Water bottle in hand: 'No, Im not interested in doing that,' he told Collider in 2017 when asked about the prospect of his starring in another superhero movie

By the way: Christian said in 2017 that 'I cant remember a single superhero film that Ive ever watched,' adding: 'Apart from the ones I made and like, the Christopher Reeve Superman films'

Whilst teasing Thor: Love And Thunder to Empire Taika said 'Ive done some crazy s*** in my life. Ive lived, like, ten lifetimes. But its the craziest film Ive ever done.'

He added: 'If you wrote down all the elements of this film, it shouldnt make sense. Its almost like it shouldnt be made.'

The JoJo Rabbit director quipped: 'If you walked into a room and said: "I want this and this and this." Whos in it? These people. What are you going to call it? Love And Thunder. I mean, youd never work again. Maybe I wont after this.
Mila Kunis rocked a white long-sleeve top and chic ruffled mini skirt while shooting her upcoming Netflix film Luckiest Girl Alive in Toronto, Canada.

Before getting in front of the camera to film a few scenes, the 37-year-old actress bundled up in a black puffer jacket and a pair of cozy UGG boots.

Later, she removed her windbreaker, and could be seen showing off her tiny waist and slender legs as she got into character as Ani FaNelli.

On set: Mila Kunis rocked a white long-sleeve top and chic ruffled mini skirt while shooting her upcoming Netflix film Luckiest Girl Alive in Toronto, Canada

Kunis is starring as the protagonist for the screen adaptation of Jessica Knoll's 2015 best-selling novel.

Her character is described as, 'a sharp-tongued New Yorker who appears to have it all: a sought-after position at a glossy magazine, a killer wardrobe, and a dream Nantucket wedding on the horizon', according to a release from Netflix.

'But when the director of a crime documentary invites her to tell her side of the shocking incident that took place when she was a teenager at the prestigious Bradley School, Ani is forced to confront a dark truth that threatens to unravel her meticulously crafted life.'

Working hard: Before getting in front of the camera to film a few scenes, the 37-year-old actress bundled up in a black puffer jacket and a pair of cozy UGG boots

Leading lady: Later, she removed her windbreaker, and could be seen showing off her tiny waist and slender legs as she got into character as Ani FaNelli

The movie, which Knoll herself wrote the script for, is being directed by Mike Barker.

Before wrapping up for the day, the star changed into black athleisure and had her hair pulled into a high ponytail for some workout scenes.

The former That 70s Show star had a face visor on as she walked to and from the set in line with COVID-19 production protocols.

Outfit change: Before wrapping up for the day, the star changed into yoga clothes and had her hair pulled into a high ponytail for some workout scenes

Kunis has been married to her former sitcom co-star Ashton Kutcher since 2015 and they have two children - daughter Wyatt, six, and son Dimitri, four.

Earlier this month, Kutcher, 43, revealed that he bought a ticket for the next Virgin Galactic flight into space only to then sell it back at his wife's urging.

He told Cheddar News: 'My wife basically encouraged that it was not a smart family decision to be heading into space when we have young children.

Celebrity couple: Kunis has been married to her former sitcom co-star Ashton Kutcher since 2015 and they have two children - daughter Wyatt, six, and son Dimitri, four (pictured in 2018)

'So I ended up selling my ticket back to Virgin Galactic and I was supposed to be on the next flight but I will not be on the next flight,' he said. 'But at some point Im going to space!'

Last week, Kunis Kunis admitted she regretted having him sell his ticket.

'The fact that I didn't let him go into space was so selfish of me, but I was a new mom,' she told People, pointing out at the time she was pregnant with their youngest. 'I want everybody to know I probably would have let him to go to space now, but now it's too late.'
She just announced the exciting news she has landed her first acting role.

But Kelly Gale is already turning heads with her racy Instagram posts.

On Wednesday, the 26-year-old model turned up the heat by posing in racy lace lingerie.

Coming to your screens soon! Victoria's Secret model Kelly Gale showed off her phenomenal figure in racy lace lingerie on Tuesday after announcing her new movie role alongside Gerard Butler

The brunette beauty showed off her phenomenal figure and six-pack abs during a photo shoot, presumably for Victoria's Secret.

She modelled two saucy sets - a black and white balconette bra and matching knickers and a cut-out set with suspenders and stockings.

The shoot came after the actress-in-the-making accompanied her fiance Joel Kinnaman to The Suicide Squad premiere.

Sizzling: The brunette beauty showed off her phenomenal figure and six-pack abs during a photo shoot, presumably for Victoria's Secret

She also announced this week she has landed her first film role.

The Australian-Swedish beauty, took to Instagram to share the news via a Deadline article on Monday.

Kelly will star alongside Gerard Butler in the Lionsgate thriller The Plane.

Movie magic: Kelly is set for Hollywood stardom as she announces a new role alongside Gerard Butler in The Plane

'Am I dreaming? I still can't believe this is real! Started acting via Zoom at the beginning of the pandemic and immediately fell in love with the craft,' she wrote.

She added that it was good to get out of her comfort zone and try something new.

'It felt so good getting out of my comfort zone and feeling so passionate for something I was doing. Huge thanks to all my teachers,' she said.

Co-star: Kelly will star alongside Gerard Butler in the Lionsgate thriller The Plane. The British actor is pictured here in Berlin on February 23, 2020

She finished by thanking her actor fiance, Joel, whom she described as 'my biggest supporter and... the person who taught me the most'.

Kelly previously walked the runway for Victoria's Secret before the lingerie giant underwent a 'woke' corporate rebrand.

She was also Playboy Playmate of the Month for September 2016.

Leggy lady: Kelly previously walked the runway for Victoria's Secret before the lingerie giant underwent a 'woke' corporate rebrand. Pictured here in New York City on November 8, 2018

Kelly got engaged to her longtime boyfriend Joel, 41, in January this year.

She announced the exciting news on her Instagram account at the time.

She posted a photo of the pair embracing on a clifftop in California, and flashed her stunning new sparkling engagement ring.
Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher recently revealed they only bathe their children when they see dirt on them.

But as it turns out, they aren't the only superstars with a more hands-off cleaning approach.

During a joint interview on The View with her husband Dax Shepard, 46, Kristen Bell, 41, revealed she likes to 'wait for the stink' before bathing their two children.

'I'm a big fan of waiting for the stink': Kristen Bell and her husband Dax Shepard revealed their hands-off bathing routine during an interview on The View

The couple, who share daughter Delta, six, and son Lincoln, eight, together, made the revelation after the topic of Mila and Ashton's bathing confession was broached.

'We bathed our children every single night prior to bed as the routine, then somehow they just started going to sleep on their own without the routine and by George we had to start saying like, "Hey, when was the last time you bathed them?"' Dax said.

Kristen said the smell was biology's way of indicating it was time for a clean-up.

'I'm a big fan of waiting for the stink,' Kristen said. 'Once you catch a whiff, that's biology's way of letting you know you need to clean it up.

'There's a red flag': Kristen said the smell was biology's way of indicating it was time for a clean-up

'Hey, when was the last time you bathed them?' Dax said it all started after their children started putting themselves to bed on their own

'There's a red flag. Honestly, it's just bacteria; once you get bacteria you gotta be like, "Get in the tub or the shower." So I don't hate what they're are doing. I wait for the stink,' she said.

Mila and Ashton made a similar bathing revelation during a recent appearance on Dax's Armchair Expert podcast, admitting they only gave their daughter Wyatt, six, and son Dimitri, four, a scrub when they look physically grubby.

And even when the youngsters take a dip in the tub, they hardly ever use soap because they don't want to dry their delicate skin out.

Candid: Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis admitted they only give daughter Wyatt, six, and son Dimitri, four, a scrub when they look physically grubby; the family are pictured in 2017

The couple also made it clear they don't like to use soap on their skin, with the actor stating he only ever lathers up his 'armpits and crotch' while Mila was a little more bawdy, saying she washes the essentials like her 'slits and t**s.'

They clean up nicely! The Bad Moms actress then explained that she hardly ever had a shower during her childhood because they didn't have hot water at home; they are pictured in 2018

The conversation began when Dax told Monica that she should not be excising the natural oil on her skin by using soap every day.

In response, co-host Monica Padman replied: 'I can't believe I am in the minority here of washing my whole body in the shower. Who taught you to not wash?'

The Bad Moms actress then explained that she hardly ever had a shower during her childhood because they didn't have hot water at home.

Mila, who was born in Soviet Ukraine, explained: 'I didn't have hot water growing up as a child, so I didn't shower much anyway.'

She added: 'But when I had children, I also didn't wash them every day. I wasn't that parent that bathed my newborns - ever.'

Ashton added: 'Now, here's the thing: If you can see the dirt on them, clean them. Otherwise, there's no point.'

And the same principle applies to his own hygiene habits.

He explained: 'I wash my armpits and my crotch daily, and nothing else ever. I got a bar of Lever 2000 that delivers every time. Nothing else.'

However, the couple - who tied the knot in 2015 - do like to wash their faces after getting hot and sweaty at the gym.

Child star: Mila was just seven when she moved to the States and only a teen when she had her breakout role on That 70s Show. Seen in 1998 above

Ashton said: 'I do have a tendency to throw some water on my face after a workout to get all the salts out.'

Mila added: 'I do wash my face twice a day.'

The Mayo Clinic advises against washing a baby every day, stating: 'There's no need to give your newborn a bath every day. Three times a week might be enough until your baby becomes more mobile. Bathing your baby too much can dry out his or her skin.'

The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends that children ages 6 to 11 bathe at least 'once or twice' a week. They advise a child should be washed when they get 'dirty', 'after being in a pool' or when the child gets 'sweaty' or has 'body odor.'

Ashton and Mila first met while working on the series That 70s Show together in 1998, but they wouldn't become romantic until years later following Kutcher's divorce from Demi Moore in 2013.
She recently enjoyed a girls getaway to Croatia for Victoria's Secret model Jasmine Tookes' bachelorette party.

And Shanina Shaik looked happy to be back in the arms of her boyfriend Matthew Adesuyan after returning back to Los Angeles.

The couple packed on the PDA as they enjoyed a romantic lunch at popular Beverly Hills eatery Il Pastio on Tuesday.

Reunited! Shanina Shaik packed on the PDA with her boyfriend Matthew Adesuyan during a romantic meal in Los Angeles on Tuesday after a girls getaway to Croatia

That's different! Shanina went braless in an optical illusion strapless playsuit for the outing

The loved-up duo kissed and cuddled outside of the restaurant and clearly didn't care who saw.

Shanina went braless in an optical illusion strapless playsuit for the outing.

The ensemble featured a ribbed off-the-shoulder top and bike shorts built into one.

She teamed the attire with some white Converse sneakers and a tiny leather handbag.

Not a care in the world! The loved-up duo kissed and cuddled outside of the restaurant and clearly didn't care who saw

Missed you! Shanina looked happy to be back in the arms of her beau after recently returning back to the US

Don't let go! She wrapped her arms tight around Matthew as they soaked up the sun on the sidewalk

Meanwhile, her handsome partner showed off his tattoos in a tight white t-shirt paired with tight black jeans and silver Adidas sneakers

Shanina debuted her relationship with Matthew on Valentine's Day, with the pair going official on Instagram.

Sharing a black-and-white picture of the couple, Shanina wrote: My Valentine... Happy Valentine's Day.'

Tatt's hot! Her handsome partner showed off his tattoos in a tight white t-shirt paired with tight black jeans and silver Adidas sneakers

Afternoon tipple: The pair enjoyed a few beverages with their meal

In the photo, the beauty looked off into the distance while Matthew stood behind her with his arms holding onto her waist.

Shanina recently returned from her idyllic trip to Croatia.

Just last week she shared a picture of herself in a tiny gold bikini as she soaked up the sun while on holiday.

Cute and casual: Shanina teamed the attire with some white Converse sneakers and a tiny leather handbag

Natural beauty: The exotic beauty wore little to no makeup on her flawless face

Girls trip! She recently enjoyed a girls getaway to Croatia for Victoria's Secret model Jasmine Tookes' bachelorette party

Shanina shared the image to Instagram and looked like the ultimate beach babe in her strapless two-piece.

Her bikini featured a gold shell design over the bust, and string ties on the waist.

It comes after she thrilled fans earlier this week when she posted a picture of herself emerging out of the water in another racy two piece.

'Crystal clear,' Shanina captioned the stunning images.

Shanina wore a pink printed bikini which featured bright yellow ties at the waist and bust.

Shanina was in Croatia celebrating fellow Victoria's Secret model Jasmine Tookes' bachelorette party.
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Pamela Anderson has finally sold her jaw-dropping Malibu mansion for $11.8 million.

The sale of the 2,700 square feet home may have even broken a Malibu Colony real estate record, with each square foot being valued at more than $4,000, according to TMZ.

The lucky new owner of the home is Loren Kreiss, the CEO and creative director of Kreiss Furniture.

Off the market! Pamela Anderson has finally sold her stunning Malibu mansion for $11.8 million

Pamela has owned the home since 2000, when she purchased it for $1.8 million. The property recently underwent a $2 million price cut after she put it on the market earlier this year for $14.9 million.

After a sale on the home fell through, Pamela reduced the price to $12.9 million, according to The Sun.

The property, which is located in the Malibu Colony, is roomy with four bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms in what looks like a very modern tree house. The unusual structure was designed by architect Philip Vertoch.

Stars who have owned homes in the area include Ed Norton, Jim Carrey and Leonardo DiCaprio. Barbara Stanwyck, Clara Bow, Ronald Coleman and Gloria Swanson also spend time in the small community.

Home sweet home: The property is roomy with four bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms in what looks like a very modern tree house

Real estate journey: Pamela first put the property on the market earlier this year for $14.9 million, and cut the price by $2 million after a sale fell through (pictured 2019)

No place like home! The lucky new owner of the home is Loren Kreiss, the CEO and creative director of Kreiss Furniture

There is a rooftop deck with a fireplace which is perfect for watching the sunset over dinner.

And the property also includes a sizable blue-bottom swimming pool that includes built-in stools and am all-wood sauna.

Meanwhile, Pamela has been staying in her native Vancouver, where she is living on her grandmother's former property which she bought 30 years ago.

Marital bliss: Anderson has moved to Canada with her bodyguard husband Dan Hayhurst

The home is on Vancouver Island, in British Colombia, Canada.

The star has said she feels comfortable there during lockdown from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Her bodyguard husband Dan Hayhurst, whom she wed on Christmas Eve, is living with her. The two wed on the grounds of the dwelling.

New chapter: Pamela has been staying in her native Vancouver where she is living on her grandmother's former property which she bought 30 years ago (pictured 2019)

'It's time I went back to my roots. I'm in love and recently married my "average Joe" (as he likes to call himself),' Pamela explains of her decision to leave Malibu behind.

'I'm creating my life here now again where it all started. It's been a wild ride, now full circle,' the star says.

'I left my small town in my early twenties for Playboy, traveled all around the world, just to come home  one of the most beautiful places on earth. I made it home in one piece, a miracle. I'm a lucky girl.'
She is set to welcome her first child, a daughter, with restaurateur boyfriend Nathan Dalah in the coming months.

And Georgia Fowler showed off her blossoming baby bump on Wednesday as she shared a photo of her tummy on Instagram Stories.

The pregnant Victoria's Secret model, 29, snapped a black and white mirror selfie in her living room, which overlooked a harbour.

Growing: Georgia Fowler showed off her blossoming baby bump on Wednesday as she shared a photo of her tummy on Instagram Stories

It comes after Georgia showcased her belly in a skimpy white bikini last week.

The New Zealand native raised her arms above her head to highlight her lean limbs as she knelt on the sand in front of a brick wall, in photos shared to Instagram.

She swept her brunette hair to one side while striking a series of poses.

Bumping along nicely! It comes after the pregnant Victoria's Secret model, 29, showcased her belly in a skimpy white bikini last week

'Bring ya own beachball,' she captioned the snaps.

She was flooded with compliments from her followers, including fellow model Kaia Gerber, 19, who commented: 'Queen of having abs on top of her baby bump.'

Georgia, from Auckland, used to live in New York but relocated to Sydney last year.

'Bring ya own beachball': The New Zealand native raised her arms above her head to highlight her lean limbs as she knelt on the sand in front of a brick wall

Fit mama: She was flooded with compliments from her followers, including fellow model Kaia Gerber, 19, who commented: 'Queen of having abs on top of her baby bump'

She announced in April she was expecting a child with boyfriend Nathan, 26, the founder of the Fishbowl salad restaurant chain.

The catwalk queen shared the happy news on Instagram alongside a series of black and white photos of her baby bump.

'We can't wait to meet you little one,' she wrote.

'The best is yet to come': Georgia announced in April she was expecting a child with boyfriend Nathan Dalah, 26, the founder of the Fishbowl salad restaurant chain (pictured together)

'It's been hard to keep this one quiet, but now it's pretty hard to hide.

'Nathan and I couldn't be happier to share our exciting news with you. We cannot wait to meet you little one and begin our next adventure together.

'The best is yet to come.'
Buddy Valastro revealed Gigi Hadid was brought to tears after meeting him for the first time at Carlo's Bakery in Hoboken, New Jersey, earlier this year.

Upon reflecting on their fun afternoon decorating cakes together, the 44-year-old Cake Boss star recalled how she 'cried' before giving him a hug.

'She watched Cake Boss growing up and watched it with her family,' he explained to TMZ. 'We spent about four or six hours together.

Emotional: Buddy Valastro revealed Gigi Hadid was brought to tears after meeting him for the first time at Carlo's Bakery in Hoboken, New Jersey

He went on to describe her as 'such an amazing person' and even 'more beautiful on the inside than the outside.'

'We had so much fun making a cake together,' he raved, before pointing out that she has a 'great' eye for color and detail.

Last month, the new mom clocked in for work at his famous bakery to learn some frosting techniques as part of her new Harper's Bazaar cover story.

Sweet: Upon reflecting on their fun afternoon decorating cakes together, the 44-year-old Cake Boss star recalled how she 'cried' before giving him a hug

'She watched Cake Boss growing up and watched it with her family,' he explained to TMZ . 'We spent about four or six hours together'

Delicious: Last month, Hadid clocked in for work at Carlo's Bakery to learn some frosting techniques from the Valastro as part of her new Harper's Bazaar cover story

As a longtime fan of the King of confections, Gigi endearingly lost her cool and was the ultimate fan-girl, calling the gig as his intern a 'dream come true.'

'I have been waiting for [what feels like] my whole life for my first day at @carlosbakery,' Gigi penned on social media, at the time.

The model and the baker filmed a 12 minute Instagram video for Harper's where they decorated two blank canvas cakes with a variety of piping and frosting techniques that Buddy taught along the way.

In the footage, Buddy seemed to be bouncing back nicely from a terrifying freak accident that severely injured his hand in 2020 and almost derailed his career.

He was able to expertly teach Gigi how to pipe, frost and paint a variety of edible flowers that were used to adorn each of their small white cakes.

Cake decorating, Buddy explained, is more of a 'creative art' versus baking the cakes themselves which he said is a bit more like science

What an honor: As a longtime fan of the King of confections, Hadid endearingly lost her cool and was the ultimate fan-girl, calling the gig a 'dream come true'

'I have been waiting for [what feels like] my whole life for my first day at @carlosbakery,' Gigi penned on social media last month

'When I found out you were a fan, I was honored,' Buddy said.

Gigi is a big lover of Buddy and his long-running TLC show Cake Boss. She's also a foodie who loves cooking, baking and entertaining at home so took to the confectionary challenge like a duck to water.

The catwalk star revealed that she often sits online and watches frosting videos on Instagram which she finds 'very soothing.'

Impressive: The model and the baker filmed a 12 minute Instagram video for Harper's where they decorated two blank canvas cakes with a variety of piping and frosting techniques that Buddy taught along the way

Well done! Gigi is a big lover of Buddy and his long-running TLC show Cake Boss. She's also a foodie who loves cooking, baking and entertaining at home so took to the confectionary challenge like a duck to water

'When I found out you were a fan, I was honored,' Buddy said.

'Listen, you tell me what you wanna learn and I'll teach you,' Buddy told the beauty. 'I wanna learn everything!' exclaimed Gigi.

First, Buddy taught Gigi two different techniques for piping out frosting flowers.

'Oh my god, they're terrible,' Gigi said when she tried it out herself. 'That looks pretty good, Gi,' Buddy encouraged. 'Thank you, Bud,' the model responded.

'Listen, you tell me what you wanna learn and I'll teach you,' Buddy told the beauty. 'I wanna learn everything!' exclaimed Gigi

During the video Hadid opened up about what baking means to her and told an emotional story about baking her Oma (grandmom) a scratch made carrot cake for her last birthday before passing away.

Hadid decorated the meaningful cake with daisies and her Oma told her it was the best cake she'd ever eaten.

Meanwhile, Buddy shared that Carlo's Bakery's famous lobster tails are the one dessert that is the most meaningful to him after learning how to make them from his father.

Opening up: During the video for Harper's Bazaar, Hadid opened up about what baking means to her and told an emotional story about baking her Oma (grandmom) a scratch made carrot cake for her last birthday before passing away

The complicated cream filled flakey pastry, similar to the Italian sfogliatelle, is not only a top seller at Carlo's but it is what Buddy said he would have if he was 'going to the electric chair.'

At the end of the video, Gigi managed to create a stunning floral cake that didn't look remotely amateur, even next to Buddy's.

'I recently had the pleasure of spending some time in the kitchen with @gigihadid The August cover star of @harpersbazaarus To go over some cake decorating techniques,' Buddy wrote of the experience on social media.

'I recently had the pleasure of spending some time in the kitchen with @gigihadid The August cover star of @harpersbazaarus To go over some cake decorating techniques,' Buddy wrote of the experience on social media

Adding: 'Gigi really wins over my heart telling me about all of her favorite #CakeBoss moments!'

It's been a long road of recovery for Buddy who has been rehabilitating his right hand following a horrific incident last year.

In September of 2020, the 43-year-old celebrity baker impaled his right hand in a freak accident with the pin mechanism of his at-home bowling alley machine and suffered severe tendon and nerve damage.

A one-and-a-half inch metal rod pierced his hand three times between his ring finger and middle finger.

His sons Buddy Jr. and Marco had to use a saw to free their father from the machine and he was hospitalized for treatment, undergoing multiple surgeries.

By April he had told Rachael Ray that he'd regained about 75% usage of his right hand again and Buddy appeared to have no issues while working with Gigi.
Ashley Greene looked every bit the leading lady as she attended the premiere of Aftermath at The Landmark Westwood in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening.

The 34-year-old actress struck poses on the red carpet in a black mesh gown with geometric beading that protected her modesty.

Greene's striking gown also featured an abundant amount of black ostrich feathers from the calf to the hem, as well as the waistline and shoulders.

Leading lady: Ashley Greene looked every bit the leading lady as she attended the premiere of Aftermath at The Landmark Westwood in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening

Ashley wore her sleek brunette hair down and tucked behind her ears in order to showcase her silver horn earrings.

As for makeup, The Twilight alum rocked a soft brown smokey eye and a glossy nude lip.

Greene's shoes for the night remained completely concealed beneath her dress' dramatic feathery hem.

Beading: The 34-year-old actress struck poses on the red carpet in a black mesh gown with geometric beading that protected her modesty

Endless details: Greene's striking gown also featured an abundant amount of black ostrich feathers from the calf to the hem, as well as the waistline and shoulders

After striking poses solo, Ashley was joined by her onscreen husband Shawn Ashmore.

The 41-year-old actor kept casual cool for the Aftermath premiere by pairing a black blazer with dark wash denim jeans and Converse All Star sneakers.

Ashmore had a silver pendant necklace around his neck and wore his blonde hair neatly combed to one side.

Camaraderie: After striking poses solo, Ashley was later joined by her onscreen husband Shawn Ashmore (left)

Undercover: Greene's shoes for the night remained completely concealed beneath her dress' feathery hem

Casual cool: The 41-year-old actor kept casual cool for the Aftermath premiere by pairing a black blazer with dark wash denim jeans and Converse All Star sneakers

While schmoozing on the red carpet, Ashmore and Greene posed for a celebratory shot with Aftermath director Peter Winther.

Ashley had a mini Twilight Saga reunion as her costar Peter Facinelli, who played vampire patriarch Carlisle Cullen in the beloved series, attended the premiere with his fiancee Lily Anne Harrison.

Peter and Lily looked very much in love while posing close to one another on the red carpet.

Understated: Ashmore had a silver pendant necklace around his neck and wore his blonde hair neatly combed to one side

Pride: Shawn and Ashley stopped to pose for a celebratory snap with Aftermath director Peter Winther (center)

Longtime no see! Ashley had a mini Twilight Saga reunion as her costar Peter Facinelli, who played vampire patriarch Carlisle Cullen in the beloved series, attended the premiere with his fiancee Lily Anne Harrison (left)

The 47-year-old actor donned a white button-up shirt, grey trousers, and a pair of bright sneakers.

Britt Baron, who plays Dani in the forthcoming horror film, put on a leggy display in a tie-front black mini dress.

The GLOW alum slipped her feet into a pair of bright white heels and styled her hair into a low ponytail to expose her large gold hoop earrings.

Leggy: Britt Baron, who plays Dani in the forthcoming horror film, put on a leggy display in a tie-front black mini dress

Chic: Diana Hopper, who portrays the role of Avery in Aftermath, looked ready for business in a chic strapless blouse tucked into a pair of black trousers

Diana Hopper, who portrays the role of Avery in Aftermath, looked ready for business in a chic strapless blouse tucked into a pair of black trousers.

Aftermath will premiere on August 4 via Netflix, before the film's distributor Quiver releases the film 'on digital and VOD this fall,' as per THR.

The horror-mystery flick follows Natalie Dadich (played by Greene) and her husband Kevin Dadich (Ashmore) who accept an 'amazing deal on a home with a questionable past that would normally be beyond their means' in a final attempt to save their crumbling marriage.
The South Australian government has approved a reduced-capacity AFL crowd for the 50th Showdown between Adelaide and their arch rivals Port Adelaide.

The Crows will host the Power at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night in front of up to 15,000 fans under strict COVID-19 protocols.

It comes with crowds at AFL matches still limited to 10,000 in Tasmania and banned entirely in Victoria for at least one more week.

However, there is growing optimism limited crowds will be allowed to return in Victoria in round 22, after no new community cases of COVID-19 were reported on Wednesday.

Full-capacity crowds are allowed in Western Australia.

SA Health has advised seats at Adelaide Oval will be separated by two empty rows to maintain social distancing.

Fans must wear a mask at all times - except when eating and drinking, which must be done while seated - and all post-game activities have been cancelled.

"Any game we can play in front of our members is always going to be welcomed and much appreciated," Crows CEO Tim Silvers said.

"In a perfect world we would like to have a full house so as many of our supporters can attend but we obviously understand and support the measures that have been put in place to keep everyone safe.

"We also acknowledge this situation will not cater for all of our passionate members and we trust they will be understanding given these uncertain and challenging times."

The Showdown will be Adelaide's first home match in three weeks after they were forced to spend time temporarily based in Melbourne.

A Crows home game against Hawthorn in round 19 was relocated to Marvel Stadium.
Giada De Laurentiis turned up the temperate in a plunging green minidress, which showed off her toned physique, while grabbing lunch on Monday.

The 50-year-old celebrity chef, best known for her hosting Giada at Home for six seasons from 2008 to 2014, accessorized her floral frock with a pair of white sneakers, hoop earrings and oversized shades.

During her laid-back outing in Beverly Hills, the cookbook author oozed confidence and smiled at onlookers.

Rocking it: Giada De Laurentiis turned up the temperate in a green dress, which showed off her toned physique, while grabbing lunch on Monday

Five months ago, she released her NY Times bestselling book Eat Better, Feel Better, with a 21-day cleansing meal plan.

In an interview with Mind Body Green, she revealed the inspiration behind her book was realizing the importance of food in her body.

'Over the last decade, it became impossible to ignore the fact that the choices I had been making for the last 20 years just weren't working for me anymore,' she explained.

Cool girl: The 50-year-old celebrity chef, best known for her hosting Giada at Home for six seasons from 2008 to 2014, accessorized with a pair of white sneakers, hoop earrings and oversized shades

Her busy year also included the release of her series Bobby and Giada in Italy debuted on Discovery Plus in January.

The four-episode series debuted on the streaming service, which showed her teaming up to explore Italian cuisine with longtime pal Bobby Flay.

The duo first revealed how the show came together to People earlier this year.

Busy year: Five months ago, she released her NY Times bestselling book Eat Better, Feel Better, with a 21-day cleansing meal plan

Yogi: The star stays in shape previously told Parade she 'combines stress reduction, yoga, and meditation' to feel her best

Flay, 56, revealed that he came up with the concept with the show, and knew immediately that he wanted de Laurentiis to be a part of it.

'We're friends, we obviously both love Italy and we're both on the same network, so it made perfect sense,' Flay revealed.

He added: 'So that's what we did. And I have to say, I think it's probably the most beautiful thing that I've ever shot, for sure.

The friends spent a month traveling throughout Italy, with stops in Rome and Tuscany for the new series, which Flay said was a joy to film.

Bobby and Giada: Celebrity chefs and longtime friends Bobby Flay and Giada de Laurentiis team up to explore Italian cuisine in the new Discovery Plus series Bobby and Giada in Italy

'I think you're going to see an inherent happiness in both of us just being there,' Flay said.

'You know when you go to a place that you really love being, your whole demeanor is different. We were just so much more relaxed and just smiling a lot and just enjoying our surroundings,' he added.

Flay also raved about one of his favorite dishes from their time in Tuscany, from his time on the show.

Concept: Flay revealed that he came up with the concept with the show, and knew immediately that he wanted de Laurentiis to be a part of it

'One of the most classic dishes in Tuscany is a wild boar ragu with pasta, so I love doing things that are classic to a place," he said.

'The fact that I was making wild boar ragu and fresh fettuccine in Tuscany  that for me is one of my aha moments. To me, that's a win,' he added.

The show also showcased Giada's mother, actress Veronica De Laurentiis, as they dined at Armando Al Pantheon in Rome.

Joy: The friends spent a month traveling throughout Italy, with stops in Rome and Tuscany for the new series, which Flay said was a joy to film

They were served antipasto dishes: bruscetta, crostoni with anchovies, zucchini flower and mozzarella cheese, and coratella (lamb).

Flay revealed that, 'The lamb is spicy,' though the zucchini,' might be my favorite.'

Giada added, 'I like the beans a lot,' while her 70-year-old mother added, 'It's not spicy and heavy. It's very light.'
They've been happily in love since 2017.

But Shay Mitchell says marriage may not 'be in the cards' for herself and boyfriend Matte Babel as she is in 'no rush to get married' after welcoming daughter Atlas in 2019.

'I don't know if I've done anything in order,' the actress, 34, told E! News' Daily Pop on Tuesday. 'I didn't get married before a child. I had a child, didn't get married.

Content as they are: Shay Mitchell says marriage may not 'be in the cards' for herself and boyfriend Matte Babel as she is in 'no rush to get married' after welcoming daughter Atlas in 2019; the couple pictured in 2020

'I don't really know if that's in the cards for us. I think we both agree, maybe it's just me.'

The Pretty Little Liars star says she loves her and Babel's 'no pressure' relationship and that it keeps thing 'sexy' for the couple.

'There's no pressure here. I love it. I love the fact that we come home and every day I'm like, 'I choose you and you choose me,'' she explained.

'It keeps us on our toes. I'm like, 'Hey, I can walk out. I don't need to go through a lawyer, I can just walk out.' And same with him. It keeps it sexy.'

Her way: 'I don't know if I've done anything in order,' the actress, 34, told E! News' Daily Pop on Tuesday. 'I didn't get married before a child. I had a child, didn't get married; Shay pictured in 2019

Shay and Matte reportedly began seeing one another at some undisclosed point in 2017.

Two years later in October 2019, the pair welcomed their first and only child, daughter Atlas, into the world.

Earlier this year, the You actress told Us Weekly that her relationship with Babel can be 'a lot at times' and that it 'too can go on ebbs and flows.'

Shay continued: 'One minute I'm like, "You stay on this side of the bedroom, I'll be on this side, do not cross this line." You know?

Keeps things sexy! The Pretty Little Liars star says she loves her and Babel's 'no pressure' relationship and that it keeps thing 'sexy' for the couple; Matte and Shay pictured in 2018

'And then other days I'm like, "Oh, this is awesome. I feel very grateful that I have you here to watch this Netflix show." You know what I mean?'

She also stressed that it is 'really important' for her and the Canadian actor to 'take our moments of alone time, adding that she 'definitely treasure those moments I get to myself as well.'

During her E! News Daily Pop appearance on Tuesday, Shay gushed over how much fun it has been raising her almost two-year-old daughter Atlas and watching her grow.

'It's fun, it's so much fun. She's almost two and it's so great. I think every single day, I'm like, it's only getting better.

Ebbs and flows: Earlier this year, the You actress told Us Weekly that her relationship with Babel can be 'a lot at times' and that it ' too can go on ebbs and flows'; Matte and Shay pictured in 2018

Loving it: During her E! News Daily Pop appearance on Tuesday, Shay gushed over how much fun it has been raising her almost two-year-old daughter Atlas and watching her grow; Shay and Atlas pictured in April

'Then it will come the terrible two's of what I've heard, and I'll be like, "Go back to being a little toddler,"' she joked.

As for plans to further expand her family with Matte, Shay jokingly teased the 'possibly' of welcoming a second child if Los Angeles residents are forced to go back into COVID-19 quarantine amid the rise of the Delta variant of the virus.

'Damn, I might as well do it again if we're going to go back in there. I feel so unproductive from last pandemic.

'I should have had a baby! I don't know, I'd love to. When the time is right, you'd be the first to know,' she concluded.
Celebrities have been lining up to get their AstraZeneca vaccinations as Sydney's Covid-19 outbreaks rage on.

And Lisa Wipfli is ready to join them, with the entrepreneur taking to her Instagram Stories on Wednesday to reveal she'd booked in for her jab.

'I'm going this week to get [AstraZeneca],' she told a fan during a Q&A session.

Next! Lisa Wipfli is ready to join the line of celebrities preparing to get vaccinated with AstraZeneca. Pictured here with husband Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli

The fan asked Lisa if she'd received her vaccine yet, with the Nourishing Bub founder replying, 'No I haven't yet.'

She explained, 'I was holding out for Pfizer but I know this is utterly ridiculous because I don't have any underlying health issues, so I'm going this week to get AZ.'

'Get vaccinated everyone,' she implored her followers.

Doing her bit: 'I'm going this week to get [AstraZeneca],' she told a fan during a Q&A session

The message comes after Jackie 'O' Henderson became the latest celebrity to get the AstraZeneca vaccination as Sydney's battle to contain the Delta variant rages on.

Despite initially having hesitations after hearing false claims from anti-vaxxers, the 46-year-old confirmed on Tuesday that she knew it was the right step to take - and rolled up her sleeve live on-air on The Kyle and Jackie O Show.

KIIS FM's resident 'Doctor KIIS' - also known as Dr. Sam Hay - administered the shot, with an excited Jackie exclaiming 'Stick it in, baby!' as she received her first dose in front of the station's thousands of listeners.

Quick and painless! Jackie 'O' Henderson is the latest celebrity to get the AstraZeneca vaccination as Sydney's battle to contain the Delta variant rages on

'We really need to encourage people out there to go and get vaccinated,' Dr Sam said, adding he thought those against spreading false information about the vaccine are 'seriously deluded'.

When Dr. Sam explained that even with one vaccination she would already have a 'reduced rate of contracting and transmitting Covid-19 to other people', Jackie said: 'That's the most important thing to me.'

Jackie joins the long list of stars who have rolled up their sleeves to get the AstraZeneca vaccine, including comedian Andy Lee, Today Extra host Sylvia Jeffreys and The Project host Lisa Wilkinson.

Listeners had been sceptical that Jackie may not have wanted the vaccine at all, seeing as her co-host Kyle Sandilands had his first dose back in June.

But in a statement to Daily Mail Australia in July, Jackie said: 'I have every intention of getting vaccinated, I am pro-vaccine and always have been.

'Unfortunately, due to my back to back TV and radio commitments over the last few months, I haven't been able to prioritise this yet. But it's at the top of my list now.'

The right thing: Despite initially having hesitations after hearing false claims from anti-vaxxers, the 46-year-old said she knew it was the right thing to do - and on Tuesday, she rolled up her sleeve live on-air on The Kyle and Jackie O Show

Sydneysiders, including Jackie, are currently in their sixth week of lockdown.

On Tuesday, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the state had recorded another 199 cases of Covid-19 overnight, including 50 who were infectious in the community.

However, the Premier - who extended stay-at-home orders to at least August 28 as the latest outbreak rose to 3,427 infections - said her government had a plan to 'break records' as it ramped up its immunisation campaign.

'Once you get to 50 per cent vaccination, 60 per cent, 70 per cent, that triggers more freedoms. We can turn this around in four weeks,' she said on Sunday.

'We have the month of August to get the vaccination rates as high as possible. Let August be the month where we break records with the vaccination.'

In good company: Lisa Wilkinson revealed she'd received her first AZ vaccine last month

Rolling up his sleeves: Andy Lee received his first Covid jab earlier this month, sharing a photo to Instagram of the tell-tale Band-Aid on his arm

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.

Australian adults are also able to book an AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine within days, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison saying he his hopeful the 70 per cent rate will be achieved before the end of the year as thousands of young people come forward to get AZ.

'What we're seeing in New South Wales now is AstraZeneca dosage rates amongst 16 to 39 year olds just rapidly escalate,' he said on Monday.

'We've seen our vaccination rates on double dose now more than double in the last month. I mean, in July we were up some 4.5 million vaccines in the month,' Mr Morrison said.

Moving forward: NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, who extended stay-at-home orders to at least August 28 as the latest outbreak rose to 3,427 infections, said her government had a plan to 'break records' as it ramped up its immunisation campaign

In April the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) said the AstraZeneca jab was only recommended for over 50s because of a low risk of blood clots in younger people.

In June the body increased the minimum recommend age to 60, denting confidence and delaying the jab rollout by two months as the government scrambled to get more Pfizer into the country.

Then in July as Sydney's outbreak worsened, ATAGI said all over 18s should consider getting the vaccine because the risk of catching Covid had increased, a move which has allowed the rollout to rapidly ramp up.

Children aged 12 to 17 can only get the Pfizer vaccine.

Mr Morrison said: 'We had those early problems, we've got on top of them, we've turned it around and we've got our gold medal run till the end of the year to get this done.'
The Onedin Line star Anne Stallybrass has passed away aged 82 following her stellar TV career, which launched in the 1970s.

The actress, who was afraid of the sea, enjoyed fame playing Jane Seymour in The Six Wives Of Henry VIII and later in The Onedin Line as the long-suffering wife of shipping line founder James Onedin - in what was later life imitating art.

Anne, who was married to actor Roger Rowland in 1963 before later divorcing, tied the knot with her co-star Peter Gilmore in 1979 after 10 years as a couple and they lived in a cottage in Dartmouth. He passed away in 2013.

The star - full name Jacqueline Anne Stallybrass - was born on 4 December 1938 and died 3 July and is survived by nephew, Jeremy, and two nieces, Caroline and Nicola.

The happy couple: The Onedin Line star Anne Stallybrass has passed away aged 82 following her stellar TV career through the 1970s (Anne pictured with on and off-screen husband Peter Gilmour in The Onedin Line in 1971)

Anne was born in Rochford, Essex to Bank of England clerk Edward Stallybrass and his wife Annie, nee Peacock. She went to a local convent school, the same attended by Helen Mirren and Gemma Graven.

She got her first acting experience with the Arthur Brough Players, at Folkestone's Leas Pavilion, where she debuted in Rookery Nook in 1960, in Westcliff.

Her first notable TV role was playing Jane Seymour in 1970's The Six Wives Of Henry VIII, which went on to become a hit all over the world.

Speaking in 1989, she said of the part: 'Not one of us thought we were involved in a success while we were making it.'

The happy couple: Anne tied the knot with her co-star Peter Gilmore in 1979 after 10 years as a couple and they lived in a cottage in Dartmouth. He passed away in 2013 (Peter and Anne in 1993)

On the ongoing acclaim of the show being aired around the world at the time, she said: 'I had a cheque from Saudi Arabia the other day and that was for a piece of work I originally did nineteen years ago, I suppose. Amazing.'

It was 18 months after playing Jane that she went on to scoop her most renowned in BBC's The Onedin Line, which aired in 70 countries.

She starred as Anne, wife of the shipping line founder James Onedin, played by her later-husband Peter, who was later described by one critic as 'a working-class Horatio Hornblower'.

Starring role: The actress enjoyed huge fame playing Jane Seymour in The Six Wives Of Henry VIII (pictured) and later in The Onedin Line as the long-suffering wife of shipping line founder James Onedin - in what was later life imitating art

In the show, James invests his 25 inheritance from his chandlery owner father, in the Charlotte Rhodes, a square-rigged sailing ship, to start his own business and go into competition with his former shipping employer.

He is sold the ship by James Hayter's character Captain Webster for a slashed price so long as he married his disapproving daughter Anne - played by Anne.

Her decision to star on the show was somewhat shocking due to her fear of the sea.

She revealed: 'I had a dread of falling overboard. The costumes were so weighty that I was convinced I would drown, but everyone assured me that with all those petticoats, I'd have floated...

'At least they kept me warm, but I took off the whalebone corset because it was so terribly uncomfortable when I walked up and down the deck. The clothes must have been hell for women in those days.'

Star: Anne starred in Heartbeat from 1995 to 1998 playing Eileen Reynolds (pictured)

She left the show after two series, having starred from 1971 to 1972, as she was worried she would be typecast, so was written out with the storyline seeing her die in childbirth before James honours her by naming a ship after her.

The show went on for nearly 10 years and was a roaring success, leading to Anne later reflecting on whether leaving was the right decision.

She said: 'Looking back now, I suppose it was quite a courageous decision in a way. I'm not at all sure I'd do the same thing now, but that was sixteen years ago and so I was younger and I felt the need to do something different.'

Following her stint on The Onedin Line, she started a relationship with on-screen husband Peter and they married in 1987. They had a home named Onedin House in Dartmouth, Devon, where the show was filmed.

After 10 years in a partnership rather than married, they tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in Richmond before just three friends - despite staunchly insisting they would not marry in previous times.

When asked what changed, Anne said: 'Oh, I don't know. For all sorts of enigmatic reasons. No, it was just a personal decision, nothing more than that. It just felt right...

Here she is! Anne is pictured in November 1974

'And we did manage to do it incredibly secretly, incredibly privately. If you really want to keep it private, you can. I mean, people don't go round every single board at every single register office looking to see who's marrying who...

'I think that most people who claim they want to keep it quiet and then it's splashed all over the papers actually probably wanted just that in the first place...

'It was just something totally private between us. Peter's a very private person and has suffered in the past by pressure from the Press. He certainly didn't want that to happen again.'

Anne was unable to have children but previously stated: '[That's] something I have learnt to live with. I take great joy in my three godchildren and have kept in contact with all the 'television children' I have had.'

While The Onedin's second season was being aired, in 1972 she played Anna Strauss in the Austrian music-dynasty drama The Strauss Family.

She's a star! Anne is pictured in 1969

She scored BAFTA nominations for her role in the two popular series.

Anne starred in Heartbeat from 1995 to 1998 playing Eileen Reynolds.

Her final TV role was in 2015's A Song For Jenny. The Frank McGuinness TV film was an adaptation of Julie Nicholson's book detailing losing her daughter in the 7/7 London bombings. Anne played the author and Emily Watson her daughter Julie.

Anne previously said of her biggest roles: 'I became well known for playing long-suffering 'historical' ladies  Jane Seymour, the Mayor of Casterbridge's wife, Mrs James Onedin. I've been ill-used by my screen husbands  rotters to a man.'

Here they are! She is pictured alongside Jessica Benton in The Onedin Line

Her first love lay in the theatre and she aimed to return to the stage yet never lived her dream of working with the Royal Shakespeare or National companies.

She said she loved theatre thanks to the fact: '[It] brings a marvellous sense of belonging and working together as a team'.

Anne's best known theatre role was playing Charlotte Bronte in in Noel Robinson's Glasstown on a national tour, followed by a 1973 run at the Westminster Theatre.

In the same year, she gave a performance at The Old Vic as Maggie in Harold Brighouse's Hobson's Choice. She also toured with comedians including Eric Sykes in Alan Ayckbourn's Time and Time Again from 1983 to 1984.
Tammy Hembrow has shared a heartwarming tribute to her daughter Saskia as she celebrated her fifth birthday on Wednesday.

The fitness mogul, 26, posted a series of photos of herself embracing her daughter to Instagram.

'My sweet girl!! Five years earth side! Every single day you remind me how incredibly blessed I am,' she wrote.

'The kindest most amazing little soul': Tammy Hembrow shared a sweet tribute to her daughter Saskia as she celebrated her fifth birthday on Wednesday

She added: 'The kindest most amazing little soul. Mummy loves you beyond words, my little soulmate Sass.'

In one picture, Tammy looked at Saskia adoringly as they wore matching coloured pyjamas.

In another image, Tammy gave her daughter a kiss on her cheek as she smiled for the camera.

She also shared a video of Saskia smiling while blowing her birthday candles.

Twinning! The fitness mogul, 26, posted a series of photos of herself embracing her daughter to Instagram

Tammy shares Saskia and her son Wolf, six, with ex-fiance Reece Hawkins.

She has moved on from Reece with Gold Coast-based Ironman Matt Poole, 32.

Reece and his American model fiancee London Goheen, 23, welcomed their first child together, son Stone, in March.

Celebration: She also shared a video of Saskia smiling while blowing her birthday candles

Tammy's post comes after she revealed last week she'd treated herself to a custom Bentley Bentayga, worth an estimated $460,000.

She already owns a white Mercedes-Benz G-CLASS G63 AMG SUV, worth $142,000.

Tammy has also previously shown off her Mercedes-Benz AMG GT-C on Instagram, with this vehicle estimated to be worth $330,000.
As the world continues to open up amid the coronavirus pandemic, many are jetting away on holiday to make up for lost time.

And Rocco Ritchie was hot on the heels of fellow sun-seekers as he was spotted living it up on the beach in Porto Cervo, Sardinia on Monday.

The superstar offspring, 20, who is the son of Madonna and moviemaker Guy Ritchie, went shirtless while swigging drinks and cooling off in the water during his sun-drenched getaway among a number of pals.

Dwon in! Rocco Ritchie was hot on the heels of fellow sun-seekers as he was spotted living it up on the beach in Porto Cervo, Sardinia on Monday

Rocco looked in total relaxation mode as he hit the shores with his friends, making the most of the sunshine and the cooling waters.

He is Madonna's eldest son. She is also mum to Lourdes, 24, with Carlos Leon, and adoptive kids, David Banda, 15, Mercy, 15, and twins Estere and Stelle, eight.

His trip comes after Rocco's five siblings and his mum Madonna headed to Michigan to celebrate his grandfather Silvio Ciccone's 90th birthday in June.

Taking to Instagram to document the occasion, Madonna gushed that her father had 'lived through many traumas' after growing up in the US as an Italian immigrant.

Woo! The superstar offspring, 20, who is the son of Madonna and moviemaker Guy Ritchie, went shirtless while swigging drinks and cooling off in the water during his sun-drenched getaway among a number of pals

Relaxed: Rocco looked in total relaxation mode as he hit the shores with his friends, making the most of the sunshine and the cooling waters

Rocco was absent from the festivities which took place at the family's vineyard in Sutton's Bay.

While most of her children frequently make appearances on her Instagram, Lourdes is seen less often, while Rocco is virtually never seen, as he spends most of his time in his father's native England.

Back in 2016, Guy a bitter nine month custody battle he has been entrenched in with Madonna over where their son should live.

Pals: He was joined by a gal pal in the waters

Woo! It was fun and frolics all around as he hit the shores

The Sherlock Holmes director reached a settlement with the pop star hours before they were due in court in New York.

Speaking outside the court Guy's lawyer, Peter Bronstein, said that the then-16-year-old-year-old would continue to live with his father in London.

Despite the well-publicised battle, things have clearly settled as he enjoyed time with both his mum and siblings. The couple were married from 2000 until 2008.
She recently jetted off to the French Riviera with her family to attend the star-studded wedding of Lady Kitty Spencer.

And Emma Weymouth looked sensational as she showed off her amazing figure in a skimpy red bikini as she enjoyed a beach day with her family in St Tropez.

The mother-of-two, 35, who is married to the Eight Marquess of Bath, Ceawlin Thynn, appeared in great spirits as she sauntered along the shore before diving in to the sea.

Lady in red: Emma Weymouth looked sensational as she showed off her amazing figure in a skimpy red bikini as she enjoyed a beach day with her family in St Tropez

Emma oozed confidence as she rocked the tiny scarlet two-piece which featured pretty shell detailing.

The beauty clutched a pair of goggles while enjoying her sunny day out, before spending time with her son in the sea.

Emma also showed off her fashion sense as she later donned a colourful patterned cover up, which she teamed with a straw hat and a chic clutch bag.

She appeared relaxed and happy as she mingled with other holidaymakers on the beach.

Stunning: The mother-of-two, 35, who is married to the Eight Marquess of Bath, Ceawlin Thynn, appeared in great spirits as she sauntered along the shore before diving in to the sea

The Strictly Come Dancing star returned to France after attending the nuptials of her friend Lady Kitty Spencer in Italy.

Princess Diana's niece, 30, wedded her long-term boyfriend Michael Lewis at a 17th century Italian castle last Saturday.

Lady Kitty's father Earl Spencer, 57, did not attend and she was walked down the aisle by her brother Louis Spencer, Viscount Althorp, 27, and half brother Samuel Aitken, whose father is businessman Jonathan Aitken.

Princess Diana's niece said 'I do' in front of a hushed congregation in the Villa Aldobrandini in Frascati, a stunning country mansion with views towards Rome on Saturday.

Fun times: The beauty clutched a pair of goggles while enjoying her sunny day out, before spending time with her son in the sea

Fashionista: The Strictly Come Dancing star returned to France after attending the nuptials of her friend Lady Kitty Spencer in Italy

Making a splash: Emma made the most of her time on the beach as she took a refreshing dip in the sea

Photographs of the bride showed her wearing a high-necked Victorian-inspired lace gown by favourite designer Dolce and Gabbana for the occasion, which featured puff sleeves and a cinched waist.

Meanwhile she swept her hair back into a low bun and opted for a lengthy train for the occasion.

Her husband opted for a smart white tuxedo and, later, Prince William and Harry's younger cousin changed into a second gown, with short sleeves, pink floral detailing and a flowing hemline.

Emma and her husband were among a host of glamorous guests at Kitty's nuptials including the bride's sisters; twins Eliza and Amelia, pop star Pixie Lott and her model boyfriend Oliver Cheshire, Idris Elba's wife Sabrina and Made In Chelsea star Mark Vandelli.

Wedding guest: The Strictly Come Dancing star returned to France after attending the nuptials of her friend Lady Kitty Spencer in Italy
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Bridgerton creator Chris Van Dusen confirmed that production has resumed on the highly-anticipated second season after two positive coronavirus tests shut it down.

And this series' main character Anthony Bridgerton - played by Jonathan Bailey - was pictured back on set on Tuesday, as the cast and crew resumed filming on the new season of the alternative period drama.

The actor, 33, donned a navy velvet double-breasted jacket and beige breeches along with a top hat, as he prepared to film a wood scene off camera surrounded by members of the crew.

On set: Anthony Bridgerton - played by Jonathan Bailey - was pictured back on set on Tuesday, as the cast and crew resumed filming on the new season of the alternative period drama

'I hope people love this season': Season two is based on Julia Quinn's 2000 sequel The Viscount Who Loved Me, which is centered on Anthony Bridgerton's (R, Jonathan Bailey) quest to find a suitable partner

While away from the cameras, Jonathan wore a perspex shield as a form of coronavirus protection, as the actors returned to filming following a recent Covid outbreak on set.

He was also seen shrugging on a tweed coat with the assistance of a member of the crew, who was at hand to help the cast members dress away from the rolling cameras.

Jonathan's character Anthony Bridgerton will be the main star of the second season, alongside Simone Ashley as his potential bride (Kate Sharma), as he plot follows his quest to find love.

Well protected: While away from the cameras, Jonathan wore a perspex shield as a form of coronavirus protection, as the actors returned to filming following a recent Covid outbreak on set

Taking time out: Elsewhere on set, two male cast members took time out from filming while still dressed in period costume and sat in a white tent which had been put up in the woodland area

Elsewhere on set, two male cast members took time out from filming while still dressed in period costume and sat in a white tent which had been put up in the woodland area.

Both actors were dressed in similar ensembles, which included a tweed waistcoat and puff-sleeve white shirt, with cream breeches and knee-length boots.

The dapper actor bore a serious expression as they chatted inbetween takes.

Vans pulling carriages on trailers were also see arriving on set, as well as a host of animals including two Irish Wolfhounds and four horses who could be seen grazing on the grass.

Period dress: Both actors were dressed in similar ensembles, which included a tweed waistcoat and puff-sleeve white shirt, with cream breeches and knee-length boots

Star: Phoebe rose to fame in Netflix's raunchy period drama as Daphne Bridgerton, but she was not pictured on the day - she said co-star Rege-Jean Page's exit from the series 'put a spanner in the works'

During the new series, the role of Edwina Sharma, Kate's sister who also plays a key role in Anthony's love story, will be played by newcomer Charithra Chandran.

Shelley Conn will play the girls' mother, Lady Mary Sharma, who was previously embroiled in a scandal; while Calam Lynch will play rebellious printer's assistant Theo Sharpe.

Creator Chris recently confirmed that cameras were once again rolling on the series following the Covid setback, hours before the actors were spotted on location.

'We are back under way. We had to delay because of Covid, but we're back in it,' the 61-year-old showrunner told Variety on Tuesday.

'Right now I'm in post, editing our first couple episodes, which are looking great.'

So serious! The dapper actor bore a serious expression as they chatted inbetween takes

Prepped: One actor carried a bottle of water and a face mask in her hand

Season two is based on Julia Quinn's 2000 sequel The Viscount Who Loved Me, which is centered on Anthony Bridgerton's (Jonathan Bailey) quest to find a suitable partner.

'We pick up Anthony after we've seen what he's been through with his mistress,' Van Dusen teased.

'He's thinking, 'Was that love?' Some would call it that, others would not. We're exploring those concepts of duty and honor once again...I hope people love this season and beyond as much as they did the first.'

Newcomers to the critically-acclaimed Shondaland show will include Simone Ashley, Charithra Chandran, Rupert Evans, Rupert Young, Shelley Conn, and Calam Lynch.

Hounds: One of the crew members arrived with a pair of Irish Wolfhounds

An eye-popping 82M households streamed the Gossip Girl-style period drama about Regency London high society within the first 28 days of its Christmas Day premiere.

Season one scored an impressive 12 nominations - including outstanding drama series - for the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards, which air September 19 on CBS.

Rege-Jean Page scored a lead actor nod for portraying Duke of Hastings Simon Bassett, but saddened fans after announcing he was exiting Bridgerton on April 2.

Fans of the Netflix hit can also look forward seasons three and four as well as a limited series prequel in the works about Queen Charlotte's (Golda Rosheuvel) origin story.

Horse and carriage! A stately carriage also arrived on a trailer on the back of a van

Covered up: One actor walked around wearing a face mask

Giddy up! A herd of horses could be seen tied up outside a horsebox on the grass

Ready for action: A group of crew members gathered near a trailer

Come on! One of the actors walked to of the wolfhounds on leads

Taking a break: Some of the crew members were on their phones during a moment off from filming
The actress playing Princess Anne in The Crown's fifth season has been revealed as The IT Crowd and Humans star Claudia Harrison.

The RADA-trained performer was spotted in character on-set at Scotland's Covesea Lighthouse on Tuesday, where she was shooting opposite Imelda Staunton, who is taking on the role of Queen Elizabeth II in the Netflix show.

Claudia, 45, boasts a number of TV gigs on her CV as well as a high-profile co-star following her turn in 2005 thriller Archangel, where she starred opposite Daniel Craig in the show about a mystery concerning dictator Josef Stalin.

She is a farmers wife and a mother-of-three and is said to have been shocked and delighted when she was chosen to play Anne when the Royal was aged in her 40s.

Who's who? The actress playing Princess Anne in The Crown's fifth season has been revealed as The IT Crowd and Humans star Claudia Harrison

As well as Imelda, Claudia was also shooting alongside Theo Fraser Steele, who is thought to be playing Anne's second husband Timothy Laurence.

After she was seen on set of Tuesday, tongues began wagging over the identity of who was playing the royal and also over her remarkable likeness to Princess Anne.

One Twitter account entitled Royal Watcher, shared a message reading: 'Ok I think the actress playing Princess Anne is called Claudia Harrison? #TheCrown', alongside a trio of images of Claudia in different roles as well as an image from on-set.

Other actresses suggested by fans included Notting Hill's Gina McKee, 57, The Shape Of Water's Sally Hawkins, 45, Sabotage's Olivia Williams, 53, Motherland's Anna Maxwell Martin, 44, and Keeping Faith's Eve Myles, 43.

The role of Princess Anne was previously played by Erin Doherty in 2019's third and last year's fourth series on The Crown.

It's her? One Twitter account entitled Royal Watcher, shared a message reading: 'Ok I think the actress playing Princess Anne is called Claudia Harrison? #TheCrown', alongside a trio of Claudia in different roles as well as an image from on-set

Look familiar? The RADA-trained performer was spotted in character on-set at Scotland's Covesea Lighthouse on Tuesday, where she was shooting opposite Imelda Staunton, who is taking on the role of Queen Elizabeth II in the Netflix show

Here they are: Claudia is playing an older incarnation of Princess Anne (pictured, right, in 2016), with the cast appearing to recreate scenes which saw her visit a stables in Covesea in 2002

Claudia is an associate teacher at RADA (the Royal Academy Of Dramatic Arts) and is listed on the academy's website as: 'After a degree in drama from Birmingham University, Claudia graduated from RADA in 2000...

'As a professional actor she has had a varied and exciting career, including lead roles in TV, film, theatre and radio...

'Her most recent work includes Humans for Channel 4, The Painkiller with Rob Brydon and Kenneth Branagh (Lyric, Belfast), Lucan with Rory Kinnear (ITV) and The D-Day Reports series with Benedict Cumberbatch (Radio 4)...

Then: Claudia starred opposite Daniel Craig in 2005 show Archangel about a mystery concerning dictator Josef Stalin

Line of Duty who!? She is seen with Line Of Duty star Adrian Dunbar in 2003 movie Suspicion

'She has been involved in the New Voices seasons at the Old Vic, numerous workshops for the National Theatre Studio, Royal Court and comedy improvisation for Talkback Thames.'

In 2006, she starred in one episode of The IT Crowd as Delina and in 2015 she was in four episodes of Humans as Dr. Aveling.

In 2016, Claudia featured in three episodes of Dawn French-fronted show Delcious where she played Janice Woods.

Claudia has been married for 18 years to farmer James Gray and lives in a modern eco-style farmhouse on a former World War Two airfield in an idyllic part of north Essex.

Starring role: Claudia is pictured with Anthony Head in movie Reversals in 2003

The house at the end of a half mile long private drive stands beside a huge set of solar panels in a field and has its own wildlife pond. Her mother Philippa Harrison who is staying at her house and looking after her family refused to talk about her role as Anne, but she said: Claudia is away filming.

She added: She was a horse rider in the past, but she hasnt really got time to do that now. I think she is playing Anne in her middle 40s which is actually her age.

'Her husband is not here because he is out on the farm, so we are looking after the family while she is away.'

Seen: Claudia playing Rebecca Lomax in Suspicion

A local villager who asked not to be named said: Its supposed to be top secret that she is in The Crown, but her husband has been telling people. I think he is rather proud of her.

Word has got around the area and it has become a bit of a talking point. I am surprised that she got the part because I dont think she looks anything like Anne in real life.

They must have done a good job on her because she did look quite like her in the photographs that have been published. I dont know how they have got away with it.

I know she is into horses. She used to ride, and she has a couple of ponies for her children, so maybe that helped her get the part, if she is required to do some riding.

Mr and Mrs: Joining the Princess Anne actress was The Thick Of It star Theo Fraser Steele, who appeared to be playing Anne's husband Timothy Laurence, with the pair filming a 2002 visit Anne made to a stables in Covesea

Another villager said: Claudia is more of a mum than an actress these days, so it is amazing that she has got the part of Anne.

I heard that she was shocked and delighted to get the role. It is by far the biggest and most high profile role of her career. She is going to be seen by hundreds of millions of people watching The Crown around the world.

Due to the location of filming at Covesea Lighthouse, production was stopped multiple times due to RAF fighters jets flying overheard to land at the nearby RAF Lossiemouth base, situated just a few hundred metres away.

It seemed that the cast were filming scenes which saw Anne pay a visit to Covesea in 2002 to appear at a stables, because she was President of the Riding for Disabled Association.

Happy: Princess Anne and Timothy, who married in 1992, are pictured above after celebrating their first wedding anniversary in 1993

Back to work! Imelda Staunton, 65, was also filming at Scotland's Covesea Lighthouse (the Queen is pictured right in 1991)

It's thought that the Queen was not present for the visit, meaning it's possible producers have added her involvement for dramatic effect during the scenes.

The stable's owner, Ernest Graham, was honoured to receive such a prestigious guest, as he was a respected member of the community offering free riding lessons to young girls.

However, Graham was later jailed for six years after being found guilty of sexually abusing a teenage girl in 2004, but his sentence was later reduced on appeal because the victim was discovered to be 13, not 12.
EastEnders star Jessie Wallace cut a casual figure on Wednesday as she left a busy day of filming in London.

The 49-year-old actress - who plays Kat Slater in the soap - was spotted leaving the set wearing a low-key outfit complete with fluffy yellow slippers.

Jessie sported a simple David Bowie T-shirt and black leather jacket combination while stepping out.

Out and about: EastEnders star Jessie Wallace cut a casual figure on Wednesday as she left a busy day of filming in London

She completed her look with black joggers while making her way back to her car to head home.

Jessie carried a see-through plastic bag with her full of all the filming essentials as well as her car keys.

She wore her dark tresses in her classic cropped do and had on a dark eyeliner makeup look.

Star: The 49-year-old actress - who plays Kat Slater in the soap - was spotted leaving the set wearing a low-key outfit

Last month, Jessie's co-star Max Bowden split from long-term girlfriend Danielle McCarney, four weeks after Jessie left a sexually-explicit message on his Instagram post.

The EastEnders actor, 26, who plays Ben Mitchell in the BBC1 soap, called time on the relationship with the former show runner after two years and it's believed the decision was amicable.

Fans of the soap speculated at the time of Jessie's crude post on a throwback picture of Max at the 2020 NTAs, in which she wrote: 'Rememberif you need a m***e to cry onI'm yer gal', was a hint the pair were romantically involved.

Casual: Jessie sported a simple David Bowie T-shirt and black leather jacket combination while stepping out

Max's followers were taken aback by the crude comment as they shared their shock and amusement online.

One fan penned: 'Omg,' alongside a crying laughing emoji while another said: '@jessie.wallace_official we need more Kat, Ben & Phil scenes '.

Another wrote: '@jessie.wallace_official Supportive m***e.I'm defiantly using this as a pick up line. Cheers Jess,' in addition to crying laughing emojis.

But pals told MailOnline Jessies comment was simply a joke and Max was with Danielle at the time. Its not linked to the split.

Over: Last month, Jessie's co-star Max Bowden split from long-term girlfriend Danielle McCarney, four weeks after co-star Jessie left a sexually-explicit message on his Instagram post. It is believed Max and Danielle's recent separation was amicable

A source close to the star said: 'Max and Danielle's split had been on the cards for a while.

'The relationship was a whirlwind at the start but ran into trouble a few months ago. They tried to make it work but they decided to remain friends. Nobody else was involved.

'Max is still very fond of Danielle and he's gutted it didn't work out. The consolation is at least they parted on good terms.'

An EastEnders spokeswoman said: 'We never comment on personal matters.'

Surprising! Fans of the soap speculated at the time of Jessie's crude post on a throwback picture of Max at the 2020 NTAs
She's developing a reputation for her cutting one-liners, and Sierah Swepstone pulled out all the stops once again during Wednesday's episode of The Bachelor.

The 28-year-old Bachelor hopeful deadpanned that she's 'definitely had chlamydia' during a cocktail party that saw everyone dressed up as their 'spirit animal'.

Despite dressing up as a phoenix, Sierah confessed that she should have come dressed as a koala instead.

Candid confessions: She's developing a reputation for her cutting one-liners, and Sierah Swepstone pulled out all the stops once again during Wednesday's episode of The Bachelor

'So I was gonna say that my spirit animal was a koala tonight, because I like sleeping and I've definitely had chlamydia,' she explained.

'But I thought that would be quite hard to explain to [Bachelor] Jimmy [Nicholson], so I stuck with a phoenix because I've risen from the ashes.'

Her candid confession left viewers shocked, with many applauding her honesty and biting sense of humour.

Did she just say that? The 28-year-old Bachelor hopeful deadpanned that she's 'definitely had chlamydia' during a cocktail party that saw everyone dressed up as their 'spirit animal'

Making memories: Her candid confession left viewers shocked, with many applauding her honesty and biting sense of humour

'Sierah straight up saying she had chlamydia! Girl is straight up honest,' tweeted one impressed viewer.

Added another: 'One girl talking about her chlamydia on national TV and knockoff Taylor Lautner dressing as a wolf... this ep really has it all'.

One viewer branded it the '#lineoftheseries', while another labelled the moment 'Aussie TV at it's [sic] finest'.

Spirit animal: Despite dressing up as a phoenix, Sierah confessed that she should have come dressed as a koala instead

Rave reviews: One viewer branded it the '#lineoftheseries', while another labelled the moment 'Aussie TV at it's [sic] finest'

'"My spirit animal is a koala, because I like sleeping and I've definitely had chlamidiya [sic]" is the single best confessional in the history of this show,' commented another.

Meanwhile, one fan couldn't resist making a cheeky joke about the Bachelor mansion, which sees an influx of hopefuls passing through its doors every year.

'Clamidia [sic]. I was not expecting that word in this show. But it's probably around,' they joked.
Lottie Moss caught the eye as she headed out in Notting Hill for a pamper session on Tuesday, after going public with her romance with The Vamps drummer Tristan Evans.

The younger sister of Kate, 23, showed off her incredible figure in a pink gym wear set from PrettyLittleThing.

The skintight crop top highlighted her toned abs and surgically-enhanced cleavage due to its low-scoop neckline.

All eyes on her: Lottie Moss caught the eye as she headed out in Notting Hill on Tuesday, after going public with her romance with The Vamps drummer Tristan Evans

She teamed the look with matching high-waisted leggings and opted for comfort in grey and white trainers from the fashion giant.

Lottie wore a silver studded cross-body bag over her shoulder and accessorised with a silver necklace and hair clips.

The Only Fans star appeared in good spirits as she left trendy beauty hub and facialist Young LDN.

Strutting her stuff: The younger sister of Kate, 23, showed off her incredible figure in a pink gym wear set from PrettyLittleThing

Ab-tastic: The skintight crop top highlighted her toned abs and surgically-enhanced cleavage due to its low-scoop neckline

Lottie and Tristan, 26, have been secretly seeing each other for a few weeks now, according to The Sun.

A source close to the couple told the publication that there is chemistry between the two of them and that their romance has been blossoming for some time.

The source said Lottie and Tristan, who met through friends, have really hit it off and that the model has told pals how keen she is on the drummer.

They said: 'It all became public after they had a snog during a night out in the capital but this isn't just a flash in the pan.

Casually-clad: She teamed the look with matching high-waisted leggings and opted for comfort in grey and white trainers from the fashion giant

All in the details: Lottie wore a silver studded cross-body bag over her shoulder and accessorised with a silver necklace and hair clips

'They've been dating for a while and Lottie thinks this could become more serious.

'Lottie and Tristan have been spending time together out of the public eye and they both seem to be really happy.'

MailOnline has approached representatives for Lottie and Tristan for comment.

Lottie and Tristan certainly seemed to be getting along well when they were pictured in a steamy embrace in Notting Hill, London last week.

Pamper session: The Only Fans star appeared in good spirits as she left Young LDN following her facial

London gal: Lottie has been enjoying time in the capital after spending much of lockdown in Los Angeles

Cosy: Lottie and Tristan, 26, have been secretly seeing each other for a few weeks now, according to reports

Exeter-born Tristan couldn't keep his eyes off her as they strode along the street in unison after their candlelit dinner, and it wasn't long before the pair turned up the heat as they stopped walking to share an intimate moment by the side of the road.

The next evening, Lottie took to Instagram where she shared a late-night snap of the pair together, with her new man seen cooking up a romantic meal for them.

Edgier than her usual type, Lottie has previously dated Made In Chelsea boys Alex Mytton, 30, and Sam Prince, 24.

Meanwhile, Tristan got engaged to model Anastasia Smith in April 2018, after dating for four years, but by the autumn the pair had split, removing all pictures together from their social media profiles. Anastasia is now engaged to another man.

Last November The Vamps drummer told Attitude that 'there shouldn't be any boundaries,' when it comes to sexuality.
Melissa McCarthy could be seen sporting a huge plaster on her neck during a video released for Meghan Markle's 40th birthday on Wednesday.

The video comes after the actress, 50, shared a video about suffering from terrifying spider bites while filming two projects in Australia this year.

Melissa's video revealed the worrying effects of a huntsman spider bite, which left her feeling itchy and unwell - as she covered herself in towels to cool off.

Video call: Melissa McCarthy could be seen sporting a huge plaster on her neck during a video released for Meghan Markle's 40th birthday on Wednesday

It is unclear whether Melissa's plaster-covered neck was due to another spider bite injury.

Melissa featured in the Duchess of Sussex's video which was launched as an initiative for people to commit to giving 40 minutes of their time to support women going back to work.

The Duchess had asked 40 activists, athletes, artists and world leaders to participate by contributing 40 minutes of mentorship to women re-entering the workforce.

Ouch! The video comes after the actress, 50, shared a video about suffering from terrifying spider bites while filming two projects in Australia this year

What's going on? It is unclear whether Melissa's plaster-covered neck was due to another spider bite injury

Gal pals: Melissa featured in the Duchess of Sussex's video which was launched as an initiative for people to commit to giving 40 minutes of their time to support women going back to work

Melissa has been in Australia with her family filming the miniseries Nine Perfect Strangers, and more recently Thor: Love and Thunder.

In March the actress revealed she was bitten by a huntsman spider during her trip Down Under.

The Hollywood star shared a hilarious video to Instagram of herself lying in bed with bandages on both hands.

Birthday plan: The Duchess had asked 40 activists, athletes, artists and world leaders to participate by contributing 40 minutes of mentorship to women re-entering the workforce

In the post, Melissa is first seen saying: 'I love that all the bugs and creatures will kill you.'

She is then pictured lying in a bed with bandages on both her hands and a towel on her forehead.

'After professing my love of Australian critters to InStyle magazine, I was quickly reminded by someone that I was conveniently forgetting the aftermath of some of those "magical" bites,' Melissa wrote.

Exhibit A! Melissa's video revealed the worrying effects of a huntsman spider bite, which left her feeling itchy and unwell - as she covered herself in towels to cool off

'I love that all the bugs and creatures will kill you': The Hollywood star shared a hilarious video to Instagram of herself lying in bed with bandages on both hands

The comedian has been in Australia since last year filming the upcoming TV series Nine Perfect Strangers, which is based on the 2018 novel of the same name by Big Little Lies author Liane Moriarty.

The $100million production was being filmed in Byron Bay and other parts of NSW.

The series will tell the story of nine stressed-out urbanites who escape to a wellness retreat run by Nicole Kidman's character.

Melissa and her husband Ben Falcone were also recently spotted on set Thor: Love and Thunder alongside Matt Damon and Luke Hemsworth.
Chrishell Stause is having the time of her life during her vacation along the coast of Italy this month.

And on Tuesday the Selling Sunset star updated her fans on just how wonderful her time away from the grind of daily life at home has been.

The 40-year-old blonde beauty shared an image where she wore a string bikini in white. The Dancing With The Stars vet was also seen with her arm around her new love, Jason Oppenheim.

All good: Chrishell Stause is having the time of her life during her vacation along the coast of Italy this month

Love my hat: And on Tuesday the Selling Sunset star updated her fans on just how wonderful her time away from the grind of daily life at home has been

He is her boss at the real estate firm they work at which is the focus of the series Selling Sunset.

In her caption for her bikini photo she commented on her straw hat: 'The hat was a solid Mykonos purchase.'

And on Instagram Stories Chrishell was seen on a speedboat with her new love who went shirt free as he smiled from ear to ear.

Last week she was see in a hot pink bikini in images shared to social media.

Her new man: The Dancing With The Stars vet was also seen with her arm around her new love, Jason Oppenheim

Love my boss: He is her boss at the real estate firm they work at which is the focus of the series Selling Sunset

The siren was in a kitchen as she posed with an enormous bottle of vodka. 'Trust me, you can dance!' she said as she added the quote was from 'Vodka.'

With her hair up and her makeup nicely done, Stause flashed a radiant smile.

And on her Insta Stories, she posed in a mauve bikini dress as she enjoyed a pink glass of wine while at an al fresco lunch.

Meanwhile, she has revealed her surprising new romance with her Selling Sunset costar Oppenheim.

Covered up now: In this image, Stause has on a see-through knit top in white over her white bikini as she holds the camera

The Netflix star unveiled her new relationship in a series of cuddled-up snaps taken from her current getaway to Capri, Italy.

Chrishell looked as happy as can be packing on the PDA with her new beau, 44, as the new lovebirds explored the sights on board a boat.

Days before she was seen in the Italian coastal town of Positano.

The real estate expert shared her collection of photos from the vacation as she enjoyed al fresco lunches and shopping sprees.

'Italy is the most heavenly place,' gushed the former model.

And she added that her luggage never showed up so she had to buy some new clothes.

'No luggage..? So I was FORCED to do some shopping,' said the reality TV favorite.

Cute suit: Stause showed off her slender shape as she posed in a hot pink bikini while on vacation in Italy in images shared to social media on the weekend

'Italy is the most heavenly place. My photos all kind of suck-lol but the memories are priceless. (Almost every single thing pictured is Missoni -again, I HAD to).'

She was seen in a seafoam green dress as she stood on a balcony.

The star was also pictured with some of her Selling Sunset costars - Jason and Brett Oppenheim - during an outdoor lunch.

And she also modeled a cute halter top in multi colors. There was also a look at her room service dinner before dinner as Italians eat so late.

These holiday images come after news Stause is releasing her own memoir.

The star will tell the story of her 'crazy life journey' and the process of 'finding [her] voice' in her upcoming book, titled 'Under Construction: Because Living My Best Life Took a Little Work'.

Cheers: And on her Insta Stories, she posed in a mauve bikini dress as she enjoyed a pink glass of wine while at an al fresco lunch

She told People magazine of the project: 'I have always loved writing and it is an honour to be able to tell my story in this way. I've had such a crazy life journey and in the process of finding my voice, I'm hopeful I can inspire others along the way as well.'

Chrishell's debut book will be published by Simon & Schuster imprint Gallery Books, and will explore the star's Kentucky upbringing, which included periods of homelessness and family's addiction struggles.

The beauty will also write about achieving her dream of being on a daytime soap, as well as her highly publicized love life, which has included a four-year marriage to Justin Hartley.

Chrishell was married to Justin from 2017 until he filed for divorce in 2019, with the paperwork being finalized in February this year.

It's love! On Monday she and Oppenheim kissed and cuddled while on their romantic trip

Bellas: The star was also pictured with some of her Selling Sunset costars - Jason and Brett Oppenheim - during an outdoor lunch

The Days of Our Lives alum previously slammed Justin for telling her about his intent to file for divorce over text message just 45 minutes before the news was made public.

She said: 'I found out because he text[ed] me that we were filed. Forty-five minutes later, the world knew.'

And Chrishell also hit out at the actor for making an 'impulsive' decision about the future of their relationship.

She fumed: 'Because of the crazy way in which this went down, people want answers, and I f****** want answers. I know people are saying we were only married two years, but it's like, we were together for six years.  In a fight, that's his go-to, you know? Like, 'I'm out, I'm out.' I hate that kind of impulsive stuff, but I always just thought, you know, that's just an issue that we work through it.

'If that's really what you wanted, there are better ways to go about [it]. I talked to him right after because I thought that must be a joke, but that was kind of the end of the communication. What am I supposed to say? What do you say after that? It's like, now I have to find a place to live. Now I have to scramble and figure this out, you know?'
The Crown's fifth season will feature The Thick Of It star and London deli owner Theo Fraser Steele playing Princess Anne's husband Timothy Laurence.

He was spotted on-set at Scotland's Covesea Lighthouse on Tuesday, where he was joined by his on-screen wife - played by The IT Crowd and Humans star Claudia Harrison - and Imelda Staunton, who is taking on the role of Queen Elizabeth II .

He cut a dapper figure to play the role of Anne's spouse, who she married in 1992 after splitting from Mark Phillips.

Theo's acting career spans back to 1996, when he starred in Casualty while he also played Christian Holhurst in political satire The Thick Of It in 2005. As well as acting, he is a successful deli owner and runs a shop with his wife in Hackney.

Royal role: The Crown's fifth season will feature The Thick Of It star and London deli owner Theo Fraser Steele playing Princess Anne's husband Timothy Laurence (pictured on-set on Tuesday)

Theo comes from Essex and trained to be an actor in London before working with Bill Nighy and Stella Gonet in Richard Eyres production of David Hares Skylight at the National Theatre aged just 23.

He went on to have many stage roles both in the capital and across the country. In The Thick Of It he played an MPs son who was shoved up against a wall and subjected to a torrent of abuse by the foul-mouthed Malcolm Tucker.

Speaking in 2018 about moving from acting to food, when he told The West Morland Gazette: 'We didnt choose to do it - we sort of fell into it. It started with just me. We now own the business and have a staff of 12'.

Due to the location of filming at Covesea Lighthouse on Tuesday, production was stopped multiple times due to RAF fighters jets flying overheard to land at the nearby RAF Lossiemouth base, situated just a few hundred metres away.

Happy: Princess Anne and Timothy, who married in 1992, are pictured above after celebrating their first wedding anniversary in 1993

Mr and Mrs: Joining the Princess Anne actress was The Thick Of It star Theo Fraser Steele, who appeared to be playing Anne's husband Timothy Laurence, with the pair filming a 2002 visit Anne made to a stables in Covesea

It seemed that the cast were filming scenes which saw Anne pay a visit to Covesea in 2002 to appear at a stables, because she was President of the Riding for Disabled Association.

It's thought that the Queen was not present for the visit, meaning it's possible producers have added her involvement for dramatic effect during the scenes.

The stable's owner, Ernest Graham, was honoured to receive such a prestigious guest, as he was a respected member of the community offering free riding lessons to young girls.

Snap happy: Theo is pictured in September last year

Role: Theo is pictured playing Ben Halliday in Hex in 2004

Who's who? The actress playing Princess Anne in The Crown's fifth season has been revealed as The IT Crowd and Humans star Claudia

However, Graham was later jailed for six years after being found guilty of sexually abusing a teenage girl in 2004, but his sentence was later reduced on appeal because the victim was discovered to be 13, not 12.

His ex, Caroline Lundon was also jailed for four years in 2005 for encouraging the girl to have sex with him.

Following his release, it was reported in 2012 that Graham was still running a riding school offering lessons to teenage girls, according to The Daily Record.

He told the publication: 'Yes, there are young girls coming up here for riding lessons but it's with my daughter. It's nothing to do with me.

'I come and go and I'm not around here that often. The police and authorities take care of things and I'm not allowed to teach youngsters.
Strictly pros Katya Jones and Luba Mushtuk looked glamorous as they headed to rehearsals on Wednesday, as the show prepares to reveal its first three stars this evening.

Former Strictly champion Katya, 32, put on a leggy display in a pair of thigh-high boots paired with a striking fringed skirt as she strolled into the studio in London.

She teamed this with a grey hoodie and clutched onto a coffee.

Here come the dancers: Strictly pros Katya Jones and Luba Mushtuk looked glamorous as they headed to rehearsals on Wednesday, as the show prepares to reveal its first three stars this evening

Her raven tresses were styled in soft waves while she sported a light palette of make-up.

Luba, 31, wowed in a plunging printed vest top, teamed with leggings which showcased her trim pins.

She layered up in a black blazer and boosted her height with strappy sandals.

Fellow professional dancer Nancy Xu, 29, also made a stylish arrival in a crushed velvet jumpsuit and a snakeskin print jacket.

Chic: Fellow professional dancer Nancy Xu, 29, also made a stylish arrival in a crushed velvet jumpsuit and a snakeskin print jacket

Toned: Former Strictly champion Katya, 32, put on a leggy display in a pair of thigh-high boots paired with a striking fringed skirt as she strolled into the studio in London

Strut: Luba layered up in a black blazer and boosted her height with strappy sandals

Stroll: Nancy looked focused as she headed to her first show rehearsal for the 2021 series

The first three celebrity dancers are set to be unveiled on Wednesdays edition of The One Show on BBC One, which will air at 7pm.

Comedian Bill Bailey won the competition last year with pro partner Oti Mabuse, her second consecutive victory after taking the 2019 crown with Kelvin Fletcher.

This comes amid claims Strictly Come Dancing is set to feature its very first same-sex male pairing in the upcoming series.

Wow: The first three celebrities from this year's line-up will be revealed in a matter of hours

Tom Daley and Alan Carr are among the famous faces who have been approached to make up the pairing, according to The Sun.

And the publication also claims whichever celebrity has been signed up will be partnered with Graziano Di Prima, after the dancer, 27, impressed bosses with his powerful performance with co-star Johannes Radebe, 34.

A source told the paper: 'The bosses are thrilled Strictly will be able to show its first all-male couple this year.

'And they have their sights firmly on Graziano. There is no reason why a gay celebrity should automatically be paired with a gay dancer.'

Historic: Strictly is reportedly set to feature its first ever all-male pairing after signing a celeb for the new series, who it is believed will partner Graziano Di Prima (pictured)

Set for the ballroom? Tom Daley (left) and Alan Carr (right) are among the famous faces who have been approached for the new series, it has been claimed

The Italian star, who is engaged to dancer Giada Lini, and Johannes became the first professionals on the show to perform a same-sex couple dance back in 2019.

The couple received rave reviews when they danced together during Emile Sande's performance.

But in the days that followed, the routine led to nearly 300 complaints however a report for the BBC later revealed the complaints wouldn't be upheld.

Previously speaking about the backlash, Graziano told Attitude Magazine: 'We weren't worried about it, OK, there were 200 complaints, but there were millions of people writing to us, sending us videos saying thank you and celebrating our friendship.'
The number of Ofcom complaints lodged in the last week of Love Island have soared to a total of more than 5,000 - the highest number in the show's history.

Around 4,330 of the complaints were from people who said the postcard sent back to the original girls in the main villa from Casa Amor was 'misleading and caused unnecessary distress'.

And more than 600 complaints were also made two days later after the recoupling episode, when Teddy Soares walked in alone while Faye Winter had recoupled.

Oh dear: The number of Ofcom complaints lodged in the last week of Love Island have soared to a total of more than 5,000 (pictured is single Teddy after Casa Amor - which sparked 600 complaints)

It came after one of the images on the postcard showed Teddy kissing Clarisse Juliette during a challenge - causing Faye to panic and recouple with new boy Sam Jackson.

But the kiss took place during a game of truth or dare, and Teddy had actually remained faithful to Faye throughout his time in Casa Amor, joining Jake Cornish  who is coupled up with Liberty Poole as the only official couple in the villa  on the day bed outside every night.

In the week between July 27 and August 2, broadcasting watchdog Ofcom received 5,249 complaints about the ITV2 dating series which kicked off in June.

Shock decision: More than 600 complaints were made two days after the recoupling episode, when Teddy Soares walked in alone while Faye Winter had recoupled

Within that number 95 viewers objected to the treatment of Millie, after she was left heartbroken when Liam's infidelities with Lillie were revealed.

In addition, 37 complainants objected to Sunday's episode being left on a cliffhanger.

A representative for Love Island has been contacted by MailOnline for a comment.

Teddy and Faye have now recoupled after talking through what happened in Casa Amor but he was left single after Faye picked Sam while the boys were at Casa Amor.

Drama: It came after one of the images on the postcard showed Teddy kissing Clarisse Juliette during a challenge - causing Faye to panic and recouple with new boy Sam Jackson

Speaking about her decision, Faye said: 'Things change in here very quickly, so people's true colours come out, and pictures say a thousand words.

'As we all know, I was taking my time to let my guard down, and the night before he left, I let it down and then he was gone.

'Once I received the postcard, the girl I'd been working so hard on was just closed off again.'

Teddy admitted he was 'disappointed' in Faye's decision, but had followed his 'heart' in coming back to the main villa alone.

Shock: In addition, 95 viewers objected to the treatment of Millie, after she was left heartbroken when Liam's infidelities with Lillie were revealed

It comes after Love Island was hit with more than 1,500 Ofcom complaints after bombshell Danny Bibby's entrance in the villa month.

The plumber, 25, from Manchester has been this series' most controversial contestant to date with viewers calling for him to be removed from the show after a historic Instagram comment where he used a racial slur was unearthed.

Danny's father Richard had to quit Instagram after 1,081 viewers complained to Ofcom about the episode on July 15, in which the islander entered the villa.

Not happy: It comes after Love Island was hit with more than 1,500 Ofcom complaints after bombshell Danny Bibby 's entrance in the villa month

The plumber made his debut on Thursday evening's show as a bombshell, however soon after the episode aired, fans delved into his Instagram and sourced the comment made in 2019.

Danny apologised for his actions from the villa, saying he 'meant no offence' and has 'learnt from his mistakes'.

Three days later, the show sparked 426 complaints, after they played Kanye West and Jay-Z's song N****s In Paris at the start of the episode after ignoring viewers' calls for Danny to be axed.

Several viewers shared their amazement over the music choice on Twitter, with some saying that it was a 'disrespectful' and others being left in shock.

Backlash: The plumber, 25, has been this series' most controversial contestant to date with viewers calling for him to be removed from the show after a racist comment was unearthed

Love Island 2021 - Meet the contestants

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Coronation Street actress Cherylee Houston has told how she hasn't left the house except to attend hospital appointments for 16 months.

The soap star, 46, has been shielding since March 2020 due to a rare connective tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos - which makes her vulnerable to the effects of coronavirus.

Cherylee, who plays Izzy Armstrong on the show, has also suffered from 'recent complications', which have put her into a 'different category'.

Candid: Coronation Street actress Cherylee Houston, 46, has told how she hasn't left the house for 16 months, except to attend hospital appointments

Speaking on Tuesday's episode of This Morning, Cherylee - who uses a wheelchair - said: 'I'm in a slightly different category to Izzy, I'm slightly more vulnerable than she is.

'I've been shielding this whole time and I've had recent complications, which have put me into a different category.

But what that meant was we had to be extremely careful at home. What was fantastic at 'Corrie' was they went, "How can we tell that story?" because it's happened to so many other disabled people over this time.

'I haven't been anywhere other than a hospital for 16 months now.'

Situation: The soap star has been shielding since March 2020 due to a rare connective tissue disorder - which makes her vulnerable to the effects of coronavirus (pictured in 2016)

What is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome? Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is the name for a group of rare inherited conditions that affects the body's connective tissue. Connective tissues provide support in skin, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, internal organs and bones. Different types of EDS are caused by faults in certain genes that make connective tissue weaker. Depending on the type of EDS, the faulty gene may have been inherited from one parent, or both. Sometimes the faulty gene isnt inherited, but occurs spontaneously. EDS can affect people in different ways. For some the condition is relatively mild, while for others their symptoms can be disabling. Some of the rare severe types can even be life-threatening. Figures suggest between one in 5,000 and one in 20,000 people have the condition. Source: NHS Direct Advertisement

Cherylee was able to return to Corrie recently as she has been filming in her own home, alongside her real-life partner Toby Hadoke, who has joined as her neighbour.

The couple have been ultra-careful amid the coronavirus pandemic, so much so they have been sanitising all their food that comes through the door, and even their dog Bernard when he returns to the house after walks.

She said: 'We sanitise everything that comes into the house.

'For quite a long time Bernard the dog was getting sprayed after his dog walks.'

On-screen! Cherylee, who plays Izzy Armstrong on the show, has also suffered from 'recent complications', which have put her into a 'different category'

Toby added: 'That's been my life, sitting in the porch spraying blueberries just to make sure that everything that comes in is sanitised.'

Explaining the wider effects of the pandemic, Izzy said: 'When shielding finished in March, people stopped getting help. But it didn't mean we didn't need it.

'Mental health as well that's been impacted with people who weren't even in the vulnerable category, because of the isolation.

Vulnerable: Speaking on Tuesday's episode of This Morning, Cherylee said: 'I'm in a slightly different category to Izzy, I'm slightly more vulnerable than she is'

'I think that's why it's so important to cover this on Coronation Street, last year 59 per cent of the people who died were disabled - it seems like we've been forgotten about in this pandemic.'

'At the height of things there was a DNR [do not resuscitate] notice on disabled people, so the fear of you being that choice and not being seen as equal human beings is quite prominent.

'Corrie have looked after me as their actor, but also used the story to show how difficult this is for disabled people.'
Hotel heiress-turned-reality TV icon Paris Hilton might not yet have a bun in the oven yet, but she's already selected names for her future daughter and son.

The 40-year-old socialite - who's undergone egg extraction for IVF - told Delish she'll name the girl London Marilyn Hilton Reum and the boy another location-based name she's keeping private.

'I'm more focused on babies than billions,' Paris quipped in her cover story.

'I'm more focused on babies than billions': Hotel heiress-turned-reality TV icon Paris Hilton might not yet have a bun in the oven yet, but she's already selected names for her future daughter and son

'I hate needles and shots and having to inject yourself several times a day. It's just painful and uncomfortable, and I hated that part. But I'm so happy that we did it.

'We have tons of eggs and all of the kids ready to go. It is a hard process and definitely is very emotional, but I'm just so lucky that I have such an amazing partner in [fiance Carter Reum].'

Hilton and the 40-year-old M13 co-founder celebrated their 20-month anniversary as a couple on July 29, and they've already set a secret date for their wedding.

'He's like no one I've ever met in my life before, the first person that I've let into my heart that I trust completely,' the iHeartRadio podcaster gushed of her fourth engagement.

Motherhood dreams: The 40-year-old socialite - who's undergone egg extraction for IVF - told Delish she'll name the girl London Marilyn Hilton Reum and the boy another location-based name she's keeping private

Paris said in her cover story: 'We have tons of eggs and all of the kids ready to go. It is a hard process and definitely is very emotional, but I'm just so lucky that I have such an amazing partner in [fiance Carter Reum]'

'It's just amazing to finally feel what real love is': Hilton and the 40-year-old M13 co-founder (R) celebrated their 20-month anniversary as a couple on July 29, and they've already set a secret date for their wedding

'He's my biggest supporter and just lifts me up and makes me feel so safe. It's just amazing to finally feel what real love is. I don't think I ever experienced it before.'

Paris has been hard at work filming a 13-episode docuseries Paris In Love about their wedding journey for Peacock.

But first, fans can stream Hilton's six-episode series Cooking With Paris, which premiered Wednesday on Netflix.

Critics blasted the celebutante for slipping back into her airheaded Simple Life persona after learning it was a coping mechanism for trauma in her serious 2020 documentary This Is Paris.

In the works: Paris has been hard at work filming a 13-episode docuseries Paris In Love about their wedding journey for Peacock (pictured May 12)

Now streaming! But first, fans can stream Hilton's six-episode series Cooking With Paris, which premiered Wednesday on Netflix

Jarring: Critics blasted the celebutante for slipping back into her airheaded Simple Life persona after learning it was a coping mechanism for trauma in her serious 2020 documentary This Is Paris

'Doing that character, I ended up creating a huge empire and now I know exactly what I'm doing,' Paris stated.

'Of course I know what Walmart is. I knew everything, I knew what I was doing on that show. Maybe I don't know what some cooking utensils are - that part's real.

'From being on camera for so long and portraying that character, anytime a camera is around, I revert back to that. Because I'm a naturally shy person, it makes it easier for me to be that bubbly character.'

With culinary offerings such as Lucky Charms, mac-and-cheese, nachos, and Jell-O shots - Hilton's younger sister Nicky Hilton Rothschild joked she had the palate of a kindergartener.

Paris stated: 'From being on camera for so long and portraying that character, anytime a camera is around, I revert back to that. Because I'm a naturally shy person, it makes it easier for me to be that bubbly character'

'She's right, it is like a five-year-old. I love kid food': With culinary offerings such as Lucky Charms, mac-and-cheese, nachos, and Jell-O shots - Hilton's younger sister Nicky Hilton Rothschild (M) joked she had the palate of a kindergartener

'Yeah, I don't eat that healthy, but now I'm trying to learn how': Aside from her sister and mother Kathy - the I Blame You songstress 'cooks' with former assistant Kim Kardashian (R), rapper Saweetie, pop star Demi Lovato, comic Nikki Glaser, and influencer Lele Pons

'She's right, it is like a five-year-old. I love kid food,' laughed the I Blame You songstress, who's penning her first cookbook.

'I love making little heart-shaped grilled cheese sandwiches and having cereal and candy. And I love McDonald's Happy Meals and fast food and pizza...Yeah, I don't eat that healthy, but now I'm trying to learn how.'

Aside from her sister and mother Kathy - Paris 'cooks' with former assistant Kim Kardashian, rapper Saweetie, pop star Demi Lovato, comic Nikki Glaser, and influencer Lele Pons.

For the magazine spread styled by Kristen Saladino, Hilton had her signature blonde locks coiffed by hairstylist Eduardo Ponce and her make-up applied by Katie Nova.
She's fresh to the professional acting world.

But Sistine Stallone demonstrated her stellar dramatic skills while opposite Megan Fox in an exclusive clip from the upcoming film Midnight In The Switchgrass.

In the scene Sistine, 23, transforms into a disheveled, glassy-eyed informant who reveals key information that could lead to the serial killer Fox's character FBI agent Rebecca Lombardi is hunting down.

Talented: Sistine Stallone is fresh to the acting world, but packs quite the punch with her performance in Midnight In The Switchgrass, which DailyMail.com got an exclusive look at

The second generation thespian - who is Sylvester Stallone's daughter - was captivating as she sat in a dirty motel room while her character Heather frantically told Fox's character how she was being forced to work off a debt by supplying a shady character with young women.

Though the scene was far from glamourous, Sistine's acting more than proved her star-power.

The film's director Randall Emmett called Sistine 'the real deal,' in an interview, saying how she was his first pick for the role, even before he knew she was friend Sly's daughter.

'What's amazing about Sistine is she came to me through Sheila Jaffe, my casting director,' Emmett, who is married to Vanderpump Rules' Lala Kent, explained.

Holding her own: The second generation celebrity had a great rapport with co-star Megan Fox on screen

All eyes on you: captivating as she sat in a dirty motel room while her character Heather frantically told Fox's FBI agent character Rebecca Lombardi her situation

'I had no idea, and I've done many movies with Sylvester Stallone, but I had no idea she was Stallone's daughter. I didn't know her.'

'I don't think we'd even ever met. And when she read she became my first choice for this role, and I looked at her last name and I said, "Is that Sylvester Stallone's daughter? Oh, wow!"

The funny story about this whole thing is that I cast her and never called Sly, who is a friend, I never called him to say, "Your daughter's in my movie."

Bad guys: Sistine's character told Fox (pictured in a another scene with beau Machine Gun Kelly) that she was being forced to work off a debt by supplying a shady character with young women

Packed cast: The film also stars Bruce Willis, Emile Hirsch, Machine Gun Kelly and Lukas Haas

'And it wasn't until we were in Puerto Rico, because she shot (her scenes) in Puerto Rico, and we were at a cast dinner or something like that and I spoke to Sly on the phone and he's like, "Hey, my daughter's in your movie."

'I had no idea, and I'm like, "Yeah, I cast her because she was the best actor for the role." And he's like, "That's awesome. She's so excited."

'I said to him, "Obviously, you know this, you're an incredible actor and director yourself, but your daughter's very talented, and I cast her off a tape."

Casting: The film's director Randall Emmett called Sistine 'the real deal,' exclusively telling DailyMail.com how she was his first pick for the role, even before he knew she was friend Sly's daughter. He's seen with wife Lala Kent at the film's premiere above

Star: 'What's amazing about Sistine is she came to me through Sheila Jaffe, my casting director,' Emmett explained. Sistine is seen at the July 19th premiere above

'And it was really neat that that happened, because it doesn't happen a lot like that when you have a very famous family. But Sistine Stallone is the real deal and an incredible actress.'

Stallone's previous big screen credits include a part in the survival thriller 47 Meters Down: Uncaged.

Midnight In the Switchgrass - while also stars Bruce Willis, Emile Hirsch, Machine Gun Kelly and Lukas Haas - is available for digital download on August 13th and DVD on August 16th, via Lionsgate UK.
Coronation Street stars Helen Worth (who plays Gail Platt), Bill Roache (Ken Barlow) and Rula Lenska (Claudia Colby) were seen in funeral scenes in Manchester on Wednesday, sparking speculation that Sue Nicholls' iconic character Audrey Roberts has died.

Sue's character Audrey is not only mother to Helen's Gail, but shares a close friendship with Bill's character Ken and has had a long-term rivalry with 'best frenemy' Claudia, played by Rula, who recently returned after an 18 month break - could the death of an old friend have drawn her back to the cobbles?

Also shooting funeral scenes mid-week were Daniel Brocklebank (Billy Mayhew), Gareth Pierce (Gavin Moss), Tony Maudsley (George Shuttleworth) and Patti Clare (Mary Taylor). Daniel was in character as priest Billy and wearing a clerical collar, while Gareth and Tony were dressed in smart black suits and sunglasses.

Speculation: Coronation Street stars Helen Worth, Bill Roache and Rula Lenska were seen in funeral scenes in Manchester on Wednesday, sparking speculation that Sue Nicholls' iconic character Audrey Roberts has died

Smart: Bill was also dressed in smart funeral attire consisting of a crisp shirt, suit bottoms, a tie and sunglasses

Bill was also dressed in smart funeral attire consisting of a crisp shirt, suit bottoms, a tie and sunglasses, while Patti filmed scenes in both a floaty khaki dress and a long white frock.

Arriving for a day of filming in jeans and a plaid shirt, Helen was sporting a face mask and carrying a large shopping bag before getting into character.

Standing next to her character's former flame on a doorstep, Rula appeared to be wearing pyjamas and beamed from ear to ear between scenes, suggesting she was delighted to be filming again after such a long break.

It was announced last month that Rula would return to the soap, and viewers last saw her in action in April 2020 when the loud and cheerful redhead decided to stay at Stillwaters' retirement village despite Bill's Ken returning back to Weatherfield.

Downcast: Helen appeared downcast with her arms folded across her chest while acting

Arrival: Arriving for a day of filming in jeans and a plaid shirt, Helen was sporting a face mask and carrying a large shopping bag before getting into character

Beaming: Standing next to her character's former flame on a doorstep, Rula appeared to be wearing pyjamas and beamed from ear to ear between scenes

Return: It was announced last month that Rula would return to the soap, and viewers last saw her in action in April 2020

It comes after the cast and crew of Coronation Street and Emmerdale were warned to stick to precautions amid an 'alarming number' of Covid cases on both shows.

In July, Corrie returned to location filming for the first time in 14 months.

Masks were worn between takes and social distancing was observed, and cast members had to do their own make-up.

Dapper: Long-time Corrie favourite Bill looked dapper on set in the middle of the week

Change of outfit: When actor Bill arrived on the Manchester set he was wearing casual trousers and trainers

Decisions: In April, Rula's Claudia decided to stay at Stillwaters' retirement village despite Bill's Ken returning back to Weatherfield

Bosses halted filming on both shows for two weeks in January 'as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic'.

They made the decision to stop shooting on Corrie so the cast and crew could have a short break due to the pressures of filming during the coronavirus crisis.

ITV bosses suspended filming on Emmerdale after a production team member contracted COVID-19.

Cast: Also shooting funeral scenes mid-week was Daniel Brocklebank (Billy Mayhew) who was wearing his character's priest's collar

Head to toe: Tony Maudsley (George Shuttleworth) was also dressed smartly from head to toe

Smart: Actor Gareth Pierce (Gavin Moss) looked smart as he strolled around set wearing a pinstripe suit

An ITV spokesperson told MailOnline at the time: 'Coronation Street will pause filming from next Monday, 25 January for two weeks to undertake some rewriting of stories and scripts as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic.

'We will also be taking the opportunity to review all health and safety requirements to ensure we continue to provide a safe working environment for the cast, crew and production team.

'This pause in filming won't affect our ability to deliver six episodes of Coronation Street each week.'

Floaty: Patti Clare (Mary Taylor) was first seen on set wearing a floaty khaki dress

Quick change: Patti then filmed scenes in a white, shin-skimming frock
Katie Holmes shared a throwback photo of her and her sisters on Instagram, and the family resemblance is more than just passing.

The actress, 42, posted the photo that shows her and her three sisters huddled together in front of two bouquets of roses. Katie wore a gray thigh-length dress in the photo.

She captioned the throwback picture, 'My sisters and me', followed by a heart emoji.

More than a passing resemblance: Katie Holmes posted this picture of her and her sisters and the four of them share many similarities including the same shining smile

Safety first: The star, her sisters and mom Kathleen wore goggles when they went to the Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion in this image shared to Katie's Instagram page

Tom Cruise's ex has four siblings total, the three sisters shown above and a brother who doesn't come up as often.

All four of her siblings live in Ohio. Her brother's name is Martin Holmes Jr., 51, and her sisters' names are Tamera Holmes, 53, Holly Ann Holmes, 52, and Nancy Kay Holmes, 46.

Holmes visited her family in 2019 when she was set to give a commencement speech at the University of Toledo. The Dawson's Creek star posted a photo with her sisters and her mom then too.

Quality time on the red carpet: Katie has taken her family to her premieres including to her 2015 film Touched With Fire where she was photographed with mother Kathleen and sisters Tamera and Holly Ann

Not a kid anymore: The Secret actress has grown up quite a bit since the throwback photo was taken becoming an internationally known name and appearing on red carpets; seen in 2019

Some of the movie star's sisters have also appeared alongside her at red carpet events.

Her mother, Kathleen, and two of her sisters attended the premiere for her film Touched With Fire.

As for their relationship with their niece Suri, the sisters have met her many times.

A source told People in 2012 that Katie and Suri went to Ohio consistently while she was married to Mission Impossible star Tom Cruise.
Lily Collins took to Instagram on Wednesday to post a pair of smiling photos with fellow actress Ashley Park.

The star captioned the post, 'Last day on set and I can't imagine wrapping on a more perfect note with my @emilyinparis partner in crime. I'm not crying, you're crying!...'

The co-stars have finished filming season two of the hit TV series.

Warm embrace: Emily In Paris co-stars Lily and Ashley embrace each other as they wrap season two of their hit series

Lily and Ashley were dressed casually, both wearing Nike sneakers as they shared a seat in a chair in a dressing room. Lily wore light blue jeans and a dyed sweatshirt, while Ashley rocked purple leggings and a lavender hoodie.

Both women had perfectly coiled brunette curls in their hair, with Ashley wearing two clips on either side of her bangs. In one image their arms are in the air as their mouths gape open with glee. In a second shot they hug each other with teeth-flashing smiles.

Ashley added to the over 700 comments with, 'When you say "you're crying" you're def talking to me and it's def true. Couldn't love you any more. Any more* '

After a successful first season, it was announced toward the end of last year that Emily in Paris would return with a second. Filming began in May and now, three months later, it's wrapped.

Friendship: Ashley commented, 'When you say 'you're crying' you're def talking to me and it's def true. Couldn't love you anymore. Any more* '

Now Collins will play the role of Polly Pocket in a new live-action movie from Lena Dunham. The 32-year-old actress will take on the role of the titular miniature doll in an upcoming movie which Girls creator Dunham is both writing and directing.

Lily will also produce the movie in addition to playing the lead role, which will see her bring the famous character, who first captured kids' hearts in the late 1980s, to life on the big screen. The film will center on a young girl and a pocket-sized woman who form a friendship, although further plot details and castings are not yet known.

In a statement, Lily said, 'As a child who was obsessed with Polly Pocket, this is a real dream come true and I can't wait to bring these tiny toys to the big screen.'

The film is being produced with Mattel Films alongside Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), as well as Lena's production company, Good Things Going. Robbie Brenner and Kevin McKeon will oversee the project for Mattel Films, while Sandino Moya-Smith and Winnie Carrillo will head things up for MGM, and Good Thing Going's Liz Watson and Michael P. Cohen will serve as executive producers.

Smooches: 'Girls' creator Lena Dunham says she's 'thrilled' to be bringing Polly Pocket to life with 'brilliant' Lily Collins; Lena and boyfriend Luis Felber at a Sundance Film Festival screening, 2021

Lena, 35, has said she's 'thrilled' to be bringing the project to life, and said she's keen to make the movie 'smart' and 'playful' in order to speak to young women 'without condescension.'

She added in her own statement, Polly Pocket was responsible for countless hours of childhood escapism for me. Polly gave me a tiny world of magic and autonomy to narrate, so it's pretty poetic to be tackling these same ideas now as a director collaborating with the brilliant Lily Collins, Robbie Brenner, Mattel and MGM. I'm so thrilled to bring to bear both my love of this historic property and also my deep-seated belief that young women need smart, playful films that speak to them without condescension.'

The film does not yet have a release date.
Sarah Jessica Parker was seen with her head down as she made her way to the New York City set of her Sex And The City reboot And Just Like That.

The former stage star, 56, had her blonde hair ironed and worn down over her shoulders as she modeled the white Olympics jacket, beige slacks and a pair of her SJP Mary Jane shoes.

This sighting comes a day after the mother-of-three told DailyMail.com that she is proud of her award-winning wine Invivo X, SJP.

Heading to work: Sarah Jessica Parker was seen with her head down as she made her way to the New York City set of her Sex And The City reboot And Just Like That

In the new photos, Sarah is seen walking down a busy street with clear aviator glasses.

Her Olympic jacket seemed official as it had the proper logo on front and an American flag on the sleeve.

The Annie vet added cream colored sweatpants that appeared one size too big for her. And her white Mary Jane heels called the Tartt Pierce - which sell for $395 - added a touch of glam.

The star talked to DailyMail.com on Tuesday about the wine she launched in 2019.

Walk to work day: The former stage star had her blonde hair ironed and worn down over her shoulders as she modeled the white Olympics jacket

The siren said 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.

'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.

Her own best model: The Annie vet added cream colored sweatpants that appeared one size too big for her. And her white Mary Jane heels called the Tartt Pierce - which sell for $395 - added a touch of glam

On the go: Sarah with Cynthia Nixon, left, and Kristin Davis, right, in the Sex And The City reboot And Just Like That...

'...To all those who have included us in their homes, on their tables, at their parties, for special moments and celebrations.'

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.

Wine on her mind: This sighting comes a day after the mother-of-three told DailyMail.com that she is proud of her award-winning wine Invivo X, SJP

Its work: '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

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.
Amanda Seyfried was seen for the first time as disgraced Silicon Valley exec Elizabeth Holmes on the set of the upcoming Hulu limited series about the Theranos founder.

The 35-year-old star appeared as the spitting image of Holmes, wearing the former business woman's signature look of a black turtleneck and red lipstick, as she grabbed a bite to eat between takes.

Holmes is set to face trial on a slew of federal fraud charges this month after she was accused of swindling investors out of roughly $700milion to fund her medical technology company, Theranos, that was selling a blood testing technology that didn't exist.

On set: Amanda Seyfried was seen for the first time as disgraced Silicon Valley exec Elizabeth Holmes on the set of the upcoming Hulu limited series about the Theranos founder

Seyfried captured Elizabeth's go-to style in the snaps, stepping out in a slim fitting black turtleneck and red lipstick, with her blonde hair swept back in the slightly bedraggled style Holmes often wore.

The actress was much more casual on the bottom opting for a comfy pair of navy blue sweatpants, black socks and Birkenstocks.

She carried a takeout container of food and what appeared to be a black iced coffee as she headed back to her trailer.

The Mama Mia actress' beloved Australian Shepherd, Finn, trotted along behind her during the breaking from filming the television series.

Spot on: The 35-year-old star appeared as the spitting image of Holmes, wearing the former business woman's signature look of a black turtleneck and red lipstick, as she grabbed a bite to eat between takes

Between takes: The actress was much more casual on the bottom opting for a comfy pair of navy blue sweatpants, black socks and Birkenstocks

Besties: The Mama Mia actress' beloved Australian Shepherd, Finn, trotted along behind her during the breaking from filming the television series

Amanda is taking on the role of Elizabeth Holmes for a Hulu limited series on her rise to fame in the tech world and spectacular fall from grace, based on the ABC News/ABC Radio podcast of the same name.

Seyfried will do double duty as one of the miniseries' executive producers, in addition to starring in it.

The series was originally going to star SNL comic Kate McKinnon but she left the project earlier this year and was replaced by Amanda.

Perfect casting: Seyfried embodied Holmes wearing her signature uniform that she wore daily while running Theranos

Inspiration: H olmes was celebrated as a young visionary and success story in Silicon Valley, often being dubbed the 'female Steve Jobs' - a comparison she took literally and emulated his personal style (Jobs in 2006)

It co-stars Naveen Andrews, William H. Macy and Laurie Metcalf and is expected to be an eight episode limited series set to debut later in 2021.

Holmes started medical tech company Theranos at the age of 19 after dropping out of Stanford University. Before allegations of fraud surfaced, Holmes was celebrated as a young visionary and success story, often being dubbed the 'female Steve Jobs.'

She became known for her baritone voice and black turtlenecks, once boasting that she owned more than 150 of the items in an effort to emulate Jobs.

Snack time: Amanda carried a takeout container of food and what appeared to be a black iced coffee as she headed back to her trailer

Major role: Amanda is taking on the role of Elizabeth Holmes for a Hulu limited series on her rise to fame in the tech world and spectacular fall from grace, based on the ABC News/ABC Radio podcast of the same name

Switch: The series was originally going to star SNL comic Kate McKinnon but she left the project earlier this year and was replaced by Amanda

The Dropout: It co-stars Naveen Andrews, William H. Macy and Laurie Metcalf and is expected to be an eight episode limited series set to debut later in 2021

Theranos, which was shut down in September 2018, claimed to have developed a breakthrough technology allowing it to do blood tests using much smaller samples than is normally required - just a drop.

The tests would have helped those with fears of needles, and the company also claimed to have automated machines that could test the blood quickly.

Theranos raised hundreds of millions from investors and was valued at $9 billion in the mid-2010s - without ever proving that the blood testing cartridges the company developed actually worked.

Relaxed: When she wasn't filming, Amanda donned her facemask and speckled pink T-shirt

In real life: Elizabeth Holmes started medical tech company Theranos at the age of 19 after dropping out of Stanford University

However, a series of investigative pieces by John Carreyrou in The Wall Street Journal and the work of medical researchers John Ioannidis and Eleftherios Diamandis revealed that the company's claims about its tests were false.

Holmes agreed to pay a fine of $500,000 to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

She also gave up all of her Theranos stock after she was accused of fraud, reducing her personal net worth to essentially zero.

History: Theranos, which was shut down in September 2018, claimed to have developed a breakthrough technology allowing it to do blood tests using much smaller samples than is normally required - just a drop

Issues: Theranos raised hundreds of millions from investors and was valued at $9 billion in the mid-2010s - without ever proving that the blood testing cartridges the company developed actually worked

In 2018, the US Attorney for the Northern District of California indicted her on wire fraud and conspiracy charges, though her trial has been delayed multiple times due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

In the trial, which is expected to begin August 31, in San Jose, California, prosecutors have accused Holmes of defrauding patients and investors, allowing them to believe her invention can accurately perform lab tests from a few drops of blood.

Holmes' defense team argued that Holmes had intended to create a device that worked, and that government regulators and investigators were unfairly harsh because of intense media scrutiny of Theranos.

The trail was postponed three times as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to Holmes being pregnant.
Danielle Lloyd has hit back at a fan after it was alleged that she was seen 'smashing' cocktails while at the pub with her ex husband Jamie O'Hara.

The Celebrity Big Brother star, 37, who is 23 weeks pregnant with her fifth child, reacted furiously to the allegation in a slew of Instagram posts and insisted she does not speak to her ex and has been teetotal for eight months.

She took to Instagram to share the accusatory comment and insisted the claim was a case of mistaken identity, as she wrote: 'Kids was with their dad at the weekend but I certainly wasn't! We don't even speak so think you got the wrong girl!'

Claims: Danielle Lloyd, 37, has hit back at a fan after they claimed they saw her 'smashing' cocktails while at the pub with her ex husband Jamie O'Hara

The doting mother shares sons Archie, 10, Harry, nine, and George, seven, with ex-husband Jamie, and Ronnie, three, with husband Michael O'Neill.

Danielle's plight began, when a follower wrote on Instagram: '@lavelsbylux was in the same pub as her, she was with her children and ex husband and she was smashed...

'Can assure you they wasn't cocktails. I didn't think it was her until someone told me it was and when I looked on Instagram saw she was pregnant.'

They later penned: 'Bet you've got a hangover after your antics the other night'.

Seething: She took to Instagram to share the accusatory comment and insisted the claim was a case of mistaken identity, as she wrote: 'Kids was with their dad at the weekend but I certainly wasn't! We don't even speak so think you got the wrong girl!'

Way back when: Far from being on a boozing session with Jamie, Danielle revealed the former couple do not even speak (the couple, pictured in 2010)

Danielle responded to the messages by sharing screenshots on her stories and writing: 'Kids was with their dad at the weekend but I certainly wasn't! We don't even speak so think you got the wrong girl! Must of been another blonde!...

'Honest to god I don't even get people - you don't even follow me. Why do I have to wake up to messages like this, what is wrong with people?? Don't have to explain myself but haven't had a drink in eight months.

'I was teetotal before I was pregnant! Seriously don't get why these idiots think I know I'll wake up at 6am and make some s**t up and post absolute c**p'.

In the wake of the allegation, one of Danielle's Instagram followers jumped to her defence, writing: 'Why would people comment saying she was p**sed on cocktails or out with her ex husband?...

Furious: Danielle, who is 23 weeks pregnant with her fifth child, reacted furiously to the allegation and insisted she does not speak to her ex and has been teetotal for eight months

'If she wants a drink it's no one's business and if she is seen in a pub with her ex husband, so what.'

They added: 'They have kids together. Honestly, f**k off and get on with your own life, I don't understand why people are a**ed.'

MailOnline has reached out to representatives for Danielle for comment.

It comes shortly after the star was rushed to hospital after collapsing at home and her sons called an ambulance for her.

Danielle revealed to OK! that she fell ill at her house and began feeling pains in her stomach.

Defence: In the wake of the allegation, one of Danielle's Instagram followers jumped to her defence

The Liverpool-born star explained she went to the toilet and while she was in there she passed out, with her sons forced to knock on a neighbour's door for help to call out an ambulance.

'It was really traumatic,' Danielle told the publication about the July incident. 'I had really low blood pressure, I was so worried for the baby and it was obviously so terrifying for the boys, but I'm so proud of them.'

Thankfully, after several tests, she was given the all clear to leave the hospital and is now resting up at home.
Law & Order star Christopher Meloni knows his derriere is having 'a moment.'

So the 60-year-old actor was more than happy to show off his backside in a cheeky new shoot for Men's Health.

Giving the people what they want, Meloni stripped naked for the cover, masking his family heirlooms with a weight and nothing more.

Showing skin! Christopher Meloni, 60, stripped down to show off his muscles in the latest issue of Men's Health

It was hard to believe the actor - who is beloved as Detective Elliot Stabler in the Law& Order universe - was in his 60s as he flexed his arms, revealing bulky biceps, toned pecs and a ripped core.

In another snap, Christopher revealed his flexible side - spreading his legs out into impressive splits as he leaned his chin on his finger pensively.

One more showed the Washington, D.C. native pulling a shiny vintage car while slurping on a soft drink while another saw Mr. Meloni tanning in a tiny Speedo.

Surprisingly, none of the shots featured Christopher's plump backside prominently.

It was no wonder the star - and his body - have became one of pop culture's latest obsessions.

Flex appeal: In another snap, Christopher revealed his flexible side - spreading his legs out into impressive splits as he leaned his chin on his finger pensively

Tan time: Another saw Mr. Meloni tanning in a tiny Speedo

Asked about the 'cultural moment' he's currently having, Christopher couldn't help but correct the interviewer and say it was his 'a**' that was in the spotlight.

But he wasn't complaining.

'It's cool as sh*t,' Meloni remarked.

'The aspect of age comes into play as far as the cover of [this magazine] and how I feel about it.'

'A friend of mine said, "Did you ever think in a million years you'd be on the cover of Men's Health?" I said, "Certainly not at age 60."'

Thirsty? One more showed the Washington, D.C. native pulling a shiny vintage car while slurping on a soft drink

And Meloni says he's embracing the attention.

'When something weird and out of the norm happens, I don't panic. I always sit with it and go, All right, let's experience whats happening, because getting tenser is not going to help the situation.'

Christopher's issue of Men's Health arrives on newsstands August 11th 2020.

Season one of Law & Order: Organized Crime is available to stream now. The spin-off's second season premieres September 23rd 2021.

Having a moment: The star's figure has proved meme-worthy with many Internet fans discussing his pert derriere in tight trousers
Carmen Electra looked summer ready after touching down at Palma de Mallorca to meet German real estate entrepreneur Marcel Remus on Wednesday.

The 49-year-old actress and model could be seen dressed all in white ahead of attending a party organised by the businessman in Majorca in the evening.

The plunging neckline of the American star's bright vest top left her ample assets on show while she wore a full length light brown cardigan over the top to protect her arms and shoulders from the strong sun rays.

Fun in the sun: Carmen Electra, 49, showed off her ample assets as she dressed all in white in Majorca to meet German real estate entrepreneur Marcel Remus on Wednesday

The television personality wore a pair of figure-hugging white jeans as she arrived on the Spanish island.

Carmen could be seen abiding by the requirement to wear a facemask, opting for a shimmering silver covering to add to her style.

The star also shared a picture of herself on Instagram as she walked along the jetbridge after stepping off the plane, writing: 'Landed safe in #mallorca #spain #alexandermcqueen #lagence #nakedwardrobe.'

Styling it out: The plunging neckline of the American star's bright white vest top made the most of her shapely figure while she wore a full length light brown cardigan over the top

Carmen shared a picture of herself with celebrity manager Thaer Mustafa and talent manager Henry Penzi on Tuesday before they jetted off.

In the snap she could be seen sporting some bouncy curls as her blonde hair rested either side of her face, perfectly framing her pretty features and striking blue eyes.

She captioned the image: 'SPAIN here we come @thaer.714 @henrypenzi.'

Legs eleven! The television personality wore a pair of figure-hugging white jeans as she arrived on the Spanish island

Carmen's visit to see Marcel in Majorca is not the first time she's crossed paths with a real estate agent.

She picked a property professional to go out on a date with on an episode of The Celebrity Dating Game on ABC in the US last month.

The star chose Mark Harris after quizzing three bachelor contestants on the revival show.

Making an entrance: The star shared a picture of herself on Instagram as she walked along the jetbridge after stepping off the plane, writing: 'Landed safe in #mallorca #spain'

Flying high: Carmen shared a picture of herself with celebrity manager Thaer Mustafa and talent manager Henry Penzi on Tuesday before they jetted off to Spain

Carmen asked them to describe themselves to her as rollercoasters.

Mark, bachelor number 2, told her he would be called 'colossus, easy' and Carmen looked intrigued. Bachelor number 1, Nathon Verdugo, a marketing director, said 'typhoon for sure.' Bachelor number 3, Daniel Colvin, a real estate agent, said 'top thrill because I will take you from zero to 120 in four seconds.'

Carmen told them she took on a stage name when she came to Hollywood and then asked the contestants to tell them theirs.

Cute smile: Carmen was all smiles as she picked a real estate agent to go out on a date with on The Celebrity Dating Game on ABC in the US last month

Daniel told her 'bad boy' and Carmen said that worked because she liked bad boys.

When she asked the contestant Daniel to describe his perfect evening in three words, he replied, 'You, me and cabernet'.

Carmen told him that she doesn't drink wine that her favorite drink is fittingly 'sex-on-the-beach.'

When Carmen asked Mark to describe how he would unwrap her if she was a gift, she seemed interested in his revealing answer.

'I would take my tongue and just say thanks and gratitude that I even have you as a gift,' Mark told her. 'I would unwrap you slowly and I would cherish you forever.'



Host Michael Bolton, 68, then stepped to help the guys guess Carmen's identity by singing out clues like 'aint no Baywatch when she's gone, Minnesota was her home and then she moved to LA' to the tune of Bill Withers 'Ain't No Sunshine.'

Nathon was the only one who guessed her identity correctly. Daniel guessed she was Pamela Anderson.

In the end Carmen chose Mark as her date. She said he was very sweet and would save her life if her house burnt down. She did think that maybe he was 'a little too perfect and I feel like he's hiding something.'
Nearly a dozen prominent HIV/AIDS organizations have reached out to DaBaby, hoping to educate him after his controversial comments at Rolling Loud festival.

11 groups came together to send an open letter to the Suge rapper, 29, on Wednesday, urging DaBaby to 'use your platform and celebrity to heal not harm.'

The Cleveland native sparked outrage after making homophobic and factually inaccurate remarks about sexually transmitted diseases on stage in Miami on July 23rd.

Since, he has been dropped from prominent festivals, including Lollapolooza, New York's Governors Ball, Austin City Limits, and iHeartRadio music fest.

Reaching out: 11 prominent HIV/AIDS organizations have reached out to DaBaby in an open letter, asking the rapper to 'use your platform and celebrity to heal not harm.' He's seen in June above

During his set at Rolling Loud last month, the rapper told audiences: '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 cell phone lighter up

'Fellas, if you ain't sucking d*** in the parking lot, put your cell phone lighter up.'

The backlash was swift, with celebrities like Levitating collaborator Dua Lipa and prominent AIDS activists Elton John and Madonna all expressing their dismay.

And now, he's hearing directly from the HIV/AIDS advocacy community.

The organizations Arianna's Center, Black AIDS Institute, GLAAD, the Normal Anomaly Initiative, Prevention Access Campaign, Relationship Unleashed, and the 6:52 Project Foundation joined leaders from the Gilead COMPASS Initiative including Southern AIDS Coalition, Emory University, the University of Houston and Wake Forest University to craft the statement.

In the detailed letter, they touched on the danger 'fear and stigma' over HIV/AIDS causes while providing information and statistics about the virus.

Yikes: During his set at Rolling Loud last month, above, the rapper told audiences: '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 cell phone lighter up'

DaBaby will no longer be performing at Austin City Limits Music Festival  lineup update coming soon. pic.twitter.com/jAYfdJFxJf  ACL Festival (@aclfestival) August 3, 2021

They also pointed to the music industry historical support for their cause, writing: 'Music artists have historically led the way to lift up understanding of HIV and accelerate LGBTQ acceptance.'

On Monday DaBaby - real name Jonathan Lyndale Kirk - shared a second apology, in which he said sorry for the 'hurtful and triggering comments' and claimed he used the backlash as a way the 'educate' himself about the LGBTQ community and HIV/AIDS.

Taking to social media with a black and white text post, he struck a more conciliatory tone than his first mea culpa, but still criticized the public for 'trying to demolish' his reputation.

Second try: On Monday DaBaby - real name Jonathan Lyndale Kirk - shared a second apology, in which he said sorry for the 'hurtful and triggering comments' and claimed he used the backlash as a way the 'educate' himself about the LGBTQ community and HIV/AIDS

'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 began.

'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 continued.

Adding: '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.'

Half-hearted: Last week, the Ball If I Want To rapper issued lackluster apology, tweeting that he had 'no intentions on offending anybody' and acknowledging what he said was 'insensitive'

Sorry, not sorry: After an underwhelming initial apology, DaBaby doubled down in his self-directed music video for Giving What It's Supposed to Give depicting him holding an AIDS sign and oral sex from a redhead

DaBaby's second sorry was a sharp turnaround from his previous response to the backlash.

Last week, the Ball If I Want To rapper issued lackluster apology, tweeting that he had 'no intentions on offending anybody' and acknowledging what he said was 'insensitive.'

Then the very next day, DaBaby doubled down in his self-directed music video for Giving What It's Supposed to Give depicting him holding an AIDS sign and oral sex from a redhead.

The hip-hop star concluded his suspiciously-timed video with a rainbow-shaded message reading: 'Don't fight hate with hate. My apologies for being me the same way you want the freedom to be you.'
They recently spent time together lapping up the sunshine in Mallorca and Ibiza.

And despite being back in the UK, Mark Wright was reminiscing about he and wife Michelle Keegan's sun-drenched trip to Spain last month.

Taking to Instagram, Mark, 33, revealed that the couple had hired a private jet to fly from Mallorca to Ibiza, with Michelle, 34, giving fans a peek inside the luxury aircraft.

Wow: Mark Wright, 33, was reminiscing about his and his 34-year-old wife Michelle Keegan's trip to Spain last month, revealing on Tuesday that the pair had flown via private jet to Ibiza

Party time: Taking to Instagram, Mark explained he made the decision to visit Ibiza after 'chilling out for long enough in Majorca' and decided to meet friends on the party island

Revealing that the flight took just 25 minutes and that the trip marked his and Michelle's first time flying private together, Mark told his followers in a short clip filmed on the runway: 'After a few days in Majorca, I thought, you know what, I've chilled out long enough.'

He added: It's time for Ibiza. 25 minutes in the air on this baby. Big up Sandbanks jets. Let's go.'

Mark and Michelle could be seen beaming from ear to ear as they stood at the bottom of the plane's steps preparing to board.

After showing off the plane from the outside, the former TOWIE star took his followers inside the impressive aircraft, sharing a snap of himself and Michelle enjoying drinks while in the air.

First time: Mark revealed the flight took just 25 minutes and that the trip marked his and Michelle's first time flying private together

He also made sure to show off the stunning sea view from a plane window as they sped towards Ibiza.

The doting husband captioned his post: 'When the chill time in Mallorca was done, we decided to meet our pals in IBIZA of course!!

'Big thanks to the amazing @sandbanksjets for arranging our first ever private plane we have shared together!! Pulled it out the bag in such a short amount of time.'

'Such an amazing experience and the service was everything we dreamed for!! We won't forget that trip across the drink!! Mallorca to Ibiza.'

Tipples: Once onboard, Mark and Brassic star Michelle enjoyed a couple of tipples before landing at their destination

Stunning: Mark also made sure to show off the stunning sea view from a plane window as they sped towards Ibiza

Mark wrote: 'When the chill time in Mallorca was done, we decided to meet our pals in IBIZA of course!'

It comes after Mark, who is usually well known for his ripped physique and love of fitness, debuted his fuller figure to Instagram earlier in the week.

The Heart FM presenter shared a snap of his reverse body transformation after piling on the pounds during the very indulgent getaway.

The side-by-side comparison collage of his torso showed his former ripped physique on the left, with the right displaying his bloated stomach and slightly fuller paunch.

Alongside the snaps, he penned: 'No lie This is what 10 days in Mallorca and Ibiza has done to me. Best time ever. But time to get back on it!!'

Mark has been doing his own documenting of his travels with Michelle last week, sharing images of his holiday indulgences which included ice creams, plenty of tapas and a daily beer.

What a difference: Mark showed off a fuller figure on Instagram on Thursday as he shared a snap of his reverse body transformation following his Mallorca holiday
Rita Ora has not relocated permanently to Los Angeles to start a new life with boyfriend Taika Waititi.

The hitmaker, 30, has not been back to the UK once since her rule-breaking 30th birthday party in November, despite splashing 7.5million on a six-bedroom mansion in north London just last summer.

It was claimed London holds 'bad memories' for the star ever since her lockdown-flouting birthday bash in the capital and that Rita was 'starting afresh in LA'.

However a source close to the star tells MailOnline Rita maintains her permanent residence in London and that she is in the States temporarily to record a new album.

Move across the pond: Rita Ora has not relocated permanently to Los Angeles to start a new life with boyfriend Taika Waititi (pictured on Monday)

A source had told The Sun: 'Rita snapped up her London pad with plans to keep it as her main home, but it's become increasingly obvious for her that LA is going to be where she lives for the foreseeable.'

They added: 'After her birthday bash last year, Rita left the UK and hasn't been back since. Her boyfriend Taika is based in LA too, so they have been spending a lot of time together. Realistically she isn't going to be spending as much time in London.'

MailOnline has contacted Rita's representatives for comment.

No looking back: Rita has not been back to the UK once since her rule-breaking 30th birthday party in November and has travelled to Bulgaria, Australia and now America

Rita broke pandemic protocol in November when she held a 30th birthday bash at restaurant Casa Cruz.

Straight after the incident, Rita jetted off to Bulgaria where she filmed a music video, and after that spent seven months in Sydney where she filmed Australia's version of The Voice.

New Zealand director Taika, 45, was also in Sydney at the time shooting Thor: Love And Thunder, and the stars are thought to have met through a mutual friend.

The couple then jetted to Los Angeles together in June and made their red carpet debut as a couple at The Suicide Squad premiere on Monday.

Rita was caught twice flouting lockdown rules in November.

The Mail On Sunday revealed that prior to her birthday bash, the singer flew by private jet to Cairo on November 21 to perform at the five-star W Hotel.

She returned the next day and under Government quarantine rules should have self-isolated for 14 days.

Instead of this, she threw a birthday party on November 28 at the exclusive Casa Cruz restaurant in Notting Hill, West London.

Caught: Rita was caught twice flouting lockdown rules in November when she threw a birthday party at a restaurant when indoor gatherings were banned (Rita pictured on her birthday)

For this she apologised with the following statement: 'Hello all, I attended a small gathering with some friends to celebrate my 30th birthday.

'It was a spur of the moment decision made with the misguided view that we were coming out of lockdown and this would be OK I'm deeply sorry for breaking the rules and in turn understand that this puts people at risk.

'This was a serious and inexcusable error of judgement. Given the restrictions, I realise how irresponsible these actions were and I take full responsibility.

'I feel particularly embarrassed knowing first-hand how hard people have worked to combat this terrible illness and being fully aware of the sacrifices that people and businesses have made to help keep us all safe. Even though this won't make it right, I want to sincerely apologise.'

She paid the hefty 10k fine for breaching these protocols, having been reported to the police, who investigated the restaurant, which, to any passers-by, looked to be closed up.

She was also forced into another grovelling apology for breaching strict coronavirus rules by flying to Cairo and not isolating on return.

Rita said: 'I recently flew to Egypt to perform at a corporate event for a private company, where my travel party followed protocol and presented negative Covid tests upon entry, as required by Egyptian authorities.

'Upon my return to Britain, I should have followed Government advice and isolated myself for the required period. As you know, I didnt follow Government advice and I apologise again, unreservedly.

'While I realise the apologetic words of a pop star might not carry much weight, especially one who has broken the rules like I have, I do realise some might seek to follow my example.

I'm sorry: Rita offered an apology on social media and said she felt 'particularly embarrassed' after her party was revealed

She added: 'My message to them is simple: please dont. The guilt and shame Ive carried this week for my mistake arent worth it. Instead, continue to listen to the Government advice and the voices of the heroes of the NHS and take the required precautions.

'I hope to one day make it up to the public who have given me so much support over the years and, in particular, make it up to the heroes of the NHS

'In the meantime, I will be donating my fee from Egypt to charity. Be better than I have been and learn from my mistakes so you dont have to learn the hard way yourselves.'

A spokesman for the star, estimated to be worth 10 million, said she and her team had all subsequently tested negative for coronavirus.

Police were called to Rita's party in November and the Met Police gave a statement to MailOnline at the time.

They said: 'Police were called at 21:10hrs on Saturday, 28 November to reports of a potential breach of Covid regulations at a commercial premises in Clarendon Road, W11.

'Officers attended and carried out enquiries at the scene. They found no record of any offence being committed.'
The straight-talking hosts of Australia's Today show certainly don't pull their punches when it comes to the divisive Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

And on Thursday, Karl Stefanovic and Sophie Walsh couldn't resist mocking the royal couple after Meghan Markle released a 40th birthday message announcing her new initiative to help women get back to work after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sophie, 35, thought it was rich for Meghan to 'lecture' the public about returning to work after she 'quit her job' as a senior royal during the Megxit saga.



'Lost the plot': Straight-talking Today hosts Karl Stefanovic and Sophie Walsh have mocked Meghan Markle's 40th birthday video announcing her new women's mentorship program

'I love that she's lecturing people about getting back to the workplace and she quit her job as a royal after less than two years,' she sneered.

And Karl, 46, noted that the Sussexes were already making millions 'from home' thanks to their deals with Netflix, Spotify and other major corporations.

Taking aim at Meghan's video, he added: 'And to have that dog's life, just lying there in front of the fire that's not on, on a pillow.'

Ouch! Sophie Walsh (right, with Karl Stefanovic) thought it was rich for Meghan to 'lecture' the public about returning to work after she 'quit her job' as a senior royal during the Megxit saga

Karl then ridiculed the Duchess' Californian corporate speak, asking: 'Why doesn't she talk normally? [American accent] "To harness the woman's mobility as she works back..." I mean, come on!'

'No wonder Harry's outside juggling!' he said, to which Sophie replied dryly: 'Harry's lost the plot.'

These savage remarks come after Meghan released a video on the Archewell website on Wednesday to mark her 40th birthday.

'Why doesn't she talk normally?' Karl Stefanovic (left) then ridiculed the Duchess' Californian corporate speak. Sophie said in reference to Prince Harry's juggling cameo: 'He's lost the plot'

In the clip, the giggling Duchess spoke to her actress friend Melissa McCarthy about her Hollywood-backed '40x40' campaign urging people around the world to commit to giving 40 minutes of their time to mentor women going back to work after Covid.

At the start of a Zoom-style call in her spotless LA mansion, Meghan told Melissa: 'Because I'm turning 40, I'm asking 40 friends to donate 40 minutes of their time to help mentor a woman who's mobilising back into the workforce.

'Over two million women in the U.S. alone and tens of millions around the world have lost their jobs due to Covid. And I think if we all do it and all commit 40 minutes to some sort of active service, we can create a ripple effect.'

Message: These savage remarks come after Meghan released a video on the Archewell website on Wednesday to mark her 40th birthday

Melissa repeatedly interrupts Meghan with jokes about other things she could be doing to celebrate her birthday, leaning on her royal links by suggesting a tea party or a yacht party.

At one point the Duchess laughs when asked: 'Are you finally going to do a Suits reunion?' and replies: 'Why would I do a Suits reunion for my birthday?'

But it was Melissa who laughs the loudest at the end of the call when she spots Harry juggling outside the window, much to Meghan's surprise - though the camera was at the perfect angle to spot him.
Before Olivia Rodrigo started dating Must B Nice's Day by Day creator Adam Faze - who's six years her senior - she briefly tried celebrity dating app Raya.

The Drivers License hitmaker revealed to GQ: 'I had Raya for a second, and it was so vomit. Like, I could not', leading to her swift deletion of the app.

Her insight into her dating life comes as she also discussed Courtney Love, who accused her in June of plagiarizing her 1994 Live Through This cover for her debut album Sour, as Olivia insisted the accusation was 'flattering'.

Finding love: Before Olivia Rodrigo started dating Must B Nice's Day by Day creator Adam Faze - who's six years her senior - she briefly tried celebrity dating app Raya

Olivia said of the Courtney controversy: 'To be honest, I'm just flattered that Courtney Love knows that I exist'.

The starlet said she 'loves living alone' in her new Los Angeles apartment she bought after moving out of her parents Christopher and Jennifer's house.

She said: 'I also just don't know how to take care of myself, though,' Rodrigo admitted. I don't know what to buy from the grocery store or how to clean up after myself, I realized. It's been a learning experience.'

Decorating one of the half-Filipina teen sensation's walls is a framed tweet from Cardi B reading: 'You doing sooo good for your age. Don't let no toxic s*** get to you and don't let nobody restrict you from your voice.'

Muse: Her insight into her dating life comes as she also discussed Courtney Love, who accused her in June of plagiarizing her 1994 Live Through This cover (right) for her debut album Sour (left), as Olivia insisted the accusation was 'flattering'

'I also just don't know how to take care of myself': Olivia said she 'loves living alone' in her new LA apartment she bought after moving out of her parents Christopher and Jennifer's house

Then: She is dating Must B Nice's Day by Day creator Adam Faze - who's six years her senior (pictured in January)

Olivia gushed: 'I honestly bawled. I literally saw it and cried. I was like, "Thanks, Cardi. I'm not going to listen to bulls***."'

She said that's a strength of her Gen Z generation: 'The way that people have come together and not put up with bulls*** that has been put up with for so many years.'

Rodrigo called the struggle Grammy winner Britney Spears is currently facing attempting to take control of her life in the midst of a 13-year conservatorship 'horrific.

Decorating one of Rodrigo's walls is a framed tweet from Cardi B reading: 'You doing sooo good for your age. Don't let no toxic s*** get to you and don't let nobody restrict you from your voice'

The half-Filipina teen sensation gushed gushed: 'I honestly bawled. I literally saw it and cried. I was like, "Thanks, Cardi. I'm not going to listen to bulls***"' (pictured Tuesday)

'I've been following it very closely. I think it's just so awful. I think, as an industry, people are getting better at not taking advantage of and manipulating and bullying young women,' The High School: The Musical - The Series actress said.

'But it's still so apparent, and I witness that too. Not near at the level that Britney has, obviously. I think that's an important paradigm that I hope that we'll be able to break in the coming generations...

'I've definitely seen corporate dollars be prioritized over people's mental health.

'That's always been something that I've been really conscious of in my own career, and I'm really lucky I'm surrounded by people who are conscious of that and conscious of my mental health being the most important thing...

'You can't make art and have a good career if you're not there.'

'I think it's just so awful': Rodrigo called the struggle Grammy winner Britney Spears (pictured Tuesday) is currently facing attempting to take control of her life in the midst of a 13-year conservatorship 'horrific'
Karlie Kloss was in high spirits while out in New York City on Wednesday.

The stunning supermodel, who celebrated her 29th birthday the day before, looked lovely in lavender dress shirt and matching shorts as she strolled towards a limo waiting.

The new mom, who gave birth to her first child in March, beamed with joy as she stepped off the curb.

Cheerful: Karlie Kloss was all smiles when she was spotted out in New York City on Wednesday

Kloss's loose-fitting top featured cuff sleeves and a left-chest pocket while she showed off her toned legs in the preppy shorts.

The catwalk queen pulled her blonde locks back in a simple ponytail and accessorized with gold hoop earrings and a square watch with a black leather band.

For makeup, Karlie went with mauve lipstick and a rosy blush that accentuated her high cheekbones.

The runway star sported a pair of black leather sandals and rocked a bright red pedicure.

She carried a black leather crossbody purse that hung from a long strap on her shoulder.

Lovely: The stunning supermodel, who celebrated her 29th birthday the day before, was seen in a lavender dress-shirt and shorts set as she strolled to a waiting limo

Summer casual: The runway star sported a pair of black leather sandals and rocked a bright red pedicure

Happy: The new mom, who gave birth to her first child in March, beamed with joy as she stepped off the curb

Kloss held a black face mask as she walked to catch her ride.

Though Manhattan officials decided not to implement new mask rules, COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the United States due to the spread of the Delta variant.

Karlie gave birth to son Levi Joseph on March 11. The Christian Dior model shares Levi with her husband, venture capitalist Joshua Kushner, 36.

On her birthday, Kloss reminisced on the 'most profoundly awe inspiring' year as she expressed gratitude in a post shared on Instagram.

Grateful: Karlie reminisced on the 'most profoundly awe inspiring' year as she expressed gratitude in a birthday post shared on Instagram

Karlie talked about about the challenges she's faced as a new mom before sharing a sweet video cuddled up to her baby boy.

'This past year has been the most profoundly awe inspiring  and, at times, humbling and sleep deprived  year of my life,' she wrote.

'I couldnt have imagined the growth that was in store for me in this turn around the sun, and Ive never felt more genuine gratitude for the abundance of love in my life. Thankful for you  Looking forward to all that is ahead in 29 '
Anything Goes: Barbican Theatre, London

Rating:

Beware getting an audience on its feet before the interval. If you raise the roof too early in a show, you're going to need to top it in the second half. And that could prove tricky.

But not in the case of this ecstatic new production of Cole Porter's sassy and gloriously wicked 1934 musical.

Anything Goes, starring Sutton Foster, Robert Lindsay and Felicity Kendal, has no problem raising the rafters. In fact, it blows them halfway across town.

A crew of tap-dancing sailors and showgirls, on board an ocean liner from New York to London, don't just have the house baying before the interval, they have it stopping the show again in the second half  as well as at the finale.

Beware getting an audience on its feet before the interval. You're going to need to top it in the second half and that could prove tricky. But not in the case of 1934 musical Anything Goes

By the end, I couldn't tell if the crowd were more in love with the company, or the company more in love with the crowd.

As party girl Reno Sweeney, Foster is a leading lady crackling with style. She joined the crew after Megan Mullally (of sitcom Will & Grace) dropped out of rehearsals.

Mullally said 'my body informed me (mainly while at tap class) that I need a few rods replaced'.

Foster is a veteran of American TV comedy, too (she starred in a show called Younger). But she has the additional advantage of having won a Tony Award for playing Reno on Broadway in 2011.

More trinkets and silverware surely await her here. Ten years may have passed, but once again she carries the show with physical dexterity (including eye-popping splits) and effortless comic timing.

And that voice... Foster sounds like she's got an entire brass section in her larynx from the moment she parps up with her famous opening song I Get A Kick Out Of You.

Her mission, aboard the SS American, is to help saucy stowaway Billy Crocker (Samuel Edwards) marry his sweetheart, heiress Hope (Nicole-Lily Baisden).

Anything Goes, starring Sutton Foster, Robert Lindsay and Felicity Kendal (pictured during rehearsals), has no problem raising the rafters. In fact, it blows them halfway across town

Trouble is, Hope is the debutante daughter of a highly strung, multi-millionairess (Kendal)  and betrothed to a stuffy English toff (Haydn Oakley).

And that's all before the complication of Lindsay's leathery mobster Moonface Martin, who's disguised as a priest while on the run from the law  with gangster's moll Erma (Carly Mercedes Dyer) in tow.

Dyer revels in her role as the squeaky-voiced sex bomb while Lindsay is a gold-plated Cadillac of a mafioso (Public Enemy Number 13), his own voice transformed into a 'Noo Yoik' accented growl.

And let's not forget Gary Wilmot, bumbling about the boat as short-sighted zillionaire Elisha Whitney, reduced to using binoculars instead of bifocals when his specs are stolen.

There can be few musicals with more complicated set-ups, and just getting the long list of characters aboard the liner is a colossal undertaking. But it's a show oozing class, thanks to a team of writers who included PG Wodehouse.

The lyrics sparkle  take 'You're the national gallery, you're Garbo's salary'; or maybe 'Kiss me pretty wench, in English or in French'  and there are risque gags, too ('I don't think Erma picked the guy for the length of his pants,' says Moonface).

Kathleen Marshall's production will, however, be best remembered for the choreography.

As party girl Reno Sweeney, Foster (pictured with Robert Lindsay) is a leading lady crackling with style. She joined the crew after Megan Mullally dropped out of rehearsals

The big dance routines are a long time coming, but when they arrive, you know it. The full company tap number Anything Goes at the end of the first half sounds like the Household Cavalry is passing by.

Then, after the interval, we're treated to a full-scale riot of tumbling, clapping and jitterbugging in the nightclub  lifting the crowd to its feet all over again, to the beat of Blow, Gabriel, Blow.

If you can tear your gaze away from the footwork, the steel panels of Derek McLane's white ocean liner set are (literally) riveting.

The moon and stars smile down, and there are swanky art deco cabins below deck, too.

Quite honestly, when a show packs this much energy, talent, spectacle and swagger in the hold, nothing else goes.

Anything Goes has extended its run at the Barbican until October 31. Sutton Foster remains with the show until October 10, before flying back to NYC to begin rehearsals for The Music Man, with Hugh Jackman.
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5 charged with murder; 1 killed, three wounded

Anastacia Pettigen Jarvis Williamson Nathanial Jackson Wendi Williamson Elmer James Williamson Jr.

Five people from Lufkin were held in lieu of $1 million bail Tuesday in connection to a shooting that killed a Nacogdoches man and wounded three others.

Anastacia Pettigen, 25, and Jarvis Williamson, 39, were charged Sunday morning with murder in the death of Javinsky Lampkin, 35, of Nacogdoches.

Three others  Nathanial Allen Jackson, 26, Elmer James Williamson Jr., 30, and Wendi Lynn Williamson, 44  were charged with murder after Nacogdoches police and SWAT team raided a home in the 400 block of St. Clair Road in Lufkin around 8 p.m. Sunday.

Lampkin was shot around 3:30 a.m. Sunday in the 1400 block of Dolph Street along with three other men.

When police arrived, they immediately began providing emergency medical services, Nacogdoches police spokesman Sgt. Brett Ayres said in an email.

The four shooting victims were taken to a hospital where Lampkin died.

The other three were in serious condition Sunday awaiting transfer to hospitals out of town. Their conditions were not available Tuesday.

Pettigen and Jarvis Williamson were arrested after driving away from where the shooting occurred and leading police on a chase around the loop, Ayres said.

As some officers were on scene of the shooting we located a vehicle of interest and attempted a traffic stop on the vehicle. The occupants of the vehicle refused to stop and a pursuit began south bound on NW Stallings Drive. The vehicle finally stopped around the 3200 block of SW Stallings Dive, Ayres said.

Their arrests led police to search the home 400 block of Claire Street around 8 p.m. Sunday where the three others were arrested.

There were five juveniles inside the residence that were released to family, Ayres said.

Jackson was additionally charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. Elmer James Williamson Jr. also faces charges of unlawfully carrying a weapon and driving while intoxicated.

The homicide is the second in a week in Nacogdoches.

Carole Favro, 72, was killed July 25 in her home in the 2400 block of East Starr Avenue during what police said was an assault with a weapon in the daily activity log released by the department.

Jared Delgado, 17, is charged with murder in her death. Police and jail records initially listed Delgados age as 18. Under Texas law, 17-year-olds are considered adults in criminal cases.

Delgado remained in the Nacogdoches County jail Monday in lieu of $2 million bail.
A federal judge on Wednesday assailed the false claims of election fraud pushed by former President Donald Trump and his supporters as she sentenced a member of the mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 to time served, saying the Michigan man placed his trust in someone who repaid that trust by lying to him.

U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson told Karl Dresch, a Calumet resident in the Upper Peninsula, that he was an enthusiastic participant in an effort to subvert the will of the voters. But the judge said a deal with prosecutors allowing him to plead guilty to a misdemeanor was appropriate because his actions didnt match his rhetoric and he didnt hurt anyone or destroy anything at the Capitol.

Dresch, who has been locked up since his arrest in January, is being released from jail since he already served the six-month maximum sentence for the misdemeanor offense. His attorney, Jerry Ray Smith Jr., said, Im going to be happy to send him home and declined additional comment.

Later Wednesday, two other Jan. 6 defendants  a Virginia couple who likewise pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges  were also sentenced, and avoided jail time. Jessica Bustle was ordered to serve two months in home confinement and her husband Joshua Bustle received one month home confinement. They will each serve two years of probation.

The three are among more than 500 people charged in the riot that sent lawmakers into hiding and disrupted the certification of President Joe Bidens election win. About thirty defendants have pleaded guilty, mostly to misdemeanor charges. The first defendant sentenced for a felony - a Florida man who breached the Senate chamber while carrying a Trump campaign flag - received eight months behind bars.

Dresch posted pictures and videos on social media that were taken inside the Capitol on Jan. 6, which he described in one message as the best day ever, according to court documents. The day after the riot, he wrote of the then-vice president: Mike Pence gave our country to the communist hordes, traitor scum like the rest of them, we have your back give the word and we will be back even stronger.

Jackson slammed Dreschs views as misguided, noting that judge after judge smacked down the former presidents claims of election fraud. She also took a swipe at Republicans whove tried to downplay the violence on Jan. 6  including one lawmaker who suggested that video of the rioters looked like a tourist visit  calling Dresch not your typical tourist.

At the end of the day, the fact is that the defendant came to the Capitol because he placed his trust in someone who repaid that trust by lying to him," the judge said.

Your vote doesnt count anymore than anyone elses. You dont get to cancel them out and call for a war because you dont like the results of the election, Jackson told him.

In another hearing, lawyers for Joshua and Jessica Bustle, of Bristow, Virginia, argued that their punishments should be no different than the first Jan. 6 defendant to be sentenced, who received only probation for a misdemeanor offense. The Bustles admitted to entering the Capitol through a door that had been breached by other rioters and staying inside for about 20 minutes.

Their lawyers noted that they didnt engage in any violence and said their clients have already faced consequences as a result of their actions. Joshua Bustles attorney, Timothy Anderson, said he lost his job and the couple is moving from Virginia to North Carolina to start over.

They have lost everything in the court of public opinion, Anderson said.

Jessica Bustle posted a picture of herself on Facebook before the riot with the caption: We dont win this thing sitting on the sidelines. Excited to stand for truth with my fellow patriots and freedom fighters in DC today. Afterwards, she wrote that Pence is a traitor."

U.S. District Judge Thomas Hogan said he had seriously considered putting Jessica Bustle in jail, citing her Facebook comments. But he ultimately decided against incarceration, describing her as remorseful.

Also Wednesday, authorities arrested a Missouri man who told Newsweek that he dressed up like George Washington at the Capitol on Jan. 6 as a nod to Americas founding, according to a court filing.

Isaac Samuel Yoder brought the colonial attire when he agreed to meet with FBI agents in March, the filing says. Yoder told the agents that he saw barricades and broken windows before he entered the Capitol, according to the FBI.

____

Associated Press reporter Ed White in Detroit contributed to this report. Richer reported from Boston.
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For Release: Wednesday, August 4, 2021

2021-22 New York State Hunting and Trapping Licenses on Sale Now

New Opportunities for Deer Hunters

Expanded Call Center Hours and Online Sales

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced that hunting and trapping licenses and Deer Management Permits (DMPs) for the 2021-2022 seasons are on sale now. In addition, DEC announced new opportunities for hunters this year, including expanded hunting seasons and allowing youth ages 12 and 13 to hunt deer with a firearm or crossbow in upstate counties that have passed a local low and 'opted in' to participate.

"Hunting is a longstanding tradition for many and an estimated half a million New Yorkers enjoy the sport each year. The upcoming, expanded hunting seasons bring even greater excitement and opportunities to encourage greater participation in the sport," said Commissioner Seggos. "As always, DEC encourages hunters to plan ahead, get outdoors responsibly, and follow the principles of hunter safety."

Licenses and permits can be purchased online (leaves DEC's website), at any one of DEC's license-issuing agents (leaves DEC's website), or by telephone at 866-933-2257. New hunting and trapping licenses are valid from Sept. 1, 2021, through Aug. 31, 2022; annual fishing licenses are valid for 365 days from date of purchase.

New York's habitat serves a critical role in maintaining healthy and sustainable fish and wildlife resources. Purchasing a hunting, fishing, or trapping license helps support conservation projects and ensures the protection of the State's natural resources. In addition, DEC encourages outdoor enthusiasts to consider purchasing a Habitat & Access Stamp each year. Funds from the $5 Habitat & Access Stamp support projects to conserve habitat and improve public access for fish- and wildlife-related activities. This year's Habitat & Access Stamp features a bobcat.

Expanded Call Center Hours

Beginning this week, the DEC Call Center's hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays through Nov. 30. Regular call center weekday hours will resume on Dec. 1.

Individuals should have the following items ready when buying a license:

Complete contact information (e.g. name, address, email address, telephone number); DEC customer ID number (if applicable); Proof of residency (e.g., driver's license or non-driver's ID with a valid New York State address); and If purchasing by phone or internet, a valid credit card.

If not already entered in DEC's automated licensing system, individuals are required to provide proof of hunter or trapper education certification or a copy of a previous license for all hunting and trapping license purchases. For additional information, visit the General Sporting License Information webpage on DEC's website.

Deer Management Permits (DMPs)

DMPs are available at all license-issuing outlets, by phone, or online through Oct. 1. DMPs are used to manage the deer herd and are issued through an instant random selection process at the point of sale. The chances of obtaining a DMP remain the same throughout the application period; hunters need not rush to apply. The 2021 chances of selection for a DMP in each Wildlife Management Unit are available online, through license-issuing agents, or by calling the DMP Hotline at 1-866-472-4332. Detailed information on Deer Management Permits and this fall's Deer Season Forecast is available on DEC's website.

The 2021-22 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide, which provides an easy-to-read collection of pertinent rules and regulations, is available on the DEC Hunting webpage. Copies will be available soon at license-issuing agents.

Online and In-Person Hunter Education Training Courses

All first-time hunters, bowhunters, and trappers must pass one or more courses before purchasing a license. Online and in-person courses are available. In-person courses have a field day where new hunters can get hands-on experience. All in-person courses are free of charge, but space may be limited. Courses fill quickly, so early sign-ups are encouraged. Visit DEC's website for more information on materials, including a list of courses and course registration.

The requirements to earn a New York State hunter education certificate can be met by completing DEC's online hunter education course and passing the exam. Upon passing, participants will receive a hunter education certificate, enabling the purchase of a hunting license. Participants must be New York State residents and the cost of the course is $19.95. The online course can be accessed at DEC's website.

New York State also offers an online bowhunter education certification course. Upon passing, hunters receive their bowhunter education certificate so they can purchase a bowhunting privilege. Participants must be New York State residents and the cost of the course is $30. The online course can be accessed at DEC's website.

New Hunting Opportunities

Deer hunters will have several new opportunities this year, with a law change that allows 12- and 13-year-old hunters to pursue deer with a firearm or crossbow under the supervision of an experienced adult hunter in upstate counties that opt-in to participate (see the Junior Big Game Hunting map). In addition, DEC created a new holiday deer hunt, an extended portion of the late bow and muzzleloader season from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, in the Southern Zone. These are new opportunities for young hunters to be mentored by experienced adults and for families to hunt together during the holiday season.

DEC is also proposing additional hunting-related changes, which are currently out for public review and comment. If these proposals are adopted, DEC will notify the public by means of a press release and email newsletters.

Opportunities for Junior Hunters and Trappers

To foster the next generation of hunters in New York, DEC has expanded opportunities for junior hunters (licensees aged 12-15) and trappers (under 12 years old) by designating special youth hunts for deer, wild turkey, pheasants, and waterfowl. These opportunities allow youth hunters and trappers to spend time in the field with experienced adults and gain the necessary knowledge and skills to become safe and responsible members of the hunting and trapping community. More information about these programs and other opportunities for junior hunters and trappers is available on DEC's website.

Remember: Hunt Safe, Hunt Smart!

The number of hunting-relating shooting incidents is declining, but even one incident is too many. Hunters can prevent injuries and fatalities by following the cardinal rules of hunting safety:

Assume every gun to be loaded; Control the muzzle in a safe direction; Keep your finger off the trigger until firing; Be sure of your target and beyond; and Wear hunter orange or pink.

Tree stand falls are a major cause of hunting injuries. These hunting-related injuries are easily preventable. Hunters are advised to use a full-body harness and fall-arrest system and stay connected from the time they leave the ground until the time they return. Hunters are advised to check their stands (including straps and chains) every season and replace worn or missing parts. The proper use of tree stands and full-body harnesses helps prevent injuries and fatalities.

Keep Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Out of New York

Hunters should take the threat of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) seriously. CWD is always fatal to deer, elk, moose, and caribou. If introduced, CWD could spread rapidly and be practically impossible to eliminate once established, threatening the future of New York's deer population, hunting tradition, and many of the other benefits associated with deer. The most effective disease management strategy is to prevent CWD from entering New York. A recent detection of CWD in a captive deer herd in Pennsylvania near the New York State border is a reminder that the disease can be unintentionally moved to new locations. Hunters can help protect New York's deer herd from CWD by following these tips:

If hunting any type of deer, elk, moose, or caribou outside of New York, debone the animal before bringing it back, and follow the law about importing carcass parts from outside of New York. See CWD Regulations for Hunters. DEC will confiscate and destroy illegally imported carcasses and parts; Avoid products containing real deer urine, like scent lures. Prions are shed in the bodily fluids (saliva, feces, urine) of infected deer before they appear sick. Prions bind to soil and plants where they remain infectious for years. There is no way to ensure that products containing deer urine are free of prions. Choose synthetic alternatives; Dispose of carcass waste in a landfill, not on the landscape; Hunt only wild deer and support fair chase hunting principles; and Report any deer that appears sick or is acting abnormally.

Hunters, Want Older Bucks in New York? It's Your Choice

Many deer hunters dream of seeing and shooting a large buck but there is great temptation for a hunter to take the first buck they see, often a young buck, when the opportunity presents itself. New York hunters can increase the likelihood of harvesting an older, larger buck, by choosing to pass up shots at young, small-antlered bucks. Older bucks create more rubs and scrapes, are more challenging to hunt, and yield more meat.

Many New York hunters are already voluntarily choosing to pass on young bucks. As a result, the availability and harvest of older, larger antlered bucks is increasing. To see and take more older bucks, DEC encourages hunters to work with neighbors and hunting partners to cooperatively reduce harvest of young bucks, improve habitat conditions, and ensure adequate harvest of antlerless deer.


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Tirupati: Treasure hunters gangs, accompanied by self-styled swamis, involved in occult practices, have been on the prowl in Chittoor district in search of hidden treasures. These gangs are engaged in digging at secluded places deep inside the forests, forested temples, old and abandoned temples and now they shifted their focus on old houses.

It all came to light when a gang of treasure hunters were nabbed by the police at Mullangivaripalle village in Kalluru mandal while digging for hidden treasures at a house, owned by a woman identified as Eswari. The six-member gang, hailing from Hyderabad and Karnataka, struck a deal with a local youth, who threatened Eswari and helped the gang in carrying out excavation in her house. Eswari, however, gathered courage and complained to the police, who later arrested the gang of six people.

Two months ago, the Alipiri police arrested a 40-year-old treasure hunter and six others on charges of illegally digging a tunnel of 80 ft in search of ancient treasures hidden in the Seshachalam hillocks near BTR Colony in Tirupati. Believing the words of a self-styled guruji, the accused Manku Naidu, began digging the tunnel with the help of workers and using explosives a year ago. It is still a matter of surprise how Naidu could hoodwink police and locals for almost a year despite using explosives.

Not just these two incidents, several batches from the villages bordering Chittoor district, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Hyderabad, accompanied by self-styled swamis are undertaking digging at old and forested temples, caves and on the banks of rivulets deep inside the forest and now some select houses. Believing the words of self-styled swamis or tantriks that lanke bindelu (vessels containing gold coins) dating back to centuries lay hidden in some places, these gangs are hunting for treasures.

Self-styled gurujis or tantriks from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala are taking advantage of the weakness of treasure hunters. They target youth and gullible villagers by tempting them with treasures and lure them on the pretext of helping them to detect treasures. Such gangs are systematically defacing or vandalising several heritage structures and now they are selecting houses on innocent and gullible people, a senior police officer said.

In a bid to curb defacing and vandalising of temples, the district police led by SP S. Senthil Kumar formed 2,241 village defence squads with 11,353 members in it and installed 4,526 CCTV cameras across the district.

Taking a serious view of this, the district SP held several meetings with locals, village heads, pastors, temple priests and dargah organisers and involved them to protect the places of worship. We also mounted surveillance in all the forested villages and areas vulnerable to the activities of treasure hunters. Our teams are cracking the whip on treasure hunting gangs, leaving no chance for them to carry out illegal activities, the police officer maintained.
AFKKS feels digitalisation of this world-famous khadi and minimum Rs 2 crore capital investment into Ponduru small-scale industry could help boost production of this unique garment both qualitatively and quantitatively. (DC)

VISAKHAPATNAM: World famous Ponduru Khadi with a 72-year-old history will be in limelight with National Handloom Day being celebrated at the village under whose name the hand-spun khadi is famous. Weavers and experts involved in spinning and marketing of Ponduru Khadi feel a Geographical Indication (GI) tag and digital marketing could help this khadi once again gain prominence not just in India but world over.

Ponduru is located about 100 km from port city of Visakhapatnam in Srikakulam district. Since 1949, weaver families belonging to backward Padmasali and Devanga communities have been spinning Ponduru Khadi sarees, dhotis and wrap-around panches.

Andhra Fine Khadi Karmikabhivruddi Sangham (AFKKS), affiliated to Mumbai-based Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), manages the weaving and marketing activities of Ponduru Khadi. AFKKS feels digitalisation of this world-famous khadi and minimum Rs 2 crore capital investment into Ponduru small-scale industry could help boost production of this unique garment both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Weavers use a single spindle for spinning the fabric. The price of a handmade fine variety saree starts from Rs 10,000 as does a men's panche.

In the run-up to National Handloom Day being celebrated on Saturday, August 7, Deccan Chronicle interacted with Ponduru Khadi weavers. One among them, J. Srinivasa Rao sees the big picture saying, "The government has taken steps of digitalising heritage structures and museums. Similar steps are needed to digitalise every activity of our Ponduru Khadi industry."

Then there is Basava Kanthamma, one of 1,100 spinners, who says, "We are able to earn maximum Rs 150200 a day for spinning threads from raw cotton. We will feel encouraged if our daily wages are hiked."

Fabrics at Ponduru village are spun using a special variety of indigenous Red and Hill cotton, mostly brought from Nimmalavalasa village in Laveru mandal of Srikakulam district.

AFKKS secretary D. Venkata Ramana says, "Our products are world famous with a Rs 5 crore turnover. But proper government support in terms of advertising at national and global levels will broaden their reach. We want an exclusive website, official Twitter and Facebook handles to run our products. We also need capital investment from government to encourage weavers and spinners into continuing making this product. Unfortunately, however, the number of Ponduru Khadi weavers has reduced from 500 to 100 in past 30 years due to lack of support," he pointed out.

Venkata Ramana maintains that they are receiving orders from the US and UK and locally from Hyderabad, Bangalore and Delhi through word-of-mouth publicity. They courier the orders; however, it will be great to have an official digital platform to promote and market the product.

As part of their endeavour to project Ponduru Khadi, Ramana told DC, they have invited union minister Nirmala Sitharaman to Ponduru for celebrating the National Handloom Day in Ponduru on Saturday.

Srikakulam MP Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu said he has requested the centre to accord Geographical Indication (GI) tag to Pondur Khadi and take steps for setting up a Pondur Village Khadi Textile Park in Srikakulam for promoting handloom industries on a large scale.

Nirmala Sitharaman to be in Ponduru for National Handloom Day

Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will participate in National Handloom Day celebrations at Ponduru in Srikakulam district on Saturday, August 7.

She will honour handloom weavers and highlight India's handloom industry and government's plans for this sector on the occasion. Srikakulam district administration has set up a special exhibition with 58 stalls and 20 live demonstrations of world-famous Ponduru Khadi weaving as part of the celebrations.
During the Parliament session, five Rajya Sabha members, including Santosh Kumar, had met the PM. Later, Santosh Kumar had a one on one meeting with Modi, Revanth Reddy alleged.  DC Image

HYDERABAD: State Congress president A. Revanth Reddy asked Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao why TRS MPs were not raising the Krishna river water issue during the ongoing Parliament session. He (KCR) declared war against Delhi, but why did TRS MPs keep quiet for 15 days, the Congress leader said.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi on Tuesday, Revanth Reddy demanded that Chandrashekar Rao disclose the details of TRS Rajya Sabha member Joginipally Santosh Kumars meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the Parliament session, five Rajya Sabha members, including Santosh Kumar, had met the PM. Later, Santosh Kumar had a one on one meeting with Modi, Revanth Reddy alleged.

The TPCC chief alleged that Telangana state would become a desert due the water policies taken up by AP Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. Chandrasekhar Rao was deliberately absent at the river water board meetings and favouring neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, he said.

He said that the TRS had skipped the meeting that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had organised to fight against the anti-people and anti-farmer policies of the BJP government at the Centre. This proved that Chandrashekar Rao was a BJP supporter, he claimed. Modi and KCR are not separate, they are twins in the implementation of the same policies.

Revanth Reddy alleged that BJP state president Bandi Sanjay had postponed his padayatra due to pressure from Union minister G. Kishan Reddy. Kishan Reddy brought pressure from Modi to stop Sanjays padayatra, the Congress leader claimed.

He said that Koushik Reddy, a former Congress leader in Huzurabad, had got the Legislative Council seat under the covert quota after joining the ruling party. Chandrasekhar Rao had elevated Koushik Reddy as MLC for being a TRS covert in the Congress before expulsion, he said.

The TPCC chief alleged that the Chief Minister had surrendered to Modi to protect himself from action in financial scams he had committed in the state over seven years. Because of this, Rao had adopted pro-Modi policies which adversely affected the interests of Telangana state, he said.

He said the Congress would take up an agitation against eh anti-Dalit and anti-tribal policies of the TRS from August 9, he explained.

Revanth Reddy was among the Opposition MPs to reach Parliament on a bicycle to protest the rising fuel prices.
HYDERABAD: Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, minister of state for food and civil supplies, stated that the Telangana state government had not fully distributed free rice to the beneficiaries during the Covid-19 pandemic under the Prime Ministers Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY).

On Tuesday, in the ongoing Parliament session, the minister was replying to Karimnagar MP Bandi Sanjay Kumars question on the rice distribution. The minister said the TS government had not yet distributed 11,833 metric tonnes under the PMGKAY-1, 26,627.21 metric tonnes under the PMGKAY-2 and 6,751.45 metric tonnes under the PMGKAY-3. He said the fourth phase of distribution under PMGKAY for July-November had not started yet.

The minister mentioned in his reply that the Central government last year allotted 7.66 lakh metric tonnes of food grains and this year 6.71 lakh metric tonnes under the PMGKAY.

Niranjan Jyoti also said that under the National Food Security Act-2013, the public distribution system would continue to be under the joint programme of the Central and state governments, adding that states were responsible for the supply of food grains to the beneficiaries through ration shops along with the selection of beneficiaries under the priority households (PHH) scheme.

Sanjay said the TS government was not ashamed of not distributing rice to the poor even though the Narendra Modi government allotted free food grains for the poor people in Covid time.

He lashed out at the Chandrashekar Rao government over its failure to feed the poor though the Centre allotted free rice. He also accused the Chief Minister of gaining political advantage by displaying his photos at ration shops. Sanjay Kumar demanded that the state government immediately put photos of Prime Minister Modi in all ration shops.
New Delhi: Fourteen Opposition parties issued a joint statement on Wednesday demanding a discussion in Parliament on the Pegasus snooping issue, to be followed by a reply from the Union home minister. Accusing the government of being arrogant and obdurate in its refusal to allow a discussion, their joint statement said the government alone was responsible for the continuing logjam in parliament. It is unfortunate that the government has unleashed a misleading campaign to malign the combined Opposition and blame it for the continued disruption in Parliament, the statement said.

The Opposition also unequivocally said that a discussion on the farmers issues and agitations arising from the three anti-farmer agricultural laws should follow the discussion on Pegasus. The Opposition said it urges the government to respect parliamentary democracy and accept the discussions. It added: The responsibility for the deadlock lies squarely at the doorsteps of the government, which remains arrogant and obdurate and refuses to accept the Oppositions demand for an informed debate in both Houses.

Meanwhile, six Trinamul Congress members who ignored the requests of Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu not to display placards in the Upper House and go back to their seats, and who were also sloganeering in the Well of the House, were suspended for the day on Wednesday for disobeying the Chair. Later, these MPs, protesting outside the Upper House lobby, allegedly tried to forcibly enter the Rajya Sabha chamber but were prevented by the security staff. In the melee, a glass door got broken, leading to a woman security officer getting injured.

Soon after Mr Jawhar Sircar took the oath as a new TMC member and official documents were laid and notices under Rule 256 were rejected, the TMC members trooped into the Well shouting slogans and holding placards against the government on the Pegasus snooping issue and demanding a discussion. Mr Naidu said there had been an agreement to discuss the farmers agitation, price rise and the economic situation and the House should proceed with discussing the farmers issues.

Taking strong exception to the placards with anti-government slogans, Mr Naidu first asked them to go back to their seats and then threatened to invoke Rule 255 against those holding placards. Some Congress MPs also entered the Well later but were not carrying placards.

As the TMC members were unrelenting despite the Chairs requests, Mr Nadu ordered that those disobeying the Chair and raising placards shall leave the House under Rule 255. He, however, did not name anyone and said the Rajya Sabha secretariat will give the list.

Later a parliamentary bulletin identified the six MPs suspended for the day as Dola Sen, Md Nadimul Haque, Abir Ranjan Biswas, Shanta Chhetri, Arpita Ghosh and Mausam Noor.

Before adjourning the House, Mr Naidu said: All the members who are in the Well of the House with placards... all of them are named under Rule 255. I direct these members who are in the Well of the House to go back to their seats otherwise, you are named and are suspended for the day, he said. But the MPs refused to budge.

Even after the House proceedings were adjourned, the TMC and other Opposition MPs did not leave the House. After the six TMC MPs were suspended, they protested outside the Upper House lobby during which a glass door was broken, resulting in injury to a woman security officer, sources said. Minutes after the Rajya Sabha secretariat asked the six MPs to withdraw, they tried to enter the Rajya Sabha gallery but were stopped by security officials, the sources said. Thereafter, they started protesting and singing songs outside the entrance of the gallery adjacent to Central Hall. The security officials are drafting a report on the entire incident, which will be submitted to the Rajya Sabha secretary-general.

The statement comes amid a stalemate in the Monsoon Session, with both Houses paralysed due to the Oppositions uproar over their demand for a discussion on the Pegasus snooping issue. The Pegasus issue has also reached the Supreme Court, which will hear a bunch of petitions on Thursday, most of which are seeking a court-monitored independent investigation into the matter.

In the past two weeks, the Opposition parties have held several meetings in a bid to corner the government in Parliament. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has urged the Opposition leaders to unite and jointly take on the Central government over the Pegasus controversy. The government says IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaws statement has cleared the governments stand on the Pegasus issue.
Hello! Big Brother is Listening.

Parliament has come to a halt because of the Pegasus affair. The winged horse is a malware designed to enter your smartphone when you open a message from an unknown source. Once installed in a phone, Pegasus can intercept and steal more or less any information on it, including SMSes, contacts, call history, calendars, emails and browsing histories. It can use the phones microphone to record calls and other conversations, secretly film with its camera, or track movements with GPS. All this is reported to the Pegasus licencee who would have paid at least $650,000 to make up to 10 smartphones to report to it. A typical buyer of Pegasus would be a secretive government agency, a private corporation or even a criminal organisation.

But the owner of Pegasus, the NSO Group of Israel, claims it only sells to kosher outfits and our government wants us to believe it. Government intelligence and investigative agencies routinely tap telephones as its their job to keep their masters well informed, particularly when the masters have a taste for low level gossip grade information. But let me tell you this, Pegasus is not such a big deal. There are dozens of hackers operating out of Russia, Israel, the United States and even the likes of North Korea who take control of smartphones and information technology networks for blackmail and extortion. The only difference between them and NSO is that the Israeli company is a white-black operation!

It is very apparent Pegasus was bought by an off the book intelligence operation from within the government. An official intelligence agency like the IB, RAW, DGMI and a few others can get official sanction to tap all manner of telephones. All they need is an authorisation from the Union home secretary to do so. It does not require much to persuade any home secretary to affix his signature to one. An agency that can do this will not expend so much money on Pegasus to track a few individuals, with a system that cant do much more than what is already within their reach. To get a good idea of who bought Pegasus one needs to just track new expenditures by government offices like the PMO. For instance, in 2017, though the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) was allotted Rs 33 crores, it ended up spending Rs 81 crores more. In 2018, the allocation had shot up to Rs 333 crores. What was the PMO splurging on, when the NSCS is just a talking shop and occasionally turns out position papers and advisory papers?

There are 3.2 billion smartphones working connecting people with huge reservoirs of information and content. As of June 30, 2021, there were 4.86 billion Internet users worldwide. Of these, 44.8 per cent were in Asia, 21.5 per cent in Europe and 11.4 per cent in all of North America. This has led to new forms of business and new forms of doing business. With that small gizmo in your hand, that often nowadays packs more power than a bank of personal computers a dozen years ago, you can buy an airline ticket in another continent or send flowers to a special friend in yet another one. There can be other less benign uses also. A terrorist can detonate a secreted bomb in a distant country with a mobile phone call.

Since data exchanged on cellular and Internet networks fly through the ether and not as pulses racing through copper wires, they are easier to net by electronic interception. But these nets catch them in huge numbers. Unlike before when the signals to be intercepted and deciphered were a few, now you had millions to sort out and analyse for content and patterns. This is where the supercomputers come in. The messages that are netted every moment are run through sieves of sophisticated and complex computer programs that can simultaneously decode, detect and unravel, and by further analysing the incoming and outgoing patterns of calls and data transfers for the sending and receiving terminals or phones, can with a fair probability of accuracy tell the agency seeking information about what is going on and who is up to what?

Non-government parties can access this information by other means. A few years ago we had the case of the infamous Amar Singh CDs, which titillated so many with its graphic content and lowbrow conversations featuring the likes of Anil Ambani, Jayaprada, Bipasha Basu and some others. Then we had the episode of the Niira Radia tapes where we were privy to the machinations of the Tatas corporate lobbyist in the national capital fixing policy, positioning ministers and string-pulling media stars.

In 2002, interrogators heard a top Al Qaeda courier with the nom de guerre Abu Ahmed al-Kuwaiti from Mohammed al-Qahtani, a detainee interrogated in a secret rendition camp in Poland. In 2004, another prisoner named Hassan Gul claimed that al-Kuwaiti was close to Osama bin Laden as well as to Khalid Sheik Mohammed and Mohammeds successor Abu Faraj al-Libbi. The CIA began to look for al-Kuwaiti and in 2007, officials learned that al-Kuwaitis real name was Ibrahim Saeed Ahmed, and he was a Pathan from Pakistans Swat Valley. The CIA had a clutch of phone numbers that were used sometime or the other by Al Qaeda couriers. For most of the time these numbers would remain shut. They would come to life very briefly to pass very terse messages or have very short conversations. In one of these conversations, al-Kuwaiti told his friend that he is now working with the people he was with before. This was enough of a break for the CIA to put him under full-time physical surveillance. A satellite picked him up in Karachi and tracked him. This led to him and his brother Abrar with their families to that now very famous house in Abbottabad. The tracking down of Osama bin Laden to his hideout was probably one of the great detective stories of the age.

But Pegasus is not being used for detecting where Dawood Ibrahim or Masood Azhar are holed up. Our D Company is more interested in low-level political gossip and for stalking. Remember that lady whose movements were tracked by the Gujarat police and reported to a jealous lonely heart. These things were possible even without Pegasus.
Officials of the Union health and family welfare ministry in their regular media briefings dole out the doleful numbers of vaccines supplied and mention the number of vaccines administered only when they choose to. Indias new health minister Mansukh Mandaviya asserts that theres no shortage of vaccines, and without saying so implies its the states and Union territories which are not making full use of the vaccines. And the numbers given out in the Press Information Bureaus releases reveal a Kafkaesque twist in the tale of its own. On August 1, the PIB gave out the following figures -- Vaccines supplied: 49,49,89, 550; In pipeline: 8,04,220; Consumption: 46,70,26,662; Balance Available: 3,00,58,190. On August 2, the government figures are  Vaccines supplied: 49,6498,050; In pipeline: 9,84,610; Balance Available: 3,14,34,654.

The consumption figure is missing on August 2. The ministry can say the states and UTs did not provide the number of administered vaccines. What is curious about these figures is that of vaccines in the pipeline and vaccines available. We must infer that the vaccines in the pipeline are the vaccines expected from the manufacturers, and the vaccines available are those left unused from those supplied.

The argument is that every day the Central government is supplying a certain number of vaccines, and the states and UTs dont use all of them that day. They are to be used in the next few days. And those in the pipeline will increase the number of vaccines available. The supplies are thin, and the inventories are not assuring. The government doesnt want to reveal the real situation. But it somehow seems to manage supplies, keeping them floating above the water as it were.

This leaves enough room to wonder whether the pace of vaccines administered has something to do with the thin supply line. The pace of administering the vaccines can be inferred from the fact that on May 1, the government press release says total vaccinations have crossed 15.66 crores, and on the day (May 1), 16 lakh vaccine doses were administered. The press release announces in bureaucratic grandiloquence: The Government of India along with the States/UTs through a Whole of Government approach has embarked on a five-point strategy for the prevention, containment and management of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country. Vaccine forms an integral component of the five-point strategy, including Test, Track, Treat and Covid Appropriate Behaviour. And it also says: The Liberalised and Accelerated Phase-3 Strategy of Covid-19 Vaccination has come into force today (May 1, 2021). On the day, 84,599 beneficiaries in the 18-44 age group were given the vaccine as they were made eligible on this day. However, in places such as Delhi, many vaccine centres were closed for the new two weeks because vaccine supplies were not available.

By June 1, the total number of vaccines administered reached 21.83 crores, and on July 1, Indias Cumulative Covid Vaccination Coverage reached nearly 34 crores, says the government press note. It notes the fact that on July 1, 38.17 lakh vaccine doses were administered, after the phase of universalisation of Covid-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June. We know that on June 21, 80 lakh vaccines dose were administered after Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that the Central government would buy 75 per cent of the vaccines from the manufacturers and distribute it to the states and UTs. On August 1, the total number those vaccinated seems to be around 46.7 crores because

the number is given under the head of consumption. So, in a month, about 12 crore people were vaccinated. The figures of those who received first doses, and those who got second doses, remains a tortuous detail. There is no explanation on why this is so. There are bound to be glitches and snags in a mass scale vaccination exercise like the one being carried out in India, but the government wants to make it appear that it is sailing smoothly with clockwork precision. If the vaccination programme was run super-efficiently, one would have marvelled, but the problem with the Central government is that it wants to give the impression that everything being run well when it is not. Then there is the juvenile claim that India has vaccinated more people than in the United States, but the US because of its population size had covered over half its population, but India is even to reach the one-third figure of its 1.3 billion population.

The government is barely managing its vaccine supplies and it seems to be in a precarious situation. The Serum Institute of India, the maker of Covishield; Bharat Biotech, the maker of Covaxin; and Dr Reddys Laboratories, the maker of Sputnik; are all supposed to deliver large numbers of their vaccines, and they have been paid beforehand to do so. The government does not want to share with the people whether the supply chain is firm enough. The government has also been desperately trying to negotiate with Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson and Johnson. But nothing came of it so far. The government is therefore forced to depend on domestic manufacturers. And even the ramped-up production targets of these domestic manufacturers dont seem to be working. This is revealed in the in the pipeline figures. So far, the bluff has worked. But you cannot bluff your way through a health emergency. There is a conspiratorial silence about the production schedules of SII, Bharat Biotech and Dr Reddys Laboratories. This kind of secrecy is likely to explode in the face of the government.
Consulate of Peru in Bengaluru has opened a new information desk in its office in Koramangala. The launch was held on July 28 to mark the 200 years of independence of Peru.

The information desk will serve as a resource to learn about the culture of Peru through its books, movies, and language.

Vikram Vishwanath, who holds the position of the honorary consulate general for Peru in Karnataka, Kerala and Goa, tells Metrolife how people can access these resources. People can watch Peruvian movies like El Mudo, El Acuarelista, and Viejos Amigos on the consulate website or even rent the physical DVDs. Likewise, we will lend novels and coffee table books featuring detailed maps. We will have our library in place by next month.

The desk will also provide information about classes in India where you can learn Spanish from, good accommodations to stay in Peru for a year or two, and about its wildlife and food.

Ask Vishwanath what prompted him to start an information desk when the consulate office has been fielding questions related to Peru for years now?

I dont know if its because of the pandemic or what but we have been receiving uncommon queries lately. People want to know where they can learn Spanish from, how they can find rental homes in Peru or which school they can send their kids to when they move there. Looks like people have used the extra time to read about Peru and want to know more, says Vishwanath, whos a businessman and investor.

Currently, Vishwanath is taking these calls along with the consulate staff but they will get a dedicated person for the job by next month.

You can call 2550 2929, 2552 2212, 2550 4976 from 10 am to 5 pm.
The PDP, Congress, Peoples Conference, and Apni Party on Wednesday questioned the BJP government on the achievements it made since revoking Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir as they vowed to continue their struggle to get the erstwhile states special status restored.

The National Conference, however, targeted Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari, who has announced to launch an agitation for the restoration of Jammu and Kashmirs special status, as a frenzied attempt to keep himself and his party relevant.

On the eve of the second anniversary of the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status, the parties asked if the BJP government had managed to eradicate militancy, create jobs or rehabilitate Kashmiri Pandits in the valley.

President of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mehbooba Mufti termed August 5 as a black day in the constitutional and democratic history of the country, saying the draconian steps taken in 2019 have not only betrayed the trust of the people, but also complicated the issue of the erstwhile state further.

In a statement issued here, Mufti said August 5 has become a reminder of the subversion of the democratic and the constitutional system of the country and how the trust of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and all the democrats of the country was betrayed.

Mufti said Jammu and Kashmir has to become a bridge of friendship rather than a bone of contention between India and Pakistan and the PDP will continue to strive to see this happen.

Reiterating that the party would continue to struggle and strive for the restoration of the rights and identity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Mufti said no amount of coercion would dissuade the party from advocating its core agenda of peace with dignity through dialogue and reconciliation. She said two years after the Constitutional provisions were revoked, none of the stated goals of the government that were used to camouflage the betrayal of bringing Kashmir closer to India, ending militancy, bringing development to the state  have been achieved. Corroborating her views, J&K Pradesh Congress Committee chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma asked whether the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmirs special status has ended militancy.

"There were around 70 active militants in 2014, while the number is over 200 today, despite the elimination of hundreds of terrorists since then," the Congress leader said.

Sharma also asked how many jobs were provided in the government sector in two years as the then governor S P Malik had made an announcement of providing 50,000 jobs in three months.

Also read: I was deeply jaded & disappointed, but politicians can't mourn for long: Omar Abdullah on Article 370 abrogation

He said the demand for restoration of statehood with the protection of genuine rights to land and jobs remained high on the Congress's agenda along with that of holding early assembly elections to provide an elected government in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Peoples Conference said August 5 will perpetually be remembered as a dark day and a day of disempowerment in the history of the erstwhile state.

Party spokesperson Adnan Ashraf Mir said the decisions taken on August 5, 2019, are spiteful and contrary to the ideals and values of a democracy and the federal character of the Indian State.

The Peoples Conference (PC), he said, is committed to continue its principled struggle for the rights and dignity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and that it will pursue this agenda through democratic and legal means.

Highlighting that the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35-A has incremented the trust deficit among the people, Bukhari said he strongly hopes and believes that the Supreme Court will restore the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.

Bukhari said if the apex court's verdict disregards the peoples' aspirations, the Apni Party will have no choice but to chalk out other peaceful means to pursue this goal with New Delhi. We believe that the solution to the socio-economic and political problems faced by the people in J-K lies with New Delhi, so it will be unwise to disengage or dissociate ourselves from pursuing the redressal, he said.

The Apni Party chief had on Tuesday vowed to launch a peaceful struggle for the restoration of Article 370 of the Constitution if the apex court did not restore it.

Taking a swipe at Bukhari, NC spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar said in a statement: The remarks are a failed attempt to save his credibility on ground. The radical changes in the views of Bukhari are well expected in view of people's immense support for the efforts of Farooq Abdullah for the restoration of J&K's constitutional status.

His politics follows a simplistic maxim; it is to be on the good side of the BJP. But it has not fared well with the people. This recent statement of his should be seen as a last-ditch effort to save some credibility, if any at all, he said.

Bukhari, however, blamed traditional political parties for their policies of deceit and intrigue, saying it is not the BJP alone, but other political parties who have been pivotal in doing away with the special status of J&K.

History bears witness to the facts that how J-K's political parties have played a collaborators' role in eroding Articles 370 and 35-A from time to time for their lust of power, he said.

Now, they are shedding crocodile tears and sermonising on the subject. It's a shame for them. They should rather confess and apologise to the people for their criminal silence, he added.
Endless news cycles and viral social media warn of breakthrough infections in people already vaccinated for Covid-19. These reports leave the mistaken impression that protections afforded by the vaccines are not workingand they can fuel reticence among the millions of people in the US who have yet to get a shot. But such infections are not only known to occur after Covid vaccination. They frequently happen following inoculation against influenza, measles and many other diseases.

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid, is special in one way, though: more than any other pathogen, it has provided the public at large with lessons in immunologyand terms such as breakthrough infections and herd immunity have gained a broad familiarity. It almost feels not just like a microscope but an electron microscope on every single thing that happens with the Covid vaccines, says Kawsar Talaat, an associate professor in the department of international health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. No vaccine is 100 percent effective, she notes, and although some are better than others, most of them have some breakthrough infections.

Also Read | Covid-19 herd immunity? Its not going to happen, so what next?

A breakthrough simply means that a vaccinated person has tested positive for the disease-causing agent, not that they will become ill or transmit the infection to someone else. Most vaccinated people who are infected do not have symptoms, and those that do tend to have mild illness. Even with the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, the vaccines show good protection against symptomatic disease and death.

Nationally, as of August 2, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that more than 164 million people have been fully vaccinated, just under half of the total population. Yet 97 percent of those who are being hospitalized for Covid-19 are unvaccinated.

The numbers underscore how reality sometimes becomes distorted in the public consciousness. Anecdotally, from talking to my friends and family and on social media, I think people are more concerned about these breakthrough infections than their prevalence would lead you to be, says Tara Smith, a professor of epidemiology in the College of Public Health at Kent State University.

Another worry with breakthrough cases is passing the virus to others. But people infected tend to be less likely to transmit, no matter what were looking at, Smith says. We see this with viruses and bacteriaeven with pertussis, one of the reasons that people try to cocoon around infants who cannot initially be vaccinated against that disease. Cocooning refers to vaccinating those who spend time with the infant as a protective barrier because the pertussis vaccine is not administered before the age of two months.

Covid vaccines are expected to reduce transmission among those with an asymptomatic breakthrough infection, says Nick Grassly, a professor in the department of infectious disease epidemiology at Imperial College London. So you already have the fact that youre immunized and less likely to become infected, and even if you are infected, your risk of transmitting the virus is reduced, he adds. One reason is that the amount of the coronavirus, its viral load, is lower in such infections, so there is less of it to transmit. How this pattern looks with the Delta variant is not clear. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study published in late July pointed to similar viral counts among vaccinated and unvaccinated people. In that study, however, the researchers did not conduct tests to confirm true viral loads or report data on transmission from vaccinated people, and the "unvaccinated" group included people who were partially vaccinated.

Also Read | India's gender gap in Covid vaccinations narrows: GoI data

Breakthrough cases do not occur because the vaccines are ineffective. Immunity can wane over time, and a vaccine might be less effective for a given pathogen. The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is one example: its protection against measles is strong, but the immunity to mumps it confers is less so, Talaat says.

Even the mighty measles vaccine has a breakthrough infection history. One measles outbreak in the late 1980s that largely involved vaccinated young people led to a policy change calling for two doses instead of one. The first MMR dose confers about 90 percent protection for a lifetime, Talaat says, but the second dose covers about half of the remaining 10 percent. Given the high contagiousness of measles, getting the highest possible coverage is crucial.

Influenza vaccines are the inoculations that are most associated with breakthrough infections. If such cases of flu were tracked as closely as breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections, there would be so many more of the former, Smith says, because we know the flu vaccine is not as effective. Breakthrough Covid cases, she says, are just another Wednesday, compared with those that occur with other vaccines.

The Covid vaccines appear to be faring better than those for influenza usually do. The shots neutralize Covid variants quite effectively so far. Grassly says, that, in fact, Covid does not overcome immunity as much as influenza viruses do. And some types of influenza are just better at dodging what human ingenuity throws at them, making for some flu seasons with very low-efficacy vaccines and plenty of breakthrough cases.

Talaat notes that with the flu, were not calling it breakthrough but saying, Its 47 percent effective this year or 60 percent.... We talk about efficacy. But even though influenza vaccines have relatively poor efficacy, she says, they are better than nothing, saving lives and preventing hospitalizations.

Breakthrough rates can increase if the vaccinated population is small and there are high case counts in the community. Conversely, high vaccine uptake means that the vaccinated population makes up a larger proportion of overall cases. If almost everyone is vaccinated, any cases that do occur are likelier to be in someone whos immunized. That was the situation in an outbreak in Massachusetts in which 74 percent of people testing positive were vaccinated in a region where some 69 percent of eligible residents had received shots.

Also Read | Covid vaccines targeting Delta variant may be needed, say researchers

Other factors contribute to an overrepresentation of vaccinated patients with breakthrough infections, including age and health conditions associated with a weakened immune system. Often, the level of immunity for these patients produces a blunted response to the vaccine, so they may be at a higher risk than younger unaffected people who are not immunized.

Similar to those that are routinely administered for pertussis, booster shots for Covid may be needed for people with a suppressed immune system or for gradually waning immunity. Talaat points to reports of good responses to a third Covid vaccine dose in patients who had an organ transplant. France and Israel have already added a recommended third dose for some immunocompromised recipients, and the UK is considering doing so. The CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices met on July 22 to review data related to booster shots in people who are immunocompromised and concluded that a third dose might be in order for this patient population.

In an earnings call in late July, Pfizer cited unpublished, preliminary results for 23 clinical trial participants that showed increased protection against the Delta variant after a third dose of its mRNA vaccine. In prepared remarks during the earnings call, the company said that it expected to submit its third dose findings to the FDA in August in a bid to obtain emergency use authorization for a booster.

In the meantime, we dont know if boosters will work, but if we vaccinate everybody, then that will protect the 2.7 percent of people in this country who are immunocompromised, Talaat says. And they wont have to worry about how well or how badly their immune system works to protect against the virus.
Fully vaccinated people have an around 50 to 60% reduced risk of infection from the Delta coronavirus variant, including those who are asymptomatic, a large English coronavirus prevalence study found on Wednesday.

Imperial College London researchers said people who reported receiving two vaccine doses were half as likely to test positive for Covid-19, adjusting for other factors such as age, whether or not the people tested had Covid-19 symptoms.

Focusing on those who had Covid-19 symptoms, effectiveness rose to around 59%, according to the study, which covered a period when the Delta variant completely displaced the previously dominant Alpha variant.

The estimates, which did not break down effectiveness by vaccine, are lower than those reported by Public Health England for Pfizer and AstraZeneca's shots.

Also read: WHO's Covid-19 project faces cash crunch amid vaccine, oxygen shortages

The researchers said this was not surprising or worrying, given that PHE estimates were based on those who have symptoms and get tested, while the Imperial study is designed to pick up more people.

"We're looking at effectiveness against infection amongst a random sample of the general population, which includes asymptomatic individuals," Imperial epidemiologist Paul Elliot, who leads the study, told reporters, adding that even those who had symptoms in the study might not have got a test otherwise.

"So again, it's a different bunch of people."

The study found that the link between infections and hospitalisations, which had previously weakened, had started to reconverge, a move which coincides with the spread of Delta among younger people who may not be fully vaccinated.

PHE has said that Delta carries a higher risk of hospitalisation, though vaccines offer good protection against severe disease.

The researchers said that overall, the prevalence in unvaccinated people was 1.21%, three times higher than the 0.40% prevalence in fully vaccinated people, and that the viral load among people with Covid was also lower in vaccinated people.

Young people

The researchers were presenting the latest findings of Imperial's REACT-1 prevalence survey, which showed there was a fourfold increase in infections in a month to reach 1 in 160 people in England.

The latest survey, conducted between June 24 and July 12, covers the time ahead of a peak in daily reported infections on July 17, and found that the rise was fuelled by spread in younger people.

Also read: US trying to help India, others to produce vaccine: Biden

Imperial professor Steven Riley said that 5- to 24-year-olds accounted for 50% of all infections, even though they are only 25% of the population.

Schools have now shut for summer holidays, and cases have fallen from that peak despite legal coronavirus restrictions ending on July 19.

"We've shown that prior to the recent dip, young people were driving the infections," Riley told reporters.

"These data support the idea that there is uncertainty about what might happen in September when schools return and we have increased indoor mixing, because of the patterns of infection that we saw driving the growth."
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Highlights of this day in history: Nazi police arrest Anne Frank and family; Britain declares war on Germany in World War I; Three civil rights workers found slain in Mississippi; The Bordens axed to death; Jazz great Louis Armstrong born. (Aug. 4)
A local council have objected to a planning application for a gold mine in the Sperrin mountains.

At tonights meeting of Mid Ulster District Councils Planning Committee, members voted to object to a deferred planning application for the mine submitted by Dalradian Gold.

The company originally submitted the application in 2017 with an addendum in response to environmental concerns raised by the Department of Infrastructure received in 2019.

A proposed development and associated study area for the mine are within the Sperrins Area of Natural Beauty, and the proposals would also impact the Ulster Way walking trail between Gortin and Moneyneena.

The Planning Committee adopted a recommendation to object to the application, which has already received thousands of objections from members of the public.

Carntogher councillor, Brian McGuigan, said it was the right decision.

We have taken a very consistent approach on mining issues associated to precious metals and minerals, he said.

We have at every opportunity stood with the community in their opposition. This includes a motion I brought to council in January 2019 opposing the Gold Mine.

Our planning committee have also been successful at blocking the department of the Economy from granting exploration rights to another prospecting firm for lands just to the north of Cookstown.

The decision was also welcomed by MLA for the area, Emma Sheerin.

There are significant concerns among residents in Mid Ulster regarding mining and the industrialisation of what is an area of outstanding natural beauty, she said.

I have worked closely with my colleagues on council to develop a consistent approach to the issues surrounding this type of mining.

It has been shown in the past that when the appropriate opposition is mounted against this type of development the community can be assured of a fair hearing and an outcome reflecting their concerns.

This happened with the proposed Dorraville Wind Farm which the council opposed and the Department subsequently refused.
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Bachchan Pandey: Trailer of the Akshay Kumar starrer will be unveiled on Diwali; film is in final stages

Bollywoods Khiladi Akshay Kumar is undoubtedly one of the busiest superstars of the Hindi film industry this year. Just yesterday, he wrapped up a schedule of Aanand L Rais Raksha Bandhan in Mumbai and flew down to Delhi to unveil the trailer of his spy thriller Bell Bottom. Co-starring Vaani Kapoor, Lara Dutta and Huma Qureshi, the film is all set to hit theatres on 19th August. Well, we now have an important update about another one of his exciting projects!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar)

The team of Bachchan Pandey has reportedly decided to drop the trailer on Diwali this year. In a report shared by Spotboye, a source was quoted saying, The team has wrapped up the film in 55 days with an extremely talented ensemble cast. Sajid Sir along with Akshay and Farhad have watched the rushes and locked the line-up of the film and the edit is also at the finishing stage. While they prepare for the trailer launch this Diwali, the team is sure that the audience will love the mass entertainer which they have made.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kriti (@kritisanon)

Directed by Farhad Samji and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, the action comedy features Akshay, Kriti Sanon and Jacqueline Fernandez in never seen before avatars. A remake of Jigarthanda, Bachchan Pandey follows the story of a gangster who aspires to be an actor.
Pritviraj Sukumaran on Kuruthi trailer: "A Vow to Kill, An Oath to Protect is the crux of Kuruthi"

Amazon Prime Video today unveiled the gripping trailer of Prithviraj Sukumarans Malayalam crime-thriller Kuruthi which releases on 11th August on the first day of Onam. Directed by Manu Warrier, written by Anish Pallyal and produced by Supriya Menon under the banner of Prithviraj Productions, the Amazon Original Movie boasts of an incredibly stellar cast, with Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead along with Roshan Mathew, Murali Gopy, Shine Tom Chacko, Srindaa, Mamukkoya, Manikandan Rajan, Navas Vallikkunnu, Sagar Surya and Naslen in pivotal roles.

The fast-paced trailer takes us through the verdant background of Eratupetta in Kerala into the life of Ibrahim, who leads a lonely life in the mountains trying hard to leave behind bitter memories of the past that haunt him till day. On a fateful night, an injured cop barges into his house with a prisoner and seeks refuge. When a powerful enemy burning with vengeance follows them into his house, Ibrahim is forced to confront testing questions about his own beliefs and convictions.

On the auspicious occasion of Onam, we are delighted to present a perfect treat for our audiences with Kuruthi, said Vijay Subramaniam, Director and Head, Content, Amazon Prime Video, India. Malayalam films have managed to captivate the attention and interest of consumers across the world and we are thrilled to collaborate with Prithviraj Productions and add this much-awaited, mega-entertainer to our existing repertoire. With its compelling storyline and an extremely talented ensemble cast, Kuruthi has all the right ingredients, and we are more than happy to bring the worldwide premiere of the film on Amazon Prime Video on 11th August.

A Vow to Kill, An Oath to Protect is the crux of Kuruthi and the trailer gives a sneak-peek into what fans can expect, when the film launches on 11th August, commented producer and actor Prithviraj Sukumaran. Kuruthi is one of the most intense and fast paced films I have been a part of. With a captivating story and nonstop thrills which will have the audience hooked, this is one film I am extremely proud of. My journey with Amazon Prime Video has been extremely rewarding and I am elated to launch Kuruthi for a global audience on the streaming service. On behalf of the entire cast and crew, I would like to wish our fans a Happy Onam in advance.

The audience anticipation for Kuruthi is overwhelming as this is my directorial debut in Malayalam cinema. It was a fantastic experience working with such a stellar star cast and committed crew. All this was possible thanks to Supriya and Prithvi, said director Manu Warrier on his directorial debut in the Malayalam film industry. With nonstop thrill, drama and action, audiences are going to be at the edge of their seats from beginning to end. The entire team has put their heart and soul into the making of this film and I am so glad that it will launch on Amazon Prime Video for a global audience to watch, during the festive occasion of Onam.

Love, Hate, Revenge, Protection, and the question of right or wrong - this is what Kuruthi depicts. I am extremely excited for Kuruthi, added actor Roshan Mathew. Its a movie I really enjoyed shooting for and I believe the trailer itself gives a glimpse of the level of thrill and excitement the audience is in for this Onam. It has been a delight to be part of the Amazon Prime Video family and I am thrilled to collaborate with the service once again. The world premiere on Amazon Prime Video gives us an opportunity to reach movie lovers across 240 countries and territories which is extremely rewarding and satisfying for us. I hope you all love the movie as much as we loved making it. Happy Onam.

I have been fortunate to be a part of some brilliant movie projects and Kuruthi adds another jewel to the crown, shared actor Shine Tom Chacko. This fast-paced thriller is extremely entertaining and will truly make for a great watch. I would like to thank all my fans for their continued support, and I hope they will like this Onam treat we are offering on a global streaming service like Amazon Prime Video.

The beauty of this movie is how well each character is written and how they perfectly add spice to the already intriguing storyline, said actor Murali Gopy. The narrative of Kuruthi resonates well and I believe it is the story that we all need to see. Human relations are often tainted with pride and hatred constantly battling to survive amidst the beliefs that we cling to, and Kuruthi aims to highlight these complex emotions. As an actor, it was a pleasure to have worked with such a brilliant team who have strived to bring to the audience nothing less than perfection.

Trailer Link : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04fky-PdK3A
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 is largely set to launch on August 11 at the companys Galaxy Unpacked 2021 event. Ahead of its official launch, the Indian prices of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 have allegedly leaked. The Galaxy Z Flip made its debut in 2020 priced at Rs 1,09,999 and as per the latest leak, Samsung could price its successor at a relatively lesser price. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 have leaked previously giving us a brief look at what to expect from the next generation of foldable smartphones.

According to a report by 91Mobiles in association with tipster Yogesh Brar, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 will be priced around Rs 1,35,000 in India with a box price of Rs 1,49,990. Moreover, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 which is a clamshell foldable phone will launch priced somewhere in between Rs 80,000 - Rs 90,000, as per Yogesh. If this happens to be true, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 is slated to be one of the most affordable foldable smartphones in India.
Ever since the internet took off, people have become largely dependent on it. Internet surely makes lives easier and simpler for us. While the internet and technology sure are important inventions. They have a certain drawback and that is hacking. Hacking largely started when the internet became a common thing. Since then hackers have been using a variety of different methods to get inside user device, some examples include; making users download malware files or making them input their sensitive information using social engineering and phishing attacks. Hackers also turn to the dark web market place to buy different hacks and product exploits that does their work for them. A recent study by TrendMicro about exploit sales on the dark web is likely to make many Microsoft users worry about their data and privacy.The study analyzed exploit sales in the underground market for almost 2 years and then came forward with a detailed report. The report individually marked the sales of exploits of each product. The report was a big shock for Microsoft users since the companys products acquired 51% of this report.The report revealed that the product for which most exploits are sold is Microsoft office. Exploit sales for Microsoft office were 23% of all product exploits sold in the underground market. A large reason behind these sales is the wide usage of Microsoft office products such as MS word and Excel and are trusted by everyone. Hackers use this to their advantage and often email these files to users. Users open them thinking that theyd do no harm however once users the file, a malware gets installed into their devices.After Microsoft Office, the product that has the second largest numbers of exploits sold is the infamous Microsoft Windows. Windows amount to almost 73% of the worlds PC users thus giving it one huge user base. The report revealed that almost 12% of the exploits sold on the underground market are for Microsoft windows. With exploits for Microsoft Windows hackers can easily get access to various computers and can also gain the admin access thus allowing them to steal sensitive data and information.The product that has the third most numbers of exploits sold is yet again a Microsoft product named Microsoft Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). Microsoft RDP exploits allows hackers to get into user devices and use it as their own which makes it largely dangerous. Another thing that makes the RDP dangerous is the fact that it can travel from one computer to another easily.Apart from these three products other Microsoft products such as Internet explorer and Microsoft Share point were on the list. Exploits for internet explorer and Microsoft Share made up a total of 3%, giving Microsoft the biggest share on this list.While internet and technology use continues to grow so does hacking. The report also suggested that the amount of exploits sold for almost all products have largely increased over the years. If you are someone that now feels worried about hackers getting into their devices, then stop worrying since correct anti viruses and security softwares can easily stop them.Read next: As per analysis these are the best antivirus tools for Windows home and business users
Parametrix

Chatila

Parametrix hired Hicham Chatila, PE, PTOE, as their National Director of Smart and Livable Communities. Chatila has over 35 years of industry experience, specializing in technology and emerging smart city solutions for connected and livable communities. He has managed a variety of award-winning projects in North America and internationally. He began his career with the Washington State Highway Department as a transportation engineer. He later joined the City of Springfield, Oregon as Transportation Manager. He went on to join Transpo Group where he established and grew the firm's Intelligent Transportation Systems practice in the United States. In 2010 he relocated to the Middle East where he established and grew the planning and technology business to five offices in multiple countries with over 130 staff. He served as the firm's President of the Middle East and North Africa. In 2020 he relocated to Seattle and established TRAFX, providing strategic technology consultancy services to several public and private sector clients including City of Bellevue, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and Portland TriMet. His project experience includes a variety of autonomous and connected vehicles, Cloud-Based connected vehicle mobility and safety solutions, intelligent transportation system and multi-modal transportation planning and design projects for clients in the Pacific Northwest and internationally. Chatila will be based out of the firm's Seattle office, leading the firm's practice to assist clients with smart and livable community programs and initiatives. Parametrix provides engineering, planning and environmental sciences.




Rice Fergus Miller

Kelly

Gladics

Rice Fergus Miller promoted two new principals. Gunnar Gladics is now a principal in the firm's Fire and Emergency Services Studio. Dean Kelly is now a principal in the firm's Housing Studio. Gladics joined RFM in 2019 after working closely with Dave Fergus and Ron Easterday on fire station projects while employed at a firm in Idaho. Now, he helps lead the firm's FES Studio, which currently employs a team of over 20 professionals. After earning his Master of Architecture from the University of Idaho, he served for seven years in volunteer and paid firefighting positions. Kelly specializes in complex Senior Living, Mixed-Use, Market-Rate Housing, and Master Planning projects including the recently completed Panorama assisted living community center and courtyard, the Emerald Heights campus facade renovation, Horizon House master plan, and Evergreen Pointe for Sound West Group. Originally from Austin, Texas, Dean relocated to Bremerton to join Rice Fergus Miller in 2014. Rice Fergus Miller is an architecture, interiors and planning firm based in Bremerton. The firm's primary markets are Healthcare, Housing, Senior Living, Hospitality, Fire and Emergency Services, Community, and Education.




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By JOSH BOAK and LISA MASCARO

Associated Press

WASHINGTON  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. 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.





. . .
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SEATTLE  A small office building at 2921 Eastlake Ave. E. has sold for $2.9 million, according to King County records. The seller was Alchemy HQ LLC, associated with Alchemy Real Estate, which acquired the property in 2017 for a little under $2 million.

The buyer was B-Train LLC, which is associated with a private investor in North Seattle. Public records indicate a loan from First Citizens Bank & Trust.





. . .
A woman has allegedly been threatened with being ejected from her Alaska Airlines flight as the aviation industrys war on crop tops continues.

Though you might expect passengers to be warned about being booted off their flight for crimes like violence, drunk and disorderly behaviour or refusing to wear a mask, this incident is actually the latest in a series of passengers coming under fire for their clothing.

Airlines are of course free to enforce their own dress codes  something TikToker @sierrasteadman acknowledges. But she also says the way Alaska Airlines went about dealing with it was a problem.

Sierra claims she was told to zip up her jacket by a flight attendant (she was wearing a crop top underneath), nodded, and started zipping it up, and continued walking to her seat.

That should have been the end of that. But instead, she decided to grab my arm and pull me back to her and to start yelling at me in front of everybody. That is where the problem is.

Watch Sierra explain what happened in the video below

Sierra also shared a statement she says her mum received from the airline after complaining about the incident.

The statement said, among other things, the airline would be conducting an internal investigation.

From what you have shared, it is apparent that we have failed. You and your daughter should expect nothing less than to be treated with the utmost respect, compassion and care. It is truly disappointing to hear that you did not feel that way during boarding and during interactions with our Flight Attendant.

This comes just weeks after Deniz Saypinar  a Turkish fitness model and Instagram influencer with 1 million followers  was banned from boarding an American Airlines flight because airport authorities found her outfit offensive.

Both these incidents highlight an issue all carriers face  being out of touch with (some of) their contingent. Or, put another way: evolving attitudes among some (but not all) of their customers, staff and rule-makers about what constitutes acceptable clothing for flights.

This is an issue likely to plague airlines in the coming years, as different demographics will continue to hold different views.

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A Louth Senator has welcomed the launch of a new food and drink sector strategy, which aims to boost agri-food exports from 14bn to 21bn.

Fianna Fail Senator Erin McGreehan has welcomed the new Food Vision 2030 plan, which wants to increase the amount of food exported from Ireland over the next decade.

Senator McGreehan says that it is important for Ireland to acknowledge and encourage the food industry.

Our Agri sector produces probably the most sustainable food, it is of incredible high quality, said Senator McGreehan.

We should always remember the work our farmers do to provide us all the highest quality of food.

This is often lost in the global conversation on climate change and many countries unsustainable food production practices.

I am very glad to see this Government being ambitious and unapologetic about our Irish food production systems.

Things can always be improved and with the right systems these will be.

The programme is set to be overseen by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue.

As part of the programme, Ireland will aim to become a world-leader in sustainable food production over the next decade.
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.
Water infrastructure in Omeath is set to be upgraded to stop untreated wastewater from being discharged into Carlingford Lough.

The upgrade plans, which were announced by Irish Water today, will see a new wastewater treatment plant constructed to ensure that any water being discharged into the Lough complies with regulatory standards.

Irish Water have said that the plans will help improve water quality in the Lough and enhance the environmental amenity of Omeath.

Alongside a new treatment plant, there will be a new pump station with emergency storage, new sewer pipelines for the area as well as upgrades to the existing outfall pipe at Carlingford Lough.

The project is being delivered by Veolia Water Ireland Ltd on behalf of Irish Water, with work set to commence on site in the coming weeks.

Colm Claffey of Irish Water said that the upgrades would be essential to support businesses and development in the area.

These works will support existing and future residential and commercial development by ensuring adequate capacity for future growth in the area while also improving the overall performance of the sewer network, helping to safeguard the environment, said Mr Claffey.

However, it is still really important that people recognise the impact of what they flush so the network can function efficiently and effectively.

Irish Water have said that they will be working closely with Louth County Council on the delivery of the project.
Four stolen mountain bikes were recovered from an address in the town by gardai acting on a tip-off, Dundalk district court heard last week.

Stephen Garvin formerly with an address at Nicholas Street South, Dundalk also pleaded guilty to a number of other offences.

The court was told last Wednesday that had gardai received a report of two men trying to gain entry to a mobile phone shop on Bridge Street on November 10th 2018 and when they arrived on the scene gardai discovered a crack in a pane of glass.

Later on two men were seen walking close by and at that stage the glass was broken.

The court was told the defendant was in possession of a lump hammer and had not reason for having it. He was found in possession of a number of items which had been stolen from a vehicle in the area.

Two days later a gents bike was reported stolen from a bicycle shed at Colaiste Ris, and the person who took it was captured on CCTV.

On December 5th, acting on confidential information that a number of stolen bikes were at the property, gardai obtained and executed a search warrant. They seized four mountain bikes. Stephen Garvin told them he had swapped a Pitbull for them and an amount of cash.

The Defence solicitor said his client, who had no previous convictions, was living locally at the time, was mixing with a bad crowd and had a compulsion for taking street tablets.

He no longer uses recreational drugs and has since trained as a chef and is due to start a new job in Dublin.

Noting his previous clean record and the fact that the offences had been committed over a one month period some time ago, Judge Eirinn McKiernan imposed sentences totalling six months, which were suspended on the defendant entering a bond to be of good behaviour for 12 months.
The Dundalk nursing home which was hit badly by the first wave of Covid-19 has been sold to a nursing home group.

Dealgan House nursing home, located in Toberona in Dundalk, was sold to the Curam Care Homes group late last week.

Local politicians and families of those who passed away in Dealgan House have continued to call for a public inquiry into the nursing home.

At least 22 people passed away due to Covid-19 in Dealgan House last April.

In a letter sent by Dealgan House management to the families of residents of the home, the management said that the facility was being sold to a nursing home group.

It is with great sadness that I am informing you that we have decided that Dealgan House would be best served in future by a change in ownership, said management in the letter.

You may be aware that the nursing home industry in Ireland has been undergoing considerable change over the past year or two.

Nursing homes have found it difficult to continue operating in a rapidly changing and challenging environment.

The letter says that many nursing homes have been consolidating into nursing home groups, which increases the resources available to a single home.

Dealgan House has joined the Curam Care Homes group, which has three other Nursing Homes located in Wexford, Wicklow and Dublin, said the letter.

It is a relatively small but expanding, Irish owned and operated group which very much shares the caring ethos on which Dealgan House was founded and run.

We believe that being a part of Curam Care Homes will bring a new impetus to Delagan House and will enable it to further develop in a way that would not otherwise be possible.

The Democrat understands that the takeover of the local nursing home took place last Friday, with the Directors of Dealgan House resigning to be replaced by directors nominated by Curam Care Homes.

It is understood that the current management team of the nursing home is to remain unchanged.

Curam Care Homes was approached by the Democrat for comment, but none was received at the time of publication.

Dealgan House thanked those who supported the nursing home over the last 15 months in the letter.

We are extremely grateful to those who supported our management and staff during the recent 15 difficult months, said the letter.

We wish our residents, families and staff every success in continuing to cope successfully with the terrible effects of Covid-19 and its emerging variants.

The Democrat also reached out to Dealgan House for a comment on the sale, but has not received any at the time of publication.

Sinn Fein TD for Louth, Ruairi O Murchu said that despite the sale, an investigation into what happened in Dealgan House in April 2020 needs to take place.

There are questions that remain to be answered and [Health Minister] Stephen Donnelly himself has said that they need to be provided with a mechanism that will provide them with these answers, said Deputy O Murchu.

Its very difficult to see any other mechanism than a public inquiry.

The most important thing is that we get down to the crux of the matter as soon as possible and we need to ensure that whatever inquiry or mechanism has investigative powers and compellability [sic].

I think theres an impetus for this to happen as soon as possible.
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Liam Castillo, 5, left, and Leighton Castillo, 10, hold up a sign during Tuesday's protest of mask requirements at public schools.

Demonstrations on Saturday in Portales and on Tuesday in Clovis protested state education policies that require students, especially in elementary schools, to wear masks in response to changing guidance on COVID-19 prevention.

"Parents need a choice" about whether their children should wear masks at school, said Nicole Tivis, organizer of the Portales event. "We shouldn't have it shoved down our throats."

About 50 protestors gathered Saturday in front of the Roosevelt County Courthouse before spreading out along East Second Street, some carrying hand-lettered signs that carried anti-masking messages like "Let our children breathe. Science not Politics."

A protest held Tuesday in front of the Clovis Municipal Schools administrative office began with about 80 people, but had swelled to double that about 15 minutes in.

The protests were in response to the New Mexico Public Education Department's July 26 announcement that all elementary school students would be required to wear masks indoors when classes start later this month, because they cannot be vaccinated with currently available vaccines.

Further, secondary students will be required to wear masks unless they have been vaccinated against COVID-19, the policy states. The new standard calls for safe social distancing of 3 feet instead of 6 feet and requires no masks for outdoor activities.

A PED news release said the decisions were made "in collaboration with the Department of Health and the governor's medical advisory team based on evidence of the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines and the latest guidance from the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."

Kenady Castillo attended the Clovis protest with her children, Leighton and Liam, who held up a "Let me breathe" sign. The siblings previously attended Mesa Elementary, but the family decided on homeschooling last year when mask mandates were announced. Castillo plans to put them back in Mesa eventually but, "until things change," they'll remain in homeschooling.

At Saturday's demonstration, some said current science demonstrates instead that masks are ineffective.

Richard Schwartz, a music instructor at Eastern New Mexico University who was among the demonstrators on Saturday, said two recent studies, one conducted by the federal Centers for Disease Control and one conducted in Denmark, show no meaningful correlation between mask-wearing and the incidence of COVID-19.

"The Danish study showed a 0.3% correlation," he said, "and the CDC study showed a 1.8% correlation."

Schwartz said a 30% to 40% correlation is considered weak. A strong correlation would be 50% or above, he said.

"Masks don't work," he concluded.

Viruses are so tiny, he said, that spaces in the weave of the masks allow them free passage.

Dee Anna Davis, a retired teacher, said "our kids have been hurt" enough already through more than a year of remote learning.

Standing next to Davis, Raenell Walker said masks actually cause disease because bacteria normally breathed out remain close to the body. In addition, she said, "they deprive the brain of oxygen" because they force wearers to breathe in more carbon dioxide.

On a website sponsored by Medical News Today, however, an article states "There is no evidence indicating that masks increase the wearer's risk of developing pneumonia or other bacterial, viral, or fungal lung infections."

The article advises to keep masks clean and avoid touching them unnecessarily.

Guidance from the American Lung Association's website flatly denies that masks cause oxygen deprivation.

"We wear masks all day long in the hospital," the guidance states. "The masks are designed to be breathed through and there is no evidence that low oxygen levels occur. There is some evidence, however, that prolonged use of N-95 masks (considered among the most effective at blocking viruses) in patients with preexisting lung disease could cause some build-up of carbon dioxide levels in the body."

Editor Kevin Wilson contributed to this report.
BAKER CITY  Officials from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife shot and killed two wolf pups Sunday, Aug. 1, days after approving a pe
Just after his first week of official practice, new transfer Jesse Miritello persuaded sever


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The U.S. technology industry is guardedly supporting a massive legislative package designed to address a range of issues affecting the sector, including a federal commitment to add billions of dollars to government technology research and development programs.

The legislation, dubbed the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (USICA), was approved June 8 by a rare bipartisan vote of 68-32 in the U.S. Senate.

A major factor driving the legislation is the contention that the U.S. has fallen behind China in a national effort to support technology development, including information technology and the digital economy. Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., characterized the legislation as "a landmark bill to out-compete China in key emerging technology areas critical to our national security."

Specific areas of focus in the bill include artificial intelligence, machine learning and other software advances; high performance computing, semiconductors, and advanced computer hardware; quantum computing and information systems; biotechnology, medical technology, genomics, and synthetic biology; cybersecurity, and energy innovation including battery technology.

Multiple Amendments

The package started out as the Endless Frontier Act, co-sponsored by Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Sen. Young, among others. That bill was ambitious enough as first introduced in April. The bill focused on boosting funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF) including creation of a new NSF "Directorate for Technology."

However, the bill attracted additional provisions during the legislative process, including some which were really complete stand-alone bills that were rolled into the final package, resulting in a 2,300-page proposal.

The legislation even includes the CHIPS for America program to provide $52 billion in federal support for domestic semiconductor development and production.

For companies involved in IT and the digital economy, an important part of the USICA bill deals with significantly boosting federal investments in technology through the National Science Foundation. Both the proposed funding levels and the government's approach to managing those investments are critical issues requiring close attention for the IT sector.

Under the Senate USICA bill, NSF's annual budget would nearly double to an average of $16 billion per year over five years from 2022 to 2026. The current fiscal 2021 budget is $8.5 billion. This huge boost in investment is largely related to funding a new NSF Directorate for Technology and Innovation at an average of nearly $6 billion annually from 2022 to 2026.

Private Sector Partnerships

Private sector IT and digital economy entities will be major beneficiaries of the new NSF directorate. The purpose of the directorate is to "strengthen U.S. leadership in critical technologies," and to "accelerate technology commercialization."

The legislation further provides that the proposed directorate should "direct basic and applied research, advanced technology development, and commercialization support in the key technology focus areas" listed in the bill. Through the directorate NSF is expected to form partnerships with other federal agencies as well as with "academia, the private sector, and nonprofit entities."

The move to establishing closer ties between NSF and the private sector has raised concerns about the foundation's traditional role of engaging in "pure" or basic research unfettered by commercial considerations.

Robert Atkinson, president of the Information Technology Innovation Foundation (ITIF) said soon after the NSF directorate was proposed there was "pushback." The scientific community, he noted "resisted the idea that government would be asking them to do work related to a critical national mission, and to hold them accountable for ensuring that their work helped accomplish that mission."

While ITIF supports the provisions in USICA which create the new NSF technology directorate, Atkinson told the E-Commerce Times that "an even more effective approach would be to establish such a directorate as a free-standing agency."

A separate umbrella entity tuned in to the full range of federal technology activities would avoid any conflicts with the traditional missions of NSF and other agencies, while creating a national effort to support both government and commercial private sector technology development, he contends.

Atkinson favors the creation of a National Advanced Industry and Technology Agency, at the same size as NSF, to "analyze U.S. industry strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, and to respond with well-resourced solutions ranging from support for domestic research and development to production partnerships and investment in advanced research facilities."

More than 50 other countries have established such agencies, he noted.

"It is clear that NSF and the science community are uneasy" with taking on applied science with commercial connections versus NSF's traditional mission, Atkinson said, adding that NSF would "vastly prefer" just getting much larger appropriations.

"But that would do little to help U.S. technology-based competitiveness," he said. Establishing a separate agency would let NSF continue its mission while enabling applied and industry focused research to be funded elsewhere, he observed.

Advocates, Opponents Take Positions

Whether the USICA package represents a comprehensive approach to developing a national technology capability through government intervention -- or a confusing legislative hodgepodge -- is likely to be in the eye of the beholder. Differences related to NSF's future mission aren't the only potential stumbling blocks affecting eventual enactment of the USICA legislation.

For example, the Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA) approved the major USICA goal of supporting increased federal investments for technology research and development, but found other parts of the bill "worrisome."

One section of the bill deals with "Country of Origin Labeling" (COOL) requirements associated with the internet marketing of internationally sourced products. While COOL especially impacts the U.S. retail marketing sector, digital economy entities have concerns as well.

Arthur Sidney, vice-president of CCIA noted that country of origin provisions in the bill present implementation challenges "given the volume of transactions and no consistent, uniform, and administrable definition" related to COO coverage. "Country of Origin in the international trade context is difficult to administer by customs and authorities, let alone a digital service," he told the E-Commerce Times.

Sidney also expressed concern about the section of USICA aimed at curbing the use of censorship as a trade barrier tool. Language that would refer such activities to legal authorities for action was "scaled back" in the Senate bill, he contended. It was replaced by provisions which simply called for an annual report to Congress with a list of countries that use censorship as a barrier to digital trade and a description of the agencies efforts to address digital trade disruptions, he said.

While the U. S. Chamber of Commerce expressed general support for the bill in a June 9 statement, Neil Bradley, executive vice president and chief policy officer said the Chamber had "ongoing concerns," about the bill. In a letter to the Senate in May, the Chamber advocated elimination of the Country of Origin section and expressed reservations about provisions that impact e-commerce such as "Cyber Shield, copyright, and information in the public domain."

The Senate bill must now be considered by the House of Representatives where similar legislation was approved Monday. However, the House bill only focused on the research scope of NSF and the U.S. Department of Energy. The House bill also includes a new NSF technology solutions directorate but funded at a much lower level than the Senate version.

The ultimate outcome for USICA could take several paths. Since amendments to the Senate bill were added with relative ease, they could be scuttled just as easily, allowing the core NSF and national technology investment elements to be the focus for legislators. Or the collective controversies associated with the different versions of the legislation could stymie adoption.

Regarding chances for enactment of USICA, CCIA's Sidney noted "We aren't sanguine, but we are hopeful that this will see the light of day. While it's not perfect, and we have some concerns, we are hopeful that it can help businesses, and serve as one of the building blocks to protect U.S. innovation and technology."

John K. Higgins has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2009. His main areas of focus are U.S. government technology issues such as IT contracting, cybersecurity, privacy, cloud technology, big data and e-commerce regulation. As a freelance journalist and career business writer, he has written for numerous publications, including The Corps Report and Business Week. Email John.




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Clients of SolarWinds, which experienced a high-profile data breach last year, are being targeted in a probe by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, according to a Reuters report.

The investigation is focusing on whether some of the companies doing business with the network management software maker failed to disclose they were affected by the attack, Reuters reported Monday, citing two anonymous sources familiar with the investigation.

Those sources revealed that the SEC sent letters last week to a number of public companies and investment firms asking them to voluntarily acknowledge if they had been victims and failed to disclose it.

"The SEC deciding to investigate a public enterprise breach is pretty significant, considering there could be financial implications from this breach that could affect a company's future," Piyush Sharrma, co-founder of Accurics, a cyber resilience company in Pleasanton, Calif. told TechNewsWorld.

"The impact of these large-scale breaches clearly has the potential to destabilize stock prices and the broader stock market, so it makes sense that the SEC would pursue such a line of inquiry," added Oliver Tavakoli, CTO of Vectra AI, a provider of automated threat management solutions in San Jose, Calif.

As cyberattacks continue to grow in sophistication and cost, it is significant that the SEC is aware of security breaches and is proactively requesting information about them, maintained Bryce Hancock, COO of Cerberus Sentinel, a cybersecurity consulting and penetration testing company in Scottsdale, Ariz.

"This is important from a disclosure standpoint, as well as raising the awareness of the importance of creating a culture of cybersecurity," he told TechNewsWorld.

The SEC did not respond to a request for comment for this story.

Question of Reach

James McQuiggan, a security awareness advocate at KnowBe4, a security awareness training provider in Clearwater, Fla. explained that SolarWinds has thousands of customers, many of them likely publicly traded companies.

"While the SolarWinds breach itself was heavily in the news, it was not well known if the other organizations came forward to report that they were breached," he told TechNewsWorld.

"However, the SEC requires organizations to have disclosure procedures, as they are required to report any data breaches or cyber incidents," he continued.

"Ironically, the company may report to the SEC that they experienced a breach," he added, "but may not disclose it publicly if it did not involve losing any privacy-controlled data, like names or emails.

Brent Johnson, CISO of Bluefin, a data security company in Atlanta, explained that a probe into the SolarWinds breach isn't entirely unexpected, since the agency has fined companies in the past for failing to disclose data breaches.

"What is different this time around is the breadth of companies impacted by the SolarWinds incident," he told TechNewsWorld.

"Confusion around whether running affected software versions impacted different companies' user bases has likely raised a lot of questions around the true reach of the hackers here," he told TechNewsWorld.

Sunburst Backdoor

The attack on SolarWinds Orion platform was disclosed in December. The platform is commonly used to manage complex switched and routed network architectures.

Because of the sophistication of the attack, it's suspected that the operation was backed by a nation-state.

What SolarWinds discovered was that hackers were able to penetrate its software development infrastructure and bolt a malware program, known as Sunburst, into a legitimate software update for Orion.

In March of 2020, the malicious software patch was distributed to SolarWinds' customers. The patch set up a backdoor to the systems it infected, which gave the hackers a means for stealing data from those systems.

McQuiggan noted that the SEC has required the reporting of data breaches to the agency since February 2018.

"However," he continued, "with the SolarWinds attack being so prominent in the industry, the SEC may realize that there should be a significantly higher number of organizations that have yet to report if a breach impacted them via the Sunburst exploit."

"This is not entirely new territory for the SEC, as it has sued companies related to breach disclosure and failure to adopt proper cybersecurity policies at least as far back as a decade ago," added Tavakoli.

"But," he told TechNewsWorld, "this push feels more expansive and different than the ad hoc approaches of the past."

Far Reaching Request

In addition to requesting voluntary disclosures, Reuters reported that the SEC is seeking information from victims of the attack as to whether they experienced a lapse of internal controls, as well as any insider trading data.

Reuters also reported the SEC is looking at some companies' policies to determine if they're designed to protect customer information.

"I do find the internal controls piece interesting," Johnson said. "While a supply chain attack may be difficult to detect from an internal controls perspective, a company's ability to investigate, respond, and notify once the vulnerability has been detected could be under scrutiny."

Sharrma maintained that the SEC is trying to understand if state threat actors were involved in the breach. He acknowledged, however, "Enforcing controls and policies could be more complicated because every control may not apply to every enterprise."

"I think they're interested in learning, understanding and evaluating the impact of the breach, rather than enforcing security policies," he added.

Tavakoli called the SEC's information requests "far reaching."

"The SEC setting a clearer bar for what constitutes reasonable cybersecurity policies and practices has the potential to clarify corporate responsibility to protect shareholder value," he said.

"Breaches -- and insider knowledge about them -- can clearly be used to illegally benefit in trading stocks, something that is squarely within the SEC's remit," he added.

He also noted that what action the SEC may take against companies that voluntarily admit they failed to disclose the impact of the SolarWinds breach on their operations appears to be fuzzy.

"It's unclear from the public reports whether companies which now disclose a breach will not be subject to fines -- just that the information they provide to the SEC would not be used as a basis for legal action," he said.

"And companies may still wish to avoid public disclosure and the inevitable raft of civil lawsuits that would ensue from such disclosure," he added.

John P. Mello Jr. has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2003. His areas of focus include cybersecurity, IT issues, privacy, e-commerce, social media, artificial intelligence, big data and consumer electronics. He has written and edited for numerous publications, including the Boston Business Journal, the Boston Phoenix, Megapixel.Net and Government Security News. Email John.




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E-commerce and m-commerce are transforming the economic landscape. Both markets were steadily growing before the pandemic. But since then, consumers have been fueling both types of commerce with a frenzy.

For instance, global e-commerce is expected to yield $6.5 trillion by 2023, growing at 17.5 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR). That represents nearly a quarter of all retail transactions.

"Global e-commerce is flourishing. As highlighted in a recent eMarketer report, the market is growing at a 28 percent pace with sales exceeding $4 trillion," according to Tom Furukawa, CEO of Logiq.

Add to that, global m-commerce is on target to produce $4.3 trillion by 2023, growing at 18 percent CAGR. Mobile commerce transactions have overtaken desktop transactions.

CAGR is the rate of return that would be required for an investment to grow from its beginning balance to its ending balance. That definition assumes the profits were reinvested at the end of each year of the investment's life span.

U.S.-based Logiq is at the forefront of the changes. It is a global provider of e-commerce, m-commerce, and fintech business enablement solutions. The company has a portfolio of innovative offerings, such as AppLogiq, to help businesses capture opportunities in e- and m-commerce markets. Its DataLogiq business provides a data-driven e-commerce marketing solution.

The AI-powered LogiqX data engine delivers valuable consumer insights that enhance the ROI of online marketing spend. The company's Fixel technology offers simplified online marketing with critical privacy features.

The E-Commerce Times discussed with Logiq CEO Tom Furukawa, opportunity trends in digital commerce and the role of market intelligence in the global commerce space. The interview covered the use of commerce platforms to stay informed about the e- and m-commerce markets, their trends worldwide, and the growth and trajectory in the sectors.

E-Commerce Times: How are e-commerce and m-commerce transforming the economic landscape?

Tom Furukawa: Certain trends in e-commerce and m-commerce are geographically specific. In Southeast Asia, for example, the strong growth in m-commerce has been driven by massive smartphone adoption. Just about everyone has a smartphone, while much fewer have PCs or laptops.

This makes the main challenge for businesses, mostly micro-sized, to develop and maintain an e-commerce and m-commerce presence. That requires marketing and selling their products and services to consumers through a dedicated app.

Does that mobile-only platform help or hinder payments?

Furukawa: While there is an increasing volume of digital payments, there remains a great amount of daily cash-based transactions. The transformation of cash payments to digital forms will be a pivotal market driver over the coming years. This trend is accelerating with fintech now gaining market share against conventional banking.

How else does the Asian market differ from U.S.-based e-commerce and m-commerce operations?

Furukawa: Another important aspect of Southeast Asia is the need for consumer product deliveries (consumer staples, food, etc.) at the hyper-local level. Indonesia is a great example. The population density and traffic patterns make it extremely difficult to drive, which creates a demand for delivery via pedestrian foot traffic.

Tom Furukawa, CEO of Logiq

In North America, businesses have much easier ways of bringing their brand online and conducting e-commerce transactions, such as via Shopify, Wix, and Squarespace. However, the biggest challenge for marketers is customer acquisition, with audience targeting being the hardest to get right.

The North American market is also interesting, because the top 10 e-commerce companies control 63 percent of all sales, with Amazon as the lead, according to eMarketer. This means there are in excess of 500,000 smaller brands struggling to compete with the large-scale players.

Does that mean that smaller brands have fewer chances for growth in the digital marketplace?

Furukawa: There is space to compete though, considering that forecasters anticipate 95 percent of all retail sales will be conducted in the e- and m-commerce space by 2040. That is economic transformation!

How much of this transitioning was already taking place prior to the pandemic?

Furukawa: The e- and m-commerce wave was growing for years prior to 2020, and Covid merely accelerated the dynamic by four to six years, according to Forbes.

The most glaring point that the pandemic revealed was that a business must have an online presence to be successful and grow. A brick-and-mortar presence alone is no longer a viable option. Even industries, such as medical clinics, which may have never considered a digital architecture, now realize that they need to develop and implement an online strategy.

Digital marketing is a complicated arena and businesses need a trusted partner to navigate the complexity. One other area of note, digital media consumption, and digital advertising have been steadily expanding year-over-year prior to the pandemic. In 2020 and into 2021, the growth skyrocketed and continues to show no signs of dissipating.

Pandemic aside, what trends are firmly entrenched in the economic landscape today?

Furukawa: The best answer is that e- and m-commerce are taking more market share of the overall retail space. Interestingly, in 2020, overall retail sales growth slowed, even as, previously mentioned, e-commerce accelerated by 28 percent. To that point, consumer behavior has permanently changed, and data-based marketing efforts are now embedded in the sales lifecycle.

Another macro advancement concerns data, artificial intelligence, and deep and machine learning. E-commerce is flourishing as data collection and analytics becomes more robust. The economics of data is a core pillar for e-commerce expansion in the coming decades.

What new trends are appearing?

Furukawa: For certain, the digitization of advertising continues to gain traction and momentum, as does the movement towards digital wallets and payment models.

In advanced economies, these trends are established, but in the emerging markets, they are still in the inchoate stage. As businesses and consumers discover the value in digital offerings, the curve on adoption is likely to steepen.

As an example, in the emerging and developing nations, the unbanked can participate in the economy to a far greater degree with access to digital payments and services.

A final point on new trends: E- and m-commerce are differentiated from traditional retail in that there are network effects driving the growth trajectory. User engagement and experience are the foundation of commercial activity. Brands such as Uber become more valuable as more users engage on the platform. Logiq's AtozGo app is another great example of the economics of the network effect.

How does Logiq assist businesses in capturing opportunities in e- and m-commerce?

Furukawa: Logiq's mission statement is to help businesses by simplifying e- and m-commerce. Focusing on Southeast Asia and the app presence for local businesses, our company's AppLogiq solution enables a business to quickly create a digital presence on their own app. That gives consumers access to purchase goods and services.

As for the payment side, AtozPay is the company's fintech solution to bring digital payments to the forefront in the region. Relative to deliveries, AtozGo provides the hyper-local delivery service in densely populated areas such as cities in Indonesia.

In the North American market, Logiq is helping those small and medium-sized businesses with their digital marketing, as a tool to compete for customers against the e-commerce giants. Our artificial intelligence-enabled, enterprise software solution, Logiq Digital Marketing, provides companies with the intelligence they need for targeting customers and increasing sales.

Are there specialized differences in how vendors/marketers need to approach e-commerce versus mobile commerce?

Furukawa: For m-commerce it is about enabling businesses to conduct their business via an online presence. The experience must be holistic to be successful. An app that does not offer a payment function becomes obsolete, just as a restaurant that cannot deliver food misses out on customers. M-commerce is all about the ecosystem and synergies.

In North America, the approach for vendors begins with the question: How can this business compete in the sphere of e-commerce against the titans?

The answer is to adopt technologies in a cost-effective way, which will optimize resource usage and elevate brand awareness.

What is driving the accelerated growth of the online economy today?

Furukawa: Ease of purchasing is an obvious factor for e-commerce expansion compared to a brick-and-mortar transaction. Ordering goods and services from a smartphone, tablet, or laptop is quick and efficient.

Beyond that, companies in every industry are now, at some level, e-commerce businesses. The requirement of an online presence, post-pandemic, is incredibly important for financial success.

Given these trends and their driving factors, what is the likelihood they will remain in the post-pandemic marketplace?

Furukawa: E- and m-commerce are not only here to stay, they are evolving and becoming an integral piece of the global economic framework. This progression is playing out in front of us daily and will accelerate as technologies improve and new participants enter the marketplace. The economics of commerce are morphing rapidly. In a word...disruption.

Are the e-commerce trends universal, or does geography play a role in how viable and thriving consumer adoptions are?

Furukawa: As mentioned, there are locale differences (Southeast Asia, North America, Europe, and South America). However, the most important distinction is between the advanced, developing, and emerging economies.

Because both e- and m-commerce are online-based (website and apps), smartphone proliferation is a key driver for consumer adoption. The largest surge in e- and m-commerce growth will emanate from the emerging and developing world.

How are innovations changing the e-commerce and m-commerce landscape?

Furukawa: The days of website-only e-commerce, marketing, and ads are over. There are so many other platforms and mediums, such as apps, streaming content, social media, audio, and native channels. These advancements have facilitated, to some degree, a leveling of the playing field for businesses across verticals and industries.

In addition, the ubiquity of data and analytical prowess are unlocking value for companies on customer behaviors, purchasing tendencies, future product, and service interest. Firms that can bring technology to market that makes data more actionable will thrive the most.

What innovations do you see as significant?

Furukawa: Without question, artificial intelligence, and deep and machine learning are essential. These technologies are revolutionizing the way companies utilize their customer data and ultimately how they advertise and market to customers and generate sales.

What lies ahead for e-commerce and m-commerce?

Furukawa: The next decades will be a period of robust growth for e- and m-commerce. The crucial intersection for companies will be their digital advertising strategy to customers, and the subsequent probability of this audience purchasing goods and services online.

Another fascinating space for the development of e- and m-commerce is in the augmented and virtual reality mediums. Companies can create unique branding experiences for customers on these platforms. To be sure, utilization of the technology from a commerce perspective is in its infancy.

Jack M. Germain has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2003. His main areas of focus are enterprise IT, Linux and open-source technologies. He is an esteemed reviewer of Linux distros and other open-source software. In addition, Jack extensively covers business technology and privacy issues, as well as developments in e-commerce and consumer electronics. Email Jack.




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The U.S. government is moving quickly and aggressively to address cybersecurity vulnerabilities affecting both the federal government and the private sector.

In a sweeping executive order (EO), President Joseph Biden has directed federal agencies to set up multiple programs designed to mitigate the kinds of recent cybersecurity attacks that have gained national attention.

The information technology sector, including companies that are directly and indirectly involved in providing IT products and services to the federal government, will be especially affected by the provisions of Biden's "Executive Order on Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity."

The United States "faces persistent and increasingly sophisticated malicious cyber campaigns," the president declared when he issued the EO on May 12, 2021. "Incremental improvements will not give us the security we need; instead, the federal government needs to make bold changes and significant investments in order to defend the vital institutions that underpin the American way of life," he said.

Plan Embraces Multiple Cyber Mechanisms

The EO set forth several goals for improving cybersecurity within the federal government including strengthening standards and bolstering detection. The directive also calls for improving cyber information sharing between the government and businesses, and the establishment of a Cybersecurity Safety Review Board, modeled after the National Transportation Safety Board.

In general, the IT and business communities supported the Biden plan -- but mainly in the context that the EO was a first step and would require significant private sector input. Aaron Cooper, vice president of global policy at BSA | The Software Alliance, said the group was "impressed by the breadth and boldness of this executive order," while noting that BSA was open "to working with the Administration on implementation and to promoting software security practices both in and out of the government."

In a similar vein, Jason Oxman, president of the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) applauded the initiative while noting that his organization anticipates collaborating with the Administration to enhance security "while minimizing any potential impact on privacy, civil liberties, and U.S. competitiveness."

Software Tracking Sparks Vendor Attention

Importantly, the initiative required the issuance of a document describing the "minimal elements" of a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) which federal agencies can use to ensure cyber protection in contracting with vendors for the procurement of IT products and services.

The EO aimed at incorporating an SBOM protective scheme into federal IT and operational technology (OT) contract procurements within a year, through the federal acquisition regulation (FAR) process.

That procurement impact likely drove the submission of more than 80 comments to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), an agency within the Department of Commerce. The executive order charged NTIA with defining the scope of an SBOM program for use in federal contracting. NTIA complied with the issuance of an SBOM guidance and requirement report on July 12.

"An SBOM is a formal record containing the details and supply chain relationships of various components used in building software," according to NTIA. The risk theory attached to SBOMs is that the more a software user or customer knows about the building blocks of a software product or service -- the elements -- the more capable the user will be in detecting vulnerabilities associated with each element.

"Though an SBOM won't solve all software security problems, it offers the potential to track known newly emerged vulnerabilities and risks, and it can form a foundational data layer on which further security tools, practices, and assurances can be built," said Allan Friedman, NTIA's Director of Cybersecurity Initiatives.

Sense of Urgency

In the Executive Order, the government contended that such disclosures are sorely lacking in the federal IT acquisition process, and there is a "pressing need" to remedy the situation.

"The development of commercial software often lacks transparency, sufficient focus on the ability of the software to resist attack, and adequate controls to prevent tampering by malicious actors," the EO said.

The detailed prescriptive nature of the EO may, at first glance, appear to be an exercise of getting too much into the weeds of federal IT procurement.

However, Eric Byres, founder and chief technology officer at Adolus, a software security services provider, said in a blog posting that "I'll start with the observation that securing the software supply chain is arguably the major focus of this executive order." Noting the impact of the recent Solar Winds breach of federal IT, "that kind of widespread havoc was certain to set the tone for this EO," he said.

In its comments to NTIA prior to the agency's July 12 release of the SBOM document, the Internet Association (IA) supported the effort, but said that while the NTIA approach may make sense for conventional software running on customer premises, it "does not sufficiently account for some of the unique elements inherent in cloud services."

IA reasoned that 'as a service' delivery mechanisms "present a different use case," adding that since the code base changes at a rapid pace with cloud deployments, such references may become obsolete "almost immediately." IA urged NTIA to address this issue by utilizing the existing government cloud procurement tool called FedRAMP to incorporate SBOM protocols.

"SBOMs are an important transparency enhancing tool but should not be misconstrued as a mechanism to improve secure software development practices. Importantly, NTIA should not try to solve the entire complex supply chain security challenge through SBOMs, but should instead focus on making them viable by keeping their minimum elements as simple as possible," said John Miller, senior vice president of policy and general counsel at ITI.

NTIA should consider SBOM protections as just one aspect of a "holistic" approach to cybersecurity issues, ITI said in its comments to NTIA.

Much To Discuss

More specifically, ITI took a cautious view on standardizing certain aspects of security, including references to common exposure vulnerabilities (CVEs) used to identify security flaws because "not all vendors have the same business model or the same mechanisms to provide information about vulnerabilities in software."

While the NTIA approach envisions the use of SBOMs in federal contracting, within a year, implementation could well involve more dialogue. The Internet Association noted that while its concerns about "as a service" and cloud-based deployments were not specifically addressed by NTIA, "the intention to address them in the future is encouraging." NTIA left the door open for more discussion through an iterative process.

In a statement provided to the E-Commerce Times by spokesperson Christina Martin, IA noted "there was a call for continued public and private cooperation" in NTIA and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) documents, especially as it relates to applying SBOM and developer verification standards to cloud-based services.

Industry input "will be especially important for any changes to the FAR or procurement processes, so we hope the public comment process that is typically used for changes to the FAR will be followed," IA said.

"We're encouraged NTIA has indicated it will continue to engage industry stakeholders and build on the process for defining critical elements of a Software Bill of Materials. We look forward to working with them on this effort," Courtney Lang, senior director of policy for ITI told the E-Commerce Times.

Whatever direction the U.S. government takes regarding software security issues related to SBOM, the program is already having an impact in the private sector.

For the short term, the NTIA's July 2021 report "will be the definitive document for federal regulations," said Byres. "But it will quickly be superseded by market-driven enhancements. Now that the federal government has set the SBOM ball rolling, we are seeing numerous large companies also demanding SBOMs from their suppliers," he told the E-Commerce Times.

John K. Higgins has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2009. His main areas of focus are U.S. government technology issues such as IT contracting, cybersecurity, privacy, cloud technology, big data and e-commerce regulation. As a freelance journalist and career business writer, he has written for numerous publications, including The Corps Report and Business Week. Email John.


The Czech Republic has left many Indian students confused with their new announcement regarding travel restrictions for those travelling from India. If you have a visa that was issued before August 2, you will not be able to enter the Czech Republic. Several students, researchers, and even families have been waiting for the Czech Republic to open its doors for Indians again, which have been shut since April this year due to the pandemic.

The most recent announcement that came out on August 2 read, "It is not possible to travel to the Czech Republic on the basis of a short-term or long-stay visa issued before 2 August 2021." This has further led to more confusion amongst students. Shubhra Sau (30) is all set to go to the Czech Republic for his PhD. studies. His visa got approved but the new announcement has just led to more angst. "What is the point of this announcement? What will happen to those who have valid student visas?" he wondered.

There are many like Shubra, at least 200 more, who are now left in the lurch. Saunak Sinha Ray, for instance, was awarded an early-stage researchers' grant by the Marie Skodowska-Curie Actions, a reference programme for doctoral education and postdoctoral training, in March. He was supposed to begin his PhD research in Prague, CZ. But that remains a distant dream as of now. "Since life has been restored to normalcy in Czechia, physical presence is required in labs, schools, universities, and offices," Saunak said.

Saunak had applied for a visa on April 19 and the embassy shut right after, on April 24. He was supposed to leave for Prague, but just like Sau, he has been stuck in India with no clarity on when he would be able to travel. A notice, published in April on the Czech Embassy website read, "New rules for travelling from India to the Czech Republic has come into effect since April 27, 2021. All nationals of India and foreign nationals who were staying for more than 12 hours during the last 14 days in India are prohibited from entering the territory of the Czech Republic."

The students are not sitting idle either. They have started a petition urging the Czech Republic to allow them to travel and start their work. "About 200 of us started a petition in July requesting Czech to reopen their embassy in India and start processing visas to allow people to travel," said Saunak.

The petitioners include students, researchers, employees visiting their families here in India, and people waiting to reunite with their families in the Czech Republic. Preeti (name changed) was on maternity leave when she arrived in India from the Czech Republic in April. "My husband and I are waiting for the embassy to open so we can apply for a visa for my newborn daughter," she said.

But that's not all. There are financial constraints linked to all of it as well. "We are still spending a considerable amount on rent for our house in the Czech Republic," said Preeti. "My husband is a cloud automation engineer and I am an accountant. We don't know till when our companies will be patient about the current situation. We were living in Czech for quite a few years but even after that, it is sad to know that they [Czech authorities] don't really care about people like us," added a worried Preeti.

The issue has been the topic of quite a few debates on social media platforms as well. Hashtags like #TakeustoCzech and #OpenCZEmbInd are doing the rounds on Twitter where people are pouring out their grievances.
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Today

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 67F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 67F. Winds light and variable.
Pregnant women encouraged to get COVID-19 vaccine

Midwives and healthcare professionals on the Island are encouraging women who are pregnant or considering pregnancy to register for the COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves from the virus.

This push comes as the UKs Chief Midwife urges expectant mothers to get the vaccine following new data showing the majority of pregnant women hospitalised with COVID-19 in the UK have not had a jab.

Data shows that vaccines are effective in preventing serious illness caused by the virus, and there have been no safety concerns relating to pregnancy associated with the authorised vaccines in use.

Both the Royal College of Midwives and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) have recommended vaccination as one of the best defences for pregnant women against the coronavirus, while the UKs JCVI confirms the jab has been shown to be effective and safe for women carrying a baby.

Pregnant women or those considering pregnancy are asked to call 111 to register their interest for the vaccine and to let the team know they are pregnant so appropriate bookings can be made.
China's regulatory war against its tech giants isn't limited to data. After opening a front in gaming back in 2018, the government is now adding to the restraints the biggest publishers face. Tencent is first on the chopping block. The publisher has been forced to further slash playing time on Honor of Kings for those aged under 18 to one hour during regular days and two hours on weekends. The rules, designed to appease the country's all-powerful censors, come into effect today, according to state media outlet the South China Morning Post.

Previously, play time in China was capped at 90 minutes per day during the week and three hours per day at weekends and holidays as part of broader rules introduced in 2019. Additional restrictions banned younger gamers from playing between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. and curbed how much they could spend on downloadable content.

Honor of Kings is a hugely popular multiplayer online battle arena game developed by Tencent subsidiary TiMi Studio Group, also known for Call of Duty: Mobile and Pokemon Unite. As of November, the mobile title boasted 100 million players. But, its success has also brought with it increased scrutiny. In June, Tencent found itself at the center of a lawsuit that accused it of including "inappropriate" content in Honor of Kings, including characters with low-cut clothes and historical inaccuracies.

The latest crackdown comes amid growing fears in China over the addictive nature of video games. On Tuesday, a state-affiliated media outlet described the products produced by the gaming industry as spiritual opium. The article continued: No industry or sport should develop at the price of destroying a generation.

Therein lies the broader issue. China is currently grappling with a generational divide that has seen younger citizens reject the competitive lifestyle pressures heaped upon them. This stance is encapsulated by the "tang ping," or "lying flat," philosophy embraced by a growing number of Gen Z Chinese. In a nutshell, it signifies those who choose not to work hard, not to buy property and not to marry and have children.

Instead of addressing the societal complaints, China is choosing to deflect the blame onto the gaming industry.
July 31, 2021 - July 31, 2021[br]Funeral services for Bennett Ryan Kaupke will be held 2:00pm, Saturday, August 7, 2021 at Ladusau-Evans Chapel. Services are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home. Bennett was born July 31, 2021 in Enid to Evan and Brianna (Singleton) Kaupke and p
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Have a question about this story? Do you see something we missed? Do you have a story idea for the News & Eagle? Send an email to enidnews@enidnews.com.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo rejected the conclusions of an investigation that found he had sexually harassed multiple women.
In a first for the U.S., New York City will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination for customers and staff at restaurants, gyms and other indoor businesses.
WHO calls for moratorium on COVID-19 vaccine booster shots - excelsio

WHO (World Health Organization) Director General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, called for a moratorium on COVID-19 vaccine boosters until at least the end of September.
Tuesdays RBA meeting sent the Australian Dollar higher by around 0.4%.

Expectations were mixed, but the risk to the AUD was that the bank would respond to recent lockdowns and undo the decision to taper QE.

This didnt happen and the bank kept the policies implemented in July unchanged.

Tuesdays session is starting off in typical fashion with stocks edging higher and the US dollar slightly lower. Notable moves can be seen in the Australian Dollar and the New Zealand Dollar which are higher by +0.42% and 0.55% respectively following the RBA meeting which can be seen as mildly hawkish given the bank did not add stimulus to deal with the recent lockdowns. Data is on the light side for the remainder of the session with the main event of the week, the US jobs report, due on Friday and an important BoE meeting on Thursday.

RBA Keeps Taper in Place

Under normal conditions, a central bank that keeps policy setting unchanged is usually a non-event. Yet, these are not normal conditions: Australia is still gripped by the coronavirus and lockdowns in NSW look set to continue for several weeks, even a month or so. The lockdowns are a heavy drag on the economy and forecasts for GDP have been downgraded just when the recovery seemed to be in full swing.

This situation meant there was a decent chance the RBA would reverse the July decision to taper off its QE programme. This decision was made under different conditions and the banks had left the door open to add back QE with its flexible approach. Yet, the bank stayed put and this will give some hope to beleaguered AUD bulls; if the RBA does not add back QE now, then unless the situation gets worse still, it is very unlikely to do so later. The statement did say a review will be made in November when the Board will receive revised forecasts, but by then everyone hopes the lockdowns will be lifted and Australia will be back to near normal.

The RBA has been one of the most dovish central banks and its yield curve control has managed to devalue the Australian Dollar considerably. It still doesnt expect to raise rates until 2024, which is several years behind peers. So, by not responding to the recent lockdowns, it has sent a surprisingly hawkish message. Heres what Westpac had to say:

We found this decision surprising given that the consistent guidance which the Board has provided is that the program will continue to be reviewed in light of economic conditions and the health situation. A key reason behind Westpacs view that the Board would respond to the current economic downturn was that it now appears that the economy will contract in the September quarter  a significant deterioration from the situation in July... With such a major change in the economic outlook and yet no response to the current bond program, the hurdle for adjusting policy is surprisingly high.

The Australian Dollar did gain in the aftermath of the meeting but AUDUSD is still below last weeks high and one of the weakest pairs in recent months. It seems this slight hawkish move wont be enough to ignite a significant recovery, perhaps because the taper decision last month was in itself a very feeble hawkish shift. Indeed, ING make the point that the taper was so insignificant that it can hardly be called taper at all, and reversing it would have had little to no effect.

 It seems a stretch to us to describe this reduction as a "taper". But many market participants regarded it as a significant move at the time. Moreover, a number of market participants have been suggesting that following the latest bout of lockdowns caused by a resurgence in Covid-19 cases, a "U-turn" by the RBA was warranted at this meeting. In contrast, we felt that as the change in policy noted in July was already so marginal, at most, only a token adjustment would be required.
Wednesday, August 4, 2021

The Herman Trend Alert

August 4, 2021

Back to Workplace Solutions

Two months ago, I believed that folks would be so happy to return to work that they would be joyful. Boy, was I wrong! The arrival of the Delta and Lambda Variants and the effect of low vaccination in some areas changed the outcome I was expecting. The politicization of vaccination has been a disaster in the United States, which in spite of being 4 percent of the world's population, makes up almost 25 percent of the world's COVID cases by themselves. In the US, we are having "a pandemic of the unvaccinated."

Not Joy, but Fear and Dread



Now, instead of looking forward to going back to congregate workspaces, employees are dreading it. An increasing number of people is resisting the idea of returning to shared offices. Employers are resorting to mandating vaccinations, and they are losing a small percentage of employees who simply will not comply. This Herman Trend Alert is dedicated to giving caring employers the answers to bringing people back to the workplace safely and securely.

The Research Reflects their Discomfort



According to research conducted by the Society for Human Research Management (SHRM) in June 2021, US employees would feel more comfortable going back to work...if only about 50 percent of employees were working in their regular offices. Second, 36 percent of them were looking for their companies to have additional organizational policies and procedures; and finally, 35 percent of the respondents would feel more comfortable, if everyone (customers and employees) would engage in social distancing.

Solutions from All Kinds of Companies



The following examples are models for attracting people back to offices safely.

Separate and Not Equal. VicoSoft, a mattress and bedding manufacturer located in Charlotte, North Carolina came up with an innovative solution. VicoSoft now has two break rooms: one for people who are vaccinated; another for those who are not. One has more room and features barriers and partitions, while the other one looks like a pre-pandemic breakroom. The company allows people to self-select the environment most comfortable for them---and that should also reduce stress and the platform for conflict among employees.

Fitness and Fun. The Flatiron School is an in-person and online bootcamp for software development. Their new onsite Peloton bike is having the desired effect---to entice people back to working in the office. Moreover, a few months ago, the school started holding hackathons for students and alumni. Both groups sincerely enjoy the fun and engaging activities. It's a chance to relax and enjoy less serious and formal pursuits together.

But Wait, There's More! A few other solutions some companies have implemented: plastic barriers between desks, spacing desks out with greater distances between them, and alternating schedules. Plus, one company FairyGodBoss.com is allowing unvaccinated employees to continue to work from home and only people with vaccinations are allowed in the workplace. A growing number of companies is wisely mandating vaccination for folks who want to work for or patronize their establishments.

Me---On my Soapbox



With fewer than 1 percent of vaccinated people dying from COVID, it is difficult to argue with science. Yet many folks still do. Please readers, I urge you, get vaccinated. If not for yourself, then for the rest of us who would rather not spread the disease. We eradicated Smallpox; we can conquer COVID, but not without your help!

As I have said before, this problem is not going away; the novel influenza which is COVID will evolve and morph. I just pray that our medical communities can stay ahead of the curve.

Special thanks to the HR Today people at SHRM.org for their source material for part of this Herman Trend Alert. To read the entire article, visit here.

Next Week's Herman Trend Alert: Solving the Issues of Remote Employees



Bridging the gap between employees who still want to work remotely and employers who want them in the office will require compromise on both sides. Next week's Alert will offer strategies and tactics for managing this thorny issue.

 Copyright 1998-2021 by The Herman Group, Inc. -- reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: From "The Herman Trend Alert," by Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurist. 336-210-3548 or https://hermangroup.com. To sign up, visit https://HermanTrendAlert.com. The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group, Inc."

*********
Wednesday, August 4, 2021

Bookpleasures.com welcomes as our guest Owen Symes. Owen is a social historian, politicalactivist and author of He Was Our Man in Washington: A History ofthe Obama Years.

Good day Owen and thanksfor taking part in our interview.

Norm: Pleasetell our readers a little bit about your personal and professionalbackground. How was it that you decided to become a historian?







Owen: I've been interestedin history for as long as I can remember - my dad named my favoritestuffed animal (an elephant) "Hannibal" after theCarthaginian general who fought Rome, so I suspect his generalinterest in the past transmitted to me as well. I grew upupper-middle-class in northeastern PA, outside Scranton, and spentmost of my youth engrossed in typical nerd stuff: Star Trek, Magic:the Gathering cards, etc.

I received a BA in historyfrom Hillsdale College (in Michigan), but, unsure what to do upongraduating, since typical post-college pursuits like law school orpolitics didn't interest me, I took whatever jobs came my way:psychiatric technician, retail worker, PC repair, call centersupervisor.

I never stopped reading orstudying history, though, and when the 2016 election happened Idecided to devote my time to understanding our recent past, trying tofigure out how the country had gotten to the point of electing areality TV star to our highest office.



Norm: In terms of yourdevelopment as a historian who would you say your influences were?

Owen: In high school mydad gave me the book Bomber Command by Max Hastings, sayingthat one of the duties of a good historian was to make the readerconsider their subject from a new angle.

In college, I was veryinfluenced by the writing style of Edward Gibbon and WinstonChurchill, the analytical provocation of Rousseau and Foucault, andthe way RG Collingwood wrote about the study of history itself.

Since then, I've beenheavily influenced by historians that break from the more traditionalfocus on politics and war, like Will Durant and WEB DuBois, not tomention the great precursors to modern sociology like Ibn Khaldun andMontesquieu.



Norm: Why do Kids knowless about history nowand why does it matter?

Owen: "Knowing less"is hard to quantify - I think it's correct to say that most people inthe US are provided a historical education that focuses on aparticular narrative: that the US is a "city on a hill,"conceived in liberty, and carrying that precios fire, maybe with anoccasional stumble, to the four corners of the earth.

I can't fault this forbeing a story - all history, we should remember, is narrative, astory told with facts that are selected from an infinite mass ofinformation; but I do think that this particular story is factuallyinaccurate, it leaves out too much information (about slavery, aboutIndian genocide, about segregation, about capitalism) for it to belegitimate.

This story serves thosealready in power, and so it's the story that gets told more oftenthan not. This matters because our understanding of the pastshapes how we understand the present and plan for the future. If wemisunderstand our own history, that warps our understanding of whohas power in the present, who our political enemies and allies are,and thus leaves us prey to some pretty dangerous ideologicalmovements.



Norm: When did the ideafor He Was Our Man in Washington: A History of the ObamaYears, first emerge? As a follow up, why did you choose thistitle?





Owen: It emerged in thewake of the 2016 election - I was apolitical for most of Obama'syears in office, so I didn't pay much attention to current events;Trump's victory thus confused me and I went looking for answers,figuring the best place to start was in the administration of the guywho came before Trump.

That led me to delvedeeper into US history, as I tried to contextualize the Obama yearsthe fight against ISIS led back to Bush's invasion of Iraq, led backto the Gulf War, to our alliance with Saudi Arabia, etc.).

At the same time, everyonewas talking about Trump, and since no one else seemed to be makingthe effort, I thought I'd try my hand at writing about Obama. Thetitle comes from a quote from a financial executive, thankful that hehad an ally in the White House; I thought it spoke volumes about thetrue nature of the Obama presidency.



Norm: Whatpurpose do you believe your book serves? What would you say is thebest reason to recommend someone to read your book? What matters toyou about the book?

Owen: The purpose of thisbook is to illuminate recent history so that people will betterunderstand the world around them, why people did what they did, dowhat they do, and how they might act in the future. Without a firmgrounding in history, we get political disasters like the 2003invasion of Iraq or the election of Donald Trump - or the quixoticbelief that a president even has the power to radically remake thecountry.

The best reason I can giveto recommend this book is that it is partisan without being unfair -it has a point of view that the reader can agree/disagree with,while presenting as much information as possible so that the readercan make up their own mind. That's what matters to me most: that thereader is provoked into thinking critically about the world aroundthem.



Norm: What surprisedyou most as you researched and wrote this book?

Owen: I was thoroughlysurprised at how similar Obama's policies ended up being whencompared to his (supposedly more conservative) predecessors.

When I started researchinghow he handled the War on Terror, I never imagined that thissupposedly "socialist" Democrat would have ended upexpanding the scope of the War on Terror (most conspicuously, inAfrica); I never would have guessed that he'd champion the same kindof budget cuts and "austerity" measures that the GOP hadbeen wailing about for decades.

I didn't realize that,despite some complaints, the financial sector really considered Obamaa defender of their interests. There was often a difference inemphasis, as with Obama's preference for drone strikes rather thaninvasions, but in many ways his administration had remarkablecontinuity with the conservative political trends in our politicsthat date back to the late 1970s.



Norm: If you had to doit all over again, would you change anything in your book?

Owen: Like mosthistorians, there's always more things I wish I'd had time to cover:Obama's immigration policies come immediately to mind, or his "pivot"towards China.

There are also some slightamendments I'd like to make, a detail or clarification here or therethat I'd add to an existing section. On the whole, though, even afterreading Obama's 900 page memoir (the first of two volumes!), I thinkthe book stands up pretty well to scrutiny.



Norm: What has been thefeedback and reaction to your book?

Owen: So far people who'veactually taken the time to read it have provided overwhelminglypositive feedback. Most negative push back comes from people readingthe title, assuming it's some liberal hagiography of Obama, andscolding me for hero worship.

In this way, I think thetitle serves a useful function as a kind of litmus test. As the bookgains more traction and publicity, I'm sure more legitimate criticismwill come to light, which I very much look forward to. As mortifyingas it can be to be publicly proven wrong, I'll never improve as ahistorian if I never receive actionable criticism.

Norm: What do youbelieve is the biggest misconception people have about Barak Obama?



Owen: The biggestmisconception is that he was a "radical" or "socialist."He's not a conservative on the same level as, say, Pat Buchanan, buthis political instincts were to salvage the system we already have inplace, not to build an entirely new structure.

He is a capitalist - hethinks that private ownership of resources, of factories, offinancial institutions is a good thing, just with a few rules inplace to keep the abuses to a minimum. He believes in AmericanExceptionalism - that the US is a unique force for good in the world.These beliefs are typical and I only dwell on them because so manypeople think Obama believed and acted otherwise.



Norm: Of all theincidents, anecdotes, events and operations you mention in your book,which stands out most in your mind?

Owen: What stood out to methe most was the fight over "Obamacare," i.e the AffordableCare Act. This was (and is) a fundamentally conservative piece oflegislation: healthcare is treated like a consumer good (like atelevision), to be bought and sold in the marketplace, rather than ahuman right (like education) that needs to be distributed equitablyto all people.

Despite this fact,conservatives spent many an apoplectic hour trying to dismantle thewhole thing, which speaks volumes about the political circumstancesthat have evolved in the US over the last two generations - and howunhinged many Republicans have become. They wouldnt evenaccept legislation primarily composed of ideas from their own party!



Norm: Now as president,how is Joe Biden influenced by the vision and policies he supportedas Obamas faithful VP?

Owen: Biden did nothave many major disagreements with what came to be Obamas legacy.He championed the use of special operations and drones to fight theWar on Terror under Obama, backed the market-oriented portions of theAffordable Care Act, and proved preternaturally amenable tocompromises with the GOP under Mitch McConnell  oftennegotiating away far more than most other Democrats thought prudentor necessary.

Perhaps the events ofJanuary 6 have shaken Biden from his Senate-bred habit ofbipartisanship-for-its-own-sake, but in many ways Biden will likelybe a continuation of the Obama years, i.e. a continuation ofneoliberalism (faith in markets to solve problems).

Norm: How did Obamaseight-year reign in the White House open the door for Trump and therise of White Nationalism?



Owen: Obamaspolicies helped usher in Trump, but so too did the conservativeoverreaction to Obama. Obama abandoned the progressivism of thecampaign trail as soon as the day was won, so the resulting sense ofbetrayal among progressives soured many to the prospect of mainstreampolitical action, making anyone who did not seem mainstreamthat much more appealing, for better or worse.

At the same time, hispolicies ultimately served more to defend and uphold the neoliberalstatus quo rather than shake things up in any fundamental way; thusthe problems of inequality, racism, global warming, etc were notproperly addressed, leaving them to fester and produce more radical,more desperate, or more misguided politics.

Finally, the massiveminority voter turnout in the South and West (and the sight of moreand more minorities in our government) terrified conservatives,galvanizing the race realists, who for instance began aconcerted assault on voter rights in the wake of 2008 that hascertainly contributed to the rise of US fascism by removing even theslight power voting had given to minority communities.



Norm: In Canada thereis a limit to the amount of money you can contribute to a politicalcandidate. Should this be implemented in the USA?

Owen: I'm skeptical thatelectoral politics can solve our problems, because the institutionswe have are inherently conservative. Nevertheless, any law thatcurtails the flow of money into our politics is surely to beapplauded. Big business has always had an outsized influence on ourpolitics, whether the power of the slaver aristocracy, the oil baron,or the tech tycoon, but that influence ebbs and flows and right nowcorporate influence flows like the Mississippi throughout DC.



Norm: Should lobbyingbe abolished?

Owen: I think thatquestion misses the point, which is that as long as we live under acapitalistic system, where the Few are allowed to amass huge fortuneson the backs of the Many's labor, our politics will always bearistocratic. Economic power translates to political power, so ifmost people lack economic power, our politics will reflect that. Itis capitalism we should abolish.



Norm: Where can ourreaders find out more about you and He Was Our Man inWashington: A History of the Obama Years?

Owen: My book'swebpage; a playlist of a few of my interviews; my twitter



Norm: What is next forOwen Symes?

Owen: I'm currentlyresearching the history of policing in the US - there are a lot ofbooks on various aspects (how our colonial adventures in thePhilippines created the first state police force in the US, forexample) but not a lot of "overarching" history that tieseverything together into a coherrent narrative, so that's what I'minterested in pursuing.



Norm: As this interviewcomes to an end, if you could invite three historians to your dinnertable, (living or dead ), who would they be and why?

Owen: Polybius, WEBDuBois, and Will Durant would make for quite the dinner companions.Polybius spent a lot of time criticizing other historians, whilewriting one of the greatest histories we have from antiquity; DuBoislived and wrote history, with a life spanning from Booker TWashington to MLK; and Will Durant, while writing one of the mostexpansive series of histories ever, just seems like a nice guy,pleasant to be around.

Thanks again and goodluck with He Was Our Man in Washington: A History ofthe Obama Years.

Follow Here To Read Norm's Review of He Was Our Man in Washington: A History ofthe Obama Years.
From: Gary Zuercher Photographer & Author of 'The Glow of Paris - The Bridges of Paris at Night' Washington , DC Wednesday, August 4, 2021



86 Black & White Photographs in the Ansel Adams Tradition by Award Winning Photographer Gary Zuercher Evansville, INThe Evansville Indiana Museum of Arts, History & Science is featuring an exhibit by Gary Zuercher, award winning photographer and author of The Glow of Paris: The Bridges of Paris, from August 25 thru November 7, 2021. Successful exhibitions were previously held at the Wayne Center for the Arts (Wooster, Ohio), Mansfield Art Center & Museum (Mansfield, Ohio) and The Peninsula Fine Art Center in Newport News, Virginia that was a two-person exhibition featuring Gary Zuercher and Marc Chagall. Zuercher spent five years photographing the 35 bridges over the Seine River at night during the winter months and another year researching the history of the bridges, gathering anecdotes, printing and assembling the prints. The Glow of Paris book is an eclectic collection of extraordinary gelatin-silver photographic prints of the bridges of Parisnighttime images that are breathtaking. Accompanied by a fascinating historical portrayal, the book presents a unique and aesthetic vision of Paris because no one else has ever photographed and written about the bridges that cross the Seine in this way. The Evansville Indiana Museum of Arts, History & Science is located at: 411 SE Riverside Dr, Evansville, IN 47713. For hours and more information visit the website at: https://emuseum.org or call (812) 425-2406. The Glow of Paris Exhibition features 86 silver gelatin, black and white photographs from the book, accompanied by maps showing the Seine River bridge locations, discussions of the bridge histories, story panels, a four-minute video and a cell phone audio tour through the exhibit. Of Zuercher's work, the Columbus Dispatch said, "His style is reminiscent of American landscape photographer Ansel Adams."

The Virginia Peninsula Daily Press said, "The photographs are just so visually splendid, . . . it's almost like you've pre-staged artwork because it is lit by the City of Paris."

The New York Times said of Zuercher, ". . . a lifelong photographer, was so passionate about the way the bridges look at night that he spent more than five years photographing them in black and white"

The Mansfield New Journal said, "Zuercher's 86 black and white photos bring into focus the beauty of the 35 bridges that span the Seine River in the City of Light." "For the most part Parisians take these architectural wonders for granted, relying on their functionality to get them where they want to go each day," says author Zuercher. "They don't appreciate the beauty because most don't see the glow of the bridges at night. And most have forgotten that from the time of Julius Caesar for more than 2000 years, the bridges of Paris have played an important role in world history." View The Glow of Paris Exhibition Video at https://www.ParisBridges.com



Here are just a few of the accolades bestowed upon The Glow of Paris: The Bridges of Paris at Night IPPY Gold Medal "a dreamy new take on the 35 bridges that span the Seine." Kirkus ProConnect named The Glow of Paris, "THIS WEEK'S BOOK TO DISCOVER" The High End Magazine featured The Glow of Paris in a four page article.

Southern Season Magazine featured a full page review of the book in its Spring Edition

The Glow of Paris- was the Number One best seller on Amazon.com , in its category multiple times since publication date.

Apogee Photo Magazine says, "This book should definitely be a part of the library of any architect, historian or photographer. Simply stunning!" The London Book Festival and The Los Angeles Book Festival proclaimed The Glow of Paris one of the best books in the photography/art category in the 2015 competitions. Independent Publisher Book Awards bestowed a Gold Medal First Place award for Best Non-Fiction in Europe. Kirkus Reviews called The Glow of Paris one of "Nine Best Books Out This Week." (Jan 20) and further stated: "A superb pictorial evocation of the City of Light, full of dazzling images and intriguing lore." The fascinating narrative that accompanies the artistic black and white photos includes historical facts and little-known tidbits about the bridges, such as: The history of these bridges precede the birth of Christ. In 52 BC Julius Caesar conquered Paris; the earliest recorded mention of the bridges is found in Caesar's Gallic War commentaries. Most of the later history evolves from around the time of the Middle Ages and thereafter.

On the morning of October 3, 1943, an aircraft hit the Pont de Tolbiac Bridge and crashed into the Seine, killing the four Frenchmen on board. The four were members of the Free French Air Force who had flown from an airfield in England to participate in the allied bombing of a power station outside of Paris.

Bridges constructed prior to the late eighteenth century normally had houses and shops built directly on them. Floods, ice floes, fires, boat collisions, and structural failures frequently destroyed the bridges. The collapsing bridges took the houses and shops down with them, and often their occupants as well. In 1769 Louis XV finally outlawed the construction of houses on the bridges, but it took until 1808 for the last building to be removed.

Early on, the Pont Neuf was the center of a permanent fair, a meeting point for all the sophisticated as well as the vulgar pleasures of the capital. At any moment you would find street performersacrobats, fire-eaters, and musicians charlatans and quacks, as well as hustlers and pickpockets, not to mention a lively trade in prostitution. Among the many businesses were several famous "tooth pullers." "This information will be of great interest to not only tourists and historians but also to Parisians who have limited knowledge of the 35 bridges in their city and are surprised at the number of islands in the Seine," says Zuercher. "There is a great deal of truth in the words of author Monique Marty who wrote of the bridges  'They are the extension of the streets, the hyphens between the two river banks. We cross them on foot, by car, by Metro. We see them without looking at them and that's a shame'." Zuercher, an artist in the darkroom as well as behind the lens, lives half a year in Paris and the other half in Washington, D.C. He develops the film into negatives in Paris and then makes the prints in the D.C. darkroom. Often he would make 20 to 30 prints before coming up with just the right photo for his book. The results of his work prove what was written by Ansel Adams, "The negative is like the score of the music and the print is like the performance." The stories related to the project are rich enough to fill another book, such as the time he was refused access to a church roof to photograph an aerial shot because he could not be there while the nuns were sleeping. Or when he had to use mountain climbing equipment and the aid of city firefighters to climb to the top of city hall to shoot seven bridges from the air. Or when young thugs threatened him while Zuercher was working at night but were defused when he offered to take their pictures and email it to them. The Glow of Paris: The Bridges of Paris at Night (ISBN 978-0-9906309-0-6, Marcorp Editions, 2015 , 208 pages, $49.95 is available on Amazon and at: www.marcorp-editions.com). About Gary Zuercher: Gary Zuercher's career path has been quite different than that of most professional photographers because he has simultaneously combined a highly successful business career with a successful career as a professional photographer. He is also a commercial, multi-engine, instrument-rated pilot with more than 2,000 hours logged as pilot in command. For more than thirty years Zuercher provided photography for numerous companies and advertising agencies needing commercial images for publications, advertising, brochures, media, and marketing. During the same period Zuercher produced 15 company and product promotional films in which he worked as editor or co-editor and as cameraman and/or photographer. While doing this, he successfully founded, built, and developed both the WaveTek group of companies that pioneered the development of the waterpark industry and the Rain Drop Products company. WaveTek manufactured wave making machinery and waterslides for swimming pools, installing more than 160 wave pools worldwide. After the successful sale of WaveTek, Zuercher founded and built Rain Drop Products Inc., a firm that was one of the originators in the introduction and development of the Sprayground and water playground concepts into the public recreation marketplace. For his pioneering leadership in wave pools and Spraygrounds, Zuercher was awarded the Industry Leadership Award and was in the inaugural group of inductees into the World Waterpark Association Hall of Fame. Over a period of five years, Zuercher took his cameras out into the Parisian night to capture stunningly evocative images of the bridges that span the Seine. Using his artistic eye and sophisticated photographic technique, he created these glorious black-and- white photographs, rich with detail and possessing a clear, luminous quality. No one else has ever photographed all the bridges that cross the Seine in Paris in this way. We don't see crowds of people or heavy traffic. Nothing obscures the beauty and strength of the structures, the romance and symbolism of the bridges. Shooting in black and white allows the details to shine: the architectural elements, artwork, nearby buildings, trees on the riverbanks, and starry lamps casting paths of light across the water. He divides his time between homes in Paris and Washington, DC with his wife Dominique who is French. Media Contact: For a review copy of The Glow of Paris or to arrange an interview with Gary Zuercher contact Scott Lorenz of Westwind Communications Book Marketing at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or by phone at 734-667-2098.


Todays scary Texas pension tale could have ended as a financial horror story.

Check out stories about the Dallas Police & Fire Pension System circa 2015 to get a sense of what I mean by horror stories. We may get more such stories in the future. Spoiler alert: Todays story has a reasonably happy ending for employees of the state of Texas and taxpayers.

Texas has 100 actuarially funded defined benefit plans, covering 10 percent of the states population. Taxpayers only need to worry about a few of them  those which constitute 90 percent of the assets and 90 percent of the states participants. The Teacher Retirement System of Texas is the big kahuna, with 50 percent of all pension assets statewide. But it isnt todays focus.

Todays crisis-narrowly-averted story is about the Employees Retirement System of Texas, the second-largest state pension. It covers 360,000 state employees and public officials and has been in trouble for some time.

The systems June 2020 report was blunt about that. After describing financial standards to which it aspired, the fund reported: Given current contributions and funding levels, and investment return assumptions, ERS pre-funded plans fail to meet any of these standards.

Last year, its woes prompted some harsh language from GRS Consulting Actuaries, which wrote, The current financial outlook for ERS is very poor. It is important to understand that the currently scheduled contributions are not expected to accumulate sufficient assets in order to pay all of the currently scheduled benefits when they are due.

And, GRS said: Based on current contributions and assumptions, all funds are projected to run out of money, with emphasis added in the report.

Last month, during the regular meeting of the Texas Pension Review Board, the financial dashboard for the Employees Retirement System continued to flash code red. Unfunded liabilities totaled more than $14 billion and current trends meant the pension was not on pace to ever cover the shortfall.

In the world of public pensions, three key numbers help us understand their relative health or sickness.

The first number, called the funded ratio, is the percentage of benefits promised to retirees thats considered covered by a combination of investments and cash flows. The funded ratio is expressed as a percentage, in which 100 percent is great but rarely achieved and 80 percent is normalish  and the minimum to feel comfortable. The Employees Retirement System has been below that for the past two decades, and thats not good. In July, its funded ratio was 66 percent, which is extremely weak.

The second number, called the amortization period, is how many years  given a set of mathematical assumptions  it will take to fully fund promised pension benefits. A 10- or even 20-year period is considered fine, while 30 years is both the uncomfortable edge of bad and the states statutory limit. The Employees Retirement System in recent years has had an amortization period of infinity, which is very, very bad. It means theres no way, unless contributions or increased or benefits reduced, that they could ever cover promised liabilities.

The third main number is the discount rate and the simplest way to understand it is to remember it stands in for a mathematical assumption about investment returns over the coming decades. In recent years, 8 percent is considered high and the systems assumption of 7 percent is not an outlier, so thats fine.

Public pension systems are giant and complex math problems. Money flows in from the payroll of employees, money flows out to retirees, and the temporary difference between inflow and outflow gets invested. Solving the math problem means making sure enough money comes in and remains in the system such that it will be sufficiently available both five and 50 years from now. Actuaries calculate this inherently uncertain math problem with models that attempt to estimate such unknowables as the life span of retirees, size of payroll over coming decades and investment returns.

My own simple model of public pensions is that theyre all time bombs, quietly biding their time until they explode and rend a massive fiscal hole in the fabric of society. Make a wrong mathematical assumption into any one of the known unknowns (lifetime longevity, payroll size, investment returns, generosity of benefits) for a decade or so and we wake up billions of dollars in the hole, looking for taxpayers to fill a gap that started small and suddenly became the great abyss of Tartarus.

Keith Brainard serves as vice chair of the Pension Review Board of Texas, the group that more than any other looks to keep these black holes of financial horror from popping up.

In November, Brainard delivered a tough love message on pensions in Texas, saying, The public pension governance system in Texas is exceedingly poor.

He went on to describe a fundamental legal mismatch that will structurally lead to bad outcomes: Contributions get negotiated while benefits are mandated without checking to make sure the math between contributions and benefits will even work.

Speaking to Brainard and reviewing his remarks, it feels like the problems plaguing the Employees Retirement System are baked in and will recur almost inevitably.

Brainard places the specific blame for the systems woes on the state, as employer, not paying in its fair share.

I should point out that one punchline of this pension story is the state Legislature in its last session authorized $540 million extra to the system this year, with a promise to make similar catch-up contributions in the future. Legislators pensions come from the Employees Retirement System, so you wouldnt expect them to fail to shore up their own retirements, would you?

A substantial reform, however, speaks to a trend more fundamental than just throwing new money to cover fiscal shortfalls.

Beginning in September 2022, Brainard tells me, new employees will enroll automatically in a hybrid plan within the system. The hybrid plan will shift some future financial risk away from the pension by capping benefits to new hires. In the coming decades, as hybrid enrollees slowly replace legacy participants, this shift will end up reducing the likelihood of massive future blowups. In successive decades, the Employees Retirement System will slowly shift from a traditional defined-benefit pension to a hybrid plan, until maybe six or seven decades from nowm when the last enrollee in the current dysfunctional plan passes away.

Michael Taylor is a columnist for the San Antonio Express-News and author of The Financial Rules for New College Graduates.

michael@michaelthesmart

money.com |twitter.com/michael_taylor
Just four country boys from Uvalde County, the Newton brothers were the most successful bank robbers in the United States in the 1920s. They also pulled off the biggest train robbery  $3 million  in U.S. history. And they never killed anyone.

About a decade later, fellow Texans Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow went on a far less lucrative but much bloodier crime streak. They robbed stores, gas stations and a few banks, and left a trail of bodies in their wake before being gunned down in turn by Texas lawmen.

Bonnie and Clyde became legends.

The Newtons crimes appeared in the newspapers, but their names and photos didnt, so they didnt become popular figures like the public enemies of the Depression era. After serving time for their crimes, the Newtons  Willis, Dock, Jess and Joe  returned to Central Texas, where they lived out their lives in relative obscurity.

Richard Linklaters 1998 movie The Newton Boys, which was shot in part in San Antonio, told their story. Making just $4 million on opening weekend ($1 million more than they took out of a mail train in Roundout, Ill., in 1924), the film failed to give them the notoriety they mostly didnt have in life.

Maybe thats because it wasnt really the kind of action flick that fills seats on Friday night but a more thoughtful portrait of a hard time and place, and what it might take for poor boys to get ahead there.

On ExpressNews.com: Still Breathing a celebration of true love and San Antonio

The Newton Boys are played by Vincent DOnofrio as Dock, Ethan Hawke as Jess, Skeet Ulrich as Joe and Uvalde native Matthew McConaughey as Willis, the leader of the gang. Linklater devotes almost as much time to the boys horsing around in hotel rooms and Willis courtship of a hotel newsstand proprietress (Julianna Margulies) as he does to their criminal enterprises.

Express-News file photo

The only big shootout in movie, during a daylight heist in Toronto, comes across more like an unusually violent and profane Keystone Cops escapade than a gun battle filmed by Martin Scorsese or Michael Mann, which is how Linklater intended it.

The Newton Boys was a homage to the old cinema, and they portrayed it as a shoot em up, Linklater told film scholar Rob Stone during interviews for his book The Cinema of Richard Linklater. They put it in a genre in which it couldnt compete. These guys werent psychopaths, they didnt want to kill people, so it fails on that level.

On ExpressNews.com: Skip Space Jam if you want to see the San Antonio Spurs in the movies

The movie succeeds when its young stars seize their moments. McConaughey reveals Willis motivations early on in a bitter conversation with his mother. Just out of jail for a crime he says he didnt commit, he tells her: Im gonna work some things out all right, Ma, you just watch me. And if it aint fair when its all said and done, its gonna be unfair on my side of the fence.

Late in the movie, Hawke  whos loud and rowdy as hard-drinking Jess for most of its two-hour running time  makes a charming if ingenuous guilty plea to the mail train robbery.

The Newton Boys Where to see it: Streaming on Starz and available to rent and buy on Amazon Prime and other digital platforms. See More Collapse

You caught us with a wet finger in the sugar sack on this one, sir, he tells the judge. Were guilty, guilty, guilty, and were awfully sorry we put everyone through all this trouble. I figure the Newton Boys were never cut out for the wrong side of the law.

Linklater certainly made his intentions clear to anyone who wasnt buying popcorn during the opening credits, which were filmed like a black-and-white silent movie. The measured pace and respectful tone of The Newton Boys make more sense viewed through that lens.

While small-town scenes were filmed around Texas in places such as Martindale, Bertram and Lockhart, historic San Antonio buildings stood in for bigger Jazz Age cities. The Menger Bar makes a cameo. The Hipolito F. Garcia Federal Building downtown became a Chicago train station, and downtown city streets stood in for Toronto.

Deana Newcomb / Twentieth Century Fox

Another San Antonio treasure, journalist and author Claude Stanush, wrote a documentary and oral history, both titled The Newton Boys: Portrait of an Outlaw Gang, that revived interest in the brothers, and he co-wrote the screenplay for the movie.

In an essay published in the Express-News the day the movie opened, Stanush wrote about his unlikely friendship with Willis and Joe Newton, whom he met late in their lives.

I was interested in Willis and Joe because, bankrobbers or not, they were extremely interesting people, he wrote. They were intelligent, friendly, witty.

Watch through the end credits and see for yourselves in clips of Willis from the 1976 documentary and Joe from a 1980 appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.

Someone, you might think, should make a movie about those guys.

News researcher Misty Harris contributed to this report.

jkiest@express-news.net | Twitter: @en_salife
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.
A San Antonio man is accused of using a cell phone to record a woman in the restroom of a San Antonio IHOP.

Taymar Antonio-Elijah Jordan-Hamilton, 20, was arrested last week and charged with invasive visual recording. Police believe he could have filmed other women, according to an arrest affidavit.

On July 23, a woman told authorities she saw someone holding a cellphone face-up and recording her from under the stall door while she was using the restaurant's restroom, the affidavit said.

On ExpressNews.com: Someone has been stealing fire hydrant caps and flooding streets

After the woman screamed, Jordan-Hamilton walked out of the restroom, the affidavit continued. The woman then told the man who she was with about the incident.

The individual confronted Jordan-Hamilton, who apologized and said he had been trying to clean the restroom, according to the affidavit.

The woman's male counterpart told the restaurant's manager, who demanded to see Jordan-Hamilton's phone or he would call the police.

Surveillance footage from the restaurant shows Jordan-Hamilton on his knees pleading for the three not to call the police because he "didn't want to go to jail," the affidavit said.

On ExpressNews.com: Judson ISD says hackers paid more than $500K

According to the court documents, it appeared the suspect was attempting to delete photos before handing the phone over to the woman. When she noticed a photo with the dress she was wearing, Jordan-Hamilton snatched the phone and fled the IHOP in his car, the affidavit said. The restaurant manager, however, was able to provide police with the car's license plate.

While investigating the incident, San Antonio police came across another case reported in May that was similar. An individual at a Walmart off of Austin Highway reportedly snook behind a woman and recorded her under her dress with his cellphone.

Police believe it may have been Jordan-Hamilton and that he is a habitual offender, the affidavit said.

His bail was set at $20,000.

taylor.pettaway@express-news.net
LANSING, Mich. (AP)  Michigan's weekly number of people getting an initial COVID-19 shot rose for the third straight week after having consistently dropped for two months.

The increase coincided with the spread of the delta variant  the most contagious coronavirus mutant yet  and a $5 million state sweepstakes designed to incentivize vaccinations.

There were about 41,000 first-dose immunizations last week, the most since the week of June 13-19. Fewer people received an initial dose in July than in June  roughly 192,000 vs. approximately 167,000  but officials said Wednesday that vaccination rates always are lower in mid-summer.

The truth is that every single day when a certain number of people get vaccinated, the pool of people remaining by definition are harder to reach and harder to convince than those who made the decision before, Brian Calley, president of the Small Business Association of Michigan and co-chair of the Protect Michigan Commission, said while helping to announce the six latest winners of $50,000 prizes. We have to work harder and harder to get an increasingly smaller number of people.

The state health department, meanwhile, recommended universal indoor masking for all school teachers, staff and students regardless of their vaccination status  an expected step that aligns with federal guidance. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has said she will not require masks in school, like she did last academic year, instead letting each district, charter academy and private school decide.

The $50,000 winners all were vaccinated after the MI Shot to Win Sweepstakes was launched. They include three women and three men  a hospital cook from Port Huron, a West Bloomfield realtor, the manager of a welding and fabrication company in Kincheloe, a Grand Rapids resident who works in the construction and supply industry, a Ford Motor Co. machinist from South Lyon and a respiratory therapist from Grand Rapids.

The latter, Brianna Hrejsa, said she was hesitant because the vaccines have emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration but not full approval. Pfizer and Moderna have applied for full approval, and a Pfizer decision is expected soon.

She said she did more research because she has contact with patients and her partner is immunocompromised.

I want to do my part in ... helping keep myself but my partner, my patients and my community safe, said Hrejsa, who plans to save most of the money, potentially for a down payment on a house, and to use some to pursue another degree. I'm tired about being anxious about getting sick.

Registration for the monthlong vaccine lottery ended Tuesday.

Roughly 64% of residents ages 16 and up have gotten at least one dose  the metric being used by state officials to set the 70% goal. Children as young as 12 are eligible. Approximately 54% of people 12 and older are fully vaccinated.

Kerry Ebersole Singh, director of the commission that promotes the vaccines' effectiveness and works to overcome hesitancy, noted that the next school year is approaching and many businesses plan to resume in-person office work after Labor Day. The panel intends to highlight the stories of people who were infected, she said.

One of the $50,000 winners said he went through a really bad time while fighting COVID-19 last year and was on the fence because he has antibodies. His daughter persistently encouraged him to get vaccinated.

It's your family, it's your friends that can make the difference in getting someone the information and getting them to take the shot and protecting themselves and their loved ones, Ebersole Singh said.

About 46% of Michigan residents live in counties where the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging everyone ages 2 and up to wear masks in indoor public places even if they are fully vaccinated. The state's seven-day case average was 808 on Tuesday, up from 306 two weeks earlier, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. The two-week infection rate was lower than in all but six states.

___

Follow David Eggert at https://twitter.com/DavidEggert00
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 Antonio comedian Cleto Rodriguez told supporters that COVID-19 is "no joke" during an emotional update about his fight against the virus.

From his hospital bed with an oxygen tube in his nose, Rodriguez on Wednesday posted a 12-minute video on Facebook telling his fans and loved ones that he is on the right path to recovery.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio comedian Cleto Rodriguez not vaccinated, in ICU for COVID-19. April Ancira launched a Go Fund Me page

"I'm doing really well, just still fighting and trying to get back home," Rodriguez said, struggling to breath as he spoke.

The 50-year-old is a stand-up comedian and is known locally for his morning news segment Wheres Cleto? on WOAI-TV and KABB. Last year, he had his own comedy special air on Amazon Prime.

The comedian was hospitalized in the ICU after testing positive for the virus on July 21.

He appeared with fellow comedian Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias on June 30 during the latter's show at the Tobin Center for Performing Arts. On July 15, Iglesias took to social media to say he contracted COVID-19, though he was vaccinated.

It is not known when or where Rodriguez contracted the virus, but he was not vaccinated. His wife told WOAI-TV that several members of their family, including herself and their three children, had not gotten the vaccine. They all tested positive for COVID-19 last month.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio TV personality Cleto Rodriguez gets own comedy special on Amazon Prime

Once he is allowed to, Rodriguez said he will get the vaccine.

"I didn't get vaccinated because, for me, it was more about health issues and I was scared to be honest, but I wouldn't wish this on anyone," Rodriguez said. "As soon as I can, I will be getting it because this is no joke, this is scary."

Wiping away tears, Rodriguez said the overwhelming love and support the San Antonio community has shown for his family has brought peace to his heart.

"Thank you, it has meant so much to me and it is getting me through," Rodriguez said.

April Ancira, an executive for the Ancira Auto Group, set up a GoFundMe page to help raise money for the Rodriguez family to help with medical and other expenses.

There are a lot of people who assume that if youre on TV that means youre incredibly wealthy ... which is not true, she told the Express-News.

The GoFundMe fundraiser has raised more than $47,000 as of Wednesday.

Rodriguez said he will lean on his faith to get through the health scare because he needs to fight for his family.

taylor.pettaway@express-news.net
State Rep. Jessica Gonzalez wont confirm or deny that she and another House Democrat, Rep. Julie Johnson, have left Washington, D.C. for a vacation abroad.

Reports began circulating early Tuesday that the two representatives had left their colleagues and jetted off to Europe  possibly Portugal  during the last week of the special session in Austin. Both Gonzalez and Johnson were among the more than 50 House Democrats who fled to the nations capital last month to deny a quorum in the Texas House and stall a GOP elections bill.

I dont respond to rumors, Gonzalez, of Dallas, said in a text Tuesday evening.

Texas Monthly had reported just minutes earlier that Gonzalez and her fiance, as well as Johnson and her wife, set off for Portugal on a non-refundable vacation that had been planned for a year and a half. When pressed on the issue, Gonzalez replied: No one has shown proof. These are rumors, period. End of story.

TEXAS TAKE: Get the latest news on Texas politics sent directly to your inbox every weekday

A representative for Johnson, of Farmers Branch, did not respond to a request for comment. A spokeswoman for the House Democratic Caucus would not confirm the reports.

Republicans have been castigating the representatives in the meantime, accusing them of vacating their responsibilities at a critical time in Texas politics.

While GOP lawmakers are still in Austin working, Gonzalez and Johnson are off on private jets and luxury European vacations, tweeted Rep. Jared Patterson, R-Frisco. How disgusting is this? Come home and get to work!

His statement echoes what Republicans have been repeating for weeks, especially those who liken the Democrats stay in Washington to a summer vacation. GOP politicians have mocked Democrats escape and a few slip-ups along the way  say a viral photo of a crowded airport van and a 12-pack of Miller Lite that Johnson posted as they left for D.C., or an awkward donation request from a local Democratic Party that sought to send care packages to the fugitive legislators.

Meanwhile, some Democrats have come to their defense, including Rep. Erin Zwiener, D-Driftwood, who called the disparagement of the missing members by Republicans a distraction.

Real talk: Every Democratic member who isnt on the floor of the Texas House is helping kill this voter suppression bill, she tweeted Tuesday, hours after the reports started coming out. None of us have any obligation to be Greg Abbotts hostages. Republicans are trying to erode the freedom to vote. Everything else is a distraction.

Zwiener added in an interview that she disagreed with comparisons to Ted Cruz flying to Cancun during Texas blackout in February.

Theyre fundamentally different, she said. Theyre not fleeing during a crisis. Nobodys fleeing during a crisis.

The rest of the quorum-breaking Democrats remain in Washington this week as they hope to keep momentum alive on federal voting rights legislation. Friday is the last day of the special legislative session in Austin, but Gov. Greg Abbott has pledged to continue calling them until a voting bill passes.

cayla.harris@express-news.net

taylor.goldenstein@chron.com
Only this summer, after more than a year of accumulating backlogs of criminal cases that could not be resolved because the pandemic had made jury trials too risky, local courts began choosing juries again.

That brief reopening has ended. State District Judge Ron Rangel, the administrative judge for Bexar County courts, signed an order Wednesday suspending new jury service, effective immediately, because of a steep rise in the percentage of COVID-19 tests that come back positive for infection.

Bexar Countys positivity rate increased more than three-fold over the past month and is now nearly 20 percent, the Metropolitan Health District reported.

Rangel said he made the decision to stop new jury trials after conferring with Metro Health officials.

It was the best course of action as the number of infections continues in a direct upward trend, and is projected to peak in late August, the order states.

I do believe we will resume in-person jury trials shortly thereafter, Rangel said in a text message responding to questions about the order. He later said he planned to be guided by a weekly check of the positivity rate.

Grand juries are not affected by the order because they do not go through the extensive jury selection process and are housed in a large room, their 12 members socially distanced, Rangel said. Trial juries are picked in a process that can involve scores or even hundreds of potential jurors.

Suspending in-person jury trials will affect caseloads but its definitely something we will overcome. Local judges have learned how to run courts as efficiently as possible during a pandemic, Rangel said.

On ExpressNews.com: Do not lose hope  Bexar DA asks crime victims for patience

News of the suspension spread through the Cadena-Reeves Justice Center, where the countys first capital murder trial in six years was nearing its end. Rangels order stipulates that any jury trials that already have begun can continue through to a verdict.

Local defense attorney Patrick Hancock called the latest order unfortunate but necessary. Judges here are making the right decision to keep our community safe, he said, but added that it could have been avoided if only more folks would have heeded the call and been vaccinated, as is their civic duty.

The harsh reality remains that the delay will again aggravate our criminal justice system, which was already experiencing an unprecedented backlog of jury trials, Hancock added, calling it a slow grind to justice (which) will continue for victims and those accused well into the future.

He was echoed by others. John Hunter, president of the San Antonio Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, said the suspension was the right thing to do but a disappointing setback, and said people should be mindful of how it affects the right to a speedy trial.

Many of these people have been incarcerated for over a year, waiting for their day in court, Hunter said. It is my deepest hope that this delay brings a recalibration of the states enforcement priorities as a remedy for clogged jury trial dockets.

The call for more vaccinations also was made by Bexar County District Attorney Joe D. Gonzales, who said in a statement that he did not want a simple act of public service to put anyones health in jeopardy.

Now is the time for all of us to do our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19, he said. Until this potentially deadly virus is behind us, restrictions like this will lead to a further delay of justice for both victims and those accused of crimes.

Many mentioned the backlog caused by the pandemic  50,000 cases and counting, as grand juries have continued to return hundreds of criminal indictments each week.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio lawyers early verdict on virtual trials: Lets keep them

Last week, Rangel ordered that any person who has business in any courtroom in Bexar County must wear a face covering, including in the Bexar County Courthouse, the Cadena Reeves center, the Paul Elizondo Tower, the Tejeda Juvenile Justice Center, the 600 Mission Road Building (386th District Court), all Justice of the Peace buildings, and any building housing specialty courts.

That rule remains in effect, the new order states. Rangel also encouraged all judges to consider moving to remote proceedings as much as possible.

Gov. Greg Abbotts mandates do not affect the judiciary. The local administrative judge falls under the jurisdiction of the Texas Supreme Court, which has issued 40 emergency orders since the pandemic began in March 2020.

ezavala@express-news.net | Twitter: @elizabeth2863
The San Antonio Express-News spent the year of 2017 following transgender San Antonians, documenting their transitions and their fight for rights. Over several months, Life in Transition told their stories. This is Part 3.

He arrived an hour early at the law office in downtown San Antonio, out of an abundance of caution and excitement. To get there, Joseph spent an hour and a half on city buses he found cumbersome and confusing, carrying with him a legal-size envelope containing his passport and other legal papers. During that time, the 24-year-old transgender man fielded a series of calls from his mother, who was more nervous than he was about what he was going to do that day.

Sarah was still wrapping her head around the fact that her daughter had become her son, a radical and dangerous notion in the country they had left behind. But she was his mother, no matter what, and she loved him fiercely. After all, it was his safety and well-being that had brought them to Texas. And so after Joseph had left the squat, brick home, where they were live-in caretakers for terminal patients, and walked to the bus stop, she called him for updates.

Had he arrived at the law firm yet?

Did he speak with the lawyer?

When would he go to the courthouse?

Dont keep me waiting, she told him in Arabic, warning him to notify her of the outcome as soon as possible.

Now Joseph  an alias to protect the safety of him and his family  sat on a wooden bench at the Nichols Law Firm, across from two women perched on a couch. He twiddled his thumbs as he waited.

I hope the judge doesnt say anything, he said. Lets just hope not.

It had been four months since Joseph had contacted the practice, at the suggestion of his immigration attorney in Houston. The law firm, he had been told, could help him legally amend his name and gender marker  the M or F that appears on vital personal documents, everything from drivers licenses to birth certificates. For many transgender individuals, having identification and records that match their newly chosen names and physical appearance can make all the difference in securing a job or housing.

But ambiguous law meant these cases were at the discretion of judges across the state, some of whom would not hear them at all. Nowhere in Texas statute does it spell out how to legally amend the documentation of transgender people. Instead, the petitions that Justin Nichols writes for his clients rely on rules established by Texas agencies that issue identification records.

Forms for the Department of Public Safety and the Department of State Health Services require a court order certifying a gender change for transgender people who wish to amend their drivers licenses and birth certificates. For this reason, many transgender Texans have no documents matching their gender identity, a reality that became all the more important when a state legislator began filing bills this year that would restrict public restroom access based on the gender listed on a persons birth certificate.

Since it began taking gender marker cases in earnest in late 2015, the law firm had brought name and gender change petitions for more than 100 transgender Texans before Bexar County judges. The certified court orders validated their gender identity as permanent and binding in the eyes of the law, a circumstance that led the office to aptly name its gender marker program Make It Official.

Never, though, had they had a client quite like Joseph. More than a year earlier, Joseph, his mother, and one of his sisters had quietly stolen away from the United Arab Emirates, arriving in Texas in early 2016 on visitors visas. UAE had been their home since the early 2000s, when they sought safety from the erupting war in Iraq. They enjoyed a good life there, as Sarah built two successful businesses.

By the time Joseph reached his early teens, his parents had divorced and his father had returned to Iraq. Joseph, his mother and his siblings moved in with well-off relatives. The arrangement worked for years, until Joseph, who always knew he was different from the girls at his gender-segregated school, realized he was transgender.

Death threats from other relatives  promises of an honor killing  followed. So did verbal and physical harassment, being shunned by universities and employers, threats by men who said they could make him a woman if he just gave them an hour. The family wondered what future Joseph could possibly have in a country so structured around strict delineations of gender, so unwilling to accept who he was. The same country that, in 2016, would deny entry to Gigi Gorgeous, a popular transgender model and makeup artist from Canada, on her way to Dubai.

Later, in his application for asylum to the United States, Joseph explained his predicament. He no longer had legal status in the UAE, and if he returned to Iraq, he would be stripped of his rights. If his relatives did not follow through on the death threats, someone else surely would. He knew the authorities would not protect him, because they do not protect people like me.

Joseph and his sister, Taylor, left first, flying to Texas with several suitcases stuffed with clothes and rooming with relatives in Houston. Sarah initially stayed behind, intending to sell her businesses and get her affairs in order. In the end, there was no time. A month later, Sarah left the house in the early morning hours. Through the windshield of the car, past a dashboard cluttered with papers, she took one last look at the ornate front gate of her home before she left everything behind  her work, car, bank account, furniture, family, memories.

After months of sleeping on the floors of relatives crowded apartments in Houston and Austin, Joseph and his family eventually ended up in San Antonio, where they met a woman who had recently founded an assisted living home. She welcomed them as family, providing them with steady work and a place to live.

Here, surely, they could start over again.

Before Joseph applied for work authorization in the U.S., he wanted the country to recognize who he was. A man. He didnt want a record of how hed been viewed back home. He didnt even know that person anymore. The way to accomplish that would be to go to court.

And so as he and the other clients waited to head over to the Bexar County courthouse, Jamey Bartram, then director of the offices gender marker program, bustled in and out of the room. Bartram was responsible for guiding the steady stream of transgender Texans who sought out the firms services, communicating with clients and ensuring they had transportation. Bartram also gathered the necessary paperwork from clients: a detailed questionnaire, a notarized affidavit that the client was of sound mind, an FBI compatible fingerprint card, a letter from a mental health professional confirming that the name and gender marker changes were in their best interest.

OK, well be leaving in a couple minutes, Bartram announced to the room.

He explained that they would walk to the courthouse, where they would go through security. Then, they would answer some questions in front of a judge, something that was largely a formality, he explained. The papers had already been filed. All they needed was the judges signature. Yet as Bartram talked, the face of one of the women remained tense.

You dont seem very happy considering what were doing today, Bartram said to her.

Im just nervous, she said.

There was no need, Bartram assured her. These were family law judges who heard case after case of divorce and child cruelty, situations that tore families apart. They would be glad to hear a happy case, for once.

A call came through on Josephs cell phone.

Hi, mom.

Was that your mom again? Bartram asked.

Nichols joined the group. Bartram slid on a pair of aviator sunglasses.

Well, come on. Lets go do it, Nichols said.

Josephs day in court was long overdue. His case, already complicated by his immigration situation, grew thornier when President Donald Trump signed an executive order limiting travel for citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries, including, initially, Iraq. After that development, his petition had to be rewritten. His case file was significantly thicker than the other cases the Nichols firm had previously taken on. Bartram had made a point of collecting as many documents from Joseph as he could to ensure his case was airtight.

Now, after months of back and forth, Joseph stood in the lobby of the Bexar County courthouse on an April afternoon, fiddling with the top of the envelope. Nichols disappeared behind the heavy wooden doors to the presiding court, a catch-all docket for civil proceedings, to confirm whether they would start there that day or knock on the doors of friendly judges who they had worked with in the past, who were more likely to approve their petitions.

Its pretty packed in there today, Nichols said to Bartram upon reemerging. The two conferred for a few moments.

I think were going to stay down here and not go to another court, Bartram told the group.

The group filed into the courtroom and sat on wooden benches already crowded with people scrolling through their phones or staring vacantly into space. The minutes dragged by.

Did you miss the appointment? Sarah asked Joseph in a text.

After a quarter of an hour, Judge David Canales glanced at Nichols.

Im trying, Mr. Nichols, he said. Too many cases.

A stack of files in hand, Nichols whispered to Canales, who appeared perplexed. Nichols and Bartram left the courtroom.

Theyre just really slow, Bartram said quietly when he returned a few minutes later. Were going to go try upstairs.

A few minutes more, and Bartram ushered everyone toward the door and into the hallway.

I literally walked the courthouse to find a judge, but theyre all in jury trials, Nichols said. Increasingly, he explained, it was becoming more difficult to find judges who would hear their gender marker cases.

Im going to do whatever I can. I have other things to do, but this is so important for you, Nichols said to Joseph, before turning to the group. Ill do anything I can.

Canales would be in court for another hour and a half, so the group continued to wait in the hallway. They sat on the long wooden benches against the walls, watching as a stream of people exited the courtroom. Joseph did not text his mother about the delay, lest he worry her further.

Finally, Nichols returned with an update. The judge wanted to see them in his chambers to offer some privacy. The group disappeared into the courtroom. Minutes later, Nichols, Joseph and the two other clients filtered back out into the hallway.

The judge is not denying your request, Nichols said cautiously.

Instead, they would need to return to the courthouse the next day and present the legal justification for their requests. The court staff was not up to speed on the case law, he said, even though he had given Canales a brief that outlined the law concerning these cases weeks ago.

Thats the result today, is there is no result, he said. The woman who had been so nervous before looked crestfallen.

Never before had he run into this situation, Nichols explained. There was consternation about transgender people in the Texas Legislature this session, not to mention the growing number of transgender people across the state who were seeking to get their gender markers amended.

On the walk back to the law office, Joseph was quiet. Nichols looked over at the woman who still wore her disappointment clearly on her face.

I want you to know Im going to do my damndest to get this done, Nichols told her.

For some time, Nichols and others in the transgender community had feared something like this would happen. Gender marker changes in San Antonio had for years happened quietly, even as Bexar and Travis counties became hubs for the practice. In both counties, the district courts run on a presiding system, meaning that judges can hear each others cases, regardless of where a case is assigned. It also meant attorneys like Nichols could seek out appointments with judges who were familiar with the law surrounding gender marker changes, who would consider and approve their petitions.

Even attorneys who work in the states other major cities find that the cases are processed more easily in Austin and San Antonio, where a cohort of judges regularly take the cases. Though she works in Houston, attorney Daney De La O regularly brings her transgender clients to Austin to have their gender markers amended by the courts there. In Houston, the cases would be automatically assigned to specific judges, some of whom might not be sympathetic to her clients plight.

Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, a Republican from Brenham, alluded to gender marker changes in mid-March while laying out Senate Bill 6, the bill that would restrict bathroom access based on the gender on peoples birth certificates. Birth certificates can be changed in Texas, she explained to the Texas Senate.

What Kolkhorst did not explain, however, was how undefined that process still was in Texas, and the barrier it represented for many transgender Texans. Several years ago, few attorneys in the state specialized in the cases, and some of those who did were known to charge up to $3,000. In an attempt to rectify what he saw as an injustice  and, he acknowledged, to also undercut the competition  Nichols took cases for free the first year of his program, before setting a $600 flat fee  $300 to file the case, $25 for four certified copies, the rest for the cost of the legal work. Over time, De La O shaved her fee down to $800.

Kolkhorst also did not explain that among attorneys and transgender activists, there remained a pervasive dread that if the states hardline Republicans got wind of the process, they would find a way to take it all away. After Trump won the presidential election, Nichols saw an influx of gender change clients with urgent notes asking that their cases be resolved before Inauguration Day.

In July, public testimony for another bathroom bill Kolkhorst filed in the special session highlighted the problems with using birth certificates to identify gender. Transgender people who were born out of state pointed out that even with a Texas court order, some states would not amend their birth certificates. Parents talked about how convoluted and arbitrary it could be to find the right judge on the right day. Many mentioned time and cost as barriers. Sen. Sylvia Garcia brought up a bill she had filed that would change the process of amending a birth certificate from a judicial process to an administrative one. Later, relenting, Kolkhorst accepted amendments allowing drivers licenses and handgun licenses as forms of identification.

Moreover, a recently appealed gender change petition had introduced even more uncertainty. In January 2015, a transgender man in his late 20s requested a name and gender change in Houston. At a hearing, the mans attorney asked him a series of standard questions for name changes but provided no evidence supporting his transition, such as letters from mental health professionals. His attorney cited a section of the Texas Family Code regarding proof of identity to apply for a marriage license  one option is an original or certified copy of a court order relating to the applicants name change or sex change. But the man was not applying for a marriage license. The court approved the mans name change but denied the gender change. When the man appealed his case, the Fourteenth Court of Appeals rejected the request, too.

Worried that judges would interpret that ruling as reason to reject his gender marker petitions, in February Nichols sat down and wrote a memo outlining why that should not be the case. He wrote that the Texas Legislature had empowered state agencies to create their own rules, and those agencies had established a way to change a persons gender on state documents.

The notion of a court proceeding to change a persons gender designation is not only contemplated, but actually utilized and required by the states agencies charged with handling the most sacred of identification documents, Nichols wrote. The Houston mans case, he wrote, had simply lacked evidence and firm understanding of the law.

Nichols included details about the case in a brief he sent to Josephs judge weeks earlier.

The following morning, Joseph prepared for another lengthy bus ride to the law office.

His mother was disappointed by what had happened the day before. People change their names all the time, she reasoned. Why the big deal about this? Everything is tight here, Sarah said that morning, in between tending to patients.

They had been in the country for a more than a year, and an answer on their asylum application was also unclear and frustratingly slow, in all likelihood still years away. When are we going to live life without thinking?

Joseph also found the whole situation odd. In chambers, the judge had asked him if hed had any kind of surgery. He hadnt, but he had been on testosterone for nearly three years, and that had been struggle enough. Unable to ask a doctor to write him a prescription, he illegally obtained the hormone. On his phone, he carefully kept note of the date of every shot, injecting himself weekly at first and then bimonthly. For an entire year Joseph had done this, with no concept of the correct dose. His voice quickly deepened, but severe, painful acne spread across his face. His joints and back ached. They still did.

But until he had a definitive answer, Joseph was determined to remain optimistic. Otherwise, it was too easy to become lost in worry. So he pulled up Google Maps on his phone, his eyes scanning bus routes. He disappeared deeper into the home to change out of his sweats.

The worn envelope in his hand, Joseph walked over to say goodbye to his mother, who was busy tending to a patient. She heard it, he said as he made his way to the door. Sarah stuck her head out of the doorway.

Have a good day, honey, she said.

Wish me luck.

Pray, honey. Pray.

Joseph set out on the 20-minute walk to the bus stop, passing quiet houses and yards with barking dogs. He cut through a grassy field spotted with rocks. The sun beat down, unrelenting. Without a car, everything here took longer.

At the bus stop, he sat on the black metal bench and placed the envelope beside him. He had taken the wrong bus before, but he was sure he was in the right place this time. Almost an hour passed. Taking out his phone, he peered past the cracked screen protector to look at the routes again. Across the street, the bus he planned to board sped by. Joseph sighed.

By the time Joseph was seated on a bus, it was nearing 1 p.m. The trip downtown could take anywhere from one hour to two, depending on his luck. When a woman boarded, a baby with cherubic cheeks in tow, Joseph craned his head to catch a better look at the tiny girls navy blue dress and protruding ears. He made a funny face. The baby giggled. Joseph grinned. He longed for a family of his own, children of his own. Hed even contemplated freezing his eggs.

If I want to have babies, I want to have them be mine. Same face. It would be beautiful.

Downtown, the bus dropped Joseph off at a corner near the courthouse, where he would return later that afternoon. He paused at San Fernando Cathedral to take a photo, crouching down to fit the entire edifice into the frame. A man passing on the sidewalk smiled at Joseph. Its such a nice feeling, Joseph said. Youre out and everyones smiling at you. Here Im so happy. I can just smile whenever I want.

At the office, Nichols laid out the plan. This time, they would be better prepared. They had arranged for an LGBTQ expert to testify, along with a licensed clinical social worker who had evaluated Joseph and some of Nichols other transgender clients. If things didnt work out, they knew a Travis County judge who would take the cases. Nichols said he did not want Joseph to become the test case for gender marker changes in Bexar County.

Nichols ushered Joseph and the women into a conference room. Joseph traced circles with his fingers on the sturdy wooden table. He was nervous, but also comforted by Nichols words.

I assure you, theres been much going on since I saw you yesterday, Nichols said. But, he admitted, there was no way to guarantee the judge would say yes. No one goes to the courthouse for certainty. I dont know for sure whats going to happen.

Joseph Montaldi, the social worker, walked in.

How yall feeling? asked Montaldi, who usually told his clients how easy it was to change their gender markers.

Nervous, said the woman who had been so concerned the day before.

Im excited, Joseph said. Am I the only one excited here?

The group settled into an uncomfortable silence. Bartram bustled in and out. He saw the womans worried face and offered her a drink to calm her nerves. She drained the glass he brought her, and the smell of alcohol wafted through the air. Nichols came in to say that the expert wouldnt be able to make it.

Eventually, Joseph looked over at Bartram.

I want to say that even if this doesnt work, I really appreciate it, Joseph told him.

Before they left, Josephs phone rang. His mother wanted to know when they were going to court.

A half hour later, the group stood once again in the courthouse hallway. They had more waiting to do as Judge Canales looked over the papers. Ten minutes turned into 20, then 40. Just shy of 4 p.m., Nichols walked over. He had just spoken with the judge, who had told him he did not plan to make a decision that day but would hear their testimony. And, Nichols said, were he to deny their requests, he would do so without prejudice, meaning the cases could be re-filed elsewhere.

Montaldi stood first before the judge. He explained that he had worked with the transgender community in some capacity for nine years, previously treating patients at an HIV clinic in New Orleans and now specializing in LGBTQ issues as a therapist. He explained how he evaluated transgender people for gender dysphoria, and noted that having surgery was not a prerequisite to be diagnosed as transgender. It was hugely important, Montaldi testified, for transgender people to have documents matching who they were, for legal and mental health reasons, and to protect them against discrimination. As Montaldi spoke, Canales nodded.

Nichols, whose face had flushed deep red, asked him if Joseph met the criteria for being transgender.

Absolutely, Montaldi said.

Since Joseph had already testified the day before, another client next stood before the judge. Nichols asked her a series of questions about why she was there that day. Canales smiled at her.

Do you believe your confirmation as female is permanent and irreversible?

Yes.

Nichols handed the petitions to the judge, who thanked them. The whole thing had taken 10 minutes.

Outside the courtroom, the group seemed to release a collective sigh. Everyone began talking at once.

Im guessing hes going to sign the order, Nichols said.

He smiled at all of you, Bartram said. Its hard to smile at someone if theyre going to ruin your life.

Migrating to the courthouse steps, Nichols promised everyone he would let them know as soon as he heard back from the court. He reached out and shook Josephs hand.

Im hopeful, Nichols told him. Then he raised his voice so the others could hear. All right, lets head back.

Six days later, Nichols received a brief email from the judge.

Thank you for your patience while I took the petitions under advisement. They are granted in part and denied in part, as follows: The request for name changes are GRANTED. The request for gender/sex marker changes are DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE.

At times, Josephs transition felt like it slowed to a crawl. The following weeks were one of those times. It had been years since he had furtively visited a doctor who confirmed what he suspected about himself, and years more since hed started taking hormones. He wanted to advance his transition, and his life. Hed been waiting his whole life to feel comfortable in his own skin.

But he also knew how lucky he had been to make it to America. He knew most transgender people where he was from had few options, if they had any at all. And so as days passed after his petition was denied, as the lawyers worked on a solution, he tried not to fret, and he kept busy.

When a tiny three-legged poodle came scratching at their back door, they took care of her for nearly three weeks, until neighbors claiming to be her owner demanded her back. On Craigslist, Josephs family saw that an Iraqi man was selling a used maroon Kia. They bought it, securing reliable transportation for themselves for the first time since they came to Texas.

Meanwhile, rumors swirled in San Antonios transgender community that Bexar County judges had stopped approving gender marker cases altogether. Advocates wrote to Nichols, asking what had happened.

Four weeks after the hearing, Joseph and the other clients received a text from Bartram. They would return to court the following week and try again with a different judge.

Though Josephs family now had a car, his mother still struggled to navigate the citys freeways on her own. So for the third time, Joseph readied himself for the bus trip downtown.

Across the city, Nichols was hopeful that proceedings would go differently that day. Over the past month, the firm had paused their gender marker program and overhauled their process. Petitions were rewritten and would be sent to the court ahead of time. They now required an affidavit from a medical professional about the physiological changes a person had undergone as part of their transition. Instead of taking transgender clients to the courthouse weekly, they would go twice a month.

The two women who had gone to court with Joseph last time were not there. Bartram called Joseph, who was still an hour away because of bus delays. He would meet them at the courthouse. Nichols looked over at the older transgender woman who was sitting on the couch with her sister.

Sorry for all the drama, Nichols said. Youve waited how many years?

A lifetime, she said. A lifetime.

While they waited, Nichols explained to the woman that they were correcting her gender, not changing it. They began practicing the questions he may need to ask her in front of a judge.

Currently, on your birth certificate, your drivers license and other identification documents, what is reflected as your gender?

Male.

And is that incorrect?

It is incorrect.

Nichols sat down beside her. He knew what they were doing was scary. For him, it was a legal challenge, an intellectual exercise. For her, it was her life.

Later that day, Joseph and the woman entered the same courtroom where hed been told no the month before. Nichols walked to the front of the courtroom and handed the papers to Judge Norma Gonzales. He quickly returned from the bench, utter surprise written on his face.

Were done, he mouthed.

The group hurried into the hallway.

Is that even possible? Joseph asked. He bounced on the balls of his feet. Nichols hugged Joseph, who then embraced Bartram.

Bartram walked over to a counter to order certified copies. A wide grin spread across Josephs face. His words spilled out.

He just gave her the paper, she signed it and thats it, Joseph said. It was  wow. Finally, he could apply for authorization to work here, as himself.

When Bartram handed him his order, Joseph flipped through the pages, savoring its words.

On the way back to the law office, Joseph released a loud sigh. He was relieved. He was happy. Bartram would give him a ride home, but that wouldnt be for several more hours. Inside the office, Joseph pulled his phone from his pocket and greeted his mother. He erroneously told her the petition had been denied again.

Im not going to tell her till I get home, Joseph said after hanging up.

Is she a worrier? Bartram said.

She is.

I hope you can outrun her.

A few hours later, Bartram pulled up to the house, Joseph seated beside him. Sarah greeted Bartram with a hug.

Are you gonna solve this problem? she asked.

Actually, he has something to tell you.

Joseph handed her the court order. She fetched a pair of glasses with square, dark frames and perched them on her nose. For several moments, she was quiet. Her eyes scanned the pages.

You got it, she finally said quietly.

Yeah.

Sarah feigned smacking him across the head before enveloping him in a hug. Bartram burst out laughing. Joseph chuckled at the trick he had played on his mother.

He can apply, Sarah said, as they made plans to order a celebratory pizza. He can apply.

It was just the first of many hurdles Joseph would have to face before he had permanent residency. But now he could look to the future. He had plans to get a job and help his family get a place of their own, to go to college and study nutrition.

For the first time, all of that now felt possible.

lcaruba@express-news.net
3 1 of 3 Courtesy of the San Antonio Police Department Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Courtesy of the San Antonio Police Department Show More Show Less 3 of 3 Courtesy of the San Antonio Police Department Show More Show Less





The San Antonio Police are looking for three persons of interest in a robbery case.

Police said on July 26, a person was robbed in the parking lot of a local business located in the 1900 block of SW Military.
When Pfc. J.L. Hancock sat down on Sunday, Nov. 13, 1943, to write a letter home, he hinted that something was up without quite saying it and tried to reassure his family.

The vacuum of information to come, he suggested, wasnt really cause for alarm.

I think I told you once before that no news was good news, Hancock wrote. If you all dont hear from me there is no use to get excited because you all will be the first notified if anything does happen. I wont be able to write regular for quite a while.

There would be no more letters home. He was killed in the horrific battle to secure the island of Betio, Tarawa, for the Allied advance across the Pacific. His remains, identified only recently, were laid to rest Wednesday at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in a ceremony watched by a large crowd flanked by Patriot Guard motorcyclists.

Hancock was just 19 when he enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve seven weeks after Pearl Harbor. A veteran of Guadalcanal who was spared injury but suffered from malaria there, he was 21 when he sailed with 18,000 Marines from Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, to Betio, a 22-mile-long atoll in the Gilbert Islands.

Now Playing: Farewell to a Fallen Marine Video: San Antonio Express-News

Betio contained more than 3,600 Japanese defenders and 2,600 Korean slave laborers. Hancocks company quietly landed on the night of Nov. 21, 1943, hitting Green Beach in rubber boats and awaiting a dawn attack to the east to make contact with hard-hit Marines trapped along another strip of the island.

A rifleman with Company B, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, he was killed in a Japanese counterattack the next night.

Word of his fate wouldnt come to his familys farm for another month. The Western Union telegram from the Marine Corps commandant, Lt. Gen. Thomas Holcomb, arrived two days before Christmas. Though buried on Tarawa, his remains were declared non-recoverable in 1949.

Nearly 78 years after his death, John Loss Hancock was identified. He finally came home to Texas, arriving Friday at San Antonio International Airport. His funeral was attended by relatives who never knew him.

Hancocks death, so long ago and so far away, brought about a family reunion to celebrate his life.

Kin Man Hui /Staff photographer

Last week when we came down for the arrival, that was the first time we had met each other, said Hancocks niece, Jaye Morgan, 66, of Fort Worth. Weve been talking on the phone, getting all of this arranged and everything, but we hadnt met each other.

After a Marine rifle detail fired three volleys, a bugler played taps and an honor guard presented a folded American flag to Morgan.

Its quite an honor for the family and for him, another relative, Ted Gentry, said. I think hes a Marine through and through and he would appreciate the honor, and also I think if it was anyone else, he would be there to honor them.

Sixteen million Americans served in World War II and more than 400,000 were killed. Some 79,000-plus were unaccounted for when it ended in 1945. Since then, around 7,000 of those troops have been identified. Hancocks parents, William and Ethel Amanda (Boyles) Hancock, three sisters, Juanita, Naomi and Faith, and a brother, Clevy, didnt live to see the repatriation ceremony.

The family rests in a cemetery near McLean, 69 minutes east of Amarillo, that includes a marker for Hancock  perhaps in anticipation that the Marines might bring him home. But when the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced June 30 that Hancock had been found in mid-February, it was decided to bury him at Fort Sam instead of the family cemetery, which is in disrepair.

Only a scattered kin network remained.

I am the only relative that knew he had not been returned, said Gentry, 79, of New Braunfels, a cousin. We didnt have that much personal contact with everybody. Its just, his family went one way and ours went the other, and its unfortunate.

Gentrys younger sister, Patsy Gentry Bird, 68, of New Braunfels, knew Hancocks brother and a sister, but couldnt recall any conversations about Tarawa.

I just always knew I had a cousin killed in the war, she said.

Morgan, whose adoptive mother, Naomi Chapman, was Hancocks sister, said she probably wasnt paying attention if she ever heard talk of her uncle when she was younger.

My mother passed away when I was 11, so if they were telling stories about him before that, I dont remember, she added. But there was always a picture of him out at my aunts house.

Now, she knows a little more.

Kin Man Hui /Staff photographer

Jay Hancock was born in the Texas Panhandle on May 8, 1922, and embraced farming as an avocation. In an account shared by retired Marine Sgt. Maj. Justin LeHew, Hancock was described an excellent student as well as a promising farmer, graduating from McLean High School in 1940.

When Hancock and his siblings werent in school, they did chores. LeHew, citing excerpts taken from his friend Geoff Roeckers, who runs the website www.missingmarines.com, said it was almost certain that he was working on the family farm from graduation to his eventual enlistment. Hancock judged agricultural contests as a member of Future Farmers of America.

Tell dad if he can find any heifer calves pretty cheap, take that money of mine and buy them, he can also use some of the money to put them on pasture, that is if he can find any, Hancock wrote in his last letter. You all go ahead and use any of that money you need. I have over $100 on the books but I cant send it home from here.

Pearl Harbor had shaken the earth he worked. Hancock enlisted in Oklahoma City on Feb. 17, 1942. Standing beside him was a longtime friend, Granville Boyd. They may have joined the corps because of its rule allowing friends who enlisted together to go through training and be assigned to the same units. The two would go from boot camp in San Diego all the way to Tarawa.

In his black-and-white induction photo, a serious Hancock looks older than his 19 years. He sits third from the left on the front row, rifle in his right hand, in his 256th Platoon boot camp graduation photo. A proud Boyd is on the far end of the row, his rifle in hand.

Before graduation, they qualified as rifle marksmen, as did every other Marine.

It isnt clear if Boyd went with Hancock to Guadalcanal. Hancock fought there right after boot camp, in January and February 1943. The malaria he caught there flared up on occasion while he was in New Zealand with his regiment.

Both men landed at Tarawa. Baker Company fought hard to try to link up with Marine units trapped on Red Beach but had to dig in at the end of the day on Betios southern shore and wait, perhaps suspecting what was next.

They were in an exposed position, and that night a force of several hundred Japanese troops hit their lines, breaking through in a few places and causing chaos and mayhem through the night and into the early morning hours of 22 November, wrote LeHew, chief operating officer of History Flight, a nonprofit that helps locate the remains of American MIAs.

Ultimately, the Marines held, but paid a stiff price for maintaining their positions.

Kin Man Hui /Staff photographer

Struck in the head by shrapnel, Hancock was among the casualties. A Fort Worth Star-Telegram account said he died less than a half hour before Japanese resistance ended. He and nearly 30 other men were buried in a trench not far from where they fell. The location, Row D of East Division Cemetery, was lost because of the islands shifting sands.

Around 1,000 Marines and sailors died in the battle and more than 2,000 were wounded. Only one officer and 16 enlisted men among the 3,636 Japanese  and just 129 of the 2,600 Korean laborers  survived to be taken prisoner.

We can truthfully say that J.L. did not suffer and that the end came quickly, Boyd and another Marine wrote in a letter to Hancocks mother. We have lost not only a friend and comrade but something no one else can give us  mainly his fine spirit and enjoyable sense of humor.

Decades later, History Flight found a burial site on Betio Island that was thought to be Cemetery 33 and began excavations, in time finding the Row D trench.

A sunrise ceremony took place there before the remains of Hancock and 21 other Marines were flown to Hawaii in 2019. That year, 79 Marines and sailors were repatriated from Tarawa.

The battle at Tarawa was really bloody, with a lot of hand-to-hand combat. And they had gone into the foxhole to retreat or regroup, and he had stayed outside of the foxhole and was killed, said Morgan, who knew nothing of the battle before the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency began collecting DNA samples from the family.

He was fighting to protect his buddies and for his life, said Gentry, who was an insurance adjuster when he retired. I didnt know him, but as far as Im concerned anybody that will lay down their life for their buddies like that and for their country, theyre a hero.

Kin Man Hui /Staff photographer

sigc@express-news.net
Live updates: Find live weather, road conditions and flood risks

Update: Aug. 5, 9:10 a.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory for Bexar County until 11 a.m. Thursday.

Forecasters said thunderstorms produced 1 to 3 inches of rain early Thursday morning south of San Antonio and an additional 1 to 2 inches of rain are still possible, resulting in minor flooding for parts of Bexar County.

Pockets of heavy rain is possible though the afternoon.

Previous story:

Don't put away your umbrella just yet. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are in the forecast over the next 48 hours, according to the National Weather Service.

Forecasters say San Antonio could see isolated showers this afternoon and better chances on Thursday due to a front, moisture and an upper-level disturbance that will move closer to our region.

Scattered showers could last for most of the day on Thursday bringing San Antonio's chances of rain at 40 percent. No severe weather is expected on Thursday.

Friday chances of rain go back down to 20 percent as the atmosphere stabilizes this weekend.

The weekend will be mostly sunny and temps back in the mid-90s, normal for this time of year. Humidity will also rise for the weekend allowing heat index values to go near advisory levels, forecasters say.
My grandmother dedicated her life to serving others. As a public employee and union member, she worked hard to serve her community and make a modest life for herself and three children. She taught me public service is an honorable way to help others and provide stability for your family.

Ive spent the last seven years working in civil service to help ensure our government is delivering for all Texans. As chief of staff to state Rep. Ray Lopez, a Democrat representing District 125, I lead a small team that serves approximately 200,000 people in and around Bexar County. Every day, we connect people to programs offered through more than 100 state agencies. We help seniors maintain their independence and veterans receive their benefits, and we advocate for children.

But Gov. Greg Abbott is determined to put his personal political agenda over community needs. Earlier this summer, Abbott was furious with lawmakers because they did not rubber-stamp his agenda and pass legislation that would suppress Texans ability to vote. Over bipartisan objections, he retaliated and defunded the co-equal legislative branch of government for the next biennium. Abbott then called a special session to pressure lawmakers to do his bidding if they wanted the Legislature to get its funding back.

The weight of Abbotts abuse of power is falling on more than 2,000 legislative employees like me: staffers to Democratic and Republican lawmakers, nonpartisan state workers and so many more. He has made it impossible for staff to help our constituents and support our families.

My family depends on the salary and health insurance I receive from my job. To prepare for Aug. 31 when funding runs dry, were cutting down on expenses, front-loading medical appointments, stockpiling baby goods and seeking opportunities for additional income, including selling our belongings and listing my vehicle for rent on Turo. I have colleagues who may drop out of school. Others might lose access to medical care and medications they need. Without a paycheck, well have to pay the states share of our health insurance. We might not be able to catch up on contributions to our retirement accounts. And it is not clear if we will be eligible for unemployment assistance.

On ExpressNews.com: Texas lawmakers take first steps to restore Legislature's funding after Abbott's veto

But it isnt just those of us who work in the Capitol who suffer from Abbotts abuse of power. Across Texas, communities will lose access to constituent services the Legislature provides. Phone lines to members offices will be disconnected, and landlords will be notified that members wont be able to pay rent for offices in communities across Texas. Texans will lose direct access to taxpayer-funded services, and the Capitol will effectively shut down. Critical work wont get done.

Abbotts abuse of power must be stopped.

Thats why I joined 66 lawmakers, other legislative staffers and the Texas AFL-CIO in petitioning the Texas Supreme Court to protect the separation of powers. Abbotts decision to defund the Legislature was so extreme that former Republican and Democratic Speakers Joe Straus and Pete Laney, and former Republican Lt. Gov. Bill Ratliff urged the Supreme Court to block it. These prominent former elected officials argued that the governors veto is a threat to Texass system of government that should be rebuked by people of all political persuasions.

Theyre right.

The separation of powers is enshrined in the state constitution and has long been upheld. Ensuring that Texas is governed according to the constitution is essential. This matter should rise above personal political agendas. I hope the Texas Supreme Court agrees and halts the defunding of the Legislature. My family is depending on it. Two thousand public employees like me are depending on it. Texans across the state are depending on it. And our democracy depends on it.

Donovon Rodriguez has served as chief of staff to Texas Rep. Ray Lopez for two years. He has worked as a state employee for seven years.
We want to be optimistic about the launch of a county program to provide private trash service in Camelot II, the Glen and other Northeast Side subdivisions.

After all, this should be a welcome change for neighborhoods long plagued with dumping and mounds of garbage outside numerous rental properties that lacked trash service. On many occasions, over the years, we have walked and driven through these neighborhoods and been overwhelmed by streets and alleys covered in garbage.

While we want to be hopeful things will change for the better, we are, in fact, pessimistic Bexar Countys new mandatory trash service program will be effective  mostly because CPS Energy has refused to act as a pass-through for billing.

If we have learned anything from a city pilot program to provide trash service in Camelot II, which sits just beyond city limits in unincorporated Bexar County, its that including trash service on utility bills is key for people making payments. And thats a detail missing in the countys plan.

A bit of background: There was a time when about 600 town houses in Camelot II were so covered in garbage, it was a clear public health emergency. We witnessed children playing in garbage, and we often talked to parents who made the same observations.

On ExpressNews.com: New garbage service started to provide relief in under-served Bexar County neighborhoods

But in late 2015, the city of San Antonio stepped up with an innovative pilot program. Although Camelot II was in unincorporated Bexar County, it was still in the citys extraterritorial jurisdiction. The city convinced private waste haulers to leave the neighborhood  it wasnt much of a sacrifice since many residents were not paying their bills and the area was small. The city then stepped in, providing service to all residents and, importantly, billing through CPS Energy.

And just like that, streets and alleys were free and clear of garbage and residents paid their bills. Success!

Because Camelot II is outside city limits and because the area is traditionally served by private waste haulers, the pilot program was always meant to be temporary. The goal was to clean up the neighborhood, show how the problem could be resolved and then transition back to private haulers.

And, yes, that has finally happened, but its too soon to declare mission accomplished. Why? Because the billing component has changed. For reasons we still do not truly understand, CPS Energy has refused to serve as a pass-through for the countys program.

This troubles us. For whatever reason, having trash service on their utility bill ensured people made their payments. Now, under the countys program, residents will have to pay bills online or create automatic payment plans. Were skeptical that will happen and find it discouraging CPS Energy has refused to be a good community partner on this issue.

But heres yet another problem: While 2017 legislation by state Sen. Jose Menendez and state Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins allows the county to mandate trash service, the wording has proved inadequate. The county needs stronger authority to hold landlords accountable.

As we have said before, no neighborhood in the San Antonio region should be blanketed in garbage. The Camelot II pilot program was resoundingly successful in this regard.

Its a shame the county cant truly replicate the citys successful pilot program because CPS Energy has refused to be a good community partner. We want the countys trash program to succeed and appreciate Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Calverts efforts on this front, but without CPS Energys help with billing, we wonder if this will ultimately be a step back.
This story originally appeared on The Texas Tribune.

Fixing Texas power grid was about the only thing Republicans and Democrats in the legislative session seemed to agree on earlier this year. Power companies were in the hot seat, as millions of Texans who endured a week of subfreezing temperatures with no power demanded sweeping, multibillion dollar improvements to prevent another deadly disaster  and lawmakers promised action.

But by the end of the legislative session, if Texas top power companies were aggrieved by the way they were treated by the Legislature or any of the new laws passed targeting their industry, they didnt show it.

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Texas elected officials cant receive campaign donations during the session, but after it ended in May, they were showered in cash by the energy industry  even more than usual for a group known for its deep pockets and generous campaign giving.

From June 21 to June 30, after the legislative fundraising blackout ended, five of the largest and most prominent companies in the Texas power grid supply chain  Calpine, Centerpoint, NRG Energy, Oncor and Vistra  or their top executives collectively donated about $497,000 to state elected officials and political groups. That's more than twice the $207,000 they gave during the same period when the legislative session ended in in 2019, according to a Texas Tribune analysis. A large chunk of that cash was driven by Oncor, Texas largest transmission and distribution electric company, with many big donations coming from the company's executives.

Over that same short stretch in June, 11 prominent oil industry leaders, including billionaires Kelcy Warren, S. Javaid Anwar and Douglas Scharbauer  all three whom could not be reached for comment  combined to contribute about $3.2 million to Texas elected officials, up from about $2.2 million over the same period following the previous legislative session in 2019. Warren's company Energy Transfer declined to comment on his behalf.

For some energy experts, the increase in donations for the officials at the close of the session looks like a reward for not passing more stringent regulations and raises questions about whether lawmakers let the oil, gas and the broader energy industry off easy for its massive failures.

Gas producers got a pass by Texas policymakers, said Michael Webber, professor of energy resources at the University of Texas at Austin. Making a million-dollar political donation to reward the government for its light touch and encourage the government to continue turning a blind eye to price gouging and windfall profits while hundreds of people die seems like a good return on investment.

TEXAS POWER OUTAGE TRACKER: See where the worst outages are happening now, across the state

A spokesperson for Oncor said the company believes in actively participating in the political process. CenterPoint said: In this case, CenterPoint Energy Political Action Committee made public contributions to support members of the Texas Legislature who had announced their intention to run for re-election, regardless of party affiliation. A Calpine representative said its CEO, who made up the bulk of contributions tied to the company, donated money as he develops relationships with these members directly. The other two companies did not respond to requests for comment.

Gov. Greg Abbott, who is heading into a reelection year in 2022, benefited most from the flood of June campaign donations from the energy industry.

Abbott received about $4.6 million from oil, gas and broader energy interests, his largest haul ever from those groups in the post-legislative session fundraising period following the four regular legislative sessions during Abbotts tenure as governor.

Those donations included $1 million from Warren, cofounder of a pipeline company that made $2.4 billion from the winter storm, according to a report from Bloomberg. Warren has given Abbott $250,000 donations almost every year since he won the governors office in 2014.

Governor Abbott represents all Texans, and thats what he takes into account every day as he works on behalf of the Lone Star State, spokeswoman Renae Eze said.

Other lawmakers who saw some of the largest spikes in funding from the energy industry were those who authored the power grid legislation and chaired the committees that heard the bills.

The storm, as bad as it was, helped him on his bottom line for contributions. - Bill Miller, a longtime Texas political consultant and lobbyist.

State Rep. Chris Paddie, R-Marshall, chair of the powerful state affairs committee in the House, was among those lawmakers.

Just 6%, or $1,141, of his overall campaign contributions in the brief June fundraising period after the 2015 legislative session came from the energy industry. During the same stretch after the two subsequent legislative sessions in 2017 and 2019, fewer than 9% of Paddies contributions came from energy interests.

After the 2021 regular legislative session, energy industry donations totaling $26,000 for the period made up 88% of Paddies campaign contributions over just the last 10 days of June.

Absent that storm, his contributions would have been different, said Bill Miller, a longtime Texas political consultant and lobbyist. The storm, as bad as it was, helped him on his bottom line for contributions.

Paddie received contributions from Oncor; Vistra, the states largest power generation company; and NuStar Political Action Committee, an oil and gas group. Paddie has received thousands in contributions from these entities in election years, but never this amount immediately after a legislative session.

A spokesperson for Paddie did not respond to questions.

Paddie was among a chorus of elected officials from the governor on down demanding answers and solutions for why Texas grid was on the brink of total collapse in February. There was a series of finger-pointing and falsehoods from state elected officials who wouldn't accept responsibility and falsely shifted blame to renewable energy sources as they vowed to fix the grid.

The Legislature ultimately passed a bill  shepherded by Paddie in the House and state Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, in the Senate  that requires power generation companies to prepare to withstand extreme weather conditions. But the bill didnt set a hard deadline for when the upgrades need to be complete and it stopped short of detailing how the state would enforce and incentivize the process called weatherization.

Critics said this and other storm response bills spearheaded by these lawmakers also failed to provide direct assistance to people harmed by Februarys power crisis or to help Texans reduce electricity use to take pressure off the grid during extreme weather.

Schwertner went from receiving 3% of his overall campaign contributions from the energy industry in the fundraising period after the 2015 legislative session to the industry making up about 32% of his contributions in 2021. The amount of money the senator fundraised from energy interests jumped from $1,000 to $44,500, the Tribune found. A Schwertner spokesperson did not respond to questions for this story.

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State Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, who led much of the upper chambers response to the storm that left millions of Texans without electricity for days in subfreezing temperatures, also got a boost in funding.

More than a quarter of Hancocks contributions in June came from energy interests, about $53,500  the most he has ever received in a post-legislative session period. This is up from 19% after the 2019 session. Hancock also has ties to the energy industry in his full-time job as a business owner. His chemical logistics company serves the oil and gas industry, among others. He did not respond to a request for comment.

Oil and politics have been entwined in Texas for more than a century, since wildcatters hit the first gusher at Spindletop back in 1901. Oil grew to become the states signature industry, rich oilmen and companies started showering politicians with money and a romance blossomed. Oil and gas taxes now boost the state budget.

The twisted roots between the oil and gas industry and Texas lawmakers is almost as old as the Capitol building itself, said Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston.

The Bush familys origin story in Texas revolves around oil and gas, and money from the industry has funded much of the familys political fortunes in the state ever since they arrived in West Texas.

While former Gov. George W. Bush was heavily funded by his familys well-established energy network, his successor, former Gov. Rick Perry, worked to cultivate a wide base of financial support from energy interests, Rottinghaus said.

Abbott has run a similar playbook as Perry and has taken it to a different level, Rottinghaus said.

Overall since 2014, Abbott has received about $30 million from oil, gas and other energy interests, which is about 18% of his $166 million total raised in that time. Four out of the top 10 individual donors to Abbott are oil and gas men.

Just before the energy donations poured in for Abbott in June, the power grid operator asked Texans, mid-heat wave, to conserve power and turn their thermostats to 78 degrees for a week in order to reduce electricity demand because significant power generation was unexpectedly offline.

The warnings led to renewed calls for the Legislature to take more urgent action to fix the power grid. During that week, Abbott assured Texans the grid was in better shape than ever.

Not long after, Abbott released a list of issues lawmakers needed to address in July during a special-called legislative session. The power grid was not included.

Leading up to Abbotts decision, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick pressured Abbott in public statements that issues related to the grid needed to be on the agenda. Patricks calls came after he tried to assert himself prominently in responding to the winter storm by demanding leadership changes at state regulatory agencies and sparring with one Abbott-appointed regulator on the senate floor.

About 26% of Patricks contributions in June came from energy interests, more than $1.3 million, his most ever in the post-session stretch. That amount is up from 12% of his contributions coming from energy interests after the 2019 session, about $383,000.

Most of Patricks energy industry money received in June was driven by oil executives.

Patrick spokeswoman Sherry Sylvester said: No one has been tougher on the energy sector and more proactive for ratepayers this session than Lt. Governor Patrick, who moved immediately following the February storm to call for the resignations of both the PUC board and ERCOT, both of which were fully reformed through Senate Bills 2 and 3.

Disclosure: Calpine, CenterPoint Energy, NRG Energy, Oncor, University of Texas at Austin and University of Houston 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.


The Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Economic Development and Technology, Zdravko Pocivalsek, has said the government is looking at ways to replace former national carrier Adria Airways and improve the countrys air connectivity. It comes almost two years since Adrias collapse in September 2019, which marked the start of a sharp decline in passenger numbers at Ljubljana Airport, which has been further exasperated by the coronavirus pandemic. If we want to have better air connectivity in Slovenia, we will have to do something in this sector and find a way forward to enable progress, in cooperation with a private stakeholder. Currently, we do not have a national carrier, and air traffic is severely affected by the pandemic, Mr Pocivalsek said. The Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Economic Development and Technology, Zdravko Pocivalsek, has said the government is looking at ways to replace former national carrier Adria Airways and improve the countrys air connectivity. It comes almost two years since Adrias collapse in September 2019, which marked the start of a sharp decline in passenger numbers at Ljubljana Airport, which has been further exasperated by the coronavirus pandemic. If we want to have better air connectivity in Slovenia, we will have to do something in this sector and find a way forward to enable progress, in cooperation with a private stakeholder. Currently, we do not have a national carrier, and air traffic is severely affected by the pandemic, Mr Pocivalsek said.





The Deputy Prime Minister noted it was impossible to rescue Adria Airways in 2019. Adria was sold by someone: the responsible person or government, some say the Minister for Economy, who, however, had nothing to do with it. It was sold to a company that provided just 20.000 euros in initial capital. We need to check how and why this was done. However, the fact of the matter is that when we got involved in rescuing Adria, we found the financial situation was so dire, we failed in our attempts to save it. It had enormous debt of over 100 million euros, Mr Pocivalsek said.





Plans to establish a new national airline using European Union Covid-19 recovery funds were dropped earlier this year following the blocks objections. On the other hand, Slovenian cargo carrier Solinair held talks with the government last year over the possibility of launching scheduled flights or establishing a new flag carrier. It proposed two strategies for improving the countrys connectivity following Adrias bankruptcy and requested financial support from the state for the project. However, ultimately, no agreement was reached. The government also held talks with foreign carriers including Croatia Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines and Air Serbia in a bid to secure more flights. Slovenia has been one of the most affected European aviation markets by the coronavirus pandemic. During the first six months of the year, Ljubljana Airport reached just 9% of its pre-pandemic traffic from 2019.








MONROE, La. (AP)  Federal prosecutors are investigating whether Louisiana State Police brass obstructed justice to protect the troopers seen on long-withheld body camera video punching, dragging and stunning Black motorist Ronald Greene during his fatal 2019 arrest.

It marks a significant expansion of the federal inquiry that began as a blow-by-blow examination of the troopers violence against Greene and their apparent efforts to cover it up. Investigators are now moving up the chain of command, probing allegations that supervisors disregarded the video evidence, quashed a recommendation to arrest one of the troopers and recently pressed a state prosecutor not to bring any charges, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press and a half dozen people familiar with the case.

Their investigation is far beyond just use of force, said Ron Haley, an attorney for Greenes family, who met with federal authorities at length last month. They're casting a very wide net.

The development comes as federal prosecutors are preparing to present their findings to a grand jury by the end of the summer, which could bring the first charges of any kind in a case thats long been shrouded in secrecy.

Greenes deadly arrest on May 10, 2019, came after he eluded a stop for a traffic violation and led troopers on a chase near Monroe at speeds topping 115 mph. Troopers initially told Greenes relatives the 49-year-old died from a crash at the end of the chase, despite his car showing little damage, and only later did state police acknowledge a struggle.

It took 474 days for state police to launch an internal inquiry and officials from Gov. John Bel Edwards on down refused to release body camera video for more than two years. That was until the AP obtained and published it in May, showing white troopers beating Greene and dragging him by his ankle shackles, even as he pleaded for mercy and wailed, Im your brother! Im scared! Im scared!

A key point under scrutiny in the federal investigation came just a day after the AP published the video, when the head of the state police, Col. Lamar Davis, and his chief of staff, Lt. Col. Doug Cain, made a hastily arranged attempt to dissuade state prosecutors from charging troopers in the Greene case, according to several people familiar with the investigation who spoke on condition of anonymity because they werent authorized to discuss it.

Davis and Cain traveled to District Attorney John Beltons office in Ruston  more than 200 miles north of Baton Rouge  on May 20 to review the video frame by frame and make the case that the troopers actions were justified. Belton, who told colleagues he was deeply disturbed by the footage, referred the case to federal authorities in September 2019 but has not ruled out prosecuting the troopers at the state level.

Capt. Nick Manale, a state police spokesman, said the agency is continuing to cooperate with the federal investigation and intends to release all documents and investigative files at the appropriate time. He said the federal inquiry prevents the release of further information.

Davis has declined repeated interview requests. Cain did not respond to messages seeking comment.

Why would the top command people be so adamant on protecting their officers when its apparent that the officers didnt do everything right? said Andrew Scott, a former Boca Raton, Florida, police chief who testifies as an expert witness in use-of-force cases. Theres a culture and a custom and practice that this type of behavior is condoned or winked at by command staff and has been allowed to perpetuate itself over the course of many years.

Of particular interest to federal investigators is why the state police failed to arrest Chris Hollingsworth, a veteran trooper who can be seen on the video stunning Greene and was later recorded boasting to a colleague that he choked Greene and beat the ever living f- out of him.

Seven days after Greenes death, on May 17, 2019, state police detectives told their superiors that Hollingsworth should be arrested for turning off his dashboard and body cameras before the high-speed pursuit and later when he realized one of the devices was recording him talking about beating Greene, according to notes written by the lead investigator, Det. Albert Paxton.

But state police commanders in Monroe pressured their detectives to hold off, the notes say. Among those present at the meeting were Capt. John Peters, the regional troop commander, and Bob Brown, then the major over statewide criminal investigations.

The meeting became very heated, the notes say, with the commanders warning that charging Hollingsworth would cause investigators to have issues with patrol.

The detectives also suggested Hollingsworth be charged with aggravated battery. Peters responded, What is evidence and who decides?

Hollingsworth was never arrested and was only fired in September after he admitted to bashing Greenes head with a flashlight  a use of deadly force internal investigators said was unjustified. The 46-year-old died in a single-car highway crash in Monroe hours after he learned of his firing.

Also under scrutiny, according to those familiar with the probe, is why the state police failed to provide the body camera video and even the most basic police reports for the official autopsy. It listed Greenes cause of death as cocaine induced agitated delirium complicated by motor vehicle collision, physical struggle, inflicted head injury and restraint. The forensic pathologists, however, say the lack of supporting materials left them unable to determine whether the crash or excessive police force caused his most severe injuries.

The FBI recently asked the pathologist to make another attempt at such a conclusion accounting for the evidence state police initially failed to provide.

As federal prosecutors home in on possible obstruction charges, state police leaders have redoubled their hunt for leaks in a case thats steeped the agency in controversy and divided its ranks.

At least six high-ranking state police officials  including Peters, Brown and Col. Kevin Reeves, the head of the state police at the time of Greenes death  have retired amid the growing fallout from the case.

Last month, Peters announced his departure as head of the Monroe-based Troop F  which has become notorious for its harsh treatment of Black suspects  with an email saying, Shamefully, we have now seen there are those within our own ranks tearing this agency apart from the inside.

Peters didnt mention in his email that he recently received a 32-hour suspension for signing off on a use-of-force report without reviewing the body camera footage of his troopers beating yet another Black motorist, according to state police records. Peters, who was among the commanders to sign off on the use-of-force reports in Greenes case, told investigators it was common practice for him to approve such documents without reviewing the materials. He declined to comment to AP.

Leading the federal inquiry is Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker, a Lafayette-based prosecutor who won accolades for his role in a sprawling child exploitation case that resulted in dozens of convictions.

Walker is also investigating Louisiana state troopers beatings of at least two other Black motorists. They include Aaron Larry Bowman, who was pulled over near his Monroe home just 20 days after Greenes death and was struck 18 times with a flashlight, leaving him with a broken jaw, ribs and wrist, and a gash to the head.

Trooper Jacob Brown, the son of Bob Brown, was arrested in December on second-degree battery and malfeasance charges in Bowmans beating. Brown did not respond to requests for comment.

Bowmans lawyer, Donecia Banks-Miley, said federal prosecutors met with her and her client in June and showed them Browns 2019 body camera footage for the first time.

Its been covered up for so long, Banks-Miley said. Its just been covered up.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP)  Southeast Asian foreign ministers on Wednesday picked Brunei Second Foreign Minister Erywan Yusof as their special envoy to Myanmar, in a breakthrough for regional mediation aimed at ending the country's deepening crisis after months of delay.

The foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asians said Erywan will begin his work in Myanmar to build trust and confidence with full access to all parties concerned."

The 10-nation bloc has been under increasing international pressure to act on violence and instability in Myanmar, an ASEAN member. Myanmar's military in February toppled the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi and cracked down on opponents.

In a joint statement Wednesday after their annual meeting, the ministers reiterated their concerns about the situation in Myanmar, including reports of fatalities and violence. But they stopped short of calling for the release of political detainees, saying only they heard calls for their freedom, in a reflection of the sensitivity of the issue.

The regional group is hamstrung by its bedrock policy of noninterference in the domestic affairs of member nations and by its consensus decision making, meaning just one member state can shoot down any proposal.

Erywan was among at least four candidates proposed by ASEAN, and Myanmar was believed to have preferred a former Thai diplomat. Its decision to yield to the groups pressure indicated its military rulers are still hoping to rely on ASEAN support as they face international condemnation.

Sidharto Suryodipuro, head of ASEAN Cooperation at Indonesias Foreign Ministry, told reporters in Jakarta that it was an arduous process to persuade Myanmar to commit to the envoy and the mediation process. He said Erywan is expected to draw up a timeline on his mission to ease the violence and meet with all parties involved.

He said the joint statement doesnt amount to ASEANs recognition of the military government.

Myanmar must now work together in the context of ASEAN because the success of the special envoy will also be Myanmars success in settling a crisis that has become multilayered, involving not just politics but also economics and worsened by COVID-19, he said.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed Yusofs appointment, calling it an important step towards the implementation of the five-point consensus adopted by ASEAN leaders in April that includes the selection of an envoy as a mediator who should visit Myanmar, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

The United Nations looks forward to continuing its cooperation with ASEAN on a coherent response to the crisis in Myanmar, noting the complementary roles of Yusof and U.N. special envoy Christine Schraner Burgener, Dujarric said. The military has refused to allow Schraner Burgener to visit Myanmar since its February takeover.

Secretary-General Guterres reiterates his urgent call on the military to respect the will of the people, refrain from acts of violence and repression, and act in the interest of peace, sustainable development and human rights"  and ensure unimpeded humanitarian access to confront the growing impact of COVID-19, the spokesman said.

Even with the envoy's appointment, it remains uncertain if and when the Myanmar military leaders will allow access to Suu Kyi, who has been detained with other political leaders and put on trial on a slew of charges, diplomats have said.

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.

Myanmars troubles have deepened with its worst coronavirus surge, which has overwhelmed its crippled health care system. Its military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, has repeated his pledge to hold fresh elections in two years and cooperate with ASEAN on finding a political solution.

Some ASEAN lawmakers responded warily to Erywan's appointment, noting that he led a delegation to Myanmar in June and met only with the junta.

Erywan must ensure he does not become a pawn in the juntas game" of using ASEAN to gain international legitimacy while it continues its oppressive rule, said Kasit Piromya, a Thai board member of ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights.

In another touchy issue, the ministers said ASEAN and China have completed the preamble for a proposed code of conduct," a nonaggression pact the two sides have been negotiating since 2017 to avoid armed conflicts in the disputed South China Sea.

China, Taiwan and ASEAN members Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam have overlapping claims in the disputed waters and have been locked in increasingly tense territorial standoffs for decades. China turned seven disputed reefs into missile-protected island bases in recent years, ratcheting tensions with rival claimants, along with the United States and its allies.

Two Southeast Asian diplomats said the preamble consists of principles that will reflect the rival claimant states adherence to international law, including the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea.

An analyst expressed little hope the proposed pact can effectively restrain aggression in the disputed sea, given a Chinese insistence on its vast territorial claims and penchant to interpret agreements in a way that will buttress its claims.

I hold no illusion that the code of conduct, when it comes to pass, will be of meaningful effect in constraining Chinese coercive behavior in the South China Sea, said Hoang Thi Ha of the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore.

China has refused to recognize an international arbitration ruling in 2016 that invalided most of its claims in the South China Sea.

___

Gomez reported from Manila, Philippines. Associated Press reporter Nini Karmini contributed from Jakarta, Indonesia.
BERLIN  A local intersection that police said has been the site of many crashes will get additional attention from officers in the coming weeks.

Police will focus on the Berlin Turnpike and Deming Road intersection in town to reduce car crashes.

Officers will be on the lookout for cellphone usage, red light violations, improper lane use, following too closely and any other dangerous and illegal driving behaviors.

The intersection has been a site of concern for some time.

In early 2020, Berlin police took a poll via Facebook from residents to see whether they thought the Berlin Turnpike intersection with Deming Road or Middletown Road saw more collisions.

Residents cast their votes, with a greater number voting for the Middletown Road intersection, which police said was in line with their data. Police said the Deming Road intersection was a close second.

Suffice it to state that those two intersections account for the most crashes in the town of Berlin, police said.

There were 591 total crashes in Berlin in 2019, with most of those being along the Berlin Turnpike, according to police.

After that poll, police said they were hoping to bring attention to traffic safety, and also announced enforcement action then to try to reduce crashes in the problem areas.
FAIRFIELD  Town officials are setting aside $200,000 of federal money to help residents recovering from the financial impacts of the pandemic through the COVID Recovery Fund.

The money is part of the larger $24.8 million the town has received under the American Rescue Plan, which drew questions from residents and prompted a clarification at a recent Board of Selectmen meeting.

People thought that the ARPA funds were supposed to be primarily used for COVID relief and I think there was some misunderstanding as you will about that, First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick said. Its very wide spread the way you can use it and most of the towns are using it in the manner in which we put our list together.

Kupchick said the proposed list of items has received a lot of positive feedback.

Among the items is the creation of this fund to help residents.

The town previously set up a COVID-19 Relief Fund to provide limited help to residents significantly impacted by the pandemic. Now, the town has shifted focus to helping the community recover by establishing the COVID-19 Recovery Fund.

The recovery fund provides financial assistance to residents in Fairfield who are unable to meet their basic household needs, such as mortgage, auto expenses, utilities and food due to the economic disruption caused by COVID-19. The town will put $200,000 into the fund.

When we started talking about what kind of things that we could do with this funding that would help people recover from COVID and to address some of the needs that may be arising, we came up with not extending the fund of donations that was the COVID Relief Fund, but to go into a COVID recovery mode, said Julie DeMarco, director of human services.

Its not that this was a arbitrary number, but we really dont know what the need is yet, she added. To be able to set aside $200,000 to help the town of Fairfields residents to recover from those needs, that we cant even see yet, is wonderful.

DeMarco believes this is a good amount to work with, even though residents needs are longterm.

The COVID Recovery Fund is designed to act as a last resort to help individuals and families similar to the COVID Relief Fund. The relief fund provided approximately 30 to 40 individuals and families with $2,500, a number DeMarco says she would like to increase.

I think this is a good amount of money and I think the town is very lucky, DeMarco said. There is not a lot of communities that are providing this and I also feel like it is a great path to getting these funds approved through a committee rather than the town deeming whos qualified and whos not and who is deserving and who is not. It is better to have a committee that works and assess.

Residents must apply to receive money through the social services department.

Social workers work as a team and assess the applications. Once assessed and approved, the application is sent to the committee for final say.

The committee is made up of five members  a mix of town officials and representatives from nonprofits and churches.

The committee will ask for three months of bank statements, credit card bills, monthly expenses, monthly income that may not be on the bank statement, the size of the household, a demonstration of need and perhaps a verification of employment.

The process also requires applicants to look at other funding sources that may be able to assist.

We dont make it horrible, DeMarco said. Its very hard to call to ask for help, but there are a lot of resources out there so we try to exhaust all resources first.

While there are still some details to iron out about the funding and the process, DeMarco said they already have a list of people who may need help.
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.
WINDSOR LOCKS  A lipstick stun gun and some loose bullets were found on a traveler Tuesday by Transportation Security Administration officers at Bradley International Airport , officials said.

The officers found the stun gun and three .38-caliber bullets during a security screening at Bradley International Airport, according to Dan Velez, the TSA spokesperson for New England.
FAIRFIELD  Officials want all students back in-person full time, however, some see the delta variant posing a challenge to that goal.

Im sure that I am not alone in saying that all of us would like to get things back to normal, would like to lose the masks and would like to get back to the way things were, but unfortunately were just not there yet, Sands Cleary, Fairfields health director, said at a meeting health and school officials held this week to discuss the impact of the delta variant and what it means for sending students back to school.

Fairfield will have to keep some mitigation strategies in place as school is slated to start Aug. 30.

Universal masking will still be required until Sept. 30 under one of Gov. Ned Lamont's executive orders.

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed its stance from only requiring unvaccinated people from wearing masks to universal masking in schools due to the impact of the delta variant.

School officials plan to promote vaccination and the need to limit transmission to further prevent the emergence of new variants. Cleary said they want to prevent the formation of new variants, especially ones that are more transmissible, make people more ill or can overcome the vaccine.

Cleary said a higher vaccination rate among students and staff will help keep everyone in-person, as well as provide some protection for those who cant be vaccinated.

About 64 percent of Fairfields total population is vaccinated. This breaks down to 58 percent of 12- to 15-year-olds are vaccinated, 65 percent of 16- to 44-year-olds are vaccinated, 85 percent are vaccinated in ages 45 to 64 and 93 percent are vaccinated in ages 65 and older, Cleary said.

Right now, delta is the dominant variant in Connecticut, he said. According to the CDC, its more than twice as transmissible than the original lineage strand. This new strand is causing increases throughout the country, throughout the state and even in Fairfield.

There are also more hospitalizations for the town and county.

Cleary said its affecting school-age children too. About 22,000 cases of the states overall COVID-19 cases are for those 9 and younger and 42,000 cases for ages 10 t0 19 years old.

Were working hard to continue to promote vaccinations, Cleary said. We have made some good progress, but theres still more progress to be made especially with some of the younger ages. One out of every three people that someone will meet would be unvaccinated and everybody under 11 would be unvaccinated.

There are also operational changes for the new school year.

Three-foot distancing will be in place in all grades, the pop-up plexiglass barriers will no longer be used at lunch, cohorting will no longer be necessary during recess and cleaning protocols will remain in place.

We will continue with contact tracing, well continue with case isolation and quarantine of contacts, Cleary said. What has changed is that we will be moving towards the shorter recommendation of a seven-day quarantine with a test on the fifth day and as long as that test is negative, you can return on the eighth day.

Superintendent Mike Cummings said he was unsure what would drive changes in the guidance or learning module plan, prompting any return to a hybrid or remote system.

Honestly at this point we dont know, Cummings said. I know that there is a full on commitment from both the federal and state government to keep students in school full-time and that is our intent as well. Again many of the lessons we learned last year that we all experienced and went through showed that was possible when the appropriate mitigation factors are in place.

Cleary said the overarching goal as they approach the start of school is getting back to as normal as possible.

All of us have experienced impacts from this pandemic from tragic losses of friends and family members to financial challenges, loss of jobs, changing and challenging school and work conditions, isolation, depression and other impacts have all been experienced by many of us, he said. I think everybody acknowledges the educational, social and behavioral impacts resulting from the pandemic and the burden it presents uniquely to students and school staff.
President Biden has nominated Catherine Lhamon as assistant secretary for the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) in the Department of Education. Lhamon held the same position from 2013 through 2017 in the Obama administration, but her performance in that job is disqualifying for a second round.

Lhamon is most noted for her zealous enforcement of the 2011 Dear Colleague Letter and her authorship of the 2014 guidance document that trampled over the constitutional and civil rights of thousands of college students and faculty and that occasioned thousands of erroneous outcomes in campus sexual harassment and sexual assault disputes under Title IX (TIX). That Biden apparently wants to recreate this calamity is inexplicable.

As a former professor at The Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), I experienced the Lhamon-authored guidance up close after I was falsely accused of sexual harassment by a student. I was not permitted to know the allegations against me or the name of the complainant, nor could I submit or gather evidence on my behalf, call witnesses, or defend myself in any way. Such investigative practices, I would later learn, were commonplace under Lhamons OCR management.

After I was wrongly found responsible for sexual misconduct, I appealed to Lhamons OCR directly. The OCR not only gave its stamp of approval for the procedures implemented in OHSUs investigation but also emphasized in its decision letter that it would have employed analogous procedures. I also learned from Lhamons OCR that innocence was no defense in a TIX proceeding.

Among the many thousands of fallacious TIX findings under Lhamons guidance, about 715 lawsuits were filed from wrongly accused and reprimanded students, many of whom had been suspended or expelled. The majority of the judicial decisions rendered were favorable to the plaintiff, and about 100 were settled pretrial.

Most notably, there have been at least 23 appellate court verdicts arising from these grievances that have found due-process infringements, procedural deficiencies, and gender discrimination in TIX proceedings under Lhamon guidance. Due process, free speech, and the United States Constitution are clearly not Lhamons strong suits.

The need for TIX compliance reform was so acute after Lhamon departed in 2017 that the previous secretary of the Department of Education revoked the Dear Colleague Letter and Lhamons guidance and formulated new TIX compliance regulations. Unlike the rescinded guidance, the new TIX rule is meticulous, thoughtful, constitutionally and legally grounded, fair and equitable, and corrects for the deficiencies of Lhamons guidance.

Ironically, Lhamons TIX guidance would have also violated Bidens recent Executive Order 14021, mandating that the current rule, among other Department of Education policies, must be non-discriminatory on the basis of gender. Lhamons guidance discriminated against the accused  and therefore on the basis of gender  and her selective enforcement of TIX against black defendants is worse than discriminatory.

Lhamon has done more to obliterate the constitutional and civil rights of accused students and faculty in higher education over the last decade than perhaps any other American. She asserted that schools should ensure that steps taken to accord due process rights to the alleged perpetrator do not restrict or unnecessarily delay the TIX protections for the complainant. Nobody serving in a leadership position in the federal government should make the Constitution subordinate, let alone to such a flawed and discretionary policy. The statement is appalling and disqualifying for the position for which she is being considered.

Lhamon, if confirmed, will be charged with the implementation of the current TIX compliance rule, which she does not support. On Twitter, she has ludicrously stated that the new rule takes us back to the bad old days, that predate my birth, when it was permissible to rape and sexually harass students with impunity. The OCR needs a leader with less reactionary views who will implement current policy fairly, equitably, and in good conscience.

Furthermore, the current TIX rule, which is currently under review, was launched in 2020 by former Education secretary Betsy DeVos  the same person who rescinded Lhamons Dear Colleague Letter and guidance documents. This review should be supervised by someone with a fresh set of ideas to avoid any conflict of interest or perception of bias or retaliation. And reinstalling the Lhamon guidance debacle to TIX compliance is unthinkable.

Lhamons nomination is now before the Senate. Lacking commitment to key constitutional provisions, she has caused too much injustice and suffering for too many individuals and families to merit confirmation for this position.
Fairfield, MT (59436)

Today

Clear to partly cloudy. Areas of smoke and haze are possible, reducing visibility at times. Low 62F. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph..

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. Areas of smoke and haze are possible, reducing visibility at times. Low 62F. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph.
The way in which the government is allocating funds for its flagship 'levelling up' programme is failing to properly recognise the needs of rural communities, according to new research.

The Rural Services Network, a special interest group advocating rural services, has found that prioritisation of the levelling up fund has favoured non-metropolitan urban locations.

This is especially true in northern Englands red wall, while many other areas of similar need are overlooked.

Large swathes of rural central and southern England - and indeed northern rural areas - including those that received funds through previous EU-backed programmes, are now seen as a low priority.

Only 18 rural districts were placed on the governments priority list of 123 local authorities for its levelling up fund.

The research shows that the number should have been as high as 27 if low standards of living in rural communities were properly accounted for.

The reports authors said: The levelling up fund is the latest in a line of UK government-funded programmes to disadvantage rural communities  partly the result of Whitehalls choice of data on which they make their selections.

Although detailed, the governments complex algorithms for allocating funds remain partial, judgemental and, too often, confused.

The fund prioritisation framework, for example, considers the number of empty commercial properties, but does not account for the quality of schools.

"It looks at physical connectivity but does not take into account digital connectivity like broadband speeds or availability.

The report calls for a new, transparent process for the geographical prioritisation and allocation of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which launches next year to replace regional economic development funding previously distributed under EU programmes.

The authors recommend that future levelling up funds, including the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, should be allocated between local authorities on the basis of an assessment of living standards achievable by people living and working in each district.

Graham Biggs, chief executive of the Rural Services Network, said the way in which government allocated spending spatially was 'failing' to unlock the opportunities rural areas could offer to the nation.

Whitehall needs to keep it simple. Allocate funds to where living standards, and economic opportunities, are lowest  regardless of whether these are in the North or the South, or in towns, cities, conurbations or in countryside.

The process simply needs to be fair, transparent and demonstrably based on need," he said.
Sheep milk producers supplying the cheese market could increase the overall cheese yield potential of their flock by carrying ewes with a low somatic cell count (SCC).

The first year of a European Innovation Partnership (EIP) study has shown the potential impact that SCCs and chronic sub clinical infection could have on the productivity of flocks.

Three 15-ewe groups of Frieslands, Lleyns and Lleyns supplemented with a higher level of selenium are involved in the three-year project.

Plotting the SCC against total milk solids for each of the individual milk samples from the 45 ewes has shown that the majority with high SCC are at the lower end of the total solids percentage.

This is indicative of ewes with a possible chronic sub clinical infection and high SCC having poorer milk quality and its negative influence on the yield of cheese produced.

With a growing interest in sheep milk production in Wales, these initial findings are valuable for new and existing producers, according to Geraint Hughes, the projects innovation broker.

Results are based on individual ewe sampling for milk bacteria, SCC as a marker of udder inflammation and possible clinical or sub clinical mastitis, milk butterfat, protein and lactose percentages and Aerobic Plate Counts of bacteria. Bulk milk samples were also taken.

Nasal swabs were taken twice from the Frieslands and the Lleyns that hadnt received a selenium boost, to study the presence and type of bacteria in nasal cavities and to investigate any correlation between udder and nasal cavity bacterial populations.

No correlation seemed to exist between nasal and milk bacteriological samples on any of the ewes, added Mr Hughes.

Suggestions in previous work that the bacteriology of the nasal cavities in sheep could have given an insight to the bacteriology of the udders but we didn't find anything to suggest that and have therefore dismissed it."

Of the 45 ewes, a total of six across all groups had a high somatic cell count  notably five of were Frieslands.

On average, Lleyn ewes without enhanced selenium had the highest butterfat average at 7.6%; for the supplemented Lleyns that average was 7.29% and for the Frieslands 6.21%.

Supplemented Lleyns had the highest average protein percentage - 6.67% - compared 6.62% in the other Lleyn group and 6.02% in the Frieslands.

There was minimal difference in the lactose percentage of all three groups - the range varied from 4.52% for the Frieslands to 4.46% in the un-supplemented Lleyns; for the third group it was 4.36%.

With stark differences between the breeds, another year of testing will be useful, said Mr Hughes: It has been interesting also to see how the bacteriology is influenced by stage of lactation."

The study group, including award-winning cheesemaker Dr Carrie Rimes, hope that this work will benefit all dairy sheep farmers in Wales who are looking to supply a cheese market, as well as cheese makers.

Dr Rimes, whose milk suppliers include one of the study farmers, Alan Jones, reports a significant improvement in the quality of the curds in her cheesemaking process this year.

"There has definitely been a more consistent supply of milk this year," she explained.

A reason for this could be that, informed by the research findings, Mr Jones is removing some of the high cell count milkers from his flock of 180 Lleyns.

The study, he said, has also reaffirmed his commitment to the Lleyn breed: As this study has shown, the quality of Lleyn milk is ideally suited to cheese production, says Mr Jones, of Derwen Gam, Pwllheli.
FAU Hires Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Photo credit: The Ohio State University

Florida Atlantic University has named Christopher J. Delisio as its new vice president for Institutional Advancement and chief executive officer of the FAU Foundation.

Delisio brings more than 25 years of diverse development experience to FAU, most recently as the assistant vice president for development and executive director of principal gifts at The Ohio State University. He will begin his new position on Sept. 12.

In this critical role, Delisio will be responsible for the overall direction and management of community engagement, as well as all fundraising, development and alumni relations at FAU, providing strong leadership in identifying, cultivating and soliciting gifts to the institution. As CEO of the FAU Foundation, he will offer advice, counsel and leadership to the independent university funding organization, its staff and board of directors.

FAU President John Kelly said this appointment will begin a new era in fundraising for FAU, as Delisio will guide the transformation of the Universitys engagement with its local, regional and global communities.

Chris immediately stood out as the perfect fit to lead the charge here at FAU, Kelly said. He is a creative thinker with a proven track record who can be innovative but pragmatic and is highly receptive to new ideas. That is exactly what we need at FAU to elevate us to the next level of fundraising success.

Delisio joined The Ohio State University in 2013 as its chief advancement officer for the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environment Sciences. He then became assistant vice president for development and chief advancement officer for the College of Arts and Sciences, and, most recently, assistant vice president for development and executive director of principal gifts.

In this most recent role, Delisio was responsible for assisting with the execution of a more than $500 million annual fundraising strategy and providing comprehensive leadership and oversight of the principal gift operation  gifts of $5 million or more. He simultaneously oversaw the College of Arts and Sciences $400 million campaign.

From 1995 to 2013, he held numerous development leadership positions in North Carolina and Ohio, including at the North Carolina Special Olympics; University of North Carolina Wilmington; University of Dayton; Ohio University; and Ohio Wesleyan University.

Delisio has a Master of Business Administration degree from Kent State University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hiram College. He also serves or has served on numerous industry-related boards.

Delisio said that he is thrilled to lead the fundraising efforts at a university that has clearly demonstrated it is a dynamic, national public research university.

There are so many innovative and amazing things happening at FAU right now and the nation is taking notice, said Delisio. To be a part of this remarkable team in an area like South Florida is incredibly exciting. I share in both President Kelly and Chairman Abdol Moaberys vision and look forward to making it a reality.

His selection was made after a national search coordinated by international executive selection firm Parker Executive Search.

-FAU-
The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you, we are excited to offer 4 weeks FREE Digital & Print access to all subscribers new and returning alike.

We are dedicated to continuing providing reliable, high quality journalism. This is possible with the trust and support of our subscribers in the community we are proud to serve.
Chocolate chip cookies are always a good idea. With crispy, golden edges and soft, chewy centers, whats not to like?

Now, were making it a little easier to get your hands on the tasty treats. These 10 places across the region offer some of the best chocolate chip cookies, whether youre looking for traditional recipes or ones with a twist.

Clean Cookie Co. Collective Kitchen Derby Deli Dolce Bakery Fluffybutt Cookies Lobby Cafe in Hotel Kansas City Prairie Pie Tempus The Russell Winslows Table
Fountain Hills, AZ (85268)

Today

A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 82F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 82F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release

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LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / August 3, 2021 / Gabriel Resources Ltd. (TSXV:GBU) "Gabriel" or the "Company") announces the publication of its Second Quarter Financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis Report for the period ended June 30, 2021.

Summary

Gabriel remains focused on the progression of its arbitration case brought by the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Gabriel Resources (Jersey) Ltd., (together " Claimants ") against the Romanian State (" Respondent ") under the rules of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (" ICSID "), part of the World Bank (" ICSID Arbitration "): Following the second oral hearing on the merits of the claim held in Q4 2020 (" Second Hearing "), on February 18, 2021 and April 23, 2021 the Claimants and Respondent each filed simultaneous further written submissions (" Post-Hearing Briefs ") in order to comment in conclusion on the evidentiary record, the final substantive submissions by the parties in the ICSID Arbitration. In the absence of any further questions from the arbitral tribunal (" Tribunal ") or other procedural interventions, it is anticipated that the Tribunal will now focus on its deliberations and preparation of its final decision (" Award "). There is no specified timeframe in the ICSID Rules in which an Award is to be made by the Tribunal.

") against the Romanian State (" ") under the rules of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (" "), part of the World Bank (" "): On July 27, 2021 the Rosia Montana Mining Cultural Landscape, an area covering the footprint of the Project, was inscribed by UNESCO on its World Heritage List (" Inscription ") and added to its List of World Heritage in Danger. The Inscription materially undermines the possibility of an amicable resolution of the ICSID Arbitration dispute with Romania that would allow for the development of the Project and is consistent with, and further evidence of, Romania's political repudiation of the Project and its joint venture with Gabriel.

") and added to its List of World Heritage in Danger. The Inscription materially undermines the possibility of an amicable resolution of the ICSID Arbitration dispute with Romania that would allow for the development of the Project and is consistent with, and further evidence of, Romania's political repudiation of the Project and its joint venture with Gabriel. On June 10, 2021, the Company announced it had completed a non-brokered private placement (the " 2021 Private Placement ") of 30,444,800 common shares of the Company (" Common Shares ") for gross proceeds of US$6.0 million (approximately $7.5 million).

") of 30,444,800 common shares of the Company (" ") for gross proceeds of US$6.0 million (approximately $7.5 million). The net loss for the second quarter of 2021 was $6.0 million (Q1 2021 $8.6 million).

As at June 30, 2021, the Company held $ 7.0 million of cash and cash equivalents (Q1 2021 $2.5 million). The Company believes that it has sufficient funding necessary to cover its planned activities through to January 2022 and will need to raise additional financing to fund ICSID Arbitration costs and working capital requirements thereafter.

On July 2, 2021, Gabriel announced the repayment of the outstanding $90,862,000 convertible unsecured notes (" Notes "), following maturity on June 30, 2021, through the issue of 313,587,558 Common Shares. Gabriel also announced the expiry of 103,867,820 Common Share purchase warrants on the same date.

"), following maturity on June 30, 2021, through the issue of 313,587,558 Common Shares. Gabriel also announced the expiry of 103,867,820 Common Share purchase warrants on the same date. All resolutions were passed at the annual general meeting of shareholders of ("AGM") held earlier today.

Dragos Tanase, Gabriel's President and Chief Executive Officer, stated:

"We face the second half of 2021 confident that we have presented our case in the ICSID Arbitration, a new financing has been completed, and our capital structure simplified significantly by the repayment of the convertible notes. We remain indebted to our shareholders for their patience and continued financial support as we await a final decision from the Tribunal, which we hope will recognize the merit of Gabriel's claims. We are disappointed that Romania chose to pursue the UNESCO listing, which severely undermines the possibility of a future amicable resolution of the dispute."

Further information and commentary on the results in the second quarter of 2021 is given below. The Company has filed its Unaudited Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for Q2 2021 and related Management's Discussion & Analysis on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and each is available for review on the Company's website at www.gabrielresources.com.

For information on this press release, please contact:

Dragos Tanase

President & CEO

Phone: +40 730 399 019

dt@gabrielresources.com Richard Brown

Chief Financial Officer

Mobile: +44 7748 760276

richard.brown@gabrielresources.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Further Information

Status of the ICSID Arbitration

The ICSID Arbitration seeks compensation for all of the loss and damage suffered by the Claimants, resulting from the Respondent's wrongful conduct and its breaches of the protections afforded by certain treaties for the promotion and protection of foreign investment to which Romania is a party, including against expropriation, unfair and inequitable treatment, discrimination and other unlawful treatment in respect of the Ro?ia Montana gold and silver project, together with the gold, silver and porphyry copper deposits defined in the Bucium concession area (" Projects ") and related licenses.

") and related licenses. Subsequent to the Second Hearing, which focused on the technical and feasibility-related aspects of the Projects, and the quantum of the damages claimed, the Post-Hearing Briefs were filed on February 18, 2021 and April 23, 2021, which mark the final substantive submissionsafter which the Tribunal may pose further questions, or focus on its deliberations ahead of an Award.

There is no specified timeframe in the ICSID Rules in which an Award is to be made by the Tribunal. The Company is informed that it is typical for tribunals in this type of arbitration to require twelve to eighteen months to finalize and issue a decision after Post-Hearing Briefs are submitted. However, there can be no assurances that the ICSID Arbitration will advance in a customary or predictable manner or be completed or settled within any specific or reasonable period of time.

UNESCO World Heritage

Romania's nomination to designate the 'Rosia Montana Mining Landscape' as a UNESCO World Heritage site was considered by UNESCO at the deferred 44th session of the World Heritage Committee, held in a virtual online format from Fuzhou, China between July 16 and July 31, 2021.

On July 27, 2021 the Rosia Montana Mining Cultural Landscape, an area covering the footprint of the Project, was inscribed by UNESCO on its World Heritage List and added to its List of World Heritage in Danger.

The Inscription is incompatible with mining in the Project area and thus materially undermines the possibility of an amicable resolution of the dispute with Romania that would allow for the development of the Project.

Romania's application to UNESCO and the subsequent Inscription are fundamentally at odds with Romania's obligations under its investment treaties in relation to Gabriel's investments and these acts, together with other measures taken by Romania, further evidence Romania's political repudiation of the Project and its joint venture with Gabriel.

Financial Performance

Operating loss for the second quarter was $ 3.3 million, some $ 2.6 million lower than the corresponding period in 2020, arising from $ 1.8 million lower costs related to the ongoing ICSID Arbitration, reflecting the more limited activity in the second quarter of 2021 finalizing the Post-Hearing Briefs, $ 0.5 million of lower costs related to payroll, and $ 0.2 million lower share-based payments.

The net loss for the second quarter of 2021 was $6.1 million, a decrease of $2.8 million from a net loss of $ 8.9 million in the corresponding period in 2020, primarily reflecting the $ 2.6 million reduction in operating loss noted above together with a $ 0.4 million lower foreign exchange loss in the second quarter of 2021, offset by $ 0.2 million higher finance costs incurred in respect of the Notes prior to repayment.

Liquidity

Cash and cash equivalents at June 30, 2021 were $ 7.0 million.

The Company's average monthly cash usage during Q1 2021 was $1.0 million (Q1 2021: $1.3 million), the decrease primarily reflecting the reduction in payments related to ICSID Arbitration costs compared to the prior quarter where significant costs had accrued for payment following the Second Hearing.

At June 30, 2021, accruals for costs in respect of the ICSID Arbitration amounted to $ 3.4 million (Q1 2021: $3.0 million), the increase reflecting completion of Post-Hearing Briefs in the period and the continuation of a fee agreement in respect of the deferred payment of certain ICSID Arbitration costs until an Award is issued.

Financing

On May 27, 2021, the Company announced the 2021 Private Placement of up to 30,444,800 Common Shares at a price of $0.245 each for gross proceeds of up to US$6.0 million (approximately $7.5 million) and on June 10, 2021 the Company announced that it had closed the 2021 Private Placement in the full amount.

The Company intends to use the proceeds from the 2021 Private Placement to finance the ongoing costs of the ICSID Arbitration and for general working capital requirements.

Repayment of Convertible Notes

As previously announced, the Company has exercised its option (" Common Share Repayment Right ") to repay all of the principal amount of Notes outstanding by issuing Common Shares to holders of the Notes (" Noteholders "). In aggregate, 313,587,558 Common Shares have been issued pursuant to the Common Share Repayment Right, calculated on the basis of the 'Current Market Price' of $0.28975, being the price equal to 95% of the volume weighted average trading price of a Common Share over a 20 trading day period to June 23, 2021 (" Note Repayment Price ").

") to repay all of the principal amount of Notes outstanding by issuing Common Shares to holders of the Notes (" "). In aggregate, 313,587,558 Common Shares have been issued pursuant to the Common Share Repayment Right, calculated on the basis of the 'Current Market Price' of $0.28975, being the price equal to 95% of the volume weighted average trading price of a Common Share over a 20 trading day period to June 23, 2021 (" "). Prior to maturity, the Notes were convertible at the option of the Noteholders into Common Shares at a price of $0.3105 per share (" Conversion Price "). As the Note Repayment Price was lower than the Conversion Price, approximately 21m more Common Shares have been issued than would have been the case upon conversion by Noteholders at the Conversion Price.

"). As the Note Repayment Price was lower than the Conversion Price, approximately 21m more Common Shares have been issued than would have been the case upon conversion by Noteholders at the Conversion Price. The repayment of the Notes through exercise of the Common Share Repayment Right has received the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange ("Exchange"). The Common Shares have been issued in reliance on applicable prospectus and registration exemptions, are (subject to compliance with applicable securities laws) freely tradeable on the Exchange and are not subject to any statutory hold period.

Capital Resources

The Company believes that it has sufficient cash to enable the Group to fund general working capital requirements together with the material estimated costs associated with the Company advancing the ICSID Arbitration through to January 2022. There can be no assurances that the ICSID Arbitration will advance in a customary or predictable manner or within any specific or reasonable period of time. Accordingly, Gabriel believes that it will need to raise additional financing in 2021 in order to preserve its remaining assets, including the exploitation license for the Rosia Montana Project (" License ") and associated rights and permits, post January 2022 while it awaits an Award from the Tribunal.

") and associated rights and permits, post January 2022 while it awaits an Award from the Tribunal. Thereafter, the Group will require further funding for general working capital purposes, and to pursue the long-term activities required to see the ICSID Arbitration through to its conclusion, which may include, as appropriate, costs of any potential annulment proceedings and/or costs of enforcement of any Award.

Notwithstanding the Company's recent and historic funding, there is a risk that sufficient additional financing may not be available to the Company on acceptable terms, or at all.

Annual General Meeting

The Company held its AGM earlier today, August 3, 2021, in Vancouver, British Columbia. All of the matters submitted to shareholders for approval, as set out in the Company's Management Information Circular dated June 29, 2021, were approved by the requisite majority of votes cast at the AGM. The resolutions included: (i) re-electing Jeffrey Couch, Dag Cramer, Anna El-Erian, Ali Erfan, Daniel Kochav, James Lieber and Dragos Tanase as directors of the Company; (ii) re-appointing PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as auditors of the Company for the ensuing year; and (iii) approving the continuation of the amended and restated incentive stock option plan of the Company.

Impact of Coronavirus

With respect to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Gabriel continues to consider carefully its impact, noting the widespread disruption to normal activities and the uncertainty over the duration of this disruption. The highest priority of the Board of Directors and Management is the health, safety and welfare of the Group's employees and contractors. Gabriel recognizes that the situation is extremely fluid and is monitoring the relevant recommendations and restrictions on work practices and travel. At this time, these recommendations and restrictions do not significantly impact Gabriel's ability to continue the ICSID Arbitration process or conduct the limited operations in Romania, nor has there been a significant impact on the Group's results or operations to date.

The Group will continue to seek new investment and is also looking to sell its long lead-time equipment. The market and timing for each initiative may be adversely affected by the effects of COVID-19. As a result, Gabriel will react to circumstances as they arise and will make any necessary adjustments to the work processes required. Should any material disruption from COVID-19 affect the Group for an extended duration, Gabriel will review certain planned activities in Romania and take remedial actions if it is determined to be necessary or prudent to do so.

About Gabriel

Gabriel is a Canadian resource company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company's principal business had been the exploration and development of the Ro?ia Montana gold and silver project in Romania. The Rosia Montana Project, one of the largest undeveloped gold deposits in Europe, is situated in the South Apuseni Mountains of Transylvania, Romania, an historic and prolific mining district that since pre-Roman times has been mined intermittently for over 2,000 years. The exploitation license for the Rosia Montana Project is held by Ro?ia Montana Gold Corporation S.A., a Romanian company in which Gabriel owns an 80.69% equity interest, with the 19.31% balance held by Minvest Ro?ia Montana S.A., a Romanian state-owned mining company.

Upon obtaining the License in June 1999, the Group focused substantially all of their management and financial resources on the exploration, feasibility and subsequent development of the Rosia Montana Project. Despite the Company's fulfilment of its legal obligations and its development of the Rosia Montana Project as a high-quality, sustainable and environmentally-responsible mining project, using best available techniques, Romania has unlawfully blocked and prevented implementation of the Rosia Montana Project without due process and without compensation. Accordingly, the Company's current core focus is the ICSID Arbitration. For more information please visit the Company's website at www.gabrielresources.com.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking information" (also referred to as "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans and allowing investors and others to get a better understanding of the Company's operating environment. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements.

In this press release, forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company at this time, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies that may cause the Company's actual financial results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied herein.

Some of the material factors or assumptions used to develop forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the uncertainties associated with: the ICSID Arbitration, actions by the Romanian Government, conditions or events impacting the Company's ability to fund its operations (including but not limited to the completion of further funding noted above) or service its debt, exploration, development and operation of mining properties and the overall impact of misjudgments made in good faith in the course of preparing forward-looking information.

Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors including those set out below, that may never materialize, prove incorrect or materialize other than as currently contemplated which could cause the Company's results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, identified by words or phrases such as "expects", "is expected", "is of the view", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "estimates", "assumes", "intends", "strategy", "goals", "objectives", "potential", "possible" or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events, conditions or results "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of fact and may be forward-looking statements.

Numerous factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including without limitation:

the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) may affect the Company's operations and/or the anticipated timeline for the ICSID Arbitration;

the duration, costs, process and outcome of the ICSID Arbitration;

Romania's actions following the inscription of the "Rosia Montana Mining Landscape" as a UNESCO World Heritage site;

changes in the liquidity and capital resources of Gabriel, and/or the group of companies of which it is directly or indirectly parent;

access to funding to support the Group's continued ICSID Arbitration and/or operating activities in the future;

equity dilution resulting from the conversion or exercise of new or existing securities in part or in whole to Common Shares;

the ability of the Company to maintain a continued listing on the TSX Venture Exchange or any regulated public market for trading securities;

the impact on business strategy and its implementation in Romania of: any allegations of historic acts of corruption, uncertain fiscal investigations; uncertain legal enforcement both for and against the Group and political and social instability;

regulatory, political and economic risks associated with operating in a foreign jurisdiction including changes in laws, governments and legal regimes and interpretation of existing and future fiscal and other legislation;

global economic and financial market conditions;

volatility of currency exchange rates; and

the availability and continued participation in operational or other matters pertaining to the Group of certain key employees and consultants.

This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements.

Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and investors should not infer that there has been no change in the Company's affairs since the date of this press release that would warrant any modification of any forward-looking statement made in this document, other documents periodically filed with or furnished to the relevant securities regulators or documents presented on the Company's website. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this notice. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements or the foregoing list of assumptions or factors, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, subject to the Company's disclosure obligations under applicable Canadian securities regulations. Investors are urged to read the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulatory agencies which can be viewed online at www.sedar.com.

SOURCE: Gabriel Resources Ltd.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/658292/2021-Second-Quarter-Report
Holding Company of Japan's leading internet service business groups selects Anaqua software and services to strengthen patent and trademark management, budgeting, and licensing processes

BOSTON, Aug. 04, 2021, the leading innovation and intellectual property management technology provider, today announced that Z Holdings Corporation, a holding company of Yahoo Japan Corporation, LINE Corporation and other major Japanese internet service business groups, will strengthen its IP management, budgeting, and licensing processes by moving to Anaqua's AQX platform.



Z Holdings is a holding company of innovative e-commerce and media business groups, whose operations include e-commerce, search engine, news, internet banking, and payment and settlement services for a range of industries from fashion e-commerce site operations to office supplies sales. Each of the group businesses is a pioneer in bringing digitalization to many aspects of everyday life and financial activities in Japan, together providing over 200 online services.

When upgrading its previous IP management system, Z Holdings chose Anaqua's AQX platform as the group was seeking a global solution that would streamline its entire IP management lifecycle; improve financial management and budgeting; and enhance communications within group companies in order to better exploit licensing opportunities. The AQX platform's fully integrated software and services will support Z Holdings in trademark and patent management processes globally, providing real-time IP data analytics and forecasting capabilities, and helping identify licensing and other monetization opportunities.

Commented Bob Romeo, CEO of Anaqua: "Z Holdings is at the cutting edge of internet services in Japan, playing a significant role in supporting the daily activities of consumer businesses. We are honored to have been selected by such an innovative and influential group to help manage, protect and maximize the value of its IP assets; and we are delighted to add yet another leading Japanese company to our global client community."

About Anaqua

Anaqua, Inc. is a premium provider of integrated intellectual property, or on LinkedIn.

About Z Holdings

Z Holdings Corporation is one of Japan's largest internet service companies. Yahoo Japan Corporation, their core company, started operations on April 1, 1996, and LINE Corporation joined the group following the business integration on March 1, 2021. Their mission is to "UPDATE THE WORLD," unleashing the infinite potential of all people with the power of information technology. Their services, spanning e-commerce, search/portal, messenger and fintech, are available in nearly 230 countries and regions. In Japan alone, they offer more than 200 services for their 300 million users. For more information, see: https://www.z-holdings.co.jp/en/

Company Contact:

Amanda Hollis

Associate Director, Communications

Anaqua

617-375-2626

ahollis@Anaqua.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 4, 2021) - Defence Therapeutics Inc. (CSE: DTC) ("Defence" or the "Company"), a biotechnology company working on cancer therapeutics and infectious disease vaccines is pleased to announce the agreement with the German renowned pharmaceutical consulting and advisory company, Pharmalex GmbH, through Biopharma Excellence.

With more than 35,000 successful projects completed, Pharmalex GmbH is a leading provider of specialized services for the pharmaceuticals, biotech and medical device industries that prioritize compliance. Biopharma Excellence, a Pharmalex GmbH division, is a leading pharmaceutical consultancy company with expertise covering all areas from development to approval and partnering of biopharmaceuticals with a focus on Europe, United States and Japan regulatory affairs.

Dr.Michael Pfleiderer of Biopharma Excellence will advise and guide Defence through both strategy and regulatory affairs, related mainly on integrated drugs/products developments, manufacturing, control, clinical trials, FDA IND , and potential strategic pharma partners. Dr. Michael Pfleiderer of Biopharma Excellence will be the Lead Scientist to achieve the mandate.



Dr. Michael Pfleiderer is an internationally renowned expert in regulatory affairs and development of vaccines. He's a biologist holding a Ph.D. in molecular virology. From 1998-2016, Dr. Pfleiderer had been the Head of the Human Viral Vaccines Section at the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (PEI), German Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicines.



Dr. Pfleiderer is currently the Principal Consultant at Biopharma Excellence since 2016. He previously acted, among others, as the Chair of the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) Vaccine Working Party (VWP) at the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in London, Head of the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborative Center for Vaccine Evaluation and Standardization, Chair of the BWP Influenza ad hoc Working Group, Chair and Vice Chair of EMA's Pandemic Task Force (ETF) and a Nominated Member of the Biologics Working Party (BWP).



"It's an honour to have Dr. Pfleiderer, of Biopharma Excellence, as the Lead Advisor for Scientific and Regulatory Affairs. Through his extensive experience, knowledge and network, Michael and Biopharma Excellence will tailor the guidance for Defence's to accelerate our pipeline to the finish line. The key to success is to have the right strategy and integrated development/regulatory plan, which is exactly what we have found in Pharmalex's Biopharma Excellence" said Sebastien Plouffe, Chief Executive Officer of Defence.

About Defence:

Defence Therapeutics is a publicly-traded biotechnology company working on engineering the next generation vaccines and ADC products using its proprietary platform. The core of Defence Therapeutics platform is the ACCUMTM technology, which enables precision delivery of vaccine antigens or ADCs in their intact form to target cells. As a result, increased efficacy and potency can be reached against catastrophic illness such as cancer and infectious diseases.

For further information:

Sebastien Plouffe, President, CEO and Director

P: (514) 947-2272

Splouffe@defencetherapeutics.com

www.defencetherapeutics.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include regulatory actions, market prices, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

Neither the CSE nor its market regulator, as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE, accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/91935
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 4, 2021) - Lynx Global Digital Finance Corporation (CSE: LYNX) (OTC Pink: CNONF) (FSE: 3CT0) ("Lynx" or the "Company") today announces that its subsidiary Bank ("BRB"), has officially engaged in a worldwide card issuing partnership with UnionPay, a global payment brand with the planet's largest cardholder base.

The UnionPay global acceptance network has expanded to 180 countries and regions, covering over 61 million merchants and 2.9 million ATMs. Outside the Chinese Mainland, UnionPay is accepted at over 32 million merchants and 1.7 million ATMs. To date, UnionPay cards are issued in 70 countries and regions, among which over 150 million are issued outside mainland China.

Mr. Huiming Cai, General Manager, UnionPay International Southeast Asia said, "We are pleased to partner with BRB to make money remittance easy, secure and convenient to BRB customers and UnionPay Cardholders. With this collaboration, BRB customers will now be able to receive funds and soon send money at competitive rates without additional service charges to any UnionPay Cardholders globally, who can then spend directly using the UnionPay Card. This project is also in line with the country Central Bank and its vision to boost financial inclusion and accelerate its country towards a cashless society."

"The partnership between BRB and UnionPay International represents a significant strategic milestone for BRB as we strive to boost consumer adoption and merchant acceptance of our innovative banking products and solutions. BRB's card issuance pipeline is expected to provide a solid foundation from which BRB can then offer services to more cardholders which will grow our merchant processing volumes," said Mr. Raymond Sparkes, Chairman of the BRB Board of Directors.

Current and Future Product Benefits

BRB customers may enjoy the ease and convenience of making online purchases. They may also receive funds coming from UnionPay network across the globe as the initial phase of the implementation, but the feature of the card will soon be enhanced so that BRB customers will also be able to remit funds to any UnionPay card issued anywhere in the world, by using cross-border remittance rails provided directly to BRB through the Lynx Pan-Global network infrastructure.

UnionPay cross-border remittance has three major advantages over traditional remittance products:

Firstly, it is cheaper. Senders can lock in the exchange rate, and the funds are then directly transferred to the receiving UnionPay accounts for immediate availability without additional service charges.

Secondly, it is faster.

Finally, it is safe and convenient. The senders can make cross-border remittance online without visiting their banks, especially consumers are encouraged to practice social distancing during the pandemic.

"By working with UnionPay, BRB will be able to offer clients a streamlined and simplified card management program with all processes consolidated to a single system, allowing BRB and its clients to gain more control while generating significant cost savings at the same time. With this UnionPay partnership, BRB is able to provide end-to-end issuing, processing and onboarding services in a shorter time and offer to clients the ability for real-time funds transfers to both physical and virtual cards, enabling secure digital payments through tokenization for in-stores, online payments and at ATM points and an overall simple payment experience for global businesses and consumers alike through multi-currency cards with multi-pocket/wallet spend management features," stated Michael Penner, CEO, Lynx Global.

Li Guangzi, Director of the Banking Research Office at the Institute of Finance and Banking, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, recently said publicly that "the payment system, as one of the most important financial infrastructures, plays a crucial role in facilitating the internal and external circulations. UnionPay's progress made in overseas card issuance provides solid financial support to China's exchanges with other countries and sets a good example in enhancing the service capabilities of Chinese financial systems in overseas markets."

ABOUT UNIONPAY INTERNATIONAL

UnionPay International (UPI) focuses on the growth and support of UnionPay's global business. In partnership with more than 2400 institutions worldwide, UPI has enabled card acceptance in 180 countries and regions with issuance in 70 countries and regions. UPI provides high quality, cost effective and secure cross-border payment services to the world's largest cardholder base, and ensures convenient local services to a growing number of global UnionPay cardholders and merchants.

ABOUT LYNX DIGITAL GLOBAL FINANCE

Lynx seeks to become a leader in financial technology, solutions, and services for large-scale merchants, financial institutions and other B2B industry partners by way of integration to the Lynx digital payment platform. The Company's payment solutions are powered by a broad suite of payment technologies and services. The Company has targeted banking and fintech relationships in ASEAN and Oceania, a region with a population approaching 700 million, that can provide Lynx a financial network hub location to service and operate a global traditional and digital financial infrastructure. By working with selected banking and/or licensed EMI partners, the Company will be able to offer a digital payment platform with a full suite of payment solutions, which may include merchant acquiring solutions; card issuing; remittance and forex; and custodial digital asset services, including digital wallet services. The Company seeks organic growth while investigating potential strategic acquisitions that may contribute critical technology applications, additional services, and revenue streams, and that can complement or enhance existing offerings and potentially increase or expedite the path to future profitability. While Lynx believes that significant near-term opportunities exist for the Company's strategic initiatives, there can be no assurance that goals and objectives will be reached or that any such underlying efforts or agreements will provide successful or positive outcomes should they be implemented.

For more information, please contact:

Michael Penner, CEO

(604) 396-9974

mpenner@lynxglobal.io

www.lynxglobal.io

NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATIONS SERVICES PROVIDERS HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Certain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation, including the described initiatives of BRB and the goals and objectives of Lynx. The economic materiality of the agreement with UnionPay International is unknown due to the contingent nature of results that may be generated. At this point in time, Lynx considers the UnionPay partnership is unlikely to yield a substantial short-term economic benefit for Lynx or BRB, however, Lynx and BRB considers that the UnionPay partnership supports the organizations strategic growth plans. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, "will be", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events, or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company's estimates and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of Lynx to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including capital expenditures, other costs, or implied future forecasts. The Company further again cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to the Company's limited operating history and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information. Lynx will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/92008
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 4, 2021) - Nano One Materials Corp. (TSX: NANO) (OTC Pink: NNOMF) (FSE: LBMB) ("Nano One") is a technology company with a patented and scalable industrial process for the production of low cost, low environmental footprint and high-performance cathode powders used in lithium-ion batteries.

Nano One's Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Stephen Campbell, is pleased to announce the successful completion of its joint development project with Saint-Gobain. This project began in December 2018 and focused on optimization of the thermal processing of Nano One produced cathode materials and Saint-Gobain's furnace materials under a range of firing conditions. Success on this project has paved the way for additional collaborative opportunities that are currently under consideration.

"This project has provided valuable insight on thermal processing conditions for various cathode materials and furnace materials," said Stephen Campbell. "We have developed thermal processing expertise to optimize the performance of cathode materials and throughout the project, we have shared a collaborative and open relationship with our colleagues at Saint-Gobain. Potential future work will build on those outcomes, add manufacturing know-how and enhance the value of our process technology and business offerings."

Saint-Gobain remains a consortium member within Nano One's "Scaling Advanced Battery Materials" project supported by Sustainable Development Technology Canada ("SDTC") and the British Columbia Innovative Clean Energy ("ICE") fund.

Mr. Natesh Krishan, General Manager of Engineered Ceramics of Saint-Gobain, said, "Our product development teams have made good progress in the evaluation of the thermal aspects of cathode material synthesis. The partnership with Nano One has been important to Saint-Gobain through advancing our understanding of the cathode material firing process to allow an enhanced product offering to better serve this market."

Having built a positive working relationship over the past 2 years, Nano One and Saint-Gobain are discussing the scope of work for additional joint projects and will continue to explore future business and co-development opportunities.

About Saint-Gobain

Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and solutions which are key ingredients in the wellbeing of each of us and the future of all. They can be found everywhere in our living places and our daily life: in buildings, transportation, infrastructure and in many industrial applications. They provide comfort, performance and safety while addressing the challenges of sustainable construction, resource efficiency and climate change. Saint-Gobain had 40.8 billion in sales in 2017, operates in 67 countries and has more than 179,000 employees. www.saint-gobain.com

About Nano One

Nano One Materials Corp. is a clean technology company with a patented, scalable and low carbon intensity industrial process for the low-cost production of high-performance lithium-ion battery cathode materials. The technology is applicable to electric vehicle, energy storage, consumer electronic and next generation batteries in the global push for a zero-emission future. Nano One's One-Pot process, its coated nanocrystal materials and its Metal to Cathode Active Material (M2CAM) technologies address fundamental performance needs and supply chain constraints while reducing costs and carbon footprint. Nano One has received funding from various government programs and the current "Scaling of Advanced Battery Materials Project" is supported by Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) and the Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund of the Province of British Columbia. For more information, please visit www.nanoone.ca.

Company Contact:

Paul Guedes

info@nanoone.ca

(604) 420-2041

Media Contact:

Lisa Nash

Antenna Group for Nano One

nanoone@antennagroup.com

(646) 883-4296

Certain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to: the results of the joint development and the status of the partnership with Saint-Gobain, and any future collaboration projects that may be put into place, the execution of the Company's plans which are contingent on such support and awards and the commercialization of the Company's technology and patents. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of terminology such as 'believe', 'expect', 'anticipate', 'plan', 'intend', 'continue', 'estimate', 'may', 'will', 'should', 'ongoing', 'target', 'goal', 'potential' or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the current opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made are not, and cannot be, a guarantee of future results or events. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including but not limited to: any future collaborations that may happen with Saint-Gobain, the Company's ability to achieve its stated goals, the commercialization of the Company's technology and patents and other risk factors as identified in Nano One's MD&A and its Annual Information Form dated March 15, 2021, both for the year ended December 31, 2020, and in recent securities filings for the Companies which are available at www.sedar.com. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that is incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

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To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/92026
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 4, 2021) - Datametrex AI Limited (TSXV: DM) (FSE: D4G) (OTCQB: DTMXF) (the "Company" or "Datametrex") is pleased to announce that it has entered into bidding process under a Requests for Proposals ("RFP") on an Artificial Intelligence ("AI") contract in Canada.

Datametrex has passed the second round of scrutiny in a Canadian AI bid. The value of the contract is approximately $40 million. The binding bid remains subject to meeting all criterias on technical merit and ability to deliver in accordance with the bid procedures and deadlines.

"Canada is an important market for the Company's AI business and we are pleased to enter into this bidding process on this contract supporting expansion of artificial intelligence in Canada while continuing our global roll-out activities and the introduction of even further technologically advanced Ai to the market," stated Marshall Gunter, CEO of Datametrex.

About Datametrex

Datametrex AI Limited is a technology-focused company with exposure to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Nexalogy (www.nexalogy.com). Datametrex's mission is to provide tools that support companies in fulfilling their operational goals, including Health and Safety, with predictive and preventive technologies. By working with companies to set a new standard of protocols through Artificial Intelligence and health diagnostics, Company provides progressive solutions to support the supply chain.

For additional information on Datametrex and other corporate information, please visit the Company's website at www.datametrex.com.

For further information, please contact:

Marshall Gunter - CEO

Phone: (514) 295-2300

Email: mgunter@datametrex.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor it's Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements:

All statements included in this press release that address activities, events, or developments that the Company expects, believes, or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions made by the Company based on its experience, perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. In addition, these statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections, and other forward-looking statements will prove inaccurate, certain of which are beyond the Company's control. In particular, there is no guarantee that the parties will successfully negotiate and enter into a definitive agreement on mutually acceptable terms or complete the Transaction in the manner contemplated herein, if at all, that the due diligence of any of the parties will be satisfactory, or that the parties will obtain any required board, shareholder, third-party and/or regulatory or other governmental approvals, if any. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake to revise or update these forward-looking statements after the date hereof or revise them to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated events.

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To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/91983
Exploring the development path of global health industry

As one of the most influential multinational enterprises in China, Tiens Group has been adhering to the development goal of helping people living better since 1995 until now. At the very beginning, the main products of Tiens Group included such healthy products as calcium products. But it has so far developed diversified industries concerning many fields such as cross-border e-commerce, international tourism, live broadcast and terminal experience stores, and has served more than 47 million families worldwide through its 110 branches around the world.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005439/en/

(Photo: Business Wire)

An international health industry development forum will be organized by Tiens Group on August 3, 2021 (China time) to discuss about the development of the global health industry. Due to the great influence of Tiens Group worldwide, this forum has received a lot of media attention around the world. Li Jinyuan, Chairman of Tiens Group, said that the Group would make continuous efforts for "community of human health" as a major participant in the global massive health industry.

In 2013, China proposed the Belt and Road Initiative to strengthen the scale of transcontinental foreign trade cooperation. The Belt and Road Initiative has created many opportunities to promoted the trade in many countries and also reduced transportation and trade costs for specific countries. One of the important roles that Tiens Group plays in the construction of the Belt and Road is to promote the economic and trade cooperation and development between Tiens Group and the countries along the Belt and Road.

Considering the role of economic and trade cooperation as important pillar for many economies, Li Jinyuan, Chairman of Tiens Group started the direct selling business in 1995 and began to develop overseas business in 1997. What is worth mentioning is that its fledgling cross-border e-commerce business has been developing rapidly with the market developed in Europe, Aurasia, Asia Pacific, Africa, America and the Middle East, and its business scope covering 224 countries and regions in 224 countries. Three major overseas warehouses including European Czech warehouse, European Asian warehouse and African warehouse have been launched recently to ensure the support of global supply chain.

Thanks to persistent hard work over the past 26 years, Tiens Group has shifted from single product to diversified product structure, integrated health services and then multi-industry innovative and integrated development to establish a global network covering all countries. It has adopted innovative new models and mechanisms to help families create wealth through consumption, promote employment and entrepreneurship, help run global business and also enhance development.

It is reported that many members of "the Belt and Road" around the world has been interviewed in China and received positive reviews. Since its establishment, Tiens Group has been actively advocating, exploring and implementing new business models and concepts to create a global business system. As the practitioner of "the Belt and Road", it has developed into a Chinese national brand which will eventually grow up to a global brand to promote broader global economic development.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005439/en/

Contacts:

Company: TIENS

Contact Person:Yukai Wang

Email:zcfw@tiens.com
NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE (dpa-AFX) - Thales (THLEF.PK) and Hitachi Rail said they are entering into exclusive talks on the sale of Thales's Ground Transportation Systems for an enterprise value of 1.66 billion euros. Employee representative bodies of both companies are being consulted on the project. The deal is anticipated to close by end 2022 or early 2023. 'With this, we will be able to focus on the development of our 3 high-tech long-term growth businesses, each of them able to sustainably deliver double-digit margins -Aerospace, Defense & Security, and Digital Identity & Security,' said Patrice Caine, Chairman and CEO, Thales. Thales noted that its Transport segment is treated as discontinued operations in full year 2021 financial statements. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - Austria's trade deficit widened in May, as imports rose faster than exports, data from Statistics Austria showed on Wednesday. The trade deficit increased to EUR 872.186 million in May from EUR 460.581 million in the same month last year. Exports grew 31.5 percent yearly in May and imports increased 34.1 percent. On a working day adjusted exports and imports rose by 31.4 percent and 33.8 percent, respectively. 'After the massive decline with the outbreak of the Corona crisis in 2020, both imports and exports of goods in May 2021 were more than 30% higher than in the same month of the previous year,' Statistics Austria Director General Tobias Thomas, said. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
LONDON, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- OPEN Health has today announced the acquisition of North West UK-based medical communications agency Spirit. Integrating the Spirit business with the OPEN Health Group further strengthens our ability to offer our global Medical Affairs audiences a broad range of services, including high-quality scientific communications.

In terms of scale, the acquisition means that OPEN Health now consists of >850 people in 15 locations across 6 different countries, namely the USA, the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, India, and China.

Iona Fleming, Managing Director of Spirit, said, "Over the past 15 years, we have proudly grown Spirit to an 80-person Medical Affairs agency - delivering a broad range of scientific communications globally. In joining OPEN Health, we are significantly expanding our geographical reach and will be able to provide a wider range of integrated services to our Medical Affairs and HEOR clients. We very much look forward to working with the OPEN Health management and Amulet teams to contribute to the long-term growth of OPEN Health."

Rob Barker, Chief Executive Officer at OPEN Health, commented, "We are delighted to welcome Spirit into the OPEN Health family. This strategic acquisition will enhance our global Medical Affairs resources, further supporting our unique offerings and opportunities for innovation to support industry change and growth."

OPEN Health is a portfolio company of Amulet Capital Partners LP, a US-based private equity firm focused exclusively on the healthcare sector.

About OPEN Health Communications LLP:

OPEN Health brings together deep scientific knowledge, global understanding, and broad specialist expertise to support our clients in improving health outcomes and patient wellbeing. We are united as one flexible organization, harnessing the power of the collective to solve complex challenges. OPEN Health - Established as many. United as one.

For more information on OPEN Health, please visit www.openhealthgroup.com

About Spirit Medical Communications Group Limited:

Spirit finds the soul in the science, the humanity in the data, harnessing the power of creativity to ensure that science is really heard. Our experienced, passionate teams partner with a diverse range of Medical Affairs and HEOR clients across multiple therapy areas globally.

For further information on Spirit, please visit https://spiritmedcomms.com/

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LONDON, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- TBD Media Group is proud to launch a new edition of its pivotal 50 Global Leaders series.

What does it mean to be a leader in a post-pandemic world? Is it leading with vulnerability, with a humanitarian vision, or with courage? At this moment in history, global leaders are commanding their businesses with a blend of each, spearheading positive, lasting change.

TBD Media is bringing these leaders into the spotlight with 50 Global Leaders, a series that presents the companies who are innovating, driving, and inspiring tomorrow's world - today. The campaign explores the insights and business practices of International Executives, Board Members, and Entrepreneurs; demonstrating how it is through their visions that the globalised world is being transformed. Each leader brings with them a story and a vision: to develop and advance society in their own way.

This edition explores the futures of plastic and education, innovation through battery technology, embedded finance, and the importance of maintaining tradition whilst moving forward. Additionally, the films touch upon important sustainable issues like decarbonization, heat management, and healthy nutrition.

These topics and many others are examined in documentary-style films that candidly interview leading figures within companies; using clever and industry-leading filmmaking to capture focused and informed accounts that offer a window into the future of industry and society alike.

Paolo Zanini, CEO of TBD Media Group, brings his own perspective to this crucial subject: "We are privileged to be here and ready to make society aware of this climactic moment where the future of business and society is being devised by such global disruptors."

Companies Featured in this Launch:

Agder Energi , Almased Wellness GMBH , Alpha Werke, Altinmarka, ARAG, Banco Sabadell, Behn Meyer Group , Bender, BERA , Bizerba, Chemours, Cellcard, Cengage, ENTAIN, Ekol Logistics , Green Minerals, Hansgrohe, Horizon Therapeutics , Neometals , Palfinger, PASHA Bank , RHI Magnesita, Schott AG , Sovelto, StarKist Co. , SYNLAB, TBD Crew , TITAN Cement Group, Trust Payments, Sovelto, Varta, Wieland-Werke .

About 50 Global Leaders:

The 50 Global Leaders initiative has been created to allow the leaders of today's corporate sphere to explain their visions and offer insight into the future state of global business and society at large. Businesses that wish to get involved should contact info@tbdmediagroup.com .

About TBD Media Group:

TBD Media Group is an international, purpose-driven, media developer that helps companies, organisations and governments tell their brand stories in a human and direct way. Learn more at https://www.tbdmediagroup.com/ .

Media Contact:

Jenna-Leigh Soobramoney

Head of Marketing

TBD Media Group

j.soobramoney@tbdmediagroup.com

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Expanding and integrating drug toxicity data and translational safety intelligence from OFF-X into all aspects of the life science cycle, allowing customers to make more informed decisions?

LONDON, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Clarivate Plc?(NYSE:CLVT), a global leader in providing trusted information and insights to accelerate the pace of innovation, today announced that it has acquired Bioinfogate, a leading provider of analytics solutions in the life sciences and producer of the OFF-X?portal.?Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.??

The?Bioinfogate?OFF-X?portal is a cutting-edge safety intelligence solution aimed at empowering pharmaceutical organizations to identify toxicology and safety signals, mitigate safety liabilities and de-risk early-stage assets. It is one of the largest?translational safety and toxicity?portals, featuring over 1,200,000 safety alerts corresponding to over 23,000 drugs and biologics and more than 15,000 targets of pharmacological interest.??

As a leading provider of trusted information and insights to accelerate innovation, Clarivate offerings include a comprehensive suite of research intelligence solutions coupled with deep domain expertise. The acquisition of?Bioinfogate?will fill a critical need for drug toxicity data and translational safety intelligence across all stages of drug R&D.?

This follows a previous acquisition from the Prous family of companies. Clarivate acquired the Integrity product (now known as Cortellis Drug Discovery Intelligence ) from Prous Science in 2007. In addition, through a 2019 partnership with Bioinfogate, Clarivate integrated OFF-X translational safety intelligence data with Cortellis products, including Cortellis Drug Discovery and Cortellis Competitive Intelligence.

In combination with?Cortellis, OFF-X will provide critical translational safety intelligence alongside robust drug pipeline and clinical research information - allowing biopharma to seamlessly integrate safety intelligence into preclinical research, clinical trial planning, regulatory and pharmacovigilance monitoring, and portfolio strategy. Beyond?Cortellis, OFF-X will?strengthen other Clarivate products and services including the Web of Science, the world's most trusted publisher-independent global citation database.?

Mukhtar Ahmed, President, Science Group, Clarivate:?"The acquisition of?Bioinfogate?will further our strategy to become an essential provider of solutions for life science companies along the entire drug development lifecycle. The combined expertise, data and technologies will help customers make smarter and faster evidence-based decisions, boost clinical and commercial success, and bolster our robust integrated platform of life science intelligence solutions from pre-clinical and clinical offerings. Ultimately, the acquisition will deepen the end-to-end value chain from R&D through commercialization and compensation."

David Prous, Executive Director - Business?Development,?Bioinfogate:?"This acquisition will be important to life science firms who need to integrate, access and apply toxicity and adverse events intelligence across all phases of drug research and development. The integration of OFF-X into the Clarivate portfolio of products will further expand and accelerate the reach of critical drug efficacy and safety information to researchers around the world."

Josep?Prous, Ph.D., Executive Director - Science,?Bioinfogate:?"We are pleased to initiate this synergistic combination of?Bioinfogate's?safety intelligence platform with Clarivate science assets. This transaction will be crucial in advancing safety for patients participating in clinical trials and beyond while enabling the development of unique solutions for all those involved in the finding of better and safer drugs."?

Following the successful acquisition and integration of Decision Resources Group (DRG) in 2020, Clarivate continues to invest in high-value, real-world data, information and deep subject matter and technical expertise. Clarivate?will continue the tradition of creating exceptional value for our customers by providing new offerings focused on further integrating the drug development information found in?Cortellis?with OFF-X's translational safety intelligence.?There are strong synergies between the companies that will strengthen the ability to support customers across the entire drug lifecycle. The combined business will offer a one-stop shop for life sciences customers, helping them to improve the commercialization of life-changing therapies.? -

About Clarivate?

Clarivate is a global leader in providing solutions to accelerate the lifecycle of innovation. Our bold mission is to help customers solve some of the world's most complex problems by providing actionable information and insights that reduce the time from new ideas to life-changing inventions in the areas of science and intellectual property. We help customers discover, protect and commercialize their inventions using our trusted subscription and technology-based solutions coupled with deep domain expertise. For more information, please visit clarivate.com.?

About?Bioinfogate?

Bioinfogate?is a forward thinking, private company working to solve unmet medical needs. Its innovative data science products support the discovery and development of better and safer drugs. Its capabilities stem from more than 60 years of experience creating and managing biomedical knowledge, first at Prous Science (1958-2007), acquired by Thomson Reuters in 2007 (now Clarivate), and then at Prous Institute for Biomedical Research.?Bioinfogate?is the latest initiative within the Prous family group of companies embracing a long tradition and expertise in scientific knowledge management.?

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements, which express management's current views concerning future business, events, trends, contingencies, financial performance, or financial condition, appear at various places in this communication and may use words like "aim," "anticipate," "assume," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "future," "goal," "intend," "likely," "may," "might," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "see," "seek," "should," "strategy," "strive," "target," "will," and "would" and similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding: guidance outlook and predictions relating to expected operating results, such as revenue growth and earnings; strategic actions such as acquisitions, joint ventures, and dispositions, including the anticipated benefits therefrom, and our success in integrating acquired businesses; anticipated levels of capital expenditures in future periods; our ability to successfully realize cost savings initiatives and transition services expenses; our belief that we have sufficiently liquidity to fund our ongoing business operations; expectations of the effect on our financial condition of claims, litigation, environmental costs, the COVID-19 pandemic and governmental responses thereto, contingent liabilities, and governmental and regulatory investigations and proceedings; and our strategy for customer retention, growth, product development, market position, financial results, and reserves. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on management's current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy, and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include those factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, as amended, along with our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). However, those factors should not be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Additional risks and uncertainties not known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. Forward-looking statements are based only on information currently available to our management and speak only as of the date of this communication. We do not assume any obligation to publicly provide revisions or updates to any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by securities and other applicable laws. Please consult our public filings with the SEC or on our website at?www.clarivate.com.??

Media Contact?

Tabita Seagrave, Head of Global Corporate Communications?

tabita.seagrave@clarivate.com?

Investor Relations Contact?

Mark Donohue, Head of Investor Relations?

Mark.donohue@clarivate.com??

(215) 243-2202?

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The German rehabilitation model has taken root in China and has been contributing to the Healthy China 2030

SHANGHAI, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 3rd, 2021, Columbia China, signed a cooperation agreement with Consanas Rehabilitation, brand of Boehringer Ingelheim. The agreement will allow both parties to complement each other's medical resources and to carry out in-depth collaboration on talent exchange, which effectively feeds into healthcare delivery and further improvement in the management of rehabilitation industry. The Shanghai Kaiyi Bainuo Clinic is the designated institution for the collaboration, where physicians and rehabilitation therapist from Consanas provides regular outpatient service for stroke patients, offering more convenience for stroke patient in Shanghai. In the future, besides the Rehabilitation Medicine Department of Shanghai International Medical Center (SIMC) in Pudong, patients can also enjoy German rehabilitation up to the same standard at Shanghai Kaiyi Bainuo Clinic in Jing'an District. The collaboration marks another major milestone of Boehringer Ingelheim German rehabilitation model localization in China.

Seventy percent of the stroke patients need follow-up care and treatment

Post-stroke rehabilitation treatment should be applied as soon as possible

Cerebral stroke, or "stroke" for short, is caused by sudden rupture of the blood vessels in the brain or blockage of blood vessels that denies the brain inflow of blood. The onset is very rapid and critical. According to the latest Global Burden of Disease Study (Global Burden of Disease Study, GBD), the overall lifetime prevalence rate of stroke in China is 39.9%, the highest in the world, indicating that for every five people in China, two will experience stroke in their lifetime. If not treated in time when a stroke happens, patients may be left with sequelae pertaining to their senses, motions, cognition, speech, emotion and mental soundness. About 70% to 80% of patients require further care due to the loss of the ability to take care of themselves in life[1], which adds heavy burden to the patients, the families and the society.1

Stroke rehabilitation treatment is recommended by domestic and foreign guidelines as one of the most effective methods to reduce disability rate and to prevent post-stroke complications. Within 24 hours after onset, rehabilitation treatment can be applied provided that normal signs are demonstrated, which can minimize the chance of disability among patients, thus ensuring better prognosis[2].

"At present, patients and their families are paying more attention to the first aid of stroke, however the awareness of rehabilitation after the treatment of acute stroke is yet to be raised. Since rehabilitation process requires high-level of cooperation from families and patients, only 11.5% of stroke patient have received rehabilitation treatment within one week since the onset and 42.4% of stroke patients haven't received any rehabilitation treatment since onset[3]." Said Professor Zheng Jiejiao, chairman of the Elderly Rehabilitation Committee of Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine "Rehabilitation is a long-term process and is affected by factors such as relevant national policies, medical service quality and technological progress within the industry on top of patients and their families. The ultimate purpose of rehabilitation treatment is to improve the quality of life of patients. Currently in Shanghai, rehabilitation physicians and therapists combined represents 2.54% of the total and for every 100,000 people there are only 3.28 rehabilitation physicians and therapist, which indicating a huge gap compared with the international standards that stand at 10% -20% and 50 / 100,000 people respectively."

The German rehabilitation model opens a new chapter of rehabilitation treatment in China

The National Health Commission and other line ministries have been advocating for the strengthening of stroke prevention and control and have been calling for attention to stroke rehabilitation management. A series of policies and guidelines on building a triple-tiered rehabilitation healthcare system have been announced which encompasses the development of neurology, neurosurgery and rehabilitation medicine departments centering around cerebrovascular diseases, rehabilitation hospitals and rehabilitation centers as well as community hospitals and home rehabilitation capacity. In June 2021, the National Health Commission, together with other line ministries and commissions, issued the Notice on a Comprehensive Plan to Strengthen the Prevention and Treatment of Stroke to Reduce Millions of New Disabilities and the Opinions on Accelerating the Development of Rehabilitation, which provided important strategic guidelines for stroke rehabilitation in China. As average life expectancy in China continues to rise, there is increasing and diversifying healthcare needs among the middle-aged and elderly people, which cannot be satisfied by the limited capacity of rehabilitation departments of general hospitals.

Ms. Genevieve Faith, Head of Healthcare Solutions, Boehringer Ingelheim China, said, "The collaboration with Columbia Clinic (Shanghai Kaiyi Bainuo Clinic) can provide high-quality Total Stroke Solution (TSS) for more patients and improve the treatment accessibility for stroke rehabilitation patients in China. Meanwhile, outpatient services can better help patients to achieve secondary prevention. The patient-centered corporate values and the business philosophy of providing high quality personalized health care of both Boehringer Ingelheim and Columbia Clinic are the cornerstones of this collaboration, which is a perfect combination of internationally advanced medical services and the German rehabilitation model. It will create professional and personalized medical, rehabilitation and nursing services in the field of rehabilitation, and help more Chinese stroke patients improve their health status and quality of life. In the future, we aspire to work with all parties to actively respond to national policies, so that Chinese stroke patients can access personalized stroke rehabilitation treatment programs up to German standards as soon as possible, thus improving the quality of life of stroke patients and their families as well as alleviating the burden on the society."

Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to improving the stroke management in China with concrete actions. On March 2018, the brand Consanas is introduced to China by Boehringer Ingelheim along with the German rehabilitation model which had been contested for over a century. Driven by the innovative spirit and the patient-centered rehabilitation philosophy, Boehringer Ingelheim is able to have created, within just three years, a "China Consanas Model" that originated from Germany and tailored to China.

At the rehabilitation medicine department of Shanghai International Medical Center supported by Consanas, 76% of the patients started rehabilitation treatment within six months after stroke. In March this year, at the third anniversary since its foundation, Consanas and Shanghai International Medical Center (SIMC) jointly released the 2019-2020 Rehabilitation Clinical Achievements and Quality Report. As an annual report for the second consecutive year, it indicates that stroke patients who received rehabilitation within six months after stroke enjoyed sound recovery. Consanas expert team believes that only when clinicians fully understand and practice the "early rehabilitation", can the patients achieve effective functional recovery. Furthermore, even patients who failed to receive timely rehabilitation treatment after the acute phase can still benefit from professional rehabilitation treatment in the second and third stages. Therefore, it's never be too late for stroke patient to receive rehabilitation treatment.

Setting a new benchmark for stroke rehabilitation

Improving quality of life for patients

The success of the "China Consanas Model" has set a good example for the localization of world class rehabilitation treatment concept in China. Columbia has also been running successful operations for 9 years in the Chinese market. Columbia Clinic China business scope covers fields like hospitals, clinics and elderly care. Ms. Tan Bee Lan, President and Group CEO of Columbia China said: " Our collaboration with Consanas will focus on the following aspects: first, we will leverage on medical resources from both sides and develop in-depth collaborations in talent exchange. We will work together to build a one-stop stroke rehabilitation management platform to better connect patients with rehabilitation therapists and / or rehabilitation nurses and other rehabilitation resources. Second, Columbia China and Consanas will promote the application of the "China Consanas Model" within the stroke rehabilitation space. We will also drive efforts to improve the clinical skills of rehabilitation therapists and rehabilitation nurses along with optimal and innovative rehabilitation process. In the future, both parties will continue to explore ways and means to jointly respond to relevant national policies, to build an ecosystem connecting the rehabilitation industry, to contribute to the triple-tiered rehabilitation medical system and to create a win-win environment for patients and all parties."

With growing healthcare awareness and affluence, there is a rising demand for high quality health service among the general public. China currently faces both challenges and opportunities with stroke prevention and rehabilitation management. Driven by national policies and callings from clinical experts, inter-sector cooperation will intensify and businesses like Boehringer Ingelheim and Columbia Clinic will assume more social responsibilities. Dr. Pavol Dobrocky, General Manager of Human Pharma Boehringer Ingelheim Greater China, said: "As a leader deeply rooted in the field of stroke, Boehringer Ingelheim integrates internal and external resources to provide the patient centric Total Stroke Solution (TSS) that covers the whole patient journey from prevention to detection, treatment, rehabilitation and secondary prevention to improve patient care in stroke. We help stroke patients and their families overcome difficulties and challenges they meet at every stage of the disease through innovative treatment and solutions, reducing stroke morbidity, mortality and disability, and ultimately reduce the economic burden on family and society and contribute to Healthy China 2030."

[1] Zhang Tong, Guidelines for rehabilitation treatment of stroke in China(2011 Full Edition)/Chinese Journal of the Frontiers of Medical Science (Electronic Version) 2012,4(06):55-76; [2] 55-8.Prognosis after stroke /Article in German; Paal G;Abteilung fur Neurologie, Stadt. Krankenhauses Munchen-Harlaching. [3] Asakawa T, et al. Lancet, 2017, 390(10090):121.

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Pre-Stabilisation notice

4thAugust 2021

Not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful.

Kreditanstalt fuer Wiederaufbau (KFW)

0% EUR 1,000,000,000 Tap due 2030

Pre-Stabilisation Notice

Commerzbank AG (contact: Daniela Olt-Farrelly; telephone: +49 69 13620) hereby announces, as Stabilisation Coordinator, that the Stabilising Managers named below may stabilise the offer of the following securities in accordance with Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU Regulation 596/2014).

The security to be stabilised: Issuer: Kreditanstalt fuer Wiederaufbau (KFW) Guarantor (if any): Federal Republic of Germany Aggregate nominal amount: EUR 1,000,000,000 (increase) Description: 0% coupon, due 17th September 2030 Offer price: tbc Other offer terms: senior, unsecured Notes, under EMTN programme, settlement 11 August 2021, denoms 1k/1k Stabilisation: Stabilisation Coordinator:

Stabilising Managers: Commerzbank AG

Commerzbank

Barclays Bank Stabilisation period expected to start on: 4th August 2021 Stabilisation period expected to end on: no later than 30 days after the proposed issue date of the securities Existence, maximum size and conditions of use of over-allotment facility. The Stabilising Managers may over-allot the securities to the extent permitted in accordance with applicable law. Stabilisation trading venue: Frankfurt (regulated market)

In connection with the offer of the above securities, the Stabilising Manager(s) may over-allot the securities or effect transactions with a view to supporting the market price of the securities during the stabilisation period at a level higher than that which might otherwise prevail. However, stabilisation may not necessarily occur and any stabilisation action, if begun, may cease at any time Any stabilisation action or over-allotment shall be conducted in accordance with all applicable laws and rules.

This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities of the Issuer in any jurisdiction.

This announcement is not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any other jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful.

END
SHENZHEN, China, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- An International Data Corporation (IDC) white paper Moving Towards an All-Flash Data Center Era to Accelerate Digital Transformation, sponsored by Huawei, was announced to release the All-Flash Data Center, which is the industry's first to systematically outline the all-flash data center in terms of storage, computing, and networks. It serves as a crucial reference and guide for data center construction for enterprises looking to transform digitally, aiming to promote the construction and future-oriented development of all-flash data centers across all industries.

Data center transformation and innovation are inevitable trends as we move into an intelligent age. Following the upgrade of enterprise IT architectures, more organizations are investing in innovative technologies that cover data innovation, real-time agility, energy efficiency, reliability, and intelligent management. These aspects represent the new trends for a future-oriented, sustainable data centers.

The white paper redefines the concept of an all-flash data center as one that adopts SSDs for at least 90% of its storage capacity (covering external storage systems and built-in storage of servers), while delivering high density and reliability, low latency, and energy efficiency. The all-flash data center will play a bit role in the promotion of digital-based businesses and applications, and helps enterprises maximize the value of data innovation.

In addition, the white paper describes the definition and positioning of the all-flash data centers based on global best practices in the financial, carrier, and healthcare industries, etc.

The all-flash system is no longer limited to certain applications and workloads, and now can be rolled out to meet critical and value-added workloads in diverse environments.

National and international policies on green energy conservation have been gradually implemented across enterprise production and operations. An all-flash data center is a smart choice for and the next step in sustainable development.

Data center networks are evolving towards all-IP networking. NVMe over Fabrics is projected to be the catalyst for transmission architecture innovation to achieve higher performance and simplify O&M management, especially in a computing and storage disaggregated architecture.

Digital transformation is presenting new challenges to enterprises, including those presented by real-time data. The memory-driven infrastructure is now a mainstream choice because it provides optimal latency for workloads and uses cutting-edge technologies such as AI, machine learning, and deep learning. Such infrastructure is providing high data concurrency at low latency, perfect for workload expansion.

Going forward, digital infrastructure will evolve to become ubiquitous and cover the entire data lifecycle. The all-flash data center will implement cross-domain deployment throughout the data lifecycle, offering intelligent O&M that reduces data center management costs and complexity, while delivering higher unit performance and reliability than alternative models.

The all-flash data center uses full-series high-end storage to offer you all-scenario flash and all-scenario protection. It is suitable for those looking to supercharge their digital development needs and scientific and technological innovation. In addition, equipped with all-IP data center network and intelligent O&M, the all-flash data center reduces data center footprint and energy consumption, helping you lower your energy costs and create more value. Learn more about Huawei OceanStor All-Flash Data Center Solution.

To download the white paper, please visit https://e.huawei.com/en/products/storage/form/2021/idc-white-paper?ic_medium=hwdc&ic_source=ebg_EEBGHQ197501L&source=news&ic_content=all-flash%20data%20center_IDC%20white%20paper
Appoints Lee Williamson as Senior Managing Director

Guidepost Solutions, a global leader in domestic and international investigations, compliance solutions, monitoring, and security and technology consulting, today announced the hire of Lee Williamson as a senior managing director in the London office. Williamson is a former counter-terrorism officer with more than 20 years of investigative experience in the public and private sectors.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005302/en/

Former counter-terrorism officer Lee Williamson joins Guidepost Solutions in London, bringing more than 20 years of investigative experience in the public and private sectors. (Photo: Business Wire)

Williamson has assisted clients in relation to some of the largest fraud and litigation support cases in the UK over the last 15 years. In parallel, he has acted as a trusted advisor to high-net-worth individuals on various aspects of their operations and has deployed as a field operative, project manager, and team leader in jurisdictions around the world.

"As we look to continually evolve to meet the growing needs of our clients, we're pleased to welcome Lee to the Guidepost team of experts," said Guidepost CEO Julie Myers Wood. "Lee will enhance our cross-border investigations capabilities and serve as a key resource across the EMEA region."

Williamson started his career with a UK government agency, focused on managing and executing counter-terrorism operations. There he gained significant training and experience in overt and covert investigations as well as the ability to devise creative and effective solutions to the most sensitive and challenging investigative issues.

Prior to joining Guidepost, Williamson led an investigative team based in London that focused on litigation support and disputes, asset tracing, enhanced due diligence, and business intelligence, with an emphasis on gathering valuable human source intelligence. Amongst other matters, he provided long-term advisory services on physical security, investigations, and potential acquisitions for a high-net-worth individual in western Europe; identified a crucial witness to assist in a long running, multi-million-dollar litigation; assisted a nation state in a highly sensitive international arbitration; and helped a multinational company with a significant data breach identify the source, motivation, and long-term threat posed by the compromise.

Williamson holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Birmingham.

About Guidepost Solutions LLC

Guidepost Solutions is a leader in domestic and international investigations, compliance solutions, monitoring, and security and technology consulting. We work wherever your needs take us whether on the ground around the globe or from one of our offices located in Bogota, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Honolulu, London, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Oakland, Palm Beach, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle, Singapore, and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.guidepostsolutions.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005302/en/

Contacts:

MEDIA:

Perry Goldman, Montieth Company

646.864.3568, pgoldman@montiethco.com
- Fusion Essence Cloud will automate core processes and digitalize the end-to-end customer journey to support growth in mortgage lending and savings

LONDON, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Finastra today announced that UK-based specialist building society, Teachers Building Society, has selected Fusion Essence Cloud, its next-generation Software as a Service (SaaS) core banking solution, to deliver a new core and digital banking service. Fusion Essence Cloud will help Teachers Building Society (Teachers BS), the first-ever UK building society customer to invest in the solution, process significantly higher volumes of mortgages, savings applications, and money transfers; enabling the firm to continue to grow its member base through an enhanced customer experience.

Simon Beresford, CEO of Teachers Building Society, said, "After a rigorous global selection process, Finastra is the standout partner for us. Finastra's commitment to responsible business and social innovation held strong appeal. Its deep expertise, innovative solutions, and proven experience with 90 of the world's top 100 banks left us in no doubt about the benefits of the appointment. Investing in the new platform will ensure we can deliver best-in-class products and service to brokers and their clients, as well as teachers, providing enhanced engagement experiences to both our core audiences."

Fusion Essence Cloud, a SaaS solution on Microsoft Azure, gives Teachers BS the flexibility to bring new products to market and respond to new demands quickly, while unlocking access to data and analytics for a personalized customer experience. With native digital online and mobile banking capabilities, Fusion Essence will enable the building society members to open and manage savings accounts easily and transact digitally with a cutting-edge experience. The team at Teachers BS will also benefit from end-to-end straight through processing of higher volumes of mortgages and savings, due to pre-built integration with software specialists BEP Systems, for origination, and Fairmort, for regulatory reporting.

Anand Subbaraman, General Manager, Banking, at Finastra said, "Fusion Essence Cloud will give the Teachers BS team the flexibility to meet ongoing customer needs when it comes to home ownership. Our integrated solution streamlines core processes, such as onboarding, money transfers, mortgage origination and regulatory reporting, and will enable Teachers BS to focus on business expansion while giving its customers the best digital experience. As our first UK building society customer, we are delighted to be supporting Teachers BS' ongoing growth and success and to be working with them to build 'the building society of the future'."

Teachers BS is the first UK building society to invest in Fusion Essence SaaS to serve its core audiences more effectively. The mutual was founded in the 1960s specifically to offer mortgages to teachers, a group considered 'unattractive' by larger lenders due to their smaller deposits and relatively low income. Today, the Society's purpose remains the same; to support teachers who are first-time buyers, as well as those with atypical income through Teachers for Intermediaries, its specialist complex lending brand. The new platform, powered by Finastra, which aims to unlock the power of finance for everyone, will enable the Society to continue its mission and grow its business across both groups.

For further information please contact:

Sofia Romano

EMEA PR Manager

T +44 (0)7552 865009

E sofia.romano@finastra.com

Caroline Duff

Global Head of PR

T +44 (0)7917 613586

Ecaroline.duff@finastra.com

finastra.com

About Finastra

Finastra is building an open platform that accelerates collaboration and innovation in financial services, creating better experiences for people, businesses and communities. Supported by the broadest and deepest portfolio of financial services software, Finastra delivers this vitally important technology to financial institutions of all sizes across the globe, including 90 of the world's top 100 banks. Our open architecture approach brings together a number of partners and innovators. Together we are leading the way in which applications are written, deployed and consumed in financial services to evolve with the changing needs of customers. Learn more at finastra.com

Zoe Paines

Communications Manager

T +44 (0)7812 050395

E zoe.paines@teachersbs.co.uk

teachersbs.co.uk

About Teachers Building Society

Teachers Building Society was founded in 1966 to help teachers onto the property ladder. It provides mortgage and savings products to teachers and other education professionals across England and Wales. Teachers Building Society has over 11,000 members.

Members can manage their finances on the telephone or online. Its mortgages are also available via intermediaries. Its head office is located in Wimborne Dorset.

Corporate headquarters

4 Kingdom Street

Paddington

London W2 6BD

United Kingdom

T: +44 20 3320 5000

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/967510/Finastra_Logo.jpg
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 4, 2021) - Modesto California's tourism bureau, 'Visit Modesto' enthusiastically promotes the city as a 'safe place to eat, drink, play, and stay' -and enjoy premium locally grown cannabis cultivated by Lyfted Farms, a wholly owned subsidiary of TransCanna (CSE: TCAN) (FSE: TH8).

In a new campaign launching this week, Visit Modesto's partner Cultivar Strategies has positioned Lyfted Farms as "the recommended locally grown and crafted premium indoor flower brand and product" on the new MoTownCannaPass - a digital cannabis travel guide created to promote the booming local cannabis industry and the safe and legal consumption of cannabis. According to Forbes Magazine, this is believed to be the first ever sanctioned, city-wide cannabis tourism program in the United States.

"It is an honor and a sign of changing times to be embraced, celebrated and promoted by an initiative like this," said Shaun Serpa, CMO of Lyfted Farms. "Just one year ago a local charity returned our donation check because of the cannabis association. Now, the city is embracing us and local organizations are knocking down our door for us to participate in local campaigns and events. It's an exciting change in public opinion in just one year, and I wouldn't be surprised to see California cannabis soon becoming just as celebrated and world-famous as California wine."

As part of the campaign, Lyfted Farms is highlighted prominently for the instore campaign and is gifting branded swag like lanyards, grinders, air fresheners and lighters given out in campaign gift bags at Cookies, Modesto, the city's leading cannabis retailer. In the win-win promotional campaign, Lyfted Farms will endorse Visit Modesto and the CannaPass to its loyal and youthful customer base and growing social media following.

Multiple recent polls and studies show the growing preference toward cannabis consumption over alcohol among millennials and Gen Z. The majority of the 55 million recreational cannabis users in the United States are millennials ( Yahoo News Poll 2017) and millennials drink far less alcohol than any past generation (National Institute on Drug Abuse 2021).

The legal recreational California cannabis industry is projected to reach $9B by 2024 (Arcview Market Research).

About Visit Modesto

Operating as 'Visit Modesto', the Modesto Convention and Visitors Bureau, Inc. serves to attract visitors to the area by marketing Modesto as a convention, sports, tourism and leisure travel destination, and to work with local government and private enterprise to coordinate the promotion of local tourism.

The Visit Modesto Cannabis Travel Program was designed to spotlight a roster of 'hospitality ready' cannabis brands and products that best serve the cannabis travel segment, such as Lyfted Farms.





Visit Modesto

To view an enhanced version of this image, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6207/92021_0a65010bf483eb42_002full.jpg

About TransCanna

TransCanna Holdings Inc. is a California-based, Canadian-listed company building cannabis-focused brands for the California lifestyle, through its wholly-owned California subsidiaries.

TransCanna's wholly owned subsidiary Lyfted Farms is California's authentic cannabis brand whose pioneering spirit has been continuously providing the finest cannabis flower genetics and cultivation methods since 1984. The Lyfted Farms brand of exclusive cannabis flower is sold at premium retailers throughout the state. With its new cultivation facility in Daly, California, the company is now poised to become one of the largest and most efficient vertically integrated cannabis companies in the California market.

For updated information with respect to our company, please see our filings on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the CSE at www.thecse.com, or visit the Company's website at www.transcanna.com. To contact the Company, please email info@transcanna.com.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Bob Blink, CEO

Corporate Communications:

info@transcanna.com

604-200-8853

FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION:

Certain information in this release may contain forward-looking statements, such as statements regarding future expansions and cost savings and plans regarding production increases and financings. This information is based on current expectations and assumptions, including assumptions concerning the completion of the expansion of the Daly Facility, government approval of pro-cannabis policies, greater access to financial services and increased cultivation capacity, that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. Risks that could cause results to differ from those stated in the forward-looking statements in this release include unexpected increases in operating costs, a continued strain on farmers due to fires and the Coronavirus pandemic and competition from other retailers. All forward-looking statements, including any financial outlook or future-oriented financial information, contained in this release are made as of the date of this release and are included for the purpose of providing information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements unless and until required by securities laws applicable to the Company. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in the Company's filings with the Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange ("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.



NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/92021
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
New Serra Alta resource of 541,000 Indicated gold ounces and 780,000 Inferred gold ounces

Expanded Resource to be Used to Deliver New Preliminary Economic Assessment in the coming weeks

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 4, 2021) - Cerrado Gold Inc. (TSXV: CERT) (OTCQX: CRDOF) ("Cerrado" or the "Company") is pleased to announce an updated mineral resource prepared by Micon International Limited at the Serra Alta deposit within its Monte do Carmo Gold Project in the State of Tocantins, Brazil. The update integrated the successful results of Phase 1 drilling initiated in October 2020 and finalized in April of this year with the previous drill results.

Serra Alta Updated Resource Highlights

Total Indicated Resource of 9,108,000 tonnes at 1.85 g/t Au, containing 541,000 oz Au

Total Inferred Resource of 13,197,000 tonnes at 1.84 g/t Au, containing 780,000 oz Au

Notable Increase in total Mineral Resource: 62% more gold ounces from previous estimate (December 2018)

Higher Confidence level: 41% of metal in Indicated category

Over 99 % of the gold in the Indicated Resources category is included in the constraining pit shell, the other 0.4% is considered underground

Over 90.5% of the Inferred Resource is included in pit shell, the other 9.2% is considered underground

Excellent conversion rate of previous Inferred Resource into indicated confirms sound domaining and interpolation strategy

Confirmation of Serra Alta as the anchor deposit of the district, as exploration continues

Potential for replicating mineral endowed zones like Serra Alta or individual blocks within Serra Alta on regional scale remains high from Cerrado perspective

Mark Brennan, CEO and Co-Chairman commented, "We are extremely pleased with the updated resource estimate for the Serra Alta deposit, highlighting not only significant growth in contained ounces but also the significant improvement in the confidence of a large portion of the current resource base, as seen in the new Indicated Resources, which gives us strong confidence in high conversion rates going forward". He continued "Further, this expanded resource base will be used in the upcoming Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Serra Alta deposit which will look at higher throughput and production rates relative to the previous study."

The new Mineral Resource estimate was completed by Micon International Limited (Table 1) after completion of the Phase 1 drill program (See Cerrado's April 22, 2021 Press Release) that focused primarily on resource extension and category conversion. The Phase 1 drilling phase added substantive information to previous Cerrado and historic drilling that formed the basis of the previous Resource Estimate (Table 2) also prepared by Micon and disclosed in April 2019 (Effective day December 2018). The new resource estimate is now the basis of the undergoing PEA being carried out by GE21 which is expected to be completed in the near future.

Table 1. Serra Alta Mineral Resource Statement - Effective Date July 21, 2021

Mining Method Cut-off Grade (g/t Au) Resource

Category Tonnage

(kt) Avg. Au Grade (g/t) Metal Content ( koz) Open Pit 0.30 Indicated 9,063 1.85 539 Inferred 12,128 1.82 708 Underground 1.10 Indicated 45 1.66 2 Inferred 1,069 2.10 72 OP + UG Indicated 9,108 1.85 541 Inferred 13,197 1.84 780

Estimate Notes:

Mineral resources were estimated by Mr. B. Terrence Hennessey, P.Geo. and Mr. Alan J. San Martin, MAusIMM (CP) of Micon International Limited. ("Micon"), a Toronto based consulting company, independent of Cerrado Gold. Both Mr. Hennessey and Mr. San Martin meet the requirements of a "Qualified Person" as established by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (May 2014) ("the CIM Standards"). Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and therefore do not have demonstrated economic viability. The Serra Alta estimate has been completed entirely using Leapfrog Geo - EDGE software. The estimate is based on a long-term gold price of US$ 1,600 per ounce and economic cut-off grades 0.30 g/t Au (Open Pit) and 1.10 g/t (Underground). Open Pit constrained resources are reported within an optimized pit shell; underground resources are reported within continuous and contiguous shapes which lie adjacent to and below the ultimate open pit shell and interpreted to be recoverable utilizing standard underground mining methods. The mineral resource estimate has an effective date of July 21, 2021. The Serra Alta gold deposit was modelled by Cerrado using a wireframe constructed based on a 0.1 g/t Au cut-off grade and a few vein interpretations. Rock density was assigned to different lithologies based on the geological and mineralization models, using calculated average values of 2.624 g/cm3 in granite, 2.65 g/cm3 in volcanics and 2.60 g/cm3 inside mineralization wireframes. Grade capping was used to control the influence of outliers in the estimate, raw assays were composited to 1.0 m and then assessed for capping. Grade capping used throughout the deposit was 45 g/t Au for the main broad envelope and 8.0 g/t Au for the interpreted veins. The block model gold grades were estimated using the Ordinary Kriging interpolation method with searching parameters derived from geostatistical analysis performed within the mineralization wireframes. Variogram ranges go from 90 m to 150 m in the major axis. The estimate assumes a metallurgical recovery of 98.5% gold, based on completed test-work to date. The estimate assumes the following costs: Mining (Pit) US$ 2.00/t, Mining (Pit Waste) US$ 1.70/t, Mining (Underground) US$ 40.00/t, Processing US$10.78/t, and G&A of US$ 2.00/t. The pit constrained resource is reported within an optimized pit shell that assumed a maximum slope angle of 55 degrees. Open pit mining recovery was assumed to be 100%. Open pit dilution was assumed to be 0%. Underground mining recovery was assumed to be 100%. Underground dilution was assumed to be 0%. Micon has not identified any legal, political, environmental, or other risks that could materially affect the potential development of the mineral resource estimate. The mineral resource estimates are classified according to the CIM Standards which define a Mineral Resource as "a concentration or occurrence of solid material of economic interest in or on the earth's crust in such form, grade or quality and quantity that there are reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction. The location, quantity, grade or quality, continuity and other characteristics of a mineral resource are known, estimated, or interpreted from specific geological evidence and knowledge including sampling. The mineral resource was categorized based on the geological confidence of the deposit into inferred and indicated categories. An inferred mineral resource has the lowest level of confidence. An indicated mineral resource has a higher level of confidence than an inferred mineral resource. It is reasonably expected that the portions of the inferred mineral resources could be upgraded to indicated mineral resources with additional infill drilling. All procedures, methodologies and key assumptions supporting this mineral resource estimate are included in a NI 43-101F1 Technical Report which will be available at www.sedar.com.

Resource Update

The previous and maiden resource statement for Serra Alta was published by Cerrado in April 2019 (Effective resource statement date December 2018). The new drilling completed by Cerrado between October 2020 and April 2021 (Phase 1 that included 55 diamond drill holes totalling 18,998 m) is the basis for this update. The new drilling focused on extension of the resource, mainly following the lateral extent of the high-grade mineralized zones and on increasing the confidence of the existing inventory (Figure 1). Total Drilling meterage included in the updated resource estimate is 40,501 m.

Most of the drilling completed in the recent drilling phase was done through low angle holes dipping (between 30- and 35-degrees dip) crossing perpendicularly the mineralized trends. Low angle holes allowed detailed refinement of the high-grade domain model in the different zones in the deposit, allowing additionally, the ability to target proximal zones to intrusive contacts that are the first order control in gold endowment and quartz vein density.





Figure 1. Serra Alta New High Grade and Vein Domains and Sectors and existing drill coverage (Phase 1 Cerrado 2020-2021 and Prior drilling)



To view an enhanced version of this Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6185/92020_4aa223df945559ea_002full.jpg

Discussion of Results

High-grade (HG) domains were built to constrain the quartz vein related mineralization within the granitic host rock. The domains were defined by higher density of quartz veins, gold grade and consistent hydrothermal alteration and modeled through interpolants following structural trends constructed after oriented core detail vein orientation analysis. This domain strategy followed the scheme defined in the 2019 technical report. The high-grade domains and some additional discrete individual veins were modeled independently in each structural block (see figure 1: East Zone, Pit Norte, Central Zone, Pit Sul and Ext Sul). The structural blocks are bounded by high angle faults mapped on surface.

The most significant extension of the new resource materialized in the East Zone, (former N2 domain in the 2019 Technical Report). New drilling provided the basis for higher tonnage and grade, ultimately increasing an original 420,000 Oz of inferred Resource to 479,000 oz Au of Indicated Resource and 339,000 oz of Inferred Resource.

The increase in tonnage reflects the lateral continuity of the High-Grade domain to the East (currently 500m lateral extent is recognized). The increase in grade is explained by better coverage over the intrusive contact buffer zone that is believed to be one of the main primary controls on vein density and gold endowment. Figure 2 shows a cross section along the East Zone, showing the new model High Grade domain and discrete veins jointly with the drill pattern (low angle holes) that allowed better modeling and lateral extent exploration. These veins are similar to the parallel veins that form the High Grade domain (quartz associated with gold and sulphides) but occur as single continuous trends, extending from 100 m to 300 m along strike with true thickness varying from 1 to 10 meters.



Table 2. Mineral Resource Comparison (December 2018 and July 2021)



To view an enhanced version of Table 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6185/92020_tbl2full.jpg





Figure 2. Cross section on the East Zone showing resource lateral new extension and pattern of the low angle drilling



To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6185/92020_4aa223df945559ea_004full.jpg

The new resource estimate consolidates Serra Alta as the probable anchor deposit in the conceptual district scale potential of the Monte do Carmo District.

The improved geological coverage of the drilling both along the granite unit strike and along the concealed intrusive contact zones have allowed the Cerrado team to refine considerably the understanding of the controls on the intrusion hosted gold mineralization including country rock, proximity to intrusive contact zones, relevant hydrothermal alteration, and late offsetting structures.

Exploration Implications

As a result of the drilling results returned to date, the team has identified several areas with potential for additional extension within the new Total Resource volume and a strategy for further resource conversion.

The current resource stretches for a strike length of 1.5 km and as referred previously is segmented in blocks that share the main primary features of the mineralized trends (granite hosted quartz veins, broader hydrothermal alteration, structural trends), have specific characteristic (e.g. contact rock: Volcanic Vs Quartzites and vein density) that also effect on metal tenors and extension of the mineralized zones. Notably the East Zone block that covers only a quarter (~ 400 m) of the resource strike length concentrates two thirds of the gold endowment.

In terms of the exploration strategy, this implies that relatively small blocks with a discrete footprint have potential for hosting multi hundred thousand ounces of gold. As referred in previous disclosures Cerrado controls extensive areas of fertile granite contact zones that share the Sierra Alta features like possible cupula levels, alteration assemblages, quartz veining and in several cases known artisanal mining.

From the Cerrado point of view, the potential of replicating endowed zones along this contact trace similar to the Serra Alta whole or individual block within Serra Alta remains high.

Review of Technical Information

Technical information contained in this new release related to the Mineral Resources has been reviewed by Mr. B. Terrence Hennessey, P.Geo. and Mr. Alan J. San Martin, MAusIMM (CP) of Micon International Limited. ("Micon"), a Toronto based consulting company, independent of Cerrado Gold. Mr Hennessey and Mr. San Martin have verified the data disclosed, including sampling, analytical, and test data underlying the drill results, and they consent to the inclusion in this release of said data in the form and context in which it appears. Other scientific and technical information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Sergio Gelcich. P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration for Cerrado Gold Inc., who is a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101.

Notice to Readers

There is no certainty that any part of the Mineral Resources estimated will be converted into a Mineral Reserves estimate. Disclosure regarding Mineral Resource estimates included herein have been prepared by the Company in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101").

For further information please contact

Mark Brennan

CEO and Co Chairman

Tel: +1-647-796-0023

mbrennan@cerradogold.com

Nicholas Campbell, CFA

Director, Corporate Development

Tel: +1-905-630-0148

ncampbell@cerradogold.com

About Cerrado Gold

Cerrado Gold is a public gold producer and exploration company with gold production derived from its 100% owned Minera Don Nicolas mine in Santa Cruz province, Argentina. It also owns 100% of the assets of Minera Mariana in Santa Cruz province, Argentina. The company is also undertaking exploration at its 100% owned Monte Do Carmo project located in Tocantins, Brazil. For more information about Cerrado Gold please visit our website at: www.cerradogold.com.

Disclaimer

NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation, all statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that discusses predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, without limitation, statements regarding the business and operations of Cerrado Gold. In making the forward- looking statements contained in this press release, Cerrado Gold has made certain assumptions, including, but not limited to ability of Cerrado to expand its drilling program at its Serra Alta Project, its Minera Don Nicolas Project and increase its resources. Although Cerrado Gold believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this press release. Except as required by law, Cerrado Gold disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/92020
The newly expanded facility substantially enhances KAI LAB's research and service testing capabilities

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 4, 2021 / EMPOWER CLINICS INC. (CSE:CBDT)(Frankfurt:8EC)(OTCQB:EPWCF) ("Empower" or the "Company") an integrated healthcare company - serving patients through medical centers, telemedicine platforms and a high complexity medical diagnostics laboratory processing thousands of COVID-19 specimens is delighted to announce the completion of its Kai Medical Laboratory ("Kai Lab") expansion.

Acquired by Empower Clinics on October 6, 2020, Kai Lab's Texas facility represents best-in-class testing capabilities. Since Q4 2020, Kai Labs has been a consistent revenue driver for the Company by meeting the needs of enterprise clients focused on cultivating a safer work environment. Thus far in 2021, Kai labs has yielded consistent and promising growth for Empower Clinics.

"I'm immensely proud the Kai Lab team for completing this monumental expansion," said Steven McAuley, Chairman and CEO of Empower. "This endeavor has unleashed Kai Lab's full potential to become a leader in both enterprise and direct to consumer testing, a matter of utmost important as individuals and businesses prepare for another flu season."

"After months of hard work, I'm thrilled to see the successful completion of Kai Lab's crucial expansion," said Yoshi Tyler, President of Kai Labs. "Through the leadership and expertise of the Empower Team we continue to make strides in meeting the demands of North America's healthcare space."

In addition to expanding the volume of current testing services, this milestone brings new product and service offerings to Kai Labs, such as dried blood spot card-based testing, vitamine, and hormone testing. Kai Labs also invested in its future beyond the COVID-19 pandemic by augmenting its research and development endeavors and its ability to collect a variety of specimen samples for testing. New testing offerings will include saliva and swab-based testing, respiratory pathogen panel, urinary tract and sexually transmitted infections testing. A ceremony to launch the expanded Kai Labs is slated for Fall 2021.

This press release is available on the Empower Clinics Verified Forum on AGORACOM for shareholder discussion, questions and engagement with management https://agoracom.com/ir/EmpowerClinics

ABOUT EMPOWER:

Empower is an integrated healthcare company that provides body and mind wellness for patients through its clinics, with digital and telemedicine care, and world-class medical diagnostics laboratories. Supported by an experienced leadership team, Empower is aggressively growing its clinical and digital presence across North America. Our Health & Wellness and Diagnostics & Technology business units are positioned to positively impact the integrated health of our patients, while simultaneously providing long term value for our shareholders.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Steven McAuley

Chief Executive Officer

CONTACTS:

Investors:

Steven McAuley CEO

s.mcauley@empowerclinics.com

604-789-2146

Investors:

Tamara Mason

Business Development & Communications

t.mason@empowerclinics.com

416-671-5617

DISCLAIMER FOR FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" (collectively "forward looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements can frequently be identified by words such as "plans", "continues", "expects", "projects", "intends", "believes", "anticipates", "estimates", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or information that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the expected benefits to the Company and its shareholders as a result of the acquisition of Kai Medical Laboratory; the transaction terms; the expected number of clinics and patients following the closing; the future potential success of Kai Medical Laboratory, Sun Valley's franchise model; launch of new healthcare centers and the occurrence thereof; that the Company can bring healthcare to millions of Canadians; that new healthcare services can be added and that the Company will be positioned to be a market- leading service provider for complex patient requirements in 2020 and beyond. Such statements are only projections, are based on assumptions known to management at this time, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including: that Kai Medical Laboratory will successfully win any US Government RFP; that the MedX Health pilot program will be successful; that Empower will place the MedX Health teledermatology product in health centers in North America; that the Company's products may not work as expected; that the Company may not be able to expand COVID-19 testing; that legislative changes may have an adverse effect on the Company's business and product development; that the Company may not be able to obtain adequate financing to pursue its business plan; that the Company will be able to commence and/or complete build-outs and tenants improvements for Canadian clinics or Kai Medical Laboratory expansion inn 2Q 2021; that general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; failure to obtain any necessary approvals in connection with the proposed transaction; and other factors beyond the Company's control. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements in this release, which are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The Company is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable laws.

SOURCE: Empower Clinics Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/658328/Empower-Clinics-Completes-Landmark-Kai-Laboratory-Expansion


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Oil prices fell in choppy trade on Wednesday, extending losses for the third straight session on concerns that curbs to combat the spread of the delta coronavirus variant will hurt demand. The downside was limited amid signs of increasing tightness in the U.S. market.



Brent crude futures for October delivery eased 0.3 percent to $72.19 a barrel, while U.S. crude futures for September settlement traded 0.6 percent lower at $70.16 per barrel.



Investors are watching the spread of the more contagious Delta strain of COVID-19 in the U.S., Europe and Asia, and particularly in key consumer China.



China today reported its highest daily number of local coronavirus cases in months as mass testing and contact tracing campaigns uncovered a trail of Delta variant infections.



According to media reports, the Delta variant of the virus has been spreading into places that had remained free of virus for months, including the original virus epicentre of Wuhan. The strain has reached nearly half of China's 32 provinces in just two weeks.



Traders weighed the risk to consumption posed by the virus spread as the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies increase output.



Helping limit the downside for oil was U.S. crude oil supply data from the American Petroleum Institute, released on Tuesday, which showed crude stockpiles fell 879,000 barrels for the week ending Jul. 30.



Investors await key oil supply data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration later in the day for further direction.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / August 4, 2021 / Fury Gold Mines Limited (TSX:FURY)(NYSE American:FURY) ("Fury" or the "Company") is pleased to provide results for eight core drill holes at the Eau Claire project located in the Eeyou Istchee Territory in the James Bay region of Quebec, including results from the Company's deposit drilling and initial results from the western extension targets. Three of the drill holes focused on the previously untested Hinge target at the western limit of the Eau Claire deposit. Significant intercepts included 1.0 metre (m) of 12.81 g/t gold and 8.0m of 1.18 g/t gold, demonstrating that the Hinge target has both high-grade veins and broader zones of mineralization. All three holes encountered stacked zones of quartz tourmaline veining and associated amphibole-biotite alteration in the same iron rich basalt that hosts the current Eau Claire resource (Figure 1).

"We strongly believe that Eau Claire has the potential to expand considerably at the Hinge and Limb target areas, and through drilling along the Snake Lake structure. We are also very excited about our ongoing drill program at the 8km Raven shear zone at Committee Bay, with results expected in September," commented Mike Timmins, President and CEO of Fury. "With four drill rigs turning in Quebec and Nunavut, we are looking forward to a robust second half of the year, with a lot more ounces to be discovered through exploration."

Exploration Program Update

The first phase of the Eau Claire exploration program was primarily focused on deposit drilling and testing areas of potential resource expansion east and west of the deposit. This first phase of drilling is now complete, whereupon as planned, we are continuing drilling focused on areas with the highest growth potential. Fury is currently drilling to explore and expand upon the Snake Lake mineralized system, where the Company has been successful at delineating high-grade mineralization on step outs of up to 850m where 0.5m of 94.1 g/t gold was intersected (see Fury's news release dated May 18, 2021). The second drill is currently testing the western Limb extension target where the Company is drilling veining and alteration consistent with that found within the Eau Claire resource. There is also the potential to add a third drill rig later in the year to focus on the expansion of mineralization at Percival and to test additional regional targets that are currently being groomed for winter drilling.

Resource Expansion Drilling

Fury is also pleased to report results from two resource expansion drill holes on the western Limb target, where eight stacked zones of mineralization were intersected in hole 21EC-026 and four stacked zones were encountered in hole 21EC-028 (Figure 2). Drill results from both holes meet the minimum mining width of 2m above the resource cut-off grade of 2.5 g/t gold1. Results from the western Limb resource expansion holes are presented below (Table 1). Mineralization in both drill holes is characterized by quartz-tourmaline veins and associated amphibole-biotite alteration that is spatially associated with quartz-feldspar porphyry dykes over a 150m width. Fury is highly encouraged by the presence of multiple stacked zones of mineralization and the potential to expand the resource in this area. The Company is currently drilling 250m step-out holes from the known resource based on strong geologic vectors encountered in drill holes 21EC-026 and 21EC-028 (Figure 2).

In addition, two resource expansion holes targeting the high-grade eastern area of the deposit and outside of the current resource blocks, have intersected 1.29m of 14.27 g/t gold from drill hole 21EC-030 and 1.33m of 9.37 g/t gold from drill hole 21EC-025 (Figure 3). The Company's resource expansion drill program has consistently expanded the deposit footprint to the east where the Company is currently focused on a 250m extension of the high-grade 204,000-ounce portion of the resource at 11.81 g/t gold (2.5 g/t cut-off grade)1.

Currently, there are four completed holes pending assay results from the Western Limb extension target, one hole from the Snake Lake target, and one 150-metre step out hole testing the eastern down plunge extension from the Eau Claire project (Figure 4). The Company anticipates results from these holes to be released during September and October.

"The initial drill holes targeting the western extensions of the deposit are highly encouraging as both the Hinge and Limb targets have yielded multiple stacked zones of gold mineralization within zones of quartz-tourmaline veining that clearly demonstrate an expanding deposit footprint. Fury's technical team believes that further drilling on the Hinge and Limb targets is fully warranted to target the system where grade and width coalesce," stated Michael Henrichsen, SVP, Exploration of Fury.

Table 1: Eau Claire Drill Results

Hole ID From To Length (m) True Thickness (m) Au (g/t) Eastern Resource Expansion1 21EC-025 165.5 167 1.5 1.15 1.95 362.5 364 1.5 1.33 9.37 21EC-030 379.5 381 1.5 1.29 14.27 21EC-027 No Significant Intersections 21EC-034 Results Pending Western Limb Resource Expansion2 21EC-026 637.5 640.5 3 2.98 2.45 655.5 657 1.5 1.49 2.54 663 668 5 4.96 2.71 698.5 700 1.5 1.49 4.63 720 721.5 1.5 1.49 7.30 747.5 751 3.5 3.49 3.21 776.5 777.5 1.0 1.00 9.60 995 996 1.0 0.99 4.70 21EC-028 379 380 1.0 0.99 3.31 533 533.5 0.5 0.5 4.95 572.5 573.5 1.0 0.99 3.54 586 591 5.0 4.97 2.6 637 638.5 1.5 1.49 7.77 21EC-036 Results Pending 21EC-037 Results Pending 21EC-038 Results Pending 21EC-039 Results Pending Hinge Exploration Target3 21EC-031 210 211 1.00 NA 3.47 392 393.5 1.50 NA 2.77 466 467 1.00 NA 2.38 474 482 8.00 NA 1.18 21EC-032 9.5 11 1.50 NA 8.50 18 21 3.00 NA 3.07 25.5 27 1.50 NA 1.82 474 474.5 0.50 NA 4.55 608.5 609.5 1.00 NA 12.81 21EC-035 541.5 543 1.50 NA 1.57 582 583 1.00 NA 2.02 618 619.5 1.50 NA 1.56 Snake Lake Target 21SL-003 Results Pending Main intervals - Au grade*thickness no less than 2g/t*m with grade is no less than 1g/t, maximum consecutive dilution 2m; Sub-intervals - Au grade*thickness no less than 7g/t*m with grade is no less than 3.5g/t, maximum consecutive dilution 2m True thickness calculation based on dip of 55 and dip azimuth of 191.5 True thickness calculation based on dip of 43 and dip azimuth of 180 Lengths are drill indicated core length, as insufficient drilling has been undertaken to determine true widths at this time.

Figure 1: Illustrates the Hinge target initial exploration drill holes which targeted the contact between magnesium and iron rich basalts that is the stratigraphic position hosting the bulk of the 450 zone resource at the Eau Claire deposit. Multiple stacked zones of quartz-tourmaline veining and broad zones of alteration were encountered in all three drill holes.

Figure 2: Illustrates the resource expansion intercepts at the western Limb target at the Eau Claire deposit as highlighted by the orange dashed ovals.

Figure 3: Eau Claire Deposit long section depicting the resource block model and location of recent resource expansion drill holes

Figure 4: Illustrates the long section of the Eau Claire deposit and Snake Lake target with drill holes highlighted with assays pending

Technical Disclosure

Analytical samples for the Resource Expansion Drill Program were taken by sawing NQ and HQ diameter core into equal halves on site and sent one of the halves to Bureau Veritas (BV) lab in Timmins, ON (ISO/IEC 17025 accredited facility) for preparation and analysis. Preparation included crashing core sample to 90% < 2mm and pulverizing 1000g of crushed material to better than 85% < 75 microns. All samples are assayed using 50 g nominal weight fire assay with atomic absorption finish (BV code FA450) and multi-element four acid digest ICP-AES/ICP-MS method (BV code MA200). Where FA450 results are greater than 5 ppm Au the assay is repeated with 50 g nominal weight fire assay with gravimetric finish (FA550-Au). QA/QC programs using internal and lab standard and blank samples, field and lab duplicates and re-assay indicate good overall accuracy and precision.

2002-2015 historical drill samples were taken by sawing NQ or HQ diameter core into equal halves on site with one half being sent to ALS Chemex in Sudbury, ON for preparation and analysis. All samples were assayed using a 50 g nominal weight fire assay with inductively coupled plasma - atomic emission spectrometry finish (Au-ICP22) and multi-element four acid digest ICP-AES/ICP-MS method (ME-MS61). Where Au-ICP22 results were greater than 0.5 ppm Au the assay was repeated with a 50 g nominal weight fire assay with atomic absorption finish (Au-AA24). Samples containing more than 5 ppm by Au-AA24 were re-assayed with 50 g nominal weight fire assay with gravimetric finish (Au-GRA22). QA/QC programs using internal standard samples, field and lab duplicates and blanks indicate good overall accuracy and precision.

2016-2019 historical drill samples were taken by sawing NQ or HQ diameter core into equal halves on site with one half being sent to ALS Chemex in Sudbury, ON for preparation and analysis. All samples were assayed using a 50 g nominal weight fire assay with atomic absorption finish (Au-AA24) and multi-element four acid digest ICP-AES/ICP-MS method (ME-MS61). Where Au-AA24 results were greater than 5 ppm Au, the assay was repeated with 50 g nominal weight fire assay with gravimetric finish (Au-GRA22). QA/QC programs using internal standard samples, field and lab duplicates and blanks indicate good overall accuracy and precision.

1 See the technical report entitled "Technical Report, Updated Mineral Resource Estimate and Preliminary Economic Assessment on the Eau Claire Gold Deposit, Clearwater Property, Quebec, Canada" (the "Eau Claire Report") dated effective February 4, 2018, prepared by Eugene Puritch, P.Eng., FEC, CET, Antoine Yassa, P.Geo., Andrew Bradfield, P.Eng., Allan Armitage, Ph.D., P.Geo., which can be found on the Company's profile at www.sedar.com.

David Rivard, P.Geo, Exploration Manager at Fury, is a "qualified person" within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical disclosures in this press release.

About Fury Gold Mines Limited

Fury Gold Mines Limited is a Canadian-focused exploration and development company positioned in three prolific mining regions across the country. Led by a management team and board of directors with proven success in financing and developing mining assets, Fury will aggressively grow and advance its multi-million-ounce gold platform through project development and potential new discoveries. Fury is committed to upholding the highest industry standards for corporate governance, environmental stewardship, community engagement and sustainable mining. For more information on Fury Gold Mines, visit www.furygoldmines.com.

For further information on Fury Gold Mines Limited, please contact:

Salisha Ilyas, Vice President, Investor Relations

Tel: (437) 500-2529

Email: info@furygoldmines.com

Website: www.furygoldmines.com

Forward-Looking Information and Additional Cautionary Language

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which relate to the future operations of the Company and other statements that are not historical facts. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes", or the negatives and/or variations of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur", "be achieved" or "has the potential to". Forward-looking information is information that includes implied future performance and/or forecast information. Forward-looking information in this release reflects management's current estimates, predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events. Specific forward-looking information contained in this release includes information relating to: the Eau Claire deposit, including with respect to any potential resources, future drilling plans and upcoming drilling results; Fury's growth plans; and the future and growth and development of Fury's mineral properties.

There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking information reflects the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date such statements are made and are based on a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable at the time, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Such assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect, include: general economic and industry growth rates; the Company's budget, including expected costs and the assumptions regarding market conditions; the Company's ability to raise additional capital to proceed with its exploration, development and operations plans; the Company's ability to obtain or renew the licenses and permits necessary for its current and future operations; and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements were reasonable at the time such statements were made, there can be no assurance that such assumptions and expectations will prove to be correct.

Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different (either positively or negatively) from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including risks relating, but not limited, to: the COVID-19 pandemic; the future price of minerals, including gold and other metals; and the success of the Company's exploration and development activities. Readers should refer to the risks discussed in the Company's Annual Information Form and MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2020 and subsequent continuous disclosure filings with the Canadian Securities Administrators available at www.sedar.com and the Company's Annual Report on Form 40-F for the year ended December 31, 2020 filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information, which speak only as of the date made. The forward-looking information and statements contained in this press release represent the Company's expectations as of the date of this press release or the date indicated. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities law.

Cautionary Note to United States Investors Concerning Estimates of Mining Disclosure

The mining and technical disclosure throughout this release is made in accordance with applicable Canadian law and the guidelines set out in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves ("CIM Standards"). The Company's descriptions of its projects using applicable Canadian law and CIM Standards may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements under the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

SOURCE: Fury Gold Mines

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/658293/Fury-Drills-High-Grade-Gold-at-the-Eau-Claire-Hinge-Target-Exploration-Drilling-Resumes-at-Snake-Lake
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 4, 2021 / Aztec Minerals Corp. (TSXV:AZT)(OTCQB:AZZTF) and Kootenay Silver Inc. have outlined new gold-copper-molybdenum geochemical soil and rock anomalies on the Cervantes Porphyry Gold-Copper Property in Sonora, Mexico.

The 2021 Phase 1 surface exploration program was successful in expanding and increasing definition of the Estrella, Brazil and California Norte targets and discovering a new target, Estrella Norte (1.0 x 1.6 kms) in the northwestern portion of the project.

2021 Phase 1 Exploration Program Highlights

Rock chip sampling returned assays up to 21.3 grams per tonne (gpt) gold , with ten samples running over 1 gpt Au, with anomalous results of 20-250 ppb Au occurring proximal to the strongest rock gold values.

, with ten samples running over 1 gpt Au, with anomalous results of 20-250 ppb Au occurring proximal to the strongest rock gold values. Soil sampling returned assays up to 3.60 gpt Au, with anomalous results of 10-70 ppb Au occurring proximal to the strongest soil gold values.

The Aztec-Kootenay JV has approved a Phase 2, 22-hole, 5,000 m reverse circulation ("RC") drill program to commence in the 4th quarter, 2021 subject to available funds. Four main targets will be tested. The primary objectives of the 2021 exploration program are to better define the open pit, heap leach gold potential of the porphyry oxide cap at California, evaluate the potential for deeper copper-gold porphyry sulfide mineralization underlying the oxide cap, test for north and west extensions of the California mineralization at California North and Jasper, and assess the breccia potential of Purisima East.

California - Aztec previously discovered extensive porphyry gold-copper mineralization (drill intercepts up to 0.77 gpt gold over 160m) here so the JV plans to drill 14 infill and step-out holes at a 50m spacing to expand and better define the area of mineralization, followed by two 500m deep holes to test the depth extent of the strong underlying IP chargeability anomaly California Norte - one hole will test a small part of the coincident IP chargeability/gold-copper-molybdenum anomaly Jasper - one hole will test the outcropping strong oxide copper mineralization and extensive copper-molybdenum soil anomaly Purisima East - four holes will test the high grade gold mineralization in the Glory Hole mine working and coincident IP chargeability and gold-copper-molybdenum anomaly within a breccia along the rim of a porphyry intrusion

View: Cervantes Proposed Phase 2 RC Drilling Plan

2021 Phase 1 Exploration Program Overview

As Operator of the Cervantes Joint Venture, Aztec mobilized a field crew to conduct a +500 soil and outcrop rock chip surface sampling program aimed at extending previous soil grids and covering targets with limited historic exploration. The soil sample grid covered 518 hectares (5.18 square kilometers) with 477 samples in a 100 by 100 meter spacing, to extend its coverage over the Estrella, California, Brazil and California North targets to the western, northern, and eastern limits of the property. This program expanded the existing soil sample database of over 1,100 samples to over 1,600 samples now covering a total of 1,200 hectares (12.0 square kilometers). This represents 34.9% the project's 3,440 hectares surface area. The outcrop rock chip sampling comprised 110 samples making the current project total 340, plus previous to 2021 Aztec collected 608 channel samples and 23 stream sediment samples.

The soil sampling had gold results up to 3,605 ppb Au, showing the soil gold anomalies starting at 10 ppb Au with 70 ppb Au being proximal to the strongest values. Gold shows strongest affinities with As, Fe and Cu, and a moderate affinity with Pb, Ag, Sb, Bi and Ba. Soil samples had copper had a maximum result of 1,381 ppm Cu, showing the soil copper anomalies starting at 50 ppm Cu with 350 ppm Cu being proximal to the strongest values. Copper shows strongest affinities with Pb, Au, Ag and Mo, and a moderate affinity with Pb, Mn and Zn, the last two often being distally zoned and providing good target vectoring. Molybdenum in the soil samples had a maximum result of 51.8 ppm Mo, showing the soil molybdenum anomalies starting at 4 ppm Mo with 30 ppm Mo being proximal to the strongest values.

Outcrop rock chip sampling had gold results up to 21.3 ppm Au, with ten samples over 1,000 ppb Au, showing the gold anomalies starting at 20 ppb Au with 250 ppb Au being proximal to the strongest values. Gold shows strongest affinities with As, Ag, Fe and Cu, and a moderate affinity with Pb, Sb, Bi, S, Hg, V and Ba. Rock chip samples had copper with a maximum result of 2,300 ppm Cu and 11 samples over 1,000 ppm Cu. The results show the rock chip copper anomalies starting at 65 ppm Cu with 430 ppm Cu being proximal to the strongest values. Copper shows strongest affinities with Pb, Au, Ag and Mo, and a moderate affinity with Ni, Co, Pb, Mn and Zn, the last two often being distally zoned. Molybdenum in the rock chip samples had a maximum result of 625 ppm Mo and 14 samples over 100 ppm Mo. Results show the rock chip molybdenum anomalies starting at 5 ppm Mo with 50 ppm Mo being proximal to the strongest values. Molybdenum in rock chips shows a moderate affiliation with copper highs and the strongest Au values, but often distal.

View: Cervantes Gold-In-Soils

View: Cervantes Copper-In-Soils

View: Cervantes Molybdenum-In-Soils

View: Cervantes Gold-In-Rocks

View: Cervantes Copper-In-Rocks

View: Cervantes Molybdenum-In-Rocks

Cervantes Project Overview

Cervantes is a highly prospective porphyry gold-copper property located in southeastern Sonora state, Mexico. The project lies 160 km east of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico within the famous Laramide porphyry copper belt approximately 265 km southeast of the Cananea porphyry copper-molybdenum mine (Grupo Mexico). Cervantes also lies along an east-west trending gold belt 60 km west of the Mulatos epithermal gold mine (Alamos Gold), 45 km west of the La India mine (Agnico Eagle), and 40 km northwest of Santana gold deposit (Minera Alamos).

View: Cervantes Project Location Map

Large well-located property (3,649 hectares) with good infrastructure, road access, local town, all private land, water wells on property, grid power nearby

(3,649 hectares) with good infrastructure, road access, local town, all private land, water wells on property, grid power nearby Seven prospective mineralized zones related to high level porphyries and breccias along an 7.0km east-northeast corridor with multiple intersecting northwest structures

to high level porphyries and breccias along an 7.0km east-northeast corridor with multiple intersecting northwest structures Distinct geophysical anomalies, California target marked by high magnetic and low resistivity anomalies, high radiometric and chargeability anomalies responding to pervasive alteration

California target marked by high magnetic and low resistivity anomalies, high radiometric and chargeability anomalies responding to pervasive alteration Extensive gold mineralization at California zone , 118 soil samples average 0.44 gpt gold over 900 m by 600 m area, trench rock-channel samples up to 0.47 gpt gold over 222m

, 118 soil samples average 0.44 gpt gold over 900 m by 600 m area, trench rock-channel samples up to 0.47 gpt gold over 222m Already drilled the first discovery hole at the California zone, intersected gold oxide cap to a classic gold-copper porphyry deposit, drill results up to 0.77 gpt gold over 160 m

hole at the California zone, intersected gold oxide cap to a classic gold-copper porphyry deposit, drill results up to 0.77 gpt gold over 160 m Excellent gold recoveries from preliminary metallurgical tests on drill core from California zone; oxide gold recoveries in bottle roll tests range from 75% to 87%

from preliminary metallurgical tests on drill core from California zone; oxide gold recoveries in bottle roll tests range from 75% to 87% California geophysical anomaly wide open laterally and at depth, IP chargeability strengthens and broadens to >500m depth over an area 1100 m by 1200 m

laterally and at depth, IP chargeability strengthens and broadens to >500m depth over an area 1100 m by 1200 m Three-Dimensional IP Survey conducted in 2019 extends strong chargeability anomalies to the southwest covering Estrella, Purisima East, and Purisima West, coinciding well with alteration and Au-Cu-Mo soil geochemical anomalies, all undrilled.

California Target

In 2017-18, Aztec completed a Phase 1, 17 diamond core hole drill program, totaling 2,675 meters (m) (see news release dated June 26, 2018). Phase 1 drilling tested the California target 900m by 600m gold-in-soils anomaly that averaged 0.44gpt covering hydrothermal breccias within a quartz feldspar porphyry stock intruding Paleozoic silici-clastic sediments.

The Phase 1 drill program consistently intersected an oxidized gold cap to a porphyry-type gold-copper-silver system at California, including multiple 100+ meter widths of exceeding 0.40 gpt gold, spanning an 800-meter length and a 200-meter breadth, to a maximum vertical depth of 150 meters. The area tested by drilling represents only 30% of the surface gold soil anomaly.

Mineralization at the California zone is open in all directions. Highlights of the 2017-18 Phase 1 drill program are as follows:

160m @ 0.77 gpt gold incl 80m @ 1.04 gpt gold, 0.11% copper in 18CER010

139m @ 0.71 gpt gold incl 20m @ 2.10 gpt gold, 0.16% copper in 17CER005

118m @ 0.63 gpt gold incl 43m @ 1.18 gpt gold, 0.16% copper in 17CER003

122m @ 0.60 gpt gold incl 62m @ 0.88 gpt gold, 0.06% copper in 18CER007

170m @ 0.42 gpt gold incl 32m @ 0.87 gpt gold, 0.06% copper in 18CER006

Preliminary metallurgical tests on California drill cores were conducted in 2019 (see news release dated March 12, 2019). Drill core samples were grouped into 4 separate types of mineralization: Oxide 1, Oxide 2, Mixed Oxide/Sulfide and Sulfide. The preliminary results of bottle roll tests showed excellent potential for heap leach gold recovery, as follows:

85.1% recovery on 2.0mm material and 94.3% on 75-micron material in sample Oxide 1

87.7% recovery on 2.0mm material and 94.2% on 75-micron material in sample Oxide 2

77.9% recovery on 2.0mm material and 89.0% on 75-micron material in sample Mixed Oxide/Sulphide

51.2% recovery on 2.0mm material and 78.7% on 75-micron material in sample Sulphide

Additional Targets:

Purisima East - outcropping gossans, altered and mineralized diatreme breccias and porphyry intrusions marked by a 700m by 600m geochemical soil anomaly in 193 samples that average 0.25 gpt gold, a small historic 'glory hole' mine where rock chip sampling returned high-grade mineralization up to 44.6 gpt gold.

Estrella - outcrops of gossan and sulfides in silicified Paleozoic sediments with quartz porphyry dikes with rock chip samples up to 3.9 gpt gold and 2,010 ppm copper.

Estrella Norte - a newly defined area of 1.0 x 1.6 kms in the northwest portion of the project with anomalous gold-copper-molybdenum in soils and rock chip samples, in sediments.

Purisima West - a mirror image of Purisima East in size and type of gossans, altered and mineralized breccias and intrusions in association with gold and copper soil anomalies.

Jasper - 2017 trenching returned skarn/replacement-type mineralization up to 0.52% copper and 0.62 gpt gold over a 92.4 m length.

California North - coincident IP chargeability and gold-copper-molybdenum soil geochemical anomalies may be a north extension of the California target.

Other targets - porphyry alteration and geochemical soil anomalies mark the Jacobo and Brasil prospects but more work is required to expand and define these targets.

All sampling will be conducted with strict QA/QC controls, standards and blanks. Samples will be delivered directly to Bureau Veritas Minerals in Hermosillo for analysis. Allen David Heyl, B.Sc., P.Geo., is the Qualified Person and Vice President of Exploration at Aztec Minerals Corp who reviewed and approved the technical disclosures in this news release.

"Simon Dyakowski"

Simon Dyakowski, Chief Executive Officer

Aztec Minerals Corp.

About Aztec Minerals - Aztec is a mineral exploration company focused on the discovery of large polymetallic mineral deposits in the Americas. Our core asset is the prospective Cervantes porphyry gold-copper property in Sonora, Mexico. The historic, district-scale Tombstone properties host both bulk tonnage epithermal gold-silver as well as CRD silver-lead-zinc mineralization in Cochise County, Arizona. Aztec's shares trade on the TSX-V stock exchange (symbol AZT) and on the OTCQB (symbol AZZTF).

Contact Information - For more information, please contact:

Simon Dyakowski, CEO or Bradford Cooke, Chairman

Tel: (604) 619-7469

Fax: (604) 685-9744

Email: simon@aztecminerals.com

Website: www.aztecminerals.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. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expects" or "it is expected", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from results contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE: Aztec Minerals Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/658282/Aztec--Kootenay-JV-Outlines-New-Gold-Copper-Molybdenum-Geochemical-Soil-and-Rock-Anomalies-on-the-Cervantes-Porphyry-Gold-Copper-Property-in-Sonora-Mexico
Best-selling brand District Edibles is the first of many SLANG-branded products to be launched in California through this partnership

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 4, 2021) - SLANG Worldwide Inc. (CNSX: SLNG) (OTCQB: SLGWF) ("SLANG" or the "Company"), a leading global cannabis consumer packaged goods (CPG) company with a diversified portfolio of popular brands, today announced that it is relaunching in California with popular edibles brand District Edibles. Products will be manufactured exclusively by Natura Life + Science ("Natura"), a vertically integrated cannabis manufacturing company and available throughout the Golden State.

Based in Sacramento, Natura is bringing back one of California's favorite infused products, District Edibles, which were previously one of the top-selling gummies in the state. "With brand recognition for District Edibles already established, this partnership will enable SLANG to increase Gross Merchandise Value and distribution in one of our key emerging markets," said Chris Driessen, CEO of SLANG.

California is the largest cannabis market in the U.S., generating sales of nearly $4.4 billion USD in 2020 up 57 percent from 2019, according to MJ Biz Daily.

Through a previously announced strategic partnership, Natura has been granted an exclusive license to produce and distribute the SLANG product suite in California. The Company expects to launch more SLANG-branded products in the coming quarters. SLANG will also provide sales consulting services and will receive royalty payments for each branded product sold in the state.

Seth Sznapstajler, VP of Sales, Natura said, "SLANG is one of the most successful and admired industry leaders in cannabis consumer packaged goods. Natura has a world-class manufacturing facility, built to bring the best cannabis products to market. With this partnership, we have a dream team that will enable SLANG brands to thrive in California. By popular demand, we're kicking off the partnership by launching District Edibles. The Natura team is ecstatic to bring such a tasty and high-quality product to the California market."

Equity Compensation Issuances

SLANG also announces that it will issue an aggregate of 732,936 common shares ("SLANG Shares"), at a deemed price of C$0.21 per SLANG Share, to 25 employees, including 3 executive officers, who elected to receive shares as part of their compensation. The issuance of the SLANG Shares is subject to Canadian Securities Exchange (the "Exchange") approval and a hold period expiring 4 months and 1 day from the date of issuance, unless waived by the Exchange.

The Company also announces that it has granted 3,232,398 incentive stock options, 2,742,398 of which were granted to directors and officers, the options are subject to vesting provisions and exercisable for five and ten year periods at a price of C$0.21 per SLANG Share.

The Company further announces it has granted 350,000 restricted share units (each, an "RSU"), to certain key employees of the Company, 250,000 of which were granted to an officer. RSUs represent the right to receive, upon vesting, SLANG Shares, cash, or any combination thereof, at the discretion and approval of the directors of the Company.

To be added to SLANG's email distribution list, please email SLNG@kcsa.com with "SLNG" in the subject.

About SLANG Worldwide Inc.

SLANG Worldwide Inc. is a global leader in the cannabis CPG sector with a diversified portfolio of popular brands distributed across the United States. The Company specializes in acquiring and developing market-proven regional brands as well as launching innovative new brands to seize global market opportunities. For more information, please visit www.slangww.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements included in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements in respect of the manufacture and distribution of SLANG branded products in California.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management of SLANG at this time, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive risks, uncertainties and contingencies that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Applicable risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to regulatory risks, risks related to the COVID-19 global pandemic, changes in laws, resolutions and guidelines, market risks, concentration risks, operating history, competition, the risks associated with international and foreign operations and the other risks identified under the headings "Risk Factors" in SLANG's annual information form dated April 29, 2021 and other disclosure documents available on the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. SLANG is not under any obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law.

Third Party Information

This press release includes market and industry data that has been obtained from third party sources, including industry publications. The Company believes that the industry data is accurate and that its estimates and assumptions are reasonable, but there is no assurance as to the accuracy or completeness of this data. Third party sources generally state that the information contained therein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but there is no assurance as to the accuracy or completeness of included information. Although the data is believed to be reliable, the Company has not independently verified any of the data from third party sources referred to in this press release or ascertained the underlying economic assumptions relied upon by such sources.

Media and Investor inquiries

Investors@SLANGww.com

KCSA Strategic Communications

Phil Carlson / Elizabeth Barker

SLANG@kcsa.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/92010
Cardston, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - August 4, 2021) - American Creek Resources Ltd. (TSXV: AMK) ("the Corporation") is pleased to present the first results for the 2021 resource expansion and definition drilling program for the Goldstorm Deposit at their flagship property, Treaty Creek. The project is located in the heart of the Golden Triangle of northwestern British Columbia and is on-trend from Seabridge's KSM Project located five kilometers southwest of the Goldstorm Deposit. Results from seven diamond drill holes have recently been received from MSA Labs and are reported herein. Exploration at Treaty Creek is ongoing at Goldstorm, Perfect Storm and the Eureka zones with the recent arrival of the fifth and sixth drill rigs. Drilling has commenced at the Perfect Storm Zone with the fifth drill rig and the sixth drill rig has just arrived at the Eureka Zone awaiting the arrival of its drill crew. Click to view: Video outlining the 2021 Exploration Program at Treaty Creek

Tudor Gold's Vice President of Exploration and Project Development, Ken Konkin, P.Geo., states: "The 2021 drilling program at Treaty Creek has progressed very well with peripheral drilling at Goldstorm. We are consistently encountering strong sulphide mineralization along the limits of the three identified mineral resource domains, namely the 300 Horizon, CS-600 and DS-5 Zones. The Goldstorm Deposit remains open to expansion in all directions and at depth. In addition to potentially adding new gold equivalent (AuEq) ounces to the mineral resource, we will attempt to convert as much of the 7.9 million AuEq ounces of Inferred Resources to the Measured and Indicated Resource categories that currently total 19.41 million ounces of AuEq. Concurrent with the definition and exploration drilling on the Goldstorm Deposit, one drill will continue with 300-meter (m) step-out holes at Perfect Storm and one drill will test the central area of the Eureka Zone. Exploration crews will also be working on new areas within the project area in order to define new drill targets."

Treaty Creek, Goldstorm Drilling Highlights include:

Very consistent, near-surface 300 Horizon intercepts such as GS-21-103 that intersected 801.0 meters of 0.704 g/t AuEq including a strong upper pulse of enrichment averaging 2.025 g/t AuEq over 75.0 meters or 168.0 meters of 1.391 AuEq.

An impressive 474.0 m intercept of DS-5 in hole GS-21-110 that averages 1.039 g/t AuEQ including 216.0 meters of 1.712 g/t AuEq or 130.5 meters of 2.389 g/t AuEq.

All drill holes hit significant gold mineralization (GS-21-107 was lost before encountering the DS-5 Zone and that hole will be re-drilled).

Goldstorm Deposit remains open in all directions and at depth as drilling continues.

The complete list of composited drill hole results as well as the drill hole data including hole location, elevation, depth, dip and azimuth are provided in Table 1 and Table 2, respectively. Please click on the following link to view: Plan Map and Cross Sections for holes GS-21-103 to GS-21-110

Table l: Results Goldstorm Zone Press Release August 3rd 2021

Section Hole Zone From

(m) To

(m) Interval (m) Au

(g/t) Ag

(g/t) Cu ppm AuEQ (g/t) 108+00 NE GS-21-103 300H 27.00 828.00 801.00 0.653 3.02 139 0.704 Incl. 93.00 261.00 168.00 1.263 7.69 321 1.391 or Incl. 139.50 214.50 75.00 1.815 12.89 503 2.025 109+50 NE GS-21-104 CS600 174.00 296.00 122.00 0.385 1.54 327 0.441 Incl. 174.00 213.00 39.00 0.573 2.23 517 0.660 or Incl. 174.00 204.00 30.00 0.633 2.70 465 0.719 108+50 NE GS-21-105 DS5 211.00 341.50 130.50 0.433 0.56 216 0.465 Incl. 215.50 238.00 22.50 0.873 0.50 259 0.910 112+00 NE GS-21-107* CS600 116.60 297.00 180.40 0.399 6.55 1956 0.707 Incl. 187.50 228.00 40.50 0.666 12.37 2227 1.074 113+50 NE GS-21-108 CS600 133.85 312.00 178.15 1.115 4.08 1501 1.340 Incl. 186.00 253.50 67.50 1.375 4.38 1417 1.594 & Incl. 270.00 301.50 31.50 2.412 4.81 1062 2.594 DS5 759.00 904.50 145.50 0.867 10.22 115 1.000 Incl. 796.50 820.50 24.00 1.726 26.20 289 2.066 108+00 NE GS-21-109 300H 118.50 334.50 216.00 0.691 0.97 147 0.720 Incl. 160.50 241.50 81.00 0.965 1.43 213 1.006 or Incl. 160.50 174.00 13.50 2.648 4.04 941 2.806 115+00 NE GS-21-110 DS5 598.50 1072.50 474.00 0.983 3.99 75 1.039 Incl. 853.50 1069.50 216.00 1.620 6.88 101 1.712 or Incl. 898.50 1029.00 130.50 2.285 7.83 106 2.389

* Lost drill hole prior to intersecting DS-5, will re-drill this hole.

All assay values are uncut and intervals reflect drilled intercept lengths.

HQ and NQ2 diameter core samples were sawn in half and typically sampled at standard 1.5m intervals.

The following metal prices were used to calculate the Au Eq metal content: Gold $1625/oz, Ag: $19/oz, Cu: $2.8/lb. Calculations used the formula Au Eq g/t = (Au g/t) + (Ag g/t x 0.01169) + (Cu% x 1.1815). All metals are reported in USD and calculations do not consider metal recoveries.

True widths have not been determined as the mineralized body remains open in all directions. Further drilling is required to determine the mineralized body orientation and true widths.

Table 2: Drill data for holes in Press Release August 3rd, 2021

Section Hole ID UTM E NAD 83 UTM N NAD 83 Elevation (m) Azi

(o) Dip

(o) Depth

(m) 108+00 NE GS-21-103 428355.1 6272668.2 1301.2 295 -64 969 109+50 NE GS-21-104 428823.9 6272571.8 1275.4 295 -90 454 108+50 NE GS-21-105 428769.4 6272531.1 1278.4 295 -88 397 112+00 NE GS-21-107* 428885.4 6272822.2 1250.1 295 -88 359.3 113+50 NE GS-21-108 428953.1 6272953.3 1238.2 295 -85 939 108+00 NE GS-21-109 428354.2 6272668.7 1301.3 295 -45 927 115+00 NE GS-21-110 429020.3 6273102.0 1230.2 295 -88 1089.25

* Lost drill hole prior to intersecting DS-5, will re-drill this hole.

Walter Storm, Tudor President and CEO, stated: "I am very pleased with the exceptional progress our exploration team has made with these initial results from the resource definition and exploration drilling program. Continued drilling will broaden our understanding of the 300, CS-600 and DS-5 domains and hopefully will further increase the size and quality of the Goldstorm Deposit beyond our expectations. Despite having an exceptionally high snowpack this year, minor delays were encountered as crews patiently and safely removed unexpected amounts of snow accumulation. The safety of our crews and of our contractors is our highest priority. In addition to the exploration program, our base-line studies are also proceeding as planned with the installation of a climate monitoring station and on-going environmental studies. We look forward to providing new drilling updates throughout this year's work program."

"Tudor Gold Corp. and our associated service companies have taken extreme measures to maintain the highest professional standards while working within COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Only essential personnel are permitted to enter the camp and staging areas. Of those workers who are at the project site and staging site, we have strict daily monitoring of the workers temperatures and general health conditions. We have a certified paramedic at the staging area to examine all in-coming and out-going Tudor personnel and all service providers."

Darren Blaney, CEO of American Creek commented: "What a fantastic way to start the 2021 drill program. More Goldstorm expansion with more very impressive drill intersections."

"We would like to commend the efforts of Walter Storm, Ken Konkin and the team at Tudor Gold, as well as More Core Drilling. We have utmost confidence in the exploration team and very much look forward to ongoing Goldstorm expansion as well as the very real potential of new discoveries."

Qualified Person

The Qualified Person for Tudor's news release for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 is Tudor's Vice President of Project Development, Ken Konkin, P.Geo. He has read and approved the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for their disclosure contained in their news release.

The Qualified Person for this news release is James A. McCrea, P. Geo., for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101. While American Creek has not independently confirmed Tudor's information, Mr. McCrea has read and approved the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for the disclosure contained in this news release.

QA/QC

Drill core samples were prepared at MSA Labs' Preparation Laboratory in Terrace, BC and assayed at MSA Labs' Geochemical Laboratory in Langley, BC. Analytical accuracy and precision are monitored by the submission of blanks, certified standards and duplicate samples inserted at regular intervals into the sample stream by Tudor Gold personnel. MSA Laboratories quality system complies with the requirements for the International Standards ISO 17025 and ISO 9001. MSA Labs is independent of the Company.

Treaty Creek JV Partnership

The Treaty Creek Project is a Joint Venture with Tudor Gold owning 3/5th and acting as operator. American Creek and Teuton Resources each have a 1/5th interest in the project creating a 3:1 ownership relationship between Tudor Gold and American Creek. American Creek and Teuton are both fully carried until such time as a Production Notice is issued, at which time they are required to contribute their respective 20% share of development costs. Until such time, Tudor is required to fund all exploration and development costs while both American Creek and Teuton have "free rides".

About American Creek

American Creek is a Canadian junior mineral exploration company with gold and silver properties in British Columbia, Canada.

The Corporation has an interest in the Treaty Creek property, a joint venture project with Tudor Gold/Walter Storm located in BC's prolific "Golden Triangle".

The Corporation also holds the Austruck-Bonanza gold property located near Kamloops.

For further information please contact Kelvin Burton at: Phone: 403 752-4040 or Email: info@americancreek.com. Information relating to the Corporation is available on its website at www.americancreek.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statements regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Corporation expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including the completion and anticipated results of planned exploration activities. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connation thereof.

Such forward-looking information and statements are based on numerous assumptions, including among others, that the Corporation's planned exploration activities will be completed in a timely manner. Although the assumptions made by the Corporation in providing forward-looking information or making forward-looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate.

There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Corporation's plans or expectations include risks relating to the actual results of current exploration activities, fluctuating gold prices, possibility of equipment breakdowns and delays, exploration cost overruns, availability of capital and financing, general economic, market or business conditions, regulatory changes, timeliness of government or regulatory approvals and other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Corporation with securities regulators.

Although the Corporation has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/92030
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 4, 2021 / Skeena Resources Limited (TSX:SKE)(OTCQX:SKREF) ("Skeena" or the "Company") is pleased to report diamond drill core results from the 2021 Phase 3 infill and exploration drilling program at the Snip gold project ("Snip" or the "Project") located in the Golden Triangle of British Columbia. The Phase 3 program is designed to upgrade areas of existing Inferred resources from the Company's 2020 Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE), to the Measured and Indicated categories. Reference images are presented at the end of this release as well as on the Company's website.

Snip 2021 Phase 3 Drilling Highlights:

390.00 g/t Au over 0.80 m (UG21-178)

109.89 g/t Au over 1.19 m (UG21-180)

29.31 g/t Au over 4.17 m (UG21-181)

85.51 g/t Au over 3.50 m (UG21-182)

85.91 g/t Au over 4.00 m (UG21-183)

84.68 g/t Au over 1.94 m (UG21-184)

164.50 g/t Au over 1.00 m (UG21-189)

693.00 g/t Au over 0.50 m (UG21-192)

27.04 g/t Au over 12.50 m (UG21-202)

83.87 g/t Au over 2.44 m (UG21-205)

74.59 g/t Au over 2.76 m (UG21-214)

True widths range from 60-100% of reported core lengths. Length weighted Au composites are constrained by geological considerations. Grade-capping of individual assays has not been applied to the Au assays informing the length-weighted Au composites. Samples below detection limit were nulled to a value of zero.

Additional Footwall Mineralization Intersected with Infill Drilling

Infill drilling in the eastern footwall of the Snip deposit has confirmed and upgraded the modelled vein mineralization from the Company's 2020 MRE, as highlighted by intersection 27.04 g/t Au over 12.50 m, including high tenor subintervals grading 209.00 g/t Au over 0.67 m and 203.00 g/t Au over 0.69 m (UG21-202) . This drill hole is located only metres away from partially sampled 1998 historical drill hole, which due to a lack of sampling, only reported 2.11 g/t Au over 0.80 m (B570-2). Furthermore, UG21-202 is drilled parallel to another incompletely sampled historical drill hole UG-1623 which was drilled in 1997. The latter drill hole was only sampled over a 4.70 m interval that averaged 5.29 g/t Au. The incompletely sampled historical drill holes form the basis of the Company's 2020 MRE in this area.

Implications of Selective Sampling

The historical drilling database that was inherited from the previous operators of the Snip Project is plagued with incompletely sampled drill holes. During resource estimation, best practices dictate that unsampled intervals be nulled to a value of zero grade. Unfortunately, during the reclamation of the Snip Mine, all drill core was destroyed, hence no physical records remain for modern QAQC validation or resampling purposes. As such, a small portion of the Company's 2021 infill drilling program is designed to confirm the historical drill database and add confidence to the existing MRE. The significance of the new intersections as exemplified by UG21-202 is twofold. Primarily, the new drilling provides spatial confidence to the resource as currently modelled. Secondly, the improved widths and grades have the potential to translate into larger volumes (tonnage) in subsequent resource estimates. These considerations combined with the newly enhanced grade in this area, may ultimately translate into increased ounces.

Further High-Grade Mineralization Intersected in Footwall Corridor

Additional results from the previously reported high-grade vein discovery on the 412 Level of the Snip Mine are highlighted by 109.89 g/t Au over 1.19 m (UG21-180), 29.31 g/t Au over 4.17 m (UG21-181), 85.51 g/t Au over 3.50 m (UG21-182), 84.68 g/t Au over 1.94 m (UG21-184) and 164.50 g/t Au over 1.00 m (UG21-189). This cluster of previously unidentified, high-grade intersections have been intercepted during the Company's Phase 3 infill program. A total of 21 fanned underground drill holes were collared from this single drill station and were purposed to recategorize Inferred Resources in the deeper footwall rocks. New high-grade veining intersections were discovered by all holes only metres into the face possessing above average grades and widths as highlighted by previously reported intersection 110.22 g/t Au over 4.41 m which included 730.00 g/t Au over 0.58 m (UG21-177). This newly drilled mineralization is open for expansion up dip 25 m and greater than 100 m downdip due to a lack of drill hole sampling by previous operators. The westward strike extension is open for 40 m. High tenor intersections in the deeper footwall rocks have also corroborated the modelled Inferred mineralization as demonstrated by intersections 390.00 g/t Au over 0.80 m (UG21-178), 164.50 g/t Au over 1.00 m (UG21-189) and 126.50 g/t Au over 0.73 m (UG21-182) .

About Skeena

Skeena Resources Limited is a Canadian mining exploration and development company focused on revitalizing the past-producing Eskay Creek gold-silver mine located in Tahltan Territory in the Golden Triangle of northwest British Columbia, Canada. The Company released a Prefeasibility Study for Eskay Creek in July 2021 which highlights an open-pit average grade of 4.57 g/t AuEq, an after-tax NPV5% of C$1.4B, 56% IRR, and a 1.4-year payback at US$1,550/oz Au. Skeena is currently completing both infill and exploration drilling to advance Eskay Creek to full Feasibility by Q1 2022. Additionally, the Company continues exploration programs at the past-producing Snip gold mine.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Skeena Resources Limited,

Walter Coles Jr.

President & CEO

Contact Information

Investor Inquiries: info@skeenaresources.com

Office Phone: +1 604 684 8725

Company Website: www.skeenaresources.com

Qualified Persons

Exploration activities at the Snip Project are administered on site by the Company's Exploration Managers, Raegan Markel, P.Geo. and John Tyler P.Geo. In accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, Paul Geddes, P.Geo. Vice President Exploration and Resource Development, is the Qualified Person for the Company and has prepared, validated and approved the technical and scientific content of this news release. The Company strictly adheres to CIM Best Practices Guidelines in conducting, documenting, and reporting the exploration activities on its projects.

Quality Assurance - Quality Control

Once received from the drill and processed, all drill core samples are sawn in half, labelled and bagged. The remaining drill core is subsequently securely stored on site. Numbered security tags are applied to lab shipments for chain of custody requirements. The Company inserts quality control (QC) samples at regular intervals in the sample stream, including blanks and reference materials with all sample shipments to monitor laboratory performance. The QAQC program was designed and approved by Lynda Bloom, P.Geo. of Analytical Solutions Ltd., and is overseen by the Company's Qualified Person, Paul Geddes, P.Geo, Vice President Exploration and Resource Development.

Drill core samples are submitted to ALS Geochemistry's analytical facility in North Vancouver, British Columbia for preparation and analysis. The ALS facility is accredited to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard for gold assays and all analytical methods include quality control materials at set frequencies with established data acceptance criteria. The entire sample is crushed and 1 kg is pulverized. Analysis for gold is by 50 g fire assay fusion with atomic absorption (AAS) finish with a lower limit of 0.01 ppm and upper limit of 100 ppm. Samples with gold assays greater than 100 ppm are re-analyzed using a 50 g fire assay fusion with gravimetric finish. Analysis for silver is by 50 g fire assay fusion with gravimetric finish with a lower limit of 5ppm and upper limit of 10,000 ppm. Samples with silver assays greater than 10,000 ppm are re-analyzed using a gravimetric silver concentrate method. A selected number of samples are also analyzed using a 48 multi-element geochemical package by a 4-acid digestion, followed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS) and also for mercury using an aqua regia digest with Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) finish. Samples with sulfur reporting greater than 10% from the multi-element analysis are re-analyzed for total sulfur by Leco furnace and infrared spectroscopy.

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

Certain statements made and information contained herein may constitute "forward looking information" and "forward looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. These statements and information are based on facts currently available to the Company and there is no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Forward-looking statements and information may be identified by such terms as "anticipates", "believes", "targets", "estimates", "plans", "expects", "may", "will", "could" or "would". Forward-looking statements and information contained herein are based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the estimation of mineral resources and reserves, the realization of resource and reserve estimates, metal prices, taxation, the estimation, timing and amount of future exploration and development, capital and operating costs, the availability of financing, the receipt of regulatory approvals, environmental risks, title disputes and other matters. While the Company considers its assumptions to be reasonable as of the date hereof, forward-looking statements and information are not guarantees of future performance and readers should not place undue importance on such statements as actual events and results may differ materially from those described herein. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or information except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Table 1: Snip Project Phase II 2021 Length-Weighted Drill Hole Gold Composites:

Hole-ID From (m) To (m) Core Length (m) Au (g/t) UG21-178 2.50 3.00 0.50 2.33 UG21-178 5.00 6.00 1.00 33.80 UG21-178 14.50 15.37 0.87 3.30 UG21-178 49.00 51.50 2.50 9.29 INCLUDING 50.50 51.50 1.00 16.30 UG21-178 55.70 56.50 0.80 390.00 UG21-178 59.50 61.00 1.50 20.54 INCLUDING 59.50 60.35 0.85 30.70 UG21-178 68.90 70.00 1.10 7.27 UG21-179 5.00 6.00 1.00 4.04 UG21-179 8.00 9.00 1.00 9.64 UG21-179 14.00 15.50 1.50 4.57 UG21-179 35.50 37.00 1.50 2.24 UG21-179 44.50 46.00 1.50 2.20 UG21-179 53.50 54.50 1.00 4.35 UG21-179 57.43 58.00 0.57 8.61 UG21-179 59.50 61.00 1.50 20.50 INCLUDING 59.50 60.25 0.75 29.00 AND 60.25 61.00 0.75 12.00 UG21-180 3.00 4.00 1.00 5.24 UG21-180 5.45 6.64 1.19 109.89 INCLUDING 5.45 6.00 0.55 155.50 AND 6.00 6.64 0.64 70.70 UG21-180 72.00 73.50 1.50 4.38 UG21-180 97.00 98.00 1.00 12.20 UG21-180 111.00 112.00 1.00 6.34 UG21-181 2.00 6.17 4.17 29.31 INCLUDING 4.77 5.54 0.77 18.55 AND 5.54 6.17 0.63 162.50 UG21-181 62.50 64.00 1.50 4.09 UG21-181 93.00 94.50 1.50 2.07 UG21-181 108.00 109.50 1.50 2.74 UG21-182 2.50 6.00 3.50 85.51 INCLUDING 2.50 3.50 1.00 14.95 AND 3.50 4.00 0.50 220.00 AND 4.00 4.50 0.50 42.70 AND 4.50 5.00 0.50 14.30 AND 5.00 5.50 0.50 223.00 AND 5.50 6.00 0.50 68.70 UG21-182 9.50 10.50 1.00 3.29 UG21-182 41.77 42.50 0.73 126.50 UG21-182 55.50 56.50 1.00 6.63 UG21-182 98.50 100.00 1.50 2.17 UG21-183 3.50 7.50 4.00 85.91 INCLUDING 3.50 4.50 1.00 37.00 AND 6.15 6.65 0.50 255.00 AND 6.65 7.50 0.85 197.50 UG21-183 40.50 42.00 1.50 3.58 UG21-183 64.50 67.50 3.00 4.48 UG21-183 96.00 97.50 1.50 2.23 UG21-184 2.00 3.94 1.94 84.68 INCLUDING 3.37 3.94 0.57 279.00 UG21-184 39.40 40.45 1.05 11.60 UG21-184 56.50 58.00 1.50 6.22 UG21-184 113.50 115.00 1.50 6.34 UG21-185 4.50 7.50 3.00 17.40 INCLUDING 4.50 5.50 1.00 18.10 AND 6.21 6.83 0.62 43.10 UG21-186 3.00 4.50 1.50 2.56 UG21-186 5.57 6.50 0.93 37.20 UG21-186 54.32 54.82 0.50 2.51 UG21-186 56.00 58.50 2.50 4.70 UG21-186 64.32 65.16 0.84 2.79 UG21-187 2.50 4.00 1.50 31.80 INCLUDING 2.50 3.50 1.00 13.20 AND 3.50 4.00 0.50 69.00 UG21-187 42.00 43.00 1.00 2.90 UG21-187 49.00 49.82 0.82 21.40 UG21-187 51.70 52.50 0.80 2.09 UG21-187 91.00 92.00 1.00 2.33 UG21-187 112.50 113.00 0.50 102.50 UG21-187 123.00 124.00 1.00 2.57 UG21-188 3.00 4.00 1.00 2.52 UG21-188 7.00 8.00 1.00 4.77 UG21-188 68.00 69.00 1.00 18.90 UG21-189 3.00 4.50 1.50 14.27 INCLUDING 3.76 4.50 0.74 23.30 UG21-189 14.50 15.50 1.00 5.97 UG21-189 57.00 58.00 1.00 164.50 UG21-190 0.00 0.75 0.75 2.18 UG21-190 92.50 93.50 1.00 12.05 UG21-190 107.40 108.30 0.90 2.01 UG21-190 118.10 119.60 1.50 3.10 UG21-190 124.60 131.00 6.40 3.23 UG21-191 18.85 20.00 1.15 2.89 UG21-191 89.42 90.26 0.84 2.65 UG21-191 95.42 96.15 0.73 15.95 UG21-191 119.00 120.50 1.50 3.44 UG21-192 84.00 85.50 1.50 16.95 UG21-192 95.73 96.62 0.89 35.50 UG21-192 110.00 110.50 0.50 693.00 UG21-193 35.50 37.00 1.50 3.88 UG21-193 83.50 86.50 3.00 6.54 INCLUDING 83.50 85.00 1.50 10.45 UG21-193 107.50 109.00 1.50 2.84 UG21-194 74.90 75.42 0.52 4.08 UG21-194 83.30 84.00 0.70 9.77 UG21-194 87.00 90.00 3.00 15.92 INCLUDING 87.00 88.00 1.00 19.45 AND 89.00 90.00 1.00 28.20 UG21-195 88.30 89.00 0.70 8.47 UG21-195 92.00 95.00 3.00 6.70 UG21-196 58.50 60.00 1.50 2.29 UG21-196 105.00 106.50 1.50 3.32 UG21-197 53.00 54.50 1.50 2.30 UG21-197 82.80 84.30 1.50 3.17 UG21-197 86.80 87.30 0.50 3.14 UG21-197 97.60 98.10 0.50 3.15 UG21-197 106.30 107.30 1.00 3.96 UG21-197 108.80 109.67 0.87 2.74 UG21-198 26.00 27.00 1.00 5.74 UG21-198 78.00 78.73 0.73 2.39 UG21-198 88.62 93.00 4.38 3.93 UG21-199 13.50 14.40 0.90 3.58 UG21-199 21.00 21.70 0.70 2.89 UG21-199 33.00 34.00 1.00 2.63 UG21-199 154.50 156.00 1.50 6.02 UG21-200 9.00 9.58 0.58 2.41 UG21-200 62.50 64.00 1.50 3.05 UG21-200 75.00 76.50 1.50 4.56 UG21-201 47.00 48.00 1.00 4.85 UG21-201 62.00 63.00 1.00 2.45 UG21-202 41.00 42.00 1.00 16.00 UG21-202 52.50 65.00 12.50 27.04 INCLUDING 54.50 55.50 1.00 11.45 AND 58.64 59.31 0.67 209.00 AND 59.31 60.00 0.69 203.00 UG21-203 14.68 15.18 0.50 10.60 UG21-204 28.00 31.00 3.00 4.97 INCLUDING 29.50 30.33 0.83 13.30 UG21-204 37.00 39.50 2.50 2.64 UG21-205 13.50 15.00 1.50 4.41 UG21-205 23.00 24.11 1.11 4.88 UG21-205 28.30 29.50 1.20 12.80 UG21-205 31.00 32.50 1.50 6.28 UG21-205 34.00 36.44 2.44 83.87 INCLUDING 34.00 35.50 1.50 134.50 UG21-205 47.38 47.90 0.52 9.10 UG21-206 34.50 35.40 0.90 17.85 UG21-206 41.00 44.00 3.00 5.25 UG21-206 76.00 77.00 1.00 3.18 UG21-207 18.00 19.32 1.32 3.61 UG21-207 30.00 31.50 1.50 5.43 UG21-207 49.50 50.09 0.59 5.75 UG21-208 33.43 34.00 0.57 9.87 UG21-208 42.50 43.50 1.00 2.21 UG21-209 5.00 6.00 1.00 2.88 UG21-209 37.50 39.00 1.50 6.86 UG21-209 100.50 101.19 0.69 4.57 UG21-209 137.50 139.00 1.50 19.95 UG21-210 32.00 33.50 1.50 2.31 UG21-211 30.00 31.50 1.50 6.28 UG21-211 43.50 44.25 0.75 42.90 UG21-211 48.00 48.83 0.83 6.45 UG21-212 NSA UG21-213 0.00 1.50 1.50 4.17 UG21-213 35.50 38.00 2.50 3.12 UG21-213 41.00 44.00 3.00 8.36 UG21-213 45.50 46.50 1.00 24.80 UG21-214 12.00 13.50 1.50 6.35 UG21-214 18.00 20.76 2.76 74.59 INCLUDING 18.00 19.50 1.50 18.80 AND 19.50 20.76 1.26 141.00 UG21-214 28.00 30.50 2.50 4.85 UG21-214 33.00 34.50 1.50 5.36 UG21-215 13.50 15.00 1.50 2.09 UG21-215 18.00 18.71 0.71 2.35 UG21-215 20.00 21.50 1.50 4.21 UG21-215 28.00 30.23 2.23 8.95 INCLUDING 29.50 30.23 0.73 16.95 UG21-215 34.00 35.50 1.50 14.00 UG21-215 50.15 51.00 0.85 2.05 UG21-215 52.20 55.00 2.80 2.88 UG21-215 65.50 67.00 1.50 2.42 UG21-215 68.17 70.00 1.83 30.48 INCLUDING 68.17 68.90 0.73 71.80 UG21-215 76.00 76.97 0.97 7.31 UG21-215-A 68.30 69.14 0.84 55.80 UG21-215-A 74.50 76.00 1.50 4.74 UG21-215-A 92.50 93.51 1.01 2.47 UG21-215-A 104.50 105.57 1.07 2.27 UG21-216 25.50 27.00 1.50 8.72 UG21-216 28.24 30.50 2.26 6.43 INCLUDING 30.00 30.50 0.50 11.20 UG21-216 32.00 36.28 4.28 15.38 INCLUDING 32.00 32.50 0.50 109.50 UG21-217 NSA

True widths range from 60-100% of reported core lengths. Length weighted Au composites are constrained by geological considerations. Grade-capping of individual assays has not been applied to the Au assays informing the length-weighted Au composites. Samples below detection limit were nulled to a value of zero. NSA - No Significant Assays.

Table 2: Mine Grid Drill Hole Locations and Orientations:

Hole-ID Easting (m) Northing (m) Elevation (m) Length (m) Azimuth () Dip () UG21-178 4673.5 2227.7 478.8 70.0 360.0 29.1 UG21-179 4673.5 2227.7 478.6 61.0 360.0 23.0 UG21-180 4673.3 2228.1 478.0 136.5 0.0 5.0 UG21-181 4673.3 2228.4 477.3 129.0 360.0 -7.0 UG21-182 4673.4 2228.2 477.0 130.0 0.0 -30.0 UG21-183 4673.6 2228.1 478.2 141.0 2.0 14.1 UG21-184 4673.6 2228.1 476.7 130.0 12.0 -35.0 UG21-185 4673.7 2227.7 478.8 61.0 15.0 29.3 UG21-186 4673.8 2228.0 478.0 78.0 14.7 10.4 UG21-187 4673.4 2228.2 477.4 130.5 20.1 -15.1 UG21-188 4673.6 2228.1 478.2 78.0 24.9 -23.0 UG21-189 4673.2 2228.4 477.7 72.0 35.0 -0.1 UG21-190 4845.7 2192.1 416.8 146.6 352.5 23.0 UG21-191 4845.7 2192.1 416.8 135.0 0.1 7.1 UG21-192 4845.7 2192.1 416.8 131.5 4.1 13.1 UG21-193 4845.7 2192.1 416.8 132.0 356.0 -4.2 UG21-194 4845.7 2192.1 416.8 126.0 4.1 1.1 UG21-195 4845.7 2192.1 416.8 123.8 10.0 -4.0 UG21-196 4845.7 2192.1 416.8 120.0 4.0 -12.1 UG21-197 4845.7 2192.1 416.8 137.8 10.0 19.0 UG21-198 4845.7 2192.1 416.8 129.0 10.2 7.3 UG21-199 4845.7 2186.2 417.5 162.0 187.0 -6.0 UG21-200 4845.7 2186.2 417.5 159.0 175.6 6.1 UG21-201 4787.6 2307.6 537.8 64.0 177.3 28.7 UG21-202 4787.5 2307.8 538.7 65.0 177.3 51.2 UG21-203 4800.1 2235.8 499.5 25.0 179.2 11.9 UG21-204 4799.9 2236.0 499.8 50.5 181.6 20.6 UG21-205 4799.9 2236.6 500.4 51.5 180.6 36.1 UG21-206 4762.6 2220.9 492.3 90.0 358.2 17.5 UG21-207 4762.8 2214.5 492.6 61.5 180.7 2.9 UG21-208 4787.7 2307.5 537.9 76.0 177.3 28.7 UG21-209 4845.7 2186.2 417.5 144.0 186.0 6.0 UG21-210 4845.7 2186.2 417.5 146.0 186.0 15.1 UG21-211 4800.1 2235.7 499.4 60.5 180.2 11.9 UG21-212 4887.6 2297.3 505.8 21.0 178.6 -28.3 UG21-213 4887.6 2299.0 505.4 60.5 181.0 -51.7 UG21-214 4838.7 2290.2 507.9 37.0 185.9 29.7 UG21-215 4838.7 2290.2 508.1 90.0 188.9 29.7 UG21-215-A 4838.5 2289.6 507.5 139.0 188.9 29.7 UG21-216 4887.6 2297.3 505.8 61.5 180.1 -28.2 UG21-217 4881.8 2302.4 506.6 9.0 359.0 -0.2

SOURCE: Skeena Resources Limited

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/658216/Skeena-Intersects-2704-gt-Au-over-1250-metres-at-Snip-Gold-Project
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 4, 2021 / Amarc Resources Ltd. ("Amarc" or the "Company") (TSXV:AHR)(OTCQB:AXREF) is pleased to announce that Freeport-McMoRan Mineral Properties Canada Inc. ("Freeport") has increased its first year contribution to the Company's ongoing exploration program at the JOY District (the "JOY") in north-central British Columbia ("BC") by 37.5% - from CDN$4 million to CDN$5.5 million.

Amarc is operating a comprehensive exploration program at JOY this summer, with core drilling and geological, geochemical and geophysical survey crews all active on-site. Additional funding provided by Freeport will be primarily focused on expanding the ongoing diamond drilling program.

"These are transformative times for Amarc and the JOY District," said Amarc President & CEO Dr. Diane Nicolson. "The strength of our alliance with Freeport, our shared understanding of the exceptional copper and gold discovery potential at JOY, and the combined expertise of our respective teams has positioned Amarc for success at a historic time in our metals markets. We believe it's a combination that could drive significant value creation for our shareholders in the months and years ahead."

Nicolson said the objective of Amarc's 2021 field season at JOY is to advance both deposit delineation and assess multiple targets areas - some of which are already known to host copper and gold mineralization. She added that the Company expects to begin announcing initial results from this season's exploration campaign before the end of the summer.

The JOY District covers the northern extension of the prolific Kemess porphyry Cu-Au district in the underexplored Toodoggone region, part of BC's Golden Horseshoe.

In May 2021 Amarc announced that it had formed an alliance with Freeport, a wholly owned subsidiary of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (FCX), to explore the JOY District. Under the terms of the agreement, Freeport has a two-stage option to earn up to a 70% ownership interest in the mineral claims comprising the JOY District, plus other rights and interests, over up to a 10 year period, by spending a total of CDN$110 million.

Amarc's 100%-owned consolidated mineral tenure at JOY hosts a pipeline of high quality targets, including: the PINE Cu-Au deposit, which remains open to expansion; the MEX Cu-Au deposit target; and, a number of other high potential drill-ready Cu-Au porphyry targets, which cluster on the property. In addition, related Au-Ag epithermal deposit potential remains to be fully explored at JOY.

Further in-depth information on historical and contemporary exploration activities completed within the JOY District, detailing its significant potential, can be found in the Company's 'JOY Project 2020 Technical Report' filed under Amarc's profile at www.sedar.com or located on our website at https://amarcresources.com/projects/joy-project/technical-report/.

About Amarc Resources Ltd.

Amarc is a mineral exploration and development company with an experienced and successful management team focused on developing a new generation of long-life, high-value porphyry copper-gold mines in BC. By combining high-demand projects with dynamic management, Amarc has created a solid platform to create value from its exploration and development-stage assets.

Amarc is advancing the 100%-owned IKE, DUKE and JOY porphyry coppergold districts located in different prolific porphyry districts in southern, central and northern BC, respectively. Each of the three districts is located in proximity to industrial infrastructure - including power, highways and rail. Importantly, each district represents significant potential for the development of multiple and important-scale, porphyry coppergold deposits.

Amarc is associated with HDI, a diversified, global mining company with a 30-year history of porphyry discovery and development success. Previous and current HDI projects include some of BC's and the world's most important porphyry deposits - such as Pebble, Mount Milligan, Southern Star, Kemess South, Kemess North, Gibraltar, Prosperity, Xietongmen, Newtongmen, Florence, Casino, Sisson, Maggie, IKE and Pine. From its head office in Vancouver, Canada, HDI applies its unique strengths and capabilities to acquire, develop, operate and monetize mineral projects.

Amarc works closely with local governments, Indigenous groups and other stakeholders in order to advance its mineral projects responsibly, and in a manner that contributes to sustainable community and economic development. We pursue early and meaningful engagement to ensure our mineral exploration and development activities are well coordinated and broadly supported, address local priorities and concerns, and optimize opportunities for collaboration. In particular, we seek to establish mutually beneficial partnerships with Indigenous groups within whose traditional territories our projects are located, through the provision of jobs, training programs, contract opportunities, capacity funding agreements and sponsorship of community events. All Amarc work programs are carefully planned to achieve high levels of environmental and social performance.

Qualified Person as Defined Under National Instrument 43-101

Mark Rebagliati, P. Eng., a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical content in this release.

For further details on Amarc Resources Ltd., please visit the Company's website at www.amarcresources.com or contact Dr. Diane Nicolson, President and CEO, at (604) 684-6365 or within North America at 1-800-667-2114.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF AMARC RESOURCES LTD.

Dr. Diane Nicolson

President and CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor any other regulatory authority accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking and other Cautionary Information

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All such statements, other than statements of historical facts that address exploration drilling, exploitation activities and other related events or developments are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Assumptions used by the Company to develop forward-looking statements include the following: Amarc's projects will obtain all required environmental and other permits and all land use and other licenses, studies and exploration of Amarc's projects will continue to be positive, and no geological or technical problems will occur. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, potential environmental issues or liabilities associated with exploration, development and mining activities, exploitation and exploration successes, continuity of mineralization, uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and tenure and delays due to third party opposition, changes in and the effect of government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation, exploration and development of properties located within Aboriginal groups asserted territories may affect or be perceived to affect asserted aboriginal rights and title, which may cause permitting delays or opposition by Aboriginal groups, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions, as well as risks relating to the uncertainties with respect to the effects of COVID-19. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Amarc Resources Ltd., investors should review Amarc's annual Form 20-F filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov and its home jurisdiction filings that are available at www.sedar.com.

SOURCE: Amarc Resources Ltd.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/658276/Amarc-Receives-Additional-Funding-From-Freeport-McMoran-Mineral-Properties-Canada-Inc-To-Advance-Exploration-Activities-at-Its-Joy-Copper-Gold-Porphyry-District-BC
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 4, 2021 / Wedgemount Resources Corp. (CSE:WDGY) ("Wedgemount" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce initial assay results from its 2021 exploration program at the Company's road accessible Eagle copper-gold project, located in the highly prospective Quesnel trough copper-gold porphyry belt of central British Columbia.

Mark Vanry, President & CEO of Wedgemount commented, "We are extremely excited to receive initial assay results from the recently completed Eagle exploration program. The results confirm historical sampling at the three main zones and extend the strike length of all three zones. We also have highly anomalous samples from east and southeast of the Nighthawk Zone which open up new areas for further investigation including a planned high resolution IP survey. We look forward to receipt of additional sample results as they become available".

Highlights

Assay results from over 50 rocks samples collected over a 3.5 kilometre trend have been returned.

Sampled up to 9.86 % copper, 2.5 grams per tonne (g/t) gold and 77.7 g/t silver from the Nighthawk zone and up to 1.63 % copper and 1.24 g/t gold from the Vector zone.

from the Nighthawk zone and up to from the Vector zone. Results demonstrate the porphyry-related, high-grade copper potential of the Nighthawk to Vector corridor which will be the focus of further exploration.

Assay Results

Results have now been received from 51 rock samples collected during the Company's Phase 1 exploration program at the Eagle copper-gold project (see news release dated June 17th, 2021). Sampling was focussed at the three main zones (e.g., Nighthawk, Vector and Mid; Figure 1) to verify mineralization style and grade and to expand known mineralization footprints as well as other high priority targets that display coincident soil geochemical and ground and/or airborne geophysical anomalism. A total of 43 rock samples returned copper concentrations in excess of 1,000 ppm (0.1% copper) and 12 samples exceeded the level of detection for ICP analysis and were rerun using ore grade copper analysis. These 12 samples returned results ranging from 1.26% copper to the highest at 9.86% copper (Table 1).

Gold and silver results were anomalous for every anomalous copper result; averaging 0.292 g/t gold and 8.23 g/t silver for copper results in excess of 1,000 ppm and 0.725 g/t gold and 20.0 g/t silver for copper concentrations in excess of 1%. The best copper-gold-silver result was sample D702202 which returned 9.86% copper, 2.5 g/t gold and 77.7 g/t silver. The sample was taken from a 20 X 20 metre gossanous outcrop bearing strong deformation and structurally controlled copper mineralization with up to 10 % visible chalcopyrite in a weakly magnetic diorite to gabbroic intrusion. The sample is located at the Nighthawk showing and is one of many samples collected over a 800 m2 area, which returned highly anomalous copper-gold values including sample D702210 (7.95 % copper and 1.59 g/t gold) and D702206 (4.42 % copper and 1.30 g/t gold; Table 1).

Table 1. Significant Results - 2021 Eagle Rock Sample

Zone SampleID Sample Type Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu (%) Sample Comments Nighthawk D702202 GRAB 2.50 77.70 9.86 Gossanous 20x20m outcrop showing strong deformation and structurally controlled Cu mineralization Nighthawk D702010 GRAB 1.59 32.30 7.95 Mineralized pods of semi-massive chalcopyrite in chlorite-epidote altered diorite. Nighthawk D702206 GRAB 1.30 17.75 4.42 Sheared quartz-carbonate veins within chalcopyrite-bearing monzodiorite. SE of Nighthawk D702004 GRAB 0.45 24.40 2.24 Rusty, quartz-carbonate vein with chalcopyrite in potassic-altered diorite. Vector D702212 GRAB 0.25 15.85 2.17 Strong magnetite-pyrite-chalcopyrite mineralization in pervasive potassic-altered monzodiorite. SE of Nighthawk D702216 GRAB 0.18 19.05 2.15 Sheared, gossanous diorite with chalcopyrite-malachite and potassic alteration. Mid D702001 GRAB 0.03 8.06 1.91 Gossanous semi-massive zone with 2-5% chalcopyrite in strongly magnetite-epidote altered diorite. Vector D702009 GRAB 0.16 12.85 1.9 Main gossanous breccia structure hosts pods of semi-massive magnetite and chalcopyrite in potassic-chlorite altered diorite. Vector D702114 GRAB 1.24 10.50 1.63 Monzodiorite with pervasive magnetite and patchy potassic alteration with chalcopyrite, pyrite and malachite. Nighthawk D702201 GRAB 0.48 8.54 1.53 ~20x20m outcrop showing strong deformation and structurally controlled Cu mineralization with sulphides up to 10% chalcopyrite hosted in gabbro. East of Nighthawk D702012 GRAB 0.19 5.90 1.39 Mineralized, brecciated calcite-cemented shear with lenses of massive chalcopyrite. SE of Nighthawk D702218 GRAB 0.34 7.05 1.26 Stockwork shear bearing chalcopyrite-malachite-pyrite in diorite.

Figure 1. Map showing location of 2021 grab samples and main porphyry-related copper + gold exploration targets on the Eagle project.

2021 Exploration Program Update

The primary focus of the first phase of the 2021 exploration program was to first open old exploration trails for improved access followed by targeted geological mapping and geochemical sampling of the main zones of known porphyry-related copper and gold mineralization (e.g., Nighthawk, Vector and Mid). Based on a thorough review of all compiled recent and historical exploration data, other high-priority targets were defined and prioritised. The overall goal of the program is to improve the understanding of mineralization and alteration styles of the main zones and to define new vectors to aid in drill hole targeting.

Geochemical results from multiple, confirmation soil samples collected along lines over key target areas are pending. A deep penetrating induced polarization (IP) geophysical survey is also tentatively scheduled to commence in August followed by additional geological mapping and sampling. Based on these new data, drill targeting will be completed and a decision will be made to commence with drill testing.

Eagle Project

The road accessible, 2,530 hectare project is situated in the heart of BC's prolific Quesnel trough copper-gold porphyry belt mid-way between the Mt. Milligan copper-gold mine of Centerra Gold and the Kwanika copper-gold development project of Northwest Copper. The Property is underlain by the Late Triassic to Early Cretaceous Hogem Intrusive Suite, a large, regional batholith comprised of alkaline and calc-alkaline plutons that have been emplaced into the Middle Triassic to Lower Jurassic Takla Group volcanic rocks and sedimentary sequences. Historical work from the late-1960s to the early 2000's, including geological mapping, geophysical and geochemical surveys and limited drilling have outlined three main porphyry-related copper-gold targets. The discrete zones identified on the Eagle property to-date are hosted within a broad, northwest-trending, 3.5 km long structural corridor of copper-gold mineralization and widespread anomalous copper in soils. The Eagle project is subject to an earn-in agreement with ArcWest Exploration Inc (see AWX news release dated October 5th, 2020).

QA/QC

Rigorous field procedures were followed to ensure QA/QC measures, including routinely inserting Certified Reference Materials including an appropriate copper-gold reference and a blank reference. All samples were shipped to the ALS preparatory lab in Kamloops, BC, after which the prepared samples were shipped to the ALS analytical lab in North Vancouver, BC for final processing.

Preparation: The preparation of rock samples was completed whereby samples were fine crushed to 70% passing 2mm (CRU-31) followed by taking a split sample using a riffle splitter (SPL-21) followed by pulverizing of the 250g split to 85% passing 75 microns (PUL-31).

Analysis: geochemical analysis of all samples utilized the 4-acid digestion followed by ultra-trace 48-element ICP-MS package (ME-MS61). The quantified multi-element concentrations are then reported by their respective unit. The detection range for copper was 0.2-10,000 ppm. The detection range for silver was 0.01-100 ppm. Gold was analyzed using fire assay with AA finish (Au-AA23). The detection limit for gold was 0.005. Overlimit copper results (>10,000) were further analyzed by 4-acid ore grade detection using ICP-AES (Cu-OG62).

ALS Labs also applied their own internal QA/QC procedures by systematically inserting standards, blanks and duplicates into sample batches. Lab results were evaluated to ensure they passed the internal requirements prior to release of the final test reports.

Data Verification and National Instrument 43-101 Disclosure

Some data disclosed in this news release relating to sampling and drilling results are historical in nature. Neither the Company nor a Qualified Person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"),have verified the data, and, therefore, investors should not place undue reliance on such data. In some cases, the data may be unverifiable due to lack of drill core. Mineralization hosted on adjacent and/or nearby and/or geologically similar properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on the Company's property. Grab samples are selective in nature and the resultant assays may not be representative of all mineralization on the property. The technical information disclosed in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Ken MacDonald, P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101.

About Wedgemount Resources Corp.

Wedgemount Resources is a junior mineral exploration company focused on maximizing shareholder value through the acquisition, discovery and advancement of high-quality copper - gold projects in North America.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

WEDGEMOUNT RESOURCES CORP.

Mark Vanry, President and CEO

For more information, please contact the Company at:

Telephone: (604) 343-4743

info@wedgemountresources.com

www.wedgemountresources.com

Reader Advisory

This news release may contain statements which constitute "forward-looking information", including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities of the Company. The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements made in this news release include the Company's plans for exploration of the property and anticipated exploration results. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future business activities and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, availability of funds, personnel and other resources necessary to conduct exploration programs, successes of the Company's exploration programs, availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such information will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Wedgemount Resources Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/657802/Wedgemount-Announces-Initial-Assay-Results-from-Eagle-Exploration-Program-Samples-up-to-986-Copper
Virtual Event Runs from August 10-12, 2021

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / August 4, 2021 / EQ Inc. (TSXV:EQ) ("EQ Works" or the "Company"), a leader in geospatial data and artificial intelligence software that drives critical business outcomes for enterprises and agencies, is pleased to announce it will be presenting at the Canaccord Genuity Annual Growth Conference. The highly respected conference, in its 41st year, is an informative and engaging event that brings together prominent industry thought leaders and the investment community. The EQ Works presentation will feature CEO and President Geoffrey Rotstein, as its host and he will also take questions from the investor community.

The EQ Works presentation will provide details on the rapid progress made by the organization in terms of its leadership position within the data analytics and intelligence space. Included in the conversation will be an update of its recent acquisition of Paymi, and how it will deliver incremental value to the already comprehensive data offering within the EQ platforms.

The virtual conference, for clients of Canaccord Genuity, runs from August 10-12, with Mr. Rotstein speaking on August 12 at 12pm.

About EQ Works

EQ Works enables businesses to understand, predict and influence customer behaviour. Using unique data sets, advanced analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence, EQ Works creates actionable intelligence for businesses to attract, retain, and grow the customers that matter most. The Company's proprietary SaaS platform mines insights from movement and geospatial data, enabling businesses to close the loop between digital and real-world consumer actions.

SOURCE: EQ Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/658215/EQ-Inc-to-Present-at-Canaccord-Genuity-Annual-Growth-Conference




Singapore, Aug 4, 2021 - (ACN Newswire) - Riding on the success of the previous webinar with PERAFI (Indonesian Facade Association), the latest edition was held virtually on July 29 and focused on the international perspectives of facade design and applications.Subject-matter experts from around the world shared valuable information on tackling and overcoming challenges faced in the industry. The online sessions recognised the need to keep up to date with the latest developments and supported a better understanding of best practices in facade design and their applications for different countries.Putri Anindia from Astra Land Indonesia, hosted the webinar with the following speakers:- Anna Pravinata, Principal of Alliiance- Henry Sonten, Estimating Manager of Construction Specialties- Jayrold Bautista, Associate TS&D Scientist of Dow Performance Silicones- Monique Suksmaningsih, Regional Board Director of Broadway MalyanThe webinar commenced with an understanding of facade design considerations in cold climates which was shared by Anna Pravinata, Principal of Alliiance. Attendees learnt about the factors to take note of such as thermal value, occupant comfort and durability.Adding on, Henry Sonten, Estimating Manager of Construction Specialties, presented the variety of performance louvres and its resistance against rain, while ensuring proper air circulation. He also proved that louvres can be integrated seamlessly and aesthetically into building design."It was important to have the design work with the weather and not against it," Putri Anindia, Astra Land Indonesia, added.On a larger scale, Monique Suksmaningsih, Regional Board Director of Broadway Malyan, explored the transformation of streets, neighbourhood and districts through numerous case studies and architectural design plans.Glasstech Asia - The Glasshub of Southeast Asia (International Glass Products, Glass Manufacturing, Processing & Materials Exhibition) www.glasstechasia.com.sgConcurrent event: Fenestration Asia (International Windows, Doors, Skylights, Curtain Wall & Facade Technology Exhibition) www.fenestrationasia.com"About how things are changing (due to the pandemic) - residential areas, retail trends, workplaces and so on - we ensure that the developments are future-proof and aligned with what was envisioned," said Monique Suksmaningsih, Regional Board Director of Broadway Malyan.Lastly, an in-depth technical analysis of having cold bent facades in building design was given by Jayrold Bautista, Associate TS&D Scientist of Dow Performance Silicones. He emphasised the importance of communicating with the silicone supplier to ensure a long-lasting design.Webinars on-demandBesides these live sessions, Glasstech Asia x PERAFI webinars also features on-demand components that are only accessible to delegates that have an account on the Glasstech Asia Virtual platform. (Please check here: https://virtual.glasstechasia.com.sg/ivs/glasstech)About Glasstech Asia 2022 and Fenestration Asia 2022Coined "The Glass Hub of Southeast Asia", Glasstech Asia is an annual rotating exhibition that focuses on all things glass. The upcoming 18th edition Glasstech Asia along with the concurrent Fenestration Asia will be held between the 26th to 28th of October next year at Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre in Singapore. The three-day event brings together the best of the Southeast Asian glass and glazing sector, from glass manufacturing, processing, and machinery to accessories, raw materials, and finished glass products. Coupled with high-powered symposiums, forums, workshops, and an exciting Glass Installation Competition, it is an event not to be missed.Additionally, Glasstech Asia and Fenestration Asia aims to meet and satisfy the increasing global demands for eco-friendly windows, doors, and facades by focusing on new industry standards in sustainability, automation, and energy-efficiency topics. With a focus on green and smart fenestration technologies to bring about a more sustainable, energy-efficient, and liveable future, the exposition is strategically geared towards helping the architecture, building, and construction sectors in countries meet their energy targets.About Messe MunchenMesse Munchen is one of the leading exhibition organizers worldwide with more than 50 of its own trade shows for capital goods, consumer goods and new technologies. Every year, a total of over 50,000 exhibitors and around three million visitors take part in more than 200 events at the exhibition center in Munich, at the ICM - Internationales Congress Center Munchen and the MOC Veranstaltungscenter Munchen as well as abroad. Together with its subsidiary companies, Messe Munchen organizes trade shows in China, India, Brazil, Russia, Turkey, South Africa, Nigeria, Vietnam, and Iran.With a network of associated companies in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America as well as around 70 representations abroad for over 100 countries, Messe Munchen has a global presence.About BAU NetworkBAU is the World's Leading Trade Fair for Architecture, Materials and Systems. Everyone involved in the international community for planning, building and designing buildings comes together here--i.e. architects, planners, investors, representatives of the industrial and commercial sectors, the building trades, etc.It is where future-oriented manufacturers come together with an audience of interested professionals. Their primary interests include the latest techniques, materials and applications that can be used in actual practice. This is where visitors experience the future of building in person.For additional information, contact:bauasia@mmiasia.com.sgSource: Glasstech AsiaCopyright 2021 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Detailed mapping and channel sampling has highlighted an extended mineralized zone.

Drilling to start by mid-August.

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 4, 2021) - Mountain Boy Minerals Ltd (TSXV: MTB) (OTCQB: MBYMF) (FSE: M9UA)("Mountain Boy" or the "Company") announces that detailed mapping as well as channel sampling on the BA project is underway in support of drilling which is anticipated to begin before month-end.

The BA Project is a 10,658-hectare project located in the Golden Triangle of British Columbia. The project lies 18 kilometres north-east of Stewart and the paved highway 37A and a high voltage electrical transmission line run through the northern end of the property through the Bear River valley. The project is located 29 kilometres by road to the deep-water seaport in Stewart.

The upcoming drill program targets the northern extension of the mineralized horizon that was drilled between 2007 and 2010. The historic drilling delineated substantial near surface silver-lead-zinc mineralization extending over 610 metres striking NNE. Since the historic drilling, receding glaciers at the northern end of the zone have exposed further mineralization at surface. This mineralization has now been sampled in three channel sampling campaigns extending the zone of mineralization to at least 700 metres.

Select results from the previous channel sampling programs are listed in Table 1 below.

Table 1- Select results from channel sampling programs on the northern extension of the Barbara Zone.

Trench ID Width (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu (%) Pb (%) Zn (%) 2020-TR-01 7.40 0.013 78.7 0.02 0.31 2.02 2020-TR-02 4.30 0.003 112.2 0.02 0.62 3.21 2020-TR-03 3.90 0.008 98.9 0.02 0.81 4.15 2020-TR-04 1.40 0.911 12.0 0.02 0.13 0.64 2020-TR-05 1.40 0.003 129.0 0.03 2.29 9.96 2020-TR-05 5.90 0.007 46.0 0.02 0.68 3.46 2020-TR-06 1.40 0.003 30.2 0.04 0.30 1.23 TR-2016-A 18.00 0.006 93.3 0.02 1.18 3.31 TR-2016-B 4.00 0.015 100.6 0.01 0.20 1.07 TR-2016-J 3.00 0.003 63.6 0.02 0.26 1.37 TR-2016-K 13.50 0.017 92.2 0.03 0.52 2.19 TR-2010-01 1.90 0.003 67.0 0.09 1.06 3.89 TR-2010-02 1.30 0.003 163.0 0.08 0.30 1.46 TR-2010-03 3.30 0.003 82.0 0.06 0.29 1.10 TR-2010-04 2.90 0.003 114.4 0.02 0.51 3.25 TR-2010-05 6.00 0.003 234.7 0.03 0.73 2.90 TR-2010-06 2.80 0.003 114.0 0.01 2.26 4.31 TR-2010-07 0.75 0.680 162.0 0.02 3.31 6.44 TR-2010-08 3.70 0.003 64.5 0.01 0.16 1.81 TR-2010-09 1.00 0.003 127.0 0.03 0.79 1.63 TR-2010-10 1.60 1.980 190.0 0.05 1.57 5.16 TR-2010-11 0.70 0.003 140.0 0.01 0.65 0.16 TR-2010-12 1.25 1.420 134.0 0.04 1.40 3.85 TR-2010-12 5.60 0.321 129.4 0.07 1.02 2.08 TR-2010-14 5.50 0.004 144.0 0.07 0.68 2.13 TR-2010-15 1.50 0.003 601.0 0.03 0.56 2.10 TR-2010-16 1.80 0.003 291.0 0.01 1.07 0.53 TR-2010-17 17.30 0.003 65.5 0.01 0.40 1.72

American Creek Project Update

Drilling began on the 27th of July on the American Creek project. The drill has now completed 5 holes off the first drill pad targeting the High-Grade zone. The drill is being moved to the second pad, targeting the High-Grade extension, located 300 metres to the north.

About Mountain Boy Minerals

Mountain Boy has six active projects spanning 604 square kilometres (60,398 hectares) in the prolific Golden Triangle of northern British Columbia.

The flagship American Creek project is centered on the historic Mountain Boy silver mine and is just north of the past producing Red Cliff gold and copper mine (in which the Company holds an interest). The American Creek project is road accessible and 20 km from the deep-water port of Stewart. On the BA property, 178 drill holes have outlined a substantial zone of silver-lead-zinc mineralization located 4 km from the highway. Work this year is aimed at extending that zone. Surprise Creek is interpreted to be hosted by the same prospective stratigraphy as the BA property and hosts multiple occurrences of silver, gold and base metals. On the Theia project, work by Mountain Boy and previous explorers has outlined a silver bearing mineralized trend 500 meters long, highlighted by a 2020 grab sample that returned 39 kg per tonne silver (1,100 ounces per ton). Southmore is located in the midst of some of the largest deposits in the Golden Triangle. It was explored in the 1980s through the early 1990s, and largely overlooked until Mountain Boy consolidated the property and confirmed the presence of multiple occurrences of gold, copper, lead and zinc. The Telegraph project, acquired in May 2021, has a similar geological setting to major gold and copper-gold deposits in the Golden Triangle.

Mountain Boy is funded for the coming field season and plans to advance these projects, including drilling on select project(s).

The technical disclosure in this release has been read and approved by Andrew Wilkins, B.Sc., P.Geo., a qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101.

On behalf of the Board of Directors:

Lawrence Roulston

President & CEO

For further information, contact:

Nancy Curry

VP Corporate Development

(604) 220-2971

NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

This news release may contain certain "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this news release and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/92003
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 4, 2021) - Canuc Resources Corporation (TSXV: CDA) (OTCQB: CNUCF) ("Canuc" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on the exploration program currently in progress at the Company's San Javier Ag-Au Project in Sonora State, Mexico.

Massive Magnetite Encountered at 343 Metres

Drill Hole number SJ-21-03 is currently in progress. It was designed to intersect a strong magnetic feature interpreted to begin at a depth of 300 m. The hole intersected massive magnetite at 343 m and is still in this zone at a depth of 480 m. Preliminary logging has identified zinc and copper minerals (sphalerite, marmatite and chalcopyrite) in stringers. The entire section will be sampled and analysed, and the results released as soon as verified.

Detailed ground-proofing and re-interpretation of earlier drone based magnetic surveys has also been completed. Several magnetic-high features detected across the property have been selected for drill testing. Further magnetic-high targets scheduled for drill testing include the: Chiripas, Wild Hog and Restauradora Zones where magnetite veining, which is manifest on surface, and in old mine workings near to surface, assayed high to bonanza grades of silver in magnetite and where magnetic anomalies have been confirmed at depths ranging from 100 to 250 m.

Diamond drilling on the first magnetic high at San Javier has resumed following a break designed to resolve mechanical issues encountered in the first two holes of the planned 6,000 m, Phase 1 drill program. During the break, the field crews carried out surface stripping, rock chip sampling and geological mapping as well as road and drill pad construction. Seven drill pads and adjoining roads have now been completed and drilling is in progress on the magnetic-high features detected earlier this year by drone and ground based magnetic surveys.

New Gold Zone

While building a road towards a magnetic-high target scheduled for drill testing in the southern portion of the Company's property, a new gold-bearing zone has been discovered. This zone is coincident with the magnetic-high confirmed for drill testing in this area. The mineralization is associated with a previously unrecognized, northwest-southeast trending, fault related magnetite breccia zone. This structure may be similar to fault structures that are reported to control Cu-Au mineralization on the adjacent property of Barksdale Resources Corp. as described in a recent news release and as proposed in earlier studies of IOCG style mineralization in this area (by Dr. Murray W. Hitzman and associates).

The gold-bearing breccia zone is at least 50 m wide and has been traced for 100 m. It is open in both directions and appears to be along strike with other exposures on the Company's claims for at least 1 km. Eighty samples have been collected and submitted for analysis from the trace of this zone.

Silver Mineralogy Study

To enhance understanding of the mineralogy for the silver found in massive magnetite veining at San Javier, six high grade silver samples were submitted to ALS Global Laboratories in Kamloops, British Colombia for Quemscan analysis. This study determined that most of the silver minerals found at San Javier (~73%) are silver halides (such as AgCl, AgBr, AgI and AgFl) while a smaller relative percentage (~27%) were found to be Acanthite (Ag 2 S). This relative weighting in silver mineralogy is not common for silver deposits in the Western USA and Mexico but is consistent with silver mineralization that can be associated with IOCG deposit types.

To confirm silver assay accuracy, rejects and pulps from 28 previously assayed samples (surface samples and drill core) were re-submitted to the primary laboratory (ALS) and to a second laboratory (Bureau Veritas). The results generally showed a very good reproducibility.

"Encountering massive magnetite early in our drill program is the strongest evidence yet supporting the IOCG thesis for San Javier. This outcome, in combination with silver mineralogical analysis and previous work on IUGS chemical classification for regional igneous rocks made by Dr. Michael Tedeschi in 2010, greatly increases our confidence in the IOCG model for San Javier. Our exploration objectives are to confirm that San Javier has the potential to host a significant silver and gold metal endowment and to be classified in a similar way to currently acknowledged magnetite-group IOCG deposits such as Ernest Henry (Australia), Candelaria (Chile), Sossego (Brazil), Guelb (Mauritania) and Boss (USA)," stated Christopher Berlet, President and CEO of Canuc.

Seymour M. Sears, B.A., B.Sc., P.Geo. is the Qualified Person for the Company, as defined by NI 43-101, and has reviewed and approved the contents of this press release.

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

About Canuc

Canuc is a junior company focusing on the San Javier Silver-Gold Project in Sonora State, Mexico. The Company generates cash flow from natural gas production at its MidTex Energy Project in Central West Texas, USA where Canuc has an interest in eight producing natural gas wells and has rights for further in field developments. Canuc also has exclusive rights, through a Partnership Agreement with Ioticiti Networks Inc., to sell Industrial IoT applications and infrastructure in the Provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada and in the State of Texas, USA.

For further information please contact:

Canuc Resources Corporation.

(416) 525 - 6869

cberlet@canucresources.ca

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information. All information, other than information of historical fact, constitute "forward-looking statements" and includes any information that addresses activities, events or developments that the Corporation believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future including the Corporation's strategy, plans or future financial or operating performance.

When used in this news release, the words "estimate", "project", "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "believe", "hope", "may" and similar expressions, as well as "will", "shall" and other indications of future tense, are intended to identify forward-looking information. The forward-looking information is based on current expectations and applies only as of the date on which they were made. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, the ability of the Corporation to fund the exploration expenditures required under the Agreement. Other factors such as uncertainties regarding government regulations could also affect the results. Other risks may be set out in the Corporation's annual financial statements, MD&A and other publicly filed documents.

The Corporation cautions that there can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required by law, the Corporation does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking information contained in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

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 news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/91990
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 4, 2021) - Sun Summit Minerals Corp. (TSXV: SMN) (OTCQB: SMREF) is pleased to provide an update from its current property-wide exploration program across its 100% optioned Buck Property, central British Columbia.

Highlights

Over 200 rock samples and over 2,000 soil samples have been collected to date across the 33,000 hectare property.

Geological mapping and prospecting have outlined numerous areas of previously unrecognized pervasive hydrothermal alteration. These areas are being systematically evaluated.

The team is completing a comprehensive geological modelling and drill hole targeting initiative based on data from the recently completed 18 drill hole program.

Planning for a multi-rig drill program at Buck is underway, anticipated to commence later this summer.

Company is fully funded for drilling by the recent $5 million dollar flow-through financing (see SMN news released dated July 29th, 2021).

Bob Willis, Sun Summit's CEO, commented:

"We are very pleased with the progress of our property-wide exploration program this year. Our technical team has systematically evaluated many key areas across the prospective belt of rocks that transect the Buck property. This work has outlined numerous areas of significant alteration that warrant follow-up. Exploration is ongoing, and results will be released once assays from rock and soil samples are returned from the lab.

"We are also currently modelling all available drill data. These updated models will be used to strategically plan our upcoming multi-drill rig program. Details are being finalised, it is expected that drilling will be focused on defining the extent of high-grade and bulk tonnage-style gold zones, and also on peripheral areas where the system remains open.

"We look forward to updating all our shareholders with program details once plans are set and targets are prioritised."

Exploration Program

The focus of the 2021 summer exploration program is on the approximately 24 kilometre long, northwest-trending, fault-bound belt of Late Cretaceous Kasalka Group volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks, host to epithermal-related mineralization at the Trench and Horseshoe targets (see SMN news release dated May 26th, 2021).

Over 200 rock samples have been collected so far across the property, and over 2,000 soils samples have been collected along property-wide transects and on focused tightly-spaced sample grids. Many of the soil grids were designed to follow up numerous zones of strong hydrothermal alteration locally observed in out-crop, sub-crop and float. Many of these zones were exposed due to recent logging and have been thoroughly investigated with more groundwork planned. Key targets previously identified based on a thorough compilation of all available historic exploration data (e.g., IRK target) have been evaluated and follow-up work is planned.

Modelling and Drill Planning

The Company is planning a significant, multi-rig drill program set to commence this September. The program is anticipated to comprise step-out holes from areas of high-grade mineralization as well as additional drilling in areas of open-ended, near-surface breccia-hosted, bulk tonnage-style mineralization.

The Company is currently finishing an updated geological and exploration model based on all new drill data from the recently completed 18 hole drill program (see SMN news releases dated May 11th, 2021, June 10th, 2021, and July 6th, 2021). The early 2021 drill program outlined significant zones of previously unrecognised high-grade gold mineralization in the Trench zone (e.g., 31.6 g/t gold over 4 metres including 246 g/t gold over 0.5 metres; BK21-020). A focus of the comprehensive modelling is on defining orientations and structural controls on these high-grade zones. Lithological and structural controls on near-surface, bulk tonnage-style gold mineralization (e.g., 186 metres of 0.78 g/t gold including 109 metres of 1.07 g/t gold) are also being modelled. These models will be used to plan numerous drill holes to test the extents and continuity of gold mineralization within both styles.

National Instrument 43-101 Disclosure

This news release has been approved by Sun Summit's CEO, Robert D. Willis, P. Eng. a "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects of the Canadian Securities Administrators. He has also verified the data disclosed, including sampling, analytical and test data, underlying the technical information in this news release.

Community Engagement

Sun Summit is engaging with First Nations on whose territory the Buck Property is located and is discussing their interests and identifying contract and work opportunities, as well as opportunities to support community initiatives. The Company looks forward to continuing to work with local and regional First Nations as the project continues.

Health and Safety

The Company's exploration programs are being carried out in full compliance with federal, provincial, and municipal guidelines established in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Sun Summit has a rigorous infection prevention and control protocol in place to protect the health of employees and contractors, as well as surrounding communities in which the Company works.

Buck Property

The recently expanded 33,000-hectare property, approximately 12 kilometres south of Houston, British Columbia, has excellent nearby infrastructure and allows for year-round road-accessible exploration.

About Sun Summit

Sun Summit Minerals is an exploration company focused on expanding its epithermal gold discovery at its flagship Buck Project located in north-central British Columbia.

The Company is exploring multiple high priority gold and silver targets through methodical, well-funded exploration campaigns with year round drilling access. The Project has high-grade and bulk-tonnage gold and silver potential and is located in a mining-established region that includes many former operating mines and current exploration projects.

Sun Summit is committed to environmental and social responsibility with a focus on responsible development to generate positive outcomes for all stakeholders.

Further details are available at www.sunsummitminerals.com.

For further information, contact:

Sharyn Alexander, M.Sc.

VP Technical Services

Nancy Curry

Corporate Communications

info@sunsummitminerals.com

Tel. 778-588-9606

Forward-Looking Information

Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements, which involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such differences, without limiting the generality of the following, include: risks inherent in exploration activities; volatility and sensitivity to market prices; volatility and sensitivity to capital market fluctuations; the impact of exploration competition; the ability to raise funds through private or public equity financings; environmental and safety risks including increased regulatory burdens; unexpected geological or hydrological conditions; changes in government regulations and policies, including trade laws and policies; failure to obtain necessary permits and approvals from government authorities; weather and other natural phenomena; and other exploration, development, operating, financial market and regulatory risks. Except as required by applicable securities laws and regulation, Sun Summit Minerals Corp. disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/91993
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 4, 2021) - Element 29 Resources Inc. (TSXV: ECU) (OTCQB: EMTRF) ("Element 29" or the "Company") announces today that it has commenced a 4,000 metre ("m") drill program to further explore the known copper mineralization at its Elida Copper Project ("Elida") located in central Peru (see Figure 1). The Company also announces the retirement of Brian Booth, President and CEO.

Drill Program

Initiation of a 4,000 m drill program at Elida Target 1 to supplement data from 18 historical drill holes (see Figure 2).

Six holes are planned to depths from 450 to 1,000 m with the following program objectives:

1) Achieve a drill hole spacing that is appropriate for estimating a mineral resource in a portion of Target 1;

2) Investigate the vertical continuity and zonation of mineralization in Target 1, and;

3) Improve the confidence of mineralization boundaries interpreted from previous drilling and outcrops.

Paul Johnston, Element 29's Vice President of Exploration comments, "This drill program is an important milestone for the Company as it will give us information critical for understanding the mineral system at Target 1 and allow us to potentially complete an initial mineral resource estimate for a portion of the target. Drilling results will inform decisions on the continued exploration of Target 1. I am extremely proud of our newly assembled Peruvian exploration team, who have done an exemplary job ensuring everyone remains healthy and safe while preparing for this drill program during challenging pandemic conditions."

The first hole of the current drill program will be drilled vertically up to a depth of 1,000 m to evaluate the depth extent of mineralization beneath one of the stronger copper-mineralized intercepts in ELID012 (393 m of 0.455% Cu, 0.048% Mo, 3.58 g/t Ag, for 0.623% CuEq1 within 503 m of 0.42% Cu, 0.046% Mo, 3.23 g/t Ag, for 0.579% CuEq1, see press release dated January 5, 2021). Copper-molybdenum mineralization has been intercepted by previous drilling to a maximum depth of 400 m and remains open at depth. The remainder of the drill holes are designed to intersect mineralization at a spacing appropriate for potentially estimating an Inferred Mineral Resource and constrain the position and geometry of mineralization boundaries (see Figure 3). The Company will be adding an additional drilling unit in subsequent days (see Figure 4). The drill program is expected to be completed in the latter half of 2021 with assays to be announced in Q4 of 2021.

Members of the local community are employed to assist with our site preparations and on-going drilling operations. In order to protect against community spread of COVID-19, the Company has assisted community members with COVID-19 testing and transportation to vaccination centres. It is mandatory that all people entering the project receive a negative PCR COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival and regular antigen testing is being done on site by the Company's medical personnel. All people on site are required to wear a mask at all times and maintain a physical distance of two metres while working. Work plans involve minimizing contact between local community members and project staff. Standard hygiene practices (frequent hand washing and disinfecting surfaces) are rigorously enforced.

CEO Retirement

Brian Booth, President and CEO, has decided to retire from the Company. A search for a new CEO has commenced, with Brian continuing in his role until a successor is found.

Mr. Richard Osmond, Chairman, comments, "On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank Brian for his service in launching the Company through its listing on the various stock exchanges and initiating the 2021 drilling campaign."

Brian Booth commented, "It is with mixed emotions that I announce my retirement to spend more time with my family as Element 29 starts to flourish. We've built up a diverse and strong leadership team that I know will continue to push the Company forward with continued success."

Pursuant to Section 5.1(a)(iii) of TSXV Policy 4.4 Incentive Stock Options, Mr. Booth's 925,000 unexercised stock options will be cancelled on the date of his retirement.

About Elida

Elida is a porphyry copper-molybdenum exploration project within a property composed of 28 mining concessions totaling 19,210 hectares that are 100% owned by Elida Resources S.A.C. a Peruvian subsidiary of Element 29. The property contains a large, 2 x 2 kilometre ("km") alteration system enclosing a cluster of porphyry centres that represent five distinct exploration targets. A first-pass drill program consisting of 18 diamond drill holes totaling 9,880 m completed in 2014/15 identified significant copper, molybdenum, and silver mineralization associated with a quartz monzonite porphyry stock at Target 1. The remaining four large targets are untested. Under the current drill permit, the Company can elect to drill test all identified targets.

The project is in central Peru, approximately 85 km inland from the Pacific coast at moderate elevation between 1,500 and 2,000 m and close to transportation and power infrastructure, including a 45 mega-watt hydroelectric generation facility situated about 15 km from the project.

Technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Paul Johnston (P.Geo.), the Company's Vice President of Exploration, who is Element 29's qualified person under National Instrument 43-101 and responsible for technical matters of this press release.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

About Element 29 Resources Inc.

Element 29 Resources Inc. is an emerging copper exploration and development company focused on advancing its portfolio of Peruvian projects towards development in one of the lowest-risk mining jurisdictions in the world. Element 29's growth strategy is led by our strong board and management, who have a proven track record of discovery and delivering significant value to our shareholders.

The Company's principal objective is to explore and develop its flagship Flor de Cobre porphyry Cu-Mo project located in southern Peru, just 26 km southeast from Freeport-McMoRan's Cerro Verde Cu-Mo mine. At the same time, the Company intends to build on its copper inventory with continued exploration on its Flor de Cobre project as well as its remaining 22,000 ha of mining concessions in Peru including the recently discovered Elida porphyry Cu-Mo-Ag system located in central Peru and 85 km from the coast. Both projects are well located for future mine development and will benefit from nearby infrastructure including roads, powerlines, ports, water, and a skilled workforce.

More information is available at www.e29copper.com.

Contact

Brian Booth - President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Phone: +1-888-246-7881

E-mail: info@e29copper.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "Forward-looking Statements"). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, constitute Forward-looking Statements. Words such as "will", "intends", "proposed" and "expects" or similar expressions are intended to identify Forward-looking Statements. Forward-looking Statements in this press release include statements related the Company's resource properties, and the Company's plans, focus and objectives.

Forward-looking Statements involve various risks and uncertainties and are based on certain factors and assumptions. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include uncertainties related to fluctuations in copper and other commodity prices, uncertainties inherent in the exploration of mineral properties, the impact and progression of the COVID-19 pandemic and other risk factors set forth in the Company's prospectus under the heading "Risk Factors". The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any Forward-looking Statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Element 29 to predict all of them or assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any Forward-looking Statement. Any Forward-looking Statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

(1) The calculated Copper Equivalent (CuEq %) grade is used by Element 29 for reporting purposes only. Copper equivalence is calculated as:

CuEq (%) = Cu (%) + (2.667 x Mo (%)) + (0.0097 * Ag (g/t)), using Cu price = US$3.00/lb, Mo price = US$8.00/lb, and Ag price = US$20.00/lb. No metallurgical recovery was applied in the copper equivalent formula as no metallurgical data is available.



Figure 1. Map of the Elida porphyry cluster showing the location of five exploration targets, including Target 1 that is the focus of the current drill program.



To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7414/92019_6d5dbd89b468a82f_001full.jpg





Figure 2. Target 1 showing existing and planned drill holes. The horizontal projection of mineralized intervals is shown as grey bands on the existing drill holes.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7414/92019_6d5dbd89b468a82f_002full.jpg





Figure 3. An oblique view of Target 1 with red shading showing the interpreted position of copper-molybdenum mineralization projected to surface in relation to drill hole ELID019, which is currently in progress. The centre of the ring of mineralization is occupied by an early-stage mineral porphyry intrusion. The interpretation is based on alteration and mineralization exposed by drainage incisions and drill holes.



To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7414/92019_element29_figure3_550.jpg









Figure 4. Initiation of drilling on the Phase 1 program began with ELID019, a vertical hole designed to test the vertical extent of mineralization beneath one of the better mineralized intervals returned from ELID012, which was drilled in 2015.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 4, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7414/92019_6d5dbd89b468a82f_004full.jpg

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/92019
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 4, 2021) - Defiance Silver Corp. (TSXV: DEF) (OTCQX: DNCVF) (FSE: D4E) ("Defiance" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update to the ongoing drill program at the company's Zacatecas project. The current phase of the drill program has been successful in defining a new zone of mineralization near the Veta Morada fault and further outlining wide zones of mineralization on the Veta Grande vein system at the Zacatecas project.

Highlight of Results

DDSA-21-40 - Intersected high grade and wide widths of silver on the Veta Grande vein, including 2.8 metres of 336 g/t AgEq (from 314.40-317.20m) within an 8.28 metre wide zone of 188 g/t AgEq included in a wider interval of 16.47m of 129 g/t AgEq (from 302.48-318.95m).

- Intersected high grade and wide widths of silver on the Veta Grande vein, including (from 314.40-317.20m) within an wide zone of included in a wider interval of (from 302.48-318.95m). DDSA-21-34 - Was designed to test the Veta Morada fault at depth and intersected a new, unnamed vein with elevated Ag, Au, Pb, Zn results near the Veta Morada fault, including 1.25m (206.9-208.15m) of 253.63 g/t Ag, 0.20 g/t Au and 0.47 % Zn or 286 g/t AgEq. This was in a 3.10 metre wide zone (206.90-210.05m) of 133 g/t AgEq. This was the first hole into a newly identified structural zone.

Chris Wright, Chairman & CEO, commented: "We are encouraged by the discovery of a previously unrecognized silver-bearing vein system in a hanging wall structure that has never previously been tested. Furthermore, drill hole DDSA-21-40, a step out hole from the excellent results on hole DDSA21-36, returned encouraging grades and wide widths. Follow-up drilling in this zone will target the new mineralized vein at DDSA-21-36 and the mineralization in DDSA-21-40."

Overview Maps

Figure 1 - Zacatecas project and reported drill holes in yellow.Blue diamonds represent previously reported drill holes in current program. Light blue diamonds represent holes completed with results pending.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2950/92039_031c6012b403b86c_002full.jpg

Figure 2 - Drill hole collar locations with Veta Grande and new unnamed vein projected to surface. Cross-section locations shown in white dashed lines.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2950/92039_031c6012b403b86c_003full.jpg

Cross Sections

Cross Section 1 - Cross Section of drill hole DDSA-21-34 (Veta Morada area with the newly discovered unnamed vein). Previous reported results from hole DDSA-21-35 also highlighted.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Cross Section 2 - Cross section of drill hole DDSA-21-40 with highlighted intervals and location of old workings encountered on the Veta Intermedia.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2950/92039_031c6012b403b86c_005full.jpg

Discussion of Results

Historical stopes and higher-grade mineralized intercepts appear to primarily occur at the intersections of north-striking faults and the Veta Grande vein system. The vein system looks to contain higher grades and wider intercepts of mineralization at these intersections, as evident by the presence of substantial underground workings, high-grade historical drill results, and wide widths with high metal grades encountered in the 2021 drill program (e.g. DDSA-21-36, 37).

Proof of concept exploration success: one drill hole into the Veta Morada area discovered a previously unrecognized hanging-wall vein system with multiple elevated precious and base metal intercepts.

The drill holes in this release were designed to test several targets at the San Acacio Project area:

1) Test a previously undrilled vein system at San Acacio (Veta Morada fault zone).

2) Test locations with different relationships to fault intersections to locate areas of increased mineralization and understand their controls.

3) Discover and quantify the extent of historic workings and remaining in-situ mineralization.

Objective 1 - New Vein Zone

Hole DDSA-20-34 was the first hole collared to test the Veta Morada fault located to the south of the main Veta Grande structure. Drilling encountered a previously unknown vein that appears to be outboard of the Veta Morada fault and possibly related to northerly-striking faults that are perpendicular to the main Veta Grande fault trend. This unnamed vein has limited information and further drill programs will continue to follow up on and delineate this vein.

Objective 2 - Structural Controls on Grade-Thickness

Holes 33, 39, 40, and 45 were drilled on locations within the Veta Grande system that were untested by previous exploration drill holes. Hole DDSA-20-33 was the first hole drilled during this drill program. It was drilled deep underneath the system prior to the mapping team's identification the potential controlling structures. This hole does intersect the three veins of the Veta Grande vein system; however, the veins are poorly mineralized in this location. Subsequent mapping has shown that this hole was drilled into the footwall of the north-striking, east-dipping faults that appear to control the mineralization in this area. Holes drilled into the hanging-wall of this same structure tend to have significant grade-thickness.

Likewise, hole DDSA-21-39 hit vein and breccia material at the predicted location; however, this hole appears to be too far from the north-striking faults that control the new mineralization announced in the last release (holes DDSA-21-36, 37 & 38). The vein is present in DDSA-21-39 but is silica-flooded and richer in lithics rather than polyphase breccia clasts. The vein does contain sulphide mineralization, but in lesser amounts than DDSA-21-36, 37 & 38. Sulphide content progressively decreases from 36 to 37 to 38 to 39 and appears to be controlled by proximity to another of these north-striking structures.

Following on this understanding, DDSA-21-40 was collared in the same location as DDSA-21-39 but drilled from the footwall into the hanging wall of a prospective north-trending fault. A large interval of substantial mineralization was encountered here. Historic miners did not penetrate this zone of the Veta Grande vein, though Veta Intermedia was mined in this location.

Hole DDSA-21-45 was a re-drill of hole DDSA-21-44, which was attempting to target the intersection of the Veta Grande structure and a north-striking fault farther to the east within the project area. Hole DDSA-21-44 experienced severe deviation, and the hole was abandoned and re-collared nearby as hole DDSA-21-45. Unfortunately, hole DDSA-21-45 experienced further deviation (+12 degrees) and failed to intersect the target.

Objective 3 - Extent of Historic Workings

Holes DDSA-21-41, 42, and 43 were drilled into the eastern extent of the most significant historical workings to understand the extent of mineralization and underground workings in this area. Hole DDSA-21-41 was drilled broadly parallel to and underneath the Refugio tunnel, confirming the lack of underground workings and the diminished sulphide content of the veins in this portion of the vein system.

Hole DDSA-21-42 was drilled directly into the area with the largest amount of historic workings mapped on the historic long-section and between two historic underground drill holes with moderate silver grades. Hole DDSA-21-42 encountered three different workings, including a set of deeper workings not shown on the historic long section of the mine.

Hole DDSA-21-43 targeted the intersection of a mapped north-striking fault and the projection of the Veta Grande vein; the portion of the vein targeted in this hole is down-dip from that of hole DDSA-21-42. Hole DDSA-21-43 encountered a large historic working (6+ metres) at the projection of the Veta Grande vein. These workings are not shown on any historic long sections or level plans, but the size of the working and tenor of the remaining mineralization indicates that the structural intersection that was targeted is productive for historically mineable mineralization.

San Acacio Geologic Overview

The highest-grade silver mineralization is typically associated with honey-coloured sphalerite, argentiferous galena, variable silver sulphides, and spatially correlated with amethyst. The highest-grade gold mineralization is typically associated with pyrite, brown to red-coloured sphalerite, and occasionally with hematite. The hanging-wall mineralization tends to express as a more conventional vein to veinlet array morphology while the Veta Grande often occurs as a breccia with vein-type textures and gangue.

San Acacio hosts a current Inferred mineral resource estimate containing 16.97 Moz silver (17.76 Moz AgEq) grading 181.94 g/t silver (192.5 g/t AgEq) with a 100 g/t AgEq cut off (see the Technical report titled: Technical Report and Resource Estimate, San Acacio Silver Deposit, Zacatecas State, Mexico by Giroux and Cuttle dated September 26, 2014, which is also available on Sedar and the company's website here.

Long Section of Drilling

Figure 3 - Schematic long section showing Veta Grande intersections, limits of current resource estimate, and known underground workings.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Table of Results

Table 1 - Silver equivalent is calculated using the following formula: Silver-Equivalent (AgEq) = [(Au_ppm x 56.26)+(Ag_ppm x 0.80)+(Pb_ppm x .0016)+(Zn_ppm x 0.0026)]/0.80. Metal price assumptions are Au:$1750, Ag:$25, Pb: $0.75, Zn:$1.2. 100% recovery has been assumed for all metals. At this stage of the project, no metallurgy has been completed, and the reader is cautioned that 100% recoveries are never achieved. True thickness is assumed to be 50%-80% of downhole width.

To view an enhanced version of this table, please visit:

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Drill Hole Information

Table 2 - All coordinates in WGS84 UTM, Zone 13N.

To view an enhanced version of this table, please visit:

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The current drill program, a continuation of the previously numbered drill holes, commenced with hole DDSA-20-33. This news release contains the results from holes (DDSA-21-33, 34 and 39 to 45) for a total of approximately 4014.2 metres. The company has drilled approximately 7842 m of HQ3 drill core to date in the current program.

Next Steps

1) Continued drilling in the main resource area at the San Acacio mine, designed to test the limits of the vein system for an updated resource estimate.

2) Additional district-scale surface exploration, including mapping and sampling at the Lucita project is ongoing.

3) Core re-logging of the historical drill holes is ongoing.

4) Permits have been submitted for approval on additional exploration holes as a follow up to the property-wide surface geochemistry and mapping program at San Acacio.

5) Permits have been submitted for approval for phase 1 drilling at Lucita.

Discussion of QAQC and Analytical Procedure

Samples were selected based on the lithology, alteration, and mineralization characteristics; sample size ranges from 0.25 - 2m in width. All altered and mineralized intervals were sent for assay. One blank, one standard, and one duplicate were included within every 20 samples. Standard materials are certified reference materials [CRMs] from OREAS and contain a range of Ag, Au, Cu, Pb, and Zn values. Blanks, standards, and duplicates did not detect any issues with the analytical results.

Samples were analyzed by ALS Chemex Laboratories. Sample preparation was performed at the Zacatecas, Mexico, prep facility, and analyses were performed at the Vancouver, Canada, analytical facility. All elements except Au and Hg were analyzed by a multi-element geochemistry method utilizing a four-acid digestion followed by ICP-MS detection [ME-MS61m]; mercury was analyzed after a separate aqua regia digest by ICP-MS. Overlimit assays for Ag, Pb, and Zn were conducted using the OG62 method (multi-acid digest with ICP-AES/AAS finish). Gold was measured by fire-assay with an ICP-AES finish [50g sample, Au-ICP22].

San Acacio History

Zacatecas State continues to be the top producer of silver in Mexico and is one of the reasons Mexico remains the world's largest silver-producing region. The Zacatecas-Fresnillo Silver Belt is one of the most prolific silver producing areas in the world. Production at the San Acacio mine dates to at least 1548 when Spanish colonialists mined mainly bonanza oxide ores, typically grading in excess of 1kg/tonne Silver. The various veins were mined intermittently until the mid-1800s when an English company drove the ~2km Purisima tunnel to allow for deeper underground access and drainage. From the late 1800s until the Mexican Revolution in 1920, mining consisted of intermittent production from bonanza grade ores. During the Mexican Revolution, heavy fighting in the Zacatecas region led to the halt of most mining endeavors. In the mid 1920's, a cyanide plant targeting silica rich ores and a floatation plant for complex Pb-Zn ores were built with varying success until the transition from oxide to sulphide rich ores made for recovery complexities. In the mid 1930s the first tonnage estimate was created on the property, although the project sat mostly idle save for some stope and adit rehabilitation at Purisima and Refugio. Production was largely dormant except for some small processing done by CIA Fresnillo in the late 1930s to early 1940s. In the mid-1990s Silver Standard Resources Inc. began a systematic exploration and evaluation program targeting an open pit silver mine consisting of backfill, remaining stopes and silica-rich hanging wall and footwall mineralization of the Veta Grande structure. This entry by a publicly-listed company kicked off nearly three decades of exploration, development, and bulk-scale processing.

Defiance Silver has been exploring the project since 2011 and has focused primarily on identifying near-term mine resources. Drilling by previous operators as well as Defiance Silver from 2009 to early 2017 confirmed the presence of significant mineralizing events that provide evidence for a long-lived mineralizing system. Drilling in late 2017 and early 2019 outlined complexities in the structural geology of the area and identified significant "down dropped" and rotated structural blocks as the company tested the Veta Grande at similar elevations where it was encountered by earlier mining and drilling.

About Defiance Silver Corp.

Defiance Silver Corp. (TSXV: DEF) (OTCQX: DNCVF) (FSE: D4E) is an exploration company advancing the district-scale Zacatecas Project, located in the historic Zacatecas Silver District and the 100% owned Tepal Gold/Copper Project in Michoacan, Mexico. Defiance is managed by a team of proven mine developers with a track record of exploring, advancing and developing several operating mines and advanced resource projects. Defiance's corporate mandate is to expand the San Acacio and Tepal projects to become premier Mexican silver and gold deposits.

Mr. George Cavey P.Geo., Vice President Exploration, is a Qualified Person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 and has approved the technical information concerning the Company's material mineral properties contained in this press release.

On behalf of Defiance Silver Corp.

"Chris Wright"

Chairman of the Board

For more information, please contact: Investor Relations at +1 (604) 343-4677 or via email at info@defiancesilver.com .

www.defiancesilver.com

Suite 2900-550 Burrard Street

Vancouver, BC V6C 0A3

Canada

Tel: +1 (604) 343-4677 Email: info@defiancesilver.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Defiance Silver Corp. relies upon litigation protection for forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/92039
- OPPO has established a pre-research team to conduct preliminary research on 6G service and technology requirements, key technologies, and system features

- OPPO's 6G white paper takes an innovative step forward by introducing AI Function Plane as a new dimension in 6G networks

DUBAI, UAE, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Global technology company OPPO announced that the OPPO Research Institute has officially released its first 6G white paper - "6G AI-Cube Intelligent Networking". As one of the global and MENA region's telecommunications industry's first in-depth reports on how artificial intelligence (AI) can empower 6G network architecture, the white paper proposes a more detailed vision for the design of next-generation communication networks.

OPPO has established a pre-research team to conduct preliminary research on 6G service and technology requirements, key technologies, and system features. The global smartphone leader believes that 6G will reshape the way people interact with AI, as it is utilised to serve the public through a myriad of applications.

In June 2021, UAE telecoms provider Etisalat announced plans for 6G - stating that the network is expected to be even faster and support applications such as augmented and virtual reality, as well as AI infrastructure. With technology that could usher in transmission speeds 100 times greater than 5G, along with near-zero latency, and connection densities as high as 10 million devices per square kilometre, the IoT, already a key part of 5G, becomes an important factor in economic growth.

OPPO is among the first brands in the region to lead the 6G journey and vision next to Etisalat, making it a reality with the 6G white paper, and reflecting the brand's agenda that falls in-line with the UAE's.

"Technological development must be forward-looking. Mobile communication technology evolves in decade-long periods, and standardization of the next generation of communication technology is expected to begin in 2025, with commercial implementation following in around 2035," said Henry Tang, OPPO's Chief 5G Scientist.

Tang added: "Looking towards 2035, OPPO expects the number of intelligent agents in the world to far exceed the number of humans. Therefore, the next generation of communication technology, 6G, should be able to serve the needs not only of people but of all forms of intelligence and their various interactions. With this end goal in mind, we have carried out the early technical research and system design."

According to a new industry report by IDTechEx, sixth generation mobile network technology will be a $1 trillion opportunity for telecoms and communications service providers (CSPs). The new report predicts that operators will launch their fledgling 6G networks in 2030, with the technology overlapping with its 5G predecessor for at least seven years, before 6G becomes the dominant network infrastructure of choice by 2037.

OPPO's 6G white paper takes an innovative step forward by introducing AI Function Plane as a new dimension in 6G networks, running perpendicular to the traditional CP and UP planes to form an Intelligent Cube (AI-Cube). This unique, AI-enhanced architecture will enhance the 6G network on two levels: network functionality and high-level networking capability to allow 6G networks to self-optimise, dynamically administrate themselves, and intelligently distribute resources.

6G will fundamentally revolutionise how AI infers, learns, interacts, and is applied, solving many traditional problems faced in AI development, such as data silos and user privacy. To alleviate some of the current limitations of AI algorithms, the white paper proposes dividing AI resources into different domains. Arranged according to specific AI tasks, multiple nodes, and resources under the 6G network will form AI domains, providing optimal strategies for accurate AI model allocation, network resource scheduling, and data sharing.

Currently, the limited computing power and storage capacity of smart devices make it difficult for them to employ large, generalised AI algorithms. Meanwhile, the specialised AI capable of running on these devices are unable to meet the large data demands of most users. Under 6G networks, however, the AI domain will be able to take on multiple roles such as that of a traditional base station, database, AI model repository, and application server.

Under the proposed network, 6G devices will be allocated to an AI domain based on the location and requirements of the device. This AI domain will then issue the most suitable AI algorithm and task needed to deliver the desired services, while providing the most optimal communication connection to carry out the relevant tasks. Unlike 4G and 5G networks, the AI used for inferring and decision-making in 6G networks will be organically integrated on both the device and network sides, with the device assuming a more important role.

OPPO will continue to conduct pre-research into 6G technology, which will assist in the formation of the world's 6G standards in the near future. As a key contributor to the popularisation of 5G, OPPO will also continue to work with its partners to promote the large-scale commercialisation of 5G, leading the development of the Internet of Experience through the evolution of communications technology to bring its benefits to all.

About OPPO

OPPO is a leading global technology brand since 2004, dedicated to providing products that seamlessly combines art and innovative technology.

OPPO is on a mission to building a multiple-access smart device ecosystem for the era of intelligent connectivity. The smartphone devices have simply been a gateway for OPPO to deliver a diverse portfolio of smart and frontier technologies in hardware, software and system. In 2019, OPPO launched a $7 BillionUS Dollar three-year investment plan in R&D to develop core technologies furthering design through technology.

OPPO is firmly pursuing the creation of the best technology products and technological artistry for global users. Based on the brand elements of leading, young and beautiful, OPPO dedicates to the mission of letting the extraordinary users enjoy the beauty of technology.

For the last 10 years, OPPO has focused on manufacturing smartphones with camera capabilities that are second to none. OPPO launched the first mobile phone, the Smile Phone, in 2008, which marked the launch of the brand's epic journey in exploring and pioneering extraordinary technology. Over the years, OPPO has built a tradition of being number one, which became a reality through inventing the world's first rotating camera smartphone way back in 2013, launching the world's then thinnest smartphone in 2014, being the first to introduce 5X Zoom 'Periscope' camera technology and developing the first 5G commercial smartphone in Europe.

Today, OPPO was ranked as the number four smartphone brand globally. OPPO brings the aesthetics of technology of global consumers through the ColorOS system Experience, and Internet service like OPPO Cloud and OPPO+.

OPPO's business covers 40 countries with over six research institutes and five R&D centers across the world, from San Francisco to Shenzhen. OPPO also opened an International Design Centre headquartered in London, driving cutting edge technology that will shape the future not only for smartphones but for intelligent connectivity.

About OPPO MEA

OPPO started its journey in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region in 2015 after setting up its regional office in Egypt. Following the immense success of the brand's sales centre in Cairo in the first year, OPPO accelerated its expansion plan across the MEA region and inaugurated its country operations in the UAE in 2019. Now OPPO is physically present in more than 13 markets across the region, including Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and the Levant.

To empower its presence in the region in line with its product localisation strategy, OPPO further invested in MENA and set up its very own factory in Algeria in 2017, thus, becoming the first Chinese brand to build a manufacturing premises in North Africa. Based on insights of local consumers in each country, OPPO has evolved the progress of product localisation, taking into consideration several perspectives towards each market, including product localisation, to further meet the core needs of users; marketing localisation, to better communicate with local young customers; and talent localisation, to understand local consumers further and provide an optimum customer service.

Within the last year, OPPO has started to adjust its product line in the Middle East region specifically. This has included the launch of its flagship OPPO Find X Series and the introduction of the OPPO Reno Series. OPPO will continue to evolve its local product line to offer more premium series to consumers in the region.

A forward-thinking international technology company, OPPO strives to be a sustainable company that contributes to a better world and have enacted positive change in every way possible through activating local community initiatives and humanitarian, charity campaigns.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1588200/OPPO_6G_TECHNOLOGY.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1588203/OPPO_Logo.jpg
BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - U.S. ADP private payrolls data for July is scheduled for release at 8:15 am ET Wednesday. Ahead of the data, the greenback traded mixed against its major counterparts. While it held steady against the pound, it retreated against the rest of major rivals. The greenback was worth 109.05 against the yen, 1.1863 against the euro, 1.3928 against the pound and 0.9045 against the franc at 8:10 am ET. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
- In the past few years, the development of novel medicines for a number of medical illnesses and ailments has shifted means resulting in an increase in the demand for biosimulation

- Considerable rise in research and development investments by various biotechnology and pharmaceutical firms is fueling the expansion of the biosimulation market

ALBANY, N.Y., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Biosimulation is the computer-assisted simulation of biological processes that are fundamental to human biology. The objective of biosimulation is to provide model-based predictions of a biological system's dynamics and behavior. Moreover, considerable investments in research and development activities by pharmaceutical as well as biotechnology firms are driving the global biosimulation market.

Due to research initiatives and technical breakthroughs, the medical industry has seen tremendous growth in business in the previous two decades. The need for biosimulation has grown tremendously in recent years as a result of the shift in focus in drug research and development. Pre-clinical testing of novel medicines, lead identification and optimization, and target identification and validation are some of the key applications where biosimulation is employed.

The global biosimulation market is expected to be reach US$ 7 Bn by 2030. The market was valued at US$ 1.8 Bn in 2019 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13.3% during the forecast period from 2020 and 2030.

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Key Findings of Market Report

Increasing Popularity of Model Engineering to Assist in Improving Biosimulation Models

Recent breakthroughs in biomedical simulation development have supported the overall expansion of the global biosimulation market. In order to simulate biological processes, engineer cells, and diagnose illnesses, biosimulation is becoming increasingly popular. Thus, to improve the quality of biosimulation, market players are developing simulation models employing different tools and honing their skill in using software engineering. In terms of error correction, testing, building, and design, advancements in software engineering are expected to assist the creation of various biosimulation models.

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Growing Interest in Biosimulation to Enable Companies to Expand, Diversify Product Portfolio

Numerous companies in the biosimulation market are extending their services and operations to achieve competitive advantage, as they recognize the rising interest in biosimulation. For instance, one of the leading medical product design and production firms, Switchback Medical, stated that it plans to broaden its services by forming a new unit for biosimulation, Switchback BioSim Innovations to better serve its clients. The firm hopes to strengthen its market position by providing ell culture services, physical training, and dynamic biosimulation model creation as part of the expansion.

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Biosimulation Market: Growth Drivers

Market players are expected to address existing underlying challenges of biosimulation such as reuse, repeatability, and readability. Improvements in the techniques of model engineering are anticipated to play a critical role in the growth of the global biosimulation market in the years to come.

Growth in the use of biosimulation as well as modelling methods in the drug development can be attributed to the rise in the application of molecular modelling for the detection of useful compounds that assist in improving drug efficacy while diminishing toxicity of drugs

The U.S. FDA's strong recommendation for biosimulation adoption can be credited with the market's rise in North America . Furthermore, the use of predictive biosimulation in research and development is becoming more common, and the emphasis on developing biosimulation platforms for making COVID-19 vaccines is likely to boost the demand for biosimulation.

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Biosimulation Market: Key Competitors

Advanced Chemistry Development, Inc

Insilico Biotechnology AG

Dassault Systemes SE

Simulations Plus, Inc.

Genedata AG

Rosa & Co. LLC.

Biosimulation Market: Segmentation

Offering Type

Software

Services

Application

Drug Discovery

Drug Development

End User

Contract Research Organization

Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies

Research Institutes

Regulatory Institutes

Modernization of healthcare in terms of both infrastructure and services have pushed the healthcare industry to new heights, Stay Updated with Latest Healthcare Industry Research Reports by Transparency Market Research:

Drug Discovery Outsourcing Market: Major developments that are likely to gain considerable traction over the next few years across the drug discovery outsourcing market include a decline in time utilized for drug development, improving the conversion rate of hits to leads, and expanding the number of high-quality compounds. At the back of these factors and evolving economic landscape, the global drug discovery outsourcing market is expected to reach ~US$ 12.7 Bn by the end of 2030.

Organoids Market: Research and development activities are set to play a key role in the overall development of the global organoids market during the assessment period. In addition, increasing collaborations between researchers and medical experts are anticipated to accelerate the development of complex organoids.

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Val-d'Or, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - August 4, 2021) - Bonterra Resources Inc. (TSXV: BTR) (OTCQX: BONXF) (FSE: 9BR2) ("Bonterra" or the "Company") is pleased to announce results from the ongoing expansion drilling campaign at its Gladiator project. The focus of this campaign is on expanding the size and scope of the Gladiator gold deposit and supplementing the recently updated mineral resource estimate (the "2021 MRE", see press release dated June 23, 2021). The ongoing expansion drilling program at Gladiator has been a success thus far with several holes intersecting multiple mineralized intervals, which has effectively extended the targeted mineralized zones.

Assays from 18 expansion drill holes, including six holes outside the 2021 MRE, have been received since January 14, 2021. The assay results included in this press release are highlighted by:

South Zone: 7.2 g/t Au over 4.0 metres (" m "), including 57.0 g/t Au over 0.5 m and 16.1 g/t Au over 1.0 m in hole BA-21-23

7.2 g/t Au over 4.0 metres (" "), including 57.0 g/t Au over 0.5 m and 16.1 g/t Au over 1.0 m in hole BA-21-23 Main Zone: 4.9 g/t Au over 2.6 m in hole BA-20-33

4.9 g/t Au over 2.6 m in hole BA-20-33 Footwall Zone: 3.6 g/t Au over 7.0 m, including 20.5 g/t Au over 1.2 m in hole BA-21-07

3.6 g/t Au over 7.0 m, including 20.5 g/t Au over 1.2 m in hole BA-21-07 North Dipper: 26.4 g/t Au over 0.6 m in hole BA-21-13

26.4 g/t Au over 0.6 m in hole BA-21-13 North Dipper: 4.3 g/t Au over 9.4 m including 25.2 g/t Au over 1.0 m in hole BA-21-16

Additionally, work on the the preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") is ongoing and is expected to be completed in Q4 2021.

Pascal Hamelin, CEO commented: "I'm very excited with the results to date from the ongoing drilling campaign at Gladiator. The grade and width of hole BA-21-23 bode well for the mining scenarios currently being evaluated in the PEA and hole BA-21-07 shows the great potential at depth at Gladiator. I look forward to sharing more assay results from the ongoing drilling campaign as they become available in the coming weeks."

Gladiator Deposit Geology

The Gladiator deposit consists of a set of shear hosted sub-vertical quartz veins oriented at 60 degrees azimuth and are spatially associated with felsic dykes. The zones named spatially from the north-northwest to the south-southeast are: The North Zone, Footwall Zone and the Main Zone. These three zones include several sub-parallel veins interpreted as dislocated folds in sheared structures. The North Dippers Zones consist of secondary shears/fractures occurring in more brittle lithologies within gabbroic sills and a porphyritic felsic intrusive stock situated between the principal sub-vertical shears. They consist of shear/fracture filling quartz veins dipping 45 to 75 degrees to the north and oriented east-west. The North Dippers include the Barbeau Zone, which is one of the most significant zones in size and continuity at the Gladiator deposit. The Rivage Zone is located just north of the North Zone and consists of sub-vertical narrow shear hosted quartz veins. The South Zone consists of a sub-vertical shear hosted veining trending 70 to 80 degrees azimuth that bounds and drags the southern extensions of the North Dipper Zones. All the deposit zones have a strong 45 to 50 degree plunge to the northeast and remain open at depth along the northeast plunge (Figures 1 to 5).

The following table shows the significant intersections of the drill holes presented in this press release.

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Grade (g/t Au) Zone BA-20-31 86.9 88.0 1.1 7.4 North Dipper 113.0 114.0 1.0 1.3 North Dipper BA-20-32 No significant values BA-20-32A 98.0 99.5 1.5 1.5 North Dipper 140.5 141.5 1.0 3.8 North Dipper 178.5 179.0 0.5 7.2 North Dipper (Rivage) BA-20-33 88.5 91.1 2.6 4.9 Main Zone 170.0 170.5 0.5 2.0 Footwall Zone 183.4 183.9 0.5 8.6 Footwall Zone BA-21-01 148.3 149.2 0.9 1.4 Rivage Zone 544.0 545.8 1.8 3.2 North Dipper (Rivage) 689.0 693.0 4.0 2.4 Rivage Zone BA-21-02 to 02A No significant values BA-21-03 173.5 174.5 1.0 2.0 North Corridor 309.5 339.0 29.5 0.6 Footwall / North Dippers Including 320.1 321.6 1.5 4.8 411.9 413.4 1.5 5.9 Main Zone 424.5 425.3 0.8 1.4 North dipper (Main) 451.5 452.0 0.5 4.5 North dipper (Main) 561.0 567.5 6.5 0.7 South Zone BA-21-04 86.0 87.0 1.0 3.6 Rivage Zone 127.9 128.5 0.6 1.4 Rivage Zone 154.0 155.0 1.0 1.3 Rivage Zone 206.5 211.4 4.9 0.7 Rivage Zone Including 209.6 210.2 0.6 4.0 417.4 421.0 3.6 2.9 Rivage Zone 442.5 443.0 0.5 3.0 Rivage Zone 494.8 497.5 2.7 2.1 Rivage Zone 550.5 551.5 1.0 2.6 Rivage Zone 556.5 557.0 0.5 4.8 Rivage Zone 659.2 660.7 1.5 0.9 North Zone BA-21-05 No significant values BA-21-05A Anomalous values BA-21-06 937.0 939.0 2.0 1.3 Footwall Zone / North Zone 951.5 952.6 1.1 2.1 Footwall Zone / North Zone 959.4 960.5 1.1 2.8 Footwall Zone / North Zone 968.5 969.0 0.5 1.7 Footwall Zone / North Zone 1064.5 1071.0 6.5 1.3 North Dipper / South Including 1064.5 1065.0 0.5 10.0 1096.6 1097.1 0.5 5.0 Barbeau Zone 1107.0 1108.1 1.1 2.7 1124.0 1130.5 6.5 0.6 South Zone 1242.0 1242.9 0.9 2.2 BA-21-07 892.7 894.0 1.3 3.8 Footwall Zone / North Zone Including 892.7 893.4 0.7 7.0 940.9 941.8 0.9 6.4 Footwall Zone / North Zone 978.0 985.0 7.0 3.6 Footwall Zone Including 978.0 979.2 1.2 20.5 1019.7 1026.5 6.8 0.8 South Zone 1055.0 1056.0 1.0 1.5 North Dipper 1147.0 1148.0 1.0 3.1 North Dipper 1178.0 1179.5 1.5 2.2 North Dipper BA-21-08 to 11A Results pending BA-21-11B 145.9 146.9 1.0 1.0 BA-21-12 Results pending BA-21-13 55.3 55.9 0.6 26.4 North Dipper BA-21-14 Hole abandoned BA-21-14A Results pending BA-21-15 168.8 169.8 1.0 0.7 North Dipper BA-21-16 275.5 276.6 1.1 2.7 North Dipper 352.0 361.4 9.4 4.3 North Dipper / South Zone Including 352.0 354.0 2.0 6.8 Including 360.4 361.4 1.0 25.2 BA-21-17 to 22 Results pending BA-21-23 103.9 104.6 0.7 5.1 South Zone 113.0 117.0 4.0 7.2 South Zone Including 114.0 114.5 0.5 57.0 152.7 153.7 1.0 16.1 South Zone BA-21-24 to 25 Results pending

Notes:

1) The meterage represents the length of the drilled lengths.

2) Estimated true widths for the interpreted Main, North, North Dipper, North Corridor, Rivage and South Zones range from at least 50% to 100% of the interval core length.

3) The mineralized intervals listed are above 0.5 g/t Au.

4) Gold results obtained between 0.1 and 0.5 g/t Au are represented as anomalous values.

5) Gold results obtained below <0.1 g/t Au are represented as no significant values.

Figure 1 - Gladiator Project - Drill Hole Location Map

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/1528/92043_6671b113f47219db_001full.jpg

Drilling in the Gladiator eastern area has also intersected several gold mineralized intervals including the Footwall, North and North Dipper Zones of which the best intervals returned: 3.6 g/t Au over 7.0 m including 20.5 g/t Au over 1.2 m in hole BA-21-07 (Figure 2 and 5).

Figure 2 - Gladiator Gold Deposit Model (Looking northwest)

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/1528/92043_6671b113f47219db_002full.jpg

The latest drilling has intersected several North Dipper Zones of which the best intervals returned: 4.3 g/t Au over 9.4 m including 6.8 g/t Au over 2.0 m and including 25.2 g/t Au over 1.0 m in hole BA-21-16 (Figure 3).

Figure 3 - Gladiator Project - Composite Cross Section (Hole BA-21-16)

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/1528/92043_6671b113f47219db_003full.jpg

Three holes intersected South Zone target (BA-21-03, BA-21-06 and BA-21-23). Highlights include 7.2 g/t Au over 4.0 m including 57.0 g/t Au over 0.5 m and 16.1 g/t Au over 1.0 m in hole BA-21-23 (Figure 4).

Figure 4 - Gladiator Project - Composite Cross Section (Hole BA-21-23)

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/1528/92043_6671b113f47219db_004full.jpg

Figure 5 - Gladiator Project - Composite Cross Section (Hole BA-21-07)

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/1528/92043_6671b113f47219db_005full.jpg

Quality Control and Reporting Protocols

The Gladiator project's drill core gold analyses are performed at the Company's Bachelor Mine analytical laboratory (the "Laboratory"). The Company employs a rigorous QA-QC analysis program that meets industry standards. The analyses are carried out by fire assay (A.A.) with atomic absorption finish. Blanks, duplicates, and certified reference standards are inserted into the sample stream to monitor the Laboratory's performance. The Company's QA-QC program requires that at least 10% of samples be analyzed by an independent laboratory. These verification samples are sent to ALS Minerals laboratory facility located in Val-d'Or, Quebec. The verifications show a high degree of correlation with the Laboratory's results.

Qualified Persons

Boris Artinian, P.Geo., Chief Geologist of the Company oversees all exploration activities on the Gladiator Project. Mr. Artinian is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 ("NI-43-101"). Marc Ducharme, P.Geo. and Bonterra's Exploration Manager, approved the information contained in this press release. Mr. Ducharme is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101.

About Bonterra Resources Inc.



Bonterra is a Canadian gold exploration company with a large portfolio of advanced exploration assets anchored by a central milling facility in Quebec, Canada. The Company has four main assets, Gladiator, Barry, Moroy, and Bachelor that collectively have a total of 1.24 million ounces in Measured and Indicated categories, and 1.78 million ounces in Inferred category. Importantly, the Company owns the only permitted and operational gold mill in the region that is currently estimated at 75% through the permitting process to expand from 800 to 2,400 tonnes-per-day. Bonterra is focused on graduating from advanced exploration to a development company over the next 18-24 months to deliver shareholder value.





FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Pascal Hamelin, President & CEO

ir@btrgold.com

2872 Sullivan Road, Suite 2, Val d'Or, Quebec J9P 0B9

819-825-8678 | Website: www.btrgold.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary and Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking information" that is based on Bonterra's current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections. This forward-looking information includes, among other things, statements with respect to Bonterra's exploration and development plans. The words "will", "anticipated", "plans" or other similar words and phrases are intended to identify forward-looking information. This forward-looking information includes namely, information with respect to the planned exploration programs and the potential growth in mineral resources. Exploration results that include drill results on wide spacings may not be indicative of the occurrence of a mineral deposit and such results do not provide assurance that further work will establish sufficient grade, continuity, metallurgical characteristics and economic potential to be classed as a category of mineral resource. The potential quantities and grades of drilling targets are conceptual in nature and, there has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource, and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the targets being delineated as mineral resources. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Bonterra's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include but are not limited to: uncertainties related exploration and development; the ability to raise sufficient capital to fund exploration and development; changes in economic conditions or financial markets, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological or operational difficulties or inability to obtain permits encountered in connection with exploration activities; and labour relations matters. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect our forward-looking information. These and other factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking information.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/92043
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 4, 2021) - Getchell Gold Corp. (CSE: GTCH) (OTCQB: GGLDF) ("Getchell" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Jerry Bella as Director.

Mr. Jerry Bella is an independent financial consultant with over 40 years of experience assisting numerous private and publicly-traded companies including oil and gas, exploration, mineral resource exploration, manufacturing and high tech companies.

Until recently, he has been providing services to a multi-billion-dollar market capitalized leading China based integrated lithium producer.

"It is fortunate timing that has allowed an individual with such an extensive career and noteworthy accomplishments to join the Board of Getchell. It is also a solid reflection on Getchell to have passed his stringent due diligence and have the opportunity before us acknowledged by an outside third party. We fully welcome Mr. Bella to the team and the assistance he can provide," states Mike Sieb, President.

Mr. Bella holds a professional accounting designation (CPA, CGA) which he received in 1979.

Corporate News

The Company announces that incentive stock options to purchase up to 150,000 common shares of the Company have been granted to Mr. Bella pursuant to the Company's stock option plan. The options are exercisable at $0.50 per share for a period of five years from the grant date.

About Getchell Gold Corp.

The Company is a Nevada focused gold and copper exploration company trading on the (CSE: GTCH) and (OTCQB: GGLDF). Getchell Gold is primarily directing its efforts on its most advanced stage asset, Fondaway Canyon, a past gold producer with a significant in-the-ground historic resource estimate. Complementing Getchell's asset portfolio is Dixie Comstock, a past gold producer with a historic resource and two earlier stage exploration projects, Star and Hot Springs Peak. Getchell has the option to acquire 100% of the Fondaway Canyon and Dixie Comstock properties, Churchill County, Nevada.

The Company reiterates that its near-term strategy to advance its assets is not impacted by the COVID-19 Coronavirus. The Company continues to monitor the situation and is in compliance with all government guidelines.

For further information, please visit the Company's website at www.getchellgold.com or contact the Company at info@getchellgold.com.

Mr. William Wagener, Chairman & CEO

Getchell Gold Corp.

+1 303 517 8764

info@getchellgold.com

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the private placement and the completion thereof and the use of proceeds. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including: the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, use of proceeds from the financing, capital expenditures and other costs, and financing and additional capital requirements. Although management of Getchell have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/92011
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 4, 2021) - StraightUp Resources Inc. (CSE: ST) ("StraightUp" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that a field crew has begun ground work exploration on the Ferdinand Gold Project (the "Property") located in the Confederation-Uchi greenstone belt 120 km east of the Red Lake.





Figure 1. Regional location and access of the Ferdinand Gold Project.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7737/92013_2f5a686ce4f25acf_001full.jpg

Commentary

StraightUp's President and CEO, Mr. Mark Brezer, said, "This is an exciting step into an area within the Confederation-Uchi greenstone belt that has been largely unexplored. The Ferdinand Gold Project is within a crustal scale deformation zone that has never seen a drill hole. Results from our recent Heli-bourne Magnetic survey have identified high priority targets and important geologic structures for crews to begin prospecting, sampling and mapping."

The Property

The Ferdinand Gold Property is 13 km northwest of the town of Slate Falls. Access is currently by logging roads with forestry logging operations scheduled for expansion into the property. It is located within the south-eastern extension of the Confederation-Uchi greenstone belt, one of the best metal endowed greenstone belts by square kilometre in the world with past production and current resources totaling 64M oz. of gold. Crustal scale structural features such as the Fry-Bamaji deformation zone traverse the length of the property (Figure 2). Regional, coarse, government-sponsored magnetic surveys of the Ferdinand Gold Property display folded stratigraphy along possibly D 2 structures. These structural features are important for gold-bearing hydrothermal fluids and traps. There is not one Ontario Geological Survey registered drill hole on the entire property.





Figure 2. Regional geology and structure of the Ferdinand Gold Project.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7737/92013_2f5a686ce4f25acf_002full.jpg

The Company has engaged Group Arventure to provide and manage a comprehensive digital media marketing campaign, creating a digital strategy and media buying and distribution for a fee of USD$100,000.

About StraightUp Resources

StraightUp is engaged in the business of mineral exploration and the acquisition of mineral property assets in Canada. Its objective is to locate and develop economic, precious and base metal properties of merit. StraightUp intends to conduct exploration on the RLX North, RLX South, Belanger and the Ferdinand Gold Property, all located in the Red Lake Mining Division as well as the recently acquired Bear Head Gold Project, located within the Meen-Dempster Greenstone Belt of the Uchi Subprovince, approximately 80km west of the Pickle Lake Gold Camp.

Mike Kilbourne, P.Geo., is an independent qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed, and approved the technical contents of this news release on behalf of the Company.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Mark Brezer Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

For further information, please contact:

Mark Brezer

Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

(604) 989-6275

Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release).

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/92013
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 4, 2021) - Japan Gold Corp. (TSXV: JG) (OTCQB: JGLDF) (the "Company") is pleased to announce acceptance by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry ("METI") of 51 new prospecting rights applications covering approximately 145 sq km around its Barrick Alliance Togi Project, on the Noto Peninsula of Honshu Island (Figure 1).

Togi Project Highlights:

During November 2020, the Barrick Alliance collected 412 rock samples and 88 bulk leach extractable gold (BLEG) samples across the Togi Project. Systematic stream sediment sampling defined a continuous, 8 km long corridor of gold anomalous drainages within the Togi Project (Figure 1).

Rock samples collected during the BLEG sampling program from vein outcrops, float, and historic mine waste-dumps also provided very encouraging results:

From the 412 rock samples collected, 235 samples assayed greater than 0.5 g/t gold, with 91 assaying greater than 5 g/t gold 64 of these samples assayed between 5 and 20 g/t Au And 27 of these samples assayed greater than 20 g/t Au, with a peak value of 79.7 g/t Au



For more information on results of the initial phase sampling at the Togi Project refer to the Company's news release dated April 22, 2021.

Following a review of these very encouraging results, the Alliance decided to apply for additional ground covering the same geological formations which host the gold mineralisation within the Togi Project.

These new additions to the Togi Project are part of the Barrick Alliances strategy to continue to expand the portfolio based on the identification of key prospectivity indicators throughout the gold provinces of Japan.

Togi Project

Togi Project, now comprising 184.7 sq km, is located on the northern flank of a regional graben structure, hosted in early Miocene andesite volcanics, and under-lain by a northeast trending gravity anomaly. A similar geological and structural setting is noted 160 km along strike to the northeast at Sado Island. Sado Island hosts Japan's second largest gold mine, the Sado Mine which produced of 2.5 million ounces of gold and 74 million ounces of silver1 prior to its closure in 1974 (Figure 1).

Gold mineralization was discovered in the Togi area in 1896 and historic records from the Togi Goldfield report seven separate areas of workings along a 7 km trend which produced a combined 48,000 oz of gold and 180,000 oz of silver between 1910-212. The Mori vein from the Hirochi group at the northeast end of the corridor was reported to be up to 4 m wide with production grades averaging 14 g/t gold2.

Gold and silver mineralisation from the Urugami veins in the southwest of the corridor are hosted in stockwork vein and breccia zones. Mapped Sinter and the narrower stock-work style of quartz vein mineralization at Urugami indicate the top of a hot-spring epithermal system is preserved, supporting the potential for deeper boiling-zone vein targets at Togi.

References

1 Garwin, S.G. et al. 2005. Tectonic setting, Geology, and gold and copper mineralization in the Cenozoic magmatic arcs of Southeast Asia and the West Pacific. Economic Geology 100th Anniversary Vol. pp 891-930

2 Gold Mines of Japan, 1989. The Mining & Materials Processing Institute of Japan

Qualified Person

The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Japan Gold's Vice President of Exploration, Andrew Rowe, BAppSc, FAusIMM, FSEG, who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

On behalf of the Board of Japan Gold Corp.

"John Proust"

Chairman & CEO

About Japan Gold Corp.

Japan Gold Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused solely on gold exploration across the three largest islands of Japan: Hokkaido, Honshu and Kyushu. The Company has a country-wide alliance with Barrick Gold Corporation to jointly explore, develop and mine certain gold mineral properties and mining projects. The Company holds a portfolio of 31 gold projects which cover areas with known gold occurrences, a history of mining and are prospective for high-grade epithermal gold mineralization. Japan Gold's leadership team represent decades of resource industry and business experience, and the Company has recruited geologists, drillers and technical advisors with experience exploring and operating in Japan. More information is available at www.japangold.com or by email at info@japangold.com.

For further information, please contact:

John Proust

Chairman & CEO

Phone: 778-725-1491

Email: info@japangold.com

Cautionary Note

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as such term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to expected or anticipated future events and anticipated results related to future partnerships and the Company's 2020 gold exploration program. These statements are forward-looking in nature and, as a result, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that include, but are not limited to, general economic, market and business conditions; competition for qualified staff; the regulatory process and actions; technical issues; new legislation; potential delays or changes in plans; working in a new political jurisdiction; results of exploration; the timing and granting of prospecting rights; the Company's ability to execute and implement future plans, arrange or conclude a joint-venture or partnership; and the occurrence of unexpected events. Actual results achieved may differ from the information provided herein and, consequently, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained herein speaks only as of the date of this News Release. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise forward-looking information or to explain any material difference between such and subsequent actual events, except as required by applicable laws.

Figure 1: Barrick Alliance Togi Project, Noto Peninsula, West Honshu, 2020 BLEG results and the new area of accepted applications.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5665/92034_fd6c5996947499f8_001full.jpg

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/92034
Transaction Brings Lessor's Year-to-Date Executed Financings to US$2.53 billion

CDB Aviation, a wholly owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. ("CDB Leasing"), announced today the company has entered into a facility agreement for the secured portfolio of thirteen Airbus and Boeing aircraft, valued at approximately US$660 million. The transaction brings the lessor's executed financings year-to-date to a total of US$2.53 billion.

The first large-sized portfolio financing executed by the lessor since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic is secured with a combination of Airbus A320-200 and A350-900 as well as Boeing 737 MAX 8 and 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.

"Diversifying financing sources at a competitive cost of capital is one of our key objectives," underscored CDB Aviation Chief Financial Officer Brendan O'Neill, noting that the transaction demonstrates the strong and wide-ranging relationships the company has built over the years with members of the banking and capital markets communities.

The facility is provided by a group of leading MLA banks, consisting of: Natixis, MUFG Bank Ltd., Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, BNP Paribas, Nord/LB, Societe Generale, and The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited. Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank acted as Facility Agent and Security Trustee, and Natixis and MUFG Bank Ltd. jointly coordinated the transaction.

"We are very pleased to welcome our existing lenders and counterparties to this new facility, all of whom are major international aviation lenders, and look forward to continuing to build long-term relationships with them. We also appreciate the strong support from our shareholder in concluding this transaction," added O'Neill.

Patrick Hannigan, CDB Aviation Chief Executive Officer, pointed out that "our continued significant momentum, notwithstanding the toughest market the aircraft leasing industry has ever experienced, speaks to the strength of our integrated platform and our team's foremost ability to execute."

Coupled with the scale, market reach, and strong origination and structuring expertise, CDB Aviation is well positioned to help airlines and lessors address their most pressing challenges triggered by the pandemic.

Hannigan concluded: "The lenders' recognition of our platform's core strengths is the direct result of collaborative efforts of our entire team, with their unfaltering commitment to our long-term vision and continued hard work in all aspects of our operations all with the goal of supporting airline customers in navigating this pandemic-effected market environment."

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, beliefs or opinions, including with respect to CDB Aviation's business, financial condition, results of operations or plans. CDB Aviation cautions readers that no forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future performance and that actual results or other financial condition or performance measures could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements sometimes use words such as "may," "will," "seek," "continue," "aim," "anticipate," "target," "projected," "expect," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "goal," "believe," "achieve" or other terminology or words of similar meaning. These statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of CDB Aviation's management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results and we do not assume any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law, we do not undertake any obligation to, and will not, update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About CDB Aviation

CDB Aviation is a wholly owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. ("CDB Leasing") a 36-year-old Chinese leasing company that is backed mainly by the China Development Bank. CDB Aviation is rated Investment Grade by Moody's (A2), S&P Global (A), and Fitch (A+). China Development Bank is under the direct jurisdiction of the State Council of China and is the world's largest development finance institution. It is also the largest Chinese bank for foreign investment and financing cooperation, long-term lending and bond issuance, enjoying Chinese sovereign credit rating.

CDB Leasing is the only leasing arm of the China Development Bank and a leading company in China's leasing industry that has been engaged in aircraft, infrastructure, ship, commercial vehicle and construction machinery leasing and enjoys a Chinese sovereign credit rating. It took an important step in July 2016 to globalize and marketize its business listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX STOCK CODE: 1606). www.CDBAviation.aero

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005675/en/

Contacts:

Media contact: Paul Thibeau

Paul.THIBEAU@CDBAviation.aero; +1 612 594 9844




SINGAPORE, Aug 4, 2021 - (ACN Newswire) - On 12 August 2021, Moonstake will be taking part in a joint webinar co-hosted with our strategic partner, IOST, at 7PM Singapore Time/ 11AM UTC. The event will center around our collaboration to enable IOST staking on Moonstake wallet and how both of our projects are accelerating the growth of staking. This webinar will be useful for those who want to learn more about the IOST ecosystem and its value to crypto users through the partnership with Moonstake.IOST is an enterprise-level blockchain network developed for online service providers. It utilizes a unique, breakthrough consensus algorithm called "Proof of Believability" (PoB) that allows high transaction throughput speeds while all the nodes stay compliant. IOST is one of the Big Four public chains with a rich user base and real applicability alongside Ethereum, EOS, and TRON with 500,000 community members, over 20 countries worldwide, over 400 nodes, top staking economy, and growing.Moonstake successfully integrated IOST staking functionality along with the IOST account creation into our wallets through technical partnership in May 2021. Since then, we've contributed to the expansion of the IOST ecosystem through conducting various promotions, disseminating valuable IOST related information with multiple languages and organising webinars to help create more than 1,000 new IOST mainnet accounts. When it comes to staking, Moonstake started as a Node Partner, but became a Servi Node on June 1st with 21M IOST staked in 1 week. As of now, Moonstake's Servi Node had 472 voters with over 81m IOST had been voted, ranked 10th among whole validator nodes.There will be plenty of time for Q&A, so please feel free to ask any questions you may have. Additionally, we will be giving away two prizes, each $50 worth of IOST, for the best questions asked, so don't forget to tune in to the webinar with us.About this webinarTOPIC: How Moonstake and IOST Partnership is Accelerating the Growth of Staking GloballyDATE & TIME: 12 August, 2021 at 7PM Singapore time (GMT+8) / 11AM UTCSPEAKERS:- Lawrence Lin, CEO of Moonstake- Kuda Samkange, Director of Business Development at IOSTIN THIS WEBINAR, YOU WILL LEARN:- What are the missions and visions of Moonstake and IOST?- What are the global achievements and what are the plans for future development of Moonstake and IOST?- What is the impact of onboarding a market-leading blockchain partner like IOST for Moonstake and vice versa, what is the impact of onboarding a top-ranking staking provider like Moonstake as a partner for IOST?- What is Moonstake trying to accomplish with its series of IOST campaigns?- What more can be expected from the Moonstake-IOST partnership in the future?Pre-registration is required to participate, so please register from the link below. RSVP Today to take advantage of this free webinar. https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0oKn20-9QV6HpNpu453gDgAbout MoonstakeMoonstake was recently established to develop a staking pool protocol to satisfy increasing demands in regional and global blockchain markets. Moonstake develops a staking pool protocol and provides business services through partners and companies.Moonstake aims to be the largest staking pool network in Asia by providing an active environment for crypto asset holders. Establishing a clear partnership roadmap with Moonstake represents another significant milestone for continuing to strengthen ties with leading platforms across Asia's burgeoning Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) ecosystem. Partnerships have been announced with Emurgo, Ontology and NEO to boost staking adoption, Binarystar, Japan's biggest blockchain hub, OIO Holdings Limited (SGX: OIO), a Singapore-listed company. Industry's reputed advisors, such as Lisk and Lawrence Lim of RAMP DEFI support Moonstake's innovative journey.With a full-scale operation launched in August 2020, we expanded our business and as of now, our total staking assets exceeded over USD 1 billion. https://www.moonstake.io/About IOSTHigh fees and slower transaction times on the Ethereum network have left the door open for new solutions to emerge, and IOST is one such project that has been gaining traction since its mainnet launch in 2019.Backed by major financial and VC firms such as Sequoia, Matrix, and ZhenFund, IOST is a pioneering decentralized, high-throughput, gas-efficient Proof-of-Believability-powered smart contract platform built to tackle the scalability trilemma once and for all. For this, the concluding ranking from China's CCID ranked IOST as the best blockchain platform under Basic Technology, better than Ethereum, EOS, and every other smart-contracting platform evaluated by the agency. This is a testament to the quality and ability to roll out a better, innovative product and reflective of our true desire to be the best in the sphere.Being one of the public chain leaders in terms of adoption, performance, and utility, IOST remains committed to our mission to unleash the power of blockchain. IOST currently has the ever-expanding 500,000 community members in over 20 countries, over 400 nodes, a top staking economy, symbiotic relationships with corporations dotted worldwide. https://iost.io/Source: MoonstakeCopyright 2021 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / August 4, 2021 / KALO GOLD HOLDINGS CORP. (TSX.V:KALO) ("Kalo," "Kalo Gold," or the "Company"), is pleased to welcome Mr. Paul Harbidge as Technical Advisor of the Company, additionally joining Kalo Gold's Special Advisory Committee.

Mr. Paul Harbidge is a geologist with over 26 years of experience and a proven track record in the discovery of world class gold deposits. He holds a First Class Honours Degree in Geology from Kingston University, London (UK) and an MSc in Mineral Exploration and Mining Geology from Leicester University (UK).

Paul was most recently the President and CEO of GT Gold where he led the company in advancing the new gold rich copper porphyry project in Northern British Columbia, and its $456 million sale to Newmont Corporation in May 2021. Paul previously served as Senior Vice President of Exploration at Goldcorp Inc. from 2016 until its acquisition by Newmont in April 2019. Prior to that, he successfully led the Exploration Team at Randgold Resources resulting in the discoveries of the Yalea Deeps project (+7.5Moz), the Gara deeps project (+4.5Moz), Loulo 3 (1.5Moz) and the +6Moz Gounkoto deposit in the Loulo area of Mali and the +4Moz Massawa deposit in Senegal. He has also worked for Rio Tinto in the Iberian Pyrite Belt, Anglo American in Senegal and Ashanti Goldfields in Mali, Ghana, Guinea and Tanzania.

"We are extremely pleased to have Paul join as an advisor of Kalo Gold," said Kalo Gold CEO and Director, Fred Tejada. "Paul brings a tremendous amount of global expertise and a track-record of discovering and advancing major systems and most importantly significant value creation. We believe that Vatu Aurum, in the prolific Ring of Fire in the South Pacific has the potential for a major discovery and are thrilled to have Paul bring his skill set to the team."

Paul Harbidge states, "It is with tremendous excitement to be joining the Kalo Gold team as an advisor. I have been closely monitoring the Vatu Aurum project and am attracted to its phenomenal geologic setting, large land position, big system and multiple discovery potential, and the team involved. Mr. Tejada and his team have made considerable geoscientific progress over the past year and I strongly believe that Kalo is on the verge of a significant discovery. I look forward to unlocking the immense value potential with them."

In connection with the appointment, the Company has granted 750,000 stock options to Mr. Harbidge. The Company also granted 150,000 stock options to a consultant of the Company, for an aggregate total of 900,000 stock options (the "Options") to purchase 900,000 shares (the "Shares") in the capital of the Company pursuant to the Company's share option plan. The Options are exercisable at an exercise price of $0.26 per Share for a period of two (2) years from the date of grant. The Options are subject to vesting periods over the course of the term of the Options.

About Kalo Gold

Kalo Gold is a mineral exploration company focused on the Vatu Aurum gold project on Fiji's north island, Vanua Levu. Kalo Gold holds two mineral exploration licenses covering 36,700 hectares of land and on trend with many of the largest gold deposits in the world in the Southwest Pacific Ring of Fire.

On behalf of Kalo Gold

Fred Tejada

Chief Executive Officer and Director

For more information contact, please contact

Kevin Ma,

President and Director

E: info@kalogoldcorp.com

T: +1-604-363-0411.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

Forward Looking Statements Disclaimer

Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which are statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Forward looking statements in this news release include statements relating to proposed drilling timeline and the proposed expansion of the exploration program. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including statements regarding the proposed drilling timeline and the proposed expansion of the exploration program, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results, and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, the Company's inability to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required for its activities, the Company's inability to raise the necessary capital to be fully able to implement its business strategies, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's filing statement dated February 9, 2021 and latest interim Management Discussion and Analysis filed with certain securities commissions in Canada.

The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking statements herein may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect, and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by Canadian securities law.

SOURCE: Kalo Gold Holdings Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/658262/Kalo-Gold-Appoints-Paul-Harbidge-as-Technical-Advisor
BAISE, China, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, the first China mango industry conference was held in Baise, Guangxi. At the meeting, Tianyang district and Guangzhou Pilot Food Investment Co., Ltd. signed the framework agreement on the comprehensive development and utilization project of fruits in Tianyang District, Baise City (phase II), with a total investment of 500 million yuan, according to the Publicity Department of Tianyang District.

Located in the west of Guangxi, Tianyang District of Baise is the first hometown of mango in China. Given a subtropical monsoon climate with warm winter and long summer, and abundant sunshine, Tianyang is dubbed as "natural greenhouse" and is abundant in fruits and vegetables. Relying on its exceptional climate, Tianyang District has made great efforts to develop the two dominant industries of mango and tomato. Mango is harvested from June to August every year, and tomato from November to next April. "One Red and One Green " helped farmers continuously increase their incomes. In 2020, the total planting area of mango is 408,000 mu with an output of 280,000 tons; the main bulk vegetable is tomato, which is marketed from November to April. In 2020, the vegetable planting area of the whole region is 398,000 mu with an output of 875,800 tons. Mango and tomato have become the two pillar industries of the district.

At present, it is the peak season of Tianyang mango on the market. Mango is in hot sell in Tianyang Wholesale Market of Agricultural and Sideline Products. Tianyang Wholesale Market of Agricultural and Sideline Products is a large-scale comprehensive wholesale market, which mainly deals with wholesale, purchasing and selling through agency, joint purchasing and selling, agency storage and transportation of fruits and vegetables. The average daily trading volume of the market is 2,000 tons, and the peak daily trading volume is 5,000 tons. The total annual trading volume is 700,000 tons, and the trading volume exceeds RMB 1.6 billion. The products are sold to more than 230 large and medium-sized cities in China, and Vietnam, Russia, Hong Kong and other countries and regions. It has become the largest wholesale market of agricultural and sideline products in Southwest China and one of the important bases for transporting vegetables from south to north, it is the "Fresh Agricultural Products Center Wholesale Market" designated by the Ministry of Agriculture, the "Double Hundred Market Project" agricultural products wholesale market determined by the Ministry of Commerce, and the key leading enterprise of China's supply and marketing cooperatives.

With the ongoing development of e-commerce, Tianyang closely relied on e-commerce network and established Tianyang Ganjie E-commerce Co., Ltd., built the "Commercial County" e-commerce service platform, and established the "Tianyang Characteristic Market"; it supported the construction of Alibaba Baise Industrial Belt, Taobao Baise Market and WeChat business, and has been constantly improving the e-commerce logistics system. In 2020, through Taobao, JD, Tmall, PDD and other e-commerce platforms, mango online sales alone in the region exceeded 10 million orders, with revenue of more than RMB 100 million. Since the mango came into the market in 2021, the daily delivery volume of e-commerce network sales of mango is more than 10,000 orders, with daily sales of nearly RMB 1 million.

Image Attachments Links:

Link: http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=397842

Caption: "One Red and One Green" fruits and vegetables make a distinctive and prosperous industry

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1588193/Baise.jpg
HOLIDAY ISLAND, AR / ACCESSWIRE / August 4, 2021 / Holiday Island Holdings, Inc. (OTC PINK:HIHI) - operating in the recreational and remote living real estate market in the geographic markets of Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Louisiana, announced today that it entered into an Engagement with two (2) well-known Wealth Management firms, ARNO Wealth, LLC and ARETE Wealth Management.

The Wealth Management companies will be the advisors to raise equity and debt capital in multi-transactions to be used primarily for growth capital. ARETE is a FINRA registered Broker/Dealer, and it will administer the Company's Capital Placements where appropriate and required. ARNO will provide consulting services to find and structure the Capital Placements.

S. Gene Thompson, CEO and Director said: "This is a huge development for the Company and its Shareholders, as it gives us access to venture and intuitional investment capital to fund the execution of our Recreational Property "Roll Up" plan. Our initial focus will be on closing the Lake Texana RV Park, now under contract for $2.3 million, that is generating positive cash flow as is, and it can be expanded and profit enhanced immediately following the acquisition."

"And, we are evaluating a substantial number of other properties that can be acquired when funded, strategically located in high growth areas in Texas."

Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer:

This press release contains forward-looking statements 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. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the following words: "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "ongoing," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "will," "would," or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time the statements are made and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainty and other factors that may cause our results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements in this press release. This press release should be considered in light of all filings of the Company that are contained in the Edgar Archives of the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov .

HIHI Contact :

Gene Thompson, CEO & Chairman

Phone: (479) 244-6047

Email: sgenethompson@gmail.com

Website: www.holidayislandholdings.com

SOURCE: Holiday Island Holdings, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/658334/Holiday-Island-Holdings-Inc-Announces-Wealth-Management-Firms-Engagement-To-Raise-20--40-Million-For-Growth-Capital
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 4, 2021) - David H. Brett, President & CEO, EnGold Mines Ltd., (TSXV: EGM) ("EnGold" or the "Company") reports that the Company's planned share consolidation (on a 10 for 1 basis) will become effective on Friday, August 6, 2021 (the "Effective Date"). The Company's common shares are expected to commence trading on a post-consolidation basis on the Effective Date under the new CUSIP/ISIN numbers 29330R308/CA29330R3080. Following completion of the consolidation, the Company will have approximately 25,661,544 common shares issued and outstanding.

The share consolidation was approved by the shareholders of the Company at its recent Annual and Special General Meeting and has been approved by the TSX Venture Exchange. A letter of transmittal will be mailed to all registered shareholders with instructions on how to exchange their existing share certificates for new share certificates. A copy of the letter of transmittal will also be available on the Company's profile on SEDAR. Shareholders who hold their common shares through a securities broker, dealer, bank or other financial institution are not required to take any action with respect to the consolidation and should contact that intermediary for their post-consolidation positions. No fractional common shares will be issued. Instead, each fractional share that is less than 1/2 of a share will be cancelled and each fractional share that is at least 1/2 of a share will be rounded up to the next whole number.

As announced on May 25, 2021, the Company arranged, subject to the share consolidation referenced herein, an $8,000,000 non-brokered private placement of flow-through units ("Units") on a post consolidation basis (the "Financing"). The Financing comprises of 16,000,000 units at a price of $0.50 per Unit. Each Unit consists of one flow-through share and one-half of one warrant whereby each whole warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one common share at a price of $0.75 for period of two years from the date of issuance. The Company expects to close the Financing in two equal tranches of $4,000,000, with the first tranche closing on or before August 13, 2021, and the second tranche closing shortly thereafter.

Further to the Company's news release dated July 16, 2021, the Company paused its drill program at its Lac La Hache Property due to the high risk of wildfires in the Cariboo region. At this time, the wildfire risk remains high and management does not anticipate restarting its exploration prior to the first week of September, 2021.

About EnGold

EnGold is a Vancouver-based copper, gold, silver, magnetite exploration company focused solely on its 100% owned Lac La Hache property in the Cariboo region of BC which hosts the Spout Copper Deposit, the Aurizon Gold Deposit and the G1 Copper Deposit and other exploration targets within a large porphyry mineralizing system. With world class infrastructure at its doorstep, Lac La Hache is a great location to be exploring.

EnGold Mines Ltd.

David Brett

President & CEO

For further info contact David Brett, 604-682-2421 or david@engold.ca

This news release may contain "forward-looking statements". Readers are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual development or results may vary materially from those in these "forward looking statements." Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/92018
LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / August 4, 2021 / UMAX Group Corp. (OTC PINK:UMAX), a Nevada corporation, has built a state-of-the-art facility in Downtown Los Angeles that has become a one-stop shop for live comedy shows.

After the acquisition of Funny Media Group in May 2021, UMAX has now fully transitioned into comedy development as the vehicle to achieve a cash-flow positive operation and to provide the best return on shareholder's investment.

Rondell Fletcher (UMAX President and CEO), who has been producing content for more than 18 years, says that the facility-known informally as the Comedy Cube-has already become an important part of the comedy community.

"The comedians love it, the live audiences love it, and it allows us to produce comedy specials in 4K at a relatively low production cost," Mr. Fletcher says. "We've created a great vibe and amazing buzz."

"We have invested approximately $200,000 USD in on-site video and production equipment along with over $200,000 USD in the full-facility build out and approximately $500,000 USD producing the comedy specials so far," Mr. Fletcher adds.

In this 6,000-sq.ft. location, Funny Media Group has brought in more than 100 comedians for their own shows since May 2021. The shows feature an MC, a Live DJ plus custom graphics on a 100-foot curved video wall, all in front of a live audience. After shooting, Funny Media Group adds a graphics package and locks in the color and audio.

The first five specials will be released on August 9, 2021, on Funny Media Group's website and YouTube channel. After that, three shows per week will be released, one each on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

"We've been blown away by the talent," Mr. Fletcher says. "The facility has introduced us to some amazing comedians, and we are giving them the opportunity to have their own comedy special. It's a win-win and nobody else is doing it."

Funny Media Group has booked The Comedy Cube through October, Mr. Fletcher adds.

Mr. Fletcher has an extensive producer and media background. He has owned his own production studio in los Angeles for the past 10 years and has produced several miniseries. Additionally, Mr., Fletcher has worked with networks such as Fox, Food Network and CNN to produce shows shown on a nationwide scale. The short-term goal is to produce content for streaming services like Netflix and Amazon with the long-term goal being to build a large enough media catalog that any of the current streaming services would be interested in acquiring. Funny Media's social media sites are as follows:

Web Site: https://www.FunnyMediaGroup.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/funnymediagroupofficial/?hl=en

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbv-T0DNjMM

The company plans on adding to their current production assets. The company is constantly finding the talent necessary to produce additional specials for future release. The production schedule for shooting new specials is currently booked through October.

About Us

UMAX Group Corp. is a Nevada corporation, is a public quoted Pink Sheet issuer under the ticker symbol "UMAX". UMAX reports as an alternative reporting issuer with OTC Markets Group, Inc. and is current in its mandatory required filings (E.g., "Pink Sheet Current").

Disclaimer Regarding Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements that we make may constitute "forward-looking statements" under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include information concerning future?strategic objectives, business prospects, anticipated savings, financial results (including expenses, earnings, liquidity, cash flow and capital expenditures), industry or market conditions, demand for and pricing of our products, acquisitions and divestitures, anticipated results of litigation and regulatory developments or general economic conditions.? In addition, words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "projects," "forecasts," and future or conditional verbs such as "will," "may," "could," "should," and "would," as well as any other statement that necessarily depends on future events, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees, and they involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. ?Although we make such statements based on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements.? We caution investors not to rely unduly on any forward-looking?statements.

Company Information:

UMAX Group Corp.

3774 West Cheyenne Avenue, Suite 130

Las Vegas, NV 89032

Web: New web site under construction

Web Site: https://funnymediagroup.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/funnymediagroupofficial/?hl=en

Investor Relations:

Ted Campbell

Email: ted@umaxgrpcorp.com

SOURCE: UMAX Group Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/658315/UMAX-GROUP-CORP--New-Comedy-Facility-Creating-Buzz-in-Los-Angeles
Phoenix, Arizona--(Newsfile Corp. - August 4, 2021) - The Stock Day Podcast welcomed C-Bond Systems, Inc. (OTC Pink: CBNT) ("the Company"), a Houston-based nanotechnology company and marketer of the patented and patent-pending C-Bond technology, which is independently proven to strengthen glass in automotive and structural applications. CEO of the Company, Scott R. Silverman, joined Stock Day host Everett Jolly.

Jolly began the interview by asking about the Company's background and current projects. "This is the fifth small-cap, advanced technology public company that I have run in the last 20 years," explained Silverman. "The majority of those companies were in the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) space," he shared. "All of these companies ended up in a successful transaction or result for the shareholders of the company."

"We took the company public through a merger in April of 2018, and since then we have been commercializing both our proprietary and other products for the benefit of the security and safety area. We are also looking to gain traction with the larger partners out there in the glass and brittle material world," continued Silverman.

"Could you tell us about C-Bond's intellectual property portfolio and the technology that you are now starting to commercialize?" asked Jolly. "To date, we have 22 patents and/or patents pending," said Silverman. "The majority of these patents are in the area of strengthening brittle materials."

"Most recently we received a new patent from the US Patent Trademark Office for our flagship product, C-Bond nanoShield," said Silverman. "This forms the basis of our transportation solutions group," he said. "We strengthen glass, we strengthen windshields. In the case of C-Bond nanoShield, that patent makes us the only one, that I am aware of, that has a patented technology for strengthening windshields."

Silverman then elaborated on the Company's window film safety products. "One is C-Bond Secure, which is an anti-theft and deterrent product," said Silverman. "We fortified that technology and created the C-Bond BRS, which stands for 'Bullet Resistant Solution'," he continued, adding that the solution is certified to meet National Institute of Justice standards.

"We recently announced that our Safety Solutions Group, with our recent acquisition of A1 Glass, is going to be rebranded as Patriot Glass Solutions, a division of C-Bond Systems," shared Silverman.

"The IP portfolio itself was valued by Duff & Phelps at $33.7 million," continued Silverman. "Obviously we feel that we are undervalued right now based on that IP valuation, which was before the newly issued patent for the C-Bond nanoShield product."

"We're continuing to expand our IP portfolio by working on new products," said Silverman before elaborating on these technologies, including a water run-off and strengthening product for windshields and self-healing glass. "With success, and there's no guarantee of success with this project, we will be able to put a fluid directly on a visible crack in a windshield and heal it through a heating process."

"The product that we are currently working on, that we have filed a provisional patent for, would actually be able to cure and heal a visible chip or crack in a windshield," said Silverman.

Jolly then asked about the Company's recent acquisition, which is intended to add $2 million in revenue. "A1 Glass has been our premier distributor out of the San Antonio, Texas and Austin, Texas marketplace for the last five years," said Silverman. "We have made the decision to make A1 part of C-Bond; we have acquired that company," he explained. "On an annual basis, it will add at least $2 million per year to the revenues on a consolidated basis for C-Bond Systems," said Silverman, adding that the President of A1 Glass, Michael Wanke, will transition to lead the Company's Safety Solutions Group sector, which will become Patriot Glass Solutions.

To close the interview, Silverman encouraged listeners and shareholders to keep up-to-date on the Company's projects as they continue to grow and build value through their patented technologies.

To hear Scott Silverman's entire interview, follow the link to the podcast here: https://audioboom.com/posts/7918098-c-bond-systems-inc-ceo-scott-silverman-is-featured-on-the-stock-day-podcast.

Investors Hangout is a proud sponsor of "Stock Day," and Stock Day Media encourages listeners to visit the company's message board at https://investorshangout.com/.

About C-Bond

C-Bond Systems, Inc. (OTC Pink: CBNT) is a Houston-based nanotechnology company and marketer of the patented and patent-pending C-Bond technology, which is independently proven to strengthen glass in automotive and structural applications. The Company's Transportation Solutions Group sells C-Bond nanoShield, a liquid solution applied directly to automotive windshields, primarily through distributors. The Company's Patriot Glass Solutions sells ballistic-resistant glass solutions and forced entry deterrent solutions directly to private enterprises, schools, and government agencies, primarily through its majority-owned subsidiary, A1 Glass Coating. The Company also sells MB-10 Tablets, a disinfection product on EPA's List N. For more information, please visit our website: www.cbondsystems.com, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cbondsys/ and Twitter: https://twitter.com/CBondSys.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release about our future expectations, including the likelihood that we're continuing to expand our IP portfolio by working on new products, including a water run-off and strengthening product for windshields and self-healing glass; the likelihood that with success, we will be able to put a fluid directly on a visible crack in a windshield and heal it through a heating process; the likelihood that on an annual basis, the acquisition of A1 Glass Coating will add at least $2 million per year to the revenues on a consolidated basis for C-Bond Systems; the likelihood that Michael Wanke will transition to lead the Company's Safety Solutions Group sector, which will become Patriot Glass Solutions; constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, and our actual results could differ materially from expected results. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, C-Bond's ability to raise capital; the Company's ability to successfully commercialize its products; the effect of the COVID-19 global pandemic on the Company's and its customers' ability to operate; the Company's ability to source materials; the Company's ability to retain key employees and consultants; as well as other risks. Additional information about these and other factors may be described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") including its Form 10-K filed on April 14, 2021, its Forms 10-Q filed on May 14, 2021, November 16, 2020, and August 14, 2020, and in future filings with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this statement or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.

CONTACT:

Allison Tomek

C-Bond Systems 6035 South Loop East Houston, TX 77033

atomek@cbondsystems.com





Brokers and Analysts: Chesapeake Group

410-825-3930

info@chesapeakegp.com

About The "Stock Day" Podcast

Founded in 2013, Stock Day is the fastest growing media outlet for Nano-Cap and Micro-Cap companies. It educates investors while simultaneously working with penny stock and OTC companies, providing transparency and clarification of under-valued, under-sold Micro-Cap stocks of the market. Stock Day provides companies with customized solutions to their news distribution in both national and international media outlets. The Stock Day Podcast is the number one radio show of its kind in America.

SOURCE:

Stock Day Media

(602) 821-1102

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/92047.
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Biotechnology company Novavax, Inc. (NVAX) announced Wednesday that it has reached an agreement with the European Commission (EC) for the purchase of up to 200 million doses of NVX-CoV2373, the company's recombinant nanoparticle protein-based COVID-19 vaccine candidate with Matrix-M adjuvant. The agreement covers the purchase of up to 100 million doses of the vaccine with the option for an additional 100 million doses through 2023. Novavax is working to complete its rolling submission for NVX-CoV2373 to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in the third quarter of 2021, with delivery of initial doses expected to begin following approval. Novavax' global supply chain spans more than 10 countries, including facilities across the European Union from which it plans to ultimately supply doses. NVX-CoV2373 is a protein-based vaccine candidate engineered from the genetic sequence of the first strain of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 disease. NVX-CoV2373 is being evaluated in two pivotal Phase 3 trials: a trial in the U.K. that demonstrated efficacy of 96.4% against the original virus strain, 86.3% against the B.1.1.7 (Alpha) variant and 89.7% overall; and the PREVENT-19 trial in the U.S. and Mexico that demonstrated 100% protection against moderate and severe disease and 90.4% efficacy overall. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
New Products Available to the Bank's Corporate and Commercial Clients in North America, Europe and Asia

Bank of America has launched a new commercial credit card that includes premium benefits for frequent business travelers and executives called Executive Explorer1. The card program offers generous statement credits for travel perks and enhanced insurance coverage2 that can help make traveling more enjoyable.

In parallel, the bank also expanded its mobile capabilities for commercial cardholders with the Global Card Access app. Cardholders who are traveling or making business purchases can now activate their cards, check balances, and view their PIN from the convenience of their mobile phone.

"With business travel beginning to resume, we think our clients' employees will benefit from the added features including statement credits toward expedited clearance at airports and access to over 1,500 participating airline lounges, plus touch-free capabilities such as contactless payment and mobile wallet," said Jennifer Petty, head of Global Card and Comprehensive Payables in Global Transaction Services (GTS) at Bank of America.

The Executive Explorer cards, which are available to the bank's corporate and commercial clients in North America, Europe and Asia, offer superior insurance benefits related to coverage for lost luggage, baggage delay, ride share protection and cell phone protection. Executive Explorer cardholders are also given priority assistance from the bank's servicing team.

The launch of the app for the bank's card management tool, Global Card Access (GCA), coincides with the significant growth in mobility brought about by the pandemic. The app will provide additional convenience to business travelers and other commercial cardholders. The app has a biometric login, a dashboard with key account information where users can view balances and recent purchases, and an option to lock a card for added security while not in use.

"With the GCA app, we're giving our clients the same look and feel, the same convenience and ubiquity of use that we've all come to expect from technology to help manage our day-to-day lives," said Fernando Iraola, co-head of Global Corporate Sales GTS and head of GTS Latin America at Bank of America.

Clients should speak to their Bank of America relationship manager to discuss the availability and functionality of the Global Card Access app in our direct issuance markets. Bank of America is a global leader in commercial cards and virtual payables. More information can be found on our website.

Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world's leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 66 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 4,300 retail financial centers, approximately 17,000 ATMs, and award-winning digital banking with approximately 41 million active users, including approximately 32 million mobile users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 3 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and approximately 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

"Bank of America" is the marketing name used by certain Global Banking and Global Markets businesses of Bank of America Corporation. Lending, other commercial banking activities, and trading in certain financial instruments are performed globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. 2021 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

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

_____________________________

1 Available in all direct issuance markets

2 Insurance coverages vary by country

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005622/en/

Contacts:

Reporters May Contact:

Louise Hennessy, Bank of America

Phone: 1.646.858.6471

louise.hennessy@bofa.com


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - President Joe Biden has expressed disappointment over some state authorities passing laws or signing orders that 'forbid people from doing the right thing' in the fight against coronavirus.



While delivering remarks on his Administration's progress toward fighting the pandemic, he named two states where the Republican Governors declined to follow the federal government's lead in imposing mask and vaccination mandates.



He said the escalation of cases is particularly concentrated in states with low vaccination rates. Florida and Texas account for one third of all new COVID-19 cases in the entire country.



He pointed out that currently, seven states not only ban mask mandates, but also ban them in their school districts, even for young children who cannot get vaccinated. Some states have even banned businesses and universities from requiring workers and students to be masked or vaccinated, he added.



'And the most extreme of those measures is like the one in Texas that say state universities or community colleges could be fined if it allows a teacher to ask her unvaccinated students to wear a mask, ' Biden said.



Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order Thursday, reiterating his opposition to mask mandates, Covid-related business restrictions and vaccination requirements. Abbott, the Republican governor of the nation's second-largest state, threatened to impose fine up to $1,000 against local officials and businesses that enforce mask mandates and vaccine requirements.



Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order on Friday blocking mask mandates in the state's schools, saying parents had the right to decide if their children would wear face coverings.



Conservatives vehemently oppose mask orders and mandatory vaccines saying such steps violate constitutional freedoms.



This is in contrast to many states, cities, businesses and schools that have begun implementing new mandates since CDC recommended that even fully vaccinated people should wear masks in public indoor spaces in Delta-variant hot spots.



In a veiled appeal to Governors not to play politics in the face of the pandemic, Biden said, 'The virus doesn't care if you're a Democrat or a Republican. This is about life and death.'



He thanked Walmart, Google, Netflix, Disney and Tyson Foods for their recent actions requiring vaccination for employees.



Biden observed that there is a clear link between the lowest-vaccinated states and the states with the highest case rates.



This past week, the most vaccinated state in America, Vermont, has seen just five new COVID-19 cases per day for every 100,000 people.



Nearby Maine, which has vaccinated almost 80 percent of their adults, has seen just six new cases per 100,000.



But the states with the lowest vaccination rates are seeing 10 to 20 times as many new cases per 100,000 people. 'It's moving like wildfire through the unvaccinated community. And it's heartbreaking, particularly because it's preventable,' Biden said.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 4, 2021) - BELGRAVIA HARTFORD CAPITAL INC. (CSE: BLGV) ("Belgravia Hartford", "Belgravia" or the "Company") announces the current unaudited Net Asset Value (NAV) is $0.34 per share.

About Belgravia Hartford

Belgravia Hartford Capital Inc. ("Belgravia" or the "Company") is a publicly traded investment holding company listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange. Belgravia is focused on growing its assets and holdings and increasing its net asset value (NAV). Belgravia invests in a portfolio of private and public companies located in jurisdictions governed by the rule of law. It takes a multi-sector investment approach with emphasis in the resources and commodities sector. Belgravia and its investments are considered high risk holdings and it may expose shareholders to significant volatility and losses.

Belgravia owns a USD$12.2 million royalty interest from its formerly owned Ochoa asset in the state of New Mexico which the Company sold in 2017. The royalty includes the initial 75% of potential water revenue sales and a mining royalty whereby the Company is entitled to receive 1% of polyhalite production sales for any shortfall in payment of the total USD$12.2 million. Belgravia owns 100% of Belgravia Hartford Gold Assets Corp. (formerly Intercontinental Potash Corp.), a Canadian company involved in mining and metals resource exploration and development. Belgravia owns 100% of Belgravia Hartford Estates Corp. (formerly, Trigon Exploration Utah Inc.), a US-based company registered to do business in the States of Utah and Florida involved in real estate acquisitions and development.

For more information, please visit www.belgraviahartford.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements that use forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "potential" or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding planned investment activities & related returns, the timing for completion of research and development activities, the potential value of royalties, and other statements that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company, including, but not limited to, changes in market trends, the completion, results and timing of research undertaken by the Company, risks associated with resource assets, the impact of general economic conditions, commodity prices, industry conditions, dependence upon regulatory, environmental, and governmental approvals, and the uncertainty of obtaining additional financing. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.

For More Information, Please Contact:

Mehdi Azodi, President & CEO

Belgravia Hartford Capital Inc.

(250) 763-5533

mazodi@blgv.ca

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/92074
SLOUGH, England, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --In the first initiative of its kind, an 85 million approach to funding for affordable housing with variable tenures that can last from one day to a lifetime is launched today by Orchard & Shipman.



Working with specialist advisors Revenue and Capital, the property management group has secured 85 million to provide up to 300 affordable housing units in a Joint Venture with Bromley Council.



With funding provided by a major institutional investor and Bromley Council, Orchard & Shipman will be responsible for sourcing, buying and then managing the properties on a fully insuring and repairing basis for 50 years after which ownership will revert to Bromley Council. These properties will be returned at no cost to the local authority.



"This new funding initiative aims to speed up the urgently needed acquisition of affordable housing for those who find themselves homeless and in temporary accommodation with good quality permanent homes," said Chris Shipman, Chief Executive of the Orchard & Shipman Group. "It has long been known and understood that bad housing is a major contributor to poor health, poor education and poor employment opportunities and the Covid pandemic is just making this worse. As a registered provider of affordable housing this is exactly the type of social project we want to be involved in."

Councillor Peter Morgan, Bromley's Executive Councillor for Renewal, Recreation and Housing said, "We are excited at the potential to increase our housing supply which will not only provide much needed housing for residents we need to support but is also another example of how careful financial management can go hand in hand with delivering housing. This is positive news for those residents who may find themselves in temporary accommodation for longer than ideal, and for council taxpayers."



Said John Knevett, Chairman of Orchard & Shipman Homes Ltd and previously Chief Executive of A2 Housing, "With the traditional housing association sector retrenching, the market is in desperate need of new entrants and new funding models with the right long-term motives and good quality services. Novel creative models like this are perfect to help add to the numbers of additional affordable homes."



Richard Walsh of Revenue and Capital said, "We welcome Bromley Council's and Orchard & Shipman's approach to funding social housing stock and are on hand to support other Councils with the same market leading and flexible funding solution."



Established in 1988 Orchard & Shipman are a specialist housing group and have been working with the London Borough of Bromley for over 10 years. The Group has long-established relationships with Local Authorities in Scotland and England and also manage properties on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Orchard and Shipman website link

http://www.orchard-shipman.com/category/news/

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1551778/Orchard_Shipman_Logo.jpg
The "Global Pharmaceutical Warehousing Market 2021-2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The publisher has been monitoring the pharmaceutical warehousing market and it is poised to grow by $13.30 billion during 2021-2025, progressing at a CAGR of over 4% during the forecast period. Our report on pharmaceutical warehousing market provides a holistic analysis, market size and forecast, trends, growth drivers, and challenges, as well as vendor analysis covering around 25 vendors.

The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current global market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. The market is driven by the rise in demand for outsourcing pharmaceutical warehousing services and increased focus on quality and product sensitivity in the pharma industry.

The pharmaceutical warehousing market analysis includes service segment and geographic landscape. This study identifies the automation at warehouses to increase efficiency and accuracy as one of the prime reasons driving the pharmaceutical warehousing market growth during the next few years.

Companies Mentioned

Schenker AG

BDP International Inc.

CEVA Logistics AG

DHL International GmbH

FedEx Corp.

GEODIS

Kuehne Nagel International AG

United Parcel Service Inc.

XPO Logistics Inc.

Agility Public Warehousing Co. KSCP

The report on pharmaceutical warehousing market covers the following areas:

Pharmaceutical warehousing market sizing

Pharmaceutical warehousing market forecast

Pharmaceutical warehousing market industry analysis

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

The publisher presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources by an analysis of key parameters such as profit, pricing, competition, and promotions. It presents various market facets by identifying the key industry influencers. The data presented is comprehensive, reliable, and a result of extensive research both primary and secondary. The market research reports provide a complete competitive landscape and an in-depth vendor selection methodology and analysis using qualitative and quantitative research to forecast the accurate market growth.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Executive Summary

Market Overview

2. Market Landscape

Market ecosystem

Value chain analysis

3. Market Sizing

Market definition

Market segment analysis

Market size 2020

Market outlook: Forecast for 2020 2025

4. Five Forces Analysis

Bargaining power of buyers

Bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of new entrants

Threat of substitutes

Threat of rivalry

Market condition

5. Market Segmentation by Service

Market segments

Comparison by Service

Non-cold chain warehousing Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Cold chain warehousing Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Market opportunity by Service

6. Customer landscape

7. Geographic Landscape

Geographic segmentation

Geographic comparison

North America Market size and forecast 2020-2025

APAC Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Europe Market size and forecast 2020-2025

South America Market size and forecast 2020-2025

MEA Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Key leading countries

Market opportunity by geography

Market drivers

Market challenges

Market trends

8. Vendor Landscape

Overview

Landscape disruption

9. Vendor Analysis

10. Appendix

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/g84w6w

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005830/en/

Contacts:

ResearchAndMarkets.com

Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com

For E.S.T. Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 4, 2021) - Margaret Lake Diamonds Inc. (TSXV: DIA) (FSE: M85) (OTC Pink: DDIAF) ("MLD" or the "Company") today announced that it has granted, effective August 3rd, an aggregate of 2,500,000 stock options (each, an "Option") in recognition to directors, and officers of the Company. The options are being issued in accordance with the Company's shareholder approved stock option plan. Each Option is exercisable into one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Share") at a price of $0.05 per share for a period of 3 years from the date of issuance. The options shall vest immediately and are governed by the terms and conditions of the Company's stock option plan.

This stock option grant is subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval.

Contact Information

Neil Foran

Chief Executive Officer

(604) 681-7735

neil@margaretlakediamonds.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.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking information or forward-looking statements (collectively "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "potentially" 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. The reader is referred to the Company's public filings for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects, which may be accessed through the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/92089
Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - August 4, 2021) - Elixxer Ltd. (TSXV: ELXR) (OTCQB: ELIXF) ("Elixxer" or the "Company) is pleased to announce that, further to its press release dated July 6, 2021, the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") has accepted the Company's notice to implement a normal course issuer bid (the "NCIB") to purchase for cancellation up to an aggregate of 56,050,801 of its issued and outstanding common shares, representing 5% of the Company's current issued and outstanding common shares.

The NCIB will commence on August 9, 2021 and will remain in effect until the earlier of (i) August 8, 2022, (ii) the date on which the Company acquires the maximum number of common shares permitted under the NCIB, or (iii) the date upon which the Company provides written notice of termination of the NCIB to the TSXV.

The Company has engaged Integral Wealth Securities Inc. as its broker for the NCIB. The NCIB will be conducted through the facilities of the TSXV, and purchases of common shares will be made in accordance with the applicable policies of the TSXV at the prevailing market price of such common shares at the time of purchase. All common shares acquired by the Company under the NCIB will be cancelled. As of the date hereof, the Company has 1,121,016,031 common shares issued and outstanding. The Company may not purchase more than 2% of its issued and outstanding common shares during any 30-day period, which as of the date hereof represented 22,420,320 common shares.

The Company is implementing the NCIB because it believes that, from time to time, the market price of its common shares may not fully reflect the underlying value of the Company's business and its future prospects. Accordingly, the Company believes purchasing its common shares will be in the interest of the Company and represents an opportunity to enhance shareholder value.

To the Company's knowledge, none of the officers, directors or insiders of the Company, or any associate of such person, or any associate of affiliate of the Company, has any present intention to sell any securities to the Company pursuant to the NCIB. The Company has not previously purchased for cancellation any of its outstanding common shares.

About Elixxer Ltd. (www.Elixxer.com)

Elixxer is a Canadian public company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV: ELXR) and the US OTCQB exchange (OTCQB: ELIXF).

Through its partners, Elixxer presently has significant interests in Australia, Jamaica, Switzerland, Italy and Canada.

For further information please contact:

Ferras Zalt, Chairman and Interim CEO: +44 20 7409 6680; ferras@elixxer.com

Caution Regarding Press Releases

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements with respect to Elixxer and its operations, strategy, investments, financial performance and condition. These statements can generally be identified by use of forward-looking words such as "may", "will", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intends", "believe" or "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. The actual results and performance of Elixxer could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations. Some important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include, among other things, general economic and market factors, competition, government regulation and the factors described under "Risk Factors and Risk Management" in Elixxer's most recent Management's Discussion and Analysis filed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). The cautionary statements qualify all forward-looking statements attributable to Elixxer and persons acting on its behalf. Unless otherwise stated, all forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Elixxer has no obligation to update such statements, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/92086.
STOCKHOLM, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Crowley Maritime Corporation's Solutions business unit has been awarded a multi-year contract for Vessel Acquisition Management (VAM) by the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD). Stena RoRo is included in Crowley's project team, together with Serco and LCE (Life Cycle Engineering).

The RRF currently consists of 41 vessels whereof 33 are Deepsea RoRos. A key objective in the VAM programme is a reduction of the overall age of the fleet and increase of ship reliability.



Stena RoRo will provide expertise related to market intelligence in the vessel selection process. Stena RoRo will also act as broker within the VAM programme and support Crowley & MARAD with the conclusion of contracts for identified candidate vessels fulfilling the operational requirements set by MARAD.



"We look forward to work with Crowley & MARAD and to provide our market knowledge, including our extensive worldwide network in the RoRo segment," says Ambjorn Frojd, Commercial Project Manager, Stena RoRo. "In addition, our operational experience and engineering capabilities, will enhance cooperation with the stakeholders involved in the project and add further value."



"The VAM project represent another milestone in the long-standing cooperation between Crowley and Stena RoRo, dating back to the early 80s," says Per Westling, Managing Director, Stena RoRo.



"In Stena RoRo we have a partner with commercial, operational as well as technical excellence within the relevant commercial markets worldwide, complementing Crowley's deep knowledge of the US MARAD requirements," says Mike Golonka, Vice President, Government Ship Management in Crowley Solutions.



Link to press release from Crowley:

https://www.crowley.com/news-and-media/press-releases/marad-vam-contract/



For more information, please contact

Per Westling, Managing Director, Stena RoRo AB

Tel: +46 31 855154; +46 704 85 51 54

Email: per.westling@stena.com



Since 1977, Stena RoRo has led the development of new marine RoRo, cargo and passenger concepts. We provide custom-built vessels, as well as standardized RoRo and RoPax vessels. The company leases about fifteen vessels to operators worldwide, both other Stena companies and third parties. Stena RoRo specializes above all in applying its technical expertise to the design and production of new ships and the conversion of existing ships for providing tailored transport solutions to its customers. We call this "Stenability". Since 2013, we have been responsible for the design and completion of Mercy Ships' new hospital vessel the Global Mercy - the world's largest civilian hospital ship. www.stenaroro.com



More information about Crowley Maritime Corporation's Solutions:www.crowley.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/stena-roro/r/crowley---stena-roro-to-assist-united-states-maritime-administration--marad--in-acquiring-vessels-fo,c3392265

The following files are available for download:
Regulatory News:

Further to the press release published on 3 June 2021, SFL (Paris:FLY) today announces that the following operations relating to the change in its partnership with Predica have been carried out:

SFL bought back and cancelled some of the SFL shares held by Predica1; and

SFL acquired all of the shares held by Predica in the SFL entities that own the Washington Plaza, 106 Haussmann, Galerie des Champs-Elysees and 90 Champs-Elysees properties,

with Predica acquiring the non-controlling interests in the four entities that own the cloud.paris, Cezanne Saint-Honore, 92 Champs-Elysees and 103 Grenelle properties.

In addition, Predica today swapped its remaining interest in SFL's capital with Predica Inmobiliara Colonial for Inmobiliara Colonial shares at a ratio of 9.66 Colonial shares (ex-dividend) for 1 SFL share (ex-dividend).

These transactions were performed based on a ratio calculated using the EPRA Net Disposal Value at 31 December 2020 (adjusted for dividend payouts in respect of 2020).

____________________

1 Immediately following the cancellation of these shares, SFL's capital stood at 85,729,430, split into 42,864,715 shares. The total number of theoretical voting rights stood at 42,864,715, and the total number of exercisable voting rights (less treasury shares) at 42,752,920.

About SFL

Leader in the prime segment of the Parisian commercial real estate market, Societe Fonciere Lyonnaise stands out for the quality of its property portfolio, which is valued at 7.3 billion and is focused on the Central Business District of Paris (cloud.paris, Edouard VII, Washington Plaza, etc.) and for the quality of its client portfolio, which is composed of prestigious companies in the consulting, media, digital, luxury, finance and insurance sectors. As France's oldest property company, SFL demonstrates year after year an unwavering commitment to its strategy focused on creating a high value in use for users and, ultimately, substantial appraisal values for its properties.

Stock market: Euronext Paris Compartment A Euronext Paris ISIN FR0000033409 Bloomberg: FLY FP Reuters: FLYP PA

S&P rating: BBB+ stable outlook

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005929/en/

Contacts:

SFL Thomas Fareng T +33 (0)1 42 97 27 00 t.fareng@fonciere-lyonnaise.com

Evidence Gregoire Silly T +33 (0)6 99 10 78 99 gregoire.silly@evidenceparis.fr
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 4, 2021) - Castle Peak Mining Ltd. (TSXV: CAP) ("Castle Peak" or the "Company") announced that Grizal Enterprises Ltd. ("Grizal"), a British Virgin Islands registered limited liability Company, has agreed to lend the amount of $425,000 to the Company (the "Loan"). The Loan will be unsecured and bear interest at the rate of 8% per annum. The principal amount of the Loan will mature on July 26, 2022.

The Loan is subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange. The proceeds of the Loans will be utilized for working capital for the Company.

The Loans will constitute related party transactions under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), which has been adopted by the TSX Venture Exchange as Policy 5.9, because Grizal is an existing control person of the Company. The Company has determined that it is exempt from the minority approval and formal valuation requirements under MI 61-101 in respect of the Loans, relying on the exemptions found in sections 5.5(1)(a) and (b) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101. The principal amount of the Loans represents less than 25% of the Company's market capitalization as of August 4, 2021.

The board of directors of Company approved the Loan.

On behalf of the Board of Castle Peak Mining Ltd.:

"Iyad Jarbou"

Chief Financial Officer

Tel: 604.362.7685

Email: iyadj@castlepeakmining.com

FORWARD-LOOKING AND OTHER CAUTIONARY INFORMATION

Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain 'forward-looking information' and 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of applicable securities laws. This release may contain statements that are forward-looking statements and are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the Company's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. Such information contained herein represents management's best judgment as of the date hereof based on information currently available. As a result, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this release. The Company does not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required by law. For more information on the Company, investors should review the Company's filings that are available at www.sedar.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/92099
Long-term specialist in senior-level recruitment in Japan and Asia/Pacific joins Boyden as head of the Japan office and member of Boyden's global healthcare & life sciences practice

TOKYO, Aug. 04, 2021. Based in Tokyo, Irish joins Boyden's global healthcare & life sciences practice, leading senior level searches for clients in Japan and Asia/Pacific, as well as those headquartered outside the region.



"Japan is a unique market, and requires specialist knowledge and understanding of the cultural nuances at the individual, organisational and government level," commented Stephen Irish , Managing Partner, Boyden Japan. "Having worked with Japanese companies throughout my career, I am delighted to bring this experience into a collaborative, international environment with Boyden. For clients, it is particularly beneficial that Boyden has healthcare and life sciences consultants in headquarter locations across Europe and the United States, with deep market expertise and connections."

Irish was formerly Regional Practice Head, Asia/Pacific, Healthcare & Life Sciences at a global executive search firm, based in Japan, covering Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, India, Thailand and the Philippines. He brings more than 20 years' experience in executive search with multinational organisations in the pharmaceutical, medical device, diagnostics, life science and healthcare consulting sectors. Before executive search, Irish worked in R&D with a leading Japanese food and chemical company. Bi-lingual in English and Japanese, he holds a BA in Psychology and a Ph.D. in Neuropsychology from Texas Christian University.

Boyden has a long history of serving publicly-traded, private and private equity-backed businesses in Japan, particularly in healthcare & life sciences, consumer & retail , industrial , financial services s and technology . As globalisation continues, Irish explains, "Clients in Japan today need bi-lingual, bi-cultural and diverse leaders who are mobile and capable of operating in a more international environment. In another shift, the pandemic has introduced more online engagement in a hitherto traditional face-to-face culture. Leadership tenure is still robust, particularly in healthcare and life sciences, so long-term relationships are key, together with an intricate understanding of the motivators and aspirations among this complex talent pool."

About Boyden

Boyden is a premier leadership and talent advisory firm with more than 75 offices in over 45 countries. Our global reach enables us to serve client needs anywhere they conduct business. We connect great companies with great leaders through executive search, interim management and leadership consulting solutions. Boyden is ranked amongst the top companies on Forbes' Americas Best Executive Recruiting Firms for 2021. For further information, visit www.boyden.com .

Contacts:

Chris Swee

Global Head of Marketing

T: +1 914 747 0172

E: cswee@boyden.com Stephen Irish

Managing Partner, Japan

T: +81 80 5033 2091

E: sirish@boyden.com



A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b1789854-cdf5-4fca-87c2-bc1d02417cc3


MINNEAPOLIS (dpa-AFX) - On Wednesday, Target Corp. (TGT) announced that it will offer debt-free college education to all its US-based employees. The plan includes help for all sorts of institutional education for almost 340,000 employees.



Further, the company also plans to pay for textbooks and other subsidiary expenses that can add to the pressure of education loans that the students in the US are currently plagued by.



The company spokesperson said, 'Target employs team members at every life stage and helps our team learn, develop and build their skills, whether they're with us for a year or a career. A significant number of our hourly team members build their careers at Target, and we know many would like to pursue additional education opportunities. We don't want the cost to be a barrier for anyone, and that's where Target can step in to make education accessible for everyone.'



Target is partnering with Guild Education in the project where the students can choose from a plethora of courses ranging from high-school completion to boot camps and even undergraduate degrees in more than 40 institutes. The plan also includes 250 business-aligned programs including Business Management, Information Technology, Computer Science, and more.



The institutions that will be associated with the program include the likes of University of Arizona, Oregon State University, University of Denver, and eCornell along with HBCUs Morehouse College, Paul Quinn College, and more.



There are opportunities for those who are pursuing post-graduation degrees outside the Guild Education courses as well. For non-masters courses, the big box retailers would allow $5250 while for masters pursuant, the company will grant $10,000 per individual per year directly to the institutions to ease the burden of education for the employees.



Target is the latest addition to the list of retailers who are struggling to replenish their workforce in the post-pandemic era and therefore having to implement new ways to entice the workers. Previously, Walmart, Chipotle, and Starbucks have also announced similar strategies to find workers in the increasingly competitive labor market.



The company has also awarded $200 for all the employees as a 'recognition bonus'. Apart from education, the retailers are also adding to the benefits as all the employees will get access to free doctor consultations on the CirrusMD app.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 4, 2021) - MJ Innovation Capital Corp. (TSXV: MSMJ.P) ("MJ" or the "Company"), a capital pool company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"), announces that all matters submitted to shareholders for approval as set out in detail in the Company's management information circular dated June 30, 2021 (the "Circular") were approved at the special meeting of the shareholders of the Company held on August 4, 2021 (the "Meeting").

At the Meeting, the Company's shareholders:

elected the following individuals to the board of directors of the Company: Dr. Praveen Jain, Dr. Nishith Goel, Ravi Sood and Baojun (Robbie) Luo;

approved a consolidation (the "Consolidation") of the Company's common shares (the "Common Shares") on the basis of a Consolidation ratio within a range between 1.25 and 5 (five) pre-Consolidation Common Shares for each one (1) post-Consolidation Common Share, or such other ratio as may be accepted by the relevant regulatory authorities and approved by the directors of the Company (the "Consolidation Resolution"); and

approved a change of the name of the Company to "SPARQ Corp." or any such other name as may be accepted by the relevant regulatory authorities and approved by the board of directors of the Company (the "Name Change Resolution").

The election of the above-noted directors and the approval of the Consolidation Resolution and Name Change Resolution are conditional upon, and shall be effective as of, the completion of the proposed previously announced Qualifying Transaction with SPARQ Systems Inc.

In addition, disinterested shareholders of the Company have voted in favour of the following resolutions proposed by the Company in the Circular to implement certain changes required for the transition under the new TSXV Policy 2.4 - Capital Pool Companies effective as at January 1, 2021 (the "New CPC Policy"):

removing the consequences associated with the Company not completing a Qualifying Transaction within 24 months of its TSXV listing date on August 9, 2019;

approving the amendments to the Company's escrow agreement dated July 12, 2019 in accordance with the New CPC Policy; and

approving amendments to the Company's stock option plan in accordance with the New CPC Policy.

Please refer to the Company's news release dated June 30, 2021 and the Circular for further details with respect to the foregoing transition matters relating to the New CPC Policy.

ABOUT MJ CAPITAL CORP.

MJ is a capital pool company created pursuant to the policies of the TSXV. It does not own any assets, other than cash or cash equivalents and its rights under the definitive agreement dated June 10, 2021 with SPARQ Systems Inc. The principal business of MJ is to identify and evaluate opportunities for the acquisition of an interest in assets or businesses and, once identified and evaluated, to negotiate an acquisition or participation subject to acceptance by the TSXV so as to complete a Qualifying Transaction in accordance with the policies of the TSXV.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, the completion of the Qualifying Transaction with SPARQ Systems Inc. and the future business of the Company. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "is expected", "expects" or "does not expect", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "believes", or variations of such words and phrases; or terms that state that certain actions, events, or results "may", "could", "would", "might", or "will be taken", "could occur", or "be achieved". Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the information is made, and is based on, a number of assumptions and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including but not limited to the timing of obtaining the necessary approvals of the shareholders and the TSXV. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed Qualifying Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

For more information, please contact:

MJ Innovation Capital Corp.

Bryan Van Engelen

Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Director

Telephone: 226.750.9914

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/92109


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Following the release of mixed U.S. economic data, treasuries saw substantial volatility in morning trading on Wednesday before ending the session roughly flat.



Bond prices showed wild swings over the course of the morning but spent the afternoon lingering near the unchanged line. Subsequently, the yield on the benchmark ten-year note, which moves opposite of its price, inched up by less than a basis point to 1.184 percent.



Treasuries initially moved to the upside after payroll processor ADP released a report showing private sector employment increased by much less than expected in the month of July.



ADP said private sector employment rose by 330,000 jobs in July after surging by a downwardly revised 680,000 jobs in June.



Economists had expected private sector employment to spike by 695,000 jobs compared to the jump of 692,000 jobs originally reported for the previous month.



However, bond prices pulled back sharply after a separate report from the Institute for Supply management showed growth in U.S. service sector activity accelerated much more than expected in July.



The ISM said its services PMI jumped to an all-time high of 64.1 in July after pulling back to 60.1 in June, with a reading above 50 indicating growth in the sector. Economists had expected the index to inch up to 60.4.



The volatility waned in afternoon trading, as traders looked ahead to the release of the Labor Department's closely watched monthly jobs report on Friday.



Economists currently expect the report to show employment surged up by 880,000 jobs in July after spiking by 850,000 jobs in June. The unemployment rate is expected to dip to 5.7 percent from 5.9 percent.



Reports on initial jobless claims and the U.S. trade deficit are likely to attract some attention on Thursday, although trading activity may be somewhat subdued ahead of the monthly jobs report.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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TSX and OTCQX: MPVD

TORONTO and NEW YORK, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. ("Mountain Province", the "Company") (TSX: MPVD) (OTCQX: MPVD) today its financial and operating results for the second quarter ("Q2 2021") and first half 2021 ("H1 2021") ended June 30, 2021. All figures are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

Operational Highlights for Second Quarter 2021 ("Q2 2021")

811,000 tonnes treated, a 3% increase from the 786,000 tonnes treated in Q2 2020.





1,764,000 carats recovered at an average grade of 2.18 carats per tonne, a 14% increase compared to the 1,547,000 carats recovered at 1.97 carats per tonne of Q2 2020.





8,749,000 total tonnes mined, a 28% increase from 6,836,000 total tonnes mined in Q2 2020.

Financial Highlights for Second Quarter 2021 ("Q2 2021")

Revenue from 719,000 carats sold at $64.7 million ( US$52.6 million ) at an average realised value of $90 per carat (US$73) compared to $34 million from 757,000 carats sold in Q2 2020 ( US$25 million ) at an average realized value of $45 per carat (US$33) . Including the $10.4 million ( US$8.6 million ) of upside profit related to the Dunebridge diamonds which were sold by Dunebridge to third parties, total revenue for the quarter was $75.1 million ( US$61.2 million ).





( ) at an average realised value of per carat compared to from 757,000 carats sold in Q2 2020 ( ) at an average realized value of per carat . Including the ( ) of upside profit related to the Dunebridge diamonds which were sold by Dunebridge to third parties, total revenue for the quarter was ( ). Adjusted EBITDA 1 of $37.9 million compared to ($23.9) million in Q2 2020.





of compared to in Q2 2020. Earnings from mine operations $32.8 million compared to a loss from mine operations of $35.8 million in Q2 2020.





compared to a loss from mine operations of in Q2 2020. Cash costs of production, including capitalized stripping costs 1 of $97 per tonne treated (2020: $125 per tonne) and $45 per carat recovered (2020: $63 per carat).





of per tonne treated (2020: per tonne) and per carat recovered (2020: per carat). Net income at June 30, 2021 was $22.5 million or $0.11 earnings per share (2020: net loss $26.8 million or $0.13 loss per share). Included in the determination of the net income at June 30, 2021 are unrealized foreign exchange gains of $5.2 million , on the translation of the Company's USD-denominated long-term debt. The unrealized foreign exchange gains are a result of the strengthening of the Canadian dollar versus US dollar.

1Cash costs of production, including capitalized stripping costs, and Adjusted EBITDA are non-IFRS measures with no standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS. See the Non-IFRS Measures section of the Company's June 30, 2021 MD&A for explanation and reconciliation.

Operational Highlights for H1 2021

14.3 million total tonnes mined in H1 2020, an 11% decrease from the 16.2 million total tonnes mined in H1 2020.





1,437,000 tonnes of ore treated in H1 2020; a 15% decrease compared to the 1,689,000 tonnes treated in H1 2020.





3,156,000 carats recovered at an average grade of 2.20 carats per tonne, 1% lower than the 3,202,000 carats,1.90 carats per tonne, recovered in H1 2020.

Financial Highlights for H1 2020

Total sales revenue of $119 million ( US$95.3 million ) at an average realised value of $90 per carat (US$72) compared to $99.5 million in 2020 ( US$74.2 million ) at an average realized value of $70 per carat (US$52) .





( ) at an average realised value of per carat compared to in 2020 ( ) at an average realized value of per carat . Half year Adjusted EBITDA 2 of $57.1 million compared to ($1.1) million in H1 2020.





of compared to in H1 2020. Earnings from mine operations of $46.5 million (2020: loss from mine operations $22.1 million ).





(2020: loss from mine operations ). Cash costs of production, including capitalized stripping costs 2 , of $115 per tonne treated (2020: $103 per tonne) and $53 per carat recovered (2020: $54 per carat).





, of per tonne treated (2020: per tonne) and per carat recovered (2020: per carat). Net income for half year 2021 at June 30, 2021 was $29.8 million or $0.14 earnings per share (2020: net loss $67.7 million or $0.32 loss per share). Included in the determination of the net loss for the half year at June 30, 2021 are unrealized foreign exchange gains of $10.3 million , on the translation of the Company's USD-denominated long-term debt. The unrealized foreign exchange losses are a result of the weakening of the Canadian dollar versus US dollar.





was or earnings per share (2020: net loss or loss per share). Included in the determination of the net loss for the half year at are unrealized foreign exchange gains of , on the translation of the Company's USD-denominated long-term debt. The unrealized foreign exchange losses are a result of the weakening of the Canadian dollar versus US dollar. Capital expenditures in H1 2021 were $18.5 million , $10.1 million of which were deferred stripping costs, with the remaining $8.4 million accounting for sustaining capital expenditures related to mine operations.





, of which were deferred stripping costs, with the remaining accounting for sustaining capital expenditures related to mine operations. Quarter end cash position of $34.5 million ( December 31, 2020 : $35.2 million ) and a net working capital of $73.5 million ( December 31, 2020 : $52.8 million ).

2Cash costs of production, including capitalized stripping costs, and Adjusted EBITDA are non-IFRS measures with no standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS. See the Non-IFRS Measures section of the Company's June 30, 2021 MD&A for explanation and reconciliation.

Market Highlights for Q2 & H1 2021

In Q2 2021, 718,549 carats were sold at an average value of $90 per carat (US$73 per carat) for total proceeds of $64.7 million (US$52.6 million) in comparison to 602,773 carats sold at an average value of $90 per carat (US$71 per carat) for total proceeds of $54.2 million (US$42.7 million) in Q1 2021.

During H1 2021, 1,321,317 carats were sold at an average value of $90 per carat (US$72 per carat) for total proceeds of $119.0 million (US$95.3 million) in comparison to 1,416,677 carats sold at an average value of $70 per carat (US$52 per carat) for total proceeds of $99.5 million (US$74.2 million) in H1 2020.

The positive market environment which began at the start of the year continued through the second quarter. The global economy began to recover as many countries started to lift COVID-19 restrictions. This positive trend is expected to continue through the second half of 2021 as consumer confidence and spending levels continue to recover. Reinforcing this expectation is the fact that the US and China continue to promote consumer spending as part of their post-COVID-19 recovery plans, and major producers continue to adopt a price over volume approach to release of rough goods, supporting the industry's recovery.

Stuart Brown, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, commented:

"Gahcho Kue has rebounded well from a difficult start to the year, with production on-track to meet our guidance. The return to expected levels of production, combined with the strong market recovery we've seen in the first half of the year bodes well for our revenue and cash generation into the second half of the year. Our primary aims will now shift to finalising the new life of mine plan and our debt management where we will focus on repaying the short-term debt and begin to plan for refinancing the long-term debt.

On the rough diamond market front, we are seeing strong participation at our sales, this is helping to drive increases in diamond prices across the size spectrum. We expect this strong market environment to persist as the world continues emerges from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, and consumer spending at the retail level returns to pre-pandemic levels. Encouragingly, some advanced economies appear to be exceeding pre-pandemic levels."

Gahcho Kue Mine Operations

The following table summarizes key operating statistics for the Gahcho Kue Mine in the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020.

















Three months ended Three months ended Six months ended Six months ended



June 30, 2021 June 30, 2020 June 30, 2021 June 30, 2020











GK operating data









Mining









*Ore tonnes mined kilo tonnes 993 527 1,508 1,557 *Waste tonnes mined kilo tonnes 7,756 6,309 12,846 14,636 *Total tonnes mined kilo tonnes 8,749 6,836 14,354 16,193 *Ore in stockpile kilo tonnes 340 96 340 96











Processing









*Ore tonnes processed kilo tonnes 811 786 1,437 1,689 *Average plant throughput tonnes per day 9,011 8,733 7,852 9,130 *Average diamond recovery carats per tonne 2.18 1.97 2.20 1.90 *Diamonds recovered 000's carats 1,764 1,547 3,156 3,202 Approximate diamonds recovered - Mountain Province 000's carats 864 758 1,546 1,569 Cash costs of production per tonne of ore, net of capitalized stripping ** $ 85 105 100 92 Cash costs of production per tonne of ore, including capitalized stripping** $ 97 125 115 103 Cash costs of production per carat recovered, net of capitalized stripping** $ 39 53 45 48 Cash costs of production per carat recovered, including capitalized stripping** $ 45 63 53 54











Sales









Approximate diamonds sold - Mountain Province*** 000's carats 719 757 1,322 1,416 Average diamond sales price per carat US $ 73 $ 33 $ 72 $ 52



* at 100% interest in the Gahcho Kue Mine **See Non-IFRS Measures section of the Company's June 30, 2021 MD&A for explanation and reconciliation ***Includes the sales directly to De Beers for fancies and specials acquired by De Beers through the production split bidding process

Financial Performance

















Three months ended Three months ended Six months ended Six months ended (in thousands of Canadian dollars, except where otherwise noted) June 30, 2021 June 30, 2020 June 30, 2021 June 30, 2020











Sales* $ 75,147 34,020 129,371 99,450 Carats sold 000's carats 719 757 1,322 1,416 Average price per carat sold $/carat 105 45 98 70 Cost of sales per carat** $/carat 59 92 63 86 Earnings from mine operations per carat $ 46 (47) 35 (16) Earnings from mine operations % 44% -105% 36% -22% Selling, general and administrative expenses $ 2,676 2,650 5,285 6,287 Operating income $ 28,756 (38,958) 39,288 (31,456) Net income (loss) for the period $ 22,472 (26,762) 29,784 (67,731) Basic and diluted income (loss) per share $ 0.11 (0.13) 0.14 (0.32)



* In the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, the sales figure include $10,399 of upside profit related to the Dunebridge diamonds which were sold by Dunebridge to third parties. ** This cost of sales per carat includes the cost of acquiring 51% of the fancies and specials which have been sold, after having been won in a tendering process with De Beers Canada.

Conference Call

The Company will host its quarterly conference call on Thursday, August 5th, 2021 at 11:00am ET.

Title: Mountain Province Diamonds Inc Q2 2021 Earnings Conference Call

Conference ID: 29264662

Date of call: August 5, 2021

Time of call: 11:00 Eastern Time

Expected Duration: 60 minutes

Webcast Link:

https://produceredition.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1480661&tp_key=9a96ec708d

Participant Toll-Free Dial-In Number: (+1) 888-390-0561

Participant International Dial-In Number: (+1) 416-764-8668

A replay of the webcast and audio call will be available on the Company's website.

About the Company

Mountain Province Diamonds is a 49% participant with De Beers Canada in the Gahcho Kue diamond mine located in Canada'sNorthwest Territories. The Gahcho Kue Joint Venture property consists of several kimberlites that are actively being mined, developed, and explored for future development. The Company also controls 106,202 hectares of highly prospective mineral claims and leases that surround the Gahcho Kue Joint Venture property that include an indicated mineral resource for the Kelvin kimberlite and inferred mineral resources for the Faraday kimberlites.

For further information on Mountain Province Diamonds and to receive news releases by email, visit the Company's website at www.mountainprovince.com.

Qualified Person

The disclosure in this news release of scientific and technical information regarding Mountain Province's mineral properties has been reviewed and approved by Matthew MacPhail, P.Eng., MBA, and Tom E. McCandless, Ph.D., P.Geo., both employees of Mountain Province Diamonds and Qualified Persons as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Caution Regarding Forward Looking Information

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian and United States securities laws concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to operational hazards, including possible disruption due to pandemic such as COVID-19, its impact on travel, self-isolation protocols and business and operations, estimated production and mine life of the project of Mountain Province; the realization of mineral reserve estimates; the timing and amount of estimated future production; costs of production; the future price of diamonds; the estimation of mineral reserves and resources; the ability to manage debt; capital expenditures; the ability to obtain permits for operations; liquidity; tax rates; and currency exchange rate fluctuations. Except for statements of historical fact relating to Mountain Province, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "anticipates," "may," "can," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "projects," "targets," "intends," "likely," "will," "should," "to be", "potential" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "should" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are based on a number of assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Many of these assumptions are based on factors and events that are not within the control of Mountain Province and there is no assurance they will prove to be correct.

Factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from results anticipated by such forward-looking statements include the development of operation hazards which could arise in relation to COVID-19, including, but not limited to protocols which may be adopted to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and any impact of such protocols on Mountain Province's business and operations, variations in ore grade or recovery rates, changes in market conditions, changes in project parameters, mine sequencing; production rates; cash flow; risks relating to the availability and timeliness of permitting and governmental approvals; supply of, and demand for, diamonds; fluctuating commodity prices and currency exchange rates, the possibility of project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated.

These factors are discussed in greater detail in Mountain Province's most recent Annual Information Form and in the most recent MD&A filed on SEDAR, which also provide additional general assumptions in connection with these statements. Mountain Province cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. Investors and others who base themselves on forward-looking statements should carefully consider the above factors as well as the uncertainties they represent and the risk they entail. Mountain Province believes that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release.

Although Mountain Province has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Mountain Province undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Statements concerning mineral reserve and resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements to the extent they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered as the property is developed.

Further, Mountain Province may make changes to its business plans that could affect its results. The principal assets of Mountain Province are administered pursuant to a joint venture under which Mountain Province is not the operator. Mountain Province is exposed to actions taken or omissions made by the operator within its prerogative and/or determinations made by the joint venture under its terms. Such actions or omissions may impact the future performance of Mountain Province. Under its current note and revolving credit facilities Mountain Province is subject to certain limitations on its ability to pay dividends on common stock. The declaration of dividends is at the discretion of Mountain Province's Board of Directors, subject to the limitations under the Company's debt facilities, and will depend on Mountain Province's financial results, cash requirements, future prospects, and other factors deemed relevant by the Board

Stuart Brown, President and CEO, 161 Bay Street, Suite 1410, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2S1, Phone: (416) 361-3562, E-mail: info@mountainprovince.com; Matthew MacPhail, VP Corporate Development & Technical Services, 161 Bay Street, Suite 1410, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2S1, Phone: (416) 361-3562, E-mail: info@mountainprovince.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1588547/Mountain_Province_Diamonds_Inc__Mountain_Province_Diamonds_Annou.jpg


SANTA CLARA (dpa-AFX) - Nvidia Corporation's (NVDA) $40 million bid to acquire UK-based semiconductor producer ARM is under threat as the UK government is assessing the possibility of monopoly in the market.



Since the announcement of the deal in September, major semiconductor buyers around the world have been vocal against the deal as it will create a monopoly which will reduce the bargaining power of buying companies.



Then Digital Minister of the country, Oliver Dowden had written to the Competition and Markets Authority, the British counterpart of the SEC in the US, to investigate the transaction due to potential security risks arising from a consultation it will launch to gather third-party views. As a result, CMA had announced in January that it will investigate the deal.



The CMA submitted their report to Dowden on July 20 and it is in the hands of Dowden to take the final decision. As per reports, the government is currently inclined to block the deal over serious national security concerns, as per Bloomberg.



According to CNBC, an Nvidia spokesperson said, 'We continue to work through the regulatory process with the U.K. government. We look forward to their questions and expect to resolve any issues they may have.' The deal was initially meant to conclude before March 2022 but due to the growing blockades, the agreement has been postponed till September.



Apart from the UK, Chinese and European authorities are also investigating the matter. In a report published by Financial Times, Chinese antitrust lawyers also think that the probe will push the deal beyond the primary headline while the European regulators want to start with their part in the investigation after the summer holidays. With all these obstructions, it can be feared that the deal might be off the table.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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Onramp Invest, a San Diego, CA-based iPaaS technology company that provides access to cryptoassets for RIAs, raised $6m in seed funding.

Backers included Coinbase Ventures, Eterna Capital, Fox Ventures, Galaxy Digital, Galaxy Fund Management, Gemini Frontier Fund, Ritholtz Wealth Management and WisdomTree.

The company intends to use the funds to expand its service offering to RIAs, explore broker-dealer registration, and increase the size of its engineering team.

Led by Tyrone Ross, Jr., Chief Executive Officer, Onramp Invest provides three things to RIAs including education, access, and tools (EAT), from viewing held-away cryptoassets to enabling advisers to trade on behalf of their clients to accessing educational resources about cryptoassets at Onramp Academy.

Since the platforms official launch at the end of May, it has provided access to cryptoassets for RIAs; easy adviser client onboarding via Gemini, a crypto exchange and custodian, and Prime Trust; an adviser enrollment so they can quickly begin buying bitcoin and ETH for their clients; links to 10 different sources so advisers can see held-away assets; and high-quality educational materials for all cryptoassets comfort levels through Onramp Academy.

The management also includes:

Akin Sawyerr, Chief Innovation Officer.

Justin Castelli, CFP, Chief of Staff;

Torie Happe, Head of Business Development; and

Caitlin Cook, Vice President of Operations at Onramp Academy.

FinSMEs

03/08/2021
In a video message, Dr. Larry Robinson, president of Florida A&M University (FAMU), stressed, We cant be FAM without U being vaccinated. FAMU has launched an aggressive campaign offering up to $1 million in prizes to encourage students and employees to get vaccinated.
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Police are looking at a scene and items are seen on the ground near a Metrobus outside the Pentagon Metro area, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021 at the Pentagon in Washington. A Pentagon police officer died after being stabbed Tuesday during a burst of violence at a transit station outside the building. That's according to law enforcement officials. The Pentagon officer was stabbed and later died, according to officials who were not authorized to discuss the matter and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Keep the conversation about local news & events going by joining us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Recent updates from The News-Post and also from News-Post staff members are compiled below.
Galveston, TX (77553)

Today

A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Mostly clear. Low 82F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Mostly clear. Low 82F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.
Sony isn't phased by a recent drop off in PlayStation Plus subscribers and PlayStation Network monthly active users (MAU). At least, not yet.

According to the company's latest fiscal report, the number of PS Plus subscribers fell to 46.3 million in Q1 FY2021 from 47.6 million in Q4 FY20. The amount of people actively using the PlayStation Network each month also dropped to 104 million MAU from 109 million MAU over that same period.

Addressing that decline during a recent investor Q&A, Sony conceded those numbers aren't "strong," but suggested there are seasonality factors in play and other ripples caused by COVID-19 to consider.

"[104 million] is not a strong figure. Of course it's not a strong number, but are we looking at a declining trend? We don't think so. It's the first quarter, and we are trying to analyze different elements, but there was no conspicuous trend we could capture. [Maybe that will occur] this month or next month -- we'll have to continue watching and do an analysis," said Sony CFO and executive deputy president, Hiroki Totoki.

"Last year, the stay-at-home demand was such a significant demand in hindsight," continued the company, suggesting you'd expect some PS Plus subscribers and PSN users to fall by the wayside as pandemic restrictions ease. "Compared to FY19 there is an increase, so we will monitor the situation carefully [...] and make efforts to enhance and upgrade the platform to support this business."
In late June, Unity quietly updated its licensing policy requirements for developers working on closed platforms like Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Google Stadia.

Unity developers starting new projects will now need either a Unity Pro license or a Preferred Platform License Key to develop for these platforms.

The news was delivered internally to Unity game developers on the Unity GameCore forum, and went into effect on June 30th.

A Unity spokesperson confirmed to Gamasutra that the change took place, explaining that developing for consoles is a complex undertaking for any studio and Unity has always recommended Unity Pro for development on these platforms.

The spokesperson also stressed that the change is for new developers working on new platform-approved projects that update to the 2021.2 tech stream. If your game is currently in development on an older version of Unity, you dont need Unity Pro at this time.

A handful of developers reached out to Gamasutra with concerns about this change because while Sony and Nintendo both make Preferred Platform License Keys available to developers, Microsoft does not. Previously if a developer had XDX (the Xbox Development SDK) on their computer, it apparently unlocked all Unity features for use on Xbox.

Junes policy change renders that moot, and means a new developer working on an approved game for Xbox will need to pay for a Unity Pro license, which currently costs $1,800 per year per seat.

Unity previously required developers to use Unity Pro (or Enterprise) if their funding or revenue was greater than $200K in the last 12 months. For smaller developers with less than $200K in revenue or funding, Unity Plus and Unity Personal were options for development.

A spokesperson for Microsoft told Gamasutra that it the company is aware of the changes, but didnt indicate if the company would be creating its own Preferred Platform License Key program for developers. We will continue to work with our development partners and engine providers, including Unity, to determine how to best support creators on Xbox, the spokesperson said.

They added that Microsoft is deeply committed to independent developers and with our prioritization of the community accelerating, ensuring they have a clear path to success on Xbox and Windows.

Unitys changes here arent exactly sweeping, since many developers working on the platform already pay for Unity Pro or have access to Preferred Platform License Keys. Some developers Gamasutra spoke with didnt even notice the change took place, or expressed indifference about how it would affect their future projects.

Those who are most impacted are developers whose projects arent approved yet who are interested in shipping their game on Xbox or any other platform that doesnt provide the partnered license keys, and who dont quite have the cash for Unity Pro.

Developers reaching out to Gamasutra also expressed concern over the decision to announce this change by way of an internal forum that requires you to sign a non-disclosure agreement to accessnew developers most impacted by the policy change might not know about the shift in economics for publishing on these specific platforms.

Its concern worth highlighting. Hopefully Microsoft is in the process of restoring the same level of access for Unity developers that was previously available with XDX.

Updated to include an expanded quote from Microsoft's spokesperson.

Update 08/06 - 16:00BST: A Unity spokesperson has clarified the company's decision to make Unity Pro a requirement when publishing on consoles, and said the choice was made so Unity could "continue providing the best-in-class tools."

In a statement posted on the Unity3D subreddit (in response to this very article), the engine maker said Unity Pro offers "the best solution" to supporting developers with platform-specific build modules, features, and learning resources. It also reiterated that those developers working on already-approved won't need to purchase Unity Pro to finish up.

"We are making these changes in order to continue providing the best-in-class tools and supporting our Unity Creators need to successfully develop on these platforms, and for us to continue investing in new technology, features, and services that provide value and benefit all Unity Creators. Targeting a console platform is a major undertaking, and Unity Pro is the best solution to support developers with platform-specific build modules, features, learning resources and support to help power success," said the company.

"In the past, closed platform partners like Sony (for PlayStation), Nintendo (for Switch), Microsoft (for Xbox), and Google (for Stadia) have all provided a preferred platform license key for approved games and developers on their respective platforms. Today, this is still true for Sony, Nintendo, and Google. If you are working on an already-approved project for Xbox (prior to June 30, 2021), you will not have to purchase Unity Pro to finish and publish your project to the platform."




[This unedited press release is made available courtesy of Gamasutra and its partnership with notable game PR-related resource Games Press.]

Seven international indie game publishers have come together to create a collaborative initiative known as The Indie Houses. With the core attitude of indies-for-indies, The Indie Houses aims to promote an environment that is centered around the sharing of knowledge between publishers rather than cutthroat competition. While this partnership has already been in practice for months (starting industry dialogues, discussing publisher agreements, pushing for sales transparency, etc.) the group will officially kick-off with a publisher showcase, The Indie Houses Direct, on August 31, on Steam, Twitch and YouTube. This will be followed by a weeklong Steam Festival, from August 31-September 7.



The Indie Houses is a collection of publishers that span multiple continents, with different backgrounds, niches, and languages. Each one brings their own set of skills and expertise to the collective with the objective of elevating not only themselves, but also one another and indie games as a whole. The publishers involved include: Akupara Games, Fellow Traveller, Neon Doctrine, Raw Fury, Those Awesome Guys, Toge Productions, and Whitethorn Games. While these are the publishers currently involved with the organization, the hope is to expand this collaborative relationship to others.



Inspired by the recent surge in direct style online showcases such as Wholesome Direct, The Indie Houses Direct will be an hour-long segment, packed to the brim with news and reveals from the seven publishers involved. A week-long Steam event will take place following the showcase which will feature multiple game demos, live broadcasts, game bundles, and sales.



The Indie Houses Direct Features: New game announcements

Never-before-seen content

Content Updates and reveals

Developer live streams and Q&A sessions

African Developer Prototype Fund

And more! More information about The Indie Houses or the Direct showcase later this month can be found on the website or twitter. For any questions you might have, reach out to [email protected] .
DeSantis says masking children is a decision for parents  not the government. Thats an abdication of the states responsibility to keep all children as safe as possible in the schools that the state compels them to attend until they are 16.

Personal choice does not do away with personal responsibility, and theres no such thing as absolute personal choice.

For example, its a personal choice to drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes. But driving drunk can cost you a great deal of money and put you in prison for up to 15 years, if you kill somebody. Smoking is banned in workplaces, because your fumes can inflict cancer and heart disease on nonsmokers.

Choosing to expose yourself to a deadly pandemic by refusing to be vaccinated, wear a mask or practice social distancing where necessary is a personal choice with public consequences. It scoffs at personal responsibility. People who dont vaccinate against COVID-19 risk not just their own lives, but the lives of others whom they could infect before they know they are infected.

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Albany Democrat-Herald.
Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021.
High court gives Bucks County OK to delay eviction cases while tenants wait for rental relief
Gillette, WY (82718)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. A few storms may be severe. Low 59F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. A few storms may be severe. Low 59F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Gillette, WY (82718)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 59F. Winds WNW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Partly cloudy skies after midnight. Low 59F. Winds WNW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
After 20 years of war, the power in Afghanistan returns to the Taliban, the countrys brutal Islamist movement and military organization. The goal of the war, which started in 2001 after the 9/11 attack against the United States, was a regime change in Kabul. The Taliban, who had ruled most of the country since 1996, established an oppressive system and gave shelter to terrorist groups, including al-Qaeda, and especially, Osama bin Laden. The U.S. arranged a coalition of Afghan opposition groups and invaded the country with their support.

The international community naively presumed that Afghanistan could be pacified and troops from various countries could sustain a central government there. This produced an illusion of democracy. The concept has failed, and now the U.S. has decided to retreat. The other countries, mainly NATO members, followed.

The West hypocritically talks about reaching peace through negotiations between the Kabul government and the Taliban. This is merely a ruse to cover the defeat and betrayal of the anti-Taliban forces in Afghanistan.

Civil war looms

The Taliban will sweep away the present government, at best maintaining a charade of a transition. This means death sentences for many in the country, as well as the repression and harsh subjugation of women. A new wave of Afghan refugees and migrants has started flowing toward Iran. As Irans economic and social conditions are also grim, they are already trying to transit into Turkey. From there, many will attempt to reach Europe.

Some of the ethnic leaders will raise militias to defend their areas against the Taliban regime

Afghanistan is a mountainous, multiethnic Islamic country with a resident population estimated at 37 million; some 3 million live as refugees in Pakistan and Iran. The largest ethnic group are Pashtuns (42 percent), Tajiks (27 percent), Hazaras (9 percent) and Uzbeks (9 percent). Many are leaving the country to either save their lives or  especially women  preserve their freedom. Another wave of emigration is inevitably coming, as the Taliban will not bring peace. Some of the ethnic leaders raised militias to  rightfully  defend their areas against the new regime.

Mohammad Ismail Khan, who successfully fought the Taliban during their previous period in power and is known as the "Lion of Herat," has already declared that he would not accept Taliban rule and has mounted resistance in his territory near the borders with Iran and Turkmenistan. An Uzbek leader in exile in Turkey, General Abdul Rashid Dostum, has announced his return to Jowzjan Province to suppress the Taliban in northeastern Afghanistan. Also, Abdul Ghani Alipur, a Hazara overlord, is preparing his militia to resist the Taliban (the Hazaras are a Shia minority in primarily Sunni Afghanistan). Others, such as Atta Muhammad Nur, a Tajik strongman in the north, may also resist. A so-called peace, if it occurs in Afghanistan, will come out of a new civil war. To what extent the local leaders will collaborate to achieve a common goal is unsure.

Uncontested Taliban rule would return the entire country to misery and oppression. However, over the last two decades, education in Afghanistan has improved, including for women. In addition to opposition from local leaders, the more educated parts of the society might help reduce the fundamentalists grip on the country. In any case, all this will result in a new wave of refugees flowing into Turkey.

Turkey has done an admirable job hosting 3.7 million refugees from Syria and integrating many of them into its society. It also has had an influx of an estimated 100,000 Afghans. Now, the Turks must prepare for new waves of refugees from that direction. Another problem lurks at the border with Iran: as tensions and economic issues deepen in that country, many Iranians are already trying to migrate to a more prosperous, free Turkey.

We should show understanding for the Afghan peoples plight

All this may seem far away from Europe. However, Europe cannot expect that Turkey will hold the floodgates closed at its own expense. The remark of the chancellor of Austria that refugees from Afghanistan should find asylum in the neighboring countries shows a combination of naivete and helplessness typical of todays Europeans. Looking at these neighboring countries, one sees Tajikistan , an impoverished mountain state with a minuscule capacity to receive immigrants. Uzbekistan has its own problems and makes for a problematic host. Iran has a sinking economy, and its internal repression is also fierce. And India is unlikely to give shelter to Muslims due to its Hindu-nationalist politics

Have no illusions: the Afghan refugees will move west. It is inevitable, and we should show understanding for their plight.

Unfortunately, European countries have mishandled their immigration policies. The German government burned its fingers with the Willkommenskultur (Welcoming culture) of encouraging immigration and accepting newcomers without properly checking claims before granting refugee status. Oddly, while the European governments data collection policies increasingly violate citizen privacy, it was considered intrusive to demand documents and claim proof from immigrants.

In these circumstances, it is essential that the countries in Europe collaborate more closely with Turkey and stop the widespread bashing of that country. Active discussions with Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, including support package offers, would be more helpful than empty slogans from European capitals. More effective border controls will be increasingly important. Also, European governments need to demonstrate more determination and ability to repatriate the immigrants who break the law.
Acquisition of one of only three vertical licenses in Rhode Island, including an operating production facility and open retail location

Expands distribution footprint in highly populated New England market

Increases national presence to 14 states; 61 open retail locations nationwide



CHICAGO and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 02, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Green Thumb Industries Inc. (Green Thumb) (CSE: GTII) (OTCQX: GTBIF), a leading national cannabis consumer packaged goods company and owner of Rise Dispensaries, announced today it has closed on the acquisition of Mobley Pain Management and Wellness Center (DE), LLC and Canwell Processing (Rhode Island), LLC, which both held contractual interests in Summit Medical Compassion Center, Inc., a non-profit corporation with vertically integrated cannabis operations in Rhode Island. The acquisition includes one of only three retail locations in the state.

Entry into the Rhode Island cannabis market further strengthens Green Thumbs position on the East Coast, a region that has embraced the freedom for adults 21+ to choose cannabis, said Green Thumb Founder and Chief Executive Officer Ben Kovler. This acquisition provides immediate scale within a limited license market and sits squarely in our enter, open, scale strategy to expand access to well-being through cannabis. We are ready to welcome the Summit team aboard Green Thumbs front row seat to the Great American Growth Story.

The acquisition includes entry into Rhode Island with management agreements for one of only three vertical licenses in the state including a production facility and dispensary, both located in Warwick. The state reported approximately $60 million in retail cannabis sales for the 2020 fiscal year-end.

With the acquisition, Green Thumb has cannabis operations to serve nearly 50% of the United States population, including in: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Virginia.

"I'm honored our business will become a part of an industry-leading company that is a respected and award-winning employer known for giving back to the communities it serves, says Steve Harrington, Principal Owner, Canwell. The expanded reach of Green Thumb's quality branded products and extraordinary retail experience is a big win for the state of Rhode Island and its patients."

About Green Thumb Industries:

Green Thumb Industries Inc. (Green Thumb), a national cannabis consumer packaged goods company and retailer, promotes well-being through the power of cannabis while giving back to the communities in which it serves. Green Thumb manufactures and distributes a portfolio of branded cannabis products including Beboe, Dogwalkers, Dr. Solomons, incredibles, Rythm and The Feel Collection. The company also owns and operates rapidly growing national retail cannabis stores called Rise Dispensaries. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Green Thumb has 16 manufacturing facilities, licenses for 111 retail locations and operations across 14 U.S. markets. Established in 2014, Green Thumb employs over 3,000 people and serves thousands of patients and customers each year. The company was named to Crains Fast 50 list in 2021 and a Best Workplace by MG Retailer magazine in 2018 and 2019. More information is available at www.GTIgrows.com.
English German

Dr. Weiss brings more than 15 years of experience in biomarker and in vitro diagnostics development

Company launched targeted recruiting campaign for next phase of corporate life cycle

Cologne, Germany, August 4, 2021  InfanDx AG (Cologne, Germany), a privately held diagnostics company focusing on the development and commercialization of novel diagnostic solutions for newborns, today announced the appointment of Dr. Gunter Weiss as Chief Operating Officer (COO). In this role, Dr. Weiss will be in charge of the further clinical development of InfanDx biomarkers for Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) and the further development of HypoxE IVD tests detecting such biomarkers in blood samples from newborns. Such tests will be developed for use on various diagnostic instrument platforms suited for diagnostic laboratories and point-of-care settings, e.g. delivery rooms.

Dr. Weiss brings to InfanDx more than 15 years of experience in biomarker and IVD development for the European, US and Chinese market. His appointment marks InfanDx progression from a largely virtual research set-up to a product development and commercial organization: While InfanDx for the biomarker identification mostly relied on an excellent network of clinical and academic partners including the Center for Pediatric Clinical Studies headed by Prof. Axel Franz at the University Hospital Tuebingen and the research groups of Profs. Hans-Peter Deigner and Matthias Kohl at Furtwangen University, the Company now has started building internal IVD development capability. With the funds from the recent Series A financing, InfanDx has launched a targeted recruiting campaign in the areas of metabolomics, IVD assay development, quality management and laboratory operations. Thereby, the management expects to grow the Companys team from currently 10 to about 18 to 20 highly qualified professionals by year-end 2021.

Having worked with Gunter successfully for many years before, I am very pleased that we won him over for InfanDx in this crucial phase of the companys life cycle, said Dr. Achim Plum, CEO of InfanDx. Gunter has a rare profile that combines profound biomarker development expertise with extensive experience in the successful development, validation and regulatory approval of IVD products not just in Europe but also in the US and China.

I am very glad to join InfanDx at this exciting time with data from two exceptional prospective clinical cohorts at our fingertips for biomarker identification and validation at the highest level, commented Dr. Weiss on his start at InfanDx. We are now in a position to prepare the organization for the systematic development of HypoxE tests for various partnered IVD instrument platforms tailored to market segments and geographies that are most relevant for HIE.

Dr. Weiss joins InfanDx from a position as Senior Vice President Product Development at Epigenomics AG (Berlin, Germany), where he headed the development of cancer-related diagnostic IVD products. At Epigenomics, Dr. Weiss was key in turning a research organization into a product development company and managed the projects that led to the world's first CE-marked and FDA-approved liquid biopsy-based IVD products in colorectal cancer screening. Prior to his career in diagnostics, Dr. Weiss academic engagement included research positions at the University of Munich, the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, and a professorship for bioinformatics at Dusseldorf University. Dr. Weiss holds a diploma in statistics and a Ph.D. in computational biology from the University of Munich.

###





About InfanDx

InfanDx AG is a privately held company focusing on the development and commercialization of novel diagnostic solutions for acute and critical care conditions in newborns.

The Companys proprietary lead product in clinical development is the InfanDx HypoxE-test designed for the reliable identification of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) within the first hours of birth. HIE as a consequence of perinatal asphyxia (oxygen deficit during birth) can result in life-long disabilities. The long-term detrimental effects of HIE can be mitigated and even prevented by neuroprotective hypothermia treatment. However, this burdensome therapy must be initiated within six hours of birth to be effective, requiring suitable diagnostic methods to reliably and timely identify the affected newborns.

While standard-of-care diagnostic methods cannot deliver a conclusive diagnosis of HIE within this time frame, the rapid InfanDx HypoxE-test is designed to support clinicians in the timely decision whether newborns require neuroprotective hypothermia treatment.

The Company was incorporated 2010 in Cologne, Germany, and incubated at the Life Science Incubator at the Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (caesar) in Bonn, Germany, and, following the successful start-up phase, in 2018 relocated to BioCampus Cologne.

For more information, please visit: http://www.infandx.com/

For further information, please contact:

InfanDx AG

Dr. Achim Plum (CEO)

T: +49 (0) 221 29271401

info@infandx.com



Media contact

akampion

Dr. Ludger Wess / Ines-Regina Buth

Managing Partners

info@akampion.com

Tel. +49 40 88 16 59 64 /

Tel. +49 30 23 63 27 68
New York, US, Aug. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

Biofuel Additives Market Overview:

According to a comprehensive research report by Market Research Future (MRFR),  Biofuel Additives Market Information by Product Type, Application and Region - Forecast till 2028, the market is projected to reach USD 27,520.28 Million by 2028 registering a CAGR of 14.2%.

Market Scope:

Biofuels are made from either conventional or lignocellulose feedstock, and are classified as first-generation or second-generation fuels. Biofuels have become more popular around the world as a result of their environmentally favorable character. However, they have a number of drawbacks, including significant fuel foaming, injector deposits and corrosion, and low oxidation stability. Biofuel additives are specialist compounds that are added to biofuel to help alleviate these issues. As a result, the market for biofuel additives is inextricably linked to biofuel production.

Get Free Sample PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/10626

Competitive Landscape:

The Major Vendors in the Global Biofuel Additives Market are:

BASF SE (Germany)

Eastman Chemical Company (US)

Chevron Oronite Company LLC (US)

The Lubrizol Corporation (US)

Infineum (UK)

Afton Chemical (US)

Chemiphase Ltd. (UK)

Biofuel Systems Group Ltd. (UK)

Evonik Industries AG. (Germany)

NALCO (India)

Fuel Quality Services, Inc. (FQS) (US)

Clariant AG (Switzerland)

Primary Growth Boosters:

The demand for clean and efficient fuel, the declining quality of crude oil, and the growing automotive industry, which is opting for cleaner and greener fuel sources due to stringent emission regulations, particularly in Europe and China, are all factors favoring the growth of the biofuel additives market. Developing need for clean and efficient fuel, declining crude oil quality, high quality standards connected with biofuels, and a growing automotive industry are all contributing to the global growth of the biofuel additives market. Methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), fluorinated gases (perfluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, nitrogen trifluoride, and sulfur hexafluoride), and nitrous oxide are the principal sources of greenhouse gases (N2O). Due to the use of fossil fuels such as natural gas, oil, and coal, the transportation industry also contributes to CO2 emissions.

Technology advancements, product innovation, and the expansion of the automotive industry in emerging economies such as the Middle East and Africa and Latin America, on the other hand, are expected to generate new demand and growth opportunities for manufacturers in the global biofuel additives market.

Market Restraints:

The growing demand for e-vehicles in the industry, on the other hand, is a major restraint for the worldwide biofuel additives market. Manufacturing of different consumer items and other products has come to a halt around the world due to a lack of raw materials, labor shortages, and other factors. The market for biofuel additives is projected to be hampered as a result of this.

Browse In-depth Market Research Report (180 Pages) on Biofuel Additives: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/biofuel-additives-market-10626

COVID-19 Analysis

The global covid19 epidemic has resulted in a shortage of products, owing to reduced operational capacities in industrial sites throughout Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America. Furthermore, manufacturers are facing significant challenges due to disruptions in raw material supply and pricing fluctuations. The global biofuel additives industry has been impacted by producers shutting down or ceasing operations, as well as a drop in demand from automobile makers. Furthermore, the corporations are working hard to protect their employees' health and well-being while also assisting the government in maintaining key commercial activities such as power generation, food manufacturing, and healthcare

Market Segmentation

The global biofuel additives market is divided into three categories: product type, application, and geography.

Antioxidants, detergents, lubricity improvers, corrosion inhibitors, octane, cetane & cold flow improvers, colors & markers, and others are among the biofuel additives market's product types. Due to its widespread application in gasoline additives, the antioxidant sector held the biggest market share in 2020. Its goal is to reduce dangerous engine emissions. The corrosion inhibitor category, on the other hand, is predicted to increase at the quickest rate due to its use in heavy machinery and the maritime industry.

The biofuel additives market has been divided into diesel fuel additives, heavy fuel oil additives, shipping fuel additives, gasoline fuel additives, and others, depending on the application. Among them, the diesel fuel additives category grew at the quickest rate throughout the time period under consideration. Diesel fuel additives are becoming more widely employed in diesel engines and transportation. Because of the increased use of paints and coatings in heavy commercial vehicles, the heavy fuel oil additives category is expected to grow at a good CAGR throughout the forecast period.

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Regional Analysis:

Due to the significant production and sale of automobiles in China, India, and Indonesia, Asia-Pacific accounted for the biggest market share in 2020.

With a CAGR of over 9%, the Middle East and Africa is predicted to be the fastest-growing regional market. With rising concerns about energy conservation and climate change, demand for low-emission engines and fuel is fast expanding, which is projected to boost the biofuel additives market in the future years.

The growing automotive sector in Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa, as well as a focus on product innovation and technology development, are the market's main possibilities.

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TORONTO, Aug. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- COMsolve today announces the commencement of a technology trial with Distributel and NetNumber to provide a complete solution for CLECs to cost-effectively provide caller ID authentication and verification measures. This involves a complete solution for the signing and verification of known trusted calls, ensuring that their legitimate subscribers' calls are processed inside the STIR/SHAKEN trusted network.



North American consumers receive over 200,000 unwanted and/or fraudulent calls every minute, many using spoofed caller IDs to increase the likelihood that the called party will answer the call. To combat this growing problem, the Canadian Radio-television and Communications Commission (CRTC) has mandated service provider implementation of the STIR/SHAKEN set of standards as a solution to the widespread use of caller ID spoofing in fraudulent calls. Service Providers operating IP-based voice services must implement STIR/SHAKEN in their networks by November 30, 2021.

Through this trial, Distributel, together with COMsolve and NetNumber, is testing a secure cloud-based solution for call signing and verification using NetNumbers Guaranteed Caller Service Provider and Guaranteed Caller Cloud Connect products to provide STIR/SHAKEN attestations associated with calling ID. This service enables CLECs to quickly and efficiently deploy a STIR/SHAKEN solution to meet the CRTCs deadline.

Rishi Bahall, Vice President of Network Services says, "Distributel is pleased to work with COMsolve and NetNumber to trial a STIR/SHAKEN solution for the CLEC market in Canada. We always aim to provide the best experience for our customers and this will position us to deploy a quick and cost-effective solution to reduce the impact of caller ID spoofing on our customers."

We are delighted to work with Distributel to bring NetNumbers leading-edge Guaranteed Caller solutions to the Canadian market, says Ofir Smadja, Founder and CEO of COMsolve. With our deep understanding of STIR/SHAKEN requirements for Canada, we are uniquely positioned to bring Guaranteed Caller to the Canadian market, and offer these unparalleled solutions to carriers, TSP and enterprises.

We are excited to have been chosen to participate in this STIR/SHAKEN trial with Distributel and our partner, COMsolve, says Matt Rosenberg, Chief Revenue Officer, NetNumber. The need to provide cost effective and innovative solutions to manage the growing number of fraudulent calls, through spoofing of caller IDs, is a critical first step in ensuring a secure and trusted network. We look forward to working with them to make this STIR/SHAKEN trial for Canadian Competitive Local Exchange Carriers, a success.

About Distributel

Established in 1988, Distributel is a national, award-winning, independent communications provider offering a wide range of consumer, business and wholesale communications services. In 2020, the company proudly achieved certification as a Great Place to Work, earning recognition for its progressive, collaborative workplace. 100% Canadian-owned, with offices across the country and a national network, Distributel is focused on providing choice and value to Canadians. With the recent acquisition of Primus Telecommunications, the company is even better positioned to offer solutions to consumers and businesses of all sizes. Distributel offers high speed internet, TV, mobile and home phone products through its consumer brands. It delivers business solutions through the Primus and ThinkTel brands as a provider of advanced voice and data offerings for the SMB and Enterprise markets throughout Canada. The company also forges new partnerships and brings innovative services to the wholesale market. For more information, visit www.distributel.ca.



About COMsolve Inc.

Founded in 2006, COMsolve is a Canadian leading-edge Information and Communications Technology (ICT) solutions provider. We provide deployment and professional services to carriers, data centers, service providers, municipalities and enterprises. We specialize in turnkey infrastructure deployment solutions such as macro site, small cell, in-building and structured cabling services. Our wealth of experience in regulatory affairs, design, installation, testing and maintaining infrastructure, enables our team to ensure the success of your business implementation. For more information, visit www.comsolveinc.com.



About NetNumber

NetNumber, Inc. brings over 20 years of experience delivering platforms that power global telecom and enterprise networks. Our software-based signaling-control solutions accelerate delivery of new services like Private LTE and IoT/M2M solutions across multi-gen networks, dramatically simplifying the core and reducing opex. These solutions span a range of network types from 2G-3G-4G-5G to future G delivered on the industry's most robust signaling platform. NetNumber Data Services are essential for global inter-carrier routing, roaming, voice and messaging. Data powers fraud detection and prevention solutions and enables enterprise B2B and B2C communications platforms. NetNumber multi-protocol signaling firewall, fraud detection, and robocalling solutions help secure networks against current/emerging threats. For more information, visit us at www.netnumber.com.

PRESS CONTACTS

COMsolve Inc.

Deirdre Massiah-Gomes

+1 (416) 684 3070

dmgomes@comsolveinc.com

NetNumber

Jim Gayton

+1 978 609 7726

jgayton@netnumber.com
SURREY, British Columbia, Aug. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Market activity in the Fraser Valley  both sales and new listings  softened in July, however buyers continued to significantly outnumber sellers resulting in inventory reaching the lowest for the month since 1981.

The Board processed a total of 2,006 property sales on its Multiple Listing Service (MLS) in July, a decrease of 11 per cent compared to June and a 4.5 per cent decrease compared to the same month last year. Sales continued to remain above normal for July  15 per cent above the ten-year average.

Larry Anderson, President of the Board, said, A summer slowdown is typical. We anticipated that once people could travel and enjoy family time safely, they would do so, and we couldnt be happier for everyone.

Demand for homes in our region, however, remains above average  for fourteen months we have been in a sellers market for Fraser Valley detached homes, townhomes and condos  and yet for the last four months, new listings in our region have been decreasing.

In July, the Board received 2,431 new listings, a decrease of 31.5 per cent compared to last year, and a decrease of 22 per cent compared to June 2021. The month ended with total active inventory sitting at 4,901, a 10.5 per cent decrease compared to June, and 33 per cent fewer than July 2021.

Baldev Gill, Chief Executive Officer of the Board, added, To put our market in perspective, we just came off the third highest sales for July in the last ten years, while home buyers looking to invest in the Fraser Valley had the same level of inventory to choose from that they had forty years ago.

For the market to reach equilibrium and upward pressure on prices to decrease, we need more inventory.

Across Fraser Valley, in July, the average number of days to sell a single-family detached home was 26 and a townhome was 15 days. Apartments took, on average, 24 days to sell.

MLS HPI Benchmark Price Activity

Single Family Detached: At $1,319,200, the Benchmark price for an FVREB single-family detached home decreased 0.4 per cent compared to June 2021 and increased 30.9 per cent compared to July 2020.

At $1,319,200, the Benchmark price for an FVREB single-family detached home decreased 0.4 per cent compared to June 2021 and increased 30.9 per cent compared to July 2020. Townhomes: At $688,400, the Benchmark price for an FVREB townhome increased 1.5 per cent compared to June 2021 and increased 22.3 per cent compared to July 2020.

At $688,400, the Benchmark price for an FVREB townhome increased 1.5 per cent compared to June 2021 and increased 22.3 per cent compared to July 2020. Apartments: At $494,000, the Benchmark price for an FVREB apartment/condo increased 0.1 per cent compared to June 2021 and increased 13.0 per cent compared to July 2020.



The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board is an association of 4,071 real estate professionals who live and work in the BC communities of Abbotsford, Langley, Mission, North Delta, Surrey, and White Rock. The FVREB will mark its 100-year anniversary in October 2021.

Contact Laurie Dawson, Communications Specialist laurie.dawson@fvreb.bc.ca Fraser Valley Real Estate Board Telephone 604.930.7657 Fax 604.930.7623 www.fvreb.bc.ca http://fvreb.bc.ca/statistics/eStats-2021-07.html

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b3bc2d75-5b65-47ec-899b-ce07f846628a




Chevy Chase, Md., Aug. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PM Hotel Group is celebrating 25 years of delivering extraordinary hospitality and announcing the launch of its new visual identity and website. The reimagined brand identity is modern and speaks to the future. It reflects the companys evolution and passion for curating personalized experiences that meet the mindset of todays travelers.

Since its beginning in 1996, PM Hotel Group has had people at its center and remains dedicated to its people, partners, and the planet as it looks to the future.

"As we kickoff our 25-year anniversary, it is a moment to reflect and celebrate the relationships weve built with our team, our guests, our partners, and the communities that we call home, said Joseph Bojanowski, President of PM Hotel Group. We are continuing to grow and innovate, and its important that our brand represent this evolution and the excitement we have for what lies ahead.

BRAND EVOLUTION

As we considered a refreshed brand and creative suite, we wanted to capture who we are as a company- the passion, positivity, and philosophy that anything is possible if we work for it, said Jennifer Diamond Haber, Senior Vice President of Brand and Communications for PM Hotel Group. Travel is transformative. We impact peoples lives every day. Our teams dedication, love for what we do, and true people-first culture had to be at the heart of our updated brand.

Award-winning Washington, D.C.-based creative agency Design Army partnered with PM Hotel Group and developed a visual identity that is strong and graphic. The brand identity speaks to expertise and leadership, but also to entrepreneurial spirit and the start-up culture that still fuels the companys spirit.

The new brand is modern and bold. We utilized a modular design approach for its flexibility across all mediums, from print collaterals to website and social content, shares Pum Lefebure, co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Design Army. The typography is emphatic yet elevated, complementing carefully curated photography. The placement of shapes, introduction of slightly gradient colors and a palette that uses gray blues and neutrals give a sense of movement with a touch of timelessness that supports the growing portfolio of PM Hotel Group.

PURPOSE

As part of PM Hotel Groups ongoing commitment to the people, communities, and neighborhoods that have been the foundation of the companys success over the past quarter-century, they are also announcing the expansion of the PM Grows Initiative launched in 2020 to further reduce their carbon footprint. During the yearlong anniversary celebration PM Hotel Group will expand its annual 1,000 tree planting program with One Tree Planted and will add regional planting service programs for associates to gather, celebrate, and work together to make a positive change in their communities.

The companys vision and values remain consistent, driving for success with a tradition of teamwork, passion for innovation and entrepreneurship, and respect for its people, partners, and planet. Future-focused, PM Hotel Group is remaining true to its roots while optimizing profits for its owners and reimagining the future of experiential hospitality.

ABOUT PM HOTEL GROUP

A Top-15 hotel management company, PM Hotel Group has over two decades of experience building relationships with brands, partners, and third-party hotel owners. We have participated in the development and acquisition of more than $3 billion in premium-branded and independent hotel properties across the United States. As an operator, PM Hotel Group is committed to its core values of respect- for one another, our guests and the planet. We manage with a dedication to sustainability, a tradition of teamwork and a passion for innovation and entrepreneurship. At PM Hotel Group we know that our people are our greatest resource. By focusing on our associates and the communities in which we work, we deliver strong performance for our owners. Learn more at pmhotelgroup.com

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LILE-DES-SURS, Quebec, Aug. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Quebec Professional Association of Real Estate Brokers (QPAREB) has just released its residential real estate market statistics for the Montreal Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) for the month of July, based on the real estate brokers Centris provincial database.



"The month of July has confirmed a substantial decrease in sales that began in May, thus returning to its pre-pandemic level for the summer period. You may remember that in July of last year, we saw spectacular sales levels that went beyond the simple postponement of transactions that could not be concluded in the spring, said Charles Brant, director of the QPAREBs Market Analysis Department. While this slowdown is partly due to a drop in active listings of single-family homes to historically low levels, it can also be explained by the shrinking pool of buyers who can afford a property at current market prices. However, we have indeed seen a slowdown in price increases and a levelling off of price changes since the spring, for all property categories combined, he added.

July highlights

The real estate brokers Centris system recorded 3,799 sales transactions in the Montreal CMA in July. This represents a 29 per cent decrease in sales compared to the peak recorded in July of last year, and solidifies the downtrend in sales that began in early spring. However, this is the second best result ever recorded for a month of July since Centris began compiling market statistics in the year 2000.

Sales on the Island of Montreal fell by 20 per cent compared to July of last year. For a second consecutive month, single-family homes registered the largest decrease in sales at 33 per cent.

Sales were down in all the periphery areas as well, and these decreases can also be attributed to a slowdown in single-family home transactions: Vaudreuil-Soulanges (-48 per cent), the North Shore (-38 per cent), Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu (-31 per cent), Laval (-30 per cent) and the South Shore (-26 per cent).

All three main property categories registered a drop in sales compared to July of last year. Sales of single-family homes tumbled by 37 per cent, while sales of condominiums fell by 22 per cent. Plexes registered a more modest decrease in sales, with a 4 per cent drop in transactions.

The increase in the supply of plexes on the market (+27 per cent) contrasted with the drop in active listings for single-family homes (-37 per cent) and condominiums (-15 per cent).



In terms of prices, the median price of single-family homes stood at $500,500 in July, an increase of 18 per cent compared to July of last year. The median price of condominiums reached $360,000, a 16 per cent increase, while that of plexes stood at $670,000, up 7 per cent. The market is still in a situation of overheating, as almost half of all transactions in July were concluded at a price that was above the asking price. However, this situation has been easing for three months now.



Additional information:

Detailed and cumulative statistics for the province and regions

If you would like additional information from the Market Analysis Department, such as specific data or regional details on the real estate market, please write to us.

About the Quebec Professional Association of Real Estate Brokers

The Quebec Professional Association of Real Estate Brokers (QPAREB) is a non-profit association that brings together more than 13,000 real estate brokers and agencies. It is responsible for promoting and defending their interests while taking into account the issues facing the profession and the various professional and regional realities of its members. The QPAREB is also an important player in many real estate dossiers, including the implementation of measures that promote homeownership. The Association reports on Quebecs residential real estate market statistics, provides training, tools and services relating to real estate, and facilitates the collection, dissemination and exchange of information. The QPAREB is headquartered in Quebec City and has its administrative offices in Montreal. It has two subsidiaries: Centris Inc. and the College de limmobilier du Quebec. Follow its activities at qpareb.ca or via its social media pages: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

About Centris

Centris is a dynamic and innovative technology company in the real estate sector. It collects data and offers solutions that are highly adapted to the needs of professionals. Among these solutions is Centris.ca, the most visited real estate website in Quebec.

For more information:

Marie-Rose Desautels

Morin Relations Publiques

media@qpareb.ca

Image bank (credit QPAREB) available free of charge.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3c5309e4-f477-4ab9-808e-14f5340ca584
QUEBEC CITY, Aug. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Quebec Professional Association of Real Estate Brokers (QPAREB) has just released its residential real estate market statistics for the Quebec City Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) for the month of July, based on the real estate brokers Centris provincial database.



The slowdown in residential sales in the Quebec City CMA, which began in June, continued into July with a decrease of almost 50 per cent in the number of single-family home transactions compared to an extraordinary month of July last year, said Charles Brant, director of the QPAREBs Market Analysis Department. More than the tightening of borrowing conditions for potential buyers and the rise in prices, it is the lack of supply of properties on the market and a more normal summer period that explain this sharp drop in sales, he added.

July highlights

Sales : In total, 539 residential sales transactions were concluded in the Quebec City CMA in July, a 40 per cent decrease compared to July of last year. The Northern Periphery of the city registered the largest drop in sales in the region, falling by 50 per cent. The Agglomeration of Quebec City and the South Shore of Quebec City also registered substantial decreases in sales of 37 per cent and 38 per cent, respectively.





: In total, 539 residential sales transactions were concluded in the Quebec City CMA in July, a 40 per cent decrease compared to July of last year. The Northern Periphery of the city registered the largest drop in sales in the region, falling by 50 per cent. The Agglomeration of Quebec City and the South Shore of Quebec City also registered substantial decreases in sales of 37 per cent and 38 per cent, respectively. Sales by property category : After a record-setting month of June, two-to-five unit income properties (plexes) saw their sales decrease by 35 per cent compared to July of last year. Condominium sales were down 24 per cent year over year.





: After a record-setting month of June, two-to-five unit income properties (plexes) saw their sales decrease by 35 per cent compared to July of last year. Condominium sales were down 24 per cent year over year. Active listings: Market conditions remained particularly tight for single-family homes in the CMA, as active listings fell by 49 per cent compared to July of last year. A similar trend was observed for condominiums, as active listing dropped by 36 per cent. Plexes, on the other hand, registered a 4 per cent increase in active listings.





Market conditions remained particularly tight for single-family homes in the CMA, as active listings fell by 49 per cent compared to July of last year. A similar trend was observed for condominiums, as active listing dropped by 36 per cent. Plexes, on the other hand, registered a 4 per cent increase in active listings. Median price: The median price of single-family homes continued to grow, increasing by 15 per cent compared to July of last year to reach $315,000. The median price of condominiums also rose significantly, reaching $212,250, an 11 per cent increase. However, plexes saw their median price drop by 6 per cent, with half of them selling for more than $329,500.

Additional information:

Detailed and cumulative statistics for the province and regions

If you would like additional information from the Market Analysis Department, such as specific data or regional details on the real estate market, please write to us.

About the Quebec Professional Association of Real Estate Brokers

The Quebec Professional Association of Real Estate Brokers (QPAREB) is a non-profit association that brings together more than 13,000 real estate brokers and agencies. It is responsible for promoting and defending their interests while taking into account the issues facing the profession and the various professional and regional realities of its members. The QPAREB is also an important player in many real estate dossiers, including the implementation of measures that promote homeownership. The Association reports on Quebecs residential real estate market statistics, provides training, tools and services relating to real estate, and facilitates the collection, dissemination and exchange of information. The QPAREB is headquartered in Quebec City and has its administrative offices in Montreal. It has two subsidiaries: Centris Inc. and the College de limmobilier du Quebec. Follow its activities at qpareb.ca or via its social media pages: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

About Centris

Centris is a dynamic and innovative technology company in the real estate sector. It collects data and offers solutions that are highly adapted to the needs of professionals. Among these solutions is Centris.ca, the most visited real estate website in Quebec.

For more information:

Marie-Rose Desautels

Morin Relations Publiques

media@qpareb.ca

Image bank (credit QPAREB) available free of charge.

A table accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/97e2f024-37d3-4414-9e57-fb9971073f31
TOKYO, Aug. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Boyden, a premier leadership and talent advisory firm with more than 75 offices in over 45 countries, is delighted to welcome Stephen Irish as Managing Partner and head of Boyden Japan . Based in Tokyo, Irish joins Boydens global healthcare & life sciences practice, leading senior level searches for clients in Japan and Asia/Pacific, as well as those headquartered outside the region.



Japan is a unique market, and requires specialist knowledge and understanding of the cultural nuances at the individual, organisational and government level, commented Stephen Irish , Managing Partner, Boyden Japan. Having worked with Japanese companies throughout my career, I am delighted to bring this experience into a collaborative, international environment with Boyden. For clients, it is particularly beneficial that Boyden has healthcare and life sciences consultants in headquarter locations across Europe and the United States, with deep market expertise and connections.

Irish was formerly Regional Practice Head, Asia/Pacific, Healthcare & Life Sciences at a global executive search firm, based in Japan, covering Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, India, Thailand and the Philippines. He brings more than 20 years experience in executive search with multinational organisations in the pharmaceutical, medical device, diagnostics, life science and healthcare consulting sectors. Before executive search, Irish worked in R&D with a leading Japanese food and chemical company. Bi-lingual in English and Japanese, he holds a BA in Psychology and a Ph.D. in Neuropsychology from Texas Christian University.

Boyden has a long history of serving publicly-traded, private and private equity-backed businesses in Japan, particularly in healthcare & life sciences, consumer & retail , industrial , financial services s and technology . As globalisation continues, Irish explains, Clients in Japan today need bi-lingual, bi-cultural and diverse leaders who are mobile and capable of operating in a more international environment. In another shift, the pandemic has introduced more online engagement in a hitherto traditional face-to-face culture. Leadership tenure is still robust, particularly in healthcare and life sciences, so long-term relationships are key, together with an intricate understanding of the motivators and aspirations among this complex talent pool.

About Boyden

Boyden is a premier leadership and talent advisory firm with more than 75 offices in over 45 countries. Our global reach enables us to serve client needs anywhere they conduct business. We connect great companies with great leaders through executive search, interim management and leadership consulting solutions. Boyden is ranked amongst the top companies on Forbes Americas Best Executive Recruiting Firms for 2021. For further information, visit www.boyden.com .

Contacts:

Chris Swee

Global Head of Marketing

T: +1 914 747 0172

E: cswee@boyden.com Stephen Irish

Managing Partner, Japan

T: +81 80 5033 2091

E: sirish@boyden.com



A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b1789854-cdf5-4fca-87c2-bc1d02417cc3
New York, Aug. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Smartphones Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2021 - 2026)" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06126850/?utm_source=GNW

The outbreak of COVID-19 has led to a weakened growth of industrial output and the decline in light-manufacturing production across significant manufacturing hubs, owing to the halting of production and disruption in the supply chain across the country. According to the US Department of Energys report published in July 2021, many LED manufacturers cited a decreased demand for lighting products due to the challenges faced after the COVID-19 pandemic. Quarterly earnings dropped substantially for publicly traded LED lighting manufacturers.









The growing demand for energy-efficient lighting systems, declining prices of LED products, and stringent government regulations are some of the major factors driving the adoption of LED lighting in the United States. LEDs have been undergoing rapid technological and economic development as a new source of illumination in the country, motivating investment in the sector. The United States is one of the significant adopters, innovators, and investors in the global LED market. LED lighting is currently available in a wide variety of home and industrial products in the domestic space, and the list has been growing significantly.



According to the US Department of Energy, most of the projected energy savings in 2035 may be driven by the increased use of LED lighting in commercial and industrial buildings and outdoor lighting applicationsapplications characterized by high light output and extended operating hours.



Moreover, Local manufacturers, like Acuity Brands, are some of the significant innovators at the domestic and global levels. The companys new product, Cadiant, has brought new development in the LED market. According to Cree, the cost premium of LED-based lamps in the United States has mostly been eliminated. Therefore, many consumers may continue to move to LEDs, given the inherent energy savings and long lifetimes, which is expected to improve the studied market growth over the forecast period significantly.



The integration of intelligent features for connected lighting has also been emerging as one of the significant drivers in the market studied, as LED is one of the major components. Government initiatives for smart cities have been majorly contributing to the increasing demand for smart lighting solutions. Connected lighting systems are anticipated to emerge as one of the most critical components of the smart city infrastructure. According to the Consumer Technology Association, smart city spending is expected to reach USD 26 billion by 2020.



With the rising smart home trend in the region, there has been an increasing demand for intelligent LED lighting systems connected with other electronic devices and can be controlled remotely. The regional market vendors have also been focusing on making connected lighting more accessible, which has also been bringing innovation at the global level.



Further, the market is witnessing challenges, such as decreased demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the decline in the automotive sector lighting due to the slowdown of automobile sales, and the requirement of high volumes to make manufacturing in the United States. Viable considering the cost associated with additive manufacturing and 3D printing as US-based manufacturers cited that additive manufacturing and automation in LED manufacturing can make the United States a more feasible option for production.







Key Market Trends



Residential Sector Accounts for the Largest Market Share









The residential segment occupies a significant share of the market, and it is expected to retain its position during the forecast period. LEDs have been witnessing an increasing adoption from the residential sector in the United States. Also, according to the Energy Information Administration, in FY 2020, the residential sector electricity consumption for the lighting was around 62 billion kWh, or approximately 4%, of the total residential sector electricity consumption and about 2% of the total US electricity consumption.



Moreover, Government regulations are significant factors shifting the residential consumers affinity toward more efficient products, such as LED lighting.? Despite the increasing market and regulatory uncertainties, residential lighting represents a significant share of ratepayer-funded energy efficiency electricity savings.



However, most of the energy efficiency programs have transitioned to promote solid-state LED lamps instead of CFLs. This transition may probably accelerate further because of the new ENERGY STAR v2.0 lighting specifications that are effectively limited to LED lamps. LEDs gained tremendous momentum and a higher market share, while future CFL production may become increasingly unlikely.



Incandescent light bulbs have been used traditionally in the United States for household lighting. The basic technology in incandescent bulbs has not changed substantially, although they convert less than 10% of their energy input into the light. Improving light bulb performance can reduce the overall energy usage in the United States, further driving the demand for LED lighting products.



Further, closet shed lights and other home applications require one or two LED lighting for operation and are often battery operated. Owing to the increasing consumer demand, several market players are offering solutions to capitalize on the opportunity. For instance, the US-based revolution lighting offers ambient luminaires for natural, flat, and ambient lighting needs, ideal for residential settings.







Outdoor LED Holds Major Share in the Market









The outdoor LED lighting in the United States covers areas like a roadway, parking, and exterior building lighting, to serve purposes like creating a sense of personal security, providing proper illumination for pedestrian and vehicular traffic, and attracting attention to business and spaces.



Several government initiatives, public-private deals, and product innovations and improvisations are expected to boost the adoption of enhanced street lighting solutions in the country, thus boosting the market growth. For instance, the 70/75 Airport Logistics Access Project, led by the Montgomery County Transportation Improvement District (TID), is considering a roadway project to improve access to the Dayton International Airport to address the significant growth in activity in the manufacturing, logistics, and distribution sector.



Moreover, the Michigan Department of Transportation partnered with Freeway Lighting Partner LLC signing a 15 years contract to design-build and finance the improvements on existing freeway and tunnel lighting systems and maintain the existing and improved lighting system for the remaining operating and maintenance period. Freeway Lighting Partner LLC will hand back the lighting system to MDOT at the end of the contract term.



In August 2020, the Department of Public Utilities in the City of Richmond was planning to convert 7,500 streetlight fixtures to LED lighting for residential and commercial uses to meet sustainability, safety, and security needs and provide much-needed public safety and quality of life.



Further, Innovative city projects have gained momentum over the last decade. More municipalities across the country have launched a wide variety of digital transformation initiatives to realize the benefits of utilizing technology to manage assets and resources that ultimately enhance city operations.







Competitive Landscape



The United States LED market is moderately competitive and consists of several major players. In terms of market share, few of the major players currently dominate the market. These major players with a prominent share in the market focus on expanding their customer base across foreign countries. These companies are leveraging strategic collaborative initiatives to increase their market share and increase their profitability.









March 2021 - NICHIA has announced its H6 series. Implemented into NICHIAs 3030 mid-power 757 packages to start, the new family of LEDs delivers the most significant multi-level boost in color rendition and efficacy while maintaining the outstanding lifetime expected from NICHIA.



March 2020 - Signify has acquired Cooper Lighting Solutions from Eaton for USD 1.5 billion. With this acquisition, the company planned to focus on innovation in connected lighting solutions and systems. This is designed to drive the companys revenue growth in the North American market, with an increased aim in professional revenues from 42% to 53%.







Reasons to Purchase this report:





The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format



3 months of analyst support



Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06126850/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



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Johnstown, PA, Aug. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) has been selected as one of six finalists in a national contest seeking innovative solutions for U.S. Army vehicle maintenance and repair challenges. The finalists include some of the worlds leading defense contractors. CTC advanced to this third and final round of the competition with its project titled Improved Readiness through the Development of a Mobile Maintenance Application. CTC is applying a mix of our creative readiness and engineering innovations in technology from across the DoD and FEMA for ground vehicles for a novel, scalable, low-risk solution.

The National Advanced Mobility Consortium (NAMC) Smart Motor Pool (SMP) Pitch Competition focuses on these selected problem areas: improving the technical proficiency of vehicle maintainers; providing the needed maintenance equipment and tools; coordinating maintenance scheduling and personnel utilization; consistently capturing timely, accurate vehicle maintenance data; as well as an open Big Ideas category. The ultimate goal is to ensure the readiness of a Brigade Combat Team fleet of vehicles.

The six finalists will present their proposed solutions on August 10, 2021, at this years Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering Technology Symposium (GVSETS) in Novi, Michigan. Senior Army leaders will announce the winners during a ceremony on August 11, 2021.

The finalists have received $10,000 in prize money, and $40,000 more will be distributed at the discretion of the panel of judges, either in a winner-takes-all approach or a division based on the pitches. The winner will be chosen on novelty, applicability/impact, cost and time to implement, ease of use, required maintenance and/or subsequent costs for sustained use, and scalability/deployability. This effort and visibility could lead to potential new contract opportunities.

The National Advanced Mobility Consortium (NAMC) is a nationwide alliance of traditional and nontraditional small businesses, large defense contractors, academic institutions, and other research organizations involved with the translational research and development of the complete range of prototype, ground vehicle and robotics systems and technologies.

Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) is an independent, nonprofit, applied scientific research and development professional services organization. Together with our affiliates, Enterprise Ventures Corporation and CTC Foundation, we leverage research, development, test and evaluation work to provide transformative, full lifecycle solutions. To best serve our clients needs, we offer the complete ability to fully design, develop, test, prototype and build. We deliver robust, technical, and innovative solutions that safeguard our national security, retain U.S. technological advantage, and ensure the primacy of American manufacturing. For more information about CTC, visit www.ctc.com.

Attachment
Goshen, IN (46526)

Today

Thunderstorms - some may contain locally heavy rain, especially this evening. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low around 65F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms - some may contain locally heavy rain, especially this evening. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low around 65F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Goshen, IN (46526)

Today

Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low around 65F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low around 65F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
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Fairs_and_festivals

featured

Coast Guard Festival

Carnival is open at new locations

Jared Leatzow / Tribune photo / Jared Leatzow Skerbeck Family Carnival staff work get the Gravitron set up for Tuesday nights opening. Carnival.6

The Grand Haven Coast Guard Festivals carnival is open at a new downtown location  actually three.

The Skerbeck Family Carnival began setting up almost immediately upon arrival this week.

We pulled in late last night (Sunday) and started putting some rides over in the parking lot by The Pump House, then we filled up Chinook Park, and then this parking lot, said Bob Skerbeck, the carnivals bookings and operations manager. Around 7 a.m. (Monday) we started parking trailers.

A typical setup for a carnival can take anywhere between eight and 12 hours, Skerbeck said. However, he said the Coast Guard Festival provides a unique challenge for the workers.

It is a little unique because it is a destination tourist city, he said. So, we will work in shifts, say 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., then we will take a ... five-hour break to let the traffic die down. Then we will come out 7 or 8 at night to finish up.

This years carnival is a little bit different than the years past. It has long been held on the first three blocks of Washington Avenue, which would be closed to thru-traffic.

Due to some safety concerns, the carnival rides have been moved, and now are split between three downtown parking lots near Chinook Pier. The layout, according to Skerbeck, has slowed the setup process a little, but his crew is adjusting to it.

Where maybe it takes an hour to park a trailer, it takes two today (Sunday), he explained. But once everything is set up and on location, it goes as usual.

Skerbeck says the Skerbeck Family Carnival takes safety seriously. Every worker is expected to wear a hard hat and wear boots as they work on a ride, he said. And depending on the height of the ride, they may even have to wear a harness.

Each ride has 3-5 people that work to set it up, and each person receives training on the ride as well. Skerbeck said they receive instruction through watching videos, reading manuals and hands-on learning from seasoned supervisors.

All the equipment is inspected daily, Skerbeck said, and several people on staff are certified as inspectors. The equipment also has to receive certification from the state.

Safety is a huge priority at Skerbeck Family Carnival, but it is a huge priority for our industry as a whole, he said. That is governed by both the local county you are in, the state of Michigan and the federal government.

The Skerbeck Family Carnival also serves food in addition to rides.

We have a full complement of traditional carnival food, some other wagons, full Mexican menu, ice cream  pretty much what you would expect at a county fair or a big festival, Skerbeck said. We also have games  win a teddy bear, that sort of thing.

Skerbeck said this will be the sixth year in a row (with exception to last years canceled festival) that his familys carnival has provided rides and entertainment to the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival.

We love partnering with the city and the Coast Guard committee, he said. They are wonderful people. Its a beautiful city, and we feel very lucky and appreciative that we are invited to partner with the festival and put on a good event.

The carnival is open today and Thursday from 2-11 p.m. (wristbands are $25; single-ride tickets are also available). On Friday and Saturday, it is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. On Friday, Wristbands are $20 until 6 p.m. and $25 after 6 p.m. On Saturday, wristbands are $20 until 4 p.m., then pay as you go until closing.

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Grand Haven, MI (49417)

Today

Mostly cloudy skies with a few showers after midnight. Low 67F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies with a few showers after midnight. Low 67F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
Fernando Alonso has played down any comparison between his thrilling duel with Lewis Hamilton in Hungary, and an iconic battle that took place over 15 years ago.

The Alonso-Hamilton scrap in Hungary is being raved about in Formula 1 circles, and the Alpine driver and two-time champion admits he managed to keep Hamilton behind for much longer than he expected.

"He was always making the same mistakes in the last three corners," Alonso told DAZN.

"I was waiting for him to get ahead in the way he did with Carlos (Sainz), which took him a lap. That's how long I should have lasted."

However, the newly 40-year-old Alonso rubbished any suggestion that the duel will go down in history in the way that his thrilling defence in battle with the great Michael Schumacher at Imola in 2005 did.

"Similar? No," he insisted.

"Michael was three or four tenths faster than me then, but Hamilton had a second and a half with his car and another second or so with the tyres, so it was an advantage of two and a half seconds," said Alonso.

(GMM)
Mercedes has floored the throttle in terms of engine power in the battle for the 2021 titles, according to Dr Helmut Marko.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen appeared to be racing into a comfortable lead until Silverstone and Hungary, where incidents with Mercedes drivers left him 8 points adrift Lewis Hamilton.

But also at Silverstone and Hungary, it was notable that Mercedes had suddenly closed the gap to Red Bull with its latest car upgrade.

"We have the same power as in France and Austria," Marko told Auto Motor und Sport.

"Mercedes have gained performance."

Mercedes, however, denies it, with a source admitting he thinks "Honda has taken a step backwards".

Indeed, the German publication cites rumours that a behind-the-scenes FIA directive may in fact have slowed Honda down, over a months-long dispute relating to the way the Japanese manufacturer operates its energy management systems.

But another explanation, reportedly promoted not only by Red Bull but also Ferrari, is that Mercedes has found an innovative cooling method to produce more power.

According to Red Bull, what Mercedes is doing is a grey area at minimum.

"Stay tuned," the Austrian camp's Marko confirmed.

(GMM)
Dan Tiktum's on-again, off-again flirtation with a career in Formula 1 has been flicked back into the 'off' position.

The controversial 22-year-old Briton's name first came to prominence as a member of Red Bull's famous driver program, but he joined Williams' similar program ahead of the 2020 season.

Currently fourth overall in Formula 2, however, Tiktum was suddenly ousted "with immediate effect" by Williams this week, with F1's official website saying "the reasons for his departure remain unclear".

However, it is notable that Tiktum - with a negative reputation in some corners of the F1 paddock - was critical of Williams' Nicholas Latifi during a recent Twitch live stream.

Indeed, Tiktum mocked the Canadian by calling Latifi "sh*t" and "paid to be there", the latter being a clear reference to his wealthy father Michael.

But Tiktum denied that was the reason for his departure.

"Myself and Williams parted ways before the recent Latifi-related incident, just so people know," he said on social media.

"It wasn't announced until now as there was no option for an F1 seat in 2022 for me.

"Thank you to Williams for the opportunity," Tiktum added. "Happy to work together in the future."

(GMM)
Rolls-Royce has launched a new major investment project with Purdue University to develop new test facilities for high-altitude and hybrid-electric engines to power the next generation of US military aircraft.

Gas turbine engine test cells must offer flexible operation to qualify engines for customer use. However, true high-altitude test cells are rare across the US. The new Rolls-Royce high-altitude test cell at West Lafayette will expand the companys testing capability for a large number of current and future engines, including the AE 1107C engines for the V-22 Osprey, the AE 2100 engines for the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, and the engines for the Bell V-280 Valor aircraft competing in the U.S. Armys Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft program.

The test cell will simulate air conditions for testing, flying the engine at altitude while the test engine is still physically on the ground. Flexible testing systems, improved test times, modern digital systems and data acquisition all underpin the Rolls-Royce commitment to the next generation of defense platforms, with American-made jet engines.

The new test campus will also expand Rolls-Royce capability for testing hybrid-electric technologies including directed energy, batteries, thermal management, generators, power electronics and other components. As customers rapidly increase demands to integrate and expand digital systems, the demand for hybrid and electric solutions will continue to grow, and the new test facility will accelerate Rolls-Royce capabilities in these advanced technology areas.

Rolls-Royce West Lafayette will be developed at the Purdue Aerospace District, just off the university campus, where the company already has facilities focusing on digital engine controls and conducts advanced technology engine research at the universitys Zucrow Propulsion Labs. The location at Purdue is a natural fit since the university and Rolls-Royce have had a long-standing partnership over several decades of conducting aerospace research together, and the company employs hundreds of Purdue engineers.

This facility will enable Rolls-Royce North America to continue providing full-service advanced design, development, production and aftermarket support of its propulsion solutions. The new investment complements recent modernization at Rolls-Royce facilities in Indianapolis, and future planning for new test capabilities there to support military engine production.

This reflects yet another major investment in Indiana, and we are also planning significant investment into our test facilities at our Indianapolis manufacturing campus, which has benefited from a recently completed $600 million modernization program to grow advanced manufacturing and technology capability. We thank both local and state governments for their ongoing support. Tom Bell, CEO and Chairman, Rolls-Royce North America

The new, modern test facility at Purdue will position Rolls-Royce Defense for the future and significantly improve energy efficiency, helping the company meet its goal of achieving net-zero carbon status in operations by 2030. Additionally, the advanced testing facilities will incorporate modern, flexible, digital technologies that will accelerate engine development and test schedules, enabling quicker responses to customer needs.

The new facilities will be funded primarily by Rolls-Royce, with support from Purdue University and the Purdue Research Foundation.
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The states economic performance and its future path were among the top issues tackled in a debate among the three candidates running for the 36th Senate District, representing Greenwich and parts of Stamford and New Canaan.

Republican Ryan Fazio, Democrat Alexis Gevanter and petition candidate John Blankley each made their case before the Aug. 17 special election to finish the term of Alex Kasser, who unexpectedly resigned in June.

The debate, which was held Tuesday night over Zoom with the candidates and some audience members in Greenwich Town Hall, was put together by My Voting Power. The nonpartisan education group was founded by Greenwich resident Tony Turner to engage millennials in the voting process. Under the debate format, three millennial panelists asked questions, viewers asked questions and the candidates asked questions of each other.

When asked what could be done to create new jobs, particularly for young adults just graduating from college, the candidates gave starkly different answers.

Gevanter said she believes Connecticut is a state moving forward with economic progress, while Fazio said the state has utterly failed when it comes to creating economic opportunities, particularly for young people.

Just the other week we found out that Connecticut now has tied for the highest unemployment rate in the country, Fazio said. We have the fourth lowest rate of economic growth in the entire country over the last decade, in which time one party has held complete control of our state government. Theyve used their power to raise your taxes over and over and over again to the point that Connecticut now has the second highest tax rate in the entire country.  We need an utter and clear and total change in direction in our economic policy in our state.

But Gevanter called Fazios figures outdated and pointed to a CNBC 2021 rankings of the top states for business, where Connecticut moved up 10 places from 35 to 25 and improved in other key metrics. She also noted that in recent months four large companies announced they are moving into the district with 500 jobs. She also said there was high demand for both office space and homes in the district.

I agree absolutely there is more to be done, but were on the right path, Gevanter said. We must continue to lower taxes. We must consider repealing the estate tax so were not losing our seniors, and that were keeping our tax revenue base strong so we can do things like invest in education.

But Fazio said the states poor economic performance is inescapable and indisputable and said to Gevanter, If you think thats good enough, you have an extremely low standard for the people in this district. He said the state needs the right leadership in Hartford because it has all the assets to succeed.

Gevanter said there had been 40 years of mismanagement, which led to underfunded pensions and more taxes. But she said, To ignore the fact that Connecticut is in the middle of a huge turnaround is frankly ridiculous, and she said all sides must work together to keep our taxes low and even lower them, pay down our debts and invest in things that are critical like education.

Blankley pointed to his experience working in major corporations and in forming a small business, which he said is hiring candidates with degrees in information technology.

There is something more specific we should be doing with regard to technical education, Blankley said. We are not producing enough engineers and young technical people for the jobs that are available. Job creation is important, and it starts with education.

Tax policy is not holding back the economic recovery, he said, it is the trend in the marketplace for financial services, which is a major employment sector in Connecticut.

Let us face the fact that there is no way to reduce taxes in this state, Blankley said. The best we can do is hold the line on taxes. There is no possibility of lowering taxes. Im going to use my severest CFO face and tell you that its just not possible. The numbers arent there.

Zoning issues

The three candidates agreed on the issue of local control of zoning. The state legislature considered bills this past session that would have placed mandates on local zoning authorities throughout the state to create more affordable housing. Officials in Greenwich were among the most vocal critics of the proposal, pointing to the towns efforts to create more housing opportunities.

All three said they wanted that zoning authority to remain local.

Fazio said he remains firmly against imposition of state control over local planning and zoning and said his position would remain consistent, expressing doubts that Democrats would be consistent.

It matters whether you have a consistent track record on this issue and whom you want to ally yourself with in Hartford, Fazio said. He added that he recently saw Gevanter campaigning with Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, a former town resident who had advocated for the bills.

It does frighten me that if one of my two Democratic opponents were to win this race and local control over planning and zoning is on the ballot, the Democratic leadership in Hartford will be emboldened to push even further against local rights over planning and zoning and schools and other issues, Fazio said.

Gevanter denied that, saying that she had been clear in her views.

Of course I think affordable housing is important, she said. We want our teachers to be able to live here, our firefighters, our police, our nurses and we want our children to be able to afford to come back here after college and we want our seniors to be able to retire here. But I cant be more clear that I fully support and would fully advocate for local control and would oppose anything to the contrary.

Gevanter said she was honored Bronin had come to support her campaign and said they discussed ways to stop gun violence. She said also people must work together even if they dont agree on all issues.

I am somebody that works with everybody, Gevanter said. I listen. I find common ground. I build coalitions to create positive change. My God, I dont know how you would get anything done in Hartford if we couldnt work together, just for example on gun safety, because we disagree on zoning.

Blankley noted the potential benefits of the proposed housing trust fund, which has bipartisan support in town and is before the Representative Town Meeting. If approved, it would allow private money to be raised that would then be used to develop affordable housing.

I have lived in this district for longer than my two opponents have even been alive so I am well aware of what this community wants, he said. It does not want to have laws imposed on it and rules imposed on it from Hartford. It is important that we recognize some of the needs that they are talking about, which is the need for affordable housing. But there are ways to accomplish this without having a mandate from the state.

The candidates are scheduled to face off again twice more before the Aug. 17 special election.

At 7 p.m. Friday, the Leagues of Women Voters from Greenwich, Stamford and New Canaan will host a forum. The leagues said this will be a discussion among the three candidates. It will be shown over Zoom with advance registration at https://lwvgreenwich.org/.

At 7 p.m. Aug. 12, the Round Hill Association will host a forum on Zoom with advance registration required at https://bit.ly/3rZBdPm.

kborsuk@greenwichtime.com
HAVANA (AP)  Cuba's hot spot for COVID-19 infections has shifted to the central province of Ciego de Avila, where officials are converting hotels into hospitals.

Instead of tourists, the Hotel Ciego de Avila will hold up to 240 low-risk pediatric patients, officials say, while the Las Canas Motel will have 53 beds for pregnant women with the coronavirus.

They are also ordering isolation of whole households when a virus is detected.

The people are very frightened. Every day, more sick, more deaths  a relative, a neighbor, a friend," said Mayi Del Valle, a 49-year-old library worker from the town of Ceballos in the province, speaking by phone Wednesday. There are people treating COVID in their houses based on herbs.

Cuba's national director of epidemiology, Francisco Duran, said Wednesday that the province accounted for 23 of the 98 new deaths from COVID-19 recorded the previous day in the country of 11 million people  the nation's highest death toll yet in the pandemic.

The province of some 430,000 people had about twice as many deaths as in the capital of Havana, a city of 2 million.

The west-central province of Matanzas, famed for the beach resort Varadero, was the center of infection last month, but the wave there seems to have receded.

Deputy Prime Minister Jorge Luis Tapia and Health Minister Jose Angel Portales were sent to Ciego de Avila, about 400 kilometers (240 miles) east of Havana, and government news media said official were sending more ambulances and 100 bicitaxis, which can be used for logistical support.

Since the start of the pandemic, Cuba has recorded 3,091 deaths and 422,614 confirmed infections, a huge share of them just in recent weeks. The country had been highly successful in keeping the virus at bay last year, but cases began shooting up after a brief period of relaxed controls at the start of 2021.

The Pan American Health Organization also expressed concern Wednesday about rising infections in Cuba.

This is due to the delta variant, which has been reported by authorities in various places in the country," said Ciro Ugarte, director of health emergencies for the organization, during a news conference in Washington.
NEW YORK (AP)  The U.S. nursing home industrys resistance to forcing workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19 for fear that too many of them might quit began to crack this week when its biggest player announced its employees must get the shot to keep their jobs.

The new requirement at Genesis Healthcare, which has 70,000 employees at nearly 400 nursing homes and senior communities, is the clearest sign yet that owners may be willing to risk an exodus at already dangerously understaffed facilities to quickly vaccinate the 40% of workers still resisting shots and fend off the surging delta variant.

Some experts are calling for mandatory vaccinations at nursing homes, warning that unprotected staff members are endangering residents. Even residents who have been inoculated are vulnerable because many are elderly and frail, with weak immune systems.

More than 1,250 nursing home residents across the U.S. were infected with COVID-19 in the week ending July 25, double the number from the week earlier, and 202 died, according to federal data.

Its so easy now to say, Well, Genesis is doing it. Now well do it,'" said Brian Lee, who leads Families for Better Care, an advocacy group for long-term care residents. "This is a big domino to fall.

Lawrence Gostin, a professor of health law at Georgetown University, said he likewise foresees a snowball effect. He said resisting vaccination mandates at this point is unconscionable.

Some local governments are taking the decision out of the industrys hands, with Massachusetts and Denver announcing mandatory vaccinations at nursing homes this week.

The question has become more urgent as the highly contagious delta variant drives up new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. to about 90,000 a day on average  the most since mid-February  and has led to several outbreaks in nursing homes and sent hospitalizations surging in states like Florida and Louisiana to the highest levels since the pandemic began.

Despite the terrible toll taken by the disease at nursing homes, many of the nations 15,000 such institutions have rejected mandatory vaccinations for fear large numbers of workers will leave in protest. Nearly a quarter of nursing homes are already short of nurses or nurses aides.

But Associated Press interviews this past week with managers at 10 mostly smaller nursing home operations across the nation that are requiring vaccines found that the threat of workers quitting en masse over the shots may be overblown.

After Canterbury Court in Atlanta announced a mandate in January, CEO Debi McNeil was so fearful of a massive walkout that she brought in medical experts to talk to workers, met with holdouts one-on-one and invited staff to gather in the community room for meetings that occasionally got heated.

In the end, only 10 of 180 workers quit, and McNeil said Canterburys nursing home, independent living and assisted living facilities have reported no new COVID-19 cases since February.

It was a gamble that paid off for us, McNeil said. I thought more people would have mandated it by now.

At Jewish Home Family in Rockleigh, New Jersey, only five of 527 workers at its nursing home and assisted-living facilities quit. Westminster Village in Bloomington, Illinois, lost only two out of 250.

Its important to educate, but at some point we have to end this pandemic, said Scott Crabtree, CEO of Lambeth House in New Orleans, which lost only 10 of 200 workers after it started requiring shots when they became available last year. When do we say, Enough is enough?

More than 130,000 nursing home residents in the U.S. have died from COVID-19, making such institutions by far the deadliest place to be during the pandemic. About 80% of residents have been vaccinated, double the rate for staff, according to the government.

Some workers have rejected the vaccine because they think it was rushed into development and is unsafe, or they feel protected because they already got COVID-19.

Its too soon to put that crap in my body, said Christina Chiger, a nurses aide at a nursing home in Tampa, Florida. It took how many years to perfect the polio vaccine? This was done in months.

Others have been swayed by false rumors that the vaccine was made from dead babies or contains microchips or will make you infertile. That last notion concerned Michaela Murray, a nurse's aide at an Alabama nursing home that made vaccinations mandatory.

I was kind of worried, but I talked to the doctors and they put my mind at ease, said Murray, who agreed to get a vaccine to keep her job at Hanceville Nursing & Rehab Center, which had only six of 260 workers quit. I had had COVID and didnt want to go through that again.

Pennsylvania-based Genesis said volunteer vaccinations were appropriate earlier in the pandemic, but not now, as the more infectious variant spreads and only 65% of its staff has received shots. Genesis is giving employees until Aug. 23 to get their first shot.

To succeed against the delta variant is going to require much higher vaccination rates," said Chief Medical Officer Richard Feifer. Our tactics in the fight have to change.

Jennifer Moore of Hollywood, Florida, whose husband is living at a nursing home where only 35% of the staff is vaccinated, said its also a matter of ethics.

Whenever I see a story about somebody being anti-vax, I just want to scream, said Moore, whose husband, Thomas, has Parkinsons disease. I understand people have concerns about the vaccine, but these people are working with the most vulnerable population. They have a duty to their patients."



AP reporter Todd Richmond in Madison, Wisconsin, contributed to this report.
NEW YORK (AP)  They're smooching on a yacht off Saint-Tropez. They're cuddling on a walk in the Hamptons. They're nuzzling over sushi at dinner in Malibu.

If PDA were an Olympic sport, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck would be champs. But there's something more that's driving interest in Bennifer: the storybook nature of long-lost love requited.

The A-listers rekindled their romance 17 years after they broke up in 2004. It's a familiar road to countless couples who came together years after coming apart.

The two stars spoke of intense tabloid pressure as a factor in calling off their engagement way back when, with Lopez telling People in 2016: "I think different time, different thing, who knows what couldve happened? But there was a genuine love there.

While the tabloids aren't an issue for regular folk who have rekindled, the genuine love part is universal no matter what got in the way the first time around.

She never left my thoughts. There was something about her, something about her soul, her spirit, that I felt like I was just drawn to even as I got older, said 43-year-old Matt Escobar Sr. of his wife, Jessica.

The Merced, California, couple  he a youth center program director and she a nurse  met in eighth-grade math class after Escobar was sent to live with an uncle just outside Seattle to escape his troubled youth in New York.

They had their first kiss on a walk in the woods that year, but Escobar's wayward behavior continued, including arrests for robbery and assault. He was expelled and sent back East, where he landed in a detention facility.

More trouble followed, including a stint on the streets, and the two lost contact for 15 years before Escobar tracked her down on Classmates.com in 2006. In between, there were marriages, children, moves and jobs, but Jessica also never forgot.

Her longtime best friend would always say nobody could ever measure up to Matt. Even though he was troubled, you know, he was always very, very respectful and just very funny and very warm and very kind and not like what people might picture in their head about a kid who got into trouble, she said.

They married in 2013 and have six children between them.

It was such a blessing to have her back in my life again after all the hard stuff I had gone through, Escobar said.

Meg Calkins, a 56-year-old college professor in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Steve Badger, a lawyer of the same age, became close friends in Indianapolis in fifth grade. They remained in the friend zone through high school but became college sweethearts junior year, just briefly.

I made the first move, Calkins laughed. I told him, `I kinda have a crush on you.' We've always had a connection because we just love talking to each other and we get each others humor."

After a couple of months, the two headed off for summer programs abroad. That's when Calkins met someone else. She was 20. She got married when she was 23.

And that was it for Badger.

Five years passed and Calkins' marriage ended in divorce. A second marriage also didn't work out, after 20 years. Badger married while in law school. That union lasted 29 years, before divorce.

For 30 years, Calkins and Badger laid eyes on each other just once, at their 20th high school reunion.

He didn't speak to me, she recalled.

Badger added: I did not. I wasn't very kind about that.

Both found themselves free in 2019. Facebook would always tell me, oh, you should be friends with Steve Badger, but I never friended him because I thought he was so mad at me about our awkward breakup, Calkins said.

He wasn't. He got over it. He wound up reaching out himself on Facebook after his divorce. They chatted online, then Badger drove 100 miles to have lunch with Calkins in Louisville, Kentucky, where her daughter was playing in a volleyball tournament.

I kept looking at Steve and his eyes were exactly the same as they were when he was 20 years old, Calkins said. Its like theres a kindness and an intellect that radiates from his eyes. One of the things that I really love about him is that hes the smartest person I know. And hes also the kindest."

The two moved in together just three weeks ago after tending a long-distance relationship during the pandemic.

I dont really love the person that I was at 21 and I dont love the person that I was in high school, either, Calkins said. But I do like the person that I am now, and I think that's a big thing to consider when rekindling relationships for sure.

Clinical psychologist Carla Marie Manly, author of Date Smart: Transform Your Relationships & Love Fearlessly, agreed.

Relationships that are renewed after many years can actually thrive under certain situations, particularly if both partners are emotionally intelligent and self-aware, she said. If partners were truly connected and well-matched but found that life issues got in the way, a later-life reconnection can be delightful and deeply rewarding.

Manly has seen a rise in rekindled love matches in the digital age with the ease of internet searching and social media. But the quest doesn't always pay off.

Sometimes, former partners give too much hope and effort to resuscitating a relationship that was never meant to be, she said.

Tammy Shaklee, the founder of an LGBTQ matchmaking company in Austin, Texas, warned that the reasons for a breakup may still exist years later. Certain traits don't drastically change, she said.

Introverts vs. extroverts is a prime example. People returning to a previous relationship who think those traits will be different this time around will likely end up right back where they were the last time, Shaklee said.

The maturing process, however, can sometimes go a long way toward a happy ending.

Page Jordan in Dallas was a 19-year-old intern in the commercial real estate brokerage where 25-year-old Jake Jordan worked when they began dating while she was still in college. She graduated and they broke up after three years.

She had just gotten out of school and I started getting a little bit more serious about it. I think that scared her a little bit, Jake said.

Page added: Yeah, at that point I wasnt in a place where I wanted to settle down. I just took my first job and was independent for the first time and wanted to kind of enjoy that. And he had started his own company and he was stressed out a lot and didnt handle the stress with a lot of patience, I would say.

The two reconnected in 2019. They married March 27 of this year. So how does he handle stress now, at 40?

A lot better, Page said. He's so much more patient, and I think Im better at dealing with that and being aware and respectful when he does have a lot going on.

Jake sees something equally important: We still cared immensely about each other.

___

Follow Leanne Italie on Twitter at http://twitter.com/litalie
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.
LAS VEGAS (AP)  A federal judge in Nevada has revived elements of a securities fraud lawsuit seeking class-action status for allegations that executives at Wynn Resorts Ltd. knew about, but disregarded, reports of sexual harassment and misconduct against company founder Steve Wynn.

U.S. District Judge Andrew Gordon ruled the case can go forward alleging that Steve Wynn, board members and top executives at his Las Vegas-based company violated Securities and Exchange Commission laws and rules through material misrepresentations and omissions.

Wynn has denied allegations that became public in January 2018 with a Wall Street Journal report about dozens of casino employees describing, as the judge noted, behavior that cumulatively would amount to a decades-long pattern of sexual misconduct.

The former casino mogul, now 79, resigned as company chief executive and board chairman shortly after the Journal article appeared and has multiple ongoing court fights.

His attorneys in the current case, Colby Williams in Las Vegas and Michelle Johnson and Colleen Smith in California, declined to comment about Gordon's order.

A different federal judge dismissed the complaint in May 2020, but allowed plaintiffs led by John Ferris and Joann Ferris to amend and refile the case.

It seeks unspecified damages for unnamed holders of Wynn stock that plunged in value more than 17% after misconduct allegations became public.

The court's decision underscores the fact that alleged sexual misconduct and harassment by corporate executives are material issues for investors, especially when management turns a blind eye to reports of wrongdoing, said Murielle Steven Walsh, attorney for the plaintiffs. This type of misconduct poses a threat to a company's financial success.

Gordon, in his 42-page order issued July 28, said the revived case should focus on two statements made by the company:

One, a press release responding to allegations raised in a legal filing by Wynns ex-wife, Elaine Wynn, regarding serious misconduct and misuse of company resources by (Steve) Wynn."

Second, statements by the company and Steve Wynn responding to the Journal article.

At this stage, the judge said, plaintiffs sufficiently alleged that Steve Wynn, current company president and CEO Matt Maddox, and two other executives, Kimmarie Sinatra, former executive vice president general counsel and secretary, and Stephen Cootey, former chief financial and accounting officer and treasurer, were aware of information contradicting their statements that denied misconduct allegations.

"The inference that these defendants were aware of Wynn's alleged misconduct at the time of their statements is cogent and compelling, Gordon wrote.

Wynn Resorts spokesman Michael Weaver said in a statement that the company looks forward to the case moving beyond the allegation stage.

Wynn Resorts owns and operates casinos in Las Vegas, Massachusetts and the Chinese gambling enclave of Macau.

Its statement said similar allegations were investigated in 2018 and 2019 by Massachusetts and Nevada gambling regulators and both "affirmed the companys and its current executives licensure and good standing.

In February 2019, the Nevada Gaming Commission ended a year-long probe and fined the company a record $20 million for failing to investigate claims of sexual misconduct against Wynn before he resigned.

Then-Commissioner Philip Pro, a former federal judge, said investigators found a failure of a corporate culture to effectively govern itself as it should.

In April 2019, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission fined Wynn Resorts $35 million for executives failure to disclose years of allegations of sexual misconduct against Steve Wynn. It also fined Maddox $500,000 for a clear failure to investigate at least one misconduct complaint.

Massachusetts regulators said they were troubled by the systemic failures and pervasive culture of non-disclosure at Wynn Resorts.

The company agreed in November 2019 to accept $20 million in damages from Steve Wynn and $21 million more from insurance carriers on behalf of current and former employees of Wynn Resorts to settle shareholder lawsuits accusing company directors of failing to disclose misconduct allegations.

The agreements made no admission of wrongdoing.

In another ongoing legal case, the Nevada Supreme Court is considering Steve Wynns appeal of a decision last December by the Nevada Gaming Commission to consider fining him up to $500,000 and declare him unsuitable to renew his gambling ties to the state.

Steve Wynn also has a pending defamation lawsuit against The Associated Press and an AP reporter based on a story about accounts to Las Vegas police from two women who alleged sexual misconduct by Wynn.

Wynn owned, built and operated notable Las Vegas properties including the Golden Nugget, The Mirage, Treasure Island and Bellagio before building the Wynn and Encore resorts on the Las Vegas Strip.
Illustration: Frankie Huang

Last month, a small-business owner named Karen Taylor made national headlines for all the wrong reasons. After a viral tweet exposed the racist and orientalist language used to market Taylors company, which specializes in $15 prepackaged congee kits and is called Breakfast Cure, critics made quick work of tearing the self-styled Congee Queen to shreds. Taylor, who is white, eventually apologized, and an essay on her companys website, which was originally titled How I discovered the miracle of congee and improved it, was quickly edited (although the original title is still easily found in the pages metadata).

For a week, my Twitter timeline was filled with Asians and our allies airing their righteous anger, sharing touching personal testimonies on what congee meant to them, and ridiculing Karens white lady ingredients like blueberries, apples, and cinnamon. On TikTok, multiple POC creators uploaded videos of themselves trying  and choking on  Breakfast Curestyle congee.

As the mainstream media picked up the story, the narrative was quickly reduced to a familiar offended POCs versus oblivious white people tug-of-war over cultural ownership, a gatekeeping story at its heart. On one side, viral angry tweets paired with cultural experts who explained the harmful power dynamics of white colonialist practices. On the other side, canned contrition from the white offender and wishes that critics would be less hostile.

A few days after the story first broke, I was interviewed by USA Today. For close to an hour, I answered questions about the history and cultural significance of congee, and why Breakfast Cure sparked such a strong reaction from Asians. I drew on my experience as a former consumer-insight researcher based in China, and talked at length about how Taylors Chinese-medicine-focused brand positioning is extremely common in China, and about the popularity and versatility of congee thats available to Chinese consumers. I emphasized that theres nothing particularly sacred about the dish, that anyone can make it, but that it doesnt make it okay for a white woman to anoint herself the Queen of Congee.

I didnt expect all my quotes to make it into the article, but when it ran, I was bothered to see that the piece made no mention of the many modern congee iterations found across China, and instead focused on the dishs status as a centuries-old staple, an angle that was also followed by outlets like the Washington Post and Insider. No outlet, as far as I know, informed its readers that blueberries, apples, cinnamon, while untraditional, are all ingredients you can find in Chinese congee recipes and even on the menus of congee restaurants, or that Taylors sin was not putting blueberries into congee  shes not even the first to do so  but was instead claiming that her version, which she said had been modernized for the Western palate, was somehow superior to traditional congee from China.

In effect, media coverage has run with the same reductive orientalist cliche peddled by the Congee Queen: that congee, just like Chinese culture itself, is rigidly traditional, exotic, and unfamiliar to America; that it is steeped in history; and that any change or adjustment is to be regarded as blasphemy. In propagating a narrative that slow-cooked rice and water is considered sacred by Asians, while leaving out the more colorful and trendy aspects of congees culinary identity, media coverage does a disservice to readers by failing to shine a light on how inaccurate Karen Taylors portrayal of Chinese congee really is, while also failing to explain the more insidious essence of cultural appropriation.

Viewed another way, the flattened story allowed defenders of Taylor to portray her critics as an Asian mob canceling a white entrepreneur in a case of overblown cultural gatekeeping.

Overcook your rice & youve culturally appropriated congee, wrote one Twitter user snidely.

Anyone has a right to make any food they want, by the way, wrote another, bringing up a familiar refrain that fails to understand the existing power dynamics that dictate who gets to make and sell what food, and at what price.

It is not that Asians are offended by white people cooking and selling slow-cooked rice, which is what many articles implied. Even though the idea of cultural theft is the thrust of these stories, the real issue is disrespect: the way this kind of appropriation links Westernization and whitewashing with sophistication and value, while deeming nonwhite cultures to be less refined. It perpetuates the corrosive notion of exotic food that must be tamed for American consumption. And, in the case of Taylors story, the coverage ignored the playfulness and inventiveness that is an integral part of Chinese food culture, of which congee is very much a part.

When no effort is made to explain the deeper root problem, or to create understanding by painting a fuller picture, nothing prevents people from racing to take sides while nobody learns anything. Instead of making any kind of progress, we end up with a recurring cultural-appropriation cycle that turns rounds of outrage and insincere back-peddling into clickbait. Our anger ends up being monetized just like the tired old racist tropes that white entrepreneurs continue to churn out, while those who are none the wiser wonder why we are so sensitive all the time.

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A month ago Lenovo launched the Yoga Tab 13, Yoga Tab 11 and Tab P11 Plus with global availability. Now clues have appeared of another slate, a sequel to the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro from last year. Unlike the first three, which have IPS LCDs, the P11 Pro has an 11.5 OLED display. However, despite its Pro moniker it is powered by the mid-range Snapdragon 730G chipset. The P11 Plus is no powerhouse either, packing a Helio G90T.

The Lenovo P12 Pro (TB-Q706F) was spotted on the Google Play Console and is getting a major performance upgrade with a Snapdragon 855 (or possibly an 860). Its not quite on the level of the Yoga Tab 13, which is equipped with the newer Snapdragon 870, but it is smaller and should appeal to OLED fans.



Lenovo P12 Pro (Q706F) details on the Google Play Console

While the Console doesnt list panel type, the 2,560 x 1,600 px resolution is higher than the P11 Plus and matches the P11 Pro, so the display should be in the same class.

The Lenovo P12 Pro will have 8 GB of RAM and will run Android 11 out of the box. Unfortunately, these are all the details from the Console. However, looking at the P11 Plus and P11 Pro, the new model should feature fast charging (20W or higher), quad speakers and possibly a dual camera on the back. An aluminum frame is not out of the question either.

Lenovo P12 Pro (image from the Google Play Console)

The P12 Pro (TB-Q706F) was recently registered by the EEC, which doesnt add any more details but mentions a related slate  the TB-Q706Z. The registration was issued in mid-July, so it shouldnt be too long before the official announcement.

Source
The upcoming Galaxy Watch4 and Watch4 Classic will be the first Samsung watches to run Googles wrist-worn OS in a long time. And you know what that means  Google services and apps will be on board, the ones that were missing from the Tizen watches.

This does include the Google Assistant, according to leakster Snoopy. Google tends to offer its products wholesale  if a maker wants access to the Play Store, they have to install the Google apps too (which often leads to duplication).

And even though Samsung struck some kind of special deal with Google, which allowed it to customize Wear OS, the Assistant will be onboard alongside Samsungs own Bixby (which we saw in the leaked teaser videos).

On Tizen watches, Bixby is activated by long-pressing the bottom button. On Gear OS watches, the Assistant is activated by long-pressing the crown. Both can also be voice activated, but this long press business will have to be resolved somehow  which assistant do you get when you long press a button? And it cant be the top button since that activates Samsung Pay.

Ideally, users will get to pick which of the assistants is active. Also, this might mean that Google is open to allowing third-party assistants to run on Wear OS (paging Amazon), though it could be part of the special deal that Samsung got.

After some digging around in the APK for the latest Wear OS phone app, the team at 9to5Google found a reference to "com.google.android.wearable.alternate_assistant", which sounds quite vendor-neutral, so this really may go beyond Bixby.

Anyway, if you want to read more about the Samsung Galaxy Watch4 specs, head here. Also, the pricing details leaked, so you can consult with your piggy bank.

Source
AnTuTu has released its monthly performance charts, of the fastest benchmarked smartphones on its platform, and for a fifth consecutive month the Xiaomi Black Shark 4 Pro topped the sheet. We also see that all Top 10 devices were powered by the Snapdragon 888.

The nubia Red Magic 6 Pro sits in second. Theres also the reason Xiaomi is shipping the phone with OnePlus 9 Pro rounding up the top 3.

Qualcomm chips are powering the top three devices in the midrange chart as well, but here we have a bit of diversity - six different platforms are represented in the Top 10. The Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite with its Snapdragon 780G, just edged the Honor 50 duo with their 778Gs.

Expectations are these charts will change in August and September with the launch of many new products, including at least two phones with the Snapdragon 888 Plus chipset - the Honor Magic 3 series and the Xiaomi Mi Mix 4, both bound to arrive next week.

Source (in Chinese) | Via
News

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Jury finds defendants not guilty in Wise Owl trial

A jury found government employees not guilty of unlawfully denying the renewal of veterinarian Dr. Joel Josephs controlled substance registration license in 2011.

The jury reached a verdict by answering whether Josephs right to due process was violated, and whether former Assistant Attorney General Benjamin Abrams retaliated against Joseph for exercising his first amendment rights.

The verdict ended the 16-day trial in a case involving claims that were first made in 2011.

That year, Joseph, a veterinarian at Wise Owl Animal Hospital, was denied his license to dispense controlled substances.

In response to the denial, he took the case to court saying he was unlawfully denied his license without due process. Joseph hoped to gain compensation for the damages caused after the denial. Those events included a denial to renew his veterinary license and the raid on his clinic by Department of Public Health and Social Services.

Joseph testified that he was still able to practice as a veterinarian because of a stay order issued by Judge Michael Bordallo, and the raid on Wise Owl was improperly founded because of the stay order.

In the 2013 raid, Public Health found controlled substances that included ketamine and a steroid called Winstrol. Some of the bottles of the controlled substances were also discovered to have surgical tape over the manufacturers label with the name of the drug handwritten.

Alleged conspiracy

In closing statements, Josephs attorney Mitch Thompson argued Abrams and the government employees listed as defendants conspired against Joseph in an attempt to stop him from practicing as a veterinarian.

However, counsel for the defendants Patrick Civille and Leslie Travis said they were conducting business as usual.

Civille said Josephs application had so many complications that Public Health workers brought it up to their superiors and eventually the Office of the Attorney General.

They are Public Health people, he said. What they were worried about was controlled substances and accountability.

Abrams was accused of leading the conspiracy against Joseph.

Abrams, who represented himself, said he would have never allowed personal conflicts or agendas to influence his work as an attorney.
A jury found government employees not guilty of unlawfully denying the renewal of veterinarian Dr. Joel Josephs controlled substance registration license in 2011.

The jury reached a verdict by answering whether Josephs right to due process was violated, and whether former Assistant Attorney General Benjamin Abrams retaliated against Joseph for exercising his first amendment rights.

The verdict ended the 16-day trial in a case involving claims that were first made in 2011.

That year, Joseph, a veterinarian at Wise Owl Animal Hospital, was denied his license to dispense controlled substances.

In response to the denial, he took the case to court saying he was unlawfully denied his license without due process. Joseph hoped to gain compensation for the damages caused after the denial. Those events included a denial to renew his veterinary license and the raid on his clinic by Department of Public Health and Social Services.

Joseph testified that he was still able to practice as a veterinarian because of a stay order issued by Judge Michael Bordallo, and the raid on Wise Owl was improperly founded because of the stay order.

In the 2013 raid, Public Health found controlled substances that included ketamine and a steroid called Winstrol. Some of the bottles of the controlled substances were also discovered to have surgical tape over the manufacturers label with the name of the drug handwritten.

Alleged conspiracy

In closing statements, Josephs attorney Mitch Thompson argued Abrams and the government employees listed as defendants conspired against Joseph in an attempt to stop him from practicing as a veterinarian.

However, counsel for the defendants Patrick Civille and Leslie Travis said they were conducting business as usual.

Civille said Josephs application had so many complications that Public Health workers brought it up to their superiors and eventually the Office of the Attorney General.

They are Public Health people, he said. What they were worried about was controlled substances and accountability.

Abrams was accused of leading the conspiracy against Joseph.

Abrams, who represented himself, said he would have never allowed personal conflicts or agendas to influence his work as an attorney.

Closing arguments heard in Wise Owl vet trial Attorneys involved in the trial of veterinarian Dr. Joel Josephs case against several gover
Sen. James Moylan said its time to amend the Organic Act of Guam and give the Legislature authority to appropriate federal funds provided to the island.

The senator wrote Del. Mike San Nicolas Wednesday, asking the delegate to consider an amendment that would provide authority to the Legislature, which currently is granted to the governor.

The Organic Act governs the relationship between Guam and the United States. Any amendment would have to be introduced as legislation in Congress.

With over $600 million in federal relief funds currently on island, along with the millions of additional dollars which Guam received in 2020 due to the pandemic, it is appearing that for transparency and checks and balances purposes, that archaic language in the Organic Act regarding the authority over the local appropriation of federal dollars provided to Guam should be amended, Moylan wrote.

Senators have been asking for Gov. Lou Leon Guerreros plan for the over $600 million in American Rescue Plan funds since April. No plan has yet been provided. Leon Guerrero has stated the administration is waiting for a final rule from the U.S. Treasury on how the money can be used, which is likely to be provided early this month, to finalize appropriations.

The failure to provide a plan has become a sore point for some lawmakers, with the statutory deadline for the budget for GovGuam at the end of the August.

Moylans request is the latest in a series of disagreements over checks and balances between the administration and the Legislature over the course of the pandemic.

Moylan said it wasnt just a matter of having authority over the American Rescue Plan funds but federal funds in general.

Federal vs. local

San Nicolas responded to Moylans letter, stating the issue was more a problem of a failure to act on the part of the Leon Guerrero administration than it was a problem with the Organic Act.

While we absolutely appreciate Sen. Moylans concern, his request needs to be balanced against all other federal dollars such as FEMA funds for emergency purposes, Medicaid and SNAP federal dollars that are administered without appropriation, and where else appropriation may either be inappropriate or impractical, San Nicolas replied.

Citing the delays in paying out the stimulus, child tax credits, setting up the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, or releasing American Rescue Plan funds, he said, We need to clearly understand when the problem is federal and when the problem is local  and all of our pandemic problems thus far have been local, warranting a change in local leadership.

Public Policy director for the governor Rikki Orsini said the island is in a public health emergency.

Instead of engaging in a war of words, we will continue to focus on the actual work  providing aid in the fastest and most meaningful way possible, keeping our community safe, providing rental and mortgage assistance, and continuing to pay tax refunds faster than ever before while eliminating our deficit, Orsini said.

Executive power

Moylans letter does state the provision of the Organic Act which grants appropriation power to the governor may be a holdover from the days when Guams governor was appointed by the federal government, rather than elected.

Independence Task Force Chair Michael Lujan Bevacqua said that part of the reason for the power provided to the executive branch by the Organic Act was out of a desire to retain tight control over the strategically important island after World War II.

The governor has a lot more authority than the Legislature, because the governor was supposed to represent the president and the federal governments interests in Guam, not necessarily represent the people, he said.

Prior to 1968, the president had the authority to directly veto an act of the local legislative branch. The Legislature also has only one house, unlike most state legislatures. The only other U.S. state to have such an arrangement is Nebraska, and according to Bevacqua, the situation generally points to stronger executive power.

There is precedent for amending the Organic Act to limit the power of the governor. It was done last in 1998, when an amendment was passed to have an elected rather than appointed attorney general.




Haiti - News : Zapping...





Earthquake 30 km from PAP

A slight earthquake of magnitude 3.2 on the Richter scale was recorded Tuesday at 10:27 a.m. in the Leogane area, 30 km west of Port-au-Prince according to the Volcano Discovery website. This earthquake was weakly felt in the capital.



10 prisoners died of heat in Les Cayes prison

No less than 10 inmates died at Les Cayes prison last month. These prisoners had fallen ill following the strong heat in this penitentiary center revealed Ronald Richemond, the Commissioner of the Government of Les Cayes.



Covid : Denial of the Ministry of Health

Dr. Laure Adrien, Director General of the Ministry of Public Health denies the rumors which suggest that the Delta variant is active on the national territory. He claims that the Delta variant has so far not been officially detected scientifically in Haiti.



Correction of the BAC

The correction of the copies of the candidates for the Bac and the 9th fundamental year is done gradually in the Departmental Directorates of Education, in particular for the West which starts this Wednesday, August 4, 2021. The operation should last until the end of August so that the results of the State exams are available before the 2021 school year scheduled for September 6, if all goes as planned.



Speculators : major seizure of petroleum products

On the order of the Port-de-Paix prosecutor's office, the National Police this week seized a large quantity of petroleum products stored in places not intended for this purpose. 6 people were arrested in this operation intended to combat the illicit sale of petroleum products in the streets of the city of Port-de-Paix, which also constitutes a public security problem.



The PM discusses his priorities with BINUH

Prime Minister ai Ariel Henry met with Bruno Lemarquis, Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), on the coordination of external development assistance, elections, security and cost of living "These are the priorities of my Government during the interim period," declared the Head of Government.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















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Published on 2021/08/03 | Source

Actor Kim Yong-gun is accused of attempting to force an abortion on a 39-year-old younger woman, and is engaged in a battle of truth with the accuser.

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The complainant filed a complaint against Kim Yong-gun at the Seocho Police Station in Seoul in late July on charges of attempted abortion. It was a conflict over whether to give birth or not, leading to a legal dispute. 'A' is known to have met with the police recently and completed giving her statement.

Among them, Kim Yong-gun and 'A' show sharp differences in their positions on whether they were assaulted or threatened.

Kim Yong-gun said in a statement through his legal representative on August 2nd, "I've tried appealing to her that I can't father the child considering all circumstances. I've begged, complained, and even got angry. Although it was a little late, I realized that the child is more important than my reputation and told her and the lawyer several times from May 23rd, 2021 to recently that I would fulfill my responsibility for giving birth and raising the child".

On the other hand, 'A' claims that Kim Yong-gun urged abortion and forced her to give up child support money. She also claimed to have been assaulted and threatened, releasing a transcript of the conversation.

In this regard, Kim Yong-gun said, "There was no assault", but said he would refrain from further rebuttal.

There was also a disagreement over the contact. 'A"s side said, "In May, 'A' blocked contact and told Kim Yong-gun to talk to her lawyer only". They said from May to recently, Kim Yong-gun's statement that he had repeatedly told 'A' and her lawyer that he would fulfill his responsibility for giving birth and raising children smoothly, was a lie.

Meanwhile, Kim Yong-gun's police investigation schedule is yet to be set.
Published on 2021/08/03 | Source

New behind-the-scene stills added for the upcoming Korean movie "Hostage: Missing Celebrity" (2019)

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Directed by Pil Kam-sung

With Hwang Jung-min, Han Kyu-won-I, Lee Ho-jung, Kim Joo-hee-I, Ji Nam-hyuk,...

Synopsis

After a VIP movie premiere, Korean top movie star Hwang Jung-min gets kidnapped by strangers. Jeong-min first thinks that someone is playing pranks, but the kidnappers' cruelty helps Jeong-min realize that the abduction is no joke. Jeong-min tries to find his way out, while the kidnappers demand him a huge amount of ransom within 24 hours.

Jeong-min encounters a real brutality that is way different and more extreme than the ones he has seen in the movies.

Release date in Korea : 2021/08/18
A youth group in Chinook known as JUMP is putting on a Big and Bold Vacation Bible School, which started Aug. 3 and for the remainder of the week will be collecting money to aid Intermountain, a Helena-based mental health organization.

Pastor Chris Haughee said Intermountain provides hope and healing to youth and families, including residential care.

We still have an aspect of the care that we provide for children that involves residential stay for those children that have not been successful in (a) home, school or community environment that have needed a level of specialized care that requires they be out of their home for a period of time, Haughee said.

So we still have kind of what people would think of that sort of legacy work that continues both in Helena, and in the Flathead around Kalispell, and then through a partnership we have with Montana youth homes in Missoula, he continued.

Haughee, who also works in church relations for Intermountain, has been speaking at Methodist churches along the Hi-Line this week including Havres Van Orsdel United Methodist Church Monday and he spoke at the vacation bible school Tuesday.

Youth group leader Chrissy Downs said JUMP first volunteered with Intermountain about five or six years ago.

Weve been aware of the program and what they do for a long time. And its just something that, our group likes to try to help others, especially children, and so thats how we got to know him, and then Chris reached out that he was going to be in the area. And we decided we would let the kids bring their change to help out, Downs said.

We dont have a set goal, were just, were filling change cans right now. And then we hope, beyond the (vacation bible school), the JUMP group themselves hope to be able to do some other things for the Intermountain kids throughout the year, Downs added

Haughee said Intermountains much larger impact comes through partnerships with schools. Intermountain provides mental health care teams and clinicians to these schools and mental health was the topic of his talk at the vacation bible school.

Weve all seen the reports that the pandemic has only exacerbated some of the issues in terms of the mental health crisis in our country, and that it doesnt discriminate. Any socio-economic background, any ethnicity or locality, age, it doesnt really matter. Haughee said. Thats part of the hope, of energizing local faith communities, of getting out into places like the Hi-Line to come alongside community efforts like the vacation bible school in Chinook and the community youth group that is putting that on.

He said activities like Chinooks vacation bible school are exactly the type of activities that support resilience in children and families and in communities, mentioning the importance of having outlets and the positive impact of giving back.

Most children understand that they can be a part of something thats bigger than themselves, that theyve all had struggles themselves perhaps, or friends that have had hard times dealing with overwhelming sadness, or, they wouldnt put it in these terms, but a mental health issue, Haughee said.

To be able to connect them to the work that Intermountain does so they see that these are children that are very much like themselves, and that as they gather that that offering as part of what theyre doing, theyre helping to encourage those children. Of course, because its a faith-based setting, we also encourage those children to pray for the children of Intermountain and their families as well, he added.

For more information about Intermountain, people can visit ihttp://ntermountain.org .

For more information about the vacation bible school or to sign up, people can contact Chrissy Downs at 262-4013 or 357-2236.

The JUMP youth group can be found online at https://www.facebook.com/JUMPChinook .
Zoey Pedraza, 7, updates the Hill County Vaccinated sign in front of the Bullhook Community Health Center Wednesday. The county has surpassed 6,000 people fully vaccinated, but is still short of the halfway mark of eligible people.

Community members held a sign-painting event last night outside Bullhook Community Health Center in Havre, updating the sign's COVID-19 vaccination total to 6,040 people, 48 percent of the goal of all 13,256 eligible people.

Northern Montana Health Care Director of Infection Prevention Alysia Mosness attended the sign-painting along with Bullhook Community Health Center CEO Kyndra Hall.

"So, just kind of talking on behalf of Northern Montana Health Care, we do feel that the best defense that we have is vaccinating against the coronavirus pandemic. Unfortunately, we have seen a rise in cases in the past few weeks, Mosness said. "Right now, Montana ranks 36th for our percent of population vaccinated, so we are so on the lower side. So we're looking for that number really to increase."

Mosness said 6,000 vaccinations in Hill County is a good number but there is still farther to go.

She said, as of last week, compared to the week prior, cases in Montana have gone up 76 percent and hospitalizations have increased 47 percent, adding that the pandemic is "for real. It is still here, something that we still are battling"

"With the Delta variant here (in the U.S.), a big thing I want to talk about is that kids seem to be getting sicker. We're kind of seeing that trend in other states majority of these children are not eligible to be vaccinated yet, so it's kind of time for us to step up and start vaccinating for those who can't get vaccinated," Mosness continued.

No cases of the COVID-19 delta variant have been confirmed in Hill County, although a case of the variant has been confirmed in Blaine County.

Mosness said if people are still in need of a vaccination, they can call either Northern Montana Health Care's Specialty Medical Center, at 406-265-7831, or it's family Family Medical Center, at 406-265-5408.

In Hill County, vaccinations also are available through Bullhook Community Health Center, the Hill County Health Department, Western Drug Pharmacy, Gary & Leo's Pharmacy, Walmart and the Rocky Boy Health Center.

Vaccinations are available in Blaine County through the Blaine County Health Department and Fort Belknap Health Center.

Vaccine is available in Chouteau County at the Chouteau County Health Center.

In Liberty County, Liberty County Health Department is providing vaccinations.

Mosness said the Northern Montana Health Care clinics have the Moderna vaccine every day and give the Pfizer vaccine Wednesdays. She added the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is not available at the clinics. She also added that there will be more pop-up vaccination clinics in the future.

Hall also emphasized the importance of vaccinations.

"I would just like to echo what Alysia said and really push that we do need to step up for our kids and our elderly and get our COVID vaccinations done. Unfortunately, the pandemic isn't over. And we need to keep being diligent," Hall said.

Kris Martens, a member of the group that put up and paints the vaccination sign, said she was grateful to the 6,000 mostly older people who have gotten vaccinated.

She challenged the community and young people to step up and get vaccinated to combat the COVID-19 Delta variant.

"I also would like to say just some of the big pockets where that can be taken care of would be (Montana State University-Northern). Personally, I would like to see everybody vaccinated out there," Martens said

"The other places like all the facilities, Northern Montana Hospital is one that ... I don't believe all their staff is vaccinated. I think it's very, very important for this community that some of these health care facilities will follow science and get that job taken care of," Martens continued.

Martens added she's really interested in the number 13,256 ... getting the eligible 13,256 people vaccinated in Hill County, saying 1,000 of the people who are vaccinated are from Rocky Boy, dropping the percentage in the rest of the county if Rocky Boy weren't included in that total.

Will Rawn, spokesperson for the group, said they recognize the pandemic is far from over.

"We're still gonna have cases, we understand that. What the great thing though is, at least now we've got 6,000 people who are a lot less likely to get deadly sick than they would have been otherwise, and are a lot less likely to make somebody who's on chemotherapy sick. So that's a great thing, that's what we're celebrating," Rawn said.

Hill County Health Department Public Health Director and Hill County Health Officer Kim Berg was unable to attend the event but expressed similar feelings in a written statement given to Havre Daily News.

"I am excited to see that our immunization numbers are going up, but I want to reiterate that we still have a long ways to go. We are seeing an increase in cases, just as the state and nation are, and the best way to stop that trend is to increase our vaccination rate," she said in the statement.

"Thank you to everyone out there who has gotten vaccinated and for those with questions or concerns, please email or call us or your primary care provider and talk to us. We are here to help you understand the vaccines, how they work and why they are our best chance at stopping the pandemic," she added.
Rocky Mountain goosefoot, a common weed across Montana, can during draught conditions accumulate nitrate that can be harmful for livestock.

From MSU News Service

BOZEMAN - Due to the extended drought in Montana, water availability in many areas has become severely limited. Reservoirs have dried up and are becoming covered in weeds. Montana State University Extension educators are cautioning livestock managers to evaluate weed feed and grazing land for nitrate toxicity during drought.

"Due to the severe drought, weeds have become prevalent across pastures and many producers are limited in their cattle movement this year," said Custer County Extension Agent Mike Schuldt.

Although weeds can be high in protein and energy for livestock, caution should be used when cattle are grazing weedy areas or are fed weedy hay, according to Megan Van Emon, Extension Beef Cattle Specialist. Some weeds, including kochia, prostrate knotweed, Rocky Mountain goosefoot and lambs quarter, accumulate nitrate during draught conditions. These weeds may be the only green feed available, and livestock often gravitate to green areas to graze.

Recently, Schuldt and Van Emon investigated a weedy reservoir and collected samples for nitrates. When analyzed through a nitrate strip test, the Rocky Mountain Goosefoot had approximately 50,000 ppm of nitrate and the lambs quarter and knotweed had approximately 10,000 ppm of nitrate. Van Emon said these levels are extremely high and should not be fed to livestock. nitrate strip tests are available at MSU Extension county offices.

"These weeds were extremely worrisome due to their ability to accumulate nitrates, and this became more apparent after we watched a cow grazing in the area and eating the Rocky Mountain goosefoot," Van Emon said. "The producer indicated that these weeds are normally not present and when traveling through the pasture, the goosefoot and lambs quarter were not observed anywhere other than the dried reservoir."

Ideally, feed or grazing pasture for livestock should contain less than 1,500 ppm of nitrate, Van Emon said. As the concentration of nitrate increases, more risk is associated with providing those feeds to livestock. Van Emon recommends keeping livestock away from feed that has nitrate concentrations over 10,000 ppm.

"The recommendation to the producer was to remove the cattle from the area of concern or fence off the reservoir to reduce the risk of cattle grazing the weeds," Schuldt said. "Nitrate concentrations at that level are concerning and nitrate toxicity symptoms and death can occur rapidly."

Symptoms of nitrate toxicity in livestock include labored breathing, muscle tremors, weakness and staggering gait. If these symptoms are observed, remove the nitrate-containing feed or move the livestock out of the pasture and contact a veterinarian for a treatment plan right away. When moving cattle from a high-nitrate feed area, move them slowly, as moving livestock too quickly can exacerbate the symptoms.
Drought and cattle nutrition critical information in this season

Press release

Whether getting a good or bad price on calves, it is critical to have the weight and maintain good body condition on cows who are carrying the next crop.

At 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 11, at the Frontier in Dunkirk, Marias River Livestock Association is holding a seminar on feeding and vaccinations during drought to help put weight on the calves and maximize cattles health.

A barbecue beef dinner will begin at 5 p.m. and presentations at 5:45 p.m. The meal is sponsored by Friesen Nutrition of Great Falls.

Most ranches are experiencing the lack of quality grass this summer and the concern about poor hay or lack of hay this winter. There are many decisions to be made on what cattle to keep and sell, wean early or not, supplement or not. They are hard questions and different answers for each operation.

Cathy Lockard, bovine nutritionist for Friesen Nutrition, hopes to share information so that each rancher can figure out what will work best for their ranch and cattle.

What cattle eat this summer and fall will affect pocketbooks not only at shipping this fall but next year, too.

Lockard attended Oklahoma State University, earning bachelors and masters degrees and a doctorate in 2018.

Cory Boswel, Elanco, will speak about feed supplements to help with efficient use of dry grass and how to maintain more cattle on that grass. He will also speak to vaccines to help with herd health which is vitally important during times of heat, stress and perhaps sketchy nutrition.

Boswel grew up on a cattle operation in North East Oregon and attended Oregon State University. He has been in Montana for more than 14 years. He has worked for Elanco, the second-largest animal health company, for five years.
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Provo, UT (84601)

Today

Partly cloudy skies. Expect widespread areas of smoke and haze, reducing visibility at times. Low 57F. NNE winds shifting to ESE at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Expect widespread areas of smoke and haze, reducing visibility at times. Low 57F. NNE winds shifting to ESE at 10 to 20 mph.
St. Joseph, MI (49085)

Today

Thunderstorms likely, especially this evening. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely, especially this evening. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.


Kristina Beggen is an organizer with Food & Water Watch and the Stand Up to Factory Farms Coalition. She works at the nexus of environmental and social justice.
Half Moon Bay, CA (94019)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low 57F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low 57F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.
No, I wasnt worried about the first strain of COVID.

Yes, I plan to wear a mask whenever Im in a public place, until it subsides.

I worry businesses will suffer again,just as theyre getting back on their feet.

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Now Open

4 August 2021

Dalata Hotel Group Plc ("Dalata" or "the Group"), the largest hotel group in Ireland, with a growing presence in the United Kingdom, today officially opens the Group's first hotel in Scotland, creating 80 jobs locally.

The four-star Maldron hotel is located on Renfrew St, in the heart of the city's shopping, restaurant & theatre district. The 40 million property features new stylish spacious air-conditioned bedrooms, a bar and restaurant, resident's gym, and state-of-the-art business facilities. The hotel is also highly tech-enabled with chrome cast in each bedroom, digital check-in and a virtual guest services platform.

Maldron Hotel Glasgow City represents a significant investment and vote of confidence in Scotland by Dalata, providing a substantial economic boost to the city as it recovers from the impact of Covid-19.

The hotel is located on the site of the former STV headquarters and is perfectly positioned close to the city's major transport links.

The business-friendly hotel has invested in interactive Clevertouch technology in all meeting facilities, alongside Clickshare wireless connectivity, enabling ease of streaming for virtual meeting integration.

Maldron Hotel Glasgow City also holds the 'We're Good to Go' industry standard, demonstrating a commitment to comply with all Covid-19 safety guidelines.

The hotel, funded by Aberdeen Standard Investments, was developed by MRP and constructed by McAleer & Rushe. Aligned to Dalata's Green Tourism programme the hotel has been built to a BREEAM sustainability assessment of 'Very Good' standard and has new technologies such as Air Source Heat Pumps and Heat Exchangers to reduce carbon emissions. The UK will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow on 31 October - 12 November 2021 with delegates to the summit expected to stay at the hotel.
Pipeline

4 August 2021

Great Plains, the iconic eco-tourism company is thrilled to announce the much anticipated Tembo Plains Camp, scheduled to open in August 2021. The new Zimbabwean opening, located on the private 118,000-hectare Sapi Reserve, whose northern border is over 40kms of the Zambezi River. The well-known Mana Pools Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, forms the Sapi Reserve's western border.

With four spacious guest tents, an exquisite two-bedroom family unit and a private guide tent, Tembo Plains Camp will be ideal for couples, families, multi-generational travellers, and those looking for an exclusive personal safari experience. The beautiful family unit, with interiors designed by Great Plains co-founder Beverly Joubert, comprises two tents with a shared lounge and dining area and pool and will accommodate up to four adults, two adults and two children 6 and up. Each guest tent offers an indoor lounge and outdoor dining area, private plunge pool and exercise bikes, in addition to expansive en-suite bathroom facilities, indoor baths, showers and double vanities. Guests have access to professional Canon cameras and Leica binoculars throughout their stay to capture the many special holiday moments.

Tembo Plains will join the Reserve Collection of camps, the highest-level brand at Great Plains, alongside sister properties Zarafa Camp, Selinda Camp, Duba Plains in Botswana, and Mara Nyika, Mara Plains and ol Donyo Lodge in Kenya. Tembo Plains will be a proud member of Relais & Chateaux - the only camp in the whole of Zimbabwe given this honour.
Now Open

4 August 2021

Mohari Hospitality, the global investment company founded by entrepreneurial investor Mark Scheinberg, has today opened 1 Hotel Toronto in partnership with hotel management company, SH Hotels & Resorts. The redesigned hotel, which forms part of downtown Toronto's recent urban regeneration, is the newest opening for the luxury hospitality brand 1 Hotels, and the first of its kind in Canada.

Mohari acquired the asset, located at 550 Wellington Street West, in 2017 and in 2019 announced it was partnering with SH Hotels & Resorts to transform and rebrand the hotel into a luxury and sustainable 1 Hotels retreat. Mohari Hospitality's substantial investment completely renovated and reimagined the property, which had been operating as the Thompson Toronto hotel. The hotel closed in January 2020 to allow renovations to begin and although the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily delayed the reopening of the hotel, Mohari is delighted to now be welcoming guests to 1 Hotel Toronto.

To mark the opening of 1 Hotel Toronto, 2021 native trees will be physically planted in designated sites throughout the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) over the course of the next year, in partnership with the non-profit organization Tree Canada. This project has been funded by Mohari as part of its ongoing philanthropic activity in communities where it has investments, whilst 1 Hotel team members will volunteer to plant the trees in local communities.
Press Release

4 August 2021

This week the annual conference for the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) opened to a positive and enthusiastic group of attendees in Dallas, Texas, demonstrating the interest in professional, in-person meetings. Coming up on the calendar for industry events is the 2021 Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) and the HFTP Annual Convention. The producers Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) is planning the event with its co-located Annual Convention, and registrants for both events will have full access to the program for both events. In consideration of the ongoing pandemic, health safety guidelines and protocols will remain in place for the protection of all attendees. HITEC North America and the HFTP Annual Convention are September 27-30, 2021 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas USA.

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HFTP Global Past President Raman P. Rama, president of Sarona Hotels and Holdings says, AAHOACON is setting an example for the industry. This event, just like HFTPs HITEC and Annual Convention next month, are proof that with proper measures, it is safe to travel again.

Today was the start of a great event, said HFTP CEO Frank Wolfe, CAE, FIH. We are very appreciative of AAHOA for providing leadership to the industry and are proud to follow their lead. Around the globe, organizations are reacting to a myriad of press that is confusing and, in many cases, reacting to sensational headlines. AAHOACON attendance is proof that there is a big distance between headlines and reality. HFTPs HITEC and Annual Convention are going to underscore this fact.

HITEC Dallas has scheduled a four-day education program addressing the biggest industry topics such as: emerging technology in F&B, decentralized ID, direct distribution vs. third-parties, hyper-personalization, defining a digital hotel, ethical conundrums in technology, pressing cybersecurity threats and more. In addition, HITEC features an exhibit hall which will host over 250 solution providers displaying a range of products and services to support the hospitality technology industry.

Co-located with HITEC Dallas is the HFTP Annual Convention with a program that centers on financial management topics for clubs and hotels, along with complementary subjects such as tax law, human resources, leadership development and technology. HITEC Full Conference registrants have access to the Annual Convention full education program, a unique opportunity to expand the HITEC experience.

For more information about HITEC and HFTP's other international activities, contact the HFTP Meetings & Special Events Department at [email protected] or visit www.hftp.org and www.hitec.org .
Press Release

4 August 2021

We often see words like diversity or inclusion thrown around loosely by companies these days. Unfortunately, these terms have often become buzzwords, with little genuine intent or impact.

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But what can diversity, equity, and inclusion truly mean for a companys culture? And why should they matter in the workplace? We spoke with Christine Amour-Levar, DEI Advocate and founder of two NGOs that empower vulnerable women, HER Planet Earth and Women on a Mission, to explore this topic in more detail.

Empowering women from Paris to Singapore

Christine has a very diverse background, her mother is from the Philippines, whilst her father is French and Swiss. She grew up between Manila and Paris and worked in Japan, the United States, Latin America and France before moving to Singapore with Nike, to head their Marketing efforts. A few years later, she left Nike to set up her two non-profit organisations, Women on a Mission and HER Planet Earth. These organisations champion and support vulnerable women around the world.

Women on a Mission focuses on supporting women who have been subjected to violence and abuse and by that, I mean women survivors of war, women survivors of domestic abuse, human trafficking, and other forms of violence and abuse, she said.

Christine visiting Women for Women Internationals Operations in Rwanda, 2017  Women on a Mission

HER Planet Earth supports underprivileged women who are affected by climate change, explained Christine. This organisation raises funds to help women build livelihoods that are compatible and in harmony with nature, so as to ensure they are more climate change resilient.

The Reteti Elephant Sanctuary Kenya, 2019  Conservation International - a partner of HER Planet Earth

Both of Christines NGOs take all-female teams on challenging expeditions to remote locations around the world. The purpose of these expeditions is to raise awareness and funds for the organisations charity partners. But where does Christines passion for empowering women stem from?

She shared that when she was growing up, she saw a lot of inequality in the Philippines. However, she also saw that women in the Philippines were very strong and unafraid to push boundaries [...] Interestingly, in the Asia Pacific Region, the Philippines and New Zealand are actually one of the most gender-equal societies in terms of womens representation in leadership roles. So, I had a lot of examples of women leaders while I was growing up. The Philippines has also had two women presidents, and Cory Aquino, our first female president, was one of my heroes.

Christine believes it is her duty to help women who are less fortunate than her. These past few years especially, Ive learnt about the plight of women around the world, about all the injustice and issues women face surrounding violence and discrimination. Christine also realised that climate change was affecting poor people disproportionately, and women in particular, since 70% of the world's poor are women.

As a result, she became a passionate advocate for people who are in vulnerable positions, such as individuals with disabilities or minority groups who dont have the opportunities that she had growing up. I do believe, with a strong conviction, that it is the right thing to do. Those of us who have a voice, need to speak up for those who do not. We must all build and work towards a more equitable and just world, she said.

The WOAM Team in the Danakil Depression of Ethiopia, 2017  Women on a Mission

Defining diversity, equity & inclusion

Christine pointed out that diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI, are three mutually inclusive principles. She argued that a company should not focus solely on just one or two of these pillars, but instead on all three. Moreover, if a company truly wants to unlock the potential of a diverse workforce, it needs to focus on making sure that equity is achieved as a first step. Because without equity, you cannot have diversity and inclusion.

But what do these three terms really mean?

Christine explained that diversity is the presence of differences within a given setting or group. Its having people of different backgrounds and origins within the same organisation.

In the workplace, this generally refers to psychological, physical, cultural, social, religious and ethnic differences that occur among any and all individuals. A diverse group, community, or organisation is one in which a wide variety of social, cultural, religious, sexual orientations and racial characteristics exist.

When it comes to focusing on equity, its all about removing the barriers that prevent the full participation of some groups.

Christine went on to say that research showns that unconscious bias can influence how we recruit. Employers often rate male applicants as significantly more competent and hireable than the identical female applicant. As a result, they offer higher starting salaries and more career mentoring to male applicants.

The third pillar in DEI is inclusion. Inclusion is an interesting one, says Christine. Because it's really about belonging to a group. First of all, even if you have diversity, it doesn't mean that it translates into inclusion. If you focus on diversity only, that's not enough, because an employee or a person's sense of belonging (inclusion) is also tied to his or her experience of fairness (equity), which is equally important.

So why should companies focus on DEI?

Christine explained that without strong standards of DEI in a company, employers miss out on the full potential of their employees. With strong DEI policies and standards in place, people can come to work with their full personality. That's why Christine reiterated Its not just because it's the right thing to do, but it also greatly improves trust, engagement, and makes people feel accepted. DEI a powerful and important concept that we all need to champion and get behind.

Championing change for good

Christine has been passionate about empowering women for many years. However, it was not until the last few years that she saw a shift in how companies are addressing these issues in the workplace. It started about a decade ago with companies publishing annual diversity reports, she said. This was initiated by some of the big tech firms like Google, Microsoft and Apple. These companies also started publishing a gender pay gap report.

What this did was highlight the inequalities very blatantly. And it also gave us a roadmap in terms of where we wanted to go and what KPIs we needed to set, such as X percentage of women in leadership positions at every level, by a certain date.

Whilst Christine said these reports were important, she also explained that it was not until the more recent #MeToo Movement and the Black Lives Matter Movement, that DEI garnered global attention and raised much-needed awareness around injustice and inequality. It woke up many people and made them advocate for change and a better and more equitable way of doing things, she said. I believe these two movements especially, finally brought these important issues to the forefront in a big way.

However, apart from the duty of making the world a more equal and fairer place, Christine shared that businesses are starting to recognise the financial benefits of DEI. Big consulting firms are coming up with more and more data, making the business case for a diverse workforce, diverse management and diverse boards, impossible to ignore. She continued to say that diversity breeds more creativity and innovation. In fact, companies that are more diverse are between 15% to 30% more profitable than companies that are not.

Change for the better is happening faster every year. This is partly due to more and more millennials entering the workforce. Millennials care deeply about DEI and in fact, I work with a lot of millennials, she said. My second NGO, HER Planet Earth, is mostly made up of millennial partners. They are deeply passionate about protecting the environment and about engaging with companies that have the same values as them. DEI is something millennials champion naturally. And remember that by 2030, 75% of the workforce will be made up of millennials, so this bodes really well for DEI.

Christine talked about the fact that times are changing and that employees and students are demanding more from the companies and institutions they work for. Twenty years ago, people were not asking their companies about diversity and inclusion. Its changing and people are demanding more from their employers, from their schools and from their governments. This growing trend will make people and organisations more accountable and it's going to make DEI much more important.

How companies can genuinely implement DEI

There is no quick fix to implementing DEI. At least if it is done correctly and with sincerity. It is a gradual process of changing a companys culture for the better. However, its not that difficult either. There are some really practical steps that can be taken by organisations to promote DEI, explained Christine.

She shared that the very first thing that needs to happen is to make sure that everyone has equal opportunities and chances for advancement. Without equity, efforts to promote diversity and inclusion are commendable, but not sustainable in the long term. To enact equity is to provide all people with fair opportunities to reach their full potential.

So, what does implementing equity mean? Christine explained that equity means having rules and policies in place that allow people to apply for jobs in a way that doesn't hinder their chances and where unconscious bias does not become an obstacle.

She went on to say that people all over the world enter the workforce with disadvantages and unequal opportunities. So, what is considered fair opportunity for some may not be the same for everyone else. Furthermore, she explained that companies need to include this awareness in their communication, showing a deep understanding of the reality and current trends, while setting clear goals toward greater equity. Only then can we build the foundation of the organisations diversity and inclusion efforts.

Next, companies need to embrace a diverse workforce. They should celebrate diversity, explained Christine. So this means recognising and supporting womens groups, or LGBTQ groups, and other minority groups within the company - and genuinely celebrating those differences.

When it comes to inclusion, Christine spoke about how we can communicate better with each other in the workplace. The most important aspect is to use communication that is inclusive. This is something that all of us can learn to do better, she said. So that's where you can activate workshops and training, to encourage the use of more inclusive language. This will help ensure that everyone feels they are part of the conversation.

Christine explained that one of the best ways to promote inclusion is to use language that is personalised to the audience. Just like a keynote speaker, leaders need to put their audience first and adapt the message to the needs and demographic makeup of their listeners. This takes time and a conscious effort to think about what language, anecdotes, references, or examples, the audience will relate to.

If the audience is made up of investors, theyll want to hear about the initiatives in terms of ROI; if theyre sustainably minded consumers, the speaker needs to address the environmental impact of the initiatives. This requires a high level of self-awareness and an openness to receiving feedback. The good news is that communication is a behaviour and can be learnt and mastered just like a science.

Joshua Gan in conversation with Christine Amour-Levar.  EHL Webinar

Leadership and DEI

To initiate this change within a company will require good leadership. Leadership that does not just have a top-down approach, but one that is empathetic and understanding. Because without leadership, the culture in the workplace will not change. You can have a Chief Diversity Officer but the buy-in has to come from the bottom up as well, not just from management, added Christine.

Her recommendation, and something she has seen happening more and more in the corporate world, are for small communities to be created within a company. She believes that setting up communities within a company is a great way to encourage engagement and foster inclusion. Its an effective way of mixing individuals with similar interests, who may have very different positions or levels of seniority, within the same company, she shared.

Once communities are formed, it is easier for companies to work together with these groups to propose policies that will make DEI the norm. Being part of a community with shared interests within a bigger organisation, allows people to feel they belong and increases levels of satisfaction and fulfilment at work.

Christine also explained that leadership has an important role to play in promoting DEI. Leaders have to listen to their employees with the intent to understand. They need to show they care deeply about what the employee is going through. Empathy and compassion play a crucial part.

Leaders also need to understand how to create environments where everybody feels valued and where they see a pathway for advancement. Companies dont just need to be mindful of who they are placing in positions of power, but how those leaders are fostering supportive workplaces.

Christine believes executives should consider many strategies to empower their employees. This includes rotating the people who lead projects and meetings, investing in structured mentorship programmes, and having clearly defined procedures to address scenarios where bias leads to exclusionary or disempowering behaviour.

DEI in a virtual workplace

The pandemic has made work-from-home the norm, and it is a trend thats likely to continue. But how can companies ensure DEI happens in a virtual workplace? Employers now see inside the home of their employees, she explained, In fact, Covid-19 has blurred the lines between work and home life. Unfortunately, one of the consequences of the pandemic, is a global increase in domestic violence, including intimate partner violence. Despite this new reality, the majority of employers still dont have a plan for dealing with domestic violence and abuse.

Christine believes avoidance of the issue is no longer an excuse for employers in this new world of working. Employers who are focused on their employees welfare should have a policy that addresses the issue of domestic violence. We have to work on the workplace culture around this issue, she said. So, employees will not be afraid or embarrassed to tell HR or their managers about domestic violence concerns at home.

Final thoughts

When we asked Christine what she hopes to see more of on this topic, her answer was clear. Women are playing their part, but she wishes more men did too. One of my big asks is that more men, especially men in leadership positions, champion this cause, she said. You know, we have a lot of women advocating for gender equality and working toward progress in DEI, but there is no doubt that we need more men to step up and voice their support.

Christine would like to see more men push the female empowerment and DEI agenda forward to help break down the barriers that prevent women and other minority groups from feeling truly empowered and safe. Because issues of gender violence such as sexual assault, domestic violence, sexual harassment and the sexual abuse of children, inequality and discrimination are often seen as womens issues when in reality, they are also mens issues, said Christine. She believes that if men remain silent about these topics in our society, it allows injustice to go unchecked and perpetuated in our families, workplaces, university campuses and everywhere else.

That's my big ask to any man out there. Even if you are still a student, you can do something. You can speak out and say, This is not right and it needs to change. In truth, we need more equality in our society, in our culture, and we can all start by becoming advocates today, thank you.

Christine is a French-Swiss-Filipina Social Entrepreneur, Author and Advocate. A passionate champion of female empowerment and environmental conservation, she co-founded Women on a Mission and founded HER Planet Earth, two award-winning NGOs, that support vulnerable women. Christine is also Head of Impact Partnerships at Force for Good, a Social Tech Startup that is disrupting philanthropy and connecting purpose-driven changemakers globally. Find out more here.
Press Release

4 August 2021

Earlier this year, we announced a new, improved browsing and booking experience that gives guests even more flexibility when planning their travel.

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Flexible Dates  Photo: Airbnb, Inc.

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These new features were inspired by a comprehensive analysis of Airbnb booking data and consumer research. With 4 million Hosts across more than 220 countries and regions and more than 900 million guest arrivals, Airbnb is in a unique position to continue evolving to meet the ways travel is changing.
Four years after Hurricane Harvey, Leslie Friedrichs friends have moved on from the epic storm that caused widespread damage, destruction and death. The homes of the luckiest ones escaped flood. The not-so-lucky ones made repairs and resumed their lives.

But Friedrich thinks about Harvey every day. Stains on the wooden legs beneath her dining table mark how high the water rose in her home. Piles of paper on top of the table are reminders of the debt she accumulated trying to return her home to its previous state  and of her long fight with the Harvey Homeowner Assistance Reimbursement Program, meant for those who spent their own money on repairs.

Friedrich, who was evacuated from home by boat as Harvey dumped more than four feet of rain on the region, is one of nearly 700 Houston homeowners still waiting to receive aid from the $12.7 million in emergency fund to reimburse homeowners for repairs not covered by their insurance or help them mend or rebuild their homes. So far, only 146 homeowners have been reimbursed a total of $2.8 million through the program.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Houston homeowners say state is coercing them to rebuild smaller homes with Harvey funds

Marie D. De Jesus, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

After the flood waters receded, Friedrich, now 66, tapped her retirement fund and put $32,000 on credit cards to cover what her insurance did not. Then she applied for the program, expecting it would take months, not years, for her application to be processed and her expenses reimbursed.

The long wait has meant years of accumulating credit card debt and challenges to her health. The stress has raised her blood sugar levels.

When the car she borrowed (she lost her own to Harvey) was in a collision, she could not afford repairs. Now she avoids highways, out of fear that her damaged doors might fly open and cause an accident.

This is all snowball Harvey stuff, she said. Its worse to go through all this  than the disaster.

The Houston Housing and Community Development Department, which administers the program, said the lengthy turnaround time was regrettable, but necessary to ensure the money was spent responsibly.

HCDD understands that approval on reimbursements takes time, more time than we would like, and residents would like, a department spokesperson said in an email. Our team is working hard to make the process as quick as possible for residents, but to be honest, there are many steps to go through.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Houston and Harris County asked for $1.3B in flood aid. The GLOs offer: $0

Marie D. De Jesus, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

The Harvey Homeowner Assistance Program includes two tracks: one that reimburses homeowners like Friedrich who paid for repairs out of pocket, another pays contractors directly to repair or rebuild Harvey-damaged homes. While the city and the Texas General Land Office have sparred over who will oversee the portion of the program repairing or rebuilding Harvey-damaged homes, Houston is still in charge of the reimbursement program.

The General Land Office, which oversaw the homeowner reimbursement program for those living outside of Houston, approved its final payments in January, awarding $86 million to 2,963 families out of the 14,964 that applied.

Houstonians seeking reimbursement must provide many documents, including receipts for repairs and documentation of what was covered by insurance, to the program, which the city reviews to make sure that the cost of repairs were reasonable. It then sends out an inspector to make sure the work is in place.

On a recent Wednesday, Friedrich approached a milestone in her years-long recovery from Hurricane Harvey. That morning, she prepared to go into the HCDD office to sign paperwork agreeing to receive $8,800 through the program. The sum was nowhere near what she had hoped for  HCDD determined that only $17,666.95 of her out-of-pocket expenses were eligible for the program.

Marie D. De Jesus, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

The program considers income in disbursing the money. Since Friedrich earned more than 80 percent of the areas median income, she was awarded her half of her eligible expenses, leaving her well short of the money she spent on repairs.

Before she left her home, she received a call from HCDD about the signing process and asked how long it would take after she signed the agreement before she received the funds.

The woman one the other line explained that she couldnt provide an estimate, since the form would need further processing after it was signed.

It will take a month or a little more, she said. But I cant give you a date.

rebecca.schuetz@chron.com;

twitter.com/raschuetz
Texans are not stupid, but our statewide elected leaders are cynical, which is why we will pay a high price for their pandering to anti-vaxxers.

Texas infection rates have doubled in recent weeks, and hospitals are filling up with people either too irresponsible or too foolish to get vaccinated. The Delta variant is so transmissible that the vaccinated get mildly infected, though still at very low rates.

In Harris County, the positivity rate is 14.1 percent. The number of COVID patients on ventilators in Bexar County has doubled in the last two weeks. Every trend line is worrisome.

TOMLINSONS TAKE: After COVID, workers want better conditions to return to work

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that people living in places like Texas, where the disease is spreading again at lightning speed, should wear masks indoors, even the vaccinated.

San Antonio officials asked the state for help hiring 550 additional nurses to deal with the onslaught of COVID patients. Almost two-thirds of Texans support vaccine mandates to slow the pandemic, according to researchers at Northeastern, Harvard, Rutgers and Northwestern universities.

Yet U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and Gov. Greg Abbott will have none of it. No mask mandates, no push to vaccinate and no money to cities and counties struggling to cope with anti-vaxxers foolish decisions.

The government has no business forcing you to take this vaccine, Cruz said in a video he tweeted on Monday. Vaccines work  Ive been vaccinated, my familys been vaccinated. But thats a personal choice.

A personal choice to kill or be killed with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, consequences be damned.

A little over a month ago, I wrote a column declaring it was time to unmask and let the chips fall. But I also proposed requiring vaccine refusers to take responsibility for their decision. Society should stop coddling them and burdening the vaccinated, at least until a vaccine-defeating variant emerges.

Unfortunately, Delta is a dangerous variant arriving as vaccine effectiveness wanes. Israel has launched a booster program after discovering that people over 60 were at high risk of contracting Delta five months after their vaccination.

Cruz and Abbott like to brag about their ties to Israel. Compare Prime Minister Naftali Bennetts message to theirs.

Those who refuse vaccines are endangering their health, those around them, and the freedom of every Israeli citizen, Bennett said in an address to the nation. They are endangering our freedom to work, the freedom of our children to learn, and the freedom to hold celebrations with the family.

Conservatives like Cruz and Abbott, though, are coddling the anti-vaxxers and faux patriots who are spreading the disease out of a perverse argument that they are standing up for liberty.

You understand people feeling that they have the individual right to make their own decision, and I respect that, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the United States top infectious disease expert, said on CBS Face the Nation. But the issue is, if youre going to be part of the transmission chain to someone else, its not only impacting you. And youve got to think about it.

Asking people to think is a start but cannot be our only action. Studies show you cannot argue with hardcore anti-vaxxers and while another lockdown is unthinkable, we can restrict their movements rather than ours. Otherwise, Fauci warns, Things are going to get worse. Both for public health and the economy.

Deltas spread has led financial data firm IHS Markit to revise global economic growth expectations down to 5.8 percent in 2021 from 6 percent. The U.S. economy will likely grow at 6.6 percent in 2021, rather than the 7.4 percent growth predicted in June.

We thought vaccines would put humans back in charge of the economy, but that only works if enough of us use them. Low vaccination rates allow the virus to remain in control, with sick workers and discouraged consumers slowing things down.

TOMLINSONS TAKE: Medical bills keep going up, but our health doesn't get any better

In 2021 and 2022, economic growth will be linked to COVID-19 vaccination progress, said Sara Johnson, executive director for global economics at IHS Markit. Countries with low vaccination rates face increased risks from the Delta variant of the virus, adding to the urgency of stepping up international vaccination campaigns. In countries that can safely reopen, the resilience of spending on services will deliver robust economic growth.

Unvaccinated and incautious people are indisputably damaging our nations public health and economy. Yet Abbott is socializing the burden of their irresponsibility across the entire population because he does not want to anger anti-vaxxers who are core GOP voters.

Conservatives claim to defend individual liberty, but what about the freedoms of responsible people to go out or do business without having to worry about COVID-19? They should be placing the burden on the anti-vaxxers, not the rest of us.

Tomlinson writes commentary about business, economics and politics.

twitter.com/cltomlinson

chris.tomlinson@chron.com
First came the production discipline, and now heres the cash.

Devon Energy Corp. became the latest shale driller trying to lure back investors to the sector by directly passing on the windfall of this years oil rally. Devon announced a 44% hike in its payout late Tuesday that will deliver more than $330 million to holders this quarter. The stock jumped almost 2% in after-hours trading.

That followed similar moves by Pioneer Natural Resources Co., Diamondback Energy Inc. and Continental Resources Inc. as shale explorers begin to mimic Big Oils fat cash returns at a time when the S&P 500s dividend yield is near a two-decade low.

Pioneers shares surged almost 8% for the best one-day performance since early December. The Permian Basins biggest oil driller is to accelerating a special dividend by six months and ultimately plans to disburse 75% of quarterly free cash flow to investors. In effect, shareholders now are set to receive eight checks a year instead of four.

RELATED: Big Oil is back with larger profits, less swagger

This strategy better aligns Pioneer shares to the oil macro and should appeal more to investors, Scott Hanold, an analyst at RBC Capital Markets LLC, wrote in a note to clients. This should provide a competitive investment proposition within energy and to other sectors.

Benchmark U.S. oil futures have advanced 45% this year and at that pace are on track for the biggest annual increase since 2016. In returning so much cash to shareholders, shale drillers are showing they will pass on gains from higher crude prices rather than use them to increase production.

The focus on returns also represents a step-change from the grow-at-all-costs mentality that characterized the industry until back-to-back crude busts and Covid-19 forced explorers to rein in growth.

Capital discipline

Continental, the oil producer controlled by billionaire Harold Hamm, resumed share buybacks with a $1 billion program more than a year after suspending them. The Oklahoma City-based producer increased dividends by 36% late last week. Meanwhile, Permian explorer Diamondback raised its annual payout by 12.5% and reduced capital spending. Magnolia Oil & Gas Corp. announced its first-ever dividend.

Oil supply is still purposefully being withheld from the market by OPEC and its allies, Diamondback CEO Travis Stice said on a conference call with analysts. There is not a call on U.S. shale production growth. We will continue, therefore to target flat oil production for the foreseeable future.

Like Pioneer, Continental and Diamondback were rewarded with strong share-price gains in New York trading. By contrast, ConocoPhillips came under pressure from some analysts for not doing enough to enhance shareholder returns.

The largest U.S. independent oil driller posted better-than-expected earnings and is sitting on $9 billion of cash and near-cash equivalents, but opted in June to buy back shares instead of substantially increasing the dividend.

Conoco CEO Ryan Lance said the company is a leader in shareholder returns, having promised to return 30% of cash flow, or $6 billion for the year, to investors just weeks ago. Other companies are only announcing or just reactivating such programs, he said on Tuesday.

Eagle Ford

Higher gas prices also are benefiting the sector, which has typically regarded the fuel as a costly byproduct of oil. Many producers favored flaring gas rather than spending money on pipelines to take it to market. But high prices have now turned it into a more valuable commodity.

Magnolia said it was directing more spending toward drilling and completing some gassier wells in the Eagle Ford region of South Texas.
The number of companies issuing vaccine requirements for employees and postponing return-to-office plans continues to grow as COVID cases and hospitalizations surge across the country and state in a fourth wave that some experts have said could be the worst yet.

On HoustonChronicle.com: NYC will require vaccination proof for indoor dining, gyms

Here are the latest companies to issue vaccine requirements for employees:

Disney is requiring all of its salaried and non-union hourly employees to be fully vaccinated and is allowing employees who aren't already vaccinated 60 days to get the shot, the Associated Press reported.

Walmart is requiring headquarters employees to be vaccinated by Oct. 4 and is heavily pushing for other employees to get vaccinated through bonuses and offering onsite shots.

All federal employees and contractors must be vaccinated or face weekly COVID testing and mandatory masking, President Joe Biden announced. The federal government employs roughly four million people.

Google will eventually require its workers to be vaccinated once it fully reopens its campuses, which it has postponed doing until mid-October.

Twitter is requiring proof of vaccination for office reentry but is still allowing workers to continue to work from home, according to Reuters. It has also postponed future office reopenings.

Facebook will make vaccines mandatory for all employees who work in offices.

Microsoft will require vaccination proof for all employees, vendors and visitors to its U.S. offices starting in September, the AP reported. It has also postponed its return to office plan to at least Oct. 4.

Netflix will require all cast and crew in its U.S. productions to be vaccinated, and then will expand that requirement globally to include all of its 144,000 employees, according to the BBC.

Morgan Stanley is requiring its employees to get the shot and said those who do not will be barred from returning to its New York City and Westchester County offices and will continue working remotely.

Saks has required that its workers get vaccinated before returning to work in person.

Delta Air Lines has required that all its new hires in the U.S. must now be vaccinated but is not putting in a company-wide mandate for already existing employees. Sixty percent of its workforce was vaccinated as of May, according to the airline.

United Airlines has required all new employees as of June 15 to be vaccinated, following Delta.

Equinox Group will require members, riders, and employees to be vaccinated before entering its fitness studios, which include Equinox clubs, SoulCycle, as well as corporate offices. The mandate starts in September in New York locations. The company said it plans to expand that policy to other markets.

Tyson Foods will require all of its U.S. employees, more than 100,000 to get vaccinated, the AP reported. Leadership roles must be vaccinated by Sept. 24, office workers by Oct. 1, and front-line workers by Nov. 1.

Houston-area hospital systems requiring employees to get vaccinated include Houston Methodist, Baylor College of Medicine and Memorial Hermann.
No, delta plus is not a new airfare deal, streaming service or credit card rewards package.

Instead, it's the latest COVID variant to emerge in the pandemic. The variant, also known as B. 1.617.2.1 or AY.1, was confirmed in two cases by South Korea's Disease Control and Prevention Agency on Tuesday, the Washington Post reported. Since first being identified in Europe in March, it has also been found in the United Kingdom, the United States and India.

It's believed delta plus could be even more transmissible than the original delta variant, which has made its presence known here in Houston and Texas, leading to breakthrough infections in vaccinated residents as well as a potentially devastating fourth wave.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Houston Methodist Hospital records first lambda variant as COVID cases double since July 1

Tuesday's announcement led to a massive response on social media, causing the term "delta plus" to trend on Twitter in a mix of warnings from health officials and media outlets and lighthearted memes.

While the South Korea announcement spurred a flurry of online responses, the delta plus variant has already been detected here in Houston as early as mid-July, according to media reports.

The news triggered delta plus-inspired memes to explode online, offering what some viewed as needed comedic relief after nearly two years in pandemic times.

There is still little known about the new variant, but some health officials say there is not enough evidence to say the strain will take over the original or that vaccines will be ineffective against it.

"All viruses want to do is reproduce themselves," Richard Novak, Head of the Division of Infectious Diseases at University of Illinois Health told the Washington Post. "The ones that do become the dominant virus. We're going to see other variants."
Jon Shapley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

In previous COVID-19 surges, Texas Childrens Hospital has taken pressure off other Houston-area hospitals by accepting non-COVID adults. But thats not possible now, as a rise in pediatric hospitalizations could make this fourth surge worse.

Texas Childrens interim pediatrician-in-chief Jim Versalovic says the hospital now faces two challenges in 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.
Bellaire continues to explore ways to restrict or ban homeowners from renting out their property on a short-term basis.

However, the city did not come to an agreement on how they would do it during Monday's city council meeting.

At least two council members expressed their belief that short-term rentals subtract from Bellaire being a city of homes, and argued residents shouldnt have to live next to a hotel. Meanwhile other council members said the ordinance infringe on property rights and could cause legal issues for the city.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Tax free weekend starts this weekend. Heres what you need to know.

The proposed ordinance claims that, short term rentals pose certain adverse externalities on neighbors not generally created by long term rentals due to the nature of temporary, transient guests, and that, absentee owners lack the same level of commitment to the neighborhood and the community as resident owners.

After public comments and deliberations on Aug. 2, the council voted to table the proposed ordinance until they can come up with a compromise that would allow the city to have more power over short-term rentals without restricting a homeowners property rights.

The ordinance was originally proposed at the city's May 17 meeting by council members Jim Hotze and Catherine Lewis after hearing complaints from residents about the tenants of the short-term rentals. Residents have complained about noise, trash, pets, and the general disturbances they bring to Bellaires predominately residential neighborhoods.

The citizens of Bellaire deserve to not have a hotel next to them, said Hotze. They deserve to have neighbors that are invested more than 24 or 48 hours.

Councilmember Neil Virma spoke out against the proposed ordinance, saying it would create legal problems for the city and would not solve all of the noise issues residents have complaints about. Hotze said that if the city is sued because of the ordinance, the council at the time should be the ones to decide how to respond, instead of the current council making that decision for them.

Its not 'lets go ahead and ban it and then next week when we get sued, we pull the ban two weeks from now.' Thats not creative leadership, said Virma at the Aug. 2 meeting.

Resident Jamie Perkins, who also spoke at the citys May meeting , spoke again on Monday night in support of the ordinance. Perkins claimed the ordinance is about the appropriateness of the location of the short-term rentals.

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The city of Bellaire, lets face it, its not a tourist destination, said Perkins, who argued that if somebody wants to rent a home in or near Houston on a short-term basis there are better places to do it. This isnt an attack on Airbnb or VRBO, this is simply not allowing it in our small, tiny, very close-knit city, said Perkins.

Resident Felix Rhymes argued the problems with noise and neighborhood disturbances go beyond short-term rentals as he has lived next to long-term rentals for years and has similar problems. He noted that banning or restricting short-term rentals does not solve any problems.

Were not at risk of becoming a city of hotels, but we are at risk of limiting property rights. One of the basic rights of Texans, said Rhymes.

Mayor Andrew Friedberg suggested that if the city had any empirical data that the city could use to justify the ordinance, they may become closer to finding a solution.

The council tabled the discussion without defining what the city considers the length of a short-term rental to be or how they would enforce the ordinance. All council members agreed, however, residential complaints about short-term rentals should be dealt with, and hope to tackle the problem in future meetings.

ryan.nickerson@hcnonline.com
(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.
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.
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).
Thanks to Gov. Greg Abbotts executive orders, theres a hard limit to how much local leaders can do in the face of the ongoing fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The governor has made no secret of his desire to put the pandemic in the rearview mirror, even as the delta variant has plunged Texas into a fourth wave.

He last week issued a new executive order declaring, among other things, that no city, county or school district can issue a mask mandate  even in jurisdictions where COVID-19 cases account for 15 percent of hospitalizations over the course of seven straight days.

Now, local leaders are questioning the legality of Abbotts most recent order as well as its wisdom. In issuing this order, as well as previous ones, the governor has cited his powers under the Texas Disaster Act of 1975. Since those powers are not spelled out are they limitless, as his actions might imply?

Mayor Sylvester Turner, for one, thinks not. Turner on Monday announced that city employees must mask up starting Wednesday while theyre at work and unable to socially distance.

People are trying to figure out a way to stay healthy and to stay safe, said Mary Benton, Turners communications director, noting that city employees are not immune to the highly transmissible delta variant  which can be spread, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, even by people who are fully vaccinated.

And also, Benton added, its about the continuity of government  if city employees are sidelined due to illness, that has adverse effects on, for example, constituent services.

Beyond that, Abbotts order exceeds his limited authority under the Texas Disaster Act in a variety of ways, argues Arturo Michel, Houston City Attorney.

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.

He added: 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.

Several other local leaders have taken a similar view in recent days, moving to reinstate mask mandates in the areas that fall under their purview  the courts, specifically.

On Friday, Judge Maricela Moore of the 162nd Judicial District Court of Dallas County ordered that starting Monday, masks be worn in common areas of that countys courthouses. In her order, she cited an emergency order from the Texas Supreme Court that confirms the judiciarys authority to take reasonable actions to avoid exposing court proceedings and participants to the threat of COVID-19  as well as a 2020 opinion from Texas Attorney Gen. Ken Paxton, which acknowledged the broad discretion the judiciary has over its own courtrooms.

On Tuesday, Williamson County officials followed suit, announcing that masks and social distancing will be required in the countys Justice Center. The county, just north of Austin, last month entered the red COVID-19 risk level.

We are aware of the Governors recent order regarding mask mandates and Governor Abbotts executive orders have been considered in making these very important decisions, said Ronald Morgan Jr., director of district court administration for the county, in a statement. The courts are unique in that the judicial system is a separate branch of government.

Some Republicans take a different view of things: on Monday morning, Dallas County Commissioner J.J. Koch was escorted from a county commissioners court after declining to put on his mask, as requested by Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins, a Democrat.

Abbott is unlikely to welcome these challenges to his orders, as narrow as they are. But so far, at least, hes declined to weigh in on Turners mask order, or the two pertaining to courthouses. That suggests he may recognize many Texans support such moves, and will be inclined to side with their local officials in the event of escalating conflict.

The governors executive orders on COVID-19 are seemingly designed to appeal to Republican primary voters, many of whom were outraged last year when he issued a statewide mask mandate, and not placated when he lifted it in March. But theres ample evidence that mainstream voters think local leaders should have the capacity to make decisions for the health of their communities, at least in light of rising case numbers and hospitalization rates.

The fact that we are in the midst of the fourth wave of COVID-19, after all, can no longer be denied. Last week, Texas surpassed New York  once the epicenter of the horrid pandemic  in terms of COVID-19 fatalities, with 53,275 deaths due to the disease to date. Nearly 7,000 Texans are now hospitalized with COVID, including more than 2,400 in the Houston region.

In light of these facts, the governors determination to tie the hands of local leaders such as Turner is deeply misguided  and its heartening to see the mayor start to question Abbotts self-declared authority.

erica.grieder@chron.com
Chronicle file

J.A. Boyd, an assistant fire chief with the Houston Fire Department, was killed on this day in 1923 when the vehicle he was riding in crashed into a telephone pole at Hamilton and Congress. The vehicle was trying to avoid a collision with another auto.

In other news, a spate of masked floggings -- likely attributed to the Ku Klux Klan -- in Goose Creek appears to have abated, according to a grand jury report.
Mark Herman, Constable Precinct 4

Authorities are searching for a woman accused of abducting and terrorizing a teen in June in an Humble subdivision after possibly mistaking him for the suspect in a drive-by shooting.

Zonia Hutto, 37, was charged last Thursday with aggravated kidnapping in Harris County, according to court records. Mark Herman, Harris County Constable Precinct 4, announced Tuesday that his office is seeking help from the public to find the fugitive.
A second person accused in the death of man found doused with a gasoline and burned has been apprehended in Colorado, according to authorities.

Law enforcement officials tracked Manuel Mendoza-Perales, 34, to Brighton, about 20 miles northeast of Denver. He was apprehended Monday and jailed in the Adams County jail, where he is pending extradition back to Texas, records show.

Police said they believe Mendoza-Perales had a role in the death of 49-year-old Jesus Salgado, who died in June after being beaten and set on fire. Another suspect, Jose Ivan Mendoza-Hernandez, was charged last week with murder in Salgado's death. The three men had been drinking beer the night of June 6, prior to the incident, court records show.

Mendoza-Perales is alleged to have driven the truck that ferried Salgado from his trailer park home to the 1900 block of Dorsett, in the Port of Houston neighborhood. The two men, around midnight, dragged Salgado onto a grassy hill. Mendoza-Perales covered him with gasoline and set him on fire, authorities said.

A bystander found Salgado ablaze, extinguished the flames and called 911. He died about a week later with burns to about 80 percent of his body.

Mendoza-Hernandez told authorities that Mendoza-Perales was upset at Salgado for pulling a gun on him during an earlier occasion. The two men live at the same trailer park in the 14000 block of FM 529, court records show. While drinking together, Salgado was believed to have slapped Mendoza-Hernandez in the face.

Police in Houston attributed Mendoza-Perales' arrest to the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force and the U.S. Marshal's Office.

At the time of Salgado's death, Mendoza-Perales was wanted for a probation violation related to a misdemeanor DWI conviction.

nicole.hensley@chron.com
OnSceneTV

A woman was killed and others were injured Tuesday night in southeast Houston in a suspected drunken-driving head-on collision, police said.

The driver of a sedan was traveling eastbound in the 9400 block of Winkler Drive when around 11:30 p.m. he veered into oncoming traffic and struck a black pickup truck, said Sgt. J. Uribe of the Houston Police Department.
The patients who use Sara Rozins medical concierge company are not Houstonians, but she treats them like family and friends all the same.

Rozin, who runs Houston Health Concierge, has seen thousands of out-of-state and international travelers in nine years. Some come to the Texas Medical Center to seek a second opinion; others believe the specialists employed in one of Houstons biggest industries will provide better care than they can find in their home countries.

Houstons Texas Medical Center draws more than 24,000 international travelers seeking medical care each year, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced many to stay home, fearful of contracting the virus abroad when they were already immunocompromised, and walled off by federal travel restrictions. Medical experts worry about the patients whose health is only worsening as they wait to return to Texas hospitals and clinics.

Its hard to build the trust, the silk road. But its very easy to destroy, Rozin said.

Prior to the pandemic, medical travelers brought upwards of $1 billion in revenue to the city, according to the Center for Medical Tourism Research at the University of Incarnate Word.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Houston pediatrician warns parents to take COVID 'very seriously'

Outpatient procedures such as gastric sleeve surgery, along with physical rehabilitation services, are the most popular treatments sought out at the Texas Medical Center. Many patients also visit for cancer and pediatric care.

With Texas Medical Center institutions limiting elective procedures and family visits during COVID-19, the sudden absence of international patients forced Houston to lose at least $294 million in 2020 as international patients stayed home, according to the Center for Medical Tourism Research.

We know it's at least hundreds of millions of dollars, but potentially, it could be billions of dollars that were lost in Houston during the pandemic, said David Vequist, director of the Center for Medical Tourism Research.

The lucky ones

Families who have visited for critical care during the pandemic must weigh the dangers of traveling as COVID-19 cases abound.

Cases surged after the winter holidays, but that wasnt the biggest concern for Daniel Mariscal Romero and Mariana Ocejo. The parents of four had just discovered a large, hard bump on the stomach of their only daughter, 7-year-old Fernanda. Doctors told them it was a mass in her left kidney. Her diagnosis: Wilms tumor, a childhood cancer in the kidneys.

We wanted the best (hospitals), said Mariscal Romero, who lives in Mexico City. Here in Texas, they met all the requirements with the kids: the experience; the surgeons; the child support.

There was no doubt in Mariscal Romero and Ocejos minds that they would seek treatment in the U.S. Houston is a two-hour flight from Mexico City. They have family in The Woodlands and had visited in the past. So in January, they packed up all four kids and their dog, Coco, and moved to Texas for Fernandas surgery and chemotherapy.

COVID has been hard on Mexico; at its peak in January, 22,000 cases were reported in one day. So even as Texas reported alarming highs  nearly 28,000 new cases at its peak in January  they felt it was safer to homeschool their kids in the U.S., see doctors and nurses who already had access to COVID-19 vaccines and limit their suddenly immunocompromised childs exposure to a virus that could seriously sicken her.

Patient care specialists have been diligent about preventing COVID-19 cases from transmitting to others in the hospital. Early in the pandemic, several Texas Medical Center institutions clamped down on visitor policies. MD Anderson Cancer Center, the strictest of the hospitals, barred visitors entirely unless they were the adult caregiver of a patient. Texas Childrens Hospital limited their visitor policy to just one parent in the room.

Joann Lee, who oversees Texas Childrens Hospitals international destination patient services, said her division primarily attracts patients who are seeking care that is unavailable or lackluster in their home countries.

Even in the pandemic, there was more of a case to be made that some of those very high acuity cases still did need to come, Lee said.

Fernanda was one of those patients. In Mexico City, there was no guarantee there would be enough medication to treat her illness, Ocejo said. If she needed a blood transfusion, there was an expectation they would find a donor to replace the blood she used.

We're so thankful and lucky to be here within this horrible situation, where were not having to worry where our kid is going to get her medicine, her mother said.

Making do in the meantime

Not every patient is as lucky as Fernanda. It was nearly impossible for Rozin, the health concierge, to bring any of her patients to Houston. One of her clients was an 11-year-old boy sick with leukemia, died in 2020 before he could travel to the U.S. for treatment.

Rozin, a Soviet refugee who spent time in Israel before moving to the U.S., saw her own children and grandchildren in him. Her breath still hitches when she remembers how his hometown raised more than $100,000 to send him to Houston for treatment.

The world lost the boy, Rozin said. We were devastated.

At Dans House of Hope, a Houston non-profit that houses young adults and their caregivers as they seek cancer care at the Texas Medical Center, only one family has been allowed to stay in the home at a time.

Dawn and Roger Kenneavy, the couple who co-founded the organization, try to provide financial aid for a few nights of housing or point patients to potential stays if they cant house them when they need help.

Not only do they have a cancer diagnosis, theyre immunocompromised and could get the delta variant, and now they have the additional burden of trying to find someplace to stay, Dawn Kenneavy said.

COVID-19 has also caused patients with less urgent medical issues to delay care, partially because many have lost health insurance due to layoffs. Others postponed appointments due to a fear of medical settings.

An estimated 41 percent of people in the U.S. put off seeking preventive care last year, worried about COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What this has done is created a lot of pent-up demand, Vequist said. It's bad for public health, it's bad for people's health.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Johnson & Johnson vaccine recipients consider COVID-19 booster shots as delta variant spreads

Patient care specialists worry those patients will become sicker, resulting in costlier treatments or death from what begins as preventable illnesses.

Businesses saving grace

People travel from countries such as Canada, Mexico, Russia, the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam for care in Houston. The average visitor spends about $3,400 on food, hotel stays and other incidentals when coming for care, Vequist said.

In the interim, businesses have also had to find new ways to stay afloat.

Houston Health Concierge pivoted to online second opinion consultations during COVID-19. It was not a profitable service, Rozin said, but it pays the bills.

For hospitals, which make much of their revenue off elective procedures and run a hefty part of their businesses based off international visitors, the earliest months of the pandemic were the hardest. But in recent months, visitors like Fernandas family have trickled back.

Patients are usually backed by international insurance or embassies, sustaining a consistent cash flow. Those numbers will soon return to normal as vaccines become available in other countries.

The arrival of the delta variant in the U.S. impeded plans for some to expand again. The Kenneavys wanted to invite multiple families to stay at Dans House of Hope again, but decided against it due to the resurgence of the virus. But theyre hopeful this time the surge wont last as long so patients can return.

I expect it to come back with a roar, Vequist said.

gwendolyn.wu@chron.com

twitter.com/gwendolynawu
After the city of Houston and two counties announced this week that they would reinstate mask mandates in defiance of Gov. Greg Abbotts executive order banning such directives, area school districts showed no indication they would follow suit.

At least 17 districts on Tuesday told the Houston Chronicle they would not challenge the governors order by instituting mask mandates in spite of a surge of COVID-19 cases that is filling area hospitals and has parents worried about whether to send their kids to school later this month. Many said they would encourage but not require the use of masks.

Abbotts most recent executive order, issued July 29, prohibits any government entity, including school districts, from mandating masks, meaning that students, staff and visitors may not be required to wear masks at public schools in the state. Failure to comply with the governors order could result in a fine of up to $1,000.

The Chronicle asked 32 districts in the region if their plans had changed in light of a recent surge of cases of the delta variant of the coronavirus. Seventeen  Aldine, Conroe, Clear Creek, Dickinson, Fort Bend, Channelview, Friendswood, Galveston, Goose Creek, Katy, Pearland, Santa Fe, Klein, Spring Branch, La Porte, Spring and Texas City ISDs  said they will not require masks.

Waller ISD said there were no updates to the districts policy as of Tuesday. Barbers Hill ISD and Lamar CISD said they still were finalizing plans. Humble, Pearland, Sante Fe and La Porte ISDs said masks will be optional. Twelve districts, including the states largest, Houston ISD, did not respond to requests for comment.

The Chronicle surveyed districts in light of Mayor Sylvester Turners announcement Monday that he would reinstate a mask mandate for city employees, telling workers they must wear the face coverings when they are at work and unable to socially distance. Williamson and Dallas counties announced similar mandates for their courts and courthouses. Officials in both counties said Abbott does not have authority over the judicial system; it falls to the judiciary, they said, to protect the health of workers and individuals who appear in their courts.

In defending Turners decision, City Attorney Arturo Michel on Tuesday issued a statement arguing the governor had exceeded his authority by forbidding the requirements of face coverings.

In particular, the governor has no authority to suspend the disaster authority of local governments that the Legislature has expressly given them, Michel said. 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.

The Texas Association of School Boards was not willing to go that far.

They can encourage people to wear masks, spokesman Dax Gonzalez said, adding he had heard of one district planning to offer specific classrooms for students who opt to wear a mask. Legally, districts are not able to  under the mandate by the governor  require that anyone wear a mask, staff or students.

Last week, Texas State Teachers Association President Ovidia Molina released a statement asking Abbott to permit districts to decide mask rules.

If Gov. Abbott really cares about the health and safety of Texas students, educators and their communities, he will give local school officials and health experts the option of requiring masks in their schools, Molina said.

The association is looking into the governors authority to prohibit the mandates, spokesman Clay Robison said Tuesday.

Whether the order is legal or not, the governor has the authority to withdraw it, Robison said. And that is what we are urging him to do in the interest of educator and student safety during a pandemic.

Meanwhile, parents concerns have escalated as children younger than 12 remain unable to get vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in updated guidance last month it recommended all individuals in schools who are unvaccinated to wear masks indoors.

Since there is an executive order in place that prevents us from mandating the use of masks, we are stressing that we highly recommend the use of face masks, Melissa Tortorici, spokeswoman for Texas City ISD, wrote in an email Tuesday.

Parents in the region have launched virtual petitions to urge state and education leaders to reverse the order. Abbott has indicated no change is forthcoming.

In a statement Tuesday, gubernatorial spokeswoman Renae Eze said Abbott has been clear that the time for government mandating of masks is over  now is the time for personal responsibility.

Every Texan has the right to choose whether they will wear a mask, or have their children wear masks, Eze said.

President Joe Biden specifically called out Abbotts order in a speech Tuesday in which he pleaded with Republican governors to please help curtail another rapidly growing wave of coronavirus infections, largely due to the highly contagious delta variant among unvaccinated individuals.

If some governors arent willing to do the right thing to beat this pandemic, then they should allow businesses and universities who want to do the right thing to be able to do it, Biden said. I say to these governors: Please help. If you arent going to help, at least get out of the way of people who are trying to do the right thing. Use your power to save lives.

The Texas Education Agency is set to release its Health Guidance Plan later this week to offer more insight into what measures schools will be allowed to take to prevent the spread of the virus.

As the region braces for a COVID-19 wave that experts predict will be its largest yet, Fort Bend County Judge KP George wrote a letter to Abbott this week, urging him to rescind the executive order.

Numerous parents and teachers have contacted me to express their fears ahead of school opening and it is for them that I write this letter, George said. Human life is my number one priority and I will do everything possible to save even one life, but now my hands are tied by your executive order and I appeal to your better angels in reversing course.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, as well as many doctors and health care professionals, recommend that all staff and students age 2 and up wear masks in schools.

Fort Bend ISD said it strongly encourages those who are not vaccinated to be masked in its schools, spokeswoman Sherry Williams said.

Barbers Hill ISD said it is discussing options regarding mask rules and working with public health officials on a plan ahead of the start of school.

We do not have anything finalized at this point due to the changing situation, said Jami Navarre, director of communications for the district. Once we have a finished product, it will be available on our district website.

Pointing to Abbotts requirement, Kim Hocott, director of communications for Pearland ISD, said the decision on masks no longer belongs to individual Texas schools or school districts.

Most districts that said they would not require masks said they will encourage social distancing and provide sanitizing products for students and staff. Katy ISD said it will review updated guidance from TEA, which may impact its policies.

Such plans have not assuaged the fears of some parents.

Lee Nelson, parent of two children in Katy ISD, said she created a petition for her district to either require kids under 12 who cannot yet get the vaccine to wear masks in school or to offer a virtual option for that age group. The petition had more than 1,000 signatures by Tuesday afternoon.

This is not just a school problem, she said. This affects everyone.

Dylan McGuinness and Lisa Gray contributed to this report.

alejandro.serrano@chron.com

hannah.dellinger@chron.com
The mother of a pregnant woman who was stabbed to death in 2019 has sued Harris County over its misdemeanor bail practices, blaming the system for allowing her daughters husband to be released on a cash-free bond after he allegedly assaulted his wife and killed the family cat.

Nationally-known civil rights attorney Ben Crump on Tuesday filed the federal lawsuit on the behalf of the family of Caitlynne Infinger Guajardo, whose husband allegedly stabbed her in the abdomen 20 times in August 2019. At a news conference Wednesday, Crump said he hopes that the county can determine how to protect victims from foreseeable violence while toggling the rights of poor people who are accused of lower-level crimes.

The litigation itself is more condemnatory, however, of the 2019 misdemeanor bail reform settlement in federal court, which overhauled pre-trial release processes for indigent defendants. In the suit, Crump and his co-counsel Brian Mazzola asked whether that settlement followed court mandates and was ultimately legal.

The Harris County Attorneys Office has not responded to requests for comment.

An attorney with Civil Rights Corps, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit which brought the ODonnell bail reform lawsuit against Harris County, called Crumps case meritless.

Bail reform allowed for prompter releases of misdemeanor defendants under personal recognizance, or cash free, bonds, but the defendant in Infinger Guajardos case faced two misdemeanor charges that removed him from the mandates of the federal settlement, senior attorney Elizabeth Rossi said. That means a magistrate or judge made an individual decision to grant him cash-free bail, she said.

This person's tragic death has nothing to do with bail reform or the ODonnell litigation, Rossi said. All of the data shows that the lawsuit is a huge public safety success and has saved lives and kept families together. This lawsuit is just another effort to peddle false narratives.

Crump said on Wednesday that Infinger Guajardos case exemplifies the problems victims families are facing in Harris County. Her soon-to-be ex-husband Alex Guajardo was already out on personal recognizance bonds for a DWI charge and a failure to stop and give identification charge.

He was later released on a personal recognizance bond for a misdemeanor charge of assault and family violence, over the objections of the Harris County District Attorneys Office. The slain cat was not mentioned in initial court records.

About a day after his release, he stabbed Infinger Guajardo, who was 17 weeks pregnant and also a mother to a 9-month-old, her family said.

Prior to the slaying, Infinger Guajardo had mostly felt safe knowing that her alleged abuser was in jail, said her mother, Melanie Infinger. They thought his release might be prevented because they assumed a high bail amount would be set.

We all knew he was very capable, Infinger said. But, We really had this sense of protection for her.

Crumps news conference coincided with state legislators attempts to discuss the issue in the Texas Capitol, where Republicans are floating a bill to restrict cashless releases for defendants charged with violent offenses. Crump said he didnt know much about the proposed legislation, but at least supports efforts to roll back cashless releases for some violent offenders.

His lawsuit names 10 magistrates and the 16 county criminal court at law judges, who oversee misdemeanor cases.

Suing under the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution as well as the Texas Constitution, the lawyers said Infinger Guajardos death was a direct result of the overhaul of the bail system which not only places the rights of those accused of a crime over the rights of law-abiding citizens, but also amounts to violations of state law.

Under the guise of improving bail for unfairly targeting poor defendants, the reformed system instead releases people on PR bonds and results in an increased crime rate, the attorneys said in the lawsuit. Personal recognizance bonds dont require cash deposits for release besides a fee, and the misdemeanor bail reform settlement created the framework for more automatic releases for misdemeanor defendants who wouldnt be able to afford bail.

Crump on Wednesday hedged that he still supports the rights of indigent defendants.

I am a civil rights attorney to my core, Crump said. There cant be extremes on either side. We have to have a balancing test.

The Houston Chronicle investigated and found 221 people who were charged with murder while out on bond from 2013 to 2020 - encompassing 231 deaths.

The review found that such cases climbed as Harris Countys case backlog rose  reaching more than 95,000 criminal cases in June, compared with 38,000 before Hurricane Harvey in 2017. The length of time between bonding out and a homicide also increased over time, pointing to the startling backlog being at the root of the issue, experts said.

Criminal justice stakeholders largely denied any connection to misdemeanor bail reform. The majority of defendants in the review were released on cash surety bonds, which misdemeanor bail reform sought to move away from, and another majority had previously been charged with nonviolent crimes.

Guajardo is now in Harris County Jail in lieu of posting $500,000 bail, charged with capital murder.

samantha.ketterer@chron.com
Days after a federal moratorium on evictions expired, more than a thousand Houstonians on Tuesday lined up outside a union hall where local officials and nonprofit organizations helped residents apply for rental assistance and emergency funds.

Inside, dozens of volunteers hurried to help people fill out forms for the Harris County Recovery Assistance program, which will give $1,500 to 20,000 randomly selected households to help offset rent, health care, child care and other expenses worsened by the pandemic. The application period ends Aug. 11.

Many also applied for the Houston-Harris County Emergency Rental Assistance Program, a separate effort that pays overdue rent to landlords, allowing tenants to avoid eviction amid a resurging coronavirus pandemic driven by the delta variant.

Shortly after the event in north Houston began on Tuesday afternoon, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention imposed a new eviction moratorium, effective through Oct. 3. The measure would temporarily halt evictions in counties with substantial and high levels of virus transmissions  meaning greater than 50 cases per 100,000 residents and at least an 8 percent COVID-19 test positivity rate over the last seven days.

The moratorium would cover areas where 90 percent of the U.S. population lives, including Harris County, which has seen an unprecedented rise in positivity rates during July.

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.

At Tuesdays event, as volunteer attorneys and residents learned of the new moratorium, they described feeling joy and relief.

Thank you God, thats a blessing, said Maria Cruz, who lives in a Greenspoint apartment with her 11-month-old daughter. Cruz added that after the pandemic began she began struggling to make rent payments.

On July 16, Cruz said her landlord handed her a notice: pay the $1,258 balance and a $300 late fee in five days, or be evicted.

Cruz said her husband, who was her primary provider, died unexpectedly in June. Her waitressing job paid $20 some nights, she said, and cleaning houses on the side didnt make enough to cover rent, utilities, car payments and legal fees.

Its all hitting me, all at once  like boom, boom, boom, she said. Ive been trying not to put a broken lease on my name because it makes it so hard to get a place.

Cruz said without having to worry about eviction, she could focus on finding a better-paying job and navigating the paperwork to incorporate her house cleaning business.

Speaking at the White House on Tuesday, President Joe Biden said he pushed the CDC to again consider its options. But he still seemed hesitant on 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 president added that the moratorium  even if it gets challenged in court  will probably give some additional time for states and cities to release billions of dollars in federal relief to renters.

Sapna Aiyer, a volunteer attorney with Lone Star Legal Aid, said having more time to get relief money into the hands of tenants and landlords to divert evictions was critical.

Everything changed because of the delta variant, said Aiyer. Things are bad again  this is an awful time for families to be put out on the streets.

Aiyer, who learned of the reinstated CDC moratorium at the event, said it was surprising but welcome news.

Any moratorium would be beneficial for our clients, she said. For landlords to be made whole and for tenants to keep their homes  this is amazing.

The new measure and the countys rental assistance program could not stop every Houstonian from losing their homes in the future. Evictions have continued in Harris County despite prior CDC moratoriums, and the countys rental assistance has already disbursed about $157 million of its $195.5 million allotment, said a spokeswoman for Catholic Charities, one of two nonprofits administering the program.

But for residents like Cruz, the moratorium and financial aid was better than facing eviction without help. Whatever they can help me with, Im grateful, she said as she waited to be called.

Associated Press contributed to this report.

charlie.zong@chron.com
Regarding How to talk to your loved ones about getting the COVID-19 vaccine, (Aug. 3): The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is missing a huge opportunity to better and more strongly message the public about the criticality for getting a vaccine. Think Smokey Bear messaging for preventing forest fires. COVID is not unlike a forest fire that needs to be stomped out by vaccines. And the finger pointing to you messages clearly and strongly.

Come on CDC, bombard the networks with Smokey Bear-like ads  and billboards, too.

Jesse Cancelmo, Houston

I wish the broadcast media, when covering vaccine hesitancy, would not show so many needles going into peoples arms. I guarantee you that a large part of the hesitancy is fear of needles. (It doesnt hurt. I barely felt my two shots. And the ladies who administered them at UT Physicians stuck me in a spot where I couldnt watch the needle go in if I tried. I know because I tried.)

Tom Moore, Katy

Regarding Petition from Houston parents asks Abbott to reverse mask ban as delta surges and school year looms, (Aug. 3): The delta variant is increasingly a threat that infects our younger children who are not eligible to receive the COVID vaccine. Even vaccinated teachers and older students are becoming infected by the delta variant. While in-person leaning is important to students educational development, the alternative of online instruction is not available because the state of Texas will not fund it. Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered that Texas school districts cannot enforce a mask rule to protect students and teachers from being infected while attending in-person instruction. Can someone please explain the logic?

Kelly Frels, Houston

Gov. Greg Abbott, show that you actually care about the welfare of children in this state and not just about your political future. For my fellow Texans who have chosen to not get vaccinated yet, look at the data for yourselves. There is overwhelming evidence of the efficacy of the vaccines and their safety. And there is overwhelming evidence of the danger of not getting vaccinated. Please do not put yourself or others at risk of being another COVID infection. Support your community by getting vaccinated.

Kathy Hughes Brooks, Houston

No way should Governor Freeze-A-Butt be able to disregard science and prevent local governmental bodies from enacting public safety requirements like masking and vaccinating. For starters all state employees should be under a mandate to shoot up and mask up.

Bill Philbin, attorney

Immigration

Regarding Biden must stand up for humane treatment of asylum seekers, (Aug. 2): Why is it that the editorial board has never seen an illegal immigrant it doesnt like? Does the board ever put American interests first on issues like this? How many people with phony asylum claims does the board wish to admit into the U.S. per year: 1 million, 5 million or 10 million? And who pays for these peoples housing, health care, education costs?

Our immigration system is not broken; rather, it is not enforced. Case in point: employers who hire illegal immigrants are to be prosecuted under federal law but they are not. Dry up the jobs and you dry up illegal immigration.

Eric Johnson, Houston

Regarding Republicans should recall Reagans belief in immigrants, (Aug. 1): Thank you for publishing this outstanding opinion piece. Except for Native Americans, we are a nation of immigrants, whether by our parents like Artemio Muniz, who wrote the op-ed, or by many generations back like me. For more reading on the importance, the impact and the magnitude of our cultural mix I strongly recommend the book Out of Many, One by former President George W. Bush. This book offers a brief biography of almost 50 immigrants from all over the world who have made America greater. Shortly after I started the book I backed up and started it over, reading one biography a day and really pondering on that one person with his or her unique experience before and after coming to America.

Alan Nicholson, Pasadena

Simone Biles

Regarding Why Simone Biles choosing mental health was a major win for women of color and our daughters, (July 30): Kudos to Joy Sewing for her splendid commentary. However, Biles choice is a win for everybody, not just women of color and their daughters.

Phyllis Kalman Grant, Sugar Land

Balloon ban

Regarding Balloon releases might soon be banned in Galveston, some hope for a statewide law, (July 28): I was delighted to read Galveston is considering banning helium balloons. I cringe every time I see helium balloons being used for birthday or graduation parties. Helium is a nonrenewable resource and is vital for the operation of scientific, medical and industrial equipment. We cannot afford to squander this precious resource and pollute our planet in that process. Ban helium balloons now.

Hareesh Jana, Sugar Land
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden directly called out Gov. Greg Abbotts order banning mask mandates in a speech Tuesday in which he begged Republican governors to please help curtail a rapidly growing fourth wave of COVID infections.

Biden condemned states that have banned public schools and universities from requiring workers and students to wear masks or get vaccinated, saying the most extreme of those measures is like the one in Texas that say state universities or community colleges can be fined if it allows a teacher to ask her un-vaccinated students to wear a mask.

What are we doing? Biden said. COVID 19 is a national challenge and  we have to come together, all of us together, as a country to solve it.

If some governors arent willing to do the right thing to beat this pandemic, then they should allow businesses and universities who want to do the right thing to be able to do it, he said. I say to these governors: Please help. If you arent going to help, at least get out of the way of people who are trying to do the right thing. Use your power to save lives.

RELATED: Over 65% of Texans support vaccine mandates, poll says

The presidents remarks came as the state reported 11,774 new COVID infections on Tuesday, up from last weeks average of 8,851.

Also Tuesday, Texas reported 7,305 lab-confirmed COVID patients who are hospitalized, up from 5,292 last Wednesday. The Centers for Disease Control says that more than 97 percent of those hospitalized for COVID nationwide are unvaccinated.

Biden has also noted that just two states  Texas and Florida  account for a third of all new COVID cases.

Abbott on Tuesday signaled he would change nothing about his mask policy as he continued to hammer Biden over the border, tweeting: While the Biden administration is contemplating more draconian controls on U.S. citizens, they are allowing illegal migrants with COVID to freely enter America.

The governor last week issued an executive order 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.

TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

Gov. Abbott has been clear that we must rely on personal responsibility, not government mandates, said Abbotts press secretary, Renae Eze. Every Texan has a right to choose for themselves and their children whether they will wear masks, open their businesses, or get vaccinated.

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.

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.

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.

In his speech Tuesday, he vowed to have the backs of businesses that require employees to get vaccinated.

ben.wermund@chron.com
State troopers will no longer be able to pull over drivers who they suspect of transporting migrants into Texas  as a recent executive order by Gov. Greg Abbott prescribed  after a federal judge Tuesday temporarily blocked it.

In a win for the Biden administration, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Cardone said the Republican governors order caused irreparable injury to the U.S. and the immigrants in its custody, and that she may extend the hold until the case is resolved. Abbotts order had stopped contractors hired by the federal government, nonprofits and volunteers from helping transport migrants to shelters and other drop-off points where they can stay temporarily, as they await court proceedings..

Hopefully it will get people to transport migrants again, said Felicia Rangel-Samponaro, co-director of the Sidewalk School, a nonprofit that helps transport asylum seekers, of the judges order. Rangel-Samponaro said drivers have been hesitant to take jobs since Abbotts order.

Its putting a strain on all of the (non-governmental organizations) and the cities that theyre crossing into  McAllen, Brownsville, she said. Its putting a strain on our resources.

Abbotts lawyers had argued that he had the authority to issue the order because of the risk the migrants would spread COVID-19 to Texans.

But Cardone, who was appointed by President George W. Bush, ruled that conducting the stops jeopardizes the safety of federal employees and those in their custody.

TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

We look forward to providing the court with the evidence to support the governors executive order to protect Texans, Abbott said Tuesday night. The Biden administration has knowinglyand willfullyreleased COVID-19 positive migrants into Texas communities, risking the potential exposure and infection of Texas residents.

The U.S. Justice Department had sued Texas on Friday, arguing that the governor was obstructing their arrangements for the immigrants and interfering with the administration of federal immigration law.

Attorney General Merrick Garland called it both dangerous and unlawful.

Abbott and state lawyers have said the order was within his purview because of the public health risk posed by migrants who could spread COVID-19.

In granting the preliminary restraining order, Cardone said she needed a fuller presentation of the facts and law before deciding on whether to continue blocking the traffic stops Abbott ordered beyond Aug. 13.

Rangel-Samponaro said it is a misconception that people crossing at the border are all criminals. She said the majority are asylum seekers who go through rigorous testing on both sides of the border for COVID-19.

Abbott knows that, she said. Officials have toured the facility. This isnt a secret to him.

Ive been reading a lot of awful things that people have been saying about illegal migrants and all this other stuff and its like thats not even whats happening down here. Youre talking about a fraction of the population, she said. Most asylum seekers down here, they are doing it the legal way. Thats why theyre living inside an encampment.

taylor.goldenstein@chron.com
WASHINGTON  The Senate Homeland Security Committee on Wednesday advanced the nominations of two Texans tapped by President Joe Biden to lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Census Bureau.

While San Antonio native Rob Santos, Bidens nominee to lead the Census, advanced easily on a 10-3 vote, Republicans on the committee unanimously opposed Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalezs nomination to lead ICE  a sign Democrats may need to bring in Vice President Kamala Harris to break a tie in the Senate and get him confirmed.

Republicans said Gonzalezs past criticism of the agency and moves to end a partnership with it as sheriff were deeply concerning.

BACKGROUND: A more 'humane' ICE? Biden looks to Harris County Sheriff Gonzalez for reform

On numerous occasions during his time as sheriff, he criticized ICE and stated that he only worked with them because he was compelled to do so under a Texas law  a law that he openly and vocally opposed while it was being debated in the Texas Legislature, said U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, the top Republican on the committee.

The law enforcement agents of ICE need strong leadership now more than ever given whats happening on the border and whats happening in the interior, Portman said. The leader of ICE needs to believe in the importance of the agencys mission. And for purposes of morale, I think its very important that the leader be one who supports ICE strongly.

During his confirmation hearing last month, Gonzalez said that if confirmed, he would not end the controversial ICE program in which local law enforcement agencies screen jailed suspects to identify those who are in the country illegally. He said he believes in the agencys mission and would be aggressive in going after people who pose a threat to public safety.

It wasnt enough to sway any Republicans as the committee voted 7-6 to advance his nomination.

Sheriff Gonzalez is a proven leader and dedicated law enforcement professional, said U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, a Michigan Democrat who chairs the committee. At his confirmation hearing, he demonstrated his deep commitment to the rule of law and his understanding of the complex mission and challenges that ICE faces.

IN-DEPTH: What to know about the San Antonio native tapped to lead U.S. Census Bureau

Santos, meanwhile, advanced on a 10-3 vote. Santos, who is Mexican American, would be the first person of color to lead the federal governments largest statistical agency full time. He is currently president of the American Statistical Association.

He has shown the leadership and dedication to scientific integrity needed to lead the Census Bureaus important work, Peters said.

The three Republicans who opposed Santos nomination  U.S. Sens. James Lankford of Oklahoma, Rick Scott of Florida and Josh Hawley of Missouri  did not explain their votes during the hearing.

Its unclear when the Senate will vote on the nominations. Presidential nominees need only 51 votes in the Senate to be confirmed. The two parties each control 50 votes in the Senate, but as president of the chamber, Harris, a Democrat, can break ties.

ben.wermund@chron.com
U.S. Rep. Al Green and state Rep. Ron Reynolds, both Houston-area Democrats, were arrested Tuesday during a voting rights rally in Washington, D.C.

They are the latest Texas Democrats to be detained while protesting voting restrictions in the nations capital. U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, was arrested last week.

In an interview Tuesday afternoon, Green said he and Reynolds were protesting outside the Supreme Court. The location was symbolic, given that the Supreme Court in 2013 effectively invalidated preclearance  a key provision of the Voting Rights Act that required states with a history of discrimination, such as Texas, to seek approval from the Department of Justice before changing their voting laws.

Texas Republicans are currently pushing a bill that would overhaul the way the state conducts elections. Supporters say it will weed out fraud and make elections administration consistent statewide, while Democrats have said the measure will make it harder for all Texans  but especially Black and Latino voters  to cast their ballots.

Its important for us to know that we have to, sometimes, do more than vote, Green said. Voting is important, but sometimes you have to do more than vote, and protest is a part of it.

TEXAS TAKE: Get the latest news on Texas politics sent directly to your inbox every weekday

As part of the demonstration, Green and other attendees  including the Rev. Frederick D. Haynes of Dallas and Bishop James Dixon of Houston  filed into the street to kneel and pray. Officers informed the protesters that they were breaking the law by flooding the street, and they would be arrested after three warnings, Green said.

And thats what happened. Green later posted video of their arrest to his Twitter account with two hashtags: #GoodTrouble #NecessaryTrouble.

Reynolds staff also posted a picture of the incident, saying the representative was arrested while peacefully protesting against voter suppression, protecting access to the ballot and preserving our precious right to vote.

I think that it was worth doing and would do it again if I had to, Green said.

NEWSLETTERS Join the conversation with HouWeAre We want to foster conversation and highlight the intersection of race, identity and culture in one of America's most diverse cities. Sign up for the HouWeAre newsletter here.

The lawmakers were escorted to a location near the scene, where they were given citations and released. The process took 45 minutes to an hour, Green said, and hell pay a fine. Afterward, he left the steps of the Supreme Court to instead protest on the steps of the U.S. Capitol.

Once again, Black Texas Democrats are leading the charge to defend our most basic constitutional right: the ability to cast a ballot in a free and fair election, said Jamarr Brown, the co-executive director of the Texas Democratic Party.

cayla.harris@express-news.net
Chicago, IL (60637)

Today

Chance of an isolated thunderstorm early, then variable clouds overnight with more showers at times. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 69F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Chance of an isolated thunderstorm early, then variable clouds overnight with more showers at times. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 69F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Chicago, IL (60637)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with more showers at times. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 69F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with more showers at times. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 69F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
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YouTube expands offerings for livestreamers

In an effort to cater to the pandemic-induced surge in livestreaming, YouTube has sought to offer its live streamers a variety of new features in the past month, enhancing the experience for creators and consumers alike.

Guest post by Seth Resler of Jacobs Media Strategies

Pandemic or not, radio broadcasters everywhere should be experimenting with the livestreaming video. For radio stations, it can provide a new way to engage with audiences. For on-air talent, it can provide a way to continue doing a show even if you find yourself on the beach. (For a great example, check out what Carla Marie and Anthony are doing on Twitch.)

When it come to livestreaming, air talent has their choice of platforms: YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, Instagram, Periscope, and others. Each platform has different advantages and disadvantages. I have talked to broadcasters who have started out livestreaming to multiple destinations, only to find that their livestreaming shows performed better when they ultimately committed to a single platforms and embraced its functionality.

For those who are comparing platforms, YouTube introduced three new features last month:

With the meteoric rise of TikTok, legacy social media companies have been looking for ways to capitalize on short-form videos. Instagram introduced Reels last year as a direct competitor to TikTok. Facebook is rolling out Soundbites, an audiogram generator designed to help audio creators share their content using short video clips.

Now, YouTube is combining elements of both of these tactics by introducing Clips, a new feature which allows livestreamers to share a short snippet of their show after the broadcast. It can easily be shared on social media or embedded in an email or on a website. This is the video equivalent of radios If you missed the morning show today, heres what you missed promo.

Looking for a Broadcasting Job? Weve built a directory to help employers find broadcasting talent. Add yourself to our directory for free.

Twitch and Facebook have enabled livestreamers to conduct live polls for years. Now, YouTube also offers this tool to engage viewers. Find instructions for creating YouTube polls here.

As the online world has grown increasingly more combative in recent years, social media platforms have introduced more and more tools to enable content creators to keep their communities safe and friendly. YouTube is now enabling livestreamers to limit chats to their subscribers, reducing the likelihood that streams will be bombarded with nasty comments from people who arent fans.

This feature offers another benefit: it offers an increased incentive for viewers to subscribe, which will grow the streamers fanbase. Find instructions for this feature here.

In some ways, these features are YouTube playing catchup with other livestreaming destinations like Twitch and Facebook. Whether they will have an impact on you will depends on where you are with your livestreaming strategy, but they are worth investigating.

Seth Resler: Digital Dot Connector at Jacobs Media Strategies. Seth Resler is a 20-year broadcasting veteran who has worked behind both the mic and the programming desk in major markets, including New York City, Boston, Seattle, St. Louis, Providence, and San Jose. He left radio in 2006 to enter the world of online marketing. But he kept returning to the broadcasting industry, teaching radio stations how to apply the online marketing techniques being used by Silicon Valley companies. He writes a weekly column on AllAccess.com, offering internet strategies for radio broadcasters. In 2015, Seth joined us as our Digital Dot Connector, helping radio stations combine all of their digital tools into one overarching strategy.

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MassDOT presents planned improvements around Brayton School at a public hearing on Tuesday night.

Brayton School 'Safe Routes' Project Set to Begin Next Year



State officials review the deficiencies at the YMCA entrance. NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  Improvements for pedestrian and motor vehicle access to Brayton School is on track to begin next year.

A virtual public hearing on the Safe Routes to School project was held on Tuesday night. No one outside of state officials and press attended.

"We are currently in the design stage, which means that the plans are still being developed and we welcome your feedback," said Jon Freeman, project manager for MassDOT. "We estimate the total project will cost $738,715.90, which will come from federal aid funding."

The Federal Highway Administration will cover 80 percent of the total construction costs and MassDOT will pick up the balance. It will have to be scheduled through Transportation Improvement Program in the appropriate federal fiscal year in order for MassDOT to solicit bids for construction.

The costs will not cover rights of way, which will be the responsibility of the city, said Nikki Peters, with MassDOT's Right of Way Bureau. "The current design plans, indicate there are zero fee to permanent easements, and five temporary easements required."

Most of the easements are on public property but two are on private property: the Brayton apartment complex and a residential property.

The project is currently at 25 percent design. Kevin Dandrade of TEC Inc. (The Engineering Corp.) said once comments are reviewed, the project will move to 75 to 100 percent design.

"We have a number of steps in front of us. But tonight we wanted to pause to obtain that public input from you, so that we can go forward knowledgeably to adjust design if we need to," he said.

Dandrade said his firm has been involved in the early design and survey work at the school. City and school officials had pondering how to both make the western entrance to the YMCA/school complex safer and to encourage walking and biking to school.

The playground area below Brayton Hill was recently revamped through a

Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities grant and the new entranceways to the school takes into account this prior work.

The Safe Routes to School program, he said, "is something that MassDOT has played a key role in, I would say a front runner's role in providing the example of how to improve the multimodal environment for those that walk, bike or take transit or other means of transportation, outside of the normal vehicle."

The goal is to improve the "sidewalk network" around the school to connect it "to areas where children and parents are walking already," Dandrade said.

Deficiencies identified include the western driveway that also serves as an entrance to the school. The steep driveway has no sidewalks and limited visibility.

There are no bicycle markings along the stretch of road or curb ramps, and the traffic signal on Route 2 (State Road) is not up to federal Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

"Our goals, we want to improve the crosswalk safety. We want to improve the visibility of those crossings for those vulnerable users that may be within the roadway. We want to add the new sidewalk connections to connect the people and the places where we know they're traveling today," Dandrade said. We want to improve the bicycle facilities, and the identification of those different areas within the street. ... And lastly, and just as importantly, that we want to see the community continue to encourage children to walk and or bike to school, as part of a number of those ease as part of the Safe Routes to School program."

Improvements include a 5-foot wide sidewalk on each side of the upper portion of Brayton Hill Terrace with a narrow grass buffer and repaving of the roadway and a new sidewalk along the repositioned and regraded driveway. The traffic light will get a pedestrian warning systems. An older bus shelter no longer used will be removed and crosswalks will be slightly shifted for visibility and reaction time for motor vehicles.

"We're also seeking to create a new sidewalk connection between Brayton street and Route Two, that's not there today but would provide a more direct sidewalk connection to the signal where they could cross the street," Dandrade said.

Construction will be done in segments and police details may be necessary at times, particularly at the Route 2 intersection.

"And as we get closer to the construction period, we will be coordinating with school staff to determine the appropriate time to construct those improvements in regards to the driveway," he said.

The project will likely need environmental permitting because of the proximity of the Hoosic River and Notch Brook, Dandrade said. "We anticipate limited impacts in that perspective."

Written comments can be still be sent to Carrie E. Lavallee, P.E., acting chief engineer, at MassDOTProjectManagement@dot.state.ma.us or mail to Suite 6340, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116, Attention: Project Management, Project File No. 610546.
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Employee loses license after Moses Lake pharmacy discovers she was diverting pills for personal use
The above photo is a rendering of Universal Hydrogen would load modular fuel capsules into a DHC-8 plane through a retrofitted cargo door

(Universal Hydrogen)
BPI-Philam announces it has opened over 700 posts to aid Filipinos struggling to find a job amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority puts the countrys unemployment rate at an estimated 7.7% (3.76 million individuals) in June. As the economic impact of the health crisis persists, BPI-Philam offers Filipinos a stable livelihood and an opportunity for career development to help jobseekers and their families recover eventually.

Urges them to explore new professional opportunities in the insurance industry

Most available positions are for Bancassurance Sales Executives, who are tasked to guide clients in determining their insurance needs. The company is looking to recruit those who have a genuine concern for people and an entrepreneurial mindset, while a background in sales is an advantage. Accepted applicants will be stationed in BPI branches or assigned to work from home as appropriate, receive competitive benefits, and qualify to incentives and recognition programs.

Finding the right career is not easy and even more so in the middle of a pandemic. BPI-Philam understands the current plight of jobseekers and would like to invite them to explore opportunities in the insurance industry. Its the kind of career that allows them to touch the lives of customers while at the same time securing their own, since the industry is built to remain stable amid disruptions, said Surendra Menon, BPI-Philam Chief Executive Officer.

Exploring new professional opportunities

With its effect on the global economy and the uncertainties alongside it, the pandemic has made it difficult for some to explore and expand their horizons in terms of professional growth. As a company that protects individuals from the unpredictable, BPI-Philam encourages professionals to continue pushing forward and discovering new opportunities amid the current circumstances. This holds especially true for workers from industries like tourism and hospitality, which suffered the most when the pandemic hit.

With the resilience and stability of the insurance industry, there is always a great opportunity for long-term career growth. BPI-Philam has managed to quickly adapt to the changes by accelerating its digital transformation to become a more agile and efficient company. In fact, jobseekers can easily apply to BPI-Philams different job boards without leaving home with the assistance of its recruitment chatbot Mandy. This proves its commitment to its customers and employees.

At present, BPI-Philam is expanding its workforce to meet the increased demand for life and health protection among clients. To thrive in the insurance industry, the bancassurance leader advises jobseekers to develop a driven attitude and a results-focused mindset. Professionals who value perseverance and innovation would also fit well within its teams.

Insurance professionals generally enjoy competitive benefits including a steady paycheck, incentives package, recognition events, comprehensive medical and insurance benefits, and exciting trainings and employee engagement activities.

The welfare of our workforce is a top priority at BPI-Philam. Alongside the professional experience that they gain, we ensure that they continue to enhance their skills and learn new ones, while still enjoying work-life balance. We have developed a diverse and dynamic yet high-performance culture that enables them to deliver excellent outcomes in our shared mission of making insurance accessible and affordable for every Filipino. We are looking forward to further expanding our teams and to have the most driven professionals join the company, said Menon.

In addition to the competitive benefits, favored jobseekers will also get to be a part of a dedicated team of professionals who will help insure millions of Filipinos, enabling them to live healthier, longer, and better lives.

BPI-Philam is one of the fastest-growing life insurance companies in the country. It is recognized by the Insurance Commission as the countrys top bancassurance firm in terms of premium income in 2020, retaining the spot for the eighth consecutive year. To check out career opportunities, visit the BPI-Philam Careers page on Facebook or JobStreet.
In her Pulitzer Prize-winning book on the great American migration, The Warmth of Other Suns, Isabella Wilkerson tells the story of Ida Mae Gladney, who uprooted her life from Mississippi to Chicago, drawn by the idea of economic mobility and safety that the "Promised Land" had to offer. In the early 20th century, Chicago offered opportunities for paying jobs and a growing Black middle class. Though the city was segregated and brutalized by policies redlining Black neighborhoods, it offered relief from the threat of lynching. Even in the face of economic and racial barriers, Ida Mae remained optimistic and built a life for herself and her family.

My own family was drawn from their home in Kentucky and Tennessee in the 1930s to the opportunities that beckoned in Chicago and its sister city 90 miles north, Milwaukee. Though we have encountered our share of obstacles, I, like Ida Mae before me, am optimistic about what Chicago has been and will be for my fellow Black founders and pioneers.

This migration led to Chicago serving as an incubator for important Black businesses and nationally recognized companies. Samuel Fuller, who migrated north to Chicago in 1928, founded the Fuller Products Company, which generated more than $18 million in 1950 ($180 million in today's economy). Born in Mississippi, George Ellis Johnson's family moved to Chicago in 1929, where he founded Johnson Products, the first Black-owned company to be listed on the American Stock Exchange.

This year I found myself retracing the steps of my great grandparents and moving from the South (this time Atlanta) to the city of Chicago, relocating my venture studio, Genius Guild, and my $10 million investment fund, the Greenhouse Fund. As a successful tech entrepreneur who is married to a Black software engineer, many of my friends were befuddled by our choice to move back to the Midwest. Atlanta has captured the Zeitgeist, the emergence of a new "Wakanda" and everyone from Microsoft to Sweetgreen is setting up shop in the city. Yet, Chicago had captured the Zeitgeist in another way, an (unfair) image of an inner city ravaged by an epidemic of gun violence.

As one friend stated, "Why the hell would you want to move there?"

As an investor, I'm always looking for value, which means I tend not to follow the current Zeitgeist, but focus on what's next. As a Black woman, I seek community. I want my child to have access to diversity of thought and the diversity of a community that nourishes his mind. Chicago has both.

Chicago is the original Wakanda.

The city is home to some of the most seasoned Black investors in the country, many of which are Black women. Mellody Hobson got her start as an intern with John Rodgers, founder of Ariel Investments - one of the largest Black-owned money management and mutual fund companies. Today she is Co-CEO of the firm which manages assets worth over $12 billion. Then, you have a number of rising star Black women investors, like Tessa Flippin of Capitalize VC and Jessica Patton of 5th Century Partners.

John H Johnson, founder and CEO of Johnson Publishing, was the first Black person on the Forbes 400 list and the publisher of iconic Ebony and Jet magazines, which restructured the image of wealth and success in the United States. Oprah Winfrey, one of the richest self-made women in the world, built her empire in Chicago. Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama - whose house I walk by every day on my way to drop off my child at school, are now successful entrepreneurs in their own right through their media company, Higher Ground, and other endeavors.

Chicago is ranked as the top tech ecosystem in the Midwest, indicating that startup activity continues to grow as access to resources expands and the business landscape evolves into a breeding ground for new ideas and people. Unlike some other tech cities, the Windy City is livable, offering startups, incubators, accelerators, affordable housing and office options, as well as a diverse talent pool and a strong emphasis on community. Black founders, investors, and entrepreneurs continue to gravitate towards Chicago because the strong BIPOC community presence reaffirms the collective struggle and creates a sense of belonging in a startup industry that often makes them feel undervalued.

There's significant investment in the city: This year, Verizon launched BLKTech, a 12-week accelerator program devoted to building Black-led startups in the Chicago region. In June, JPMorgan Chase committed $150 million to the city over the next five years, investing in housing, jobs, and small businesses across Chicago's South and West sides. Prism Institute, a life sciences and tech startup incubator with a focus on investing in women and BIPOC founders, is slated to be part of a $6 billion Lincoln Yards development. And Pivotal Ventures, the investment and incubation company founded by Melinda Gates, chose the city of Chicago as its first hub for it's Gender Equity in Tech initiative, investing millions in the city to build a tech ecosystem with gender equity as its center.

Now more than ever, a community that reflects your identity, embodies your values, and uplifts your plight is critical. It's no secret that Black entrepreneurs are still overlooked by most venture capitalists. Black startup entrepreneurs only received 1.2% of the $147 billion invested in American startups during the first half of 2021. While Chicago has seen record amounts of venture capital flow - outperforming every other major city in the U.S. the first quarter of this year, that investment disproportionately goes to non-Black founders.

Numerous digital and tech ventures are finding success in Chicago where the entrepreneurial ecosystem supports economic diversity and access to top talent - forming an inclusive community that challenges the very identity of Silicon Valley. Chicago tech firms raised a record $2 billion in the first quarter of 2021 - the largest venture capital investment the city has seen in over 15 years. This influx of capital reflects a trend of growth in Chicago, marking an increase from the $2.2 billion invested in all of 2020.

Chicago is already home to ten Black-founded startups that have raised over $1 million in funding, and many more enterprises are expanding. Though the city is still behind established investment powerhouses like New York and San Francisco - both home to over 70 Black and Brown founded startups that have raised over $1 million - Chicago has already outpaced metro areas such as Washington D.C. and Seattle in this metric.

Chicago has proven throughout history that it is a center of innovation and renaissance, not just for Black families escaping a Jim Crow South, but for Black entrepreneurs who seek to break down barriers. I moved to Chicago this summer, as Ida Mae did 84 years ago, hopeful for the future, but recognizing the barriers that Black women pioneers face. Black founders and investors have long been overlooked and continue to overcome monumental obstacles as we break into a traditionally white, coastal sector.
Bill Murray says a 19th-century French painting helped him when he was struggling with suicidal thoughts.

Footage of the actor discussing the artwork has recently resurfaced on social media after being shared by screenwriter and filmmaker Todd Spence.

Murray first discussed the painting and its impact on his life in 2014, during a press conference for the film The Monuments Men.

Asked by a journalist from Red Carpet News TV whether he could point to a time when art made a difference for him, Murray thought for a few moments, then replied: I think it would be back when I started acting in Chicago. I wasnt very good.

My first experience on the stage  I was so back I just walked out on the street and started walking. I walked for a couple of hours and I realised I had walked the wrong direction. Not just in terms of where I lived, but the wrong direction in terms of a desire to stay alive.

Murray then said he eventually walked into the Art Institute of Chicago, a prestigious art museum. There, he saw The Song of the Lark, a 1884 painting by French naturalist painter Jules Adolphe Breton. It features a woman standing in a field, a sickle in hand, with the sun behind her. (Larks are generally known to sing in the morning.)

Ive always loved this painting, Murray said. I saw it that day and I just though, Well, heres a girl who doesnt have a lot of prospects, but the suns coming up anyway, and shes got another chance at it. I think that gave me some sort of feeling that I too am a person and get another chance every day the sun comes up.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress and isolation, or are struggling to cope, The Samaritans offers support; you can speak to someone for free over the phone, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

For services local to you, the national mental health database  Hub of Hope  allows you to enter your postcode to search for organisations and charities who offer mental health advice and support in your area.

In the US, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1 800 273 8255 or chat online for help.
Jane Fonda was reportedly considering running for Governor of California to replace Gavin Newsom.

The actor was considered as a more progressive candidate, with many liberals dissatisfied with Newsoms performance in the role.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the proposal to have her oust Newsom was put forward earlier in the summer but Fonda eventually declined and backed the Democrat governor.

Ultimately, she did not file the paperwork needed to run for office.

Fonda has gained a lot of attention in recent years for her repeated criticism of Donald Trump and has been a vocal advocate for environmentalism.

She has been arrested several times for her activism, most notably during the 2016 demonstrations against the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota.

Fonda has been active in politics since the 1960s, when she protested American involvement in the Vietnam War.

Newsom is facing a recall election on 14 September after a lengthy campaign to have him removed from office.

(Getty)

The recall has gained traction because of the Governors handling of the pandemic in California, which imposed strict restrictions and shuttered businesses.

Newsom also became embroiled in controversy after being seen at an indoor gathering while discouraging others from doing the same.
John Corbett has revealed that he and long-time partner Bo Derek married at the end of 2020, after two decades as a couple.

Corbett, an actor and country musician best known for his roles in Sex and the City and My Big Fat Greek Wedding, made the announcement during an appearance on US chat show The Talk.

He told co-host Jerry O'Connell: Jerry, I cant believe that I forgot to tell you that around Christmastime we got married. Bo and I got married!

Corbett and Derek, best known for her role in the Dudley Moore comedy 10, have been dating since 2002 and had not previously planned to get married. Explaining the couples change of heart, Corbett said: After 20 years we decided to get married. We didnt want 2020 to be that thing that everybody looks back at and hated. We thought, Well, lets get one nice thing out of it.

Corbett, who showed off his wedding ring to the camera, also explained why the wedding hadnt been publicised at the time.

Were pretty private people, we didnt make an announcement, all our friends and family knew but this is the first time either one of us has said anything publicly about it because really we havent had an opportunity, he told OConnell. So, youre my buddy and now I guess Im telling all of America, or the world.
The horrifying case of an alleged gang rape, killing and forcible cremation of a nine-year-old girl from the Dalit community in India  historically one of the most oppressed in India  has sparked public anger, massive protests and become a political controversy.

The girl was the daughter of a poor ragpicker couple who supplemented their meagre income by begging at a shrine in national capital Delhis Nangli area.

On Sunday, the girls father asked her to get water from the cooler of a nearby crematorium.

When the girl did not return after an hour, the mother went to the crematorium, only to find her daughters motionless body lying on a bench, her tongue blue and with bruises on some parts of her body, according to accounts.

The crematorium priest, along with three others, approached the woman and told her the child had been electrocuted while fetching water and insisted on a swift cremation for the girl.

Go home and sleep. Dont shout and cry about it, the priest told the mother, according to her. The priest also reportedly offered to perform the girls final rights.

When I went there he informed me that my daughter was dead. I asked how she died. I told them to dial 100 and call the police. He refused, the mother told news channel NDTV.

He pressured me to cremate the body immediately and dissuaded me from calling the cops. He said if you call the cops there will be a long court case, my daughter would be taken to the hospital where the police and doctors would take out her organs and sell them, she added.

The priest then began performing the cremation, which involves burning the body, with the family being forced to sit at a distance. The family, however, protested against the cremation, forcing the involvement of several other villagers, who doused the fire.

All that subsequently remained of the girl were her feet, some of her scalp and a portion of her hip, according to news website Newslaundry.

The four accused, including the priest were subsequently arrested after family protests. Since the body of the girl was largely cremated, medical examiners could not ascertain anything based on the remaining parts of the body, according to Ingit Pratap Singh, a senior Delhi police official.

Police forensic units will now test other evidence, including bodily fluids from the girls clothes to examine claims of sexual assault.

The victims mother has also alleged that officers made her and the husband wait in separate rooms at a police station for several hours, and alleges police beat her husband.

The shocking incident has become the focal point of local fury and national outrage, sparking protests in the area.

The chief minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal, subsequently visited the family after being accused of remaining silent over the alleged crime. He announced a compensation of Rs 1 million ( 9,698) for the family and ordered a judicial enquiry.

The incident has also snowballed into a political controversy, with Rahul Gandhi, a leader of the opposition Congress party, visiting the girls family.

I spoke with the family... they want justice and nothing else. Theyre saying justice is not being given to them and that they should be helped. We will do that, Mr Gandhi said.

The four accused, meanwhile, face charges under laws including those that cover child sex abuse and crimes against scheduled castes and tribes.

The incident has been compared to one that occurred in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh in September last year, where a Dalit teen was hurriedly cremated without the consent of the parents after being allegedly gang raped and killed.

India has a systemic problem of crimes against not just historically oppressed communities, but also against women and other genders.

Members of the lower castes are particularly vulnerable to such crimes, with the countrys National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) pointing to more than 45,000 cases registered against Scheduled Castes, with 3,486 cases coming under rape in 2019.

The number of criminal cases for crimes against Scheduled Tribes was more than 8,000, with 1,110 of these being rape cases, according to NCRB data.
Indonesia recorded a grim milestone of more than 100,000 deaths from COVID-19 on Wednesday, data from the countrys health ministry showed, with the Southeast Asian nation recently accounting for one in five fatalities globally.

Indonesia has been battling a tide of coronavirus infections and deaths driven by the highly contagious Delta variant for the past month, as the country has quickly become Asias coronavirus epicentre.

On Wednesday, the data showed Indonesias total number of infections had reached 3.53 million, while deaths rose by 1,747 to 100,636, although public health experts believe the true toll is likely far higher.

Indonesia needs a comprehensive audit of COVID deaths, said Defriman Djafri, an epidemiologist at Andalas University in Padang, West Sumatra, citing a sub-optimal healthcare response.

Delays in hospital treatment that could have caused preventable COVID-19 deaths and the rate of co-morbidity should be investigated, he added.

Indonesias coroanvirus toll was about 50,000 at the end of May, meaning that deaths have doubled since then.

Testing and tracing shortfalls have further exacerbated the death toll, said Masdalina Pane from the Indonesian Epidemiologists Association.

Patients come to hospital in a severe or critical condition, she said, adding: They come to hospital to die.

Indonesia, the worlds fourth-most populated nation, has the 12th highest cumulative death toll from the virus globally, behind countries such as the United States, India and Brazil, according to data collated by a Reuters COVID-19 tracker.

The country also currently leads the world in the daily average number of new deaths reported, accounting for one in every five deaths, the data showed.

Health minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said this week there were positive signs Indonesias devastating second wave had peaked, especially in parts of densely populated Java island, although concerns remain for other regions, and remote islands in particular.

Even as cases have started to taper in some areas, President Joko Widodo has said that social mobility restrictions introduced in early July would remain in place until August 9 in designated areas, including in Jakarta.

Launching an ambitious campaign in January to inoculate 208 million people by next year, Southeast Asias biggest country has so far vaccinated less than 11% of that target, hampered by supply and logistical issues as well as vaccine hesitancy.

In a bid to speed up the rollout, the health ministry said this week that people without an identity card would also be able to get vaccinated, a move intended to reach the countrys most vulnerable.
Rolls-Royce has agreed a 63 million euro (54 million) deal to sell its Norwegian maritime engine-making arm Bergen to British group Langley Holdings.

Rolls said the Langley deal is another step towards its target to make at least 2 billion from asset sales as boss Warren East looks to rebuild the groups balance sheet.

It comes after an earlier deal with Russian group TMH Group was blocked by the Norwegian government in March.

Chief executive Mr East said: The sale of Bergen Engines is a part of our ongoing portfolio management to create a simpler, more focused group and contributes towards our target to generate at least 2 billion from disposals, as announced last year.

Rolls, which is due to report its half-year figures on Thursday, is hoping to complete the sale on December 31, having already notified the Norwegian government.

Shares in Rolls lifted 2% after the deal was announced.

Bergen employs more than 900 people globally and made around 200 million euro (170 million) in revenues last year.

Langley, which is headquartered in the UK, employs around 4,600 people with main operations in Germany, Italy, France and Britain, alongside a substantial presence in the US.

It plans to run Bergen as a standalone business.

Chairman and chief executive Anthony Langley, who founded Langley in 1975, said: The acquisition of Bergen Engines is a strategic step in the development of our power solutions division, and I am looking forward to welcoming the 900-plus employees of Bergen Engines to our family of businesses.

Langleys activities range from the production of uninterruptible power systems, packaging machinery and electric motors and generators, to the manufacture of safety-critical mechanical handling equipment, including for the Ministry of Defences submarine missile loading facility at Coulport in Scotland.

Mr East has been overhauling Rolls to strengthen its battered balance sheet, selling off assets and raising more than 5 billion from issuing new debt and equity.

He has also embarked on a swingeing cost-cutting programme that will lead to 9,000 jobs being cut worldwide.

Rolls crashed to a 4 billion loss in 2020, having been hit hard by the pandemic as the crisis hammered the global aviation industry.

Its half-year results are expected to show further pressure on the bottom line, but it will be watched for any signs that the worst of the pandemic impact has passed.
A 43-year-old mother from Kentucky has been killed in a flash flood after hiking with her husband and sons in Labyrinth Canyon on the Arizona-Utah border.

Heather Rutledge, from Louisville, had rented a boat with her family and on Saturday afternoon were exploring the area on foot when they got caught in the flash flood, according to AZCentral.com. While her husband and sons survived, Ms Rutledge got caught up in the water. Her family was able to locate her and unsuccessfully attempt CPR, officials said.

They were unable to move her and made their way to the rental boat, which had been damaged by the flood, the site reported.

According to local reports, rescuers were unable to get kayaks into the mouth of the canyon and had to swim through the flood to locate Ms Rutledge.

Ms Rutledges body was turned over to the county medical examiner to determine the cause of death.

Labyrinth Canyon is a boat-accessed slot canyon located in Lake Powell. The mouth of the canyon is in Utah, but the rest is on the Arizona side of the state line.

The canyon, which is mostly managed in a joint effort by the US Bureau of Land Management and the Utah State Division of Lands and Forestry, is remote and wild. The land management site reports that visitors must obtain permits and services are non-existent. Your group must be self-contained and self-reliant to deal with emergencies. Cell phone service is not available within the canyons.
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
Somewhat overshadowed by the dramatic slump in the prime ministers approval ratings among Conservative Party activists earlier this week is the continuing disappointing showing for the education secretary, Gavin Williamson. Much has been made of the swing in Boris Johnsons net approval ratings, down 36 percentage points to from plus 39 to plus 3, thanks to his hypocrisy over self-isolation, by-election results and a lack of direction in his government.

Even more remarkable has been the decline in the popularity of Williamson. In June last year, before the exams fiasco, Williamson was on plus 43 per cent, well up with the pack. Soon, after all the U-turns over grades and university entrance he went far into the red, and has stayed there ever since, running at a depressing minus 44 per cent in the latest survey. He is thus bottom of the Conservative Home league table of cabinet ministers, and if he were a school hed be liable for special measures.

Having been sacked by Theresa May as defence secretary in a dispute about the leaking of details of a National Security Council meeting, Williamson was rewarded with a second chance in cabinet after he helped run Boris Johnsons leadership campaign (and played a role in the resignation of May). Its fair to say that, for whatever reason, hes not been able to make the best of it. The latest report from the Institute for Government (IFG), an independent think tank, makes for uncomfortable reading for any remaining fans of Williamson. The IFG concludes: Its most important conclusion is that the most unforgivable aspect of what happened is not just the failure to make contingency plans in the summer of 2020 but the refusal to do so  when it was already obvious that fresh school closures might well be needed, and that exams might have to be cancelled again. Lessons were not learnt from the first lockdown, with the result that, for both school closures and exams, the story from July 2020 to January 2021 was a case of pause, rewind, repeat. Even with his, paradoxically, populist push to get Latin back into state schools, things look bleak for Williamson. But nil desperandum, Gavin!
Ever find yourself scrolling social media and feeling a bit rubbish? Perhaps take a leaf out of Angellica Bells book.

I havent had Facebook for years, I rarely look at Twitter Also, unfollowing people that dont make you feel good. Youve just got to be a bit ruthless, says the TV and radio presenter, 45.

For Bell, cutting back on screen time is self-care. Sometimes its things like not having the phone around, and not always looking online, she adds, as we chat about her approach to looking after herself.

As a result, she says quite relaxed. And it means I can form my own opinions and get my information from reliable sources  and then also not necessarily share it with everyone. Not everyone needs to know your opinion, you know?

Putting these boundaries in place has been a conscious choice, largely because she didnt want to be wasting time, explains Bell, who is as lively and lovely on the phone as she is on TV. She has other things to be doing. I want to start crocheting; my gran taught me to crochet when I was little, so I bought a crochet stick and I want to do that. Also books  Ive got books by my bed that I want to read, and I want to learn how to roller-skate.

If you lose yourself on Twitter, the next thing an hours gone. And I dont want to be one of those people  Ive had friends pass away young  I dont want to get to a point at the end of my life where I think, Oh I wish Id done that; I wish Id spent less time scrolling on Twitter.

I think the moment counts so much, she adds. And you cant get that time back.

Angellica Bell (Snooty Fox Images/PA)

Born and raised in West London, Bell studied politics before making her way into TV, becoming a household name in the early-Noughties on CBBC More recently, shes been co-hosting The Martin Lewis Money Show and The One Show, and won Celebrity MasterChef in 2017. Bell, who is married to fellow former CBBC presenter Michael Underwood (now a school teacher) with whom she has two kids, has also ventured into podcasts and recently recorded a new series of Rewirement.

As the name suggests, its all about reframing retirement and sees Bell chat with a range of guests, including experts on topics like financial planning and health, as well as people whove embraced opportunities to retrain, relocate or restart later in life.

Its challenging stereotypes about retirement and encouraging people to think, actually, I can still be healthy, happy, financially comfortable, says Bell. Loads of older people now are living really fulfilled lives, its not just about having a cup of tea and doing word puzzles. Its travelling, exploring the world, fulfilling dreams they always had

One of her favourite interviews was with a man who, after losing his job in the mines, decided to do something totally different and trained as a ski instructor. She also talked to a woman who did a masters degree in her 50s, someone who finally got their dream home after retiring, and people who found love further down the line.

It was so lovely to talk to those people, and they opened up about personal things, stuff thats happened to them and how they navigated their way through it. Its been really eye-opening for me as well. Theres so much wisdom amongst the older generation, people who have lived their lives I spoke to an amazing person, Patrick who came out [as LGBTQ+] later in life and had to adjust his life, and you do think, This is an inspiring story, gosh.

You know, sometimes, youre in your own world  your own bubble  but there are people everywhere whove got these stories, these adjustments, Bell reflects. Everyone has their crosses to carry, and their lives, but its amazing when you hear it.

The podcast aims to provide advice too  but Bell is keen to emphasise its not about telling people what to do, rather empowering people to make informed choices.

Whatever stage youre at: Youve got to do whats right for you. Sometimes, when youve got all these other people saying this is what you should be doing, it can be quite confusing. You have to live with yourself, you know how you feel about things, you have to really be in tune and tap into those feelings to get the best out of you. And thats all that matters, isnt it? How you feel and what makes you happy.

She was having this conversation recently, she recalls, about how easy it is to compare ourselves  which Bell says is almost like being your own personal destructive weapon. Therell always be someone doing something different, or doing something you might perceive to be better, but you never know exactly whats going on, she adds.

Has Bell always had this sense of perspective? I think all life experiences will hone the essence of your being, really. Wisdom with experience has helped me to reconcile little things I wasnt really sure about, but I think Ive always been like that, Bell ponders. I think one of the reasons is when I was growing up, I didnt have much, so I always think everything I have is a bonus. If Im looking at it like that, for me, it puts things into perspective.

And while Rewirement has a focus on embracing opportunity and taking hold of the reins, Bell acknowledges we cant always plan for everything  illness, bereavement, job loss  they can all strike without warning. You just dont know whats going to happen, and thats a little bit scary, but thats life, isnt it? Youve got to roll with it, jump over the hurdles as they come.

Something the pandemic has perhaps prompted us all to think about? Exactly, says Bell. [Its about] adapting and making things work best for you. And thinking about your mental health and how to function, and how to get the most out of life when theres a situation you cant control.

Listen to Rewirement with Angellica Bell and Legal & General on Apple, Spotify and all podcast providers.
The Duchess of Sussex is celebrating her 40th birthday on Wednesday 4 August, and will likely spend her special day with her husband, the Duke of Sussex, and their two children at their home in California.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have spent the last couple of months on parental leave since the birth of their daughter, Lilibet, in June.

As Meghan turns another year older, Tim Rooke, royal photographer for image service and creative platform, Shutterstock, tells The Independent about the time he spent photographing the Sussexes and the insight he gleaned while observing their relationship.

Rooke, who has been photographing royals in Britain and across the world since 1990, said he noticed heightened media interest in Meghan and Harry, particularly when they announced their engagement on 27 November 2017.

He recalls: Ive definitely noticed a high level of interest from the media when it comes to Harry and Meghan, and I think their modern relationship has drawn a lot of interest as well.

This is something I observed when they announced their engagement. There were around 100 members of the media outside Kensington Palace for the announcement, which was significantly bigger than the media interest for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridges engagement.

On the couples wedding day on 19 May 2018, Rooke said there was a different amount of hysteria around this day compared to other royal weddings he had photographed before.

I think everyone was so interested in Meghan and how she could help shape the most famous family in the world, he said.

I love photographing smaller, more intimate events, this is when you see the family at their most candid and are usually the most well-received images  however, there is nothing like photographing the royal weddings. You can always feel the excitement in the atmosphere.

Two photographs of the Duchess stand out to Rooke as his favourites, due to her natural demeanour in front of the camera and genuine affection between her and Harry.

Meghan Duchess of Sussex visits the University of Johannesburg, South Africa (Shutterstock/Tim Rooke)

The first photo was taken during the couples royal tour in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2019. The 10-day trip included speeches by Meghan about womens and girls right, and visits to non-profit organisations and mental health charities. Less than six months after this trip, the Sussexes officially stepped down as senior royals.

We were visiting a university and this particular shot captured Meghan on her own, said Rooke. It wasnt intended to be a standout photograph but the way the light positioned itself made for a lovely image.

The second was an image of Meghan and Harry holding hands in New Zealand. The couple visited the island country, alongside Australia, Fiji and the Kingdom of Tonga, in 2018  just before they announced they were expecting their first child, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.

Prince Harry and Meghan Duchess of Sussex walk through the Redwoods Treewalk in Rotorua (Shutterstock/Tim Rooke)

Rooke photographed the couple during a visit to the Redwoods Tree Walk in Rotorua, and said the shot captured their genuine affection for one another perfectly.

He described the Duke and Duchess as an authentic couple, adding that it was always so great to see them interact with each other.

They are always so loving towards each other, its so nice to see, he told The Independent.

Whenever I have photographed them, you can feel the love between them. From my time photographing them over the years, I have noticed how Harry and Meghan show affection towards each other.

For example, hand-holding like [in] the photograph I mentioned of them during their time in New Zealand  this is something you dont necessarily see with other couples in the royal family, he added.

Harry and Meghan interact with one another in front of the camera in the same way they would off-camera, and the best results are definitely when they dont realise theyre being photographed.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex considered living in New Zealand in their first year of marriage, according to the Queens representative in the Commonwealth country.

Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy recalled how she, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry discussed the prospects of moving there. This was during a visit in 2018, the same year of their wedding in Windsor.

I remember theyd just been down to the Abel Tasman National Park when we sat down and had a drink, and they said that they could imagine living in a place like this and wondered whether we thought it would be theoretically possible. she told the Associated Press in an interview. Even possible for them to have a place in New Zealand.

Of course, we said, Sure. It would be fine, Dame Patsy said. They were looking at how they might raise their family. And obviously theyve made some decisions since.

In March, the royal couple gave a bombshell interview to Oprah Winfrey about the treatment within The Firm that caused them to leave being working senior royals and relocate to California.

Revelations unearthed in the CBS interview included that a member of the royal family expressed concern about how dark their sons Archie skin colour might be, Markles ignored pleas for help for her suicidal feelings and excessive press intrusion.

Since moving to the US, they have since embarked on many professional endeavours, such as their production company Archewell.

Wednesday 4 August marks the Duchess 40th birthday, which she celebrated by sharing a video announcing a mentoring programme for women and that included an appearance from comedic actor Melissa McCarthy and jokes about a Suits reunion.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress and isolation, or are struggling to cope, The Samaritans offers support; you can speak to someone free of charge over the phone, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Helpline is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The NHS has lost its rating as the best healthcare system in the world, an accolade it had held for seven years.

In a survey of healthcare in 11 wealthy countries, the UK has been ranked only in fourth place, dropping down from first in 2017 and 2014.

And it came only ninth in a comparison of healthcare outcomes, which includes early deaths, cancer survival and baby deaths at birth.

The study, by American think tank the Commonwealth Fund, found Norway, the Netherlands and Australia were the top-performing countries overall, ahead of the UK.

Issues such as access to care and the experiences of lower-income groups were blamed for the NHSs slipping.

Following exceptional demand for care during the pandemic, the number of people in England waiting to start routine hospital treatment rose this summer to a new record high, of 5.1 million people.

Last month the care watchdog warned that exceptional pressures on the NHS was affecting the care of patients across England with healthcare workers pushed to the brink.

The UKs drop in rank from #1 to #4 is associated with that countrys lower performance on several domains (such as access to care and equity) compared to 2017, the report says.

However, the UK came top for affordability.

The study scored the 11 countries on access to care, care process, administrative efficiency, equity and health care outcomes.

Access to care includes measures of healthcares affordability and timeliness. The Netherlands performs best on this performance domain among the 11 countries, ranking at or near the top in both subdomains. Norway and Germany also performed well on access to care, but all three are outranked on affordability by the UK, the report says.

It scored the US last overall, despite its spending far more of its gross domestic product on healthcare than Norway, the Netherlands and Australia.

The US also came bottom on all measures except care process, which covers preventive care, safe care, coordinated care and patient preferences. Here, the US was ranked second.

The NHS, long considered the envy of the world, was fourth for access to care, administrative efficiency and equity, and was fifth for care process.

Siva Anandaciva, chief analyst at the Kings Fund, a UK health think tank, told The Guardian: According to this report, our previously world-beating health service is at risk of moving to the middle of the pack, largely due to growing delays across the system in peoples ability to access care quickly.

We cant brush this under the carpet as being solely a consequence of the impact of the pandemic on patients, staff and services.

Even before Covid, waiting lists for treatment were already sizable after a decade of stalling funding and a growing workforce crisis.

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

The report said four features distinguish top-performing countries from the US:

They provide for universal coverage and remove cost barriers

They invest in primary care systems to ensure that high-value services are equitably available in all communities to all people

They reduce administrative burdens that divert time, efforts and spending away from health improvement

They invest in social services, especially for children and working-age adults.

This article was amended shortly after publication on 5 August 2021. An early version said the UK came top for affordability and timeliness, but it did not come top for timeliness.
Iran on Monday reported more than 37,000 new coronavirus infections, the country's single-day record so far in the pandemic, state media reported.

State TV said health workers registered 37,189 new COVID-19 cases since Sunday  surpassing the previous daily record of 34,951 infections reported on Tuesday. Also, there were 411 deaths, bringing the country's total death toll in the pandemic to 91,407  the highest in the Middle East

The new surge has been fueled by the contagious delta variant, and Iranian authorities say less than 40% of the population follows measures such as wearing face masks and social distancing. Iranian health officials have regularly warned that hospitals in the capital, Tehran and other major cities are overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients.

On Sunday, Health Minister Saeed Namaki in a letter to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei asked a two-week shutdown of the country, something the minister said the military would help enforce. However, Khamenei, who has final say on all state matters, has not yet responded to the request.

Authorities have avoided imposing heavy-handed rules on a population badly equipped to bear them. Iran, which has suffered the worst virus outbreak in the region, is reeling from a series of crises: tough U.S. sanctions, global isolation, a heat wave, the worst blackouts in recent memory and ongoing protests over water shortages in the southwest.

Less than 4% of Iranians have been fully vaccinated. Many front-line medical workers have been vaccinated with Irans locally produced shots or the Chinese state-backed Sinopharm vaccine that report say may be less effective than other inoculations.

Irans government announced that its homemade vaccine provides 85% protection from the coronavirus, without disclosing data or details. Iran also imports Russias Sputnik V vaccine, as well as the Oxford-AstraZeneca shot through the United Nations-backed COVAX program.
Three rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israeli territory Wednesday and the army responded with sustained artillery fire, Israel's military said. There was no immediate information on damages or casualties.

The announcement came after sirens sounded in northern Israel warning of a possible rocket attack from Lebanon. Two rockets landed inside Israeli territory, the army said, adding that it fired artillery back into Lebanon.

Channel 12 reported that one rocket exploded in an open area and another was intercepted by Israel's defense system, known as the Iron Dome

The warnings went off near Kiryat Shmona, a community of about 20,000 people near the Lebanese border.

A Lebanese army official said the military had no comment pending investigations. Other Lebanese security officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press.

However, several witnesses in the border area in south Lebanon said two rockets landed in an Israeli community across the border, followed by multiple artillery shells that were fired from Israel. The Israeli shells landed in an area between the Lebanese villages of Marjayoun and Khiam, they said, adding it was not clear where the rockets were fired from.

There have been several similar incidents in recent months.

The rocket fire is believed by Israeli authorities to have been launched by Palestinian groups based in Lebanon and not the militant Hezbollah group. However, its unlikely that Palestinian groups could operate without Hezbollahs consent.

At the United Nations spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL was aware of the rocket fire and Israel's artillery response. He said the UNIFIL commander, Maj. Gen. Stefano Del Col, appealed for a cease-fire and urged both sides to exercise maximum restraint to avoid further escalation."

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Karam reported from Beirut. Associated Press writer Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report.
HONG KONG  Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam says authorities would reclassify countries into high, medium and low-risk, and update quarantine requirements to favor vaccinated travelers as it seeks to prevent imported coronavirus infections from leaking into the community.

Under the new measures announced Monday, only vaccinated Hong Kong residents will be able to return to Hong Kong from countries deemed high-risk. For medium-risk countries, only Hong Kong residents and vaccinated non-residents can return to the city.

All arrivals must present a negative coronavirus test result taken within the 72 hours before they board their flight to Hong Kong.

Authorities also said civil servants must get vaccinated or get regular coronavirus tests at their own expense.

Staff in quarantine hotels and at the airports, as well as employees at schools and homes for the elderly and the disabled were also ordered to get vaccinated or pay for regular testing in the future.

Certain restaurant workers who are unvaccinated will also need to be tested every seven days instead of every 14 days.

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MORE ON THE PANDEMIC:

 Fauci says more suffering lies ahead as coronavirus cases surge again

 UK eases travel restrictions as industry lobbies for more

 Iran records highest number of daily COVID cases in pandemic

 Find more AP coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine

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KARACHI, Pakistan  Hundreds of Pakistani businessmen, mostly shop owners, have rallied in the southern port city of Karachi against the recent imposition of a lockdown there amid an alarming increase in COVID-19 cases.

The demonstrators on Monday demanded the lifting of the lockdown, saying their businesses are being hurt.

The lockdown, which began over the weekend, will remain in place until August 8.

The demonstrators promised to adhere to social distancing rules. It was not clear whether the government will accept their demand.

But before announcing the lockdown, authorities had repeatedly asked people to stop violating social distancing rules in order to avoid strict measures.

Pakistani authorities say they imposed the lockdown amid a surge in new infections and fatalities.

The South Asian country of over 216 million people has reported 103,9695 confirmed cases and 23,462 virus-related deaths since the start of the pandemic.

On Monday it reported 40 new deaths in the past day and 4,858 deaths.

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BUCHAREST, Romania  The second 150,000 doses of a planned 500,000-dose supply of Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccines have arrived in Moldova  a donation from the United States to help the former Soviet republic inoculate its small nation.

The vaccine donation is part of the U.N.-backed COVAX program that is shipping coronavirus vaccines to poor countries to help combat the global pandemic.

Moldova, a nation of around 3.5 million sandwiched between Romania and Ukraine, has so far administered more than a million vaccine doses, but only 495,000 have been fully inoculated against COVID-19.

The U.S. Embassy in Moldova wrote Monday that the American people are honored to send the vaccines, adding: These are single shot vaccines, which can inoculate half a million Moldovans against the Coronavirus.

Meanwhile, the Moldovan government urged people to be vaccinated.

Since the pandemic began, Moldova has recorded more than 259,000 infections and 6,255 people have died.
Concern is mounting over legal barriers that mean Isis fighters being sent back to the UK from Turkish jails cannot be prosecuted for joining the terrorist group.

Stefan Aristidou, who travelled to Syria in 2015, was charged with the less serious offence of sharing Isis propaganda because he has already served a sentence for his activities abroad.

The 27-year-old was deported to Britain from Turkey, where he had been among several British jihadis including alleged Beatle Aine Davis jailed as Isis members.

Aristidou had been arrested on the Syrian border in April 2017, after spending time in the so-called Islamic States former capital of Raqqa, and was jailed for Isis membership in October 2018.

He was released early from a six-year prison sentence because of the coronavirus pandemic, and sent back to the UK in February.

British authorities are bracing for further deportations from Turkey, but under one in 10 returnees from Syria have been prosecuted so far.

Not all of the around 40 prosecutions involved terror offences, and only a tiny proportion were convicted of Isis membership.

Officials say their hands are tied by legal and practical issues, including the difficulty of proving what people did after crossing into Syria.

Evidence gathered by British security services, or interviews in custody abroad, cannot be used in court.

If jihadis have already served a prison sentence for joining Isis in Turkey or another country, they cannot be prosecuted for the same crime in the UK because of the legal principles of autrefois convict and abuse of process.

The Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation, Jonathan Hall QC, said the difficulties have caused the government to focus on keeping jihadis out of Britiain using powers including citizenship deprivation and Temporary Exclusion Orders.

Proving beyond reasonable doubt that a returner has committed terrorism offences in a conflict zone overseas is one of the thorniest challenges for police and prosecutors, he told The Independent.

Aine Davis was convicted of being a member of a terrorist organisation in Turkey and jailed for seven and a half years in 2017 (PA)

A package of new terror laws in 2019 aimed to make prosecuting returned Isis fighters easier by creating a new offence of being in a designated area abroad.

Those who travel abroad to fight in terrorist conflicts pose a threat to us all and need to be stopped, said former home secretary Sajid Javid at the time.

This offence will help make our streets a safer place, with those travelling to a designated area facing up to ten years in prison.

However, no areas have been designated by the home secretary and the defeat of Isis territorial caliphate has made it harder to define zones solely inhabited by extremists.

Mr Hall said the law had never been used and added: Even if that power was exercised today it could not be used to prosecute individuals for their behaviour before designation, because of the rule against retrospective penalisation.

The government has powers to monitor and suspects within the UK where prosecution is not possible, using Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures.

Aristidous case resulted in him admitting seven counts of disseminating terrorist publications between November 2014 and February 2015 - before he left for Syria.

He will be sentenced in September and the maximum penalty is 15 years imprisonment.

Timeline of the Isis caliphate Show all 19 1 /19 Timeline of the Isis caliphate Timeline of the Isis caliphate ISIS began as a group by the merging of extremist organisations ISI and al-Nusra in 2013. Following clashes, Syrian rebels captured the ISIS headquarters in Aleppo in January 2014 (pictured) AFP/Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi declared the creation of a caliphate in Mosul on 27 June 2014 Timeline of the Isis caliphate Isis conquered the Kurdish towns of Sinjar and Zumar in August 2014, forcing thousands of civilians to flee their homes. Pictured are a group of Yazidi Kurds who have fled Rex Timeline of the Isis caliphate On September 2 2014 Isis released a video depicting the beheading of US journalist Steven Sotloff. On September 13 they released another video showing the execution of British aid worker David Haines Timeline of the Isis caliphate The US launched its first airstrikes against Isis in Syria on 23 September 2014. Here Lt Gen William C Mayville Jnr speaks about the bombing campaign in the wake of the first strikes Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Isis militants sit atop a hill planted with their flag in the Syrian town of Kobani on 6 October 2014. They had been advancing on Kobani since mid-September and by now was in control of the citys entrance and exit points AFP/Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Residents of the border village of Alizar keep guard day and night as they wait in fear of mortar fire from Isis who have occupied the nearby city of Kobani Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Smoke rises following a US airstrike on Kobani, 28 October 2014 AFP/Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate YPG fighters raise a flag as they reclaim Kobani on 26 January 2015 VOA Timeline of the Isis caliphate Isis seized the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra on 20 May 2015. This image show the city from above days after its capture by Isis Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Kurdish forces are stationed on a hill above the town of Sinjar as smoke rises following US airstrikes on 12 November 2015 AFP/Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Kurdish forces enter Sinjar after seizing it from Isis control on 13 November 2015 AFP/Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Iraqi government forces make the victory sign as they retake the city of Fallujah from ISIS on 26 June 2016 Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Iraqi forces battle with Isis for the city of Mosul on 30 June 2017 AFP/Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Members of the Iraqi federal police raise flags in Mosul on 8 July 2017. On the following day, Iraqi prime minister Haider Al Abadi declares victory over Isis in Mosul Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Members of Syrian Democratic Forces celebrate in Al-Naim square after taking back the city of Raqqa from Isis. US-backed Syrian forces declare victory over Isis in Raqqa on 20 October 2017 after a four-month long campaign Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Female fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces celebrate in Al-Naim Square after taking back the city of Raqqa from Isis. US-backed Syrian forces declare victory over Isis in Raqqa on 20 October 2017 after a four-month long campaign AFP/Getty Timeline of the Isis caliphate Trucks full of women and children arrive from the last Isis-held areas in Deir ez-Zor, Syria in January 2019 They were among the last civilians to be living in the ISIS caliphate, by this time reduced to just two small villages in Syrias Deir ez-Zor Richard Hall/The Independent Timeline of the Isis caliphate Zikia Ibrahim, 28, with her two-year-old son and 8-month-old daughter, after fleeing the Isis caliphate, on Saturday 26 January 2019 Richard Hall/The Independent

Prosecutor Lee Ingham had told the court: He left the country in March 2015 indicating a desire to go to Syria and join Isis.

In the meantime, he is believed to have either been in Syria or serving his sentence in Turkey. He was deported at the end of that.

Raffaello Pantucci, a senior associate fellow in international security studies at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) said the Aristidou case had illustrated longstanding problems.

He told The Independent: You have a bizarre situation where someone has clearly fought in Syria and they cant prosecute him for that, and at the end of the day hes prosecuted for something he did before he travelled.

Mr Pantucci said similar situations would show up more and once Covid restrictions lift.

People are going to show up, he added. They will be leaving Syria or the Turks will throw them out of prison. Theyve got [alleged Isis Beatle] Aine Davis, theyve got some very dangerous people.

Kurdish authorities in Syria are also holding high-profile Isis members from the UK including Shamima Begum and jihadi Jack Letts.

The Syrian Democratic Forces have repeatedly appealed for their home nations to repatriate jihadis from prisons and camps and although some countries responded to the call the British government has refused.

A Home Office spokesperson said:Everyone who returns from taking part in the conflict in Syria or Iraq must expect to be investigated by the police to determine if they have committed criminal offences and where there is evidence that a crime has been committed, prosecuted.

Decisions on prosecutions are taken independently by the police and Crown Prosecution Service on a case-by-case basis.

These individuals are also not free to commit crimes upon return and we will always take the strongest possible action to protect our national security and the safety of our citizens.
The twin sister of a fitness enthusiast in his forties who died of Covid after refusing to get vaccinated is encouraging those hesitant about getting the jab to reconsider.

John Eyers, a construction expert and bodybuilding competitor from Southport, Merseyside, died of Covid-19 and organ failure after being hospitalised, pumped full of every drug in the hospital, and ventilated, his sister Jenny McCann said.

Ms McCann, of Pinner, northwest London, shared her brothers story and a plea for people to get vaccinated on social media. She said: My 42-year-old twin brother died in ITU of Covid-19 last week. He died exactly four weeks after testing positive. He was the fittest, healthiest person I know. He was climbing Welsh mountains and wild camping four weeks before his death.

She added that his only pre-existing condition was the belief in his own immortality.

He thought if he contracted Covid-19 he would be OK. He thought he would have a mild illness. He didnt want to put a vaccine on his body.

Ms McCann said that she had recently argued with her brother about the Covid vaccine.

His body was pumped full of every drug in the hospital. They threw everything at him. But eventually the bedfellow of Covid-19, infection and organ failure, claimed his life.

She continued: Before he was ventilated he told his consultant that he wished he had been vaccinated. That he wished he had listened.

His death is a tragedy. It simply shouldnt have happened. There is no comfort in it.

Along with Ms McCann, Mr Eyers is survived parents, nieces and nephews, and a 19-year-old daughter.

My two children have lost their fun uncle. The uncle who would always play with them. The uncle that dressed up as Father Christmas on Christmas Day. My Mum has lost her baby boy. My niece, her much-loved and much-needed Dad, Ms McCann said.

She added: My mum wants people to know about John. For his story to save someones life. For our pain and loss to drive people to get a vaccine.

Ms McCanns Twitter thread has been retweeted nearly 22,000 times and her Facebook post has been shared some 9,500 times.

In replies to her original post on Facebook, alongside heartfelt condolences, people were sharing the ways that Mr Eyerss story had altered their behaviour.

Penny Arque wrote: I felt the same as John about the vaccine but I want you to know that your words and this awful tragedy changed my heart. I went and got vaccinated 2 days ago.

Another Facebook user, Jenny West said: I booked (my vaccine) the day I saw the news about John passing, being in Australia it does not seem real for us. In Perth Covid has not touched us, but this tragic, tragic loss made it very real and has shocked me to my core.

The twins mother Linda also responded to Ms McCanns Facebook post urging people to get vaccinated.

She said: Please, please, please get the jab. Do NOT believe the non-believers. We are living proof of what this awful disease (does) to really fit people, most people are not fit like our beloved son  Please get the jab DO NOT let his life be in vain.

The news of Mr Eyerss death comes as more than 11 per cent of adults across the UK remain unvaccinated, despite jabs being available to all over-18s for weeks.
Priti Patel has visited a controversial new closed asylum centre on the Greek island of Samos, prompting concern that she plans to implement similar structures for asylum seekers in the UK.

The home secretary arrived in Greece on Tuesday, where she met the countrys migration minister Notis Mitarachi, who said in a statement that the pair discussed the immigration crisis, which affects both Greece and Britain.

On Wednesday morning, the two ministers visited a newly constructed asylum reception centre on Samos Island, which is due to open on 18 September, along with four similar sites elsewhere on the Aegean islands, all of which the Greek government says will be closed and controlled.

Photographs posted on Mr Mitarachis Twitter account show him and Ms Patel looking at diagrams of the centre and then observing the construction in real life.

The Independent understands that Ms Patel was interested in seeing the centre to inform the implementation of her own plans to create reception centres for asylum seekers in Britain.

Campaigners have described the structures as prisons-like and inhumane, and said the idea of them being replicated in the UK was deeply concerning.

During her visit, the home secretary also met with Ioannis Plakiotakis, the Greek shipping and island policy minister, to discuss Greeces response to small boat crossings in the Aegean Sea and the involvement of organised immigration crime gangs.

In a statement published after the trip, Ms Patel said: We have seen a surge in illegal migration across Europe, and we must continue to work closely with Greek partners to tackle this challenge that both our countries face.

Only by working together can we break up these crime gangs that extend throughout Europe and beyond, and stop the horrific trade in people across the continent.

Her visit to Samos comes three months after immigration minister Chris Philp visited the island in May with no public announcement.

The Home Office refused to respond to a freedom of information request in June asking the reason for Mr Philps visit, on the basis that it may relate to the formulation or development of government policy and could be likely to prejudice relations between the UK and another state.

Rosie Rooney, the advocacy coordinator at campaign group Europe Must Act, said Ms Patels and Mr Philps visits to Samos raised serious questions about why the Home Office was so interested in an island where conditions for people seeking asylum are completely inadequate.

The new camp on Samos is for all intents and purposes a prison, and the Greek government is already constructing similar facilities across Greece. These camps are inhumane and degrading, and the idea of them being replicated in Britain is deeply concerning, she said.

Ms Patels visit to Samos comes after The Independent revealed on Tuesday that a vulnerable young asylum seeker had been stranded on the island for months after the Home Office refused his application to be reunited with his brothers, who are both refugees in the UK.

Following Brexit, the Dublin Regulation, which allowed refugees in mainland Europe to reunite with relatives in the UK and vice versa, no longer applies to Britain, which has left many separated from their loved ones.

Ms Rooney said: Instead of learning about camp construction, we ask the home secretary to focus on finding a replacement for Dublin family reunion, which ended after Brexit.

There are still refugees in Greece, including children, who have loved ones in the UK and no way to reach them  a safe and legal route to reunite these families is urgently needed.

Nick Thomas-Symonds, the shadow home secretary, said: Working with European partners is important and recognises the scale of the challenge. However, any properly functioning asylum system in the UK will rely on firm international agreements to replace the Dublin accords.

Yet the government is instead trying to push through legislation that is counter-productive and will risk breaking international law.

Beth Gardiner-Smith, the chief executive of Safe Passage, said: It beggars belief that the home secretary would wish to emulate a system where over 7,500 refugees including 1,700 children are being detained in refugee camps in unsanitary and inhumane conditions.

Priti Patel should use her visit to reopen the family reunion route for these children and offer Britains support to relocate some of the unaccompanied children in Greece living in temporary camps and homeless, as councils across Britain have offered to do.
The UKs Covid vaccination programme looks set to be rolled out to more than a million more teenagers, with new advice expected for 16 and 17-year-olds.

Boris Johnsons government is expected to approve advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommending that healthy teenagers aged over 16 are offered the chance to get the jab.

The JCVI will make an announcement on Wednesday, and a change in the official guidance extending the vaccine roll-out to around 1.4 million teenagers in the age group is expected in the coming days.

Appointments could be available within a fortnight due to the reserves of the vaccine available, according to The Times. Reports indicate that 16 and 17-year-olds will be given the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine to match guidance for other young adults.

The decision would come two weeks after the JCVI had recommended that children should not be routinely offered the jabs. But the four chief medical officers across the UK wrote to the JCVI asking them to look again at their advice.

Universities minister Michelle Donelan said ministers were expecting imminently an announcement from the JCVI on rolling out the coronavirus vaccine to more teenagers.

The minister denied any political pressure had been put on the JCVI to extend the roll-out to 16 and 17-year-olds. Thats not how they operate, she said on Wednesday.

Asked about giving 16 and 17-year-olds a vaccine, Steven Riley, professor of infectious disease dynamics at Imperial College London, told LBC: Our data would support that in that wed expect there to be a really good knock-on effect from extending the vaccinations for that group.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said extending the programme would reduce disruption to schooling.

Anything that gives the reassurance to young people that they are being treated in the way that the adult population is and that their education wont be disrupted to the extent it has been  that has to be welcomed, he told the Today programme.

Scotlands first minister Nicola Sturgeon, who has previously called for children as young as 12 to be eventually offered the vaccine, said she was expecting that the JCVI would soon outline updated guidance for teenagers.

Speaking to MSPs on Tuesday, she had suggested the decision could come on Wednesday. We are waiting on JCVI advice. When I say We, I am obviously referring to the Scottish government  but the UK, Welsh and Northern Irish governments are in the same position.

A teenager receives a shot of the Sinovac vaccine in Bali, Indonesia, on 5 July (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Labour has said vaccinating 16 and 17-year-olds was a good idea  but urged the government to plan the roll-out to teenagers carefully following reports that the JCVI was about to approve the move.

The 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.

The JCVI had previously ruled out blanket vaccination of healthy children. But existing guidance states that those aged 16 to 17 with underlying health conditions should have already been offered a jab.

More than 220,000 children in England have already had a Covid-19 vaccine, the latest figures show.

In June, vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi announced that a number of under-18s would be eligible for the jab if they had certain health conditions, lived with someone who is immunocompromised, or were approaching their 18th birthday.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson has declined to confirm whether children will be routinely vaccinated, adding that it will be kept under review.
Some of the UKs most prominent media organisations have issued a plea to Boris Johnson for help for Afghan journalists, translators and support staff who have worked with them over the 20 years of British military presence in the country.

In a joint letter to the prime minister and foreign secretary Dominic Raab, 23 newspapers, broadcasters and media organisations - including The Independent - called on Mr Johnson to follow the example of president Joe Biden, who has given Afghan journalists and media staff with US links access to a refugee programme.

They appealed for the creation of a special visa programme for Afghan media workers with UK links who are at risk as the Taliban attempts to retake the country following the withdrawal of Western troops.

The workers and their families - amounting to a total of a few dozen people - face an acute and worsening threat to their lives from the militant group, which has a track record of persecution and targeted killings of journalists who attempt to inform the world about conditions in the country, the letter warned.

The letter came as home secretary Priti Patel and defence secretary Ben Wallace acknowledged that the UK owes a huge debt of gratitude to local interpreters and other staff who worked alongside UK troops in Afghanistan.

Writing to former Army chief Lord Dannatt, who has led calls for the translators to be offered sanctuary in Britain, the ministers said the UK had been at the forefront of international efforts to relocate people, taking in 1,400 Afghan staff and their families since 2014, and a further 1,400 in recent weeks.

The government is committed to relocating another 500 families - around 2,500 people - as soon as possible, and Ms Patel and Mr Wallace said the scheme would remain open indefinitely, with no limit on total numbers.

They announced that the scheme was being amended to ensure that Afghans who worked with the British military are automatically eligible for relocation to the UK, even if they have already fled the country and are living elsewhere.

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Rojas took gold and broke the Olympic and World Record in the process AFP/Getty World news in pictures 31 July 2021 Elaine Thompson-Herah celebrates as she crosses the finish line to win the gold medal ahead of Jamaican teammate Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in the women's 100m final at the Tokyo Olympic Games Reuters World news in pictures 30 July 2021 Athletes compete during the mens 3000m Steeplechase at the Tokyo Olympics Reuters World news in pictures 29 July 2021 Athletes compete in the BMX mens Olympic quarter-finals run at the Ariake Urban Sports Park in Tokyo AFP/Getty World news in pictures 28 July 2021 A picture taken with a drone shows researchers from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Utrecht University investigating a dead fin whale found in the harbor of Terneuzen, The Netherlands EPA World news in pictures 27 July 2021 People wearing face masks to protect against the spread of the coronavirus walk past extra papers reporting on Japanese gold medalists at Tokyo Olympics AP 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But the scheme is open only to Afghans who worked with the military during deployments in Afghanistan since 2001, and media workers are not currently able to apply.

Todays media letter said that British newspapers and broadcasters covering the country have been heavily reliant on Afghan colleagues who were committed to the vision, shared by the British government and its Nato allies, of a free media as a vital part of a stable, peaceful democracy.

But it warned of very real fears that these people will now face reprisals from Taliban militants, who have already murdered Helmand-based reporter Elyas Day and photographer Danish Siddiqui, as they launch a military offensive to regain control of the country where they were ousted from power in 2001.

Journalists are among the civilians regarded by human rights organisations as most at risk of persecution, the letter warned.

And it stated: Britain has recognised the vital role of Afghans who served as translators for our armed forces, and the unique dangers they face because of their service, through the creation of a visa programme for them.

The Afghans who worked for UK media outlets have also been critical to our national understanding of what British men and women fought for Afghanistan, and the conduct of our allies in the Afghan government.

The numbers concerned are small, perhaps a few dozen people including family members, yet their work in illuminating the realities of Afghanistan to the British public has carried an exponential impact.

There is an urgent need to act quickly, as the threat to their lives is already acute and worsening.

If left behind, those Afghan journalists and media employees who have played such a vital role informing the British public by working for British media will be left at the risk of persecution, of physical harm, incarceration, torture, or death.

The Biden Administration this week recognised the threat to journalists and media staff with US links, giving them access to its refugee programme for Afghans.

We hope that a British government committed to democracy, which recognises the important role of a free press, will recall their help in their time of need and vulnerability and offer similar sanctuary.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said the letter was being actively considered.

The UK is committed to media freedom, and to championing democracy and human rights around the world, said the spokesperson.

Journalists must not face threats, injuries or death from simply doing their job: reporting on the truth.

We continue to stand with the people of Afghanistan to support a stable, peaceful future for the country. We are also supporting the international efforts to energise the Afghan peace process.
 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.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has ruled out any form of electoral pact with the SNP on constitutional issues ahead of the UKs next general election.

Sir Keir rejected speculation that his party could consider offering a second referendum on Scottish independence in the event SNP support was required to form a coalition or minority Labour government.

Look, I will meet Nicola Sturgeon, if she wants to, to talk through the challenges of the day, he told Scotlands Daily Record. But on the constitution  weve been absolutely clear that the focus right now is on the recovery and on the climate challenge.

The Labour leader suggested his partys stance on Scottish independence referendum would not soften  even after the expected recovery from the Covid crisis.

Sir Keir said the big issues for the whole of the UK going into the next general election would be generational questions about the health service, economy and climate emergency.

They can only be answered, in my view, by a strong Labour government in Westminster, he said. The central issue will be if you want a Labour government you have to vote Labour.

You cant vote for another party and get a Labour government in Westminster. That will be our strategic approach to those elections, and therell be no coalition going into those elections and no coalition coming out of it.

Sir Keir accused the SNP of a huge failure on the climate crisis ahead of the crucial COP26 climate conference in Glasgow this November  claiming that only one in 20 of the offshore win jobs promised by the Scottish government a decade ago have happened.

A test of how progressive you are is what youre doing on climate change and theyve manifestly failed on that. The SNP has failed to live up to the promises it made the people of Scotland, he said.

The Labour leader also rejected criticisms about climate crisis targets from some in his own party, and committed to achieving the substantial majority of greenhouse gas emission cuts by 2030.

In an interview with The Independent, Sir Keir said the partys commitment to the promise  effectively putting the UK on the path to net zero 20 years ahead of Boris Johnsons 2050 target  was as strong now as ever.

The Labour leaders previous reluctance publicly to reaffirm the pledge inherited from Jeremy Corbyn had sparked fears among activists that he was backing away from radical action on global warming.

But Sir Keir said the pledge was exactly the same as was in our 2019 manifesto, adding: The ambition  and not just the ambition, the determination and the commitment  of the Labour Party on the Green New Deal is just as strong now.

The Labour leader said Boris Johnson had been missing in action on climate change ahead of the Cop26 climate summit in Glasgow this November.

Both the prime minister and Sir Keir will be in Scotland today. The Labour leader is in Glasgow discussing climate change with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and local youth forum.
The U.S. on Monday finally reached President Joe Bidens goal of getting at least one COVID-19 shot in the arms of 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.

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 fast as we are opening up units, theyre being filled with COVID patients, lamented Dr. Sergio Segarra, chief medical officer of Baptist Hospital Miami, where the Florida chain reported an increase of well over 140% in the past two weeks in the number of people now hospitalized with the virus. As quickly as we can discharge them theyre coming in and theyre coming in very sick. We started seeing entire families come down.

Biden had set a goal of reaching the 70% threshold by the Fourth of July. But that target was set well before the highly contagious delta variant enabled the virus to come storming back and undermined the assumptions that were used to arrive at that figure.

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 public resistance.

The 70% target marked the low-end of initial government estimates for what would be necessary to achieve herd immunity in the U.S. That has been rendered insufficient by the delta variant.

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.

Some places around the country are seeing newly confirmed infections and hospital caseloads reach their highest levels since the pandemic began a year and a half ago. 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 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 while indoors on campus, regardless of vaccination status. And New Jersey said workers at state-run nursing homes, psychiatric hospitals and other such institutions must get the shot or face regular testing.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that a nationwide vaccination requirement is not on the table, but noted that employers have the right to take that step as they see fit.

In Florida, it took two months last summer for the number of people in the hospital with the coronavirus 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 are far younger, many of them in their 20s and 30s.

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 from region to region differ wildly, and some places are far more vulnerable than others.

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%.

___

Associated Press writers Kelli Kennedy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Michelle Liu in Columbia, South Carolina, contributed to this report.
Americans are willing to take a pay cut in varying degrees to avoid returning to the office after working from home amid the pandemic, a survey has said.

A survey of 1,000 Americans commissioned by Breeze, an insurance company, revealed that 65 per cent of American remote workers would take a five per cent cut.

The online survey showed that while a large number of people would be unlikely to give up more than five per cent.

However, it maintained that 24 per cent would still take a 15 per cent pay cut and 15 per cent would be willing to give up a quarter of their current salary.

Companies have been using a number of incentives to spur workers to get back into the office such as prizes, free lunch, child care and wellbeing benefits.

However, certain sectors are keen to encourage workers to give up remote working, despite the rise of the more transmissible delta variant across the US.

The chief executive of Morgan Stanley said in June that the company would be expecting its employees to return to the office by Labor day, suggesting that those who have moved out of state could expect a pay cut.

A more nuanced communication is necessary, James Gorman said, before adding: But, make no mistake about it  we do our work inside Morgan Stanley offices.

On the other hand, Google made waves in the WFH debate after approving 85 per cent of employee requests to work remotely or relocate once its offices fully re-open.

Working remotely offers a host of benefits for many workers such as savings on travel expenses and time on commuting. The ability to work remotely full time also makes jobs accessible for those with disabilities.

Many feel that working from the office provides settings for employees to socialise and collaborate and that the loss of in-person spaces could be detrimental for the inclusion of young employees.

The online survey commissioned by Breeze was conducted by the polling firm Pollfish between 20 July and 21 July with people who are employed or looking for work at a job that can be completed entirely remotely.

Nearly half of people surveyed (46 per cent) said they would be willing to give up a quarter of their days off to work from home.

With the question put another way, 52 per cent said they would give up Amazon for the next year while 55 per cent would give up social media for the next year.
Friends of a woman who died during a hike with a man she met online have called for an investigation after it emerged her date claimed she had gone off on her own during their trek.

Police officer Dario Dizdar took 31-year-old Angela Tramonte on a hike as a first date shortly before she was found dead. Authorities say they dont suspect any foul play.

But her friends are now questioning why he allegedly abandoned her halfway through their desert hike.

Tramonte went for a hike up Camelback Mountain in Phoenix on Friday along with local Police Officer Dizdar.

The woman was found dead at around 4.40pm near a home at the base of the mountain.

Mr Dizdar told authorities that she had become overheated around halfway up the mountain and decided to turn around while he carried on walking up the mountain.

The off-duty officer also said that when he got back to the parking lot, he couldnt find Ms Tramonte and called emergency services to report her missing. Her body was found hours later.

The local coroner has listed her cause of death as pending.

Ms Tramonte had left her home in Massachusetts and travelled to Arizona to meet Mr Dizdar, fire officials told The Daily Beast on Monday.

Friends have said that Ms Tramonte and Mr Dizdar had been speaking to each other online for about two months, but that the Pheonix rendezvous was the first time they met in person.

Mr Dizdar joined the Pheonix Police Department in 2007. According to records seen by The Daily Beast, he was disciplined in 2009 after lying to an officer about his identity during a criminal investigation, giving them a false name and age.

Mr Diszdars identity and his connection to Ms Tramonte was first detailed by ABC15.

Phoenix Fire Department spokesperson Rob McDade told The Daily Beast that Mr Dizdar identified himself as a police officer to emergency responders. Phoenix Police Department spokesperson Mercedes Fortune told the outlet that no traumatic injuries were seen on the body of Ms Tramonte when she was found.

At this time there is no evidence to indicate foul play is suspected, she added.

The Maricopa County Attorneys Office said no charges have been filed against anyone in the case.

Ms Tramontes friends in Massachusetts have called for a thorough investigation after Ms Tramonte was found dead less than 24 hours after arriving in Arizona.

We want answers, we want justice and we want an investigation to go further and we want to see what this guy was really all about, Stacey Gerardi told CBS Boston.

As a first responder youre supposed to help people, she added. Why would you not walk her back down? Why would you continue to walk back up.

Knowing shed be down there, shed be by herself, it makes no sense, Sarina Viola said.

Mr McDade said the Pheonix Fire Department got a call from Mr Dizdar at around 1pm. The officer told authorities they started their hike around 10am. When he had walked back to the car, Ms Tramontes belongings were there but she wasnt.

Ms Fortune said Mr Dizdar told police that neither of them brought water on the hike and that Ms Tramonte had asked him to continue up the mountain to take pictures that she could share on social media and that they agreed to meet at the car.

A 30-member rescue team along with a helicopter searched the mountain and she was found unresponsive off the trail, close to a house.

Mr McDade told The Daily Beast that the trail up the mountain is highly technical and that even physically fit individuals can find it challenging. He also noted that the temperature on Friday was 105 degrees (40.5 C).

The spokesman said its possible that she could have lost sight of the trail and moved towards the homes seeking aid.

Once you get off the trail youre in trouble, he said. Now youre just walking through the Sonoran Desert.

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, Mr McDade said at the scene on Friday according to The Boston Globe.

Its very unforgiving, is the word I like to use. This mountain doesnt care who you are, or how great of a hiker or an experienced hiker you are, he told reporters. The mountain, in a situation like that, usually wins.

Melissa Buttaro, who identified herself as a friend of Ms Tramonte, started a GoFundMe page to help with transport and funeral expenses.

Halfway up the mountain, Angela told this man, who is a police officer and first responder, that she was exhausted and couldnt 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 wrote on the page.

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. There are many inconsistencies in the timeline and facts that just dont make any sense. We just want justice for our friend, she added.

Internal Phoenix Police Department documents published by ABC15 last year show that Mr Dizdar was previously disciplined and put on the Maricopa County Attorneys Office Brady list tracking officers with integrity concerns because of previous misconduct.

The office told The Daily Beast that Mr Dizdar is still on the list.

According to an internal document, Mr Dizdar was at a Sangria Lounge in Glendale, Arizona, in September 2009 when he was questioned by an officer about an unidentified friend who allegedly had been assaulted outside the bar. According to the report, Mr Dizdar didnt witness the assault and identified himself as a Pheonix police officer. But the document states that he gave a fake name and date of birth to the officer, as well as the wrong number for the victim.

Before the start of his next shift, Mr Dizdar told his supervisor the truth about what had occurred, apologised, and then cooperated with a Glendale detective looking into the assault.

Ms Fortune told The Daily Mail in a statement: 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.
The United States will require thousands of border agents to wear body cameras, according to two officials and government documents, a major operational change that could increase oversight of agents and also help capture criminal activity.

The cameras are expected to be rolled out in parts of Texas and New Mexico during the summer and expanded to Arizona, California, Vermont and Texas busy Rio Grande Valley in the fall and winter, according to a recent government assessment of how the devices could impact privacy.

Pro-immigrant activists will likely welcome the increased oversight of an agency some have criticized for excessive use of force and institutional racism. But a union for border patrol agents also supports cameras, saying they could assist criminal investigations and help show that agents act professionally.

The American Civil Liberties Union and other groups have called on border patrol to use the cameras to improve accountability in the wake of several high-profile fatal shootings by law enforcement over the past decade.

Brandon Judd, president of the National Border Patrol Council, stressed that agents should have access to the footage, including when an agent is accused of wrongdoing.

Theres no way to erase the footage, theres no way to doctor the footage, so theres no reason the agents shouldnt have access, he said in an interview.

Border Patrols parent agency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), is the largest law enforcement agency in the United States, which presents a unique challenge for video footage collection and storage.

Recordings of illegal activity, use of force or agent misconduct could be used as evidence in investigations or prosecutions, the privacy assessment said.

The cameras could offer new insight into the policing of the southern border, where migrant arrests have risen to 20-year highs in recent months and encounters sometimes take place in remote areas.

In cases where footage could be used as evidence in a criminal case, it could be retained for up to 75 years, according to the privacy assessment. Footage that does not have value as evidence would be destroyed within 180 days.

After a bipartisan group of lawmakers spearheaded efforts to secure funding for bodycams, CBP awarded a $13 million contract to Axon Enterprises Inc in September 2020 to equip 3,800 border patrol agents with body cameras and to connect the cameras to a cloud-based storage system.

Axon declined to comment on the rollout. CBP did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

CBP conducted a small pilot of body cameras in 2015, but ultimately opted not to deploy them then.

An agency assessment at the time said the cameras would likely reduce the use of physical force on the job, but cited a number of reasons not to adopt the devices, including cost and agent morale.

Gil Kerlikowske, who was CBP commissioner at the time, said another consideration was that the cameras did not hold up particularly well in the field, where they could be knocked off in the brush or mucked up with dust and dirt.

Body cameras have become more commonplace since the 2015 effort. The U.S. Department of Justice said in June that its agents would be required to wear cameras when serving search and arrest warrants.

Kerlikowske said many law enforcement officers support the idea, too.

There are now police officers who wonat go on the street without their body camera, he said. They want that video image.
A woman known as Central Park Karen after she was seen in a viral video reporting a Black bird spotter to police, has finally spoken out.

Amy Cooper, who appeared in this weeks episode of Honestly with Bari Weiss, alleged that Christian Cooper (unrelated), had threatened her during the encounter in Central Park in May last year, the New York Post reported.

She was seen in a viral video telling Mr Cooper that she would tell the police theres an African-American man threatening my life, after he asked her to leash her dog in a protected area of the park, the Ramble.

Ms Cooper told the podcast, which was released on Tuesday, that she did not know that as a woman alone in a park that I had another option, but to call 911 because Mr Cooper said he was going to do something she was not going to like because she refused to leash her dog.

According to his own account of what happened at the time  that turned out to be offering her unleashed dog, treats. Ms Cooper confirmed that was what happened next, in the podcast.

Im trying to figure out, you know, what does that mean? Is that a physical attack on me? Is that to my dog? Like, what is he about to do?, she told the former Ms Weiss, a former Wall Street Journal review editor, opinion writer, and podcast host.

Ms Cooper continued: Im thinking, Oh my gosh, is this guy like going to like lure my dog over and try to like hit him with this bike helmet?'

The bird watcher, Mr Cooper, did not attack Ms Cooper or her dog, but started videoing the encounter when she refused to put her dog on a leash.

He added on Facebook: I pull out the dog treats I carry for just for such intransigence. I didn't even get a chance to toss any treats to the pooch before Karen scrambled to grab the dog.

Police eventually arrived at the park, and there were no arrests. She was later charged for filing a false police report, after she was accused of racism and the video went viral. She was also fired by her employer.

After receiving racial bias training and therapy sessions, police reportedly dropped the charges against Ms Cooper, who apologised for referencing Mr Coopers race.

She added in the Honestly with Bari Weiss podcast that she was traumatised following the incident and that she wanted to tell the bird watcher that she was scared during the encounter.

The incident, according to Mr Cooper, was the the starting point for last years anti-racism movement and later protests in the wake of George Floyds murder by Minneapolis police.
A Texas pediatrician has revealed her concerns that another wave of coronavirus in the US could be devastating for children in the country, saying she is more worried than ever for their wellbeing.

Heather Haq, an assistant professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine and a pediatric hospitalist at Texas Childrens Hospital in Houston, wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post detailing her concerns.

The doctor explained how she routinely cares for children admitted with Covid-19 at a childrens hospital in Houston.

She said minors are experiencing a range of symptoms from newborns with fevers to school-age kids whose bodies are ravaged with inflammation and tweens and adolescents with Covid pneumonia.

There is this popular notion that covid doesnt affect children  and my public health and epidemiologic training reminds me that on a population level, its true, she writes.

However, the doctor cautions that she is more fearful for the health of children in this wave than in any other.

She says that the reality of being at the bedside of children critically ill from covid and covid-related illnesses creates a certain dissonance.

These two perspectives battle in my brain as I make risk assessments for my own school-age child, Dr Haq says.

Children are significantly less likely to become severely ill from coronavirus infection and are likely to experience mild symptoms.

However, they are not immune from the virus or guaranteed not to experience severe side effects of the infection.

The pediatric expert explains that as a parent she cant predict why some children become so incredibly sick from Covid while others have mild disease.

We dont know why some go on to have lingering debilitation and symptoms for months, and others make quick recoveries, the doctor writes.

What I do know is that in this moment, as the highly contagious Delta variant becomes the predominant strain circulating and we enter another covid surge, I am more worried for children than I have ever been.

The healthcare professional fears a spike in cases as a wave of infections brought on by the more transmissible Delta coincides with the reopening of schools, causing large outbreaks in school settings.

She also says that hospitals are struggling to cope with an uptick in admissions as a result of a resurgence of common viruses of childhood that had been suppressed as a result of pandemic health measures.

Whats different this time is that childrens hospitals are also dealing with an unusual summertime surge in respiratory viruses, she writes.

States that are seeing a rise in community transmission such as Arkansas are seeing a record increase in the number of admissions for Covid-19 in childrens hospitals.

"Were seeing a real surge with the Delta variant that we did not see previously," Dr Rick Barr, chief clinical officer at Arkansas Childrens Hospital, told CNN.

He added: "This is the worst that weve seen it for kids, absolutely."

Dr Haq says that one important step that families can take to protect their children of all ages is to ensure that all eligible household members over age 12 are vaccinated.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all children eligible to get a Covid-19 vaccination to help protect against the virus.

Covid-19 vaccines are safe and effective, they write on their website. They stipulate the shots have undergone the most intensive safety monitoring in US history, which includes studies in adolescents.

However, the pediatrician stipulates that other mitigation measures such as masks, physical distancing, testing, contact tracing, and quarantining should also be observed.

If we abandon these crucial tools now, we are putting our children in harms way, she says.
A man known as River Dave among New Hampshire residents has been jailed for squatting on private land for nearly three decades.

David Lidstone, 81, has lived in a small cabin he built, adorned with its own solar panels, along the Merrimack River in Canterbury, New Hampshire, for 27 years.

But issues arose after the owners of the private property ordered for River Dave, as he was known by boaters and kayakers, to leave the area and for his cabin to be torn down.

Mr Lidstone has been jailed since 15 July on a civil contempt sanction.

You came with your guns, you arrested me, brought me in here, youve got all my possessions. You keep em, he told a judge at a hearing Wednesday. Ill sit here with your uniform on until I rot, sir.

A judge told Mr Lidstone at the hearing that he could meet with the Vermont man who owned the property if he wanted to resolve the case.

Unless you say youll live by the judgement as long as that injunction is in place. If you say that, any day, you hold the key. Tell that to a judge, and theyll try to get you in the next day and get you out, Merrimack County Superior Court Judge Andrew R Schulman said.

Jodie Gedeon, an avid kayaker who has known Mr Lidstone for about 20 years, has organised a petition drive that would collect money to cover property taxes, all in an effort to keep the man in his cabin.

Hes just a really, really, big caring guy, and just chooses to live off the grid, she told the Associated Press. It really is about humanity, it really is about compassion, empathy  hes not hurting anybody.

The judge agreed that Mr Lidstone was not hurting anyone with how he chose to live, but the law was not on his side.

Youre doing your own thing in the Live Free or Die state, so theres a lot of sympathy to you for that, Judge Schulman said. But theres a lot of weight on the other side of the balance sheet, and not just about what the (landowner) wants to do with the land, but the weight I feel to uphold the judgment of the court and the rule of law.

Ms Gedeon and other supporters brought the issue to the town meeting, but board members said that the town had no position on the matter.

The battle over the spot of land first started in 2015.

Mr Lidstone said he was given verbal, but not written, confirmation from the owner that he would be allowed to remain on the property for years. But the current owner, Leonard Giles, said he wasnt aware of the man living on the property until 2015.

A judge first issued an order for the man to leave his property in 2017, but Mr Lidstone resisted. He was then arrested in July after both sides failed to reach an agreement.

Another hearing was scheduled for next week on the issue.

Until then, Mr Lidstone would remain in jail unless he either agreed to leave his cabin, allowed for the property owner to demolish the cabin, or 30 days passed since he was jailed, according to the Associated Press.
A man who was taped to his seat and arrested after authorities say he groped female flight attendants and punched a male crewmember won a college frat award for being a perfect role model and for leading the fight to dismantle fraternity stereotypes, The New York Times has reported.

The Frontier Airlines flight left Philadelphia at 10.41pm on Saturday night, landing in Miami just over two and a half hours later.

The airline said on Tuesday that the flight attendants would be relieved of flying while the incident was investigated, a decision that was blasted by the largest flight attendants union in the US, the Association of Flight Attendants. Later that same day, the airline said that paid leave was appropriate for an event of this nature.

WPVI-TV in Philadelphia reported that 22-year-old Maxwell Berry from Norwalk, Ohio was arrested after the flight. A criminal complaint from the Miami-Dade Police Department said he has been charged with three misdemeanour counts of battery.

Mr Berry had two drinks on the plane and used his empty cup to touch the backside of a female crew member, who said dont touch me, according to the criminal complaint written by the arresting officers.

Sitting in seat 28D, he reportedly spilt his third drink on his shirt and went to the restroom  later coming out shirtless.

After being helped by one of the flight attendants to get a new shirt from his carry-on, he walked around the plane for 15 minutes before groping the chest of another flight attendant who told him not to touch her and to sit down, authorities said. Officers wrote in the criminal complaint that Mr Berry put his arms around the two flight attendants he had previously groped.

A male flight attendant walked to Mr Berrys seat to oversee his actions and asked him repeatedly to calm down, at which point Mr Berry punched the crew member in the face, officers said.

Mr Berry can be heard screaming you guys f***ing suck in a video taken by another passenger. He also claimed that his parents are worth more than f***ing two million goddamn dollars.

In an inaudible comment, Mr Berry appeared to also mention his grandfathers wealth.

In a video obtained by TMZ, Mr Berry can be heard saying: Im white. Im sorry, I cant change that.

Mr Berrys mouth was taped over but the tape was quickly lowered by a flight attendant. The 22-year-old yelled help several times.

He has taken to the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department on Sunday and was released later the same day.

Mr Berry graduated in May from Ohio Wesleyan University. He was given values in action award from the frat community for being a perfect role model and for being a leader in the fight to dismantle fraternity stereotypes.

A Zoom video of the presentation of the awards was posted by the university.

Ohio Wesleyan is saddened to learn of this situation with one of our graduates, university spokesman Cole Hatcher told The New York Times on Tuesday. The case does not involve the university, and the incidents depicted do not reflect Ohio Wesleyans values.

The president of the Association of Flight Attendants Sara Nelson said in a statement: A drunk and irate passenger verbally, physically and sexually assaulted multiple members of the crew. When he refused to comply after multiple attempts to de-escalate, the crew was forced to restrain the passenger with the tools available to them on board. We are supporting the crew.

Officers said in their criminal complaint that passengers helped restrain Mr Berry, who was secured in his seat using packing tape, a video appeared to show. A seatbelt extender was also used, police said.

Frontier Airlines maintains the utmost value, respect, concern and support for all of our flight attendants, including those who were assaulted on this flight, the Denver-based airline said. We are supporting the needs of these team members and are working with law enforcement to fully support the prosecution of the passenger involved.

Management suspended the crew as a knee-jerk reaction to a short video clip that did not show the full incident, Ms Nelson added. Management should be supporting the crew at this time, not suspending them.

The arresting officers wrote in the criminal complaint that they had referred Mr Berrys case to the FBI, but that the agency had declined to push felony charges against him.

But the Federal Aviation Administration has already this year fined several passengers tens of thousands of dollars for unruly behaviour amid mask requirements and other safety instructions.

The agency put a zero-tolerance policy into place earlier this year for assaulting or interfering with flight attendants with the possibility of fines up to $35,000 as well as jail time.

Cabin crews are responsible for deciding how to respond to unruly-passenger incidents, FAA spokesperson Ian Gregor told The New York Times.

The FAA said it has received 3.715 reports of unruly behaviour this year, including 2.729 reports of passengers refusing to wear masks.
The Mexican government has announced it is suing a number of US gun companies, alleging that insufficient controls have led to the illegal flow of weapons over the border.

Mexican authorities argue that US-made weapons, and the manufacturers negligent business practices, have contributed to the shattering violence that has plagued parts of the country.

The lawsuit seeks financial compensation from the gun companies, in damages that Mexican officials have estimated to be as high as $10 billion, reports Reuters.

The US government is not a target of the suit, which names companies including Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc.; Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Inc; Beretta U.S.A. Corp; Glock, Inc; and Colts Manufacturing Co. Llc.

Legal gun sales in Mexico are restricted far more tightly than in the US. According to a Mexican government study released last year, around 2.5 million illicit American guns have been brought across the border in the last decade.

The Mexican Foreign Ministry said in a document related to the suit, that the arms manufacturers are conscious of the fact that their products are trafficked and used in illicit activities against the civilian population and authorities of Mexico.

The statement continued: Nonetheless, they continue to prioritise their economic benefit, and use marketing strategies to promote weapons that are ever more lethal, without mechanisms of security or traceability.

The Mexican government brings this action to put an end to the massive damage that the Defendants cause by actively facilitating the unlawful trafficking of their guns to drug cartels and other criminals in Mexico, the lawsuit said.

In addition to financial compensation, the companies named in the lawsuit are called upon to change their business practices to help prevent arms trafficking, reports The Washington Post.

The suit was scheduled to be filed a day after the anniversary of the 2019 mass shooting in the border city of El Paso, Tex., which left 23 people dead, including a number of Mexicans.

After the attack, Mexicos foreign minister, Marcelo Ebrard, pledged to look into courses of legal action because of the harm to Mexican citizens.
Law enforcement sources have revealed the names of both the suspect and officer slain in a violent incident that occurred on a bus platform near the Pentagon Metro station.

27-year-old Austin William Lanz of Georgia is accused of stabbing to death the officer, George Gonzalez, before being fired upon by other officers at the scene on Tuesday, officials told CNN. Both died from their injuries.

One civilian bystander was also injured during the altercation, but has since been released from the hospital, according to the FBI, which described the incident in a statement released on Twitter.

At approximately 10.40 a.m. on Tuesday, August 3, an individual exited a bus at the Pentagon Transit Center in Arlington, VA, and immediately, without provocation, attacked [Pentagon Force Protection Agency] Officer George Gonzalez with a knife, severely wounding him, said the FBIs Washington DC field office.

A struggle ensued, in which the subject mortally wounded Officer Gonzalez and then shot himself with the officers service weapon. Other PFPA officers engaged the subject, who ultimately died at the scene, it continued.

A struggle ensued, in which the subject mortally wounded Officer Gonzalez and then shot himself with the officers service weapon. Other PFPA officers engaged the subject, who ultimately died at the scene.  FBI Washington Field (@FBIWFO) August 4, 2021

An official with the Department of Defense confirmed to the network that Mr Lanz enlisted in the Marine Corps but left the service before becoming a Marine; he was also reportedly awaiting trial on a number of criminal charges including making terroristic threats as well as two counts of aggravated battery on a police officer at the time of the shooting.

Mr Gonzalez was memorialized on Wednesday in a statement from White House press secretary Jen Psaki, who gave the Biden administrations condolences to the officers family.
A 20-year-old man stands accused of causing $30m worth of damage to the US Navy after allegedly setting fire to an amphibious assault ship.

An application for a search warrant for Ryan Sawyer Mays was unsealed on Tuesday and obtained by The Daily Beast. The basis for the warrant request was the affidavit of a Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) special agent.

Mr Mays was under suspicion following the 12 July, 2020, fire on the USS Bonhomme Richard, a 40,000-ton ship that burned for almost five days causing dozens to be injured as they tried to extinguish the flames.

The identity of Mr Mays has previously not been published. Hes facing charges including arson within a special maritime and territorial jurisdiction, use of fire to damage federal property, and making a false statement, according to the legal filing.

A Navy spokesman told The Daily Beast that if the Navy instead continues with a court-martial, Mr Mays would face charges of aggravated arson and wilful hazarding of a vessel.

Mr Mays doesnt have a lawyer listed in the court documents.

Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Mike Gilday told reporters at the time last summer that the fire took over the ships 14 decks after beginning in the cargo hold. The temperature on the vessel at times reached 1.000 degrees (537.7 C).

Around 400 sailors from 16 vessels as well as helicopters, the Naval Base San Diego Fire Department, and multiple civilian fire departments worked to put out the flames.

Port of San Diego Harbor Police Department boats combat a fire aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) at Naval Base San Diego, July 12, 2020. (U.S. Navy via Getty Images)

Damage was done to every deck above the waterline, with 71 people hurt or treated for smoke inhalation. At least 18 firefighters filed claims for compensation after suffering from concussions, orthopaedic issues, and dehydration among other things, The Navy Times reported.

After speaking to 177 sailors assigned to the burning ship, NCIS investigators zeroed in on Mr Mays. One of the sailors said he had seen a light-skin male wearing clean coveralls and a face mask moving towards the rear of the ship. The witness is named in the search warrant affidavit as Kenji Velasco, who said that he didnt recognise the man he had seen, but later added that a sailor named Mays ... hates the US Navy and the Fleet, the filing says.

In subsequent interviews, Mr Velasco said he was fairly sure and 90 per cent sure that he saw Mr Mays move towards the lower vehicle storage area of the ship, known as the lower V, before the fire erupted.

Velasco further explained that in the hours and days after the fire, it had dawned on him that the individual who descended to the Lower V at 0805 on the day of the fire was Mayss height and build, had fair hair that could be seen coming out from his cover, like Mays, sounded like Mays, and said, I love deck, which is an expression Velasco knew Mays to say, the legal filing adds.

The affidavit also says that other sailors made similar suggestions about Mr Mays and that a command master chief identified Mays as a person who showed disdain towards authority and the US Navy.

Investigators looked into Mr Mays Instagram account, which is now private, and found a post with a caption that states: I love the smell of napalm in the morning.

Investigators looked into Mays Instagram account, which is now private, and found a post with a caption that states: I love the smell of napalm in the morning. (NCIS / Instagram)

Mr Mays joined the Navy in 2019 with the intent [of] becoming trained in the Advanced Electronics Computer Fields, but later changed his career goals to becoming a Navy SEAL.

He reportedly dropped out five days into SEAL training and was reassigned to the Bonhomme Richard as an undesignated Seaman.

According to Navy leadership, the morale and behaviour of sailors who had aspired to become a SEAL, and then find themselves serving in a more traditional role on a Navy ship, are frequently very challenging, the affidavit asserts.

Mr Mays told investigators that he would agree to take a polygraph exam, which led to his arrest. Mr Mays is said to have later incriminated himself by seemingly speaking to himself within earshot of two Master-at-Arms designated sailors who unprompted heard Mays say that he was guilty.

Mr Mays later denied making the comments as well as any involvement in the arson, claiming that he was being set up.

During a 10-hour interview with investigators, Mr Mays said he had recently ended a relationship with a female sailor after discovering that she was pregnant and that he wasnt the father.

The legal document states that investigators later learned that this was mostly contradicted by the female sailor.

Mr Mays phone was seized by NCIS, who also searched his car and apartment, and swabbed his cheek for DNA, which has so far not been matched to DNA found at the scene.

The Navy said in November that it would scrap the ship, which was facing $3.2bn in repair costs. It cost around $750m at the time of construction in 1998, which by todays dollar value is around $1.2bn.

The investigation is ongoing, the affidavit said.
An associate warden at the jail housing alleged sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell has been charged with fatally shooting her husband.

Antonia Ashford, associate warden at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn, New York, was charged with murder and weapons possession after her husband was found dead by police in their New Jersey home.

According to prosecutors, Ms Ashford pulled a gun on her husband and shot him in the face. Police found the man, Roderick Ashford, lying on the floor. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Associated Press..

Mr Ashford was also a Bureau of Prisons employee.

The jail  and the state's Bureau of Prisons  have become infamous for allegations of mismanagement and abuse.

Those issues came to light in 2019 when Jeffrey Epstein, sex trafficker and financier to the ultra-wealthy, died by apparent suicide while being housed at the Metropolitan Correction Center in Manhattan. Three weeks prior to his death, Epstein was found unconscious in his cell with injuries to his neck. At the time, Epstein believed that he had been attacked by his cellmate, a body-builder ex-police officer facing the death penalty for federal murder and drug charges.

After Epstein was placed on suicide watch, the man was moved out of the cell.

The inmate denied ever having touched Epstein.

After the jail was criticised for letting Epstein die, the sex trafficker's longtime girlfriend and alleged pimp, Ms Maxwell, was also put on a restrictive suicide watch.

Ms Maxwell has complained that guards constantly wake her up with flashlights throughout the night and that sleep masks and earplugs do nothing to help block their intrusions.

She has also complained that the facility has a horrible stench due to overflowing toilets and that she was being served "inedible" food and brown water. She claims she has lost hair and is under near constant surveillance.

Ms Maxwell has strongly denied the accusations against her.

The jail has a rocky history even outside its association with Epstein and Ms Maxwell; in 2019, the Bureau of Prisons was criticised after offering an inadequate response to a week-long power failure during the winter that left inmates huddling for warmth in their cells.
A woman in Indiana stands accused of killing her husband and getting her kids to help with the disposal of his body.

Prosecutors say that Thessalonica Allen, 34, shot and killed Randy Allen at their house in La Porte on 27 July. She has been charged with murder, abusing a corpse, altering a death scene, neglect and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of children.

The couples two children fled to their mothers bedroom after a loud bang rang out, according to court documents seen by The South Bend Tribune.

They told authorities that they found Mr Allen lying on the floor, and he requested them to call the emergency services. Despite this, Ms Allen told them to return to their beds, the documents state.

According to the children, later that night Ms Allen woke them to get them to assist in getting Mr Allens body out of the house and into a vehicle. The children told investigators that they found the body too heavy to lift.

The children, who the documents state are under the age of 16, detailed to authorities that their mother arrived home with an axe and cleaning supplies. The body was stored in one of the childrens wardrobes, according to documents.

The documents go on to say that Ms Allen asked them to put Mr Allens dismembered body in a tote. Investigators were told that the bag was too heavy for the children to carry. Ms Allen wanted to take Mr Allens remains to South Bend and burn them, the documents state.

Ms Allen was questioned by officers from La Porte Police Department. In the interview, she outlined that she shot Mr Allen following a quarrel after it developed into a physical fight where she was choked by Mr Allen. She is believed to have told police that the fight broke out after the children said he had beaten them.

After the authorities searched the property, they uncovered notes that had messages that read hit him with a hammer and stab him and roll up body in sheets and plastic bags.

Members of Mr Allens family spoke out about the heartbreak upon discovering what happened to him.

Were devastated. This was a senseless murder that didnt have to happen, Sharon Colmen, his sister, told WBAY.

When I was told, I just started screaming. I lost it. Cant imagine what the kids are going through, Mr Allens aunt, Patricia Blanton, told the same network.

According to reports from ABC7, an ex-partner of Ms Allen told police that she had also asked him for help for disposing of the body. After saying he would not help, Ms Allen drove him back home in Michigan. The former partner said that he kept a gun Ms Allen had thrown out of the window of the car and called emergency services.

Ms Allen is currently in La Porte County Jail and has not been offered to be let out on bond. Her next court appearance is Friday and she is expected to make a plea.
A woman was rescued from a beach in Massachusetts by a pair of fisherman after she was stalked by an aggressive coyote.

The woman, Marcy Sterlis, managed to keep the animal at bay by swinging a large stick at it for 10 minutes.

Ms Sterlis was visiting Race Point Beach in Provincetown, Massachusetts when she spotted the coyote.

I sat down to put my sneakers back on and as I was getting up, I look over and this coyote was four or five feet from me, Ms Sterlis told Boston 25, a local broadcaster.

A pair of fishermen, William Kelley and Andrew DeCarton, heard Ms Sterlis crying for help, saying he won't leave me alone as the coyote circled her. Mr DeCarton recorded the incident as the fishermen approached the beach.

The coyote circled the woman for approximately 10 minutes, undeterred by her yelling and stick swinging.

Once the boat was close to the shore, Mr Kelley used an oar to slap the side of the ship, making a loud noise that sacred the coyote away. The fishermen then picked up Ms Sterlis and checked to see if she had been bitten by the animal.

After the woman was safely aboard, the fishermen took her back to her car.

She praised the fishermen for hearing her cries and coming to her aid.

Major props to these guys for hearing my screams and responding  this coyote was relentless, and I dont know what I would have done without them, she wrote in a Facebook post about the incident.

Ms Sterlis was not deterred from beaches due to the incident; later that day she spent her afternoon at Meadow Beach.

Coyotes are typically timid and skittish creatures, generally relying on the safety of their pack and often running at the sight of humans.

However, as coyotes have moved into more populated areas, researches believe they have in some cases become habituated to humans, which may make them less timid about approaching people.

Typically coyotes tend to target pets, not humans. But attacks, though rare, do happen. There are only two known fatal attacks on humans by coyotes.
Former President Barack Obama has cancelled his 60th birthday celebrations due to the rise in cases of the Delta coronavirus variant, The New York Times has reported.

Mr Obama had reportedly been set to throw a big bash to celebrate the occasion, with 475 guests. Friends, family, former aides and several celebrities were slated to have been invited.

However, over the last week, the former president has received criticism for pushing ahead with the party amid a worrying rise in cases of the Delta variant across the US.

The Times reported that despite the backlash the party was still set to go ahead as planned but now the plans have been significantly scaled back.

Due to the new spread of the Delta variant over the past week, the president and Ms Obama have decided to significantly scale back the event to include only family and close friends, a spokesperson told the newspaper.

They added: Hes appreciative of others sending their birthday wishes from afar and looks forward to seeing people soon.

The celebration was reported to be taking place at a 7,000-foot mansion Mr Obama bought for approximately $11.75 million on an island in Massachusetts.

The New York Post reported that the star-studded invite list included the likes of George Clooney, Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg.

Theyve been concerned about the virus from the beginning, asking invited guests if they had been vaccinated, requesting that they get a test proximate to the event, David Axelrod, a former top advisor told the newspaper.

He continued: But when this was planned, the situation was quite different. So they responded to the changing circumstances.

The event was purportedly set to take place outdoors and all guests were said to be required to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) public health protocols.

Despite the emphasis on vaccination and health protocols, WCVB reported that 1,364 new Covid-19 breakthrough cases in fully vaccinated individuals had been reported in Massachusetts last week.

The former president will turn 60 on 4 August.

The decision to cancel the large gathering comes only a day after President Joe Biden conceded the Delta variant was causing a new wave of cases.

This is a very different variant than what weve dealt with previously, he said in public remarks on Tuesday.

The more transmissible variant now accounts for over 80 per cent of all Covid-19 cases in the country. Mr Biden emphasised that the vaccine was the best tool in the fight against the virus.

I want to be crystal clear about whats happening in the country today: We have a pandemic of the unvaccinated, he said.
A local TV news reporter has spoken out about the abuse she suffers while working out in the field after a man was caught catcalling her in Rochester, New York.

Brianna Hamblin, who works for Spectrum News, said she was about to go on air when she was approached by a man who began to harass her in a residential neighbourhood.

In a video shared by the reporter on Twitter in July, a man can be seen walking into view and catcalling her and says youre beautiful as hell.

He is then heard telling her that he cant be alone with a Black woman and cant stand these white girls, in what he appeared to think was a compliment.

Have a great rest of your day, she replies, and as the man is heard walking away, says to herself oh my god.

Ms Hambiln afterwards took to Twitter and wrote that in no way is this endearing. Its uncomfortable. Its gross, and accused the man of talking down on one group of women to praise another group.

The audacity of the things men say to me never ceases to amaze me, she added. What makes you think women want to be talked to that way?

Being hit on and harassed as a woman, especially as a woman reporter out in the field, happens so often you learn how to roll with it or ignore it, wrote Ms Hamblin.

This time it happened to be recorded only seconds before my hit. There are A LOT of things wrong with this.

In an interview with USA Today, she added that although she encountered harassment before, there were so many men that were shocked by (the video), she wanted to share it widely.

It is sometimes a wake-up call to people who aren't ... experiencing it, she said. I was not expecting it to be as widespread as it has been."

In a statement to the network, Spectrum News said it was proud of how Ms Hamblin handled the situation, and for remaining calm and professional throughout.

We want our employees to feel safe and are constantly working toward achieving that goal.
Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, a Republican, has expressed regret in signing into law a ban on mandatory mask mandates at the local level at a time when infection rates have surged across the state.

The governor was asked at a Tuesday press conference why he signed the ban in the first place if he now regretted it.

Well, I signed it at the time because our cases were at a very low point. I knew itd be overridden by the legislature if I didnt sign it ... I already eliminated our statewide mask mandate, MS Hutchinson said.

I signed it for those reasons that our cases were at a low point. Everything has changed now. And yes, in hindsight I wish that had not become law, he added.

Amid soaring infection rates, Mr Hutchinson has called a special session for the state legislature to overturn portions of the law that prevent local entities, specifically schools, from mandating masks. Children under the age of 12 are unable to receive a Covid-19 vaccine, making them more vulnerable to the virus compared to others.

The 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, Mr Hutchinson said.

Both chambers of the state legislature would need a two-thirds majority vote in order to lift the ban prior to the start of school. If they get a simple majority, that means the ban will not be lifted for 90 days.

The governor said that he still supported banning statewide mask mandates, even with increased infection rates.

Arkansas has recorded a 69 per cent increase in Covid-19 infection rates and a 55 per cent increase in hospitalisations due to the novel virus in the last 14 days, according to a data tracker released by The New York Times. Deaths were also up 246 per cent.

During this surge, the state remains one of the lowest vaccinated states in the US. Only 47 per cent of all Arkansas residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 37 per cent are fully vaccinated.

But Mr Hutchinson said the state was witnessing an increase in vaccinations in the last few weeks.

I think weve seen a sea change in attitude, a sea [change] in action, more importantly, of people stepping up to the plate and recognising its important for their health, the governor said. I think youre also seeing more people trying to get accurate information.
Republican congresswoman Lauren Boebert has denied that she provided reconnaissance of the US Capitol amid reports she offered an after-hours tour on 12 December, less than a month before the pro-Trump riot.

The statement came after Salon.com reported that guests of the right-wing Colorado congresswoman received an exclusive after-hours tour before Ms Boebert was even sworn in.

The report said that multiple guests of hers visited after normal visiting hours, which happen from 9am to 3pm on weekdays when 12 December was a Saturday night. A photo show guests, including Ms Boeberts mother and her teenage son, at the top of the Capitol Dome. Capitol rules say a member of Congress and an official guide must accompany guests to the top of the dome and there is no indication a member or a guide was with them.

But Ms Boeberts press secretary denied that she offered any reconnaissance tours, which had been suggested by some. Democratic Rep Steve Cohen of Tennessee accused her of giving tours through the tunnels of the Cannon House Office Building tunnel ahead of the 6 January insurrection at the Capitol.

Democratic congresswoman Pramila Jayapal of Washington asked for the House Ethics Committee to investigate Ms Boebert, as well as Representatives Paul Gosar of Arizona and Mo Brooks of Alabama. But the committee chose not to investigate her.

Ms Boebert said in a statement that the complaints led to death threats.

Now, Salon is pushing this false story in what amounts to nothing more than clickbait, she said.

Here are the facts. The House Ethics Committee cleared me of these unfounded accusations, no reconnaissance tour occurred, and Salon continues to be a lying rag.
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.

Christopher Garman, managing director for the Americas at the political risk consultancy Eurasia Group, said he doesn't see any danger of Brazil's military backing Bolsonaro in challenging results, even if a leftist like da Silva triumphs. That means risks to post-election governability are negligible," he wrote in a research note Monday.

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. "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.
White House press secretary Jen Psakis answer to a Fox News journalists question that involved a quip at the expense of President Donald Trumps former administration was met with acclaim online.

At the daily press briefing, reporter Peter Doocy asked a series of queries about the sexual harassment allegations against Andrew Cuomo, the Democratic governor of New York. Ms Psaki answered nearly every single question with assurance that President Joe Biden would respond to the scandal in a televised address later in the day.

Does the administration want the Justice Department to initiate a civil rights investigation into these harassment allegations revealed today, Mr Doocy asked Ms Psaki.

In response, Ms Psaki said, We do something new here that feels foreign from the last four years and allow the Justice Department to act independently on investigations.

This line of questioning from Mr Doocy comes after the investigation by New York state Attorney General, Letitia James, produced a 156-page report that found Mr Cuomo created a hostile work environment for women through inappropriate behaviour, such as unwanted touching and comments.

Ms Psakis answer to Mr Doocy was lauded on social media as people shared the clip on Twitter. Ms Psaki has become notable for her interactions with Mr Doocy while at briefings.

One person said, Im surprised hes never had to be revived after getting Psakied day after day.

ok, that was an epic response @PressSec, wrote Thomas Lance.

Sam Peck joked, Wanna see a dead body?

Carol Barry called it, More Psaki perfection!

Another person said, Im not always a fan of Psaki, but this is f****** hilarious, top notch ownage by her here.

Lucas House tweeted, Shes so awesome.

One person wrote, I f****** love you Jen Psaki.

Leslie Salter asked, Why does he bother?

This was just a solid slap to the face. Awesome!, wrote Paige Cuccaro.

She is the queen of retorts, another person said.

In the later press conference, Mr Biden stood by his assertion that Mr Cuomo should resign if the allegations against him were found to be credible.

I stand by those comments, he said in response to a question by CNN Senior White House Correspondent Kaitlin Collins.

Other institutions, such as The New York Times editorial board have called on Mr Cuomo to resign.

During a press conference on 3 August, Mr Cuomo said that he had no intentions to resign from his position and is now expected to face impeachment process.

He refuted the investigations findings, saying he had never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances.
US Senator John Kennedy, a Republican of Louisiana, has called on President Barack Obama to cancel his 60th birthday celebration altogether  a suggestion that has sparked criticism online.

This suggestion came when Mr Kennedy was asked about the recent birthday controversy on Fox News on Wednesday morning. The senator claimed Mr Obamas birthday party was the biggest thing getting in the way of the American public understanding the severity of the highly contagious Delta variant.

The single biggest thing that has undermined our efforts in making the American people understand were in a fourth wave is President Obamas decision to hold a birthday bash with 400 people, Mr Kenendy said.

Ive never seen something so irresponsible, he knows better. He needs to cancel it and have a beer and personal pan pizza at home with his wife, the senator added.

Fox News host Bill Hemmer informed Mr Kennedy of the latest news regarding Mr Obamas birthday plans.

Initially, hundreds of celebrities, politicians, friends, and family were expected to attend the former presidents birthday party at his Marthas Vineyard home off the Massachusetts coast.

Guests were told they would have to provide a negative Covid-19 test to attend, but it still sparked backlash among the public given the current surge of infection rates due to the Delta variant.

The event has since been significantly scaled back.

This outdoor event was planned months ago in accordance with all public health guidelines and with Covid safeguards in place, Mr Obamas spokesperson Hannah Hankins said in a statement. Due to the new spread of the Delta variant over the past week, the President and Mrs Obama have decided to significantly scale back the event to include only family and close friends.

Mr Kennedy was told on Fox News about the latest decision for the party, which was scheduled this weekend. But it didnt satisfy the senator.

Well he needs to cancel it. Scaling it back wont get it, Mr Kennedy said.

Commenters online were critical of the statements from the senator given he has not publicly condemned former President Donald Trump for any of his recent political rallies.

So, Sen John Kennedy will now be demanding Trump cancel rallies! Right? one commenter questioned.

Mr Trump was scheduled to attend a rally in Alabama on 21 August. The former president has not given any indication about cancelling the rally amid the infection surge.

Another person shared an October 2020 CNBC article that credited Trump campaign rallies to more than 30,000 new coronavirus cases.

No one tell him about CPAC, the rolling Trump rallies, the Turning Point events, the Gaetz and Taylor Greene roadshow because hed be pissed! Right? Funny that the party that downplays COVID and says we have to learn to live with it is happy to play it up when convenient, a commenter wrote, recalling past crowded events held by members of the Republican Party.

Mr Kennedy has not called any of the above events irresponsible publicly during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Lincoln Project on Wednesday came out with a new advertisement poking fun at Republican leaders such as Matt Gaetz, Jim Jordan and Marjorie Taylor Greene.

The 98-second video Last week in the Republican Party features Congressman Jim Jordans interview with Spectrum News where he was questioned about speaking with former president Donald Trump on 6 January.

Mr Jordan had said he speaks to the president all the time.

He said: I spoke with the president last week, I speak with the president all the time, I spoke with him on 6th January.

The video also shows the part where he fails to properly answer whether he spoke with Mr Trump before, during or after the Capitol riots. It highlights Mr Jordan saying he doesnt know whether he spoke with him (Donald Trump) in the morning or not.

I just dont know. I dont know when those conversations happened. I know that I spoke with him all the time, said Mr Jordan.

News reports over the last few days have quoted members of the US House select committee who said Mr Jordan could be called as a material witness regarding the 6 January riots. The committee is investigating the insurrection on 6 January.

The Lincoln project video also features US House minority leader Kevin McCarthy who recently joked about hitting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with a gavel, which prompted condemnation from Democrats and calls for him to resign.

Ill make this one promise to you. When we win the majority  youre all invited. I want you to watch Nancy Pelosi hand me that gavel. Itll be hard not to hit her with it, he told a crowd at an event in Tennessee.

The latest advertisement also features Congressman Matt Gaetz mocking authorities worried about new variants of Covid-19. Mr Gaetz, while addressing a cheering crowd at a rally in Florida on Saturday, said he has the Florida variant and the freedom variant.

It affects the brain, he said.

It also shows the video of Marjorie Taylor Greene saying we are not deterred while a protester was continuously blowing a whistle at her conference. However, the Republican leader is soon shown wrapping up the conference due to the continuous interruptions.

The Lincoln Project has been running advertisements critical of the Republicans for months. In July 2021, Reed Galen, one of the co-founders, had said they sought to destroy the Republican party in the present form.

The Republican Party must be defeated electorally anywhere and everywhere, and it must be left a smoking ruin so that someone can come in and rebuild a new, different, second party in this country, Mr Galen said.
Former Ohio state Sen Nina Turner was defeated in the House primary for Ohios 11th House district by Shontel Brown after a contest that devolved into a proxy fight between the establishment and left wings of the Democratic Party.

The outcome was a painful defeat for the faction of the party aligned with Sen Bernie Sanders, which organised behind the Vermont senators former campaign surrogate against Ms Brown, the Democratic Party chair of Cuyahoga Countys chapter, who was aided by millions of dollars in outside spending by groups and individuals aligned with the partys right flank.

The end of Ms Turners campaign came hours after progressives led by freshman Rep Cori Bush, another Justice Democrat-aligned figure, won a victory on Tuesday by securing a partial 60-day extension to the federal eviction moratorium, which the White House had previously claimed it lacked the legal authority to issue.

Ms Turner conceded at a watch party on Tuesday evening, blaming a massive surge of outside money for her defeat, and pledging to work to stop such outcomes from happening to other progressives.

The special interests ... know that if I had won this race, they would have been on notice, Ms Turner said. [This race] was compounded by dark money that only targeted me. Thats a fact.

My journey continues, she added.

Polls including one released by Ms Turners campaign showed her ahead in the earlier stages of the primary, but Ms Browns campaign was boosted by more than $2 million in spending from groups including Democratic Majority for Israel, which alone spent nearly half a million in just the last week of the campaign attacking Ms Turner on local airwaves.

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus, such as Rep Jim Clyburn and Bennie Thompson, also stumped for Ms Brown while nationally-prominent progressives such as Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ms Bush endorsed Ms Turners campaign.

I am going to work hard to ensure that something like this doesnt happen to another progressive candidate again. We didn't lose this race, evil money manipulated and maligned this election, Ms Turner added on Tuesday.
A federal judge dressed down a Capitol rioter awaiting judgement in her courtroom.

Karl Dresch, a Michigan man who pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a misdemeanour count of wilfully and knowingly parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building after agreeing to a plea deal, took a lashing from a district court judge.

The Detroit News reported that DC District Judge Amy Berman Jackson took the rioter to task for his involvement with the attack.

"We're not here today because he is a supporter the former president," the judge said. "Millions of people voted for him and did not heed his call to descend on the nation's Capitol. He was arrested because he was an enthusiastic participant in an effort to subvert and undo the electoral process."

Dresch was given six months in prison, with credit given to the time he has already spent incarcerated while awaiting trial. He was also fined $500 in restitution for participating in the insurrection.

The man was inside the Capitol for about 25 minutes and shared photos of himself there on Facebook. He called former Vice President Mike Pence a traitor and compared the attack to the American Revolution.

Thanks to his plea deal, four other charges he was facing were dropped.

Ms Berman Jackson chastised him for trying to assert the value of his vote over those of other Americans.

"Your vote doesn't count any more than anyone else's," she said. "You don't get to cancel them out. Patriotism means loyalty to country ... not to single head of state."

Dresch is one of nearly 600 Trump supporters who have been arrested in connection to the Capitol riot. The FBI is still seeking hundreds of others to include in its continually growing case. The US Department of Justice said the cases are likely the most complex it has ever managed.

The Capitol riot remains in the national consciousness seven months on. In July, police officers who defended the Capitol from the rioters testified before a House select committee about the injuries they sustained during the insurrection.

Officers recounted being shocked, beaten, drug down stairs, crushed, and having their lives threatened and being pelted with racial slurs.

Since then, it has been revealed that two officers who were at the riot have died by suicide, bringing the total number of officers who have taken their own lives following the Capitol riot to four.
The Biden administration is working on plans that would require nearly all foreign visitors to show proof of vaccination when travel restrictions to the US are eventually lifted, according to reports.

An unnamed official, speaking with Reuters , said that travel restrictions that are currently barring visitors from many countries from traveling to the US wouldnt be struck immediately, given the rise of the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus.

The White House is currently managing interagency working groups and having conversations with major airlines in order to have a new system ready for when we can reopen travel, according to the official, which would be a phased approach that over time will mean, with limited exceptions, that foreign nationals traveling to the United States (from all countries) need to be fully vaccinated.

As it stands, most non-US citizens arent allowed into America if they have spent time in the United Kingdom, the Schengen area nations in Europe, Ireland, China, India, South Africa, or Brazil within the last two weeks.

The restrictions date back to the beginning of the pandemic, when travel from China was restricted in January of 2020, followed by visits from other nations. The most recent addition to the list is India, which was added in May.

A number of issues remain outlying when it comes to new travel policy, including what level of proof authorities will demand when it comes to vaccines, and which vaccines it will accept under the new regime, given that some countries use Covid vaccines that arent approved in the US.

Authorities are also considering working with airlines to develop international contact tracing. Under the potential new set of rules, it could still be a long time before travel returns to normal.

Out of roughly 4.25 billion doses of the vaccine that have been administered, the lions share have gone to wealthy nations like the US, the UK, and Canada.

Meanwhile, even as some of these nations have extra doses, many poorer countries, particularly throughout Africa, only have vaccination rates in the single digits.

Other countries like the UK and Canada, meanwhile, are considering relaxing their requirements for Americans who wish to travel there.
A man from Virginia, who delayed getting vaccinated against coronavirus because he thought he was invincible, is now using social media from his hospital bed to urge people to get inoculated.

Travis Campbell, 43, was admitted to a hospital on 22 July and was allotted a regular room, but after his situation worsened, he was moved to the Covid ICU room and then to the pulmonary ICU, his wife Kellie Campbell said.

We just thought we were invincible and we werent going to get it, Ms Campbell was quoted as saying by NBC News. And weve just been so busy, and we just moved, and we prolonged getting the vaccine.

After more than a week in hospital, Mr Campbell is making efforts to reach out to his bulletproof friends and make them understand that getting vaccinated will help prevent the life-threatening effects that can come from contracting the infection.

I have never been this sick in my life!! My whole family has Covid, I truly regret not getting the vaccine. Im testifying to all my bulletproof friends thats holding out, its time to protect your family, its not worth getting long term lung damage or death please go get the vaccine (sic), he wrote in a Facebook post on 25 July.

Mr Campbell, in a video he posted on social media platforms on Tuesday, can be seen speaking a word at a time and struggling to breathe while describing his condition. He asked people if they would rather plan their own funerals and goodbyes or get vaccinated.

I hope to God that all my friends and family would not say, Somebody hand me a piece of paper and a pen. Thats a sobering thought, of which I have done (sic), he said in the video.

The couple now worry he will be put on ventilator to help him breathe.

Mr Campbell said he is over stupid conspiracies and called for a time for everyone to be rational and protective. Its not worth being stubborn like I did. PM me if you have any questions. I will help you and your family in anyway, he wrote in his 25 July post.

Ms Campbell said she and two of their children were infected with the virus as well. She said getting the vaccine should be a priority for everyone to avoid getting into the situation her family is in.

If you have to take time off work, if you have to miss out on something, you need to go get the vaccine, because we didnt, and look where we are now, she said. I mean, that should be your top priority. Especially not just for you, but your family members.
A Hong Kong museum that commemorates the victims of Chinas 1989 crackdown on protesters at Tiananmen Square reopened online on Wednesday, a pro-democracy group has said.

The Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China said that the online launch of the June 4th Museum had been organised and crowdfunded overseas after a political risk assessment had been conducted.

The museums physical premises were forced to close in June this year, amid a licensing row with the the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department.

In a statement, the Alliance said that amid intensifying political repression, the online museum would operate independently from the Alliance. It will be managed by an overseas curatorial team and hosted outside Hong Kong.

The online museum, which can be found at 8964museum.com currently hosts six pavilions covering time, space, people, Hong Kong, literature and art, and media. These pavilions offer a detailed timeline of the student-led pro-democracy movement in Beijing, including the crackdown, and its aftermath. They also contain lists of those killed and forced into exile.

The museum  which takes its name from the date the crackdown occurred  first opened in 2019 to mark the 30th anniversary. Its mission was to deepen public knowledge about the 1989 democracy movement and bring about a more fair and just society.

Hong Kong traditionally hosts the largest candlelight vigil to commemorate the victims on 4 June, but vigils in 2020 and 2021 have been cancelled by authorities citing the coronavirus pandemic. Their cancellation coincides with the imposition of a sweeping national security law, enacted by Beijing, which has seen at least117 people arrested in a year.

The Alliance has been responsible for organising the vigils, but it has recently come under fire from authorities. Its vice-chairwoman Chow Hang-tung was arrested on 3 June this year and charged with incitement to knowingly take part in an unauthorised vigil. Also jailed is the Alliances chairman, Lee Cheuk-Yan, accused of participating in an unauthorised vigil.

Hong Kong authorities deny curbing human rights and freedoms and say that all arrests made have nothing to do with background, profession or political beliefs.

Chang Ping, the museums Germany-based curator told the South China Morning Post: What Hong Kong is experiencing today is actually the continuation of the Tiananmen crackdown. We are saddened by the pressure, torture and pain that the Hong Kong alliance and courageous protesters have gone through.

But that also makes us believe in the museums value even more, he said, it is not only documenting the struggle, it is a struggle itself.
A leader of the street protests against Alexander Lukashenko in the wake of last years disputed Belarus presidential election has appeared in court accused of conspiring to seize power, creating an extremist organisation and calling for actions damaging state security.

The trial of Maria Kolesnikova and lawyer Maxim Znak, both leading members of the opposition Coordination Council, is taking place behind closed doors in Minsk.

The pair will be imprisoned for up to 12 years if convicted.

Kolesnikova resisted authorities attempts to force her to leave the country. When security officers drove her to the border with Ukraine in September, she ripped up her passport and walked back into the country to face arrest.

She wrote in a message from prison: Freedom is worth fighting for. Do not be afraid to be free. I do not regret anything and would do the same again.

Just before the start of her trial, Kolesnikova said in a note from prison that authorities offered to release her from custody if she asked for a pardon and gave a repentant interview to state media.

A video clip of the beginning of the trial showed Kolesnikova smiling, dancing and making a heart symbol.

Her trial comes at a time when the international spotlight has increased on President Lukashenkos autocratic regime.

Also on Wednesday, Olympic sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya flew from Tokyo to Europe after resisting an attempt by her teams officials to forcibly send her home to Belarus after a dispute over coaching.

The 24-year-old runner said she could be in danger if she returns to her homeland.

Belarus was shaken by months of protests after Lukashenko was declared the winner in the election a year ago, being awarded a sixth term in a vote that the opposition and the West denounced as a sham.

Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994, responded to the demonstrations with a massive crackdown in which more than 35,000 people were arrested and thousands beaten by police.

Authorities have ramped up their crackdown on dissent in recent weeks, targeting independent journalists and democracy activists in hundreds of raids.

On Wednesday, the state security agency that still goes under the Soviet-era name KGB, arrested Uladzimir Matskevich, a professor of philosophy who founded a top independent university, after raiding his apartment in Minsk.

On Tuesday, Vitaly Shishov, an activist who ran a group in Ukraine helping Belarusians fleeing persecution, was found hanged in a park.

Ukrainian police have opened a probe to investigate whether it was a suicide or a murder made to look like suicide. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky ordered its law enforcement agencies to better protect Belarusians who sought refuge.

He said: Every Belarusian who could become a target for criminals because of political stance must receive special reliable protection.
A feud between Belarusian Olympic sprinter Krystsina Tsimanouskaya and team officials that prompted her to seek refuge in the European Union has again cast a spotlight on the repressive environment in the athlete's home country, an ex-Soviet nation where authorities have unleashed a relentless crackdown on dissent.

Tsimanouskaya told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the team officials who hustled her to the airport and tried to send her back to Belarus made it clear she would "definitely face some form of punishment after she criticized the management of her team on social media.

Here is a brief look at the situation in Belarus and the dangers faced by those who dare to challenge Belarusian authorities.

POST-ELECTION CRACKDOWN

Belarus was rocked by months of protests triggered by President Alexander Lukashenko s re-election to a sixth term in office in an August 2020 vote that the opposition and the West saw as rigged.

Belarusian authorities responded to the protests, the largest of which drew up to 200,000, with a massive clampdown that saw more than 35,000 people arrested and thousands beaten by police. Leading opposition figures have been jailed or forced to leave the country.

Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with an iron fist for 27 years, has denounced his opponents as foreign stooges and accused the U.S. and its allies of plotting to overthrow his government.

NO HOLDS BARRED

In a show of their determination to hunt down dissenters regardless of costs, Belarusian authorities in May diverted a Ryanair flight from Greece to Lithuania and ordered it to land in the Belarusian capital of Minsk where they arrested a dissident journalist who was on board.

After his arrest, the journalist, Raman Pratasevich, appeared in several interviews on state television, saying he was fully cooperating with investigators, pledging respect for Lukashenko and weeping. The opposition and the West denounced the TV interviews as coerced.

On Tuesday, a Belarusian activist who ran a group in Ukraine that helped Belarusians fleeing persecution was found hanged in a park in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv Police said it launched a probe to investigate whether it was a suicide or a murder made to look like suicide.

WIDENING REPRESSIONS

After targeting opposition leaders and activists for months, Belarusian authorities have ramped up their crackdown in recent weeks with hundreds of raids of offices and homes of independent journalists and activists.

Lukashenko denounced the activists as bandits and foreign agents and vowed to continue what he called a mopping-up operation against them.

More than 50 NGOs are facing closure, including the Belarusian Association of Journalists, the biggest and most respected media organization in the country, and the Belarusian PEN Center, an association of writers led by Svetlana Alexievich the winner of the 2015 Nobel Prize in literature.

Amid the crackdown, Belarus' European Union neighbors, Poland and Lithuania, have offered strong support to protesters and provided refuge to those fleeing repression. Poland quickly granted Tsimanouskaya a humanitarian visa. The athlete boarded a plane on Wednesday morning at Tokyos Narita International Airport that left the gate for Vienna, though it was not immediately clear if that would be her final destination.

BELARUS PRESIDENT'S FOCUS ON SPORTS

Lukashenko, who has a keen interest in sports and served as the head of the Belarus National Olympic Committee for nearly a quarter-century before handing over the post to his older son in February, has sternly warned the countrys Olympic athletes that they better show high performance.

If you go there like tourists and bring nothing back, you better not return to the country, Lukashenko said.

The Belarusian leader and his son both have been banned from the Tokyo Olympics by the International Olympic Committee which investigated complaints from athletes that they faced reprisals and intimidation during the crackdown on protests in the country.

Lukashenko sees sports as a showcase of his regime, he wants to make it shine and he considers any failures and losses as a blow to his personal reputation and authority, said Valery Karbalevich, an independent Belarusian political analyst, adding that the Belarusian leader sees sports as part of the state ideology.

The Belarusian president was furious when the ice hockey world championship was pulled away from the country earlier this year over the authorities crackdown on protests.

Lukashenko believes that Belarus is surrounded by enemies and sees any criticism as part of a Western conspiracy, Karbalevich said. That is why he saw the situation with Tsimanouskaya as a new attack by Western enemies and part of a hybrid war against Belarus.

ATHLETES TARGETED

Many Belarusian athletes have faced reprisals after speaking out against the authorities and voicing their support for protests.

Belarus basketball star Yelena Leuchanka, an ex-WNBA player, spent 15 days in jail in October after protesting peacefully against authorities. She later told the AP that prison conditions were awful, with no hot water and toilet in her cell and inmates forced to sleep on metal beds without mattresses.

Maria Shakuro, the captain of the Belarus national rugby team and bronze medalist of the European Beach Rugby Championships, also was sentenced to 10 days in jail for participating in a peaceful protest.

The legendary Olympic hammer thrower, Vadim Devyatovsky, was dismissed in September as the head of the countrys athletics federation after a Facebook post critical of Lukashenko.

And Natalya Petrakova, one of the most famous Belarussian handball players, was fired as the senior coach of the womens handball national team after signing a letter of protest.

The Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation said that a total of 124 athletes have served jail terms, faced dismissals or other repressive action.

The horrible situation in the country is also reflected in sports, said Vadim Krivosheyev, an activist with the sports foundation. All the power of the repressive machine has been directed at athletes who dared to express their civic position. Sports in Belarus is facing quick degradation as only those athletes who are loyal (to the authorities) are allowed to perform."

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Follow AP's coverage of Belarus at https://apnews.com/hub/belarus

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Isachenkov reported from Moscow.
Israel summoned Wednesday ambassadors of U.N. Security Council member states and urged for action against Iran following last weeks drone strike off the coast of Oman on a merchant vessel linked to an Israeli billionaire.

A joint statement by the defense and foreign affairs ministry said that Israel called on the diplomats to have their governments set clear boundaries for Iran ... to cease its aggressive conduct. At the same time, it restated that Israel will maintain the right to act independently in the face of any attack or threat to its citizens and sovereignty.

The United States Britain and Israel have all blamed Iran for the drone strike on the Mercer Street last week that killed two, a British national and a Romanian. Iran has denied involvement in the incident.

While no one has claimed responsibility for the attack, Iran and its militia allies have used similar so-called suicide drones in attacks around the region. The Persian Gulf has seen a rise in attacks on commercial vessels in the aftermath of the disintegration of the Iran nuclear deal in 2018.

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz told diplomats that Iran violated all of the guidelines set in the now defunct nuclear deal, saying it was time for diplomatic, economic and even military deeds  otherwise the attacks will continue.

Israel has called for international pressure to halt what it has described as growing regional aggression by Iran, while also threatening to act alone to prevent its arch-enemy from obtaining nuclear weapons.

This is an attack on the worlds trade routes, this is an attack on freedom of movement. This is an international crime, said Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid
The State Department said Wednesday its looking into the the apparent disappearance of a nearly $6,000 bottle of whisky given more than two years ago to then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo by the government of Japan

In a notice filed in the Federal Register, the department said it could find no trace of the bottles whereabouts and that there is an ongoing inquiry into what happened to the booze. The department reported the investigation in its annual accounting of gifts given to senior U.S. officials by foreign governments and leaders.

The department's Office of Protocol is required to record gifts given to U.S. officials and keep track of their disposition. Recipients have the option of turning gifts of a certain value over to the National Archives or another government entity or purchasing them for personal use by reimbursing the Treasury Department for their value.

The Japanese whisky was valued at $5,800 and was presented to Pompeo in June 2019, presumably when he visited the country that month for a Group of 20 summit that was also attended by President Donald Trump. But unlike other gifts, the department said there was no record of what had become of the bottle.

The department is looking into the matter and has an ongoing inquiry, it said in the Federal Register notice. The notice offered no additional detail. A spokesman for Pompeo could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday.

The whisky matter came to light in the State Department's annual accounting of gifts given to senior U.S. officials by foreign governments and leaders.

Pompeo also reported receiving two carpets worth a total of $19,400 from the president of Kazakhstan and the foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates. Both floor coverings were transferred to the General Services Administration, the notice said.

The filing said Trump and his wife, Melania received more than $120,000 worth of presents from foreign leaders in 2019, compared with $88,200 the year before. In Trump's first year in office, in 2017, they reported receiving more than $140,000 in gifts.

There was no significant common theme to the 2019 gifts. At least three foreign leaders  from Australia, Egypt and Vietnam  presented Trump with photographs or portraits of himself that collectively were valued at more than $10,000.

Trump received a painting of himself on dual pane glass from then-Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong that was worth an estimated $5,250, according to the filing. It also says Trump got a large double frame carved from black stone with image of President Donald J. Trump in precious metal on one side and the coat of arms of Egypt on the reverse worth $4,450 from Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison gave Trump a framed photo of himself and his wife worth $470.

Other more expensive gifts Trump received included an Ottoman Empire rifle valued at $8,500 from the prime minister of Bulgaria, a bronze sculpture of an Arabian horse from the crown prince of Bahrain worth $7,200 and a gold, onyx, emerald and diamond statue of an Arabian oryx worth $6,300 from the emir of Qatar.

All of those gifts, including the portraits and photograph, were turned over to the National Archives, according to the report.

Another significant recipient of gifts was now-retired Gen. Joseph Votel, commander of U.S. Central Command until March 2019; that command oversees American military operations in the Middle East. The government of Qatar lavished Votel with nearly $37,000 in luxury watches in 2019, including one Rolex timepiece valued at $14,995, according to the report. Votel turned those watches over to the GSA.
Three people have died and at least 50 were injured in a train crash near the Czech-German border.

Czech deputy prime minister and transport minister Karel Havlicek said that an international high-speed express train from Munich to Plzen failed to stop at a stop signal and collided with a Czech commuter train heading to the town of Domazlice.

He said that while the causes of the accident were being investigated, human error appeared to be responsible for the crash.

A police spokeswoman said that the drivers of both trains were killed in the crash, as was a female passenger.

Around eight people were seriously injured, with four flown to hospital by helicopter, officials said.

The crash occurred around 8am near the village of Milavce, in the west of the country near the German border.

Andrej Babis, the Czech prime minister, said he was in contact with the head of the fire and rescue service responding to the crash, and sent his sincere condolences to the families of the dead.

He added: Unfortunately, this summer is full of tragedies, referencing a tornado that tore through several villages in June, leaving five dead and more than 150 injured.

The Czech Republics railway inspectorate has launched an investigation into the crash.
Angry and in despair, thousands of Lebanese mourners and protesters took to the streets of Beirut on Wednesday demanding justice and regime change on the anniversary of a massive blast that killed more than 200 people and destroyed swathes of the capital city.

By sundown, tensions flared. Security forces fired volleys of tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets at crowds that had marched on parliament wielding photos of the dead along with flags, nooses, and placards accusing the ruling elite of being murderers.

Earlier in the day, families of the victims had joined survivors to gather next to the port, the centre of the 4 August blast, where they remembered those who had been killed, and chanted in protest against the authorities they blame for the disaster.

Thousands lined the bridges that overlook the waterfront and cheered on fire-brigade trucks that were decorated with photos of the 10 firefighters who were killed trying to put out the fire at the port prior to the huge explosion.

Meanwhile, an international virtual donor conference, held on the same day to rally emergency aid for Lebanons crippled economy, raised $370m, according to French president Emmanuel Macron. US president Joe Biden said that the United States would give nearly $100m in additional humanitarian aid to Lebanon.

Posters reflecting the anger of Lebanons residents close to the wrecked Beirut port (Bel Trew)

The explosion came amid Lebanons unprecedented financial crisis, which the World Bank has labelled one of the worst economic collapses in modern history. The countrys currency has lost nearly 90 percent of its value, and food prices have more than quintupled.

There is more anger than grief today, because we have been given no space to grieve since no one has been held accountable; nothing has changed, said Cyril, whose older sister Crystal al-Tham, 36, was killed on 4 August just a few streets from the centre of the blast.

Arm in arm with his mother, who was in tears, he added: We are all acting like we are fine, but we are devastated inside.

Further down the road, Tatiana clutched a photo of her father, Ghassen Hasrouti, a worker at the grain silo who was killed just a few metres from the warehouse where the stockpile of explosives that caused the explosion was stored.

We have received nothing from the government, she said in tears. They are hiding behind their immunity. They are scared that if the truth gets out, they will all be in jail.

More than 217 people were killed and 7,000 injured when hundreds, if not thousands, of tonnes of poorly stored ammonium nitrate exploded in Beiruts port on 4 August 2020.

The blast displaced 300,000 people and caused widespread destruction and devastation. The World Bank estimated the cost of the physical damage from the explosion to be in the region of $4.6bn (3.3bn).

A damning paper trail seen by The Independent shows that senior officials, from the port authorities to the prime minister, knew about a dangerous explosive stockpile since 2014 but did nothing about it.

A year later, there has been no accountability, and 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.

Amnesty International this week accused the authorities of spending the past year shamelessly obstructing victims quest for truth and having brazenly blocked and stalled justice at every turn.

Human Rights Watch even called on the international community to impose targeted corruption sanctions on senior officials. The authorities, including the prime minister and president, have vehemently denied that they are to blame.

Prime minister Hassan Diab, who has been charged with negligence alongside three ex-ministers, said the charges against him were preposterous, adding that he had done all within his power during the short period of time ... to address the issue of the ammonium nitrate stored at Beirut Ports hangar 12.

Lebanons president Michel Aoun, who also admitted to knowing about the stockpile but has not been summoned for questioning, did not address this issue. Instead, as of Tuesday, he was fully supportive of an impartial investigation.

A day of mourning was declared for Wednesday. Flags flew at half-mast over government institutions and embassies, and even medical labs and Covid-19 vaccination centres were closed to mark the day.

But at the protests, mourners, survivors, and citizens who had flocked to Beirut in solidarity were united in their condemnation of the president, prime minister and political parties.

Draped across buildings were six-storey-high banners bearing slogans such as You lose your immunity and 4 million Lebanese murdered, injured, afflicted, stolen, kidnapped.

They are corrupt, animals, thieves and criminals Leila Abdu, whose son Jack was killed in the blast

Later, protesters unfurled another huge banner with photos of the countrys leaders, including Hezbollahs Hassan Nasrallah, President Aoun, and the former prime minister designate Saad Hariri.

At the bottom of the banner was the slogan: Nitrate regime, ammonium militia.

Fierce clashes erupted as the protests continued, when security forces fired intense barrages of teargas and rubber bullets into the crowds of protesters, pushing them from the traditional rallying ground of Martyrs Square.

At the port, Leila Abdu, whose son Jack Baramakian, 31, was killed in his home in a building that overlooks the port, told The Independent: They are corrupt, animals, thieves and criminals.

No one has helped us. No one has even called us. They just murdered us and stole from the country.

Meanwhile, a virtual conference co-hosted by France and the United Nations was held on Wednesday for the cash-strapped country, which managed to raise some $370m (266m) in aid pledges to help meet the countrys humanitarian needs.

It drew together 33 states. Participants included Canadas prime minister Justin Trudeau, Egypts president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, King Abdullah II of Jordan, and European Council president Charles Michel.

The pledges, to be delivered over the next 12 months, surpassed the $357m target of the third global effort to show support for the Lebanese people, President Macron said.

France will provide 100m (85m) in the coming months, Mr Macron said. Paris will also send 500,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines to the country.

US president Joe Biden, who addressed the conference in a video message, pledged to give $100m (72m) in new humanitarian assistance.

Back in Beirut next to the grain silo, an interfaith ceremony was held for the families of those killed. There, Lebanons top Christian cleric said the entire Lebanese people needed to know who was responsible for the tragedy.

A protester stands with a Lebanese national flag during clashes with army and security forces near the Lebanese parliament (AFP/Getty)

Justice isnt just the demand of the families of the victims, but of all Lebanese, Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rahi said.

We want to know who brought in the explosives ... who allowed for their unloading ... who withdrew quantities (of explosives) from it and where it was sent, he said.

At the Vatican, Pope Francis also marked the anniversary at his first weekly audience with the public since having surgery a month ago.

A year after the terrible explosion in the port of Beirut, Lebanons capital, that caused death and destruction, my thoughts go to that dear country: above all to the victims, to their families, the pontiff said.

And so many lost the illusion of living, he added.
Efforts to release Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe from an Iranian jail may have met a new hurdle after Iranian media reported Tehran had withdrawn a prison-swap offer to western countries.

British-Iranian national, Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was first jailed in Tehran in 2016 on spying charges, which she has always denied.

On Tuesday, as the new Iranian hardline President Ibrahim Raisi was sworn in, the Iranian Nour news site reported that Tehran had shelved plans to release Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe and other Iranian-British prisoners, in a sign that British relations with Iran may be more difficult under Mr Raisi.

The website quoted an unidentified senior official as saying there was no incentive to go on with plans to swap four American prisoners with Iranian prisoners jailed in the US. It also claimed that the long-negotiated release of Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe had been put on hold.

The report claimed that talks between Iranian and British officials were underway over releasing Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe, and in exchange, Britain would pay 400 million owed for arms transfer the UK failed to make in 1979.

But the Iranian official said talks stalled as the UK wanted to also release Morad Tahbaz, the Iranian environmentalist, who holds both British and American citizenship.

The news on Irans shift in thinking on Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe comes as an Iranian Revolutionary Court sentenced another British citizen, Mehran Raouf, to more than ten years in prison.

The court alleged, on Wednesday, that Mr Raouf, who carries Iranian citizenship too, and German-Iranian Nahid Taghavi participated in the management of an illegal group and propaganda activities against the regime, according to a tweet by their lawyer Mostafa Nili.

The negotiations on hostages were separate from the Vienna meetings on reviving the Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The Biden administration is trying to revive the agreement on the basis of a potential mutual return to compliance with its terms after Trump had withdrawn the US from it in 2018.

But Iran accused the US and Britain of trying to link the two diplomatic tracks and accused them of keeping the prisoner swap hostage to extract concessions from Iran regarding the nuclear deal.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said in a tweet last month tweeted TEN PRISONERS on all sides may be released TOMORROW if US&UK fulfil their part of deal.

The sixth round of nuclear talks ended last month without agreement. The US has repeatedly said it is ready for a seventh-round as soon as Iran is ready while also calling for the immediate release of American citizens detained in Iran.

State Department spokesman Ned Price rejected the claim Mr Araghchis claims and denied there was already an agreement on a swap.

Irans continued arbitrary detention of our dual nationals is unacceptable. We urge the Iranian authorities to release the detainees without any further delay, a UK government spokesperson told The Telegraph.

The US appear to be adamant that American and British prisoners should be released all at once in an attempt to prevent Iran from repeatedly stepping up its demands, in return for their freedom.

Western countries have accused Iran of trying to score political concessions by arresting dozens of foreigners and dual nationals on charges that critics condemn as fake.

Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, on many occasions, has refused any British representations on behalf of Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe and said her case is a matter for the Iranian Judiciary to decide.

Mr Raisi, who is accused of serious human rights violations when he was a judge, is due to be inaugurated in a ceremony on Thursday after his election victory against moderate Hassan Rouhani in June. Iran observers say he will create even more barriers in the relations with the West.

We will seek to lift the tyrannical sanctions imposed by America, Mr Raisi said on Tuesday, But we will not tie the ... economy to the will of foreigners, he added.
France is likely to shed its special amber plus status and return to the the UK governments amber list when the traffic light system for international travel is updated later this week, an expert has said.

Stalling Covid-19 case numbers and a lower infection rate should make it possible to remove France from the amber plus category, where it was placed last month, according to data analyst Tim White.

Were that to happen, fully vaccinated British adults who have had their second dose at least 14 days prior and those aged under 18 will no longer have to quarantine when returning from France, instead completing a pre-departure lateral flow test, plus the gold standard day two PCR test upon entry to the UK.

Good news from France this evening, White tweeted.

Not only am I fairly sure it will return to plain amber category, but this evening Covid-19 cases are down.

5,184 additional infections, just 113 lower than last Monday, but more significantly, the infection rate (4 per cent) has started to fall.

The amber plus category could be scrapped altogether at Thursdays review of the travel rules.

Government sources confirmed last night that there will be no amber watchlist - a concept that was floated this week before being swiftly scrapped following backlash from Conservative ministers and the travel industry - and now experts are saying that the entire system is expected to be simplified.

It sounds like theyre going to revert back to the red, amber, green original traffic list, Paul Charles, founder of the PC Agency, a travel consultancy, told Talk Radio this morning.

Such a move would increase passenger confidence but doesnt go far enough, Charles said. What consumers really need to hear is that there will be plenty more notice between any move of a country between one category to another, that is what is still putting people off.

France was given its amber plus status last month in response to concerns about the Beta virus variant.

Cases of the variant were increasing at a worrying rate in Reunion, a French island in the Indian Ocean - 5,800 miles from the mainland.

The move was met with dismay by fully vaccinated Brits already in France and those due to travel, who had booked their trips on the understanding that they would not have to quarantine on their return to the UK, as per the restrictions for amber list countries.
Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Slovakia, Latvia, Romania and Norway have all been added to the green list in the governments latest update to the traffic light system for international travel.

In an announcement on the evening of 4 August, the Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed that all seven countries have demonstrated they posed a low risk to UK public health.

The move means that all arrivals from these destinations can avoid quarantine on entry to the UK, regardless of vaccination status.

Instead, they must take one Covid PCR test within two days of arriving, in addition to presenting a negative lateral flow prior to departure to the UK.

The changes will come into effect in England at 4am on Sunday 8 August.

It remains to be confirmed whether the same changes will be adopted by the other devolved nations, but previously Scotland and Wales have mirrored Englands changes to traffic light lists.

Transport secretary Grant Shapps said of the latest update: We are committed to opening up international travel safely, taking advantage of the gains weve made through our successful vaccination programme, helping connect families, friends and businesses around the world.

While we must continue to be cautious, todays changes reopen a range of different holiday destinations across the globe, which is good news for both the sector and travelling public.

No countries were demoted from green to amber.

The full green list is now comprised of 36 destinations, 16 of which are on the green watchlist, meaning theyre at risk of changing from green to amber.

Elsewhere, India, Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE have been upgraded from red to amber in welcome news to travellers, while Georgia, Mexico, La Reunion and Mayotte have been added to the red list.

As expected, France shed its amber plus status, meaning travellers arriving from there need not quarantine if theyve been fully vaccinated.
Arrivals from Spain and its islands are advised to use a PCR test as their pre-departure test before returning to the UK, as part of the latest update to the governments traffic light lists for international travel.

The move is being taken as a precaution against the increased prevalence of the coronavirus variants in the country, with the B.1.621 and Beta variants causing particular concern.

PCR tests are thought to be preferable because, in the case of a positive test, genomic sequencing can be used to detect and learn more about variants of concern.

All travellers setting a course for the UK must currently present a negative Covid test prior to departure; however, a cheaper, quicker lateral flow test has been deemed sufficient for those arriving from all other countries.

Rising cases in Spain in recent weeks led to fears, prior to this latest government announcement, that Spain could join France in the special amber plus category, necessitating quarantine for all returning travellers, regardless of vaccination status.

But the category appears to have been shelved, with France moved back onto the regular amber list in the latest update.

With Spain staying on the amber list, under 18s and adults who have had both Covid-19 vaccinations in the UK, US or EU more than two weeks before departure are able to avoid quarantine when arriving in the UK.

Those who are not fully vaccinated must continue to self-isolate at home for 10 days and take a PCR test on days two and eight.

Health and social care secretary Sajid Javid said: As we learn to live with this virus we are continuing to take steps to safely reopen international travel, based on the latest data and expert public health advice.

The vaccines have already prevented around 60,000 deaths and 22 million infections in England, and with over 7 in 10 adults in the UK now double jabbed we are building a wall of defence against the disease.

As well as moving more countries to the green list, todays announcement also demonstrates the need for continued caution.
The latest round of traffic light changes has opened up more of Europe to travellers, with Frances inexplicable amber plus status removed  along with the red listing of three Gulf countries plus India.

These are the key questions and answers.

Follow UK travel list update - live: Latest news as France sheds amber plus

Just a reminder about the system 

Countries (and occasionally individual islands) are assigned into one of five categories for the purposes of arrivals to the UK:

Green list: travellers from these low-risk locations need not quarantine on arrival in the UK. A test before departure to the UK and a PCR test on the day of arrival, or one of the two following days, is obligatory.

Green watchlist: green list nations consider at imminent risk of being downgraded to 

Amber list: the default, medium-risk category, covering around 170 destinations  including most British favourites, including Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece and the US. Travellers who have been fully vaccinated in the UK, the US or the EU (plus several other European countries) follow the same rules as green list arrivals. Others must self-isolate for 10 full days after arrival, and take a second PCR test on day eight.

In England quarantine can be reduced with a test on day five after arrival.

Red list: only people with the right of residence in the UK can travel from these high-risk locations, and they must pre-book and pay for 11 nights in hotel quarantine.

In addition, Ireland is on its own with a super green status as a nation from which no testing nor quarantine has ever been required.

What changes?

From 4am on Sunday 8 August, a number of very prominent countries have been moved.

In terms of the number of affected travellers, the biggest change is that France is removed from the bizarre amber plus category in which it was placed on 16 July  requiring mandatory quarantine from everyone arriving across the Channel.

France is now plain amber.

The travel industry is relieved that the second-most popular country (after Spain) has been made more accessible, but they are furious that 20 days at the height of the tourist season have been wasted.

Nigel Wonnacott of Brittany Ferries said: We can only hope that this welcome volte-face will bring a surge in last-minute bookings.

Anyone who has already arrived from France and is self-isolating, or who arrives before 4am on Sunday morning, will need to complete the quarantine as planned.

The French Indian Ocean island of Reunion  which was blamed for the amber plus rating, yet from which self-isolation was not obligatory for vaccinated travellers  has been moved to the red list, along with nearby Mayotte.

Where else has gone red?

Mexico, which is very popular as a destination in its own right as well as acting as a holding area for many British visitors to the US; they spend two weeks there in order to launder their UK status before being allowed into America.

That option will still be open, unless the rising infection rates in Mexico persuade the US to suppress arrivals from south of the border.

While there are hundreds of flights from Mexico to the US each day, with many connections onwards to Britain, people who have been in the UK in the past 14 days are not allowed to board them and change planes at American airports.

In addition, the former Soviet republic of Georgia is also on the red list.

The government says: They present a high public health risk to the UK from known variants of concern, known high-risk variants under investigation or as a result of very high in-country or territory prevalence of Covid-19.

The price of accommodation for a couple will rise by 55 per cent from 2,400 to 3,715 on 12 August.

To avoid hotel quarantine it is possible to travel to a third country and stay there until the red list status is laundered.

The test is: have 10 full days elapsed since you were last in a red list country? So you can travel to (for example) Spain, Portugal, France from Mexico, have another holiday and then breeze back to Britain.

Upgrades from red to amber?

India  where the Delta variant was first identified  has been moved to amber, which means that family visits, holidays and business trips will be much easier.

The UAE, Bahrain and Qatar have also be moved from the red to the amber list  despite their continuing status as international hubs.

When the transport secretary, Grant Shapps, placed the UAE on the red list, he said: The specific issue in the UAE is one of transit. Its because they are a major transit hub.

The Independent has asked the Department for Transport (DfT) for an explanation of the unexpected change.

Note that jabs administered in the four countries moved from red to amber are not regarded as sufficient to avoid quarantine  only UK, European and US vaccinations allow people to swerve self-isolation from amber list countries.

Whos gone green?

Austria, Germany, Latvia, Norway, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia have been moved from amber to green  making them accessible to travellers who have not been vaccinated.

While the change will be welcomed by people with family in those countries, and by some business travellers, none is a mainstream holiday destination.

Again, anyone who returns from any of those countries before 4am on Sunday 8 August must continue their quarantine to the end.

Any hitches in booking a trip to any of the new green nations?

Yes  they may not let you in, or may impose further restrictions. While Romania, Slovenia and Slovakia welcome vaccinated visitors from the UK, the Foreign Office travel advice for Austria begins: Entry to Austria from the United Kingdom is currently prohibited by Austrian law.

Germany does not allow unvaccinated visitors from the UK (unless they are under 12, have a negative test and are with a vaccinated parent).

Latvia demands a negative test (rapid antigen will do) from all UK visitors aged 12 and over.

Norway does not allow British tourists.

What was predicted to happen, but didnt?

The main omission from any changes is Turkey, which remains stuck on the red list  effectively writing off the remainder of the peak summer season.

The newly created (and soon to be extinct) amber plus category was seen as a possible halfway house for red countries, but India, Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE have gone straight to amber  equalling green for people with the right kind of vaccines.

Some respected data analysts expected Poland, Hungary and Canada to make the green list.

In terms of possible downgrading of countries: Spain, Cyprus and Greece have been mentioned in leaks, briefings and (sometimes flawed) analyses of data.

But once the proposed amber watchlist was dismissed by Downing Street, it was clear that Spain would remain on amber; there are simply not enough hotel rooms for quarantine.

Whats all this about testing before coming back from Spain?

One of the strangest parts of the announcement is this: Arrivals from Spain, and all its islands are advised to use a PCR test as their pre-departure test wherever possible, as a precaution against the increased prevalence of the virus and variants in the country.

UK clinicians and scientists will remain in close contact with their counterparts in Spain to keep abreast of the latest data and picture of cases in Spain.

Translated, this means: Were worried about infection levels in Spain and in order to be able to identify infections contracted there and work out more clearly whats going on, were asking people to take an expensive and complex test that is more sensitive than the lateral flow test.

But were not making it compulsory.

Rationally, individual travellers will continue to opt for lateral flow tests  especially if they have been infected with coronavirus.

The government says: If you have recently recovered from Covid but are no longer infectious, you should use a lateral flow device (LFD) test.

LFD tests have a lower sensitivity than PCR or Lamp tests, so they are less likely to return a positive result from a historic infection.

When is the next change?

It is expected to be announced on 25 or 26 August, and to take effect on 29 or 30 August. By then, for many people the summer  and the prospect of a holiday abroad  will be over.
From Budapest, its Tucker Carlson Tonight.

The conservative pundit has taken his show overseas. Last night, Carlson hosted his Fox News show from the Hungarian capital, with the sights and sounds of the city behind him, as part of a week-long trip to the country that is part diplomacy mission, part political tourism and part evangelizing.

His presence in the country was not previously announced by Carlson or his employer, leading to some confusion on Monday when the countrys right-leaning, populist, anti-immigration prime minister  Viktor Orban  posted a photo on his Facebook page with a smiling, arms-crossed Carlson.

Carlson told his viewers on Monday night that he will be hosting the show from Hungary all week and made a pitch for why the Central European country should matter to them. If you care about Western civilization and democracy and families, and the ferocious assault on all three of those things by the leaders of our global institutions, you should know what is happening here right now, he said, before transitioning into one of his more typical attacks on the Biden administrations response to the coronavirus pandemic.

His trip to Hungary and meeting with Orban isnt completely out of the ordinary for the host, who has sat with other world leaders who faced questions about their commitment to democracy and the rule of law. In March, Carlson traveled to El Salvador to interview President Nayib Bukele about illegal immigration from the country to the United States and gang activity. Carlson called his interview with Bukele a long and legitimately interesting conversation.

Carlsons visit to Hungary coincides with his scheduled appearance on Saturday at MCC Feszt, a conference run by an educational institution that has received substantial financial support from Orbans government. The institution, Mathias Corvinus Collegium, has audacious plans to train a conservative future elite in the country, according to a New York Times investigation last month.

While the institutions financial backing and mission are controversial, the festival that Carlson will be speaking at is described in promotional materials as something of a cross between the Aspen Ideas Festival and the South by Southwest festival.

There will be onstage discussions on topics of public interest and public affairs, Olympic coverage, interactive exhibitions, as well as popular music concerts and parties until dawn, according to the festival, which begins Thursday. Carlsons session will be called The World According to Tucker Carlson.

Festival organizers did not, as of press time, comment on Carlsons appearance, but hes not the only American conservative thought-leader scheduled to speak. Talk-show host Dennis Prager will be delivering a talk on media and free speech on Friday.

In addition to glad-handing the Hungarian prime minister and speaking at a right-leaning ideas festival, Carlson said on Twitter on Monday that he will also be making a Tucker Carlson Originals documentary that will air on Foxs subscription streaming service, Fox Nation.

Despite international criticism of Orban, who was overseen a rollback of democratic freedoms, Carlson has praised him in the past. Talking about declining birthrates in Hungary, Carlson said in 2019, Instead of abandoning Hungarys young people to the hard-edge libertarianism of [billionaire George Soros] and the Clinton Foundation, Orban has decided to affirmatively help Hungarian families grow.

The pompous title of Carlsons speech, The World According to Tucker Carlson, may seem laughable, but theres nothing funny about this encounter, wrote New York University history professor and authoritarianism expert Ruth Ben-Ghiat on Tuesday. Carlsons world aligns to an alarming degree with that of Orban, a wily political operative who claims Hungary is an illiberal democracy but as of 2020 rules by decree.

R. Daniel Kelemen, the Jean Monnet Chair in European Union Politics at Rutgers University, said the meeting between Carlson and Orban is significant for both men.

Orban thinks that might play well with him in terms of upping his prominence internationally, Kelemen said in an interview.

He also noted a similarity between the right-leaning tilt of the Republican Party over the last few years and Orbans Fidesz political party, which was once more moderate.

The Tucker Carlson, Trump wing which is basically dominating the GOP right now, I think they see in Orban a kind of model of an electoral autocracy dominated by a single party that maintains the veneer of democratic elections . . . but can tilt the playing field so heavily in its own favor that it can ensure its own dominance, he said.

Fox News representatives did not respond to a request for comment on Carlsons visit to Hungary and his meeting with its leader.

Orban is viewed as particularly hostile to the kind of independent, privately operated media organizations that Carlson works for. Earlier this month, Reporters Without Borders listed Orban as one of the worlds 37 press freedom predators, arguing that he has steadily and effectively undermined media pluralism and independence since being returned to power in 2010.

At the end of his Monday night show, Carlsons guest, the conservative Canadian pundit Mark Steyn, nodded to the upside of the hosts foreign trip. Sometimes you have to be in Budapest to see America clearly, Steyn said. Yes! Carlson replied, before lobbing a familiar attack on certain American cities as hotbeds of mayhem and filth.

In contrast, he called the city he is broadcasting from safe, clean Budapest.

The Washington Post
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As the Lakelands and the country respond to the novel coronavirus pandemic, which has led to state and national emergency declarations, it is vital for everyone to have up-to-date information about the virus and its spread. As such, we're providing free access to all of our COVID-19 coverage, which is available on this page.

Here's the latest information on COVID-19 from health agencies and hospitals:
On May 4 this year, Mumbai resident Brinelle DSouzas family of five  comprising herself, her father, daughter, son and housekeeper tested positive for COVID-19. Although none of them showed any symptoms in the initial days, DSouza was on the edge for she didnt know when things might take a turn for wrose, more so because her daughters oxygen saturation was falling.

As my familys principal caregiver, I was doing a number of things, including consultations with doctors, organising diagnostic tests, annotating reports and medical advice, procuring medicines and groceries, besides helping with cooking, cleaning and other household chores as my housekeeper was also infected, said DSouza, Chairperson of the Centre for Health and Mental Health, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, and Co-convenor of public health advocacy group Jan Swasthya Abhiyan.

But the most stressing part was not knowing what turn things would take  What if any of us fell severely sick? Would we find oxygen or hospital beds? Would we be able to afford treatment that cost lakhs? We had good medical advice but COVID is unpredictable and medical knowledge still evolving. I felt suddenly responsible for four other lives, and couldnt keep away from thinking, what if I make the wrong decision? she recalled.

DSouzas fears and doubts intensified further when her fathers oxygen levels started falling rapidly a few days later, and she had to decide where to admit him. Private hospitals were often into irrational care, including excessive use of drugs like remdesivir, tocilazumab and steroids so we wanted to avoid themI had a friend who was a senior physician at Shatabdi Hospital, a government COVID facility that was close by. He assured me that my father would be managed well.

Her father, Noel D'Souza (79) was admitted in Shatabdi Hospital on May 10. Although stable for the first two days, his condition deteriorated on the night of the May 12. He was put on a ventilator and passed away in a couple of hours.

DSouza herself started showing symptoms within a day of being diagnosed with COVID infection. Her oxygen saturation dropped, and she had severe diarrhea and weakness. But she did not seek hospital admission because there was no one else to follow up on her fathers treatment and take care of family members.

The day my father died, I was sitting on the floor outside the ICU with my daughter, both of us very sick. We were not allowed to enter the ICU. The doctors said that my father had developed early stages of COVID pneumonia and we would be vulnerable to it given our reduced immunity levels. So, I could not even see my father one last time, she said, drawing attention to the unresolved grief and fears of death and dying brought on by the pandemic. I got admitted later that day. My oxygen level had fallen to 70. While leaving for the hospital, I made it a point to tell my children that I loved them immensely and always had their best interests in mind as I wasn't sure that I would come back, she added.

She was discharged from the hospital on May 23, and had a very slow recovery. In addition, she suffered from survivors guilt. Even now, I keep thinking, should I have admitted him in a private hospital? Would he have survived, then? The lack of physical support, of relatives visiting and collectively grieving, has only worsened these fears and anxieties, she said.

Pandemics, Caregiving And Women

DSouzas case is emblematic of how the pandemic has complicated the task of caregivers in significant ways. It has added to their work burden, drained their financial reserves, heightened their fears and doubts, compromised their access to support  especially physical support from relatives and health care providers, and forced them to confront thoughts of death and dying rather closely.

An overwhelming majority of those encountering such circumstances are women, largely because they are consigned to care-giving roles in most religious discourses and social institutions, including the family, where they spend most of their time. Their tasks as caregivers typically include a host of chores like cooking, cleaning, ensuring the household has enough stock of groceries and kitchen requirements, and monitoring and looking after children and sick family members. Whereas even in the healthcare industry globally, women comprise 70 percent of the paid care-giving workforce in roles like nursing.

Given these circumstances, UN Women issued a policy brief in the early stage of the pandemic warning of its impact on gender equity. Evidence from previous epidemics illustrates that women and girls take on the bulk of unpaid or poorly paid care work in families and communities when formal health systems are unable to cope with the rising tide of infections, it stated, and warned, Rising demand for care in the context of the COVID-19 crisis and response will likely deepen already existing inequalities in the gender division of labour, placing a disproportionate burden on women and girls.

Extra Pressure, Urgent Steps

Emphasising on the extra pressure on carers owing to the pandemic and related lockdowns and restrictions, UN Women recommended member states to take a number of urgent measures.

These included recognising care workers, both paid and unpaid, as essential workers so they were exempted from restrictions; expanding their social protection, including through cash transfers and reduced work hours; providing them with a minimum level of childcare services; and prioritizing access to food and basic services.

Healthcare workers and activists associated with public health advocacy groups like Jan Swastha Abhiyan said none of these recommendations were acted upon in India, compounding the challenges confronting caregivers amidst the pandemic, and leaving them without any institutional support.

Challenges, Fears And Lack Of State Support

Testimonies of caregivers from West Bengal and Maharashtra exposed the lack of state support, and provided insights into the challenges and pressures they encountered during the pandemic.

Like most others, Kolkata resident Chandana De spoke of the immense fear and anxiety she underwent in April this year when her largely bedridden 90-year-old mother suffered a head injury from a fall in the bathroom. It happened late at night, around 2-3 AM. I applied ice and dressed her injury after the bleeding stopped. The next day, I tried my best to get a doctor to see her, but most were unwilling to visit home, and the one who agreed did not come owing to some misunderstanding. Suddenly, towards the evening, she started becoming breathless, recalled De, who lives alone with her mother on the outskirts of south Kolkata.

Neighbours stepped in promptly to help her, and measured her mothers saturation, blood pressure and sugar level, which was found to be low; she also developed speech impairment. Concerned if the head injury was severe, De and others took her to Peerless Hospital, where doctors examined her and said she had an internal hemorrhage, and required immediate hospitalization with ventilation support.

But they were unable to show us any reports stating there was a hemorrhage. Besides, even a 3-4 day stay in the ICU would at least Rs 3-4 lakh, which I did not have. So we took her back home. And then for five days, all I did was talk to my mother, I was sacred she would die, and did not sleep a wink, but neighbours visited often, and provided us food and strength, said De, whose mother recovered significantly in ensuing weeks.

Despite being the sole caregiver for her ailing mother, De was not recognised as an essential worker. She received no exemption or social protection from the state to contend with her mothers illness, neither provision of food and basic services, like doctor visits at home.

The circumstances facing Sikha Bhattacharjee, a retired government employee whose husband was hospitalized five times due to COVID and post COVID complications between May and July this year, were similarly distressing. Based in Asansol in West Bengal, she struggled to find doctors who would physically examine her husband Tapan Bhattacharjee through his sickness as most doctors saw patients via video calls or behind a screen. She also faced immense difficulty in accessing oxygen and ambulance services and hospitals providing quality, affordable treatment and care each time her husbands sickness worsened.

Most numbers of government approved service providers for ambulance and oxygen were either switched off or out of network area. And many who answered refused after getting to know the patient was positive, she said. Equally critical of COVID volunteer groups, including those associated with NGOs, civil society groups and political parties, she noted, Most groups make huge claims about helping COVID affected people on social media, but their work is largely limited to delivering food, grocery and medicines to homes of patients. They dont even enter the homes of COVID positive patients, leaving delivearables at the doorstep! And when it comes to support in emergencies, with oxygen cylinders and ambulance, all they do is forward the numbers of service providers who either dont answer phones, or promise to call back, or ask for a huge amount of documentation, like details of the patient, copies of identity cards, and photographs showing oxygen saturation  all while someone is dealing with an emergency!

Like in case of DSouza and De, neighbours and family members helped Bhattacharjee tide over emergencies. Even then, she struggled to comprehend how her husband was doing when hospitalised, especially since chances of visiting him or interacting with doctors was absent or severely curtailed. These uncertainties, and the additional work burden, severely affected her physical and mental well-being.

Even now, on days when my husband does not keep well, we are gripped by fear and anxiety  Will he survive? Will he have to be hospitalized again? Will doctors and nurses take good care of him, and inform us about his progressMy blood pressure has dipped a lot lately while palpitations have increased  and often, I feel like lll go mad, she said.

Impact On Mental Health

Mental health professionals said the toll of the pandemic on caregivers was immense, and included anxiety and depression most commonly, but also Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and survivors guilt, especially if they lost patients or relatives.

Mumbai-based psychiatrist and mindfulness teacher Rajendra Barve drew attention to the compassion burnout among professional healthcare workers, including doctors and nurses, as a result of uncertainties surrounding the pandemic. Even in critical illnesses like cancer, there is a well-established protocol and the diagnosis and path of treatment are very clear. But in case of COVID, there is hardly any protocol or prognosis, and even doctors are not very sure about what might happen to patients in future. Plus, there are long duty hours, increased demand for care from patients, high risk of infection and the labour of working with PPE kits, which is very cumbersome and tiring. Ive seen a lot of cases of burnout among resident doctors and nurses in recent months, but the biggest casualty for caregivers is compassion burnout  where they are too tired and appear indifferent, less warm and understanding towards patients and their queries, said Barve.

Brinelle DSouza, Chairperson of the Centre for Health and Mental Health, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai whose father passed away recently, drew attention to the lack of spaces for collective grieving for caregivers and families contending with death.

Because of the pandemic, you cant go for funerals. There is no one to condole or wish you, stand by your side and comfort you physically as in regular times. Theres no scope for grief and grieving, she said, and stressed that the distress facing poor women was more severe, especially in cases where they lost their husband.

The loss of the breadwinner creates deep financial distress, and I know several women who were often forced to make desperate decisions like selling their jewelry or taking micro-credit on high interest to pay for the treatment of family members, or put food on the table, pay house rent, she said, drawing on her work as a public health activist.

What we need urgently are safe spaces both online and offline where people can talk and grieve collectively. We also need strong social security measures and comprehensive relief packages from the state, especially for the poor and marginalized. These will help reduce to some extent the distress that many households and caregivers are experiencing. We also need community mental health programs. For this, we must train community members as mental health volunteers, whom people can reach out to in times of distress, said DSouza, who was involved with Jan Swastha Abhiyans efforts to train community mental health volunteers in Mumbai during the second wave of the pandemic.

The writer is a freelance contributor based in Kolkata.




Adding a new chapter to India's maritime history, the first indigenously built Aircraft Carrier - INS Vikrant has sailed out for its maiden trial into the Arabian Sea.

The sea trials that began on Wednesday will go on for four days.

The Carrier also known as the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier 1 or IAC-1 will be christened INS Vikrant on commissioning, which is likely to happen next year.

Spokesperson Navy

"It is a proud and historic day for India as the reincarnated Vikrant (IAC) sails for her maiden sea trials today in the 50th year of her illustrious predecessor's key role in the victory in the 1971 war," Indian Navy spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said.

He said it is the largest and most complex warship ever to be designed and built in India.

Historic moment

"A proud and historical moment in our quest for 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) and 'Make in India' initiative," he said.

Spokesperson Navy

"With the building of indigenous aircraft carrier, India joins a select group of nations having niche capability to indigenously design, build and integrate a state-of-the-art aircraft carrier," Commander Madhwal said.

Proud & historic day for India as the reincarnated #Vikrant sails for her maiden sea trials today, in the 50th year of her illustrious predecessors key role in victory in the #1971war

Largest & most complex warship ever to be designed & built in India.

Many more will follow... pic.twitter.com/6cYGtAUhBK  SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) August 4, 2021

The aircraft carrier that was built that the Cochin Shipyard in Kerala was designed in 1999, and the keel was laid in February 2009. The carrier was floated out of its dry dock on December 29, 2011 and was launched on August 12, 2013.

Trials completed in December 2020

The basic trials were completed in December 2020. The length of the ship is 262 m, while its beam is 62 m and has a depth of 25.6 m.

BCCL

It has two take-off runways and a landing strip with three arrester wires, capable of operating STOBAR aircraft including the indigenous LCA, as well as a range of helicopters with hangar facilities.

Built at a cost of over Rs 34,000-crore, the aircraft was originally supposed to be commissioned in 2018, but was hit by several delays.

The successful completion of the 40,000 tonne aircraft carrier puts India in the elite group of four nations - the US, Russia, the UK and France - in the world capable of designing and constructing aircraft carriers.

BCCL

Last month, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had called IAC-1 as "India's pride and a shining example of Atmanirbhar Bharat".

Once commissioned, IAC-1 will carry forward the legacy of INS Vikrant (R11), the first aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy which was commissioned in 1961.

The original INS Vikrant was decommissioned in 1997 and was preserved as a museum until 2012. In 2014, INS Vikrant was sold as scrap.
PTI

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked states to avoid large congregations at programmes ahead of the Independence day. The MHA cautioned the states to ensure following of Covid-19 norms and guidelines, including proper sanitization, wearing masks, maintaining social distancing. The ministry wrote to the states and UTs asking them to use technology in the best possible manner to celebrate the occasion in a befitting manner. Read more



INS Vikrant, First Make-In-India Aircraft Carrier Begins Sea Trials In Kochi

Spokesperson Navy

Adding a new chapter to India's maritime history, the first indigenously built Aircraft Carrier - INS Vikrant has sailed out for its maiden trial into the Arabian Sea. The sea trials that began on Wednesday will go on for four days. The Carrier also known as the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier 1 or IAC-1 will be christened INS Vikrant on commissioning, which is likely to happen next year. Read more



100% Of Eligible Population In Bhubaneswar Has Been Vaccinated Against COVID

PTI

At a time when several states are racing against time to vaccinate their people against COVID-19 before the outbreak of the third wave, Odisha's capital city Bhubaneswar has set a new record. Bhubaneswar has claimed to have achieved 100 per cent vaccination against COVID-19. The BMC jurisdiction has administered as many as 18,77,178 does of vaccines by August 2. Read more

What Is Goa's Bhumiputra Bill And Why Is It Controversial?

Wikimedia

Last week, the Goa Assembly passed the Goa Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill, 2021, which the government says will provide for a mechanism to give ownership rights to dwellers of small housing units to enable them to live with dignity, self-respect and to exercise their right to life. The bill was passed in the 40-member house on July 31, through a voice vote on the last day of the assembly session. Read more



NY Governor 'Sexually Harassed 11 Women', Say Reports; Biden Calls for Resignation

Getty

President Joe Biden called on Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resign, following an official report that said Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women. He should resign, Biden told reporters at the White House. Asked whether Cuomo should be removed from office if he refuses to resign, Biden said, I understand the state legislature may decide to impeach, I do not know that for a fact. Read more
The Mumbai police received a call from an unknown caller who threatened to blow up the US consulate in the city. The call was apparently made from a mobile phone to the landline number of the consulate.

Area cordoned off, security beefed up

Soon after the call, cops went into a tizzy and the security around the consulate was beefed up overnight. The entire area was cordoned off and checks were carried out in the presence of senior authorities.



PTI

The entire area was cordoned off and checks were carried out in the presence of senior authorities. A bomb disposal team and dog squad were also deployed, considering the gravity of the situation.



However, nothing was found in the area after a preliminary investigation. An official from the Mumbai Police informed that a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against the caller.



Police received a phone call last night that threatened of blowing up US Consulate in Mumbai. Security was increased after the threat call. Nothing was found in investigation. FIR has been registered. This was probably a hoax call, further investigation is underway: Mumbai Police  ANI (@ANI) August 4, 2021

"Probably a hoax call"

"This was probably a hoax call. Further investigation to identify and trace the caller is underway," the official said.

After receiving the call, Consulate officials informed the Mumbai Police which then dispatched the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) and the entire area was thoroughly checked. However, the police could not find anything suspicious.

BCCL

The call was received around midnight and the checking went on till this morning. The call was made to a landline number of the Consulate from a mobile number, said reports.



It may be recalled that the US Consulate in Mumbai was earlier located at Churchgate in South Mumbai but was shifted to the BKC in November 2011.


President Joe Biden called on Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resign, following an official report that said Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women. He should resign, Biden told reporters at the White House.

Asked whether Cuomo should be removed from office if he refuses to resign, Biden said, I understand the state legislature may decide to impeach, I do not know that for a fact.

Shortly after Bidens response, New York State House Speaker Carl Heastie, a Democrat, announced that the chamber would seek to quickly conclude its impeachment inquiry into the governor.



AP

"Violated federal, state law"

In calling on Cuomo to step down, Biden joined nearly every other major Democratic lawmaker in both Albany and Washington. But from atop the party leadership, Bidens demand carries more weight than others. Cuomos press office did not respond to a request for comment from CNBC on the presidents remarks.

The report released Tuesday by state Attorney General Letitia James summarized a months-long probe by concluding that Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women, and in doing so violated federal and state law, James said at a press conference.

A somber but defiant Cuomo strongly denied some of those allegations later Tuesday, and said that other examples of his alleged misconduct had been mischaracterized or misinterpreted.

Getty

The 165-page report, which comprises interviews with 179 witnesses and a review of tens of thousands of documents, also said that Cuomos office was riddled with fear and intimidation, and was a hostile work environment for many staffers.

Allegations against Cuomo

"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," it said.

It also pointed out that Cuomo's office had a culture "filled with fear and intimidation" and that "normalizing the Governor's frequent flirtations and gender-based comments ... contributed to the conditions that allowed the sexual harassment to occur and persist."

CNN

The report said Cuomo's behavior showed a "pattern of conduct" that included, when it came to a personal assistant: "touching and grabbing of Executive Assistant #1's butt during hugs and, on one occasion, while taking selfies with him;" and that he "reached under her blouse and grabbed her breast."



Staff, public members, state employees among survivors

The women Cuomo is accused of harassing included members of his own staff, members of the public and other state employees, one of whom was a state trooper, the report found.

The wave of demands that Cuomo resign Tuesday represented a stunning fall from grace for a politician who made no secret of his national ambitions, and was widely seen as a potential 2024 Democratic presidential nominee should Biden decide not to run for re-election.

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, Cuomo maintained close relationships with first the Trump administration and later the Biden administration.



AP

The presidents response came four months after Biden said that if an investigation confirmed allegations of sexual harassment against Cuomo, then the governor should step down. Biden said Tuesday that he stood by his March statement.



"Hell probably end up being prosecuted"

I think hell probably end up being prosecuted, too, Biden told ABC News in an interview that aired March 16. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the White Houses message to Cuomos accusers was that all women who have lived through this type of experience ... deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.

I dont know that anyone could have watched [James press conference] this morning and not found the allegations to be abhorrent I know I certainly did, said Psaki. The findings revealed a deeply disturbing, yet clear, picture, James said, describing Cuomos office as a toxic workplace.


Family, friends and community members attend a vigil in Indianapolis, Indiana on April 18 to remember the victims of a mass shooting at a local FedEx facility that took the lives of eight people, including four Sikh Americans. Indian American organizations had raised questions about whether the gunman's motivation was in any way racially or ethnically motivated. (Jeff Dean/AFP via Getty Images)
Real-time social media posts from local businesses and organizations across Northern Virginia, powered by Friends2Follow. To add your business to the stream, email cfields@insidenova.com or click on the green button below.
Woodbridge, VA (22192)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low near 65F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low near 65F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.
Its the day over which hop fans like myself swoon. By the time this newspaper hits the streets, well be about a week away from National IPA Day on August 5.
A former Boston Police Department auto repair technician has agreed to plead guilty to a scheme to embezzle more than $260,000 from the department in auto parts and supplies, federal prosecutors said.

Bahram Gharony bought parts and supplies, claiming they were for the police department, and then turned around and sold them to others, prosecutors said. He tried to cover his tracks by submitting bogus invoices to the police department, falsely claiming the items were ordered for the fleet, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors say he also lied when he sold auto parts to others and said he had legally gotten them using a police department discount.

Gharony was a technician with the polices departments fleet management division, which is in charge of acquiring, repairing and maintaining the forces vehicles.

The 36-year-old from Boston has agreed to plead guilty to two counts of wire fraud. An email seeking comment was sent to his attorney on Friday.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Auto Fraud Law Enforcement
A train on the Green Line in Boston crashed into another train from behind, injuring more than 20 people, authorities said.

The Boston Fire Department said in a tweet 23 people were taken to hospitals with injuries, none of which were life threatening.

The cause of the crash was not immediately known, Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority General Manager Steve Poftak said at a press conference.

We will obviously get to the bottom of this. This should not happen and we will find out why it happened and will ensure that it wont happen again, he said.

The trains crashed on the Green Line track running along Commonwealth Avenue west of Boston University.

The MBTA said in a tweet around 6:15 p.m. that train service was suspended on part of the B branch of the Green Line because of an accident.

Photos posted by the fire department show the front of one of the trains crushed and dented with the glass on the windshield cracked.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Numbers
Insurance broker Willis Towers Watson PLC said on Tuesday it is weighing strategic alternatives for its reinsurance unit, Willis Re, days after a planned sale to rival Arthur J. Gallagher fell through.

Willis and broker Aon PLC had planned to merge to create the worlds largest insurance broker, topping current leader Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc.

As part of the merger, European regulators demanded the sale of Willis Re to preserve competition, and Gallagher had agreed to buy it and other assets for about $3.6 billion.

Opposition from the U.S. Department of Justice, however, caused Aon and Willis Towers Watson to walk away from the merger last week, which scotched the concession sales.

Reports this week suggested Gallagher was close to clinching a deal for Willis Re, but Willis Towers Watson Chief Executive Officer John Haley said he is considering wider possibilities.

Were conducting a review of strategic alternatives for Willis Re, Haley told a conference call on Tuesday reporting on second-quarter results. While the timing was appropriate given the failed merger, he warned that a sale was not assured.

Haley also said no other units that regulators had asked it to sell are currently being considered for sale.

Other assets slated for sale to meet European regulators requirements included Aons German retirement benefits and consulting business, to Lane Clark & Peacock LLP.

(Reporting by Alwyn Scott; editing by Dan Grebler)

Topics Mergers Aon Willis Towers Watson A.J. Gallagher
Specialist insurer Beazley has launched a suite of covers to protect organizations within Asia Pacifics rapidly expanding life sciences sector.

In an environment in which risk exposures are complex and varied  from the release of unsafe medical devices and medicines, to negligence in human testing, through to the mismanagement of clinical trials and drug discovery  Beazleys offering is designed to provide organizations with holistic coverage that avoids unnecessary gaps in their insurance cover.

The cover includes:

Products liability

Professional indemnity

Public liability

Medical malpractice

Clinical research services  negligent act, error or omission

Clinical trials  no-fault compensation & legal liability

Beazley said the organizations that can benefit from its specialist life sciences cover are medical device manufacturers, contract research organizations, biotechnology & biologics, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals (including cosmetics and skincare), prescription & over the counter injectables/ topicals and oral drugs, and pharmaceutical support services, clinical trials, vaccines and testing laboratories.

The life sciences sector across Asia has been growing significantly in recent years and has already overtaken EU in terms of size. Asia Pacific is now the second largest market in terms of size after the U.S., commented Prashansa Daga, healthcare underwriter, quoting NAVADHI Market Research.

COVID-19 has also exposed the need for self-reliance amongst different countries in the region as we saw closing of borders, restriction on movement of pharmaceutical ingredients and the global vaccine scramble, said Daga.

The response to COVID-19 has response has also fueled a race to create tests, vaccines and treatments. As an industry driven by intrinsic innovation and inelastic demand for patient needs, life sciences is expected to see significant growth in years to come, she added.

Our policy provides clear, broad and flexible cover for a range of risks to help this diverse sector to manage its risk exposures and continue to expand and thrive.

Evan Smith, global head of Miscellaneous Medical & Life Sciences at Beazley, said: Weve been writing life sciences risks at Beazley for over two decades, and today we have a well-established book in North America and the UK, and, as demand has grown internationally, we are taking our lessons learned and are tailoring policies for new territories. Clients and brokers will be well supported by our technically skilled team of underwriting and claims specialists based in Singapore.

Beazley said the policy has been designed to be clearly worded and intuitive to use, which health, wellness and life sciences professionals based in Asia have highlighted as a key priority, according to recent research by Beazley.

Source: Beazley

Topics Lawsuits
Aston Lark, the London-based insurance broker backed by Goldman Sachs, announced the acquisition of Plester Group.

Established in 1964 and based in Kidderminster, England, with a dedicated team of 19, the Plester Group provides solutions for commercial, personal and specialist insurance clients.

Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

Were delighted to welcome Justin and his team to Aston Lark, further strengthening our presence in the Midlands. From my early discussions with Justin, it was clear that there is an excellent cultural fit between our businesses, and I have great confidence that Aston Lark will prove to be a great home for all of the Plester team and their clients, commented Peter Blanc, Aston Lark group CEO.

We are very excited to be joining the Aston Lark Group as we believe their ethos of providing excellent customer service mirrors our own. Our specialist offerings, which include contracting and motor trade, are aligned and we believe that, with the additional resources of the Aston Lark Group, there will be great benefit to our existing clients and huge potential for continued growth, whilst still maintaining the personal service on which we have built the business to this point, said Justin Griffiths, managing director of Plester Group.

About Aston Lark

With over 1,500 employees across 50-plus offices in the UK and Ireland, 200,000 customers and more than 700 million of GWP, Aston Lark said it has expertise in all commercial sectors, industry-specific schemes, employee benefits consultancy, and a range of private client solutions. Founded in 2018 and based in London, Aston Lark is an insurance broking consolidator, backed by Goldman Sachs.

Source: Aston Lark

Related:

Topics Mergers Agencies
A federal appellate court ruling that dismissed a dental practices COVID-19 business interruption claim might be the beginning of the end for policyholder arguments that income lost because of government shutdowns should be recovered through commercial property insurance policies.

The U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals July 2 decision in Oral Surgeons v. Cincinnati Insurance Co. echoed dozens of district court rulings that granted dismissal and summary judgment motions by insurers that argued SARS-CoV-2 did not cause a direct physical loss to property.

Insurers have won more than 90% of the federal court decisions issued so far, according to a litigation tracker maintained by the University of Pennsylvania. Insurers have won 70% of the time in state court if dismissals without prejudice count as an insurer win.

Robert Hartwig, a University of South Carolina economics professor and former head of the Insurance Information Institute, told Claims Journal during an interview recently that the Oral Surgeons decision wont resolve the COVID business-interruption issue in all courts, but will almost certainly stem the flow of litigation.

The appellate court decision is a very bright line that is going to seen by all of the plaintiffs attorneys who are thinking about filing lawsuits, he said, adding later: The number of new cases is going to be close to zero fairly quickly.

Hartwig said the insurer experience with COVID-19 business interruption claims parallels plaintiff efforts to persuade the courts that damages caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 were caused by wind instead of flooding. He said it took about two years for insurers to win appellate court judgments that Katrina flood damage was excluded from standard homeowners policies. The industry had to contend with unprecedented political pressure from plaintiffs attorneys in the meantime.

Back then, Sen. Trent Lott of Mississippi fought a well-publicized court battle with State Farm after the insurer denied his claim for hurricane damage to his home in Pascagoula. The suit was settled before trial.

In 2020, President Donald Trump  after speaking with celebrity chefs and their attorneys  said during a press conference that businesses that purchased insurance policies with no virus exclusions should be paid for business income lost because of government-ordered shutdowns.

Hartwig said both US courts appear to be coalescing around the opinion that the coronavirus does not cause direct physical damage even more quickly than they collectively accepted the insurer argument that most Katrina damages were not covered because of the flood exclusion. He noted that when he testified about pandemic risks during a Senate subcommittee hearing on July 22, none of the members asserted that business income lost because of virus-related shutdowns should be covered.

Hartwig said there may a few court opinions to the contrary, but the direction of the courts is clearly favoring insurers.

The path to judicial clarity is not a linear path, Hartwig said. In the case of business interruption in COVID, we make take 10 steps forward and one step back.

There have been numerous outlier court decisions, most from state courts. The most recent came on July 12, when a Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania judge rejected Cincinnatis Insurance Co.s motion to dismiss a business-interruption lawsuit filed by Browns Gym.

But Hartwig said the investment that insurers made defending against COVID-19 business interruption claims is paying off. In fact, he predicted that property and casualty insurers will likely be releasing reserves because their losses were less than expected at the pandemics onset last year.

The industry was necessarily going to have to go to the mat on this issue to defend the integrity of the contract, Hartwig said. To not defend the integrity of the contract would have set a horrible precedent.

The 8th Circuits ruling in Oral Surgeons certainly wont resolve the business-interruption issue. Appeals are pending in 10 other federal circuit courts and 26 state appellate courts, according to the litigation tracker. Hartwig said plaintiffs attorneys are very adept at finding jurisdictions that will grant favorable rulings.

Insurance defense attorney Roy A. Mura in Buffalo, New York said the impact of the Oral Surgeons decision will be limited. For one thing, he said the appellate panel did not address plaintiff attorney pleadings that state SARS-Cov-2 was physically present on properties; the court ruled that shutdown orders issued because of the pandemic did not create a recoverable loss.

Mura said in an email that a footnote in the decision notes that it the panel was not rendering any opinion about whether a policyholder can recover if the virus was physically present. Whats more, he said the circuit court decision was based on Iowa law and stated that Minnesota law was very similar.

The loss of use in and of itself equals direct physical loss argument has always been one of the weakest arguments of policyholders in COVID-19 business interruption coverage lawsuits  one made necessary when the policy under which coverage is sought includes a virus exclusion, Mura said.

On the other hand, Mura said that some of the appellate panels statements in its decision will have persuasive value in other jurisdictions. The opinion noted that the policy Cincinnati issued to Browns Gym provided coverage for business income lost only until the building is repaired, rebuilt, replaced or the business is relocated. He said insurers have been arguing from the start that business interruption insurance coverage is intended only for the period of restoration.

We now have a federal appellate court agreeing with numerous federal and state trial-level courts that have concluded the same, Mura said. I expect insurers will be quoting those sentences in their motion papers going forward, regardless of the venue and jurisdiction.

Policyholder attorneys say they are worried that the 8th Circuit and other courts are overlooking the strength of their arguments.

K. James Sullivan, a partner with the Calfee Law Firm in Cleveland, said in an email that a federal appellate court decision, because of its high-profile status, can take a life of its own that is outsized in relationship to the actual content of the opinion itself. He said the insurance industry surely will trumpet the decisions in legal articles, presentations and lobbying efforts.

But Sullivan said if other courts avoid making knee-jerk reactions, they will see that the facts in Oral Surgeons are distinguishable on the allegations and facts from many of the cases around the country.

Moreover, there are credible ways for policyholders to argue the 8th Circuit got it wrong even based on the allegations and facts presented in that specific case, and thus argue that whatever court they are before should wholly disregard Oral Surgeons, he said. If policyholders can effectively convey these things to courts, then indeed this ruling may ultimately have limited real-world impact on cases around the country.

Sullivan said policyholders have strong linguistic and common sense arguments that business interruptions caused by COVID-19 should be covered.

The phrase direct physical loss of or damage to property is a two-part clause such that physical loss of [property] and damage to [property] necessarily have different meanings given that courts typically dont read two clauses in insurance policies as wholly redundant, he said. Here, even if a given physical location does not have the virus present on its surfaces or in its air, nevertheless there was a physical loss by virtue of the property being functionally unusable or materially less usable during a significant portion of the pandemic.

Law professors Erik Knusten of Queens University and Jeff Stempel at the University of Nevada argued in a blog post last week that much of the insurer success is attributable to a public relations campaign by the industry, which many judges appear to have subconsciously accepted, that forcing insurers to cover COVID losses would financially ruin the industry.

Knutsen and Stempel first expressed that opinion in an article published in late 2020 titled Infected Judgment.

The problem we identified in 2020 has only gotten worse in 2021 as federal courts in the most recent decisions largely have eschewed fresh analysis in favor of treating the issue as determined by what one might term the first wave of trial court decisions, the law professors said. At least in federal court, a cascade effect appears to have taken hold, with attendant reflexive resistance to COVID coverage rather than the closer and more sophisticated analysis the matter deserves.

Topics COVID-19 Carriers Business Interruption
Rusted pipes litter the sandy fields of Ashley Williams Watts cattle ranch in windswept West Texas. The corroded skeletons are all that remain of hundreds of abandoned oil wells that were drilled long before her family owned the land. The wells, unable to produce any useful amounts of oil or gas, were plugged with cement decades ago and forgotten.

But something eerie is going on beneath the land, where Watt once played among the mesquite trees, jackrabbits and javelina and first drove the dirt roads at 10 years old. One by one, the wells seem to be unplugging themselves. Theyre leaking dangerous chemicals that are seeping into groundwater beneath her ranch.

Now 35, Watt believes the problems on her ranch, which sprawls across the oil-rich fields of the Permian Basin, are getting worse. In April, she found crude oil bubbling from an abandoned well. In June, an oil company worker called to alert her that another well was seeping pools of salty produced water, a byproduct of oil and gas extraction containing toxic chemicals.

Im watching this well literally just spew brine water into my water table, and then I have to go home at night, and Im sweaty and tired and smelly, and I get in the shower, and I turn on the shower and I look at it, and I think, is this shower going to kill me? Watt said.

A Growing Threat

The crisis unfolding on Watts 75,000-acre ranch offers a window on a growing problem for the oil industry and the communities and governments that are often left to clean up the mess. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 3.2 million abandoned oil and gas wells exist in the United States. About a third of them were plugged with cement, which is considered the proper way to prevent harmful chemical leaks. But most havent been plugged at all.

Many of the wells are releasing methane, a greenhouse gas Ocontaining about 86 times the climate-warming power of carbon dioxide over two decades. Some are leaking chemicals such as benzene, a known carcinogen, into fields and groundwater.

Regulators dont know where hundreds of thousands of abandoned wells are because many of them were drilled before modern record-keeping and plugging rules were established. They are a silent menace, threatening to explode or contaminate drinking water and leaking atmosphere-warming fumes each day that theyre unplugged. Without records of their whereabouts, its impossible to grasp the magnitude of the pollution or health problems they may be causing.

The problem isnt confined to Texas. In recent years, abandoned wells have been found under brush deep in forests and beneath driveways in suburbia. On the Navajo Nation, a hiker stumbled across wells oozing brown and black fluid that smelled like motor oil. In Colorado, a basement exploded, killing a man and his brother-in-law who were repairing a water heater, after an abandoned flowline had leaked methane into the house.

A Wyoming school shut down for more than a year after students and teachers complained of headaches for weeks. Air quality tests revealed high levels of benzene and carbon dioxide, most likely from a nearby abandoned oil well. A garage in Pennsylvania exploded  a consequence, the state suspects, of abandoned gas wells.

Experts believe the problem is getting worse. Even before the viral pandemic, producers were declaring bankruptcy and abandoning oil fields after spending more on fracking operations than they ultimately could afford. Then the coronavirus halted travel, obliterating demand for fuel and leaving less money to properly plug wells.

President Joe Biden, who has built much of his domestic policy around a transition to cleaner energy sources, wants to spend billions to put unemployed wildcatters to work plugging the wells. But Congress is unlikely to allocate enough money to seriously confront the issue.

If, all of a sudden, we could switch to all green renewable energy, thats great, but these wells dont disappear; theyre still going to be there, said Mary Kang, an assistant professor of civil engineering at McGill University in Montreal who was among the first scientists to call attention to the danger of abandoned wells.

Traces of Benzene

After the discoveries on Watts ranch, traces of benzene showed up in the well that supplies her cattles drinking water. Chevron, which owned at least two of the oil wells that recently came unplugged, began trucking in drinking water while its crews tried to fix the leaks. But Watt worried that her animals might have consumed contaminated water. So she had her 600 head of cattle hauled off to another part of her ranch.

At this point, she said, I cannot sell my cattle at market in good conscience, because I have no idea what is in them.

Though Chevron officials maintained that the cattle could safely return, Watt disagreed.

Shes haunted by a memory of crude oil bubbling up in a toilet bowl at her familys ranch when she was a teenager. Horrified, they turned off the well that supplied their water and switched to another well. They never found the source of the leak.

Representatives for Chevron said the company is committed to re-plugging the two wells that recently sprang leaks.

But Watt fears that dozens of other plugged and abandoned wells on her ranch might be deteriorating, and Chevron has no plans to check its other wells for problems. If Watt should inform Chevron of another leaking well, if we have to take responsibility, we will and well do the right thing by the landowner, said Catie Mathews, a company spokeswoman.

Hailing from a long line of cattle ranchers, Watt never thought shed be fighting this fight. After high school, she graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and worked in intelligence for the Marines. Even after she obtained an MBA from Harvard, she returned to the ranch.

She packs a gun, but only on her own land. Though shes passionate about protecting it, she doesnt want to be called an environmentalist  thats a dirty word out here. But she has to save her ranch.

The story of my family, Watt said, is a story of land, if nothing else.

Layers of Confusion

Dispiriting as her situation is, Watt is luckier than some. She knows Chevron bears responsibility for two wells that recently sprang leaks on her property. But not every well has a clear responsible party. Some abandoned ones are so old and records so scarce that landowners or states are left to clean up the damage.

Molly Rooke, who co-owns a family ranch near Corpus Christi, Texas, faced that predicament in 2019, when an orphaned well blew out on her property, spewing chemicals. The 15,000-acre ranch contained dozens of orphaned wells, with exposed pipes not much taller than her own frame. Some pipes stuck out of the ground. Others were hidden in brush.

We have problems finding the well head, and thats above the ground, Rooke said. Then you have all these pipes underground, and theres no record of where those go.

Her only records of these wells that were drilled in the 1920s were scattered old photos and papers. She tried to contact companies that used to pump oil from the wells. No luck. One well had already leaked into a nearby river.

Rookes father tried for years to get the state to plug them. When he died, she took over the fight. Rooke and the consumer rights group Public Citizen sued the Texas Railroad Commission over its decision during the pandemic to suspend rules requiring operators to plug abandoned wells within a year. After her lawsuit sparked attention, the state sealed her wells.

All the wells were so old, they were ticking time bombs, Rooke said.

Searching for Lost Wells

The first successful commercial oil well in the U.S. was drilled in Pennsylvania in 1859. But few detailed records survived that early oil boom, which lasted several decades. Not until a century later would the industry develop modern plugging standards, which require filling abandoned wells with cement to prevent leaks.

These days, some abandoned wells have metal casings intact. But others were stripped of metal during World War II, making them hard to find. Still others were constructed from wood that rotted away and left only a hole in the ground.

Pennsylvania has located roughly 8,700 orphaned wells, mostly unplugged and in rural areas. Yet the problem is far larger. Based on historical photos and surveys, Pennsylvania estimates that between 100,000 and 560,000 additional unplugged wells remain scattered around the state.

Were not plugging fast enough to keep up with the wells were discovering, said Seth Pelepko, an environmental program manager in the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Our list is not getting smaller. Its getting larger.

Some states have taken to hiring well hunters who specialize in finding abandoned wells. They use metal detectors  first in helicopter surveys, then on the ground  to seek steel well casings. But metal detectors cant detect wells cased in wood. So they fly drones with laser imaging to seek depressions in the ground.

On her Texas ranch, Watt uses some of the same techniques to seek problematic aging wells. She has driven her land, looking for signs of trouble.

Sometimes, she finds a dark patch of earth using a drone. She calls one of the biggest the elephant graveyard, after a wasteland in the movie The Lion King. Rather than animal bones, her graveyard contains blackened mesquite trees.

The sand there is dark and reeks of oil. But Watts worry is the water below. Without it, she and her longtime ranch foreman, Marty White, and his wife  and their cattle  cant live here. Water is the lifeblood of this place and all of West Texas.

I told him, Ill take care of you,' Watt said of White. Youre going to have to trust me, and I dont know what it looks like, but Ill take care of you.'

Leaking Chemicals and Money

In addition to polluting groundwater, the wells are accelerating global warming. Unplugged, abandoned wells in the U.S. leaked 5,000 times more methane than plugged wells did, according to a 2015 study cited by the EPA. Unplugged wells leak 280,000 metric tons of methane into the atmosphere each year, according to an estimate by EPA, though experts have estimated far higher totals.

That amount of methane packs roughly the same climate-warming power as the carbon dioxide emitted by all the power plants in Massachusetts in a year, according to Daniel Raimi, a fellow at Resources for the Future, a research group.

Many states require companies to plug wells that are out of production and to post bonds in case they go belly-up. But the amounts are typically far lower than whats required to plug the wells, leaving states or the federal government with hefty bills.

At the end of June, Texas reported 7,268 orphaned wells, up 17% since 2019. An additional 146,859 were considered inactive. They were no longer producing oil, but the owners hadnt yet been required to plug them. Many inactive wells may actually be orphaned wells, said David Wieland, regional organizer with the Western Organization of Resource Councils, a network of grassroots groups focused on land stewardship. Some producers will let a well sit idle for a year or two, he said, and then produce just enough oil to avoid being required to plug it.

That sort of hidden inventory is likely true in almost any state, Wieland said.

Some states, like Texas, use fees collected from the oil and gas industry for cleanups. In 2018 alone, oil-producing states spent $45 million plugging orphaned wells and $7.9 million restoring surrounding land, according to the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission.

Cleaning Up the Mess

As the financial and environmental tolls of abandoned wells grow, policy makers are searching for solutions. In his initial infrastructure proposal, Biden suggested spending $16 billion to put people to work plugging old oil and gas wells and coal mines. Yet even that wouldnt be nearly enough to solve the problem.

Raimi, of Resources for the Future, estimates that a federal program to plug 62,000 wells over a decade could create 15,000 to 33,000 year-long jobs. At a per-well cost of $76,000, it would take roughly $160 billion to plug all the wells and reclaim the surrounding land, whether its companies or governments who pay the price.

Wyoming and North Dakota channeled millions of dollars in federal coronavirus relief funds into employing workers to plug abandoned oil and gas wells over the past year.

Watts family never owned the mineral rights to the land and thus never profited from these wells, many of which were drilled in the 1950s and were plugged in the four decades that followed.

She isnt looking for a drawn-out legal battle with Chevron or any other oil company with wells on her land. She simply wants assurance that the water is safe for her cattle, and the people in her life, to drink. She wants the land to be restored. And she doesnt know if thats possible.

I do not want to sue, Watt said. All I want is everything cleaned up.

Knowing that benzene has seeped into some of her water, she has a nagging suspicion that the rare cancer that killed her mother might have been related to wells leaking toxic chemicals on her ranch. She will likely never know for sure.

More than anything, she wants justice for the land, her cattle  and the legacy her family bequeathed to her. This is where she spread the ashes of her parents.

My greatest fear when I lay down every night, even before this well became unplugged, is what if I do something to screw up the history of this ranch, thats still being written? Watt asked.

What if that history ends with me?

Bussewitz reported from New York. Irvine, who is based in Chicago, reported from Texas.

Topics Energy Oil Gas Chemicals
A Lake Charles, Louisiana, orthopedic surgeon pleaded guilty to workers compensation fraud conspiracy, the U.S. Justice Department reported.

Robert Dale Bernauer Sr., 74, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, health care fraud, fraud to obtain federal employees compensation, and illegal kickbacks, in connection with a scheme to defraud the U.S. government and private insurance companies by over-billing for unnecessary medications provided to workers compensation patients, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Bernauer pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to violate five different federal statutes. According to court documents, Bernauer made more than $1,000,000 off of the scheme, which ran from 2011 until 2017 and defrauded both federal and private workers compensation insurers.

Court documents allege that the basic premise of the scheme was that individuals associated with an Arkansas company recruited Bernauer to dispense pain creams and patches to his workers comp patients by offering him a 50% split of the profits collected from successfully billing insurers. The company billed insurers at markups of anywhere from 1,500% to 2,000%  in other words, 15 to 20 times what the medications actually cost.

The unnamed company acted as the billing agent for Bernauer, handling all of the paperwork and submitting the allegedly fraudulent claims to both the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers Compensation Programs, which covers all federal employees, and to private insurers, as well.

Bernauer admitted that both he and his co-conspirators knew he did not have a license to dispense medications from his clinic, which was required under Louisiana law. The contracts with Bernauer provided that both he and the company would each get half of all amounts successfully collected from insurers.

Although such profit-splitting arrangements violated both federal and Louisiana laws, in pleading guilty Bernauer admitted he joined the scheme knowing it was, in his words, too good to be true.

Court documents indicate that Bernauer was not the only physician involved in this scheme, and the total financial harm to federal and private workers compensation insurers is not listed. However, Bernauer alone accounted for a loss of approximately $2,050,546, including a $664,176.50 loss for the federal agencies whose employees were Bernauers patients.

In his plea agreement, Bernauer promised to immediately start making amends, by within 30 days paying $664,176.30 directly to the Department of Labor, as restitution to the federal agencies that were primary targets of the fraudulent scheme, and a further $361,096.70 to the court clerks office, to be distributed to other insurers victimized by the conspiracy.

Bernauer also acknowledged that he would be subject to an additional restitution order of approximately $1,025,273, as a shared obligation with any of his co-conspirators who are later convicted.

As a result of his guilty plea to the single conspiracy count, Bernauer may be sentenced to a maximum of five years in prison.

The case was investigated by the Department of Defense, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, with the assistance of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, the Louisiana Department of Justice, the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners, and the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven Mohlhenrich and Hunter Bridges prosecuted the case for the United States.

Source: U.S. Justice Department

Topics Workers' Compensation Louisiana Fraud
A Tennessee state trooper testified Monday that he saw his former colleague on the force yank the mask off a protester last summer during the COVID-19 pandemic, refuting the former officers denial before a judge advanced the misdemeanor assault charge against him.

Nashville General Sessions Judge William Higgins sent the case against former Trooper Harvey Briggs to a grand jury after Mondays preliminary hearing, which included testimony from the protester whom Briggs is accused of assaulting, Andrew Golden, and Trooper Brian Carmouche, who said he watched Briggs pull the mask off Goldens face.

Prosecutors also played Goldens widely circulated recording of the August 2020 incident, which shows Goldens mask on the ground but didnt capture Briggs removing it, and when Golden said the trooper ripped off his mask Briggs denied doing so on camera.

I just saw (Briggs) pull (Goldens) mask off, and throw it in the grass, said Carmouche, who said he saw the incident from 75 or 100 feet (23 to 30 meters) away. Carmouche has previously told department investigators he was 110% sure of what he observed, records show.

Briggs attorney, Dana McLendon, focused on derogatory comments about the police on social media made by Golden, saying if he had those views about police then he might lie about this one particular police officer. Golden responded that he didnt see how it wasnt relevant to him telling the truth or not.

The encounter between Briggs and Golden happened last summer as lawmakers reconvened inside the state Capitol for a session in which they passed legislation threatening felony charges for protesters who camp out on state property amid the sustained outcry for racial justice nationwide.

Carmouche said he and another trooper were addressing a traffic stop before he saw Briggs take the mask off Golden.

Golden was recording the traffic stop when Briggs, who was nearby but not involved, scolded Golden for cursing and told him not to impede the scene.

The video shows Briggs, unmasked, getting up close to Goldens face. Golden then says on camera that Briggs ripped off his mask, and shows the mask on the ground nearby. I did not, Briggs responds. Im tired of you people making stuff up.

After Briggs encounter with the protester, he was fired and charged criminally. He sued the state this spring over his firing.

Briggs notice of termination as a trooper also says security footage of the incident from the nearby Tennessee State Library & Archives supports the claim that Briggs took off Goldens mask.

In the lawsuit challenging Briggs firing, his attorney repeats Briggs claim that he didnt pull the mask off Golden, saying it did not appear in the video nor on videos from cameras situated on various structures in the Capitol parking area.

Surveillance footage of the incident provided by the state Department of Safety and Homeland Security is grainy, but appears to show Briggs arm reach toward Goldens face, prompting Golden to stumble backward.

Additionally, Briggs personnel file shows that over his 22-year career with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, he had been suspended for 17 days without pay for several infractions before the mask incident.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Tennessee
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said this week he was planning to issue a state disaster declaration and it could be a few days to a few weeks before a canyon in the western part of the state can be reopened following massive mudslides that blocked Interstate 70, a major transportation corridor between the Rocky Mountains and the West Coast.

Polis said during a news conference that, weather permitting, crews will be working to clear debris and mud from the interstate. Polis hopes to soon have at least one lane in each direction open through Glenwood Canyon.

The interstate through the canyon was closed after flash floods and about 10 mudslides stranded more than 100 people in their vehicles overnight Thursday, including nearly 30 people who took refuge in a tunnel. Lanes in both directions remain blocked by debris that flowed out of the burn scar from a wildfire last year in the Grizzly Creek area.

We wont be fully aware of the extent of the structural damage until some of the debris is cleared, said Polis, who also is seeking federal assistance. There are areas that are under 10 feet (3 meters) or more of mud at this point.

Photos provided by state officials over the weekend showed sections of the interstates concrete roadway were smashed by boulders that tumbled from the canyons steep walls and a long section of steel guardrail had been sheered off.

The governor had planned to tour the damage Monday but couldnt because a helicopter was grounded by rain and hail in the area.

Polis said Glenwood Canyon receives an average of 2.4 inches of rain in July, but the storm that caused the most recent mudslides dropped about 4 inches in five days.

Stan Hilkey, executive director of the Colorado Department of Public Safety, said drone footage showed debris flows had plunged into the Colorado River and were diverting water to areas it normally would not flow.

Transportation officials closed a 46-mile stretch of the interstate and advised long-distance truckers to detour north onto Interstate 80 through Wyoming. Meanwhile, motorists traveling between Denver and Glenwood Springs were told to take an alternate route that adds about 250 miles to the trip.

This is a major transportation artery, Polis said. So on top of the people who live there and the recreational use, this is also disruptive to trucking and commerce and the flow of goods across Colorado, which is yet another reason why we need to get this fixed as quickly as possible.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Colorado
Warm tributes have been pouring in for the much-loved priest who was killed in a bus tragedy in Corks lower harbour.

Fr Con Cronin, 72, the curate of Passage West, has been described as a priest for all, a larger-than-life character who was a treasured member of the community he served and loved.

He died yesterday after being struck by a bus which went out of control on Monkstowns Strand Road after the bus driver, Mark Wills, 51, from Ballincollig, suffered a suspected fatal heart attack.

Fr Cronin had been crossing the road with sacristan and parish secretary Cathy Concannon just moments after the pair had enjoyed lunch together in the nearby Bosun pub.

In a moving tribute this morning, the parish priest of Corks harbour parishes, Fr Sean OSullivan, said he woke today with one of Fr Con's favourite sayings echoing in his mind.

Gratitude, Con often said, is the memory of the heart, Fr Sean said.

Despite our shock and our overwhelming sadness for Con, his family, his friends, his Kiltegan family and our community where he was truly beloved, Con would want us to draw comfort from the wonderful memories we have shared and the joy, the blessings, the love and the comfort he has brought us these past nine years.

Not only did Con become part of our lives but he allowed us to be part of his, with no conditions, no judgments, no reservations.

His heart was open to all as was the door to his house.

He allowed us to share fully in his life and what a ride it has been.

For all you have given us, for all you have done for us, but most especially for being you, thank you Con. So often Con carried us through tragedy. He would want us to rally around and support one another now and to be there for one another.

Con, may you return home to God now from the dance of life. May your example of love continue to inspire us. May your unshakeable faith in the love of God strengthen us. Rest in peace, dear friend. Heaven just got a little brighter! We will miss you dearly for you were truly loved.

Chair of the parish assembly, Eamonn Downey, described Fr Con as a fabulous rogue.

He was a huge man physically with a huge heart, he said.

He also had huge cornerstones to his faith. He never failed to turn and point at the crucifix, to say hello to the Virgin Mary, and he always asked us to pray for prisoners, because he said they needed forgiveness too.

Some of those who attended lastnights candle light vigil in Passage West for Fr Con Cronin.

He said Fr Con found it difficult to cope with the Covid-19 restrictions but got through it thanks to his wonderful neighbours in Passage West and to the men who drove him around from church to church, Brian Higgins and Daithi Kelly.

And he paid tribute to Fr Cons ability to include people, especially those who may not have been regular Mass goers, during ceremonies such as confirmations, communions or christenings.

He involved everyone and he always took care of those people who may have been unsure of their role," Mr Downey said.

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath, said Fr Con had a welcome for every person, and treated everyone with the same respect and dignity.

He has left an indelible mark through a lifetime of service, he said.

My own family will always be deeply appreciative of the support Fr Con provided to us when we suffered the sudden loss of our beloved Sean a number of years ago.

I know that Fr Con was there for so many more families in their time of need.

The scene of yesterday's fatal accident where Fr Con Cronin and bus driver, Mark Wills, died in Monkstown, Cork Harbour. Photo: Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision

The outpouring of grief in the hours since his death is a reflection of the esteem in which the people of Passage West, Monkstown, Shanbally and Ringaskiddy hold him. He will be sorely missed.

Sinn Fein TD Donnchadh O Laoghaire said Fr Cronin wasnt just liked - he was loved.

Its priests like Fr Con that people respect. People like him are a credit to the church, he said.

Fr O'Sullivan said the churches in the parish will remain open later than usual over the coming days to allow people time to visit and to pray and he asked people to also remember Mr Wills and his family over the coming days.

Fr Cronins funeral will take place in accordance with Covid-19 restrictions and in the meantime, people have been encouraged to leave a message of sympathy or to share a memory on the condolences page on RIP.ie.

A post mortem is expected to take place today on the bodies of the two men.
The European Union has agreed to pay a premium on new orders of Covid-19 vaccines because it is requiring tougher terms to be met, European officials said, as the bloc tries to protect supplies after a rocky start to its vaccination campaign.

The higher price is less than the US has agreed to pay in its latest order in July.

On Sunday, the Financial Times reported the EU has agreed to pay Pfizer and BioNTech 19.50 ($23.10) for each of their Covid-19 vaccine shots under a contract signed in May for up to 1.8bn doses, up from the 15.50 per dose under two initial supply contracts for a total of 600m vaccines.

The price for Moderna shots went up to $25.50 a dose, the newspaper said, referring to a 300m-vaccine deal, up from $22.60 in its initial deal for 160m jabs.

EU lawmaker Tiziana Beghin, a member of Italys ruling 5-Star party, said the EU was being been ripped off.

Its inexplicable, she said.

Modernas price is still at the lowest end of the $25-$37 range indicated by the company last year, but Pfizer and BioNTech had previously said prices would be lower for bigger-volume deals.

Others said there were good reasons to pay more, and that circumstances had changed greatly from when initial deals were struck with drugmakers last year.

Frances European affairs minister Clement Beaune told French radio station RFI that the likely higher prices were still under negotiation, and were the result of stricter clauses on variants, production, and deliveries.

One European official familiar with negotiations with vaccine makers said the value of the drugmakers shots had risen since evidence had emerged of their efficacy and of the positive impact they had on helping the economy to recover from a pandemic-induced recession.

Several factors played a role, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

A bottle of Pfizer coronavirus vaccine.

All the vaccines used in Europe have been shown to have a beneficial impact, but those made by AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson have faced restrictions on their use in the EU because of concerns they can in rare instances lead to blood clots.

Those two vaccine makers have also suffered supply problems, which in the case of AstraZeneca have led to legal challenges by the EU.

While the bargaining power of Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna has increased, additional EU demands are likely to raise the costs of making and delivering vaccines.

A spokesman for Pfizer declined to comment on the European prices, but said the latest contract with the EU was different from the initial ones, including on matters concerning production and delivery.

Moderna did not respond to a request for comment.

The European Commission, which co-ordinates negotiations with vaccine makers together with EU governments representatives, also declined to comment, citing confidentiality clauses.

Earlier this year, lawmakers, media, and some analysts criticised the bloc for paying too little for the early supplies of vaccines, saying that had contributed to initial delays in the vaccination drive.

Its easy to criticise the EU because it spends little and late or because it spends too much, said Giovanna De Maio, non-resident fellow at the Brookings Institution, a US research group.

"Reality is much more complicated, and perhaps it is correct to give priority to access to vaccines rather than costs given the pace at which the Delta variant is spreading, she added, referring to the more transmissible variant that was first detected in India.

On July 23, Washington bought an additional 200m vaccines from Pfizer at a price of $24 a dose (20.10), the company said, up from $19.50 the US paid for its first 300m shots.

Pfizer said the higher US prices reflected investment needed to produce, package, and deliver new formulations of the vaccine, as well as extra costs in producing smaller pack sizes suited to individual provider offices, including paediatricians.

When the EU agreed its third supply deal with Pfizer in May for up to 1.8bn doses, the commission said the new contract required the vaccines to be made in the EU and the essential components to be sourced from the region.

In its first supply deals, the EU had required that only vaccines were made in the EU, not their components.

Concentrating production in Europe can help guarantee supply now that production lines are well established and there is less need for leeway, but it is also likely to increase costs.

The EU Commission also said in its statement that under the new contract from the start of the supply in 2022, the delivery to the EU is guaranteed, whereas under the first contract Pfizer was only required to make its best reasonable efforts to ship pre-agreed volumes by set deadlines.

Pfizer has so far respected its commitments to the EU, and has delivered slightly more than initially planned in the first quarter of the year.

Another big change since the early contracts is the emergence of variants and concerns that vaccines may not be effective against them.

EU officials said governments could refuse to buy shots that did not protect against variants, while companies will be expected to quickly adapt their vaccines, potentially at a significant cost.

Reuters
Renters should have a right to an affordable, secure, decent standard home.

Instead, Government policy has turned Generation Rent into a revenue-generating asset for institutional property investors, otherwise known as cuckoo funds.

There are thousands of build-to-rent units being developed, which are at lower standards, such as smaller units. The average floor area of apartments has fallen by almost a third since 2015. The average size of apartments receiving planning permission in 2015 was 95sq m, but just 75sq m in 2020.

The build-to-rent, institutional property investor fund rental model is a very dangerous road.

These investment funds are not delivering housing as a home but it is an income-generating asset for their shareholders.

Their business model is based on maximising profits by lowering standards, constantly rising rents, at the highest rent possible, and the displacement and turnover of tenants.

US investor fund Kennedy Wilson, for example is advertising properties in Cork City for 3,300 for a three-bed apartment.

US fund Greystar is advertising a property in Dublin North Quays a one-bed apartment for 2,400.

How are renters supposed to live, to pay the basic costs of living, especially with children and childcare, to save for the future, and to save for a deposit?

Housing expert Rory Hearne: "To provide homes for Generation Rent and to ensure living, thriving, integrated and diverse, communities for the Ireland of the future, the Governments Housing for All plan needs to provide a large supply of genuinely affordable homes to buy and rent.". File photo: Niall Carson/PA

Another US real estate investor fund, Hines, is applying for planning for an entire build-to-rent development of 1,614 apartments in Drumcondra, Dublin. Of those apartments, 1,043 (70%) will be either a one-bedroom or studio unit.

There is no opportunity for people to buy any of these units. These developments represent a housing dystopia, devoid of stable community. They will become the tenements of the 21st century.

Is this the future for Generation Rent? Hines is also developing thousands more of these in Cherrywood and Dublin 8.

Government policy is also turning social housing into an attractive asset for these investment funds, which worsens the housing supply crisis.

Firstly, through its shift to providing social housing via the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), a payment to private landlords to house social housing tenants, a third of private rental tenancies are now State-subsidised.

Read More Rory Hearne: The Social contract in Ireland for housing is broken

This is not real social housing, These tenants are living in insecure housing and many are paying top-ups above the differential rent paid to the local authority.

But investor funds are using the HAP scheme as investment strategy  they know if they develop build-to-rent apartments, they will have the State as a potential tenant.

It is similar with the social housing leasing schemes. Investors are building to rent and lease to local authorities. But this is hugely more expensive to the State than regular building of social housing, and turns social housing into a profit-generating asset for institutional investors.

The Housing For All plan, if it is to represent a real change for renters, must set out how it will halt the devouring of Irish housing by institutional investment funds, the plan must provide a clear shift away from the current policy which entices and subsidises institutional investors through favourable planning, tax, and social housing leasing measures.

The Governments policy has turned Generation Rent into a revenue-generating asset for cuckoo funds.

Investor funds have a war chest of billions targeted at Irish housing, and they will continue to buy up thousands of homes, and build unaffordable, unliveable, rental units, unless the Government reverses its policies.

The build-to-rent legislation should be amended to include 50% units available for purchase, an increase to standard apartment and unit sizes. The stamp duty measures should include apartments, and the real estate funds should be served a hefty tax on their rent and profits.

The fundamental question must be asked  who is the Housing for All plan being made for? Is it institutional investors and developers or for Generation Rent?

We need to challenge the idea that property should be a place for making huge returns on investment. Housing, a fundamental, social right must no longer be treated as a profit-making commodity.

To provide homes for Generation Rent and to ensure living, thriving, integrated and diverse, communities for the Ireland of the future, the Governments Housing for All plan needs to provide a large supply of genuinely affordable homes to buy and rent, and be clear, insititutional property funds will not provide this.

It is through a massive building programme of traditional local authority social housing, not insecure HAP tenancies, that tens of thousands of State-provided, affordable, secure, cost-rental homes will become available to low- and middle-income earners  who are above social housing eligibility thresholds, and genuinely affordable homes for purchase that will solve the crisis.
University College Cork has a new oneyear Higher Diploma in Languages and Global Software Business to help address an emerging skills shortage in the ICT sector.

The new course is heavily subsidised by the Government Human Capital Initiative programme to support language graduates who are looking to upskill, or who are currently unemployed or returning to work.

Head of the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures, and CoProgramme Director for the Higher Diploma in Languages and Global Software Business, Patrick Crowley, said, This one year course combines a particular focus on the global software industry with languages, intercultural competency and localisation. What we want are strong language graduates with a 2:1 from their final year language module. We want to make a link between language graduates out there and the software sales industry.

UCC is now offering a one-year programme that combines languages with technology.

Speaking of tech industries such as VMWare, Eventbrite and Vox Pro, Crowley said, Theyre interested in linguistic competency, but also in graduates who have a strong capacity for critical thinking and creative problem-solving.

The tech and software industry has a global reach and knowing how to bring your product across the globe is an important skill to have, That process of adapting your product to different markets is a process of localisation  that is to say, adapting your product to another culture and language. Presenting a product online is not just about translating it linguistically, its about making it culturally understood, said Crowley.

The Higher Diploma course is designed to develop the existing language skills of graduates within a business context and to help develop their competencies in ICT, software sales and technical support. The course is designed to provide critical knowledge and skills to language graduates who want to work in Irelands fast-paced software and technology sector.

The course is funded through the Government of Ireland Human Capital Initiative. Subsidies of between 90% and 100% are available, which opens up a new world of opportunity for language graduates. The course will be free of charge for those who are seeking work or looking to return to work.

The Higher Diploma course in UCC is designed to develop the existing language skills of graduates and to develop skills required within global software sales.

Patrick Crowley has been tracking the employment landscape for language graduates over the past 30 years. It has always been varied (teaching, journalism, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, communications) but over the last decade or so, the demand for language graduates within the software industry has dramatically increased, Ive worked with a number of colleagues within the School and within the Department of Business Information Systems on this and theyve been brilliant." The School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures has collaborated with the Department of Business Information Systems (BIS) bringing together the best of both our worlds in designing this new Higher Diploma.

"Joseph Feller and Jeremy Hayes have brought a real sense of excitement to this. Its about the business world and employability, and weve really enjoyed it. Language graduates are in demand and can follow any number of exciting career paths. But we want language graduates to know that this is out there too.

Through the Business Information Systems modules and the expertise of their staff, students develop competencies in relation to the ICT, software sales, technical support and localisation skills which are necessary for managing global relationships in the ICT sector.

The Programme Co-Director Jeremy Hayes (BIS) says, "This programme is designed for high-achieving language graduates who wish to work in global software and technology sales and support. This sector is rapidly expanding and is actively recruiting Irish graduates with language skills to expand their European and Middle East operations out of Ireland.

The year-long course allows graduates to combine their existing skills with a new set that focuses on sales and support. Through the Government subsidy, we expect there to be a high demand for registration, so we are encouraging interested students to apply as soon as possible." The programme also has input from industry leaders in the region.

The School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures offer French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, and Spanish, as well as classes in Galician, Basque and Catalan. We offer more languages than other universities in Ireland. Our students develop strong linguistic competency; are trained to think critically, have the capacity to develop a convincing evidence-based argument; possess strong intercultural skills, and have the ability to respond creatively to intellectual questions. Our students engage with a notion of global citizenship and are ready to make an essential contribution to Irelands strategic global positioning as well as the need for humanities graduates equipped for a multilingual workplace. Languages are key to deepening knowledge and understanding  they open up doors to a global world.

According to Crowley, languages are important in terms of their intrinsic worth (their cultural value) and the skills that are acquired that make students world-ready and work-ready.

Crowley says that Ireland is already a leading player in the software sales and IT world but it needs more language graduates. We launched the programme in July of 2020 and this years cohort were a great group of students willing to get into the very different work of the software industry. They have already secured work in global companies such as Red Hat, Cloudbeds, Nuance, MicroFocus, Amazon, TikTok, and this is even before they graduate, he said.

For Higher Diploma in Languages and Global Software Business student Faye Dowling, the course was a game-changer for her career.

With a BA in World Languages and one year of practical experience, I found that I was still missing some key hard skills for business. The higher diploma has clearly been created with the goal of securing work for the students who take part and this has certainly been the case for me. Only halfway through the Higher Diploma, I was offered the position of Business Development Executive for Southern Europe with Nuance Communications, a world leader in AI and voice recognition technology.

This opportunity presented itself largely due to the interest in ICT, localisation and the global sales process that the course inspired in me during its initial stages. The course coordinators Patrick Crowley and Jeremy Hayes are always on hand and ready to help for any queries, and this has been especially important this year as the pandemic has meant that we are all learning from each other in a remote environment. For language graduates looking to fast track their careers, update their skillset and keep up with quickly advancing trends in technology, the Higher Diploma in Languages and Global is a great post-graduate option.

For information about the Higher Diploma in Languages and Global Software Business and UCCs other HCI Pillar 1 courses visit: www.UCC.ie/HCI
Italy has stepped up pressure on fellow EU nations to open their ports to migrants rescued by humanitarian ships as political tension simmers in the Italian governments coalition over a sharply rising number of arrivals this summer on the countrys southern shores.

The office of interior minister Luciana Lamorgese said she had a long telephone conversation with the European Unions internal affairs commissioner, Ylva Johansson.

Political and economic crises in Tunisia are feeding steadily increasing streams of migrants determined to reach Europe, many of whom set out in smugglers boats from Libya.

The Italian interior ministrys statement said those factors figured in Ms Lamorgeses request for an urgent change of direction in the interventions of the Unions migratory policy.

Migrants thought to be from Tunisia await help in the Italian search and rescue zone (Santi Palacios/AP)

In May and June, the number of migrants who reached Italian shores more than tripled compared with the previous years figure, according to the ministrys count. In July, the year-to-year difference was less marked  8,600 in 2021 compared with 7,000 in 2020.

But so far August has seen charity boats carrying the flags of France and Germany rescue hundreds of migrants from unseaworthy boats launched by human traffickers.

Currently some 800 rescued passengers are awaiting permission from Italy or Malta to enter a safe port and dock. Hundreds more in recent days, including from Tunisia, have reached Sardinia or the tiny Italian island of Lampedusa unaided.

What are we waiting for, that they become 100,000? Right-wing leader Matteo Salvini

The islands residence for newly arrived migrants seeking asylum hold some 250 people, but repeatedly, the number of occupants has swelled beyond 1,000.

Italy on Wednesday requested immediate, even temporary, activation of a mechanism that involves the member states to allow for docking that is safe and compatible with anti-Covid-19 measures, to NGO ships flying European banners and which are carrying out search-and-rescue operations in international waters, the ministry said.

Right-wing leader Matteo Salvini, whose anti-migrant League party is a prominent partner in premier Mario Draghis coalition, has been increasingly forceful in his criticism of Italys management of migration.

I am convinced that Draghi will wake up Lamorgese, Mr Salvini said earlier this week after talks with the premier. Ms Lamorgese is a career interior ministry official who was tapped by the premier for the post when he formed his pandemic-unity government in February.

Mr Salvini noted that in the first seven months of 2021, nearly 30,000 migrants have stepped ashore in Italy, roughly double the number in the previous years same period.

What are we waiting for, that they become 100,000? Mr Salvini told reporters.
Interview Myanmars COVID-19 Third Wave Yet to Peak

Dead bodies awaiting cremation at Kyesu Cemetery in Dagon Seikkan, Yangon on July 17. / NKM

While Myanmar has been experiencing massive political and economic turmoil since the February coup, a deadly third wave of COVID-19 has hit the country, bringing with it all four known coronavirus variants. Thousands of people are dying as a direct consequence of the military regimes incompetent and negligent handling of the pandemic, and Myanmar is not close to controlling the latest outbreak of the disease.

The Irrawaddy interviewed Dr. Tin Tin Htar Myint, an epidemiologist working for Pfizer, an American pharmaceutical and biotechnology corporation, about the pandemic.

The following are excerpts from her interview published on the Burmese website.

All four coronavirus variants have been found in Myanmar. What are the consequences of that?

COVID-19 cases are rising significantly in Myanmar. So are cases in neighboring countries such as India, Bangladesh and Thailand.

Looking at Myanmar, there were no cases in April. Perhaps there were no infections or there were no tests. But even with no tests, we would have known if there were infections. Cases started to rise at the end of June and beginning of July. Cases are still continuing to rise and wont peak until around the end of August. Then, they may decline gradually. People have to be careful until mid-September.

Some countries are already facing the fourth wave of COVID-19. Do you think the third wave will overlap with the fourth wave in Myanmar?

More waves will come and we dont know how long they will last. Bangladesh has suffered two waves continuously, the first was not serious, but the second is massive. India has suffered a massive outbreak and cases are drastically declining now.

The problem with the pandemic is that we cant predict when the new waves will come or which variant will suddenly become deadly. There are many variants and we can only wait and see which one will cause problems. I cant tell you if the third wave will overlap with the fourth wave. But the third wave will continue for some time.

Hundreds, maybe thousands, of people are dying daily in Yangon. Will the crisis get worse?

Cases will continue to increase. But deaths may or may not increase even the infections increase. It depends on treatment. Hospitals are already full and there are oxygen shortages. Whats worse is that it is difficult to buy medicines, even paracetamol. So we have to expect the worst.

What should people do as they cant get proper treatment?

Health experts have called for flattening the curve [which means slowing the spread of the epidemic so that the number of people requiring care at any one time is reduced and healthcare systems can cope] since the very first outbreaks. If cases rise rapidly, hospitals will become overstretched and there wont be enough medicines and oxygen.

It would be easier to handle the crisis by flattening the curve. The period of the outbreak may be longer, but the number of patients will be steady and doctors will be able to provide proper treatment and there will be enough medicines. So deaths can be reduced.

What people can do is avoid contracting the virus. Elderly persons, people with underlying conditions such as obesity, heart problems, high blood pressure and diabetes are particularly at risk now. There has been a lot of discussion on Facebook and television about how to avoid contracting the virus by social distancing and wearing masks. People should follow that advice.

When will this pandemic be over?

It was initially thought that there would be herd immunity when 70 or 80 percent of the population is vaccinated. But it appears that is not correct. In France, at least 50 percent of the population has been vaccinated. Its the same in Germany and Israel. But cases are still surfacing.

So it is very difficult to predict when it will end. Normally, a pandemic wave lasts for three to four months. From the examples of other countries, we hope cases will decline in Myanmar after three or four months. But there is no definite answer for that.

What else would you like to tell the people of Myanmar?

Myanmar is having bad luck now. The military has seized power and the country is suffering with the third wave. But there is always light at the end of the tunnel. The pandemic will not last forever. It will recede over time. Stay strong.

If there are vaccines, take them, take the full doses. Wear masks. Keep a safe distance from people. Eat well, sleep well. Consult with a doctor when you dont feel good, rather than self-medicating. And keep calm.



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Burma Brunei Foreign Minister Appointed ASEAN Special Envoy to Myanmar

Erywan Yusof / Thai PBS World

ASEAN foreign ministers on Tuesday agreed to appoint the second foreign minister of Brunei Darussalam Erywan Yusof as the groups special envoy, ending a three-month-long tussle among the ASEAN members.

The decision came as a big relief as ASEAN is contemplating the next move to provide humanitarian aid to the COVID-19 affected people and those who need immediate health care. Since the coup in February, the public health care system has collapsed as most of the doctors and nurses were on strike and refused to go to work. The international community is worried that if the pandemic is left unheeded, COVID-19 could spread to half of the 57-million population.

According to the Joint Communique, obtained by Thai PBS World, the situation in Myanmar appeared in paragraph 77. It said that the ASEAN foreign ministers discussed recent developments in Myanmar and expressed their concern over the situation in the country, including reports of fatalities and violence.

Singapore and Indonesia also called for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi but Myanmar blocked it. After a long debate, the ministers agreed to this statement: We also heard calls for the release of political detainees including foreigners. One of the top aides of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is Prof. Sean Turnell from Australia who has been imprisoned at Insein Prison. There have been strong appeals from the international community to free him.

The joint communique also welcomes Myanmars commitment to the Five-Point Consensus and acceptance of the timely and completed implementation of the Five Point Consensus. Earlier there was fear due to the widely reported possibility of Myanmar not honoring its promises.

On April 24, ASEAN leaders held an informal summit in Jakarta to discuss the situation in Myanmar, and agreed to a five-point plan namely, a) the immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar and for all parties to exercise utmost restraint; b) constructive dialogue among all parties concerned to commence to seek a peaceful solution in the interest of the people; c) a special envoy of the ASEAN Chair to facilitate mediation of the dialogue process, with the assistance of the Secretary-General of ASEAN; d) ASEAN to provide humanitarian assistance through the AHA Center; e) the special envoy and delegation to Myanmar to meet with all concerned.

The joint communique also welcomed the appointment of Erywan as the special envoy. His work in Myanmar includes building trust and confidence with full access to all parties concerned and to provide a clear timeline on the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus.

The ASEAN ministers took note of the support from its dialogue partners of the groups efforts in the swift and complete implementation of the consensus.

This article first appeared in Thai PBS World.



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Burma Civilian Dies in Myanmar Junta Custody

Ko Htet Ko Oo seen during an anti-regime protest.

A civilian detained by the junta for his alleged involvement in bomb attacks has died in military custody, according to relatives of the victim.

The August 1 issue of regime-controlled newspapers claimed that the 23-year-old victim Ko Htet Ko Oo was arrested with two other people and a homemade gun and explosives at a warehouse in Yangons Dagon Seikkan Township on July 20.

Ko Htet Ko Oos family said that he left his hometown of Pyapon in Ayeyarwady Region on May 15 along with friends to work in Yangon. They learned of his arrest only after it was reported in newspapers.

Those who arrested him have told us nothing. But we have been told by a reliable source that he is dead. We can confirm that he is dead, a family member told The Irrawaddy on Wednesday.

The regime had accused Ko Htet Ko Oo of having undergone military and explosives training in Karen State in territory controlled by the Karen National Liberation Armys (KNLA) Brigade 5. The KNLA is the armed wing of the powerful ethnic organization, the Karen National Union.

Relatives said that they want justice for Ko Htet Ko Oo. The military regimes spokesperson has not yet responded to The Irrawaddys question about his death.

Dozens of people, including members of the National League for Democracy, are feared to have died in military custody since the juntas Feb. 1 coup. Among the dead are Ko Soe Moe Hlaing, a veteran pro-democracy activist and the younger brother of Lieutenant General Than Hlaing, the juntas deputy home affairs minister and police chief.

As of Tuesday, 946 people, including children, have been killed by junta forces since the coup. 5,478 people have been detained and arrest warrants issued for another 1,964 people, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.



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Burma Myanmar Junta Uses Artillery on Civilians in Kachin State

Myanmar's military launched artillery attacks on a village in Waingmaw, Kachin State, on August 3. / CJ

Myanmars military has used artillery on civilians in Waingmaw and Laiza in Kachin State, according to villagers.

Residents said the attacks by Infantry Battalion 58 destroyed many houses and killed livestock in Laban village in Waingmaw Township on Tuesday night.

At least three shells fell on my village at around 7pm. A house was burned and others were damaged. Twelve pigs died. It was very loud. We lay on the floor, said a Waingmaw villager.

Two military trucks and three armored vehicles from Myitkyina patrolled Waingmaw town on Tuesday evening and two helicopters from the militarys Northern Command hovered above Waingmaw and Myitkyina townships, residents said.

The battalion was previously attacked at least three times by the KIA and residents said they thought there had been more fighting.

However, KIA spokesman Colonel Naw Bu said there were no operations by the armed group in Waingmaw on Tuesday evening. He said the artillery did not affect KIA forces.

The KIA did not fire. It was their attack, either misfiring or in fear. We are investigating whether the military plots the clashes so it can attack the KIA.

On Tuesday at around 11pm, junta troops also used artillery on civilian areas of Laiza, where the KIA is based.

Col Naw Bu said: In Laiza they also targeted civilians. Around 10 shells fell on Laiza, including Mai Satt Pa, which has a COVID-19 quarantine center. These areas are far from our forces.

Some residents said they fled their homes to avoid the barrage.

There are also reports that two shells hit Chinese territory, as Laiza sits on the border. The Irrawaddy could not independently verify the reports.

The influential KIA has been in frequent fighting with the military since its bilateral ceasefire broke down in 2011. Since the February coup, the military extended its nationwide unilateral ceasefire but fighting with various ethnic armed groups persists across Myanmar.

The KIA opposed the February coup, saying it stood with the people, who rejected military rule. It has attacked junta troops and police stations in Kachin and northern Shan states since March 11, inflicting heavy fatalities on the military.

The regime last week extended a nationwide unilateral ceasefire until Sept. 30, except for areas of security and administrative concern. However, fighting has continued, including in Kachin State.

Coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing during his address on August 1 marking six months since the coup invited all ethnic armed groups to peace talks.



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A KBZ branch in Yangon / The Irrawaddy

The junta-controlled Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) has required private banks to seek its approval to recruit foreigners, while also restricting the number of foreign appointees.

Private banks are to seek the approval of the Central Bank 30 days prior to recruitment of foreigners to various positions including advisers, instructed the CBM on Monday. The number of foreign appointees is limited to 25 for large banks, 15 for medium-sized ones, and eight for smaller ones.

The CBM said the move aims to make sure the work done by foreign employees can be continued when their contracts end or if they resign before their contracts end.

Banks owned by Myanmar citizens are no longer allowed to appoint foreigners as governor or vice governor. Foreigners can still be appointed as chief executive officer (CEO) on condition that their deputy is a Myanmar citizen.

The CBM has also restricted appointments of foreigners as department heads, saying only half of such positions in a bank can be held by foreigners, and their deputies must be Myanmar citizens.

The CBM said it would assess the expertise and experience of foreign candidates before giving approval. It has also introduced a probation periodone year for department heads and six months for lower ranks. Employment contracts are limited to three years.

Foreigners are employed in banks mostly for operations. The policies are mostly decided by their Myanmar citizen owners, a banking expert told The Irrawaddy. He however declined to comment on the CBMs decision to limit foreign employees.

Under the ousted civilian government led by the National League for Democracy, the CBM adopted stricter eligibility criteria in 2019 for top positions such as CEO and managing director at private banks, requiring that the positions be limited to experienced professionals.

The move was intended to restrict local private bank owners from appointing their inexperienced children to decision-making positions, thereby resulting in undesirable consequences.

The order was followed by private banks recruiting foreigners with banking experience.

At present, many local private banks including KBZ, UAB, Yoma and MCB employ foreigners in top positions.



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Federation University Australia, in collaboration with global tech company IBM, is now offering a business degree in Cognitive Enterprise. Federation University Australia says this new degree will help students futureproof their careers.

Federation University Australia and IBM have collaborated to launch the countrys first degree in Cognitive Enterprise.

According to Federation University Australia, Cognitive Enterprise is a business degree that uses disruptive technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), automation, blockchain technology (which supports cryptocurrency), and 5G to transform and innovate.

Federation University Australia says the Bachelor of Cognitive Enterprise is transforming the business degree.

The degree will impart real-world experience through internships. Students will earn IBM Digital Badges (certifications) in blockchain technology and AI.

By collaborating with IBM we can offer students real-world experience in a global tech company, with IBM digital certifications embedded in their degree. Students will graduate job-ready with digital skills that will allow them to innovate in any business they work in, Federation University Australia vice chancellor and president professor Duncan Bentley says.

Bentley says the university is focused on co-designing courses with the industry and offering work experience in every degree. The IBM partnership, Bentley says, is an example of Federation Universitys vision to be Australias leading co-op university.

The new degree focuses on how disruptive technologies can innovate across all areas of businessfrom marketing, IT, management, banking, and finance to social and environmental sciences.

As well as the new Bachelor of Cognitive Enterprise, Federation University will offer the Bachelor of Cognitive Enterprise (Professional Practice), which gives students an additional full year of paid work experience during their stay.

Both degrees will begin in 2022 and will be offered at the universitys Ballarat, Berwick, Brisbane and Gippsland campuses, as well as online.

Technology is transforming the business models of enterprises globally, creating new opportunities for growth and fresh benchmarks of efficiency. The ability to apply AI, automation, blockchain, the internet of things, 5G, cloud, and quantum computing at scale has made the promise that Cognitive Enterprise is real, explains IBM Australia and New Zealand country managing director Katrina Troughton.

Next-generation business models will transform the way companies innovate and do business. Organisations, therefore, will need a new type of leader, Troughton says.

IBM is committed to helping Australia address future skills deficiencies as organisations transform into AI-driven, cognitive enterprises. Together with Federation University, we can help build a path for future leaders on how to learn to lead effectively at the intersection of technology innovation and business strategy, Troughton adds.

As part of the launch, secondary school students in Ballarat, Berwick, Brisbane, and Gippsland will have the chance to take part in Cognitive Enterprise boot camps.

Teams of Year 11 and 12 students will be challenged to develop creative ideas that add value to an everyday object by combining it with technology.

The winning team members will each win a $3,000 scholarship towards their first year of study of the new Bachelor of Cognitive Enterprise degree at Federation University.

Federation University Australia business school dean and professor Christina Lee says there is a need to prepare the workforce, adding that Australia will need an estimated six million more workers with expertise in digital technologies by 2025. She says the degree will give students an advantage and future-proof their careers.

The Bachelor of Cognitive Enterprise will give students a foundation in blockchain technology and artificial intelligence that can be adapted and strategically applied to any context, Lee concludes. It will open doors to careers in marketing, business, analysis, change management, big data, financial institutions and more.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is taking a proactive approach against illegal online gambling by blocking websites that promote and drive traffic toward online casino type services.

The ACMA, for the first time, has asked Australian internet service providers (ISPs) to block these affiliate advertising websites, which masquerade as independent reviewers of gambling services.

ACMA says blocking these sites is a priority as they provide direct links to illegal gambling services. ACMA notes that these websites also earn commission as they provide gambling services with web traffic.

ACMA asked ISPs to block the following:

Aussie Casino Hex

Australia OK Casinos

Aussie Online Pokies

Pokies

Australian Casino Club

Australian Gambling

True Blue Casinos

ACMA authority member Fiona Cameron says this is the next step in disrupting the major illegal operators and minimising harm to Australian consumers.

These marketing sites can push you to illegal gambling services that do not have the protections that go with licensed and regulated services, Cameron warns. We often get complaints from consumers that winnings are not honoured and that incentives and pressure tactics target problem gamblers."

ACMA says illegal online gambling services include online casinos that offer slots, roulette or poker games for money.

In 2017, ACMA blocked 279 illegal gambling websites, 144 services departing Australia altogether, and reduced 95% traffic to the top ten gambling websites (based on Similarweb data). These significant activities, says ACMA, were in compliance with the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

"ACMA has information available to help you and is actively pursuing illegal gambling sites and their affiliates to get them out of Australia," Cameron says.

A list of illegal gambling sites that have been blocked is available on the ACMA website. The ACMA is focusing on gambling affiliate sites as a 202122 compliance priority, after a focus in 202021 on online casinos targeting Australians.

More information about online gambling is available on the ACMAs website, including a register of licensed interactive wagering services to check legal services in Australia, information on how to protect yourself from illegal gambling operators, and instructions on how make a complaint about an illegal site.
Telstra announced that all Australians can now make calls right across the country for free on Telstras network of more than 15,000 payphones.

Telstra advised that in the past year, about 11 million calls were made across Australia from Telstra payphones. This included more than 230,000 calls to critical services like 000 and Lifeline, proving a crucial service for some of the countrys most vulnerable people and communities, especially those in regional and remote areas.

Telstra CEO, Andrew Penn said this decision meant everyone could now use payphones to make a free local or national call to a standard fixed line or a call to an Australian mobile, when they needed.

Telstra Payphones are now free phones for everyone to anywhere in Australia. They are an iconic and critical part of our community, and for many Australians, the availability of a payphone is a vital lifeline, especially for those who are vulnerable including the homeless, people who are isolated or someone escaping an unsafe situation. Thats why I have taken this decision to make national calls from payphones free, because they play such a critical role in our community, particularly in times of need and for those in need.

I have been moved seeing firsthand queues of people waiting in line, to use a payphone to tell their family and friends theyre safe after a bushfire, a cyclone or some other natural disaster has taken the mobile network down. I can only imagine the relief their families feel knowing their loved one is safe.

During COVID-related lockdowns, weve seen domestic and family violence agencies report a 60 per cent rise in new clients seeking help for the first time, and an increase in abusive behaviours overall. Its not always easy for people in these situations to use a home phone or their mobile to get help so I hope that making payphone calls free might play a small part in helping them get the assistance they need.

Our payphones have previously been made free to communities devastated by natural disasters when communications were vital to keep communities connected. Telstra also made domestic calls free across nearly 600 payphones in remote Indigenous communities in 2020 to ensure these areas remained connected during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Penn said as Telstras purpose was to build a connected future so everyone could thrive, we wanted to contribute to a better, more caring and more inclusive Australia.

An Australia where people can reach out for help if and when they need, or just connect if they feel like it. We take our responsibility for keeping people connected seriously, and todays announcement shows that commitment at work.

The initiative builds on Telstras five-year program providing free national calls on its payphones during the Christmas and New Year period which it works closely on with the Salvation Army.

The Salvation Armys Major Brendan Nottle welcomed todays news, saying, This is an absolute game changer for many of the people we work with across the nation. 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.

Connection is absolutely vital for every human being, but particularly for those who are vulnerable. Its really important for them to break down that sense of social poverty, social isolation, and to connect with a friend or with support services.

Telstra receives funding of $40M pa from the telecommunications industry and the Commonwealth to provide telecommunications services under the USO. Part of this fund goes to operating the 15,000 public payphones on an ongoing basis.

Minister for Communications Urban Infrastructure Cities and the Arts the Hon Paul Fletcher MP said, "With payphone use declining, the Government will monitor the impact of this initiative closely, along with the ongoing role of payphones and Telstras delivery on its commitments under the USO.

"Telstra has committed that it will not seek any increase in the USO funding it receives for payphones as a result of this decision.

"While this is an operational decision made by Telstra, the government will closely monitor its impact.

Payphones remain an important communications option, particularly for vulnerable members of our community.

Telstra has previously made payphones free in Indigenous communities and in communities affected by natural disasters.

If this decision further improves accessibility to communications it will be a positive step, Fletcher concluded.

For more information on the Universal Service Obligation, here.

Telstra said that standard national calls and SMS from Telstra payphones will be free from today. International and calls to premium and satellite numbers will still incur a cost, while Telstra Air remains free to eligible Telstra customers. Payphones will also become coinless from 1 October 2021 with Telstra Phonecards recommended for dialling international and premium numbers.
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.
Butts County Animal Control is currently closed to the public, but Butts Mutts is still working by appointment only. They are working diligently to get dogs in foster care, if not adopted, as quickly as possibly. Click for more.
A new 7-11 opened on Wednesday at 202 N. Jackson St., near the base of the Highway 69 over pass. The store features 16 fuel pumps for cars and light trucks and six diesel stations for large commercial trucks.




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.
This editorial ran in the Aug. 1 edition of the Wyoming Tribune Eagle. The views expressed here are solely those of the editorial board.
Mike has reported on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem's wildlife, wildlands and the agencies that manage them since 2012. A native Minnesotan, he arrived in the West to study environmental journalism at the University of Colorado.
Tom Hallberg covers a little bit of everything, from skiing to long-form feature stories. A Teton Valley, Idaho, transplant by way of Portland and Bend, Oregon, he spends his time outside work writing fiction, splitboarding and climbing.
Evan Robinson-Johnson covers issues residents face on a daily basis, from smoky skies to housing insecurity. Originally from New England, he has settled in east Jackson and avoids crowds by rollerblading through the alleyways.
Since moving to Jackson Hole in 1992, Richard has covered everything from local government and criminal justice to sports and features. He currently concentrates on arts and entertainment, heading up the Scene section.
FILE - In this Jan. 19, 2021, file photo, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee answers questions after he spoke to a joint session of the legislature at the start of a special session on education in Nashville, Tenn. Despite having some of the lowest COVID-19 vaccination rates in the country, Tennessee isn't planning to offer any incentives for people to get the shot. But it's a different story when it comes to cattle, where the state has reimbursed farmers nearly half a million dollars over the past two years to vaccinate their herds against respiratory and other diseases. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
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 
Opinion Columnist

Chris Powell has worked for the Journal Inquirer since 1967, first as a reporter, then as an editor, and now as a columnist. He was managing editor from 1974 until retiring from that position in 2018.
Today

Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.

Tomorrow

Scattered thunderstorms developing during the afternoon. High 84F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.
The Taliban on Wednesday claimed responsibility for a huge bomb attack in Kabul targeting the defence minister as the insurgents fought for control of a string of besieged cities.

The bomb-and-gun attack on Defence Minister Bismillah Mohammadi Tuesday was one of the biggest in Kabul for months, bringing violence to the capital after intense fighting in the south and west of the country.

The Afghan and US militaries have carried out air strikes against the insurgents to push them back, and the Taliban said the Kabul attack was a response to that.

The attack is the beginning of the retaliatory operations against the circles and leaders of the Kabul administration who are ordering attacks and the bombing of different parts of the country, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement on social media.

It represents a major escalation by the Taliban, who have largely refrained from large-scale attacks in the capital in recent years after starting talks with the United States on troop withdrawal.

The Tuesday attack targeted Mohammadi as well as some lawmakers.

The first bomb exploded in the centre of Kabul, sending a thick plume of smoke into the sky, AFP correspondents reported.

Less than two hours later, there was another loud blast followed by smaller explosions and rapid gunfire, also near the high-security Green Zone that houses several embassies, including the US mission.

The minister was safe and Afghan forces repelled the attackers, but at least eight people were killed, according to interior ministry spokesman Mirwais Stanikzai.

Mohammadi later said it was a suicide car bomb attack targeting his house.

A security source said several attackers stormed a lawmakers house after setting off the car bomb and shot at the residence of the defence minister from there.

Security forces had cordoned off the scene of the attack on Wednesday as troops inspected the buildings and cars damaged by the blasts.

Rubble covered the area while there were bloodstains on some of the floors.

There was little respite in Kabul early Wednesday after a blast injured three people, according to police.

 No way to escape 

The Taliban threat came after the Afghan military launched a counterattack against the insurgents in the southern city of Lashkar Gah.

The military had asked people to leave the city on Tuesday as they prepared for their offensive.

Resident Saleh Mohammad said hundreds of families had fled as fighting erupted between the two sides, trapping many in the crossfire.

There is no way to escape from the area because the fighting is ongoing. There is no guarantee that we will not be killed on the way, Mohammad said.

The government and the Taliban are destroying us.

The insurgents have taken control of vast swathes of the countryside and key border towns, taking advantage of the security vacuum left by the withdrawal of US forces.

The Taliban are now targeting cities, with fierce fighting for a week around Herat near the western border with Iran, as well as Lashkar Gah and Kandahar in the south.

The Afghan military counterattack came after another night of heavy clashes with the Taliban.

Those families which had financial support or a car have left their homes. The families who can not afford to are obliged to stay in their own homes as we are, resident Halim Karimi told AFP.

We dont know where to go or how to leave. We are born to die.

The loss of Lashkar Gah, the capital of southern Helmand province, would be a massive strategic and psychological blow for the government.

The United Nations reported Tuesday that at least 40 civilians had been killed in Lashkar Gah in the previous 24 hours.

 War crimes 

Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch accused that the Taliban of summarily executing detained soldiers, police and civilians with alleged ties to the Afghan government in areas they had recently seized.

The rights group said it had also obtained a list of 44 people who were killed by the Taliban in the town of Spin Boldak, which the insurgents captured last month along the border with Pakistan.

Taliban commanders with oversight over such atrocities are also responsible for war crimes, Patricia Gossman, associate Asia director at HRW said in a statement.

Washington and London have also accused the insurgents of committing atrocities that may amount to war crimes in Spin Boldak.

bur-emh-jds-ds/qan
German police on Wednesday arrested a Syrian man for war crimes, accusing him of having fired a grenade into a crowd of civilians waiting for food and water from UN relief workers in Damascus in 2014.

At least seven people were killed in the attack allegedly carried out by Mouafak Al D. on March 23, 2014, German prosecutors said in a statement.

The accused is strongly suspected of having committed war crimes. In connection with this, he is also charged with seven counts of murder and three counts of grievous bodily harm, said prosecutors.

At the time of the assault, the suspect is believed to have been a member of the Free Palestine Movement which laid siege to the southern Damascus neighbourhood of Yarmuk on behalf of Bashar al-Assads regime.

Founded in 1957 with tents for Palestinians forced to leave their homes by the establishment of Israel, Yarmuk was once the Palestinian diasporas largest urban settlement.

It developed into a sprawling neighbourhood that became home to 160,000 Palestinians, as well as Syrians.

But after Syria sank into a civil war in 2011, around 140,000 residents fled Yarmuk in the following year, leaving the rest to face severe food shortages under government siege.

The UNs relief agency for Palestine refugees UNRWA had access to Yarmuk and was able to conduct food distribution there until April 2015, when Islamic State jihadists entered the area.
The Taliban warned Wednesday of more attacks targeting Afghan government leaders, a day after the defence minister escaped an assassination attempt and as the insurgents fought to take control of a string of besieged cities across the country.

A bomb-and-gun attack on Defence Minister Bismillah Mohammadi Tuesday night brought the war to the capital for the first time in months.

But fighting has raged in the countryside since May, when foreign forces began the last stage of a withdrawal due to end later this month.

The Afghan and US militaries have stepped up air strikes against the insurgents, and the Taliban said Wednesday the Kabul raid was their response.

The attack is the beginning of the retaliatory operations against the circles and leaders of the Kabul administration who are ordering attacks and the bombing of different parts of the country, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement on social media.

It represents a major escalation by the Taliban, who have largely refrained from large-scale attacks in the capital since starting talks with the US on their troop withdrawal.

A first bomb exploded in the centre of Kabul, sending a thick plume of smoke into the sky, AFP correspondents reported.

Less than two hours later, there was another loud blast followed by smaller explosions and rapid gunfire, all near the high-security Green Zone that houses several embassies, including the US mission.

The minister was safe and Afghan forces repelled the attackers, but interior ministry spokesman Mirwais Stanikzai said eight people were killed and many more wounded.

A security source said the insurgents detonated a car bomb before storming a lawmakers house, from where they attacked the ministers home.

After the first blast, thousands of people in several cities heeded a social media campaign to chant Allahu akbar (God is greatest) to show support for the government.

The Taliban justified this attack as the start of retaliatory attacks against government personnel for their indiscriminate bombings, Ibraheem Bahiss, a consultant with International Crisis Group, told AFP.

However, it is equally possible that the Taliban has been caught off guard by the prevalence of anti-Taliban sentiments in Afghanistans urban centres, he added.

There was little respite in Kabul early Wednesday, with police saying another blast injured three people.

 No way to escape 

The Taliban threat came after the Afghan military launched a counterattack in the southern city of Lashkar Gah, where insurgents have infiltrated several parts of the city in numbers.

The army told the citys 200,000 people to evacuate on Tuesday as they prepared their offensive.

Resident Saleh Mohammad said hundreds of families had fled, but many were caught in crossfire.

There is no way to escape from the area because the fighting is ongoing. There is no guarantee that we will not be killed on the way, Mohammad said.

The government and the Taliban are destroying us.

The insurgents have taken control of vast swathes of the countryside and key border towns, taking advantage of the security vacuum left by the withdrawal of US forces.

They are now targeting cities, with fierce fighting for a week around Herat, near the western border with Iran, as well as Lashkar Gah and Kandahar in the south.

Those families which had financial support or a car have left their homes, resident Halim Karimi told AFP.

We dont know where to go or how to leave. We are born to die.

The loss of Lashkar Gah, the capital of southern Helmand province, would be a massive strategic and psychological blow for the government.

 War crimes 

Human Rights Watch, meanwhile, accused the Taliban of summarily executing captured soldiers, police and civilians accused of having ties to the government in areas they had seized.

The rights group said it had also obtained a list of 44 people killed by the Taliban in the town of Spin Boldak, the town on the border with Pakistan the insurgents captured last month.

Taliban commanders with oversight over such atrocities are also responsible for war crimes, Patricia Gossman, associate Asia director at HRW, said in a statement.

The US and Britain have also accused the insurgents of committing atrocities they said may amount to war crimes in the town.
LAFAYETTE, La  Gifting Grace Project, Acadianas Homeless Children Outreach, invites the public to participate in their First Annual Pack the Backpack Drive; a back-to-school initiative with a goal to collect and distribute 500 backpacks for homeless children in the greater Acadiana area. Backpacks will be filled with school supplies, new/gently used uniforms and new shoes for the 2021-2022 school year.

At the close of last school year, Lafayette Parish had enrolled a total of 1,352 homeless children. That number stunned me, and then to think thats only the children who have been identified within the school year and only in Lafayette Parish stated David Owens, Gifting Graces President and Founder. The statistics shook me. I knew I had to do something to help support these kids and let them know there was hope".

Gifting Grace is collecting school supplies through Friday, August 6th at locations throughout Acadiana. Donation drop-offs include all Gulf Coast Banks in Lafayette Parish, Absolutely Custom Apparel, Traditions Health, Riches Y-Not-Stop, The Natural Path, MC Bank and Ann Raush - State Farm.

The top five items we are most in need of are black dry erase markers, marble composition notebooks, filler paper, plastic folders with prongs, mechanical pencils: large pink erasers and 3-subject notebooks outlines David. Supplies for grades 5th-8th are in short supply.

In addition to the donations of school supplies, Gifting Grace is need of roughly 15 additional volunteers to help put the supplies in the backpacks. They are starting at 9am on Saturday, August 7th at the new, state of the art Mendoza Ford facility in Maurice, Louisiana.

Im honored and proud to support Gifting Graces mission and will be present with my family and the community to help our neighbors experiencing homelessness prepare for a successful school year, states Leigh Ann Ripka, Lets Vibes CEO and Gifting Graces Partner in planning Pack the Backpack. I cant imagine any child facing the challenges associated with being homeless. Its incredibly important that we as a community come together to provide for the defenseless'' she concludes. To learn more about how you can contribute, and volunteer visit the website of Gifting Grace Project here.

Founded in the fall of 2020, David Owens created Gifting Grace Project with the purpose of giving back to his community for Christmas. He states that he felt burdened to give back toward the end of one of the hardest years Acadiana has seen in recent history. He wasn't exactly sure what he would do until he made a phone call to a former colleague who now works for the Lafayette Parish School System. Through this conversation, he learned that as of October 2020, almost 800 students were enrolled in the Homeless Education Department and realized that this is where he had to help. Little did he know that one phone call would set him on the course to starting Gifting Grace Project with a mission to freely love, serve and support the Homeless Children of Acadiana.
WASHINGTON (KADN)  On Wednesday the U.S Senate blocked a bill that would have provided $1.1 billion in disaster relief to Louisianians recovering from Hurricanes Laura, Delta and Zeta.

The aid would have come through the Community Development Block Grant program.

Today, I offered the Senate an opportunity to help our people without adding a dime to the debt or taking a cent from taxpayers, and Im incredibly disappointed they chose not to do that. Its clear once again that President Biden must send a request for this disaster aid to Congress in order for Washington to grant disaster aid for Louisiana, said Kennedy.

Text of amendment is available here.

Background on requests for disaster relief:

On August 2, Kennedy offered an amendment to the Senates infrastructure bill that would provide $1.1 billion in disaster relief to Louisianians recovering from Hurricanes Laura, Delta and Zeta.

On July 21, Kennedy joined Louisianas congressional delegation in urging the Office of Management and Budget to prioritize Louisianas request for supplemental disaster relief.

On July 15, Kennedy introduced and asked the Senate to pass the Gulf Coast Hurricane Aid Act of 2021. The bill would provide $1.1 billion in disaster relief to Louisianians recovering from historic storms. The Senate blocked the bills passage.

On May 20, Kennedy spoke directly with Housing and Urban Development Secretary (HUD) Marcia Fudge about supplemental disaster relief for Louisiana.

On May 19, Kennedy pressed HUD for answers about why the White House has been silent on providing disaster relief to southwest Louisiana.

On May 18, Kennedy again urged President Biden to provide supplemental disaster relief for southwest Louisiana.

On May 13, Kennedy helped introduce the Disaster Assistance for Rural Communities Act, which would allow rural homeowners, renters and small businesses to access disaster relief more easily in the wake of a natural disaster.

In September 2020, Kennedy wrote to Senate leadership, Sens. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), to request that the Senate consider emergency supplemental aid to help Louisiana residents recover from Hurricane Laura.
Haus of McCoy, a new community center for queer and trans youth, is set to open this fall. The center's founder Cody Charles, pictured above, said the center will focus on education, emergency relief and housing stability.
the upcoming youth drama romance "Police University" released new still cuts days before its big premiere.

B1A4's Jinyoung, Yoo Young Jae, Lee Dal, and Chu Young Woo Aspire to Become Police Officers in 'Police University'

The newly released photos show a quarter of young men who aspire to become respected police officers in the new drama "Police University".

Kang Seon Ho, who is played by B1A4's Jinyoung, is a genius hacker who does not have a dream at all, until he met the apple of his eyes, the adorably frosty Judo master Oh Kang Hee who is played by the gorgeous member of f(x), Krystal.

He becomes determined to pursue his career in the criminal field and be something he can be proud of. Jinyoung is expected to give off fresh and charming vibes in his new role as a freshman police student.

Meanwhile, Lee Dal will take on the role of Kang Seon Ho's (Jinyoung) adorable and warm-hearted roommate, No Beom Tae. He is tactless but nobody hates him as he is the cutest and kindest among the bunch. Fans are expecting the actor to show a possible "bromance" and cute chemistry with Jinyoung as his roommate.

B.A.P. 's Yoo Young Jae will play the role of the energetic and human vitamin Jo Joon Wook. His cuteness and No Beom Tae's (Lee Dal) adorable charms are a factor the fans need to watch out for, especially their eventual rivalry who will possibly divide the group.

Lastly, the mature, rational, and man of principles, Park Min Gyu, who will be played by actor Chu-Young Woo. He possesses masculine charisma and loyalty. After meeting his total opposite, Kang Seon Ho (Jinyoung), his life begins to change. It's also one of the things that are deemed interesting, especially their chemistry as the "Tom and Jerry" of the group.

The four young men, who will sometimes fight, disagree, and take on each other, are expected to show unique harmony and synergy in the upcoming drama series.

Fans and viewers are looking forward to seeing the quartet's sweet and sour "bromance" in the drama as they all pursue the same dreams and goals.

'Police University' Synopsis, Cast, and Further Details

"Police University" (also known as "Police Class") tells the story of a professor, played by "Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds" actor Cha Tae Hyun, with 20 years of criminal homicide and cyber investigation teams up with freshmen students, a hacker and a Judo master, played by B1A4's Jinyoung and f(x)'s Krystal, for a special collaborative investigation.

The drama series is directed by Yoo Kwan Mo, penned by Moon Min Jung, and produced by KBS Drama Production.

The production team shared that the three actors certainly differ in personalities and charms, but they all grow maturely and rationally as persons together.

Police University" premieres on August 9 at 9:30 p.m. KST on KBS2.

ICYMI, check out the coolest "Police University" teaser here:

What are you most excited about in the upcoming drama "Police University"? Share it with us in the comments below!

Follow KDramastars for more Kdrama, KMovie, and celebrity news updates!

KDramastars owns this article.

Written by Elijah Mully.
With her dedication in the field of acting, actress Go Bo Gyeol was recently hailed as Best Actress at the famous international film and tv festival.

Hi Bye Mama Actress Go Bo Gyeol Hailed as Best Actress for Her Role in Proxy Emotion

K-media outlet Osen News announced another good news, they stated that the "Hi Bye Mama" star Go Bo Gyeol won the Best Actress Award at the Stockholm Film & TV Festival for her excellent portrayal in the drama "Agent" also known as "Proxy Emotion."

"Proxy Emotion" is tvN's Drama Stage that aired last April 2021. It is a suspenseful psychological drama that tells the story when a woman who becomes a substitute for the feelings of others chooses to live the life of the client who hired her.

With the tension and spectacular visuals, viewers' couldn't take their eyes off. The drama stage received various praises and recognition from the public. Some said that it was a well-made one-act play that looks like a movie.

One-Act Play Proxy Emotion Won Four Trophies

Not one but four, tvN's "Proxy Emotion" won four trophies including Best Drama and Best Feature Film at the "Stockholm Film & TV Festival" and also in "Paris Film Festival."

On the other hand, one of its main cast, Go Bo Gyeol, who played the role of Cha Young, gave a big impact and strong impression on the audience, which made her take home the Best Actress Award.

The one-act stage play received favorable feedback for enhancing the immersion of the play by perfectly digesting various emotions and well-delivered lines of the characters who go back and forth between their own and the client's emotions.

Meanwhile, after hearing the good news, the "Arthdal Chronicles" actress Go Bo Gyeol shared her gratitude upon receiving such an achievement. According to her, "I would like to thank all the people behind the project, and most especially to the film festival that gave me good news at this point in time."

Rookie Director Jo Nam Hyung Made a Successful Debut

Studio Dragon and "Proxy Emotion" director Jo Nam Hyung, who bagged four trophies at the European film festivals, shared that he was very happy to receive awards through his directorial debut. He also praised all the staff and actors who worked hand in hand for the masterpiece. Jo Nam Hyung also wished that there will be more meaningful projects to be produced soon.

What can you say about this new milestone of actress Go Bo Gyeol and the rest of the cast and crew of tvN's Drama Stage "Proxy Emotion"? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at Kdramastars.

Kdramastars owns this article.

Written by Shai Collins.
Here's a look at the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings in Newtown, Connecticut. On December 14, 2012, six adults and 20 children were killed by Adam Lanza, who had earlier killed his mother, Nancy Lanza, in their home.

The Shooter

Birth date: April 22, 1992

Death date: December 14, 2012

Birth place: Kingston, New Hampshire

Birth name: Adam Lanza

Father: Peter Lanza, an accountant

Mother: Nancy (Champion) Lanza

Lanza's parents were divorced in September 2009.

A 2014 report by the Connecticut Office of the Child Advocate described Lanza as a young man with deteriorating mental health who had a fascination with mass shootings.

Weapons found at the scene were legally purchased by Nancy Lanza.

Lanza used a Bushmaster Model XM15-E2S rifle during the shooting spree. Three weapons were found next to his body; the semiautomatic .223-caliber rifle made by Bushmaster, and two handguns. An Izhmash Saiga-12, 12 gauge semi-automatic shotgun was found in his car.

Timeline

December 14, 2012 - At an unknown time, 20-year-old Adam Lanza kills his mother Nancy, 52, with a .22 caliber Savage Mark II rifle. Lanza then drives his mother's car to Sandy Hook Elementary, about five miles away.

At approximately 9:30 a.m., Lanza arrives at Sandy Hook Elementary, a school with about 700 students. The principal, Dawn Hochsprung, had installed a new security system that required every visitor to ring the front entrance's doorbell for admittance. Lanza shoots his way through the entrance.

Hochsprung and school psychologist Mary Sherlach step out to the hall to see what is going on, and are followed by Vice Principal Natalie Hammond. Hochsprung and Sherlach are killed, and Hammond is injured.

The first 911 calls to police are made at approximately 9:30 a.m. Police and first responders arrive approximately five minutes later.

Lanza enters the classroom of substitute teacher Lauren Rousseau. Lanza kills 14 children as well as Rousseau and a teacher's aide.

He then enters the classroom of teacher Victoria Soto. Six children in the room, as well as Soto and a teacher's aide, are killed. Lanza dies by suicide in the same classroom, ending the rampage in less than 11 minutes.

At about 3:15 p.m., an emotional President Barack Obama gives a televised address, "We're going to have to come together and take meaningful action to prevent more tragedies like this, regardless of the politics." He orders flags to be flown at half-staff at the White House and other federal buildings.

December 15, 2012 - Connecticut State Police release the names of the victims: six adult women and 12 girls and eight boys, all ages six and seven.

December 16, 2012 - Obama visits with the relatives of those who were killed. He also attends an interfaith vigil. "We can't tolerate this anymore," he says. "These tragedies must end, and to end them we must change."

December 17, 2012 - Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy announces a statewide moment of silence on December 21. He also requests that bells be tolled 26 times in memory of the victims.

December 18, 2012 - Newtown Superintendent of Schools Janet Robinson announces Sandy Hook students will remain out of school until January. At that time, they will be taught in a converted middle school.

January 8, 2013 - Malloy announces the names of the people who will serve on the Sandy Hook Advisory Commission, to review current policy and make recommendations on public safety, mental health and violence prevention policies.

March 2013 - A new police report reveals Lanza possessed a list of 500 of the world's most notorious mass murderers, and was trying to rack up the greatest number of kills in history.

November 25, 2013 - Connecticut state officials release a report closing the investigation into the shooting and confirm that Lanza had no assistance and was the only shooter.

December 4, 2013 - Audio recordings of the 911 calls from Sandy Hook Elementary are released.

December 27, 2013 - The final report on the investigation into the shooting is released.

November 21, 2014 - The Connecticut Office of the Child Advocate, as directed by the State Child Fatality Review Panel, releases a report profiling Lanza's developmental and educational history. The report notes "missed opportunities" by Lanza's mother, the school district and multiple health care providers. It identifies "warning signs, red flags, or other lessons" that could be learned.

December 15, 2014 - The families of nine children killed, along with one teacher who survived the attack, file a wrongful death suit against the manufacturers and distributors of the Bushmaster rifle, as well as the retail store and dealer who sold the firearm used in the shooting.

March 6, 2015 - The final report of the Sandy Hook Advisory Commission is released.

December 17, 2015 - In a final agreement, 16 plaintiffs will share in a $1.5 million settlement against the estate of Nancy Lanza. The plaintiffs are from eight separate lawsuits filed in early 2015.

April 14, 2016 - A superior court judge rules that the wrongful death suit against gun manufacturers can proceed. The judge denies a motion to dismiss the case on the basis that firearms companies have limited liability when their products are used by criminals, according to a federal law passed in 2005.

October 14, 2016 - Connecticut Superior Court Judge Barbara Bellis dismisses a lawsuit that families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims had filed against a gun manufacturer, invoking a federal statute known as PLCAA, the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. The law prohibits lawsuits against gun manufacturers and distributors if their firearms were used in the commission of a criminal act.

November 15, 2016 - The Sandy Hook families file an appeal, asking the Connecticut Supreme Court to consider their case against the gun manufacturer.

March 14, 2019 - The Connecticut Supreme Court rules that the families of the Sandy Hook victims can go forward with their lawsuit against Remington, which makes the Bushmaster AR-15 rifle used in the shooting.

April 5, 2019 - Remington files an appeal with the US Supreme Court, asking the high court to decide on the state's interpretation of a federal statute that grants gun manufacturers immunity from any lawsuit related to injuries that result from criminal misuse of their product.

November 12, 2019 - The US Supreme Court declines to take up the Remington appeal.

July 27, 2021 - Remington offers nearly $33 million to nine families of victims killed in the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in a proposed lawsuit settlement.

The Victims at Sandy Hook Elementary School

Allison Wyatt, 6

Ana Marquez-Greene, 6

Anne Marie Murphy, 52 (Teacher)

Avielle Richman, 6

Benjamin Wheeler, 6

Caroline Previdi, 6

Catherine Hubbard, 6

Charlotte Bacon, 6

Chase Kowalski, 7

Daniel Barden, 7

Dawn Lafferty Hochsprung, 47 (Principal)

Dylan Hockley, 6

Emilie Parker, 6

Grace McDonnell, 7

Jack Pinto, 6

James Mattioli, 6

Jesse Lewis, 6

Jessica Rekos, 6

Josephine Gay, 7

Lauren Rousseau, 30 (Teacher)

Madeleine Hsu, 6

Mary Sherlach, 56 (Psychologist)

Noah Pozner, 6

Olivia Engel, 6

Rachel D'Avino, 29, (Therapist)

Victoria Soto, 27 (Teacher)

The-CNN-Wire

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MEDFORD, Ore.  Several wildfires across Oregon and California, including locally, are contributing to periods of thick smoke and haze. The wildfire smoke will continue to impact much of our region this week. Air quality could be very bad at times in the days ahead.

An Air Quality Advisory is in effect for all of southern Oregon, in addition to areas of western, central, and northeastern Oregon. The advisory is expected to last until 4 PM Friday, particularly in southern and central Oregon. Much of the smoke is coming from fires in northern California, though fires in Douglas County are also contributing to the layer over parts of Oregon.

Be sure to stay up to date on air quality with StormWatch 12. To check air quality readings in real time, you can check out a map of locations here.

Air Quality Readings as of 9:40 AM on Thursday, August 5th:

-- HAZARDOUS --

-- VERY UNHEALTHY --

-- UNHEALTHY --

Yreka

Macdoel

Ashland

Medford

Klamath Falls

Chiloquin

Cave Junction

-- UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS (UFSG) --

Grants Pass

Crater Lake

-- MODERATE --

Weed

Lakeview

-- GOOD --

Mt. Shasta

According to DEQ, pollutants in smoke can cause burning eyes, runny nose, aggravate heart and lung diseases and aggravate other serious health conditions. Limit outdoor activities and keep children indoors if it is smoky. Consult a doctor and follow medical advice if you have a heart or lung condition.

Health officials advise people to refill inhalers and air out homes and businesses when smoke levels improve to moderate or healthy (yellow or green on the Air Quality Index).
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore.  Dutch Bros Coffee donated more than $15,000 to the American Red Cross' Southwest Oregon chapter for the organization's support to evacuees from the Bootleg Fire.

On July 31, Dutch Bros locations in Klamath Falls gathered $1 from every drink sold for the Red Cross, raising more than $5,400. An additional $10,000 was donated by the Dutch Bros Foundation, the company's charitable arm.

Were so grateful for our customers who showed up in support of our community, said Kristen Schooler, local operator of Dutch Bros Klamath Falls. The American Red Cross is making a huge difference for the victims of the Bootleg Fire and were honored to be a small part of its mission.

Dutch Bros said in a statement that the Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors  particularly calling out the shelter, food, and supplies provided by the Red Cross for people impacted by the Bootleg Fire.

The Bootleg Fire hits close to home, said Dutch Bros VP of Social Impact, Katie Hutchinson. We wanted to support our southern Oregon neighbors and are incredibly thankful for the work American Red Cross is doing.
YREKA, Calif.  The Antelope Fire in eastern Siskiyou County flared up Wednesday afternoon, with fire officials reporting that it was moving toward the community of Tennant northwest of Mount Shasta.

"Firefighters on the Antelope Fire have reported that the fire is very active this afternoon with fire in the upper tree canopy," officials said. "Spot fires have been observed a half-mile ahead of the main fire."

Fire officials said that air resources have been unavailable to help with firefighting efforts due to poor visibility created by the thick haze of smoke. Throughout Wednesday the fire grew to the north, toward the southwest parts of Tennant and Fish Camp.

"Resources are in place to protect values at risk ahead of the fire. Some structures may have been impacted, although the type, location, and number of structures is unknown at this time," officials continued.

Multiple areas of Siskiyou County remain under evacuation orders as fires throughout the Klamath National Forest continue to spread. Those fires are roughly divided into two theaters  the River Complex fires in the very southwestern reaches of Siskiyou County, and the Antelope Fire just south of where Tennant Fire burned in July.

Fire officials said that fire behavior moderated somewhat on Tuesday due to the smoke inversion over most of the area, but Red Flag conditions were anticipated for Wednesday afternoon.

"The River Complex will continue to be a dynamic situation due to critically dry fuels, limited firefighting resources and the continued hot and dry weather," officials said. "Residents of these areas need to monitor information and heed direction from authorities."

The River Complex consists of more than a dozen fires, though most remain small or have been contained. The largest and most challenging are the 6,000-acre Haypress Fire southeast of Shadow Creek Campground, the 2,500-acre Summer Fire near Cecil Lake, and the 430-acre Cronan Fire northwest of Sawyers Bar.

To the east, the Antelope Fire was last estimated at 2,700 acres, burning into the Antelope Creek drainage and on both sides of the 6 Road.

Fire officials said that crews have been focused on the north side of the fire protecting the community of Tennant. The fire grew to the east on Tuesday, toward Little Horse Peak and an area that was previously logged. Thanks to the smoke inversion, crews reported no large runs on the fire like those seen on Monday when steady, high winds blew for hours.

Evacuation orders and warnings are still in effect for areas surrounding the communities of Forks of Salmon, Sawyers Bar, Taylor Creek Road, Tennant, and Antelope Creek. Up-to-date information regarding evacuations can be viewed at an interactive map managed by the Siskiyou County Office of Emergency Services: https://arcg.is/1nnHKm0.

Officials said that firefighting resources are stretched thin responding to the scattered fires caused by weekend thunderstorms. Resources from outside the KNF are working on the fires to help local crews  including Smokejumpers, heli-rappel modules, and contracted fire engines and hand crews. CAL FIREs Siskiyou Unit is also providing assistance.

Additional resources have been requested to support suppression operations, but demand for reinforcements is high in Northern California due to multiple incidents. A Type 2 incident management team has taken over command of the River Complex incident.

Here are the active evacuation orders and warnings as of Wednesday morning:

River Complex fires

An evacuation order has been issued for the town of Cecilville and all residents along Caribou Road due to wildfire. Leave the area immediately.

has been issued for the town of Cecilville and all residents along Caribou Road due to wildfire. Leave the area immediately. An evacuation order has been issued for Taylor Creek Road and surrounding areas by the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office. Please leave the area immediately.

has been issued for Taylor Creek Road and surrounding areas by the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office. Please leave the area immediately. An evacuation warning has been issued for the following areas surrounding the Cecilville area: Godfried, Blue Ridge, Black Bear, Uncle Sam Mine and Eddy Gulch Road. Please prepare in case evacuations are ordered.

has been issued for the following areas surrounding the Cecilville area: Godfried, Blue Ridge, Black Bear, Uncle Sam Mine and Eddy Gulch Road. Please prepare in case evacuations are ordered. An evacuation warning issued by the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office remains in effect for Forks of Salmon and Sawyers Bar areas.

Antelope Fire

An evacuation order has been issued for the Bray area due to a wildfire. Please leave the area immediately.

has been issued for the Bray area due to a wildfire. Please leave the area immediately. An evacuation order has been issued for the community of Tennant, California. Please leave the area immediately.

has been issued for the community of Tennant, California. Please leave the area immediately. An evacuation order has been issued for Antelope Creek near Tennant, CA. This is an ORDER to leave immediately.

A Temporary Evacuation Point (TEP) has been set up at the Dorris City Hall, 307 South Main Street, Dorris, CA. If you are evacuated and need assistance or sheltering, please proceed to the Dorris City Hall or call 530-340-3539 for assistance.
MEDFORD, Ore.  Most kids in Oregon are still finishing up their summer break, but the same can't be said for hundreds of children enrolled in Kids Unlimited Academy public charter schools. Between the school's Medford and White City locations, almost 600 kids from 1st to 8th grade returned to school on Wednesday.

Kids Unlimited Academy recently adopted an all-year calendar model  the first of its kind for Oregon public schools, according to administrators. The model is supposed to help shrink the achievement gap associated with "the summer slide" and compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Its the responsible model for students, especially those who have traditionally struggled with barriers of learning. The model was designed to increase instructional days but also elevate services designed to address socio-emotional needs, said Tom Cole, CEO of Kids Unlimited of Oregon.

Kids are back to normal in-person classes at the Kids Unlimited Academy, though school guidance requires masks for faculty and students.

The opening of school is exciting because it represents a return to normalcy within the school structure, said Sunshine Price, Director of Academics. Its been wonderful to see students learning in classrooms, gathered in groups and for the first time since Covid, using the cafeteria and commons area.

The Kids Unlimited public charter school first opened in 2013. The student body is more than 85 percent Latinx children, and almost 56 percent of student households do not speak English as their primary language. Both locations are designated Title 1, with the majority of students living below the federal poverty level.

Kids Unlimited said that there will be a "welcome back to school day" provided by Lithia Motor on Friday, with plans for a fun day of activities and new backpacks and school supplies for all of the students.
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
Applicants must qualify as low-income households and would be required to provide identification, proof of income, assets and documentation of need. Applicants would also be required to show documentation showing delinquency payments from a landlord and/or economic impact of hardship due to job loss, termination, furlough. Applicants must be Kenosha residents for at least six of the previous 12 months and the unit being rented must be in Kenosha.

Assistance through the Wisconsin Womens Business Initiative Corp. would go to existing micro-enterprises or businesses that employ five of fewer employees, including the business owner or for-profit businesses with 20 or fewer employees, according to the contract. Funds would be used to provide loans of $5,000 to $15,000 to the qualifying businesses.

Block grants

The council on Monday also awarded this years round of traditional community development block grants through the federal Housing and Urban Development Department to 11 Kenosha nonprofit organizations. The grants totaled $506,182.78 for 2021 with year-long contracts.

Of the grantees, the Womens Business Initiative Corporation is to receive more than half of the funding at $256,228.78 to provide business training or technical assistance to 230 entrepreneurs.
The reason significant voter fraud doesnt occur in Wisconsin is pretty simple: The potential cost of trying to dupe our democracy is much greater than any potential gain.

Just ask Michael Ray Overall, who contends he unintentionally voted twice in last falls election. Prosecutors dont believe him, saying he registered to vote with a Beloit address just one day after he signed an absentee ballot that was sent to St. Croix County, where he hadnt lived since 2019.

The 64-year-old, who isnt saying who he voted for in last falls presidential election, faces four felonies in St. Croix County for voting as a disqualified person, providing false information to an election official, registering to vote in more than one place and voting more than once. Each charge comes with a maximum $10,000 fine and 3 years in prison.

The mans mountain of legal trouble serves as a stark warning to anyone reckless enough to seek an unfair advantage at the polls. It also should reassure the rest of us that our system of fair elections is being protected.
News

Judge declares mistrial on murder count in Short Bethel Street trial

Shakkory Willis

Following the conclusion of the jury trial against Shakkory Willis, 28, who is accused in the January, 2019 Short Bethel Street murder, Christian Circuit Court Judge John Atkins declared a mistrial on the single count of murder after the jury could not come to a verdict Tuesday afternoon.

However, the jury did find Willis guilty on all of his other charges; first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary and second-degree unlawful transaction with a minor.

Willis, along with Lane Carter, 23, James Yates, 24, Tia Ochs, 19, Madison Wilson, 20, and Korey Zivotin, was accused of planning to rob Coryvan Thomas, 20, of either $30,000 in cash or $30,000 worth of marijuana, that they were told was inside the home. The robbery later led to the shooting death of Thomas and his roommate Dylan Stewart, being shot in the leg.

Ochs, Wilson and Zivotin were all juveniles at the time of the alleged crime.

The jurys foreperson confirmed to Atkins at the conclusion of their deliberations that it could not come to a verdict on Willis charge of murder. The foreperson also stated to the judge that the jury was split 11 to 1.

The foreperson added that she believed additional deliberation would not result in a verdict on the murder count. The jury confirmed the forepersons statement after Atkins asked the jury as a whole if they did, in fact, agree with the foreperson.

Having heard the jurys decision, Atkins declared a mistrial only on the murder count and accepted the jurys verdicts on all of Willis other charges.

After conferring with the attorneys and hearing what you all have to say and judging from your body language regarding the count of the indictment that you have been unable to reach a verdict on, I am going to declare a mistrial as to count one, murder, that space on the verdict form being blank and unsigned, Atkins said.

The jury also deliberated on what it recommended Willis be sentenced to for the charges the jury did find him guilty on.

After a short deliberation, the jury recommended Willis be sentenced to 15 years on his robbery charge, 15 years on burglary and 3 years for his unlawful transaction with a minor charge.

All charges were recommended to be served consecutively, meaning one after the other, for a total of 33 years in prison. Willis is required to serve 85% of his sentence before being eligible to meet the parole board.

Atkins then scheduled Willis final sentencing hearing for Sept. 22. On that same date, the court will consider rescheduling a trial date for the single murder charge.

Both the Commonwealth and the defense rested their cases in the jury trial against Willis Tuesday afternoon as the prosecution presented its last few witnesses and the defense chose not to call any witnesses.

Christian County Commonwealths Attorney Rick Boling finished presenting his case after recalling James Yates and Hopkinsville Police Detective Randall Greene as well as attempting to call Korey Zivotin to the stand, who ultimately refused to testify.

Boling recalled Yates Tuesday after Yates stated he was not able to recall much of what occurred the night of the incident during his testimony Monday, only sharing that he remembered himself being at the scene and assaulting Stewart, but could not recall who else was present during the robbery.

Boling took the opportunity to review Yates statements he made prior to Yates entering his own plea deal early last year.

While reviewing those statements, Yates claimed that he had lied about them in order to receive a better plea deal that he eventually entered.

During Yates cross examination by Willis defense attorney Eric Bearden, Yates confirmed to Bearden that he was advised by his prior defense attorney to make those statements in order to get a better deal.

Your attorney came to you two years ago and said  with a list of things for you to say and said Youre going to get a better plea deal if you say this,  Bearden said to Yates.

I believe so, Yates said in response.

And, you just kind of said OK,  Bearden asked.

Yeah, Yates said.

You came back to court today though and its a different matter, because youve got your hand on the Bible  Judge did that yesterday and you wanted to tell the truth today. Is that right? Youre telling the truth today, right, Bearden said.

Yeah, yes, sir, Yates said.

And, you told the prosecutor some of those things were not the truth when he said them back to you and you said you lied on some of those answers to some of those questions, Bearden asked.

Yes, sir, Yates said.

Following Yates cross exam, Boling asserted that the questions he provided to be answered by Yates did not have a list of answers and theres no way that anyone other than Yates could have provided those answers.

After Yates testimony, Boling intended to call Zivotin to testify, however, he refused to testify in court Tuesday despite knowing that he may receive negative consequences for doing so.

Judge John Atkins called Zivotin to the stand and did not make him swear an oath to testify, but did require him to state to the jury that he intended to refuse to testify despite the possible repercussions.

Atkins stated to Zivotin and the jury that Zivotin had told the judge that he had spoken with his attorney regarding the refusal as recently as Monday and his lawyer confirmed to Atkins that a conversation between Zivotin and his attorney occurred and that Zivotin understands what may occur if he continued with his decision.

In spite of that, youre willing to take that risk and persist in your refusal to testify, right, Atkins said to Zivotin.

Yes, sir, Zivotin said.

Im going to respect that decision, but I think (your attorney) and I have both warned you that there could be negative consequences, but its up to you, if thats the decision youve made, youre entitled to stick with it.

Bolings last witness in his case was Hopkinsville Police Detective Randall Greene, who testified regarding the interviews he conducted with Willis as well as the others involved in the robbery.

Greene testified that Willis told Greene that he thought both Carter and Yates were not intelligent enough to plan a robbery without the help of another person.

Greene also testified that he retrieved cell phone location ping data that put Willis in Hopkinsville at the time the murder and robbery occurred, which contradicted an intial claim Willis made in his first interview with Greene, in which he stated he was in Oak Grove at that time.

Greene continued to state that Willis admitted to police that he did tell the others involved that if they were going to do a robbery, to do it.

During cross examination by Bearden, Greene also confirmed that Willis told police that while he told the others to do the robbery, he also stated that he would not go with them to do it.

Greene testified that while there was no forensic evidence collected in the investigation to put Willis at the scene or implicate him as the shooter, all five of the others involved put Willis at the scene and believed him to be the shooter during their interviews with the police.

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, 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, Willis and Zivotin 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 was alleged to have 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.
At first glance, it's odd that Tuesday night's two special primary elections in Ohio garnered so much national attention (and millions of dollars in campaign donations). Why all this hype for congressional districts that in November are sure to remain in the hands of the parties that controlled them after the last general election and which, because Ohio lost one seat in the new reapportionment, will fail to exist in their present form for the 2022 midterms?

The simple answer is that these primaries were both proxy elections. In other words, although Shontel Brown became the Democrat Party's nominee in Ohio's 11th District and Mike Carey captured the Republican nomination in the 15th District, the real winners were US Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina and former President Donald Trump. The losers were progressive followers of Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and those Republicans who want their party to move past Trump.

Of the two races, the contest in the 11th District attracted the most attention and the largest number of campaign dollars. The battle to fill the seat vacated by Marcia Fudge when she became the Housing and Urban Development Secretary involved 13 candidates but was seen as a contest mainly between and former Ohio state Sen. Nina Turner and Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Councilwoman Shontel Brown.

Prominent politicians such as Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Hillary Clinton all got involved in the race, alongside actor Danny Glover and celebrity academic Cornel West. Campaign contributions arrived from around the country. Even some noted Republican donors, including New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, donated money to the race.

Defying the old adage that "all politics is local," the 11th District battle seemed to be more about Turner's tweets in support of the Palestinians and lack of support for President Joe Biden as it was about traditional themes such as securing money for the Cleveland-area district. The 11th District primary also became somewhat of a replay in microcosm of the battle between Biden and Sanders to secure the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020. Turner had been a national cochair for Sanders' presidential run and often harshly criticized the eventual nominee, Biden. Brown, meanwhile, positioned herself as someone friendly to the Biden administration.

Recall that in February of 2020, it was Clyburn's endorsement of Biden that helped the former Vice President crush Sanders in South Carolina, helping to relaunch Biden's campaign, which had struggled in the early primary states. With the Vermont senator strongly backing Turner's bid, Clyburn reprised his role as kingmaker when he endorsed Brown. Indeed, it might not be much of an exaggeration to say that Congressman Clyburn's endorsement is now crucial for Democrats facing a primary challenge.

Of course, on the GOP side, that is a claim that has also been made regarding an endorsement from Trump. Last week's special election primary in Texas's 6th Congressional District, where a Trump-endorsed candidate was defeated, may have signaled this was no longer the case. Tuesday's Republican primary in Ohio's 15th Congressional District provided a second test of Trump's clout. Incumbent GOP Congressman Steve Stivers created the vacancy in the 15th when he resigned to take over as president and CEO of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.

Stivers had endorsed state Rep. Jeff LaRe to succeed him. LaRe was one of four state legislators seeking the Republican nomination in the 15th District. Normally, state legislators have an advantage when running to become their party's nominee for a seat in Congress. Stivers, for example, had served in the Ohio Senate before running for Congress. On Tuesday, however, a political newcomer, energy lobbyist Mike Carey, defeated all four legislators to earn the GOP nomination. How did Carey accomplish this feat? He was endorsed by Trump.

Whether we are discussing the two Ohio special elections or the recent election in Texas's 6th Congressional District, it's very important to keep in mind that, while these elections may provide data points, they are not necessarily strong data points. Turnout in primaries for special elections is notoriously low.

The 2022 primaries are still roughly half a year away, and we have no way of knowing whether the voters who turn out now are a valid sample of the expected much larger 2022 primary electorate. Still, after Tuesday night's results, it is difficult to deny that both Clyburn and Trump are looked to by many voters in their respective parties for guidance when they go to polls.

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SPRINGFIELD, Ore. - A group of protesters showed up at Springfield Police's National Night Out event on Tuesday evening.

National Night Out is when police meet with community members in the area and talk about ways to make the neighborhoods safer.

There were three locations at Meadow Park, Volunteer Park, and Jesse Maine Park from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

A group of about 12 protesters with the Black Unity group showed up holding signs and addressing the police.

They referred to a protest that occurred at Jesse Main Park on July 29th, 2020 where they said SPD attacked the protesters.

The group was on scene for roughly five minutes before getting back on a bus and driving off.

Black Unity posted a Facebook Live of the protest.

WARNING: LIVE VIDEO, Graphic Language

WATCH VIDEO here
EUGENE, Ore.  After a crash on the Beltline on Tuesday, a couple tried to escape the scene, police say.

It started at about 4:20 p.m. with a rear-end crash between Coburg Road and Interstate 5.

Police said Marc Rodakowski, 50, of Eugene was headed east in his Volkswagen Passat when he lost control and rear-ended a Nissan Sentra. The driver of that vehicle, a 42-year-old Cottage Grove woman, did not require medical attention.

Thats when Rodakowski and his girlfriend allegedly ran from the scene, headed south into a nearby neighborhood, and a police dog unit responded along with other officers to search the area.

According to police, Rodakowski left his girlfriend behind and took a motorcycle from an open garage, but the motorcycle was dead. He reportedly pushed it down the road a few blocks before going up to a house in the 1300 block of Barrington Avenue, hoping the resident would help him jump the motorcycle. Thats when an officer spotted him.

The girlfriend was reportedly found in a different part of the neighborhood.

Police also say Rodakowski may have taken a bike in the area between Beltline and Willakenzie Road. If you are missing a bicycle from this area, contact officers at 541-654-1242.

Rodakowski faces charges of hit-and-run, driving under the influence of intoxicants, reckless driving, reckless endangering, first-degree burglary, and unauthorized use of a vehicle, and he has also been cited for driving while suspended.

According to court documents, Rodakowski was released from Department of Corrections custody in November 2020 after about eight years in prison for first-degree burglary, felon in possession of a weapon, and four counts of weapon use.
MOHAWK, Ore.  A woman was burned in a mobile home fire near Mohawk Tuesday afternoon.

The fire sparked up in a double wide mobile home in the 37200 block of Tree Farm Road in a wooded area.

While the woman was injured in the fire, she survived.

Fire officials say the home is a total loss.
By Prossy Kisakye

The Opposition Democratic Party has threatened to come up with a Name and Shame campaign if the government fails to give accountability of covid-19 funds.

Several stakeholders have accused the government of mishandling covid19 funds including money gotten from donations to the national taskforce.

The DP party spokesperson of DP, Okoler Opio is asking the government to investigate its officials involved in mismanagement of covid-19 funds and punish them accordingly.

He warns that failure to do so, they will rally Ugandans to actively demand for the necessary accountability.

Of latest, there is a group which according to the Ministry of health has been politically organised to demand the resignation of the permanent secretary Dr Diana Atwine over the same.
By U R N More by this Author

Members of Parliament have rejected a proposal to deduct Shs2 million from their salaries to support the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines.

On Tuesday, Esther Afoyo-chan, a member of the parliamentary Commission proposed during plenary that each legislator contributes Shs2 million to help the government procure vaccines for learners between 2 and 18 years of age.

There are 529 MPs in the 11th Parliament. At least Shs1 billion would be raised with each legislator contributing Shs 2 million. During his latest televised address on Covid-19, President Museveni revealed that the government is considering inoculating learners as one of the measures to ensure safety and re-opening of schools.

Read more: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/mps-reject-proposal-to-contribute-shs2m-each-towards-covid-vaccine-purchase-3498192
In the last year we've lost thousands of family members, friends and co-workers to COVID-19. We'd like to give you a chance to honor their memory.

Share a Memory
Expert technologists in the fields of wind, solar and hydro-electric energy together with radical thinkers and doers, inventors and makers in the field of theatre and street arts are set to come together to reimagine how to supply energy to the town of Callan!



This radical reimagining is part of a Creative Ireland initiative, funded by the Creative Climate Action Fund, and is one of just 14 projects across the country.



The Callan Energy Store project will use the shop front model of community engagement for free community workshops, events and activities.

Asylum Productions will invite the citizens of Callan to radically reimagine their towns energy supply.

Working with Loosysmokes aerial circus company and the Callan Community Energy Company (CCEC), Asylum Productions will open a pop-up Energy Store in the heart of Callan in May 2022, as part of The Powerhouse Project. It will be a two- year, multidisciplinary community engagement project that will invite the citizens of the town to learn how they can power their lives in more sustainable and energy efficient ways.



The Creative Climate Action fund initiative supports creative, cultural and artistic projects that build awareness around climate change and empowers citizens to make meaningful behavioural changes. It is administered by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in collaboration with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.
Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys has confirmed the details of the final allocation of 20 million in funding through the LEADER Programme for the period 2021-2022, including 708,325 for Kilkenny.

The allocation is part of the 70 million in funding announced in April as part of Our Rural Future  the Governments five year strategy designed support rural communities in their recovering from the impact of Covid-19.

The funding announced will see the development and enhancement of locally and rurally-led projects in areas such as enterprise development, climate change and the green, bio and circular economy.

It will also fund projects that maximise the potential of broadband and the digital economy in communities, with a particular focus on skills development and remote working.

As laid out in Our Rural Future, the Governments ambitious new policy for the development of Rural Ireland, the LEADER programme will play a key role in ensuring our rural communities are to the fore of our recovery," said Minister Humphreys.

This funding will support locally-led projects and focus on many of the key themes detailed in Our Rural Future.

These include embracing opportunities in the green economy, supporting remote working and the digital transformation, developing our outdoor amenities and creating jobs in rural areas.

I urge all communities and local enterprises who wish to avail of this funding to make contact with their Local Action Group or its Implementing Partner to discuss how the LEADER Programme can assist their plans.

The release of this funding is being made following the approval of the European Unions Recovery Instrument (EURI) which is 100% funded by the EU and will be programmed through Irelands Rural Development Programme.

This EURI funding will help support the recovery in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis and will assist in paving the way for a resilient, sustainable and digital economic recovery. A total of 20 million of this funding is being allocated to the 29 Local Action Groups who deliver the LEADER programme.

The Department is writing to each of the LAGs and their Implementing Partners providing detailed guidelines for the EURI funding and the process around utilising the funding. All projects must be completed before the end of December 2023. Claims for payment in respect of these projects must be submitted to the Department of Rural and Community Development no later than June 30, 2024.
"Half the girls were crying because they were in a fight, and the rest were crying because they weren't cool enough to be included in the fight," a middle school student told me. "Sixth grade is complicated!"

She's right.

Middle school can be challenging enough without a pandemic, but months of isolation and disruption have amplified the sensitivity and insecurity tweens and teens have about their own place in the pack. At an age when they most need to connect with peers, they've had fewer opportunities to practice social skills.

While I've yet to meet parents who can shield their children from social setbacks, caregivers can validate children's suffering and help restore their optimism and sense of agency.

Here are four of the most common complaints I hear from tweens and the ways adults can help them reframe and recover.

1. Reframing lost friendships

Your child:

"How can I make him be my friend again? We were best friends last year!"

The parent's reframe:

One seventh grader may be playing with Legos while another is having crushes. Research shows only one-third of friendships stay stable from the beginning to the end of the first year of middle school, partly because of maturity differences.

I often share this statistic with tweens and explain that this is when kids are learning how to choose a friend. But even if they understand the rejection isn't personal, it's still heartbreaking.

"If only there were interpersonal airbags for those collisions when a friendship crashes and burns," Ned Johnson, co-author of "What Do You Say?: How to Talk With Kids to Build Motivation, Stress Tolerance, and a Happy Home," told me.

What can you do to help? You can normalize children's grieving, prompt them to think about a time they distanced themselves from someone they outgrew and help them formulate a plan.

"If the child is too upset to be reflective, the first step might be dealing with their sadness," said Martin Reeves, the co-author of "The Imagination Machine: How to Spark New Ideas and Create Your Company's Future" and chairman of the BCG Henderson Institute. "The second step might be to seek advice from their friend."

Loosen up their thinking, Reeves suggests.

You might ask things such as: Why is this friendship important to you? Does this person make you feel better or worse about yourself?

Help them realize that no one friend can meet their needs with questions such as: Which friend makes you laugh? Which one is best at keeping a secret? Which one may not be great at keeping a secret but always cheers you up?

If they need emotional distance to see a problem clearly, Reeves suggests saying, "If 10 people observed the situation, what would they see?"

2. Reframing shyness and social anxiety

Your child:

"I'm so awkward and can't talk to anyone! It's so embarrassing!"

The parent's reframe:

Some kids are more awkward than others, but I've yet to meet a middle-schooler who doesn't worry about being judged. That insecurity can interfere with taking social risks.

Remind them that "every single other kid in middle school has the same fears, anxieties and insecurities, even if it doesn't look like they do," said developmental psychologist Jeannine Jannot, author of "The Disintegrating Student: Struggling But Smart, Falling Apart, and How to Turn it Around."

Jannot suggests saying, "While you're ruminating about something you perceive as embarrassing, the other kids are thinking about themselves."

Share strategies with your children that work for you, whether you ask people questions about themselves, look for common interests or make small talk before extending a formal invitation.

Tweens who tend to make comments that fall flat or strike the wrong note may need help "reading the room." Explain that if they're talking to someone who stops making eye contact, for instance, that person may have lost interest in the topic.

They'll also have an easier time connecting with others if they're tuned into what's happening inside their bodies, said Annie Murphy Paul, a science writer and the author of "The Extended Mind: The Power of Thinking Outside the Brain."

"When speaking with someone face-to-face, we subconsciously mimic their demeanor, and that's how we get a sense of how someone is feeling," she explained.

3. Reframing misplaced trust

Your child:

"I can't believe I wasted so much time being a good friend to them when they're so mean to me."

The parent's reframe:

The more optimistic and giving the tween, the harder it is for them to walk away from an unbalanced friendship. Instead of focusing on the misplaced trust, praise their hopefulness and reassure them that generosity typically will lead to right-fit friends.

One father, Rob Nelson of Portland, Oregon, said he tells his twin teens, "l'm proud of you for giving a dubious friend the benefit of the doubt for as long as you did."

If your child is anxious, they may want to "fix" the friendship right away, even if that means taking the blame for someone else's poor behavior.

You can dampen their stress response systems by "taking what they're experiencing out of their body and putting it in a container that's outside of them," said Lori Desautels, the author of "Connections Over Compliance, Rewiring our Perceptions of Discipline," and an assistant professor in the College of Education at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Have them fill a jar with sensation words such as teary, wobbly or tense, and sensation objects such as pine cones and cotton balls. "One student put the word "sharp" and an eraser in their jar and explained, 'I feel like I've been erased today,' " Desautels said.

If they're upset that they invested in a doomed friendship, point out that the friend was a vehicle for their own self-discovery and an opportunity to reflect on what they need and deserve from their friends.

4. Reframing social mistakes

Your child:

"I messed up. I was angry, but I shouldn't have told everyone her secret."

The parent's reframe:

When tweens make mistakes, they need to know they're not a bad person.

Explain that their prefrontal cortex -- the part of the brain associated with empathy and problem-solving -- isn't fully developed. As Desautels explained, "There's a huge void that's happening because the brain is pruning away what it no longer needs as it prepares for young adulthood."

Reframe your child's regret and guilt in a way that highlights what matters to them, said psychologist Jelena Kecmanovic, the founder and director of Arlington/DC Behavior Therapy Institute.

Parents can say, "If you're remorseful and sad because a rumor you started ended up hurting several people, that means you really care about your friends and classmates -- and that's really important," Kecmanovic said. "Let's figure out how you can improve your behavior so that you don't hurt them again."

You don't want them to get stuck in a spiral of self-blame and shame, Kecmanovic added, "because prolonged rumination is often an obstacle to learning from one's mistakes."

Talk about how they can make amends and put safeguards in place to prevent more mistakes, such as removing devices from their bedroom or using a calm-down strategy when they're angry. They can't banish an uncomfortable feeling, but they can control what they do with that feeling.

Whether children are the aggressor or the target, approach them with curiosity rather than judgment, and remember that they're still learning.

As Desautels said, "We tend to think that once my child is in fifth or sixth grade, they should know better -- that they're little adults -- but this is a big misunderstanding in middle school."

The-CNN-Wire

 &  2021 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
ROCHESTER, Minn.  Starting Tuesday, visitors and county employees will be required to wear facial coverings in all Olmsted County government buildings.

County officials say this follows the county reaching the status of substantial community transmission of COVID-19 and is following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Minnesota Department of Health.

The mask requirement applies to everyone, vaccinated or not, and officials say it will remain in place until further notice.

The mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul also say theyll 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 theyll also require visitors to city-owned buildings to wear masks. The mayors also urged businesses to require masks indoors to less the chances of virus spread.

Minnesota reported 1,667 more infections on Tuesday, a positivity rate of 4%. Thats just below the states caution level but up significantly from 1.1% in early July.
VENTURA, Iowa  A Cerro Gordo County man has been arrested for allegedly writing bad checks for lottery tickets.

Joey Henry Allen, 41 of Clear Lake, is facing charges of third-degree theft and six counts of theft of lottery tickets.

Law enforcement says Allen wrote six different checks to Ventura Mart in Ventura to buy $958.11 worth of lottery tickets between July 18 and July 19. Hes accused of knowing there was no money in his account to cover those checks.

Criminal complaints were filed against Allen on July 31 and he was arrested in Clear Lake on Tuesday. He was booked into the Cerro Gordo County Jail on $32,000 bond.
ALBERT LEA, Minn.- The options are endless when you attend the Freeborn County Fair. From fried food, to animal exhibits, and now even free COVID-19 vaccines to those who want them.

For the first time ever, the Freeborn County Public Health Department will be offering vaccines to protect fairgoers from the Coronavirus.

"Freeborn County is in the substantial level for positive cases," explains Sue Yost, its director of public health. "According to CDC and the Minnesota Department of Health, when we're at a substantial level we should be masking when were indoors and so all the more reason to be able to get people vaccinated."

According to Yost, there is a limited supply of vaccines at the fair.

"We really have no idea how many people we will vaccinate. We do currently have 70 doses and if we need more, maybe we will be able to get some. We're hoping to vaccinate as many people as possible."

Fairgoer Roger Bjortomt already got his shot and believes everyone else should too.

"I've got mine and I'm not wearing a mask and feel pretty comfortable with that."

Fair board director Gordy Tonges thinks the fair is the perfect opportunity to get the vaccine.

"If people want to get vaccinated, it's a real good opportunity and easy to get."

The shots will be offered Tuesday-Saturday from 4:30-7:30pm inside the fair's GrandStand. No appointments are needed.
ROCHESTER, Minn. - Following a reversal of CDC guidelines it's now recommended masks should be worn indoors under a new classification system.

Olmsted County Public Health and the Minnesota Department of Health are supporting the new CDC guidelines.

Health director Graham Briggs explained, "We understand and respect that the public isn't going to be excited about this but the local data is showing us it's time to act. We're supporting this guidance in public health and asking the public to help out to protect each other and those who can't get vaccinated."

Briggs says in Olmsted County 53 people per 100,000 residents have been diagnosed with COVID-19 which has reached the threshold for high community transmission under CDC guidelines.

He added, "Having crossed the line I think we have to have that discussion as a community while keeping in mind that the rate of illness we're seeing in this community is still much lower than we saw most of the pandemic and still substantially lower than some other parts of the country are seeing right now."

At this time Mayo Clinic and Olmsted Medical Center say they're both requiring masking in their facilities.

Tom Graham with OMC said, "We continue to educate and remind our patients when they come to our facilities that they are required to be masked and help educate them on why masking is an important process for containing the virus and not spreading it."

Dr. John O'Horo with Mayo Clinic added, "We're very supportive of the masking being recommended here and have implemented it within our own institution because of the vulnerable population we serve and the CDC recommendations for masking."

Olmsted County is the latest to require masking indoors. Announcing Tuesday face coverings will be required in all county buildings beginning on Aug. 4.
GARNER, Iowa  A Mason City man is charged with beating a Hancock County woman.

Blake Michael Walderbach, 28, is charged with willful injury causing bodily injury.

Law enforcement says Walderbach went to a home in the 400 block of E 2nd Street in Garner on June 27 and began arguing with a husband and wife. Court documents state when the woman went out to talk to Walderbach while he was sitting in his truck, he allegedly slammed the truck door and punched her in the face.

The victim told authorities Walderbach then put her in a chokehold and told her to get into the truck or everyone would be arrested. The victim says as they drove out of town, Walderbach continued to punch her in the face and slammed her head against the trucks dashboard.

Court documents state the victim suffered a concussion; bruising to her face and arms; small cuts on her upper lip, head, and neck; and finger-sized marks on her neck.
OKLEE, N.D. (AP)  The manhunt for the man accused of fatally stabbing his wife in northwestern Minnesota is over.

The Red Lake County Sheriffs Office says 44-year-old Eric Reinbold was arrested early Wednesday morning in a wooded area north of Oklee. Reinbold has eluded authorities for weeks. Hes charged with second-degree murder in the death of Lissette Reinbold who was found fatally stabbed on the driveway of her rural Oklee home July 9. According to sheriffs officials,

Reinbold was arrested without resistance and is being held in the Pennington County Jail in Thief River Falls.
MASON CITY, Iowa  Over two dozen people showed up outside MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center late Wednesday afternoon to protest mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations.

Trinity Health, the parent company of MercyOne, announced on July 8 that it would require all colleagues, clinical staff, contractors, and those conducting business in its health care facilities be vaccinated against COVID-19. That decision affects 117,000 employees in 22 states nationwide and includes MercyOne employees in Mason City and nursing students at North Iowa Area Community College.

A protest organizer says they aren't just demonstrating against mandatory vaccinations but in favor of people being allowed to make informed decisions on their own health and medical care. Some of the protesters held signs asking passing drivers to honk if they supported them and numerous vehicles did honk as they passed by. Protesters say they plan to be outside MercyOne in Mason again Thursday and Friday.

As of Wednesday, August 4, data from the Iowa Department of Public Health states that daily positive COVID tests in Iowa have increased from 50 on June 5 to 715 on August 2. Daily COVID deaths, however, have remained steady at 3 or fewer since the beginning of June. Both are below the pandemic high points in Iowa of 7,865 positive tests on November 9, 2020, and 75 COVID deaths on November 19, 2020.
ROCHESTER, Minn. - 100 years. That's how old the longest-working Mayo Clinic employee is. Sister Lauren Weinandt just turned 100-years-old on Monday and 65 of those have been spent at the Mayo Clinic.

Sister Lauren started at Mayo Clinic in 1956 as the secretary to the hospital administrator, but her true passion was in history and at that time, there wasn't an archive at the hospital. She eventually helped create the archive that stands today in Mayo Clinic and the rest is history. "It means a great deal because I think we have to carry on the values in Mayo Clinic," she explained. "They have been so supportive and helpful to us through the years. And will carry on the values and ethics of the clinic and the sisters of St. Francis."

When asked what has kept her waking up every day, wanting to come back to the Mayo Clinic for 65-years, her answer was simple. "Well, I just think it's a lot of fun to come over to work. It's not work - it's fun," she explained.

It's also her home. Sister Lauren heads to her office located in Saint Mary's Hospital every morning at eight o'clock. She spends her day writing poems and cookbooks. She prays for the patients and even after 65 years, she wants to continue learning about the hospital. "I'd rather do something that I like to do to read about the history and there's always something new that I pick up every day," said Sister Lauren. It also doesn't hurt when big names visit the clinic like Jimmy Stewart and Danny Kaye.

But this week, Sister Lauren's job duties look a little different. "If you see, I got a lot of cards. I just got one card this morning from Guam. I don't know how they heard about it over in Guam, but I've got them from so many places," she said. "It's something else. I can't tell you."

Sister Lauren is talking about birthday cards. Her office is stacked full of cards celebrating her 100th birthday - 500 to be exact.

Sister Lauren said the important job of caring for patients is still her favorite part of the day. "That's the main thing I'm here for - to help people," she explained.

The secret to living 100-years, according to Sister Lauren, is to always stay active and love what you do.

In honor of her birthday, Sister Lauren received two big donations to go towards the Poverello Foundation. It's a ministry to help Mayo Clinic patients cope with medical expenses.
DALLAS (AP)  Minnesota Vikings cornerback Jeff Gladney has been released by the team, just a couple of hours after he was indicted by a Texas grand jury for felony assault of a woman he was previously in a relationship with.

Gladney was a first-round draft pick last year out of TCU. He started 15 games for the Vikings as a rookie. He had remained on the roster but had not been around the team since his arrest in April in Dallas. Gladney is charged with domestic violence by impeding breathing.

No court date has been scheduled.
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP)  Police in western Iowa say the badly decomposed body woman has been found in a Council Bluffs city park.

Council Bluffs police say in a news release that the discovery was made late Tuesday morning in Fairmont Park. Police say they have no information about how the woman died and did not give her identity. Police did say her death is being investigated as suspicious.

An autopsy was expected to be performed Wednesday.
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JEFFERSON CITY  Cole County has been designated a COVID-19 hotspot by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, but local lawmakers have no intention of imposing a mask mandate despite updated CDC guidelines.

Cases in the county are steadily on the rise and approaching what they were at the peak in November of 2020.

The CDC recently updated its recommendation for masks saying they should be worn indoors and when keeping distance isnt possible.

Weve certainly seen our numbers of active COVID admissions increase to levels that we previously saw in November and December, Dr. Lenora Adams an official at St. Marys Hospital, said. Their worst day saw 41 cases on November 11, and just this past week the worst day saw 35.

In anticipation of cases increasing still, St. Marys hired about two dozen new nurses and intends to hire about 20 more as they brace for the surge that is expected to get even worse.

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We havent had a mandate during the entire pandemic," Jefferson City Mayor Carrie Tergin said. "What weve done locally is encourage people to continue to get the information out about why they should keep their distance and mask if they cant maintain that six feet."

Last year we did not do a mask mandate we did advisories. We like to think our citizens are intelligent enough that if they dont feel comfortable somewhere they should wear a mask, Sam Bushman, presiding Cole County Commissioner, said.

He went on to say, You have the right to not get vaccinated, but it would be so much easier if wed all just get vaccinated and we get the herd immunity.

Lawmakers feign mask mandates as health officials urge citizens to wear masks, keep distance and wash hands frequently.

For those still on the fence about getting vaccinated Dr. Adams had this to say:

"At this point a one on one conversation with your personal physician who has known you for a long time, who has taken care of you, and that you trust with your health. It's time to talk with them about your personal risks, what to expect if you were to contract COVID, and weighing out any potential adverse effects from the vaccine. Talk to your personal physician one on one to get the most accurate information."
Here's what you need to know today: Wednesday, Aug. 4
Sydney Seiler / Korea Times file



The United States will never accept a nuclear-armed North Korea despite the latter's apparent ambition to become a nuclear state, a ranking U.S. intelligence official said Tuesday.



Sydney Seiler, national intelligence officer for North Korea at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, argued the North's true intention, at least for the time being, may be to be accepted as a nuclear state.



"We have made clear in all of our negotiations  what it is we expect from the North ... and what benefits would accrue to the DPRK," he said in a webinar hosted by the Washington Times Foundation, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.



"But until now, the regime just has simply not wanted to take these exit ramps," he added.



Seiler said the North has had many opportunities to denuclearize in exchange for incentives that it is said to seek, such as improved relations with the United States, as well as a security guarantee.



Pyongyang, however, has "simply squandered away an opportunity to move forward with it, with the United States in a better relationship," he said, offering the 2019 summit between former U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Hanoi as an example.



"What February 2019, to me as an analyst, demonstrated was, once again, North Korea was unwilling to go down the credible path of denuclearization."



He insisted the North, instead, may be interested in actually possessing nuclear capabilities.



"When you look at this continued pattern of behavior, you come to a conclusion that at the end of the day, Pyongyang calculates, or at least the Kim regime calculates, its survival in no way is related to an improved relationship with the Republic of Korea, and is not even related to an improved relationship with the United States," he said, referring to South Korea by its official name.



The U.S. intelligence official argued the North understands that the South or the United States would never attack the North, and that what it fears the most is a threat from within.



"What we can never guarantee is that when information gets into North Korea and the North Korean people's desire for freedom, economic and political and better existence reaches a point where it boils to a challenge to the regime, there's no guarantee that can prevent that," he said.



"So what you see in North Korea is a capability that's designed to ensure the survival of the Kim regime. It's not necessarily good for the nation state but it's not meant to be. It's meant to pursue this  to protect the system and protect the regime," added Seiler.





In this July 27 photo, Pyongyang citizens visit the Fatherland Liberation War Martyrs Cemetery in Pyongyang, North Korea, to mark the Korean War armistice anniversary. AP-Yonhap
Ri Son-gwon, chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, smiles after a ranking officials' meeting between South and North Koreas at Panmunjeom in this Aug. 13, 2018 photo. Ri is now the North's minister of foreign affairs. Yonhap



Virtual meeting to limit chance of direct talks among officials of Seoul, Pyongyang, Washington



By Nam Hyun-woo



The Moon Jae-in administration is making a last ditch effort to expedite talks with North Korea by taking advantage of the upcoming ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Foreign Ministers Meeting, in which a representative from Pyongyang is expected to participate.



According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wednesday, Minister Chung Eui-yong has been participating in a series of virtual ministerial meetings with his ASEAN counterparts this week, starting with the ASEAN-Korea Foreign Ministers Meeting, Tuesday.



The ARF Foreign Ministers' Meeting, slated to take place Friday, will be participated in by ASEAN ministers, Chung and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, as well as a North Korean representative.



The ARF meeting is the only regional multilateral security forum that North Korea attends  until 2018, the North's foreign affairs minister participated, with then-Minister Ri Yong-ho attending that year. The 2019 and 2020 events were attended by North Korean Ambassador to Thailand Kim Je-bong and Ambassador to Indonesia An Kwang-il, who is also head of North Korea's mission to ASEAN.



During a press briefing Monday (local time), a U.S. Department of State official said Washington "expects" North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Son-gwon to participate in the meeting. However, this is uncertain as Pyongyang sent An to an ARF preparatory meeting last month.



In Friday's meeting, Chung is expected to call for ASEAN countries' support for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and successful introduction of a peace regime.



"Our prime goal at the meeting is to get ASEAN's reaffirmation of the Moon administration's continued efforts toward peace between the two Koreas and the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula through diplomacy," a foreign ministry official said.



"As this year's ARF meeting will be the last participated in by the current government, we are expecting member countries to reaffirm their position on the peace process, and appreciation of the recent communication line restoration between the two Koreas."





South Korea's Minister of Foreign Affairs Chung Eui-yong speaks during the virtual ASEAN+3 Foreign Ministers' Meeting at his office in Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of Ministry of Foreign Affairs



During the ASEAN+3 foreign ministers' meeting also held Tuesday, Chung echoed this view, saying "diplomacy and talks based on existing inter-Korean and U.S.-North Korea agreements are crucial for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," and "the recent communication line restoration can be a start of the peace process for the two Koreas."



Though South Korea is reaching out not only to ASEAN but also North Korea on the occasion of the meeting, chances are slim that talks between Chung, Blinken and a Pyongyang official will take place, because the event is taking place virtually, meaning ministers will not be able to engage in a pull-aside or other types of sideline talks.



"Given the pending issues such as the South Korea-U.S. combined military exercise and the restoration of inter-Korean communication hotlines, I don't see much chance of a high-profile figure from the North participating in the virtual meeting. The ambassador to Indonesia is anticipated to attend the meeting instead of Minister Ri," said Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies. "If this is so, Korean Peninsula issues are unlikely to be high on the agenda during the meeting."



Yang added that a virtual meeting has limits in coordinating its agenda and setting up pull-asides, thus it would be difficult to expect it to serve as a breakthrough in inter-Korean relations.



The U.S. Department of State also said Blinken has no plans to engage with the North Korean representative on any particular issue, although the secretary will urge "ASEAN members to fully implement U.N. Security Council Resolutions" on North Korea.




Korea Forest Service Minister Choi Byeong-am / Courtesy of Korea Forest Service



By Nam Hyun-woo



Cutting carbon emissions has become a worldwide obligation, forcing countries to make their own contributions to battle against climate change, whether they are advanced or developing. As one of the most effective means to cut emissions, forestation has garnered keen attention.



This trend is shedding new light on efforts by the Korea Forest Service (KFS) to reach emissions reduction goals partly through emissions reductions achieved overseas. KFS Minister Choi Byeong-am says that the agency will play a pivotal role in helping Korea meet its target of cutting 16 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions via forestation projects outside the country.



"Last December, the Korean government submitted its nationally determined contribution (NDC) target of cutting its 2030 emissions by 24.4 percent from 2017 levels to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)," Choi said in an interview with The Korea Times.



"Of the total amount  170 million tons of CO2  Korea plans to cut 16 million tons outside of the country through projects such as Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries (REDD+). By capitalizing on its experiences so far, the KFS will explore and carry out REDD+ projects."



In 2015, the UNFCCC adopted the Paris Agreement, which is aimed at limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius  preferably to no more than 1.5 degrees  compared to pre-industrial levels. To contribute to the initiative, countries have submitted their respective long-term goals via their NDCs.



For the initiative, both industrial efforts and nature-based solutions are being explored, and REDD+ projects are a focus because of forests' role in retaining carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.



According to the World Wildlife Fund, tropical forests alone hold more than 228 gigatons to 247 gigatons of carbon, which is more than seven times the amount emitted each year by human activity. The Center for International Forestry Research also said that stopping deforestation, along with other natural climate solutions, could provide 37 percent of the emissions reduction needed by 2030.



"REDD+ is gaining global attention because it has a mechanism that encourages cooperation between advanced nations and developing countries," Choi said. "Developing nations can get incentives from international organizations based on emission outcomes, while advanced nations can help via forestation and earn certified emissions reductions, which can be used for meeting their NDCs."



As part of global REDD+ programs, the KFS began its REDD+ projects in Indonesia in 2012, Cambodia in 2015, Myanmar in 2016 and Laos in 2018.



In the Cambodia project, the KFS has been carrying out forestation on a 70,000-hectare site in Kampong Thom Province, with a plan to complete it in 2022. Last September, the project was recognized to have reduced 650,000 tons of CO2, marking the first case of a KFS REDD+ project earning the right to trade this amount for a certified emission reduction. The 650,000 tons of CO2 reduction, which was achieved from 2015 to 2019, is equivalent to absorbing emissions from 340,000 passenger cars per year.



The reduction was officially certified by the Verified Carbon Standard, enabling the KFS to make a profit by selling its emission rights via voluntary carbon markets in the future. The value of the KFS's emission rights is estimated at $3.23 million, far exceeding the total project cost of $1.6 million.



"While carrying out the project in Cambodia, the KFS also came up with a number of income-generating businesses for local residents, such as beekeeping and growing cashew nuts and cassava," Choi said. "Also, the project contributed to preserving two endangered birds and nine mammals."



However, Choi added that the emissions reduction that the KFS has achieved through REDD+ projects can be used for Korea's NDC when there are standards allowing the transfer of emissions reductions between countries.



"Currently, the international community is in talks over detailed rules on the international transfer of emissions reductions, and this issue is expected to be on the table at the 26th U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, U.K., in November," he said. "The KFS will continue monitoring major decisions at the UNFCC and changes in domestic climate policies in order to better expand its REDD+ projects."







A Mongolian participant, right, of a reforestation project between the Korea Forest Service and its Mongolian counterpart, demonstrates planting a seedling to local residents, April 2017. Courtesy of Korea Forest Service



Forestation assistance in developing nations



Along with REDD+ projects, the KFS has been organizing a series of official development assistance (ODA) projects in the sector of forestation. Currently, the agency is now running joint forestation projects with seven countries.



Of them, Choi notes a project with the Mongolian government.



Following a 2006 agreement between the two countries' presidents, the KFS teamed up with its Mongolian counterpart and spent 13.8 billion won ($12 million) to plant trees in 3,046 hectares of desert there from 2007 to 2016 as phase 1 of the project.



For phase 2, the two countries began setting up urban forests in Ulaanbaatar in 2017, with the project expected to be completed by the end of this year. This second phase cost 10 billion won.



"During the project, Korea's forestation efforts have had positive impacts on the Mongolian government," Choi said. "In the middle of the project, the Mongolian government in 2010 designated National Tree Planting Day, and enacted laws preventing desertification.



"Also for Korea, the project came with the positive outcome of preventing air pollution stemming from fine dust."



Next year, the project will enter phase 3, which aims to prevent forest fires, restore damaged areas and set up infrastructure to improve Mongolia's resilience against forest fires.



Along with the Mongolia project, the KFS has been pursuing a mangrove reforestation project in Vietnam since last year, a peat land restoration project in Indonesia and other forestation programs in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.





Poster for the 15th World Forestry Congress / Courtesy of Korea Forest Service
Angola, IN (46703)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy overnight with thunderstorms likely. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy overnight with thunderstorms likely. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.
Angola, IN (46703)

Today

Variably cloudy with scattered thunderstorms. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 64F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Variably cloudy with scattered thunderstorms. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 64F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Barack Obama has "significantly scaled back" his 60th birthday party due to COVID-19 concerns.

The former US President and his wife Michelle were planning to celebrate his big day next weekend with a huge guestlist - including friends, family and former staff - set for the bash at the family's estate in Martha's Vineyard, but this has now been reduced.

The family's spokeswoman Hannah Hankins told PEOPLE magazine: "This outdoor event was planned months ago in accordance with all public health guidelines and with COVID safeguards in place.

"Due to the new spread of the Delta variant over the past week, the [former] President and Mrs. Obama have decided to significantly scale back the event to include only family and close friends.

"He's appreciative of others sending their birthday wishes from afar and looks forward to seeing people soon."

Even before the event was cut back, Barack had not asked for any gifts, as he would prefer donations to the Obama Foundation's philanthropic projects.

The outdoor gathering will be held next weekend, and guests were told that they must undergo coronavirus testing and that the event will be overseen by a medical professional to ensure pandemic protocols are followed.

An insider recently said: "In lieu of gifts, guests are being asked to consider giving to programmes 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 including the My Brother's Keeper Alliance, the Girls Opportunity Alliance, or the Obama Foundation's Global Leadership programmes."

Meanwhile, Obama recently claimed that there are things he "can't tell" people about aliens.

The politician, who was in the White House between 2009 and 2017, told talk show host James Corden: "When it comes to aliens, there's some things I just can't tell you on air."

But he did reveal that he asked if there was a secret lab he needed to know about that was hiding alien information when he first became President.

He explained: "When I came into office, I asked, is there the lab somewhere where we're keeping the alien specimens and spaceship?

"They did a little bit of research and the answer is no, but what is true and I'm actually being serious here, is there are, there's footage and records of objects in the skies that we don't know exactly what they are."
Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.
TILLAMOOK COUNTY, OR (KPTV) - After three deadly crashes in a week along Highway 6, the community is bringing attention to the dangers of that stretch of road heading to the coast.
Some girls like playing with dolls, but some like something with a bit more bang.

The Pocatello Fish and Game office has been teaching a group of young ladies about hunter's safety while teaching them lessons that can last a lifetime. Read more
(ST. LOUIS) The St. Louis couple who pointed guns at protesters last summer from their front yard have been pardoned by Missouri Governor Mike Parson.

Mark McCloskey pleaded guilty to fourth-degree assault, while his wife, Patricia, pleaded guilty to second-degree harassment.

In June, a judge gave approval to a plea deal for the McCloskeys. That deal called for the couple to individually pay fines, but the pardon removes those payments.

The McCloskey's became popular among conservatives after that day last June when they pointed weapons at the people who marched past their home, demanding the resignation of then-St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson.

Since then, Mark McCloskey announced he is joining the race for a U.S. Senate seat.
FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 4, 2021--

Atlas Energy Intelligence recently ranked Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE: AMRC), a leading cleantech integrator specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy, as the U.S. energy service company (ESCO) market leader by revenue for 2020-2022, according to its June 2021 report,  The North American Energy Service Company (ESCO) Market.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005117/en/

Source: Atlas Energy Intelligence Report: The North American Energy Service Company (ESCO) Market

Currently, the U.S. ESCO market is dominated by ten major organizations that collectively represent 70% of the industry. Ameresco leads the pack with an estimated 16.9% share of the market by revenue.

The report offers a comprehensive overview of the U.S. and Canadian ESCO markets and provides clarity on the opportunities afforded to market participants by the energy transition. As government agencies face increasing pressure to take definitive action on climate change and innovate economic rebuilding efforts in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, ESCOs are poised to play an integral role in developing clean energy and diversifying offered energy solutions.

When I started this company over 20 years ago, the importance of sustainability was not a topic that other businesses and the greater public were openly focused on, said Ameresco CEO and Founder George Sakellaris. Finally, weve reached a point where those conversations are no longer just conversations. Theyre innovative, tangible projects that are actively transforming the way we view our world and are gaining us recognition by esteemed organizations like Atlas Energy Intelligence. We are honored to be included in such a notable ranking and cannot wait to continue this upward trajectory.

According to Atlas Energy Intelligence, the North American ESCO market will increase from $4.9B in 2021 to $6.5B in 2027 at a compound annual growth rate of 4.8% across all customer sectors. Organizations are drawn to ESCOs for their ability to help businesses achieve lower energy costs, reduce carbon emissions and boost resiliency.

ESCOs today are called upon to go beyond energy efficiency and offer innovative distributed energy solutions that help customers address priorities such as decarbonization, resiliency, and others, said Eric Bloom, managing director at Atlas Energy Intelligence. In recent years, Ameresco has emerged as a market leader in the U.S. federal sector, and the companys development of a broadened solutions portfolio has positioned them well for continued growth.

To learn more about the energy efficiency solutions offered by Ameresco, visit www.ameresco.com/energy-efficiency/.

About Ameresco, Inc.

Founded in 2000, Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE:AMRC) is a leading cleantech integrator and renewable energy asset developer, owner and operator. Our comprehensive portfolio includes energy efficiency, infrastructure upgrades, asset sustainability and renewable energy solutions delivered to clients throughout North America and the United Kingdom. Amerescos sustainability services in support of clients pursuit of Net Zero include upgrades to a facilitys energy infrastructure and the development, construction, and operation of distributed energy resources. Ameresco has successfully completed energy saving, environmentally responsible projects with Federal, state and local governments, healthcare and educational institutions, housing authorities, and commercial and industrial customers. With its corporate headquarters in Framingham, MA, Ameresco has more than 1,000 employees providing local expertise in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.ameresco.com.

About Atlas Energy Intelligence

Atlas Energy Intelligence is a market research and strategy consulting firm that helps all types of organizations - manufacturers, project developers and integrators, utilities, government agencies, and others - navigate the rapidly changing clean energy landscape by providing best-in-class market intelligence. The companys deep expertise in analyzing market developments for renewable energy, energy efficiency, intelligent grid technologies, smart cities, and other segments of the clean energy sector helps position market leaders for success in the ongoing energy transition, providing them with the insights needed to sharpen their strategies, expand into new markets, and take advantage of transformational changes underway in the energy sector. To learn more, visit www.atlasenergyintel.com.

View source version on businesswire.com:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005117/en/

CONTACT: Media Contact:

Ameresco: Leila Dillon, 508-661-2264,news@ameresco.com

KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA MASSACHUSETTS

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: OTHER ENERGY UTILITIES OIL/GAS ENVIRONMENT ALTERNATIVE ENERGY ENERGY CONSULTING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

SOURCE: Ameresco, Inc.

Copyright Business Wire 2021.

PUB: 08/04/2021 07:30 AM/DISC: 08/04/2021 07:32 AM

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005117/en
HELENA, Mont. (AP)  Democrat Jack Ballard announced Tuesday a run for the U.S. House, in the hopes of unseating Republican Rep. Matt Rosendale.

Ballard, 58, is a writer who resides in Red Lodge and covers hunting, fishing, wildlife and conservation.

He is the first Democrat to announce a run against Montanas only sitting U.S. House member. Three other Democrats announced earlier this year their intention to run for Montana's new U.S. House seat.

Montana was awarded the second House seat starting in 2023 based on the states growing population in the recent census results. The election is scheduled for November 2022. The districts boundaries have not been set, but candidates do not have to live in the district they are running to represent.

Ballard said he chose to challenge Rosendale because he anticipates his hometown of Red Lodge to be assigned to the eastern district, where Rosendale will likely be the incumbent.

I think it's important for representatives to live in their district," he said. I identify real strongly with rural communities in eastern Montana.

Ballard said he intends to focus on addressing climate change, supporting rural communities, and increasing wages  including through raising the federal minimum wage.

The American dream is increasingly out of reach for many Montanans. Wages arent increasing much, but the costs of housing and health care are skyrocketing," he said in a statement.

He also said there is need for a federal response to climate change to support Montana's agriculture and outdoor recreation industries.

The stress of drought and wildfire is crippling two of our states most important industries," he said. We desperately need innovation and investment at the federal level to reduce the devastation of an increasingly hot and dry climate.

Ballard previously ran for U.S. Senate in an effort to unseat Republican Sen. Steve Daines in 2020, but withdrew from the race in 2019 after he was diagnosed with symptoms of a heart condition. He now says he is in good health and does not anticipate any problems that would impact his ability to campaign.

Republicans have held the states at-large U.S. House seat for nearly a quarter of a century, but Ballard says his experience growing up and working in eastern Montana has prepared him to court the votes of moderate Republicans and independents.

I understand Montana. I've lived here my entire life. I'm a genuine outdoorsman, he said. I intend to focus on issues where I think there are moderate Republicans, independents who, like myself, want to move forward toward addressing some of the bigger problems that we have.
UPDATE: AUG. 6 AT 10:57 A.M.

The Yellowstone County coroner identified the 19-year-old woman who died in the crash on First Avenue N and N Twelfth Street Tuesday night.

Alexus "Lexy" Pyle, of Laurel, died of multiple blunt force injuries.

A GoFundMe has been set up to raise funds for Lexy's memorial service and her family. You can donate to "support her little sister Taylor, and provide lost income support for her mother" by clicking here: Fundraiser by Julie Mavencamp : Love for Lexy (gofundme.com).

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

BILLINGS, Mont.  Two men are in custody after a 19-year-old woman was killed in a crash on First Avenue N and N Twelfth Street Tuesday around 8:35 p.m.

The Billings Police Department say a preliminary investigation reveals a driver of a 2500 Dodge Ram, identified as Payton Hunter, 19, of Billings was driving west on First Avenue with the 19-year-old woman passenger.
UPDATE- Governor Greg Gianforte's office reached out to Montana Right Now with this statement:

"In response to your inquiry -- the governor and first lady, who are fully vaccinated, were briefly in the airport lobby to welcome their family into town for their daughter's wedding. They did not have masks with them at the time, and were unable to find any at the airport entrance." - A spokesperson for Governor Greg Gianforte said via email.

Airport Director Brian Sprenger commented on the incident realizing that the federal law is hard to keep up with for Bozeman-Yellowstone International Airport as they have to constantly restock their masking stations seeing thousands of people each day.

Sprenger said being one of the only federally mandated places in the county having to provide free masks to travelers who may forget to bring one before coming puts them in a bind when there is a rush for a flight. He said it is likely the entrance the Governor walked in through may have been out of masks.

We reached out to the Transportation Security Administration about any repercussions and have not received a response back.

BOZEMAN, Mont. - A photo shared online is circulating of what appears to be Montana Governor, Greg Gianforte in the Bozeman Airport without a mask on.

The photo, shared on Twitter, shows what appears to be the governor standing in the airport without a mask with other masked travelers.

Montana Right Now is looking to confirm that its actually the governor. According to one of the first people to Tweet about the photo, her friends father took it at the airport, and it was taken on July 28, 2021.

We have reached out to the governors office who told us they are looking into the photo.

As of the writing of this article, the Bozeman Yellowstone National Airport website has a community health alert stating that federal law requires wearing a mask at all times in the airport.

Federal law requires wearing a mask at all times in and on the airport and failure to comply may result in removal and denial of re-entry. Refusing to wear a mask in or on the airport is a violation of federal law; individuals may be subject to penalties under federal law. For more information, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/masks/mask-travel-guidance.html, the alert at the top of the page reads.
ROME, AUG 4 - The government's reform of Italy's criminal justice system was approved by the Lower House on Tuesday and is set to move to the Senate in September after parliament's summer recess. The reform, aimed at speeding up the system, was approved with 396 votes in favour, 57 against and three abstentions. The package 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. Some M5S members were not satisfied though. Two M5S MPs voted against the reform on Tuesday and 16 were absent. 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. (ANSA).
ROME, AUG 4 - Pope Francis returned among the faithful on Wednesday, a month after undergoing colon surgery, with his weekly general audience in the Vatican's Paul VI Hall. The Argentine pontiff usually takes a break from his general audiences in July anyway. On Wednesday he made an appeal for Lebanon on the first anniversary of the huge explosion in Beirut that killed more than 200 people and left more than 300,000 displaced. "I think above all of the victims and their families, the many injured, and those who lost their homes and livelihoods," Francis said. He called on the international community to offer Lebanon "concrete assistance in undertaking a journey of 'resurrection'. "It is my hope that the current International Conference hosted by France with the support of the United Nations will prove productive in this regard," he added. The pope also said that he would like to visit Lebanon. (ANSA).
ROME, AUG 4 - The FBI and Europol are cooperating with the Italian postal police in the probe into the weekend's cyberattack on the Lazio region's IT systems, sources said on Wednesday. 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". Rome prosecutors have involved two pools of investigations in the probe into the case, one specialized in terrorism, the other in IT crimes. The hackers managed to stage the attack by breaching the account of a regional employee. Lazio Governor Nicola Zingaretti said Monday that the region that Rome belongs to was the victim of a "terrorist" 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 stressed that the region's vaccination had not been stopped by the attack, as it had gone forward to giving jabs to people who had booked before it was staged. D'Amato also said the attack would not stop people being issued with the Green Pass vaccine passport after jabs. D'Amato also said the attack would not stop people being issued with the Green Pass vaccine passport after jabs. A European Commission spokesperson said Tuesday that the EU executive saw the cyberattack on the Lazio region's IT systems as a major problem. "We saw the news of the cyberattacks on the health portal and vaccination network of the Lazio region," the spokesperson said. "The European Commission is taking the issue very seriously". (ANSA).
A Beloit man has died as a result of injuries he sustained during a motorcycle accident that occurred July 17.

Officials from the Walworth County Sheriff's department said the county's communications center received a report of an accident involving two motorcycles about 1:15 p.m., July 17 near the intersection of County Highway M and Springwood Drive in the Town of Darien.

Police said when sheriff's deputies and representatives from the Darien Fire Department arrived on the scene, Dale Culver, 65, of Beloit was located in the road with serious head trauma.

Culver was transported to Mercyhealth Hospital & Trauma Center to be treated for his injuries.

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Police said Culver struck the rear of another motorcycle traveling ahead of him, and as a result of the accident both motorcyclists struck the pavement of the road.

The operator of the other motorcycle, Jeffrey Hutchinson, 63, also of Beloit, was treated at the scene for minor injuries and was released.

Culver died from his injuries July 31.

Representatives from the Walworth County Sheriff's Office, Wisconsin State Patrol, Darien Fire and Rescue and Walworth County Medical Examiner's Office responded to the scene.
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.
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.

Mark McCloskey announced in May that hes running for U.S. Senate as a Republican.

Theyre thrilled, the couples attorney Joel Schwartz said Tuesday. They want to put this episode of their lives behind them and focus on Marks campaign for senate. As Mark McCloskey has stated, if he faced the same situation again, he would conduct himself in the same manner, and he feels hes been vindicated by the governors pardon.

Ten other people were also pardoned Friday by the governor, a Republican.

Parsons legal team has been working through a backlog of clemency requests for months.
Metropolitan Police Officer Jeffrey Smith, a 12-year veteran of the force, and US Capitol Police Officer Howard Liebengood, a 16-year Capitol Police veteran, also responded to the insurrection and later died by suicide. A recent Senate report into the security failures of the day lists both Smith and Liebengood among those who "ultimately lost their lives" following the attack.

Another Capitol Police officer, Brian D. Sicknick, suffered strokes and died of natural causes one day after responding to the attack, Washington DC's chief medical examiner determined in April.

The Justice Department has charged more than 550 people in connection with the insurrection, according to CNN's latest tally, and the attack is at the center of a high-profile House select committee investigation.

During a hearing before the panel last month, Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn delivered an emotional plea to officers who defended the Capitol to seek out professional help if they need it.
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.
Biden administrations border hypocrisy: As thousands of immigrants from countries around the world are illegally crossing our southern border with Mexico daily they are overloading our immigration system.

In June, the reported number was around 200,000 not counting the "getaways" or ones who don't want to be caught, likely rapists, murderers, drug smugglers, gang members, terrorists and other nefarious types with criminal backgrounds.

They never were just from the three northern triangle countries. Many are from places including Iran, China, Iraq, Turkey to name a few. Many of whom are carriers of the various COVID-19 variants and once processed in three days are flown and bussed to undisclosed locations all throughout the country to further spread the virus.

However, a few days ago Alejandro Mayorkas, secretary of Homeland Security said the border is closed. Just because the mainstream media doesn't report it does not make it so. He also said Cuban refugees crossing the Florida straights from Cuba will be sent back.

Let me get this straight, all you need to do is claim you or your family's lives are in jeopardy from gang violence, poverty, government oppression or any other excuse, come on in, as long as you come to the southern border.
Maryland will be boosting the allowable amount of state funding available through the Agricultural Cost-Share Program for certain projects from 87.5% to 100%, effective July 1.
New Delhi: Smartphone brand realme on Tuesday unveiled MagDart, a magnetic wireless charging solution for Android. The company said that the solution includes the 50W magnetic wireless charger, realme Flash, the first Android smartphone that supports magnetic wireless charging and several other magnetic charging accessories. Realme Flash With MagDart Wireless Magnetic Charger To Be Launched Soon: Report.

realme aims to be a pioneer in the magnetic wireless charging ecosystem, the company said in a statement. The 15W MagDart charger is only 3.9mm, 26.4 per cent thinner than the MagSafe Charger, but it is still faster than MagSafe due to its Separated Coil & Board design, the company said.

Meet the #MagDart crew in motion! Leap to #MagForFuture and experience Ultra Fast Magnetic Wireless Charging. pic.twitter.com/HfX46PySk3  realme TechLife (@realmeTechLife) August 3, 2021

realme's first concept phone, realme Flash, features a 4500mAh battery capacity and can support up to 50W of MagDart wireless charging, which can charge the battery from 0 to 100 per cent in less than an hour, nearly the same as realme 50W SuperDart wired charger.

The 50W MagDart charger features an active air cooling system that keeps the mainboard and coil temperatures at a reasonable level with a compact and powerful fan. The company said that it can quickly remove heat by drawing a large airflow into the charger so that it can maintain the charging power at a high level for a longer time. There is a MagDart power bank and a special charging base. The two can be paired together to become a vertical charging station.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 04, 2021 10:10 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
A Russian scientist working in Antarctica is facing attempted murder charges after allegedly stabbing a colleague for telling him the endings of books he wanted to read.

Sergey Savitsky, an engineer, is accused of stabbing welder Oleg Beloguzov in the chest, the Sun reports. Beloguzov was evacuated to Chile for medical treatment, and his life is reportedly not in danger.

The stabbing took place at Bellingshausen Station, a Russian research station in the South Shetland Islands in Antarctica. Savitsky, the alleged attacker, was taken to St. Petersburg and arrested.

The alleged attack was said to be the result of an argument between the two over Beloguzovs habit of spoiling the endings of books that hed read from the remote outposts library.

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Although he faces criminal charges in the Russian city, Savitsky will probably have access to plenty of books that Beloguzov hasnt already read.

The Russian news agency Interfax reported that Savitsky surrendered on his own and without resistance to the station manager.

Alexander Klepikov, the deputy director of the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute, said of Savitsky and Beloguzov, They are both professional scientists who have been working in our expeditions, spending yearlong seasons at the station. It is down to investigators to figure out what sparked the conflict, but both men are members of our team.

Some reports suggest that alcohol was involved.
President Joe Biden called for the resignation of Democratic New York Governor Andrew Cuomo after a report alleged that he has sexually harassed 11 women.

At the White House press briefing, Biden told reporters that Cuomo should resign amid the allegations, CNBC reported.

"I think he should resign... I'm sure there are some embraces that were totally innocent, but apparently the attorney general decided there were things that weren't," the president said.

New York State House Speaker Carl Heastie announced that the state legislature would immediately seek to end its impeachment inquiry into the governor.

Joe Biden was not the only Democratic lawmaker to call for the governor's resignation. Democrats in Albany and Washington had done the same. However, the president said he has not yet read the report or speak to Andrew Cuomo.

READ NEXT: Pres. Joe Biden Will Resign Due to Limited Cognitive Abilities, Former White House Doctor Predicts

Andrew Cuomo's Impeachment

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released a joint statement and described the allegations against the New York governor as disturbing, inappropriate, and completely unacceptable, NBC News reported.

They noted that no elected official is above the law, adding that they continue to believe that the governor should resign.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi shared the same sentiments with the senators. Pelosi said Andrew Cuomo should resign out of his love of New York and his respect for the office he holds.

Reps. Carolyn Maloney, Jerry Nadler, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez had also said that the report against the governor is deeply disturbing. The accusations against Andrew Cuomo include sexual comments and grabbing women.

Sexual Harassment Report Against the New York Governor

On Tuesday, the state's attorney general said that Andrew Cuomo kissed, groped, or made suggestive comments to 11 women in violation of the law, prompting local prosecutors to start a criminal investigation and calls for him to resign or be impeached.

Reuters reported that the findings of a five-month probe into allegations of sexual harassment also discovered that the governor had created a "toxic" workplace and his office illegally retaliated against the first accuser after she went public.

State Attorney General Letitia James revealed the report's conclusions. James said the investigation found a disturbing pattern of attitude by the governor, with the 11 women being placed in a hostile and toxic work environment.

James' office noted that the investigation found Cuomo's conduct and his senior advisers to violate several state and federal laws.

The state's attorney general noted that the investigators spoke to 179 people, including state troopers, state employees, and others who "interacted regularly" with the governor.

The reports found that Andrew Cuomo harassed several women, many of them were still young. Anne Clark was a state trooper and was one of the women that Cuomo targeted.

Clark claimed that the governor stood behind her in an elevator, and "ran his finger" from her neck, down her spine. She added that Cuomo had touched her from her chest to her private parts. However, Cuomo continued to deny the said allegations against him.

The New York governor said that he would not be distracted from his work fighting the spread of the pandemic. Cuomo maintains that he never touched anyone inappropriately or made any sexual advances.

Two veterans outside attorneys were also involved in the investigation, namely Joon Kim and Clark. Kim was a former federal prosecutor and acting U.S. attorney in Manhattan, while Clark is an employment lawyer experienced in handling sexual harassment cases.

Kim said that Cuomo's workplace had rampant bullying and intimidation. Meanwhile, a lawyer defending Andrew Cuomo, Rita Glavin, had accused James of bias.

READ MORE: Pres. Joe Biden, a 'Direct Beneficiary' of His Son Hunter Biden's Foreign Deals, Says Head of Government Accountability Institute

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Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Andrew Cuomo Investigation Reveals New York Governor Sexually Harassed Multiple Women - From CBS Evening News






A Pentagon police officer has been confirmed dead after he was stabbed multiple times in the neck outside the Pentagon Metro entrance Tuesday morning.

The police officer opened fire on the assailant after the attack started outside the Pentagon metro entrance. The suspect was shot dead by police, according to a CNBC report. However, it is not yet clear which police officer had killed the assailant.

Sen. Mark Warner, a Virginia Democrat, released his sentiments on Twitter. Warner said he was saddened to learn about the passing of a Pentagon police officer.

The chief of Pentagon police, Woodrow Kusse, had also confirmed the incident. Kusse noted that the police officer was attacked on a bus platform, and gunfire was exchanged.

Kusse said the scene was already secured and that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) would lead the probe, which was a standard process, NPR reported.

The FBI has released a statement and said that there is no ongoing threat to the public. However, it did not add more details regarding the probe.

Kusse said it is still early to determine whether the attack was a terrorist incident.

READ NEXT: FBI Releases Footage of Pipe Bomb Suspect Prior Capitol Riot; Suspect Still on the Loose

Stabbing of the Pentagon Police Officer

Law enforcement officials identified the suspect as Austin William Lanz, 27, of Georgia. Lanz ambushed the Pentagon police officer.

He ran at him and stabbed the officer in the neck. Responding officers fired a shot and killed Lanz. Investigators were still trying to identify the motive for the attack.

They were digging into Lanz's background, including a possible history of mental illness or any reason why he might want to target the Pentagon or police officers, according to an Associated Press report.

Officials also believed that two bystanders were injured due to the incident. Lanz had been enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in October 2012. He was then "administratively separated" less than a month later.

The Corps said in a statement that the suspect has never earned the title Marine. Kusse noted that the Pentagon complex was secure and that they are not actively looking for another suspect at this time.

The stabbing incident occurred on a Metro bus platform, which is part of the Pentagon Transit Center. The bus platform is steps away from the Pentagon building.

Pentagon had earlier announced that the facility was on lockdown. However, this was lifted in the afternoon, except for the area around the crime scene.

It was not immediately known whether any additional security measures might be placed in the area. Defense Department press secretary John Kirby was at the White House with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin when the incident happened.

In 2010, a gunman had opened fire at the Pentagon, which resulted in two police officers being injured. The gunman died from a gunshot wound in the head after police returned fire, ABC News reported.

At the time, investigators were looking into online rants against the government as a possible motive. The suspect was identified as John Patrick Bedell from Hollister, California. He was 36 years old when he died at the hospital.

READ MORE: Biden to Start Receiving Classified Intelligence Brief With White House's Approval

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WATCH: Officer Killed in Stabbing Outside Pentagon - From CBS Evening News






A 16-year-old boy in Oklahoma accidentally shot his mother while playing with a gun and then turned the gun on himself to commit suicide, police said.

According to PEOPLE, the Del City Police noted that the teen was playing with a pistol in the living room of their home in Del City, Oklahoma at around 11:20 p.m. on Saturday, when he accidentally fired the gun.

Police said a bullet went through the wall and struck his 36-year-old mother, Stephanie Rowshawne Jennings, in the head that resulted in her immediate death.

Del City Police Maj. Bradley Rule told PEOPLE that the bullet traveled through the wall that separated the living room from the kitchen and struck the boy's mom in the head.

"She fell to the floor right then and was deceased," Rule said. According to Rule, the boy, who the police did not identify, immediately ran to the kitchen and saw what he has done.

Rule said the boy saw his mother lying on the floor dead and then ran outside to the street "where he turned the gun on himself."

When police arrived at the scene after being called, they found the boy lying in the street with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Rule noted that the gun was resting beside the teen, who was rushed to a hospital in Oklahoma, but to no avail.

READ NEXT: Police Officer Who Responded to Capitol Riot Commits Suicide

Oklahoma Boy Accidentally Shoots His Mom

The Del City Police noted that the incident was terrible. Rule said he still does not know if the boy was messing with the gun or just playing with it.

However, he was sure that the boy was not cleaning the gun. He said it was a firearm in the house. The boy later died due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Rule believed that to handle a firearm and then it goes off was already "terrifying in and of itself." But he noted that to see the result of it, "shooting your own mother, I can't imagine what he felt."

Witness to the Tragic Incident in Oklahoma

Rule said they were able to interview somebody who was sitting in the living room when the incident happened. He noted that the eyewitness told them what happened, and the eyewitness' statement "lined up with the evidence on the scene."

Rule said he don't think the witness knew that the boy intended to kill himself. "I think he knew he was upset over what happened and they were trying to calm him down and then of course he shot himself," he noted.

Rule said they would still investigate it all the way to the end to confirm the facts and make sure there's nothing else going on that they don't know about.

The Medical Examiner's Office and the detectives would also continue investigating the incident to confirm eyewitness accounts with the evidence.

The victims' families declined to make a statement, but they expressed it was an accident and were at a loss for words.

READ MORE: Grandson Stabs Grandmother to Death, Injures 4 Others, Including His Mom, in Louisiana Crime Spree

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Written by: Jess Smith

WATCH: Police: Teen Accidentally Shot, Killed Mother Before Turning Gun on Himself - From KFOR Oklahoma's News 4
An angry bull has managed to escape its enclosure, and went on a rampage among spectators at an illegal rodeo in Mexico.

The angry bull reportedly injured at least 10 people at the "La Salud" bullring in Puruandiro, Michoacan on Sunday, Mexico News Daily reported. Such events in Mexico are still prohibited due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

READ NEXT: 6 Dismembered Bodies Found in Mexico as Mexican Drug Cartel Launches Brutal Revenge Attack

Illegal Rodeo in Mexico

Videos of the bull rampage were uploaded on social media. The angry bull was seen to jump over a weak fence meant to contain the animal.

Women and children were among the crowd in the arena. A number of people have been knocked down, including a woman who was trapped underneath the bull.

Part of the audience close to the barrier was rammed, while others screamed and fled the area. In one of the videos, one onlooker can be heard shouting that a man in a wheelchair was in danger.

Reports said there was bull riding, dancing, band music, as well as sale and consumption of alcohol at the event. Panic and terror only subsided after the staff contained the angry bull.

Municipal authorities admitted that they granted permission to hold the rodeo event. However, they said they would investigate where the authorization came from and why it was granted, El Universal reported.

Aside from Spain, Mexico has more bullfighting rings and high-quality bullfighters than any other country in the world. Bullfighting was brought to Mexico more than 500 years ago by the conquistadores.

Bullfighting in Mexico has earned mixed reactions from people, with some saying that it is traditional, while others said it should be abolished.

Mexico has made bullfighting a legal sport, with some Mexican states having animal protection laws. However, despite these laws, many animal rights activists said that these laws do nothing to protect the bulls.

Bullfighting has been deemed illegal before in Mexico, twice in its history. But at the moment, it stays completely legal. Mexico is also known to have child bullfighters. The city of Aguascalientes is home to two bullfighting rings.

According to a Humane Society International report, other countries that still consider bullfighting legal include France, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru, Portugal, and Spain.

The largest bullfighting in the world is considered to be in Mexico, with 60,00 spectators. There are around 225 bullrings in Mexico, and only Spain exceeds Mexico in the number of bullfights per year.

What is Bullfighting?

The bullfighter, also known as matador, aims to kill the bull swiftly and cleanly by placing a sword in a coin-sized area between the bull's shoulders.

Bullfighting advocates said if the matador aims correctly, the animal dies in a matter of seconds. However, that usually does not happen.

Most of the time, the matador misses the target and injures the bull's lungs and bronchial tubes that causes blood to flow through the animal's mouth and nose.

Four to six bulls are killed in every bullfight, with the fight each lasting about 20 minutes. Experts like zoologist Jordi Casamitjana said that evidence shows that the bulls and cows involved in bullfights suffer.

READ MORE: Clashing Mexican Drug Cartels Leave 2 Police and 7 Others Dead in Mexico

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WATCH: Art or Blood Sport? Mexico Considers Banning the Bullfight - From CGTN America






The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has extended the eviction moratorium for 60 days, a move that President Joe Biden admitted may be unconstitutional and one that risks being challenged in court.

CDC director Rochelle Walensky signed a new order on Tuesday that extends the eviction moratorium until October 3, and it would temporarily halt evictions in places that "experience substantial and high levels" of COVID transmissions.

Walensky said the order would keep people in their homes and out of congregate areas where COVID-19 spreads. She noted that the evictions of tenants for failure to pay rent could be detrimental to public health control measures to slow the spread of COVID.

She added that "such mass evictions and the attendant public health consequences" would be difficult to reverse. The CDC said it would cover about 90 percent of renters in the country.

According to the CDC, the order would also provide more time in increasing vaccination rates and emphasized that it would be an "effective public health measure." The CDC also cited the slow pace of local governments in disbursing housing aid in justifying the new moratorium.

RELATED ARTICLE: Pres. Joe Biden's Administration, Congress Fail to Extend Eviction Moratorium

Joe Biden on CDC's New Eviction Moratorium

But on Tuesday, the president said the order was not likely to pass "constitutional muster," New York Post reported.

Joe Biden noted that he had spoken to several constitutional scholars to determine if the new moratorium could withstand lawsuits about its constitutionality and whether the Supreme Court would approve the measure.

"The bulk of the constitutional scholarship says that it's not likely to pass constitutional muster... But there are several key scholars who think that it may and it's worth the effort," the president told reporters at the White House.

Even if it gets challenged in court, Joe Biden added that the order would "probably give some additional time" for states and local governments to release federal funds to help renters and homeowners.

The distribution of rental assistance that Congress allocated in December and March has been slow. Only $3 billion of the $47 billion Emergency Rental Assistance program was disbursed to assist the American people.

In a statement, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said it was a day of "extraordinary relief" after the CDC announced the extension of the eviction moratorium.

Pelosi noted that the imminent fear of eviction and being put out on the street were gone for countless families across the country.

Eviction Moratorium Lapsed

The nationwide moratorium on residential evictions has expired on July 31. The White House earlier said it could not extend the eviction ban and urged Congress to do it. However, the House Democrats failed to collect the votes to prevent its lapse.

Last month, when the Supreme Court allowed a one-month extension of the eviction moratorium, Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh warned that any further extensions would have to go through Congress. The high court would likely have to issue a new ruling on the new order of the CDC.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki earlier said that Joe Biden had encouraged the CDC to extend the eviction moratorium by using executive action. But in reply, Walensky noted that the CDC has yet to find legal authority for a new eviction moratorium.

READ MORE: Pres. Joe Biden Shifts Burden to States to Help Renters With COVID Funds as White House Scrambles to Extend Eviction Moratorium

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Written by: Jess Smith

WATCH: Democrats Get CDC to Extend Eviction Moratorium - From CNBC Television
The man, who allegedly oversaw Sinaloa Cartel boss Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman's financial operations to the U.S., was extradited from Mexico to the U.S. on Sunday, August 1.

According to Daily Mail, Jorge Perez was handed over to U.S. federal agents at Mexico City International Airport, and he was flown to Washington, D.C., where he will be facing multiple charges.

Jorge Perez: Financial Officer of El Chapo

The Attorney General's Office of Mexico said Jorge Perez reportedly functioned as financial officer of the transnational drug cartel. Perez was accused of overseeing the Sinaloa Cartel's cash flow and in charge of trafficking drugs from Latin America to the U.S.

The Attorney General's Office of Mexico further noted that Perez also functioned as the middle man between the Sinaloa Cartel and other drug trafficking groups in Colombia and Guatemala.

These transnational criminal organizations allegedly sent cocaine shipments to Mexico before they were smuggled across the U.S. southwestern border.

The extradition of Perez came as U.S. officials continue to keep an eye on the Sinaloa Cartel. A report said the business of the Sinaloa Cartel continues to thrive despite the arrest of its boss, El Chapo, who is currently being held in a U.S. "supermax" prison.

Since his arrest on May 14, 2016, Jorge Perez has been in the custody of Mexican authorities. He was detained at the Altiplano prison, where El Chapo escaped through a tunnel underneath his cell's bathroom.

READ NEXT: Drug Cartel in Mexico Receives a Plea From Mothers of Missing Children to Allow Search in 'Extermination Camp'

The Arrest of Other Leaders of Sinaloa Cartel

Jorge Perez, who is facing multiple drug trafficking related charges, was the second Sinaloa Cartel's high-level manager that made the headlines over the past week.

On July 28, Jose Sanchez Villalobos, the builder of the narco tunnels linking Tijuana on the Mexican side and San Diego on the U.S. side, was sentenced to 10 years and a month in custody for a drug distribution conspiracy by a San Diego federal court.

These state-of-the-art narco tunnels used by the Sinaloa Cartel and El Chapo had been fully equipped with a hydraulic elevator, electric rail cars, lighting, and storeroom.

Last December, Villalobos pleaded guilty to planning, financing, and supervising the construction of several cross-border tunnels from 2010 to 2012. He also pleaded guilty in overseeing the Sinaloa Cartel's operation as smuggling conduits in a plea agreement.

U.S. authorities said Villalobos, who was reported to be the regional manager of the Sinaloa Cartel, was also responsible for transporting drugs in Baja, California, and Jalisco in Mexico. They further noted that Villalobos has also overseen marijuana transport from southern Mexico to northern Mexico.

Meanwhile, El Chapo's wife, Emma Coronel Aispuro, pleaded guilty in June to a range of charges, including conspiracy to distribute illegal drugs.

She could face life in prison with a fine of up to $10 million. El Chapo's wife also pleads guilty to playing a role in her husband's escape from prison in 2015.

Aispuro reportedly made a plea agreement. Her attorney, Jeffrey Lichtman, earlier said that Aispuro was happy to put the case behind her.

READ MORE: Cartel Wives: How Kingpins' Wives Operate in Mexico's Notorious Sinaloa Cartel

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Written by: Jess Smith

WATCH: The Fall of El Chapo (True Crime Documentary) | From Real Stories
The surge in Covid-19 Delta variant infections has slowed in Laois after a surge in infections through July according to the latests official figures from the centre that monitors the pandemic spread in Ireland.

The Health Protection Surveillance Center (HPSC) reports to NPHET and publishes incidence figures for all counties on infectious diseases.

Figures published on August 4 show significant improvement in Laois which, at one point in July, had the second worst incidence of the virus in the Republic of Ireland.

The latest set of data covers the seven day and two week periods ending at midnight, Bank Holiday Sunday, August 3.

It shows that Laois had162 new cases in the seven days to August 3 giving an incidence of 191.3 per 100,000 population. This is now only slightly above the national incidence rate 189.8 per 100 k due to 9,040 around the country since July 27.

The seven day rate for Laois is substantially improved on the later half of July when the virus was spreading rapidly in the county making it one of Ireland's hotspots.

The 14 day picture is also looking healthier for Laois. There were 406 new cases in the 14 days since July 20 giving an incidence rate of 479.4 per 100k. While still high and above the national average, it is an improvement of the 495 per 100 k peak in late July.

There were 17,744 new cases in Ireland in the two weeks to August 3 giving an incidence of 372.6 per 100k.

The most significant sign that the spread has slowed in Laois is found in the figures for the seven day incidence rate as a percentage of 14 day rate.

As of Bank Holiday Sunday, this was 39.90%. At one stage in the second half of July this peaked at more than 75%. The the national figure is now 50%.

There is also promise in the average number of cases being identified a day in Laois. As of August 3, 21 new cases are being identified each day on a five day average. This peaked at 35 a day in July.

All of this means that Laois now stands at 11th in the 26 county incidence table up to August 3. Figures up to July 25 showed that Laois had the second highest incidence of the virus in the country.

HSE test and trace operations ramped up in Laois during the wave. The second half of July also vaccination reach record numbers vaccinated at the Portlaoise vaccination hub where teenagers are now getting the jab and walk-in clinics have operated.
Laois parents who organise parent and toddler groups in their communities have been urged to apply for new Government grants for.

Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council and Fine Gael Cllr Conor Bergin said a new national funding total 250,0000 is available for groups as part of the Governments Summer of Play initiative.

This funding will be allocated to all not-for profit parent and toddler groups throughout Laois who actively involve the participation of parents in the local community. The grants available will range from 100 to 1250," he said.

This is important funding to support existing groups to start up again and to assist the groups to engage with the Governments Summer of Play Initiative, to provide supports for children and families to get outside and play safely this summer.

Existing Parent and Toddler Groups can apply for a maximum of 800 while new start up groups may apply for maximum grant of up to 1250. The funding can be used for expenses including toys, play equipment, books, and activities for the children," he said.

Cllr Bergin added that training for parents can also be covered under the grants including for example, paediatric first aid, committee skills and parenting courses. MORE BELOW LINK.

He said limited funding will also be available towards insurance, rent or minor refurbishment, up to a maximum of 30% of total funding for existing services. Further limited funding will be available towards insurance or rent, up to a maximum of 70% of total funding for new services.

I hope all local groups will apply for these grants to assist them in bringing parents and children together to play and socialise again. The groups should apply for a grant under this scheme through their County Laois Childcare Committee who can also give them full details on the programme, said the Fine Gael councillor.

For details go to www.laoischildcare.ie

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O Gorman launched the Summer of Play initiative to support and encourage children and their families to get outside and play as restrictions ease in the coming months. The initiative includes grants, supports and information resources that are being rolled out over the summer months, creating opportunities for children and their families to enjoy a summer of play.

A key resource that was launched as part of the initiative was Lets Play Ireland 2021, an online information resource for parents and children. On www.gov.ie/letsplayireland families can find information and ideas on how to support and encourage children in their play, as well as ideas on how to play safely this summer.
Bookies have shortened the odds on Laois Offaly TD Barry Cowen becoming the next leader of Fianna Fail.

BoyleSports have updated the odds successors to leader Micheal Martin and the odds on potential future leaders shortening on Dep Cowen.

The outspoken former Minister who was sacked from Government by Mr Martin, is the most notable market mover after he called the meeting to discuss what he said was an alarming by-election result.

The TD has also gone on PrimeTime questioning the appointment of Catherine Zappone as Ireland's Envoy on Freedom of Expression.

He has fallen all the way into 6/1 from 25/1 with BoyleSports to be the next party leader, while frontrunner Jim OCallaghan has been eased to 2/1 from a low of 6/5 earlier this year.

If he did get the top job it would be a remarkable turnaround in fortunes for the TD who lost his job over a drink driving controversy. Becoming leader would also see him emulate his brother Brian who served as leader and Taoiseach as Ireland at the start of the property crasy.

Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath is now the second favourite at 3/1 from 4/1 despite recently backing Martin by claiming he is doing an excellent job..

Next Fianna Fail Leader

2/1 Jim O'Callaghan

3/1 Michael McGrath

5/1 James Lawless

6/1 Barry Cowen

9/1 Niall Collins

9/1 Thomas Byrne

12/1 Darragh O'Brien

14/1 Paul McAuliffe

16/1 Jack Chambers

20/1 Norma Foley

25/1 Robert Troy

25/1 John McGuinness

25/1 Dara Calleary
First Holy Communions and Confirmations could take place sooner than expected in Laois after one of Ireland's most senior bishops gave the green light to parishes to proceed.

Archbishop Dermot Farrell oversees the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Dublin. Apart from Dublin, considerable sections Leinster, including Laois and Kildare fall into its orbit. The Dioceses of Kildare and Leighlin, Ferns, and Ossory are linked to the Archdiocese. Kildare and Leighlin and Ossory cover all of Laois.

Archbishop Farrell, who was Bishop of Ossory before being promoted, has written to priests in his archdiocese advising that they can proceed with First Communions and Confirmations, despite current public health advice that these ceremonies should not go ahead.

In a letter received by nearly 200 parishes in the archdiocese, Archbishop Farrell said communions and confirmations can proceed if considered safe.

"It would be prudent to ensure that families confirm their awareness of the public health guidelines regarding household mixing," he wrote.

He said that where parishes want to proceed, public health advice and protocols should be followed in relation to gatherings in the church grounds both before and after ceremonies.

"The format of such ceremonies should be adapted appropriately, as was the case in many parishes last year, with shorter, simpler and smaller ceremonies, which were nonetheless reverent and joyous.

"Some parishes have continued the practice of permitting small numbers receive their first holy communion in the course of the regular schedule of weekday or Sunday masses," he wrote.

He acknowledged that the sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation had been a matter of concern for parishes and many families for some time.

Bishop Denis Nulty is the Bishop of Kildare & Leighlin and temporarily in charge of Ossory. He has yet to comment.

He wrote to parishes in May advising that ceremonies could not proceed until safe to do so. He had previously given the green light for ceremonies to take place in May.

"While our society is opening up, the pandemic is still with us and we must remain vigilant," he said at the time.
The Immigrant Council of Ireland is launching its 2021 Migrant Leadership Academy this week and is inviting migrant and refugee activists from Kildare to take part in the online programme which brings together social justice and equality champions to enhance their leadership skills and design initiatives to benefit their local communities.

This is the Immigrant Councils third Leadership Academy, which aims to address the lack of migrant representation in Irelands social justice sector and build the capacities of future migrant community leaders. Running for nine weeks from September to November, the academy will be a blended learning experience consisting of weekly online classes, pre-recorded video sessions and home exercises.

The programme will upskill participants in subjects including community organising, political mobilisation, campaigning and more. The academy is open to migrants and refugees (including those currently applying for international protection) who are 18 years of age or older and come from a non-EU/EEA background. The programme is particularly suited to existing activists committed to social justice and equality who are active in their communities and already have established local networks.

Speaking about the launch of the academy, Immigrant Council of Ireland integration manager Teresa Buczkowska said: Ireland is an increasingly diverse society, with one in eight of us coming from a migrant background. The reality, however, is that many migrants dont see themselves represented in many key sectors of Irish society, including the social justice sector.

Many migrants and refugees are doing great work in their local communities championing issues and effecting positive change, but their hard work is often overlooked. Many are isolated and lack support from their peers and opportunities to fine-tune their skills to become better leaders and organisers.

Read more Kildare news

The Migrant Leadership Academy strives to identify talented migrant and refugee leaders and provide them with the space to connect with one another. The academy will also help migrant leaders design and implement their own social justice campaigns and migrant integration initiatives.

Previous Leadership Academy initiatives saw improvement of employment laws concerning spouses of migrant workers (Stamp 3 holders), as well as raising awareness on issues affecting migrant women victimised by domestic violence (the #WeAreHereToo Campaign).
Tesco is calling on shoppers across Ireland to support Childrens Health Foundation Temple Street as it aims to raise funds for a much-needed EEG system costing 300,000. Customers visiting Tesco stores between Monday, 2nd and Sunday, 8th August can support the fundraising initiative by donating 1 at the till or at the checkout online, with 100% of the funds raised going to Childrens Health Foundation Temple Street.

An EEG system is a testing and imaging system that helps identify abnormalities in brain waves or electrical activity in the brain. The existing EEG system hardware is due for an update. The machine is used multiple times a day across almost all departments: ED, ICU, operating theatres, day and night wards. Tesco has made this the next fundraising goal in its long-standing relationship with the hospital.

Debbie Owens, from West Dublin, mum of CHI at Temple Street patients, Josh (age 12) and Cian (age 9) knows what its like to rely on this piece of equipment. Debbie said: Its been 10 years since Josh had life-saving surgery performed by the wonderful Neurosurgery Team in CHI at Temple Street. Josh initially visited the hospital with a croup cough, but his medical teams became concerned about another issue. Josh was diagnosed with Hydrocephalus (fluid on his brain) when I was pregnant with his brother, Cian. When Cian was born, tests showed he had Craniosynostosis (fusion of bones in the skull). Both boys had surgeries under close watch of the amazing team in Temple Street and they are doing so well.

In 2020, Tesco set a goal of raising 1.2 million for CHI at Temple Street which was accomplished earlier this year. The fundraising campaign led by dedicated colleagues and supported by Tesco customers all over the country means the latest CT Scanner equipment will be purchased and installed in the hospital as soon as possible.

Rosemary Garth, Communications Director, Tesco Ireland said: Im delighted to say that the outstanding generosity from Tesco colleagues and customers has shone through once more and together, we have raised the 1.2 million for the CT Scanner which we know is badly-needed for the hospital. The fundraising doesnt end there  from conversations with the team at CHI at Temple Street, we are now aiming to raise 300,000 for a new EEG system. I want to say a special thanks to our store colleagues and customers across Ireland for their continued support and dedication in continuously raising funds for CHI at Temple Street.

There are various ways customers can donate to Temple Street through Tesco

Tesco Clubcard customers can also donate their Clubcard Vouchers to CHI at Temple Street. Tesco will accept the donation of Clubcard vouchers and donate the face value of the vouchers to CHI at Temple Street. Visit. Tesco.ie/Clubcardboost and click on Charities to learn more.

There are two ways customers can donate while doing their weekly shop on Tesco.ie. Customers adding shopping to their basket can also add a 1 (or more) donation to CHI at Temple Street or support the cause by purchasing the Tesco Temple Street Bouquet for 10 (which are also available in stores)

Shoppers in select Tesco stores can purchase a pack of adult or childrens F&F face coverings. Tesco has pledged to donate all profits from F&F branded face coverings to Childrens Health Foundation Temple Street.

Read more Kildare news

Tesco is dedicated to raising funds for Childrens Health Foundation Temple Street and has raised 6 million since the partnership began in 2014.

Each year CHI at Temple Street treats over 147,000 children from across the country. For thousands of children, CHI at Temple Street is the only hospital in Ireland they can be treated in. Through the charity partner programme, Tesco colleagues and customers can help sick kids from all over Ireland get better and be real-life heroes to children attending the hospital.
Naas General Hospital is experiencing a very busy period with a significantly increased number of people requiring admission to the Hospital.

The hospital is reminding members of the public to consider their care options before presenting to the emergency department.

Hospital management is advising that the public only attend the emergency services if absolutely essential.

Read more Kildare news

If you are unwell, the HSE is advising to go to your GP or pharmacy in the first instance.

Importantly, please do not delay in seeking medical attention if you suspect you are having a heart attack or stroke.

The hospital services are available to you, please dial 999 or 112 in an emergency. For routine matters please contact your GP or out of hours by phone.

If you have to attend the ED in an emergency situation please ensure you wear a mask, practice social distancing and ensure you tell the triage personnel if you have any signs/symptoms of Covid-19. The hospital acknowledge the continued support of its community.
Maynooth University has been awarded more than 660,000 in funding for three innovative digital humanities projects under an Ireland-UK Fund for International Collaboration.



The three research projects are among the 11 projects announced today by the Irish Research Council and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), in a partnership which will see Ireland and the UK bring together world-leading expertise in the digital humanities.

Read more Kildare news

Welcoming the 6.5m boost for interdisciplinary research in the sector, Simon Harris TD, Minister for Further & Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, said: I am delighted to see these awards announced today, supported by the Irish Research Council.

The ongoing partnership between the IRC and AHRC-UKRI will drive a step-change in the level of cooperation between these two islands in the growing field of digital humanities. The UK-Ireland digital humanities partnership is a timely reminder of both the appetite and the potential for UK-Ireland research collaboration, both east-west and north-south. Maintaining and further building an international and a vibrant all-island higher education and research system is a key priority for government.

Adopting digital methods and computational techniques as part of its research methodology, the projects aim to develop new research techniques, bring innovative approaches to community engagement, and enhance cultural understanding and access to heritage.

The funding awards build on the UK-Ireland Collaboration in the Digital Humanities scoping workshop that took place in Dublin on 22 and 23 October 2019 and the UK-Ireland Collaboration in the Digital Humanities Research Networking Call launched in 2020.
With just four weeks left of the school summer holidays, and everything re-opened, Leitrim Tourism is gearing up for a busy month of August.



It is understood that all hotels in Leitrim are booked up for the month and according to queries for accommodation, beds are scarce around the county.

Leitrim Tourism informed the paper that all tourist attractions in the county are now open, although some still have covid restrictions in place.



Sean MacDiarmadas Homestead is open for bookings, Parkes Castle is only open for outdoor viewings, Sliabh an Iarainn Visitor Centre, Glenview Museum, St George's Visitor Centre and the Ballroom of Romance Glenfarne have all fully re-opened and one of the last jigsaw pieces Arigna Mining Experience, a massive attraction for Leitrim visitors, re-opened at the weekend.

Manager of the popular tourism attraction Valerie Stenson said they held off reopening as they received no concrete guidelines from Failte Ireland.

She said some museums and galleries re-opened in June with self guided tours, but due to Health and Safety issues involved with going down into the mines this was not possible at Arigna Mines.

Valerie told the Leitrim Observer the phone has not stopped over the past six weeks. The tourist site opened its website and booking system in anticipation of re-opening in July but all we have done is refund people and apologise.

She noted the massive loss of revenue as the centre has been closed since December 23, 2020. She said the tourist season in Ireland is so short and the re-opening of tourism has been a mess with much of the guidelines open to interpretation.

August is traditionally Arigna Mines' busiest month but bookings have been capped at 50% due to guidelines and social distancing rules.

Valerie said they hope the tourist season will stretch into September and October this year to help recoup lost revenue as they cannot survive on just the last four weeks of August.

Booking is essential on www.arignaminingexperience.ie And the team are delighted to welcome everyone back. The onsite cafe is expected to re-open for takeaways and outdoor dining only.

It is understood that the Cavan Leitrim Railway in Dromod is still closed to visitors.

The Dock in Carrick-on-Shannon has resumed concerts outdoors and with pubs, restaurants and cafes back serving, there is nothing to hold back visitors from discovering the county.

Visit leitrimtourism.com
Ireland West Airport today, Wednesday, August 4, welcomed the announcement by Ryanair of a new weekly service this winter to Malaga in sunny Costa Del Sol.

The Malaga service, which currently operates during the summer season, will now continue throughout the year with flights operating every Saturday throughout the winter for the first time, providing easy access to one of Europes most popular tourist and sun holiday destinations.

Malaga is the gateway to the popular Costa Del Sol region which stretches for just over 150 kilometres, stretching from Almeria to Tarifa, this hugely popular holiday spot caters for all tastes and ages, has a huge range of facilities and attractions with miles of golden sandy beaches and a year round warm climate which sees holidaymakers returning year after year. The Costa Del Sol is within easy reach of a host of resorts such as Benalmadena, Fuengirola, Marbella, Nerja and Torremolinos.

Todays announcement is the fourth positive route announcement by Ryanair in recent months, following the airlines announcement of brand new services to Edinburgh and Manchester, which start in September, and the announcement of a new twice weekly winter service to Milan in Italy, meaning Ryanair will now offer passengers a choice of 12 destinations across the UK and Europe to and from the airport in 2021.

Welcoming the news, Joe Gilmore, Managing Director, Ireland West Airport commented "We welcome yet another very positive announcement by Ryanair of a new winter service to Malaga, which will provide the People of the West and North West of Ireland with year round access to one of Europes most popular sun destinations. The addition of a new winter service to Malaga and the recent announcement of a new winter service to Milan, will provide increased access to European sun and city break destinations this winter. It means new Ryanair services will see the addition of an extra 35,000 seats at the airport this autumn and winter as we continue to rebuild our route network and passenger numbers. We thank Ryanair for their continued support for the airport in expanding their route network during what continues to be a most challenging period for the airport."
MANY Limerick hurling fans will be saying prayers on Saturday evening between 5pm and 6.45pm but perhaps not in a church.

Supporters will either be in Croke Park - if they are lucky enough to get a ticket - or glued to a TV to watch Limerick and Waterford in the All-Ireland semi-final.

It will be an almighty clash of the ash but also a clash with Saturday evening Mass times. But Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy has no issue with priests moving Mass times forward or back.

"The 5pm throw-in presents a problem that Mass goers in Limerick will be glad to have as sport means so much to the people of the county and these are great days, in particular, for hurling followers.

"From a purely logistical point of view, it's a challenging one as some Masses will be anniversaries or months minds and it won't be easy to move the times. These decisions are made on a parish by parish basis but, generally, if accommodation can be made with a change of times, I would not stand in the way," said Bishop Leahy.

He continued: "Ultimately, there's great excitement across Limerick and rightly so as John Kiely and his players have created something very special and we all wish them the very best for Saturday evening and hope that it's a continuation of this great journey they are on."
YOUNG people are not the enemy of this pandemic, the virus is, writes Caillum Hedderman, an 18-year-old from Ballybricken. Caillum made history when he became the youngest person ever to sit on a council committee and has been a frequent contributor to both the Leader and national media on education and Leaving Cert issues in the last year.

The scapegoating of young people at every wrong turn of public health policy has reached a point of disillusionment and hearsay to try win back some confidence among older generations, that will further hold an already present long-lasting effect on the next working generation of Irish society.

I would say I had a run of the mill pandemic experience. I spent most of fifth year in secondary school sitting behind a computer, followed by a mishmash of a Leaving Cert, that Im sure will make the history books. But besides that, I shared a similar experience with thousands of fellow young people across the country. I am now working a summer job, in a rural restaurant, to save up for college next year and just last week, got my first of two Covid vaccines.

Unfortunately, I cant help but feel that we as young people have been used as an easy target to shift any blame from government or public health negligence from the beginning of this pandemic.

An article published recently, after the rise in daily cases, in the Irish Independent read that "Young people intentionally contracting Covid-19 to obtain digital cert, warns HSE."

Now, the usual conception around young people is to be immature or erratic in our language, but this statement from a HSE official easily fits into these pre-conceptions, is purely hyperbole (a complete exaggeration) and represents only but a small example of the true scapegoating of young people in public health negligence or mistakes over the past two years.

Similarly, with the announcement of the Janssen vaccine being made available to the 18- to 34-year-old cohort from pharmacies, the approach was uncoordinated, as the pharmacies delivering the vaccine were informed at the same time as the young people ringing to book an appointment.

Then, as supply was limited, young people were painted as a cohort who wouldnt take the vaccine, which was untrue, as across the country we have been lining the streets of GPs and pharmacies at the first given opportunity. Only this week as walk-in vaccination centres were opened, 18,000 people availed of the service in the first day alone, the majority of whom being teenagers.

With the introduction of the new Covid digital certificate and the return of indoor dining, young staff are faced with a strange situation. To serve, but not be served.

Only last week, I walked into a pub with my father after an eight-hour shift in a different pub up the road, only to be turned around at the door as I wasnt fully vaccinated. Although it is good to see that businesses are following public health guidelines, children under the age of 18 can walk into a restaurant regardless of situation, so it is just the people awaiting the vaccination who are blocked by this, being the 18-34 age bracket.

That is just some of the feelings of young people towards Covid guidelines, if we take a broader look at Irish society, it is becoming more and more bleak to even imagine, never mind plan, a future as a young person here. My generation will be the first generation less well-off than the generation before them, according to ESRI research. Soaring housing prices, limited well-paying employment opportunities and a government who often seem to see us as an afterthought, all culminate into this societal driven ideal of young people as the problem, which has come to a head during the pandemic.

With a rise in political awareness among younger generations, the political commonalities that we have become accustomed too in the past may be rattled. According to recent polling (RED C), among the 1834-year-old bracket, both Fianna Fail (10%) and Fine Gael (16%) have decreased in popularity while Sinn Fein (44%) have risen alongside other left-wing parties. With a rise in left-wing support in the last General Election (2019), coupled with this years population wide decrease in popularity among traditional Fianna Fail voters and legislative proposals to extend voting rights to 16- and 17-year-olds, the next Local and General Elections will play a fundamental role in dictating how Ireland as a society moves forward.

Mass youth emigration was witnessed during the recession from 2008 onwards, due to implemented public policy not supporting the basic needs of young people, basic needs such as employment opportunities and housing. The other need was acceptance and recognition. Acceptance of the common struggles of Irish people and recognition by government, through the policy implemented, that young people were not an afterthought or further to say, forgotten.

Worryingly, we may be in a cycle of events unless the government stop this blame game and start bettering their policy to support the needs of everyone, especially younger generations.

Any cohort of people can be berated and shown in a bad light by media to a sell headline or by government to gain political capital at any given time. There will always be a small number of people who will act irresponsibly, regardless of age, but throughout the pandemic young people have acted to support their friends, families, and communities, while facing the same burdens as others during the formative years of our lives.

Young people are not the enemy of this pandemic, the virus is.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has launched an initiative to facilitate cooperation with private entities, CSR initiatives and philanthropic organisations to develop the national capital into a global city by 2047.

The initiative has been named Delhi@2047, in line with Aam Aadmi Party's vision document that was incorporated in the state budget for 2021-22.

"As India enters its 75th year of independence, it is time to set our vision for 2047. I invite all corporates and philanthropic organisations to join Delhi@2047 initiative and make Delhi the number 1 city in the world," Kejriwal tweeted.

As India enters its 75th year of independence, it is time to set our vision for 2047. I invite all corporates and philanthropic organisations to join Delhi@2047 initiative and make Delhi the number 1 city in the world.



Join at: https://t.co/FAaWqWaVKs  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 3, 2021

"We have to set both short-term and long-term goals. Long term goals include increasing Delhis per-capita income to match that in Singapore, bidding for hosting the Olympic Games. Goals such as 24x7 supply of water across the city have to be accomplished immediately," Kejriwal said during the video conferencing with policy makers and corporate stakeholders at the launch of Delhi@2047.

"In the last five years, several sectors in Delhi, such as education, health, power and public services, have witnessed good growth and improvement. We improved the finances of the Delhi government and made governance more accountable. It shows that if one has the right intent and political will, several important things are doable," he further said.

Kejriwal said that several sectors in Delhi will need more work in the days to come, including roads, water supply, public transport system, development of lakes, sports infrastructure, solid waste management and measures against air pollution.

"For doing such works, we need cooperation of residents, the corporate sector and all other sectors. We have set an example in Covid-19 management. This platform aims to provide a wide room for partnership and cooperation in making Delhi a global city of the 21st century, enhancing standard of life. I look forward to many more such meetings in the time to come," the Delhi CM said.

Announcing the Delhi@2047 initiative, Kejriwal said that the government is planning to take the city's per capita income to Singapore's level. He also said that Delhi will bid to host the 2048 Olympics.

Kejriwal promised that there will 24x7 water supply before the next polls in Delhi.

"Lauding the efforts of the Delhi government and citizens of Delhi, the Chief Minister said, "Delhi has made good efforts in some sectors in last 5 years. Extraordinary achievements have been made in education. Delhi has 24x7 electricity supply. There are over 100 door services. Many things are yet to be done. We want to make roads as per European standards," he said.

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A brown bear skull (Not the same skull used in the new study) (Image credit: Shutterstock )

DNA extracted from a 32,500-year-old bear skull hints that ice age brown bears migrated to Honshu, Japan's largest island and lived near present-day Tokyo before eventually dying out.

Today, Japan's only brown bears (Ursus arctos) live in Hokkaido, the northernmost island in the Japanese archipelago. Evidence suggests that the ancestors of these bears migrated to the island from Sakhalin, an island just north of Hokkaido that is now part of present-day Russia. The bears likely lumbered over a land bridge that connected Sakhalin and Hokkaido at various points in the Pleistocene , a time period that lasted from 2.6 million to about 11,700 years ago.

Although brown bears no longer traipse around Tokyo, their fossils  dated between 340,000 and 20,000 years old have been discovered in several locations on Honshu Island, researchers noted in a new report, published Tuesday (Aug. 3) in the journal Royal Society Open Science . That raises the questions of when and how the Honshu bears first got to the island, but unfortunately, there's little fossil evidence of the beasts' migration.

Related: Genetics by the numbers: 10 tantalizing tales

"The number of brown bear fossils excavated from the Pleistocene in Japan is scarce, with less than ten incomplete specimens," lead author Takahiro Segawa, a senior assistant professor at the University of Yamanashi's Center for Life Science Research in Japan, told Live Science in an email.

But one unique specimen, excavated from a cave in the Gunma Prefecture, northwest of the Greater Tokyo area, includes the skull of a bear, complete with right and left petrosals  dense portions of the temporal bones that surround the inner ear.

The dense structure of petrosals helps shield ancient DNA from degradation, so these bone fragments retain more DNA than other fossilized bones, according to a 2015 report in the journal PLOS One . Knowing this, the research team collected a tiny amount of powdered petrosal from the brown bear skull and brought it to their lab for DNA analysis.

The samples were roughly 32,700 to 32,200 years old, the team determined. The team then compared recovered genetic sequences from the petrosals with 95 near-complete genomes from other brown bears, including all those available from the nearby Hokkaido lineages.

Based on this analysis, they concluded that the Honshu bear belonged to a "previously unknown lineage" that split off from its sister lineage, the so-called Southern Hokkaido brown bear clade, about 160,000 years ago. The authors theorize that the bears crossed the Tsugaru strait, which separates Hokkaido and Honshu, sometime around that split.

Related: 10 amazing things you didn't know about animals

And in fact, fossil evidence suggests that other large mammals, including Naumann's elephants (Palaeoloxodon naumanni) and the giant deer (Sinomegaceros yabei), crossed from Hokkaido and Honshu a few thousand years later, around 140,000 years ago, during a glacial period when sea levels were low, according to a 2005 report in the journal Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology . Brown bears may have taken advantage of the same shallow waters to reach Honshu, the authors suggested.

The oldest brown bear fossil ever found in Honshu is estimated to be 340,000 years old, the authors noted. That fossil was uncovered in a limestone quarry at the northernmost point of Honshu, and the specimen predates both the Honshu bear skull and the Southern Hokkaido clade. This suggests that different lineages of brown bear ventured to Honshu at different times  once more than 340,000 years ago, and then again during the late Pleistocene.

Whenever they reached the island, "for reasons unknown, the bears were extirpated by the end of the late Pleistocene in Honshu," along with the Naumann's elephants, giant deer and other large mammals, like bison (Bison priscus), the authors wrote in the study. The exact timing and reason for these animals' disappearance remains shrouded in mystery.

Originally published on Live Science.
Bonnethead sharks are one of the four species of sharks to take refuge in the canal. (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Hundreds of sharks are currently hiding out in a canal in Florida as they attempt to escape a toxic algal bloom sweeping the state's Gulf Coast, according to news reports.

Four shark species  bonnethead (Sphyrna tiburo), blacktip (Carcharhinus limbatus), nurse (Ginglymostoma cirratum) and lemon (Negaprion brevirostris)  have been hiding in the canal near Longboat Key in Sarasota County since July 26, according to The Guardian . Local residents shared striking footage of the shark-infested waterway online.

Experts think the sharks have retreated into the canals to avoid the red tide  an out-of-control growth of teensy plants called algae that releases a powerful neurotoxin  along the Florida coast, which has entered the food chain and caused widespread damage to the marine ecosystem.

Related: 13 bizarre things that washed up on beaches

"You just don't normally see sharks piling up like that in these canals; they do go in there but not in the huge numbers that we're seeing reported," Mike Heithaus, a marine ecologist and shark expert at Florida International University, told The Guardian. "It's not the kind of thing that you would see if it wasn't a big red tide event."

Red tide

The ride tide is a common name for blooms created by the phytoplankton Karenia brevis, a species that releases a neurotoxin called brevetoxin that can disrupt the firing of nerve cells, according to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History .

An aerial view of the red tide covering a sand bank as it spread across the Gulf Coast in 2018. (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Algal blooms can occur when excess nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus , enter the ocean through river systems. This causes the algae to grow and reproduce rapidly and uncontrollably. Excess nutrients can result from flooding and soil erosion, but they also come from fertilizer and animal excrement runoff from agricultural farms.

In addition to being lethal to marine mammals, birds, turtles and fish, red tide can cause health problems for humans. People often get sick by eating neurotoxin-contaminated shellfish or swimming in areas with a high concentration of the toxic algae, and the brevetoxin can also become airborne and cause breathing problems for people with asthma and other respiratory conditions, according to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) .

In total, algal blooms cost the U.S. about $82 million in economic losses every year, due to the impacts on fishing and tourism, according to NOAA.

Major bloom

This year's red tide, which began back in December 2020, is one of the worst ever in Florida. In July, more than 800 tons (725 metric tons) of dead fish and sea life, including dolphins and manatees , washed ashore in Pinellas County along the Gulf Coast, according to The Guardian .

The recent high winds from Tropical Storm Elsa , which hit Florida on July 7, may have increased the number of fish and other dead animals that washed ashore, which some scientists say could be making the red tide appear worse than normal by making the devastation more visible to people, according to The Guardian.

But experts believe that a recent malfunction at the Piney Point power plant in Manatee County may be partly to blame for this year's long-lasting red tide. In late March, a dam at the plant's reservoir, which stores water full of phosphorus and nitrogen, began to fail. On March 30, Florida officials released more than 35 million gallons (132 million liters)of contaminated water into Tampa Bay, which is connected to the Gulf of Mexico, to ease pressure on the dam so it could be repaired, Live Science previously reported .

This released water may have provided the algae with the nutrients they needed to grow out of control.

"I don't think it would've taken off to the levels that we're seeing without Piney Point," Robert Weisberg, an oceanographer at the University of South Florida, told local news station WTSP .

Retreating to canals

In the past eight days, very high concentrations of K. brevis have been focused around St. Petersburg and Sarasota, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission . This has caused the sharks in the area to retreat into the canal in Longboat Key.

"We don't know what the trigger might be for those sharks going to those areas, but the changes in the chemistry of the water, the oxygen being pulled out of the water, the toxins, combined with the amount of dead fish around  any of those could cause these big concentrations," Heithaus told The Guardian.

As the red tide persists, it is unclear how long the sharks may be stuck.

"If the conditions are really bad outside that canal, they might be stuck until the conditions get to the point where there's enough oxygen or there aren't toxins if they were to leave the canals," Heithaus said.

This is potentially concerning because the high concentration of sharks in such a small area could lead to a depletion of their food.

"If it goes on long enough, they will run out of food and energy, and unfortunately, some of them  if not all of them  will die," Jack Morris, a senior biologist at Mote Marine Laboratory in Florida, told local station Fox 13 .

If excess nutrients keep making their way into the oceans, the red tide will continue to be a problem for sharks and other marine life in the future.

"Seeing these kinds of things happen just shows how out of balance things are in the ecosystem right now," Heithaus said. "We really need to start working very hard in Florida on addressing some of the causes of these blooms."

Originally published on Live Science.
People who are fully vaccinated with a two-dose coronavirus vaccine have a 50% to 60% reduced risk of being infected with the delta variant, even asymptomatically, compared with unvaccinated people, according to a new study conducted in England.

The study examined nearly 100,000 people who took COVID-19 swab tests at home between June 24 and July 12. In that sample group, 527 people tested positive for the coronavirus and 254 of the samples were genetically analyzed; all of the sequenced samples turned out to be the highly transmissible delta variant.

Once the researchers adjusted for factors such as age, they found that people who received two vaccine doses were 49% as likely to test positive for the coronavirus, even without symptoms, compared with people who were unvaccinated and that vaccinated people were 59% less likely to test positive with symptoms.

Related: Delta variant: Your questions answered

The findings, which were posted as a preprint and haven't been peer-reviewed yet, are the newest results from Imperial College London's "Real-time Assessment of Community Transmission," or REACT-1, an ongoing coronavirus monitoring study.

"These findings confirm our previous data showing that both doses of a vaccine offer good protection against getting infected," Paul Elliott, director of the REACT program from Imperial's School of Public Health, said in a statement . The researchers didn't untangle the effectiveness of specific vaccines.

Their findings conflict with previous studies. For example, a study conducted by Public Health England found that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was 88% effective against symptomatic disease caused by the delta variant (people vaccinated were 88% less likely to develop symptomatic infection compared to people who were unvaccinated), compared with about 93% effective against the alpha variant, the previous dominant variant. That study found that the two-dose AstraZeneca vaccine was 60% effective against the delta variant, compared with 66% against the alpha variant, Live Science previously reported .

Meanwhile, early data from Israel suggested that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was 64% effective against symptomatic disease caused by the delta variant, and data from Canada found it was 87% effective against symptomatic disease, according to an internal presentation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . But newer data from Israel found that the efficacy of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against Delta slipped to 39% (but is still 88% effective against hospitalization and 91% protective against severe illness), according to CNBC .

The new study also found that vaccinated people had a smaller viral load on average, meaning they likely shed less virus and are less contagious than unvaccinated people. That result differs from other data that suggested the delta variant caused similar viral loads in the unvaccinated and in vaccinated people who test positive (so-called breakthrough cases), Live Science previously reported .

"The delta variant is known to be highly infectious, and as a result, we can see from our data and others' that breakthrough infections are happening in fully vaccinated people," Steven Riley, a professor of infectious disease dynamics at Imperial College London, said in the statement. "We need to better understand how infectious fully vaccinated people who become infected are, as this will help to better predict the situation in the coming months, and our findings are contributing to a more comprehensive picture of this."

The researchers also found that the trends between infections and hospitalizations, which had weakened in the spring, were converging again, according to the statement. That could be due to the dominant variant switching from alpha to delta and more younger people, who may be less likely to be vaccinated, becoming hospitalized than before.

Young people ages 13 to 24 had the highest infection rate, and people 75 and older had the lowest infection rate. Roughly 50% of the infections occurred in people ages 5 to 24, even though they make up only a quarter of the population, Riley told Reuters.

"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," U.K. Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said in the statement. "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."

Originally published on Live Science.
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Sian Heders CODA, an Apple original film, has won the 2021 Sundance Film Festival: London Award presented by BIFA.

The award was voted for by 40 leading professionals from the British film industry assembled by the British Independent Film Awards.

The film follows Ruby, a CODA or Child of Deaf Adults, who is torn between pursuing her love of music and her fear of abandoning her parents. The film stars Emilia Jones, Eugenio Derbez, Troy Kotsur, Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Daniel Durant, and Marlee Matlin, and is produced by Philippe Rousselet, Fabrice Gianfermi and Patrick Wachsberger.

It had its world premiere at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival in the U.S., where it won best director U.S. dramatic, U.S. grand jury prize: dramatic and the audience award: U.S. dramatic. Walsh-Peelo attended the London event with Heder joining virtually for a Q & A.

The film will debut in cinemas and on Apple TV Plus on Aug. 13.

Sundance Film Festival: London concluded on Sunday with a gala screening of Zola, attended by director Janicza Bravo. It opened with the U.K. Premiere of The Sparks Brothers attended by director Edgar Wright and brothers Ron and Russell Mael, the subjects of the documentary.

In all, the festival included 15 feature films, two short film programs, panel discussions and industry events at Picturehouse Central.

ACQUISITION

AMC Networks has picked up Fremantles dystopian drama Anna, and will premiere the series exclusively on AMC Plus on Nov. 18. Anna is created and directed by Niccolo Ammaniti (The Miracle), inspired by his eponymous novel, with the series scripts co-written by Francesca Manieri. The series is a Sky Original, commissioned by Sky Studios for Sky Italia. Its produced by Mario Gianani and Lorenzo Mieli with Lorenzo Gangarossa for Wildside, in co-production with Arte France, Fremantle, The New Life Company and Kwai with support from Creative Europe  Media Programme of the European Union. In the series, young Anna fights for survival in a post-apocalyptic world, ravaged by a virus which kills adults but spares children.

SOCCER

LaLiga, which runs the top two divisions of Spanish soccer, has struck an agreement in principle with CVC Capital that could net the league 2.7 billion ($3.2 billion). The deal, which needs the approval of all 42 member clubs, would see LaLiga sell a 10% minority stake in a new holding company, but leave intact the leagues governance and media rights. The cash injection would have to be spent on infrastructure, marketing, brand building, digital technology and similar development projects that grow the game. Some 90% of the total would go to womens soccer, semi-professional and non-pro parts of the game. CVC Capital has previously invested in the Six Nations Rugby Union and a company handling the International Volleyball Federations commercial rights.

FESTIVAL

The BMO International Film Festival of South Asia in Toronto (Aug. 12-22) will open with Satyajit Rays The Home and the World (Ghare Baire, 1984) as part of a birth centenary homage to the Oscar-winning Indian filmmaker that also includes screenings of Charulata, Nayak and Jalsaghar. The festival, the largest South Asian-themed film festival in North America, will screen more than 100 films and host some 50 events including masterclasses and workshops with Shabana Azmi, Sharmila Tagore, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Goutam Ghose, Kumar Shahani, Deepa Mehta, Anup Singh, Abhay Deol, Divya Dutta, Richie Mehta, Shama Zaidi, Shantanu Moitra and Hamza Haq.

There are several themes running through the festival including films with LGBTQ, mental health and discrimination subjects. The festivals Canadian Panorama theme showcases South Asian Canadian topics, including S.B. Edwards feature Fall Back Down. The festival will close with Rotterdam winner Pebbles and Berlin selection Chronicle of Space.

TRAINING

BIFA and ScreenSkills joint Unconscious Bias Training (UBT) program, developed and funded by ScreenSkills, is returning later this month, joined by two new programs: Anti-Bullying and Harassment Training and Fair Recruitment and Inclusivity in the Workplace Training. The training sessions will build on ScreenSkills existing suite of entry-level e-learning modules. Starting Aug. 18, this years UBT will go live with its Creative Process program for writers, directors, executives and commissioners; its Physical Production module for production crews; and a wider UBT for All program which acts as a general introduction to UBT. Sessions will run until March of next year, supported by the ScreenSkills Film Skills Fund and contributions from U.K. film productions. Established in 2018, the UBT was developed to aid BIFA voters in eliminating subliminal biases while watching films and during the voting process. Since then, the training has been opened up to other organizations in the audiovisual industries, including to BAFTA juries.

DISTRIBUTION

ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group has acquired the exclusive worldwide rights to action-thriller Crawlspace, produced by SP Media Groups Steven Paul and Scott Karol. The announcement comes as shooting is set to wrap this week. In the film, Henry Thomas (E.T. the Extra Terrestrial) plays Robert Dewey, a family man experiencing a bad run of luck who finds himself trapped in the crawlspace of a cabin used by violent poachers to hide a small fortune. Joining him in the films impressive cast are Jennifer Robertson (Schitts Creek), Olivia Taylor Dudley (The Magicians), Catherine Lough Haggquist (Fifty Shades of Grey) and C. Ernst Harth (To All the Boys: Always and Forever). Crawlspace is directed by L. Gustavo Cooper and written by Jacob D. Wehrman. Alejandro Brugues, Mark Holder, Christine Holder and Andrew Wilson executive produce.

ANIMATION

Amazon-owned IMDb TV has acquired AVOD rights to 3D-animated kids series 100% Wolf  Legend of the Moonstone for the U.S., and will launch the series on August 12. The series is produced by Australias Studio 100-owned Flying Bark Productions with commissioning broadcasters ABC Australia and Super RTL Germany, and Studio 56. 26 CGI episodes have been ordered, based on the eponymous series of childrens books from author Jayne Lyons. The series has now been sold to more than 80 territories, including to Amazon Prime Video in the U.K. and Discovery Kids in Latin America. In 2020, a feature film adaptation of the IP sold to more than 70 territories worldwide.

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NEW YORK - If photography is to retain the high cultural standing it won for itself in the 20th century, we probably want less of it, not more. There's no chance of that happening, of course. But the problem facing the medium today is undoubtedly acute. Diminished in the digital age by its staggering ubiquity, photography also has been rendered untrustworthy, its once precious relationship to reality sabotaged by the limitless possibilities of digital manipulation.

To counter the medium's rolling collapse into banality, gallery presentations of photographs have lately tended toward smaller, more discriminating selections (solo shows rather than big group surveys), magnified prints (size signals prestige) and a renewed fascination with the medium's 19th-century beginnings.

"The New Woman Behind the Camera" bucks all of these trends - which may help explain why everyone is talking about it. It's a big, baggy show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, through Oct. 3, that's scheduled to open at the National Gallery of Art on Oct. 31. Conceived and organized by the NGA's Andrea Nelson with the assistance of the Met's Mia Fineman, it presents about 200 photographs by 120 female photographers from more than 20 countries.

The selection criteria are almost laughably loose: The curators have opened their arms to a variety of genres, including fashion, advertising and propaganda, as well as portraiture, reportage, nudes and avant-garde experimentation. And yet the show's cumulative impact is revelatory.

The photographs were taken between 1920 and 1960, all of them by women. Some are well-known: Dorothea Lange, Margaret Bourke-White, Lee Miller, Leni Riefenstahl, Tina Modotti, Lisette Model, Dora Maar, Helen Levitt, Imogen Cunningham, Claude Cahun, Ilse Bing, Lola Alvarez Bravo and Berenice Abbott are all canonical 20th-century photographers. But that leaves more than 100 photographers I'd never heard of.

A sizable majority are from Europe and the United States, where the post-World War I notion of the "New Woman" - liberated, empowered, mobile - held greater sway. But the "New Woman" concept caught on elsewhere, too, so there are works by photographers from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, India, Israel, Japan, Mexico and the former Soviet Union.

Women such as Julia Margaret Cameron and Anna Atkins contributed profoundly to the development of 19th-century photography, but it wasn't until the 1920s, Nelson argues, that they "entered the field in force." In some cases, their careers were cut short either by marriage and child-rearing or political exile and war. Many were neglected by the art world because they worked in fashion or journalism rather than self-consciously as "artists" (a problem not unique to women). More still were ignored by critics and curators who minimized women's contributions.

So the show is a corrective: an attempt to recover the work of female photographers (at which it succeeds, brilliantly) and to open the door to what Nelson calls "a sustained and rigorous examination of their careers on a par with those of their male counterparts" (which it knowingly leaves for others to do).

Berenice Abbott is one whose reputation didn't need recovering. Yet it's always salutary to be reminded of her work's preternatural assurance. Abbott established her own photographic studio in Paris before she turned 30. Like Lee Miller and Marianne Breslauer, two other stars of the show, she learned from Man Ray. And like the gender-bending Claude Cahun, she was a lesbian. (Her partner was the art critic Elizabeth McCausland.)

In Paris, Abbott became known for portraits of leading cultural figures, including James Joyce and Janet Flanner, and for championing the work of the then little-known Eugene Atget. Atget's hauntingly empty streetscapes inspired Abbott to photograph New York in a similar mode. Her 1935 photograph "Vanderbilt Avenue From East 46th Street" approaches perfection. Raking light and a vertical zip of sky open up the claustrophobia of the city to distant dreams.

Photography tends to communicate "there and then" in contrast to painting's "here and now." But occasionally a photograph has such immediacy that you feel its subject burst out of its envelope of past time, like an extravagantly petaled flower exploding out of the tight folds of its bud. Annelise Kretschmer's portrait of a young woman is just such a photograph.

Kretschmer exhibited regularly with the Society of German Photographers in Dresden. On a trip to Paris in 1928, she sought, like Abbott, to capture the modern city, photographing effects of light on buildings and pedestrians. Back in Germany, she opened a studio. But her father was Jewish, and life under the Nazis became increasingly untenable. Ousted from the Society of German Photographers, she endured as her studio was repeatedly vandalized and later bombed.

World events were an ominously advancing backdrop to the creation of all of these works. You can feel their pressure encouraging the photographers to look at people with renewed wonder, stripped of outmoded indicators of social standing, vibrant with the static of society's wider convulsions. A 1931 photograph of a young circus performer in Berlin by Marianne Breslauer, another German, is a superb example, simultaneously conveying untethered social status and electrifying self-possession.

Just as memorable is a famous self-portrait by Cahun. Collaborating with Marcel Moore, who was not only her lover, but also her stepsister, Cahun staged riveting self-portraits - in this case, doubled by a mirror - that have influenced everyone from David Bowie to Cindy Sherman. Cahun - who dismissed gender categories ("Masculine? Feminine?" she wrote. "It depends on the situation.") - moved with Moore to Jersey, in the English Channel, in 1937. When the Nazis occupied the island, the two organized their own risky resistance. For their troubles, they were arrested and sentenced to death. They were saved only when the island was liberated in 1945.

Lee Miller and Margaret Bourke-White were among a number of female photographers who were also war correspondents. Bourke-White worked for Life, Miller for Vogue. Both photographed Nazi concentration camps after they were liberated. With mud from Dachau still on her boots, Miller was photographed in Adolf Hitler's bath in Munich - on the same day that, unbeknown to her, he committed suicide. She slept in his bed that night. An astonishing photograph she took at Buchenwald shows liberated prisoners applying the final touches (a swastika drawn on the sleeve) to an effigy of Hitler just before hanging it. Watching on, the ex-prisoners smile softly. Their relaxed stances defeat the mind's capacity for comprehension.

I found myself spellbound by the studio portraits of Karimeh Abbud, the first professional photographer in Palestine, and by the more informal portraits of Consuelo Kanaga. Kanaga began her career as a staff photographer at the San Francisco Chronicle, and, after getting to know Dorothea Lange, Tina Modotti and Edward Weston, she took to photographing the disenfranchised. Her close-up of Annie Mae Merriweather, a young Black girl who leans her head against a wall, exerts an extraordinary magnetic pull, encouraging the kind of long, privileged gaze that real-life encounters tend to bar. Merriweather's expression is patient, almost pitying, but ultimately unknown.

Photography promises the power of witness, the authority of evidence, but around any given photograph, it's usually the accumulating unknowns that keep us hypnotized. I was drawn to the absence of information around Anna Barna, a Hungarian photographer represented here by a captivating portrait of a boy balancing on the back of a chair as he peers over a high wall. We can't see what the boy can see - the wall obstructs us. But by the same token, we can see what he can't: a fold in his jacket casts a shadow on the wall shaped like a sharp-nosed face in profile.

But who was Barna? One hundred of her photographs were found among the belongings of Andre Kertesz in 1983, two years before the great photographer's death. Kertesz had taken a photograph of Barna in Paris in 1935. Ten years later, Barna moved to New York, where she took photographs of the streets and the towering cityscape. But beyond that, little is known.

Not yet, anyway.

Some of the fashion work in the show is breathtaking. For sheer eye-rinsing elegance, nothing beats Lillian Bassman's "Translucent Hat," from about 1950. But I was just as drawn to the gauche, anti-classical energy in a photograph of the avant-garde dancer Gret Palucca. It was taken by Germany's Charlotte Rudolph, who pioneered dance photography in the 1920s.

A revealing image by Frances McLaughlin is the most high-spirited in a wonderful series of portraits - most of them self-portraits - that break the fourth wall, so to speak, by showing photographers at work. McLaughlin captures Toni Frissell photographing three fashion models posing in front of a makeshift outdoor set. In the foreground, Frissell's daughter plays with her husband, who reclines on his back in the grass.

It's a happy, smiling, beautifully textured photo. But something about the situation - Mom at work; Dad temporarily picking up the slack with the kids (although with minimal effort); art indentured to commerce; a clean, contrived image in tension with a messy, complex reality - feels uncannily familiar. Seeing it, I thought of all the labor and creativity that women put into keeping the show - the whole show - running, and of how rarely we see this depicted.

- - -

The New Woman Behind the Camera Through Oct. 3 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. metmuseum.org. Oct. 31-Jan. 30 at the National Gallery of Art in Washington. nga.gov.
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Myanmar director Maung Sun says he fears for the future of his writing and producing partner Ma Aeint who now faces charges brought by the military junta.

Ma Aeint was arrested in early June in Yangon and was held for a month in judicial detention. She has since been transferred to the notorious Insein Prison, where she is being treated as a political prisoner.

Maung Sun was recently able to travel from Myanmar to Europe where he is attending the Residence component of the Cannes Film Festivals Cinefondation training and development program. He is now in Switzerland, where Money Has Four Legs is to be screened at the Locarno Film Festival.

Ma Aeint and Maung Sun jointly wrote the film about a filmmaker facing up to the realities of making a debut film and facing down the censorship authorities. Maung Sun directed the picture, with Ma Aeint directing.

The film debuted last year at the Busan International Film Festival and played recently at the Udine Far East Film Festival. It is also due to screen later this month at the New York Asian Film Festival.

It will be my first time to attend an in-person screening of my film, Maung Sun told Variety. But he said that he was disappointed not to be able to share the experience with Ma Aeint.

He explained that Ma Aeint is to be charged under the recently-amended section 505A of Myanmars Penal Code. The law allows for a three-year prison sentence for causing fear, spreading fake news or agitating against government employees.

Ma Aeint was due to have appeared in court on July 30, but the hearing was delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions. I dont know why she is being charged, Maung Sun said.

It is not clear whether Ma Aeint has been tortured. But even under normal conditions being detained in Insein Prison itself is harsh treatment. The New York Times called it a monument to brutality and authoritarian rule where its official capacity of 5,000 inmates has been almost doubled by a wave of political detainees. Now coronavirus is sweeping through the overcrowded facility.

There were multiple cases of Covid within the prison and a few people died. Ma Aeint has tested negative and is still in good health, according to the last letter her family received, Maung Sun said.

Myanmars military allowed a degree of civilian rule introduced in 2011, but behind the scenes retained most of the levers of power. The military retook full control of the country on Feb. 1 this year after declaring that parliamentary elections held in November 2020 were rigged. Aung Sang Suu Kyis National League for Democracy had roundly defeated the militarys political proxies and obtained 83% of the vote.

Aung San Suu Kyi, president U Win Myint, cabinet ministers, the chief ministers of several regions, and opposition politicians were all rounded up. Since then, writers and activists have been targeted and several hundred protestors have been shot and killed.

On Sunday, the military juntas leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, said that a national state of emergency would be extended for a further two years. The junta also announced the establishment of a caretaker government with Min Aung Hlaing as prime minister.

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The Laredo Chamber of Commerce is pleased to recognize A.A. Lic. Eduardo A. Garza Robles as the Laredo Businessperson of the Year at a special ceremony that will be held on Friday, Aug. 13 at the Laredo Country Club.

Every year, the Laredo Chamber of Commerce honors top business and community leaders with the coveted Distinguished Business Award.

Garza has been a dynamic and committed citizen of the great City of Laredo for over 30 years. He founded Uni-Trade in 1988 as a customs brokerage, and over the years, the company has experienced exponential growth with presence in a dozen offices throughout Mexico and it is now proudly headquartered in Laredo.

Today, Uni-Trade is considered one of the leading U.S.-Mexico customs brokers providing freight and logistics services.

In addition, Garza has diversified his business in other industries and consolidated them as a 3PL company, offering services in the areas of transportation, U.S. Customs Broker, logistics, bonded warehouse and FTZ.

The success of Uni-Trade Group has allowed also allowed him to expand his knowledge and expertise in a different realm such as oil and gas, commercial and residential real estate development, insurance, and graphic desig n services; creating many job opportunities in our community.

Garza has served as Vice-President of the Association of Forwarding Agents in Guadalajara, Jalisco for two terms as well as secretary for two consecutive years. He was also appointed to the Executive Committee of the Mexican Confederation of Forwarding Agents at the national level.

In 2019, Uni-Trade was recognized by the Consejo Mexicano de Comercio Exterior with the Exporter Merit Award, a recognition bestowed to businesses that excel in structural capital, experience, number of employees, sales and total exports.

Garza is a strong supporter and firm believer of programs that have a positive impact in the economic, social and cultural growth, and development of our community. He has made numerous contributions to more than 17 organizations to support community projects, scholarships and activities that promote the academic growth of our local students.

The selection of the honoree is based on an adaptation of the criteria used by the U.S. Small Business Administration, including:

Honorees should demonstrate staying power, a substantiated history as an established business. Growth in the number of employees, which judges the impact of business on the job market. Response to adversity, which assesses problems faced in the nominees business and methods used to solve them. Contributions to community-oriented projects, using the nominees personal time and resources.

The Laredo Chamber of Commerce is the oldest established business organization in Laredo and represents over 600 members in various industries ranging from financial institutions and retailers to transportation, logistics and service providers.

The Laredo Chamber of Commerce is accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce with a 5-star accreditation rating. It is a member of the American Chamber of Commerce Executives and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP)  Embattled Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin refused to resign Wednesday after some lawmakers in his alliance pulled support for him, but said he will seek a vote of confidence in Parliament next month to prove his legitimacy to govern.

Shortly after a meeting with King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah at the palace, Muhyiddin said in a national broadcast that he had been informed by the monarch that eight lawmakers from a key party in his ruling alliance had withdrawn their support.

The party, the United Malays National Organization, is the largest in the alliance with 38 lawmakers, but it is split with some not backing the prime minister. UMNO's president declared Tuesday that Muhyiddin had lost the right to govern after the withdrawal of some party lawmakers' support and after an UMNO Cabinet minister resigned.

Muhyiddin said he told the king he has sufficient declarations of support from lawmakers that convinced me that I still have the majority support" in Parliament. As such, he said the issue of resignation doesn't arise. He didn't give any numbers.

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 his alliance is unstable with a razor-thin majority.

Since January, he had been ruling by ordinance without legislative approval because of the suspension of Parliament in a state of emergency declared because of the coronavirus pandemic. Critics say he used the emergency, which expired Aug. 1, to avoid a vote in Parliament that would show he had lost a majority of support.

At the same time, public anger with his government has mounted after a lockdown in June failed to contain the spread of the virus, with daily cases soaring above 10,000 since mid-July.

Because of persistent questions over his legitimacy, Muhyiddin said Wednesday that a motion of confidence in his leadership will be presented for a vote when Parliament resumes next month.

In this way, my position as prime minister and the Alliance National as the ruling government can be determined in accordance with the law and the constitution, he said.

UMNO President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi disputed Muhyiddin's claim of majority support because the governing alliance previously only had a three-seat majority in Parliament.

He said more party lawmakers in addition to the first eight have now signed declarations withdrawing their support for Muhyiddin, and that those documents were presented to the king on Wednesday.

Ahmad Zahid, who is among several UMNO leaders facing graft charges, challenged Muhyiddin to immediately convene a special Parliament session to prove his legitimacy and not wait until September.

The opposition also demanded that the vote be held no later than Aug. 9. They said the issue must be resolved now given the worsening virus outbreak and sluggish economy.

It doesn't make sense for a government whose legitimacy and majority support have been disputed to delay the process ... in Parliament," they said in a statement.

Muhyiddin came under renewed pressure last week when the king rebuked his government for allegedly misleading Parliament over the status of the emergency laws.

Parliament reopened for a five-day special sitting last week a few days before the emergency expired after Muhyiddin caved in to royal pressure, but it was only to brief lawmakers on the pandemic and no motions were allowed.

After the king's rebuke, Muhyiddin was accused of treason by some allies and the opposition, who filed a fresh vote of no-confidence against him. The government then suspended Parliament for two weeks, citing virus infections among staff members.

Muhyiddin denied committing treason against the king. He accused some political leaders of sparking political chaos after he refused to interfere in court process to bail out several politicians mired in criminal cases. He didn't name anyone but UMNO's president and several top leaders are fighting graft charges.

He pledged his government will focus on efforts to tackle the pandemic and ensure that the vaccination program isn't disrupted.

Malaysia reported a record 19,819 new cases on Thursday, pushing its total cases to 1.18 million. Deaths have soared above 9,000. But vaccinations have also been ramped up with some 20% of the country's population fully inoculated.
The Laredo Police Department announced on Tuesday that a son was arrested for smashing windows at his fathers home after his request for money was refused.

Laredo police announced that Alfredo Villarreal was arrested at the 2700 block of Saltillo Street on Monday.
The beginning of the school year when you got to show off your new duds, new cars, new looks!

Sports! Playing, cheering, watching high school athletics.

The arts: Dramatic arts, musical groups and shows, graphic arts groups, debate, etc.

The prom! No dancing the night away or punch bowl antics.

The daily interactions. Just being with the group, hanging with friends and classmates.

Access to college recruiters and advisors  its harder to line up higher education.

Walking onstage to get a diploma while all the family is watching with everyone elses family.

Vote

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A Longford based organised crime gang have been dealt a significant blow after Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) officers seized tens of thousands of euros worth of cars, cash and jewellery.

Two cars, a 212 reg Ford Focus valued at 26,400, a 172 reg Nissan Navara valued at 27,000, 10,000 in cash, a Cherry picker, financial documents as well as 78,000 in bank accounts were frozen during an operation last Thursday.

Twelve locations in total were searched, the majority of which took place in the Granard area targeting a locally based crime gang who have been under the subject of ongoing garda scrutiny for years.

The operation, which involved large garda and specialised teams including armed gardai is part of an unrelenting investigation into the operations of organised crime gangs.

It's believed the gang at the centre of last week's raid are primarily involved in selling stolen vans, work vehicles, engines and other stolen car parts as well as drug dealing.

One of the leading members of the gang is understood to have been present when CAB and gardai arrived at one of the properties last week.

He is currently before the courts in relation to other serious charges while another leading player and close associate is understood to be residing outside the jurisdiction and has been the subject of a European Arrest Warrant before the High Court in Belfast.

A third senior figure has also seen a similar warrant being executed against him in Poland as part of a painstaking garda led investigation.

Superintedent Seamus Boyle heaped praise on those involved in last week's planned operation.

It was the first search nationally coordinated in the Granard District, he said.

Gardai in Granard are very thankful to the national units in helping to combat organised crime.

Last week's raid represents the latest in a recent series of searches carried out by CAB and gardai in relation to the generation of suspected criminal wealth in Longford over the past 18 months.
A Polish woman gave a false statement to gardai over the whereabouts of her car following a house party as she didn't want to tell her mother who she had given the vehicle to.

Alexandra Bialoszewska (21), The Hermitage, Main Street, Ballymahon pleaded guilty to knowingly making the false claim at the aforementioned address on September 27, 2020.

Ms Bialoszewska said she felt under pressure at the time of the incident and panicked as to what had happened to her Audi.

We were dropped off to the house and when we got back to Ballymahon, the car was supposed to be dropped off to the house but never was, she said.

Ms Bialoszewska said she had given the car to a male acquantaince but became concerned when her attempts to make contact with the man failed.

He just drove off, she said.

I didn't know where he went after that. I did have the mobile number but he wasn't answering my calls, she said.

Judge Hughes asked if her decision to contact gardai and make a statement was driven by her belief the car had been stolen.

I did, yeah, because he didn't drop it off when I asked him to, she replied.

Defence solicitor Brid Mimnagh said her client was over a dozen years in Ireland and currently worked in a Longford discount store.

She said given her good character and unblemished past, asked Judge Hughes to spare her any form of criminal sanction.

It was a submission which was agreed to on the proviso Ms Bialoszewska returns to court on September 14 with 500 for the court poor box.

Legal aid was also refused.
Community, Charity & Cause

By Chris Boyle Published: August 04 2021

Sgt. Allison started his career with the Suffolk Sheriffs Office in 1995 and celebrated his 25th year of service before passing on December 17, 2020.

The Beyond the Call of Duty  End of Watch Ride to Remember made a stop at the Suffolk County Correctional Facility in Riverhead Wednesday to pay tribute to Inv. Sgt. Keith Allison and the 337 men and women of law enforcement who paid the ultimate price in their service to their communities in 2020.

The Beyond the Call of Duty  End of Watch Ride to Remember is a group of motorcycle riders from the state of Washington escorting a 41' trailer across the country to honor fallen officers from the prior year. The group is riding for 84 days between May 28th and August 19th and they are traveling 22,300+ miles across the country to honor 338 men and women of law enforcement who passed away in the line of duty in 2020. Not only do they honor the fallen, but they also honor the families.

The caravan of motorcycles and memorial trailers was greeted by Suffolk County Sheriff Dr. Errol D. Toulon, Jr., the family of Inv. Sgt. Keith Allison, elected officials, and uniformed and civilian staff. The caravan was escorted through the five boroughs of the city and across Nassau and Suffolk counties by motorcycles from the NYPD, the State Police, the SCPD, and the Suffolk County Sheriffs Office.

Sheriff Toulon spoke about Inv. Sgt. Allison and the Ride to Remember. I think all of us realize the fragility of life. Even if you disagree with someone- whether it is a family member or a friend, life is just too short to hold a grudge. Take the opportunity to reach your hand out and extend it. You never know if you will have that opportunity again.

All of these beautiful men and women paid the ultimate sacrifice and are considered heroes. But we should recognize that they were heroes before we realized they were heroes, said J.C. Shah. Throughout their lives they did various things that made them heroes to their families, their friends, and their loved ones. To the men and women in uniform here, please remember that you are heroes as well. You wear a beautiful uniform with honor, pride, and respect. From the bottom of hearts at Beyond the Call of Duty, we love all of you.

Present at the event were County Clerk Judy Pascale, District Attorney Tim Sini, Riverhead Supervisor Yvette Aguiar, Legislator Steve Flotteron, Legislator Sarah Anker, Legislator Jason Richberg, Legislator Sam Gonzalez, and Legislator Bridget Fleming, along with scores of uniformed and civilian Sheriffs Office Staff.

About Beyond the Call of Duty

Beyond the Call of Duty is an organization that, through its End of Watch Ride to Remember event, recognizes police officers  throughout the nation  who died while in the line of duty. Last year, the End of Watch Ride honored 146 fallen officers across the country. This year, they will be honoring the 338 officers who lost their lives in 2020 while serving their community. End of Watch Ride to Remember is on a mission to pay their respects to each of them and assist the families of the fallen however they can. A peaceful community is a prosperous community and we owe a debt of gratitude to those officers who make it possible for us to live in a peaceful and free society. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EOWRide

About Sgt. Inv. Keith Allison
Nature & Weather, Health & Wellness, Politics

By Chris Boyle Published: August 04 2021

Grants up to $50,000 will be available to water suppliers in Nassau County to assist with costs of treatment and removal of contaminants.

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran was recently joined by Nassau County Legislator Arnold Drucker and members of the Plainview, Bethpage, Hicksville, Massapequa, and Roslyn Water Districts to announce that grant funding in the amount of $1.5 Million is being made available to assist water districts in providing potable drinking water to their customers free of contamination from emerging contaminants such as 1,4 Dioxane and PFO/PFOAs (perfluorooctanoic acid). The water suppliers are tasked with constructing expensive water treatment facilities to meet Federal, State, and local drinking water standards specific to removing these emerging contaminants.

Grants in the amount of up to $50,000 will be made available to water suppliers in Nassau County to assist with costs associated with treatment and removal of contaminants. These tasks could include, but not be limited to:

Administration and oversight of distribution of grant funds to ensure compliance with ARP/US Treasury guidelines

Study, planning/design of emerging contamination occurring within the water district

Purchase of equipment, materials and supplies to advance to removal of emerging contamination from the water supply of the district

Installation of equipment to advance removal of emerging contamination from the water supply

Purchase of support equipment such as Information Technology (IT) related to systems integral to treatment process within the districts distribution system

Development of operations manuals/guidelines/materials for use by water supplier personnel specifically pointed to the removal of emerging contamination

Maintenance activities of systems already on-line and removing emerging contamination. Such activities could include the removal of spent materials used in the treatment of contamination, or the purchase of new materials to be used in the treatment process, such as Activated Carbon.

Defray the cost of laboratory testing for emerging contaminants

Nassau County is committed to providing communities with the resources they need to make critical upgrades to their water systems. By assisting water districts with these important infrastructure improvements, we will ensure cleaner water for residents while preventing costs from being passed onto ratepayers, said Nassau County Executive Laura Curran.

On behalf of the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners Association, we express our gratitude to the County for allocating funds from the American Rescue Plan towards emerging contaminants and water conservation. Every dollar counts towards offsetting the cost of designing and constructing treatment systems, said Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners Association President Amanda Field. As Water Commissioners representing 21 Voter-Elected Districts serving 620,000 consumers, we have a fiduciary responsibility to protect our residents while delivering the highest quality water at the lowest possible rate. This grant program will greatly assist with that mission. We look forward to continuing to work collectively with the County to address any emerging issues and challenges,

We are proud to partner with Nassau County in providing support for a more sustainable environment, water supply and future for our region. We appreciate the Countys allocation of these funds to help us fight our battle against emerging contaminants and applaud their recognition and dedication to assisting Nassau County residents reduce their overall water use, said Long Island Water Conference Chairman Andrew Bader.

Todays announcement is yet another example of how Nassau County is wisely leveraging its American Rescue Plan funding to deliver long-term benefits for residents, said Nassau County Legislator Arnold W. Drucker. I commend County Executive Curran for supporting a vital initiative that will go a long way toward ensuring that every Nassau family continues to enjoy unfettered access to safe, pure and affordable drinking water.
This years Fine Art in the Park event will feature the work of Paul Nzalamba, above.
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(Alliance News) - 88 Energy Ltd on Wednesday revealed that testing has identified "additional upside" at its Umiat oil field in northern Alaska.

Post well testing and analysis by the oil exploration and appraisal company suggests there is "potential for additional reservoir sands in the footwall of the Umiat structure".

The Umiat footwall has only been penetrated by one well, drilled in 1952, but 88 Energy is undertaking a review of the Umiat oil field to determine commercialisation options as a stand-alone development.

Shares in 88 Energy were up 15% at 2.79 pence each in London after the announcement.

Perth, Australia-based 88 Energy also revealed that studies underway to review historical Umiat oil field development plans have identified potential cost savings on planned development capital expenditure.

In separate news, the company said it had been granted a two-year extension by the Bureau of Land Management for its obligations at the Umiat oil field, as it continues with testing and analysis at the acreage.

88 Energy said it would use the additional 24 months to identify potential future drilling locations, develop an understanding of potential environmental impacts of further exploration and investigate previous scoping studies.

During the extension period the company also plans to look closely at improving efficiencies at Umiat, including the synergies with Project Peregrine, which it owns outright following a deal last month that saw it pay USD14 million in shares for a further 50% stake.

By Will Paige; willpaige@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Alien Metals Ltd - London-based mineral miner with projects in Mexico, Australia and Greenland - Says inaugural drilling programme is due to begin in coming days at Elizabeth Hill Silver Project in Western Australia. Plans to drill seven diamond core holes totalling 650 metres to test the extension of known mineralisation in the area. Aims to test for the presence of a far larger mineralised system, which the company believes is present.

Elizabeth Hill was previously mined between 1998 and 2000, in which time is produced 1.2 million ounces of silver from only 16,800 tonnes of ore, for a grade of around 2,195 grams of silver per tonne. Says mining stopped when the silver price fell below USD5 dollars per ounce. Current prices sit around USD25 for each ounce.

Chief Executive Bill Brodie Good says: "The company believes that a number of [historical] targets were never fully followed up on, hence this initial 7 hole programme will focus on the historic orebody and its immediate surroundings. The focus of the programme is the production of the highest quality core from the main zones within the orebody to enable us to better understand the orebody and develop next stage work."

Current stock price: 0.90 pence, up 16% on Wednesday

Year-to-date change: down 28%

By Scarlett Butler; scarlettbutler@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
SEEEN PLC - London-headquartered social media services firm - Posts an adjusted pretax loss of USD900,000 for the half year ended June 30, narrowed from USD1.1 million a year before. The result is boosted by its largest technology customer contract to date in the period, generating revenue of up to USD100,000.

The group's MCN business reports a 39% year-on-year increase in revenue to USD5.1 million from USD3.9 million a year previously. SEEEN is the outright owner of subsidiary GT Channel Inc, which operates its multichannel network or MCN business.

Chair Patrick DeSouza comments: "We have executed the first half of our three-year plan. We are now shifting towards a priority on sales and building our Go-To-Market team. We have a strong capital base for the next part of our corporate journey."

Also announces that Scott Schlichter, president of the group's MCN business, will step down from his role with immediate effect. He will be replaced by Jake Desjarlais, who joined the MCN division in 2020 and previously helped launch Studio71, a digital media company.

Current stock price: 45.00 pence

Year-to-date change: up 24%

By Will Paige; willpaige@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Exton, PA (19341)

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Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable..

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Jefferson, GA (30549)

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Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 67F. Winds light and variable..

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Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low 67F. Winds light and variable.
The closest I have ever been to the terror of conflagration was in Corsica in the 1980s. The fires on that island were usually inland. The mountains, taller than Mallorcas, posed great challenges to firefighters. The pilots of the Canadair planes were treated as heroes. Not all of them came back. Hidden by smoke, the biggest danger was from unseen cables. But the fires could reach the coast, as they did one night in Propriano.

Local news was full of reports of pyromaniacs. They were foreigners, either under arrest or being hunted. No Corsican would deliberately set the forests ablaze, not even the FLNC militant organisation. Buildings, infrastructure and French symbols were targets for acts of terrorism; not the natural environment.

In Turkey, wildfires that have claimed several lives are suspected to have been started deliberately by the PKK Kurdish militants or by an offshoot of this terrorist organisation. Environmental destruction is said to be a PKK method, and if the PKK have been responsible, then tourism is unquestionably a further target. As if Turkeys tourism hasnt had enough to contend with.

We know all about fires in Mallorca, though major ones, such as that of summer 2013 which was caused by negligence, are mercifully rare.

But this rarity should not create a false sense of security. The risk is increasing along with the rise in heat. Turkey serves as a further warning, but it doesnt require terrorists to bring about the sheer terror of fire.
A 79-year-old Spanish woman was arrested as the brains behind a crime gang which smuggled cocaine from Latin America to Europe hidden inside shipments of coral, Spanish police said on Tuesday.

Three members of the organisation operated a front business which imported coral to Spain from the Dominican Republic via Portugal.

The shipping containers had been modified to conceal the packages of cocaine in secret compartments, said the Civil Guard force, which discovered 15 kg of the drug during one raid.

"The criminal organization had a clearly hierarchical structure, where the 79-year-old woman exercised the functions of leader of the group," the Civil Guard said in a statement.

The woman, who is from Alio, near Tarragona, in northeastern Spain, was arrested in Portugal with two other Spanish men, aged 26 and 60, who are from Alicante and Girona, in northern Spain.

All were arrested during an operation run by the Spanish Civil Guard and National Police and the Portuguese Judicial Police.

The gang came to the attention of police when they tried to raise money from other crime gangs for their illicit trade.
Manchester Center, VT (05254)

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Mostly clear skies this evening will give way to mostly cloudy skies overnight. Low 62F. Winds light and variable..

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Mostly clear skies this evening will give way to mostly cloudy skies overnight. Low 62F. Winds light and variable.
One day in 1939, Ida May Fuller stopped by the local Social Security office in her hometown of Rutland, Vermont to inquire about Social Security benefits. She knew she had been paying into Social Security, and wanted to learn more. The following year, she received the very first Social Security benefit payment  $22.54  arriving as check number 00-000-001. Idas story still holds lessons for women today  and it started with her getting the information she needed.

Today, signing up for a personal my Social Security account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount can help you get information tailored for you to plan for your retirement. Its never too late to start planning. Ida was 65 years old when she started receiving benefit payments, but she lived well beyond her life expectancy of 65 years, 4 months. In fact, Ida lived to be 100 years old, and received Social Security benefit payments for 35 years.
Marysville, KS (66508)

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Some clouds. Low 74F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph..

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Some clouds. Low 74F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.
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.
Atlanta, GA (30303)

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Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 69F. Winds light and variable..

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Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 69F. Winds light and variable.
Several families have tested positive for COVID-19 and several more may have been exposed after attending a back-to-school event last week, according to officials at a Georgia elementary school. In a letter, King Springs Elementary School urged parents to be diligent in monitoring your children every day for symptoms before sending them to school for the first day of classes Monday. We are ...
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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.
Meadville, PA (16335)

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Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable..

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Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable.
Pakistan PM Imran Khans official residence in Islamabads Red Zone is now up for rent. The Pakistani Federal Cabinet on Tuesday took the final decision regarding this.

The move is being touted as a measure to enable the cash-strapped economy for arranging funds.

Pakistan PM Imran Khan forced to put his official residence on rent in order to generate income for the country's sinking economy @AdityaRajKaul with details



Watch #NationAt5 with @AnchorAnandN pic.twitter.com/YNrUq00VwA  News18 (@CNNnews18) August 3, 2021

Not only this, Pakistans Federal Cabinet has decided to rent out the PMs official residence for cultural, fashion, educational and other events as well.

According to Samaa TV, two committees have been formed to ensure that the discipline and decorum of the Prime Minister's official residence are not violated during the events.

Now, Indians on Twitter are finding this extremely funny and embarrassing. So, here we go-

 Muruganandham Arumugham (@Murugan49569795) August 4, 2021

Apne ghabrana nai hai  MrGlassHalfEmpty (@mrGlassHfEmpty) August 3, 2021

Here India is a $5 trillion economy and the leader is spending 20,000 crores for a new parliament and private residence.  AarAar (@harryrandhawa32) August 3, 2021

HAHAHA this makes me so happy.  Purple (@Dafruity) August 3, 2021

Are you sure it is put on rent and not on sale?  Dr. N. J. Dembi (@DrDembi) August 3, 2021

Soon there will be Loan taken against Pakistan Pm house  Ashutosh Sardesai (@reinigerasia) August 3, 2021

In the year 2019, Imran Khans (PTI) government had announced its plans to rent out the PMs official residence into a state-of-the-art federal education institution.

The government ruling in Pakistan also said that governors would now not stay in the Governor Houses anymore, just to break away from colonial tradition and cut down the hefty costs as well.

Not only this, the Pakistan PMs official residence was rented out for a wedding function of Brigadier Waseem Iftikhar Cheema's daughter in 2019. PM Imran Khan was also seen attending the wedding.

Pakistan's Education Minister Shafqat Mehmood had earlier also said that it costs more than Rs 470 million to maintain Pakistans Prime Minister's official residence.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments section below!
Rape is a serious and heinous crime. And in a country like ours, where it happens all too often and with every third woman, it also has serious consequences. Like being sentenced to life imprisonment or worse - facing the death penalty.

While the punishment for such charges seems more or less befitting for someone who has violated another human body, they are absolutely frightening for someone who did not commit the crime.

 iStock

You see, over the years, as innocent women have gathered the strength to stand against sexual abuse and raise their voices against predators, there have also been a select few who only chose to ride the tide to simply benefit out of it.



Like several vindictive women who werent victims of sexual abuse, but pretended to be so and framed innocent men, taking away from the movement.

 iStock

As hundreds of women shared their real horror stories, society felt pressured to address each one of them, even the ones that were fabricated. And suddenly, the word of a man against that of a woman who portrayed herself as a victim, wasnt good anymore.



Result? Collateral damage, the kind that ruined the lives of many innocent men.

Here are 5 real cases where Indian men were falsely accused of rape -

1) Indore Case 2021

 iStock

In January 2021, a 19-year-old girl in Indore accused 5 men of kidnapping, gang-raping and stabbing her, a case that sent chills down our spine when we first heard of it.



She gave out details of having been kidnapped by two men, raped by three more and put in a jute bag to be thrown on the railway tracks.

However, as soon as the investigation into the matter began, it was found out that not only the teenagers claims were inconsistent, but also baseless. No evidence was found to support her claims, for they were false and fabricated and turns out, the complainant even went to the lengths of stabbing herself to corroborate her story.

2) Lalitpur Vishnu Tiwari Case 2000

 iStock

Vishnu Tiwari was sentenced to life imprisonment in September 2000 when he was 23-years-old.



A woman along with her husband and father-in-law filed a case of sexual assault against him stating that Vishnu had beaten and raped the woman while she was 5 months pregnant.

Despite challenging his conviction in 2005, his case was shoved to the side as a defective matter for the lack of missing/poor documentation. 16 years later, his case was taken up, and Allahabad Court found him innocent of all charges and acquitted him.

But the man had already lost precious 20 years of his life, having served a sentence he never deserved.

Turns out, the family had a feud over land with Vishnu and framed him only to be able to get money through the Harijan act.

3) Chennai False Rape Case 2010

 iStock

An aspiring engineering student was accused of rape by a woman and a family in 2010 after the two families, who were supposed to get their kids married to each other, had a fall-out due to a dispute regarding the property.



The family of the woman claimed that the guy had impregnated their daughter and refused to marry her, based on which he was produced in the court and kept in custody for 95 days until he could get bail.

By that time in February 2010, the woman had already delivered the baby and a DNA test proved that he wasnt to blame. However, the case went for trial and it was only in 2016 when a Mahila court in Chennai acquitted the man in 2016.

The man, who was innocent, to begin with, spent 7 years in jail and was offered compensation of Rs 15 lakhs from the court.

4) Minor Daughter Accused Father Of Rape 2017

 iStock

Provoked by her maternal uncle, a minor daughter ended up accusing her own father of raping her in 2017 in Ghaziabad.



The man who was accused of the crime spent three long years in jail for a crime he never committed, and it was only during the trial that the story spun by his daughter started to fall apart.

The daughter then accepted to have fabricated the false case, admitting to having been under the influence of her maternal uncle. The uncle, on the other hand, was only imprisoned for one month and charged a fine of Rs 50,000.

5) Satara Case 2019

 iStock

A woman in the Satara district of Maharashtra accused two men of gang-raping her in a car under the pretext of promising her a job. However, the charge that was seriously made and looked into, happened to be all bogus.



Upon investigation, it was found out that one of the men was out of the country while the other was not in Satara but in Pune on the day she claimed to have been raped.

Apparently, the woman filed the false case only to tarnish the reputation of the men.
Remember the break up meme that went viral in 2015? Well, that image has now been sold as an NFT for $51,530 or over Rs 38 Lakh. In 2015, the Pakistani mans breakup announcement on social media took the world by storm because it was about his best friend and how he became selfish and proud.

 Facebook/Muhammad Asif Raza

The popular meme was auctioned off as an NFT and sold on Friendship Day. Muhammad Asif Raza Rana, a Gujranwala man posted the photoshopped image titled Friendship ended with Mudasir which got global headlines and became immortalised as an all-time favourite meme.



In the post, Rana explained that he had found a new best friend in Salman Ahmad Naqash and informed the public about the change in his life via the image. The image has now sold for 20 ethereal by Alter which conducted the sale on the digital art marketplace earlier this week. It is the worlds largest platform for NFT listings.

Pakistani meme set for NFT auction on World Friendship Day https://t.co/e0c87O2OBv via @dailytimespak  Alter (@nft_alter) July 31, 2021

After the meme was sold on the platform, a major portion of the earnings will go to Rana and his friends. While some of the earrings will go to Alter for hosting the auction. After seeing success for this image on the platform, Rana plans to create similar memes and put them up for auction in the near future.



I would never have known that [the post] would go so viral and that it would spread all over the world. So many news agencies interviewed us. Weve even had a cartoon made about us, Rana told Vice. The people of Poland love it so much. I received Polish visa offers from two or three people. They even wrote my name on the walls there, he added.

Simply put, this was just the beginning of the Friendship Ended saga. Inadvertently Raza generated one of the biggest friendship circles we have ever seen, Foundation described the viral post on its website. Razas post gathered upwards of 47,000 reactions, 56,000 shares and 27,000 comments on Facebook, Vice added explaining its popularity.


HUNTSVILLE [ndash] Dennis Spence was born in Decatur, Alabama. He moved to Meridian, MS when he was 14 years old. He lived and worked there and drove a long distance truck to and from there for many years. He is survived by one sister, Sandra Christian from Huntsville, AL (husband David), A 
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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
A steel mill in the Izmir region booked a United States cargo comprising 15,000 tonnes of heavy melting scrap 1&2 (80:20) at $464 per tonne, and 14,000 tonnes of shredded and 2,000 tonnes of plate and structural (P&S) at $479 per tonne cfr.This compares with two US cargoes sold at $463 and $464 per tonne cfr on an HMS 1&2 (80:20) basis a day earlier.As a result, Fastmarkets daily scrap indices were broadly stable on Wednesday.Fastmarkets index for steel scrap, HMS 1&2 (80:20 mix), North Europe origin, cfr Turkey was calculated at $455.81 per tonne, down by just 4 cents per tonne day on day, while the index for steel scrap, HMS 1&2 (80:20 mix), US origin, cfr Turkey was calculated at $463.90 per tonne, also down by 4 cents.This left the premium for US material over European scrap at $8.09 per tonne.Another deal from Tuesday August 3 was also heard on Wednesday.A steel mill in Northern Turkey booked a Baltic Sea cargo comprising 22,000 tonnes of HMS 1&2 (80:20), and 3,000 tonnes of a mixture of bonus and HMS 1 at an average price of $463 per tonne cfr.Despite the fresh transactions, market participants remain bearish due to limited finished steel sales.The prices have settled at $460 levels for the moment. But I expect another downward correction soon because the mills are struggling to sell finished steel products in both the domestic and export markets, a Turkish mill source said.Turkish steelmakers are currently offering rebar for export at $710-715-per-tonne-fob levels on actual weight basis. But looking at the Asian market, the workable price for the material seems to be only at $640-645 per tonne fob. The question is when the mills will accept these levels, he added.Fastmarkets weekly price assessment for steel reinforcing bar (rebar), export, fob main port Turkey was $715-730 per tonne on July 29, down from $730-750 per tonne the previous week.Demand for rebar in the domestic market is very weak too. We are hearing mills reducing their offers every other day, another mill source said.
Miami, FL (33127)

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Partly cloudy skies this evening. Increasing clouds with periods of showers late. Low near 80F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

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Partly cloudy skies this evening. Increasing clouds with periods of showers late. Low near 80F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Miami, FL (33127)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. Low around 80F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

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Partly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. Low around 80F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Former Catholic School Teacher Sentenced in Clergy Abuse Case

Former Catholic School Teacher Sentenced in Clergy Abuse Case

Attorney General

Media contact: Lynsey Mukomel 517-599-2746

Public inquiries: 517-335-7622



August 4, 2021

LANSING - A former Catholic school music teacher will serve more than a decade in prison as the fourth person convicted in the Michigan Department of Attorney General's ongoing clergy abuse investigation. It's also the harshest prison sentence to be handed down thus far.

Joseph - or Josef - Comperchio, 67, of Fort Myers, Florida, was first charged last September for sexually abusing two children. In those cases, he was charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and four counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Then in October of last year, five new counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving two new individuals were added.

In June, Comperchio pleaded guilty to the following:

three counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct; and

one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Today Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Susan. B. Jordan sentenced Comperchio to 12 to 30 years in prison. He must also register as a sex offender.

"The dedication of our clergy abuse team - and the willingness of brave survivors to tell their stories - ensured justice was served against Mr. Comperchio," Nessel said. "Let this prison sentence be a reminder that we are here to listen to victims of abuse and pursue accountability on their behalf."

The charges stemmed from Comperchio's time as the drama and music teacher at St. John Catholic School in Jackson in the 1970s.

He was the fourth individual to plead guilty to various charges as a result of Nessel's clergy abuse investigation.

Previously, a successful plea deal with Gary Jacobs was the harshest prison sentence secured. Jacobs' sentence is between eight and 15 years in prison.

Former priests Patrick Casey and Brian Stanley pleaded guilty in their respective cases in 2019.

To learn more about Nessel's investigation into clergy abuse or to submit information, visit the Attorney General's website. Tips can also be provided by calling 844-324-3374.
AG Nessel, Gov. Whitmer, SOS Benson Respond to Sanctions Victory in Colorado Federal Court

AG Nessel, Gov. Whitmer, SOS Benson Respond to Sanctions Victory in Colorado Federal Court

Attorney General

Media contact: Lynsey Mukomel 517-599-2746

Public inquiries: 517-335-7622



August 4, 2021

LANSING - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson are responding to Wednesday's order from United States Magistrate Judge N. Reid Neureiter in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, which granted sanctions against attorneys who took part in a previously-dismissed and frivolous lawsuit related to the 2020 presidential election that named Michigan officials as defendants.

"This ruling sends a resounding message: attorneys who neglected their oath to support the Constitution by taking part in election lawsuits based neither in fact nor reality not only undermined our legal system - they did irreparable harm to our election processes and will be held accountable," Attorney General Nessel said. "These sanctions affirm that although severe damage was done by these baseless lawsuits, the democratic foundation on which this country was built remains intact and the rule of law still prevails. I appreciate my team's dedication to pursuing these sanctions on behalf of the State and I sincerely hope Michiganders take note of this pivotal ruling."

The Department of Attorney General joined several other defendants, including Dominion, Facebook, Center for Tech and Civic Life and Pennsylvania, in pursuing sanctions against plaintiff attorneys who filed a class-action lawsuit in December 2020 in Colorado. The Court dismissed the entire case for lack of standing in April.

"I am pleased with the court's decision to issue sanctions as it caps off a historic election that was safe, fair, and secure," Governor Whitmer said. "These lawyers acted in bad faith seeking to overturn a fair and valid election. The foundation of our democracy and the principles that we collectively cherish can withstand even the most divisive of times, and today's decision is an important step toward accountability."

The ruling noted in part that "sanctions are merited under Rule 11... and 28 U.S.C.  1927... [and] further merited under this Court's inherent authority because of the bad faith nature of the filing of the suit that Plaintiffs' counsel knew or should have known was doomed to failure from the very beginning; and (10) That sanctions are required to deter the filing of frivolous, politically motivated lawsuits such as this in the future and to compensate the Defendants for the unnecessary expenditure of private and public money in defense of a frivolous lawsuit filed without reasonable legal basis and without a reasonable inquiry into the facts." "Actions have consequences. Today's ruling is a clear affirmation that if you intentionally abuse your authority as an attorney to deceive voters about the safety and security of our elections - you will be held accountable," Secretary Benson said. "This is an important victory in the fight to hold bad actors accountable for their attempts to undermine our democracy and use our legal system as a vehicle to spread conspiracy theories for personal and partisan gains."

The sanctioned attorneys are Gary D. Fielder and Ernest J. Walker. They've been ordered to pay defendants' fees related to the suit.

In addition to the Colorado sanctions, Nessel took action to sanction Michigan attorneys Greg Rohl, Scott Hagerstrom and Stefanie Junttila, along with Texas attorney Sidney Powell in King v, Whitmer, et al, another failed election lawsuit. The motion seeks to recover attorneys' fees totaling approximately $11,000 related to election filings that were dismissed in Michigan and is currently pending with the court.

A hearing was held last month before Judge Linda Parker of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Additional briefs will be filed in the case today.

The Department also asked for further disciplinary action to be taken against the attorneys before the Attorney Grievance Commission of the State of Michigan and the State Bar of Texas.

Thus far, Texas' Office of the Chief Disciplinary Counsel has granted an investigatory hearing related to Powell's bar license, though a date is not yet confirmed. There is no update related to the Michigan licenses at this time.
AG Nessel Joins Coalition Urging EPA to Reverse Rule Curtailing States' Clean Water Act Authority

AG Nessel Joins Coalition Urging EPA to Reverse Rule Curtailing States' Clean Water Act Authority

Attorney General

Media contact: Lynsey Mukomel 517-599-2746

Public inquiries: 517-335-7622



August 4, 2021

LANSING - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined a multistate coalition in a comment letter urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to swiftly repeal or significantly revise a Trump-era rule curtailing state authority under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. The changes to the rules made in 2020 have created uncertainty and confusion, complicating and delaying urgently needed action.

"Not only is this rule illegal, but it is harmful to our natural resources," Nessel said. "Protecting Michigan's water resources is crucial to the well-being of our residents and our environment. I urge the EPA to act quickly to repeal these misguided rule amendments."

The Clean Water Act reflects Congress' policy to "recognize, preserve, and protect the primary responsibilities and rights of states to prevent, reduce, and eliminate pollution" of waters within their borders in partnership with the federal government. Under Section 401 of the statute, a project requiring federal approval that may result in discharges into waters of the United States must obtain state certification confirming that the project meets state water quality standards and other appropriate state law requirements.

The 2020 revisions to the EPA's Section 401 certification rule have significantly impacted the issuance of nationwide permits. Pursuant to the 2020 rule changes, the Army Corps of Engineers issued several decisions suddenly excluding states' long used water quality certification conditions. The Army Corps also determined that states had waived their authority to certify certain nationwide permits. As a result, many states are forced to evaluate projects covered by nationwide permits individually, issue state certifications on a project-by-project basis, and adopt individual water quality certifications for dischargers at significant cost to the states and their taxpayers.

In the comment letter responding to the EPA's notice of intention to reconsider and revise the rule, the coalition argues that the EPA must repeal the Trump-era revisions to the Section 401 certification rule and restore states' broad authority to approve, impose conditions on, or deny Section 401 certifications for federally permitted projects, as expressly recognized by the Clean Water Act.

Joining Attorney General Nessel in sending this letter are the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
$4.6M in EGLE brownfield funding to help redevelop contaminated sites in Southwest Michigan

$4.6M in EGLE brownfield funding to help redevelop contaminated sites in Southwest Michigan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Aug. 4, 2021

Jill A. Greenberg, EGLE spokesperson, GreenbergJ@Michigan.gov, 517-897-4965

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has awarded $4.6 million in brownfield grants and loans to five projects for redevelopment of contaminated properties in Southwest Michigan. Overall, this summer EGLE will provide $15.6 million in brownfield funding to 21 projects statewide.

Plans include mixed-use commercial and housing in Muskegon Heights, a new industrial office building in Grand Rapids, a residential development in downtown Grand Haven, a new dental office in Cascade Township and a credit union in Comstock.

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.

'Reaching New Heights' in Muskegon Heights

The city of Muskegon Heights plans to use a $1 million EGLE Brownfield Redevelopment Grant to assist Ele' Louise LLC in redeveloping a contaminated site into a new mixed-use retail and residential development. This will include three new three-story buildings with a total of 11 commercial retail units and 28 residential apartments. Located at the corner of Peck Street and East Sherman Boulevard, this project is part of the Muskegon Heights "Reaching New Heights" initiative.

The development will take place at a site already complicated by environmental contamination. The EGLE brownfield grant will help fund environmental cleanup and mitigation efforts at the property. This will protect residents, customers and employees from contamination, and will revitalize this deteriorated corridor in the urban core of Muskegon Heights.

Environmental sampling at the site has identified chlorinated solvent contamination, most likely resulting from its historic use as a dry cleaner. The EGLE brownfield grant will pay for additional investigation activities, demolition of the vacant and blighted buildings, removal of contaminated soil, and installation of subsurface barriers and ventilation systems to prevent harmful subsurface vapors from entering the proposed buildings.

The project will bring a capital investment of $4.5 million and create 50 new full-time jobs and 25 new part-time jobs.

The redevelopment project is planned to compliment the adjacent residential neighborhoods and create new amenities to benefit area residents and downtown Muskegon Heights.

In addition to the brownfield redevelopment grant, the city of Muskegon Heights, under the vision and leadership of the mayor and city council, is prepared to approve the use of tax increment financing through its brownfield redevelopment authority for non-environmental eligible activities needed for success of the project.

(EGLE site contact: Andrea Ryswick, EGLE Brownfield Coordinator, RyswickA@Michigan.gov, 616-401-0827)

1601 Madison LLC

The city of Grand Rapids will demolish an underutilized, blighted building and make a contaminated site at 1601 Madison Ave SE safe for reuse in spring 2022. A $1 million brownfield redevelopment grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) will pay for environmental costs and demolition to make way for a new industrial office building.

"We are very grateful for EGLE's continued partnership with the Grand Rapids Brownfield Redevelopment Authority in revitalizing vacant and contaminated properties," said Jeremiah Gracia, director of economic development for the city of Grand Rapids. "This partnership is critical for us in our work to support developments that create safe and productive places where Grand Rapids residents will enjoy employment and career advancement opportunities."

In addition to demolishing the existing structure, the brownfield grant will pay for removal of contaminated soil.

1601 Madison LLC will build a new 51,000-square-foot industrial office building, which will be leased to a technology and data management company. The new development will relocate 69 existing jobs to Grand Rapids and create 26 new full time equivalent jobs in the area.

(EGLE site contact: Andrea Ryswick, EGLE Brownfield Coordinator, RyswickA@Michigan.gov, 616-401-0827)

105 Fulton Avenue in Grand Haven

The Grand Haven Brownfield Redevelopment Authority will use a $900,000 brownfield redevelopment grant and a $900,000 brownfield redevelopment loan from EGLE to help make a contaminated site safe for reuse this summer, making way for a new residential development.

River Caddis Development, LLC will build a new 124-unit market-rate residential development located at 105 Fulton Avenue, Grand Haven. The development will span two city blocks and will include four residential buildings, an amenity building, and a pool.

The EGLE funding will pay for the proper handling and disposal of contaminated soil and groundwater, removal of an underground storage tank, and installation of subsurface barriers and ventilation systems to prevent exposure to contamination.

The project is expected to increase the taxable value of the property to $9 million and create three new jobs.

"This project is a stellar example of the public and private sectors working together for a mutual benefit," said Kevin McGraw, president of River Caddis Development. "EGLE, along with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the city of Grand Haven came together on a very complicated and time-consuming process to better the community in which we all live."

(EGLE site contact: Mike Gurnee, EGLE Brownfield Coordinator, GurneeM1@Michigan.gov, 269-568-1291)

Robinson Dental

The Cascade Charter Township Brownfield Redevelopment Authority will use a $455,000 Brownfield Redevelopment Grant and a $313,000 Brownfield Redevelopment Loan to remediate a contaminated, underutilized property that will be redeveloped into a dental office.

Coco Properties LLC and Scott and Beth Robinson DDS PC plan to build a two-story, 8,519-square-foot dental office at the property, located at 5749 28th St.

Soil and groundwater became contaminated by historic dumping of asphalt and concrete debris on the property. The brownfield funding will pay for assessment of the site's environmental condition and removal of contaminated soil.

The project is expected to increase the taxable value of the property to $1.2 million and create 35 new professional jobs.

"We are very excited to be expanding Robinson Dental to the Cascade area," said Drs. Scott and Beth Robinson. "We have considered this to be our home for over 20 years. Robinson Dental has a patient-centered practice philosophy committed to same-day care, the newest technologies and expanded hours to better serve our community. This is a great moment of collaboration between Cascade Township, the State of Michigan and our business community."

This project has served as a catalyst for the local township to establish a Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, which provides an economic development tool for Cascade Township to support future brownfield projects in its jurisdiction.

(EGLE site contact: Janet Michaluk, EGLE Brownfield Coordinator, MichalukJ@Michigan.gov, 517-643-0314)

KALSEE Credit Union

The Charter Township of Comstock will use a $360,000 brownfield redevelopment grant to address environmental contamination at a site that will become a credit union. After remediation, KALSEE Credit Union will build a new branch location at 5242 Gull Road, Comstock Township. The redevelopment will create two new jobs.

The EGLE funding will pay to remove contaminated soil and install barriers and a ventilation system to prevent exposure to subsurface contamination. Soil and groundwater at the site were contaminated by gasoline from a leaking underground storage tank and previous site use as an auto service garage.

(EGLE site contact: Mike Gurnee, EGLE Brownfield Coordinator, GurneeM1@Michigan.gov, 269-568-1291)

# # #
EXECUTIVE ORDER

No. 2021-9

Declaration of State of Emergency

On July 7, 2021, an intense line of thunderstorms with high winds struck the southwest area of Oakland County and traveled through southern Macomb County. The cities of Farmington, Farmington Hills, and Southfield sustained flooding and a large number of downed trees and electrical lines across homes, businesses, and roadways, resulting in extensive power outages, blocked roadways, and damage to public and private property and infrastructure.

In response, on July 8 and 9, 2021, the cities of Farmington, Farmington Hills, and Southfield each declared local states of emergency, and local disaster response and recovery operations were activated. Despite these efforts, local resources have proven insufficient to cope with the situation. State assistance and other outside resources are necessary to effectively respond to and recover from the impacts of this emergency, protect public health, safety, and property, and lessen or avert the threat of more severe and lasting harm.

Section 1 of article 5 of the Michigan Constitution of 1963 vests the executive power of the State of Michigan in the governor. Under the Emergency Management Act, 1976 PA 390, as amended, MCL 30.403(4), "[t]he governor shall, by executive order or proclamation, declare a state of emergency if he or she finds that an emergency has occurred or that the threat of an emergency exists."
FILER TWP.  The Manistee County Road Commission announced that construction will begin on 2.31 miles of South County Line Road, Maple Road and Fox Farm Road from Quarterline Road to U.S. 31 in Filer Township. Resurfacing work will begin this week and the project is expected to be completed by Sept. 25.

The scope of construction work will include blacktop cold-milling in various locations, blacktop resurfacing of the existing pavements at a depth of approximately two inches; aggregate shoulders; intersection improvements; pavement markings and other miscellaneous improvements, according to road commission manager Mark Sohlden.

RELATED: Here's why Manistee roadwork projects have been delayed

The work on Fox Farm Road will also include the placement of full width blacktop wedging over the existing blacktop pavement prior to the new blacktop resurfacing due to its poor condition.

The new blacktop pavement for the roads will be constructed at a width to match the existing pavement widths, Sohlden said.

The commission awarded the construction of the project to Rieth-Riley Construction Company of Ludington, based on its Feb. 8 bid of $422,547.33. The project is made possible with funds from the Federal Highway Administration, Michigan Department of Transportation, Manistee County Road Commission and Filer Township.

One lane of traffic will be maintained at all times during the construction using traffic regulators and construction signs, according to Sohlden. Access to residential and commercial drives will be maintained at all times with minimal disruption. Emergency vehicle access to and through the sites will also be maintained and both lanes will be open to traffic at times when construction is not being performed.

RELATED: Manistee motorists to see detour, roadwork continue

Traffic delays are expected with this project and Sohlden recommends avoiding the construction area if possible.

After resurfacing is completed, MDOT will install detour signs and traffic control devices on these segments of road. It then intends to use these roads as part of the dedicated U.S. 31 traffic detour route during the U.S. 31 road improvement project from Hoague Road in Mason County to south of Fox Farm Road, which is scheduled to be completed during the 2022 construction season.

The MDOT is also working with the Mason County Road Commission regarding the use of Hoague Road and Quarterline Road as part of the traffic detour route, according to a road commission press release.

Sohlden asks for cooperation and patience from motorists during this road resurfacing project. Any questions can be directed to the road commission by dialing 231-889-0000 or the MDOT Transpiration Service Center in Muskegon at 231-777-3451 for any questions regarding the future U.S. 31 road improvement project.

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ONEKAMA  On Monday, the Portage Lake Association Concert in the Park will feature a Lansing favorite for the first time in the area, troubadour and songwriter Wally Pleasant.

Pleasant has been writing and performing since the 1990s, and his works range from politically inspired ballads to witty ditties about life as a broke college student.
MASON COUNTY  A second Manistee County woman has died following a crash on Monday night in Mason County.

Police reported this afternoon that the second woman died from injuries sustained in the crash. Her child remains in the hospital.

Portions of U.S. 31 were closed for about four hours on Monday while police investigated a fatal traffic crash.

Preliminary investigation by the Michigan State Police Hart Post shows that a 2012 Nissan Murano crossed the centerline and struck a 2001 Buick Park Avenue head-on around 11:41 p.m. on Monday on U.S. 31 south of Townline Road in Mason County's Victory Township.

According to a news release from state police on Monday, the Nissan  driven by a 31-year-old Manistee woman  was northbound on U.S. 31. The driver of the Nissan was accompanied by her 2.5-year-old daughter, who was in a car seat. The release states that the Buick Park Avenue was southbound U.S. 31 and was driven by Daisy Mazeika, 51, of Manistee.

Mazeika was killed as a result of the crash, according to the release. The driver of the Nissan was initially treated at the Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital before being transported to Mercy Health Mercy Campus in Muskegon. Her young passenger was treated at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

According to an updated news release from Michigan State Police on Wednesday afternoon, The driver of the Nissan Murano, Brittani Goda, 31-year-old from Manistee, succumbed to her injuries sustained in the crash. Her daughter, who was the passenger, remains in the hospital.

Speed is being investigated as a possible contributing factor in the crash.

Troopers at the scene were assisted by the Mason County Sheriffs Office Road Patrol Division, Mason County Sheriffs Office Traffic Crash Reconstruction Team, Manistee County Sheriffs Office, MSP Gaylord Regional Communications Center, Mason-Oceana 911, Michigan Department of Transportation, Mason County Road Commission, and emergency first responders from Fountain Fire Department, Grant Township Fire Department, Free Soil-Meade Fire Department, Life EMS, and Mobile Medical Response (MMR) ambulance.

The crash remains under investigation.

Any witnesses to the crash who did not speak to police at the scene are encouraged to contact the Michigan State Police Hart Post at 231-873-2171.

RELATED: Monday night crash kills Manistee woman, another seriously injured
CHICAGO (AP)  A Black family is suing the Chicago police department, saying officers broke down their door and pointed guns at two small children while searching the place and then tried to cover up that they had no evidence to justify the raid.

The federal lawsuit filed Tuesday is the latest to accuse the city's police department of wrongfully raiding the homes of people of color. It comes months after a Black woman sued after officers barged into her apartment and forced her to stand naked and handcuffed while they conducted a search. In that case, police got the address wrong.

According to the latest lawsuit, 4-year-old Reshyla Winters and her 9-year-old sister, Sevayla Winters, were in bed on the evening of Aug. 7, 2019, when officers broke down the door of the family's home, stormed in without a warrant and pointed their guns at the girls' father, Steven Winters. While one officer knelt on Steven Winters' back with a gun to his head, another went into the girls' bedroom, where he shined a flashlight and pointed a shotgun at them. A third officer entered the bedroom of the girls' grandfather and pointed a gun at him as he was sleeping in bed.

The girls were so frightened that they cried and wet their beds, the lawsuit contends. The raid caused lasting trauma... in the form of nightmares, bed-wetting, trouble sleeping, decreased appetite, crying fits and fear and distrust of police, according to a news release announcing the lawsuit, which names the city and the officers involved as defendants.

The lawsuit argues that the officers not only used excessive force, but that they entered the wrong home based on a vague description of a suspect with a gun at a nearby gas station. It contends that footage from their body cameras shows they were mistaken, and that no gun was ever found in the family's apartment and no suspects were arrested.

The lawsuit asserts that the officers tried to cover up their mistake by claiming in their reports that they heard and saw the suspect they were chasing run into the apartment and then out the back  statements that were proven false by the bodycam footage, which the family's attorney, Al Hofeld Jr., obtained through an open records request.

They do not show anyone entering or exiting plaintiffs building or plaintiffs apartment, the lawsuit says. Officers did not find any sign that any suspect had entered. Officers did not arrest anyone. The terror and stress to this innocent family was all for naught. 

The lawsuit also says the city has yet to turn over all of the bodycam footage.

The police department didnt immediately reply to a request for comment about the case.

Hofeld said the lawsuit is the 11th involving 32 children of color who have been similarly traumatized. One of those was a three-year-old girl who was in her home in August 2013 when officers executing a search warrant put a gun to her chest. The city ultimately settled that case for $2.5 million and two officers involved in the incident were stripped of their police powers, according to published reports.

The city and department are being sued over a 2019 police raid in which officers stormed into the home of an innocent Black woman, Anjanette Young, and forced her to stand naked and handcuffed for more than a half hour while they searched the place, which turned out to be the wrong address. Mayor Lori Lightfoot was harshly criticized after emails revealed that she learned of the raid in 2019, and not late 2020, as she initially told reporters when a local television station first aired police bodycam footage of the raid.

Chicago has paid hundreds of millions of dollars out on police misconduct cases. In 2016, an Associated Press analysis found that the city had paid $662 million for judgments, settlements and outside legal fees. And although the citys legal department on Wednesday could not immediately provide statistics about the cost since then, news reports reveal that the total has climbed by tens of millions of dollars per year.
WASHINGTON (AP)  As officials seek clues about what prompted a Georgia man to fatally stab a Pentagon police officer, details of the suspects troubled past emerged Wednesday through interviews and court records.

Austin William Lanz, 27, was arrested last April for a break-in at a neighbors home and drew police attention months earlier for a harassment campaign involving sexually explicit photos and messages, according to interviews and records obtained by The Associated Press.

Investigators have not revealed a motive in the ambush-style killing of Pentagon police officer George Gonzalez, 37. But Lanzs past brushes with the law, and neighbors' accounts of recent menacing behavior, appear to suggest the violence was more likely the act of a troubled, violence-prone individual than part of a broader conspiracy.

I wish there was a better way to address those mental health issues that people have, said Phillip Brent, who shared a backyard fence with Lanz in Georgia and describes repeated harassment directed at himself and his then-fiancee. It feels like it was just a clear failure of our system to help someone out who needed that help.

The FBI on Wednesday said the burst of violence began around 10:40 a.m. Tuesday when Lanz exited a bus at the Pentagon Transit Center and stabbed Gonzalez without provocation. The two struggled and Lanz shot himself with Gonzalez's weapon. Other officers engaged the subject, who ultimately died at the scene, the FBI said.

The attack temporarily placed the U.S. military headquarters on lockdown and rattled the nerves of a region already primed to be on high alert for violence and potential intruders outside federal government buildings, particularly after the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

The Pentagon Force Protection Agency described Gonzalez on Wednesday as a die-hard" New York Yankees fan and an Army veteran who served in Iraq and joined the police force in 2018. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said flags at the Pentagon would be flown at half-staff while the White House saluted Gonzalez as having lost his life protecting those who protect the nation.

Meanwhile, investigators were continuing to examine Lanzs background, including his criminal history, jail records, financial information and any online accounts, in search of a motive, a law enforcement official said.

Officials did not reveal why Lanz picked the Pentagon area for violence. Lanz had enlisted in the Marine Corps in October 2012 but was administratively separated less than a month later and never earned the title Marine, the Corps said.

One episode of likely interest to investigators is an April arrest in Cobb County, Georgia, in which Lanz was accused of breaking into Brent's home in the Atlanta suburb of Acworth in the middle of the night with what police said appeared to be a crowbar.

He was recorded on video by the security system roaming the house for 13 minutes and turned on all the lights, which police said indicated that he'd been searching through the residence for something or someone. He left without taking anything, according to arrest reports and court filings.

Lanz was arrested and booked on charges of burglary and trespassing charges. When informed he was being charged, Lanz objected, saying, but I didnt take anything, the arrest report said. He then made statements to a police officer about how planes had been flying over the neighborhood and tracking his cellphone.

While being processed at the county jail, Lanz, who was listed as 6 feet, 3 inches (1.9 meters) tall and roughly 190 pounds (86 kilograms), is alleged to have attacked two sheriffs deputies in the intake area without provocation, including one who sustained a chipped bone and torn ligament in her knee. After he was restrained, Lanz reportedly accused the officers of being gay for teaming up on him and asked to be uncuffed so he could fight them one-on-one.

A judge reduced his bond in May to $30,000 and released him, imposing some conditions, including that he not take illegal drugs, that he undergo a mental health evaluation and that he not possess a firearm. The charges against him are still listed as pending.

A spokesperson for the Cobb County Sheriffs Office confirmed that Lanz had been held at the agencys detention center but referred all other questions to the FBI.

An attorney who represented Lanz in the Georgia cases didnt immediately respond to messages seeking comment. Messages left with family members at Lanzs home in Acworth were not immediately returned.

The April break-in was the culmination of a lengthy harassment campaign that involved sexually explicit and vaguely threatening messages that Lanz was caught on surveillance camera slipping into the mailbox of the neighboring home where Brent and his then-fiancee lived, Brent said.

The harassment briefly stopped after the police, presented with the video footage, confronted Lanz with a warning, Brent said.

But it later resumed, including in the form of a massive cardboard sign that was duct-taped on Brent's front door and said, cryptically, on one side: I'm done wondering for real" and Wut is the point of that on the other.

By the time of the break-in, Brent said, he was so unnerved that he was sleeping at his sister's house. On April 24, around 4 a.m., he was alerted that the alarm company had reported a break-in at his home. He pulled up the surveillance system video camera on his phone, and I was like, oh, it's Austin.

He said Lanz broke in through the back door with a sledgehammer, opened all the blinds and rummaged through his bed. Though it is not mentioned in the police report, Lanz was also carrying a handgun, Brent said.

It was terrifying, he said.

Brent and his former fiancee, Eliza Wells, said they were frustrated with the criminal justice system, which they say failed to initially treat the harassment claims with appropriate seriousness and then permitted him to be out on bond.

Brent said he recently learned from a prosecutor that Lanz's lawyer was seeking a bond modification that would permit Lanz to travel to the Washington, D.C., area to work with his father, who did not return messages seeking comment.

It just causes me to wonder what could have been done differently to help Austin mentally and give him the actual tools and resources if he needed, instead of just letting him out on bail and allowing him to travel out of state, and that sort of stuff, Wells said.

___

Associated Press writers Colleen Long in Washington and Lolita C. Baldor, Matthew Barakat and Sagar Meghani in Arlington, Va., contributed to this report.
NEW YORK (AP)  New York Gov. Andrew Cuomos monthslong fall from grace reached a nadir Tuesday, when investigators said they substantiated sexual harassment allegations against him from 11 women, many of whom have worked for him.

Cuomo, once widely beloved for his telegenic response to the coronavirus pandemic, continues to deny the allegations and maintains he isnt going anywhere  but his political future might soon be out of his own hands.

Here are the takeaways from the report and Cuomo's response, along with what happens next:

WHAT WAS CUOMO ACCUSED OF DOING?

Multiple women accused Cuomo of sexual harassment and assault. The public allegations, which started in December and cascaded over the winter, ranged from inappropriate comments to forced kisses and groping.

DID THE ATTORNEY GENERALS PROBE FIND CUOMO GUILTY?

Well, no. A probe can't find anyone guilty  that's for a judge and jury to decide. Plus, the probe was civil, not criminal, in nature. But investigators did find the 11 women were telling the truth about Cuomo's behavior and that Cuomo created a hostile work environment rife with fear and intimidation.

BUT WILL CUOMO BE CHARGED?

State Attorney General Letitia James, who oversaw the probe, said there would be no criminal referral but local police and prosecutors can use the evidence and findings to build their own cases. The district attorney in New Yorks capital, Albany, said Tuesday he was requesting James investigative materials and encouraged victims to come forward.

CUOMO TOLD THE PUBLIC TO WAIT TO JUDGE HIM UNTIL THE INVESTIGATION WAS COMPLETE. WHAT DOES HE SAY NOW?

Cuomo is more defiant than ever, disputing allegations in a taped response and saying the facts are much different than what has been portrayed and that he never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances. He also alleged that the investigation itself was fueled by politics and bias.

HOW IS CUOMO EXPLAINING HIS BEHAVIOR?

Cuomo apologized for making staffers feel uncomfortable, but chalked up some of the allegations to misunderstandings caused by generational and cultural differences (hes Italian American) while flat-out denying the more serious allegations. Accompanied by multiple slideshows of Cuomo and other politicians embracing members of the public, the governor said the gesture was inherited from his parents and meant to convey warmth.

IS ANYONE PRESSURING CUOMO TO RESIGN?

Lots of people. President Joe Biden  once Cuomo's close ally  said Tuesday that, while he hadn't read the report, he thought Cuomo should quit. Both U.S. senators for New York, Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, say he should resign. So does U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the governors of neighboring New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut, and many other Democrats.

OK, SO WHATS NEXT IF CUOMO DOESN'T RESIGN?

The state Assembly has the power to bring impeachment charges against Cuomo and aims to wrap up its own probe as quickly as possible, according to Speaker Carl Heastie, a Democrat who said it was clear Cuomo could no longer remain in office. The Assembly could theoretically vote to launch impeachment proceedings before the probe is finished.

WHY CANT NEW YORKERS JUST RECALL CUOMO?

This isn't California. New York has no mechanism to remove elected officials via recall.

FINE. HOW DOES IMPEACHMENT IN NEW YORK WORK?

New York impeachments start in the Assembly, and if a majority of members vote to impeach Cuomo, the matter moves to the Impeachment Court. In this case, that court would comprise the state Senate  minus its majority leader  and the seven judges of the state's highest court. Two-thirds of the court would need to vote to convict to remove Cuomo.

HAS A GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK EVER BEEN IMPEACHED?

Once, in 1913. Gov. William Sulzer was ousted after less than a year in office. He claimed his impeachment was retribution for turning his back on the powerful Tammany Hall Democratic machine.

IF CUOMO LEAVES OFFICE, WHO WOULD BECOME GOVERNOR?

Kathy Hochul, the 62-year-old lieutenant governor. The Democrat from western New York once served in Congress, but has a limited public profile in the state.

IS CUOMO IN ANY OTHER TROUBLE?

James is also investigating into whether Cuomo broke the law in having members of his staff help write and promote his pandemic leadership book, American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic, for which he was set to earn more than $5 million. Federal investigators are also probing the state's handling of data related to nursing home deaths.

IF HE ISN'T OUSTED, WILL VOTERS HAVE A SAY?

So far, all signs point to him running for a fourth term in 2022, and he has begun fundraising. Some polling earlier this year suggested the public's support for Cuomo had slipped, but not dramatically so. No other Democrats have officially issued a primary challenge. On the Republican side, possible opponents include U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin and Andrew Giuliani, son of Rudy.

WAS THIS PROBE POLITICAL?

James has denied having any political motivations for the probe, which was authorized by Cuomo, and has not said publicly whether she is interested in running for governor. While her office oversaw the probe, it was conducted by two outside lawyers, Anne Clark and Joon Kim, who spoke with 179 people  including Cuomo himself.

DID THE INVESTIGATION UNCOVER ANY ALLEGATIONS THAT WE DIDNT ALREADY KNOW ABOUT?

Yes  according to the report, a state trooper on Cuomos security detail said Cuomo ran his hand or fingers across her stomach and her back, 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 and brushed his hand between her shoulder and breasts.

HOW DID CUOMO RETALIATE AGAINST A FORMER EMPLOYEE?

The former employee in question is Lindsey Boylan, Cuomo's first public accuser. Investigators said Cuomos team sent reporters Boylans personnel records within hours of Boylans December tweet alleging sexual harassment. They also said the governors circle circulated a letter that attacked Boylans alleged work conduct and theorized she was funded by far-right Republicans.

WHAT WERE CUOMOS ACCUSERS RESPONSES TO THE REPORT?

Charlotte Bennett, a former aide to whom Cuomo personally apologized in a taped response to the findings, called the apology meaningless and said that if the governor were truly sorry, he would step down. A lawyer for two accusers called Cuomo's response laughable and manipulative. Boylan's attorney expressed gratitude toward investigators.

WILL CUOMO TALK ABOUT THIS ON HIS BROTHERS SHOW?

Probably not. The governors brother, Chris Cuomo, is a CNN anchor. The fraternal duo  sons of the late Gov. Mario Cuomo  grabbed headlines in the early days of the pandemic for their banter on the younger Cuomos primetime show, but Chris Cuomo has since been barred from covering his brother. Tuesday's report also detailed how Chris Cuomo advised his older brother.
NEW CANAAN  Gores Pavilion in Irwin Park is set to receive a new roof, among other small improvements. The new roof will replace the original slate that had been on the building since 1960, when it was dedicated to mid-century modern architect Landis Gores at a surprise party hosted by renowned architect Philip Johnson.

Gores worked with fellow Harvard Five architect Johnson on a number of projects, most notably the Glass House. The Harvard Five were a group of acclaimed mid-century architects that included Marcel Breuer, Johnson, Eliot Noyes and John Johansen.

The Board of Selectmen unanimously approved the sum of $152,110 for the roof, a fresh coat of paint and gutter replacements on Tuesday.

Once a pool house for the Irwin estate, and now on the Connecticut Register of Historic Places, the structure features a hinged glass facade with cantilevers and is used for an art and architecture gallery that is operated by the New Canaan Museum and Historical Society.

It is wonderful that the work to restore the pavilion is underway, Executive Director of the Historical Society Nancy Geary said.

Gores Pavilion was built for John Irwin and Jane Watson, the daughter of IBMs Founder. In 2005, the Irwin heirs sold the estate to the town. The pool was filled and plans for the building to be demolished were set, but it was saved by a small group of residents called the Friends of the Gores Pavilion, according to the Buildings Use and Evaluation Committee report of 2017.

The horizontal redwood boarding provides a heavy shadow pattern prevalent in Frank Lloyd Wrights Usonian houses, and a Prairie-style fireplace (that) runs floor to ceiling. The galley kitchen looks out over what are now the walking trails of Irwin Park, according to the historical society website.

The State Historic Preservation office approved the designs for the renewal that was submitted by town-hired Carl and Rose Rothbart/Architectural Preservation Studio, Geary said. Carl Rothbart is secretary on the New Canaan Historic District Commission and treasurer on the New Canaan Preservation Alliance.

The selectmen approved a contract with Alden Bailey, a family-owned business that does most of its work in the tri-state area. The firm has performed other work for the town in the past including on Waveny House. Department of Public Works head Tiger Mann told the selectmen that the group is easy to work with.

I am glad the Selectmen have approved the expense, Geary said.

The town expects to receive a State Historic Preservation grant for $59,700.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  North Carolina experts who released a frequently cited report showing minimal COVID-19 transmission within K-12 schools are growing alarmed as more districts defy public health recommendations and instead choose to make mask-wearing optional for all students and staff.

Danny Benjamin and Kanecia Zimmerman, Duke University School of Medicine professors and co-chairs of the ABC Science Collaborative, warned in a virtual news conference with reporters on Wednesday that the 44 school districts that have decided to make masks optional may be flying blind as the delta variant surges. As a result, several dozen children could die, they said.

Until we get vaccination up to a sufficiently high rate, if you want to prevent COVID transmission in your community, if you want to prevent COVID transmission at your schools, then its masking until we have sufficiently high vaccination, Benjamin said. Although the mortality rate in children is low, somewhere between 2 and 5 per 100,000, when you consider a state of 1.5 million children (in K-12 public schools), 2 per 100,000 starts to add up to some deaths thats going to be eventually noticeable.

Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper is urging districts to mandate mask-wearing but is leaving it up to local school boards to make their own decisions.

Asked in a Wednesday news conference why he isnt compelling districts to mandate mask-wearing, Cooper replied, I think everybody knows what to do. Weve given the school systems the tools that they need to make these decisions in their local areas. We want to concentrate our efforts on vaccination, and thats what were doing.

Benjamin said that the report he and his team wrote occurred when masking in classrooms was universal and before the more contagious delta variant began spreading rapidly.

COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and test positivity rates are at their worst levels in months. In all but four of North Carolinas 100 counties, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people wear masks in indoor public settings, even if theyre already vaccinated, due to substantial or high transmission rates.

Cased reported on Wednesday surpassed 3,400 for the first time since Feb. 20 and the 1,580 people currently hospitalized in North Carolina is the most since Feb. 21.

More than 12% of tests on Monday came back positive, the worst daily positivity rate in more than six months.

There also were 21 new deaths from COVID-19 reported Wednesday. There havent been that many reported in one day in North Carolina since June 4. So far, 13,700 people have died from COVID-19 in the state.

Kids under 12 cant yet get vaccinated and many eligible young adults are unvaccinated, yet 38% of North Carolinas 116 school boards will allow them to be unmasked  a move Benjamin considers experimentation.

Zimmerman said districts decisions not to require masks could increase student learning loss. Unlike the past academic year, state and federal health guidelines now allow students in a mask-on-mask environment to stay in school, even if they were in close contact with an infected person. But unmasked pupils must miss a week of in-person classes.

Thousands of kids missed thousands of school days, Zimmerman said. If we can do masking, we can keep kids in school. The alternative in the setting of not having masking is increased risk of transmission (and) if you are a close contact, you have to stay out of school for 10 days unless you get a test that you can get at 5 to 7 days. If its negative, then you come back on day 8.

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Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.

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Follow Anderson on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BryanRAnderson.

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Anderson is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP)  The badly decomposed body woman has been found in a Council Bluffs city park in western Iowa, police there said.

The discovery was made late Tuesday morning in Fairmont Park, and officers were called to the area, Council Bluffs police said in a news release.
PORTLAND  The Portland Democratic Town Committee held a special meeting recently, unanimously endorsing 12 candidates to run for seats on the boards of selectmen and education, Zoning Board of Appeals and Board of Assessment Appeals, as well as for first selectman.

Current Selectman Jim Tripp was officially endorsed as the Democratic candidate for first selectman, according to a press release. Outgoing First Selectwoman Susan Bransfield, who is retiring after 18 years of service, made the nomination.

Jim is first and foremost a wonderful person, Bransfield said in a prepared statement. He is someone who cares deeply about individuals, about our neighborhoods, and about the policies that affect the quality of life of the residents of our town. I know he will work very hard, because that is all he knows how to do.

With his personal integrity, professional qualifications, and years of municipal service, I have great confidence that Jim Tripp is the leader we need as we face future challenges, she said.

I am grateful for the support I have received, and I feel the weight of it. When I look at the folks who have stepped up to run, when I look at the issues and ideas we are putting forward, I feel confident this team will be ready on day one to get to work for Portland, Tripp said in the statement. Under Susans excellent leadership, Portland has been on a steady trajectory.

The DTC formally endorsed Board of Assessment Appeals member John Dillon, Task Force on Solidarity Chairwoman April Graves, Board of Education member Laurel Steinhauser, and incumbent Ralph Zampano as candidates for the Board of Selectmen.

Board of Education candidates include current Chairwoman Sharon Peters, as well as Kim Nagy-Marushock, a Pre-K special education teacher, and Barry Rodgers, a longtime volunteer on school PTOs and member of the Task Force on Solidarity. The candidates for the Zoning Board of Appeals are incumbent Michael Lastrina and ZBA Alternate Cynthia Roman.

For the Board of Assessment Appeals, the DTC has endorsed former ZBA member Ken Kearns and incumbent Tom Malecky.

This group brings an impressive breadth of experience, skill, and backgrounds as well as a lot of energy from both our veteran candidates and our newer faces, Brian OConnor, DTC chairman said in the news release.

Learn more about the candidates at portlandctdtc.com/candidates.

Community members are invited to join a meet and greet event Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the porch at Farrells. More information can be found on Facebook at jimtrippforportland.
SYDNEY  Australias most populous state is reporting the worst day of its outbreak of the coronavirus delta variant, with a record 262 new local infections and five deaths from COVID-19.

New South Wales state Premier Gladys Berejiklian said Thursday that four of the dead had not been vaccinated and that one had received a single dose of AstraZeneca in late May.

Australian authorities have urged people in Sydney not to wait the optimal 12 weeks before getting their second AstraZeneca dose.

AstraZeneca and Pfizer are the only vaccines available in Australia.

There have been 21 COVID-19 deaths in Sydney since the latest outbreak began in June. Sydney and surrounding cities have been locked down since June 26.

Only 20% of Australian adults had been fully vaccinated by Wednesday, according to government figures.

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MORE ON THE PANDEMIC:

 Largest U.S. nursing home operator to workers: Get vaccine or lose job

 Microsoft: US workers must be fully vaccinated

 Britain to expand vaccine to youth ages 16-17

 Unvaccinated, hospitalized: Patients now advocate for shots

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 Find more AP coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine

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HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:

MIAMI  As Florida continues to lead the nation in hospitalizations for COVID-19, Gov. Ron DeSantis is holding to his anti-mask, anti-lockdown stance.

He repeated it strongly Wednesday night in a fundraising email that also takes a shot at President Joe Biden, who has singled out the governors of Florida and Texas for criticism of their opposition to lockdowns and other strict pandemic measures.

DeSantis says that in Florida, we will continue to lift people up, not lock people down. Florida is a free state, and we will empower our people.

The governor adds that we will not allow Joe Biden and his bureaucratic flunkies to come in and commandeer the rights and freedoms of Floridians.

So, DeSantis says in closing, when Joe Biden tells me to get out the way, Ive got news for him. I will always stand between power-hungry tyrants and the people of Florida.

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AUSTIN, Texas  Texas state health officials say new coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths in the state are showing steeper jumps than past surges in the pandemic.

In a video conference Wednesday, a spokesman for the Department of State Health Services said the rolling seven-day average of new virus infections cases has increased 92% from last week, while hospitalizations rose 49% and deaths from COVID-19 grew by 15%.

The increases are blamed on the highly contagious delta variant.

The CDC estimates more than 80% of all new coronavirus cases in the U.S. involve the delta variant. The Texas state epidemiologist says preliminary data suggests that over 75% of the cases in Texas involve the delta variant.

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  The number of students and staff at an east Arkansas school district who have quarantined because of a coronavirus outbreak has grown to more than 700.

Marion Superintendent Glen Fenter said Wednesday that 730 students and 10 staff members at his district have had to quarantine since classes began last week. He says 34 students and nine staff have tested positive for the virus.

The development comes as Arkansas lawmakers debate a proposal to lift the states ban on mask mandates by schools and other government entities. Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed the ban in April, but he called lawmakers into session this week urging them to roll it back for some public schools.

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  A rural New Mexico school board has been suspended by the state Public Education Department for not going along with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grishams mask mandate for children as schools prepare for classes to resume.

The five-member Floyd school board voted last week to make masks and social distancing optional in the district, which has about 225 students. The board reaffirmed the decision in another vote Monday despite warnings from state officials that it could face suspension.

Education Secretary Ryan Stewart announced the decision Wednesday, saying the state agency has a responsibility to ensure a healthy environment for all staff and students.

Some of New Mexicos largest districts already have imposed the states guidelines, but critics have raised concerns about parents not being given a choice.

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RICHMOND, Va.  Virginias capital city is instituting a vaccine mandate for most of its several thousand employees.

Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney made the announcement Wednesday, saying it will ensure the health and safety of both city workers and the public at large. He says that the vaccine is our greatest tool to save lives and truly beat this pandemic.

The mandate will apply to about 3,600 workers. Vaccinated employees will have to prove their status. Workers who havent been gotten shots must begin the process so they are fully vaccinated by Oct. 1.

The citys announcement says that who dont comply will be subject to disciplinary action, though it adds that medical and religious exemptions will be considered.

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NEW ORLEANS  Louisianas largest hospital system is seeing more pediatric COVID-19 patients as the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus spreads.

Ochsner Health said Wednesday the system had no pediatric COVID patients several weeks ago, but the number has been ranging from five to 15 the past two weeks.

However, Dr. William Lennarz who is head of pediatrics at Ochsner Hospital for Children says that doesnt mean the delta variant is disproportionately affecting children. He says that what is different is that children now make up the most susceptible population because children under 12 are 100% not vaccinated.

Lennarz also says most of the hospitalized children arent critically ill with COVID-19. He says that is still a very rare occurrence for youngsters affected by the coronavirus.

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LONDON -- Britains government is allowing holidaymakers to visit more European countries without the need to quarantine when they return as it further eases its international travel restrictions for the pandemic.

The government said Wednesday that beginning Sunday, its green travel list will be expanded to include Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Slovakia, Latvia, Romania and Norway. That means any Britons returning from those countries can avoid quarantine regardless of vaccination status.

France had been placed under a special restriction category because of worries about the beta variant of the coronavirus there. But from Sunday, fully vaccinated travelers coming from France will also no longer have to quarantine.

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PORTLAND, Ore. -- Oregon health care workers will be required to be vaccinated or undergo weekly testing.

Gov. Kate Brown announced Wednesday the new rule will apply beginning Sept. 30  giving employers time to prepare for implementation and allow time for unvaccinated health care workers to become fully vaccinated.

As coronavirus infections surge across the country, leading health organizations in Oregon have been pressing state leaders to open the door for health care organizations to enact vaccination mandates.

Brown directed the Oregon Health Authority to issue the new rule applying broadly to personnel in health care settings who have direct or indirect contact with patients or infectious materials. The rule will require weekly coronavirus testing for personnel and can be waived with proof of vaccination.

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ST. LOUIS  St. Louis area health leaders are asking adults to wear masks and get the COVID-19 vaccine to protect children as hospitals report admitting more young patients with the disease, including some in intensive care.

Spring Schmidt, deputy director of the St. Louis County health department, said Wednesday about one in five current total cases in county hospitals has been people under the age of 19.

Schmidt said the delta variant causing most of the current cases is as transmissible in children as it is in adults, unlike the alpha variant that drove most cases last year.

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MADISON, Wis.  Anyone who gets vaccinated against COVID-19 at a clinic at the Wisconsin State Fair will get a free cream puff, Gov. Tony Evers said Wednesday.

AMI Expeditionary Healthcare will run the free clinic at the fair in West Allis, the governor said. The clinic will offer Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Anyone who gets a shot there will receive a voucher for a free cream puff redeemable at the Cream Puff Pavilion.

The incentive comes as COVID-19 cases are surging across the state, driven largely by the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus that causes the disease.

The fair begins Thursday and is scheduled to run through Aug. 15.

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COSTA MESA, Calif.  A Southern California school board has announced plans to sue Gov. Gavin Newsom over a state mandate requiring K-12 students to wear masks in classrooms.

The Orange County Board of Education voted 4-0 in a closed session Tuesday in favor of filing a lawsuit against the Democratic governor over the coronavirus mandate.

The Orange County Register reports that the board says face coverings are harmful to children and the governor is abusing his power.

The board did not present any data as evidence of adverse effects of masking on children or acknowledge public health studies that have shown masking reduces the spread of the virus.

Last August, the same school board sued Newsom to reopen schools that had been closed due to COVID-19. A petition went to the state Supreme Court asking it to review the case, but was ultimately denied.

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JACKSON, MISS. -- Healthcare systems across Mississippi are seeing a surge of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations in individuals under 50, a shift from earlier in the pandemic when the virus was predominately impacting older adults.

Officials at Mississippis only level-one trauma center and teaching hospital said Wednesday that 90% of the new cases and hospitalizations they are seeing are among unvaccinated individuals.

More than 1,000 people were hospitalized with coronavirus in Mississippi Wednesday. University of Mississippi Medical Center Chief Administrative Officer Dr. Jonathan Wilson said there were only six available ICU beds in the entire state.

There have been moments when there are 60 people waiting for beds at the medical center, said Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs Dr. LouAnn Woodward.

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RALEIGH, N.C.  North Carolina experts who released a frequently cited report showing minimal COVID-19 transmission within K-12 schools are growing alarmed as more districts defy public health recommendations and instead choose to make mask wearing optional for all students and staff.

Danny Benjamin and Kanecia Zimmerman, Duke University School of Medicine professors and co-chairs of the ABC Science Collaborative, warned in a virtual news conference with reporters on Wednesday that the 44 school districts that have decided to make masks optional may be flying blind as the delta variant surges. As a result, a several dozen children could die.

Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper is urging districts to mandate mask wearing but is leaving up to local school boards to make their own decisions.

Benjamin said that the report he and his team wrote occurred when masking in classrooms was universal and before the more contagious delta variant began spreading rapidly.

COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and test positivity rates are at their worst levels in months

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RALEIGH, N.C.  North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper on Wednesday announced his administration is still awaiting a response from a vaccine lottery winner who earned a $125,000 scholarship.

Audrey Chavous, an 18-year-old Winston-Salem resident and incoming Fayetteville State University freshman who works at a restaurant and axe throwing facility, won the pre-tax prize of $1 million.

The fourth and final winners of the scholarship and $1 million prize were chosen Wednesday and expected to be named next week.

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PHOENIX  A Phoenix school district wants a lawsuit over its COVID-19 mask mandate, which could be a test case for other districts.

Attorneys for Phoenix Union High School District argued Wednesday at a preliminary hearing that a state law banning such policy isnt in effect yet. They say the legislation that includes the ban doesnt take effect until Sept. 29.

A biology teacher filed a lawsuit this week asking for a temporary restraining order on the measure, calling it unlawful. Both sides will give full arguments next week.

Since Phoenix Unions decision, four more school districts have also gone against the law, including Tucsons largest district.
HADDAM  A group of anti-mask demonstrators disrupted a Regional School District 17 Board of Education meeting Tuesday night with bullhorns and signs.

Chairwoman Suzanne Sack began the meeting by calling for a moment of silence for 14-year-old Gianna Vincelett, a student who was killed in a hit-and-run last week.

Gianna Vincelett was a wonderful student, lives in Higganum, very well-liked by her friends, very avid athlete, and will be missed by family, friends and the entire school district, Sack said.

According to the video recording of the meeting, Sack was interrupted by someone speaking on a bullhorn outside the meeting room.

Sack excused herself from the meeting and disappeared from the cameras view. When she returned, she apologized for the interruption.

Clearly, my indication to the folks outside that we are pausing for a moment of silence is not having an impact, but, nonetheless, I dont want that to take away from the fact that this tragic accident has left us with one less precious student and the tragic loss of someone at this age is overwhelming, Sack said.

Once Sack began speaking again about counselors available for students, the bullhorn noise resumed. The noise from outside the room became so loud that the meeting was halted for five minutes after one board member said she could not hear Sack speaking.

In the background, signs reading lock up Lamont and unmask our kids, as well as American and dont tread on me flags were visible.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, Sack got up again, but she did not stop the meeting. Board Secretary Jennifer Favalora tried to read the letters sent from residents to the board, speaking louder as the noise from outside the room persisted, according to the video.

Protesters also moved their signs into the frame of the livestream camera, and at times, activated sirens from their bullhorns.

A representative for Unmask Our Kids CT told Hearst Connecticut Media on Wednesday they had no idea if the demonstrators were part of their group.

Sack and Interim Superintendent JeanAnn Paddyfote did not immediately respond Wednesday to requests for comment.

christine.derosa@hearstmediact.com
Venice, FL (34285)

Today

A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Partly cloudy. Low 76F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Partly cloudy. Low 76F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  A federal judge Tuesday blocked Texas from allowing state troopers to stop vehicles carrying migrants on the grounds that they may spread COVID-19 as worries and new cases are rising along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The temporary order by U.S. District Judge Kathleen Cardone of El Paso is at least a short-term victory for the Biden administration, which had warned that Republican Gov. Greg Abbott's plan would create more problems amid high levels of summer border crossings in Texas - particularly in the Rio Grande Valley, which one U.S. official called the epicenter of the current surge.

In a sign of the growing strain, local officials there who have rebuffed Abbott's hardline immigration actions to jail border crossers and build new barrier declared a local state of disaster this week as COVID-19 cases climb and capacity at migrant shelters is stretched.

Cardone said Abbott's directive would have the effect of exacerbating the spread of COVID-19. She scheduled another hearing for next week.

Abbott spokesman Renae Eze said the decision was based on limited evidence" and that their office looked forward to providing evidence to the court.

Like Texas, the Biden administration is also raising concerns about the much more contagious delta variant as large numbers of noncitizens continue arriving at Texas' southern border. On Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention renewed emergency powers that allow federal authorities to expel families at the border on grounds it prevents the spread of the coronavirus.

But in suing Texas, the Justice Department accused Abbott of potentially worsening the spread of COVID-19, saying in court filings that impeding the transfer of migrants would prolong the detention of unaccompanied children in increasingly crowded facilities.

Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez, a Democrat who is the top elected official in the Rio Grande Valleys largest county, said Tuesday that typically about 8% of migrants tested for COVID-19 were positive. He said that number is now at 16%  roughly in line with Texas' overall positivity rate of 17%, according to state health figures.

Its not getting better. Its getting worse, said Cortez, defending his local disaster order.

Critics have accused Abbott, who is up for a third term in 2022, of trying to deflect blame for Texas' rapidly surging COVID-19 numbers on migrants as he rejects calls to reinstate mask mandates and other pandemic restrictions. On Tuesday, Texas surpassed 7,000 hospitalized virus patients for the first time since February and reported more than 11,000 new cases.

Abbott last week had authorized Texas' growing presence of state troopers along the border to stop any vehicle upon reasonable suspicion that it transports migrants. Troopers could then reroute vehicles back to their point of origin or impound them. Civil rights groups and immigration advocates have expressed concerns that the directive to troopers could invite racial profiling.

Border crossings usually slow during stifling  and sometimes fatal  summer heat. But U.S. authorities revealed Monday that they likely picked up 19,000 unaccompanied children in July, exceeding the previous high of 18,877 in March. The June total was 15,253, according to David Shahoulian, assistant secretary for border and immigration policy at the Department of Homeland Security, who singled out the Rio Grande Valley for having the largest numbers.

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 arent directly comparable because many cross repeatedly under a pandemic-related ban known as Title 42, which is named for a 1944 public health law.

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."
JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  Health care systems across Mississippi are seeing a surge of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations in people under 50, a shift from earlier in the pandemic when the virus was predominately affecting older adults. A hospital official said there were only six available ICU beds in the entire state.

"Most of the people that are unvaccinated in Mississippi are under 50, so thats the population that were seeing," said Dr. Alan Jones, Associate Vice Chancellor for Clinical Affairs at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. "It's attacking the vulnerable and the vulnerable are the unvaccinated."

In response to the surge, Mississippi State University will be requiring masks indoors for the fall 2021 semester, the school announced in a news release Wednesday.

Officials at Mississippi's only level-one trauma center and teaching hospital said Wednesday that 90% of the new cases and hospitalizations they are seeing are among unvaccinated people.

The Mississippi State Department of Health reported 2,821 new cases of coronavirus in a single day Wednesday, numbers not seen in the state since the last surge of the virus over the winter. Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs Dr. LouAnn Woodward said during the last major surge, the vaccine was not yet available.

Woodward said it's exhausting for medical officials to know there's a tool available now that can be used to help fight the virus and people are refusing it.

It is almost impossible to put into words the frustration that we all feel, the disappointment that here we are again and honestly, some low level of anger," said Woodward, who is also dean of the School of Medicine. There are a lot of people in health care right now that feel pretty mad about this situation.

More than 1,000 people were hospitalized with coronavirus in Mississippi on Wednesday. University of Mississippi Medical Center Chief Administrative Officer Dr. Jonathan Wilson said there were only six available ICU beds in the entire state.

There have been days in the past few weeks when there were as many as 60 people waiting for beds at the medical center, Woodward said.

There are moments when were holding what I would say is a hospitals worth of patients in the emergency department, in the recovery room and other places like that are waiting for a bed," said Woodward. "That just puts a strain on the entire system.

At the University of Mississippi Medical Center, the surge in virus cases has been complicated by an ongoing staffing shortage. Jones said there are currently hundreds of positions open at the hospital. There are close to 30 beds that aren't being used because there are not enough employees to care for the patients, he said.

I think I can safely say that other health systems around us and the city and the state are at a breaking point, he said.

Jones said there were 94 people hospitalized with coronavirus Wednesday at the medical center, with 13 of those cases being children.

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Leah Willingham is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
When a veteran receives poor medical treatment at a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital or medical facility, they might be under the belief that filing a medical malpractice lawsuit against the federal government is impossible.

But that is simply not true. If you or a loved one has suffered from the negligence of the VA, you can file a claim under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) to receive compensation for pain and suffering and economic loss. It is important that if you believe you have a claim against the VA, you know your rights so you can receive the compensation you deserve.

Can You Sue the VA for Medical Malpractice?

The FTCA allows veterans and their families to file a medical malpractice claim against VA doctors and employees if their negligent care caused an injury. "Negligence" means the lack of ordinary care. "Medical malpractice" means negligence committed by a medical professional. It can be proven when an action is performed -- or, in some cases, not performed -- that would not be considered acceptable by the local medical community. There are many different examples of medical errors that could cause a significant injury, including surgical errors, medication errors and anesthesia mistakes, to name a few.

Loved ones of family members who died because of medical errors can pursue a "wrongful death" claim on behalf of the victim's estate and beneficiaries. The potential recovery for "wrongful death" and other damages is governed by state law and will vary from state to state.

Victims of VA medical malpractice also may qualify to receive benefits from a Section 1151 disability claim as well. In contrast to an FTCA claim, a Section 1151 claim can only be filed for if the injury took place at the VA hospital, outpatient clinic or during a medical examination or surgery. Typically, these require less evidence than what is required for an FTCA claim and cover less negligent acts than a FTCA claim would. A veteran can be awarded both an FTCA settlement and Section 1151 benefits; however, the VA will hold any disability payments until they have offset the total amount paid in a Federal Tort Claim settlement. Also, unlike disability compensation, any compensation received from your FTCA claim is paid in one lump sum, rather than in monthly payments.

How to File a VA Medical Malpractice Claim and Lawsuit

The statute of limitations on filing a VA medical malpractice claim is two years from the date of the malpractice. A properly completed, signed "Form 95, Claim for Damages, Injury or Death" must be received by the appropriate government office within two years after the malpractice is committed. If the claim is denied by the VA at the administrative level, you only have six months to file a suit in federal court. Critically, missing these deadlines will bar your claim outright, even if your claim has merit.

The first step is to file an administrative claim with the VA regional counsel where the malpractice took place. It is critical that the initial claim be prepared correctly. You should consider consulting with an attorney to assist you with the initial claim paperwork to avoid jeopardizing your legal rights.

The Form 95 claim form provides an overview of your case, as well as outlining your injuries and the amount of compensation that you are seeking. The amount you are requesting must be detailed and thorough, as the federal courts cannot award you any more money than what you list in your administrative claim. Along with your requested sum, you also must provide evidence justifying the amount. You will be limited to the amount listed in your claim later in the legal proceeding.

Other proof also can be submitted with your claim. This includes:

Any information on any future expected medical expenses,

Proof of anticipated lost future income,

An employer's statement about missed work,

A statement from your doctor/treating physician and

Relevant medical records.

In addition, an experienced FTCA lawyer often will include an opinion from an independent expert describing the malpractice and damages in detail as part of your initial claim.

After the claim is initially submitted, lawyers for the VA often will request an in-person interview with the claimant or, in the case of a wrongful death claim, the estate representative. It is important that the claimant have their own attorney present for any interviews.

After the claim is fully submitted, the VA will have six months to issue a response to your administrative claim and either will accept, offer to settle or deny the claim. The VA's written denial of your claim or failure to issue a response within six months -- which is considered a "constructive denial" -- will allow you to file a lawsuit in federal court, wherein a judge will hear and decide your case. After the lawsuit is started, the case will undergo a mandatory settlement conference. Claims often resolve at this stage. Sometimes cases need to be tried to conclusion by presenting live witness and expert testimony in court.

Legal Fees: How Do I Pay My Lawyer?

Malpractice lawyers typically work on a "contingency basis," meaning they only get paid if they win. VA malpractice attorneys are limited as to how much they can charge you in relation to your case. The fee for claims that settle at the administrative level is 20%, whereas the fee for cases that go to court is 25%. Your lawyer also will advance all expenses associated with the case only to be paid back at the end if the case is successful.

Pursuing a medical malpractice claim against the VA is not as simple as just filing a claim. A claimant should hire an experienced VA malpractice lawyer to assist them early in the process. While it is ultimately a private decision on whether you choose to hire an attorney, cases of VA medical malpractice are difficult to win and can go on for years. The key is to retain expert counsel to assist you through the complex process of pursuing your VA malpractice claim to ensure you get the justice you deserve.

Greg T. Rinckey, Esq. is a Founding Partner with Tully Rinckey PLLC, where he focuses his practice on military law; federal employment, EEO and discrimination litigation; and national security clearance representation. John F. Harwick, Esq. is a partner with E. Stewart Jones Hacker Murphy LLP where he focuses on medical malpractice claims against the VA.

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KABUL, Afghanistan  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 in the attack. 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 it appeared that gunmen had entered the area after the explosion. Stanekzai said all four attackers were eventually killed by security personnel and a clean-up 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.
KABUL, Afghanistan  Hoshang Hashimi escaped his hometown of Herat on the same day the Taliban captured two other journalists.

He left quietly, saying goodbye only to his mother and father, and packing two small bags with his professional camera equipment and other essentials.

Hashimi said that because he had worked for international media outlets like The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse, he would be in danger if the Taliban took the city.

So on Monday, he flew to the relative safety of Kabul on one of the last planes out of Herat before mortar rounds struck the citys airport, suspending all flights.

Like dozens of other Afghan journalists from across the country, Hashimi is now in the capital taking refuge from Taliban offensives after the withdrawal of most U.S. and coalition troops.

The 34-year-old is part of a generation of journalists who began their careers partly as a result of American nation-building efforts over the past two decades.

But Afghanistans free press, long seen as a notable success story and the most independent in the region, is under threat from Taliban violence, journalists and activists told Stars and Stripes.

We will lose a lot of our freedoms if things keep going as they are, said Najib Sharifi, the president of the Afghan Journalists Safety Committee, and a longtime contributor to NPR and other news organizations.

Some 136 cases of violence against journalists were recorded in the first half of the year, the Kabul-based committee said.

The Taliban has forced about 90 journalists to flee to Kabul, the group said. More than 300 journalists have left the profession since the beginning of the year.

Taliban violence and economic pressures caused by decreasing foreign aid threaten press freedom in Afghanistan, Sharifi said.

He also mentioned increased repression by the Afghan government, which arrested four reporters in the southern province of Kandahar recently.

The U.S. has invested millions to support Afghan media, believing that strong, independent journalism would support the growth of democracy and promotion of human rights.

Tolo TV, one of Afghanistans most popular television channels, began after a $220,000 grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development.

But while Afghanistan ranks highly in press freedom compared with nearby countries, it remains one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists, with over a dozen media workers killed since last fall.

Among them was Indian photojournalist Danish Siddiqui, who worked for Reuters and was killed while embedded with Afghan forces in southern Kandahar province last month.

In April, Human Rights Watch accused the Taliban of intimidating and killing journalists as part of a wave of assassinations that also targeted judges, lawyers and activists.

The militant group has denied involvement in the killings, which remain unclaimed, and it has since said it would not target Afghans who worked for U.S. news organizations once international forces leave. But many media professionals said they dont believe the Taliban.

The militant group took over the FM radio station Radio Nawbahar in the northern province of Balkh this summer. The head of the station, Nabi Hamdard, told Stars and Stripes that music is now banned.

They only broadcast about religious issues, Taliban (poetry), verses of the Quran, said Hamdard, who like most of the stations employees fled when the militants took over.

Some journalists say they are getting threatening messages on social media that they believe come from pro-Taliban accounts, with stock images and made-up names that translate to Watcher Watcher and Fix Yourself.

Last fall, Taliban fighters called Zainullah Stanikzai, a reporter in the southern city of Lashkar Gah, and demanded that he tell them how many reporters there were working for foreign media.

Stanikzai, whose friend and fellow reporter Aliyas Dayee had just been killed in a car bomb attack, knew he had to flee to Kabul.

After working for Reuters for nine years, Stanikzai hopes to come to the United States on a visa program recently announced by the State Department to help those who worked for U.S. news organizations.

The new Priority 2 category of the U.S. Refugee Admission Program will apply to Afghans and members of their immediate family who may be in peril.

Stanikzai, 40, said he never wanted to leave his home country. But the violence of the past year as U.S. and allied troops left changed his mind.

It was very fearful for me, he said. Were not people who have armored cars; were journalists.

Sharifi, the president of the Afghan Journalists Safety Committee, has mixed feelings whenever he sees Afghan media professionals leave the country.

He said he knows the dangers they face, but he hopes the media can persevere.

If we lose all our journalists, that will be a big loss for Afghanistan, Sharifi said. I want to stay. I want to fight. Whos going to save this country if everyone leaves?
A Georgia man who was quickly booted out of the Marine Corps is the suspect in Tuesday's Pentagon stabbing attack that left one law enforcement officer dead.

The man faced a series of charges earlier this year tied to alleged offenses in Georgia, with a judge ordering that he be barred from owning guns while the cases progressed. Those charges haven't moved forward in the Georgia court system, which has an extensive backlog due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Pentagon was placed on lockdown for more than an hour Tuesday morning after a man ambushed a law enforcement officer at a Metro transit station just steps outside the building.

Austin Lanz, 27, of Georgia, was identified by law enforcement officials as the suspect, according to reporting from The Associated Press. He allegedly ran at one officer and stabbed him in the neck. Lanz was shot and killed by other responding officers. Officials are still investigating the motive behind the attack.

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Lanz enlisted in the Marine Corps on Oct. 9, 2012, but was "administratively separated" on Nov. 2 that year, according to Maj. Jim Stenger, a Marine Corps spokesperson.

A new recruit or service member can be separated for a large roster of reasons, ranging from criminal issues, poor behavior, failure to meet military standards or drug abuse. It is unclear what led to Lanz's swift dismissal.

"He never earned the title Marine," Stenger said to Military.com in a statement.

Lanz was arrested in April in Cobb County, Georgia, on burglary and criminal trespassing charges, according to court records. A second criminal case was filed against him the same day on one count of making a terrorist threat, rioting in a penal institution and two counts of aggravated battery on police officers.

He was released on a $30,000 bond and ordered by the court to undergo a mental health evaluation and prohibited from ingesting alcohol or using illegal drugs. He also lost his rights to own firearms.

Military.com reached out several times to the attorney listed for Lanz in Georgia court records but did not get an immediate response.

Lanz also was ordered to stay away from a specific home address in Acworth, Georgia, and a man who resides there. That man declined to be interviewed when reached by phone by a Military.com reporter.

According to a court clerk for the Cobb County Magistrate Court, Lanz's case was referred to Cobb County Superior Court. However, records indicate that the Cobb County District Attorney's Office had yet to indict Lanz at the time of the shooting.

Latonia P. Hines, a spokeswoman for the Cobb County District Attorney's Office, told Military.com that the case had yet to be presented to a grand jury. She added that empaneling grand juries had been held up by COVID-19 restrictions.

Pentagon officials identified the officer killed in the line of duty as George Gonzalez. He joined the Pentagon police force in 2018. He previously served in the Army and was an Iraq War veteran.

"As we mourn the loss of Officer Gonzalez, our commitment to serve and protect is stronger. Officer Gonzalez's family is in our thoughts and prayers. May he rest in peace," the Pentagon said in a statement.

Gonzalez, a native of Brooklyn, New York, was a "die-hard Yankees fan," according to the Defense Department.

Details surrounding the attack are scarce, with Pentagon officials still withholding key details. At a press conference Tuesday, Woodrow Kusse, the chief of the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, declined to answer any questions regarding what led up to the attack, or how many bystanders or other officers were injured.

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.

-- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon.

-- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin.

Related: Pentagon Withholding Details on Attack That Reportedly Claimed Officer's Life
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.

Hall's 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 Benning's 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 Hall's 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 Army's airborne school at the busy intersection of Merchant Avenue and Edwards Street, and within a short walk of the post's massive headquarters building, home of its Maneuver Center of Excellence. Army officials said they plan to add the marker's location and the nearby site where Hall's remains were discovered to Fort Benning's official historical tours.

"I wish today felt like we were righting a wrong," said Army Lt. Gen. Ted Martin, the commander of the service's Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. He traveled to Fort Benning, where he had served previously, to attend Tuesday's 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 Hall's 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 Tuesday's 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."

Historic marker honoring Pvt. Felix Hall August, 3, 2021 at Fort Benning. Pvt. Hall had volunteered and was training to fight overseas in a unit of African American soldiers. (U.S. Army/Markeith Horace)

The ceremony honoring Hall and the Army's official recognition of the lynching comes as the United States has faced a renewed racial reckoning in the 14 months since George Floyd's 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 Biden's 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.

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 post's 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 Hall's 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."

Hall's 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.

'Never again'

Hall's 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 Hall's murder, citing the work of Northeastern University Law School's Civil Rights and Restorative Justice project, which memorialized some 1,100 killings in the Jim Crow south motivated by race, including Hall's.

Army officials acknowledged at the time that its top leaders did not know of Hall's story. Even Bishop, who has represented Fort Benning's district since 1993, was unaware of the killing or that any lynching had ever occurred at the base.

He was made aware of Hall's 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 Hall's tragic death. Fort Benning has erected a temporary marker in the wooded area where Hall's 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. "That's the only way we can be sure that we try to never repeat them."

While Hall's 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 there's 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 Hall's lynching, but he said the Army's past failure to acknowledge Hall had done a disservice to soldiers.

"Since then, as a nation, we've made incredible progress, but we can't 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.' "
The Air Force has ended its policy allowing emotional support animals on military charter flights overseas -- an abrupt move that has sent some service members and families scrambling to book alternative transportation for their pets.

Air Mobility Command announced Aug. 2 that "effective immediately" a policy change has been made to Defense Department travel rules. The animals now must have a reservation for the cabin or cargo hold, depending on their size.

For personnel with small dogs or cats that fit into vented carry-on bags, the change isn't much of an issue, merely requiring additional paperwork and a reservation for a space under an airplane seat.

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But for those with larger dogs -- such as Navy spouse Alicia DeGroot, whose dog Bella weighs roughly 40 pounds -- the new regulation requires paperwork; a proper-sized kennel or crate; a reservation in one of the few spots available in the cargo hold; and additional fees of between $125 and $375, depending on weight.

The decision has baffled DeGroot, whose family is moving from Spain to Japan and is in the United States visiting relatives for the summer.

"PCSing is hard enough. PCSing in COVID is even harder, and now this. People are finding this out when they are flying out," DeGroot said Tuesday in an interview with Military.com referencing a permanent change of station for military members.

Command spokesman Capt. Frederick Wallace said the change is in line with guidance issued July 30 by the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense that followed a Department of Transportation ruling restricting animals in airline cabins to service dogs.

In 2008, the Department of Transportation began requiring airlines to let passengers bring animals on board if they had a note from a doctor saying the animal was needed for emotional support.

But in December 2020, the department reversed its decision, recommending that airlines limit animals in passenger cabins to service dogs -- those defined as having special training to help their handlers with physical, intellectual, psychiatric or mental disabilities.

Emotional support animals, under the ruling, are considered the same as pets: Airlines could choose to continue transporting them in cabins at no cost, but nearly all have stopped allowing them in passenger cabins unless they are small enough to fit under a seat and remain in their carry-ons.

The change was the result of numerous dustups in the airline industry including a pig that defecated on a US Airways plane in 2014, an emotional support peacock that was denied entry to a flight in 2018, and the mauling of a man by an emotional support dog on a Delta Air Lines flight in 2017.

The new ruling affects all who have access to Patriot Express flights, which are contracted by the Defense Department for personnel and military families traveling between duty stations, as well as retirees, federal employees and some veterans on a case-by-case basis.

The flights leave from one of two terminals -- Baltimore-Washington International Airport in Maryland and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Washington. The change is in effect at both locations.

This year, at the beginning of the traditional military family moving season, Air Mobility Command increased pet spaces in passenger cabins to 20. But space remains limited to between four and 10 kennel spots in cargo holds, depending on the aircraft.

Under DoD travel regulations, passengers can request up to two pet reservations per family; the pets must travel on the same flight with their humans.

DeGroot has had Bella for 11 years and said the Labrador Retriever-mix helps her deal with anxiety related to change, a constant of the military lifestyle. She received paperwork designating Bella as her emotional support animal a couple of months ago.

Now, she is scrambling to figure out how to get Bella to Japan. She has been told the dog could get a reservation on a Patriot Express flight Aug. 19, but the family's flight is scheduled for Aug. 26, so that won't work.

DeGroot is considering a commercial cargo flight that could cost the family $5,000.

"It's a mess. It's a load of baloney that [the policy] is effective immediately," she said.

DeGroot would like to see Air Mobility Command open up more cargo spots for animals.

"If we were going somewhere in the States, we'd drive. But we are literally flying to a place we can't drive to," she said. "They should make more cargo spots or just make a rule in the military that you can't have pets. It's insane."

Wallace said that increasing the number of cargo spaces is simply not possible.

"Unfortunately, the number of pet spaces in the cargo compartment cannot be increased due to aircraft limitations, contract compliance, and oxygen availability to pets," he said.

Just how many families have been affected by the change is unknown; Wallace said that Air Mobility Command does not "track pets that depart a location ... by emotional support animal status."

On the commands airport Facebook pages, a handful of military families have posted that they needed to make alternative arrangements.

The new rule does not affect service dogs. Troops or family members with service dogs still can take their animal on Patriot Express flights. Under the guidance, the dog must sit either on the handler's lap or within the handler's foot space.

The animals must be harnessed or leashed at all times.

-- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Monster.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime.

Related: Here's Why Veterans Groups Are Happy About the New Airline Restrictions on Service Animals
The Pentagon police officer killed by a knife-wielding assailant Tuesday was identified by the Defense Department as George Gonzalez, an Iraq War veteran.

Gonzalez, 37, was attacked at a bus platform outside the Pentagon on Tuesday morning. Law enforcement identified Austin Lanz, 27, of Georgia, as the perpetrator.

Lanz stabbed Gonzalez, and then shot himself with Gonzalezs weapon, according to the FBI, before he was shot by other officers on the scene. A civilian bystander injured in the incident has since been released from medical care.

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Before becoming a cop at the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, Gonzalez, a native of Brooklyn, New York, was an artilleryman, serving as cannon crew member in the active-duty Army from April 2003 to November 2005.

"His life was one of service, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said at a press briefing Wednesday. A veteran of both the police and the military, he lost his life protecting those who protect the nation."

Gonzalez deployed to Iraq from August 2004 to July 2005. During that deployment, he earned a Combat Action Badge, according to an Army spokesperson. He also served in the Army Reserve from November 2005 to March 2011. He left the service with the rank of sergeant.

After his military service, Gonzalez served with the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Transportation Security Administration. He joined the Pentagon Force Protection Agency on July 22, 2018, according to a statement from the Defense Department.

Lanz enlisted in the Marine Corps on Oct. 9, 2012, but was booted from the force less than a month later, a service spokesman told Military.com. It's unclear what led to Lanz's quick dismissal.

The FBI, which is leading the investigation, has not yet released key details about the incident, such as the motivation behind the attack or whether Lanz intended to enter the Pentagon.

The Pentagon police said the Metro station where the attack took place is expected to resume to normal operations Thursday morning.

-- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon.

Related: Dead Suspect in Pentagon Attack Was a Marine Corps Washout
Buying a home is the biggest purchase most families ever make. For veterans and service members, finding a real estate agent familiar with factors like housing allowances, permanent changes of station (PCS) and the application process for mortgages backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs can streamline the process.

Retired Marine 1st Sgt. Duan Rockette knows firsthand what a difference the right real estate agent can make. After a rough experience buying a home during his own PCS from Okinawa back to the United States, Rockette got into real estate when he retired.

"I wanted to do something I love to do, and that's working with people and helping people," said Rockette, who retired from the military in 2007 after serving for more than 21 years.

Now, Rockette is the managing broker for NP Dodge Real Estate in Omaha, Nebraska. He and the more than 200 real estate agents who report to him often help military families and veterans find homes near Offutt Air Force Base, south of Omaha, and in other parts of the nation.

"I just want service members to know that there are people who appreciate their service and want to help them and will do everything possible to best represent them," Rockette said.

Here's some of Rockette's tips for finding a military-friendly real estate professional:

Work with Your Lender

If you're planning to use a VA-backed loan, the VA recommends that you look for a lender before finding a real estate agent.

Rockette said it's also handy because the right lender often can connect you with the right real estate agent for your situation.

He recommends checking out military-focused lenders, such as Veterans United Home Loans, USAA and Navy Federal Credit Union, and ask about their networks of military-friendly real estate professionals.

Ask Around

If you're purchasing during a PCS move, remember someone in your unit or another military family you know probably already has been to the station you are moving to. Rockette said those neighbors, friends or coworkers should be able to point you in the right direction.

"When someone has a good experience with an agent who provides exceptional service and shows they really care about them, they're going to talk about it -- just like they'll talk about if they had a bad experience," he said.

Use Social Media

Your future duty station's military spouse and support groups on social media might be good places to find recommendations.

Army Capt. Joel Fulsang took to social media during his last PCS from Alaska to Georgia. "I looked at one of the Fort Gordon spouses' groups on Facebook, and there were real estate agents posting their information," he said.

Agents who work with service members and veterans might advertise in base publications or leave information at base resource offices, such as Navy Fleet and Family Support Centers, Rockette said.

Some real estate agents are veterans themselves, so consider asking at your local veterans organization chapters, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars or the American Legion. Rockette said he has found clients through veteran groups he's been a member of, including the VFW and the Marine Corps League.

If there's not a real estate agent in your local organization's ranks, ask other members who they recommend, he said.

With any referral, Rockette said to always do your due diligence.

"It's a combination between what you hear and what you research," he said. "Put your feelers out. Check agents out online and don't be afraid to ask questions."

Look for Organizations Serving Veterans and Military Members

Outside of official lender networks, there are several networks of real estate professionals that specifically help military and veteran communities. Most are concentrated around major military installations and affiliated with larger real estate firms. So even if you're not near base, they still may be able to help you.

Rockette recommended checking out Homes for Heroes, a large network of real estate, mortgage and local business specialists who serve veterans, first responders, health-care workers and teachers.

Another organization, the MilHousing Network, focuses on active-duty personnel and has more than 3,000 pre-screened agents with verified experience working for military homebuyers and sellers.

"The average civilian will move once in 12 years, and the average military family will move three times in those 12 years," said the organization's co-founder, Lindsey Litton, a military spouse who saw a need for "military helping military" in the real estate market.

The Military Movers Real Estate Group also aims to assist service members in the home-buying and selling process to "make their PCS as smooth as possible." The group's website lists its properties, many of which are around military installations in Alaska, Colorado and Florida.

Identify Professionals Certified to Work with Military Members and Veterans

Finally, Rockette said, keep an eye out for certifications that prove a real estate professional has the training to understand unique military situations.

One certification Rockette said he held in the past is the National Association of Realtors' Military Relocation Professional certification.

This certification means that an agent has gone through a specialized course on military housing needs and veteran benefits. Some real estate agencies also might use the acronym VAMRES, or VA and military real estate specialist, to designate agents who have experience with both VA-backed home loans and active-duty changes of station.

-- Aaron Streitenberger is a reporter for Three Creeks Media. Brittany Crocker is managing editor for Three Creeks Media.

Take the Next Step

If you're ready to move forward, or just want more information, the first step is to get no-obligation rate quotes.
Yuli Gurriel was scratched from tonights Astros game with neck stiffness, according to Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle. Rome goes on to say that Gurriel was in obvious discomfort before speaking with the trainer. The 37-year-old is having his best season to date, with a slash of .324/.388/.490, producing a wRC+ of 145 and 3.0 fWAR. The extent of the injury is unclear at this point. But losing that level of production for any amount of time would be difficult to replace.

Help could be on the way, however, as Alex Bregmans rehab is continuing tonight, according to Rome. There was some worry yesterday when he was pulled from a rehab game with hamstring tightness. But that seems to have been merely precautionary. Dusty Baker told Mark Berman of Fox 26 that theyre still hopeful he can return for their upcoming homestand, which runs from August 5th to 11th.

Other AL West notes
The Diamondbacks announced theyve selected the contract of pitcher Tyler Gilbert. Southpaw Miguel Aguilar was optioned to Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move.

Its the first big league call for Gilbert, a 27-year-old southpaw. A sixth-round pick of the Phillies out of USC in 2015, Gilbert spent his first few professional seasons in the Philadelphia organization. The Phils traded him to the Dodgers for Kyle Garlick in February 2020, but he never appeared in a game for a Los Angeles affiliate due to last years canceled minor league season. The D-Backs selected Gilbert in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft over the offseason.

Hes spent the year to date with Reno, making eleven appearances (ten starts). Over 52 1/3 innings, Gilbert has a 3.44 ERA with decent strikeout and walk rates (22.8% and 8.7%, respectively). Thats deceptively strong production in the supercharged Triple-A West environment. Among the 26 pitchers with 50+ innings in the league, only one (Drew Anderson) has a better ERA than Gilbert. That quality work in the high minors will earn him a look from a D-Backs team that has little reason not to give opportunities to potential long-term members of the pitching staff.
The Dodgers have placed righty Edwin Uceta on the IL with a lumbar strain, according to Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register. His roster spot will go to fellow righty Brusdar Graterol.

Uceta has been on-and-off the roster constantly this year, having been optioned and recalled six times. This will also be his second stint on the IL with a back issue. The 23-year-old is well regarded, currently ranked the Dodgers #19 prospect by MLB Pipeline. That hasnt translated to on-field success yet this year. In 17 2/3 MLB innings, he has an ERA of 7.64. Over 17 1/3 Triple-A innings, the ERA is 6.75. Although the advanced metrics like his work better, at both levels.

Graterol has had a very similar season, bouncing between the injured list, Triple-A and big leagues, though hes been optioned half as many times as Uceta. In 16 2/3 innings at Triple-A, he has an ERA of 6.48. And in nine big league innings, his ERA is an even 6.00. Although, like Uceta, the advanced metrics like him more at both levels. The 22-year-old will be looking to get back into a groove and return to the form that made him a weapon for the Dodgers last year, when he had a 3.09 ERA during the regular season and a 3.52 ERA in the postseason.

In other news from Chavez Ravine, Trea Turner will be flying into Los Angeles on Friday, according to Juan Toribio of MLB.com. Friday will be the 10th day after Turners positive COVID-19 test, meaning his minimum quarantine period will have elapsed. But at this point, its unclear if he will be immediately activated by the club.
The Phillies have released reliever Brandon Kintzler, according to the MLB.com transactions tracker. That was the anticipated outcome after the veteran right-hander was designated for assignment over the weekend. Kintzler has well over five years of MLB service time, so hed have had the right to reject an outright assignment in favor of free agency while retaining the remainder of his salary. With that in mind, the Phils evidently just decided to place him on release waivers. Once he clears, Kintzler will be free to sign anywhere of his choosing.

Kintzler was non-tendered by the Marlins over the winter despite a productive 2020 campaign serving as Miamis closer. The 37-year-old signed a minor league deal with the Phillies that came with a $3MM base salary if he made the club out of Spring Training. He bet on himself, turning down guaranteed deals that wouldve come with a lower salary and ultimately made good on that decision, earning a season-opening spot in the Phils bullpen.

While Kintzler has generally been a productive reliever over the course of his career, that hasnt been the case so far in 2021. The sinkerballer managed just a 6.37 ERA across 29 2/3 innings in Philadelphia. Kintzlers still racking up grounders at a very high clip (58.2%), but hes nevertheless been tagged for seven home runs.

Thats the result of a exceptionally high 29.2% HR/FB rate thats more than double Kintzlers career mark of 13.2%. Given his generally solid track record, Kintzler should find interest from other clubs on minor league arrangements. If a few more batted balls die in the outfield grass as opposed to clearing the fences, its possible he could bounce back towards his more typically steady form.
[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

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Around two months ago, Moneylife wrote how Dr Rahul Pawar , a bright and hard-working young doctor who had risen from abject poverty, had contracted COVID while working to treat patients in Latur. On 26 May 2021, he succumbed to the deadly virus after a long battle with COVID and mucormycosis.

This had a shattering impact on his distraught family, which had not only lost their only hope of rising out of poverty but was left with debts incurred for his treatment and his education as well as a small home loan to get a better roof over their heads. Fortunately, all was not lost, since Dr Rahuls classmates, seniors and other doctors, who are themselves busy treating COVID patients, rallied around to help and drew attention to the familys plight.

As of today, the Pawar family has received over Rs27 lakh in the bank account. This includes funds raised during the treatment of Dr Rahul and deposit refunded by MGM Hospital of Aurangabad. Further, the family is expected to receive Rs5 lakh from a pharmaceutical company as compensation, Rs3 lakh under Covid Suraksha Kawach Yojna for medical students in Maharashtra, and a balance of over Rs97,000 from Ketto. In short, the family would be receiving over Rs36 lakh, apart from the Rs1.25 lakh home loan waiver.

A crowdfunding effort on Ketto.org followed and the story touched the hearts of people across the world, who came forward to help with large and small donations. Several of us at Moneylife participated actively in this effort and the campaign ended with 643 persons donating a sum of Rs13,24,011 as support to the Pawar family

That was not all. Some, such as the Thakur Foundation donated $2,000 (Rs1.45 lakh) directly to the bank account of Dr Pawars family. Like him, several others preferred to make direct credits.

Mahindra Rural Housing Finance Ltd, in a compassionate gesture, also agreed to waive the home loan of Rs1.25 lakh at the intervention of chairman Anand Mahindra.

Some seniors of Dr Rahul, like Dr Nilesh Kalyankar, and Dr Shrikant Chavan, batchmates like Dr Prathmesh Patil and roommate Dr Amarnath Gutte started the fund-raising campaign on Ketto.org.

On the Ketto platform, Rs13.24 lakh was raised for the Pawar family. Out of this, Rs11,89,362 has been credited in the account of Vishwanath Pawar, father of Dr Rahul by the fund-raising platform. The balance Rs1,34,649 includes the platform fee of Rs37,020 and about Rs97,629 donated by overseas donors, which will be credited in the next few days.

Earlier in February this year, the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS) passed its budget for 2021-22 with a Covid Suraksha Kawach Yojna for medical students. In case of the death of the student, family members can get financial assistance of up to Rs3 lakh under the Covid Suraksha Kawach Yojna.

According to Dr Mukund Bhise, head of the department, community medicine (PSM) at MIMSR, Latur, the college has filed an application under the scheme for financial assistance to Dr Rahul's family. Dr Rahul was a student of Laturs MIMSR.

Earlier, Dr Patil from Nair Hospital, who is chief coordinator and official spokesperson of the Association of State Medical Interns (ASMI) told Moneylife, "What happened with Dr Rahul has shaken every batchmate of ours. We have no answer as to what would happen to our family if there is no insurance protection for us. So, we want the government to assure us that we also get the Rs50 lakh insurance coverage like other healthcare professionals."

Here is a small video of Vishwanath Pawar and Asha Pawar, the parents of Dr Rahul, where they expressed their gratitude for helping them
The National Stock Exchange (NSE) released its annual report over the weekend, making news for the announcement that it was planning to apply again for an initial public offering (IPO). The Indian capital market is in a rare bull market where food delivery major Zomato is seeing its share price surge after a hugely successful IPO without any sign of profits. Policybazar, another loss-making entity, is all set to pick up funds and the public is lining up to provide funds, not only to it but almost every internet company that is quick enough to ride this wave!

It is natural that NSEs foreign institutional investors are chafing at the bit and want the largest and most profitable (70% operating margin) derivatives exchange in the world, in terms of contracts, to list and give some of them a thumping exit or high valuation.

But isnt there a catch? NSE was badly indicted in an investigation by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in what was known as the Co-location Scam of 2015 . The Exchange was accused of giving preferential treatment to certain brokers allowing them to login to co-location servers ahead of others thereby making enormous profits.

After a badly done desktop investigation that failed to pin individual responsibility for the scam, SEBI issued five orders on 30 April 2019 . These included an order asking the Exchange to disgorge Rs624.89 crore along with interest at 12%pa (per annum) which was to be deposited with SEBIs Investor Protection and Education Fund (IPEF). The amount aggregated over Rs1,000 crore and NSE decided to challenge it before the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT). Among other things, the Exchange was asked not to introduce new derivatives products or access the market for six months.

In the past year, NSE has been slowly wiggling out of SEBIs punishment, possibly with tacit consent of the regulator, even though investigations into the co-location matter continue. Several new show-cause notices have still not led to final orders and a new investigation, ordered in February 2021, is being conducted by justice Arvind Sawant, retired chief justice of the Kerala High Court.

Yet, SEBI quietly lifted the ban on NSE launching new derivatives products. In May 2021 , NSE also got SAT to release Rs6,085 crore of revenue earned from algo trading and co-location services that was credited to an escrow account under SEBIs orders. SEBI had no objection during the hearing; so NSE got an order in its favour.

NSEs annual report now says it is applying for an IPO again (it had filed an earlier application in 2016), since the SEBI directions prohibiting it from issuing equity/debt or other securities for six months expired on 30 October 2019. The Exchange has written to the regulator seeking a no-objection.

This suggests that the near-monopoly exchange continues to dictate terms to the regulator. Effectively, NSE is cherry-picking its punishment by claiming compliance with some parts of SEBIs orders, while challenging others. It has challenged the disgorgement penalty, but done nothing to fix accountability of senior employees. An ISB (Indian School of Business) investigation quantifying the unlawful gains earned (more on this later) by brokers is still in limbo. But, hey, NSE says it has complied with the six month prohibition against issuing new securities.

This is a disingenuous argument since the Exchange was in the throes of a change in top management with two key persons from the founding team having left after 23 years, along with several others. Moreover, there has never been any indication that NSE had not challenged the entire SEBI order, or that it had accepted and complied with any part of it, until recently.

I asked NSEs managing director, Can you pick and choose which part of the punishment is acceptable? Had this been conveyed to SEBI when the SAT appeal wasnt filed? According to the Exchanges spokesperson, As is legally permissible, NSE has appealed only certain parts of the SEBI orders dated April 30, 2019 and has complied with certain other directives in the orders such as not accessing public markets for 6 months etc. We have kept SEBI informed of ongoing compliances relating to matters in the SEBI orders that we have not appealed.

Is this a tacit confirmation by the finance ministry that the co-location scam is Rs75,000 crore? Although all the data is available, SEBI has not yet confirmed any figure and an investigation by the business school, ISB Hyderabad, has been in limbo. But MoF seems to accept in Parliament that the co-location scam was a massive Rs75,000 crorea number we have not been able to verify. If so, how is the regulator willing to permit NSE to get listed after choosing to decide which part of the order it is willing to comply with?

Many lawyers who I spoke to are surprised at NSEs claim that it had accepted, or complied with, certain directives or that a regulated entity is entitled to pick and choose. It is another matter that the passage of time led to some automatic compliance.

I understand that SEBI has issued a total of 15 show-cause notices to the Exchange and its employees. But apart from SEBIs orders, there is very little information with regard to the co-location scam in the public domain. In fact, the only details available are in response to questions from members of Parliament (MPs).

against NSE in the Rs75,000-crore Colo scam  (emphasis added). Pankaj Chaudhary, minister of state for finance (MoF), in a written statement, replied, CBI has registered a case in the matter of preferential access at the co-location facility of NSE, vide RC No.AC I 2018A0011 dated 28 May 2018 Presently, the case is under investigation. See Consider this response on 20 July 2021 . Arvind Sawant, MP, had asked details of progress on the first information report (FIR) registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)  (emphasis added). Pankaj Chaudhary, minister of state for finance (MoF), in a written statement, replied, CBI has registered a case in the matter of preferential access at the co-location facility of NSE, vide RC No.AC I 2018A0011 dated 28 May 2018 Presently, the case is under investigation. See http://164.100.24.220/loksabhaquestions/annex/176/AU59.pdf

Is this a tacit confirmation by the finance ministry that the co-location scam is Rs75,000 crore? Although all the data is available, SEBI has not yet confirmed any figure and an investigation by the business school, ISB Hyderabad, has been in limbo. But MoF seems to accept in Parliament that the co-location scam was a massive Rs75,000 crore  a number we have not been able to verify. If so, how is the regulator willing to permit NSE to get listed after choosing to decide which part of the order it is willing to comply with?

In answer to the same question, MoF was also asked about action initiated on broker defaults on the NSE, such as Karvy, BMA Wealth Creators and Anugrah Stock & Broking. It hardly covered the problem. NSE has had an astounding 28 broker defaults /expulsions in the past two years, not counting voluntary closures of membership. This record beats even the dismal days of early-1990s which led to extensive structural changes in the capital market and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). There is absolutely no impact on NSE or its risk management systems.

SEBIs action, if any, in the rest of these cases where investors have lost several thousand crores of rupees (the biggest being Karvy Stock Brokers), is not known even to the victims of these broker-scams and they have filed litigation in various high courts and before SAT.

NSEs latest annual report has some additional information on four issues. It says a penalty of Rs50 lakh imposed on the Exchange for violation of SECC (Stock Exchanges and Clearing Corporations) Regulations was deposited with the regulator after October 2020. But the Rs6-crore penalty, imposed on it for making certain investments, has been challenged and a stay obtained from SAT in December 2020. A third notice pertains to Karvy Stock Brokers mentioned above; but the Exchange reports that there has been no hearing as yet.

A matter that is not in the public domain is an adjudication show-cause notice issued on 26 March 2021 for failing to renew its approval with respect to Straight through Processing (STP) centralised hub services provided by NSE. The Exchange has filed a settlement application on 23 April 2021 in this regard, says the annual report. There is no mention of having accepted any other penalty or directions issued by the regulator. And, yet, NSE is claiming compliance, merely due to passage of time.
Former Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director Alok Kumar Verma, who was unceremoniously removed from the post may have to face disciplinary action and even lose his retirement benefits for allegedly "misusing his position" as the central agency director and violating rules during his service, sources said on Wednesday.

A DoPT source related to the development told IANS: "A file recommending disciplinary action against Verma has been received from Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and has been sent to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for further action."

The Union Home Ministry (MHA) and the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has asked the UPSC to take action against Verma, who was at the epicentre of a controversy in 2018, when Rakesh Asthana, the then special director of the probe agency had levelled allegations of corruption against him.

The source said that the file for disciplinary action was received two to three days back.

Explaining the action, the source said that Verma may lose his retirement benefits as per the rules.

The source said that the government has also cited that Verma, a 1979 batch IPS officer 'violated government rules' during his service.

Verma, as the CBI Director indulged in bitter feud with the agency's Special Director Rakesh Asthana and traded charges of corruption against each other. Asthana has been appointed as the Delhi Police Commissioner in July.

Following the open fued between the top two officers of the CBI, the government moved them out of the country's top premiere investigative agency on October 23, 2018 on the recommendations of the CVC.

Verma's name had recently also figured in the Pegasus 'snoop list'.

The midnight coup in the CBI came barely two days after Verma ordered the filing of a criminal case against Asthana, then special director in the Bureau, accusing him of corruption.

The Supreme Court, however, reinstated him to the same post on January 9, 2019. However, two days later a high powered committee led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with its other two members Justice A.K. Sikri and Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, ousted him as the CBI Director in a 2-1 vote on January 11, 2019.

Asthana, however, got a clean chit from the CBI in February 2020. Recently, he was given an extension for a year and also appointed as Commissioner of Delhi Police.

Verma had earlier requested for the consideration of his retirement after attaining the age of superannuation on July 31, 2017. He had also crossed superannuation age for DG - Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards.

IANS tried to get the comments of Verma. However, by the time of filing this report he did not respond to repeated calls and messages.

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 Parliamentary standing committee on finances report on the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) has come down heavily on the Union government and pointed out a number of shortcomings in the Code while recommending an overhaul.

Taking a grim view, the standing committee headed by Jayant Sinha observed that the IBC may have 'digressed from basic design' and the last six amendments to the law have given it a 'different orientation, not originally envisioned'.

The actual implementation of the six amendments made so far to the legislation may have altered and even digressed from the basic design of the statute and given a different orientation to the Code not originally envisioned, the committee said in its report titled Implementation of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code  Pitfalls and Solutions.

The report tabled in Lok Sabha said financial creditors took 4,356 companies to National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) under the IBC to recover Rs6.77 lakh crore, while the operational creditors moved the court against 8,331 companies to recover their dues worth Rs78,000 crore. In 266 cases, the companies themselves moved NCLT after they failed to repay debt worth Rs52,000 crore.

The committee highlighted that IBC has low recovery rates with 95% haircuts; over 71% of the cases are pending for over 180 days.

According to the committee's report, out of 20,963 cases pending in tribunals, 13,170 cases are of IBC, with amount involving Rs9.20 lakh crore.

The report further observed, It's a matter of grave concern that insolvency process stymied for long delays beyond 180 days and disproportionately large and unsustainable haircuts have been taken by financial creditors.

The panel said that IBC has 'deviated' from the original objectives intended by Parliament and there is a need to revisit its design and implementation as it has evolved over the past five years.

The committee has highlighted that the fundamental aim of this statute is to secure creditor rights which would lower borrowing costs as the risks decline.

Greater clarity in purpose is needed with regard to strengthening creditor rights through the mechanism devised in the IBC, particularly considering the disproportionately large and unsustainable haircuts taken by the financial creditors over the years, the committee reasoned, while recommending a benchmark be put in place for the quantum of such haircuts to be taken by creditors, in line with global standards.

The ministry of corporate affairs (MCA) responded by saying that the commercial wisdom of the committee of creditors (CoC) is supreme in IBC cases but the standing committee affirmed that there was an urgent need to have a professional code of conduct for the COC to define and circumscribe their decisions.

The standing committee has also come down hard on bids being placed after the announcement of the highest bidder (H1).

It said that these bidders typically wait for the H1 bidder to become public and then seek to exceed this bid through an unsolicited offer that is submitted after the specified deadline. The CoCs have discretion in accepting late and unsolicited resolution plans.

Late, unsolicited bids create tremendous procedural uncertainty, genuine bidders are discouraged from bidding at the right time. The overall process is vitiated and there are significant delays leading to further value erosion.

The committee has recommended, IBC needs to be amended so that no post hoc bids are allowed during the resolution process. There should be sanctity in deadlines so that value is protected and the prices move smoothly.

The standing committee also pitched for a professional code of conduct for the CoC which will define and circumscribe their decisions. The committee submits this is an urgent need.

The committee has also recommended amending the IBC to clarify that resolution can be achieved through proper implementation of the CIRP regulations.

According to Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) rules, the resolution professional is allowed to sell parts of a business to multiple bidders. This offers greater flexibility to the resolution as the standing committee observes that often bidders are interested in different parts of the corporate assets and not the entire business.

The standing committee also recommended that NCLT must admit cases in 30 days to cut down on delays. The report said the NCLT takes considerable time in admitting cases that leads to asset stripping, funds diversion by the defaulting promoter.

NCLT should accept defaulters within 30 days and transfer control to a resolution process during this period, the committee's report said.

The committee said as the cases decided at the NCLT are litigated at the NCLAT and the Supreme Court (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.

On the role of resolution professionals, the committee said a professional self-regulator for insolvency resolution professionals (IRPs) 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.

Expressing apprehensions over fresh graduates being appointed as IRPs, the committee said it is doubtful about their competency in handling cases of huge and complex corporations and flagged numerous conduct issues in their functioning. Disciplinary action has been taken in the case of 123 RPs out of 203 inspections conducted so far, it pointed out.

With respect to the low recoveries by the banks under the IBC with haircuts as high as 95%, the committee report quoted the secretary of MCA who said, initially when the companies came to the IBC, 33% of the companies that were rescued were defunct and virtually did not have anything. Of the companies that liquidated, almost 73% 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% also," the ministry informed the committee.

"Nevertheless, the resolution value is almost 188% 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% 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.

On the functioning of NCLTs, the adjudicating authority under the IBC, the committee said their tardy admission of cases and approvals of resolution plans were the main reasons for delays in insolvency resolution.

Expressing deep concern about the NCLT currently functioning without a regular president and 34 members short of its sanctioned strength of 62, the committee said this issue has plagued the tribunal for years and the vacancies must be filled without any further delay.

The secretary, MCA responded to this and said that active steps were being taken to fill the more than 50% vacancies, which was attributed to a lot of retirements happening in May and June this year.

In the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal- NCLAT, against the sanctioned Bench strength, we have vacancy of Chairperson and two Members only, the Secretary said. The NCLAT has two benches with an approved strength of a chairperson and 11 members.

The standing committee also said that the rationale behind multiple Insolvency Professional Agency (IPA) overseeing the functioning of their member IPs instead of a single regulator is unclear and this current practice would lead to a conflict of interest between the regulatory and competitive goals of the IPA.

The Indian banks' funds worth Rs9.2 lakh crore are currently stuck in the NCLT after they took defaulters to the court under the Code.

There is, therefore, a need for thorough evaluation of the extent of fulfilment of the original aims and objects during the implementation of the Code over the years, the panel added.
Tamil Nadu Finance Minister, P.T.R. Palanivel Thiagarajan will release a 120-page white paper on the state's finances on August 9. The white paper will include the state's liabilities and the reasons for loss of revenue in various sectors.

The white paper is primarily aimed at discussing the financial position of the state including its liabilities during the previous 10 years of the AIADMK government. The 120-page document will primarily feature the loss of revenue of the Tamil Nadu State Electricity Board(TNEB).

Palanivel Thiagarajan had, after the DMK government assumed office, had openly said that he would bring out a white paper on the state's financial position in the last ten years. He had also said that according to the Budget presented by the previous AIADMK government for 2021-22, the debt of the state has risen from 1 lakh crore in 2011 to 4.84 lakh crore in 2021.

The DMK government is trying to bring about the unnecessary expenditures incurred during the previous ten years of the AIADMK government and to expose the opposition. When the Jayalalithaa government assumed office in 2011, there were demands to bring out a white paper on the state's finances but the AIADMK government did not take forward the demands regarding this.

Political observer Balasubramanian Murugan. who heads the social organisation Sraddha based out of Arkonam, told IANS, "Bringing out the white paper is good, at least the people of Tamil Nadu will understand the manner of spending by the governments. I underline the word governments (in plural) as the DMK government before 2011 was no better. However, a small beginning is good and this will give the successive governments the will and courage to bring out white papers on the state's finances."

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.
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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.

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING... * Affected area: Fire Zone 111 (East Beaverhead). * Impacts: Anticipate a combination of thunderstorms, gusty winds, and low relative humidity. * Thunderstorms: A mix of wet and dry. * Wind gusts: 35 to 50 mph. * Minimum Humidities: 13 to 23 percent. &&
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.

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING FOR WIND SHIFT WITH A COLD FRONT FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 118... The National Weather Service in Great Falls has issued a Fire Weather Watch for wind shift with a cold front, which is in effect from Sunday afternoon through Sunday evening. * AFFECTED AREA...Helena and Townsend Ranger Districts of the Helena National Forest. * WINDS...West 15 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph. Winds shifting to the north during the afternoon hours. * HUMIDITY...Humidity as low as 15 percent before the cold front arrives. * THUNDERSTORMS...Some thunderstorms are possible along the cold front as well. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are possible. A combination of gusty winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures will create high fire growth potential. Please advise the appropriate officials or fire crews in these areas of this Fire Weather Watch. &&
Weather Alert

...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT... The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has issued an air quality alert for Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, Mineral, and Sanders counties in effect until 9 AM MDT 8/7/21. Heavy smoke is causing elevated particulate concentrations. An Air Quality Alert means that particulates have been trending upwards and that an exceedence of the 24 hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) has occurred or may occur in the near future. As of 9 AM MDT, Particulate levels in Columbia Falls, Libby, and Thompson Falls are Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups As of 9 AM MDT, Particulate levels in Birney, Broadus, Butte, Cut Bank, Frenchtown, Great Falls, Helena, Lewistown, Malta, Missoula, Seeley Lake, Sidney are Moderate When air quality is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups... State and local health officials recommend that people with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should limit prolonged exertion. When air quality is Moderate... State and local health officials recommend that unusually sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion. For more information visit the Montana Department of Environmental Quality at http://todaysair.mt.gov

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.
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 cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low around 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph..

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Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low around 65F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Citizens of Distinction: Honoring those who have helped in pandemic
August 04, 2021 'Maximum Pressure' Against Iran Has Failed. What Will Biden Do Next? A week ago I wrote about Biden's failing foreign policy. With regards to the nuclear agreement (JCPOA) with Iran I remarked: During his campaign Biden had promised to rejoin the nuclear deal with Iran. But no action has followed. Talks with Tehran started too late and were filled with new demands that Iran can not accept without diminishing is military defenses. The arrogance of the Biden administration is at full display in its believe that it can dictate the terms to Tehran:

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It is not Iran that left the UN endorsed JCPOA deal. It was the U.S. which went back on it and re-introduced a 'maximum pressure' sanctions campaign against Iran. Iran has said it is willing to again reduce its nuclear program to the limits of the JCPOA deal if the U.S. removes all sanctions. It is the Biden administration that is unwilling to do so while making new demands. That is obviously not going to work.

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If the U.S. does not come back into the JCPOA deal, without any further conditions, Iran will eventually leave the deal and proceed with its nuclear program as it wants. That would be an utter failure of Biden's hardline tactics. One wonders what the Biden administration has planned to do when that happens. The Biden administration thinks it can tighten sanctions on China's oil business with Iran: Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman was expected to discuss the prospect of tightening U.S. sanctions on Chinese entities importing Iranian oil when she met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and other officials in Tianjin, China on Monday (July 26), should agreement on a return to the nuclear pact not be able to be reached. We have been hoping, we could lift sanctions, on Irans energy and banking sectors, including on Chinese entities purchasing Iranian oil, if the U.S. and Iran could agree on a mutual return to the nuclear deal, the US diplomat said. But if there is no return to JCPOAand if we are settling in for a long period of no return to JCPOA, we will first look at our sanctions enforcement policy, he said. But this is no longer 2012. Back then China and Russia agreed with the U.S. to put pressure on Iran. That pressure led to the nuclear deal. But today the situation is much different. It was the U.S. that left the deal. Iran, China and Russia are all in a stronger position than they were a decade ago. Why would the later two agree to support Biden's malign foreign policy and unilateral U.S. sanctions against Iran? The former Indian ambassador M.K.Bhadrakumar draws a similar picture: [T]he US negotiators drove a hard bargain in Vienna. They underestimated Irans grit to secure its core interests. They assumed that given Irans economic difficulties, it would bend over backward to get the sanctions lifted. And they began dictating terms and conditions.

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Khamenei, who has the last word on Irans state matters, declared last Wednesday that Tehran would not accept Washingtons stubborn demands in nuclear talks and again flatly rejected the insertion of any other issues to the deal.

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Having weathered the brunt of Trumps maximum pressure, Tehran is in a better situation today. The international situation works in its favour too. Iran has gained strategic depth in the deepening partnership with Russia and China. It is neither possible now to isolate Iran nor prudent to exercise the military option against it. The former British diplomat Alastair Crooke agrees with that view: The recent accounting of obstacles on the negotiation track listed by Irans envoy to the IAEA indeed seems a daunting catalogue of moveable U.S. and EU goalpost: From the original no uranium enrichment doctrine; then to a breakout horizon of less than one year; and now to that same threshold demand, plus the instance on assurances that Iran will immediately enter into regional and missile talks with the U.S., with any return to JCPOA. A full post-mortem of the errors leading to this point must await the future. But, for now, U.S. officials insist that it is Iran that misreads its situation; but equally, it may be argued that the U.S. has misread how much the strategic situation in the region  and indeed the world  has changed; and the extent to which the mood of the Iranian people has shifted towards the Principal-ists viewpoint, over the period of the last four years.

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Is then, the U.S. threat of an international consensus against Iran  similar to that of 2012  more plausible? Consensus ?

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Hasnt Washington noticed that there isnt one: not even for Washingtons aspiration to stop Russia from bringing its gas to Europe, via Nordstream 2? Havent they noticed the fracture in global politics? Yes, Europe is spineless, and will go with U.S., come what may, but that does not amount to a global consensus. The U.S. attempt to press Iran into a stricter agreement than the nuclear deal Iran had agreed to and the U.S. abandoned has failed. If the Biden administration does not pull back on its demands, the nuclear deal with Iran will be dead. Domestic pressure to 'do something' about Iran's growing nuclear technology will then increase. But there is no global consensus to sanction Iran. Russia and China will resist any pressure to support them and Iran will have no reason to change its ways. Nor is there a military option. Iran has serious weapons that can reach any corner in the Middle East. The Biden administration has driven its Iran policy into a blind alley. The wall in front of it is solid. But how will it reverse to get out? Posted by b on August 4, 2021 at 18:13 UTC | Permalink Comments next page  next page 
Mora, MN (55051)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening followed by mostly cloudy skies and a few showers after midnight. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%..

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Partly cloudy this evening followed by mostly cloudy skies and a few showers after midnight. Low around 60F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.
Moultrie, GA (31768)

Today

Partly to mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 70F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 70F. Winds light and variable.
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.

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DeBre reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Associated Press writers Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran, and Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report.

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Follow Isabel DeBre and Jon Gambrell on Twitter at www.twitter.com/isabeldebre and www.twitter.com/jongambrellAP.
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.

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AP writer Gene Johnson contributed to this report.
Can COVID fill Midland Memorial to capacity?

Not during this wave of infections, according to Midland Health officials; there is not the staff to support it.

Here is what Midland Health officials said last week. Midland Health President Russell Meyers stated in a press conference that there was a total census of 213. That included 38 COVID patients during what he called the fifth COVID spike of the pandemic in Midland.

Today, we cant get to that (capacity) number, Meyers said. Today, we can pick up a handful of more patients. Were pretty close to capacity as we are currently staffed right now -- without undoing some of the other things that we do and repurposing staff.

What has happened? Here is a recap using statistics from Midland Health and the Midland Health Department.

The number of Midland County residents testing positive is again spiking. Last week, there were 302 cases through Friday. In fact, since 14 total cases were reported from June 20-26, cases have increased five straight weeks. The Midland Health Department reports the cases last week are likely going to be the most since January.

Health officials said that a larger number of people testing positive would become a precursor to more patients. That has been the case. Around July 4, there were four COVID patients at Midland Memorial Hospital. On Tuesday, that number had increased to 43.

Also, the percentage of people testing positive (the positivity rate) has topped 20 percent at Midland Health testing centers and the seven-day occupancy rate of COVID patients at Midland Memorial has topped 15 percent and is headed to 20 percent.

The unvaccinated population is choosing to take significant risks for both themselves and for the entire community, Meyers said. That's unfortunate, it's unnecessary. And the main takeaway that I would like for you to take with you today is that we are really moving very rapidly now toward full capacity.

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Some may ask what is the different between staffing now and earlier in the pandemic when the number of COVID patients reached 116.

Hospital officials like Chief Nursing Officer Kit Bredimus said there is no longer the support from FEMA and the state. Before Midland could create physical space, opening up areas like the 48-bed, ninth-floor space that once served as the primary COVID medical unit.

This time additional staffing will be limited to travel staff and others that can be recruited, employees working overtime and other MMH staff that can be repurposed, if needed.

We've got to use all the local resources we can find and they're going to be severely taxed, Meyers said.

This isn't just a COVID issue, Midland Health officials said. The more COVID patients that fill up the hospital, the more difficult it becomes to care for the next heart attack, the next trauma or the next stroke that arrives.

The impact of the hospitals staffing situation could include less elective work taking place for the second time during the pandemic. Hospital officials stated that would dramatically impact access to care by the people in our community and the hospital's bottom line.

It's about the full range of available health care services in this community, Meyers said.

Lastly, Midland Health officials are working to avoid having to move patients from the Midland area to another facility because there isnt the capacity at Midland Memorial Hospital.

We certainly have contingency plans to do that, Meyers said. If it becomes necessary.

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All signs point to the vaccination rates, Midland Health officials said. As of last week, the state of Texas reported 38.1 percent of eligible Midland County residents 12 and over were vaccinated. Their pleas for a higher percentage of the population to be vaccinated appear to have fallen on deaf ears. The Midland Health website reported its vaccination efforts accounted for 87 shots in the arms last week.

Midlands rate also trails many other larger metropolitan areas around the state. As of Wednesday, only two of the 38 patients inside Midland Memorial Hospital were vaccinated.

One of the most valuable ways that you (can support front-line workers) is to continue to increase vaccination rates and to continue masking when in indoors when you have the opportunity, Bredimus said.
A Midland family is raising funds for their newborn daughters open-heart surgery after she was born with a rare cardiac condition.

Tyler and Esmeralda Printzs daughter, Jeannie, was born on May 4 with twin reversed arterial perfusion, according to a blog past from the family. TRAP is a rare condition in which one twins cardiac system supplies the blood for both twins.

Although Jeannies twin died in the womb, Jeannies cardiac system continued to pump blood for both infants, the family said. This created cardiac complications for Jeannie, including heterotaxy and situs inversus, and shell be required to have several surgeries and treatments.

Relatives of the Printz family created a GoFundMe page to assist the family with medical expenses and travel expenses to visit Jeannie at the hospital in Dallas, where shes been in the newborn intensive care unit since birth. About half of the $5,000 goal had been raised as of Monday afternoon.

The Printz family also held a fundraiser on Sunday at the Legends Event Center in Midland. They washed cars and sold barbeque plates, raising about $3,000 to go toward Jeannies medical bills.

The family began posting updates on Jeannies condition last month through a Facebook blog. Jeannie had her first open heart surgery in June and will need two more at 4 to 6 months old and 4 to 5 years old, they said.

Me and my husband weren't ready for what was to come but knew we would do whatever it took to get her to a place of some kind of normalcy, Esmerelda Printz said in one post.

As of the last update on July 29, Jeannie was placed on oxygen because of declining vitals resulting from an infection or virus. The suspected infection had delayed a procedure to install a feeding tube, the family said.

To make a donation to the family or follow updates on Jeannie, visit gofundme.com/medical-fundraiser-for-baby-jeannie-printz.
ODESSA -- The Odessa City Council will decide on Aug. 10 whether to put an ordinance outlawing abortion on the November ballot, but a council work session on Tuesday indicated the item does not have the support needed to go to a community vote.

Mayor Javier Joven added discussion of the ordinance to Tuesdays work session agenda. Council members Mark Matta and Denise Swanner expressed support for adding the item to the ballot in November, but the remaining council members said they would vote against it if it was placed on a regular council meeting agenda.

Council member Steven Thompson said he opposed spending taxpayer money on an election for an ordinance that isnt enforceable unless Roe v. Wade is overturned. Joven said Tuesday that an election in November would cost between $36,000 and $50,000, although hes previously said an election could cost as much as $100,000.

Council member Tom Sprawls echoed Thompsons concern about the spending of taxpayer money. He said he believes the council should wait and put the item up for a vote in May, when an election could possibly be shared with the school district or another entity.

Sprawls added that he thinks the ordinance is fruitless because there are no abortions currently being performed in Odessa. However, he said he would support adding the item to the ballot in May so residents could vote on it.

About a dozen people spoke during public comment on Tuesday; of those, only two spoke in favor of the ordinance. Many who addressed the council said they thought it was a waste of the citys resources and would open the city up to lawsuits from Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union.

The Rev. Ricardo Lopez of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church told the council he was concerned about how abortion bans were being orchestrated in cities across Texas. He said he previously participated in a Zoom call in which church pastors were pressured to support the ordinance and sign a prepared letter stating support.

I found it a shocking and somewhat willful disregard for what is commonly known as the separation of church and state, Lopez said. I come before you today not because of the order that has been proposed, but rather to implore each and every one of you to honor and uphold the separation of church and state.

An additional concern was raised by Council member Mari Willis about Joven seeking an unofficial vote on the item. Joven asked each council member to say in turn if they would vote in favor of putting the item on the November ballot, despite the item only being agendized for discussion Tuesday. Willis called Jovens request straw polling.

Joven said he was asking the council for an unofficial vote to determine if he should place the item on the Aug. 10 agenda. The Texas Open Meetings Act generally does not allow unofficial votes.

After discussion of the item had finished, Joven said it would be on the agenda at the next council meeting.
Tuesday afternoon the US Senate approved an amendment by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Ralph Warnock (D-GA) to expand the designation of the I-14 Corridor.

James Beauchamp, president of the MOTRAN Alliance, told the Reporter-Telegram by email the expanded designation will include a new western segment to Midland-Odessa as well as a new eastern segment that will expand the corridor across five states, running from Odessa to Augusta, Georgia, as part of the infrastructure package currently being considered by the U.S. Senate.

Beauchamp said that, in addition to Sens. Cruz and Warnock, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia), ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, and Sen. Tom Carper (D-Delaware), chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, offered their support during debate of the amendment.

He quoted Sen. Carper as saying, during debate, Anytime these two members get together and offer legislation, how can any of us say no?

In a rare move, the US Senate suspended the 60-vote rule and instead allowed a voice vote in support of the measure.

The measure was previously included in the House Infrastructure Bill (HR 3684) and connects energy production in the Permian Basin, US Military installations and numerous strategic ports along the Gulf Coast and Atlantic seaboard.

Through better connections to strategic Gulf ports and new connections to other Ports like Savannah (Georgia) and Charleston (South Caroline), we see tremendous economic opportunities and by connecting energy production and national defense, an opportunity to make our nations defense even stronger, stated Beauchamp.

He also praised Cruz and Warnock for their support.

Sen. Cruz has been a tremendous supporter of the Permian Basin and we appreciate that support. In what seems like some of the most partisan times ever, to see Sen. Cruz and Rev. Warnock work together in support of this designation makes us feel like it is a divine and worthwhile undertaking and speaks volumes about the character of these two men.

The expanded designation is already included in the version that has passed the House. Beauchamp reports that after the Senate officially passes its overall bill, expected later this week, there will be a conference committee reconciling the two version and then approving the consolidated bill to send to the president for his signature.

Since the measure is included in both bills, we feel very confident that it will remain in the final version, Beauchamp said.

He added that the alliance has also submitted several funding requests that are also included in HR 3684, including project designations 1306, 1311, 1316 and 137, totaling up to $12 million in additional federal funds.
Sun Valley, ID (83353)

Today

A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 48F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 48F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
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
(The Center Square)  A St. Louis County judge on Tuesday issued a temporary restraining order, requested by the Missouri attorney general, stopping an indoor mask mandate issued last week by the St. Louis County public health department and promoted by the county executive.

Circuit Judge Ellen Ribaudo granted the temporary restraining order until another hearing set for Aug. 17.

The rising number of COVID-19 cases in July in St. Louis city and county led Mayor Tishaura Jones and County Executive Sam Page to announce an indoor mask mandate beginning July 26. However, the St. Louis County Council voted down the mandate on July 27, citing a new Missouri law requiring public health orders be approved by the legislative branch of municipal governments.

Page continued to state the indoor mask mandate was lawful after the vote by the council. During a court hearing on Tuesday, Missouri Solicitor General John Sauer argued the unlawful mask mandate will socially isolate people, harm children and negatively impact small businesses. Neal Perryman, a lawyer for St. Louis County, argued the mandate was legal and doesnt restrict individuals or businesses.

This courts decision is purely one of the relevant law, Ribaudo, appointed a circuit court judge in 2015 by former Democrat Gov. Jay Nixon, wrote in her three-page ruling. The Court notes that the COVID-19 pandemic has been a political issue since it first emerged in this country and has continued to be a political flashpoint for many. In making this decision the court is not entering the politicization of wearing a mask, but determining if (Missouri law) gives the St. Louis County Council the power and authority to terminate the Face Covering Order.

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. 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 the COVID-19 virus.

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, a Republican candidate for the seat of retiring U.S. Senator Roy Blunt, said the ruling was a significant victory.

Today, the Missouri Attorney Generals Office delivered a huge win for the people of St. Louis County and obtained a temporary restraining order, halting the enforcement of the mask mandate, Schmitt said in a statement. This is an important, hard-fought victory, but our fight against unreasonable and unconstitutional government overreach continues.

After the ruling, Page continued to emphasize the importance for all to continue wearing masks.

We are disappointed in the judges decision as more and more mask requirements are put in place across the country to help slow this deadly virus, Page posted on social media after the ruling. The CDC recommends wearing masks in public places and we ask everyone to follow that guidance as we continue our vaccine efforts.
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Critical race theory: What is it, why are laws banning it and does it belong in the classroom?
As the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism discussed turning Waties Island into a state park in 2019, it prepared to take advantage of a federal funding source that could have accomplished a long-term infrastructure goal for Horry County as well.

A Waties Island information summary document sent between PRT Director of the State Park Service Paul McCormack and PRT Director Duane Parrish in October of 2019 shows the state was interested in turning parts of the island and the mainland behind into a state park, with campsites and perhaps cabins on the high ground of Little River Neck.

The proposal called for protecting the island itself, with a bathhouse as the only structure on the delicate ecosystem, and controlled access over the causeway with a day-use parking area on the mainland and shuttle service to the beach.

The state would partner with Coastal Carolina University to develop a research/interpretive facility and barracks for staff, interns and researchers, according to the summary.

The document and emails obtained by MyHorryNews show PRT leadership envisioning the federal Department of Transportation as the funding source to pay 90% of the estimated $100 million purchase price for the land in question, most of which belongs to Virginia-based Riverstone Properties, the largest landowner on the island. The state of South Carolina would have put in 10% of the purchase price, according to the summary.

Federal DOT will use purchase of property to settle litigation with commitment it becomes public lands, the document states.

The document was prepared well before the Coastal Education Foundation filed a lawsuit against Oliva Boyce-Abel disputing her ownership of accreted property on the northern end of the island. That lawsuit came a week before Boyce-Abel was set to close on a deal to eventually put her property in the hands of the Department of Natural Resources for a heritage preserve site, which is the highest level of protection public lands can have in the state of South Carolina.
The city of Loris hired a longtime Horry County parks and recreation employee to lead the citys recreation department in July, but the council did not have a public vote to approve the hiring.

Days later, the soon-to-be employee said he would not be taking the job due to personal reasons, city officials said, though he had completed onboarding paperwork, the city confirmed July 28. The hiring process was managed by Mayor Todd Harrelson, and that has frustrated some council members, who disagree with the mayor making what they contend should be a council decision.

That should not happen, council member Carroll Padgett said. We ought to be aware of everything that goes on in the city. Council is supposed to make all decisions.

Harrelson defended the decision, saying he spends 40 to 50 hours per week filling in as the citys administrator. That position has been vacant for nearly a year.

In March, city council passed a motion unanimously that states no major purchases or the hiring or termination of City of Loris employees be made without approval by city council.

At the same meeting, council also unanimously approved to allow Harrelson to be given authority to supervise city employees while the city searches for a city administrator. However, city attorney Kenneth Moss said the mayor has not been given full administrator duties or powers.

In April, city council passed a motion to advertise and fill vacant positions, including the recreation director, water clerk and public works department head. The motion clarified that the city intended to fill current open positions and was not intended to hire new ones. The motion did not specify who was in charge of ultimately making the hire.

Harrelson confirmed July 26 that the city hired Robert Freeman, who has about 17 years of experience working the parks and recreation department with the county. Harrelson said the hiring was perfectly legal.

However, other council members disagreed on the way the position was filled.
Jacksonville School District 117 students and staff returning to in-person classes this fall will be required to wear masks, as outlined by the most recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Illinois State Board of Education.

A survey showed the community was split on whether masks should be required this fall, Superintendent Steve Ptacek said.

When you look at the entire community, its basically split 50-50, Ptacek said.

Despite the community split, staff and students were more open to a mask mandate than the community as a whole, he said.

Ptaceks recommendations for the 2021-22 school year include a return to full-day instruction, with masks required indoors in all school buildings.

Remote instruction, which will not be virtual, will only be permitted for those who are quarantined.

The district also is looking into the Shield Illinois saliva-based testing program to help keep students in school if they come in contact with someone who has COVID-19. The Shield program is funded by the state but requires that a mask policy be in place.

The discussion of whether to wear a mask evolves daily as COVID-19 cases again are on the rise amid concerns about the more contagious Delta variant.

Passavant Area Hospital CEO Scott Boston, the school districts insurance company and the schools general counsel all recommended that masks be worn, Ptacek said.

Until more people are vaccinated  and until those 12 and under are eligible to be vaccinated  the mask mandate makes sense, Boston said.

The insurance company also backed the use of masks, citing both peoples health and the districts financial responsibility to protect taxpayers interests.
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP)  A bombing attack that targeted Afghanistans acting defense minister killed at least eight people and wounded 20, authorities said Wednesday. The deputy minister was not hurt in the attack claimed by Taliban insurgents.

The blast went off late Tuesday in a heavily guarded upscale neighborhood of the capital of Kabul. It was followed by a gun battle that also left four militants dead, authorities said.

The casualty toll could rise, Interior Ministry spokesperson Mirwais Stanekzai said Wednesday.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in a statement Wednesday claimed responsibility for the attack. It came as the insurgent group presses ahead with an offensive that is putting pressure on provincial capitals in the south and west of the country.

Mujahid said the attack was revenge for recent attacks by Afghan national forces in various provinces that he said caused civilian casualties and displacement.

Stanekzai said it appeared the guesthouse of acting Defense Minister Bismillah Khan Mohammadi was targeted in the attack but he was not hurt.

Mohammadi's Jamiat-e-Islami party was told the minister was not in the guesthouse at the time and his family had been safely evacuated.

All four attackers were shot and killed after five hours of fighting, Stanekzai said.

Stanekzai said the attack took place in the posh Sherpur neighborhood, located in a section of the capital known as the Green Zone, where security is tight. It is home to several senior government officials.

Hours after Tuesday night's attack, the Defense Ministry released a video in which Mohammadi said 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 said.

Hundreds of residents in the area were moved to safety as security personnel carried out house-to-house searches, officials said.
As the congressional investigation into the Jan. 6 insurrection gets under way, were learning disturbing new details about Trump supporters violent attempt to overturn the 2020 election.

As I watch, I see a chilling parallel to the rise of Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet.

Steve Sterns book Remembering Pinochets Chile opens with a couple greeting the 1973 military coup that launched Pinochets dictatorship by toasting the fighter jets with champagne. Decades later, they still remember Pinochet fondly.

Their version of their countrys history differs starkly with its reality  and they arent alone.

They politically opposed the leftist Allende government that Pinochet overthrew, but that alone doesnt explain why they would cheer a regime known for torturing and murdering its political enemies.

So, why did they support Pinochet? Because he provided an entirely false and easily disproved story to justify his illegal coup and the brutality that followed  and they believed it.

Pinochet falsely claimed that the Allende government was planning murder on a vast scale. Supporters believed Pinochets own crimes were justified because he was preventing something worse.

Its possible to convince people to support a coup  and even mass murder  with phony evidence. Its crucial to the survival of our democracy that we prevent that.

The January 6 Commission will uncover new facts about the insurrection and the lies that underpinned it. But by itself, it wont change many minds. People dont easily give up strongly held beliefs  even false beliefs  that tie them to groups they identify with.

Simply presenting the facts to someone who doesnt want to believe them wont work. But as a sociologist, theres another framework that helps me when I want to understand multiple sides of a controversy without being clouded by my own biases.

To do this, I set aside my own beliefs temporarily. This can be emotionally challenging when engaging with viewpoints I believe are factually incorrect or immoral, but its worth it.

First of all, what does each side claim is factually true? Do they provide any evidence to back up their claims? Can you verify their evidence?

Second, what are each sides professed values? These are often based in morality, and they cannot be proven true or false. Most people believe murder is wrong is a factual claim  something that can be proven true or false  but murder is wrong is a value.

Third, what does each side have to gain from their position? In this case, consider both partisan gain  raising campaign contributions and winning votes in the next election  as well as the more serious issue of risking the foundations of American democracy itself.

Often people make factual and moral arguments when theyre advocating for a position that advances their own interests. Do they really care about morality or are they just out for their own gain?

The January 6 Commission offers us all an opportunity to examine factual claims, values, interests, and language.

Look at all of the evidence that emerges in its totality, not one or two cherry-picked tidbits. Pay attention to first person accounts from people who were there. Law enforcement officers are testifying  and theyre not known for liberal bias.

In this case, I believe the perspectives of Republicans like Liz Cheney are crucial to listen to. Unlike Democrats in favor of the Commission and Republicans who oppose it, Cheney is paying a huge political price for her participation. Why? She wouldnt do that without a good reason

Our democracy is too precious to throw away for partisan gain. The dictatorships of the 20th century prove that its possible to manipulate public perception of reality enough to enable a coup.

If you believe violence instead of voting is justified, I implore you to at least consider the alternative viewpoint. The costs of being wrong are too high.

OtherWords columnist Jill Richardson is pursuing a doctorate in sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This article was distributed by OtherWords.org.
In its first two decades of service, the Douglas DC-3  maybe the most amazing, safe, and hardworking aircraft ever built  was denounced in folk legend as wildly unsafe. It was branded a flying coffin by those who didnt know the data.

The myth that it wasnt airworthy matured into an out-and-out lie. In fact, the DC-3 was the workhorse that launched modern passenger aviation.

The DC-3 was saved by growing aviation literacy in the public.

Can nuclear literacy save nuclear power, one of the greatest tools in containing global warming? I believe it can. Literacy trumps myth and superstition.

While nuclear power has comparisons with the venerable DC-3, it is far more important than any single airplane. Those who turn their backs on nuclear power  so needed as climate change accelerates  are akin to those who without knowledge were turning their backs on passenger aviation in 1935.

Todays major public argument against nuclear power is that it leaves behind radioactive materials  lumped together as nuclear waste  which will be radioactive for 10,000 years, about twice recorded human history.

This argument conjures up images of a monster, breaking out of its repository and marching the earth, laying waste to whatever stands in its way  a nuclear blob from a science fiction movie.

Truth is, in about 200 years, most high-level nuclear waste will have decayed into something less radioactively aggressive. In the first 30 years, it gets less toxic and more manageable.

As this explanation by William Reville, the eminent emeritus professor of biochemistry at University College Cork, published in The Irish Times, explains succinctly,  The intense radioactivity reflects the preponderance of short-lived radioisotopes that are disintegrating quickly.

This high rate of nuclear decay means the level of radioactivity declines quickly  the radioactivity of spent nuclear fuel reduces to 10-20% of its initial activity within six months of its removal from the reactor and within a few decades, the radioactivity reduces by a further factor of two. Radioactivity danger is largely gone within 100 years and within a few thousand years, the stored spent fuel is little more radioactive than the uranium ore that first came out of the ground to be fabricated into new fuel rods.

Despite this science, when I advocate nuclear, which I have done for a long time, people roll their eyes and say, What about the waste? The waste does need to be stored safely, but it decays to a safe state quite quickly.

The most agonized over nuclear material is the transuranic plutonium. Yes, it will last thousands of years, but it is easily shielded because it is an alpha emitter: It cant penetrate human skin and can be blocked with a piece of notepaper. Natural uranium, found in rocks nearly everywhere, is an emitter, as is thorium, found in conjunction with rare earths. Radiation is everywhere. It isnt the devils incarnation.

Those facing the climate crisis tend to shy away from nuclear and advocate only wind and solar. Little thought is given to the waste that these low-density energy sources are themselves going to produce.

Wind will create a huge volume of physical waste from the disposal of carbon-fiber turbine blades. These dont recycle, unlike the steel towers on which the turbines rest. Eventually, tens of millions of tons of solar panels will make their way to landfills.

If you want to fret about waste  and you should  look to the garbage that is crowding the landfills, especially plastic that doesnt break down. Look to the billions of tons of junk that is making its way into the oceans, killing marine life, and shudder.

The earth can take a lot of nuclear waste from power plants, advanced medicine, and reactors aboard navy ships and spacecraft. But can it take much more of the alternative?

Aviation literacy saved aviation from myth, even after disasters. Myth is a dangerous force when it is the foundation of policy.

If you want a good, safe myth, go with the Tooth Fairy.

Llewellyn King is executive producer and host of White House Chronicle on PBS. His email is llewellynking1@gmail.com. He wrote this for InsideSources.com.
ASEAN ministers pick Brunei diplomat as envoy to Myanmar View Photo

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP)  Southeast Asian foreign ministers on Wednesday picked Brunei Second Foreign Minister Erywan Yusof as their special envoy to Myanmar, in a breakthrough for regional mediation aimed at ending the countrys deepening crisis after months of delay.

The foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asians said Erywan will begin his work in Myanmar to build trust and confidence with full access to all parties concerned.

The 10-nation bloc has been under increasing international pressure to act on violence and instability in Myanmar, an ASEAN member. Myanmars military in February toppled the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi and cracked down on opponents.

In a joint statement Wednesday after their annual meeting, the ministers reiterated their concerns about the situation in Myanmar, including reports of fatalities and violence. But they stopped short of calling for the release of political detainees, saying only they heard calls for their freedom, in a reflection of the sensitivity of the issue.

The regional group is hamstrung by its bedrock policy of noninterference in the domestic affairs of member nations and by its consensus decision making, meaning just one member state can shoot down any proposal.

Erywan was among at least four candidates proposed by ASEAN, and Myanmar was believed to have preferred a former Thai diplomat. Its decision to yield to the groups pressure indicated its military rulers are still hoping to rely on ASEAN support as they face international condemnation.

Sidharto Suryodipuro, head of ASEAN Cooperation at Indonesias Foreign Ministry, told reporters in Jakarta that it was an arduous process to persuade Myanmar to commit to the envoy and the mediation process. He said Erywan is expected to draw up a timeline on his mission to ease the violence and meet with all parties involved.

He said the joint statement doesnt amount to ASEANs recognition of the military government.

Myanmar must now work together in the context of ASEAN because the success of the special envoy will also be Myanmars success in settling a crisis that has become multilayered, involving not just politics but also economics and worsened by COVID-19, he said.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed Yusofs appointment, calling it an important step towards the implementation of the five-point consensus adopted by ASEAN leaders in April that includes the selection of an envoy as a mediator who should visit Myanmar, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

The United Nations looks forward to continuing its cooperation with ASEAN on a coherent response to the crisis in Myanmar, noting the complementary roles of Yusof and U.N. special envoy Christine Schraner Burgener, Dujarric said. The military has refused to allow Schraner Burgener to visit Myanmar since its February takeover.

Secretary-General Guterres reiterates his urgent call on the military to respect the will of the people, refrain from acts of violence and repression, and act in the interest of peace, sustainable development and human rights  and ensure unimpeded humanitarian access to confront the growing impact of COVID-19, the spokesman said.

Even with the envoys appointment, it remains uncertain if and when the Myanmar military leaders will allow access to Suu Kyi, who has been detained with other political leaders and put on trial on a slew of charges, diplomats have said.

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.

Myanmars troubles have deepened with its worst coronavirus surge, which has overwhelmed its crippled health care system. Its military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, has repeated his pledge to hold fresh elections in two years and cooperate with ASEAN on finding a political solution.

Some ASEAN lawmakers responded warily to Erywans appointment, noting that he led a delegation to Myanmar in June and met only with the junta.

Erywan must ensure he does not become a pawn in the juntas game of using ASEAN to gain international legitimacy while it continues its oppressive rule, said Kasit Piromya, a Thai board member of ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights.

In another touchy issue, the ministers said ASEAN and China have completed the preamble for a proposed code of conduct, a nonaggression pact the two sides have been negotiating since 2017 to avoid armed conflicts in the disputed South China Sea.

China, Taiwan and ASEAN members Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam have overlapping claims in the disputed waters and have been locked in increasingly tense territorial standoffs for decades. China turned seven disputed reefs into missile-protected island bases in recent years, ratcheting tensions with rival claimants, along with the United States and its allies.

Two Southeast Asian diplomats said the preamble consists of principles that will reflect the rival claimant states adherence to international law, including the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea.

An analyst expressed little hope the proposed pact can effectively restrain aggression in the disputed sea, given a Chinese insistence on its vast territorial claims and penchant to interpret agreements in a way that will buttress its claims.

I hold no illusion that the code of conduct, when it comes to pass, will be of meaningful effect in constraining Chinese coercive behavior in the South China Sea, said Hoang Thi Ha of the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore.

China has refused to recognize an international arbitration ruling in 2016 that invalided most of its claims in the South China Sea.

___

Gomez reported from Manila, Philippines. Associated Press reporter Nini Karmini contributed from Jakarta, Indonesia.

By JIM GOMEZ and EILEEN NG

Associated Press
Sonora, CA  Tuolumne County Public Health is reporting 34 new COVID-19 cases in the county since the report on Monday. Of the 34 new community cases, 16 are hospitalized including 5 new hospitalizations, all who are unvaccinated. One previously reported case has been transferred to their home jurisdiction. There are 204 active cases a decrease of 12 from yesterday. Public Health noted at the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors meeting this morning there were 15 currently hospitalized at Adventist Health Sonora including two on ventilators.

The gender and age breakdown for the 34 community cases is 4 females and 4 males 0-17 years of age, 5 females and 4 males age 18-29, 2 females and 2 males age 30-39, 1 female and 4 ages 40-49, 1 female and 2 males age 50-59, 1 female and 3 males age 60-69, and 1 female age 70 to 79. Since July 15th there have been 78 cases age 17 and under with 32 females and 37 males identified July 26  Aug 2. As detailed here on July 28 public health noted some cases at summer camps.

A total of 2 of the 34 new cases were vaccinated, 1 with Pfizer, and 1 with Moderna. Out of 497 cases since June 15 when the first vaccinated individual was reported to have a break-through Covid infection 43 total have been identified; 20 Moderna, 14 Pfizer, 5 J&J, 2 not identified and 2 others partially vaccinated. A total of 21,805 Tuolumne residents are fully vaccinated and 3,411 are partially vaccinated.

The California department of corrections reports 108 active cases at the Sierra Conservation Center (SCC). A total of 68% of the 3,328 inmates the prison manages, which includes all southern fire camps, are fully vaccinated and 1,417 inmate cases have been resolved. The associated staff of 1,177 is 39% are fully vaccinated.

The State testing site at the Tuolumne Memorial Hall is open Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 7 A.M. to 7 P.M. Expanded days of operation are expected to be implemented next week and will include testing Friday through Tuesday from 7 A.M. to 7 P.M. In addition, the site is in the process of being relocated to Sonora, Tuolumne Public Health says they will release more information as details are confirmed. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are accepted. Please note that the site may close briefly for meal breaks. Appointments can be scheduled at www.lhi.care/covidtesting or by calling 888-634-1123. Testing is also available through Rapid Care or the hospital emergency department if you are experiencing any symptoms, or contacting your healthcare provider.

Vaccine appointments can be made at local pharmacies and through myturn.ca.gov or by calling 833-422-4255. Anyone 12 and older is eligible for the COVID vaccine, Pfizer is approved for children ages 12 to 17. If you have questions about MyTurn and the registration process, call Tuolumne Public Health at 533-7440 or email Health@tuolumnecounty.ca.gov

Tuolumne County Public Health continues to strongly encourage everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated. In addition, the continued practice of other preventive actions like wearing a mask in public, keeping your distance, avoiding crowds, washing hands, and staying when sick will help slow the spread of the virus. The California Department of Public Health and local COunty Health Department issued statewide masking guidance for universal masking indoors as detailed here. Adventist Health detailed their response to the situation here. Tuolumne County has reinstated the mask mandate for those entering its county government buildings detailed here.

Calaveras has 23 new cases since yesterday, 47 active cases and two hospitalizations, Mariposa has 9 new cases, 33 active cases and three residents hospitalized with COVID-19.

County/Date

Tier Color Active

Cases New Cases

Total Cases COVID

Deaths Amador 8/2 91 24 2,025 39 Calaveras 8/3 47 23 2,344 58 Mariposa 8/3 33 9 530 7 Mono 8/3 29 13 1,079 5 Stanislaus 8/3 1,114 120 59,756 1,097 Tuolumne 8/3 204 34 4,691 73 For other county-level statistics view our page here.
Yosemite National Park Tiltill Fire 130 pm 8-4-21 View Photos

Update at 1:45 p.m.: Stanislaus National Forest dispatch has been flooded with calls of possible fires in the vicinity of Pinecrest stretching to the Groveland area. Clarke Broadcasting also received similar calls, so we contacted forest fire officials who relayed that it is smoke from the lightning strike Tiltill Fire burning near Tiltill Valley, north of Hetch Hetchy. They detailed that several smoke checks in the area turned up no fires. Instead, they report the winds have kicked up a bit in the area of the blaze and causing drift smoke in those areas.

Original post at 11:15 a.m. written by BJ Hansen: Yosemite, CA  Some containment has finally been gained on the 197-acre Tiltill Fire burning in Yosemite National Park.

The lightning-caused fire is located near Tiltill Valley, north of Hetch Hetchy. 20 firefighters are assigned to the incident.

Yosemite Superintendent Cicely Muldoon has issued an order to close trails immediately around the fire area so that firefighters can move around unimpeded. Click here to view the map. The order notes that there are an increased number of hazards within the fire area, including falling limbs and snags, poor visibility and hot ash.

As officials are using a full suppression strategy to fight the Tiltill Fire, they are also still monitoring the Lukens Fire west of Lukens Lake and north of Tioga Pass. The lightning-caused fire located on June 28 is 466 acres and 50-percent contained. The fire is in a very isolated area at an elevation of 8,243 feet. They are using a confine and contain strategy and allowing it to burn out more naturally.
Airstrikes pummel Taliban positions in southern Afghanistan View Photo

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP)  U.S. and Afghan airstrikes hit Taliban targets overnight in southern Helmand province in an effort to dislodge the insurgents after they captured much of the provincial capital of Lashkar Gah, officials said Wednesday.

The United Nations and Human Rights Watch asked both sides to take care to prevent civilian casualties as the fighting rages on. The Taliban have waged a fierce push over the past months as U.S. and NATO forces complete their pullout from the war-torn country. They have taken large swaths of land and have now turned their guns on larger urban centers.

Ghulam Wali Afghan, a lawmaker from Helmand, told The Associated Press that his relatives and constituents in Lashkar Gah have told him of bodies in the streets and residents hiding inside their homes, too afraid to venture out and collect the dead.

After a night of heavy airstrikes, the Defense Ministry said Wednesday that the Taliban have suffered heavy losses in Lashkar Gah, though there was no immediate way to confirm that statement. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid denied the losses.

The authorities did not say whether Afghan forces have retaken back territory. On Tuesday, residents and officials had said the Taliban control nine out of 10 districts in the city.

The fall of Lashkar Gah would be a major turning point in the Taliban offensive and it would also be the first provincial capital to be captured by the insurgents in several years. The fighting this week has kept residents of Lashkar Gah trapped and hunkered down inside their homes.

On Wednesday, the provinces hospital chief, Sher Ali Shakir, urged people to remain in their houses, saying that in past 24 hours at least seven civilians were killed and 101 were wounded. Most of the injuries were bullet wounds, he said.

The airstrikes late Tuesday and ongoing street battles in Lashkar Gah have destroyed several houses and markets. The Helmand provincial council chief, Attaullah Afghan, charged both sides with ignoring the safety of civilians.

Earlier Tuesday, a dramatic call for people to evacuate the neighborhoods captured by the Taliban came from the Afghan forces commander for Helmand, Gen. Sami Sadat, who in an audio message shared with journalists asked the residents for forgiveness for the hardship they are going through.

We will not leave the Taliban alive, Sadat said. I know its 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. The push on the cities came after the Taliban swept through dozens of districts across the country, many in remote and rural, sparsely populated areas. Along with Lashkar Gah, the provincial capitals of Herat, in western Herat province, and Kandahar, in southern Kandahar province have also been under Taliban attack.

Save the Childrens country director for Afghanistan said the aid group was devastated by reports that 18 civilians, including women and children, have been killed during airstrikes on the city of Kandahar.

Christopher Nyamandi, citing local media reports, said some 49,000 people have been displaced since the violence flared up yesterday, including an estimated 29,400 children. He said that Save the Children was providing aid to the displaced families.

There was no confirmation from the government on the report of 18 civilians killed.

In Herat, Afghan forces pushed the Taliban out of the city but were badly needing new supplies, according to Omar Nasir Mujadidi. He said Wednesday that pro-government militias, led by U.S.-allied warlord Ismail Khan, were aiding the Afghan security forces but need additional weapons. He said the government promised another 2,000 weapons for Khans followers.

The fighting in Herat in the last week has has killed 34 people and wounded more than 150, said physician Mohammad Aref Jalali, the provincial hospital chief in Herat.

By TAMEEM AKHGAR

Associated Press
Mistaken identity lands man in Hawaii mental hospital View Photo

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 Spriestersbachs 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 citys ban on sitting or laying down on public sidewalks.

But what he didnt 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.

Its 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.

Spriestersbachs attorneys argue it all could have been cleared up if police simply compared the two mens photographs and fingerprints.

Instead, against Spriestersbachs protests that he wasnt 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 wasnt 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 couldnt 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 defenders office.

Police, the state public defenders 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 attorneys 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 didnt 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.

By JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER

Associated Press
Detroit voters reject Proposal P and changes to city charter View Photo

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 citys 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.
Majority of NY Assembly would oust Cuomo if he doesnt quit

Majority of NY Assembly would oust Cuomo if he doesnt quit View Photo

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP)  A majority of state Assembly members support beginning impeachment proceedings against Gov. Andrew Cuomo if he doesnt resign over investigative findings that he sexually harassed at least 11 women, according to an Associated Press count Wednesday.

At least 86 of the bodys 150 members have said publicly or told The AP that they favored initiating the process of ousting the third-term Democratic governor if he doesnt quit. It takes a simple majority to authorize an impeachment trial.

The tally reflects a governor plunged into a political deep freeze  a Democratic scion who has now lost most, if not all, of his allies in the party establishment, just a year after basking in national attention as a blunt-but-relatable voice of fighting the coronavirus.

Cuomo denies making any inappropriate sexual advances and insists the findings dont reflect the facts. But while political pressure is growing, so is the potential for criminal charges against Cuomo.

District attorneys in Manhattan, suburban Westchester and Nassau counties and the state capital of Albany said they asked for investigative materials from the inquiry, overseen by Democratic state Attorney General Letitia James. The inquiry found that Cuomo  a former state AG himself  violated civil laws against sexual harassment, and it left the door open for local prosecutors to bring cases.

Joyce A. Smith, Nassau Countys acting district attorney, called the findings deeply disturbing and pledged her office would thoroughly and expeditiously investigate.

After James released her report Tuesday, Democrats from the statehouse to the White House called for Cuomo to go. President Joe Biden said the governor should resign, though press secretary Jen Psaki wouldnt say Wednesday whether Biden wanted to see Cuomo removed from office.

The president believes Governor Cuomo should do the right thing, resign, and leave space for future leadership in New York, Psaki said.

One of the governors closest allies, New York Democratic Party chairperson Jay Jacobs, declared that Cuomo has lost his ability to govern, both practically and morally. Jacobs told Spectrum News he had tried privately to persuade Cuomo to resign but wasnt making headway.

Cuomo showed no signs of heeding such messages. He said some episodes described in the report never happened, others were misconstrued or mischaracterized and the whole exercise was tainted.

Politics and bias are interwoven throughout every aspect of this situation, he said Tuesday in a recorded video response.

Assembly Democrats, who lead the chamber, debated virtually for hours Tuesday about whether to impeach the governor now, wait to see whether he resigns, or give the Judiciary Committee time to wrap up its wide-ranging investigation into topics from sexual misconduct to the Cuomo administrations months-long obfuscation of the total number of nursing home residents who died from COVID-19.

At least 40 Democrats back starting impeachment proceedings if Cuomo doesnt leave on his own.

As New York became the nations deadliest coronavirus hotspot in spring 2020, Cuomos daily briefings garnered him fans around the country and an International Emmy Award. Casting himself as a tough-minded yet compassionate leader who steered the state through crisis, the governor even wrote a book about it.

Now, that book itself is among the focuses of investigations into Cuomo, with James examining the role some of his aides played in producing it.

As complaints and investigations accumulated in recent months, Cuomo became an embattled but unabashed figure. He often still touts the states handling of the pandemic, despite now-rising infection rates amid a national surge in the more infectious delta variant.

The 150-member Assembly would need 76 votes to impeach Cuomo and send articles of impeachment to the Senate. The Assembly includes 106 Democrats, 43 Republicans and one Independent.

Assembly Republican Leader Will Barclay urged Speaker Carl Heastie, a Democrat, to convene an emergency special session to vote to impeach Cuomo.

Heastie said he wants to conclude the Assemblys investigation as quickly as possible. Judiciary committee members Tom Abinanti and Phil Steck variously estimated the timeframe at weeks or a month.

The two Democrats said that some lawmakers want to vote for impeachment within days, but time is needed to build a strong case for a Senate trial.

If the Assembly votes to impeach, the state Senate could launch an impeachment trial in weeks, Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris told The Associated Press. He said the chamber has been preparing for months.

Well be ready to go if and when the impeachment articles are sent over, he said. It could happen very quickly.

James investigation, conducted by two outside lawyers, found that the governor touched or made sexually inappropriate comments to a series of women. Many worked for him, including a state trooper whom Cuomo successfully sought to have assigned to his security detail.

While many of the allegations involve verbal comments, some women alleged that he gave them unwanted kisses or touches. One aide said he reached under her shirt and groped her breast at the governors mansion in Albany.

The governor denied Tuesday that he ever inappropriately touched anyone and said that he never intended harm.

Cuomo  a son of three-term Gov. Mario Cuomo  has rebuffed calls to step down and has moved ahead with plans to run for a fourth term in 2022.

___

Peltz reported from New York. Associated Press writers David Klepper in Providence, Rhode Island, and Mike Catalini in Trenton, New Jersey, contributed.

By MARINA VILLENEUVE and JENNIFER PELTZ

Associated Press
Last December, news outlets across the region began reporting on a 100-mile nature trail that would begin at the Alamo in San Antonio and end at the Texas Capitol in Austin. Using a mix of already existing trails, such as the Howard W. Peak Greenway, and planned trailway, the project would stitch together four counties in South Central Texas. Along the way it would hit the small towns and booming 'burbs in between, pumping an estimated $55.9 million into local economies, according to the Great Springs Project (GSP), the nonprofit spearheading the plan.

Within weeks, news of the sprawling public works project was being reported in national outlets and magazines, evidence perhaps of the region's popularity, but also of something grander: a once-in-a-generation idea that just might become a reality in our lifetimes.

The trail's goals are both noble and practical: protect the Edward's Aquifer, the main source of water for the region; link together the San Antonio, Comal, San Marcos, and Barton springs; conserve 50,000 acres of land amid an unprecedented population boom along the I-35 corridor; and provide a natural attraction for locals and tourists alike.

But for all its great ambitions, so too are the projects challenges, beginning with an aggressive 15-year timeline. Factor in the needs (and personalities of) local governments, which range from small towns to the seventh biggest city in the country; the breadth of the project; and stakeholders ranging from developers and politicians to environmentalists and former oil industry CEOs, and things get a little more daunting. And then there's the fact that there is no bundle of money pay for it, leading one to wonder if this is ever really going to happen.

Courtesy, City of New Braunfels

Paving the way forward

As the story goes, the idea for the monumental conservation effort was sparked decades ago by Deborah Morin, an Austin-based environmentalist who also happens to be married to Whole Foods Market founder John Mackey.

[Morin] had the idea of conserving that amount of land and protecting the springs with her friends 25 years ago, explains Emma Lindrose-Siegel, chief development officer for the nonprofit Great Springs Project. They didnt anticipate the way Austin would explode with growth over the next 25.

In 2018, with the regions growth showing no signs of slowing down, the nonprofit launched to bring Morins vision to life. Over the past three years, the Great Springs Project's has gathered together a whos who advisory board featuring a mix of environmental and industry heavyweights, and includes among others, former San Antonio Mayor Phil Hardberger, San Antonio starchitect Ted Flato, and Mackey.

Despite all those big names, there is still that whole fuss about how to pay for it. Though some news reports have estimated the cost of the trail, GSP refutes those, noting that a final number wont be known until the master is unveiled in December 2021. Though many of the trails have already been established, especially in the bigger cities like San Antonio, San Marcos, and Austin, smaller stops like New Braunfels will need to create trailways in order to participate.

Katie Friel/MySA

The concern from the community has been how do we go about paying for it? Where are the financial resources?, says Ylda Capriccioso, parks development manager for the City of New Braunfels. "Our response is were not sure where any or all of the project funding will come from. Thats why we look at various topics  conservation, flood control  all of those things to see if we can tap into those funds.

Helping identify funding is where the GSP steps in. With its mix of business, political, and environmental acumen, the nonprofit serves as a sort of trail yenta, connecting different stakeholders with different funding sources, ranging from federal grants to private donations.

We provide technical assistance. Were helping act as a catalyst for civic engagement, says Lindrose-Siegel. People really value access to the outdoors, and green space, and water supply. And the city and county governments and nonprofits we work with reflect that.

A ticking clock

Texas biggest cities, including San Antonio and Austin, have seen record-breaking population booms over the past decade. Between 2010 and 2019, the population of the Alamo City grew 16.7 percent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, while Austins ballooned by 22.1 percent. But its the cities in between where the numbers become eye-popping. New Braunfels watched its population boom 56.4 percent over that same period. Meanwhile in San Marcos, that number grew by more than 46 percent.

Growth puts a strain on natural resources, making the protection of the Edwards Aquifer even more critical. Along with being, you know, life sustaining, conservation is also cool. As Capriccioso notes, the cultural shift over the past decade (and especially during the pandemic) has made conservation and access to green space a key indicator of one's quality of life, meaning that a trailway of this scope could be a major economic benefit. (Theres a reason why developers are among the projects stakeholders.)

Kylie McLaughlin/Getty Images/Lonely Planet Image

[The Great Springs Project] achieves a lot of different things: environmental conservation, water conservation, storm runoff, green space, air quality. Weve seen them in the last decade hit a bit of a renaissance, says Capriccioso. A lot of communities in Texas are doing these visionary projects.

Its those visionary projects that are helping provide a pathway for this 100-mile trail. Many of the stakeholders  including Lindrose-Siegel and Capriccioso  have experience in some of the biggest public works projects in the nation. Working on the similarly ambitious Louisville Loop in Kentucky has taught Capriccioso that while exciting, the sheer size of a project like this requires a measured approach and patience.

"Its a very long-term project. And they don't get done overnight. They take several years to conceptualize, to negotiate, Capriccioso explains. The River Walk as an example, that was 10-,12-, 15-year project. And its still going on. But its been realized and its possible.

While it arguably be much easier if, say, a Dell or Musk dropped many millions into the GSP bank account, thats unlikely to happen  and perhaps it shouldnt. So much of what this 100-mile trail will look like will be the direct result of community engagement, of conversations between cities and public servants. How this trail is shaped, both literally and figuratively, will be because a group of people came together to champion an ambitious idea and found a way to execute it.

After the master plan is formally released this winter, the public will have a better sense of both timeline and cost, but if those leading the project are any indication, the 100-mile trail is likely to happen, and perhaps sooner than we think.

Conserving 50,000 acres and preserving the four springs, says Lindrose-Siegel, this will be the work of my lifetime.
The diffusion of chorioactis geaster, more commonly known as the "Texas star" tends to puzzle scientists. The fungus is entirely unique to Texas, with the exception of the odd sighting around Kyushu, Japan, making it one of the rarest mushrooms in the world.

To the delight of the local mushroom enthusiasts, on June 22, Gov. Greg Abbott finally signed legislation declaring the mushroom as Texas' first official state fungi.

For the regionally minded, the Texas Star mushroom is a bit of local flora that Texans can claim proudly (while tipping their hats toward the Western Pacific Ocean). The Central Texas Mycological Society, who seek to "strengthen fungal understanding" is even working to raise enough money to slap its likeness on a license plate.

I'm not in the business of trend forecasting, but you heard it here first: the Texas Star is shooting toward Texas bluebonnet status. Whether or not ritualistic family photos will ensue near damp mushroom enclaves is too soon to tell.

The fungi approaching fame is appropriately named for its leathery, star-like characteristics, visible only once it blooms. While otherwise absent across the world, the fungi is not entirely uncommon in Texas when the conditions are ripe. If you see a cluster of them pre-bloom, the bunch might cloak itself as the smokey, rolled offerings resting inside of your humidor. This deception has earned it the seductive nickname, "the devil's cigar."

It is said that when the devil's cigar unfurls, it releases a strange hissing noise and hazy cloud of spores.

If you take a mushroom walk through the Austin Nature Center on a damp December day, like Angel Schatz, a member of the Austin-based mycological organization often does, you might find yourself having a fungus run-in.

"It's rare in that its only found in very geographic specific spaces, but in the correct season it can be found fairly easily," Schatz tells MySA.

Angel Schatz

Having a childhood fertilized with experience scavenging for morel mushrooms with her grandad in Mississippi, the Austinite rediscovered a passion for fungi before joining the leadership team at the Central Texas Mycological Society during the pandemic.

"There's so many wonderful things about mushrooms, something for everyone, too," Schatz says, continuing on to discuss the appeal, from the culinary aspect, to the environmental benefits and medicinal properties many mushrooms can possess.

Since 2019, the educational, volunteer-run organization has grown to 400 members across Texas, with some living across state lines. Boasting a variety of online workshops and nature walk opportunities, certain members of the network were also pivotal in organizing toward getting the star mushroom its due.

Throughout the process, one member  who chooses to remain anonymous  documented the progression of the legislation until its victorious end through a Facebook page. In a livestream, you can view the moment the devil's cigar was elevated to its current status, with help from Republican Senator Dr. Donna Campbell. Across the country, only Oregon (Pacific Northern chanterelle) and Minnesota (common morel) have made the motion to designate an official state mushroom. This summer, Texas became the third. It's an exciting journey for the Texas fungi, which was first documented in Austin in 1893.

Like all things worth waiting for, you'll have to catch it at the right time and in the right place if you wish to witness this homegrown jewel in bloom. From a narrow corridor spanning as far south as San Antonio to as far north as the Oklahoma border, you can find the creature colonizing decomposing cedar elm trees. In Japan, the mushroom targets oak trees.

"We don't know if there's something very specific about these two species, or if there's something in the soil that makes it specific to the liking of this mushroom," explains Schatz.

Angel Schatz

The mushroom hobbyist credits the lack of knowledge to shortcomings in funding, and states that one of Central Texas Mycology Society's long term goals is to be able to provide research money to scientists looking to explore the great mushroom mysteries of our day.

Until then, Texans can celebrate the state's new official 'shroom, which Schatz tells me isn't poisonous, but not entirely edible. Instead, mushroom fans might be better satisfied with a portobello-based dinner.
Yves here. I have to confess to not paying much attention to Brexit. Thats mainly because Covid, but also because Brexit has moved into a death of a thousand unkind cuts terrain, except for the wrangling over the commitments made regarding the Good Friday Agreement. Lots of small businesses have suffered. Some have perished. A lot of worker, particularly haulers, have also been contending with loss of income and disruption to their schedules. Because the costs have been distributed across many sectors of the economy and a lot of businessmen also remain oddly cowed (now as in pre-Brexit, they were told or believed that theyd suffer if they crossed the Government), weve gotten more anecdata than actual tallies. Plus there have been fudges, but some were intended to be only temporary and I have no idea to what extend much has been fixed.

However, due to the lack of UK self sufficiency in food, those supplies had always been a cause for concern. It was stunning to see UK ministers act as if food could be stockpiled by grocers, then have the likes of Tesco executives explain that they ran on a just-in-time system and only held 2-4 days of inventories. Of course, households could stockpile, and my impression is at least some did, but I suspect those stores were depleted a while back.

Richard Murphy is sufficiently Johnson-hostile that Id take his post with a grain of salt. But the flip side is most news related to real-world Covid problems has been buried for so long that it is plausible that the Tories could succeed in sweeping a big problem under the ruguntil the rug starts moving.

By Richard Murphy, a chartered accountant and a political economist. He has been described by the Guardian newspaper as an anti-poverty campaigner and tax expert. He is Professor of Practice in International Political Economy at City University, London and Director of Tax Research UK. He is a non-executive director of Cambridge Econometrics. He is a member of the Progressive Economy Forum. Originally published at Tax Research UK

This tweet is worth sharing. I have checked the story in Motor Transport, which appears reputable:

I had to register on an industry site to read this detail, because @BBCNews have NOT published this interview on their site for reasons that are easily guessed at. UK supply chain faces collapse in "two to three weeks", RHA warns governmenthttps://t.co/9nJU6fGFOu#GrantShapps pic.twitter.com/3OXBHn9c2e  Tim Ireland  (@bloggerheads) August 3, 2021

So, what is happening?

First, it would seem as if a D notice has been issued to prevent this story being discussed. That the supply chain might get worse is not being mentioned in the media.

Second, if the Road Haulage Association is to be believed the government is doing nothing to prevent this crisis.

Third, you might almost believe that the government wants a story that is very clearly related to Brexit to be related to Covid instead.

What is actually happening? It would seem that three things are.

First, there is denial in government of the scale of the issue that they have unleashed with Brexit.

Second, there is willing to make excuses, rathe than take action.

Third, I rather strongly suspect that they think that they can sacrifice Grant Shapps to this one, and Johnson will survive again.

But if food supply moves from being an inconvenience, which it is now, to becoming a serious issue, which it seems that the Road Haulage Association thinks it might be, will the public be foolish enough to just think this the result of the pingdemic when simultaneously it is claimed that the number of cases is falling and the sensitivity of contacting has been reduced? I doubt it. I think they will smell a rat and decide that this is not a Covid issue.

All governments have to ride their luck. Johnson certainly has. However, evidence from Conservative Home suggests that even within the Tories Johnsons own popularity is waning now. In that case it is very likely it is elsewhere.

So, will the backlash against a government whose ability to keep any promise is so obviously limited begin when food shortages become real, and the panic the media are obviously trying to avoid sets in? It may.

I just hope that it is understood that the issue is Brexit though, because it is. This is not Covid issue. Time will tell.
Yves here. Pretty much everyone hated Trump for being greedy and having no taste but Obama is no better. He barely had a foot out of the White House when he and Michelle cashed in with a record-setting joint book deal. The estate in Cape Cod is sterile. And then destroying an important and well loved public park for a monument to ego?

By Leonard C. Goodman, a Chicago criminal defense attorney and co-owner of the newly independent Reader. Produced by Economy for All, a project of the Independent Media Institute

Chicagoans mostly support the Obamas decision to build the Obama Presidential Center (OPC) on the south side of Chicago. But few of us are aware of the controversy over the Obamas decision to site their private center on historic public parkland on the shores of Lake Michigan, as these important issues have not been widely covered in the mainstream press, including in any of Chicagos major newspapers.

Initially the Obama Foundation considered several potential sites for the OPC. These sites were evaluated based on certain factors, including accessibility, enhancements to the physical environment, and potential for economic development. The site receiving the highest score was a site near Washington Park, just west of the University of Chicago campus, which the university described in its literature as pairing the greatest need with the greatest opportunity.

Nevertheless, in 2016, the foundation decided to build on 19.3 acres of wooded public parkland in the heart of historic Jackson Park, east of the U of C campus and about a half-mile from the shores of Lake Michigan. The city of Chicago quickly approved the transfer of public parkland to the private foundation, sparking the current controversy. The city gave the Obama Foundation a 99-year lease on the parkland, tax-free, for $10. The OPC is permitted to charge fees for entry, parking, and third-party use, with the profits to go to the Obama Foundation.

The plan for the OPC can be viewed on the Obama Foundation website. It includes the construction of a 235-foot-high museum tower, which will rise above all neighboring structures, including the Museum of Science and Industry.

More than a dozen neighborhood groups throughout the south side expressed concerns about the taking of lakefront parkland. Originally designed by Frederick Law Olmsted in 1871, and later redeveloped by Olmsted and Daniel Burnham, Jackson Park is on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the most important urban parks in the nation.

In 2018, a nonprofit park advocacy organization called Protect Our Parks (POP) went to federal court to try and stop the partial destruction of Jackson Park, which it called a violation of public trust. A group of longtime residents of Hyde Park and South Shore later joined in a new suit with POP, which does not seek to thwart the center from being built, but wants to see it built a mile and a half to the west, on vacant land adjacent to Washington Park. The plaintiffs have pointed to an alternate site plan for the OPC authored by Chicago architect (and Bronzeville resident) Grahm Balkany that can be previewed at the POP website.

A comparison of the two proposed plans shows that the Washington Park site has distinct advantages over the Jackson Park site.

First, while the Jackson Park plan requires the privatization of about 20 acres of public parkland, the Washington Park plan requires no private taking of public green space. Rather, the latter plan proposes building the center on vacant land available for purchase on the west side of Washington Park. In Balkanys plan, public parkland for south-siders to enjoy would be enlarged rather than reduced.

As Jamie Kalven, award-winning journalist and plaintiff in the POP lawsuit, expressed in a recent Tribune editorial, the privatization of public parkland sets a dangerous precedent. In view of Chicagos history of rapacious real estate exploitation, its nothing short of miraculous that the glorious archipelago of Frederick Law Olmsted parksWashington and Jackson parks, linked by the Midway Plaisancehas been preserved. At least until now.

Another plaintiff in the lawsuit is Dr. W.J.T. Mitchell, U of C professor, author, and landscape historian. He explains that Olmsteds vision was for these public parks to be democratic spaces, without gates, open to all visitors. Mitchell believes the taking of parkland for private use is contrary to Olmsteds plan.

Another plaintiff, Bren Sheriff, who has lived for nearly 50 years in the South Shore neighborhood near Jackson Park, told me that the center was initially marketed as a presidential library. But after obtaining the lease to build in Jackson Park, the foundation changed course and decided to build a private entity with no official connection to the National Archives. According to Sheriff, many south-siders have been misled into believing that the POP lawsuit is an attempt by white people to stop President Obama from building his presidential library.

Second, construction of the OPC in the wooded parkland of Jackson Park will require the destruction of hundreds of mature, carbon-sequestering trees, contributing to the existential problem of global climate change. Mitchell believes more than a thousand trees will ultimately be destroyed in and around the park, many of which are more than 100 years old. The alternative plan near Washington Park does not require destruction of any mature trees, according to Balkany. Another environmental concern is that the placement of a 20-story tower so close to the lake will endanger migratory birds that fly north and south close to the western edge of Lake Michigan. The Washington Park site is farther west and is believed to pose less risk to migrating birds.

Third, the Jackson Park site is not easily accessed by public transportation, meaning that visitors would mostly come by vehicle. In contrast, the Washington Park site is situated right on the CTA Green Line. Further, the Jackson Park plan calls for the closing of two major roadsCornell Drive and the southern half of the historic Midway Plaisancenecessitating a rerouting of traffic and the widening of Lake Shore Drive and Stony Island Avenue. The Washington Park plan does not call for any major road closures or traffic disruptions.

Fourth, the Obama Foundation has promised to bring economic development to the south side. Sheriff believes this is a pipe dream if the center is built in Jackson Park. The park is surrounded by the university, the Museum of Science and Industry, two high schools, and private homes. Where is the economic development going to come from? On the other hand, the Washington Park site is adjacent to many commercial businessesespecially along Garfield Boulevardthat stand to benefit from the OPC.

None of these factors favoring the Washington Park site seem to be seriously disputed. Rather, as Kalven wrote in his Tribune editorial: The Obama Foundation has declined every invitation to engage the issue of feasible and prudent alternatives and has instead mounted a marketing campaign, the central theme of which is that the Jackson Park site is a fait accompli.

I reached out to the Obama Foundation for comment and was invited to email my questions, which I did, inquiring why the Jackson Park site was selected over the alternative site west of Washington Park; and whether the community has been allowed to weigh in on the controversy over the sites. The Foundation responded that it was unable to accommodate [my] request at this time.

Mitchell told me that he attended a town hall meeting in 2017 at Hyde Park Academy High School where residents were invited to come to the microphone and ask questions about the OPC. But when residents started raising objections to the plan to build in Jackson Park, the open portion of the meeting was ended, and residents were directed to voice their concerns in small breakout groups. The city never again allowed open-mike questions at meetings regarding the OPC.

Mitchell explained his motivation for joining the lawsuit against locating the OPC in Jackson Park: I want to save the Obamas from their own bad decision. Besides being a historic landmark, Jackson Park offers a precarious footing to support a 235-foot tower. The plan is to build the tower on the edge of the West Lagoon that is directly connected to the rising waters of Lake Michigan, which pose serious logistical issues in construction and future usage. I am afraid it will be a disaster for the Obamas and for the city.
Our reader GM is not happy that the possible very big downside of a recent Covid discovery is not being taken seriously. Lots of nasty new variants of Covid have been found in New York City wastewater. They appear to come from rats.

Now so far, there is no evidence that one of these rat Covid variants has jumped species to humans. But as well explain, were that to happen, it could be Seriously Bad. Many of these variants are novel and have the potential to escape current vaccines.

But the reaction to the wastewater study has been underwhelming. And the US already does one of the worst jobs of any advanced economy in terms of sequencing Covid cases to determine the prevalence and spread of variants. So if a ratty Covid were to infect humans, the US would be late to work that out.

From a preprint in MedRxIV, Tracking Cryptic SARS-CoV-2 Lineages Detected in NYC Wastewater:

To monitor New York City (NYC) for the presence of novel variants, we amplified regions of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein gene from RNA acquired from all 14 NYC wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and ascertained the diversity of lineages from these samples using high throughput sequencing. Here we report the detection and increasing frequencies of novel SARS-CoV-2 lineages not recognized in GISAIDs EpiCoV database. These lineages contain mutations rarely observed in clinical samples, including Q493K, Q498Y, H519N and T572N. Many of these mutations were found to expand the tropism of SARS-CoV-2 pseudoviruses by allowing infection of cells expressing the human, mouse, or rat ACE2 receptor. In addition, pseudoviruses containing the Spike amino acid sequence of these lineages were found to be resistant to many different classes of receptor binding domain (RBD) binding neutralizing monoclonal antibodies. We offer several hypotheses for the anomalous presence of these mutations, including the possibility of a non-human animal reservoir.

GM explains:

I was never worried about minks as a reservoir, those are mostly solitary and likely cant sustain a transmission chain. But rats in the sewer is a completely different situation. And its not just that there is an external reservoir, as the paper notes, you select for somewhat different mutations in rodents. That can still infect humans, only now the major neutralizing epitopes are taken out. Also, this will screw up the few remaining ZeroCOVID countries too unless they start maniacally screening all cargo shipments. The Chinese might try, but they also have a gigantic land border and that effort is doomed in the long run

Now on the one hand, New York City is estimated to have only about 2 million rats, compared (pre Covid) about 10 million humans. In London, the population jumped about 25% during 2020, so its reasonable to assume if anything their numbers are higher now.

If you have spent any time in New York City, you are sure to have seen them. Rat sighting is a form of spectator sport:

On the other hand, if you look at the CDC website, the very first rodent disease listed as directly transmitted to humans, Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, has a primary transmission mechanism that doesnt even require you to have been within eyeshot of a rat: Breathing in dust that is contaminated with rodent urine or droppings.

Most Western countries have not taken fecal aerosol transmission seriously (although some readers have pointed out the risk of airport toilets, which cant be covered while flushing). From a post this March by William A. Haseltine, former Harvard Medical School professor, in Forbes:

Last year, I conducted an interview with a friend who traveled to Shanghai and was forced to quarantine in a hotel for 11 days under the supervision of local health authorities.. One detail, however, struck me as rather curious, if not startling. When my friend checked in, a woman handed them a blue bucket and a little bottle of disinfectant tablets. For toilet, she told him, then laughed when she saw the look of shock and horror on his face. No, no, no, no. Not for that. Dissolve the tablets in water in the bucket, then dump the mixture into the toilet before you flush. It didnt matter whether it was number one or number two, my friend told me. He had to treat his waste as if it was potentially infectious and carrying the virus that causes Covid-19, SARS-CoV-2using half a bucket of water and six tablets for urine, or a whole bucket and twelve tablets for feces. In theory, the virus can travel from one persons waste to anothers lungs through one of two routes. The first is fecal-oral route, which involves either direct ingestion of contaminated water through the mouth or indirect exposure through the eyes or nose. The second is what I call the fecal-aerosol route, whereby the virus enters the body via sewer gas or even smaller, yet still virus-laden particles known as aerosols. The ability of the virus to successfully traverse either depends on whether it can remain infectious and replicate at sufficient concentrations as it slogs through the digestive juices of the human gut.

Not to ruin your breakfasts, if you are reading this post over a morning repast, but a friend points out that rats (like other mammals) like to hang out near basement heaters and steam pipes in the winter. That means they pee and poop on them. And hot air rises.

Recall that on 1/3, if not more, of the Covid cases include digestive symptoms; some Covid cases present with those first and are initially mistaken as an intestinal bug. But because other aspects of the disease appear to be more dangerous, what Covid does in and to the gut hasnt gotten much attention.

Mind you, even if fecal transmission is now uncommon, the rat variants are sufficiently different, um, cryptic that if they do start infecting humans, their behavior could also be different. GM is alarmed:

In this paper, WNY4 takes all out 3 classes of monoclonals. And WNY4 has an absolutely brutal combination of mutations: K417T N439K K444N Y449R L452R N460K S477N 484 F486V S494T G496V Q498Y N501T G504D 505H H519Q And thats in the RBD alone. Thats basically all the immune escape mutations from all human variants plus some more. And it still binds the human receptor, though with a decreased affinity, but it will be infectious. Quite possible current vaccines will not work at all against this. Some of those mutations, like Q498 and Q493 might actually be adaptations to rodent ACE2. They just happen to be immune escape ones too. Its been a mystery why we dont see them taking over in humans because in certain combinations with other mutations, they have been predicted to dramatically increase receptor affinity eve for hACE2. P.S. WNY4 isnt really even a variant, thats a new strain by all reasonable definitions.

Rats with Covid are an obvious possible danger, given that they already transmit 26 diseases to humans, according to the CDC. But these rat infections also illustrate the way that Covid is becoming endemic in animals. The broad infections across species is reminiscent of rabies (fortunately without its level of mortality). For instance, deer, which most suburbanites regard as rats with hooves, are also showing alarming levels of Covid. A wild deer survey in Michigan found that more than half have Covid antibodies.

Rather than organizing an effort to monitor this hazard and game out responses, the CDC is instead busy defending itself on its flip-flop of asking the vaccinated to mask up. Since the National Nurses Union and the California Nurses Union were both very critical of the CDCs Mission Accomplished in May, why not let them handle the PR push? Most Americans would put a lot more faith in nurses than any public health official right now.

GM points out the US isnt deploying its genetic sequencing capabilities to get a better handle on this risk:

The one somewhat positive thing is that we still do not see these spilling back over into humans. But on the other hand, it is not like there is much sequencing going on, even though supposedly a very large sum of federal money was dedicated to sequencing a few months ago (after which the number of sequenced samples promptly went down). Also, for something like WNY4 that has so many mutations, it is quite possible that the current PCR primers dont work at all, so whoever contracts that will not test positive to begin with, thus it will never get sequenced Speaking the Black Death though, one has to wonder what these adaptive changes meant in terms of virulence and virulence to which species. Every time these viruses have been passaged in rodents, they go from mostly harmless to lethal. So is the rodent population going down in NYC? Nobody is looking I guess. How much has it spread among the rats? Thats actually kind of trivial to check  just collect a bunch of rats, there are plenty of them, test the blood for antibodies. Is anyone going to test these viruses in the lab on mice and rats to see how they compare to the Wuhan one? That might happen. Are they going to also be more lethal to humans? Hopefully we never find out Also, there is one very unfortunate aspect of the paper  they only sequenced RBDs, not whole viruses, not even whole spikes. What other mutations happened elsewhere is anyones guess.

Nassim Nicholas Taleb, in January 2020, warned of the risk of Covid as a pandemic in January 2020:

The general (non-naive) precautionary principle [3] delineates conditions where actions must be taken to reduce risk of ruin, and traditional cost-benefit analyses must not be used. These are ruin problems where, over time, exposure to tail events leads to a certain eventual extinction. While there is a very high probability for humanity surviving a single such event, over time, there is eventually zero probability of surviving repeated exposures to such events. While repeated risks can be taken by individuals with a limited life expectancy, ruin exposures must never be taken at the systemic and collective level. In technical terms, the precautionary principle applies when traditional statistical averages are invalid because risks are not ergodic.

Naive Empiricism Next we address the problem of naive empiricism in discussions related to this problem. Spreading rate: Historically based estimates of spreading rates for pandemics in general, and for the current one in particular, underestimate the rate of spread because of the rapid increases in transportation connectivity over recent years. This means that expectations of the extent of harm are underestimates both because events are inherently fat tailed, and because the tail is becoming fatter as connectivity increases. Global connectivity is at an all-time high, with China one of the most globally connected societies. Fundamentally, viral contagion events depend on the interaction of agents in physical space, and with the forward-looking uncertainty that novel outbreaks necessarily carry, reducing connectivity temporarily to slow flows of potentially contagious individuals is the only approach that is robust against misestimations in the properties of a virus or other pathogen.

Not only are rats incubating new Covid variants (and mutations!) that could jump to humans, but the reason for additional alarm is that if that happens, the rats become a new connectivity vector for the disease, increasing the propagation modes beyond human to human. And there is no way we can rid ourselves of rats.
I began my journalism career in Nashville in 1990, with my current position with Nashville Post having evolved since October 2000 (when I was with the now-defunct The City Paper, a sister publication of the Post starting in 2008).

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(Natural News) A study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on July 30 found that 397 children between the ages of 12 and 17 were diagnosed with heart inflammation called myocarditis after receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine.

The condition occurred mostly in young boys. Heart inflammation was not identified as an adverse reaction during the safety trials for the vaccine, but the CDC announced in June that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would add a warning to the Pfizer and Moderna coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines about a possible link to cases of myocarditis in teenagers and young adults.

Myocarditis is a condition that involves inflammation of the heart muscle. Symptoms can include fever and fatigue, as well as shortness of breath and a very specific type of chest pain. Patients tend to say their chest hurts more when they lean forward.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), CDCs vaccine advisory group, met in June to discuss instances of myocarditis in people aged 30 and younger who have received an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. (Related: Exclusive: Athlete who recovered from COVID facing very different future after second dose of Pfizer vaccine triggers myocarditis.)

Pfizer and Moderna use mRNA technology in their COVID-19 vaccines, while Johnson & Johnson uses the more traditional virus-based technology.

The COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Technical (VaST) Work Group, which is part of ACIP, assessed the reported cases and noted that the risk of myocarditis following vaccination with the mRNA-based vaccines in adolescents and young adults is notably higher after the second dose, particularly in males.

According to VaST, the data suggests a likely association of myocarditis with mRNA vaccination in adolescents and young adults.

New study is based on reports of adverse reactions among children

The CDC conducted the new study by reviewing reports of adverse reactions to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) between Dec. 14, 2020 and July 16, 2021.

VAERS received a total of 9,246 reports of adverse reactions among children during that period, 90.7 percent of which were made up of non-serious adverse events. The 397 reports of heart inflammation made up 4.3 percent of the total.

Fourteen children died after receiving the Pfizer vaccine, according to the study. The cause of death was not available for six of the cases. Of the eight other children, two died of intracranial hemorrhage, two died of pulmonary embolism, two committed suicide, one died of heart failure and one died of a blood condition. None of the reported deaths had been caused by heart inflammation.

Impressions regarding cause of death did not indicate a pattern suggestive of a causal relationship with vaccination. However, cause of death for some decedents is pending receipt of additional information, wrote Anne Hause, the CDCs corresponding author.

Hause noted that the study is subject to several limitations, including the fact that VAERS is a passive surveillance system and is subject to underreporting and reporting biases.

Though the system is considered passive overall, doctors are required to report all serious events following vaccinations. The study also wasnt designed to capture all cases of heart inflammation and only counted the reports which used the term myocarditis.

The FDA issued an emergency use authorization for the Pfizer vaccine for children 16 years and older on Dec. 11, 2020 and expanded the authorization to children 12 and over on May 10, 2021. (Related: More child guinea pigs needed: FDA asks for more children to take part in experimental trials of deadly coronavirus vaccines.)

CDCs vaccine advisory group still wants children to take the risk

After reports of heart inflammation began to emerge in June, the ACIP concluded that the risks of high inflammation didnt outweigh the benefits of Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine and decided to continue recommending it to children aged 12 and older.

The higher-than-expected rate of myocarditis cases among Americans below 30 is consistent with the data from Israel.

Israels Ministry of Health identified over 200 cases of myocarditis in men between 16 and 30 years old, a vast majority of those happening at the younger end of that range. That equates to a risk of between 1 in 3,000 and 1 in 6,000 of suffering from heart inflammation.

Pfizer previously said it had not observed a higher rate of heart inflammation than would normally be expected in the general population. Moderna also said that it could not identify a causal association with the heart inflammation cases and its vaccine.

Follow Immunization.news for more news and information related to coronavirus vaccines.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

DailyMail.co.uk

KeweenawReport.com
(Natural News) The oppressive government lockdowns during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic caused a dramatic rise in mental health issues. Healthy people confined to their homes with limited to no human contact are likely to experience severe strain on their mental health.

While the virus itself has a low fatality rate for most demographics, lockdowns can push people of all ages over the brink.

After the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revised its guidelines for vaccinated people, many local and state governments nationwide brought back mask mandates and restrictions for many Americans. Lockdowns may soon follow.

People, vaccinated or not, must now wear masks in all indoor public spaces. Masks dont work and diagnosed cases rise in many locations after mask mandates. Cloth masks, which are what most people wear, experience particle penetration of 97 percent. Surgical masks experience particle penetration of 44 percent.

The only masks scientifically proven to provide defense against COVID-19 are properly fitted and worn N95 masks. However, masks also lead to increased levels of inhaled carbon dioxide. As a result, roughly a third of hospital workers report headaches with long-term use of N95 masks.

On Sept. 11 last year, the CDCs Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report showed that 85 percent of those who contracted COVID in July 2020 always wore a mask when out in public or often wore one the two weeks before their infection.

Some excess deaths are related to lockdowns

Excess mortality remains the best gauge of the pandemics impact. It compares the overall number of deaths with the total in previous years. That measure rose among older Americans because of COVID-19, but it rose at an even sharper rate among people aged 15 to 54, and most of those excess deaths were not attributed to the virus. (Related: Study: Lockdowns have led to an increase in excess mortality.)

While some of those deaths could be undetected COVID-19 cases, and some could be unrelated to the pandemic or the lockdowns, preliminary reports point to some obvious lockdown-related factors.

There was a sharp decline in visits to emergency rooms and an increase in fatal heart attacks due to failure to receive prompt treatment. A lot fewer people were screened for cancer and social isolation contributed to excess deaths from dementia and Alzheimers.

Researchers predicted that the social and economic upheaval would lead to tens of thousands of deaths of despair from drug overdoses, alcoholism and suicide.

As unemployment surged and mental-health and substance-abuse treatment programs were interrupted, the reported levels of anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts increased dramatically, as did alcohol sales and fatal drug overdoses.

The number of people killed last year in motor-vehicle accidents in the U.S. rose to the highest level in more than a decade, even though Americans did significantly less driving than in 2019. It was the steepest annual increase in the fatality rate per mile traveled in nearly a century, apparently due to more substance abuse and more high-speed driving on empty roads.

The number of excess deaths not involving COVID-19 has been especially high in U.S. counties with more low-income households and minority residents. Nearly 40 percent of workers in low-income households lost their jobs during the spring, which is three times the rate in high-income households.

Lockdowns create more damage than COVID-19 itself

The effects of lockdowns are also felt in countries with low COVID-19 infection and death rates.

In Australia, citizens were forced back into lockdown with even harsher restrictions despite infection and death rates that are much lower compared to other developed nations. The recent highly policed lockdowns in the country have fueled anger and given rise to anti-lockdown demonstrations.

New South Wales Police recruited 300 military personnel to enforce the lockdowns. Australian authorities recently imposed harsher restrictions in Sydney, forcing people to wear masks outdoors and go no further than three miles from their homes.

In Queensland, citizens arent allowed to go out on their balconies and they need to tape them shut in the fight against COVID. Jeanette Young, chief health officer of Queensland, issued an order requiring photographic proof that residents with balconies have done so.

Two hundred fourteen people were recently forced into quarantine in Adelaide, Australia simply because one individual ended up sick in a hospital. A grand total of four people have died because of COVID-19 in Adelaide since last year.

Now, mental health is quickly becoming Australias biggest problem.

A recent survey shows that one in four Australians is struggling with mental health issues. Other findings reveal that one in five Australians is experiencing high levels of anxiety and stress directly linked to the pandemic.

Since its initial outbreak, the pandemic has profoundly affected the global community. The implementation of strict quarantine and lockdown measures has disrupted social networks and devastated the global economy. There is a rising concern that the pandemic has taken a toll on the general populations mental health.

Many studies show that there has been an increased prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders, suicide risk, post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and insomnia. (Related: Extended coronavirus lockdowns having severe negative effect on mental health of children  report.)

Longer quarantine duration is associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), avoidance behaviors and anger. Poor information from public health authorities, confusion about the purpose of quarantine and lack of transparency from health and government officials are also contributing to the problem.

Follow Pandemic.news for more news and information related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Sources include:

TheOrganicPrepper.com

City-Journal.org
(Natural News) The first American city to do so, New York City is now demanding that indoor diners, fitness enthusiasts and partakers of the arts show proof of Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccination in order to enter restaurants, gyms and theaters.

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Tuesday that the draconian new imposition is absolutely necessary if residents and visitors to the Big Apple want to live a good and full and healthy life.

Not everyone is going to agree with this, I understand that, de Blasio stated at a press conference.

But for so many people, this is going to be a lifesaving act, that we are putting a mandate in place that is going to guarantee a much higher level of vaccination in this city. And that is the key to protecting people, and the key to our recovery.

Similar to Frances vaccine passport scheme, which is being widely protested and rejected by the French (see below), New York Citys new rule requires that anyone wishing to live a normal life first get a Trump Vaccine and show proof of it.

VIDEO  Huge crowd gathered in #Paris to protest against COVID health pass. pic.twitter.com/Ptnkzj0MnY  Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) July 31, 2021

According to de Blasio, about 66 percent of adults in New York City are said to be fully vaccinated. In lieu of reimposing another indoor mask mandate, de Blasio is simply encouraging New Yorkers to mask up while ordering the remaining hesitant to roll up their sleeves and get their DNA modified for science.

Key to NYC Pass will bring extreme medical fascism to New York City

To enforce the new rule, New York City is introducing a Key to NYC Pass smartphone app into which New Yorkers will be required to upload a photo of themselves along with proof of injection.

The scheme will be fully implemented on Sept. 13, which gives vaccine holdouts about six weeks to get their injections and upload proof into the system. If they refuse, then they can expect to be barred from participating in New York City life.

If you want to participate in our society fully, youve got to get vaccinated, de Blasio announced. Its time.

The mainstream media claims that New York City is currently going through its third wave of the Fauci Flu. The injections are, of course, spreading the delta and other variants being detected, but the political establishment continues to blame the unvaccinated.

There is a madness afoot here, sir, and only government can make a difference, proclaimed New York State Sen. James Sanders Jr. of Southeast Queens about the rise in new cases that is being reported across the city. Give me a better way, or support the mayor.

A better way would be to end the medical fascism and get back to normal, encouraging people to boost their immunity naturally with vitamin C, zinc and green tea, among many other natural immune-boosters. Instead, the government is once again resorting to tyranny, which is the only thing it knows.

At the state level, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a criminal, is calling on private businesses to voluntarily force their patrons to show proof of injection prior to being served. Vaccine-only admission, as Cuomo is calling it, is the only way to help flatten the curve of new cases of Chinese Germs.

I am asking them, and suggesting to them, to go to vaccine-only admission, Cuomo stated. I believe its in your business interest to run a vaccine-only establishment.

As for the injected in New York City, they will be allowed to show their Key to NYC Pass, the states Excelsior app, or a paper card issued from the vaccinator.

The latest news about Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccine tyranny can be found at ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

Archive.is

NaturalNews.com

Twitter.com

NaturalNews.com

Archive.is
(Natural News) In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been using COVID-19 as an excuse to garner more government power for well over a year. Sadly, the practice of weaponizing the virus for political gain is not exclusive to America.

(Article by Grant Atkinson republished from WesternJournal.com)

According to Reuters, Australias largest city is set to employ restrictions even more draconian than any seen in the United States since the pandemic began.

On Thursday, Sydney experienced 239 new COVID-19 cases, which was the most in a single day throughout the pandemic. As a result, the government immediately jumped on the opportunity to grab more power.

Starting Friday, high-transmission areas in Sydney will require masks outdoors for all residents, and they will be forced to stay within three miles of their homes.

Government leaders went with the tried and true method of fear-mongering in order to justify this overreaching decision.

We can only assume that things are likely to get worse before they get better given the quantity of people infectious in the community, said Gladys Berejiklian, the premier of New South Wales state.

Reuters admitted there was little sign of restrictions curbing spikes in infections, yet Australian officials somehow think even stricter rules will magically fix the problem. And thats not all.

With even tighter restrictions set to begin on Friday, New South Wales Police said it had asked for 300 military personnel to help enforce lockdown orders, Reuters reported.

The personnel will deploy on Friday, Defence Minister Peter Dutton said, and will begin assisting police with ensuring compliance with restrictions next week.

Not only will Sydney force incredibly restrictive rules not backed by science on their residents; they will also use military personnel to enforce them. That is nothing short of tyranny.

Even finance experts seem to have somehow been brainwashed into believing these restrictions are a good idea. Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg admitted the lockdown would ravage the economy, but he still tried to defend its necessity.

With respect to the December quarter, that does depend to a large extent how successful New South Wales, our largest state economy, is in getting on top of this virus, Frydenberg said.

In other words, he wants to convince Australians that these lockdowns will ultimately save the economy by preventing further surges of the virus in the future.

The problem is that no one seems to know when these restrictions will end. Reuters reported only 13 people had died from the virus in Sydney during this latest outbreak, and yet federal officials are moving to keep citizens in line via military force.

If 13 deaths are enough to justify full-fledged tyranny, why should anyone believe the government will ever relinquish its newfound power?

The same questions lingers in the United States, where CDC officials recently twisted their rhetoric in an attempt to regain the power they just recently gave up.

Just a couple of months ago, the CDC recommended masks were no longer necessary for vaccinated individuals. This week, the agency reversed course and said Americans in many areas need to wear masks regardless of vaccine status.

While mask mandates are not the same as full lockdowns, the same sentiment applies. Once a government gains power, it is not likely to relinquish it.

Read more at: WesternJournal.com and MedicalTyranny.com.
(Natural News) Well, that didnt take long.

Giving just a few pharmaceutical companies complete monopoly over the COVID-19 vaccine, which world leaders are pushing on billions and billions of people, wasnt enough, apparently, because two of them just raised their prices for their shots.

Reuters reports:

Pfizer Inc and Moderna Inc have raised the prices of their COVID-19 vaccines in their latest European Union supply contracts, the Financial Times reported.

The new price for the Pfizer shot was 19.50 euros ($23.15) against 15.50 euros previously, the newspaper said, citing portions of the contracts seen.

The price of a Moderna vaccine was $25.50 a dose, the contracts show, up from about 19 euros in the first procurement deal but lower than the previously agreed $28.50 because the order had grown, the report said, citing one official close to the matter.

Thats Europe, mind you, but the price increases are coming to the United States as well, or more accurately, to U.S. taxpayers since the government is buying them.

But it was obvious all along what was going to happen here: Given the opportunity for vaccine monopolies, the plan among the Big Pharma companies that developed them first was little more than a get rich quick scheme, as Sharon Lerner of The Intercept noted at the beginning of the pandemic  March 2020.

As the new coronavirus spreads illness, death, and catastrophe around the world, virtually no economic sector has been spared from harm. Yet amid the mayhem from the global pandemic, one industry is not only surviving, it is profiting handsomely, she wrote, citing the pharmaceutical industry.

Others saw the money tsunami for Big Pharma rolling in as well.

Pharmaceutical companies view Covid-19 as a once-in-a-lifetime business opportunity, Gerald Posner, author of Pharma: Greed, Lies, and the Poisoning of America, told Lerner.

The world needs pharmaceutical products, of course, he claimed. For the new coronavirus outbreak, in particular, we need treatments and vaccines and, in the U.S., tests. Dozens of companies are now vying to make them.

Theyre all in that race, Posner added, noting that the then-potential payoffs were going to be monumental (and indeed they have been  and are about to get higher, thanks to the new price increases).

The pandemic will potentially be a blockbuster for the industry in terms of sales and profits, he told Lerner, adding that the worse the pandemic gets, the higher their eventual profit.

Delta variant, anyone? Endless variants next? Perpetual need for COVID vaccines and boosters, like an over-hyped, much more expensive version of the annual flu vaccine clown show?

You bet. Because new billionaires have been created.

CNN reported in recent days:

Covid-19 vaccines have created at least nine new billionaires after shares in companies producing the shots soared.

Topping the list of new billionaires are Moderna (MRNA) CEO Stephane Bancel and Ugur Sahin, the CEO of BioNTech (BNTX), which has produced a vaccine with Pfizer (PFE). Both CEOs are now worth around $4 billion, according to an analysis by the Peoples Vaccine Alliance, a campaign group that includes Oxfam, UNAIDS, Global Justice Now and Amnesty International.

These billionaires are the human face of the huge profits many pharmaceutical corporations are making from the monopoly they hold on these vaccines, Anne Marriott, Oxfams health policy manager, said in a statement. These vaccines were funded by public money and should be first and foremost a global public good, not a private profit opportunity.

Since February 2020, Modernas share price on U.S. stock indices has gained more than 700 percent; BioNTechs stock has skyrocketed some 600 percent. Both companies CEOs are new billionaires as well, each worth more than $4 billion, so there has definitely been enough profit (from taxpayers) to go around.

And again, this is just the first round of COVID vaccines. You can bet their worth will only rise as the new variants spread and the shots become mandatory for hundreds of millions of ready-made customers.

Sources include:

YahooFinance.com

CNN.com

Vaccines.news
(Natural News) A new report published by Republicans in the House of Representatives has proven that the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) leaked from a lab.

On Monday, Aug. 2, Rep. Michael T. McCaul of Texas, the highest-ranking Republican in the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, said that the report proves the coronavirus leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV).

This report is an addendum to the original report on the origins of COVID-19 released by House Republicans in Sept. 2020.

The original report focused on how China attempted to downplay the initial outbreak, which cost the entire world dearly because many countries were unprepared for the sudden influx of COVID-19 cases. This addendum brings to light details from records released in the past year that show that the virus was engineered in and accidentally leaked from the WIV.

Coronavirus spread through WIV lab staff months before the first reported cases

According to the report, there was ample evidence that the coronavirus leaked from the WIV shortly before Sept. 12, 2019. This was when the WIV took its public database of virus samples and sequences off the public database without warning.

This was also the date when the WIV announced a $1.2 million project to upgrade its air safety and waste treatment systems as well as its security infrastructure. More gatekeepers and guards were hired, video surveillance infrastructure was built and security patrols were upgraded to handle the registration and reception of foreign personnel.

The report hypothesized that the virus first spread to lab staff due to unsafe conditions within the WIV. It noted that there was a relatively new hazardous waste treatment system and central air conditioning system in the WIV that underwent renovations between July to Sept. 2019.

If the air conditioning system was not functioning properly, hence the renovations, it could have resulted in lower than ideal air circulation. This could have enabled COVID-19 particles to remain suspended in the air for longer periods of time, infecting lab staff involved in coronavirus research.

The report continued by pointing out that the WIV scientists were modifying coronaviruses to make them more infectious to humans. This kind of research is known as gain-of-function research, and it involves very dangerous genetic modification.

The report argued that the existence of these experiments can be proven through the many different scientific papers written by researchers directly affiliated with the WIV.

The Republican report added that the WIV researchers were aided in their experiments with funding from the Chinese and American governments, and with the direct participation of American experts. (Related: Fauci sent very friendly emails to Chinese counterpart at the beginning of coronavirus pandemic.)

The authors of the report said all the evidence needed to come to these conclusions can be found in open-source information, including satellite imagery showing how there was a surge in visits to local hospitals months before the first acknowledged COVID-19 cases were reported in Wuhans nearby markets.

As we continue to investigate the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, I believe its time to completely dismiss the wet market as the source of the outbreak, said McCaul as he presented the report.

Instead, as this report lays out, a preponderance of the evidence proves that all roads lead to the WIV, he added. We know gain-of-function research was happening at the WIV and we know it was being done in unsafe conditions.

As the coronavirus spread among lab staff, the domestic outbreak might have been made worse by a super spreader event.

In Oct. 2019, the Military World Games was held in Wuhan. Many of the athletes in the event reported feeling sick with symptoms consistent with COVID-19. These athletes went back to their countries, many of which then became early hotspots for the coronavirus.

McCaul wants to open a new investigation into the origins of COVID-19

In his concluding statement, McCaul demanded that the House launch a bipartisan investigation into the origins of the coronavirus. He pointed out that the Chinese Communist Party, possibly in cooperation with the World Health Organization, went to great lengths to cover up the early stages of the outbreak.

The CCP did this by detaining doctors and journalists, destroying lab samples and barring a full-scale probe into the coronaviruss origins conducted by a team of international investigators.

This was the greatest coverup of all time and has caused the deaths of more than four million people around the world, and people must be held responsible.

Now is the time to use all of the tools the U.S. government has to continue to root out the full truth of how this virus came to be, said McCaul.

Learn more about the lab leak origin theory of the coronavirus by reading the latest articles at Pandemic.news.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

WashingtonTimes.com

BusinessInsider.com
(Natural News) St. Louis County Council voted 5-2 to terminate its indoor mask mandate; however, Kansas City announced that it will still require people to wear masks in public indoor spaces where they cannot maintain social distancing.

Even as the county council voted to reverse the regions mask mandate, Kansas City mayor Quinton Lucas announced that he would still reinstate an indoor mask policy for restaurants and other public spaces.

The mandate, which came in tandem with the city of St. Louis, required all individuals over the age of five to wear a mask in indoor public places, regardless of their vaccination status. This order came despite death rates from COVID-19 being at their lowest since the beginning of the pandemic.

We do have a mask mandate that is in effect in St. Louis County. Its before a judge, the attorney general has filed a lawsuit and I hope that moves quickly to resolve this, he said.

In June, Missouri Governor Mike Parson enacted a law that limited the duration of local public health restrictions. It also barred governments from requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination in using public facilities and transportation.

While this law does not specifically mention masks, it does allow the governing body of any city to terminate public health orders issued to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at any time by a majority vote. (Related: St. Louis orders all vaccinated residents to return to mandatory masking while indoors, effectively admitting that vaccines dont work to stop the spread of COVID.)

Twin mandates illegal, says state attorney general

State Attorney General Eric Schmitt said before the council vote that claimed twin mandates from the county and city are illegal. Until the lawsuit is resolved, Page noted that the new health order would stay in place. This angered those who attended the council meeting.

Sam Page and his supporters have done their best to make this discussion about masks versus no masks; they want to divide us, Councilman Tim Fitch, Republican of the 3rd District, said. Before we have that discussion, we have to settle his blatant violation of state law by issuing this so-called mask mandate.

Councilwoman Lisa Clancy, a Democrat of the 5th District, on the other hand, voted against rescinding the order. She said that based on what she heard from legal experts, the councils vote has the intended effect of rescinding the public health order, but it may confuse people and businesses in St. Louis County.

Dr. Faisal Khan, director of the St. Louis County Department of Public Health, attended the meeting to answer council questions about the mandate, pleading to keep the mandate in place, based on the rising COVID-19 cases. He also said it was his duty to inform the council that the delta variant is poised to cause more misery, more death, more disease, an increase in hospitalizations and inflict further damage on the population in the St. Louis region.

Councilwoman Shalonda Webb also said in a press release before the meeting that the issue with the County Executive bypassing the St. Louis County Council and unilaterally making decisions for the people I represent with any official that doesnt represent them.

By Wednesday afternoon, Schmitt was able to file a motion for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction in his lawsuit.

On Monday, I filed suit to stop the unconstitutional, unreasonable mask mandates in St. Louis. Last night, the St. Louis County Council terminated that health order and mask mandate. Despite this, St. Louis County Executive Sam Page believes he can still enforce the mask mandate  he cannot, Schmitt said

County Executive Page is wrong, and today we asked a court for an order to remind him of that fact.

Read more news and updates at Pandemic.news.

Sources include:

MetroVoiceNews.com

NBCChicago.com

RiverFrontTimes.com

WISLTV.com
(Natural News) Within the next 12 days, multiple sources have told us, the pretender-in-chief Joe Biden will announce a nationwide lockdown, fraudulently blaming the delta variant and anti-vaxxers for the overzealous action. The lockdown will have no specific end date, and it is likely to be strongly resisted by red states, while blue states will effectively be turned into medical police states with brutal enforcement of the lockdown measures.

Most importantly, the new lockdown will be perceived as so overreaching and totalitarian that nationwide protests will soon commence.

This is actually all part of the plan. The lockdown push is being engineered to invoke a backlash, even among Leftists who will join conservatives in taking to the streets to protest the medical tyranny.

This backdrop of nationwide protests is the setting needed by the deep state to stage a violent false flag event that Im told will most likely target a medical facility or medical group of some kind. The FBI will of course be running this just like they ran the Whitmer kidnapping in Michigan as well as the Jan. 6th capitol siege false flag operation. Nearly every act of terrorism in America over the last two decades has been plotted and spearheaded by the corrupt FBI, and theres little question they are planning a new theatrical caper to place blame on so-called anti-vaxxers.

The covid criminals are desperately creating a new crisis to cover up their previous crimes

The swamp criminals who ran this entire covid plandemic are getting desperate, you see, and they need to create a new crisis to try to seize even more power. Heres how this plan will work, according to multiple sources:

Step 1) Biden announces a nationwide, overreaching lockdown.

Step 2) Americans react against the medical tyranny and take to the streets in peaceful protests.

Step 3) The criminal Biden regime exploits the chaos of the protests to stage a violent false flag attack against a medical facility so that blame can be placed on gun owners who are also anti-vaxxers.

Step 4) CNN runs with the staged footage, claiming anti-vaxxers are terrorists. The entire media jumps on the engineered narrative to whip up mass hysteria and hatred against the unvaccinated. This further divides America while the media whips up the emotions to insane levels.

Step 5) Biden uses the emotional hysteria to issue an executive order outlawing all gun ownership by civilians. Yes, its illegal and unconstitutional, but he will try it. Many red states will denounce the effort, and this will accelerate the splintering of the United States of America as red states realize they can no longer maintain any allegiance to a criminal swamp cabal that recognizes no limits of government power.

Step 6) Biden launches door-to-door strike force teams, now heavily armed up after the false flag theater, to forcibly vaccinate people at gunpoint and confiscate their firearms.

The no-holds-barred war on the American people thereby commences. Mass executions on the streets of America. Bloodshed on a scale never before witnessed. U.S. military troops turned against innocent civilians and doctors who promoted vitamin D instead of toxic spike protein injections.

Its all coming, and the beginning steps are now just two weeks away (or less).

My advice on peaceful protesting

As I explain in my podcast below, heres what I suggest you keep in mind when joining the peaceful protests against medical tyranny:

NEVER bring weapons to any protest. Not even pepper spray. If you bring weapons, you may wind up ensnared in another FBI false flag terror plot. DO NOT trespass into any building, including a hospital or clinic. This is how they arrested innocent, peaceful protesters on January 6th. FILM EVERYTHING and be ready to quickly hide your micro SD card so that the corrupt FBI cant confiscate it after they pull off their false flag event. This means preparing in advance to hide micro SD cards in your bra, shoes, underwear, hair or even other body orifices, should you dare. Since America is now becoming North Korea, honest Americans must now resort to the same freedom techniques used by dissenting North Korean citizens who have to smuggle videos that show the corruption and criminality of the regime. WATCH OUT for efforts by individuals or any group to whip you into aggressive action of any kind. The FBI will obviously run agent provocateurs who try to convince people to do outrageous things, and CNNs cameras will be waiting to capture you on film and destroy your life. IF IN DOUBT, stay the f##k out. Dont get dragged into some situation that seems fishy or out of control. Dont enter buildings or private property. Even be careful what you say verbally because there are audio recording devices all around you. By merely stating out loud something like, We should barge in there! you can be charged with terrorism under the new Biden regime and its corrupt DOJ.

Also remember that We the People arent going to win this war through kinetic conflict. Were going to win by exposing the criminality of the regime, and that means shooting with cameras, not rifles. Use the video platforms available today to post your videos and expose the regime. Video footage is your greatest weapon against an illegitimate, criminal government that is now weaponizing the covid hysteria against the American people.

Learn more in todays ultra-important Situation Update podcast:

Brighteon.com/cba45892-be02-474a-beea-a26e767f2797

Hear more warnings and solutions each day at:

https://www.brighteon.com/channels/hrreport

Also of note today: Urgent message to the recently red-pilled who took the vaccine: You can still SAVE yourself!

Brighteon.com/bc34e175-b8fb-4b3e-abcd-3082bf31b66f
(Natural News) Just yesterday, we discussed the censoring of a commentator by Twitter for merely expressing an opinion over the need for a pause on any federal mandates on Covid-19 as new research is studied. Now, a former New York Times science reporter, Alex Berenson, has been suspended for simply citing the results from a clinical trial by Pfizer and raising questions over any vaccine mandate. In the meantime, the White House accused both the Washington Post and New York Times of irresponsible reporting on Covid, but surprisingly Twitter has not suspended those accounts. It is the license of the censor. Twitter is unwilling to let people read or discuss viewpoints that it disagrees with as a corporation. Many on the left, however, have embraced the concept of corporate speech and censorship. It turns out that the problem with censorship for many was the failure to censor views that they opposed. With the right censors at work, the free speech concerns have been set aside.

(Article by Jonathan Turley republished from JonathanTurley.org)

I have little ability to judge the science on such questions. Moreover, I was eager to be vaccinated as was my entire family. I would get the vaccination today with equal enthusiasm. However, I welcome the debate for data. Yet, rather than answer such critics and refute their arguments, many people focus on silencing anyone with dissenting viewpoints like Berenson.

Berenson has been effectively confined to Substack by Big Tech due to his discussing dissenting views on the science surrounding Covid-19. His latest offense against Big Tech came when he posted the results published by Pfizer of its own clinical data. He claimed that the research showed little difference in mortality between those in the trial with a vaccine and those given a placebo.

In the meantime, the White House sent out an all caps condemnation for completely irresponsible reporting on the infliction of vaccinated people according to another study.

Ben Wakana, deputy director of strategic communications and engagement for the White House, blasted the Washington Post over its headline about a study of a COVID-19 outbreak in Provincetown, Massachusetts on July 4th. The Post tweet read Vaccinated people made up three-quarters of those infected in a massive Massachusetts covid-19 outbreak, pivotal CDC study finds. Wakana responded Completely irresponsible,. 3 days ago the CDC made clear that vaccinated individuals represent a VERY SMALL amount of transmission occurring around the country. Virtually all hospitalizations and deaths continue to be among the unvaccinated. Unreal to not put that in context.

Completely irresponsible. 3 days ago the CDC made clear that vaccinated individuals represent a VERY SMALL amount of transmission occurring around the country. Virtually all hospitalizations and deaths continue to be among the unvaccinated. Unreal to not put that in context. https://t.co/BbmSNvQlrb  Ben Wakana (@benwakana46) July 30, 2021

Wakana addressed the same issue with a New York Times tweet stating Breaking News: The Delta variant is as contagious as chickenpox and may be spread by vaccinated people as easily as the unvaccinated, an internal C.D.C. report said. That sent Wakana into all caps: 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.

VACCINATED PEOPLE DO NOT TRANSMIT THE VIRUS AT THE SAME RATE AS UNVACCINATED PEOPLE AND IF YOU FAIL TO INCLUDE THAT CONTEXT YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG. https://t.co/gBkDbJ21xX  Ben Wakana (@benwakana46) July 30, 2021

Now all three posters (Berenson, The Post, and The Times) were citing studies and accused of not putting them into context. However, only Berenson was suspended.

Obviously, none of these posters should be suspended and Twitter should not be enforcing one of the largest censorship programs in history. However, the silence of free speech supports, academics, and journalists to this hypocrisy is deafening.

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. 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.

This is why I have described myself as an Internet Originalist:

The alternative is internet originalism  no censorship. If social media companies returned to their original roles, there would be no slippery slope of political bias or opportunism; they would assume the same status as telephone companies. We do not need companies to protect us from harmful or misleading thoughts. The solution to bad speech is more speech, not approved speech. If Pelosi demanded that Verizon or Sprint interrupt calls to stop people saying false or misleading things, the public would be outraged. Twitter serves the same communicative function between consenting parties; it simply allows thousands of people to participate in such digital exchanges. Those people do not sign up to exchange thoughts only to have Dorsey or some other internet overlord monitor their conversations and protect them from errant or harmful thoughts.

Read more at: JonathanTurley.org and Censorship.news.
(Natural News) Australian companies are pressuring the government to mandate Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations. Their lobbying has become so strong that experts have warned people that refusing to get vaccinated will likely mean getting banned from most workplaces and public venues.

Australia has maintained a very low vaccination rate since the COVID-19 vaccines became available to the country. But its vaccination rate is slowly rising, with around 15 percent of the population already fully vaccinated, and another 18 percent waiting to get a second dose of the vaccine.

The country has kept itself unvaccinated for so long because no broad vaccine mandates exist yet, except for some industries with workers the government has classified as high risk. These include nursing home and long-term care home workers and employees of quarantine hotels. (Related: Australian man escapes forced quarantine in hotel using rope made from bedsheets.)

Unfortunately, the federal government of Australia is relentlessly being pressured by private companies to make vaccines compulsory for workers.

One of the first companies to lobby the Australian government to mandate vaccines is Qantas, the countrys flag carrier and largest airline. Qantas has called on the federal government to mandate vaccines for all aviation staff. Company executives argued that this mandate is necessary to create the safest environment possible for travelers and staff.

We believe COVID vaccination should be a requirement for all aviation workers, said Qantas CEO Alan Joyce.

It is being introduced bit by bit around the country, he added. We now have over 1,000 employees that are covered by the requirements in [New South Wales], the requirements in South Australia, New Zealand.

The states of New South Wales and South Australia have made it mandatory for aviation workers who take part in international flights to get the COVID-19 vaccines. The countrys four other states and two territories have yet to follow suit. Qantas is the first large corporation in Australia to push for a vaccine mandate. Dozens of other companies have rolled out programs to bribe employees into getting COVID-19 vaccines, all of which have stopped just short of mandating the vaccines.

Fortunately for Australians, several high-profile unions have placed themselves in opposition to any possible federal vaccine mandate. One of the unions most vocal in opposing mandates is the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association. Its president, Larry Cosme, said that he believes a vaccine mandate is a violation of civil rights. Cosme said that any attempt to implement a vaccine mandate in Australia will be met with a lot of pushback.

Its going to be an avalanche, he warned.

Prime minister ruled out vaccine mandates, but not other ways to coerce people to get vaccinated

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has ruled out a federal vaccine mandate.

I think it is the wrong decision for Australia. Its not how we do things, he said. Im responsible for the decisions that we make, and the decisions that we make is that its not mandatory.

There was only one area where that has been recommended and that is for aged care workers, he added.

Morrison said he knows companies like Qantas will be intensely scrutinizing Australian employment laws to figure out if they can implement vaccine mandates. He warned that any decisions they make regarding the vaccination of their employees have to be consistent with our laws.

Unfortunately, Morrisons opposition to vaccine mandates does not translate to opposition to the experimental and side effect-riddled COVID-19 vaccines.

I believe we will actually achieve the vaccination rates that are essential [without mandates], he said.

Dr. Jane Williams, a health ethicist for the University of Sydney, warned that mandates can still be implemented even without a proper federal policy enforcing vaccinations. She said that such a vaccination policy will still give people the choice to not be vaccinated. Your bodily autonomy is still okay, she said. No one is going to hold you down and vaccinate you.

But she added that what Morrisons government might do is make the choice to remain unvaccinated become less appealing over time.

This can be done by making certain public locations and workplaces only accessible to people who are vaccinated or who agree to abide by oppressively burdensome social distancing regulations. Such a situation is more likely even with Morrisons opposition to vaccine mandates. Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce recently argued that businesses should have the right to reject unvaccinated customers.

People in private enterprise are going to say, Look Ive got rights here too,' he said during an interview. If you want to come into my barbershop or my childcare facility  then I have a right to say, maybe, Have you been inoculated?'

And if you say you havent, I have got a right as the owner of the shop to say, I cant have you sitting in a seat next to someone who has.'

Learn more about the debates within governments around the world on whether or not to mandate COVID-19 vaccines at Vaccines.news.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

NYTimes.com

Reuters.com

ABC.net.au

News.com.au
(Natural News) Ecuadors Working Group Against COVID Vaccination Discrimination started a petition against mandatory vaccination in the country.

The petition also seeks to prevent any form of discrimination against those who exercise their right to say no to the experimental coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine.

This petition has been created as an urgent response to an almost unimaginable attempt (and bureaucratic overreach) by various parts of Ecuadors government to effectively make the COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for all. Such a measure is unacceptable on every level, the people behind the petition wrote.

They said that even those who choose to get vaccinated should still be against the horrific precedent some governments are attempting to set, which is to make every citizen or resident accept state-mandated injections whenever theyre deemed to be necessary.

According to the petitioners, the proposed direction by Ecuadors government and its related subordinates is illegal, immoral and fundamentally criminal.

Mandatory vaccination violates Ecuadors Constitution

They wrote that mandatory vaccinations are against Ecuadors Constitution at many levels, not least of which is the creation of lower-class citizens who will not be able to legally function, shop, travel and live normally within Ecuador. (Related: Mandatory coronavirus vaccination for care home workers in England unnecessary, disproportionate and misguided.)

In addition, they stated that mandatory vaccinations also violate human rights, noting that the freedom of choice to accept or reject medical treatment is one of the oldest human rights. The group said a person must retain the right to personal sovereignty over the choice regarding what goes into their own body. Mandatory vaccinations also contradict the underpinning theme of the Hippocratic Oath, which is to do no harm. The petitioners noted that hundreds of thousands of serious adverse reactions have been reported worldwide in people who were otherwise healthy and fine prior to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

The group also pointed out that mandatory vaccinations also go against a number of international declarations and agreements that Ecuador is a signatory of. These include the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) 2005 Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights; the Declaration of Helsinki, the Nuremberg Code, 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Accordingly, it is abundantly clear that the COVID-19 vaccines should be optional and never compulsory, the petitioners said.

They made it clear that theyre not questioning the right and self-determination of people who volunteered to be vaccinated or wanted to be vaccinated.

Our objections and protests are due to the Ecuadorian government attempting to violate the rights of men, women and children who do not wish to be vaccinated, and we remind said authorities that citizens can refuse proposed measures and are legally empowered to resist said measures as illegal, unconstitutional, dictatorial and fascist under the protection of article 98 of Ecuadors Constitution, the petitioners said.

All citizens without distinction of political ideology, socio-economic or cultural condition are equal before the law as Art. 11 No. 2 mandates. Accordingly, we demand respect from the authorities for our sovereign right to refuse the vaccine and also, to not be discriminated against for making that choice.

Ecuador looking to vaccinate 9 million people in 100 days

Ecuador is in the middle of its drive to vaccinate 9 million people against the coronavirus in 100 days. This is part of recently installed President Guillermo Lassos plan to revive the economy by battling the pandemic. The country has an adult population of around 12 million.

All of our logistical effort will be successful once we have vaccines, Lasso said while presenting the plan. It is urgent, and we depend on the provision of vaccines from abroad.

Ecuador began its vaccination campaign in January. But this advanced slowly under former President Lenin Morenos administration due to logistical issues, allegations of nepotism in the allocation of shots and frequent changes of top health officials.

Lasso, a conservative ex-banker who took office on May 24, said he had also asked the United Nations to speed up the delivery of vaccines under the COVAX initiative intended to supply shots to poor countries. The World Health Organization (WHO), which is part of the UN system, oversees the program.

Ecuadors Ministry of Health has said that the country has received some 3.5 million doses so far of Pfizer, Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines.

Follow Immunization.news for more news and information related to coronavirus vaccines.

Sources include:

IPetitions.com

Reuters.com
(Natural News) It will come as no surprise to anyone who has been paying attention that Facebooks fact checkers are being paid off by vaccine corporations to censor the truth on social media about the dangers and ineffectiveness of Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) vaccines.

RT devoted an entire segment to an eye-opening tweet from Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) outing Facebooks fact checking team for being nothing more than a band of corporate trolls whose job it is to push Trump Vaccines online and silence anyone who questions them.

Fauci Flu shots are only safe and effective for the vaccine industry, which has safely and effectively been raking in record profits on the back of this staged plandemic. As for the people actually getting the shots, they can expect a lifetime of chronic illness  assuming they survive, that is.

Who pays the paychecks of the fact checkers? The vaccine fact checkers at @factcheckdotorg, who claim to be independent, are funded by an organization that holds over $1.8 billion of stock in a vaccine company, and is run by a former director of @CDCgov (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Massie revealed, pointing to an entry for Facebooks fact checkers that states:

We also received $53,501 from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. SciChecks COVID-19 / Vaccination Project is made possible by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

You can watch the full RT report below:

Zuckerberg is a government asset pushing medical fascism

In addition to being a haven for pedophiles and sex traffickers, Facebook is a highly controlled brainwashing medium that Big Pharma is using to spread lies and misinformation about Fauci Flu shots.

Mark Zuckerberg is a government agent, and his platform is a massive psychological operation that the deep state is using to influence thinking  in this case to support the injection agenda.

This is absolute collusion on the part of vaccine manufacturers funding the fact checkers on social media, warns Michael Rectenwald, a professor of liberal studies at New York University (NYU).

So, were actually getting to the point where peoples lives are being endangered. Weve lost all confidence in the social media and our mainstream media entirely. Anything that comes into contradiction with the leftist agenda is deemed misinformation. People are now not able to get information about whats best for their health, including the detriments of the vaccine.

That anyone still uses Facebook is perplexing. After all, it is not as though these types of revelations are anything new. We have known for years now that Facebook is anti-free speech, anti-freedom, and anti-choice when it comes to individuals making their own medical decisions.

If it was up to Facebook, everyone would be forced to take a Trump Injection at gunpoint in order to keep everyone safe. Fortunately, we are not that far gone  at least not yet.

If these companies receive federal funding and that funding can be tied back to this, then there are possible First Amendment violations, tweeted one user in response to the RT report about Facebook.

They are only in trouble if anyone in power has the slightest interest in enforcing or adjudicating any law that might embarrass the deep state, wrote another. No sign of that on the horizon.

Since Facebook is apparently above the law when it comes to being held accountable for violating the free speech rights of its users, the best way for ordinary people to fight back is to cancel their Facebook accounts and never use the platform again.

More of the latest news about Big Tech censorship can be found at Censorship.news.

Sources for this article include:

Twitter.com

Brighteon.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Big Pharmas media lackeys  journo-terrorists  have struck again, this time unleashing a wave of death threats and vitriol against Dr. Joseph Mercola of Mercola.com, who just announced hes been forced to take down his entire website of articles and interviews. His work represents 25 years of research and writing about nutrition, wellness, disease prevention and natural immunity, and the taking down of his site is no doubt being celebrated by the pharma-funded criminals who are conspiring with Big Tech and the White House to target and destroy the most influential educators on nutrition and wellness.

This is nothing less than a war against humanity, all justified under the cover of covid, a faked plandemic thats so fake, no laboratory in America can yet produce an isolated reference material standard of covid-19 viral particles that are proven to sicken anyone. The entire thing is a deliberate sham, engineered to push toxic vaccines and a global depopulation agenda for planetary-scale extermination of billions of human beings. But to carry out this mass extermination, they cant have people like Dr. Mercola teaching the public about vitamin D or ivermectim, for example, since natural immunity is relatively easy to enhance with simple nutrition. (And covid-19 kills almost no one by itself, which is why Cuomo needed to use ventilator-assisted medical murder to pump up the death statistics in New York.)

Mainstream media journalists spew slanderous hate campaigns designed to provoke violence against doctors and natural health educators

Under the cover of covid, many of todays so-called journalists have become terrorists, waging hate-motivated campaigns against targeted individuals  the dirty dozen  that involve threatening their employees and family members. Their goal is simple: Intimidate and destroy anyone who stands in the way of the global vaccine depopulation agenda. No human must be left unvaccinated in the short term, or left alive in the long run, they believe. In an age where online bullying is supposed to be a crime thats condemned by all, the NYT, Washington Post, CNN, NBC News and other pharma-funded media outlets have become the most outrageous and aggressive bullies of all, issuing a relentless barrage of false, defamatory smear articles that are clearly designed to whip up irrational hatred and violence against their intended targets such as Dr. Mercola.

If the FBI or DOJ really wanted to investigate actual domestic terrorism in America, they should start by investigating NBC News, the NYT and other journo-terrorism organizations that are knowingly whipping up hatred and threats of violence against health educators like the Bollingers, or Sayer Ji, Del Bigtree and RFK, Jr. Yet there will be no such investigations for the obvious reason: The Biden regime is a pharma-controlled medical dictatorship and criminal racketeering / organized crime syndicate that launders money through covid payouts (for vaccines, stimulus money, etc.) to pay off top pharma donors who also prop up the media propagandists with Big Pharma advertising money. Its all a racket.

The threats against Dr. Mercola are so intense that he has now been forced to delete his entire website of content, spanning 25 years of articles and interviews, many of which are widely cited by other publishers due to the meticulous fact-checking that Mercola.com employs. Dr. Mercola is almost obsessed with accuracy, and his articles are extremely well researched and cited, unlike the vaccine-pimping media journalists who merely read teleprompters and repeat whatever pro-pharma propaganda is placed in front of them on any given day.

The mainstream media now functions as the authoritarian propaganda branch of Big Pharma. Even worse, they run black hat operations to attack, smear, defame and deplatform anyone who wont go along with their anti-human, anti-America lies and propaganda. We are now living under a medical dictatorship in America, with the Mayor of New York City now declaring that unvaccinated people are a new sub-class of humans who shall be denied access to restaurants, gyms and bars, with grocery stores no doubt soon to follow.

I thought America had already decided as a nation that declaring one group of people to be a sub-human class of degenerates was morally wrong, yet the unvaccinated have now become Americas new class of shunned sub-humans, with governors, mayors and even the President now openly encouraging bigotry and discrimination based on who you are.

Vaccine passports are the new slave papers, warned the Democrat Mayor of Boston, a black woman who is now warning of what happens in society when one group of people demands segregation and denial of services based on some dividing attribute.

In America today, thanks to the limitless evil of the medical dictatorship now in power, people who choose to rely on natural immunity will be discriminated against and denied access to basic services while those who attempt to educate the public about nutrition and wellness will be demonized, vilified and likely soon attacked by angry, hysterical mobs whipped into a state of intense anger by the journo-terrorism media. Read more about all this at MedicalFascism.news.

This has gone too far. All those pushing this discrimination, bigotry and hate campaign attacks against nutrition educators need to be arrested and charged for their own role in these coordinated crimes against humanity.

And Dr. Mercola should sue the NYT for $1 billion in damages for their false, defamatory smear campaign against him.

Get the rest of the story in todays Situation Update podcast:

Brighteon.com/a3a12311-b36f-453b-9eeb-eeedaac6bb68

Listen to a new Situation Update podcast each weekday at:

https://www.brighteon.com/channels/hrreport
(Natural News) While we often mock US President Biden for accidentally saying the quiet part out loud, it appears Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) decided to intentionally turn up the saying what everyone is thinking amplifier of truth to 11 after refusing to COVID vaccines for children, vowing that Mexico wouldnt bow to pressure from big pharma.

(Article by Tyler Durden republished from ZeroHedge.com)

In remarks made earlier this week, the Mexican leader said his government was still waiting for the scientific community to demonstrate the benefits of vaccinating minors.

Until conclusive evidence was provided, AMLO told the audience (in what has now become a viral, if not very under-reported) speech, that Mexico would refuse to purchase jabs for children; adding that pharmaceutical firms seemed to be focused more on making profits than on ensuring medical necessity as they rake in record sales from Covid-19 vaccines.

We need to be careful, because, as it is obvious pharmaceutical companies wish to make a profit and would like to keep selling vaccines for everyone. But we need to prioritize; we need to know if theyre needed or not. We need to not be subordinated to Big Pharma dictating to us we need a 3rd dose, we need a 4th dose, we need to vaccinate children

Speaking on the same topic, Undersecretary for Health Hugo Lopez-Gatell claimed there was no scientific evidence showing the jab was essential for minors.

Watch the brief moment of honesty from an elite breaking ranks below

BOOM! 

A PRESIDENT addressing the elephant in the room in the most cautious way, so as not to become a target.

Viva Mexico!  pic.twitter.com/LZGQ9LUJ05  Wake Up From COVID (@wakeupfromcovid) July 30, 2021

This did prompt some rather interesting social media responses, including

And the next president to mysteriously die is.  Dan Lewis (@deehinja) July 31, 2021

Hope he'll be ok. It hasn't gone well for other leaders who've questioned the narrative.  ogletwirl (@ogletwirl) July 31, 2021

Read more at: ZeroHedge.com and ChemicalViolence.news
(Natural News) The Sugar Mediterranean Bistro in Stockton, California gets its food rolled out and delivered to customers faster and more efficiently  thanks to its robot employee. General Manager Ana Ortiz said the robot, which is made of food trays, takes a load off her as the restaurant struggled with worker shortage.

It is a lifesaver. You know, it helps us bring out all of the food, said Ortiz. The table that is closest to the patio, I press go and it will take it right out.

Ortiz made the call to hire the robot with an autonomous tech that takes the food straight from the kitchen to a designated area until a server can hand the food out. It saves a lot of time and energy for everyone, especially during rush hours.

Robot will not replace human employees, says general manager

The robot employee gives servers-turned-bartenders in the restaurant much-needed breaks. However, Ortiz is not sure if other restaurants will follow their example.

It makes sense for us right now because of the shortage of employees. This is the only solution were finding, Ortiz said. Like many other businesses, she said hiring workers is a struggle. Weve tried to pay more line cooks, pay more for servers, pay more for goods and dishwashers and everything, its just like there is always somebody that wants to pay a little more.

While it is necessary, Ortiz said that robot is not a replacement for human employees and customers still get one-on-one interaction with servers taking orders and making drinks.

No, we dont want to give that up. We love to see our people. We love to see their faces. We love to see them happy, and after a while, they become family to us, she said.

Ortiz added that the restaurant is still looking to fill vacant server and bartender positions. This thing by no means replaces an employee. By no means it is taking somebodys job away because we still want to hire people. We still want people to come in and work with us. (Related: New automated restaurant with no servers or cashiers opens in NYC.)

Restaurants employ robots instead of humans during pandemic

Because it is getting harder to find human employees to help run her restaurant, a South Florida restaurant owner also began using dining room robots for a touchless and socially distanced experience. Earlier this year, Joy Wang of Mr. Q Crab House invested in robotic workers. The restaurant has been doing brisk business because of its location so Wang found the need to take drastic measures.

Automated food service is being tested nationwide as employee shortage takes its toll on businesses.

REEF, a company that creates virtual delivery-only restaurants, launched Miamis first self-serving delivery robots in March. The companys chief technology officer, Matt Lindenberger, said: Think of it like a rolling food container. It saves on labor costs. Rather than having five humans delivering five things, I can use three robots and one human.

These robot servers are not limited to American locations.

A South Korean restaurant also uses AI-powered servers. It uses a self-driving robot equipped with features such as 3D spatial mapping. Telecom company KT developed the robots programming, and it is now developing various robots in an effort to transform its brand.

KT is bringing [artificial intelligence] closer to the lives of our customers with the release of its first hotel robots last year, second-generation hotel robots this year, and now a new AI serving robot developed for the food and beverage business area, said Kim Chae-Hee, head of KTs AI/Big Data business division.

Read more about AI and new technologies at Computing.news.

Sources include:

Sacramento.CBSLocal.com

Fox40.com

UPI.com

Kiro7.com

Fox5NY.com
(Natural News) Medical experts are warning that at least half of new Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) infections now come from vaccinated individuals. They attribute these so-called breakthrough cases to what they describe as injection failures.

Cardiologist and Baylor University Medical Center Vice Chief of Medicine Dr. Peter McCullough first pointed out that about 50 percent of new COVID-19 cases were a result of vaccine failure. He told Informed Consent Action Network (ICAN) President Del Bigtree in a July 22 interview: We have about half the cases are indeed vaccine failures.

McCullough also noted that about 80 percent of COVID-19 cases in Israel were among vaccinated individuals. Sixty percent of Israelis hospitalized for COVID-19 were fully inoculated using the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. He also noted the same statistics in the U.K. with 75 percent of COVID-19 cases occurring among vaccinated Britons. Forty percent of Britons hospitalized for COVID-19 were fully vaccinated, McCullough continued.

The cardiologist mentioned the role of the Sinovac Biotech vaccine in causing the appearance of new variants. In the case of India, it was the use of the Sinovac vaccine that really prompted the emergence of the [B16172] delta variant. [Now,] were seeing Sinovac again being the stimulus for the emergence of the [C37] lambda variant out of Peru. So mass vaccination, as opposed to targeted vaccination, is in a sense creating the problem of this immune escape of the virus, McCullough said.

He continued that the delta variant was one in a sequence of mutations caused by mass vaccination. It underwent antigenic or immune escape and dodged vaccine antibodies to cause COVID-19 in people, McCullough said.

Aside from McCullough, Yale University epidemiologist Dr. Harvey Risch said that according to doctors, majority of new COVID-19 cases they treated were from vaccinated people. During his April 2021 interview with Steve Bannon, he gave a higher percentage of inoculated individuals who caught COVID-19. Theyve estimated 60 percent of new patients theyve been treating have been people whove been vaccinated, Risch said that time. (Related: At least 60 percent of all new Covid-19 cases are occurring in people who were already vaccinated.)

Vaccines may fail, but natural immunity does not

McCullough also defended that natural immunity was leagues better than vaccine-induced immunity. He told Bigtree: Natural immunity appears to be robust, complete and durable. [When] theres a really solid case of someone documented with infection,  that person has, what we believe, is lifetime durable immunity.

Bigtree then asked if doctors and scientists claiming that vaccine-induced immunity was better than its natural counterpart were lying. McCullough answered in the affirmative, saying those claims were false statements that may be intended to somehow promote the vaccine.

Vaccination is influencing the natural ecological biology of the virus. So were getting fewer strains  that are becoming more dominant as they try to escape the immunity of the vaccine. We are getting signals [that] the current sets of vaccines dont work anymore  [and] that we probably should shut down the vaccine program, McCullough said.

A new paper appeared to support McCulloughs defense of natural immunity being superior to vaccine-induced immunity. The authors of a July 14 study published in Cell Reports Medicine observed more than 250 COVID-19 patients for eight months and measured immune markers in their blood samples. The patients included both men and women who recovered from bouts of mild, moderate and severe disease.

Using cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, the researchers found that SARS-CoV-2 infection causes the immune system to generate polyclonal, humoral and cellular immune responses. These responses targeted multiple vital proteins and established long-term immunity to SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses.

The researchers concluded: Overcoming the challenges to end the pandemic is accentuated by the recognition that SARS-CoV-2 can undergo rapid antigenic variation that may lower vaccine effectiveness in preventing new cases and progression to severe disease. (Related: GREAT NEWS: Natural immunity to coronavirus is comprehensive and DURABLE  study.)

McCullough ultimately said during his interview with Bigtree: Its pretty clear, Americans dont want the [COVID-19] vaccine. The word is out [and] they understand its not working. They see their relatives getting sick after vaccination. [Theyre] seeing record numbers of vaccine-related fatalities and injuries.

VaccineDamage.news has more articles about breakthrough infections caused by failing post-inoculation immunity.

Sources include:

NaturalHealth365.com

ChildrensHealthDefense.eu

WarRoom.org

Cell.com
(Natural News) There seems to be no end to the CDCs propaganda and control, as it proliferates every aspect of society, causing perpetual hysteria, loss of civil liberties and medical ethics. Yet for over a year, social media platforms have adopted CDC propaganda as doctrine, punishing scientific inquiry and censoring topics like informed consent, infection treatment, vaccine injury and natural immunity. Now the CDC is stooping to new lows, sending out scripted messages about unvaccinated people suddenly filling up hospital beds, dying and begging for a vaccine.

As these scripted guilt messages are deployed across social media, the CDC is recruiting Democrat candidates to LIE about COVID statistics and DECEIVE the public about the so-called public health dangers of the unvaccinated. These propaganda tactics are being waged to make Republican candidates look like murderers if they dont force vaccines on people and segregate the unvaccinated from society.

CDC recruiting Democrats to LIE about hospital capacity and the unvaccinated

A Democrat named Debby Burnett used her Twitter account to falsely claim that her hospital is at capacity with unvaccinated COVID patients. On July 27, she posed in a dark room and wrote: The entire floor plus the ICU are at capacity with COVID patients  almost all unvaccinated. Our district has one of the lowest vaccination rates because our rep Lauren Boebert spreads lies and misinformation about the vaccine.

It turns out that Debby Burnett is NOT a front-line COVID doctor at all and has NOT seen an influx in COVID patients. In fact, she lives on the Colorado/Wyoming border as has been registered as a veterinarian in Wyoming since 2011. On the side, she moonlights as a physical therapist at a hospital in Wyoming. She is not a firsthand witness to any hospital in Colorado, where her Republican rival resides.

Furthermore, Colorado is not at capacity with COVID patients, or even close to capacity. Colorado reported 1,346 staffed adult ICU beds the same week that Dr. Burnett lied about hospital capacity. The hospitals have 102 admitted COVID patients and 790 patients who are suffering from other life-and-death health issues. Overall, 892 out of 1,346 beds (66 percent) are filled, which is typical for Colorado hospitals. Moreover, a vast majority of these ICU admissions have nothing to do with COVID or even the unvaccinated specifically.

This all begs the question: Do Democrats care about the health issues that are actually plaguing the hospitals? Do they care about the underlying health issues that lead to severe COVID illness or vaccine injury? Do they care about the health issues caused by their policies of lock down, suppression, control and intimidation? Or, do Democrats just like to LIE about hospital data to make themselves look compassionate, as if they are somehow saving lives? Their twisted narrative continues to unravel, as the CDCs deceptive game-plan falls apart.

Democrat Congressional candidate, Dr. Debby Burnett, blatantly LIED about ICU capacity and the unvaccinated

Even more telling, Laramie County Wyoming, where Dr. Burnett works as a vet, is NOT in a state of pandemic either. The Cheyenne Regional Medical Center is only at 55 percent ICU capacity, with a mere 12 COVID patients. There was never a time during the entire covid-19 scandal where a Colorado or Wyoming hospital reached full capacity or overflowed with COVID patients.

In fact, many of the underlying health issues were misdiagnosed, and COVID was falsely attributed as the cause of death when it was merely suspected or could not be ruled out. This means the pandemic never occurred throughout most of the country, and fatality rates were mostly inflated by the third leading cause of death  medical error. The suppression of viable treatments and the reliance on ventilators drove up fatality rates, and now vaccine injuries are causing new medical emergencies, as new hospital admissions are rebranded as the delta variant. Dr. Burnetts lies and medical fraud only contribute to this epidemic of medical malpractice.

Sources include:

DonSurber.blogspot.com

ClinicalTrials.gov

RedState.com

Facebook.com

TheBlaze.com

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Our founders created a free press protected from interference and control by the central government because they wanted citizens of the new nation to forever be fully informed of the issues that affect them.

That was generally understood to mean that the constitutionally protected free press would hold the powerful in government to account.

The concept worked for a while, but today, our mainstream media has long since forgetten its founding role and instead behaves more like King Georges media, reporting in a manner that protects the regime as well as the deep state apparatus behind it.

The latest case in point: The New York Times.

Two whistleblowers from The New York Times have told The Spectator that senior editors at the paper of record intentionally killed any story that sought to uncover the true origin of the COVID-19 virus because early reports seen by those in the know indicated strongly that it leaked from a lab in Wuhan, China, meaning it was manufactured and did not occur naturally in nature, as the world was told. Looked upon another way, the Times became a propaganda organ of the Chinese Communist Party because obviously its editorial staff align more with that authoritarian regime than with our own president at the time, Donald Trump, who suggested the lab-leak theory very early in the pandemic.

In early 2020, I suggested to a senior editor at the paper that we investigate the origins of COVID-19, the source told Spectator writer Dominic Green.

I was told it was dangerous to run a piece about the origins of the coronavirus. There was resistance to running anything that could suggest that [COVID-19 was manmade or had leaked accidentally from a lab], the whistleblower added.

But Trump wasnt the only official in his government or others who did more than simply speculate where the virus came from, as the Spectator reported:

The global pandemic was then in its early stages. Donald Trump was running for reelection and calling SARS-CoV-2 the Chinese virus. His secretary of state Mike Pompeo had told ABCs This Week in May 2020 that he had seen significant and enormous evidence of the virus originating in the Wuhan Institute of Virology. A few weeks later, Sir Richard Dearlove, the ex-head of Britains MI6 spy service agreed: I subscribe to the theorythat its an engineered escapee from the Wuhan Institute [of Virology].

It was considered a conspiracy theory, a second Times reporter told Green, which is complete BS considering that the Times pushed the mother of all fake news conspiracy theories, and for years  that the Trump campaign colluded with Mother Russia to steal the election from Hillary Clinton. The real reason is that the Times editors are ideologically aligned with Chinese authoritarianism and they didnt want to give Trump any sort of win while they continued to make him the focus of the pandemic.

It was untouchable everywhere. The fact that Trump embraced it, of course, also made it a no-go, the second whistleblower said.

The idea was considered dangerous, the first source agreed.

Green went on to say that the editors motivations werent anti-Trump or political in nature, but that doesnt wash, especially given that the Times and virtually every other major news outlet ignored a bombshell report from Republicans this past week that confirmed the lab-leak theory is not a theory but a fact.

Fox News reports:

The mainstream media was silent on alarming findings from the House Foreign Affairs Committee Republicans probe into the possible origins of COVID-19 on Monday, despite one lawmaker calling it the greatest cover-up in human history.

The bombshell findings made the most detailed case yet that the coronavirus pandemic resulted from a leak from a Wuhan virology lab, but CNN, MSNBC, ABC News, NBC News and CBS News all failed to cover the report.

We dont really have a free press in America anymore; we have a gaggle of propaganda outlets.

Sources include:

FoxNews.com

SpectatorWorld.com

NewsTarget.com
(Natural News) YouTube banned news channel Sky News Australia for allegedly violating Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) misinformation guidelines. The channels temporary ban stemmed from videos questioning the effectiveness of face masks and lockdowns in stopping the spread of the highly infectious B16172 delta variant. The channel called the Google-owned video platforms move an attack on press freedom and free speech.

Videos on Sky News Australias channel were reportedly flagged by YouTube for involving debates around whether masks were effective and whether lockdowns were justified. The video-sharing network also flagged videos of commentators claiming that face masks did not work and questioning the frequency and mechanisms of COVID-19 lockdowns. YouTube remarked that the content that it flagged for review could cause real-world harm to the Sky News Australia channels 1.86 million subscribers.

A YouTube spokesman told the Daily Mail: We have clear and established COVID-19 medical misinformation policies, based on local and global health authority guidance, to prevent the spread of COVID-19 misinformation. He continued that these policies apply equally for everyone regardless of uploader. According to the spokesman, content denying the existence of COVID-19 or encouraging people to use hydroxychloroquine or ivermectin as treatments for SARS-CoV-2 were among the topics considered misinformation.

Sky News Australia meanwhile said it had found old videos that did not comply with YouTube policies and deleted them. A spokesperson for the news channel said: We support broad discussion and debate on a wide range of topics and perspectives, which is vital to any democracy. We take our commitment to meeting editorial and community expectations seriously. However, the channel denied that any of its hosts claimed that COVID-19 did not exist.

Under YouTubes three-strike policy, erring channels receive a week-long suspension. Another violation within 90 days after the first strike results in a longer two-week ban. A third violation merits permanent removal from the platform.

YouTube uses misinformation as an excuse to censor content

Sky News Australia Digital Editor Jack Houghton confirmed the temporary suspension in an Aug. 1 article. He wrote: Sky News Australia has been temporarily suspended from posting on the Google-owned platform YouTube for publishing opinion content the tech giant disagrees with. (Related: Now just mentioning ivermectin gets you banned on YouTube as Big Tech unleashes wholesale censorship of all covid treatments that might save lives.)

Houghton also noted that YouTubes censorship appeared to center on suppressing conservative personalities and entities. YouTubes approach to policing debate around COVID-19 policies appears arbitrarily focused against conservative voices. Its hard not to look at some of these tech giant censorship decisions as being biased on one factor  the political persuasion of the person making the comments.

In the past, the video-sharing platform has censored a number of individuals and organizations under the guise of spreading COVID-19 misinformation. American epidemiologist Dr. Knut Wittkowski, formerly of Rockefeller University, was among these individuals suppressed by YouTube. The 65-year-old scientist was a staunch critic of government responses to the pandemic, such as lockdowns and social distancing.

Wittkowski said YouTube removed a video of him talking about the virus. In the now-removed video, Wittkowski said COVID-19 was a respiratory disease and the only thing that stops the disease is herd immunity. He argued that SARS-CoV-2 should be allowed to create herd immunity, with the pandemic only ending once the virus has sufficiently spread throughout the population.

I was just explaining what we had, Wittkowski told the Post about why the video was removed. He continued: [YouTube doesnt] tell you. [It] just [says that the video] violates our community standards. Theres no explanation for what those standards are or what standards it violated. Wittkowski nevertheless remarked: We dont have to fear anything but fear. (Related: YouTube silences prominent epidemiologist for opposing coronavirus lockdowns.)

The censorship Wittkowski experienced showed the dangers of Big Tech having extensive censorship powers. Houghton warned about this in his piece: No one body should have that power  let alone an organization with such a poor track record. Even more concerning is what this does to the freedom of debate and conversation. Your freedom to think will be extinguished.

The Sky News Australia digital editor pointed out that Australians have a right to debate the countrys COVID-19 policies. Science, and the [Australian] governments response to that science, are two very different things. If that conversation is stifled, our political leaders will be free to act with immunity, without justification and lacking any sufficient scrutiny from the public, Houghton wrote.

YouTubeCensorship.com has more news about YouTubes biased suppression of COVID-19 content.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

SkyNews.com.au

NYPost.com
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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
Gov. Ned Lamont is considering giving local mayors and first selectmen wide discretion to impose COVID-19 rules in their cities and towns, including mask mandates in supermarkets, restaurants, and other private businesses.

That would represent a sweeping change in pandemic decision making in Connecticut, as cities and towns are now limited in what orders they can make. They must generally follow state guidance, and Lamont has avoided carving up the state with different rules throughout the pandemic.

Despite rising coronavirus numbers, pressure from some public health advocates and tighter rules in other states, Lamont has hesitated to order new restrictions. On Wednesday, for example, the percent of daily positive tests pushed over 3 percent, although the number of people in hospitals with COVID-19 inched downward.

The governor again said Wednesday, as he has almost every day, that no mandates are needed yet despite the spread of the more contagious delta variant.

For example, New York City under Mayor Bill de Blasio will require proof of vaccination for people to eat inside a restaurant, starting next month  a rule Lamont specifically declined to adopt.

But he has urged businesses and cities and towns to take whatever action they deem appropriate. And on Wednesday he indicated he would likely give a green light to local officials to have a higher security standard if they think its necessary.

Lamont suggested that he could grant municipalities the needed power on his own without legislative approval. His emergency authority expires Sept. 30 and he said he wants to move more decision-making to the General Assembly even before then.

Look, weve got towns where less than 50 percent of the people are vaccinated. We have towns where 99 percent of the people are vaccinated so I think giving some flexibility there makes a fair amount of sense and well be issuing some directives on that within a day, Lamont said after an event in Manchester.

Asked why local officials would want to issue city or town-wide orders not in place on a statewide basis, the governor again pointed to varying vaccination rates and said he tends to think a mayor has pretty good insight into what keeps his community safe.

One area where the governor is willing to intervene locally is schools. Hes promised to provide guidance for public schools several weeks before kids return to classrooms, and said Wednesday that superintendents have told him they want strong recommendations from the state.

Take the heat off, give us some real clarity, he said of their comments.

Daily coronavirus numbers reported by the state Wednesday showed that hospitalizations decreased by 2 people from a day earlier, for a total of 163. Hospitalizations have been creeping up in recent weeks but are nowhere near the December high.

The percent of positive tests reported Wednesday was 3.35 percent, the highest reported for one day since April 19. The weekly positivity rate stood at 2.9 percent Wednesday  slightly up from the weekly rate of 2.8 percent reported Tuesday.

Lamont, who continues to mull a vaccine rule for state workers, appears close to ordering a mandate for nursing home workers. Asked Wednesday about Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Bakers decision to require long-term care staff to be vaccinated, Lamont indicated Connecticut might do the same.

Were definitely thinking about that, Lamont said. .... We know a lot of the vaccinations are wearing off in the elder community where they maybe dont keep the antibodies as long. So I think thats going to be a priority for us. I think well have something to say on it within 24 hours.

As for the powers of city and towns, currently they can impose restrictions on their own property, but cant require businesses in their jurisdiction to institute mask orders. Some have started to require residents, regardless of vaccination status, to wear masks when going into local government buildings.

New Haven is contemplating taking it a step further. Mayor Justin Elicker is considering a vaccine mandate for city staff.

At the Manchester event, Lamont was joined by the citys Mayor Jay Moran, who said starting Wednesday residents are required to wear masks in public buildings. But Moran said, even if allowed, he is not interested in imposing further rules at local restaurants or other businesses at this point.

State House Speaker Matt Ritter, D-Hartford, said it may make sense for Lamont to grant the towns authority, as the state has more variations in cases than it did before the vaccinations. If youre dealing with hot spots, Ritter said, then that might make some sense to me.

Ritter said the legislature could vote to give towns broad authority, but more specific the directions may best come from the governor, as they might change with new circumstances.

For much of the pandemic, Lamont resisted allowing municipal leaders to make their own decisions on how to respond.

Before I was really worried he keeps his bar open, they shut it down over there. Everybodys going back and forth. I thought about that as a state. I thought about that as a region, Lamont said, referring to collaboration among Northeast governors on pandemic restrictions early on.

Now a state with one of highest vaccination rates in the country and a relatively low infection rate its a little less top of the mind for us right now, Lamont said, referring to uniform rules.

julia.bergman@hearstmediact.com
Kevin Moynihan told his fellow selectmen Tuesday that he heard anecdotally that while some town departments have a high level of vaccinated employees, some do not.

I think we need to focus on vaccinations of employees and I hope we can find a way to require vaccination for all employees who have not yet gotten vaccinations, Moynihan said at the Board of Selectmen meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 3

He acknowledged that the town has seen a number of breakthrough cases, or infections to vaccinated individuals, from people traveling to higher transmission areas. Fortunately, they are not getting very sick, (but) they have flu-like symptoms, he said. The vaccine works as far as mitigating the symptoms.

New Canaan does have one resident in the hospital, he said.

Selectman Kathleen Corbet asked if the town knows what percentage of employees are still not vaccinated.

I dont think we have an overall number, anecdotally we have some departments are very high (in number of vaccinations) and a few departments are lower than what we would like to see.

Do we have the right to ask whether they are vaccinated? Selectman Nick Williams asked

That is exactly what we are looking at, 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.

School worker rates currently sit at 92 percent for certified staff with at least one dose and over 86 percent of employees overall with at least one dose.

The Board of Education website currently states that the schools are not expecting to require masks, but guidance can change.

I have a meeting today with the superintendent, figuring out with what we are doing with the schools, Moynihan said Tuesday.

After the meeting, Moynihan said that he met with Superintendent Bryan Luizzi for lunch to discuss various issues and they may be making decisions later this week.

Given the vaccination rate and the status of the current infection rates, there is no great hurry, he added.

He may announce changes to protocol in his emails and calls to residents in the coming days.
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP)  A majority of state Assembly members support beginning impeachment proceedings against Gov. Andrew Cuomo if he doesn't resign over investigative findings that he sexually harassed at least 11 women, according to an Associated Press count Wednesday.

At least 86 of the bodys 150 members have said publicly or told The AP that they favored initiating the process of ousting the third-term Democratic governor if he doesnt quit. It takes a simple majority to authorize an impeachment trial.

The tally reflects a governor plunged into a political deep freeze  a Democratic scion who has now lost most, if not all, of his allies in the party establishment, just a year after basking in national attention as a blunt-but-relatable voice of fighting the coronavirus.

Cuomo denies making any inappropriate sexual advances and insists the findings don't reflect the facts. But while political pressure is growing, so is the potential for criminal charges against Cuomo.

District attorneys in Manhattan, suburban Westchester and Nassau counties and the state capital of Albany said they asked for investigative materials from the inquiry, overseen by Democratic state Attorney General Letitia James. The inquiry found that Cuomo  a former state AG himself  violated civil laws against sexual harassment, and it left the door open for local prosecutors to bring cases.

Joyce A. Smith, Nassau County's acting district attorney, called the findings deeply disturbing and pledged her office would thoroughly and expeditiously investigate.

After James released her report Tuesday, Democrats from the statehouse to the White House called for Cuomo to go. President Joe Biden said the governor should resign, though press secretary Jen Psaki wouldnt say Wednesday whether Biden wanted to see Cuomo removed from office.

"The president believes Governor Cuomo should do the right thing, resign, and leave space for future leadership in New York, Psaki said.

One of the governor's closest allies, New York Democratic Party chairperson Jay Jacobs, declared that Cuomo has lost his ability to govern, both practically and morally. Jacobs told Spectrum News he had tried privately to persuade Cuomo to resign but "wasnt making headway.

Cuomo showed no signs of heeding such messages. He said some episodes described in the report never happened, others were misconstrued or mischaracterized and the whole exercise was tainted.

Politics and bias are interwoven throughout every aspect of this situation, he said Tuesday in a recorded video response.

Assembly Democrats, who lead the chamber, debated virtually for hours Tuesday about whether to impeach the governor now, wait to see whether he resigns, or give the Judiciary Committee time to wrap up its wide-ranging investigation into topics from sexual misconduct to the Cuomo administrations months-long obfuscation of the total number of nursing home residents who died from COVID-19.

At least 40 Democrats back starting impeachment proceedings if Cuomo doesn't leave on his own.

As New York became the nation's deadliest coronavirus hotspot in spring 2020, Cuomo's daily briefings garnered him fans around the country and an International Emmy Award. Casting himself as a tough-minded yet compassionate leader who steered the state through crisis, the governor even wrote a book about it.

Now, that book itself is among the focuses of investigations into Cuomo, with James examining the role some of his aides played in producing it.

As complaints and investigations accumulated in recent months, Cuomo became an embattled but unabashed figure. He often still touts the state's handling of the pandemic, despite now-rising infection rates amid a national surge in the more infectious delta variant.

The 150-member Assembly would need 76 votes to impeach Cuomo and send articles of impeachment to the Senate. The Assembly includes 106 Democrats, 43 Republicans and one Independent.

Assembly Republican Leader Will Barclay urged Speaker Carl Heastie, a Democrat, to convene an emergency special session to vote to impeach Cuomo.

Heastie said he wants to conclude the Assemblys investigation as quickly as possible. Judiciary committee members Tom Abinanti and Phil Steck variously estimated the timeframe at weeks or a month.

The two Democrats said that some lawmakers want to vote for impeachment within days, but time is needed to build a strong case for a Senate trial.

If the Assembly votes to impeach, the state Senate could launch an impeachment trial in weeks, Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris told The Associated Press. He said the chamber has been preparing for months.

Well be ready to go if and when the impeachment articles are sent over, he said. It could happen very quickly."

James' investigation, conducted by two outside lawyers, found that the governor touched or made sexually inappropriate comments to a series of women. Many worked for him, including a state trooper whom Cuomo successfully sought to have assigned to his security detail.

While many of the allegations involve verbal comments, some women alleged that he gave them unwanted kisses or touches. One aide said he reached under her shirt and groped her breast at the governor's mansion in Albany.

The governor denied Tuesday that he ever inappropriately touched anyone and said that he never intended harm.

Cuomo  a son of three-term Gov. Mario Cuomo  has rebuffed calls to step down and has moved ahead with plans to run for a fourth term in 2022.

___

Peltz reported from New York. Associated Press writers David Klepper in Providence, Rhode Island, and Mike Catalini in Trenton, New Jersey, contributed.
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.
DON Chief Executive Officer Court Hower, right, is interviewed by Will Hall for an America By Design segment. Hall is the chief creative officer for the RAIN Agency, a leading combined teams of strategists, engineers and designers.
Slippery Rock University plans to welcome back students in the fall, but there will be some changes in the way classes are conducted.
Pennsylvania Deputy Attorney General Philip McCarthy leaves the Centre County Courthouse after the hearing for the Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc. on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021 in Bellefonte, Pa. The attorney generalas office says Hawbaker stole more than $20 million from workersa fringe benefits such as retirement and health insurance. (Abby Drey/Centre Daily Times via AP)


YMCA Norfolk trio appeal for awards support YMCA Norfolk trio appeal for awards support

Three YMCA Norfolk projects and staff members have been shortlisted as semi-finalists for the 2021 YMCA England and Wales Youth Matters Awards and are looking for your support.

YMCA Norfolk Semi Finalists this year include: The E-Learning Service (Training and Education Project of the Year); Harriet King (Young Leader of the Year); The Family & Community Project (Family Work Project of the Year) for the Youth Matters Awards, held in London to celebrate the amazing work of YMCAs across the country.



The E-Learning Service, which offers individually tailored provision for students based on their unique learning needs and ability levels across a wide spectrum, was nominated for the Education and Training Project of the year.



This past year has been particularly challenging for young people who are on the margins, and their education can often suffer as a result. We are privileged to have had the opportunity to work with 175 young people this year, providing them with specialist education when they could so easily have lost all interest in their learning. said Jamie Holland, E-Learning Service Principle.



In addition to the E-Learning Services nomination, Harriet King, Senior Marketing and Fundraising Officer, was nominated as Young Leader of the Year:

With her can-do attitude and ability to tackle any task that came her way, Harriet was selected to be the Project Officer for the new 2m projects to deliver a 90 place nursery, Cafe and soft play along with HQ replacement, said the nomination.



Harriet quickly developed project management skills and negotiated her way through the role of being the internal link with the project. Working closely with the Senior Management team, she became very hands-on, ensuring actions were completed, decisions were made in a timely manner and keeping the project on track, reads the nomination from Harriets colleagues.



YMCA Norfolks Family and Community Team were also shortlisted for the Family Work Project of the Year, after stepping up significantly in response to the Covid-19 pandemic delivering a wide range of therapeutic support, counselling and mental health services, continuing to work in family homes providing support and helping families with home-schooling.



The team have delivered over 7,000 hours of support through rapid response/return alone, supporting 393 families in crisis. Additionally, they have worked hard to continue to house and support single parents in our Umbrella services, providing a safe and secure environment for their children providing additional support, food parcels, additional parenting support and ensuring the best opportunity to sustain change.



They have also offered both online, and face to face counselling to over 410 individuals as well as mental health services for children/young people aged 4 -25, offering 75 1-1 sessions for children and 119 sessions with parents.



In order to reach the final, the E-Learning Service, Harriet and the Family and Community Team are asking the public and their supporters to vote using this link .



Voting closes on August 13 and the winners will be announced at the Youth Matters Awards in London on November 5.



Pictured top is YMCA Norfolks Family and Community Team and, above Harriet King.

Keith Morris, 04/08/2021
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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.
Reporter

Mary Schenk is a reporter covering police, courts and breaking news at The News-Gazette. Her email is mschenk@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@schenk).
An Illinois State Police crime-scene investigator works Tuesday on the front porch of a home in the 1200 block of West Church Street in Urbana where a shooting left one woman dead and three others injured.
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Thunderstorms likely. Low 67F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely. Low 67F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
Microbiological processes are vitally important to almost all stages of the food production process. It has been recognized that enhancing microbiological processes can have a beneficial impact on food production, and may provide the solution to the growing global problem of food insecurity.

Microbiology may provide a sustainable approach to enhancing worldwide food security, an issue of particular urgency given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on exaggerating inequalities in access to sufficient nutrients.

Image Credit:oticki/Shuttershock.com

Food security: a growing global issue

An increasing number of countries around the world are facing problems with food security. Alongside elevated competition for land to grow crops and increased urbanization to provide additional homes, growing populations are pushing up prices of key food items. Additionally, weather insecurities and the global pandemic have exacerbated food security issues. The benefits of significant development across decades are being reversed as many countries face growing levels of acute food insecurity.

To resolve this problem, scientists are looking to microbiology. Here, we discuss the most significant ways in which microbiology is being used to boost the quality, quantity, and reliability of crop yields, and how this will address the global issue of food security.

Using microbes to enhance crop yields

Across the developed world, microbial-based solutions for agriculture are emerging as some of the most innovative solutions to the food industrys most pressing issues. Recent data values the market for such solutions at around 2.3 billion, with millions being invested each year into new microbial-based technologies.

Microbial-based solutions leverage the fact that microbes influence the growth of plants and the soil in which they grow. Research and development into microbe manipulation has demonstrated how scientists can influence microbes to benefit crop yields. This includes improved growth, enhanced resistance to insects, droughts, and other extreme weather conditions.

These microbial-based solutions are considered to be environmentally sustainable methods of improving crops and enhancing yields whilst boosting the resilience of agricultural systems. Evidence shows that some systems can boost crop yields by around 15%, a significant improvement that could translate to millions of tons of extra food produced each year.

As a result, these systems could be a game-changer in terms of creating a sustainable future for the food industry, helping to ensure that enough food can be produced for the growing population. Along with other innovative approaches, microbial-based solutions will likely play a vital role in ensuring future food security across the globe.

The future use of microbiology to improve food security

Currently, the use of microbial-based solutions is limited and is yet to reach its full potential, particularly in developing areas of the world where food security is a more pressing issue. For example, the use of microbial-based solutions in improving agriculture in Africa remains in its infancy, with many opportunities for growth in the future. Developed countries, on the other hand, have been better-positioned to adopt this emerging technology.

The upfront costs of setting up appropriately equipped laboratories to conduct necessary soil microbial research range from $300,000 to $1,000,000.

Such significant upfront costs have acted as a barrier to the adoption of microbial-based solutions in developing nations. Fortunately, this might change. It was recently announced that the University of Pretorias Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics along with nine African countries would launch an initiative to identify the microbial diversity of soil in Africa. This initiative aspires to uncover the types of microbes required for specific crops and further knowledge on how they influence plant growth. With such data, the upfront costs of setting up microbial-based solutions in Africa may reduce, making them more accessible.

In the coming years, the global agricultural industry is likely to benefit from microbial-based innovations, particularly as they are adopted by the developing world. New products have been launched that promise to increase the nutrient uptake of key food items, such as corn and soy, helping to accelerate the use of microbial-based innovations in the fight against increasing food insecurity.

Microbial-based innovations will need to be adopted alongside other currently developing innovations, such as vertical farming methods, and solutions that address food waste, to ensure food security for future generations.

References:

Food Security and COVID-19. The World Bank. Available at: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/agriculture/brief/food-security-and-covid-19

Nature Reviews Microbiology, 2011. Microbiology puts food on the table. 9(12), pp.830-830. https://www.nature.com/articles/nrmicro2701#citeas

Schlundt, J., Tay, M., Chengcheng, H. and Liwei, C., 2020. Food Security: Microbiological and Chemical Risks. Advanced Sciences and Technologies for Security Applications, pp.231-274. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-23491-1_11

Further Reading
An innovative strategy that analyzes a region of the genome offers the possibility of early diagnosis of schizophrenia, reports a team led by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine. The strategy applied a machine learning algorithm called SPLS-DA to analyze specific regions of the human genome called CoRSIVs, hoping to reveal epigenetic markers for the condition.

In DNA from blood samples, the team identified epigenetic markers, a profile of methyl chemical groups in the DNA, that differ between people diagnosed with schizophrenia and people without the disease and developed a model that would assess an individual's probability of having the condition. Testing the model on an independent dataset revealed that it can identify schizophrenia patients with 80% accuracy. The study appears in the journal Translational Psychiatry.

"Schizophrenia is a devastating disease that affects about 1% of the world's population," said corresponding author Dr. Robert A. Waterland professor of pediatrics  nutrition at the USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor and of molecular and human genetics. "Although genetic and environmental components seem to be involved in the condition, current evidence only explains a small portion of cases, suggesting that other factors, such as epigenetic, also could be important."

Epigenetics is a system for molecular marking of DNA  it tells the different cells in the body which genes to turn on or off in that cell type, therefore epigenetic markers can vary between different normal tissues within one individual. This makes it challenging to assess whether epigenetic changes contribute to diseases involving the brain, like schizophrenia.

To address this obstacle, Waterland and his colleagues had identified in previous work a set of specific genomic regions in which DNA methylation, a common epigenetic marker, differs between people but is consistent across different tissues in one person. They called these genomic regions CoRSIVs for correlated regions of systemic interindividual variation. They proposed that studying CoRSIVs is a novel way to uncover epigenetic causes of disease.

Because methylation patterns in CoRSIVs are the same in all the tissues of one individual, we can analyze them in a blood sample to infer epigenetic regulation on other parts of the body that are difficult to assess, such as the brain." Dr. Robert A. Waterland, Corresponding Author

Many previous studies have analyzed methylation profiles in blood samples with the goal of identifying epigenetic differences between individuals with schizophrenia, the researchers explained.

"Our study is innovative in various ways," said first author Dr. Chathura J. Gunasekara, computer scientist in the Waterland lab. "We focused on CoRSIVs and also applied for the first time the SPLS-DA machine learning algorithm to analyze DNA methylation. As a scientist interested in applying machine learning to medicine, our findings are very exciting. They not only suggest the possibility of predicting risk of schizophrenia early in life, but also outline a new approach that may be applicable to other diseases."

The current study also is innovative because it considered major potential confounding factors other studies did not take into account. For instance, methylation patterns in blood can be affected by factors such as smoking and taking antipsychotic medications, both of which are common in schizophrenia patients.

"Here, we took various approaches to evaluate whether the methylation patterns we detected at CoRSIVs were affected by medication use and smoking. We were able to rule that out," Waterland said. "This, together with the fact that DNA methylation at CoRSIVs is established very early in life, indicates that the epigenetic differences we identified between schizophrenia patients and healthy individuals were there before the disease was diagnosed, suggesting they may contribute to the condition."

Using this novel approach, the researchers were able to achieve much stronger epigenetic signals associated with schizophrenia than has ever been done before, said the team.

"We consider our study a proof of principle that focusing on CoRSIVs makes epigenetic epidemiology possible," Waterland said.
The causal agent of the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Scientists around the world have been conducting extensive research to develop vaccines that can help us fight the pandemic. To this end, a significant amount of progress has already been made as evident by the several vaccines that have already received emergency use authorization (EUA) from global regulatory bodies.

Intranasal (IN) vs. intramuscular (IM) vaccines

Study: Intranasal ChAdox1 n-CoV-19/AZD1222 vaccination reduces viral shedding after SARS-CoV-2 D614G challenge in preclinical models. Image Credit: Dmitry Kovalchuk / Shutterstock.com

In human beings, SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with viral shedding from the oral and nasal mucosa, regardless of the severity of the infection-related symptoms. In fact, viral shedding in pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic has been associated with viral transmission.

Scientists have conducted several non-human primate (NHP) challenge experiments, during which many vaccines were found to successfully reduce or prevent viral replication in the lower respiratory tract. Despite these encouraging observations, subgenomic and genomic viral RNA has been found in the nasal sample swabs of tested animals. Although vaccination is expected to prevent or reduce the severity of the disease, infection of the upper respiratory could still occur and contribute to viral transmission.

Research has shown that intramuscular (IM) vaccines, despite producing systemic immunoglobulin G (IgG) responses, produce a poor mucosal response. Local antigens, particularly those that reside in the upper respiratory tract, are required to elicit mucosal immunity. To address this issue, scientists have published a new study in the journal Science Translational Medicine that evaluates the use of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 as a potential intranasal (IN) vaccine candidate in hamster and rhesus macaque models.

Syrian hamster model results

Three groups of 10 Syrian hamsters each were vaccinated with a single dose of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 28 days before the viral challenge. The first group received the vaccine via the IN route, while the second group received it via the IM route.

For inoculating the first group, scientists used the SARS-CoV2/human/USA/RML-7/2020 isolate containing the D614G mutation in the S protein. The third group served as the control and received ChAdOx1 green fluorescent protein (GFP).

Scientists observed high IgG titers in groups 1 and 2, as well as high neutralizing antibodies 1 day prior to infection. The animals that received the IN vaccination showed a markedly higher amount of neutralizing antibody titers.

Oropharyngeal swabs were taken from 6 animals per group on the 7th day post-infection (DPI). Viral RNA was significantly reduced in IN-vaccinated hamsters as compared to the control group on 1-3 and 6-7 DPI. For the IM-vaccinated group, a reduction was only observed at 7 DPI.

Viral RNA and infectious virus detected in IN animals were much lower than that of the control group. However, the same result did remain true when comparing the IM animals to the controls. The researchers repeated the above experiment in a direct contact horizontal transmission setting. As in the previous experiment, IN-vaccinated animals showed higher neutralizing antibodies as compared to those that received the vaccine IM.

Oropharyngeal swabs were also analyzed, which demonstrated that the IN animals had a significantly lower amount of viral RNA and infectious virus as compared to the control. Once again, no marked difference was found between the IM group and the controls.

Hamsters (n=10 per group) were vaccinated via the IN route (purple), IM route (blue) or with control (C) vaccine ChAdOx1 GFP via the IM route (green). (A) Binding antibody titers against SARS-CoV-2 S protein in serum are shown for day 28 post-vaccination. (B) Virus neutralizing antibody titers in serum are shown for day 28 post-vaccination. For (A and B), the geometric mean and 95% confidence interval are shown. Dotted line = limit of detection.(C) Relative weight was measured as a percent of starting weight at indicated days post-inoculation (DPI) with SARS-CoV-2. #p<0.05 between IN and control group; *p<0.05 between vaccinated groups and control group. Geometric mean and 95% CI are shown. (D) Viral load and viral titer in oropharyngeal swabs are shown as geometric mean (symbols) and 95% confidence interval (shade). *p<0.05; **p< 0.01; ***p< 0.001 relative to controls at the same time point. Dotted line = limit of detection. (E) Area under the curve (AUC) analysis is shown for viral load and titer detection in oropharyngeal swabs over 7 days post-inoculation. (F) Viral load and titer in lung tissue isolated at 5 DPI are shown. For (E and F), the dashed line within the violin plots indicates median; dotted lines within the violin plot indicate quartiles. Statistical analyses were done using mixed-effect analyses (C), two-way ANOVA (D), or Kruskal-Wallis test (E and F).

Results obtained in rhesus macaque models

The success in hamster models prompted scientists to study the impact of IN vaccination in rhesus macaques. These studies confirmed the ability of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 to produce a robust immune response.

Similar to the results produced in the hamster studies, a higher fraction of IgA to total Ig was also detected in IM vaccinated rhesus macaques as compared to controls. S and receptor-binding domain (RBD)-specific IgG antibodies were also detected in serum and nasal samples. The researchers also observed that antibodies in vaccinated animals promoted natural killer cell activation and phagocytosis.

Lung pathology is reduced in ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 IN-vaccinated rhesus macaques after SARS-CoV-2 challenge. (A and B) Lung tissue sections isolated from IN-vaccinated (A) and control (B) rhesus macaques were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Scale bar = 200m. (A) Interstitial pneumonia (arrowhead) and lymphocytic perivascular cuffing (arrow) were observed in control samples. (B) No pathology was observed in IN-vaccinated lung samples. (C and D) Immunohistochemistry for SARS-CoV-2 antigen (brown) reveals rare type I pneumocyte immunoreactivity (arrow) in control samples (C) but no immunoreactivity in IN-vaccinated samples (D). Scale bar = 20m.

Conclusion

The studies described here show that the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine protects against SARS-CoV-2 containing the D614G mutation. Future studies will need to determine whether IN vaccines provide sterilizing immunity and whether IN-vaccinated individuals are still vulnerable to infection of the upper respiratory tract.
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. 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." Gunilla Westergren-Thorsson, PhD, Lead Investigator, Lung Biology Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden

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.
A device able to generate proteins identity card: this is the ambitious goal of the "PROTEIN ID" project, funded by the European Union with about 3 million euro for the next 3 years and coordinated by the IIT-Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (Italian Institute of Technology). The innovative device will be able to read the fingerprint of proteins, tracing their identity in a short time, through the conjunction of spectroscopic techniques, machine learning and sensors capable of operating at the nanometer level. Applications could be in the field of medical diagnostics, genomics and the identification of biological contaminants, such as the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

PROTEIN-ID was funded under the European Union's Horizon 2020 FET program that supported the most ambitious technology projects, now EIC Pathfinder. The consortium, coordinated by Francesco De Angelis, head of IIT's Plasmon Nanotechnologies Lab, involves 7 partners including universities, research institutes and companies.

The goals of the PROTEIN-ID project are part of the research that the international scientific community is carrying out to obtain a complete atlas of human proteins, the proteome, but with the more specific purpose of identifying which proteins are present - and not just encoded at the genome level - in the human body. This knowledge, in fact, is essential to be able to predict the onset of possible diseases.

The research consortium plans to create a technological platform capable of "seeing" the individual amino acids that make up proteins and, based on their sequence, trace the identity of the protein. For the device it will be sufficient to record the sequence in the chain of only a few amino acids because by using machine learning techniques, the reading will be compared with the protein database and the correspondence will be identified. Each protein, in fact, is characterized by a precise combination of amino acids arranged in a chain, starting from 20 basic amino acids.

The sensitivity of the instrument will be guaranteed by using RAMAN spectroscopic techniques combined with the action of a nanometric sensor capable of optically excite the individual amino acids and read their response - at such physical dimensions it is necessary to use plasmons. The device will be built in a way that allows to record in a very fast and precise way the passage of an amino acid that occurs in a microsecond. In that microsecond the amino acid is illuminated by the plasmon and its response, that is the RAMAN signal, is recorded. The succession of the different response signals constitutes the spectroscopic imprint of the protein, from which it is therefore possible to derive its identity.

The PROTEIN-ID research consortium is composed of IIT-Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (coordinator), Universite du Luxembourg (Luxembourg), KIT- Karlsruher Institut fur Technologie (Germany), CNRS - Center National de la Recherche Scientifique (France), EMBL- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (Germany), Politecnico di Milano (Italy), University of Padua (Italy) and Micro photon devices srl (Italy).
Brains have evolved to do more with less. Take a tiny insect brain, which has less than a million neurons but shows a diversity of behaviors and is more energy- efficient than current AI systems. These tiny brains serve as models for computing systems that are becoming more sophisticated as billions of silicon neurons can be implemented on hardware.

The secret to achieving energy-efficiency lies in the silicon neurons' ability to learn to communicate and form networks, as shown by new research from the lab of Shantanu Chakrabartty, the Clifford W. Murphy Professor in the Preston M. Green Department of Electrical & Systems Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis' McKelvey School of Engineering.

Their results were published July 28, 2021 in the journal Frontiers in Neuroscience.

For several years, his research group studied dynamical systems approaches to address the neuron-to-network performance gap and provide a blueprint for AI systems as energy efficient as biological ones.

Previous work from his group showed that in a computational system, spiking neurons create perturbations which allow each neuron to "know" which others are spiking and which are responding. It's as if the neurons were all embedded in a rubber sheet formed by energy constraints; a single ripple, caused by a spike, would create a wave that affects them all. Like all physical processes, systems of silicon neurons tend to self-optimize to their least-energetic states, while also being affected by the other neurons in the network. These constraints come together to form a kind of secondary communication network, where additional information can be communicated through the dynamic but synchronized topology of spikes. It's like the rubber sheet vibrating in a synchronized rhythm in response to multiple spikes.

In the latest research result, Chakrabartty and doctoral student Ahana Gangopadhyay showed how the neurons learn to pick the most energy-efficient perturbations and wave patterns in the rubber sheet. They show that if the learning is guided by sparsity (less energy), it's like the electrical stiffness of the rubber sheet is adjusted by each neuron so that the entire network vibrates in a most energy-efficient way. The neuron does this using only local information which is communicated more efficiently. Communications between the neurons then become an emergent phenomenon guided by the need to optimize energy use.

This result could have significant implications on how neuromorphic AI systems might be designed.

We want to learn from neurobiology. But we want to be able to exploit the best principles from both neurobiology and silicon engineering." Shantanu Chakrabartty, the Clifford W. Murphy Professor in the Preston M. Green Department of Electrical & Systems Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis' McKelvey School of Engineering

Historically, neuromorphic engineering -; modeling AI systems on biology -; has been based on a relatively straightforward model of the brain. Take some neurons, a few synapses, connect everything together and, voila, it's if not alive, at least it's able to perform a simple task (recognizing images, for example) as efficiently, or moreso, than a biological brain. These systems are built by connecting memory (synapses) and processors (neurons). Each performing its single task, as it was presumed to work in the brain. But this one-structure-to-one-function approach, though it is easy to understand and model, misses the full complexity and flexibility of the brain.

Recent brain research has shown tasks are not so neatly divided, and there may be instances in which the same function is being performed by different brain structures, or multiple structures working together. "There is more and more information showing that this reductionist approach we've followed might not be complete," Chakrabartty said.

The key to building an efficient system that can learn new things is the use of energy and structural constraints as a medium for computing and communications or, as Chakrabartty said, "Optimization using sparsity."

The situation is reminiscent of the theory of six-degrees of Kevin Bacon: The challenge -; or constraint -; is to make connections to the actor by connecting six or fewer people.

For a neuron that is physically located on one chip to be its most efficient: The challenge -; or constraint -; is completing the task within the allotted amount of energy. It might be more efficient for one neuron to communicate through intermediaries to get to the destination neuron. The challenge is how to pick the right set of "friend" neurons among many choices that might be available. Enter energy constraints and sparsity.

Like a tired professor, a system in which energy has been constrained also will seek the least resistant way to complete an assigned task. Unlike the professor, an AI system can test all of its options at once, thanks to the superposition techniques developed in Chakrabartty's lab, which uses analog computing methods. In essence, a silicon neuron can attempt all communication routes at once, finding the most efficient way to connect in order to complete the assigned task.

The current paper shows that a network of 1,000 silicon neurons can accurately detect odors with very few training examples. The long-term goal is to look for analogs in the brain of a locust which has also been shown to be adept in classifying odors. Chakrabartty has been collaborating with Barani Raman, a professor in Department of Biomedical Engineering, and Srikanth Singamaneni, The Lilyan & E. Lisle Hughes Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, to create a sort of cyborg locust -; one with two brains, a silicon one connected to the biological one.

"This would be the most interesting and satisfactory aspect of this research if and when we can start connecting the two realms," Chakrabartty said. "Not just physically, but also functionally."
The first award under BioCurates new Proof of Concept fund has been granted to the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute (BDI). This award will support the key research needed to determine the effectiveness of targeting two proteins that could lead to novel, targeted treatments for triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and other poor prognosis cancers.

The research, led by Professor Roger Daly, who heads the BDIs cancer program, has already identified two proteins that are required by TNBC cells to grow. These proteins represent potential targets for small molecule drugs that could be used to treat this type of cancer.

Triple negative breast cancer represents around 15 percent of breast cancers and is an aggressive form of cancer with limited therapy options. Chemotherapy is the most common treatment, but has detrimental side effects that negatively affect quality of life.

Our aim was to identify new targeted treatments that could avoid the side effects of chemotherapy. To do this we applied a screening approach that characterizes cellular proteins that transmit growth regulatory signals in the cancer cell, said Professor Daly.

Understanding this is important, because now we can identify new targets to go after that may open up new therapies against this devastating disease.

BioCurate Acting CEO, Dr Damien Bates said: Following a rigorous selection process we are excited to provide our first Proof of Concept funding to this early stage research. We believe it has significant clinical potential and aligns perfectly with our mission to translate medical research into high quality pre-clinical candidates. Hopefully this will be a key funding bridge to further collaboration and investment.

Professor John Carroll, Director of Monash BDI, said the BDI vision has long been to foster an innovation-led research environment where researchers are encouraged to develop and maintain strong links with industry.

We are thrilled to work with BioCurate to help accelerate this research into the development of new cancer therapies." Professor John Carroll, Director, Monash BDI

BioCurate is part of the Monash Technology Precinct, Victorias second largest employment precinct outside the CBD, and one of Australias most diverse ecosystems of globally-connected innovators and enterprise across future technologies, advanced manufacturing, health, sustainable development and education.
The Chief Midwifery Officer for England will urge expectant mums to have their COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible. This follows a worrying rise in unvaccinated women being admitted to hospital with severe COVID-19, and evidence that the Delta variant poses a significantly greater risk than all previous strains.

COVID-19 poses significant risks to both mother and baby. Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to becoming severely ill from COVID-19, and around one in ten pregnant women admitted to hospital with symptoms of COVID-19 require intensive care. One in five pregnant women admitted to hospital with symptoms of COVID-19 gives birth prematurely. New data from the UK Obstetric Surveillance System (UKOSS), published on medRxiv, show that COVID-19 vaccinations offer effective protection from these risks. This new analysis reports information on all pregnant women admitted with symptoms of confirmed COVID-19 in pregnancy in the UK from the beginning of the pandemic up to 11 July 2021.

The data show:

3371 pregnant women have been admitted to hospital with symptomatic COVID-19.

The severity of women's illness appears to have become worse; 24% of women admitted in the first wave had moderate or severe disease, compared with 36% with the Alpha variant and 45% with the Delta variant.

Vaccination data has been collected since 1 February 2021. Of 742 women admitted since that date, only four have received a single dose of vaccine and none have received both doses.

This means that more than 99% of pregnant women admitted to hospital with symptomatic COVID-19 are unvaccinated. In comparison, 60% of the general population admitted to hospital with COVID-19 are unvaccinated. During this time, at least 55,000 pregnant women have received one or more doses of a COVID vaccine in the UK.

Marian Knight, Professor of Maternal and Child Population Health at the Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford and chief investigator of the study, said: 'It is extremely good news that so few vaccinated pregnant women have been admitted to hospital with COVID-19. However, it is very concerning that admissions of pregnant women to hospital with COVID-19 are increasing and that pregnant women appear to be more severely affected by the Delta variant of the disease.

'Around 200 pregnant women were admitted to hospital with COVID-19 last week. I cannot emphasise more strongly how important it is for pregnant women to get vaccinated in order to protect both them and their baby. Until they are vaccinated, pregnant women must continue to be extremely attentive to social distancing measures including mask wearing, 2m distancing and meeting outdoors where possible.'

Worldwide more than 200,000 pregnant women have now received a COVID vaccine, with more than 50,000 in the UK. This study shows that very few pregnant women are admitted to hospital with COVID-19 after they have received a vaccine. Other studies have shown that women who have received a vaccine pass on antibodies to their babies, so the benefits of vaccination to both pregnant women and their babies are clear." Nicola Vousden, Registrar in Public Health at the Nuffield Department of Population Health and first author of the study

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Royal College of Midwives recommend that unvaccinated women who are pregnant or considering pregnancy get their vaccine as soon as possible, and book their second doses once they are eligible.

The study, funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), showed that women admitted in the Alpha period were more likely to require respiratory support, have pneumonia, and be admitted to intensive care, compared to women admitted in the first wave. Women admitted during the Delta period had a further increase in risk compared to those admitted in the Alpha period, with a greater proportion having pneumonia.

Babies born to mothers in the Alpha period were more likely to require admission for neonatal care compared to the first wave. A similar proportion of babies born to mothers in the Delta period were admitted for neonatal care compared to the Alpha period, but more than half of the mothers admitted during the Delta period have yet to give birth.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have recognized airborne transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). SARS-CoV-2 is a highly infectious ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus that was first reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Owing to the rapid outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 across the globe, the WHO announced the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to be a pandemic in March 2020.

Scientists have claimed that SARS-CoV-2 aerosols could remain active in the air for up to several hours. People are therefore encouraged to use physical barriers such as face masks and face shields to reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through aerosols. This policy has been substantiated by several peer-reviewed studies confirming that the use of face masks significantly reduces the transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

Study: Photosensitized Electrospun Nanofibrous Filters for Capturing and Killing Airborne Coronaviruses under Visible Light Irradiation. Image Credit: CROCOTHERY / Shutterstock.com

Electrospun membranes

One of the most promising fiber production techniques is electrospinning. This technique has been used to develop non-woven, ultrafine fibrous membranes that have the ability of filtering out aerosols.

The pore size of the electrospun membranes ranges from tens of nanometers (nm) to several micrometers (m). The increased surface area and porosity of these membranes create an excellent material for the development of superior aerosol filters. These electrospun membranes can further improve aerosol filtration via electrostatic attraction.

A previous study has shown that electrospun membranes could trap up to 99.9% of coronavirus aerosols, whose size was comparable to most penetrating particles in mechanical air filtration. To date, the air filters based on electrospun membranes, which are currently available in the market, can efficiently capture virus aerosols but cannot inactivate them. This may lead to secondary contamination.

Photosensitized electrospun nanofibrous membranes

A new study published on the preprint server bioRxiv* discusses the development of highly efficient photosensitized electrospun nanofibrous membranes that are capable of capturing and inactivating coronavirus aerosols. The current study also reveals the mechanism of photooxidation and inactivation of coronaviruses at a molecular level.

Herein, the researchers used dye photosensitizers as antimicrobial additives for electrospinning. The photosensitizers get excited upon exposure to visible light and subsequently produce highly reactive singlet oxygen that can effectively kill viruses. Two of the main advantages associated with this technique are that it is a cost-effective and safe approach for the removal of virus aerosols.

Some dye photosensitizers such as Rose Bengal (RB) have received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for biomedical applications. Previous research has shown RB to be the most photoreactive dye additive for membrane fabrication with virucidal activity.

The authors of this study also demonstrated self-cleaning features in the newly developed photoreactive electrospun filter under ambient conditions. This filter can be used in wind-ranging air filtration applications such as respirators, face masks, and indoor filters.

For the most efficient activity, the researchers optimized the composition of the photoreactive electrospun nanofibrous membranes so that they could offer superior sodium chloride (NaCl) filtration. The membranes were also designed to allow for the highest production of reactive singlet oxygen when in the presence of visible light irradiation.

(a) Photos and SEM images of PVDF15-RB membranes after aging. Scale bars in the SEM images are 5 m; (b) first-order decay rate constants of MHV-A59 infectivity in droplets and the corresponding 1O 2 production on fresh and aged PVDF15-RB membranes. All tests of virus inactivation and 1O 2 production were conducted under the irradiation of simulated reading light. Error bars for the infectivity decay rate constant represent the standard error of the negative slope of the linear regression of common logarithm of infectivity versus light exposure duration, and error bars for the steady-state 1O 2 concentration represent the standard deviation of triplicate measurements.

Evaluating the antiviral efficacy

Hydrophilic photosensitizers were also incorporated into the hydrophobic polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) in an effort to protect the photosensitizer from leaching. The presence of RB in the filter rapidly inactivated about 98.9% of the murine hepatitis virus aerosols (MHV26 A59) within fifteen minutes of irradiation with reading light. MHV26 A59 is regarded as a coronavirus surrogate for SARS-CoV-2.

When the filter was immersed in water for six hours, minimal RB release was recorded, thereby suggesting that moisture from human breath or ambient air will not have a significant effect on photosensitizer leaching. Therefore, this photoreactive nanofibrous membrane could be used in both face masks as well as indoor air filters.

The researchers emphasized the importance of analyzing the pressure drop in the filtration to understand the breathability or energy consumption in filtration. Typically, the diameter of nanofibers surges with an increase in the PVDF concentration.

In this study, the fiber diameter of the newly developed ultrafine membrane was reported to be 200 nm, with a small pore size of about 1.5 m. The authors revealed that the optimized nanofibrous membrane could filter out around 99.2% MHV26 A59.

The robustness of this membrane was also evaluated. To this end, the effectiveness of these membranes in filtering MHV32 A59 aerosols did not decrease when they were exposed to indoor light for a prolonged period. However, when the membranes were subjected to sunlight for several days, they were photobleached, which decreased the production of singlet oxygen. As a result, the performance of the electrospun nanofibrous membrane in disinfecting MHV-A59 in droplets was compromised.

Future studies

The deactivation of coronaviruses by the membrane discussed here appears to occur through the production of singlet reactive oxygen that could disrupt the virus genome and, thereby, inhibit virus binding to host cells.

Future work on these membranes will include the development of robust photoreactive air filters with an extended lifespan. The authors of this study anticipate that future work will also overcome the problem of photobleaching the dye-sensitized membranes.

*Important notice

bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
Genetic testing and selection of embryos generated from in vitro fertilization (IVF) have given rise to the controversial designer baby debate. Recently, the use of a new technology called polygenic embryo selection (PES) has developed to identify the risk for complex diseases of adulthood. To further study the accuracy  and the ethics  of PES, researchers at The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research have been awarded a $2.9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI).

Image Credit: Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research

For decades, reproductive geneticists have been able to identify rare, serious genetic disorders like Down syndrome or cystic fibrosis prior to implantation of embryos in women undergoing IVF. But through PES, geneticists aim to evaluate embryos for more common diseases that may (or may not) emerge later in life, such as diabetes, schizophrenia or cancer. The four-year grant is led by the Feinstein Institutes Todd Lencz, PhD, in collaboration with Shai Carmi, PhD, of Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Gabriel Lazaro-Munoz, PhD, of Baylor College of Medicine.

The research will address two aspects of PES and IVF. The first will include the use of statistical genetics to understand the possibilities and limitations of PES better. PES relies upon an examination of genetic differences scattered across the genome, each contributing a tiny amount of risk for a given disease; the total risk is measured by a polygenic risk score. The accuracy of a polygenic risk score in the context of PES is not well understood, but is critical to determining if and how PES can work.

Second, researchers will conduct interviews and surveys with doctors who perform IVF, prospective parents undergoing IVF, and others to gain insight into the attitudes, opinions, interests, and concerns around PES.

The use of polygenic embryo selection has been proposed as one tool to reduce the burden of disease in future generations, said Dr. Lencz, professor in the Feinstein Institutes Institute of Behavioral Science and co-principal investigator of these new studies.

With support from the NIH we will be able to explore the ethical and scientific concerns and better understand the limitations PES may have. Dr. Lencz, Professor, Feinstein Institutes Institute of Behavioral Science

Some companies offer PES screening even though the utility and effectiveness of this technique are without a solid scientific foundation. In the United States, PES is entirely unregulated. The ethical implications have not yet received consideration from doctors, patients or society as a whole and raised the debate of eugenics and designer babies. To date, there has been almost no research published to indicate the potential success of polygenic embryo selection.

The human genome holds great promise to identify complex and serious diseases, said Ping Wang, MD, chief scientific officer of the Feinstein Institutes. With the support of the NIH, Dr. Lencz will be able to add valuable and much-needed insight and scientific data concerning genetic embryo screening.
Scientists from Germany and Italy recently demonstrated the benefits of intramuscular/intranasal heterologous prime-boost vaccination regimen against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). They have shown that intranasal administration of adenovirus vector-based booster vaccine following prime immunization with a DNA- or mRNA-based vaccine induces robust mucosal and systemic antibody and T cell responses in mice. The study is currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server.

Background

Sufficient real-world data are now available to highlight the importance of COVID-19 vaccines in bringing an end to the pandemic. Of all available vaccines, mRNA-based and adenoviral vector-based COVID-19 vaccines have shown the highest efficacy against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and severe COVID-19.

In addition, to protect against infection, these vaccines may reduce the risk of viral spread by reducing viral load and shedding duration. In this context, studies have shown that intramuscular administration of the 1st dose of COVID-19 vaccines can reduce the risk of household transmission by 40  50%. However, there is evidence indicating that a small proportion of vaccinated individuals can still acquire SARS-CoV-2 infection and can transmit the virus to others.

Despite inducing robust systemic antibody and T cell responses, these vaccines may not always induce mucosal immunity in the form of secretory IgA antibodies and tissue-resident memory T cells. In the case of respiratory infection, secretory IgA antibodies play a vital role in neutralizing the virus at the mucosal surface, which significantly prevents the further spread of the virus. As evidenced in several preclinical and clinical trials, intranasal administration of protein-based vaccines is highly effective in inducing robust mucosal immunity and providing immediate protection against respiratory infection.

In the current study, the scientists have described the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of heterologous prime-boost immunization with an intramuscular DNA- or mRNA-based vaccine (prime) and an intranasal adenovirus vector-based vaccine (boost).

Immunogenicity of DNA  adenoviral vector prime-boost immunization

The scientists immunized mice with an intranasal adenoviral vector-based vaccine either as a single shot or four weeks after intramuscular prime immunization with a DNA vaccine. In both vaccines, full-length SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid proteins were incorporated as vaccine antigens.

The analysis of antibody responses 2 weeks after immunization revealed that the prime-boost immunization strongly induced IgG-specific anti-spike antibodies in serum; however, a single shot of intranasal vaccine failed to induce mucosal antibody responses. A similar trend was observed for neutralizing antibody responses. Furthermore, the estimation of anti-spike IgA response in respiratory samples revealed that the intranasal vaccine-induced antibody response was benefited from the systemic response induced by DNA prime vaccination.

Regarding cellular immunity, the highest number of spike-specific, IFN-producing CD8+ T cells was observed in the lungs of prime-boost immunized mice. Similarly, high levels of Spike- and nucleocapsid-specific polyfunctional CD4+ T cells were observed in mice following prime-boost immunization.

Immunogenicity of mRNA  adenoviral vector prime-boost immunization

The mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer/BioNTech was used to prime immunize the mice. For analysis, the scientists immunized the mice with three different regimens: intramuscular mRNA vaccine followed by intranasal adenoviral vector vaccine; two intramuscular shots with mRNA vaccine; and two intramuscular shots with adenoviral vector vaccine.

The analysis revealed that the homologous mRNA vaccination-induced significantly higher anti-spike IgG antibody levels in serum compared to other vaccination regimens. However, the heterologous prime-boost immunization caused comparatively higher induction of anti-spike IgGs in respiratory samples. Similarly, higher levels of IgA-specific anti-spike binding and neutralizing antibodies were observed in respiratory samples following heterologous prime-boost immunization.

Regarding neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 variants, the findings revealed that compared to the intramuscular  intranasal heterologous prime-boost immunization, only intramuscular administration of two vaccine doses induced 4  32-fold lower neutralizing antibody titers against the B.1.1.7, P1, and B.1.351 variants, with no neutralizing efficacy against the B.1.617.2 variant.

Regarding lung-resident memory T cell response, the findings revealed that prime-boost immunization with mRNA and adenoviral vector vaccines had the highest efficacy in inducing robust T cell memory response in the form of both circulatory and tissue-resident T cells.

Protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection

The scientists infected immunized mice with SARS-CoV-2 four weeks after boost immunization. Compared to unvaccinated control mice, all vaccinated mice displayed protection against body weight loss, severe COVID-19, and mortality. Moreover, no viral RNA and infectious virus were detected in the lungs of vaccinated mice. Importantly, no significant difference in the level of protection was observed between different vaccination regimens.

Study significance

The study findings reveal that intramuscular RNA prime  intranasal adenoviral vector boost immunization regimen is highly effective in inducing both mucosal and systemic adaptive immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. The protective efficacy of this vaccination regimen against acute infection is equivalent to the currently approved regimen of intramuscular homologous prime-boost immunization.

*Important notice

bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
CanStaging, a user-friendly tool aimed at facilitating the recording of comparable cancer staging data worldwide, has been launched.

Dr Anna Gavin from the Northern Ireland Cancer registry Centre for Public Health at Queens University Belfast. Image Credit: Queens University Belfast

The tool has been developed by researchers from Queens University Belfast, the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry (NICR), the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). CanStaging+ will facilitate the recording of comparable cancer staging data worldwide via simplified staging software that harnesses new digital technology.

Cancer staging  the extent to which a cancer has spread at diagnosis  is crucial in guiding the clinical care of individual patients. At the population level, staging provides useful information on health system performance to better understand the effectiveness of health campaigns, screening programmes and cancer management.

The collection of staging data at population-level is currently undertaken by population-based cancer registries (PBCR). There is a large variation of data collected making it difficult to benchmark and to develop global strategies.

Dr Anna Gavin from the Northern Ireland Cancer registry Centre for Public Health at Queens University Belfast who led the work, said: Cancer staging is crucial to monitor and evaluate outcomes and cancer control activities. Almost half of registries in Latin America and the Caribbean (52%) report staging information compared to 96% of registries in North America and Europe. A lack of data and inconsistency is a huge problem in high-income countries too where there were 6-37% of missing staging data for colorectal cancer across seven countries within the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership between 2010 and 2014."

We urgently need a global solution to increase the amount of and consistency of staging internationally. I am delighted that this tool will take us much closer to bridging these gaps enabling a global, reliable approach. Dr Anna Gavin, Northern Ireland Cancer registry Centre

To mark the launch of the CanStaging+ tool, an accompanying article has been published in The Lancet Oncology.

Isabelle Soerjomataram, Deputy Head of the Cancer Surveillance Branch at the International Agency for Research on Cancer, added: The tool responds to the urgent global need to improve the collection of comparable and complete cancer staging data at the population level. The continuing COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the ability of health-care systems to deliver services across the cancer continuum.

It is of vital importance to resume cancer control activities, including early diagnosis, population-based cancer screening, timely treatment, continuous monitoring, and reporting of cancer staging.

An earlier version of the tool launched in 2005 attracted users from 55 countries. CanStaging+ is expected to attract users from more countries as it can be downloaded for use offline. The updated version includes essential information that will support developing countries to measure disease stage from limited available information, more cancer sites and guidelines on data collection to enable better estimations of reasons for international differences in survival.

The tool is available to cancer registries around the world free of charge with training.

CanStaging has been partly funded by the International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP).
New research published today in a peer review journal shows only 26% of areas in the UK have an effective pathway in place for the early detection of liver disease. Three quarters of people in the UK are currently diagnosed when it is too late for effective intervention or treatment and one in four people diagnosed late in hospital sadly die within a couple of months.

The research, produced from a survey undertaken by the British Liver Trust, used a Freedom of Information request and shows for the first time how three quarters of areas in the UK have little or no formal structures in place for detecting and managing liver disease and liver cancer.

This is in sharp contrast to other chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, where patients receive standardized care. The mapped survey results (see below) show huge swathes of the country (marked in red) do not have any effective patient pathway in place for the early detection of liver disease.

Areas in red have no pathway in place. Amber denotes areas with a partial pathway or pathway in development. Green areas have a full pathway in place. Areas in black did not respond. Image Credit: British Liver Trust

The charity is now calling for earlier detection of liver disease and better patient care across all regions of the UK to be prioritized, and is working to influence healthcare commissioners.

Dr Helen Jarvis, Clinical Advisor for the British Liver Trust and lead author of the research, says: Anyone who has liver disease, or is at risk of getting it, should get the medical care and advice they need no matter where in the country they live. The publication of this new data shows that, unfortunately, in the UK this is not yet the case. There are pockets of good practice, but there are also many areas that do not have a consistent approach to testing for and diagnosing liver disease. It shouldnt be a postcode lottery.

GPs and other healthcare professionals in primary care are doing a fantastic job under a lot of pressure, but in many areas, theyre working within a system that doesnt allow them to detect and treat liver disease effectively. Unfortunately, many GPs also report a lack confidence and knowledge when it comes to managing the condition. Sadly, this means that in many cases, people with liver disease are diagnosed far too late when treatment options are limited. This had led to thousands of avoidable deaths.

The liver is an incredibly resilient organ, but only up to a point. Symptoms of liver disease often only appear once damage has progressed and the liver is starting to fail. However, 90% of liver disease is preventable and, in many cases, its reversable if caught in time. Thats why early detection and prevention are key.

The British Liver Trust hears every day from patients who have been diagnosed late. Hilary Todd had non-alcohol related fatty liver disease and needed a liver transplant in 2017. She says:

I hadnt drunk alcohol for about 25 years and I thought I led a fairly healthy life until one day I suddenly felt very faint and vomited up a sink-full of blood. I was rushed to hospital and was later diagnosed with cirrhosis. It was too late for me to be effectively treated through lifestyle advice and I was told I needed a liver transplant.

I will be forever grateful for all the wonderful doctors and nurses who cared for me and I know I am one of the lucky ones. However, my illness and the liver transplant could have been avoided if my condition had been picked up much earlier.

Pamela Healy OBE, Chief Executive of the British Liver Trust, said: Shockingly, deaths due to liver disease have more than doubled in the last 20 years and the condition is expected to overtake heart disease as the biggest cause of premature death in the UK in the next few years. Obesity, alcohol and viral hepatitis are the three main risk factors for preventable liver disease."

We need to take urgent action to stop this silent killer in its tracks. Although the results of our research are very concerning, we do know that there are areas of good practice and that the changes were calling for are entirely possible and will save many lives. We now need to take whats working well in those areas with good liver patient care and apply them in others so that every person with liver disease gets the best possible care, no matter where in the UK they live. Pamela Healy OBE, Chief Executive, British Liver Trust
House Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta, shown above at the first House session of 2021, has asked that there be additional meetings after public maps are available. Otherwise, he said, the August meetings will be of limited value.
Tom May is a freelance writer and educator, and a columnist for the News and Tribune. Reach him at tgmay001@gmail.com.
(Newser)  Both of New York's US senators called for Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resign amid allegations of sexual harassment months ago. After Letitia James, the state's attorney general, released the results of an investigation Tuesday, they were joined by dozens more Democratsincluding President Biden. The president, who said in March that Cuomo should resign and potentially face prosecution if the allegations were confirmed, said Tuesday that the Democratic governor should step down, the Hill reports. James' investigation concluded that Cuomo had sexually harassed 11 state employees, created a "hostile work environment." and retaliated against at least one of his accusers. The governor denied James' findings hours after the report was released.

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Asked if Cuomo should be removed from office if he won't step down, Biden said, "I understand the state legislature may decide to impeach, I do not know that for a fact," per CNBC. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the state's entire Democratic congressional delegation have also called for Cuomo to step down. In a tweet, New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul described Cuomo's alleged behavior as "repulsive" and "unlawful." She said she believes the "brave women" who came forward, reports CNN. Hochul said nobody is above the law and the state Assembly will decide on the next stepsbut since she is next in the line of succession, it "would not be appropriate to comment further on the process at this moment." (Read more Andrew Cuomo stories.)
(Newser)  The CDC has issued a new moratorium on evictionsdays after the one it first introduced in September last year expired. Unlike the previous moratorium, this one isn't nationwide. The CDC says it will be in place in areas with "substantial and high levels of community transmission" of COVID-19. Sources tell CNN that it will cover around 80% of US counties, home to around 90% of the population. The CDC described it as an "effective public health measure" that will be in place until Oct. 3. On Monday, the White House said the CDC had been unable to find the legal authority for a new eviction ban. President Biden said Tuesday that after receiving mixed advice from legal scholars, he asked the CDC to consider other options, the AP reports.

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Biden said that while the move will face court challenges, it will buy more time to get federal relief funds to landlords and tenants. "At a minimum, by the time it gets litigated, it will probably give some additional time while we're getting that $45 billion out to people who are in fact behind in the rent and don't have the money," he said. With millions potentially facing eviction, Biden had been under pressure to act from congressional Democrats including Rep. Cori Bush, who camped on the Capitol steps, Fox reports. "The imminent fear of eviction and being put out on the street has been lifted for countless families across America," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement. "Help is Here!" (Read more evictions stories.)
(Newser)  The associate warden at the federal jail in New York City has been charged with killing her husband after she allegedly shot him in the face in their New Jersey home, the AP reports. 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. Ashford, 44, was charged with murder and weapons possession after police found her husband dead in their Jackson Township home around 2:15am Monday, prosecutors said. Prosecutors allege Ashford pulled out a gun, pointed it at her husband and then shot him in the face. Officers discovered Roderick Ashford lying unresponsive on the floor of their home, where he was pronounced dead.

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The Metropolitan Detention Center has been under fire from federal judges in New York over the conditions that inmates face there, according to two people familiar with the matter. Her husband was also a Bureau of Prisons employee, who worked in New Jersey, the people said. Her arrest is the latest black eye for the Bureau of Prisons, which has been besieged for years by chronic violence, mismanagement and a severe staffing crisis. Several inmates, including Maxwell, have also complained about the jails conditions and an overwhelming stench from overflowing toilets. In 2019 the Bureau of Prisons badly botched its response to a weeklong power failure at the Brooklyn jail amid a winter cold snap, fueling rumors and sparking unrest among shivering inmates.

(Read more New York City stories.)
(Newser)  Equestrian jumpers aren't keen on surprises. Neither are the horses, and it takes years of training to keep them from getting spooked. But no horse in Tuesday night's Olympic jumping qualifier had ever seen anything like obstacle No. 10. "As you come around, you see a big guys (butt)," British rider Harry Charles said. "There's a lot to look at," Ireland's Cian O'Connor added. "It is very realistic," echoed Israel's Teddy Vlock. Riders say a life-size sumo wrestler positioned next to the 10th obstacle on the 14-jump Olympic course may have distracted several horses in qualifying Tuesday night for the individual jumping final, the AP reports. A few pairings pulled up short of the barrier, accumulating enough penalty points to prevent entry into Wednesday's finals.

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The statue is positioned to the left of a jump placed in the corner of the arena. Hunched over and seemingly ready to attack, the wrestler is facing away from approaching riders, meaning that when they complete a sharp turn to take on the jump, the first thing horse and human see is the wedgie created by the wrestler's mawashi. "I did notice four or five horses really taking a spook to that," Charles said. Most of the courses hurdles are decorated with a distinctly Japanese feelgeisha kimonos, a miniature Japanese palace, taiko drums. Vlock said he made a point of trotting his horse to the 10th jump before the runs so the animal could look it over. "It is very realistic," Vlock said. "It does look like a person, and thats a little spooky. You know, horses dont want to see a guy, like, looking intense next to a jump, looking like hes ready to fight you.

(Read more Tokyo Olympics stories.)
It looks like our thoughts on timing were off by about two decades. (Getty Images)

It looks like our thoughts on timing were off by about two decades. (Getty Images)
(Newser)  Four months late, the massive container ship that blocked the Suez canal for nearly a week has docked in the UK. The Ever Given, the 1,300-foot-long cargo ship that got stuck against a bank in March, had been held by the Egyptian authorities in charge of the canal for months after it was freed, the Guardian reports. The losses and damages from the incident, which created a huge traffic backlog and caused disruptions around the globe, are estimated to total more than $1 billion.

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The Suez Canal Authority and the ship's owner, Japanese company Shoei Kisen Kaisha Ltd, disagreed on the compensation the SCA wanted, until an agreement was finally struck. Boats sprayed jets of water to celebrate as the Ever Given sailed off in freedom, and when it arrived in Felixstowe, Britain's busiest container port, on Tuesday, dozens of peoplesome of whom brought chairs and binocularswere on hand to watch it dock. It had originally been scheduled to arrive in April, the BBC reports. (Read more Suez canal stories.)
(Newser)  Charges were dropped earlier this year against Amy Cooper, the white woman who was arrested after calling 911 on Christian Cooper (no relation), a Black bird-watcher she had a dispute with in Central Park in May 2020. At the time, she told dispatchers he was threatening herexcept he wasn't. In the counseling program Amy Cooper had to complete to get her criminal case dismissed, her therapist reportedly noted that Cooper had learned "a lot" during their sessions, a "moving experience." What exactly Cooper learned is the question: She's now suing her ex-employer, an investment firm that fired her after her arrest, claiming the company discriminated against her due to her race and gender. And in a new interview with Honestly, the podcast launched in June by former New York Times writer Bari Weiss, Cooperpejoratively referred to as the "Central Park Karen"speaks publicly for the first time, claiming she had no choice but to call 911 on that May day.

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"I'm trying to figure out, you know, what does that mean?" Cooper said of her interaction with Christian Cooper, in which he offered her dog treats while holding his bike helmet, per the Daily Beast. "Is that a physical attack on me? Is that to my dog? Like, what is he about to do?" As for calling 911, she notes: "I don't know that as a woman alone in a park that I had another option." She also claims Christian Cooper's demeanor changed at one point during the incident, throwing her off. She says he had the "same very physical posture, and suddenly out of him comes this voice from [a] man who's been very dominant towards me. Suddenly, you know, almost this victimized voicing ... Like, almost like he's terrified of me." Amy Cooper says the whole thing has now made her "terrified to take my dog for a walk, because what if someone sees me go into a home and realizes it's where I live?" (Read more Central Park stories.)
In this May 2021 file photo, farmers plant rice at the Namsa Co-op Farm of Rangnang District in Pyongyang, North Korea. North Korea is releasing emergency military rice reserves as its food shortage worsens, South Koreas spy agency said, with a heat wave and drought reducing the country's supply. (AP Photo/Jon Chol Jin, File)

In this May 2021 file photo, farmers plant rice at the Namsa Co-op Farm of Rangnang District in Pyongyang, North Korea. North Korea is releasing emergency military rice reserves as its food shortage worsens,... (AP Photo/Jon Chol Jin, File)
(Newser)  The head of the World Health Organization is calling for a moratorium on administering booster shots of COVID-19 vaccines as a way to help ensure that doses are available in countries where few people have received their first shots. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the appeal mostly to wealthier countries that have far outpaced the developing world in numbers of vaccinations. WHO officials say the science is unproven about whether giving booster shots to people who've already received two vaccine doses is effective in preventing the spread of the coronavirus, per the AP. The UN health agency has repeatedly called for rich countries to do more to help improve access to vaccines in the developing world. Tedros pointed to a WHO target set earlier this year to ensure that 10% of the populations in countries receive vaccines against the coronavirus.

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"Accordingly, WHO is calling for a moratorium on boosters until at least the end of September to enable at least 10% of the population of every country to be vaccinated," he said Wednesday. WHO has been focusing on getting vaccines to older adults, health care workers, and other target populations in many nations before booster shot campaigns are carried out. Israel, France, Germany, and many Middle Eastern countries have already started administering booster shots, and other nations, including the US and Britain, are considering plans to do so due to the highly transmissible delta variant. "We need everyone's cooperation, especially the handful of countries and companies that control the global supply of vaccines," Tedros said. "We call on everyone with influenceOlympic athletes, investors, business leaders, faith leaders, and every individual in their own family and communityto support our call for a moratorium."

(Read more coronavirus vaccine stories.)
In this photo, Joshua Spriestersbach talks on a phone in March 2020 in Danby, Vt. (Vedanta Griffith via AP)

In this photo, Joshua Spriestersbach talks on a phone in March 2020 in Danby, Vt. (Vedanta Griffith via AP)
(Newser)  Hindsight is 20/20, or so realized Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas, who on Tuesday said of his state's ban on mask mandates, "In hindsight, I wish that it had not become law." The ban, which he signed into law himself back in April, is bugging him now as Arkansas is swamped with another wave of infections and schools are unable to impose mask mandates, the New York Times reports. "Our cases were at a very low point," Hutchinson said of his thinking at the time. Now, without widespread mask wearing and with low vaccination rates, the virus is spreading quickly there. Hutchinson says he hopes the law will be amended or overturned by a court.

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State health secretary Jose Romero said cases among kids were up 500% between April and July, reports the Washington Post. Hutchinson now wants schools to have the power to be able to ask everyone to mask up. "Local school districts should make the call," he said. The ban is popular with Hutchinsons conservative backers, and other southern states have similar ones. South Carolina, Mississippi, and Florida have either banned or said they won't impose mask mandates in their schools. Hindsight isn't completely 20/20, however, as Hutchinson says he still supports bans on mask mandates for adults, the Hill reports. (Read more face masks stories.)
(Newser)  Amanda Knox revealed on Labyrinths, the podcast she shares with husband Christopher Robinson, that shes pregnant. Knox had tweeted and podcasted last month about experiencing a miscarriage in May. The couple had already started decorating a nursery and told their parents the good news when at a six-week checkup, no fetal heartbeat could be detected, NBC News reports. In the podcast, Knox, 34, announced that she and Robinson were recording audio of every step of their fertility journey for a future series. She spoke openly about trying again, too. "Its not a fun thing, which it was before," she said, per People.

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Knox and Robinson had to grieve the loss of the first pregnancy, too. "We sat with the miscarriage for a while, trying and failing to be okay," she said. Like a lot of women who blame themselves for pregnancy loss, Knox speculated that it was her fault, or possibly due to something that had happened to her while she was in prison in Italy. Knox is best known for her ordeal of being convicted, then acquitted, of murder in Italy. She was sent to prison for four years for her roommate Meredith Kerchers death in 2007, then returned to the US in 2015. (Read more Amanda Knox stories.)
(Newser)  Four men have been charged in the rape and slaying of a 9-year-old girl in India, sparking three days of street demonstrations against both the crime and the nation's treatment of the lowest caste in Hinduism. The child, whose name was not released, was found dead Sunday night, her body burned, near a crematorium in Delhi. She was a member of the Dalit community, NBC reports. India's constitution prohibits caste prejudice, though it persists. The founder of a women's rights group said most such attacks on women in the majority Hindu nation never become known. "The brutality from this incident is barbaric beyond words," Yogita Bhayana said. "And the saddest part is incidents like these are not rare. We see cases where Dalit women are killed, raped, and tortured daily."

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In 2019, an average of almost 90 rapes per day was reported in India, National Crime Records Bureau data show, per the Guardian. The nation's population of 1.3 billion includes 200 million Dalits. The gang rape and killing of a 19-year-old Dalit woman last fall met with similar public outrage, including multiday protests. "We are seeing a level of 'rape apathy' because cases like these are so common," said a Dalit rights activist. Neither Prime Minister Narendra Modi or any senior leader of his party has said anything about the attack on the 9-year-old girl. Delhi's chief minister called the crime shameful, and the leader of the opposition party went to see her family Wednesday. "A Dalit's daughter is also the daughter of the country," he tweeted. (Read more India stories.)
(Newser)  New details have emerged on the stabbing attack that killed a Pentagon police officer outside the nation's military headquarters Tuesday. The FBI says 27-year-old Georgia resident Austin William Lanz got off a bus at the Pentagon Transit Center and immediately attacked Pentagon Force Protection Agency officer George Gonzalez, without provocation, the Hill reports. After a struggle, Lanz shot himself with Gonzalez's gun, and other officers "engaged the subject, who ultimately died at the scene," the FBI says. Officials have not determined a motive. Lanz enlisted in the Marines in October 2012 but was "administratively separated" less than a month later "and never earned the title Marine," the Marine Corps said Tuesday.

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According to court records, Lanz was arrested in Georgia in April on criminal trespassing and burglary charges, NBC reports. More charges were added after he attacked and injured two deputies while being booked into the county jail. He was released on $30,000 bond in May. Philip Brent, a neighbor in the Atlanta suburb of Acworth, says Lanz broke into his home after harassing him and his former fiancee for months. "I wish there was a better way to address those mental health issues that people have, Brent tells the AP. "It feels like it was just a clear failure of our system to help someone out who needed that help." Flags at the Pentagon were flown at half-staff Wednesday to honor Gonzalez, an Army veteran who joined the Pentagon force in 2018. "A gregarious officer, he was well-liked and respected by his fellow officers," the force said in a statement. (Read more Pentagon stories.)
(Newser)  A recent notice in the Federal Register list dozens of gifts from foreign governments to federal employees in 2019, all with the same reason for acceptance: "Non-acceptance would cause embarrassment to donor and US government." But the annual accounting of gifts contains one mystery: The whereabouts of a $5,800 bottle of whiskey the Japanese government gave to then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in June 2019. A lawyer for Pompeo tells the New York Times that Pompeo does not recall receiving the whiskey, doesn't know where it is, and was not aware that there is an "ongoing enquiry" into the matter, as the Federal Register filing states. Gifts given to federal employees by other governments are considered government property. If they are worth more than $390, the recipient is required to either purchase them by paying their value to the Treasury or donate them to a government entity.

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The Trump administration was often criticized for flouting ethics guidelines and ethics expert Stanley Brand, the House's former top lawyer, tells the Times that he can't recall another case where there were suspicions officials improperly kept a foreign gift. "Like a lot of what occurred in the Trump era, this arises from a mix of rules and regulations that were previously obscure and rarely invoked," he says. "I have been doing ethics stuff for 40 years and this has never been on the top of the list or on the list of problems." The AP reports that according to the Federal Register filing, the gifts former President Trump received from foreign governments in 2019 included three photos or portraits of himself worth more than $10,000 combined. The giftspresented by the leaders of Australia, Egypt, and Vietnamwere turned over to the National Archives, along with other gifts received by the then-president and his wife Melania. (Read more Mike Pompeo stories.)
Fairbanks, AK (99707)

Today

Cloudy with a few showers. Low around 55F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Cloudy with a few showers. Low around 55F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
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TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani praised the relentless efforts the Council of Representatives and its members made in advancing the comprehensive development process in the Kingdom of Bahrain in its various fields.

This came as Dr Al Zayani received yesterday members of the Representatives Council, MPs Ahmed Al Ansari, Abdul Razzaq Hattab and Muhammad Bu Hammoud.

During the meeting, the Minister also commended the existing cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Council of Representatives to enhance the role of parliamentary diplomacy in the international arena.

It is reflected in the Parliamentary Diplomacy Programme in cooperation between the Council and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Mohammed bin Mubarak Academy for Diplomatic Studies.

He noted the importance of continuing joint coordination for the benefit of the country and citizens, wishing the MPs continued success.

The lawmakers expressed their appreciation towards the Ministry for its tangible interest in strengthening cooperation with the Council of Representatives, expressing thanks for what has been accomplished in this field.

They also commended the efforts undertaken by the Ministry to enhance bilateral cooperation with friendly countries, expressing pride in the work of Bahrains embassies abroad and the efforts they exert to promote the interests of the Kingdom abroad and provide support and care to provide support and care its citizens.

They further commended the efforts made by the Ministry and the Kingdoms embassies abroad to implement His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to vaccinate Bahraini citizens residing abroad against COVID-19.

The meeting was also attended by the Undersecretary for Consular and Administrative Affairs, Ambassador Tawfeeq Ahmed Al Mansoor, and the Chief of Legal Affairs, Ambassador Mohamed Abdulrahman Alhaidan.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Kuwait Finance House  Bahrain announced naming Hezam Ahmed Saeed, as the second prize winner of the banks Mazaya finance One Year on Us campaign. As the campaigns second prize winner, Hezam will have his first year housing instalments of his Mazaya finance deal paid in full by the bank.

Hamed Mashal, Head of Retail Banking, commented: This One Year on Us promotional campaign reflects our ongoing commitment to bring competitive housing finance offerings that meet our customers financing needs, as well as supporting our constant efforts in facilitating a fast and feasible process of purchasing their dream home.

Hezam Ahmed Saeed said: This prize will greatly help contribute towards easing the payment of the monthly instalments for my Mazaya housing finance. I would like to extend my thanks and gratitude to KFH-Bahrain and its employees for launching this exceptional campaign.


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A year after Tropical Storm Isaias wreaked havoc on the electrical distribution network in Connecticut, Eversource Enegry officials Wednesday released details of improvements made to the utilitys emergency response program.

The Aug. 5, 2020, storm left more than 700,000 Eversource customers without power, some for more than week. But Craig Hallstrom, Eversources president of electric operations, said utility officials took the feedback they received and used it to make changes to the emergency response plan, which will be put into use following storms that result in mass power outages.

Storms are happening more frequently and are more intense, Hallstrom said in the release. Since Isaias weve had 10 significant storms in Connecticut that in total caused more than 409,000 outages across the state and we quickly responded and restored power to our customers. While we cant prevent storms from happening, we understand that customers depend on us to restore power as quickly and safely as possible and we take that responsibility seriously.

Improvements to the Eversource response plan, according to the release, include:

 Bringing in private contractor repair crews in advance of a storm rather than after.

 Creation of an online hub to provide information to municipalities more quickly, and which can be updated in real-time including information about facility status and blocked roads.

 Creation of a new team to work with municipalities and first responders to prioritize public-safety emergencies, clear blocked roads and speed the response to urgent repairs.

Mitch Gross, an Eversource spokesman, said staffing of the team involves a shifting of assignments involving existing employees at the utility.

 Expanding the capacity of Eversources online outage reporting system so it can handle more call volume.

 Use of drones to more quickly identify lines in need of repair.

 Physically strengthening the distribution network including stronger utility poles, thicker wiring and smart switches that will allow for operators to isolate power outages and remotely reroute power.

Even with all of our efforts, a major storm could still cause outages that will last for days, Hallstrom said in the release.

Marissa Gillett, chairwoman of Connecticuts Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, said many of the changes Eversource announced were mandated by PURA as part its review of how the company  and The United Illuminating Co., the states other large electric distribution utility  performed in the aftermath of Isaias.

We were heartened by the preparations of both Eversource and UI in advance of Tropical Storm Elsa last month, Gillett said. Nonetheless, improving their emergency preparation and response efforts is not a short-term process, and requires a sustained commitment.

luther.turmelle@hearstmediact.com
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP)  To combat COVID-19 on campus, Birmingham-Southern College said all students would be required to undergo regular testing at the school at a cost of $500, but that vaccinated students could skip that hassle and also get their money back.

The Alabama attorney general's office on Tuesday suggested such policies run afoul of Alabama's new law banning so-called vaccine passports, saying it could be in effect a mandate to be vaccinated and to provide proof thereof." Universities also cannot require students to prove vaccination status before returning to campus, the guidance stated.

Alabama has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the nation and Gov. Kay Ivey and other state officials have expressed mounting frustration over people refusing the vaccine. But the state also has taken steps to protect those who choose not to get vaccinated.

Vaccine mandates have become tricky territory as colleges and other institutions try to enact safety measures to protect against the rapidly spreading delta variant at the same time some Republican states try to limit, or ban, mandates, arguing they infringe on personal liberty and choice.

A spokeswoman for Birmingham-Southern did not immediately return an email seeking comment, but last week Amy Bickers Abeyta, assistant vice president of communications, said the college is not requiring students to provide proof of vaccination in order to attend classes. Abeyta added that the college is offering incentives to students who get the COVID vaccine. Those include an early move-in date and a $500 rebate toward COVID testing fees, she said.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall's office, while not naming any specific institution, issued a document stating that colleges can't require students to prove vaccination status. The document also says requiring fees of the unvaccinated is constructively requiring proof of vaccination.

Alabama lawmakers this spring approved legislation, which Ivey signed into law, banning vaccine passports. The law prohibits universities from requiring students to get a COVID-19 vaccination and prohibits businesses from refusing to provide goods, services or entry to someone based on their immunization status or lack of immunization documentation.

In other words, no government, school, or business in Alabama may demand that a constituent, student, or customer, respectively, be vaccinated for COVID-19 or show proof of his or her vaccination for COVID-19, Marshalls office wrote in its initial public guidance.

The law does not apply to private businesses, which may choose to require employees to get vaccinated. Some have done so.

During legislative debate on the bill, some House Democrats said Republicans were putting politics over people and hindering the state's effort to boost vaccinations.

It is a mixed message, said Rep. Merika Coleman, a Democratic legislator who lost five members of her extended family to COVID-19 before the vaccine became available.

We cant on one hand say go get vaccinated and then on the other ban people from having the ability to require that, Coleman said.

Coleman said she did applaud the governor's effort to urge people to get vaccinated. Alabama has the lowest percentage of people, 34.5%, who are fully vaccinated, and ranks fifth-lowest, at 43.9%, for the number of people who have received at least one vaccine dose, according to information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Asked if the law was a hindrance to the state pandemic response, Dr. Scott Harris, Alabamas state health officer, said only, We play the hand were dealt.

The Legislature has in its power to create these rules," Harris said. "They dont feel that we ought to be asking about vaccination status so were just trying to do our best to take care of people any way we can.

Phil Williams, a former state senator who now works for the conservative policy group Alabama Policy Institute, spoke out against Birmingham-Southern's policy, saying it creates a caste system of students.

Williams said he is not against vaccinations but is against mandates.

"People should make a well-reasoned decision based on their own research and beliefs, Williams said.

When asked if the law discourages vaccinations, an Ivey spokeswoman reiterated that people should voluntarily get vaccinated.

Last month, Ivey herself remarked that people are supposed to have common sense.

But its time to start blaming the unvaccinated folks, not the regular folks, she said. Its the unvaccinated folks that are letting us down.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell had vowed to be 100% focused on stopping President Joe Bidens agenda. But when it comes to the bipartisan infrastructure plan, McConnell is sounding like a go.

McConnell has been acting and voting like a lawmaker ready to set aside  for a few days, anyway  his reputation as a roadblock for one of the Democratic president's chief legislative priorities, a roughly $1 trillion public works bill.

Last week, the Kentucky senator allowed debate to proceed on the measure, which would boost spending on just about every facet of the countrys transportation systems as well as water and broadband. This week, he said nice things about the legislation, opening the door to potentially giving his support for final passage.

Theres an excellent chance it will be a success story for the country, McConnell told reporters Tuesday.

His efforts are raising a big question on Capitol Hill: Just what is the self-described grim reaper thinking?

Some colleagues say McConnell simply likes the bill and that his state would benefit from the federal investments. Others say McConnell thinks the bill could help some of the Republicans in contested elections next year if they pass it and send government aid to their states.

Still others say McConnell is also thinking about a much bigger picture, such as showing Americans that Republicans are more than the party of opposition to Biden's agenda and tamping down calls to eliminate the Senate's 60-vote filibuster rule, which some say is preventing Congress from approving major legislation.

Hes a very pragmatic person. I think he knows that everybody sort of wins if its true, hard infrastructure, said Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D.

This is a good demonstration that he can preserve the filibuster and still have meaningful, bipartisan legislation, Cramer said. "And at the end of the day, hes got a constituency back in Kentucky that probably looks pretty favorably on it.

Democrats see another dynamic at work.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., said Republicans are at risk of being seen as having little to show voters after having already opposed Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID-19 rescue. Not a single Republican senator supported that plan.

"I think they want to be able to point to something positive that theyve done, Van Hollen said. And, if they oppose everything, they are not going to be able to claim credit for anything.

McConnell could still vote no on the public works plan. But so far, he has twice voted to advance the legislation. And while warning Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., against rushing the amendment process, he has not tried to halt the work.

McConnell has saved his scorn for the big vote that Schumer is preparing before the Senate breaks for an August recess. McConnell has derided an upcoming budget blueprint from Democrats that will set the stage a $3.5 trillion spending package on health, environment and social programs later in fall; McConnell calls it a reckless tax and spending spree. That package would be paid for with higher taxes on corporations and the wealthy.

Republican strategist Scott Jennings, a longtime McConnell ally, said its easy to see how McConnell could get to yes on this first part of Biden's infrastructure priorities.

Just listen to what he said, Jennings said. He always said it should be a smaller package focused on roads bridges airports and broadband.

Kentucky is not a state without needs, with its roads and bridges requiring investments, Jennings said.

Biden and former President Barack Obama both cited the Brent-Spence Bridge between Kentucky and Ohio when promoting plans to boost jobs.

Politically, the votes ahead could be a win-win for McConnell and Republicans to show some bipartisanship on this first package while launching into a strictly partisan broadside against the larger plan.

I do think it gives Republicans senators a chance to say Look, they always claim were going to stop everything,  Jennings said.

It does give the Republicans a chance to say, `We're for the stuff that makes sense and were against the stuff that doesn't.'

Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio, who led the Republican side in its negotiations on the infrastructure bill, pointed out that McConnell's wife, former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, knows well the country's infrastructure needs.

He understands that the politics of this are also good for Republicans. And when our members are out there running for re-election, its good to be talking about accomplishments," Portman said.

McConnell's vote could make or break the package, serving up a victory for Biden with passage or delivering another failure by Washington to address the nation's infrastructure needs. The Trump administration was unable to follow through on the president's call for investing trillions of dollars in infrastructure.

One theory making the rounds on Capitol Hill is that passing the bipartisan package will put pressure to trim the size of the larger plan. Already, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., has said she does not support a bill that costs $3.5 trillion.

Democrats have the full sweep of power in Washington for the first time in a decade, with the White House and slim majorities in Congress, and will try to pass that next package on their own.

McConnell's Republicans are almost certain to split over the narrower, bipartisan bill, and his eventual vote will carry weight.

Conservatives groups are warning Republican senators not to support the bipartisan bill, arguing it will only enable the costlier one to come.

Yet other influential organizations often aligned with Republicans, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, are encouraging GOP senators to back it.
Eds: This story was supplied by The Conversation for AP customers. The Associated Press does not guarantee the content.

Elizabeth Lanphier, University of Cincinnati

(THE CONVERSATION) One of the blockbuster cases the U.S. Supreme Court will hear in its upcoming session is a challenge to Mississippis 15-week abortion ban.

Mississippi made clear that it aims to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, which in 1973 established a constitutionally protected right to abortion before fetal viability  when a fetus has developed to a point where it can exist outside the womb. In the context of a Supreme Court reshaped by anti-abortion interests, the case could set a new precedent, alarming abortion rights activists, some of whom will likely be outside the Supreme Court this fall holding signs emblazoned with my body, my choice  a go-to slogan for many in the movement.

Im a philosopher and bioethicist. My research suggests my body, my choice was a crucial idea at the time of Roe to emphasize ownership over bodily and health care decisions. But I believe the debate has since moved on  reproductive justice is about more than owning your body and your choice; it is about a right to health care.

From rallying cry to hashtag slogan

The slogan my body, my choice has been a feature of the reproductive rights movement in the U.S. and around the world since at least the 1960s. Its now shorthand for concepts like bodily autonomy and self-determination. In the context of reproductive rights, my body, my choice asserts freedom from external control  specifically government control  over ones reproductive choices.

It makes sense that my body, my choice gained steam in the years leading up to Roe v. Wade  a time when reproductive rights activists were fighting for the government to stay out of abortion decisions. Roe did just that by determining that abortion is a private choice between a pregnant person and their physician.

As a private matter, the Supreme Court determined that the government cannot interfere with ones right to an abortion prior to fetal viability. In so doing, Roe established what philosophers call a negative liberty, or freedom from something. This freedom from interference was a crucial step toward reproductive rights in the U.S.

But in the decades since Roe, various states have taken steps to whittle away at the constitutionally protected right to abortion. My body, my choice frequently appears on signs at protests against abortion restrictions and in social media campaigns like #MyBodyMyChoice.

Self-ownership

My body, my choice suggests that because people own their bodies, they get to control them. In the reproductive rights realm, it is a slogan meant to empower. But it relies on a history of self-ownership that goes back to the early days of capitalism and the rise of private property, reflected in the work of 17th-century English philosopher John Locke.

According to Locke, bodies belong to the individual  every Man has a Property in his own Person, he wrote. Locke argued that by mixing ones bodily property with land through labor, one can take ownership of the land. But in practice land was consolidated among owners, not the workers. Locke even acknowledged that he, not his servant, took possession of the lands his servant labored. Ownership of the body did not equal empowerment.

Economics professor Anjum Altaf notes that landowners told workers that the workers owned their bodies and could do with them what they chose. But Altaf also indicates this supposed freedom of choice was meaningless when all the options were exploitative.

The point is self-ownership is not worth much if there are no good or even available options from which to choose. This was true for the laborer in Lockes day, and it is true for the person seeking abortion care now.

Rights to health care

In the years since the Roe decision, many state lawmakers have enacted legislation restricting abortion access despite constitutional protections.

Laws like mandated waiting periods for those seeking an abortion get enacted without evidence-based medical benefit. The same is true of targeted regulations of abortion providers, like the law forcing abortion clinics to obtain a permit to admit patients to a nearby hospital that was struck down by the Supreme Court last year.

Over the past decade more than 100 independent abortion clinics have closed due to restrictions, a trend accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinic closures force those needing abortions to travel longer distances to find a provider.

States that actively protect abortion access for at least some time during pregnancy are overwhelmingly on the U.S.s east and west coasts. Accessing care in these states when it is restricted in ones home state creates additional costs related to travel, child care and lost wages or time off work.

Many abortion-seekers must also pay out of pocket for their medical care. For 40 years, the Hyde Amendment has prohibited federal spending on abortion. This impacts those insured through Medicaid, which disproportionately enrolls women, people of color and LGBTQ individuals. Federal restrictions mean most states only allow Medicaid funding of abortion in very limited circumstances, if at all.

One could argue my body, my choice is meaningless if a person cannot enact their choice because they cannot afford health care, or if no provider is willing or able to provide the care that choice requires.

While Roe established freedom from government interference, abortion care  like any health care  requires freedom to do something. This is what philosophers call positive liberty.

The right to health care is a positive liberty: it is the freedom to seek care and take steps to protect health. It entails rights to access medical providers and treatment.

Moving forward

Current legislation in Congress, if enacted, would move beyond the my body, my choice debate and toward reproductive justice through positive rights to abortion care.

The Biden administration proposed a federal budget without the Hyde Amendment. The House passed it, but the legislation is thought likely to get blocked by the Senate.

Meanwhile, the Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance Act would make abortion care covered by federal and private health insurance like any other medical care. And the Womens Health Protection Act would prevent states from enacting legislation undermining the constitutionally protected right to abortion and protect a federal right to abortion even if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade.

[Get the best of The Conversation, every weekend. Sign up for our weekly newsletter.]

The original message of my body, my choice has been muddied by its recent appropriation for other causes. Opponents of mandated mask-wearing and vaccination  often including groups traditionally against abortion rights  have co-opted my body, my choice.

Whether talking about reproductive health or COVID-19, choices involving health care are not only freedoms from external control. They also rely on the ability to access necessary care. As abortion rights make their way back to the Supreme Court during an ongoing global pandemic, it is a good time to reconsider whether my body, my choice is the right slogan for a right to health care.

The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. The Conversation is wholly responsible for the content.
Through Western Economic Diversification Canada, the Government of Canada is supporting not-for-profits, Indigenous organizations, industry associations, and post-secondary educational institutions that are creating the entrepreneurial and supportive environment to help grow economic sectors and communities across Saskatchewan.

Today, the Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada, announced $2,141,386 in funding for 11 projects under the Regional Innovation Ecosystem (RIE) program.

The projects include:

Battleriver Bison Preservation Inc. is receiving $250,000 to develop an Indigenous tourism experience by reintroducing plains bison to the prairies.

is receiving to develop an Indigenous tourism experience by reintroducing plains bison to the prairies. Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce is receiving $15,000 to develop and launch an annual business confidence survey in Saskatoon and region.

is receiving to develop and launch an annual business confidence survey in and region. Hatchet Lake Development Limited Partnership is receiving $100,000 to install equipment at Wollaston Lake airport to improve access to the northern communities

is receiving to install equipment at airport to improve access to the northern communities International Minerals Innovation Institute is receiving $75,000 to support the Alternative Energy Systems Innovation Challenge for Saskatchewan mining.

is receiving to support the Alternative Energy Systems Innovation Challenge for mining. Little Black Bear's First Nation is receiving $261,600 to expand Indigenous grain farm operations in southern Saskatchewan .

is receiving to expand Indigenous grain farm operations in southern . PLATOSask Testing Inc. is receiving $350,000 to train Indigenous software testers in Saskatchewan .

is receiving to train Indigenous software testers in . Saskatchewan Economic Development Association Inc. (operating as Saskatchewan Economic Development Alliance) is receiving $15,000 to host a virtual forum to support inclusive regional economic development in Saskatchewan .

is receiving to host a virtual forum to support inclusive regional economic development in . Saskatchewan Polytechnic is receiving $99,786 to purchase a drone with sensing and mapping technology for industry services and training.

is receiving to purchase a drone with sensing and mapping technology for industry services and training. University of Saskatchewan is receiving $100,000 to procure equipment to support pulse starch utilization in biomaterials.

is receiving to procure equipment to support pulse starch utilization in biomaterials. University of Saskatchewan is receiving $850,000 to purchase genomics equipment to serve crop breeders in developing new crop varieties, via Global Institute for Food Security, Omics, and Precision Agriculture Laboratory.

is receiving to purchase genomics equipment to serve crop breeders in developing new crop varieties, via Global Institute for Food Security, Omics, and Precision Agriculture Laboratory. University of Saskatchewan is receiving $25,000 to undertake the first Let's Talk About Water industry engagement events through the Global Institute for Water Security.

Through targeted investments, the Government of Canada is building a stronger Western Canada by growing emerging sectors, advancing western businesses in the international marketplace, and supporting the creation of well-paying jobs.

Quotes

"Strong regional economies are crucial to the success of the Canadian economy. By making strategic investments through initiatives like the Regional Innovation Ecosystem (RIE) program, our Government is supporting businesses and organizations that have upheld our local economies throughout the pandemic as Canada looks toward recovery."

 The Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada

"Our economy must work for all Canadians. That is why our government is investing over $2.1 million to support business ecosystems in Saskatchewan that will develop and diversify the local economy, create jobs and lead to stronger national and international growth for this region."

 The Honourable Jim Carr, Minister and Special Representative for the Prairies

Quick facts

Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) makes strategic investments through Regional Innovation Ecosystem (RIE) in not-for-profit organizations that support businesses in priority sectors to innovate, grow and compete globally.

WD also fosters inclusive growth through supporting under-represented groups, mainly women, Indigenous peoples, and young entrepreneurs, to more fully participate in the innovation economy.

The Government of Canada's regional development agencies are delivering the RIE program across Canada . WD is delivering RIE in Western Canada .

Associated links

Stay Connected

Follow the department on Twitter: @WD_Canada

WD Homepage

WD Toll-Free Number: 1-888-338-WEST (9378)

TTY (telecommunications device for the hearing impaired): 1-877-303-3388

SOURCE Western Economic Diversification Canada

For further information: Catherine Mounier-Desrochers, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, [email protected]; Matthew Deutscher, A/Director of Policy, Planning and External Relations, Saskatchewan Region, Western Economic Diversification Canada, 306-203-3126, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.wd.gc.ca/


KITCHENER, ON, Aug. 4, 2021 /CNW/ -

HIGHLIGHTS:

Waterloo Brewing Festbier Can (CNW Group/Waterloo Brewing Ltd.)

Waterloo Brewing is the official beer sponsor of Bingemans Oktoberfest Koolhaus

The event series will feature a special release of the well-loved Waterloo Festbier

Available for a limited time at LCBO Stores across Waterloo Region, and Waterloo Brewing Beer Store, while supplies last

Get your lederhosen out of lockdown to celebrate Waterloo Brewing's (or the "Company's") (TSX: WBR) sponsorship of Bingemans Oktoberfest Koolhaus. In its fourth year running, the event series is back with a Biergarten stocked with steins of the hyper small batch brew, Waterloo Festbier.

Festbier (5% Alc./Vol.) is a full-bodied lager, brewed in the classic Marzen-style with a touch of Munich malt, delivering bold, sweet flavours, balanced by a noble hop bitterness. Festbier is a smooth, celebratory beer made from the purest ingredients.

Festbier is now available at the Waterloo Brewing Beer Store and coming to LCBO stores in the Waterloo Region mid-September, and Bingemans Oktoberfest this fall.

"Oktoberfest presents us with a unique opportunity to delve into a brewing heritage that has inspired us as a company," Kim Mannerow, Director of Marketing at Waterloo Brewing said. "We celebrate what German brewing has to offer with its precision, cleanliness, balance and drinkability. These are qualities we strive for in every beer we make, and our Waterloo Festbier brings this to the fore."

"Oktoberfest sums up the very best of what beer culture is all about," Mark Bingeman, President of Bingemans said. "We have been in times where we could all do with more cheer and I can't wait to clink glasses with our community, and with our partners, Waterloo Brewing, to celebrate at the Bingemans Oktoberfest Kool Haus Festbier Garten. Prost!"

About Waterloo Brewing

Waterloo Brewing Ltd. is Ontario's largest Canadian-owned brewery. The Company is a regional brewer of award-winning premium quality and value beers and is officially certified under the Global Food Safety Standard, one of the highest and most internationally recognized standards for safe food production. Founded in 1984, Waterloo Brewing was the first craft brewery to start up in Ontario and is credited with pioneering the present-day craft brewing renaissance in Canada. Waterloo Brewing has complemented its Waterloo premium craft beers with the popular Laker brand. In 2011, Waterloo Brewing purchased the Canadian rights to Seagram Coolers and in 2015, secured the exclusive Canadian rights to both LandShark and Margaritaville. In addition, Waterloo Brewing utilizes its leading-edge brewing, blending, and packaging capabilities to provide an extensive array of contract manufacturing services in beer, coolers, and ciders. Waterloo Brewing trades on the TSX under the symbol WBR. Visit us at www.waterloobrewing.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this press release that do not directly and exclusively relate to historical facts constitute forward-looking statements as of the date of this press release. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "anticipate", "seek", "plan", "believe" or "continue" or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology. Although the Corporation believes that the expectations and assumptions reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which are not guarantees and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, which may cause actual performance and financial results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only at the date of this press release and, except as required by applicable securities laws, the Corporation does not undertake to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Waterloo Brewing Ltd.

For further information: For more information and interview requests please contact: Kim Mannerow | Waterloo Brewing | Director of Marketing, 519-742-2732, x105 | [email protected]

Related Links

waterloobrewing.com


Unvaccinated Ontarians Facing Much Higher Risk of Hospitalization and Death from Delta Variant

TORONTO, Aug. 4, 2021 /CNW/ - "With summer drawing to a close, and colder, shorter days on the horizon, the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) is calling on all unvaccinated Ontarians to take immediate steps to protect themselves from heightened risk of infection, hospitalization and even death this fall and winter from the Delta COVID-19 variant.

Last week, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore, said there are about 1.8 million eligible Ontarians who have not yet received their second shot of the COVID-19 vaccine. Given that it takes two weeks after the second vaccination to develop immunity, it's vital for Ontarians to get their first and second dose as soon as possible so that protections are in place before the start of the school year and the return of colder weather when more time will be spent indoors.

The risk of a fourth wave among unvaccinated Ontarians is a real threat, particularly in the face of the highly contagious Delta variant  which spreads more efficiently than other strains. Last Friday, Dr. Michael Ryan, Executive Director of the World Health Organization Health Emergencies Programme, said 'We are fighting the same virus but a virus that has become fitter and better adapted to transmitting amongst us humans.'

Other jurisdictions around the world, including the United States, have seen a rapid surge in new COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, concentrated in areas with low vaccination rates. On July 16, Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control in the United States warned that 'this is becoming a pandemic of the unvaccinated,' and urged everyone to get fully vaccinated as soon as possible.

Given that thousands of Ontario children under the age of 12 will be returning to indoor in-person learning in just a few weeks, it's vital that all eligible residents receive both shots to keep transmission levels low, protect vulnerable populations and ensure that access to non-COVID related hospital services is not disrupted a further time.

The OHA strongly recommends that every unvaccinated Ontarian speak with their family physician if they have questions about the safety or efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine. This pandemic is ending but a fourth wave could still inflict a deadly toll on the unvaccinated. Ontario has seen too much unnecessary suffering and death in this pandemic. If you are unvaccinated, please act immediately to protect your own health and safety and get your COVID-19 vaccination right away."

- Anthony Dale, President and CEO, Ontario Hospital Association

SOURCE Ontario Hospital Association

For further information: Hannah Ward, Media and Communications Advisor, Ontario Hospital Association, [email protected]

Related Links

www.oha.com


TORONTO, Aug. 4, 2021 /CNW/ - Royal Bank of Canada (TSX: RY) (NYSE: RY) will release its third quarter results for 2021 on August 25, which will be made available at rbc.com/investorrelations .

Financial results are expected to be released at approximately 6:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). The conference call is scheduled for 8:00 a.m. (EDT) and will feature a presentation by RBC executives followed by a question and answer period with analysts. An audiocast of the call is available on a listen-only basis at: rbc.com/investorrelations/quarterly-financial-statements.html or by telephone (416-340-2217, 866-696-5910, passcode 7285593#). Please call between 7:50 a.m. and 7:55 a.m. (EDT).

Management's comments on results will be posted on RBC's website shortly following the call. A recording will be available by 5:00 p.m. (EDT) from August 25, 2021 until November 30, 2021 at rbc.com/investorrelations/quarterly-financial-statements.html or by telephone (905-694-9451 or 800-408-3053, passcode 8026879#).

About RBC

Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 86,000+ employees who leverage their imaginations and insights to bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada's biggest bank, and one of the largest in the world based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our 17 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 27 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com.

We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at rbc.com/community-social-impact.

SOURCE RRYIR

For further information: Investor contact: Asim Imran, [email protected], Investor Relations, 416-955-7804; Media contact: Gillian McArdle, [email protected], Financial Communications, 416-842-4231

Related Links

http://www.rbc.com


DETROIT (AP)  General Motors posted a healthy $2.8 billion second-quarter profit Wednesday, but its cautious outlook for the rest of the year spooked investors.

The Detroit automaker made the strong profit despite a global shortage of computer chips that have forced it and other companies to temporarily close factories.

While GM raised its outlook for the year, it also cautioned about high commodity prices and lower production due to the chip shortage, and it warned that the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus could hamper its supply chain.

The cautious tone rattled investors, who pushed GM shares down almost 9% Wednesday.

Chief Financial Officer Paul Jacobson predicted that GM would produce 100,000 fewer vehicles in the second half of the year compared with the first, even as other companies forecast improvements in semiconductor production. GM said it managed the shortage well and was able to divert scarce chips to factories that make higher profit pickup trucks and large SUVs.

But Edward Jones Industrials analyst Jeff Windau said investors are building some uncertainty into GM's stock price after the company forecast $3.5 billion to $4.5 billion worth of increased costs in the back half of the year.

Obviously there's some shutdowns, and there's just concerns with how things are evolving, Windau said. Expectations have been rising over the last couple of months. This just kind of comes back and potentially resets the bar a little bit.

On Tuesday, GM announced that pickup truck plants in Flint, Michigan; Silao, Mexico; and Fort Wayne, Indiana; would be closed next week due to the chip shortage. Production is to resume on Aug. 16. But factories in Tennessee and Mexico that make cars and SUVs that were down since July 19 will come back on line Monday.

Even with the caution, GM told the same story as competitors Ford, Stellantis and others reporting strong profits, saying that high prices and healthy demand for expensive pickup trucks and luxury SUVs overcame inventory shortages.

GM boosted its net income guidance for the full year to $7.7 billion and $9.2 billion, and pretax earnings to a range of $11.5 billion to $13.5 billion from $10 billion to $11 billion.

Executives said Wednesday that they expect tight inventory and high prices to continue through the year as the chip shortage lingers into 2022.

Yet CEO Mary Barra warned that the fast-spreading coronavirus delta variant could cause supply chain problems down the road. The company also has plans to handle future shortages by collaborating with semiconductor manufacturers, she said.

There is still more variability than I'd like to see, Barra said. This is something we will work our way out of, and it won't be an issue as we move forward over a little bit longer period of time.

The average GM vehicle sold for nearly $44,000 from April through June, the company said, and it was up nearly $3,000 over that in July.

Jacobson said the high prices at present come from high demand for more higher priced trucks and SUVs with a very rich mix of options being purchased by consumers. Barra said the prices will subside a bit as inventory grows, but she still expects them to be strong as GM adds electric vehicles to its lineup.

Excluding one-time items, GM made $1.97 per share, beating Wall Street estimates of $1.82. Revenue was $34.2 billion, which also exceeded analysts' estimates of $29.92 billion, according to FactSet.

The profit would have been $1.3 billion higher if not for recall costs, including $800 million to fix a battery fire problem in older Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles, the company said.

Barra said GM had a little more than 200,000 vehicles in stock, enough to supply 25 days of consumer demand. That's far short of the normal inventory. Automakers like to have around a 60-day supply on dealer lots for customers to pick from.

On Tuesday, a task force of Detroit auto companies and the United Auto Workers announced that factory workers would be required to wear masks again due to the delta variant. Asked if GM would require employees to be vaccinated, Barra hinted that may be coming. We are evaluating multiple choices that we can make, but our intent is always to keep our employees and our customers safe, she said.

GM said it produced about 200,000 more vehicles in the first half of the year than it did during the same period in 2020, largely because factories were shut down last year as the pandemic grew.

Yet the consulting firm LMC Automotive estimated that GM production from April through June was down 38% from the same quarter in 2019, the last comparable quarter of normal production.

Jacobson said the semiconductor shortage should start to ease in the fourth quarter, so fourth-quarter production will be higher than the third.

You can see light at the end of the tunnel as we're getting toward that, he said.

Barra also announced two new electric vehicles coming as part of GM's plan to introduce more than 30 globally by 2025. She said the Chevrolet brand will roll out a full-size electric cargo van, and GM also will sell a medium-duty electric or hydrogen fuel cell truck platform that can be used for service and utility vehicles such as school buses, bucket trucks and wreckers.
NEW HAVEN  Sterling Timmone died one year ago, on Aug. 3, 2020, after being fatally wounded near his familys Westville home.

The loss still haunts his brother, Brandon Timmone, who is seeking to have the New Haven Police Department further its investigation and, through progress and an eventual arrest and conviction, help his family find a path forward.

I want to see this solved, said Timmone. I want resolution and justice, so we get closure as a family.

He said his younger brother, the father of a 7-year-old daughter, Neriah, was inclined to spend his time helping people, whether that was as complicated as aiding them in moving or as simple as riding in the car for companionship.

He was good with his hands, inquisitive in nature  as noted even on his kindergarten diploma, Timmone said  and had a knack for repairing things. Without formal training, he also learned to fix up old cars on his own.

Contributed photo /

He was a wandering soul in his professional life, finding jobs around the intersection of his passion for helping people and his natural talent of fixing things, and sought to one day open his own company, Timmone said.

(He) always understood that there is more to life than dedicating so much time to the pursuit of professional success that it becomes a detriment to enjoying the other opportunities in life that bring joy. He never strayed from the pursuit of happiness  both professionally and personally, said Timmone. And for teaching me that lesson, I thank him.

Sterling Timmone grew up facing trauma and difficulty in life, both mental and emotional, but maintained a positive outlook, his brother said.

He still had that vibrancy, said Timmone. I admired him for those things.

The family gathers each Christmas, no matter where they are in the world, no matter how short a time they can spend together, Timmone said. Since he was small, his brother played the role of Santa Claus, picking out gifts for people to open.

With innocence, curiosity and a joyful spirit, his brother always wanted to know what was inside the presents, Timmone said. The family had to start putting everything in boxes, just to dissuade him.

He always wanted to know more, said Timmone.

On the night of Aug. 3, 2020, Sterling Timmone had been helping his parents, Robert and Donna Timmone, in their Westville home before going down to a corner store a few blocks away, Brandon Timmone said. He got there, but never made it home.

He was stabbed in the back, according to New Haven police, and found bleeding on Whalley Avenue. He died after being taken to the hospital for care.

Timmone said flashes of that night still sometimes come jarringly to mind.

He relives getting the call and driving down from his home near Boston; seeing his father crying, for the third time he could remember; the hospital parking lot. He remembers seeing his brother lying wounded in a hospital bed.

(Those memories are) the part that just kind of tears you up inside, said Timmone. Knowing you dont have the chance to make another memory, thats the part Im struggling with.

The pain has faded somewhat, but the grief never leaves, Timmone said. For months, it was all he could think about; for nearly a year, he was at 70 percent in life, drawn elsewhere by it.

Timmone said hes gone to therapy, building his coping mechanisms, trying to grow from the experience. His parents are struggling more, seeking balance, he said.

There is a sense of hopeless permanence to it all, Timmone said. The petty issues of life, such as dealing with the weather, have faded in importance. They can be changed; family ties and death cannot.

You cant move forward with what you had before, said Timmone. What does my life look like now?

Timmone said New Haven police had not communicated readily about the investigation. When he spoke with them, he was assured he would get updates, but only his mother, after calling and prying for information, has received any, Timmone said.

Timmone said he understands that policing is a difficult job, noting he has friends in law enforcement. But there was seemingly evidence available, from witnesses to testimony to cameras, and the case remains unsolved.

Timmone said he would like to be apprised of progress  not trying to become involved in the investigation, just seeing empathy from the department and feeling like theyre still making this a priority, not having this marked down in a book somewhere and thats the end of it.

His niece, Neriah, deserved to understand that police can solve these sort of cases, he said.

If the community were unwilling to provide information, Timmone said, that would speak to a deeper issue about whether the department is successfully keeping them safe.

Its hard to swallow, said Timmone, noting the attention given to Kevin Jiang, a Yale graduate student killed this year. It just doesnt sit well when this is such a huge incident in someones life.

But Acting Chief Renee Dominguez said Tuesday that Timmones slaying was still being actively investigated, although obstacles had impeded the departments progress so far. She declined to say whether the department had suspects, noting the ongoing inquiry.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media

Detective Carmelo Rivera, the lead investigator, and Sgt. Bertram Etienne, supervisor of the homicide unit, had been in touch with Donna Timmone, providing information as developments warranted, she said.

She offered her sympathies to the Timmone family, noting their grief and pain.

I cant imagine how difficult it is to not have an arrest and not have justice.  We are very sorry for their loss and a year I cant even imagine, said Dominguez. Know that we work tirelessly; they are not forgotten.

Dominguez asked anyone with information about the case to contact the department, including those who spoke to police at the scene of Timmones death. Any detail, no matter how small, could be the one that cracks the case, she said, and detectives develop further questions as they learn more through the investigatory process.

On behalf of the city, Mayor Justin Elicker offered his deepest condolences to the Timmone family. The department, he said, was working hard on the case and would continue to do so.

I cant imagine how frustrating it is after a year not to have any sense of progress, but I can assure the family we do not forget, said Elicker.

Timmone said his family gathered this week to celebrate his brothers life. Hes planning to hike in Sleeping Giant State Park, as he and his brother would do together.

Contributed photo

But their experience, he said, is shaded by the seeming lack of progress in the case.

Sterling was extremely kind, extremely caring, said Timmone. I cant overstate how much our family feels like theyve lost and (how) ... a lack of closure magnifies that loss.

william.lambert@hearstmediact.com
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP)  The queen's representative in New Zealand said Prince Harry and Meghan discussed moving to the South Pacific country during their 2018 visit, more than a year before the couple stepped back from royal duties and moved to the United States.

Governor-General Patsy Reddy also told The Associated Press in an interview she believes the British monarch should remain New Zealand's head of state and described the hand-typed letters she sends to Queen Elizabeth II.

Reddy, 67, will leave her largely ceremonial role representing the queen in New Zealand in October after a 5-year term. A lawyer who was given the honorific Dame for her services to arts and business, Reddy officially signs bills into law, presides over many public ceremonies and tours the country, meeting with various groups including Indigenous Maori.

Harry and Meghan visited New Zealand at the end of a hectic 16-day royal tour of the South Pacific, and Reddy recalled the couple as being tired.

"I remember theyd just been down to the Abel Tasman National Park when we sat down and had a drink, and they said that they could imagine living in a place like this and wondered whether we thought it would be theoretically possible. Even possible for them to have a place in New Zealand.

Of course, we said Sure. It would be fine. There are lots of opportunities to live in New Zealand, but that would be something that theyd have to explore,'" Reddy said. They were looking at how they might raise their family. And, obviously, theyve made some decisions since."

Reddy said she didn't view it as a formal request for assistance but more of an informal discussion about the couple's hopes for the future. She said the pair seemed impressed with the access to the outdoors and their interactions with New Zealanders.

Still, the discussion shows the couple were considering options outside of Britain less than six months after they married and well before their eventual move to the U.S.

During a widely watched interview with Oprah Winfrey near the couples California home earlier this year, Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, mentioned they'd offered to the royal family to take a step back from royal life in a Commonwealth country such as South Africa or New Zealand.

Reddy said she watched the interview but didn't want to comment on internal royal family business.

I thought they were a lovely couple and I hope theyve got a great future where they are, Reddy said.

She said she regularly expresses her confidential views of what's happening in New Zealand to the queen, such as the nation's response to the pandemic. She said the communication "is quite touchingly old-fashioned, by letter.

She has told me on the times that Ive seen her that she finds it interesting to have a personal perspective on whats happening, Reddy said. As she says, I like to know whats happening between the lines."

Many people in New Zealand believe the country should become an independent republic but Reddy said she believed the queen should remain the head of state because the arrangement works and has strong historical links.

She said New Zealand has a special connection to the monarchy because its founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi, was signed by Maori and the representative of Queen Victoria.

Asked about a future scenario in which a monarch might turn out to be dictatorial or autocratic, Reddy said the same scenario with an elected president would likely be worse.

Weve seen how that doesnt work in other countries in the world," she said. "But actually, because the monarch is much more of a theoretical construct, a figurehead rather than an actual ruler, I think it gives us a measure of safety, constitutional safety.

Reddy said she agreed with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's assessment that there was currently little appetite among New Zealanders for a constitutional change, and that people were concerned about more pressing issues like climate change, inequality and the pandemic.

She said she thought the royal family had been great role models during the pandemic, using the internet and social media to great effect and abiding fastidiously to the rules imposed by the British government.

So we saw tragically the funeral of Prince Philip, where they could only have 30 mourners," Reddy said. But there was no question that thered be any kind of dispensation, even from the requirements for isolation, when, for example, Prince Harry came back to that funeral.

Reddy said she'd watched the Netflix series The Crown.

I've enjoyed it as a historical drama, she said. Its production values and some great characterizations, I think. But, you know, it's not real life is it?"

She pushed back at the negative portrayal of Prince Charles, saying she thought he would be a good monarch.

Ive been enormously impressed with the breadth of his knowledge, the depth of his well-considered perceptions on a range of subjects," she said. "From urban planning to the environment, to the impact of religions on the world.

Children's advocate Cindy Kiro has been named by Ardern to succeed Reddy. Kiro, who is also a Dame, is the first Indigenous woman appointed to the role.
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.
HAMDEN  Could a new animal shelter be the tail that wags the dog this election?

Possibly.

Mayoral candidates challenging incumbent Mayor Curt Balzano Leng for his job, as well as other advocates, claim the mayor has dragged his feet for years on establishing a town-owned animal shelter.

The reason this issue has been ongoing since 2005 is simply because animals dont vote, said Leonard Young, leader of Gimme Shelter, the fundraising and advocacy group that encourages the town to act on establishing a Hamden shelter without contracting for cages from shelters in other municipalities.

Meghan Friedmann / Hearst Connecticut Media file photo /

So far, the town has set aside $400,000 in capital spending for the project. Even though plans have been drawn up by officials, the Leng administration has not put anything forward to the Legislative Council.

The money is there, theres just nobody acting on it, said Young. We couldve had three animal shelters on the money we spent on outsourcing.

But Leng said he supports the idea of a regional shelter with North Haven, an idea proposed in 2015 that fell through once before. He said New Haven leaders also have shown interest in a regional shelter.

Contributed photo

Its gonna cost a significant amount of money if we go it alone, Leng said. In order to create the kind of place that we would like to provide  its going to cost substantially more than the $400,000 that we currently have, so having additional partners working on it would bring substantially more to the table.

Gimme Shelter has asked other mayoral candidates to commit to finding a location for a new shelter within the first 100 days of their administration. Those candidates said they are heeding the call.

Ron Gambardella, the endorsed Republican mayoral candidate, said he sees a Hamden shelter as not only an opportunity to save money but to generate revenue.

Contributed photo / Nancy Hansen /

I see a state-of-the-art facility unlike anything thats been done in the past, he said.

Gambardella said he has identified a site on Putnam Avenue that he sees as ideal. He said he envisions an opportunity to turn the shelter into an attraction and revenue opportunity  with cameras to livestream dog interactions to a wide audience, bleachers to create a venue for dog shows and educational opportunities, and a memorial wall for pet owners to memorialize their pets and to generate revenue for the shelter.

Lauren Garrett, the mayoral candidate endorsed by the Hamden Democratic Town Committee, did not name a specific location for a possible shelter, but said the willpower to establish an animal shelter in Hamden is the only component currently missing.

We have money thats been set aside for years, $400,000, to find a location, design and build an animal shelter and it is really surprising its not happened yet, she said. I think its just mismanagement that has prevented us from doing this.

Contributed photo /

One area she knows Garrett said she is not interested in is Brookvale Park, which had been proposed during prior discussions at the council level. She said the logistical difficulties would drive up the cost of utilities, making it an unwise location.

Finding a location is the first priority; an animal shelter doesnt need to be an extravagant building. It needs to serve a couple purposes: you need water, electricity and a sewer to run to it, it needs to be air-conditioned and heated and a safe place for animals, Garrett said.

Its not something difficult for us to build, its just really a lack of leadership and getting this across the finish line, she said.

Brad Macdowall, a councilman also seeking to run for mayor as a Democrat, said he has also committed to the Gimme Shelter 100-day pledge to find a location for a new animal shelter  though he thinks the town can accomplish even more in that amount of time. Picking a location is in our top priorities when we are in office, he said.

We are currently using a number of different facilities, causing a range of different costs to have animals housed there, he said. Not only is it outrageously expensive to have our animal control officers driving around the state to house different animals, but its also not all of the facilities across the state that are equal in terms of conditions.

Clare Dignan / Hearst Connecticut Media file photo /

Macdowall said he has several ideas for potential shelter locations, though he would not make a decision before receiving feedback from relevant city department heads and stakeholders such as Gimme Shelter leadership. Like Garrett, Macdowall said Brookvale Park is not on his list.

There are more people in Hamden closer to the North Haven animal shelter than to Brookvale Park, he said. We have to think carefully about the neighborhood and development costs. I am also opposed to building on wetlands, and thats something that would eliminate some locations.

Mayoral candidate Peter Cyr, another Democrat seeking to run for mayor, did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday, although Young said Cyr has attended Gimme Shelter functions and fundraisers before and he knows the candidate is on board with the 100-day pledge.

Contributed photo /

For roughly 15 years, Hamden had a working relationship with the North Haven Animal Control Department. However, that relationship has since been reduced to Hamden renting several cages from the North Haven shelter on an annual contract, according to a representative of the North Haven Animal Control Department.

Young said animals picked up by Hamden animal control officers had been housed in a combination of locations  such as North Haven, Branford and Derby. Those shelters charged a per diem for each animal, which he said becomes very costly over time.

Police Chief John Sullivan, however, said that since the town renegotiated the contract with North Haven, Hamden almost exclusively uses that site to house animals. Sullivan said the cost subsequently dropped.

Hamden paid roughly $22,500 to North Haven in 2020 for the service, Leng said.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media

Meghan Friedmann contributed to this story. brian.zahn@hearstmediact.com
NEW HAVEN  The Board of Alders, in its first in-person meeting in 16 months, went on the record unanimously in favor of something that isnt really theirs to approve or reject  but could affect many of their constituents: U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapals Medicare for All Act of 2021.

The 30-member board, meeting in person rather than on Zoom for the first time since before the coronavirus pandemic moved municipal meetings online in March 2020, unanimously approved a resolution that calls on our federal legislators to work toward enactment of the Medicare for All Act of 2021, assuring appropriate and efficient health care for all residents of the United States.

The resolution also expresses ... enthusiastic support for a state-level single payer in Connecticut, HB 5340, similar to legislation which already exists in the neighboring states of Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New York.

The resolution directs that, once enacted, it be delivered to Connecticuts congressional delegation, including U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3, and U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthaland Chris Murphy, both D-Conn., as well as New Havens delegation to the state legislature.

While the alders were back meeting in person, at least for the moment, Tuesday nights meeting also was livestreamed on the Board of Alders YouTube channel.

Westville Alder Darryl J. Brackeen Jr., D-26, who proposed the solution and guided it through the boards Health and Human Services Committee, told the board that the pandemic has forced a moment of reckoning upon the United States here in Connecticut.

In doing so, The weaknesses in our health care system have been laid bare for all to see and the pandemics ill effects have fallen disproportionately on the most vulnerable among us.

There are many reasons for the inequity, but one clearly stands out: access to adequate health care insurance coverage, Brackeen said.

As of 2019, more than 200,000 people lacked proper health insurance in Connecticut, mostly in cities like New Haven, and many more are underinsured, Brackeen said.

Medicare for All also would provide the citys budget with deeply needed savings, he said. Between 2016 and 2021, the cost for the city to provide health insurance to its workers rose by 15 percent, to nearly $85 million, Brackeen said.

These costs will only continue to rise unless something drastic is done, he said.

Medicare for All would allow city to remain competitive, Brackeen said.

We need Medicare For All  now, he said.

Westville Alder Adam J. Marchand, D-25, also spoke in support of the resolution.

The health system in this country is in deep crisis, Marchand said. We spend far more per capita than any other nation, and yet our our outcomes are no better than middle-of-the-pack.

In addition, far too many residents  particularly the poor, particularly people of color  lack access to affordable, high-quality care, Marchand said. I do support a move toward a single-payer system that guarantees that everyone has access to quality care and that no one has to go bankrupt because of medical bills.

... I have no doubt that our friends in the federal government, and especially ... Rosa DeLauro, will hear us, Marchand said.

mark.zaretsky@hearstmediact.com
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.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP)  The ringleader of a group that stole about $700,000 worth of construction equipment, boats, personal watercraft, all-terrain vehicles and trailers from dealers across New England has been sentenced to five years in prison, federal prosecutors said.

Jose Montes, who also goes by Jose Rivera, 37, of Cranston, from November 2019 until July 2020 organized a gang that under cover of darkness stole three Bobcat excavators, 10 personal watercraft, four boats, eight all-terrain vehicles, and 10 trailers from businesses in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire, according to the U.S. attorney's office in Rhode Island.
Springfield and St. Louis area health leaders are asking adults to wear masks and get the COVID-19 vaccine to protect children as hospitals report admitting more young patients with the disease, including some in intensive care.

Spring Schmidt, deputy director of the St. Louis County health department, said Wednesday about one in five current total cases in county hospitals has been people under the age of 19.

Schmidt said the delta variant causing most of the current cases is as transmissible in children as it is in adults, unlike the alpha variant that drove most cases last year.

It is true that they do not often experience as many of the severe negative outcomes, such as hospitalization or mortality (as adults), Schmidt said. "However, that does not mean that we do not currently have children who are experiencing those outcomes ... Which is why we think children require the additional protection of our entire community."

On Tuesday, Dr. Clay Dunagan, of the St. Louis Metropolitan Task Force, said hospitals included in the task force have 20 children under the age of 19 hospitalized with COVID-19, compared with 13 children last week.

Ten of the patients are younger than 12, and the others are between 12 and 18. Three in the youngest age group and four in the oldest were in intensive care fighting for their lives, said Dunagan, chief clinical officer for BJC HealthCare.

Cardinal Glennon Childrens Hospital in St. Louis currently typically has between eight and 12 children in the hospital with COVID, after having one or two hospitalized early in the summer, The St. Louis Post-Patch reported.

Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City had 12 inpatient young patients with COVID as of Wednesday. The number has been increasing over the past few weeks and is similar to the count seen during the winter peak of cases, spokeswoman Marlene Bentley said in an email.

Dunagan said children are also becoming the source for further outbreaks as they come home from summer camps, for example, and interact with family members. He recommended masking children in the right settings such as when they return to school in the fall.

Currently, children under 12 cannot receive the vaccine. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended indoor masks for all teachers, staff, students and visitors at schools nationwide, regardless of vaccination status.

Moderna said last week it expects to have enough data to apply for FDA authorization to vaccinate younger children by late this year or early 2022. Pfizer has said it expects to apply in September for children ages 5 through 11.

Health officials in Springfield-Greene County echoed the comments of St. Louis officials, saying hospitals in the area are seeing more children hospitalized with COVID-19, and some of them are seriously ill.

Dr. Diane Carol Lipscomb, medical director of inpatient pediatrics at Mercy Springfield, said since the first of June, the hospital has averaged about two young children with COVID-19 hospitalized, with a peak of five. Currently, the hospital has a child under the age of 1 with COVID-19, but most of the young patients are teenagers.

Karen Cramer, chief hospital officer at Cox Health, said in April and May the hospital had a total of four pediatric admissions, but that number increased to 28 in June and July.

Lipscomb said adults should be vaccinated and wear masks to protect children but those ages 12-18 also need to be vaccinated because they generally respond well after being fully vaccinated.

Their ability to create an immune response is fantastic, Lipscomb said. So when our children are vaccinated completely with both shots, they are actually able to create an immune response and not get the COVID virus and become ill requiring admission to the hospital.

The Springfield-Greene County Health Department announced Wednesday that 27 COVID-19 deaths were reported between July 28 and Tuesday. The dead included a man in his 30s and three women in their 40s. Thirteen of the deaths were people in their 70s and 80s.

Mercy Emergency Medical Services announced that a Mercy Springfield paramedic, 57-year-old Sue Gregory, died of COVID-19 on Wednesday.

The 58 people who died in Greene County in July was the highest number of deaths in a month since January, the health department said, and their average age was 64, down from 88 in March 2020.
NEW HAVEN  Two abandoned derelict barges have been removed from New Haven Harbor, according to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

The two barges had been secured at the bulkhead of the abandoned English Station power plant in the Mill River. One broke free and drifted to the mouth of the harbor off Lighthouse Point Park, posing a threat to shipping and to the environment, DEEP said in a release. It was discovered Jan. 16.

Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Sheehy said the drifting barge posed a hazard.

We had one tanker entering the harbor and one leaving the weekend that the barge was spotted, she said in the release. The barge was a hazard to navigation; a tanker may have hit the barge, potentially damaging the hull and creating an oil spill. If the barge could not be secured, then the port may have been closed.

A Coast Guard crew secured the barge to the breakwater at Lighthouse and attached a strobe light, which allowed the port to remain open, the release said. Returning the barge to the bulkhead at Ball Island, where English Station is located, would have been dangerous, as well, according to the release.

Lori Saliby, assistant director of DEEPs Emergency Response and Spill Prevention Division, said, The risks are two-fold, navigation risk is one aspect while the other is environmental risk since damage to the bulkhead could result in the release of PCBs and other contaminants to the Mill River.

Aside from the potential of contamination should the barge impair the bulkhead at English Station, we also originally feared that contaminants could be entering the Sound from both barges, said Kevin Zawoy of DEEPs Land and Water Resource Divisions Enforcement Section.

Further inspection reduced concerns about contaminants, however, The size, shape, and jagged edges had the potential to sink another boat, he said in the release.

The operation was coordinated with the Coast Guard, the city, the Connecticut Port Authority, marine contractors and others. Neither the Coast Guard nor the city had the resources or equipment needed to tow and remove the barges, the release said. The Coast Guard has the authority to order the owner to remove the barge, but the owner could not be determined. Miller Marine Services released and towed the barges.

On July 6, both barges were brought to Blakeslee Arpaia Chapmans yard on the Quinnipiac River, where they were secured. The company performs marine construction services. This month, the barge sections will be removed from the water using a large crane and cut up for scrap, recycled and disposed of, the release said.

The $150,000 needed to remove the barges were Supplemental Environmental Project funds from a federal criminal case that settled a Clean Water Act case in 2016 for $1 million. Industrial wastewater was illegally discharged without a permit in that case, according to DEEP.

SEP funds can support projects that reduce pollution, restore the environment or protect the shoreline in Long Island Sound and the shoreline, the release said.

This is a great example of what the SEP funds are intended for, said Zawoy. Without the money DEEP receives from penalties, there would not have been the financial funding for this task and the navigational threat would remain. I think its important to note that the Department actually uses these funds to go back into the protection of the environment.
LONDON (AP)  The U.K. plans to offer coronavirus vaccines to 16 and 17-year-olds in the next few weeks after the independent body of scientists that makes vaccine recommendations to the government changed its advice.

The four nations of the U.K. all accepted the change from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization, which now says healthy 16 to 17-year-olds can be offered a first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. They will not need parental consent.

The change, which means another 1.4 million people across the U.K. will be eligible for a first vaccine shot, comes just two weeks after the JCVI recommended against routine vaccinations for those under 18, although it did stress that it would continually assess the evidence.

Currently, the only 16 and 17-year-olds being offered the Pfizer vaccine, which has been approved by Britains medical regulator for anyone 12 and over, are those with underlying health conditions or those living with vulnerable people.

While COVID-19 is typically mild or asymptomatic in most young people, it can be very unpleasant for some and for this particular age group, we expect one dose of the vaccine to provide good protection against severe illness and hospitalization, said Professor Wei Shen Lim, who chairs the JCVIs COVID-19 program.

The timeline for when the 16 and 17-year-olds will get their second dose has yet to be determined but the scientists will make further recommendations later based on the response to the first dose.

While the British vaccine rollout has been one of the worlds fastest  with 89% of adults having had one dose and 73% of adults fully vaccinated  the country has been fairly slow in offering vaccine jabs to youths. There have been growing calls for the vaccination drive to be expanded to younger people following a spike in infections this summer as a result of the more transmissible delta variant and the lifting of lockdown restrictions.

Despite Wednesdays change, the U.K. still lags many other European countries such as France and Germany, which are offering vaccines to children 12 and over. Britain's JCVI said it will constantly review the data on vaccinating under-16s and update its position accordingly.

Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, Englands deputy chief medical officer, said there was no time to waste" and that he expects the rollout to start in a very short number of weeks," which will coincide with the reopening of schools after the summer break.

The expanded rollout comes amid evidence that the vaccination drive among younger adults in Britain has slowed down in recent weeks, a trend thats prompted the British government to offer incentives like discounts and free pizza to persuade young people to get the shot.

Wei Shen Lim, the JCVI's chair, said there had been feedback from some young people who want to have a choice.

So, theyd like to be offered the vaccine, understand the risks and potential benefits, and therefore make a choice for themselves whether they want to have it or not," he said.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, on a visit Wednesday to Scotland, backed the scientists on their revised position.

I would just urge all families thinking about this across the country to listen to the JCVI," he said.

___

Follow APs pandemic coverage at: https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic
Bjoern Wylezich / TNS

A federal judge on Wednesday sentenced Michael Meakem, the former chief executive of a Connecticut nonprofit, to two years in prison for siphoning off more than $680,000 from the organizations accounts over eight years.

The Norwich resident used the funds for his personal expenses, including alimony payments, meals, cruises, other vacations, and gambling at Connecticuts casinos, the U.S. attorneys office said through a press release.
LOCKPORT  What had been expected to be a three- to four-week murder trial could be ready fo
Border traffic at the Rainbow Bridge remains closed to casual travel between the US and Canada.
Alissa Brianna's "Where Are You" came out last year.
The Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, has appealed to bandits terrorising the country with seemingly unending abduction...





The Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, has appealed to bandits terrorising the country with seemingly unending abductions of students to leave schools in the country alone.

The minister made the appeal on Tuesday night when he featured as a guest on Channels Televisions Politics Today programme.

He was reacting to the reported release of three more abducted students of the Bethel Baptist High School in Kaduna State.

The students were abducted by daredevil bandits on July 5, 2021 around 2am on the school premises along the Kaduna-Kachia Expressway, Damishi, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna.

The first batch of 28 of the students had spent 20 days in the kidnappers den before their recent release. This was after payment of N50 million ransom.

When asked to comment on the release of the three students, the minister said, Im elated; this is the kind of news is what I want to be hearing everyday that they should please return our children to us. I am so happy for these children and their parents but I appeal, like I have been appealing  I was in Katsina to plead with the air service men who are flying that area to please.

I encourage our military, they are doing tremendous job of following up these kidnappers and these bandits but I appeal to the bandits and whoever talks to them, please leave our schools alone.

We already have many issues from Kagara to Jangebe to all the places, they have just been disrupting school activities for our children, this is unprecedented. The atmosphere of insecurity is a big setback for us in the school agenda.

I am glad to have these three back and I would be glad to have all of them back, Nwajiuba added while assuring parents that the government would do everything possible to secure the release of other abducted students.

Many Nigerians have questioned the capability of the Nigerian security forces in dealing with bandits and insurgents, especially in the Northern part of Nigeria which has been a hotbed of killings and kidnappings of late as rampaging bandits terrorise the people of the region.

Kidnapping has become a sordid menace and a lucrative enterprise in Nigeria as the West African nations security situation worsens.

The abduction of students in Kaduna State is not the first in the history of the nation. Non-state actors had in the past abducted hundreds of secondary school students from Kankara in Katsina; Jangebe in Zamfara State; Kagara in Niger State; Chibok in Borno State; and Dapchi in Yobe State, amongst other mass and sad abductions.

Aside from the kidnapping of students from schools, hundreds of Nigerians have also fallen victims to kidnappers in recent times and their families have had to part with millions of naira to secure their release after days or even weeks of excruciating pains and agony. Some families have not been so lucky, however, as the daredevil kidnappers rape and kill their victims even after receiving ransom.

Aside from payment of ransom, the condemnable venture feeds a growing illicit trade in illegal organ trafficking. Kidnappers also sometimes use their victims for ritual purpose.

The Senate had proposed a bill seeking to prohibit the payment and receipt of ransom for the release of any person kidnapped, imprisoned or wrongfully confined.

According to the bill, Nigerians who pay ransom to kidnappers and kidnappers who receive ransom risk 15 years imprisonment.

But many Nigerians including human rights activist, Femi Falana, SAN, have flayed the upper chamber and described the bill as stupid. They noted that the National Assembly should instead focus on ensuring they make laws that guarantee adequate security for every Nigerian.
The President, Traders Welfare, Edo State, Comrade Lucky Orukpe, has called on Edo State Government, to, as a matter of urgency prevail on t...





The President, Traders Welfare, Edo State, Comrade Lucky Orukpe, has called on Edo State Government, to, as a matter of urgency prevail on the State Revenue Collectors over their multiple taxation on goat meat sellers in the state.

Comrade Orukpe, who led the protesters through some roads in Benin City, the state capital made a stopover at the headquarters of Edo Internal Revenue Board along New Lagos Road to register their displeasure over the multiple taxation by the Edo State Revenue Collectors.

According to him; Initially, a goat meat seller was paying N50 for ladder and the revenue collectors increased it to N100, the local government council revenue collectors collect N100, while the veterinary doctor collect N500 on each goat. Altogether, in every single goat purchased and killed, the goat meat seller pays the total sum of N700.

Today, the while thing has changed, it keeps going higher everyday. We are calling on Edo State Government to come to our rescue as the multiple taxation causing untold hardship to businesses.

People are making money at the expense of these sellers. We appeal to Edo State Government to introduce Point of Sale (POS) so that the tax they collect can henceforth go straight to the account of Edo state Government.

Addressing the protesters, a representative of the chairman of the Board, Mr. Felix Isuku, appreciated the way the traders organised themselves while going on the their peaceful protest.

This really tells that you people are well organised and educated. We welcome the suggestion you people raised by way of introducing POS in the revenue collection in your market. Be rest assured that my chairman will definitely channel your grievances to the state government.

He appealed to the protesters to select 4-man representatives who will be meeting with the Secretary to State Government (SSG) to air their views and possibly discuss the way forward.
Music, murder and madness come together in a dazzling piece of stagecraft for Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Sunset Boulevard," ready for its closeup at Cutting Edge Theater in Slidell on Friday.

The production, helmed by Suzanne Stymiest, is the musical adaptation of Billy Wilder's 1950 film noir classic about aged silent film superstar Norma Desmond, yearning for a comeback since being sidelined by "talkies," and her desire for and murder of the screenwriter living with her in her Beverly Hills manse on the infamous thoroughfare.

A look at the Hollywood era of the late 1940s, the show is filled with Lloyd Webber's signature soaring pieces, including "With One Look," an homage to the talents of silent film stars; "New Ways to Dream," about the early film industry; and "As If We Never Said Goodbye," about Desmond's visit to the studio for what she thinks is the beginning of her "return" to film.

Thais Kitchen, a frequent actor on the local stage, takes the role of Desmond, famous for her poor grasp on reality and the immortal closing line, "And now Mr. De Mille, I'm ready for my closeup." Kitchen, who Stymiest said was the logical selection for the star role, has appeared as Shug Avery in "The Color Purple" and most recently as Erzulie, Goddess of Love, in "Once On This Island."

Screenwriter Joe Gillis, the object of Desmond's obsession, is played by Matthew Welch. Frequently seen in productions throughout the metro area, Welch also has been active in television and film work.

Rob Brister takes the role of Max von Mayerling, Desmond's chauffeur and protector. JoJo Mathieu appears as Betty Schaefer, a studio scriptwriter and love interest for Joe.

The ensemble for the show features about 20 actors taking more than 45 roles.

The stylish wardrobe for the show, indicative of the Hollywood look of the late 1940s, is the work of Brian Fontenot and Martha Griggs Welsh. Lights and set design are by Richard Fuentes.

The show runs at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Aug. 21 at 767 Robert Blvd., with tickets starting at $27.50. cuttingedgetheater.com.
When U.S. Coast Guard officials in New Orleans received the first emergency beacon alert traced to a device from the ill-fated Seacor Power, at about 3:40 p.m. on April 13, there was no location given.

So they called a Seacor representative to check. A Coast Guard lieutenant testified Wednesday that the company rep answered that the 175-foot-long lift boat wasnt in danger at all -- rather, it was safely back at port.

His words were: the vessel was in (Port) Fourchon, and I believe his words that followed were, I can guarantee you theyre at the dock, said Lt. j.g. Brandon Critchfield, testifying at a Coast Guard marine board hearing in Houma.

It was bad information that only led to confusion, and it wouldnt be the last from the lift boats operator as chaos unfolded in the Gulf of Mexico, he said.

The Seacor Power had flipped in a fierce storm, with 19 crewmen and contractors in peril, but at that point the Coast Guard was in the dark. Critchfield said he and other officers were responding to a half-dozen distress calls around the same time as a storm packing massive winds rocked the area. Among them, four people on a tugboat in the Gulf were preparing to abandon ship.

About a half-hour after the call to Seacor, a different company rep called back to say they had heard their vessel capsized or was in distress, Critchfield said. The representative told him then that only seven were aboard  a vast undercount. After that, he said, the numbers kept changing.

I dont think I heard the number 19 until the next morning, said Critchfield, who called the false information extremely frustrating.

+2 'I think we're going over': Seacor Power's first mate recounts desperate moments before capsizing 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 

That second call was the Aha moment, when they realized that a boat that had reportedly capsized was, in fact, the Seacor Power. Up to that point, we were trying to sort information out going off the call previously, saying that the vessel was moored, Critchfield said.

Whether the alleged misinformation from Seacor stalled the search-and-rescue operation itself is uncertain -- a point stressed by a lawyer for the company as he questioned Critchfield on the third day of a two-week hearing into the circumstances behind the deadliest sea wreck off the Louisiana coast in decades.

Initially, the Coast Guard had deemed it too dangerous to fly aircraft to respond to a swarm of distress calls that afternoon, although a private helicopter that was in the area ultimately helped.

Meteorologists say the Seacor Power and other boats in the area ran into a sudden wake low, a rare, compact low-pressure system packing hurricane-force winds. Ultimately, six of the 19 aboard were rescued by Coast Guard vessels and good Samaritan boats. The remains of six others were recovered, while seven were never found.

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As Coast Guard officials in New Orleans were still triaging a host of distress calls that afternoon, an emergency VHF radio call came into Coast Guard officials in Grand Isle at 4:28 p.m. from the Rockfish, a smaller lift boat, reporting that the Seacor Power had flipped.

+4 Harrowing details of fatal Seacor Power capsizing kick off Coast Guard hearing: 'All hell broke loose' The captain of a vessel that was near the Seacor Power when it capsized in the Gulf of Mexico in April, leaving 13 men dead, said Monday that 

That call, about 50 minutes after the first emergency signal from the Seacor Power, prompted an urgent broadcast alerting mariners to its location, which drew more private vessels to the area to help, said Lt. Seth Gross of U.S. Coast Guard Sector New Orleans, who also testified Wednesday.

Gross said winds at the time were topping 90 mph, with 10- to 12-foot seas and occasional 16-foot seas and a near-whitewash visibility.

Shortly after the 4:28 p.m. call, the Coast Guard dispatched a plane from Corpus Christi that took a few hours to arrive. Meanwhile, a pre-commissioned Coast Guard cutter owned by Bollinger Shipyards was conducting sea trials in the area with Coast Guard personnel aboard. It diverted to the crash scene within 34 minutes, Gross said.

Other Coast Guard boats were engaged from Grand Isle and elsewhere as the search-and-rescue operation took shape. That night, one rescuer went overboard and had to be saved while trying unsuccessfully to recover a body in the water, Critchfield said.

A spokesperson for Seacor Marine declined to comment Wednesday about the allegedly false information provided to the Coast Guard that afternoon by company reps. But a lawyer for the company questioned Critchfield over his timeline, while pointing to other beacon alerts from the Seacor Power that came in just minutes after the first one. Those alerts included coordinates to locate the boat.

Oftentimes, when you have multiple things going on like this, theres confusion. Mass confusion, Critchfield responded. Ultimately, it hinged on, we were told the vessel was at port.

Critchfield, though, acknowledged that Coast Guard officials struggled to relay information to one another amid the scramble.

Its an unfortunate thing, but communication seems to always be a common theme when we talk about things we need to improve on and things that we fall short on, he said.

The Coast Guard investigation continues through next week, with officials from Seacor and Talos Energy, which runs the site where the lift boat was headed, are due to testify next week.

The investigation may produce recommendations on how to prevent similar accidents and could determine if anyone committed misconduct or failed to perform their duties, said Capt. Tracy Phillips, the presiding officer. Criminal referrals also are possible.

The National Transportation Safety Board, which is conducting a parallel probe into the wreck and response, also is participating in the hearing.
Many years ago I took statistics in high school with Mr. Malis. Try as he might, Mr. Malis could never get through to me that statistics would be a useful thing to know in adulthood. As a future history major, I assumed I would never need the ability to evaluate complex data environments in my professional career.

Needless to say, I was wrong. I now know that everyone should become literate in statistics, because youll never know what skills you wish youd developed two decades earlier. With that in mind, here is a column where Ill do my best to talk about math and statistics and, of course, COVID.

The Louisiana Department of Health announced recently that 89% of people hospitalized in Louisiana with COVID are unvaccinated. Thats good, because it shows the vaccines are working. But, counterintuitively, its also bad, as it highlights just how much of our population remains vulnerable to COVID.

Financial Times data journalist John Burn-Murdoch recently discussed this issue, explaining why its actually good news that 40% of hospitalized people in the United Kingdom are vaccinated.

+3 Most New Orleans public high schools to require COVID vaccines, tests for extracurriculars The vast majority of New Orleans public high schools will require vaccinations or weekly COVID-19 testing for students participating in extrac

To better understand this, consider a world in which 1,000 people get COVID at one time. Hypothetically, in a place where a large part of the population is unvaccinated, that might mean that 10% of those people require hospitalization (its lower in real life, but just go with it.) So that means that we have 100 people going to the hospital with COVID from that batch of 1,000 cases.

The vaccine reduces the likelihood of hospitalization for vaccinated people. So 90 of the 100 new admissions are unvaccinated, while 10 people in the hospital -- likely older -- are vaccinated.

This hypothetical basically describes Louisiana right now. People 70 and older are the most vulnerable, and 85% of them are vaccinated, but fewer than 70% of people between 60 and 69, under half of people between 50 and 59, just 40 percent of people between 40 and 49 are vaccinated. That leaves a lot of unvaccinated people of a vulnerable age.

Louisiana COVID hospitalizations break record for second day with 2,247 in hospitals The number of people hospitalized with the coronavirus in Louisiana broke records for the second day on Wednesday as the state continues to st

Now, consider another 1,000 people who get COVID in a place where the vast majority of older people are vaccinated. More people that are most at risk for being hospitalized are vaccinated than in our first hypothetical, so only 2% of infected people are hospitalized from this batch of hypothetical cases.

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In this situation, we have only 20 people hospitalized, again including 10 vaccinated people, just as in the first scenario. But those 10 people now make up 50% of hospitalized people instead of 10% of hospitalized people.

This hypothetical describes the United Kingdom right now.

The vast majority of people over 50 are vaccinated in the U.K., and while hospitalizations are rising, the country is still averaging less than one-fifth as many new daily hospital admissions as it saw during the January peak. The rate of new COVID cases is beginning to fall.

As a result, the percentage of the people being hospitalized who are also vaccinated is much larger in the U.K. than in Louisiana. But the rate of hospitalization is much lower there than it is here, where we have passed our March 2020 peak. And thats what really matters. Its better to have half of a low number of hospitalizations be vaccinated, than to have those people represent a much smaller percentage of a much bigger number.

Sadly, a much bigger number is what we have right now.

Louisiana began July with 259 people in the hospital and is beginning August above 2,000 (and still climbing). If theres a small silver lining in this new wave, its that the pace of vaccination in Louisiana has begun to reach levels we havent seen since March and April.

Those new vaccinations wont do much to stop this current wave, but hopefully they can help contain future outbreaks before they occur.
Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office detectives are asking for the public's help to identify a Jeep linked to a July 3 double shooting that left a father of three dead in the parking lot of a Harvey apartment complex.

Oliver Landry, 29, was gunned down at the Gates on Manhattan apartments in the 1000 block of Inca Drive in Harvey, authorities said. Landry's girlfriend, who was shot in the face and shoulder, was taken to a hospital and survived.

"It's hard," Landry's sister, Quenisha Landry, 34, said Wednesday of her baby brother's death. "He wasn't a troublemaker. He wasn't in the streets doing anything wrong. He was a typical family man trying to make it in life."

Landry's girlfriend told investigators she had just dropped him off at the apartment complex about 1 a.m. when someone opened fire on them.

+2 After JPSO says 13-year-old girl forced into prostitution, man pleads not guilty to sex trafficking 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 

Landry was hit several times and collapsed in the parking lot, the Sheriff's Office said. Bullets fired at his girlfriend's vehicle pierced the front windshield, roof and the driver's side, wounding her.

Landry was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at University Medical Center in New Orleans, authorities said. His girlfriend has since been released from the hospital, according to Quenisha Landry. She still has bullet fragments in her face.

"She's crying just as much as we are," Quenisha Landry said. "We are all just taking it a day at a time, just keeping each other uplifted."

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Oliver Landry was the youngest of four children. He loved making music, according to his sister. Landry was a freestyle rapper and performed under the name "Tigga."

+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

He worked various jobs to support his family, which included three children, ages 1-5, and two other children that he helped raise with a former girlfriend, relatives said.

"He loved, loved, loved his children. He loved those kids so much," Quenisha Landry said.

Relatives aren't sure who would have wanted Landry and his girlfriend dead. He just didn't live the type of lifestyle that would have invited that sort of violence, according to family members.

Sheriff's detectives have not identified any suspects in the case, but they did find surveillance video images of a vehicle linked to the killing. The sport utility vehicle is believed to be a black or dark-colored Jeep Compass with damage to the passenger-side door.

"We are just waiting and praying and hoping that detectives find something and get some justice for my brother," Quenisha Landry said.

Anyone with information about the vehicle, its occupants or the death of Oliver Landry 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.
New Orleans prosecutors on Tuesday dropped charges against a man who had been arrested in connection with the deadly shooting of a 12-year-old girl on Memorial Day weekend.

Dantrell Brown, 20, had been in jail since June 8 on one count of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder in the triple shooting that killed Schaumburg Elementary 7th-grader Todriana Peters in the Lower 9th Ward.

At the time they arrested him, police wrote in sworn criminal court filings that Brown had previously fought with friends of an 18-year-old man and a 19-year-old man who were also wounded in the shooting, and a witness identified him as one of multiple gunmen at the scene.

Todriana Peters, 12, killed in crossfire of retaliatory attack for earlier gun battle: NOPD The shooting that killed a 12-year-old girl outside a graduation party in the Lower 9th Ward was retaliation for an earlier gun battle, the Ne

But investigators later found evidence that Brown was not involved in the shooting or near the Lower 9th Ward at the time of Todrianas slaying, multiple sources with knowledge of the case said.

A prosecutor in District Attorney Jason Williams office then announced that the state would not pursue charges against Brown during a brief hearing in front of Magistrate Court Commission Albert Thibodeaux on Tuesday. As a result, Thibodeaux told Brown's lawyer, Leon Roche II, that he would order Browns release from jail, where he was being held on $1 million bond.

Charges are still pending against at least four other men that police also arrested in connection with Todrianas killing, which occurred outside a graduation party May 30.

Williams' office didn't answer questions about the case against Brown but issued a statement Tuesday evening saying, "The state is duty bound to follow all the evidence at all times. The decision in magistrate court is in line with that obligation.

"The District Attorney's Office has been working close with the (police) detectives handling this investigation. They are doing exceptional work on this case and there is no doubt in my mind that together we will hold everyone accountable who is criminally responsible for the senseless death of young Todriana."

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The night of Todriana's death, Dorian Ratliff, Tyrese Riley, Pernell Young, Marcus Venible and Raquian Bell were riding together in Ratliffs car when they began exchanging gunfire with another vehicle, police allege.

The group later spotted the car they were fighting  an Infinity  outside a party honoring Chalmette High School graduates in the 500 block of Delery Street. Ratliff and his four companions are accused of again firing at the Infinity, killing Todriana and injuring the two older men.

One of the injured men was driving the Infinity, police said. Todriana happened to be standing next to him, investigators wrote in court records.

Todriana had gone to the party briefly with an older cousin who was watching her so they could charge their cellphones in Todrianas brothers car, according to her family.

Police began booking suspects after investigators allegedly recovered Ratliffs car in St. Bernard Parish and found Venible with the key to the vehicle.

Ratliff, Riley and Young remained in custody on counts of murder and attempted murder as of Tuesday. Records do not show Bell has been arrested in connection with the shooting.

Note: This post was updated to include a statement from Williams' office.
Shipyard magnate Donald "Boysie" Bollinger has donated $3 million to the University of New Orleans to fund scholarships for engineering students and upgrades to campus equipment.

The donation is aimed at students of the school's naval architecture and marine engineering program, the only such program in the region and one of a few in the nation.

The university has renamed that program in Bollinger's honor, campus officials said. Its new name is the Bollinger School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.

Bollinger is CEO and chairman of Bollinger Enterprises. He is the former CEO and chairman of Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., a marine construction and ship repair company that manages 11 shipyards in Louisiana.

"On behalf of our students, faculty, alumni and the entire university community, I am incredibly grateful to Boysie for his commitment to UNO, UNO President John Nicklow said last week. This kind of generosity can and will change the lives of students.

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Over the years, Bollinger Shipyards has hired many graduates from UNO's engineering and naval architecture programs, Bollinger added.

"I am very proud of what this school has accomplished, and I thought it was a good time to give back," he said.

In addition to student scholarships, Bollinger's donation will fund upgrades in the school's ship design computer lab and its marine towing tank, which tests models of ships and offshore structures in various water conditions.

Established in 1980, UNO's naval architecture and marine engineering program offers a bachelor's of science in naval architecture and marine engineering, a master of science in engineering and a Ph.D in engineering and applied science.

The school's graduates are sought after by ship and yacht builders, offshore companies, engineering and design consulting firms, and software developers, officials said.
Tulane University will require students and faculty to have regular coronavirus testing this fall, the latest in a series of moves by the university to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Students must test for COVID three days before they arrive at the university's dormitories, university officials said in a memo this week. Students should also quarantine for up to a week before they return to campus. Classes begin Aug. 23. Dorm move-ins begin Aug. 15 and run through Aug. 21.

Vaccinated students living on campus must take a second test within the first week of their arrival, according to the memo. Unvaccinated students must take a second test within 24 hours of their move-in date.

Off-campus students must also take a test before starting classes. And faculty and staff will take at least two tests this month, officials said.

More than 95% of Tulane students and more than 90% of staff and faculty are fully vaccinated, the university said.

The moves are meant to curb the disease as infections mount in and around New Orleans. Tulane had already issued a vaccine mandate for students and required all students, faculty and staff to wear masks while indoors. Students at Tulane can still decline a vaccine for medical, religious and personal reasons, as per state vaccine laws. The university has not mandated vaccines for its faculty or staff.

"Our plans are based on current public health guidance. Developments in the weeks ahead may prompt new and updated guidance," university officials wrote in a memo to faculty and staff. "We ask for your patience as we adjust our plans and strategy to meet changing circumstances."

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Tulane is among several New Orleans area universities taking extra precautions as the start of the fall semester nears. Xavier, Loyola and Dillard universities will also require vaccinations, as will the University of Holy Cross.

Those schools, as well as the University of New Orleans, will also require masks. The University of Louisiana system, which oversees UNO, has asked state health officials to require vaccines for its students as soon as the Food and Drug Administration formally approves the shots.

Right now, the vaccines are only authorized for emergency use. Though a federal appellate court recently found that mandating vaccinations does not violate a student's Constitutional rights, some lawyers have argued against mandates for shots that aren't formally approved.

New Orleans is averaging 312 new infections per day, the highest since early April 2020. Though most cases are concentrated among unvaccinated residents, breakthrough cases have begun to occur in vaccinated populations.

Young children remain ineligible for the vaccines, and only 52% of the city's total population is fully protected from the disease, according to data from city officials.

At Tulane, all unvaccinated people will be required to test weekly after Aug. 23, officials said.

A random sample of vaccinated faculty, students and staff will also be tested twice a month. Employees will also be able to request tests as needed after Oct. 1, officials said.
This summer's low-oxygen dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico along the Louisiana coast covered 6,334 square miles - 10 times the size of Lake Pontchartrain and well above the average size for the past five years, researchers said Tuesday.

It encompasses a huge area of Gulf bottom waters that contains fewer than 2 parts per million of oxygen, a condition called hypoxia. Insufficient oxygen kills bottom-living organisms that form the base of the Gulf food chain, and it forces fish, crabs and shrimp to flee, often disrupting or driving up expenses for commercial fishers.

Scientists blame the dead zone on nutrient-rich freshwater that flows to the Gulf of Mexico through the Mississippi Rivers vast watershed, which includes parts of 32 states and two Canadian provinces. Freshwater exiting the Mississippi and Atchafalaya rivers creates a layer atop salty Gulf waters until its mixed by tropical storms in the summer or frontal systems in the fall.

The nutrients  including nitrogen and phosphorus from Midwest agriculture and from sewage  act as food for huge blooms of algae that grow in surface waters. The algae eventually dies and sinks to the bottom, where it is decomposed by microbes, using up oxygen in the saltier, deeper water layer.

This year, a lack of tropical storms, combined with winds mostly out of the south and a likely flow of water out of the mouth of the Mississippi River to the east, resulted in Gulf water containing the least oxygen collecting closer to the shoreline, especially to the west of the Atchafalaya Delta, said Nancy Rabalais, a marine biologist at Louisiana State University and the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium. Rabalais is the lead investigator for the annual cruise that measures oxygen content of coastal waters.

The hypoxia area this year was equal in area to the combined size of lakes Ontario and Erie. It was three times the size of last years dead zone, which was kept small by the winds and waves of Hurricane Hanna, and was the 16th largest measured during 35 years of coastal cruises.

Including 2021, the five-year average size of the dead zone is 5,380 square miles - 2.8 times larger than the goal set by a federal-state Hypoxia Task Force. That group is trying to reduce the size of the dead zone to a five-year average of 1,930 square miles by 2035.

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Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig, co-chair of the task force, praised U.S. Department of Agriculture grant programs for helping Midwest farmers reduce the flow of fertilizers from their lands. One program aims to develop wetlands to capture more nutrients in Iowa, and another helped plant a record 1.5 million acres of "cover crops" in Indiana to reduce the movement of nutrients into groundwater.

Doug Daigle, director of the Lower Mississippi River Sub-basin Committee on Hypoxia, said this year's increased hypoxia levels west of the Atchafalaya are a reminder that the river also drains northeast Louisiana, via its connection to the Black, Ouachita and Tensas rivers and their tributaries.

"Those basins are areas where Louisiana has been doing conservation and agricultural management work to reduce nutrient loads, which have a fairly straight route to the Gulf through the Atchafalaya," he said. Reducing nutrient runoff in those areas will also be critical in reaching the task force's nutrient reduction goals, he said.

Those efforts have not been enough during the past five years to make significant reductions in the size of the average dead zone. Indeed, the size reduction goal set by the task force has been delayed:

In 2008, the task force said it would be met by 2015.

In 2016, the task force pushed back the date to 2035 but added a provision calling for a 20% reduction in nitrogen and phosphorus in the river by 2025.

One reason for the setbacks might be the effects of global warming on rainfall in the Mississippi River basin, said Radhika Fox, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's assistant administrator for water.

"Climate is directly linked to water, including the flow of nutrient pollution into the Gulf of Mexico, she said. As we work to address the Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone, we must consider climate change and we must strengthen our collaboration and partnerships to make needed progress.

The two-week scientific research cruise in the dead zone found more hypoxic water than predicted in May by federal and state researchers; they had estimated the dead zone at only 4,880 square miles, based on spring flow rates of the Mississippi and Atchafalaya rivers and expected reductions in the amounts of nutrients entering the water from agriculture and wastewater treatment sites in the Mississippi River watershed.
New Orleans' ferries were idled for three hours Monday morning while the Regional Transit Authority worked to find operators compliant with its new COVID-19 vaccine mandate for transit employees.

The scramble came four days after the RTA's policy kicked in requiring that its more than 800 employees be fully vaccinated, receive the first dose of a two-shot series or claim a religious or medical exemption.

+3 RTA mandates COVID vaccines for employees; LaToya Cantrell in support The Regional Transit Authority is requiring its employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19, one of the first governmental agencies to issue 

Since the policy's effective date, 80% of the RTA's workforce, including contractors, have been fully or partially vaccinated or have requested an exemption, spokesperson Arian Randolph said. The other 20% have not been vaccinated and may not report to work, she said.

"With the exception of the brief interruption in ferry service, bus and streetcar service have not been negatively impacted due to the vaccine mandate," Randolph said.

The local president of the Amalgamated Transit Union, which represents the RTA's workers, did not immediately return a call for comment Tuesday.

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The RTA was one of the first public agencies in New Orleans to mandate vaccines for its employees. It did so as cases of the highly contagious delta variant of coronavirus have risen steadily in unvaccinated residents.

The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office took the same step in February, and Mayor LaToya Cantrell issued her own vaccine order for City Hall's 4,000 employees last week. Before that, most municipal employees had voluntarily received the shots, according to surveys that City Hall collected.

+2 New Orleans restores mask mandate in COVID surge, requires vaccines for employees Alarming speed of fourth wave has mayor restoring rule she revoked two months ago

New Orleans is averaging 304 new COVID cases per day, the most since April 7, 2020. Though 65% of New Orleans' adult population are fully vaccinated against the disease, children younger than 12 remain ineligible for the shots and there are still pockets of resistance in some neighborhoods, officials say.

Only about 51% of the city's total population is vaccinated, according to City Hall data. Cantrell, who last week ordered indoor masking, has said she will examine disease trends before deciding on more restrictions that could affect several large events scheduled for this fall.

Monday's brief delay in ferry service on the Mississippi River comes as residents have again begun to rely on the boats to get to and from work, after a series of problems kept the vessels, built in 2018, off the water for more than two years. Those problems were rectified after the RTA reached an agreement with the boat's builder, Metal Shark of Jeanerette.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey made waves last month when she said out loud what Louisiana John Bel Edwards couldnt, or wouldnt.

Its time to start blaming the unvaccinated folks, not the regular folks. Its the unvaccinated folks that are letting us down, she said. Asked how to convince the hesitant or outright hostile, who in Alabama as well as Louisiana make up far too high a proportion of the population, she effectively threw up her hands: I dont know. You tell me. Folks [are] supposed to have common sense.

Youre not going to hear an outburst like that from Edwards. As is well documented by now, vaccine hesitancy is at least somewhat correlated to politics, and Iveys moment  a Republican calling out her own tribe  had a Nixon-to-China vibe about it. Edwards, a Democrat in charge of a red state, tends to tread carefully around ideologically divisive matters. Besides, his specialty is soft persuasion, heavy on appeals be a good neighbor, to do the work required to return to normalcy, to think of overwhelmed health care workers, and, in Iveys words, to show some common sense.

But amid stark and terrifying evidence that none of that has worked, Edwards made clear Monday that hes also at the end of his rope.

As he announced the return of the dreaded mask mandate, he pushed the message that theres much more to fear than a piece of cloth. The announcement was press-conference-as-horror show, with brutally blunt testimony from medical leaders about the current reality at hospitals brimming with patients and hobbled by staffing shortages and employees infected themselves.

North Oaks Health System CEO Michelle Sutton talked of triaging the hospitals daily surgery schedule for operations that can be delayed. She told the heart-rending tale of one patient with a brain aneurysm learning the hospital couldnt handle his surgery, and then turning around and praying for the doctor whod told him.

Mark Kline, physician-in-chief at Childrens Hospital New Orleans, exploded the myth that kids not yet eligible for vaccines are safe.

"I am as worried about our children today as I have ever been, he said. The delta variant of COVID is every infectious disease specialist's and epidemiologist's worst nightmare."

Catherine ONeal from Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center minced no words.

These are the darkest days of this pandemic. We are no longer giving adequate care to patients, she said.

ONeal went on to describe emergency rooms stacked with patients as relatives called around in vain seeking a hospital able to admit them. She recounted a road trip in which she saw rice farmers and people riding motorcycles and ATVs, and could only think that if any of them were maimed  yes, she said maimed  they would not be able to get into a trauma center because theres simply no room at the inn.

She did offer one slightly hopeful note, in the form of plea: If we put on our masks, as weve done through the last several surges, we will see a decrease in hospitalizations again and that will give us time for newly administered vaccines to work.

Then Edwards returned to the mic and came as close to reading us all the riot act as he ever has. It wasnt his usual parental lecture, but an attempted intervention, less Father Knows Best than Scared Straight.

"Did you hear a word that was said up here by these health care professionals as to whats happening here in Louisiana? Do you give a damn?" he asked. "I do. ... 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."

Did it scare me? Sure, but then, Im not the target audience. I signed up for my shot the moment I became eligible.

If you havent been vaxxed or are complaining about having to put the mask back on, did it scare you? If not, is there anything at all that would?

As Ivey might put it, I really dont know what's left to say. You tell me.
Editor's Note This article is brought to you by Jefferson Parish Schools.

When students had to transition to virtual learning almost overnight in March 2020, there was concern among Jefferson Parish Schools teachers and parents. Many worried about how students would be impacted by the lack of daily in-person interactions and social supports.

But with schools returning to traditional classroom instruction, those in Jefferson Parish look back and realize that some new methods that arose from the pandemic have long-term benefits.

I think having to switch to virtual or hybrid learning forced our teachers to be more creative, said Amanda Ingargiola, a master teacher at Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy. When the pandemic hit, I was still collecting papers and grading by hand. Now, I use Google Classroom, and everything is so much easier. The kids can see their assignments quickly and the transparency of knowing when work was turned in has been great.

Jefferson Parish Schools focused on closing the digital divide during the pandemic. Its now a 1:1 district, which means every student has access to their own device. Ingargiola added that since so many teachers were using technology in new ways, collaboration and sharing ideas became more important than ever. Its a trend she hopes and expects will continue.

We have weekly cluster meetings, which have turned into professional learning communities, she said. Those are a good opportunity for teachers to share strategies that are working, talk about parent communication and work through our shift to Google Classroom.

The increased use of technology also helped special education teacher and department head Michele Pellissier connect with her students and their families. The John Q. Adams Middle teacher and Louisiana Teacher of the Year Finalist said many students now have electronic devices and connectivity at home to do schoolwork. Shes also used apps and educational platforms to communicate more frequently with parents, something Pellissier plans to continue.

Its become easier for parents to tap into our world and see what their kids are learning, Pellissier said. I want to continue that because it keeps parents in the educational loop. 

As a parent, Roland Bullard said the use of technology during the pandemic helped him recognize other ways to contact teachers besides phone calls. Now, Bullard is more likely to use email or a digital platform to stay in touch with teachers.

I thought they did a good job following up with the parents and the students about what was due, Bullard said. If they wanted to, they could have been really difficult about it, but nobody was. It was a different level of care and thats something I hope we continue to see.

Bullard is the father of two sons, a 7-year-old who attends Schneckenburger Elementary and a 14-year-old at Riverdale High. His younger son, who is more outgoing, adjusted to virtual classes and interacting with classmates and teachers through screens. Although Bullards older son, who is on the shy side, did well academically and stayed on task, Bullard said he could tell he struggled more, especially since parts of his freshman year of high school took place in a virtual or hybrid setting.

This year, I definitely want to make sure the emotional support is there, Bullard said. I served on a parent council this year and we did have some conversation about it, so its definitely on peoples minds.

Victoria Duhon, the mother of two Jefferson Parish students, said her childrens emotional well-being has also been top of mind. However, Duhon was encouraged when teachers conducted regular Zoom conferences last spring to ensure her kids were staying on track, had all necessary materials and could ask questions.

Ingargiola, now in her 21st year of teaching, said she saw the importance of such check-ins when she and other teachers sent students a Google form each Friday with questions about the week, upcoming assignments or fun personality traits.

I will never take that away, Ingargiola said. Its such a great way to see how kids are feeling. The last question is always, How can I support you?. The feedback was great, so thats something a lot of us are going to keep.

Duhon said the care of teachers was also evident when her children returned to in-person classes.

It was really eye-opening how much the teachers and school and staff really do love our kids, Duhon said. When I brought my kids back in August, the teachers were crying because they had missed them so much. It made us feel comfortable and reassured that they would take care of our babies. It made me realize how much love and care and concern they have, not only in education, but emotionally and physically for the kids.

Pellissier has been taking time this summer to reflect on the experience. One recurring thought is how well her students were able to adjust to completely new ways of learning, something she wants to keep in mind as teachers continue to try to innovate.

I think the kids did better than the adults, she said. They are pretty resilient and can adapt to a lot of different situations. When we went back in person, we had to stay in our little pods, but we found ways to make it happen. I was able to have lunch with them and talk to them about things bothering them. Overall, the kids were able to adapt and Im really proud of how well they did.
Politics Reporter

Reese Gorman covers politics and the COVID-19 pandemic for The Norman Transcript. He started as an intern in May of 2020 and transitioned into his current position as a staff writer in August of 2020.
West Milton, Pa.  An arrest warrant has been issued for a Montandon man who allegedly attempted to strangle a woman at a Kelly Township residence.

Pennsylvania State Police at Milton charged Alfred J. Iezzi, 32, with a second-degree felony strangulation charge, misdemeanor of simple assault, and a summary of harassment.

The charges were filed for a June 18 incident in which police responded to a reported of a domestic dispute at a residence on Broad Street.

The woman told Trooper Kyle Thorpe that she and Iezzi had gotten into an argument about taking her vehicle, according to the criminal complaint.

Iezzi allegedly threatened to take her phone and break it. The woman then kicked Iezzi in the genitals as he began to reach for the phone. Iezzi pushed the woman onto the couch and slapped the right side of her face leaving a mark.

He then put his hand around the womans throat and applied pressure to the point where the victim could not breathe and was in fear, according to the complaint.

The charges were filed at the office of District Judge Jeffrey A. Rowe.
Harrisburg, Pa.  As Pennsylvanias restaurants and small businesses continue to struggle from the effects of COVID-19 economic shutdowns, Pa Republicans urged Gov. Tom Wolf to prioritize their recovery with the $372 million pandemic response discretionary account his office received as part of the FY 2021-22 state budget.

In a co-sponsorship memo circulated Monday, Reps. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington/Allegheny) and Todd Polinchock (R-Bucks) called on Wolf to use the $372 million in the discretionary account to create two open and competitive grant programs designed to help struggling small businesses and create a fund dedicated to increasing Pennsylvanias vaccine awareness and deployment.

The top 5% of federal restaurant relief fund awardees received 40% of the money and only one-third of Pennsylvania restaurants that applied got any, Ortitay claimed.

Thats horrendous. The recent state budget provided the Wolf administration the resources needed to help struggling employers and the governor should make increased funding available.

According to the lawmakers' proposal, $150 million of the governors discretionary funds would be dedicated to a Small Restaurant Pandemic Relief Fund, and $150 million would be dedicated to a Pennsylvania Small Employer Pandemic Relief Fund; and finally $20 million would create a Vaccination Awareness Fund.

They advised the remaining $52 million should be available for the governor to provide pandemic relief on an as-needed basis.

We urge the governor to responsibly use these considerable resources given to him by the taxpayers and put together an open and transparent competitive grant program to help struggling restaurants and small businesses, while putting a portion of his discretionary funding behind our collective efforts to get more Pennsylvanians vaccinated, Polinchock added.

The public deserves to know their taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely, and not just for political favors. These proposals would help achieve dual goals of recovery and accountability, he said.

In the absence of legislation, the governor is not prohibited from using the pandemic response discretionary funds to create these programs on his own.
Jordan Prushinski of Luzerne County was apparently bitten by a shark on Monday in Ocean City, Maryland.

According to The Philly Voice and WBRE/WYOU, the 12-year-old victim was in shallow water when she felt something hit against her shins. She rushed out of the water and found multiple cuts and bleeding on her left leg.

Prushinski reportedly received 42 stitches.

The apparent attack is being investigated by the Ocean City Bay Patrol. According to sharkattackdata.com, there has not been a fatal, unprovoked shark attack in Maryland in over 100 years.
Calhoun, GA (30701)

Today

Overcast. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds light and variable..

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Overcast. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 67F. Winds light and variable.
Local

Foster death penalty case to go to high court for review

John Bailey, File In this file photo from February 2018, Floyd County Sheriffs Deputy Jason Pearce (right) unlocks the handcuffs on Timothy Tyrone Foster prior to a hearing in Floyd County Superior Court.

The grainy video begins, showing a white house on Highland Circle in 1986.

Moving around to the back of the house, the mechanical zoom of the camera whirs as Mike Reynolds, the Rome police officer working the case, takes focus on a green luggage tag.

Someone broke into the house by prying out a wall-mounted air-conditioning unit, Reynolds said, scanning over to the black plastic used to cover the open window.

Reynolds pans the camera along a trail of small items, documenting each of them, until he finds several footprints leading to nearby Church Street.

His investigation began after the sister of 79-year-old Queen Madge White found her brutally beaten body in the bedroom of her Highland Circle home.

White had lived by herself at the home, retired after teaching for over 30 years. By all accounts she was loved by her friends, former co-workers and students.

On Aug. 27, 1986, at approximately 8:30 p.m., a friend took White to choir practice and brought her back to her home near the Coosa Valley Fairgrounds.

White spoke with her sister on the telephone around 9 p.m. The next morning, her sister discovered her body and called police.

Police arrived and began their investigation. They found White covered up to her chin by a blanket. Her face was covered in talcum powder. She had been badly beaten as well as sexually molested and strangled.

As Reynolds used the video camera to document the evidence in the ransacked house, he commented on what the investigators believed happened.

He also asked questions about what likely happened to White as crime lab personnel removed her body from the home.

Georgia high court review

One of the issues discussed in a Floyd County Superior Court hearing Tuesday concerning the retrial of the man originally convicted in Whites death was whether that video could be used as evidence.

Special The original indictment from 1986 in the Timothy Foster case. That conviction was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2016.

Timothy Tyrone Foster, who is now 53, was sentenced to death in 1987 for Whites murder.

But Foster appealed the case a number of times on the state level and it was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2016.

The high court cited Batson v. Kentucky in its ruling that the Floyd County district attorney at that time had struck Black jurors from the trial on the basis of their race.

Timothy Tyrone Foster

After his conviction was overturned, Foster was brought to the Floyd County Jail in March 2017 from Georgias death row in Jackson. In 2018, the state expressed its intent to seek the death penalty and the process to try him for murder began again.

There will be some difficulties presenting the 35-year-old case for trial. Original case files have been lost, only copies remain, and many of the witnesses have died or are experiencing health issues.

Hearing

Reynolds, the police officer who took video of the crime scene, died in 2020. Hed retired as a captain of the Rome Police Department in 2004.

During a pre-trial hearing Tuesday, prosecutors and Fosters attorneys presented arguments about what pieces of evidence should be admissible in the trial.

Arguing that the video should not be admitted, one of Fosters attorneys, Shayla Galloway, said the lead investigators speculation could lead jurors astray.

This isnt just anybody, Galloway told the court. This is the person running the show. Thats problematic to me.

Floyd County Superior Court Judge William Billy Sparks told the attorneys he intends to allow the video but may determine that portions of Reynolds assessment of the evidence be removed.

Other items discussed Tuesday included statements from Whites family members, which would be introduced in the sentencing phase of the case if Foster is again convicted.

Death penalty cases in Georgia have two phases, the trial phase and the sentencing phase. The sentencing phase is a mini-trial in and of itself and is when jurors will determine if the defendant is sentenced to death.

John Bailey, File In this January 2021 file photo, Lisa Stubbs testifies in a pre-trial hearing for Timothy Tyrone Foster in Floyd County Superior Court. Stubbs was dating Foster in 1986 and led police to items Foster is accused of stealing from the home of Queen Madge White when she was killed.

The court has heard hundreds of motions in this iteration of the Foster case in a series of hearings since 2018. The hearing Tuesday was the last one before the case is sent to the Georgia Supreme Court for review.

Review

If the high court decides to review several questions it may be another year or two before the case comes to trial. If not, the age of the case gives it precedence.

If the Supreme Court doesnt take this case were going to try this case in the beginning of next year, Judge Sparks told the attorneys.

Among those questions sent up for review is a defense motion regarding a claim of Fosters intellectual disability.

Special This clipping of the 1993 article from the Rome News-Tribune concerning a challenge to the original conviction of Timothy Tyrone Foster.

Fosters attorneys argued that, while he was 18 when the murder was committed, his intellectual disabilities meant he was not functioning as an adult at the time.

Floyd County Assistant District Attorney Kevin Salmon earlier argued that a civil jury ruled 20 years ago that Foster did not suffer from a mental disability that would prohibit the state from imposing the death sentence.

On that issue, Sparks ruled the case could move forward.

Other questions that will be sent to the high court concern a motion seeking to bar the death penalty as well as other motions filed by Fosters defense team.

Near the end of the hearing, Sparks asked Foster directly if he had any objections or issues with the performance of his counsel.

Foster declined to answer the question.
Rome, GA (30161)

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Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 69F. Winds light and variable..

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Rome, GA (30161)

Today

Cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 69F. Winds light and variable..

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Cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 69F. Winds light and variable.
Napoleon, OH (43545)

Today

Partly to mostly cloudy with scattered showers and thunderstorms developing overnight. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%..

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Partly to mostly cloudy with scattered showers and thunderstorms developing overnight. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.
An incredible video clip of the upcoming Xiaomi Mi Mix 4 has been leaked just as the company finally announced a release date for the smartphone. The Mi Mix 4s flexible screen panel is being tested in the video, which also reveals just how well hidden the front-facing under-display camera (UDC) is.

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It was already predicted that the Xiaomi Mi Mix 4 would be launched on August 10, and now the Chinese OEM itself has officially announced that is the correct release date. While there are still many secrets shrouding the Mi Mix 4, which is expected to show off a host of innovative features, it has long been believed that the smartphone would come with an under-display camera (UDC).

A video clip of the Mi Mix 4 has been shared by Digital Chat Station on Weibo  although its not the smartphone in its entirety. Its actually just the devices panel that appears here, with the flexible screen being bent and twisted to show how it retains display content integrity. However, there is a little surprise nearer to the end, as when the screen is darkened and then turned off a punch-hole for the selfie camera becomes visible.

Its actually worth watching the Xiaomi Mi Mix 4 video clip (see below) a few times as it is the flexibility of the upcoming smartphones panel that initially grabs the viewers attention. In reality it is the UDC that is the star of the show here, as the flexible panel will be later encased in a likely curved ceramic body. At first there is no sign of a camera on the Mi Mix 4s home screen or during a gaming session, and the UDC is only revealed when the display gets darker.

Buy the Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 on Amazon
Qualcomm looks like it is preparing a new Snapdragon Wear chip to coincide with the launch of Google and Samsungs Wear OS 3. The new chip appears to carry the Snapdragon Wear 5100 branding that would make the successor to last years Snapdragon Wear 4100.

4 Reviews , News , CPU , GPU , Articles , Columns , Other "or" search relation. 5G , Accessory , Alder Lake , AMD , Android , Apple , ARM , Audio , Business , Camera , Cannon Lake , Cezanne (Zen 3) , Charts , Chinese Tech , Chromebook , Coffee Lake , Comet Lake , Console , Convertible / 2-in-1 , Cryptocurrency , Cyberlaw , Deal , Desktop , Exclusive , Fail , Foldable , Gadget , Galaxy Note , Galaxy S , Gamecheck , Gaming , Geforce , Google Pixel , GPU , How To , Ice Lake , Intel Evo / Project Athena , Internet of Things (IoT) , iOS , iPad Pro , iPhone , Jasper Lake , Lakefield , Laptop , Launch , Linux / Unix , Lucienne (Zen 2) , MacBook , Mini PC , Monitor , MSI , OnePlus , Opinion , Phablet , Radeon , Renoir , Review Snippet , Rocket Lake , Rumor , Ryzen (Zen) , Science , Security , Smart Home , Smartphone , Smartwatch , Software , Storage , Tablet , ThinkPad , Thunderbolt , Tiger Lake , Touchscreen , Ultrabook , Virtual Reality (VR) / Augmented Reality (AR) , Wearable , Windows , Workstation , XPS , Zen 3 (Vermeer) Ticker

Qualcomm hasnt exactly been bending over backwards with its Snapdragon Wear-branded SoCs -- certainly not in the same way that it has been focused on improving the performance of its smartphone SoCs. This is perhaps understandable given that Android-based smartwatches havent exactly set the world on fire in terms of sales. This looks like it could be set to change, however, following an analysis of new Qualcomm code uncovered by XDA Developers.

In particular, a new code with the build ID LAW.UM.2.0-00700-SW5100.0 points to the Snapdragon Wear 5100 at the end. The chip is also referred to by the code name monaco, which, according to XDA Developers, is based on Qualcomms existing bengal platform. Qualcomms mid and low end Snapdragon 662 and 460 platforms comprise its bengal family of smartphone SoCs. The good news is that this should mean that instead of being based on the high-efficiency Arm Cortex-A53 cores as the Snapdragon Wear 4100 SoC, the new 5100 SoC should be based on the higher performance Arm Cortex-A73 cores.

Given all we have seen from the past two iterations of Snapdragon Wear SoCs from Qualcomm have been improvements in efficiency, the new Snapdragon Wear 5100 should deliver a decent performance boost. While it is unlikely to match the Apple S6 SoC found in the Apple Watch Series 6, it should deliver noticeably smoother overall performance. Coupled with the soon to launch Google and Samsung developed Wear OS 3, 2021 is looking promising for fans of Android-based smartwatches. No news yet on which smartwatch will be the first to debut the Snapdragon Wear 5100 but announcements shouldnt be too far away.

Buy the Mobvoi Ticwatch Pro 3 smartwatch with Snapdragon Wear 4100+ from Amazon for US$300, a saving of US$45.
GEM Fellowship Brings Diverse Top-Tier Talent to NREL

Aug. 4, 2021

A fellowship at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is packed with hands-on renewable energy research with world-class mentors. And for 24 NREL interns, the GEM Fellowship is an opportunity to increase representation in their fields.

The Graduate Education Minority (GEM) Fellowship organization recruits underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) who are in graduate school or interested in going to graduate school. In the 10 weeks of a summer internship, the GEM Fellowship provides an opportunity to highly qualified students in need of financial support to pursue an advanced education.

NRELs 2021 class of GEM fellows is the largest in the laboratorys history with the program.

NREL is committed to our GEM partnership and striving to be a pipeline to recruit, attain, and support diverse talent, said NREL Associate Laboratory Director for Mechanical and Thermal Engineering Sciences and former GEM Fellow Johney Green. Our commitment to these top-tier students continues to grow, as apparent by our largest class of GEM fellows to date.

Eric Allee: Building Relationships in Building Science

A new feature of this years program is a dual mentorship initiative with the Department of Energys (DOEs) Building Technologies Office (BTO). Six of the 24 NREL GEM fellows are a part of this inaugural programthe largest group of BTO fellows in the national laboratory system.

GEM fellow Eric Allee is working with NREL researchers on the efficiency of distributed DC power in various building types. Photo courtesy of Eric Allee

Participating in the unique dual fellowship with BTO is Eric Allee, who completed his Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and will be pursuing his Ph.D. through GEM at his alma mater.

Its the most cohesive internship I have been a part of, Allee said. Im being exposed to so much more than any other internship program I have had. Im not only seeing the research side, but Im also included in how the administrative side works.

Allee is using NRELs open-source tool Building Electrical Efficiency Analysis Module, or BEEAM, to run simulations of distribution systems, analyzing power losses for residential buildings. With NRELs Kim Trenbath and BTOs Wyatt Merrill, Allee is performing comparative analysis between AC and DC distribution systems for residential homes and developing documentation to ensure the tool is easy to use for those unfamiliar with it.

Allee knows a thing or two about feeling in unfamiliar territory. Originally from San Antonio, Texas, he attended San Antonio College but transferred to Arkansas, away from everything he knew and far from his family, after meeting a professor who offered him a job.

I had no family near me. I was new and didnt have any friends. It was a big shift, Allee said. My first semester was terrible. But I was able to stick through it.

Powering his drive to succeed was Allees desire to get a good job and avoid returning to one he did not enjoy. Allee began his collegiate career at Texas A&M University, but, right out of high school, he was not prepared for college and ultimately took seven years off. During those years, Allee refused to become stagnant. He worked in retail and food service, saving money to return to school.

The experience really gave me the motivation to stick through school, no matter how hard it was, Allee said. I didnt want to go back to work at the restaurant.

Allee is aware of the opportunity afforded to him through the GEM program. Another NREL employee familiar with that opportunity is NREL Buildings Laboratory Program Manager Roderick Jackson, who was mentored by Green and awarded the 2016 National GEM Consortium Alumni of the Year. Jackson credits the GEM Fellowship for helping him gain exposure to the national laboratory environment and further develop his career.

"Many of these early-career candidates with great technical expertise do not have prior knowledge of the national labs," Jackson said. Through this BTO partnership we have the opportunity to open more doors for underrepresented groups in the crucial building science space.

By coming to NREL, GEM students continue to pursue their passions in STEM while cultivating a vast network of resources designed to help prepare them for future endeavors.

Breanna Shi: Machine Learning With Biofuels and Beyond

Since Breanna Shi will be only 20 years old when she completes her masters in mathematics and computational biology from the University of Minnesota, she has a lot of future endeavors to prepare for. At age 17, Shi graduated high school and secured her associate's degree. Two years later, she received her bachelors in mathematics at Stetson University.

Breanna Shi, NREL GEM fellow, combines education and performance to reach more people interested in STEM topics. Photo courtesy of Breanna Shi

While at NREL, Shi is diving into machine learning with NRELs Yannick Bomble and John Yarbrough. Through machine learning, Shi is teaching a computer to recognize specific proteins in biofuels. Her work is building off a machine learning technique Yarbrough used to help reduce the effects of wind turbines on animals such as bats and birds.

The research Im doing has broad impacts and can be used in a lot of different applications, Shi said. It combines my interest of biology and my mathematical and computer science skills. While math and science are the skills Shi is using most at NREL, she hopes to incorporate her other skills, like performing, to reach people and make STEM subjects more approachable. In addition to excelling in school, Shi hosted a late-night rock and roll radio show, performed in open-mic nights, was the youngest tutor at her schools Tutoring Center, and is currently teaching courses.

I want to make mathematics and science entertaining for people, Shi said. I like to combine performance and technical aspects to reach people. Thats what I would hope to bring when I become a professor.

Shis mother, who is Puerto Rican and Jewish, is a teacher, which Shi says contributes to her desire to become an educator. In fact, Shi credits much of her success and path to her current fellowship to mentors like her mother. This is something Shi hopes to pass on to the next GEM fellows.

A lot of good mentors in my life brought me to NREL, Shi said. A person who is from a background similar to mine may not be aware of the things that are out there, and GEM connects you with resources you might not have known about. Its played a connecting role for me.

Kevin Rivera Cruz: Solutions Through Energy Storage Technologies and Mentorship

Kevin Rivera Cruz would also not be at NREL without his mentors. At just two years old, Rivera Cruz lost his father and was raised by his mother and grandparents. Rivera Cruzs uncle, who was a chemical engineer, also played a significant role in his life and choice to enter a STEM field. Rivera Cruz attributes any success he has to his uncles mentorship.

I had the best opportunities in Puerto Rico because my uncle stepped in, Rivera Cruz said. I owe everything to his efforts. Hes my role model and boosted my curiosity in chemistry.

Kevin Rivera-Cruz discusses his electrochemical deposition experiment on a three-electrode electrochemical cell with his mentor Mike Carroll in NREL's Solar Energy Research Facility. Photo by Dennis Schroeder, NREL

While completing his bachelor's in chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico, Cayey Campus, Rivera Cruz found his next mentor and his new passion. Professor Dalvin Mendez introduced Rivera Cruz to a path in chemistry research; through this opportunity, he participated in various research opportunities and conferences in both the continental United States and Puerto Rico. From these experiences, he decided that his next career step was to obtain his Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry. Now at the University of Michigan, he is mentored by Professors Charles McCrory, an experimental electrochemist, and Paul Zimmerman, a computational chemist.

The GEM fellowship opens a door for him to reach more students and become a mentor while also pursuing his research passions. Rivera Cruz is already mentoring others at Michigan and Puerto Rico by engaging with undergraduate students and strive to increase diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within academia.

My passion is mentoring because I believe I am the man that I am today because I had mentors in my life, Rivera Cruz said. Im Black, Hispanic, and identify as a part of the LGBTQ communitytheres not a lot like me. I believe being a mentor or teacher can show others like me that they can do it too.

Working with NRELs Mike Carroll, Rivera Cruz is researching batteries, a subject very personal to him. While in Puerto Rico, Rivera Cruz has lived through many natural disasters, specifically hurricanes. In 2017, Hurricane Maria devastated the island in what Rivera Cruz described as the most traumatic experience of his life, leaving him and his family without electricity for six months.

From that, I felt the need to move from the complete dependence on fossil fuels electricity to cleaner renewable energy sources and batteries to create a microgrid for a more localized solution," Rivera Cruz said. Being able to work in this field and being constantly reminded that the island struggles with power by my family back home only fuels my desire to work on this problem.

Multilaboratory Energy Planning Support for Puerto Rico

NREL provides Puerto Rico stakeholders with tools, training, and modeling support to enable planning and operation of the electric power grid with more resilience against further disruptions. Since Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria in September 2017, NREL has partnered on this effort with DOE and other national laboratories. NREL provides Puerto Rico stakeholders with tools, training, and modeling support to enable planning and operation of the electric power grid with more resilience against further disruptions. Since Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria in September 2017, NREL has partnered on this effort with DOE and other national laboratories. Learn more about this program

Sarah LaVallie: Wind Research Drives Hope for Tribes

Despite being far from Puerto Rico, the challenges of improving ones community connect all the way to Sarah LaVallie in North Dakota near the Canadian border where, as a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, she grew up on a reservation.

It was a pretty impoverished area, and you could see people not be able to afford heat in the winter, LaVallie said. I see renewable energy being really impactful. This is something close to my heart and has fueled my desire to contribute to this field.

Sarah LaVallie (far right) participated in a DOE Office of Indian Energy internship before joining NREL for a GEM fellowship. Photo by Stanley Atcitty

Before joining NREL, LaVallie learned about the laboratory through an internship with the DOE Office of Indian Energys summer internship program. That experience not only introduced LaVallie to NREL through her use of tools like the Wind Prospector and NRELs Tribal Energy Atlas, but it also solidified her desire to work in renewables.

I was reading a lot of research from NREL and used a lot of the maps and tools from NREL for my internship, LaVallie said. After that, it became a goal of mine to work at NREL someday.

LaVallies NREL mentor, Nick Johnson, is particularly qualified to assist her. He too is Native American and was an NREL intern and a DOE Office of Indian Energy intern. Johnson now leads NRELs Big Adaptive Rotor Project (BAR), which aims to maximize the advantages of large-scale rotors and their potential for increased energy generation.

While at NREL, LaVallie is contributing to the BAR project by investigating the impact of different wind profiles at elevations above 400 meters and determining their effects on loads for increasing wind turbine rotor sizes using OpenFAST aeroelastic simulations.

From a young age, LaVallie was interested in STEM, but she credits her mother and father for imparting a strong desire to protect the environment. LaVallies mother was very involved in efforts to preserve the tribes clean water. Her father taught her about the environment and its importance.

After graduating from North Dakota State University with a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering, LaVallie moved on to the University of Minnesota where she is pursuing a masters in science, technology, and environmental policy. Through the GEM Fellowship, LaVallie can pursue her passions and give back to her community.

Im really grateful that I received this fellowship, LaVallie said. Its really impactful for a lot of us. Its a great community of multicultural scientists and engineers, and its very empowering to be a part of it and support each other.

Amy Chacon: Community and Support Fuel Innovation

After moving across the country from Brooklyn, New York, to Colorado during the pandemic, Amy Chacon was searching for community and was finding it difficult. But she is not intimidated by difficulty. That is one of the reasons she found herself at NREL, where she has been able to find community in the times of lockdown and social distancing.

At NREL, Chacon is working with Gina Fioroni on diesel fuel compounds with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from large vehicle transportation. Before coming to Golden, Colorado, Chacon had never worked in fuels research before.

The research has big implications and is a top priority, Chacon said. It impacts a lot: large transpiration includes aviation, marine transportation, and heavy-duty vehicles.

Amy Chacon uses a DSC/TGA instrument at NREL to measure key fuel properties, in particular the heat of vaporization for potential biofuels. Photo by Dennis Schroeder, NREL

While she is new to fuels, much of Chacons undergraduate research had environmental implication that helped spur her interest in renewable energy and green technology. At the City College of New York, Chacon researched eco-friendly surfactants that could help with the remediation of large marine oil spills and using chemicals to reduce the size of spills.

Her interest in chemistry comes from a person close to Chacon. Her godfather is a chemical engineer who encouraged her to pursue her interest in science and mathand to not be intimidated.

He was one of my inspirations for even going into the majora very difficult major, Chacon said. Being able to see how hardworking he is and how inspired he was by his work, it just inspired me as well.

It is not just the work that can be difficult, Chacon said, but also the barriers for many people like her. With the help of the GEM Fellowship, she has been able to make connections and overcome many of those hurdles.

In the simplest way, the GEM Fellowship has opened up opportunities for me, and without it I wouldnt be getting my masters right now, Chacon said. Being Hispanic and a woman, it has been quite difficult to find jobs. Having the degree isnt enough, and the GEM Fellowship has helped me find a new opportunity."

GEM Fellows' Advice to Future STEM Students

Amy: Always be persistent, no matter what, because there are always going to be challenges. Always be open to new opportunities as well.

Breanna: Its hard, but you can do this. Its not out of your reach. If you put the work in, you will see the rewards.

Eric: Youre going to feel stupid at times, but its all attainable with a little bit of willpower and support and supporting others will get you through it all. If its something you want to do, stick with it.

Kevin: Our planet needs us. We need more eager students in the STEM fields who have different experiences, different motivations, and different backgrounds to reach a cleaner energy transition.

Sarah: Dont be afraid to ask questions and ask for help when you need it! Its also extremely valuable to network and get involved with extracurriculars related to your field of interest.

Learn more about NRELs commitment to diversity and internship opportunities.

Kaitlyn DuBose
Froma Harrop: Voters really do want order on the border
Northwest Indiana Green Drinks will host a virtual presentation on "Beaches & Neighborhoods: How to Create a Cleaning and Caring Culture" Thursday in the hope of inspiring people to clean up the environment where they live.

The Zoom and Facebook meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. It's billed as BYOB in keeping with the "green drinks" theme.

"This is a Zoom and Facebook Live meeting at your chosen place with your own eats and drinks. Discover with Nora Ryszka and Mike Kilbourne, awardees of the first Nora L. Schultz Tribute Sustainability Award, how they were inspired to clean up their beach and neighborhoods thereby creating a culture of mutual care," organizers said in a press release. "Grab a delightful libation and some delicious eats at your place while you learn from Mike and Nora how to join them in their efforts at 'Monday Mornings! Beach Clean Up' and 'The Great Michigan City Green Clean' or start a movement in your community where you live."

Paul Stofko of Crazy Legs Race Series, Friends of Indiana Dunes and the Chesterton Garbage Grabbers also will discuss their ongoing cleanup efforts at the Indiana Dunes National Park and Indiana Dunes State Park.
There was discussion about giving Veracco the authority to revise the plan if Lake County were to see an increase in cases, but the board wanted to have more discussion about the specific language and parameters for that.

The final vote to make masks optional came after an extended period of public comment during which roughly 20 people spoke.

Parents from both sides of the issue called on the school board to put the kids first. For some parents, that meant letting them decide whats best for their child and making masks optional. Others felt that mandating masks for students under 12 is the only way to keep them safe until they can be vaccinated.

The parent of a 10-year-old said masking and social distancing are the only protection his son has, so he wanted to see masks required this year.

"The fact that I have to be here to try to convince you to do the right thing is disheartening and baffling," he said.
HOBART  A helicopter and police tracked down a man who fled after an armed car jacking in a shopping hub Tuesday morning.

At 10:06 a.m. a woman told police that two men approached her in the 2900 block of East 79th Avenue in Hobart, a large strip mall across from Southlake Mall.

She said one of the men pointed a gun at her and the two got inside her vehicle and fled, said Hobart Police Department Capt. James Gonzales.

The woman's vehicle had tracking capabilities, giving police a location of the vehicle, which at the time was at 47th Avenue and Broadway. Police alerted other officers, who arrived in the area with the assistance of the Lake County Sheriff's Department Aviation Unit.

As police and the helicopter approached a man was seen exiting the driver's side of the stolen vehicle and fled on foot going west. The Aviation Unit tracked his movements and Hobart officers were able to arrest him.

Police took a second man into custody a block away from where the stolen vehicle was found. Currently authorities are unable to confirm if the second man was involved in the carjacking due to a separate battery incident police responded to in the same area, Gonzales said.
HOBART  A military veteran, former police officer and graduate of Lake Countys Veterans Treatment Court who was wanted on an out-of-state warrant was arrested Tuesday night and is awaiting extradition to answer child sex-related charges, police said.

Carlos Villarreal, 36, was taken into custody at a home in the 200 block of Virginia Street, Hobart police Capt. James Gonzales said. Villarreal was taken to the Lake County Jail and is awaiting extradition to North Carolina where he has been charged with sexual offense on a child and indecency involving a child, according to police.

Hobart authorities were alerted to Villarreals presence in Lake County around 8 p.m. Tuesday by a detective in North Carolina, who said he had information that Villarreal was living at the Virginia Street address and added that neighbors saw Villarreal packing up a van earlier Tuesday.

Gonzales said officers decided to call in the Northwest Regional SWAT team to attempt to enter the residence after Villarreal did not come to the door when they arrived. Not long after SWAT was contacted, Villarreal surrendered to Hobart officers on the scene.
Schuitema is being represented by Dan Calhoun, Ben Murphy and Chris Cooper. Currently, Schuitema is still trying to recover from her injuries. Her attorneys said that some of the injuries she suffered are permanent, causing incurred medical expenses, physical pain, mental pain, disfigurement and an inability to engage in normal activities.

"Further, (Schuitema) suffered emotional distress from the loss of her 2-year-old minor child, Melania Gwinn," the suit states.

Legal representatives said at this time the family does not wish to speak with the media.

The defendant and property owner of Pine Village, formerly known as Ravinia Pines, is named as M.R.R. 2036 South Michigan LLC in the lawsuit. The company could not immediately be reached for comment.

In the lawsuit, Schuitema's attorneys state M.R.R. 2036 South Michigan LLC had contracted with the Town of New Chicago to provide water to the residents of the mobile home park, which included water supply for fire protection.

Due to lack of fire hydrants near the burning mobile home, firefighters were forced to access a fire hydrant outside of Pine Village, the lawsuit alleges.
HAMMOND  A prominent white-collar criminal who ripped off former friends and business clients lost an audacious bid for freedom.

U.S. District Court Judge Philip P. Simon is denying prison release to Jack Weichman, saying the 69-year-old Dyer mans fears of dying in prison of COVID-19 appear to be overblown.

The judge added Weichman appears less then remorseful about his 10-year crime spree of bank fraud, bankruptcy fraud, wire fraud and tax fraud.

Simon states in his ruling this week, (Weichman) cheated the IRS, lied to the bankruptcy court and its creditors, and stole millions of dollars out of his client accounts to pay for luxury items and to feed his gambling addiction.

Weichman has only served about 3 years of his 8-year sentence, and I dont think it would serve justice to let him out at this early juncture, the judge concluded.

Weichman recently petitioned the court, worried that COVID-19 poses a deadly threat to him because of his pre-existing health conditions.

Weichman said he has hypertension, vascular disease, and pre-diabetes.
LAPORTE  The eldest child of Randy Allen, who was allegedly killed and dismembered by his wife at their LaPorte apartment, said she was unaware of any signs her father's life was at risk.

"He didn't give me any indication that she was crazy," said Jakelia Dooley-Jones, of South Bend.

But Dooley-Jones said other family members had heard about run-ins with the accused, Thessalonica Allen, 34, of LaPorte.

"It was definitely a shock," the 31-year-old said of the news of her father's killing and the details of the crime.

Randy Allen, who was 50 and from South Bend, was a father of five children and had none in common with Thessalonica Allen, his wife of nearly one year, Dooley-Jones said.

"He was a sweet person," she said. "He was caring. He was nurturing."

While Thessalonica Allen told police Randy Allen had been beating her and her two teenage children, Dooley-Jones does not believe the accusations.

"That's not true," she said, reflecting on the experience of herself and her two sisters and two brothers. "He's not like that."

"I tell you, my dad was the nicest person you will run across," Dooley-Jones said.
INDIANAPOLIS  The Indiana Supreme Court on Tuesday denied an emergency request by state Attorney General Todd Rokita to stall Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb's 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.

The Republican attorney general asked the Indiana Supreme Court to order the trial court hearing the case to "cease all proceedings" in the lawsuit, arguing that Holcomb's lawsuit does not meet the narrow standard for cases can filed with the Supreme Court.

The emergency request was turned down 5-0 by the court without comment.

A request for a permanent writ is still pending, with briefs due Friday. The next hearing in Marion Superior Court is scheduled for Sept. 10.
JOHANNESBURG (AP)  The cars lined up by the strikingly modern mosque and were guided to parking bays where the drivers soon got jabs.

The brisk pace at the Houghton mosque COVID-19 vaccination center is seeing 700 people per day getting shots and is expected to soon reach 1,000 a day.

This is exciting! Were vaccinating more people than we expected, said Yaseen Theba, chairman of the Muslim Association of South Africa a day after the vaccination center opened last week. We created this drive-thru site to accommodate as many people as possible, in a situation where they are comfortable. And it's working! We'll keep it going as long as people need to get vaccinated.

Hitting its stride after a faltering start, South Africa's mass vaccination drive gave jabs to 220,000 people a day last week and is accelerating toward the goal of 300,000 per day. With large deliveries of doses arriving and some vaccines being assembled here, South Africa appears on track to inoculate about 35 million of its 60 million people by the end of the year and 40 million by February.
It's amazing the amount of disinformation that can spread like wildfire when it suits the political leanings of any given person. A recent letter writer asks, "So why are we allowing schools to teach white children to hate themselves and their families through the insidious 'Critical Race Theory' program?

My question is, "Where are these schools, in particular, that are teaching CRT?" Indiana teachers instruct their students according to state standards, and there is no basis for claiming CRT is part of our state's public school curriculum, nor have I seen any evidence that this is even being considered.

I have been employed by a local public school system for 26 years, and I have experience in both the elementary and middle school levels. No teacher, including myself, has been teaching white children to hate themselves. The mere suggestion is preposterous, and it is disingenuous to imply this is happening or that it's already part of an established "program," as the writer states.

The truth is that there appears to be a need to create political friction where none exists, while tossing in Bible quotes and providing the fuel of fear that draws a particular segment of our citizenry to encourage manufactured outrage.

Mark Ashmann, Griffith

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Chris Wiggins moved to Manhattan with two friends in 2013 after they graduated from the University of Central Florida in Orlando. They split a one-bedroom apartment in Manhattans South Street Seaport neighborhood.

At the same time, Annie Jackson moved into the same building with two of her friends. Soon after they settled in, Taylor Klessens, one of Ms. Jacksons roommates, struck up a conversation in the elevator with Mike Morgan, one of Mr. Wiggins roommates. They discovered that they not only lived on the same floor, but directly across the hall from each other.

Mike was the most ambitious when it came to meeting new friends, Mr. Wiggins said. After he learned about our neighbors, he delivered Ferrero Rocher chocolates to the girls doorstep with a note saying Lets get together soon.

A few days later, the men and women crossed paths on the buildings roof deck. They hit it off and were nearly inseparable from that point on. From day one, we had an open-door policy, said Ms. Jackson, a publicist at Small Girls PR and a graduate of Utah State University. The boys apartment was ours and ours was theirs.
Many states, cities, businesses and schools have been scrambling to institute new mandates since Tuesday, when the federal health authorities recommended that even fully vaccinated people should wear masks again in public indoor spaces in Delta-variant hot spots and urged universal masking in schools.

Not Texas.

In an executive order issued on Thursday, Gov. Greg Abbott, the Republican governor of the nations second-largest state, prohibited local governments and state agencies from mandating vaccines, saying that protection against the virus should be a matter of personal responsibility, not forced by a government edict.

The order also reinforced his prior directive prohibiting local officials from requiring face masks, despite growing calls from city leaders for greater flexibility to reverse the renewed spread of Covid.
Deaths from Covid-19 were surging across Africa in June when 100,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine arrived in Chad. The delivery seemed proof that Covax, the United Nations-backed program to immunize the world, could get the most desirable vaccines to the least developed countries.

Yet five weeks later, Chads health minister said, 94,000 doses remained unused.

Nearby in Benin, only 267 shots were being given each day, a pace so slow that 110,000 of the programs AstraZeneca doses expired. Across Africa, confidential documents from July indicated, the program was monitoring at least nine countries where it said doses intended for the poor were at risk of spoiling this summer.

The vaccine pileup illustrates one of the most serious unrecognized problems facing the immunization program: difficulty getting doses from airport tarmacs into peoples arms.

Covax was supposed to be a global powerhouse, a multibillion-dollar alliance of international health bodies and nonprofits that would ensure that poor countries received vaccines as quickly as the rich. Instead, it has struggled to acquire doses: It stands half a billion short of its goal.
Im white, he said. Im sorry, I cant change that.

At one point, someone on the plane yelled for his mouth to be taped shut. A few moments later, a crew member wrapped Mr. Berrys mouth and chin with tape, which the airline employee quickly lowered away from his mouth. Mr. Berry yelled help several times, followed by an announcement by the crew that the flight was about to land.

Mr. Berry was booked into the Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department on Sunday and was released later that day. Court date information was not immediately available from the department.

The trouble began when Mr. Berry ordered his third alcoholic beverage of the flight and brushed his empty cup against a flight attendants backside, according to the criminal complaint, which said that the flight attendant told him dont touch me.

Mr. Berry, who had been sitting in seat 28D, then emerged from the bathroom shirtless after spilling his drink, prompting a flight attendant to tell him that he needed to be fully dressed, the complaint said. The flight attendant helped him get a shirt out of his carry-on luggage, and Mr. Berry walked around the cabin for about 15 minutes.

Thats when he groped the breasts of another flight attendant, who told him not to touch her and to sit down, the authorities said. In the criminal complaint, officers wrote that Mr. Berry later put his arms around the same two flight attendants and groped their breasts.

When a male flight attendant approached and asked him several times to calm down, officers said, Mr. Berry punched him in the face with a closed fist.

Sara Nelson, the president of the Association of Flight Attendants, said in a statement on Tuesday that the encounter was one of the worst disruptions experienced by airline crews this year.
Climate change is threatening emperor penguins with extinction in much of their range, federal wildlife officials said on Tuesday as they announced a proposal to protect them under the Endangered Species Act.

The penguins live much of the year on Antarctic sea ice, which is disappearing or breaking apart because of the heat-trapping gases released by humans use of fossil fuels. The penguins need the ice to breed, raise their young and escape predators.

The decisions made by policymakers today and during the next few decades will determine the fate of the emperor penguin, Martha Williams, principal deputy director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, said in a statement.

If listed as threatened, the birds would join a couple dozen species that the federal government considers threatened by climate change, including polar bears, two kinds of seals and 20 coral varieties.
Recently, a 28-year-old patient died of Covid-19 at CoxHealth Medical Center in Springfield, Mo. Last week, a 21-year-old college student was admitted to intensive care.

Many of the patients with Covid-19 now arriving at the hospital are not just unvaccinated  they are much younger than 50, a stark departure from the frail, older patients seen when the pandemic first surged last year.

In Baton Rouge, La., young adults with none of the usual risk factors for severe forms of the disease  such as obesity or diabetes  are also arriving in E.R.s, desperately ill. It isnt clear why they are so sick.

Physicians working in Covid hot spots across the nation say that the patients in their hospitals are not like the patients they saw last year. Almost always unvaccinated, the new arrivals tend to be younger, many in their 20s or 30s. And they seem sicker than younger patients were last year, deteriorating more rapidly.
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women, including current and former government workers, whose accounts of unwanted touching and inappropriate comments were corroborated in a damning report released on Tuesday by the New York State attorney general, Letitia James.

The 165-page report prompted multiple calls for Mr. Cuomo to resign, including from President Biden, a longtime ally of the governor, and it cast doubt on Mr. Cuomos political future. The Democratic speaker of the State Assembly said on Tuesday that he intended to quicken the pace of a separate impeachment inquiry, adding that Mr. Cuomo can no longer remain in office.

The report, the culmination of a five-month investigation, included at least three previously unreported allegations of sexual harassment from women who accused Mr. Cuomo of improperly touching them, including a state trooper assigned to the governors security detail. It also highlighted far-reaching efforts by the governor, his staff and close associates to disparage and retaliate against one woman who made her allegations public.

All told, the investigators said they corroborated the claims of 11 women, nine of whom are current or former state employees, who accused Mr. Cuomo of a range of inappropriate behavior, from suggestive comments to instances of groping, through interviews with 179 witnesses and tens of thousands of documents.
Lawyers for the women whom Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo was found to have sexually harassed called on him to resign on Tuesday, saying that a report released by investigators was damning and devastating.

Debra Katz, a lawyer for Charlotte Bennett, who accused the governor of sexual harassment in February, said in an interview that the investigators had done a thorough job and called on Mr. Cuomo to do the right thing and resign.

His behavior was egregious, and he does not deserve the position he now holds, she said.

She noted that, according to the report, the governor had violated a law that he himself had signed in 2019, changing the standard for what constituted criminal sexual harassment.

He repeatedly violated the law that he signed to great fanfare providing what he said was the most protective law in the United States, Ms. Katz said.
Robert Dennison, a former chairman of the New York State Parole Board who became a powerful champion of wrongfully convicted or remorseful inmates in high-profile cases, died on July 26 at a hospital in Manhattan. He was 75.

The cause was complications of leukemia, his son, Robert Dennison III, said.

Mr. Dennisons post-retirement role on behalf of convicted criminals was all the more significant given the parole boards wariness in dealing with inmates accused of brutal crimes, especially against law enforcement officers. And it was surprising given his own political credentials: He had enrolled as a member of the Conservative Party to improve his prospects of being appointed to the board in 2000.

Several years after he retired from the board in 2007, he enlisted in the campaign to overturn the conviction of Johnny Hincapie, who was charged in the gang attack on a family of tourists from Utah on a Manhattan subway platform in 1990. That attack, in which 22-year-old Brian Watkins was stabbed to death protecting his mother, provoked citywide outrage, encapsulated in the New York Post headline Dave, Do Something, beseeching Mayor David N. Dinkins to crack down on escalating crime.

Nobody puts Johnny on the platform, Mr. Dennison said of the witnesses who emerged years after Mr. Hincapie had been convicted, although he said his confession had been coerced. He was eligible for parole in 2013 after having earned a masters degree in theology. He had been imprisoned for 25 years when the verdict was voided in 2015. Prosecutors decided not to retry him.
In South Carolina, which has banned school mask mandates, Gov. Henry McMaster said students cant learn while wearing face coverings. In Mississippi, Gov. Tate Reeves has said he will not issue a mask mandate for schools. In Florida on Tuesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis also renewed a vow not to impose a mask mandate or business restrictions, despite worrying caseloads. We are not shutting down, he said at a news conference. We are going to have schools open. We are protecting every Floridians job in this state.

In Arkansas, the drama in the seat of government unfolded as Tyson Foods, the meat processing giant and one of Arkansass signature employers, said on Tuesday that it would require vaccines for its U.S. workers. About half of Tysons U.S. employees remain unvaccinated, and the company is offering $200 payments to frontline workers who can show proof of vaccination.

Mr. Hutchinson, a term-limited, second-term governor who many think has an eye on higher office, called a special session of the Republican-controlled legislature that is expected to meet on Wednesday to consider his proposal allowing school districts to set their own mask mandates.

But on Tuesday, he indicated that its chances of passage were dim. Its clear to me that theres many that just dont want this in their lap, he said. Its clear to me that some school superintendents dont want it either.

We may or may not get there, he added.

The stakes in Arkansas are high. About 58 percent of Arkansas adults have had at least one vaccine shot, the 11th-lowest rate in the nation, while the rate of new cases in the past seven days is 63 per 100,000 residents, the third-highest in the United States, behind Louisiana and Florida, according to data from The New York Times. Three other Southern states  Mississippi, Alabama and South Carolina  are also in the top 10 for per capita new cases.
The Biden White House has signaled no discontent with the Pentagons use of that self-defense exception to justify a practice of essentially providing close air support for partner forces that go out on missions and then get into trouble, even if no Americans are present and at risk.

The domestic legal basis for airstrikes in both Somalia and Afghanistan is the 2001 war law, known as the Authorization for Use of Military Force, or A.U.M.F. While the Taliban, as Al Qaedas hosts, were always understood to be covered by it, the Obama administration in 2016 added Al Shabab to the war by deeming it an associated force of Al Qaeda.

In opening Tuesdays hearing, the Foreign Relations Committee chairman, Senator Bob Menendez, Democrat of New Jersey, noted that he had voted for the 2001 law after the Sept. 11 attacks and said, 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.

The 2001 war law is broadly worded and contains no geographical limits. But efforts in Congress to update it have faltered for years amid sharp disagreements over how to replace it. Some lawmakers have been unwilling to vote for anything that would reduce the governments authority to battle Islamist groups, while others have been unwilling to vote for anything that could be interpreted as entrenching the forever war or that could serve as a new blank check.

Against that backdrop, Senator Mitt Romney, Republican of Utah, voiced skepticism that any new counterterrorism war law would pass Congress. And multiple Republican senators expressed skepticism about repealing even the 2002 Iraq war law, suggesting that it might signal weakness in the Middle East, including to Iran.

While the 1991 war law is regarded as long obsolete, the executive branch has in recent years cited the 2002 war law as purported standing authorization from Congress to undertake very different combat operations in the Middle East than fighting Hussein: The Obama administration cited it in 2014 when it started bombing the Islamic State, and the Trump administration cited it in 2020 when it killed Irans most important general, Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani.

Both claims were disputed. But Caroline Krass, the Pentagons general counsel, noted that in both instances the executive branch portrayed the 2002 law as merely providing additional  rather than necessary  domestic legal authorization for those military operations.
A St. Louis couple who gained prominence last year after they were filmed pointing guns at social justice demonstrators in front of their house were pardoned last week by Gov. Mike Parson.

Mr. Parsons decision, made last week and announced in a news release on Tuesday, came more than a month after the couple, Patricia and Mark McCloskey, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges over the confrontation.

Mr. Parson, a Republican, had promised to pardon the couple in an interview with KFTK last year.

Mark McCloskey, who is running for a U.S. Senate seat from Missouri, pleaded guilty to fourth-degree assault and was fined $750. Patricia McCloskey pleaded guilty to second-degree harassment and was fined $2,000.

As part of the plea deal, Ms. McCloskey gave up the Bryco handgun she brandished during the confrontation on June 28, 2020, when protesters, many of whom were Black, marched past the McCloskeys home on a private street on their way to the home of former Mayor Lyda Krewson, a Democrat, who lived nearby.
The race was not as much emblematic of a liberal-moderate divide among Democrats as it was a clash between an insider who rose fast in local party circles and an agitator who thrived on alienating party leaders by questioning their commitment to liberal ideals. Both candidates were solidly liberal in their views on a range of issues, including legalizing marijuana and making college more affordable or free in some cases.

Outside political groups from different corners of the Democratic coalition invested heavily in the race. Backing Ms. Turner were left-wing environmental interests supporting the Green New Deal; the political group founded by Senator Bernie Sanders that she once ran, Our Revolution; and two progressive groups, the Working Families Party and Justice Democrats.

Supporting Ms. Brown were more institutional players and politicians like the political committee of the Congressional Black Caucus; several senior members of the caucus; Representative James E. Clyburn of South Carolina, the Democratic House whip; Hillary Clinton; Jewish Democrats; Cleveland-area Black churches; and, unofficially, Marcia Fudge, who vacated the seat this year to become Mr. Bidens secretary of housing and urban development and consented to have her mother appear in an ad endorsing Ms. Brown because she had to remain neutral as a government official.

Democratic leaders in Washington and groups that are often at odds with the progressive left were worried that a victory by Ms. Turner, who led by double digits in early polls and initially raised more money than Ms. Brown, could presage a new round of intraparty hostilities for Democrats.

And the establishment hit back hard  to a degree it had not in previous battles when candidates with the support of the partys activist left, like Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jamaal Bowman of New York, took out veteran politicians with little pushback.

This time, while Ms. Ocasio-Cortez and other stars of the left campaigned in Ohio for Ms. Turner, prominent members of the Congressional Black Caucus like Mr. Clyburn visited the district and implored people to vote for Ms. Brown as someone who was respectful and willing to work with other Democrats  an implicit criticism of Ms. Turners more confrontational style. Many criticized her openly, like Representative Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, who referred to Ms. Turner as a single solitary know-it-all.

Advertising attacking Ms. Turners professionalism and character was ubiquitous in the district during the final days of the campaign. One ad from the centrist group Third Way compared Ms. Turners political style and tone to Mr. Trumps, and replayed an on-camera moment she has struggled to live down throughout the campaign in which she made a crude analogy to the choice between Mr. Biden, whom she did not support, and Mr. Trump.
Her ascent continued in 2017 after Cleveland-area Democratic leaders rallied behind her push to lead the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party, which had been troubled by endemic corruption that ultimately led to a 28-year prison sentence for its former chairman. A federal investigation swept up dozens of other county officials and contractors.

Ms. Brown won the bid, becoming the first woman and the first Black person to hold the position. She was only 42 at the time. She enjoyed the backing of Representative Marcia Fudge, whom she has described as her mentor and whose former seat she is poised to fill after the November election. The district is heavily Democratic, virtually assuring Ms. Browns victory.

Ms. Brown is no stranger to the kind of pressure that the left flank of her party mustered to try to defeat her on Tuesday. In 2018, she survived an attempt by progressive activists to take control of the Cuyahoga County party committee and unseat her as chair. She easily won re-election by a 2-to-1 margin. She characterized her victory at the time as a sign that the partys internal political differences were settling down, saying, We have stability in our leadership.

The kind of stability that she was seeking has been tenuous, however, as her hard-fought race against Ms. Turner, a party outsider and liberal activist, showed. Ms. Brown has pitched herself as the kind of politician who can work with the administration and Democratic leaders in Congress.
LONDON  In 1968, Sue Davies was working as a secretary at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in the British capital when a colleague got sick, and she found herself left to finish off a photography show they had been working on.

The exhibition, held the following year and focused on images of women, was a hit. Visitors lined up down the block to get in, and Davies asked the institutes founders if they would consider showing more photography. The response, she said, was not what she had wanted: They had only commissioned the last show, they told her, because they were offered the pictures for free.

That made Davies lose her temper, she later told The British Journal of Photography. So she made a decision: If museums didnt want photography in their spaces, she would start her own.
In the past, weve chosen the five minutes or so we would play to make our friends fall in love with classical music, piano, opera, cello, Mozart, 21st-century composers, violin, Baroque music, sopranos, Beethoven, flute, string quartets, tenors, Brahms, choral music, percussion and symphonies.

Now we want to convince those curious friends to love Igor Stravinsky, possibly the widest-ranging and most influential composer of the 20th century, and an inspiration for some of George Balanchines ballet masterpieces. We hope you find lots here to discover and enjoy; leave your favorites in the comments.

  

Xian Zhang, conductor

Thinking about Stravinsky, the first thing that jumps to my mind is the beginning of the second part of The Rite of Spring  The Sacrifice. Im reminded of the video that Leonard Bernstein made rehearsing it, and of its powerful use in Disneys Fantasia, as dinosaurs roam the earth. Its a quiet, tension-filled moment after all of the decibels before and after. Seeing Bernstein rehearse, and hearing him conduct this passage, highlights what is so special and vivid about this part of the score. To my ears, it is the best example of how primitive, intuitive and wild music could be in the early 20th century.
Patricia Kennealy-Morrison, who wrote about rock when music journalists were just beginning to take it seriously, and through her work met Jim Morrison, frontman of the Doors, with whom she said she had a marriage of sorts, died on July 23. She was 75.

Her death was announced on the Facebook page of Lizard Queen Press, a publishing enterprise that she founded and that published her recent books. The announcement did not give a cause or say where she died.

In the late 1960s, originally as Patricia Kennely (she later changed the spelling of her last name and, in 1979, added Morrison), she was a writer for and then editor of Jazz & Pop, a small but well-regarded magazine. She interviewed Morrison in 1969, and when they shook hands there was a visible shower of bright blue sparks flying in all directions, she wrote in a 1992 memoir, Strange Days: My Life With and Without Jim Morrison. They soon became romantically involved.

Ms. Kennealy-Morrison practiced Celtic paganism; on her Facebook page she described herself as Author, ex-rock critic, Dame Templar, Celtic witch, ex-go-go dancer, Lizard Queen. Not in that order. (Lizard Queen was a reference to a line from a Jim Morrison poem, in which he wrote, I am the Lizard King.) In 1970 she and Morrison exchanged vows in a handfasting ceremony that involved drops of their own blood.
RHINEBECK, N.Y.  Its hard to think of Cecily Strong and not be reminded of the effusive television characters she plays. If youre a Saturday Night Live fan, you immediately conjure up her exuberant performance as a soused Jeanine Pirro crooning My Way while she dunks herself in a tank of wine. Or if youve been watching her on the Apple TV+ musical comedy Schmigadoon!, you think of her belting out modern-day show tunes praising the pleasures of corn pudding or smooching with a suitor.

Actors, of course, are not their characters, and Strong has tried to explain that, as much as she is awe-struck by self-confident, can-I-speak-to-the-manager types in real life, she isnt one of them. As she said a few weeks ago, Whenever theres someone making a spectacle in public, its the best thing Ive ever seen. But when I say Im shy or introverted, people are like, I dont think so. Im like, OK  but I am, you know.

So it is surprising that Strong, who does not consider herself a confessional person, would write a personal memoir, and even more so that her book is not really a recounting of her showbiz career but rather a candid unfurling of her life prompted by her reflections on the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

The memoir, This Will All Be Over Soon, will be published by Simon & Schuster on Aug. 10. It occasionally explores her time at S.N.L., where she has been a cast member since 2012. But it begins with her learning, in January 2020, that her 30-year-old cousin Owen has been given hours to live before he dies of glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.
Listen to this, I said to the person I live with, waving Simon Richs latest book of short stories, New Teeth, in the air. It was bedtime. He put down his own book.

The detective woke up just after dawn, I read aloud. It was a typical morning. His knees were scraped and bruised, his clothes were damp and soiled, and his teeth felt like someone had socked him in the jaw. He reached for the bottle he kept under his pillow and took a sloppy swig. The taste was foul, but it did the trick.

Alert readers will recognize the cadence, vocabulary and world-weary tone of Raymond Chandler in The Big Sleep. But this detective is even more clueless than Philip Marlowe: Hes a toddler looking for a lost stuffed unicorn who cant even figure out how the client, his own baby sister, got into the house.

Her past was murky, Rich writes. The detective had heard that she came from the hospital. But there was also a rumor shed once lived inside Mommys tummy. It didnt add up. Still, a job was a job.
Sicker, quicker? The virus hits young adults hard

Many doctors on the front lines say that in recent months, unvaccinated patients in their 20s and 30s have become more severely ill from the coronavirus, and more quickly.

But comprehensive data is lacking. Studies done in a handful of countries suggest that the Delta variant may cause more severe disease, but there is no definitive research showing that the new variant is worse for young adults. Some experts believe the shift in patient demographics is a result of lower vaccination rates in the group.

Still, the anecdotal evidence is growing. Something about this virus is different in this age group, said the chief medical officer of a Louisiana hospital.

In the U.S.: Mandates are growing. New York City will require proof of vaccination for indoor activities, including dining and going to gyms or movie theaters. Tyson Foods, with 120,000 workers, and Microsoft, with 100,000, are the latest big corporations requiring vaccinations.
Perhaps the most prominent voice in this discussion is the more than one-million-member International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which approved a resolution at its convention in June committing the union to supply all resources necessary to organize workers at the company and help them win a union contract.

The Teamsters argue that holding union votes at individual work sites is typically futile at a company like Amazon, because labor law allows employers to wage aggressive anti-union campaigns, and because high turnover means union supporters often leave the company before they have a chance to vote.

Instead, the Teamsters favor a combination of tactics like strikes, protests and boycotts that pressure the company to come to the bargaining table and negotiate a contract covering wages, benefits and working conditions. While the union hasnt laid out its tactics in detail, it recently organized walkouts involving drivers and dockworkers at a port in Southern California to protest the drivers treatment there.

They hope to enlist the help of workers at other companies, sympathetic consumers and even local businesses threatened by a giant like Amazon, partly to mitigate the challenges presented by high employee turnover.

Building our relationships within the community itself is the way to deal with that, Randy Korgan, a Teamsters official from Southern California who is the unions national director for Amazon, said in a recent interview. We could have filed for an election in a number of places in the last more than a year, gotten into that process, but we realize that the election process has its shortcomings.

The union believes that it can pull a variety of political levers to help put the company on the defensive. Mr. Korgan cited a recent vote by the City Council in Fort Wayne, Ind., denying Amazon a tax abatement after a local Teamsters official spoke out against it, and a vote by the City Council in Arvada, Colo., to reject a more than 100,000-square-foot Amazon delivery station. While the Arvada vote centered on traffic concerns, Teamsters played a role in drumming up opposition.

In California, the Teamsters have joined forces with the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor and the Warehouse Worker Resource Center, an advocacy group, to back a bill that would require certain employers to disclose the often opaque productivity quotas applied to workers, which they can be disciplined or fired for failing to meet. The legislative language makes it clear that Amazon is the main target.
A coalition of gig economy companies that includes Uber, Lyft, DoorDash and Instacart said on Wednesday that it had filed a ballot proposal in Massachusetts that could create a new class of workers in the commonwealth. If the coalition is successful, Massachusetts voters will decide next year whether gig workers should be considered independent contractors.

The employment classification of gig workers has been the subject of legal battles in several states. Labor activists argue that companies like Uber do not pay fair wages to their workers and shortchange them on expenses, health care and unemployment benefits. The companies say their workers enjoy too much flexibility to be considered employees. Last year, Massachusetts sued Uber and Lyft, claiming they misclassified drivers as independent contractors. That litigation is ongoing.

The group of gig companies, called the Massachusetts Coalition for Independent Work, proposes exempting gig workers from being classified as employees but offering them some limited benefits, including minimum pay of $18 per hour spent transporting a rider or delivering food.

This is the best of both worlds, Pam Bennett, a DoorDash courier, said in a statement provided by the coalition. This measure will help every driver by preserving our ability to work whenever and however we want, and also give us access to brand-new benefits that will really help.
Earlier this year, CNN executives floated an idea to their star anchor Chris Cuomo. If he wanted to formally advise his brother, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of New York, on responding to the sexual harassment accusations that had engulfed his administration, he could take a temporary leave from CNN and return to the network later.

The idea was informal and strictly optional  not a request  and intended as an acknowledgment of Mr. Cuomos unique position as both a prime-time network anchor and the brother of a prominent politician facing a scandal, according to two people who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe internal conversations.

The exchange, which has not been previously reported, underlines the conundrum for a news network whose top-rated anchor belongs to one of the countrys most powerful Democratic families  and the lengths that CNNs president, Jeff Zucker, and his team have gone to accommodate Chris Cuomo, even as the anchor has had to apologize for participating in strategy sessions with Andrew Cuomos aides.

The idea for a possible leave was floated after Chris Cuomos involvement in those sessions was first reported in May. CNN called the anchors actions inappropriate, though Chris Cuomo faced no discipline.
In a twinkling black dress with feathery sleeves and high heels, Paris Hilton is in the kitchen making a steak dinner with her mother and sister. Before they arrive, she digs a spoon into a tin of caviar and gives a bite to her dog. Flakes of 23-karat gold stick on her fingers as she adds it to homemade truffle butter.

Its not the most practical cooking outfit, but I like to cook in style, she says as the feathers from her outfit drift all over the kitchen counter.

Ms. Hilton doesnt pretend to know how to cook. On Cooking With Paris, her new six-episode cooking series on Netflix, shes not afraid to make messy mistakes. The program is the latest in a recent wave of cooking shows, like Selena + Chef and Amy Schumer Learns to Cook, hosted by celebrities who lack culinary experience.

I love cooking, Ms. Hilton says in the introduction to her show, which was released in full on Wednesday. But Im not a trained chef, and Im not trying to be.
Other recipes to consider as August gets underway include this chicken and herb salad with nuoc cham that you could make with a rotisserie bird, a pile of soft herbs, some cabbage, cucumber and bell peppers, and a drizzle of the sweet-sour-salty Vietnamese dressing; and this terrific tomato salad with chickpeas and feta, a satisfying main course with a spicy, crunchy topping of roasted, salted nuts and seeds.

Take a look at this smoky and spicy roasted salmon as well. It would be a fine thing to eat in advance of a strawberry-lemon loaf cake for dessert. And maybe crispy spiced chickpeas with peppers and tomatoes at some point? A cucumber agua fresca with mint and ginger? A lemon-spice visiting cake? Definitely this grilled corn with chile butter.

There are many thousands more recipes to cook this week waiting for you on New York Times Cooking. Yes, you need a subscription to access them. Subscriptions support our work and allow it to continue. Please, if you havent done so already, I hope you will subscribe today.

You can find additional inspiration  absolutely free of charge  on Instagram and YouTube, where Vaughn Vreeland recently documented the 27 meals he cooked for himself over the course of a week.

And well be standing by in case you get jammed up in the kitchen or with our technology. Just drop us a line: cookingcare@nytimes.com. Someone will get back you. (You can also write to me, if you like: foodeditor@nytimes.com. I read every letter sent.)
As of the week endiing Aug. 1, Covid cases among nursing home staff members nationwide were also climbing, to 3,317, with 12 staff deaths reported that week, according to the C.D.C. data.

Staff immunization has been an issue in many states, especially as the highly contagious Delta variant races through regions with low vaccination rates. On Monday, one of the nations largest nursing-home operators, Genesis HealthCare, said it will mandate vaccines for staff by Aug. 23, noting while we would have greatly preferred a strictly voluntary process, our commitment to health and safety outweighs concerns about imposing a requirement.

Some states and cities, not waiting for the nursing home industry, are imposing their own mandates for vaccinations on long-term care employees or operators may face penalties or additional testing requirements for unvaccinated staff. Massachusetts on Wednesday said all nursing-home staff must be fully vaccinated by Oct. 1, while California last week said health care workers must be immunized or be tested weekly for Covid.

San Francisco and Denver have each announced a vaccine mandate for workers in high risk settings, including nursing homes.

New outbreaks in some states, including Florida, Colorado, Indiana and Louisiana, have forced some homes to once again limit visitors and impose other restrictions. The C.D.C. said on Friday that it was monitoring the Delta variants infections in nursing homes to see if additional measures are needed.

The bottom line is the vaccine is the No. 1, 2 and 3 thing we have to fight this pandemic, everywhere, but especially in nursing homes, said Dr. Michael Wasserman, a geriatrician and former president of the California Association of Long Term Care Medicine, who has reluctantly come to believe mandates are necessary.

So far, the nursing home industry has stopped short of endorsing a vaccination mandate, even as major medical organizations have signed onto calls for the requirement among health care workers, and as more hospitals are requiring the vaccine for employees.
Siddhartha and I, under the guidance of Kevin Flynn, the Culture desks investigations editor, decided to try to get to the bottom of what was going on. While others had written about problems with the pension trust company before, those issues seemed to have intensified. We recently published the result of our reporting, in which we found that the company had failed to make good on some of its pledges.

In May, Siddhartha and I started by dividing up a list of some of the 2,000 artists in 75 countries. I took New York, he Los Angeles. We also reached out to artists in some of the other pools around the world, which included London, Berlin, Mexico City, Beijing, Mumbai and Dubai. Between the two of us, we spoke to scores of artists, just about every one of whom recounted the same story: They had joined the trust hopeful that it might help them build a nest egg, given an otherwise unpredictable future.

They used to be in close touch with the directors of each regional pool, who had visited their studios, kept them abreast of developments and made them feel connected to the larger enterprise.

But there hadnt been many sales or payouts, according to those we interviewed. Many of the representatives had moved on without being replaced, and the artists no longer knew whom to contact. The artists werent sure about the location of their work, its condition or how to get it out of the trust if collectors had expressed an interest in buying or museums wanted to show it. Many artists who were interviewed said they felt ghosted by the company, betrayed.

We asked them to send us their contracts, so we could understand the fee split and what the company had originally promised, like safe storage, insurance, efforts to sell works at opportune times and annual status reports on the pools.
Nancy, like many of her generation in Hong Kong and Taiwan, had undergone a gradual and reluctant political awakening, spurred in part by the threat of Xis authoritarianism in the region. In these contested polities, on the edges of Chinas empire, which had flourished outside Beijings direct control, young people came together to try to understand: How do you fight against Goliaths denial of Davids very existence? For Nancy and her friends, this was existential. The challenge from China would determine the future of their countries and their lives.

Ever since Nancy was little, she was a contrarian  unafraid to rebel against things she thought were stupid or unfair, like how teachers seemed to favor students who got good grades, even if they had been misbehaving along with the rest of the class. When she was growing up in Taipei, there were lots of things that just did not make sense to her. It did not quite add up that her schoolbooks said Taiwan was a province of the greater Republic of China (R.O.C.), which comprised mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau, and that its capital was Nanjing. Nanjing was a city in the Peoples Republic of China, where Nancy had never been, so why was it listed as the capital of her country? When she challenged her teacher, she told her to just do what everyone else was doing  write the correct answer and move on.

Indeed, it was confusing. The R.O.C. is typically referred to internationally as Taiwan; it is by and large not recognized as a country and is instead referred to by many media organizations, including this one, as a self-governing democracy. But the archipelago, of which Taiwan is the biggest island, has a Constitution, a president and a Legislature. Its citizens have voted for their representatives in free and fair elections since 1992, the year before Nancy was born. They serve in their own armed forces and carry a green Republic of China passport when they travel, though in 2003, after they complained they were being confused with Communist China, the government changed the passport to say both Republic of China and Taiwan.

This Gordian knot of identity was a product of a contested history. For centuries, Taiwan had been at the whims of colonizers, settlers, warlords and dictators. As far back as 1544, when a Portuguese vessel passed the island and a passenger exclaimed Ilha Formosa  beautiful island  outsiders had decided even its name. It was originally populated by Indigenous Austronesians, but Han migration from China increased with the arrival of European traders, including the Dutch East India Company. The Qing empire took control in 1683, but after a humiliating defeat by the Japanese in 1895, it ceded Formosa to the victors. The Japanese made the island their model colony to prove they could rival white European imperial powers, setting up Japanese schools and much of the islands infrastructure.

The Republic of China, meanwhile, was established far away in Nanjing in 1912 after revolutionaries overthrew the Qing empire, but it was quickly torn apart by Japans invasion and internal conflicts between the ruling nationalist Kuomintang (KMT) and the Communists. After Japan lost World War II, Formosa was given to the R.O.C. by the decree of the Allied powers. Residents were not consulted, but after 50 years of Japanese control, many held genuine enthusiasm for their Chinese liberators. Their hopes to speak their own language, practice their own culture and elect their own leaders quickly vanished. The KMT governed Taiwan with an iron fist, regarding the locals as Japanese collaborators and pillaging the islands resources for the ongoing civil war on the mainland.

In 1949, the Communists defeated the nationalists and established the Peoples Republic of China. The remnants of the R.O.C., led by Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, fled to Taiwan. Each government proclaimed itself the rightful ruler of all of China. The tsunami of around 1.5 million exiles who accompanied Chiang to Taiwan produced two castes: benshengren  people from this province  and waishengren  people from outside this province. Nancys paternal grandmother grew up under Japanese rule and watched the newcomers take the best jobs and resources. Later she married one of these new arrivals, but he ran up gambling debts and then ran back to the mainland, leaving her to settle his tab. She sold their house and moved the family to Taipei, supporting Nancys father and his three siblings by selling sliced fruit and shaved ice, a traditional dessert, on the street.

The KMT embarked on a campaign of forced Sinicization  Mandarin was made the official government language instead of Hokkien, which Nancys grandmother spoke along with a vast majority of the six million locals. Streets in Taipei were renamed after Chinese cities, and schoolbooks taught mainland geography and R.O.C. history. The benshengren were written out of their own existence. Chiangs secret police ensured no one stepped out of line.
Andrew M. Cuomos future as the governor of New York is in doubt after the state attorney general released a report on Tuesday that found that he had sexually harassed 11 women, including nine current and former employees, in violation of state and federal law.

Here are some takeaways from the report, and a look at how its findings may shape Mr. Cuomos fate.

Investigators described three previously unreported accusations

The 165-page report, released by the New York State attorney general, Letitia James, gave corroborating evidence for eight accusers whose stories were already known, most of them current or former state employees. But it also detailed three previously unreported accounts of sexual harassment by the governor.

In one instance, Mr. Cuomo was said to have harassed an unnamed state trooper whom he had personally sought to hire onto his protective detail. She said that he had run his hand across her stomach when she held the door open for him at an event; had run his finger down her back in an elevator; and had asked her why she did not wear a dress, among other incidents.

In another incident, the governor was said to have run two fingers across the chest of an energy company employee, Virginia Limmiatis, and then brushed his hand in the area below her neck. And in the final unreported allegation, the governor was said to have grabbed the rear of an unnamed employee of a New York-state affiliated entity.
Mr. Cuomo said in response that the facts are much different from what has been portrayed.

I never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances, he said. I am 63 years old. I have lived my entire adult life in public view. That is just not who I am, and thats not who I have ever been.

Here are a few things to know:

The report included previously unreported harassment allegations.

Investigators said 11 women had accused Mr. Cuomo of a range of inappropriate behavior, and that nine of them are current or former state employees. At least two had not previously spoken publicly: A female state trooper on Mr. Cuomos protective detail and an employee of an energy company.

[Read more from our full coverage of the investigation  and see a copy of the report.]

The report says Mr. Cuomo sexually harassed the unnamed trooper on a number of occasions after she joined the detail, including running his hand across her stomach when she held the door open for him at an event in 2019 and running his finger down her back in an elevator. I felt completely violated, she told investigators.

The National Grid employee, Virginia Limmiatis, told investigators that Mr. Cuomo touched her chest and brushed his hand between her shoulder and breasts at an event in 2017.
On that, the jury is still out. Carl Heastie, the speaker of the Assembly and a fellow Democrat, said in July that he would not impeach the governor based on the attorney generals report alone  no matter what it found. He instead set up an impossible standard, requiring multiple investigations into the same conduct. But on Tuesday, Mr. Heastie said it is abundantly clear to me that the governor has lost the confidence of the Assembly Democratic majority and that he can no longer remain in office. Mr. Heastie pledged that the Assembly would move expeditiously and look to conclude our impeachment investigation as quickly as possible. That seems like a promising sign. But it leaves open the possibility that  just as he threatened earlier  the speaker may use the Assemblys parallel investigation, which started in March, to stall proceedings. Well soon know whether, for Mr. Heastie, due process for Mr. Cuomo means freedom from consequence.

This is a dynamic I run into a lot in my work representing victims of sexual harassment. Of course, people accused of sexual harassment, just like people accused of anything else, deserve to be treated fairly. Whether accused at work, at school or in a courtroom, all people should be provided the basics of due process: notice of the allegation; a chance to tell their side of the story; judgment by impartial decision makers. Fair investigations help everyone, victims and the accused alike.

But some bad actors co-opt the rhetoric of due process to advance their true agenda: tolerance for sexual harassment, and impunity for those who commit it. In a recent appeal I won, a large school district argued that the expectation that it investigate every allegation of sexual harassment lodged by students posed a threat to their classmates due process rights  even though, of course, a responsibility to investigate does not mean a responsibility to punish.

Or take the allegations against then-judge Brett Kavanaugh during his Supreme Court confirmation hearings. Republicans decried the mere levying of accusations as a witch hunt, even as they stood in the way of any meaningful process to vet those claims. The film producer Harvey Weinstein mourned the death of due process when some comedians had the audacity to crack jokes about his abuses before his criminal conviction. A group of male students sued the University of Oregon for punishing them for sexual assault without a hearing, alleging violations of due process. But the school had offered them exactly such a hearing, and the accused students, advised by their legal counsel, had declined the opportunity. It appeared that their fundamental objection was to getting in trouble.

None of this is to say that calls for due process are always made in bad faith. If the Legislature impeaches Mr. Cuomo swiftly, New Yorks approach could serve as a model for others. Allegations about high-profile officials are some of the trickiest to resolve, since the whole enterprise is, inevitably, politicized. It would be easy for someone who followed the sexual harassment accusations against Scott Stringer, a candidate for New York mayor in the recent Democratic primary election, to lose hope in the very possibility of a fair investigation in circumstances like these.
At JPMorgan Chase & Company, weve taken several steps to tackle this. We banned the box that asked about a candidates criminal or arrest records on initial job applications as part of our strategy to build a more inclusive talent pipeline. We established a Second Chance hiring program that provides legal services, job search support and mentorship in collaboration with local nonprofit organizations in Chicago and Columbus, Ohio, which we will extend to other cities. In part because of these efforts, we hired approximately 2,100 people with a criminal background in 2020  roughly 10 percent of our new hires in the United States that year.

Recently, we partnered with other employers like Accenture, CVS, Eaton, General Motors, McDonalds, Microsoft, Verizon and Walmart to form the Second Chance Business Coalition, which allows businesses to develop and share best practices and test new approaches to help support the hiring and advancement of people with criminal backgrounds. We want more companies to join us. That is why today were welcoming Aon, LKQ, Lowes and Micron to the coalition. And Im joining Mayor Lori Lightfoot of Chicago and local business and community leaders to discuss what else we can do.

But to create real systemic change, we need better public policy. Right now, various forms of Clean Slate legislation are making their way through Congress and U.S. state capitals. These efforts would help clear or seal eligible criminal records, open access to jobs and increase earnings by about 20 percent. These initiatives enjoy significant support across the aisle  a rare opportunity for consensus, bipartisanship and momentum.

The reality, however, is that pursuing the expungements that those with criminal backgrounds are eligible for is complicated, expensive and requires a great deal of time, which is unfair and asks too much from people who are often already facing financial, bureaucratic and legal difficulties. For example, in New York, the current clearing process involves up to 40 hours from an attorney and court officials over several months, the Legal Action Center in New York estimates. When there is a hearing, cases cost an average $2,200. As a result, many eligible Americans dont or simply cant wipe clean their eligible records. One report found that less than 7 percent of those who qualify for expungement in Michigan obtain it within five years of becoming eligible.

Clean Slate legislative reforms at the national and state level would automate the existing process of sealing or clearing certain eligible records, such as those for minor drug offenses and driving under the influence, after a certain period of time has passed. Proposed federal legislation, the Clean Slate Act of 2021, introduced by Senators Bob Casey and Joni Ernst and Representatives Lisa Blunt Rochester and Guy Reschenthaler, would create a record-clearing process for the first time and establish automatic sealing for certain low-level crimes too. Together, these efforts clear a path for people to apply and be considered for employment in a way that is fair and efficient.
Theres a frequently recurring narrative that plays out when a public figure is accused of sexual harassment: A chorus of defenders inevitably emerges to assert that the accused is actually a nice guy, historically respectful of women, and where applicable, has daughters who dont appear to loathe him. Some of these defenders point out that the accused treated them well and never harassed them personally, as if that detracts from the credibility of the allegations.

When two former members of his staff accused New Yorks governor, Andrew Cuomo, of sexual harassment in February, this ritual chorus of defenders was nowhere to be found. Few people raced to his side  in part because the usual lines of defense just dont apply. Mr. Cuomo is not a nice guy, and he has mistreated so many people that the sexual harassment accusations seem like predictable transgressions in a litany of abuses stretching back years. (He does, however, have daughters, and they dont appear to loathe him.)

The 165-page report issued Tuesday by the office of State Attorney General Letitia James cites a pattern of abuse that contributed to a toxic work environment in the governors office. Mr. Cuomos team has claimed that a pernicious work environment is just a feature of working in politics, a profession that is not particularly polite. But plenty of government employees will attest that no boss or colleague has ever in a professional setting invited them to play strip poker on a work trip, groped them or asked whether they have ever had sex with older men. Mr. Cuomo stands accused of doing all three. (He denies making inappropriate sexual advances.)

The governor has also been known to retaliate gleefully against people who get in his way, as he did against one of his accusers, Lindsey Boylan, a former aide, trying to discredit her testimony and damage her professional reputation. His bottomless stamina for prosecuting his critics in this way creates an environment where other employees are afraid to hold him accountable, lest they find themselves on the receiving end of one of his aggressive payback campaigns.
To the Editor:

Re Cuomo Urged to Quit After Damaging Report (front page, Aug. 4):

Here is my message to Gov. Andrew Cuomo: When the allegations of sexual misconduct came out, I agreed with your stance of not resigning and that we should let the investigation take place and see what the conclusions are.

Now that the investigation is done and the findings of the report have been shared, it is time to resign. This will not take away from your previous accomplishments as governor.

So, Governor Cuomo, do the right thing, apologize to all of these women and the citizens of New York and resign. The faster you do it, the better it will be for everyone.

Choosing to challenge the conclusions of the report will cause more pain, suffering and trauma to all involved as well as provide political instability should the New York State Assembly under Democratic leadership decide to impeach you.
Mr. Nader and his allies were right about the dangers of a government captured by industry and labor and unchecked from the outside. In their time, the government was testing nuclear weapons in the atmosphere, encouraging the spraying of millions of tons of pesticides across the land and plowing highways through urban neighborhoods. The government was allowing strip mines to ravage the Appalachian Mountains and leaving coal miners to suffer from black lung disease with little compensation. Government policies were letting oil refineries, factories and power plants discharge toxic emissions into low-income communities and communities of color.

But as the liberal coalition that supported  and relied on  a strong and active federal government broke down, it became harder for the government to do big things. The liberal attack on big government, big business, and big labor  all combined into one giant coalition, as the 1972 best seller Who Runs Congress phrased it  left the administrative state vulnerable to challenges from the right.

When Ronald Reagan announced his first presidential campaign in 1975, he mirrored this liberal critique by framing his candidacy as an attack on Congress, the bureaucracy, the lobbyist, big business and big labor. The survival and progress of the American people, Mr. Reagan declared, depended on a leadership that listens to them, relies on them and seeks to return government to them.

Mr. Reagan and the conservatives broke with the liberal critics, however, in questioning whether the federal government had any productive role to play in so-called free markets. When former President Donald Trump chose appointees who were actively hostile to the missions of their own agencies, his administration embodied this decades-long conservative attack on government.

Now, liberals want to do big things again, including remaking American energy and transportation systems to address climate change. The lessons of the 1970s show why the better is so vital in President Bidens Build Back Better slogan. Some parts of the new bipartisan infrastructure bill would still lock us into old errors, like the highway network that traps us in a petroleum-centered landscape. Other provisions would do more, by fixing the messes of the past: reconnecting communities divided by those very same highways, for example, and replacing lead pipes that can poison drinking water.

Thats welcome, but the best parts of the proposed new spending and regulating would actively move the country forward. They would create new systems, like an energy grid that could better distribute wind and solar power and a clean energy standard that slashes air pollution and improves public health. Thats how liberalism responds to its own critique of government and propels itself into the future.

Paul Sabin is a history professor at Yale. He is the author of the book Public Citizens: The Attack on Big Government and the Remaking of American Liberalism, which will be published this month.

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. Wed like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips. And heres our email: letters@nytimes.com.

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[MUSIC PLAYING]

jane coaston

Today on The Argument, should we ban politics from the office? [MUSIC PLAYING] Im Jane Coaston, and as host of this show, I spend a lot of my time at work talking about politics. My bosses would be pretty mad if I refused to talk about politics. But not all bosses are the same. After the Trump era, a summer of protests over police brutality, and a pandemic thats been politicized at every turn, its been hard not to bring politics to work, particularly when everything from parental leave to marriage benefits can be, well, political. And Ive noticed that as people spent more time talking about the news in remote times on Slack, which is arguably the worst place to talk about the news, there has been a backlash brewing. Companies are cracking down on political debates at work. Maybe the most famous recent example is Basecamp, where co-founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, who goes by DHH, took the extreme step of completely barring what they called societal and political discussions on their company-wide communications platform. Other companies have done something similar. Why do they care so much? Whats the downside of debate or discomfort at the office? My guests today have answers, different answers. Liz Wolfe is a staff editor at Reason, and Johnathan Nightingale is an author and a founder of Raw Signal Group, which trains leaders and managers. He was a vice president of Firefox at Mozilla. So it seems like it was thousands of years ago, but it was April of this year, many millions of years. Thats when a productivity software company named Basecamp announced that employees should refrain from discussing societal politics at work because it could often get dark and be distracting. They argued that employees could use other systems. They could still tweet about politics. They could talk to each other on Signal and elsewhere, and made the point we are not a social impact company. They also ended what the CEO of Basecamp referred to as paternalistic benefits like fitness stipends and allowances for education. And in the aftermath of this decision, about 20 employees decided to leave and take buyouts, out of about 60. So thats about a third of their workforce at the time. And you both wrote responses to the Basecamp decision. There was a lot of conversation about it on Twitter, as there is about many things. Liz, you said it was totally fine and kind of meshed with how you think about politics at work. Why?

liz wolfe

I really look at Basecamps decision as a recusal more than anything else. I think theyre drawing pretty reasonable lines. Some work issues are super inherently political. Labor issues, issues with pay gaps, issues with, god forbid, workplace sexual harassment, and other stuff like that. And theyre not saying that any of those things are verboten or off limits at all. Theyd be running afoul of, like, a gazillion labor laws if they did. What theyre saying instead is that this sort of gratuitous political discussion is unrelated to the project that theyre there to do together. And I think thats really important. I think a lot of people really seek to make their workplace a place where they can be their whole selves, where they can rely on their colleagues for support, where they can talk about all these sort of unrelated issues where a lot of people disagree. And I think its a really good thing for people to be able to, especially in managerial positions, draw some of these boundaries, draw some of these lines, and basically say that these employees are adults and they expect them to attempt to suss out the relevant boundary between gratuitous political discussion thats unrelated to the work matters at hand, versus all the things that are directly related to their job duties.

jane coaston

Johnathan, you described this decision as being disappointing. Can you explain why?

johnathan nightingale

Yeah. I guess it comes down to a couple of things for me. One, I think its disappointing, because when you listen to the employees in those companies, they expressed disappointment, right? And I run a company where we train bosses all day, every day on how to do their jobs. Right? Most bosses are given very little training, and theyre trying their best, but theyre figuring out as they go. And one of the things that we talk to them about is, like, you want to build a world class team. You want people, like, super engaged and, like, driving your business forward. Liz said it. They want to bring their whole selves to work, right? And maybe they want to debate crime statistics in the abstract  maybe. But a lot of the time the thing they are an expert in their own experience. And that if theres race riots happening across the country, thats reading on their experience, their day to day. And they may want to talk about that. We tell them, when we recruit them, were a different kind of company. I mean, Basecamp in particular, David and Jason, the founders, have made a brand out of how alt they are about the way they run their business. And a lot of people are really drawn to this, like, enlightened notion of management and leadership. And theyre like, oh, were going to bait and switch. Were going to change the rules. Yes, you thought this was a different kind of company. Not any more. Some of the reason why not any more is because it makes us uncomfortable. Some of the discussions didnt go the way that we wanted them to. We feel like we want to get rid of that. Its one thing to write that email, that blog post. Its another thing to say to every leader in the organization, do you have the tools to draw a clear line there? No politics, right? Were not allowed to talk about politics unrelated to our core mission. Are we allowed to talk about who our customers are? Thats political. Right? Maybe were not allowed to talk about that. Are we allowed to talk about the football game that we watched on the weekend? Yes. What if somebody kneeled? Are we allowed to talk about that? No? All of that complexity, you cant just make it disappear because you wrote a blog post. And what ends up happening experientially when we talk to these leaders, is they all develop their own interpretation of it and it gets really unevenly applied, and people have a really awful and ambiguous experience at work.

liz wolfe

You are bringing up very reasonable questions about this. DHH and Jason Fried were pretty explicit about the idea that this isnt going to be perfectly executed. Its not going to always be cut and dry. But theyre expecting adults to do a reasonable job of figuring out what these lines and what these boundaries are. And I think its also worth going back to, sort of, the original instigating event, from what we can tell, which is in 2009, employees at the company circulated a list of funny-sounding names where they mocked them. They were unkind. It was, I think, lists of customer names. So very bad optics now that thats released, right? Obviously. But basically, there were employees who engaged in, sort of, a public reckoning about their former involvement in this list, I think, 12 years ago, ultimately posting an apology for their involvement, and the Anti-Defamation Leagues pyramid of hate, which places mocking and silly name-calling and, sort of, the microaggressions lumped within on the bottom of the pyramid, and then in ascending order of severity, they put genocide at the very top. And so I think what DHH and Jason Fried objected to  and they were pretty explicit about this  was this sense of, yeah, we atoned for the fact that people at our company engaged in really juvenile, really crappy behavior about customers names. Thats not a cool thing to do. But for employees to in any way context collapse this and equate this with something much more severe than it is, the first step on the path to genocide or toward acts of hatred is a little bit crazy. So I really think, like, thats the context that I keep coming back to when trying to gauge whether the reactions were appropriate.

jane coaston

That disagreement wasnt about politics. Like, it wasnt about Medicare for All. It was about something happening at the company. Like, it was about this list of names and then the formation of diversity, equity, and inclusion committees, which this blog post then essentially said, like, thats over now. Thats the challenge Im having here, is that this isnt about, like, you taking over the office to have a giant argument about how much you hate Elizabeth Warren. But this was work-related political discourse. Is there a difference there to you, Liz?

liz wolfe

Its sort of work-related political discourse, right? But it really  the employees could have just done an apology, issued an apology for saying, you know, saying 12 years ago, I was juvenile. I mocked names. Sorry about that. I wont do it again. And they didnt have to bring this sort of broader ADL pyramid discussion of white supremacy and racism and all of these things that they began to lump into this as part of their DEI initiative. It really snowballed from being something, in my view, something that was specific, but they were sort of broadening it beyond that and converting it into this much bigger thing in a manner that really seemed disproportionate to the scale of the initial incident. The initial grievance, all things considered, not that bad. Its a dumb thing to do, but its not an evil or insidious thing to do. I can understand how these types of aggressions really stack up and begin to make people feel unwelcome. But I think maybe what Jason Fried and DHH were both reacting to was this sense that people are using this as, like, a news hook to talk about other issues related to their DEI committee that theyre forming in a manner thats not actually super relevant to the apology that theyre trying to give to their colleagues.

johnathan nightingale

You know, its interesting. The  I dont know what was in DHH and Jasons mind when they made the decision. But one of the things that came out was this all hands they had four days after the blog post went live, right? And it got heated. And the leaders of that organization were asked whether they condemned white supremacy. It got there, right? Somebody brought it up and said, well, can we at least be clear on that? As an organization, can we at least be clear on that? That, like, this is not a white supremacist organization, that it doesnt have a place here. And they couldnt answer. The reporting, at least  and I wasnt in the room, but the reporting, at least, was that they hesitated to answer because they just finished saying were not going to talk about politics. And now they get challenged on this thing that feels pretty straightforward, that you would want  I would want my executives to be able to answer very quickly on. And they couldnt, because now weve created a line. And are we allowed to cross the line that other people arent allowed to cross? And so its interesting as a case, but Im more interested in the general question. Because people are trying to turn this into an example. Look, they did it. Can I do it? One thing we should look at  Jane, you said it it your setup  is that it didnt go well, right? I mean, maybe over the long term, theyll pat themselves on the back for it. But in the short term, its an operational catastrophe, to have a third of your company quit. Like, thats just an objective fact. You screwed up if a third of your company quits within a two-week period.

jane coaston

So I am interested, Johnathan, you made a point in your piece that these political discussions are often related to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts or other areas that have to do with who people are at work. And how does cutting off political discussions, or even kind of picking and choosing whats political and whats not, how does that affect that work, in your view?

johnathan nightingale

Ive never met a company doing diversity, equity, and inclusion work seriously, taking it seriously, who didnt find it really uncomfortable. And so if what were responding to, if what these CEOs are responding to is that these conversations get uncomfortable, that peoples feelings are hurt, that people feel like theyre barked at for not having done enough work on it, that I feel like even in the general case, youre going to have a really hard time. DEI at work is inherently, really, a political question about what is the role of the corporation in dismantling systemic problems that are throughout society, right? Where do we draw that line? And anybody with a DEI team, anybody with a DEI effort is saying I get it. And how good I am at that, how much research Ive done on that, whether Im the expert or need to bring in experts, those are all fair game questions. But as soon as youre engaging as an organization to change the status quo  like, I dont know  I dont know how thats not political. And so if you tell me that Im not allowed to talk about it, then I think probably what happens is that that effort really gets stifled, right? Weve stifled that. But like if  I hope not  but if something really toxic is happening, well, weve made sure that nobody can see it now, right? Because the conversation was supposed to be illegal in the first place. Liz mentioned it. Like, you want to hope that people will be respectful. That people are not going to bring awful, hateful things into their workplace, right? But she also mentioned sexual harassment. Weve got all kinds of laws about that already. It hasnt meant it doesnt happen.

liz wolfe

Yeah. I think its worth noting that were not talking about, like, boomer coal miners in West Virginia. Like, not that theres anything wrong with them. But were talking about people like the three of us, right? Like, when I think about 

jane coaston

Yeah, but the three of us could also be, like, ignorant jerks. Like, lets be real.

liz wolfe

Sure, sure.

jane coaston

We all live in major cities where we have met many people who do the thing of, like, Im extremely woke. And those are the same people who try to touch my hair. So, like, I just want to be clear here that this can happen anywhere.

liz wolfe

Thats true. But I do think we might be catastrophizing a little bit. Like you were talking about the question of whether or not DHH and Jason Fried were comfortable condemning white supremacy, and how they were uncomfortable condemning it. It seems a little bit weird and non sequitur-y for your employees to say oh, but you havent condemned white supremacy today. Its like, I havent condemned white supremacy this week or this month. Do I need to be going and doing that? It seems a little bit out of left field. And I want to introduce the idea that maybe theres a little bit of a generational, definitional, and even dispositional difference in how people approach these issues.

johnathan nightingale

I think, as a point of order, we should condemn white supremacy. But 

liz wolfe

We could do it for this podcast, just once and for all?

johnathan nightingale

But 

jane coaston

We did it. Its done. Congratulations.

johnathan nightingale

Thank you.

liz wolfe

Were very opposed.

johnathan nightingale

But Liz, the definitional issue that youre pointing to, I think thats the root of the whole thing. When Jane asks us about political discussions at work, I think if you come up with a clean definition of politics, youd be making some progress. But I think youre going to have a lot of trouble doing it. In fact, like, I think its fundamentally impossible. Because I think my experience coming up as a straight white guy in tech in Toronto is going to be really different in terms of where politics reads on my career success, where it reads on whether I get an interview when I send a resume in, like, where it reads on my day to day treatment. The definition that I would apply to whats political discourse at work might eliminate whole elements of you being able to talk about what it is to live and work at this company.

jane coaston

In a lot of places, theres kind of like the ur-employee. And in general, thats white, heterosexual men. And white, heterosexual men can be very good, nice people. Im a big fan. But it also means that there are going to be moments where, like, anything that is not that is treated as if they  non-white, non-straight, non-male people cant be objective about certain issues, or this idea that adding them into the mix has just made everything too complicated.

johnathan nightingale

That idea that, like, lack of animosity, lack of discord is more important than what? Than expressing this stuff, I think that bears a lot of challenging.

liz wolfe

Yeah. I see it as somewhat concerning when people begin to rely on work as this source of fulfillment or moral guidance or community. I think theres obviously some amount of community that we necessarily get from work if we like it there and if we are friends with some of our colleagues. But the thing I just keep coming back to is this idea that when that employment is severed, whether its voluntary or involuntary, whether people move jobs of their own volition, of their own accord, or whether theyre fired or laid off, I think it can really feel like the rug has been pulled out from under people, to lose that source of support, that network. And I think its really important that we sort of allow people to draw some of those healthy boundaries  maybe even encourage them to draw some boundaries, to be able to still lean on their church community or their friends or their family as opposed to just their colleagues.

jane coaston

I often tell people, its important to remember that work is not your family. Its not. You can be fired from your job. In most cases you cannot be fired from your family. When I have experienced job loss before, it was the people who had nothing to do with my work who were there to support me. If you are working at Google or on, like, the Facebook campus, there is a beautiful cafeteria and you get smoothies all the time. But the expectation, again, is that you will work 18, 19 hours a day, and that will be praised. Then I think that its very challenging to have that, well, its clock out, this isnt your life. Because at a certain point, if youre constantly available , it kind of is what you do. Johnathan, is this a tech issue? You mentioned in your piece that this tends to be this familiar recipe, that you found a tech company, you market the company as being at the forefront of a new way of working, you have a big mission, you recruit employees who want to do good work for a good company, but everyone defines good differently. The employees are like, we want to make it a better place. And then they start doing, like, diversity, equity, inclusion work, and then things get complicated. And then everyones like, as you said, like, whoa, whoa, whoa, wait a minute.

johnathan nightingale

If youre working 16 hours a day for this company or if youre suddenly on their careers page, right, if youre suddenly the face that we put up because we want to attract more people, because weve got DEI targets that someones trying to hit so they get their bonus, right, is it part of my life if youre literally using my person, my face and my body to promote your organization? Like, I feel like theres a pretty tight tie there.

jane coaston

Been there.

johnathan nightingale

Right? And in that moment, what youre seeing is, yeah. Yes, people have hammocks, and yes, people have catered lunches. 15 years ago that was our strategy for attracting top talent. And its shifted now. Like, how is it that these companies that pay their employees so exorbitantly and, like, give them all kinds of benefits are seeing unionization drives that they havent seen before? And a part of it is because those people are realizing their labor is supporting things theyre not happy with. Their labor is supporting censorship regimes that theyre not happy with. Their labor is supporting weaponry development that theyre not happy with. And theyre saying, like, were going to take our labor elsewhere. Dont worry about us. We will find a new family in a real hurry.

liz wolfe

The thing that youre identifying as a problem, this sort of exodus of employees, is something that I look at as maybe a really good thing. It might be a short term painful thing, but a really valuable long term move. Because, I mean, these people are getting generous severance. People who stayed at the company for longer than three years got six months salary of severance. People who were under three years got three months salary severance. It was sort of this interesting sorting that we saw where, basically, those who were on board with the sort of reorientation, the recalibrating of the company were able to stay and to understand, OK, were doubling back down on the shared projects that were doing together. And those who didnt want to do that got six months of runway to be able to look for other stuff. And frankly, you look at a lot of these ex-employee Twitter threads, and you had hordes of hiring managers reaching out to them afterwards saying, oh, you know, theyre not going to appreciate you? Your values, your wanting to create a DEI committee, is fully aligned with what were trying to do over here. Its kind of a win.

johnathan nightingale

Im happy for those employees, that they found soft landings I think if you go back and you read it, especially during those two weeks, you see a lot of them talk about fear and heartbreak. And, like, I dont think in that moment, theyre having a great time or happy with the decision. But having said that, if you genuinely feel that, if you as an executive feel like its odious, obnoxious, unpleasant, whatever, to have people talking about the fact that theyre having a really hard time at work after George Floyd protests, then I hope you do say it out loud. I hope you say out loud, like, thats not welcome here. Im not an employer thats making space for that, so that we all know. And, like, the employees who left, they got new jobs, but whats really important is that new employees going in know what kind of executives theyre working for. [MUSIC PLAYING]

jane coaston

As we begin to emerge from the pandemic, work culture as many of us know it might never be the same. Tell me all about it in a voicemail by calling 347-915-4324 and we might play an excerpt of it on a future episode. [MUSIC PLAYING] Johnathan, I wanted to ask you, is there a good argument that you can make for these decisions?

johnathan nightingale

Well, Ill tell you. One of the worst brands in organizational psychology is psychological safety. Everybody hears that term and theyre like, this is about babying people. This is about, like, treating everybody with mittens and making sure every wall is padded and, like, its not what it means. Psychological safety is this body of research that says teams tend to outperform when they know what the rules are, when they know what is expected of them, when they know what happens if they fail. A lot of the research about, like, I feel confident that I can bring my whole self to work. I feel confident that my manager sees my achievements and that theyre important. I feel confident that I can succeed in this organization, correlate back to how clear am I about the expectations? Do I know what happens if I screw up? Do I know whats allowed and whats not allowed? And so if you can articulate that, theres health in that, but you need to be clear, right? Even if you say that, I think youre going to see really uneven enforcement of that. And Liz, I think we could both name lots of cases where people with sort of heterodox views get disproportionate enforcement of policies that other people are totally allowed to get away with. And, like, that undermines psychological safety a lot, because now Ive got to spend all my time on how much my boss makes eye contact with me and how much they interrupt me, because I dont have a clear sense of, like, whats in bounds and whats out of bounds.

liz wolfe

Theyre not saying that people cant ever say, hey, Im feeling a little bit down because of something in the news this week, or I feel hurt by somebody else being exclusionary to me. Or even, Im dealing with this really challenging difficulty in my life that has to do with a specific identity that I hold or a group that Im part of. I get the sense that theyre saying, hey, that Daily Beast article that you really want to share in that Slack channel thats about the struggles for voting rights in various red states, thats not really related to us making password management software. I do think that does run the risk of uneven enforcement. And I think they have to approach it with a certain posture of humility to be able to execute it well.

johnathan nightingale

Thats something I really worry about. Its not how Liz interprets it carefully. Its not how we interpret it when were spending enough time to really digest it. Its how does a newly promoted manager whos got two people at a team lunch, talking about something, interpret it? And is it the same for every newly-minted manager and every director and every VP within that organization? Because my experience is, its not. And its worth saying thats what drives a lot of this DEI stuff in the first place. A lot of the struggles that organizations are having is because, like, people are not given equal treatment. People are not given a fair shake, right? If a resume sounds like its got a racialized name, Im less likely to call that person. From the moment they touch my hiring pipeline all the way through their career progression in the organization to the day they get fired or leave, theyre not getting equal treatment. And to take something as big as politics and say were adding that to the ways that, like, management can discretionarily permit or dispermit, I dont disagree that some of those conversations dont go anywhere. I just think that youre doing so much more damage in service of resolving that.

jane coaston

Johnathan, what would a preemptive strategy, in your mind  what would a better one look like?

johnathan nnightingale

Its big. If we had started from, instead of its unpleasant and I want to resolve that, if we had started from, Im leading a diverse organization and I feel like Im under-equipped to do that. And the solution is not I will drop a hammer on my organization. The solution is I will go get equipped. Genuinely, I think thatd be really powerful. I think if you invested in that and then invested in that for the rest of the organization as well. That 20-person DEI committee, I dont know what they were doing. The people who were on that committee at Basecamp said they hadnt done anything before the committee was disbanded. Its not like theyd done something really controversial. I dont know if that committee would have suggested resources and tools that were Basecamp-appropriate and, like, aligned with the identities of the people working in the company so that we could all get to a more fulsome understanding of it. And they dont have to do any of this. None of this is legally required outside of basic labor law stuff. Im not a labor lawyer, but I dont think they have to, right? I think that, like  I wish they would choose to, because I would want to work with that company.

liz wolfe

One thing that I sort of am curious about is, like  I mean, Ive been combing through the data that I can find on DEI initiatives and trying to get a better sense of, like, do we have evidence that suggests that these things that are really vogue right now, do we have evidence to suggest that they work super well?

jane coaston

I would be very curious to see what the DEI folks at Basecamp would have come up with, what their ideas were. Because I think that there are a lot of companies in this that, when we talk about politics or diversity at work, there is an easy road which is either you cant talk about it or you have to do it in these specific ways, and there is a much harder road, which is, like, youre going to have to deal with some people who are, like, hey, remember that time that you assumeD x and y about me because of my name? Or you asked me where I was from, and Im from, like, Dubuque? Thats something that Ive seen companies do time and time and time again. Where its like, well, we could do the hard thing, or we could do the way easier thing.

liz wolfe

I think there are so many creative ways that companies could do that, like scrapping degree requirements. But, I mean, a lot of us just arent willing to have that conversation, right? Were really interested in the performative side, but not as interested in this class and race side that I think is really important, where people could actually sort of cut to the chase.

johnathan nightingale

For what its worth, thats a thing that we talk to bosses about directly. We talk to them about why  go look at your job descriptions and tell me what that degree requirement is doing as a proxy. And while youre at it, go find out if youve got something in your offer letters about, you have to explicitly say that youve never been convicted of a criminal offense for which you havent received a pardon. What work is that doing, right? Like, what is that doing in terms of the makeup of your candidate pool and how many people are bouncing off of it? How many of them are lying to you because they cant say yes to that and lose another job, right? That stuff comes up. And, Jane I would agree. Like, tech is full of stories of founders who would rather jeopardize their entire business than go to therapy. Would rather jeopardize their entire business than have someone very junior tell them that theyre screwing up and that theyve built a company that is less of a dream than it appears to be on their careers page. The only power the employee has is to quit, and youre seeing them use it.

liz wolfe

But thats also a lot of power to give to really junior people. Not to work against myself, because Im a more junior person, all things considered. I think you are tapping into a really important point, Johnathan, which is, like, who holds the power? Are they the right people to hold that power? Are there checks on the way theyre wielding that power? The way I would flip that a little bit is, like, were also in a moment where people like me, or people like me who are Asian or who are Black or what have you, have a lot of power to wield. And it sort of sometimes seems like were giving a lot of power to people who have a lot of complaints, but arent necessarily super judicious with their concept of what a workplace ought to provide them.

jane coaston

Im curious, Liz, what would your ideal workplace look like?

liz wolfe

Well, I have to answer Reason, right? Like, Im not allowed to  yeah. [LAUGHTER] No, I mean, I think for me  I mean, Im a pretty high-conflict personality, just  truth be told. Like, Ive always thought I would get along really well with lawyers, because I think that ability to state your case, to go back and forth, but then also to be resilient afterward and to recognize that you can have these very high level discussions that are theoretical, where you stake out a claim and you defend it, but its not necessarily a reflection of what you believe. Its just sort of something youre workshopping. An environment thats really robust in that area would work well for me. So frankly, a place like Basecamp probably would be a terrible fit. In part because they would never hire me, because I dont have the skills that are relevant to what theyre doing there. But one of the things that I do also value is the ability of some employees to say, hey, we need you to grow and change in this way. We need you to investigate this grievance that we have, where theres also room for that person to do all of that reading and learning and then come back and say, I still disagree and heres why. I think that back and forth is good. Because were in the placating mode, and I dont think thats healthy. I dont think its productive.

johnathan nightingale

Just one thing you said that I just wanted to underline there, Liz. From the way they talk about it. I think that a lot of leaders in general, but tech is often at the vanguard for this stuff, just because our workplace is so mobile and just because its such a sought-after industry at the moment. I think a lot of leaders in tech view the conversation  Im not putting it on you  but view the conversation in the terms that you used, in terms of, like, we can go back and forth on it and then we can recover afterwards. Like, were having a debate about it. Its OK for us to disagree in the context of that. Its not a personal attack. And what I consistently hear from the people that we work with is that for them, it is personal. We can have a debate about politics at work. But, like, when we go home, you can go to work tomorrow and if politics isnt a part of your day, thats OK. And if I come to work tomorrow and politics isnt a part of my day, then I am not included here. Right? And not because its, like, a hobby, but because its like, I cant wash it off. Its who I am. And I need to be able to talk about that because I need to be able to advocate for things like our health benefits dont cover same-sex spouses or weve got maternal leave but we dont have paternal leave.

liz wolfe

Which is something that should totally be on limits. And they have to be, right?

johnathan nightingale

They have to be. And 

liz wolfe

Like, I totally agree.

johnathan nightingale

And I think we need to be so confident that every manager is going to feel that way. And I think its really hard to do that from a blanket ban on speech.

jane coaston

And with that, Liz, Johnathan, thank you so much for joining me, for talking about politics at work while working at work.

johnathan nightingale

Thank you.

liz wolfe

Thank you so much, Jane. [MUSIC PLAYING]

jane coaston

Liz Wolfe is a senior editor at Reason, and Johnathan Nightingale is an author and co-founder of Raw Signal Group. You should read Lizs piece in Reason and Johnathans newsletter on the Basecamp decision. Theres great reporting on the base camp decision by Casey Newton on The Verge. You can find links in our episode notes. [MUSIC PLAYING] Finally heres what some of you had to say about bringing your whole self to work.

annette Hi. My names Annette. Im from Baltimore. I have realized that as a woman in my 30s whos just been diagnosed with autism, I have never been myself at work, and I am so excited that my company is giving me the opportunity to continue working from home where Im so much more productive and Im so much more comfortable and Im so much less stressed because I am at home, not trying to be someone Im not. dan stanton Hi. My name is Dan Stanton. I live in SeaTac, Washington. And over time, as Ive gained tenure and seniority in my position, Ive brought more and more of my personal self to work and let less of work into my personal life. And I feel like thats sort of endemic in my organization. And I believe that actually, as a whole, our organization is becoming more innovative and more responsive as weve become more accustomed to seeing our actual selves instead of our business selves. angie Hi. My name is Angie and Im from Portland, Oregon. And at the times that I felt like I couldnt be myself at work were certainly related to being a working mom. Its really challenging sometimes to be taken seriously, especially when you have a newborn, toddlers, and then you find yourself hiding those parts of who you are and not sharing the joy that youre experiencing at the most important times of your life. So, yeah, working motherhood, you hide a lot. makosi My name is Makosi. I am from Washington, DC. On the subject of how much of myself I bring to work, being the child of two immigrants, from separate nations who came here to find a life and somehow found each other, my upbringing was not typical. So I think its in my best interest to make sure that Im personable, amenable, professional, and thats pretty much it. [MUSIC PLAYING]

jane coaston
Hollie Howard discovered Lake Hopatcong while looking out the window of an airplane, en route to Newark Airport five years ago. A search of aerial views of lakes soon revealed that she had been flying over New Jerseys largest freshwater lake. With a little more research, she learned that the lake was about 40 miles west of New York City, where she was living and performing in Broadway shows.

Over the next two years, Ms. Howard, a former musical-theater actress who is now the director of sales for a musical production company, spent weekends renting cars and driving out to the lake that straddles Sussex and Morris Counties, to look at houses there. In June 2018, she bought a four-bedroom lakefront home with a dock in the borough of Hopatcong, for $500,000. Since then, she has been transforming the 1890s house  once full of small, wood-paneled rooms  into a place with an open floor plan, with the help of her boyfriend, Ryan Morville, whom she met after moving in.
What has your mental and emotional experience been, playing these roles?

SMALLWOOD My first time doing the play three years ago, I was always on edge and it took me a while to come down after rehearsal and performances. I would walk outside Lincoln Center, and there would be a line of N.Y.P.D. officers with assault rifles just standing there. My body would immediately react like, OK, I have to go home. Its really great that we have a stipend for mental health this time around, to get massages or do anything to decompress. We all need it, because we have to go to a very scary place every day and we have to be able to come out of it.

HILL Ive heard actors say, Your body doesnt really know youre faking. There are things we have to do in the play that crack something open. Ive noticed after some performances, the vulnerability hasnt worn off. You have to find different ways to come back to the level every time. Sometimes I get home and its hard to move forward  like, Oh, I have to cook dinner now, I guess.

So much has happened since you first performed this play together in 2018. How does it feel returning to these characters in the context of the pandemic, and following the so-called racial reckoning ignited by the murder of George Floyd?

HILL The play has been poignant every time weve done it. I remember Philando Castile was killed the year before we premiered in Chicago. Eric Garner before him; there are so many people that weve had to watch get taken. Coming back to it, there was no question of, How am I going to find my way in? It was like, No, were still here, theres still so much to unearth, so much to purge, so much to investigate. Its just as relevant, unfortunately.

SMALLWOOD I basically became an adult in Minneapolis, and I was stopped by the cops three times, just walking. I had guns almost drawn on me once. When George Floyd happened it was like, that literally couldve been me. Thats the fuel Im bringing underneath Kitch, and how terrified he is. And its still happening outside the theater. Were mimicking the never-ending existential crisis that we seem to be living in.
Facing an acute and growing drought, California will reduce the amount of water that farmers in the states agricultural heartland are allowed to draw from its largest rivers, officials announced this week. It is the most severe measure taken by the state since a drought emergency was declared for most of California in May.

The unanimous vote by the State Water Resources Control Board on Tuesday will come into force in about two weeks, when thousands of farmers in the watershed of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers  the lifeblood of the agricultural Central Valley  would be subject to drawing restrictions. Depending on a farmers rights and status, the amount of water that can be drawn could be reduced or cut altogether.

A separate curtailment order was passed for the Russian River north of San Francisco.

It is the fourth time in recent decades that California has curtailed water rights for farmers, and experts say climate change is likely to make similar restrictions more regular.

California, by far the largest agricultural producer in the United States, may see declines this year in lower-value crops like corn or alfalfa because of the drought, said Jay Lund, an expert on Californias water system at the University of California, Davis. But many farmers will still be able to draw on ground water and other stored water for their needs, he said.
Between reinstated mask mandates and spiking coronavirus case numbers, this summer is starting to feel a little too much like 2020.

Even in California, a state with a vaccination rate well above average, the number of people hospitalized with Covid-19 has nearly doubled in the past two weeks, according to a New York Times database. The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions map of coronavirus spread shows California bathed in orange and red, signaling the highest levels of transmission.

So how did we get here?

Well, whats happening in California is a story playing out across the country. Summer ushered in more socializing and fewer restrictions, just as the extremely contagious Delta variant gained a foothold.

Andrew Noymer, a public health professor at the University of California, Irvine, employed a very California analogy to explain it to me: Delta is a lightning strike and loosening restrictions is the wind  and they have joined forces to create a threat like a dangerous wildfire.
Col. Dave Severance, the commander of the Marine company that raised a huge American flag over the Japanese island of Iwo Jima in World War II, inspiring the photograph that thrilled the American home front and became an enduring image of men at war, died on Monday at his home in the La Jolla section of San Diego. He was 102.

His family announced his death on Wednesday.

The flag-raising atop Mount Suribachi on Feb. 23, 1945, captured by an Associated Press photographer, Joe Rosenthal, was taken when the battle for Iwo Jima was far from over. In the days that followed, Colonel Severance earned the Silver Star, the Marines third-highest decoration for valor after the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross. The citation stated that in a firefight for a heavily defended ridge, he skillfully directed the assault on this strong enemy position despite stubborn resistance.

Colonel Severance, a captain at the time, commanded Easy Company of the 28th Marine Regiment, Fifth Marine Division  part of the 70,000-man Marine force that sought to seize Iwo Jima, 7.5 square miles of black volcanic sand about 660 miles south of Tokyo. The island, defended by 21,000 Japanese troops, held airstrips that were needed as bases for American fighter planes and as havens for crippled bombers returning to the Mariana Islands from missions over Japan.

Amid heavy casualties, the Marines by the fifth day of combat on Iwo Jima had silenced most opposition from Japanese soldiers dug into caves on Mount Suribachi, an extinct volcano 546 feet high at Iwo Jimas southern tip.
ARLINGTON, Va.  The Defense Department identified George Gonzalez on Wednesday as the police officer killed in Tuesdays attack at the Pentagons Metro bus platform. Officer Gonzalez, 37, was a native of Brooklyn and had been a Pentagon police officer since 2018, according to a statement.

Officer Gonzalez embodied our values of integrity and service to others, the statement said. As we mourn the loss of Officer Gonzalez, our commitment to serve and protect is stronger.

The F.B.I., which is leading the investigation into the episode, said Wednesday afternoon that a man who had just gotten off a bus at the Pentagon Transit Center attacked Officer Gonzalez with a knife, mortally wounding him.

The F.B.I. identified the attacker as Austin William Lanz of Acworth, Ga. Mr. Lanz, 27, then shot himself with the police officers service weapon, the F.B.I. said. Additional police officers engaged the subject, the statement said, and Mr. Lanz died at the scene.
The filing was expected; one of Mr. Trumps lawyers had said on Monday that he would fight the release of his returns to Congress.

The filing argues that even though Mr. Trump is no longer the sitting president, the case must still be evaluated as if he were in office since it dates back to that period. Much of the filing reprised statements made by Democrats dating back to the 2016 campaign, when Mr. Trump broke with the norm of presidential candidates disclosing their tax returns. Democrats have repeatedly suggested that he must be hiding something politically damaging.

During the Trump administration, the Justice Department cited such statements to make the argument that the stated purpose for the request by the committee  that Congress was weighing legislative reforms regarding presidential tax return disclosure  was a pretext for what was in fact an illegitimate purpose.

Last week, however, the Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel, now led by Dawn Johnsen, a Biden appointee, said that the executive branch must accept the committees stated purpose for why it is seeking the returns, and that the law permits it to obtain them.

Even if some individual members of Congress hope to see information from the former presidents tax returns disclosed on the public record merely for the sake of exposure, she wrote, that would not invalidate the legitimate objectives that the committees receipt of the information in question could serve.
A man nearby was collecting bodies. He told her he was waiting for the child, a girl, to die.

Without thinking further, Ms. Gobena picked up the baby, wrapped her in a cloth and took her home to Addis Ababa. She returned the next day with more food and water.

One of the men dying by the side of the road said to me, This is my child. She is dying. I am dying. Please save my child, she recalled. It was a terrible famine. There were no authorities. The government at that time did not want the famine to be public knowledge. So I had to pretend the children were mine and smuggle them out.

By the end of the year she had 21 children living with her and her husband, Kebede Yikoster. At first supportive, he eventually gave her an ultimatum: him or the children.

Ms. Gobena left him, and most of her possessions, taking the children to live with her in a shack in the woods. She sold her jewelry to raise money, then eked out an income selling injera bread and honey wine. Unable to pay the childrens school fees, she found a tutor to visit the shack.
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti  The mastermind behind the assassination of President Jovenel Moise of Haiti is most likely still at large, the countrys caretaker leader says. He remains baffled by the motive, he says, and he doubts that the conspirators accused of plotting the killing had the ability to pull it off on their own.

I think there were a lot of people involved; there were people with access to a lot of money, Prime Minister Ariel Henry said in an interview on Tuesday at his residence in the capital, Port-au-Prince. The people they have accused up until now, I dont see that they have the capacity, the web, to do it.

More than 40 people have been detained after Mr. Moise was shot 12 times and his wife seriously injured on July 7 by a group of assailants who stormed into their bedroom. The police and the prosecutors office continue to issue warrants for new suspects on a near daily basis. Some of the detainees have been charged, but none have been brought to court.

Few in Haiti believe the authorities have yet closed in on the people who organized and financed the complex plot. It appears to have been planned for months in Florida and Haiti and involved flying in two dozen Colombian ex-commandos to the country.
KABUL, Afghanistan  The Taliban claimed responsibility on Wednesday for an attack on the home of a top military official in Kabul that killed eight people, highlighting the insurgents ability to strike in the heart of the Afghan capital as they continue their sweeping military campaign.

The raid began around 8 p.m. on Tuesday with a car bomb that detonated outside the home of Bismillah Khan Mohammadi, the acting defense minister. For several hours afterward, other blasts and sporadic gunfire could be heard in the center of the city after gunmen stormed the building and security forces fought to rescue the roughly 80 people trapped inside.

The complex attack  the largest the Taliban have carried out in the city in nearly a year  penetrated a neighborhood that is home to many high-ranking Afghan officials and close to Kabuls heavily fortified green zone. It comes as the insurgents push the front lines of their military campaign from rural areas deep into provincial capitals in the south and west of Afghanistan.

A Taliban spokesman described the raid in Kabul as the beginning of retaliatory attacks, suggesting that the insurgents planned to target Afghan military officials and the small contingent of foreign troops that remain in the country to protect diplomats and Kabuls international airport after the withdrawal of U.S. forces.
In the battle against the coronavirus, few places seemed as confident of victory as China.

The country of 1.4 billion people had eradicated the virus so quickly that it was one of the first in the world to open up in spring last year. People removed their masks and gathered for pool parties. In recent months, the government has contended with sporadic outbreaks in various provinces, but stamped them out swiftly by mobilizing thousands of people to test and trace infections, as well as locking down communities.

That model is now looking increasingly fragile in a world that passed a grim milestone on Wednesday: the 200 millionth recorded case of infection.

China is facing its biggest challenge since the virus first erupted in the Chinese city of Wuhan last year: the highly transmissible Delta variant that is rapidly spreading throughout the country. Chinese officials have acknowledged that curbing this outbreak will be much harder than the others, owing to the fast and asymptomatic spread of the variant.

Globally, the virus is continuing to infect at an astonishing rate. It took more than a year for the pandemic to reach its 100 millionth case, and little more than six months to double that.
MERRIJIG, Australia  A blanket of fog hanging before him, Lachlan Culican saddled up his horse one autumn morning and set off into the remote high country of southern Australia to find two campers gone missing.

Arriving at the grassy plain where they had pitched their tent, Mr. Culican was taken aback by what he saw. The campsite was burned to the ground, with the campers charred belongings heaped in a pile. Deer carcasses were strewn about the valley. The campers were nowhere to be found.

There was nothing natural about it, said Mr. Culican, a 26-year-old cattle herder.

More than a year later, the disappearance of the campers, Russell Hill and Carol Clay, both in their 70s, remains unsolved. Speculation has swirled. Was it a fatal run-in with illegal deer hunters? A ruse so the campers, who were not married to each other, could run away together?

Around campfires, tall tales have blossomed in the absence of answers. Often, they revolve around a local recluse, known as the Button Man, who dwells in the woods near the campsite and spends his time carving buttons out of antlers.
Mr. Melnychuk has been using some of his grain harvest, which would otherwise be sold, to help feed the cows over the last few years of dry temperatures. Its not that you can go to the neighbor and buy feed for these cows, Mr. Melnychuk said. Theres no feed to be found here, he said, adding, It gets to the point that you cant get yourself out of a hole youre going to be digging.

Mr. Melnychuk believes he is one of few who have sold their animals to farmers in other provinces  his are headed to a farm in Ontario  rather than sent them straight to a butcher.

Weve seen lots of cows hitting the meat market that normally would be in farmers fields grazing, and farmers having to make tough decisions, said Kirk Kiesman, general manager at the Ashern Auction Mart, a livestock auction house in the region. No one wants to see their genetic potential being turned into meat.

Harsh supply-and-demand economics mean that farmers who opt to sell their animals  whether to a butcher or to another farmer  are facing a market flush with cows, and therefore, lower prices, said Reynold Bergen, science director at the Beef Cattle Research Council.

Farming is not the most lucrative field to begin with. General farm workers in the Interlake region can earn up to 50,000 Canadian dollars a year, according to government wage data, with over 40 percent of Canadian farmers supplementing their incomes with off-farm work.

Producers are going to be selling these cattle for bargain basement prices, and theyre going to lose all the equity theyve spent lifetimes or generations building up, said Joe Bouchard, who runs a 400-head cow-calf operation. This has been by far the toughest year weve ever had to face.

The alternative to selling the cows is equally problematic: keeping them and bracing for skyrocketing feed prices, if they are able to secure any.
ATHENS  Greek firefighters on Wednesday were working to put out a blaze that broke out on Tuesday on forestland north of Athens, burning dozens of homes and turning large swaths of land to ash, with similar efforts underway to douse wildfires in the southern Peloponnese peninsula and other parts of the country.

Thousands of people were forced to flee their homes on Tuesday after a large wildfire tore through the area north of Athens, spreading to several settlements. Many more people were rescued by firefighters after becoming trapped in their homes. Residents fled on cars, on motorcycles, even by foot, while dozens of horses were released from a riding club in the area and were seen wandering through local streets.

he government said it would provide hotel accommodation for local residents unable to return to their homes for as long as necessary.
ISTANBUL  As Turkey battles its worst forest fires in decades, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is under ferocious attack for his handling of the disaster, as well as his broader management of a country that was already battered by an economic crisis and the pandemic.

Fires blazed uncontrollably for the eighth day on Wednesday, aggravated by a record-breaking heat wave that follows a prolonged drought. The nation has watched in horror images on television and social media, as thousands of people have been forced to evacuate homes, coastal resorts and whole villages, primarily in the south, and herds of livestock have perished in fast-moving blazes.

In a summer of widespread extreme weather  from floods in Germany and Belgium to record-breaking heat waves and wildfires in Russia, Italy, Greece, Canada and the United States  the emergency in Turkey has given fodder to an increasingly vocal and united opposition to Mr. Erdogan. Tensions are running high across Turkey, where the government has long been accused of corruption and mismanagement, worsening the countrys economic troubles and the crippling effects of the coronavirus.
The World Health Organization called on Wednesday for a moratorium on coronavirus vaccine booster shots until the end of September, so that vaccine supplies can be focused on helping all countries vaccinate at least 10 percent of their populations. The agency made its appeal to the worlds wealthiest nations to address the wide disparities in vaccination rates around the world.

I understand the concern of all governments to protect their people from the Delta variant, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the W.H.O., said in a briefing. But we cannot  and we should not  accept countries that have already used most of the global supply of vaccines using even more of it, while the worlds most vulnerable people remain unprotected.

With the debate over booster shots heating up, the call highlighted a moral and scientific case long pressed by humanitarian groups: With the staggering gaps in vaccination rates around the world and cases surging as the Delta variant spreads, vaccine doses should be given first to vulnerable people in poorer nations. Fully vaccinated people are protected against the worst outcomes of Covid-19 caused by the Delta variant.

W.H.O. officials went to pains to distinguish between booster shots used to shore up immunity in vaccinated populations, for which the science is not yet clear, and additional doses that may be needed by the immunocompromised to develop immunity in the first place. Officials said they objected to boosters, not to additional doses for some subgroups.
Built along the Nanxi River, between the steep mountains of Chinas Yunnan Province, Yanjin county is widely regarded as the worlds narrowest city.

Looking at Yanjin county from above, its hard to believe that such a settlement actually exists in real life. The narrow stretch of usable land sandwiched between the troubled waters of the Nanxi River and steep mountains on either side hardly seems like a suitable location for a city of roughly 450,000 people, but thats exactly what makes Yanjin so special. It looks more like something youd expect to see in a fantasy movie, or in a building simulation game than a modern-day city.

At its narrowest point, Yanjin is only 30 meters wide, while the widest part of the city measures around 300 meters. It is traversed by one main road on each side and even though the city stretches for several kilometers along the river, there dont seem to be too many bridges.

Apart from the extreme narrowness, Yanjin has another noticeable particularity. Because land is such a precious commodity in the area, many of the apartment buildings are located right on the banks of the river and are built on stilt-like thin pillars, to protect them from flooding in case the water level rises.

Drone-shot footage of Yanjin has been going viral on Chinese social media for years, leaving many scratching their heads about the reason why anyone would want to live in such a narrow city, when China has so much more suitable land. But the truth is that this area has been inhabited for hundreds of years, and many of the locals wouldnt consider living anywhere else.



Unfortunately, while awe-inspiring, the infrastructure of Yanjin has reportedly hindered its economic development. Being surrounded by mountains on all sides, and with just one main road passing through the city, the county is considered inaccessible by many.
(L to R) Richard Hatzfeld, Ritesh Patel, Pepe Aguilar

Finn Partners has named Richard Hatzfeld senior partner-global health and head of the DC offering, and Ritesh Patel as senior partner-global digital health.

Hatzfeld, who has worked in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America in a 25-year career, joins Finn Partners after five years as Ogilvy team leader, where he supervised mutl-national vaccination efforts.

Prior to Ogilvy, he was communications director at the Sabin Vaccine Institute, overseeing vaccine development & advocacy, as well as the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases.

He began a public health career leading a nationwide network of maternal/child clinics in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on behalf of USAID.

Hatzfeld will work closely with Finn Health chair Gil Bashe and practice leader Kristie Kuhl.

Patel, who was chief digital officer at Ogilvy Consulting, will collaborate across Finns practices and work at the intersection of health and wellness decision-making and health-professional voice, according to the firm.

He will report to Noah Finn, founding managing partner in charge of global integrated marketing, who praised Patels bold approach that drives access to care through digital technology.

Finn Partners also has hired Pepe Aguilar, whose work has earned 18 Cannes Lions and 26 Effie Awards for a number of global shops, as executive creative director.

Reporting to Matt Bostrom, managing partner, Aguilars job is to elevate Finn Partners creative capabilities, spearhead integrated accounts, lead new business efforts and nurture an inclusive work culture.

Bashe told O'Dwyer's the three hires "demonstrate the firm's commitment to delivering powerful, integrated solutions that make a difference in our global community and deliver for client brands."
A 1.2 million scheme which will reward farmers for the management of habitats on peat soils along with other important landscape features such as eskers, field boundaries and watercourses, was launched by Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Pippa Hackett at the Clara Bog Visitor Centre, last Thursday July 29.

Minister Hackett had the opportunity to meet both the FarmPEAT team and some of the farmers taking part in the pilot project.

''It is an honour to partake in the launch, not just as a minister, but as an Offaly woman and a fellow farmer,'' she said. ''Its encouraging to see work beginning on these inland bogs. Raised bogs represent one of the most valuable natural ecosystems in Ireland and the appropriate management of adjacent agricultural lands that surround them can play an important role in maintaining and enhancing their long-term conservation value.'

Commenting on how the work will be undertaken, the Minister continued: The project will work with local farmers to design and trial a programme especially adapted to the local landscape. It will reward farmers for improved management of habitats on peat soils along with other important landscape features such as eskers, field boundaries and watercourses. All of that will I believe combine to deliver enhanced environmental outcomes.'

Caroline Lalor, the Project Manager added: "We are delighted with the interest that local farmers have expressed in the Project. We are offering 42 farmers a contract for the first year and are planning to offer additional places next year. She continued, it is wonderful to see so many of the pilot farmers here today and we look forward to working with you over the next two years.

The new locally-led programme brings together farmers, farm advisers, scientists, and researchers to deliver a targeted landscape level intervention which places the farmer at the heart of the process. The programme will be results-based, in that farmers will get paid based on the scores they achieve.

Thanking those involved Minister Hackett concluded: As we strive to reach challenging climate change targets, the work planned here will help Ireland transition towards more sustainable use of our peatlands. So, I want to congratulate Caroline Lalor, the project manager of FarmPEAT, on the work done so far in setting up this exciting new project. She has a strong team with her, and I wish them all every success in the future.

The Minister earlier joined the FarmPEAT team for a visit to both the famous Clara Bog Boardwalk and to local farmer Brian Sheridan's land. Mr. Sheridan spoke with the minister about the importance of the bog and the pressures the farmers face who are adjacent to them.

The sites taking part in the project are located in the Irish midland counties of Offaly, Roscommon, Kildare and Westmeath. The sites were selected in order to represent the geographic spread of raised bogs in the midlands and also, at some of the sites, to allow for the FarmPEAT Project to support already completed restoration work and research conducted on the high bogs themselves.
Met Eireann has put the country on alert for thunderstorms ahead of what is expected to be a very wet spell of weather in Ireland.

The weather forecaster has issued a Status Yellow thunderstorm warning for all of Ireland which is not good news for staycationers or the outdoor summer Covid-19 containment strategy.

It warns of 'thundery spells of rain with the risk of lightning and local hail.

The forecaster cautions that this could result in "locailsed flooding and hazardous driving conditions".

The alert is valid from 6am to 7pm on Thursday, August 5.

The forecast outlook from Met Eirenn says it will remain unsettled over the rest of the week, the weekend, and early next week with widespread heavy or thundery showers and a continued risk of spot flooding.

The forecaster's farming section says temperatures will cool slightly in northwesterly winds over the weekend before warming again as we move into next week.

They add that sunshine will be below average over the coming week with unsettled conditions. The farming section adds that the above average rainfall will mean that by Friday, land on half the country will be "close to saturation". More below Tweet.

Thunderstorm warning in place across Ireland tomorrow 



Thundery spells of rain are expected along with lightning and hail 



Risk of flooding & tricky driving conditions   Met Eireann (@MetEireann) August 4, 2021

NATIONAL FORECAST issued on August 4 at 11:34 am.

WEDNESDAY: Hazy sunshine and scattered showers for the rest of today, turning heavy in places, especially across Ulster and the north midlands. Feeling mild with highest temperatures of 17 to 21 degrees Celsius, in a moderate southerly breeze.

Blustery outbreaks of rain, will gradually extend from the west overnight, merging into longer spells of rain across Atlantic counties with the risk of lighting and spot flooding. Mild and humid with lowest temperatures of 12 to 15 degrees Celsius, in a freshening southeast wind, strongest up along the coasts.

THURSDAY: Blustery outbreaks of rain will persist into Thursday morning, heaviest across the north and east. Whilst it will brighten up, widespread heavy thundery showers will develop too, with the risk of lightning, hail and spot flooding. Highest temperatures of 16 to 20 degrees Celsius. Breezy at first, in fresh to strong southerly winds, soon veering westerly and moderating.

Scattered showers and clear spells overnight with lowest temperatures of 12 to 14 degrees in light to moderate westerly winds.

Friday: Bright spells and showers, some of the showers heavy with the risk of thunderstorms. Showers will merge to longer spells of rain at times in Ulster with the risk of spot flooding. Highest temperatures of 15 to 20 degrees, in moderate to fresh westerly winds.

Showers of longer spells of rain at times overnight with lowest temperatures of 11 to 14 degrees in mostly moderate west to southwest winds.

Saturday: While there will be some sunny spells mixed in, showers will become widespread once again with isolated thunderstorms possible brining the risk of spot flooding. Highest Temperatures of 16 to 19 degrees in mostly moderate westerly winds. Showers will become more isolated overnight with lowest temperatures of 11 to 14 degrees in mostly moderate westerly winds.

Sunday: Little change, with a mix of bright or sunny spells and showers, some of them heavy, with a continuing risk of thundery downpours and spot flooding. However it will be somewhat drier and brighter in the Munster. Highest temperatures 15 to 19 degrees, in mostly moderate westerly winds.

Monday: Sunny spells and scattered showers, but generally not as heavy as previous days. Highest Temperatures of 17 to 20 degrees in mostly moderate northwesterly winds.

Further Outlook: Current indications are for it to remain unsettled and changeable with occasional spells of wet weather for during the rest of next week
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Oskaloosa, IA (52577)

Today

Some clouds and possibly an isolated thunderstorm late. Low 71F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Some clouds and possibly an isolated thunderstorm late. Low 71F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
This July 14, 2016 file photo shows Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaking in Oswego after announcing the Port City was a winner of $10 million in state Downtown Revitalization Initiative funds. Despite the Cuomo administration's support for the area, it's impossible to ignore the conduct detailed in Tuesday's report from the attorney general's office, writes Pall-Times managing editor Seth Wallace.
Ottumwa, IA (52501)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low near 70F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. Low near 70F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.
Walk down the slope by the Riverside apartment complex toward the Tittabawassee River. Stop at a cement abutment, now almost buried in dirt and weeds. You are now standing at the site of the first trading post established in Midland.

At the time that the trading post was founded, Midland was known as The Forks because of the junction of the Tittabawassee and Chippewa rivers. Brothers James and Lewis Eastman owned that trading post. And the cement abutment once supported the Benson Street Bridge, built in 1907.

Eventually, James and Lewis were joined by their brother, George, and owned a mineral bath in the Village of Midland City. Lumberjacks cut the white pine that was abundant in Edenville, Geneva Township and Averill six days each week. But Saturday night found the small Village of Midland City overflowing with men who had money to spend. During the lumbering bonanza, the Village of Midland City had 14 saloons, almost side by side, on Main Street.

Ted Eastman counts James, Lewis and George as his ancestors, making him a member of the First Families of Midland County.

Records show the Eastman family men were established businessmen long before a young man named Herbert Henry Dow stepped off the train on Aug. 14, 1890 in Midland.

Today the Eastman family can boast of a lawyer, a minister and 15 assorted businesses in the Midland area, all proudly carrying the name of Eastman and all descendants of James, Lewis and George Eastman.

Ted Eastman and his wife of 63 years, Marge Melchi, proudly carry on a tradition of service and reputable dealing to Midlanders. Ted said, We inherited a real mechanical aptitude from our grandparents and we were lucky enough to have a good business head at the same time.

Today, Ted and Marges son, Ted Jr., and daughter, Toni Leigh, are partners in the business enterprise that has grown greatly over the past decades.

Teds immediate family, carrying the Eastman name, begins with his grandparents, Eli Richard and Frances Elizabeth (Gotts) Eastman, and the 11 children that their marriage produced.

Olive was the first child born of that marriage and lived only until she was 30 years old. When she died, she left her husband, Joseph Suber, and a little 6-year-old daughter named Brytle. Frances Eastman then adopted her granddaughter and raised her as her own daughter.

Ida May was the second child born to Eli and Frances but died at the age of 22 of tuberculosis. Eli took Ida May to Oklahoma, hoping the dry air and hot weather would cure her. It didnt. They were on their way back home to Midland when they had to stop in Alma, Michigan. Ida was too ill to go any further. She died in Alma. Eli and Frances were devastated.

In 1888, a third daughter, Edna, was born. (She is the grandmother of Janet Heath.)

After the three daughters, three sons were born: George in 1890, James in 1892, and William Frank in 1894. A fourth daughter, Anna, was born in 1896. In 1898, a fourth son was born, named Burt, but he died at the age of 5 months.

A fifth son, Harry, was born in 1899, and a sixth son, Elmer, in 1902. And a seventh son, Orville, was born in 1908, completing the Eli and Frances Eastman family.

Both James and William Frank (always called Frank) served in World War I. In different units, the two brothers never were together, although both fought in France and in Germany. They managed to meet and spend one night together before being separated again until the war ended on Nov. 11, 1918. Both sons returned to Midland to make their home.

One letter survived that James wrote to his mother Frances on Oct. 7, 1918. Dear Mother and All, I will try and write a few lines to let you know that I am well. I am still with the 310th Engineers and consider myself lucky. I have been up to the front lines twice but most of the Germans had gone when we got there. I havent had to fire a gun yet and dont expect to. Things arent the very best here but they are not too bad. We sleep outside but we have warm clothes and plenty of good woolen blankets. I get lots of mail. It comes every week or ten days. It begins to look as though the war is most over. I hope so anyhow. Maybe I will be home to go rabbit hunting at Christmas. Tell everyone hello and that I am well. From your son, Corporal James R. Eastman,

James Eastman did return home safely from the war, and on June 15, 1921, he married a young schoolteacher named Gladys Whitehead. Gladys was the daughter of Oren and Nellie (Gleason) Whitehead. James and Gladys would become Teds mom and dad.

Gladys Whitehead was born in 1900 in Geneva Township. She attended school in North Bradley, but when she was ready to enter high school, Oren Whitehead moved his family to Midland so Gladys could attend high school. She graduated in 1918 and went to County Normal for a year, receiving a teaching certificate in 1919. Her first teaching job was at the Barrett School, teaching all eight grades.

James Eastman and Gladys Whitehead met at the Church of God Campground in St. Louis, Michigan. Jamess mom, Frances Eastman, started the Floyd Church of God. Being a pastor was an unusual position for a woman at that time, but Frances was the driving spirit behind the church and served it for 23 years, with no pay. Passionate about her church, she kept it going through the years, meeting in a log cabin, in members homes, and finally in a church on the corner of Eight Mile and Chippewa River roads.

Gladys Whiteheads father, Oren Whitehead, started the East Ashman Church of God in Midland.

Sometimes, history repeats itself in families. James Eastman and Gladys Whitehead met at the Church of God Campground in St. Louis, Michigan, in 1920. In 1954, Ted Eastman met the young woman he would marry, Marjorie Melchi, at the same Church of God Campground in St. Louis, Michigan.

In 1921, prosperity was still around the corner after four years of war. Young married couples frequently lived with in-laws until they could afford a home of their own. Some even lived in tents until there was money enough to build a house. Gladys agreed to marry James, but she wanted a house to move into, and James built a home on Pine River Road before they married.

In 1924, their first son, Richard, was born. In 1930, a second son was born and named Don Robert. Their only daughter, Gladys Ione, was born and died in 1935. Teds mom, Gladys, had whooping cough, and the baby girl contracted the disease from her mother. In 1938, Ted was born, completing the family.

Midland Remembers is penned by Midland writer Virginia Florey and publishes on the first and third Wednesday of each month. Part II of the Eastman story will appear Aug. 18.
Rep. Annette Glenn, R-Midland, said Tuesday the Michigan Legislatures efforts to force improvements at Michigan Secretary of State offices are beginning to show positive results for residents.

Measures signed into law late last week will provide more practical and flexible services for those who have had trouble connecting with the Secretary of State during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new laws require daily walk-in options at branch offices which previously were operating solely under an appointment only system. Drivers license and vehicle registrations expiring between March 31 and Aug. 1 will be considered valid for 120 days past their expiration dates, and late fees will not be charged.
TORKHAM, Pakistan (AP)  Pakistans 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 Afghanistans 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.
VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP)  The Red Cross warned Wednesday that Lithuania's decision to turn away immigrants attempting to cross in from neighboring Belarus does not comply with international law.

Lithuania, a member of the European Union, has faced a surge of mostly Iraqi migrants in the past few months. It says that's due to retaliation by Belarus authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko after the EU put sanctions on his country over an air piracy incident. The Lithuanian Interior Ministry this week distributed a video shot from a helicopter showing large groups of immigrants being escorted to Lithuanias border by Belarusian border guard vehicles.

On Tuesday, Lithuania said it reserved the right to use force to stop such illegal immigration and turned away 180 people attempting to enter the country. But rights groups noted that all nations have an obligation to protect vulnerable people.

Pushbacks of people seeking asylum are not compatible with the Geneva Convention on Refugee Status, the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and other human rights instruments Egle Samuchovaite, program director for Lithuania's Red Cross, told The Associated Press.

Samuchovaite also pointed out that rejecting the admission of vulnerable people into the country would put them into an unsafe environment, trapped between two countries.

In the absence of a physical border barrier with Belarus, the question arises as to how to ensure that there is no disproportionate use of force against asylum seekers, which by any means could not be justified, she said, adding that the Red Cross understands the states challenges in protecting its border.

Lithuania, a nation of less than 3 million people, has no physical barriers for its 679-kilometer (420-mile) long border with Belarus. Some 4,090 migrants, most of them from Iraq, have crossed this year from Belarus into Lithuania.

Another 35 people crossed into Lithuania illegally on Wednesday, according to the State Border Guard Service, but this was significantly lower than the triple-digit numbers of previous days.

Belarus claimed Wednesday that a non-Slavic person died from injuries at a border town but Lithuania dismissed the report as propaganda from a hostile regime.

This is nonsense, a Brothers Grimm fairy tale, Lithuania Interior Minister Agne Bilotaite told reporters.

Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas called the report an obvious provocation. Lithuania is under hybrid attack and spreading such information is a classic example of this process.

Later Wednesday, the Belarusian State Border Committee claimed that five Iraqi migrants who were forcibly expelled to Belarus from Lithuania had injuries, including dog bites, and had been hospitalized.

___

Follow all AP stories on developments in Belarus at https;//apnews.com/hub/Belarus.

___

Follow all AP stories on global migration at https://apnews.com/hub/migration.
The Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance and Great Lakes Bay Region Michigan Works! are co-recipients of a grant from AT&T in support of equipping young professionals with the tools, knowledge and resources for employment.

The Young Professional Work Experience Program, run by Michigan Works!, provides education and technology training to young adults ranging in age from 16-24 years old. The program covers meaningful work-based learning activities while addressing barriers to employment including social, emotional, economic, technological and digital literacy aspects.

The program includes 10 weeks of instruction and provides participants with opportunity to partake in work experience, tutoring and academic remediation, occupational skills training leadership development and mentoring, digital and financial literacy and much more. The effort will support at least 120 participants over the course of the 2021-2022 program.

Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! is excited to partner with the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance to expand digital literacy instruction to young adults participating in our Young Professionals Program, said Christopher Rishko, CEO of Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works! This program helps prepare individuals entering the workforce for the first time with the fundamental skills employers are looking for when sourcing talent. Digital literacy is an increasingly essential skill in todays job market.

The program builds on several other collaborative efforts supported by both the Great Lakes Regional Alliance and Great Lakes Bay Michigan Works!, including preparing youth for the workforce of the future and driving awareness about in-demand careers within the community. A few of those efforts include the launch of MiCareer Quest Middle Michigans Virtual Talent Tours and promoting and facilitating access to other talent development opportunities such as the Going Pro Talent Fund, Futures for Frontliners Program and MiReconnect Program.

Preparing students for future success has been priority for AT&T for many years, said David Lewis, president of AT&T Michigan. As technology expands opportunities and changes the nature of the jobs we do, equipping student with the tools they need for success is important work, and we are proud to partner in it."

The Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance will act as the fiduciary for the grant and help promote awareness in the region for the additional avenue in career development resources for area youth across a number of different channels.

Having tools and resources for young adults to explore careers is one of the ways we can support home-grown talent right here in the Great Lakes Bay Region, said Matt Felan, president and CEO of the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance. This grant provides area youth with an additional outlet to gain experience, knowledge and depth of understanding in todays technology-forward work environment.

For applications and more information about workforce development related to this grant opportunity, young professionals may email youngtalent@michiganworks.com or text 989-218-9080.
The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter Andrew Mullin.

Friday, July 30:

11:47 p.m.  Officers responded to a case of domestic violence on Dublin Avenue.

10:43 p.m.  A deputy was sent to Greendale Township for a report of an elderly female found walking in the roadway. Upon investigatio,n it was learned the female was possibly sexually assaulted. This incident is being investigated.

8:18 p.m.  A deputy responded to a Lincoln Township area regarding to BOL for a possible intoxicated driver in a tan pickup. The deputy made a traffic stop on the vehicle in Jerome Township and determined the 40-year-old male driver was not intoxicated. The male had a revoked drivers license and was issued a citation and released. The vehicle was impounded.

4:49 p.m.  Lee Township fire, EMS, and MSO were called to a Greendale Township gas station for a 30-year-old Greendale Township male having an unknown medical issue. The male refused treatment and was subsequently arrested on an outstanding warrant out of Isabella County. The male was turned over to the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police Department without incident.

3:11 p.m.  Deputies responded to a Lee Township residence on report of a subject attempting to steal a catalytic converter. Deputies were able to find the suspect a 24-year-old male. He had numerous warrants and was taken into custody. A report has been submitted to the Midland County Prosecutors Office for the catalytic converter theft and drug crimes.

2:50 p.m.  A deputy assisted Child Protective Services with a child removal due to a court order at a Lincoln Township residence. The 7-month-old was removed without incident and turned over to Child Protective Services.

2:20 p.m.  Officers responded to a death investigation on Noeske Street.

2:04 p.m.  Referral from the Department of Health and Human Services regarding suspicious bruises found on a 6-year-old female. The female was interviewed by DHHS, and the child did not disclose any information that would warrant law enforcement involvement. The child advised she had rocks in her pockets and fell onto her leg. She also advised the large family dog had jumped on her.

1:40 p.m.  Officers responded to a hit and run crash on Eastman Avenue.

12:28 p.m.  Officers responded to a case of fraud on Eastlawn Drive.

12:11 p.m.  Officers responded to a three-vehicle crash in the area of Eastman Avenue and West Wakerley Road.

12:09 p.m.  A 72-year-old Jerome Township male came to the Midland Law Enforcement Center to report their debit card had been used without their permission. This has already been reported to his bank and the bank requested a police report. The bank will be doing an investigation and the deputy provided their contact information and report number.

11:07 a.m.  Deputies responded to a Homer Township residence to speak with a 35-year-old male who had a civil disagreement with a former friend. The male advised his 35-year-old ex-friend threatened to damage his property related to money owed. They did not resolve this, and the caller wanted a report only.

10:56 a.m.  Deputies assisted Child Protective Services with a home visit in Lincoln Township after they received allegations that a female infant was around possible drug activity. Deputies and Child Protective Services contacted the infant's 22-year-old mother and the mother's 31-year-old boyfriend. Drug paraphernalia was found during a consent search of the living area. Child Protective Services is continuing their investigation.

10:05 a.m.  Officers responded to a hit and run crash on Eastman Avenue and West Wackerley Street.

6:49 a.m.  Officers responded to a drug overdose on Tucker Street.

3:48 a.m.  Deputies were dispatched to a Warren Township location for a reported property destruction accident. Deputies arrived on scene and the vehicle was unoccupied. Deputies followed up at the suspected driver's residence, the suspected driver was not at the residence. The driver was never located.

3:45 a.m.  Officers responded to a case of retail fraud and obstruction of justice on North Saginaw Road.

1:03 a.m.  Officers responded to an operating while intoxicated and a hit-and-run crash on East Main Street.
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Libyan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Najla Al-Mangouch, expressed thanks and gratitude to the Turkish government for its prompt response to Libya's invitation to identify with Libya's health sector, especially regarding the measures taken to deal with the coronavirus and the urgent needs to limit its spread
NORMAL  Rivian Automotive is in negotiations with the British government to build a plant in the southwest of England, a British news outlet reports.

"The talks are not yet at an advanced stage, and Britain is facing competition from rival proposals from Germany and the Netherlands, according to industry sources," the report said.

It would be the first overseas plant for the electric vehicle startup, which is converting the 2.6 million-square-foot former Mitsubishi plant in Normal for production.

Learn about our new digital subscription offer: $1 for 6 months Become a Pantagraph member to unlock local news and information important to Central Illinois. Learn more here.

The California-based company in July said it is also scouting for a second U.S. plant site, and multiple states have expressed interest.

Rivian, founded in 2009, is backed Ford, T. Rowe Price and Amazon.

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WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP)  The queen's representative in New Zealand said Prince Harry and Meghan discussed moving to the South Pacific country during their 2018 visit, more than a year before the couple stepped back from royal duties and moved to the United States.

Governor-General Patsy Reddy also told The Associated Press in an interview she believes the British monarch should remain New Zealand's head of state and described the hand-typed letters she sends to Queen Elizabeth II.

Reddy, 67, will leave her largely ceremonial role representing the queen in New Zealand in October after a 5-year term. A lawyer who was given the honorific Dame for her services to arts and business, Reddy officially signs bills into law, presides over many public ceremonies and tours the country, meeting with various groups including Indigenous Maori.

Harry and Meghan visited New Zealand at the end of a hectic 16-day royal tour of the South Pacific, and Reddy recalled the couple as being tired.

"I remember theyd just been down to the Abel Tasman National Park when we sat down and had a drink, and they said that they could imagine living in a place like this and wondered whether we thought it would be theoretically possible. Even possible for them to have a place in New Zealand.

Of course, we said Sure. It would be fine. There are lots of opportunities to live in New Zealand, but that would be something that theyd have to explore,'" Reddy said. They were looking at how they might raise their family. And, obviously, theyve made some decisions since."

Reddy said she didn't view it as a formal request for assistance but more of an informal discussion about the couple's hopes for the future. She said the pair seemed impressed with the access to the outdoors and their interactions with New Zealanders.

Still, the discussion shows the couple were considering options outside of Britain less than six months after they married and well before their eventual move to the U.S.

During a widely watched interview with Oprah Winfrey near the couples California home earlier this year, Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, mentioned they'd offered to the royal family to take a step back from royal life in a Commonwealth country such as South Africa or New Zealand.

Reddy said she watched the interview but didn't want to comment on internal royal family business.

I thought they were a lovely couple and I hope theyve got a great future where they are, Reddy said.

She said she regularly expresses her confidential views of what's happening in New Zealand to the queen, such as the nation's response to the pandemic. She said the communication "is quite touchingly old-fashioned, by letter.

She has told me on the times that Ive seen her that she finds it interesting to have a personal perspective on whats happening, Reddy said. As she says, I like to know whats happening between the lines."

Many people in New Zealand believe the country should become an independent republic but Reddy said she believed the queen should remain the head of state because the arrangement works and has strong historical links.

She said New Zealand has a special connection to the monarchy because its founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi, was signed by Maori and the representative of Queen Victoria.

Asked about a future scenario in which a monarch might turn out to be dictatorial or autocratic, Reddy said the same scenario with an elected president would likely be worse.

Weve seen how that doesnt work in other countries in the world," she said. "But actually, because the monarch is much more of a theoretical construct, a figurehead rather than an actual ruler, I think it gives us a measure of safety, constitutional safety.

Reddy said she agreed with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's assessment that there was currently little appetite among New Zealanders for a constitutional change, and that people were concerned about more pressing issues like climate change, inequality and the pandemic.

She said she thought the royal family had been great role models during the pandemic, using the internet and social media to great effect and abiding fastidiously to the rules imposed by the British government.

So we saw tragically the funeral of Prince Philip, where they could only have 30 mourners," Reddy said. But there was no question that thered be any kind of dispensation, even from the requirements for isolation, when, for example, Prince Harry came back to that funeral.

Reddy said she'd watched the Netflix series The Crown.

I've enjoyed it as a historical drama, she said. Its production values and some great characterizations, I think. But, you know, it's not real life is it?"

She pushed back at the negative portrayal of Prince Charles, saying she thought he would be a good monarch.

Ive been enormously impressed with the breadth of his knowledge, the depth of his well-considered perceptions on a range of subjects," she said. "From urban planning to the environment, to the impact of religions on the world.

Children's advocate Cindy Kiro has been named by Ardern to succeed Reddy. Kiro, who is also a Dame, is the first Indigenous woman appointed to the role.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
BLOOMINGTON  The Bloomington District 87s special board meeting scheduled for Wednesday was cancelled following Gov. J.B. Pritzkers announcement that masks will be required in all Illinois schools.

In a news conference Wednesday afternoon, Pritzker said masks will be required inside schools that serve prekindergarten through 12th grade and in child care facilities.

Superintendent Barry Reilly said a mask requirement was a part of the Return to Learn Safety Mitigation Plan that was going to be presented to the school board.

Rather than simply putting those (mitigations) out, we decided to have a meeting to present that to the board and have the board act, he said, noting a meeting would have given the community an opportunity to speak to the board on the topic.

But after Pritzkers executive order was announced, Thats a moot issue, Reilly said. That is required and were obviously going to follow that.

Contact Kelsey Watznauer at (309) 820-3254. Follow her on Twitter: @kwatznauer.

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O'FALLON, Mo.  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.

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.

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.

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Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday will issue a mask mandate for preschool through high school students and staff statewide and a vaccine mandate for state employees in prisons, veterans homes and other congregate settings as Illinois tries to blunt a fourth spike of the coronavirus pandemic, sources told The Chicago Tribune.

As the fall semester approaches, school boards across the state have grappled with the decision of whether to require masks after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week issued new guidelines including a recommendation that everyone wear masks in schools, regardless of vaccination status.

Chicago Public Schools, the states largest district, had already made the decision to require masks but other districts have made them optional in the face of vocal opposition from some parents.

Pritzker, whos made his handling of the pandemic central to his reelection bid next year, is stopping short of requiring all state workers to get vaccinated but will mandate it in settings where people are in the direct care of the state, including prisons, juvenile detention facilities and veterans homes.

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The first-term Democrat has faced fierce criticism over the deaths of dozens on veterans in COVID-19 outbreaks at state run homes.

Vaccine uptake has been sluggish among employees at some homes run by the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, with 63% of employees at five homes  including a brand-new one in Chicago that hasnt opened to residents  fully vaccinated as of July 23, according to the department. Thats compared with 98% of residents of those facilities.

Statewide, a little less than 59% of the eligible population has been fully vaccinated.

Illinois follows states such as New York, California and North Carolina in requiring vaccinations for all or some employees.

This is a developing story that will be updated.
Just before the Illinois Senate skipped town in mid-June after failing to pass legislation that would aim to move the state toward 100% clean energy by 2050, legislative leaders expressed confidence a deal was close.

After all, what was initially believed to be the heavy lift in the massive omnibus bill  an agreement on providing state subsidies to keep three of utility giant Exelons nuclear power plants in northern Illinois afloat  was resolved in May.

But, negotiations on the complicated topic broke down over lingering disagreements between environmental groups and labor unions on the timeline for decarbonization. The latest offer from Gov. J.B. Pritzker would mandate the shuttering of most coal-fired plants by 2035 and natural gas plants by 2045. There would also be carbon reduction targets in the years leading up to shutdown. These would put union jobs at stake.

"There's a very simple explanation for why we're here right now: two of the most important Democratic constituency groups are in disagreement, environmental activists and organized labor, said state Sen. Bill Cunningham, D-Orland Park, in June. That creates problems for Democratic legislators. The second we bridge that gap, I think we'll have a bill. And I think we'll have that bill before the summer's up.

Cunninghams optimism was echoed by some insiders, who initially believed lawmakers could be back sometime in August to take a vote, especially given the threatened closure of Exelons nuclear fleet, which is considered a key bridge to the states clean energy future. .

But that optimism melted away earlier this week with labor leaders and environmental groups in separate letters to Pritzker acknowledging that theyve reached an impasse in negotiations.

Prominent labor leaders, part of a coalition named Climate Jobs Illinois, said they reached this point due to seemingly intractable differences on the issues of decarbonization and prevailing wage standards.

We do not take this action without exhaustive deliberation and consideration, but in assessing our counterparts track record over the last several weeks of negotiations following the spring session, it appears they do not share our goal of finding common ground, the group wrote Pritzker.

'Cannot afford or survive'

The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition, in their own letter acknowledging the impasse, dismissed the notion that they havent moved in negotiations, noting how they initially sought a carbon-free power sector by 2030, only to move back to 2035 for coal and 2045 for natural gas.

CJIs insistence on allowing all coal and gas plants to stay open and pollute forever is something our communities and climate cannot afford or survive, the group wrote to Pritzker and members of the Illinois General Assembly.

The group appears unwilling to budge further, noting that at a certain point, a climate bill ceases to be one. Their mantra over the past few months has been, No climate. No equity. No deal.

And Pritzker seems to agree, saying in his own response letter to the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition that pro-coal forces have shifted the goalposts throughout this process" and that "any decarbonization framework must move Illinois aggressively beyond the status quo."

"That compromise bill is the best starting place for you as you consider possible next steps," Pritzker wrote to labor leaders. "I have always believed that we can decarbonize while creating and maintaining good paying, union jobs. Thats why I negotiated a clean energy bill that would do just that."

A lot is at stake.

Though there has been a lot of focus on trying to save union jobs at coal plants, such as the Prairie State Energy Campus in Marissa, and natural gas plants across the state, there are thousands of union jobs that could be lost at the nuke plants slated for closure.

Exelon filed paperwork with federal regulators late last month to begin the process of closing its nuclear plants in Byron and Dresden.

With no signs of a breakthrough on clean energy legislation in Springfield, we have no choice but to take these final steps in preparation for shutting down the plants, said Exelon Chief Nuclear Officer Dave Rhoades. We will never stop fighting for policies to preserve Illinois nuclear fleet, knowing that the minute these plants close our customers will experience dirtier air and higher energy costs. But with time running out, we must plan for the future and do everything we can to prepare our employees and the communities they serve for what lies ahead.

Time keeps on slipping

Absent a subsidy, those jobs go away. And Illinois, which has a distinct advantage as the most nuclear-reliant state in the country, would lose reliable carbon-free sources of baseload power, which makes the transition away from fossil fuels more difficult.

As evidenced by the the haze from western wildfires over the past few months and the trend of increasingly-hot summers, climate change is here.

Nearly everyone in the energy debate has agreed that coal and natural gas are on the way out even if they don't yet agree on a timeline.

The question is, will lawmakers and key stakeholders reach a deal before it's too late? That remains an open question.

The clock is ticking, with perhaps just weeks left for the state to approve subsidies that would keep the two nuclear plants open.

Some lawmakers hope to reconvene and separate the nuclear subsidy from a comprehensive clean energy package. But it's unclear if there's enough support to take that approach.

"Too much is at stake to wait for the demands of every individual interest group to be satisfied in a comprehensive energy package," wrote state Sens. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, and Brian Stewart, R-Freeport; and state Reps. Tom Demmer, R-Dixon, and David Welter, R-Morris, in a joint statement.

But it appears each side has enough votes in the legislature to kill the other's proposal. Each side loses. And that might be the long-term outcome if no deal is reached soon.

"The cost of doing nothing is colossal," the Illinois Clean Energy Jobs Coalition wrote in their letter, a statement I'd bet everyone agrees with.

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MADISON COUNTY, Ill.  A Brooklyn, Illinois, police officer was fatally injured early Wednesday on the McKinley Bridge while trying to stop a car fleeing from a nightclub in the Metro East.

The officer who died was identified by his family as Brian Pierce Jr., 24, who has been with Brooklyn force about nine months. Pierce was struck by a car around 3 a.m. while trying to deploy stop sticks on the bridge to flatten the tires of the car that had fled the nightclub, said Lt. Michael Lewis of the Illinois State Police.

Police are still searching for the driver who hit the officer.

"He was born with a passion to be a police officer," Pierce's mother, Tammy Pierce, told the Post-Dispatch. "His favorite thing about police work was just being out in the public and stopping crime."

Pierce formerly worked for about two years with the police agency in Spillertown, Illinois, and was also a lieutenant with the Makanda Fire Department. Until he moved to Carbondale recently, he had been making the 100-mile drive every day from Makanda to Brooklyn to work the night shift, his mother said.

Brooklyn has about 10 officers on the department.

Brooklyn police said the suspect who hit Pierce was driving a red Dodge Charger with temporary Illinois tags and a black front end. The Dodge was last seen heading into Missouri from the McKinley Bridge, which crosses from Illinois into the Near North Riverfront neighborhood of north St. Louis.

Police had been chasing the suspect from Bottoms Up nightclub in Brooklyn. Investigators haven't said what happened at the nightclub that caused police to chase the Charger. Police were working to obtain video footage from the bar, authorities said.

Police later found the Charger abandoned in Missouri.

Pierce wasn't conscious or breathing when help first arrived. What appeared to be a body covered by a sheet remained on the bridge, in a westbound lane, hours later. The Madison County coroner arrived before 9 a.m. and the body was taken away by an ambulance.

After Pierce died, investigators on the bridge fired shots at another car whose driver crashed through a roadblock on the bridge. The driver survived the shooting.

About 3:50 a.m., while Illinois State Police, the Madison County sheriff's office and Brooklyn police were investigating the officer's death on the bridge, a gray Kia Optima sped through a roadblock on the bridge, State Police said. The Kia hit police cars and nearly struck officers, authorities said.

Madison County sheriff's deputies and Brooklyn officers fired shots at the car and struck the driver. The Kia then crashed into two State Police vehicles.

The Kia's driver, who was shot, suffered non-life threatening injuries, police said. The driver and three passengers were arrested.

The car was wedged between two police cars and numerous evidence markers were placed along the bridge span. Lewis described the scene on the bridge, with incidents happening back-to-back, as "chaotic."

Tammy Pierce said she met with officers who worked with her son and were investigating his death. She said they were visibly shaken. They convinced her that they had surveillance images from the bar showing the man who struck her son, and she was confident he would be arrested soon.

In addition to his jobs with Brooklyn police and Makanda fire agencies, Brian Pierce also ran a company that installed police floodlights and other equipment for law enforcement agencies, his mother said. Brian Pierce was single and had no hobbies other than installing those police lights, she said. His love of police work surfaced when he was a 3-year-old. "All he wanted to do was play with the Matchbox police and fire truck cars," she said.

Capt. Antonio White with the Brooklyn Police Department said Brian Pierce was "very energetic, he was always happy, always had a smile on his face."

"He'd come to work early because this is what he loved to do," White added. "He'd have your back 100%."

Robert Cohen and Colter Peterson of the Post-Dispatch staff contributed to this report.

Kim Bell  314-340-8115 @kbellpd on Twitter kbell@post-dispatch.com

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Photo: (Photo : HOMAS KIENZLE/AFP /AFP via Getty Images)

Family members who have weaker immunities and have yet to receive their vaccination have another option if they become exposed to the deadly virus. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted a COVID-19 antibody treatment, developed by Regeneron Pharmacy, for emergency use.

The COVID-19 antibody treatment, also termed as a monoclonal antibody treatment, will work best for about three percent of America's immunocompromised, such as patients who have cancer, HIV, or organ transplant.

Reports cited that this is the first injectable medication approved for emergency use for patients exposed to the virus. The injectable is ideally administered when the virus infection is still in the person's nose and throat and would work to protect the lungs and the rest of the body's organs from damage.

Read Also: Doctors Remove Watermelon-Sized Ovarian Tumor in Mom Who Was Told She Just Got Fat

However, the FDA clarified that this injection is not a replacement for the vaccine. The agency is still urging all eligible individuals to get their vaccination.

Monoclonal Antibody Treatments Defined

The new treatment was initially allowed for limited use and administered as an IV infusion cocktail, alongside medications like casirivimab and imdevimab, within ten days of the patient's symptoms manifestation. However, with the FDA's newest approval, the treatment may now be administered within 96 hours after the exposure.

To gain clearance from the FDA, the pharmaceutical company had a clinical trial among a larger group composed of families exposed to contacts with COVID-19 in the U.S. Moldova and Romania. Of the 1,505 participants, 81 percent who took the cocktail had reduced risks of hospitalization and severe symptoms from the virus. The affected patients also had shorter symptoms of the virus clearing faster than if they did not get the IV infusion.

FDA said that while there were few immunocompromised participants in the study, it covered a demographic that required preventive treatment and involved people who work in high-risk environments that could expose weaker family members to the virus. The clinical trial also showed that the COVID-19 antibody treatment is safe for patients who may need it every month if they are repeatedly exposed to COVID-19.

Infectious disease expert Dr. Katharine Bar of the University of Pennsylvania said that this infusion would provide a highly efficacious treatment option for patients. However, as with the FDA, she stressed that the best defense against COVID-19 is still vaccination.

Approved for Kids As Well

In November 2020, the FDA also approved Regeneron's casirivimab and imdevimab IV infusion cocktail for children above 12 years old who have symptoms of COVID-19, except if they need oxygen therapy. The agency was confident of the clinical trials showing that kids who weigh at least 88 pounds had better outcomes against the virus during their emergency room visit.

However, kids above 12 years old are already eligible for Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine shots in the U.S. The pharmaceutical company is also waiting for approval on their vaccines for younger kids by October. Trials are currently underway involving children from six to 11 years old, while another clinical trial for those under five years old will be conducted shortly.

Related Article: COVID-19 Vaccination for Pregnant Women Being Recommended by Top U.S. OB-GYN Groups
Photo: (Photo : FRANK RUMPENHORST/DPA/AFP via Getty Images)

The American Medical Association (AMA) has proposed not to include sex on birth certificates for newborn babies since they still have not chosen to be a boy or a girl.

In a statement, Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, AMA's board chair-elect, said that public information designated on the baby's sex on birth certificates fails to recognize "the medical spectrum of gender identity." The doctor also noted that the identification could eventually risk the child's "self-expression and self-identification," increasing the marginalization of individuals.

Fryhofer's statement was shared with the Board of Trustees and the policymakers of AMA in the House of Delegates last June. However, WebMD reported the measure that stated the AMA LGBTQ Advisory Committee backed the move to make the baby's gender visible for medical and statistical use only and not for public records.

After WebMD shared the report, netizens called out AMA's measure. Christina Sommers, a noted author and scholar, said on social media that the institution of doctors has "lost its mind," while former U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley and Rep. Elise Stefanik also said that AMA's move was ridiculous.

Importance of Sex on Birth Certificates

In the U.S., any person's biological sex has to be entered in the Standard Certificate of Live Birth for statistical and medical use. Dr. Robert Jackson of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery disagreed with the measure. He said that all doctors, from their medical school until their specialty training, will need to identify the sex of their patients.

Read Also: Canadian Fertility Doctor Who Inseminated His Sperm on IVF Patients To Pay $10.7 Million

"When the child is born, they do have physical characteristics either male or female," Jackson said. "I think that probably should be on the public record."

A person's biological sex is needed in diagnosing and treating patients. In 2019, a patient who identified as a man gave birth to a stillborn baby because he didn't get the proper prenatal care as the medical staff thought he was obese and not pregnant. According to the doctors, his classification as a man threw them off, so they could not provide for his body's actual medical needs.

States Disallowing Sex Changes on Birth Certificates

Some have accused the AMA of pursuing a political agenda when changing sex on birth certificates is legally allowed in the U.S., except for two states -- Tennessee and Montana. Tennessee's law against the changes took effect in 2020 while Gov. Greg Gianforte signed Montana's laws in July 2021.

Montana's recent move has drawn a lawsuit from Amelia Marquez and John Doe, who said that the government has made it deliberately more challenging for transgender people. Marquez and Doe accused the state government of violating their rights and taking their equal protection under the constitution.

Some people who transition do not undergo surgical sex change because it's an expensive procedure, and they believe that they do not need the operation to affirm their gender identity. However, Marquez, born a boy but now identifies as female, said she wants a birth certificate reflecting her gender, but Montana will not allow it.

Related Article: Angelina Jolie's Son Maddox Allegedly Stolen as a Baby, New Documentary To Shed Light
Brendan Fraser (No Sudden Move) has joined the casts of Martin Scorseses Killers of the Flower Moon. The former title from Apple TV + and Paramount Pictures is a crime drama, based on the bestselling book of the same name by David Grann. Its set in 1920s Oklahoma and will examine the serial murder of members of the oil-wealthy Osage Nationa string of brutal crimes that came to be known as the Reign of Terror.

Fraser will appear in Killers alongside Oscar winners Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio, Emmy nominated Jesse Plemons, and more. We hear that he will play lawyer WS Hamilton.

Fraser was last seen in "No Sudden Move," the crime thriller that Steven Soderbergh directed for HBO Max, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. For more, read the exclusive from Deadline.

Archive: Apple TV News
+ a Plausible Scenario for Moses Gaining Knowledge of Hittite Legal Treaties in His Egyptian Official Duties

Kenneth A. Kitchen, eminent Egyptologist and archaeologist, summarizes the evidence for an early form of Hebrew or proto-Hebrew prior to Moses, and a plausible written Pentateuch by his time (possibly written by him):

The starting point is that the patriarchal narratives do retain much data faithfully preserved from the early second millennium [Dave: see many examples in a recent paper of mine: with a long citation from Kitchen]. A tenacious oral transmission to later times is possible . . . at least to start with. But written records are the securer route in most cases. . . . In Egypt two options then existed. The first, widely practiced, was Egypts own hieroglyphic and hieratic scripts. We have already met Semites using it by circa 1600 [BC], namely, Abdu on his coffin and Nahman on a dagger . . . In the large household of Potiphar, Joseph would either become trained in these scripts himself or work with scribes using them (compare Papyrus Brooklyn 35.1446 of ca. 1730, listing over forty Semites among seventy servants in such a household). But unless he trained some of his (or his brothers) offspring to read these scripts, any patriarchal tradition in them would have become (literally!) a closed book to their descendants before Moses time. The other option was the recently invented West Semitic alphabet, a vehicle deigned by and for Semitic speakers (and writers). The oldest known examples have been the Lachish dagger epigraph from a seventeenth century tomb and the Tell Nagila sherd (Middle/Late Bronze, ca. 1600); we now have also the Wadi Hol graffiti in Egypt from northwest of Thebes, about the seventeenth century. These oldest examples occur in homely, informal contexts, showing that it could be, and was, readily utilized by anyone who cared to do so, and not solely by government elites. To these must be added the proto-Sinaitic inscriptions of disputed date  circa 1800 or circa 1500. This system of not more than thirty simple, semipictographic letters would have been very easy to use in writing up (on papyrus) a first written edition of the patriarchal traditions from Abraham to Jacob, to which a Joseph account could be added. This set of basic narratives could then be recopied from circa 1600 to the thirteenth century, then given a late Canaanite editing in that phase of the script, eventuating into early standard Hebrew language and script from the united monarchy [c. 1000 BC] onward. At the Late Bronze (e.g., land of Rameses), Early Iron IIA (e.g., Laish > Dan), and final phases of transmission (e.g., Chaldean Ur), the handful of retouches would be incorporated. This straightforward view is at least consistent with all the factual data that we currently possess, and keeps theorizing to a minimum. (On the Reliability of the Old Testament, Grand Rapids and Cambridge: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2003, 370-371)

Elsewhere in the same book, Kitchen addresses the topic of the plausibility of Moses, or someone like him, writing much of the Pentateuch. I believe that the life and death dates of Moses were c. 1370-c. 1250 BC, extrapolating from the data in the article, Moses in Encyclopedia Britannica. Dr. Kitchen makes his extra-biblical case:

[T]o explain what exists in our Hebrew documents we need a Hebrew leader who had had experience of life at the Egyptian court . . . including knowledge of treaty-type documents and their format, as well as of traditional Semitic legal/social usage more familiar to his own folk. In other words, somebody distressingly like that old hero of biblical tradition, Moses, is badly needed at this point, to make any sense of the situation as we have it. . . . On the basis of the series of features in Exodus to Deuteronomy that belong to the late second millennium and not later, there is, again, no other viable option. (Ibid., 295) Exod. 2:10 notes the full adoption of the boy [Moses] by his princess patron; that implies his becoming a member of the ruling body of courtiers, officials, and attendants that served the pharaoh as his government leaders under the viziers, treasury chiefs, etc. Such a youth would need to be fully fluent in Egyptian (not just his own West Semitic tongue); so he would be subjected to the Egyptian educational system, learning the hieratic and hieroglyphic scripts. This is typical enough during the New Kingdom, especially in the Nineteenth (Ramesside) Dynasty of the thirteenth century. . . . Both Sethos I [r. c. 1290-1294-1279 BC] and Ramesses II signed treaties with the Hittite kings; the surviving one of Ramesses I shows the format so familiar in the whole Hittite corpus. What is more, the documents in this case were not just sent to Egypt by the Hittites for Egypts approval. The scribes at both courts produced drafts to be exchanged for mutual approval or amendment before the final document was settled. So anyone in Egypts foreign office would be able to learn of such documents in this epoch. . . . This . . . does explain how a Hebrew leader might later come to use this convenient and appropriate framework for the Sinai covenant.(Ibid., 297-298) As for the role of a Moses, there is no factual evidence to exclude such a person at this period, or his having played the roles implied in Exodus to Deuteronomy. A large amount of inconclusive discussion by biblical scholars in almost two hundred years has established next to nothing with any surety . . . The basic reason for the endless shilly-shallying and lack of real result is the massive failure to seek and use external, independent controls such as have been applied here and throughout. Merely churning over and over the biblical texts exclusively in terms of subjective opinion will never be able to settle anything. (Ibid., 299) [S]pecific books such as Deuteronomy and Joshua (and precursors such as Exodus and Leviticus) . . . could not then have been written in classical, standard biblical Hebrew as we know it in the present-day Hebrew Bible . . . But in what form and language? . . . from the fourteenth/thirteenth century onward, the [Canaanite] alphabet could be freely used for any form of communication. The contemporary north Semitic texts found at Ugarit in north Phoenicia illustrate this to perfection . . . the Amarna evidence [c. 1360-1332 BC] and handful of pottery finds prove clearly that Canaanite was the dominant local tongue and could be readily expressed in alphabetic writing . . . Thus we should consider a Moses or a Joshua writing on papyrus, skins, or even waxed tablets in alphabetic late Canaanite. During the two centuries that followed, circa 1200-1000, standard Hebrew evolved out of this form of Canaanite, probably being fully formed by Davids time. Copies of older works such as Deuteronomy or Joshua would be recopied, modernizing outdated grammatical forms and spellings, a process universal in the ancient Near east during the period from 2500 to Greco-Roman times. (Ibid., 304-305)

The key concepts to understand from the above are the notions of 1) appropriation of existing cultural forms, and 2) the inherently evolving nature of language. Thus, many scholars inclined to be skeptical towards the bible will say things like Hebrew didnt exist until the 10th century BC; therefore, neither Moses nor anyone else prior to the 10th century could have written the Pentateuch. This involves a disingenuous sleight-of-hand. It disregards ever-evolving language and also the universally accepted later editing and slight modifications (Grammar, spelling, changing geographical names, etc.) of the Bible.

Wikipedia (Paleo-Hebrew alphabet) makes the salient point:

Paleo-Hebrew script (Hebrew:   ), also Palo-Hebrew, Proto-Hebrew or Old Hebrew, is the name used by modern scholars to describe the script found in Canaanite inscriptions from the region of Biblical Israel and Judah. It is considered to be the script used to record the original texts of the Hebrew Bible due to its similarity to the Samaritan script, as the Talmud stated that the Hebrew ancient script was still used by the Samaritans. . . . Like the Phoenician alphabet, it is a slight regional variant and an immediate continuation of the Proto-Canaanite script, which was used throughout Canaan in the Late Bronze Age. The Phoenician language, Hebrew language, and all of their sister Canaanite languages were largely indistinguishable dialects before that time. . . . The Paleo-Hebrew and Phoenician alphabets developed . . . out of their immediate predecessor script Proto-Canaanite (Late Proto-Sinaitic) during the 13th to 12th centuries BCE, and earlier Proto-Sinaitic scripts.

Likewise, Wikipedia (Proto-Sinaitic script) concurs:

Proto-Canaanite is also used when referring to the ancestor of the Phoenician or Paleo-Hebrew script, respectively, before some cut-off date, typically 1050 BC, with an undefined affinity to proto-Sinaitic.

I list below various archaeological evidences of proto-Hebrew, paleo-Hebrew (pick your term) writing and use of the alphabet, before the time of Moses:

On the track of an ancient road in the desert west of the Nile [Wadi el-Hol], where soldiers, couriers and traders once traveled from Thebes to Abydos, Egyptologists have found limestone inscriptions that they say are the earliest known examples of alphabetic writing.Their discovery is expected to help fix the time and place for the origin of the alphabet, one of the foremost innovations of civilization. Carved in the cliffs of soft stone, the writing, in a Semitic script with Egyptian influences, has been dated to somewhere between 1900 and 1800 B.C., two or three centuries earlier than previously recognized uses of a nascent alphabet. The first experiments with alphabet thus appeared to be the work of Semitic people living deep in Egypt, not in their homelands in the Syria-Palestine region, as had been thought. . . . These are the earliest alphabetic inscriptions, considerably earlier than anyone had thought likely, Dr. John Coleman Darnell, an Egyptologist at Yale University, said last week in an interview about the discovery. They seem to provide us with evidence to tell us when the alphabet itself was invented, and just how. . . . Because of the early date of the two inscriptions and the place they were found, said Dr. P. Kyle McCarter Jr., a professor of Near Eastern studies at Johns Hopkins University. it forces us to reconsider a lot of questions having to do with the early history of the alphabet. Things I wrote only two years ago I now consider out of date. Dr. Frank M. Cross, an emeritus professor of Near Eastern languages and culture at Harvard University, who was not a member of the research team but who has examined the evidence, judged the inscriptions clearly the oldest of alphabetic writing and very important. He said that enough of the symbols in the inscriptions were identical or similar to later Semitic alphabetic writing to conclude that this belongs to a single evolution of the alphabet. The previously oldest evidence for an alphabet, dated about 1600 B.C., was found near or in Semitic-speaking territory, in the Sinai Peninsula and farther north in the Syria-Palestine region occupied by the ancient Canaanites. These examples, known as Proto-Sinaitic and Proto-Canaanite alphabetic inscriptions, were the basis for scholars assuming that Semites developed the alphabet by borrowing and simplifying Egyptian hieroglyphs, but doing this in their own lands and not in Egypt itself. (Discovery of Egyptian Inscriptions Indicates an Earlier Date for Origin of the Alphabet, by John Noble Wilford, The New York Times, 11-13-99)

***

Photo credit: pottery sherd found at Lachish in southern Israel with proto-Hebrew alphabetic text, dating to 1450 BC [article in Haaretz / Antiquity Publications Ltd//J. Dye, Austrian Academy of Sciences]

***

Summary: Archaeological evidence shows an origin of a proto-ancient Hebrew alphabet as far back as 1800 BC, and various evidences suggest the plausibility of Moses writing the Pentateuch.

***

Tags: alphabet, ancient Egypt, ancient Hebrew, ancient Hebrew language, ancient Hebrews, Ancient Hebrews & writing, ancient Israel, ancient Israelites, ancient Jews, archaeology & the Bible, Bible & History, biblical accuracy, biblical archaeology, Bronze Age Canaan, Canaan, Canaanite language, Canaanites, evolution of language, Genesis, Hebrew alphabet, Hebrews, Holy Bible, Israelites & Hebrew, Israelites & writing, Moses, Paleo-Hebrew, Paleo-Hebrew alphabet, Pentateuch, Phoenicians, Proto-Sinaitic script, Torah, written Hebrew Bible, written Pentateuch
What is Zen?

A meditation

James Ishmael Ford

A few days ago on social media, I wrote what I wanted to be a summation of the Zen way as I understand it.

Zen is not about calm nor focus. It does not focus on nothing. Although it does not ignore it, either. Part of the interesting thing is how Zen or more correctly Chan emerged in early medieval China. There the hard logic of Indian scholastic Buddhism gave way to a poetic stance, one of metaphor and indirection. It becomes all about pointing and inviting. Also, unlike some forms of Buddhism, Zen teachers in the normative sense of that rowdy gang, make no causal associations between the practices, whether they be seated Zen, huatou or koan, or even liturgical life as practice, and obtaining. Pretty adamant about that as there is no space between the open and the phenomenal, just angles of perceiving. Something, perhaps, like waves and particles. Not that I claim to understand waves and particles. Much of Buddhism is about escape. Zen is about no escape.

It generated a lot of responses, and a little heat.

Some thought it sectarian. Others really had problems with the sentence about escape. Some felt I said Buddhism when I said, much of Buddhism. Others read escape as escapism. And from those slight but significant shifts offered views.

But the person I found most intriguing, most challenging, and with that most helpful, was Richard Kollmar. Richard is an old dharma hand, someone who has pondered the challenges and invitation of the intimate way.

He focused on those two sentences as I actually wrote them Much of Buddhism is about escape. Zen is about no escape.

Richard then dug into the matter in a way I find, well, challenging. Zen is a family of uniquely Chinese contemplative traditions, Richard asserts. Fundamentally unrelate to Buddhism but wearing Buddhist togs & carrying Buddhist baggage. I guess this can be found in what I wrote. But, I am of the view Zen really is Buddhism, if Buddhism opened wildly by its Chinese encounter.

Richard, however, continues. Zens roots are in nature mysticism & the Daoist culture of participatory spirituality, return, merger, doing not-doing. Again, while I believe Zen is Buddhism, hes also right. These specifics are as much the esense of the Zen way as are the teachings of Gautama Siddhartha, and most especially the deep analysis of Nagarjuna.

But Richard presses. He points to the true secret of our little corner of the intimate way, asserting this allows a de-linking of practice & realization. This is where I find myself invited into deeper waters. I have met more than one Buddhist teacher who asserts that if we follow the meditative methods of the tradition, and here that means samatha and vipassana, closely, step by step, we will awaken.

And when people do not experience awakening, well, theyre doing it wrong. Its completely hermetic. Theres no falsification. And thats a problem in real life, where people do practices an they dont necessarily as its described in the literature. And, at the same time, people with little or no formal practice sometimes have the most amazing and transforming encounters while going to the grocery store.

A retired Episcopalian bishop, Dan Edwards dipped his oar into the conversation, also picking up on those last two sentences, Much of Buddhism is about escape. Zen is about no escape. Turning to his own tradition he notes how much of Christianity is about escaping real life experience(s), cramming it into belief boxes, generally managing it into safe distances.

I find this one of the harsh truths. Much of religion is about crowd control. And much about the human heart is about denial, and management of our grief. Dan quotes T. S. Eliot, Humankind cannot bear very much reality. Dan concludes his contribution with a question. He wonders, if our heads are where we go to escape our hearts.

Another challenge and with it an invitation. I find.

Turning specifically to Zen and its relationship with and within Buddhism, Richard plays with contrast and compare, suggesting two kinds of contemplative culture. Buddhism is transcendentalist, yogic, & analytical. Zen is this-worldly, mystical, & synthetic. Buddhism is headed for the exit sign; Zen stays home. Buddhism is exoteric; Zen is esoteric (Buddhism relies on the Dharma as transmitted by lineage of transmission). He digresses a bit by asserting how complex political & cultural factors inform the invention of Chan in the eighth century.

One might begin with that tidbit of history, the clash of various cultures that births the specificity of Zen. And its important because it reminds us religion and spirituality is a human thing. Our stories may tell of revelations from gods, but if we think that too rigidly, we lose that actually the revelation is in our own hearts, the possibilities are in our lived lives.

But, for me its also important to quickly get to the heart of the matter. The human hurt, and the path of healing.

And theres a bit of time and place involved in the matter. How can I hear the invitation? As a person of this faithless age, what can touch me, what can invite me, what, well, what can heal me?

I was recently told that theres a new use for the term spiritual bypassing. The term was coined out of noticing spiritual teachers who do bad things and trying to explain it. I have some problems with the implicit assumption that theres some point where people are no longer subject to the travails of the world, no longer subject to grasping and aversion and the sweet tempations of various certainties. But I am also helped by the term calling us back to dealing with the mess of our lives. In the newer use, its a challenge to those who go on a spiritual path while abandoning the hurt of this world.

Time and place. I find any spirituality today that is not intimately connected to the matters of the world is hampered, an eagle thats been tethered.

I love that Zen is Buddhism. But, not exactly. And I love that a Christian bishop can look at that and wonder what it is about Christianity that is Christian but not exactly.

What is that most illusive thing? What is the animal we catch at the corner of our eye? What is the dream that keeps returning, but that when we wake, we cant quite recall?

What is the thing about religion that is not crowd control? What is the mystic heart that calls us all wherever or whenever we have come? What is it that take a hundred thousand million shapes?

What is Zen? What is Zen really?

It is something crazy for this world.

And with that it challenges how we live in this world.

It is about our hearts. It is about how we live in this world, no other place, this world. It is about the moment, not some other moment, this moment.

And with that it points to who we really are.

And, in this world of birthing and dying, what might yet be born.
The Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, has, on behalf of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, pledged to, from 2021-2025, commit 23 per cent share of the national budget towards educational development.

The commitment is to help train the assertive and critical mass of Ghanaian youth for the 21st century.



Speaking at the just-ended two-day Global Education Summit in London in the United Kingdom (UK), Dr Adutwum said last year, Ghana committed 23 per cent of its GDP towards the development of education in the country.



Summit



The two-day summit, co-hosted by the UK Government and Kenya in London, was attended by in-persons and virtually.



It sought to raise at least $5 billion for the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) to give 175 million children from developing countries the opportunity to study.



With this pledge, the country has exceeded the global 20 per cent benchmark.



The announcement means Ghana will continue to commit the same percentage of GDP to the development of the educational sector from now till the end of 2025.



Dr Adutwum was speaking at the "Financing for transformation" session of the Global Education Summit, which had the theme: Financing Global Partnership for Education (GPE) 2021-2025, where Heads of State of GPE partner countries discussed the way forward for transforming educational outcomes.



A centrepiece of the summit was giving the opportunity for leaders to make five-year pledges to support the GPE's work to help transform educational systems in up to 90 countries and territories.



Pledge



The pledge made by Dr Adutwum on behalf of President Akufo-Addo was in fulfilment of the conference objective of every country pledging at least 20 per cent of its annual budget to support the development of education in their country.



Dr Adutwum assured the conference of Ghana's readiness to put in place various measures to improve the development of education for the benefit of the people.



He was upbeat that with the current development and initiatives being put in place, there was hope that Ghana's education would soon improve massively.









Source: graphiconline.com









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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









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Volta, Bono and Bono East Regions are emerging as new hotspots for the Coronavirus infections, especially the Delta Variant.



The Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions remain the traditional hotspots.



The Ghana Health Service (GHS) said for instance, the Volta Region, which previously recorded 16 active cases on July 1, had recorded 532 cases as at August 1, while the figures for the Bono Region increased from eight cases to 200 and Bono East from three to 178.



Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, the Director-General of Ghana Health Service (GHS), told the media during the Covid-19 Update in Accra on Wednesday that 79 percent of all Covid-19 cases in the Greater Accra Region were from the Delta Variant.



He said the Delta Variant, which had higher transmission rate and severe disease burden, was becoming dominant and called for stricter enforcement of the safety protocols to prevent escalation of the virus.



He said the situation had resulted in the increased workplace and school infections, with active cases increasing from 1,600 to over 6,000 within a month.



The current active cases stood at 6,766 with 854 deaths as at August 1, 2021.



"The current trajectory of cases with still low adherence to Covid-19 safety protocols pose a significant risk of a higher third wave.



"Average cases per day is likely to increase with the attendant increase in severe and critical cases.



"The potential for a negative impact of the outbreak on all sectors is very high, therefore, aggressive efforts at reversing the trend is needed," Dr Kuma-Aboagye stated.



The Greater Accra Region now has 272 hospital admissions out of which 36 are critical, 87 severe and 107 mild to moderate cases.



Dr Kuma-Aboagye mentioned the driving force behind the surge in infections to non-wearing of nosemasks, disregard for social distancing rule, and non-observation of regular hand hygiene, whilst 98 percent of the population had not been vaccinated and thus, exposing more people to the virus.



On school infections, he said 404 schools had recorded positive cases of the virus with 2,864 cumulative positive cases and 304 active cases.

Source: GNA









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Three more new cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in the Upper West Region according to the Ghana Health Service (GHS).



This brings to a total of eight new cases recorded by the region.



Six are from the Wa Municipality whereas Lambussie District and Lawra Municipality have recorded one case each.



Mr John Maakpe, the Regional Health Promotion Officer and Head of the COVID-19 Risk Communication Team in the region disclosed this to the media on Wednesday.



"We are doing contact tracing and collecting samples for testing purposes", he said.



Mr Maakpe added that the region now had a testing site at the Wa Municipal Hospital which made it a lot easier for them to do testing.



Meanwhile, the total number of COVID-19 cases in the region currently stands at 506 with six active cases and 19 deaths since 2020.

Source: GNA









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The police have launched a manhunt for a man over the horrific death of his girlfriend, a policewoman, at Damongo, the capital of the Savannah Region.



The police constable was found in a pool of blood with wounds believed to be knife stabs on her body at her Damongo residence yesterday morning.



A statement signed and issued by the Director, Public Affairs, of the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent of Police Sheilla Kessie Abayie-Buckman, said her boyfriend was highly suspected and that the police were on a manhunt for him.



The body of the police constable, whose identity the police hierarchy seeks to withhold, has since been deposited at the West Gonja Municipal Hospital in Damongo pending medical investigation.



The statement said the police administration had also started processes to inform the family of the deceased and assured the public that it would provide the necessary updates on the matter in the course of time.



Meanwhile, the Savannah Regional Police Command declined to comment on the matter when the Daily Graphic contacted the office.



Investigations



The Daily Graphic has gathered that the deceased, believed to be in her early 20s, hailed from Obuasi in the Ashanti Region.



The newspaper gathered that she joined the police service two years ago and marked the second anniversary of her enlistment in the police service just last month.



The supposed boyfriend, the paper has gathered, is also from Obuasi, and had come to live with the policewoman at her residence in Damongo in the neighbourhood of the regional police headquarters.



A reliable source said on Saturday, July 31, 2021, the policewoman reported for duty in the morning and was said to have taken part in a general fatigue. It turned out to be the last time she was seen.



Gone awol



The source said the policewoman was supposed to be on night duty the following day, last Sunday, but did not show up and so the officer in charge, together with one other person, went to her residence to check on her, but they saw her door locked with a padlock.



With still no news of her whereabouts, some officers were sent to her residence again to check on her yesterday morning and upon the prompting of another resident about a supposed foul odour emanating from her room, her door was forced open and she was found lying in a pool of blood with multiple knife wounds on her body.









Source: graphiconline.com









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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









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Bono Regional Chairman, Kwame Baffoe has hit out at the opposition NDC over their incompetence and failure to discern that deposed James Gyakye, former MP for Assin North was not qualified to contest for elections.



According to Abronye, this shows that all the NDC are only good with insults. He mentioned that the NDC did not just lose the case but their candidate will be tried for perjury.



Abronye mentioned that the NDC have nothing to offer and their tenure in office was one of the gloomy years for the party. He noted that per what the NDC did to NPP officials like Adamu Sakande, who died few days after being granted pardon by John Mahama, the NPP had to retaliate.



That is why sometimes I dont understand Nana Addo when he does some of these good deeds. At this time, I am the only one to point it out to him. Some good deeds are unwarranted. Am the only one who can advise him to stop certain acts of charity. He is too charitable. Your uncle, J.B Danquah died in prison Sakande died after being pardoned. Some NDC people protested against this pardon. Some people deserve to be punished but Nana is letting them go scot-free Abronye said.



It can be recalled that President Akufo-Addo granted presidential pardon to Abuga Pele, former National coordinator for the defunct Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development GYEEDA. Abronye was of the view that this should have been a payback time and not have caused the president to grant a pardon. Abronye argued that the president needs to stop intervening and showing mercy to NDC officials.



He was of the view that the NDC are confused as to whether they will go to the Supreme Court or appeal the case. He called off the bluff of the NDC by insisting that the party is currently in shambles and they might not recover from this









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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









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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









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The #FIXTHECOUNTRY demonstration is currently underway in Accra with scores of people in attendance.



Many of the protesters are clad in red with placards asking the leadership of the country to do better. They are holding placards many of which are raising concerns over the levels of corruption and under-development in the country.



Others are directed at youth development and unemployment. A few others are however directed at the conduct of the citizenry and the need to do better.



The group, made up of mainly the youth and social media activists, is demanding better standards of living and good governance.



On Monday, the IGP Dr George Akuffo Dampare assured them of police protection throughout the march.



Dr. Akuffo Dampare who only assumed office on Sunday, August 1, invited the group to his office to personally assure them of maximum police protection from the start to the end.



The IGP and other Police Chiefs also went through the agreed routes with the group.



The meeting was held at the request of the newly appointed IGP. According to him, his reason for calling the meeting was to assure us of maximum protection from the start to the end of the August 4 #FixTheCountry protest.



We went over the routes earmarked for the protest from Obra spot (Circle)  Farisco Left  TUC  Kinbu Senior High School  Centre for National Culture  to Independence Square. We also explained that we have recruited and trained marshals who will be assigned to liaise with police on anything and to guide the crowd. On COVID-19 protocols, the marshals will be in charge of making sure everybody wears their masks and maintaining distance, the group said in a statement Monday.



































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The National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Sammy Gyamfi has responded to claims by a former Minister of Works and Housing Enoch Teye Mensah that he Sammy lied in his response to the charges against Collins Dauda for causing financial loss to the state in the Saglemi Housing project.



ET Mensah had said on Tuesday August 3 that the earlier responses by Sammy Gyamfi to the suit against Mr Dauda over the project, were all lies.



He said the facts do not support what Sammy Gyamfi said about him.



This comes after the Attorney-General (A-G) and Minister of Justice, Godfred Dame earlier this week filed court processes to prosecute former Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Alhaji Collins Dauda; his successor, Dr. Kwaku Agyeman-Mensah, and three other persons for allegedly causing financial loss to the state wilfully over the now-abandoned Saglemi Affordable Housing Project.



The state is pressing 52 counts of criminal charges against the accused persons who he accuses of misapplying the states $200 million to pay for less than 1,500 affordable housing units at Saglemi, instead of the 5,000 units parliament granted approval for.



In response to the suit, Sammy Gyamfi said in a statement among other things that It is instructive to note, that the Minister of Works and Housing at the time, Hon. E.T Mensah informed Parliament during the debate on the approval of the loan facility, that the 5000 housing units will not be built at a go, but rather over a period of time, that is, in phases. This is captured in black and white in the Parliamentary Hansard of 23rd October, 2013.



Subsequent to the grant of Parliamentary approval, the Ministry of Works and Housing under Hon. E.T Mensah prepared and executed a Works Agreement with the Contractor for the project, Construtora OAS Limited. It is in the Works Agreement that government decided to build the 5000 housing units in 4 phases. The consultant for the project was AESL. Note that Parliament had already approved the loan Agreement, and therefore the Works Agreement which was an issue of implementation by the Ministry was not required to be approved by Parliament.



But Mr ET Mensah said on the Good Evening Ghana show on Tuesday August 3 that Every things is not true, it is a packed of lies. You [host of the program] should have alerted me I would have come with the handover notes.



The project started when the TSX became a fiasco. It was Mills project, he was the one who signed and gave the approval.



Responding to ET Mensah in a Facebook post, Sammy Gyamfi said The issues about the Saglemi Housing Project which are being disputed by Hon. E.T Mensah are well documented matters of public record.



Facts are sacrosanct, and same shall be laid bare to settle all the issues in contention.

A former Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Enoch Teye Mensah, has said that the comments made about him by National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Sammy Gyamfi in the suit against Collins Dauda over the Saglemi Housing project, were all lies.



He said the facts do not support what Sammy Gyamfi said about him.



This comes after the Attorney-General (A-G) and Minister of Justice, Godfred Dame earlier this week filed court processes to prosecute former Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Alhaji Collins Dauda; his successor, Dr. Kwaku Agyeman-Mensah, and three other persons for allegedly wilfully causing financial loss to the state over the Saglemi Affordable Housing Project.



The state is hitting the accused persons with 52 counts of criminal charges against them for allegedly misapplying the states $200 million to pay for less than 1,500 affordable housing units at Saglemi, instead of the 5,000 units parliament granted approval for.



In response to the suit, Sammy Gyamfi said in a statement among other things that It is instructive to note, that the Minister of Works and Housing at the time, Hon. E.T Mensah informed Parliament during the debate on the approval of the loan facility, that the 5000 housing units will not be built at a go, but rather over a period of time, that is, in phases. This is captured in black and white in the Parliamentary Hansard of 23rd October, 2013.



Subsequent to the grant of Parliamentary approval, the Ministry of Works and Housing under Hon. E.T Mensah prepared and executed a Works Agreement with the Contractor for the project, Construtora OAS Limited. It is in the Works Agreement that government decided to build the 5000 housing units in 4 phases. The consultant for the project was AESL. Note that Parliament had already approved the loan Agreement, and therefore the Works Agreement which was an issue of implementation by the Ministry was not required to be approved by Parliament.



But Mr ET Mensah who is currently a member of the Council of State said on the Good Evening Ghana show on Tuesday August 3 that Every thing is not true, it is a packed of lies. You [host of the programme] should have alerted me, I would have come with the handover notes.



The project started when the STX became a fiasco. It was Mills project, he was the one who signed and gave the approval.



Below is Sammy Gyamfis full statement on the suit



ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE SAGLEMI HOUSING PROJECT.



AKUFO-ADDO GOVERNMENT PERSECUTING HON. COLLINS DAUDA OVER SAGLEMI HOUSING PROJECT.





1. In the year 2012, the NDC government in line with its vision of addressing the huge housing deficit facing the country secured a loan of $US200 million from Credit Suisse International for the construction of up to 5,000 affordable housing units.



2. The terms of the loan agreement was approved by Parliament on 23rd October 2013, in line with Article 181(1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana. Note that, Parliament only approved the Loan Agreement and not the Works Agreement for the project.



3. It is instructive to note, that the Minister of Works and Housing at the time, Hon. E.T Mensah informed Parliament during the debate on the approval of the loan facility, that the 5000 housing units will not be built at a go, but rather over a period of time, that is, in phases. This is captured in black and white in the Parliamentary Hansard of 23rd October, 2013.





4. Subsequent to the grant of Parliamentary approval, the Ministry of Works and Housing under Hon. E.T Mensah prepared and executed a Works Agreement with the Contractor for the project, Construtora OAS Limited. It is in the Works Agreement that government decided to build the 5000 housing units in 4 phases. The consultant for the project was AESL. Note that Parliament had already approved the loan Agreement, and therefore the Works Agreement which was an issue of implementation by the Ministry was not required to be approved by Parliament.



5. Under the Works Agreement, Government was supposed to provide a serviced plot of land with roads, water, electricity, drains, sewage systems and other ancillary facilities for the smooth takeoff of the project, the cost of which had not been factored into the amount of $US200 million approved by Parliament for the project. Since government did have any funds to fall on to discharge these responsibilities, the decision was taken by the ministry to use part of the approved amount of the project ($US200 million) for all the necessary ancillary works to pave way for the construction of the housing units and to make the project site a commercially viable and habitable community. This is what informed the decision by the Ministry to do the project in Phases, as the Minister, Hon. E.T Mensah had already intimated to Parliament. Clearly, the 5,000 houses could not be built at a go.



6. Also, the initial drawings presented to the Ministry of Works and Housing by the developer was based on the Brazilian building code and not fit for the Ghana setting. In fact, it was on this basis that the local district assembly refused an application for building permit for the project. The project Consultant (AESL) and the Contractor was then tasked under the Works Agreement to generate the appropriate designs and drawings for the project.



7. Under the Works Agreement, the first Phase of the project was to deliver about 1,500 housing units which was going to be bought by the Off-taker, Ghana Home Loans and proceeds from same was supposed to be paid into a revolving Escrow Account to be used for the next Phases, until all the 5,000 housing units were delivered. The claim that the decision to build 5000 housing units was reviewed downwards to about 1500 houses is therefore palpable falsehood.





8. At no point was the objective of building 5,000 houses approved by Parliament changed or varied, save that, same was supposed to be delivered in Phases. And this was going to be delivered with the approved amount of $US200 million only and nothing more.



9. When Hon. Collins Dauda took over as Minister for Works and Housing, he only amended and restated the Works Agreement in line with the provisions of same, and reduced the number of Phases from 4 to 3 to shorten the project duration.



10. It is instructive to note, that the approved funds for the project was at all times in the custody and control of the Ministry of Finance, which was responsible for effecting payments for actual work done by the contractor. Payments were made upon the project consultant raising Interim Payment Certificates (IPCs) for actual work done and same being recommended for payment by the Chief Director of the Ministry of Works and Housing. All payments made under the erstwhile NDC government went through this due process and was commensurate with actual work done on the ground. Hon. Collins Dauda was not responsible for either raising IPCs or effecting payment for work done.



11. The project consultant (AESL) who raised all the IPCs hasnt been accused or charged by the Akufo-Addo government for any wrongdoing.



12. Save a half-baked draft report by the Ghana Association of Surveyors which was done in an unprofessional manner and without recourse to AESL, the project consultant, there is no proper Audit that has established over payment or any case of embezzlement or wrongdoing in the implementation of the project. There hasnt been any misapplication of funds or financial loss to the State.



13. It is worthy of note, that the Akufo-Addo government under the leadership of Hon. Samuel Atta Akyea as Minister for Works and Housing, amended and restated the Works Agreement and effected payments of over $US5.6 million to the contractor for the project. Yet, neither Atta Akyea nor his Chief Director has been charged for any wrongdoing by this government.





14. For emphasis, the claim that Parliament approved an agreement for 5,000 housing units but that was reviewed to about 1500 houses without recourse to Parliament is false. Firstly, at no point did government indicate that it was going to stop the project at building 1500 houses only, which is just Phase 1 of the project. The decision that the 5000 housing units should be built in Phases was provided for in the Works Agreement which was executed by Hon. ET Mensah. What Parliament had to approve was the terms of the loan Agreement as required under Article 181 (1) of the Constitution which they did, and not the Works Agreement. In any case, the Works Agreement was amended and restated by the Akufo-Addo government without Parliamentary approval. And so assuming the lack of Parliamentary approval for the Works Agreement or a variation of same constitutes a crime, then why hasnt Atta Akyea or his Chief Director been charged? Why this obscene selective application of the law?



15. What is germane in all this, is the failure and/or refusal of the Akufo-Addo government to complete the about 90% complete Saglemi housing project (Phase 1) for the benefit of Ghanaians. The case against Hon. Collins Dauda and others is frivolous and a poor attempt by the vindictive Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government to create a convenient excuse for their abandonment of the Saglemi Housing project. If there has been any financial loss to the State at all, then it has been occasioned by the people who have recklessly abandoned and supervised the deterioration a 90% complete project for almost five (5) years. The Akufo-Addo/Bawumia Government should stop persecuting innocent people and rather take urgent steps to complete the project which they have left to rot. The Ghanaian taxpayer deserves better.



SAMMY GYAMFI ESQ.







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.

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The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has cut power supply to the residence of Ghanaian media personality and host of the StandPoint show, Oheneyere Gifty Anti.



In a video posted on her Facebook page, an official from the power distribution company could be seen on top of an electricity pole disconnecting the mainline connecting the electricity supply to Gifty Anti's residence.



The cause of the disconnection could not immediately be established but troubled Gifty Anti disclosed that the team entered her house and wanted to take something from the prepaid meter in the house.



According to her, she requested to know their identity since they came without prior notice but her actions infuriated the team which resulted in one of them climbing the pole to cut the supply to her residence off from the mainline.



According to her, the team stationed at Kpone Katamanso came in a car with registration number GN-2139-15.



Read her full post below:



Who is in charge of the Kpone katamanso ECG!!



Some fools just came to my house without prior notice and with no ID wanting to enter my house to take something from my pre-paid meter.



When I refused because of luck of ID, they climbed the pole and disconnected my mainline.



They came in car number GN-2139-15!! Smh.



Ghana, now anyone can do anything with impunity.

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A post shared by Oheneyere Naana Dansoa (@oheneyere_gifty_anti)





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Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Ore is dropped into a dump truck to be brought to the surface at the 610 foot level of Vale SA garson mine in Sudbury, Ont., Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2010. Unionized workers at the Sudbury Vale mine have voted 85% to accept a collective agreement, ending the first strike at the Sudbury mine in more than a decade. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Gino Donato
Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller speaks to media at the Frobisher Inn in Iqaluit, Nunavut, on Friday, July 23, 2021. Miller says he is concerned provinces that are lifting COVID-19 restrictions could lead to a Delta-driven fourth wave among Indigenous people. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Emma Tranter
The Ontario Court of Appeal is seen in Toronto on Monday, April 8, 2019. Ontario's highest court has upheld a ruling that found a government directive making some post-secondary student fees optional to be unlawful. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Colin Perkel
An Emirati Coast Guard vessel patrols off Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021. The British navy warned of a "potential hijack" of another ship off the coast of the United Arab Emirates in the Gulf of Oman near Fujairah on Tuesday, though the circumstances remain unclear. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)
Wildfire smoke fills the air and obstructs the view of the mountains as people continue to take part in outdoor activities even though the air is currently 18 times above WHO exposure recommendation, in Sicamous B.C., Thursday July 29, 2021. Smoke from British Columbia wildfires has caused flight cancellations and delays at airports in Kelowna and Kamloops. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
In Ohio, COVID-19 on the rise: We think the delta variant is the dominant one
Logansport, IN (46947)

Today

Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%.
Main Content

The following is intended to address an overview of the PREP Act and frequently asked questions from the manufacturing industry, the healthcare community, and state and local government officials. It is not an exhaustive review of the PREP Acts provisions in all contexts or a protocol for the HHSs implementation of the PREP Act. In addition, other legal protections may be available at the federal, state, and local government level.



The Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act):

adds new legal authorities to the Public Health Service (PHS) Act

provides liability immunity related to the manufacture, testing, development, distribution, administration and use of medical countermeasures against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear agents of terrorism, epidemics, and pandemics

adds authority to establish a program to compensate eligible individuals who suffer injuries from administration or use of products covered by the PREP Acts immunity provisions

The PREP Act authorizes the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (Secretary) (HHS) to issue a PREP Act Declaration (Declaration) that provides immunity from liability for any loss caused, arising out of, relating to, or resulting from administration or use of countermeasures to diseases, threats and conditions determined in the Declaration to constitute a present or credible risk of a future public health emergency.



Liability Immunity and Compensation

In general, the liability immunity applies to entities and individuals involved in the development, manufacture, testing, distribution, administration, and use of medical countermeasures described in a Declaration. The only statutory exception to this immunity is for actions or failures to act that constitute willful misconduct.



PREP Declaration



Immunity



Claims and Compensation



Litigation

The PREP Act also authorizes a United States Treasury fund that compensates eligible individuals for serious physical injuries or deaths directly caused by administration or use of a countermeasure covered by the Declaration.



PREP Declaration

What Information is Included in a PREP Act Declaration?

A Declaration includes: A determination that a disease or health condition or threat to health constitutes a public health emergency, or that there is a credible risk that it will in the future constitute an emergency;

The category of diseases, health conditions, or health threats for which administration and use of the countermeasure is recommended. During the time period covered by the Declaration, it is presumed that the recommended countermeasure;

The effective time period (the Secretary may specify an extended time period for manufacturers to dispose of the countermeasure and for others to cease administration and use of the countermeasure);

The population of individuals receiving the countermeasure and the geographic area of administration and use of the countermeasure for which immunity from liability is in effect for program planners and qualified persons (manufacturers and distributors are provided liability immunity regardless of who receives the countermeasure or where it is administered or used);

Limitations (if any) on the geographic area or areas for which immunity is in effect with respect to administration or use of the countermeasure;

Limitations (if any) on the means of distribution;

Any additional persons identified as qualified to prescribe, dispense, or administer the countermeasure; and

Any other limitations or conditions.

Where is the Declaration Published?

The Declaration and any amendments are published in the Federal Register. It is important to note, however, that unless the Declaration specifies otherwise, it is effective upon the Secretarys signature, not upon publication in the Federal Register.

What Factors Are Considered by the Secretary?

In deciding whether to issue a PREP Act Declaration, HHS must consider the desirability of encouraging the design, development, clinical testing or investigation, manufacture, labeling, distribution, formulation, packaging, marketing, promotion, sale, purchase, donation, dispensing, prescribing, administering, licensing, and use of the countermeasure recommended in the Declaration. HHS may also consider other relevant factors.

How is a PREP Act Declaration Different from a Declaration of Public Health Emergency under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act?

Under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act, HHS may issue a declaration of a public health emergency based upon a determination that a: disease or disorder presents a public health emergency; or

public health emergency, including significant outbreaks of infectious disease or bioterrorist attacks, otherwise exists. Following a section 319 declaration, the HHS can take a number of emergency actions, including: Waiving certain Medicare, Medicaid, State Children's Health Insurance Program, and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act requirements;

Allowing States and localities to temporarily reassign personnel supported with federal funds during the period of the emergency. A determination of a public health emergency is different from a PREP Act declaration. The declarations are made on different public health determinations, and have different legal effects. A PREP Act Declaration may be made in advance of a public health emergency and may provide liability immunity for activities both before and after a declared public health emergency. A separate declaration under section 319 or other statutes is not needed for immunity under the PREP Act to take effect unless the PREP Act Declaration states that a public health or other emergency Declaration is needed to trigger immunity.

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Immunity

What is Immunity from Liability?

Immunity means that courts must dismiss claims brought against any entity or individual covered by the PREP Act. Claims that courts must dismiss include claims for any loss that is related to any stage of design, development, testing, manufacture, labeling, distribution, formulation, labeling, packaging, marketing, promotion, sale, purchase, donation, dispensing, prescribing, administration, licensing or use of a countermeasure recommended in a Declaration. This includes, but is not limited to, claims for: death;

physical, mental, or emotional injury, illness, disability, or condition or fear of any such injury, illness, disability, or condition;

any need for medical monitoring; or

property damage or loss, including business interruption loss. The only exception is for claims of willful misconduct. (See Question: Are There Any Limitations on Immunity From Liability?).

Who May be Afforded Immunity from Liability under a PREP Act Declaration?

A Declaration may provide liability immunity for covered persons. Covered persons may include, at the Secretarys discretion: Manufacturers of countermeasures;

Distributors of countermeasures;

Program planners, i.e., individuals and entities involved in planning, administering, or supervising programs for distribution of a countermeasure (e.g., State or local governments, Indian tribes, or private sector employers or community groups that establish requirements or provide guidance, technical or scientific advice or assistance, or provide a facility);

Qualified persons, i.e., persons who prescribe, administer, or dispense countermeasures such as healthcare and other providers or other categories of persons named in a Declaration, e.g., volunteers;

Officials, agents, and employees of any of these entities or persons; and

The United States.



Are There Any Limitations on Immunity from Liability?

Immunity from liability under the PREP Act is not available for death or serious physical injury caused by willful misconduct. A serious physical injury is one that is life-threatening, or results in or requires medical or surgical intervention to preclude permanent impairment of a body function or results in permanent damage to a body structure. Willful misconduct is misconduct that is greater than any form of recklessness or negligence. It is defined in the PREP Act as an act or failure to act that is taken: intentionally to achieve a wrongful purpose;

knowingly without legal or factual justification; and

in disregard of a known or obvious risk that is so great as to make it highly probable that the harm will outweigh the benefit. All three of these conditions must be proven with clear and convincing evidence. Willful misconduct cannot be found against:

A manufacturer or distributor for actions regulated by HHS under the Public Health Service Act or the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, if HHS chooses not to take an enforcement action against the manufacturer or distributor, or if HHS terminates or settles an enforcement action without imposing a criminal, civil, or administrative penalty; or

A program planner or qualified person who acts in accordance with applicable directions, guidelines, or recommendations issued by the HHS regarding administration and use of a countermeasure as long as HHS or the State or local health authority is notified about the serious injury or death within seven days of its discovery. In addition, immunity is not available for claims based on activities that fall outside the scope of the applicable Declaration. As described below (5. When Does Immunity Under the PREP Act Become Available?), the Declaration can specify the conditions under which a Declaration will provide immunity, such as the effective dates and geographic area for which immunity will be available. Immunity is not available for claims that fall outside these conditions. Immunity is not available for claims of loss unrelated to the design, development, testing, manufacture, distribution, formulation, labeling, packaging, marketing, promotion, sale, purchase, donation, dispensing, prescribing, administration, licensing or use of a countermeasure recommended in a Declaration. Immunity from liability also is not available for foreign claims where the U.S. has no jurisdiction. Immunity may be available for administration or use of a countermeasure outside the United States if the claim is based on events that take place in U.S. territory or there is another link to the U.S. that makes it reasonable to apply U.S. law to the claim. In addition, immunity is not available for claims based on activities that fall outside the scope of the applicable Declaration. As described below (5. When Does Immunity Under the PREP Act Become Available?), the Declaration can specify the conditions under which a Declaration will provide immunity, such as the effective dates and geographic area for which immunity will be available. Immunity is not available for claims that fall outside these conditions.

What Countermeasures May be Covered by Immunity from Liability?

When Does Immunity Under the PREP Act Become Available?

Immunity under the PREP Act becomes available when HHS issues a Declaration, beginning on the effective date or other triggering event stated in the Declaration. For example, the Declaration may specify that activities such as manufacture and testing are covered on the effective date of the Declaration, but emergency uses such as mass dispensing are covered following a declared public health or other emergency.

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Claims and Compensation

Is There Any Compensation for Injury?

The PREP Act authorized a Covered Countermeasures Process Fund to compensate eligible individuals who suffer injuries as the direct result of a countermeasure administered or used under the Declaration. Funds must be appropriated by Congress into this account to pay claims. If funds are appropriated, compensation for serious physical injuries may then be available to eligible requesters under the HRSAs Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP). Requests for Benefits must be made to HRSAs CICP. Serious physical injury means an injury that warranted hospitalization (whether or not the person was actually hospitalized) or that led to a significant loss of function or disability. The CICP pays reasonable and necessary medical benefits, and/or lost wages for eligible injured countermeasure recipients. Death benefits may also be available to certain survivors of eligible individuals who died as a direct result of the administration or use of a covered countermeasure. The CICP is payer of last resort, so benefits are reduced by the amounts payable by all other public and private third-party payers (such as health insurance and workers compensation). The regulations implementing the CICP are at 42 CFR part 110.

How Does an Individual File a Claim for Benefits?

An individual who may have suffered a serious physical injury from the administration or use of a countermeasure under a Declaration may seek compensation by filing a Request for Benefits with the CICP. A Request for Benefits form must be filed within one year of receiving the countermeasure. A legal or personal representative may file on the individuals behalf, but is generally not required unless the injured person is a minor or an adult who lacks legal capacity to receive payments. If the injured person has died (regardless of cause of death), the executor or administrator of the estate may file for benefits on behalf of the estate. If the injured person died as a direct result of receiving the countermeasure, certain survivors may file a request for death benefits. As well as filing a Request for Benefits Form, the requester must submit all required medical records and other supporting documentation. Further information on filing a Request for Benefits is available on the CICPs website

What Options does an Injured Individual have if Congress has not funded the Compensation Fund?

If no funds have been appropriated to the compensation program, or the Secretary does not make a final determination on the individuals request within 240 days, or the individual decides not to accept the compensation, the injured individual or his representative may pursue a tort claim in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, but only if the claim involves willful misconduct and meets the other requirements for suit under the PREP Act. If the individual accepts compensation from the CICP, or if there is no willful misconduct, the individual does not have a tort claim that can be filed in a United States Federal or a State court. Any award is reduced by public or private insurance or workers compensation available to the injured individual. Awards for non-economic damages, such as pain, suffering, physical impairment, mental anguish, and loss of consortium are also limited.

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Litigation

Has there been any litigation related to the PREP Act?

On November 21, 2012, the Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court in Parker v. St. Lawrence County Public Health Department, 102 A.D.3d 140 (2012) upheld PREP Act protections for a county that conducted a school based vaccination clinic in response to the H1N1 outbreak. During the clinic, a nurse employed by St. Lawrence County inadvertently vaccinated a kindergartener in the absence of parental informed consent. The child's mother filed suit, arguing that the county had committed negligence and battery. The county moved to dismiss the complaint on the basis that the claim was preempted under the PREP Act. The lower court denied the defendant's motion to dismiss, asserting that the PREP Act was not intended by Congress to protect against claims arising from failure to obtain informed consent. The county appealed and the United States submitted an amicus brief supporting the county. The appellate court dismissed the plaintiff's claims, finding that the federal PREP Act preempted the claims under state law and that the breadth of liability immunity provided under the PREP Act precluded the plaintiff's claims of negligence and battery. The court noted the alternative remedy provided by the countermeasure injury compensation program and the possibility of a federal cause of action for willful misconduct claims. The period for appeal of the case has expired. In another case, Kehler v. Hood, 2012 WL 1945952 (E.D.Mo.), plaintiffs alleged that the physician and her employing hospital were negligent in failing to obtain the adult patients informed consent and a consult from a specialist prior to the administration of the vaccination, which resulted in a severe case of transverse myelitis to the patient, and loss of consortium to the spouse. Defendants then brought third party product liability/failure to warn claims against the manufacturer. The parties did not dispute that the manufacturer, was protected by the PREP Act, nor did they allege that it engaged in willful misconduct. As a result, the federal Eastern District Court of Missouri dismissed the claim against the manufacturer. Finding that it had no jurisdiction over plaintiffs remaining claims, the federal court remanded the case to state court for further consideration of the plaintiffs claims.

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The cast of the comedy "Wonder of the World."
WASHINGTON DC  Rosemary Mukami Kariuki, a Kenyan national has been appointed as the new World Bank Country Manager for Uganda.

Ms. Kariuki replaces Mr. Tony Thompson upon completion of his three-year tour of duty in Uganda.

Kariukis appointment took effect from August 1, 2021.

World Bank, in a statement said that Kariuki will lead an active portfolio currently at US$3.9 billion in commitment comprising 27 projects: 21 national and six regional operations.

Under her leadership, the World Bank Group will continue to work closely with the Government of Uganda and other stakeholders to provide innovative products and services that respond to its diverse development challenges and contribute to achieving sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction, with a specific emphasis on COVID-19 recovery. World Bank said in a statement.

Ms Kariuki boasts over 30 years experience in development planning, local government and decentralization, infrastructure development, water supply and sanitation, climate change, and disaster risk management.

Prior to her latest appointment, she has been serving as World Bank, Country Manager for Zimbabwe and has been a global Lead for Urban Development and Poverty; Practice Manager for Urban Development for Sub-Saharan Africa.

She has also previously been sector leader for sustainable development in Tanzania, Burundi, and Uganda and Program Coordinator for local government activities in the Philippines.

Ms. Kariuki holds a masters degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the State University of New York and has also undertaken several short courses from different institutions such as the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the London School of Economics.

Ms. Kariuki joined the World Bank in 1988 as a Research Analyst and has worked in various countries across the globe, including field postings in the Africa Region and East Asia. Her recent assignments in the Urban Development and Water and Sanitation sectors include Sector Manager, Practice Manager, Global Lead Specialist and Lead Specialist. She also worked as Sector Leader for Sustainable Development sectors including urban development, energy, mining, agriculture, water and sanitation, transport, environment and social development.

Comments
KAMPALA  The African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), with support from the Government of Uganda through the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) and the European Union Intellectual Property Office, is organizing a Diplomatic Conference for the Adoption of the Draft Protocol on Voluntary Registration of Copyright and Related Rights to take place in Kampala, Uganda from 20th to 28th August 2021 at Speke Resort in Munyonyo.

The Diplomatic Conference will be attended by Ministers in charge of Intellectual Property from the 20 ARIPO Members States, Heads of Industrial Property and Copyright and Related Rights Offices from the ARIPO Member States.

The State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Henry Oryem Okello, the Deputy Attorney General Jackson Karugaba Kafuuzi & the URSB Registrar General, Mercy Kainobwisho have on Wednesday addressed a media briefing about the upcoming conference at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala.

The Diplomatic Conference will be preceded by an Experts meeting that will bring together Copyright experts from the ARIPO Member States on 20 and 21 August 2021 and the 11th Extraordinary Session of the Administrative Council of ARIPO from 22 to 26 August 2021.

General Jeje Odongo while delivering his remarks said there were many opportunities for Uganda to reap from hosting the conference.

As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we are hopeful that the conference will enhance Ugandas cooperation with Member states on issues related to Intellectual Property and Copyright. Studies by the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) show that the creative industry contributes greatly to GDP as well as employment to countries, the Minister said

The Attorney General on his part said the adoption of the protocol would support the countrys nascent creative industry.

It is very timely for Uganda to host this conference on copyright because the outlook is changing and the choices of employment are also different. We have a young population that has devoted itself to the arts and creativity industry. Through adoption of this protocol, Ugandans shall be able to have their works registered and protected internationally, benefit and earn from their works, enable Government to maintain a register of voluntary copyrighted works which ultimately will lead to better appreciation of the role of the creative industry in promotion of socio economy development.

The Protocol will establish a Regional Voluntary Registration of Copyright and Related Rights, create and maintain a Regional Database for Copyright and Related Rights for the ARIPO Member States.

The Registrar General on her part said having a regional voluntary registration of Copyright and Related Rights in Africa will contribute to a conducive environment to ensure respect for the copyrighted works.

Adoption of this protocol in Kampala gives visibility to Uganda and is also in line with the Governments sustained plans to grow intellectual property & related rights for economic growth. As you may recall, Cabinet approved and passed the National Intellectual Property Policy in May 2019, and it was officially launched by H.E the President in September 2020. Realization of the objectives of the National IP Policy 2019 is very key. URSB has been engaging all stakeholders and providing knowledge needed as part of the implementation process.

The regional voluntary registration of Copyright and Related Rights will also enhance cooperation between national copyright offices to achieve the Protocols purpose. The national registration systems often hold valuable information on creativity from legal and economic perspectives and provide statistics on authors, performers, right holders, and their works, recordings, and productions in their countries. The statistics are important to be included in the regional database thus contributing to the regional statistics on creative industries.

The ARIPO 20 Member States are Botswana, The Kingdom of Eswatini, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, The Kingdom of Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

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Unstoppable Addamo Wins Fourth Super MILLION$ Title

August 04, 2021 Matthew Pitt

Michael Addamo is an absolute beast of a poker tournament player. The popular Canada-based Australian can seemingly do nothing wrong whenever he enters a final table with a healthy stack. Addamo sat down at the latest Super MILLION$ final table at GGPoker with the chip lead and finished the event with all the chips in play after busting all of his eight opponents.

It was Addamo's fourth Super MILLION$ victory; this one came with $325,957 in prize money.

Super MILLION$ Season 2 Episode 6 Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize 1 Michael Addamo Canada $325,957 2 "judd trump" China $254,559 3 Yuri Dzivielevski Brazil $198,800 4 Isaac Haxton Canada $155,254 5 Francisco Benitez Uruguay $121,247 6 Sosia "Aunty_Ninja" Jiang New Zealand $94,689 7 Bert Stevens Mexico $73,948 8 Ludovic "Gr4vyB04t" Geilich Ireland $57,750 9 Aleks Ponakovs Latvia $45,100

*countries as shown in the GGPoker lobby

ClubGG WSOP Main Event Stage 1 Satellites Are Underway!

Aleks Ponakovs started the final table third in chips, but he was the first player out of the door. Addamo min-raised to 100,000 with pocket jacks from early position and called when Ponakovs three-bet all-in for 1,182,989 with pocket tens. Ponakovs flopped an open-ended straight draw, but he missed both the turn and river.

The very next hand saw Ludovic "Gr4vyB04t" Geilich bow out. Addamo found pocket kings under the gun, and he min-raised to 100,000. Sosia "Aunty_Ninja" Jiang three-bet to 250,000 from the next seat along, before Geilich four-bet to 518,675 from his 625,694 stack from Jiang's immediate left with ace-king. The action folded back to Addamo, who moved all-in. Only Geilich called. A ten-high board sent Geilich to the showers.

Amazingly, Addamo sent Bert Stevens home on the very next hand, meaning he busted three opponents in three hands! The action folded to Stevens in the small blind, and he open-shoved for 620,845 with queen-jack of diamonds. Addamo called with king-queen of hearts and busted Stevens when the five community cards ran out eight-high.

That flurry of activity boosted Addamo's stack to more than 8.5 million, with the remaining players holding six million chips between them.

DON'T MISS: Unlimited Attempts at WSOP Main Event Seats for $49.99 at ClubGG

Jiang was the next player eliminated; she crashed out during the 30,000/60,000/7,500a level. Jiang lost all but 2.5 big blinds when her ace-king failed to get there against Yuri Dzivielevski's jacks. Soon after, she was all-in with the lowly eight-trey of clubs and ultimately lost to the nine-four of diamonds of Adammo, which made a flush on the river.

Fifth-place and the first six-figure score of the evening went to Francesco Benitez. Addamo min-raised to 160,000 with pocket jacks and called when Benitez three-bet all-in for 11 big blinds with king-queen. Addamo's jacks held as the five community cards ran out ace-high. Benitez busted and banked $121,247.

Team partypoker ambassador Isaac Haxton was the next superstar to fall. He was second in chips when four-handed play began, but he ran into the sun-running Addamo. The action folded to Addamo in the small blind, and he raised to 280,000 with pocket nines. Haxton responded with an all-in shove for 2,603,858 with ace-jack, and Addamo called, doing so knowing losing would still see him hold the chip lead. Haxton could not find any outs, and his tournament ended with a $155,254 prize.

How to Join our FREE Club PokerNews at ClubGG

Heads-up was set when Dzivielevski crashed and burned in third place. Addamo opened to 240,000 with ace-jack, and Dzivielevski called from the big blind with jack-ten. Dzivielevski check-called a 120,000 continuation bet on the queen-high flop, leading to both players checking the seven on the turn. The river was a jack, Dzivielevski checked before calling off his 864,990 chips when Addamo jammed on him.

Addamo went into heads-up holding an 11,374,872 to 3,225,128 chip lead over judd trump, and the writing was on the wall for the latter.

The final hand took place at the 70,000/140,000/17,500a level. Addamo raised to 280,000 with ace-queen and called when judd trump shoved for 2,137,375 with pocket fives. Addamo turned a straight to leave judd trump drawing dead.

Victory number four for Addamo saw his Super MILLION$ winnings move up to $2,619,905.
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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.
The Aiken County Public School District is mourning the loss of a former Belvedere Elementary School student who was killed Monday in a shooting in Greenwood County.

A man, woman and child, the latter of whom was identified as 10-year-old Shay Nicole Dinkins, were killed in the shootings Monday around 3 p.m. inside a Greenwood County home just off U.S. Highway 25, according to the Associated Press.

Shay attended Belvedere Elementary School for the past two years, according to a news release Tuesday from the Aiken County Public School District.

On Tuesday, the Greenwood County Coroners Office identified the other victims as Randy Grant Perkins, 56, and Megan Lee Gale Dinkins, 30, according to the AP. All were listed as residents of the same Greenwood home.

According to the Associated Press, authorities said the shooting suspect, Jeffery Powell, 36, hopped on a plane after the shootings and was arrested hours later at a Florida hotel.

Our hearts are so heavy today as we process the loss of a sweet young girl and family members to such an unspeakable act, reads a statement from Belvedere Elementary.

However, in the midst of tragedy, we also wish to celebrate Shays life and all of the joy she brought to our school family.

The Aiken County Public School District released the following statement Tuesday: "We are devastated as a school district family today after learning of the tragic passing of former Belvedere Elementary School student Shay Dinkins following a heinous act of gun violence in Greenwood County. We send all of our thoughts and prayers to Shays family, the Belvedere community, and the students, faculty, staff, and administrators at Belvedere Elementary School."

Counselors are available to provide support services to Belvedere Elementary students and employees.
Editor's note: This article was updated Aug. 4 to more accurately describe the SolarWinds breach.

ALEXANDRIA, Va.  Cybersecurity is an escalating area of interest and concern to the National Nuclear Security Administration, a Department of Energy agency in charge of the nations nuclear arsenal and related nonproliferation.

Dr. Charles Verdon, who leads a team responsible for the upkeep of U.S. nuclear weapons, on Tuesday said the National Nuclear Security Administration was opening its eyes much wider to figure out how to protect ourselves better against such virtual threats.

We clearly have to go  continue forward  doing our mission, but we are asking a lot more tougher questions, Verdon said at the annual Nuclear Deterrence Summit. Do we have confidence out of ignorance? Or how do we establish confidence?

Verdon said the NNSA is taking a two-prong proactive approach to fending off would-be attackers: strengthening the front door and strengthening the back door, if youd like.

The nuke agency is also working on improving our ability to test and surveil to make sure that if they have gotten in the door, can we find it fast enough? Verdon pledged. Can we make sure that if they have gotten there, we detect it quickly?

The weapons chiefs remarks come months after the Energy Department was attacked in the sweeping SolarWinds hack, which ripped through a roster of private and public networks.

The furtive SolarWinds strike has been blamed on Russia, a U.S. rival and fellow nuclear powerhouse. President Joe Biden earlier this year announced sanctions against Russia in response to the attack and others.

The Biden administration has been clear that the United States desires a relationship with Russia that is stable and predictable. We do not think that we need to continue on a negative trajectory, a White House statement reads. However, we have also been clear  publicly and privately  that we will defend our national interests and impose costs for Russian government actions that seek to harm us.

Moscow has denied wrongdoing.
ALEXANDRIA, Va.  The silver tsunami, so long discussed and dreaded, has come ashore. And the tide of retirements  grizzled workers trading a commute for a tee time, a cubicle for a beach chair  has presented a wealth of workforce woes, loss of expertise and hiring gaps, among them.

Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, the management-and-operations contractor at the Savannah River Site south of Aiken, is not immune to such afflictions. Some 11,000 people are employed at the nuclear reserve, which year after year proves to be an economic engine for both South Carolina and Georgia.

Like I said, 60% of our workforce has less than five years, we have an 8% attrition rate, and the average person leaving the site has 22 years of experience, Dennis Carr, SRNSs chief operating officer, said Wednesday. And we still maintain facilities that were designed in the 70s, that the trade schools dont teach how to maintain and repair.

The Fluor-led team is evolving as a result, and not at a molasses pace; the new, younger generations are bringing novel ideas to the table  virtual or not  and the contractor is embracing it.

The days of all of us sitting down and memorizing a procedure, those days are over, Carr said at the Nuclear Deterrence Summit. So weve moved into the YouTube platforms and other means of cutting-edge training, like simulations or virtual reality.

Digital preservation and dissemination of information, Carr suggested, is key. The glut of day-to-day knowledge on services like YouTube  how to fix a car, for example, or how to play guitar  is proof of that.

At past conferences, we always talked about the gray beards, present company included. These guys are going away, theyre getting old, theyre going to retire, Greg Meyer, a senior vice president with Fluor, said Wednesday.

Weve seen a shift in thinking over the last couple of years, Meyer continued. And now were focused much more not just to say how do we save that memory, but how do we bring in the new crop of upwardly mobile people that are going to seize job opportunities and learn from their seasoned predecessors.

Savannah River Nuclear Solutions President and CEO Stuart MacVean in 2018 said his team launched a recruitment campaign in the face of a retirement cliff. The newer generations, he noted at the time, want to come to work and enjoy what theyre doing.
ALBANY, N.Y.  New York's legislative leaders signaled Wednesday that Gov. Andrew Cuomo could swiftly face an impeachment trial if he doesn't resign, while a growing number of prosecutors also eyed investigative findings that he sexually harassed at least 11 women.

Cuomo denied that he made any inappropriate sexual advances and insisted the findings, released Tuesday, didn't reflect the facts. But while political pressure grew, so did the potential for criminal charges against the third-term Democratic governor.

District attorneys in Manhattan, suburban Westchester County and the state capital of Albany said they have asked for investigative materials from the inquiry, led by Democratic state Attorney General Letitia James.

Assembly Democrats, who lead the chamber, debated virtually for hours Tuesday about whether to impeach the governor now, wait to see whether he resigns, or give the Assembly Judiciary Committee time to wrap up its wide-ranging investigation into topics from sexual misconduct to the Cuomo administration's months-long obfuscation of the total number of nursing home residents who died from COVID-19.

If the Assembly votes to impeach Cuomo, the state Senate could launch an impeachment trial "in weeks," Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris told The Associated Press.

Gianaris, a Democrat, said the chamber has been preparing for a potential impeachment trial for months.

"We'll be ready to go if and when the impeachment articles are sent over," he said. "It could happen very quickly."

The 150-member Assembly would need 76 votes to impeach Cuomo and send articles of impeachment to the Senate. The Assembly includes 106 Democrats, 43 Republicans and one Independent.

At least two dozen Assembly Democrats called for impeachment in public statements issued Tuesday, according to a tally compiled by The Associated Press. Some said the Assembly should vote for impeachment now, while others said the chamber should impeach Cuomo if he doesn't resign.

Assembly Republican Leader Will Barclay urged Speaker Carl Heastie, a Democrat, to convene an emergency special session to vote to impeach Cuomo.

James' investigation, conducted by two outside lawyers, painted what she called "a deeply disturbing yet clear picture" of a governor who touched or made sexually inappropriate comments to a series of women, many of whom worked for him. One is state trooper whom Cuomo successfully sought to have assigned to his security detail.

While many of the allegations against Cuomo involve verbal comments, some women have also alleged that he gave them unwanted kisses or touches. One aide said the governor reached under her shirt and groped her breast at the governor's mansion in Albany.

The governor denied Tuesday that he ever inappropriately touched anyone, said that he never intended harm and cast doubt on the political motivations of investigators, accusers and critics.

To date, Cuomo has rebuffed calls to step down and has moved ahead with plans to run for a fourth term in 2022.

___

Associated Press writer Jennifer Peltz contributed from New York.
COLUMBIA  Two weeks before classes resume, the city of Columbia plans to require masks in many schools after declaring a state of emergency  a move that will likely trigger legal challenges from state leaders.

Mayor Steve Benjamin made the announcement Aug. 4 that will cover 43 public and private elementary and middle schools in the wake of rising COVID case numbers. The mandate includes staff, faculty and visitors at those schools but does not cover high schools.

"We are again at a significant challenging point of the rise of a Delta variant that has not only imperiled public health with a much more contagious version of the COVID-19 virus, but we've watched it rage through our community, a tenfold increase in infections just in the past month," Benjamin said at a news conference Aug. 4.

The city fire marshals would enforce the new mandate during the 61-day emergency declaration, Benjamin said. Families face $100 fines for violations.

Schools would be fined for teachers and staff who violate the mandate that is expected to win city council approval at a special meeting Aug. 5.

Columbia is the first local government in South Carolina to move ahead with plans for a mask mandate covering schools, though some cities and counties, including Charleston County, are requiring face coverings in publicly run buildings.

Columbia plans to issue the mandate at schools despite state lawmakers banning masks requirements in classrooms as part of a budget amendment this year. Benjamin, one of the state's top Democrats, said he is willing to defend the city's new rule to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary.

Attorney General Alan Wilson's office, which got the University of South Carolina to back down from an indoor mask requirement this week, is waiting to see what the Columbia City Council passes, spokesman Robert Kittle said.

"The city has not passed anything yet and we dont know what the final wording will be, so at this point theres no way to know whether its legal," Kittle said.

Gov. Henry McMaster, who like Wilson is a Republican, has favored allowing South Carolinians to make their own decisions in taking precautions against the virus that has killed close to 10,000 residents here since March 2020.

"This is another attempt to force children to wear masks in schools without a bit of consideration for a parents right to make that decision." McMaster spokesman Brian Symmes said. "State law prohibits mask mandates in public schools and the citys ordinance would require teachers and administrators to violate state law."

Benjamin told reporters, "The governor has expressed his opinion; that is not state law."

Legislators inside the GOP-dominated Statehouse could try to pass a law when they meet in September to prevent local governments from imposing COVID restrictions like the one Columbia is expected to pass.

Benjamin said requiring masks would slow another wave of infections that endangers the economy, just now returning to normal after the worst of the pandemic.

"For those who disagree (with the mask mandate), I respect their ability and right to disagree. We're going to continue to move forward to save lives and save livelihoods," the mayor said.

Children under 12 have not received federal clearance to receive the COVID vaccines.

Leadership at the Richland One School District, which oversees the bulk of the schools covered in the proposed mandate, backed Columbia's planned restrictions.

"I know that the state mandate is one thing and now the city (is getting) a law; we have to choose the one that's for children," Richland One board chairman Aaron Bishop said after the city's announcement. "This is all about preserving our tomorrow. We are trusting that the leadership of the city of Columbia and the leadership of Richland One find out how to navigate this moving forward."

Richland County, along with neighboring Lexington and Kershaw counties, has posted some of the state's highest per-capita rates of new COVID-19 cases in recent weeks.
GEORGETOWN  An irate Georgetown County school board chairman Jim Dumm said Aug. 3 that he thinks Gov. Henry McMaster is doing "huge disservice to the children in our state" by not ordering more protections as COVID-19 cases spike ahead of classes resuming.

Dumm added that he wished he could be a dictator and demand that no one be allowed on school grounds without being vaccinated and, if not, then they should wear a mask.

The chairman's anger came while the Georgetown County school board debated a "Safe Return to In-Person Instruction Plan" that included discussion of masks in school and on buses, and the removal of the plastic panels installed in each classroom earlier this year.

Board members were told students will not be required to wear masks when the opening school bells ring, and they wont have to sit behind clear plastic barriers unless requested by their parents. And schools across the state are barred from requiring vaccinations to attend classes.

Still, students will be encouraged to wear masks, especially on buses, district officials said.

Nothing has been as confusing for school staff as trying to figure out what is required and not required when it comes to masks, district safety director Alan Walters told the board Aug. 3.

It changes daily, sometimes hourly, he said.

Mask wearing drew the most comments from school board members.

Walters explained the latest federal and state public health guidelines recommend that because of the rise in COVID-19 cases and the threat of the delta variant, everyone should be masked indoors, including teachers, students and visitors to schools.

But school districts statewide cant require them because of a state budget item that forbids them. McMaster has said parents should decide whether wearing masks is appropriate for children, echoing his message on other matters concerning COVID-19 that it's up to South Carolinians to exercise personal responsibility in containing the virus.

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Federal health officials have called for wearing masks on public transportation, including school buses. South Carolina education leaders say individual districts can decide to require masks on buses.

Georgetown school board member Lynne Ford said she wished the district would be more proactive in requiring masks on buses.

Walters responded that the district would encourage masks on buses and also continue to follow safety guidelines such as distancing and separating drivers from students.

He added that enforcement of masks on buses would be difficult and strict enforcement would lead to disciplinary issues and other problems.

District Superintendent Keith Price said buses would only be filled to two-thirds percent capacity.

When the schools reopened this past school year, plastic barriers were constructed around each student desk to add another safety barrier from the COVID-19 virus.

Walters said the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention removed references to the use of plastic barriers this spring, and the S.C. Department of Health Environmental Control followed suit.

The school district has removed the barriers from the schools, but Walters said they would retain some of them if a parent requested them around their childs desk.

Price said, unlike in the past, a student or teacher who has been vaccinated will not be quarantined if they come into close proximity to someone who has COVID-19.

The school COVID-19 safety plan was approved unanimously by the board.
Georgetown, SC (29440)

Today

Cloudy this evening with thunderstorms developing after midnight. Low 73F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Cloudy this evening with thunderstorms developing after midnight. Low 73F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.
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.

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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.
Utah-based Malouf Companies, which operates warehouses and distributes home furnishings and other products, will open in Laurens County by Nov. 30. A $47.2 million investment will create 240 new jobs.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved a $200,000 Rural Infrastructure Fund grant to help with site preparation and building improvements.

Malouf Companies, a privately owned business, has been around since 2003 and has more than 15,000 retail partner locations across the U.S. and in over 20 countries. The company's new facility in Laurens, located at 101 Michelin Drive, will increase its warehousing and distribution capabilities to meet growing demand.

Our South Carolina facility offers many of the same advantages and opportunities that we have in North Carolina, but gives us more space under one roof," Malouf Director of National Distribution Ryan Egbert said. "This space will simplify our supply chain process by allowing us to consolidate all of our specialty retail products in one place for East Coast fulfillment."

Quick Hits

Greenville-based Michelin North America, Inc., announced on Aug. 2 a price increase to some of its tires. Michelin, BFGoodrich and Uniroyal passenger and light truck replacement tire prices will increase up to 8 percent. Motorcycle tires will increase up to 4 percent, and both on- and off- road commercial tires will increase up to 14 percent. The price increases will come into effect on Sept. 1. Details will be presented to customers by Aug. 16 and additional questions can be answered through account managers.

A franchise of Critter Control, a national wildlife removal and control company, is opening in Greenville. Franchise owner Matt Stambaugh said in the announcement that he is opening it because of "the tremendous need in the Upstate." The company cited ongoing development in Greenville as one of the potential reasons more wildlife is being displaced. Critter Control operates franchises and corporate-owned locations in more than 100 markets in the U.S. and Canada.

Furman University's Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship will launch GVL STARTS this fall in partnership with the City of Greenville, South Carolina Department of Commerce and Greenville Local Development Corporation. The eight-week program will connect aspiring entrepreneurs to teach them skills to put an idea in action. The first of two programs will begin on Aug. 17 and is limited to 25 participants who will pitch their ideas during the final week for the chance to win $5,000 and workspace in an office downtown. Applications are due on Aug. 6 along with a $299 fee and participants will be chosen Aug. 11.

On the move

Personnel announcements from around the Upstate.

Greenville Technical College student David O'Quinn was one of over 200 Phi Theta Kappa members named a 2021 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar and received a $1,000 scholarship. For 26 years, O'Quinn worked for Walt Disney World in Florida. He began as a custodian and eventually moved to help with IT issues in the Merchandise Division. The scholarship program helps new members of the honor society pay for some of their educational expenses while enrolled in an associate degree program. O'Quinn will graduate in spring 2022 and plans to transfer to earn a bachelor's degree.

was one of over 200 Phi Theta Kappa members named a 2021 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar and received a $1,000 scholarship. For 26 years, O'Quinn worked for Walt Disney World in Florida. He began as a custodian and eventually moved to help with IT issues in the Merchandise Division. The scholarship program helps new members of the honor society pay for some of their educational expenses while enrolled in an associate degree program. O'Quinn will graduate in spring 2022 and plans to transfer to earn a bachelor's degree. Advertising and marketing solutions company, Cargo Agency, brought Richard George , a former executive at Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide and Publicis, onto the team as its public relations director. George is one of 22 new hires Cargo has made in the past five months. Cargo has offices in Greenville and Toronto, Canada, and specializes in connecting big brands with medium and small business customers.

, a former executive at Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide and Publicis, onto the team as its public relations director. George is one of 22 new hires Cargo has made in the past five months. Cargo has offices in Greenville and Toronto, Canada, and specializes in connecting big brands with medium and small business customers. The Insurance Source  an independent brokerage in Greer, S.C., specializing in health, life, disability and dental insurance  added Maryanna Caggiano as a First Impressions Specialist. Caggiano worked in both the retail and insurance industries before getting her current role.

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The rundown

Business news to know from around South Carolina.

Walmart hosts an annual competition for small businesses with American-made products to try to get into its stores. A Charleston-based vegan, hickory-smoked extra virgin olive oil, Holy Smoke, has been selected in addition to over 160 other products. Hear from the companys co-founders on what being selected from among 900 applicants means to them.

The workforce has weakened across the service and hospitality industry and Myrtle Beach businesses have felt the impact, especially since a part of its workforce comes from international student help disrupted by the pandemic. To keep up with this years crowd of tourists, businesses like Condo-World and Vacation Myrtle Beach have been creative.

South Carolinas second largest hospital system, MUSC Health University Medical Center, added facilities in Columbia and Camden to its group in a $75 million purchase on Aug. 1. The employees of the hospitals, previously owned by Tennessee-based, for-profit LifePoint Health, remained on staff under the new ownership. MUSC will also be launching a 90-day recruiting drive to hire more nurses.

Charleston-based Threat Management Group landed a $7.6 million contract with the Air Force to help augment the training airmen receive to detect and locate drones and their pilots, Andrew Miller reported. The contract comes eight years after security agents deemed a drone that landed on stage next to German Chancellor Angela Merkel as a nonthreat. After reviewing the incident, the groups CEO and vice president both knew it should have been taken more seriously.

Straight from the release

Here are some announcements from businesses around the Upstate in their own words.

"Bon Secours St. Francis Health System has been recognized as a 'Best Hospital' (in the Upstate) for 2021 by U.S. News and World Report. Together, the health systems two hospital campuses  St. Francis Eastside and St. Francis Downtown  were ranked 2nd in the state of South Carolina and first overall for the Greenville area. The annual Best Hospitals rankings and ratings, now in their 32nd year, are designed to assist patients and their doctors in making informed decisions about where to receive care for challenging health conditions or for common elective procedures."

On July 28, "Giant Oak, Inc. announced its expansion to Greenville. Founded in 2013, Giant Oak is the leading data-screening innovator that operates at the frontiers of behavioral science and machine learning to detect unknown threats... This announcement comes shortly after Giant Oak achieved SOC-2 compliance, ensuring the safe handling of data following rigorous examination of security, availability, and confidentiality controls. Patented earlier this year, GOST is a trusted platform for screening and continuous vetting in the financial services industry and government agencies."

7-figure home sales

Recent million-dollar residential sales in the Upstate.

Back for more next week. Email your tips, releases and newsy bits to smirah@postandcourier.com.
The city of Greenville has not considered reinstating a mask mandate citywide but may consider adjustments to its fall events, including Fall for Greenville, as coronavirus cases spike in the Upstate and around South Carolina, Greenville Mayor Knox White said.

Unlike the city of Columbia, where Mayor Steve Benjamin is considering a mask mandate in accordance with new guidance by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that even vaccinated people should wear masks indoors and in crowded places, White said he believes Gov. Henry McMaster has preempted local governments from issuing mask mandates.

White said he was still very concerned about the rise in cases and hospitalizations in Greenville and urged residents to get vaccinated to prevent continued spread.

I think our focus is, and should be still, on vaccination, White said.

White said Greenville hasnt yet discussed a vaccine mandate for employees but said city officials may consider it.

Greenville may need to adjust its fall events if the spread of the virus remains high, he said. He didnt think events faced cancelation but said the city may need to make adjustments to limit capacity or require masks, particularly for indoor events or for crowded outdoor events like Fall for Greenville on Oct. 7-10.

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The city of Greenville was the first in the state to enact a mask mandate in June 2020. It originally applied only to grocery stores and pharmacies but was expanded to all indoor retail and personal services businesses.

The city said its law was no longer enforceable after McMaster nullified local government mask mandates May 12 as cases waned and vaccines became readily available to everyone 12 and older.

Greenvilles previous mandate required the city to declare a new state of emergency every 60 days as a basis for the law. Columbias mayor said his city may declare a new state of emergency to enact a mask mandate, a process that would challenge McMasters order.

Greenville County currently has a high incidence rate of 326.8 cases per 100,000 residents over the past two weeks. The last week marked the highest number of new cases in the county since the middle of February. Greenville has the fourth highest rate of cases in the state over the past two weeks behind Horry, Richland and Charleston. The state Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) reported 127 new confirmed and probable cases in Greenville on Aug. 4 and three new deaths.

All but four counties in the state are at a high rate of infection, according to DHEC. In the Upstate, Spartanburg, Pickens, Anderson, Oconee and Cherokee counties are also above 300 cases per 100,000 residents. Laurens County is still in the 'moderate' zone with 155.6 cases per 100,000, the second lowest current rate of spread in the state.
On Aug. 4, a South Carolina health official said the delta strain of the coronavirus was even more transmissible than Ebola and other highly contagious diseases, including that the strain has infected four times the number of people than the previous alpha strain.

The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control reported more than 1,300 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases, most of which were among unvaccinated individuals. The department said nearly 10 percent of all current inpatients in South Carolina have been diagnosed with COVID-19  three times more than what was reported three weeks ago.

Statewide numbers

New cases reported: 1,391 confirmed, 644 probable.

Total cases in S.C.: 513,947 confirmed, 114,255 probable.

Percent positive: 19.1 percent.

New deaths reported: 13 confirmed, 0 probable.

Total deaths in S.C.: 8,755 confirmed, 1,175 probable.

Percent of ICU beds filled: 71.6 percent.

S.C. residents vaccinated

DHEC's vaccine dashboard shows that 51.7 percent of the state's residents have received at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 44.8 percent have completed vaccination.

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Hardest-hit areas

In the total number of newly confirmed cases, Horry County (190), Richland County (111), Beaufort County (111), Lexington County (110) and Greenville County (110) saw the highest totals.

What about tri-county?

Charleston County had 95 new cases on Aug. 4, while Berkeley County had 82 and Dorchester County had 48.

Deaths

DHEC did not report the ages of the 13 people who died in the Aug. 4 data.

Hospitalizations

Of the 729 COVID-19 patients hospitalized as of Aug. 4, 196 were in the ICU and 87 were using ventilators.

What do experts say?

Experts from DHEC said current vaccines are effective and urge residents to get vaccinated to help slow the spread of the delta variant.
Kingstree, SC (29556)

Today

Overcast with showers at times. Low 71F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Overcast with showers at times. Low 71F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.
An opening in a pine forest on Highway 52 reveals the first nod that a new hospital is coming. The hospital, owned and operated by MUSC, will be a state of the art 25-bed critical access facility and is anticipated to open January 2023.

Photo by Michaele Duke
NORTH CHARLESTON  Two people, including an 8-year-old child, were killed in a fire this weekend at a mobile home in the Charleston Heights neighborhood, according to authorities.

North Charleston firefighters were dispatched at 4:21 a.m. July 31 for reports of a fire at a mobile home on Kraft Avenue, North Charleston Deputy Fire Chief Stephanie Julazadeh said.

Firefighters found the home fully engulfed when they arrived, the deputy chief said, and bystanders warned there were people still inside.

Firefighters launched an aggressive fire attack and were able to search the home, locating two victims. Paramedics determined the victims, age 61 and 8, had no pulses and could not be resuscitated, Julazadeh said.

Julazadeh said she could not reveal the genders of the victims since she was waiting on a coroner's report to be completed.

Julazadeh said Charleston County leads the state in fire deaths this year.

Seventy people have been killed in fires this year in South Carolina, according to data collected by the S.C. Office of State Fire Marshal, with eight of them in Charleston County. The county with the second-highest number of reported fire fatalities is York, with five deaths.

The mobile home where the fire occurred did not have smoke alarms, Julazadeh said. North Charleston firefighters will go door-to-door in the area of Kraft Avenue on at 9 a.m. Aug. 5 to raise awareness about the importance of smoke alarms.

Half of all home fire deaths happen at night, when people are sleeping, Fire Chief Gregory A. Bulanow said. Smoke alarms can make the difference between life and death.
NORTH CHARLESTON  A 42-year-old man is suing the city on allegations a police officer used excessive force by tackling him during a traffic stop last month, causing severe injuries.

Brian Mickelsen, an attorney for Darian Meggett, said in an Aug. 3 news conference that a North Charleston police officer stopped his client's vehicle the evening of July 1 for crossing the center line.

Meggett pulled to the side of the road within 10 seconds of the officer activating his emergency lights, Mickelsen said. He was standing about 5 yards from his vehicle with his hands in the air when the officer tackled him to the ground and then slammed him on the hood of a car, the attorney said.

Mickelsen said his client suffered "horrific" injuries from the encounter, requiring surgery and the insertion of two rods into his body.

"What happened to Mr. Meggett on July 1, 2021, was completely unjustified," he said. "It was excessive, and it was reckless, and extremely disappointing."

Mickelsen said he has obtained video footage of the arrest, which supports the allegations contained in the lawsuit, but he declined to release it. Meggett attended the conference in a wheelchair, but his attorney said he would not be speaking publicly about the allegations.

An incident report from the arrest alleges Meggett "nearly hit" officer Christopher Brasseaux with his vehicle while driving on Lacross Road. The officer caught up to Meggett's vehicle and activated his emergency lights, causing Meggett to stop near 2539 Taylor St.

Brasseaux alleges in the incident report that Meggett attempted to flee on foot, but he was apprehended. When detained, the report alleges, Meggett tossed a plastic plastic bag containing suspected marijuana on the ground.

Several grams of a white powdery substance found in Meggett's vehicle tested presumptive positive in a field test for cocaine, the incident report states.

The incident report alleges Meggett was initially transported to Trident Medical Center, but he refused treatment. Charleston County jail staff said he needed to be medically cleared before booking, so he was taken to St. Francis Hospital and, finally, Medical University Hospital, where he agreed to be seen for treatment, the incident report alleges.

North Charleston Police Chief Reggie Burgess did not respond to a request for comment for this article about the lawsuit or news conference. But in a video posted on the department's Facebook page, he acknowledged the news conference had taken place that morning, but did not directly comment about it or the lawsuit. Rather, he said in the video, "Civil rights leaders reached out to our police department in July inquiring about the arrest" and added they were invited to visit the department to view body-worn camera video of Meggett's arrest. Then, a portion of that video is shown with no commentary by the chief.

Members of The Racial Justice Network, a civil rights organization, also attended the news conference.

James Johnson, president of the organization, said Meggett called him July 3 from his hospital bed about the allegations. Johnson said he called Burgess to review the video.

"I was a little shocked by the video because we didn't see any resistance from Mr. Meggett, resisting arrest at all," Johnson said. "Mr. Meggett stood right there and did nothing."

Johnson said the officer also twisted Meggett's arm during the arrest.

Edward Bryant III, former president of the North Charleston branch of the NAACP, pointed out that the preliminary report from a racial bias audit of the North Charleston Police Department was released only a couple weeks ago.

"Obviously, it doesn't make any difference whether they are under investigation, their own investigation, or what they are doing," Bryant said. "It seems as though minority members are secondarily treated in the city of North Charleston."

The city of North Charleston and Brasseaux are named as defendants in the lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages.

Meggett filed a separate lawsuit in May against the Charleston County Sheriff's Office and the North Charleston Police Department, alleging he was injured while being helped into a transport vehicle to be taken to the Charleston County jail in 2019.

In that lawsuit, Meggett claims he asked for assistance from officers to enter the waiting van on May 24, 2019, because of an injured knee. The officers assisted him up the first couple of steps to the van, but on the third step allowed him to fall, the complaint states. Meggett hit the van door before falling to the concrete and causing an injury, according to the complaint.
SUMMERVILLE  Dorchester County recorded the highest rate of new COVID-19 cases in South Carolina, according to data collected from the state health department.

Between July 20 and Aug. 2, Dorchester averaged around 730 new COVID cases per 100,000 people. In neighboring Berkeley and Charleston counties, the rates were less than 500. Of the three counties, Dorchester has the smallest population.

Over the last week, Dorchester has swapped the top ranking position with Kershaw County. As of Aug. 4, Kershaw's COVID incidence rate was a little more than 670, according to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Mario Formisano, the deputy administrator of public safety for Dorchester County, said the rise in the county's COVID cases is concerning.

"It serves as a reminder that COVID-19 is still very much within our communities," he said.

On Sept. 8, 2020, Dorchester County Council voted to allow its mask mandate to expire. Officials opted to instead recommend mask wearing where social distancing isn't possible.

Between September of last year and this August, many municipalities in South Carolina and across the U.S. have followed suit by swapping mask mandates with recommendations.

This increase also comes after the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine, an item many health officials point to as a top priority for communities. In Dorchester County, Formisano said, community members should still be pursuing COVID mitigation strategies like getting vaccinated and frequent hand washing.

"We also support the recommendations from the CDC and DHEC to continue wearing face coverings indoors, regardless of your vaccination status," Formisano said.

In the tri-county area, Dorchester has the second highest rate of vaccine completions at more than 4,600 per 10,000 residents. Charleston County has the highest with nearly 6,000, according to DHEC. And in Berkeley County, it's around 4,500.

Dr. Scott Curry, an epidemiologist with the Medical University of South Carolina, said it is still possible to catch COVID even with the vaccine. However, a vaccinated person is less likely to be hospitalized.

There is an almost zero chance that a vaccinated person will die from the virus, Curry said. This is especially true if their immune system isn't weakened.

"If you feel sick, get tested at a reputable lab with a PCR test," he said.

But as COVID numbers rise across the state, Curry said residents should gear up for an even larger spread of the virus.

"Your hospitals are going to buckle up for a very rough September and October when schools start," he said.

Dorchester District 2 schools will reopen on Aug 16. In accordance with state guidelines, DD2 officials said they will not require students or staff members to wear face coverings.

Air purifiers, plexiglass and social distancing where possible are some of the strategies the district plans to incorporate to limit COVID concerns.

"The health and safety of students and staff continues to be a priority in all decisions made," said Pat Raynor, a DD2 spokeswoman.

Though Dorchester County has the highest incidence rate in the state, it still has the lowest number of confirmed COVID cases in the tri-county area.

In a February study by the University of South Carolina, experts examined COVID activity in rural and urban spaces. Contact tracing was one of the theories highlighted as to why rural counties like Dorchester have higher incidence rates but lower case numbers.

In the study, researchers said the heavy reliance on private clinics, like CVS, could potentially make it more difficult to ensure adequate COVID testing and contact tracing to curb virus transmission.

This means more residents will likely be exposed to someone who had the virus and not know that they should get tested.

On Aug. 4, DHEC recorded fewer than 700 confirmed cases in Dorchester, nearly 1,300 in Charleston and more than 900 in Berkeley.
COLUMBIA  A South Carolina man who stormed the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 riot and took a selfie in front of the John C. Calhoun statue inside is expected to plead guilty in federal court next month, his attorney told The Post and Courier.

A plea deal with federal prosecutors will make Andrew Hatley the first South Carolinian to be convicted in connection with the deadly assault on the seat of U.S. democracy.

Prosecutors have linked eight other state residents with the mob of conspiracy theorists who swarmed the Capitol that day seeking to prevent Congress from certifying a presidential election they baselessly believed was stolen by Democrat Joe Biden.

News of Hatleys upcoming plea comes two weeks after the long-haul truck driver appeared before a Washington, D.C., judge and apologized.

"I am sorry for everything that happened that day and all the vitriol and division it's caused within our country," Hatley told Judge Thomas Hogan on July 20. "I feel that it has put us on a bad road that doesn't lead to anything good for anyone."

Hatley will plead guilty to the federal misdemeanor of parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building, his Washington, D.C.-based attorney, Joseph Conte, told the newspaper Aug. 4.

Prosecutors are dropping the three other charges against Hatley as part of the plea deal, Conte said.

Hatley agreed to pay $500 in restitution, Conte said. But the two sides didnt reach an agreement on sentencing.

Hatley faces up to six months in prison. But a judge will decide whether he spends any time behind bars.

Hatley wants to enter the guilty plea at his next scheduled court hearing on Sept. 14, court filings show.

Hatley and Conte declined to comment further.

Hatley is one of eight South Carolinians charged with storming the Capitol building. A ninth, James Giannakos, admitted to being there and stealing police gear from a supply pile, but he hasnt been charged in connection with those actions.

Instead, the 47-year-old Gilbert resident was sentenced to 28 months in prison in late June for threatening a former federal prosecutor whom Giannakos mistakenly believed had endangered Enrique Tarrio, the leader of the far right Proud Boys militia group.
NORTH AUGUSTA  A piece of family history representing a huge moment in World War II is now back in the hands of its creator's family, thanks to decades of diligence by a local librarian.

Barbara Walker, manager of Nancy Carson Public Library, spent a few minutes at the library July 26 with Jeanelle McCain, of Benson, North Carolina, to return a wartime journal written by her father-in-law, the late William Simonton McCain. Walker had taken care of the journal for decades, hoping eventually to be able to return it to someone with a more personal connection.

The journal contains the writer's accounts as a first-hand witness of the attack on Pearl Harbor, described in a recent Smithsonian magazine account as "the worst day in the U.S. Navys history and the shock of a lifetime for just about any American who had achieved the age of memory."

The attack took place Dec. 7, 1941, just after sunrise, and McCain, as a Navy man on the scene, was a witness. His hardback journal, written by hand in the attack's immediate aftermath, covered several weeks of activity as the U.S. geared up for war and crews were mopping up the aftermath of a catastrophic defeat.

Walker, whose background includes work at the Orangeburg County Library and as an English teacher at Aiken High School, came into custody of the journal while at the library in Orangeburg. It was among dozens of other books donated to the library in the late 1980s, apparently from the McCain estate after a death in the family.

"We found the journal there," Walker said, recalling that family members at the time expressed no apparent interest in getting the journal back, so Walker asked the library director if she could have the journal. The director granted permission and Walker became the journal's custodian.

Walker recalled doing an internet search "a little over a year ago" for the name of "Will McCain," and found an interesting obituary from 2013 in Lexington. The McCain in question had reportedly grown up in Orangeburg and wound up serving in the state legislature.

"I just started reading through it to see if it could have any relevance, and I saw in there that ... it had to be some kind of connection, and I also saw that there had been a resolution done by South Carolina representatives in honor of the service that had been done by a Will McCain."

Names included as signers of the resolution included Rep. Bill Hixon, R-North Augusta, so Walker took the process a step further, asking for Hixon's help, and he got in touch with Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg. Cobb-Hunter, in turn, "was able actually to find someone connected with the family," Walker recalled.

Walker recalled that the journal, during its rambling years, was not tucked away and collecting decades of dust. It came in handy during her years of teaching English at Aiken High.

"I had ... photocopied some sections out of it that I not only used as writing examples, but I was also able to photocopy a couple of sections and give them to one of the history teachers. They used it as part of a history class."

McCain's writing  especially his descriptions  included some useful samples, she said.

Cobb-Hunter reportedly got in touch with Jeanelle McCain, who called Walker to say she (McCain) would be passing through North Augusta at some point in July, so they made arrangements to meet.

Among others on the scene in the library July 26 was American Legion Post 71 member Kevin Joy, who served in the Marine Corps and then went on to a career in the Army, retiring in 2014.

Jeanelle McCain allowed Joy to get a photocopy of the journal. "That guy was a writer. No doubt about that," Joy said, recalling that the firsthand account of planes arriving and bombs falling "makes you feel like you were there."

"There's no other way to put it. This guy was quite explicit and ... I'm glad she was able to trace down a family member and give it back to her," Joy said.

The late legislator who was remembered in a legislative proclamation was born in 1953 in Mobile, Alabama, and moved 10 years later to Orangeburg  the hometown of his mother, the late Lurline Livingston McCain. The family settled down there and eventually had a member representing the area in the legislature from 1986 to 1992. He was living in Gilbert at the time of his death, in 2013.

A "Pearl Harbor fact sheet" published by the U.S. Census Bureau includes a summary of the point in history. It notes, "Since early 1941 the U.S. had been supplying Great Britain in its fight against the Nazis. It had also been pressuring Japan to halt its military expansion in Asia and the Pacific. With the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. could no longer avoid an active fight. On December 8, U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt asked Congress for and received a declaration of war against Japan. On December 11, Germany and Italy, allied with Japan, declared war on the U.S. The United States had entered World War II."
The four college-bound freshmen sat on a small stage, recalling the things that had brought them there.

Their stories were similar, whether they came from Stall High, James Island Charter, West Ashley or Wando. They all had GPAs north of 4.0, which theyd kept up throughout the advanced placement classes, the extracurricular activities, the part-time jobs they juggled alongside lifes general struggles.

A guidance counselor or someone in their family  a mother, an aunt or sibling  had pushed them to apply for a new scholarship that would allow them to pursue a college degree without taking on crushing debt. Some were skeptical, worried that despite all that hard work, it wouldnt be enough.

I got all As, well except for one B, noted TreShauna Williams, a West Ashley High graduate.

They were all just as impressive as Williams. And in a few weeks, they head off to college: Nine to Claflin, 29 to Clemson, a dozen to Winthrop, 24 to the University of South Carolina and 20 to the College of Charleston. Ones off to Columbia College; another will attend Furman. It felt a bit like graduation, but their journey is just beginning.

On Sunday, the first recipients of the Meeting Street Scholarships gathered on Daniel Island for brunch in their honor. And there were a lot of them. Nearly 100 Charleston County School District graduates qualified for the inaugural scholarship fund established by local philanthropists Ben and Kelly Navarro.

The scholarships provide $10,000 a year to any student who graduates from a Charleston County public school eligible for both a state education lottery LIFE scholarship, which is based on academic achievement, and a federal Pell Grant, which is based on financial need.

Its an idea the Navarros just announced in December, when these students were almost finished with the first semester of their senior year. You didnt know the scholarship would be here, but you did the work anyway, Ben Navarro told the group. I hope youll be optimistic about your future. Im rooting for you.

The Navarros are not only cheering on these young people, theyve changed their lives. You see, lottery scholarships and Pell Grants wont even cover tuition at most four-year colleges these days. And then theres the ever-increasing cost of housing, food and books.

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For many people, higher education is simply impossible without going deeply into debt. The average person graduates college today owing nearly $30,000. But for these students, the Meeting Street Scholarships cover that gap.

This scholarship was truly a blessing for me, said Ivy Grinnage, a recent graduate of Early College High, whos going to Winthrop to become a secondary education teacher. This ... takes away that stress of how are we going to pay for this.

The 96 graduates who qualified for these scholarships this year represent a nearly $1 million investment from the Navarros  and thats only for the first year. Its impressive, but not surprising. The couple long ago proved their commitment to public education.

In 2008, the Navarros started Meeting Street Schools in Charleston. This public-private partnership with the school district was designed to overcome the opportunity gap, and its been a heartening success. The model began with Meeting Street Academy, which is privately funded, and has since expanded to Meeting Street Elementary @Brentwood and Burns Elementary, both public-private partnerships in North Charleston.

The success of their model is apparent in test scores. Meeting Street Academy Charleston students score on average in the 96th percentile on reading and the 94th percentile on math in state MAP testing. At Brentwood, students score in the 61st percentile on reading and the 75th percentile on math. Most Title I students in North Charleston score in the 23rd percentile.

Its the great equalizer, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott said Sunday. Meeting Street schools have shown that all kids have the ability to learn.

These scholarships are the next step in the Navarros efforts to improve public education. Ben Navarro said the point behind the scholarships isnt righting any economic wrong; its about growing the pie  giving more people a chance to succeed.

On Sunday morning, the Grand Lawn at LTP Daniel Island was filled with future teachers, engineers and surgeons who were cheered on by their families, Charleston County School Board members and state lawmakers.

It was a scene that, in these dark times, inspires a little hope. And thats appropriate, because thats just what the Navarros have given these young scholars.
S.C. law says that public schools cant require students to wear masks. No caveats, no ambiguity, no way to read it any differently.

No school district, or any of its schools, state budget proviso 1.108 says, may use any funds appropriated or authorized pursuant to this act to require that its students and/or employees wear a facemask at any of its education facilities. (That part about state funding is there for technical reasons, to make it work as an add-on to the state budget.)

State law does not say that about colleges. Instead, proviso 117.190 reads as follows: 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 institution's facilities without being required to wear a facemask.

That is, as Attorney General Alan Wilson put it, inartfully worded. Less kindly, its poorly written.

But contrary to Mr. Wilsons claim, it is not ambiguous. Like the mask rule for public schools, there are not multiple ways to read it. It says that a college cannot require that its students have received the COVID-19 vaccination in order to be allowed on campus without a mask. That is, colleges can't let vaccinated students go maskless while requiring unvaccinated students to wear masks. It actually builds on the proviso lawmakers adopted at the same time that says colleges cant require students to be vaccinated  by making it clear that they cant use a mask requirement as an indirect way of coercing students into getting vaccinated. There is simply no other way to read it without redefining clearly defined words and ignoring all the rules of grammar.

And yet, Mr. Wilson informed the University of South Carolina on Monday that its decision Friday to require all students, vaccinated and unvaccinated, to wear masks is likely not consistent with the intent of the Legislature. And within a day, interim President Harris Pastides announced that he was lifting the new mandate in response to Mr. Wilson's letter.

Now, to be clear: Were not convinced that mask mandates are the best policy at this point  except in public schools, where the Legislature actually did ban them. We worry that people who have to be told to wear a mask wouldnt obey a mandate and would just get even angrier and even less likely to get vaccinated, further extending the duration of the pandemic. We hope that Dr. Pastides legally unnecessary decision will lead the university to engage in more creative ways to encourage vaccinations, which result in an even safer campus and surrounding community.

But we are alarmed by the attorney generals misinterpretation of the law. And even if you think COVID is a hoax, you should be troubled as well. This is not even a close call. This is the attorney general essentially rewriting state law. Whats next? Declaring that the intent of the law that bans mask requirements in public schools is really to prohibit anyone from wearing masks? Thats just as close to reality as this.

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Were also deeply concerned that, like the College of Charleston last month when it backed off a testing requirement under pressure from Mr. Wilson, USC has been bullied into making a decision that state law does not require. The Post and Couriers Andy Shain reports that legislators indicated they would change the law next month if USC didnt relent. That suggests both that at least some legislators know they didnt prohibit college mask requirements and that they are doubling down on their anti-public-health agenda even as COVID infections soar.

Mr. Wilson is correct when he says that courts sometimes require us to comply with the Legislatures intent when lawmakers did a lousy job putting their intent into words. But that happens when the law is ambiguous and the intent clear, often based on other provisions in the law.

The problem with his mask argument is that, again, the language in the proviso is not ambiguous. And other parts of the law suggest that if the Legislature wanted to prohibit mask mandates on college campuses, it would have simply said that, as it did for K-12 schools.

Mr. Wilson acknowledged in his letter that One reasonable interpretation is to prohibit discrimination by requiring masks for the unvaccinated. But he wrote that this interpretation is likely not consistent with the intent of the Legislature and It is our understanding that Proviso 117.190, while inartfully worded, was intended to prohibit the mandatory wearing of masks, as reflected in the language without being required to wear a facemask.

Go back and read that full sentence and see if you can find any relationship between what the law says and what Mr. Wilson just said it said.

Mr. Wilson says that Reps. Stewart Jones and Chris Wooten insisted that USCs mask requirement violated the proviso, which they sponsored. But the fact that a couple of back-bench legislators cant write, or read, or ... something doesnt change what they actually wrote. And it doesnt give them or anyone else the authority to reinterpret the unambiguous language thats now in state law.

Conservatives often complain  correctly  about judges rewriting the law. Here, an attorney general has just as inappropriately rewritten the law. Mr. Wilson should retract his baseless interpretation and apologize for his dangerous power grab.
Our home in Mount Pleasant is blessed with a large hickory tree and several large pindo palms and palmetto trees.

It has been home to several avian guests that have visited and raised families on our property.

My wife and I have been godparents to at least three families of mourning doves that made their home in a large pindo palm.

I am sure they return every so often to visit their birthing homes as the spiked and long full fronds were always beckoning for their visits.

Last Wednesday afternoon, I noticed the same palm looked different for some reason. Then I realized that an immature hawk was sitting on an upper frond looking around in what seemed to be a restful manner, preening its white fluffy breast feathers.

After an hour, I began to get concerned about its overall health as it just stood there doing nothing.

I called the Center for Birds of Prey and sent a picture via email.

We were soon contacted by the center and we spent some time discussing the hawk.

By the time we ended our conversation, the hawk had left. It would have been nice to see it spread its wings and take flight.

Our close-up look at the hawk revealed its truly majestic sense of avian royalty.

Its fearsome and piercing dark, staring eyes, hooked beak and large curved claws gripping the pindo frond inspired awe.

The Center for Birds of Prey is a wonderful resource. It is located at 4719 U.S. Highway 17 in Awendaw. It is open for scheduled visits.

Contact the center at 843-971-7474 or at thecenterforbirdsofprey.org. It is truly a wonderful resource in our own backyard.

SEYMOUR ROSENTHAL

Waterfront Drive

Mount Pleasant

Stop using name

I was shocked by the full-page ad in Sundays newspaper taken out by Alumni for the Wofford Way.

The web page does not reveal who these alumni are but lists the justice, equity, diversity and inclusion requests that they oppose.

The way I read the situation, the Wofford College administration is trying to keep the college an interesting, progressive, liberal arts college, and not just a conservative white male institution that it so often tries to be.

What was most interesting with the ad was this group taking the liberty to assume that former Wofford professor Lewis P. Jones would have agreed with them.

Unfortunately, he has passed away so he cannot, in his conciliatory and calm manner, lecture these people on their closed-mindedness and backward thinking.

He would have been nice but very clear about the importance of diversity and equal opportunities for all.

He may have found a way to chastise by using a little humor. No, this is not the Wofford Way of L.P. Jones.

As his daughter, I am asking that you refrain from using his name.

FARIS HARPER

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Shadow Lake Circle

Mount Pleasant

Trespassing danger

Growth in our rural areas brings with it people unfamiliar with what happens on large tracts of land in rural areas.

I have observed residents of new subdivisions enter onto property of others for recreational purposes.

They apparently are unaware of the danger they are exposed to by this action.

These rural properties engage in legal activities, such as hunting, target and skeet shooting, fishing, ranching, farming and more.

All of these can present dangers, especially hunting.

While hunting occurs year-round, deer season starts Aug. 15.

So if you dont own the property, have written permission to be there or if you dont know for a fact it is public property, then you should refrain from entering it.

It would be nice to see the state Department of Natural Resources or another agency make some public service announcements on this issue.

JAMES KERR

Canter Lane

Johns Island

Get back on track

As I read the July 27 editorial on after-school catch-up, I feel we are missing the point.

The federal money is giving us an opportunity to get children on an educational track.

Lets start the school day earlier and go later.

Classes can focus on schoolwork, arts, computer science and trade shops.

We could get more people back to work and save on social services.

If public schools could offer good-paying jobs, the promise of permanence would attract qualified people and the nongovernmental organizations use of public funds would be unnecessary.

GERARD WATERS

Dogwood Ridge Road

Summerville
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.
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Montco Courts

Ardmore man held for trial in fatal shooting; homicide charges withdrawn against second man
Andrew Cuomo hasnt been credibly accused of sexual harassment. He has been demonstrated to have indulged in it.

Thus, its worth considering Cuomos pronouncements when Brett Kavanaugh was not so credibly accused of sexual misconduct allegedly committed when he was in high school. Cuomo had this to say:

The confirmation of Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court is a sad day for this country, and it will haunt us for as long as he is on the court. Today 50 senators put partisan politics over the sanctity of the highest court in the nation. In November, the American people get to respond and make their voices heard. In New York, we will not waver and will not back down. To Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and all survivors of sexual assault, we believe you and we will fight for you. The sham FBI investigation and the bigger sham, this confirmation process, have energized us to fight even harder for our shared vision for a better future for all. . . .

Cuomo also insisted that Kavanaugh take a lie detector test in response to Blasey Fords allegations. Later, however, he declined to say whether he would take such a test in response to the claim of a former aide that he sexually harassed her.

Theres no need for Cuomo to take a lie detector test now. The evidence of sexual misconduct by the governor suffices.
The Black Lives Matter movement and attendant anti-police hysteria are the main reason for skyrocketing crime across America. But there is a second factor that needs to be exposed and condemned: soft-headed judges who dont take seriously their obligation to protect the public.

Scott has been covering the infuriating case of Alexis Saborit, an illegal alien who beheaded his girlfriend in a Minneapolis suburb while she was driving him to court to make an appearance in an arson case. Another homicide has been making the news here, too: Man let out of prison early is charged killing wife, captured in NW. Minnesota after weeks on the run. Note that what follows is from the Minneapolis Star Tribune, a notoriously left-wing newspaper. But maybe even liberals are getting fed up with out-of-control crime:

Reinbold was wanted in connection with the death of 34-year-old Lissette Reinbold on July 9. The second-degree murder charges filed Friday in Pennington County District Court say Eric Reinbold was angry at his wife, accusing her of cheating on him and rejecting his demands for sex. Lissette Reinbolds body was found by one of her children that morning next to her vehicle, the charges read. She suffered multiple stab wounds to her neck, torso and upper extremities, the criminal complaint noted.

So its another domestic homicide. What is infuriating is the role played by our criminal justice system:

Her death occurred less than four months after her husband was granted an early compassionate release from federal prison, where he was serving time for possessing pipe bombs. His sentence initially called for him to be locked up until February 2022.

So Reinbold was a would-be pipe bomber whose violent proclivities led to a federal prosecution. Why was he let out of prison early?

He was sentenced to five years in prison. However, over the objections of prosecutors, U.S. District Judge John Tunheim granted Reinbold an early compassionate release in March 2021 from the federal lockup in Oxford, Wis. The defense argued that Reinbolds health issues, like high cholesterol and borderline high blood pressure, made him especially vulnerable to contracting COVID-19 while incarcerated.

This is insane. I suppose there are 50 million Americans (including me) who have borderline high blood pressure and high cholesterol. And if Reinbold had contracted covida risk to which people are exposed outside of prisons, toohis chance of survival would have been more than 99 percent. So for this, he was given a compassionate release. How about some compassion for members of the public, including his wife and children, who, it turns out, he had tried to murder previously? For liberal judges, compassion is a one-way street. It applies to criminals only.

What follows is, frankly, too dumb to deserve comment:

The filing also pointed to his wifes medical challenges as she cared for their children while staying employed.

Yeah, so the pipe bomber was going to take great care of his children. Oops, he murdered their mother. And it turns out that he previously had tried to kill them all:

Eric Reinbolds criminal history also includes a conviction in 2015 and a brief jail sentence for ramming his truck into a car that was occupied by his wife and two children.

On top of all of this insanity, it turns out that Reinbold had already had covid when he got his compassionate release from prison!

Prosecutors countered that Eric Reinbold had already contracted the virus and recovered. They also noted that the prison was virus-free at the time of their filing. Reinbold is an active man in generally good health who appears to have recovered from COVID-19 without further incident, the filing read.

So, for absolutely no reason, federal judge John Tunheim freed would-be pipe bomber and car rammer Eric Reinbold to prey on the public, and, as it turned out, his own family, whom he had previously attacked. Thus Lissette Reinbolds body was found by one of her own children with multiple stab wounds to her neck, torso and upper extremities.

Nice going, Judge Tunheim. The Star Tribune story doesnt mention it, but Tunheim is a liberal Democrat, appointed to the federal judiciary by Bill Clinton. Soft-headed judges like Tunheim who put ideology and pro-criminal sentiment over public safety deserve to be named and shamed. This is an issue around which the public needs to be mobilized, and my organization is launching a campaign to inform the public about feckless judges like John Tunheim and to mobilize opposition to pro-criminal judging. Watch for it.

Meanwhile, if you want to know more about how a once-great American city has descended into chaos as a result of incompetent leadership, here is the cover story in the Summer issue of Thinking Minnesota that is just now hitting mailboxes: Freefall: State and Twin Cities leaders dither while vulnerable residents live in fear and increasing danger.
Controversial Yoruba actor, Yomi Fabiyi, has taken the campaign demanding a lasting solution to Nigerias insecurity issues to Downing Street in the United Kingdom.

Downing is a street in the City of Westminster that houses the official residences and offices of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Mr Fabiyi, who is currently holidaying in the UK on Tuesday, led a one-man campaign to Downing Street to advocate the introduction of a national emergency number database, among other issues.

The outspoken actor, whom the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) has promised to prosecute for contempt of court for producing Oko Iyabo, shared details of his latest campaign with PREMIUM TIMES.

He said he implored Nigerians to demand a national emergency number, and the harmonization of the national database so that we have the best and the best social-economic status we deserve in the community of nations.

Campaign

During the campaign, which was screened live on YouTube, Fabiyi said a national emergency number and database will reduce the spate of armed robbery, kidnapping, domestic terrorism domestic violence to the bare minimum.

He said: Nigeria is faced with myriads of security challenges. More Nigerians are killed in violent attacks across the country despite the efforts of security agencies.

The self-professed human rights activist also questioned the measures the federal government is putting in place to secure lives and property in the country, adding that the rights of Nigerians need to be protected.

The actor, who was yet to react to news of his prosecution by the Lagos state government through the DPP, also urged Nigerians to participate in governance.

Why is the Nigerian human rights scorecard so low, why are we not doing all we can as citizens to participate in the governance of our own dear country? What is your contribution? The Nigerian education sector needs a revamp just as civic social responsibility, human rights, the duty of care needs to be inculcated into our education.

We need this because the Nigerian nation needs to be free, the Nigeria nation needs to get better, that is why Im appealing to all of us to do all we can to promote the frontiers of human rights in Nigeria, civic social infrastructure is the rights of the people, he said.

Prosecution

The Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) during the trial of embattled Olarenwaju Omiyinka aka Baba Ijesha facing rape allegations said it would prosecute Fabiyi for contempt of court over the production of Oko Iyabo.

In the movie, Baba Ijesha, who is being tried for allegedly raping a minor, was portrayed as being innocent of the charges against him.

The DPP director and prosecution counsel, Olayinka Adeyemi, said Fabiyi made a movie from the facts of Baba Ijeshas ongoing alleged rape case using the real names of the defendants and the survivor of the case.

Despite the warnings of this honourable court, an actor called Yomi Fabiyi went ahead and made a movie about the facts of this case, she said.

He used the real names of the parties and witnesses in this matter in the movie. Our application is to exclude him, his privies, and his agents from proceedings in court.

The movie elicited backlash from viewers and celebrities while many people have reported it on YouTube leading to the removal of the movie by the actor.

Oko Iyabo

Defending his decision to shoot the controversial Oko Iyabo movie, Fabiyi said it was shot before a date for Baba Ijeshas court trial was fixed.

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He said: The original and main story is a different concept. The few familiar scenes are mere re-creations. The release is decided by a marketer and not a producer.

The honest truth is this, the majority that attacked never saw the movie. Meanwhile, all the charades imported to fool the gullible on social media are baseless and disgusting.

Now thousands upon millions have seen the movie and asking one question, why the condemnation and backlash? Raise your child to be civil, informed, and wise online. Many e-withcrafts are now being groomed online.

You can only claim legal rights and damages on any movie if your full name, voice, or image is used. If the writer or producer respects these rights, then you must respect the constitutional right of expression.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how Fabiyi incurred the wrath of the umbrella body of Yoruba actors, TAMPAN, after he released the controversial Oko Iyabo movie.

The movie was loosely based on Baba Ijeshas alleged rape saga, his social media trial and all the parties involved.

Giving reasons for the suspension, TAMPAN said Fabiyi was guilty of professional misconduct and unethical practices.

Fabiyi, on the other hand, maintained that nothing in the movie promoted sexual abuse, molestation, or those lies been peddled.

He said: They played on the weakness of social media in Nigeria to violate my rights of expression, a cause for serious concern. And TAMPAN as a movie association that should promote human rights protection followed dirty social media noise. It is sad and unbelievable that this is happening in 2021.

The storyline is to showcase cases of child abuse and its consequences on every child. Then tell a little of my Human Rights crusade in this case. This I explained in the meeting with TAMPAN, yet they prefer to throw me under the bus.
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At least 30 people have been confirmed dead and many others hospitalised from cholera in Zamfara State.

Multiple sources at the state Ministry of Health told PREMIUM TIMES that the state and its health agencies have been battling to contain the outbreak.

An official of the ministry said those affected have reached 2,600 with Bakura, Bungudu, Tsafe, Gusau, Zurmi, Kaura Namoda and Birnin Magaji local government areas of the state worst hit.

A project coordinator assistant for Medicines Sans Fronteres in the state also confirmed the outbreak.

MSF Spain is already on ground. We have opened a CTU at General Hospital Zurmi. All cholera cases have been asked to be referred to the centers, the source said, asking not to be named for lack of authority to talk to journalists.

Our major headache in this issue is Bakura local government area because the area is not covered by MSF.

When contacted, Habib Yelwa, the permanent secretary of the state Ministry of Health, said he could not give this reporter official figures.

You cannot just call me to seek for such figures. You need to make your request official for me to connect you with the right persons to give you the official figure of those affected, Mr Yelwa said.

When reminded that he is the head of the ministry since it does not have a commissioner yet, Mr Yelwa insisted on an official request before commenting.

The state epidemiologist, Yusuf Haske, could not be reached for comment.

With the outbreak, Zamfara State has joined neighbouring Sokoto where 23 people were confirmed dead on Tuesday following an outbreak of the disease.
Less than 15 weeks after President Muhammadu Buhari returned from London where he had gone to receive medical attention, he has returned to the UK for a summit and scheduled medical follow-up.

As usual, Mr Buharis publicists did not disclose what the medical follow-up is for, only noting that the president will be in the UK until the second week of August.

The latest medical trip to the UK is Mr Buharis seventh since he was first sworn into office on May 29, 2015.

By the second week of August, when the president is due back, he would have spent about 200 days in London on official medical trips.

In effect, therefore, for every ten days Mr Buhari has been in office as Nigerias president, he has spent one day in London for health treatment.

Last week, Mr Buharis spokesperson, Femi Adesina, was asked on Channels TV if the well-funded Aso Rock clinic could not cater for the medical needs of the president, his response was that President Buhari has used the same medical team for about 40 years.

He added that: Once you can afford it, its advisable you stay with the team that has your medical history.

TIMELINE: Buhari, a medical tourist?

The Nigerian leader, who coasted to a historic victory in 2015, took his first vacation only eight months after coming to office. He spent six days in London between February 5 and 10 in 2016.

His second medical trip came on June 6, 2016. He travelled for 10 days to England, seeking further treatment for an ear infection. The president extended his trip by three days before coming back on June 19, 2016.

By January 19, 2017, Mr Buhari wrote to the Nigerian Senate, one he had a frosty relationship with at the time, disclosing his intention to travel abroad on a 10-day vacation and that he would hand over to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Although the letter said he would commence the vacation on January 23, 2017, Mr Buhari departed Nigeria on the same day he wrote the lawmakers.

On March 10 of that year, exactly 50 days after his departure, Mr Buhari returned but was not able to resume work immediately.

Less than two months after, the president embarked on another trip to London for another medical checkup. Although his aides would not confirm what he was treated for, they urged Nigerians to pray for him.

Mr Buhari returned after 104 days, amidst misinformation about the true state of his health.

A year after his longest trip yet, Mr Buhari travelled to London in May 2018 for a four day medical review.

Towards the end of March, this year, the president flew to London to take a short rest  one that lasted for 15 days and which the presidency had earlier described as routine medical check-up.

While in the UK in April, resident doctors in Nigeria, commenced an indefinite strike due to the nonpayment of some allowances.

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Nigerias resident doctors are also on strike at present, while the president is in the UK on a medical trip.

Nigerias poorly equipped hospitals

While Mr Buhari and members of his immediate family routinely travel for medical treatment in the UK, Nigerian hospitals battle with inadequate equipment and inadequate funding.

Nigerian doctors announced their plans to commence a nationwide industrial action from Monday, August 2, accusing the federal government of failing to implement a Memorandum of Action (MOA).

The strike action is already grounding activities at the nations tertiary hospitals.

Nigerians have for decades suffered from a fragile health system, ill-equipped clinics and poorly paid and overworked health workers, many of whom have moved abroad to seek greener pastures.

In the UK, the Nigerian presidents preferred medical destination, there are at least 8,192 medical doctors of Nigerian origin working there, according to data from the UK General Medical Council, over 50 per cent increase from 2015.

The presidents reluctance to patronise Nigerian doctors could be a catalyst for the exodus of doctors from the country, analysts believe, which should be worrisome for a country that has one doctor for every 5,000 people, as estimated by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN).

Similarly, PREMIUM TIMES reported how medical tourism has been estimated to cost Nigeria over N576 billion ($1.2 billion) yearly, a part of that by the Nigerian leader, although the government never discloses the cost of Mr Buharis medical trips.

This year, Nigeria will spend 7 per cent of its budget on healthcare, a fraction of the 15 per cent target set by the African Union.

Like Buhari, like other African Leaders

Like Mr Buhari, many other African leaders perpetually travel on medical tourism. In 2016, Africans spent over $6 billion on outbound treatment, and their leaders accounted for a large share of that amount.

Many African leaders have historically shunned local hospitals and instead sought treatment abroad.

For example, Patrice Talon, the president of the Republic of Benin, underwent surgery in France a few years ago.

Robert Mugabe, who ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years, often travelled to seek eye-related treatment in Singapore.

Jose Eduardo dos Santos who stepped down as Angolas leader after 38 years, also travelled to Spain for treatment.

PREMIUM TIMES also reported how the then Prime Minister of Ivory Coast, Hamed Bakayoko, died in March while receiving treatment at a German hospital.
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Governor Nasir El-Rufai has condemned in the strongest terms, Mondays attack on Ungwan Magaji, Kigam, Kisicho and Kikoba villages in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Kaduna.

Mr Aruwan said, According to a report from the Defence Headquarters Operation Safe Haven, armed assailants attacked the mentioned villages early on Monday morning, and swiftly left six residents dead.

Responding to a distress call, troops arrived the location and engaged the attackers, forcing them to retreat.

He said, in addition to the casualties, it was reported that eight houses, six huts, one motorcycle and a generator were razed during the attack.

Some maize crops were also destroyed, he said.

The commissioner said that the governor expressed sadness over the attack and condemned it as an act of depraved entities stripped of every shred of humanity.

He prayed for the repose of the souls of the victims and sent his condolences to their families.

The statement said that the governor tasked security agencies working in the area to sustain thorough investigations into the incident.

Investigations are ongoing in the general area.

Government will keep the public abreast of developments in Kauru LGA.

Mr Aruwan said the military and other security agencies are working with the governments of Kaduna and Plateau states to contain the renewed cycle of violence in Kauru LGA of Kaduna State and Bassa LGA of Plateau.

(NAN)
The government of Sokoto State, North-west Nigeria, on Tuesday, confirmed that 23 persons have died of cholera outbreak in the state.

The states commissioner for health, Ali Inname, who briefed journalists, noted that the infection has spread to 13 of the states 23 local government areas.

He blamed the development on poor hygiene, saying open defecation and other poor sanitary practices by the residents have been worsened by the rains that have begun to fall in the state.

Earlier in March, the government was forced to shut down Government Girls College, Mabera, following a similar outbreak.

TheCable Newspaper had quoted the state commissioner for science and technology, Kulu Haruna, who was said to have confirmed that 70 students were infected then.

Cholera

Cholera, an acute diarrhoeal infection, which is usually caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, has continued to spread through many states in the country.

The disease is described as a global threat to public health and an indicator of inequity and lack of social development.

According to statistics compiled by Orodata, a civic technology organisation that is focused on simplifying and democratising public data, as of June, 2021, 325 persons have died from the disease in the country.

The fatality statistics have since increased, especially with both Enugu and Ebonyi States confirming 14 and three deaths respectively in July.

This fatality figure is far above 95 and 22 deaths that were recorded nationwide in 2020 and 2019 respectively, and an indication that the country has lost the gains recorded in the past in preventing such infectious diseases. This might not be unconnected with the attention focused on the biting coronavirus pandemic.

More than 13 states have reported cholera outbreaks during the year.

Sokoto experience

According to the health commissioner, a total of 265 people have been identified to have been infected with the disease across the 13 local government areas.

He listed the affected local government areas to include Dange Shuni, Kebbe, Illela, Gwadabawa, Tangaza, Isa, Bodinga, Wamakko, Wurno, Silame, Sabon Birni, Rabah and Yabo.

He added that Gwadawaba LGA is the worst hit by the disease, so far.

Sensitising the public about the disease, Mr Inname said it was important for the people to know how the disease is spread and why they should keep good hygiene.

He said; It is important for the public to know that the disease is highly contagious, meaning that it can be easily transmitted from person to person through casual contacts.

Others are by drinking contaminated foods or water, using contaminated clothes, surfaces, beds, bedsheets, vomit and faeces.

He said open defecation and other poor sanitary challenges have also contributed to the spread of the disease.

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Measures taken

The commissioner said two teams of experts have been constituted for the purpose of case management and contact tracing.

He said one of the teams comprises medical doctors who are expected to go round for assessment of infected spots and treatment in the affected areas.

The commissioner added that a team of environmental health officers have also been directed to begin sensitisation in communities, especially on preventive measures toward containing the situation.

According to the commissioner, a rapid response team was reactivated across the state, while drugs and provisions have been distributed.

He advised residents to boil their drinking water, cover open wells, and avoid self-treatments but to report any case to nearby health centres.

Mr Inname also appealed to residents to restrict visitations to infection-prone areas.
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Local hunters in Kebbi State, who vowed to track down the bandits holding over a hundred students and teachers of Federal Government College, Yauri, say they have abandoned the search because the state government was not supporting their efforts.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how bandits abducted about 102 students of the school on June 17.

Nigerian soldiers said they rescued three of the students and a staff member the following day but added that three other students died during the exercise. Two days ago, police in Zamfara State also announced the rescue of two more of the students.

The remaining students and staff members have, however, now been with the kidnappers for 45 days with the state government and security authorities not forthcoming on what efforts they are making to rescue them.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how Governor Abubakar Bagudu vowed to lead hunters and vigilantes to rescue the victims from the bandits.

Angry hunters

But speaking over the phone with PREMIUM TIMES Wednesday morning, a leader of the hunters who had started tracking the bandits, Abdu Bagobiri, said they have aborted the mission.

He said this was because the state government has not shown sincerity in its promise to the hunters.

Mr Bagori said: We didnt just wake up and go to the bush. The governor blessed us before we started the mission and he promised to help us financially. But we have not seen the commitment.

Asked if they had been given anything, he said the government gave them N30,000 but asked them to give it to their families in the understanding that more would be provided for them.

We also chartered vehicles to take us into the bush because we told the state government that we would not be using their vehicles for security reasons. Apart from that, we were also given five thousand naira each and that is all.

Mr Bagori said the group asked for guns, motorcycles and other weapons but despite assurances from the state government, they were yet to see anything.

I cannot continue to lead people into the bush when we do not have the required weapons to confront the bandits. If we have guns and motorcycles, we would not be waiting for anyone. Once we hear there is an attack, we will just mobilise and counter the gunmen.

However, Mr Bagori said they would be ready to resume their operation when the state government provides them with what they require.

But in his response, the Special Adviser to the governor on security matters, Rabiu Kamba, said Mr Bagoris allegations are unfounded.

He said the state government has provided the necessary assistance to the hunters and a request from them is currently on the governors desk for his approval.

Kebbi State, situated North-west Nigeria, is one of the states battling banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling.
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PREMIUM TIMES newspaper, Nigerias leading investigative and social accountability platform, is delighted to announce the appointment of Lanre Arogundade, a distinguished journalist, media development specialist and relentless freedom of expression advocate, as the newest member of our Editorial Board.

Mr Arogundade is joining other eminent professionals on the Board with over three decades of active engagements in the media, both locally and internationally, which has seen him through roles such as that of the Features Editor of the National Concord newspaper, and then the Assistant Editor/Member of Editorial Board for Vanguard newspapers. He has also been a reporter for the English-to-Africa service of Voice of America (VOA) and a correspondent for Panos Radio in Dakar, Senegal, among others.

In welcoming Mr Arogundade to the Editorial Board, the Editor-In-Chief and Chief Operating Officer of PREMIUM TIMES, Musikilu Mojeed, noted that, We are pleased in having you in this eminent group. This is in recognition of your respected and invaluable role in helping foster genuine debate around matters of our politics and society over the years.

A renowned trade unionist, socialist, and the incumbent Executive Director of the International Press Centre (IPC) in Lagos, Mr Arogundade has not only served directly on media beats, but has equally functioned in the knowledge production and capacity development dimensions of the media. These have involved his carrying out of wide-ranging studies, research works, trainings and the putting together of publications on the media in Nigeria and the West African sub-region, particularly Liberia and The Gambia.

Some of his areas of core training include investigative, fact checking and data journalism; corruption and budget reporting; election reporting; conflict- and gender-sensitive journalism, alongside issue and development focused reporting; and rural community reporting, etc.

Mr Arogundade holds a first degree of the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in Psychology, where he was a known student activist and President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in the early 1980s, and a Masters degree in the Peace and Conflict Studies programme of the University of Ibadan.

A former chairperson of the Lagos chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), and a member of the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE), he has been a co-recipient of the maiden press freedom award of the West African Journalists Association (WAJA) in 1997, and recipient of the Defender of Press Freedom Award of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in 2018.

As a widely travelled professional, who consults for local and international media and development organisations, Mr Arogundade is the author of Media and Elections: The Professional Responsibilities of Journalists and Fela: Yesterdays Message as Todays Reality. As the Director of IPC, he coordinates the projects and programmes of the Centre and furthermore serves as the Editor-In-Chief of the Nigerian Democratic Report (www.ndr.org.ng), a highly referenced news portal and media resource platform.
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U.S. President Joe Biden has called on New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to resign after an investigation found that he had sexually harassed 11 women.

Mr Biden, at a White House press conference on Tuesday, said he believed the prominent democrat should resign.

When asked if the governor should be impeached, Mr Biden said, Lets take one thing at a time here.

I think he should resign. I understand that the state legislature may decide to impeach, I dont know that for a fact. I havent read all that data, the president said.

Mr Biden added that he had not read the report or spoken to Mr Cuomo.

New York Attorney-General Letitia James released the report on Tuesday, saying at a press conference that Mr Cuomo had sexually harassed current and former state employees in violation of both federal and state laws.

The independent investigation found that Mr Cuomo harassed multiple women, many of whom were young women, by engaging in unwanted groping, kisses, hugging and by making inappropriate comments.

In a video statement following Jamess report, Cuomo said that he had not sexually harassed anyone and his actions with the 11 female accusers were portrayed incorrectly due to cultural and generational differences.

He painted himself as a champion of sexual assault victims, apologising to Charlotte Bennett, one of his accusers, whom the governor said he was trying to help.

He said he would institute new sexual harassment policies for the state.

Mr Cuomo also released a report on Tuesday that contains dozens of photos showing him touching and kissing numerous people, including Mr Biden.

He also included a photo of former President Barack Obama hugging a Hurricane Sandy victim.

When asked about the use of the photo, Mr Biden said, Im sure there were some embraces that were totally innocent, but apparently the attorney-general decided there were things that werent.

(NAN)
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A member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, Joy Emordi, has joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), barely a day after the resignation of seven members of the National Working Committee (NWC) from their positions.

Ms Emordi, a former senator for Anambra North, was among the members of the PDP BoT, who resigned on Tuesday over discontentment with the Uche Secondus-led NWC of the party.

PREMIUM TIMES has identified the Deputy National Legal Adviser of the party, Ahmed Bello; Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Diran Odeyemi; Deputy National Organising Secretary, Hassan Yakubu; Deputy National Financial Secretary, Irona Alphonsus; Deputy National Auditor, Divine Arong; and Deputy National Women Leader, Hadizat Umoru among the resigned NWC members.

The new development has further deepened the crisis in the main opposition as the 14 governors in the party hold different opinions about Mr Secondus ability to lead it.

The spokesperson to the APC interim National Chairman and the governor of Yobe State, Mamman Mohammed, in a statement on Wednesday, confirmed the exit of Ms Emordi from the PDP to the ruling party.

In her remarks as contained in a statement, Ms Emordi said she dumped her former party on the conviction that the future of a prosperous and united Nigeria lies in the APC, whose leadership she also described as sincere and genuine in its commitment to a united Nigeria.

l assure the party of my loyalty and support and to work for the success of the party.

The APC led federal government is working for the South East and this is attracting more PDP members into APC, Mr Mohammed quoted the former PDP BoT saying.

Also in his remarks, Governor Mala Buni, whose position as the APC interim chairman was recently challenged by some leaders of his party, said he was delighted about the decision of Ms Emordi and other politicians from the South East to join the ruling party.

He acknowledged the defection as a strong move to have to national cohesion.

There is a need for us to join hands for the political stability and national unity of our dear country.

The South-east is a strong political block and very crucial to the unity of the country. This will, no doubt, add to national cohesion, the APC interim chairman said.

PREMIUM TIMES could not ascertain if any of the PDP NWC members has shown interest to join the APC or any other party as at the time of this report.
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The State Security Service (SSS) says it will investigate the alleged assault on Oluwagbemiga Olamikan, a photojournalist with the Vanguard Newspapers by its personnel.

Peter Afunanya, the Public Relations Officer of the SSS, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja in reaction to the alleged assault on the journalist.

Mr Olamikan was allegedly assaulted at the Federal High Court, Abuja, by some personnel of the service while taking pictures of Sunday Igbohos aide.

Mr Afunanya said the SSS was a responsible security organisation with a good working relationship with the media and so, could not have assaulted journalists.

He said the relationship was based on the understanding that security and the media were partners in nation-building and should exist in understanding, peace and harmony.

(NAN)
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Emmanuel Lufadeju, National Coordinator, Rotary Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health (RMCH),has said that family planning is not an act of population control as misconstrued by some persons.

Mr Lafadeju , a professor, stated this in Jos on Tuesday when the Rotary RMCH donated family planning equipment through the states Ministry of Health to 10 selected heal facilities.

The equipment donated included disserting forceps and inserting forceps.

According to him, family planning is a method of spacing children and making sure that mothers are healthy before the next birth.

He advised mothers to space their children between three to five years to make family living better and also be in good health.

He noted that there are modern contraceptive methods by which birth spacing could be achieved, and that whenever the mother was ready to have another baby such could be removed and the woman would conceive.

The national coordinator that family planning was not population control but designed to look at the growth rate and fertility management of families.

He pointed out that modern contraceptives had been improved on and the side effects reduced to the barest minimum.

He further said Rotary RMCH was focused on quality assurance in obstetrics to reduce the spate of maternal and new born mortalities.

He added that the 10 selected facilities would also be given complimentary contraceptives in a months time.

Ndam Lar, Plateau States commissioner for health, who received the national coordinator and his team , commended the Rotary RMCH for their donation, saying it would go a long way in improving the services of the family planning service providers.

Mr Lar said it would in turn reduce the spate of maternal mortality.

He called on the selected health facilities to ensure they make the best use of the equipment by ensuring it was used for the sole purpose of family planning.

He also cautioned against selling of the equipment.

(NAN)
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Embattled Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, has deleted a Facebook post in which he explained his relationship with alleged internet fraudster, Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi.

Mr Kyari was mentioned by Hushpuppi, as receiving part of the proceeds of fraud for which the latter is being prosecuted in the U.S.

Hushpuppi, who has agreed to plead guilty to the fraud, told U.S. prosecutors that he gave Mr Kyari part of the proceeds of the crime.

He said he also got Mr Kyari to arrest one of his Nigerian accomplices when they had a disagreement.

Mr Kyari took to his verified Facebook page to state his innocence.

In his statement, Mr Kyari said he did not demand any money from Hushpuppi. He, however, said he introduced the accused to a cloth seller whom he (Hushpuppi) paid about N300,000.

Deleted/Edited post

PREMIUM TIMES check on Tuesday evening indicates that the embattled deputy police commissioner had edited the post severally and expunged the section where he claimed he linked Hushpuppi up with his tailor.

He also edited the N300,000 claim and included a section where he mentioned the sum of N8m.

Few hours after editing the post, it was entirely pulled down from his page, creating room for more suspicion.

Mr Kyari has been highly criticised by many Nigerians following his statement responding to the saga.

The Police Service Commission (PSC) recently suspended the embattled officer from office as a deputy commissioner of police and head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT).

His suspension was based on the recommendation of Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba.

The police chief recommended the suspension as a temporary measure to allow investigation into Mr Kyaris relationship with the renowned fraudster.
The State Security Service (SSS) has finally released five Buhari-Must-Go protesters, one of them a blind saxophonist, who were arrested by the agency about a month ago at the Dunamis International Gospel Centre in Abuja.

Ben Manasseh, Anene Udoka, Henry Nwodo, Samuel Larry and Samuel Gabriel (the saxophonist), were arrested for wearing T-shirts with Buhari-Must-Go inscription to the church on July 4.

Their lawyer, Tope Temokun, confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that they were released in Abuja on Tuesday.

This came after a week of the agencys disobedience to a court order for the detainees release.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported how the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the release of the five detainees on July 26.

Instead of obeying the order, the SSS rushed to a chief magistrates court in Mpape, Abuja, on July 28, to arraign them on charges of disturbance of peace.

Further demonstrating its disregard for judicial authorities, the spy agency refused to release the detainees despite being notified that they had met their bail conditions.

Mr Temokun, bent on enforcing the order of court releasing his clients, commenced a contempt suit seeking to have the SSS director-general, Yusuf Bichi, warned for his disobedience to the court order.

PREMIUM TIMES reported on Monday that Mr Temokun filed a Notice of Consequences of Order of Court, also known as Form 48, at the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 30, essentially warning Mr Bichi of a possibility of being jailed if he continued to disobey the court order.

Release

Confirming the release of the detainees in his Wednesdays statement, Mr Temokun said the SSS bowed to the fireworks from the people of Nigeria.

Yes, we have fought a good battle in court, Mr Temokun said, while he also commended Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, the media, and Nigerians in general for their roles in the campaign for the release of the detainees.

Speaking of his clients arrest, Mr Temokun said the young Nigerians attended the Dunamis church in Abuja, to seek Gods intervention, according to them, for Nigeria at this difficult time.

Hardly did it occur to them that the gate to the church could also turn to the gate to prison.

Pending N50million suits

The five activists still have separate fundamental rights enforcement suits they instituted against SSS at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the five activists filed separate suits for the enforcement of their fundamental rights at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

They each asked for N10million in damages against the defendants comprising, President Muhammadu Buhari, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and the pastor-in-charge of Dunamis church where the plaintiffs were arrested, Paul Enenche.

Filed along with their suits was a preliminary application asking for an order compelling the SSS to release them or produce them in court.

Ruling on the application on July 26, the judge, Anwuli Chikere chose to order their release, a decision she based on the grounds that there were no pending charges against them.

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The plaintiffs were arrested at the church for wearing shirts with the Buhari-Must-Go inscription, a sign associated with activists calling for President Buharis removal on the account of his alleged incompetence in the handling of the worsening security and economic situations in the country.

Their lawyer, Mr Temokun, argued in the separate suits, filed on July 8that his clients are entitled to fundamental right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, right to freedom of expression and the press, right to freedom from discrimination and right to personal liberty.

According to him, the rights are guaranteed under sections 35, 38, 39 and 42 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria constitution and under Articles 1, 2, 6, 8 and 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.

They are sacred rights which can only be curtailed in accordance with the law, Mr Temokun wrote in the court documents.

He also said the arrest and continued detention of his clients for wearing a clothing apparel with an inscription of BUHARI MUST GO! without a bail or arraignment, by men and officers under the command of the 1st, 2nd and 4th respondents (SSS, SSS boss, and Dunamis churchs pastor) constitute a very oppressive violation of the applicants fundamental rights.
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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum has appealed to members and stakeholders of the party to remain calm over Tuesday resignation of seven national deputy officers of the party.

The forum made the call in a statement issued by its Chairman and Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, in Abuja.

Mr Tambuwal urged all aggrieved members of the party to hold their peace for the party, as efforts were ongoing by members to intervene on the matter.

He said the forum received with regrets and sadness the recent rumblings in the PDP.

The Governors hereby call on all members of the party and indeed all stakeholders to remain calm in the face of the developments.

We plead with all aggrieved persons and those with the interest of the PDP at heart to keep their gun powder dry.

Efforts are being made in consultation with members of the PDP Board of Trustees and other stakeholders to resolve all contending issues.

Mr Tambuwal added that to that end, the PDP governors forum had scheduled an emergency meeting to discuss the affairs of the party and the way forward.

He said that the PDP, as the only remaining hope of the nation, for good governance must show an example to Nigerians and also take advantage of the current disarray in the APC.

READ ALSO:

Seven deputy national officers of the party on Tuesday resigned their positions as members of the National Executive Council.

The seven national officers are Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Diran Odeyemi; Deputy National Legal Adviser, Ahmed Bello; Deputy National Women Leader, Umoru Hadizat; Deputy National Auditor Divine Amina Arong; Deputy National Organising Secretary, Hassan Yakubu; and Deputy National Financial Secretary, Irona Alphonsus.

The officers cited the incompetence of the partys National Chairman, Uche Secondus, in managing the affairs of the party.

(NAN)
A Nigerian government official has disclosed that the country is still confronted by the challenges posed by 14 out of the 20 neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) listed by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Speaking at a media dialogue on NTDs Control in Nigeria on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, the national coordinator of NTDs, Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), Nse Akpan, linked the development to poor culture of Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) that is practised among many communities across the country.

The two-day media dialogue, which is organised by the Child Rights Information Bureau (CRIB) of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture in collaboration with the FMOH and the United Nation Childrens Fund (UNICEF), is according to the organisers, aimed at addressing the challenges posed by the diseases.

About NTDs

Described as neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) by the global health body, they are viral, parasitic and bacterial diseases that mainly affect the worlds poorest people.

They are also regarded as a diverse group of communicable diseases that prevail in tropical and subtropical conditions in about 149 countries globally and affect more than one billion people across the world.

The diseases are also said to cost developing economies billions of dollars every year.

Though Mr Akpan identified 15 of these diseases in Nigeria, PREMIUM TIMES findings have revealed that one of them, Guinea worm, has since been eliminated.

The health expert, however, listed the diseases to include Lymphatic Filariasis (Elephantiasis), Soil Transmitted Helminthiasis (STH), Onchocerciasis (River blindness), Trachoma (Granular Conjunctivitis) and Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia).

Others are: Rabbies, Leprosy, Yaws, Snakebites, Leishmaniasis, Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), Mycetoma and Fascioliasis.

Mr Akpan said all states in Nigeria are endemic to one or more NTDs and that 122 million people, which is equivalent to 2 out of every 3 Nigerians are at risk of the disease.

Of this figure, he said 20 per cent are pre-school-age children, 28 per cent school-age children (5-14 years) and 52 per cent, adults (15 years and above).

Populations living in poverty, without adequate sanitation and in close contact with infectious vectors and domestic animals and livestock are those worst affected, he said.

Meanwhile, in January 2021, the WHO said it has rolled out a 10-year roadmap for NTDs, which it claims proposes ambitious targets and innovative approaches to tackling the diseases.

The international health agency said the move is geared towards the quest to attain the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Poor funding

Meanwhile, Mr Akpan told the audience at the session that the epileptic release of funds for the elimination of NTDs is the major challenge the programme faces in Nigeria.

He said: I will not be shy to say that in Nigeria, funds have been allocated but the release is epileptic. This is because this is a country where we enjoy foreign donor support.

It is only when we do not have this support, maybe we will wake up and take up the challenge.

He explained that although the country approves funds for the NTDs programme, the process of release is poor.

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The country will appropriate a huge amount but the release generally is poor. This is not restricted to NTDs programmes or ministry of health alone but the practice affects all ministries in the country.

In 2020, we were challenged with issues of COVID-19, so of over 200 million appropriated, 80 per cent went to tackling COVID-19 issues. So we had to adjust, he added.

Low awareness

The official also identified poor awareness, especially among people in rural communities, as a challenge to ending the spread of the diseases.

He explained that these diseases have been termed neglected because, though they are everywhere in the country, many people know nothing about them.

The diseases are called neglected because they tend to affect the worlds poorest, and yet receive less attention than other diseases, he said.

Donor funded

In his address, UNICEF WASH specialist, Bioye Ogunjobi, while presenting an overview of the activities to eliminate the diseases in the Niger Delta region, said the mindset of the people is a huge hindrance to the efforts..

He also decried what he described as lack of political will and non-release of counterpart fundings, explaining that NTDs programmes are majorly sponsored by donor agencies and partners.

He called on governments at the national and state levels to get involved in ending the disease and its spread across the country.

In her presentation, Deputy Director, National Schistosomiasis/Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis Elimination Programme, Obiageli Nebe, said the NTDs programme has been surviving on donor support for many years.

We have the NGO partners that have been supporting us. There are still some states like Bayelsa where there are no NGOs that support them. In Bayelsa, it is UNICEF only that supports them.

From the national level, no budget was released for the programme for a couple of years now. It is only the NGOs that fund most of our programmes, she said.
A former student, who was part of the over 200 abducted girls from Government Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State, has reportedly surrendered alongside her Boko Haram-ISWAP terrorist husband to Nigerian troops.

According to a report by PR Nigeria, an online newspaper with close ties with security agencies, they surrendered and presented themselves to troops at an unknown location, within the Lake Chad region.

Over 200 girls were kidnapped from the secondary school in Chibok, Borno State in April 2014.

About 100 girls are still believed to be with the terror group with most of the others released after negotiation with the government.

According to the report, credible intelligence source in Maiduguri revealed that some other Boko Haram-ISWAP insurgents have voluntarily reached out to the military, indicating their interests to surrender and lay down their arms.

The terrorists resolve to surrender may not be unconnected with the destruction of their enclaves and camps by the Nigerian military airstrikes and ground bombardment; and the outbreak of killer diseases together with food scarcity, which have badly hit the terrorists.

In fact, there are many ISWAP and Boko Haram members that are willing to surrender as soon as possible but the military and other security services will ensure the needful is done for national security, the officer said.

Army spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu, was not available for comments as he did not respond to calls and SMS.

Chibok kidnap and others

The mass kidnapping of students from their schools is becoming a norm in Nigeria, particularly in the northern part of the country.

The country has witnessed several cases of kidnapping of pupils and students from their schools since 2014.

Over 700 students and pupils are believed to have been kidnapped since December 2020.

Recently gunmen attacked a Baptist Secondary School in Kaduna and abducted dozens of students from their dormitories.

The armed bandits also stormed a federal college in Kebbi and killed a police officer and kidnapped at least 80 students and five teachers during a separate attack.

Three of the students are dead, according to the BBC Hausa.

Security forces continued their search and, by Sunday morning, authorities were still counting the missing.

Less than a quarter of the kidnapped students have since been freed by security operatives in shootouts with the bandits.

The attack occurred just over three weeks after 169 students were abducted by armed bandits from an Islamic school in Niger State. The abducted pupils are yet to be released at the time of this report.

Some states have shut down schools as a result of the state of kidnappings.

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Amid deepening crisis, Nigerias main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says it remains in the best position to end the dominance of the APC in the countrys political space.

The party, in its first official statement since the resignation of seven of its National Working Committee (NWC) members on Tuesday, said it has activated a conflict resolution mechanism to end raging discord among its members.

With the resignation of NWC members and some of its Board of Trustees members, the PDPs internal rumblings took another turn, threatening its chances against the ruling APC in the 2023 General Elections.

As disclosed by a source within its leadership to PREMIUM TIMES, the resignation of the partys national officers came after their consistent questioning of the competence of the partys National Chairman, Uche Secondus.

Tailing the partys Governors Forum earlier stance, the PDP spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, in the statement on Wednesday, admitted to the disarray in the party and promised an atmosphere that will continue to promote stability.

The NWC further assures all members of the party that it is taking urgent steps to ensure decisions that will strengthen our great party for the task ahead, particularly at this time Nigerians are looking up to the PDP for direction and solutions.

Against this backdrop, the NWC urges all members to remain calm while assuring that the PDP remains stable as we work with the majority of Nigerians to end the inept administration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), come 2023, Mr Ologbondiyan said.

On the ground of complaints against Mr Secondus leadership, at least two governors have defected from the main opposition party to the ruling APC between January and July 2021.

In May, Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State joined his Ebonyi State counterpart, David Umahi, who had defected to the APC six months earlier.

The governor of Zamfara, Bello Matawalle, also dumped the PDP for the APC after months of speculation.

Mr Matawalles defection leaves Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State the only PDP governor in the North-west region.

The PDP has also recorded more defection of lawmakers at the state and national levels than the ruling party in the last six months, despite failure of the latter to end insecurity in the country.
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Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has said the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is hale and hearty in London, the United Kingdom.

The governor, who spoke to journalists on Wednesday in Lagos, said he made the trip and shared the photos with the APC leader to dispel the rumours about his ill-health.

Yes, indeed, I am the one you saw in the picture that I took when I visited our leader in London just to dispel all of the rumours that were flying around that he was sick and hospitalised, Mr Sanwo-Olu said, according to a statement by his chief press secretary, Gboyega Akosile.

According to the statement, the governor spoke to the journalists a few hours after his return from London.

Speculations about Mr Tinubus health reached a fever pitch last weekend after his conspicuous absence at the partys ward congress in Lagos. The former Lagos governor was also missing during the local government elections in the state penultimate Saturday.

Last Saturday, Tunde Rahman, Mr Tinubus media aide, issued a statement maintaining that his principal was not in a hospital abroad or had any medical problem that would require hospitalisation.

On Tuesday, photos of Governor Sanwo-Olu and Mr Tinubu in London were circulated on social media by persons loyal to the APC as part of efforts to allay fears of the APC leaders infirmity.

You saw him (Tinubu). He is well, he is healthy and we conversed. We talked about what is happening in our party, what is happening in the nation and just to say to him that all is well, Mr Sanwo-Olu continued.

I went to see things for myself. It is just to put the mind and heart of people to rest that there is nothing for us to worry about, the governor disclosed.

When asked when Mr Tinubu would likely return to Nigeria, Governor Sanwo-Olu said only the APC leader could answer that.

A man has discretion as to decide when to go out of the country and when to return. It is his call. Is he coming here to do Governors work? Cant you see the picture we took together? Picture doesnt lie, he said.
The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, granted bail to 12 associates of Yoruba nation separatist, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho.

At the hearing preceding the courts ruling on Wednesday, SSS urged the court not to grant bail to four of the detainees, but had no objection to the bail application of the eight others.

In his ruling, the judge, Obiora Egwuatu, overruled SSS objection and granted bail to all the 12 applicants.

He ,however, staked the bail for the four detainees whose bail applications were opposed on a higher bond.

While he granted bail to the four singled out by the SSS in the sum of N10 million, with two sureties each, he pegged the bail bond for the rest eight at N5 million.

The four with higher bail bonds are: Amudat Habibat Babatunde, Abideen Shittu, Jamiu Noah Oyetunji and Bamidele Sunday.

The rest eight are: Abdullateef Ademola Onaolapo, Tajudeen Irinloye, Diekola Jubril Ademola, Ayobami Donald, Uthman Opeyemi Adelabu, Olakunle Oluwapelumi, Raji Kazeem and Taiwo Opeyemi Tajudeen.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the applicants, who had been in SSS detention since July 2, had approached the court for the enforcement of their fundamental rights.

Applicants argument

Earlier, the applicants lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, had urged the court to grant his clients bail unconditionally.

Mr Olajengbesi made the plea following the production of the 12 detainees in court on Wednesday.

He told the court that contrary to the Section 35(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which stipulates that a suspect be charged to court within 24 hours, the SSS had kept the applicants for about 34 days in detention.

He said it took the order of the court for the SSS to allow even the legal representatives of these applicants to have access to them.

He said the experience of the applicants in the facility of the respondent was a bad taste.

He argued that to continue to keep the applicants in the custody of the service would amount to an affront on the constitution and infringement on their fundamental human rights as provided by the law.

Counter-argument

Responding, the lawyer to SSS, I. Awo, opposed the application for bail for only four of the applicants.

He argued that this was due to the level of their involvement in the alleged offences for which they were arrested.

He said investigation so far had revealed high level of complicity on the part of the four detainees whose bail was opposed to by the service.

As it is, the respondent (SSS) is still investigating this matter and while will we do not oppose granting bail to those applicants earlier mentioned, we seriously believe that it is not in the interest of justice and it will not serve the purpose of national security for these four applicants to be granted bail, Mr Awo said.

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The lawyer further argued that the fear of the service was that if granted bail, they might not make themselves available for further investigation and possible prosecution.

He said the law also gave grounds on which a suspect could be detained beyond 24 hours.

According to him, Section 162 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, set out the conditions or circumstances upon which bail can be refused.

Mr Awo said Paragraph C of the same section provided that where the applicant for bail attempted to intimidate witnesses or interfere with investigation, in such circumstances, bail could be refused.

He said there were credible information on how friends, families and associates of the four applicants were making contacts to the potential witnesses identified by the service.

They have started making overture to them to compromise investigation and pressurising some not to turn up in the event they (the four applicants) will be charged.

We believe strongly that these four applicants who are still needed for further investigation will jeopardise the ongoing investigation if released, Mr Awo told the court.

Defiance to court order

It will be recalled that the SSS reluctantly produced eight of the detainees in court on Monday.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the judge, Mr Egwuatu, on July 23, ordered the SSS to produce the detainees in court on July 29, but the order was flouted by the agency.

At the July 29 proceedings when the SSS was expected to produce all the 12 detainees, the agencys lawyer, I. Awo, told the court that it only had three detainees who were apprehended at Mr Igbohos home in Ibadan on July 1.

The court adjourned till Monday (August 2) and restated its order compelling the SSS to produce the detainees in court.

In partial obedience to the court order on Monday, the SSS produced eight of the 12 detainees.

The judge again ordered the spy agency to produce all the defendants on Wednesday. All the 12 detainees were eventually produced in court on Wednesday when they were all granted bail by the court.

The SSS reluctance in producing the detainees fits into its pattern of treating court orders with little regard.

The latest in the series of SSSs habitual disobedience to court orders is the case of five Buhari-Must-Go protesters, who were only released from the spy agencys custody after five days of defying a court order for their release.

Sunday Igboho, in whose house the 12 detainees were arrested, is facing proceedings in Republic of Benin, where he was said to have been apprehended while trying to fly to Germany with his wife.

(NAN)
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Some members of the Boko Haram and elements of Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) and their families have laid down their arms and surrendered to troops of the Nigerian military.

According to a statement by Onyema Nwachukwu, the army spokesperson, on Wednesday, the terrorists that surrendered were those who hitherto hibernated around the fringes of Sambisa forest, their stronghold.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported how a former student who was kidnapped at the Government Secondary School, Chibok, turned In herself together with her terrorist husband.

It is, however, not clear if the Chibok girls family was part of those who surrendered as the army did not identify them.

Mr Nwachukwu said in the statement that the fighters and their families which consist of 19 male fighters, 19 adult females and 49 children had to surrender due to unbearable conditions in their trenches.

The statement also added that many assorted rifles and ammunition were recovered.

Read the full statement below:

OPERATION HADIN KAI: MORE BHTs/ISWAP FIGHTERS SURRENDER AS TROOPS INTENSIFY OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS

Several Assorted Weapons Recovered

In continuation of the ongoing intensive clearance operations across the theatre of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), more Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) and elements of Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) and their families, who have hitherto hibernated around the fringes of Sambisa forest have yielded to troops heavy artillery and air bombardments and surrendered to troops at Forward Operational Base (FOB) Banki Junction/BOCOBS in Bama, Borno State on 2 August 2021.

The terrorists who also surrendered several assorted weapons and incendiaries, comprised 19 male fighters, 19 adult females and 49 children from Njimia village and environs.

The terrorists lamented that the ground and condition in the forest have become untenable, hence their surrendering.

The fire arms and incendiaries recovered from the terrorists include, 8 AK 47 rifles, 1General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), 2 Fabrique Nationale (FN) Rifles, 1 Dane Gun, 1Makarov Pistol, 89 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, 89 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, 66 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition, 5 x 9mm rounds of ammunition, 2 Hand Grenades, 27 AK 47 Rifle magazines and 2 FN Rifle magazines.

Others are 1 pistol magazine, 1 x 60mm Mortar Bomb, 10 x14.5mm empty cases, 2 primed suicide vests, 72 trigger switches, 10 primed Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), 5 Electric Detonating Chords, 6 packs of Water Gel Explosives, 6 Mobile Phones, 1 Camel Pack, 1 Cammoulage bag, 2 Hard drives, 1 Plier, 2 Unserviceable Hand held Radios, 2 Scissors, and needles, 2 Match boxes and the sum of Fifty Five Thousand Naira (N55,000:00) only.

The terrorists and their families are currently undergoing comprehensive security profiling and preliminary investigations, while the children have been administered with oral polio vaccines.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya has commended the troops for the sustained offensive and clearance operations conducted in the theatre. He charged them to maintain the momentum of the operations.

ONYEMA NWACHUKWU

Brigadier General

Director Army Public Relations

4 August 2021
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Nigeria, especially her ruling elite, has a choice: It can make the country a land of hope, opportunity, inclusion, fairness and justice or elect to glide down the path of perpetual internal tensions  not exactly a good prescription for regional leadership.

There was a time when Nigerias leadership role in African affairs was taken for granted. Nigeria was deemed Africas bellwether, a notion that gave credence to her manifest destiny  an inherent right to speak for and be listened to on African issues. Hence, a generation of Nigerian leaders and diplomats exuded extraordinary confidence in leading regional and international efforts to rid the continent of the vestiges of colonial rule and white minority regimes. Nigerias exertion of influence, well accepted by her cohorts, fostered seminal regional initiatives as the New Partnership for Africas Development, African Peer Review Mechanism, and the African Peace and Security Architecture.

There is, however, a growing sense that Nigerias voice has become muted and her influence on the wane. Since our July 10, 2019 Op-Ed titled, Is Nigeria Still a Regional Hegemon?, wherein we pondered the incipient decline in Nigerias regional and global role, the countrys national context has further deteriorated. We have introduced the concept of deficit of moral purpose to explain that decline. As a theoretical and practical construct, moral purpose belongs to the soft power category, rather than hard power attributes of a country. As coined and defined by Joseph Nye, soft power is the ability to obtain the outcomes one wants through attraction rather than using carrots and sticks of payment or coercion. This implies leading by example and attracting others to follow. Nigerias moral purpose is codified in Section 14 (1) 2b of the 1999 Constitution (amended), which affirms that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. The deficit in moral purpose is reflected in the chasm between this constitutional provision and actual practice, resulting from leadership hubris.

Starting with the security context, kidnapping is rampant. Between January and July, over 1,000 students in eight secondary schools were abducted. A Daily Trust analysis on July 31 revealed that, from 2018 to July 2021, ransom estimated at N13 billion has been demanded by kidnappers, with a fraction of this paid. In the second quarter of this year alone, 3,133 civilians and 296 security personnel were killed in Nigeria, according to SB Morgen, a Lagos-based research and risk consultancy. Majority of the civilian deaths were attributed to the atrocities of Boko Haram, herdsmen and bandits. Nigerias sustained high ranking as the third worst terrorist impacted country (after Afghanistan and Iraq) in the Global Terrorism Index, is attributable to killings by herdsmen and Boko Haram. Internally displaced persons are about 2.5 million. As the security situation has deteriorated, the military has launched six operations covering 35 of the 36 states of the country. These militarised policing operations are reflective of exacerbating insecurity.

The deterioration of the food security situation closely mirrors the pervasive insecurity around the country, which has made farming very difficult. In March, Nigerias debt stood at US$87.23 billion, with an external debt component of $32.85 billion, and debt service gulping 72 per cent of government revenue.

The welfare aspect of the constitutional provision is reflected in how the management of the economy redounds to the benefit of citizens. Nigerias economic performance, which has been mediocre, missing all economic growth targets outlined in various plans over the years, has suffered further as a result of COVID-19, experiencing a contraction of about 2 per cent in 2020. Meanwhile, the number of persons living in poverty in Nigeria, which overtook India as the poverty capital of the world in 2018, reaching an estimated 99 million persons living below the acute poverty line of $1.90 per day, is likely to have increased, as African Development Bank has estimated that the pandemic will push 43 million Africans into poverty.

Nigerias overall unemployment stands at 32.5 per cent, with the youth component at 54 per cent. The Global Hunger Index ranks Nigeria at 96 out 107 countries and The Hunger Hotspots, a joint report by the Food and Agricultural Organisation and the World Food Programme for 2021, lists Nigeria among the top three countries where hunger and food insecurity will worsen in a few months time. The deterioration of the food security situation closely mirrors the pervasive insecurity around the country, which has made farming very difficult. In March, Nigerias debt stood at US$87.23 billion, with an external debt component of $32.85 billion, and debt service gulping 72 per cent of government revenue.

The influence and strength of a nation are not assessed only by its economic, military and technological prowess. The degree to which a nation promotes national and social cohesion is also pertinent. Contextually, no recent public policy action illustrates the contempt that Nigerias political elite have for a sense of fairness and equity, than the newly passed Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). Initiated in 2007 in an effort to shift the existing terms of transactions in favour of the country, the final version of the legislation further exacerbates the social inequity linked to oil exploration.

Foreign policy begins at home, and is a time-honoured diplomatic aphorism. As Nigerias economic, political, social and security challenges mount, she risks losing her residual appeal as a well-run nation. Nigerias decline is not inevitable. Neither is her claim to regional leadership pre-ordained.

Nigerias policy makers are fully aware of the scale and scope of environmental degradation wrought by oil exploration in the Niger Delta. The 2011 UNEP Environmental Assessment of Ogoniland provided estimates of the magnitude of financial resources needed to clean that area, which is a microcosm of the Niger Delta. A prudential approach to the PIB would have consisted of using increased oil revenue to mitigate the environmental impact of oil exploration, allocating more resources to the host communities, and ensuring a significant outlay for diversification of the economy. Instead, the bill passed by the National Assembly has sown more discord than applying a balm over the wounds created by oil exploration.

Foreign policy begins at home, and is a time-honoured diplomatic aphorism. As Nigerias economic, political, social and security challenges mount, she risks losing her residual appeal as a well-run nation. Nigerias decline is not inevitable. Neither is her claim to regional leadership pre-ordained. Nigeria, especially her ruling elite, has a choice: It can make the country a land of hope, opportunity, inclusion, fairness and justice or elect to glide down the path of perpetual internal tensions  not exactly a good prescription for regional leadership.

Ejeviome E. Otobo is a non-resident senior expert at the Global Governance Institute, Brussels, while Oseloka H. Obaze is managing director and chief executive officer, Selonnes Consult in Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
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It is advised that Nigeria fulfills its international obligations to ensure respect, protection and fulfillment of the right to free speech. The optics are on the down side for the country among the comity of nations with regard to free speech and human rights. Nigeria government should immediately release all its prisoners of conscience and ensure that all organs of government work optimally in the overall interest of Nigerians.

The advent of the Fourth Republic had heralded hopes of transition to a democratic era of free speech, rule of law and respect for human rights. However, events unfolding thereafter have rather been one of an anti-climax.

Between 1999 and 2015, several journalists were arrested and unlawfully detained by state agents. In 2001, Dayo Omotosho, the state bureau chief for The Comet newspaper, was barred from covering the government of Oyo State. On April 23, 2001, Okon Sam, a reporter for Pioneer newspaper was assaulted by security guards on President Olusegun Obasanjos entourage. On June 28, Namdi Onyenua of Glamour Trends was arrested in his office by security agents, who fired into the air to disperse other employees. He was later arraigned in court for allegedly publishing false stories under section 392 of the Penal Code. In June 2014, squads of soldiers seized and, in some cases destroyed, thousands of copies of several newspaper publications, including those of Leadership, The Nation, and The PUNCH. The general distribution centre for all newspapers in Area 1, Abuja, was also sealed. In none of these incidents did the government obtain a court order prior to the oppressive acts.

The period since 2015 has been a more hostile one for journalists and free speech, generally, in Nigeria, in a manner reminiscent of the years of successive military juntas. In 2020, the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Muhammed repealed and re-enacted the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC)s Code to include hate speech. In June this year, the bill to Amend the NBC Code was presented before the National Assembly to include regulation of media houses and social media, with punitive measures attached for infringement of the Code. Already, section 2 (n) of the NBC Act gives the NBC power to impose sanctions. Under the repressive provisions of the Code and Act, the Commission imposed fines on the Africa Independent Television (AIT), Arise TV and Channels Television in October 2020 for alleged unprofessional coverage of the EndSARS protests and the Lekki Shooting. Prior to that time, the NBC had imposed fines on Naija info Fm for comments by one of its studio guests, Dr Obadiah Mailafia, that some reformed terrorists had confessed that some northern governors funded the activities of Boko Haram. In July, the NBC also issued a caution to broadcasting stations on their reportage of banditry and terrorism, in what appears to be censorship of news broadcasts. The constitutional propriety or otherwise of the unilateral imposition of these punishments by the NBC is being challenged in courts by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ), and other human rights groups.

As at December 2019, not less than 11 journalists were undergoing prosecution for criticising government or exposing corruption in government. According to the wife of the journalist, Agba Jalingo, publisher of Crossriver Watch, he was slammed with charges of terrorism and treason, which are ordinarily unbailable, for reporting the alleged diversion of N500 million by the Cross River State governor. Recently, in a suit brought by SERAP, the ECOWAS Community Court slammed damages of N30 million on the Nigerian government for violating Mr. Agba Jalingos rights to freedom of expression, dignity of the human person, and liberty. There was journalist Jones Abiri, editor of Weekly Source, who was arrested and detained by the State Security Service (SSS) for two years without trial, for allegedly threatening oil companies. He was eventually charged for terrorism and economic sabotage. The same happened to Seun Oloketuyi of Naijahottestgist for publishing, in his blog, an alleged extra-marital affair by a top executive of one of Nigerias banks. Chris Nnwandu, publisher of Evening Whisper newspaper, was arraigned in court for sharing the story on his Facebook page. Kaduna social media critic, Abubakar Idris, better known as Dadiyata, has remained missing since August 2019, when unidentified men whisked him away from his residence in Barnawa. Kano State governor, Umar Ganduje and the Police have denied their involvement in his disappearance. Publisher of New York based online newspaper, Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, was arrested by the SSS in August 2019 and slammed with charges bordering on treason for being critical of government and pre-coordinating a protest code-named, RevolutionNow.

In what appears to be a resuscitation of the defeated social media and fake news bills through the back door, the National Assembly is currently considering the amendment of the NBC Act to criminalise fake news and regulate the activities of broadcasting stations on the social media. The National Assembly also seeks to amend the Press Council Act to ensure that Nigerians obtain licenses before establishing press organisations.

Former Chairman of the governing council of the National Human Rights Commission, Dr Chidi Odinkalu and music producer and Chairman of Chocolate City, Audu Maikori, were arrested by the Police and transferred to Kaduna for trial on what Governor El-Rufai dubbed fake news likely to cause ethnic uprising. Odinkalu was arrested for his comment on the ethnic crisis in Kajuru, Kaduna State, while being a guest on Channels TV prior to the 2019 general elections. Audu Maikori was apprehended and transferred to Kaduna in 2017 for publishing about the purported killing of five College of Education students in Southern Kaduna on his Twitter handle. The court later ordered Kaduna State government to pay Maikori damages to the tune of N40 Million for the breach of his rights.

Many journalists and critics of government are currently being harassed, intimidated and undergoing trials for such offences as criminal defamation, under section 291 of the Penal Code and section 373 of the Criminal Code; cyberstalking, under section 24 of the Cybercrime Act; terrorism under sections 1 & 2 of the Terrorism (Prevention & Prohibition) Act; and treason under section 37 of the Criminal Code. In 2020, the National Assembly proposed to enact the Social Media Bill to allow the Police determine who posts and what should be posted on the internet. It proposed to empower the Police to arrest and detain anyone for posting what it unilaterally believes to be fake, improper and offensive. The bill also aimed to empower the Police or the regulator to block internet access. The bill was abandoned midway after vehement opposition by civil society groups, journalists, individual activists and Nigerians, during the public hearing stage.

The fake news bill was also sponsored at the National Assembly to award penalties for the publication of fake news or stories. The bill, just like the social media bill, was hugely perceived to be an oppressive tool and capable of leading to the abuse of power and authority by the state, given the antecedents of Nigerian government. In what appears to be a resuscitation of the defeated social media and fake news bills through the back door, the National Assembly is currently considering the amendment of the NBC Act to criminalise fake news and regulate the activities of broadcasting stations on the social media. The National Assembly also seeks to amend the Press Council Act to ensure that Nigerians obtain licenses before establishing press organisations.

The recent attempts to gag free speech has been tagged as the replica of decree 4 of 1984, which empowered the government to unilaterally shut down newspapers, radio and television stations for publishing or reporting news perceived to be detrimental to its interest.

There might be merits in ensuring sanity in the Nigerian social media space, however the penalties being touted are incompatible with right to freedom of expression. Nigeria is a state party to article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (1981); article 19 (2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; and other relevant international legal instruments that guarantee free speech.

There might be merits in ensuring sanity in the Nigerian social media space, however the penalties being touted are incompatible with right to freedom of expression. Nigeria is a state party to article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (1981); article 19 (2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; and other relevant international legal instruments that guarantee free speech. Nigeria has the mandate to ensure that this right is respected, protected and fulfilled. Experts and several international mechanisms have recommended the de-criminalisation of free speech and defamation from the national laws by countries. Of course, penal laws have chilling effects on freedom of expression.

Recently, the popular microblogging platform, Twitter was suspended in Nigeria by the Nigerian government, with this act generating global condemnation and the ranking of the country in the same category with North Korea, China, Iran and Turkmenistan, which all engage in draconian restrictions of the freedom of expression in their territories.

In the 2020 World Press Freedom Index, Nigeria is ranked 120th of 180 countries, much worse than Benin, Niger, Haiti, Mongolia, Malawi and Sierra Leone. Interestingly, Nigeria was ranked 119th in the earlier index. According to Amnesty International, there are concerns over the arrest of journalists by armed men suspected to be members of the countrys secret police, the SSS, in Nigeria.

It is advised that Nigeria fulfills its international obligations to ensure respect, protection and fulfillment of the right to free speech. The optics are on the down side for the country among the comity of nations with regard to free speech and human rights. Nigeria government should immediately release all its prisoners of conscience and ensure that all organs of government work optimally in the overall interest of Nigerians.

Opeyemi Owolabi, a lawyer, human rights advocate and legal adviser at the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), writes from Lagos.
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Financial results of Jaiz Bank Plc for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021, was released to the Nigerian Stock Exchange, showing a 70.6 per cent growth in Profit After Tax (PAT), from N1.17 billion declared in June 2020 to N1.99 billion at the end of June 2021.

The Banks Total Income for the period under review grew by 42.1 per cent from N6.23 billion as at end of June 2020 to N8.86 billion at the end of June 2021.

Meanwhile, the Banks earnings per share for the period under review jumped by 70.3 per cent from 3.89 kobo in the second quarter of 2020 to 6.78 kobo at the end second quarter of 2021.

The consistent earnings result is obviously reassuring to all stakeholders and the investing public, thus, positioning the Bank as not only the pioneer but also the leading Non-Interest Bank in Nigeria.

Speaking on the result, the Managing Director/CEO, Hassan Usman, said that it reflects the Banks positive outing in 2020, where it recorded a Profit Before Tax of N3.07 billion. He assured that the Bank is determined to maintain the remarkable earnings streak for the rest of the year by leveraging on technology and the expansion of its retail banking portfolio.
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A Kwara High Court in Ilorin, on Tuesday, sentenced a 400 Level student of the University of Ilorin (Unilorin), Joshua Ogizien, and three other persons, for offences bordering on internet fraud.

The Ilorin Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured the convictions.

The three other convicts are Toheeb Muritala, a 200 Level Computer Science student, Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, and Rasheed Temitope, a graduate of Bartholomew College of Health Technology, Shao.

Also sentenced is Olaoluwa Samuel of Lagelu Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Delivering judgment, Justice Mahmood Abdulgafar said the court relied on the plea of guilt entered by the defendants, the unchallenged testimonies of the prosecution witnesses and all the exhibits tendered.

The judge sentenced Messrs Ogizien and Muritala to one year imprisonment each at Mandala Correctional Centre, and ordered the forfeiture of the devices recovered from them.

He also ordered Mr Ogizien to forfeit the draft of N79,000, while Muritala should forfeit N220,000 draft, raised as restitution to the Federal Government.

The judge further sentenced Mr Temitope to six months imprisonment each on the two counts preferred against him, which would run concurrently.

The court, however, ordered the suspension of the sentence by one year to enable Messrs Ogizien and Muritala to complete their education at Unilorin and KWASU, respectively.

Mr Samuel was also sentenced to one-year imprisonment on count one, with option of fine of N50,000, and one year imprisonment on count two without an option of fine.

The convicts two phones and a draft of N32,000, which he raised as restitution, are to be forfeited to the federal government.

Justice Abdulgafar, who suspended the sentences by one year, also ordered that the convicts should report to Towoju Azeez of Mandala Correctional Centre during the period of the suspension.

The convicts were caught by EFCC following credible intelligence reports on the activities of fraudsters swindling unsuspecting victims of their hard-earned income within Ilorin and its environs.

The operatives of the commission swung into action and in the process arrested the convicts at various locations within the metropolis.

(NAN)
Hezekiah Dimka (APC, Plateau Central) has condemned in strong terms, the continuous killing of people and the destruction of farmlands in Plateau by assailants.

Mr Dimka, in a statement on Tuesday, said that week after another, communities of Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Bassa, Jos South and Jos East local government areas had come under intense attacks.

Mr Dimka, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, said that the trend had led to the destruction of farmlands and maiming of people in the most barbaric manner.

I am aware that there has been apprehension concerning these incidents; there is untold hardship on the part of communities.

The attack on Jebbu Miango on July 31 until morning of August 1, 2021, leaves much to be desired.

From reports, over 10 people were massacred, their homes and farmlands desecrated recklessly.

These are attacks that should not be glossed over. It is time to get things sorted out by ensuring that the perpetrators are apprehended and brought to justice, he said.

The lawmaker added that the attacks were not isolated cases going by the pieces of information that were circulated before the attacks took place.

He urged security agencies to be on top of the situation and end the attacks.

Mr Dimka sympathized with the communities and asks that they be always provided adequate security.

Meanwhile, the senator said that he had not taken his attention away from the floods ravaging Kanam Local Government Area.

Since July 28, 2021, when the news of the massive flood hit some parts of Kanam local government area, I have been disoriented given the suffering they are going through and what measures could be taken immediately to address these concerns.

I recall that a few weeks ago several communities in the same local government area were devastated in the same manner.

Hardly have we recovered from the pains than we are again hit by one that is far more devastating.

I am shocked beyond words to comprehend what the people are going through from the consequences of the disaster that has hit some communities,he said

He said he was informed that hundreds of houses and farms were destroyed by flood in Bankilong, Birwa, Gomgom, Namaran, Gommadaji, Gobro, Kafel, Zamadede.

On account of the tragedy in these areas, I can assure you that measures are being worked out in collaboration with the state to help the affected farmers and communities by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the

Plateau State Government and other spirited individuals, he said.

According to him, it is unthinkable that people in the three federal wards would use all means available before they navigate their ways back to Kanam.

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He further said that from the footages he saw, public investments such are schools were not left out of the thread of the flood.

Mr Dimka appealed to the victims to be patient while awaiting urgent action particularly in the communities affected by the flood.

(NAN)
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The Commissioner of Police in Plateau, Edward Egbuka, has said that 17 people were killed and 85 buildings burnt in the recent attacks in Bassa and Riyom Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

Mr Egbuka disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists at the end of an emergency state security meeting held at the Government House, Jos.

He said there were attacks in Jebbu Miango in Bassa LGA where five people were killed on July 31 and 12 others killed on August 1 at Tambora in Riyom LGA.

There were attacks specifically at Jebbu Miango on Saturday night, July 31 in which five people were killed and about 85 buildings burnt.

The next morning, the attacks continued at Tambora in Riyom LGA where 12 people were killed and some houses destroyed, he said.

The police commissioner disclosed that some security personnel were also killed in the attacks.

He said that Governor Simon Lalong has given an order for security personnel in the state to ensure that the situation was brought under control and to fish out the attackers.

His Excellency (the governor) has read a riot act to us that we should move out and within two weeks bring to book all those that have perpetrated the attacks. This would be done, he said.

He warned that instigators of reprisal attacks would not be spared saying, human life is sacrosanct, nobody can take it at will. There is a government on ground and lawlessness would not be accepted, he said.

Earlier in his remarks, the governor had said that the meeting was convened to quickly address the security situation and chart strategies to nip crises in the bud.

(NAN)
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The police command in Benue has arrested three suspected kidnappers in Logo Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

This was contained in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Sewuese Anene, on Wednesday in Makurdi.

Ms Anene said the operatives of the command arrested the suspects at a hideout at Ugba the headquarter of the local government area, after they had kidnapped a man.

On sighting the police, the suspects engaged them in an exchange of fire but the police were able to subdue them and the three of them were arrested at the scene.

One of them sustained gunshot injuries and was confirmed dead at the hospital and his corpse has been deposited at the morgue.

ALSO READ: Suspects in police net for allegedly sodomising man in Kano

The other two, identified as Aondona Yakyuur and Teryange Myina, are currently undergoing interrogation, she said.

She said the victim was rescued unhurt and had been reunited with his family.

The PPRO said one fabricated barretta pistol with four rounds of live ammunition was recovered from them. (NAN)
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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has said it impounded 13 vehicles, 314 bags of imported rice and some other goods, valued at more than N60 million, in Katsina State between July 8 and August 3.

The Acting Controller of Customs, Katsina State Area Command, Dalha Wada, made this disclosure on Tuesday in Kaduna while briefing newsmen on the achievements of the command.

According to Mr Wada, the command in the period under review intercepted a Lexus Saloon 2011 model with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N3.6 million, Toyota Corolla 2015 with DPV of more than N7 million.

Other vehicles we impounded include Mercedes 180 1998 model worth N1.8 million, Mercedes C230, 2006 model with DPV of more thanN2.3 million and two Peugeot 504 worth N135,000 each.

We also seized a Peugeot J5 bus valued at more than N1.4 million, another same J5 bus of over N1.6 million, Ford van F150 1996 model worth over N2 million and Peugeot J5 Iveco with DPV of N2.1 million.

The command also seized a Dab truck tipper worth N8.1 million, Toyota Rav 4 of over N4.3, and Toyota Highlander valued at over N7.1 million, Mr Wada said.

Mr Wada put the total value of the 13 vehicles intercepted at more than N42.1 million.

He said the command also impounded 314 units of 50kg bags of parboiled foreign rice, worth over N7.5 million, 227 jerrycans of vegetable oil of 25 litre each, with DPV of N5.4 million and 178 cartons of imported spaghetti valued at N961,000.

According to Mr Wada, the Katsina command also impounded dates worth N2.2 million, bags of soybeans worth N315,000, maize with the value of N715,000 and foreign fertilizer, valued at N154,350.

Meanwhile, we also intercepted four motorcycles worth N240,000, bags of animal feeds worth N262,500 and also 14 jerrycans of petroleum products with a DPV of N61,600.

The controller commended the NCSs operatives for their tireless efforts and urged them to redouble their efforts in order to move Nigeria forward.

According to him, the command is doing everything possible to ensure that its operatives frustrate any tactics adopted by smugglers.

(NAN)
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The Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Hadiza Balarabe, has reiterated the state governments commitment to partner with stakeholders to protect womens rights.

Ms Balarabe stated this in Kaduna on Wednesday when a non-governmental organisation, Widows Intervention Foundation Worldwide, visited her.

We are a government that believes in partnership and collaboration with reliable stakeholders; our interest is to develop humanity, she said.

The deputy governor commended the organisation for its support to widows in the state.

In her remarks, Hafsat Baba, Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, said the state was doing its best to protect the interests of women.

The welfare of women and children is very important to us; in the ministry, we have a team that responds to issues concerning gender-based violence.

The state has four sexual assault referral centres; our interest is to provide support to women and children whose rights are violated, she said.

Deborah Joseph, Team Leader, Widows Intervention Foundation Worldwide, called for stakeholders collaboration towards effective protection of women.

She further urged women and other vulnerable groups in the society to speak out when their rights were violated.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the group conferred the Humanitarian Ambassadorial award on the deputy governor during the visit.

(NAN)
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Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has commiserated with his Ogun counterpart, Dapo Abiodun, over the death of his father, Emmanuel Abiodun.

Mr Abiodun, an educationist, died on Monday at the age of 89.

Mr Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, on Tuesday, urged Governor Abiodun, the deceased family, friends, and people of Iperu-Remo and Ogun to immortalise the octogenarian.

He urged the Abiodun family to take solace in God for a good life lived by the deceased.

On behalf of the good people of Lagos State and my adorable wife, Ibijoke, I sympathise with my friend and brother, Gov. Dapo Abiodun, on the demise of his beloved father, Dr Emmanuel Abiodun.

I also send my heartfelt condolences to Mama, Mrs Victoria Abiodun and the entire Abiodun family in Iperu-Remo and the people of Ogun, over the death of the patriarch of the Abiodun family.

Papa Abiodun, fondly called Baba Teacher by young and old due to his relentless efforts at imparting knowledge and inculcating the right values in his students, lived a fulfilled life as an educationist.

He served as a school teacher for many years across the old Western State and made a positive impact on the lives of his numerous students who have turned out as great men and women in the society today, he said.

Mr Sanwo-Olu said the elderly and wise counsel of the deceased would be sorely missed, not only by his family but the people of Iperu-Remo.

He prayed that God would grant the deceased eternal rest and the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

READ ALSO: Ogun governor loses father

Similarly, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, in a statement issued in Ibadan on Tuesday by his Press Secretary, Taiwo Adisa, expressed his heartfelt condolences to the entire Abiodun family.

According to him, though, the death of ones loved one is always painful, Mr Abiodun deserves to be celebrated for the good life he lived and the great legacy he left behind.

Mr Makinde urged Governor Abiodun to take solace in the indelible marks his father left on earth as a teacher and nation-builder of many decades.

He described the deceased as a devout Christian, who sowed worthy seeds, bearing good fruits in the society.

Mr Makinde prayed to God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the exit of their beloved father.

(NAN)
At least 11 trucks belonging to Dangote Cement were set ablaze Tuesday after irate youth descended on vehicles parked outside the companys factory in Ibese, Yewa North local government of Ogun State.

Trouble started when commercial motorcyclists and transport unionists clashed over an alleged increase in riders tickets, from N600 to N800.

Witnesses said the crisis quickly degenerated into an ethnic conflict between the motorcyclists, who are mostly from the northern part of the country, and their southwestern colleagues at Dangote Junction in the community.

As of Tuesday, about seven people lay dead from the crisis, witnesses said.

Okada riders vs union

When PREMIUM TIMES visited the scene of the incident in Ibese community on Wednesday, the carcasses of the burnt trucks littered the area as well as vandalised shops and other properties.

Hamzat Ibrahim, an indigene of the community, said the conflict began on Monday after a disagreement between a motorcyclist and a union representative trying to sell him a ticket.

Hausas beat the union representative to a pulp and in retaliation, it became a full-blown clash between the Yorubas and the Hausas and many things were destroyed.

The Hausas were shooting. Only God knows where they got guns from.

After the whole fight, men in military uniform came to our town and started shooting. Our investigation showed that those soldiers are unknown.

But an ID card fell off from one of those putting on the military uniform and the ID card showed that the bearer is a Dangote staff in the transport department, but we are still investigating.

Adeyanju Awoso, a member of the House of Assembly representing Yewa North 1 State Constituency, said both the government and Dangote Cement are to blame for the incident.

So many problems are confronting our people in Ibese, the way they are treating our people is very bad. Can you imagine that as big as that plant is, the largest in Africa, it doesnt have a trailer park? Assuming it had a trailer park, their trucks that were burnt would not have been burnt.

Our governor and Dangote himself need to address this issue urgently.

Meanwhile, from the report I had, the youths in the community got angry after the military, who visited the community later yesterday (Tuesday) started shooting anyhow. Specifically, they killed an innocent man sitting in front of his house.

Mr Awoso said he had informed the secretary to the state government as well as the governors chief of staff about the incident.

I am also on my way to Eleweran now for us to have a round table discussion with the Commissioner of Police on the way forward and from there, we shall go straight to the scene of this horrible incident.

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Another reason why issues like this have continued to degenerate is because there is no traditional ruler in Ibese and this issue had been before the government for the past one year. Ibese needs a monarch and that should be installed as early as possible, so that little issues will stop degenerating.

Under control

PREMIUM TIMES was unable to get the reaction of the state Secretary of the Riders and Owners of Motorcycles Organisation (ROMO), Olalekan Sonaola. When contacted, he promised to respond later. He did not do so as of the time of publishing.

Earlier, on Tuesday, Abimbola Oyeyemi, the police spokesperson in the state, confirmed the incident. He, however, declined to speak on the number of casualties.

The issue is currently under control. It was a minor struggle that had snowballed into a serious crisis, Mr Oyeyemi, a deputy superintendent of police, said.

They said the unions increased their tickets fee from N600 to N800 and that was how the crisis started. But how it then turned into Hausa and Yoruba crisis is what I dont know.

But, we are on top of the matter. The situation has been brought under control. Our men are still there as we speak.

On Wednesday evening, Mr Oyeyemi reiterated that the situation in the community has been brought under control.

We are monitoring the situation, our men are still on the ground there. In fact, the commissioner of police, Director DSS, commander of Amotekun, among others, have all visited the scene today and more peace has returned to the area, he said.
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The police in Lagos say they have a clue to the alleged assassination of a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) at the church altar on Sunday.

The pastor, Bolanle Ibrahim, was killed while he was ministering at his church, the King of Kings Parish at Maidan village, in the Mile 12 area of the state.

The pastor was reportedly praying during a child dedication service when assailants invaded the church and shot him dead.

Reacting to the incident, Muyiwa Adejobi, the police spokesperson, said the police have a clue to the death of the clergyman.

The assailants went for him in the church. We are investigating the case because we have a clue into the killing, he said.

Mr Adejobi, a chief superintendent of police , said the investigation is still ongoing on the circumstances surrounding the assassination and the Commissioner of Police in the state has directed the tactical units to handle the matter.

We will unravel the case. The Commissioner of Police has taken steps to subdue cult-related activities in Mile 12 and Ketu areas, he said.

Although the police did not disclose the clues, it is suspected that the assassination is connected to a cultist attack.

The wife of the deceased, Kudirat Ibrahim, said for the period they courted she never suspected her husband to be a cultist, and she wondered where people heard that he was a cult member.

Meanwhile, the family of the deceased said the assassins were hired as they showed a picture of him before killing him.

Justina Alebiosu, the deceaseds aunt, said she suspects the pastor had a business transaction with someone.

I was told when the assailants wanted to drag him out of the pulpit where he was praying for women who brought their children for dedication, he begged them to kill him there and that was where he was eventually killed by the gunmen. The assailants also threatened to shoot any of the members of the church who dare come close to them, she told New Telegraph newspaper.
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A suspected notorious cult leader, Qudus Balogun, was arrested on Wednesday by the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) at the Ita-Opo area of Epe, Lagos State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the suspected cultist, popularly known as Ewe, has been handed over to the police in Epe to the relief of residents of the area.

NAN gathered that the suspected cultist, who was a member of Eiye Confraternity, had been linked to numerous gruesome killings in Epe and environs recently.

These dastardly acts committed by the daredevil cultist are no doubt punishable under the recently enacted law which prohibits cultism in Lagos state, said Tunde Dada, an Epe resident.

It was learned that some of his associates have started rallying to secure his release from police custody and back into the community.

Sadly, this has been a major hiccup with security agencies as influential family members pervert the course of justice in curbing killings and other criminalities in the community.

Perpetrators of these acts usually have sponsors who easily get them released after committing these heinous crimes.

I can authoritatively inform you that some of his family members and associates are currently making moves to release him from police custody, said another resident, Tolu Abodunrin.

Ayodele Jaiyeola, a trader in Epe, called on Lagos State Government and Nigeria Police to take drastic steps that would put a permanent end to serial killings by cultists in the community.

We dont sleep with our two eyes closed due to these unfortunate activities of cultists killing themselves in the community.

Sporadic shootings in the air and killing of innocent souls are the order of the day; this ugly incident must be put to rest in this ancient community, she said.

Barnabas Okosodo, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) confirmed the arrest of the suspected cultist.

He said that investigation was ongoing on the activities of the suspect. (NAN)
New York State Attorney General Letitia James, at a press conference in New York on Tuesday, August 3, 2021, announces investigators have concluded that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed multiple current and former state government employees. Behind James are attorneys Joon Kim and Anne L. Clark, lead investigators. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)
Southbury, CT (06488)

Today

Partly to mostly cloudy. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable.
STAMFORD, Conn., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- It's finally here  the day parents and kids have been yearning for: a fresh start to a new school year and new beginnings. A survey released today by Juicy Juice, the iconic kids' beverage brand, finds that 95% of parents are excited for this school year more than ever after balancing remote learning last year, with 71% saying they even missed basic to-do's like packing lunch (28%), shopping for clothes (38%), shopping for school supplies (36%) and drop-off lines (33%) while schools were closed. Tackling these tasks again brings a welcomed sense that we are getting back to basics. This school year, Juicy Juice is celebrating the lunchbox as a symbol of pure joy and helping parents feel confident that their kids are happily back at school as they run out the door each morning, lunchbox in hand.

Juicy Juice 100% Juice Boxes Amber Kemp-Gerstel

"This year, we wanted to help families celebrate the new school year after balancing remote learning and home life for so long," says Ilene Bergenfeld, Chief Marketing Officer at Harvest Hill Beverage Company. "It's no surprise that going back to school this year offers a huge sense of relief and that daily routines, such as packing a lunch, can bring comfort to families."

Back to School on a Positive Note

The survey also revealed that while 59% of parents believe their child is most excited about being with friends again at school, 84% expect their kids to experience some form of separation anxiety when they go back to in-person learning. To help parents prepare themselves and their littles ones for the return to school, Juicy Juice is partnering with host of Disney Family Sundays on Disney+, child psychologist and founder of Yay Day Paper Co., Amber Kemp-Gerstel. Crafting expert Amber created custom-designed lunchbox notes for kids to discover at lunchtime to provide a connection to mom and dad. In addition, her tips and suggestions will help alleviate any back-to-school jitters kids may be feeling. The notes, along with other helpful advice from Amber on how to ease the transition of back to school, will be available on Juicy Juice's website.

"This back-to-school season represents new opportunities for both parents and kids to get re-involved with in-person school, social activities and learning. However, as a mom, I know it may also come with a range of emotions and maybe a bit of anxiety," says Kemp-Gerstel. "I designed the printable lunchbox notes so parents can spark a little joy at lunchtime. It's a simple way to bring a smile and offer a sense of comfort and connection for kids during the school day."

100% YAY! Sweepstakes

Today, Juicy Juice is launching the 100% YAY! Sweepstakes with $50,000 worth of prizes to give mom, dad and the caretakers who were handling and coordinating all things virtually this past school year. Through September 22, visit www.juicyjuice.com/yay and follow the instructions to complete and submit the online entry form. Entrants can also receive a bonus entry for playing the 100% YAY! Lunchbox Game. Then, each day for the next 50 days, Juicy Juice will award 10 winners a day, giving 500 lucky winners $100 in digital gift cards to go towards anything they need for the new school year or maybe even a little "me-time."

Juicy Juice 100% juice has been enjoyed by families as a back-to-school lunch and snack staple for more than 40 years. Available in a variety of juicy flavors, Juicy Juice 100% juice is made with no added sugar, ever. Each 8 oz. serving packs one cup of fruit and contains 100% Vitamin C, making it a great choice that moms and dads can depend on.

To find more inspiration on bringing 'YAY' to the new school year, follow Juicy Juice on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and visit JuicyJuice.com.

Survey Methodology

Conducted in July 2021, Engine Insights collected data via an online survey from a random sampling of 1,000 parents with kid(s) ages 4  9 that demographically represent the U.S. population.

About Harvest Hill Beverage Company

Part of Connecticut-based Harvest Hill Beverage Company, Juicy Juice is a leading 100 percent kids' juice brand in the U.S. Juicy Juice products are available in single-serve and multi-serve formats to the retail and foodservice channels. For complete nutrition facts, recipe and activity ideas, and other helpful information, visit JuicyJuice.com. For more information on Harvest Hill, please visit www.HarvestHill.com.

SOURCE Juicy Juice
MIAMI, Aug. 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Alpha Latam Management, LLC (" ALM ") and certain of its affiliates that operate its Colombian business (the " Debtors ") filed voluntary petitions for relief under chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. The Debtors are a technology-enabled financial services company that have historically provided consumer lending products in Colombia.

The Debtors' affiliates operating in Mexico, including Alpha Holding, S.A. de C.V. (" Alpha Holding " and such affiliates, collectively with the Debtors, the " Company ") are not included in the chapter 11 filing.

Alpha Holding announced on April 20, 2021, that it would restate its financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2018, and 2019 (the "Prior Period Financial Statements to correct an error in Alpha Holding's accounting for its derivative positions. Alpha Holding also identified additional accounting errors that it anticipates will result in a restatement of other assets and other accounts receivable in its financial statements for previous years, including the Prior Period Financial Statements, or a current write-down of other assets and other accounts receivable. The accounting errors ultimately resulted in several defaults and events of default under the Company's funded debt obligations. Though the Company endeavored to negotiate forbearance and waiver agreements with several of its lenders, such efforts were unsuccessful. Given these events, the Company no longer had access to the new financing necessary to continue originating new loans, and accordingly has ceased its on-balance sheet origination activities. Today's actions became necessary despite the Company's best efforts to streamline the business by implementing significant cost-cutting measures.

To fund working capital needs, the Debtors have obtained, subject to Bankruptcy Court approval, debtor-in-possession financing for a senior secured facility of $45 million. The Debtors expect access to the debtor-in-possession financing, together with its incoming cash from collections, will provide them with sufficient liquidity to consummate a value-maximizing sale transaction of their Colombian loan portfolio.

The Debtors have requested Bankruptcy Court permission to continue operating the Colombian business without interruption to ensure that collections of all outstanding loans continue in the ordinary course. The Debtors intend to continue to act in accordance with Colombian governmental regulations, including with respect to employee benefits and severance payments associated with recent work force reductions.

Court filings and claims information are available at http://cases.primeclerk.com/alphalatam.

About AlphaCredit

AlphaCredit is a technology-enabled, financial services company in Latin America that provides consumer loans to individuals and financial solutions for SMEs in Mexico and Colombia.

Forward-looking statements

This release includes "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact and reflect the Company's current views about future events. The words "believe," "estimate," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "will," "intend," "seek," "could," "should," "may," "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. However, the absence of these words does not mean that the statements are not forward-looking. Although the Company believes that its expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable and are based on reasonable assumptions, certain risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from the projections, anticipated results or other expectations expressed in this release. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, Bankruptcy Court approval, risks associated with our ongoing creditor discussions, including our ability to negotiate agreements with our creditors on commercially favorable terms or at all, limitations on the availability of capital, volatility in the Company's business, and the Company's ability to comply with its financial and other covenants and metrics in its financing agreements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements made herein or any other forward-looking statements made by the Company, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities.

SOURCE Alpha Latam Management, LLC
NEW YORK, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Ben & Jerry's franchisees in the United States are calling on the company to "re-examine and withdraw" its decision to stop selling its ice cream in the West Bank and its threat to discontinue operations in Israel.

"Those who feel so strongly about Israel that they want to boycott it or some part of the territory it administers are free to do so. They cannot, however, do that at our expense," the franchisees write in their letter to top Ben & Jerry's executives, explaining the decision's harmful impact on them personally and their businesses.

The franchisees who signed the letter operate 30 Ben & Jerry's stores with a total revenue of $23.3 million, and have a cumulative 250 years of partnership with the company. They had approached American Jewish Committee (AJC), the global Jewish advocacy organization, for assistance with preparing the letter sent today to Ben & Jerry's CEO, Director of Social Mission, Director of Global Retail Operations, and Head of U.S. Retail and Global Strategy.

"We are proud to be part of a company that highlights values as a part of its mission," the letter states, but "there is a danger that the pursuit of social justice will descend into political correctness or result in the adoption of overly simplistic solutions by people who share a single view of the world that misconstrue complex problems in which multiple claims of justice are implicated. The imposition of such narrow prescriptions does not advance social justice, or the pursuit of a values led business in any meaningful way."

The Israeli-Palestinian dispute is "complex," with "multiple and conflicting claims of justice made" and "multiple historical narratives and causes for the conflict's perpetuation," write the franchisees. "Any reasonable solution must acknowledge these multiple claims and deal with them as a whole. Singling out one set of claims and one narrative as the correct one is fine for propagandists, but it does not advance social justice as we see it."

Several of the letter's signatories serve or have served on the company's Franchise Advisory Council, and pointed out in the letter that they had been assured that Ben & Jerry's "considered the impact to the franchisees very seriously" prior to the company's announcement.

However, the franchisees point out that the decision to terminate the contract with the Ben & Jerry's licensee in Israel "has imposed, and will continue to impose, substantial financial costs on all of us. More importantly, the controversy your recent actions have brought upon our local businesses has had an adverse effect on the value of our independently owned franchises and investments," the franchisees write in their letter.

Emphasizing the adverse impact, they add that "friends and family, neighbors and other businesses we work with have shamed us personally for doing business with not just a company that purposefully draws controversy, but with one that continues to consider the calculated negative affect on its franchisees as acceptable collateral damage."

AJC Chief Legal Officer Marc D. Stern praised the franchisees for their honesty and passion in directly communicating their concerns.

"Tagging one side with all responsibility for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict may make self-described social justice advocates proud, but it advances neither peace nor justice," Stern wrote in a letter to the editor regarding the Ben & Jerry's decision, published in The New York Times today.

SOURCE American Jewish Committee

Related Links

http://www.ajc.org


WASHINGTON, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- This National Black Business Month, SCORE, the nation's largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors is spotlighting resources to support America's Black entrepreneurs, and offering volunteer opportunities for experienced Black business owners.

Since 1964, SCORE has helped 11 million entrepreneurs to start or grow a business. SCORE's 10,000 volunteers provide free mentoring, workshops and educational services to 1,500+ communities nationwide, creating 45,027 new businesses and 74,535 non-owner jobs in 2020 alone.

Supporting Black-Owned Businesses

SCORE's original survey data from The Megaphone of Main Street: The Impact of Covid-19, Impact on Black-owned Small Businesses showed that Black-owned businesses face unique barriers to success. In particular, they were significantly more likely to seek  but less likely to receive  outside funding from both public and private sources.

In response to these unique challenges, SCORE offers a centralized educational hub called SCORE for Black Entrepreneurs that provides Black small business owners with access to personalized support and the resources they need to succeed, including:

Educational content specially designed to support Black entrepreneurs.

Live webinars and original online workshops.

Free, remote, expert business mentoring.

Business owner and makeup artist Ursula Augustine of Ursula's About Phace Rittenhouse Studio advised other entrepreneurs: "I would suggest they go to SCORE. You'll be working with the perfect mentor based on your needs, your industry, and your location and they'll be available to connect with you as needed to provide you with special advice and extra support to help grow your business into a successful and profitable business."

Volunteering With SCORE

SCORE is also actively recruiting talented and experienced entrepreneurs and executives to become mentors, workshop presenters or subject matter experts. Volunteers come from a diverse variety of personal and professional backgrounds  but, they share a passion for lifelong learning, giving back to others and enriching their local communities. Last year, SCORE volunteers collectively donated 3,980,987 hours of service.

SCORE Mentor DeLisa Clift said, "Today SCORE has a very diverse group of individuals who are mentoring and volunteering within the organization we are able to come together and meet our clients where they are."

Click here to learn more about volunteering with SCORE.

About SCORE

Since 1964, SCORE has helped 11 million entrepreneurs to start or grow a business. SCORE's 10,000 volunteers provide free mentoring, workshops and educational services to 1,500+ communities nationwide, creating 45,027 new businesses and 74,535 non-owner jobs in 2020 alone. Visit SCORE at www.score.org. Follow @SCOREMentors on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Funded [in part] through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Contact Information

Betsy Dougert

Vice President, External Relations

SCORE

800-634-0245

[email protected]

SOURCE SCORE

Related Links

http://www.score.org/black-entrepreneurs


HOUSTON, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE: VTOL) today reported net loss attributable to the Company of $14.2 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, for its fiscal first quarter ended June 30, 2021 ("current quarter") on operating revenues of $288.4 million compared to net loss attributable to the Company of $42.6 million, or $1.47 per diluted share, in the quarter ended March 31, 2021 ("preceding quarter") on operating revenues of $281.5 million.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") was $14.8 million in the current quarter compared to $(32.2) million in the preceding quarter. EBITDA adjusted to exclude special items and gains or losses on asset dispositions was $40.0 million in the current quarter compared to $30.5 million in the preceding quarter. The following table provides a bridge between EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA excluding gains or losses on asset dispositions. See Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Metrics for a reconciliation of net income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA.



Three Months Ended,

June 30, 2021

March 31, 2021 EBITDA $ 14,766



$ (32,168)

Special items:





Organizational restructuring costs $ 851



$ 7,887

Loss on impairment 21,934



1,182

PBH intangible amortization 2,846



3,964

Merger-related costs 1,735



16,475

Government grants (390)



(375)

Early extinguishment of debt fees 



28,515

Bankruptcy related costs 446



407

Insurance proceeds (3,732)



(2,614)

Loss on sale of subsidiaries 2,002







$ 25,692



$ 55,441

Adjusted EBITDA $ 40,458



$ 23,273

(Gains) losses on asset dispositions, net (499)



7,199

Adjusted EBITDA excluding asset dispositions $ 39,959



$ 30,472



"Since the commencement of the Board-authorized stock repurchase plan in September 2020, Bristow has repurchased approximately 1.9 million shares for gross consideration of $50 million, representing an average repurchase price of $25.92 per share," said Chris Bradshaw, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bristow. "We continue to believe that Bristow's strong balance sheet and robust free cash flow generation provide multiple avenues to create value for shareholders."

Sequential Quarter Results

Operating revenues in the current quarter were $6.8 million higher compared to the preceding quarter.

Operating revenues from oil and gas services were $4.0 million higher primarily due to higher utilization in the Europe region. Operating revenues from government services were $3.4 million higher primarily due to increased flight hours and the strengthening of the British pound sterling relative to the U.S. dollar. Operating revenues from fixed wing services were $2.6 million higher primarily due to increased utilization in Australia. Other revenues were $3.2 million lower primarily due to the end of a customer contract.

Operating expenses were $3.8 million lower in the current quarter primarily due to lower personnel and maintenance costs, partially offset by higher fuel costs.

General and administrative expenses were $3.2 million lower in the current quarter primarily due to lower compensation expenses and decreased professional services fees.

Merger-related costs, which primarily consist of professional services fees and severance costs, were $1.7 million in the current quarter compared to $16.5 million in the preceding quarter.

Restructuring costs were $0.9 million in the current quarter compared to $7.9 million in the preceding quarter.

Depreciation and amortization expenses were $5.9 million higher in the current quarter primarily due to the addition of existing assets to the depreciation and amortization calculation.

During the current quarter, the Company recognized a loss on impairment of $21.9 million, consisting of $16.0 million related to Petroleum Air Services ("PAS"), an unconsolidated affiliate in Egypt, and $5.9 million in connection with certain helicopters held for sale to reflect the helicopters at expected sales values.

During the current quarter, the Company recognized losses of $1.5 million from unconsolidated affiliates compared to losses of $0.4 million in the preceding quarter.

During the current quarter, the Company recognized a $2.0 million loss on the sale of its subsidiary in Colombia.

Income tax benefit was $4.8 million in the current quarter compared to $19.1 million in the preceding quarter. The income tax benefit in the current quarter primarily related to changes in the blend of earnings, the tax impact of valuation allowances on the Company's net operating losses and deductible business interest expense, and the tax impact of the PAS impairment loss.

Calendar Quarter Results

Operating revenues in the current quarter were $26.8 million higher compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2020 ("prior year quarter").

Operating revenues from oil and gas services were $2.3 million lower. Operating revenues in the Africa region were $15.3 million lower primarily due to the end of customer contracts and lower utilization. Operating revenues in the Europe region were $5.1 million lower primarily due to the end of customer contracts and lower utilization in the U.K., partially offset by the strengthening of the British pound sterling relative to the U.S. dollar and increased revenues in Norway due to the strengthening of the Norwegian krone relative to the U.S. dollar and higher utilization. These decreases were partially offset by a $18.1 million increase in operating revenues in the Americas region primarily due to the impact of the Merger.

Operating revenues from government services were $15.8 million higher in the current quarter primarily due to the impact of the Merger, the strengthening of the British pound sterling relative to the U.S. dollar and an increase in flight hours.

Operating revenues from fixed wing services were $13.1 million higher in the current quarter primarily due to higher utilization.

Operating expenses were $26.9 million higher in the current quarter. Repairs and maintenance costs were $9.6 million higher in the current quarter primarily due to the impact of the Merger, the timing of repairs and higher flight hours. Fuel expense was $8.8 million higher in the current quarter primarily due to higher fuel prices, the impact of the Merger, higher flight hours and unfavorable foreign exchange impacts. Personnel costs were $5.0 million higher primarily due to the impact of the Merger and unfavorable foreign exchange impacts.

General and administrative expenses were $2.1 million higher in the current quarter primarily due to the impact of the Merger.

Merger-related costs, which primarily consist of professional services fees and severance costs, were $1.7 million in the current quarter compared to $17.4 million in the prior year quarter.

Restructuring costs were $0.9 million in the current quarter compared to $3.0 million in the prior year quarter.

Depreciation and amortization expenses were $6.8 million higher in the current quarter primarily due to the addition of existing assets to the depreciation and amortization calculation and the impact of the Merger.

During the current quarter, the Company recognized a loss on impairment of $21.9 million, consisting of $16.0 million related to PAS and $5.9 million in connection with certain helicopters held for sale. During the prior year quarter, the Company recorded a loss on impairment of its investment in Lider of $18.7 million and an inventory impairment of $0.5 million.

During the current quarter, the Company sold two S76D medium helicopters, one B212 medium helicopter and other equipment resulting in a net gain of $0.5 million. During the prior year quarter, the Company sold one H225 heavy helicopter and other equipment resulting in a net gain of $5.5 million.

Interest expense was $1.9 million lower in the current quarter primarily due to lower debt balances.

During the current quarter, the Company recognized a $2.0 million loss on the sale of its subsidiary in Colombia.

During the prior year quarter, the Company recognized a $15.4 million gain on change in fair value of preferred stock derivative liability.

During the prior year quarter, the Company recognized a bargain purchase gain of $75.4 million related to the Merger.

Other income, net was $6.2 million in the current quarter compared to $4.0 million in the prior year quarter.

Income tax benefit was $4.8 million in the current quarter compared to $3.3 million in the prior year quarter. The income tax benefit in the current quarter primarily related to changes in the blend of earnings, the tax impact of valuation allowances on the Company's net operating losses and deductible business interest expense, and the tax impact of the PAS impairment loss.

Liquidity and Capital Allocation

As of June 30, 2021, the Company had $244.7 million of unrestricted cash and $54.1 million of remaining availability under its amended asset-based revolving credit facility (the "ABL Facility") for total liquidity of $298.8 million. Borrowings under the amended ABL Facility are subject to certain conditions and requirements.

In the current quarter, cash proceeds from dispositions of property and equipment were $10.6 million and purchases of property and equipment were $3.0 million, resulting in net (proceeds from)/purchases of property and equipment ("Net Capex") of $(7.7) million. In the preceding quarter, cash proceeds from dispositions of property and equipment were $1.4 million and purchases of property and equipment were $3.6 million, resulting in Net Capex of $2.2 million. See Adjusted Free Cash Flow Reconciliation for a reconciliation of Net Capex and Adjusted Free Cash Flow.

Since the commencement of the Board authorized stock repurchase plan on September 16, 2020, the Company has repurchased approximately 1.9 million shares for gross consideration of $50.0 million, representing an average repurchase price of $25.92 per share.

Conference Call

Management will conduct a conference call starting at 10:00 a.m. ET (9:00 a.m. CT) on Thursday, August 5, 2021, to review the results for the fiscal first quarter ended June 30, 2021. The conference call can be accessed as follows:

All callers will need to reference the access code 3116282.

Within the U.S.: Operator Assisted Toll-Free Dial-In Number: (800) 353-6461

Outside the U.S.: Operator Assisted International Dial-In Number: (334) 323-0501

Replay

A telephone replay will be available through August 19, 2021 by dialing 888-203-1112 and utilizing the access code above. An audio replay will also be available on the Company's website at www.bristowgroup.com shortly after the call and will be accessible through August 19, 2021. The accompanying investor presentation will be available on August 5, 2021 on Bristow's website at www.bristowgroup.com .

About Bristow Group

Bristow Group Inc. is the leading global provider of vertical flight solutions. Bristow primarily provides aviation services to a broad base of major integrated, national and independent offshore energy companies. Bristow provides commercial search and rescue ("SAR") services in several countries and public sector SAR services in the United Kingdom ("U.K.") on behalf of the Maritime & Coastguard Agency ("MCA"). Additionally, the Company offers ad hoc helicopter and fixed wing transportation services.

Bristow currently has customers in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Guyana, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Spain, Suriname, Trinidad, the U.K. and the U.S.

Forward-Looking Statements Disclosure

This press release contains "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements represent Bristow Group Inc.'s (the "Company") current expectations or forecasts of future events. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "project," or "continue," or other similar words. These statements are made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, reflect management's current views with respect to future events and therefore are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown. The Company's actual results may vary materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements. The Company cautions investors not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of the document in which they are made. The Company disclaims any obligation or undertaking to provide any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in the Company's expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which the forward-looking statement is based that occur after the date hereof. Risks that may affect forward-looking statements include, but are not necessarily limited to, those relating to: the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic repercussions have resulted, and may continue to result, in a decrease in the price of and demand for oil, which has caused, and may continue to cause, a decrease in the demand for our services; expected cost synergies and other benefits of the merger (the "Merger") of the entity formerly known as Bristow Group Inc. ("Old Bristow") and Era Group Inc. ("Era") might not be realized within the expected time frames, might be less than projected or may not be realized at all; the ability to successfully integrate the operations, accounting and administrative functions of Era and Old Bristow; managing a significantly larger company than before the completion of the Merger; diversion of management time on issues related to integration of the companies; the increase in indebtedness as a result of the Merger; operating costs, customer loss and business disruption following the Merger, including, without limitation, difficulties in maintaining relationships with employees and customers, may be greater than expected; our reliance on a limited number of customers and the reduction of our customer base as a result of bankruptcies or consolidation; the possibility that we may be unable to maintain compliance with covenants in our financing agreements; fluctuations in worldwide prices of and demand for oil and natural gas; fluctuations in levels of oil and natural gas exploration, development and production activities; fluctuations in the demand for our services; the possibility that we may impair our long-lived assets and other assets, including inventory, property and equipment and investments in unconsolidated affiliates; our ability to implement operational improvement efficiencies with the objective of rightsizing our global footprint and further reducing our cost structure; the possibility of significant changes in foreign exchange rates and controls, including as a result of the U.K. having exited from the European Union ("E.U.") ("Brexit"); the impact of continued uncertainty surrounding the effects Brexit will have on the British, E.U. and global economies and demand for oil and natural gas; potential effects of increased competition; the risk of future material weaknesses we may identify while we work to align policies, principles, and practices of the combined company following the Merger or any other failure by us to maintain effective internal controls; the possibility that we may be unable to re-deploy our aircraft to regions with greater demand; the possibility of changes in tax and other laws, regulations, and policies, including, without limitation, actions of the Biden Administration that impact oil and gas operations or favor renewable energy projects in the U.S.; the possibility that we may be unable to dispose of older aircraft through sales into the aftermarket; general economic conditions, including the capital and credit markets; the possibility that segments of our fleet may be grounded for extended periods of time or indefinitely; the existence of operating risks inherent in our business, including the possibility of declining safety performance; the possibility of political instability, war or acts of terrorism in any of the countries where we operate; the possibility that reductions in spending on aviation services by governmental agencies could lead to modifications of our search and rescue ("SAR") contract terms with the U.K. government, our contracts with the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement or delays in receiving payments under such contracts; and our reliance on a limited number of helicopter manufacturers and suppliers. You should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements because the matters they describe are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond our control. Our forward-looking statements are based on the information currently available to us and speak only as of the date hereof. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these matters or how they may affect us. We have included important factors in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021 (the "Annual Report") which we believe over time, could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ from the anticipated results, performance or achievements that are expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. You should consider all risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Annual Report and in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), all of which are accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov .

BRISTOW GROUP INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share amounts)



Three Months Ended

Favorable/

(Unfavorable)

June 30, 2021

March 31, 2021













Revenues:









Operating revenues $ 288,351



$ 281,519



$ 6,832

Reimbursable revenues 12,251



11,813



438

Total revenues 300,602



293,332



7,270













Costs and expenses:









Operating expenses 214,503



218,295



3,792

Reimbursable expenses 12,114



11,697



(417)

General and administrative expenses 37,483



40,678



3,195

Merger-related costs 1,735



16,475



14,740

Restructuring costs 851



7,887



7,036

Depreciation and amortization 23,195



17,254



(5,941)

Total costs and expenses 289,881



312,286



22,405













Loss on impairment (21,934)



(1,182)



(20,752)

Gain (loss) on disposal of assets 499



(7,199)



7,698

Loss from unconsolidated affiliates, net (1,517)



(440)



(1,077)

Operating loss (12,231)



(27,775)



15,544













Interest income 66



238



(172)

Interest expense (10,624)



(12,108)



1,484

Loss on extinguishment of debt 



(28,515)



28,515

Reorganization items, net (446)



(407)



(39)

Loss on sale of subsidiaries (2,002)







(2,002)

Other, net 6,184



7,037



(853)

Total other income (expense), net (6,822)



(33,755)



26,933

Loss before benefit for income taxes (19,053)



(61,530)



42,477

Benefit for income taxes 4,842



19,092



(14,250)

Net loss (14,211)



(42,438)



28,227

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests 14



(152)



166

Net loss attributable to Bristow Group Inc $ (14,197)



$ (42,590)



$ 28,393













Basic loss per common share $ (0.50)



$ (1.47)





Diluted loss per common share $ (0.50)



$ (1.47)

















Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic 28,669,417



28,946,945





Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted 28,669,417



28,946,945

















EBITDA $ 14,766



$ (32,168)



$ 46,934

Adjusted EBITDA $ 40,458



$ 23,273



$ 17,185

Adjusted EBITDA excluding asset dispositions $ 39,959



$ 30,472



$ 9,487



BRISTOW GROUP INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share amounts)



Three Months Ended

Favorable/

(Unfavorable)

June 30, 2021

June 30, 2020













Revenues:









Operating revenues $ 288,351



$ 261,508



$ 26,843

Reimbursable revenues 12,251



8,685



3,566

Total revenues 300,602



270,193



30,409













Costs and expenses:









Operating expenses 214,503



187,555



(26,948)

Reimbursable expenses 12,114



8,648



(3,466)

General and administrative expenses 37,483



35,394



(2,089)

Merger-related costs 1,735



17,418



15,683

Restructuring costs 851



3,012



2,161

Depreciation and amortization 23,195



16,356



(6,839)

Total costs and expenses 289,881



268,383



(21,498)













Loss on impairment (21,934)



(19,233)



(2,701)

Gain on disposal of assets 499



5,522



(5,023)

Loss from unconsolidated affiliates, net (1,517)



(1,978)



461

Operating loss (12,231)



(13,879)



1,648













Interest income 66



262



(196)

Interest expense (10,624)



(12,504)



1,880

Loss on extinguishment of debt 



(615)



615

Reorganization items, net (446)







(446)

Loss on sale of subsidiaries (2,002)







(2,002)

Change in fair value of preferred stock derivative liability 



15,416



(15,416)

Gain on bargain purchase 



75,433



(75,433)

Other, net 6,184



4,001



2,183

Total other income (expense), net (6,822)



81,993



(88,815)

Income (loss) before benefit for income taxes (19,053)



68,114



(87,167)

Benefit for income taxes 4,842



3,290



1,552

Net income (loss) (14,211)



71,404



(85,615)

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests 14



73



(59)

Net income (loss) attributable to Bristow Group Inc $ (14,197)



$ 71,477



$ (85,674)













Basic earnings (loss) per common share(1) $ (0.50)



$ 18.41





Diluted earnings (loss) per common share(1) $ (0.50)



$ 5.16

















Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic 28,669,417



11,102,611





Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted 28,669,417



38,988,528

















EBITDA $ 14,766



$ 96,974



$ (82,208)

Adjusted EBITDA $ 40,458



$ 49,780



$ (9,322)

Adjusted EBITDA excluding asset dispositions $ 39,959



$ 44,258



$ (4,299)







(1) For the three months ended June 30, 2020, EPS takes into account the impact of the Merger.

Beginning in fiscal year 2022, the revenues by line of service tables have been modified to more accurately reflect how management views the Company's lines of service. These changes include the addition of a Government services line of service which includes revenues from U.K. SAR, the U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement ("BSEE"), and other government contracts. In addition, our Other activities and services ("other" services) will now reflect revenues derived from leasing aircraft to non-governmental third party operators, oil and gas contracts that do not materially fit into one of the three major oil and gas operating regions and other services as they arise. As such, operating revenues from Asia Pacific oil and gas services are now shown under other services following the exit of that line of service in the Asia Pacific region in the Current Quarter. Prior period amounts will not match the previously reported amounts by individual lines of service. Management believes this change provides more relevant information needed to understand and analyze the Company's current lines of service.

BRISTOW GROUP INC. REVENUES BY LINE OF SERVICE (unaudited, in thousands)













Three Months Ended

June 30, 2021

March 31, 2021

June 30, 2020 Oil and gas services:









Europe $ 99,901



$ 93,850



$ 105,029

Americas 75,003



72,785



56,893

Africa 14,692



18,976



30,015

Total oil and gas services 189,596



185,611



191,937

Government services(1) 70,436



67,032



54,611

Fixed wing services 24,654



22,013



11,559

Other services(2) 3,665



6,863



3,401



$ 288,351



$ 281,519



$ 261,508







(1) Includes revenues of approximately $7.8 million and $2.0 million related to government services that were previously included in the oil and gas and other service lines for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2020, respectively. (2) Includes Asia Pacific and certain Europe revenues of approximately $3.2 million and $3.5 million that were previously included in the oil and gas service line for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2020, respectively.

FLIGHT HOURS BY LINE OF SERVICE (unaudited)













Three Months Ended

June 30, 2021

March 31, 2021

June 30, 2020 Oil and gas services:









Europe 11,833



11,207



12,438

Americas 8,777



8,237



4,807

Africa 2,078



2,180



1,457

Total oil and gas services 22,688



21,624



18,702

Government services(1) 3,925



3,240



2,468

Fixed wing services 3,296



3,458



2,164

Other services(2)(3) 9



110



85



29,918



28,432



23,419







(1) Includes flight hours of approximately 953 and 299 hours related to government services that were previously included in the oil and gas and other service lines for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2020, respectively. (2) Consists of Asia Pacific flight hours that were previously included in the oil and gas service line for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2020, respectively. (3) Does not include hours flown by helicopters in third party leasing contracts

BRISTOW GROUP INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands)



June 30, 2021

March 31, 2021 ASSETS (unaudited)



Current assets:





Cash and cash equivalents $ 248,674



$ 231,079

Accounts receivable 198,144



215,620

Inventories 92,894



92,180

Assets held for sale 7,432



14,750

Prepaid expenses and other current assets 30,251



32,119

Total current assets 577,395



585,748

Property and equipment 1,082,116



1,090,094

Accumulated depreciation (107,459)



(85,535)

Net property and equipment 974,657



1,004,559

Investment in unconsolidated affiliates 19,416



37,530

Right-of-use assets 226,970



246,667

Other assets 115,215



117,766

Total assets $ 1,913,653



$ 1,992,270









LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY





Current liabilities:





Accounts payable $ 63,844



$ 69,542

Accrued liabilities 214,039



219,613

Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt 16,043



15,965

Total current liabilities 293,926



305,120

Long-term debt, less current maturities 525,571



527,528

Deferred taxes 33,801



42,430

Long-term operating lease liabilities 152,258



167,718

Deferred credits and other liabilities 45,939



50,831

Total liabilities 1,051,495



1,093,627









Redeemable noncontrolling interests 



1,572

Stockholders' investment





Common stock 303



303

Additional paid-in capital 690,041



687,715

Retained earnings 212,814



227,011

Treasury shares, at cost (35,700)



(10,501)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (4,749)



(6,915)

Total Bristow Group Inc. stockholders' investment 862,709



897,613

Noncontrolling interests (551)



(542)

Total stockholders' investment 862,158



897,071

Total liabilities, and stockholders' equity $ 1,913,653



$ 1,992,270



Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Metrics

The Company's management uses EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to assess the performance and operating results of its business. EBITDA is defined as Earnings before Interest expense, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA further adjusted for certain special items that occurred during the reported period, as noted below. The Company includes EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to provide investors with a supplemental measure of its operating performance. Neither EBITDA nor Adjusted EBITDA is a recognized term under generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. ("GAAP"). Accordingly, they should not be used as an indicator of, or an alternative to, net income as a measure of operating performance. In addition, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not intended to be measures of free cash flow available for management's discretionary use, as they do not consider certain cash requirements, such as debt service requirements. Because the definitions of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA (or similar measures) may vary among companies and industries, they may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies.

The following table provides a reconciliation of net income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands).



Three Months Ended

June 30, 2021

March 31, 2021

June 30, 2020 Net income (loss) (14,211)



(42,438)



71,404

Depreciation and amortization 23,195



17,254



16,356

Interest expense 10,624



12,108



12,504

Income tax (benefit) expense (4,842)



(19,092)



(3,290)

EBITDA $ 14,766



$ (32,168)



$ 96,974

Special items (1) 25,692



55,441



(47,194)

Adjusted EBITDA $ 40,458



$ 23,273



$ 49,780

(Gains) losses on asset dispositions, net (499)



7,199



(5,522)

Adjusted EBITDA excluding asset dispositions $ 39,959



$ 30,472



$ 44,258











(1) Special items include the following:







Three Months Ended

June 30, 2021

March 31, 2021

June 30, 2020 Organizational restructuring costs $ 851



$ 7,887



$ 3,011

Loss on impairment 21,934



1,182



19,233

PBH intangible amortization 2,846



3,964



5,136

Merger-related costs 1,735



16,475



17,420

Government grants(2) (390)



(375)



(1,760)

Bargain purchase gain 







(75,433)

Early extinguishment of debt fees 



28,515



615

Change in fair value of preferred stock derivative liability 







(15,416)

Bankruptcy related costs 446



407





Insurance proceeds (3,732)



(2,614)





Loss on sale of subsidiaries 2,002











$ 25,692



$ 55,441



$ (47,194)



___________________________ (2) COVID-19 related government relief grants

Pro Forma Q1 FY21 Reconciliation

Pro Forma EBITDA and Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA reflect EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA of Old Bristow and Era Group Inc. before the Merger for the period beginning April 1, 2020 through June 11, 2020, plus EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the post-Merger period through June 30, 2020. The following table provides a reconciliation of net income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to Pro Forma EBITDA and Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended June 30, 2020 (in thousands).



Old Bristow

Era Group Inc.

Legacy Era

Pro Forma

Three Months

Ended June 30, 2020

April 1, 2020 -

June 11, 2020

June 12 - 30,

2020

Three Months

Ended June 30, 2020 Net income (loss) $ 75,708



$ (18,059)



$ (4,305)



$ 53,344

Depreciation and amortization 15,914



7,818



443



24,175

Interest expense 11,755



2,650



749



15,154

Income tax (benefit) expense (3,798)



(2,467)



508



(5,757)

EBITDA $ 99,579



$ (10,058)



$ (2,605)



$ 86,916

Special items (1) (49,696)



13,744



2,502



(33,450)

Adjusted EBITDA $ 49,883



$ 3,686



$ (103)



$ 53,466

(Gains) losses on asset dispositions, net (5,527)



141



5



(5,381)

Adjusted EBITDA excluding asset dispositions $ 44,356



$ 3,827



$ (98)



$ 48,085











(1) Special items include the following:







Old Bristow

Era Group Inc.

Legacy Era

Pro Forma

Three Months

Ended June 30, 2020

April 1, 2020 -

June 11, 2020

June 12 - 30,

2020

Three Months

Ended June 30, 2020 Loss on impairments $ 19,233



$ 



$ 



$ 19,233

Merger-related costs 15,103



13,575



2,317



30,995

PBH intangible amortization 4,951



169



185



5,305

Organizational restructuring costs 3,011











3,011

Early extinguishment of debt fees 615











615

Government grants(2) (1,760)











(1,760)

Change in fair value of preferred stock derivative liability (15,416)











(15,416)

Bargain purchase gain (75,433)











(75,433)



$ (49,696)



$ 13,744



$ 2,502



$ (33,450)



___________________________ (2) COVID-19 related government relief grants

Adjusted Free Cash Flow Reconciliation

Free Cash Flow represents the Company's net cash provided by operating activities plus proceeds from disposition of property and equipment, less expenditures related to purchases of property and equipment. Adjusted Free Cash Flow is Free Cash Flow adjusted to exclude professional services fees and other costs paid in relation to the Merger, fresh-start accounting and the Chapter 11 Cases. Management believes that the use of Adjusted Free Cash Flow is meaningful as it measures the Company's ability to generate cash from its business after excluding cash payments for special items. Management uses this information as an analytical indicator to assess the Company's liquidity and performance. However, investors should note numerous methods may exist for calculating a company's free cash flow. As a result, the method used by management to calculate Adjusted Free Cash Flow may differ from the methods used by other companies to calculate their free cash flow.

The following table provides a reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to Free Cash Flow and Adjusted Free Cash Flow (in thousands).



Three Months Ended

June 30, 2021

Three Months Ended

March 31, 2021 Net cash provided by operating activities $ 36,441



$ 36,776

Plus: Proceeds from disposition of property and equipment 10,621



1,381

Less: Purchases of property and equipment (2,968)



(3,612)

Free Cash Flow $ 44,094



$ 34,545

Plus: Organizational restructuring costs 706



1,939

Plus: Merger-related costs 1,853



18,827

Less: Government grants (343)



(375)

Adjusted Free Cash Flow $ 46,310



$ 54,936

Net (proceeds from)/purchases of property and equipment ("Net Capex") (7,653)



2,231

Adjusted Free Cash Flow excluding Net Capex $ 38,657



$ 57,167



BRISTOW GROUP INC. FLEET COUNT (unaudited)





























Number of Aircraft







Type

Owned Aircraft

Leased Aircraft

Aircraft Held For

Sale

Consolidated

Aircraft

Max Pass Capacity

Average

Age

(years)(1) Heavy Helicopters:























S-92A

35



26







61



19



12

S-92A U.K. SAR

3



7







10



19



7

H225









2



2



19



10

AW189

6



1







7



16



6

AW189 U.K. SAR

11











11



16



5





55



34



2



91









Medium Helicopters:























AW139

52



7







59



12



10

S-76 C+/C++

17







4



21



12



13

S-76D

8











8



12



7

B212

2











2



12



39





79



7



4



90









LightTwin Engine Helicopters:























AW109

6











6



7



15

EC135

10











10



6



12





16











16









LightSingle Engine Helicopters:























AS350

17











17



4



24

AW119

13











13



7



15





30











30



































Total Helicopters

180



41



6



227







12

Fixed wing

7



4







11









UAV





2







2









Total Fleet

187



47



6



240











______________________ (1) Reflects the average age of helicopters that are owned.

The chart below presents the number of aircraft in our fleet and their distribution among the regions in which we operate as of June 30, 2021 and the percentage of operating revenue that each of our regions provided during the current quarter.



Percentage of Current Quarter Operating Revenue

Heavy

Medium

Light Twin

Light Single

UAV

Fixed Wing

Total Europe 57 %

63



12







4



2







81

Americas 29 %

22



58



16



26











122

Asia Pacific 8 %





2















9



11

Africa 6 %

6



18















2



26

Total 100 %

91



90



16



30



2



11



240



SOURCE Bristow Group

Related Links

http://www.bristowgroup.com


KENOSHA, Wis., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Caravel Autism Health, a leader in the diagnosis and treatment of children on the autism spectrum, has just opened a new center in Kenosha, WI. The new center, located at 4006 Washington Road, is designed to meet the needs of children who are on the autism spectrum. It is a colorful, sensory-friendly place where children work one-on-one with therapists to learn new skills and build connections with others.

Caravel Autism Health was founded in Green Bay in 2009 by clinicians who specialize in treating childhood autism. Its experts have been helping children and families impacted by autism for more than a decade. Caravel offers a range of wraparound services including diagnostic evaluations, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, family support and counseling.

"Caravel Autism Health wants to expand access to the best possible care for children who have autism," said Mike Miller, Caravel's Chief Executive Officer. "In too many communities, there is a shortage of providers who specialize in childhood autism. We know that ABA therapy is the key to better outcomes, and our goal is to ensure that families have access to this life-changing treatment."

"We want parents in southeast Wisconsin and northern Illinois to know that help and resources are now available for children who have autism," explained Tasha Rieck, MS, BCBA, who is the clinic director for Caravel in Kenosha. "The ABA treatment plans that we create help kids develop skills and gain confidence. ABA is evidence-based therapy that helps children connect with the world around them. We're thrilled to be bringing this therapy to the Kenosha community."

Caravel is accepting appointments for children ages 2 to 18. To learn more, visit caravelautism.com or call 262.444.5969.

About Caravel Autism Health

Since 2009, Caravel Autism Health has been devoted to helping families navigate the challenges of childhood autism. Our team of clinical experts specializes in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of children on the autism spectrum. Caravel's research-based and data-driven programs are designed to provide better outcomes that help children with autism reshape their development and embrace new ways of interacting with the world.

SOURCE Caravel Autism Health

Related Links

caravelautism.com


Carrier's solutions for K-12 schools include ventilation and filtration technologies, controls, services and touchless products. In addition to supporting mitigation against disease transmission, improved indoor environments can also improve thinking. High CO 2 levels, which can occur in crowded classrooms with poor ventilation, have been proven to impact brain-based skills. According to the COGfx study , people perform twice as well when indoor environments are optimized through high ventilation, low CO 2 and low volatile organic compounds. Test scores on cognitive function were highest in the areas of information usage, strategy and crisis response. In some cases, nearly 300% higher.

"Carrier understands the specific needs of the K-12 segment and is committed to helping create healthier, safer and more productive environments for students and staff. The momentum we're seeing is strong, and we believe it's attributable to a greater understanding of the long-term benefits of healthy buildings," said Ajay Agrawal, Senior Vice President, Global Services & Healthy Buildings, Carrier. "With the right strategies in place, better thinking and better health can be achieved inside healthier schools."

In Arizona, Carrier will be providing more than 800 HVAC units to multiple buildings in a district that serves more than 35,000 students. The products, which are a variety of packaged HVAC systems, will help to improve indoor air quality and comfort in classrooms throughout the district. In California, students will be more comfortable through the installation of more than 100 Carrier WeatherMaster packaged rooftop units (RTUs), which are more efficient than prior units. Funding for both projects was partially provided by the American Rescue Plan's Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER Fund), which provides funding dedicated to K-12 schools, including improvements to HVAC systems and ventilation.

In the Richmond Public Schools district in Virginia, more than 25,000 students can breathe easier this fall with the installation of more than 1,500 Carrier OptiClean Dual-Mode Air Scrubber & Negative Air Machines to help purify the air in classrooms across the district. And in Texas, administrators in the Texas City Independent School District are investing in the health of their students and faculty with a multimillion-dollar order for chillers, air handling units, and controls for La Marque Middle School, which is currently under construction. The order will create a state-of-the-art HVAC system that will help promote proper ventilation and air quality in the school.

"We are confident in Carrier's Healthy Building solutions to help support ideal indoor air quality inside the new La Marque Middle School," said Don Pursley, Director of Facilities and Maintenance, Texas City Independent School District. "This investment makes sense to provide high-quality indoor air for our students and faculty and the equipment is energy-efficient to keep our recurring costs low. It's a win-win for all of us."

To assist school administrators in selecting the right upgrades and technologies for their facilities, Carrier's BluEdge K-12 program provides an outcome-based approach to help schools easily select the best indoor air quality kits for their needs, with attractive pricing and easy implementation. The BluEdge K-12 program includes a proprietary assessment of current indoor air quality at a school to inform improvement recommendations designed to meet specific desired outcomes

To learn more about the K-12 offerings, visit corporate.carrier.com/healthybuildings. For more information on how school districts can utilize ESSER Funds, contact your local Carrier expert.

About Carrier

As the leading global provider of healthy, safe, sustainable and intelligent building and cold chain solutions, Carrier Global Corporation is committed to making the world safer, sustainable and more comfortable for generations to come. From the beginning, we've led in inventing new technologies and entirely new industries. Today, we continue to lead because we have a world-class, diverse workforce that puts the customer at the center of everything we do. For more information, visit www.Corporate.Carrier.com or follow us on social media at @Carrier.

# # #

SOURCE Carrier Global Corporation

Related Links

http://www.corporate.carrier.com/


SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), which builds sustainable ecosystems for cloud native software, today announced the schedule for KubeCon + CloudNativeCon North America 2021 , taking place this fall from October 11-15 in Los Angeles, California and virtually. After three virtual-only events, CNCF will host technology experts both onsite in Los Angeles and online for those who are unable to attend in-person. Vaccines and masks will be required of in-person attendees this year in order to best protect our community members. View our full health and safety protocols.

Attendees will experience over 230 sessions, including keynotes and breakouts, with over 70 presentations hosted by project maintainers. From non-technical and end user case studies to advanced engineering deep dives  the conference has content for everyone interested in cloud native technology.

Conference co-chairs, Constance Caramanolis of Splunk, Stephen Augustus of Cisco, and Jasmine James of Twitter, led a program committee of 104 experts and 30 track chairs to review 976 submissions to curate a lively, diverse, and educational conference program. Attendees will join organizations and project maintainers to discuss a slew of cloud native topics including CNCF's hosted projects .

"Over the past 18 months, the cloud native community has not only survived, but thrived, helping governments, businesses, and individuals harness the power of technology to better human lives in the face of an unprecedented pandemic," said Priyanka Sharma, general manager at the Cloud Native Computing Foundation. "We are thrilled we will be able to meet in-person again after a long hiatus and celebrate our resilience as a community. At the same time, the past year has shown us how much more diverse, inclusive, and equitable we can make our events with a virtual experience and we are excited to report that those who want to stay close to home can also participate in KubeCon + CloudNativeCon remotely."

"It has been an amazing experience to take part in the speaking submission process for KubeCon + CloudNativeCon North America. Every single submission I read was full of interesting insights, unique perspectives and creative angles," said Jasmine James, KubeCon + CloudNativeCon program co-chair and engineering manager at Twitter. "Given the caliber of the submissions we received this year, I am sure that attendees will leave with insights on cutting-edge topics and feel inspired to be part of the cloud native community."

The community-curated schedule will feature sessions from leading open source technologists, including:

"Who Killed My Pod? #Whodunit"  Suneeta Mall, Nearmap

"Real-time Kubernetes: How Entain Australia 10x'd Throughput with Linkerd"  Steve Gray , Entain Australia

, Entain Australia "Conprof - Profiling in the Cloud-native era"  Matthias Loibl , Polar Signals & Kemal Akkoyun , Red Hat

, Polar Signals & , Red Hat "Roll Out the Red Carpet for Production Kubernetes Clusters with a Kube-vip"  Dan Finneran , Equinix

, Equinix "Panel Discussion: OpenGitOps and the GitOps Working Group"  Cornelia Davis , Weaveworks; Dan Garfield , Codefresh; Christian Hernandez , Red Hat; Chris Sanders , Microsoft; and Jesse Butler , Amazon

, Weaveworks; , Codefresh; , Red Hat; , Microsoft; and , Amazon "A Vulnerable Tale about Burnout"  Julia Simon , CloudOps

, CloudOps "Beyond Namespaces: Virtual Clusters are the Future of Multi-Tenancy"  Lukas Gentele , Loft Labs

, Loft Labs "Cloud Native Enables the Park of Pompeii to Reopen During the Pandemic"  Akshai Parthasarathy , Faye Hutsell & Kellsey Ruppel , Oracle

, & , Oracle "The Hitchhiker's Guide to Kubernetes Vulnerabilities"  Robert Clark & Micah Hausler , Amazon

& , Amazon "A Safer Curl | Bash for the Cloud"  Carolyn Van Slyck , Microsoft

, Microsoft "Panel Discussion: Cloud Native Computing Foundation Mentees"  Kunal Kushwaha , Civo; Ihor Dvoretskyi, Cloud Native Computing Foundation; Divya Mohan , HSBC; and Uchechukwu Obasi , Grafana Labs

CNCF and other organizations are also hosting the following co-located events as part of KubeCon + CloudNativeCon, occurring on Monday, October 11 or Tuesday, October 12  if interested, these events can be added when registering for KubeCon + CloudNativeCon:

The CFP for Cloud Native Wasm Day North America hosted by CNCF closes on Monday, August 9 at 11:59 PM PDT.

All CNCF-hosted co-located event schedules will be available the week of August 23.

Diversity + Need-Based Scholarship applications for both KubeCon + CloudNativeCon North America and CNCF-hosted co-located events are due August 8 for the in-person event and October 1 for the virtual portion.

For the full KubeCon + CloudNativeCon North America 2021 program, please visit the schedule .

For more information on health and safety at the event, please visit the CNCF blog .

Registration

Register by August 15 at 11:59 PM PDT for in-person standard pricing and save up to $400. Virtual All Access event registration pricing is $75.

Thank You Sponsors

KubeCon + CloudNativeCon is made possible with support from our diamond sponsors: Cisco , Google Cloud , Kasten by Veeam , Microsoft Azure , Red Hat , VMware ; Platinum Sponsors: AWS , CAST AI , CircleCI , Cox Edge , DataStax , Dell Technologies , Elastic , HAProxy , Hewlett Packard Enterprise , IBM Cloud , Intel , NetApp , New Relic , Palo Alto Networks , Pure Storage , Rancher , Replicated , Splunk , Trilio , Veritas ; and many more gold, silver, start-up, and end user sponsors.

Additional Resources

About Cloud Native Computing Foundation

Cloud native computing empowers organizations to build and run scalable applications with an open source software stack in public, private, and hybrid clouds. The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) hosts critical components of the global technology infrastructure, including Kubernetes, Prometheus, and Envoy. CNCF brings together the industry's top developers, end users, and vendors, and runs the largest open source developer conferences in the world. Supported by more than 500 members, including the world's largest cloud computing and software companies, as well as over 200 innovative startups, CNCF is part of the nonprofit Linux Foundation. For more information, please visit www.cncf.io.

The Linux Foundation has registered trademarks and uses trademarks. For a list of trademarks of The Linux Foundation, please see our trademark usage page. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.

Media Contact

Jessie Adams-Shore

The Linux Foundation

[email protected]

SOURCE Cloud Native Computing Foundation
Cerebral stroke, or "stroke" for short, is caused by sudden rupture of the blood vessels in the brain or blockage of blood vessels that denies the brain inflow of blood. The onset is very rapid and critical. According to the latest Global Burden of Disease Study (Global Burden of Disease Study, GBD), the overall lifetime prevalence rate of stroke in China is 39.9%, the highest in the world, indicating that for every five people in China, two will experience stroke in their lifetime. If not treated in time when a stroke happens, patients may be left with sequelae pertaining to their senses, motions, cognition, speech, emotion and mental soundness. About 70% to 80% of patients require further care due to the loss of the ability to take care of themselves in life[1], which adds heavy burden to the patients, the families and the society.1

Stroke rehabilitation treatment is recommended by domestic and foreign guidelines as one of the most effective methods to reduce disability rate and to prevent post-stroke complications. Within 24 hours after onset, rehabilitation treatment can be applied provided that normal signs are demonstrated, which can minimize the chance of disability among patients, thus ensuring better prognosis[2].

"At present, patients and their families are paying more attention to the first aid of stroke, however the awareness of rehabilitation after the treatment of acute stroke is yet to be raised. Since rehabilitation process requires high-level of cooperation from families and patients, only 11.5% of stroke patient have received rehabilitation treatment within one week since the onset and 42.4% of stroke patients haven't received any rehabilitation treatment since onset[3]." Said Professor Zheng Jiejiao, chairman of the Elderly Rehabilitation Committee of Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine "Rehabilitation is a long-term process and is affected by factors such as relevant national policies, medical service quality and technological progress within the industry on top of patients and their families. The ultimate purpose of rehabilitation treatment is to improve the quality of life of patients. Currently in Shanghai, rehabilitation physicians and therapists combined represents 2.54% of the total and for every 100,000 people there are only 3.28 rehabilitation physicians and therapist, which indicating a huge gap compared with the international standards that stand at 10% -20% and 50 / 100,000 people respectively."

The German rehabilitation model opens a new chapter of rehabilitation treatment in China

The National Health Commission and other line ministries have been advocating for the strengthening of stroke prevention and control and have been calling for attention to stroke rehabilitation management. A series of policies and guidelines on building a triple-tiered rehabilitation healthcare system have been announced which encompasses the development of neurology, neurosurgery and rehabilitation medicine departments centering around cerebrovascular diseases, rehabilitation hospitals and rehabilitation centers as well as community hospitals and home rehabilitation capacity. In June 2021, the National Health Commission, together with other line ministries and commissions, issued the Notice on a Comprehensive Plan to Strengthen the Prevention and Treatment of Stroke to Reduce Millions of New Disabilities and the Opinions on Accelerating the Development of Rehabilitation, which provided important strategic guidelines for stroke rehabilitation in China. As average life expectancy in China continues to rise, there is increasing and diversifying healthcare needs among the middle-aged and elderly people, which cannot be satisfied by the limited capacity of rehabilitation departments of general hospitals.

Ms. Genevieve Faith, Head of Healthcare Solutions, Boehringer Ingelheim China, said, "The collaboration with Columbia Clinic (Shanghai Kaiyi Bainuo Clinic) can provide high-quality Total Stroke Solution (TSS) for more patients and improve the treatment accessibility for stroke rehabilitation patients in China. Meanwhile, outpatient services can better help patients to achieve secondary prevention. The patient-centered corporate values and the business philosophy of providing high quality personalized health care of both Boehringer Ingelheim and Columbia Clinic are the cornerstones of this collaboration, which is a perfect combination of internationally advanced medical services and the German rehabilitation model. It will create professional and personalized medical, rehabilitation and nursing services in the field of rehabilitation, and help more Chinese stroke patients improve their health status and quality of life. In the future, we aspire to work with all parties to actively respond to national policies, so that Chinese stroke patients can access personalized stroke rehabilitation treatment programs up to German standards as soon as possible, thus improving the quality of life of stroke patients and their families as well as alleviating the burden on the society."

Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to improving the stroke management in China with concrete actions. On March 2018, the brand Consanas is introduced to China by Boehringer Ingelheim along with the German rehabilitation model which had been contested for over a century. Driven by the innovative spirit and the patient-centered rehabilitation philosophy, Boehringer Ingelheim is able to have created, within just three years, a "China Consanas Model" that originated from Germany and tailored to China.

At the rehabilitation medicine department of Shanghai International Medical Center supported by Consanas, 76% of the patients started rehabilitation treatment within six months after stroke. In March this year, at the third anniversary since its foundation, Consanas and Shanghai International Medical Center (SIMC) jointly released the 2019-2020 Rehabilitation Clinical Achievements and Quality Report. As an annual report for the second consecutive year, it indicates that stroke patients who received rehabilitation within six months after stroke enjoyed sound recovery. Consanas expert team believes that only when clinicians fully understand and practice the "early rehabilitation", can the patients achieve effective functional recovery. Furthermore, even patients who failed to receive timely rehabilitation treatment after the acute phase can still benefit from professional rehabilitation treatment in the second and third stages. Therefore, it's never be too late for stroke patient to receive rehabilitation treatment.

Setting a new benchmark for stroke rehabilitation

Improving quality of life for patients

The success of the "China Consanas Model" has set a good example for the localization of world class rehabilitation treatment concept in China. Columbia has also been running successful operations for 9 years in the Chinese market. Columbia Clinic China business scope covers fields like hospitals, clinics and elderly care. Ms. Tan Bee Lan, President and Group CEO of Columbia China said: " Our collaboration with Consanas will focus on the following aspects: first, we will leverage on medical resources from both sides and develop in-depth collaborations in talent exchange. We will work together to build a one-stop stroke rehabilitation management platform to better connect patients with rehabilitation therapists and / or rehabilitation nurses and other rehabilitation resources. Second, Columbia China and Consanas will promote the application of the "China Consanas Model" within the stroke rehabilitation space. We will also drive efforts to improve the clinical skills of rehabilitation therapists and rehabilitation nurses along with optimal and innovative rehabilitation process. In the future, both parties will continue to explore ways and means to jointly respond to relevant national policies, to build an ecosystem connecting the rehabilitation industry, to contribute to the triple-tiered rehabilitation medical system and to create a win-win environment for patients and all parties."

With growing healthcare awareness and affluence, there is a rising demand for high quality health service among the general public. China currently faces both challenges and opportunities with stroke prevention and rehabilitation management. Driven by national policies and callings from clinical experts, inter-sector cooperation will intensify and businesses like Boehringer Ingelheim and Columbia Clinic will assume more social responsibilities. Dr. Pavol Dobrocky, General Manager of Human Pharma Boehringer Ingelheim Greater China, said: "As a leader deeply rooted in the field of stroke, Boehringer Ingelheim integrates internal and external resources to provide the patient centric Total Stroke Solution (TSS) that covers the whole patient journey from prevention to detection, treatment, rehabilitation and secondary prevention to improve patient care in stroke. We help stroke patients and their families overcome difficulties and challenges they meet at every stage of the disease through innovative treatment and solutions, reducing stroke morbidity, mortality and disability, and ultimately reduce the economic burden on family and society and contribute to Healthy China 2030."

[1] Zhang Tong, Guidelines for rehabilitation treatment of stroke in China(2011 Full Edition)/Chinese Journal of the Frontiers of Medical Science (Electronic Version) 2012,4(06):55-76; [2] 55-8.Prognosis after stroke /Article in German; Paal G;Abteilung fur Neurologie, Stadt. Krankenhauses Munchen-Harlaching. [3] Asakawa T, et al. Lancet, 2017, 390(10090):121.

SOURCE Columbia China
Founded in 1982, Susan G. Komen has since become a global leader in the fight against breast cancer. Tweet this

Founded in 1982, Susan G. Komen has since become a global leader in the fight against breast cancer. The nonprofit organization has grown to become the world's leading source of funding for breast cancer research and patient support, having invested more than $1.1 billion in groundbreaking research and more than $2.3 billion in advocacy and various patient support services, including education, screening, treatment, patient navigation and direct financial support for treatment-related expenses. These efforts have helped to reduce breast cancer deaths by 41% since 1989. Recognized as the only breast cancer organization that addresses the disease on all fronts, the organization remains committed to saving lives from breast cancer by investing in breakthrough research for the most aggressive and deadly breast cancers, and ensuring all people receive the care they need.

With more than 42,000 women and men in the United States losing their lives to breast cancer each year, Susan G. Komen is actively working to save lives by supporting people facing breast cancer today, while tirelessly searching for tomorrow's cures.

For the full list of CURE Media Group SAP partners, click here.

About Susan G. Komen

Susan G. Komen has an unmatched, comprehensive 360-degree approach to fighting breast cancer across all fronts and supporting millions of people in the U.S. and in countries worldwide. We advocate for patients, drive research breakthroughs, improve access to high-quality care, offer direct patient support and empower people with trustworthy information. Visit www.komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN. Connect with us on social media at www.komen.org/contact-us/follow-us/.

About CURE Media Group

CURE Media Group is the leading resource for cancer updates, research and education. It combines a full suite of media products, including its industry-leading website curetoday.com ; innovative video programs, such as "CURE Connections"; a series of widely attended live events; and CURE magazine, which reaches more than 1 million readers. CURE Media Group is a brand of MJH Life Sciences, the largest privately held, independent, full-service medical media company in North America, dedicated to delivering trusted health care news across multiple channels.

CURE Media Group Media Contact

Alyssa Scarpaci, 609-716-7777

[email protected]

SOURCE CURE Media Group

Related Links

https://www.curetoday.com


Rapid digitization has led to faster development and release of products, enabling an increase in customer engagement for business growth and innovation to drive business process transformation. However, it has also brought a host of data privacy risks, and opened up opportunities for cyber criminals to strike as organisations rush to meet customer demands. Companies of all sizes have been impacted by these trends yet not all have the resource and scale to protect themselves.

At the same time, the global pandemic has led to a dramatic rise in cyber crime. According to a study from Deloitte, more than half a million people globally were affected by breaches in which the personal data of video conferencing users was stolen and sold on the dark web.

Deloitte Cyber has joined forces with HGC Group to help companies in combating the cyberattacks, with the support of HGC group's full-fledged telecom, data centre services, ICT solutions and broadband services for local, overseas, corporate and mass.

Macroview Telecom, the CyberSecurity and digital transformation solution arm of HGC Group, represents the Group to partner with Deloitte Cyber and provide a holistic and comprehensive CyberSecurity portfolio, using latest technology, best practice and certified and skilled resources to protect Hong Kong companies from the CyberSecurity risks. Macroview Telecom has over 10 years of experience in security services with over 200 local certified security experts, its security operation is ISO 27001 certified and is supported by top-tier security vendor latest technologies and the strongest team in local security research and development network.

As Deloitte Cyber is a leader in different global CyberSecurity research for its Global Advisory network and has expertise in compliance and data protection, this partnership will provide adaptive security protection by different stages, including predict & prevent, detect, protect and response and enrich the CyberSecurity capabilities for companies.

Predict & Prevent  Combining Deloitte Cyber global threat intelligences and Macroview Telecom CyberSecurity Research and Simulation Lab, our experts can predict new threats, and derive a holistic design and the prevention strategies, in short we can provide complex CyberSecurity advisory and protection not limit to those automation of routine cybersecurity responses.

Detect  An effective detection of CyberSecurity threats starts with a detailed design of security data on-boarding process, customized Security Management Platform, together with on-going use case development. With over 200 certified Cybersecurity professionals, the partnership of Deloitte Cyber and Macroview Telecom becomes the best choice in addressing above CyberSecurity areas.

Protect - Macroview Telecom possesses the top-class expertise and experience including full end-to-end support knowledge from hundreds of local subject matter experts in various ICT technology domains. Together with Deloitte Cyber regular company workflow advisory, zero trust assessment and multi-factor protection for designing and implementing multi-vendor security protection infrastructures, all of these factors are essential in CyberSecurity of a company.

Response  CyberSecurity incident is not just talking about sending alerts to our customers, it covers a full-range CyberSecurity services, including having certified and experienced local CyberSecurity professionals, using the Global CyberSecurity Intelligence. We have a fully resilient, adaptive and automated CyberSecurity Operations, and all-rounded CyberSecurity Incident Forensic and Response Team to provide an all-encompassing response to any threats detected.

Mr. Miro Pihkanen, Partner, Deloitte Cyber said, "The cyber threat has become a board-level risk in today's business world. If you're operating online, you're at risk. An attack can lead to financial and reputational damage, both of which can be irreparable. A reactive response is no longer good enough, prevention measures must be put in place well in advance and proactive detection of threats is a must."

Mr. Andrew Kwok, CEO of HGC said, "HGC Group is continuously expanding the digital transformation to local and international markets, cybersecurity is one of the most prominent consideration during this digital journey. Riding on our full-fledged digital infrastructure, we'll continue to invest millions of US dollars in different phases to further enhance our capabilities in cybersecurity. The partnership between HGC Group's Macroview and Deloitte can offer a 360-degree view of cybersecurity services across all industry segments to protect our customers' digital assets, and support them in operating an anti-risk environment while developing their business."

Mr. Victor Share, CEO of Macroview Telecom, a HGC Group Company said, "With our proven record of successful cases in the industry, Macroview has been well recognized as a trustful Digital Transformation Partner to our customers for many years. With our self-owned Security Operation Centre (A.SOC) in operations for several years serving different major financial and monetary organizations, we'll continue to expand our cybersecurity solution in different sector."

About Deloitte Cyber

As a worldwide leader in cyber strategy consulting and cyber intelligence, Deloitte offers a fully customizable suite of cyber solutions and managed services. With a commitment to technological innovation and broad industry expertise, our Deloitte global network gives us the insight and experience to face any scenario. The Deloitte Cyber Intelligence Center located in California Tower operates as a 24/7 Managed Security Service and SOC offering a broad range of cyber and managed services to help you tackle the ever changing risk landscape.

About HGC Global Communications Limited

HGC Global Communications Limited (HGC) is a leading Hong Kong and international fixed-line operator and ICT solutions provider. The company owns an extensive network and infrastructure in Hong Kong and overseas and provides various kinds of services. HGC has 23 overseas offices, with business over 5 continents. It provides telecom infrastructure service to other operators and serves as a service provider to corporate and households. The company provides full-fledged telecom, data centre services, ICT solutions and broadband services for local, overseas, corporate and mass markets. HGC owns and operates an extensive fibre-optic network, five cross border telecom routes integrated into tier-one telecom operators in mainland China and connects with hundreds of world-class international telecom operators. HGC is one of Hong Kong's largest Wi-Fi service providers, running over 29,000 Wi-Fi hotspots in Hong Kong. The company is committed to further investing and enriching its current infrastructure and, in parallel, adding on top the latest technologies and developing its infrastructure services and solutions. HGC is a portfolio company of I Squared Capital, an independent global infrastructure investment manager focusing on energy, utilities and transport in North America, Europe and selected fast-growing economies. To learn more, please visit HGC's website at: www.hgc.com.hk.

About Macroview Telecom, a HGC Group Company

With 700+ digital technology and cybersecurity professionals, Macroview Telecom, a HGC Group Company is one of the largest independent digital technology solution and managed service providers in the market. We have been entrusted by clients from various market sectors, including MNCs, finance and banking, retail, public utilities and large conglomerates - serving them with 8 offices in Hong Kong, Macau and Mainland China, especially the Greater Bay area. We help customers build up their corporate digital capabilities and transform their business based on carefully-designed solutions and service frameworks. Macroview is a proud member of HGC Global Communications Group. To learn more, please visit Macroview's website at: www.macroview.com.

SOURCE HGC Global Communications Limited (HGC)

Related Links

http://www.hgc.com.hk


SAN ANTONIO, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Genesis Wealth Management announced today they have surpassed $1.1 billion in client assets under advisement, marking a significant milestone for this San Antonio, Texas-based independent firm. Founded in late 2016, the company has evolved from a team of three wealth managers to just recently adding their 16th thus helping them to achieve this major financial milestone.

One of Genesis Wealth Management's managing partners, Jon Thompson, reflects on their journey leading to this achievement.

"When we started the firm in 2016, we just hoped we would survive the independent advising world," said Thompson. "At that point we didn't have a vision of adding others to our team, but when some of our colleagues from USAA expressed interest in joining us, we happily accepted," continued Thompson. "Never would I have thought we would be here today celebrating this incredible accomplishment."

With offices in San Antonio, Fair Oaks Ranch, Austin, and Tampa, FL, Genesis Wealth Management is comprised of a team of wealth managers, all of which are CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER practitioners. Collectively averaging 19 years of professional experience, they served the bulk of their careers at USAA. The foundation of the team is centered around their client-first approach.

"As we continue to grow, I want it to be because we are helping more clients and their families reach their financial goals," stated co-founder and managing partner Jereme Brisco. "We want to continue doing things the right way which is always putting the clients' best interest first."

"The strategies and investments we suggest are ones we invest in ourselves," stated Michael Dubensky, co-founder and managing partner. "We believe our clients should not be restricted to proprietary products or a one-size fits all approach. Our business model is built around the belief that if we focus on delivering an extraordinary client experience above all else, our business and clients will prosper."

This unprecedented growth may have come as a surprise to the founding partners; however, they credit two organizations as being instrumental in their advancement as independent advisors.

"Leveraging the robust technology, professional resources, and the non-proprietary products offered through our broker-dealer, LPL Financial, our team is equipped to provide our clients the highest level of service possible," continues Thompson. "Additionally, the individualized support we get from our partners at Financial Resources Group has been a welcomed factor contributing in the success we've seen to date."

Genesis Wealth Management has partnered with Financial Resources Group Investment Services (Financial Resources Group), a company dedicated to helping advisors grow their programs and practices through customized services, since its inception.

Financial Resources Group CEO Bruce Miller is also celebrating this milestone.

"Congratulations are extended to the exceptional wealth managers of Genesis Wealth Management on surpassing $1.1 billion in assets under advisement," said Miller. "They are extraordinary partners and are now our largest independent wealth manager group since joining us in 2016. Their success is driven by their remarkable commitment to client service  which is at the core of everything they do."

Servicing affluent individuals, families, foundations and institutions, Genesis Wealth Management strives to offer an extraordinarily high level of personalized service and values the personal relationships they've built with each and every client.

"I am continually humbled by the trust that our clients give us with their financial lives as we help them on their journey to financial independence," said Thompson. "We focus on the quality of advice and relationships we build rather than the quantity of clients we serve."

Given their rapid growth within a five-year period and dedication to exceptional client service, Genesis Wealth Management is well positioned for the future.

"Our primary goal with any future growth will be to continue providing the same level of service, no matter how big we get," said Brisco. "Equally important is ensuring we provide the resources and support that our wealth managers need to be successful. We truly are stronger together than we are apart."

About Genesis Wealth Management

Genesis Wealth Management is a privately owned and operated financial services firm with offices in San Antonio, Fair Oaks Ranch, Austin, and Tampa, FL. Their team of highly experienced advisors provides customized financial solutions for their affluent clients, nationwide. Genesis Wealth Management prides themselves on their unparalleled level of service and remain committed to building high-touch, long-term relationships. To learn more, visit www.GenesisWealthTX.com

About Financial Resources Group

Financial Resources Group is based in Fort Mill, SC and provides customized services to financial advisors to help them grow their programs and practices that include, but are not limited to business development, onboarding, marketing support, and technology. Representatives are registered through LPL Financial as their broker-dealer. To learn more, visit www.financialresourcesgroup.net

About LPL Financial

LPL Financial is a leader in the retail financial advice market and the nation's largest independent broker-dealer*. They serve independent financial advisors, professionals, and institutions, providing them with the technology, research, clearing and compliance services, and practice management programs they need to create and grow thriving practices. LPL Financial enables them to provide objective guidance to millions of American families seeking wealth management, retirement planning, financial planning and asset management solutions. To learn more, visit www.lpl.com

*As reported by Financial Planning magazine, June 1996-2020, based on total revenue.

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, member FINRA/SIPC. Genesis Wealth Management and Financial Resources Group Investment Services, member FINRA/SIPC, are separate entities.

Contact Information:

Genesis Wealth Management

Richard Poligala, MS, CFP

[email protected]

505.228.0930

Financial Resources Group

Bruce Miller

[email protected]

704-816-8009

SOURCE Financial Resources Group

Related Links

http://www.financialresourcesgroup.net


NEW YORK, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Genpact (NYSE: G), a global professional services firm focused on delivering digital transformation, announced today that it has been named to Fast Company's Best Workplaces for Innovators list, honoring businesses and organizations that demonstrate a deep commitment to encouraging innovation at all levels. Fast Company also selected Genpact's pharmacovigilance team as a finalist on its Innovative Team of the Year list.

Genpact earned a Fast Company Best Workplace for Innovators honor for its strategic focus and investment in innovations that create a positive impact for clients, employees, and communities. Led by its purpose, "the relentless pursuit of a world that works better for people," Genpact's culture is a key driver in creating a workplace for innovators. Fast Company specifically called out Genpact's purpose in action related to the life-saving and innovative solutions deployed in the fight against COVID-19 that have had a substantial impact on building resilience for clients and communities.

Genpact's pharmacovigilance team was also named a finalist for Fast Company's Innovative Team of the Year list for leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to manage massive amounts of data in the fight against COVID for the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the United Kingdom. Genpact helped their public portal known as the "Yellow Card" website where adverse events are reported directly via a webform to analyze, extract, and codify the free text related to adverse event details before sending these cases for further review by the MHRA. These reports allow scientists to understand the effects of vaccines on patients at speed and with precision.

"Innovation in the end is all about people and company culture. Diversity and inclusiveness are key in people and it's critical that the culture be one of endless curiosity and continuous learning, and actively supports incisive and creative thinking," said Sanjay Srivastava, chief digital officer, Genpact. "At Genpact this has allowed us to be an employer of choice for innovative thinkers and be a dynamic place to learn, grow and scale."

Developed in collaboration with Accenture, the 2021 Best Workplaces for Innovators list is in its third year and ranks 100 winners from a variety of industries, including computer science, biotech, consumer packaged goods, nonprofit, education, financial services, cybersecurity, and engineering. Working together, Fast Company editors and Accenture researchers scored nearly 1,500 applications, and a panel of eight eminent judges reviewed and endorsed the top 100 companies from around the world.

"These leaders and teams created cultures of innovation and sustained them, even as remote work extended into 2021," says Stephanie Mehta, editor-in-chief, Fast Company. "This newest list of the Best Workplaces for Innovators honors those organizations that found ways to collaborate and invent despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, ensuring employees were at the forefront."

To see the complete list, go to: https://www.fastcompany.com/best-workplaces-for-innovators/2021

Fast Company's Best Workplaces for Innovators issue (September 2021) is available online now, and the print issue will be on newsstands beginning August 17, 2021. Join the Best Workplaces for Innovators conversation using #FCBestWorkplaces.

About Fast Company

Fast Company is the world's leading progressive business media brand, with a unique editorial focus on innovation in technology, ethonomics (ethical economics), leadership, and design. Written for, by, and about the most progressive business leaders, Fast Company and FastCompany.com inspire readers and users to think beyond traditional boundaries, lead conversations, and create the future of business. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with its sister publication Inc. Stephanie Mehta is editor-in-chief.

About Accenture

Accenture is a leading global professional services company, providing a broad range of services and solutions in strategy, consulting, digital, technology, and operations. Combining unmatched experience and specialized skills across more than 40 industries and all business functionsunderpinned by the world's largest delivery networkAccenture works at the intersection of business and technology to help clients improve their performance and create sustainable value for their stakeholders. With 482,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries, Accenture drives innovation to improve the way the world works and lives. Visit us at www.accenture.com.

About Genpact

Genpact (NYSE: G) is a global professional services firm that makes business transformation real. Led by our purpose -- the relentless pursuit of a world that works better for people -- we drive digital-led innovation and digitally enabled intelligent operations for our clients. Guided by our experience reinventing and running thousands of processes for hundreds of clients, many of them Global Fortune 500 companies, we drive real-world transformation at scale. We think with design, dream in digital, and solve problems with data and analytics. Combining our expertise in end-to-end operations and our AI-based platform, Genpact Cora, we focus on the details  all 90,000+ of us. From New York to New Delhi, and more than 30 countries in between, we connect every dot, reimagine every process, and reinvent the ways companies work. We know that reimagining each step from start to finish creates better business outcomes. Whatever it is, we'll be there with you  accelerating digital transformation to create bold, lasting results - because transformation happens here. Get to know us at Genpact.com and on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Michael Schneider

+1 (217) 260-5041

[email protected]

SOURCE Genpact

Related Links

http://www.genpact.com


Shares Outstanding: 277,578,617

Trading Symbols:TSX: GGD

OTCQX: GLGDF

HALIFAX, NS, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - GoGold Resources Inc. (TSX: GGD) (OTCQX: GLGDF) ("GoGold", "the Company") is pleased to announce that Karen Flores has been appointed to the Company's Board of Directors effective August 4, 2021, pending regulatory approval.

Ms. Flores is the CEO of the Mining Chamber of Mexico, which represents the interests of the country's mining-metallurgical industry. In June 2020, Forbes Mexico recognized Karen as one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in Mexico for her ground-breaking leadership in the mining industry. She is also an advisor for the Chamber of Commerce of Canada in Mexico (CANCHAM), where she chairs the Integration Caucus and the Women Building Business committee. She is part of the founding group of WIM Women Mexico, a subsidiary of Women in Mining International.

With more than 15 years of experience in the mining sector, Ms. Flores has held positions in both public administration and private industry. She has gathered extensive experience working in the field promoting mining communities, as well as successful negotiation, communication, and sustainability strategies. She has also played an active role in discussion forums and working groups that promote the interests of the mining industry. Ms. Flores was an active member of the Association of Mining Engineers, Metallurgists and Geologists of Mexico (AIMMGM), holding different honorary positions such as Vice-President of Government Affairs, Communications Coordinator of District Mexico, and Coordinator of Public Relations and Protocol for the XXXI and XXXII International Mining Conventions.

Prior to her current role as CEO of the Mining Chamber of Mexico, Ms. Flores was the head of Corporate and Government Relations for the Mexico Division of Agnico Eagle from 2014 to 2019. She represented the interests of the company before government entities, chambers of commerce, trade associations, and managed the social and governmental aspects of the due diligence process for new projects. Between 2007 and 2013, Ms. Flores worked at the Undersecretariat for Mining of the Ministry of Economy, holding various positions such as Advisor, Head of Analysis and Information, Chief of Staff, Assistant General Manager of the Undersecretary's Office, among others.

"We are pleased to welcome Ms. Flores to the board of directors. Her extensive governmental, industry, and community relations experience will bring enhanced board-level knowledge to advance GoGold's environmental, social and governance ("ESG") practices," said Brad Langille, President and CEO. "We believe GoGold shareholders will be well served by Karen's engagement, perspective and service as a board member of the Company."

About GoGold Resources

GoGold Resources (TSX: GGD) is a Canadian-based silver and gold producer focused on operating, developing, exploring and acquiring high quality projects in Mexico. The Company operates the Parral Tailings mine in the state of Chihuahua and has the Los Ricos South and Los Ricos North exploration projects in the state of Jalisco. Headquartered in Halifax, NS, GoGold is building a portfolio of low cost, high margin projects. For more information visit gogoldresources.com.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT:

The securities described herein have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or pursuant to exemptions therefrom. This release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy of any of GoGold's securities in the United States.

SOURCE GoGold Resources Inc.

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LOS GATOS, Calif. and KOLKATA, India, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- iMerit, a leading data labeling solutions company, announced today that Sudeep George has joined the company as Vice President of Engineering. Sudeep is an accomplished technology leader with over 18 years of experience in the computer vision industry. In his new role he will be located in Bengaluru, India and focused on building the next generation of products and services for the artificial intelligence industry.

Throughout his career Sudeep focused on building computational imaging products and solutions at the intersection of computer vision, imaging, edge computing and autonomous capabilities. As co-founder of Tonbo Imaging, he built a high-tech company focusing on imaging systems and created India's first full-fledged electro-optics company. Prior to Tonbo, he led engineering teams at Sarnoff Corporation and worked at Samsung R&D.

"We're thrilled to have Sudeep join iMerit as we expand our global technology team and further develop our end-to-end data solutions. He will be instrumental in growing our technology products and services, and partnering with clients to create best-in-class solutions for addressing their unique data needs," said Radha Basu, founder and CEO of iMerit.

"The opportunity at iMerit is tremendous and I'm excited to be part of a company that works with the world's leaders in artificial intelligence and solving some of the most complex challenges in artificial intelligence today," said Sudeep.

In collaboration with Deshpande Foundation the company recently opened its tenth Center of Excellence for AI training data in Hubballi, Karnataka. With more than 4,500 employees, iMerit's global footprint includes centers across India, Bhutan and the U.S.

About iMerit

iMerit is a leading data labeling solutions company providing high quality data across computer vision, natural language processing and content services that powers machine learning and artificial intelligence applications for large enterprises. iMerit provides end-to-end data labeling services to Fortune 500 companies in a wide array of industries including agricultural AI, autonomous vehicles, commerce, geospatial, government, financial services, medical AI and technology. iMerit employs more than 4,500 full-time data annotation experts in Bhutan, Europe, India and the United States. Raising $23.5 million in funding to date, iMerit investors are CDC Group, Khosla Impact, Michael and Susan Dell Foundation and Omidyar Network. For more information, visit imerit.net .

SOURCE iMerit Technology

Related Links

http://imerit.net


TORONTO, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- InfoSec Global, the inventor and leader of Cryptographic Agility Management solutions, today announced it has appointed John Harris as Chief Revenue Officer and Executive Vice President of Operations. Harris joined InfoSec Global's executive management team on August 3rd, 2021, and reports directly to Nagy Moustafa, Co-founder and CEO. Harris will be responsible for driving revenue growth, developing go-to-market strategies, building out the global partner ecosystem and managing overall business operations.

John Harris named Chief Revenue Officer, EVP of Operations, InfoSec Global

Harris brings a wealth of experience and industry knowledge to InfoSec Global, successfully contributing to the significant growth of several cybersecurity companies in a C-level capacity, including Chief Revenue Office of Keyfactor, a leading trusted identity security management company, and Chief Revenue Officer of eSentire, a managed detection and response cybersecurity company.

"I am thrilled to have John join the InfoSec Global team, particularly now as the company enters a significant growth phase," stated Nagy Moustafa, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder, InfoSec Global. "John is a proven business accelerator, from 'early stage' companies through hyper-growth to exit, as well as a creative go-to-market strategist with a focus on sales, channels, and operations. He has demonstrated proven success in developing high-performance teams and driving significant recurring revenue growth, and I'm confident he will do the same at InfoSec Global as market demand for our cryptographic agility management solutions continues to build."

Harris joins an executive team at InfoSec Global that has a strong security pedigree with deep professional and academic expertise in security and cryptography technologies, disciplines and practices. Its founders and board advisors include the original inventors of key cryptographic technologies, protocols, and standards.

"I am excited to join the inventors of crypto agility, and to help them take the company to the next level," stated John Harris. "Cryptography is the backbone of digital trust, and a growing number of CISOs and CIOs are realizing that outdated, poorly executed, vulnerable cryptography is a major blind spot across their critical security infrastructure. I look forward to helping our clients achieve greater cryptographic health, safety and security with InfoSec Global's unique offering of cryptographic agility management solutions."

About InfoSec Global Inc.

As the inventor and leader in Cryptographic Agility Management solutions, InfoSec Global helps enterprises, IoT device makers and service providers discover, protect and automate the management of digital certificates, keys, encryption and other cryptographic assets. Powered by patented technologies and delivered through a "crypto-as-a-service" approach, InfoSec Global's Cryptographic Agility Management Platform helps restore digital trust and establish zero trust architectures. From crypto asset discovery and threat detection to rapid remediation and automated threat management, InfoSec Global reduces risk, enhances responsiveness, improves resiliency, and protects against future threats posed by quantum, AI and machine-learning technologies.

Visit us at www.infosecglobal.com.

CONTACT:

Steve Herrmann

Chief Marketing Officer

InfoSec Global

[email protected]

1 303-819-1534

SOURCE InfoSec Global

Related Links

http://www.infosecglobal.com


DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Instant Brands, one of the nation's most trusted household brands, today formalized its partnership with Cal's Angels, a Chicago-area nonprofit organization focused on granting wishes, raising awareness and funding clinical trial research for pediatric cancer. The expanded partnership includes Instant Brands' commitment to driving awareness of pediatric cancer and research efforts, offering employee volunteer opportunities, annual fundraising and ongoing product donations to directly benefit Cal's Angels families.

"Pediatric cancer is one of the most horrible illnesses that a family can experience and live through," said Instant Brands President and CEO, Ben Gadbois. "Cal's Angels is a remarkable organization and we're committed to do our part to help them carry out their mission."

A few months ago, Instant Brands entered the air purification category. Using an advanced 3-1-one HEPA filtration systems plus plasma ion technology, the Instant Air Purifier works to remove 99.9% of the virus that causes COVID-191, other viruses, bacteria and allergens from treated air.2 This functionality helps all consumers, including families living with pediatric cancer, inhale cleaner airparticularly at a time when air quality is more important than ever.

To mark this milestone, Instant Brands today donated pallets of its latest innovation, the Instant Air Purifier, to be used in the homes of Cal's Angels most vulnerable children, many of whom are undergoing stem-cell transplants and therapy.

"Our patients are highly immunocompromised, so navigating your child's battle with cancer during a global pandemic is a real one-two punch," said Stacey Wahlberg, co-founder and president of Cal's Angels. "We're grateful to Instant Brands and their employees for their ongoing partnership and commitment to seek out ways to meaningfully impact our Cal's Angels families."

Cal's Angels was founded in 2007 after Wahlberg's stepson, Cal Sutter, a South Elgin Little League all-star, lost his battle with acute myelogenous leukemia at the age of 13. To date, Cal's Angels has raised $17 million to support kids fighting cancer and their families at nine partner hospitals. The organization works with patients ranging in age from newborn to 19 years old and assists more than 1,000 families each year.

Instant Brands encourages everyone to learn more about Cal's Angels, its mission and ways to get involved by visiting calsangels.org.

About Cal's Angels

Cal's Angels is a St. Charles, Illinois-based 501(c)(3) pediatric cancer foundation established in 2007 after Cal Sutter lost his battle with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia in 2006. During his treatment, Cal always cared about others before himself. His kindness was the inspiration behind a foundation that would grant wishes, raise awareness and fund research to help kids fighting cancer. To learn more about the many ways to help, visit calsangels.org, like Cal's Angels on Facebook, and follow @CalsAngels on Twitter.

About Instant Brands

Instant Brands is focused on making more moments of togetherness. Every day. In every home. Instant Brands offers a family of brands  Instant Pot, Instant Air Purifier, Corelle, Pyrex, Corningware, Snapware, Chicago Cutlery and Visions  all created with people-first, purpose-driven solutions in mind to bring people together all around the home. Everything Instant Brands makes starts with the consumer: who they are, what they need, how they live together. As their lives evolve, so do the products, identifying meaningful solutions and always looking to delight. Today, Cornell Capital LLC-backed Instant Brands employs more than 2,400 employees on four continents. For more than 100 years, its brands have been innovators in helping people make and enjoy food together. Today, Instant Brands' products are in millions of homes worldwide. For more information or to join the community, visit InstantBrands.com or follow along on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

[1]Based on testing of SARS-CoV-2 conducted in laboratory conditions, using a 13 cubic foot chamber to protect scientists from exposure. Not proven to prevent COVID-19. Performance was measured after 10 air exchanges passing through the air purifier to replicate use at the lowest setting in the recommended square foot area. Actual results may vary, depending on usage environment (temperature, humidity, room size and shape, nature and number of particulates in air, etc.), placement of the unit, and product usage (operation duration, operation mode, etc.). Best results with continuous use. For more testing information, go to www.instanthome.com/airpurifiers/testing.

[2]Performance claims are calculated based on testing of a single particulate, A. Niger (mold) E. Coli (bacteria), S. Epidermidis (bacteria) or Phi-X174 (virus), in laboratory conditions, designed to replicate air passing through the air purifier at lowest setting in the recommended square foot area. Actual results may vary, depending on placement of the unit, the length of time used, and the nature and number of particulates in air over any period of time. Best results from continuous use. For more testing info, go to www.instanthome.com/airpurifiers/testing.

https://www.epa.gov/

SOURCE Instant Brands

Related Links

instantbrands.com/


NEW YORK, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Jewish Communal Fund (JCF), the largest and most active Jewish donor advised fund in the country, announces the appointment of Teena Lerner, Ph.D. as President, succeeding Zoya Raynes, effective July 1, 2021.

JCF President Teena Lerner

"An active and committed JCF fundholder and longtime trustee, Teena has a stellar reputation as a leader in the Jewish community," said Susan F. Dickman, Jewish Communal Fund's CEO and Executive Vice President. "We are so fortunate to have her serve as JCF's President, and benefit from her keen intelligence and excellent judgement. We are so thankful to Zoya for her tremendous devotion to JCF and are confident that Teena will build on all the progress JCF has made during Zoya's tenure."

A healthcare and biotech expert, Dr. Lerner is a devoted nonprofit volunteer who has served on the JCF Board since 2013 and was named Executive Committee Chair in 2019. A native New Yorker, Dr. Lerner is a longtime member and active supporter of many Jewish institutions in Riverdale. At S.A.R. Academy/S.A.R. High School, where she serves on the Executive and Finance Committees, Dr. Lerner successfully spearheaded several capital and endowment campaigns.

"I am honored to take on this role," she said. "JCF fundholders direct grants to the full gamut of worthy causes, including universities, hospitals, Jewish institutions, health and mental health, social service, hunger, anti-poverty, and the arts. I am awed at the generosity of our donors and am proud to help facilitate their charitable giving."

Dr. Lerner serves as a valued advisor to a number of companies and institutions, including the Board of Directors of Applied Therapeutics Inc and the Technology Transfer Committee of The Rockefeller University. Throughout more than two decades on the sell- and buy-sides of Wall Street, Dr. Lerner served as a Managing Director in the Equity Research Department of Lehman Brothers, Principal at Pequot Capital Management, and then founder and CEO of Rx Capital Management. She was a pioneering biotech analyst and subsequently managed $1.5 billion in dedicated healthcare and biotech assets while delivering above-market returns. She holds a Ph.D. in molecular biology from the Rockefeller University, an MBA in finance from New York University, is a CFA charterholder and received her BA in biology from City University of New York.

During her tenure as President, Dr. Lerner plans to focus on adding value and increasing services for charitably-minded individuals and families of all ages. "As a leading donor advised fund, we will continue to offer personal service and enhance the tools and resources available to assist our Fundholders in giving more strategically and with greater impact," she said.

Dr. Lerner is married to Dr. Larry Lerner and they are the proud parents of four married children, who have made them even prouder grandparents.

About Jewish Communal Fund

Jewish Communal Fund is one of the largest networks of Jewish funders, managing more than $2 billion in charitable assets for 4,200 donor advised funds. JCF's donor advised funds make giving easy, flexible and efficient. Learn more about JCF by visiting www.jcfny.org or calling (212) 752-8277. Visit JCF on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Tamar Snyder

Jewish Communal Fund

646-843-6894

[email protected]

SOURCE Jewish Communal Fund

Related Links

http://www.jcfny.org


CHICAGO, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (NYSE: JLL) today reported outstanding operating performance for the second quarter of 2021.

Consolidated revenue of $4.5 billion and fee revenue 1 of $1.8 billion , substantial increases of 18% and 41%, respectively

and fee revenue of , substantial increases of 18% and 41%, respectively Broad-based growth across all segments and service lines as many geographies continued to see macroeconomic recovery



Leasing and Capital Markets strongly rebounded, nearly doubling prior-year fee revenue

Outstanding margin performance highlighted by

Substantial revenue growth, particularly in transaction-based service lines



Higher equity earnings driven by JLL Technologies investments and LaSalle

Share repurchases returned $100 million of capital to shareholders through July

"JLL delivered an exceptional second quarter led by a strong recovery in our transaction-based businesses," noted Christian Ulbrich, JLL CEO. "Continued investments in our platform, people and technology, coupled with financial discipline and strong operational execution, have been instrumental to our success. Given the strong momentum in the business, the successful integration of HFF and increased visibility into a post-pandemic future, we are increasing our 2021 Adjusted EBITDA margin target range to 16% to 19%."

Summary Financial Results

($ in millions, except per share data, "LC" = local currency) Three months ended June 30,

Six months ended June 30, 2021

2020 % Change

in USD % Change

in LC

2021

2020 % Change

in USD % Change

in LC























Revenue $ 4,495.0



$ 3,670.4

22 % 18 %

$ 8,532.1



$ 7,766.4

10 % 6 % Revenue before reimbursements 2,507.5



1,828.5

37

32



4,637.1



4,061.5

14

10

Fee revenue1 1,816.9



1,244.9

46

41



3,259.6



2,750.1

19

15

























Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 200.0



$ 15.2

n.m. n.m.

$ 303.0



$ 20.5

n.m. n.m. Adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders1 220.1



36.8

498 % 477 %

329.8



62.6

427 % 409 %























Diluted earnings per share $ 3.82



$ 0.29

n.m. n.m.

$ 5.80



$ 0.39

n.m. n.m. Adjusted diluted earnings per share1 4.20



0.71

492 % 476 %

6.31



1.20

426 % 409 %























Adjusted EBITDA1 $ 332.4



$ 103.3

222 % 215 %

$ 522.5



$ 198.9

163 % 158 % Adjusted EBITDA, Real Estate Services 291.3



76.4

281

272



460.5



196.5

134

130

Adjusted EBITDA, LaSalle 41.1



26.8

53

51



62.0



2.4

n.m. n.m.



(1) For discussion of non-GAAP financial measures, see Note 1 following the Financial Statements in this news release. n.m.: not meaningful, represented by a percentage change of greater than 1,000%, favorably or unfavorably.

Consolidated Second-Quarter 2021 Performance Highlights:

Consolidated

($ in millions, "LC" = local currency) Three Months Ended June 30,

%

Change

in USD

%

Change

in LC

Six Months Ended June 30,

%

Change in

USD

%

Change

in LC 2021

2020





2021

2020



Leasing $ 610.9



$ 358.6



70 %

67 %

$ 1,060.4



$ 851.0



25 %

22 % Capital Markets 448.4



214.8



109



102



768.8



557.1



38



34

Property & Facility Management 2,466.6



2,275.2



8



4



4,880.6



4,641.0



5



2

Project & Development Services 617.7



536.8



15



10



1,169.5



1,141.2



2



(2)

Advisory, Consulting and Other 235.6



185.1



27



20



445.8



371.3



20



14

Real Estate Services ("RES") revenue $ 4,379.2



$ 3,570.5



23 %

18 %

$ 8,325.1



$ 7,561.6



10 %

7 % LaSalle 115.8



99.9



16



12



207.0



204.8



1



(2)

Total revenue $ 4,495.0



$ 3,670.4



22 %

18 %

$ 8,532.1



$ 7,766.4



10 %

6 % Reimbursements (1,987.5)



(1,841.9)



8



5



(3,895.0)



(3,704.9)



5



2

Revenue before reimbursements $ 2,507.5



$ 1,828.5



37 %

32 %

$ 4,637.1



$ 4,061.5



14 %

10 % Gross contract costs1 (684.9)



(575.0)



19



12



(1,362.1)



(1,304.4)



4



(1)

Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking

derivative activity (5.7)



(8.6)



(34)



(33)



(15.4)



(7.0)



120



120

Total fee revenue1 $ 1,816.9



$ 1,244.9



46 %

41 %

$ 3,259.6



$ 2,750.1



19 %

15 % Leasing 592.0



343.8



72



69



1,021.5



819.0



25



23

Capital Markets 432.5



199.4



117



110



737.8



533.5



38



34

Property & Facility Management 317.8



287.9



10



5



622.5



567.8



10



5

Project & Development Services 191.1



178.6



7



2



361.2



366.9



(2)



(5)

Advisory, Consulting and Other 175.0



140.2



25



17



322.8



269.3



20



13

RES fee revenue 1,708.4



1,149.9



49



43



3,065.8



2,556.5



20



16

LaSalle 108.5



95.0



14



10



193.8



193.6







(3)

Operating income $ 224.3



$ 10.8



n.m.

n.m.

$ 305.0



$ 75.4



305 %

295 % Equity earnings (losses) $ 40.8



$ 14.7



178 %

178 %

$ 89.3



$ (13.6)



757 %

753 % Adjusted EBITDA1 $ 332.4



$ 103.3



222 %

215 %

$ 522.5



$ 198.9



163 %

158 % n.m. - not meaningful as represented by a percentage change of greater than 1,000%, favorably or unfavorably.















(1) For discussion of non-GAAP financial measures, see Note 1 following the Financial Statements in this news release. Percentage variances in the Consolidated Performance Highlights below are calculated and presented on a local currency basis, unless otherwise noted.

The company achieved consolidated RES revenue and fee revenue increases of 18% and 43%, respectively. Growth was broad-based across all service lines, led by Leasing and Capital Markets, and in all geographic segments. This follows a prior-year quarter that was meaningfully impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic (the "pandemic"). Organic RES fee revenue this quarter was consistent with second-quarter 2019, reflecting the strong rebound in transaction-based service lines. RES fee revenue growth for the quarter was led by Americas, which contributed 75% of the growth on a local currency basis, followed by EMEA (14%) and Asia Pacific (11%).

LaSalle's double-digit revenue growth was led by advisory fees, primarily reflecting continued growth of open-end investment vehicles and recent valuation increases.

Refer to segment performance highlights for additional detail.

Net income attributable to common shareholders was $200.0 million, compared with $15.2 million in the prior-year quarter, and Adjusted EBITDA was $332.4 million, compared with $103.3 million last year. Diluted earnings per share were $3.82, up from $0.29 in 2020; adjusted diluted earnings per share were $4.20, compared with $0.71 last year.

Adjusted EBITDA margin for the quarter, calculated on a fee-revenue basis, was 18.3% in USD (18.5% in local currency), compared with 8.3% in 2020. Margin expansion was primarily driven by (i) a significant increase in revenue, particularly from higher margin transaction-based service lines and (ii) higher equity earnings, including $16.2 million from valuation increases to JLL Technologies' investments, reflecting continued progress in the strategy to invest in early-stage proptech companies (refer to the equity earnings discussion in the Americas segment highlights for additional detail), and an incremental $12.0 million from LaSalle. This expansion was partially offset by the impact of temporary cost savings in 2020, including the benefit from government relief programs.

Net income attributable to common shareholders was $303.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared with $20.5 million last year, and Adjusted EBITDA was $522.5 million, compared with $198.9 million in 2020. Diluted earnings per share were $5.80 for the six months ended June 30, 2021, up from $0.39 in 2020; adjusted diluted earnings per share were $6.31, compared with $1.20 last year.

Share Repurchases, Balance Sheet and Cash Flows:

In the second quarter of 2021, the company repurchased 200,000 shares for $41.1 million. Through July, approximately 484,100 shares have been repurchased in 2021, returning $100.2 million to shareholders.

Total net debt was $648.5 million as of June 30, 2021, representing a decrease of $21.7 million from March 31, 2021, and a decrease of $421.2 million from June 30, 2020.

Cash used in operating activities was $246.1 million for the first half of 2021, compared with $44.7 million used in the prior year. The increase in cash used was primarily due to a significant increase in trade receivables, reflecting higher year-over-year Q2 revenue. This was partially offset by less incentive compensation paid in 2021 compared with 2020, reflecting company performance in 2020 compared with 2019, as well as higher cash provided by earnings.

Americas Second-Quarter 2021 Performance Highlights:

Americas Real Estate Services

($ in millions, "LC" = local currency) Three Months Ended June 30,

%

Change

in USD

%

Change in LC

Six Months Ended June 30,

%

Change

in USD

%

Change

in LC 2021

2020





2021

2020



Revenue $ 2,701.5



$ 2,229.0



21 %

20 %

$ 5,145.4



$ 4,752.1



8 %

8 % Reimbursements (1,412.3)



(1,345.0)



5



4



(2,798.0)



(2,738.5)



2



2

Revenue before reimbursements $ 1,289.2



$ 884.0



46 %

45 %

$ 2,347.4



$ 2,013.6



17 %

16 % Gross contract costs1 (220.3)



(192.3)



15



13



(436.1)



(405.1)



8



7

Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking

derivative activity (5.7)



(8.6)



(34)



(33)



(15.4)



(7.0)



120



120

Fee revenue1 $ 1,063.2



$ 683.1



56 %

55 %

$ 1,895.9



$ 1,601.5



18 %

18 % Leasing 473.1



267.0



77



76



824.5



672.6



23



22

Capital Markets 289.1



131.5



120



119



495.7



378.1



31



31

Property & Facility Management 154.2



147.3



5



4



300.7



276.0



9



9

Project & Development Services 92.5



91.1



2



1



173.8



184.5



(6)



(6)

Advisory, Consulting and Other 54.3



46.2



18



17



101.2



90.3



12



12

Equity earnings $ 16.5



$ 2.9



469 %

456 %

$ 51.0



$ 15.6



227 %

226 % Segment income $ 206.6



$ 42.5



386 %

382 %

$ 351.6



$ 137.1



156 %

155 % Adjusted EBITDA1 $ 235.9



$ 74.0



219 %

217 %

$ 404.9



$ 195.3



107 %

107 % (1) For discussion of non-GAAP financial measures, see Note 1 following the Financial Statements in this news release. Percentage variances in the Americas Performance Highlights below are calculated and presented on a local currency basis, unless otherwise noted.

Revenue and fee revenue expansion in the Americas was driven by exceptional performance in transaction-based service lines, with organic fee revenue reaching pre-pandemic levels. The growth in Leasing was largely attributable to notably higher transaction volume in the U.S. with strength in office, industrial and retail sectors, despite lower average transaction size and shorter average lease/renewal terms compared with before the pandemic. The over 100% growth in Capital Markets reflected a rebound in deal activity across investment sales, debt advisory and equity advisory, as well as a double-digit increase in servicing revenue from the multifamily business.

Equity earnings were attributable to valuation increases of JLL Technologies' investments, nearly half of which were driven by an investment in a company purchased by Procore Technologies, Inc., which went public in May 2021.

Adjusted EBITDA margin for the quarter, calculated on a fee-revenue basis, was 22.2% in USD and local currency, compared with 10.8% in 2020. The margin expansion was primarily due to the (i) transaction-based revenue growth noted above, (ii) savings resulting from cost mitigation efforts during the trailing twelve months, especially related to fixed compensation costs, as well as continued variable operating and administrative expense containment and (iii) the higher equity earnings.

EMEA Second-Quarter 2021 Performance Highlights:

EMEA Real Estate Services

($ in millions, "LC" = local currency) Three Months Ended June 30,

% Change

in USD

%

Change

in LC

Six Months Ended June 30,

%

Change

in USD

%

Change

in LC 2021

2020





2021

2020



Revenue $ 809.8



$ 626.2



29 %

17 %

$ 1,526.0



$ 1,382.1



10 %

1 % Reimbursements (177.5)



(168.8)



5



(5)



(330.9)



(351.6)



(6)



(14)

Revenue before reimbursements $ 632.3



$ 457.4



38 %

25 %

$ 1,195.1



$ 1,030.5



16 %

6 % Gross contract costs1 (258.7)



(189.4)



37



24



(510.0)



(452.0)



13



3

Fee revenue1 $ 373.6



$ 268.0



39 %

27 %

$ 685.1



$ 578.5



18 %

9 % Leasing 70.3



45.5



55



41



120.6



92.5



30



20

Capital Markets 92.6



46.3



100



81



162.9



115.1



42



30

Property & Facility Management 83.9



66.2



27



13



160.9



144.1



12



2

Project & Development Services 64.2



58.8



9



1



123.4



124.9



(1)



(8)

Advisory, Consulting and Other 62.6



51.2



22



11



117.3



101.9



15



6

Equity earnings $ 



$ 



 %

 %

$ 



$ 



 %

 % Segment income (loss) $ 0.3



$ (33.4)



101 %

95 %

$ (35.5)



$ (53.9)



34 %

33 % Adjusted EBITDA1 $ 11.2



$ (23.7)



147 %

135 %

$ (13.6)



$ (34.3)



60 %

53 % (1) For discussion of non-GAAP financial measures, see Note 1 following the Financial Statements in this news release. Percentage variances in the EMEA Performance Highlights below are calculated and presented on a local currency basis, unless otherwise noted.

EMEA achieved significant revenue and fee revenue growth, especially in Capital Markets and Leasing, following a pandemic impacted prior-year quarter. While total segment organic fee revenue was nearly on pace with second-quarter 2019, both Leasing and Capital Markets notably eclipsed 2019 performance. The growth in Capital Markets was driven by stronger market sentiment evidenced through deal volumes, particularly in geographies with higher COVID-19 vaccination rates. The increase in Leasing revenue was primarily driven by transaction volume increases in office and industrial. A partial rebound in the UK mobile engineering business, in part driven by the easing of government-mandated restrictions compared with the prior-year quarter, contributed to higher Property & Facility Management revenue. In addition, Valuation Advisory, particularly in the UK, led growth in Advisory, Consulting and Other. Geographically across service lines, fee revenue growth in EMEA was led by the UK, France and Spain.

Adjusted EBITDA margin for the quarter, calculated on a fee-revenue basis, was 3.0% in USD (2.4% in local currency), compared with negative 8.8% last year. The margin improvement was primarily driven by higher transaction-based revenue and savings resulting from cost mitigation efforts during the last 12 months, especially related to fixed compensation costs. These items were partially offset by the prior-year impact of temporary cost savings.

Asia Pacific Second-Quarter 2021 Performance Highlights:

Asia Pacific Real Estate Services

($ in millions, "LC" = local currency) Three Months Ended June 30,

%

Change

in USD

%

Change

in LC

Six Months Ended June 30,

% Change in USD

%

Change

in LC 2021

2020





2021

2020



Revenue $ 867.9



$ 715.3



21 %

12 %

$ 1,653.7



$ 1,427.4



16 %

8 % Reimbursements (395.3)



(327.0)



21



11



(762.2)



(611.9)



25



15

Revenue before reimbursements $ 472.6



$ 388.3



22 %

13 %

$ 891.5



$ 815.5



9 %

2 % Gross contract costs1 (201.0)



(189.5)



6







(406.7)



(439.0)



(7)



(12)

Fee revenue1 $ 271.6



$ 198.8



37 %

26 %

$ 484.8



$ 376.5



29 %

19 % Leasing 48.6



31.3



55



45



76.4



53.9



42



32

Capital Markets 50.8



21.6



135



115



79.2



40.3



97



79

Property & Facility Management 79.7



74.4



7







160.9



147.7



9



2

Project & Development Services 34.4



28.7



20



11



64.0



57.5



11



3

Advisory, Consulting and Other 58.1



42.8



36



23



104.3



77.1



35



24

Equity earnings (losses) $ 1.0



$ 0.5



100 %

107 %

$ 2.0



$ (0.2)



n.m.

n.m. Segment income $ 36.5



$ 19.2



90 %

73 %

$ 54.3



$ 21.6



151 %

126 % Adjusted EBITDA1 $ 44.2



$ 26.1



69 %

55 %

$ 69.2



$ 35.5



95 %

77 % (1) For discussion of non-GAAP financial measures, see Note 1 following the Financial Statements in this news release. Percentage variances in the Asia Pacific Performance Highlights below are calculated and presented on a local currency basis, unless otherwise noted.

Asia Pacific's double-digit fee revenue increase reflected a rebound in transaction-based revenue. A continued increase in large-deal transactions, including an outsized deal in Australia, drove revenue expansion in Capital Markets. Growth in Leasing was led by Australia, Greater China and India, primarily due to a pick-up in office volumes and ongoing strength in industrial. Significant business growth continued in Valuation Advisory, notably in Australia, which led the revenue increase in Advisory, Consulting and Other.

Adjusted EBITDA margin for the quarter, calculated on a fee-revenue basis, was 16.3% in USD (16.1% in local currency), compared with 13.1% in 2020. The margin expansion was attributable to growth in transaction-based revenue, partially offset by the notable benefit from government relief programs in the prior year.

LaSalle Second-Quarter 2021 Performance Highlights:

LaSalle

($ in millions, "LC" = local currency) Three Months Ended June 30,

%

Change

in USD

%

Change

in LC

Six Months Ended June 30,

%

Change

in USD

%

Change

in LC 2021

2020





2021

2020



Revenue $ 115.8



$ 99.9



16 %

12 %

$ 207.0



$ 204.8



1 %

(2) % Reimbursements(a) (2.4)



(1.1)



118



115



(3.9)



(2.9)



34



26

Revenue before reimbursements $ 113.4



$ 98.8



15 %

11 %

$ 203.1



$ 201.9



1 %

(3) % Gross contract costs(a) (4.9)



(3.8)



29



29



(9.3)



(8.3)



12



12

Fee revenue1 $ 108.5



$ 95.0



14 %

10 %

$ 193.8



$ 193.6



 %

(3) % Advisory fees(a) 84.9



76.5



11



6



164.2



158.5



4



(1)

Transaction fees & other(a) 8.4



4.3



95



94



14.4



15.2



(5)



(7)

Incentive fees 15.2



14.2



7



6



15.2



19.9



(24)



(24)

Equity earnings (losses) $ 23.3



$ 11.3



106 %

107 %

$ 36.3



$ (29.0)



225 %

224 % Segment income (loss) $ 39.8



$ 25.4



57 %

56 %

$ 59.2



$ (0.7)



n.m.

n.m. Adjusted EBITDA1 $ 41.1



$ 26.8



53 %

51 %

$ 62.0



$ 2.4



n.m.

n.m. (a) Gross contract costs are primarily within Advisory fees and Reimbursements are primarily within Other. (1) For discussion of non-GAAP financial measures, see Note 1 following the Financial Statements in this news release. Percentage variances in the LaSalle Performance Highlights below are calculated and presented on a local currency basis, unless otherwise noted.

LaSalle advisory fee growth was concentrated in the core open-end funds and partially due to recent valuation increases in assets under management.

Equity earnings in the current quarter were driven by increases to the estimated fair value of underlying real estate investments within LaSalle's co-investment portfolio across asset classes and geographies.

Adjusted EBITDA margin for the quarter, calculated on a fee-revenue basis, was 37.9% in USD (38.7% in local currency), compared with 28.2% last year. Margin improvement was driven by higher equity earnings as well as an increase in productivity of the asset management platform, partially offset by the impact from deferred compensation expense relating to incentive fees in prior years.

About JLL

JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management. JLL shapes the future of real estate for a better world by using the most advanced technology to create rewarding opportunities, amazing spaces and sustainable real estate solutions for our clients, our people and our communities. JLL is a Fortune 500 company with annual revenue of $16.6 billion in 2020, operations in over 80 countries and a global workforce of more than 92,000 as of June 30, 2021. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit ir.jll.com.

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Live Webcast

Conference Call Management will offer a live webcast for shareholders, analysts and investment professionals on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern. Following the live broadcast, an audio replay will be available for download or stream.

Refer to ir.jll.com for a registration link to receive unique credentials to access the presentation of earnings via phone. The link to the live webcast and audio replay can be accessed at the Investor Relations website: ir.jll.com.









Supplemental Information

Contact Supplemental information regarding the second quarter 2021 earnings call has been posted to the Investor Relations section of JLL's website: ir.jll.com.

If you have any questions, please contact Chris Stent, Executive Managing Director of Investor Relations and Corporate Finance:

Phone: +1 312 252 8943

Email: [email protected]

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this news release regarding, among other things, future financial results and performance, achievements, plans, objectives and shares repurchases may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including but not limited to, the material adverse effect that the pandemic is having on JLL's business, which may cause the company's actual results, performance, achievements, plans, and objectives to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For additional information concerning risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements, and risks to the company's business in general, please refer to those factors discussed under "Business," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk," and elsewhere in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release, and except to the extent required by applicable securities laws, management expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in expectations or results, or any change in events.

JONES LANG LASALLE INCORPORATED Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)



Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30, (in millions, except share and per share data) 2021

2020

2021

2020















Revenue before reimbursements $ 2,507.5



$ 1,828.5



$ 4,637.1



$ 4,061.5

Reimbursements 1,987.5



1,841.9



3,895.0



3,704.9

Total Revenue $ 4,495.0



$ 3,670.4



$ 8,532.1



$ 7,766.4

















Operating expenses:













Compensation and benefits $ 1,551.3



$ 1,175.3



$ 2,885.7



$ 2,499.8

Operating, administrative and other 659.3



557.3



1,303.6



1,332.1

Reimbursed expenses 1,987.5



1,841.9



3,895.0



3,704.9

Depreciation and amortization 54.5



56.9



107.5



111.9

Restructuring and acquisition charges3 18.1



28.2



35.3



42.3

Total operating expenses 4,270.7



3,659.6



8,227.1



7,691.0

















Operating income 224.3



10.8



305.0



75.4

















Interest expense, net of interest income 10.6



14.9



21.0



29.5

Equity earnings (losses) 40.8



14.7



89.3



(13.6)

Other (loss) income (0.2)



5.2



11.6



6.1

















Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest 254.3



15.8



384.9



38.4

Income tax provision 54.9



1.5



83.1



6.5

Net income 199.4



14.3



301.8



31.9

















Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest (0.6)



(0.9)



(1.2)



11.4

















Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 200.0



$ 15.2



$ 303.0



$ 20.5

















Basic earnings per common share $ 3.90



$ 0.29



$ 5.91



$ 0.40

Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in 000's) 51,288



51,635



51,231



51,623

















Diluted earnings per common share $ 3.82



$ 0.29



$ 5.80



$ 0.39

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in 000's) 52,324



52,173



52,253



52,305

















Please reference accompanying financial statement notes.

JONES LANG LASALLE INCORPORATED Selected Segment Financial Data (Unaudited)



Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30, (in millions) 2021

2020

2021

2020 AMERICAS - REAL ESTATE SERVICES













Compensation, operating and administrative expenses $ 1,064.8



$ 805.3



$ 1,979.4



$ 1,815.6

Depreciation and amortization 34.3



39.1



67.4



76.5

Total segment operating expenses, excluding reimbursed 1,099.1



844.4



2,046.8



1,892.1

Gross contract costs1 (220.3)



(192.3)



(436.1)



(405.1)

Total fee-based segment operating expenses $ 878.8



$ 652.1



$ 1,610.7



$ 1,487.0

















Segment operating income $ 190.1



$ 39.6



$ 300.6



$ 121.5

Equity earnings 16.5



2.9



51.0



15.6

Total segment income 206.6



42.5



351.6



137.1

Add:













Depreciation and amortization 34.3



39.1



67.4



76.5

Other income 







12.0





Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest 0.7



1.0



1.3



(11.3)

Adjustments:













Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity (5.7)



(8.6)



(15.4)



(7.0)

Gain on disposition 







(12.0)





Adjusted EBITDA1 $ 235.9



$ 74.0



$ 404.9



$ 195.3

















EMEA - REAL ESTATE SERVICES













Compensation, operating and administrative expenses $ 621.0



$ 481.8



$ 1,208.7



$ 1,066.2

Depreciation and amortization 11.0



9.0



21.9



18.2

Total segment operating expenses, excluding reimbursed 632.0



490.8



1,230.6



1,084.4

Gross contract costs1 (258.7)



(189.4)



(510.0)



(452.0)

Total fee-based segment operating expenses $ 373.3



$ 301.4



$ 720.6



$ 632.4

















Segment operating income (loss) $ 0.3



$ (33.4)



$ (35.5)



$ (53.9)

Equity earnings 













Total segment income (loss) 0.3



(33.4)



(35.5)



(53.9)

Add:













Depreciation and amortization 11.0



9.0



21.9



18.2

Other (expense) income (0.1)



5.5







6.3

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 











(0.1)

Adjustments:













Gain on disposition 



(4.8)







(4.8)

Adjusted EBITDA1 $ 11.2



$ (23.7)



$ (13.6)



$ (34.3)



JONES LANG LASALLE INCORPORATED Selected Segment Financial Data (Unaudited) Continued









Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30, (in millions) 2021

2020

2021

2020 ASIA PACIFIC - REAL ESTATE SERVICES













Compensation, operating and administrative expenses $ 429.5



$ 362.6



$ 824.3



$ 780.1

Depreciation and amortization 7.6



7.0



14.9



13.6

Total segment operating expenses, excluding reimbursed 437.1



369.6



839.2



793.7

Gross contract costs1 (201.0)



(189.5)



(406.7)



(439.0)

Total fee-based segment operating expenses $ 236.1



$ 180.1



$ 432.5



$ 354.7

















Segment operating income $ 35.5



$ 18.7



$ 52.3



$ 21.8

Equity earnings (losses) 1.0



0.5



2.0



(0.2)

Total segment income 36.5



19.2



54.3



21.6

Add:













Depreciation and amortization 7.6



7.0



14.9



13.6

Other income (expense) 0.1



(0.1)







0.3

Adjusted EBITDA1 $ 44.2



$ 26.1



$ 69.2



$ 35.5

















LASALLE













Compensation, operating and administrative expenses $ 95.3



$ 82.9



$ 176.9



$ 170.0

Depreciation and amortization 1.6



1.8



3.3



3.6

Total segment operating expenses, excluding reimbursed 96.9



84.7



180.2



173.6

Gross contract costs1 (4.9)



(3.8)



(9.3)



(8.3)

Total fee-based segment operating expenses $ 92.0



$ 80.9



$ 170.9



$ 165.3

















Segment operating income $ 16.5



$ 14.1



$ 22.9



$ 28.3

Equity earnings (losses) 23.3



11.3



36.3



(29.0)

Total segment income (loss) 39.8



25.4



59.2



(0.7)

Add:













Depreciation and amortization 1.6



1.8



3.3



3.6

Other expense (0.2)



(0.4)



(0.4)



(0.5)

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest (0.1)



(0.6)



(0.1)





Adjusted EBITDA1 $ 41.1



$ 26.8



$ 62.0



$ 2.4



JONES LANG LASALLE INCORPORATED Summarized Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

Six Months Ended June 30, (in millions) 2021

2020







Cash used in operating activities $ (246.1)



$ (44.7)









Cash used in investing activities (213.8)



(109.4)









Cash provided by financing activities 314.7



114.1









Effect of currency exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (9.7)



(15.1)









Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ (154.9)



$ (55.1)









Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of year 839.8



652.1









Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period $ 684.9



$ 597.0









Please reference accompanying financial statement notes.

JONES LANG LASALLE INCORPORATED Consolidated Balance Sheets







June 30,

December 31,







June 30,

December 31, (in millions, except share and per share data) 2021

2020







2021

2020 ASSETS (Unaudited)





LIABILITIES AND EQUITY (Unaudited)



Current assets:







Current liabilities:







Cash and cash equivalents $ 494.0



$ 574.3





Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 1,034.6



$ 1,229.8



Trade receivables, net of allowance 1,584.1



1,636.1





Reimbursable payables 1,042.3



1,154.5



Notes and other receivables 381.8



469.9





Accrued compensation & benefits 1,171.6



1,433.2



Reimbursable receivables 1,426.4



1,461.3





Short-term borrowings 102.5



62.0



Warehouse receivables 741.7



1,529.2





Short-term contract liability and deferred income 174.6



192.9



Short-term contract assets, net of allowance 286.0



265.8





Short-term acquisition-related obligations 25.4



91.7



Prepaid and other 414.0



517.1





Warehouse facilities 714.1



1,498.4





Total current assets 5,328.0



6,453.7





Short-term operating lease liability 157.6



165.7

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation 683.8



663.9





Other 219.4



299.6

Operating lease right-of-use asset 694.3



707.4







Total current liabilities 4,642.1



6,127.8

Goodwill 4,205.1



4,224.7



Noncurrent liabilities:





Identified intangibles, net of accumulated amortization 672.5



679.8





Credit facility, net of debt issuance costs (a) 336.7



(8.7)

Investments in real estate ventures 614.0



430.8





Long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs 687.9



702.0

Long-term receivables 281.5



231.1





Long-term deferred tax liabilities, net 110.6



120.0

Deferred tax assets, net 285.8



296.5





Deferred compensation 485.4



450.0

Deferred compensation plans 503.5



446.3





Long-term acquisition-related obligations 19.1



26.2

Other 186.6



182.3





Long-term operating lease liability 691.1



683.9





Total assets $ 13,455.1



$ 14,316.5





Other 575.0



597.5



















Total liabilities $ 7,547.9



$ 8,698.7



































Redeemable noncontrolling interest $ 7.5



$ 7.8





























Company shareholders' equity:















Common stock 0.5



0.5

















Additional paid-in capital 2,040.6



2,023.3













Retained earnings 4,278.9



3,975.9

















Treasury stock (122.3)



(96.1)





Shares held in trust (5.3)



(5.6)















Accumulated other comprehensive loss (383.1)



(377.2)















Total company shareholders' equity 5,809.3



5,520.8











Noncontrolling interest 90.4



89.2













Total equity 5,899.7



5,610.0

















Total liabilities and equity $ 13,455.1



$ 14,316.5



























Please reference accompanying financial statement notes.

(a) As there was no outstanding balance on the Credit facility as of December 31, 2020, the negative liability reflected unamortized debt issuance costs.

JONES LANG LASALLE INCORPORATED

Financial Statement Notes

1. Management uses certain non-GAAP financial measures to develop budgets and forecasts, measure and reward performance against those budgets and forecasts, and enhance comparability to prior periods. These measures are believed to be useful to investors and other external stakeholders as supplemental measures of core operating performance and include the following:

(i) Fee revenue and Fee-based operating expenses,

(ii) Adjusted EBITDA attributable to common shareholders ("Adjusted EBITDA") and Adjusted EBITDA margin,

(iii) Adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders and Adjusted diluted earnings per share, and

(iv) Percentage changes against prior periods, presented on a local currency basis.

However, non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered alternatives to measures determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Any measure that eliminates components of a company's capital structure, cost of operations or investments, or other results has limitations as a performance measure. In light of these limitations, management also considers GAAP financial measures and does not rely solely on non-GAAP financial measures. Because the company's non-GAAP financial measures are not calculated in accordance with GAAP, they may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

Adjustments to GAAP Financial Measures Used to Calculate non-GAAP Financial Measures

Gross Contract Costs represent certain costs associated with client-dedicated employees and third-party vendors and subcontractors and are indirectly reimbursed through the fees we receive. These costs are presented on a gross basis in Operating expenses with the equal amount of corresponding fees in Revenue before reimbursements. Consistent with the treatment of directly reimbursed expenses, excluding gross contract costs from both Fee revenue and Fee-based operating expenses more accurately reflects how the company manages its expense base and operating margins and also enables a more consistent performance assessment across a portfolio of contracts with varying payment terms and structures, including those with direct versus indirect reimbursement of such costs.

Net Non-Cash Mortgage Servicing Rights ("MSR") and Mortgage Banking Derivative Activity consists of the balances presented within Revenue composed of (i) derivative gains/losses resulting from mortgage banking loan commitment and warehousing activity and (ii) gains recognized from the retention of MSR upon origination and sale of mortgage loans, offset by (iii) amortization of MSR intangible assets over the period that net servicing income is projected to be received. Non-cash derivative gains/losses resulting from mortgage banking loan commitment and warehousing activity are calculated as the estimated fair value of loan commitments and subsequent changes thereof, primarily represented by the estimated net cash flows associated with future servicing rights. MSR gains and corresponding MSR intangible assets are calculated as the present value of estimated cash flows over the estimated mortgage servicing periods. The above activity is reported entirely within Revenue of the Capital Markets service line of the Americas segment. Excluding net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity reflects how the company manages and evaluates performance because the excluded activity is non-cash in nature.

Restructuring and Acquisition Charges primarily consist of: (i) severance and employment-related charges, including those related to external service providers, incurred in conjunction with a structural business shift, which can be represented by a notable change in headcount, change in leadership or transformation of business processes; (ii) acquisition, transaction and integration-related charges, including fair value adjustments, which are generally non-cash in the periods such adjustments are made, to assets and liabilities recorded in purchase accounting such as earn-out liabilities and intangible assets; and (iii) lease exit charges. Such activity is excluded as the amounts are generally either non-cash in nature or the anticipated benefits from the expenditures would not likely be fully realized until future periods. Restructuring and acquisition charges are excluded from segment operating results and therefore not a line item in the segments' reconciliation to Adjusted EBITDA.

Amortization of Acquisition-Related Intangibles, primarily composed of the estimated fair value ascribed at closing of an acquisition to assets such as acquired management contracts, customer backlog and relationships, and trade name, is more notable following the company's increase in acquisition activity in recent years. Such non-cash activity is excluded as the change in period-over-period activity is generally the result of longer-term strategic decisions and therefore not necessarily indicative of core operating results.

Gain on Disposition reflects the gain recognized on the sale of a business within Americas in 2021 and the net gain recognized on the sale of property management businesses in continental Europe in 2020. Given the low frequency of business disposals by the company historically, the gain directly associated with such activity is excluded as it is not considered indicative of core operating performance.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Below are reconciliations of (i) Revenue to Fee revenue and (ii) Operating expenses to Fee-based operating expenses:



Three months ended June 30,

Six months ended June 30, ($ in millions) 2021

2020

2021

2020















Revenue $ 4,495.0



$ 3,670.4



$ 8,532.1



$ 7,766.4

Reimbursements (1,987.5)



(1,841.9)



(3,895.0)



(3,704.9)

Revenue before reimbursements 2,507.5



1,828.5



4,637.1



4,061.5

Gross contract costs (684.9)



(575.0)



(1,362.1)



(1,304.4)

Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity (5.7)



(8.6)



(15.4)



(7.0)

Fee revenue $ 1,816.9



$ 1,244.9



$ 3,259.6



$ 2,750.1

















Operating expenses $ 4,270.7



$ 3,659.6



$ 8,227.1



$ 7,691.0

Reimbursed expenses (1,987.5)



(1,841.9)



(3,895.0)



(3,704.9)

Gross contract costs (684.9)



(575.0)



(1,362.1)



(1,304.4)

Fee-based operating expenses $ 1,598.3



$ 1,242.7



$ 2,970.0



$ 2,681.7



Below is (i) a reconciliation of Net income attributable to common shareholders to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, (ii) the Net income margin attributable to common shareholders (against Revenue before reimbursements), and (iii) the Adjusted EBITDA margin (presented on a local currency and on a fee-revenue basis). Following this is the (i) reconciliation to adjusted net income and (ii) components of adjusted diluted earnings per share.



Three months ended June 30,

Six months ended June 30, ($ in millions) 2021

2020

2021

2020















Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 200.0



$ 15.2



$ 303.0



$ 20.5

Add:













Interest expense, net of interest income 10.6



14.9



21.0



29.5

Provision for income taxes 54.9



1.5



83.1



6.5

Depreciation and amortization 54.5



56.9



107.5



111.9

EBITDA $ 320.0



$ 88.5



$ 514.6



$ 168.4

Adjustments:













Restructuring and acquisition charges3 18.1



28.2



35.3



42.3

Gain on disposition 



(4.8)



(12.0)



(4.8)

Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity (5.7)



(8.6)



(15.4)



(7.0)

Adjusted EBITDA $ 332.4



$ 103.3



$ 522.5



$ 198.9

Net income margin attributable to common shareholders 8.0 %

0.8 %

6.5 %

0.5 % Adjusted EBITDA margin 18.5 %

8.3 %

16.2 %

7.2 %



Three months ended June 30,

Six months ended June 30, (In millions, except share and per share data) 2021

2020

2021

2020















Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 200.0



$ 15.2



$ 303.0



$ 20.5

Diluted shares (in thousands) 52,324



52,173



52,253



52,305

Diluted earnings per share $ 3.82



$ 0.29



$ 5.80



$ 0.39

















Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 200.0



$ 15.2



$ 303.0



$ 20.5

Adjustments:













Restructuring and acquisition charges3 18.1



28.2



35.3



42.3

Net non-cash MSR and mortgage banking derivative activity (5.7)



(8.6)



(15.4)



(7.0)

Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles 13.3



14.4



26.3



28.9

Gain on disposition 



(4.8)



(12.0)



(4.8)

Tax impact of adjusted items(a) (5.6)



(7.6)



(7.4)



(17.3)

Adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders $ 220.1



$ 36.8



$ 329.8



$ 62.6

Diluted shares (in thousands) 52,324



52,173



52,253



52,305

Adjusted diluted earnings per share $ 4.20



$ 0.71



$ 6.31



$ 1.20





(a) For the first and second quarter of 2021, the tax impact of adjusted items was calculated using the consolidated effective tax rate as this was deemed to approximate the tax impact of adjusted items calculated using applicable statutory tax rates. The tax impact of adjusted items for the first and second quarter of 2020 was calculated using the applicable statutory rates by tax jurisdiction.

Operating Results - Local Currency

In discussing operating results, the company reports Adjusted EBITDA margins and refers to percentage changes in local currency, unless otherwise noted. Amounts presented on a local currency basis are calculated by translating the current period results of foreign operations to U.S. dollars using the foreign currency exchange rates from the comparative period. Management believes this methodology provides a framework for assessing performance and operations excluding the effect of foreign currency fluctuations.

The following table reflects the reconciliation to local currency amounts for consolidated (i) revenue, (ii) fee revenue, (iii) operating income and (iv) Adjusted EBITDA.



Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30, ($ in millions) 2021

% Change

2021

% Change Revenue:













At current period exchange rates $ 4,495.0



22 %

$ 8,532.1



10 % Impact of change in exchange rates (163.6)



n/a



(273.8)



n/a

At comparative period exchange rates $ 4,331.4



18 %

$ 8,258.3



6 %















Fee revenue:













At current period exchange rates $ 1,816.9



46 %

$ 3,259.6



19 % Impact of change in exchange rates (64.1)



n/a



(104.6)



n/a

At comparative period exchange rates $ 1,752.8



41 %

$ 3,155.0



15 %















Operating income:













At current period exchange rates $ 224.3



n.m.



$ 305.0



305 % Impact of change in exchange rates (6.1)



n/a



(7.4)



n/a

At comparative period exchange rates $ 218.2



n.m.



$ 297.6



295 %















Adjusted EBITDA:













At current period exchange rates $ 332.4



222 %

$ 522.5



163 % Impact of change in exchange rates (7.6)



n/a



(10.2)



n/a

At comparative period exchange rates $ 324.8



215 %

$ 512.3



158 %

2. Each geographic segment offers the company's full range of RES businesses consisting primarily of (i) tenant representation and agency leasing, (ii) capital markets, (iii) property management and facilities management, (iv) project and development services, and (v) advisory, consulting and valuations services. LaSalle provides investment management services to institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals.

3. Restructuring and acquisition charges are excluded from the company's measure of segment operating results, although they are included within consolidated Operating income calculated in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of segment operating results, the allocation of restructuring and acquisition charges to the segments is not a component of management's assessment of segment performance.

The table below shows restructuring and acquisition charges, including the portion related to the acquisition and integration of HFF (retention and severance expense, early lease termination costs, and other integration expenses).



Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30, (in millions) 2021

2020

2021

2020 Severance and other employment-related charges $ (0.9)



$ 7.0



$ 0.9



$ 8.3

Restructuring, pre-acquisition and post-acquisition charges 17.9



20.6



33.4



41.6

Fair value adjustments that resulted in a net increase (decrease) to earn-out liabilities

from prior-period acquisition activity 1.1



0.6



1.0



(7.6)

Total restructuring & acquisition charges $ 18.1



$ 28.2



$ 35.3



$ 42.3

Portion of total restructuring & acquisition charges related to the acquisition and

integration of HFF $ 12.4



$ 20.1



$ 23.9



$ 41.4



4. The consolidated statements of cash flows are presented in summarized form. For complete consolidated statements of cash flows, please refer to the company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, to be filed with the SEC in the near future.

5. As of June 30, 2021, LaSalle had a record $73.4 billion of real estate assets under management (AUM), composed of $37.7 billion invested in separate accounts, $31.0 billion invested in fund management vehicles and $4.7 billion invested in public securities. The geographic distribution of separate accounts and fund management investments was $23.0 billion in North America, $14.8 billion in the UK, $12.9 billion in Asia Pacific and $11.2 billion in continental Europe. The remaining $6.8 billion relates to Global Partner Solutions which is a global business line.

AUM increased 4% in USD (6% in local currency) from $70.9 billion as of March 31, 2021. The AUM increase resulted from (i) $3.3 billion of net valuation increases, and (ii) $1.9 billion of acquisitions, partially offset by (iii) $1.6 billion of dispositions and withdrawals, and $1.1 billion of foreign currency decreases.

Assets under management data for separate accounts and fund management amounts are reported on a one-quarter lag. In addition, LaSalle raised $1.4 billion in private equity capital for the quarter ended June 30, 2021.

LaSalle's results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, included $2.3 million and $6.4 million, respectively, of deferred compensation expense associated with the run-off of a previous compensation program.

6. EMEA: Europe, Middle East and Africa. MENA: Middle East and North Africa. Greater China: China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.

7. The company renamed its Corporate Solutions business to "JLL Work Dynamics" effective June 2021.

8. n.m.: "not meaningful", represented by a percentage change of greater than 1,000%, favorably or unfavorably.

Appendix: Revenue, Revenue before Reimbursements and Fee Revenue by Service Line



Three months ended June 30, 2021

Three months ended June 30, 2020 (in millions) Americas EMEA Asia Pacific

Total

Americas EMEA Asia Pacific

Total Revenue





















Leasing $ 484.2

74.0

52.7



$ 610.9



$ 278.1

46.7

33.8



$ 358.6

Capital Markets 296.0

99.4

53.0



448.4



140.8

50.0

24.0



214.8

Property & Facility Management 1,517.2

361.9

587.5



2,466.6



1,439.5

320.5

515.2



2,275.2

Project & Development Services 303.0

204.8

109.9



617.7



275.3

164.3

97.2



536.8

Advisory, Consulting and Other 101.1

69.7

64.8



235.6



95.3

44.7

45.1



185.1

RES revenue $ 2,701.5

809.8

867.9



$ 4,379.2



$ 2,229.0

626.2

715.3



$ 3,570.5

LaSalle







115.8











99.9

Consolidated revenue







$ 4,495.0











$ 3,670.4

























Revenue before reimbursements





















Leasing $ 480.7

73.8

52.6



$ 607.1



$ 275.0

46.6

33.7



$ 355.3

Capital Markets 295.8

99.4

51.9



447.1



140.4

50.0

23.2



213.6

Property & Facility Management 304.0

215.5

228.2



747.7



272.9

154.6

217.8



645.3

Project & Development Services 125.8

176.6

76.5



378.9



116.4

150.6

68.9



335.9

Advisory, Consulting and Other 82.8

67.1

63.4



213.3



79.3

55.5

44.7



179.5

RES revenue before reimbursements $ 1,289.1

632.4

472.6



$ 2,394.1



$ 884.0

457.3

388.3



$ 1,729.6

LaSalle







113.4











98.9

Consolidated revenue before reimbursements







$ 2,507.5











$ 1,828.5

























Fee revenue





















Leasing $ 473.1

70.3

48.6



$ 592.0



$ 267.0

45.5

31.3



$ 343.8

Capital Markets 289.1

92.6

50.8



432.5



131.5

46.3

21.6



199.4

Property & Facility Management 154.2

83.9

79.7



317.8



147.3

66.2

74.4



287.9

Project & Development Services 92.5

64.2

34.4



191.1



91.1

58.8

28.7



178.6

Advisory, Consulting and Other 54.3

62.6

58.1



175.0



46.2

51.2

42.8



140.2

RES fee revenue $ 1,063.2

373.6

271.6



$ 1,708.4



$ 683.1

268.0

198.8



$ 1,149.9

LaSalle







108.5











95.0

Consolidated fee revenue







$ 1,816.9











$ 1,244.9



Appendix: Revenue, Revenue before Reimbursements and Fee Revenue by Service Line (continued)



Six months ended June 30, 2021

Six months ended June 30, 2020 (in millions) Americas EMEA Asia Pacific

Total

Americas EMEA Asia Pacific

Total Revenue





















Leasing $ 847.9

128.4

84.1



$ 1,060.4



$ 697.0

94.8

59.2



$ 851.0

Capital Markets 512.9

173.6

82.3



768.8



388.2

123.2

45.7



557.1

Property & Facility Management 3,012.0

706.0

1,162.6



4,880.6



2,898.3

695.5

1,047.2



4,641.0

Project & Development Services 572.8

388.5

208.2



1,169.5



581.7

367.5

192.0



1,141.2

Advisory, Consulting and Other 199.8

129.5

116.5



445.8



186.9

101.1

83.3



371.3

RES revenue $ 5,145.4

1,526.0

1,653.7



$ 8,325.1



$ 4,752.1

1,382.1

1,427.4



$ 7,561.6

LaSalle







207.0











204.8

Consolidated revenue







$ 8,532.1











$ 7,766.4

























Revenue before reimbursements





















Leasing $ 840.6

128.2

84.0



$ 1,052.8



$ 689.9

94.6

59.1



$ 843.6

Capital Markets 513.0

173.5

80.6



767.1



386.4

123.1

43.7



553.2

Property & Facility Management 598.5

429.3

468.0



1,495.8



540.8

365.2

483.9



1,389.9

Project & Development Services 231.9

338.1

144.8



714.8



237.7

336.6

146.2



720.5

Advisory, Consulting and Other 163.3

126.1

114.1



403.5



158.8

111.0

82.6



352.4

RES revenue before reimbursements $ 2,347.3

1,195.2

891.5



$ 4,434.0



$ 2,013.6

1,030.5

815.5



$ 3,859.6

LaSalle







203.1











201.9

Consolidated revenue before reimbursements







$ 4,637.1











$ 4,061.5

























Fee revenue





















Leasing $ 824.5

120.6

76.4



$ 1,021.5



$ 672.6

92.5

53.9



$ 819.0

Capital Markets 495.7

162.9

79.2



737.8



378.1

115.1

40.3



533.5

Property & Facility Management 300.7

160.9

160.9



622.5



276.0

144.1

147.7



567.8

Project & Development Services 173.8

123.4

64.0



361.2



184.5

124.9

57.5



366.9

Advisory, Consulting and Other 101.2

117.3

104.3



322.8



90.3

101.9

77.1



269.3

RES fee revenue $ 1,895.9

685.1

484.8



$ 3,065.8



$ 1,601.5

578.5

376.5



$ 2,556.5

LaSalle







193.8











193.6

Consolidated fee revenue







$ 3,259.6











$ 2,750.1



SOURCE JLL-IR
FAIRFAX, Va., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Knowesis, Inc. (Knowesis) announces the follow-on contract award in support to the Army Public Health Center (APHC), a field operating agency of the U.S. Army Medical Command, in Edgewood Maryland.

The APHC enhances Army readiness by identifying and assessing current and emerging health threats, developing and communicating public health solutions, and assuring the quality and effectiveness of the Army's Public Health Enterprise.

Our work will continue to promote and support APHC's technical and business directorates in the delivery of health surveillance, epidemiology, prevention and awareness, health promotion, and laboratory research missions as well as closely monitor and provide visibility of public health programs. Our epidemiologists have designed and authored multiple studies relative to health (Hearing, Air Quality and Infectious Diseases) and to the effect of public behaviors and perceptions on health (COVID Vaccine, Persistence of Therapeutics). Knowesis provides expertise in the fields of program evaluation, epidemiology, medical surveillance, statistical analysis, toxicology, health education, and public health communication promoting healthy behaviors and mitigating risks, posed to the health of Soldiers, civilians, and the environment.

"It's a testament to the diligence and resilience of our staff providing public health services, so critical at this time," said Steve Flowers, Principal.

Knowesis is a Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE) certified Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), 8(a) Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned Small Business (EDWOSB), providing a full range of professional consulting services to federal and state government agencies to include: Computational Sciences, Information Management and Technology, Operations and Management, Policy and Program Evaluation, Scientific and Medical Research, and Communications. We currently support multiple entities within the Department of Defense, Veterans Affairs, Homeland Security and United States Agency for International Development.

Knowesis maintains offices in Fairfax, Virginia, with staff at locations across the United States. More information about the company can be found at www.knowesis-inc.com as well as on Facebook and Twitter .

SOURCE Knowesis Inc.

Related Links

http://www.knowesis-inc.com


NEW YORK, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- MRM, the leading marketing agency that is part of McCann Worldgroup, announced today it has been named to Fast Company's Third Annual list of The 100 Best Places to Work for Innovators.

Fast Company wrote that the organizations, leaders and teams it selected has created cultures of innovation because they "found ways to collaborate and invent despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, and in some cases applied their innovation prowess to the challenges of virtual work."

MRM was ranked #12 on the list, alongside General Motors, Nestle, Moderna, IBM, Ally Financial, Boston Scientific, P&G Ventures and many more global leaders.

Kate MacNevin, Global Chairwoman and CEO of MRM, said, "Being named to this list is an incredible honor, but it is no accident. To be recognized for fostering an inclusive culture of innovation against the backdrop of one of the most challenging global business environments in history speaks to our incredibly strong foundation of collaboration and inclusivity that knits our agency culture together. While we can celebrate being able to navigate and thrive during this past year, at the same time it is also incredibly humbling to be honored alongside vaccine maker Moderna, whose mission was literally to save the world."

MRM has been continually focused on reinventing the modern agency operation by embedding a culture of innovation in all facets of the organization. Those initiatives include: the dedicated LAB13 by MRM innovation labs around the world; established innovation programs like RapidVenture, a product incubator outside the agency's, and its clients', organizations; PURPLE BRIEF, MRM's proprietary start-up-like environment that ensures diversity of thought in client pitches. These ideas are just part of the process by which MRM has continually focused on reinventing the modern agency operation.

The 2021 honor by Fast Company follows other recognition for MRM this year, including being named the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) B2 Agency of the Year (Midsize) for the second year in a row; taking home the 2021 Automotive Agency of the Year title (Digital) from online magazine MediaPost; being named as a "Leader" in Gartner, Inc.'s Magic Quadrant for Global Marketing Agencies for the fifth year in a row (2017-2021); and, for the first time, having five MRM agencies named in WARC's top 40 effective digital agencies listing, as part of WARC's global Effective 100 ranking.

To see the complete Best Workplaces for Innovators list, go here: https://bit.ly/2WLWGzy

ABOUT MRM

MRM creatively engineers total human experiences. Through purposeful, dynamic intersections between strategy, creative, technology and data sciences, MRM operates in a borderless, integrated way, to allow for greater collaboration and velocityall to the service of helping businesses grow meaningful relationships with people. MRM is part of McCann Worldgroup and the Interpublic Group of companies (NYSE: IPG) and spans 35 offices across North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. For more information, please visit www.mrm.com .

SOURCE MRM

Related Links

https://www.mrm.com


TAIPEI, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- NaviFUS' focused ultrasound (FUS) therapy system (NaviFUS) was recently approved for use in a new clinical trial by the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA). It will be initiated shortly at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. The trial will investigate the "synergy" that FUS-mediated opening of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) has on improving the therapeutic effect of radiotherapy treatment in patients with end-stage primary brain tumors. Despite suffering from repeating surgeries, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, most of these patients will eventually face tumor recurrence. Currently, while there may not be any effective treatments guaranteed to prolong survival, NaviFUS hopes that this upcoming clinical trial can result in a new, low-risk, and "Patient Friendly" option for patients who have already exhausted first and second-line treatments or failed radiotherapy treatment previously. If this combined treatment can safely enhance the effect of radiotherapy, NaviFUS' believes this treatment can also be extended to metastatic brain tumors from lung cancer, breast cancer, etc. The market potential for this treatment is expected to be more than $2 billion US dollars.

The principle behind the "synergy" of this combined treatment is based on findings that the blood flow and oxygen concentration in the tumor area are often insufficient due to rapid proliferation of tumor cells. As a result of these hypoxic conditions, free radicals are not easily generated during radiation treatment, resulting in low radiotherapy efficacy; the opening of the blood-brain barrier is expected to change the tumor microenvironment by improving the blood flow and oxygen content of tumor tissues, which promotes the formation of free radicals and produces a radio-sensitization effect, so that the same dose of radiotherapy may bring better results without adding negative side effects.

NaviFUS has successively published research on how the opening of the BBB can enhance the therapeutic effect of radiotherapy last year at Focused Ultrasound Foundation's International Symposium on Focused Ultrasound and this year at International Symposium for Therapeutic Ultrasound (ISTU 2021). In preclinical studies, preliminary results confirmed that the oxygen content of brain tissue is significantly increased after opening the BBB, resulting in an enhanced radiotherapy and tumor-inhibiting effect. Under these conditions, low radiotherapy doses may yield high-dose therapeutic effects and significantly reduced serious side effects attributed to high-dose radiotherapy.

At the same time, NaviFUS is conducting a FUS-mediated BBB opening combined with bevacizumab (Avastin) clinical trial at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. After repeatedly opening the BBB and long-term treatment with Avastin, preliminary results have shown positive signs of superior tumor progression control at the tumor treatment sites in patients; NaviFUS plans to run a similar trial simultaneously at Stanford University, which they expect to be approved by the US FDA's IDE review before the end of the year.

Dr. Arthur Lung, Chief Executive Officer of NaviFUS, expresses great optimism about the therapeutic potential of the NaviFUS System. "If these two non-invasive FUS treatments for brain tumors can be successfully developed, they can offer non-invasive treatment options with improved efficacy and minimal side effects." As the NaviFUS System continues its development of next-generation treatments on its platform, it has garnered much interest worldwide and has partnered with organizations conducting clinical or academic research in FUS through its Research-Only FUS device. For further inquiries on this model, please contact NaviFUS directly.

SOURCE NaviFUS Corporation
The Park West collectors embraced this painter by engaging in competitive bidding while auctioneers Morris Shapiro and Rob Ducat brought to auction his collection of unique works. Each one of the 32 works for the online auction weekend was sold. The very last lot offered and sold came directly off the wall of his studio. Tunney, winner of Park West's 2017 Michigan Great Artist competition , was inspired early on by Rembrandt and his technique of impasto and glazes. Today Tunney paints using oils on panel to capture the beauty of life. Throughout the weekend, auction guests also collected works from iconic artists including Peter Max, Michael Godard, Nano Lopez, Anatole Krasnyansky, Duaiv, Martiros, Steve Hanks, and more.

"It was a memorable collecting experience this past weekend for both Park West collectors and Thomas Tunney," said Park West Founder and CEO Albert Scaglione. "The selection that we were able to offer at our online auctions was incredible, and Tunney now has some real work to do to replenish his collection! I believe the stimulation of this sellout and all these new collectors of his work will motivate him to reach even higher. I can't wait to see what the next few years hold for him at Park West."

Similar to the Michigan Great Artist competition, Park West is currently hosting a "Made in Vegas" artist search through their Park West Fine Art Museum & Gallery at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

Park West holds online art auctions every weekend, in addition to select auction events that the gallery hosts around the United States in luxury hotels. To participate in one of Park West's live-streaming art auction weekends, interested parties just need to fill out their online interest form and a personal concierge will get them scheduled for an upcoming weekend.

About Park West Gallery

Park West Gallery is the world's largest art dealer, bringing the experience of collecting fine art to more than 3 million customers since 1969. You can learn more about Park West Gallery, its cruise ship programs, and its over 50-year history at http://www.parkwestgallery.com

Park West also hosts live-streaming online art auctions every weekend. To learn more about Park West's online collecting events, visit https://www.parkwestgallery.com/online/

You can learn more about the artist Thomas Tunney here.

CONTACT: Kelsey Cleary, [email protected]

SOURCE Park West Gallery

Related Links

http://www.parkwestgallery.com


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.

(From left to right: Eboost CEO Evan LaGasse, middle: Principle CEO Ken Kusuyama, right: Eboost COO Chris Root)

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 trajectory 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.

[email protected]

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)

SOURCE Principle America
NEW YORK, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of DiDi Global Inc. f/k/a Xiaoju Kuaizhi Inc. ("DiDi" or the "Company") (NYSE: DIDI). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at [email protected] or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.

The investigation concerns whether DiDi and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On or around June 30, 2021, Didi conducted its initial public offering ("IPO"), selling approximately 316.8 million American Depositary Shares ("ADSs"), priced at $14.00 per ADS. Then, on July 2, 2021, the Cyberspace Administration of China ("CAC") stated that it had launched an investigation into DiDi to protect national security and the public interest. The CAC also reported that it had asked DiDi to stop new user registrations during the course of the investigation.

On this news, DiDi's ADS price fell $0.87 per ADS, or approximately 5.3%, to close at $15.33 per ADS on July 2, 2021.

Then, on July 4, 2021, DiDi reported that the CAC ordered smartphone app stores to stop offering the "DiDi Chuxing" app because it "collect[ed] personal information in violation of relevant PRC laws and regulations." Though users who previously downloaded the app could continue to use it, DiDi stated that "the app takedown may have an adverse impact on its revenue in China." Then, on July 5, 2021, The Wall Street Journal reported that the CAC had asked the Company as early as three months prior to the IPO to postpone the offering because of national security concerns and to "conduct a thorough self-examination of its network security."

On this news, DiDi's ADS price fell another $3.04 per share, or 19.6%, to close at $12.49 per share on July 6, 2021.

The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com.

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP

Related Links

www.pomerantzlaw.com


WASHINGTON, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The following are statements from Margaret Vo Schaus, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, and Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy on Wednesday's swearing in of Vo Schaus as NASA's Chief Financial Officer:

"I am honored to be sworn in by Administrator Bill Nelson, and I am grateful to President Biden for the opportunity to oversee NASA's budget and help carry out the agency's groundbreaking missions," Vo Schaus said. "The budget is more than just financial management  it is crucial to supporting the world's most talented workforce and maintaining mission support. I will uphold the agency's values in our efforts to create educational opportunities, combat climate change, build back better, and venture out farther into the cosmos than ever before. As a first-generation American, I am honored to join the Biden-Harris Administration and serve a country that has given my family so much. I am deeply grateful to my parents who, as Vietnamese refugees, overcame innumerable hurdles so their children could pursue the American dream. I wouldn't be here today without their sacrifices."

"I'm thrilled to welcome Margaret to the NASA family," Nelson said. "I know her many years in public service will serve her well as she works to bring NASA's goals and missions from concept to reality. I look forward to working with Margaret as NASA prepares to land the first woman and person of color on the Moon under the Artemis program, develops groundbreaking aerospace technologies, carries out next-generation Earth science, and revolutionizes the aviation sector."

"Under Margaret's leadership, NASA will advance its goals and missions and continue the agency's legacy as home to the best workforce in the world," Melroy said. "As an accomplished career civil servant with experience across many federal agencies, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to NASA. I am excited to welcome Margaret to the team, and I can't wait to see what we will accomplish together."

Vo Schaus is a career member of the Senior Executive Service. Over the past decade, she has held numerous leadership roles with responsibilities for the financial management and business operations of science and engineering organizations at the departments of Energy and Defense. She most recently served as the director for business operations in the Office of the Under Secretary of Research and Engineering at the Department of Defense, where she was responsible for oversight of a multibillion-dollar budget.

Vo Schaus has been recognized with awards including the Office of the Secretary of Defense's Exceptional Civilian Service Award, the Department of Energy's Distinguished Career Service Award, and the Secretary of Energy's Honor Award. She is a first-generation Vietnamese American, born in Michigan and raised in Southern California. She received her bachelor's in science, technology, and society, as well as English, from Stanford University, and her master's in management science and engineering from Stanford University.

For information about NASA's missions, discoveries, and activities, visit:

https://www.nasa.gov

SOURCE NASA

Related Links

http://www.nasa.gov


SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Synapse , a banking-as-a-service platform built to increase access to best-in-class financial products, today introduced the Synapse Credit Hub , a full-stack API platform built to support innovative credit solutions for individuals and businesses, leveraging the Mastercard network. With the Synapse Credit Hub platform, companies can now for the first time quickly offer a comprehensive suite of products including card issuance, credit-building tools, accounts, cashback rewards, and more.

The Synapse Credit Hub supports a new class of flexible, personalized accounts, cash advances and lines of credit for businesses, and increases access to credit-building and borrowing services for end-users. The Synapse platform also gives companies the ability to go to market in as little as six weeks with "out-of-the-box" access to multiple bank partnerships; a full suite of KYC and card issuance features; and a full stack of payment tools including ACH, checks, wires, bill pay, and card processing.

"Until now, nobody could provide a comprehensive solution that enables the developer to go live with a feature rich credit product in just weeks," said Sankaet Pathak, CEO of Synapse. "We created Synapse to democratize and drive innovation in fintech, and our Credit Hub operates alongside our deposit products to provide a full-featured digital banking experience. Now developers can bring credit products faster to market and iterate on Synapse's interface and intelligence to make credit products easier and smarter for everyday Americans."

The Synapse Credit Hub is enabling access to extended credit via a card, which will feature World Elite Mastercard benefits, advanced security features, contactless payments, and more. Synapse's Credit Hub loans will be issued by Synapse Credit LLC, Synapse's lending subsidiary.

"Today's digital world requires modern payments solutions, and Synapse shares our vision of simplifying financial services to create more value for consumers and businesses alike," said Sherri Haymond, executive vice president, Digital Partnerships at Mastercard.

The various types of credit accounts offer different services, such as Buy Now Pay Later, Spend Card, Credit Builder or a simple credit card. Types of use cases immediately available include:

Credit Card  Issue a secured or unsecured revolving loan and a card to unlock a traditional credit card experience for customers.

 Issue a secured or unsecured revolving loan and a card to unlock a traditional credit card experience for customers. Spend Card  Enable cardholders to enjoy flexible credit limits based on the cash on hand, spend on a credit BIN for cashback rewards, or build credit.

 Enable cardholders to enjoy flexible credit limits based on the cash on hand, spend on a credit BIN for cashback rewards, or build credit. Buy Now Pay Later  Issue one time loans to your customers to enable online or in-person shopping. Either disburse the loan via a card issued by you or in an external account via ACH or Push to Card.

 Issue one time loans to your customers to enable online or in-person shopping. Either disburse the loan via a card issued by you or in an external account via ACH or Push to Card. Credit Builder  Issue one-time or revolving loans to enable customers to build credit.

The Credit Hub builds on Synapse's Deposit Hub, which makes it faster and easier for fintech companies to launch and scale foundational financial products to their customers. The company has raised $50 million to date, led by Andreessen Horowitz, Trinity Ventures, and Core Innovation Capital.

For more information on the Synapse Credit Hub, please visit us on the web at https://synapsefi.com .

About Synapse

Synapse was founded in 2014 with the mission to ensure that everyone around the world has access to best-in-class financial products, regardless of their net worth. Synapse's banking-as-a-service platform provides payment, card issuance, deposit, lending, compliance, credit and investment products as APIs. With white-labeled APIs for developers, and bank-facing APIs for institutions to automate their back-end operations, Synapse customers can build, launch and scale best in class financial products and services. In 2019, Synapse raised over $33 million in Series B funding, led by Andreessen Horowitz. For more information, please visit https://synapsefi.com .

Contact:

Lexi Wangler

[email protected]

SOURCE Synapse

Related Links

https://synapsefi.com


SINGAPORE, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Singapore-based AI company TAIGER announced today the veteran technology executive, Stephen Watts, has joined the company as its Chief Operating Officer.

Watts brings to TAIGER extensive global leadership in software and services. He has a proven track record of driving transformative growth in early stage and global operations. He served as President and COO of SAP across Asia Pacific Japan from 2007 to 2013, leading the company's massive revenue acceleration to over 2.6Billion annually before focusing on his passion for early-stage companies in software technology industries.

Steve's appointment is a clear reflection of the immediacy of opportunity that TAIGER is capturing. "Steve is a force of nature in the technology industry. His leadership and operational vision accelerate our momentum in service of our customers and as a strategic partner enabling growth at scale." said Sinuhe Arroyo, founder and Chief Executive Officer at TAIGER. "We are on a mission to unlock better growth and productivity in every global enterprise through hybrid A.I. Steve's joining lends a strong hand and it's perfectly timed as we accelerate globally."

TAIGER is present in Singapore, Madrid, Moscow, Dubai and Mexico with more than 50 global projects across various industries. Today's announcement builds on the earlier appointment of long time IBM executive Bruno Di Leo to the TAIGER Board of Directors as the company accelerates its success in the automation of mission-critical and cognitive processes with their natural language processing and hybrid AI technology.

"TAIGER has an exciting vision and tremendous technological capabilities that bring new opportunities to businesses and government agencies globally, expanding a critical market segment within the information technology industry," said Watts. "Customers are leveraging TAIGER solutions to reinvent yesterday's business processes and unlock business value in real time. I am excited to join this incredible team at this inflection of growth and customer success."

About TAIGER

TAIGER unlocks better growth for enterprises by giving them the tools to automate complex cognitive tasks in end to end operations. Its hybrid AI platform, Omnitive has helped global banks and financial institutions like Banco Santander and Otkritie Bank, and various government agencies in Singapore accelerate digital transformation and maximise ROI. TAIGER's technology is accredited by Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and has won numerous industry awards and recognition including Gartner's Hype Cycle for Natural Language Technology and Ontology in 2020 and IDC innovator in AI in 2019. TAIGER is headquartered in Singapore with presence in Madrid, Dubai and Mexico City.

For more information, visit www.taiger.com or follow us @taiger on LinkedIn.

Contacts:

Joshua Kwah

[email protected]

+65-9657-0242

Daniel Lee

[email protected]

+65-9636-4943

SOURCE TAIGER

Related Links

http://www.taiger.com


CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Independence Fund is proud to announce the inclusion of Afghan and Iraqi combat interpreters who served alongside American troops in programming eligibility.

The Independence Fund knows that the more than 800,000 brave men and women who served in Afghanistan can attribute a great deal of their success to the valuable addition the Afghan allies took to help protect and defend their country. Because of this critical assistance that was shown to our Servicemembers when they were deployed, we, as a nation, owe it to them to assist in their time of need.

"As the wife and caregiver of a catastrophically wounded Veteran who suffered life changing wounds in Afghanistan, I'm grateful that our organization honors these interpreters for the heroes that they are," said Sarah Verardo, CEO of The Independence Fund. "Keeping our promise to our allies is the right thing to do and is an integral part of our national security."

The Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program was created to protect Afghan allies who risked their lives helping U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Despite its promise, the program has been plagued by backlogs since it launched in 2009, leaving tens of thousands of Afghans in dire need of support.

The current Administration recently took steps to speed up SIV processing, making good on the U.S.' commitment to help its vulnerable allies. Starting at the end of July and in the coming weeks, thousands of SIV applicants will be evacuated from Afghanistan and hosted at a U.S. government facility in Virginia, where they will receive services to help them rebuild their lives in the U.S.

There are more than 18,000 applications in the current pipeline, impacting a potential total of 53,000 individuals including family members.

The Independence Fund has already worked alongside valuable partners such as No One Left Behind, Inc., the Interpreting Freedom Foundation, and the Special Operations Association of America to provide critical aide to our Afghan allies in as many ways as possible. The Independence Fund is expanding program eligibility to Afghan SIV individuals and their families.

Since 2019, The Independence Fund's Operation RESILIENCY program has encouraged unit reunions to include their interpreters living in the United States as valuable members of the formation.

In addition to fostering Operation RESILIENCY participation, The Independence Fund has opened eligibility to SIV families to include active case work, and financial grants specifically designated to food, housing, maintenance and travel related expenses.

Eligible individuals are encouraged to apply under the "Veteran application" tab at www.IndependenceFund.org

ABOUT THE INDEPENDENCE FUND:

Founded in 2007, The Independence Fund (501c3) is committed to empowering our nation's catastrophically wounded, injured, or ill Veterans to overcome physical, mental, and emotional wounds incurred in the line of duty. The Independence Fund is dedicated to improving the lives of Veterans and their families by providing tangible impact. Through the Fund's Mobility, Caregiver, Adaptive Sports, Advocacy, Suicide Prevention, Family, and Crisis Relief programs, The Independence Fund strives to bridge the gap of unmet needs for Veterans and their caregivers. The Independence Fund believes in fairness and equality for all veterans and families irrespective of race, gender, religion, and sexual orientation, and will continue to uphold these American values.

Media contact:

Ashley Skinner

[email protected]

SOURCE The Independence Fund

Related Links

independencefund.org


TowerBrook and Further Global Complete Acquisition of ProSight and Appoint Jonathan Ritz as CEO. Tweet this

"We are keenly focused on the expansion of ProSight's portfolio of specialty insurance products and positioning the company for long-term profitability," said Jonathan Ritz. Mr. Ritz added, "Building upon our existing programs and quality partnerships while enhancing our capabilities through targeted investment in people and technology will enable us to accelerate growth and provide our customers with a superior experience. This foundation has also allowed us to attract a Board comprised of a majority of independent directors who are accomplished financial services executives and share our vision, and as such, I am confident they will contribute meaningfully to our long-term success."

"Our newly constituted Board is excited to work with TowerBrook, Further Global and the ProSight executive team in maintaining a strong governance culture while supporting and encouraging the thoughtful expansion of ProSight's business," said Stan Galanski, newly appointed Chairman of the Board. Mr. Galanski was formerly President and CEO of The Navigators Group, Inc. Also joining as independent Directors are:

Michael Angelina, Former Chief Risk and Chief Actuary Officer for Endurance Specialty Holdings;

Karin Hirtler-Garvey, Former Chief Risk Officer for Ally Financial;

Andy Pinkes, Former EVP and Global Head of Claims and Insurance Operations for XL Group; and

Bruce Kessler, Retired SVP, Chubb Group and President of Ace Westchester Specialty.

About ProSight Global, Inc.

Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Morristown, New Jersey, ProSight is a specialty property and casualty insurance holding company, providing a wide range of property and liability solutions to customers across the United States. ProSight 's insurance company subsidiaries are rated "A-" (Excellent) by A.M. Best. To learn more about ProSight visit www.prosightspecialty.com.

About TowerBrook

TowerBrook Capital Partners L.P. is an investment management firm that has raised in excess of $17.4 billion to date and has a history of creating value for investors. The firm is co-headquartered in New York and London and focuses on making investments in companies headquartered in North America and Europe. TowerBrook's private equity strategy primarily pursues control-oriented investments in large and mid-market companies, principally on a proprietary basis and often in situations characterised by complexity. TowerBrook's structured opportunities strategy allows access to a broad array of opportunities, principally via structured asset and structured equity investments, enabling investment companies to access funding and expertise to support growth without ceding control. TowerBrook is a certified B Corporation. B Corporation certification is administered by the non-profit B Lab organisation and is awarded to companies that demonstrate leadership in their commitment to environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards and responsible business practices. For more information, please visit www.towerbrook.com.

About Further Global Capital Management

Further Global Capital Management is an employee-owned private equity firm that makes investments in businesses within the financial services industry. Further Global seeks to be a true partner with the management teams with whom it invests with an objective to be the "Capital Partner of Choice" to the industry. Further Global seeks out situations in which its extensive network, operational expertise and capital can drive significant value. Further Global has offices in New York and Toronto with broad support from its network of senior advisors and operating partners. For more information, please visit www.furtherglobal.com.

Media Contacts

TowerBrook:

Brunswick Group

Blake Sonnenshein / Alex Yankus

917.818.5204

[email protected]

ProSight:

Ric Victores

818.230.8216

[email protected]

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release may contain certain "forward-looking statements" (including "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of ProSight and certain plans and objectives of the Board of Directors of the company. All statements other than statements of historical or current facts included in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements often use words such as "anticipate", "target", "expect", "estimate", "intend", "plan", "goal", "believe", "will", "may", "should", "would", "could" or other words or terms of similar meaning. Such statements are based upon the company's current beliefs and expectations and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

Although the company believes the expectations contained in its forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove correct. The company undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Information on factors that may affect the business and financial results of the company can be found in the filings of the company made from time to time with the SEC. Unless indicated otherwise, the terms "ProSight," and "company" each refer collectively to ProSight and its subsidiaries.

SOURCE ProSight Global, Inc.
CHICAGO, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- 10 Roads Express (formerly Eagle Express) drivers work tirelessly to ensure the timely and efficient distribution of postal products. These drivers move the mail in semi-trucks between distribution centers seven days a week, often to neighboring states, in all weather conditions.

Following two elections to unionize the nearly 80 drivers at the Bedford Park and Romeoville locations, the Company's first response to their employees' democratic choice to unionize was to contest the validity of the election process. Next, the Company delayed negotiations by insisting the parties meet in person during the height of COVID-19. After Local 727 demanded safe meeting parameters, the Company hit the ground running with a multitude of bad faith actions and violations of labor law  including actions against union supporters.

Last week, 10 Roads made a final economic offer. While the Union has continuously extended olive branches and made concessions, 10 Roads' proposals have barely changed since bargaining began. One sticking point is healthcare; although participation in the Union's plan would increase the Company's cost per employee by only 48 cents, and is a far superior plan to what they currently offer, they refuse to budge. Adding insult to injury, the Company's final economic offer came in the form of a memo and included language allowing management to discontinue any extra pay at their discretion. Proposals like this are nothing more than surface bargaining used to delay negotiations and prevent an agreement.

Another issue is the alleged loss of USPS work at Bedford Park  a situation with obvious ramifications to the livelihoods of those employed there  and the Company's failure to provide concrete information. 10 Roads representatives told the Union there was "nothing on paper" about USPS allegedly ending the contract and insisted everything was discussed verbally.

"I find it hard to believe that the USPS, a federal agency that employs half a million people, would not send written communication about cancelling a contract. I have to believe there is something on paper  if nothing else, an email about logistics must exist. Either 10 Roads is lying and attempting to throw a wrench in negotiations, or they are refusing to provide information. Whatever it is, Local 727 will get to the bottom if it and make sure that the NLRB, the USPS, and the public know about 10 Roads' dishonest, bad behavior," said John Coli, Jr., Teamsters Local 727 Secretary-Treasurer. "It's time for the Company to come to the table and do the right thing. Stop hiding behind an allegedly canceled contract. They have no documentation; they can't even give us a date when it's supposed to happen. The Company must bargain a comprehensive collective bargaining agreement in good faith and respect its employees' democratic vote to unionize."

The Union will also be sending letters to the U.S. Post Master General and Senator Dick Durbin informing them of these actions.

Teamsters Local 727 represents nearly 10,000 hardworking men and women throughout the Chicago area.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico.

CONTACT: Tommy Wilcox, (847) 696-7500

Nothing in this article should be read as the union's waiver of any legal argument, position or grievance(s), or as a waiver of any rights, arguments, or defenses under any contract, collective bargaining agreement, or applicable law. The union does not forfeit its right to make any and all supplemental arguments.

SOURCE Teamsters Local 727
Infosys Living Labs is delivering digital innovation as-a-service to help them meet next normal consumer expectations

BENGALURU, India, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Infosys (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, today announced that Infosys Living Labs is driving the digital innovation agenda for over 100 global enterprises. With Infosys Living Labs, businesses can leverage on-demand multi-tiered digital infrastructure, comprising technology, processes, people, and an innovation ecosystem. The flexibility to consume these capabilities as modular services on tap, over ramping up and down the same capabilities in-house, is compelling for enterprises.

"Posti has embarked on a transformation journey and Infosys Living Labs, with its capabilities in innovation, has been instrumental in helping us accelerate this journey," said, Turkka Kuusisto, President and CEO, Posti Group Oyj.

Infosys Living Labs is helping enterprises adapt to new priorities and market trends, also enabling them to accelerate their response to these shifts with strategic innovations. This is proving to be a critical business capability for businesses to drive recovery and growth in the next normal. Infosys Living Labs delivers on the promise of:

Speed: Enterprises are creating the right conditions for rapid experimentation and response to market needs by collaborating with Infosys. Through Infosys Living Labs, they are kickstarting agile innovation cycles that start with instituting listening posts for trendspotting. They are also harvesting ready-to-scale innovations from the Infosys innovation ecosystem of startup and academia partners. Infosys Living Labs' sandboxes and incubation facilities also include shared maker spaces in Infosys global digital centers to accelerate the innovation process. A good example is how Infosys Living Labs helped an American investment firm spot changing consumer trends in their business and build gamified visualizations of retirement savings benefits for their customers in our digital center. This human experience delivered much-needed upticks in sales for them during the pandemic.

Scope: Infosys Living Labs is helping companies expand the breadth of their innovation by bringing expertise in emerging technologies, across a global footprint, along with cross-industry experience that most corporations seek. For example, a mail services company in Europe harnessed Infosys Living Labs to build a hyper-efficient parcel sorting mechanism. They co-created, with Infosys Living Labs a cloud-powered, IoT-assisted system with central intelligence to operate automatically and accurately year-long. It saved them the costs of setting up additional sorting facilities during seasonal peaks.

Scale: Because solutions that must work at scale must be designed for scale, enterprises rely on Infosys Living Labs' proven frameworks and best practices to go to market with scaled innovations. They count on Infosys Living Labs' talent and technology leverage to help them manage the pilot-to-production ramp up smoothly. As an example, a multinational distributor of food digitized their complex inbound supply chain with Infosys Living Labs. Taking a persona-focused prototype-driven approach to validate the various solutions with stakeholders, Infosys meticulously mapped requirements to scale the prototype with the capability landscape. In agile sprints, executed over the following weeks, the digital solution replaced 20% of the legacy landscape, driving 30% productivity improvements.

Ravi Kumar S, President, Infosys, said, "Digital natives have an incredible advantage as the capabilities, skills and culture needed to continuously experiment, learn and adapt are intrinsic in their organizational DNA. In contrast, incumbent enterprises must digitally transform, and at greater clock speed in the next normal. Infosys Living Labs helps them be digital-on-demand when their own digitalization is picking up pace and the full benefits of their transformation are yet to be realized."

Infosys Living Labs partners with the venture capital investment arms of global enterprises to mutually enrich portfolios of tech innovators on the one hand and bring the value of more innovations to more enterprises, on the other.

"We are excited to partner with Infosys to help our portfolio companies scale new heights by providing them access to Infosys' global client base. Infosys brings its rich heritage of delivery excellence and Global access to our portfolio companies. We are a growth investor in lighthouse technologies and Infosys Living Labs provides a great opportunity to bring best in class technology innovations to clients while de-risking the adoption of startup solutions for Infosys clients," said, Matthew Koertge, Managing Director, Telstra Ventures.

About Infosys

Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. We enable clients in more than 50 countries to navigate their digital transformation. With over four decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer our clients through their digital journey. We do it by enabling the enterprise with an AI-powered core that helps prioritize the execution of change. We also empower the business with agile digital at scale to deliver unprecedented levels of performance and customer delight. Our always-on learning agenda drives their continuous improvement through building and transferring digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem.

Visit www.infosys.com to see how Infosys (NSE, BSE,NYSE: INFY) can help your enterprise navigate your next.

Safe Harbor

Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects, financial expectations and plans for navigating the COVID-19 impact on our employees, clients and stakeholders are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding COVID-19 and the effects of government and other measures seeking to contain its spread, risks related to an economic downturn or recession in India, the United States and other countries around the world, changes in political, business, and economic conditions, fluctuations in earnings, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, our ability to manage growth, intense competition in IT services including those factors which may affect our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, industry segment concentration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks or system failures, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which Infosys has made strategic investments, withdrawal or expiration of governmental fiscal incentives, political instability and regional conflicts, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our industry and the outcome of pending litigation and government investigation. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our United States Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company unless it is required by law.

SOURCE Infosys
The World's Best Female Chef Award, sponsored by Nude Glass, forms part of the forthcoming programme for The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2021, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, with the main awards ceremony due to take place in Antwerp, Flanders in October this year.

Leon was previously named Latin America's Best Female Chef in 2018, an accolade that honours the achievements and impact of a female chef in the region and her contribution to Latin America's gastronomic scene. Kjolle also received the Highest New Entry Award on Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants 2019 list when, just 15 months after opening, it debuted at No.21.

After graduating from Le Cordon Bleu in the Peruvian capital, the Lima native began her career in the city's kitchens. After taking up a position at Central in 2009, she rose through the ranks to become its Head Chef. Together with her now-husband Virgilio Martinez, they developed their flagship restaurant into a benchmark for gastronomy not just in Peru, but across the globe, with Central named The Best Restaurant in Latin America three times between 2015 and 2017.

Leon and Martinez together have also opened Mil, a restaurant situated at 3,500m above sea level in Cuzco, which is also a research, development and interpretation centre encompassing Mater Iniciativa. Leon is a key player in this research organisation, founded by Martinez and his sister Malena, working closely with the siblings in research and studies to learn more about Peruvian produce and their place of origin.

Kjolle is Leon's first solo endeavour: launched in the Peruvian capital three years ago, the restaurant eschews a set menu to create dishes that express her own culinary personality in accordance with seasonal ingredients and the indigenous food of the region. The name Kjolle itself is taken from a local orange flower that grows at high altitude. The restaurant, along with Central, reflects Leon and Martinez's vision to showcase some of Peru's lesser-known and indigenous ingredients, many of which are utilised in their menus.

William Drew, Director of Content for The World's 50 Best Restaurants, says: "It is an honour to name Pia Leon as The World's Best Female Chef 2021. Her dedication to gender parity in her kitchen and her passion for using the indigenous ingredients of her country have set a benchmark for others. We don't doubt that Pia's work will be game-changing for the future of gastronomy and will contribute to helping more women succeed in some of the world's best kitchens."

Leon says: "The most positive thing that came out of such exceptional and difficult times is that I have been able to continue working with a team of people who are first-class human beings. They will see this award, as I do, as a great indication that we are on the right track for the future."

Asl Aydogan, Head of Nude Glass, says: "We're delighted to support an award that shines a light on female achievements in the restaurant landscape. What Pia has created in her years at the helm of both Central and Kjolle is remarkable. It's a pleasure to acknowledge both her creative devotion to her native cuisine and her drive to elevate Peruvian gastronomy across the world."

Previous recipients of The World's Best Female Chef title include Daniela Soto-Innes, formerly of Cosme and Atla in New York, in 2019; the UK's Clare Smyth in 2018; Ana Ros of Hisa Franko in Slovenia in 2017; San Francisco-based Dominique Crenn in 2016 and French chef Helene Darroze in 2015.

SOURCE The Worlds 50 Best Restaurants
114% YoY Growth Builds on Funding, Fuels Leadership of the RevTech Revolution

Denise Persson, CMO of Snowflake Joins 6sense Advisory Board

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- 6sense, the leading account-engagement platform for global enterprises, today announced record revenue, customer and employee growth. Year-over-year, 6sense revenue has grown 114 percent, while its customer base and global workforce increased by 155 percent and 140 percent, respectively, fueling momentum heading into the second half of 2021.

Recent milestones build on the company's $125 million Series D funding and further its leadership of the RevTech Revolution. Utilizing the power of artificial intelligence, big data and machine learning, 6sense removes the guesswork that plagues go-to-market B2B teams. Customers using the 6sense platform to identify in-market accounts, report an average 120% increase in revenue potential with significant increases in deal value, win rates and cycle times.

Key Highlights

Leadership & Culture: Building a Strong Team

A vanguard for many of the world's most highly respected and recognized data-informed brands, Denise Persson , CMO of Snowflake, joins the 6sense advisory board.

, CMO of Snowflake, joins the 6sense advisory board. For the third consecutive year, 6sense recognized as a Best Workplace by Inc. Magazine .

. CEO Jason Zintak honored as the #1 CEO in the small and medium business category by Glassdoor's 2021 Top CEO Employees Choice Awards .

Market Expansion: Prioritizing International Growth

In August 2021 , 6sense celebrated the opening of its London office to meet the demand of its international customer base.

, 6sense celebrated the opening of its office to meet the demand of its international customer base. 6sense international expansion includes a beachhead in Australia with a new partnership focusing on southern markets.

Product & Partnerships: Expanding Ecosystem Capabilities

6sense added "6sense Segments for Facebook" with new capabilities that enable the use of 6sense data to target campaigns across all ad types in Facebook properties like Instagram, Messenger, and Facebook.

6sense launched "6sense Sales Intelligence for SalesLoft", a one-of-a-kind integration to deliver account-based predictive insights and data that create highly personalized, targeted and timely engagements embedded within the SalesLoft platform.

Recent partnership expansion with Bombora offers 6sense customers exclusive access to enrich 6sense predictive models with Bombora Company Surge intent topics in addition to 6sense native intent data.

Notable References

Jason Zintak , CEO, 6sense

"6sense remains committed to helping our customers accelerate growth with actionable insights that make decisions easier and revenue more predictable. The success of our approach is evidenced not only in our product advancements, business growth and revenue performance, but also in the quality of talent we are attracting at all levels of the organization, each with deep domain expertise and understanding of the future possibilities for 6sense. As CEO, I am continually inspired by the caliber of thinking our team brings to problem solving and innovation. This ethos is deeply rooted in our culture - one that we'll continue to nurture and scale to fuel future success."





Denise Persson , CMO, Snowflake

"I've had the privilege of working with some of the most pioneering companies in the world, entities that are changing the course of business as we know it. 6sense falls into this category. The company is redefining what it means to align the sales and marketing ecosystem with a data-driven approach. The 6sense platform is not just about setting a new industry standard, but leading the charge for companies to re-envision the way they think about the comprehensive structure of their pipelines. I'm excited to join the 6sense advisory board and support this forward momentum."





Tushar Patel , CMO, Cleo

"The value we get from the 6sense platform significantly grows each month. They consistently dial up the ambition in their product roadmap and customer care to invest in our success and execute on their promises. Tapping into the 6sense platform resulted in a huge win for Cleo and our revenue teams."

To learn more about the 6sense Account Engagement Platform, visit 6sense.com .

About 6sense

The 6sense Account Engagement Platform helps B2B organizations achieve predictable revenue growth by putting the power of AI, big data, and machine learning behind every member of the revenue team. Led by Jason Zintak, 6sense uncovers anonymous buying behavior, prioritizes accounts for sales and marketing, and enables them to engage resistant buying teams with personalized, multi-channel, multi-touch campaigns. 6sense helps revenue teams know everything they need to know about their buyers so they can easily do anything needed to generate more opportunities, increase deal size, get into opportunities sooner, and compete to win more often.

SOURCE 6sense

Related Links

http://6sense.com


HOUSTON, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- An African American woman, Sharnez Kavonn Hager, has filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, challenging a lower court's dismissal of her racial discrimination lawsuit against Chili's Grill & Bar, owned by Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT).

The lawsuit accuses Chili's of racial discrimination for refusing to seat her at an open table, only to later offer the table to another customer, who was white.

When confronted, the restaurant hostess said the white customer had reserved the table. But Ms. Hager knew that to be a lie, as the white customer was her fiance, who had been waiting outside.

According to an appellate brief, the hostess in question later apologized to Ms. Hager for discriminating against her. The document also says Chili's initial response to her discrimination complaint was to offer her $100 in gift cards.

"I don't know that I've ever seen a case of racial discrimination that is as plainly obvious and as poorly handled as this one," says Brian Trachtenberg of Greathouse Holloway McFadden Trachtenberg, who represents Ms. Hager in the case. "What happened that night and everything since were designed to make Sharnez feel like a second-class citizen."

Dallas-based Brinker later assigned someone to investigate the case, though he had no experience in such cases, failed to speak with key witnesses, never asked any questions about race, and later destroyed his notes.

According to the lawsuit, Ms. Hager and her party  all of them African American  entered the Chili's restaurant in Rosenberg, Texas, in March 2017, and asked for a table that appeared available. A hostess said the table was reserved.

But 20-25 minutes later, when a white man arrived and asked for a table for a large party, he was immediately given the "reserved" table. When Ms. Hager asked the hostess why the man had been offered the table, the hostess claimed he was the person who reserved it.

The hostess did not know, however, that the man was Ms. Hager's then-fiance (now husband), Kevin Hager, who had been waiting outside. And not only had he not made reservations, but Chili's restaurants do not accept reservations.

The appellate filing notes that when confronted with the truth, the hostess responded with, "Oh my God. I'm so sorry."

Several weeks later, when Chili's management invited Ms. Hager back to the restaurant, the same hostess came to the table and said, "I apologize for discriminating against you."

Chili's later disciplined the hostess for putting Ms. Hager in what it called a "false wait," meaning she should have been seated at a table. The company also disciplined the general manager at the Rosenberg Chili's for failing to train the staff about bias.

The case is Sharnez Kavonn (Lipscomb) Hager v. Brinker Texas, Inc. D/B/A Chili's Grill & Bar, Cause No. 4:19-cv-00595, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division.

Greathouse Holloway McFadden Trachtenberg is a Houston-based law firm known for its impressive track record in commercial litigation, labor and employment, mergers and acquisitions, banking, real estate and finance, and corporate contractual matters. The firm prides itself on bringing to any case a uniquely business-savvy perspective and valuable insight borne of years of courtroom and boardroom experience, along with an exceptional level of client service honed by years of building highly successful relationships. Visit greatlaw.com to learn more.

Media Contact:

April Arias

800-559-4534

[email protected]

SOURCE Greathouse Holloway McFadden Trachtenberg
SHERMAN OAKS, Calif., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Fire season is here and started early this year. To date, 2021 has seen more than 37,000 blazes in the United States--a number significantly higher than previous years. From the Bootleg & Dixie fires in the West to fires across Idaho, Wyoming & Montana, people all around the country are feeling the effects of fire season, but none more so than the firefighters on the front lines of these blazes working around the clock to contain them.

CAL FIRE firefighter walks amid active flames

Thanks to purchases made by its customers under its Buy a Mask, Give a Mask program, Los Angeles-based company AirDoctor has donated over 38,000 KN95 masks to healthcare workers, first responders and those on the frontlines throughout the pandemic. Given the early arrival of the fire season this year, the company recently donated their newest & most powerful AirDoctor 5000 purifiers and an additional 17,000 masks to help protect over 500 firefighters and staff along the West coast, including the City of Spokane Fire Department, the Los Angeles City Fire Department and the U.S. Forest Service.

Peter Spiegel, inventor and CEO of AirDoctor says, "Firefighters put their lives on the line to protect us, our environment and the air we all breathe. As a Los Angeles based company, we have seen our fair share of wildfires and have had employees routinely evacuated from their homes over the years. It is important to me that AirDoctor do its part to help protect our firefighting heroes up and down the coast in what is shaping up to be one of the worst wildfire seasons in history."

Jerry Garcia of the Texas Canyon Engine 317 and the U.S. Forest Service says, "Thank you, AirDoctor for the generous donation of AirDoctor purifiers and KN95 masks. We have the AirDoctor purifiers strategically placed in our sleeping quarters and our living day room and kitchen area. It will definitely help us recover and rest up to work another day stronger."

About AirDoctor

AirDoctor is on a mission to inspire a thriving life for all through pure, healthy air technology proven by science. AirDoctor delivers the most approachable, affordable professional air purification technology on the market, so customers can thrive in health, wellness and life. They obsess over every detail and go the extra mile to test and earn third party validation, so anyone who uses their products can have peace of mind that the air they breathe is as pure as the science that goes into their solutions.

For more information, please visit airdoctorpro.com

Media Contact:

Helen Christoni

Phone: 818-217-2776

Email: [email protected]

Related Files

AirDoctor_Logo_PROF_2.19.jpg

Related Images

cal-fire-firefighter.jpg

CAL FIRE Firefighter

CAL FIRE firefighter walks amid active flames

firefighter-jerry-garcia.png

Firefighter Jerry Garcia

Jerry Garcia, Assistant Fire Engine Operator of Texas Canyon Hotshot Crew and the U.S. Forest Service



SOURCE AirDoctor, LLC
CALABASAS, Calif., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE: AMH) (the "Company"), a leading provider of high-quality single-family homes for rent, today announced that the Board of Trustees declared a dividend of $0.10 per share on the Company's common shares for the third quarter of 2021. The distribution will be payable in cash on September 30, 2021 to shareholders of record on September 15, 2021.

The Board of Trustees also declared a per share quarterly distribution on the Company's cumulative redeemable perpetual preferred shares of $0.36719 per share on the 5.875% Series F shares, $0.36719 per share on the 5.875% Series G shares and $0.39063 per share on the 6.250% Series H shares payable in cash on September 30, 2021 to shareholders of record on September 15, 2021.

About American Homes 4 Rent

American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE: AMH) is a leader in the single-family home rental industry and "American Homes 4 Rent" is a nationally recognized brand for rental homes, known for high-quality, good value and tenant satisfaction. We are an internally managed Maryland real estate investment trust, or REIT, focused on acquiring, developing, renovating, leasing, and operating attractive, single-family homes as rental properties. As of March 31, 2021, we owned 53,984 single-family properties in selected submarkets in 22 states.

Additional information about American Homes 4 Rent is available on our website at www.americanhomes4rent.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that relate to beliefs, expectations or intentions and similar statements concerning matters that are not of historical fact and are generally accompanied by words such as "believe," "expect," "will," "intend," "anticipate" or other words that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. These forward-looking statements include the payment and anticipated timing of the payment of distributions of the Company's common and preferred shares. The Company has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations and assumptions about future events. While the Company's management considers these expectations to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to risks, contingencies and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company's control and could adversely affect our cash flows and ability to pay distributions. Additional information about these and other important factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from anticipated results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements is available in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to conform to actual results or changes in expectations, except as required by applicable law.

Contacts:

American Homes 4 Rent

Investor Relations

Nicholas Fromm

Phone: (855) 794-2447

Email: [email protected]

American Homes 4 Rent

Media Relations

Megan Grabos

Phone: (805) 413-5088

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE American Homes 4 Rent

Related Links

https://www.americanhomes4rent.com


According to the travel insurance and assistance company's consumer survey, 63% of Americans are confident they'll take a vacation in 2021, up from 37% in 2020 (49% in 2019). Not only has confidence increased, but the importance of an annual vacation has never been higher, with 73% of Americans stating a vacation is important to them (an increase of 9 percentage points since 2020, 13 since 2019 and up 15 percentage point since 2018). After a year of lockdown and travel restrictions, the pandemic has triggered an array of emotional, physical and economic issues, and Americans are realizing now more than ever that taking time away from work or the stresses of daily life can give them the break they need to return to their lives refreshed and better equipped to handle whatever comes.

The percentage of Americans who are experiencing a vacation deficit has dropped to 20% this year, compared to 44% in 2020, during the height of the pandemic. A vacation deficit is defined as Americans who think that an annual vacation is important, but who are not confident that they will take one this year.

While the pandemic largely thwarted vacation plans over the last year, the American phenomenon of underutilizing vacation days continues to hold true: according to the survey, more than half (56%) of respondents haven't vacationed in over a year, up five points since 2019 (51%). The survey also revealed that for more than a quarter of Americans, it's been more than two years since their last week-long leisure trip. Additionally, two in 10 (22%) Americans have taken a vacation in past three months.

Infographic (in various formats) can be downloaded here

Allianz Partners Vacation Confidence Index 2021 Americans' Time Since Last Week-Long Vacation Year More Than Two

Years Ago More Than A

Year Ago Four to 12

Months Ago Past Three

Months 2021 28% 28% 22% 22% 2019 36% 15% 27% 21% 2018 38% 13% 29% 18% 2017 37% 17% 31% 14% 2016 37% 16% 30% 15% 2015 40% 16% 25% 16% 2014 39% 12% 28% 19% 2013 44% 16% 25% 14% 2012 35% 15% 28% 21% 2011 36% 15% 29% 19% 2010 39% 17% 23% 19% 2009 33% 14% 24% 27%

"The pandemic has created extraordinary pent-up demand for travel, largely driven by a heightened awareness of the need for mental well-being and a desire to just get away," said Joe Mason, Chief Marketing Officer, Allianz Partners. "We're seeing a strong rise in the numbers of people wanting  and taking  that long-overdue vacation. Our survey shows that Americans are making up for lost time and are not being shy about using the vacation time they earned during the pandemic."

On Thursday, August 5, 2021 at 11am ET, Allianz Partners USA is hosting a free 30-minute webinar for travel industry professionals on the results of the 2021 Vacation Confidence Index. Visit https://bit.ly/3iPBuQz to register.

The Vacation Confidence Index has been conducted each summer since 2009 by national polling firm Ipsos Public Affairs on behalf of Allianz Partners USA.

Although Allianz travel insurance products generally do not cover known, foreseeable, or expected events, epidemics, government prohibitions, warnings, or travel advisories, or fear of travel, earlier this year Allianz Partners USA announced the rollout of its new Epidemic Coverage Endorsement, which adds enhancements for new purchasers of some of its travel insurance products that may provide coverage to customers who become ill with COVID-19 or a future epidemic, are individually ordered to quarantine,** or are denied boarding due to a suspected illness. This new coverage formalizes and adds to some of the temporary accommodations the company put into place in March 2020 to assist travelers who had been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.

Methodology: These are findings of an Ipsos poll conducted on behalf of Allianz Partners USA. For this survey, a sample of 2,009 Americans aged 18+ was interviewed from May 24 to 28, 2021 via the Ipsos Online Omnibus. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the results are accurate to within +/- 2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what the results would have been had all American adults been polled. Quota sampling and weighting were employed in order to balance demographics and ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the actual U.S. population, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Credibility intervals are wider among subsets of the population.

About Allianz Partners

Allianz Partners (AGA Service Company) is a leading consumer specialty insurance and assistance company with operation centers in 35 countries. In the United States, the company offers Allianz Travel-branded travel protection plans and serves millions of customers each year. In addition to travel insurance, the company offers tuition insurance, event ticket protection, registration protection for endurance events and unique travel assistance services such as international medical assistance and concierge services. The company also serves as an outsource provider for in-bound call center services and claims administration for property and casualty insurers and credit card companies. AGA Service Company is doing business as Allianz Global Assistance Insurance Agency in California (License # 0B01400) and Massachusetts.

Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply to all plans. Plans are available only to U.S. residents. Not all plans are available in all jurisdictions. Benefits and limits vary by plan. For a complete description of the coverage and benefit limits offered under your specific plan, carefully review your plan's Letter of Confirmation/Declarations and Certificate of Insurance/Policy. Insurance coverage is underwritten by BCS Insurance Company (OH, Administrative Office: Oakbrook Terrace, IL), rated "A" (Excellent) by A.M. Best Co., under BCS Form No. 52.201 series or 52.401 series, or Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, Administrative Office: Richmond, VA), rated "A+" (Superior) by A.M. Best Co., under Jefferson Form No. 101C series or 101P series, depending on state of residence. AGA Service Company d/b/a Allianz Global Assistance is the licensed producer and administrator of Allianz Travel-branded travel protection plans in the U.S. and an affiliate of Jefferson Insurance Company. Allianz Global Assistance, TravelSmart, and AgentSmart are marks of AGA Service Company or its affiliates. The insured shall not receive any special benefit or advantage due to the affiliation between Allianz Global Assistance and Jefferson Insurance Company. Plans include insurance and assistance services. Noninsurance benefits/products are provided and serviced by Allianz Global Assistance. All claims subject to policy terms, conditions, and exclusions.

**Benefits for quarantines only apply when an eligible traveler is specifically named and individually ordered to quarantine by order or official directive of a government, public regulatory authority, or the captain of a commercial vessel on which that eligible traveler is booked to travel during the covered trip, based on that eligible traveler's exposure to COVID-19. The benefit does not cover travel restrictions (whether or not they are referred to as "quarantine") that apply generally or broadly (a) to some segment or all of a population, geographical area, building, or vessel (including without limitation shelter-in-place, stay-at-home, safer-at-home, or other similar restriction), or (b) based on to, from, or through where the person is traveling. Coverage may not cover the full cost of your quarantine and is subject to applicable benefit limits. See your plan for details.

SOURCE Allianz Partners
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- - SEO Agency GR0 is proud to help recognize its Engineering Lead, Anthony Utt, as a winner of a 2021 Tech Innovator Award from Built-In. These awards are designed to help highlight the best and brightest in the technical world, who are working to help not just build the tech of today, but lay the plans for tomorrow.

Utt, a North Carolina resident, has been working with GR0 since its official launch in September of 2020. While earning his Bachelor's in Computer Science from Western Governors University, Utt also worked as a Client Support Analyst for SouthData, Inc. Upon graduation he became a freelance full-stack developer on UpWork, where he offered his services to various clients until eventually being hired by GR0. In his work for GR0, Utt developed an automated plug-in to help websites meet Google's E-A-T standards by altering webpages to include authorship boxes while offering control on a per-article basis.

Launched in 2020, GR0 was able to succeed in spite of the pandemic with smart planning and nimble maneuvering. Built by Kevin Miller and Jon Zacharias, the company helps brands rank #1 on Google through quality written content and media partnerships to create valuable associations in the search engine's database. They work with clients like Theragun, Universal Music Group, Hydrow, and others, to build organic audiences that help drive long-term sales, instead of just page views.

In speaking about the Award, Miller said, "We are proud to see Anthony recognized for his achievements, and want to thank him for helping build our company to be the best it can be. We are very excited to see how he will continue to innovate here at GR0." Utt himself also commented, "I'm extremely happy to work in a company where I'm given the freedom and opportunity to build something truly great. I look forward to growing as a developer with GR0 and continuing to push technological boundaries."

The Built In Tech Innovator Awards are made to help celebrate those who are able to charge past roadblocks and look around the corner to what's next. The awards were granted by a board of 12 expert judges who come from technical leadership positions at companies like Microsoft, Blue Apron, and Al Jazeera Media Network.

About GR0

GR0 is a digital marketing agency focused exclusively on igniting organic growth for direct-to-consumer startups and helping brands rank #1 on Google . GR0 empowers clients to build powerful online brands that deliver incredible value and joy to consumers.

GR0 was co-founded by SEO & marketing experts and long-time best friends Jonathan Zacharias , and Kevin Miller who both have a wealth of online marketing and advertising experience with top D2C and B2B brands.

For more information about GR0 and read reviews related to client and employee feedback, please visit the GR0 Glassdoor , Clutch or Crunchbase .

For business or media inquiries, please contact us at [email protected] .

Contact: Kevin Miller, Co-Founder & CEO

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE GR0.com LLC

Related Links

https://gr0.com


UNION CITY, Calif., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Third Wave Automation, Inc. ("Third Wave") today announced the closing of its Series B financing, a $40M round led by Norwest Venture Partners including participation from prior investors Innovation Endeavors and Eclipse, along with Toyota Ventures. The additional funds will accelerate growth and commercialization efforts. As a part of today's announcement, Matt Howard, General Partner at Norwest Venture Partners, will join Third Wave's board of directors.

"I've been tracking Arshan and the team at Third Wave for some time and have been consistently impressed," said Howard. "When I last visited the Third Wave facility and saw its forklifts easily completing picks and places my jaw dropped, and I knew Norwest needed to be a part of this journey. We are thrilled to support the Third Wave team as they fundamentally alter the warehouse and material handling industry."

"While we weren't actively raising, having the opportunity to bring Norwest and Matt's expertise into our orbit was too good to pass up," said Arshan Poursohi, CEO of Third Wave. "This extra capital will allow us to accelerate hiring and speed our path to the commercial market following our recent successful technical trials. We are now in active conversations with the top 20 3PL's and retailers in the industry. There is a real need for our technology and we are eager to meet that need."

Third Wave's unique approach to industrial automation was conceived with artificial intelligence and computer vision at its core. Following years of research and development, Third Wave recently signed a commercial agreement and strategic partnership with industrial powerhouse Toyota Industries Corporation, Inc. With this additional funding, Third Wave is set to define the industry's agenda for the next generation.

Industrial Solution for a Growing $100 Billion Market

Third Wave's first focus is on the forklift, the workhorse of the global supply chain. The industry is over $100 billion globally. A forecasted 9% CAGR from 2021 to 2027 will result in shipments of over 2 million units annually by 2027. Because of the complex and dynamic tasks required of forklifts, innovation in the category has lagged. But, this customer base is hungry for technology advancements that will improve safety and efficiency, yielding a tremendous opportunity for Third Wave.

Third Wave's solution is unique among its peers, leveraging a proprietary mix of adaptive automation, shared autonomy and continuous learning. The end result is a system that is highly flexible, quickly deployable, capable of constant improvement, and delivers a rapid return on customer investment. Third Wave's system renders improvements in safety, efficiency and throughput while delivering unparalleled functionality, such as high rack pick-and-place.

Investor Validation

"Third Wave's machine learning first approach to industrial automation has enabled them to develop a solution that has previously been unavailable to the global supply chain," said Seth Winterroth, who led Third Wave's seed funding for Eclipse. "Since our initial investment in 2018, the team has executed tirelessly to build a product that arms their customers with the operational efficiency and resiliency needed in today's heavily burdened supply chains. With this funding, Third Wave is poised to become the most significant industrial automation company of the modern era."

"Third Wave uses next-gen robotics to solve decades-old challenges with warehousing, which drives huge improvements to both worker safety and productivity," said Scott Brady, partner at Innovation Endeavors. "Solving these problems helps build resilience against issues that arise in logistics and across the supply chain. We congratulate the Third Wave team on their continued growth and are excited to support them as they roll out even more of these advanced robotics solutions."

About Third Wave

Third Wave Automation was founded in 2018 in Union City, Calif. as a producer of advanced autonomous industrial solutions. Third Wave's technology is at the forefront of autonomous material handling, with improved efficiency and throughput by leveraging shared autonomy - a breakthrough in machine learning, computer vision, and robotics. Third Wave is backed by $59 million in venture capital from leading investors including Norwest Venture Partners, Eclipse Ventures, Innovation Endeavors, Heartland Ventures, Homebrew, and Toyota Ventures, and counts Toyota Industries Corporation as a strategic partner. To learn more about how Third Wave Automation is driving next generation industrial automation solutions using Shared Autonomy, please explore www.thirdwave.ai.

About Norwest Venture Partners

Norwest is a leading venture and growth equity investment firm managing more than $9.5 billion in capital. Since our inception, we have invested in more than 600 companies and currently partner with over 160 companies in our venture and growth equity portfolio. The firm invests in early to late stage businesses across a wide range of sectors with a focus on consumer, enterprise, and healthcare. We offer a deep network of connections, operating experience, and a wide range of impactful services to help CEOs and founders scale their businesses. Norwest has offices in Palo Alto and San Francisco, with subsidiaries in India and Israel. For more information, please visit www.nvp.com. Follow Norwest on Twitter @NorwestVP.

About Eclipse Ventures

Eclipse Ventures is a technology-focused venture capital firm specializing in complex, industrial operations and full-stack solutions. Founded in 2015 and based in Palo Alto, CA, Eclipse partners with entrepreneurs boldly transforming the essential industries that define and propel economies.

About Innovation Endeavors

Innovation Endeavors is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in visionary founders, transformational technologies and emergent ecosystems. The firm's central investment thesis, the Super Evolution, combines data, leading-edge computation, and advanced engineering to transform industries, from agriculture and logistics to life sciences, transportation and more. Its investments include: Eikon Therapeutics, Fabric, Freenome, Planet, Plenty, Replica, SoFi, Uber, Zymergen, and more. For more information, visit www.InnovationEndeavors.com

SOURCE Third Wave

Related Links

https://www.thirdwave.ai


SAN FRANCISCO and WASHINGTON, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- " VOICE Talks," an award-winning talk show that discusses the latest developments in voice technology, today announced Megan Grace as its new host. The Google Assistant partnerships lead will host the monthly show, starting with the August 26, 2021 episode.

In its second season, VOICE Talks is among the fastest-growing internet shows focused on voice-enabled technologies and features industry leaders discussing the latest developments in artificial intelligence (AI)-powered voice technologies.

Megan Grace becomes new host of VOICE Talks.

As the Google Assistant partnerships lead for the communications vertical, Megan Grace has a passion for working with partners to deliver engaging, delightful, and conversational voice-enabled apps. In her current role, she partners closely with key brands like Zoom, Snap, and Discord to launch Google Assistant-enabled voice integrations. Megan previously led global speech data partnerships to internationalize the Google Assistant, growing its fluency in over 30 languages.

"Megan has first-hand industry expertise, along with the reputation and footing required to both lead the show and keep pace with the many prestigious industry experts featured from across the globe," said Pete Erickson, founder of VOICE Talks and CEO of Modev. "Megan's work has enabled millions of users In over 90 countries to use Google assistant, and her ability to communicate and connect with others makes her ideally suited to take the helm of voice talks going forward."

"Voice-enabled assistants and technology are in their nascent stages and have the potential to impact people from all walks of life across a variety of industries, including healthcare, customer service, finance, retail and more," said Megan Grace. "I'm thrilled to be part of the next chapter of VOICE Talks, which will seek to uncover the myriad of benefits that this transformative technology can deliver."

Subscribe to VOICE Talks for industry updates, access to special offers and content, and for sneak peeks at upcoming episodes. Tune into VOICE Talks live August 26 at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT. Previous episodes can be viewed on the VOICE Talks Youtube channel .

Follow Megan and VOICE Talks at @MeganCGrace1 and @VOICETalksAI.

About VOICE Talks

Produced by Modev and presented by Google Assistant, the award-winning VOICE Talks is the fastest-growing internet technology show featuring industry leaders discussing the latest developments relating to AI-powered voice technologies. Developers, marketers, gamers, and voice tech enthusiasts can tune in live for the chance to interact and ask questions with the show's host or share their video stories in advance for a chance to be featured on the show. Follow VOICE Talks at @VOICETalksAI on Twitter, @VOICETalks on Instagram, or on Facebook or LinkedIn .

SOURCE VOICE Talks

Related Links

https://www.voicetalks.ai/


VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - BBTV Holdings Inc. (TSX: BBTV) (OTCQX: BBTVF) ("BBTV" or the "Company"), the leading creator monetization company with a mission to help creators become more successful, today announced that it will release its financial results for the second quarter 2021 after market close on Tuesday, August 11th. The Company will subsequently hold a conference call that same day, Tuesday, August 11th, at 2:15pm Pacific Time/5:15pm Eastern Time hosted by Ms. Shahrzad Rafati, Chairperson and CEO, current CFO Todd Tappin and Acting CFO in waiting, Ben Groot. A question and answer session will follow the corporate update.

Conference Call Details

Tuesday, August 11th, 2021, 2:15pm Pacific Time/5:15pm Eastern Time.

Participant Information

Conference ID: 7207476

Participant Toll Free Dial-In Number: (844) 418-0102

Participant International Dial-In Number: (236) 714-3015

Please connect at least 15 minutes prior to the conference call.

To coincide with the call, an Investor Highlights presentation will available at:

https://investors.bbtv.com/events-and-presentations/default.aspx

Links to SEDAR filings, conference call recordings and press releases are available on the investor website at: https://investors.bbtv.com/

Telephonic Replay:

Encore Dial In #:

(800) 585-8367 or (416) 621-4642

Conference ID: 7207476

August 11, 2021 20:15 ET - August 18, 2021 23:59 ET

About BBTV

BBTV is a global media and technology company headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. The Company's mission is to help content creators become more successful. With creators ranging from individuals to global media brands, BBTV provides comprehensive, end-to-end Solutions to increase viewership and drive revenue powered by its innovative technology, while allowing creators to focus on their core competency  content creation. In January 2021, BBTV had the second most unique monthly viewers among digital platforms with more than 600 million globally, who consumed more than 50 billion minutes of video content, the most among media companies [1]. ( www.bbtv.com )

[1] Calculations and classifications made by BBTV based on data from Comscore's "Top 12 Countries = January 2021 comScore Video Metrix Media Trend  Multi-Platform  Top 100 Video Properties Report"; Top 12 countries represent ~50% of world's digital population.

Contacts:

Media Relations

Dan Gamble

778-873-0422

[email protected]

Investor Relations

[email protected]

Contact:

Ron Shuttleworth

Partner

Oak Hill Financial Inc

(647)5007371

[email protected]

BBTV-F

SOURCE BBTV Holdings Inc.
DALLAS, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- BenefitMall, the leading provider of next-generation broker services, today announced the launch of a new sales model that allows teams to provide more personalized service and further aligns with the organization's mission to provide the fastest, easiest and most trusted benefits selling experience in the industry.

The new structure is organized into three-person teams who view client needs holistically:

A Benefit Sales Executive who is the field-based relationship manager and agency growth officer,

An Inside Sales Representative who is a new business proposal strategist and assists with quoting needs, and

An Inside Retention Representative to proactively help retain business and is the driving force behind additional product lines for clients.

In addition to the three-person teams, brokers are further supported by additional specialist to help meet their individualized needs. Large group, non-medical, and value-added sales are now backed by experts in each area.

"Our goal as a sales team is to make it easy to work with us," said John Wiesler, head of general agency sales at BenefitMall. "This new model focuses on team selling to enhance our ability to analyze needs effectively and cross-sell products that offer the highest benefits for brokers and their clients."

BenefitMall is implementing the new sales structure nationally to support brokers and their clients in easily securing benefits solutions. The new teams will efficiently balance field presence with telephonic support. Through this structure, BenefitMall's resources will be aligned to fewer processes, creating more expertise to better meet the specific needs of brokers.

About BenefitMall

Headquartered in Dallas, BenefitMall is the largest general agency partnering with a network of 20,000 Brokers to deliver employee benefits to more than 140,000 small and medium-sized businesses. BenefitMall uniquely leverages innovative technology backed by human expertise to provide the fastest, easiest, and most secure benefits selling experience for carriers, brokers, and their clients.

Owned by Management and The Carlyle Group, BenefitMall also operates HealthCareExchange.com, the leading online community for health care reform and compliance. More information is available at www.benefitmall.com .

SOURCE BenefitMall

Related Links

http://www.benefitmall.com


CHICAGO, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Berlin Packaging, the world's largest hybrid packaging supplier, has received a 2021 AmeriStar Award from the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP) for their Pravana Pure Light custom package design. The AmeriStar Awards, one of the oldest and most exclusive competitions in the industry, recognizes package design excellence in innovation, performance, economics, environmental impact, marketing and product protection.

This is the third year in a row that Berlin Packaging has been honored by the IoPP with an AmeriStar Award. This latest accomplishment follows a strong showing earlier in the year at the National Association of Container Distributors (NACD) packaging competition. In May, the company was awarded fourteen medals by the NACD, including Bronze for the Pravana Pure Light package.

The AmeriStar judging panel, comprised of leading industry experts, gave the Pravana package design top honors in the Health and Beauty Aids category. Pure Light is a line of hair colorants used by salon professionals. Traditional hair color powders come in large, cumbersome tubs with a scoop for dispensing. These tubs take up a lot of space and the scoop often gets buried, creating an unpleasant, messy user experience. The new Pravana Pure Light design uses a taller, thinner bottle that is easier to grip than a bulky tub, with a smaller footprint that saves much-needed space for stylists working in small areas or on-the-go. A revolutionary pour cap with built-in funnel replaces the standard scoop for a mess-free, accurate pour that reduces contamination and waste. A second over cap acts as a dosing cup, adding all-in-one time-saving convenience.

The Pravana packaging was created by Studio One Eleven, Berlin Packaging's in-house design and innovation division. The Studio offers custom structural package design and branding services at no charge in exchange for packaging supply opportunities. "It is always an honor to receive an AmeriStar award given their high standards and extensive judging criteria," said Scott Jost, Berlin Packaging's Vice President of Innovation and Design. "Berlin Packaging is committed to creating smart solutions that exceed the expectations not only of our customers, but consumers as well. The Pravana package is a great example of how innovative design can improve the user experience, drive brand loyalty, and create a true point-of-difference in the marketplace."

About Berlin Packaging

Berlin Packaging is the world's largest Hybrid Packaging Supplier of glass, plastic, and metal containers and closures. The company supplies billions of items annually along with package design, financing, consulting, warehousing, and logistics services for customers across all industries. Berlin Packaging brings together the best of manufacturing, distribution, and income-adding service providers. Its mission is to increase the net income of its customers through packaging products and services.

See BerlinPackaging.com for more information.

Media Contact

Celeste Osborne, [email protected], (708) 272-7046

SOURCE Berlin Packaging

Related Links

http://BerlinPackaging.com


CHICAGO, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (Cboe: CBOE), a leading provider of global market infrastructure and tradable products, today reported July monthly trading volume statistics across its global business lines.

The data sheet "Cboe Global Markets Monthly Volume & RPC/Net Revenue Capture Report" contains an overview of certain July trading statistics and market share by business segment, volume in select index products, and RPC/net capture, which is reported on a one-month lag, across business lines.

Trading Volume for Current Month Year-To-Date

July July % June % July July % 2021 2020 Chg 2021 Chg 2021 2020 Chg Multiply-listed options ADV (contracts, k) 9,848 7,634 29% 10,232 -4% 9,981 8,126 23% Index options ADV (contracts, k) 1,918 1,321 45% 1,778 8% 1,876 2,002 6% Futures ADV (contracts, k) 224 143 56% 182 23% 233 223 5% U.S. Equities - On-Exchange ADV (matched shares, mn) 1,398 1,610 -13% 1,500 -7% 1,783 1,865 -4% U.S. Equities - Off-Exchange ADV (matched shares, mn)1 75 N/A

76 0% 86 N/A

Canadian Equities ADV (matched shares, k)2 34,333 N/A

41,751 -18% 55,696 N/A

European Equities ADNV (, mn) 7,146 5,874 22% 7,014 2% 7,367 7,437 -1% EuroCCP Total Cleared Trades (k)3 100,768 91,221 11% 95,209 6% 693,794 91,221 N.M. EuroCCP Total Net Settlements (k) 3 828 676 22% 824 1% 5,619 676 N.M. Australian Equities ADNV (AUD, mn)4 1,278 N/A

N/A

1,278 N/A

Japanese Equities ADNV (JPY, bn)4 75 N/A

N/A

JPY 75 N/A

Global FX ADNV ($, mn)5 33,051 30,031 10% 33,646 -2% 34,492 36,371 -5% 1U.S. Equities Off-Exchange data reflects Cboe's acquisition of BIDS Trading effective on December 31, 2020. ADV= average daily volume 2Canadian Equities data reflects Cboe's acquisition of MATCHNow effective on August 4, 2020. ADNV= average daily notional value 3EuroCCP data reflects Cboe's acquisition of EuroCCP effective on July 1, 2020. N.M. Not Meaningful 4Australian Equities and Japanese Equities data reflects Cboe's acquisition of Chi-X Asia Pacific effective on July 1, 2021. 5Global FX metrics continue to include Spot and as of January 2021 include SEF products.

July 2021 Trading Volume Highlights

Cboe iBoxx iShares $ High Yield Corporate Bond Index (IBHY) futures reached an all-time monthly high and surpassed $5 billion in notional value traded for the first time; 39,919 total contracts were traded during July, representing a total notional value of $5.9 billion .

in notional value traded for the first time; 39,919 total contracts were traded during July, representing a total notional value of . Total volume in Russell 2000 Index (RUT) options reached nearly 1.2 million contracts traded in July, with 56,054 contracts traded on average per day  the highest month on record since October 2018 .

2000 Index (RUT) options reached nearly 1.2 million contracts traded in July, with 56,054 contracts traded on average per day  the highest month on record since . S&P 500 Index (SPX) options had highest monthly average daily volume for the year, with nearly 1.4 million contracts traded on average per day in July.

Average daily notional value in Non-Deliverable Forwards (NDFs) transacted on Cboe SEF reached $369 million during July, the fourth consecutive record month.

About Cboe Global Markets, Inc.

Cboe Global Markets (Cboe: CBOE), a leading provider of market infrastructure and tradable products, delivers cutting-edge trading, clearing and investment solutions to market participants around the world. The company is committed to operating a trusted, inclusive global marketplace, providing leading products, technology and data solutions that enable participants to define a sustainable financial future. Cboe provides trading solutions and products in multiple asset classes, including equities, derivatives and FX, across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. To learn more, visit www.cboe.com.

CBOE-V

Cboe, Cboe Global Markets, Cboe Volatility Index, CFE, and VIX are registered trademarks and Cboe Futures ExchangeSM is a service mark of Cboe Exchange, Inc. or its affiliates. S&P 500 and SPX are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services, LLC and has been licensed for use by Cboe Exchange, Inc. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.

Any products that have the S&P Index or Indexes as their underlying interest are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Standard & Poor's or Cboe and neither Standard & Poor's nor Cboe make any representations or recommendations concerning the advisability of investing in products that have S&P indexes as their underlying interests. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.

Cboe Global Markets, Inc. and its affiliates do not recommend or make any representation as to possible benefits from any securities, futures or investments, or third-party products or services. Cboe Global Markets, Inc. is not affiliated with S&P, Russell, iShares or IHS Markit. Investors should undertake their own due diligence regarding their securities, futures, and investment practices. This press release speaks only as of this date. Cboe Global Markets, Inc. disclaims any duty to update the information herein.

Nothing in this announcement should be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell any securities or futures in any jurisdiction where the offer or solicitation would be unlawful under the laws of such jurisdiction. Nothing contained in this communication constitutes tax, legal or investment advice. Investors must consult their tax adviser or legal counsel for advice and information concerning their particular situation.

Cboe Global Markets, Inc. and its affiliates make no warranty, expressed or implied, including, without limitation, any warranties as of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, accuracy, completeness or timeliness, the results to be obtained by recipients of the products and services described herein, or as to the ability of the indices referenced in this press release to track the performance of their respective securities, generally, or the performance of the indices referenced in this press release or any subset of their respective securities, and shall not in any way be liable for any inaccuracies, errors. Cboe Global Markets, Inc. and its affiliates have not calculated, composed or determined the constituents or weightings of the securities that comprise the third-party indices referenced in this press release and shall not in any way be liable for any inaccuracies or errors in any of the indices referenced in this press release.

Options involve risk and are not suitable for all market participants. Prior to buying or selling an option, a person should review the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options (ODD), which is required to be provided to all such persons. Copies of the ODD are available from your broker or from The Options Clearing Corporation, 125 S. Franklin Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60606.

Futures trading is not suitable for all investors and involves the risk of loss. That risk of loss can be substantial and can exceed the amount of money deposited for a futures position. You should, therefore, carefully consider whether futures trading is suitable for you in light of your circumstances and financial resources. You should put at risk only funds that you can afford to lose without affecting your lifestyle. For additional information regarding futures trading risks, see the Risk Disclosure Statement set forth in Appendix A to CFTC Regulation 1.55(c) and the Risk Disclosure Statement for Security Futures Contracts.

The iBoxx iShares $ High Yield Corporate Bond Index and the iBoxx iShares $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond Index (the "Indexes") referenced herein are the property of Markit Indices Limited ("Index Sponsor") and have been licensed for use in connection with Cboe iBoxx iShares $ High Yield Corporate Bond Index Futures and Cboe iBoxx iShares $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond Index Futures. Each party to a Cboe iBoxx iShares $ High Yield Corporate Bond Index Futures or Cboe iBoxx iShares $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond Index Futures transaction acknowledges and agrees that the transaction is not sponsored, endorsed or promoted by the Index Sponsor. The Index Sponsor makes no representation whatsoever, whether express or implied, and hereby expressly disclaims all warranties (including, without limitation, those of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use), with respect to the Indexes or any data included therein or relating thereto, and in particular disclaims any warranty either as to the quality, accuracy and/or completeness of the Indexes or any data included therein, the results obtained from the use of the Indexes and/or the composition of the Indexes at any particular time on any particular date or otherwise and/or the creditworthiness of any entity, or the likelihood of the occurrence of a credit event or similar event (however defined) with respect to an obligation, in the Indexes at any particular time on any particular date or otherwise. The Index Sponsor shall not be liable (whether in negligence or otherwise) to the parties or any other person for any error in the Indexes, and the Index Sponsor is under no obligation to advise the parties or any person of any error therein.

The Index Sponsor makes no representation whatsoever, whether express or implied, as to the advisability of purchasing or selling Cboe iBoxx iShares $ High Yield Corporate Bond Index Futures and Cboe iBoxx iShares $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond Index Futures, the ability of the Indexes to track relevant markets' performances, or otherwise relating to the Indexes or any transaction or product with respect thereto, or of assuming any risks in connection therewith. The Index Sponsor has no obligation to take the needs of any party into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Indexes. No party purchasing or selling Cboe iBoxx iShares $ High Yield Corporate Bond Index Futures or Cboe iBoxx iShares $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond Index Futures, nor the Index Sponsor, shall have any liability to any party for any act or failure to act by the Index Sponsor in connection with the determination, adjustment, calculation or maintenance of the Indexes. iBoxx is a service mark of IHS Markit Limited.

The iBoxx iShares $ High Yield Corporate Bond Index and the iBoxx iShares $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond Index (the "Indexes") and futures contracts on the Indexes ("Contracts") are not sponsored by, or sold by BlackRock, Inc. or any of its affiliates (collectively, " BlackRock"). BlackRock makes no representation or warranty, express or implied to any person regarding the advisability of investing in securities, generally, or in the Contracts in particular. Nor does BlackRock make any representation or warranty as to the ability of the Index to track the performance of the fixed income securities market, generally, or the performance of HYG, LQD or any subset of fixed income securities.

BlackRock has not calculated, composed or determined the constituents or weightings of the fixed income securities that comprise the Indexes ("Underlying Data"). BlackRock is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the prices and amounts of the Contracts, or the timing of the issuance or sale of such Contracts or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Contracts are to be converted into cash (if applicable). BlackRock has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration or trading of the Contracts. BlackRock does not guarantee the accuracy or the completeness of the Underlying Data and any data included therein and BlackRock shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions related thereto.

BlackRock makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by Markit or its affiliates, the parties to the Contracts or any other person with respect to the use of the Underlying Data or any data included therein. BlackRock makes no express or implied warranties and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Underlying Data or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall BlackRock have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect or consequential damages (including lost profits) resulting from the use of the Underlying Data or any data included therein, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

iShares is a registered trademark of BlackRock Fund Advisors and its affiliates.

SOURCE Cboe Global Markets, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.cboe.com


New capital will be used to pursue ApplyBoard's global expansion strategy through new product offerings, destination countries, and expanded support teams at scale

Investment made by CDPQ as part of its Equity 253 fund, which targets companies that leverage diversity and inclusion as a vector of development and expansion

MONTREAL and KITCHENER, ON, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - ApplyBoard, the online platform that empowers students around the world to access top quality education, and Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec (CDPQ), a global investment group, announced today a minority investment in ApplyBoard as part of its Series D round. CDPQ is investing through its Equity 253 fund, the largest Canadian fund ever created to target companies that leverage diversity and inclusion as a vector of development and expansion.

This investment is part of ApplyBoard's recent US$300M Series D announcement that put its valuation at US$3.2 Billion. The addition of CDPQ to ApplyBoard's investors further strengthens its position as a global leader in EdTech and the international education industry. CDPQ's investment is aligned with its broader strategy to support global disruptive technology companies.

"ApplyBoard is excited to welcome CDPQ, not only as an investor, but also as a partner dedicated to long-term growth," said Martin Basiri, Co-Founder and CEO of ApplyBoard. "After working with CDPQ, we've come to love working with their team. Their values and their dedication to doing something good for the world stood out immediately and connected with what we are doing right now at ApplyBoard."

As the world's largest online platform for international studies, ApplyBoard is revolutionizing the student application experience by leveraging the use of technology through its integrated online platform that connects international students, academic institutions, recruitment partners and governments. In the past year, ApplyBoard maintained its rapid growth by increasing the number of students using its platform, developing new partnerships with schools, and expanding its services to offer access to international educational programs in Canada, the UK, Australia, and the U.S.

"Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of ApplyBoard's way of doing business, both of which are aimed at sustaining value creation for the long term. They are reflected in the company's quality management team and workforce, and through its mission to democratize education by allowing international students to access academic institutions around the world," said Wils Theagene, Senior Director, Quebec at CDPQ and representative of the Equity 253 fund. "Through our diversity-dedicated fund, Equity 253, we want to accompany promising Canadian SMEs and technology companies like ApplyBoard to implement D&I initiatives and promote them as strategic business priorities."

ApplyBoard recently exceeded more than 1,000 team members worldwide to meet ongoing market demand and product development, including ApplyProof, which enables stakeholders in the student journey to trust the authenticity of documents, such as English test scores, letters of acceptance, and more.

ABOUT ApplyBoard

ApplyBoard empowers students around the world to access the best education by simplifying the study abroad search, application, and acceptance process to more than 1,500 institutions across Canada, Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom. ApplyBoard, headquartered in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, has helped more than 200,000 students from more than 125 countries along their educational journeys since 2015. To learn more, visit: www.applyboard.com.

ABOUT CDPQ

At Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec (CDPQ), we invest constructively to generate sustainable returns over the long term. As a global investment group managing funds for public retirement and insurance plans, we work alongside our partners to build enterprises that drive performance and progress. We are active in the major financial markets, private equity, infrastructure, real estate and private debt. As at December 31, 2020, CDPQ's net assets total CAD 365.5 billion. For more information, visit cdpq.com, follow us on Twitter or consult our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.

ABOUT Equity 253

Equity 253 is an investment fund aimed at increasing diversity and inclusion in profitable SMEs and promising technology companies based in Quebec or elsewhere in Canada. With a total of $250 million in funding, Equity 253 is the largest Canadian fund ever created to target companies leveraging diversity and inclusion as a vector of development and expansion. To be selected, SMEs must commit to diversifying their workforce so that at least 25% of their Boards of Directors, management teams and shareholding is comprised of people of diverse backgrounds (e.g. women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples) in the five years following confirmation of financing. For more information, visit cdpq.com/en/equity25-3.

SOURCE Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec

Related Links

https://www.cdpq.com/

https://www.applyboard.com/


Each supplier offers a specific line of personal protective equipment (PPE) and COVID-19 related products, available to CHAMPS GPO members at competitive rates. The suppliers and their product offerings include ALG Health , a Defiance, Ohio-based manufacturer of N95 disposable masks; Commercial Cutting , a Level 1 disposable polyethylene isolation gowns manufacturer based in Mansfield, Ohio; GVS Filtration , a company that produces N99 disposable and reusable P100 respirators in Findlay, Ohio; Mark One Medical , a Minster, Ohio-based producer of disinfecting wipes and alcohol spray; and Sensical, Inc. , a manufacturer based in Solon, Ohio, that makes Level 1 & 2 disposable polyethylene isolation gowns, level 2 spunbond isolation gowns and spunbond shoe and hair covers.

"CHAMPS Group Purchasing's decision to include five Ohio companies in their PPE supply chain will bolster in-state manufacturing of this critical resource with home-grown talent," said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. "Domestically-produced PPE offers numerous economic development and safety benefits for companies and workers, alike, and these new partnerships will help and prevent critical supply shortages in the future by reducing our country's reliance on PPE from overseas."

As CHAMPS GPO and The Center responded to the needs of its membership during the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization identified and prioritized several solutions to assist its members. As CHAMPS' response efforts took shape, the need to support domestic manufacturers emerged as a forefront priority. Recognizing Ohio as a leading hub for industries like healthcare and manufacturing, CHAMPS' actions led to a strategic partnership with Team NEO, a leading Northeast Ohio business development organization and entity that partners with JobsOhio, the statewide economic development group. Through this collaboration, JobsOhio introduced CHAMPS to several Ohio-based manufacturers who are fulfilling PPE and supply needs for GPO members, adding value for CHAMPS' membership and Ohio businesses alike.

"This partnership is the result of collaboration between organizations who truly represent and support Ohio well," said Tracy Wise, senior vice president of business operations and administration for The Center for Health Affairs and CHAMPS Healthcare. "From the moment the pandemic hit our state, we at The Center and CHAMPS have worked tirelessly to find ways to further support our members while also improving the overall health of our community. On behalf of The Center and CHAMPS, I extend our thanks to JobsOhio and Team NEO for this opportunity to help progress our regional economy."

"As part of our economic development strategy, JobsOhio will continue to support open, secure supply chains across critical industries," said Andrew Deye, JobsOhio VP, Strategy. "We thank CHAMPS for their continued engagement on PPE supply chain issues and for being a responsive, open-minded and forward-thinking partner."

Membership to CHAMPS Group Purchasing is free and serves members in all classes of trade, including healthcare, education, hospitality, and business & industry across commercial sectors. JobsOhio is a private nonprofit corporation designed to drive job creation and new investment in Ohio through business attraction, retention and expansion efforts. Team NEO, a designated JobsOhio Network Partner, is a private, nonprofit economic development organization aimed at accelerating business growth and job creation throughout the 18 counties of the Northeast Ohio region.

For more information about CHAMPS Group Purchasing and its membership benefits, contact us.

About The Center for Health Affairs

The Center for Health Affairs, the nation's first regional hospital association, has served as the collective voice of Northeast Ohio hospitals for more than 100 years. Together with its business affiliates, CHAMPS Group Purchasing and The Essentials Group, The Center continues the legacy of its founders, working collaboratively to increase the efficiency of healthcare delivery, providing insightful healthcare information to the public and undertaking initiatives aimed at improving the health of the community. For more information, visit www.neohospitals.org.

Press Contact:

Tracy Wise

2162553695

http://www.neohospitals.org

SOURCE The Center for Health Affairs

Related Links

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PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In a proof-of-concept study, researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) have created a coating that can be applied to endotracheal tubes and release antimicrobial peptides that target infectious bacteria with specificity. The innovation could reduce upper-airway bacterial inflammation during intubation, a situation that can lead to chronic inflammation and a condition called subglottic stenosis, the narrowing of the airway by an accumulation of scar tissue. The findings were published recently in the journal The Laryngoscope.

"We have created a novel device to modulate the upper-airway microbiome, which could be used to prevent bacterial infections during intubation and help prevent subglottic stenosis and other airway diseases," said senior study author Riccardo Gottardi, PhD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and head of the Bioengineering and Biomaterials Laboratory at CHOP. "Not only does this technology work predictably and continuously over the normal duration of chronically intubated patients, but it is also fast and easy to produce and could easily be modulated to target any bacteria of interest."

Recent studies have shown that the endotracheal microbiome of intubated patients with subglottic stenosis is unbalanced. However, addressing the overgrowth of certain bacteria with conventional antibiotics is not ideal, as their use can disrupt the balance of both "good" and "bad" bacteria, while also causing antimicrobial resistance.

Instead, the investigators explored the use of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which are small proteins that destabilize bacterial membranes, causing bacterial cells to fall apart and die. This mechanism of action allows them to target specific bacteria and makes them unlikely to promote antimicrobial resistance. Prior studies have shown that it is possible to coat endotracheal tubes with conventional antibiotics, so the research team investigated the possibility of incorporating AMPs into polymer-coated tubes to inhibit bacterial growth and modulate the upper-airway microbiome.

The researchers, led by Matthew Aronson, a graduate student in Penn Engineering's Department of Bioengineering, tested their theory by creating a polymer coating that would release Lasioglossin-III, an AMP with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. They found that Lasio released from coated endotracheal tubes, reached the expected effective concentration rapidly and continued to release at the same concentration for a week, which is the typical timeframe that an endotracheal is used before being changed. The investigators also tested their drug-eluting tube against airway microbes, including S. epidermidis, S. pneumoniae, and human microbiome samples and observed significant antibacterial activity, as well as prevention of bacterial adherence to the tube.

"This study shows that it is possible to create a drug-eluting endotracheal tube to prevent airway complications, which opens the door to future research on targeting specific pathogens that are responsible for laryngotracheal stenosis," said study co-author Ian N. Jacobs, MD, Medical Director of the Center for Pediatric Airway Disorders in the Division of Otolaryngology and Endowed Chair in Pediatric Otolaryngology and Pediatric Airway Disorders at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "Moreover, the ability to purposefully select AMPs against certain microbes in the trachea and other organs could have significant implications in the prevention of specific diseases, even beyond airway disorders."

The study was supported in part by the Ri.MED Foundation, the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, the Frontier Program in Airway Disorders of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship No. DGE 1845298.

Aronson et al. "Drug-eluting Endotracheal Tubes for Preventing Bacterial Inflammation in Subglottic Stenosis," The Laryngoscope, online July 28, 2021, DOI: 10.1002/lary.29769

About Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was founded in 1855 as the nation's first pediatric hospital. Through its long-standing commitment to providing exceptional patient care, training new generations of pediatric healthcare professionals, and pioneering major research initiatives, Children's Hospital has fostered many discoveries that have benefited children worldwide. Its pediatric research program is among the largest in the country. In addition, its unique family-centered care and public service programs have brought the 595-bed hospital recognition as a leading advocate for children and adolescents. For more information, visit http://www.chop.edu

Contact: Natalie Solimeo

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

(267) 426-6246

[email protected]

SOURCE Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Related Links

http://www.chop.edu


NEW YORK, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CipherHealth, a recognized leader and innovator in patient-centered communications, engagement, and insights for the nation's leading healthcare systems, today announced the next generation of its Patient Engagement Platform. At the heart of the platform is a powerful digital orchestration engine that serves as an intelligent hub to manage all patient, staff, and caregiver communication for improved workflow efficiencies and cost savings. Most importantly, this engine functions across CipherHealth's entire suite of in-care rounding solutions and pre- and post-care outreach solutions, allowing for a single, unified system that closes critical care gaps and completes the communications loop by capturing contextual conversational data.

The post-pandemic era has ushered in a slate of challenges for healthcare organizations as they adjust to new consumerism trends and growing patient demands for real-time, personalized care across many novel modalities. Further, health systems are focused on recouping lost revenue and minimizing leakage in their patient populations all while aiming to reduce the burden on their staff and consolidate technology solutions.

"It's clear that yesterday's engagement strategies no longer meet the changing dynamics of the industry," said CipherHealth Chief Executive Officer Jake Pyles. "Our platform, underpinned by a powerful, interoperable engagement engine, connects providers, patients, and caregivers through scalable, automated, and multi-modal communications solutions that are highly customizable, providing both contextualized and actionable insights for care teams and providers. CipherHealth is evolving to have a suite of services enabled by a flexible platform that captures rich engagement data that will allow us to fulfill our vision of continually improving patient experience through new complementary services."

As part of the next-generation platform launch, CipherHealth is unveiling three solutions designed to deliver more personalized, intelligent, and actionable information to patients and their diverse set of caregivers at every stage of the care continuum. Additional solutions are slated for release later in the year.

EHR Activation Gateway: The EHR Activation Gateway closes key patient communication and data gaps by improving message deliverability rates, driving patient portal activations, reducing appointment no-shows, improving workflows, and allowing for vendor consolidation. Through a direct integration with Epic, the solution allows healthcare organizations to send messages originating in the EHR directly to patients without the need for extensive multi-vendor IT infrastructure.

The digital orchestration engine enables more personalized and effective healthcare conversations by layering the additional engagement data on to a patient's medical record.

Enhanced Appointment Reminders: As an extension of its Appointment Reminders solution, CipherHealth has introduced a streamlined way for patients to automatically reschedule appointments via text message. Through direct integration with Epic App Orchard, CipherHealth customers can enable self-service appointment rescheduling to keep provider schedules full, reduce staffing needs for call centers, increase revenue, and improve patient experience. This allows patients to more efficiently and automatically manage their own appointment schedules, helping reduce care gaps while increasing patient satisfaction.

Caregiver Engagement: Underscored by the challenges in family and caregiver engagement during the pandemic, when loved ones couldn't be in the room with patients, CipherHealth also plans to release a new family and friends communications solution later this year. The family and caregiver engagement solution, designed to keep loved ones informed and patients safe and healthy before, during and after medical interactions, will also integrate directly with EHR systems and significantly reduce the burden placed on burned out nurses and call center staff.

"The last year and a half have accelerated the redefinition of what it means to actually engage with patients and re-emphasized the importance of engaging caregivers," said Greg Caressi, Sr. Vice President, Global Client Lead at Frost & Sullivan. "What patients want and what many healthcare systems are actually delivering to keep patients informed, up-to-date, and continuously connected are still oceans apartas evidenced by lackluster patient adoption rates of patient portals. CipherHealth's scalable and intelligent engagement engine allows providers to reach both patients and caregivers with the right message, at the right place, and at the right time, and expand capabilities on a single platform, versus cobbling together a growing set of point solutions."

About CipherHealth

CipherHealth is an award-winning digital patient engagement company committed to enhancing communication and coordination throughout the care continuum. Since 2009, CipherHealth has helped define the patient engagement category, delivering groundbreaking tools and superior services to help health systems deliver patient-centric, quality care that improves clinical outcomes, drives operational efficiency, and creates sustainable financial value through a full suite of communications solutions. CipherHealths's automated, scalable platform empowers healthcare organizations to drive meaningful conversations among patients, provider staff and caregivers, regardless of care setting, thereby achieving new standards for patient care and accelerating the digital transformation of the industry.

SOURCE CipherHealth

Related Links

http://www.cipherhealth.com


WARRENVILLE, Ill., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Everyone is afraid of something, such as spiders, heights, flying or confined spaces. One common phobia has taken on new meaning during the coronavirus pandemic.

Experts are worried that people with a fear of needles, also known as trypanophobia, may avoid getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

Most people aren't fond of shots, but they understand the benefits. For someone with a true needle phobia, the fear takes over and causes severe feelings of dread and anxiety.

"Even hearing or thinking about vaccinations may be enough to elicit a reaction in a person with trypanophobia," says Jacqueline Sierzega, PsyD, clinical psychologist with Linden Oaks Behavioral Health, part of the Edward-Elmhurst Health system in suburban Chicago. "Symptoms of needle phobia can include anxiety, panic attacks, dizziness, fainting, insomnia, high blood pressure, elevated heart rate, or feeling emotionally or physically aggressive."

The causes of trypanophobia aren't known, but genetics, changes in brain chemistry and past traumatic experiences may play a role.

An analysis by researchers at the University of Michigan showed that 20-30 percent of adults studied cited concern about needles, ranging from mild anxiety to a phobia strong enough to keep some from seeking medical care.

A fear of needles can deter people from having other vaccinations, blood tests, contraceptive injections, surgical procedures and other necessary medical interventions.

Whether needle phobia is keeping someone from getting the COVID-19 vaccine or causing distress about it, there are ways to overcome the fear:

Seek professional help. A professional therapist has knowledge and experience in helping people with phobias, such as fear of needles. Ask a doctor about medication to help manage anxiety. Some patients benefit from a topical anesthetic to numb their arm before the shot. Look at positive posts and photos of people holding their COVID-19 vaccination cards. This may help someone associate the vaccine with positive feelings. Practice deep breathing exercises (this can help someone cope during their vaccine appointment, too). Focus on the benefits of the vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccine is a safe and effective tool to protect people against a potentially deadly virus.

Once a vaccination appointment is scheduled, people will likely still feel anxious about the shot if they have needle phobia. These techniques can help people stay calm during the appointment:

Bring a support person. Some vaccination centers may not allow it, but people can ask ahead of time for a special exception. Tell the nurse about the fear before getting the shot. The nurse may be able to explain the steps, count down, etc. to give someone a sense of control. If someone feels faint, tensing muscles or making a fist could help. They may even ask the nurse if they can get the shot lying down. Don't look. There's no need to look at the needle, it will only increase anxiety. Distraction. Listen to a song or watch a video, practice deep breathing or tune into your senses.

"It's OK to be nervous, but after your vaccination, try to talk about the experience in a positive way," says Sierzega. "This will affect how you feel about it, which is especially important if you need to come back for a second dose."

For more information, visit www.EEHealth.org/coronavirus.

SOURCE Edward-Elmhurst Health
LARGO, Md., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Corvias Infrastructure Solutions, a leader in public infrastructure development and program management, today announced its closing with the Urban Investment Group within Goldman Sachs Asset Management (Goldman Sachs) for a new credit facility of up to $75 million to finance vital municipal stormwater and green infrastructure programs. With $10.4 million committed, this financing will be used for the development of sustainable stormwater infrastructure in the Milwaukee metropolitan region of Wisconsin.

Through Corvias Infrastructure Solutions' community-based partnership (CBP) with the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD), this investment in stormwater infrastructure will provide increased capacity to mitigate 8.5 million gallons of stormwater runoff, reduce localized flooding, sewer overflows and further address the environmental and health impacts of climate change by bringing communities into compliance with the EPA Clean Water Act, transforming rainfall from a risk to a resource. The community-based partnership will implement the majority of projects in low-to-moderate income areas and empower a significant amount of small, local and disadvantaged businesses to implement green stormwater infrastructure improvements.

"This credit facility will allow for the accelerated implementation of green stormwater infrastructure, providing Corvias Infrastructure Solutions the ability to implement projects immediately in communities such as the greater Milwaukee area," said Corvias Infrastructure Solutions Senior Vice President Shawn Kerachsky. "Thanks to the vision of Goldman Sachs, this financing will not only reduce cost risk for communities plagued by flooding and stormwater runoff, but it will also provide our partners with faster delivery of key projects."

"Climate change has a tangible impact on underserved areas, especially with increased flooding causing pollution from sewer overflows," said Margaret Anadu, global head of sustainability and impact for Goldman Sachs Asset Management. "We are excited to partner with Corvias to help address this by developing sustainable infrastructure solutions needed to create more environmentally and economically resilient neighborhoods. Doing so alongside a majority-diverse set of subcontractors will ensure that these efforts are truly inclusive both in their impact and execution."

Each year, chronic flooding causes an estimated 10 trillion gallons of untreated stormwater runoff to pollute U.S. waterways, creating billions of dollars in municipal damage with the heaviest burden often falling on under-resourced communities. Corvias Infrastructure Solutions' approach to green infrastructure implementation includes innovative solutions that mimics natural hydrological processes by leveraging elements such as soil and plants to capture, filter and reduce flooding and runoff. The systems also ensure equitable access to potable water by preventing unwanted pollutants from entering the water supply during storms.

The commitment is the first installment of a new facility of up to $75 million to finance Corvias Infrastructure Solutions' construction of similar eco-friendly stormwater infrastructure in partnership with municipalities across the country. All programs financed by the facility will target 50% small, minority or women-owned business participation. Corvias currently has over $250 million of additional projects in its near-term pipeline.

About Corvias Infrastructure Solutions

Corvias Infrastructure Solutions (CIS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Corvias, is a leader in public infrastructure development and program management. CIS aggregates expert delivery partners to carry out infrastructure improvements that support regulatory compliance requirements as well as environmental, social and economic benefits through cost-effective, innovative approaches that mitigate risk for its clients. CIS combines innovative design with access to financing, construction and long-term program management, helping municipalities, utilities, school districts, property owners and other institutions solve their most complex infrastructure challenges. Taking a community-based approach, CIS has overseen the implementation of more than $450 million in water infrastructure projects in the Mid-Atlantic, Great Lakes and West Coast regions, delivering large scale programs that provide access to opportunities for local, small disadvantaged businesses and environmental literacy for members of the community. Corvias is a leading developer of P3 infrastructure and real estate projects across the U.S., developing over $10 billion of real estate and infrastructure in partnerships with higher education and government institutions nationwide.

About the Goldman Sachs Asset Management Urban Investment Group (UIG)

Bringing together traditional and alternative investments, Goldman Sachs Asset Management provides clients around the world with a dedicated partnership and focus on long-term performance. As the primary investing area within Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS), we deliver investment and advisory services for the world's leading institutions, financial advisors and individuals, drawing from our deeply connected global network and tailored expert insights, across every region and marketoverseeing more than $2 trillion in assets under supervision worldwide as of March 31, 2021. Driven by a passion for our clients' performance, we seek to build long-term relationships based on conviction, sustainable outcomes, and shared success over time. Goldman Sachs Asset Management invests in the full spectrum of alternatives, including private equity, growth equity, private credit, real estate and infrastructure. Established in 2001, the Urban Investment Group within Goldman Sachs Asset Management has committed over $10 billion through real estate projects, social enterprises and lending facilities for small businesses and students, creating economic value and opportunities for underserved communities and families. Follow us on LinkedIn.

Media contact:

Michael Giardina

[email protected]

SOURCE Corvias Infrastructure Solutions

Related Links

www.corvias.com


WEBSTER, Texas, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Corvion  developer of fully implanted mechanical circulatory support devices  announced today that William Cohn, MD and Sean Morris have been appointed to the company's Board of Directors, effective immediately.

Dr. Cohn currently serves as Vice President for Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies and the Executive Director of the Center for Device Innovation at the Texas Medical Center in Houston. In addition, he is a tenured Professor of Surgery in the Department of Cardiac Transplantation and Mechanical Circulatory Assist at Baylor College of Medicine and an Adjunct Professor of Bioengineering at both Rice University and the University of Houston. Dr. Cohn has a passion for medical device development and has more than 150 U.S. patents granted or pending for his medical device innovations that have provided the core technology for eight venture-backed medical start-ups, four of which have been acquired by large med-tech companies.

Mr. Morris currently serves as Chief Executive Officer for Euphrates Vascular, Inc. Sean is also a Director for two early-stage medical device companies and was previously CEO of Veniti Medical, a company he founded which was eventually sold to Boston Scientific. Earlier in his career, Sean had progressively increasing roles of responsibility at AngioDynamics, eventually serving as Senior Vice President and General Manager in their peripheral vascular division. Mr. Morris has been highly active in venture backed medical device development for over a decade and has successfully guided multiple startups through capital raise, product development, regulatory approval, and strategic exit phases.

"We are delighted to welcome Dr. Cohn and Sean to our Board. Dr. Cohn has deep knowledge and experience in the field of mechanical circulatory support (MCS), including efforts to develop fully implanted technologies to eliminate percutaneous drivelines. Dr. Cohn understands the challenges of MCS and how important eliminating the driveline will be for patients and their caregivers. Sean brings invaluable experience in the stages of developing, funding, and commercializing cardiovascular devices. Sean's knowledge in bringing multiple companies from concept to successful commercial launch will be a key factor as we progress down the same path for the Corvion LVAD," said Greg S. Aber, Chief Executive Officer of Corvion.

"Corvion has developed a next generation left ventricular assist device that has the potential to expand application of mechanical circulatory assist to tens of thousands of additional patients each year. Through my work at the Texas Heart Institute and the legendary Cullen Cardiovascular Research Lab, I am intimately familiar with most of the other devices that are commercially available or under development. It will be exciting to see Corvion's impact on this relatively new and impactful field," said Dr. Cohn.

"Greg and his team have worked effectively and efficiently toward solving core deficiencies in the current LVAD device technology space. No doubt, patients will benefit from the innovations conceptualized by the Corvion team. Such improvements will lead to a more normal lifestyle for patients in a post LVAD world, positively impacting quality of life  which has potential to fundamentally change and grow the market. I look forward to helping Greg and his team make big strides during this very exciting time," said Mr. Morris.

About Corvion:

Corvion (www.corvion.com) is a pre-clinical stage medical device company focused on bringing fully implanted heart assist technology to the worldwide market for mechanical circulatory support. By developing a highly efficient implantable rotary blood pump (3X more efficient than competitors) coupled with a robust and flexible transcutaneous (through the skin) charging technology, the company aims to dramatically improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

SOURCE Corvion, Inc.

Related Links

https://www.corvion.com


NEW HAVEN, Conn., Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly addressed the Knights membership during the organization's 139th annual supreme convention, held virtually for the second time due to the pandemic.

In his first annual report to the Order, he urged his brother Knights to find creative solutions to adapt to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and other cultural challenges facing Catholics today.

"On every front, the end of the pandemic is an invitation to action," Kelly said. "Charity is our highest calling, and it demands our renewed focus. Where there's pain, let us heal. Where there's grief, let us comfort. Where there's need, let us meet it, in new and creative ways."

Kelly committed his tenure to strengthening the faith of men and their families despite the challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic and current societal pressures on Catholic values. "Our growth depends on empowering men to be the husbands and fathers that God wants us to be. It is harder than ever, and for that reason, we must push forward as never before. It will require creative courage."

'Bold in Faith'

In keeping with their founding principles of charity, unity and fraternity, the Knights of Columbus is focused on serving others in the face of daunting health, economic and social challenges.

To put their faith into action effectively, Kelly said the Knights must be "bold in faith," following the example of St. Joseph.

The day Kelly was installed as supreme knight, his first act was to consecrate his administration to St. Joseph, whom he called "Guardian of the Family" and "Guardian of the Truth" in his annual report.

Kelly said the Knights, too, must be guardians of the family during this time when the family faces many challenges and a hostile culture. The Knights are also called to defend the truth incarnate of Jesus Christ amid this time of bigotry and intolerance in which "key truths  about life, marriage, the nature of the family, and the meaning of freedom  are increasingly denied and even vilified."

A documentary about the life of St. Joseph, produced by the Knights of Columbus, will air on ABC affiliates starting Oct. 10. It will serve as a valuable source of inspiration for all those wishing to model their lives after St. Joseph's bold faith.

He also addressed the Knights' support for the National Eucharistic Revival currently being organized by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

"Working with our bishops and priests, we will strive to renew belief in the Eucharist and build up the Church," Kelly said. "We are a force for unity, and we will prove it by pointing to the source of unity. As 'Knights of the Eucharist,' we proudly proclaim this truth."

Called to 'Creative Courage'

Kelly suggested the other man whose example each Knight should follow is Blessed Michael McGivney, the founder of the Order. Though Father McGivney also lived in a time of families in crisis facing a hostile culture and a Church under attack, he did not shrink from those challenges.

"In the mold of St. Joseph, [McGivney] stepped into the breach, with creative courage," Kelly said. "Father McGivney listened to the Lord, fought for the family and the faith, and devoted himself to our Blessed Mother."

McGivney successfully rallied the men of his parish to lead lives of charity, unity and fraternity, which Kelly argues are still the solutions to the most serious problems of our time.

"By elevating our founder, the Lord has called us to greater depths of courage and faith, and greater heights of charity, unity and fraternity," Kelly said. "In the beatification of Blessed Michael McGivney, the Lord has not only confirmed where the Knights have been in the past. He is showing us where we must go, in the future."

The supreme knight also discussed the Knights' distinguished legacy of defending life. That legacy includes:

Playing a leading role in national and state marches for life since they began.

Marking the 60 th anniversary of the Silver Rose Program that signifies the Knights' commitment to building a culture of life.

anniversary of the Silver Rose Program that signifies the Knights' commitment to building a culture of life. Growing the Ultrasound Initiative that has placed more than 1,400 of these lifesaving machines in pregnancy resource centers, including one in South Korea that was dedicated in April.

that was dedicated in April. Continuing support for legislation that protects the right to life of unborn children.

"The fight for life has many fronts. They all require our creative courage, and the coming year will be pivotal," Kelly said. "I look forward to the day when together we march to victory!"

Fraternal Giving

"Faith and courage compel us to be men of charity," said Kelly, a prime example of which is former Supreme Knight Carl Anderson.

Kelly thanked Anderson for his 20 years of faithful leadership, during which time the Order grew dramatically in every measurable way: "Our charitable donations soared by more than 60%. Insurance in force nearly tripled. Membership rose by nearly 400,000 and surpassed 2 million. And the Order expanded internationally for the first time in a century, to Europe and mainland Asia."

In 2020, Kelly reported, the Knights donated more than $150 million and volunteered more than 47 million hours of service using "creative courage" to serve communities despite the challenges of the pandemic.

Under the banner of the Leave No Neighbor Behind initiative in response to the pandemic, Knights' members donated nearly $7.7 million to community and parish projects, as well as 1.2 million pounds of food and almost a quarter million pints of blood. They supported nearly 300,000 struggling parishioners and brother Knights, with a special focus on indigenous families across the continent.

Those charitable efforts were completed alongside the Knights' ongoing activities, including these highlights from 2020:

$3.2 million and nearly half a million volunteer hours for the Special Olympics

and nearly half a million volunteer hours for the Special Olympics $1.5 million for disaster relief programs

for disaster relief programs More than 100,000 coats given to needy children throughout the U.S. and Canada , resulting in 800,000+ "Coats for Kids" over the past 12 years

, resulting in 800,000+ "Coats for Kids" over the past 12 years Milestone of 100,000+ wheelchairs donated around the world over the past 18 years for the Global Wheelchair Mission

$4.4 million for persecuted Christians in the Middle East , with total Middle East relief efforts standing at more than $30 million , and new efforts focused on Nigeria

Insurance Growth Despite Pandemic

Despite a difficult year, Kelly reported insurance sales were strong, with Knights agents selling $7.4 billion dollars in new insurance. The Knights now have more than $116 billion dollars of insurance in force protecting Catholic families.

Kelly also reported the Knights' Charitable Fund is off to a strong start: "After just 18 months, we already have $14 million in assets, and we anticipate robust growth in the coming months."

Fulfilling a Call to Service

Kelly concluded his report with a final word on how St. Joseph and Blessed McGivney can serve as examples for all Knights on leading through service and creative courage to overcome the hurdles facing our families, the Church, and our culture.

"Let us summon the creative courage to fulfill the calling that our Lord has placed on our hearts. And let us take comfort in the knowledge that the work of our Order is far from over," said Kelly. "The work of the Knights of Columbus is only beginning  and we are the ones who will carry it forward."

###

About the Knights of Columbus

Founded in 1882 by Blessed Michael J. McGivney, The Knights of Columbus is one of the world's leading fraternal and service organizations with 2 million members in more than 16,000 parish-based councils. During the past year, Knights around the world donated more than 47 million service hours and $150 million for worthy causes in their communities. The organization also offers extensive life insurance services to members and their families, resulting in more than $116 billion of life insurance in force. Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors offers investment services to individuals and institutions in accord with Catholic social teaching and has nearly $29 billion in assets under management. From helping children in need, to providing wheelchairs for the disabled, to helping stock food banks, to offering top-rated and affordable insurance products to its members, to creating a legacy of giving, the Knights of Columbus has supported families and communities for more than 139 years. To learn more please visit us at kofc.org.

SOURCE Knights of Columbus

Related Links

https://www.kofc.org/


FORT WORTH, Texas, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Crestline Investors, Inc. today announced the appointment of Robert Bernstone as Managing Director and Head of Trading of the firm's Hedge Fund Strategies business unit, effective immediately. In this new role Bernstone will lead both global trading and manage an index strategy. He will be based in the firm's New York City office and report to Caroline Cooley, a Managing Partner of Crestline, and CIO of Crestline's multi-PM hedge fund, which includes the long/short equities strategy.

"We are beyond excited to welcome Robert to Crestline," said Cooley. "Rob is a key senior member of the investment team and fulfills our strategic commitment to both broaden our footprint and expand our portfolio strategies. He brings a wealth of experience in managing successful, complex strategies, systems, risk and leading people."

Mark Walker, President of Crestline's multi-PM hedge fund, added, "Rob is the real deal. I have hired and interviewed many people over the years and have yet to have found a single person more universally praised and regarded for both his character and skill. He brings world class tactical acumen and risk management to our team. With Rob's addition, we have significantly increased our capabilities and scale."

Bernstone commented, "I am excited and honored to join Crestline. I look forward to working with Caroline, Mark and the team to build upon a track record of success."

Previously, Bernstone was a Managing Director at Credit Suisse in New York and London, responsible for all swap trading, market making and financing, for equities and index products in the Americas and EMEA. He also managed the Central Risk Book, Systematic Strategies and Global Inventory Optimization. Earlier in his career, Bernstone was Managing Director, Global Portfolio Trading at Deutsche Bank in New York. He has also worked at Baring Securities and Morgan Stanley, in Tokyo and New York.

Bernstone graduated from Brandeis University with a B.A. in Economics.

About Crestline Investors, Inc.

Crestline Investors, Inc., founded in 1997 and based in Fort Worth, Texas, is an institutional alternative investment management firm. Crestline specializes in credit and opportunistic investments, including financing and restructuring solutions for mature private equity funds. In addition, the firm manages Hedge Fund investment strategies and provides beta and hedging solutions for institutional clients, including a multi-portfolio manager equity, long-short platform launched in July 2015. Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, the company maintains affiliate offices in New York City, London, Toronto and Tokyo. For more information, please visit www.crestlineinvestors.com .

Media Contact:

Nick Rust

646-818-8252

[email protected]

SOURCE Crestline Investors, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.crestlineinvestors.com


STOCKHOLM, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Crowley Maritime Corporation's Solutions business unit has been awarded a multi-year contract for Vessel Acquisition Management (VAM) by the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD). Stena RoRo is included in Crowley's project team, together with Serco and LCE (Life Cycle Engineering).

The RRF currently consists of 41 vessels whereof 33 are Deepsea RoRos. A key objective in the VAM programme is a reduction of the overall age of the fleet and increase of ship reliability.



Stena RoRo will provide expertise related to market intelligence in the vessel selection process. Stena RoRo will also act as broker within the VAM programme and support Crowley & MARAD with the conclusion of contracts for identified candidate vessels fulfilling the operational requirements set by MARAD.



"We look forward to work with Crowley & MARAD and to provide our market knowledge, including our extensive worldwide network in the RoRo segment," says Ambjorn Frojd, Commercial Project Manager, Stena RoRo. "In addition, our operational experience and engineering capabilities, will enhance cooperation with the stakeholders involved in the project and add further value."



"The VAM project represent another milestone in the long-standing cooperation between Crowley and Stena RoRo, dating back to the early 80s," says Per Westling, Managing Director, Stena RoRo.



"In Stena RoRo we have a partner with commercial, operational as well as technical excellence within the relevant commercial markets worldwide, complementing Crowley's deep knowledge of the US MARAD requirements," says Mike Golonka, Vice President, Government Ship Management in Crowley Solutions.



Link to press release from Crowley:

https://www.crowley.com/news-and-media/press-releases/marad-vam-contract/



For more information, please contact

Per Westling, Managing Director, Stena RoRo AB

Tel: +46 31 855154; +46 704 85 51 54

Email: [email protected]



Since 1977, Stena RoRo has led the development of new marine RoRo, cargo and passenger concepts. We provide custom-built vessels, as well as standardized RoRo and RoPax vessels. The company leases about fifteen vessels to operators worldwide, both other Stena companies and third parties. Stena RoRo specializes above all in applying its technical expertise to the design and production of new ships and the conversion of existing ships for providing tailored transport solutions to its customers. We call this "Stenability". Since 2013, we have been responsible for the design and completion of Mercy Ships' new hospital vessel the Global Mercy  the world's largest civilian hospital ship. www.stenaroro.com



More information about Crowley Maritime Corporation's Solutions: www.crowley.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/stena-roro/r/crowley---stena-roro-to-assist-united-states-maritime-administration--marad--in-acquiring-vessels-fo,c3392265

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/9515/3392265/1450766.pdf Crowley and Stena RoRo to assist MARAD in acquiring vessels for their Ready Reserve Force https://news.cision.com/stena-roro/i/marad-ready-reserve-force-ship,c2939915 MARAD Ready Reserve Force ship https://news.cision.com/stena-roro/i/stena-forecaster,c2939916 Stena Forecaster

SOURCE Stena RoRo
WOONSOCKET, R.I., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) is making a significant investment in its employees by raising the minimum enterprise hourly wage to $15 an hour effective July 2022, with incremental increases to the company's competitive hourly rates starting this month. Approximately 65 percent of employees earning hourly wages already make more than $15 an hour.

"Attracting and retaining top talent across our businesses is critical as we continue to redefine what it means to meet people's health needs," said CVS Health President and CEO Karen S. Lynch. "These wage increases will have a meaningful impact on our colleagues and their families while helping the communities we serve prosper. Today's announcement is the latest in a series of investments in our people, including bonuses and benefit enhancements throughout the pandemic."

Moving to $15 an hour next year will mark a more than 60 percent increase in the CVS Health minimum enterprise hourly wage over a four-year period. The new wage structure incorporates additional increases beyond the enterprise minimum, with higher starting hourly rates for roles such as pharmacy technicians and call center representatives.

"With millions of visits per day to our nearly 10,000 locations across the country, our retail business plays an important role in how we deliver care," said CVS Health Chief People Officer Laurie Havanec. "Our track record on wages aligns with the evolving needs and expectations of CVS Health colleagues in customer-facing roles."

CVS Health has a longstanding commitment to workforce development and creating opportunities in the communities it serves. The company's Registered Apprenticeship program has placed thousands in retail pharmacy and management career tracks, with a focus on advancement. Last week CVS Health opened its newest Workforce Innovation and Talent Center in Pittsburgh, which provides employment services and training to underserved populations through partnerships with faith-based and community organizations. An additional location opened in Philadelphia this week, which will help bring financial stability to more individuals and families.

In addition to boosting wages, CVS Health is removing barriers to obtaining employment. Recently the company eliminated the high school diploma or GED requirement for most entry-level roles, and this year will eliminate the GPA requirement for university recruitment.

About CVS Health

CVS Health is the leading health solutions company, delivering care in ways no one else can. We reach more people and improve the health of communities across America through our local presence, digital channels and our nearly 300,000 dedicated colleagues  including more than 40,000 physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and nurse practitioners. Wherever and whenever people need us, we help them with their health  whether that's managing chronic diseases, staying compliant with their medications, or accessing affordable health and wellness services in the most convenient ways. We help people navigate the health care system  and their personal health care  by improving access, lowering costs and being a trusted partner for every meaningful moment of health. And we do it all with heart, each and every day. Learn more at www.cvshealth.com.

Media contact

T.J. Crawford

212-457-0583

[email protected]

Investor contact

Susie Lisa, CFA

401-770-4050

[email protected]

SOURCE CVS Health

Related Links

http://www.cvshealth.com


Gary Dennis, Mammoth's co-founder, CEO, and Chairman explained, "Dave Hoffmann is an extraordinary business executive and leader. We could not be more pleased that he is joining Mammoth's board of directors and has invested in Mammoth." Dennis added, "The brand and digital transformation he oversaw at Dunkin' [Brands] was remarkable, and we are excited to have someone of his caliber advising us on Mammoth's growth and investment strategy."

Marcus Kittrell, Mammoth's executive vice president, commented, "Dave [Hoffmann] has led big brands with thousands of units driven by owner-operators of all sizes." Kittrell continued, "He gets that our operator-focus is a key part of what makes Mammoth special and will help us take our store operations to a whole new level of excellence in the coming years."

Dave Hoffmann stated, "I'm excited to be joining such a talented team of entrepreneurs, and I look forward to working with the leadership team to accelerate growth and scale in the US. Over the past 25 years, I've worked shoulder-to-shoulder with operators across the US and the globe, and I'm thrilled to partner with Mammoth as we build on the unique DNA of its owner-operator led business model. I've been tracking Mammoth's progress for some time now, and I believe in the huge potential ahead of us."

Mammoth is the first car wash acquisition platform formed by industry-insiders and is the 7th largest conveyor car wash operator in the United States according to Commercial Plus's Top 100 list. Mammoth is customer-focused operationally and operator-focused in its approach to acquisitions and seeks to be the partner-of-choice for car wash operators who desire liquidity, growth capital, and a tax-deferred equity investment opportunity. Mammoth's multi-brand portfolio includes Marc-1, Wash Me Fast, Swifty, Ultra, Finish Line, Wiggy Wash, Shine On, Pit Stop, Lulu's, Ollie's, and now PureMagic, among others. Mammoth has significant growth capital at its disposal and is actively seeking acquisitions and development opportunities.

In October 2018, Mammoth partnered with Red Dog Equity LLC, an Atlanta-based private equity firm, which, through its partnership with Tom Pritzker's family business interests (advised by The Pritzker Organization), provides the equity for Mammoth's corporate development initiatives.

About Mammoth Holdings

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Mammoth Holdings operates 63 conveyor car washes and is currently developing 13 under the PureMagic, Marc-1, QuickWash Express, Ultra, Wash Me Fast, Wiggy Wash, Pals, Finish Line, Shine On, Lulu's, Ollie's, PitStop, and Swifty brands in Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, Illinois, Utah, South Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Indiana, and Tennessee. Mammoth was founded by Gary Dennis and Chip Hackett in 2002. To learn more, please visit one of our locations or see us online at: www.mammothholdings.com.

About Dave Hoffmann

Dave Hoffmann joined Dunkin' Brands in October 2016 as President, Dunkin' U.S., overseeing all operations, marketing and development for the brand domestically. He was appointed to CEO in July 2018, where his responsibilities expanded to include BaskinRobbins, as well as the international businesses of both Dunkin' and Baskin-Robbins. Prior to joining Dunkin' Brands, Dave spent 22 years with McDonald's Corporation, where he most recently served as President, High Growth Markets, an area that included China, South Korea, Russia and several additional European markets. From 2009 to 2015, he held various leadership roles as part of McDonald's Asia Pacific Middle East Africa (APMEA), serving as President beginning in 2012 and overseeing the operations of 8,900 restaurants across 37 countries.

About Red Dog Equity LLC

Red Dog Equity LLCTM is a private equity firm that invests in lower middle-market companies poised for strong growth in partnership with driven, entrepreneurial business leaders ("Red Dogs"). To learn more, please visit: www.reddogequity.com.

About The Pritzker Organization

The Pritzker Organization is the merchant bank for the business interests of the Tom Pritzker family. Additional information can be found at www.pritzkerorg.com.

SOURCE Mammoth Holdings

Related Links

https://www.mammothholdings.com


BENSALEM, Pa., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Law Offices of Howard G. Smith reminds investors of the upcoming September 14, 2021 deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in the case filed on behalf of investors who purchased RenovaCare, Inc. ("RenovaCare" or the "Company") (OTC: RCAR ) securities between August 14, 2017 and May 28, 2021, inclusive (the "Class Period").

Investors suffering losses on their RenovaCare investments are encouraged to contact the Law Offices of Howard G. Smith to discuss their legal rights in this class action at 888-638-4847 or by email to [email protected].

On May 28, 2021, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") issued a litigation release stating that RenovaCare was being charged with alleged securities fraud. According to the SEC's complaint, between July 2017 and January 2018, the Company's controlling shareholder and Chairman, Harmel Rayat ("Rayat"), "arranged, and caused RenovaCare to pay for, a promotional campaign designed to increase the company's stock price." Specifically, "Rayat was closely involved in directing the promotion and editing promotional materials, and arranged to funnel payments to the publisher through consultants to conceal RenovaCare's involvement in the campaign." When OTC Markets Group, Inc. requested that RenovaCare explain its relationship to the promotion, the complaint alleges that "Rayat and RenovaCare then drafted and issued a press release and a Form 8-K that contained material misrepresentations and omissions denying Rayat's and the company's involvement in the promotion."

On this news, the Company's stock price fell $0.66, or 24.8%, over three consecutive trading sessions to close at $2.00 per share on June 2, 2021.

The complaint filed in this class action alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Company's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors: (1) that, at the direction of Rayat, RenovaCare engaged in a promotional campaign to issue misleading statements to artificially inflate the Company's stock price; (2) that, when the OTC Markets inquired, RenovaCare and Rayat issued a materially false and misleading press release claiming that no director, officer, or controlling shareholder had any involvement in the purported third party's promotional materials; (3) that, as a result of the foregoing, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were defective; and (4) as a result, Defendants' statements about its business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked reasonable basis at all relevant times.

If you purchased or otherwise acquired RenovaCare securities during the Class Period, you may move the Court no later than September 14, 2021 to ask the Court to appoint you as lead plaintiff if you meet certain legal requirements. To be a member of the class action you need not take any action at this time; you may retain counsel of your choice or take no action and remain an absent member of the class action. If you wish to learn more about this class action, or if you have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Howard G. Smith, Esquire, of Law Offices of Howard G. Smith, 3070 Bristol Pike, Suite 112, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020, by telephone at (215) 638-4847, toll-free at (888) 638-4847, or by email to [email protected], or visit our website at www.howardsmithlaw.com.

This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules.

Contacts

Law Offices of Howard G. Smith

Howard G. Smith, Esquire

215-638-4847

888-638-4847

[email protected]

www.howardsmithlaw.com

SOURCE Law Offices of Howard G. Smith

Related Links

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TORONTO, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Denison Mines Corp. ("Denison" or the "Company") (TSX: DML) (NYSE American: DNN) is pleased to report positive interim results from the ongoing metallurgical test program for the planned In-Situ Recovery ("ISR") mining operation at the Phoenix uranium deposit ("Phoenix"), located on the Company's 90% owned Wheeler River Uranium Project ("Wheeler River" or the "Project"). Test work completed to date, has consistently supported an ISR mining uranium head-grade for Phoenix in excess of the 10 grams / Litre ("g/L") assumed in the Pre-Feasibility Study ("PFS") completed for Wheeler River in 2018. Accordingly, the Company has decided to adapt its plans for the remaining metallurgical test work, including the bench-scale tests of the unit operations of the proposed process plant, to reflect a 50% increase in the head-grade of uranium bearing solution ("UBS") to be recovered from the well-field. View PDF version.

David Bronkhorst, Denison's Vice President Operations, commented, "The metallurgical testing completed to date demonstrates that uranium can be consistently recovered from Phoenix cores at levels significantly higher than the 10 g/L extraction rate used in the PFS  giving rise to a decision to adapt future unit operation metallurgical tests to use a UBS head-grade of 15 g/L.

A 50% increase in head-grade is expected to translate into meaningful optimization of previously estimated operating parameters and processing plant designs while maintaining the same level of annual uranium production  with the potential to reduce operating costs related to on-surface processing activities, and initial capital costs associated with the processing plant."

Phoenix is expected to be mined in several phases, with Phase 1 estimated to contain 22.2 million pounds U 3 O 8 (37,242 tonnes at 27.1% U 3 O 8 , above a cut-off grade of 0.8% U 3 O 8 ) in Probable mineral reserves (see Press Release dated December 1, 2020). Accordingly, the sample selection for recent metallurgical test work has favored samples representative of the mineralization in Phase 1, to allow for a greater understanding of optimal leaching conditions required in the area where first production is expected.

Core Leach Test Results

Three core samples, representing the high-grade/low-clay characteristics of the majority of the mineralization in the Phase 1 mining area, have been tested to date, with results summarized below in Table 1  showing steady-state and average UBS head grades significantly above the 10g/L level used in the PFS.

Table 1  Summary Results from High-Grade/ Low clay Core Leach Tests

Sample #1 Sample #3A Sample #3C Sample diameter 6.1 cm 8.1 cm 7.8 cm Sample length 19 cm 18 cm 7cm Sample grade (U 3 O 8 ) 70% 83% 83% Clay Content Low Low Low UBS range in steady state (U) 13.5 g/L to 39.8 g/L 29g/L to 90g/L 14g/L to 74g/L UBS average interval (U) 22g/L over 56 days 29.6 g/L over 85 days 31.1 g/L over 64 days

In addition to the high-grade/low clay characteristics of Phase 1, the Phoenix ISR operation is also expected to encounter comparatively rare and isolated areas with lower uranium grades and high clay content, which is expected to result in a limited number of zones of reduced permeability. In order to understand the ISR leach dynamics in these areas, test work was also initiated on samples presenting high clay characteristics (above 25% clay). Results obtained from these tests confirm that high clay content can impact the natural permeability of the ore body and lead to lower UBS head-grades. Importantly, these tests also confirm that permeability enhancement techniques have the potential to normalize these areas and significantly improve UBS head-grade concentrations to levels that align with core leach tests carried out using samples with higher grades and lower clay content.

As outlined in Table 2, below, sample 2A failed to produce an acceptable "steady-state" UBS head grade. Sample 2B was taken from the same drill hole and presented similar mineralogical characteristics as Sample 2A; however, Sample 2B was modified to simulate the MaxPERF permeability enhancement tool. As is evident from the achievement of a peak UBS head-grade of 76 g/L and an average UBS head-grade of 24.9 g/L obtained over 28 days of steady state, the preliminary leaching results from Sample 2B confirm both the utility of permeability enhancement in normalizing the natural permeability in high clay zones and the appropriateness of the decision to increase the overall UBS head-grade assumption for Phoenix.

Table 2  Summary Results from medium Grade/ High clay Core Leach Tests

Sample #2A Sample #2B(1) Sample diameter 61mm 61mm Sample length 12cm 10cm Sample grade (U 3 O 8 ) 28% 28% Clay Content High High Permeability Enhancement No Yes UBS range in steady state (U) N/a 5.8g/L to 76.0 g/L UBS average interval (U) 3.8g/L over 1 day 24.9 g/L over 28 days

Notes: (1) Core test is still in progress. Results are as of August 3, 2021.

Column Leach Tests

Various column leach tests have recently been completed using core samples from Phoenix. The primary purpose of the column leach tests was to recover sufficient volumes of UBS to facilitate bench-scale tests of the unit operations outlined in the flowsheet for the Phoenix processing plant. Over 900 litres of UBS were produced from 64 Kilograms ("kg") of Phoenix core samples. Combined results from the four column leach tests are highly positive, with calculated UBS head-grade from the four columns averaging 19g/L, which further supports the decision to increase the overall UBS head-grade assumption for Phoenix.

While not the primary purpose of the column leach tests, average reagent addition rates from the column leach tests (1.3 kg acid / kg U 3 O 8 and 1.2 kg oxidant / kg U 3 O 8 ) have also provided useful information that is supportive of the values published in the PFS.

The laboratory work for the 2021 Metallurgical Program is being carried out at the Saskatchewan Research Council ("SRC") Mineral Processing and Geoanalytical Laboratories, in Saskatoon, under the supervision of Mr. Chuck Edwards (P.Eng., FCIM).

About Phoenix Phase 1

Phase 1 of Phoenix is estimated to contain approximately 22.2 million pounds U 3 O 8 (37,242 tonnes at 27.1% U 3 O 8 , above a cut-off grade of 0.8% U 3 O 8 ) in Probable mineral reserves. Based on current designs, the Company estimates approximately 6.6 million pounds U 3 O 8 (7,717 tonnes at 39.2% U 3 O 8 , above a cut-off grade of 0.8% U 3 O 8 ) in Probable mineral reserves are contained within the expected operating perimeter of the Test Pattern (see Figure 1). These estimates are derived as a direct subset of those reported in the Technical Report titled "Pre-feasibility Study for the Wheeler River Uranium Project, Saskatchewan, Canada" dated October 30, 2018 with an effective date of September 24, 2018 (the "PFS Report"). The key assumptions, parameters and methods used to estimate the mineral reserves herein remain unchanged.

About Wheeler River

Wheeler River is the largest undeveloped uranium project in the infrastructure rich eastern portion of the Athabasca Basin region, in northern Saskatchewan  including combined Indicated Mineral Resources of 132.1 million pounds U 3 O 8 (1,809,000 tonnes at an average grade of 3.3% U 3 O 8 ), plus combined Inferred Mineral Resources of 3.0 million pounds U 3 O 8 (82,000 tonnes at an average grade of 1.7% U 3 O 8 ). The project is host to the high-grade Phoenix and Gryphon uranium deposits, discovered by Denison in 2008 and 2014, respectively, and is a joint venture between Denison (90% and operator) and JCU (Canada) Exploration Company Limited (10%).

A PFS was completed for Wheeler River in late 2018, considering the potential economic merit of developing the Phoenix deposit as an ISR operation and the Gryphon deposit as a conventional underground mining operation. Taken together, the project is estimated to have mine production of 109.4 million pounds U 3 O 8 over a 14-year mine life, with a base case pre-tax NPV of $1.31 billion (8% discount rate), Internal Rate of Return ("IRR") of 38.7%, and initial pre-production capital expenditures of $322.5 million. The Phoenix ISR operation is estimated to have a stand-alone base case pre-tax NPV of $930.4 million (8% discount rate), IRR of 43.3%, initial pre-production capital expenditures of $322.5 million, and industry leading average operating costs of US$3.33/lb U 3 O 8 . The PFS is prepared on a project (100% ownership) and pre-tax basis, as each of the partners to the Wheeler River Joint Venture are subject to different tax and other obligations.

Further details regarding the PFS, including additional scientific and technical information, as well as after-tax results attributable to Denison's ownership interest, are described in greater detail in the PFS Report. A copy of the PFS report is available on Denison's website and under its profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.

Denison suspended certain activities at Wheeler River during 2020, including the EA process, which is on the critical path to achieving the project development schedule outlined in the PFS. While the EA process has resumed, the Company is not currently able to estimate the impact to the project development schedule outlined in the PFS, and users are cautioned against relying on the estimates provided therein regarding the start of pre-production activities in 2021 and first production in 2024.

About Denison

Denison is a uranium exploration and development company with interests focused in the Athabasca Basin region of northern Saskatchewan, Canada. The Company has an effective 95% interest in its flagship Wheeler River Uranium Project, which is the largest undeveloped uranium project in the infrastructure rich eastern portion of the Athabasca Basin region of northern Saskatchewan. Denison's interests in Saskatchewan also include a 22.5% ownership interest in the McClean Lake joint venture ("MLJV"), which includes several uranium deposits and the McClean Lake uranium mill that is contracted to process the ore from the Cigar Lake mine under a toll milling agreement, plus a 25.17% interest in the Midwest Main and Midwest A deposits, and a 66.90% interest in the Tthe Heldeth Tue ("THT," formerly J Zone) and Huskie deposits on the Waterbury Lake property. Each of Midwest Main, Midwest A, THT and Huskie are located within 20 kilometres of the McClean Lake mill.

Through its 50% ownership of JCU (Canada) Exploration Company, Limited ("JCU"), Denison also holds interests in various uranium project joint ventures in Canada, including the Millennium project (JCU 30.099%), the Kiggavik project (JCU 33.8123%) and Christie Lake (JCU 34.4508%).

Denison is also engaged in mine decommissioning and environmental services through its Closed Mines group (formerly Denison Environmental Services), which manages Denison's Elliot Lake reclamation projects and provides post-closure mine care and maintenance services to a variety of industry and government clients.

Follow Denison on Twitter @DenisonMinesCo

Qualified Persons

The technical information contained in this release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. David Bronkhorst, P.Eng, Denison's Vice President, Operations, who is a Qualified Person in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information contained in this news release constitutes 'forward-looking information', within the meaning of the applicable United States and Canadian legislation, concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of Denison.

Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as 'plans', 'expects', 'budget', 'scheduled', 'estimates', 'forecasts', 'intends', 'anticipates', or 'believes', or the negatives and/or variations of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results 'may', 'could', 'would', 'might' or 'will be taken', 'occur', 'be achieved' or 'has the potential to'.

In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information pertaining to the following: the planned scope, elements, and objectives of the 2021 ISR field programs, including the results of the column leach tests, including head grade and reagent usage results and estimates; other evaluation activities, including plans for future lixiviant tests and those activities connected with the EA process; the results of the PFS and expectations with respect thereto; expectations with respect to phased development, and the estimates of reserves in each such phase; other development and expansion plans and objectives, including plans for a feasibility study; and expectations regarding its joint venture ownership interests and the continuity of its agreements with its partners.

Forward looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made, and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Denison to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For example, the modelling and assumptions upon which the work plans are based may not be maintained after further testing or be representative of actual conditions within the Phoenix deposit. In addition, Denison may decide or otherwise be required to discontinue its field test activities or other testing, evaluation and development work at Wheeler River if it is unable to maintain or otherwise secure the necessary resources (such as testing facilities, capital funding, regulatory approvals, etc.) or operations are otherwise affected by COVID-19 and its potentially far-reaching impacts. Denison believes that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be accurate and results may differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information. For a discussion in respect of risks and other factors that could influence forward-looking events, please refer to the factors discussed in Denison's Annual Information Form dated March 26, 2021 or subsequent quarterly financial reports under the heading 'Risk Factors'. These factors are not, and should not be construed as being exhaustive.

Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Any forward-looking information and the assumptions made with respect thereto speaks only as of the date of this news release. Denison does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information after the date of this news release to conform such information to actual results or to changes in Denison's expectations except as otherwise required by applicable legislation.

Cautionary Note to United States Investors Concerning Estimates of Measured, Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources and Probable Mineral Reserves: This press release may use the terms 'measured', 'indicated' and 'inferred' mineral resources. United States investors are advised that while such terms have been prepared in accordance with the definition standards on mineral reserves of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum referred to in Canadian National Instrument 43-101 Mineral Disclosure Standards ('NI 43-101') and are recognized and required by Canadian regulations, these terms are not defined under Industry Guide 7 under the United States Securities Act and, until recently, have not been permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ('SEC'). 'Inferred mineral resources' have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies. United States investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of measured or indicated mineral resources will ever be converted into mineral reserves. United States investors are also cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource exists, or is economically or legally mineable. In addition, the terms "mineral reserve", "proven mineral reserve" and "probable mineral reserve" for the purposes of NI 43-101 differ from the definitions and allowable usage in Industry Guide 7. Effective February 2019, the SEC adopted amendments to its disclosure rules to modernize the mineral property disclosure requirements for issuers whose securities are registered with the SEC under the Exchange Act and as a result, the SEC now recognizes estimates of "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources" and "inferred mineral resources". In addition, the SEC has amended its definitions of "proven mineral reserves" and "probable mineral reserves" to be "substantially similar" to the corresponding definitions under the CIM Standards, as required under NI 43-101. However, information regarding mineral resources or mineral reserves in Denison's disclosure may not be comparable to similar

SOURCE Denison Mines Corp.

Related Links

http://denisonmines.com/s/Home.asp


The total investment in the 220-room Bourbon Orleans Hotel represents a 7% capitalization rate on 2019 net operating income ("NOI"). The Hotel recently reopened and is expected to generate approximately a 6.3% NOI yield in 2022 and is underwritten to achieve a stabilized 8% NOI yield. The investment in the 37-room Henderson Park Inn was acquired for nearly a 7% capitalization rate on trailing 12-month NOI and is also expected to achieve an 8% yield after the implementation of new professional management and best practices. Both acquisitions were funded with cash proceeds from dispositions closed in the second quarter and the properties are expected to generate positive cash flow in 2021.

"These high-quality acquisitions continue DiamondRock's multi-year strategic initiative to assemble a leading portfolio of leisure-oriented, experiential hotels and resorts," said Mark W. Brugger, President and Chief Executive Officer of DiamondRock Hospitality Company. "Finding off-market acquisitions in unique markets allows DiamondRock to purchase higher quality real estate at better pricing than many others. Moreover, these two deals have numerous attractive attributes we target, including proven cash flow, significant ROI opportunities, irreplaceable locations, high-barrier-to-entry markets, fee simple and fully unencumbered by brand and management."

Bourbon Orleans Hotel

The Bourbon Orleans Hotel represents a rare opportunity to acquire a large, fully unencumbered, fee simple hotel in the heart of the famed French Quarter of New Orleans. When the property was rebuilt into a modern hotel it retained its historic facade and Parisian grandeur from its time as The Orleans Theatre & Ballroom (1817-1881) and convent for the Sisters of the Holy Family (1881-1964). Today, the Hotel offers guests all the rich legacy of a historic building without having to comprise on modern amenities or services.

The Bourbon Orleans Hotel shows a uniquely sophisticated side of life on Bourbon Street, the single biggest leisure destination in the city. The Hotel has a strong track record of profitability and is traditionally ranked top 10 on TripAdvisor. It has also been recognized by numerous travel publications for its excellence, including Conde Nast (#7 Top Hotel in New Orleans), USA Today (#5 Top Haunted Hotel in the U.S.), and TripAdvisor (2019 Certificate of Excellence).

The French Quarter provides a unique experience of The Big Easy that appeals to the modern traveler. Internationally recognized and one of the country's most popular leisure destinations, New Orleans draws visitors from all over the world to experience its eclectic culture, award-winning unique restaurants, jazz clubs, shops, casinos, riverboat cruises, festivals and sporting events. The French Quarter is the epicenter of activity and primary demand driver of New Orleans' tourist economy including 135 festivals, most notably the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival ("Jazz Fest") and Mardi Gras, and features a bohemian, creole charm that is reflected in the fabric of the community, from the century-old restaurants and historic Spanish architecture to streets adorned with live performers and constant sounds of jazz music. The French Quarter is the primary draw for the nearly 20 million visitors who came to New Orleans in 2019, the city's 13th consecutive year of tourism growth. The outlook for New Orleans in 2022 is particularly bright with the return of Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest and the NCAA Final Four in the first quarter 2022, as well as a strong convention calendar.

Henderson Park Inn

Situated on Florida's Emerald Coast, Henderson Park Inn benefits from the strong trend for adults-only, beachfront romantic vacations and retreats. The Resort has a New England-style charm and is situated on nearly two acres of secluded white-sand beach, making it the perfect spot to enjoy spectacular views and luxurious privacy. The Resort's irreplaceable location and top-quality amenities have made this the #1 resort in Destin on TripAdvisor and garnered attention from numerous travel and leisure publications, including being named the 23rd Best Hotel in the Country (TripAdvisor), Best Luxury Value (Conde Nast 2020 Awards for Excellence), Best Hotel in Destin, FL (U.S. News and Travel), and Ten Best Beach Hotels in Florida (Coastal Living). As one indication of the Resort's high quality, it achieved an average room rate of over $500 in June.

Known for its 24 miles of pristine beaches and emerald green water, Destin was recently ranked as the #1 Best Beach in Florida and the #3 Best Beach in the U.S. The destination continues to gain immense popularity with urban feeder markets such as Atlanta, Dallas, Nashville, and Houston. Last year alone, the white sand beaches of Destin attracted 4.5 million visitors and The Henderson Park Inn is one of the few beachfront hotels in Destin. The fee-simple interest in the Resort was purchased fully unencumbered by brand and management, previously managed by an owner-operator. The Company has installed a professional management company and has identified several opportunities to dramatically improve revenue management and expects to achieve significant growth.

About the Company

DiamondRock Hospitality Company is a self-advised real estate investment trust (REIT) that is an owner of a leading portfolio of geographically diversified hotels concentrated in top gateway markets and destination resort locations. The Company currently owns 31 premium quality hotels and resorts with over 9,000 rooms. The Company has strategically positioned its hotels to be operated both under leading global brand families as well as unique boutique hotels in the lifestyle segment. For further information on the Company and its portfolio, please visit DiamondRock Hospitality Company's website at www.drhc.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws and regulations. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as "believe," "expect," "intend," "project," "forecast," "plan" and other similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions and forecasts of future results. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to differ materially from those anticipated at the time the forward-looking statements are made. These risks include, but are not limited to: national and local economic and business conditions; operating risks associated with the hotel business; risks associated with the level of the Company's indebtedness; relationships with property managers; the ability to compete effectively in areas such as access, location, quality of accommodations and room rate structures; changes in travel patterns, taxes and government regulations which influence or determine wages, prices, construction procedures and costs; and other risk factors contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that the expectations will be attained or that any deviation will not be material. All information in this release is as of the date of this release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in the Company's expectations.

SOURCE DiamondRock Hospitality Company
NEW YORK, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- DLA Piper represented Foot Locker, Inc. (NYSE: FL) in its recent agreement to acquire Text Trading Company, K.K., which owns and licenses the atmos brand, a digitally led, premium global retailer headquartered in Japan, for US$360 million, with additional purchase price consideration based on performance targets. The agreement was executed on July 31, and the closing is anticipated within 60-90 days.

The acquisition of atmos, a culturally connected brand featuring premium sneakers and apparel, an exclusive in-house label, collaborative relationships with leading vendors in the sneaker ecosystem, experiential stores and a robust omni-channel platform, will accelerate Foot Locker's global reach with a highly strategic foothold in Japan.

"We were pleased to advise Foot Locker on this transaction, bringing together a strong cross-border team with extensive M&A and retail sector experience to ensure a successful result. This acquisition will support our client's robust growth strategy in the growing Asia-Pacific market and expand on its impressive brand portfolio, and we look forward to Foot Locker's continued success," said Erik Wulff, the DLA Piper partner who led the firm's deal team.

"The DLA Piper team demonstrated a high level of dedication, professionalism and transactional knowledge at every step of this acquisition, and their support was essential to navigating the many complexities of a large cross-border deal," said Randolph Brodwin, VP - Associate General Counsel at Foot Locker. "We are grateful for their efforts and look forward to continuing to work together."

In addition to Wulff (Washington, DC/Dallas), the DLA Piper team advising Foot Locker included partner Jay Finkelstein (Washington, DC), associate Kristin Bandura (Washington, DC) and partner David Kramer (Washington, DC) in the US; partners Lance Miller and Lawrence Carter and associates Tomoko Muneyuki, Edward Mears and Morita Takanobu in Tokyo; partner Anderson Lam in Hong Kong; partner Samata Masagee in Bangkok; and senior associate Wincen Santoso in Singapore.

With more than 1,000 corporate lawyers globally, DLA Piper helps clients execute complex transactions seamlessly while supporting clients across all stages of development. The firm has been rated number one in global M&A volume for 11 consecutive years, according to Mergermarket.

The firm's Retail sector consists of nearly 200 lawyers in North America with experience in diverse, highly relevant areas of practice who provide creative solutions and strategic advice to clients in the retail industry. DLA Piper's extensive industry experience, sharp understanding of developing trends and global market presence ensures its ability to provide high-quality, seamless service while addressing retail clients' legal and business needs.

About DLA Piper

DLA Piper is a global law firm with lawyers located in more than 40 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, positioning us to help clients with their legal needs around the world. In certain jurisdictions, this information may be considered attorney advertising. dlapiper.com

SOURCE DLA Piper

Related Links

http://www.dlapiper.com


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Frequently Asked Questions:

What are the major market threats for Energy Consulting Market?

The pressure from substitutes and a moderate level of threat from new entrants have resulted in the moderate bargaining power of suppliers.

Who are the top players in the market?

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Ltd., Ernst & Young Global Ltd., KPMG International Cooperative, Accenture Plc, General Electric Co., Capgemini Services SAS, Boston Consulting Group Inc., Bain & Co. Inc., and McKinsey & Co., are some of the major market participants.

What are the pricing models followed by buyers?

Value-based pricing model, fixed pricing model, and hourly wage pricing model are the widely adopted pricing models in commercial vehicle cabin procurement.

What will be incremental spend in Energy Consulting?

The procurement market will register an incremental spend of about USD 6.2 Billion, during 2021-2025.

What is the expected price change in energy consulting procurement?

During the forecast period, the price for energy consulting procurement will increase by 5%-8%.

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Key Insights Provided in the Energy Consulting Research Report:

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Is my Energy Consulting TCO (total cost of ownership) favorable?

Is my Energy Consulting TCO (total cost of ownership) favorable?

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Key trends and drivers in this market

Table of Content

Executive Summary

Market Insights

Category Pricing Insights

Cost-saving Opportunities

Best Practices

Category Ecosystem

Category Management Strategy

Category Management Enablers

Suppliers Selection

Suppliers under Coverage

US Market Insights

Category scope

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On Track for Strong H2 2021 with Increased Production and Lower Costs

all dollar figures are in US dollars, unless otherwise indicated

VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Equinox Gold Corp. (TSX: EQX) (NYSE American: EQX) ("Equinox Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce its second quarter 2021 summary financial and operating results. The Company's unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements and related management's discussion and analysis for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 will be available for download on SEDAR, on EDGAR and on the Company's website. The Company will host a conference call and webcast on August 5, 2021 commencing at 7:00 am Vancouver time to discuss the Company's second quarter results and activities underway at the Company's projects. Further details are provided at the end of this news release.

Christian Milau, CEO of Equinox Gold, commented: "Equinox Gold had a solid second quarter with strong performance from the Brazil mines, significant development progress at both Santa Luz and Greenstone, and completion of the stripping campaign at Mesquite to open up the higher-grade Brownie deposit. With Mesquite now stacking ore from Brownie and operations at Los Filos restored, production should be significantly higher in the second half of the year at lower costs.

"The second half of the year will also be catalyst rich, with Santa Luz on track to start commissioning by year end and pour first gold in Q1 2022, the start of full-scale construction at Greenstone and completion of both the Aurizona underground and Los Filos expansion studies. With a strong balance sheet and robust cash flow from seven producing mines, we remain focused on our growth strategy toward one million ounces of annual gold production."

HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2021

Operational and financial

Lost-time injury frequency rate of 0.76 per million hours worked

Produced 122,656 ounces ("oz") of gold

Sold 124,712 oz of gold at an average realized gold price of $1,806 per oz

per oz Total mine cash costs of $1,089 per oz (1) and mine AISC of $1,382 per oz (1)

per oz and mine AISC of per oz Earnings from mine operations of $45.6 million

Net income of $325.7 million or $1.10 per share

or per share Adjusted net income of $3.1 million or $0.01 per share, after adjusting for non-cash expenses (1)(2)

or per share, after adjusting for non-cash expenses Cash flow from operations before changes in non-cash working capital of $31.6 million ( $20.2 million after changes in non-cash working capital)

( after changes in non-cash working capital) Adjusted EBITDA of $52.4 million (1)(2)

Expenditures of $34.1 million in sustaining capital and $53.1 million in non-sustaining capital (1)

in sustaining capital and in non-sustaining capital Temporary suspension of mining and development activities at Los Filos in June due to illegal blockades, which were resolved in July

Net debt of $215.6 million (1) at June 30, 2021 (including $139.6 million of in-the-money convertible notes)

at (including of in-the-money convertible notes) Cash and cash equivalents (unrestricted) increased to $333.9 million at June 30, 2021

Corporate

Completed the acquisition of Premier Gold Mines Limited ("Premier")

Acquired 100% interest in the producing Mercedes Mine in Mexico and 50% interest in the construction-ready Greenstone Project ("Greenstone") in Ontario, Canada

and 50% interest in the construction-ready Greenstone Project ("Greenstone") in

Received spin-out shares and invested C$24.1 million to hold approximately 30% on a basic basis in i-80 Gold, a company that holds the Nevada assets previously owned by Premier

to hold approximately 30% on a basic basis in i-80 Gold, a company that holds the assets previously owned by Premier Completed non-brokered private placement for C$75.0 million ( $59.6 million ) of 7.5 million common shares at a price of C$10.00 per share in conjunction with closing of the Premier acquisition

( ) of 7.5 million common shares at a price of per share in conjunction with closing of the Premier acquisition Acquired additional 10% interest in Greenstone from Orion Mine Finance Group for $51.0 million in cash plus other contingent consideration, bringing the Company's total interest in Greenstone to 60%

in cash plus other contingent consideration, bringing the Company's total interest in Greenstone to 60% Sold the Pilar mine in Brazil for $38.0 million plus a 1% net smelter returns royalty on the mine and a 9.9% equity interest in the buyer, Pilar Gold Inc.

for plus a 1% net smelter returns royalty on the mine and a 9.9% equity interest in the buyer, Pilar Gold Inc. Completed the sale of ten million shares in Solaris Resources Inc. ("Solaris") and warrants for the buyers to acquire up to five million additional shares of Solaris for a period of 12 months with a C$10.00 strike price, for total cash proceeds of C$82.5 million received; in the event all warrants are exercised, the Company would receive an additional C$50.0 million for total proceeds of up to C$132.5 million

strike price, for total cash proceeds of received; in the event all warrants are exercised, the Company would receive an additional for total proceeds of up to Published the Company's first ESG (environmental, social and governance) report

Continued to implement COVID-19 health, safety and testing protocols at all mine sites to limit COVID-19 exposure and transmission; no significant COVID-19 operational disruptions during the quarter

Construction and development

Commenced mining at Santa Luz in Brazil ; project construction on budget, approximately 50% complete and on schedule to pour gold in Q1 2022

; project construction on budget, approximately 50% complete and on schedule to pour gold in Q1 2022 Completed more than 51,000 metres of drilling across the Company's portfolio of assets

RECENT 2021 HIGHLIGHTS

Updated production and cost guidance to reflect strong performance at Brazil sites and disruption to mining and development activities at Los Filos

sites and disruption to mining and development activities at Los Filos Production estimated at 560,000 to 625,000 oz of gold with cash costs of $1,025 to $1,075 per oz (1) and AISC of $1,300 to $1,375 per oz (1)

to per oz and AISC of to per oz

AISC includes $186 million of sustaining capital with non-sustaining capital estimated at $251 million (1)

of sustaining capital with non-sustaining capital estimated at

Improved consolidated guidance, excluding the effect of Los Filos disruptions

Los Filos resumed operations in late July following the removal of both blockades

___________________ 1. Mine cash costs per oz sold, all-in-sustaining costs ("AISC") per oz sold, adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization), adjusted net income, adjusted earnings per share, sustaining capital, non-sustaining capital and net debt are non-IFRS measures. See Non-IFRS Measures and Cautionary Notes. 2. Primary adjustments were $50.3 million gain on sale of Solaris shares, $186.1 million gain on reclassification of the Company's Solaris investment from cost to fair value accounting, $45.4 million gain on sale of Pilar mine, $24.0 million unrealized gain on change in fair value of warrants and $19.0 million unrealized gain on change in fair value of foreign exchange contracts.

EXERCISE OF WARRANTS

Management reminds warrantholders that as a result of the 2018 spin-out of copper assets into Solaris (TSX: SLS) and Equinox Gold's 5:1 share consolidation in 2019, Equinox Gold warrants now exercise into 0.20 shares of EQX and 0.05 shares of SLS and the market value of Solaris shares should be taken into consideration when determining the "in-the-money" calculation for warrants. Equinox Gold has added a warrant calculation table to the Shares & Warrants page of its website to assist in the calculation of effective exercise price for outstanding Equinox Gold warrants

CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS















Three months ended

Six months ended Operating data Unit June 30, 2021(1) March 31,

2021 June 30, 2020

June 30, 2021(1) June 30, 2020(2) Gold produced oz 122,656 129,233 127,016

251,919 215,967 Gold sold oz 124,712 128,555 125,824

253,268 208,453 Average realized gold price $/oz 1,806 1,786 1,708

1,799 1,654 Total cash costs per oz sold(4) $/oz 1,089 1,141 825

1,115 832 Mine AISC per oz sold(3)(4) $/oz 1,382 1,482 947

1,433 954 Financial data













Revenue M$ 226.2 229.7 215.3

455.9 345.4 Earnings from mine operations M$ 45.6 44.2 67.2

89.8 103.8 Net income (loss) M$ 325.7 50.3 (77.8)

376.1 (72.2) Earnings (loss) per share $/share 1.10 0.21 (0.34)

1.40 (0.39) Adjusted EBITDA(4) M$ 52.4 60.5 63.4

112.9 105.3 Adjusted net income (loss)(4) M$ 3.1 (3.6) 8.3

(0.5) 16.2 Adjusted EPS(4) $/share 0.01 (0.02) 0.04

(0.00) 0.09 Balance sheet and cash flow data













Cash and cash equivalents (unrestricted) M$ 333.9 317.5 494.1

333.9 494.1 Net debt(4) M$ 215.6 229.8 244.3

215.6 244.3 Operating cash flow before changes in non-cash working capital M$ 31.6 62.0 59.6

93.6 90.9

1. Operational and financial results of the assets acquired from Premier are included from April 7, 2021, onward. 2. Operational and financial results of the assets acquired in the acquisition of Leagold Mining Corporation ("Leagold") are included from March 10, 2020, onward. 3. Consolidated mine AISC per oz sold excludes corporate general and administration expenses. 4. Cash costs per oz sold, AISC per oz sold, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, adjusted EPS and net debt are non-IFRS measures. See Non-IFRS Measures and Cautionary Notes.

The Company realized revenue of $226.2 million on sales of 124,712 oz of gold during the second quarter, compared to revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2021 ("Q1 2021") of $229.7 million on sales of 128,555 oz of gold. The decrease in oz sold from Q1 2021 to Q2 2021 is mainly due to lower production at Aurizona as peak rainy season resulted in more ore being drawn from lower-grade stockpiles instead of run-of-mine ore, lower production at Fazenda as the result of lower grades mined and processed, and the suspension of mining activities at Los Filos due to two illegal blockades. When comparing Q2 2021 to Q1 2021, the addition of production and gold sold during the second quarter from the Mercedes mine, which was acquired on April 7, 2021 from Premier, was offset by the sale on April 16, 2021 of the Pilar mine, which had contributed to oz of gold produced and sold during Q1 2021.

Earnings from mine operations in Q2 2021 of $45.6 million increased slightly from $44.2 million in Q1 2021, and net income in Q2 2021 of $325.7 million increased from $50.3 million in Q1 2021. The increase in earnings from mine operations was due to higher realized gold prices and improved cash costs per oz gold sold compared to Q1 2021. The increase in net income was largely driven by a $50.3 million gain on sale of Solaris shares, a $186.1 million gain on reclassification of the Company's Solaris investment from cost to fair value accounting, and a $45.4 million gain on the sale of the Pilar mine.

Adjusted EBITDA for Q2 2021 of $52.4 million decreased from $60.5 million in Q1 2021 largely due to increased care and maintenance costs, which are expensed directly, incurred at Los Filos due to the illegal blockades. Adjusted net income of $3.1 million for Q2 2021 compared to an adjusted net loss of $3.6 million in Q1 2021 due to lower tax expense.

On April 28, 2021, the Company sold 10 million shares in Solaris, reducing the Company's interest in Solaris to 19.9%. As a result of the decrease in ownership to less than 20%, the Company reclassified its investment in Solaris from cost to fair value accounting, resulting in a $186.1 million non-cash gain on the Company's Solaris investment during the second quarter. Going forward, the Company will recognize a non-cash gain or loss on the change in fair value of its investment in Solaris in other comprehensive income.

2021 GUIDANCE

The Company has updated its 2021 production and cost guidance to reflect solid performance at the Brazil sites and the disruption to mining and development activities at Los Filos.























Production (oz)

Cash Costs ($/oz)(1)

Aisc

($/oz)(1)(2)

Sustaining

Capital (m$)(1)

Non-sustaining

Capital (m$)(1) Mexico Los Filos 120,000 - 140,000 $ 1,590 - 1,660 $ 1,790 - 1,850 $ 35 $ 83 Mercedes(3) 30,000 - 35,000

750 - 800

1,150 - 1,200

17

2 USA Mesquite 130,000 - 140,000

975 - 1,025

1,375 - 1,425

49

9 Castle Mountain 20,000 - 30,000

800 - 850

1,590 - 1,640

18

10 Brazil Aurizona 130,000 - 140,000

750 - 800

1,025 - 1,075

37

4 Fazenda 60,000 - 65,000

850 - 900

1,100 - 1,150

16

3 RDM 60,000 - 65,000

1,000 - 1,050

1,175 - 1,225

13

25 Pilar(4) 9,334

1,120

1,294

1

- Santa Luz -

-

-

-

75 Canada Greenstone(3) -

-

-

-

40 Total

560,000 - 625,000 $ 1,025 - 1,075 $ 1,300 - 1,375 $ 186 $ 251

1. Cash costs per oz sold, AISC per oz sold, sustaining capital and non-sustaining capital are non-IFRS measures. See Non-IFRS Measures and Cautionary Notes. 2. Consolidated mine AISC per oz sold excludes corporate general and administration expenses. 3. Production and capital attributable to Equinox Gold from April 7, 2021, the date of acquisition. 4. Actuals attributable to Equinox Gold prior to the sale of the Pilar mine, as announced on April 19, 2021.



Production guidance has been increased by 10,000 oz at Aurizona due to higher expected ore grade in the second half of 2021 ("H2 2021") and by 5,000 oz at RDM after strong performance in the first half of the year ("H1 2021"), with no change to Fazenda, Mesquite or Mercedes guidance. Castle Mountain guidance has been reduced by 10,000 oz to reflect a weaker start to the year, although optimization activities related to solution flow on the leach pad have already resulted in double the ounce production in Q2 2021 with continuing improvements expected in H2 2021.

The primary change to gold production guidance is from Los Filos, where illegal blockades during the quarter disrupted mining activities and delayed access to higher-grade ore. While both blockades were resolved in July and the mine is back in operation, production guidance has been reduced by 50,000 oz. Mining activities restarted in the Bermejal and Guadalupe open pits at the end of July and AISC is expected to be significantly lower in the second half of the year, with all ore sources now available.

Cost escalation for certain consumables during 2021, including diesel, cyanide and other reagents, has resulted in increased cash cost per oz guidance at several of the Company's mines. Overall, however, costs per oz are expected to decrease from H1 2021 as production increases at almost all mines and higher-grade ore is placed on the leach pads at both Los Filos and Mesquite. While sustaining capital guidance has decreased slightly, the increase in cash costs per oz due to cost escalation and the overall weaker and disrupted performance at Los Filos for the year is reflected in an 8% increase to the AISC per oz guidance range. Non-sustaining capital guidance is generally consistent with previous guidance with the exception of Los Filos, which has been reduced to reflect the delay to development activities at the Bermejal underground deposit.

SELECTED FINANCIAL RESULTS FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2021(1) and 2020











Three months ended

Six months ended $ amounts in millions, except per share amounts June 30, 2021 June 30,

2020

June 30, 2021 June 30, 2020(2) Revenue $ 226.2 $ 215.4

$ 455.9 $ 345.4 Operating expenses

(139.8)

(113.0)



(286.6)

(189.5) Depreciation and depletion

(40.8)

(35.2)



(79.5)

(52.1) Earnings from mine operations

45.6

67.2



89.8

103.8 Care and maintenance

(7.1)

(21.6)



(9.1)

(22.5) Exploration

(4.7)

(3.9)



(7.7)

(6.6) General and administration

(15.5)

(9.6)



(22.8)

(16.2) Income from operations

18.2

32.1



50.1

58.5 Other income (expense)

292.5

(104.6)



330.9

(95.6) Net income (loss) before taxes

310.7

(72.5)



381.0

(37.1) Tax (expense) recovery

15.0

(5.3)



(4.9)

(35.1) Net income (loss)

325.7

(77.8)



376.1

(72.2) Net income (loss) per share attributable to Equinox Gold shareholders,

















Basic

1.10

(0.34)



1.40

(0.39) Diluted

0.96

(0.34)



1.19

(0.39)

1. Financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 include the results of operations for the mines acquired through the Premier acquisition for the period of April 7 to June 30, 2021. 2. Financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2020 include the results of operations for mines acquired through the acquisition of Leagold for the period of March 10 to June 30, 2020.

Additional information regarding the Company's financial results and activities underway at the Company's projects is available in the Company's Q2 2021 Financial Statements and accompanying management's discussion and analysis for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, which will be available for download on the Company's website at www.equinoxgold.com, on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST

Equinox Gold will host a conference call and webcast on Thursday, August 5 commencing at 7:00 am Vancouver time to discuss the Company's second quarter results and activities underway at the Company's projects. All participants will have the opportunity to ask questions of Equinox Gold's CEO and executive team. The webcast will be archived on Equinox Gold's website until February 5, 2022.

Conference call Webcast Toll-free in U.S. and Canada: 1-800-319-4610 International callers: +1 604-638-5340 www.equinoxgold.com

ABOUT EQUINOX GOLD

Equinox Gold is a Canadian mining company operating entirely in the Americas, with seven operating gold mines and a clear path to achieve more than one million ounces of annual gold production from a pipeline of development and expansion projects. Equinox Gold's common shares are listed on the TSX and the NYSE American under the trading symbol EQX. Further information about Equinox Gold's portfolio of assets and long-term growth strategy is available at www.equinoxgold.com or by email at [email protected].

CAUTIONARY NOTES

Technical Information

Doug Reddy, Msc, P.Geo., Equinox Gold's COO, is the Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 for this Equinox Gold press release and has reviewed and approved the technical information in this document.

Non-IFRS Measures

This news release refers to all-in sustaining costs ("AISC") per ounce sold, which is a measure with no standardized meaning under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Its measurement and presentation is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS. Non-IFRS measures are widely used in the mining industry as measurements of performance and the Company believes that they provide further transparency into costs associated with producing gold and will assist analysts, investors and other stakeholders of the Company in assessing its operating performance, its ability to generate free cash flow from current operations and its overall value. Refer to the "Non-IFRS Measures" section of the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the period ended December 31, 2020, for a more detailed discussion of this non-IFRS measure and its calculation.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation and may include future-oriented financial information. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information in this news release relate to, among other things: the strategic vision for the Company and expectations regarding exploration potential, production capabilities and future financial or operating performance; the Company's ability to successfully advance its growth and development projects, including the construction of Santa Luz and Greenstone and the expansions at Los Filos and Castle Mountain; the implications of blockades at Los Filos; the expectations for the Company's investments in Solaris, i-80 Gold Corp ("i-80 Gold") and Pilar Gold Inc. ("Pilar Gold"); the duration, extent and other implications of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19); and the Company's production and cost guidance. Forward-looking statements or information generally identified by the use of the words "will", "achieve", "strong", "on track", "clear path", "underway", "achieve" and similar expressions and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "could", "would" or "should", or the negative connotation of such terms, are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements since the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The Company has based these forward-looking statements and information on the Company's current expectations and projections about future events and these assumptions include: the strengths, characteristics and potential of Equinox Gold following the Premier acquisition; Equinox Gold's ability to achieve the production, cost and development expectations for its respective operations and projects; prices for gold remaining as estimated; currency exchange rates remaining as estimated; construction and development at Santa Luz, Los Filos, Castle Mountain and Greenstone being completed and performed in accordance with current expectations; tonnage of ore to be mined and processed; ore grades and recoveries; availability of funds for the Company's projects and future cash requirements; capital, decommissioning and reclamation estimates; Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates and the assumptions on which they are based; prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services; no labour-related disruptions and no unplanned delays or interruptions in scheduled construction, development and production, including by blockade; the Company's working history with the workers, unions and communities at Los Filos; all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals are received in a timely manner; the Company's ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws; the strategic vision for i-80 Gold and its ability to successfully advance its projects; the strategic vision for Solaris and its ability to successfully advance its projects; the exercise of the Solaris warrants; and the ability of Pilar Gold to successfully operate the Pilar mine and to meet its payment commitments to the Company. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on the forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release.

The Company cautions that forward-looking statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: fluctuations in gold prices; fluctuations in prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services; fluctuations in currency markets; operational risks and hazards inherent with the business of mining (including environmental accidents and hazards, industrial accidents, equipment breakdown, unusual or unexpected geological or structural formations, cave-ins, flooding and severe weather); inadequate insurance, or inability to obtain insurance to cover these risks and hazards; employee relations; relationships with, and claims by, local communities and indigenous populations; the Company's ability to obtain all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in a timely manner or at all; changes in laws, regulations and government practices, including environmental, export and import laws and regulations; legal restrictions relating to mining including those imposed in connection with COVID-19; risks relating to expropriation; increased competition in the mining industry; the failure by Pilar Gold to meet one or more of its payment commitments to the Company; and those factors identified in the Company's MD&A dated March 19, 2021 and its Annual Information Form dated March 24, 2021, both of which relate to the year-ended December 31, 2020, and in the Company's MD&A dated August 4, 2021 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, all of which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar. Forward-looking statements and information are designed to help readers understand management's views as of that time with respect to future events and speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to publicly announce the results of any change to any forward-looking statement or information contained or incorporated by reference to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting the forward-looking statements and information. If the Company updates any one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that the Company will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

SOURCE Equinox Gold Corp.
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Contact

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+1 855-897-5880

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SOURCE BizVibe

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PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Everest Discovery LLC, a business specializing in eDiscovery and litigation support service, is proud to announce national certification as a Women's Business Enterprise by the WBENC East, a regional certifying partner of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).

"I am honored to be recognized as a successful woman-owned and controlled business and proud to lead Everest Discovery, said Sue Pellegrino, President of Everest Discovery LLC. "This is a wonderful opportunity for Everest Discovery to be in the forefront of the Tri-State region's litigation support service industry. The WBENC certification is another key to our business plan and company fundamental principles to promote diversity in the workplace."

The WBENC standard of certification implemented by the WBENC East is a meticulous process including an in-depth review of the business and site inspection. The certification process is designed to confirm the business is at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by a woman or women.

By including women-owned businesses among their suppliers, corporations and government agencies demonstrate their commitment to fostering diversity and the continued development of their supplier diversity programs.

To learn more about Everest Discovery LLC, please visit www.everestdiscovery.com.

About Everest Discovery LLC:

Everest Discovery is a leading national Litigation Support and eDiscovery provider headquartered in Philadelphia, PA with team members located in the western and central regions. Everest is a GSA contractor which has served legal departments, law firms, and government agencies since 2005.

Our core focus on solutions, service, and security enables our organization to provide actionable insights that transform workflows, reduce risk, and generate significant cost savings for our client base. We are a true end-to-end service provider, offering solutions across the entire EDRM that comprehensively address our clients' business problems by incorporating best-of-breed technologies, knowledge-based services, and a consultative approach.

About WBENC:

Founded in 1997, WBENC is the nation's leader in women's business development and the leading third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women, with more than 17,000 certified Women's Business Enterprises, 14 national Regional Partner Organizations, and more than 350 Corporate Members. More than 1,000 corporations representing America's most prestigious brands as well as many states, cities, and other entities accept WBENC Certification. For more information, visit www.wbenc.org.

CONTACT:

Sue Pellegrino

[email protected]

215-325-1800

SOURCE Everest Discovery LLC

Related Links

http://www.everestdiscovery.com


With over 15 years of experience, Mahajan has represented leading providers of business process and IT services in all aspects of complex global outsourcing transactions, including responding to RFPs, negotiating contracts, and managing and implementing complex global IT outsourcing, cloud, and business transformation arrangements. He has been nationally recognized as a leading lawyer for outsourcing by Chambers USA , which notes, "Clients recommend Sarvesh Mahajan as 'a very good counselor and adviser,' offering praise for his 'creative and open-minded' approach."

One of the firm's strategic growth priorities is the continued expansion of its transactional capabilities. In April, the firm added 24 lawyers from the storied financial services firm Kibbe & Orbe. Mahajan's arrival coincides with that of partner Frederick D. "Rick" Hyman, a highly regarded restructuring and insolvency lawyer, who is also joining the Corporate Group in New York.

"Due to growing client needs in the area of technology transactions, including as a result of the pandemic and the increased integration of technology into all aspects of business, our practice has expanded significantly," said Philip T. Inglima, chair of Crowell & Moring. "Sarvesh's deep and demonstrated experience in the technology outsourcing space will be of great value to clients."

"It's exciting to see Crowell & Moring strengthen its corporate practice by bringing on such a talented lawyer as Sarvesh, a known and well-respected practitioner in the technology transactions and outsourcing arena," said Mike Cammarota, Managing Director  Senior Director of Legal Services, Global Transactions, at Accenture.

"The addition of Sarvesh comes at the perfect moment for the firm," said Glen G. McGorty, managing partner of Crowell & Moring's New York office. "Our New York office has seen significant growth in the Corporate Group, and Sarvesh strengthens our ability to support clients in IT, cloud, and business transformation contracts."

"Sarvesh bolsters Crowell & Moring's corporate offerings to industry-leading technology clients as well as the vast number of businesses embracing digital transformation, particularly those with multinational footprints," said Samuel E. Feigin, co-chair of the firm's Corporate Group. "With his addition, we will have a highly skilled and experienced attorney, dedicated full time to driving technology transactions. We expect Sarvesh to play a prominent role in the further growth of our firmwide technology practice."

Mahajan joins from Wiggin and Dana, where he was a partner in the firm's Outsourcing and Technology Practice Group. In addition, he served as the firm's Diversity Manager. Prior to that, Mahajan was counsel for a multinational information technology services company and the University System of Maryland. He was also an attorney-advisor in the U.S. Department of Commerce. Mahajan earned his law degree from George Washington University Law School and his bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

"Crowell's people-focused culture really drew me to the firm, including seeing how much the firm values all that people bring both internally and externally," Mahajan said. "Pair that with a strong commitment to client service and the opportunity to expand my practice while complementing the firm's existing offerings, and you have a fabulous recipe for success."

About Crowell & Moring LLP

Crowell & Moring LLP is an international law firm with offices in the United States, Europe, MENA, and Asia that represents clients in litigation and arbitration, regulatory and policy, and transactional and corporate matters. The firm is internationally recognized for its representation of Fortune 500 companies in high-stakes litigation and government-facing matters, as well as its ongoing commitment to pro bono service and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Media Contact:

An Pham

Senior Communications Manager

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Crowell & Moring LLP
Since opening its doors, the VA Maine Fisher House has cared for 550 guests while their loved ones received medical care. Special precautions have been taken including social distancing and increased cleaning procedures.

"The opportunity for me to stay at Fisher House and spend so much time each day with Rex has made such a difference for both of us," said VA Maine Fisher House guest Susie Daugherty. "In the midst of the most frightening and depressing chapter of our 40-year marriage, we have received this amazing, spirit-lifting gift of time together, and for me to be able to return each night from the hospital to this perfectly beautiful home away from home is so comforting."

The 13,500 sq. ft. home provides lodging for families of Veterans at no cost, allowing them to be with their loved ones while they undergo treatment at the at the Togus VA Maine Medical Center. The new home away from home will mean a savings to Veteran families of more than half a million dollars each year.

This is the 86th Fisher House located across the country and in Germany and the United Kingdom. Another five houses were opened during the pandemic bringing the total number of Fisher House to 91. The VA Maine Fisher House is in an area where many Veterans drive long distances to receive specialized care.

"We are grateful to have such a wonderful resource available in Maine for our Veterans and active duty service members. These comfort homes greatly enhance VA Maine's ability to provide access to exceptional health care for Veterans," said VA Maine Healthcare System Medical Center Director Tracye B. Davis.

"I am honored to finally be part of the VA Maine Fisher House dedication," said Fisher House Foundation President David Coker. "Despite the challenges of COVID-19, the Fisher House has done an amazing job supporting families during these challenging times."

The VA Maine Fisher House has 16 handicap accessible guest suites, a spacious kitchen, large communal living, dining and family rooms, laundry room and an outdoor patio. The home was gifted to VA as part of the dedication ceremony.

Fisher House Foundation proudly recognizes the generosity of the following contributors for their extraordinary support of our military and Veterans' families: the Wohlers Family Foundation, Fisher House of Boston, Inc., Ruby W. & Lavon P. Linn Foundation, Vehicles for Veterans, and the many gifts of a grateful nation.

About Fisher House

Fisher House Foundation is best known for its network of 91 comfort homes where military and Veteran families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment. These homes are located at major military and VA medical centers nationwide, and in Europe, close to the medical center or hospital they serve. Fisher Houses have up to 21 suites, with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a warm dining room and an inviting living room. Fisher House Foundation ensures that there is never a lodging fee. Since inception, the program has saved military and Veteran families an estimated $525 million in out-of-pocket costs for lodging and transportation. www.fisherhouse.org

About the VA Maine Healthcare System -www.maine.va.gov

Please visit our Facebook page @VAMaine

SOURCE Fisher House Foundation

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NEW YORK, and LONDON, and OSLO, Norway, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Forsta , the leading global solutions provider for understanding customer and employee experiences, launches a partnership with Rybbon , the industry-leading digital gifting platform, to help Market Research and Voice of the Customer (VoC) customers reward their end users for completing surveys. Rybbon will be specifically integrating with Forsta's survey importing tool, Confirmit Horizons, expanding their partnership with the Forsta brands.

"Our customers are ambitious  and Rybbon is a great selling point to help them attract high-quality respondents, increase response rates, and provide a seamless, real-time reward experience that respondents want," said Andrew Miles, Senior Vice President of Technology Partnerships and Product Integrations, Forsta. "We look forward to seeing how our new and existing customers leverage this tool to gain greater understanding from their customers to transform insights into action."

Respondents can choose from Instant Rewards to redeem immediately after completing a survey, promoting long-term engagement. Rybbon also offers a unique money-back guarantee to customers for unclaimed or unused rewards. Rybbon's existing partnership with Confirmit serves more than 1,200 global customers, across nearly 150 countries and has delivered over 2.5 million rewards to respondents.

"Our mission is to help deliver high-quality, valuable results to Forsta customers and a best-in-class reward experience for end users," said Jignesh Shah, CEO, Rybbon. "We're keen to dive into this partnership with Forsta, and together, provide a strong blend of products that benefit end users."

Find out more about our partners here .

About Forsta

Forsta, is the brand for the recently merged businesses of Confirmit and FocusVision, two of the world's leading Experience and Research technology companies. In collaboration with their clients, Forsta informs and inspires designs solutions and deploys their market leading experience and research technology to exceed their clients' needs. Forsta, growing smarter together. Visit Forsta.com for more information.

About Confirmit, a Forsta Brand

Confirmit's solutions are built by insights professionals, for insights professionals. Market Research, customer experience and employee engagement consultants around the world rely on our solutions to turn insight into stories that fuel action. The heart of our business is the people behind our technology, and we work as a partner to deliver the flexibility and power you need to understand and manage experiences, emotions, and behaviours so you're always one step ahead.

About FocusVision a Forsta Brand

Established in 1990, FocusVision offers a comprehensive suite of experience insights software solutions - including advanced survey, online interview and focus groups, and online qualitative research community solutions to get brands close enough to their customers to have a full understanding of Customer Truth -- how they think, feel, and act. Trusted by 18 of the Top-20 Fortune 100 companies, and all of the Top-10 Healthcare and CPG companies, FocusVision was honoured for its Outstanding Innovation in Customer Experience Management with MarTech Breakthrough Awards in 2018 and 2019.

About Rybbon

Rybbon puts the power of rewards to work for marketers and market researchers through its extensive catalog of e-gifts from top brands like Amazon and DoorDash. Rybbon works great for international rewards programs, with options such as Visa and Mastercard prepaid rewards that work in 150+ countries. Rybbon integrates with leading platforms including HubSpot, Marketo, and Zapier to make rewarding easy and automatic.

To learn more about Rybbon, please visit http://www.rybbon.net .

Media Contact:

Sara Beth Fahey

Matter Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Forsta

Related Links

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FORT WORTH, Texas, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Seth McCloskey, a personal injury lawyer at the Law Offices of Steven C. Laird P.C., recently earned Board Certification in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He also holds a national certification in truck accident law from the National Board of Trial Advocacy, a designation he shares with firm founder Steven C. Laird. Together, the attorneys are only two of 10 lawyers in the state of Texas to specialize in this area of law.

To earn board certification, an attorney must be licensed for at least five years, devote a required percentage of practice to a specialty area for at least three years, attend continuing education seminars, pass an evaluation by fellow lawyers and judges, and pass a six-hour written examination.

"When a client is looking for representation, they want someone who has a solid understanding about a specific area law. Seth is an attorney who has and continues to demonstrate that expertise to clients," said Mr. Laird. "His Board Certification in personal injury law now places him among a prestigious group of lawyers who have earned this elite level of recognition. We congratulate him on this great achievement."

Prior to joining Laird, Mr. McCloskey worked as a felony prosecutor in the Ellis County & District Attorney offices. He later went into private practice where he represented individuals and families in cases involving serious injury or death. His extensive experience in truck accident law also allows him to be a frequent speaker at industry and legal trade events throughout the country.

Mr. McCloskey is a member of The National Trial Lawyers "Top 40 Under 40." In 2019 and 2020, he was selected to the Texas Rising Stars listing by Thomson Reuters. He earned his law degree from the University of Toledo and is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University.

"This is a personal milestone," said Mr. McCloskey. "Being board certified will ensure that our clients know they are getting the best legal representation available, whether it be a trucking collision or other serious injury case."

Board Certification is offered in 21 specific areas of laws. Initial certification is valid for five years. To remain certified attorneys and paralegals must apply for recertification every five years and meet substantial involvement, peer review and continuing legal education requirements for their specialty area.

To learn more about the Texas Board of Legal Specialization or find a certified attorney or paralegal in your area, visit www.tbls.org.

CONTACT: Jennie Bui-McCoy, Androvett Legal Media & Marketing, 800-559-4534

SOURCE Law Offices of Steven C. Laird

Related Links

https://www.texlawyers.com


DENVER, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Parking Revenue Recovery Services (PRRS), Inc., a leader in parking enforcement and revenue collections services, yesterday announced the sale of the company's majority stock to GB & Partners Investment Management. GB & Partners and its portfolio company, Asura Technologies, own the majority share in PRRS. With this injection of new capital, PRRS is set to accelerate momentum under the new ownership and further advance its mission within the parking industry.

The acquisition strengthens the strategic partnership of PRRS's 20 years of unique parking enforcement and collections expertise, with Asura's video analytic systems and AI-based license plate recognition software. PRRS and Asura previously brought ARC System to the marketa parking enforcement automation system using video analytics technology to register parking vehicles and automatically match parking payment data. The ARC System omits the need for gates or barriers to obstruct traffic flow in and out of parking lots. ARC360, a product expansion option, is a collection of services that cover the full spectrum of parking enforcement, citation management, and collection services.

ARC is already active on dozens of parking sites across five U.S. cities. To meet the extreme growth demand, the transaction with GB & Partners includes a deal to provide funding for new ARC and ARC360 installations in hundreds of North American parking operations, making PRRS with ARC the critical player in parking revenue collection and enforcement.

"I'm excited for our deal and look forward to this extremely exciting partnership. Backed by the expertise and resources of GB & Partners and working alongside Asura Technologies positions PRRS ARC360 as a leading provider of new services for the future of parking across the country. The industry is changing fast, and this deal puts us in the front of the pack," said John D. Conway, Co-founder and Chief Business Development Officer at PRRS.

About G&B Partners

G&B Partners is an independent private equity and venture capital fund management firm that specializes in smart city technologies, fashion, fintech, medical technologies and mechanical engineering. As the largest Hungarian-based firm of its kind based on assets, the management boasts a wide range of leadership experience in the fields of PE and venture capital investments/divestitures, M&A transactions, and IPOs, and provides close operational support to investment entities, according to international industry standards.

G&B Partners was granted a total membership of invest Europe in 2019, thus becoming the first Hungarian venture capital firm to receive that honor.

About Parking Revenue Recovery Services

Parking Revenue Recovery Services, Inc. (PRRS) is the leading Parking Enforcement and Collection Services provider in North America. PRRS provides customized enforcement and collection programs designed to increase revenue while eliminating expenses. PRRS creates exceptional value for clients, municipalities, universities, and other entities by (1) increasing overall customer compliance while delivering exceptional customer service; and (2) maximizing enforcement and collections revenue.

About Asura Technologies

Asura Technologies develops future generation video analytics systems and license plate recognition software, using AI to create smart parking, traffic management, and general security and safety applications. The company is active around the globe building software solutions for its partners in North America, the GCC region, Europe, and Asia. Asura has been present in the U.S. since 2018. Asura Technologies USA partnered with PRRS to offer uniquely effective, automatized parking enforcement solutions by implementing its innovative technology.

Contact:

John D. Conway

Co-Founder Chief Business Development Officer

[email protected]

720-363-5638

SOURCE Parking Revenue Recovery Services, Inc.
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Generate Life Sciences today announced that California Cryobank, its industry-leading donor sperm bank, is now able to provide DNA-based donor ancestry information directly to prospective parents and donor-conceived children on Cryobank.com. This first-of-its-kind service furthers California Cryobank's mission of equipping families with as much enriching information as possible to support and guide them through their family-building journey.

"Millions of us have accessed our personal DNA-based ancestry reports, and we know donor-conceived children are often just as interested in knowing their own genetic heritage," explains Jaime Shamonki, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Generate Life Sciences. "Accessing direct-to-consumer ancestry services means sharing your most personal data with an online database, which may not appeal to many sperm donor-conceived families. Generate's DNA ancestry test empowers our customers and their children to learn more about their donor's biologic origins without experiencing the privacy trade-offs typically associated with third party genetic databases. We're excited to offer California Cryobank families additional valuable genetic information, and to do so in such a way that respects their privacy."

Ancestry information is "stored" in DNA by way of tiny genetic variations that are associated with populations of people that have lived in certain geographical locations for generations. By examining the unique combination of a person's DNA variations, the ancestral heritage of a person can be scientifically deduced.

The DNA ancestry information for California Cryobank donors will be displayed as percentages on a world map divided into 26 distinct regions and ancestral groups. Any parent or donor-conceived child with a free account will be able to access their donor's DNA ancestry information, including international clients in Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada and many others. Not only will families have access to the test results before selecting a donor, but donor-conceived children will also be able to access this information if they want to learn about their paternal genetic heritage at any point in the future.

Generate's exclusive DNA ancestry test service builds upon their previous explorations into comprehensive genetic testing, including California Cryobank's expanded carrier screening program, DNA Advantage, and the ReadyGen pediatric screening panel, both of which empower families to further protect their child's health and wellbeing. California Cryobank's commitment to reproductive health also extends beyond genetic testing and into regenerative medicine with the Cord Blood Advantage program, which gives parents the option to store their child's newborn stem cells, with Cord Blood Registry (CBR) for free during the first year of the child's life with waived processing and storage fees.

For more information on Generate Life Sciences' DNA ancestry service, please visit cryobank.com/services/dna-ancestry .

About Generate Life Sciences

Generate Life Sciences is a global life sciences company helping families setting out to grow and protect their future, through guidance anchored in scientific advancements and services ranging from preconception into adulthood. Our longstanding brands  which include CBR (Cord Blood Registry), Insception Lifebank , Cells for Life , Cell Care , California Cryobank , Donor Egg Bank USA , NW Cryobank , ReadyGen , Kitazato USA , and Donor Application  are pioneering leaders that have helped nearly one million families through reproductive, newborn stem cell, genetic screening, medical device, and healthcare technology services. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Generate operates facilities spanning from the United States and Canada to Australia, alongside frozen donor gamete distribution to more than 40 countries. Generate is a portfolio company of GI Partners, a private investment firm based in San Francisco.

Media Contact

Azeem Zeekrya

HDMZ

[email protected]

312-506-5244

SOURCE Generate Life Sciences

Related Links

http://Cryobank.com


ATLANTA, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- With temperatures across the state reaching well above 90 degrees recently and hot days expected next week, Georgia Power is reminding customers that the company offers energy assistance programs to those in need of help paying or reducing their monthly energy bill.

Assistance when you need it

Georgia Power offers energy assistance programs in communities across Georgia and has established partnerships with nonprofits, community and faith-based organizations to assist income-qualifying customers with their energy costs. The company's programs are offered to help meet the changing needs of customers across the state and proactively identify solutions to meet their specific needs and help determine eligibility for utility assistance and programs:

Georgia Power's Income-Qualified Senior Citizen Discount  Georgia Power customers 65 years of age or older who meet the income requirements for eligibility can receive up to $24 a month off their bill.

Georgia Power customers 65 years of age or older who meet the income requirements for eligibility can receive up to $24 a month off their bill. Home Energy Efficiency Assistance Program (HEEAP)  Georgia Power customers have the opportunity to contribute funds to help make energy efficiency improvements for income-qualifying residents in their own community that will be added to funding provided by Georgia Power. These upgrades may include air sealing of gaps, cracks and leaks, sealing of heating and air delivery ducts, attic insulation, HVAC service and repair, LED light bulbs, smart/ wi-fi thermostat, and electric water heater blanket and pipe wrap. Customers can donate on a statewide level, or focus giving to a specific region of the state at www.georgiapower.com/HEEAPDonor.

 Georgia Power customers have the opportunity to contribute funds to help make energy efficiency improvements for income-qualifying residents in their own community that will be added to funding provided by Georgia Power. These upgrades may include air sealing of gaps, cracks and leaks, sealing of heating and air delivery ducts, attic insulation, HVAC service and repair, LED light bulbs, smart/ wi-fi thermostat, and electric water heater blanket and pipe wrap. Customers can donate on a statewide level, or focus giving to a specific region of the state at www.georgiapower.com/HEEAPDonor. The Salvation Army's Project SHARE  Established in partnership with The Salvation Army, Georgia Power customers can provide assistance to residents in the same community for expenses, such as utility bills, housing, food and medical necessities. Customers can donate $1, 2, 5 or $10 on their monthly bill to support their neighbors in need. Georgia Power matches $1.50 for each dollar donated up to $1.5 million.

Customers can learn more about the company's energy assistance programs and apply at www.GeorgiaPower.com/EnergyAssistance.

About Georgia Power

Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.6 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy at rates below the national average, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is recognized by J.D. Power as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).

SOURCE Georgia Power

Related Links

http://www.georgiapower.com


2Q21 Highlights

SAO PAULO, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Gerdau S.A. (NYSE: GGB, BM&Fbovespa: GGBR3, GGBR4) -- The consolidated EBITDA amounted R$ 5.9 billion in 2Q21, highest level ever for a quarter, with a margin of 30.8%.

The net debt/EBITDA ratio decreased from 2.78x in the 2Q20 to 0.65x in the 2Q21, lowest level in 14 years.

Gerdau, in partnership with Shell, announced a future solar energy joint venture in the city of Brasilandia de Minas (MG). With a capacity of 190MW, the Aquarii park will also supply part of the clean energy to the company's steel production units, in line with the quest for energy self-sufficiency and the strategy of entering the renewable energy generation segment.

Additional Information

Gerdau S.A. informs that it is filling today its 2Q21 results at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and at the Comissao de Valores Mobiliarios (CVM), which are available at Gerdau's website. To access this document, please click on https://ri.gerdau.com/en/notices-and-results/results-center/.

The 2Q21 Valuation Guide is also available at Gerdau's website.

https://ri.gerdau.com/en/financial-information/valuation-guide/

SOURCE Gerdau S.A.

Related Links

www.gerdau.com.br


Experience the difference at this luxurious nail spa and escape the stresses of day to day life with a little treat for yourself or your friends. Got a full schedule in August? No worries, we've got you covered! Students, teachers, faculty members and staff will also receive a 10% discount (with a valid school ID) during the month of September as well. Whether you're looking to spice up your bold look, enhance your natural beauty, or maybe you just want to feel like a million; Images Luxury Nail Lounge has an extended pedicure and manicure menu that will make you feel like royalty from head to toe. It's never too late to know your worth and feel your best.

Images Luxury Nail Lounge was established in 2014 and now has 6 prime locations in Southern California. With our state-of-the-art interior and professional-grade cosmetic procedures, each Images location offers a unique experience. Images Luxury Nail Lounge is ranked the 24th "Top Company" in Los Angeles and the 253rd "Fastest Growing Businesses in the Country" by Inc. Magazine's Top 500 for 2017.

Images Luxury Nail Lounge is now offering both lucrative partnership and investment opportunities nationwide. So, if you are interested in establishing your own luxury salon with the benefit of a well-established support system and a recognizable brand, please call 949-999-0888 or visit http://www.imagesnaillounge.com

SOURCE Images Luxury Nail Lounge
MIAMI, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Gilly Vending, Inc. today announced that it has been awarded the "Fresh Batch" vending contract for the Minneapolis / St Paul International Airport (MSP), and will soon be rolling out intelligent vending machines to meet the 24/ 7 demands of millions of health-conscious travelers while at America's 17th largest airport.

Gilly will ensure travelers will be able to enjoy quality gourmet healthy and sustainably sourced Grab & Go meals around the clock from self-serve smart coolers.

Gilly Vending Inc Logo Gilly Vending Intelligent Concepts

"We are thrilled to be awarded this contract by the Minneapolis Airport Commission (MAC) and look forward to bringing our advanced technological capabilities and unique concepts to Minneapolis" says Gilly Vending CEO Gilda Rosenberg.

"Strong market growth in on-demand smart technologies for our automated kiosks has enabled us to continue to expand geographically, while delivering a quality enhanced customer experience" continued Rosenberg.

Gilly's newest line of UV Light equipped vending machines, unmanned micro markets and mobile app food lockers feature the latest in artificial intelligence and robotics, combined with cutting-edge real time inventory systems that can manage routes more effectively while optimizing performance at thousands of their high traffic locations across the nation.

Once installed throughout the airport, the kiosks will feature gourmet options, including unique seasonal salads made fresh daily by Farmer's Fridge, hand-made sandwiches & wraps, ready hot meals, and also specialty coffees by illy machines. "Our ability to deliver consistent value and sustainable growth gives us the confidence to move more effectively into the second half of 2021 and beyond" Rosenberg adds.

About Gilly Vending Inc.

Gilly Vending is the largest independently owned vending & micro market company in the United States operating over thirty thousand state-of-the-art machines annually serving millions of consumers at Airports, Colleges, Hospitals, Maritime Ports and Military Installations across 46 States with a proven history of award-winning automated snack, beverage and food solutions for prestigious clients from coast-to-coast.

Gilly Vending specializes in conceptualizing and crafting automated solutions, building teams and implementing supply chain strategies- both internally and externally that are individually customized for each client. The company excels in driving stakeholder's profitability while charismatically fostering strong partnerships. Gilly is nationally certified MBE/WBE & ACDBE by the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) and The Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).

For more information, follow Gilly Vending on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Contact: Mary Diorio, 305-924-8058, [email protected]

Website: www.gillyvending.com

Phone: 305-924-8058

SOURCE Gilly Vending Inc.

Related Links

https://gillyusa.com/


FACTS AT A GLANCE Edition: 7; Released: July 2021 Executive Pool: 1206 Companies: 65 - Players covered include 3M; Align technology; Argen Corporation; Clarus Company; Danaher Corporation; Dentsply Sirona; Henry Schein Inc.; Institute Straumann; Patterson Companies Inc; TP Orthodontics Inc.; and Others. Coverage: All major geographies and key segments Segments: Age (Teenager, Adult); End-Use (Standalone Practices, Group Practices, Hospitals, Other End-Uses) Geographies: World; United States; Canada; Japan; China; Europe (France; Germany; Italy; United Kingdom; Spain; Russia; and Rest of Europe); Asia-Pacific (Australia; India; South Korea; and Rest of Asia-Pacific); Latin America (Argentina; Brazil; Mexico; and Rest of Latin America); Middle East (Iran; Israel; Saudi Arabia; United Arab Emirates; and Rest of Middle East); and 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 Clear Aligners Market to Reach $6.2 Billion by 2026

Orthodontics deals with the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental irregularities. Corrective devices such as braces, retainers, headgear, plates etc. are designed to properly align teeth, lips and jaws, in order to achieve facial balance. Such devices are typically used for enhancing appearance of teeth. Among the most notable advancements in the orthodontics market is the launch of invisible clear aligners. Clear aligners are a transparent, plastic form of dental braces capable of aligning the teeth without the need to use braces, mini-implants and mini-screws. The history of Clear aligners can be traced back to 1946, when Dr. Harold Kesling introduced the use of a series of thermoplastic tooth positioners to achieve tooth alignment. The treatment approach has evolved over the past 15 years with development of new technologies and materials. Clear aligners are tight-fitting customized dental braces or orthodontic devices intended to correct misaligned and crooked teeth. Made using thermoformed materials such as polycarbonate plastic or co-polyester and CAD 3D printing, these orthodontic devices present a removable and virtually discreet alternative to conventional braces. Designed around patient flexibility and comfort, clear aligners appropriately position misaligned teeth by applying a gentle, continuous force to treat mild and moderate malocclusion.

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Clear Aligners estimated at US$2.2 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$6.2 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 19.1% over the analysis period. Teenager Category, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to grow at a 20.8% CAGR to reach US$5.9 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 Adult Category is readjusted to a revised 14.1% CAGR for the next 7-year period. This segment currently accounts for a 28.8% share of the global Clear Aligners market.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at $1.3 Billion in 2021, While China is Forecast to Reach $348.1 Million by 2026

The Clear Aligners market in the U.S. is estimated at US$1.3 Billion in the year 2021. The country currently accounts for a 53.66% share in the global market. China, the world second largest economy, is forecast to reach an estimated market size of US$348.1 Million in the year 2026 trailing a CAGR of 24.6% through the analysis period. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 16.4% and 17.3% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 18.3% CAGR while Rest of European market (as defined in the study) will reach US$435.8 Million by the close of the analysis period.

Growth in the market is driven by the growing adoption of orthodontic treatments among adults and teenagers in both developed and developing economies. Due to the fact that suppliers undertake treatment planning and manufacturing of aligners, a growing proportion of GPs are likely to take up aligner-based treatments due to the potential for generating high profit margins and the fact that training requirements for the process are fairly limited. On the other hand, for orthodontists, the aligners business proves to be less profitable compared to traditional braces, as the acquisition costs are about 8 to 15 times higher than ordinary braces, with treatment costs or revenues being on the same level. Gains will also be spurred by market-driven factors such as rising consumer disposable incomes in developing countries, increasing per capita spends on appearance enhancing products and solutions, rise in the number of dental clinics, and growing social acceptance of procedures aimed at enhancing facial aesthetic appeal. The growing volume of orthodontic procedures being performed among adolescents, technological advancements in the orthodontics specialty are also driving demand for a variety of orthodontic supplies. Demand for orthodontic procedures is also attributed to the growing popularity of invisible braces among both adults and teenagers. The expanding dental tourism industry presents another opportunity for the orthodontic supplies market across developing regions.

The booming cosmetic dentistry market also presents a significant growth driver for the market, as more and more people seek therapies and procedures aimed at enhancing physical appearance by improving alignment of gums, bite and teeth. Cosmetic dentistry continues to gain popularity led by the increasing affluence of people, whereby an increasing proportion of the population is now in a position to avail not just corrective treatment procedures but also cosmetic procedures, presenting considerable opportunities for the orthodontic supplies market.

Latest clear aligners are witnessing increasing acceptance among orthodontists for correcting oral flaws including crooked teeth and overbites. These advanced devices are significantly better than their earlier versions that were primarily intended to treat acute dental issues. On the other hand, new versions of clear aligners are also suitable for treatment of serious problems, pushing the adoption of these devices to treat class-I and class-II misalignment. Invisible aligner systems are developed using CAD/CAM, virtual digital models and thermoformed plastic materials. These clear aligners are known to achieve incremental tooth movement of around 0.25-3mm within few weeks. More



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Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Phone: 1-408-528-9966

www.StrategyR.com

Email: [email protected]



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SOURCE Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

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FACTS AT A GLANCE Edition: 1; Released: July 2021 Executive Pool: 382 Companies: 68 - Players covered include 3M Company; Alpha Pro Tech Inc; Ansell ltd; Cambridge Mask Co; Cardinal Health, Inc; Honeywell International Inc; JIANGSU TEYIN IMP. & EXP. CO., LTD; Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc; Makrite; Moldex-Metric, Inc; Prestige Ameritech; Reckitt Benckiser; Shanghai Dasheng; The Gerson Company; Vogmask and Others. Coverage: All major geographies and key segments Segments: Distribution Channel (Offline, Online); End-Use (Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery Centers, Other End-Uses) Geographies: World; USA; Canada; Japan; China; Europe; France; Germany; Italy; UK; Spain; Russia; Rest of Europe; Asia-Pacific; Australia; India; South Korea; Rest of Asia-Pacific; Latin America; Argentina; Brazil; Mexico; Rest of Latin America; Middle East; Iran; Israel; Saudi Arabia; UAE; Rest of 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 N95 Masks Market to Reach $11.8 Billion by 2026

The growth in the global N95 masks market has traditionally been impacted by serious emergency health conditions and periodic pandemic outbreaks. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an exponential global demand for personal protective equipment (PPE). The deadly coronavirus infected millions of people worldwide leading to hundred-thousands of deaths. In such grave circumstances, it became extremely important for healthcare manufacturers to develop highly advanced PPE products that helped prevent the transmission of COVID-19. The outbreak of COVID-19 has resulted in an enormous demand for N95 masks as an effective measure to prevent spread of the infection. As conventional medical masks hold limited effectiveness against viruses such as COVID-19, medical institutions and healthcare organizations are recommending the use of N95 masks capable of filtering around 95% of materials. N95 masks are a part of the personal protective gear and protect users from airborne particles or liquids contaminating the face. Some of the other masks that are oil-proof include R99 and P100 capable of filtering at least 99% and 99.97% of airborne particles, respectively. N95 masks with replaceable filters offer protection for a longer period. These benefits of N95 masks make them a suitable option to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for N95 Masks estimated at US$3.7 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$11.8 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 18.9% over the analysis period. Offline distribution channel, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to grow at a 17.8% CAGR to reach US$8.1 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 Online distribution channel segment is readjusted to a revised 21.1% CAGR for the next 7-year period. This segment currently accounts for a 30.4% share of the global N95 Masks market.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at $2 Billion in 2021, While China is Forecast to Reach $2 Billion by 2026

The N95 Masks market in the U.S. is estimated at US$2 Billion in the year 2021. The country currently accounts for a 29.54% share in the global market. China, the world second largest economy, is forecast to reach an estimated market size of US$2 Billion in the year 2026 trailing a CAGR of 20.7% through the analysis period. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 18.1% and 19.8% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 19.2% CAGR while Rest of European market (as defined in the study) will reach US$2.1 Billion by the close of the analysis period.

Market growth is expected to be spurred by stringent regulations for occupational safety, particularly in developed economies and rise in number of surgeries and ICU admissions. Continuously increasing number of physicians in both public and private healthcare facilities along with growing number of procedures performed in the healthcare sector are driving the demand for disposable facemasks. The demand for face masks is anticipated to be also propelled by increasing number of cataract surgeries, orthopedic surgeries and ophthalmologists globally. Medical professionals perform over 23 million surgeries globally, including 53% of minimally-invasive procedures. In addition, the percentage of minimally-invasive hysterectomy performed in the US grew significantly over the last decade. The trend is playing an important role in bolstering global demand for N95 masks. Also infections acquired in hospitals are emerging to be one of the critical drivers of demand for various face masks. Hospital acquired infections or HAIs continue to be a major concern for the healthcare sector that requires the medical staff to use disposable medical gloves for preventing spread of HAIs. Hospitals, ambulatory care, long-term care and home care centers are at high risk of HAIs owing to rising mortality rates and morbidities, extended stay at hospitals, transmission of superbugs, inadequate infection-control programs and disease outbreaks.

By End-Use, Hospitals & Clinics Segment to Reach $7.9 Billion by 2026

Global market for Hospitals & Clinics (End-Use) segment is estimated at US$2.4 Billion in 2020, and is projected to reach US$7.9 Billion by 2026 reflecting a compounded annual growth rate of 19.5% over the analysis period. The United States constitutes the largest regional market for Hospitals & Clinics segment, accounting for 28.5% of the global sales in 2020. China is poised to register the fastest compounded annual growth rate of 20.9% over the analysis period, to reach US$1.5 Billion by the end of the analysis period More



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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:

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Director, Corporate Communications

Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Phone: 1-408-528-9966

www.StrategyR.com

Email: [email protected]



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FACTS AT A GLANCE Edition: 9; Released: July 2021 Executive Pool: 1106 Companies: 190 - Players covered include 3M Company; Adventa Berhad; Ansell Healthcare; Cardinal Health, Inc.; Dynarex Corporation; Hartalega Holdings Berhad; Honeywell International Inc.; Kossan Rubber Industries Ltd; Rubberex; Supermax Corporation Berhad; Top Glove Corporation Berhad; United Glove Inc. and Others. Coverage: All major geographies and key segments Segments: Type (Powder-Free, Powdered); End-Use (Healthcare, Chemical, Food Processing, Construction, Other End-Uses) Geographies: World; USA; Canada; Japan; China; Europe; France; Germany; Italy; UK; Spain; Russia; Rest of Europe; Asia-Pacific; Australia; India; South Korea; Rest of Asia-Pacific; Latin America; Argentina; Brazil; Mexico; Rest of Latin America; Middle East; Iran; Israel; Saudi Arabia; UAE; Rest of 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 Nitrile Gloves Market to Reach $57.1 Billion by 2026

Nitrile gloves are among the most preferred disposable glove options, offering the benefits of latex such as strength, durability, and flexibility, without risks involving latex allergy. The gloves find widespread usage in all industries globally; being used for providing protection and safety for industry workers as well as materials that are handled. These gloves, manufactured from synthetic rubber offer safe, reliable, and stain resistant solutions for end users. Nitrile gloves are puncture-resistant, friction less, with a long shelf life in comparison to latex gloves and are ensure protection from a wide range of hazardous viruses and chemicals. Being rupture-resistant, they are used in laboratories for providing high durability and barrier protection. Offered in both powdered and non-powdered versions, nitrile gloves have gained notable acceptance on the expense of powdered latex gloves over the last several years. Nitrile represents a chemical compound based on carbon and triple-bonded nitrogen, which is commonly used for making different types of gloves, mainly disposable thin nitrile gloves. While nitrile is comparable to latex, it holds certain advantages that make nitrile gloves an effective alternative to powdered latex gloves. Nitrile represents a synthetic rubber that offers a desirable material for gloves due to its superior chemical resistance and elasticity. Nitrile gloves score high in terms of fit, wearing comfort, elasticity and tear resistance. Nitrile gloves exhibit high resistance to different types of oils and chemicals as well as present a suitable option for individuals with allergy to latex. Nitrile gloves hold several merits over nature rubber in terms of strength and durability along with resistance to oils, acids and chemicals.

Based on their inherent properties, nitrile-based gloves are widely used to handle chemicals in laboratories and perform surgical procedures. In addition, the nitrile gloves market is gaining from increasing shift of healthcare professionals from latex towards nitrile gloves due to allergy concerns associated with latex gloves. The market received a considerable push from the COVID-19 outbreak that created exponential demand for nitrile gloves. Infection risk and implementation of strict hygiene protocols established nitriles gloves as a compelling option as these gloves play an important role in preventing spread of the infection while keeping laboratory and medical procedures sanitary.

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Nitrile Gloves estimated at US$14.1 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$57.1 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 23.3% over the analysis period. Powder-Free, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to grow at a 24.8% CAGR to reach US$59.9 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 Powdered segment is readjusted to a revised -2.8% CAGR for the next 7-year period. This segment currently accounts for a 9.6% share of the global Nitrile Gloves market.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at $11.4 Billion in 2021, While China is Forecast to Reach $13.6 Billion by 2026

The Nitrile Gloves market in the U.S. is estimated at US$11.4 Billion in the year 2021. The country currently accounts for a 33.58% share in the global market. China, the world second largest economy, is forecast to reach an estimated market size of US$13.6 Billion in the year 2026 trailing a CAGR of 29.1% through the analysis period. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 18.3% and 22.7% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 20.2% CAGR while Rest of European market (as defined in the study) will reach US$14.8 Billion by the close of the analysis period.

The pandemic has led to remarkable spike in personal protective equipment demand from the healthcare industry and the general public. The scenario made it extremely challenging for manufacturers and other businesses to maintain desirable stock for ensuring employee safety. While the initial focus was on notable shortage of N95 masks, the short supply and escalating unit prices of nitrile gloves emerged as major concerns. Majority of hospitals and healthcare facilities were left struggling with shortage of medical-grade gloves rather than protective gowns and face masks. While significant shortages of essential items such as face masks, respirators and disinfecting wipes led to safety concerns, the sudden drop in availability of nitrile gloves remains a formidable challenge for healthcare facilities that rely heavily on these gloves owing to their high durability along with puncture- and chemical-resistant nature.

Disposable nitrile gloves experienced a dramatic incline in global demand amid COVID-19 that grew three-fold in 2020. The incredible increase in demand was witnessed over a short span due to high use by healthcare professionals and the implementation of strict hygiene protocols. In addition, various health systems and government entities started stockpiling for dealing with another wave of the pandemic. Majority of healthcare facilities globally reported notable drop in supply of medical-grade gloves. While global demand associated with nitrile gloves touched the 500 billion plus mark in 2020, manufacturers were able to product just 370 billion units. Meanwhile, the nitrile gloves market also faced supply challenges as pandemic disrupted production at various facilities.

Various health organizations and hospitals failed to ensure adequate supply of gloves for medical use. The scenario resulted in national shortage of medical-grade gloves in various countries, which coerced medical professionals to reuse disposable gloves. The nitrile gloves demand is likely to remain unabated in the coming months. In addition, the short supply of nitrile gloves also affected the manufacturing along with other industries. Nitrile gloves are considered as critical safety product for various industrial activities that demand hand protection. The global supply chain for nitrile gloves continues to experience tremendous strain owing to inflated demand coupled with drastically low supply of the personal protective equipment. While nitrile glove manufacturers are working at their full capacity, the supply has been unable to match the demand since the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020. The gap is affecting a large number of end-users, including healthcare professionals and other industrial users.

In addition, there is stark shortage of nitrile gloves across various US states, indicating significant mismatch between demand and supply. The global demand for nitrite gloves is anticipated to remain unabated in the coming months on account of increasing need for protection to healthcare professionals as well as general public and workers across different industry verticals. Furthermore, the announcement of COVID-19 vaccination programs across different countries is poised to provide a significant impetus to global demand for these gloves. Healthcare and government organizations conducting these vaccination programs are required to ensure sufficient availability of nitrile gloves for medical professionals intended to administer the COVID-19 to people for desirable hand hygiene and protection.

By End-Use, Healthcare Segment to Reach $48.9 Billion by 2026

Global market for Healthcare (End-Use) segment is estimated at US$10.3 Billion in 2020, and is projected to reach US$48.9 Billion by 2026 reflecting a compounded annual growth rate of 26.1% over the analysis period. The United States constitutes the largest regional market for Healthcare segment, accounting for 31.9% of the global sales in 2020. China is poised to register the fastest compounded annual growth rate of 31.1% over the analysis period, to reach US$13.4 Billion by the end of the analysis period. More



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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: [email protected]



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DUBLIN, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Powertrain Outlook 2021" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global powertrain industry continues to be dominated by internal combustion engines (ICE), specifically, gasoline engines, while diesel engine's share has been falling since the dieselgate scandal. While the share of IC engines operating on alternate fuels has remained constant, vehicle electrification is on the rise.

Irrespective of the type of powertrain, the primary focus is on driving down emissions and improving fuel economy. To this effect, each region has different priorities and methods on lowering emissions, with engine downsizing, alternate fuels, mild hybrids, full hybrids, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), and battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), all finding suitors across the globe and a recent addition to the list being Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV).

Even in powertrain electrification, the fastest growing trend in the last 5 years is that of mild hybridization, using 48V, 24V, and 12V, which plays a supporting role to conventional ICE. This will continue to be the fastest-growing trend in the short-to-medium term, ahead of electric vehicles (BEVs, FCEVs, and PHEV).

Increasing electrification, however, is not limited to propulsion and is often applied to optimize powertrain subsystems. Engine downsizing, for example, is a key area that directly brings down fuel consumption and emissions, and even here, electrification is making a mark with electrified turbocharger for instant response and increased energy recovery.

In a bid to reduce the dependency on fossil fuels and increase the use of renewable energy, the challenge is often the variable supply of renewable energy and its storage. While battery electric vehicles offer a solution for storing excess energy from the grid and supplying it back when required, the use of synthetic fuels offers another method of renewable-energy storage. This form of energy storage enables the use of existing production, storage, and distribution methods while ensuring carbon-neutral mobility.

All the above ensure that despite the high media and public interest in powertrain electrification, ICE will continue as the leading prime mover for at least a couple of decades.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Growth Environment

Key Highlights of the Global Automotive Powertrain Industry, 2020

Global LV Sales by Region in 2020 and 2021 - Snapshot

Global Powertrain Mix - Sales Snapshot

Western Europe - IC Engines Trend: Continued YoY Reduction

- IC Engines Trend: Continued YoY Reduction US - Growth of SUVs, Trucks, and Large Vehicles

China - Sales Forecast by Powertrain

- Sales Forecast by Powertrain ICE Outlook - Transition to Zero Emission Zones

Regional Strategy for Testing Procedures

Technology Outlook - Pre-chamber Combustion

Electric Boosting - eCompressor, eTurbo

Challenges Faced by the Global Powertrain Industry Due to COVID-19

The 2020 Global Automotive Powertrain Market - Actuals Versus Forecast

Global Powertrain Industry Historic Sales

Key Predictions for 2021

2. 2021 Global Economic Outlook

COVID-19 Impact on World GDP Growth

Global Growth Scenario Analysis - Assumptions

World GDP Growth Under Differing Scenarios

COVID-19 Impact on Key Regions

3. The Strategic Imperative

Why Is It Increasingly Difficult to Grow?

The Strategic Imperative

The Impact of the Top Three Strategic Imperatives on Powertrain Industry

Growth Opportunities Fuel the Growth Pipeline Engine

4. Growth Environment and Scope - Global Automotive Powertrain Industry

Research Scope

Vehicle Segmentation

Market Segmentation

5. Europe - Powertrain Outlook

Europe - Change in New Vehicle Registrations, 2020

- Change in New Vehicle Registrations, 2020 Europe - Sales by Powertrain, 2020

- Sales by Powertrain, 2020 Europe Top 5 Countries - Passenger Cars Powertrain Trend

Western Europe - IC Engines Trend: Continued YoY Reduction

- IC Engines Trend: Continued YoY Reduction Western Europe - Gasoline Trend: Passenger Cars

- Gasoline Trend: Passenger Cars Western Europe - Diesel Trend: Passenger Cars

- Diesel Trend: Passenger Cars Mild Hybrid Vehicles - Sales Surge to Continue in 2021

Full Hybrid Vehicles - Limited Growth Opportunity

EVs - Rapid Growth in 2020 to Meet CO2 Emission Targets

Europe - Powertrain Highlights Summary

6. US - Powertrain Outlook

Change in New Passenger Car Registrations, 2020

Growth of SUVs, Trucks, and Large Vehicles

Continued Increase in the Demand for Pickup Trucks

Gasoline's Dominance to Continue

SUV and Commercial Van Diesel Segment Trending in 2020

Mild Hybrid Vehicles to Continue to Grow

Full Hybrid Vehicles - Third-largest FHEV Market to Continue to Grow

EVs - BEVs Outselling PHEVs by 3.5 times

Powertrain Summary

7. China - Powertrain Outlook

Sales Forecast by Powertrain

Sales Breakdown by Powertrain and Models

Technology Development Roadmap

Emission Standards Outlook

Mild Hybrid Vehicles - mHEV Sales to Continue to Increase in 2021

Full Hybrid Vehicles - New 2021 Regulations Ensure Chinese OEMs Offer Hybrids

EVs - Launch of Affordable EVs to Continue to Drive Sales

8. South Korea - Powertrain Outlook

Change in New Passenger Car Registrations, 2020

Sales by Powertrain

Mild Hybrid Vehicles - Short-term Growth Dependent on European OEMs

Full Hybrid Vehicles - Continue to Grow for the 7th Year in a Row

EVs - Market Driven by Government Tax Benefits for Sales Promotion

Powertrain Summary and Trends Impacting Powertrains

9. Japan - Powertrain Outlook

Change in New Passenger Car Registrations, 2020

Powertrain Summary and Trends Impacting Powertrains

Mild Hybrid Vehicles - Niche Market Accounting for Less Than 0.5%

Full Hybrid Vehicles - 23.3% Market Share With a Recovery in Q4

EVs - Market Decline for the 3rd Straight Year

Legislation Summary

10. India - Powertrain Outlook

Change in New Passenger Car Registrations, 2020

OEM Sales Performance and Market Share

Sales by Powertrain

Gasoline-Diesel Equation by OEM

Segment-wise Sales and Share

Mild Hybrid Vehicles - 12V Systems to Grow

Full Hybrid Vehicles - Continue to be a Scarce Commodity

EVs - Regulations and Policies to Promote EVs Having a Positive Impact

CAFE Regulations - 2022 Target to Promote Powertrain Electrification

Automotive Market Summary

11. ASEAN Countries - Powertrain Outlook Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand

Indonesia - Change in New Passenger Car Registrations, 2020

- Change in New Passenger Car Registrations, 2020 Indonesia - 2020 Vehicle Sales by Segment

- 2020 Vehicle Sales by Segment Thailand - Change in New Passenger Car Registrations, 2020

- Change in New Passenger Car Registrations, 2020 Malaysia - Change in New Passenger Car Registrations, 2020

- Change in New Passenger Car Registrations, 2020 ASEAN - Powertrain Summary

Mild Hybrid Vehicles - Growth From Low-cost, Low-voltage mHEV Systems

Full Hybrid Vehicles - Niche Applications Account for 0.2%

EVs - Tax Benefits to Promote EV Sales in Thailand

12. Powertrain Technology Outlook

Technology Roadmap: Powertrain Development Trends

Fuel Economy Improvement: Focus Areas

13. Regional Strategy for Testing Procedures

Global Passenger Car Technology Adoption Indices - Summary

Technology Outlook - Pre-chamber Combustion

Technology Outlook - SCR Twin Dosing

Electric Boosting - eCompressor, eTurbo

OEM Transmission Alignment

Vehicle Segment Alignment Analysis - Transmission Technologies

Current and Future Preferences in Cathode Chemistries

Case Study - General Motors: Chevy Volt (Glycol Liquid cooled BTMS)

Case Study - BMW i3 Battery Design

14. Regional Predictions 2021

15. Growth Opportunity Universe - Global Powertrain Market

Growth Opportunity 1: OEM-Supplier Partnerships for Improving Fuel Economy and Reducing Emissions, 2021

Growth Opportunity 2: Electrification for Improving Fuel Economy and Reducing Emissions, 2021

Growth Opportunity 3: Engine Boosting and Downsizing for Improving Fuel Economy and Reducing Emissions, 2021

16. Key Conclusions

Companies Mentioned

BMW

General Motors

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/v17wjw

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FACTS AT A GLANCE Edition: 6; Released: April 2021 Executive Pool: 511 Companies: 36 - Players covered include Amsted Rail Company, Inc.; ArcelorMittal S.A.; Bharat Forge Ltd. (Kalyani Group); Bombardier Inc.; GHH-BONATRANS; CAF, Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, S.A.; Comsteel; CRRC Sifang Co., Ltd.; Kolowag; Lucchini RS S.p.A.; Maanshan Iron and Steel Company Limited; Nippon Steel Corporation; Penn Machine Company LLC; Rail Wheel Factory a" Indian Railways; Semco India (P) Ltd.; Simmons Machine Tool Corporation (NSH Group); United Metallurgical Company, OMK CJSC and Others. Coverage: All major geographies and key segments Segments: Axle Type (Solid Axles, Hollow Axles); Application (Mainline Trains, Freight Trains, Metro Trains, Very High Speed Trains, Other Applications) Geographies: World; USA; Canada; Japan; China; Europe; France; Germany; Italy; UK; Spain; Russia; Rest of Europe; Asia-Pacific; Australia; India; South Korea; Rest of Asia-Pacific; Latin America; Argentina; Brazil; Mexico; Rest of Latin America; Middle East; Iran; Israel; Saudi Arabia; UAE; Rest of Middle East; Africa.

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ABSTRACT-



Global Rail Wheel and Axle Market to Reach $4 Billion by 2026

A rail wheel or train wheel is defined as a wheel that is designed specifically to be used on railway tracks. A rolling component is pushed over an axle and mounted directly on a railway carriage or locomotive or in some instance indirectly onto a bogie. Generally rail wheels are forged or cast and are subject to heat treatment for achieving specific level of harness. A lathe is used for truing of new wheels to specific profile prior to being pressed onto the axle. Wheel profiles are required to be checked on a regular basis to ensure that the interaction between the rail and wheel is appropriate. In the event of incorrect truing or wearing out of wheels, the rolling resistance can increase, which can result in reduced energy efficiency and is also known to be cause of derailment. Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Rail Wheel and Axle estimated at US$3.1 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$4 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 4.4% over the analysis period. Solid Axles, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to record 4.6% CAGR and reach US$3.3 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 Hollow Axles segment is readjusted to a revised 3.8% CAGR for the next 7-year period.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at $553.4 Million in 2021, While China is Forecast to Reach $878 Million by 2026

The Rail Wheel and Axle market in the U.S. is estimated at US$553.4 Million in the year 2021. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$878 Million by the year 2026 trailing a CAGR of 6% over the analysis period. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 2.9% and 3.8% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 3.3% CAGR.

The market is expected to witness healthy long term growth on account of rising locomotive production, technological advancements and efforts to modernize rail infrastructure. The market is projected to grow supported by the increase in locomotive and bogie production in both developed and developing countries, mainly in China, Russia, Mexico and Germany. The market is also favored by expansion of the railway network in less developed and developing regions for connecting rural areas. While expanding network of OEMs presents new growth avenues, technological progress related to trains and their networks is expected to bolster the market growth. Various companies in the market are investing in R&D projects for producing lightweight materials for axles and wheels of short-distance, passenger and freight trains. OEMs in the railway industry are adopting advanced technology like big data analytics for bolstering their service offerings.

The global market for rail wheels and axles is poised to be catalyzed by increasing population across metropolitan cities and rising number of office goers, mainly in emerging economies. Railways are anticipated to remain an integral component of the public transportation system, and estimated to hold considerable significance owing to rising urbanization and public density along with evolving travel behavior.

The increasing use of rail network for commuting is likely to drive governments to modernize the infrastructure for faster passenger transport. The market is bound to receive a major impetus from government efforts to establish smart cities along with smart railway infrastructure. Investments in large-scale public transport infrastructure including bullet trains and high-speed trains are expected to make public transport easier and faster. The increasing production of bullet and high-speed trains is slated to push the demand for rail wheels and axles. The market growth is further bolstered by ongoing efforts to improve the energy efficiency of railway infrastructure along with electrification of existing lines, mainly across developing countries like China and India. Expansion of existing rail network lines, especially in Europe, China and India including the One Belt One Road project is likely to drive the market growth. Emerging countries like Japan, China and South Korea are expected to shift towards magnetic rail systems for accelerating train journey and reducing maintenance costs due to lack of frictional parts. 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: [email protected]

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

[email protected]

SOURCE Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.strategyr.com


FACTS AT A GLANCE Edition: 5; Released: May 2021 Executive Pool: 1068 Companies: 93 - Players covered include Arth Infosoft; Beehively; Campus Management Corp.; ComSpec International; NTC Eduware LLC; Ellucian Company L.P; Focus School Software; Foradian Technologies; Illuminate Education; Jenzabar Inc.; Oracle Corporation; PowerSchool; Skyward, Inc.; Tribal Group; Unit4; Workday Inc. and Others. Coverage: All major geographies and key segments Segments: Component (Solutions, Services); Application (Admission & Recruitment, Student Management, Financial Management, Other Applications); End-Use (Higher Education, K-12) Geographies: World; USA; Canada; Japan; China; Europe; France; Germany; Italy; UK; Spain; Russia; Rest of Europe; Asia-Pacific; Australia; India; South Korea; Rest of Asia-Pacific; Latin America; Argentina; Brazil; Mexico; Rest of Latin America; Middle East; Iran; Israel; Saudi Arabia; UAE; Rest of 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 Student Information Systems Market to Reach $19.2 Billion by 2026

Student Information Systems (SIS) are sophisticated web-based information management software solutions that help educational establishments in achieving a highly structured and conducive information exchange environment to integrate administration and manage student data. The increasing adoption of these solutions is attributed to growing focus of educational institutions to improve education quality and ensure efficient communication among authorities, faculties and students. These systems are gaining from rising proliferation of mobile devices and the Internet, penetration of e-learning and popularity of over-the-top media services. The market growth is also bolstered by emergence of the Internet of Things, edge computing and 5G telecommunication. Advanced student information systems focus on analytics, mobile applications, behavior tracking and cloud accessibility. The explosion of connected mobile devices is facilitating addition of numerous mobile apps for increasing convenience for students and their parents. In addition, ongoing trends like migration to cloud and mobile accessibility are fostering integration of artificial intelligence to these applications.

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Student Information Systems estimated at US$7.8 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$19.2 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 15.5% over the analysis period. Solutions, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to grow at a 14.2% CAGR to reach US$15 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 19% CAGR for the next 7-year period. This segment currently accounts for a 24.4% share of the global Student Information Systems market. Market growth is led by the solution segment due to robust adoption of student information system software solutions along with factors like easy deployment & maintenance and flexible pricing options. The services segment is witnessing robust growth rate due to increasing focus of educational institutions on integration capabilities for optimization of administration processes.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at $3.2 Billion in 2021, While China is Forecast to Reach $2 Billion by 2026

The Student Information Systems market in the U.S. is estimated at US$3.2 Billion in the year 2021. The country currently accounts for a 33.37% share in the global market. China, the world's second largest economy, is forecast to reach an estimated market size of US$2 Billion in the year 2026 trailing a CAGR of 19.5% through the analysis period. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 13% and 14% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 15.2% CAGR while Rest of European market (as defined in the study) will reach US$2.3 Billion by the end of the analysis period. North America region holds a commanding position owing to rising awareness about these systems across higher educational institutions. The regional market is propelled by increasing penetration of emerging technologies including the Internet of Things, the cloud, big data, digital transformation and mobility. The region is also gaining from introduction of advanced solutions from leading players coupled with ongoing efforts to upgrade SIS solutions with sophisticated technologies. Europe represents the second-leading student information system market due to notable expansion of the educational tourism industry and increasing inflow of foreign students in countries including the UK, France and Germany. The Asia-Pacific region is benefitting from rising focus of educational institutions on digital solutions for pushing operating efficiency. Countries such as China, Indonesia, India and Malaysia are reporting high penetration of student information systems in K-12 Education for aiding school management and providing relevant information to students. 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: [email protected]

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SOURCE Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

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TSX Venture Exchange (TSX-V): GRG

Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE): G6A

OTCQB Venture Market (OTCQB): GARWF

VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Golden Arrow Resources Corporation (TSX-V: GRG) (FSE: G6A) (OTCQB: GARWF), ("Golden Arrow" or the "Company") is pleased to report that additional geophysical surveying at its Rosales Copper Project in Chile has identified a more conductive and larger feature below the near-surface conductivity anomalies reported in the June 24th, 2021 news release (see Figure 1: https://bit.ly/3zPcik5).

The previously reported G1 and G2 conductivity anomaly targets cover 850x500 metres and 600x400 metres at surface, respectively, and are laterally separated by approximately 500 metres. The new TEM sounding survey has provided vertical sections showing one or more zones of moderate conductivity within 250m of surface, interpreted to correlate with the previously reported anomalies. Additionally, the sections have detected a more prominent sub-horizontal conductor at approximately 500m depth, and with occasional sub-vertical zones of increased conductivity connecting the near-surface and deep conductive features. The deep conductor appears to be more prominent below the G1 anomaly.

"We are very excited by this additional data from TEM soundings, which suggests a stratabound or mantos-style copper deposit model, which is further supported by the mineralization, alteration and host rocks identified to date at Rosales. This type of high-grade copper deposit is common in Chile, with well-known examples including the El Soldado and Mantos Blanco mines," stated Brian McEwen, VP Exploration and Development for Golden Arrow.

The Company has secured a drill contract and will be proceeding with an initial 3,000 metre phased reverse circulation drill program to test the targets. The first phase is expected to commence in August and will include approximately 1,400 metres in four holes, to test both the upper and lower conductors and confirm the interpretation (Figure 1). The subsequent 1,600 metres will be used to test the extent of the anomalies as well as other targets.

Rosales Project and Geophysical Program Results

The Rosales Project currently includes 3,444 hectares of 100% held mineral claims and an additional 900 hectares under application. The Project is located in the Atacama Region, a prolific mining district that hosts multiple large precious and base metal mines. The project is road-accessible and is situated less than 90 kilometres from the mining centre of Copiapo, with world-class exploration and mining infrastructure readily available.

The initial reconnaissance program at Rosales identified two general areas of prospective copper mineralization: the Margarita Mine trend (MMT), and the NW Target. The MMT is a 3.5-kilometre-long structural corridor, oriented northeast-southwest, mainly defined by felsic dykes. Chalcocite and chrysocolla were identified in outcrop over a 350 by 400 metres area underlain by andesitic volcanoclastics and andesites, within Jurassic aged volcano-sedimentary sequences. Samples from the area averaged 1.74% copper with a high value of 4.37% copper (see News Release dated July 20, 2020 filed on SEDAR). The copper mineralization fills fractures and is disseminated in the matrix of the volcanoclastic host rock, with further indications of manto-type mineralization in this zone.

As described in the June 24th, 2021 news release, the Transient Electromagnetic (TEM) surface in-loop geophysical survey detected two highly-conductive anomalies in the MMT, named G1 and G2, estimated to start within 100 metres of the surface. The G1 target is the highest priority target for drilling due to its size, strong conductivity and correlation with high copper values in surface rock-chip samples.

After completing the surface TEM survey, the geophysical contractor (Quantec Geoscience Chile Ltda.) completed three lines of TEM soundings crossing the two MMT anomalies to provide resistivity, displayed in vertical images (see Figure 1). The TEM sounding sections reveal one or more upper zones of moderate conductivity above 250m below surface, interpreted to correlate with the conductors detected in the previously reported fixed in-loop TEM surveys. Additionally, the sounding sections have detected a prominent and extensive conductor at approximately 500m depth and appear to resolve increased conductivity below G1, proximal to a vertical corridor postulated to represent a feeder-structure.

The flat-lying and layered appearance of the anomalies, combined with the copper sulphide mineralization observed at surface, are consistent with expectations for copper manto (stratabound) deposits. These deposits typically contain 1-2% copper, with hypogene mineralogy consisting of bornite, chalcocite and chalcopyrite; mineralization is often associated with albite alteration[1]. These deposits are relatively common in Chile, and in the northern part of the country are hosted by Jurassic volcanic rocks. Many of these characteristics have been noted at Rosales and Golden Arrow believes this to be an appropriate exploration model for the project. For reference, Figure 2 (https://bit.ly/2WpMKvq) shows a schematic cross section of the manto-type deposit at El Soldado Mine, located 132km north of Santiago, which has been mined by several groups over decades and is currently operated by Anglo American.

In addition to the TEM surveys, Golden Arrow has completed a ground-based magnetic survey covering 5,035 hectares. Preliminary interpretation of the data indicates zones of low magnetism that are coincident with the TEM in-loop survey conductivity anomalies. This has been seen at other mantos-type copper deposits, including El Soldado1.

Independent geophysical consultant Miles Rideout continues to guide the program and has provided additional interpretation of the data and recommendations for drilling.

Survey Methodology

The TEM sounding surveys were spaced at 50m intervals along the lines, and employed 200x200m transmit loops. The Geonics Protem instrumentation recorded 3-component data at 25 and 2.5 Hz, in order to register data from near surface to approximately 1000m depth. The sounding data were inverse-modelled with Quantec's TIMAGE software. The sections, consisting of 1D-stitched models, present resistivity data in Ohm-metre units, where electrically conductive features are coloured red and purple, and electrically resistive features are shown in hues of blue and white. Note that in Figure 1, the fixed in-loop TEM surveys has conductive response coloured red, and the lack of conductive response is shown in shades of green and blue. For additional details on the methodology of the in-loop survey, please refer to the June 24th, 2021 news release.

Qualified Persons

The technical portions of this news release have been reviewed and approved by Brian McEwen, P.Geol., VP Exploration and Development to the Company and a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101.



About Golden Arrow:

Golden Arrow Resources Corporation is a mining exploration company with a successful track record of creating value by making precious and base metal discoveries and advancing them into exceptional deposits. The Company is well leveraged to the price of gold, having monetized its Chinchillas silver discovery into a significant holding in precious metals producer SSR Mining Inc.

Golden Arrow is actively exploring a portfolio that includes an epithermal gold project in Argentina, a districtscale frontier gold opportunity in Paraguay, a base-metal project in the heart of a leading mining district in Chile and more than 180,000 hectares of properties in Argentina.

The Company is a member of the Grosso Group, a resource management group that has pioneered exploration in Argentina since 1993.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Joseph Grosso"

______________________

Mr. Joseph Grosso,

Executive Chairman, President and CEO

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including, without limitation, statements about the Company's plans for its mineral properties; the Company's business strategy, plans and outlooks; the future financial or operating performance of the Company; and future exploration and operating plans are forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements and, even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things: the impact of COVID-19; risks and uncertainties related to the ability to obtain, amend, or maintain licenses, permits, or surface rights; risks associated with technical difficulties in connection with mining activities; and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Readers are encouraged to refer to the Company's public disclosure documents for a more detailed discussion of factors that may impact expected future results. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, unless required pursuant to applicable laws.

______________________ 1 From: Boric, R., Holmgren, C. & Wilson, N.S.F. & Zentilli, M., 2002 - The Geology of the El Soldado Manto Type Cu (Ag) Deposit, Central Chile; in Porter, T.M. (Ed.), Hydrothermal Iron Oxide Copper-Gold & Related Deposits: A Global Perspective, Volume 2; PGC Publishing, Adelaide, pp 185-205



SOURCE Golden Arrow Resources Corporation
MIAMI, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, P.A., has licensed 3,500 square feet in its Downtown Miami office to Apollo Global Management, Inc. as the rush of investment funds and technology companies relocating to South Florida continues to ramp up.

Apollo is expected to remain in the space for up to six months while it finalizes a permanent location in Miami.

Jaret L. Davis, co-managing shareholder of Greenberg Traurig's Miami office, decided to make the space available to major companies moving to Miami after discussions with Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and City of Miami Mayor Francis X. Suarez, who noted that the availability of temporary office space in the Miami Downtown/Brickell corridor is scarce for companies relocating.

"For a firm like Apollo which is new to Miami, our space is an absolutely perfect place to base themselves as they begin to learn more about our city and our community, especially with our lawyers being available to share their in-depth knowledge of South Florida's economy and growing industry sectors," Davis said. "Miami gave birth to Greenberg Traurig and we've always felt we have an obligation to give back to the city. This, like many of our initiatives, is our way of repaying that debt. We welcome Apollo as our inaugural licensee and look forward to offering this space as needed for future new market entrants."

The Greenberg Traurig space, which was previously used for back-office operations, is on the 44th floor of the Wells Fargo Center and is fully equipped, including high-speed internet service and access to parking. Apollo has the option to extend the license for up to one year.

"Expanding our office footprint is an important part of our talent strategy and attracting and retaining the best and the brightest as we continue to grow our platform," said Matthew Breitfelder, Global Head of Human Capital at Apollo. "We are not only being responsive to our current teams but are excited to tap into the regional talent network with modern local office space."

Apollo Global Management is a high-growth, global alternative asset manager with more than 1,700 employees and approximately $461 billion of assets under management, as of March 31, 2021.

About Greenberg Traurig: Greenberg Traurig, LLP (GT) has approximately 2200 attorneys in 40 locations in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. GT has been recognized for its philanthropic giving, diversity, and innovation, and is consistently among the largest firms in the U.S. on the Law360 400 and among the Top 20 on the Am Law Global 100. The firm is net carbon neutral with respect to its office energy usage and Mansfield Rule 3.0 Certified. Web: www.gtlaw.com

Contact Person: Elaine Walker

Telephone: 305-579-0832 / Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Greenberg Traurig

Related Links

gtlaw.com


"Hannah is an inspiration for any individual interested in pursuing a career in tech- especially young women." Tweet this

Lloyd started her career as a sales representative one month before graduating from Queen Mary University of London at the age of 21. Seven years later, while being based in the UK, she is leading channel sales at a Los Angeles-based global cybersecurity company delivering an AI-driven Open-XDR SOC-as-a-service solution to MSPs and MSSPs globally. Lloyd also serves as the vice chair of the CompTIA UK Business Technology Community and actively contributes to the CompTIA Advancing Tech Talent and Diversity Community, the CompTIA Benelux Business Technology Community, and the CompTIA Cybersecurity Community.

"Hannah is an inspiration for any individual interested in pursuing a career in tech- especially young women," said Nancy Hammervik, executive vice president of industry relations at CompTIA and CEO of the CompTIA Tech Career Academy. "Twice, Hannah has been recognized with a CompTIA Spotlight Award and it's been fantastic to watch her grow her career as she grew her engagement with CompTIA. Her passion and dedication are remarkable and greatly appreciated."

In addition to her work on the different communities, Lloyd is currently leading a cross-continent team of volunteers to enhance and build a resource library for solution providers. The end game is to provide tangible documents to help MSPs grow their businesses in efficient ways while providing guidance. The initiative will continue to bolster CompTIA as a go-to resource for industry education and thought-leadership.

"I am extremely honoured and humbled to be awarded this accolade from CompTIA," said Lloyd. "I thoroughly enjoy contributing to the industry and giving back to the community both within the UK and within the global forum. I attribute a lot of my success, growth and continuing professional maturity to the support I have received from the CompTIA team, and the opportunities I have received through my involvement with the organisation. I cannot wait to continue my work with CompTIA and all that the future has to bring."

The industry is honoring Lloyd this week during ChannelCon Online, CompTIA's annual industry gathering of technology business thought leaders, decision makers, entrepreneurs and visionaries.

Lloyd is the sixth technology industry leader to receive the CompTIA Member of the Year award. Past honorees include Nellie Scott, Angel L. Pineiro Jr., Victor Johnston, Tracy Pound and John Tippett.

To read a profile of Lloyd, check out the latest edition of CompTIA World, the association's magazine.

About CompTIA

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is a leading voice and advocate for the $5 trillion global information technology ecosystem; and the estimated 75 million industry and tech professionals who design, implement, manage, and safeguard the technology that powers the world's economy. Through education, training, certifications, advocacy, philanthropy, and market research, CompTIA is the hub for advancing the tech industry and its workforce. Visit https://connect.comptia.org/.

Media Contact

Roger Hughlett

CompTIA

[email protected]

+1 630-678-8644

SOURCE CompTIA

Related Links

http://www.comptia.org


TROY, Mich., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Meritor, Inc. (NYSE: MTOR) today announced that Hino will be evaluating and testing Meritor's ePowertrain for its development path to zero emissions vehicles (ZEV).

Meritor has been a long-standing key supplier for Hino Motors Manufacturing North America for dressed axles on its medium-duty truck models. With this new collaboration both companies look to expand advanced, electrified drive systems to further zero-emissions development.

Examples of Meritor's electrified solutions include its all-electric, fully integrated, ePowertrain for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. It is designed to provide efficiency, performance, weight savings and superior space utilization.

Key advantages of Meritor's ePowertrain over remote mount systems include:

Tighter turning radius due to a shorter wheelbase

Increased room between frame rails for additional battery capacity, which extends the range of the vehicle

Lighter weight (up to 800 pounds)

"We are pleased to work with Hino to accelerate the early commercial application of electric vehicles, which in turn will help further sustainability in the areas where these electric trucks will operate," said Chris Villavarayan, CEO and president for Meritor.

"We have a long relationship with Meritor, and we are excited to be working together in evaluating Meritor's ePowertrain for our development path to ZEV," said Davey Jung, EVP, Hino Motors Manufacturing U.S.A., Inc.

About Meritor

Meritor, Inc. is a leading global supplier of drivetrain, mobility, braking, aftermarket and electric powertrain solutions for commercial vehicle and industrial markets. With more than a 110-year legacy of providing innovative products that offer superior performance, efficiency and reliability, the company serves commercial truck, trailer, off-highway, defense, specialty and aftermarket customers around the world. Meritor is based in Troy, Michigan, United States, and is made up of more than 8,600 diverse employees who apply their knowledge and skills in manufacturing facilities, engineering centers, joint ventures, distribution centers and global offices in 19 countries. Meritor common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol MTOR. For important information, visit the company's website at www.meritor.com.

About HMM and Hino Trucks. Hino Motors Manufacturing U.S.A., Inc. (HMM)

Headquartered in Novi, Michigan, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hino Motors, Ltd., and sister company to Hino Motors Sales, Inc., (Hino Trucks). Together, HMM and Hino Trucks manufacture and distribute America's fastest growing premier truck brand. With a combined 7 facilities spanning five states supporting manufacturing, R&D, Sales and Parts Distribution, the two companies employ over 1,000 people. HMM assembles medium duty trucks in Mineral Wells, West Virginia, manufactures automotive parts in Marion, Arkansas, and operates parts center in Mira Loma, California. HMM is also a Tier-1 supplier of high quality automotive parts throughout North America.

SOURCE Meritor, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.meritor.com


BOSTON, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Salsify, the Commerce Experience Management (CommerceXM) platform empowering brand manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to win on the digital shelf, has been named a Leader in PIM for Commerce in the new IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Product Information Management Applications for Commerce 2021 Vendor Assessment. The report identifies syndication, implementation experience, and a set of robust retailer content management capabilities from its recent Alkemics acquisition. These strengths resulted in Salsify being named as a Leader in the study.

According to the report, companies should "Consider Salsify when you are looking for a PIM purpose-built for brand manufacturing to power your multi-channel commerce experiences," according to the study. It goes on to describe Salsify as "a flexible and scalable, multitenant SaaS PIM offering."

PIM is a core offering within Salsify's ProductXM platform. Global brands including Mars, L'Oreal, and Coca-Cola rely on ProductXM's continuously adaptive system of record and workflow to collaborate and deliver winning product experiences on the digital shelf.

"This is Salsify's second consecutive time earning a Leader position in the IDC MarketScape PIM for Commerce study. The study further validates our vision and strategic focus in building an end-to-end platform that powers multi-channel, continuously adaptive product experiences," said Rob Gonzalez, co-founder and CMO of Salsify. "It also signifies another milestone for the company having been named in the highest possible category in PIM studies conducted by three independent analyst firms in 2021."

According to the IDC MarketScape, "Salsify was developed with syndication across channels as a top priority and its syndication capabilities differentiate it from other PIM vendors. One customer we interviewed who uses Salsify heavily for syndication said, 'If we got rid of Salsify we would have to hire 10 people to do the work salsify has automated for us.'"

The report also noted, "Customers and partner organizations we interviewed rated Salsify best-in-class for its ease of implementation. One implementation partner commented, 'Of all the PIMs I have worked with, Salsify is definitely the quickest we can implement.'"

To download the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Product Information Management Applications for Commerce 2021 Vendor Assessment, visit https://www.salsify.com/resources/2021-idc-marketscape.

About IDC MarketScape

IDC MarketScape vendor assessment model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of ICT (information and communications technology) suppliers in a given market. The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each vendor's position within a given market. IDC MarketScape provides a clear framework in which the product and service offerings, capabilities and strategies, and current and future market success factors of IT and telecommunications vendors can be meaningfully compared. The framework also provides technology buyers with a 360-degree assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current and prospective vendors.

About Salsify

Salsify helps brand manufacturers, distributors, and retailers in over 80 countries collaborate to win on the digital shelf. The company's Commerce Experience Management (CommerceXM) platform serves as the system of record for products, accelerates time to market for products, facilitates cross-team and cross-organization collaboration at scale, and provides the insights needed to continuously optimize product pages across channels. The result is shopper-centric, frictionless, and memorable commerce experiences. Great commerce experiences that are delivered efficiently improve brand trust, amplify product differentiation and assortments, increase conversion rate, improve profit margins, and speed time to market.

Learn how the world's largest brands, including Mars, L'Oreal, Coca-Cola, Bosch, and GSK, as well as retailers and distributors such as E.Leclerc, Carrefour, Metro, and Intermarche use Salsify every day to stand out on the digital shelf.

For more information, please visit: www.salsify.com.

Contact:

Ron Favali

[email protected]

727-512-4490

SOURCE Salsify

Related Links

http://www.salsify.com


"For over 115 years, French's has delivered bold, all-American flavor to customers nationwide," said Jill Pratt, Chief Marketing Excellence Officer for McCormick. "Year after year, we look forward to raising the French's flag in celebration of National Mustard Day, by introducing exciting new ways to enjoy the bright, tangy taste of mustard."

French's, the brand that brought you Mustard Ice Cream and Mustard Beer, is committed to providing elevated flavor experiences for mustard lovers across the U.S. The French's Mustard Buns are golden in color, soft in texture, with a distinct, yet subtle tang that doesn't overpower. For an extra burst of flavor, a drizzle of French's Classic Yellow Mustard is recommended to top off your hot dog or sandwich.

"When the French's opportunity came across our desk, we jumped at the chance to collaborate. Together, we have over 200 years of quality, creativity and experience," said Carmine Piantedosi, Operations Manager, 4th Generation and Owner at Piantedosi Baking Company. "Mixing the bold flavor of their Classic Yellow Mustard and our innovative baking process, we developed a truly unique bread formula for National Mustard Day. We're thrilled to have thousands of people across the country taste the awesome buns that we created!"

Those interested in trying the latest flavor creation from French's, are invited to visit one of these locations, while supplies last:

August 7, National Mustard Day (free pop-ups, starting 12PM local time, while supplies last):

The Hot Dog King ( New York, NY )  free, hot dog cart outside of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

( )  free, hot dog cart outside of The Metropolitan Museum of Art The Lodge ( Chicago, IL )  free, hot dog cart in front of the tavern

( )  free, hot dog cart in front of the tavern Pier Burger ( Santa Monica, CA ) free, hot dog cart on the Santa Monica Pier

August 7, National Mustard Day (with stadium concession hot dog purchase, while supplies last):

Yankee Stadium ( Bronx , NY)  with purchase of hot dog from Concession Stand 110 during the 1:05 p.m. game against Seattle

( , NY)  with purchase of hot dog from Concession Stand 110 during the game against Camden Yards ( Baltimore, MD )  with purchase of hot dog from Camden Franks Concession (lower level, Eutaw Street ) during Orioles 7:05 p.m. game against Rays

Saturday, August 14 (free pop-up, starting 12PM local time, while supplies last):

The Best Sausage Company ( Boston, MA ) - free, hot dog cart outside of Fenway Park

Additionally, French's is releasing two recipes for home bakers who are unable to visit their pop-ups, including a French's Mustard Challah Bread and French's Mustard Beer Bread. You can learn more, and find inspiration for these new bread recipes at Frenchs.com/MustardBuns.

Be sure to tag @Frenchs with the hashtag #MustardBuns to show us how you are enjoying French's Mustard Buns this summer.

Media Note: Please click here for high-resolution images of French's Mustard Buns, recipes and video of the formulation process.

About French's:

French's was first introduced to the hot dog  and the public  at the World's Fair in 1904. It was love at first bite. Through the years, French's has become a staple from the ballpark to the backyard to the holiday table. French's family of products includes Classic Yellow Mustard, Tomato Ketchup, Worcestershire Sauce, Crispy Fried Onions and more. Visit www.Frenchs.com for more information and recipes.

French's is one of McCormick & Company's (MKC) brands. As a Fortune 500 company with over $5 billion in annual sales across 160 countries and territories, McCormick is a global leader in flavor. Founded in 1889 and headquartered in Hunt Valley, Maryland USA, McCormick is guided by our principles and committed to our Purpose  To Stand Together for the Future of Flavor. McCormick envisions A World United by Flavor where healthy, sustainable, and delicious go hand in hand. To learn more, visit www.mccormickcorporation.com or follow McCormick & Company on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About Piantedosi:

The Piantedosi Baking Company is a third and fourth generation family-owned and operated company focused on outstanding customer service and utilizing the finest ingredients to craft the highest quality bread products in our BRC Certified (AA rating) manufacturing facility. Piantedosi was built on loyalty to our customers, partners and dedicated employees over 105 years ago, and these simple values still stand true today.

Contact:

Kendra Ferguson

French's

410-456-4379

[email protected]

Melanie Blum

Sunshine Sachs

212-691-2800

[email protected]

SOURCE French's

Related Links

http://www.Frenchs.com


TEL AVIV, Israel, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Infinipoint, provider of the first Device-Identity-as-a-Service (DIaaS)--a comprehensive device identity and security solution that is a critical part of a Zero Trust approach to secure device access--today announced that Dave Burton has been named Chief Marketing Officer. Burton brings more than 30 years of software and technology marketing experience to the team, including two decades focused on information security.

"Dave's track record of driving demand and revenue for disruptive cybersecurity products makes him an excellent addition to the Infinipoint team," said Ran Lampert, co-founder and CEO, Infinipoint. "His deep infosec and Zero Trust experience will be crucial to bringing the first Device-Identity-as-a-Service solution to market and to reaching our customers and partners."

Burton joins Infinipoint from Guardicore, a leading microsegmentation and Zero Trust platform security provider, where he served as Vice President of Marketing, building its global marketing organization and operations from the ground up. He has extensive experience with early-stage startups and has also held senior marketing positions for several enterprise security companies including Check Point Software Technologies, Symantec, AlgoSec and NetContinuum (acquired by Barracuda Networks).

"I am thrilled to join the Infinipoint leadership team to help them establish the DIaaS category as an essential part of a Zero Trust architecture. You cannot be compliant with Zero Trust if you have addressed the user, but not the device. Despite years of focus and investment in Zero Trust solutions, the device has been left behind. The team at Infinipoint is pioneering the DIaaS security category with the only solution that provides Single Sign-On (SSO) authorization integrated with risk-based policies, and one-click remediation for non-compliant and vulnerable devices," said Burton. "I believe that the heart of a company's success is its people, and Infinipoint combines the vision and experience of some of the brightest minds in cybersecurity."

Device-Identity-as-a-Service

Extending a Zero Trust security posture to devices is an essential and urgent requirement with a work-from-anywhere workforce. This is highlighted in every major Zero Trust reference architecture and guidance, including from Forrester, Gartner, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and NIST. In the NIST Special Publication on Zero Trust Architecture (800-207) it states "the enterprise monitors and measures the integrity and security posture of all owned and associated assets. No asset is inherently trusted."

The only way to ensure true Zero Trust for devices is through real time security upon user authentication with a deep and dynamic scope, while ensuring business continuity at the same time. The Infinipoint DIaaS solution is the only one on the market built by design to meet these requirements.

For more information on Infinipoint, or to schedule a demo, visit www.infinipoint.io .

About Infinipoint

Infinipoint is the first solution provider to offer Device-Identity-as-a-Service (DIaaS), addressing Zero Trust device access and enabling enterprises of all sizes to automate cyber hygiene and increase visibility across their entire IT estate.

For more information visit www.infinipoint.io or follow Infinipoint on Twitter or LinkedIn .

SOURCE Infinipoint

Related Links

http://www.infinipoint.io


CLEARWATER, Fla., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- (ISC)2  the world's largest nonprofit membership association of certified cybersecurity professionals  today announced the honorees of its 2021 (ISC) Global Achievement Awards, which recognize and celebrate the most outstanding annual and lifetime achievements in the field of cybersecurity.

"Cybersecurity professionals demonstrate resilience, agility and brilliance every day," said Clar Rosso, CEO, (ISC)2. "Whether they've been working in the industry for a lifetime or a couple years, we want to take the time to honor individuals for their commitment to the profession, the workforce and making the cyber world safer for all. We look forward to honoring this year's Global Achievement Award recipients at our (ISC) Security Congress in October."

(ISC) Global Achievement Awards

The Global Achievement Awards recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to cybersecurity and information security and who have made a difference in this ever-evolving industry, honoring tireless efforts and standards of excellence. Honorees were nominated by qualified colleagues, mentors and peers.

The (ISC) Senior Professional Award recognizes an individual who has significantly contributed to the enhancement of the information security workforce by demonstrating a leadership role in an information security workforce improvement initiative, program or project:

recognizes an individual who has significantly contributed to the enhancement of the information security workforce by demonstrating a leadership role in an information security workforce improvement initiative, program or project: Americas: Marouane Balmakhtar , CISSP , principal technology strategist, T-Mobile, for his leadership on T-Mobile's 5G Cybersecurity and Security Awareness initiative, which focuses on applying new and improved security practices to mitigate 5G network risks and extensive research on 5G architectural changes and subsequent attack vectors.

, , principal technology strategist, T-Mobile, for his leadership on T-Mobile's 5G Cybersecurity and Security Awareness initiative, which focuses on applying new and improved security practices to mitigate 5G network risks and extensive research on 5G architectural changes and subsequent attack vectors.

Asia-Pacific: Dr. InJung Kim , senior researcher, The Affiliated Institute of Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), who created Korea's cybersecurity technology roadmap, advancing its broader technological movement while keeping its critical assets secure.

, senior researcher, The Affiliated Institute of Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), who created Korea's cybersecurity technology roadmap, advancing its broader technological movement while keeping its critical assets secure.

EMEA: Soney Paul Bahanan , information security manager, NMC Healthcare, for developing the Abu Dhabi Health Information Cyber Security Standard (ADHICS) on behalf of the Abu Dhabi Department of Health. The Standard prepares and enables the country's health sector to uphold privacy and security, complementing the government's Health Information Exchange (HIE) initiatives to enhance security and public trust.

, information security manager, NMC Healthcare, for developing the Abu Dhabi Health Information Cyber Security Standard (ADHICS) on behalf of the Abu Dhabi Department of Health. The Standard prepares and enables the country's health sector to uphold privacy and security, complementing the government's Health Information Exchange (HIE) initiatives to enhance security and public trust. The (ISC) Mid-Career Professional Award recognizes an individual who is at the mid-career stage and has demonstrated commitment and achievement in managing or implementing a vital component of a cyber, information, software, infrastructure program/project:

recognizes an individual who is at the mid-career stage and has demonstrated commitment and achievement in managing or implementing a vital component of a cyber, information, software, infrastructure program/project: Americas: Diondria Holliman , CISSP , IT cybersecurity analyst, Medtronic, for her successful implementation of Medtronic's USB Block program, which spans across 95,000+ employees located in 160+ countries worldwide, to prevent data exfiltration. In addition, as the pandemic spread, she was instrumental in orchestrating secure code signing of ventilator software to assist Medtronic's efforts to open-source its ventilator design to speed up the production of the life-saving machinery.

, , IT cybersecurity analyst, Medtronic, for her successful implementation of Medtronic's USB Block program, which spans across 95,000+ employees located in 160+ countries worldwide, to prevent data exfiltration. In addition, as the pandemic spread, she was instrumental in orchestrating secure code signing of ventilator software to assist Medtronic's efforts to open-source its ventilator design to speed up the production of the life-saving machinery.

Asia-Pacific: Neha Malhotra , CISSP , CCSP , vice president, cybersecurity attack surface management, Credit Suisse, for her leadership executing a global initiative to optimize vulnerability management and secure configuration baseline standard violation processes. These initiatives impact the entire bank infrastructure, applications and thousands of employees, helping manage attack surfaces, reduce risks and manage KRIs, in addition to ensuring MAS 655 Notice compliance.

, , , vice president, cybersecurity attack surface management, Credit Suisse, for her leadership executing a global initiative to optimize vulnerability management and secure configuration baseline standard violation processes. These initiatives impact the entire bank infrastructure, applications and thousands of employees, helping manage attack surfaces, reduce risks and manage KRIs, in addition to ensuring MAS 655 Notice compliance. The (ISC) Rising Star Professional Award recognizes the accomplishments and contributions of an up-and-coming professional who has made a significant impact in the information security industry early in their career.

recognizes the accomplishments and contributions of an up-and-coming professional who has made a significant impact in the information security industry early in their career. Americas: Kathryn M. Murphy , cybersecurity engineer, MSAG, for her instrumental role in the U.S. Department of Defense initiative, Comply to Connect (C2C), which ensures all devices attached to the Department of Defense Information Network (DODIN) are identified, authenticated and controlled.

, cybersecurity engineer, MSAG, for her instrumental role in the U.S. Department of Defense initiative, Comply to Connect (C2C), which ensures all devices attached to the Department of Defense Information Network (DODIN) are identified, authenticated and controlled.

EMEA: Alexander Kuehl , CISSP-ISSMP , CAP , SSCP , information security expert, Kuehne + Nagel International AG, for his success in selling a significant component of Kuehne + Nagel's U.K. contract logistics portfolio to XPO Logistics.

, , , , information security expert, Kuehne + Nagel International AG, for his success in selling a significant component of Kuehne + Nagel's U.K. contract logistics portfolio to XPO Logistics. The (ISC) Government Professional Award

Americas: Erica M. Mitchell , CISSP , critical infrastructure key resources team lead for the U.S. Army Cyber Institute, for the development of The Jack Voltaic Cyber Research Project, a bottom-up approach to critical infrastructure resilience. Cities and municipalities nationwide use the repeatable framework to prepare, prevent and respond to critical infrastructure cyberattacks. The findings and recommendations are shared with the military, federal agencies and policymakers to influence future legislation, policies and standards.

, , critical infrastructure key resources team lead for the U.S. Army Cyber Institute, for the development of The Jack Voltaic Cyber Research Project, a bottom-up approach to critical infrastructure resilience. Cities and municipalities nationwide use the repeatable framework to prepare, prevent and respond to critical infrastructure cyberattacks. The findings and recommendations are shared with the military, federal agencies and policymakers to influence future legislation, policies and standards.

Asia-Pacific : GP CAPT Amorn Chomchoey , CISSP , acting deputy secretary general, National Cyber Security Agency of Thailand , for his gamification approach to improving the security skillset of the Royal Thai Air Force and other defense services. The annual competition has grown from three teams in 2014 to over 60 teams from all Royal Thai Air Force units.

: , , acting deputy secretary general, National Cyber Security Agency of , for his gamification approach to improving the security skillset of the Royal Thai Air Force and other defense services. The annual competition has grown from three teams in 2014 to over 60 teams from all Royal Thai Air Force units.

EMEA: Angella Tugume , CISSP , risk analyst, National Information Technology Authority - Uganda , for her leadership implementing the National Information Security Framework across 20 government agencies, which involved conducting individual assessments, developing customized roadmaps for each to guide their operational implementations to achieve compliance, and organizing cybersecurity risk training sessions.

, , risk analyst, National Information Technology Authority - , for her leadership implementing the National Information Security Framework across 20 government agencies, which involved conducting individual assessments, developing customized roadmaps for each to guide their operational implementations to achieve compliance, and organizing cybersecurity risk training sessions. The (ISC) F. Lynn McNulty Tribute Award recognizes an individual for their outstanding dedication, service and commitment to the government information security workforce or strengthening the country's information resources and infrastructure security posture. This year's recipient is Kelvin Coleman for his leadership in launching Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a joint effort by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security established in October 2004 . Participation has grown annually to help citizens protect connected devices at home and work.

(ISC) Board Awards

The Board Awards recognize outstanding contributions and achievements in the field of cybersecurity over the course of a career. The following award recipients were hand-selected by the (ISC) Board of Directors.

The (ISC) Harold F. Tipton Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest tribute bestowed in the information security industry, recognizing members for their lifelong contributions to the advancement of the industry and profession. This year's recipient is Rich Owen, Jr. , CISSP , CEO, Johnny Security Seed, LLC. As one of the early pioneers of the information security industry, Owen created numerous quality security programs and advised others on developing and improving their programs. Owen built NASA's Johnson Space Center security program from the ground up, which was one of the first programs to define security as protecting confidentiality, integrity and availability. He also pioneered the early use of risk-based decisions to protect information, for which he was recognized by the NASA Administrator.

is the highest tribute bestowed in the information security industry, recognizing members for their lifelong contributions to the advancement of the industry and profession. This year's recipient is , CEO, Johnny Security Seed, LLC. As one of the early pioneers of the information security industry, Owen created numerous quality security programs and advised others on developing and improving their programs. Owen built NASA's Johnson Space Center security program from the ground up, which was one of the first programs to define security as protecting confidentiality, integrity and availability. He also pioneered the early use of risk-based decisions to protect information, for which he was recognized by the NASA Administrator. The Fellow of (ISC) Award was established to honor and distinguish an elite information security professional who has made outstanding contributions throughout their career to the information security profession. This year's distinction is posthumously awarded to Dan Kaminsky , a top security researcher best known for discovering a fundamental flaw in the DNS system, earning him the title of "internet security savior" and "a digital Paul Revere ." Kaminsky was also recognized for holding himself and his teams to a high ethical standard, serving as a model for responsible vulnerability disclosure.

was established to honor and distinguish an elite information security professional who has made outstanding contributions throughout their career to the information security profession. This year's distinction is posthumously awarded to , a top security researcher best known for discovering a fundamental flaw in the DNS system, earning him the title of "internet security savior" and "a digital ." Kaminsky was also recognized for holding himself and his teams to a high ethical standard, serving as a model for responsible vulnerability disclosure. The (ISC) Diversity Award honors individuals who represent the core values of (ISC) through significant contributions in driving a more diverse workforce in the cybersecurity community. This year's recipients are:

honors individuals who represent the core values of (ISC) through significant contributions in driving a more diverse workforce in the cybersecurity community. This year's recipients are: Americas: Julian Waits , GM, cybersecurity, Devo Technologies, for his devotion to mentoring young minority cybersecurity professionals and supporting their career growth trajectory by providing free or heavily discounted training and certification opportunities, as well as more than 10 cash and training scholarships.

, GM, cybersecurity, Devo Technologies, for his devotion to mentoring young minority cybersecurity professionals and supporting their career growth trajectory by providing free or heavily discounted training and certification opportunities, as well as more than 10 cash and training scholarships.

Asia-Pacific : Neha Malhotra , CISSP, CCSP, vice president, cybersecurity attack surface management, Credit Suisse, for her advocacy work mentoring and serving as a career advisor for women in cybersecurity.

(ISC) CEO Award

The (ISC) CEO Award recognizes members who have significantly impacted the cybersecurity community by contributing to (ISC) through dedicated and exceptional volunteer efforts. Nominations are made solely by (ISC) Board members and executive staff.

The recipient of this year's (ISC) CEO Award is Meg West, CISSP, cybersecurity incident responder, IBM X-Force, for her dedication to empowering a more diverse set of candidates to pursue a career in cybersecurity and mentoring women and people of color through her social media platforms.

The Center for Cyber Safety and Education Awards

The Center for Cyber Safety and Education (Center), formerly (ISC) Foundation, is a nonprofit charitable trust committed to making the cyber world a safer place for everyone. These awards honor organizations and individuals for their steadfast commitment to advancing The Center's mission.

The Center for Cyber Safety and Education Partner of the Year Award recognizes an organization whose employees/members donate their time, talent and treasure to support and advance the Center's mission. The distinction is awarded to CAPA8 for the company's leadership in translating the Garfield's Cyber Safety Adventures program into Spanish.

recognizes an organization whose employees/members donate their time, talent and treasure to support and advance the Center's mission. The distinction is awarded to for the company's leadership in translating the Garfield's Cyber Safety Adventures program into Spanish. The Center for Cyber Safety and Education Julie Peeler Franz "Do It for The Children" Volunteer Award recognizes an individual who has significantly contributed to the betterment of internet safety. This year's distinction is awarded to Roela Santos of Virginia for her long-time support of Center programs and leadership in developing both the Raytheon and SAIC (formerly Engility) scholarships, which awarded $424,000 to 56 students over the past six years.

(ISC) Chapter Recognition Awards

The Regional (ISC) Chapter Recognition Awards are presented to an official chapter of (ISC) within a specific region that best promotes the vision of (ISC) by inspiring a safe and secure cyber world. The chapter must demonstrate a well-rounded offering of activities and services designed to benefit its members and affiliates, while making a significant contribution to the profession and local community. This year's recipients in each region are:

Asia-Pacific  Singapore Chapter  The chapter continues to gain notoriety by developing partnerships with local schools and organizations to conduct career talks and inspiring the next generation through its successful mentorship program. The chapter also renewed its partnership with the Association of Information Security Professionals, which will enable chapter members to network and collaborate professionally with other cybersecurity organizations.

 Singapore Chapter  The chapter continues to gain notoriety by developing partnerships with local schools and organizations to conduct career talks and inspiring the next generation through its successful mentorship program. The chapter also renewed its partnership with the Association of Information Security Professionals, which will enable chapter members to network and collaborate professionally with other cybersecurity organizations. EMEA  Nigeria Chapter  As one of the most active chapters in EMEA, the chapter is committed to providing chapter members with continuous learning opportunities and resources to stay ahead of the curve and educate local community members on how to stay cyber safe. Its events include several panel discussions and a mini-series focused on Cyber Security Awareness Month titled "Do Your Part in the New Normal, be CyberSmart."

 Nigeria Chapter  As one of the most active chapters in EMEA, the chapter is committed to providing chapter members with continuous learning opportunities and resources to stay ahead of the curve and educate local community members on how to stay cyber safe. Its events include several panel discussions and a mini-series focused on Cyber Security Awareness Month titled "Do Your Part in the New Normal, be CyberSmart." Latin America  Argentina Chapter  The chapter increased visibility by leveraging social media and facilitated membership growth following the success of CyberSec Talks, a regional virtual conference hosted by Argentina and five other LATAM chapters. More than 700 people from over 20 countries registered to attend the two-day event focused on connecting members, educating the public and inspiring future leaders.

 Argentina Chapter  The chapter increased visibility by leveraging social media and facilitated membership growth following the success of CyberSec Talks, a regional virtual conference hosted by and five other LATAM chapters. More than 700 people from over 20 countries registered to attend the two-day event focused on connecting members, educating the public and inspiring future leaders. North America  Long Island New York Chapter  Since receiving its official charter in 2019, the chapter built a strong foundation that quickly adapted to the remote environment brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. The chapter hosted virtual meetings while growing attendance  providing both educational sessions and networking opportunities for members. The chapter built strong relationships with local companies and organizations, proving that even new chapters have the strength to inspire and connect the local community and inspire a safe and secure cyber world.

(ISC) would like to thank the Global Achievement Awards judging committees and the Chapter Advisory Council for their help in the selection process. A full list of awards committee members can be found at https://www.isc2.org/-/media/ISC2/About/Awards/GAA-Committee-2021-2022.ashx.

A special thanks to the members of the (ISC) Board of Directors who judged the Board Awards, including Gabriel Bergel, CISSP, Biljana Cerin, CISSP, SC Leung, CISSP, CCSP, Samara Moore, CISSP, and Jill Slay, CISSP.

For more information on the Global Achievement Awards program, including descriptions of each award category and eligibility details, please visit: https://www.isc2.org/About/Award-Programs.

About (ISC)

(ISC) is an international nonprofit membership association focused on inspiring a safe and secure cyber world. Best known for the acclaimed Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification, (ISC) offers a portfolio of credentials that are part of a holistic, pragmatic approach to security. Our membership, more than 160,000 strong, is made up of cyber, information, software and infrastructure security professionals who are making a difference and helping to advance the industry. Our vision is supported by our commitment to educate and reach the general public through our charitable foundation  The Center for Cyber Safety and Education. For more information on (ISC), visit www.isc2.org, follow us on Twitter or connect with us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

 2021 (ISC) Inc., (ISC), CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, CAP, CSSLP, HCISPP, CISSP-ISSAP, CISSP-ISSEP, CISSP-ISSMP and CBK are registered marks of (ISC), Inc.

Media Contact:

Brian Alberti

Corporate Public Relations Manager

(ISC)

[email protected]

(617) 510-1540

SOURCE (ISC)2

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"We are excited to expand our leadership team with Jeff," said President and CEO of Viad Corp, Steve Moster. "Jeff will be a great addition to GES. He brings a wealth of leadership experience in serving global brands by elevating their experiential marketing strategies. He has a proven track record in starting and building successful top-tier agencies with strong company cultures. His unique set of skills in building industry-leading teams and working alongside some of the world's most valuable brands will help propel GES' strategic direction in experiential marketing and create greater value for our clients and their target audiences."

"I am thrilled to join the GES team," said Stelmach. "GES is a highly respected live events company with a rich history and talented team. The company is uniquely positioned to capitalize on the growing need for experiential marketing that brings client visions to life by connecting their brands with target audiences in impactful and memorable ways."

Stelmach brings more than 30 years of experience in building successful agencies, including Mosaic, Opus, Geometry, and EMI. Most recently, he served as Opus Agency President. He has worked with some of the biggest brands in the business during his distinguished career, including Samsung, Coca-Cola, Anheuser-Busch, and Oracle. Stelmach is one of two people in the world to win the coveted Grand Ex Award for the best experiential marketing campaign of the yeartwice. He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame with degrees in Business and Marketing.

About GES

With a legacy spanning more than 90 years, GES is a global live events company providing exhibition services, brand experiences, and live event venue services throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, and the Middle East. Our comprehensive suite of award-winning services brings client visions to life by creating immersive brand experiences and producing impactful events that connect audiences and drives business success. For more information on GES, a Viad Corp (NYSE: VVI) company, visit GES.com.

Contact:

Otilia Ayats-Mas

[email protected]

SOURCE GES
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- When a New York-based borrower needed a loan against property owned in another country, there was only one lender who could get them to closing: Kennedy Funding.

The Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey-based direct private lender today announced the closing of a $3 million land loan to JD St. Barth's 1. While Kennedy Funding stands alone in its ability to regularly and successfully close loans abroad, JD St. Barth's 1 presented a unique challenge.

"JD St. Barth's 1 borrowed against land they owned in Saint Barthelemy to fund construction of a private home on land they owned in South Hampton, New York," said Kevin Wolfer, CEO of Kennedy Funding. "While this was certainly a unique setup, we drew on our extensive experience working on land loans and on international loans to ensure our borrower secured the funding necessary to fund construction on their new home."

Notably, Wolfer said that the borrower had excellent credit and the property was owned outright, with no outstanding debt against the St. Barth's tract. Additionally, the property was appraised at more than $2 million higher than the purchase price.

"In any other situation, it would not have even been a question that a borrower with a profile this strong would have been approved by a traditional financing institution," Wolfer said. "However, the complexity of this loan, coupled with the fact that it crossed international borders, made this untouchable for any other lender but Kennedy Funding."

Wolfer said that Kennedy Funding is the only lender who could make the deal happen. As an experienced firm in international lending, Kennedy Funding stands apart in its knowledge and experience in real estate and lending laws in the Caribbean, South America, and many other locales abroad.

"Typically, when people think of land loans, they automatically assume that both traditional and private lenders will pass over the opportunity," Wolfer said. "That's especially true when it comes to international deals. Nobody except Kennedy Funding has the knowledge, skills, local relationships, and track record to close in other countries."

The one-acre lot in St. Barth's offers panoramic views of picturesque St. Jean Bay in Quartier Des Caye, along the eastern shoreline of the island's northwest corner. The borrower purchased the acre on the exclusive island in 2014 for $5 million and has demolished the existing house. A permit has been issued for a seven-bedroom, 500-square-meter private residence, which is zoned for residential and open space use.

A short drive from the St. Jean's Beach commercial area, the property is close to many significant commercial and relaxation destinations throughout the island. It is also close to the Saint Barthelemy Airport, which accommodates small planes and charter flights.

"St. Barth's is a well-known luxury destination that attracts tourists from all over the globe," Wolfer said. "Tourism continues to be strong, despite the challenges presented by the past year, and Kennedy Funding has a lengthy track record of closing loans abroad." According to Wolfer, the firm has the experience, support staff, and knowledge necessary to navigate and successfully close loans in countries with vastly different regulatory, financial, and real estate landscapes. Most recently, Kennedy closed a $3.456 million land loan in Texas, a $2.3 million loan to construct a mixed-use property in the Dominican Republic, and a $2.64 million loan in Brazil for an agricultural project.

"Borrowers from all over the world come to Kennedy Funding because they know we have the strongest track record for land loans out there," said Wolfer. "Simply put, nobody else can close a land loan, and especially an international land loan, like we can."

www.kennedyfunding.com

About Kennedy Funding

Kennedy Funding is a global direct private lender specializing in bridge loans for commercial property and land acquisition, development, workouts, bankruptcies, and foreclosures. Kennedy Funding has closed more than $3 billion in loans to date. Their creative financing expertise provides funding up to 75% loan-to-value, from $1 million ($3 million international) to more than $50 million in as little as five days. The company has closed loans throughout the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, Canada, and Central and South America.

SOURCE Kennedy Funding

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NEW HAVEN, Conn., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Knights of Columbus honored its Family of the Year and councils throughout the world with international service awards during a virtual awards ceremony at the Knights' 139th annual convention this week. In addition to recognizing its Family of the Year, the awards recognize outstanding programs in the categories of Faith, Family, Community and Life. This year they additionally recognize the council that excelled in the Leave No Neighbor Behind initiative. As pandemic challenges continued, these awardees worked to live out the four principles of the Knights: Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism.

The award categories and this year's recipients include:

International Family of the Year: The Steciak Family, Rembieszyce, Poland

Micha and his wife, Angelika, whom he married in 2011, are deeply involved in the life of the Church where they lead numerous social and volunteer initiatives. Together they run the Angels' Village Foundation, which helps, among others, children with disabilities and the elderly. They are very active in parish life; they run a children's choir and Bible study group. The highlight of Micha and Angelika's life is their marriage and family. Their plan was always to accept the children that God gave them, but early in their marriage, they learned that they were unable to have children. Their desire to be parents came to fruition, however, in 2020 when they adopted an infant named Peter, who was rejected by his biological parents when they discovered he has Down syndrome. The Steciak family was the 10th family in line to adopt this little boy, but the other nine candidate-couples gave up when they found out about the child's health condition and refused to even see him. Today, 19-month-old Peter is being raised by a loving family, which recently also adopted a second child: 11-month-old Mary, now his little sister.

Faith: Monroe Council 1266, Monroe, Michigan

Organized by Knights, Catholic men are creating a brotherhood and environment where they take responsibility for learning, living, strengthening and sharing the faith by hosting a men's prayer breakfast. Together, these 30 members and 20 nonmembers call themselves the "Regular Joe's" and focus on becoming better men, leaders, husbands, fathers and followers of Christ. This men's group has had a profound impact on the community and exposed a thirst for the Gospel. Because of the witness and brotherhood in this group, 18 men were compelled to join the Order and injected new life into the council. This group began meeting in 2019 with five men and has grown to 50 and continued to meet consistently and remotely during COVID.

Life: Divine Word Council 7331, Techny, Illinois

Council 7331 serves as one of the main organizers and route marshals for the March for Life in Chicago each year. In 2020, due to the pandemic, the march was unable to proceed as a normal, in-person event. Rather than giving up, members of Council 7331 increased their support for the cause and worked with other organizations to ensure the pro-life voice would still be heard. Along with the Archdiocese of Chicago and WeDignify, nearly 50 Knights helped organize a "Drive for Life" through the cities of Mundelein and Chicago, drawing more than 1,100 vehicles (holding 4,000 riders) from Illinois and nearby states. The council was involved in recruiting and organizing volunteers, the setup and takedown of stages and audio equipment, directing traffic, helping stage and park cars, and handing out pro-life signs. Thanks to the work of the council, more than 70,000 diapers were collected during the event and thousands of people were made aware of the importance of defending life.

Family: Our Lady of Fatima Council 9636, Las Pinas, Metro Manila, Luzon South

When pandemic restrictions limited the ability for people to gather, Council 9636 developed a plan to maintain community and foster the faith of families during these uncertain times. Beginning in July 2020, Knights and their families, as well as other parishioners and their pastor, gathered virtually every Saturday night to pray and share their needs and experience. Prayers were said for the sick and those who had died, and the weekly event has become a source of consolation over the past year. Over 250 people have participated in the more than 40 virtual family prayer nights that are still occurring.

Community: Saint Cecilia Council 7395, Claremore, Oklahoma

Oklahoma Council 7395 organized 30 members and 10 nonmembers to help the Benedictine monks of Clear Creek Abbey. They provided the funds and 3,200 total hours of experienced labor to rebuild a suspension bridge; build a gravel sifter used to maintain the abbey roads; construct and install roll cages for their tractors; and host a luncheon for 500 people. The council also surprised a priest of the abbey with a new car to help him travel and begin a new monastery. They also supported the community by preparing and donating 1,200 food boxes to people in need during the past year.

Leave No Neighbor Behind: Saint Bonaventure Council 7432, Calgary, Alberta

Parish closures and restrictions were severe across Canada during the pandemic. Council 7432 jumped into action to help their pastor transition the parish to a virtual format. The council organized 106 members and 168 nonmembers to provide 4,159 volunteer hours toward this effort. Activities also included volunteering for Masses, bringing Communion to the Catholic community, and other worship activities that greatly helped the parish resume operations. In addition, the council raised nearly $7,000 to support St. Vincent de Paul and other charities during the pandemic.

About the Knights of Columbus

Founded in 1882 by Blessed Michael McGivney, The Knights of Columbus is one of the world's leading fraternal and service organizations with 2 million members in more than 16,000 parish-based councils. During the past year, Knights around the world donated more than 47 million service hours and $150 million for worthy causes in their communities. The organization also offers extensive life insurance services to members and their families, resulting in more than $116 billion of life insurance in force. Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors offers investment services to individuals and institutions in accord with Catholic social teaching and has nearly $29 billion in assets under management. From helping children in need, to providing wheelchairs for the disabled, to helping stock food banks, to offering top-rated and affordable insurance products to its members, to creating a legacy of giving, the Knights of Columbus has supported families and communities for more than 139 years. To learn more please visit us at kofc.org.

SOURCE Knights of Columbus

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BEIJING, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Kuke Music Holding Limited ("Kuke" or the "Company") (NYSE: KUKE), a leading provider of classical music content, licensing, subscription, and smart music learning solutions in China, today announced its unaudited financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021.

Second Quarter 2021 Financial Highlights

Total revenue increased by 732.0% to RMB84.1 million ( US$13.0 million ) from RMB10.1 million in the same period of 2020.

( ) from in the same period of 2020. Smart music learning solutions revenue increased by 34.2 times to RMB20.7 million ( US$3.2 million ) from RMB0.6 million in the same period of 2020. Licensing and subscription revenue increased by 328.3% to RMB39.6 million ( US$6.1 million ) from RMB9.2 million in the same period of 2020.

( ) from in the same period of 2020. Licensing and subscription revenue increased by 328.3% to ( ) from in the same period of 2020. Loss was RMB11.4 million ( US$1.8 million ), compared to RMB9.7 million in the same period of 2020. Non-IFRS profit[1] was RMB18.3 million ( US$2.8 million ), compared to non-IFRS loss of RMB10.3 in the same period of 2020.

Second Quarter 2021 Operational Highlights

As of June 30, 2021 , the Company had established collaborations with over 4,500 kindergartens and launched more than 20,000 Kuke smart pianos to those kindergartens. During the second quarter of 2021, the number of active Kukey students, namely students who attended at least one paid Kukey course during the period, was 33,000, compared to approximately 5,300 in the second quarter of 2020.

, the Company had established collaborations with over 4,500 kindergartens and launched more than 20,000 Kuke smart pianos to those kindergartens. During the second quarter of 2021, the number of active Kukey students, namely students who attended at least one paid Kukey course during the period, was 33,000, compared to approximately 5,300 in the second quarter of 2020. As of June 30, 2021 , the total pieces of content in the Company's classical music library increased by more than 80 thousand to more than 2.7 million, over 2.3 million of which are music tracks and 410,000 of which are long-form concerts, operas, master-class videos, and audiobooks. Music genres featured in the library include classical, jazz, world, country, and Chinese folk music.

, the total pieces of content in the Company's classical music library increased by more than 80 thousand to more than 2.7 million, over 2.3 million of which are music tracks and 410,000 of which are long-form concerts, operas, master-class videos, and audiobooks. Music genres featured in the library include classical, jazz, world, country, and Chinese folk music. Starting in the second quarter of 2021, the Company provided commercial performance planning and execution services to provincial symphony orchestras across China .

Mr. He Yu, Chief Executive Officer of Kuke, commented, "Our second quarter performance was characterized by a robust recovery in business, stellar revenue growth, and improved profit margins. As the music industry and the economy as a whole continued to recover, we further expanded our classical music content library; optimized our smart music hardware, content, and systems; and provided planning and execution services for live music events. We are confident that these efforts will continue to enhance the already significant synergies among all aspects of our businesses and continue to fuel our growth momentum going forward."

Mr. Tony Chan, Chief Financial Officer of Kuke, commented, "In the second quarter, we grew our revenues by 7.3 times year over year, expanded our gross margin to 59.1%, and achieved profitability on a non-IFRS basis. These results were mainly driven by a recovery in demand and our increasing economies of scale. We remain on track to achieve our full year revenue target of no less than RMB400 million, and we expect our business activities to continue improving in the coming quarters."

[1] Non-IFRS profit/loss of the Company was arrived at after excluding the combined effect of amortization and depreciations, share-based compensation expenses, impairment losses on financial assets, and the corresponding income tax effects of these non-IFRS adjustments.

Second Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Total Revenue

Total revenue increased by 732.0% to RMB84.1 million (US$13.0 million) from RMB10.1 million in the same period of 2020.

Smart music learning solutions revenue increased by 34.2 times to RMB20.7 million ( US$3.2 million ) from RMB0.6 million in the same period of 2020, primarily driven by the increases in enrollment from kindergarten students and sales of smart music education solutions. Sales of smart music education solutions increased to RMB14.4 million ( US$2.2 million ), compared to RMB39 thousands ( US$6 thousands ) in the same period of last year, and subscriptions from kindergarten students increased to RMB6.2 million ( US$1.0 million ) from RMB0.5 million in the same period of last year.

increased by 34.2 times to million ( ) from in the same period of 2020, primarily driven by the increases in enrollment from kindergarten students and sales of smart music education solutions. Sales of smart music education solutions increased to ( ), compared to ( ) in the same period of last year, and subscriptions from kindergarten students increased to ( ) from in the same period of last year. Licensing and subscription revenue increased by 328.3% to RMB39.6 million ( US$6.1 million ) from RMB9.2 million in the same period of 2020, primarily driven by growth in the number of license agreements secured during the quarter, recovery in demand for music streaming by institutional subscribers, and an increase in the Company's music content offerings. In particular, licensing revenue increased to RMB34.2 million ( US$5.3 million ) from RMB5.0 million in the same period of last year, while subscription revenue increased to RMB5.4 million ( US$0.8 million ) from RMB4.2 million in the same period of last year.

( ) from in the same period of 2020, primarily driven by growth in the number of license agreements secured during the quarter, recovery in demand for music streaming by institutional subscribers, and in the Company's music content offerings. In particular, licensing revenue increased to ( ) from in the same period of last year, while subscription revenue increased to ( ) from in the same period of last year. Live Music event revenue was RMB23.8 million ( US$3.7 million ), as the Company's commercial music performance activities increased significantly compared to the same period last year.

Cost of Sales

Total cost of sales in the second quarter of 2021 increased by 399.6% to RMB34.4 million (US$5.3 million) from RMB6.9 million in the same period of 2020. This increase was in line with the increase in the Company's business operations which resulted in increased amortization for copyrighted music contents, costs of sales for smart music learning solutions, and depreciation of smart pianos placed in kindergartens.

Gross Profit

Gross profit in the second quarter of 2021 increased by 14.4 times to RMB49.7 million (US$7.7 million) from RMB3.2 million in the same period of 2020. Gross margin improved to 59.1% from 31.9% in the same period of 2020, mostly due to greater economies of scale as the Company grew its copyright licensing and smart music learning solutions revenue at a much faster pace than its associated costs.

Operating Expenses

Total operating expenses in the second quarter of 2021 increased by 329.4% to RMB59.5 million (US$9.2 million) from RMB13.9 million in the same period of 2020.

Selling and distribution expenses in the second quarter of 2021 increased by 104.7% to RMB13.0 million ( US$2.0 million ) from RMB6.3 million in the same period of 2020. As sales increased for the Company's smart music learning solutions, distribution expenses increased accordingly.

in the second quarter of 2021 increased by 104.7% to ( ) from in the same period of 2020. As sales increased for the Company's smart music learning solutions, distribution expenses increased accordingly. Administrative expenses in the second quarter of 2021 increased by 265.2% to RMB37.5 million ( US$5.8 million ) from RMB10.3 million in the same period of 2020, mainly due to increases in stock-based compensation expenses and increases in research and development expenses.

Operating Loss

Operating loss in the second quarter of 2021 was RMB8.4 million (US$1.3 million), compared to RMB9.6 million in the same period of 2020.

Loss for the Period

Loss was RMB11.4 million (US$1.8 million), compared to RMB9.7 million in the same period of 2020, which was mostly due to the shared-based compensation in the amount of 16.5 million.

Non-IFRS Profit/Loss for the Period

Non-IFRS Profit was RMB18.3 million (US$2.8 million), compared to non-IFRS loss of RMB10.3 million in the same period of 2020.

Loss per ADS and Non-IFRS Profit/Loss per ADS

Basic and diluted loss per American Depositary Share ("ADS") were both RMB0.42 (US$0.07) in the second quarter of 2021, compared to RMB0.44 in the same period of 2020. Basic and diluted non-IFRS profit per ADS were both RMB0.62 (US$0.10) in the second quarter of 2021, compared to non-IFRS loss of RMB0.42 in the same period of 2020. Each ADS represents one Class A ordinary share of the Company.

Balance Sheet

As of June 30, 2021, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of RMB153.3 million (US$23.7 million).

Recent Business Development

On July 28, 2021, the Company leveraged its industry resources and networks to develop a program for China's teen musicians called the "Qing Pei Talent Show". This program was designed to help Chinese teenagers enter the classical music field, discover their musical talents, and form a closed-loop industry chain.

On July 27, 2021, the Company announced the timing and theme for the 24th Beijing Music Festival ("BMF"). The theme of the 24th BMF is "Masters and Memorials". Musicians will express their interpretation of the theme through a set of 18 performances in 20 different shows over 16 days in October. In addition to celebrating the accomplishments of established musicians, BMF aims to provide a platform for young Chinese musicians to express their musical voices to the world.

On July 23, 2021, the Company announced a strategic cooperation agreement with People's Music Publishing House. The two parties will work together to establish the People's Music & Naxos Global Platinum Record Program of China, and the Global Resource Co-construction Plan for the National Aesthetic Education Research Music Encyclopedia Interdisciplinary Curriculum.

On June 29, 2021, Kuke announced that its board of directors has authorized a share repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to US$1 million of its ADSs through December 31, 2021. To show the Company's confidence in its constantly improving operational and financial performances, the Company plans to start repurchasing ADSs following the Company's second quarter 2021 earnings release.

On June 24, 2021, Kuke announced that KUKEY Lessons, the Company's exclusive smart piano learning solutions, have been added to pre-school music learning curriculum in China and deployed in over 4,000 kindergartens across China.

Business Strategy and Outlook

As a leading classical music-focused service provider in China, the Company intends to leverage its ever-expanding copyrighted music content library and its technological innovation prowess to make it easier for users to subscribe to and study classical music, cultivate public interest in classical music.

Full year 2021 revenue is expected to be no less than RMB400 million (US$61.05 million). The Company believes that it is on track to achieve this revenue target for the year. This forecast reflects the Company's current and preliminary views on the market and operational conditions, which are subject to change.

Conference Call Information

The Company will hold a conference call at 7:30 A.M. U.S. Eastern Time on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, (7:30 P.M. Beijing/Hong Kong Time on the same day) to discuss the financial results. Listeners may access the call by dialing the following numbers:

International: 1-412-902-4272 United States Toll Free: 1-888-346-8982 Mainland China Toll Free: 4001-201203 Hong Kong Toll Free: 800-905945 Conference ID: Kuke Music Holding Limited

A replay of the conference call will remain accessible for one week after the live event by dialing the following numbers:

International: 1-412-317-0088 United States Toll Free: 1-877-344-7529 Access Code: 10158093

A live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available at the Company's investor relations website at https://ir.kuke.com/.

About Kuke Music Holding Limited

Kuke is China's leading comprehensive music group encompassing the entire value chain from content provision to education services. By collaborating with Naxos, the world's largest independent classical music content provider in the world, the foundation of Kuke's extensive classical music content library is its unparalleled access to more than 900 top-tier record companies. Leveraging its market leadership in copyrighted classical music content in China, Kuke provides highly scalable classical music licensing and subscription services to over 700 universities, libraries and online music platforms. In addition, it has hosted Beijing Music Festival ("BMF"), the most renowned music festival in China, for 23 consecutive years. At the same time, Kuke provides consumers with premium music content, music literacy education, talent competitions, and public performances through its apps, Kuke Music and BMF Club. Through KUKEY, the Company's proprietary AI music education system, Kuke aims to democratize music education via technological innovation, bring fascinating music content and professional music techniques to more students, and continuously improve the efficiency and penetration of music learning. By integrating music content and education, Kuke is constructing a unique AI-driven music education ecosystem and providing students with full life-cycle music programs.

Exchange Rate Information

This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollars ("US$") at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. Unless otherwise stated, all translations from RMB to US$ were made at the rate of RMB 6.457 to US$1.00, the noon buying rate in effect on June 30, 2021, in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. The Company makes no representation that the RMB or US$ amounts referred could be converted into US$ or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all. For analytical presentation, all percentages are calculated using the numbers presented in the financial statements contained in this earnings release.

Forward-looking Statements

This announcement contains forward looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "aims," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "confident," "potential," "continue" or other similar expressions. Statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements about Kuke's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including those in Kuke's registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Kuke's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Kuke undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures

The Company uses non-IFRS profit for the period, which is a non-IFRS financial measure, in evaluating its operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes. The Company believes that non-IFRS profit helps management to analyze trends in the Company's business that could otherwise be distorted by the effect of certain expenses that the Company includes in its profit or loss for the period.

Non-IFRS profit for the period should not be considered in isolation or construed as an alternative to net profit for the period or any other measure of performance or as an indicator of its operating performance. Investors are encouraged to review non-IFRS profit for the period and the corresponding footnote explaining the calculation of such measure together. Non-IFRS profit for the period presented here may be different to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. Other companies may calculate similarly titled measures differently, and should not be compared to the measure adopted by the Company's data. The Company encourages investors and others to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.

Non-IFRS profit for the period represents profit or loss for the year excluding the combined effect of amortization and depreciations, share-based compensation expenses, impairment losses on financial assets, and the corresponding income tax effects of these non-IFRS adjustments.

Investor Relations Contact:

Kuke Music Holding Limited

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +1 (212) 321-0602

KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (In thousands of RMB and US$)



December 31, June 30, June 30,

2020 2021 2021

RMB

RMB US$ NONCURRENT ASSETS





Property, plant and equipment 18,135 58,747 9,099 Intangible assets 263,101 269,472 41,736 Rightofuse assets 14,918 3,833 594 Goodwill 237,225 237,680 36,812 Investment in a joint venture 491 64 10 Prepayments, other receivables and other assets 95,376 203,832 31,570 Net investments in subleases 202   Deferred tax assets 8,917 11,106 1,720 Total noncurrent assets 638,365 784,734 121,541







CURRENT ASSETS





Inventories 950 4,942 765 Trade receivables 181,722 146,334 22,665 Prepayments, other receivables and other assets 28,523 47,216 7,313 Net investments in subleases 211 421 65 Due from related parties 1,763 2,306 357 Due from shareholders 100 100 15 Cash and cash equivalents 25,719 153,282 23,740







Total current assets 238,988 354,601 54,920







Total assets 877,353 1,139,335 176,461







EQUITY





Issued capital 162 195 30 Reserves 655,939 928,314 143,777







Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent 656,101 928,509 143,807 Noncontrolling interests 5,068 5,816 901







Total equity 661,169 934,325 144,708







NONCURRENT LIABILITIES





Other payable    Contract liabilities 587 380 59 Deferred tax liabilities 1,447 1,432 222 Lease liabilities 9,830 11,890 1,842







Total noncurrent liabilities 11,864 13,702 2,123







CURRENT LIABILITIES





Trade payables 27,310 31,944 4,947 Other payables and accruals 67,121 55,487 8,594 Contract liabilities 24,314 24,789 3,839 Due to a shareholder 325 325 50 Due to a related party 7,177   Interestbearing loans and borrowings 60,000 60,000 9,293 Lease liabilities 7,660 15,667 2,427 Income tax payable 10,413 3,096 480 Total current liabilities 204,320 191,308 29,630







Total liabilities 216,184 205,010 31,753







Total equity and liabilities 877,353 1,139,335 176,461

KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND UNAUDITED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (In thousands of RMB and US$, except for per share data)



For the three months ended June 30,

2020 2021 2021

RMB RMB US$







Revenue 10,102 84,052 13,018 Cost of sales (6,878) (34,363) (5,322)







Gross profit 3,224 49,689 7,696 Other income/(loss), net 1,028 1,412 219 Selling and distribution expenses (6,349) (12,999) (2,013) Administrative expenses (10,275) (37,529) (5,813) Impairment losses on financial assets/(loss), net 2,762 (9,000) (1,394) Other operating expenses - (13) (2)







Operating loss (9,610) (8,440) (1,307) Share of losses of a joint venture - (239) (37) Finance costs (2,579) (2,149) (333) Finance income 579 25 4







Loss before tax (11,610) (10,803) (1,673) Income tax expense 1,960 (634) (98) Loss for the period and total comprehensive loss

for the period (9,650) (11,437) (1,771)







Attributable to:





Equity holders of the parent (10,752) (12,289) (1,903) Noncontrolling interests 1,102 852 132















Basic (0.44) (0.42) (0.07)







Diluted (0.44) (0.42) (0.07)

KUKE MUSIC HOLDING LIMITED RECONCILIATIONS OF NON-IFRS MEASURES TO THE MOST COMPARABLE IFRS MEASURES (In thousands of RMB and US$)



For the three months ended June 30,

2020 2021 2021

RMB RMB US$























Loss for the period and total comprehensive loss for

the period (9,650) (11,437) (1,771)







Adjustments:





Amortsation and Depreciation 2,568 4,951 767 Share-based compensation - 16,545 2,562 Impairment losses on financial assets, net (2,762) 9,000 1,394 Income tax effects (431) (796) (123) Non-IFRS Profit (10,275) 18,263 2,829

SOURCE Kuke Music Holding Limited

Related Links

https://ir.kuke.com/


ARDEN HILLS, Minn., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Land O'Lakes, Inc. today reported year-to-date net sales totaling $8.0 billion with net earnings of $236 million, a year-over-year increase of 9% in net sales and 99% in net earnings. During the same period of last year, the company reported net sales of $7.3 billion and net earnings of $118 million. For second quarter ending June 30, 2021, the company reported net sales of $4.0 billion and net earnings of $100 million, a 14% year-over-year net sales increase and 22% increase in net earnings.

Net Sales growth reflects strength in Crop Inputs and Animal Nutrition and higher pricing across the portfolio to offset rising input and supply chain costs. Net Sales accelerated in the second quarter as farmers invested in their crops and animals. The company continued to leverage its differentiated brands and reported stronger performance across all business units on a year-to-date basis.

"We are pleased we've been able to maintain the strength and accelerate the momentum of last year's performance. Despite increasing costs, the fundamentals of our industry remain favorable and our differentiated approach has delivered sustained performance in all business segments through the first half of the year," said Beth Ford, president and CEO of Land O'Lakes, Inc. "We also recognize third quarter could be our toughest year-over-year comparison in our historically smallest quarter, as during 2020, COVID-19 drove above normal retail purchasing. I'm proud of the team that continues to lead strong performance, both in sales and in voice, as we advocate for and deliver for our member owners."

Earnings for the quarter were driven by strong performance in Crop Inputs with higher volumes and favorable product mix in Crop Protection and improved margins in Crop Nutrients. Dairy Foods earnings were below the elevated levels experienced in the second quarter of 2020, as consumers increased retail purchases at the start of the pandemic, but overall performance in retail dairy remained solid. Dairy also benefitted from strong performance in Foodservice as restaurants and other institutions continued to reopen across the country. Animal Nutrition earnings were lower for the quarter due to higher input costs, which offset higher formula feed volumes and a favorable mix shift toward the Lifestyle segment.

More information about the company's 2021 performance can be found at www.landolakesinc.com/investors.

Any forward-looking statements represent our current judgment on what the future holds, but are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which reflect our opinions only as of the date of this presentation. We will not revise or publicly release the results of any revision to any forward-looking statements in light of new information or future events.

About Land O'Lakes, Inc.

Land O'Lakes, Inc., one of America's premier agribusiness and food companies, is a member-owned cooperative with industry-leading operations that span the spectrum from agricultural production to consumer foods. With 2020 annual sales of $14 billion, Land O'Lakes is one of the nation's largest cooperatives, ranking 219 on the Fortune 500. Building on a legacy of more than 99 years of operation, Land O'Lakes today operates some of the most respected brands in agribusiness and food production including Land O'Lakes Dairy Foods, Purina Animal Nutrition, WinField United and Truterra. The company does business in all 50 states and more than 60 countries. Land O'Lakes, Inc. corporate headquarters are located in Arden Hills, Minnesota.

SOURCE Land O'Lakes, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.landolakesinc.com


LOS ANGELES, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Lendistry announced today that it will administer three additional rounds of grant funding through the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program. With the additional $1.5 billion expansion, for a total of $4 billion, California's small business relief program is the largest in the country to support small businesses and nonprofits that have struggled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lendistry

As the only fintech CDFI, Lendistry's mission is to provide underserved small business owners with access to the capital they need to grow. The lender's proprietary technology, combined with its foundation of community development relationships, made it the ideal partner to deploy grants to small businesses when the pandemic made rapid response capabilities essential to relief efforts. Based in a Los Angeles Opportunity Zone, Lendistry is proud to continue serving its home state. As Lendistry CEO Everett K. Sands states, "We are excited to continue supporting the small businesses and nonprofits within California."

The California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program began with $500 million in funding in December 2020 and added $2 billion in March 2021 in response to demand. To provide relief to as many small businesses and nonprofits as possible, Governor Newsom on July 13, 2021 signed into law the largest economic recovery package in state history, which includes an additional $1.5 billion to the California Relief Grant program. These new funding rounds are designed to address the continuing need for support following Rounds One through Six of the program.

Round 7: Waitlisted applicants from certain previous rounds:

Selection Window: Tuesday, Aug. 3 through Thursday, Sept. 16

Eligible applicants: This is a closed round and only available to eligible applicants who were waitlisted in certain previous rounds - only existing waitlisted applicants will be selected to move forward in the validation and verification review process. Selection does not guarantee approval or an award. If you were waitlisted, you do not need to reapply. New applications will not be accepted in this round .

. Eligible grant award: $5,000 to $25,000

to Details: This is a closed funding round; no new applications will be accepted

Round 8: Nonprofit cultural institutions only:

Application window: Friday, Aug. 27 through Wednesday, Sept. 8

Eligible applicants: Only non-profit cultural institutions with any revenue size that meet eligibility criteria found at CAReliefGrant.com.

Eligible grant award: $5,000 - $25,000

- Details: Approximately $16 Million dollars remain under the Nonprofit Cultural Institutions Program. Eligible nonprofit cultural institutions must complete a new application even if they already applied in Rounds 1, 2, 5, or 6; nonprofit cultural institutions that applied in Round 4 do not need to re-apply; grants will only be available to nonprofit cultural institutions that did not receive funding in any previous rounds; grants will be prioritized based on the documented percentage revenue declines based on a reporting period comparing Q2 and Q3 of 2020 versus Q2 and Q3 of 2019.

Round 9: New Applicants and Waitlisted applicants from certain previous rounds

Application window: Thursday, Sept. 9 through Thursday, Sept. 30

Eligible applicants: current waitlisted applicants from certain previous rounds and new applicants that meet eligibility criteria found at CAReliefGrant.com.

that meet eligibility criteria found at CAReliefGrant.com. Eligible grant award: $5,000 - $25,000

- Details: Applicants not selected to move forward in the review process in Rounds 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, or 7 do not need to re-apply and will be automatically moved into Round 9. New applicants will need to apply at CAReliefGrant.com.

Using its proprietary platform, Lendistry will distribute the grants to all California counties, giving priority to businesses in geographical areas and industries that have been hardest hit by the shutdown, as well as historically disadvantaged communities.

About Lendistry

B.S.D. Capital, Inc. dba Lendistry (lendistry.com) is a minority-led and technology-enabled small business and commercial real estate lender with Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and Community Development Entity (CDE) certification. Lendistry ranks second nationwide in SBA Community Advantage lending, providing responsible financing to small business owners and their underserved communities. Lendistry is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, and is headquartered in a Los Angeles Opportunity Zone. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lendistry provided Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans to small businesses in all 50 states and was selected by the states of California, Pennsylvania and New York to administer their small business relief programs, which distributed grants to businesses that lost significant revenues during the pandemic. Lendistry and its nonprofit partner organization, The Center by Lendistry, are dedicated to providing economic opportunities and progressive growth for underserved urban and rural small business borrowers and their communities.

For more information, contact: [email protected]

Related Images

lendistry-logo.png

Lendistry logo

SOURCE Lendistry
King Quality has also been recognized as the recipient of the 2020 GAF President's Club Award. This award celebrates exemplary efforts in high-quality service and leadership in the roofing industry.

"It is an honor to receive these coveted recognitions from the leading roofing manufacturer in the industry," said Jeff Brett, chief executive officer of King Quality. "As a longtime contractor and exterior home designer, I take great pride in servicing the roofing and home improvement needs of the residents of Long Island."

King Quality is also active in its community, supporting Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk and Lighthouse Mission in Bellport, Long Island. A member of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry and the National Roofing Contractors Association, King Quality is a GAF Certified SlateCrafter, a GAF Certified Green Roofer, and an EPA-certified lead-safe firm. The company is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and holds an A+ rating.

About King Quality Construction, Inc.

King Quality assembles Long Island's most reputable, dependable, quality-driven and award-winning team of roofing, siding, and window contractors. The company provides its customers with a one-of-a-kind home, an experience and result fit for a king or queen, and peace of mind for a lifetime. For more information, visit https://www.kingquality.com.



Media Contact: Liz Burke, Didit PR, [email protected], 917-573-1440

SOURCE King Quality Construction

Related Links

https://www.kingquality.com


SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Journalist and author Katie Hafner, and bioethicist Amy Scharf, today announced the launch of the Lost Women of Science Initiative , a new educational nonprofit organization created to research and promote the stories of the forgotten women of science. The initiative's mission is to raise awareness of the pivotal role women have played in scientific discoveries and innovations, and to promote interest in STEM education and careers - especially among girls and young women. Harvey Mudd College, long a leader in STEM education, has signed on as fiscal sponsor, and early funding has come from The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and Schmidt Futures. The initiative will also partner with Barnard College, one-third of whose graduates are STEM majors.

Also announced today: the Lost Women of Science podcast will launch to listening audiences in fall 2021, in partnership with public media organization PRX and the award-winning Scientific American magazine. Hosted by Hafner, co-executive producer with Scharf, the series will present deeply reported narratives of female scientists previously unrecognized by the general public for their accomplishments. The first season will include four in-depth episodes centered on Dr. Dorothy Andersen (1901-1963), a brilliant pathologist and pediatrician who discovered and named cystic fibrosis in the 1930s. The podcast will be available free on-demand across all major podcast listening platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and Amazon Music.

Scharf said: "We're proud to announce that both PRX and Scientific American see the value of our mission, and are partnering with us to distribute our podcast to engaged audiences with great interest in this kind of in-depth scientific work about remarkable women."

Jason Saldanha, Chief of Business Development and Content at PRX, said: "Lost Women of Science's work is inspiring. We're thrilled to serve as a partner alongside 'Scientific American' to bring essential history, science, and storytelling to life."

Laura Helmuth, Editor in Chief of Scientific American, said: "Scientific American is partnering with the Lost Women of Science Initiative and podcast at a critical moment of self-reflection in science. We hope sharing the legacy of these women will help bring down barriers for women who are in or entering science today. The Lost Women of Science podcast will play a critical role, not just in widening out the scope and ambition of Scientific American's podcast storytelling, but, more importantly, it will do the historical detective work to uncover stories that should never have been lost and show all interested listenersin science and beyondthat our world would be different without these rediscovered women and their work."

Hafner said: "Our kernel of an idea to train a lens on the forgotten yet heroic women of science has resonated. Enthusiasm for this project from a wide array of STEM experts has been remarkable. We're especially pleased to announce that Maria Klawe, president of Harvey Mudd College , was one of the first to endorse the project and has signed on as chair of our Advisory Board."

Klawe said: "Lost Women of Science is paying it both ways  forward as well as back. Revisiting vital history, Lost Women of Science will also inspire young women working their way through the STEM pipeline, which is a core part of our mission. I am proud of the team and to serve with the other phenomenal women on the Lost Women of Science Advisory Board."

The Advisory Board:

Chair: Harvey Mudd College President Maria Klawe , Ph.D .;

.; Barnard College , Columbia University , President and Cognitive Scientist Sian L. Beilock , Ph.D. ;

, , President and Cognitive Scientist ; Former Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation CEO Sue Desmond-Hellmann , M.D.;

Harvard Medical School Dean for Diversity & Community Partnership Joan Reede , M.D.;

Nature Journal Senior Editor Ursula Weiss , Ph.D.;

Senior Editor Independent Board Member, ICON plc, Linda Grais , M.D., J.D. ;

; International Advisory Board Member, Global Mental Health Programs, Columbia University , Ann Sacher , M.D.;

, Science Educator Ellen B. Lyon , Ph.D.;

Former CMO of the Cadence13 Podcast Network; CMO, Voyager Digital, Pam Kramer;

Partner, Perkins Coie , Paula Goodwin , J.D. ;

, ; Former Editor-in-Chief of The Scientist; Founder & CEO of RapidScience.org , Sarah Greene M.S .;

Founder & CEO of Partner, Perkins Coie , Daphne Higgs , J.D.

To learn more about the Lost Women of Science Initiative, or to donate, please visit: www.lostwomenofscience.org

About Lost Women of Science:

The Lost Women of Science Initiative is a non-profit educational organization with the overarching goal of inspiring girls and young women -- especially those from communities chronically underrepresented in the STEM professions -- to embark on careers in STEM. The Initiative's flagship is its Lost Women of Science podcast, producing four multi-episode seasons per year. As a full, mission-driven organization, the Lost Women of Science Initiative plans to digitize and archive our research efforts, and make all primary source material available to students and historians of science.

About Scientific American:

Scientific American covers the advances in research and discovery that are changing our understanding of the world and shaping our lives. Founded 1845, it is the oldest continuously published magazine in the United States and now reaches more than 10 million people around the world each month through its website, print and digital editions, newsletters and app. Authoritative, engaging features, news, opinion and multimedia stories from journalists and expert authorsincluding more than 200 Nobel Prize winnersprovide need-to-know coverage, insights and illumination of the most important developments at the intersection of science and society. Scientific American is published by Springer Nature. As a research publisher, Springer Nature is home to other trusted brands including Springer, Nature Research, BMC and Palgrave Macmillan. https://www.scientificamerican.com/

About PRX:

PRX is a public media organization shaping the future of audio by producing and distributing content, building technology, and training talented, independent producers. With an award-winning portfolio of iconic public radio programs such as 'The World," "This American Life," "The Moth Radio Hour," "Latino USA" "Snap Judgment," and "Reveal," PRX is also home to a growing body of podcast productions, including via the Radiotopia podcast network and the TRAX podcast network for tweens. https://www.prx.org/

About Harvey Mudd College:

Harvey Mudd College is the premier liberal arts college specializing in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The College's mission is to prepare engineers, scientists and mathematicians to become leaders in their fields and understand the impact of their work on society. Students learn to problem-solve in a hands-on, collaborative environment; do research alongside outstanding faculty; and develop leadership skills to benefit an increasingly technological world. Located in Claremont, California, Harvey Mudd College is a member of The Claremont Colleges consortium. https://www.hmc.edu/

CONTACT

Cathie Bennett Warner Nikaline McCarley

(415) 420-1573 208-251-4829 [email protected] [email protected]

SOURCE Lost Women of Science
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Marama Labs, a deep-tech sensor and data analytics company based in Wellington, New Zealand has received NZ$500,000 in funding from Quidnet Ventures, a New Zealand-based venture capital fund with operations in Auckland, NZ, San Francisco and New York.. Marama Labs has developed CloudSpec: the world's first UV-Vis spectrophotometer that can simultaneously measure absorption, extinction, and scattering spectra of clear and turbid liquids. This round brings Marama Labs's total raised to date to NZ$2M.

This funding occurs as, according to Fortune Business Insights , the global wine market size is projected to reach USD 444.93B by 2027. Marama Labs has developed advanced optical sensors that allow the analysis of wine in its earliest production stages. This lets winemakers tailor their wine styles to better respond to consumer demand and expectation. MaramaLabs will continue to build its product line with Quidnet Ventures behind the company to support.

Quidnet Ventures is a seed and series-A fund that mentors and invests in early-stage startups based in New Zealand that aspire to have global impact. Quidnet's team consists of a group of experienced investors and advisors that can leverage their knowledge set to support Marama Labs. Marama Labs joins Quidnet Ventures's exclusive portfolio, consisting of Aider, Dawn Aerospace and Winely.

"Leading the seed round investment in Marama Labs is a natural step for Quidnet Ventures, given my background in experimental physics and the wine industry. Marama Labs will revolutionize the way winemakers characterize their wine and target the desires of their customers," states Mark Bregman, Founder and General Partner of Quidnet Ventures. "Marama Labs demonstrates the possibilities that can occur from combining deep technology from university laboratories with practical experience from New Zealand's world class and innovative wine industry."

Brendan Darby, CEO of Marama Labs, states, "Marama Labs is very excited to partner with Quidnet Ventures. Quidnet's deep understanding of the US wine market and experience in scaling data analytics platforms will be hugely beneficial to Marama Labs as we launch our groundbreaking platform on the global wine industry stage. Marama Labs hopes to bring cutting edge New Zealand-developed science to the Quidnet portfolio."

Quidnet Ventures brings years of experience and a network of experts that are well aligned with Marama Labs's strategic direction. Quidnet Ventures is capable of opening access to networks in the U.S. wine market for Marama Labs and providing guidance on building Marama Labs's data analytics platform. Quidnet Ventures's involvement will accelerate the growth of Marama Labs in the next phase(s) of its journey.

About Quidnet Ventures: Quidnet Ventures is a seed and series-A fund investing in New Zealand-based founders building impactful companies. Quidnet Ventures focuses on taking New Zealand innovation to the world and takes an active role in helping its portfolio companies succeed by leveraging its team's global, multi-sector network as its portfolio companies position themselves to enter international markets. Quidnet Ventures provides unrivaled access to a global network across academia, government affairs, venture capital and industry. The Quidnet Ventures team has worked in Europe, Japan, China, India and Australia; and 20+ years in New Zealand. Our partners and analysts have 150+ years of total experience in the international technology industries. The Quidnet Ventures team prides itself in leveraging its extensive experience to help its entrepreneurs work through many of the issues that the members of the team themselves have experienced.

About Marama Labs: Marama Labs is a deep-tech sensor and data analytics company based in Wellington, New Zealand, that develops advanced spectroscopy (light-based) sensors for analysing the chemical composition of liquids. These sensors are combined with proprietary data-analytics tools to provide value-adding solutions for food & beverage and liquid-processing industries.

Marama Labs' current target market is winemaking - where controlling product style and matching consumer expectations is a challenge that is costing the wine industry $10bn per year. Marama Labs' spectroscopy & data-analytics platform helps winemakers track the style of their wines throughout the production process, to meet and exceed consumer preferences and ultimately improve winery sales.

Contact:

Skye Grayson

Quidnet Ventures

407-342-5137

[email protected]

SOURCE Quidnet Ventures

Related Links

www.quidnetventures.com


CLEVELAND, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- US demand for phosphate rock is forecast to decrease 2.1% per annum in gross weight terms through 2025, according to Phosphate Rock: United States, a report recently released by Freedonia Focus Reports. The US market for fertilizer, which accounts for the vast majority of phosphate rock demand, will continue to support sales. However, limited gains in cropland planted, a result of the US agricultural market's maturity, will hinder faster growth. Furthermore, price increases will weigh on demand, as farmers may opt to reduce use of phosphate-based fertilizers during times of economic uncertainty. Moreover, farmers have been shifting toward phosphate fertilizers featuring higher P 2 O 5 content, resulting in falling demand in terms of gross weight.

Demand for phosphate rock in animal feed is expected to fall 1.2% per year through 2025. Competition from animal feed supplement alternatives such as phytase will contribute to losses. Increases in livestock inventory projected to 2025 will prevent further demand loss.

These and other key insights are featured in Phosphate Rock: United States. This report forecasts to 2021 and 2025 US phosphate rock demand and mine production in metric tons. Total demand is segmented by market in terms of:

diammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer

monoammonium phosphate (MAP) fertilizer

other fertilizers such as triple superphosphate (TSP) and ammonium polyphosphate

animal feed

other markets such as food and beverage, and industrial applications

To illustrate historical trends, total demand, total production, the various demand segments, and imports are provided in annual series from 2010 to 2020.

Phosphate rock refers to the beneficiated product of phosphate ore ranging in grade from about 30% to 33% phosphorus pentoxide (P 2 O 5 ).

More information about the report is available at:

https://www.freedoniafocusreports.com/Phosphate-Rock-United-States-FF65020/?progid=91541

About Freedonia Focus Reports

Each month, The Freedonia Group  a division of MarketResearch.com  publishes over 20 new or updated Freedonia Focus Reports, providing fresh, unbiased analysis on a wide variety of markets and industries. Published in 20-30 pages, Focus Report coverage ranges from raw materials to finished manufactured goods and related services such as freight and construction. Additional Energy & Resources reports can be purchased at Freedonia Focus Reports or MarketResearch.com.

Analysis is intended to guide the busy reader through pertinent topics in rapid succession, including:

total historical market size and industry output

segmentation by products and markets

identification of market drivers, constraints, and key indicators

segment-by-segment outlook in five-year forecasts

a survey of the supply base

suggested resources for further study

Press Contact:

Corinne Gangloff

+1 440.842.2400

[email protected]

SOURCE The Freedonia Group
Meda Announces Finalists for Fourth Annual Million Dollar Challenge Twelve BIPOC entrepreneurs advance to the finals Tweet this

"The innovation, dedication and enthusiasm among this year's applicants has left those of us at Meda beyond impressed," Alfredo Martel, President and CEO of Meda said. "As we continue to recover from the past year, the resiliency of these companies is inspiring. We are excited to see the results of the finalists' hard work and growth from bootcamp at the final stage of the competition."

Meda is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping BIPOC businesses succeed. The past three years of the Million Dollar Challenge resulted in 18 BIPOC businesses from around the country receiving financial awards, totaling $3.8 million.

The Boot Camp for Successful Pitches will take place from July through September and will prepare them for the final pitch event. The finalists will then give their final pitch on Sept. 21, 2021, during Twin Cities Startup Week.

Meda's services include business consulting, financing solutions and corporate and government opportunities, such as contracts and funding opportunities. Since its inception in 1971, Meda has assisted more than 23,000 BIPOC entrepreneurs and helped start more than 500 BIPOC-owned, small businesses. Studies reveal that there is large disparity between the success of non-BIPOC and BIPOC business due to lack of financial, human, and social capital as well as racial discrimination. Meda hopes to shed a light on this issue and work to develop more investment opportunities in BIPOC businesses through the Million Dollar Challenge.

About the Metropolitan Economic Development Agency (Meda): Meda was founded by a group of Minnesota business leaders who saw BIPOC business ownership as a positive, long-term response to rising economic inequity within minority communities in our state. Meda provides business development services, access to capital and corporate and governmental market support for BIPOC entrepreneurs. Over the years, Meda has helped launch more than 500 BIPOC businesses and assisted more than 23,000 Minnesota BIPOC entrepreneurs. Meda operates a growing Community Development Fund Institution (CDFI) that provides needed capital for BIPOC businesses to become sustainable. Meda is also the host organization for the Minneapolis Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center, which has been recognized by the MBDA as the top performing center four of the last five years. For more information, visit www.MedaVision2025.net.

Contact:

Carol Schuler

[email protected]

612-281-7030

SOURCE Metropolitan Economic Development Association

Related Links

https://www.medavision2025.net/


HONG KONG, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- MGM China Holdings Limited ("MGM China" or the "Company"; SEHK Stock Code: 2282) today announced selected unaudited financial data of the Company and its subsidiaries (the "Group") for the second quarter and the first half of 2021.

Macau continued to see a choppy business environment during the period under the COVID-19 pandemic. China is the major source of Macau's travelers and the government asked people to avoid travelling in the first two months this year. The market started to stabilize in March with momentum growing in April and saw a solid Golden Week in May backed by premium mass recovery. Yet business went soft again in June given outbreak in Guangdong which resulted in travel restrictions.

For the first half of 2021, market-wide gross gaming revenue (GGR) was up 45% from the same period last year.

During the first half of the year, MGM China recorded total revenue of approximately HK$4.7 billion , nearly double from HK$2.4 billion same period a year ago. The Group recorded adjusted EBITDA of approximately HK$200.4 million , compared to negative adjusted EBITDA of approximately HK$1.0 billion previously. Overall occupancy rate was 61.5%, up from 19.8% in the same period of 2020.

, nearly double from same period a year ago. The Group recorded adjusted EBITDA of approximately , compared to negative adjusted EBITDA of approximately previously. Overall occupancy rate was 61.5%, up from 19.8% in the same period of 2020. Meanwhile, second-quarter market-wide GGR improved sequentially by 7% from the first quarter. For the three-month period, MGM China posted revenue of HK$2.4 billion , up by 5% sequentially. The Group recorded adjusted property EBITDA of HK$116.0 million , a growth of 37% from the first quarter.

, up by 5% sequentially. The Group recorded adjusted property EBITDA of , a growth of 37% from the first quarter. MGM China continued to outperform the market given our strength in premium mass business. Our daily GGR in second quarter was 42% of 19Q4 levels, compared to market of 36%. We maintained market share of approximately 11.2% in the second quarter.

On a property basis, MGM MACAU recorded revenue of approximately HK$1.3 billion in the second quarter (21Q1: HK$1.3 billion ), and adjusted EBITDA of approximately HK$171 million (21Q1: HK$170 million ). Occupancy improved sequentially to 85.9% from 81.1%.

recorded revenue of approximately in the second quarter (21Q1: ), and adjusted EBITDA of approximately (21Q1: ). Occupancy improved sequentially to 85.9% from 81.1%. For the three months, MGM COTAI recorded revenue of approximately HK$1.1 billion (21Q1: 981 million) and narrowed loss to negative adjusted EBITDA of approximately HK$55 million (21Q1: negative HK$86 million ). Occupancy was 56.6% compared to 47.0% in the previous quarter.

(21Q1: 981 million) and narrowed loss to negative adjusted EBITDA of approximately (21Q1: negative ). Occupancy was 56.6% compared to 47.0% in the previous quarter. The Group maintained a healthy financial position. As of June 30, 2021 , the Group had total liquidity of approximately HK$13.7 billion , comprised of cash and cash equivalent and undrawn revolver.

We believe the rate of Macau's recovery will continue to hinge on broader sentiment as well as the pace of vaccination rollouts throughout the region, which will ultimately lead to sustainable easing of travel restrictions. The opening of Macau-Hong Kong is also another important variable in Macau recovery. July was off to a better start when we saw visitation and business volumes pick up again. In July, market daily GGR grew 25% month-on-month to HK$264 million, approximately 35% of 19Q4 levels (June: 28% of 19Q4).

There are reported COVID-19 cases of Macau residents in August, that is expected to have impact on visitation and GGR in the short run. With the effort of Mainland China and Macau government to contain the outbreak and border restrictions easing over time, we see gradually growing demand for travel to Macau.

Hubert Wang, President & Chief Operating Officer of MGM China said: "MGM China is confident in Macau's longer-term growth prospects and committed to elevating our footprint in Macau. We have finalized the construction and fittings of the Emerald Tower Suites at MGM COTAI that we believe the product will be well received by our premium customers."

The Group will officially open later the 28 luxurious suites, of 128 sq meter to 371 sq meter. It will increase our upscale suite inventory, so to accommodate different guest types.

"We believe our investments in premium product position us well for the broader recovery. At the same time, we will continue our effort and strategy in diversification and helping Macau to develop as a world's tourism destination," said Hubert Wang.

About MGM China Holdings Limited

MGM China Holdings Limited (HKEx: 2282) is a leading developer, owner and operator of gaming and lodging resorts in the Greater China region. We are the holding company of MGM Grand Paradise, SA which holds one of the six gaming concessions/sub-concessions to run casino games in Macau. MGM Grand Paradise, SA owns and operates MGM MACAU, the award-winning premium integrated resort located on the Macau Peninsula and MGM COTAI, a contemporary luxury integrated resort in Cotai, which opened in early 2018 and more than doubles our presence in Macau.

MGM China is majority owned by MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) one of the world's leading global hospitality companies, operating a portfolio of destination resort brands including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage. For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company's website at www.mgmresorts.com.

SOURCE MGM China

Related Links

http://www.mgmchinaholdings.com


Ms. Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Group said, "As one of the few hospitals in India accredited to perform the MitraClip procedure, being able to save the life of a patient waiting for a heart transplant gives us the ability to offer hope to many others. Research has shown that using MitraClip as a bridge to heart transplantation is safe and may lead to functional improvements that permit patients to be removed from the transplant list. We are proud to have demonstrated this at Apollo Hospitals through the case of a 41-year-old male patient who was waiting for a heart transplant for over three months. The success of this case has renewed our commitment to taking this cutting edge and revolutionary medical innovation to the people who need it the most."

Dr. Sai Satish, Senior Interventional Cardiologist, Apollo Hospitals said, "The MitraClip is a globally accepted procedure for patients with heart failure. For three years now we have been performing this procedure on patients and we have seen incredible results in the quality of life they are able to return to. Our experience in this domain has enabled us to achieve many milestones including back-to-back MitraClip implants in four very sick patients in just one day. Today, we are at pole position; 70% of all MitraClips in India to date have been performed at Apollo Hospitals and we are only looking at bigger milestones in the journey ahead."

India's first two scientific papers on MitraClip have both been published from Apollo Hopsitals. Dr. Sai Satish is involved in the authorship of the APAC guidelines for MitraClip implants. Asia's first MitraClip training programme that included theory and four cases over two days was conducted at Apollo Hospitals, cementing its position as a Centre of Excellence in Interventional Cardiology.

Contacts:

Saurabh Bose

[email protected]

SOURCE Apollo Hospitals
MILWAUKEE, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Moog, a world leader in customized, high-performance control systems and products continues to enhance its strong six-year relationship with S3 AeroDefense. Recently, the two companies renewed their agreement to appoint S3 as distributor of Moog UH-60 components and systems in multiple countries. The scope of the relationship will increase over 300%, with the opportunity for future growth between the two companies.

"We are very proud and honored to have this growing relationship with Moog. The collective team has been a thrill to work with all the creativity, collaboration, and focus on customer satisfaction has been truly wonderful," said Paul McBride, Vice President of Global Business Development, S3 AeroDefense.

"Moog is proud of our global support of the UH-60 portfolio. S3 Aero Defense's experience in the UH-60 community provides Moog Aircraft with a great opportunity to enhance our existing customer support," said Paul Blunden, Director International Military Sustainment for Moog Aircraft Group.

Based on Moog's legacy as an industry leader, the agreement with S3 supports S3's position in the AeroDefense market as the go-to for services, spares, and solutions worldwide. In addition to the distribution agreement, S3 is a Moog Authorized Repair Center. Paired with S3's dedication to exceptional customer support, this agreement will provide fleets worldwide with the trusted supplies necessary to complete every mission.

About S3 AeroDefense:

Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, S3 AeroDefense is a recognized Worldwide leader in providing aircraft spares, component repair services and supply chain solutions to Military Aircraft Operators. Since its inception in 2005, S3 has been focused on quality, innovation and dedication to exceptional customer support. With a focus on OEM strategic distribution, S3 is the trusted solution provider to Customers and OEMs.

Additional information about the company can be found at: www.s3aerodefense.com

SOURCE S3 AeroDefense

Related Links

http://www.s3aerodefense.com


Gathered in the Holy City of Makkah, home of the Qibla, the MWL led a full-day conference, where participants developed a framework on the roles of scholars in combatting sectarianism and religious extremism, promoting intra-faith coexistence, and providing support to Iraqi government efforts to achieve a lasting peace.

MWL Secretary General His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa spearheaded the effort, which included:

His Eminence Hassan Ibrahim AbulQasem Al Khoei, Professor in the House of Knowledge

His Eminence Sheikh Dr. Ahmed Hassan Al-Taha , Senior Scholar of the Iraqi Fiqh Academy and Imam and Preacher of the Hanafi School

, Senior Scholar of the Iraqi Fiqh Academy and Imam and Preacher of the Hanafi School Zaid Muhammed Abboud Bahr Al Uloom , Professor at the Hawzah in Najaf

, Professor at the Hawzah in Najaf Saleh Mahdi Baqer Al Hakim , Office Director of Marja Muhammed Saeed

, Office Director of His Excellency Dr. Saad Hamid Kambash, Head of the Sunni Endowment Office

His Eminence Sayyid Mohammad Ali Mohammad Ali Bahr Al-Uloom, Supervisor of the Teachers Institute for Graduate Studies, spokesperson for the Shiite References

His Excellency Dr. Haider Hassan Jalil Al-Shammari , Head of the Shiite Endowment Office

, Head of the Shiite Endowment Office His Excellency Dr. Pashtun Sadiq Abdullah , Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs in Iraq's Kurdistan Region.

Beyond these senior leaders, the depth of support from both sides demonstrated the unwavering commitment to fostering real change in local communities throughout Iraq.

"Today's event represented the true principles of Islam," said Dr. Al-Issa. "Islam teaches us to always strive for peace and reconciliation. It instructs us to embrace diversity and respect each other's differences. It tells us to live in coexistence and harmony with all. And it directs us to build bridges of cooperation and understanding. The Muslim leaders and scholars gathered in the Holy City of Makkah demonstrated their commitment to promoting these values."

The leaders agreed to establish a new coordination committee which will serve as a direct platform for resolving disagreements within Iraq where Islamic leaders can foster unity and address any disputes before they escalate.

Consensus also emerged to plan and create a new high-level permanent commission for cooperation on Iraqi Islamic affairs that will focus on outreach domestically and outside Iraq throughout the Ummah and between other faiths. The commission will be led by a rotating Presidency, with a Secretary General providing oversight to follow through on the ideas set by the esteemed scholars.

The regular communication between these clerics will serve to counteract those that would seek to twist the peaceful message of the Qu'ran to inspire hatred and political violence, and ensure the necessary infrastructure exists for consistent messaging of the true tenets of Islam.

The senior religious leaders will continue to focus on teaching the Prophet's true message and aim to ease sectarian tensions in Iraq across their diverse followings.

SOURCE Muslim World League
AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 4, 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 is meeting the needs of partners in Texas with Saddle Creek Logistics in Fort Worth, Stanley Black & Decker in Mission, Shutterfly in Plano 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 Texas 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.

Chantay C. a mom from Dallas working for MyWorkChoice said, "I can plan my schedule and work the hours I need each week. I find MyWorkChoice to be understanding and supportive and, above all, I love being responsible for myself."

Those interested in applying for full-time flexible work in Austin 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 employees, we bridge the gap between hourly workers who seek flexibility and employers who demand a dependable workforce. For more information contact [email protected] or visit myworkchoice.com.

SOURCE MyWorkChoice
WASHINGTON, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA and Northrop Grumman are targeting 5:56 p.m. EDT, Tuesday, Aug. 10, for the company's 16th commercial resupply services mission to the International Space Station. Live coverage of the launch from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Wallops Island, Virginia, will air on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency's website beginning at 5:30 p.m. NASA also will hold a prelaunch news briefing Monday, Aug. 9.

Loaded with more than 8,200 pounds of research, crew supplies and hardware, Northrop Grumman's Cygnus cargo spacecraft will launch on the company's Antares rocket from Virginia Space's Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport.

The Cygnus spacecraft, dubbed the SS Ellison Onizuka in honor of the first Asian American astronaut, will arrive at the space station Thursday, Aug. 12. At about 6:10 a.m., Expedition 65 NASA astronaut Megan McArthur will capture Cygnus with the station's robotic arm, and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Thomas Pesquet will support her. After Cygnus capture, mission control in Houston will send ground commands for the station's arm to rotate and install the cargo spacecraft on the Earth-facing port of the station's Unity module.

Cargo resupply from U.S. companies ensures a national capability to deliver critical science research to the space station, significantly increasing NASA's ability to conduct new investigations at this laboratory in space. Each resupply mission to the station delivers scientific investigations in the areas of biology and biotechnology, Earth and space science, physical sciences, and technology development and demonstrations. This Cygnus carries experiments that demonstrate 3D printing with dust, use engineered tissue to study muscle loss, and analyze growth of slime mold.

Cygnus also will carry a new mounting bracket that astronauts will attach to the port side of the station's backbone truss during a spacewalk planned for late August. The mounting bracket will enable the installation of one of the next pair of new solar arrays at a later date.

Complete coverage of launch activities is as follows:

Monday, August 9

1 p.m.  Prelaunch News Conference

Joel Montalbano , manager, International Space Station Program

, manager, International Space Station Program Kirt Costello , chief scientist, International Space Station Program

, chief scientist, International Space Station Program Frank DeMauro , vice president and general manager, Tactical Space Systems, Northrop Grumman

, vice president and general manager, Tactical Space Systems, Northrop Grumman Kurt Eberly , director, Space Launch Programs, Launch and Missile Defense Systems, Northrop Grumman

, director, Space Launch Programs, Launch and Missile Defense Systems, Northrop Grumman Brittany McKinley , Wallops Range Antares Project Manager

Media can submit questions during the prelaunch press conference by emailing Grey Hautaluoma at [email protected].

Tuesday, August 10

5:30 p.m.  Launch coverage begins for lift off at 5:56 p.m.

Thursday, August 12

4:45 a.m.  Rendezvous coverage begins

6:10 a.m.  Capture of Cygnus with NASA astronaut Megan McArthur operating the space station's robotic arm

8 a.m.  Cygnus installation operations coverage

The Cygnus spacecraft is scheduled to remain at the space station until November when it will depart the station, disposing of several tons of trash during a fiery reentry into Earth's atmosphere.

Learn more about Northrop Grumman's 16th commercial resupply services mission at:

https://www.nasa.gov/northropgrumman

SOURCE NASA

Related Links

http://www.nasa.gov


"Lester Holt is the perfect person to receive this honor at this time," said National Press Club President Lisa Matthews. "Over the past year plus we have all developed a deeper and more direct connection to broadcast news which told us about our own health and the health of our nation in ways we previously could only have imagined. Every evening Lester was there to help guide us through. He remains a reassuring voice in the stormy seas of the COVID pandemic. It is no wonder he leads one of the most-watched programs in all of television."

The Fourth Estate is the top honor bestowed on a journalist by the National Press Club Board of Governors. Previous winners included: Dean Baquet, Marty Baron, Gwen Ifill, Andrea Mitchell, Tom Brokaw and Walter Cronkite. The Gala dinner is a fundraiser for the Club's nonprofit affiliate, the National Press Club Journalism Institute, which advocates for press freedom worldwide, equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire civic engagement, and provides scholarships to aspiring journalists.

Lester Holt is an award-winning journalist at NBC News. He serves as anchor and managing editor of "NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt," the network's flagship broadcast, as well as the anchor of "Dateline NBC." Holt also leads NBC News' special reports, breaking news and primetime news coverage.

Holt was named "NBC Nightly News" anchor in June 2015 after eight years as anchor of "NBC Nightly News" weekend editions and 12 years as co-anchor of "Weekend TODAY." In addition, Holt has served as principal anchor of "Dateline NBC" since September 2011, and now also anchors "Nightly News Kids Edition", a digital award-winning newscast aimed to inform and educate children, which he launched at the start of the pandemic in 2020.

Known for his outstanding work in the field, as well as reporting and anchoring breaking news events across the globe, Holt has spent the past four decades in journalism. Most recently, he has been in Tokyo to cover the 2020 Olympic Games as the world came together for the first time since the global pandemic. Also, this year, Holt traveled to Geneva for President Biden and Russian President Putin's in-person summit. Previously this year, he interviewed Vice President Kamala Harris in Guatemala in one of her most significant interviews since she took office and he anchored live from Surfside, Florida, following the deadly condo collapse.

Last year, Holt anchored NBC's coverage of the 2020 presidential election, including Election Night and the days following, the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, and the presidential debate and vice presidential debate. Holt also conducted the first interview with President Biden following the election. In 2016, Holt was also selected to moderate the first presidential debate, which continues to hold the record as the most-watched debate in American history.

Before becoming co-anchor of "Weekend TODAY" in 2003, Holt anchored MSNBC's "Lester Holt Live" and served as a primary anchor for MSNBC's coverage of major news events, including Operation Iraqi Freedom and the war in Afghanistan, as well as coverage of Decision 2000. Holt came to MSNBC after 14 years at WBBM-TV in Chicago. He began his television journalism career as a reporter at WCBS-TV in New York in 1981.

Holt has been recognized with numerous honors, including multiple Emmy Awards and a Robert F. Kennedy Journalism award. In 2021, he was honored with the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Lifetime Achievement award. In 2019, he was honored with the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism and in 2017, he received the Quinnipiac University's Fred Friendly First Amendment Award. In 2016, Holt was featured on TIME's "100 Most Influential People" list and was named "Journalist of the Year" by the National Association of Black Journalists.

The evening will also honor the winners of the John Aubuchon Press Freedom awards and the winner of the Neil and Susan Sheehan award for investigative journalism.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities please contact Julie Moos, Executive Director of the National Press Club Journalism Institute at [email protected]. Tickets can be purchased here.

About the National Press Club

Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world's leading professional organization for journalists. The Club has 3,000 members representing nearly every major journalism organization and is a leading voice for press freedom in the United States and around the world.

About the National Press Club Journalism Institute

The National Press Club Journalism Institute, the Club's nonprofit affiliate, promotes an engaged global citizenry through an independent and free press and equips journalists with the skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire civic engagement.

PRESS CONTACT: Bill McCarren, [email protected], (202) 662-7534

SOURCE National Press Club

Related Links

http://press.org


Enduring appeal of in-store shopping, and continued fears about data privacy among surprising findings in "Future of Commerce |The Why Behind the Buy "

LONDON, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As the marketing industry worldwide continues its efforts to both map and navigate the post-pandemic commerce landscape, a new report from OMD and Omnicom Commerce Group (OCG) provides a deep dive into the new retail normal emerging in the wake of the abrupt and extended break in daily retails habits forced by the 2020 lockdown.

Launched today, "Future of Commerce | The Why Behind the Buy" looks at consumer behaviour and expectations by market, life stage, channel and category to reveal nuances of the retail environment that are emerging in the post-pandemic marketplace, and how marketers can act upon them to drive brand growth.

The quantitative research encompasses over 4,000 respondents across six global markets (Australia, China, Germany, Spain, the UK and the USA) and was conducted via online surveys from May 11-27, 2021. Respondents were asked about their attitudes about pandemic-driven changes to their shopping habits, current shopping preferences, expectations for both online and offline shopping experiences, attitudes to returning to shop in city centres and their attitudes towards technology and data-sharing.

The report defines and explores the three most important factors of modern commerce  experience, relevance and ease - defined in 'The Why Behind The Buy' as Wow, Right, Now.

Key Findings

Despite the continued rise of e-commerce, shopping in physical stores still has strong appeal as a lifestyle activity that goes beyond needs fulfilment:

While 39% of respondents reporting shopping more frequently online during the pandemic - and 24% plan to continue to buy more online in the future  shoppers still appreciate the experience of shopping at physical retail with nearly half of all respondents (49 %) preferring the experience of shopping in-store and 47% enjoying browsing.



A third of respondents highlight the desire for increased health and safety measures, and 26% sited more contactless options a priority for returning to in-store shopping.

Shoppers are channel fluid  there is no such thing as an online shopper vs an offline shopper  they want the same thing:

Moving forward, nearly half (47%) of consumers prefer an equal mix of buying products online and in-store.



Shoppers are looking for value, convenience and service when shopping on any channel, but they prioritize them differently.



Both are price driven, but one of the primary factors for shopping in store is immediacy.

There is rich opportunity to re-define city-centre shopping as a lifestyle with consumers highlighting the desire for a rich combination of socialising, eating & drinking, events and experience:

Across all markets, more than half of respondents feel positively about returning, with the USA (55%) and China (56%) expressing the most confidence.

(55%) and (56%) expressing the most confidence.

Shopping and dining are the top activities (49%) sited as a motivator for returning.



However, there is a significant generational divide in net comfort, with desire lowest among Gen Z and Boomers (35%) vs Millennials (46%) and Gen x (42%).

Clear need to better communicate the benefits of technology and data and bridge the trust divide:

Even as 74% of respondents said AI technology can enhance the shopping experience, 44% still don't trust brands' motivations for using technology.



And 66% of consumers are not willing to share any data with at least one type of company.

Implications for Marketers



"The research reconfirms the priority to put consumer behaviour and expectations firmly at the forefront of commerce strategy and plan above siloed channels to deliver the seamless end to end experience shoppers clearly expect," says Sophie Daranyi, CEO of Omnicom Commerce Group and one of the co-authors of Future of Commerce | The Why Behind the Buy.

Report co-author and Chief Product Development Officer for OMD EMEA Jean-Paul Edwards adds, "The research also underscores the imperative for marketers in terms of educating consumers about the data value exchange. We need to consider how to elevate data communication to be clearer about the tangible benefits and to establish a relationship based on trust and respect."

For a more detailed analysis of the research, and an expanded discussion around the implications and opportunities for marketers, download the full Future of Commerce |The Why Behind the Buy report.

About OMD

OMD Worldwide is the world's largest media network with more than 13,000 people working in over 100 countries. Named Adweek's Global Media Agency of the Year in 2019 and 2020, OMD, an Omnicom Media Group agency, is currently ranked the world's most effective media agency network in the Effie Effectiveness Index.

About OCG

Omnicom Commerce Group (OCG) is an unrivalled community of commerce experts working with brands and retailers to offer best in class consultancy, creativity and capability focused on driving increased conversion and transaction. OCG's priority is to address the need for innovative multi-channel commerce expertise in the rapidly evolving world of retailing and shopping and at our core are four individual award-winning commerce agencies Haygarth, The Integer Group, TPN and TracyLocke  employing over 2,500 people across 19 markets. For more information visit https://www.omnicomcommercegroup.com/.

SOURCE OMD Worldwide

Related Links

https://www.omd.com/why-omd/


DUBLIN, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "North American Light Commercial Vehicle Growth Opportunities" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The overall light commercial vehicle (LCV) market in North America was at 3.74 million units in 2020 with pickups contributing 88% of those volumes.

Within the LCV segment, the lower weight segment, class 1/2a (<=8,500 lbs.) made up 57% of the market while the higher weight segment, class 2b/3 (8,501-14,000 lbs.), made up the rest. Ford was the market leader with a 33% market share, followed by Chevrolet and RAM at 21% and 19%, respectively. Over the next 5 years, the LCV market in North America is expected to have a CAGR of 5.8% to 4.95 million units.

Nearly 95% of class1/2a vehicles are powered by gasoline. However, in class 2b/3, this reduces considerably to just 45% as most of them are powered by diesel as these vehicles require higher power and torque to haul heavier loads. Within the LCV market, pickups are predominantly used in construction and jobsite applications, whereas vans are mainly used for delivery applications.

In recent years, the market has experienced a slew of announcements on the electric vehicle (EV) front from close to 8 new companies, all pure-play electric vehicle startups, in addition to the existing legacy players. Mandates at the government level to reduce emissions and decreasing the cost of key EV components, making the total cost of ownership (TCO) of EVs more favourable, have been the biggest drivers for this growing interest in EVs.

As of now, close to 20 electric LCV models are expected to be launched in the next 3 to 4 years. Certain applications will see early adoption of EVs depending on the duty cycle and operating environment. Delivery application and utilities and mobile services make the strongest case for electrification in the short term, given the limited daily range, frequent start-stops, and access to a depot and public charging.

In the next five years, EVs may achieve TCO parity with their diesel and gasoline counterparts at the current level of pricing and costs with help from federal incentives. Without incentives, however, the time required to achieve TCO parity gets pushed further away by another 3 to 4 years.

As far as external factors are concerned, TCO is highly dependent on incentives and annual mileage. Applications with higher annual mileage achieve TCO parity with diesel and gasoline much faster. Given this scenario, EV penetration in LCVs in North America, which is currently nil, is expected to reach 6.2% by 2025.

Key Issues Addressed

What is the size of the NA LCV market in 2020? What are the market's future growth prospects?

Who are the key OEMs, and what are the major applications in the LCV segment?

What are the prospects for electrification in the market, and who are the key players driving it?

How does the total cost of ownership for eLCVs compare with that of diesel and gasoline?

What is the volume of the eLCV market expected to be in the future? What are the drivers for the growth of this market?

Key Topics Covered:

1. Growth Environment

Key Findings

LCV Market Overview

Class 1 and 2a Current and Future Overview

Class 2b and 3 Current and Future Overview

and 3 Current and Future Overview The Strategic Imperative

Why Is It Increasingly Difficult to Grow?

2. The Strategic Imperative

The Impact of the Top Three Strategic Imperatives on LCV Market

Growth Opportunities Fuel the Growth Pipeline Engine

3. Growth Environment & Scope, North American LCV Market

Research Scope

Market Segmentation

4. LCV Market Outlook

North America LCV Market - Overview

Class 1 and 2a OEM Market Share

Class 2b and 3 OEM Market Share

and 3 OEM Market Share Class 1 and 2a Powertrain Split

Class 2b and 3 Powertrain Split

and 3 Powertrain Split Major Applications

Class 1 and 2a Application Split

Class 2b and 3 Application Split

and 3 Application Split Class 1 and 2a Average Annual Distance by Application

Class 2b and 3 Average Annual Distance by Application

5. Electrification in LCV

EV Incentives

Mandate for Electric Commercial Vehicle in California

EV Technology Roadmap

New eLCV Entrants

Anticipated eLCV Launches

Select eLCV Models Product Specification

Use Cases for Electrification - Pickups

Use Cases for Electrification - Vans

6. Telematics and Advanced Safety

Installed Base and Penetration of Telematics

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)

Autonomous Development

7. TCO Analysis

TCO Analysis: Key Assumptions

TCO Analysis: Class 1 and 2a High Mileage

TCO Analysis: Class 1 and 2a Low Mileage

TCO Analysis: Class 2b and 3 High Mileage

and 3 High Mileage TCO Analysis: Class 2b and 3 Low Mileage

8. Market Forecasts

Class 1 and 2a Forecast

Class 1 and 2a EV Forecast

Class 2b and 3 Forecast

and 3 Forecast Class 2b and 3 EV Forecast

and 3 EV Forecast LCV Volumes Forecast Discussion

9. Growth Opportunity Universe

Growth Opportunity 1: Rising Demand in Last-Mile Delivery Application

Growth Opportunity 2: Low Barriers to Entry for a New Players in the Electric LCV Space

Growth Opportunity 3: Slow but Sure Progress Towards Eventual Autonomous Delivery Systems

10. Key Conclusions

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/lkch5y

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets

Related Links

http://www.researchandmarkets.com


LOS ANGELES, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Lighthouse Immersive and Impact Museums announce the highly anticipated grand opening today of Immersive Van Gogh , the original experiential celebration of the work of renowned post-impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh, at Lighthouse Artspace Los Angeles (6400 Sunset Boulevard, in Hollywood), a 55,000 square-foot facility which formerly served as the iconic Amoeba Music Building.

Immersive Van Gogh invites audiences to "step inside" the iconic works of Van Gogh, evoking his highly emotional and chaotic inner consciousness through art, light, music, movement, and imagination. Designed by Creator and Italian film producer Massimiliano Siccardi and featuring music by Italian multimedia composer Luca Longobardi, the production harnesses 119,000 frames of captivating video totaling 148,000,000 pixels and 500,000+ cubic feet of projections, bringing the painter's masterpieces to life. Acclaimed Creative Director David Korins ("Hamilton," "Dear Evan Hansen") has created custom design elements for the Los Angeles debut. These include:

Neon Starry Night Ceiling, which is inspired by one of Van Gogh's most beloved paintings, Starry Night , pays homage to the exterior illumination of the iconic Amoeba Music building and features intricate designs made out of neon lights. The ceiling is meant to unify the lobby and bar space while casting an electric and abstract rock vibe down into the room.

which is inspired by one of Van Gogh's most beloved paintings, , pays homage to the exterior illumination of the iconic Amoeba Music building and features intricate designs made out of neon lights. The ceiling is meant to unify the lobby and bar space while casting an electric and abstract rock vibe down into the room. The Sunflower Bar offers a closer look at one of Van Gogh's most prominent subjects, sunflowers beloved not just for their beauty but also for his ability to get his hands on them easily and inexpensively. The Sunflower Bar is wrapped with thousands of flowers and will provide visitors with an array of refreshments.

offers a closer look at one of Van Gogh's most prominent subjects, sunflowers beloved not just for their beauty but also for his ability to get his hands on them easily and inexpensively. The Sunflower Bar is wrapped with thousands of flowers and will provide visitors with an array of refreshments. Absinthe Nook explores Van Gogh's complicated and seductive relationship with "the green fairy," which offers patrons the opportunity to step inside a fever dream experience based on the legend and lore of absinthe.

explores Van Gogh's complicated and seductive relationship with "the green fairy," which offers patrons the opportunity to step inside a fever dream experience based on the legend and lore of absinthe. Letters from Vincent is an activation based on an artificial intelligence program created from the digital scans of over 1,000 letters Vincent van Gogh wrote to his brother Theo. The installation allows guests to ask Vincent a question and have him respond with a one-of-a-kind customized letter directly addressed to the individual.

is an activation based on an artificial intelligence program created from the digital scans of over 1,000 letters van Gogh wrote to his brother Theo. The installation allows guests to ask a question and have him respond with a one-of-a-kind customized letter directly addressed to the individual. Oversize Portrait is an oversized reproduction of a self-portrait of Van Gogh, which allows people to not only appreciate the intimacy and nuances of the work (and get a chance to look deeper into his eyes and heart) but to also gives a greater understanding of his exquisite individual brushstrokes and muscularly specific way of painting.

"Creating some of the unique and magical elements that are found within the walls of the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit's Los Angeles venue has been both a humbling, yet very exciting experience," said Korins. "For this particular venue's gallery space, I took the bones of Massimiliano's insightful and poetic piece and added new vantage points, intricate mirrored sculptures, and secret spaces to create a truly unique experience for our Angeleno guests."

The Los Angeles presentation of Immersive Van Gogh is the newest staging of the blockbuster exhibit, having already opened to tremendous acclaim in Toronto, Chicago, San Francisco, and New York with additional openings scheduled for 16 cities across North America, including Phoenix, Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas and more . Since its North American premiere in July 2020, more than 2.1 million tickets have been sold to Immersive Van Gogh, making it the most popular attraction currently in North America.

"Immersive Van Gogh is unique in that the world-famous art of Vincent van Gogh is brought to life from some of today's most gifted artists, including Italy's Massimiliano Siccardi, who for 30 years has been pioneering immersive exhibitions in Europe, Italian composer Luca Longobardi and of course, our Creative Director David Korins," said Ross. "We are beyond excited for our Los Angeles guests to experience this truly magical, multi-dimensional experience celebrating one of the greatest painters who ever lived."

"Beyond the thrill of welcoming audiences to Immersive Van Gogh, we're delighted to bring audiences back to the Vinyl District of Hollywood," says Diana Rayzman, Producer & Co-Founder of Impact Museums. "We encourage our guests to explore the many restaurants, hotels, and small businesses around our Lighthouse Artspace venue in Los Angeles."

The walk-through installation has been designed with health and safety as a priority. Admissions will be limited according to Los Angeles' capacity guidelines with touchless ticket-taking, hand sanitizer stations, and social distancing markers prominent throughout the venue, and digitally projected social distancing circles on the gallery floors to ensure appropriate spacing. All guests must wear a face covering at all times during their visit to Immersive Van Gogh per current Los Angeles guidelines.

With approximately 65 state-of-the-art projectors illuminating over the exhibit space, visitors to Immersive Van Gogh will be encircled from head-to-toe in Van Gogh's brushstrokes and colors, including animated details from works such as Self Portrait with Felt Hat (1887), Bedroom in Arles (1888), Irises (1889) and Starry Night (1889).

Tickets and Venue Information

Tickets for the exhibition are on sale now at www.vangoghla.com . Tickets range in price from $29.99 for kids to $99.99 for VIP Flex tickets, which come with priority access, flexible admission, a limited-edition poster, a souvenir laminate, and a Van Gogh cushion. Basic timed tickets are $49.99.

As the Official Card Sponsor of the Immersive Van Gogh in Los Angeles, American Express Card Members can purchase exclusive PRIME tickets by visiting vangoghla.com

The Los Angeles venue for Immersive Van Gogh is the Lighthouse Artspace Los Angeles (6400 Sunset Boulevard, in Hollywood). The 55,000 square foot venue provides limited on-site parking for patrons. The parking entrance may be accessed on Cahuenga Boulevard. For more information about the original Immersive Van Gogh, visit https://www.vangoghla.com/ or call 844-307-4644. Follow the exhibition on social media on Facebook and Instagram . For images, click here, and for video, click here .

SOURCE Lighthouse Immersive

Related Links

https://lighthouseimmersive.com/


MILWAUKEE, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Nova Medical Centers, the nation's leading occupational healthcare provider, announces the opening of its newest location in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The August 2, 2021 opening of the Milwaukee Airport location marks the fifth state for Nova Medical Centers to be operating in.

Nova Medical Centers reaffirms its commitment to growth nationwide with the opening of the company's 53rd location in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Nova is dedicated to delivering exceptional outcome-based work injury treatment and efficient pre-employment testing, all resulted in a proprietary real-time online reporting system, Occuflex. Nova's top rated occupational medical services are in high demand by business owners and industry stakeholders alike, which is driving Nova's growth nationwide.

"As a result of continued demand of our high-quality suite of occupational medical services from employers, workers compensation insurance carriers and networks; we are extremely excited to announce the entry into our fifth state, Wisconsin," said Bruce Meymand, Chief Development and Strategy Officer.

"Nova Medical Centers will open Milwaukee Airport first, expand throughout the Milwaukee metro area and the rest of the state soon after. We look forward to improving Wisconsin workplace health by providing exceptional, outcome-based work injury treatment and fast and efficient pre-employment services," said Meymand.

This new Milwaukee, Wisconsin center is located at 4868 S. 6th St. STE #460, Milwaukee, WI, 53221.

For more information about Nova Medical Centers, including the Longview, TX location and services, please visit n-o-v-a.com

About Nova Medical Centers  Home of Occuflex:

As the largest 100% occupational health provider in the nation, Nova treats on-the-job injuries, conducts pre-employment services and screens, and offers preventative care services. Nova connects with employers to maximize employees' health and get America back to work better and faster.

Nova Medical Centers operates 53 occupational medicine facilities across Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, Indiana and Wisconsin and has more than 700,000 patient visits and treats over 40,000 injured employees each year. Locations have an average claim closure rate of 18 days and a 97% same day return to work rate. Nova Medical Centers provides work injury care services, pre-employment testing, drug screens, physical therapy, and online medical reporting.

Nova utilizes real-time web-based reporting through its proprietary electronic medical record system, Occuflex, which allows Nova's clients to remain constantly up to date on work injury treatment status and pre-employment testing results. Nova Medical Centers continues to revolutionize occupational healthcare and strives to provide the best occupational medical services possible.

SOURCE Nova Medical Centers

Related Links

http://www.n-o-v-a.com


PROVO, Utah, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: NUS) today announced second-quarter 2021 revenue of $704.1 million and earnings per share (EPS) of $1.15 driven by an increase in operating margin of 260 basis points.

Executive Summary

Q2 2021 vs. Prior-year Quarter

Revenue: $704.1 million; +15%  +6% fx impact or $36.9 million Earnings Per Share

(EPS): $1.15; +42% Sales Leaders: 64,228; +15% Customers: 1,467,617; (2%)

"Our growth and success this quarter and over the past year reflect our strategy of delivering world-class beauty and wellness products, being customer obsessed, and digitally enabling our business," said Ritch Wood, chief executive officer. "Our performance was led by continued growth in our beauty device systems and further adoption of social commerce. In addition, we significantly improved profitability during the quarter, which led to strong earnings per share growth. We have a solid foundation in place, and I am fully confident in Ryan and our leadership team to build on the momentum and take Nu Skin to the next level."

Ryan Napierski, president and CEO-elect, added, "We continue to advance our vision of becoming the world's leading beauty and wellness company, powered by our dynamic affiliate opportunity platform. During the quarter, we strengthened our position as the market leader in beauty device systems as our latest device system, ageLOC Boost, generated momentum with a strong launch in EMEA. Additionally, we are pleased with the rollout of Nutricentials Bioadaptives, which is targeted at a millennial/Gen Z consumer. In the back half of the year, we will be begin rolling out Beauty Focus Collagen+, which leverages our unique strength in both beauty and wellness, and ageLOC Meta, our next significant Pharmanex product introduction.

"We are pleased with 15 percent growth in sales leaders, while customers declined slightly due to a significant surge in the prior year. To better support our affiliates with customer acquisition, we will be rolling out additional digital tools over the next several quarters such as personalized social commerce shops in Mainland China. This represents a significant step forward in deploying our digital tools in the world's largest social commerce market."

Q2 2021 Year-over-year Operating Results

Revenue: $704.1 million compared to $612.4 million  +6% fx impact Gross Margin: 75.6% compared to 74.8%  Nu Skin business was 78.3% compared to 77.6% Selling Expenses: 39.5% compared to 40.6%  Nu Skin business was 42.4% compared to 43.3% G&A Expenses: 24.0% compared to 24.7% Operating Margin: 12.1% compared to 9.5% Other Income /

(Expense): ($4.0) million compared to $1.6 million Income Tax Rate: 27.1% compared to 29.8%  Benefited by geographic mix EPS: $1.15 compared to $0.81

Stockholder Value

Dividend Payments: $19.0 million Stock Repurchases: $10.0 million  $265.4 million remaining in authorization

Q3 and Full-year 2021 Outlook

Q3 2021 Revenue: $700 to $730 million; 0 to 4%  Approximately +2 to 3% fx impact Q3 2021 EPS: $1.10 to $1.20; +2 to 11% 2021 Revenue: $2.81 to $2.87 billion; +9 to 11%  Approximately +3 to 4% fx impact 2021 EPS: $4.30 to $4.50; +18 to 24%

Mark Lawrence, chief financial officer, added, "We reported 42 percent EPS growth driven by strong improvements in both gross margin and operating margin as a result of continued expense control and supply chain efficiency. We are raising our EPS guidance for the year as we continue to focus on generating enhanced value for our shareholders."

About Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.

Founded more than 35 years ago, Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. (NSE) empowers innovative companies with sustainable solutions, opportunities, technologies and life-improving values. The company currently focuses its efforts around innovative consumer products, product manufacturing and controlled environment agriculture technology. The NSE family of companies includes Nu Skin, which develops and distributes a comprehensive line of premium-quality beauty and wellness solutions through a global network of sales leaders in Asia, the Americas, Europe, Africa and the Pacific; and Rhyz, our strategic investment arm that includes a collection of sustainable manufacturing and technology innovation companies. Nu Skin Enterprises is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "NUS." More information is available at nuskinenterprises.com.

Important Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements 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, that represent the company's current expectations and beliefs. All statements other than statements of historical fact are "forward-looking statements" for purposes of federal and state securities laws and include, but are not limited to, statements of management's expectations regarding the company's performance, growth, shareholder value, vision, product pipeline and product introductions, digital tools, customers and sales leaders, affiliates, strategies and initiatives; projections regarding revenue, earnings per share, foreign currency fluctuations and other financial items; statements of belief; and statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "outlook," "guidance," "plan," "forecast," "expand," "will," "would," "could," "may," "might," the negative of these words and other similar words.

The forward-looking statements and related assumptions involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from any forward-looking statements or views expressed herein. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following:

risk that epidemics, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and other crises could negatively impact our business;

adverse publicity related to the company's business, products, industry or any legal actions or complaints by the company's sales force or others;

risk that direct selling laws and regulations in any of the company's markets, including the United States and Mainland China, may be modified, interpreted or enforced in a manner that results in negative changes to the company's business model or negatively impacts its revenue, sales force or business, including through the interruption of sales activities, loss of licenses, imposition of fines, or any other adverse actions or events;

any failure of current or planned initiatives or products to generate interest among the company's sales force and customers and generate sponsoring and selling activities on a sustained basis;

political, legal, tax and regulatory uncertainties associated with operating in international markets, including Mainland China;

uncertainty regarding meeting restrictions and other government scrutiny in Mainland China, as well as negative media and consumer sentiment in Mainland China on our business operations and results;

risk of foreign-currency fluctuations and the currency translation impact on the company's business associated with these fluctuations;

uncertainties regarding the future financial performance of the businesses the company has acquired;

risks related to accurately predicting, delivering or maintaining sufficient quantities of products to support planned initiatives or launch strategies, and increased risk of inventory write-offs if the company over-forecasts demand for a product or changes its planned initiatives or launch strategies;

regulatory risks associated with the company's products, which could require the company to modify its claims or inhibit its ability to import or continue selling a product in a market if the product is determined to be a medical device or if the company is unable to register the product in a timely manner under applicable regulatory requirements;

unpredictable economic conditions and events globally, including trade policies and tariffs;

the company's future tax-planning initiatives; any prospective or retrospective increases in duties on the company's products imported into the company's markets outside of the United States ; and any adverse results of tax audits or unfavorable changes to tax laws in the company's various markets; and

continued competitive pressures in the company's markets.

The company's financial performance and the forward-looking statements contained herein are further qualified by a detailed discussion of associated risks set forth in the documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements set forth the company's beliefs as of the date that such information was first provided, and the company assumes no duty to update the forward-looking statements contained in this release to reflect any change except as required by law.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures: Constant-currency revenue change is a non-GAAP financial measure that removes the impact of fluctuations in foreign-currency exchange rates, thereby facilitating period-to-period comparisons of the company's performance. It is calculated by translating the current period's revenue at the same average exchange rates in effect during the applicable prior-year period and then comparing that amount to the prior-year period's revenue. The company believes that constant-currency revenue change is useful to investors, lenders and analysts because such information enables them to gauge the impact of foreign-currency fluctuations on the company's revenue from period to period.

The following table sets forth revenue for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 for each of our reportable segments (U.S. dollars in thousands):



Three Months Ended June 30,





Constant- Currency

2021

2020

Change

Change Nu Skin





















Mainland China $ 154,182

$ 146,332



5%



(4)% Americas/Pacific

151,730



127,919



19%



14% South Korea

88,604



76,915



15%



6% EMEA

83,115



50,776



64%



49% Southeast Asia

70,751



66,829



6%



2% Japan

68,020



68,291







1% Hong Kong/Taiwan

38,529



37,161



4%



 Nu Skin other

755



(85)



988%



988% Total Nu Skin

655,686



574,138



14%



8% Rhyz Investments





















Manufacturing

48,140



37,918



27%



27% Grow Tech

191



310



(38)%



(38)% Rhyz other

38















Total Rhyz Investments

48,369



38,228



27%



27% Total $ 704,055

$ 612,366



15%



9%

The following table sets forth revenue for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 for each of our reportable segments (U.S. dollars in thousands):



Six Months Ended June 30,





Constant- Currency

2021

2020

Change

Change Nu Skin





















Mainland China $ 303,775

$ 284,028



7%



(2)% Americas/Pacific

301,195



202,492



49%



45% South Korea

169,735



152,634



11%



3% EMEA

159,295



86,179



85%



69% Southeast Asia

138,336



136,415



1%



(2)% Japan

137,884



129,591



6%



6% Hong Kong/Taiwan

74,874



72,988



3%



(1)% Nu Skin other

1,460



688



112%



112% Total Nu Skin

1,286,554



1,065,015



21%



15% Rhyz Investments





















Manufacturing

94,125



65,065



45%



45% Grow Tech

364



314



16%



16% Rhyz other

38















Total Rhyz Investments

94,527



65,379



45%



45% Total $ 1,381,081

$ 1,130,394



22%



16%

The company's Customers and Sales Leaders statistics by segment as of June 30, 2021 and 2020 are presented in the following table:



As of June 30, 2021

As of June 30, 2020

% Increase

(Decrease)

Customers

Sales Leaders

Customers

Sales Leaders

Customers

Sales Leaders Mainland China

328,526



18,647



321,946



17,104



2%



9% Americas/Pacific

397,685



13,078



424,236



10,787



(6)%



21% South Korea

153,287



7,935



159,926



6,881



(4)%



15% EMEA

261,857



7,900



247,057



5,120



6%



54% Southeast Asia

135,610



7,141



155,822



6,790



(13)%



5% Japan

125,791



6,053



125,332



6,011







1% Hong Kong/Taiwan

64,861



3,474



65,581



3,343



(1)%



4% Total

1,467,617



64,228



1,499,900



56,036



(2)%



15%

"Customers" are persons who purchased products directly from the company during the previous three months. Our Customer numbers do not include consumers who purchase products directly from members of our sales force.

"Sales Leaders" are independent distributors, and sales employees and independent marketers in China, who achieve certain qualification requirements.

NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC. Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (U.S. dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30,

2021

2020

2021

2020























Revenue $ 704,055

$ 612,366

$ 1,381,081

$ 1,130,394 Cost of sales

171,975



154,110



342,541



279,903 Gross profit

532,080



458,256



1,038,540



850,491























Operating expenses:





















Selling expenses

277,893



248,628



551,639



454,670 General and administrative expenses

168,811



151,554



338,612



301,182 Total operating expenses

446,704



400,182



890,251



755,852























Operating income

85,376



58,074



148,289



94,639 Other income (expense), net

(4,012)



1,581



(2,430)



(4,593)























Income before provision for income taxes

81,364



59,655



145,859



90,046 Provision for income taxes

22,026



17,804



39,091



28,465























Net income $ 59,338

$ 41,851

$ 106,768

$ 61,581























Net income per share:





















Basic $ 1.18

$ 0.81

$ 2.12

$ 1.15 Diluted $ 1.15

$ 0.81

$ 2.06

$ 1.15























Weighted-average common shares outstanding (000s):





















Basic

50,115



51,872



50,409



53,466 Diluted

51,557



51,925



51,850



53,502

NU SKIN ENTERPRISES, INC. Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (U.S. dollars in thousands)

June 30,

2021

December 31,

2020 ASSETS





Current assets:





Cash and cash equivalents $ 354,759

$ 402,683 Current investments

24,499



21,216 Accounts receivable, net

64,701



63,370 Inventories, net

390,977



314,366 Prepaid expenses and other

126,586



101,563 Total current assets

961,522



903,198











Property and equipment, net

474,167



468,181 Operating lease right-of-use assets

136,738



155,104 Goodwill

215,582



202,979 Other intangible assets, net

98,955



89,532 Other assets

163,016



138,082 Total assets $ 2,049,980

$ 1,957,076











LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY









Current liabilities:









Accounts payable $ 60,632

$ 66,174 Accrued expenses

403,165



446,682 Current portion of long-term debt

152,500



30,000 Total current liabilities

616,297



542,856











Operating lease liabilities

100,826



112,275 Long-term debt

288,343



305,393 Other liabilities

126,688



102,281 Total liabilities

1,132,154



1,062,805











Commitments and contingencies





















Stockholders' equity:









Class A common stock  500 million shares authorized, $0.001 par value, 90.6

million shares issued

91



91 Additional paid-in capital

586,976



579,801 Treasury stock, at cost  40.4 million and 39.7 million shares

(1,509,867)



(1,461,593) Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(68,553)



(64,768) Retained earnings

1,909,179



1,840,740 Total stockholders' equity

917,826



894,271 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 2,049,980

$ 1,957,076

SOURCE Nu Skin Enterprises
"Olive Tree's mission has centered on finding and improving existing assets that can provide low-income quality housing to families throughout the South. With The Life at Sterling Woods, we now manage over 7,000 units of affordable housing nationally, meeting a critical need in these economically challenged communities. The financial partnership between Olive Tree Holdings and the American South Real Estate Fund (ASREF), enables us to quickly acquire and initiate project construction. This expedites our pursuit of developments that are making a difference in the lives of the seniors and families in need," said Ian Bel, Managing Member, Olive Tree Holdings.

American South Real Estate Fund II (ASREF II) is the financial partner helping to bring this project to fruition with its $4.8 million investment in the project. ASREF II is an impact fund dedicated to the revitalization of distressed communities of color throughout the South. Previous to ASREF II, SDS Capital Group and Vintage Realty Company managed ASREF I, a Fund that invested in two Olive Tree low-income housing projects located in the Houston metropolitan area.

"We are excited to announce this investment. The 234 units of quality low-income housing underscores how our ASREF/Olive Tree partnership is making a real difference in renovating and preserving much-needed affordable residential units for Houston residents," said ASREF II Managing Partner Deborah La Franchi, Founder and CEO, SDS Capital Group. "With the acquisition of this latest project, our collaboration will have developed or preserved a total of 855 units for low-income seniors and families."

ASREF II follows the impact investment strategy of ASREF I, which committed $58 million into projects in 10 Southern states.

American South Fund Management, LLC (ASFM) is a partnership between Los Angeles-based SDS Capital Group and Vintage Realty Company of Shreveport, LA. Press Release: https://asref.com/#news

CONTACT:

Sybil MacDonald

Marketing & Communications

[email protected]

Tel: 323.376.8961

SOURCE American South Real Estate Fund
NEW YORK, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) today announced two leadership appointments at the DAS Group of Companies (DAS). Michael Larson has been promoted to CEO of DAS and John Doolittle has been named CEO of the newly formed Communications Consultancy Network (CCN). Both CEOs will report into Dale Adams who remains Chairman of DAS. The appointments are effective immediately.

As CEO of DAS, Michael Larson will lead the Health Group (OHG), Precision Marketing Group (OPMG), Commerce Group (OCG) and the Advertising Collective (OAC). Joining Omnicom in 2008, Larson formed and led the Optimization Group. He has served as the President of DAS since 2018, overseeing the network's business strategy, operations and talent management. With a background in operations and finance, Larson has successfully engineered many of Omnicom's multi-agency teams and was instrumental in Omnicom's support of the marketing transformation of clients such as PepsiCo, Bayer, SC Johnson, Merck, AT&T, Novartis, Ford, Philips, McDonald's and Pfizer.

Another long-time Omnicom leader, John Doolittle has been an integral part of the group for more than 20 years, joining Omnicom in 1999 as CFO, Americas of DAS and later being promoted to Global CFO in 2005. In 2012, he was appointed President of DAS, playing a central role in financial management, geographic expansion, acquisitions, the organic development of new service offerings and talent strategies. More recently, he was the Interim CEO of the Public Relations Group (OPRG).

In his role as CEO of Communications Consultancy Network, Doolittle will lead Omnicom's new Network comprised of Omnicom Public Relations Group  with agencies including FleishmanHillard, Ketchum, Marina Maher Communications, Porter Novelli and more and the Brand Consulting Group  with agencies including Hall & Partners, Interbrand, Siegel+Gale and more. He will oversee strategic initiatives including mergers & acquisitions and cross-agency growth priorities such as CCN's data and analytics offerings. Also providing oversight to the Brand Consulting Group will be Chuck Brymer who continues as Chairman.

"Michael and John have been a driving force within DAS," said John Wren, Chairman and CEO of Omnicom Group. "They are highly talented executives who individually and together have clearly demonstrated the ability to manage a rich mix of agencies in a variety of disciplines. With this strong leadership team in place, I could not be more confident about the continuing success of DAS and CCN."

"Omnicom places a strong emphasis on succession planning, and after working with both Michael and John for several years, I know their extensive leadership experience with Omnicom agencies will make for a seamless transition into these new roles," said Dale Adams. "I am certain that, with Michael as CEO of DAS and John as CEO of CCN, these Networks will continue to develop the talent, resources and tools needed to grow and succeed in their respective marketplaces."

About DAS Group of Companies

DAS Group of Companies, a division of the Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC), is a global group of marketing services companies comprised of: the Health Group, the Precision Marketing Group, the Commerce Group and the Advertising Collective. DAS delivers customized solutions to address clients' business challenges through best-in-class experts in: Healthcare and Life-Science advertising and marketing; Digital Transformation; CRM and Customer Experience at Scale; Connected Commerce through conversion and transaction; and award-winning Creative. Operating through a combination of networks and regional organizations, DAS services international, regional, national and local clients through offices in countries worldwide.

About Communications Consultancy Network

Communications Consultancy Network (CCN) is a global collective of the top global public relations, strategy, branding, and research agencies. Award winning brands include FleishmanHillard, Ketchum, Porter Novelli, Marina Maher Communications, Interbrand, C Space, Wolff Olins, Sterling, Siegel & Gale and Hall & Partners. We are home to a group of highly talented and specialized consultants across industries and marketing disciplines, delivering strategic thinking and market-leading innovation to clients. CCN is a division of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC).

About Omnicom Group Inc.

Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com) is a leading global marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom's branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, digital and interactive marketing, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 70 countries. Follow us on Twitter for the latest news.

SOURCE Omnicom Group Inc.

Related Links

http://www.omnicomgroup.com


NEW YORK, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- One Equity Partners ("OEP"), a middle market private equity firm, today announced that it has entered a definitive agreement to sell Merfish United (the "Company"), a leading master distributor of tubular building products in the United States, to Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. (NYSE:RS), a diversified metal solutions provider and the largest metals service center operator in North America.

Headquartered in Ipswich, Mass., Merfish United is a master distributor of carbon steel pipes, copper tubing, plastic pipe, electrical conduit and related products that are distributed to its independent wholesale distributor customers across a variety of end markets. OEP partnered with the founders of Merfish Pipe Holdings ("Merfish") in December 2012 to create a platform for consolidating the sizeable and fragmented pipe and tube master distribution industry.

Under OEP's ownership, Merfish completed multiple acquisitions that transformed the business. In 2016, Merfish completed the acquisition of Kloeckner Metal's pipe distribution business, which doubled the footprint of Merfish, and the tuck-in acquisition of BBL, a standard pipe master distributor in the Northeastern U.S. In 2019, Merfish completed the transformational acquisition of United Pipe, a similarly sized master distributor of pipe and tube products that had a complementary geographic footprint and new product categories including plastic, copper and electrical.

As a result of OEP's transformational acquisition strategy, Merfish United is now one of the largest master distributors of steel pipe and tube products in the United States and is well-positioned to benefit from the secular tailwinds driving demand across the steel, plastic, copper and electrical pipe and tube product segments.

"We identified Merfish as a unique business with strong growth prospects led by a talented management team," said Jamie Koven, Senior Managing Director, OEP. "We're proud of our work with Merfish United's CEO Greg Leidner, Chairman Gerald Merfish and their team over the past eight years to create one of the largest master distributors of competitively priced standard pipe and tube products in North America."

Today, the Company operates 12 distribution centers nationwide that provide products to the plumbing and heating; pipe, valve and fittings (PVF); heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC); waterworks; fire protection; pool supply; lumber yard; fence; steel service center and electrical supply markets.

"We believe Merfish United is well-positioned for continued success as a critical supply chain partner for its customers. The Company's breadth of product, regularly scheduled delivery routes on more than 65 trucks from twelve distribution centers, and ability to serve the market quickly make Merfish United a unique and attractive supplier," said Matt Hughes, Managing Director, OEP.

"OEP has been an exceptional partner to Merfish United, from supporting operational improvements to driving a transformational acquisition strategy. We have benefitted greatly from their experience in building market-leading industrial businesses, and we are excited for our next chapter of growth," said Leidner.

OEP was advised by Houlihan Lokey as an exclusive M&A advisor. KPMG served as a financial advisor. Dechert LLP served as legal counsel.

The transaction is expected to be completed within the next 60 days, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

About One Equity Partners:

OEP is a middle market private equity firm focused on the industrial, healthcare, and technology sectors in North America and Europe. The firm builds market-leading companies by identifying and executing transformative business combinations. OEP is a trusted partner with a differentiated investment process, a broad and senior team, and an established track record generating long-term value for its partners. Since 2001, the firm has completed more than 300 transactions worldwide. OEP, founded in 2001, spun out of JP Morgan in 2015. The firm has offices in New York, Chicago, Frankfurt and Amsterdam. For more information, please visit www.oneequity.com.

About Merfish United:

Merfish United is a leading master distributor of tubular building products in the United States. Headquartered in Ipswich, Massachusetts, Merfish United serves 47 U.S. states through its twelve strategically located distribution centers. Merfish United's broad product offering includes full lines of steel pipe, copper tubing, plastic pipe, electrical conduit and related products for the commercial, residential, municipal and industrial building markets.

SOURCE One Equity Partners

Related Links

https://www.oneequity.com/


SHANGHAI, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- OneSmart International Education Group Limited ("OneSmart" or the "Company") (NYSE: ONE), a leading education company in China, today announced that, it has received a letter from the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") dated August 3, 2021, notifying OneSmart that it is below compliance criteria in connection with the performance of trading price of OneSmart's American depositary shares (the "ADSs").

Pursuant to NYSE rule 802.01C, a company will be considered to be below compliance criteria if the average closing price of a security as reported on the consolidated tape is less than US$1.00 over a consecutive 30 trading-day period. Once notified, the company must bring its share price and average share price back above US$1.00 by six months following receipt of the notification. The company can regain compliance at any time during the six-month cure period if on the last trading day of any calendar month during the cure period the company has a closing share price of at least US$1.00 and an average closing share price of at least US$1.00 over the 30 trading-day period ending on the last trading day of that month. In the event that at the expiration of the six-month cure period, both a US$1.00 closing share price on the last trading day of the cure period and a US$1.00 average closing share price over the 30 trading-day period ending on the last trading day of the cure period are not attained, the NYSE will commence suspension and delisting procedures.

To address this issue, the Company intends to monitor the market conditions of its listed securities and is still considering its options.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements made under the "safe harbor" provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "confident" and similar statements. OneSmart may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Any statements that are not historical facts, including statements about OneSmart's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements that involve factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, but not limited to the following: OneSmart's goals and strategies; its future business development, financial condition and results of operations; its ability to continue to penetrate premium K-12 after-school education services market; diversify and enrich our education offerings; enhance the development and management of our teacher team and teaching materials; competition in our industry in China; its ability to maintain and expand online education presence; relevant government policies and regulations relating to the corporate structure, business and industry; and its ability to protect our students' information and adequately address privacy concerns. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release is current as of the date of the press release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

About OneSmart

Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Shanghai, OneSmart International Education Group Limited is a leading education company in China. Our vision is to be the most trusted and heart-warming education company and our mission is POWER LEARNING changes the future with technology advancement. Our company culture is centered on the core values of customer focus, excellence, integrity, and technology and innovation. As of February 28, 2021, OneSmart operates a nationwide network of 457 learning centers in China.

For more information on OneSmart, please visit http://ir.onesmart.org/ .

For further information, please contact:

OneSmart

Ms. Ida Yu

+86-21-2250-5891

E-mail: [email protected]

ICA (Institutional Capital Advisory)

Mr. Kevin Yang

Phone: +86-21-8028-6033

E-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE OneSmart
TEL AVIV, Israel, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cybellum, a leader in embedded product security and license compliance management for mission critical industries, is the latest vendor to join the OpenChain Project partner program.

Their engagement will focus on raising awareness among user companies regarding open-source license compliance and security, while ensuring they have freedom of choice when considering commercial automation solutions around ISO/IEC 5230 conformance activities. ISO/IEC 5230 is the International Standard for open-source license compliance.

"Cybellum has been actively supporting automotive, medical-device and industrial IoT manufacturers with automation around security and compliance of their products," says Shane Coughlan, OpenChain General Manager. "We look forward to collaborating with Cybellum in raising awareness and in providing support as companies around the world integrate ISO/IEC 5230 into their supply chains. We also invite companies to engage with the OpenChain Project directly via our regular calls, mailing list and events."

"With the current software supply chain security challenges, organizations like OpenChain are a key for proper collaboration across the value chain, especially when representing a software bill of materials. We're thrilled to join OpenChain, which is widely adopted by the industry and will be the driving force for creating a quality open-source compliance program within organizations" says Slava Bronfman, CEO of Cybellum.

About Cybellum

Cybellum empowers connected device manufacturers and their suppliers to identify and remediate security risks at scale, throughout the entire product life cycle. Our agentless solution scans embedded software components without needing access to their source code, exposing all cyber vulnerabilities. Manufacturers can then take immediate actions and eliminate any cyber risk in the development and production process, before any harm is done, while continuously monitoring for emerging threats impacting product in operational use. Read more at www.cybellum.com

About the OpenChain Project

OpenChain began when a group of open-source compliance professionals met in a conference lounge and chatted about how so much duplicative, redundant open-source license compliance work was being done inefficiently in the software supply chain simply. They realized that while each company did the same work behind the scenes in a different manner the output for downstream recipients could not realistically be relied on because there was no visibility into the process that generated the output.

The answer the early principles of this discussion arrived at was to standardize open-source compliance, make it transparent and build trust across the ecosystem. The project began as outreach to the community with the idea of a new standard for open-source license compliance with slides titled, "When Conformity is Innovative." A growing community quickly recognized the value of this approach and contributed to the nascent collaboration soon named The OpenChain Project.

For Media Inquiries:

Guy Gilam

Cybellum Technologies Ltd.

+1 (415) 992-6330

[email protected]

SOURCE Cybellum
The SAP program partners leading medical associations with each other for national reach and visibility. Tweet this

Organized in 2002 and chartered in 2004, the former Optometric Council on Refractive Technology, now OCCRS, allows doctors of optometry and vision care researchers to meet in an optometric educational venue to share information and ideas. The group encourages research on cornea, cataract, and refractive technology, hosts forums at which such research may be presented, develops and delivers educational programs on cornea, cataract, and refractive technology to the optometric profession. Throughout the year, OCCRS partners with a variety of eye-care organizations to offer virtual continuing education (CE) and plans to return to in person meetings in 2022.

OCCRS is a member-based, non-profit organization made up of primarily optometrists and ophthalmologists, but also welcomes residents, fellows, and students studying optometry, medicine, or osteopathy. Members often act as a resource for colleagues that may not be directly involved in surgical care, but whose patients seek such care. OCCRS supports collaborative care with surgeons for the benefit of patient care.

For more information on OCCRS, click here.

The SAP program partners leading medical associations, health plans, advocacy groups and medical institutions with each other for national reach and visibility. By utilizing the MJH Life Sciences communication platform, these groups can showcase cutting-edge initiatives, content, research and thought leadership. The SAP Program also fosters collaboration and an open exchange of information among trusted peers for the benefit of patients and their families.

About Optometry Times

The leading source of breaking news, news analysis, emerging research reports in optometry, Optometry Times is an optometry-driven publication that disseminates news and information of a clinical, socioeconomic, and political nature in a timely and accurate manner. Optometry Times practical content by optometrists for optometrists that can be immediately applied to improve the clinical experience. Optometry Times is a brand of MJH Life Sciences, the largest privately held, independent, full-service medical media company in North America dedicated to delivering trusted health care news across multiple channels.

Optometry Times Media Contact

Alyssa Scarpaci, 609-250-4356

[email protected]

SOURCE Optometry Times
PABLO AIR intends this MOU to advance its proprietary unmanned drone delivery system platform into the US market. PABLO AIR established its subsidiary after an invitation by the city office of Phoenix, Arizona in June, and is concentrating on securing partners for the local commercialization of its unmanned delivery operation.

The MOU includes three companies: NGL Transportation, an American logistics company whose customers include Walmart and Amazon; Delivery-EZ, a developer of unmanned home-delivery box systems; and Aerospace Arizona Association.

NGL Transportation, with its nationwide logistics network and fleet of over 250 trucks, is planning collaboration with PABLO AIR for drone related services on the first mile delivery. Delivery-EZ, is collaborating with PABLO AIR in developing an unmanned delivery station optimized for drones and an affordable mailbox. Aerospace Arizona Association will provide PABLO AIR with a local test bed and institutional support, including information on FAA flight regulations.

PABLO AIR has demonstrated its more differentiated competitiveness by successfully developing PAMNet, a smart mobility integrated logistics and delivery solution. PAMNet software controls unmanned mobility in drones, autonomous vehicles, and unmanned trucks in real time. It will be used in future unmanned delivery and logistics systems.

Kim Young-Joon, CEO of PABLO AIR, said, "We plan to demonstrate PABLO AIR's unique technology in the global market by implementing practical commercialization along with demonstration of delivery in the United States, for the first time as a Korean drone startup." He added, "Afterwards, through continuous development, we will resolve difficulties related to long-distance delivery and the accessibility of existing delivery systems in logistics by raising the efficiency of various mobility vehicles, such as self-driving trucks and unmanned ground robots as well as delivery drones."

For more detailed information on PABLO AIR, visit www.pabloair.com.

About PABLO AIR

Established in 2018, PABLO AIR (www.pabloair.com) succeeded in July in attracting investment of KRW 8.5 billion (USD 8 million) for the pre-Series B round, bringing total investment in the venture to KRW 11.5 billion (USD 10 million). In 2020, for the first time in Korea, the company produced a long-distance maritime delivery using two drones over a distance of 80.6 km (50.1 mile). In 2019, the company organized a drone art show using 100 drones for the first time in Korea, followed by performing approximately 30 times of drone art exhibition using more than 300 drones and fireworks.

About Born2Global Centre

Born2Global Centre (www.born2global.com) is a full-cycle service platform for global expansion. Since its inception in 2013, Born2Global has been setting the standard for a successful startup ecosystem as the main Korean government agency under the Ministry of Science and ICT. Born2Global has expanded and transformed startups to be engaged, equipped and connected with the global market.

Media contact

PABLO AIR: [email protected]

Born2Global Centre: [email protected]

SOURCE Born2Global Centre

Related Links

http://www.born2global.com


PARK RIDGE, Ill., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Delaware patients now have increased access to safe, affordable care with the signing of HB 141 by Governor John Carney. The law removes a collaborative agreement and grants advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), including Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), full practice authority.

"This law will undoubtedly increase patient access to quality care by allowing CRNAs to practice to the full extent of their education and training," said Jacqueline M. Mainwaring, DNP, MS, CRNA, APRN, president of the Delaware Association of Nurse Anesthetists (DANA). "Removing barriers to CRNA practice will allow hospitals and other critical care facilities to maximize their workforce and increase access to safe, affordable care for our patients."

The law grants full practice authority with the APRN license, defining advanced practice registered nursing as an "expanded scope of nursing licensed as an independent licensed practitioner." The law also changes the composition of the Delaware Board of Nursing's Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Committee, which will now be composed solely of APRNs, including two CRNAs.

Delaware House Bill 21 was also signed into law, enacting the APRN interstate licensure compact. Delaware joins North Dakota in enacting this compact, which will facilitate APRN licensure across state lines when it is enacted in at least seven states.

"Contemporary healthcare requires an agile, mobile workforce, whether responding to healthcare provider shortages across the country or assisting during times of disaster," said Mainwaring. "By passing this legislation, Delaware becomes a leader in the nation by moving CRNA practice to the next level."

"The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) applauds Gov. Carney for recognizing the important role CRNAs have in delivery safe anesthesia care to the residents of Delaware," said Steven M. Sertich, CRNA, MAE, JD, Esquire, AANA president. "Increased demand and limited resources dictate that a system capable of meeting the needs of all residents be maintained and this law provides that."

During the COVID-19 pandemic, nurse anesthetists across the country have been essential in addressing the deadliest part of disease in addition to providing top-of-the-line anesthesia care. They have served as experts in airway management, hemodynamic monitoring, management of patients on ventilators, and overall management of critically ill patients.

SOURCE American Association of Nurse Anesthetists

Related Links

www.aana.com


"We're grateful to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the work they do to help local businesses thrive through a focus on employees," said Chris Favreau, Vice President and General Manager at Pelican. "Our employees are the reason we can deliver quality products and services our customers count on to protect their most valuable assets. We look forward to providing our employees with this valuable learning experience."

The Workforce Training Grant helps Pelican continue its commitment to quality, as well as grow the skills of its 400 employees and improve the work environment. The company will use the grant to provide training including:

Leader Effectiveness Training with Application

Team Involvement Problem Solving

Kaizen Training

Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerance (GD&T)

Blueprint Reading

Total Preventative Maintenance (TPM)

AIM Front Line Leadership

This project is funded by a Workforce Training Fund grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. The grant program is administered by Commonwealth Corporation.

To learn more about Pelican visit www.pelican.com.

Pelican Products, Inc. is a portfolio company of Behrman Capital, a private equity investment firm based in New York and San Francisco

About Pelican Products

Pelican Products, Inc. is the global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance protective cases, temperature-controlled packaging solutions, advanced portable lighting systems and rugged gear for professionals and outdoor enthusiasts. Their products are used by professionals in the most demanding markets including fire safety, law enforcement, defense / military, aerospace, entertainment, industrial and in numerous outdoor markets. Pelican products are designed and built to last a lifetime. The company operates in 25 countries, with 23 international sales offices and twelve manufacturing facilities around the globe. In Europe, the company does business under the name Peli Products, S.LU. For more information, visit www.pelican.com or www.behrmancap.com .

SOURCE Pelican Products, Inc.

Related Links

https://www.pelican.com


TYSONS, Va. and FAYETTEVILLE, N.C., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- PenFed Credit Union, the nation's second largest federal credit union, today announced a partnership with Triple Impact Connections, a veteran-owned communications solutions firm, to bring jobs to military spouses across the United States. The partnership begins by establishing 60 PenFed member service representative roles for military spouses, including remote positions.

"We are proud to partner with Triple Impact to leverage the professionalism and skills of military spouses," said PenFed Credit Union President/CEO and PenFed Foundation CEO James Schenck. "We will continue to look to the outstanding talent pool of military spouses as our team of financial professionals scales up to provide exceptional service to our growing number of members."

With the aid of Triple Impact's training program, the military spouses will learn to deliver best-in-class member service by answering incoming calls, providing account and product information while performing account transactions and maintenance. These positions will also be responsible for educating members on a wide variety of products and services and making recommendations for each member's financial needs.

In addition to the Triple Impact partnership, PenFed collaborates with the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) and the U.S. Chamber's Hiring Our Heroes' Military Spouse Employment Program, to enhance employment efforts within the military spouse community. PenFed also adopted a policy that encourages the retention of military spouses when they move that allows for transfers or remote work opportunities.

Military spouses interested in a career with a military-friendly company are encouraged to visit PenFed's designated Military Webpage. The military webpage allows members of the military community to join PenFed's military talent community and search for jobs based on their skillsets.

To learn more about the PenFed/Triple Impact partnership, please click here to watch a video produced by PenFed Digital that features interviews with a Triple Impact executive and military spouses in the program.

About PenFed Credit Union

Established in 1935, Pentagon Federal Credit Union (PenFed) is America's second-largest federal credit union, serving 2.4 million members worldwide with over $28 billion in assets. PenFed Credit Union offers market-leading certificates, checking, credit cards, personal loans, mortgages, auto loans, student loans, and a wide range of other financial services. Our mission is to empower members of our community to achieve their financial well-being. PenFed Credit Union is federally insured by the NCUA and is an Equal Housing Lender. To learn more about PenFed Credit Union, visit PenFed.org, like us on Facebook and follow us @PenFed on Twitter. Interested in working for PenFed? Check us out on LinkedIn. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

About Triple Impact Connections

Triple Impact Connections is a unique, veteran-owned communications solutions firm based solely in the U.S., utilizing primarily the spouses of American soldiers. Their efforts act as an extension of operations to their client companies, using a Cloud-based platform to provide superior service and engagement. Learn more at www.tripleimpact.com.

SOURCE PenFed Credit Union

Related Links

http://www.PenFed.org


GLENDALE, Calif., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Phonexa CFO and EVP Lilit Davtyan has been nominated by Los Angeles Times B2B Publishing for a CFO Leadership Award, and by the Los Angeles Business Journal for the CFO of the Year award, the publications separately announced.

Davtyan is among an esteemed group of Los Angeles Times B2B Publishing nominees that include chief financial officers from companies like Buzzfeed, Farmers Insurance, Tender Greens, Burke Williams Day Spas and the California University of Science and Medicine.

Phonexa CFO and EVP Lilit Davtyan Nominated By Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Business Journal for Separate Leadership Awards

"B2B Publishing is excited to announce one of several Business Leadership Awards events recognizing leading executives who have demonstrated noteworthy success and accomplishments during the last 24 months," Los Angeles Times B2B Publishing wrote in a statement. "The CFO & CEO Leadership Awards will recognize C-Suite executives for their contributions and leadership within their organizations, the business world, and the community at large."

The CFO Leadership Award winners for Los Angeles Times B2B Publishing will be virtually announced during a ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 5 at 1 p.m. PST. The event will also feature an enlightening panel discussion from an array of remarkable speakers. A cocktail reception took place on Thursday, July 29 to honor the finalists.

Phonexa celebrated the honors Davtyan received by continuing its commitment to the community by serving as a title sponsor for the Los Angeles Times-branded event.

Davtyan's pair of nominations arrive on the heels of an award-winning 2020 when the fast-rising executive was awarded "CFO of the Year" by the Los Angeles Business Journal.

Davtyan will find out if she's a back-to-back winner when the Los Angeles Business Journal unveils the award-winning honoree in a virtual event on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021 at 2 p.m. PST.

"This 15th annual event honors finance professionals in the Los Angeles region for their ongoing efforts as outstanding financial stewards," the Los Angeles Business Journal said in a statement. "Given the economic times and ever-changing climate, CFOs serve as essential members of a company's core leadership team."

"It's an honor to be nominated for these two separate awards," said Davtyan. "I've called Los Angeles my home throughout most of my life and career, and I'm humbled by the recognition from esteemed organizations like Los Angeles Times B2B Publishing and the Los Angeles Business Journal. I'm excited to be competing amongst my fellow peers and nominees."

Davtyan is one of the first hires of Phonexa, a turnkey solution for calls, leads, clicks, email marketing, and more. Her rise through the ranks has been highlighted by a membership in the Forbes Finance Council , as well as Chief, a private network designed specifically for female leaders.

As CFO and EVP, Davtyan currently oversees Phonexa's business development, supervises on questions of compliance and internal finances, and maintains relationships with key clients.

Davtyan received her B.B.A. from Woodbury University and received her Masters of Business Taxation from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California.

For more information about Davtyan, connect with her on LinkedIn.

About Phonexa: Phonexa is an all-in-one suite for marketing automation that empowers companies to optimize inbound web and call campaigns, and outbound call, email, and SMS campaigns, all while having the ability to enhance consumer journey every step of the way. Complete with 7 turnkey solutions, Phonexa's customizable tools for calls, leads, clicks, email, and SMS marketing maximize workflow efficiency for direct advertisers and lead generators alike. Phonexa has the scalability, tools, and partnerships to serve clients in all industries, especially those with high consumer demand products and services. For more information, please visit www.Phonexa.com.

SOURCE Phonexa
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Piedmont Advantage Credit Union recently introduced 90 middle and high school students from the Aviation Career Education (ACE) Academy to the Reality of Money, an interactive money management activity, at its corporate headquarters in Winston-Salem, N.C.

After lunch and a pep talk by the Piedmont Advantage team, students were assigned jobs, income levels, marital status and family compositions.

Students were then directed to visit workstations, managed by 12 Piedmont Advantage employees ready to simulate real-life discussions around everyday life decisions, like the following as examples:

Buying a house or renting an apartment;

Financing a new or used car or taking public transportation;

Eating dinner at home or dining out;

Saving for a vacation, home improvement or college; and

Budgeting for groceries, medications or childcare.

Students also were asked to select a "stuff happens" card, informing them that they just received an unexpected traffic ticket, medical expense or monetary gift from a distant relative.

"The Reality of Money teaches students the importance of budgeting and making good life choices. There's another lesson that even parents can appreciate: Many students report a greater appreciation of the struggles their parents face each day," said Piedmont Advantage President and CEO Dion Williams.

In partnership with the North Carolina Department of Transportation's Division of Aviation, the Winston-Salem ACE Academy was brought to the area by Jim Shaw Sr. in 2014. A long-time supporter of youth and community investment, Shaw operated the academy each year, giving middle and high school students the opportunity to learn about aviation, aeronautics and related job opportunities.

Shaw passed away in November 2020. Shaw's son, Jim Shaw Jr., now runs the academy.

"We are honored to partner with the ACE Academy to reach our future leaders with financial literacy," added Williams.

About Piedmont Advantage Credit Union

Headquartered in Winston-Salem, N.C., and founded in 1949 within the airline industry, Piedmont Advantage Credit Union now serves member owners, who reside, work, worship or attend school in one of the 13 counties it serves in North Carolina or who are employed by one of its many employer companies. These 13 counties are Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Cumberland, Davie, Duplin, Forsyth, Guilford, Iredell, Mecklenburg, New Hanover, Pender and Rockingham. A nonprofit cooperative financial institution, Piedmont Advantage has 10 branches throughout its service regions and employs a workforce of over 120.

SOURCE Piedmont Advantage Credit Union

Related Links

https://www.pacu.com/


NEW YORK, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On July 28, 2021, U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon of the District of Nevada denied, in part, Wynn Resorts Limited's ("Wynn Resorts" or the "Company") motions to dismiss the Second Amended Complaint in a securities fraud class action suit arising from the Company's concealment of a long-running pattern of alleged sexual misconduct by CEO and founder Stephen ("Steve") Wynn against female employees of the company.

The misconduct was first revealed in January 2018 with the publication of a Wall Street Journal article detailing numerous Wynn employees' complaints of abuse at the hands of Wynn. Gaming regulators later confirmed that the Company had repeatedly turned a blind eye to allegations regarding Wynn's conduct and failed to investigate reports of sexual assault. Wynn resigned soon after, and the Company was forced to clean house and replace the management that had covered up Wynn's misdeeds.

The district court granted defendant's motion to dismiss the complaint in May 2020, while granting plaintiffs leave to amend. The plaintiffs filed a Second Amended Complaint that challenged four sets of misstatements made by the defendants.

The court denied the defendants' motions to dismiss, in part, upholding the plaintiffs' claims based upon a 2016 press release issued by the Company denying allegations by Steve Wynn's ex-wife that Wynn had engaged in misconduct and that the Company was withholding information from gaming regulators, and statements issued by the Company and Steve Wynn denying the Wall Street Journal's allegations and claiming that the Company had a hotline in place for reporting harassment and similar misconduct (and that no reports had been filed, thereby implying that no sexual misconduct had occurred).

"At this stage, the plaintiffs have sufficiently alleged that Wynn, Maddox, Sinatra and Cootey were aware of information contradicting their statements that denied misconduct allegations," according to Judge Gordon. "The inference that these defendants were aware of Wynn's alleged misconduct at the time of their statements is cogent and compelling."

Pomerantz Partner Murielle Steven Walsh, who leads the litigation, stated, "We are pleased that the court upheld claims that arose from statements made by the company and Steve Wynn that effectively denied any wrongdoing by Wynn. The court's decision underscores the fact that alleged sexual misconduct and harassment by corporate executives are material issues for investors, especially when management turns a blind eye to reports of wrongdoing. This type of misconduct poses a threat to a company's financial success."

"The decision sends a stark message to corporations and their boards," according to Managing Partner Jeremy A. Lieberman, "that in the twenty-first century, the securities laws will be applied to all matters of import to investors, particularly relating to sexual harassment and ensuring a safe work environment for employees."

The case is Ferris, et al. v. Wynn Resorts Ltd., et al., No. 2:18-cv-00479-APG-DJA (D. Nev.).

Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com.

CONTACT:

Murielle Steven Walsh

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

646-581-9977

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

[email protected]

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

SOURCE Pomerantz LLP

Related Links

www.pomerantzlaw.com


NEW HAVEN, Conn., Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pope Francis extended gratitude and well-wishes to the Knights of Columbus during the opening Mass of the organization's 139th annual convention, held at St. Mary's Church in New Haven, Connecticut. The Holy Father also praised the convention's theme, "Called to Creative Courage."

"The theme of this year's Convention  Called to Creative Courage  takes up a challenge presented by the Holy Father in his recent Apostolic Letter Patris Corde on the figure of Saint Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church," shared the letter from Vatican Secretariat of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, dated July 22, 2021. "Saint Joseph's example of 'creative courage' in the fulfilment of his vocation as father of the Holy Family makes him a particularly good model for all those men who, in these times of uncertainty and unrest, seek to persevere in fidelity to our Lord and his Church, entrusting their lives and the lives of their families to his providential guidance and care."

The message also acknowledged how the convention theme reflects the life of the Knights' recently beatified founder, Father Michael J. McGivney, saying, "Indeed, it was creative courage that characterized the life and ministry of Blessed Michael McGivney, who in 1882, with a small group of Catholic men, laid the foundations of the Knights of Columbus in response to the pressing spiritual and material needs of working men and their families. From seeds planted in a small but vibrant local parish, your Order expanded throughout the world in subsequent years, enriching the lives of countless men and contributing in signal fashion to the development of the modern lay apostolate in service to the Church's universal mission."

Father McGivney's beatification last October was also recognized as a "significant milestone in this distinguished history and represents a summons to renewed fidelity to the founding principles of faith, fraternity and charitable assistance to those in need."

Referring to the Knights as, "a premier Catholic organization of men and fathers," the Holy Father's message urged members to be men of courageous witness, faith, and integrity. "Men," it said, "committed to building up rather than tearing down, promoting healing and reconciliation in place of hatred and recrimination, and inviting all to undertake the 'journey of fraternity' that can lead to a world ever more in accord with God's saving plan for our human family."

Additionally, the papal message included the Holy Father's gratitude for the Knights' "unfailing support of our Christian brothers and sisters experiencing persecution for the sake of the Gospel," as well as their "manifold charitable activities" during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pope Francis also sent prayerful good wishes to Patrick Kelly on his "new responsibilities as Supreme Knight, and to the members of the Supreme Council." This convention marks Patrick Kelly's first convention as supreme knight since being installed earlier this year.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the Knights of Columbus are holding their convention virtually Aug. 3-4, with members tuning in around the world to key convention events broadcast from the home of the Supreme Council headquarters in New Haven, Connecticut.

You can watch it online from kofc.org/convention, EWTN Live and Catholic TV.

About the Knights of Columbus

Founded in 1882 by Blessed Michael J. McGivney, The Knights of Columbus is one of the world's leading fraternal and service organizations with 2 million members in more than 16,000 parish-based councils. During the past year, Knights around the world donated more than 47 million service hours and $150 million for worthy causes in their communities. The organization also offers extensive life insurance services to members and their families, resulting in more than $116 billion of life insurance in force. Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors offers investment services to individuals and institutions in accord with Catholic social teaching and has nearly $29 billion in assets under management. From helping children in need, to providing wheelchairs for the disabled, to helping stock food banks, to offering top-rated and affordable insurance products to its members, to creating a legacy of giving, the Knights of Columbus has supported families and communities for more than 139 years. To learn more please visit us at kofc.org.

SOURCE Knights of Columbus

Related Links

www.kofc.org


RENO, Nev., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Primrose Schools, a high-quality early education and care leader with over 450 schools operating in 32 states, today announced its growth into Nevada, beginning with dedicated efforts to identify locations for Franchise Owners in Reno and Las Vegas. With the need for child care soaring during the pandemic, the company opened 28 new schools in 2020 branching into three new states, and has an additional 150 locations in the overall pipeline. Primrose's expansion into the state has begun with Franchise Owners Bethany and Alonzo Durham, whose South Reno school will be its first in Nevada and is set to open in October.

"The pandemic has elevated the importance and need for early education and childcare programs that provide parents with peace of mind about returning to work," said Steve Clemente, President of Primrose Schools. "This need is even greater in growing states such as Nevada where Primrose is thrilled to offer both experienced and new Franchise Owners a turnkey opportunity to fill a void with an impactful investment in their community."

Primrose plans to address the needs of growing cities like Las Vegas and Reno in a state experiencing the nation's third-highest population increase from 2019 to 2020. As families continue to move into the state, entrepreneurs in these cities now have an opportunity to become Primrose Schools Franchise Owners and provide the essential service of childcare as young parents to return to work and the state recovers from the pandemic. Over the last year, Primrose has proven to be resilient  and in response, demand remains high for existing Primrose schools, many of which have enrollment waitlists.

The Durham family, Primrose's inaugural Franchise Owners in Nevada, approached the company after determining the early education and care options in the region did not meet the standards they had for their own children. Bethany Durham, who holds a degree in Elementary Education from the University of Nevada, understands the importance of access to quality child care options and is partnering with her husband and co-owner Alonzo, to open a school in South Meadows. Conveniently located less than seven miles from downtown Reno, the approximately 12,170 square feet school is expected to open this October.

"While researching investment opportunities in childcare and early learning, we found that Primrose Schools was consistently leading the industry and were so impressed with the level of care being provided at the schools we visited," Bethany explained.

In addition to the Durham family's upcoming location, the Primrose Schools Development Team is curating additional properties for future Franchise Owners in Reno and Las Vegas who will be able to skip the site-search phase for a student-ready site in as few as eight months. Each of these locations are expected to serve approximately 185-210 families in Washoe and Clark county-areas.

Primrose Schools has an award-winning and proven franchise model that has attracted numerous entrepreneurs to become school owners for nearly 40 years, leading the company to be recognized as the leader in high-quality early education and care.

"Those interested in re-careering or local business ownership are being offered a uniquely streamlined process in the state of Nevada, one that is especially perfect for first-time owners," noted Clemente. "The blend of tools, resources and expert guidance provided by Primrose is unmatched. Franchise Owners are well-positioned to become business leaders in their communities, receiving an unparalleled level of support  regardless of experience  every step of the way."

Regardless of franchise or business experience, Nevada natives and new residents alike are encouraged to take advantage of this unique opportunity to invest in early education and the future of their communities. With sites being identified to foster an industry-leading educational experience, entrepreneurs in the Reno and Las Vegas areas can join the hundreds of other Primrose Schools Franchise Owners around the nation who are working to make a difference in their communities.

Visit Primrose Schools online or call 800-PRIMROSE (774-6767) to learn more about franchise opportunities today.

About Primrose Schools

Primrose Schools is the leader in providing premier early education and care to children and families in the United States. Founded in 1982, there are more than 450 Primrose schools in 32 states today. Ranked the No. 1 child care franchise by Entrepreneur for five consecutive years and named as one of the best franchises to buy in America by Forbes, Primrose offers Franchise Owners the opportunity to invest in a financially rewarding and emotionally satisfying business that delivers an unparalleled early learning experience for children and families in their community. Each school is independently owned and operated by Franchise Owners who are provided a proven and time-tested business model and exclusive approach to early education, called Balanced Learning. Through Primrose on Premise, Primrose Schools and Franchise Owners enable companies to provide employer-sponsored early childhood education and care at or near their worksites. Primrose has franchising opportunities available in markets throughout the U.S., and is seeking qualified potential Franchise Owners to join the brand's rapid expansion and mission to transform the future of early education. For more information, visit www.Franchise.PrimroseSchools.com, follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter, and explore our news site.

SOURCE Primrose Schools
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ProStar Holdings Inc. ("ProStar" or the "Company") (TSXV: MAPS) (FSE 5D00), a world leader in Precision Mapping Solutions, today announced that its common shares received approval from The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") of New York, NY and are now DTC eligible.

DTC eligibility allows ProStar shares to be more easily and economically transferred between brokerage accounts electronically within the United States. DTC is the largest securities depository in the world, providing clearing and settlement efficiencies for brokers, as well as various other services.

Page Tucker, CEO of ProStar, stated: "Achieving DTC eligibility to simplify trading of ProStar shares makes us accessible to an even broader range of investors and is expected to assist with our goal of increasing the liquidity and convenience of trading our shares within the United States and other jurisdictions."

About Depository Trust Company (DTC)

Depository Trust Company (DTC) was founded in 1973 and is a New York corporation that performs the functions of a Central Securities Depository as part of the US National Market System. DTC manages the electronic clearing and settlement of publicly traded companies. Securities that are eligible to be electronically cleared and settled through DTC are considered to be "DTC eligible." DTC annually settles transactions worth hundreds of trillions of dollars, processes hundreds of millions of book-entry deliveries, and custodies millions of securities issues worth tens of trillions of dollars issued in the United States and over 100 other countries. Since 1999 it has been a subsidiary of the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, a securities holding company.

About ProStar (TSXV: MAPS) (FSE: 5D00)

ProStar is a world leader in Precision Mapping Solutions. ProStar's flagship product, PointMan, is natively cloud and mobile and is offered as a Software as a Solution (SaaS). ProStar's solutions seamlessly connect the field and office and provide the ability to precisely capture, record, display, and manage critical infrastructure data in real time including roads, railways, pipelines, and utilities. ProStar's solution is being adopted by some of the largest entities in North America, including Fortune 500 construction firms, the largest 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 19 issued patents in the United States and Canada, with more pending. 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

[email protected]

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.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

SOURCE ProStar Corp

Related Links

prostarcorp.com


PORTLAND, Ore., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research recently published a report, titled, "Radar Sensor Market By Type (Imaging, and Non-Imaging), Range (Short Range, Medium Range, and Long Range), Application (Air Traffic Control, Remote Sensing, Ground Traffic Control, Space Navigation and Control, and Others), and End User (Automotive, Aerospace and Defense, Environment and Weather Monitoring, Industrial, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20212030". As per the report, the global RADAR sensor industry was accounting for $10.63 billion in 2020, and is projected $33.13 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR OF 13.1% from 2021 to 2030.

Download Sample Report (Get Full Insights in PDF - 280 Pages) @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/6521

Major Determinants of the Market Growth

Surge in demand for radar systems in automotive and defense industries, increase in territorial battles across the globe, and rise in use of radar in remote sensing applications drive the growth of the global radar sensor market. However, high cost of radar systems hinders the market. On the contrary, high investment from developed countries in the military sector is expected to create lucrative opportunities in the future.

Covid-19 Scenario:

The Covid-19 pandemic affected the semiconductor and electronics industries due to prolonged lockdown in European and Asian countries. Moreover, the pandemic disrupted the supply chain and increased the prices of raw materials.

The pandemic created uncertainty in the stock market and led to falling business confidence. This hampered investments in electronic devices. Moreover, the majority of the electronic components are imported from China , and interruption in Chinese part exports hampered the radar sensor market.

The Non-Imaging Segment to Showcase the Highest CAGR through 2030

By type, the non-imaging segment is projected to register the highest CAGR of 14.2% during the forecast period, due to use of non-imaging radar to measure speed and plan position indicators to observe weather and air traffic. However, the imaging segment held the largest share in 2020, accounting for more than three-fifths of the global radar sensor market, owing to use of imaging radar in applications such as surface topography & coastal change, land use monitoring, ice patrol, and environmental monitoring.

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The Air Traffic Control Segment Held the largest Share

By application, the air traffic control segment dominated the market in 2020 in terms of revenue, contributing to more than one-fourth of the global radar sensor market, due to increase in number of airports, rise in air travel in developing countries, and increase in need for efficient airspace management system. However, the ground traffic control segment is anticipated to register the highest CAGR of 14.50% during the forecast period, owing to increase in need for airports to integrate advanced taxing guidance systems based on existing international standards and integrated technologies.

North America Held the Largest Share

By region, the market across North America held the largest share in 2020, accounting for nearly one-third of the market, due to increase in road accident victims, rapid increase in urbanization, and increase in deployment of radar systems in luxury vehicles. However, the global radar sensor market across Asia-Pacific is expected to manifest the highest CAGR of 15.0% from 2021 to 2030, due to increase in the defense budget of India and China and rise in demand for radar systems.

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Major Market Players

Honeywell International Inc.

L3harris Technologies Inc.

Infineon Technologies

NXP Semiconductors N.V.

Lockheed Martin Corporation

Saab AB

Raytheon Technologies Corporation

Texas Instruments

STMicroelectronics N.V.

Thales Group

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Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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CHICAGO, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the new market research report "Radiation Detection, Monitoring, and Safety Market by Product (Detection & Monitoring (Personal Dosimeters), Composition (Gas-filled detectors, Scintillator, Solid-state detector), Application (Healthcare, Industrial Application) - Global Forecast to 2026", published by MarketsandMarkets, the global Radiation Detection, Monitoring And Safety Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast period to reach USD 3.1 billion by 2026 from an estimated USD 2.2 billion in 2021.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Radiation Detection, Monitoring, & Safety Market"

242  Tables

45  Figures

240  Pages

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=987

The key factors propelling the growth of this market are growing security threats, the growing prevalence of cancer worldwide, increasing radiation safety awareness, growth in the number of PET/CT scans, and the increasing usage of nuclear medicine and radiation therapy for diagnosis and treatment.

Radiation detection & monitoring products segment accounted for the largest share of the global radiation detection, monitoring, and safety market in 2020.

Based on products, the radiation detection, monitoring market is segmented into radiation detection & monitoring products and radiation safety products. In 2020, the radiation detection & monitoring products segment accounted for the largest share of the global market. The larger share of this segment can be attributed to the extensive usage of radiation detection & monitoring products for various applications.

By Composition, the gas-filled detectors segment accounted for the largest market share in 2020.

Based on composition, the global radiation detection & monitoring products market is segmented into gas-filled detectors, scintillators, and solid-state detectors. The gas-filled detectors segment accounted for the largest share of the global market in 2020. Growth in this market segment is attributed to their wide applications in the medical imaging field.

By Application, healthcare accounted for the largest market share in 2020

Based on application, the radiation detection, monitoring, and safety market is segmented into healthcare, homeland security & defense, nuclear power plants, industrial applications, and other applications (academic research & environmental monitoring). Healthcare accounted for the largest share of the global market, by application, in 2020. This can be attributed to the large patient pool for target diseases and increasing radiation safety awareness.

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North America dominates the radiation detection, monitoring, and safety market

The global radiation monitoring, and safety market has been analyzed for four major regions-North America, Europe, the Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World (RoW). In 2020, North America accounted for the largest market share, followed by Europe, Asia Pacific, and the RoW. Growth in the North American market is majorly driven by favorable government initiatives, increasing number of nuclear power plants, rising prevalence of cancer, and increasing awareness of radiation safety.

The major players in the radiation detection, monitoring, and safety market are Thermo Fisher Scientific (US), Mirion Technologies (US), Fortive (US), AMETEK (US), and Fuji Electric (Japan).

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https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/medical-radiation-protection-market-1200.html

Intraoperative Radiation Therapy Market by Technology (Electron IORT, Brachytherapy), Products & Services (Accelerators, Treatment Planning system, Applicators, Afterloaders, Accessories), Application (Breast, Brain, Lung Cancer) - Global Forecasts to 2025

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Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model  GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors. MarketsandMarkets now coming up with 1,500 MicroQuadrants (Positioning top players across leaders, emerging companies, innovators, strategic players) annually in high growth emerging segments. MarketsandMarkets is determined to benefit more than 10,000 companies this year for their revenue planning and help them take their innovations/disruptions early to the market by providing them research ahead of the curve.

MarketsandMarkets's flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "Knowledge Store" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets.

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SOURCE MarketsandMarkets
CHICAGO, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- September 13-15 marks the reconvening of the additive manufacturing (AM) industry's most innovative and influential community, as RAPID + TCT returns to McCormick Place in Chicago. The event, produced by SME and the Rapid News Group, is North America's largest and most influential AM event. RAPID + TCT offers a massive collection of 3D-printing technologies, knowledge and insights from the industry's leading innovators, and the strongest and most-connected community in additive manufacturing. SME Executive Director & CEO Robert Willig made the announcement.

"While AM has been evolving for more than 30 years, the dynamic growth it has experienced continues to prove the value and unlimited potential for manufacturers. Looking back over the past year and a half, the world saw firsthand how this nimble technology created solutions that immediately impacted human lives," said Willig. "Every manufacturing sector can leverage AM technology to improve efficiency, lower cost and innovate more quickly; what happens at RAPID + TCT will influence the entire industry for years to come."

RAPID + TCT 2021 features groundbreaking product announcements and 250 hands-on exhibits showcasing real-world AM solutions from the industry's most respected experts and industry leaders.

The conference is focused on three prevalent themes centered around evaluation, adoption and optimization of AM, 3D scanning and related technologies. A comprehensive education lineup includes programming dedicated to Medical AM, three visionary keynotes, 11 thought leadership panels and interactive presentations from 150 industry leaders on the latest processes, applications, materials and research.

For the first time ever, event organizers are launching the RAPID + TCT LIVE! digital experience and event app, where attendees can participate remotely and access exclusive networking and digital content from speakers and exhibitors before, during and after the event.

Reinforcing AM's potential impact on all of manufacturing, RAPID + TCT attendees can also take advantage of complimentary access to the FABTECH exposition, the largest metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing event in North America. FABTECH will also be held at McCormick Place and runs September 13-16. This year's event features the 3D/Additive Manufacturing Pavilion with a new Presentation Showcase providing even more insights from industry-leading companies on the latest AM technologies.

SME's AM Technical Community Leadership Committee is heavily involved in the planning of RAPID + TCT. The community promotes and showcases innovative technologies and works closely with industry and academia to take manufacturing to a new level through their adoption. The community provides access to experts, conference presentations, industry news, videos and webinars to keep attendees on the leading edge of development  and prepare them for what's next. The committee also recognizes excellence in leadership in additive manufacturing through their prestigious AM Industry Achievement Award, which will also be presented at the event.

Emerging technologies such as AM are enabling manufacturers to reduce time to market, produce stronger and lighter parts, improve efficiency, reduce waste, cost and emissions, and create products and geometries that could not be created before. As manufacturers become more aware of the real benefits of using advanced manufacturing, they will be encouraged to adopt new technologies  ultimately improving their ability to compete on the global stage.

To learn more about the event, please visit rapid3devent.com .

About RAPID + TCT

For more than 30 years, SME and the RAPID has defined the crucial role of additive manufacturing and empowered the establishment of an industry that continues to conceive, test, improve and manufacture new products at a faster, more cost-efficient pace. In 2017, the two industry leaders in 3D technology events, SME and The TCT Group, partnered to produce the annual RAPID + TCT event. For users and suppliers alike, the event is the premier destination for those who provide technology and for those who need to understand, explore and adopt 3D printing, additive manufacturing, 3D scanning, CAD/CAE, metrology and inspection technologies. For more information, visit rapid3devent.com, follow @RAPID_Event on Twitter or on LinkedIn.

About SME

SME connects manufacturing professionals, academia and communities, sharing knowledge and resources to build inspired, educated and prosperous manufacturers and enterprises. With nearly 90 years of experience and expertise in events, media, membership, training and development, and also through the SME Education Foundation, SME is committed to promoting manufacturing technology, developing a skilled workforce and attracting future generations to advance manufacturing. Learn more at SME.org, follow @SME_MFG on Twitter or facebook.com/SMEmfg.

SOURCE SME
ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Refresco, the world's largest independent bottler for retailers and A-brands in Europe and North America, announces it has entered into an agreement with The Coca-Cola Company to acquire three of its production locations in the United States. This transaction is subject to regulatory approval.

Hans Roelofs, CEO Refresco, comments: "The ongoing trend of A-brands outsourcing their production capabilities continues to provide opportunities for us as an independent beverage solutions provider. With manufacturing and supply chain being at the heart of our business, the acquisition of three Coca-Cola facilities in the US is another step forward in our growth strategy."

Brad Goist, COO Refresco North America, adds: "Adding three hotfill production sites to our footprint is a great opportunity to further enhance our offering. I am convinced that our Retail and A-brand customers across North America will be able to benefit from our extended capabilities and broadened geographical footprint."

The prospective transaction includes three production facilities in Truesdale (Missouri), Waco (Texas) and Paw Paw (Michigan), and involves long-term agreements for contract manufacturing activities. Refresco will become one of Coca-Cola's strategic third-party contract manufacturers in the United States.

Strategic rationale

This acquisition is well aligned with Refresco's buy-and-build strategy, focused on further expanding and strengthening its manufacturing footprint across Europe and North America to service both retailers and A-brands.

All three hotfill production locations are highly complementary to Refresco North America's current manufacturing footprint. Through the acquisition, Refresco further improves its proximity to its existing customer base and expands its technological capabilities.

Transaction highlights

The transaction is subject to regulatory approval.

Refresco will finance the transaction from its existing cash position.

The financial terms of the transaction are not disclosed.





For more information, please contact:





Refresco Corporate Communications

Hendrik de Wit Lucia Domville (New York, US) +31 6 1586 1311 +1 (646) 824 2856 [email protected] [email protected]

About Refresco

Refresco is an independent bottler of beverages for retailers and A-brands with production in Europe and North America. The company has full year volumes and revenue of circa 12 billion liters and circa 4.1 billion, respectively. Refresco offers an extensive range of product and packaging combinations from 100% fruit juices to carbonated soft drinks and mineral waters in carton, PET, Aseptic PET, cans and glass. Focused on innovation, Refresco continuously searches for new and alternative ways to improve the quality of its products and packaging combinations in line with consumer and customer demand, environmental responsibilities and market demand. Refresco is headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands and has more than 10,000 employees. www.refresco.com

SOURCE Refresco

Related Links

http://www.refresco.com


PITTSBURGH, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Schneider Downs announces its certification by the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Security Standards Council as a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) Company, which grants authorization to provide audit services for merchants and service providers that handle payment card transactions.

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) was established as an information security standard for organizations that handle branded credit cards. Merchants of any size that accept cards are required to be compliant with the PCI Security Council security standards. All merchants must complete an annual Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) and Level 1 merchants, as defined by the PCI Security Standard Council, must obtain an annual Report on Compliance (RoC) from a QSA Company.

As a QSA Company, Schneider Downs is now approved to complete both RoCs for merchants and service providers that require them, as well as attest to the completeness and accuracy of SAQs performed by any merchant that does not require a formal RoC. The firm has historically provided a variety of services to assist with PCI DSS compliance, ranging from scoping of the cardholder data environment to delivering penetration and segmentation testing.

"We are excited to bring the firm's extensive experience in IT audit and PCI DSS together into this new service offering. Serving as a QSA allows us to help merchants of all sizes stay on the right side of compliance requirements, which ultimately protects consumers. With a continually evolving compliance landscape (a new revision of PCI DSS is anticipated in 2022), it is crucial for companies of all sizes to find a partner that can address all of their needs," stated Eric Wright, Shareholder. "The QSA designation better positions us to serve our clients and reduce their compliance overhead."

The PCI Security Standards Council defines a QSA Company as an independent security organizations that has been qualified by the PCI Security Standards Council to validate an entity's adherence to PCI DSS. QSA Employees are individuals who are employed by a QSA Company and have satisfied and continue to satisfy all QSA Requirements. Schneider Downs is now certified at the company level and has several designated QSA employees who can assist with your PCI audit.

Schneider Downs continues to offer a variety of additional services pertaining to PCI DSS compliance, including:

Cardholder data environment (CDE) scoping and reduction

PCI DSS gap assessment/readiness

Penetration testing

Segmentation testing

For more information please visit www.schneiderdowns.com/cybersecurity/payment-card-industry-data-security-standard-compliance.

Schneider Downs PCI DSS Contacts

Eric Wright CPA, CITP  [email protected]

Sean Thomas CISA, CISSP, CISM  [email protected]

Timothy Wolfgang CISA, CISSP, CCSFP  [email protected]

About Schneider Downs & Co., Inc.

Schneider Downs' IT Risk Advisory professionals help organizations gain valuable insights into their processes and technologies. Our dedicated IT Risk Advisory professionals have experience working with a wide variety of industries and companies of all sizes. We will partner with you to provide comprehensive IT risk advisory reviews that will ensure your organization has effective and efficient technology controls that better align the technology function with their business and risk strategies.

Schneider Downs is a top 60 independent Certified Public Accounting (CPA) firm providing accounting, tax, audit and business consulting services to public and private companies, not-for-profit organizations and global companies. The firm offers Risk Advisory; Technology Consulting; Software Solutions; Personal Financial Services; Retirement Plan Solutions and Corporate Finance Services. Schneider Downs is the 13th-largest accounting firm in the Mid-Atlantic region and serves individuals and companies in Pennsylvania (PA), Ohio (OH), West Virginia (WV), New York (NY), Maryland (MD), and additional states in the United States with offices in Pittsburgh, PA, Columbus, OH and Washington D.C.

Contact: Daniel Hooven, 412-697-5339

[email protected]

SOURCE Schneider Downs

Related Links

www.schneiderdowns.com


Now available in ebook and audiobook formats, Two Scorched Men is the latest story published by the Scribd Originals imprint, which features ambitious, original fiction and nonfiction short works. These vivid, compelling stories, many of which can be read in just a few hours, span a range of genres: narrative journalism, literary fiction, memoir, thrillers, mysteries, true crime, sci-fi, and narrative history. Notable authors who have published Scribd Originals include Roxane Gay, Charles Yu, Kaitlyn Greenidge, Lidia Yuknavitch, Myriam Gurba, and Jess Walter. Scribd Originals are available to all Scribd subscribers as part of their $9.99/month subscription fee.

Drawn from characters and places in Atwood's own life, Two Scorched Men is a semi-autobiographical tale about the author's years in Provence. At the center of the tale is a friendship between two very different and eccentric men whose lives were transformed by World War II and personal tragedy.

John is a hotheaded Irishman who served in the Royal Navy during World War II and barely survived the battles in the South Pacific. His uproarious rants and tempestuousness cover up some painful wounds. Francois was once an operative in the French Resistance. He's a playful man with a love for the absurd that belies the personal losses he's endured. The story's narrator and her husband rent from John a beautiful and vaguely haunted house that's set in the French countryside and is steeped in historyfrom the medieval heretics to the guerrilla fighters who murdered Germans in an effort to free France from occupation. Their time together in this special place forges a bond that inspires the narrator to write their story down.

Two Scorched Men is a very personal and moving tribute to the power of connection and resilience. It's as funny and affectionate as it is unsentimental about what it means to be human.

ABOUT SCRIBD

Scribd is the reading subscription service that's changing the way the world reads. For $9.99 a month, Scribd offers access to the best ebooks, audiobooks, magazine articles, and more. Scribd works directly with publishers to constantly add new content to the platform and provide its subscribers with high-quality and personalized reading recommendations. Scribd's goal is to inspire curiosity and learning through its diverse range of content, which amplifies important topics and underrepresented authors. The app is available on iOS and Android devices as well as web browsers. Follow @Scribd on Twitter and Instagram to learn more.

ABOUT SCRIBD ORIGINALS

Scribd Originals is a program featuring ambitious, original fiction and nonfiction, available exclusively on Scribd. These vivid, compelling stories, which can often be read in just a few hours, span a range of genres: narrative journalism, literary fiction, memoir, thrillers, mysteries, true crime, sci-fi, and narrative history.

ABOUT MARGARET ATWOOD

Margaret Atwood, whose work has been published in more than forty-five countries, is the author of more than fifty books of fiction, poetry, critical essays, and graphic novels. Dearly, her first collection of poetry in over a decade, was published in November 2020. Her latest novel, The Testaments, is a co-winner of the 2019 Booker Prize. It is the long-awaited sequel to The Handmaid's Tale, now an award-winning TV series. Her other works of fiction include Cat's Eye, finalist for the 1989 Booker Prize; Alias Grace, which won the Giller Prize in Canada and the Premio Mondello in Italy; The Blind Assassin, winner of the 2000 Booker Prize; the MaddAddam Trilogy; and Hag-Seed. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade, the Franz Kafka International Literary Prize, the PEN Center USA Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Los Angeles Times Innovator's Award. She lives in Toronto.

SOURCE Scribd

Related Links

https://www.scribd.com


Snappr was launched in 2016 and has since grown rapidly to be the largest on-demand photography platform in the English-speaking world, including coverage of over 200 metropolitan areas in the United States. Customers can book an on-demand photoshoot with as little as two hours notice for anything from a family portrait to a restaurant menu shoot. Snappr also has a fast-growing enterprise offering and API for brands with high-volume photography needs.

"I'm thrilled that our community of national brands and professional photographers have found a new home with Snappr" said Pretty Instant co-founder and CEO Ben Maitland-Lewis. "Their team has built an incredibly scalable platform that will continue to streamline the photographic needs of our clients on a global scale. Thank you to all of our clients and photographers for being a part of this journey with us. We wish you continued success with our friends at Snappr."

Snappr will continue to host the millions of original images commissioned by Pretty Instant customers at zero cost.

"We are happy and humbled to welcome Pretty Instant's customers into Snappr's fast growing family" said Snappr founder and CEO Matt Schiller. "They will now have access to our unrivalled network and all of our software features".

This is Snappr's third acquisition, the first being top Australian photographer directory Photographers.com.au in 2018 , and the second being top photo sharing platform Eversnap in 2020 . "Photography remains the second-most fragmented service industry after taxis. By building a centralized platform for creative services, we are removing a lot of the inefficiencies and getting better outcomes for both consumers and creatives," said Schiller.

The deal comes off the back of several photo technology acquisitions: Lifetouch's acquisition by Shutterfly in 2018; Flickr's acquisition by SmugMug in 2018; and Unsplash acquisition by Getty Images earlier this year. Flickr founder Caterina Fake is an investor in Snappr via her firm Yes VC.

CONTACT: [email protected]

SOURCE Snappr
BROOMFIELD, Colo, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- So Delicious Dairy Free, a purpose-driven leader in the plant-based category, today announced the launch of Good People Loop, a program that aims to support social and economic empowerment of farming partners across its supply chain. Good People Loop launched with a commitment to empower coconut farmer partners to adopt more sustainable practices like intercropping, composting and mulching organic matter which improves their crop yields. The program aims to increase crop yields by 50% and increase coconut farmer income by 100% over the next 5 years.

So Delicious Dairy Free, a purpose-driven leader in the plant-based category, today announced the launch of Good People Loop, a program that aims to support social and economic empowerment of farming partners across its supply chain  starting with coconut farmers in the Philippines. (Photographer Credit: Xyza Cruz Bacani)

The global coconut products industry is projected to reach $31.1 billion by 2026, with a compound average growth rate of 13.6%.1 However, despite the growing market for coconut-based products, many coconut farmers often live in poverty due to declining crop yields and a lack of transparency in the supply chain. As a leading producer of coconut-based products, So Delicious Dairy Free is passionately committed to improving the well-being and profitability of its supply chain partners, starting with coconut farmers in the Philippines.

"So Delicious Dairy Free is committed to doing #MoreThanTheMinimum to ensure that our farmer partners in the Philippines are able to thrive in their local economy," said Deanna Bratter, head of sustainable development, Danone North America. "As a leader in plant-based offerings for more than 30 years, we believe it's our responsibility to go beyond solely providing delicious, dairy-free products to do some good in the world. We believe in the possibilities of making positive social and environmental impacts, especially when everyone has an equitable seat at the table."

Income inequality is a devastating, intersectional, global issue that has long-term and sometimes unseen impacts. #MoreThanTheMinimum is So Delicious' commitment to a more just and inclusive economic system in which access to decent work and a living income is available to all, notably within its supply chain through the Good People Loop program.

In partnership with Livelihoods Fund for Family Farming (L3F) and Integrated Rural Development Fund (IRDF), Good People Loop works directly with 1,000 coconut farmers in the Philippines to better understand their needs and challenges, offering education and helping provide solutions to ultimately increase farmer income.

"We're proud to partner with So Delicious and Livelihoods Fund for Family Farming (L3F) to bring this program to life for coconut famers in the Philippines," said Arze Gilpo, executive director for Integrated Rural Development Foundation (IRDF). "IRDF supports the organizing of cooperatives and economic associations of small-scale farmers on the ground. The Good People Loop program aligns with our people-centered approach to sustainable development and promoting livelihood resiliency in the region."

So Delicious, part of Danone North America, is a member of the B Corp community, and the Good People Loop program underscores how brands can use business as a force for good to create economic and social value, while nurturing natural ecosystems through sustainable agriculture. This program builds upon Danone North America's commitment to fostering decent work and inclusive growth within the company's value chain, in alignment with the United Nation's Sustainable Development goals.

"As a brand, So Delicious is committed to helping good people, like our farmers, earn more from farming so they can continue to grow amazing coconuts that go into So Delicious products," said Dave Robinson, marketing director, So Delicious Dairy Free. "By choosing brands like So Delicious that invest in the people in their value chain, you're helping Good People Loop thrive."

Join So Delicious on Good People Loop and learn more about the brand's impact by visiting the People tab on the Impact section of our website.

About So Delicious Dairy Free

So Delicious Dairy Free has been bringing joy to dairy-free lives for the last 30 years. We offer an array of delicious dairy-free delights you can enjoy sipping, scooping, licking and drinking throughout the day. From our robust allergen testing program to the innovative work we do creating products made with the highest-quality ingredients, we are committed to doing the right thing for people, animals and the planet. Our entire line of foods and beverages is certified vegan and either enrolled in or verified by the Non-GMO Project. So Delicious Dairy Free offers a portfolio of dairy-free products, including frozen desserts, beverages, yogurt alternatives, coffee creamers and more, and is proud to be part of the B Corp Movement. Find more information at: https://bcorporation.net/directory/danone-north-america.

About Danone North America



Danone North America is a purpose-driven company and an industry leader in the food and beverage category. As a Certified B Corporation, Danone North America is committed to the creation of both economic and social value, while nurturing natural ecosystems through sustainable agriculture. Our strong portfolio of brands includes: Activia, DanActive, Danimals, Dannon, evian, Happy Family Organics, Honest to Goodness, Horizon Organic, International Delight, Light + Fit, Oikos, Silk, So Delicious Dairy Free, SToK, Two Good, Wallaby Organic and YoCrunch. With more than 6,000 employees and 14 production locations across the U.S. and Canada, Danone North America's mission is to bring health through food to as many people as possible. For more information, visit www.danonenorthamerica.com. For more information on Danone North America's B Corp status, visit: https://bcorporation.net/directory/danone-north-america.

About Livelihoods Funds and Livelihoods Fund for Family Farming

Livelihoods Funds bring together a coalition of private and public actors committed to restore degraded natural ecosystems, build sustainable supply chains and improve the livelihoods of millions of rural communities. Created in 2015, Livelihoods Fund for Family Farming (L3F) is an innovative investment vehicle of Livelihoods Funds, designed to transform the agricultural supply chains of pioneering brands (Mars, Danone, Firmenich, Veolia) while securing the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. With an investment target of 85 million euros over 10 years, L3F provides timely support for the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices, the empowerment of a new generation of farmers and the restoration of key natural resources.

More about Livelihoods Funds: https://livelihoods.eu/

More about Livelihoods Fund for Family Farming: https://livelihoods.eu/l3f/

1 ResearchandMarket.com, "Coconut Products Market Study, 2019-2026 - World Market Projected to Cross $31 Billion by 2026" 2020

SOURCE So Delicious Dairy Free

Related Links

https://sodeliciousdairyfree.com/


The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. 2 Expect LLC, Altec Lansing Inc., B & W Group Ltd., Bose Corp., Koninklijke Philips NV, LG Electronics Inc., Panasonic Corp., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Sharp Corp., and Sony Corp. are some of the major market participants. The increase in the number of smart homes will offer immense growth opportunities. To leverage the current opportunities, market vendors must strengthen their foothold in the fast-growing segments while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments.

Soundbar Market 2021-2025: Segmentation

Soundbar Market is segmented as below:

Application

Music Players



TV Sets



Computers

Geography

North America



Europe



APAC



South America



MEA

Buy our market report now to gain access to detailed analysis on the soundbar market: https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR41611

Soundbar Market 2021-2025: Vendor Analysis and Scope

Some of the major vendors of the soundbar market in the consumer electronics industry include 2 Expect LLC, Altec Lansing Inc., B & W Group Ltd., Bose Corp., Koninklijke Philips NV, LG Electronics Inc., Panasonic Corp., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Sharp Corp., and Sony Corp. To help businesses improve their market position, Technavio's report provides a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the market.

The report also covers the following areas:

Soundbar Market size

Soundbar Market trends

Soundbar Market industry analysis

The soundbar market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate. The increase in the number of smart homes will offer immense growth opportunities. However, the presence of counterfeit products will hamper the market growth.

Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports.

Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform

Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research report on the soundbar market is designed to provide entry support, customer profile & M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support.

Related Reports on Consumer Discretionary Include:

Global Automotive Audio Speakers Market - Global automotive audio speakers market is segmented by application (passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles) and geography (APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and MEA).

Download Exclusive Free Sample Report

Global Music Synthesizers Market - Global music synthesizers market is segmented by distribution channel (retail stores and online), type (digital synthesizers and analog synthesizers), and geography (North America, APAC, Europe, MEA, and South America).

Download Exclusive Free Sample Report

Soundbar Market 2021-2025: Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2021-2025

Detailed information on factors that will assist soundbar market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the soundbar market size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the soundbar market

Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of soundbar market vendors

Table of Contents:

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market ecosystem

Value chain analysis

Market Sizing

Market definition

Market segment analysis

Market size 2020

Market outlook: Forecast for 2020 - 2025

Five Forces Analysis

Five forces summary

Bargaining power of buyers

Bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of new entrants

Threat of substitutes

Threat of rivalry

Market condition

Market Segmentation by Application

Market segments

Comparison by Application

Music players - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

TV sets - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Computers - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Market opportunity by Application

Customer landscape

Geographic Landscape

Geographic segmentation

Geographic comparison

North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 APAC - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

South America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 MEA - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Key leading countries

Market opportunity by geography

Market drivers

Market challenges

Market trends

Vendor Landscape

Overview

Vendor landscape

Landscape disruption

Vendor Analysis

Vendors covered

Market positioning of vendors

2 Expect LLC

Altec Lansing Inc.

B & W Group Ltd.

Bose Corp.

Koninklijke Philips NV

LG Electronics Inc.

Panasonic Corp.

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

Sharp Corp.

Sony Corp.

Appendix

Scope of the report

Currency conversion rates for US$

Research methodology

List of abbreviations

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

Report: www.technavio.com/report/soundbar-market-industry-analysis

SOURCE Technavio
The term "Baby Black Unicorn" signifies a cybersecurity company that has the potential to reach a $1 billion dollar market value within 3-5 years (a few years longer than a Black Unicorn) as determined by private or public investment and these awards showcase those companies with this kind of incredible potential in the cybersecurity marketplace. JupiterOne's CISO Sounil Yu competed against many of the industry's leading Chief Information Security Officers and Security Experts at large in these award categories.

"We're pleased to name Sounil Yu of JupiterOne as a Top 10 CISO for 2021 among a small, elite group of information security professionals and also JupiterOne as a finalist 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.

"The whole JupiterOne team is thrilled to congratulate Sounil Yu for being named a Winner as a Top 10 CISO of 2021 and also to see JupiterOne recognized as a Baby Black Unicorn," said Erkang Zheng, CEO of JupiterOne. "Sounil has been a consistently inventive and thoughtful leader for the security sector, and he is a critical component of how our company continues to mature in the future."

About JupiterOne

JupiterOne is a cyber asset management and governance solution company, providing visibility and security into your entire cyber asset universe. JupiterOne creates a contextual knowledge base using graphs and relationships as the single source of truth for an organization's cyber asset operations. With JupiterOne, teams can discover, monitor, understand, and act on changes in their digital environments. Cloud resources, ephemeral devices, identities, access rights, code, pull requests, and much more are collected, graphed, and monitored automatically by JupiterOne. Visit us on social media: Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube.

About Cyber Defense Awards

This is Cyber Defense Magazine's 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-finalists-2021/

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 Media Inquiries:

Nathaniel Hawthorne for JupiterOne

Lumina Communications

(661) 965-0407

[email protected]

SOURCE JupiterOne

Related Links

https://jupiterone.com


HAMBURG, Germany, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 4, 2020, a massive explosion shook the city centre of Beirut. Around 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate blew up in the port of the Lebanese capital. A total of 190 people died, and more than 6,500 were injured. Around 800 buildings suffered severe damage, with property damage in excess of 4 billion euros. Despite the fact that the accident was documented in real time through social networks, global attention quickly waned. Why did media attention decline so quickly? Because the pandemic and the US presidential election dominated headlines in 2020, a year unlike others.

As an agency for brand content and in cooperation with the publishing house Gruner + Jahr, TERRITORY wants to make a strong statement to keep the memory alive. The Stones of Beirut cross-media campaign was created to raise awareness and draw the attention of the media, opinion leaders, and fellow citizens to the devastating consequences of the August 4, 2020 disaster.

At the heart of the project is the 250-page book of the same name. It recounts moving stories of local people and buildings connected to the explosion site in the port of the metropolis. It was written by renowned journalists Thore Schroder (foreign reporter, text), Vanessa Schlesier and Theresa Breuer (foreign reporters, moving image), and Meiko Herrmann (photographer). Each of the stories reflects a different facet of the fascinating city, which has been grappling with political and economic crises. The current emergency situation in Beirut makes the Stones of Beirut project particularly relevant. All stories are also available via the content hub at www.stones-of-beirut.de and social media channel @stonesofbeirut.

"TERRITORY leverages its network to help set the agenda and create the much-needed aid and support for Beirut by doing what we do best: creating relevant content and raising awareness, using multiple channels and communication that reaches people where they are," says Sandra Harzer-Kux, management spokesperson for TERRITORY.

What sets this book apart is that it is printed on stone paper. Instead of cellulose, limestone was used to make this particular paper. Stonepaper, the manufacturing company, usually uses lime from quarries for its paper. However, in this collaboration with TERRITORY, it drew on material obtained from destroyed houses in Beirut. About half a ton of rubble was shipped from Lebanon to the German print shop's yard. In this way, every page of Stones of Beirut contains a piece of the city.

"The book and multimedia content campaign serve multiple purposes: to literally dig out Beirut's cultural assets from the rubble, generate awareness, and get some much-needed aid to the people of Beirut," says Marlies Bayha, Executive Director at TERRITORY and the project's main lead.

"At TERRITORY, we usually communicate for brands. In the case of Stones of Beirut, it's a little different: We speak and broadcast in the service of humanity," adds Adrian Pickshaus, Executive Creative Director at TERRITORY and editor-in-chief of the project. "By recounting true experiences from the wounded city using the tools of quality journalism, we raise awareness and funds for local people."

Stones of Beirut will be available in November 2021 and can already be pre-ordered starting August 4, 2021, both in German and English. Due to its special manufacturing method, it will be published in a limited run of 1,500 copies. Proceeds from the sale of the book, as well as all other donations, will go to the aid organization and NGO Beit el Baraka in Beirut.

The book only marks the beginning of a larger cross-media campaign. With the aim of reaching as many people as possible and generating donations, the content is also available via the content hub www.stones-of-beirut.de, social media channel @stonesofbeirut, video content, OOH ads, influencer marketing and PR. The campaign has been developed holistically using the full range of skills across all of TERRITORY's teams.

High-resolution image and video material are available for download here.

Further information about the project can be found at https://www.stones-of-beirut.com

Partners:

stern e.V. Foundation (Stiftung stern e.V.)

Beit el Baraka

Stonepaper

About TERRITORY

We are a branded content agency that works with passion and conviction to define content territories for companies and their brands, to continuously energize them with content, actions, and services in order to foster relevance and attention. Wherever content has a decisive influence on the company's success, we want to be the best partner for our customers: as a content creation provider, influencer, social and digital marketing specialist, media agency, marketer, retail expert, employer branding consultant and platform operator.

About Stiftung stern e.V.

Through the stern e.V. foundation, the donations are forwarded to selected aid organizations in the field, which provide direct help to those affected. Following the devastating explosion in Beirut, STERN raised 50,000 euros from readers of STERN magazine last year, which was used to rebuild a hospital in the region.

Press contact

TERRITORY Content to Results GmbH

Nina Stoffel

Email: [email protected]

Tel.: +49 40 809 046 711

Chally Steinbrink

Email: [email protected]

Tel.: +49 40 809 046 712

SOURCE TERRITORY
Sun Valley, Idahoperhaps best known as a ski town, celebrity destination, and location of the "summer camp for billionaires" Allen & Company Conferencehas also established itself as an unlikely arts and culture hub thanks to work from SVMoA and other arts organizations.

"We're so proud to have welcomed such inspiring and accomplished artists to our small Idaho town over the years," said SVMoA Artistic Director Kristin Poole. "It's a testament to this community's desire to consider new perspectives and find connection. What we're most proud of, though, is our commitment to arts education."

In 2021, SVMoA marked $1 million in arts scholarships giving: 638 individual scholarships to students and 75 individual scholarships to teachers. More than 3,500 local students participate in K12 education programs annually.

SVMoA thanks its 1,200+ members and its annual Wine Auction bringing more than 350 vintners, chefs, and arts enthusiasts together each summer to raise more than $1millionto fuel its programs, along with its dedicated staff of just 14.

"This past year and a half especially has reminded us that art is the highest form of hope," continued Poole. "Our 50th Anniversary theme is 'creativity, community and connection,' and that's what we plan to keep bringing not just our local Idaho community but also visitors from across the globe."

SVMoA hosted it 50th Anniversary exhibit, " Clay, Silver, Ink: Sun Valley Center at 50 " through July, will welcome performing artists Twisted Pine and Pink Martini this summer, and look forward to lecturers like Journalist Kevin Fedarko, Curator Jock Reynolds and Author Sandra Cisneros through 2022.

"Over the past fifty years, the Sun Valley Museum of Art has helped to enrich our society," said best-selling author David Grann. "It has shown how the arts are our guidepost. They cast a light on our past, illuminate our creativity, unleash our empathy, reveal the unexpected, champion the oddities, and, most all, show us the sublime."

Notable Exhibiting Artists who SVMoA has hosted include: Kiki Smith, Walker Evans, Gerhard Richter, Agnes Martin, Margarita Cabrera, Gregory Crewdson, Andy Goldsworthy, Shirin Neshat, Helen Lundeberg, and George Nakashima

Notable Humanities Lecturers who SVMoA has hosted include: Jonathan Franzen, Terry Tempest Williams, Gloria Steinem, George Saunders, Jon Meacham, Anthony Doerr, Viet Thanh Nguyen, Lois Lowry and Geraldine Brooks

Notable Performing Artists who SVMoA has hosted include: Lyle Lovett, Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson, Dizzy Gillespie, Carole King, James Taylor, Mavis Staples, Wilco, Los Lobos, and Keb' Mo'

SOURCE Sun Valley Museum of Art

Related Links

https://svmoa.org/


The organization is now looking to build on that work, and in the spirit of Black Philanthropy Month, Tabor 100 is working to raise funds for the BBEF throughout August. Every dollar donated, will be utilized to fund black businesses, thus creating jobs.

In the spirit of Black Philanthropy Month, Tabor 100 is working to raise funds for the BBEF throughout August.

"Tabor has a rich history of creating and supporting Black businesses, not just in the Puget Sound region, but across Washington state," said Ollie Garrett, the President and CEO of Tabor 100. "We encourage our allies and business partners' to take this opportunity during Black Philanthropy Month  to give to our BBEF, so we can ensure those businesses thrive after COVID-19."

The BBEF was created during America's reckoning with race after George Floyd's death that coincided with 41 percent of Black businesses being shuttered over the past 18-months as the state battled COVID-19. Today, the fund stands as an economic grant funding source for black economic empowerment.

Pandemic relief efforts, like the Paycheck Protection Program, and many of the government grant and loan initiatives did not provide funding to Black businesses. The goal of the BBEF was to "level the playing field" as much as possible to give Black businesses another option to raise capital and grow their organizations.

"Black Philanthropy month feels like a culmination of the year-long efforts of the Washington Build Back Black Alliance (WBBBA) and Tabor 100 to encourage state and local investments in creating generational Black wealth," said Paula Sardinas, the President and CEO of FMS Global Strategies. "We also acknowledge today is Black Women's Equal Pay Day  and the contribution black women have made to both Washington state and the country. WBBBA  FMS Global Strategies

"Our work, philanthropy, and community service have all been acknowledged in Governor Jay Inslee's proclamation and we thank him on behalf of Tabor 100 and the WA Build Back Black Alliance."

Read the proclamation

Donate today Black Business Equity Fund | Tabor100.org

Media Contact:

KD Hall

206.966.2198

[email protected]

SOURCE Tabor 100

Related Links

https://www.tabor100.org


This release should be read with the Company's Financial Statements and Management Discussion & Analysis ("MD&A"), available at www.tasekomines.com and filed on www.sedar.com. Except where otherwise noted, all currency amounts are stated in Canadian dollars. Taseko's 75% owned Gibraltar Mine is located north of the City of Williams Lake in south-central British Columbia. Production volumes stated in this release are on a 100% basis unless otherwise indicated.

VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Taseko Mines Limited (TSX: TKO) (NYSE American: TGB) (LSE: TKO) ("Taseko" or the "Company") reports financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2021. Adjusted EBITDA* for the period was $47.7 million and Earnings from mining operations before depletion and amortization was $54.5 million, increases of 101% and 80%, respectively, over the first quarter of 2021. Net income for the second quarter 2021 was $13.4 million, or $0.05 per share, and Adjusted net income was $9.9 million, or $0.04 per share.

Stuart McDonald, President and CEO of Taseko, commented, "Our improved financial performance in the quarter was a result of the 20% increase in copper production at Gibraltar, and bolstered by strong copper prices which averaged US$4.40 per pound for the period. Head grades at Gibraltar increased in the latter part of the second quarter as we transitioned into higher-grade benches, although average head grade for the quarter was still below the life of mine average. With improving grades, we expect total copper production in the second half of the year to be at least 40% higher than the first half, which will lead to lower unit costs and improved margins and cash flow generation."

"At our Florence Copper project, permitting, engineering and procurement activities are progressing. As reported in early July, we expect the draft Underground Injection Control permit will be issued by the US EPA later in the third quarter. Detailed engineering is now 60% complete and at a point where we can begin securing and making initial payments on key, long lead items for the solvent extraction and electrowinning ("SX/EW") plant," continued Mr. McDonald. "Our balance sheet remains in a strong position with $226 million of cash on hand at June 30th, and a price protection strategy in place that assures strong cash flow generation over the next year. Advancing procurement initiatives will position us to efficiently progress into construction upon receipt of the final permit. Florence Copper will be America's new, innovative and low impact copper producer supplying the US domestic market with green copper."

Mr. McDonald added, "We recently announced the sale of our Harmony Gold project to JDS Gold Inc., who are a proven team of mine developers and builders. Harmony is an advanced stage gold project, and by retaining a 15% carried interest in JDS Gold Inc. and a 2% NSR on the project, we have the opportunity to realize significant value from this asset over the next few years. We will continue to look for other opportunities to create shareholder value from our extensive portfolio of long-life assets."

*Non-GAAP performance measure. See end of news release

Second Quarter Review

Second quarter earnings from mining operations before depletion and amortization* was $54.5 million , Adjusted EBITDA* was $47.7 million and Adjusted net income* was $9.9 million ( $0.04 per share);

, Adjusted EBITDA* was and Adjusted net income* was ( per share); Cash flows from operations was $72.5 million and the Company's cash balance at June 30, 2021 was $225.7 million ;

and the Company's cash balance at was ; Site operating costs, net of by-product credits* were US$1.77 per pound produced, and total operating costs (C1)* were US$2.02 per pound produced;

per pound produced, and total operating costs (C1)* were per pound produced; The Gibraltar mine produced 26.8 million pounds of copper in the second quarter. Copper recoveries were 83.3% and copper head grades were 0.22%. Mining operations transitioned into higher-grade benches in the Pollyanna pit in the later part of the quarter which resulted in a 20% increase in copper production over the first quarter and in line with management expectations;

mine produced 26.8 million pounds of copper in the second quarter. Copper recoveries were 83.3% and copper head grades were 0.22%. Mining operations transitioned into higher-grade benches in the Pollyanna pit in the later part of the quarter which resulted in a 20% increase in copper production over the first quarter and in line with management expectations; Gibraltar sold 26.7 million pounds of copper in the quarter (100% basis) which resulted in $105.5 million of revenue for Taseko. Average LME copper prices were US$4.40 per pound in the quarter;

sold 26.7 million pounds of copper in the quarter (100% basis) which resulted in of revenue for Taseko. Average LME copper prices were per pound in the quarter; In June, Gibraltar's long term offtake agreement for copper concentrate was extended with treatment and refining costs priced within a range of a 40% to 50% discount to benchmark levels, reflecting the high quality of Gibraltar concentrate;

long term offtake agreement for copper concentrate was extended with treatment and refining costs priced within a range of a 40% to 50% discount to benchmark levels, reflecting the high quality of concentrate; Detailed engineering and design of the commercial facility at Florence Copper is now 60% complete and the Company is preparing to make initial deposits for major processing equipment associated with the SX/EW plant, which will allow Florence Copper to efficiently advance construction activities upon receipt of the Underground Injection Control ("UIC") permit. The Company expects a draft UIC permit to be issued in the third quarter which will be followed by a public comment period;

During the quarter, the Company extended its copper price protection strategy by purchasing copper collars for the first half of 2022 which secure a minimum copper price of US$4.00 per pound and a ceiling price of US$5.60 per pound for 43 million pounds of copper. These 2022 collar contracts supplement the existing put option protection at US$3.75 per pound in place for the second half of 2021 for 41 million pounds of copper; and

per pound and a ceiling price of per pound for 43 million pounds of copper. These 2022 collar contracts supplement the existing put option protection at per pound in place for the second half of 2021 for 41 million pounds of copper; and In July 2021 , the Company entered into an agreement to sell the Harmony Gold Project ("Harmony") to JDS Gold Inc. ("JDS Gold"), a newly incorporated company controlled by JDS Energy & Mining Inc. and affiliates. Under the terms of the agreement, JDS Gold will become the owner and operator of Harmony, a high-grade development-stage gold project located on Graham Island in Haida Gwaii. The Company retains a 2% net smelter return royalty in Harmony and a 15% carried interest in JDS Gold.

*Non-GAAP performance measure. See end of news release

HIGHLIGHTS

Operating Data (Gibraltar - 100% basis) Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30,

2021 2020 Change 2021 2020 Change Tons mined (millions) 24.9 20.5 4.4 56.9 49.0 7.9 Tons milled (millions) 7.2 7.7 (0.5) 14.4 15.2 (0.8) Production (million pounds Cu) 26.8 36.8 (10.0) 49.0 69.2 (20.2) Sales (million pounds Cu) 26.7 39.3 (12.6) 48.7 70.4 (21.7)

Financial Data Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, (Cdn$ in thousands, except for per share amounts) 2021 2020 Change 2021 2020 Change Revenues 111,002 106,005 4,997 197,743 168,089 29,654 Earnings from mining operations before depletion and amortization* 54,482 50,336 4,146 84,795 56,259 28,536 Cash flows provided by operations 72,502 37,079 35,423 69,219 54,750 14,469 Adjusted EBITDA* 47,732 50,860 (3,128) 71,454 56,206 15,248 Adjusted net income (loss)* 9,948 8,335 1,613 4,414 (13,312) 17,726 Per share - basic ("adjusted EPS")* 0.04 0.03 0.01 0.02 (0.05) 0.07 Net income (loss) (GAAP) 13,442 18,745 (5,303) 2,225 (30,205) 32,430 Per share - basic ("EPS") 0.05 0.08 (0.03) 0.01 (0.12) 0.13



*Non-GAAP performance measure. See end of news release

REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

Gibraltar mine (75% Owned)

Operating data (100% basis)

Q2 2021 Q1 2021 Q4 2020 Q3 2020 Q2 2020 Tons mined (millions)

24.9 32.0 26.4 23.3 20.5 Tons milled (millions)

7.2 7.2 7.5 7.5 7.7 Strip ratio

2.3 6.0 1.9 1.5 1.9 Site operating cost per ton milled (CAD$)*

$9.16 $8.73 $11.67 $9.57 $7.66 Copper concentrate











Head grade (%)

0.22 0.19 0.20 0.23 0.28 Copper recovery (%)

83.3 81.5 83.3 85.0 85.2 Production (million pounds Cu)

26.8 22.2 25.0 28.9 36.8 Sales (million pounds Cu)

26.7 22.0 25.0 28.6 39.3 Inventory (million pounds Cu)

3.5 3.6 3.4 3.6 3.8 Molybdenum concentrate











Production (thousand pounds Mo)

402 530 549 668 639 Sales (thousand pounds Mo)

455 552 487 693 656 Per unit data (US$ per pound produced)*











Site operating costs*

$2.02 $2.23 $2.67 $1.85 $1.15 By-product credits*

(0.25) (0.27) (0.14) (0.14) (0.11) Site operating costs, net of by-product credits*

$1.77 $1.96 $2.53 $1.71 $1.04 Off-property costs

0.25 0.27 0.29 0.29 0.30 Total operating costs (C1)*

$2.02 $2.23 $2.82 $2.00 $1.34

Second Quarter Review

Copper production in the second quarter was 26.8 million pounds and improved 20% from the first quarter as higher ore grades were mined and processed from the Pollyanna pit in the latter part of the quarter. Copper recoveries also improved with the increasing ore grade.

A total of 24.9 million tons were mined in the second quarter in line with the mine plan. Mining rates and strip ratio were lower than the first quarter, which saw shorter hauling distances in the upper benches of the Pollyanna pit. In addition to longer hauls in the second quarter, mining rates were also impacted by a temporary layoff of mining personnel due to permitting delays. Initial waste stripping and dewatering of the Gibraltar pit commenced in May after receipt of the required permit.

Total site spending (including capitalized stripping of $14.8 million on a 75% basis) was generally consistent with the prior quarter. Capitalized stripping in the quarter decreased from the first quarter as a result of the lower strip ratio. Capital expenditures of $8.0 million on a 75% basis in the second quarter was higher than the first quarter due to timing of routine maintenance.

*Non-GAAP performance measure. See end of news release

REVIEW OF OPERATIONS - CONTINUED

Molybdenum production was 402 thousand pounds in the second quarter. Molybdenum prices strengthened in the second quarter and reached a high of just over US$20 per pound in late June. The average price of US$14.32 per pound was a $3.00 per pound increase from the first quarter. By-product credits per pound of copper produced* was US$0.25 in the second quarter, a decrease over the prior quarter due primarily to an increase in copper pounds produced.

Off-property costs per pound produced* were US$0.25 for the second quarter and lower than prior quarters due to the benefit of lower treatment and refining charges ("TCRC") on Gibraltar's offtake contracts. In addition, the Company delivered a tender shipment in the quarter at one of the lowest TCRC levels ever seen by the Gibraltar mine.

Total operating costs per pound produced (C1)* were US$2.02 for the quarter. Contributing to the decrease in C1* costs was significantly increased copper production compared to the first quarter, partially offset by lower capitalized stripping costs and a weaker US dollar in the second quarter.

GIBRALTAR OUTLOOK

Mining will continue to be focused on the Pollyanna pit which will be the main source of ore in 2021. Ore release from the Gibraltar pit will commence in the second half of the year. Total copper production in the second half of 2021 is expected to be at least 40% higher than the first half of the year, as higher-grade areas in Pollyanna are opened up and available for processing. Due to the lower production at the start of 2021, annual production is now anticipated to be approximately 120 million pounds, which is within the typical +/- 5% range for annual guidance.

Copper prices rallied to record levels in the second quarter and are currently around US$4.31 per pound. The current copper price and expected production growth is supportive of improved financial performance at the Gibraltar mine over the remainder of 2021.

Many governments are now focusing on increased infrastructure investment to stimulate economic recovery after the pandemic, including green initiatives, which will require new primary supplies of copper. Most industry analysts are projecting ongoing supply constraints and deficits, which should support these higher copper prices in the years to come.

In March 2021, the Company extended its copper price protection strategy by purchasing put options covering 41 million pounds of copper at a strike price of US$3.75 per pound for the second half of 2021. The Company has also purchased copper collars to secure a minimum copper price of US$4.00 per pound for 43 million pounds of copper for the first half of 2022. This approach to managing copper price volatility provides security over the Company's cash flow as it prepares for construction of Florence Copper while providing significant upside should copper prices continue at these levels or increase further.

FLORENCE COPPER

The commercial production facility at Florence Copper will be one of the greenest sources of copper for US domestic consumption, with carbon emissions, water and energy consumption all dramatically lower than a conventional mine. It is a unique low-cost copper project that will have an annual production capacity of 85 million pounds of copper over a 21-year mine life. With the expected C1* operating cost of US$1.10 per pound, Florence Copper will also be in the lowest quartile of the global copper cost curve. The Company has successfully operated a Production Test Facility ("PTF") for the last two years at Florence to demonstrate that the in-situ copper recovery ("ISCR") process can produce high quality cathode while operating within permit conditions.

*Non-GAAP performance measure. See end of news release

FLORENCE COPPER - CONTINUED

The next phase of Florence Copper will be the construction and operation of the commercial ISCR facility with an estimated capital cost of US$230 million (including reclamation bonding and working capital). At a conservative copper price of US$3.00 per pound, Florence Copper is expected to generate an after-tax internal rate of return of 37%, an after-tax net present value of US$680 million at a 7.5% discount rate, and an after-tax payback period of 2.5 years.

In December 2020, the Company received the Aquifer Protection Permit ("APP") from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality ("ADEQ"). During the APP process, Florence Copper received strong support from local community members, business owners and elected officials. The other required permit is the UIC permit from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA"). The EPA's technical review for the UIC permit has not identified any issues and the Company expects to receive the draft UIC permit in the third quarter followed by a public comment period.

Detailed engineering and design for the commercial production facility is now 60% complete and the Company is preparing to make initial deposits for major processing equipment associated with the SX/EW plant starting in the third quarter to ensure a smooth and efficient transition into construction once the final UIC permit is received.

With a cash balance of $226 million at the end of June, the Company has the majority of the required funding for construction of the commercial facility at Florence Copper in hand. Coupled with stronger expected operating cash flows from Gibraltar due to higher prevailing copper prices, the Company has numerous options available to obtain any remaining funding.

LONG-TERM GROWTH STRATEGY

Taseko's strategy has been to grow the Company by acquiring and developing a pipeline of complementary projects focused on copper in stable mining jurisdictions. We continue to believe this will generate long-term returns for shareholders. Our other development projects are focused primarily on copper and are located in British Columbia.

Yellowhead Copper Project

Yellowhead Mining Inc. ("Yellowhead") has an 817 million tonnes reserve and a 25-year mine life with a pre-tax net present value of $1.3 billion at an 8% discount rate using a US$3.10 per pound copper price. Capital costs of the project are estimated at $1.3 billion over a 2-year construction period. Over the first 5 years of operation, the copper equivalent grade will average 0.35% producing an average of 200 million pounds of copper per year at an average C1* cost, net of by-product credit, of US$1.67 per pound of copper. The Yellowhead Copper project contains valuable precious metal by-products with 440,000 ounces of gold and 19 million ounces of silver with a life of mine value of over $1 billion at current prices.

The Company is focusing its current efforts on advancing the environmental assessment and some additional engineering work in conjunction with ongoing engagement with local communities including First Nations. A focus group has been formed between the Company and high-level regulators in the appropriate Provincial ministries in order to expedite the advancement of the environmental assessment and the permitting of the project.

*Non-GAAP performance measure. See end of news release

LONG-TERM GROWTH STRATEGY - CONTINUED

New Prosperity Gold-Copper Project

In late 2019, the Tsilhqot'in Nation, as represented by Tsilhqot'in National Government, and Taseko entered into a confidential dialogue, facilitated by the Province of British Columbia, to try to obtain a long-term solution to the conflict regarding Taseko's proposed gold-copper mine currently known as New Prosperity, acknowledging Taseko's commercial interests and the Tsilhqot'in Nation's opposition to the project. The dialogue was supported by the parties' agreement on December 7, 2019 to a one-year standstill on certain outstanding litigation and regulatory matters that relate to Taseko's tenures and the area in the vicinity of Teztan Biny (Fish Lake).

The COVID-19 pandemic delayed the commencement of the dialogue, but the Tsilhqot'in Nation, the Province of British Columbia and Taseko have made progress in establishing a constructive dialogue. In December 2020, the parties agreed to extend the standstill for a further year to continue this dialogue.

Aley Niobium Project

Environmental monitoring and product marketing initiatives on the Aley Niobium project continue. The pilot plant program has successfully completed the niobium flotation process portion of the test, raising confidence in the design and providing feed to the converter portion of the process. Completion of the converter pilot test, which is underway, will provide additional process data to support the design of the commercial process facilities and provide final product samples for marketing purposes.

The Company will host a telephone conference call and live webcast on Thursday, August 5, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time (8:00 a.m. Pacific) to discuss these results. After opening remarks by management, there will be a question and answer session open to analysts and investors. The conference call may be accessed by dialing 416-764-8688 in Canada, 888-390-0546 in the United States, 08006522435 in the United Kingdom, or online at tasekomines.com/investors/events. The conference call will be archived for later playback until August 19, 2021 and can be accessed by dialing 416-764-8677 Canada, 888-390-0541 in the United States, or online at tasekomines.com/investors/events and using the passcode 121055#.

Stuart McDonald

President & CEO

No regulatory authority has approved or disapproved of the information in this news release.

NON-GAAP PERFORMANCE MEASURES

This document includes certain non-GAAP performance measures that do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. These measures may differ from those used by, and may not be comparable to such measures as reported by, other issuers. The Company believes that these measures are commonly used by certain investors, in conjunction with conventional IFRS measures, to enhance their understanding of the Company's performance. These measures have been derived from the Company's financial statements and applied on a consistent basis. The following tables below provide a reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable IFRS measure.

Total operating costs and site operating costs, net of by-product credits

Total costs of sales include all costs absorbed into inventory, as well as transportation costs and insurance recoverable. Site operating costs are calculated by removing net changes in inventory, depletion and amortization, insurance recoverable, and transportation costs from cost of sales. Site operating costs, net of by-product credits is calculated by subtracting by-product credits from the site operating costs. Site operating costs, net of by-product credits per pound are calculated by dividing the aggregate of the applicable costs by copper pounds produced. Total operating costs per pound is the sum of site operating costs, net of by-product credits and off-property costs divided by the copper pounds produced. By-product credits are calculated based on actual sales of molybdenum (net of treatment costs) and silver during the period divided by the total pounds of copper produced during the period. These measures are calculated on a consistent basis for the periods presented.

(Cdn$ in thousands, unless otherwise indicated)  75% Three months ended

June 30, Six months ended June 30, basis 2021 2020 2021 2020 Cost of sales 74,056 81,181 146,322 164,490 Less:







Depletion and amortization (17,536) (25,512) (33,374) (52,660) Net change in inventories of finished goods (4,723) (5,753) (2,464) (4,451) Net change in inventories of ore stockpiles 2,259 (50) (5,967) 553 Transportation costs (4,303) (5,834) (7,608) (10,353) Site operating costs 49,753 44,032 96,909 97,579 Less by-product credits:







Molybdenum, net of treatment costs (6,138) (4,252) (11,742) (7,483) Silver, excluding amortization of deferred revenue 64 (28) (174) (382) Site operating costs, net of by-product credits 43,679 39,752 84,993 89,714 Total copper produced (thousand pounds) 20,082 27,576 36,766 51,894 Total costs per pound produced 2.18 1.44 2.31 1.73 Average exchange rate for the period (CAD/USD) 1.23 1.39 1.25 1.37 Site operating costs, net of by-product credits (US$ per pound) 1.77 1.04 1.85 1.27 Site operating costs, net of by-product credits 43,679 39,752 84,993 89,714 Add off-property costs:







Treatment and refining costs 1,879 5,676 4,293 10,632 Transportation costs 4,303 5,834 7,608 10,353 Total operating costs 49,861 51,262 96,894 110,699 Total operating costs (C1) (US$ per pound) 2.02 1.34 2.11 1.56

NON-GAAP PERFORMANCE MEASURES - CONTINUED

Adjusted net income (loss)

Adjusted net income (loss) removes the effect of the following transactions from net income as reported under IFRS:

Unrealized foreign currency gains/losses;

Unrealized gain/loss on derivatives; and

Loss on settlement of long-term debt, including realized foreign exchange gains.

Management believes these transactions do not reflect the underlying operating performance of our core mining business and are not necessarily indicative of future operating results. Furthermore, unrealized gains/losses on derivative instruments, changes in the fair value of financial instruments, and unrealized foreign currency gains/losses are not necessarily reflective of the underlying operating results for the reporting periods presented.



Three months ended

June 30, Six months ended June 30, (Cdn$ in thousands, except per share amounts) 2021 2020 2021 2020 Net income (loss) 13,442 18,745 2,225 (30,205) Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss (3,764) (12,985) 5,034 16,762 Realized foreign exchange gain on settlement of long-term debt - - (13,000) - Loss on settlement of long-term debt - - 12,739 - Unrealized loss on derivatives 370 3,528 1,172 180 Estimated tax effect of adjustments (100) (953) (3,756) (49) Adjusted net income (loss) 9,948 8,335 4,414 (13,312) Adjusted EPS 0.04 0.03 0.02 (0.05)

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA is presented as a supplemental measure of the Company's performance and ability to service debt. Adjusted EBITDA is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in the industry, many of which present Adjusted EBITDA when reporting their results. Issuers of "high yield" securities also present Adjusted EBITDA because investors, analysts and rating agencies consider it useful in measuring the ability of those issuers to meet debt service obligations.

Adjusted EBITDA represents net income before interest, income taxes, and depreciation and also eliminates the impact of a number of items that are not considered indicative of ongoing operating performance. Certain items of expense are added and certain items of income are deducted from net income that are not likely to recur or are not indicative of the Company's underlying operating results for the reporting periods presented or for future operating performance and consist of:

Unrealized foreign exchange gains/losses;

Unrealized gain/loss on derivatives;

Loss on settlement of long term debt (included in finance expenses);

Realized foreign exchange gain on settlement of long-term debt; and

Amortization of share-based compensation expense.



Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, (Cdn$ in thousands) 2021 2020 2021 2020 Net income (loss) 13,442 18,745 2,225 (30,205) Add:







Depletion and amortization 17,536 25,512 33,374 52,660 Finance expense (includes loss on settlement of long-term debt) 11,649 10,461 35,607 21,232 Finance income (184) (48) (259) (198) Income tax (recovery) expense 7,033 4,326 2,731 (5,792) Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss (3,764) (12,985) 5,034 16,762 Realized foreign exchange gain on settlement of long-term debt - - (13,000) - Unrealized loss on derivatives 370 3,528 1,172 180 Amortization of share-based compensation expense 1,650 1,321 4,570 1,567 Adjusted EBITDA 47,732 50,860 71,454 56,206

NON-GAAP PERFORMANCE MEASURES - CONTINUED

Earnings from mining operations before depletion and amortization

Earnings from mining operations before depletion and amortization is earnings from mining operations with depletion and amortization added back. The Company discloses this measure, which has been derived from our financial statements and applied on a consistent basis, to provide assistance in understanding the results of the Company's operations and financial position and it is meant to provide further information about the financial results to investors.



Three months ended

June 30, Six months ended

June 30, (Cdn$ in thousands) 2021 2020 2021 2020 Earnings from mining operations 36,946 24,824 51,421 3,599 Add:







Depletion and amortization 17,536 25,512 33,374 52,660 Earnings from mining operations before depletion and amortization 54,482 50,336 84,795 56,259

Site operating costs per ton milled



Three months ended

June 30, Six months ended

June 30, (Cdn$ in thousands, except per ton milled amounts) 2021 2020 2021 2020 Site operating costs (included in cost of sales) 49,753 44,032 96,909 97,579









Tons milled (thousands) (75% basis) 5,429 5,748 10,831 11,370 Site operating costs per ton milled $9.16 $7.66 $8.95 $8.58

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This document contains "forward-looking statements" that were based on Taseko's expectations, estimates and projections as of the dates as of which those statements were made. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "outlook", "anticipate", "project", "target", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "should" and similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These included but are not limited to:

uncertainties about the effect of COVID-19 and the response of local, provincial, federal and international governments to the threat of COVID-19 on our operations (including our suppliers, customers, supply chain, employees and contractors) and economic conditions generally and in particular with respect to the demand for copper and other metals we produce;

uncertainties and costs related to the Company's exploration and development activities, such as those associated with continuity of mineralization or determining whether mineral resources or reserves exist on a property;

uncertainties related to the accuracy of our estimates of mineral reserves, mineral resources, production rates and timing of production, future production and future cash and total costs of production and milling;

uncertainties related to feasibility studies that provide estimates of expected or anticipated costs, expenditures and economic returns from a mining project;

uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary licenses permits for development projects and project delays due to third party opposition;

uncertainties related to unexpected judicial or regulatory proceedings;

changes in, and the effects of, the laws, regulations and government policies affecting our exploration and development activities and mining operations, particularly laws, regulations and policies;

changes in general economic conditions, the financial markets and in the demand and market price for copper, gold and other minerals and commodities, such as diesel fuel, steel, concrete, electricity and other forms of energy, mining equipment, and fluctuations in exchange rates, particularly with respect to the value of the U.S. dollar and Canadian dollar, and the continued availability of capital and financing;

the effects of forward selling instruments to protect against fluctuations in copper prices and exchange rate movements and the risks of counterparty defaults, and mark to market risk;

the risk of inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance to cover mining risks;

the risk of loss of key employees; the risk of changes in accounting policies and methods we use to report our financial condition, including uncertainties associated with critical accounting assumptions and estimates;

environmental issues and liabilities associated with mining including processing and stock piling ore; and

labour strikes, work stoppages, or other interruptions to, or difficulties in, the employment of labour in markets in which we operate mines, or environmental hazards, industrial accidents or other events or occurrences, including third party interference that interrupt the production of minerals in our mines.

For further information on Taseko, investors should review the Company's annual Form 40-F filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission www.sec.gov and home jurisdiction filings that are available at www.sedar.com .

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information

This discussion includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this discussion, other than statements of historical facts, that address future production, reserve potential, exploration drilling, exploitation activities, and events or developments that the Company expects are forward-looking statements. Although we believe the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. All of the forward-looking statements made in this MD&A are qualified by these cautionary statements. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law. Further information concerning risks and uncertainties associated with these forward-looking statements and our business may be found in our most recent Form 40-F/Annual Information Form on file with the SEC and Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities.

SOURCE Taseko Mines Limited

Related Links

www.tasekomines.com


CLEVELAND, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Teamsters Ohio DRIVE Committee announces its support for Dennis Kucinich for Mayor of Cleveland. Ohio DRIVE is an independent and non-partisan Political Action Committee that supports candidates who fight for the union and the rights of workers.

"In Congress and in city hall, Dennis Kucinich has been a champion for workers and their families," said Sonny Nardi, Ohio DRIVE Secretary-Treasurer. "Dennis has always stood with workers and that's why we stand with him today."

"Workers have the right to organize, negotiate and strike for higher wages, safer workplaces and a secure retirement," Kucinich said. "At every level of government, I've taken a stand on behalf of working men and women and as mayor we will let people know everywhere that city hall belongs first and foremost to the working men and women of this community."

Teamsters affiliated local unions represent more than 5,200 members and retirees in the city of Cleveland. Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.

Contact:

Sonny Nardi, (817) 429-9863

SOURCE Teamsters Ohio DRIVE

Related Links

https://teamster.org


AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Epiphany Dermatology, a leading dermatology company committed to improving access to exceptional dermatologic care, announced today it has expanded its presence into the state of Wyoming through its partnership with Teton Dermatology.

Founded in 2010 by Jonathan Baker, MD, and Brittany Baker, MD, Teton Dermatology has a strong reputation of providing high-quality dermatology services to patients at its Jackson, Wyoming, and surrounding locations. Teton Dermatology's provider team is dedicated to personalized and professional skin care.

Dr. Jonathan Baker is a board-certified dermatologist who earned his medical degree at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and completed his dermatology residency at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego. Dr. Baker is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, and the Association of Military Dermatologists. Dr. Brittany Baker is a board-certified dermatologist who earned her medical degree and completed her dermatology residency at Oregon Health & Sciences University, and she is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology.

The Teton Dermatology team consists of four board-certified dermatologists and two physician assistants  all of whom are focused on raising the level of care available to patients in Jackson Hole and surrounding markets. Teton Dermatology offers a broad range of dermatologic services including medical, surgical, cosmetic, and Mohs surgery.

Drs. Jonathan and Brittany Baker commented, "Our staff and we are excited to join Epiphany, which has proven itself to be a high-integrity company comprised of caring dermatologists. Epiphany's mission and values dovetail with what our people believe in  providing excellent medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatologic services for our patients. By forming this partnership with Epiphany, they have the expertise to help us manage the growing changes in the medical regulatory arena while we focus on taking care of our patients and serving our community."

Gheorghe Pusta, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Epiphany said, "We are thrilled to welcome the Bakers and their capable team, including board-certified dermatologists Drs. Jane Khoury and Nathan Uebelhoer. Through our interactions with the Bakers and their team, we have been impressed by their commitment to serving patients in their community. We are pleased to find a strong cultural alignment and determination to make exceptional patient care accessible. This is an exciting opportunity to expand our provider network and improve access to great dermatologic care in the Jackson, WY market."

Through this partnership, Teton Dermatology's providers and staff gain additional resources to help with operations, managed care, marketing, compliance, human resources, recruiting, IT, and many other support services. Epiphany also benefits from the clinical expertise of Teton Dermatology's physicians and team, as best practices are collaboratively shared across the Epiphany network.

About Epiphany Dermatology

Epiphany Dermatology is a rapidly expanding dermatology company, driven by a passion to improve access to high quality dermatologic care in a values-based manner. Through its partnership with leading dermatologists across 62 locations in Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming, Epiphany provides general dermatology, skin cancer care, Mohs surgery, cosmetic services, and additional dermatologic services. Epiphany raises the standard of dermatologic care by making clinical excellence accessible to all patients, promptly and in a warm and inviting environment. Epiphany Dermatology is headquartered in Austin, Texas. For more details, please visit www.epiphanydermatology.com or call (512) 628-0465.

Ted Emmert

Chief Development Officer

Epiphany Dermatology

(512) 628-0465

[email protected]

Gheorghe Pusta

Chief Executive Officer

Epiphany Dermatology

(512) 628-0465

[email protected]

SOURCE Epiphany Dermatology

Related Links

http://www.epiphanydermatology.com


AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Within four weeks of launching its franchise program, That 1 Painterthe Texas-based painting company founded in 2011has signed franchise agreements with two business leaders, setting the stage for upcoming locations in Tyler and Plano.

The new franchisees have a goal to change lives on both a local and global scale through That 1 Painter's joint mission of creating transformative painting experiences for customers in the US and providing necessary resources to struggling citizens in East Africa, a T1P program known as "Paint It Forward."

When you join That 1 Painter as a franchisee, you'll be expected to roll up your sleeves and get to work. Not to paint. But to take charge of your own business and balance the many demands that come with being your own boss. We Show You How To Build Your Team to Build Your Business

Indeed, Chad Fancher, head of T1P's new Tyler branch, cites the Paint It Forward initiative as one of his foremost reasons for signing on: "I knew it was the right fit when I learned of the Paint it Forward program and how That 1 Painter is involved with missions," Fancher says, adding, "Pair that with [ founder] Steven's knowledge and success in the industry, and I instantly knew this was the culture and team I wanted to be a part of."

T1P Longview operator, Daniel Kim, also points out the company's additional franchise benefits, including the fact that T1P actively encourages financial autonomy for new business owners. "I joined T1P to own a business that will enable me to have a solid stream of income and the freedom to operate my own franchise in a thriving market," Kim notes.

That 1 Painter's growth over the past decade supports Kim's statement. With hundreds of five-star reviews across 18 home repair and paint services for its Austin and San Marcos locations, T1P has created a multimilliondollar business model that doubled revenue during COVID-19, despite obvious logistical challenges. In addition, T1P's extensive training program, along with its plug and play marketing and booking systems, offer franchise teams a wide array of tools to help meet community demands.

Interested parties are invited to visit that1painterfranchise.com for more information on the current $10,000 franchise discount (taken off the regular price of $39,000). Only eight discount spots remain, and potential applicants are strongly advised to contact Gary Ochiogrosso at [email protected] as soon as possible.

About That 1 Painter

Founded to help both local and global communities, That 1 Painter offers 18 paint-related contractor services to customers in and around Austin, San Marcos, Tyler, and Longview, with plans for ongoing expansion. The company is also known for its charitable outreach efforts, which include free painting services to homeowners in need and the T1P "Paint It Forward" program, which provides meals to East African refugees.

Media Contact:

Marisa Rae

917-991-2465

[email protected]

SOURCE That 1 Painter
BOSTON, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Brattle Group is pleased to announce that Shauna Weber has joined the firm's Boston office as Vice President of Talent. With nearly 20 years of hands-on human resources and operations experience, Ms. Weber has deep expertise in aligning business needs with people and culture.

Ms. Weber will lead all aspects of Brattles global human resources strategies.

Ms. Weber will lead all aspects of Brattle's global human resources strategies  including talent discovery, development, and performance management; learning and professional development; compensation and benefits; employee relations; staffing; and continuing to promote a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workforce.

"Shauna is an outstanding addition to Brattle's leadership team," said Brattle COO Kevin Steinberg. "Identifying, fostering, and retaining top talent are vital components of our business strategy, and she will be a trusted leader, collaborator, and strategic business partner. She has a strong track record of building relationships, communicating with transparency, enhancing company culture, and promoting organizational change. Shauna is a natural fit with Brattle's vision and values."

Before joining Brattle, Ms. Weber was the HR Leader for the Northeast region at one of the largest providers of accounting, audit, and business consulting services in the US. She also spent more than 15 years with a global economics consultancy, including roles as the Director of Operations and as a Managing Director of Human Resources.



"I'm thrilled to be joining Brattle's talented and collaborative group of professionals," noted Ms. Weber. "Brattle is about its people first and foremost. As we navigate the next steps in the evolution of the workplace, I'm honored to have the opportunity to help develop, nurture, and support Brattle's human resources team and the firm's strategic priorities."

About Brattle

The Brattle Group answers complex economic, finance, and regulatory questions for corporations, law firms, and governments around the world. We are distinguished by the clarity of our insights and the credibility of our experts, which include leading international academics and industry specialists. Brattle has over 400 talented professionals across three continents. For more information, please visit brattle.com.

SOURCE The Brattle Group

Related Links

http://www.brattle.com


WILMINGTON, Del., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chemours Company ("Chemours") (NYSE: CC), a global chemistry company with leading market positions in Titanium Technologies, Thermal & Specialized Solutions, Advanced Performance Materials, and Chemical Solutions, today announced that it has commenced a tender offer (the "Tender Offer") to purchase for cash any and all of its outstanding 7.000% senior notes due 2025 (the "Notes").

In connection with the Tender Offer, Chemours is also soliciting (the "Consent Solicitation") from holders of the Notes consents (the "Consents") to proposed amendments to the indenture, dated as of May 12, 2015 (the "Base Indenture"), as supplemented by the second supplemental indenture, dated May 12, 2015, which governs the Notes (the "Second Supplemental Indenture" and, together with the Base Indenture, the "Indenture"), providing for the shortening of the minimum notice periods under the Indenture for the optional redemption of the Notes by Chemours (the "Proposed Amendments"). The terms and conditions of the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation are described in an Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement, dated August 4, 2021 (the "Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement"). The following table summarizes the material pricing terms of the Tender Offer.

CUSIP / ISIN Outstanding

Principal

Amount Title of

Notes Early

Tender

Payment(1)(2) Tender Offer

Consideration

(1)(3) Total

Consideration

(1)(3) Registered

Notes:

CUSIP:

163851AD0

ISIN:

US163851AD01 $750,000,000.00 7.000%

Senior

Notes due

May 15, 2025 $30.00 $995.00 $1,025.00

(1) Per $1,000 principal amount of Notes tendered and accepted for purchase. (2) Included in the Total Consideration for Notes tendered and accepted for purchase on or prior to the Early Tender Deadline. (3) Does not include accrued and unpaid interest from the last date on which interest has been paid to, but excluding, the Early Settlement Date or the Final Settlement Date (each, as defined in the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement), as applicable, that will be paid on the Notes accepted for purchase.

The Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation will expire at Midnight, New York City time, at the end of August 31, 2021, unless extended or earlier terminated by Chemours (the "Expiration Date"). No tenders submitted after the Expiration Date will be valid. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Tender Offer, holders of Notes that are validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) on or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on August 17, 2021 (such date and time, as it may be extended, the "Early Tender Deadline") and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer will be eligible to receive the Total Consideration set forth in the table above, which includes the Early Tender Payment set forth in the table above. Holders of Notes tendering their Notes after the Early Tender Deadline and on or prior to the Expiration Date will only be eligible to receive the Tender Offer Consideration set forth in the table above, which is the Total Consideration less the Early Tender Payment.

In addition, holders of all Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer will receive accrued and unpaid interest on such Notes from the last interest payment date with respect to such Notes to, but excluding, the Early Settlement Date or the Final Settlement Date, as applicable.

The consummation of the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation are subject to, and conditioned upon, the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions described in the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement, including, among other things, Chemours consummating the New Debt Financing (as defined in the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement) on terms satisfactory to it, and having funds available therefrom, together with cash on hand, that will allow it to purchase the Notes pursuant to the Tender Offer.

In order for the Proposed Amendments to be adopted, Consents must be received in respect of at least a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (excluding Notes held by Chemours or its affiliates) (the "Requisite Consents"). Assuming receipt of the Requisite Consents, Chemours expects to execute and deliver a supplemental indenture (the "Supplemental Indenture") to the Indenture giving effect to the Proposed Amendments, promptly following the receipt of the Requisite Consents. The Supplemental Indenture will become effective upon execution, but will provide that the Proposed Amendments will not become operative until Chemours accepts for purchase the Notes satisfying the Requisite Consents in the Tender Offer.

Any Notes validly tendered and related Consents validly delivered may be withdrawn or revoked from the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation on or prior to the Early Tender Deadline. Any Notes validly tendered and related Consents validly delivered on or prior to the Early Tender Deadline that are not validly withdrawn or validly revoked prior to the Early Tender Deadline may not be withdrawn or revoked thereafter, except as required by law. In addition, any Notes validly tendered and related Consents validly delivered after the Early Tender Deadline may not be withdrawn or revoked, except as required by law.

Concurrently with the commencement of the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation and conditioned upon the receipt of the net proceeds from the New Debt Financing and the lack of receipt of the Requisite Consents on or prior to the Early Tender Deadline, we issued a notice of redemption for any Notes that remain outstanding following the consummation or termination of the Offer and the Consent Solicitation. Any such redemption would be made in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, which provides for a redemption price equal to 102.333%, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date. In addition, assuming the execution and delivery of the Supplemental Indenture, we currently intend, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Indenture, as may be amended as a result of the Proposed Amendments, to mail a notice of redemption to the holders of any outstanding Notes on the Early Settlement Date, if any, although we have no legal obligation to do so and the selection of any particular redemption date is in our discretion. These statements shall not constitute a notice of any such redemptions under the Indenture. Any such notice, if made, will only be made in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any security. No offer, solicitation, or sale will be made in any jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful.

Citigroup Global Markets Inc. is the dealer manager and solicitation agent (the "Dealer Manager") in the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation. Global Bondholder Services Corporation has been retained to serve as both the depositary and the information agent (the "Depositary and Information Agent") for the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation. Questions regarding the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation should be directed to the Dealer Manager at (800) 558-3745 (Toll Free) or (212) 723-6106. Requests for copies of the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement and other related materials should be directed to Global Bondholder Services Corporation at [email protected] (email), (866) 470-3800 (U.S. Toll-Free), (212) 430-3774 (Banks and Brokers) or at https://www.gbsc-usa.com/Chemours/ (website).

None of Chemours, its board of directors, the Dealer Manager, the Depositary and Information Agent, the Trustee under the Indenture, or any of Chemours' affiliates, makes any recommendation as to whether holders of the Notes should tender any Notes in response to the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation. The Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation are made only by the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement. The Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation are not being made to holders of Notes in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities, blue sky or other laws of such jurisdiction. In any jurisdiction in which the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation are required to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation will be deemed to be made on behalf of Chemours by the Dealer Manager or one or more registered brokers or dealers that are licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction.

About The Chemours Company

The Chemours Company (NYSE: CC) is a global leader in Titanium Technologies, Thermal & Specialized Solutions, Advanced Performance Materials, and Chemical Solutions, providing its customers with solutions in a wide range of industries with market-defining products, application expertise and chemistry-based innovations. Chemours delivers customized solutions with a wide range of industrial and specialty chemicals products for markets, including coatings, plastics, refrigeration and air conditioning, transportation, semiconductor and consumer electronics, general industrial, mining, and oil and gas. Our flagship products include prominent brands such as Ti-Pure, Opteon, Freon, Teflon, Viton, Nafion, and Krytox. In 2019, Chemours was named to Newsweek's list of America's Most Responsible Companies. Chemours has approximately 6,500 employees and 30 manufacturing sites serving approximately 3,300 customers in approximately 120 countries. Chemours is headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware and is listed on the NYSE under the symbol CC.

For more information, we invite you to visit chemours.com or follow us on Twitter @Chemours or LinkedIn .

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to a historical or current fact. The words "believe," "expect," "will," "anticipate," "plan," "estimate," "target," "project" and similar expressions, among others, generally identify "forward-looking statements," which speak only as of the date such statements were made. These forward-looking statements may address, among other things, the outcome or resolution of any pending or future environmental liabilities, the commencement, outcome or resolution of any regulatory inquiry, investigation or proceeding, the initiation, outcome or settlement of any litigation, changes in environmental regulations in the U.S. or other jurisdictions that affect demand for or adoption of our products, anticipated future operating and financial performance for our segments individually and our company as a whole, business plans, prospects, targets, goals and commitments, capital investments and projects and target capital expenditures, plans for dividends or share repurchases, sufficiency or longevity of intellectual property protection, cost reductions or savings targets, plans to increase profitability and growth, our ability to make acquisitions, integrate acquired businesses or assets into our operations, achieve anticipated synergies or cost savings, the terms and timing for completion of the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation, including the acceptance for purchase of any Notes validly tendered and any related Consents validly delivered, the expected Early Tender Deadline, Expiration Date and Settlement Dates thereof, and the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions of the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation and statements regarding the terms or timing of the New Debt Financing and the redemption of the Notes, all of which are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and expectations of future events that may not be accurate or realized. These statements are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements also involve risks and uncertainties that are beyond Chemours' control. Factors that may cause actual results to vary include, but are not limited to, conditions in financial markets and investor response to Chemours' Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation and inadequate investor response on adequate terms to the New Debt Financing intended to satisfy the condition to the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation. In addition, the current COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the national and global economy and commodity and financial markets, which has had and we expect will continue to have a negative impact on our financial results. The full extent and impact of the pandemic is unknown and to date has included extreme volatility in financial and commodity markets, a significant slowdown in economic activity, and increased predictions of a global recession. The public and private sector response has led to significant restrictions on travel, temporary business closures, quarantines, stock market volatility, and a general reduction in consumer and commercial activity globally. Matters outside our control have affected our business and operations and may continue to limit travel of employees to our business units domestically and internationally, adversely affect the health and welfare of our personnel, significantly reduce the demand for our products, hinder our ability to provide goods and services to customers, cause disruptions in our supply chains, adversely affect our business partners or cause other unpredictable events. Additionally, there may be other risks and uncertainties that Chemours is unable to identify at this time or that Chemours does not currently expect to have a material impact on its business. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include, but are not limited to the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021 and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. Chemours assumes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement for any reason, except as required by law.

CONTACT

INVESTORS

Jonathan Lock

VP, Corporate Development and Investor Relations

+1.302.773.2263

[email protected]

NEWS MEDIA

Cassie Olszewski

Media Relations and Financial Communications Manager

+1.302.219.7140

[email protected]

SOURCE The Chemours Company

Related Links

www.chemours.com


BOGOTA, Colombia, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Ecopetrol S.A. (BVC: ECOPETROL;NYSE: EC) informs that it has voluntarily adopted the recommendations issued by the Financial Stability Board's Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) as part of its disclosure policies.

In this regard, the Company has published its first specialized report on the subject, for the year 2020, where the disclosures seek to reinforce its processes and to have a better understanding of matters related to risks and opportunities derived from climate change, through discussions regarding governance, strategy, risks management, and metrics and targets.

The full report can be viewed at the following link:

https://www.ecopetrol.com.co/wps/portal/Home/en/investors/sustainability-reports/sustainability-reports

Ecopetrol is the largest company in Colombia and one of the main integrated oil and gas conglomerates in Latin America, with more than 13,000 employees. It accounts for more than 60% of the hydrocarbon production in Colombia, and it owns the largest refineries and most of the country's oil-pipelines and multi-purpose pipelines network. It also participates in the commercialization of energy and in the distribution of gas. At the international level, Ecopetrol focuses on strategic basins on the American continent, with E&P operations in the United States (the Permian basin and the Gulf of Mexico), Brazil and Mexico. This press release contains statements relating to business prospects, estimates of operating and financial results, and Ecopetrol's growth prospects. All are projections, and therefore are based solely on management's expectations of the company's future and its continuous access to capital to finance its sales plan. Achieving these estimates in the future depends on its performance under given market conditions, regulations, competition, the performance of the Colombian economy and industry, and other factors; therefore, they are subject to change without prior notice.

For further details, please contact:

Head of Capital Markets

Tatiana Uribe Benninghoff

Phone: +571-234-5190

Email: [email protected]

Media Engagement (Colombia) (A)

Alexandra Santamaria Molano

Phone: + 571-234-4329

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Ecopetrol S.A.

Related Links

http://www.ecopetrol.com.co


BROOKLYN, N.Y., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Affirming the success of its HIV prevention programs and support strategies, the Family Health Centers at NYU Langone has received an additional five-year, $2 million grant through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Comprehensive High-Impact HIV Prevention Programs for Community Based Organizations.

The grant is part of a nationally recognized HIV treatment and prevention program called Ending the HIV Epidemic in the United States and is awarded to programs that have made a significant impact on their community. The CDC funds are directed to community-based organizations to help develop new and enhance existing strategies focused on populations disproportionately affected by HIV, which include gay and bisexual men, people who inject drugs, and transgender individuals.

"This competitive grant validates the progress and potential of our outreach efforts to prevent HIV and support our community," says Larry K. McReynolds, executive director of the Family Health Centers at NYU Langone and clinical associate professor in the Department of Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. "Continuity is vital. Keeping up and enhancing the effective work that's already making a difference will change more lives for the better."

By using creative, pandemic-appropriate outreach strategies, like social media outreach, at-home HIV testing, and online support groups, the FHC strengthened its ability to reach those most in need of HIV prevention services. Over 18 months in 2020 and 2021, the program reached 69 percent of its target, at-risk population, an increase of 46 percent over the prior year. The proven effectiveness of the new FHC programs helped secure the additional funding.

"For more than 30 years, the Family Health Centers at NYU Langone has been at the forefront of HIV care and prevention," says Finn Schubert, network HIV program director at the Family Health Centers at NYU Langone. "It's rewarding to see our impact grow, so we can help more Latinx, Black and LGBTQ New Yorkers who were most effected by the pandemic."

Prevention Programs at the Family Health Centers at NYU Langone

The additional funds help bolster the current HIV prevention services offered by the FHC, which include to following:

Social media and dating app outreach that enables community health workers to connect with at-risk potential patients where they are.

Virtual pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) initiation and at-home HIV testing to facilitate access for individuals in the comfort of their own home.

Weekly transgender Latinx support group led by a community advocate.

HIV prevention partnership with Turning Point Brooklyn, which provides education, housing, and related services in the Sunset Park, Brooklyn , community.

, community. HIV prevention partnership with Brooklyn Community Pride Center, an LGBTQ services organization.

Healthy relationships support groups, offering an opportunity for individuals living with HIV to share their experiences and with others.

Principally located in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, one of the highest Medicaid-concentrated communities in the United States, the Family Health Centers at NYU Langone is a community-based program providing high-quality primary and preventive outpatient care to adults and children, regardless of their ability to pay or health insurance status. The program serves approximately 100,000 patients each year throughout Brooklyn and other parts of New York City.

Media Inquiries

Joan Lebow

Phone: 201.207.6261

[email protected]

SOURCE NYU Langone Health

Related Links

http://www.med.nyu.edu


TEL AVIV, Israel, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Israeli corporation STOREE which developed a technological system for automatic management of retail chain stores organizational operation, announces today a $6.8 million fundraise and completing a seed round of about $8 million. The round was led by private investors along with retail and consumer stores, including the American jewelry corporation Signet Jewelers. Funds will be used to extend the Company's operation in Israel and abroad.

Left to right: Idan Sergi, Asaf Shapira and Chen Cohen

Established by Asaf Shapira, Idan Sergi, and Chen Cohen, the Company developed a store-management technological system enabling an automatic, smart, and efficient operation of sales teams and exhibition spaces. Founded in 2016, STOREE operates in the field of data sciences and business intelligence. The product advances retail chains operation enabling technological functions such as store storage regulation, exhibition spaces advancement, sales amplification, and automatic tasks formation for the organization's employees. These reduce the need for human resources, enabling a significant monthly cost-saving for each chain. All tasks are executed using traditional intelligence-based artificial intelligence solutions. The Company chose to concentrate on developing computerized intelligence as an assisting tool for a variety of different ranked executives and affect the management decision-making process.

Technology developed by the Company is based upon existing customer data composed of sales history, available products storage, and customers bank, gathering issues and shortages that arise from such data. In addition, the technology enables optional products presentations and examines the implications of such trials on future sales, allowing sales enhancement.

Oded Edelman, Chief Digital Innovation Advisor  Signet Jewelers & President of JamesAllen.com  who participated in the current seed round :

"Retail chains must ensure their stores will benefit from similar operations as online websites and cover the gap between physical and online commercial arenas. Global leading chains have a demand for a technology that will enable the use of their accumulated big data, allowing quality data analysis and extracting insights to advance the customer experience. We identify STOREE's ability to fill this gap and are delighted to become their partners."

Ido Barak, Commercial Direction at Estee Lauder Israel operating about 600 sales locations and one of STOREE's customers :

"We congratulate the cooperation with the young startup company during the past two years. STOREE's technology allows advancing the communication with all our sales stores by a smart digital method automatically operated according to our DNA, enabling different brands owned by us to reach top-level strategies. Foreseeing the future, we realized that this type of technology serves our unique needs and enables growth."

Asaf Shapira, Co-Founder & CEO  STOREE :

"The COVID-19 crisis constitutes an exceptional opportunity for STOREE due to the growing demand for long-distance stores management and lack in human resources employed prior to the pandemic. I am delighted to announce the current seed round. This round is proof of the demand for operational technologies in the retail sector. Our product offers an algorithm for business management according to different factors, eventually allowing retail stores to follow Gett's and Uber's influence in the taxi sector. We believe that the automation provided by STOREE will cause the needed change in the retail world currently depended on a thick human chain of managers to deliver information the old-fashioned inefficient way via e-mails and WhatsApp."

About the Company

STOREE was founded in 2016 by Asaf Shapira, Idan Sergi and Chen Cohen, and currently employs 22 employees. Today it operates in 35 retail and consumer chains across Israel and Europe, operating more than 2,500 stores in the apparel, cosmetics, accessories, eyewear, and footwear fields.

SOURCE STOREE
TBD Media is bringing these leaders into the spotlight with 50 Global Leaders, a series that presents the companies who are innovating, driving, and inspiring tomorrow's world  today. The campaign explores the insights and business practices of International Executives, Board Members, and Entrepreneurs; demonstrating how it is through their visions that the globalised world is being transformed. Each leader brings with them a story and a vision: to develop and advance society in their own way.

This edition explores the futures of plastic and education, innovation through battery technology, embedded finance, and the importance of maintaining tradition whilst moving forward. Additionally, the films touch upon important sustainable issues like decarbonization, heat management, and healthy nutrition.

These topics and many others are examined in documentary-style films that candidly interview leading figures within companies; using clever and industry-leading filmmaking to capture focused and informed accounts that offer a window into the future of industry and society alike.

Paolo Zanini, CEO of TBD Media Group, brings his own perspective to this crucial subject: "We are privileged to be here and ready to make society aware of this climactic moment where the future of business and society is being devised by such global disruptors."

Companies Featured in this Launch:

Agder Energi , Almased Wellness GMBH , Alpha Werke, Altinmarka, ARAG, Banco Sabadell, Behn Meyer Group , Bender, BERA , Bizerba, Chemours, Cellcard, Cengage, ENTAIN, Ekol Logistics , Green Minerals, Hansgrohe, Horizon Therapeutics , Neometals , Palfinger, PASHA Bank , RHI Magnesita, Schott AG , Sovelto, StarKist Co. , SYNLAB, TBD Crew , TITAN Cement Group, Trust Payments, Sovelto, Varta, Wieland-Werke .

About 50 Global Leaders:

The 50 Global Leaders initiative has been created to allow the leaders of today's corporate sphere to explain their visions and offer insight into the future state of global business and society at large. Businesses that wish to get involved should contact [email protected] .

About TBD Media Group:

TBD Media Group is an international, purpose-driven, media developer that helps companies, organisations and governments tell their brand stories in a human and direct way. Learn more at https://www.tbdmediagroup.com/ .

Media Contact:

Jenna-Leigh Soobramoney

Head of Marketing

TBD Media Group

[email protected]

SOURCE TBD Media Group

Related Links

https://www.tbdmediagroup.com/


JOLIET, Ill., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the University of St. Francis and BloomBoard announced a partnership to help Illinois schools and districts support teachers this fall following significant disruptions to learning over the past two years. Illinois teachers will be able to get a headstart on their graduate degrees from the university while honing their skills in critical areas such as student well-being and academic recovery. These courses also qualify for federal stimulus funding, enabling school districts to pay for the training, as they seek to leverage remaining resources before expiration.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

This partnership allows teachers to develop skills through an on-the-job, learning-and-proving-by-doing process that is directly relevant to their classroom practice. Micro-credential-based programs are a flexible alternative to earning traditional graduate course credit towards a master's degree. They provide an innovative approach to professional learning while promoting educators' professional and compensation advancement opportunities.

"Micro-credentials are an attractive option for teachers who want to develop evidence-based practices that are directly related to student learning, and build the practical skills that are needed in Illinois schools right now," said Dr. John Gambro, Dean of the College of Education at the University of St. Francis. "This partnership with BloomBoard is a big step forward in our continual effort to meet the needs of educators in innovative ways. It's truly a win-win for advancing K-12 education."

The University of St. Francis and BloomBoard offer the following micro-credential-based programs:

Student Learning Recovery

Student Well-being

Equity in the Classroom

Effective Blended Learning

"Our teachers need tools to help our students face a challenging year ahead, but our teachers are exhausted," said Dr. Mark Klaisner, Executive Director of West40 and President of the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools. "This opportunity through the University of St. Francis and Bloomboard is exactly what Cook County schools need to address learning recovery and support our educators in learning by doing without creating unnecessary work."

School districts can use federal ESSER funds to pay for this program. For schools applying for the federal stimulus funds, they must spend at least 20% of the funds to address learning loss through evidence-based interventions that respond to students' academic, social, and emotional needs. BloomBoard offers support for districts to navigate the funding application process.

BloomBoard welcomes enrollment as Illinois school districts prepare for the 2021-22 school year. Additional program and enrollment information is available here .

About BloomBoard

BloomBoard offers micro-credential-based advancement pathways for educators to meaningfully improve their instructional practice and accelerate both their careers and their compensation. Their learn-by-doing process allows teachers to demonstrate their abilities using evidence from their own classroom practices. BloomBoard partners with states, universities, and districts to create planned roadmaps for advancing educators based on a system's uniquely identified needs and gaps. They also offer programs directly to teachers, including a National Board Pre-Candidacy Support Program. For more information, visit www.bloomboard.com

About the University of St. Francis

The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Illinois, serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 52,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu .

Media Contact:

Kelsea Kierstead

608-216-7300

[email protected]

SOURCE BloomBoard
FALMOUTH, Maine, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- TideSmart today announced it is requiring on-campus and field staff employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. TideSmart joins other leading organizations in the effort to limit the spread of COVID-19.

"As a leading healthcare and experiential agency that conducts thousands face-to-face engagements with businesses and consumers every day, we take seriously the health and well-being of our employees, clients, and the communities in which we operate," said TideSmart President/CEO Steve Woods.

TideSmart is a national leader in healthy engagements, using experiential marketing, clinical delivery, and insights to transform brand experiences. Since 2003, TideSmart has conducted more than 4M health screenings, vaccinations, and biometric tests throughout the U.S. and managed more than 125M live event (sports, concerts, retail, etc.) interactions for numerous Fortune 100 companies.

"From the beginning of the pandemic, TideSmart has actively worked to stop the spread of COVID-19 by operating testing and vaccination clinics on behalf of the CDC and large employers," Woods said. "Now, as the Delta variant offers a new threat to the progress made, it is our responsibility to join with hospitals, health systems, government, and other private employers in ensuring our employees nationwide have received the safe, effective vaccines that are available. We implore other employers to do the same."

In addition to staff vaccination status, the company has implemented COVID-19 protocols on-campus and for all client activations. As a CLIA licensed, COLA accredited, HIPAA compliant lab operator, TideSmart has used its healthcare experience and resources to help national brands continue to deliver safe, effective experiences throughout the U.S. during the pandemic.

The policy applies to all employees working from TideSmart's office in Falmouth, Maine and Darien, Conn. as well as field staff operating experiential tours across the nation.

"We are proud of our employee vaccination rate and will continue to do our part to stop the spread of COVID-19," Woods said. "We are all in this together."

SOURCE TideSmart
WASHINGTON, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The following statement can be attributed to Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), in response to the Biden administration's extension of the Title 42 public health order:

"The Biden administration's announcement to extend the Title 42 public health order could not come at a more critical time as apprehension totals remain at historic levels and COVID-19 variants continue to proliferate.

"This extension is essential for public safety, national security, and will help stanch the explosion of illegal migration at the southern border which has shown no signs of slowing down for six consecutive months.

"Since its implementation in March 2020, Title 42 has been an effective tool that has mitigated the spread of COVID-19 in our country. Since the beginning of the fiscal year, at least 750,000 illegal aliens have been quickly removed from the country under this order. Without it in place, these individualswhose vaccination and health statuses often remain unknownwould have likely been released into the interior of the country and flown or bused throughout every corner of the country.

"While the extension is a step in the right direction, it must be applied to all illegal aliens entering the countrynot just select groups of single adults. It should also be applied to family units and unaccompanied minors, who carry similar health risks as single adults. Our government's primary concern should be the health and welfare of the American people who have been put in peril by open border policies fueling an unprecedented migration crisis."

"It's time for the Biden administration to stop playing politics, recognize we're on the precipice of an epidemiological disaster and get serious about securing the U.S. southern border. Trump-era immigration and border policies discouraged mass migration amid the global pandemic and must be put back in place immediately. These initiatives include reinstating the "Remain in Mexico" policy, the Asylum Cooperation Agreements (ACA)'s with the Northern Triangle countries, and restarting construction of the southern border wall."



Contact: Matthew Tragesser, 202-328-7004 or [email protected]

ABOUT FAIR

Founded in 1979, FAIR is the country's largest immigration reform group. With over 3 million members and supporters nationwide, FAIR fights for immigration policies that serve national interests, not special interests. FAIR believes that immigration reform must enhance national security, improve the economy, protect jobs, preserve our environment, and establish a rule of law that is recognized and enforced.

SOURCE Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR)

Related Links

http://www.fairus.org


CHICAGO, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Togo Group, the leading technology platform for road travel and outdoor experiences, announced today that it has added Campendium to its family of digital brands.

Campendium co-founders Brian Easterling and Leigh Wetzel Campendium

Campendium, which will continue to operate as a stand-alone brand, is a crowd-sourced and editorially-curated web and mobile application that allows users to search, preview, and provide feedback on more than 32,000 public and private camping locations across the continental United States, Canada, and Baja Mexico. Over the past 12 months, Campendium's app and website traffic has grown 59%, with a 58.5% increase of net-new users over the same period.

"Campendium is the standard for RVers when finding places to camp. From public lands to established campgrounds, Campendium's knowledge is unique, rapidly-growing, and used by millions of RVers," said Togo Group CEO Danny Hest. "It will significantly advance our mission to provide RVers and roadtrippers with end-to-end trip discovery and planning tools  including finding accommodations  that allow them to fully enjoy their journey. We look forward to applying our experience, scale, and tools to help Campendium further develop its product, enhance the user experience, and grow the platform's reach."

As part of that growth effort, Campendium will soon be accessible with Togo Group's Roadpass system. This secure single login profile allows users to access all of Togo Group's travel tools.

Co-founders Brian Easterling and Leigh Wetzel, who launched the website in 2015, will remain with Campendium to support its continued growth.

"Helping people discover great places to camp has been our passion for over six years," said Leigh Wetzel. "Joining the Togo Group family with its depth of resources and talent is the best way for Campendium to reach its full potential, further improve the experience for our community, and deepen the brand's commitment to the conservation of public lands."

Togo Group's other brands include Roadtrippers , a trip planning app that offers users the unique ability to collaborate with friends, sync across map apps for seamless navigation, identify and save destinations, and more; Togo RV , the ultimate app to keep RV owners organized, inspired, and on the move with a set of tools focused on improving the RV experience; and RVillage , the largest and most active social network of RV owners and enthusiasts.

About Togo Group

Togo Group is a technology joint-venture between THOR Industries and Tourism Holdings Limited. Togo Group is focused on making it easier to experience, own, and maintain recreational vehicles as well as more easily discover, book, and navigate road trips. Togo Group has offices in Chicago, Cincinnati, and Auckland. Learn more about Togo Group and its Campendium, Roadtrippers, RVillage, and Togo RV products at togogroup.io.

SOURCE Togo Group

Related Links

https://www.togogroup.io/


BERWYN, Pa., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Triumph Group, Inc. (NYSE: TGI) ("Triumph" or the "Company") today reported financial results for its first quarter fiscal year 2022, which ended June 30, 2021.

First Quarter Fiscal 2022

Net sales of $396.7 million





Operating income of $20.8 million with operating margin of 5%; adjusted operating income of $31.3 million with adjusted operating margin of 8%





with operating margin of 5%; adjusted operating income of with adjusted operating margin of 8% Net loss of $30.4 million , or ($0.47) per share; adjusted net income of $5.9 million , or $0.09 per diluted share





, or per share; adjusted net income of , or per diluted share Cash flow used in operations of $149.5 million ; free cash use of $151.6 million





; free cash use of Strengthened balance sheet through the retirement of $349.0 million of debt

Full-Year Fiscal 2022 Guidance

Net sales guidance of between $1.5 billion - $1.6 billion





- GAAP earnings per diluted share of between ($0.15) - $0.05





- Adjusted earnings per diluted share of between $0.41 - $0.61





- Cash flow used in operations of between $110.0 million - $125.0 million and free cash use of $135.0 million - $150.0 million





- and free cash use of - Cash flow expected to be positive over the remainder of fiscal 2022

"Triumph delivered solid first quarter results with organic net sales up 11% compared to the prior year, driven largely by increased demand in commercial aviation, which translated into higher orders for maintenance, repair and overhaul work," stated Daniel J. Crowley, Triumph's chairman, president and chief executive officer. "Profitability on an adjusted basis improved year over year across both business units."

Mr. Crowley continued, "During the quarter, we retired several non-recurring cash uses and are on track to complete the 747 production later this month. We strengthened our balance sheet in the quarter by reducing our debt and have no substantive repayments until 2024. With most of our transformation milestones behind us, Triumph today is a more predictably profitable company and we expect to be cash flow positive over the balance of the year. Improvements in the broader market coupled with the positive momentum we are seeing across Triumph has enabled us to initiate guidance for fiscal 2022. As we accelerate our organic growth, we remain committed to conserving cash and partnering with our customers to deliver value to all our stakeholders."

First Quarter Fiscal Year 2022 Overview

After accounting for the impact of the divestitures and sunsetting programs, sales for the first quarter of fiscal year 2022 were up 11% organically from the comparable prior year period due to increased maintenance, repair and overhaul work. The consolidated decline was driven by planned reductions on sunsetting and divested programs.

First quarter operating income of $20.8 million included $6.0 million loss on sale of assets and businesses and $4.5 million of restructuring costs associated with facility exits. Net loss for the first quarter of fiscal year 2022 was $30.4 million, or ($0.47) per share. On an adjusted basis, net income was $5.9 million, or $0.09 per share.

Triumph's results included the following:

($ millions except EPS)

Pre-tax



After-tax



EPS

Loss from Continuing Operations - GAAP

$ (29.1)



$ (30.4)



$ (0.47)

Loss on sale of assets and businesses (non-cash)



6.0





6.0





0.09

Pension curtailment charge



16.1





16.1





0.25

Restructuring costs (cash)



4.5





4.5





0.07

Debt extinguishment loss



9.7





9.7





0.15

Adjusted Income from Continuing Operations - non-GAAP *

$ 7.1



$ 5.9



$ 0.09



* Differences due to rounding

The number of shares used in computing diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of 2022 was 65.0 million.

Backlog, which represents the next 24 months of actual purchase orders with firm delivery dates or contract requirements, was $1.9 billion, down slightly as expected on a sequential basis due to sunsetting programs and recent production rate reductions, but partially offset by military program increases in Systems & Support.

For the first quarter of fiscal year 2022, cash flow used in operations was $149.5 million, which included liquidation of approximately $42.0 million in prior period advances.

Outlook

Based on anticipated aircraft production rates, but excluding the impacts of any potential divestitures, the Company expects net sales for fiscal year 2022 will be approximately $1.5 billion to $1.6 billion.

The Company expects GAAP fiscal year 2022 earnings per diluted share to be ($0.15) to $0.05 and adjusted earnings per diluted share to be $0.41 to $0.61.

The Company expects fiscal year 2022 cash used in operations of $110.0 million to $125.0 million and free cash use to be $135.0 million to $150.0 million. The company expects to be cash flow positive over the balance of the fiscal year.

The Company's current outlook reflects adjustments detailed in the attached tables, but excludes the impacts of any potential future divestitures.

Conference Call

Triumph will hold a conference call today, August 4th, at 8:30 a.m. (ET) to discuss the first quarter of fiscal year 2022 results. The conference call will be available live and archived on the Company's website at http://www.triumphgroup.com . A slide presentation will be included with the audio portion of the webcast, and the presentation has been posted on the Company's website at http://ir.triumphgroup.com/QuarterlyResults . An audio replay will be available from August 4th to August 11th by calling (855) 859-2056 (Domestic) or (404) 537-3406 (International), passcode #5174356.

About Triumph

Triumph Group, Inc., headquartered in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, designs, engineers, manufactures, repairs and overhauls a broad portfolio of aerospace and defense systems, components and structures. The company serves the global aviation industry, including original equipment manufacturers and the full spectrum of military and commercial aircraft operators.

More information about Triumph can be found on the Company's website at www.triumphgroup.com .

Forward Looking Statements

Statements in this release which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements under the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements of expectations of or assumptions about financial and operational performance, revenues, earnings per share, cash flow or use, cost savings and operational efficiencies and organizational restructurings. All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties which could affect the Company's actual results and could cause its actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company. Further information regarding the important factors that could cause actual results to differ from projected results can be found in Triumph Group's reports filed with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021.

Widespread health developments, including the recent global coronavirus (COVID-19), and the responses thereto (such as voluntary and in some cases, mandatory quarantines as well as shut downs and other restrictions on travel and commercial, social and other activities) could adversely and materially affect, among other things, the economic and financial markets and labor resources of the countries in which we operate, our manufacturing and supply chain operations, commercial operations and sales force, administrative personnel, third-party service providers, business partners and customers and the demand for our products, which could result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial conditions and results of operations.

FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) ON FOLLOWING PAGES

FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

TRIUMPH GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES (in thousands, except per share data)





Three Months Ended





June 30,

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

2021



2020

Net sales

$ 396,646



$ 495,077

Cost of sales (excluding depreciation shown below)



293,678





393,843

Selling, general & administrative



56,251





57,203

Depreciation & amortization



15,431





28,602

Impairment of long-lived assets









252,382

Restructuring costs



4,485





15,439

Loss on sale of assets and businesses, net



5,969







Operating income (loss)



20,832





(252,392)

Interest expense and other, net



38,558





34,957

Debt extinguishment loss



9,689







Non-service defined benefit expense (income)



1,722





(12,416)

Income tax expense



1,214





853

Net loss

$ (30,351)



$ (275,786)

Loss per share - basic:











Net loss

$ (0.47)



$ (5.32)

Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic



64,299





51,860

Loss per share - diluted:











Net loss

$ (0.47)



$ (5.32)

Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted



64,299





51,860































(Continued) FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

TRIUMPH GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES (dollars in thousands, except share data)

BALANCE SHEETS

Unaudited

June 30,

2021



Audited

March 31,

2021

Assets











Cash and cash equivalents

$ 237,486



$ 589,882

Accounts receivable, net



190,185





194,066

Contract assets



144,118





134,638

Inventory, net



412,663





400,366

Prepaid and other current assets



22,788





19,206

Assets held for sale









216,276

Current assets



1,007,240





1,554,434

Property and equipment, net



204,907





211,369

Goodwill



522,392





521,638

Intangible assets, net



99,445





102,453

Other, net



49,509





61,041

Total assets

$ 1,883,493



$ 2,450,935

Liabilities & Stockholders' Deficit











Current portion of long-term debt

$ 4,653



$ 5,247

Accounts payable



164,753





179,473

Contract liabilities



158,252





204,379

Accrued expenses



235,043





271,160

Liabilities related to assets held for sale









58,108

Current liabilities



562,701





718,367

Long-term debt, less current portion



1,606,287





1,952,296

Accrued pension and post-retirement benefits, noncurrent



365,832





384,256

Deferred income taxes, noncurrent



7,456





7,491

Other noncurrent liabilities



167,443





207,378

Stockholders' Deficit:











Common stock, $.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 64,488,674

and 64,488,674 shares issued



64





64

Capital in excess of par value



966,532





978,272

Treasury stock, at cost, 54,854 and 303,673 shares



(560)





(12,606)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss



(507,520)





(530,192)

Accumulated deficit



(1,284,742)





(1,254,391)

Total stockholders' deficit



(826,226)





(818,853)

Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit

$ 1,883,493



$ 2,450,935

















(Continued) FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) TRIUMPH GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(dollars in thousands, except share data)





Three Months Ended June 30,





2021



2020

Operating Activities











Net loss

$ (30,351)



$ (275,786)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in

operating activities:











Depreciation and amortization



15,431





28,602

Impairment of long-lived assets









252,382

Amortization of acquired contract liability



(1,214)





(10,987)

Loss on sale of assets and businesses



5,969







Curtailments and special termination benefits gain, net



16,078







Other amortization included in interest expense



4,002





2,191

(Recovery of) provision for credit losses



(28)





3,280

Share-based compensation



2,247





2,786

Changes in other assets and liabilities, excluding the effects of

acquisitions and divestitures:











Trade and other receivables



(1,321)





86,004

Contract assets



(4,426)





(63,391)

Inventories



(9,354)





(33,330)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets



(3,633)





549

Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and contract liabilities



(128,922)





(184,114)

Accrued pension and other postretirement benefits



(13,713)





(5,054)

Other, net



(279)





(665)

Net cash used in operating activities



(149,514)





(197,533)

Investing Activities











Capital expenditures



(2,112)





(7,723)

Proceeds from sale of assets and businesses



180,478





792

Purchase of facility related to divested businesses



(21,550)







Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities



156,816





(6,931)

Financing Activities











Net decrease in revolving credit facility









(225,000)

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt









6,300

Retirement of debt and finance lease obligations



(350,688)





(27,468)

Payment of deferred financing costs









(4,277)

Premium on redemption of First Lien Notes



(7,489)







Repurchase of shares for share-based compensation

minimum tax obligation



(2,336)





(474)

Net cash used in financing activities



(360,513)





(250,919)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash



815





829

Net change in cash and cash equivalents



(352,396)





(454,554)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period



589,882





485,463

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$ 237,486



$ 30,909



(Continued) FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

TRIUMPH GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES (dollars in thousands)





Three Months Ended





June 30,

SEGMENT DATA

2021



2020

Net sales:











Systems & Support

$ 258,413



$ 239,887

Aerospace Structures



138,252





257,877

Elimination of intersegment sales



(19)





(2,687)





$ 396,646



$ 495,077

Operating income (loss):











Systems & Support

$ 35,546



$ 25,431

Aerospace Structures



11,223





(256,120)

Corporate



(23,690)





(18,917)

Share-based compensation expense



(2,247)





(2,786)





$ 20,832



$ (252,392)

Operating margin %











Systems & Support



13.8 %



10.6 % Aerospace Structures



8.1 %



(99.3) % Consolidated



5.3 %



(51.0) %













Depreciation and amortization^:











Systems & Support

$ 8,504



$ 8,356

Aerospace Structures



6,159





271,772

Corporate



768





856





$ 15,431



$ 280,984

Amortization of acquired contract liabilities:











Systems & Support

$ (1,202)



$ (3,719)

Aerospace Structures



(12)





(7,268)





$ (1,214)



$ (10,987)

Capital expenditures:











Systems & Support

$ 1,102



$ 6,283

Aerospace Structures



652





1,029

Corporate



358





411





$ 2,112



$ 7,723

^ includes long-lived asset impairment charge in the first quarter of fiscal 2021

(Continued)

FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

TRIUMPH GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(dollars in thousands)

Non-GAAP Financial Measure Disclosures

We prepare and publicly release quarterly unaudited financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") guidance on Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations, we also disclose and discuss certain non-GAAP financial measures in our public releases. Currently, the non-GAAP financial measure that we disclose is Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAP, which is our net income before interest, income taxes, amortization of acquired contract liabilities, curtailments, settlements and special termination benefits, legal settlements, depreciation and amortization and Adjusted EBITDA, less pension & other postretirement benefits. We disclose Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAP on a consolidated and Adjusted EBITDAP an operating segment basis in our earnings releases, investor conference calls and filings with the SEC. The non-GAAP financial measures that we use may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Also, in the future, we may disclose different non-GAAP financial measures in order to help our investors more meaningfully evaluate and compare our future results of operations to our previously reported results of operations.

We view Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAP as operating performance measure and as such we believe that the GAAP financial measure most directly comparable to it is net income. In calculating Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAP, we exclude from net income the financial items that we believe should be separately identified to provide additional analysis of the financial components of the day-to-day operation of our business. We have outlined below the type and scope of these exclusions and the material limitations on the use of these non-GAAP financial measures as a result of these exclusions. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAP are not measurements of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as a measure of liquidity, as an alternative to net income (loss), income from continuing operations, or as an indicator of any other measure of performance derived in accordance with GAAP. Investors and potential investors in our securities should not rely on Adjusted EBITDA or Adjusted EBITDAP as substitutes for any GAAP financial measure, including net income (loss) or income from continuing operations. In addition, we urge investors and potential investors in our securities to carefully review the reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAP to net income set forth below, in our earnings releases and in other filings with the SEC and to carefully review the GAAP financial information included as part of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our Annual Reports on Form 10-K that are filed with the SEC, as well as our quarterly earnings releases, and compare the GAAP financial information with our Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAP.

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAP is used by management to internally measure our operating and management performance and by investors as a supplemental financial measure to evaluate the performance of our business that, when viewed with our GAAP results and the accompanying reconciliation, we believe provides additional information that is useful to gain an understanding of the factors and trends affecting our business. We have spent more than 20 years expanding our product and service capabilities partially through acquisitions of complementary businesses. Due to the expansion of our operations, which included acquisitions, our net income has included significant charges for depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAP exclude these charges and provide meaningful information about the operating performance of our business, apart from charges for depreciation and amortization. We believe the disclosure of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAP helps investors meaningfully evaluate and compare our performance from quarter to quarter and from year to year. We also believe Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAP is a measure of our ongoing operating performance because the isolation of non-cash income and expenses, such as amortization of acquired contract liabilities, depreciation and amortization, and non-operating items, such as interest and income taxes, provides additional information about our cost structure, and, over time, helps track our operating progress. In addition, investors, securities analysts and others have regularly relied on Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAP to provide a financial measure by which to compare our operating performance against that of other companies in our industry.

Set forth below are descriptions of the financial items that have been excluded from our net income to calculate Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAP and the material limitations associated with using this non-GAAP financial measure as compared to net income:

Divestitures may be useful for investors to consider because they reflect gains or losses from sale of operating units. We do not believe these earnings necessarily reflect the current and ongoing cash earnings related to our operations.





Non-service defined benefit income (inclusive of the adoption of ASU 2017-07 and certain pension related transactions such as curtailments, settlements, early retirement or other incentives) may be useful to investors to consider because they represent the cost of post-retirement benefits to plan participants, net of the assumption of returns on the plan's assets and are not indicative of the cash paid for such benefits. We do not believe these earnings (expenses) necessarily reflect the current and ongoing cash earnings related to our operations.





Amortization of acquired contract liabilities may be useful for investors to consider because it represents the non-cash earnings on the fair value of below market contracts acquired through acquisitions. We do not believe these earnings necessarily reflect the current and ongoing cash earnings related to our operations.





Amortization expense and nonrecurring asset impairments (including goodwill, intangible asset impairments, and nonrecurring rotable inventory impairments) may be useful for investors to consider because it represents the estimated attrition of our acquired customer base and the diminishing value of tradenames, product rights, licenses, or, in the case of goodwill, other assets that are not individually identified and separately recognized under U.S. GAAP, or, in the case of nonrecurring asset impairments, the impact of unusual and nonrecurring events affecting the estimated recoverability of existing assets. We do not believe these charges necessarily reflect the current and ongoing cash charges related to our operating cost structure,





Depreciation may be useful for investors to consider because they generally represent the wear and tear on our property and equipment used in our operations. We do not believe these charges necessarily reflect the current and ongoing cash charges related to our operating cost structure.





The amount of interest expense and other we incur may be useful for investors to consider and may result in current cash inflows or outflows. However, we do not consider the amount of interest expense and other to be a representative component of the day-to-day operating performance of our business.





Income tax expense may be useful for investors to consider because it generally represents the taxes which may be payable for the period and the change in deferred income taxes during the period and may reduce the amount of funds otherwise available for use in our business. However, we do not consider the amount of income tax expense to be a representative component of the day-to-day operating performance of our business.

Management compensates for the above-described limitations of using non-GAAP measures by using a non-GAAP measure only to supplement our GAAP results and to provide additional information that is useful to gain an understanding of the factors and trends affecting our business.

(Continued) FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

TRIUMPH GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES (dollars in thousands)

The following table shows our Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAP reconciled to our net income for the indicated periods (in thousands):





Three Months Ended





June 30,

Adjusted Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation,

Amortization, and Pension (Adjusted EBITDAP):

2021



2020

Net loss

$ (30,351)



$ (275,786)

Add-back:











Income tax expense



1,214





853

Interest expense and other, net



38,558





34,957

Debt extinguishment loss



9,689







Pension curtailment charge



16,078







Loss on sale of assets and businesses, net



5,969







Amortization of acquired contract liabilities



(1,214)





(10,987)

Depreciation and amortization^



15,431





280,984

Adjusted Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA")

$ 55,374



$ 30,021

Non-service defined benefit income (excluding Curtailment and special term benefits)



(14,356)





(12,416)

Adjusted Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization, and Pension ("Adjusted EBITDAP")

$ 41,018



$ 17,605

Net sales

$ 396,646



$ 495,077

Net loss margin



(7.7) %



(55.7) % Adjusted EBITDAP margin



10.4 %



3.6 %















(Continued) FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

TRIUMPH GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES (dollars in thousands)

Non-GAAP Financial Measure Disclosures (continued)





Three Months Ended June 30, 2021











Segment Data

Adjusted Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation,

Amortization, and Pension (EBITDAP):

Total



Systems &

Support



Aerospace

Structures



Corporate/

Eliminations*

Net loss

$ (30,351)



















Add-back:























Non-service defined benefit expense



1,722



















Income tax expense



1,214



















Debt extinguishment loss



9,689



















Interest expense and other, net



38,558



















Operating income (loss)

$ 20,832



$ 35,546



$ 11,223



$ (25,937)

Loss on sales of assets & businesses, net



5,969

















5,969

Amortization of acquired contract liabilities



(1,214)





(1,202)





(12)







Depreciation and amortization



15,431





8,504





6,159





768

Adjusted Earnings (Losses) before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization, and Pension ("Adjusted EBITDAP")

$ 41,018



$ 42,848



$ 17,370



$ (19,200)

Net sales

$ 396,646



$ 258,413



$ 138,252



$ (19)

Adjusted EBITDAP margin



10.4 %



16.7 %



12.6 %

n/a





























* Operating loss at Corporate includes share-based compensation expense.

(Continued) FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

TRIUMPH GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES (dollars in thousands)

Non-GAAP Financial Measure Disclosures (continued)





Three Months Ended June 30, 2020











Segment Data

Adjusted Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation,

Amortization, and Pension (EBITDAP):

Total



Systems &

Support



Aerospace

Structures



Corporate/

Eliminations*

Net loss

$ (275,786)



















Add-back:























Non-service defined benefit income



(12,416)



















Income tax expense



853



















Interest expense and other, net



34,957



















Operating (loss) income

$ (252,392)



$ 25,431



$ (256,120)



$ (21,703)

Amortization of acquired contract liabilities



(10,987)





(3,719)





(7,268)







Depreciation and amortization^



280,984





8,356





271,772





856

Adjusted Earnings (Losses) before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization, and Pension ("Adjusted EBITDAP")

$ 17,605



$ 30,068



$ 8,384



$ (20,847)

Net sales

$ 495,077



$ 239,887



$ 257,877



$ (2,687)

Adjusted EBITDAP margin



3.6 %



12.7 %



3.3 %

n/a

^ includes long-lived asset impairment charge in the first quarter of fiscal 2021

























(Continued)

FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

TRIUMPH GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Non-GAAP Financial Measure Disclosures (continued)

Adjusted income from continuing operations, before income taxes, adjusted income from continuing operations and adjusted income from continuing operations per diluted share, before non-recurring costs have been provided for consistency and comparability. These measures should not be considered in isolation or as alternatives to income from continuing operations before income taxes, income from continuing operations and income from continuing operations per diluted share presented in accordance with GAAP. The following tables reconcile income from continuing operations before income taxes, income from continuing operations, and income from continuing operations per diluted share, before non-recurring costs.





Three Months Ended June 30, 2021



Fiscal 2022

Guidance





Pre-Tax



After-Tax



Diluted EPS







Loss from continuing operations - GAAP

$ (29,137)



$ (30,351)



$ (0.47)



$(0.15) - $0.05

Adjustments:























Loss on sale of assets and businesses



5,969





5,969





0.09





0.09

Restructuring costs



4,485





4,485





0.07





0.07

Pension curtailment charge



16,078





16,078





0.25





0.25

Restructuring costs



9,689





9,689





0.15





0.15

Adjusted income from continuing operations - non-GAAP

$ 7,084



$ 5,870



$ 0.09



$0.41 - $0.61



* Differences due to rounding





Three Months Ended June 30, 2020





Pre-Tax



After-Tax



Diluted EPS

Loss from continuing operations - GAAP

$ (274,933)



$ (275,786)



$ (5.32)

Adjustments:

















Impairment of long-lived assets



252,382





252,382





4.87

Restructuring costs



15,439





15,439





0.30

Adjusted loss from continuing operations - non-GAAP

$ (7,112)



$ (7,965)



$ (0.15)



(Continued)

FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

TRIUMPH GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Non-GAAP Financial Measure Disclosures (continued)

Adjusted Operating Income is defined as GAAP Operating Income, less expenses/gains associated with the Company's transformation, such as restructuring expenses, gains/losses on divestitures, impairments of goodwill and other assets. Management believes that this is useful in evaluating operating performance, but this measure should not be used in isolation. The following table reconciles our Operating income to Adjusted Operating income as noted above.





Three Months Ended

June 30,





2021



2020

Operating income (loss) - GAAP

$ 20,832



$ (252,392)

Adjustments:











Loss on sale of assets and businesses, net



5,969







Impairment of long-lived assets









252,382

Restructuring costs



4,485





15,439

Adjusted operating income - non-GAAP

$ 31,286



$ 15,429

Adjusted operating margin



7.9 %



3.1 %

Cash provided by operations, is provided for consistency and comparability. We also use free cash flow as a key factor in planning for and consideration of strategic acquisitions and the repayment of debt. This measure should not be considered in isolation, as a measure of residual cash flow available for discretionary purposes, or as an alternative to operating results presented in accordance with GAAP. The following table reconciles cash provided by operations to free cash flow.





Three Months Ended

June 30,



Fiscal 2022

Guidance



2021



2020





Cash used in operating activities

$ (149,514)



$ (197,533)



$(110,000) - $(125,000) Less:















Capital expenditures



(2,112)





(7,723)



~$25,000 Free cash use

$ (151,626)



$ (205,256)



$(135,000) - $(150,000)

SOURCE Triumph Group

Related Links

www.triumphgroup.com


Website, eCommerce and Marketing Platform Serving the Global Restaurant Industry Establishes InfoSec Program via Tugboat Logic's Security Assurance Platform

BURLINGAME, Calif., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Tugboat Logic, the leading security assurance company, today announced that its customer, BentoBox , launched its first infosec program to provide security assurance to more than 12,000 restaurant locations worldwide.

Click to Tweet: With @tugboatlogic, @bentoboxnyc boosts security assurance for over 12,000 customers in the restaurant world: https://tugboatlogic.com/blog/how-bentobox-launched-their-first-infosec-program/ #SecurityAssurance #compliance

At a time when restaurants had to close their dining rooms due to the pandemic's lockdowns, a stronger online presence became more important than ever. Restaurants needed an easier, faster way to set up online ordering, integrate reservations, offer gift card purchases and more  and do it in a way that would work for the long haul. BentoBox enables restaurants with online tools that drive direct, high-margin revenue through their websites, bypassing third-party services.

The company wanted to provide customers with a level of cybersecurity that was just as sophisticated as their industry-leading products, but as a startup, they lacked the resources to bring on a chief security officer or vice president of security. This is a common challenge for startups that recognize the importance of infosecurity but lack the staffing and resources to set up their own infosec program from scratch.

With Tugboat Logic's Security Assurance Platform, BentoBox gained:

A cost-effective security program: With Tugboat Logic, BentoBox scoped out a security program designed to fit their immediate needs without breaking the bank  including automated cybersecurity training for their team of 100+ employees.

With Tugboat Logic, BentoBox scoped out a security program designed to fit their immediate needs without breaking the bank  including automated cybersecurity training for their team of 100+ employees. Easy status tracking: Tugboat Logic makes it easy to track the status of the company's infosec program in one place and modify it as security requirements change.

Tugboat Logic makes it easy to track the status of the company's infosec program in one place and modify it as security requirements change. Focus on business growth: Time saved on security and due diligence means more time to focus on other needs of the rapidly growing customer acquisitions and retention. In 2020, BentoBox was selected as one of Inc. 5000's fastest-growing companies.

Pierre Drescher, CTO and co-founder, BentoBox, said: "We support an industry that's adopting technology at an unprecedented rate, and they depend on us to be security experts. But launching an InfoSec program without a security team can be a challenge. Having a best-in-class solution like Tugboat Logic on our side enables us to be a stronger partner to the restaurant industry."

Ray Kruck, CEO and co-founder, Tugboat Logic, said: "Strong security has proved critical to success over the past year as many sectors switched to primarily online operations. BentoBox's customers need them to be experts at security, and that's where Tugboat Logic comes in. We fill in the gaps for smaller organizations so they can come through for their customers with a robust InfoSec program. We're thrilled with what BentoBox has achieved and look forward to their ongoing success."

About Tugboat Logic

Tugboat Logic is the Security Assurance Platform that provides continuous compliance. Tugboat Logic provides automated technology to demystify the process of creating and managing an InfoSec program. With Tugboat Logic, companies can quickly get secure and prove it to customers. Powered by AI, Tugboat Logic's patented technology automates InfoSec policy creation, audit readiness, and security questionnaire response so companies can gain trust with customers and sell more. Tugboat Logic helps businesses prepare for audits in half the time and at a fraction of the cost, ensures they can respond to security questionnaires in minutes (not hours), and builds and scales their InfoSec plan in minutes. Website: https://www.tugboatlogic.com/

About BentoBox

BentoBox empowers restaurants to own their presence, profits and relationships. The hospitality platform disrupts third-party services that come between the restaurant and the guest. BentoBox puts the restaurant first and offers tools that drive high-margin revenue directly through the restaurant's website. BentoBox is trusted and loved by over 12,400 restaurant locations worldwide including Union Square Hospitality Group, Eleven Madison Park, Jose Andres' Think Food Group, Manresa, Dominique Crenn Dining Group and H-Town Hospitality (Hugo's, Xochi). Based in New York City, BentoBox is one of Inc. 5000's fastest-growing companies.

PR Contacts:

Shannon Van Every

Nadel Phelan, Inc.

408-313-9974

[email protected]

SOURCE Tugboat Logic

Related Links

https://www.tugboatlogic.com/


AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- VolitionRx Limited (NYSE AMERICAN: VNRX) ("Volition") today announced it will host a conference call on Thursday, August 12, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern time to discuss its financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2021, in addition to providing a business update.

Event: VolitionRx Limited Second Quarter 2021 Earnings and Business Update Conference Call

Date: Thursday, August 12, 2021

Time: 8:00 a.m. Eastern time

U.S. & Canada Dial-in: 1-877-407-9716 (toll free)

U.K. Dial-in: 0 800 756 3429 (toll free)

Toll/International: 1-201-493-6779

Conference ID: 13722250

Cameron Reynolds, President and Chief Executive Officer of Volition, will host the call along with Terig Hughes, Chief Financial Officer, Dr. Tom Butera, Chief Executive Officer of Volition Veterinary, and Scott Powell, Executive Vice President, Investor Relations. The call will provide an update on recent developments and Volition's activities, including details of new and ongoing clinical trials, important events which have taken place in the second quarter of 2021, and milestones for 2021 and beyond.

A live audio webcast of the conference call will also be available on the investor relations page of Volition's corporate website at http://ir.volition.com. In addition, a telephone replay of the call will be available until August 26, 2021. The replay dial-in numbers are 1-844-512-2921 (toll-free) in the U.S. and Canada and 1-412-317-6671 (toll) internationally. Please use replay pin number 13722250.

About Volition

Volition is a multi-national epigenetics company developing simple, easy to use, cost effective blood tests to help diagnose a range of cancers and other diseases. Early diagnosis has the potential to not only prolong the life of patients, but also to improve their quality of life. The tests are based on the science of NucleosomicsTM, which is the practice of identifying and measuring nucleosomes in the bloodstream or other bodily fluid - an indication that disease is present. Volition is primarily focused on human diagnostics but also has a subsidiary focused on animal diagnostics.

Volition's research and development activities are centered in Belgium, with a small laboratory in California and additional offices in Texas, London and Singapore, as the company focuses on bringing its diagnostic products to market.

NucleosomicsTM is a trademark of Volition and its subsidiaries.

For more information about Volition, visit Volition's website (http://www.volition.com) or connect with us via:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/volitionrx

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/volitionrx

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VolitionRx/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/VolitionRx

The contents found at Volition's website address, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube are not incorporated by reference into this document and should not be considered part of this document. The addresses for Volition's website, Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube are included in this document as inactive textual references only.

Media / Investor Contacts

SOURCE VolitionRx Ltd

Related Links

http://www.volitionrx.com


VyTrac provides an easily accessible encrypted health technology platform that enables people to be engaged and participate in their health management. The smartphone-enabled technology supports the move toward reduction in hospital readmissions through daily monitoring and early intervention, using interactive messaging between health professionals and their patients. The VyTrac system also offers multi-language, disease-specific education. Healthier patients result in reduced private and public payer costs and can lessen health professional burnout.

"VyTrac leadership is engaged on community and state-wide levels to address some of the pressing challenges facing our health system  engaging people with urgent health needs who too often lack access to healthcare professionals," said Bashe. "Technology geared to improve human health is only meaningful if people have ready access and feel confident in its privacy. Health providers should also recognize that the digital health connection is best when it unites health professionals' desire to help with their patients' need to be healed."

VyTrac sought Bashe's participation owing to his commitment to support engaging patients in participating in their care by emphasizing the importance of digital health, health information and connective RPM technologies that make intervention possible on a real-time basis. Bashe's belief that technology will never replace health professionals direct patient care connection; however, will make them more relevant to their patients aligned with the VyTrac vision of empowered care.

"From the battlefield to boardroom, Gil has been at the forefront of addressing how medical advances, physician dedication and patient need can be supported by digital connections," said Zachary Fink, co-founder and CEO of VyTrac. "Gil recognized immediately how people in remote communities or those requiring frequent contact with their health providers would benefit from confidential assessment of vital medical touchpoints to prioritize care. His counsel on how VyTrac can be used to address both patient health disparities and advance health innovation will advance our mission to address pressing health needs."

Bashe's career is rooted in healthcare. He was a paratrooper combat medic and trade association lobbyist, then launched a successful health PR agency and was the first global Practice Director of the Hill and Knowlton Health and Pharmaceutical Practice. He was a leader in WPP Group's integrated marketing agency CommonHealth and later served as operating CEO and limited partner at private-equity firm GTCR, where he led acquisition efforts targeting health marketing and communications firms. He joined FINN in 2015 and, together with colleagues, champions one of the most admired global health communication agencies.

Bashe continues his longstanding commitment to the role of communication in public health by serving as a correspondent for Health Tech World and Medika Life. He is included among the "50 Most Influential Health Influencers" by Medical Marketing & Media as well as one of its inaugural "Innovation Catalysts." PharmaVOICE named him among the 100 Most Inspiring Leaders and was a PM360 "Lifetime Achievement Award" recipient. Bashe serves on the advisory boards of the Decentralized Trials Research Alliance, Galien Foundation, Let's Win for Pancreatic Cancer, Marfan Foundation, mHealth Israel and is a strategic advisor to behavioral health company Newtopia.

About VyTrac:

VyTrac Health, Inc. is on the forefront of innovation and technology empowering providers to better manage their patients' health remotely. Using smartphone and tablet platforms with the choice of multiple languages, VyTrac enables vital data to be accessible to patients and health providers through a secure telehealth platform. Studies show that when a potential health event occurs, early interventions can reduce the number of hospitalizations, improve patient health, and cut healthcare costs. The VyTrac dynamic program uses a vitals sign monitoring mobile application that transmits patient data to the provider dashboard in real time. This simple-to-use, state-of-the-art technology addresses some of the health system's most pressing needs: to overcome health disparities, increase access to care and engage people with identified medical risks.

CONTACT:

Zackary Fink

VyTrac Health, Inc.

[email protected]

+1-888-889-8722

For more information, visit VyTrac at https://www.vytrac.com



SOURCE VyTrac Health, Inc.

Related Links

www.vytrac.com


TORONTO, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Industries across the board have devoted the first half of 2021 to regaining their footing in the national and global marketplaces as many sectors continue to rebound from the impacts of the recent pandemic. Though, some fortunate companies, like Weed Man , North America's fastest growing lawn care franchise, are on pace to meet its most profitable year to date.

With key factors such as the growing housing market and $105 billion spent on lawn and landscape services annually, Weed Man is well positioned for long-term growth. In fact, the company has experienced year-over-year growth for the sixth consecutive year.

The stable franchise is projecting $260 million in system wide sales and has signed 29 new territories in 2021 thus far, including breaking into Tampa Bay with five license agreements.

"With our real-time reporting capabilities, our year end earnings projections will reach over $180 million here in the U.S. and $75 million in Canada," said Jennifer Lemcke, CEO of Weed Man. "With our ongoing, personalized business planning designed to help strengthen each franchise owners individual profit goals and the continued expansion of the home service sector, the business model will only continue to yield even greater organic growth for the network."

Fueled in part by the steady growth of the company's sub-brand, Mosquito Hero  which has been able to surpass $5 million in revenue across North America after being successfully relaunched.

"A large part of our success is accredited to our laser-focused sales analysis program that serves as a predictable tool for franchisees to strategically plan, help them reach sales goals and scale as they see fit," said Lemcke. "It served as a re-engagement strategy that has helped align the priorities and values of the Weed Man brand both here in the U.S. and in Canada, equipping small business owners with what they need to succeed for themselves and their teams."

As a result of these innovations, along with its continued focus on increasing customer count, sustainable revenue and providing healthy lawns and pest-free yards, the franchise is aiming to receive 12 signed agreements (34 territories) before year's end.

The success of Weed Man franchisees is built upon the twin pillars of training and support. Each owner is equipped by the franchisor with all aspects of business operations, including administration, technical, marketing, business planning and budgeting. As an additional layer of local support, every Weed Man franchisee is supported by their experienced regional franchisor who serves as a personal consultant and mentor, providing experience, guidance and encouragement.

For more information on the service offerings made available by Weed Man and its franchising opportunities, visit weedmanfranchise.com .

About Weed Man

Weed Man, North America's fastest-growing franchised lawn care provider, is a network of locally owned and operated lawn care businesses providing environmentally-responsible fertilization, weed control and integrated pest-management services. Founded in 1970, Weed Man's promise has always been the same: treat every lawn as if it was its own and provide customers with honest and open communication. Since the brand began franchising in 1976, Weed Man now supports franchisees in more than 680 territories across North America. For more information, visit weedman.com .

Media Contact: Abigail Cox, Fishman Public Relations, 847-945-1300, [email protected]

SOURCE Weed Man

Related Links

https://weedman.com


PLANO, Texas, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Western Security Surplus Insurance Brokers (WSS), an XPT Partners company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Blake Brininstool as a Broker & Underwriter specializing in Excess & Surplus insurance. WSS, headquartered in Plano, TX, is a wholesale brokerage and general agency dealing exclusively with appointed and licensed brokers.

Blake Brininstool, E&S Specialist

Blake will be working closely with the Western Security Surplus team to expand the company's offering in Texas. He will write risks for a wide range of business lines, including Oil & Gas, Public Entities and Construction. He brings over a decade of insurance expertise to his new position, including several years specializing in E&S contract underwriting and brokerage.

Brininstool benefits from a retail background as well, having worked with upper-middle market businesses at one of the largest retailers in the country.

"I strive daily to provide the absolute best service and problem-solving mentality to my clients. A client's success is our success  and I bring that approach to work with me every day," Blake said. "I look forward to working closely with the WSS team to build a solid portfolio and expand our footprint across Texas."

"We are excited to have Blake on board," adds Judy Hall, Vice President/Underwriting Manager of Western Security Surplus. "I believe his experience growing and managing a substantial book of business in his past positions, combined with his familiarity on the retail side, will bring great value to Western Security Surplus."

Western Security Surplus welcomes Blake to his new role and looks forward to continued success in the Excess & Surplus market.

About Western Security Surplus

Western Security Surplus Insurance Brokers, an XPT Partners company, is a wholesale insurance brokerage and general agency founded in 1981, offering a wide range of standard, unique and exclusive insurance programs. WSS holds licenses in various states across the country.

About XPT Partners

XPT Partners focuses on commercial P&C brokerage, binding and transportation by bringing together wholesale broking and multiple binding authority platforms across many specialty lines. XPT Partners stands apart by delivering expertise, market access, new product development and exclusive service offerings to client agencies through a collaborative partnership culture. For more information, please contact Mark Smith at [email protected] or visit xptspecialty.com.

Media Contact:

Anita Nevins

[email protected]

707-429-0877

SOURCE XPT Partners
SAN ANTONIO, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Whataburger calls its annual tradition of honoring its legacy while giving back to the communities it serves Orange Spirit Week. This year, in honor of its 71st anniversary, Whataburger is partnering with Feeding America to help provide at least 2.5 million meals* through local food banks across Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

From Sunday, Aug. 8, through Sunday, Aug. 15, customers who donate a minimum of $1 at any of the more than 850 Whataburger restaurants across these 10 states will receive a thank-you coupon for a free Whataburger with the purchase of a medium fry and 32-ounce drink.

Every dollar donated during the week-long fundraiser will go to Feeding America and its member food banks in the local communities where the money is given. It's all in support of Whataburger Feeding Student Success, the company's signature community program operating at the intersection of food insecurity and education and focusing on helping students at all levels of education achieve their goals and dreams.

"Feeding America is doing such amazing work through their network of food banks. All of us at Whataburger are looking forward to joining our customers in showing support for them during Orange Spirit Week," said Ed Nelson, Whataburger CEO. "We invite our friends and neighbors to visit their local Whataburger throughout the week and donate to help keep our children nourished and on the path to bright futures."

The magic of Whataburger started on Aug. 8, 1950, in a tiny burger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas. An entrepreneur named Harmon Dobson set out to build a burger so delicious that customers would take that first bite and say, "What a burger!" Today, Whataburger is known for awesome burgers, big flavor and the brand's pride in taking care of its guests, communities and employees, known as Family Members. Orange Spirit Week celebrates its founding and the foundation for success that Dobson created.

The 2021 celebration will kick off in San Antonio on Sunday, Aug. 8, with a drive-through teacher appreciation event. During the week, Whataburger employees, known as Family Members, will assemble and deliver 10,000 school supply bags to local organizations across 10 states.

*$1 helps provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of local member food banks. Whataburger guarantees a minimum donation of $250,000 as a result of the Promotion, with no maximum set.



About Whataburger

Whataburger has focused on its fresh, made-to-order burgers and friendly customer service since 1950 when Harmon Dobson opened the first Whataburger as a small roadside burger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas. Today, the company is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, with more than 850 locations across its 14-state footprint, and sales of more than $2.8 billion annually. Whataburger has 50,000 Family Members (employees) and more than 60 million customers who like to customize their Whataburgers just the way they like it. Visit whataburger.com or pivot-you.com for more information. To apply for Whataburger jobs now, visit whataburger.com/careers.

SOURCE Whataburger

Related Links

http://whataburger.com


LOS ANGELES, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- YK Law LLP and Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein LLP announce that the parties have reached an agreement to settle Plaintiff's claims regarding Tesla, Inc.'s temporary limitation of maximum battery voltage in 1,743 Tesla Model S vehicles.

Under the proposed settlement, Tesla will pay $1.5 million towards a common settlement fund, whereby payments of $625 will be made to eligible Settlement Class Members. In addition to the proposed payments to the settlement class members, Tesla has agreed to maintain diagnostic software in warranty vehicles and to notify owners and lessees if Tesla determines that battery service or repair may be needed.

The settlement is now pending approval by federal district court judge Hon. Beth L. Freeman of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. The court will set a hearing date for preliminary settlement approval, which if approved will result in the third-party administrator issuing notice to the 1,743 class members. If the court later grants final settlement approval, the third-party administrator will allocate and distribute payments of $625 to each of the Settlement Class Members.

The motion also seeks appointment of Edward Chen, YK Law LLP, Robert Nelson and Nimish Desai, Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein LLP, as Settlement Class Counsel, and the appointment of Plaintiff David Rasmussen as Settlement Class Representative.

YK Law LLP: As an international law firm with close ties to China, YK Law LLP has a diverse and experienced team of lawyers that are committed to providing clients with the highest quality legal services while adhering to a "customer first" mentality. YK Law LLP attorneys assist clients with achieving their goals, and serve as strategic consultants, partners, and supporters to their clients. YK Law attorneys rely on the power of teamwork to fully share legal strategies and have a deep understanding and knowledge of cross-border disputes involving the United States and China.

Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP: Lieff Cabraser is one of the country's largest and most successful firms exclusively representing plaintiffs in civil litigation, having secured verdicts or settlements worth over $124 billion for clients nationwide. With over 100 attorneys, the firm has led some of the most significant class action litigation of the last decade.

Source:

Henry Li, Co-Managing Partner

YK Law, LLP

Dir: 213.817.7552

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE YK Law
MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A revolutionary design in the multi-aid, quick-attack wildfire truck market is premiering at FDIC. The Zeus Electric Chassis (Zeus) electric fire truck combines the reconfigurable Zeus Power PlatformTM with a 300-gallon water tank and IDEX electric motor driven water pump. All auxiliary functions, including the water pump, are powered from the main vehicle batteries  a ground-breaking solution for the fire industry.

Along with a reduced carbon footprint, the EV solution substantially reduces noise pollution, provides quiet, clean auxiliary power, and eliminates the need for dual power sources, power take offs (PTOs) and extra drive shafts.

"Zeus is continuing to the next level, showcasing a fully-electric integrated solution of an IDEX water pump family on a fully-electric Zeus chassis," said Robert Grinstead, Zeus Founder and CTO. "With one power source and the same communication network, this brings uncompromising performance in an electric fire truck."

The Zeus truck is equipped with several products from the IDEX Fire & Safety portfolio of brands. These include Hale Products' proprietary electronic water flow system, offering a prime solution for municipal, urban, rural, and wildland operators seeking a complete alternative fuel solution.

"IDEX Fire & Safety is proud to stand at the forefront of innovation as part of this exciting solution for fire departments looking to decrease their carbon footprint," said Bill Simmons, President, Fire & Safety at IDEX Corporation. "We look forward to showcasing the IDEX emission-free technology behind this EV, alongside Marion Body Works (Marion) and Zeus Electric Chassis, this year at FDIC."

Marion Body Works supplies the Zeus aluminum cab structure. The reputation of Marion in the specialty work truck market, specifically for quality-built structures and cabs, brings a strong foundation to the Zeus team. Zeus is entering a space with a quick trajectory. Marion is in position to support that growth, having the flexibility and agility to manufacture for Zeus at scale as they expand into adjacent markets.

"Marion's strong foundation of experience in the industry combined with the innovative intelligence of the Zeus team ensures we are moving quickly into the future," states Cal Kanowitz, F&E Sales and Dealer Development at Marion. "We are excited to combine the collective progress of Zeus and Marion with the quality of IDEX Fire & Safety products at FDIC 2021."

The truck and members of the Zeus team will be in the Marion Body Works booth, #3126, at FDIC International August 5-7 at the Indiana Convention Center.

About Zeus Electric Chassis, Inc.

Zeus is a fully configurable class 3-8 purpose-built, severe-duty, electric vocational truck solution manufactured in North America. Our mission is to engineer and manufacture uncompromising, full-electric vocational solutions that address environmental and industry needs. Our ground up approach and willingness to co-develop allows our customers to reimagine their future business model. Zeus is well networked within the eMobility ecosystem, partnering with market leading technology suppliers, work truck OEMs, end-user fleets, and non-profit industry leaders with the mission of accelerating EV adoption nationwide. Learn more at www.zeuselectricchassis.com.

About Marion Body Works

Marion Body Works manufactures Fire & Emergency Apparatus, Commercial Truck Bodies, Aluminum Custom Cabs, Custom Engineered Vehicles, and Defense Products for customers across the country. Marion has been a privately owned family business continuously operated in Marion, Wisconsin since it was founded in 1905. Marion specializes in all-aluminum fire apparatus, with more experience in this area than any other U.S. manufacturer.

About IDEX Fire & Safety

IDEX Fire & Safety brings trusted brands together to deliver innovation in customer experience and integrated solutions that revolutionize performance and technology to make the fire ground and rescue scene safer. Our brands include Akron Brass, AWG, Class 1, Dinglee, Hale, Hurst Jaws of Life, Godiva, Lukas, Vetter, and Weldon. The IDEX Fire & Safety brands represent business units of IDEX Corporation [NYSE: IEX], an applied solutions company specializing in fluid and metering technologies, health and science technologies, fire, safety, and other diversified products. Visit idexfiresafety.com

For further information, please contact:

Wayne Kugel, Chief Executive Officer

Zeus Electric Chassis, Inc.

Phone: (844) 938-7462

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Zeus Electric Chassis, Inc.

Related Links

https://zeuselectricchassis.com


Polymetals is well funded to accelerate exploration at Alahine after its successful $5.2 million initial public offer and ASX listing completed in June 2021.

Since starting its phase two drilling on June 29 at the Alahine Gold Project, Polymetals has drilled 5,200 metres.

( ) has added mineral exploration experience to its team with the appointment of Clive Hastings as supervising geologist.

Hastings has more than 41 years of experience in mineral exploration, mining services and project management, having managed numerous diamond, reverse circulation and air-core drilling programs across Australia and Africa.

In addition to previously working in Guinea, Hastings has experience in Archaean and Proterozoic greenstone-granitoid terrains throughout Western Australias Yilgarn and Pilbara regions.

Henry Tebar who was outlined in the prospectus as the exploration manager will remain as a consultant to the company and provide technical guidance on the balance of the Alahine phase-2 drilling program in Guineas Siguri Basin.

Wealth of successful experience

POL chief executive officer Alex Hanly said: I am pleased to welcome Clive Hastings to Polymetals.

He is a practical and results-driven professional with an extensive 41-year career within the industry across two continents.

Clive brings a wealth of successful mineral exploration experience and his previous experience in Guinea will continue to prove invaluable as the company progresses its exploration program.

His geological insights and identification of new priority targets have already been instrumental throughout the phase-2 program.

Geological insights

Hastings has been actively involved in the activities at the companys Alahine Project since the beginning of the drilling program on June 29.

In addition to supervising the Alahine phase two program, he has also scouted the companys Mansala exploration licence around 10 kilometres south of the Alahine Licence, providing significant geological insights of the area.

After starting the phase two drilling on June 29, 2021, Polymetals has drilled a total of 5,200 metres, consisting of 68 aircore (AC) holes for 4,840 metres and three reverse circulations (RC) holes for 360 metres.

Deeper than anticipated weathering has resulted in softer drilling conditions and has significantly reduced the intended use of RC drilling in favour of the lower cost and faster AC drilling.

The company plans to complete at least 2,000 more metres of AC drilling based on geological interpretations and site geologist recommendations.
An effective panLOX inhibitor for bone marrow cancer would open a market that is conservatively estimated at US$1 billion per annum.

The drug also has potential in several other cancers, including liver and pancreatic cancer.

( ), a clinical-stage drug development company, has revealed the results of data analysis from the second of three stages in its phase 1c clinical trial (MF101) studying a potential new treatment for the bone marrow cancer myelofibrosis.

The company has found that the increase in the dose of its PXS5505 drug led to a predictable increase in drug blood levels in patients and showed the same good tolerability seen in the first dose cohort.

The third dose cohort of the clinical trial is already fully recruited, and dosing of all patients is expected to commence at participating sites in Australian and South Korean hospitals later this week.

Deliver results by the end of next year

Pharmaxis CEO Gary Phillips said: Were working to apply PXS5505 to cancer treatment by inhibiting the LOX and LOXL2 enzymes, which play a significant role.

The results from these second of three dose cohorts in our myelofibrosis clinical trial show a reassuring dose-related increase in blood drug levels and good tolerability.

We anticipate that we will also see dose-related increases in levels of LOX and LOXL2 inhibition when that data becomes available later this month.

We are on track to commence dosing in the sixmonth dose-expansion study later this year and deliver results by the end of next year.

Six-month dose-expansion phase

Pharmaxis will assess the safety and pharmacokinetics of the drugs PXS-5505 following 28 days on the third dose.

This assessment will select the optimal dose to use in the sixmonth dose-expansion phase 2a to further evaluate safety and efficacy.

Sites in other countries, including the USA and Taiwan, are currently being engaged in anticipation of the dose-expansion phase commencing recruitment to 24 patients later this year.

Drug has potential in several other cancers

The phase 1c/2a trial MF101 cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Investigational New Drug (IND) scheme aims to demonstrate that PXS5505, the lead asset in Pharmaxis drug discovery pipeline, is safe and effective as a monotherapy in myelofibrosis patients who are intolerant, unresponsive or ineligible for treatment with approved JAK inhibitor drugs.

An effective panLOX inhibitor for myelofibrosis would open a market that is conservatively estimated at US$1 billion per annum.

While Pharmaxis primary focus is the development of PXS5505 for myelofibrosis, the drug also has potential in several other cancers including liver and pancreatic cancer where it aims to break down the fibrotic tissue in the tumour and enhance the effects of chemotherapy treatment.
( , ) CEO Daniel Major joined Stephen Gunnion from Proactive with results from a geophysics program at its Falea project in Mali.

Major telling Proactive that the survey highlights the exploration potential for the polymetallic property. More promising indications include the potential for a chargeable body in the northeast area of its Bala license.
Gurugram, Aug 4 : The Gurugram police have arrested an accused in connection with a murder case. The crime had allegedly taken place on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday in the Sector-37/C area in Gurugram.

The deceased was identified as Anuj Kumar Gautam of Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh. The arrested accused was identified as Binda Prasad of Unnao in Uttar Pradesh.

According to the complainant, Sanjay, a native of Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh stated in his police complaint he along with his relative Anuj Kumar Gautam had visited Chandan, a labour contractor related to some work on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday in Sector-37/C area.

Chandan left after some later and the compliant and Anuj was standing at the spot to discuss something.

"After some time two boys and a girl came in a black Verna car. The boys stepped out from their car and told us we had abused the girl... we denied them but they beat us with sticks and iron rod," the complainant alleged in his police complaint.

The complainant alleged the boys held them hostage in a bathroom and they also took Chandan at the same place and beat the trio mercilessly in which Anuj lost his senses following which the accused fled the spot.

The complainant immediately took the injured to a hospital where he succumbed due to his injuries.

However, preliminary investigations indicated that the girl misidentified the victims as it was someone else who had molested the girl.

The police have also identified the man who molested the girl.

"We have arrested a culprit in connection with the murder. Hunts are on to nab other criminals. A case of murder under relevant sections of the IPC was registered against the culprits at Sector-10A police station," Preet Pal Sangwan, ACP (crime) said.
Tokyo, Aug 4 : Star Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra raised India's hopes of a track and field medal when he qualified for the final at the Tokyo Olympics on Wednesday, sealing a top place from his group, and finishing ahead of Germany's Johannes Vetter, who is tipped as the favourite for gold at the quadrennial showpiece.

At the Olympic Stadium, the 23-year-old Chopra, the junior world champion, cleared the automatic qualifying mark of 83.50 metres with his first attempt of 86.65 metres in Group A to emerge a strong contender for a medal in the final to be held on Saturday.

All eyes will be on Chopra on Saturday's final as he is on a roll this season and is the owner of the national record -- 88.07m -- which he achieved at the Indian Grand Prix in March.

Germany's Vetter was second in the Group A with 85.64m, taking all three attempts before he could make the cut. Chopra made only a single attempt.

In javelin throw, an athlete can make the final by either attaining the qualifying standard or by finishing among the top-12 competitors in the event.

India's other javelin thrower Shivpal Singh came up with below-par throws and attained his best of 76.40 in his first attempt to finish 12th in Group B and failed to qualify. His other two attempts were 74.80 and 74.81 metres respectively.

Following the conclusion of the qualification round, where 12 throwers qualified - seven from Group A and five from Group B - Chopra's performance stood out as, despite missing almost the entire 2020 due to injuries, he has come back strongly to be in contention for a medal on Saturday.

Chopra began his season with a new national record of 88.07 metres at the Indian Grand Prix in March and followed it up with another commendable 87.80m throw at the Federation Cup.

He then headed to Europe to prepare for Tokyo 2020. There, Chopra threw 83.18m at a Lisbon meet for gold, managed another gold-winning effort of 80.96m in Sweden and threw an 86.79m at the Kuortane Games in Finland for bronze. All three events were held in June.

At Tokyo 2020, Chopra will be up against favourites Johannes Vetter, Chinese Taipei's Chao-Tsun Cheng, Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago and world champion Kenya's Julius Yego.

Latest updates on Tokyo Olympics 2020

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, Aug 4 : Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has said that the discussion on cabinet formation has reached the final stages and he will get a green signal from the BJP high command on Wednesday.

"Decisions are yet to be taken on two or three issues. They will be taken in the morning. I am going to get 'good' news. If I get it on Wednesday early morning hours, a swearing ceremony will be held by noon or evening on the same day," he said late Tuesday night. All aspects including regional, social justice and also requests of those of my friends who have come here have been considered, he said.

"There were some issues on which party President J.P. Naddaji sought clarifications. I have clarified those issues. Finally, he will approve the list on Wednesday morning. As soon as I get the list, it will be sent to Raj Bhavan," Bommai said.

He refused the possibility of dropping seniors from the cabinet. The list will be finalised keeping the next elections and delivering good administration in mind. "We need experience as well as enthusiasm. I am expecting the cabinet expansion to take place in two phases. The inclusion and exclusion of names is the prerogative of the high command. I am cool and used to the pulls and pressures of cabinet formation. I am returning to Bengaluru on an early morning flight," he explained.

Sources said that the high command has approved the list of 20 to 24 ministers and there will be no deputy chief minister post this time.

Sources also said that the high command is considering a cabinet berth to former Chief Minister B.S.Yediyurappa's son B.Y. Vijayendra. However, they are yet to take a call on the chief minister aspirants -- former speaker Vishveshwara Hegde Kageri and BJP MLA Aravind Bellad.

It is said that former Deputy Chief Minister Govind Karajol, Dr. C.N. Ashwathnarayan, former ministers Sriramulu, Aravind Limbavali, K.S. Eshwarappa, V. Somanna, Murugesh Nirani, R. Ashok, Anand Singh, Dr. K. Sudhakar, J.C. Madhuswamy, S.T. Somashekar, MTB Nagaraj, K. Gopalaiah, Bhyrathi Basavaraju, B.C. Patil, Narayana Gowda, C.P. Yogeshwar, Bhyrathi Basavaraju, Shivaram Hebbar, senior leaders V. Sunilkumar, K. Poornima, S. Angara, Abhay Patil, Raju Gowda, P. Rajeev, Dattatreya Patil Revur, M.P. Kumaraswamy are likely to make it to the cabinet.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
New Delhi, Aug 4 : The government has lined up five Bills in the Upper House on Wednesday.

The Bills for consideration and passing are: The Limited Liability Partnership (Amendment) Bill, 2021; The Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2021; Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2021; The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Amendment) Bill, 2021, The General Insurance Business (Nationalisation) Amendment Bill, 2021.

Three Bills are related to the finance ministry which will be moved by Nirmala Sitharaman.

The RS bulletin states that the Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda will move a Bill for consideration -- to amend the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950 to modify the list of Scheduled Tribes in relation to the State of Arunachal Pradesh, be taken into consideration.

While Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia is to move -- the Bill further to amend the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008, as passed by the Lok Sabha.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to move for consideration -- the Bill to amend the General Insurance Business (Nationalisation) Act, 1972, as passed by the Lok Sabha.

The reports of the standing committees of Transport Tourism and culture, Other Backward Class, and Chemical and Fertilizer will be presented in the House.

The government is pushing the Bills amid din till now as stalemate continued.
Buarchip : , Aug 4 (IANS) Lalthanpuii left behind her entire crop of areca nuts after Assam police and villagers stormed her settlement near here on July 10.

That was almost a fortnight before the bloody clash between Assam and Mizoram police at Vairengte, which left seven, including six Assam policemen dead and more than 60 injured on both sides.

"Hundred policemen and several hundreds of Assam villagers attacked our village. They pushed all Mizos out, took away our areca nuts. Later they drained the water in our ponds and took away all our fish," said Lathanpuii, tears in her eyes.

"I have lost everything." She says five Mizo women, including herself, were among those who suffered injuries in a futile bid to stop the incursion from Assam.

Now Lalthanpuii and other Mizo villagers of Verte are living behind the Mizoram police camp at Buarchip.

"We have lost our crops and fish in our ponds and left without any livelihood now. The future is very uncertain," says Joe Lalsangliana, another Verte resident now in Buarchip.

A small river flowing through the area separates the police camps of Mizoram and Assam, with the CRPF forces deployed between them to maintain peace.

The policemen don't encourage movement of villagers that they feel could trigger violence.

A local palm oil processing project by Godrej is in doldrums because the Mizo farmers are pulling back from the plantations due to spiralling state border tensions.

At nearby mountains on I-Tlang, Mizo jhumias (shifting cultivators) complain that Assam police started razing their crops from early June.

Pointing to their fields in the distant mountains, they say Assam Forest Department has now started planting teak on their traditional jhum lands at I-Tlang after the police razed their crop.

"No wonder the Assam Chief Minister now says the disputed zone is forest land and they want control over it by planting teak trees. But truth is these are Mizo jhum pastures for centuries where our shifting cultivators have harvested a wide mix of crops," says Pi Sangte, a village council member of Vairengte-1 .

Sangte has worked in Mumbai and Europe in the hospitality industry before returning to her ancestral Vairengte , where she is now a community leader.

"You can see for yourself a forward policy by Assam police in this whole disputed area since June that led to tensions that finally exploded into the bloody July 26 clash," Sangte told IANS.

Assam police denies the charge and says they were only taking control of the state's constitutional boundaries.

However, the tribal shifting cultivators like the Mizos recognise no constitutional boundaries because their claims (and that of their state) is largely based on actual use of lands by their forefathers traditionally for jhum or shifting cultivation.

It is a clash of two entirely different culture of land use, one based on recorded possession familiar to plains people and the other based on a loose pattern of use for shifting cultivation without any formal record of possession.

"Any future settlement should take into account these divergent perceptions but we have no reason to fight because we are all Indians," says Vairengte village level worker Pu Gilbert.
New Delhi, Aug 4 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday said that it is carrying out searches at five locations in Jammu and Kashmir and Karnataka in Kerala ISIS module case, officials said.

An NIA official related to probe told IANS, "Multiple NIA teams are carrying out searches since morning at three locations in Jammu and Kashmir and one location in Bengaluru and Mengaluru." The case pertains to the terrorist activities of a group led by one Mohammed Ameen of Kerala.

The anti-terror probe agency had earlier arrested three people namely Ameen and his associates Mushab Anuvar and Rahees Rashid after preliminary examination.

The group has been running various ISIS propaganda channels on different social media platforms such as Telegram, Hoop and Instagram for propagating the violent Jihadi ideology of ISIS, and radicalising and recruiting new members to the module.

The NIA had registered a case against seven known and other unnamed persons under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act on March 5, 2021.

The NIA official said the group of radicalised individuals, under the leadership of Ameen and having pledged allegiance to the proscribed terrorist organisation ISIS, had identified certain people in Kerala and Karnataka for targeted killing.
New Delhi, Aug 4 : Debasish Roy, ADG, Training, West Bengal Police, on Wednesday said, "Despite various anti-counterfeiting strategies such as raids, use of multiple packaging technologies, consumer education and consultations with government agencies the menace of smuggling and counterfeiting is on the rise." Addressing the capacity building program on 'Prevention of Counterfeiting and Smuggling organized by FICCI CASCADE' (Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy), Dr Roy said, "Frequent seizures of contraband items such cigarettes, alcohol, drugs and pharmaceuticals along with illegal imports of clothing are causing economic crisis leading to unemployment and poverty." Deep Chand, Advisor FICCI CASCADE and Former Special Commissioner of Police, New Delhi said, "The grey market economy is fueling illegitimate industry and leading to increased criminalization of the society in the form of organized crime including terrorism. This capacity building program is aimed to sensitize police officers to emphasize on the importance of continued awareness and seriousness of the impact of counterfeit and smuggled goods." Anil Rajput, Chairman, FICCI CASCADE said, "The Police department is the primary law enforcement agency in our country and play a significant role in ensuring the protection of legitimate businesses from illicit players. Although there are adequate laws available, their enforcement makes the role of police officers even more important in the fight against counterfeiters and smugglers." Complimenting the officials of the police department, he further said that during the Covid19 pandemic, our officers have been playing a crucial part in contributing to the effort to control the disease, promoting safer communities, and fighting criminals who have been taking advantage of the outbreak.

Some of the key recommendations at the program included, capacity building in terms of skill, infrastructure and technology amongst the law enforcement agencies in improving the detection and investigation of crimes; need for additional manpower with the desired aptitude to be provided in Special cells, District Investigation Units, Economic Offences Wing who can focus exclusively on the investigation of such cases; severe extant bail provisions; non-bailable offence for repeat offenders; rigorous imprisonment and stringent monetary penalty among others.

The capacity building program saw participation of several officers of West Bengal Police from Bankura, Islampur, Jagipur, Uttar Dinajpur, Murshidabad, Mednipur, Jhargam, Siliguri, Birbhum etc.

In pursuance of its mandate, FICCI-CASCADE will continue to hold similar programs across the country in briefing enforcement agencies on procedural and enforcement issues while tackling illicit trading activities.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, Aug 4 : To celebrate its 15 years of operations, airline major IndiGo on Wednesday announced a three-day special sale offering all-inclusive fares starting from Rs 915 on its domestic and international connections.

Accordingly, the offer will be live from August 4-6, 2021 and will be applicable on travel between September 1, 2021 till March 26, 2022.

"Additionally, the '6E' add-ons including 'Fast Forward, 6E Flex, 6E Bagport' are being offered at Rs 315 while the 'Car Rental' service will start at Rs 315." According to Ronojoy Dutta, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo: "It is a momentous occasion for us as we celebrate 15 fulfilling years. We would like to express our gratitude towards our customers and employees for their confidence in us even during the worst times." At present, IndiGo with its fleet of more than 270 aircraft, the airline is operating around 1,000 daily flights and connecting 67 domestic destinations and 24 international destinations.
Bhubaneswar, Aug 4 : People visiting Odisha are no longer required to produce Covid negative report or fully vaccinated certificate, officials said on Wednesday.

The Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) P.K. Jena has issued an order withdrawing the earlier regulation.

"Orders regarding stipulations/restrictions as per order No. 2980, dated, 30.05.2021 on entry of people into Odisha from other States by producing Rapid Antigen Test/RT-PCR negative report/final vaccination certificate etc. is hereby withdrawn," the SRC order said.

On May 30, in the aftermath of resurgence in Covid cases, the Naveen Patnaik government had imposed the restriction on people coming into Odisha from other states. All such people were asked to produce Covid negative report obtained within 48 hours or final vaccination certificate. Otherwise, they were expected to undergo a seven days quarantine.
London, Aug 4 : Police in the UK have arrested 19 men as part of an investigation into child sexual abuse in Bradford.

The inquiry is connected to offences committed against one female in the Bradford district between 2000-2005, West Yorkshire Police said.

The men, aged between 36 and 55, were all arrested in Bradford over the last month, the BBC reported.

All 19 men have been interviewed and released on police bail pending further inquiries, the force said.

Bradford District Police Detective Chief Inspector Alan Weekes said: "We would urge anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse, whether recent or historic, to report it to the police.

"Please be assured you will be listened to, taken seriously and supported by professionals with experience of dealing with these kind of offences."
Chennai, Aug 4 : Former Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu and senior leaders of AIADMK, Edapapdi K. Palaniswami, and O. Panneerselvam will have to appear before a special court on August 24. This is in connection with a criminal defamation case filed by former spokesman of AIADMK, Va Pugazhendi against the two leaders.

The complainant said that both Palaniswami and Panneerselvam announced on June 14 that he was expelled from the AIADMK but did not give any satisfactory reason for doing so.

The communication was that he was removed from the post of party official spokesman for anti-party activities and that he was also removed from the primary membership of the party.

In his complaint, Va Puzhagendi said that he had not done anything against the interests of the party and added that the expulsion letter levelled vague and baseless allegations against him. He said that he had never acted in any manner which was against the rules of the party.

Puzhagendi also said that in the expulsion letter which was circulated among the AIADMK cadre, it was mentioned that no cadre should contact the complainant nor should be in touch with him. The complainant said that it was a rude shock to him and did not have words to express his sorrow and shock.

The former spokesman in the complaint asked, "What were the reasons for my expulsion and what were the instances warranting the extreme step of expulsion from the party." Puzhagendhi in his complaint said that he was a loyal party worker and that he had served the AIADMK for the past thirty years and said that he had suffered a great assault to his reputation due to the unwarranted expulsion from the party. He requested the court to punish both Palaniswami and Panneerselvam under Sections 499 and 500 for criminal defamation.

The Special court judge, Justice N. Alicia issued summons to the both former chief ministers to appear in person before the court on August 24.
Mumbai, Aug 4 : The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cautioned the public from falling prey to offers of buying or selling of old bank notes and coins.

In a statement, the central bank said that certain elements are fraudulently using the name and logo of the Reserve Bank of India, and seeking charges, commission and tax from public, in transactions related to buying and selling of old banknotes and coins through various online and offline platforms.

"It is clarified that Reserve Bank of India does not deal in such matters and never seeks charges/commissions of any sort. The Reserve Bank of India has also not authorised any institution/firm/person etc to collect charges/commission on its behalf in such transactions," it said.

The RBI has advised members of public to remain cautious and not to fall prey to elements using its name to extract money through such fictitious and fraudulent offers.
New Delhi, Aug 4 : Kylie Jenner shared a snapshot of herself painted in gold dust from head to toe on her Instagram post recently.

Kylie shared a picture showing herself topless, painted in gold dust with gold bikini bottoms. Smoky eye look, gold hoops, and full blowout completed her golden look.

Kylie shared the post in context of her 24th birthday on August 10. She will be launching a 24K gold-themed collection for her beauty brand on her birthday.

"Ahhh!!! my birthday is in 8 days!!! and of course i had to celebrate with another bday collection! 24K gold theme for my 24th birthday launching on August 10th. I can't wait to reveal this collection tomorrow on my stories!!! STAY TUNED @kyliecosmetics," she wrote on her Instagram page.
New Delhi, Aug 4 : India and China are working on a proposal to withdraw troops from a friction point in Gogra at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh in the next few days. It could be a significant step towards resolving the continuing border crisis.

The final decision on withdrawal of troops from Patrolling Point (PP) 17A in Gogra would be taken up by the top brass of the military and diplomatic hierarchy.

Both the countries are also evaluating the interim arrangements suggested during the 12 rounds of Corp Commander-level meeting on July 31.

In a joint statement of the 12th Round of India-China Corps commander level meeting, it was said that the two sides also agreed that in the interim they will continue their effective efforts in ensuring stability along the LAC in the Western Sector and jointly maintain peace and tranquility.

On July 31, India and China military delegates deliberated for almost nine hours to resolve border crisis at Moldo in the Ladakh region.

The Indian Army stated that this round of meeting was held following the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of India and People's Republic of China on July 14 in Dushanbe and the 22nd meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) held on June 25.

"The two sides had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on resolution of remaining areas related to disengagement along the Line of Actual Control in the Western Sector of India-China border areas," said Indian Army in the statement.

The force further stated that the two sides noted that this round of meeting was constructive, which further enhanced mutual understanding. They agreed to resolve the remaining issues in an expeditious manner in accordance with the existing agreements and protocols and maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations.

The talks between the two countries happened after a gap of three months. Indian military delegates discussed disengagement at friction areas like Hot Springs, Gogra and 900 square km Depsang plains.

The Indian delegation was led by Leh-based XIV Corps chief Lt Gen P.G.K. Menon and Additional Secretary (East Asia) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Naveen Srivastava.

The Chinese military delegation was led by Commander of the PLA's Western Theatre Command Xu Qiling, who was appointed earlier this month.

The build-up in Depsang was not being considered part of the current standoff that started in May last year as that escalation took place in 2013. India has insisted during recent military commander meetings to resolve all issues along the LAC.

In April, during 11th round of Corps Commander-level talk, the focus was also on disengagement on friction points at Gogra, Hot Springs and Depsang. Till now, apart from 12 round of Corps Commanders-level talks, the two forces have also held 10 Major Generals level, 55 Brigadiers-level talks and 1,450 calls over the hotlines.

So far, the troops of the two Himalayan giants have disengaged from both the banks of Pangong Tso in February this year.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, Aug 4 : The emerging threats in the cyber world and space require state-of-the-art technological responses, President Ram Nath Kovind said on Wednesday.

During his address at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, the President said, "Use of advanced technology by non-state actors also calls for an upgraded response." He further stated that issues like climate change may have an impact on security preparedness. "All such issues influence the security calculus of the nation. You have to comprehend their implications so that you are better prepared to deal with them," he told the young student officers, including 30 from other countries who are also attending this course.

He said that significant changes are instituted in the higher defence organisation of the country and impetus is also being provided to indigenisation and self-sufficiency in the defence sector. "These initiatives have been taken with a view to make the Armed Forces' future ready," he stressed.

He told the young student officers that as they go up the ladder of growth, they will have to graduate from the level of single service competencies to multi-domain challenges.

"That requires greater understanding of joint and multi-domain operations," he said.

He also praised the Indian Armed Forces stating they have earned the regard of the fellow citizens by untiring efforts and great sacrifices.

"They have rendered invaluable services to the nation during the times of war and peace. They have discharged their duties with dedication and courage while facing internal and external security challenges, and in times of natural calamities," he said.

The President appreciated the outstanding grit and determination displayed by men and women of the Armed Forces in dealing with the situation on borders as well as the Covid-19 pandemic.

He also talked about his recent visit to Kashmir valley on the Kargil Vijay Diwas where he interacted with officers and soldiers. "I felt very happy to observe their high morale and dedication to duty. Most of you have been among the frontline warriors, dealing with these challenges," he said.

Kovind said that India is passing through challenging times, which is full of changes and the concepts of National Security and Defence are also changing.

"Geo-strategic and geo-political compulsions and many other factors have made the security landscape more complex. Low intensity conflicts, counter terrorism and non-combat conflicts pose different challenges," said the President, urging the officers that there is a need to have a thorough understanding of all aspects.

"In these changing times, we have to think of new ways to secure our national interests and ensure our national security. This would require a fresh approach," he said.

He told the young officers that as defence professionals they have to be a knowledge warrior. "You build upon the experiences of the past, align such learning to the current context and upgrade your knowledge to become ready for the future," the President said.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, Aug 4 : "India is a scattered market with few boutique brands offering limited organic clothing. International brands available in India also have only 10-30 per cent of range in organic clothing," says Ankit Shukla, Country Head -- India and Middle East, Norlanka Brands.

After recently buying a majority stake in Lilly + Sid, the company has launched the brand in India. IANSlife speaks to Shukla and Emma Hassan, Founder, Lilly + Sid, to find out more details. Excerpts: Tell us about your brand. Why did you decide to enter the Indian market now? Emma: We founded Lilly + Sid in 2009 with a mission to create clothes for children, combining quality with organic fabrics in a planet friendly manner, as an antidote to fast fashion. I am proud to see how the brand has evolved to be one of Britain's top sustainable kids wear labels with 'unique designs for little people and their planet'.

We have won multiple accolades over the last ten years including the 'Top 10 Ethical Brands Worldwide' by Guardian, UK and the prestigious 'Loved By Parents' Award in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

From the shelves of heritage retailers like Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges, the brand is now in India. It is being presented in India by Norlanka Brands, the retail arm of the PDS Multinational Group that is responsible for launching the brands of the Group in India, Middle East and the South East Asian market. As Indian parents become conscious of their purchases and their responsibility to the environment, we offer organic solutions for everyday clothing for boys and girls.

The label aims to fill a void in the market for young, modern parents who are actively involved in the growing years of their children and want to create new traditions as a unit. These parents are invested in building a sustainable future as a family. With its organic offering for children, the brand promises to be the perfect new addition to the ever evolving kids wear market in India.

Tell us in detail about your sustainable practices.

Emma: With a 100 per cent organic cotton clothing line, our focus has always been on sustainability without sacrificing style! While conventional cotton uses about 16 per cent of the world's insecticides and 7 per cent of pesticides, organic cotton doesn't damage the soil, has less impact on the air, uses 88 per cent less water and 62 per cent less energy. Engaged in responsible sourcing, we work only with SEDEX certified factories and each of our products has received the prestigious Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification, the worldwide leading textile processing standard for organic fibres. We also focus on maximising the lifecycle of our products through thoughtful design features that enable garments to grow with the child through the years. Our multi-wear separates and reversible garments are a key part of the collections -- two looks in one are a great win for sustainable wardrobes with less washing and less pieces needed to create looks for little ones! How do you view the current Indian kidswear market?

Ankit: India is a scattered market with few boutique brands offering limited organic clothing. International brands available in India also have only 10-30 per cent of range in organic clothing. The children's wear market for ages 0-14 years is projected to grow at a compounded annual rate of 17.9 per cent from 2018 to 2023, according to Euro monitor India.

The Kids wear category has registered a spike in sales over the last year making it the highest growing segment. Amid the Covid-19 crisis, the global market for Children's Wear estimated at US$252.2 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$325.9 Billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 3.7 per cent over the analysis period 2020-2027. Norlanka Brands, which recently acquired majority stake in Lilly + Sid aims to own the space for 100 per cent organic kids wear in India.

The projected sales for babywear and kidswear market in India for FY 2021 is 22-25 billion USD and babywear and kidswear contribute 25-30 per cent of the total Indian apparel market which offers a great opportunity for us. We are a 100 per cent organic kids wear brand that celebrates childhood everyday with its fun and trendy clothes for boys and girls, made with sustainable fabric which is a gap in Indian market. As kidswear evolves to be an important lifestyle focus for parents, we are proud to launch an award-winning brand in India and aim to build a 100 crore kidswear brand in India over the next 3 years.

What is your business strategy? Ankit: The brand enters the Indian market in a digitally forward format with an exclusive tie-up with Reliance Retail's fashion marketplace: Ajio.com, supplemented by their own website www.lillyandsid.co.in. This E-commerce first approach allows Norlanka Brands to follow more environment friendly processes for digital supply chain management and adopt sustainable practices for overall reduction in their carbon footprint.

We will be pushing our online sales via a robust digital marketing approach involved social commerce as well as influencer-led campaigns that drive brand discovery and curiosity. Norlanka Brands will partner with Lilly+Sid as a technology driven enabler, offering a springboard to the brand in India while the founders will focus on product development and design for the Indian consumers in line with what parents across Britain love about Lilly+Sid.

Are you planning to launch physical stores in India anytime soon? Ankit: Currently, we have decided to adopt an online first approach since Direct To Consumer brands have grown by almost 30-40 per cent in the last 12 months.

Are the collections offered in India specially curated keeping the Indian sensibilities in mind? Ankit: Yes, we have curated the collection for India to present a mix of garments that allows children to enjoy the natural rhythms of everyday life in comfort and happiness, as they grow surrounded by our happy prints and colours. The product range for India is for Boys and girls from the age of 0 - 8 years, with a wardrobe mix for both girls and boys -- shorts, t-shirts, shirts, dresses, tunics, leggings, skirts, playsuits, rompers, tops and trousers among others.

What are your future plans? Ankit: Norlanka Brands will continue to grow the portfolio of sustainable brands in India, Middle East and South East Asian Markets. We will soon be launching another 100 per cent organic unisex brand for children: Turtle Dove London, in the sustainability space, in India. We will provide B2C solutions, through the expertise that our manufacturing arm brings with over ten years of operations in Sri Lanka (Puja Gupta can be contacted at puja.g@ians.in)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
August 04 : Akshay Kumar says OTT has its own charm and fun, but nothing can beat the collective viewing in the theater.

During pandemic, Akshay Kumar not only released his movie digitally, but also shot for one, as well. Now with theaters re-opening across nation, he is the first one to release his spy-thriller BellBottom theatrically.

When Newshelpline asked about releasing Laxmii digitally and now BellBottom in theaters, Akshay Kumar added, At the time of Laxmii, the whole thing was shut down and I was sitting with my movie, paying astronomical interest, so I had to do something. So I did somethingOTT is a different platform, it has its own fun, but theater is something which you enjoy with full family, OTT cannot match it

BellBottom is the first from in the world, not just Bollywood, to commence shot during pandemic and finish it as well.

When asked the challenges faced during the shoot, Akshay Kumar said, Shooting the entire film during pandemic, I think, I would like to give full credit for this to Jackky Bhagnani and Vashu Bhagnani. They are one who took the risk of taking 200 odd people to Scotland and shot the film there, with full protocol and permission. I would take a bow to the father and son duo, because they did something which was unbelievable, as they were the first person in the world to shoot a movie

Being a Delhi Boy, Akshay Kumar have a lot of memories from the capital, sharing one such memory, Akki remembered Amar Akbar Anthony rather fondly.

When asked if he has ever watched a film without buying a ticket, Akshay Kumar said, "Never without a ticket, I have watched a lot of movies in theatre here in Delhi, as I was born here but never without ticket, always with a ticket. I remember watching 'Amar Akbar Anthony' in the theatre by buying a ticket in black. It was raining heavily that day but I wanted to watch that film at any cost. Being a cinema lover, it was extremely important for me to watch that film

"Some films always remain alive in your memory and for me, 'Amar Akbar Anthony' is one such movie which will be cherished by me always," he added.

BellBottom', which is a spy thriller, is scheduled to release in theatres on August 19
New Delhi, Aug 4 : Robert Laurent Grenier who was CIA Station Chief in Islamabad was given a lobbying contract on behalf of Pakistan after he founded his own firm.

Robert Laurent Grenier is a former CIA official, who was CIA Station Chief in Islamabad, Pakistan (2001-02) -- right in the center of storm post 9/11. In 2002 he was promoted to the chief of the Iraq Issues Group, where he helped coordinate covert operations in support of the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Grenier served as Director, CIA's Counter-terrorist Center for about a year, but was fired from that position on February 6, 2006 by the Director of the National Clandestine Service Jose A. Rodriguez, Jr in the CIA leak case and Libby trial.

Grenier was identified in court documents in connection with the CIA leak grand jury investigation and charges against I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby.

In 2009 Grenier was appointed Chairman of ERG Partners, an independent financial and strategic advisory firm solely focused on the security and intelligence sectors. He is a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Subsequently, Grenier opened a Lobby Firm Grenier Consulting LLC on April 1, 2020. And within a year, in July 2021 he is awarded a Lobbying contract on behalf of Pakistan, signed by Iftikhar Ur Rehman Durrani the then Special Advisor to Pak PM Imran Khan. An advance of $25,000 and another $5,000 for research for six months was given by the Pakistan side, with the clause of renewal of contract in six months, according to an investigation by Disinfo Lab.

Another contract was given to a firm affiliated to Robin Raphel, a former Diplomat/CIA Analyst/US AID functionary about lobbyist.

Raphel retired in 2005, and soon joined Cassidy & Associates, a Washington based lobby firm as Senior Vice President, heading its Global Affairs and Trade Group. Shortly after she comes on board, Cassidy & Associates bags $1.2 million lobbying contract from Pakistan.

Cassidy subsequently had to cancel the contract after Gen Musharraf declared Martial Law in Pakistan.

In 2013, Raphel was under investigation of FBI based on an intercept of Pakistani officials by FBI, which indicated that Raphel might have been working for Pakistani agencies. FBI had also found unauthorized classified documents at Raphel's residence, which they suspected were being supplied to a 'foreign country'. However, in 2016 FBI decided not to pursue the matter further. Raphel is reported to be active again, being one of the major back-channels to Taliban.

Raphel started her carrier with CIA in Iran, and later joined US-Aid Diplomatic Corps as economics analyst till 1978. In 1991, she joined as Political Counselor at US Embassy in New Delhi.

DisinfoLab reported that she is credited with the creation of All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC), which earned her the moniker of Mother of Hurriyat. She was married to Arnold Raphel, who was US Ambassador to Pakistan (1987-88), and who died in the plane crash with Zia-ul-Haq.

During her stint with US State Department during 1992-96, she worked towards shaping the US Govt policy towards engagement with Taliban. She was also instrumental in ensuring an exception to Pakistan from the Pressler Amendment that banned military export to Pakistan.

(Sanjeev Sharma can be reached at Sanjeev.s@ians.in)
Patna, Aug 4 : An airline employee was killed and another injured after an electric bus mowed them down at Patna's Jay Prakash Narayan International airport on Wednesday.

The deceased, identified as Prince Raj, was an employee of IndiGo airlines. His colleague, Laune, was also injured in this accident and is currently battling for her life in a private hospital in the Bihar capital.

Prince, who was also celebrating his birthday, along with Laune reached the airport for an event on the completion of 15 years of IndiGo's operations.

Eyewitness accounts said that both the victims deboarded from a cab at gate number 1 of the airport and were walking towards the venue, when an electric bus belonging to city bus service suddenly appeared.

The bus was at high speed.

Prince came under the wheels of the vehicle and died on the spot while the woman fell some distance away after the impact.

"We have registered an FIR under relevant IPC sections of rash and negligent driving against the errant driver and arrested him," said an investigation officer of the case deployed at airport police post.

After the mishap, the airline operator cancelled the event.
London, Aug 4 : The UK government is soon expected to roll out Covid shots to more than a million 16 and 17-year-olds, media reports said on Wednesday.

The roll out is based on recommendations of the independent UK Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), but it is not known when the jabs will start, the BBC reported.

Currently, the vaccine is offered to people aged above 12 with underlying conditions or living with others at high risk.

The JCVI had, last month, recommended Covid jabs to children aged over 12, who are at higher risk of getting ill and to those on the verge of turning 18.

But, it delayed it as it was awaiting for further reports of rare adverse events such as inflammation of heart muscles among young adults, the report said.

However, the new advice as hinted by Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's on Tuesday, said "hoping" to receive updated advice from the JCVI on the vaccination of 16 and 17-year-olds.

Sturgeon said the UK's four chief medical officers had written to the JCVI, asking them to look again at vaccination advice for young people, the report said.

The only Covid jab currently authorised in the UK for under-18s is the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

According to the Telegraph, Pfizer and Moderna vaccines would be available in line with guidance for young adults.

Countries, including the US, Canada and France, have already rolled out vaccines for people aged 12-years-old and above.

According to the latest UK government data, 88.7 per cent of people in the UK have now had one dose of vaccine, while 73 per cent have had two jabs.
New Delhi, Aug 4 : Hitting out at former Congress President Rahul Gandhi, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday asked him whether the "Dalit daughters of Rajasthan, Punjab and Chhattisgarh are not the daughters of India"? Addressing a press conference here, BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said, "Yesterday, Rahul Gandhi tweeted that the daughter of Dalit is daughter of the country. There are no two opinions on this, she must get justice. But are the daughter of Dalits in Rajasthan, Punjab and Chhattisgarh, who were subjected to heinous crimes, not daughters of this country." Patra condemned the recent incident in which a nine-year-old Dalit girl was allegedly gang-raped, murdered and then cremated by her attackers in South West Delhi on Sunday evening.

"We all strongly condemn the way a small girl was raped in Nangal in Delhi. Law enforcement agency is working on it with full sincerity and more than four people have been arrested. SC Commission and Joint Commissioner of Police also visited the victim's family," Patra said.

Referring to the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB), Patra said, "According to NCRB, Rajasthan tops the list of rape cases. Rape cases in Rajasthan have increased by 30 per cent in the last six months. In 2020, there were 13,750 rape cases in Rajasthan.

"During a discussion in the Assembly, the Ashok Gehlot government had replied that Dalit women file false cases of rape. Fingers were pointed at all those NGOs on the floor of the Assembly, which fight for the rights of Dalits," the BJP leader said.

Patra further asked if Rahul Gandhi did not know or is he deliberately trying to be ignorant about the POCSO ACT in order to take political advantage of the unfortunate incident? "The second provision of section 23 of the POCSO Act makes it clear that you are not to disclose any fact about the victim, which would reveal the child's identity," he said.

Patra demanded that the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) should take cognizance and issue a notice to Congress leaders for violating the provisions of POCSO Act.

Rahul Gandhi met the family of the victim on Wednesday and shared a picture of him with the parents of the victim.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
New Delhi, Aug 4 : Afghanistan Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar, during a telephone conversation with the External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, talked about the escalation of violence, widespread human rights violations by the Taliban, and the foreign terrorist groups operating in Afghanistan.

Atmar emphasised the need to hold a special session of the UN Security Council on Afghanistan. India currently holds the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council, a statement by Afghan Foreign Office said.

Atmar discussed the unprecedented increase in the Taliban's brutal attacks on the Afghan people, which have resulted in the killing of scores of civilians and displacement of many thousands of others.

Atmar highlighted the war crimes committed by the Taliban in their recent attacks carried out in collusion with foreign fighters and terrorist groups in Afghanistan, calling them flagrant violations of international humanitarian law and warned of catastrophic ramifications.

Given the catastrophic consequences of the Afghan war on stability, security, and prosperity in the region, the Foreign Minister raised with his Indian counterpart the proposition of Kabul regarding convening an emergency UN Security Council meeting on issues related to Afghanistan, particularly an immediate cessation of violence and the success of peace talks.

The Indian Minister of External Affairs expressed his country's deep concern over the escalation of violence, insecurity, and explicit human rights violations by the Taliban and terrorists in Afghanistan.

Jaishankar called the holding of the UN Security Council meeting important for the immediate cessation of human rights abuses and the establishment of lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region. He reassured Minister Atmar of his country's commitment to reviewing Afghanistan's proposal and conducting the necessary consultations.

The two sides also discussed the agenda and the level of participation in the upcoming meetings on the Afghan peace process in Doha.
Jaipur, Aug 4 : Seven members of a family, including four children, two women and a man, were killed when a house collapsed in Keshoraipatan town in Bundi district following incessant rains on Wednesday.

Rain continues to spell disaster in Hadoti division of Rajasthan.

The bodies have been pulled out from the rubble and were kept in the mortuary till the filing of the report.

Officials said that a security wall was built on the banks of Chambal a few years back by the municipality to prevent soil erosion from the mound near Naav Ghat.

Due to incessant rain, the security wall crashed and fell on the house. The incident happened at 2.30 a.m on Wednesday. The family of two brothers Mahavir and Mahendra Kewat residing near the Naav Ghat was buried under the rubble due to the sudden collapse of the house.

In the accident, Meera (40), wife of Mahavir, Tamanna (9), daughter of Mahavir, Mahendra (35), son of Sukhlal, Anita (32), wife of Mahendra, Deepika (7), daughter of Mahendra, Kanha (5), son of Mahendra, Khushi (10), daughter of Mahendra died.

Mahavir escaped from the clutches of death as he ran out of the house.

There were eight people in the house at the time of the incident. Mahavir came out of the house immediately after hearing the sound of the collapse. He also took out daughter Tamannaah and wife Meera. But by then, the daughter had died. However, his wife was admitted to Kota MBS Hospital where she succumbed during treatment.

Mahavir's son Suresh had gone to his maternal grandparents' house and hence is the other living member of the family.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Nitiraj Singh said that the rescue operation is going on.

SDRF and Civil Defence Rescue team were engaged in a joint operation to bring out bodies.
New Delhi, Aug 4 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday told a husband to treat his wife with respect and if he fails, then be ready to land in jail as it worked out a settlement between a young couple. The wife had alleged that the husband had tortured her and also does not treat her with respect.

A bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana and Justice Surya Kant while hearing the matter virtually asked both husband and wife to come online.

Justice Kant conversed with the couple in Hindi in an attempt to work out a settlement between the warring couple. The wife submitted that she is willing to live with her husband, but he does not treat her with respect. Taking to Hindi, Justice Kant told the husband: "We will watch your behaviour. If you do anything wrong, we will not spare you".

Justice Kant cautioned the husband not to renege on the promise to treat his wife with respect and asked him to withdraw all cases against his wife, including the divorce petition.

The Chief Justice told senior advocate Anjana Prakash, appearing for the husband, "File an affidavit for withdrawing cases. But if the husband misbehaves, we will send him back to jail. We are keeping the case pending". The husband said he will not ill-treat her and live with her peacefully. The woman, emphasizing on a condition for settlement, said "Bus torture na kare (he should not torture me)". The bench warned him, "If it is drama for bail, we will not leave".

The bench stressed that the couple should normalise their relationship and told Prakash that she should have done this and not the court. The couple agreed to withdraw all cases against each other. The bench said it will keep the matter pending and asked the husband to file an affidavit stating that he is prepared to withdraw all cases.

Last week, Chief Justice Ramana, who hails from Andhra Pradesh, conversed with a woman in Telugu, to put an end to a two-decade old legal battle between an Andhra Pradesh-based estranged couple. The two-decade old legal battle between the couple was marred with many failed mediations. The woman had moved the top court seeking enhancement of jail term for her husband.

Chief Justice Ramana explained the legal situation to the woman in Telugu and told her enhancing the jail term was not going to help either of them. Finally, the woman agreed to withdraw the plea seeking enhancement of jail term for her husband in a dowry case.
Gwalior, Aug 4 : An alleged video showing several youths with a jail inmate of Gwalior Central jail in Madhya Pradesh has gone viral on the social media, which has exposed the security apparatus in the jail. Following the incident, the Jail Superintendent Manoj Sahu has ordered a probe into the matter.

Despite mobile phones are prohibited inside a meeting room where prisoners meet with the visitors, this incident has brought forth the lapses on the part of the jail administration.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, special guidelines are being followed in the jail. The room where the prisoners and the visitors meet is surrounded by a glass wall.

Aniket Shivhare, the son of a liquor trader, is lodged in the Gwalior Central Jail. Recently, several youths met him in the jail. The meeting took place following all jail regulations while they interacted standing opposite to the each other surrounded by a glass wall.

After this meeting, a video went viral on social media in which Aniket is seen meeting the youths standing in the visitors room inside the jail and taking selfie.

One of the youths who went to meet Aniket shared a video and pictures of their meeting on the social media. After the matter came to the fore, the jail administration has come under severe criticism.

Picture and video were taken despite there are three prison guards or security personnel deployed inside the visitors room.

Following the incident, Jail Superintendent Manoj Sahu spoke to the media and said, "The incident is a serious negligence. How did a mobile phone reach inside the jail premises? I have ordered a probe into the matter."
Chennai, Aug 4 : Tamil Nadu Finance Minister, P.T.R. Palanivel Thiagarajan will release a 120-page white paper on the state's finances on August 9. The white paper will include the state's liabilities and the reasons for loss of revenue in various sectors.

The white paper is primarily aimed at discussing the financial position of the state including its liabilities during the previous 10 years of the AIADMK government. The 120-page document will primarily feature the loss of revenue of the Tamil Nadu State Electricity Board(TNEB).

Palanivel Thiagarajan had, after the DMK government assumed office, had openly said that he would bring out a white paper on the state's financial position in the last ten years. He had also said that according to the Budget presented by the previous AIADMK government for 2021-22, the debt of the state has risen from 1 lakh crore in 2011 to 4.84 lakh crore in 2021.

The DMK government is trying to bring about the unnecessary expenditures incurred during the previous ten years of the AIADMK government and to expose the opposition. When the Jayalalithaa government assumed office in 2011, there were demands to bring out a white paper on the state's finances but the AIADMK government did not take forward the demands regarding this.

Political observer Balasubramanian Murugan. who heads the social organisation Sraddha based out of Arkonam, told IANS, "Bringing out the white paper is good, at least the people of Tamil Nadu will understand the manner of spending by the governments. I underline the word governments (in plural) as the DMK government before 2011 was no better. However, a small beginning is good and this will give the successive governments the will and courage to bring out white papers on the state's finances."
New Delhi/Kabul, Aug 4 : An explosives-laden car detonated close to the residence of Afghanistan Acting Defence Minister Bismillah Muhammadi in Kabul city Tuesday night.

Local media reports said since Muhammadi was not at the residence at the time of the explosion, neither he nor his family members were harmed.

The Afghan Acting Defence Minister in a video clip confirmed that he and his family members were safe but added that several of his bodyguards were injured.

"Attacks of this sort by vampires will not weaken my morale in defending the Afghan people and my country," said Muhammadi in his video clip.

The attack left five dead and 20 more wounded.

The report said the explosion which was heard in kilometers was followed by a gunfight between the guards at the residence and gunmen who entered the home.

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Interior Affairs Mirwais Stanikzai said the gunfight came to an end nearly four hours after the gunmen entered the home and started fighting the police Special Forces deployed at the place.

Stanikzai though did not disclose the number of assailants killed, police had said they had gunned down three gunmen.

The assailants had taken 80 people hostage who were later saved by the police special forces.

No one has taken responsibility for the attack.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar, during a telephone conversation with the External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, talked about the escalation of violence, widespread human rights violations by the Taliban, and the foreign terrorist groups operating in Afghanistan.

Atmar emphasised the need to hold a special session of the UN Security Council on Afghanistan. India currently holds the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council, a statement by Afghan Foreign Office said.

Atmar discussed the unprecedented increase in the Taliban's brutal attacks on the Afghan people, which have resulted in the killing of scores of civilians and displacement of many thousands of others.

Atmar highlighted the war crimes committed by the Taliban in their recent attacks carried out in collusion with foreign fighters and terrorist groups in Afghanistan, calling them flagrant violations of international humanitarian law and warned of catastrophic ramifications.

Given the catastrophic consequences of the Afghan war on stability, security, and prosperity in the region, the Foreign Minister raised with his Indian counterpart the proposition of Kabul regarding convening an emergency UN Security Council meeting on issues related to Afghanistan, particularly an immediate cessation of violence and the success of peace talks.

The Indian Minister of External Affairs expressed his country's deep concern over the escalation of violence, insecurity, and explicit human rights violations by the Taliban and terrorists in Afghanistan.

Jaishankar called the holding of the UN Security Council meeting important for the immediate cessation of human rights abuses and the establishment of lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region. He reassured Minister Atmar of his country's commitment to reviewing Afghanistan's proposal and conducting the necessary consultations.

The two sides also discussed the agenda and the level of participation in the upcoming meetings on the Afghan peace process in Doha.
Chennai, Aug 4 : The DMK government in Tamil Nadu headed by Chief Minister M.K.Stalin will bring in a law to provide for 7.5 per cent reservation in technical courses for students who had studied in government schools.

The government will present its first budget in the state assembly on August 13.

A meeting of the cabinet meeting chaired by Stalin took the decisions.

According to an official statement, the government will introduce a law reserving 7.5 per cent seats in technical courses for students who had studied in government schools.

A horizontal reservation was made in the medical college admissions earlier by the AIADMK government.

The cabinet meeting also decided to submit a separate budget for the agriculture sector.
New Delhi, Aug 4 : Kalinga Literary Festival (KLF) will host author, diplomat and former MP Pavan Varma along with MP and author Shashi Tharoor on August 10.

The session on 'KLF Bhava Samvad' will witness the launch of Pavan Varma's book 'The Great Hindu Civilisation', followed by a discussion.

The book dwells on the fact that a great Hindu civilisation existed, and continues to. It is marked by great antiquity, substantial -- even unprecedented -- refinements, audacity of thought, and achievements both in the spiritual and secular realms.

Of course, this does not mean that it is unblemished, and objectivity demands that the blemishes too must be taken into account. Nor does it mean that it evolved in an insular silo or untouched by outside influences. On the contrary. And yet, this intermingling has not diluted or erased its essential identity as a verifiable civilisation.

Unlike many other great civilisations of the past, the Hindu civilisation has not become a historical relic, an antiquary of the past, but has survived as an unbroken continuum to the present.

The introduction says: "It is important to know more about this civilization, most of all for Hindus themselves. The civilisation faces a rather unfortunate paradox. On the one hand, it is notable for its resilience and continuity, and its spillover into every aspect of a Hindu's life; and, on the other, Hindus themselves show little real curiosity or interest in knowing more about it.

This indifference is a matter of concern, not least because, if Hindus do not know about their own civilisational legacy, their authenticity as Hindus -- based on knowledge -- is stunted and reduced to ritualistic tokenism." Varma is the author of several best-selling books, including 'The Great Indian Middle Class', 'Being Indian', 'Adi Shankaracharya: Hinduism's Greatest Thinker' and 'The Greatest Ode to Lord Ram: Tulsidas's Ramcharitmanas'.

He was an MP in the Rajya Sabha between 2014 and 2016. Earlier, he was Advisor to the Chief Minister of Bihar, with the rank of Cabinet minister. He was also India's Ambassador in several countries, including Bhutan, besides being the Director of the Nehru Centre in London, official spokesperson of the MEA, and press secretary to the President of India.
Srinagar, Aug 4 : Two years after abrogation of Article 370, hope for a prosperous "Naya Kashmir" is alive despite doomsday proponents calling it a "pipe dream".

Rome was not built in a day, argue the supporters of "Naya Kashmir".

The Lt Governor Manoj Sinha-led administration is confident that the developmental push and its anti-corruption effort are visible on the ground.

"Envisaging projects is a matter of paper work and implementing these on the ground with the huge funding needed to do so, is a different ball game.

"Huge funds are being spent on every developmental project in J&K. Despite the constraints imposed by the pandemic, the administration has not allowed a single developmental project to be put on hold," said a senior government official.

It is reasonable to expect that two years are not enough for the results of development to become palpable on the ground, argue the supporters of J&K's total integration with the rest of the country.

Ironically, the disempowerment of traditional politicians was seen in J&K as the empowerment of the common man.

"Those who played the king are now worried about losing their personal assets. This is a positive sign, but people need ground level translation of the intention to empower us," said Sajad Ahmad, a shopkeeper in old city Srinagar.

Detractors, however, say they don't see the brick and mortar needed to realise the promised dream of making J&K the jewel in the country's crown.

"Not a single developmental milestone has been laid during the last two years. Be it the laying of the new roads, building of power projects or the construction of the rail link and tunnel making, all these were started during the tenure of Dr Manmohan Singh.

"Just give me one example of any developmental achievement we have seen during the last two years," former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah noted.

But BJP state unit chief Ravinder Raina retorted: "Those who lost their kingdom cannot be expected to see anything good happening after their ouster." While politicians on the either side of the divide cannot be expected to agree on post August 5, 2019 developments, the common man in J&K says the last two years have been very hard and trying for him.

"One year after abrogation of Article 370 and downgrading of J&K into a Union Territory, there was a literal washout of the tour and travel industry.

"Hardly any tourism happened in post August 5 period of 2019.

"We waited for the same to pick up in 2020, but that did not happen. During the two months, however, tourism has started showing up.

"The pandemic is largely responsible for slowing down of our economy, but at the same time, there has been little administrative effort to support those whose bread and butter depended on the hospitality industry," said a hotelier on the famous Boulevard Road by the banks of the Dal Lake.

People dependent on hospitality industry, or cottage industries like shawl, wood carving, papier-mache etc need market.

"We have been promised free market for our handicrafts and once the middleman is eliminated, we would get the full benefit of our labour," said Muhammad Raza, a papier-mache artisan in Srinagar.

The government says it has created avenues for better markets for local horticulture, handicrafts and other local industry.

"The biggest impediment in setting up industries in J&K has been the shortage of electricity. The government has built new projects, made arrangements for import of electric power from outside and within the next 4 years, J&K should be self-sufficient in electric power," said another senior government officer.

One major grievance during the last two years has been that people are not able to reach the administration for redressal of their grievances.

"That is where you need a political government with elected representatives. Unless those running a democracy are elected by the people, you cannot expect the common man to be heard with patience," J&K Apni Party President Syed Altaf Bukhari said.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
San Francisco, Aug 4 : As US witnesses a surge in Covid cases, Microsoft has told employees and vendors that starting from next month, they will need to show a proof of vaccination before entering any office building in the US.

The tech giant has also pushed its full office reopening date from September to "no earlier than October 4th, 2021," reports the Verge.

"Starting in September, we'll also require proof of vaccination for all employees, vendors, and any guests entering Microsoft buildings in the US, and will have an accommodation process in place for employees," the company said in a statement.

"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".

The Microsoft's decision comes after Facebook asked all US employees to wear masks in offices and told them to get vaccinated when they return to offices.

Facebook said last week that it would require its US employees to be vaccinated against Covid-19 when they return to the office.

The Covid-19 cases have increased in the US, even as vaccination rates grow amid concern over the highly contagious Delta variant.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that there were about 72,000 new cases per day.

Twitter has shut offices in US, and Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said the company will require employees to be vaccinated before returning to the office in the later part of the year.

Apple now requires customers and staff at most of its more than 270 US retail stores to wear masks even if they are vaccinated.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Hyderabad, Aug 4 : The Telangana High Court on Wednesday expressed surprise over the state government sanctioning Rs 60 crore to fight contempt of court cases pending against state bureaucrats including Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar.

Passing interim orders, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Hima Kohli and Justice Vijaysen Reddy directed the state government not to release the money.

The court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by a lecturer against the government's financial assistance to meet the legal expenses to fight contempt cases filed predominantly against Chief Commissioner of Land Administration (CCLA), a post held by Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar.

The court questioned how the government would spend the taxpayers' money. It wanted to know what are the treasury norms and if they allow this financial assistance.

The High Court served notices to secretaries of finance and revenue departments, directors of treasury, CCLA and to Somesh Kumar in his personal capacity.

The court adjourned the hearing till October 27.

The chief secretary had on June 7 issued a Government Order (GO) sanctioning Rs 58,95,63,000 towards contempt cases pending in the High Court.

More than 250 contempt cases are reportedly pending against the bureaucrats.

The PIL has come up for hearing close on the heels of the High Court taking serious view of willful disobedience by bureaucrats. In some cases, court imposed fine on district collectors and sentenced few others to imprisonment.
Bengaluru, Aug 4 : B.Y. Vijayendra, son of former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, missed out on a cabinet berth in the Basavraj Bommai government as the party high command decided against the move.

Vijayendra was accused of acting as "super Chief Minister", allegedly deciding everything for his father. Sources said that it would be detrimental to the image of the party which wants to move ahead of Yediyurappa's shadow.

Sources said that the party had offered the Deputy Chief Minister's post to Vijayendra at the time of convincing Yediyurappa to step down. However, it was rejected outright by Yediyurappa. He, in turn, made a futile attempt to anoint Vijayendra as the state party chief, which was rejected by the party.

After his resignation, Yediyurappa changed his mind and placed a demand for ministership for his son. However, top leaders decided against it, sources say.

It is also learnt that the last-minute confusion in terms of announcing the list of new ministers was because of this reason. Yediyurappa, after learning about the party's decision, was upset and top leaders had to make personal calls to him to mollify him.

Chief Minister Bommai stated that party President J.P. Nadda and state in-charge Arun Singh had conveyed the message to Yediyurappa.

Vijayendra was denied a ticket, at the last minute, from the Varuna constituency in the last Assembly elections. He was later given the post of state party Vice President.
New Delhi/Kabul, Aug 4 : The Taliban attacks in Afghanistan were carried out in direct collusion with more than 10,000 regional terrorists from the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other outfits.

Detailing the Taliban attacks in Afghanistan in recent months and their links to terrorist outfits, Afghan Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar said the terrorist organisations included Ansarullah, Jundallah, Al-Qaeda, East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU).

In a meeting with the envoys of the neighbouring countries, United Nations, NATO and the European Union, Atmar said the Taliban's war crimes were indescribable, referring to the massacre of more than 100 people in Spin Boldak, forced marriages, destruction of more than 300 public infrastructure, and suspension of services in the Taliban-controlled areas.

Atmar went on to say that the rise of Taliban's bloody attacks in recent months had killed more than 3,000 people, displaced more than 300,000, and disrupted order and provision of services in half of the country's districts. Currently, 18 million people face dire humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.

Atmar said press releases do not suffice, and the international community should give the Taliban a serious response in the upcoming Doha meetings.

Atmar also reminded the global community that since international militants are busy fighting along with the Taliban, the danger of the ongoing war is not just limited to Afghanistan.

He said the Afghan government's security plan would be charted out and implemented soon in coordination and support of all the political and social strata to strengthen the government's positions at the strategic points and metropolitans.

He also highlighted the joint programme of the Afghan government and human rights organisations to document the Taliban's crimes and hold them accountable worldwide.

Atmar elaborated on four areas of cooperation with the international community that included repelling Taliban's attacks on metropolitan areas; preventing a human catastrophe and human rights abuses; accelerating the Afghan Peace Process; and lastly, implementing a six-month security programme.

During the meeting, the representatives of regional countries and the United Nations expressed their support for an immediate cessation of violence and strengthening the peace process.

The UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan, Deborah Lyons, said the attack on Herat and the UNAMA office showed that actions do not reflect commitments.

She added that this was not just Afghan's struggle, but a struggle that all should pay serious attention to.

(Sanjeev Sharma can be reached at Sanjeev.s@ians.in)
Silchar, June 13 (IANS) As many as six people, including four children, were killed and two other minors hurt in thunderstorm and lightning in two districts of southern Assam, the police said here on Saturday. (File Photo: IANS) Image Source: IANS News

Dhaka, Aug 4 : At least 17 members of a wedding party travelling on a boat were killed on Wednesday during a massive lightning strike in Bangladesh's Chapainawabganj district, some 302 km northwest of capital Dhaka, a senior official said.

Sakib Al Rabbi, head of Chapainawabganj's Shibganj sub-district administration, told Xinhua over the phone that "17 people were killed on the spot after lightning struck a wedding party boat".

The incident took place at a boat terminal on the bank of the river Padma on Wednesday noon.

The boat carrying dozens of people of the wedding party was crossing the river amid a heavy downpour.

After the boat anchored at a terminal on the riverbank, it was struck by a massive lightning, killing 17 people and injuring 6 others.

Lightning strikes over the past couple of months have killed scores and has been on the rise over the past few years.

Experts here blame the rise in lightning strike deaths directly on climate change that made Bangladesh more vulnerable to the impacts.
Tokyo, Aug 4 : American grappler David Taylor proved too strong for Deepak Punia as the Indian lost his 86kg category semifinal bout 10-0 at the Tokyo Olympic Games on Wednesday.

The 22-year-old Punia will now fight for the bronze medal and his opponent will be known later on Thursday after the repechage.

Punia was not match for the American, who used his superior technique and aggressive play to romp home to a 10-0 win on technical superiority and secure a place in the final.

Taylor, a former world champion, was quick in attack and exploited the chinks in Punia's armour easily to score points at the Makuhari Messe, and even though the Indian tried his best, he was no match for the American.

A gut wrench, followed by a few flips, were enough to snuff out Punia's challenge of making it to the final here.

Punia will now head into the bronze medal bout where he will face the winner of the repechage match between Myles Amine of San Marino and Belarus's Ali Shabanau.

Barring the semis loss, Punia enjoyed a quality outing on his debut at the Olympics.

His quarterfinal bout against China's Lin Zushen was the highlight as Punia pulled off a win under pressure. Staring at an early elimination, the Indian managed a two-point takedown in the final 10 seconds for the win.

Though the Chinese bench challenged the validity of the move, the decision was upheld, handing Punia another point for the failed challenge.

Earlier, The Indian wrestler had begun his debut Olympic campaign with a commanding 12-1 win over Ekerekeme Agiomor of Nigeria in the opening round.
San Francisco, Aug 4 : Facebook has banned personal accounts and platform access associated with researchers from New York University (NYU) for allegedly violating its term of service by scraping user data without permission. The academics, however, have hit back at the platform, saying Facebook is silencing them.

The researchers were part of NYU's Ad Observatory Project who researched ad transparency and the spread of misinformation on the social network.

"We disabled the accounts, apps, Pages and platform access associated with NYU's Ad Observatory Project and its operators after our repeated attempts to bring their research into compliance with our Terms," Facebook said in a statement late on Tuesday.

"NYU's Ad Observatory project studied political ads using unauthorised means to access and collect data from Facebook, in violation of our Terms of Service. We took these actions to stop unauthorised scraping and protect people's privacy in line with our privacy programme under the FTC Order," the company added.

Laura Edelson, a PhD Candidate from the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, tweeted that by suspending our accounts, "Facebook has effectively ended all this work".

"Facebook has also effectively cut off access to more than two dozen other researchers and journalists who get access to Facebook data through our project, including our work measuring vaccine misinformation with the Virality Project and many other partners who rely on our data," Edelson said in a series of tweets.

According to Facebook, the researchers gathered data by creating a browser extension that was programmed to evade its detection systems and scrape data such as usernames, ads, links to user profiles and "Why am I seeing this ad?" information, some of which is not publicly-viewable on Facebook.

"The extension also collected data about Facebook users who did not install it or consent to the collection. The researchers had previously archived this information in a now offline, publicly-available database," the social network argued.

Facebook said that it made it clear in a series of posts earlier this year that it takes unauthorised data scraping seriously.

"While the Ad Observatory project may be well-intentioned, the ongoing and continued violations of protections against scraping cannot be ignored and should be remediated," the company said.
Patna, Aug 4 : Patna police on Wednesday suspended three constables, including two females, after they were involved in a quarrel in the middle of the road near Gandhi Maidan area.

Patna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Upendra Sharma suspended all three policemen for breaching the conduct.

The two female constables, Swati Kumari and Shalu Kumari were part of a traffic police team deployed at Kargil Chowk adjacent to the Gandhi Maidan when they intercepted a biker under routine checking drive. The biker was a relative of a sub-inspector deployed at Pirbahore police station.

The biker gave the reference of the sub-inspector but traffic police personnel did not listen to him. After that, the sub-inspector reached the Kargil Chowk with his team in a police van.

After a heated argument, the traffic police allowed the biker to go scot free without paying the fine. The police team led by the sub-inspector and the traffic police team got involved in a heated war of words with each other on the middle of the road.

During the argument, women traffic constable Swati Kumari pushed police constable Dharmendra Chaudhary which led to a heated argument between them. Suddenly, Swati slapped Dharmendra on his face while the latter also assaulted her. Another female traffic constable Shalu Kumari came in support of Swati and beat up Dharmendra.

The incident led to a traffic snarl at Gandhi Maidan road after a large number of passersby assembled at the spot to see what is happening.

After the information about the spat reached SSP Upendra Sharma, he immediately suspended all the three constables.

"We have taken disciplinary action against the three constables and suspended them with immediate effect. The departmental action is underway," Sharma said.
New Delhi, Aug 4 : Cloud major Oracle on Wednesday announced that it plans to add support for India to its Fusion Cloud Payroll, part of Oracle Fusion Cloud Human Capital Management (HCM).

With the addition of Payroll for India, Oracle Cloud HCM will provide built-in payroll support for 10 countries, including Canada, China, Kuwait, Mexico, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the UK and the US.

"Many of India's largest employers use our cloud HR software, so we're delivering new offerings that are specific to India to help customers grow their business," said Chris Leone, senior vice president of development, Oracle Cloud HCM.

"With Oracle Payroll for India, organisations in India will be able to gain new insights into their workforce while improving the accuracy, efficiency, and local compliance of payroll," Leone said in a statement.

Payroll for India is expected to provide reduced manual processes, enhanced workforce insights and robust security.

"By using the built-in security available in the Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications suite, Payroll for India will help protect personal information stored in the system without introducing additional risks by having to share sensitive employee data with outside applications," the company said.
Telangana's Information Technology Minister K.T. Rama Rao on Thursday urged the Centre to reinstate the Information Technology and Investment Region (ITIR) project in Hyderabad. Image Source: IANS News

Hyderabad, Aug 4 : Telangana's Minister for Industry, K.T. Rama Rao, said on Wednesday that French fruit beverages manufacturing company Georges Monin doubling its investment in the state will give a big fillip to the food processing industry.

The minister took to Twitter to welcome Monin's decision to double investment in its upcoming manufacturing plant in Telangana to Rs 200 crore.

The company had earlier announced that despite the setbacks caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, it is doubling its investment for the plant, targeting completion by 2023.

"With the increased investment of 200 crore, India remains a top-priority market for Monin," said Olivier Monin, chairman, Georges Monin.

Monin had signed an MoU with the government of Telangana in 2018, announcing an initial investment of Rs 100 crore to set up the manufacturing plant.

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.
San Francisco, Aug 4 : Due to high demand, tech giant Microsoft has paused free trials of its recently launched cloud PC Windows 365 service.

Windows 365 introduces a new way to experience Windows 10 or Windows 11 (when it's generally available later this calendar year) for all types of workers, from interns and contractors to software developers and industrial designers.

"Following significant demand, we have reached capacity for Windows 365 trials," the company wrote on Twitter.

"We have seen unbelievable response to Windows 365 and need to pause our free trial program while we provision additional capacity," said Scott Manchester, director of Windows 365 program management.

The Cloud PC draws on the power of the Cloud to provide a powerful and secure full Windows 10 or Windows 11 experience that you can use to empower your workforce, regardless of location or device.

"Your organisation can start to experience the power, simplicity and security of a Cloud PC today through Windows 365. And we have a lot of resources to help you to get started!" the company said recently.

Earlier, the company had said that Windows 365 is not a replacement for Azure Virtual Desktop or AVD which is the starting point that the company uses to build Windows 365.

While in AVD, you pay on a consumption basis, in Windows 365, you will pay per user per month per PC or per Cloud PC.
New Delhi, Aug 4 : Essar Oil (UK) Limited, which owns and operates the Stanlow Manufacturing Complex at Ellesmere Port, the UK, announced on Wednesday that it has begun supplying jet fuel directly to airlines at the Cardiff Airport, with new deals having already been secured with various carriers that operate flights from the Wales facility.

Essar's aviation fuel business has grown lately, with direct supply arrangements now in place with carriers at five major airports across the UK -- Manchester, Birmingham, London Stansted, Leeds-Bradford and Cardiff.

Adam Brayne, Aviation and Business Development Manager at Essar, said, "Adding Cardiff Airport to our UK network is a further chapter in our growth story, as Essar continues to support major airlines through what we hope will be a recovery period for the sector. We look forward to a successful partnership with the airport and are delighted to have already secured direct business with a number of key airline customers there." David Walters, Chief Financial Officer of Cardiff Airport, added: "We have been working hard to ensure suitable choice is available to our airline partners at Cardiff Airport, and we are very pleased that Essar has agreed to work with us as a new long-term fuel partner. We really look forward to working closely with the company, as we welcome more flights and airlines back to Cardiff." Essar Oil UK is a UK-focused downstream energy company whose main asset is the Stanlow Manufacturing Complex.

Stanlow annually produces over 16 per cent of the UK's road transport fuels. Since acquiring Stanlow in 2011, Essar has invested $1 billion in margin improvement and other efficiency initiatives to ensure the refinery remains competitive in a rapidly changing market.
Chennai, Aug 4 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has urged External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to exert pressure on the Sri Lankan government not to attack Indian fishermen in the sea.

Citing the firing by Sri Lankan Navy on fishermen at Kodiyakkarai, Stalin, in a letter to Jaishankar, said that a permanent solution must be arrived at as the attacks are is affecting the livelihood of thousands of Indian fishermen.

While Indian fishermen were fishing from a registered boat near Kodiyakarai on August 1, the Sri Lankan Navy opened fire, injuring Kalaiselvan in his head. He was being treated at Nagapattinam government hospital while nine other fishermen in the boat escaped miraculously, he said.

"Unleashing violence on our fishermen without following international laws and practices is condemnable," Stalin said, noting India cannot remain a mute spectator to this outrage by the Sri Lankan Navy and that solution has to be found out immediately.

He said that the attack has caused great unrest among the people living in the coastal areas of the country and called upon the government to act immediately to protect the lives and equipment of Indian fishermen.
New Delhi, Aug 4 : The Indian government, the Central Water Commission, representatives from 10 participating states, and the World Bank on Wednesday signed a $250 million project for long-term dam safety programme and improving the safety and performance of existing dams across various states.

The Second Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP-2) will strengthen dam safety by building dam safety guidelines, bringing in global experience, and introducing innovative technologies.

Another major innovation envisaged under the project, that is likely to transform dam safety management, is the introduction of a risk-based approach to dam asset management that will help to effectively allocate financial resources towards priority dam safety needs.

The project will be implemented in approximately 120 dams across Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu, and at the national level through the CWC. Other states or agencies may be added to the project during project implementation.

The agreement was signed by Additional Secretary, Economic Affairs, on behalf of the Centre, representatives of the Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu governments, and the World Bank's Country Director Junaid Ahmad.

World Bank support to dam safety in India includes the recently closed DRIP-1 ($279 million + $62 million additional financing) that improved the safety and sustainable performance of 223 dams in six states of India and one central agency.

Other important measures that DRIP-2 will support include flood forecasting systems and integrated reservoir operations that will contribute to building climate resilience, the preparation and implementation of Emergency Action Plans to enable vulnerable downstream communities to prepare for and enhance resilience against the possible negative impacts and risks of climate change, and the piloting of supplemental revenue generation schemes such as floating solar panels.
August 04 : Alaya F, who was last seen in her debut film Jawaani Jaaneman in 2020 starring Saif Ali Khan and Tabu, has reportedly being roped in Ekta Kapoor's production Freddy opposite Kartik Aaryan. The young actress, who was appreciated for her performance in her debut film, had signed her second film also under Ektas production, earlier this year.

Freddy was recently announced officially with Kartik in the lead. According to a report, the makers are completing certain formalities before Alaya F signs for the project.

Ekta Kapoors romantic thriller Freddy is directed by Shashanka Ghosh of Veere Di Wedding fame. Ekta Kapoor will produce the film along with Jay Shewakramani. According to the makers, Freddy promises to take the viewers on a dark and chilling roller-coaster ride, as it is said to be packed with unpredictable twists and turns.

A day after announcing the upcoming romantic thriller, Kartik started shooting for the film in Mumbai on Sunday. The actor took to his Instagram stories and shared a picture, which he captioned as, "Now shooting #Freddy."

Alaya had surprised all with her acting skill in Jawaani Jaaneman. The young actress had also bagged the Best Debut award at the Filmfare Award this year. Freddy is Alayas second project with Ekta Kapoor. Currently, the actress is shooting in Chandigarh for U Turn under Ektas production banner, which is a remake of the 2018 Kannada thriller of same name. Alaya, who plays the role of a journalist in U Turn, will wrap up the Chandigarh schedule by August end. The film stars Shraddha Srinath in the lead. The Hindi version is produced by Cult Movies, a new division under Shobha Kapoor and Ekta Kapoors Balaji Telefilms.

On the other hand, Freddy marks Kartiks first collaboration with Ekta Kapoor, Jay Shewakramani and Shashanka Ghosh. Kartik will also play the lead in the official remake of Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo, which is also being produced by Ekta Kapoor.
Kolkata, Aug 4 : With the flood situation turning grim in at least seven districts of West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who went to Howrah district to conduct a preliminary survey of the situation on Wednesday, complained to Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the flood situation has aggravated in the state because of the excessive release of water by the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC).

The allegations were raised during a phone call with the Prime Minister on Wednesday. Besides taking stock of the situation on the ground, Modi also took stock of the damages caused by the floods in the state, and promised Banerjee that the Centre would assist the state in alleviating the flood situation.

Sources in the CMO said that Banerjee slammed the DVC dams for releasing excessive amount of water without consulting the state, causing flooding in several areas. The conversation between the two leaders lasted for about seven minutes.

West Bengal Irrigation Minister Soumen Mahapatra had also hit out at the DVC on Tuesday, saying: "The DVC deliberately released so much 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." Earlier, the Chief Minister had promised that she would conduct an aerial survey of the flood affected districts, particularly at Khanakul in Hooghly and Udaynarayanpur in Howrah district, but she had to cancel her trip to Khanakul because of the rough weather condition and visited only Udaynarayanpur by road.

Speaking to the media, the Chief Minister termed the floods as 'man-made' and alleged, "There has been no dredging in the canals and naturally these canals are getting overflooded leading to this recurring flood in West Bengal. The DVC is also responsible for this because it is releasing more water than it had promised." Banerjee also asked the district administrations to take people to safer areas from beforehand. She asked the concerned officials to make every arrangement so that people don't suffer.

Adding to the problem, the meteorological department has predicted heavy rains in the next two days which will aggravate the flood situation in the state.

According to the Met department, heavy to very heavy rain (07-20 cm) is likely to occur at one or two places over Howrah, Hooghly, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, East Burdwan and West Burdwan districts of Gangetic West Bengal on Wednesday and Thursday, while heavy rain (7-11 cm) is likely to occur at one or two places over Kolkata, Bankura, Birbhum, Purulia and Jhargram districts of Gangetic West Bengal.

Thunderstorms with lightning are likely to occur at one or two places over all the districts of West Bengal, the Met department said.

Due to incessant rains coupled with the release of water by the DVC and the Durgapur Barrage, large parts of six districts of the state have been flooded, killing at least 15 people and displacing nearly three lakh others.

Hooghly, Howrah and West Midnapore are among the worst-affected districts by the floods.

In Hooghly district alone, nearly 79,000 people have been affected, while crops and livestock worth lakhs of rupees have been destroyed.

"In Hooghly, around 345 villages are affected by the floods, and more than 34,000 hectares of crop area have been damaged. Around 1,159 houses have been damaged in the district. We are presently running 89 relief camps," said a district official.
Mumbai, Aug 4 : While the line between commercial and and 'offbeat' films has almost vanished and the conversation around the new-age cinematic sensibility has changed in recent times with the new avenues of releasing films and web series, the revolution of 'offbeat' cinema started in India with the introduction to multiplexes and films that were made for 'multiplex audiences'.

Films like 'Pyaar Ke Side Effects', 'Khosla Ka Ghosla', 'Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd', 'Bheja Fry', 'Mithya', to 'Titli', 'A Death In The Gunj' - changed a certain sensibility among the audience as well as among the producers to invest in stories that are experimental and entertaining by nature.

One of the common factors in all these films is - actor Ranvir Shorey.

Asked about how he looks at the change, Ranvir told IANS: "I think indie cinema works like the R&D department for the business of cinema. You see, in mainstream commercial films, there is huge money involved so it is naturally a profit-making business. And business follows a formula.

"Going out of formula with a huge budget and if the film fails, it becomes too much of a risk to take for the production house. There come indie films. These are small budget films with a high concept and if we continued to make these films, with high conviction and a small budget and manage to get success, the sensibility is bound to change." He continued, "that is why whether it is 'Khosla..', 'Bheja Fry', 'Mithya' that used to count as 'experimental' films back then in 2006-07 around that time, these are not risk-taking films anymore for producers. These films have a large section of audience and the number is only growing. So, I believe that indie cinema should be more successful to bring about a change in the mainstream.

"Cinema is a business and if cinematic excellence is not supported by the big production houses, the sensibility will not change in the business as well as among the larger section of the audience." The actor recently has appeared in some prominent web series like 'Rangbaaz', 'Metro Park', 'Bombers', 'High', and 'Sunflower', among others.

Asked if his parameters of choosing a script have changed, Ranvir said, "Not really, I am still the same actor, looking for a story that engages me first because I am the first audience (of the story) and also if my character that is crucial to the narrative. My career is built on films that are independent, engaging and important stories." (Arundhuti Banerjee can be contacted at arundhuti.b@ians.in)
Kochi, Aug 4 : IBM on Wednesday announced that it is working to set up a software lab in Kochi, during a discussion between Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Sandip Patel, Managing Director, IBM India, and Gaurav Sharma, Vice-President, IBM India Software Labs.

The three discussed the role of technology in accelerating the digital mission in the state.

During the virtual meeting, Vijayan shared his vision of making Kerala a digital knowledge economy, the changes introduced in the IT policy and the role of technology in helping various sectors reset and recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Kerala Chief Minister discussed the importance of collaboration between industries, government and the academia to drive growth opportunities within the state.

Gaurav Sharma discussed the proposed expansion of IBM software lab's operations in Kerala which includes establishing a state-of-the-art product engineering, design and software development centre in Kochi.

This centre will focus on developing solutions, infusing global design techniques, agile methodologies and advanced technologies, including automation, data and artificial intelligence (AI), and security to support the requirements of the government and global customers.

Speaking on the occasion, Patel said IBM India is a microcosm of the IBM corporation committed to furthering the country's vision of 'Make in India'.

"IBM brings its best global practices to India and we hope to do that in Kerala as well by building indigenous skills in the state that will create a talent pool for the global marketplace. Expansion in Kerala would provide us access to world-class skills and diversity of talent, drive skill development and enhance employability," Patel added.

"Technology development centres play an important role in driving economic growth by bringing innovations to the market quickly. We will extend our full support to IBM to establish its software development centre in Kerala.

"I'm confident that our talent and IBM's leading technologies will have a far-reaching impact which will create employment opportunities, accelerate digital innovation and provide a strong foundation for the IT/ITeS sector in the state," Vijayan said.

At present, IBM Software Labs operate from Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad and Chennai in India.
New York, Aug 4 : Former US President Barack Obama has scaled back plans for a big birthday party amid a rise in Covid infections nationwide.

Obama turned 60 on Wednesday and had planned a major celebration on Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts this weekend.

Media reports said hundreds of people were invited to the occasion, with rumours that actor George Clooney, director Steven Spielberg and talk show host Oprah Winfrey were all on the guest list.

But as the highly contagious Delta variant has led to a surge in new infections, the Obamas announced plans to scale back the event, the BBC reported.

Only close friends and family will now attend. His spokesperson said the outdoor event on Saturday was planned months ago "in accordance with all public health guidelines". But he and his wife Michelle Obama have now decided to limit its size.

"President Obama is appreciative of others sending their birthday wishes from afar and looks forward to seeing people soon." Daily cases have risen to an average not seen in months, while the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced that masks should again be worn indoors for both the vaccinated and unvaccinated in light of rising infections.
Prague, Aug 4 : A high-speed Western Express Service train which connects the cities of Prague and Munich crashed near the Czech Republic-German border killing at least three people and injuring dozens.

According to the Czech transport minister, the express train from Munich heading to Prague went through a stop signal and hit a commuter train bound for the town of Domazlice.

Authorities, however, said it was unclear if this was due to driver error or a technical glitch.

Both drivers were killed, as well as one woman passenger, the BBC reported.

Rescue teams, helicopters and ambulances were sent to the scene near Milavce, close to the border with Germany, as the tragedy unfolded shortly after 8 a.m. local time on Wednesday.

Footage posted on social media showed crushed carriages and debris strewn across the tracks.

The Czech Republic's railway inspectorate has launched an investigation into the crash.

Deputy Prime Minister Karel Havlicek said one of the trains failed to stop at a signal and collided with the other train.

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New Delhi, Aug 3: As India prepares to celebrate on August 5, the second anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370, when Jammu and Kashmir was fully mainstreamed with the rest of the India, a desperate Pakistan has decided to do exactly the opposite.

Authoritative sources have told India Narrative that from diplomatic missions, NGOs to subversive groups under its command, Pakistan has decided to activate a full throttle anti-India international campaign timed with August 5.

Pakistan's decision to launch a high-octane but doomed Youm-e-Istehsaal commemoration to drum up international support on Kashmir is not hard to fathom. An enraged Pakistan is in a state of denial and delusion. It is unable to digest that it has finally lost the "Kashmir card," the centerpiece of its foreign policy, which has been snatched by India after abrogating Article 370 and Article 35A.

These are two pieces of legislation that had blocked Jammu and Kashmir's mainstreaming into the Indian Union. The floodgates have now been opened for a physical, emotional and people-to-people merger of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of India.

Pakistan's pain, born out of a flawed understanding of India's resolve and boldness, is understandable. Since its independence, Pakistan launched a frenzied effort to establish its physical control over Kashmir. But four wars as well as a proxy-war, which included a massive terror campaign to physically annex Kashmir has failed. Also, a parallel diplomatic campaign has bombed. During its seven decades of independence, Pakistan has expended massive diplomatic energy both within the United Nations, and the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC)-a platform of Muslim countries, whose formation it had initiated -- as part of a 360-degree mobilization for the Kashmiri separatist cause.

But the UN no longer entertains Pakistan's delusion on Kashmir. More traumatically for Pakistan, the OIC has turned its back on the Kashmir issue. Key OIC leaders such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have, on the contrary, bonded with India, and are establishing a unique and special relationship with New Delhi.

Unsurprisingly, Pakistan, led by its mercurial Prime Minister Imran Khan, in chronic denial, is now seething. The Pakistani establishment's nefarious calculations have truly boomeranged. Contrary to Islamabad's assumption that India's August 2019 decision would trigger an internal revolt in Jammu and Kashmir, nothing of that sort has materialized. Besides a desperate attempt to surge terrorist violence after August 2019 remained stillborn.

Pakistan's Kashmir propaganda offensive is driven by an ultimate nightmare, that J&K's all-round development will have a massive demonstrational impact--encouraging an uprising in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit-Baltistan, where poverty and underdevelopment is rife. Already, the recent elections in PoK have triggered a spate of protests. Videos from the region, show crowds shouting pro-India slogans amid the controversial elections.

Having suffered the humiliation of Bangladesh, which emerged out of the erstwhile East Pakistan, Pakistani establishment's horror would be to see a similar movement building up in the PoK seeking merger with India.

On the ground the situation is going India's way. Launching a terror counteroffensive, Indian security forces killed 148 terrorists between January 2020 and July 30 inside the valley. This included heads of trophy militants including Riyaz Naikoo, the commander of Hizb-ul- Mujahideen, commander Haider of Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad commander Kari Yasir and Burhan Koka of Ghazwat-ul-Hind .

Pakistan is also aware that far from annexing Kashmir, J and K, riding on massive and game-changing infrastructure projects, is set for a complete physical integration with the rest of the Union.

The brand-new Jammu-Baramulla railway line, now in an advanced stage of completion, is the symbol of this resurgent connectivity. The railway once completed will finally connect the picturesque Kashmir valley with the rest of the country, passing through difficult mountain terrain before reaching the foothills in Jammu-the junction that hooks up with the sprawling national network of the Indian railways.

During its route the train will cross over 750 bridges and pass through over 100 km of tunnels. The mighty Chenab River will be crossed at a height of 4314 feet above the river bed, 115 feet higher than the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative
New Delhi, Aug 4 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case in connection with the death of Dhanbad Additional District Judge Uttam Anand on the request of the Jharkhand government.

A CBI spokesperson here said: "CBI has today registered a case related to death of Uttam Anand ADJ Dhanbad on the request of Jharkhand Government and further notification from the Centre and taken over the investigation." A case was earlier registered by Dhanbad police as Anand was killed after an autorickshaw hit him on July 28 while he was on a morning walk.

After the CCTV footage surfaced, the Jharkhand government had formed an SIT to probe the matter. But, later it recommended the CBI probe into the death.

The special investigation team probing the killing of the judge 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.

On Tuesday, 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 court also directed the Jharkhand DGP to ensure security to the judicial officers in the state, and ensure deployment of security guards at their houses. It also wanted to know, if the incident took place at 5.08 a.m., why the FIR was lodged at 12.45 p.m.
New Delhi/Washington, Aug 4 : Pakistan National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf has said that Pakistan has other options if US President Joe Biden continues to ignore the country's leadership.

"We've other options if US President Joe Biden continues to ignore the country's leadership," Yusuf told the Financial Times in an interview.

"The President of the United States hasn't spoken to the Prime Minister of such an important country who the US itself says is make-or-break in some cases, in some ways, in Afghanistan - we struggle to understand the signal, right?" he said.

"We've been told every time that... (the phone call) will happen, it's technical reasons or whatever. But frankly, people don't believe it," he said. "If a phone call is a concession, if a security relationship is a concession, Pakistan has options," he added, refusing to elaborate.

The US State Department, however, has assured Islamabad that Washington recognises Pakistan's vital role in restoring peace in Afghanistan and wants the country to play that role. "Pakistan has much to gain and will continue to have a critical role, be well-positioned to have a role in supporting the outcome" in Afghanistan, said US State Department's spokesman Ned Price, Dawn reported.

But The Financial Times reported on Tuesday that in an interview, Yusuf complained about President Biden's failure to contact Prime Minister Imran Khan as Washington sought help to stop the Taliban taking over. "The cold shoulder from Washington comes as the Taliban has captured swaths of territory across Afghanistan in a ruthless offensive emboldened by the US pullout," the report added.

The newspaper noted that while Yusuf did not elaborate on his options, "Pakistan has cultivated deep ties with its 'iron brother' China, which has invested billions in infrastructure projects as part of its Belt and Road Initiative." A Biden administration official told FT: "There are still a number of world leaders President Biden has not been able to speak with personally yet. He looks forward to speaking with Prime Minister Khan when the time is right." The report pointed out that the diplomatic affront was the latest setback in US-Pakistan relations after their cooperation during the war on terrorism following the 9/11 attack on the twin towers by Al Qaeda.

Under the Trump administration, the US severed $2 billion in security assistance to Pakistan after Donald Trump accused his ally of "nothing but lies & deceit". After Trump made a deal with the Taliban that relied on help from Pakistan, however, he invited Khan to the White House.

A person familiar with last week's discussions between Yusuf and his American counterpart Jake Sullivan told FT: "The conversation about Afghanistan had been tough but that securing a political settlement... could help improve the US-Pakistan relationship dramatically."
Bengaluru, Aug 4 : Emotionally charged protests broke out on Wednesday in various places in north Karnataka where BJP aspirants were hoping to make it to the new Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai's cabinet.

Supporters of former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa's bitterest critic, Aravind Bellad, Dalit leader from Haveri district, Neharu Olekar and Scheduled Tribe leader, Narasimha (Raju Gouda) Nayak of Surpur in Kalaburagi district erupted in protests.

Bellad's supporters in Hubballi shouted slogans demanding ministerial berth for their leader but did raise any slogans against any leader in the state, while Olekar's supporters carried out "Urulu Seve" (rolling over) in Haveri in protest, whereas Nayak's supporters held a sit-in protest in Bengaluru.

Among three leaders, Olekar, the MLA from Haveri Assembly constituency, openly criticised Bommai, who represents Shiggaon constituency in Haveri district.

"I will raise my concerns with Sangh Parivar leaders. I cannot share anything about my anger with you (media) people but surely tell everything to people who matter in the party and Sangh Parivar," he said.

He added that the party will have bear the brunt of such wrong decisions of accommodating two leaders (Bommai and B.C. Patil) from same community from Haveri at the expense of Dalits and backward classes.

"Both of these leaders (Bommai and Patil) belonged to politically dominant community... when will people like us get an chance," a BJP Dalit leader of Haveri shot back in response to a question by a local channel.

As soon as supporters of Surpur MLA gathered in Bengaluru, Nayak arrived to the spot and requested his supporters to wind up their protest. "Protests like this won't fetch any ministerial berth. I have all along treated BJP as akin to my mother, may be mother may have chosen to feed her own son bit late compared to her foster sons (defectors who joined BJP in 2019). Let us wind up this protest," he said.

Talking to media persons, Nayak known for his wry humour, said that his name always crops whenever talk of cabinet reshuffle or cabinet expansion comes to fore but he doesn't know what happens to his name as it fails to enter Raj Bahvan within the list.

"I don't know why this happens with me," he quipped.
Patna, Aug 4 : Four persons were killed and two others injured during cross-firing in Bihar's Nalanda district on Wednesday, police said.

The firing took place between two groups in Lodhipur village under Chabilapur police station, due to a land dispute between two relatives.

Nalanda SP Sri Hari Prasath S. said that the situation remains tense in the village and a large police contingent from different police stations and police lines was deployed there.

The accused persons are at large now.

The district police are tightlipped in this matter and not sharing any information related to this incident.

The incident comes as Chief Minister Nitish Kumar chaired a meeting to assess the law and order situation. He has already taken several initiatives to resolve property disputes in the state.
Aurangabad : , Aug 4 (IANS) In a shocking incident, a woman has complained that public sector State Bank Of India's (SBI) third-party recovery agents allegedly demanded "sexual favours" from her in lieu of outstanding payments in her credit card account.

The victim's husband said that the incident took place in February when the New Delhi-based recovery company, Incredible Management Services (IMS) owners and agents misbehaved with his wife.

"They started with threats, then abusive language, and then a direct SMS with a written demand for sexual favours with my wife to settle the outstanding bills," the livid husband told IANS.

The 29-year-old woman holds a SBI credit card since past three years and all bills were cleared regularly.

However, he said an amount of around Rs 21,000 was pending on account of the financial constraints faced by the family during the pandemic lockdown when he was virtually jobless and his wife's boutique for women's accessories was shut for a prolonged period.

Aurangabad's Deputy Police Commissioner, Zone II, Deepak Gire said that a FIR was lodged by MIDC-CIDCO Police Station soon after the incident and one accused booked under Section 509 of the Indian Penal Code, and served notice.

"However, no arrests are made since the offence attracts a jail term of less than 3 years... and investigations are on," Gire told IANS.

While the couple contended that the police did nothing for six months after the complaint was registered, the police suddenly revived the investigations in July.

"They asked me to accompany them to New Delhi to arrest the culprits - IMS CEO Dharmendra S. Kalra and his recovery agent Ranjit Kumar... I paid for their entire lodging-boarding, local travel, etc, but they did nothing," the husband said.

It did not end here and they virtually compelled him to take them for a darshan at the Vaishnodevi Temple in J&K before returning to Aurangabad - all at his expense.

"We returned after 4 days with no arrests made as promised. On the contrary, the two police constables Laxman Rathod and Ghorpade disappeared for a couple of hours to meet the two accused and thereafter, they tried to dilute our strong case," he alleged.

In the meantime, the IMS agents allegedly created a fake profile on Facebook, posted photos of the couple, painted the woman as of "loose character" and "available for paid sex".

"We informed the police but it took them several weeks before any result. By then, our reputation was ruined in society," she said.

Despite repeated attempts by IANS, Kalra and Kumar were not available on their five mobile numbers provided in the police FIR.

The couple is sore that despite so much evidence handed over, the Aurangabad police have invoked mild sections and booked only one person so far.

"The IMS owner is the main culprit but the police are going soft on him.. Why? Was any arrangement worked out when the two constables met him in New Delhi?" the husband asked.

The duo has demanded that the Aurangabad Police take up the matter most seriously, slap more serious charges against the IMS CEO and the agent to prevent similar recurrences with other people.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at q.najmi@ians.in)
New Delhi, Aug 4: Asim Saleem Bajwa, the controversial head of the over $60 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), had to resign on Tuesday under a cloud. Known as "Chota Bajwa" because of his proximity to the Pakistani army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Lt Gen (Rtd) Asim Bajwa has savoured controversy since last year when his alleged involvement in "corruption" made headlines.

After facing an avalanche of charges that he used his offices to help his family set up several off-shore businesses, Bajwa was forced to resign from the post as the Special Assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan. But he continued to enjoy the high position of chairman, CPEC.

According to a report in Dawn newspaper, his younger brothers opened their first Papa John's pizza restaurant in 2002-- the year Bajwa started working as a Lieutenant Colonel on General Pervez Musharraf's staff. Over the years, his family set up a business empire which established 99 companies in four countries, including a pizza franchise with 133 restaurants worth an estimated USD 39.9 million.

According to Pakistani sources, these reports alarmed the Chinese leadership, which sought Bajwa's replacement for CPEC. In the last few months, in consultation with the Chinese Ambassador in Islamabad, five names were shortlisted including two retired army generals. But finally, the Chinese agreed on Khalid Mansoor, a corporate honcho who has experience working abroad, with Chinese companies and banks.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative
Bengaluru, Aug 4 : Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, after chairing the first cabinet meeting of his newly sworn-in ministry on Wednesday, said that portfolios would be allotted to the 29 ministers in one or two days.

Asked whether the BJP high command will make decisions in this regard, he clarified that it is his prerogative and it will be he only who takee a call on allocation of portfolios.

He also said that there is no pressure from any of the ministers to allocate a specific portfolio or to continue the one which they had earlier.

Bommai defended the selection of Shashikala Jolle, who is facing allegations of corruption. "There is no complaint in the case against her. It has many dimensions. However, I will look into the matter," he said.

"There are only 34 cabinet berths and all legislators know this. Some have been inducted and some have been left out. Whenever there is an opportunity, the party will give them responsibilities," he maintained.

On the senior leaders who were dropped, he said that the party after considering their organising skills, will utilise their strength in the right direction.

Bommai also announced three major decisions taken in the first cabinet meeting with the ministers.

"All ministers are directed to reach out to the districts to address the flood and Covid situations and take up relief measures. The Covid Task Force will be formed immediately after allocation of portfolios," he said.

The cabinet also took a decision to fulfil the long-standing demand of the Scheduled Tribe community to establish 'ST Welfare Secretariat". It was also decided to create a high-poweres committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister to coordinate between various departments on projects concerning women and child empowerment as per the announcement made by the his predecessor B.S. Yediyurappa in the budget presented in March.
New Delhi, Aug 4 : A joint training exercise between Indian and Russian militaries -- INDRA 2021 -- started on Wednesday at Prudboy Ranges in Volgograd in Russia.

"The exercise will enhance interoperability between the Indian and Russian armies," the Indian Army stated.

The aim of the exercise is to facilitate joint training between Indian and Russian forces to jointly plan and conduct counter-terror operations under the United Nations mandate.

The conduct of the exercise will also entail academic discussions between the expert groups of both the contingents.

It will focus on unit-level joint planning and conduct of anti-terrorist operations and will include cordon and search operations, intelligence gathering and sharing, perception management, humanitarian laws and hostage rescue in simulated settings.

"In light of the threat of global terrorism facing both nations and by countries around the world, the theme of the exercise is contemporary and relevant," said a senior officer.

It will strengthen mutual confidence, interoperability and enable sharing of best practices between both the armed forces. It will be another landmark event in the history of Indo-Russian defence cooperation, the army said.

It is a 12-day drill from August 1 to August 13. A total 250 Indian soldiers are participating in the exercise being held at Volgograd, a major Russian city situated on the western bank of the Volga river.

The Indian Army contingent participating in the exercise comprises a mechanised infantry battalion.

"The exercise will be yet another milestone in strengthening security cooperation and will serve to reinforce the longstanding bond of friendship between India and Russia," the officer said.
Mumbai, Aug 4 : Kumar Mangalam Birla has stepped down as the Non-Executive Director and Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Vodafone Idea Ltd.

In a regulatory filing, the company said that the company has accepted the request of Birla to step down.

"The Board of Directors of Vodafone Idea Limited, at its meeting held today, have accepted the request of Kumar Mangalam Birla to step down as Non-Executive Director and Non-Executive Chairman of the Board with effect from close of business hours on 4th August, 2021," it said.

Consequently, the board has unanimously elected Himanshu Kapania, currently a Non-Executive Director, as the Non-Executive Chairman.

Kapania, a nominee of the Aditya Birla Group, is a telecom industry veteran with 25 years of experience. This includes significant board experience in telecom companies globally.

He has also served on the Global GSMA Board for two years and was also the Chairman of the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) for two years. He is presently the Chairman of the FICCI Council on Telecom, Electronics and Digital Economy.

Further, based on recommendation of Nomination and Remuneration Committee, the Board has appointed Sushil Agarwal, a nominee of Aditya Birla Group, as an Additional Director (Non-Executive and Non Independent) with effect from August 4. Agarwal is not related to any other Director of the company and is not debarred from holding the office of Director by virtue of any SEBI order or any other authority.

Birla's resignation comes days after it became public that he had written to the Cabinet Secretary that he is willing to hand over his stake in the debt-ridden company to government entities in a bid to keep the company operational.

Vodafone Idea which already is in weak financial shape owes Rs 50,399.63 crore as AGR dues. It has already paid Rs 7,854.37 crore.

In his letter to the Cabinet Secretary, Birla warned of a "looming crisis" and offered to transfer his 27.66 per cent stake in the telco to "any public sector/government/ domestic financial entity, or any other the government may consider worthy, - to keep (VIL) going".
Kochi, Aug 4 : In a significant verdict on the scope of rape law, the Kerala High Court has held that the act of an accused rubbing his penis on the thighs of a victim will constitute rape under the Indian Penal Code.

A division bench, headed by Justice K. Vinod Chandran, gave the ruling while hearing an appeal filed by a man convicted and sentenced of raping his 11-year-old neighbour near here in 2015.

The crime came to light then after the minor complained of pain in the stomach to medical professionals at a state-run medical camp and following queries by them, admitted of being sexually exploited by her neighbour.

Later with the help of child line officials, a case was registered and the man was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment.

The man had approached the high court with a fresh petition, which questioned if penetrating the gap between the thighs also comes under rape.

He also claimed that he cannot be charged under rape under the IPC since the "sexual act alleged against the accused is that of inserting the penis of the accused between the thighs of the victim", and that he had not "penetrated any orifice" for it to constitute rape under law.

But the bench held that the offence of rape would be attracted if penetration of penis is made between thighs (of the victim) held together.

"We have no doubt in our mind that when the body of the victim is manipulated to hold the legs together for the purpose of simulating a sensation akin to penetration of an orifice, the offence of rape is attracted. When penetration is thus made in between the thighs so held together, it would certainly amount to 'rape' as defined under Section 375," it said.

The court also pointed out that there have been verdicts of both the Kerala High Court and the apex court where it has been held that penetration of even slightest degree will be sufficient to attract the offence of rape.
Mumbai, Aug 4 : The second contestant to enter the new season of 'Big Boss OTT' is TV actor Zeeshan Khan.

The news of Zeeshan entering the house was confirmed by the streaming portal Voot on Wednesday evening.

The actor has been a part of the serial "Kumkum Bhagya" and was recently in the spotlight after a video of him boarding a flight in a bathrobe went viral.

He also became the talk of the town when he was spotted roaming the streets of Mumbai in a panda suit.

'Bigg Boss OTT' marks the 15th season of the reality show 'Bigg Boss'. Filmmaker Karan Johar has been roped in to host the digital version, which premieres on August 8 on Voot.

Karan will anchor the show for the six-week run of 'Bigg Boss OTT'.

After the completion of the digital exclusive, the show will move into Colors with the launch of Season 15 of 'Bigg Boss', to be hosted by Bollywood superstar Salman Khan.
New Delhi, Aug 4 : Automobile major Maruti Suzuki's production will be partially impacted in August due to semiconductor shortages.

On Wednesday, the auto major, in a regulatory filing to the BSE, said that the company has been informed by its contract manufacturer -- Suzuki Motor Gujarat -- that production will be partially impacted in this month.

"This is to inform you that owing to the semiconductor shortage situation, the Company has been informed by its contract manufacturing company, Suzuki Motor Gujarat Private Limited (SMG), that production will be partially impacted in this month," the filing said.

"SMG will tentatively not carry out production on the three Saturdays (7th, 14th and 21st August)." Besides, the company said some of the production lines may see temporary reduction from two-shift to one-shift working.

"As the situation is dynamic and uncertain, the company will monitor and take a day-to-day decision on models, lines or shifts to optimise resources for maximum efficiency." Globally, various industries including consumer durables as well as automobiles and other sub-segments are facing semiconductor or electronic chip shortages due to high demand.

Earlier, the International Data Corporation (IDC) said: "Supply constraints will continue through 2021. While shortages initially occurred in automotive semiconductors, the impact is being felt across the board in semiconductors manufactured at older technology nodes." The industry will continue to struggle to rebalance across different industry segments, it said while investment in capacity now will improve the industry's resiliency in a few years.
Amaravati, Aug 4 : Advisor to the Andhra Pradesh government, Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy, said on Wednesday that all companies, whether Indian or foreign, should operate without polluting the environment in the state.

He made these remarks while saying that there is no objection if Amara Raja Batteries Limited (ARBL) stays in the state.

The senior YSRCP leader said that the company can run its operations without polluting the air and water.

Reddy also noted that the company has to follow all the norms without causing any problem to the people.

On Tuesday night, the state government had clarified that no industry is being singled out as reported by some sections of media in the past couple of days.

However, it made it clear that ARBL was one of the 50 industries which were given notices to close, and was among 64 industries which were served notices to stop production due to excessive pollution.

During inspections, pollution levels were found to be high in some industries, violating the norms, which also included the battery company owned by the family of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader Jayadev Galla.

Forest department secretary R. Vijay Kumar said that air, water and land are being polluted to a great extent, even affecting the health of the employees working in these identified industries.

He said that Nayudu Cheruvu, Gollapalli reservoir and other tanks were highly contaminated with lead ranging from 134.79 mm to 3,159 mm, including 4-5 km radius surrounding some of the industries.

Reddy asserted that Amaraja was emitting dangerous pollution and reminded that even the high court had warned the company.

When 55 people were tested for lead levels, he said, 44 were found to have impermissible levels because of the pollution emanating from the company and highlighted that nothing is more important to the government than the health of the people.
Washington, Aug 4 : NASA and Boeing have stalled the Starliner cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station yet again after engineers detected an unexpected problem with its propulsion system.

The Orbital Flight Test-2 (OFT-2) -- the second uncrewed flight for Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft as part of the US space agency's Commercial Crew Programme -- was earlier targeted to launch on August 3.

However, the mission teams detected indications that not all valves were in the proper configuration needed for launch. They found "unexpected valve position indications in the Starliner propulsion system", NASA said in a statement.

The United Launch Alliance (ULA) has begun removing propellant from the Atlas V rocket.

"NASA and Boeing are standing down from the launch attempt of the agency's Orbital Flight Test-2 to the International Space Station as mission teams continue to examine the cause of the unexpected valve position indications on the CST-100 Starliner propulsion system," the statement added.

Mission teams have decided to roll the Atlas V and Starliner back to the Vertical Integration Facility (VIF) for further inspection and testing where access to the spacecraft is available, while Boeing will power down the Starliner spacecraft. Engineering teams have ruled out a number of potential causes, including software, but additional time is needed to complete the assessment.

Boeing had signed a contract with NASA's Commercial Crew Programme to fly operational missions to and from the space station with Starliner in 2014. However, a series of setbacks have thus far prevented the Starliner from reaching the ISS.

Its debut uncrewed orbital flight mission in 2019 did not go exactly as planned, requiring it to make another try before putting astronauts on board for the crewed flight test.

The second launch has been held up since late last year due to ongoing software checks. It was earlier scheduled for Friday, but was pushed for August 3 after the thrusters on the ISS' new Russian module Nauka Multipurpose Laboratory Module unexpectedly fired hours after docking, causing the station to move out of orientation.

The space station was shoved 45 degrees off track. However, it was repositioned back to normal.

"NASA and Boeing will take whatever time is necessary to ensure Starliner is ready for its important uncrewed flight test to the space station and will look for the next available opportunity after resolution of the issue,a the US space agency said.

--IANS rvt/vd

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Chandigarh, Aug 4 : Welcoming the JK Group on its maiden foray into the state with a planned investment of Rs150 crore, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday handed over a letter allotting it 17 acres at a cost of around Rs 40 crore in the Hi-Tech Valley in Ludhiana.

The Group plans to set up a corrugated packaging paper manufacturing unit in the Cycle Valley.

This is the second big group entering Punjab with sizeable investment plans within a fortnight.

Recently, the Aditya Birla Group had purchased land and finalised two projects with an investment of Rs 1,500 crore in the state.

The Chief Minister assured the JK Group of his government's total support in the venture, and expressed the hope for more investments in the future.

He further assured the group of complete cooperated from his government in setting up their unit and also during commercial operations of the project.

Punjab, due to its pro-investor industrial policy and lucrative incentives, has now emerged as the most preferred investment destination in the country, the Chief Minister said.

'Invest Punjab', as a one-stop shop, has facilitated investments worth Rs 91,000 crore in over 2,900 project proposals received by the state in the past four years, he said, adding that of these nearly 50 per cent had already started commercial production.

He expressed the satisfaction over the state successfully attracting and retaining significant investments even during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Group's unit will initially procure raw material, which is waste paper, from different parts of the country and supply finished goods, which is corrugated packaging paper, to industries in Punjab and other neighbouring states.

It will also provide a fillip to the waste paper industry ecosystem in the state, helping Punjab achieve its sustainability goals.
Mumbai, Aug 4 : Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday inaugurated the first-ever Genome Sequencing Laboratory in Mumbai and a Spinraza Therapy Centre for children in BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation-run hospitals, officials said here.

In his remarks on the occasion, Thackeray said that the facility shall handle 400 samples simultaneously, and the results would be available within four hours - which will prove to be a boon for Covid-19 suspected patients in hotspots or congested areas.

He said it was very critical to have a virus testing lab in Mumbai to avoid delays in getting the test reports, which often led to fatalities in the past.

"We are currently fighting a war with a hidden enemy like coronavirus. The new GSL will enable detect and treat the Covid-19 virus or its mutants, and even other contagious diseased speedily," Thackeray pointed out.

In order to fight the virus, it is imperative to study its genetics and the coronavirus has shown that the longer it takes to identify the virus types, the more difficult it is to understand its effects and take steps to combat it, he said.

The GSL facility will be run at the BMC's Kasturba Hospital by the staff of the BYL Nair Charitable Hospital as part of the latter's Centenary Year, falling on September 4, 2021.

Nair Hospital Dean Dr Ramesh Bharmal said that the GSL will prove extremely useful, and the data analysed here especially pertaining to genetic research, would help in tackling not only the current Covid-19 pandemic but also other future epidemics.

Mayor Kishori Pednekar, Municipal Commissioner I.S. Chahal, Public Health Committee Chairperson Rajul Patel, Shashank Joshi, Sanjay Oak and others were also present on the occasion.

The GSF was one of the recommendations of the State Task Force for Covid-19 to tackle the pandemic and to detect and treat the genetic mutations in the virus that have been experienced in recent months.

The entire cost of the equipment and the operating expenses have been raised through donations by a US-company, ATE Chandra Foundation and the T.M. Nair Medical College Global Alumni Association.

A civic official explained that the next-generation genome sequencing is a method of characterisation of pathogens and a large number of samples can be processed in a relatively short period at high speed.

The technology is used to determine the order of the nucleotides in entire genomes or targeted regions of the DNA or RNA which helps in understanding the differences between two strains of the Virus, thereby identifying the mutants, he said.
New Delhi, Aug 4 : The Airport Authority of India will spend around Rs 25,000 crore in next 4-5 years for expansion and modification to meet the expected growth in aviation sector, the Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation, General V.K. Singh (retd) told the Rajya Sabha, in a written reply, that the Centre has taken several measures for reforms in civil aviation sector by providing top class infrastructure and facilities.

"AAI has taken up development programme to spend around Rs 25,000 crore in next 4-5 years for expansion and modification of existing terminals, new terminals, expansion or strengthening of existing runways, aprons, Airport Navigation Services (ANS), control towers, technical blocks etc. to meet the expected growth in aviation sector.

"GoI has accorded in principle approval for setting up of 21 greenfield airports across the country," he said.

So far, he said, six greenfield airports namely Shirdi in Maharashtra, Durgapur in West Bengal, Pakyong in Sikkim, Kannur in Kerala, Orvakal in Andhra Pradesh, and Kalaburagi in Karnataka have been operationalised.

Besides, there is promotion of private investments in existing and new airports through the PPP route, he added.

The Minister also said that under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) - Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN), as on July 27, 359 routes have commenced connecting 59 unserved or underserved airports, including two water aerodromes and five heliports.

He also cited there was route rationalisation in the Indian airspace in coordination with Indian Air Force for efficient airspace management, shorter routes and lower fuel consumption, and "through 'Air Bubble Arrangements', efforts have been made to ensure fair and equitable treatment to our carriers in the international sector".

He said that the government has supported airlines through various policy measures with an aim to improve their global competitiveness such as rationalisation of taxes, creation of a conducive aircraft leasing and financing environment, effective use of bilateral traffic rights, and improvement in air navigation facilities.

"Government has encouraged the airlines to buy modern wide body aircraft. So far Vistara Airlines has acquired two new wide body aircraft."
Amaravati, Aug 4 : The Andhra Pradesh Board of Intermediate Education (BIE) on Wednesday directed all the junior colleges which illegally collected fees for unapproved offline admissions for academic year 2021-22 to return the money to the students.

"The college managements are directed to repay the fee collected from the students immediately," Board Secretary V. Ramakrishna said, warning that the colleges admitting students illegally through offline mode will face action, including disaffiliation.

He said it has come to the notice of the board that certain college managements and principals are making illegal admissions and that these will not be approved.

"The board is introducing online admissions from the academic year 2021-22. It is known that some of the students have already taken admissions into some colleges and also paid the college fee even before the release of notification for online admission process," he noted.

Ramakrishna said the board is not responsible for the students who have already taken these illegal admissions and paid the college fee.

He ordered the RIOs across the state to identify the erring colleges.

"All the RIOs in the state are hereby informed to identify such colleges who are doing illegal admissions before announcement of the online admission notification. If any college is noticed making illegal admissions, necessary action may be initiated as per the applicable rules including disaffiliation," he said.

Aiming at wiping out the decades-long widespread abuse and indiscriminate commercialisation of intermediate education in the state, the board introduced only online admissions from this academic year.

On Wednesday, Ramakrishna, a senior Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, held a Zoom meeting with all the stakeholders of intermediate education in the 13 districts, including a few parents, to allay their fears and clarify many of their doubts about online mode of admissions.
New Delhi, Aug 4 : After raising the issue of 'irregularities in vaccination drive in West Bengal with Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the Bengal BJP has planned to launch a week-long protest against the ruling Trinamool Congress government in the state.

As per the plan, the BJP's West Bengal unit will hold protests against fake vaccine drive and not utilising the free doses provided by the Centre to vaccinate the state's people.

Sources said that party workers will hold a week-long protest programme in West Bengal from August 9 to 16. It is learnt that apart from Kolkata, BJP workers will also hold protests at district the headquarters across the state.

"For a week, BJP workers will take to the streets to raise people's voices against fake vaccines and other malpractices in the vaccination drive," sources said.

A party leader pointed out that there are many reports of administering fake Covid vaccine doses, which also include administering fake vaccine to Trinamool MP and popular actor Mimi Chakraborty in June.

"We are protesting against the way the state government is playing against the lives of the people. Being the only opposition party, we are only trying to ensure the safety of the people," he said.

West Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh said that massive corruption and irregularities are being reported regularly from the state, which the Mamata Banerjee-led government has failed to control. He claimed that of all the free vaccine doses provided by the Centre, over 30 lakh are still not used to vaccinate the people.

"There are reports of several fake vaccination camps from different parts of the state and they are going unchecked under the patronage of ruling party leaders. It is not an allegation, but truth and everyone in the state knows it," Ghosh said.

On Tuesday, BJP MPs from West Bengal had met Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and raised their concern about the irregularities in ongoing vaccination drive in the state.
Panaji, Aug 4 : A Russian national was arrested in the beach village of Morjim in North Goa on Wednesday for possession of hashish, valued at Rs 5 lakh in the international market, police said.

Police Inspector Jivba Dalvi of the Pernem police station said Mark Smyslov was arrested while he was on his way to deliver the drug to a customer.

"We have seized half a kg of hashish from the Russian national," he said.

The accused has been arrested under Section 20(b)(ii) (B) of Narcotics, Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.
New Delhi, Aug 4 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case in connection with the death of Dhanbad Additional District Judge Uttam Anand on the request of the Jharkhand government and constituted a SIT.

CBI spokesperson R.C. Joshi said: "CBI has today registered a case related to death of Uttam Anand, ADJ Dhanbad, on the request of Jharkhand Government and further notification from the Centre and taken over the investigation." Joshi said that the CBI has set up a Special Investigation Team and it is proceeding to Dhanbad.

A case was earlier registered by Dhanbad police as the judge was killed after an autorickshaw hit him on July 28 while he was on a morning walk, on a complaint from wife against an unknown auto driver.

After the CCTV footage surfaced, the Jharkhand government had formed an SIT to probe the matter. But, later it recommended the CBI probe into the death.

The SIT probing the killing of the judge 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.

On Tuesday, 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, and directed the state government to provide all logistics support and documents to the agency.

The court also directed the Jharkhand DGP to ensure security to the judicial officers in the state, and ensure deployment of security guards at their houses. It also wanted to know, if the incident took place at 5.08 a.m., why the FIR was lodged at 12.45 p.m.
Gurugram, Aug 4 : Following directions from the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) against illegal constructions and encroachments, a team of Assistant Engineer (Enforcement), Naeem Hussain, of Zone-4 has freed 1,500 square yards of valuable land of the MCG from the possession of a private developer on Sohna Road.

On Wednesday, the MCG team reached Sector-48 on Sohna Road along with the police where a sewerage treatment plant was illegally built by Vipul Developers on about 200 square yards of land, while 1,300 square yards of land was being used for parking of vehicles.

"Following a measurement of the land, the enforcement team with the help of JCB demolished the sewerage treatment plant and freed the land which was being used for parking, thus freeing the land from illegal occupation," a spokesperson of the MCG said.

He said the MCG Commissioner has given clear instructions to all the Joint Commissioners and in-charges of the enforcement team to get the municipal lands free from illegal encroachments in their respective zones. Enforcement teams of all the four zones are taking action in compliance with the instructions of the Commissioner.
New Delhi, Aug 4 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday said that it has filed a charge sheet against six terrorists in connection with its probe into the Lashkar-e-Mustafa (LeM) conspiracy case.

An NIA spokesperson said that the anti-terror probe agency has filed charge sheet against Hidayat Ullah Malik, Baseerat-ul-Ain, and Mudabir Manzoor, all residents of J&K's Shopian, Jan Mohammad Teeli, a resident of J&K's Anantnag, Mustaq Alam, a resident of Bihar's Chapra, and his brother Jawed Alam.

The case, originally registered on February 6 this year, pertained to a conspiracy by frontal terror organisation LeM and its chief Malik, who even recced the office of the National Security Advisor Ajit Doval at the behest of Pakistan-based proscribed terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), to carry out terrorist activities in Jammu area in March and elsewhere.

The NIA had taken over the probe on March 2.

The official said that investigation has revealed that Malik was the commander-in-chief of LeM and he, along with his co-conspirators, was planning terrorist acts in various parts of India.

The newly-floated terror outfit is an off-shoot of JeM and was tactically formed so as to evade scrutiny of security forces and ease the international pressure on JeM after the attack on CRPF convoy at Pulwama on February 14, 2019.

"Investigation has revealed that the accused persons led by Malik had also committed a daylight bank robbery amounting to Rs 60 lakh at J&K Bank's Main Branch in Shopian in November 2020.

The looted money was used by terrorists of LeM for procuring weapons from Kashmir and Bihar," the official said.

"Malik had also done reconnaissance of many security installations in Jammu and Delhi and was in constant touch with his handlers of JeM in Pakistan," the official added.
Hyderabad, Aug 4 : Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Wednesday visited his adopted village Vasalamarri in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district and interacted with Dalit families and others there.

He went around the Dalit colony for three hours and spoke to the Dalit families about their problems. He visited about 60 houses in the colony on foot, went inside and inquired about their well-being and family situation.

Expressing shock at seeing houses there in a dilapidated condition, KCR, as the Chief Minister is popularly known, promised to provide double bedroom houses to all the homeless.

He announced that 76 SC families in the village will benefit under the 'Dalit Bandhu' scheme, and Rs 10 lakh will be deposited in the bank account of each beneficiary family from Thursday. He said the beneficiaries would be free to spend the money the way they want but advised them to use it to create a source of revenue.

Asking them to come up with good ideas to utilise Dalit Bandhu for their benefit, he, during the interaction, asked the people what would they do with Rs 10 lakh. Some told him that they would set up a dairy farm, some would buy tractors and some would do business.

The CM also directed the District Collector Pamela Satpathy to sanction pensions to the eligible individuals.

KCR also visited other colonies, and listened carefully to the problems raised by the poor women and elders and issued orders to the authorities.

Many brought to the attention of the CM that their houses were in a low-lying area and frequently inundated due to rain. The CM assured for the construction of double bedroom houses and asked the Collector to follow the plan and ensure that the roads and drainages of the colonies were in accordance with the plan.

He directed the Collector to grant pension to about 20 woman beedi workers, within two days, after hearing that they were not getting pension.

As a woman was going to talk about the hardships of the beedi workers, the CM remarked: "I do know the hardships of the beedi workers since, I have studied in a beedi rollers' house." When a Dalit family asked the CM for help for their daughter saying that his son-in-law was working as a driver, the CM promised to give him a tractor under the Dalit Bandhu.

The CM went into a house and interacted with the family and enquired whether they are getting pension, 24 power supply, and Rythu Bandhu.

He assured to give patta lands to the poor Dalits and others from the government land available in the village.
New Delhi, Aug 4 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday carried out searches at five locations in Jammu and Kashmir, and Karnataka in the ISIS Kerala module case and arrested four persons, involved in raising funds and radicalising and motivating more people to join the banned terror organisation.

An NIA spokesperson here said that agency personnel, along with state police units, conducted simultaneous searches at five locations -- three in Jammu and Kashmir and one each in Mangaluru and Bengaluru in Karnataka.

The official said that searches were conducted at the premises of accused, who were continuously in touch with arrested accused Mohammed Ameen and his associates through various groups or channels on encrypted chat platforms and had raised funds for furtherance of activities of the IS.

"During searches, several digital devices including laptops, mobile phones, hard disk drives, pen drives, multiple SIM cards of different service providers, and incriminating documents were seized," the official said.

"Subsequent to the searches, four accused persons associated with the IS were arrested. They have been identified as Obaid Hamid, a resident of Srinagar, Muzammil Hassan Bhat, a resident of Bandipora, Ammar Abdul Rahman, a resident of Mangaluru, and Shankar Venkatesh Perumal aka Ali Muaviya, a resident of Bengaluru.

"They were involved in raising funds and radicalising and motivating more people to join the IS," the official said.

The NIA had registered a suo moto case against seven known and other unknown accused persons on March 5 this year pertaining to terrorist activities of Ameen aka Abu Yahya, a resident of Kerala and his associates, who had been running various IS propaganda channels on different social media platforms such as Telegram, Hoop and Instagram for propagating its violent jihadi ideology and radicalising and recruiting new members for the module.

Earlier, te NIA had conducted searches and had arrested three accused persons, namely Ameen, Dr Rahees Rasheed and Mus'Hab Anwar in this case in March 2021.

The official said that during investigation, it has been revealed that after the decline of IS in Syria/Iraq, Ameen had visited Kashmir in March, 2020 for 'Hijrah' (religious migration) and for engaging in terrorist acts and had also raised funds in association with Kashmir based accused Mohammad Waqar Lone aka Wilson Kashmiri and his associates.

"As part of conspiracy, funds were also transferred to Lone by the accused in the case through banking channels and digital payment methods on the directions of Ameen," the official said.

The official said that Ameen and his associates were also radicalising gullible Muslim youths for joining jihad and unlawful activities in India and had been successful in expanding the network in Kashmir and parts of Kerala, and Karnataka.
Bengaluru, Aug 4 : After nearly a week-long uncertainty over their future in the dispensation of new Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, the group of MLAs who had defected from Congress and the JD-S to the BJP and become ministers in the B.S. Yediyurappa government, were again sworn-in as ministers, barring Shrimant Patil and R. Shankar.

Karnataka's richest politician, M.T.B. Nagaraj, who had openly threatened that he would rebel against Bommai if he wasn't made a minister, arrived in style in his plush Rolls Royce car to be sworn-in.

He said that he was happy that the BJP had kept its promise made to those who had quit their party and joined the it in 2019.

M. Muniratna, who too had quit Congress to join the BJP, was also accommodated, and said that he had been made a minister for remaining loyal to the BJP ever since he joined it.

"I am happy that my party recognised me. I have been a loyal party worker of this party. Our leaders finally recognised my contributions to the party and rewarded me with this post," he said.

B.C. Patil also told reporters that he was very happy to be re-inducted into the cabinet. "Despite media writing me off throughout the crisis, our leaders have chosen to reward me with a post, which makes me more happy. I was very happy with the Agriculture Minister's post, but it is the prerogative of the CM to give any ministry he deems fit for calibre," he said.

BJP's Bengaluru strongman, R. Ashoka told reporters that he had never aspired to become Deputy Chief Minister and never lobbied for the post. "I have been a RSS worker for so many years and know how our party and leader think on such critical issues, therefore, I did not lobby for Deputy CM post which had been highlighted in media during weeklong cabinet expansion exercise," he said.

Ashoka had been integral part of the BJP's cabinet whenever the party has come to power in the state and he also played vital role in sequestering 17 Congress-JD-S legislators in Mumbai in 2019 before the Congress and JD-S coalition government crumbled due to the defections.
New Delhi, Aug 5 : To serve the homeless people, Akshaya Patra Foundation, a Bengaluru-based NGO, will start distributing cooked food in all the night shelters of the national capital from Sunday onwards.

The Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) under the Delhi government, which runs night shelters to provide accommodation to homeless people in the city, has permitted the NGO to distribute meal to the people at all the night shelters.

According to a senior official in DUSIB, at present, over 5,000 homeless people are living in around 204 night shelters across the national capital. The number of homeless people almost doubles in winter, going up to 10,000 to 12,000.

The occupants in these shelters range from poor families, elderly persons and widows, among others, many of them affected with addiction, or needing medical care.

"DUSIB has allowed Akshay Patra to distribute food at all night shelters for the next six months. Food will be distributed free of cost by the NGO," said Shailender Dania, chief engineer in DUSIB.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will launch the food distribution programme on August 8.

Shridhar Venkat, CEO of Akshay Patra Foundation, said that the organisation has already started providing meals to the people at some of the shelters, but from August 8, the drive will be started at all the 204 night shelters in the national capital.

He said the food will include both lunch and dinner and will contain rice, dal, roti and vegetable. The meals will be cooked at three kitchens run by NGO in Jahangirpuri, Gole Market and Badli area.

"It is an attempt to feed the people who are in need and the Delhi government has allowed us to distribute meal for the next six months. Apart from regular meal, special meal will also be distributed on different occasions," Venkat said.
Dhaka, Aug 5 : An idol of Lord Vishnu weighing about 12 kg has been recovered from the Daudkandi upazila of Cumilla in Bangladesh.

The height of the black stone idol is about 23 inches and its width is 9.5 inches.

Ataur Rahman, former regional director of Chattogram divisional archaeology department, said, "The statue is very valuable. It is possibly more than 1,000 years old. It should be immediately handed over to the Mainamati museum for proper preservation." Faruk Ahmed, a local Union Parishad (UP) member, said, "The statue was found around 45 days back, but a group of people had hidden it. That's why I informed the law enforcers." Nazrul Islam, officer-in-charge of Daudkandi police station, told IANS, "We recovered the statue from the house of Abu Yusuf, a teacher in Boro Goali village in Daudkandi upazila of Cumilla at 9:30 pm on Monday. Yusuf found the statue one-and-a-half months ago, but he didn't inform the police." However, Yusuf claimed that he noticed the statue about 20-22 days ago while digging soil from a pond. He claimed that he could not inform the police as he was busy.
Patna, Aug 5 : Bihar's opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal on Wednesday accused the NDA government, led by Nitish Kumar, of retaining power in the state for the last 16 yearsby misleading people on the crime situation.

The situation on the ground is even worse compared to the RJD rule between 1990 to 2005, the RJD claimed.

Citing the National Crime Records Bureau report, RJD national spokesperson Mritunjay Tiwari said that the 21 cognizable crime cases took place every hour in Bihar under the Nitish Kumar government, as against 11 in the RJD's tenure. Similarly, two rape cases and four kidnapping cases were reported daily under the RJD, while cases, under these two categories, were four-fold higher during the Nitish Kumar government, and 1,028 cases of kidnapping for ransom is registered in 2020.

"The JD-U and BJP leaders have only one objective - to defame RJD and retain power in Bihar. They repeatedly give false statements to mislead the people of the state. The situation is worse now than it was during RJD's tenure," he said.

"Bihar Police registered 741 cognizable crime cases in the first four months of 2021. That means 31 cases per hour. Alarmingly, the conviction rate in Bihar is just 6.1 per cent," Tiwari added.

His fellow spokesman Chitranjan Gagan said: "The politics of JD-U and BJP leaders are based on criticising RJD on the basis of false data and perspective. They always point out massacres happened during the RJD tenure." "I want to point out that massacre was started in Bihar in 1976 in Akaudi village in Bhojpur district. After that another similar incident appeared in Belchi village in Patna district in 1977, another massacre took place in Dwar Bihta in Bhojpur district in 1977, followed by Pipra incident on the same year. At that time, stalwart socialist leader Karpoori Thakur was the Chief Minister of Bihar. A section of people were wanting to remove Karpoori Thakur from the post. Hence, they were allegedly involved in massacres to defame him," Gagan said.

"When Lalu Prasad took over the charge of Bihar in 1990, it was a period of massacres. The massacres had happened between 1990 to 2000 but during the second tenure of Rabri Devi, not a single incident of massacre was reported between 2000 to 2005. We have handed over a massacre-free state to Nitish Kumar in 2005," Gagan said.
New Delhi, Aug 5 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday spoke to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, over the flood situation in both the states, assuring all possible support from the Centre.

The Prime Minister spoke to Banerjee on the flood situation in the state caused by water discharge from dams in parts of Bengal.

In a tweet, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on the flood situation caused by water discharge from dams in parts of the state. The Prime Minister assured all possible support from the Centre to help mitigate the situation. Prime Minister Modi prays for the safety and well-being of those in the affected areas." The Prime Minister also spoke to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Chouhan and reviewed the flood situation in the state.

In a tweet, the Prime Minister said, "The Central government is working closely with the Madhya Pradesh government to assist those affected by heavy rainfall and flooding in parts of the state. I have spoken to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and reviewed the situation. I pray for everyone's safety and well-being."

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, Aug 5 : Hours after former Congress President Rahul Gandhi met the family members of a 9-year-old girl, who was allegedly raped and murdered before being forcibly cremated without the familys consent in Delhis Nangal area recently, the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) on Wednesday carried out a candle march demanding justice for the minor girl.

IYC activists led by its national President Srinivas B.V. organised the candle march against the cruelty meted out to the minor Dalit girl and the increasing crime rate in the country.

Stating that crime against 'daughters' of the land is increasing in the country, Srinivas said: "If we look at the figures, the number of Dalit daughters is more. The daughter of a Dalit is also the daughter of the country." He also said that injustice is increasing under BJP's rule, and the voice of the poor and Dalits is being crushed everywhere.

"It is time we all become the voice of the poor, downtrodden, and stand together in their fight against injustice," he said.

"We want speedy justice for the family of the deceased girl. The investigation should be fast-tracked and the culprits should be given capital punishment at the earliest," Srinivas said.

Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi had met the family members of the minor girl and demanded justice for them.

The Congress has upped up the ante on the issue, accusing the Delhi police and the AAP government of apathy.

The Delhi Police on Monday arrested four persons on charges of raping and killing the nine-year-old girl and then cremating the body at a village crematorium near Delhi Cantonment on Sunday evening.

The four accused persons, including a priest, allegedly cremated the body of the girl without her parents' consent or informing the police.

The matter surfaced after the victim's family staged a protest along with the local people on Sunday night.

The police said the accused persons told the victim's mother that the child was electrocuted to death.

They even told the girl's family members that if the matter reaches the police, the body will be sent for autopsy, and the doctors will take out her vital organs and sell them.

The four arrested persons have been identified as Radhey Shyam, the 55-year-old priest of the crematorium, Salim, Laxmi Narayan and Kuldeep, said Ingit Pratap Singh, DCP, South West Delhi.
New Delhi, Aug 5 : As many as 7,576 families have been conferred ownership rights of their homes in non-developed unauthorised colonies in the national capital so far under PM-UDAY, said Minister of State (Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs) Kaushal Kishore in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

The minister told the Upper House of the Parliament that 7,576 conveyance deeds and authorisation slips issued to the residents of unauthorized colonies in Delhi.

PM-UDAY or Pradhan Mantri Unauthorized Colonies in Delhi Awas Adhikar Yojana scheme was launched by the BJP-led Central government in October, 2019.

In December 2019, the Centre enacted the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Recognition of Property Rights of Residents in Unauthorised Colonies) Act, 2019, to give ownership rights to residents of unauthorised colonies.

The scheme, which was a much awaited demand of residents of will be giving ownerships to the residents of 1,731 recognised unauthorized colonies located across the national capital.

"The scheme allows registration of properties at nominal rates byArecognisingAGeneral Power of Attorney (GPA), Will, Agreement to Sell, Possession Letter and any other documents evidencing payment of consideration held by residents of unauthorised colonies," Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs said in an official communication.

Earlier on July 18, Union Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had said that over four lakh people have registered for the PM-Unauthorised Colony in Delhi Awas Adhikar Yojana A(PM-UDAY).

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA), which is the government land owning agency in the national capital has been made the nodal agency for the scheme.
New Delhi, Aug 5 : In the wake of Covid-19 pandemic across the country, Delhi University (DU) has announced this year that it will not hike the admission fee for students seeking entry to various colleges affiliated to it.

Due to Covid-19 infection, the income of many people have shrunk while several people have lost their jobs so the varsity has decided not to increase the admission fees for students. Apart from this, DU has also announced a major relief measure for the students.

"If any student wants to withdraw his/her name after paying the admission fee, DU will refund the complete fee. If a student has got admission in any other course or educational institution and due to this reason he/she does not want to take admission in DU, the student's admission fee will also be refunded." The DU admission committee says that the students will have to inform the university administration for vacating their college seat before October 31. If those students who have taken admission in DU want to withdraw their name from the varsity before October 31, their complete fee will be refunded. On the other hand, if a student wants to vacate his admission seat after October 31, then a fee of Rs 1,000 will be charged by the university as processing charges.

The admission process in various DU colleges has started from August 2. This year a large number of class 12 students have secured more than 95% marks. According to DU, students seeking admission to various colleges is likely to increase in number. The cut-off lists of many DU colleges is likely to soar even higher as compared to previous years.

The application forms for the undergraduate (UG) programmes can be filled by students till August 31 and the admission process started by DU is completely online this time.

The admission process for seeking admission for undergraduate courses in DU began on August 2 while that for the postgraduate programme have already started from July 26.

DU has decided to maintain the same eligibility criteria as last year for the benefit of the students given the challenges faced by the varsity due to the Covid-19 pandemic last year.
The Verte Opportunity Zone Fund, Inc (of College Park, MD) has made an investment in the MDC Studio Baltimore. The Studio was recently formed by the MDC Partnership as a platform for expansion and investment. The Studio houses all of MDC's current companies.

Federally designated opportunity zones (OZs) are found throughout the United States, and include many locations in Maryland. Startups located in these historically economically distressed zones have a commitment to creating jobs, fostering innovation, and creating social impact in the area. OZ investments are commonly utilized by real estate developers; however, the statute also supports investments in companies in OZs.

The Verte funds will be used to support R&D of new ideas, such as the Surgical Vision Systems Smart Bandage and Advanced Ultrasound Scanner, and the Shuriken next-generation GI feeding tube.

"We are naturally delighted by this investment from the Verte Fund. For the past two years, Dr. Mills and I have been discussing the natural synergy between the objectives of the Verte Fund and the development goals of the MDC Studio. With the creation of the MDC Studio, the timing is perfect," said Gil Blankenship, CEO of MDC.

About the Verte OZ Fund

The Verte OZ Fund, Inc. of College Park MD, the second fund managed by Dr. Leonard Mills, is a Qualified OZ Fund investing in high-growth, small businesses impacting OZs. The Verte OZ Fund aims to have a positive economic impact on communities, grow the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and provide attractive returns for investors. Ultimately, the Verte OZ portfolio will be diverse and comprised of many companies nationwide.

Unlike most OZ Funds, the Verte OZ Fund is designed to appeal to a broad array of investors, including those with realized capital gains, tax-advantaged (IRA), and taxable investments. The Verte OZ Fund is currently open to investors who are interested in taking part in impactful venture capital opportunities.

About the MDC Studio

The MDC Studio is the operational unit of the Maryland Development Center Partnership, which was founded in 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. MDC Studio functions as a MedTech Startup Studio that provides engineering support, business development services, and funding to create and support companies commercializing medical devices. The Studio works with inventors to develop their ideas into working prototypes and marketable products, and form companies that will grow and create value for both their shareholders and all of society. MDC Studio Baltimore is located in the historic Wilkens-Robins building in the heart of Baltimore, near the University of Maryland Medical Center and Johns Hopkins Hospital, where MDCs founding partners and affiliates practice, teach, and research state-of-the-art surgery and medicine.
The MDC-Verte Impact Fund, a joint initiative between the MDC Studio (of Baltimore, MD) and the Verte Opportunity Zone (OZ) Fund, Inc (of College Park, MD), will focus on providing capital to support innovation in the earliest stages of development. Capital at the early stages from "friends and family" through seed round is often a limiting factor in launching a medtech startup due to the resource-intensive nature of deep-tech innovation. The MDC-Verte Impact Fund focuses on the early stages to bridge the gap between idea and traditional VC funding.

Federally designated OZs are found throughout the United States, and include many locations in Maryland. Startups located in these historically economically distressed zones have a commitment to creating jobs, fostering innovation, and creating social impact in the area. OZ investments are commonly utilized by real estate developers; however, the statute also supports investments in companies in OZs.

The new fund will be managed by Dr. Deborah Hemingway PhD, Dr. Leonard Mills PhD, and MDC Partner, Dr. Jonathan Pearl MD.

The MDC-Verte Impact Fund will be operated as an OZ investment fund, focusing on MDC client companies. MDC and all its resident client companies are located in a Baltimore OZ. OZ investments convey significant tax savings for capital gains. In addition, the State of Maryland provides enhanced incentives for investments in companies located in Maryland OZs.

"With its commitment to very early-stage companies, the MDC-Verte Impact Fund addresses a critical gap in the creation and growth of new MedTech companies. It is very difficult to obtain funding for new companies. The State and Federal Government are the best 'early stage' investors, but the grant process is slow and uncertain. Conventional investors nearly always want to see revenue or regulatory approval. It can take a company several years to achieve these milestones. The Impact Fund will allow investors to participate in the company creation process, risking relatively modest amounts of capital on promising ideas and teams. This is the essence of the MDC Studio model. Let's replace the timid, 'you're too early for us,' with the bold, 'we want to be in at the beginning,'" said Dr. Gil Blankenship, CEO of MDC.

About the MDC Studio

The MDC Studio is the operational unit of the Maryland Development Center Partnership, which was founded in 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. MDC Studio functions as a MedTech Startup Studio that provides engineering support, business development services, and funding to create and support companies commercializing medical devices. The Studio works with inventors to develop their ideas into working prototypes and marketable products, and form companies that will grow and create value for both their shareholders and all of society. MDC Studio-Baltimore is located in the historic Wilkens-Robins building in the heart of Baltimore, near the University of Maryland Medical Center and Johns Hopkins Hospital, where MDCs founding partners and affiliates practice, teach, and research state-of-the-art surgery and medicine.

About the Verte OZ Fund

The Verte OZ Fund, Inc of College Park, MD, the second fund managed by Dr. Leonard Mills, is a Qualified OZ Fund investing in high-growth, small businesses impacting OZs. The Verte OZ Fund aims to have a positive economic impact on communities, grow the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and provide attractive returns for investors. Ultimately, the Verte OZ portfolio will be diverse and comprised of many companies nationwide.

Unlike most OZ Funds, the Verte OZ Fund is designed to appeal to a broad array of investors, including those with realized capital gains, tax-advantaged (IRA), and taxable investments. The Verte OZ Fund is currently open to investors who are interested in taking part in impactful venture capital opportunities.
Stony Point opens Salesforce CPQ Specialist class Once again, Stony Point is offering a fantastic, instructor-led class at a lower cost than our leading competitors. said Steve Wasula, Stony Point CEO. Students preparing for the Salesforce CPQ Specialist Certification exam can take this class as an accelerator towards certification.

Salesforce administrators now have a tool to help prepare for the Salesforce CPQ Specialist Certification Exam.

Stony Point, Inc. (https://www.stonyp.com), a leader in Salesforce training, today announced the release of its new Salesforce CPQ Specialist (SP-CPQ301) class, which begins September 13, 2021.

Once again, Stony Point is offering a fantastic, instructor-led class at a lower cost than our leading competitors. said Steve Wasula, Stony Point CEO. Students preparing for the Salesforce CPQ Specialist Certification exam can take this class as an accelerator towards certification.

Equivalent to the Salesforce Configure and Administer course, offered by Salesforce, this 5-day class by Stony Point will be taught by a senior instructor with many years of real world consulting experience. Class curriculum teaches students how to create and implement price quotes, bundles, discounts, invoicing and more, within Salesforce.

As an extra benefit to class registration, participants in the class will be provided a practice learning environment to use with hands-on exercises during class. Students will be granted access to this environment following class, without any additional fee.

The class is available for individual registration. It also qualifies for the Stony Point Training as a Subscription Service (TaaSS) program, which acts as an annual pass allowing participating companies to send students to multiple classes within the Stony Point instructor-led training catalogue. So, students can take multiple classes throughout the year for little more than the price of a single class. Volume discounting can reduce pricing to as little as $1,000 per person per year.

About Stony Point

Stony Point, Inc. is a Salesforce Consulting and ISV partner focused on helping people who work with Salesforce. Stony Point helps global organizations improve their return on investment in Salesforce by providing comprehensive Salesforce end-user training and adoption, Salesforce technical training, change management, recruiting, permanent placement and staffing services. To learn more about Stony Point, please visit stonyp.com.
Law Office of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP For more information about the lawsuit against Jefferson Healthcare, Inc., call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today.

The San Diego employment law attorneys, at Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, filed a lawsuit against Jefferson Healthcare, Inc. alleging the company violated Labor Code  2699, et seq. seeking penalties for DEFENDANTs alleged violation of California Labor Code  201, 202, 203, 204, 210, 221, 226(a), 226.7, 351, 510, 512, 558(a)(1)(2), 1194, 1197, 1197.1, 1198, and 2802. The lawsuit against Jefferson Healthcare, Inc., is currently pending in the San Diego County Superior Court, Case No. 37-2021-00029068-CU-OE-CTL. To read a copy of the Complaint, please click here.

According to the lawsuit filed, Jefferson Healthcare, Inc. allegedly failed to reimburse employees for required business expenses. California Labor Code  2802 expressly states that "an employer shall indemnify his or her employee for all necessary expenditures or losses incurred by the employee in direct consequence of the discharge of his or her duties..." During employment, Plaintiff and other Aggrieved Employees were allegedly required to use their personal cellular phones in order to complete their job duties.

PAGA is a mechanism by which the State of California itself can enforce state labor laws through the employee suing under the PAGA who do so as the proxy or agent of the state's labor law enforcement agencies. An action to recover civil penalties under PAGA is fundamentally a law enforcement action designed to protect the public and not to benefit private parties. The purpose of PAGA is not to recover damages or restitution, but to create a means of "deputizing" citizens as private attorneys general to enforce the Labor Code.

For more information about the lawsuit against Jefferson Healthcare, Inc., call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today.

Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP is a labor law firm with law offices located in San Diego County, Riverside County, Los Angeles County, Sacramento County, Santa Clara County, Orange County and San Francisco County. The firm has a statewide practice of representing employees on a contingency basis for violations involving unpaid wages, overtime pay, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination and other types of illegal workplace conduct.

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Frank Lloyd Wright House, Petra Island, Lake Mahopac, NY Thinking outside the box wasnt really an option for me, because I had no box! Instead I created a successful method of trying and trying and trying again.

First-time author and longtime businessman Joe Massaro launches his new book, The Impossible Road -- From the First Seat in the Dumb Row to my own Private Island. Joes collection of life and business experiences recounts a journey of extraordinary tenacity. From academic failure and drag racing with Don Garlits to hidden drama at the 1980 Winter Olympics and a dream of constructing a Frank Lloyd Wright masters masterpiece on Petra Island, Joe hits all the peaks and valleys on his Impossible Road.

Whats wrong with you? This is a question that I heard throughout my life -- From the Catholic school nuns I spent 10 years of my early education with, to the CEOs of industry-leading businesses. I was used to this question but I wasnt offended by it. I just figured there was a lot wrong with me. I never passed a year of school until eleventh grade, when I discovered I was good at building.

Looking back, it is pretty clear that I had a learning disability, but with no diagnosis back then, I was on my own to figure out how to manage what was wrong with me. Thinking outside the box wasnt really an option for me, because I had no box! Instead I created a successful method of trying and trying and trying again. I learned that if I tried enough stupid, crazy, whats wrong with you kind of stuff, eventually something would work.

And you know what... I was right, boy was I Wright!

Additional highlights from the book may be found here. To set up an interview with Joe Massaro or to request a review copy of the book for editorial purposes, please contact Lisa Kaslyn at lisa@prospercomm.com.

The Impossible Road -- From the First Seat in the Dumb Row to my own Private Island

By Joe Massaro

ISBN: 978-1-0879-5856-9

Available through Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

About the Author

Joe Massaro was born into a working-class Italian family from Westchester County, New York. Growing up, he struggled with school but later learned of his talents in the sheet metal industry after working for his uncle Vincent. He saw his career take off from apprentice to owner of the Elmsford Sheet Metal Works, the largest privately owned sheet metal company in the six counties north of New York City. He now spends his time in Mahopac, NY, at the Frank Lloyd Wright home on Petra Island and his beachfront property in Florida. Please visit Joes website for more information: joe-massaro.com.
Josh D'Agostino and Matt Cavenaugh Josh DAgostino, Mightys President said, "We sincerely appreciate the confidence of Matt and Donny Cavenaugh in Mighty, and we look forward to helping both of their locations exceed expectations.

Mighty Distributing System is proud to announce that Cavenaugh Auto Group has added a second Mighty Auto Parts franchise. The newest portfolio company, doing business as Mighty of NWA, will be based in Springdale near the growing communities of Bentonville and Fayetteville and serve as the exclusive distributor of Mighty automotive products for nine counties in Northwest Arkansas.

The Cavenaugh Auto Group began in 1978 when Don Cavenaugh and his father, Charles, acquired a Ford dealership in Black Rock, AR (30 miles NW of Jonesboro). Today, Don and his two sons, Matt and Donny, operate nine new and used automobile dealerships, two quick service shops, and two car and truck rental facilities.

As with their other Mighty franchise based in Jonesboro (Mighty of NEA), Cavenaughs second franchise will be the exclusive distributor of Mightys preventive maintenance products, detailing products, equipment, and shop supplies to automotive businesses in Northwest Arkansas.

Matt Cavenaugh said, The Cavenaugh team is excited to partner again with Mighty. We look forward to bringing the superior quality and exceptional service of the Mighty brand to a vibrant new territory in Northwest Arkansas. Our thanks to the entire Mighty team for trusting us with this opportunity, and we look forward to our continued collective success!

Josh DAgostino, Mightys President said, The Cavenaugh Auto Group has quickly seen the benefits of Mighty and has chosen to expand into Northwest Arkansas with a second location. We sincerely appreciate the confidence of Matt and Donny Cavenaugh in Mighty, and we look forward to helping both of their locations exceed expectations.

About Mighty Distributing System

Mighty is headquartered in Peachtree Corners, GA and supports 100 franchised distributors in 44 U.S. states and five international markets. The Mighty System features local service, inventory management expertise, and training in conjunction with extensive offerings of OE quality underhood and undercar parts, chemical products, lubricants, shop supplies and PPE products. The Mighty business model attracts independent repair shops, quick lubes, tire centers and new car dealerships across the nation and abroad. Mightys unique approach of dealing directly and exclusively with automotive professionals began in 1963.


Signature Bank has achieved exactly what [we] envisioned 15 years ago. Our singular focus is to provide our customers a superior, relationship-based banking experience with all of the products and services they have come to expect from larger, national banks.

Signature Bank, Chicagos fastest growing, independently owned business bank, today announced it is celebrating its 15th anniversary and a series of strategic milestones in 2021, including key personnel additions, expansion efforts, and industry recognition. Signature Bank announces all of this after a year of aggressive efforts to participate in government backed programs funded by the CARES Act and secure financial support for its business customers in the wake of COVID-19 economic challenges. Key 2021 announcements and successes for the bank include:



15 years of relationship-based commercial banking leadership: In 2006, founders Mick ORourke, Kevin Bastuga, and Bryan Duncan set out to create the business banking experience they felt their customers were lacking due to ongoing industry consolidation. That consolidation led to many privately owned, middle market businesses losing the personal contacts and local decision-making on which they depended. Signature Bank filled that void by building on decades of personal relationships with its clients, and in executing this business plan, has expanded its balance sheet to over $1 billion of assets.

100% Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) participation for eligible and interested Signature Bank clients: Navigating the PPP program over the last 15 months was a challenge for many businesses and financial institutions, but Signature Banks team worked diligently with the SBA to inform customers of newly issued information to efficiently produce the best possible outcomes for their customers. Signature Bank was able to procure support from the PPP for 100% of our qualified customers.

Continued, steady revenue growth: Despite the economic challenges over the last year, Signature Bank was able to identify and focus on critical areas for maintaining revenue and supporting its customer base. Through its diligent efforts to stay afront of programs such as the PPP and the Main Street Lending Program, Signature was able to combine use of these new programs along with its own innovative credit and treasury management products to create platforms for its customers to survive and thrive. As news spread of the banks success in doing so in the local market, Signature Bank was able to onboard hundreds of new clients, providing opportunity for profitable growth with new relationships.

Strategic expansion and hires to develop the Wisconsin market: In addition to continuing the banks focus on growth in the greater Chicagoland area, Signature Bank has its sights set on establishing and expanding its presence in Wisconsin, specifically in Milwaukee and southeast Wisconsin. New hires, Danny Fromstein, Senior Vice President, and Penny Foust, First Vice President both hail from the Milwaukee area and will be focused on building new relationships. Fromstein will focus on originating new commercial loan and deposit relationships with middle market businesses in the Milwaukee area while Foust joins the Treasury Management team to assist in business development and product implementation.

Industry awards and recognition: Signature Bank has accumulated an impressive list of awards and recognitions as a great workplace and for its fast growth. Specifically, Signature Bank has been consistently listed on the ABAs Best Banks to Work For, the Inc. 5000, Crain's Chicago Business' list of Chicago's Largest Banks, as well as Chicagos Best and Brightest.

Signature Bank has achieved exactly what Bryan and Kevin and I envisioned 15 years ago. Our singular focus is to provide our customers a superior, relationship-based banking experience with all of the products and services they have come to expect from larger, national banks, said Mick ORourke, CEO and President of Signature Bank. We continue to express our gratitude to the amazing team at Signature Bank, our investors, and our fantastic customers, who we are proud to call partners and friends.

For additional information about Signature Bank and its full-service, commercial bank offerings for privately owned businesses and their owners, visit http://www.signaturebank.bank or call 773-467-5600.

About Signature Bank

Signature Bank is an award-winning, relationship-based commercial bank wholly owned by Signature Bancorporation, Inc., a privately funded, locally owned bank holding company founded in 2006. Headquartered in Rosemont, IL, Signature Bank provides accessible, strategic, and highly individualized commercial banking services to closely held companies, as well as full-service retail banking capabilities. Technology driven and well-capitalized, Signature Bank is currently the fastest growing, independently owned business bank in the Chicagoland area. Visit Signature Bank online at http://www.signaturebank.bank.
Rob Bohacs, Founder & Chief Solutions Officer, ClinOne I founded ClinOne to create technology to connect, inform and empower patients, caregivers, and their families. It's a tremendous honor to be among this year's PharmaVOICE 100, and I share this recognition with our incredible leadership team. -Rob Bohacs, Founder & Chief Solutions Officer, ClinOne

ClinOne, a leader in virtual clinical trial management, announced its Founder and Chief Solutions Officer Rob Bohacs (LinkedIn) has been honored as one of 2021s PharmaVOICE 100 most inspiring people in the global life sciences industry.

The prestigious and competitive PharmaVOICE 100 award program curates an annual list of people recognized for their significant and positive contributions to the industry. Rob Bohacs was selected for his vision and achievement in enabling sponsors, CROs and sites worldwide to use a single technology platform to connect, inform and empower clinical trial patients  and their caregivers and loved ones  throughout the life of both individual and enterprise-wide clinical trials.

While its an honor to be named among these truly inspiring leaders, my own inspiration comes first from my family and now from the amazing team at ClinOne, said Rob Bohacs. Im an immigrant to the U.S. and spent a portion of my childhood in a refugee camp after our family fled Hungary during the Soviet occupation  so my parents showed me what it means to work hard, take appropriate risk, and to have a meaningful impact to those around you. When my father was diagnosed with ALS, I was running an oncology CRO at the time and even I struggled to help him navigate the complex clinical trials process. I couldnt imagine what it would be like for families without an insider. So I founded ClinOne to create technology that bridges the gap by connecting, informing, and empowering patients, caregivers, and their families. Today Im inspired by the incredible leadership team of experienced industry experts who have joined me on this mission and have already taken ClinOne and our customers to greater heights than I ever thought possible. Thanks to them, Im proud to be included in the PharmaVOICE 100.

Read the profile of Rob Bohacs on page 80 of the Entrepreneurs section here.

"The genesis of the PharmaVOICE 100 was to showcase people like Rob Bohacs  people who inspire change, people who inspire others to stretch and reach their goals, people who are committed to making the world a healthier place," said Taren Grom, Editor and Co-Founder, PharmaVOICE. "Our goal remains the same: to capture that intangible measure of a persons influence: inspiration. Each year, our community puts thoughtful consideration into distinguishing individuals who are leading the charge, in inspired leadership, creativity, breakthrough science, corporate excellence, patient advocacy, technology development, and so on  in short, individuals like Rob who are driving change and redefining the landscape of the life-sciences ecosystem."

Learn how Rob Bohacs and ClinOne are inspiring quantifiable change in clinical trials at http://www.clinone.com.

About ClinOne

The new era of clinical research has arrived. We help you lead the way with a single virtual platform to simplify patient enrollment, consent, data capture, compliance, and engagement. Featuring proven global logistics, the industry's fastest implementation timelines, and an all-star team of senior executives, technologists and service professionals, ClinOne makes clinical research a little easier, every day, for patients and sites worldwide. How can we help you? Bring your challenges and find your solutions at http://www.clinone.com.


ClearShift's new location at 1500 E County Line Rd, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126. To be able to impact the local community with this expansion here in Highlands Ranch with 50 new full-time positions is outstanding. Our team is proud to be a part of the Highlands Ranch community!

ClearShift, an industry leader in digital retail, announced the opening of its newest ClearShift store in Colorado, continuing to build a national in-person and online automotive sales and distribution network.

As we strategically expand our ClearShift footprint, opening a location in my hometown of Highlands Ranch is particularly exciting, said Jeff VanderWal, Founder and President of ClearShift. VanderWal moved to Highlands Ranch in 1993 and attended Bear Canyon Elementary, Cresthill Middle School and went on to graduate from Highlands Ranch High School in 2000. To be able to impact the local community with this expansion here in Highlands Ranch with 50 new full-time positions is outstanding. Our team is proud to be a part of the Highlands Ranch community!

Since the launch of ClearShift in 2017, the brand has been one of the biggest success stories in automotive retail. Consumers, other dealers, and partners from across the United States seek out the ClearShift brand to gain an understanding of the heart change towards giving to the community and receiving from the community rather than the typical buying and selling that has plagued the auto industry for decades.

As a pioneer in automotive retail, VanderWals experience and understanding in the ever-changing digital space has propelled him to the national stage, most notably the multi-billion dollar industry leader, CarGurus. CarGurus is thrilled to see that ClearShift is opening its newest location, and we wish Jeff VanderWal and his team nothing but the utmost success in their latest venture," said Sam Zales, President and COO of CarGurus. "Jeff is not only an automotive retail visionary, but also a member of the CarGurus Dealer Executive Council and we welcome his experience and input to help inform CarGurus' dealer product strategy pertaining to all areas of the industry including digital retail. Jeff and ClearShift are valued CarGurus partners, congratulations to them for this new store opening.

The opening of this new Highlands Ranch location is a critical part of our overall ClearShift expansion strategy, said Aaron Wood, ClearShifts Chief Strategist. This store will not only serve the local community, but it will also enhance our growth nationally with our digital retail distribution network. This store opening reflects ClearShifts rapid year-over-year growth and is another step toward achieving our goal of 10 locations nationally by 2025.

Strategically located at 1500 E County Line road on the C-470 corridor between University and Broadway serving the Front Range, the location will feature over 300 high quality vehicles, amazing values, and ClearShifts signature no games approach to car shopping. Customers can shop ClearShifts expansive inventory at clearshiftcars.com at the same low price as in-store, enabling ClearShifts guests to choose their preferred experience, whether online or in-person.

As customer demand continues to increase, each new market we enter will allow ClearShift to grow its overall market share by offering guests best-in-class value, quality, and convenience in their pre-owned vehicle purchase, which are the cornerstones of the ClearShift brand, continued Wood.

The new dealership is located at 1500 E County Line Rd, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126, and can be reached by phone at 720-390-7910, followed on Facebook and Instagram @clearshiftcars, or found online at http://www.clearshiftcars.com.
I am looking forward to delivering the very best in dental care to my new patients at Crabapple Dental, says Dr. Christian Hahn

Dr. Sarah Roberts and her team are thrilled to welcome Dr. Christian Hahn to their dental practice. Crabapple Dental, located at 12670 Crabapple Road, Alpharetta, Georgia, is a full-service, family dental clinic, offering a wide range of services. They provide high-quality preventative, general, restorative and cosmetic dentistry for the residents of Alpharetta and surrounding areas. Dr. Christian Hahn is a top graduate of the USC School of Dentistry and a renowned biological cosmetic dentist. His valued expertise is an excellent fit for this well-respected practice. He delivers dentistry using a less invasive, more conservative approach by combining scientific, functional dentistry with the wisdom of a more holistic, natural approach. Dr. Hahn is one of under 300 accredited cosmetic dentists in the world and has practiced biological dentistry for over a decade. As a clinician, Dr. Hahn is at the cutting-edge of biological dentistry, placing zirconia implants as well as incorporating functional medicine, health optimization and biohacking into his practice. He has presented his work and spoken at numerous national and international conferences and meetings. Dr. Hahn has been published in multiple books, including authoring Unbox Yourself, various peer-reviewed journals and medical articles. He has devoted his professional career to helping patients not only receive confident, beautiful smiles but also optimal health.

I am looking forward to delivering the very best in dental care to my new patients at Crabapple Dental, says Dr. Christian Hahn

More About Crabapple Dental:

At Crabapple Dental, the teams passion is creating the smile that patients were meant to have, one that is attractive, confident and beautiful. They are proud to serve patients in the Alpharetta community. Through continuing education and state-of-the-art equipment, they offer families the highest level of care delivered in a warm and caring atmosphere. Patients can trust these professionals to meet all their dental care needs. Crabapple Dental has been voted best dental practice in South Forsyth & North Fulton for multiple years, and Dr. Sarah Roberts has been selected as one of "America's Top Dentists" since 2009.

To find out more information on dental care offered by the team at Crabapple Dental, visit http://www.crabappledental.com, or contact the office directly at (678) 319-0123.


Years of Watermelon Ice: New and Selected Poems: a potent exploration of a spiritual journey. Years of Watermelon Ice: New and Selected Poems is the creation of published author Diane Prebula, a native of Connecticut who later moved to Arizona as a teen. She studied English, psychology, and dance at Arizona State and Northern Arizona University. Being involved with the hippie counterculture of the 1960s and 1970s ultimately led to managing a discipleship/recovery program at City Light with Boise Rescue Mission Ministries. She is blessed with three adult children and two beautiful grandchildren.

Prebula shares, Years of Watermelon Ice echoes a journey that praises the Lord of all creation for His rescue, relief, and plan. As we move through this pilgrimage, His abiding Spirit, in us, issues hope and a future; despite these postmodern days of widespread unbelief, we, His people, know His return is imminent.

He longs to speak to and through us, lighting the way to peace in dark and desperate times. He uses broken people who have made Him Lord; He recreates us into something beautifulin His time and way.

This collection of poems reflects the watching and waiting, the suffering and joy of our adventure in pilgrimageand all Gods people cry, Come, Lord Jesus!

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Diane Prebulas new book is a creative and enjoyable venture into the authors life via personal poetry.

The collection of poems found within is emotional, inspiring, and thought-provoking. Readers will have an ample amount to consider as they step into this spiritual work.

View a synopsis of Years of Watermelon Ice: New and Selected Poems on YouTube.

Consumers can purchase Years of Watermelon Ice: New and Selected Poems at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about Years of Watermelon Ice: New and Selected Poems, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
EvidenceCare Acquires Healthcare Value Analytics (HVA)

EvidenceCare, an evidence-based clinical decision support system (CDSS) company, today announced its acquisition of Healthcare Value Analytics (HVA), another Nashville-based healthcare technology company focused on cost transparency tools for physicians.

With its growing suite of EHR-embedded products, EvidenceCare adds HVAs technology solution to further its mission of creating an integrated platform that optimizes clinician workflows to deliver improved care, better outcomes, and increased hospital revenue.

HVAs flagship patent-pending product ValueBar  rebranded as CareGauge under EvidenceCares software products  was the brainchild of Dr. George Fidone, a founding partner of The Childrens Clinic in Lufkin, Texas.

As both a physician and hospital board member, Dr. Fidone wrestled with the new reality in healthcare  physicians were being held responsible for the cost of care in hospital settings without clear insight into the economic impact of the decisions they were making.

We always believed the physician should be the decision-maker on care, said Founder Dr. Fidone. But physicians were flying blind when it came to the cost of care, even though they are the main drivers of hospital revenue and costs.

CareGauge provides zero-click transparency into real-time data that tells physicians if they are outliers in the treatments they provide - both in terms of cost and care.

Im thrilled to expand our reach with EvidenceCare and provide real-time, actionable insight made by physicians for physicians, said Dr. Fidone.

EvidenceCare develops physician support tools inspired by the vision of Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Brian Fengler.

As an emergency physician, I found the lack of accessibility to evidence-based clinical guidance alarming, and my own patient experiences led me to create EvidenceCare, said Dr. Fengler. We are so excited to add CareGauge to our suite of products to continue giving doctors the visibility they need to deliver the best patient care.

CEO of EvidenceCare, Bo Bartholomew, added, We believe in physicians thriving and operating at their best, and were excited to have CareGauge within our suite of solutions to help combat physician burnout and rising hospital costs.

These two companies combined bring more real-time transparency and workflow optimization to care than exists in the market today, remarked HVA President and COO, Kyle Duke, who will join EvidenceCare as Chief Information Officer.

About EvidenceCare

EvidenceCare is the leading clinical decision support system (CDSS) with an EHR-integrated platform that optimizes clinician workflows to deliver better patient care, reduce hospital costs, and capture more revenue. Founded in response to the professional experience of emergency physician Dr. Brian Fengler, the platform provides clinicians with evidence-based care and measurable outcomes. To learn more, visit http://www.evidence.care

Press Inquiries

Email marketing@evidence.care
Secure Devin Miller, CEO and co-founder of Secure said: It is an honor to make the SaaS Awards shortlist, which recognizes our teams rapid innovation in developing our emergency savings solution.

Secure, the benefit solution for emergency savings, is a finalist in the 2021 SaaS Awards Program in two categories, Best SaaS Product for HR and Best SaaS Product for Financial Services.

Secures patent pending technology is the first purpose built emergency savings app developed from the ground up. Its purpose is to help individuals build emergency savings through an employer benefits program. Secure was chosen for its ability to provide a low-cost, easy-to-set up and maintain program that can greatly impact employees; they can focus their efforts on doing their jobs well with less stress. Employees appreciate that it makes it easy to for employees to auto-save for an emergency. It gives them full access to funds anytime, for any reason, and without penalty or cost. In addition, Secure provides employers the ability to match savings, maximizing adoption and creating a positive impact for both employees and employers.

Now in its sixth year of celebrating software innovation, the Software-as-a-Service Awards program accepts entries worldwide, including the US, Canada, Australasia, EMEA and UK.

Head of operations for the SaaS Awards, James Williams, said: Just as SaaS technologies have been vital in pivoting organizational functions to respond to global crises, they will be essential as we look forward to returning to normal levels of productivity.

Weve seen remarkably innovative solutions across all conceivable areas of industry, and its increasingly difficult for our team to identify the entrants that cant make it past this shortlist stage.

The shortlisted candidates, however, have made it through that first round. They represent truly innovative thinkers in the SaaS industry, whether theyre freshly-funded disruptors or established names.

Our judges have some incredibly difficult decisions to make before announcing the final winners in each category of the software awards at the end of August.

Devin Miller, CEO and co-founder of Secure said: It is an honor to make the SaaS Awards shortlist, which recognizes our teams rapid innovation in developing our emergency savings solution.

Final SaaS Awards winners will be announced on Tuesday 31 August 2021 and the program will return in Spring 2022. Hundreds of organizations entered, with international entries coming from North America, Canada, Australia, UK, Europe and the Middle East. To view the full shortlist, please visit: https://www.cloud-awards.com/2021-software-awards-shortlist/

About Secure

Headquartered in Kirkland, Washington, Secure is a financial technology platform designed to help individuals build emergency savings through an employer benefits platform. It was co-founded by Devin Miller, Bassam Saliba, and Suze Orman, who realized that emergency savings needed to be easier and more accessible to help solve the growing savings crisis in the US. Secure's emergency savings program, SecureSave, makes an immediate impact on employee lives; by increasing financial wellness through a program that is easy to deploy and manage at low cost of ownership for the employer. Most of all, it is well received and accepted as adding value to working for a company that cares. To learn more about the company, visit the website at http://www.SecureSave.com.
Advisor, Florence Zimmerman of Engel & Volkers Orlando With Engel & Volkers I saw the opportunity to become part of a global brand with a network that lives and breathes exceptional client service

Engel & Volkers Florida today announced Florence Zimmerman is the latest in a slew of realtors to join Engel & Volkers Orlando as a real estate advisor.

With Engel & Volkers I saw the opportunity to become part of a global brand with a network that lives and breathes exceptional client service, said Zimmerman. Being part of such a collaborative team on a local and international level, in addition to its fresh approach to marketing, is a great opportunity for me to enhance my current offerings in an effort to best support my clients.

Zimmerman comes to Engel & Volkers Orlando from eXp Realty, where she specialized in first-time homebuyers and relocation. Over the last four years, she has closed more than $10,000,000 in transactions. Originally from California, she first entered real estate at her family's Keller Williams brokerage in the San Francisco Bay area, where they were top producers. Prior to joining the real estate industry, she was formally educated in accounting at the University of Arizona where she earned both a Bachelors and Masters degree. After college, she worked for Ernst & Young Global Limited, one of the largest multinational professional services networks in the world.

A second-generation realtor, Florence has a proven track record for her market expertise and will further strengthen our growing shops team, said Ahmed Elbatrawy, License Partner of Engel & Volkers Orlando. She contacted us to discuss joining Engel & Volkers to help her achieve ambitious business goals which include tripling her production.

Elbatrawy secured the franchise rights to Engel & Volkers Orlando in March of this year. He and Managing Broker, Eric Bolves have already recruited 28 talented local agents totaling more than $30 million in annual production. The new shop, which is located at 2049 W Central Blvd, is slated to host an official grand opening event this winter.

Engel & Volkers is designed to offer growth-minded real estate agents a unique marketing platform that differentiates itself from other brokerages, said Peter Giese, Chief Growth Officer at Engel & Volkers Florida. This, combined with Ahmeds commitment to local support and lead generation services has led to Engel & Volkers Orlandos rapid growth in 90 days. With a strong brand and culture to support his success, we firmly believe Ahmed and his team will be a market leader in the Orlando area in a short period of time.

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Press contact:

Linzee Werkmeister, Junior Vice President, Marketing & Franchise Support

Email: Linzee.Werkmeister(at)evrealestate.com

Tel: (239) 348-9000

About Engel & Volkers:

Engel & Volkers is a global luxury real estate brand. Founded in Hamburg, Germany in 1977, Engel & Volkers draws on its rich European history to deliver a fresh approach to luxury real estate in the Americas with a focus on creating a personalized client experience at every stage of the home buying or selling process for todays savvy homeowner. Engel & Volkers currently operates approximately 240 shop locations with 5,000 real estate advisors in the Americas, contributing to the brands global network of over 14,000 real estate professionals in more than 30 countries, offering both private and institutional clients a professionally tailored range of luxury services, including real estate and yachting. Committed to exceptional service, Engel & Volkers supports its advisors with an array of premium quality business services; marketing programs and platforms; as well as access to its global network of real estate professionals, property listings and market data. Each brokerage is independently owned and operated. For more information, visit http://www.evrealestate.com.

About Engel & Volkers Florida:

Engel & Volkers Florida is the Master License Partner of the global luxury real estate brand Engel & Volkers in the state of Florida. Recognized for uniquely recruiting, training and equipping some of the top professionals in the real estate industry, Engel & Volkers Floridas exclusive franchise model positions its license partners at the top of the premium market to gain market share and support their bottom line. The company represents franchise locations in: 30A Beaches, Amelia Island, Belleair, Boca Raton, Bonita Springs-Estero, Cape Coral, Clermont, Delray Beach, Destin, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers Downtown, Gainesville, Hollywood Beach, Islamorada, Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Jupiter, Madeira Beach, Marco Island, Melbourne Beachside, Melbourne Central, Melbourne Downtown, Miami Coconut Grove, Neptune Beach, Olde Naples, Orlando, Orlando Downtown, Orlando-Winter Park, Palm Beach, Palm Coast, Ponte Vedra Beach, Sarasota, South Tampa, St. Augustine, St. Pete, St. Pete Beach, Stuart, Tampa Water Street, Venice Downtown, Wellington, and Windermere.

Engel & Volkers Florida is continuing to strategically strengthen and expand its presence in premium real estate markets across the state of Florida. If you would like to know more about the Engel & Volkers brand or how to join its global networkwhich is known for demonstrating competence, exclusivity and passion, feel free to call our corporate office, located at 633 Tamiami Trl N, Suite 201, Naples, FL 34102 USA. Tel: +1 239-348-9000.

For more information about Engel & Volkers Florida, please visit https://florida.evrealestate.com/
Todays users of enterprise software want solutions that integrate seamlessly with others in their tech stack and this partnership with Lever will empower recruiters and hiring managers to save time and leverage data in ways that provide a better experience both for their companies and candidates.

HackerEarth, a leading solutions provider for remote developer assessments, interviews, and upskilling, today announced its newest of many Applicant Tracking System (ATS) integrations with Lever, a leading Talent Acquisition Suite. As a part of HackerEarths network of ATS integrations, existing Lever users will be able to easily access and optimize use of HackerEarth Assessments.

HackerEarths integration with Lever allows recruiters to manage the applicant screening workflow faster and more efficiently. The key benefits of the integration for users include:



Lever users can directly send HackerEarth Assessments invites to their candidates at various stages of the job hiring lifecycle. Once the candidate completes the assessment, their score, and a report containing performance data are linked back into Lever.

Lever users can eliminate the constant shifting between LeverTRM and HackerEarths platform and view all hiring data from one dashboard. Recruiters can screen candidates faster using HackerEarth, while all members of the hiring team can stay abreast of the progress, by viewing it on the Lever Dashboard.

Hiring managers have all candidate information easily accessible on demand, and recruiters can provide candidates with real-time feedback.

Lever users have the option to send more than one assessment to evaluate a particular candidate. If the recruiter or hiring manager chooses to retest the candidate (on a different level of assessment or skill set), the integration allows that.

With demand for skilled tech talent higher than ever, the ability to recruit and hire quickly and efficiently is actually a competitive advantage today, said Sachin Gupta, CEO of HackerEarth. Todays users of enterprise software want solutions that integrate seamlessly with others in their tech stack and this partnership with Lever will empower recruiters and hiring managers to save time and leverage data in ways that provide a better experience both for their companies and candidates.

Lever users can read more about the HackerEarth integration in the Lever Marketplace: https://leverpartner.com/integrations/hackerearth.

Discover more HackerEarth ATS integrations here: https://www.hackerearth.com/recruit/enterprise/integrations/.

About HackerEarth

HackerEarth is a global company that helps large enterprises recruit, evaluate, and upskill developers based on specific skills. The companys platform enables recruiters to make the most accurate and informed decisions about candidates, improve hiring efficiencies, facilitate continuous learning and development, and ensure the right developers are matched with the right positions. HackerEarth is also a leading facilitator of online hackathons and coding challenges, where its community of over 4 million developers can upskill and practice for employment interviews. The company was founded in 2012 with offices in San Francisco and India. For more information, visit http://www.hackerearth.com.

About Lever

Lever is a leading Talent Acquisition Suite that makes it easy for talent teams to reach their hiring goals and to connect companies with top talent. Lever is the only platform that provides all talent acquisition leaders with complete ATS and robust CRM capabilities in one product, LeverTRM. The Lever Hire and Lever Nurture features allow leaders to scale and grow their people pipeline, build authentic and long-lasting relationships, and source the right people to hire. Lever Analytics provides customized reports with data visualization, see offers completed and interview feedback, and more, to inform strategic decisions between hiring managers and executives alike.

Our platform also enables companies to hire with inclusivity in mind, helping eliminate any hiring bias. Lever supports the hiring needs of over 3,400 companies around the globe including the teams at Netflix, Atlassian, KPMG, and McGraw-Hill Education. For more information, visit https://www.lever.co.
Send Money. Deliver Progress. International remittance has always been about people living in diaspora wanting to share their success with people back home. By replacing profit as the point of the spear, were helping Africans fund Africa and, ultimately, rewriting our motherland's story.

Each year, the diaspora sends upwards of $40 billion back home to Africa. Yet according to the World Bank, the world's poorest continent remains the most expensive, fraud-fraught, complex corridor for digital money transfers. With the launch of a new money remittance app, one fintech founder is determined to remove these critical barriers.

International remittance has always been about people living in diaspora wanting to share their success with people back home, said Uzoma Eze, AiDEMONEY co-founder and chief executive officer. By replacing profit as the point of the spear, were helping Africans fund Africa and, ultimately, rewriting our motherlands story.

AiDEMONEY is the money transfer service for Africans who want to send money, and progress, back home. Fast, secure and impact-driven, the app enables digital transfers from the U.S. to four African countriesCameroon, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeriawith the fifth country, Ethiopia, launching later this month, Eze said. Eze co-founded AiDEMONEY with Felix Akompi, a fellow member of Houstons African diaspora community and the companys chief operations officer.

Available now on the App Store and Google Play, the AiDEMONEY app delivers all the features of world-class money remittance servicesplus a give back model that builds a stronger Africa.



Instant transfers: Send money instantly with a debit card or ACH bank account

Multiple Payout Methods: Send money directly to the recipients bank account, mobile money account or cash pickup location

Secure Money Transfers: Send money safely with AiDEMONEYs blockchain-powered platform and RegTech fraud prevention technology

Impact Model: Fund tangible progress in Africa with every transaction fee

AiDEMONEY donates a portion of customer transaction fees to nonprofits in three thematic areas: education and literacy, women's empowerment and healthcare. Its NGO partners include the Lagos Food Bank Initiative, Shalom Sickle Cell Foundation, Sharing Smiles Initiative and Jenny Uzo Foundation.

Were creating a superhighway for tens of billions in USD to flow from one part of the world to another, Eze said. When you have the right people with the right vision, that capital tills the groundtilling out profit, social advancement and a stronger Africa.

For more information, visit AiDEMONEY.com or contact info@AiDEMONEY.com.

About AiDEMONEY

AiDEMONEY is the African diasporas money transfer app. Headquartered in Katy, Texas, the fintech company provides money transfer services from the U.S. to Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria. Solely Africa-focused, AiDEMONEY is deeply invested in the future of the continent through NGO partnerships and its impact model.

About Uzoma Eze

A seasoned attorney specializing in tax law and anti-money laundering (AML), Uzoma Eze has spent the last decade helping the African diaspora navigate the American financial system. While successfully defending diaspora clients in IRS and Department of Justice investigations, he witnessed the shortcomings of current fintech solutions firsthand. Eze founded AiDEMONEY for Africans seeking a fast, secure money remittance app that serves communities on both ends of the pipeline.
Canada 2036 is proud to announce the launch of its brand-new website and is looking forward to prospective immigrants exploring its various features.

With the new website, Canada 2036 aims to offer people an enhanced way of obtaining relevant information regarding the immigration process to Canada.

The website provides you with improved navigation, a user-friendly layout, and easy accessibility to all the essential information required during the immigration process.

The website has been created keeping in mind the problems users generally face while accessing information.

Since immigration is a time-consuming and difficult process involving several procedures, forms, and exams, it is important to make things easy. The new Canada 2036 website is one of the most important steps in that direction.

The website has been created keeping the users experience in mind. Therefore, several features will help users navigate the website with ease and get the desired information within a few minutes.

Here are some of the features that users will find in our revamped new-look website:

Seamless navigation is guaranteed with the new website. One of the major things that people find time-consuming in a website is the number of backward and forward moves they must make while accessing information. This easy navigating website ensures that everything is easily available and accessible on the dashboard, thereby reducing clicks.

Information about the various provinces of Canada, the eligibility criteria, job options, student visa, entrance procedure, immigration programs for different regions, etc., is easily available to prospective immigrants. This makes it easy for people to gather all documents and be prepared for the process to initiate.

Canada 2036 team ensures that any query posted by any user is handled promptly. The team monitors and runs immigration-related queries efficiently and provides the users with appropriate responses and guidance to ensure their paperwork is in order.

The content provided on the website is accurate and most recent to ensure that you are aware of any update regarding the immigration process easily.

The website is compatible with different browsers and can be used on both phones (iOS, Android, Windows) and desktops. Moreover, the new version provides you a seamless navigation irrespective of the platform used.

The launch of the new Canada 2036 website is a prestigious moment for all of us associated with the project. We believe that every individual has the right to choose where they live, and this revamped website aims to do that effortlessly, said Rebecca Morin, Canada 2036 Editor-in-Chief. Since I went through the process, I understand the toll the immigration process can take on the applicant. Hence with this new version of the Canada 2036 website, we aim to provide you a comprehensive guide to easily migrate to Canada for your dream job or to pursue higher education.

The website launch will open new vistas for immigrants to find all details relevant to the immigration process with ease. If you dreamt of studying or working in Canada, the process of immigration would become easier and smoother with https://canada2036.com.
SmartHER Money Logo Come brunch with us at this free and fun, fact-filled, five-hour SmartHER Money Conference, designed for women of all backgrounds and ages and every socio-economic status and stage of their financial journey. RSVP today at SmartHER.Iowa.gov.

Designed to provide Iowans with much-needed tools, tips and expert knowledge in making the best decisions for their financial future, the inaugural SmartHER Money Conference, presented by the Iowa Insurance Division (IID), is ready to empower women on Aug. 19 at the Bien VenU Event Center, 7400 Hudson Rd., Cedar Falls, Iowa.

The fun, fact-filled, five-hour event kicks off at 8:30 a.m. and includes brunch. Best of all, its complimentary for Iowans. Advance registration by Aug. 16 is required and capacity is limited.

This new financial wisdom and empowerment conference focuses on female Iowans and was developed this year following concerning results from the 2020 SmartHER Money Financial Literacy Research survey, commissioned by the Iowa Insurance Division.

Some 56% of Iowa women participating in the survey acknowledged a lack of confidence in making wise financial decisions in retirement planning. In addition, roughly 50% of Iowa women live in financially insecure households, and 60% of participants said they lacked sufficient knowledge about investments and investment products.

BUILDING FINANCIAL LITERACY

IID announced its new SmartHER Money program earlier this year to enhance female financial literacy.

Sometimes things happen that we have no control over, such as the death of a spouse or divorce, and we need to make sure that we know about our finances, how to manage our finances and how to ensure a solid financial future, said Sonya Sellmeyer, IIDs consumer advocacy officer. Having financial literacy adds to overall wellness too, because it has the potential to reduce a persons stress level.

Emceed by Joanne Kuster, a longtime investor and entrepreneur whos known as The Money Godmother, the conference will deliver financial wisdom from top-notch speakers and panelists.

A highlight of the conference is keynote speaker Manisha Thakor, founder of MoneyZen. Shes a nationally renowned speaker and womens financial literacy advocate. When it comes to personal finance, Thakor shares that her parents impressed upon her early in life that a man is not a plan and that financial literacy is essential for women.

With an MBA from Harvard Business School, Thakor has authored two critically acclaimed personal finance books for women and is currently writing her third book. She serves on the board of The National Foundation for Financial Education and is a faculty member at the Omega Institutes Womens Leadership Center. Thakor has been featured on national media shows such as The Today Show and Dr. Oz and in publications like Real Simple and the Wall Street Journal.

Im thrilled for our attendees to hear from a speaker of the caliber of Manisha Thakor, not only because of her stellar educational credentials, publishing success and national media appearances, but because she is a wonderful, down-to-earth and approachable woman who can simplify the most complicated investment scenarios for anyone to understand, said Sellmeyer.

Thakor said shes excited to be presenting in Iowa and sums up her appearance this way: When a woman incorporates financial well-being into her overall definition of personal well-being, a whole new world of possibilities and choices opens up for her. For this reason, I am passionately committed to helping as many women as possible to Own Your Finances & Own Your Life, during this inaugural SmartHER Money Conference.

In addition, Thakor will join a power pack of top-notch panelists to impart knowledge, tips, experiences and know-how to help women enhance their financial literacy and ensure a better financial future and retirement for themselves.

Plan & Earn Panel



Rebecca Guinn, factory manager, John Deere Waterloo Works

Stephanie Seekins, attorney, The Biker Lawyers, The Emily Program, Project Diva

ReShonda Young, community advocate and founder of Popcorn Heaven chain

Save & Retire Panel



Doug Ommen, Iowa insurance commissioner, Iowa Insurance Division

LeKeisha Veasley, community inclusion strategist, Veridian Credit Union

Amy Wienands, business owner, Amy Wienands Real Estate

TAKE CONTROL, PLAN WITH CONFIDENCE

The Iowa Insurance Division encourages Iowa women to join us at this first-ever SmartHER Money Conference on Aug. 19, Sellmeyer said. In fact, were also hoping you will bring your moms, sisters, teen and adult daughters, and friends. We invite you to brunch with us as we serve up financial wisdom to help you fine-tune your money smarts, improve your financial wellness and secure your financial future.

This free conference is not paid for by taxes but from fines and settlements levied on investment scammers as restitution. IID uses these Investor Education Fund dollars to educate Iowans about the risks and rewards of investing.

The SmartHER Money Conference is designed for women of all backgrounds and ages and every socio-economic status and stage of their financial journey  whether thats basic budgeting to paying for student loans, saving for a house, investing for a secure retirement or making retirement dollars last, said Sellmeyer. Its about understanding your finances and discovering the appropriate financial path and retirement thats right for you. Your retirement most likely wont look like your parents retirement. Many women are completely redefining retirement and some are launching fun encore careers.

It is important to also recognize that womens financial needs are often different from that of men. Women may be financially responsible for both their children and aging parents and need more retirement savings because statistically they live longer than men.

Attendees will learn how to become more comfortable speaking with their spouse, partner, children or parents about money. In addition, they will participate in individual and/or group exercises to better understand their individual relationship with money and the psychology behind it. Thats important, Sellmeyer said, as many of the closely held beliefs people have about money are rooted in childhood.

No financial or investment products will be sold at this conference. The only thing that will be sold to our attendees is money confidence, said Sellmeyer. And while this conference is geared toward women and their financial needs, all genders are welcome to attend.

Registration for this free event is required, so attendees must RSVP by Aug.16 at SmartHER.Iowa.gov.

About the Iowa Insurance Division

The Iowa Insurance Division has general control, supervision and direction over all insurance and securities business transacted in the state and enforces Iowas laws and regulations. The IID investigates consumer complaints and prosecutes companies, agents and brokers engaging in unfair trade practices. Consumers with insurance or investment questions or complaints may contact the IID toll-free at 877-955-1212 or visit http://www.iid.iowa.gov.

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Purchasing multi-vehicle coverage is the smart thing to do when you or your family owns multiple cars. It will save you a lot of time and money, said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company.

Compare-autoinsurance.org has released a new blog post that presents the major benefits of purchasing multi-vehicle insurance plans.

For more info and free quotes, visit http://compare-autoinsurance.org/the-advantages-of-insuring-multiple-cars-by-the-same-insurance-company/

A family owning multiple cars is something usual in the United States. Since car insurance can be a really expensive investment, it is desirable to find ways to reduce the costs for multiple vehicles. Getting multi-vehicle coverage seems the obvious choice.

This blog explains some of the advantages of bundling coverage with the same carrier.

Saving money is the main reason why households with multiple vehicles should opt for this coverage. The value of the discount depends on the number of insured vehicles. A higher number of vehicles means better savings. However, companies cap the maximum number of insured vehicles to 5.

It is more convenient.to have the same insurer. It means less paperwork and hassle. It also means making a single payment and dealing with a single bill. The family will have to deal with a single agent for any of the insured cars. This ensures a better legal representation and a stronger professional relationship with the insurance company.

For more information, please visit http://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.
AVE Austin Austin is seeing an influx of new residents every year due to its growing job market, so there is a real need for comfortable, flexible living options, says Lea Anne Welsh, COO of Korman Communities and president of its AVE brand. Weve got them covered at AVE Austin."

Korman Communities, in partnership with Verde Capital, has completed the purchase of its first property in Austin, Texas. The brand new, 226-unit, Class AA property, AVE Austin, offers a unique flexible-stay living solution in North Austin, conveniently situated between Downtown Austin and The Domain.

This acquisition represents the first of what we anticipate will be many new ventures in this region, says Bradley Korman, co-CEO of the Philadelphia-area-based Korman Communities. We continue to focus on markets that best reflect where people want to live and work, purchasing and developing state-of-the-art residential properties.

The investment in AVE Austin aligns with Verde Capitals continued pursuit of opportunities in high-growth urban and suburban markets.

With its proximity to major educational institutions, medical systems, and technology jobs, this location offers the sustainable demand drivers that will make AVE Austin a sought-after property for decades to come, says Jake Reiter, president of Verde Capital.

AVE Austin features studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom spacious luxury apartments and fully furnished apartments coupled with unparalleled, on-demand business and resort amenities, and a dedicated service team on site seven days a week.

Austin is seeing an influx of new residents every year due to its growing job market, so there is a real need for comfortable, flexible living options, says Lea Anne Welsh, COO of Korman Communities and president of its AVE brand. Weve got them covered at AVE Austin  whether they need a place to live month-to-month with furnishings while they get situated or theyre looking for an unfurnished apartment longer term.

All residents enjoy complimentary, on-demand access to resort and business amenities featuring a sparkling pool and grilling stations, state-of-the-art fitness center, tranquility courtyard with hammocks and a fire pit, a rooftop lounge with downtown Austin views, pet spa, cyber lounge, flex workspace, and private meeting rooms. AVEs professional Resident Services team is on site seven days a week to assist with day-to-day living needs and to create a sense of community through concierge support, events, and partnerships.

Our goal is to manage first-class communities where people can live, work, and play, says Welsh. Everything we offer  from our attentive service, quality apartments, on-demand amenities, and community events, is to ensure our residents are comfortable and feel taken care of.

AVE Austin is centrally located in North Austin, walking distance from the Red Line providing service from Leander to Downtown with stops at UT-Austin and The Domain. This state-of-the-art residential community is convenient for commuting, offering easy access to highways 35 and 183.

About AVE and Korman Communities

AVE specializes in luxury apartments for the discerning renter and fully furnished apartments for individuals needing flexibility in living due to extended business travel, work relocation, home renovations, being in between homes, insurance claims, and more.

AVE professionally manages flexible-stay residential communities in The Greater Philadelphia Area (Philadelphia, King of Prussia, Malvern, Newtown Square, and Blue Bell), New Jersey (Florham Park, Clifton, Union, Somerset), and the East Bay of San Francisco (Emeryville and Walnut Creek).

Korman Communities is a fully integrated, multi-generational real estate company with development, management, asset, marketing, and financial capabilities operating throughout the United States and in London. The portfolio is comprised of two brands  AVE (aveliving.com) state-of-the-art, multi-family residential communities and AKA (stayaka.com) urban high-rises providing luxury, long-term accommodations.

Since the early 1900s, the Korman family has been dedicated to raising standards in residential living and corporate housing. Korman Communities pioneered corporate housing in the 1960s in Philadelphia, offering a furnished suite program with flexible lease options and hotel-like amenities at its residential high-rise in Center City. For more information, visit http://www.korman.com.

About Verde Capital

Verde Capital is a national real estate private equity firm that provides capital to top-ranked operating partners across multiple asset classes. The principals source off-market, tax advantaged, direct investments in real estate assets throughout the country. The firm, which has several billion dollars of assets under management, provides equity and structures debt for development projects, acquisitions and recapitalizations, facilitating maximum asset values and returns for operators and investors. For more information, visit http://www.verdecapitalcorp.com
Juan Macias & Lawrence Behr Working with CEO Lawrence Behr himself and learning from such an esteemed leader in the (telecommunications) industry is an immense opportunity and honor.

LBA Group welcomes Juan Macias as its Chief Technical Officer (CTO). Macias brings over 20 years of experience in the Radio Frequency field, with an iNARTE Certification as a Telecommunications Senior Engineer and as an IEEE Senior Member. Before joining LBA, Macias held Lead Senior RF engineering positions with American Tower Company; Senior Broadcast consultant for the FCC Repack and Lead RF Design for Malaysias AIM/IoT Infrastructure. Originally from Mexico, Macias had been involved in multiple RF, GPRS, GSM, CDMA and IoT projects worldwide for Iusacell and others.

As CTO, Macias will oversee the professional services, technology development and compliance aspects of the LBA Group companies. Beyond enhancing existing services and products, Macias will focus on developing new offerings in the escalating 5G world to position LBA as a leading resource for 5G RF safety and compliance, IoT, DAS and other evolving technology areas.

I am excited to join the team and utilize my experience. I look forward to growing as an individual and in turn, helping LBA grow, states Macias. Working with CEO Lawrence Behr himself and learning from such an esteemed leader in the (telecommunications) industry is an immense opportunity and honor.

Jennifer Cargile, Director of Strategic Planning, hopes to advance LBAs presence in the wireless infrastructure market. Cargile states With the pandemic, there have been times of uncertainty, but the one thing I have always been certain of is further establishing LBAs presence in emerging RF and electromagnetics markets. Juan will be a great asset for us to achieve that goal.

About LBA Group, Inc.

LBA Group, Inc. has over 55 years of experience in providing technology and risk management for industrial and telecommunications infrastructure assets in the radio frequency and electromagnetic spaces. LBA is a multiple INC5000 awardee, CVMSDC-certified and is a North Carolina Top 50 Hispanic minority-owned small business. The group is comprised of LBA University, Inc. providing online professional safety training; LBA Technology, Inc., a leading source and integrator of radio frequency systems, lightning protection and EMC equipment for broadcast, industrial and government users worldwide; and the professional wireless technical and compliance consultancy, Lawrence Behr Associates, Inc. The companies are based in Greenville, NC, USA.

Keep up with LBA by following the company on Facebook and LinkedIn.
Who an employer chooses as their insurance broker has significantly more impact on the cost and quality of their benefit plan than who they choose as their insurance carrier. We are proud to honor this distinct group of insurance consultants.

Mployer Advisor, the leading independent platform for employers to research, review and evaluate insurance brokers, is pleased to announce the Austin-based recipients of its inaugural Top Employee Benefits Consultant Awards for 2021. Mployer Advisors Top Employee Benefits Consultant Award Program evaluates brokers based on industry experience, company size, online ratings and reviews and recognizes esteemed brokers that demonstrate market-leading competencies and a proven track record of success among employers, insurance providers and peers.

Who an employer chooses as their insurance broker has significantly more impact on the cost and quality of their benefit plan than who they choose as their insurance carrier. We are proud to honor this distinct group of insurance consultants who have demonstrated a wide range of experience and positive employer feedback on service and quality, said Brian Freeman, CEO of Mployer Advisor. For too long, the industry has been dependent on referrals and existing relationships to select insurance advisors. With Mployer Advisor we now celebrate this distinguished group of consultants that work tirelessly to keep costs low and support employers during one of the most impactful decisions they have to make as a company.

The Austin-Round Rock, TX market is one of the most competitive job markets in the U.S. Southwest, employing over 1.2 million people with one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. Offering industry-leading, competitive employee benefits is a critical factor in hiring and engaging top talent for Austin employers. Finding and partnering with a highly-rated insurance consultant is imperative to retaining top talent in any market.

The 2021 Mployer Advisors Austin's Top Employee Benefits Consultant Award recipients providing services to both small and large employers are as follows:



Frost Insurance

NFP

Gallagher Insurance, Risk Management & Consulting

USI Insurance Services

Marsh & McLennan

The above winners are a brief snapshot of Mployer Advisors matrices and proprietary M Score on June 30, 2021. To determine award winners, Mployer Advisor analyzed each brokerage based on historical data, business experience across employer size, industry and products, as well as relevant online ratings and reviews from employers across several platforms.

To view a full list of Austin-Round Rock consultants, visit MployerAdvisor.com.

About Mployer Advisor:

Mployer Advisor is changing the way employers search, evaluate and select insurance advisors. The intuitive platform connects employers and employees to great benefits and insurance plans by providing employers with actionable data to easily evaluate and select the best advisor for a companys specific needs. Most brokerages have a profile on Mployer Advisor, which provides independent ratings of insurance advisors to support employers. Insurance brokers cannot pay to influence their Mployer Advisor rating. Only highly rated brokerages are allowed to advertise on the platform. To learn more about Mployer Advisor, visit https://mployeradvisor.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

Disclaimer:

Rankings are dynamic, and this report may not reflect the rankings currently listed on Mployer Advisors website. Since Mployer Advisors research is ongoing, interested companies that want to join next years list are encouraged to claim their free profile on Mployer Advisor.

Media Contact:

Jacob Westfall (Public Relations Consultant)

Jacob.Westfall@mployeradvisor.com
Touchless Quench Q-Series The advanced touchless activation and purification technologies featured on each system work together to create the cleanest hydration experience possible for people concerned about cross-contamination in offices or facilities.

A first of its kind to be available in the United States and Canada, Quenchs new product line of touchless hydration solutions, dubbed the Quench Q-series, offers sensor-activated, touchless dispensing for health-conscious businesses. Quench Q-Series options produce quenchWATER+, which uses a proprietary 5-filter setup to add electrolytes and improve taste by removing sediments and contaminants. The result is crisp, clean, great-tasting electrolyte water.

Early adopters included several major employers, who implemented the touchless systems to protect their employees during the pandemic. Now, as more offices prepare to reopen, the Quench Q-Series with quenchWATER+ is an important office amenity for businesses working to maintain top health and safety standards.

The Quench Q-Series is available in a range of dispensing capacities to give workplaces of all sizes and configurations the flexibility to hydrate their staff and guests.

The touchless product line includes:



Quench Q4: Serves approximately 25 people per day

Quench Q8: Serves approximately 50 people per day

Quench Q12: Serves approximately 100 people per day

Each touchless system has built-in sensor-activated panels. Users can simply hover their hand or fingers over sensor-activated buttons to release a steady stream of water.

Quench Q-Series touchless water coolers with quenchWATER+ are exactly what workplaces need right now, said Ted Hertz, Quenchs Vice President of Product Management. The advanced touchless activation and purification technologies featured on each system work together to create the cleanest hydration experience possible for people concerned about cross-contamination in offices or facilities.

The customer feedback weve received about our Quench Q-Series has been overwhelmingly positive, said John Whalen, Quenchs Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Customer Service. Customers have said that having the ability to offer their employees a contactless way to dispense clean, great-tasting drinking water created a sense of reassurance as they reopened their offices.

The Quench Q-Series bottleless water systems can be installed virtually anywhere in an office building or facility and connect directly to a buildings existing water supply. They are now available nationwide in the United States and Canada, exclusively from Quench.

About Quench

Quench rents and sells bottleless filtered water solutions for healthy and environmentally conscious consumers outside the home through direct sales and independent dealers across North America. Our bottleless water coolers, ice dispensers, sparkling water dispensers, and coffee brewers purify a users existing water supply to provide reliable and convenient filtered water to a broad mix of businesses, including government, education, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, hospitality, and other large commercial customers, including more than half of the Fortune 500. Headquartered in King of Prussia, PA, Quench has sales and service operations across North America to serve our 60,000+ customers and a network of over 250 independent dealers selling products under the brand names Pure Water Technology, Wellsys, and Bluline. Quench is a Culligan Company. For more information, please visit https://quenchwater.com.

About Culligan

Founded in 1936 by Emmett Culligan, Culligan is a world leader in delivering water solutions that will improve the lives of its customers. The company offers some of the most technologically advanced, state-of-the-art water filtration and treatment products. Culligans products include water softeners, drinking water systems, whole-house systems and solutions for businesses. Culligans network of franchise dealers is the largest in the world, with over 900 dealers in 90 countries. For more information visit: http://www.culligan.com.
Joining forces with Confidio marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for RxBenefits as we advance our strategic vision to deliver a more affordable, clinically superior prescription benefit for the good of both plan sponsors and healthcare consumers.

RxBenefits, a leading technology-enabled pharmacy benefits optimizer (PBO), today announced an agreement to acquire pharmacy benefits consulting firm, Confidio, pending regulatory approval. The pending transaction will bring together two premier, complementary providers of pharmacy benefits services, significantly expanding the combined companys ability to lower pharmacy benefits costs for self-funded employers and plan sponsors, regardless of group size. In addition to driving down drug costs, the combined solution portfolio will also enable the PBO to better address the key clinical utilization management challenges that contribute to wasteful spending, subsequently enhancing member safety and health outcomes.

Founded in 2011, Confidio offers customized strategies and a robust suite of pharmacy benefit procurement, consulting, audit, and analytic solutions aimed to control costs, improve outcomes, and preserve the integrity of clients prescription drug benefits. Confidios mission is to advance the health and well-being of the communities it serves by sharing expertise and creating trusted relationships built on a foundation of service excellence and integrity.

RxBenefits and Confidio share a passion for optimizing both the economic and clinical value derived from pharmacy benefits for plan sponsors and the combined 3 million member lives -- and growing -- that the organizations serve.

Pharmacy is a scale-driven business, with the best rates, rebates, and service being extended to the health plans, government entities, and employers whose annual prescription volume move the needle for the nations leading PBMs, which control more than 80% of the countrys prescription claims volume, said Bryan Statham, Chief Executive Officer, RxBenefits. Joining forces with Confidio marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for RxBenefits as we advance our strategic vision to deliver a more affordable, clinically superior prescription benefit for the good of both plan sponsors and healthcare consumers. Our primary goal is to better address the key challenges small employers face in trying to maintain a robust and affordable pharmacy benefit.

Statham continued, We act as advocates for small and mid-sized employers and their members. We are doing this deal because we believe that the combination of our experienced workforces, powerful analytics capabilities, and clinical expertise, along with our independent, client-aligned service models, will allow the unified company to better manage these plans to lowest net cost while improving health outcomes and delivering an unrivaled client and member experience.

Confidio was founded a decade ago on a passion for going beyond the expected to help clients navigate the complex pharmacy benefits landscape'' said Scott Vogel, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Confidio. Our commitment to delivering both turnkey and fully customized solutions to meet the unique objectives of all the clients we serve, regardless of size or industry, has not changed and will continue well into the future. By partnering with RxBenefits, we will enhance the value of our consulting services and solutions portfolio, as well as our scale and incredible talent, to provide unmatched value across the entire spectrum of plan sponsors.

Todays milestone follows an active year for RxBenefits. In January 2021, current investors Great Hill Partners, a leading growth-oriented private equity firm, and Advent International, one of the largest and most experienced global private equity investors, completed a recapitalization of RxBenefits, valuing the company at approximately $1.1 billion, providing the company with capital to accelerate the build-out of its salesforce, broker channels, and technology. In addition, in August 2020, in response to industry gaps that result in many self-insured employers significantly over-paying for pharmacy benefits, RxBenefits launched the first and only pharmacy benefits optimizer, or PBO, which uses advanced data science to advocate for the best economic and clinical interest of self-funded plan sponsors and their members, empowering benefits advisors and plan sponsors to purchase pharmacy benefits like a Fortune 10 employer, regardless of group size.

Additional information about the deal will be available upon the completion of regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. For more information on RxBenefits and its solutions, visit http://www.rxbenefits.com.

About RxBenefits

RxBenefits is a technology-enabled pharmacy benefits optimizer (PBO) with more than 500 pharmacy pricing, data, and clinical experts working together to deliver prescription benefit savings to employee benefit consultants and their self-insured clients. With nearly 2 million members, RxBenefits brings significant scale, independent clinical solutions, and high-touch service to its customers  ensuring that all businesses, regardless of size, can provide an affordable and valuable pharmacy benefit plan to their employees. The company is headquartered in Birmingham, AL. For more details, visit http://www.rxbenefits.com or follow the company on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

About Confidio

Confidio is a pharmacy benefits consulting firm that optimizes the value of clients pharmacy benefits through transparency, accountability and advanced data analytics paired with deep insider expertise. We help clients minimize drug spend while maximizing patient outcomes and satisfaction. Our reliable solutions are performance-based, results-driven and continuously validated. For more details, visit http://www.confidio.com.
Apart from the ability to launch ready products on to our channels, we can also offer our manufacturing capabilities, eliminating months from the standard production timelines. Our hope is that we find some amazing products and get them to market in time for holiday sales.

Fast-growing, Vaibhav Global Limited (VGL), parent company to Shop LC, launches their latest global initiative, named Catapult. This new program is set to find new products and bring them to market in record time. Catapult is employing a fast-track product launch scheme to accelerate speed-to-market. The Catapult team is partnering with RangeMe, the industry standard online product sourcing platform for retailers and suppliers from around the world.

This new program is set to find Product creators, Innovators and Entrepreneurs with exciting products to launch on their channels in record time. Catapult is employing a fast-track product launch scheme to accelerate speed-to-market.

VISIT CATAPULT TO LEARN MORE

Our advantage is our vertical integration. Apart from the ability to launch ready products on to our channels, we can also offer our manufacturing capabilities, eliminating months from the standard production timelines. Our hope is that we find some amazing products and get them to market in time for holiday sales. Says Mr. Kulathendral, Head of Innovation, VGL

Product Innovators who make the cut may be considered for:



Exposure on up to three home-shopping networks tallying over 100-Million Households in the US, UK, and Germany

Be a guest host on LIVE TV

Share of Sales

Rapid Launch Production Scheme

Catapult is looking for ideas in jewelry, apparel, home, beauty, fitness, accessories, and culinary/kitchen.

Catapult is an exciting opportunity to showcase brands and products that are ready for a big stage, says Nicky Jackson, CEO and Founder of RangeMe. We are excited to help scale such an inspiring global sourcing initiative with a forward-thinking retailer like Shop LC.

For consideration, submit ideas before August 18th, 2021, 11:59PST. Click this link to apply.

About Shop LC

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Shop LC, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Vaibhav Global Ltd. (VGL), a vertically integrated company with global sourcing and manufacturing capabilities. Shop LC is a value-conscious, interactive retailer focused on the fine jewelry, beauty, fashion, home decor and lifestyle product categories. Established in 2007, Shop LC reaches approximately 73 million U.S. households via high-definition programming offered live 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Additionally, every purchase provides a meal to a hungry child through the Your Purchase Feeds Program. For more information visit http://www.shoplc.com and download the interactive app on iTunes, Google Play or many other streaming devices or televisions.

About VGL

Vaibhav Global Limited Vaibhav Global Limited (VGL) is listed on stock exchanges in India (BSE: 532156, NSE: VAIBHAVGBL, ISIN - INE884A01027). VGL is an omni-channel E-retailer of fashion jewellery, accessories, and lifestyle products in developed markets with direct access to ~102.5 million households (FTE) through its TV home shopping networks  Shop LC in US and Shop TJC in UK. The Companys ecommerce websites http://www.shoplc.com in the US and http://www.tjc.co.uk in the UK complement TV coverage and diversify customer engagement. Very recently, the Company established retail presence in the Germany market under the brand name Shop LC. VGL ranks 65th in Fortune India's Next 500 list 2021. The Company is committed to Delivering Joy to all the stakeholders. Through its flagship One for One Program, now Your Purchase Feeds, where a meal is provided for every piece sold at the retail channels, the Company has provided over 55 million meals in US, UK, and India since program inception.

About RangeMe

RangeMe, an ECRM company, is the leading online platform that streamlines new product discovery between suppliers and retailers. The platform empowers retail buyers to efficiently discover innovative and emerging products, while streamlining the inbound product submission process. For product suppliers, RangeMe enables them to grow their retail relationships with a platform that gives them the tools to manage their products, market their brand, and build awareness. Now integrated into the ECRM product offering, RangeMe adds increased breadth and depth to the industrys most complete sourcing solution for top retailers and product suppliers in the US.
Business transactional attorney-entrepreneur Suzanne Natbony, president of Solve & Win PC, has won a judgment against Benjamin Reccius, an associate attorney at Kimball, Tirey, St. John LLP over a breach of contract regarding referral fees.

Heard by Judge Emma Castro of the Los Angeles Superior Court, Suzanne Natbony v. Benjamin Reccius et al. (2021) Cal. Sup. 21STSC00537 hinged on whether a referral fee Reccius promised Natbony was enforceable under the California Lawyer Professional Rule of Conduct 2-200 and case law. Natbony was awarded the $9,000 fee entitled to her plus costs.

How can an officer of the court who is charged with creating and enforcing contracts for the people not be held to the contracts that he himself makes? said Natbony. I am not a litigator and the amount at stake wasnt that much, but its the principle.

In Natbony, plaintiff Natbony referred a landlord/tenant matter to defendant Reccius, who agreed to take the case on a contingency basis, pay Natbony a referral fee of 25 percent of the fees earned on the matter, and include written disclosure of the fee division in his retainer agreement. The amount of the referral fee was confirmed in an email, and Reccius advised Natbony that he had included the required Rule 2-200 language in the clients retainer agreement and that he had signed it.

Under these facts, Natbony had no reason to doubt Reccius representations as to compliance with Rule 2-200, which permits referrals fees paid between lawyers if two factors are met: The client must agree to the fee in writing and the legal fees may not be increased due to the referral.

California permits lawyers to pay and receive referral fees under the current Rule 1.5.1 and the old rules, which were in effect when the Natbony referral was made. Accordingly, in Natbony, Rule 2-200 was the operative rule.

While most California lawyers understand that lawyers can make or pay referral fees if both factors are met, these lawyers are actually unaware of the case law providing for an exception. In Barnes, Crosby, Fitzgerald & Zeman, LLP v. Ringler (2012) 212 Cal.App.4th 172, the court of appeal held that when a referring attorney is prevented from complying with Rule 2-200 by the attorney to whom she referred the client, the defendant attorney is equitably estopped from asserting Rule 2-200 "as a 'sword' to escape a written referral fee agreement.

The Barnes Court held that the record demonstrated that the defendant had actively prevented plaintiff from complying with Rule 2-200 in obtaining written authorization from the client for the fee division. Id. at 175.

Like the defendant in Barnes, supra, the Natbony ruling equitably estopped Reccius from asserting non-compliance with Rule 2-200 as a defense to his fee-sharing agreement with Natbony.

Pleased with the judgment, Natbony explains that her focus is preventive legal, i.e., advising clients about regulations, protecting intellectual property, and drafting and negotiating contracts, but she also has to put out fires.

This was a fire that couldnt be contained, Natbony said. No amount of reasoning, demands letters, offers to settle or mediate, or mutual-connection influences were able to induce even a $1 settlement.

So in that case, you have to do what litigators do and file a lawsuit when you have the facts and law on your side.

Suzanne Natbony is a third-generation lawyer, with a focus on business transactional, regulatory/compliance and dispute resolution. She is licensed to practice in California, with her own law practice, Solve & Win, in West Los Angeles, in addition to being a Partner at the international law firm, Aliant LLP (AliantLaw.com) and Of Counsel to Merino Yebri LLP (MYlawLLP.com), in Century City, and she also serves as General Counsel for Beverly Hills Rejuvenation Center, a multi-state medical spa franchise (BHRCenter.com). Solve & Win is a solutions-oriented law firm comprised of practical, business-minded corporate lawyers, who are effective at closing deals, and creatively overcome legal obstacles through resolving disputes. Ms. Natbony is also founder and CEO of LawTake, the first online marketplace for lawyers to successfully commoditize legal information via videos and forms directly to consumers.
Driving without a license is not worth it. Besides facing financial penalties, drivers caught driving without a license can also face jail time., said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company.

Compare-autoinsurance.org has launched a new blog post that presents some of the reasons why drivers should avoid driving without a license.

For more info and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/the-most-important-reasons-why-drivers-shouldnt-drive-without-a-license/

Many people are tempted to get behind the wheel, even if they dont have a license yet or they have it revoked, or expired. However, people driving a vehicle without a license risk losing more things than they can imagine.

The consequences of driving without a license are the following:



High fines. The fines for driving without a license are ranging from $150 to $10,000 for first offenses. Offenders will spend more money on their insurance premiums, possible court costs, vehicle impoundment fees, and more.

Lawyers fee. Drivers who face jail time because they have been caught driving without a license and have been charged with a criminal offense should consider how much a law firm will cost to represent them in court. Its not cheap to pay a criminal defense lawyer by the hour just to lessen the penalties and charges.

Drivers can add a misdemeanor or a felony to their record. In New York, drivers caught without a license can go to jail for 30 days. In Arizona, driving without a license is a Class I misdemeanor, and drivers caught without a license can get imprisonment for up to six months.

Higher premiums. Not all insurance companies cover high-risk drivers, like drivers caught without a license. Also, the ones that do cover high-risk drivers are extremely expensive.

Vehicle impoundment. In some states, driving while revoked, suspended, or otherwise unlicensed means immediate vehicle impoundment. Besides paying a $100-$500 fine, drivers will also have to pay several hundred dollars to the impound lot. However, in Alaska, drivers caught without a license can lose their cars for good.

Vehicle registration can be revoked. After getting the car back from the impound lot, drivers will also have to make a trip to the local DMV and spend more money to re-register their vehicles.

Prolonged license suspension. In Colorado, drivers who are caught twice driving without a license are no longer allowed to get one for at least three years. In North Carolina, drivers charged with a third offense can face a permanent license suspension.

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.
Catapult Our hope is that we find some amazing products and get them to market in time for holiday sales. Says Mr. Kulathendral, Head of Innovation, VGL

Fast-growing, cash-rich, Vaibhav Global Limited (VGL), parent company to Shop LC in US & Germany and TJC in UK, launches their latest global initiative named Catapult. This new program is set to find Product creators, Innovators and Entrepreneurs with exciting products to launch on their channels in record time. Catapult is employing a fast-track product launch scheme to accelerate speed-to-market. The Catapult team is partnering with RangeMe, the industry standard online product sourcing platform for retailers and suppliers from around the world.

Our advantage is our vertical integration. Apart from the ability to launch ready products on to our channels, we can also offer our manufacturing capabilities, eliminating months from the standard production timelines. Our hope is that we find some amazing products and get them to market in time for holiday sales. Says Mr. Kulathendral, Head of Innovation, VGL

Product Innovators who make the cut may be considered for:



Exposure on up to three home-shopping networks tallying over 100-Million Households in the US, UK, and Germany

Be a guest host on LIVE TV

Share of Sales

Rapid Launch Production Scheme

Catapult is looking for ideas in jewellery, apparel, home, beauty, fitness, accessories, and culinary/kitchen.

For consideration, submit ideas before August 18th, 2021, 11:59PST. Click the appropriate link to apply. SHOP LC or TJC

About TJC:

Headquartered in London, UK, Shop TJC, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Vaibhav Global Ltd. (VGL), a vertically integrated E-retailer with global sourcing and manufacturing capabilities. Shop TJC, through its E-retailing in UK is specialised in jewellery, home, beauty, fashion, gemstones, and other lifestyle accessories. Established in 2006, Shop TJC reaches ~25 million UK households via live Television shows 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. For more information visit http://www.tjc.co.uk and download the interactive app on iTunes, Google Play or many other streaming devices or television.

About RangeMe

RangeMe, an ECRM company, is the leading online platform that streamlines new product discovery between suppliers and retailers. The platform empowers retail buyers to efficiently discover innovative and emerging products, while streamlining the inbound product submission process. For product suppliers, RangeMe enables them to grow their retail relationships with a platform that gives them the tools to manage their products, market their brand, and build awareness. Now integrated into the ECRM product offering, RangeMe adds increased breadth and depth to the industrys most complete sourcing solution for top retailers and product suppliers in the US.
The Gateway Project represents connection and continuation.

Turner Construction Company was awarded the Gateway Project at University of California, Berkeley. This project is part of UC Berkeleys Light the Way Campaign, an effort to raise $6 billion for faculty and graduate students, undergraduate opportunities and experience, research and first-rate facilities.

The 380,000 square foot building will serve as home to the Universitys Division of Computing, Data Science and Society (CDSS), a new entity that reimagines academic collaboration and co-creation to tackle the technical, scientific, social, and human dimensions of the most urgent challenges.

Bringing together 1,600 students and faculty, the space will feature research laboratories, offices, meeting rooms, classrooms, a public cafe, a gallery and an event space. Most importantly, convening / collaboration spaces provided throughout will promote the exchange of new ideas and foster cross-disciplinary research.

Gateway will mark Turners eighth project on the UC Berkeley campus, and will bring multiple staff members back to the University.

UC Berkeley and Turner Construction Company have been working together since 1993, where they entrusted to us as their Owners representative for the Beverly Cleary Hall project. UC Berkeley has played a pivotal role in Turners growth in Northern California, where we have completed multiple projects. We have great appreciation for our clients and friends and UC Berkeley and look forward to the incredible opportunity to work together again on the Gateway Data Hub, said Grant Griffanti, Vice President and Gateway Project Executive.

While this building will be instrumental to the University, its students and its faculty, the Turner team also recognizes how important it will be to their community, their company, and to the individuals who have a part in building it.

The Gateway Project represents connection and continuation. For Turner Construction Company, this project is a continuation of a rich, thirty-year history of working for UC Berkeley. Like cues already seen in early design renderings, we too respect and appreciate the past while embracing the future with hope and bright expectation. The Berkeley campus recalls cherished periods of learning and life for many of our team members, and we are thrilled to share in the opportunity to create something that will serve as a new birthplace of ideas and innovationbenefiting not only Berkeley, but our world, said Merrill Bowers, Turner Vice President and General Manager.

Construction is anticipated to commence in October of 2022, and the building is anticipated to open in 2025.

 Weiss/Manfredi

About Turner Construction Company

Turner is an international construction services company. Founded in 1902, Turner first made its mark on the industry pioneering the use of steel-reinforced concrete for general building, which enabled the company to deliver safer, stronger, and more efficient buildings to clients. The company continues to embrace emerging technologies and offers an increasingly diverse set of services. With an annual construction volume of US $15 billion, Turner is the largest builder in the United States, ranking first in the major market segments of the building construction field, including healthcare, education, sports, commercial, and green building. The firm is a subsidiary of HOCHTIEF, one of the worlds leading international construction service providers. For more information, please visit http://www.turnerconstruction.com.
The United States Mint (Mint) will begin accepting orders for the 2021 American Eagle One-Tenth Ounce Gold Two-Coin Set Designer Edition on August 5 at noon Eastern Time. Production of this set is limited to 5,000 units, with orders limited to one set per household for the first 24 hours of sales.

The coins in this special set are struck in 22-karat gold at the West Point Mint. One coin features the last of the original American Eagle Gold Coin reverse designs, and the other features the first of the new reverse designs. Both coins are encapsulated and packaged in a single black presentation case that is enclosed in an outer sleeve emblazoned with images of both reverse (tails) designs. The accompanying Certificate of Authenticity is numbered, and a limited quantity are signed by United States Mint Director David J. Ryder.

The 2021 American Eagle Gold Coin original obverse (heads) design depicts a version of Augustus Saint-Gaudens full-length figure of Liberty with flowing hair, holding a torch in her right hand and an olive branch in her left. The 2021 original reverse design, which depicts a male eagle carrying an olive branch flying above a nest containing a female eagle and eaglets, was sculpted by Miley Busiek Frost and executed by United States Mint Sculptor-Engraver Sherl J. Winter.

The new 2021 obverse design depicts the same full-length figure of Liberty with flowing hair by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. For the 2021 coin, the Mint returned to its original historical assets to render a closer reflection of Saint-Gaudens original vision and includes the addition of his traditional artist mark. The 2021 new reverse design features a magnificent portrayal of an eagle by United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Designer Jennie Norris and sculpted by United States Mint Medallic Artist Renata Gordon.

Pricing for the 2021 American Eagle One-Tenth Ounce Gold Two-Coin Set Designer Edition is based on the Mints pricing range table for gold coins. Current pricing information is available at https://catalog.usmint.gov/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-usm-site-catalog-us/default/dw48d354aa/images/PDFs/2021-Pricing-Grid.pdf.

To set up a REMIND ME alert, visit https://catalog.usmint.gov/american-eagle-2021-one-tenth-ounce-gold-two-coin-set-designer-edition-21XK.html (product code 21XK).

Additional American Eagle Gold Coin products are available at: https://catalog.usmint.gov/coins/coin-programs/american-eagle-coins/.

About the United States Mint

Congress created the United States Mint in 1792, and the Mint became part of the Department of the Treasury in 1873. As the Nations sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage, the Mint is responsible for producing circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce. The Mint also produces numismatic products, including proof, uncirculated, and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; silver and bronze medals; and silver and gold bullion coins. Its numismatic programs are self-sustaining and operate at no cost to taxpayers.

Note: To ensure that all members of the public have fair and equal access to United States Mint products, the United States Mint will not accept and will not honor orders placed prior to the official on-sale date and time of August 5, 2021, at noon EDT.

To reduce the risk of employee exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace, the Mints sales centers are closed until further notice. Please use the United States Mint catalog site at https://catalog.usmint.gov/ as your primary source of the most current information on product and service status.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:



To learn more about the 2021 American Eagle Coin Program, visit: https://catalog.usmint.gov/coin-programs/american-eagle/.

Visit https://www.usmint.gov/about for information about the United States Mint.

Visit https://catalog.usmint.gov/email-signup to subscribe to United States Mint electronic product notifications, news releases, public statements, and our monthly educational newsletter, Lessons That Make Cents.

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United States Mint  Connecting America through Coins
2021 American Eagle Silver One Ounce Proof Coin Reverse San Francisco, new design

The United States Mint (Mint) will accept orders for redesigned 2021 American Eagle Silver Proof Coins from its San Francisco facility beginning on August 12 at noon EDT. Production is limited to 200,000, with orders limited to three coins per household for the first 24 hours of sale.

The American Eagle Silver Proof Coins are collector versions of the official United States Mint American Eagle Silver Bullion Coins. Minted since 1986, these coins have been updated with a refreshed obverse (heads) and a completely redesigned reverse (tails) to mark the 35th anniversary of the American Eagle Coin Program.

Like its West Pointminted counterpart, the San Francisco-minted coins obverse features a refreshed depiction of Adolph A. Weinmans full-length figure of Liberty in full stride, enveloped in folds of the flag, with her right hand extended and branches of laurel and oak in her left. The Mint employed technological advancements that resulted in a design that is now a closer reflection of Weinmans original vision and includes the addition of his traditional artist mark. Inscriptions are LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and 2021.

The redesigned reverse depicts an eagle as it prepares to land, carrying an oak branch, as if to add it to a nest. Inscriptions are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, 1 OZ. FINE SILVER, and ONE DOLLAR. United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Designer Emily Damstra created the design that retired United States Mint Medallic Artist Michael Gaudioso sculpted.

In addition to redesigning the reverse and enhancing design details on the obverse, the redesigned American Eagle Silver Coins have been minted in high detail using new technology and include a reed pattern variation. The Mint benchmarked its efforts against anti-counterfeiting programs implemented by major mints around the world. These new features will make the coins more difficult to counterfeit.

The 2021 American Eagle One Ounce Silver Proof (S) is priced at $73. To set up a REMIND ME alert, visit https://catalog.usmint.gov/american-eagle-2021-one-ounce-silver-proof-coin-21EMN.html (product code 21EMN).

Additional coins in the American Eagle Coin Program are available at: https://catalog.usmint.gov/coins/coin-programs/american-eagle-coins/.

About the United States Mint

Congress created the United States Mint in 1792, and the Mint became part of the Department of the Treasury in 1873. As the Nations sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage, the Mint is responsible for producing circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce. The Mint also produces numismatic products, including proof, uncirculated, and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; silver and bronze medals; and silver and gold bullion coins. Its numismatic programs are self-sustaining and operate at no cost to taxpayers.

Note: To ensure that all members of the public have fair and equal access to United States Mint products, the United States Mint will not accept and will not honor orders placed prior to the official on-sale date and time of August 12, 2021, at noon EDT.

To reduce the risk of employee exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace, the Mints sales centers are closed until further notice. Please use the United States Mint catalog site https://catalog.usmint.gov/ as your primary source of the most current information on product and service status.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:



Visit https://catalog.usmint.gov/coins/coin-programs/american-eagle-coins/ for more information about the American Eagle Coin Program.

Watch our flagship video honoring the American Eagle Coin Program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rs6_FTgIX8Y

Visit https://www.usmint.gov/about for information about the United States Mint.

Visit https://catalog.usmint.gov/email-signup to subscribe to United States Mint electronic product notifications, news releases, public statements, and our monthly educational newsletter, Lessons That Make Cents.

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Sign up for RSS Feeds from the United States Mint and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

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United States Mint  Connecting America through Coins


States and cities are offering generous incentives as they go head-to-head in their search for remote workers. For example, Vermont is offering $10,000 for relocation expenses. You don't need a factory. You don't need a saw mill. You don't need anything, You don't need a high tech campus, any of that stuff in your town. The town just needs to provide a remote workspace with high-speed internet.

What if you could work from your favorite vacation spot? Working remotely has been a part of life for far more employees than ever before. And cities and towns have come to see the value of attracting these workers. All of a sudden you get a job, and the company allows you to work from anywhere, even from a different place every week, Sky Cassidy, CEO of MountainTop Data says. Now you can travel and work, and you are like, Holy cow! This is an awesome lifestyle! Thats all possible now.

The revolution in remote working has also opened up new possibilities for municipalities. Remote employees pay taxes, spend money at local businesses, and buy or rent property. That is why many cities and towns across the country have integrated remote workforces into their economic development plans. Aside from offering huge tax incentives to attract corporations, they are also luring remote workers with marketing strategies that tout their low cost of living and high quality of life.

Rental home search platform Apartment List compiled a top-ten ranking of the best cities for remote workers based on affordability and other considerations. The top three are Provo, Utah; Fort Collins, Colorado; and Boise Idaho.(1)

Examples of Urban Marketing

States and cities are offering generous incentives as they go head-to-head in their search for remote workers, such as these:



Tulsa Remote, a recruitment campaign for Oklahomas biggest cities, has offered workers $10,000 in relocation assistance.(2)

The Choose Topeka program offers new homebuyers $10,000 and renters can receive up to $5,000. (3)

Vermont offers $10,000 toward relocation expenses. (4)

Newton, IA, is not only offering $10,000 towards a new home, but a $3,000 cash welcome bonus. (4)

Lincoln, KS, is offering free land for new homebuilders. (4)

West Virginia is offering $12,000 in cash, along with a year's worth of free outdoor recreation and two years of free outdoor gear rentals.(5)

A number of foreign countries have also joined in the hunt for remote workers, in some cases even offering citizenship. Mainly they tout their lower costs of living and their natural beauty. These include Barbados, Bermuda, Mexico, Jamaica, Estonia, Georgia, and Albania.(6)

You don't need a factory. You don't need a saw mill. You don't need anything, Cassidy says. You don't need a high tech campus, any of that stuff in your town. The town just needs to provide a remote workspace with high-speed internet.

Clean Data a Must

Cities in the United States trying to recruit remote workers will often turn to a B2B company to execute their marketing efforts. Its a monumental job, so its wisest not to go it alone. Thats where a data solution company can be of great assistance.

Municipalities must first have accurate, well-targeted data. This ensures that the best candidates are identified and generate quality leads. For example, MountainTop Data focuses on job title, job description, industry, company size, geography, technologies used, and social media to make the marketing campaign pay off.(7)

The marketing of cities for remote workers is the new thing because it means more revenue through spending in local businesses. These people are now seen as major assets.

Urban marketing is a win-win situation for all involved. The employee, the company and the location all get something important out of it. But like all good ideas, it must be implemented intelligently and for that you need good data, Cassidy says.

About MountainTop Data

MountainTop Data, headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, has been providing data services for B2B marketing for almost two decades. With an unrelenting commitment to quality, they were the first company to guarantee the accuracy of their licensed data and business emails. They provide marketing lists, data cleaning, data appending and data maintenance services. Their data services have been used by some of the worlds biggest brands across a multitude of various industries from multi-national telecommunication companies to office technology, to PR firms and more. For more information, visit http://www.mountaintopdata.com.

1. Lerner, Michele; These are the best U.S. Cities for remote workers; July 15, 2021; Washington Post; washingtonpost.com/business/2021/07/15/these-are-best-us-cities-remote-workers/

2. Kaye, Danielle; Capitalizing on remote work, U.S. cities draw in tech workers; July 14, 2021; Reuters; reuters.com/world/the-great-reboot/capitalizing-remote-work-us-cities-draw-tech-workers-2021-07-14/

3. Calacal, Celisa; The Kansas City that pays remote workers to move there; 10 March 2021; The Kansas City Beacon; thebeacon.media/stories/2021/03/10/the-kansas-city-that-pays-remote-workers-to-move-there/

4. Ocampo, Sergio; Places That Pay You To Move There In 2021; 19 Feb 2021; Move Buddha; movebuddha.com/blog/get-paid-to-move/

5. Deerwester, Jay; West Virginia lures remote workers with $12,000 cash, free access to outdoor activities; April 14, 2021; USAToday; usatoday.com/story/money/2021/04/14/west-virginia-12000-move-there-remote-worker-program-offers/7217995002/

6. Begley Bloom, Laura; Want to Live And Work In Paradise? 7 Countries Inviting Americans To Move Abroad; July 30, 2020; Forbes.com; forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2020/07/30/live-work-remote-move-abroad-coronavirus/?sh=6d3d419c3381

7. MountainTop Data. Targeted B2B marketing data.; mountaintopdata.com/b2b-lists/
Theres more to Korean comics than webtoons. While vertical-scroll digital comics have surged in popularity among English speakers since the Netcomics, Webtoon, and Tapas Media platforms started publishing Korean comics in English, the growth in popularity of print manhwa (the Korean term for comics) in North America has been more of a slow burn.

While manhwa overall remains a small category in the print comics world, the category is growing in the North American marketplace. Drawn and Quarterly has published several manhwa a year since 2017, and their 2019 manhwa, Grass by Keum Suk Gendry-Kim, a powerful story of sexual slavery during WWII, won the Cartoonist Studio Prize for Best Print Comic of the Year and was nominated for two Eisner awards. Chugongs Solo Leveling, an action fantasy manhwa that started out as an online webtoon, has been a bestseller in print for Yen Press. Banned Book Club by Kim Hyun Sook and Ryan Estrada with art by Hyung-Ju Ko, a memoir of Sooks college years under a repressive Korean government, was published by Iron Circus Comics and nominated for an Eisner Award this year. And in August, Ablaze Comics will publish the first volume of the action manhwa The Breakers, by Jeon Guk-jin and Kamaro, as a 400-page omnibus.

The growing popularity of Korean culture has also given manhwa a boost. In November, Dark Horse will publish the first volume of Yeon Sang-Ho and Choi Gyu-Seoks The Hellbound, a popular horror tale which is being adapted into a live-action film by Netflix; and Yeon is the director and screenwriter of the zombie film Train to Busan. Last year, Bong Joon-Ho combined the storyboards and script for his 2019 Oscar Award-winning film Parasite into a graphic novel, which was published by Hachette.

Drawn and Quarterlys manhwa list has grown steadily since the house published Yeon-sik Hongs Uncomfortably Happily, the story of an urban couple that moves to the country, in 2017. Since then, D&Q has published Hongs Ummas Table, a story about the ways cooking brings a family together, as well as two books that look at young Korean women, Nineteen and Bad Friends by Ancco, and Yeong-Shin Mas Moms, a funny book about middle-aged women reexamining traditional Korean notions around romance and sex. In October D&Q will follow up Gendry-Kims Grass by publishing The Waiting, in which she tells the story of a family separated during the Korean War.

Drawn and Quarterly senior editor Tracy Hurren told PW that she first encountered Uncomfortably Happily in a French translation in the Drawn and Quarterly bookshop, but since then she has worked with Janet Hong, who not only translates manhwa into English but also works with D&Q find new titles. Once you have a Korean translator, it is much easier to do research, said Hurren. I can send her covers of books Ive found in Korea, where the art looks interesting, and she can read them. She has also spent a lot of time in Korea and in bookstores, so she is able to find works and send them to me so we can discuss them.

What Hurren discovered, she told PW, is a rich landscape of literary manhwa. There seem to be a lot of cartoonists producing very idiosyncratic single author, single vision types of books, the kind of books that Drawn and Quarterly publishes, said Hurren. That has been interesting to discover, and our cartoonists also have been able to tell us who their favorite Korean cartoonists are, so we have been able to put together a sort of rough map.

Yen Press editor-in-chief Ju-Youn Lee, who grew up in Korea, was a voracious manga reader as a child and later became an editor working in the Korean comics industry. I basically grew up reading manhwa, she said. In the early 1990s, soonjung manhwaor, comics for girlshad its boom, with so many manhwa magazines, and I think I read them all. While webtoons, native digital comics designed to be read on mobile devices, have replaced the print comics she once read and edited, Lee says, Its just a different format. There is a huge variety of genres from slice of life to high fantasy. The big titles right now seem to be fantasy titles such as Solo Leveling or romances.

Yen Press launched in 2006 with a list that included both manga and manhwa. I was in charge of a publishing program that was a consortium of the three largest manhwa publishers before joining Yen, which I actually brought over with me, said Lee. So all the books came under the Yen umbrella, and we continued books like Goong by Park So-Hee, Angel Diary by Lee Yoon-hee and Kara, Bring It On! by Hye-Kyung Baek, and so forth. They all did pretty well, but I think Jack Frost by Jinho Ko [a paranormal adventure] was definitely one of our best sellers at the time.

During the manga boom of the early 2000s, most of the publishers who were licensing manhwa were also American manga publishers, including Tokyopop, Central Park Media, and DramaQueen. When manga sales dropped sharply in 2008, many of them suspended operations or went out of business altogether, and new manhwa became a rarity.

Now, however, manhwa is coming into its own as a creative medium in North America, not as a manga also-ran but as part of a rich cultural scene that broadly reflects on the art and artists of Korea. We were fortuitous in the moment when we started publishing these comics, said Hurren. I think we have seen a surge in the popularity of K-pop, films like Parasite, and from a literary perspective, we have seen literary fiction from Korea and about Korea having a moment too, like Han Kangs Vegetarian and Min Jin Lees Pachinko. I think there was a bit of a cultural moment and excitement for the content coming out of Korea.
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Tiffany Lyle, assistant professor of veterinary anatomic pathology at Purdue University, is the first scientist to map changes to the brains barrier during metastases of lung cancer and, more recently, she has produced the first comprehensive, molecular mapping of the network in relation to blast-induced traumatic brain injuries. (Purdue University photo/Rebecca McElhoe)

Brains vascular system holds clues to treating Alzheimers, PTSD, cancer

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  A labyrinthian network of blood vessels helps to maintain normal health by protecting the human brain from foreign contaminants. Unfortunately, this natural protection comes with a cost: While the maze keeps the brain safe, it is also an obstacle when treating brain damage or disease.

For hundreds of thousands of individuals suffering from neurodegenerative conditions, including the aftershocks of blast-induced traumatic brain injury, finding ways through the network could mean a drastic improvement in quality of life.

Tiffany Lyle, assistant professor of veterinary anatomic pathology in the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine and a member of Purdues Center for Cancer Research, is on a mission to do just that. She is the first scientist to map changes to the brains barrier during metastases of lung cancer and, more recently, she has produced the first comprehensive, molecular mapping of the network in relation to blast-induced traumatic brain injuries.

Considered the signature injury of modern warfare, blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI) has been linked to the development of several neurodegenerative diseases, including post-traumatic stress disorder, Parkinsons disease and Alzheimers disease.

Blast-induced trauma is like a tsunami, Lyle says. The initial impact is like the smashing force of the wave. But the water continues causing damage as it regresses into the ocean. We need to look at the long-term changes as well as the initial damage.

Despite the proven connection between bTBI and other life-altering conditions, health care scientists know little about how one causes the other.

Suspecting that ongoing changes to the brains protective vascular network may play a part, Lyle has applied her expertise in the barrier to the problem by mapping the injurys immediate and lasting effects.

From its protective skin to detoxifying liver, the human body relies on a number of complex safeguards to stay healthy. Regulating what gets in and out, the brains defense system, known as the blood-brain barrier, is the tightest barrier in the body.

Though this system is essential to normal health, it poses complications for doctors trying to deliver drugs into the brain. Likewise, a damaged barrier can mistakenly allow entrance to harmful cells and can trigger unnecessary chronic immune responses. Understanding how the barrier changes as a result of injury, cancer and disease has slowed the development of targeted drug delivery and quality of care for patients.

Lyle led the first comprehensive characterization of both the blood-brain and blood-tumor barriers in brain metastases of lung cancer. Secondary brain tumors affect 20%-40% of cancer patients, and because the barriers protective process remains active, it also prevents therapeutic drugs from reaching any targeted tumors. Effectively creating a road map through the vascular maze, Lyle was able to detect when and how certain molecular changes take place as the blood-brain barrier turns into the blood-tumor barrier.

The initial study identified which parts of the blood-tumor barrier structure may offer useful pathways for improving therapeutic delivery. The next step has been to classify if and how the barrier can be penetrated, and Lyle says she and her research team have discovered correlations between tumor and membrane permeability.

Understanding changes in permeability may help inform when it might be prudent to alter membrane permeability, first, Lyle says. And anything we can do to improve drug delivery improves quality of life for patients and their families.

Improving the quality of care for as many people as possible is one reason Lyle widened her attention from cancer to other conditions affected by the blood-brain barriers functionality. This new study, with collaborator Riyi Shi, the Mari Hulman George endowed professor of applied neuroscience and director of Purdues Center for Paralysis Research, focuses on changes to the barrier following single and repetitive blast injuries and is the first comprehensive, molecular mapping of the vascular network in relation to blast-induced traumatic brain injuries.

By looking at single and repetitive blasts, the study acknowledges another harsh truth about bTBIs: Because the initial symptoms can be misleadingly mild or appear temporary, many individuals  including soldiers  pass immediate medical exams and place themselves at risk of reinjury too soon.

We knew there was some degree of damage happening in the brain, but we needed to identify what changes to the vasculature and the blood-brain barrier may make productive targets for drug delivery or for making targeted alterations, Lyle says.

Lyle and her team were able to identify both a neuroinflammatory response and changes in the barriers pericytes, a structural cell that surrounds capillaries.

We were able to conclude that pericytes, or the mechanisms for neuroinflammation, may be therapeutic targets to address the long-term effects of traumatic brain injuries, Lyle says. The study is a first essential step in understanding the disease process and how to treat it.

The next step is to observe the changes in the blood-brain barrier after an impact over an even longer period of time, Lyle says. These observations, she says, will be critical in developing preventative and therapeutic strategies for individuals recovering from blast-induced traumatic brain injury. Plus, having these maps to changes in the blood-brain barrier during and after trauma could prove valuable in understanding the progression of other neurodegenerative diseases.

World-changing research takes a village

An expertise in veterinary anatomic pathology  the study of disease, especially the cause and effect  is at the heart of Lyles research on the blood-brain barrier. The demand for her expertise also places Lyle, a member of the Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, at the center of a network of collaborative research projects. Purdues Center for Cancer Research is a National Cancer Institute Basic Laboratory Cancer Center, one of only seven in the nation.

Innovative approaches to problems may start the scientific process, but quality research relies on robust and reproducible model systems. As director of the Histology Research Lab, a division of the Center for Comparative Translational Research, Lyle helps scientists from a variety of fields transform good ideas into well-researched discoveries.

In my collaborative work, I take a scientist's findings  maybe a drug molecule or a medical device  and use what we know about human disease to design a model that is reliable, reproducible and clinically relevant to the human model, Lyle says.

This was the case when Yoon Yeo, a biomedical engineer and professor in the Department of Industrial and Physical Pharmacy, created a nanocapsule capable of delivering medication into solid tumors. After the nanocapsule was designed and created, Yeo collaborated with Lyle to test its efficacy and toxicity in lab models, moving the technology closer to readiness for the human system.

In the recently remodeled and expanded Histology Research Lab, Lyle and her staff work with an average of 130 independent researchers annually.

The lab can help any researcher that uses animal, insect or plant tissue and needs expertise in veterinary pathology to evaluate their discovery, Lyle says. Utilizing veterinary pathology in the experimental setting is my passion; it allows me to extend my range of impact in countless directions.

The Histology Research Lab is a core facility in the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, a statewide partnership funded by the National Institute of Health that includes Indiana University and the University of Notre Dame.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to todays toughest challenges. Ranked the No. 5 Most Innovative University in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at https://purdue.edu/.

Writer: Christy McCarter, mccarter@purdue.edu

Media contact: Abbey Nickel, nickela@purdue.edu

Source: Tiffany Lyle, tiffanylyle@purdue.edu
Purdue commencement orator Mike Piggott checks name pronunciations with the candidates in the Armory before a May 2018 graduation ceremony. (Purdue University photo/Mark Simons)

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  Mike Piggott has had some unforgettable, heart-touching and out of this world moments during his time as Purdue Universitys commencement orator since December 2004.

Piggott will retire after serving for the last time at Purdues two Aug. 7 commencement ceremonies.

While there are numerous meetings, phone calls and emails to pull off a commencement ceremony, one meeting took on special significance.

Kirsten Nicole Johnson was preparing to graduate from Purdue in May 2018. And she had a simple request during the commencement meeting: to wear her mothers graduation robe during the ceremony.

Johnsons mother, Kathy, had died of breast cancer. As Piggott and Kirsten were conversing, he learned about her I love you to the moon and back tattoo, which was her mothers good-night wish and the significance of the graduation robe.

And as Kirsten crossed the stage during her ceremony, Piggott announced both Kirstens and Kathys names.

They walked the stage together, says Piggott of that moment.

To top it off, Piggotts granddaughter, Kristin Nicole Hitch, also graduated that weekend  with him saying her name, too.

Willing to serve

The path to becoming the commencement orator started as a simple question. Piggott was asked by Joe Bennett, then vice president for university relations, if he would be willing to serve as orator.

Piggott submitted the paperwork and met with the committee, as they were trying to find a new orator for the ceremonies.

Before starting at Purdue as director of community relations in July 2001, Piggott spent nearly two decades as an anchor, general manager and news director at WLFI, the CBS affiliate in Lafayette/West Lafayette. He also served as the public address announcer at Mackey Arena and volunteered as an emcee at numerous community charity and nonprofit events.

Mike just fell into the job, says Chris Pass, senior assistant registrar and co-vice chair of the commencement committee. With all of his public speaking, it just brought his name to the top.

Lindsay Perrault, the second commencement orator, shares that sentiment.

He has such a genuine love for this campus and community. When it comes to commencement, Mike is a consummate professional, Perrault says. There's a reason some people simply call him The Voice. He has that rare vocal quality that is both powerful and pleasant.

Pass announced that Michael Reckowsky, director of industry engagement for Purdue Polytechnic Institute, will be the incoming orator. Reckowsky will shadow Piggott through the August commencement and work with Perrault on future commencements.

While being involved in 132 in-person and nine virtual ceremonies, Piggott and others on the team point out a large moment of irony. Piggott, who earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Purdue in 1972, missed his own commencement ceremony by attending basic training for the National Guard at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri.

A routine thats anything but routine

A few weeks before each graduation ceremony, the commencement team sends Piggott and Perrault the complete listing of candidates names so they can start their review process. Pass estimates that during Piggotts time as orator, he has announced the names of more than 100,000 Boilermaker graduates with his unmistakable booming voice.

If there is any name that looks like it could be a challenge, Ill send an email to the student and ask them to call me, says Piggott.  Ill write it out phonetically and have it ready. You try to be careful. Most students are very appreciative.

If he doesnt receive a return call, he will take his list and go through the lines at the Armory or other commencement staging areas to check in with students on any last-minute pronunciations.

The great lengths and details Piggott goes through to get the pronunciation right go back to his days in television news. He continually received calls from viewers who wanted to get copies of the newscast, which featured family and friends who made the local news.

It struck me then and it has stayed with me: You at least want to get their name right, Piggott says.

Pass explains that while Purdues commencement ceremonies are high in tradition, its that extra personal touch of not only hearing a graduates name, but also knowing that the orators are contacting people to understand how to say the name correctly is appreciated.

The students are really grateful. Its an important touch, Pass says.

Perrault, who has served as an orator with Piggott for five years, says that very few people understand the amount of time  sometimes a full week  that Piggott puts in to make sure that every students name is pronounced correctly.

Mike is so proud of Purdue graduates and their achievements, he believes this is an important service we owe them, Perrault says. He has this black binder of names he carries around as he tracks students down, determined to make their day special.

In addition to reading candidates names, he also introduces honorary doctorate recipients.

One of his favorite recipients was announcing Andrew J. Drew Feustel as an honorary doctorate, also during a May 2018 ceremony. Traditionally, the honorary doctorate recipients are on the Elliott Hall of Music stage with the platform party.

Feustel (BS 89, MS 91) was not there  he was 250 miles away aboard the International Space Station (ISS). He received the honorary doctorate via a live link to the ISS during the ceremony. Fellow Boilermaker and NASA astronaut Scott Tingle (MS 88) hooded Feustel during the ceremony.

With Drew, Kristin and Kirsten, Id say that was my favorite commencement weekend, says Piggott.

Another moment that stands out is all the work done to provide commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2020 in May, August and December of last year.

When Purdue officials announced that the 2020 commencements would be virtual because of the pandemic, Piggott showed persistence and flexibility with the rest of the commencement team and rose to the occasion. He followed through by emailing candidates, getting calls from the students with the correct pronunciations of their names.

And then he spent several days in a sound booth in the basement of Stewart Center recording every candidates name for each ceremony.

Purdue has a great ceremony; recording the names was what we could do, he says.

Pass even points out that afterwards, if they received a call from a family on a wrong pronunciation, both Piggott and Perrault went back into the sound booth to record the correct name, and Hall of Music staff would replace the name on the virtual ceremony.

Family ties

Piggotts retirement coincides with his grandson, Kevin Hitch, earning his Purdue degree on Saturday. Kevin will receive his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering during the first ceremony that day.

The Piggott family has long ties to Purdue. In addition to his degree, his wife, Nancy (BA 72, MS 79), two daughters, Jane Piggott Hitch (BA 90, MA 96) and Julie Piggott Smith (BS 95), sons-in-law Ron Hitch (BS 88) and Jeffrey Smith (BS 95), granddaughter Kristin Hitch Daub (BS 2018) and her husband Cody Daub (BS 2018), and his father-in-law Charles Turner (BS 42), all earned Purdue degrees.

Im looking forward to announcing Kevin at the August ceremony. I really wanted to be a part of his graduation, Piggott says.

Kevin says it is going to be a special moment hearing his grandfather call his name in front of the Elliott crowd.

He is one of the main reasons that I chose to come to Purdue, and the fact that we can share this experience is something I will always remember and cherish, Kevin says. My sister graduated in 2018 and my grandpa got to read her name, so its something that we have all been looking forward to.

Kevin is also relieved that many of the COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted  so there can be an in-person graduation at Elliott with names being read.

It will be hard to replace him, Pass says. Hes done such a great job for us and Purdue.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to todays toughest challenges. Ranked the No. 5 Most Innovative University in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at https://purdue.edu/.

Writer, Media contact: Matthew Oates, 765-586-7496 (cell), oatesw@purdue.edu, @mo_oates

Media contact: Amy Patterson-Neubert, apatterson@purdue.edu

Sources: Christine Pass, dehahn@purdue.edu

Mike Piggott, mpiggott@purdue.edu

Kevin Hitch, hitch@purdue.edu

Lindsay Perrault, lindsayperrault@purdue.edu
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The service, built for Screen iL by SeaChange, will broadcast a variety of Israeli TV channels, films and other content. The bilingual Hebrew and English content will be actively marketed to consumers in the US but open to Israeli film and TV consumers globally.



We founded the Screen iL service based on our own experience traveling abroad and feeling an emotional need for a window into Israel," said Screen iL CEO Ben Berner commenting on the launch. "Whether it's news, comedy, humour, shows, movies or Hebrew; living abroad creates an emotional need to stay connected  we've all experienced it and that notion was the idea and the foundation for Screen iL.

Screen iLs multi-year deal with SeaChange provides it with access to the StreamVidTM platforms full suite of cloud-based video delivery software, including the companys newest predictive analytics tool, on a consumption basis.

StreamVid consists of five core functions  content ingestion, end-user management, monetisation, premium user experience (UX) streaming and business intelligence. It is designed to help content owners engage directly with users by providing complete visibility over consumers lifecycle and direct control over and access to consumer data and revenue streams. Built-in machine-learning will help Screen iL to identify growth opportunities and to continuously improve the systems service quality.



Bringing the Screen iL service to life and the chance to serve the Israeli diaspora and lovers of Israeli culture around the world has been a labour of love for our team," added Robert Pons, executive chairman of SeaChange International. "Both project teams are fully aligned and committed to the long-term success of the business.
A day in the life

Farms have boundaries, please respect them
Alvernia University graduate student Kirsy Rosario helps Reading third grader Victor Rodriguez pick out a new bike as an award for attendance requirements in the Reading Youth Initiative summer program.
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Coronavirus

Berks adds 44 cases, most since May

Berks County adds 44 COVID cases, most since May
A northern long-eared bat is fed mealworms at the Pennsylvania Bat Rescue in Longswamp Township in 2016. This is a federally threatened species of bat targeted by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for preservation by changes to firewood harvesting in state forests this year.
I taught history in Poland soon after the collapse of the Soviet Union. My students were eager to learn objective truth--something which the Soviet regime abhorred. When I look at the fight over Critical Race Theory (CRT), it reminds me of the party-approved curricula that my students parents remembered from the days behind the Iron Curtain. Like the Soviet Ministry of Educations dogma, CRT is blatantly ideological. Its no wonder CRTs proponents are intent on muddying the waters with bad faith arguments.

And thats exactly what we saw from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezs interview with CNNs Don Lemon last week. When asked about the pushback against critical race theory, the New York City Congresswoman replied: Why dont Republicans want kids to know how to not be racist?

Parents like myself are stunned by Ocasio-Cortezs ignorance. Aside from sounding like an activist college student who has yet to reconcile with reality, Ocasio-Cortez reverts to a common straw-man argument. She contends that parents and Republicans dont want their kids to learn about racism or the history of it in this country. What she is responding to, however, is an argument entirely different from the one reverberating across the country.

No one is asking for schools to not teach about slavery and Jim Crow, or shy away from any other painful parts of our history. What parents are asking for is that critical race theory, a divisive sociological ideology that stands opposite of the Wests liberal tradition, does not become the lens through which all of history and social interaction is contextualizedespecially when it comes to teaching kids in K-12. Teaching the painful parts of history shouldnt be controversial, but it also falls on parents to raise their children to be good people who treat their fellow Americans with the dignity and respect they deserve. This is dangerous to the Lefts agenda.

Adherents to CRT must believe that white people will always be complicit in racism against non-white people regardless of good intent. In other words, Ocasio-Cortez wants children to be taught to judge each other by the color of their skin. We also have to remember that CRT is not truthits theory. And when it comes to the humanities and soft sciences, its not standard to take theories as hard facts or build an entire curriculum based on them. There are plenty of academic theories that exist, but that doesnt mean we start basing kids classes on them. Instead of asking why parents dont want CRT in schools, we should be asking why leftists want it so badly.

Its no secret that one of the aims of Soviet education was to consolidate all learning in the hands of the state. CRTs activist approach to teaching history aims to achieve a similar end. Ask parents if they think that morality should be left up to schools to teach, and you will gain all the clarity you need about why parents across the country are organizing to defeat CRT.

Not only should parents be stunned by the congresswomans ignorance, but they should be insulted by what her remarks suggest. Implied in her is argument is that parents are incapable of teaching their own kids about racism. Apparently, the only way to get kids to understand the immorality of treating people differently based on skin color is to get the government and CRT-trained teachers involved. Ironically, though, CRT would teach students that skin color is suggestive of a perpetual societal power struggle rather than an accident of birth.

But even with the challenges mounting, there is enormous grassroots energy in opposition to CRT. Parents know that they dont have to put up with CRT in schools and that they can be change-makers by showing up to local school board meetings, running for school board, or pulling their kids out of public schools. How the CRT battle fares on the local level will determine its course nationwide. Politicians like Ocasio-Cortez should know that theres no better fighter for our nations children than a concerned parent. But that may be too much for a product of todays higher education system to realize.
(After the first, this is the second in a three-part series examining taxpayer-subsidized green energy.)

The federal government routinely showers green projects with billions of taxpayer dollars. This never-ending subsidization scheme occurs at all stages in the development process. As seen in the previous piece in this series, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) claims that its loan guarantees have bolstered renewable energy even though their backed projects would have likely happened anyway.

But guaranteed loans arent the only tool in the DOEs arsenal. Through the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), the DOE also funds high-impact energy technologies that are too early for private-sector investment. Despite roughly $3 billion in ARPA-E spending since 2009, the initiative has failed to produce a viable bridge to private sector innovation. Instead of further bolstering its budget, policymakers need to take a long, hard look at where ARPA-E has gone wrong.

After ten years of ARPA-E operations, there is plenty of data to ascertain whether the program is living up to its expectations. Writing for the publication Nature, researchers from Harvard, Cambridge, the University of Massachusetts, and the Technical University of Munich found that ARPA-E recipients, did not have better business outcomes than the larger pool of US cleantech startups that did not apply for ARPA-E funds.

They did, however, have better outcomes than companies that were encouraged by ARPA-E but ultimately not selected for funding. This may suggest that companies pinning their hopes on government investment may neglect other, more promising private funding routes. In contrast, the cleantech startups that keep their options open from the beginning and do not need to rely on government funding seem more primed for success.

Another interesting result came from comparing the patent filings of recipients and non-recipients of government funding. According to the researchers, startups that received funding from ARPA-E in its first year of operation filed twice the number of patents in subsequent years compared to other similar firms without ARPA-E funding. However, the team admits that its unclear whether ARPA-E is leading to increased patenting or if the program has found a way to pick firms with a high propensity to patent.

And, while the patent process is an important contributor to innovation and technological growth, merely filing a patent is not proof that the idea is a game-changer. If startups are ramping up their ability to patent ideas just to attract federal funding, the end result could be quite damaging for future innovation. Even though low-quality or mistakenly approved patents are far rarer than commonly assumed, these dubious patents hurt businesses and may slow down the pace of technological progress according to a team of Australian and Swiss researchers.

It's disconcerting to see a government funding system with such a disconnect between patent filing rates and private sector engagement. One National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine study on ARPA-E found that roughly three-quarters of ARPA-E funded projects designated as completed have no market engagement whatsoever: no private funding nor company formed around the research. And even that figure is probably high, since the DOE shadily includes recipients who had formed a firm prior to ARPA-E funding in their definition of company formation.

These lackluster figures havent stopped the Biden administration from attempting to expand ARPA funding. The President has proposed $500 million for the creation of an APRA-C (for climate-related funding issues), though researchers rightly question if this will result in overlap with ARPA-E.

Policymakers will likely continue pushing for an alphabet soup of innovation agencies that are all-but-certain to have disappointing outcomes. The federal government would be far better off examining the many problems facing startups, including high taxes and out-of-control regulatory costs. Addressing these issues would go a far longer way toward increasing innovation than ARPA- insert letter here.

Ross Marchand is a senior fellow for the Taxpayers Protection Alliance.
Sometimes, stories that appear unrelated share common foundations and have cumulative effects, far more serious than any one does individually. Highlighting these common features tells us something profound about our society and its troubles. Thats the case with four stories over the past few days.

The first two involve police. One concerns a New York City gang member who attacked multiple officers and shot one of them. The suspect had more than 25 prior arrests for guns, drug offenses, and other crimes. He was known to be part of a gang affiliated with the Bloods. Yet Jerome Roman was roaming the streets, gun in hand, out on bail. It is a story repeated dozens of times each week across the country. The second story involves the inability of Portland, Ore., to recruit police to fight the citys stunning murder epidemic. For some reason, Portland just cant find people willing to join the special unit designed to stop the killings.

The next two stories involve a subject that seems far removed from violent crime: COVID masks. One is a news report with photographs of Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser celebrating maskless at an indoor party just hours after she had imposed a comprehensive mask mandate on her city, prohibiting exactly her kind of behavior. This was just the latest in a spate of rules are for thee, not me actions by Democratic mayors and governors. One of them, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, is facing a recall effort. The rest continue along their merry way.

Finally, the ubiquitous Dr. Anthony Fauci, our nations top official for infectious diseases, told ABC News this past weekend that wearing masks should not be an individual choice. That statement goes beyond saying masks are desirable, based on public health data. It portends a new round of mandates. President Biden also indicated new, stricter rules are coming.

Is there any connection among these stories about police, murder, hypocrisy, and public health advice? Yes, and it is a connection that illuminates our countrys deepest problems.

The problem we face, beyond the specifics about crime, COVID, duplicity, and social division, is a palpable breakdown in public order at the same time the public has lost confidence in our government officials and the institutions they lead. The two meta-problemsthe breakdown of order and erosion of public confidenceare deeply intertwined because we count on our leaders and institutions to give us reliable information, provide a stable environment (so each of us can go about our lives), and abide by the same rules we all do. Those are foundational elements of a peaceful, liberal, democratic society. Their attrition imperils that society and its governance.

Citizens are all too aware of the collapse of law and order in cities and on Americas southern border. They are aware, too, that the current administration and the mayors of most big cities are unwilling to speak honestly about the problems. They know that Vice President Kamala Harris exclusive focus on the root causes of migration from Central America is really a way of evading the painful question: Why wont the Biden administration stop the unprecedented surge of illegal immigration or even speak candidly about it?

The danger and dishonesty come after decades of eroding trust in public officials and the institutions they lead. Polls in the early 1960s showed over 70% of the public believed public officials were telling the truth. Those numbers have declined steadily to less than 20%. Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon got that ball rolling downhill, but it hasnt stopped. The mistrust goes beyond public officials to include news media, social media, universities, corporations, unions, churches, and even civic organizations such as the Boy Scouts.

The public put aside those doubts, at least temporarily, when the COVID pandemic struck in February and March 2020. Almost everyone was willing to follow mask mandates and business closures. They were willing to let small children skip in-person learning and use their computers. But after more than a year of self-confinement and school closures, the publics patience has run out.

So has the publics confidence that health officials know what they are doing and are telling us the truth. This mistrust grew when people discovered the initial guidance not to wear masks was a deliberate lie. At the time, Fauci and his colleagues actually believed masks would help, but they feared that saying so would lead to a run on masks, leaving none for medical professionals. Instead of trusting the public and retailers like Amazon and Walgreens, they lied. In June 2020, Fauci explained his reasons: We were concerned the public health community, and many people were saying this, were concerned that it was at a time when personal protective equipment, including the N95 masks and the surgical masks, were in very short supply. And we wanted to make sure that the people, namely, the health care workers, who were brave enough to put themselves in harms way, to take care of people who you know were infected with the coronavirus and the danger of them getting infected."

However benign Faucis goal, the longer-term effects were pernicious. They were bound to be once the public discovered the deception. How could anyone trust his future statements at face value? He is paying that cost personally now that he is trying to reassure the public that he had nothing to do with funding the Wuhan virology labs gain-of-function research.

Donald Trumps attacks on the integrity of the 2020 election were even more corrosive of public trust. He has continued those attacks without providing independently verified evidence of widespread fraud. Recently, we learned that while he was still in office Trump crossed another bright line when he pressured the Justice Department to endorse his claims. Just say the election was corrupt and leave the rest to me and the Republican congressmen, he told Acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen, who refused his demand.

While it is perfectly appropriate to demand election integrity and review the vote count, it is deeply destructive to continue claiming the election was stolen without proof. It is even worse for a sitting president to do so. Among Trumps most avid supporters, those claims undermine Bidens legitimacy as president. For everyone else, Trumps charges undermine his own claim that he knows the boundaries of constitutional behavior and tries to stay within them.

Smashing through those boundaries is exactly what House and Senate Democrats proposed when they suggested packing the Supreme Court, adding new states to the union (to give them a durable Senate majority), and eliminating the Senates filibuster rule. All are permissible within the Constitutions formal rules, but all breach long-standing conventions that protect minority rights.

The publics growing mistrust of senior officials, elected and appointed, overlaps with widespread doubts that those officials must follow the same rules as the rest of us. This common standard, and public confidence in it, is foundational to our constitutional democracy. Politicians, billionaires, and celebrities may be able to hire the best lawyers, but they are not supposed to be above the law itself.

That confidence depends on neutral procedures. When O.J. Simpson was found not guilty of double murder, there was widespread disbelief, but the public still accepted the jurys decision. Even if the decision was misguided, the process made it legitimate. Contrast that acceptance with the FBI and Department of Justice whitewashing Hillary Clintons reckless mishandling of classified data. No fair-minded person believed the investigation and charging decision was even-handed. Ordinary folks have languished in jail for far less serious violations, such as a submariner whose photographs inadvertently included classified equipment. Nobody else got the FBI director to write an exoneration before the central figure was even interviewed. Director James Comey then compounded his blunder by announcing he would not charge her (a decision that should have been made only by the Department of Justice) and, later, by holding a press conference that detailed Clintons wrongdoing without charging her, a flat violation not only of FBI standards but of centuries of precedent. It may have cost her the election.

Beyond those egregious violations, the FBIs very different investigations of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump are why the public no longer believes the nations top law enforcement agency is politically neutral or even competent. Its leaders seem ready to kneecap their enemies and cover up their own agents wrongdoing.

During the Comey years, when these spying-and-leaking scandals emerged, most conservative commentators defended the rectitude of ordinary agentsthe 99 percent who do a great job. That defense is seldom heard these days. After all, lots of great agents must have known about their bosses misdeeds, yet none blew the whistle. They were just ordinary bureaucrats, protecting their pensions and promotions.

The key point here is that these problemsand they are seriousoccur amid a long-term decline of trust in all our institutions, public and private. That problem goes well beyond the FBIs bias, the hypocrisy by Muriel Bowser or Gavin Newsom, or the public mistrust in Anthony Faucis pronouncements and the CDCs guidance. It goes beyond Trumps dangerous game in questioning the election, and beyond surging crime and illegal immigration. Serious as those problems are, an even larger problem encompasses them: threats to our countrys stability are cumulating when the public no longer has confidence in the institutions meant to cope with them.
Ronald Reagan, the only California governor to become president, often invoked what he referred to as the Eleventh Commandment: Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican.

Even in Reagans time the rule was honored only in the breach, but by the Trump era, it was a distant relic: Donald Trump himself blithely cast the commandment aside, as the Republican Party went to war with itself over his leadership.

It will be tested again Wednesday night in Reagans old stomping grounds as GOP candidates take the stage in their first televised debate just weeks ahead of Californias Sept. 14 recall election.

Gov. Gavin Newsom, whom the Republicans are aiming to oust, is not participating, so the contenders will have to decide whether to heap their criticism on him or train at least some of their fire on one another.

For Californians who have yet to tune into the race, the televised contest at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library in Yorba Linda will be their first real look at some of the candidates aiming to replace Newsom. Polls show the race far more competitive than it was at the beginning of the summer, as coronavirus cases rise, mask mandates return in some localities, and wildfires rage across the state.

Two of the most well-known candidates have decided to skip the event. For Larry Elder, a conservative talk show host who recently emerged as a leader of the pack, the risk of incoming fire is too high. Hes headed to a Bakersfield fundraiser instead. His spokesman said Elder is focusing his energy on Newsom, tweeting a warning that a circular firing squad would be a boon for the sitting governor, not any GOP candidates.

Another well-known candidate, Caitlyn Jenner, also wont participate, opting to continue filming a reality TV program in Australia. At least four candidates will attend, however. They include former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, businessman John Cox, Assemblyman Kevin Kiley, and former congressman Doug Ose. With mail-in ballots headed to voters in roughly two weeks, the four are welcoming the chance to present themselves to voters as the race heads into its final stretch.

Hugh Hewitt, a radio talk show host and president of the Richard Nixon Foundation, will moderate the debate, joined by panelists Christine Devine and Elex Michaelson of Fox 11 News, and Robert OBrien, who served as Trumps national security adviser. The Nixon Foundation plans a second debate during the week of Aug. 23.

Recall proponents view the attempt to remove Newsom in his first term as a way to channel frustration over shifting pandemic lockdown orders and business closures, and one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. They also cite a state unemployment system that issued nearly $30 billion in fraudulent checks while more than 1 million deserving people were left wanting, school shutdowns and uneven reopenings, as well as rising homelessness rates and several years of devastating wildfires.

Newsom has pushed back, labeling the effort to oust him a partisan move generated by anti-vaxxers, Q-anon conspiracy theorists, anti-immigrant activists and Trump supporters.

Before polls showed the race tightening over the last month, the 2021 recall was far sleepier affair than the one the one that took place in 2003. Back then the disruptive presence in the field of actor and bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger prompted Democratic Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante to break with his party and enter the race after promising he wouldnt. The combination of Bustamantes gambit and Schwarzeneggers star power split the Democratic vote, dooming Gov. Gray Davis and putting a Hollywood icon in the governors mansion. This year, Newsom has managed to fend off a prominent Democratic challenger.

There are more than 40 candidates in the field, far less than the 135 in 2003, but very few of them are serious contenders. Faulconer, who has the most institutional GOP support, has recently challenged Newsom to two televised debates  one in Spanish through Univision and the other in English. Newsom has largely ignored all debate requests.

Im not afraid to stand on my record and my ideas. If Gavin Newsom wants to remain in office, he should do the same, Faulconer said in a statement. Were just a few short weeks away from votes being cast, and the people of California deserve accountability from their leaders. We owe that to them.

John Cox, who lost to Newsom in 2018, has the biggest war chest to defeat the incumbent, although most of it is self-funded. He has spent months crisscrossing the state in a slick campaign-style bus, and had been appearing with a giant stuffed Kodiak bear. He recently added an eight-foot ball of trash to his events, which is intended to draw attention to the states rising homeless population.

While Republican voters are familiar with Faulconer and Cox, who also ran unsuccessfully for the House and Senate in recent years, the debate will give Kiley and Ose a chance to define themselves. Ose represented Sacramento in the legislature for six years before retiring in 2005; he ran a quiet, losing campaign for governor in 2018. Kiley is a young lawyer and former Los Angeles Unified School District teacher who has been sharply critical of school reopenings in Los Angeles and across the state.

Recall proponents hope the debate will jump-start the last weeks of the election and drive up turnout among those wanting to see Newsom removed. Recent polls show the electorate is nearly evenly divided between support for and opposition to the recall, so turnout is key.

But the debate could also further divide Republicans. Cox and several other recall supporters have accused the California GOP of trying to orchestrate an endorsement of Faulconer. Other recall organizers have featured Elder at rallies, while claiming not to formally endorse him.

The Sept. 14 recall ballot will ask two questions: First, whether voters want to remove Newsom from office, which requires a majority vote, and second, who they would like to replace him. If the first question succeeds, then the candidate receiving the most votes would then become governoreven if it is a fraction of the total Newsom receives.

Anne Dunsmore, the campaign manager and finance director of Rescue California, one of the main recall organizers, is working to keep the focus on removing Newsom. On Tuesday she held a Zoom press conference with several local GOP and independent local officials who are backing the recall.

Dan Wagner, a member of the Orange County Board of Supervisors and former assemblyman, said local officials and their constituents are bearing the brunt of [Newsoms] malfeasance and general failure to know how to run a state as complicated and complex as California.

Wagner, a Republican, argued that Newsom has imposed some of the harshest COVID restrictions in the country, killing the states economy and small businesses, then shifting pandemic rules arbitrarily. He also hit Newsom over unemployment fraud, failed forest management policies he believes are behind the wildfires, and spiking crime waves after California Democrats expanded a good behavior program that made 76,000 prison inmates eligible for shorter sentences.

Your guess is as good as mine what the governor is going to require with respect to getting our children back to school this fall. Its all going to depend on the teacher unions, not the science or good governance, Wagner argued.
84, of Traverse City, died August 2, 2021. He is survived by sons, Patrick, Tim and Mike Smith. He was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor "Ellie" Smith. He was a former firefighter, deputy sheriff and retired as a Traverse City police officer. Services will be announced at a future date.
Greenville, NC (27833)

Today

Thunderstorms this evening with a few showers possible late. Low 71F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms this evening with a few showers possible late. Low 71F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%.
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.
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Miles Anton is a 2021 graduate of Brattleboro Union High School. The opinions expressed by columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of the Brattleboro Reformer.
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
Former Republican U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin announced Wednesday that he's going to try to win back his old seat from Democratic Rep. Jared Golden.

Citing problems caused by liberal politicians with extreme beliefs, Poliquin announced on social media that he's running to bring Maine common sense back to Washington.

It cannot continue, he said of the Democratic leadership in Washington, D.C.

Golden's campaign manager said the incumbent continues to work hard in Washington, noting he's been involved in fighting for jobs at Bath Iron Works and laying the groundwork for an infrastructure deal. But Golden will be ready if Poliquin wins his party's nomination, Margaret Reynolds said.

Mainers also know Bruce Poliquin. Hes still the guy voters rejected in 2018. Nothing has changed about him since then, and if he receives the GOP nomination, Jared will look forward to the rematch, Reynolds said.

The announcement potentially sets up a big-dollar fight in the state's sprawling, largely rural 2nd Congressional District. But first Poliquin would have to win a primary race against two lesser-known Republican candidates, state Sen. Trey Stewart of Presque Isle and state Rep. Michael Perkins of Oakland.

Golden, from Lewiston, unseated Poliquin thanks to the state's ranked-choice voting in 2018. At the time, the race was the most expensive in Maine history with more than $20 million spent by candidates and outside groups.

Poliquin had the most first-round votes, but his lead didnt hold up after an additional round under ranked-choice voting.

Golden emerged victorious after two trailing candidates were eliminated and their supporters second-choices were reallocated.

Poliquin, who lost a lawsuit over the election outcome, sat out the 2020 election, citing family priorities and the need to care for his elderly parents. He said that they're safe, stable, and well cared for. In fact, he said his 91-year-old dad encouraged him to run.

It's expected to be a tough contest.

Golden's vote in Congress have shown that he's willing to part ways with the liberal leadership of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and he won reelection in 2020 even though Republican President Donald Trump grabbed the most votes in the district.

The 67-year-old Poliquin cited familiar GOP themes in his campaign statement, saying Democrats were allowing borders to overrun by illegal immigrants" pushing socialism, attacking on the 2nd Amendment, and economic struggles.

Our country has serious problems and its getting worse because liberal politicians with extreme beliefs are making policy decisions that hurt families and our small business job creators here in Maine, he said.



Sharp reported from Portland, Maine.
avid_creative / Getty Images

HARTFORD  Two people have been taken into police custody Tuesday in connection with a shooting, according to police.

Police responded Tuesday around 10:55 a.m. to 56 Judson Street after receiving a ShotSpotter notification, according to a release from Lt. Aaron Boisvert.
KENT  Creating an affordable housing plan and naming a poet laureate are among the steps the town is taking toward achieving sustainable status.

I came upon (the sustainability initiative) at a conference the first month that I was here and it spoke to me as something important for the town, said Kent First Selectman Jean Speck.

According to the Sustainable CT website, this is a voluntary, independently funded certification program to recognize thriving and resilient Connecticut municipalities. Municipalities choose Sustainable CT actions, implement them, and earn points toward certification. As towns take those steps, they can earn recognition as either a bronze- or silver-certified community.

Litchfield County towns that have received Sustainable CT Certification are: Litchfield, Cornwall, New Milford, and Roxbury.

The four-year-old program is administered by The Institute for Sustainable Living at Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic.

There are 13 different action categories towns can undertake, such as: healthy, efficient and diverse housing; dynamic and resilient planning; and thriving local economies with numerous subcategories listed under each one.

Its a holistic approach to creating more vibrant and more resilient communities, which in turn will make your town more interesting, Speck said. People are going to want to move to your town, people are going to want to stay in your town.

At a Board of Selectmen meeting, board members created the Kent Sustainability Team.

Its a great group of people. We have a teacher, an attorney, someone who is on the local Kent affordable housing board, a member of the Housatonic River Commission, Speck said. We are still in the very early stages.

The program is self-paced and towns dont have to commit to achieving a specific type of certification.

Were really trying to see where we are as far as the action items and the tasks of what weve already accomplished as a town because you can use things what youve already done to earn your points, Speck said.

With one initiative, the town hopes to get its first poet laureate. The poem by National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman at the 2021 presidential inauguration sparked the idea for a town poet laureate, Speck said.

Establishing an affordable housing plan is on the list. Affordable housing costs less than 30 percent of the income of a household earning 80 percent or less of the areas median income.

The town is starting the process to design and implement an affordable housing plan, Speck said.

Kent is required to follow the 2017 state statute that states all municipalities must develop an affordable housing plan by July 2022. Other towns in Litchfield County working toward an affordable housing plan include New Milford, Washington, Warren, Barkhamsted, Morris, Canaan, Harwinton, Cornwall, Norfolk and Goshen.

Kent has 37 affordable housing units. One is South Common, a 24-unit rental complex, which was inaugurated in 2003. Another is Stuart Farm Apartments, which opened in 2012 and has five affordable rentals within walking distance of the center of Kent. Five more opened in 2018. Phase III with three units opened in the summer of 2020.

All are occupied, Speck said.

As part of another sustainability effort, the team plans to organize an art project with children at Kent Center School.

Additionally, Speck hopes the town will create a pollinator pathway behind Town Hall. Shes encouraging sustainability team members to create pollinator pathways at their homes. Pollinator pathways are pesticide-free corridors of native plants that provide nutrition and habitat for pollinators. Speck is speaking with the Kent Land Trust about this initiative.

Next steps

Speck plans to meet with organizations and department heads for updates on completed projects.

Ill be setting up conversations with the conservation commission, inland wetlands, the land use officer, and social services director, and talking to other myriad folks in the building to go through the whole list, she said.

Lianna Gantt, chairwoman of the Kent Sustainability Team, said she volunteered for the team because she loves the town.

We moved to Kent in 2017 and I fell in love with the place, Gantt said. Its just a comfortable place and you want to make sure it stays that way, you want it to thrive, you want it to survive.

Achieving sustainability as a town is the key to making the town more desirable, according to Speck, who has lived in town for 24 years.

We want to create a continual wonderful place, and that means creating a place where everyone is welcome, where you can walk down the Main Street safely, where you can say were doing everything we can to make sure that the bee population stays healthy, Speck said. You have to get your boots on the ground and start small, start local. If we all do a little bit of our part, then the whole is better.

sfox@milfordmirror.com
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP)  Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday ordered face coverings for all school children from preschool through 12th grade to thwart the continued spread of the COVID-19 virus. The Democratic governor also said he will require all state employees who work in highly populated facilities such as prisons to be vaccinated.

With the potentially deadly virus continuing to spread, worsened by the more virulent delta variant, Pritzker urged residents who have not been vaccinated to get the shots necessary to prevent the illness and its spread.

Every time we think we know where this virus is headed, it changes, and it shifts...," Pritzker said in Chicago. I want to say this, specifically to young adults: Please do not think that the worst-case scenario can't happen to you. It can happen. It is happening. Get vaccinated."

The required vaccination for state employees applies to those who work in prisons and juvenile detention facilities, veterans' homes and state facilities for the mentally and developmentally disabled. Each must be fully vaccinated by Oct. 4.

Employers both private and public have begun requiring shots against the deadly virus  President Joe Biden is considering such a requirement for all federal employees  and the law appears to be on the side of the boss. Employers can make vaccination a condition of employment, experts say.

Roberta Lynch, executive director of Council 31 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which represents most of those affected by the vaccination order, said those workers have been reporting to work since the beginning of the pandemic putting their own health and safety at risk to assure public safety and provide essential care."

Lynch said the union is prepared to discuss parameters with the Pritzker administration to ensure fairness for employees while safeguarding the health of staff and all those who reside in these facilities.

While the debate over vaccines has caused deep divisions nationally, face coverings have lit an even shorter fuse. They are an aegis against transmission for some, an unwelcome and unjust intrusion for others, with local school boards the latest battleground. The state's largest teachers' union, the Illinois Education Association, issued a statement indicating its agreement with the governor's action.

Lets pull together and take care of one another. Vax up and mask up. We owe it to our students and we owe it to each other, said Kathi Griffin, president of the Illinois Education Association. Were so thankful to have leadership in this state that wont let the virus fester and grow. But, it us up to all of us to bring COVID-19 to its knees.

School safety was paramount last winter when Chicago public school teachers threatened to walk out before Mayor Lori Lightfoot negotiated safety protocols before students returned for in-person learning.

Republicans, as they have since the early day of Pritzker's involvement in stemming the pandemic, continued to criticize the governor's unilateral approach to mitigation of the virus' impact. Senate GOP Leader Dan McConchie of the Chicago suburb of Hawthorn Woods used Pritzker's All In Illinois COVID-19 mantra in his critique.

"He himself refuses to be all in with state and local elected officials who better understand their geographic areas and their communities needs," McConchie said in a statement. If he really wants to achieve the best possible mitigation results, he would abandon this singular approach and instead bring others to the governing table to ensure that mitigation efforts will be broadly accepted by the populace and effectively implemented.

Pritzker, who last week ordered that face coverings be worn by anyone entering a state building, also said Wednesday masks would be required in all long-term care facilities, including those privately owned. That jibes with the industry's response, as the nation's largest nursing-home owner, Genesis Heathcare, announced it would require 70,000 employees at 400 facilities nationwide to get the shot.

Advocate Aurora Health announced Wednesday it would require vaccinations for 75,000 hospital workers in Illinois and Wisconsin as well.

I know this is hard, Pritzker said, addressing people who have gotten the shot. You did the right thing ... and now, because of the new delta variant and the high number of unvaccinated people in the United States feels like were going backwards.... I want to ask you one more thing. Talk to someone in your life who could get the vaccine, but hasnt. Share your story, share why you did it.

___

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TORRINGTON  A row of old mill buildings on Water and Church streets could become a new housing development with underground parking, walking trails and a swimming pool.

A development group led by Paul Janerico, owner of Waters Way and Paydirt LLC, presented the City Council with a concept design of the properties at 199 Water St., formerly known as the Hotchkiss Bros. factory, north to 229 Church St., formerly known as the Minetto building.

Were going to build something with a lot of respect to whats there, Janerico said. Were very excited. We bought the first property in 2017, and bought the Church Street property in 2018.

The plan calls for 155 apartments, ranging from studios tofour-bedroom units. The project will include razing some of the more damaged sections of the buildings and restoring others that can be saved, Janerico said.

The project proposes having a retail store area, restaurants, and amenities for the tenants such as dog-washing stations, a gym, a community room, a swimming pool and hot tub, according to the concept drawings.

Weve assembled a strong, knowledgeable team of professionals to do this design, and weve worked with Mark McEachern from the Torrington Historical Society, because its got quite a history, dating back to the mill days, Janerico said. Our vision is to rehab the mill buildings, remove areas that are in unsafe conditions, and save some of the key elements of the Minetto building.

Mayor Elinor Carbone, who has been working with Waters Way on the preliminary plans, reminded the council that Janericos proposal is not affordable housing, but will be sold at market value. She also said the existing properties collect little tax revenue, and that the project is a way to continue the citys mission to revitalize the city and provide better housing for people seeking a home in Torrington.

The current tax revenue is $15,183, and with a cost analysis, to retain some semblance of safety, those costs far exceed $15,000, the mayor said. A market analysis we did asked us where we wanted to focus our investments, and the analysis shows there is a demand for multifamily housing, and that people supported the need for 288 additional apartments in Torrington  not single-family housing, but apartments.

We also learned that during the pandemic, according to a New York Times study, that we were the third community for relocation from New York City.

Everything weve learned indicates that people are looking for housing first, and then the jobs will follow, the mayor said. Here we are, post-pandemic, and the state Department of Labor says that in our area, there are 1,563 unfilled jobs. Broken down by industry, there are jobs in health care, retail, tourism, food service, construction. ... Clearly, jobs exist here, and housing is a desperate need. How do we keep young families here or bring them here with a quality of life. ... If we do this, we will become a destination.

Architect Paolo Campos reviewed the concept plan with the council. Our wheelhouse is historic preservation, so this is a sweet spot for us, he said.

We dont want a cookie-cutter approach to this housing, because it doesnt fit, he said. The units are diverse; some are on the rooftop, with terraces overlooking the Naugatuck River. We also want this to be environmentally sustainable ... it will be all electric, with generators for emergency power. Its a trend the building industry is heading in.

Councilors, BOE chairman object

Despite the developers enthusiasm, there were many objections. Board of Education Chairwoman Fiona Cappabianca wanted to know how the project would affect the schools population, and council members Sharon Waagner and Paul Cavagnero said the mayor should have included the council in her discussions beforehand.

Why were there so many discussions on this before the City Council heard about it? Cavagnero said. If this model goes south, can this plan be changed to affordable housing? What if the investors pull out? ... We should table this. .... Theres no way Im going to support any Memorandum of Understanding from the council.

Waagner said she received a number of phone calls from concerned residents about the proposal, which was previewed in an area news outlet last week. My phone started ringing, she said. I didnt know about it.

Cappabianca pointed to the ongoing Pennrose housing project on Franklin Street, which will have 60 apartments. Waters Way came a few years ago about this, and I was against it because of its impact to the schools. When Pennrose was proposed, I spoke about the impact on schools, and we are now considering 155 units on a 3.2-acre parcel, she said.

This will become a liability to Torrington when (our) resources exceed what the city has coming in, Cappabianca said, referring to the number of students that could join the school district and increase costs, including special education.

Public transportation will also be needed, she said, referring to a statement from Janerico that residents at the new housing would be able to walk to work. What jobs are they walking to? she asked. What investment will be required for public transportation?

Carbone defended the citys work with Waters Way, and said the project was a way to save a historic property and bring revenue to the city. I met with Waters Way in 2019, we saw what they were proposing, and we were interested, she said. Then the pandemic hit, and this year, when they contacted us, they said they were ready to sit with the City Council, but that they needed assurance that the city was going to back them up. This is the first phase of this.

If we dont work with the developer now to save this property, it will be too late, the mayor said. I have concerns of this property surviving another winter. ... I believe this will improve the citys tax revenue, long term.

Carbone said she has also joined the Northwest Transit District, to make the citys needs known regarding public transportation.

The next step

Waters Way has not filed any permits with the citys planning office. Campos said it is ready to begin that process after securing the MOU with the City Council.

City Council member Ann Ruwet was supportive. I for one am very excited. Thanks for your interest in Torrington, she said. (Ths property has) been an eyesore for years. Its very much needed.

The council approved the MOU request 3-2, with Ruwet, Frank Rubino and Drake Waldron voting yes, and Cavagnero and Waagner voting no. The MOU is in place for 24 months. If it hasnt progressed within that time, the developer will have to discuss the plan with the council again.

I will vote continuously against this project until my questions are answered, Cavagnero said.
Are multiple actors collaborating for a new venture? The actors seemed to tease a venture based on terror. The official announcement is set to arrive on Wednesday night.

Kareena Kapoor Khan, others tease terror-based venture?

Kareena and other stars Taapsee Pannu, Kartik Aaryan, Ayushmann Khurrana, Rajkummar Rao and others took to her Instagram stories to share what seemed like a teaser poster of the new project. With an image of a blast wreaking a property into flames and cars into pieces, the image introduced an event about '12 hours of terror.' It added that 9 individuals from Italy, 7 from Japan, 7 from Bangladesh and 1 from India, had lost their lives in the 'deadly' attack.

Along with the image, they shared a timer, that read 11 hours, 59 minutes and 35 seconds were left. As per that, the announcement is likely to come up after 9.20 PM.

It is not clear in what capacity the stars are set to be associated with the venture., whether they would star in it or are just promoting it.

Stars' previous association with terror-based ventures

As far as terror-based projects are concerned, Kareena has starred in films like Dev, Refuge, Kurbaan and Agent Vinod, among others.

Rajkummar Rao too had starred in a terror-based film, Omerta. The movie, directed by Hansal Mehta, had hit the theatres in 2017.

Though not much is known about Kartik Aaryan's Dhamaka, the movie too seemed to be based on a terror-related or crime-based event. The movie, directed by Neerja fame Ram Madhvani, is set to release later this year.

"This for me is a miracle script and had me on the edge of my seat all through the narration. I knew this is the script that would give me the opportunity to explore a different side of me as an actor.

"I can't wait to transport myself to Ram sir's world and see his vision translate on the big screen. This is also the first time I am collaborating with Ronnie and RSVP, and I am looking forward to this journey," the actor said in a statement at the time of release.

(With PTI inputs)

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Kit Harington impressed the audience with his performance as Jon Snow in HBO's popular series Game Of Thrones. Harington received worldwide fame after the show's release. A recent interview revealed his favourite moment from the show and surprisingly it came while he was on a bathroom break.

Kit Harington's favourite moment from Game Of Throne

Game of Thrones ended more than two years ago but is still popular amongst the audience. In an interview on SiriusXM's Jess Cagle show, Kit said that his favourite moment came when he was shooting up on this incredible glacier in Iceland, and he went off to take a pee break somewhere in the wilds of Iceland. He looked out over this glacier and thought, 'God, I got the best job in the world and that thought always stuck out to him because if he ever felt down or grumpy about his life he recalled that particular moment.

Kit Harington also met his now-wife Rose Leslie on the sets of the show, who played the fierce wildling Ygritte to his honourable warrior Jon Snow. The couple recently welcomes their first child together, a baby boy and in the same revealed how they were adjusting to parenthood. The actor said that it was difficult but he and his wife Rose had become even closer because of the journey.

Kit Harington in MCU's Eternals

Kit Harington is all set to make his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut with the superhero movie Eternals. The movie is set after the events of Avengers: Endgame and is about the Eternals, an immortal alien race created by the Celestials who have secretly lived on Earth for over 7,000 years and reunite to protect humanity from their evil counterparts, the Deviants.

The movie stars an ensemble cast including Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lia McHugh, Brian Tyree Henry, Lauren Ridloff, Barry Keoghan, Don Lee, Gil Birmingham, Harish Patel, Salma Hayek, and Angelina Jolie. The movie is being directed by the Academy Award winner director Chloe Zhao. Eternals is scheduled to be released in the United States on November 5, 2021, as part of Phase Four of the MCU.

Image: Game Of Throne's official Instagram

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In a heartening development on Tuesday, the Centre informed Parliament that the incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistan drastically dropped post the February 25 pact. Amid relentless ceasefire violations by Pakistan, the Director Generals of Military Operations of both countries had reviewed the situation in a "free, frank and cordial" atmosphere and agreed to strictly observe all agreements and stop firing from February 25. As per the data quoted by Union MoS Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, only 6 incidents of cross border firing were reported from March to June in contrast to 615 ceasefire violations in the first 2 months of 2021.

Here is the full data of ceasefire violations:

This was revealed in a response to an unstarred question by Lok Sabha MPs Asaduddin Owaisi and Krishna Pal Singh Yadav. At the same time, Rai added, "Governments consistent position has been that India desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan and is committed to addressing issues, if any, bilaterally and peacefully in an atmosphere free of terror, hostility and violence. The onus is on Pakistan to create such a conducive atmosphere by taking credible, verifiable and irreversible action to not allow any territory under its control to be used for cross-border terrorism against India in any manner".

Pakistan's flip-flop on bilateral ties

A day before the joint statement of the DGMOs of the two nations, Pakistan PM Imran Khan had publicly stressed on resolving differences with India via dialogue. Softening the brash tone further, Imran Khan told participants at the recently held Islamabad Security Dialogue that India can benefit from more trade and connectivity to Central Asia if both nations resolve their issues. Speaking at the same event, Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa maintained that it is time to bury the past and move forward.

But, there was a setback when the Pakistan Cabinet rejected the proposal of the Economic Coordination Committee to import sugar, cotton and yarn from India. While Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi told a Pakistani news channel in an interview on May 7 that the abrogation of Article 370 is India's internal matter, he took a U-turn after facing flak from the opposition. Since then, Imran Khan has harked back to his rhetorical narrative by asserting that his government will not talk to India unless it reverses the steps taken on August 5, 2019, including the abrogation of Article 370 and revocation of statehood.
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) constructed and black-topped the highest motorable road in the world. The road is situated at a height of 19,300 ft. in Umlingla Pass, Eastern Ladakh. It has created a record in high-altitude road construction. The road constructed by BRO connects the important towns in the Chumar sector of Eastern Ladakh. It offers an alternate direct route connecting Chisumle and Demchok from Leh, which will be immensely beneficial for the local population. It will also enhance the socio-economic condition in the region by promoting tourism in Ladakh.

Border Roads Organisation in India builds World's Highest Road; higher than Mount Everest Base Camp

It is a 52-km long tarmac road through the Umlingla Pass. It was constructed with the purpose of bettering the previous record of a road in Bolivia connecting to its volcano Uturuncu at 18,953 ft. The BRO tweeted,      ...And we reached the last milestone over the Mighty Umling La Pass by constructing the World's Highest motorable road.. The road has been constructed at an altitude higher than the Mount Everest Base Camps with the South Base Camp in Nepal being at an altitude of 17,598 ft, and North Base Camp in Tibet at 16,900 ft. In terms of height, it also stands above the altitude of Siachen Glacier at 17,700 ft. and the Khardung La Pass in Leh which has an altitude of 17,582 ft.

     



..And we reached the last milestone over the Mighty Umling La Pass by constructing the World's Highest motorable road.



The National Flag unfurls with Pride and Elan, telling the world -         pic.twitter.com/OQyNFmUo3S     (@BROindia) August 2, 2021

Border Roads Organisation works on restoring roads in rainfall and landslide-hit areas in India

Infrastructure development in such harsh and tough terrain is extremely challenging. During the winter, the temperature dips below -40 degrees and the oxygen level at this altitude is almost 50 % less than what it usually is at normal places. The BRO workers work in such extreme conditions. The BRO has also been actively working in rain-affected areas to restore the roads. They restored connectivity at the Yarlung-Lamang road in Arunachal Pradesh, along with a number of other roads hit with heavy rainfall. They also helped in clearing bridges which were destroyed by the landslides in Himachal.

All land slides have been cleared and improvised bridges established to #rescue stranded tourists.



Hon'ble CM appreciated the expeditious work undertaken by #BRO that helped in bringing back the normalcy sooner than expected.@jairamthakurbjp @CMOFFICEHP @DDNewsHimachal pic.twitter.com/U0o6WZsr3b     (@BROindia) August 1, 2021

Image: PIB India/Twitter
A BSF jawan on Wednesday allegedly died by suicide using his service rifle in Khowai district of Tripura, a day after two personnel of the paramilitary force were killed in the state in an ambush by the outlawed National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT), a police officer said.

The deceased jawan was identified as Baburam Choudhury (41) from the 80th battalion of the BSF, a resident of Jodhpur in Rajasthan.

Baburam was in the sentry at the Paharmura border outpost along with three of his colleagues when the incident happened. According to his colleagues, Baburam shot himself from his service rifle around 5 am. A case has been registered at Khowai police station, the officer said.

Meanwhile, Leader of the opposition Manik Sarkar, expressing concern over the ambush by the ultras on Tuesday, urged the state government to take prompt and effective measures to combat the attempt of resurgence of insurgency.

The border guarding force had said on Tuesday that the ambush took place around 6:30 am in the Dhalai district of the state and those killed included a sub-inspector of the force.

A BSF troop was patrolling the Chawmanu area in the morning, when militants hiding in jungle sprayed bullets from automatic weapons and fatally injured one sub-inspector and a jawan, who died on the spot, DIG, northern range, L Darlong, told PTI.

Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb had condemned the cowardly incident on Tuesday.

"The sacrifices of our brave security personnel shall not go in vain. India stands shoulder to shoulder with the families of our brave martyrs," Deb wrote on his official Facebook page.

A massive search operation by the BSF and the Tripura State Rifles (TSR) is underway in Dhalai district.

Darlong said the ultras might have sneaked into Bangladesh after the ambush.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Ahmedabad, Aug 4 (PTI) The Gujarat government on Wednesday disbursed Rs 140 crore in interest-free loans to 14,000 women's self-help groups under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Utkarsh Yojana (MMUY), a state government scheme launched last year for financial upliftment of women.

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani made the announcement at Vadodara on the occasion of "Nari Gaurav Diwas", organised as part of the nine-day celebrations for the completion of his five years in office.

The scheme was launched by the state government in September last year with a target of covering 10 lakh women (10 per group) and giving them Rs 1,000 crore in interest-free loans by the end of December 2022, Rupani said.

"Today, we will be depositing Rs 140 crore in the bank accounts of 14,000 women's self-help groups that have over 1 lakh members. This is a first-of-its-kind scheme in the country that provides collateral and interest-free finance to women's groups so that they can set up small businesses and contribute to their family's income," the chief minister said in his address.

Claiming that the MMUY is better than the micro-finance model promoted by Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh, Rupani exuded confidence that other states will also adopt the scheme for the economic upliftment of women.

The Gujarat government's focus is to ensure that women lead in all sectors and perform better than men, he said.

"The BJP has given equal rights and opportunities to women of the state. A society can never progress without giving opportunities to its women. In Gujarat, 50 per cent seats in panchayats and local bodies are reserved for women. Of the total 1.5 lakh youth given government jobs recently, 33 per cent were women," Rupani said.

The chief minister inaugurated 215 Anganwadi centres, two Sakhi one-stop centres and other buildings of state Women and Child Development department, and performed symbolic ground-breaking ceremonies for 112 Anganwadi centres, three one stop centres and 28 other building blocks, it was stated. PTI PJT PD ARU ARU

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In a development in the ISRO espionage case, the Kerala High Court on August 4 extended the interim protection from arrest for three former Kerala Police officers and a retired Intelligence Bureau official, by one more day. CBI informed the court that an Additional Solicitor General is set to appear on the matter which led to Justice Ashok Menon extending the relief.

Kerala High Court listed the matter for hearing on August 5 and granted interim protection from arrest to former Kerala Police officers RB Sreekumar, S Vijayan and Thampi S Durga Dutt and former- Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer PS Jayaprakash on separate dates. The aforementioned personnel have moved anticipatory bail pleas in the case filed by CBI.

Besides them, 14 others are accused in the matter before the Kerala High Court by the agency for several offences, including criminal conspiracy, kidnapping and fabrication of evidence under the Indian Penal Code in connection with the arrest of a former ISRO Scientist/Director Nambi Narayan in 1994 espionage case. Two Maldivian women - Mariyam Rasheeda and Fouziyya Hassan - were also detained under the '94 scandal.

CBI files status report

On April 15, the Supreme Court of India had ordered a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the 1994 espionage case against former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientist Nambi Narayanan and to file a report in 3 months.

Pursuant to SC's order, the CBI filed a status report for the case of Nambi Narayanan. The apex court bench, headed by Justice A M Khanwilkar had directed the CBI, to probe the alleged involvement of some Kerala officers in framing the former ISRO scientist for a case of espionage. The Supreme Court also took into account the report submitted by the three-member panel, headed by Justice (Retired) D K Jain, who inquired and gave its report to the top court in a sealed cover in March this year.

The top court while remarking on the sensitivity of the case said, "The report will remain in a sealed cover and will be given to the CBI authorities to proceed in accordance with the law."

ISRO Spy Case

The ISRO Spy Case surfaced after the Kerala police had registered two cases in October 1994, after Maldivian national Rasheeda was arrested in Thiruvananthapuram for allegedly obtaining secret drawings of ISRO rocket engines to sell to Pakistan. Following that, three individuals were arrested in connection with the case - then ISRO director Nambi Narayanan, then ISRO deputy director D Sasikumaran and Fousiya Hasan. Three months later in 1995, when Narayanan was released on bail, he had approached the National Human Rights Commission seeking compensation from the Kerala government, for the mental agony that he had suffered in the process. The CBI later dismissed the allegations against him as false.

The SC termed the police action against the former ISRO scientist as "psycho-pathological treatment". It further said that his "liberty and dignity", basic to his human rights, were jeopardised as he was taken into custody and, eventually, despite all the glory of the past, he was compelled to face "cynical abhorrence". The SC appointed a three-member panel headed by former judge D K Jain, while the Kerala government was directed to give Narayanan a compensation of Rs 50 lakh, as he underwent "immense humiliation.

Over a period of almost two-and-a-half years, the panel headed by Justice (retd) D K Jain examined the circumstances leading to the arrest. The 79-year-old former scientist, who was given a clean chit by the CBI, had earlier said that the Kerala police had 'fabricated' the case and the technology he was charged with having stolen and sold in the 1994 case did not even exist at that time. Narayanan then approached the apex court against a Kerala High Court judgment that said no action needed to be taken against Mathews and two retired Superintendents of Police K K Joshua and S Vijayan, who were later held responsible by the CBI for the scientist's illegal arrest.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday filed a chargesheet against six terrorists of Lashkar-e-Mustafa (LeM) outfit, a frontal organisation of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), who were planning attacks in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country.

Those chargesheeted include self-styled chief commander of the LeM, Hidayat Ullah Malik, and a woman, Baseerat-ul-Ain, both residents of Shopian in south Kashmir, and Mustaq Alam and his brother Jawed Alam of Deobahuara-Chhapra in Bihar, an NIA spokesperson said.

Others named in the chargesheet are Jan Mohd Teeli of Anantnag and Mudabir Manzoor of Shopian.

Malik, who was arrested from Kunjwani area of Jammu on February 6, had formed LeM in August last year.

On February 14, the Director General of Police Dilbag Singh had termed his arrest a major breakthrough and said he had forwarded a video of NSA Ajit Doval's Delhi office to his handler in Pakistan which meant they were planning an attack there.

"Malik had set up a network to get weapons from Bihar and even sourced seven pistols from there and got them distributed among terrorists in the valley," the DGP had said.

The NIA said the case was initially registered at Gangyal Police Station in Jammu relating to conspiracy by the LeM, working at the behest of the JeM, to carry out terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir with an intention to threaten sovereignty, integrity and security of India.

The NIA re-registered the case on March 2 and took over its investigation.

"The investigation has revealed that Malik was the commander in chief of terrorist outfit LeM and he, along with his co-conspirators, was planning terrorist acts in various parts of India. The newly floated terror outfit (LeM) is an off-shoot of proscribed terror organisation JeM," the spokesperson said.

The NIA said the LeM was tactically formed to evade scrutiny of forces and ease international pressure on the JeM after the attack on CRPF convoy in Pulwama on February 14, 2019, which left over 40 jawans dead.

"The probe has further revealed that the accused led by Malik had also committed a daylight bank robbery amounting to Rs 60 lakh at J&K Bank, Main Branch Shopian in November 2020."

"The looted money was used by LeM terrorists for procuring weapons from Kashmir and Bihar. Malik had also done reconnaissance of many security installations in Jammu and Delhi and was in constant touch with his JeM handlers in Pakistan," the spokesperson said.

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Two Indian pilots who went missing on August 3 after their helicopter crashed into Ranjit Sagar Lake in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district have been safely recovered and are undergoing treatment. According to the Indian Navy officials, the search operation started early in the morning, and later in the day, they found the missing pilots.

The Army Aviation ALH Dhruv helicopter met with an accident near the Ranjit Sagar Dam on Tuesday. It flew off from Punjab's Pathankot on a routine sortie. The Ranjit Sagar Dam lies on the border between Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab. The dam was constructed by the Punjab government on the Ravi River.

While speaking to ANI, RC Kotwal, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kathua, said, "An Indian Army helicopter crashed into Ranjit Sagar Dam, Kathua, today. Some of the floating material from the chopper was recovered. Specialized forces and divers are conducting rescue operations. Only after divers go into the lake will we know what exactly happened, "said the SSP. J&K | Indian Army helicopter crashed into Ranjit Sagar Dam, Kathua, today



Some of the floating material of the chopper recovered. Specialized forces & divers are conducting rescue operations. Only after divers go into the lake will we know what exactly happened: SSP Kathua pic.twitter.com/EU1jhtOyqv  ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2021

ALH-DHRUV helicopter

The ALH Dhruv helicopter is a uniquely designed Weapon System Integrated helicopter that runs on a dual engine and can easily carry out multi-role and multi-missions. The weight of the helicopter is less than 6 tons and comes in skeed and wheeled versions. ALH Dhruv is certified by the central government for airworthiness and civil operations. The helicopter comes in various variants, such as Mk-I, Mk-II, Mk-III & Mk-IVDhruv Mk-ll. So far, over 200 Dhruv helicopters of multiple versions are operating in different sections of the Indian Defense Forces. The made-in-India helicopter is supplied to many countries, including Nepal, Mauritius, and the Maldives.

Similar incidents in the past

This is not the first time an army chopper has crashed. A similar incident occurred a few months ago, and an Army Aviation Helicopter crashed in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district. Earlier on January 26, while the helicopter was returning from Pathankot, the pilots were forced to make a crash-landing in an Army area in Lakhanpur. One out of two pilots succumbed to injuries in the incident. The helicopter was identified as an Army Advanced Light Dhruv helicopter. And, on January 5, a MiG-21 chopper of the Indian air force crashed at night near Suratgarh in Rajasthan after an operational error. The pilot of the aircraft remained safe.

Image Credits: ANI, Inputs: ANI
In a proud moment for India, the country's first indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC), Vikrant, which is one of the largest and most complex warships, began its maiden sea trial on Wednesday. "This is a proud and historic day for India as now the nation is enlisted with those countries who own state-of-the-art aircraft carriers," said the Navy officials.

Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC), will be renamed as INS Vikrant once it gets deployed in nations' security service. Notably, this is going to be the second ship with the same name, the first being the aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy that fought against Bangladesh in 1971 and later decommissioned in 1997.

The 40,000-tonne-warship played a significant role in the victory of the 1971 war. The Indian Navy called this event "Proud & historic" as they took to Twitter and wrote, "Proud & historic day for India as the reincarnated # Vikrant sails for her maiden sea trials today, in the 50th year of her illustrious predecessors key role in the victory of the # 1971war. The largest & most complex warship ever designed & built in India. Many more will follow."

#WATCH | Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) Vikrant sails for her maiden sea trials today, in the 50th year of her predecessors key role in the victory in the 1971 war. This is the largest & most complex warship ever to be designed & built in India: Navy officials pic.twitter.com/Uz3Gy956Bn  ANI (@ANI) August 4, 2021

IAC Vikrant will be commissioned in 2022

Vikrant's construction began back in 2006 and faced numerous delays. However, the heavy warcraft will be commissioned into the Indian force in 2022. The advanced Warmachine is expected to carry MiG-29K fighters and a combination of helicopters such as Ka-31 for air attacks, MH-60R for underwater warfare, and HAL Dhruv for generic duty, including search and rescue.

The Vikrant will be equipped with the same 'ski-jump' configuration as the INS Vikramaditya, which will launch fighter aircraft during the war. The Vikrant is way more advanced and stronger than the Russian-built Vikramaditya ship. The Vikrant is supported by ultra-strong engines, powerful ranging radars, and hidden war equipment, along with more electronic features.

Meanwhile, the Indian Navy is also seeking another aircraft carrier of 65,000 tonnes. Navy chief Admiral Karambir Singh proposed this demand in December 2020. He said if India wants to become a $5 trillion economy, then India needs to have powerful war weapons. As India's neighbour and strategic rival, China owns two aircraft carriers and is soon to launch its third. If reports are to be believed, China is expected to build five aircraft carriers by 2030.

IMAGE: REPUBLICWORLD.COM

(With Agency Inputs)
After detaining two suspected terrorists with links to the ISIS module, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday filed a charge sheet against terror outfit Lashkar-e-Mustafa chief Hidayatullah Malik. The charge sheet was filed in a special NIA court against six terrorists including Malik's close associates Hiba, Jaan Muhammad, Iqbal Muhammad, Javed Alam, and Mastak Alam. The Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) had arrested the chief of terror outfit Lashkar-e-Mustafa which is a front organisation of Pakistan based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) from the Kunjwani area in Jammu.

The terrorist was nabbed by forces after he tried to attack the Jammu and Kashmir SHO. Sources close to the situation have stated that Malik was taken to the Joint Interrogation centre. The action was taken on the intelligence inputs from Anantnag Police. At that time, Special Superintendent of Police, Jammu, Sridhar Patil had said, "We have arrested a terrorist whose name is Hidayatullah Malik. Arms and ammunition including a pistol and grenade have also been recovered from him. We have to conduct searches based on his arrest and there are chances of further recoveries as well."

NIA ramps up actions against terrorist activities

Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday detained two suspects in connection with the ISIS module. The raids were also in connection with ISIS propaganda channels on different social media platforms such as Telegram, Hoop, and Instagram. As per the on-ground information accessed by the Republic Media Network, through these channels, ISIS was allegedly propagating violent Jihadi ideology of ISIS and is radicalising and recruiting the youth to the terrorist module.

For the past several days, the investigative agency has been conducting multiple raids in different locations of the valley. The searches are being conducted in terror funding cases and terror outfit inputs. Earlier, on July 31 NIA had arrested a terrorist after carrying out raids at 15 locations across Jammu and Kashmir in connection with two terror-related cases. On July 11, a day after two unidentified terrorists were neutralized in Kashmir's Anantnag district, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had conducted multiple raids linked to terror funding in the district.

The back-to-back raids from NIA are coming at a time when the security officials are successfully nabbing terrorists in the valley region and averting several attacks. On July 25, the security forces had averted a major terror threat in J&K's Kupwara district, with the recovery of four improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the area, as informed by the police. Last week, a top Pakistani terrorist and Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Abu Saifullah aka 'Lamboo', who played an active part in the 2019 Pulwama attack, was gunned down in Jammu and Kashmirs Pulwama district.
Reacting to shocking visuals of a temple being vandalised in Pakistan, Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Wednesday hit out at those opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which provides Indian citizenship to persecuted religious minorities in the neighbouring country.

Taking to Twitter, Shekhawat posted a video of miscreants vandalising the Shri Ganesh temple in Rahimyar Khan district of Pakistan, and stressed the need to protect the minorities, who deal with these situations on 'a daily basis'.

"Why did Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah introduce the CAA bill and why do other minority religions including Hindus need protection in Pakistan? This video of Shri Ganesh temple in Rahimyar Khan district of Pakistan will answer your questions," Shekhawat tweeted along with the video. "All minorities in Pakistan have to deal with these situations on a daily basis," he said.

The Union Minister said, people whose heart does not melt even after seeing such visuals, and those who advocate for the withdrawal of CAA, such people value appeasement over humanity.

The sufferings of religious minorities continue to persist in Pakistan as there have been several incidents of violence, abduction of girls from the minority community, forceful conversions, or the vandalism of religious institutions reported frequently.

The persecution of religious minorities has been manifested in various forms of targeted violence, mass murders, extrajudicial killings, abduction, rapes, forced conversion, etc. Pakistani Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Ahmadiyyas, and Shias have been the most persecuted minorities in Pakistan which have suffered religious hatred at the hands of the majority.

What is CAA and how does it benefit religious minorities in Pak?

The government of India introduced the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in 2019 that allows persecuted minorities belonging to the Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi, and Christian communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan to avail themselves Indian citizenship.

As per the provisions of the Act, those from the said communities who came to India by December 31, 2014, after facing religious persecution there, will not be treated as illegal immigrants but given Indian citizenship. Not only this, if a person belongs to the aforementioned faiths, from these three countries, does not have proof of birth of parents, they can apply for Indian citizenship after six years of residence in India.
Guwahati, Aug 4 (PTI) The Assam government on Wednesday informed the state assembly that it has reclaimed 200 hectares of land in Inner Line Reserve Forest from encroachers of Mizoram a few days ago.

The state government had last month said in the House that nearly 1,800 hectares of Assam land have been encroached by the people of neighbouring Mizoram.

In reply to a query by AIUDF MLA Suzam Uddin Laskar, Border Area Development Minister Atul Bora said that the Forest Department in association with the Assam Police cleared 200 hectares of land inside Inner Line Reserve Forest.

Bora also said that miscreants from Mizoram set ablaze 27 houses at Jalnacherra village in Hailakandi district of Assam on February 9 this year, affecting 20 indigenous families.

He further informed the House that miscreants also torched a few houses on July 25 at Bilaipur-Dhalcherra of Hailakandi.

In Hailakandi district, around 1,000 hectares of Inner Line Reserve Forest have been encroached by people from Mizoram for a long time, Bora said.

On July 12, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had told the Assembly that nearly 1,800 hectares of Assam land spread across three districts have been encroached by the people of Mizoram.

Out of this, the largest area of 1,000 hectares has been encroached in Hailakandi district, followed by 400 hectares in Cachar and 377.58 hectares in Karimganj, he had said.

A clash between police forces of Assam and Mizoram on the disputed border area in Cachar district on July 26 left seven people - six Assam Police personnel and a civilian - dead and over 50 others injured.

In a written reply to a separate query by AIUDF MLA Aminul Islam on Wednesday, Bora said that Assam shares 884.9 km border with Meghalaya, 804.1 km with Arunachal Pradesh, 512.1 km with Nagaland, 204.1 km with Manipur, 164.6 km with Mizoram, 127 km with West Bengal and 46.3 km with Tripura.

Assam also has a 267.5 km long international border with Bangladesh and 265.8 km with Bhutan, the minister informed the House. PTI TR NN NN

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
STORY: Burundi Virus Vaccine - Burundi says it will accept COVID vaccines

LENGTH: 02:17

FIRST RUN: 1452

RESTRICTIONS:

TYPE: French/Kirundi/Natsound

SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS

STORY NUMBER: 4338214

DATELINE: 29 July 2021 - Bujumbura

SHOTLIST:

RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bujumbura, Burundi - 29 July 2021

1. Various of people queuing and waiting to get tested for COVID-19

2. Woman getting tested for COVID-19

3. COVID-19 tests on table

4. SOUNDBITE (French) Thaddee Ndikumana, Burundi Minister of Public Health:

"We sent multidisciplinary medical teams, including laboratory assistants, doctors, nurses and psychologists to be able to provide support. It has taken a week to get here. We hope that in two weeks we will be able to control the pandemic in these districts."

5. Workers at COVID-19 testing centre

6. Child getting tested for COVID-19

7. Child's temperature being checked

8. SOUNDBITE (Kirundi) Jean Barengayabo, resident of Kiremba:

"This poison (COVID-19) arrived at our home recently. We had heard about it from far off places. God had spared us."

9. People queuing and waiting to get tested for COVID-19

10. Various of people washing hands

11. SOUNDBITE (French) Thaddee Ndikumana, Burundi Minister of Public Health:

"The strategy of the Ministry of Health is to be able to provide support in places where there is an increase in cases. Active screening is carried out to curb the pandemic. This is what we do."

12. Various of Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye (wearing blue vest and cap) talking to medical practitioners

13. Cars driving on road in Bujumbura with pedestrians and poster of Ndayishimiye in background

14. Cars driving on road in Bujumbura

15. Pan left in shop that sells arts and craft to shop owner Marie Vianey Ndikumana

16. SOUNDBITE (French) Marie Vianey Ndikumana, owner of arts and crafts shop in Bujumbura:

"It is really necessary to use this vaccine for the good of our country and the people of Burundi."

17. People inside shop reflected in mirror

18. SOUNDBITE (French) Michou Miracle, Burundian journalist:

"The World Health Organization still has doubts about these vaccines so why is the World Bank sending us vaccines that are not 100% safe? I am categorical, we do not need these vaccines."

19. Cars driving on road in Bujumbura with pedestrians and poster of Ndayishimiye in background

STORYLINE:

Burundi is preparing to accept its first COVID-19 vaccines after becoming one of the last countries in the world to embrace them.

Health Minister Thaddee Ndikumana announced the government reversal last week and said vaccines will arrive with the support of the World Bank.

It was not immediately clear how many doses the East African country will receive or when.

Burundi continues to carry out mass screenings for the virus, with Ndikumana saying he expected to control the latest uptick in infections by mid-August.

He has said the government will store the incoming vaccine doses but will not take responsibility for any side effects.

Marie Vianey Ndikumana, the owner of an arts and crafts shop in Bujumbura, said she felt it was "really necessary" for Burundi to begin its vaccine rollout "for the good of our country".

But journalist Michou Miracle told the AP she remained sceptical of the safety of the shots and they were "not needed".

Burundi's announcement on July 29 came the same day that neighbouring Tanzania launched its vaccination campaign, retreating from former resident John Magufuli's denial of the pandemic.

He died in March and the presidency went to his deputy Samia Suluhu Hassan, who has since reversed course on COVID-19 in one of Africa's most populous countries.

Burundi's late president Pierre Nkurunziza, who died last year, also was criticized for taking the pandemic lightly.

The administration of his successor, President Evariste Ndayishimiye, earlier this year said the country of more than 11 million people didn't yet need COVID-19 vaccines.

Burundi has had more than 7,500 confirmed infections, according to the World Health Organization.

Burundi's decision leaves Eritrea, one of the world's most closed-off nations, as the only African country that hasn't accepted the vaccines.

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The Indian Defence Ministry, on Monday, announced that it will send a task force of four frigates on two months deployment in the 3.5 million square kilometres wide South China Sea. Amidst an increasing shift in the balance of power in the Indo-pacific region, India has announced the deployment of warships to mark its military presence in the region. Joining a range of other countries, Once at the location, they will also engage in several exercises, including Malabar 2021-with Indias QUAD partners US, Japan and Australia.

Discreet naval operations

According to a US news agency, the task force will include a guided-missile destroyer, guided-missile frigate, anti-submarine corvette and guided-missile corvette. While the ministry asserted that the fleet will leave India later this month, it stopped short of specifying a particular date for the departure. Apart from the joint military exercises, the warships would also engage in discreet work with naval units from South China Sea littoral states, including Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines, the Defense Ministry said.

Earlier, on Monday, 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. 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.

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: PTI)
STORY: Europe Heatwave Meteorologist - Fires in Albania, meteorologist on Europe heatwave

LENGTH: 04:22

FIRST RUN: 1549

RESTRICTIONS: Part No Access Albania

TYPE: English/Natsound/Part Mute

SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS/ALBANIAN MINISTRY OF DEFENSE/ ORA NEWS

STORY NUMBER: 4338227

DATELINE: 3/4 August 2021 - Geneva/Gjirokaster region

SHOTLIST:

RESTRICTION SUMMARY: PART NO ACCESS ALBANIA

ORA NEWS - NO ACCESS ALBANIA

Gjirokaster region - 3 August 2021

++MUTE++

1. Ambulance van driving

2. Various of village endangered by wild fires

3. Various of locals and firefighters putting down the flames

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Geneva - 4 August 2021

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Bob Stefanski, World Meteorological Organization (WMO) expert:

"We have a lot of collaboration between WMO and the World Health Organisation developing. We have something called Heat Health Action Plan elements. And one of the major things here is, of course, you need the forecast from the weather services of the world and from Europe. But then you need this intersectional coordination. So you need this interaction between, let's say, the physical science, the forecast, and what the previous conditions were. And this is part of an early warning and alert system. But then as important as communication and public outreach, you know, special care for vulnerable people, these are all in these action plans."

ALBANIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY

Gjirokaster region - 3 August 2021

5. Helicopter flying over

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Geneva - 4 August 2021

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Bob Stefanski, World Meteorological Organization (WMO) expert:

"But as we know, it's hard to attribute everything to a certain event. But this is what the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is saying, that the strongest warming expected to occur at the mid latitudes in the warm season, which is right now, the summer's. And the strongest of these hot extremes are expected to occur in central and southern Europe. This is seeing what we're projecting the future. So not to say that this would be this is something that, you know, maybe in ,in 30 to 40 or 50 years might be more commonplace. So it's hard to attribute this directly to climate change. But if you will, this might be a taste of things to come. So this is why it's very important to get the attention of the various sectors and the players to help come together and develop these plans."

ALBANIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY

Gjirokaster region - 3 August 2021

7. Helicopter throwing water at the fires ++MUTE++

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Geneva - 4 August 2021

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Bob Stefanski, World Meteorological Organization (WMO) expert:

"Things are moving for moving north. You remember the various heat wave events and drought events, for example, in 2003 and also in the Russian Federation, I think a few years ago. No area is immune to the, these hot spells. And again, we do see a shift the farther north of this warmer weather. Again, it is a quite odd that, you know, the northern half of Europe is actually quite cold and wet. And so this hot weather currently is confined to really Greece, the southern Balkans and western Turkey. But that is something that we can see in the future. And we do see this just warmth everywhere."

ALBANIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY

Gjirokaster region - 3 August 2021

9. Aerial shot of the fires

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Geneva - 4 August 2021

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Bob Stefanski, World Meteorological Organization (WMO) expert:

"This is one thing we can say without question, if somebody asked me the temperature on average for the next three months, it will be warmer than normal for four years to come."

ALBANIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY

Gjirokaster region - 3 August 2021

11. Wild fires in the mountain++MUTE++

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Geneva - 4 August 2021

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Bob Stefanski, World Meteorological Organization (WMO) expert:

"The strongest warming is expected in the warm season, i.e., the summers and that we see currently right now. So, you know, this is something that trends will continue into the future. And that's consistent with what the IPCC reports and everything that we're seeing as well. So, again, we will see this. There was some, I think, warm events, I think earlier this year you mentioned. So, again, no area in Europe is really immune to this, but that's why we have to put these plans into place and make sure that we're prepared in the future."

ALBANIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY

Gjirokaster region - 3 August 2021

13. Various of vegetation burning

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Geneva - 4 August 2021

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Bob Stefanski, World Meteorological Organization (WMO) expert:

"The main issue, I think, for the viewers is again, this is with climate change, we're getting a peek to a possible of what's happening in the future. And but the key across most of these hazards and all of these hazards, you know, hurricanes, droughts, heat waves is to have these plans in place and to really work at the international, regional, national, even local city level to develop these plans. And that's something we spend a lot of time and effort and staff time and doing this."

ALBANIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY

Gjirokaster region - 3 August 2021

15. Burning tree

STORYLINE:

Officials in Albania said on Wednesday one person had died of smoke inhalation outside the southern city of Gjirokaster, where wildfires caused hundreds of residents to flee.

Wildfires erupted in the south of Albania endangering inhabitants of the surrounding villages.

Some properties have been damaged and many hectares of forest have been burned.

Helicopters, military and emergency personnel have been deployed to the area to fight the fires.

A heat wave across southern Europe, fed by hot air from North Africa, has led to wildfires across the Mediterranean, including in Italy, Turkey and Greece.

World Meteorological Organization (WMO) expert Bob Stefanski said its "hard to attribute this directly to climate change" but that the extreme weather "might be a taste of things to come."

"This is one thing we can say without question, if somebody asked me the temperature on average for the next three months, it will be warmer than normal for four years to come," he added.

An EU disaster response group said assistance, including firefighters and water-dropping planes, were being sent from EU members to Italy, Greece, Albania and North Macedonia.

The Netherlands and Czech Republic sent a helicopter each to Albania, and Slovenia is sending 45 firefighters to North Macedonia.

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Why is Germany sending a frigate through the South China Sea? Chinese state media and leading newspapers ran headlines on Tuesday after German Chancellor Angela Merkel ordered the German Navy to divert the Brandenburg-class frigate Bayern warship into the South China Sea. It would be the first time in almost two decades that a German combat vessel has set its course for the Indo-Pacific and that the German military will be deployed in the hotly contested South China Sea in a mighty show of military alliance with India, Japan, Australia, UK and the US against Peoples Republic of Chinas belligerence and expansionist maritime claims.

France has also waded into the South China Sea with French nuclear attack submarine SNA Emeraude conducting patrols. SNA Emeraude was among two navy warships that sailed into the Pacific. This extraordinary patrol has just completed a passage in the South China Sea. A striking proof of our French Navy's capacity to deploy far away and for a long time together with our Australian, American and Japanese strategic partners," Defence Minister Florence Parly wrote on Twitter.

Mission Marianne : depuis septembre, un sous-marin nucleaire d'attaque (SNA Emeraude) ainsi qu'un batiment de soutien (BSAM Seine) ont navigue jusqu'a 15 000 km des cotes metropolitaines dans locean Indien et le Pacifique. pic.twitter.com/ojRN51BUYI  Florence Parly (@florence_parly) February 8, 2021

But the latest to enter the maritime hotbed this past week was the British aircraft carrier strike group led by the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth that flew into the South China Sea to assist the US Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 for flight deck operations and conduct military exercises with Indian Navy. British Royal Navy's aircraft carrier caught the attention in the disputed South China Sea, sending Beijing's People's Liberation Army Navy on combat readiness. As China monitored HMS Queen Elizabeths movement in the disputed waters, it accused Britain of "still living in its colonial days.

 Watch @HMSQNLZ lead a close formation of ships from the #RoyalNavy and #IndianNavy as the two countries carried out training during a two-day exercise. #CSG21



 https://t.co/4SP53I73pT pic.twitter.com/pRiolB6aAO  Royal Navy (@RoyalNavy) July 28, 2021

Britain's Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, who hailed the military exercise of the Royal Navy and Singaporean navy, reminded China of the so-called "freedom of navigation" exercise through the South China Sea in his remarks earlier last week. Frances SNA Emeraude entered the Indo-Pacific zone from the Gulf of Aden to "show that we are still present there militarily", research director at the Institute of International and Strategic Relations (Iris) Jean-Vincent Brisset said in a televised statement. France military will be in Indo-Pacific fulfilling an old promise made by Jean-Yves Le Drian when he was still defence minister, the expert said.

As the US Marine Corps F-35B stealth fighter jets, involved in operations off the British Type 45 destroyer, flew above the South China Sea, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) bolstered its military power indicating its sovereignty as military threat escalated despite UK and Germany clarifying that the combat vessels did not enter contested waters for 'military confrontation'. United States Navy posted photos of fighter jets with a caption: "A free and open Indo-Pacific region that is peaceful and stable is vital to ensuring greater prosperity for the region and the world,"

Pentagon spokesperson Ned Price congratulated Britain for its commitment to an interconnected network of allies and partners, who mutually cooperate and support freedom of navigation and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region.

India's 4 warships to depart for South China Sea

As the German Navy prepared for deployment of its warship into the South China Sea, India announced that it will depart a task force of four warships for a joint military exercise with the German Navy and its Quad partnersUnited States, Japan and Australia. India's Defence Ministry announced that the Indian militarys warships will depart in one of these days, although no specific date has been revealed by the Indian Defence. The warships will include a guided-missile destroyer, guided-missile frigate, anti-submarine corvette and guided-missile corvette.

The Indian Naval forces will conduct the Malabar 2021 naval exercise with the US, Japanese and Australian military forces over a two-month deployment, Indias Defence Ministry said in a statement. India will also conduct joint military exercises with naval units of South China Sea littoral states Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines.

"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 Indian Defence ministry statement read.

In its first navy voyage to East Asia since 2002, Berlin is confirmed to conduct a joint military exercise with India as its Brandenburg-class frigate commenced mission on Monday to traverse into the Indo-Pacific region, a flashpoint between China, the US and its allies and partners. China meanwhile threatened should a port call request from a German warship to stop at Shanghai be made, it will not be considered without more information, according to a statement issued by Chinas foreign ministry.
STORY: Turkey Wildfire Marmaris - Wildfires burn for 8th day in Turkey coastal areas

LENGTH: 01:56

FIRST RUN: 1353

RESTRICTIONS:

TYPE: Turkish/Natsound

SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS

STORY NUMBER: 4338198

DATELINE: 4 August 2021 - Marmaris

SHOTLIST:

RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Orhaniye, Marmaris, Mugla province, Turkey - 4 August 2021

1. Various of people dipping their feet in water as smoke rises from the hills in background

2. Smoke and flames

3. People in the water

4. Firefighting aircraft dropping water, smoke rising

5. Various of Yavuz family

6. Hoes and rakes

7. SOUNDBITE (Turkish) Cansel Yavuz, 47, Orhaniye resident:

"We didn't sleep, we waited until morning. If we slept we took turns keeping watch. We filled up our water drums. We brought out the water pump and we're watering the roads with it. We're waiting. There's nothing else we can do."

8. Buckets and bottles filled with water

9. SOUNDBITE (Turkish) Resit Yavuz, 65, Orhaniye resident:

"I have no expectations. Because I won't be able to see the forests that will be replanted. Maybe my kids won't even see them. There's an area in Turunc (another location) we call the 'Asparan region', the gigantic trees there are gone. Cross my heart, they're gone. There are no trees left. There's nowhere left for fires to erupt."

10. Various of helicopter loading water from among sailboats

11. Various of helicopter dumping water on hills, smoke rising

12. Various of marina

STORYLINE:

Wildfires burned for an eighth day in Turkey's Mediterranean region Wednesday, prompting the evacuation of at least one more neighborhood and mounting criticism of the government's inability to subdue the blazes.

Scorching heat, low humidity and strong winds have fed the fires, which so far have killed eight people and countless animals and destroyed forests.

Villagers have had to evacuate their homes and livestock, while tourists have fled in boats and cars.

Observers worry that fires in the seaside province of Mugla could jump to two thermal power plants.

Cansel Yavuz explained how her family, from Orhaniye outside the city of Marmaris, had been keeping watch through the night as a fire continued to burn on a nearby hillside.

Fires continued in six locations in Mugla, local forestry officials said.

Another neighborhood in Antalya province was evacuated as of Wednesday morning.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans government is under criticism for its inability to put down the fires, but the minister of agriculture and forestry, Bekir Pakdemirli tweeted that 160 fires in 34 provinces had been brought under control while 14 continued to rage in five provinces.

Thousands of firefighters and civilians are trying to douse the flames.

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.

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.

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Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar said at the ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers Meeting on August 4, that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is held up as a good example of successful regionalism, multilateralism and globalisation. He added that this year's theme of 'We Care, We Prepare, We Prosper' under the able chairmanship of Brunei succinctly captures the outlook of ASEAN. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addressed the virtual meeting of the ASEAN and India foreign ministers to talk about numerous issues, including connectivity.

EAM Jaishankar says ASEAN is held up as a good example of successful regionalism, multilateralism & globalisation

Jaishankar said that India is looking forward to an early review of the "trade-in goods agreement". He put a thread on Twitter saying, A substantive and fruitful ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers Meeting today. He listed out the following points in the thread:

Much of Indias interests and relationships now lie to its East, which is a testimony of its ties with ASEAN.

India is looking forward to an early review of the Trade in Goods Agreement.

India is looking to accelerate the connectivity projects, especially Trilateral Highway and Kaladan project.

India is seeking convergence between the ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific(AOIP) and Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) proposed by India.

Support Initiative for ASEAN Integration through capacity building initiatives was discussed.

Contribution through Mekong-Ganga Cooperation and its Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) was spoken about.

Noted progress in Doctoral Fellowships and Hackathon has been observed.

India and ASEAN have been strong partners in COVID response, be it medicines or oxygen, equipment or logistics.

The parties in the meeting agree that 1982 UNCLOS sets out the accepted legal framework for all maritime activities.

India proposed 2022 as the ASEAN-India friendship year for their 30th anniversary.

A substantive and fruitful ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers Meeting today.



1.Much of Indias interests and relationships now lie to its East, a testimony of its ties with ASEAN.



2.Looking forward to early review of our Trade in Goods Agreement. pic.twitter.com/kEO5Wseawy  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) August 4, 2021

India-ASEAN relations boosted due to COVID response

At the meeting, the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway was discussed, which is expected to boost connectivity in the states and Jaishankar also sought convergence between the ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) proposed by India. The Minister addressed the COVID pandemic situation and said that India and ASEAN are "strong partners in Covid response: medicines or oxygen, equipment or logistics." The 10 ASEAN countries are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Earlier today, ASEAN and India discussed on enhancing economic recovery efforts and collaboration in public health, as well as strengthening connectivity and maritime cooperation. pic.twitter.com/mqJt8JhtNt  Wisma Putra (@MalaysiaMFA) August 4, 2021

(With inputs from PTI)

(IMAGE: @DRSJAISHANKAR - TWITTER)
British Navy on Thursday reported a potential hijack of a UAE oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman that occurred on Tuesday. As per the speculations, the British Navy believes that Iranian- backed forces were suspected of seizing the oil tanker. The incident comes after a British crew member was killed in another drone attack on an Israeli tanker a few days ahead.

UAE oil tanker 'hijacked' by Iran, claims British Navy

The Royal Navys UK Maritime Trade Operations [UKMTO] agency warned of a suspected hijacking incident near the Emirati port of Fujairah, UAE coast but did not give further details. The ship that was hijacked was believed to be the Asphalt princess, which is a Panama-flagged vessel. As per a report by AP, the armed soldiers had reportedly stormed on the boat and captured the restraints on it. The asphalt tanker was believed to be travelling to Sohar port, which is on Omans northern coast. The tank was attacked on his way, at the mouth of Strait Hormuz Tuesday. According to the satellite-tracking data, on MarineTraffic.com, the vessel was seen slowly heading toward Iranian waters off the port of Jask early on Wednesday.

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.

US, UK confident that Iran conducted Attack on Israeli oil tanker

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.



Earlier, 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.

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.

(With AP Inputs)

Image: AP
MV Asphalt Princess, the bitumen tanker that was hijacked by nine armed men, has been abandoned off the UAE coast, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said in a statement on August 4, Wednesday. The tanker was taken over at the Gulf of Oman and was said to be headed towards the congested Strait of Hormuz.

"Iranian people onboard," the voice of a crew member was intercepted as saying.

The naval officers decoded intercepts from the asphalt vessel which allegedly said that nine gunmen that attacked the tanker were Iranian, the British Navy informed AP. The air traffic recordings were shared with AP, which revealed crew members telling the Emirate's Coast Guards in a "muffled voice" that the "five or six armed Iranians had boarded the tanker." Additionally, the radio chat also revealed that the Panama-flagged Asphalt tanker was being drifted to Sohar. "We are...now, drifting. We cannot tell you exact out ETA to (get to) Sohar," two other crew members, identified as Indian and Indonesian said on the radio. Take a look at the spot where the vessel was hijacked:

WARNING 001/AUG/2021 Update 01



Category: Incident  Potential Hijack  Non Piracy



Description: An Incident is currently underway in position 2502.00NN 05728.54E. Incident upgraded to Potential Hijack.https://t.co/TMgzxKatV8#MaritimeSecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/s5GDqW4NYV  United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) (@UK_MTO) August 3, 2021

UKMTO declares "vessel is safe"

The United Kingdom Maritime Operations too to Twitter to update status about the "potential hijack." The UKMTO on August 1, alerted the naval fleet along the Gulf about the potential hijack. The operators updated the coordinates and mentioned that the "incident is underway." The incident escalated fears of "suspicious" maritime activities in the Middle East waters. Take a look at the location where it was marked safe:

WARNING 001/AUG/2021 Update 002



Category: Incident  Potential Hijack  Non Piracy



Description: Boarders have left the vessel. Vessel is safe. Incident completehttps://t.co/toURu6jSzg#MaritimeSecurity #marsec pic.twitter.com/IvC44GOiic  United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) (@UK_MTO) August 4, 2021

The Panama-flagged Asphalt Princess Attack

As per reports, the attackers boarded the Asphalt Princess while it was sailing along the coast of Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. Oman military received the reports of the potential hijack, the AP said, and deployed Royal Air Force maritime patrol aircraft and naval vessels to "contribute to securing International waters." According to MarineTraffic.com, at the same time, six other oil tankers off the coast of Fujairah announced the failure of their Automatic Identification System. Meanwhile, the Asphalt Princess showed a gradual drift towards Iranian waters of the port of Jask. Hours later the drifting stopped and the ship changed course towards Oman. This led the British Navy to declare the vessel 'safe.'

Tension escalates in the Middle Eastern Waters; Iran denies involvement

The UK, US and Israel blamed Iran for the attack after no organisation took the responsibility for the brief hijacking incident. Responding to the allegations, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Saeed Khatibzadeh on Tuesday denied that Iran played any role in the said attack. He also called the recent maritime attacks in the Persian Gulf "completely suspicious."

Meanwhile, tension continued to escalate in the Middle Eastern Waters after a drone attack was launched on the commercial vessel on the Arabian Sea, MV Mercer Street on July 29. The incident shook naval units based in the area. The US, UK and Israel have strongly condemned the attack. The fatal strike killed a British national and Romanian onboard. Presumably, describe came at the heels of a framed nuclear deal with Iran. The British Navy official religion that the attack was launched by Tehran, however, no group has claimed responsibility for this strike yet.

(With inputs from AP) (Image: IMAGE: Unsplash/ representative)
STORY: Lebanon Israel Attack - View from Lebanese side of border of rocket attacks

LENGTH: 00:39

FIRST RUN: 1346

RESTRICTIONS:

TYPE: Natsound

SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS

STORY NUMBER: 4338197

DATELINE: 4 August 2021 - Adeissa

SHOTLIST:

RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Adeissa - 4 August 2021

1. Various of smoke rising and flames in the countryside on the Israeli side of the Israeli-Lebanese border

2. Various of troops from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) monitoring border

3. Various wide shots of border area, smoke rising

STORYLINE:

Three rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israeli territory Wednesday and the army responded with sustained artillery fire, Israel's military said.

There was no immediate information on damages or casualties.

The announcement came after sirens sounded in northern Israel warning of a possible rocket attack from Lebanon.

Two rockets landed inside Israeli territory, the army said, adding that it fired artillery back into Lebanon.

Channel 12 reported that one rocket exploded in an open area and another was intercepted by Israel's defense system, known as the Iron Dome.

A Lebanese army official said the military had no comment pending investigations.

Other Lebanese security officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press.

However, several witnesses in the border area in south Lebanon said two rockets landed in an Israeli community across the border, followed by multiple artillery shells that were fired from Israel.

The Israeli shells landed in an area between the Lebanese villages of Marjayoun and Khiam, they said, adding it was not clear where the rockets were fired from.

There have been several similar incidents in recent months.

The rocket fire is believed by Israeli authorities to have been launched by Palestinian groups based in Lebanon and not the Hezbollah group.

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Islamabad, Aug 3 (PTI) The Pakistan government on Tuesday replaced Lieutenant General (retd) Asim Saleem Bajwa as chief of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority, in an effort to expedite the implementation of key infrastructure projects undertaken by Beijing in the country.

A notification issued by the Prime Minister's Office said Khalid Mansoor has been appointed as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on CPEC Affairs with immediate effect. The appointment will be in an honorary capacity, it added.

Mansoor with over four decades of corporate experience replaced Bajwa, who was appointed in November 2019 after his retirement from the Pakistan Army.

"I bow my head before Allah Almighty for giving me an opportunity to raise and steer the important institution of CPEC Authority as one window for all CPEC projects, charting the future direction," Bajwa, a former he said.

Bajwa termed the USD 60 billion CPEC as a "lifeline for Pakistan", saying it would "transform us into a progressive and fully developed country".

Bajwa had served as Commander Southern Command before his retirement from the Army. He remained director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations, the media wing of the military, from 2012 to 2016.

Pakistani media earlier reported that China was not happy with the slow progress in some of the CPEC projects in the country. Moreover, many Chinese nationals working for CPEC projects in Pakistan have been attacked recently. The latest incident happened in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on July 14, killing 13 people, including nine Chinese nationals.

China rushed a special team to Pakistan to probe the blast that hit a bus carrying Chinese engineers and construction workers helping Pakistan build a dam in the province. A joint investigation concluded that it was a terror attack that killed 13 people.

Mansoor, the new chief of the CPEC Authority has more than 32 years of experience in energy and petrochemical sectors in leading roles for mega-size projects' development, execution, management and operations, the Dawn newspaper reported.

The CPEC, which connects Gwadar Port in Pakistan's Balochistan with China's Xinjiang province, is the flagship project of China's ambitious multi-billion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

India has protested to China over the CPEC as it is being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The BRI was launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping when he came to power in 2013. It aims to link Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Gulf region, Africa and Europe with a network of land and sea routes.

The BRI is seen as an attempt by China to further its influence abroad with infrastructure projects funded by Chinese investments all over the world.

The initiative also led to allegations of smaller countries reeling under mounting Chinese debt after Sri Lanka gave its Hambantota port in a debt swap to China in 2017 on a 99-year lease. PTI SH SCY AKJ

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Torkham (Pakistan), Aug 4 (AP) Pakistan's military has said that it has completed 90 per cent 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 Tuesday comes amid increasing violence in neighbouring 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, Colonel Rizwan Nazir, told a group of foreign journalists at the key Torkham border crossing that the remaining 10 per cent 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-metre (6.5 feet) space that has been filled with concertina wire coils. The double fence is about 4 metres (13 feet) high. The military has installed surveillance cameras to check any movement along the border.

Afghanistan has never recognised 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. (AP) MGA MGA

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Pakistan opposition has questioned the Imran Khan-led government over its prominent failure to remove the nation from Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) grey list. As per news agency ANI, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MNA and former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf asked Pakistan Prime Minister Khans government to tell the National Assembly about the only condition which the nation had failed to fulfil to come out of its FATF grey list status. While answering the question, the countrys Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan on August 2 noted that the only condition left to meet for Pakistan is the prosecution of some individuals.

Ali Muhammad Khan said that Pakistan has not been able to come out of the FATF grey list because of political reasons instead of technical grounds. He also added that when Imran Khan had taken a stringent stance of saying no then the nation will have to definitely pay the price [for it]. Reportedly, the question about Pakistans status in the FATF list was originally asked by PPP's Shamim Ara Panhwar and it was deferred by the speaker during the May session.

In the written reply to the question, Pakistans Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin addressed the assembly that the FATF had reviewed the countrys progress on its action plan in its plenary meeting held on February 25. Tarin had reportedly said that Pakistan had undertaken significant work to strengthen its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT) regime and address the strategic counterterrorism financing-related deficiencies.

"This work has been acknowledged by the FATF in its plenary statement by taking note of the significant progress made on the entire action plan and by largely addressing 24 out of the 27 action items in the action plan," the minister said, adding: "As of now, all the 10 action items pertaining to the financial sector and border controls have been addressed."

What all action items have Pakistan met?

With regards to terrorism financing investigations and prosecutions, Tarin said that six of the eight action items had been addressed. Meanwhile, as far as targeted financial sanctions, eight of the nine action items also stood addressed. The minister stated in his reply which had been submitted to the National Assembly Secretariat before the June 21 FATF plenary, Pakistan has also made notable progress in the remaining three action items which also stand partially addressed. The progress on the remaining three action items is well underway with significant progress made so far and it is expected that Pakistan would complete the remaining action plan items by FATF plenary of June 2021 and would become eligible to exit from the grey list in accordance with FATF International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG) procedures.

IMAGE: PTI

(With Agency Inputs)
India on Tuesday stressed that it aims to establish normalisation of ties with neighbouring Pakistan like all its regional allies and partners but in an atmosphere free from violence and terror. In his statement to the UN, India's Permanent Representative to United Nations, TS Tirumurti clarified that while India strives to maintain peaceful bilateral relations, the environment of hostility, terrorism, instability, security issues are fostered by the neighbouring nation which are deeply contradictory interests for the Republic of India.

"Pakistan should take credible and verifiable action not to allow any territory under their control to be used for cross border terrorism against India," India's Permanent Representative to United Nations (UN) Tirumurti said. Furthermore, he asserted, that for the political process of stabilization of ties under a peaceful environment, the Southeast Asian neighbour must have a strong stake in anti-terrorism policies imperative to India.

Issues between two countries should be resolved in an atmosphere free from terror, hostility and violence and the onus is on Pakistan to create such an environment, the Indian diplomat said in his statement obtained by Asian News International. He reiterated, India wants to keep a spotlight on counter-terrorism, indicative that the resolution to the conundrum of thwarted relations is hampered by the two countries conflicting interests.

India assumes UNSC presidency for August

India, earlier on Sunday, assumed the rotational presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the month of August. Pakistans envoy to the UN Munir Akram told a conference that Pak will be "watchful" during New Delhi's spell at the forum as it took over the presidency from France. Pakistan hopes India will abide by relevant rules and norms governing the conduct of Security Council presidency, Foreign Office Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said in his guileful remarks as India prepared to organize at least three high-level meetings focused on maritime security, counter-terrorism and promotion of multilateralism, as per the diplomatic sources.

At the forum, TS Tirumurti expressed gratitude to Frances Permanent Representative to the UN, Nicolas de Riviere, for steering the UN Security Council during the month of July. And now, as India begins its eighth tenure in the UNSC, Tirumurti will schedule a hybrid presser in the UN headquarters on the Council's programme of tasks and responsibilities for the month.
Dhaka, Aug 4 (PTI) At least 16 people were killed and over a dozen injured on Wednesday when lightning struck a wedding party on a boat in northwestern Bangladesh, officials said.

The incident took place at Shibganj sub-district bordering India in Chapainawabganj district. The groom was among the 12 persons injured.

"Several lightning bolts within few seconds hit the boat carrying the wedding party revellers, killing 16 of them instantly," Chief Administrative Officer Sakib Al Rabby told reporters at Shibganj.

The bride was not with the wedding party, he said.

Rabby said the mishap took place as the revellers were disembarking from the boat one by one to take refuge at a shelter due to sudden monsoon rains that brought with it the unexpected thunderbolts.

The bridegroom survived the disaster, but he was injured along with 11 others, the officer said, adding that the wounded are being treated at a government hospital with burn wounds.

Lightning strikes, especially in monsoon season, kill hundreds of people every year in Bangladesh. The country in 2016 declared lightning strikes a natural disaster, though many thunderstorm deaths are never officially recorded.

In 2016, over 200 people, including 82 on a single day, died in the month of May alone due to lightning strikes. Most of them were farmers and died while working in their fields.

Experts attribute the rise in fatal lightning strikes to deforestation. According to them tall trees would have drawn lightning strikes.

The monsoon rains in recent weeks have ravaged southeastern Cox's Bazar, leaving 20 people dead, including six Rohingya refugees. PTI AR SCY SCY

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The Afghanistan forces on August 3 thwarted the Talibans attack on India-built Salma Dam in Herat Province. The Afghan government said that the terror group suffered heavy casualties and fled the area as a result of counter-attacks. While taking to Twitter, Afghan defence ministry spokesperson Fawad Aman said that the insurgent group attempted to attack Salma Dam - popularly known as the India-Afghanistan friendship dam - however, they failed to destroy it.

The Taliban attack on Salma Dam failed!#Terrorist Taliban attacked the #Salma Dam in Herat province to destroy it last night. But, fortunately they have suffered heavy casualties and fled the area as result of counter-attacks of #ANDSF. pic.twitter.com/xDPUDbXc9S  Fawad Aman (@FawadAman2) August 4, 2021

According to ANI, last month too Salma Dam was targeted by the Taliban rockets but the rockets and artillery shells landed close to the dam, which has not been hit. Salma Dam is one of the largest dams in Afghanistan and it provides irrigation water and electricity to thousands of families in the province. It has a water storage capacity of 640 million cubic meters and an irrigation capacity of 2,00,000 acres of farmland from the Chishti Sharif District of Herat to the Zulfiqar area on the Iran Border.

The attack comes amid a time when the Taliban has intensified its attacks on civilians and Afghan forces. Over the last weeks, the insurgent group has captured several districts in Afghanistan including Takhar, the countrys northeastern province. ANI reported that nationwide, the Taliban now controls 223 districts, with 116 contested and the government holding 68. 17 of 34 provincial capitals are directly threatened by the Taliban.

Sudden troop withdrawal is worsening situation

Meanwhile, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani on August 2 said the countrys deteriorating situation in the face of the Taliban's advancements is due to the sudden decision of the United States to withdraw its troops. However, Ghani also added that his government had a plan to bring the situation under control within a period of six months. According to Ghani, the extremist group would not have moved towards peace unless the worsening security situation was curbed.

The Afghan government and the Taliban insurgents started peace talks last year in the Qatari capital of Doha. However, both sides failed to make any significant progress despite a few rounds of talks. At a recent meeting in Doha between both delegations, the sides committed to ramping up the negotiations.

(Image: Twitter/AP)


The Afghan Justice Minister, Fazel Ahmad Manawi, on Monday, has accused the Taliban of war crimes, claiming that the terror group does not follow any international laws or humanitarian values. According to TOLOnews, Manawi said that all crimes against humanity committed by Taliban militants should be investigated at both the national and international levels.

Afghan accuses Taliban of war crimes

Several videos have appeared in recent weeks purporting to show the Taliban carrying out atrocities on civilians and captured Afghan forces. Taliban terrorists were seen in one video executing an Afghan army commander after he was arrested by the terror group. The video depicts the moment when Colonel Abdul Hamid Hamidi, commander of the First Regiment of the Afghan Army's 207 Zafar Corps in Herat, is kidnapped.

According to security officials, the colonel was apprehended with five of his soldiers before being shot and killed. Manawi noted, "What is done by the Taliban is a violation of human rights, a violation of international law and is an international crime and humanitarian crime."

Afghanistan-Taliban violence

According to a watchdog group, the Taliban has committed numerous such war crimes. "Shooting captives is against the law and is a crime under national and international laws as well as under Sharia law," said Mohammad Ayub Yusufzai, a member of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, who spoke during a special session of the Houses of Parliament on Monday, the Taliban have become more brutal in recent years. "Talib attacks are more violent, more bloodthirsty and more oppressive," Ghani said.

In June, the Taliban murdered 23 Afghan special forces unit members in Faryab province after they surrendered to the group. With the total withdrawal of foreign forces only a few weeks away, Afghanistan is experiencing an increase in bloodshed as the Taliban intensifies its onslaught against Afghan forces and civilians. The Taliban have taken control of many districts in Afghanistan in recent weeks, including Takhar in the country's northeastern region.

The US and the UK have also accused the Taliban of 'war crimes' in Kandahar province's southern town of Spin Boldak, stating that dozens of civilians were 'massacred.'

(with inputs from ANI)

(Image Credit: PTI/ANI)
With the spread of the Delta COVID-19 variant, Nepal has once again reopened the temporary shelters for patients. The increasing number of COVID cases in Nepal has forced the hospital management to establish an extension of the COVID ward outside the hospital premises. The sudden rise in COVID cases has escalated fear among citizens and hospitals. With the looming threat of the third wave, hospital management has started preparing for the worst.

The director of Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital in the capital Kathmandu, Dr. Anup Bastola told ANI, "With the ease of prohibitory orders, people have continued to flout safety measures. Upon being so, the number of cases is soaring high; the previous order has played an important role in flattening the curve and now it is gradually surging up the graph. Eventually, the number of patients in the hospital is constantly rising along with the number of infections".

Hospital conditions in Nepal

As of August 4, 2021, out of 100 beds, 35 are occupied by fresh COVID cases at Sukraraj Tropical hospital. Meanwhile, out of 28 ICU beds, 22 are filled with severe COVID casessimilar is the scenario at other hospitals in the city. Teaching hospitals are also witnessing huge COVID patient admissions. As many as 95 beds have been occupied out of 145 general beds, along with 11 ICU beds are filled out of 35 ICU beds, and out of 33, a total of 18 ventilator services are engaged with patients.

The Patan Hospital and Armed Police Force (APF) Hospital are also witnessing a similar situation. All the beds are being occupied by COVID patients and the hospital management is getting exhausted.

COVID situation in Nepal

Nepal is one of the worst-hit COVID-19 countries. The country is witnessing a steep hike in COVID cases, but this time it is more dangerous. As per the official data, since 2020, out of 36,33,118 tests, around 7,09,027 people have been found to have the SARS-CoV2 virus in their bodies.

A day ago, the Himalayan nation reported 2448 fresh infection cases, with 1994 recoveries followed by 24 deaths. In the last week, the country has reported the highest number of COVID cases after the devastating second wave. According to experts, the Delta variant of COVID-19 is believed to be highly contagious and is consistently spreading across the community.

Doctor's take on Nepal's current situation

Dr Bastola explained and warned about the danger of the third wave. He said, "Highly contagious, the Delta variant of the virus invited the second wave. It brought the second wave of infection to Nepal. Prohibitory orders imposed at that time flattened the curve, but the virus is still spreading inside the community and, with the relaxation, people are rushing out of their homes, which has further increased infection. We are on the verge of intensifying cases of infection. A highly contagious virus is breeding amongst us. If we fail to adopt proper measures and follow rules, then it would invite a catastrophe".

Many countries have reported highly infectious Delta variant cases in their countries. Earlier, on July 27, Nepal confirmed the presence of a new mutation of the Delta variant, known as the Kappa variant (B.1.617.1). It also reported the presence of an Alpha (B.1.617.1) variant, and cases of Delta (B.1.617.2) were also reported.

Lockdown extended in Nepal till August 11

In order to curtail the spread of the deadly virus, a joint meeting of three district heads, including Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur, decided that restrictions in these districts will continue till August 11. Meanwhile, the administration has also urged people not to crowd and follow the COVID protocols and avoid gatherings.

(With Some ANI inputs)
STORY: Afghanistan Fighting - Fighting continues in Herat, Helmand main cities

LENGTH: 02:45

FIRST RUN: 1522

RESTRICTIONS:

TYPE: Dari/Pashto/Natsound

SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS/HELMAND PROVINCIAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT MEDIA OFFICE HANDOUT

STORY NUMBER: 4338222

DATELINE: 4 August 2021 - Herat/Lashkar Gah

SHOTLIST:

RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Outskirts of Herat city, Herat province - 4 August 2021

1. Afghan security forces firing on Taliban positions, AUDIO of gunfire

2. Afghan security forces vehicles driving towards Taliban positions, UPSOUND of gunfire

3. Afghan security forces firing on Taliban positions

4. Afghan security forces, AUDIO of gunfire

5. Empty street, UPSOUND of gunfire

6. SOUNDBITE (Dari) Dr. Mohammad Aref Jalali, Herat provincial hospital chief physician:

"As a result of the recent situation and the fighting around the Herat city, we have registered 231 wounded victims, which include 151 civilian victims. Some of the victims have been discharged after receiving treatment, but a number of them are still hospitalised in our hospital. In total, we registered 34 deaths, of which 13 are civilians."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lashkar Gah, Helmand province - 4 August 2021

7. Vehicle driving in Lashkar Gah city

8. Abandoned house, UPSOUND of gunfire

9. Various of locked gate, UPSOUND of gunfire

10. Abandoned houses, UPSOUND of gunfire

HELMAND PROVINCIAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT MEDIA OFFICE HANDOUT

Lashkar Gah, Helmand province - 4 August 2021

++VERTICAL MOBILE PHONE FOOTAGE++

11. SOUNDBITE (Pashto) Dr. Shir Ali Shakir, Helmand provincial health department director:

"Since the last couple of days of fighting, many wounded victims who have been brought to Bost Hospital and the emergency department have been wounded by stray bullets. Therefore, we ask people to stay at home, so they can stay safe. It will be a huge help for us if they safeguard themselves, and make sure they don't get injured by stray bullets."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lashkar Gah, Helmand province - 4 August 2021

12. Pan from abandoned houses to sky

13. Trees, UPSOUND of gunfire

STORYLINE:

Fighting in Afghanistan western and southern provinces continued Wednesday as the Taliban were trying to tighten their grips on major cities.

U.S. and Afghan airstrikes hit Taliban targets overnight in southern Helmand province in an effort to dislodge the insurgents after they captured much of the provincial capital of Lashkar Gah, officials said.

The United Nations and Human Rights Watch asked both sides to take care to prevent civilian casualties as the fighting rages on.

The Taliban have waged a fierce push over the past months as U.S. and NATO forces complete their pullout from the war-torn country.

They have taken large swaths of land and have now turned their guns on larger urban centers.

After a night of heavy airstrikes, the Defense Ministry said Wednesday that the Taliban have suffered heavy losses in Lashkar Gah, though there was no immediate way to confirm that statement.

A Taliban spokesman denied the losses.

Afghan authorities did not say whether Afghan forces have retaken back territory.

On Tuesday, residents and officials had said the Taliban control nine out of 10 districts in the city.

The fall of Lashkar Gah would be a major turning point in the Taliban offensive and it would also be the first provincial capital to be captured by the insurgents in several years.

The fighting this week has kept residents of Lashkar Gah trapped and hunkered down inside their homes.

The province's hospital chief, Sher Ali Shakir, urged people to remain in their houses on Wednesday, saying that in past 24 hours at least seven civilians were killed and 101 were wounded.

Most of the injuries were bullet wounds, he said.

Lashkar Gah is one of three provincial capitals under siege by the Taliban as they stepped up their onslaught against government forces.

The push on the cities came after the Taliban swept through dozens of districts across the country, many in remote and rural, sparsely populated areas.

Along with Lashkar Gah, the provincial capitals of Herat, in western Herat province, and Kandahar, in southern Kandahar province have also been under Taliban attack.

The fighting in Herat in the last week has has killed 34 people and wounded more than 150, said physician Mohammad Aref Jalali, the provincial hospital chief in Herat.

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The atomic bomb 'Little Boy' detonated on Hiroshima, Japan killed nearly 80,000 instantly, this marked the first use of atomic weapons in war. Tens and thousands later succumbed to nuclear radiation poisoning. On August 6, 1945, the United States of America, under the authorization of President Harry Truman, dropped the nuclear bomb to not just enforce Japan to stop the war but to cripple the Japanese ability to fight future wars. Following this, on August 10, 1945, the US used another B-29 bomber to blow up Nagasaki that killed another 40,000 people. The aftermath of the bombings forced Japan to surrender.

Hiroshima was the primary target of the Allies after the Axis superpower, Germany surrendered in May 1945. After Germany admitted to the peace treaty the war in Europe came to end. This shifted the focus of the Axis powers to the Pacific War. The Allies consisted of the US, Britain, France, USSR, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Greece, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, South Africa, Yugoslavia, while the Axis powers consisted of Germany, Italy, Japan, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria.

Emperor Hirohito described the devastating bomb as "a new and most cruel" bomb. On 12 August, tempted informed the period family of his decision to surrender. The Japanese government agreed to the Allied surrender terms on August 15, which officially ended the war between Japan and the US. The blasts killed nearly 39 per cent of the population. Those who survived had suffered from acute radiation syndrome (ARS) within 20-30 days of the attack. People were left vulnerable to radiation-induced cancer which peaked from the 3rd year of the blast.

Even after 75years, the pictures from the bombed sites set a chill in the spine and reminds the need for peace politics. Hiroshima Day is observed every year in Japan in memory of all the people who lost their lives on August 6, 1945.

Japan detected the bombers ahead of the blast

American B-29 Enola Gay was accompanied by two other B-29s, The Great Artiste, and Necessary Evil (the photography aircraft). The flights took from the Tinian base for their rendezvous. During the night of 5-6 August, Japanese early warning radar detected the approach of numerous American aircraft headed for the southern part of Japan. About 65 bombers headed for Saga, 102 bound for Maebashi and 261 en route to Nishinomiya, 111 headed for Ube and 66 bound for Imabari. An alert was given and radio broadcasting stopped in many cities, among them Hiroshima.

As per reports, sirens blew to alert the city about the nearing dangers. However, as the bombers flew past, an "all-clear" sounded over Hiroshima again. It was then, the 'Little Boy' was released from the aircraft. It took about 44.4 seconds to detonate. The 64kg of uranium-235 blasted at a height of 580 meters above the city.

How nuclear weapons changed the warfare

The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki revolutionised warfare by killing masses in a single strike. The manufacturing of atomic bombs has induced a major change in military, political and public functionality in the world today. The destructive potential of a nuclear weapon has created a global sweeper fear as to what might happen if the steerable forces were unleashed again. Undeniably, the technological development since the first atomic bombs has potentially grown 40 times more, which has spurred fear of nuclear attack from major world powers.

Nuclear Disarmament, still a pending plan

According to United Nations (UN), a nuclear-weapons-free world will be a long and bumpy ride. "Sixty-four years ago the world was free of nuclear weapons, but after the production of some 140,000 of these artefacts of mass destruction, there seems to be a significant shift in the role some Governments have assigned to them. They are no longer generally considered to be the best means to ensure national security," it said in its statement. It also asserted that "deterrence and mutually-assured destruction" have become outdated concepts. Ex-US President Obama had made a bold proposal for the elimination of nuclear weapons. If nothing else, he had put nuclear disarmament on the international agenda. However, as the UN concludes, it will take an "enlightened leadership" to lead into the nuke-free world.

(With inputs from ANI and UN website)
The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, perched atop Perus Andes Mountains, is several decades older than previously thought, according to a new study published in Antiquities. Historians believe that the fortress was built in the 15th century by emperor Pachacuti, whose reign is believed to have commenced in 1438. However, the new study asserts that the rule of the Incan king began prior to the aforementioned year and so did the inhabitation of the widely popular citadel.

The discovery was made by a team of researchers affiliated with Yale University, who radiocarbon-dated the human remains found at the fortress. According to CNN, the team used the method of Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS), which can set the chronology even with small amounts of organic material found. For this purpose, the team used 26 individuals from cemeteries at Machu Picchu that were recovered from the site during excavations in 1912. In addendum, they also used ceramic, bronze and silver shawls.

2 decades prior to believed

Led by Richard Burger, the historians found that emperor Pachacuti rose to power earlier than expected, that is before the believed year of 1440 or 1450. This directly implies that the citadel was inhabited more than two decades prior to what is generally believed. "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," Burger said in the news release.

"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.

The citadel, a major source of revenue for the Latin American country, was severely hit by the coronavirus pandemic. The countrys government tried to revive tourism by announcing a plan to offer free tickets to natural resources and archaeological sites to children, public sector employees and the elderly. Throughout, the pandemic, Peru, the second-worst COVID-19 hit nation in Latin America has seen a decline in the tourism industry which employs nearly 10,000 people.

Image: AP
In a major allegation, Afghanistan Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar on Tuesday said that the Taliban colluded with regional terrorists from Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and other Pakistan-based terror groups to carry out attacks in Afghanistan. The Foreign Minister was speaking at a meeting with ambassadors and representatives of neighbouring countries. The representatives of regional countries and the United Nations in return expressed their support for an immediate cessation of violence and strengthening the peace process.

With LeT, Foreign Minister Atmar named several other terrorist organizations and claimed that the Taliban is backed by these groups.

"Minister Atmar noted that the Taliban attacks were carried out in direct collusion with more than 10,000 regional terrorists from Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Ansarullah, Jundallah, al-Qaeda, East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU)," Afghan Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Atmar further provided data on the amount of destruction that Afghanistan went through- a massacre of more than 100 people in Spin Boldak, forced marriages, destruction of more than 300 public infrastructures, suspension of services in Taliban-controlled areas, killing of more than 3,000 people, displacement of more than 300,000, and disruption order and provision of services in half of the country's districts. Currently, 18 million people face dire humanitarian situations.

Attack on Herat and the UNAMA office

While specifically mentioning the attack on Herat and the UNAMA office, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan Deborah Lyons said that the Afghanistan situation requires utmost attention as the Taliban's actions do not reflect commitments. On July 31, Taliban terrorists had launched an attack on the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) office at Guzara district in Herat province, a day after they propelled a major offensive attack at the same facility. Recently, Afghan Vice President Amrullah Saleh had said that the terrorist outfit has 'no intention to engage in meaningful negotiations'.

In his concluding remarks, Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar put forward necessary information on six main subjects:

The security situation

The presence of foreign fighters alongside the Taliban

The dire humanitarian condition

The Taliban's widespread crimes and human rights violations

The government's new security plan

Main areas of cooperation with the international community

(Inputs from ANI)
The Taliban on August 4 claimed responsibility for an attack on the acting Afghan defence minister and said that the assault was in retaliation for escalating government attacks on Taliban fighters. According to the Washington Post, acting defence minister Bismillah Khan Mohammadi survived Tuesdays attack unharmed as he was not present at the guesthouse when the assault took place.

Hours after the car bomb attack, Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid said that the suicide attack was in reaction to the actions of the Kabul regime and those ordering attacks against innocent people, and bombings of civilian populations.

Fighting between the Taliban and the Afghan forces has intensified in recent weeks as the Afghan military has attempted to retake territory after Taliban advances. ANI reported that nationwide, the Taliban now controls 223 districts, with 116 contested and the government holding 68. 17 of 34 provincial capitals are directly threatened by the Taliban.

As per reports, following the massive blast that rocked Kabul, blasts, explosions and gunfights also rocked the capital of Afghanistan in some of the most intense fightings in months. Afghans interior ministry said that at least eight civilians were killed and 20 were wounded. On Wednesday morning, another explosion took place near a facility of Afghanistan's main security agency in the capital, wounding two civilians and a security official, police said.

Afghan forces stop Taliban attack on Salma Dam

The same day, the Afghan forces, on the other hand, thwarted the Talibans attack on India-built Salma Dam in Herat Province. The Afghan government said that the terror group suffered heavy casualties and fled the area as a result of counter-attacks. While taking to Twitter, Afghan defence ministry spokesperson Fawad Aman said that the insurgent group attempted to attack on Salma Dam - popularly known as the India-Afghanistan friendship dam - however, they failed to destroy it.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani on August 2 said the countrys deteriorating situation in the face of the Taliban's advancements is due to the sudden decision of the United States to withdraw its troops. However, Ghani also added that his government had a plan to bring the situation under control within a period of six months. According to Ghani, the extremist group would not have moved towards peace unless the worsening security situation was curbed.

(Image: Twitter/AP/Unsplash)


In an effort to outdo its reliance on the United States and China for trade and commerce, Thailand is looking to boost up investments with the European Union, the Southeast Asian nations fourth-largest trading partner. To revive trade with the EU and strengthen the economic relations, Thailand is expected to strike a free trade agreement with the European Union in the coming days, economists told the European press. Furthermore, they stated, that the European investors are a key player and have a humongous role in enhancing the Thai economy especially around the time of the novel coronavirus when Thailand is striving towards trade recovery.

Thailand's Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit also met Pirkka Tapiola, the EU ambassador to Thailand last month to discuss a joint understanding which will serve as the framework for the FTA talks. "The government and the Commerce Ministry are serious to pursue FTA talks with the EU, while the EU itself aims that Thailand should be the third country in ASEAN the bloc will sign the pact with after Vietnam and Singapore," Jurin had told the press. Auramon Supthaweethum, director-general of the Trade Negotiations Department for Thailand explained that the joint understanding document covers various areas in commerce such as the trade in goods, trade in services, and investments, intellectual property, government procurement, and e-commerce.

European Union investment accounted for 8.2 percent of all overseas investment in Thailand, EU reports, adding that the US accounts for just 3.8 percent while Chinas trade investments stand at 15.4 percent.

Trade between the EU and Thailand is estimated to be valued at 38 billion euros ($42 billion) annually. In 2020, due to the pandemic, the bilateral trade was worth close to 29 billion ($35 billion) despite the lockdowns and businesses majorly shuttered. The bloc and Thailand have been working towards appropriate steps towards broadening the trade engagement by signing a Partnership and Co-operation Agreement (PCA).

Southeast Asias second-largest economy plans resumption of negotiations on its ambitious and comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union. "There are signs that things are picking up again between the two as both look for opportunities to increase trade and investment in an effort to diversify from over-reliance on China as a market," Trinh Nguyen, a senior economist for the Asia-Pacific region at Natixis Investment Managers told European broadcaster DW. The southeast Asian nation has been trading an estimated 22.9 billion worth of goods and services to the EU, which also includes transport equipment and machinery, according to reports. Amid the US-China strategic rivalry, Thailand has been boosting investments in the EU while the EU's total investment stock in Thailand was worth 19.6 billion by 2019, as per a European Commission report.

Thai-EU trade pact to be tabled in cabinet in September

On July 17, Thai Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit once again proposed the framework for a free trade agreement. The Thai-EU trade pact is due to be tabled before the cabinet in September. The negotiations for the FTA began in March 2013 but have since been stalled after the 2014 military coup in Bangkok. In 2020, both the EU and Thailand announced that they would be moving the talks forward as the bloc ratified free trade deal with Singapore and Vietnam. Director-general of Thailand's Trade Negotiations Department, Auramon Supthaweethum stated that the EU expects to begin talks with the Thai counterparts this year and the deal shall be finalized within two or three years.
In a phone call made to Ashraf Ghani on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated the strong and enduring US commitment to Afghanistan, agreeing that on the need to accelerate the Afghan peace talks. Blinken condemned the ongoing violence and attacks by the Taliban, as he said that there was a dire need to achieve a political settlement that is inclusive, respects the rights of all Afghans, including women and minorities, allows the Afghan people to have a say in choosing their leaders. Blinken stressed that the Afghan soil must not be used to threaten the United States and its allies and partners.

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. Secretary Blinken and President Ghani pledged to remain in close contact going forward, the US State Department said in a release.

Spoke with @ashrafghani today 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.  Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) August 3, 2021

In his previous telephonic conversation, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had expressed his deepest condolences to the families of those lost in recent violence in Afghanistan. He conveyed Americas steadfast support for the US-Afghan partnership, as well as for Afghanistans security forces. The two discussed the importance of national unity in Afghanistan as well as regional efforts to advance the peace process negotiations.

Deadlocked negotiations in Doha

Meanwhile, the Taliban and the Kabul government fell apart in the US mediated peace talks as the insurgents demanded "the lion's share of power" in Afghanistans new government, the special US envoy reportedly said on Tuesday. Taliban has advanced towards the urban cities and the provincial capitals after claiming that it has captured approximately 90 percent of Afghanistans key border crossings by defeating Afghan security forces and uprooting thousands of civilians.

The deadlocked negotiations in Doha prompted the telephone call on Tuesday between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. Blinken and Ghani "condemned the ongoing Taliban attacks and displacement of the civilian population," State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.
Even though UK and China had reached an agreement in 2015 to allow Beijing to take an ownership stake in its newest nuclear power plans, now London is reportedly having second thoughts over it. As per news agency ANI, Britain is rethinking its signed deal with China because of financing and security issues that are clouding the new power station projects. The financing for the planned power station facing the North Sea is estimated at 20 billion pounds (USD 28 billion) which is essential to ensure a continuous stream of electricity for several decades. However, this financing is reportedly unexpectedly in doubt due to attracting investors to a project one-fifth owned by China.

While writing in The New York Times, Stanley Reed said that Chinese President Xi Jinpings authoritarian goals and the record of human rights has tensed the relations with Western nations. According to Reed, this has further prompted the governments to reconsider the economic dealings with China on a broader level. With the UK-China 2015 agreement, China was allowed to be the majority owner of the proposed plant of its own design at a site around 50 miles from London. Even though that project is ongoing via regulatory channels, it is reportedly destined to face opposition from British lawmakers.

"We cannot allow the technological heart of our power system to be exposed to the risk of disruption by states that do not share our values," said Tom Tugendhat, a member of the Conservative Party, led by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and chairman of the foreign affairs committee in Parliament, as per ANI. China reportedly aims to be a global supplier of nuclear power plants. However, Reed noted that the UK is not the only nation reconsidering an agreement.

"Within Europe, there is an emerging pattern of nations rethinking nuclear collaboration with China," said Ted Jones, Senior Director at the Nuclear Energy Institute, an industry group in Washington. Jones also noted that the recent setbacks that China's nuclear plant business has suffered were in Romania and the Czech Republic among other nations. Even the evidence of the risk involved was hidden in financial results published on August 4 by Electricite de France (EDF), a French utility company that owns and operates Britain's eight operating nuclear power stations.

EDF urged UK govt to pass legislation

As per the NYT report, EDF is reportedly halfway through building Britains first new station since the 1990s at Hinkley Point in southwest England, a project one-third owned by China General Nuclear, China's state-owned nuclear company. The French utility company said in its quarterly results that the UK government should pass legislation that would enable the country a fresh, less financially risky and regulatory arrangement. EDF urged the UK to do the same before embarking on the North Sea project, near a fishing village called Sizewell.

IMAGE: AP
Amid a rapid spread of COVID-19 cases due to the Delta variant, US President Joe Biden on August 3 urged Republican leaders in Florida and Texas - hub of new cases - to follow public health guidelines on the pandemic or get out of the way. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has opposed strict COVID-19 restrictions and even issued an order blocking mask mandate in the states schools. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, on the other hand, issued an order last spring that would impose fines for mask mandates.

On Tuesday, without referring to the two men by name, Biden said, Some governors aren't willing to do the right thing to beat this pandemic, and they should allow businesses and universities who want to do the right thing to be able to do it.

"I say to these governors ... if you're not going to help, at least get out of the way, the US President added.

When asked if DeSantis and Abbott were making calls that harmed their citizens, Biden said, I believe the results of their decisions are not good for their constituents. It is worth mentioning that earlier this week, White House pandemic response coordinator Jeff Zients had told reporters that one in three new coronavirus cases nationwide occurred in Florida and Texas in the past week. Separately, White House spokeswomen Jen Psaki said that the Biden administration was in discussions with both states about offering help to address the problem.

US to continue to give millions of doses away

Meanwhile, during the same press conference, Biden also said that the US donation of vaccines outstripped efforts by other countries. He said the United States would continue to give tens of millions of doses away across the summer. Biden added, And we're trying toby the way, it's free. We're not charging anybody anything. And we're trying to do as much as we possibly can.

According to a press release, the US President went on to say that during his trip to Europe in June, he had announced that the US would purchase a ground-breaking 500 million doses of Pfizer and donate to nearly a hundred low-and middle-income countries that don't have the vaccine. Those doses will start to ship at the end of this month, he said. Biden also said that the US announced to donate 80 million doses of its own vaccine to supply across the globe and it has already begun. He added that Washington has shipped over 110 million doses of its vaccines to 65 countries, which are among the hardest-hit in the world.

(Image: AP/Unsplash)
The United States has returned more than 17,000 ancient artefacts looted and smuggled out of Iraq during the 2003 US invasion of Iraq. After the Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi visited Washington last week to advance bilateral cooperation under the Strategic Framework Agreement, upon his return, his aircraft was loaded with several archaeological artefacts which were returned by the prominent US museums and Ivy League universities to Iraqs Culture Ministry under two countries largest repatriation agreement.

In a statement on Tuesday, Iraqi culture and foreign ministries said that the US authorities agreed to return the antique cultural items and artefacts to the government in Baghdad that was apparently handed over by the US dealers and museums This included 3,500-year-old clay tablet bearing part of the Epic of Gilgamesh, thousands of clay tablets and seals  pieces from Mesopotamia, worlds earliest civilizations site in Iraq, and many other significant cultural pieces.

[Credit: AP]

This is not just about thousands of tablets coming back to Iraq again  it is about the Iraqi people, Hassan Nadhem, the Iraqi minister of culture, tourism, and antiquities, said in an interview with the NY Times. It restores not just the tablets, but the confidence of the Iraqi people by enhancing and supporting the Iraqi identity in these difficult times, he added, according to the newspaper.

US Art dealer fined $3 million, artefacts repatriated

Museum of the Bible, a four-year-old Washington museum had stored about 12,000 Iraqi cultural items and artefacts from ancient Mesopotamia. Tens of thousands of artefacts were looted from Iraq after the 2003 US invasion that had overthrown the regime of Saddam Hussein. Many were demolished by the ISIL (ISIS) terror group, which was later defeated by the United States and Iraqi forces. One of the worlds finest pieces of literature, the ancient Sumerian tale is known as the Epic of Gilgamesh was auctioned to an art dealer in the US state of Oklahoma after it was plundered in Iraq. Some of the dealers were fined by the US Department of Justice such as Hobby Lobby which was fined $3 million for mishandling more than 5,000 artefacts acquired during the Iraq invasion. Most of them were packed among the repatriation objects returned to Iraq last week.

[Credit: AP]
The United States Vice President Kamala Harris is set to kickstart her Asia tour by travelling to Singapore and Vietnam later this month with the aim to build the message that American is back. As per the CNN report, while Harris visit would be the highest-ranking official from US President Joe Biden administration to visit Asia so far, her office said in a statement, Her trip will build on the Biden-Harris Administration's message to the world: America is back.

The statement reportedly continued, "Our Administration sees Asia as a critically important region in the world. The Vice President's visit will emphasize the importance of comprehensive engagement and strategic partnerships - key components of our Administration's approach to foreign policy." Additionally, during the meetings among the government officials, the private sector as well as civil society leaders, the US Vice President will be sharing the Biden administrations hope for a free and open Indo-Pacific. Other exchanges of ideas would include an increase in trade, security issues and the South China Sea.

US VP Kamala Harris would travel from August 20 to August 26 and reportedly her spokesperson Symone Sanders said in a statement announcing the trip that she would engage the leaders of both governments on issues of mutual interest. Sanders also noted that the regional security, COVID-19 pandemic and climate crisis would be some of the areas of discussion.

Harris to become first-ever US VP to visit Vietnam

With the upcoming trip, Harris would become the first-ever US Vice President to visit Vietnam, as per Sanders, and more broadly, it will also be her first trip to the region as VP and only the second international trip since taking over the office in January. Harris visited Guatemala and Mexico in early June in line with the Biden administrations measures to tackle the issue of migration. US President Joe Biden, however, is yet to travel to the region since acquiring the office but the White House has reportedly underscored the importance of Americas ties in the region. The first two world leaders to visit the White House in person include Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

IMAGE: AP


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China also has been building a new pier at its first naval base at the Red Sea port of Djibouti that will be capable of supporting aircraft carriers.

China's first domestically manufactured aircraft carrier, known as "Type 001A", during its first sea trial at sea., in an undated photo released May 18, 2018

China has been building its third aircraft carrier, a vessel that appears to be larger than the countrys older two aircraft carriers.

This is based on photos of the new carrier, which is currently under construction at shipyard on an island located to the northeast of Shanghai.

The carrier looks ready to launch soon, according to The Economist magazine.

The magazine also reports that China also has been building a new pier at its first naval base at the Red Sea port of Djibouti. The pier will be capable of supporting aircraft carriers.

Chinas first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, was constructed from an aircraft carrier hull that was towed from Ukraine to China in 2001.

After years of refits, the Liaoning was turned into a training ship in September, 2012, according to the website ChinaPower.

Andrew Erickson, a U.S.-based expert on naval affairs, said that for some, the Liaoning was a symbol of Chinas global power.

For others, Erickson said, it represented a significant step forward toward a more muscular and assertive Chinese navy.

China second aircraft carrier was launched on April 26, 2017.

People's Liberation Army Navy sailors working on board China's first domestically manufactured aircraft carrier, during its first trial at sea, which began on May 13, 2018. Credit: AFP Djibouti in focus

Launching a new carrier is no simple task, according to Joseph S. Bermudez, Jr., a senior fellow for imagery analysis at the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

From an imagery analysis standpoint, the latest imagery of the Type 003 carrier at the Jiangnan Shipyard shows that a significant amount of work still remains to be accomplished, Bermudez said in an email message.

"For one thing, the engines need to be installed, Bermudez said. Even if launched tomorrow, this would not obviate the need for manufacturers acceptance trials, Navy acceptance trials, Navy shakedown cruises, and the training of new crew before the vessel becomes truly operational.

Referring to the Chinese naval base in Djibouti, the U.S. Army Commander for Africa, Gen. Stephen Townsend, told the U.S. House Armed Services Committee recently that the Chinese Army was expanding its existing naval installation adjacent to a Chinese-owned commercial deep-water port and also seeking other military basing options elsewhere in Africa.

Their first overseas military base, their only one, is in Africa, and they have just expanded that by adding a significant pier that can  support their aircraft carriers in the future. Around the continent they are looking for other basing opportunities, Townsend told the committee.

The base, formally opened in 2017, was developed to support the Chinese anti-piracy mission off the coast of Somalia in the Gulf of Aden but has expanded to include capabilities to serve as a logistical resupply hub for its ships.

The base was opened in 2017 but most of its piers are still under construction.

China has planned to have nine piers at this base with four dedicated to its Navy, the publication India Today reported recently.

The pier whose construction began in 2018 has now been completed with rails for heavy duty cranes on both sides, said India Today.

US submarines

A report published in May by the U.S. Naval Institute (USNI) from the contributor H.I. Sutton said that the new 1,120-foot pier was just long enough to accommodate Chinas new aircraft carriers, assault carriers or other large warships. It could easily accommodate four of Chinas nuclear-powered attack submarines if required.

The base is near the Bab el Mandeb, the entrance to the Red Sea from the Gulf of Aden and a major chokepoint for maritime traffic traveling toward the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea.

The United States and France also have installations in the vicinity of the Chinese base. The U.S. Camp Lemonnier is an easy drive from the expanding Chinese base located near Djibouti.

And U.S. troops have complained of harassment from the Chinese, including lasers directed at U.S. aircraft.

Townsend told the committee the Chinese were looking at other places across Africa with the intent to establish naval bases and air bases.

While the base in Djibouti is one the most obvious sign of Chinese expansion on the continent, Townsend said that Beijing was growing its presence in Africa through civilian channels.

China is of great concern. They are literally everywhere on the continent. They are placing a lot of bets down. They are spending a lot of money, he said.

They built a lot of critical infrastructure.

But if it ever came to a conflict between China and the United States, which doesnt seem likely at this point, the U.S. has submarines available that are capable of countering aircraft carriers.

The USS Ronald Reagan, a Japan-based U.S. aircraft carrier, has moved from the Pacific to the Middle East to support the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.

It joins another carrier, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, which has been the region since early April.

Dan Southerland is RFA's founding Executive Editor.
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen speaks during a groundbreaking ceremony of the Project for Flood Protection, donated by Japan, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, March 4, 2019.

Former officials of Cambodias banned opposition party have returned to political life, forming new parties that they say will help restore democracy to the country, but analysts told RFA that the new parties play into Prime Minister Hun Sens hand by dividing opponents to his 36-year hold on power.

As of the beginning of this month, six political parties have been formed by former officials of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), the party that was banned in 2017. The new party leaders had to ask Hun Sen to have their political rights reinstated to lift a ban from political life for five years that accompanied the court-ordered dissolution of the party.

Yem Ponharith told RFAs Khmer Service that he established the Kampuchea Niyum Party to restore democracy in Cambodia by serving as a counterweight to Hun Sens ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP).

"Everything has a starting point. We have been organizing activists who have been involved in the struggle for so long because they love democracy and freedom and want social justice, he said.

Respect for human rights at the grassroots level requires mobilization and resilience. We must not leave the basic democratic space empty," Yem Ponharith said.

Some of these parties have already met all the criteria of the Ministry of Interior to register, while others are still in the process. The country of 16 million holds local elections in 2022 and a parliamentary vote the following year.

Though he has approved a return to political life for the leaders of the new parties, Prime Minister Hun Sen announced August 1 that any opposition party official who upset him would not be eligible for political rights.

Even if the Minister of the Interior says he has never done anything wrong, if we predict he will come to destroy us, I will not give the right to do politics to him, Hun Sen said.

If I do not sign the sub-decree to be submitted to the King for his signature, the King cannot sign the sub decree to grant the right to politics, he said.

Hun Sen has so far refused to restore the political rights of Chou Chou Ngy and Nhim Kim Nhol, who were members of the board of directors of the CNRP.

Political analysts told RFAs Khmer Service that the several new parties will only help the CPP will continue to dominate the political arena through a divide-and-conquer strategy, and help Hun Sen continue to hold on to power.

If the CNRP still faces divisions, it will be a driving force for the ruling party to stop worrying about the oppositions popularity or ability to seize power in the future, Em Sovannara, a political science professor, told RFA.

He said that the organization into new political parties not only reduces the CNRPs influence, it also affirms that the dissolution of the CNRP was legitimate.

Former CNRP officials joining the new parties weakens unity in the CNRP, and is therefore the same as joining the ruling party, according to Kien Ponlok, Secretary-General of the Federation of Cambodian Intellectual Students.

"The formation of these new political parties, I think, has to do more with individual interests than the common interest, Kien Ponlok said.

Its going along with the political trap of splitting the CNRP. It is also a deception to show the international community that Cambodia has many parties participating in the election, but in reality it is just fake democracy, he said.

In addition to Yem Ponhariths Kampuchea Niyum Party, the new parties so far are the Khmer Will Party, led by Kong Koam; the Khmer Love Nation Party, led by Chiv Kata; the Khmer Conservative Party, led by Riel Khemrin; the Kampuchea Reform Party headed by Pol Horm and Ou Chanrath; and the National Heart Party, founded by Siam Phluk.

Sok Eysan, a senior CPP official and spokesman, denied speculation that the CPP engineered these new parties to divide the opposition, but acknowledged that

no party wants its opponent party to be strong.

The CPPs recognition of the new parties by former senior CNRP officials is proof that Cambodia has a healthy political system, he suggested.

Em Sovannara said that the denial of political rights to certain opposition party officials may be due to Hun Sens fears that the new political parties and the CNRP could form an alliance with each other.

Political observers say key to their success would be a declaration of support from the CNRPs leaders, Kem Sokha and Sam Rainsy. Without an endorsement from them, the people might not be so keen to support the smaller parties.

Kem Sokha is in political limbo awaiting trial on unsubstantiated treason charges, while the partys other leader, Sam Rainsy, lives in exile in France and was sentenced in absentia in March to 25 years for attempting to overthrow the government.

Cambodias Supreme Court dissolved the CNRP two months after Kem Sokhas arrest in 2017, marking the beginning of a wider crackdown by Hun Sen on the political opposition, NGOs, and the independent media that paved the way for the CPP to win all 125 seats in parliament in the countrys July 2018 general election.

CNRP Vice President Eng Chai Eang told RFA that the new political parties would not affect the popularity of the CNRP, nor would they stop the CNRP from continuing its struggle to restore democracy in Cambodia.

If the new parties want to continue to strengthen democracy, they must have the courage to advocate for the people and the bravery to stand up to dictatorship, Eng Chai Eang said.

If they do this, then I hope the people will have some understanding. But if they are there just to be quiet, creating the new parties just to legitimize Mr. Hun Sen, what they will get from the people is their condemnation, he said.

Reported by RFAs Khmer Service. Translated by Sok Ry Sum. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
Zhou Weilin is jailed for three years and six months over his collaboration with an overseas rights website.

Chinese rights activist and citizen journalist Zhou Weilin is shown in an undated photo.

Authorities in the eastern Chinese province of Anhui have jailed a rights activist and citizen journalist for three-and-a-half years on public order charges for getting overseas funding and providing information to human rights groups.

Zhou Weilin was found guilty of "picking quarrels and stirring up trouble," a charge often used to target peaceful critics of the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP), by the Feidong County People's Court following a secret trial in November 2020.

Lawyer Liang Xiaojun said the case was related to overseas funding, as well as his reports to the rights website Weiquanwang.

"He posted on Twitter, and he also wrote reports for Weiquanwang on topics relating to local petitioners," Liang told RFA.

According to the judgment, Zhou had "repeatedly submitted posts and articles to overseas social media platforms and websites ... fabricating stories and making false statements with the help of overseas funds."

"[He also] maligned China's judicial system and damaged the country's international image, causing serious social disturbance and making trouble," it said.

A person familiar with the case told RFA that Zhou's trial had been conducted by video call.

"The trial wasn't public, and he remained in the detention center and attended the trial remotely using video," the person said. "Nobody was allowed into the court, and the whole thing was locked down."

They added that Zhou was innocent and would likely appeal.

Liang said Zhou had been very open about his activities online.

"Weiquanwang has a lot of informants, but he made it very clear on his Twitter account that he was Zhou Weilin, and that he was an informant for an overseas website," Liang said. "He also made it very clear that he was in receipt of overseas funding."

"He believed that what he was doing fell within his right to free speech and defending people's rights, but the court didn't agree," he said.

Long-term petitioner

Zhou, 56, is a former employee of a state-owned enterprise in Anhui who was forced into long-term petitioning after failing to get appropriate treatment or compensation following the loss of his job after a workplace injury.

He later began writing reports on human rights issues using his real name.

In 2014, he was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment for "gathering a crowd to disrupt public order," after he protested the exclusion of the daughter of veteran dissident Zhang Lin from a primary school in Anhui's provincial capital Hefei.

Constitutional scholar Yao Lifa said it was unclear whether Zhou's sentence was the start of a crackdown on Weiquanwang.

"I'm not sure whether the sentence handed down to Zhou Weilin is an attack on Weiquanwang," Yao said.

"But it is definitely going to increase the pressure on other Weiquanwang informants, who report on the darker side of our society, revealing its scandals and wrongdoing."

"I think a lot of local officials are racking their brains trying to locate those informants," he said.



Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
The move will target online content that could affect the image of the Chinese leadership ahead of next year's party congress.

The ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has launched a campaign against "fake news" that will mostly target online content, and will likely extend to Hong Kong.

The move comes as Beijing accused the BBC of "fake news" in its reporting of the floods in the central province of Henan, following death threats targeting the broadcaster's correspondents initiated by the Henan branch of the CCP's Youth League.

China's foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian dubbed the corporation a "bad-mouthing broadcasting corporation" that had "attacked and vilified China, seriously deviating from journalistic standards" and a producer of "fake news."

Zhao said the BBC deserved to be "unpopular" with the Chinese public.

The BBC and other foreign journalists were then targeted by state journalists and other nationalists while on assignment in Henan, according to the Paris-based press freedom group Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

"The youth division of the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) published online death threats against foreign journalists covering the floods in central China's Henan province, triggering a wave of physical, verbal, and online harassment against them," RSF said in a statement on its website.

"China, one of the world's worst abusers of press freedom, has no journalism lessons to give to the BBC, and is showing outrageous hypocrisy by accusing it of broadcasting fake news while it is itself the world's number one exporter of propaganda contents," RSF's East Asia bureau chief Cedric Alviani said in the statement.

It said that while Chinese state media like Xinhua, CGTN, and Radio China International are statutorily compelled to relay CCP propaganda, the UK's public broadcaster practiced "fact-based journalism" and enjoyed editorial freedom.

The BBC on July 27 called for "immediate action by the Chinese government to stop the attacks on journalists following reporting on the floods in Henan Province."

The row came as the CCP's central propaganda department launched a nationwide political campaign against "fake news."

"Key targets are illegal newsgathering activities by news organizations and their staff, as well as by online social media platforms and public accounts," the General Administration of Press and Publications (GAPP) said in a statement on its website.

It said a recent top-level meeting had ordered departments to "strike hard" and start the battle against "fake news."

'A sensitive period'

Chinese political scholar Chen Daoyin said the move was likely not just a reaction to online public criticism over the authorities' handling of the Zhengzhou flood disaster, but also a way to prepare the ground for the 20th Party Congress in 2022.

"The Politburo believes that the current situation in China and internationally is complex and difficult, and domestic economic recovery is still unstable and unbalanced," Chen told RFA.

"We are now in a sensitive period in the run-up to the 20th Party Congress, when it becomes necessary to strengthen controls on public speech, eliminate unwanted voices, and ensure that only one voice can be heard -- that of the party," he said.

He said the fact that the authorities in Hong Kong are also looking at bringing in a law banning "fake news" is significant, because Beijing likely wants to prevent dissenting voices from being heard in China via Hong Kong.

"Hong Kong has always been a channel between the mainland and the outside world, especially in the area of news and public opinion," Chen said. "They are getting ready to strike."

He said he expects prominent social media accounts and bloggers talking about news and current affairs, as well as cultural products dealing with history, culture, and religion, to be key targets of the campaign.

Protecting leadership image

Joseph Cheng, former politics lecturer at Hong Kong's City University, said the campaign will enlist the help of at least 10 departments and ministries.

"The target of the campaign will be the kind of gossip that affects the image of the leadership," Cheng said. "This is the kind of content that is picked up in Hong Kong, and then by the international media, and which has an impact on public opinion."

"Hong Kong has become an important channel for the export of this kind of gossip, and the Hong Kong government is also legislating against fake news," Cheng said. "In particular, this crackdown will target online news."

Cheng said a prominent example was the sale of books containing juicy content about Chinese leaders, once sold by the Causeway Bay bookstore and now shut down following the cross-border detentions of five of its booksellers in 2015.



Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
A dog walks at the Kim Il Sung Square with the marks on the ground which had been used to coordinate different groups in their movements during parade, in Pyongyang, North Korea, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018.

North Korea has ordered its armed forces to hold a day of appreciation for the countrys soldiers, complete with a feast of dog meat believed to boost their stamina, with military officials made to foot the bill, sources in the military told RFA.

With the countrys economy faltering under the combined weight of years of international nuclear sanctions and a near-complete suspension of imports due to the coronavirus pandemic, military units in North Korea are underequipped and poorly fed.

Even before the pandemic it was not uncommon for soldiers in rural areas to spend much of the year working on farms to grow corn, rice, and other staples to feed their units.

Soldiers Day is an annual event created by the countrys leader Kim Jong Un so that the countrys fighting men can enjoy a decent meal for a change. In some years, the military units can choose to hold it in the dead of winter and in other years in the hottest days of the summer.

But this year, Soldiers' Day will literally be among the so-called dog days of summer.

The General Political Bureau of the Korean Peoples Army has issued an order to organize Soldiers Day during the hottest period of this summer, a military source in the northeastern province of North Hamgyong told RFAs Korean Service.

According to the order, all military officials have to provide one dog per two officials to feed the soldiers on Soldiers Day, and the officials are strongly opposing the order, said the source, who requested anonymity to speak freely.

Meat of any kind in North Korea is hard to come by, and dog meat, considered a summer delicacy with purported virility-enhancing properties, is expensive.

Though many officials in North Korea can use their authority to collect bribes from people, the many military officials with no interaction with the public cannot supplement their income with bribery, so buying dog meat is a major expense, according to the source.

They have to use their own money to pay for dog meat at the market unless they have a dog at home, the source said.

If they dont comply with the order, with the excuse that they have no money, the officials and even their families will face the humiliation of having to be publicly criticized for negligence in executing the Supreme Commander Kim Jong Uns orders, so there are many military officials who are borrowing money to buy the dog meat, the source said.

The source said that in past years, Soldiers Day had been a burden for military officials and their families because they had to prepare a feast for the soldiers, but this year the added requirement of providing dog meat is putting an even bigger strain on them and their families.

The officials are resisting the authorities coercive order because these days, even military officials dont get sufficient supply, and their families are suffering from hunger.

Another military source, from the northwestern province of North Pyongan, told RFA that dog meat sellers there increased their prices after learning about the order.

It was 15,000 won (U.S. $2.50) per kilogram (2.2 pounds), but now it is 20,000 won, and the price of a whole dog has risen to more than 200,000 won, so military officials are getting worried, said the second source, who requested anonymity to speak freely.

The price of a kilogram of rice on the same day was about 6,200 won ($ 0.99), according to figures from Japan-based AsiaPress. The Korea Joongang Daily reported in 2018 that the average monthly salary provided by the government was 4,000 won at the time worth about $0.50.

The cost of complying with the dog meat order is so high that some officials are even risking their lives to comply with it.

A few days ago, an accident happened to a non-commissioned officer of a unit under the 8th Corps while he was trying to climb aboard a train with beans in his backpack he got from his wifes family, which he intended to use to buy a dog for Solders' Day. the second source said.

He could not bear the weight of the backpack and fell off the train and died, said the second source.

The order has military officials questioning why they are made to sacrifice everything for dog meat, when they are already struggling to eat, according to the source.

The General Political Bureau did not consider the actual situation of the military units and are only using them to look good to the commander-in-chief the second source said.

The military officials are saying that they do not understand who the Peoples Army is really for.

Dog meat is available at marketplaces in both North and South Korea, but the dog meat trade has questionable legality in the South. In 2018 a South Korean court ruled that killing dogs for their meat was illegal, but the law did not specifically ban the sale or consumption of dog meat.

North Koreas total military personnel of 1.47 million in 2018 ranked it third in the world that year, behind only China and India, and the country remains technically at war with South Korea and its ally the United States.

According to 2019 data from the CIA World Factbook, North Korea spent between 22 and 24 percent of its GDP on its military, or roughly U.S. $3.7 billion to $4.2 billion each year between 2007 and 2017.

Reported by Myung Chul Lee for RFAs Korean Service. Translated by Jinha Shin. Edited by Eugene Whong.
Many have been out of work for months and cant afford to pay for food or rent.

Workers at a special economic zone (SEZ) in northern Laos that caters to Chinese gamblers are desperate to return to their homes amid an outbreak of the coronavirus that triggered a lockdown earlier this week, saying they havent been paid in months and can no longer afford food or rent.

Up to 5,000 workers of different nationalities are employed at the Golden Triangle SEZ in Bokeo province, which lies along Laos shared borders with Thailand and Myanmar. Bokeo is a hotspot for coronavirus transmission and the SEZs main tourist drawthe Kings Romans Casinohas seen business plummet during the pandemic.

Lao migrant workers at the SEZ told RFAs Lao Service that most of them have been out of a job for months because of the downturn and have no money to pay for necessities, but restrictions on movement aimed at preventing the spread of the virus mean they cannot leave the area.

Because of the lockdown, only a few of us are working, while most of us are laid off and want to get out [of the SEZ], one worker said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Its difficult to live here, as we have had no income  for more than four months. Weve requested help from the [provincial government] but received no response.

The worker said that he and around 50 of his fellow nationals had registered requests with the SEZ office to return to their families but had yet to hear back.

Another worker, who also declined to be named, said all he can do is wait for a green light to leave.

We dont have money to pay for rent and all the food is getting more expensive, he said. Everybody wants to get out.

A third worker told RFA that even those with money are finding it difficult to buy goods during the lockdown because most of the stores and markets are closed.

We just stay in our rooms all the time; we cant go out, he said.

The SEZ is guarded by Chinese security guards. If were caught going out, we have to pay 300 yuan (U.S. $46) to get tested for COVID-19.

Designated red zone

Last month, Thailands Manager Online news website reported that most of Bokeo provinces transmissions have occurred within the SEZ, with the rest occurring in nearby Tonpheung district.

The high infection rate and the recent discovery that two Lao workers who returned home from the SEZ had tested positive for COVID-19 prompted authorities this week to add the area to a list of red zones in the country that are subject to even tighter restrictions.

Thipphakone Chanthavongsa, the Vice-Minister of the Lao Prime Ministers Office, announced Tuesday that the lockdown for red zones had been extended to at least Aug. 18, as the virus continues to spread within Laos, as well as in Thailand and Myanmar.

An official from the Bokeo provincial government confirmed that no one will be leaving the SEZ any time soon.

The workers cant get out right now; they have to wait until the lockdown is over, they said.

As for money or food, the government and the companies they work for are responsible for that; they must take care of their workers, they added, without providing details about what that relief would look like, or how it would be enforced.

Reports of the challenges facing workers at the Golden Triangle SEZ came as the number of COVID-19 infections continued to mount in Laos.

Dr. Rattanaxay Phetsouvanh, director general of the Communicable Disease Control Department, told a press conference that of nearly 2,700 people tested on Wednesday, more than one in 10 had been confirmed positive.

As of Wednesday, Laos had 7,015 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and seven deaths attributed to the disease. Nearly 4,800 infections and four deaths occurred in the past month.

Reported by RFAs Lao Service. Translated by Max Avary. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
Ven. Ariyabiwuntha, the abbot of Myawaddy Mingyi Monastery in central Myanmar, was arrested on Feb. 1 during the military coup detat for criticizing the armys interference in Myanmars political system. Ven. Ariyabiwuntha, who is also known as Myawaddy Mingyi Sayadaw, has been a long-time critic of the armys influence on society. He was among scores of political detainees released in an amnesty on Monday that critics said was an attempt by the junta to win acceptance of its self-declared caretaker government. The abbot spoke to Soe San Aung of RFAs Myanmar Service about his arrest, detention, release, and the political crisis in the country. Following are excerpts of the interview, edited for length and clarity:

RFA: Can you first tell us about the day you were arrested?

Ven. Ariyabiwuntha: About 20 policemen came to the monastery for the arrest. As usual, they said they wanted me to come with them to meet their superior officer. They held me at the police station for the night and the next day they read a warrant to me that I was charged under section 500 for defamation.

I have been sued under this charge before and I have been on bail for the past year. I told them about this but it just fell on deaf ears. They tried to disrobe me and I told them this was unlawful. But they forced me as they could not refuse orders from above, and they sent me to the Mandalay Central Prison. They said they had arrested me for security reasons, so they must be feeling very insecure. I think it was unlawful because I have been on bail and I havent broken the rules in any way.

RFA: We heard from some monks who had been released that they were tortured in prison. Did you get beaten or tortured in the prison?

Ven. Ariyabiwuntha: No I didnt. They might have done it to some other monks but not to me. Though they were carrying out their orders, they showed a lot of respect to me both at the police station and in prison. At first, I had to stay with other inmates in very poor conditions but later, the warden moved me to another place which was a lot more comfortable. It was more like a guest house although there were restrictions and rules to follow as an inmate.

RFA: Was it true that you were arrested because you were close to the State Counselor (Aung San Suu Kyi)?

Ven. Ariyabiwuntha: As a member of the Sangha (the Buddhist community), it is my duty to point out any wrongdoings by anyone. It would be wrong for the Sangha to remain quiet because of fear. It would also be wrong for the Sangha to keep quiet because they have been bribed. We cannot have fear. We must say, without fear, what is right and what is wrong and if they misunderstand it, we cannot help it. Its like having two kids, one is good and the other is not. Then the parents will not have to say much to the good one but they will have to point out to the other about his wrongs, for his sake. It cannot be said that the parents are showing favor to the good one. It must have happened like that.

RFA: Did you have to sign any pledges or make promises before your release?

Ven. Ariyabiwuntha: No. I will not do anything unlawful, and if they ask me to make any promises I wouldnt do it.

RFA: What are your plans for the future?

Ven. Ariyabiwuntha: Even though they disrobed me in prison, a monk is a monk because we have been ordained. The clothes dont alter clerical status. We have been preaching about justice and democracy and human rights as good practices for people in accordance with the Dharma. But they see it as doing politics. It is the duty of the Sangha to teach people to do the right things and avoid evil. It is not easy to confront dictatorship, but we have to speak up for the sake of the country.

Translated by Khin Maung Nyane.
Protesters take part in a demonstration against the military coup and to mark the anniversary of 1962 student protests against the country's first junta in Yangon, July 7, 2021.

Two more people have died under suspicious circumstances while undergoing interrogation by security forces in Myanmar, bringing to 32 the total number of such deaths since the military seized power in a coup detat six months ago.

In nearly all the cases, authorities have blamed the deaths on COVID-19, despite markings on the bodies of decedents that are consistent with torture. Family members have also been given limited access to view the remains of their loved ones before they are cremated or buried.

The latest to die in police custody was Htet Ko Oo, who was arrested on July 19 in connection with the bombing of the Shwe Nandaw (Golden Palace) jewelry shop in Myanmars largest city Yangon. The July 8 incident was the second in less than a month targeting a business owned by Thet Thet Khine, the juntas minister for social welfare, relief and resettlement.

According to Burma VJ, a website formed by a group of citizen journalists that documents human rights abuses by Myanmars military, Htet Ko Oo died on July 31 after being severely beaten during an interrogation session. The website said that authorities never informed his family members of his death and that they only learned of it after seeing a report on social media.

RFA was unable to contact Htet Ko Oos family for comment on Tuesday.

Lan Ko Thang, a resident of Sagaing regions Kalay township, was arrested along with a friend on July 29 while returning home from the Chinese border, where he had labored as a migrant worker for nearly a year. Police had set up a checkpoint to control the spread of the coronavirus following a surge in cases in China and claimed to have found weapons on him after stopping the bus he was riding on for an inspection.

Lan Ko Thang died a day after his arrest at an area interrogation center and his family was informed that the cause of death was COVID-19, even though his body exhibited signs of heavy trauma, a relative told RFAs Myanmar Service, speaking on condition of anonymity citing fear of reprisal.

When we asked how he died, the military said he died of COVID, but our brother had a lot of injuries all over his body, said the relative.

There was a big wound on his head and one of his legs and one of his arms were broken. There were beating marks on his back and leg. There were also marks on his neck, as if he had been strangled. We are furious.

RFA was unable to verify police reports that Lan Ko Thang was armed, but a resident of Kalay called him calm and quiet, adding that it was totally impossible that he would have had any weapons on him.

Lan Ko Thang is the fifth person to die from suspected torture while in custody in Kalay since the military ousted Myanmars National League for Democracy (NLD) government in a Feb. 1 coup. Government troops have engaged in a major offensive in the region with members of the Peoples Defense Force (PDF) militia, formed to protect the public from the military.

A resident of Kalay, who declined to be named, said the rise in arrests and deaths from torture during interrogation has made residents very insecure.

These days, many houses are being raided and people are being arrested. Its not safe even on the streets in the afternoon. People are always scared, they said.

I don't know where [the troops] are getting all their information. They search any house they want without a warrant. Most of those arrested were kept in detention without any reason. Troops have been stationed at the city gates for some time. People have been arrested there too.

Veteran lawyer Kyee Myint told RFA that any death that occurs during an interrogation should be considered wrongful and families of victims are entitled to file a lawsuit seeking compensation. Family members have said they were unaware of how to file a complaint against the military and questioned what kind of justice they could expect if they did.

Seeking accountability

On Feb. 1, the military overthrew Myanmars democratically elected government, claiming voter fraud had led to a landslide victory for Aung San Suu Kyis National League for Democracy (NLD) party in the countrys November 2020 election. The junta has yet to provide evidence of its claims and has violently suppressed nationwide demonstrations calling for a return to civilian rule, killing 946 people over the past six months.

Last month, the family members of those killed or maimed by junta soldiers urged the Netherlands-based International Criminal Court (ICC) to prosecute those responsible for the death or dismemberment of their loved ones. They say the militarys leadership must be held to account for its actions, which they believe fall under the courts jurisdiction according to its founding treaty, the Rome Statute.

Under the statute, the ICC can accept cases related to four main crimesgenocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and crimes of aggression. The actions by the junta would most likely fall under crimes against humanitywhich include murder, rape, imprisonment, enforced disappearances, and torture as part of a large-scale attack against any civilian population.

Aung Myo Min, human rights minister for the shadow National Unity Government (NUG), recently told RFA that torturing someone to death and not providing the actual cause of death is a grave violation of a persons right to life.

He said the NUG is systematically collecting data on extrajudicial killings and plans to bring the perpetrators to justice at the ICC.

Before the ICC will investigate a case, the Office of the Prosecutor must determine whether there is sufficient evidence of crimes of sufficient gravity falling within the ICCs jurisdiction, whether there are genuine national proceedings, and whether opening an investigation would serve the interests of justice and of the victims.

After gathering evidence and identifying a suspect, the prosecution requests that the ICC judges issue an arrest warrant or summons against a suspect andbased on summations presented by the prosecution, the Defense, and the Legal representative of victimsthe judges decide if there is enough evidence for the case to go to trial.

Attempts by RFA to contact junta spokesman Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun for comment went unanswered Tuesday.

Reported by RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
Metta Thingaha volunteers spend their days on the pandemic front lines, but receive little support from the junta.

Volunteers wearing PPE transport the body of a victim of COVID-19 to a cemetery in Hlegu township in Yangon, July 10, 2021.

As the death toll mounts from an outbreak of COVID-19 infections that Myanmars junta has done little to control, volunteers in the countrys largest city Yangon have stepped into the breach to provide funeral services to the poor and are putting their lives at risk to do so.

Efforts to control the spread of the coronavirus in Myanmar were dealt a serious blow when the military seized power from Aung San Suu Kyis democratically elected National League for Democracy (NLD) government on Feb. 1. The countrys healthcare system is now at the brink of collapse due to a poorly managed third wave of COVID-19 that has killed nearly 7,000 people since the start of July.

The official number of infections rose Wednesday to a total of 311,067 since Myanmars first recorded case in March last year, with at least 10,373 dead, although the actual numbers are believed to be substantially higher, based on reports by aid groups.

The countrys public hospitals are operating at maximum capacity and have been turning away all but the most seriously ill. Other patients are being forced to settle for treatment at home amid shortages of basic medical necessities, including oxygen supplies critical to mitigating hypoxia, when oxygen fails to reach bodily tissues.

Tens of thousands of people, including many healthcare professionals, have left their jobs to join a nationwide Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) in opposition to junta rule. Many have faced arrest for voicing criticism of the regime.

One of the groups that has picked up the slack amid Myanmars political upheaval is the Metta Thingaha Free Funeral Aid Association in Yangons Dagon Myothit (East) Township, run by founder Min Din and around 20 volunteers. The group has been providing daily free transportation for bodies to area cemeteries using its five hearses since early July, when COVID deaths began to spike.

Min Din told RFAs Myanmar Service that prior to July 11, Metta Thingaha had carried only two or three bodies of patients who had died of COVID-19 each day for households in a handful of neighborhoods.

But the third wave of COVID has been the deadliest, he said.

Since July 11, we have had to carry between 20 and 30 bodies a day. As more and more deaths occurred and the number of corpses increased, we had to begin loading three or four in one vehicle.

That number peaked on July 21, he said, when the group transported 34 bodies in a single day.

While the death toll has dropped slightly, Metta Thingaha is no less busy. Min Din said obtaining certificates to deliver bodies to cemeteries is one of the groups biggest challenges, in addition to the backlog of bodies to be buried.

Even with the proper papers, the bodies are not allowed to be laid to rest right away at the cemetery, he said, noting that volunteers are often required to wait between 90 minutes and two hours for their turn.

At the peak of COVID deaths, Min Din said, Metta Thingaha volunteers took care of bodies left unattended at Yayway Cemetery in Yangons North Okkalapa township for an entire day without a break.

A volunteer named Nay Myo Aung told RFA that he rests only when he falls ill, but then quickly resumes work without even being tested for COVID-19.

I wear PPE (personal protective equipment) for almost the entire day, he said.

You cant breathe easily while wearing it and the dead bodies we transport dont smell good. Sometimes, they have already been dead for two or three days, making it very difficult for us to breathe.

Nay Myo Aung said that at one point, he and nearly half of his fellow volunteers became sick, but carried on with their work, even while feverish or after losing their sense of smellsymptoms commonly associated with COVID-19 infection.

When we got better, wed get up and do it again. Positive or negativewe didnt care, he said.

Of course, we took precautions to keep ourselves safe. But what could we do? The work needs to be done.

Monks seen after a funeral sermon at Yayway crematorium in Yangon, Myanmar, as smoke rises from a chimney on July 12, 2021. Credit: Bo Sein Barely keeping pace

Another young volunteer from Metta Thingaha named Zaw Moe Naing said he was concerned about potentially spreading the coronavirus to his family, but said the work is important to him as a member of the community.

Whether we contract the virus or not, weve got to help others who are suffering, he said. Some of my fellow volunteers do not even want to go near their parents, who are elderly.

Zaw Moe Naing said he had transported as many as six bodies at a time to the cemetery for burial and expects that demand for his services may grow, as the outbreak continues unchecked.

Last week, the junta said it would build 10 new crematoriums in Yangon that can handle a total of more than 3,000 bodies each day, but the announcement drew criticism from members of the public, who say authorities should be spending money to control the spread of the coronavirus, rather than on measures to deal with the dead.

Min Din said the regime is barely keeping pace with the health crisis, calling the move the wrong medicine for the wound.

We already see about 3,000 cremations a day at the cemeteries, he said, adding that if the outbreak becomes worse, the number of deaths might double.

Frankly speaking, there are only so many people left to die.

According to Min Din, aid groups had presented a plan for screening infected patients to district authorities during the first week of July, before the death toll began to rise, but the measures were never implemented because higher-level officials never gave their authorization to do so.

The authorities are wrong [about how they are dealing with the problem], he said. And in the current political situation, where people cannot act freely, there will be more mismanagement.

Vaccinations needed

Meanwhile, volunteers urgently need to be vaccinated against the highly contagious coronavirus because of their regular proximity to patients with COVID-19, as well as those who have died from the disease, Min Din said.

Dr. Khin Khin Gyi, director of the Emerging Infectious Diseases Epidemiology Unit for Myanmars Ministry of Health and Sports, recently told the media that volunteers would be prioritized for vaccine distribution after health workers and the elderly, noting that they play a significant role in immunization, as well as the transportation of COVID-19 patients, both living and dead.

But Min Din told RFA he had yet to receive an offer from the junta to inoculate Metta Thingaha volunteers.

Our volunteers are on the ground but, so far, no offer has been made and no one has been notified, he said.

We havent heard a word on this. They might have a plan. We dont know.

Reported by RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
Attendance at the camps is depriving Tibetan students of the opportunity to learn their own language in their time away from school, sources say.

Tibetan schoolchildren are shown in Chinese military uniform at the Tibet Rong He Military Training Center in an undated photo.

Schoolchildren in Tibet are being forced by Chinese authorities into programs of military training during summer vacation in a move aimed at weakening their ties to their own culture and further indoctrinating them in the ideology of Chinas ruling Communist Party, Tibetan sources say.

Children aged 8-16 are now being sent from Tibets capital Lhasa and other areas to attend two training camps set up in southern Tibets Nyingtri, also called Kongpo, region, not far from the China-claimed Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh.

Attendance at the two camps, called the Young Tibetan Snow Hawk Military Summer Camp and the Tibet Rong He Military Training Center, is depriving Tibetan schoolchildren of the few opportunities still available to them to learn their own Tibetan language in private settings outside of school, sources say.

Coinciding with school break now in Lhasa, Tibetans are not permitted to hold private classes to learn Tibetan, and so the Chinese authorities are forcing Tibetan children to attend these military programs where they give political education instead, a Tibetan living in the region told RFA in a written message.

Also speaking to RFA, Karma Tenzina researcher at the Dharamsala, India-based Tibet Policy Instituteagreed that training at the military camps is denying Tibetan students the freedom to learn their own language, a crucial support to Tibetan national identity.

Tibetan children who usually attend Tibetan schools and monasteries during their summer and winter breaks are now left with no choice but to attend these military training programs, Tenzin said.

This is Chinas attempt to brainwash young Tibetans through a strategy of carrying out programs like this, Tenzin said.

The Chinese Communist Party is implanting its own ideology and Chinese nationalism into young Tibetans during their school break, and eventually this will become a threat to the Tibetan language," he added.

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.

The new military training camps proximity to Chinas politically sensitive Tibetan border with India, with which China clashed in skirmishes in Ladakh last year, raises other concerns, Tenzin said.

If we observe the way the Chinese government is setting up these military camps along the border area, it seems certain they will be using these camps as future military shields and the children as soldiers, he said.

Formerly an independent nation, Tibet was invaded and incorporated into China by force 70 years ago.

Chinese authorities maintain a tight grip on the region, restricting Tibetans political activities and peaceful expression of cultural and religious identity, and subjecting Tibetans to persecution, torture, imprisonment, and extrajudicial killings.

Reported by Sangyal Kunchok for RFAs Tibetan Service. Translated by Tenzin Dickyi. Written in English by Richard Finney.
Gulnar Obul, who once criticized insensitive Chinese policies in Xinjiang, now praises them in staged events.

In 2018, a noted Uyghur professor of literature and culture was arrested and fired from her university job for publishing pointed criticism of Chinas policies towards Muslim residents of Xinjiang. This year, she is part of an official propaganda campaign defending and supporting practices she once argued against.

In the three years since Gulnar Obul was detained and removed from her position at Kashgar University, developments in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) have made the scholarly policy critiques from 2016 that landed her in trouble seem mild.

In her published dialogue with a Chinese Academy of Social Sciences researcher, Obul said Chinas quest for stability cannot be achieved through documents or commandsit requires real cultural strength and ideas.

One of the drawbacks of the government is that many of the officials do not know much about Islam and its history, she says.

It is  impossible to put all the problems [in the XUAR] into a large basket of extreme religious forces, Obul said.

The advice won praise in 2016 but as the XUAR crackdown intensified, she was branded a two-faced Uyghur official, accused of paying lip service to Communist Party rule in the region, but secretly chafing against state policies repressing the 12 million members of the ethnic group.

Since early 2017, Chinese authorities in the XUAR have built a vast network of internment camps which are believed to have held up to 1.8 million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities. That revelation has been followed by documents showing forced birth control aimed at limiting population growth of the Uyghurs.

The mass internment and forced birth control, along with revelations of forced labor using Uyghurs, including former camp inmates, meets the definition of genocide, according to the United States and other Western countries.

Gulnar Obul in Kashgar, in an undated photo, shared by an RFA listener. State news conferences

China has angrily rejected the genocide allegations, and has gone on the offensive, staging dozens of news conferences for state media, while taking extensive measures to keep foreign and other independent reporters and investigators out of the vast XUAR, a territory the size of Iran or Alaska.

At the media events, Uyghurs are presented to rebut accounts on XUAR abuses cataloged by researchers, journalists, international human rights groups and former detention camp inmates whove made it out of China and denounce these sources of information.

It is not clear how long Obul spent in detention and whether she spent time in a detention camp, following her arrest and removal from Kashgar University in September 2018. One Turkey-based Uyghur researcher estimated that she spent between two weeks to a month in detention.

This past February, however, Obul popped up at a news conference held by the XUAR Propaganda Department.

Now employed by the Xinjiang Bureau of Farm Machinery, she claimed that her listing among more than 5,000 Uyghur detainees in an archive of prisoners run by the Norway-based Uyghur Transitional Justice Database (UTJD) was false, endorsing officials accusations that the archive is fake.

In June, Obul testified before the United Nations that authorities in the XUAR had lifted more than 300 villages and 30 counties out of poverty, and that all of the ethnic groups in the region live in harmony as pomegranate seeds.

The pomegranate simile has been an official Chinese Communist Party slogan since XUAR Communist Party Secretary Chen Quanguo took over the region in August 2016 and ushered in a systematic crackdown on Uyghurs, Kazakhs and other Turkic Muslims, featuring intrusive surveillance measures, banning and punishment of cultural and religious practices, and the internment camps.

At the June 9 XUAR news conference, she denounced the Uyghur Tribunal, a privately funded mechanism in London set up to investigate genocide and crimes against humanity allegations against China, as a genuine pseudo court.

Obul said the World Uyghur Congress, a Germany-based advocacy organization, which funded the tribunal along with individual donors, attempted in vain to disrupt the overall stability and development of Xinjiang by using false witnesses, false scholars, false information, false videos and false photos, and stealing the name of the law.

Torture and wickedness

At a July 15 news conference, Obul promoted a Chinese government White Paper on the XUAR titled Respecting and Protecting the Rights of All Ethnic Groups in Xinjiang, which claimed that Beijing upheld political, economic, cultural, and social rights as well as freedom of religious belief throughout the region.

Uyghur exiles told RFA that Obuls transformation and full rejection of her earlier research conclusions reflects a likely combination of harsh interrogation inside detention facilities and pressure on relatives that many Uyghurs have experienced since the crackdown deepened in 2017.

It is not shocking for this woman to be saying things that are in opposition to her previous viewpoint and her previous bravery, said Abdurashid Niyaz, an independent researcher based in Turkey.

In the present day, everyone comes out of those prisons, and out of the so-called re-education camps, having seen and heard torture and wickedness with their own eyes and ears, he said.

Obul was likely threatened during her detention, which appears to have lasted between 15 days and one month, the scholar said.

I believe that Gulnar Obul has said these things, unbefitting of her own desires, under force, Abdurashid added.

Ilshat Hassan Kokbore, a U.S.-based political observer and former president of the Uyghur American Association, said Obul appeared to have gone through Chinas well-known process of dealing with those who openly criticize the governments actions or policies: Verbal punishment, followed by forced regret, forced thankfulness, and forced support.

How, in the present day, could a Uyghur woman become a parrot for the Chinese state, which is targeting Uyghurs and perpetrating a genocide against [Uyghurs]? She has praised them like a parrot on account of a loyalty born of fear, oppression, and threat, Ilshat said.

By being an accomplice to the Chinese government, Gulnar Obul is rejecting herself, Ilshat said.

Through her current words and actions, she is rejecting the viewpoint that she herself put forward, that violence cannot change a group of people, and she is acting as an accomplice to the very violence that she previously rejected. 

Reported by Shohret Hoshur for RFAs Uyghur Service. Translated by the Uyghur Service. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
Talks are expected to focus on COVID control and the South China Sea, where China has encroached on the territorial waters and maritime resources of other countries in the region.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris is set to visit Vietnam later this month, following up on a visit to Hanoi at the end of July by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, the first high-ranking U.S. official to visit Vietnam since President Joe Biden took office in January.

Harris is scheduled to arrive in Vietnam on Aug. 24 following an Aug. 22 visit to Singapore and departing Vietnam on Aug. 26, with talks expected to focus on regional security in the South China Sea, where China has encroached on territorial waters and maritime resources claimed by Vietnam, the Philippines, and other countries in the region.

Talks will also cover U.S. assistance to Vietnam in containing the spread of COVID-19 amid a new surge of infections in the country.

The U.S. has already shipped 5 million doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to Vietnam, now in widespread lockdown to contain the spread of the disease, with 3 million doses sent to Vietnam at the end of July.

Raising tensions in the region in recent years, Chinese vessels have repeatedly intruded into Vietnamese territorial waters in the South China Sea, called the East Sea by Vietnam, obstructing Vietnamese oil exploration efforts and building airstrips and other facilities on disputed island groups.

Beijing at the same time has voiced concern over U.S. diplomatic overtures to Vietnam and other Southeast Asian states, saying the United States seeks to form and strengthen alliances in the region aimed only at countering Chinas rise.

China is always like that. China does not want Vietnam to escape their influence, said Hoang Vieta Vietnam-based lawyer and expert on South China Sea issuesspeaking to RFA.

Western experts often say that China wants Vietnam to become Finlandized, meaning that Vietnam would have to consult China when it comes to external affairs, and that it cant go beyond whatever China wants Vietnam to do, he said.

Vietnam can help to support security in the South China Sea region without aligning itself with either China or the United States, though, said Carlyle Thayer, an emeritus professor at Australias University of New South Wales at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra.

Vietnam does not have to be warned about the dangers of shifting over to the U.S., Thayer said. It knows you gain nothing by making China a permanent enemy. And the Chinese know it. [China is] just trying to say the U.S. is going to fail.

Vietnam has a utility, an importance, because its maintaining its independence. It can be counted on to independently contribute to regional security, Thayer said.

Reported by RFAs Vietnamese Service. Translated by Viet Ha. Written in English by Richard Finney.
Lithuania has dismissed Belarusian allegations that an Iraqi man was beaten and died after being turned away at the Lithuanian border, describing it as "disinformation."



EU member Lithuania has faced a surge of mostly Iraqi migrants in recent months, prompting authorities this week to start pushing back illegal migrants and giving border guards authority to use force.



Lithuanian and European officials say the migrant flows are being orchestrated by Alyaksandr Lukashenka in retaliation for EU sanctions over his government's crackdown on the opposition following Belarus's presidential election nearly a year ago that was widely considered to be fraudulent.



Belarusian border guards claimed on August 4 that they found an Iraqi man in "serious" condition near the border with Lithuania and he "died in the arms of the border guards," according to Lukashenka's Telegram channel.



"The president was immediately informed of this shocking murder of an Iraqi returning from Lithuania," the channel said.



But Lithuanian Interior Minister Agne Bilotaite said such reports were "clear misinformation."



"A hybrid attack is being carried out against Lithuania and the dissemination of such disinformation are examples of this," the minister told reporters, adding that similar attempts to spread false news would likely be attempted in the future.



"It's nonsense, Brothers Grimm's tales," she added.



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. Most have attempted to cross the 679-kilometer Lithuanian-Belarusian border in the past month.

More than two-thirds of them are Iraqi nationals who appear to have arrived in Minsk via increased direct flights from Baghdad.



Asked whether force had been used against any migrants trying to enter the country, Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte said she had no information about "any excesses."



"I am not aware of any information about any excesses that would have taken place in Lithuania or on the Lithuanian-Belarusian border. The Belarusian government is responsible for what is happening in Belarus, she told reporters after a government meeting.



Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas said of the reports about the death of an Iraqi man that it amounted to further provocation by the Belarusian government.



In fact, by organizing that whole illegal journey, involving their officials in this activity, I think that they cannot always control the situation themselves, Anusauskas said.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Belarus Service and Baltic News Service
MINSK -- The closed-door trial of two leading Belarusian opposition figures began in Minsk on August 4 over charges stemming from their calls for protests against the official results of last years widely discredited presidential election.

Maryya Kalesnikava and Maksim Znak are accused of conspiring to seize power, calling for action to damage national security, and encouraging actions harmful to national security via media and the Internet.

Kalesnikava and Znak's relatives, friends, journalists, and supporters were prevented from entering the Minsk regional courthouse where the proceedings are taking place.

Both are members of the opposition Coordination Council that was set up after the disputed election with the stated aim of facilitating a peaceful transfer of power.

They have rejected the charges as politically motivated.

The United States has called the charges "manufactured."

Russia's Sputnik news agency posted a short video from the courtroom before the trial started in which Kalesnikava is seen dancing in the glass cage and displaying a "heart" sign with her hands.

A day earlier, a candidate to succeed German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Annalena Baerbock, demanded via Instagram that the trial be open to the public and independent observers "because, according to all that we know, a fair trial based on the rule of law is not going to be the case."

Crisis In Belarus Read our ongoing coverage as Belarusian strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka ramps up pressure on NGOs and independent media as part of a brutal crackdown against protesters and the opposition following an August 2020 election widely considered fraudulent.

Kalesnikava was arrested on September 7 in downtown Minsk by masked men and taken to the Ukrainian border the next day, along with two associates. Ordered to cross the border, Kalesnikava refused, tearing up her passport instead. She was then taken back to Minsk and jailed.

Znak, who was also arrested in September, was previously charged with public calls for actions aimed at harming the country's security, sovereignty, territorial integrity, national security, and defense.

Mass demonstrations engulfed the country after Alyaksandr Lukashenka claimed victory and a sixth consecutive term in an August 2020 election.

The opposition said its candidate, Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who ran for president after her husband was jailed while trying to mount a candidacy of his own, won the vote.

Tsikhanouskaya left the country for Lithuania shortly after the election due to security concerns.

Other opposition leaders have been forced from Belarus or jailed, and thousands of Belarusians, including dozens of journalists covering the protests, have been detained and hundreds beaten in detention and on the streets.

Several protesters have been killed in the violence, and some rights organizations say there is credible evidence of torture being used by security officials against some detainees.

Lukashenka has denied any wrongdoing in the vote and issued promises of reform down the road in what the opposition has called stalling tactics. But he has refused to negotiate directly with the opposition over stepping down and holding new elections.

The European Union, United States, Canada, and other countries have refused to recognize Lukashenka as the legitimate leader of Belarus and have slapped him and senior Belarusian officials with sanctions in response to the falsification of the vote and postelection crackdown.
The number of reported coronavirus cases in Iran surpassed 4 million on August 4 amid a vicious wave of infections driven by the highly contagious delta variant.



Iran registered 39,357 new cases in the past 24 hours, taking the total since the pandemic started to 4,019,084, the Health Ministry said.



It recorded 409 deaths over the same period, bringing the official death toll to 92,194.



The real number of infections and deaths in the country of 83 million people is believed to be significantly higher.



The worst-hit country in the Middle East has struggled to contain the pandemic despite authorities imposing repeated restrictions.



The vaccine campaign has also been slow to get off the ground. More than 11 million people have received a first vaccine dose, but only 2.8 million have received the necessary two jabs, according to the Health Ministry.



Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered that "necessary measures" be taken on August 2 to contain what authorities warn is a "fifth wave" of the country's outbreak after Health Minister Saeed Namaki requested a two-week shutdown.



Iranian Interior Minister Rahmani Fazli said on August 4 that the proposal to shut the country needed more consideration in the coming days and that a decision would soon be made.



Incoming President Ebrahim Raisi chaired a meeting of Iran's COVID-19 task force for the first time on August 4 just a day after his inauguration, his office said.

Reports from multiple cities suggest many hospitals have reached their full capacity while health workers are being pushed to their limits due to the high number of COVID-19 patients, with intensive care stations and emergency rooms overflowing.



Iranian health officials warn that less than 40 percent of the population follows health protocols such as wearing face masks and social distancing.

With reporting by AFP, IRNA and ISNA
AQTOBE, Kazakhstan -- A court in northwestern Kazakhstan has sentenced an activist to two years of parole-like terms over ties to the banned Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan (DVK) movement amid an ongoing crackdown on support for that group and the associated Koshe (Street) party.

The DVK is led from abroad by fugitive former banker Mukhtar Ablyazov, the former head of Kazakhstans BTA Bank and an outspoken critic of the Kazakh government.

Judge Zhanas Quanyshev, in a court in the city of Aqtobe on August 4, also barred the convicted man, Asqar Qalasov, from using social networks for the duration of his sentence.

Qalasov was detained in late March and placed under house arrest.

He rejects the charges against him, calling them politically motivated.

Also on August 4, another court in the Central Asian nation's southern city of Shymkent rejected an appeal filed by activist Nurzhan Mukhammedov against a similar sentence for his association with the DVK.

Mukhammedov was sentenced to two years of curbs on his freedom on the same charge in June.

He told RFE/RL that he will appeal the sentence.

A day earlier, a court in Kazakhstan's capital, Nur-Sultan, sentenced activist Erbol Eskhozhin to 2 1/2 years in prison over his alleged links to the DVK.

A number of Kazakh activists have been convicted in recent years for their involvement in the activities of the DVK and the Koshe Party and for participation in rallies organized by those groups.

Kazakhstan banned the DVK in March 2018 after deeming it an extremist organization.

Human rights groups have said Kazakhstans law on public gatherings violates international standards as it requires preliminary permission from authorities to hold rallies and envisions prosecution for unsanctioned rallies, despite constitutional guarantees on the right to free assembly.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) will not send observers to Russias upcoming elections for the first time in nearly three decades due to "major limitations" imposed by Russian authorities.



The OSCE said on August 4 that Russian authorities restricted the number of election observers the intergovernmental body could send, ostensibly due to the coronavirus pandemic.



"We very much regret that our observation of the forthcoming elections in Russia will not be possible," said Matteo Mecacci, the director of the OSCEs Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODHIR).



"The insistence of the Russian authorities on limiting the number of observers we could send without any clear pandemic-related restrictions has unfortunately made todays step unavoidable," he added.



The OSCE is one of the worlds premier election-observing bodies, sending experts throughout its 57 participating member states to determine whether elections are free and fair. The OSCEs Parliamentary Assembly also sends short-term election observer missions.



On September 19, Russians will vote to choose members of the lower house of parliament, or State Duma, and 39 regional parliaments, as well as nine regional governors.



In the run-up to the elections, the Kremlin has cracked down on opposition political figures and independent media.



Several opposition figures have also been barred from competing in the vote, most of them affiliated with the political network of jailed Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny.



The OSCE had been invited to observe the Russian elections, but the number of allowed observers was later restricted to 60 due to what Russian authorities cited as the deteriorating pandemic situation in the country. The OSCE had assessed earlier this year that it needed 80 long-term and 420 short-term observers.



The OSCE said there were no pandemic-related entry restrictions or rules about operating and moving within the Russia that would justify not deploying a full election observation mission. It also noted that it had sent election observers to numerous other countries since the pandemic began.



"I am very disappointed that limitations imposed by the national authorities prevent the OSCE from providing the Russian voters with a transparent and authoritative assessment of their elections, as we have been doing consistently since 1993," OSCE

Parliamentary Assembly President Margareta Cederfelt said.

"The OSCE was limited to sending only a small fraction of the observers we had intended, and this simply does not enable us to carry out our work in an effective and thorough manner."
MOSCOW -- Few doubt that the administration of Russian President Vladimir Putin is worried about the September 17-19 elections to the State Duma, Russia's lower chamber of parliament.



With the ruling United Russia party's support hovering below 30 percent nationally and around 15 percent in Moscow and with Putin's personal popularity rating also in decline, securing a constitutional two-thirds majority in the new legislature could be a tall order.

"They face a difficult task," said Maria Snegovaya, a political analyst with Georgetown University, "despite any possible falsifications -- because you simply can't falsify everything."



But observers say the ongoing crackdown across Russia seems far more sweeping than merely controlling the elections would demand. It has targeted historians and other academics. It has targeted artists and theaters. It has targeted lawyers and investigative journalists whose work has little direct relation to the upcoming vote.



"I wouldn't say this repressive cycle is going to end after the elections," Snegovaya added. "The reason for it is not merely in the elections, even though the Kremlin fears it will not get the necessary results. It is in the nature of the regime itself -- it is transforming into a much more repressive dictatorship."



The elections, though, have appeared to be at the center of the government's attention. For months, officials across the country have worked to sideline virtually all of the most promising independent and opposition would-be candidates, particularly targeting those who won local-council seats in elections over the last three years. 

In addition, the authorities have revised the country's election laws at least 19 times since the last elections, according to the Golos election-monitoring NGO.



"This is a mind-blowing figure," Snegovaya told RFE/RL's Russian Service. "We have never seen anything like it before, even taking into account that our previous elections could hardly be called free and honest. But that wasn't enough for the Kremlin. They introduced three days of voting, which increases the opportunities for falsification. They brought in electronic voting, which is completely opaque. And now they have been removing any candidates who have even minimal popularity."

In The Authorities' Crosshairs



Nonetheless, many of the government's efforts seem to have little or no connection to the upcoming vote. For instance, the security agencies seem to have focused much of their attention on organizations and individuals that have worked to expose the historical crimes and present-day excesses of those agencies themselves. Karelian historian Yury Dmitriyev, who has specialized in documenting Stalin-era mass graves in his region, has been in the authorities' crosshairs for years.

The St. Petersburg-based legal-defense organization Komanda 29 shut itself down last month after what its lawyers called "a planned assault on many fronts" by security agencies, in part because of the group's work at trying to open up Federal Security Service (FSB) archives and to prevent prosecutors from abusing espionage and secrecy laws for political ends.

The government last week shut down the websites of the Dosye (Dossier) investigative-journalism project and Gulagu.net, which reports on allegations of torture and abuse in prisons and pretrial detention facilities.



"It is about a report on the illegal activity of the FSB," said Maksim Dbar, spokesman for former oil tycoon, now exiled Putin opponent, Mikhail Khodorkovsky. "This is a large document of several hundred pages. The illegal activities of the security services are the focus of our attention. I'm talking about the FSB, the GRU [military intelligence service], and the SVR [foreign intelligence service]. We have a lot of material on these topics."

The regime is being reborn in a harsher form, and the masks have been thrown aside."

Gulagu.net founder Vladimir Osechkin, who left Russia under pressure from the authorities in 2015 and continues to run the project from abroad, told RFE/RL that the Federal Penitentiary Service (FSIN) has targeted his project for many years, particularly since he left Russia.



"The longer that I was in relative safety and worked with less interference from the Russian authorities, the more information was sent my way," he said. "Not only from relatives of prisoners and former and current inmates, but we started getting information from active employees of FSIN, the Interior Ministry, the Justice Ministry, and prosecutors' offices. A lot of people who are working inside the system but don't agree with its repressive policies. Particularly in the last year we were overwhelmed by an enormous flood of information, even getting access to video archives of several regional FSIN offices."

Snegovaya said Putins government no longer feels it is necessary to maintain a veneer of democracy to get along with the West.



"The international community is not in a position to respond appropriately to the Russian government over its behavior," she said. "Even after the monstrous poisoning of [opposition politician Aleksei] Navalny, there was no appropriate response. There weren't even significantly severe sanctions. The regime is being reborn in a harsher form, and the masks have been thrown aside."

'Not Holding Back Anymore'



At the same time, she added, many inside the government -- possibly including even Putin himself -- genuinely believe that an undeclared "hybrid" war is being waged between Russia and the West and that a fifth column of "foreign agents" is threatening their security through theaters, the schools, the media, and so on.



Russia is ruled by "a specific type of people who have preserved the Soviet idea that the West is a threat to them and that it is trying by any means possible to harm them," she asserted.

One of the key figures in Putin's inner circle who fits this description is Security Council head Nikolai Patrushev, a former KGB officer who "Putin trusts as much as he trusts anyone," said Moscow-based political analyst Valery Solovei.



"Patrushev formulates a strategy and presents that strategy to the president, who confirms it," he told RFE/RL. "And the essence of that strategy is extremely simple  it is clear that the main thing is not to allow any threats to the regime."



The Kremlin, Snegovaya said, is certainly looking beyond the September elections to the Duma to the end of Putin's current term in 2024.



"By all accounts, when the constitution was amended in 2020, it was decided that Putin will remain in power for life," Snegovaya told RFE/RL. "From that, conclusions were drawn. Events in Belarus and the need to win the [Duma] elections at all costs have also played a role."



"It has been decided not to hold anything back anymore, as they had done in the past," she concluded.

Written by RFE/RL senior correspondent Robert Coalson based on reporting from Moscow by RFE/RL Russian Service correspondents Mumin Shakirov and Oleksandra Vagner.
Recent weeks have seen a spate of police raids on independent media companies and the homes of journalists in Russia, as part of an intensifying crackdown. Kremlin-critical media face fines, arrests, and violence. Some journalists are relocating to other countries to avoid an increasingly hostile environment.
Unusually high summer temperatures and strong winds have stoked deadly wildfires in parts of Russia, Turkey, and southeastern Europe, causing hundreds of millions of dollars in damage and prompting the evacuation of thousands of people.

Pushed to the limit, Russian emergency services received additional help from the military to fight devastating forest fires in the east of the country.

The Russian Defense Ministry said on August 4 that additional technical equipment would be delivered to the isolated Siberian Republic of Sakha, also known as Yakutia.

Authorities say 173 fires are still raging in the region and that the situation remains difficult.

More than 2,500 members of the emergency forces are trying to prevent flames from spreading to several villages where thick smoke is blanketing the region.

Firefighting efforts in Yakutia covered a region of more than 8,000 square kilometers, authorities said.



Fires destroy huge swaths of wild forests in Russia every year, with environmental activists blaming a worsening situation on climate change.

A heat wave across southern Europe, fed by hot air from North Africa, has led to wildfires from the Mediterranean coast of Turkey to the Balkans.



In Bulgaria, two forestry workers were killed and another one was injured on August 4 as forest fires multiply across the country.



Two people also died in forest fires in Albania and Kosovo.

Extreme weather across southern Europe has fueled wildfires in Greece, Turkey, Italy, Albania, Kosovo, and across the Mediterranean region.
BELGRADE -- Serbia's Foreign Ministry on August 4 announced the sudden death of Belgrade's ambassador to Russia, 71-year-old former military analyst and journalist Miroslav Lazanski.

It said only that he had "passed away suddenly," but Serbian media cited officials as blaming his death on a heart attack at his home in Belgrade.

"His dedication, commitment, and devotion as the ambassador of our country will be remembered, as will his numerous activities aimed at further improving the cooperation and friendship between Serbia and Russia," the ministry said in a statement.

Lazanski was appointed as Belgrade's top envoy to Russia in July 2019.

He was a longtime journalist for the prominent Serbian daily Politika and a military analyst who had reported from conflict zones in Iran and Iraq, Afghanistan, Chechnya, Africa, and the Middle East.

Lazanski had also reported during the Yugoslav wars of the 1990s from what are now Bosnia-Herzegovina, Slovenia, and Kosovo, and from Ukraine's Crimea, which Russia invaded and annexed in 2014.

He was also a frequent commentator for Russia's state-run media organization Sputnik.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who along with his ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) allies has fostered close relations and a strategic partnership with Moscow, expressed his condolences.

"Serbia has lost a great man, its ambassador to the Russian Federation, one of the best experts on geopolitical opportunities, military strategy, and tactics, an exceptional journalist and publicist and, above all, a good man," Vucic wrote.

In a July 2020 report on "Russian interference" in North Macedonia, Bellingcat researchers linked Lazanski to a Moscow effort to "create a strip of militarily neutral countries" in the Balkans.

Bellingcat said that Russian and Serbian intelligence officers "formed a connection" with Lazanski and asserted that "Macedonian counterintelligence also implicated Lazanski as one of the main pro-Kremlin propagandists in the country."

In July, Lazanski was at the center of an unconfirmed Serbian report claiming he had accused neighboring NATO member Montenegro of preventing weapons donated to Belgrade by Russia from being delivered. The Montenegrin Defense Ministry reportedly denied that such permission had even been requested.

The Foreign Ministry said Lazanski's funeral would be held in Belgrade on August 6.

With reporting by AP
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story was originally published by the Ohio History Connection. Richland Source has entered into a collaborative agreement with the Ohio History Connection to share content across our sites.

The Panic of 1893 was a national economic crisis set off by the collapse of two of the country's largest employers, the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad and the National Cordage Company. Following of the failure of these two companies, a panic erupted on the stock market. Hundreds of businesses had overextended themselves, borrowing money to expand their operations. When the financial crisis struck, banks and other investment firms began calling in loans, causing hundreds of business bankruptcies across the United States. Banks, railroads, and steel mills especially fell into bankruptcy.

More than 15,000 businesses closed during the Panic of 1893.

Unemployment rates soared to 20 to 25 percent in the United States during the Panic of 1893. Homelessness skyrocketed, as workers were laid off and could not pay their rent or mortgages. The unemployed also had difficulty buying food due to the lack of income.

Ohioans also suffered through the economic depression. At different points, the unemployment rates in Ohio reached fifty percent among industrial workers. Buckeye Mower and Reaper Company's owners sold the firm to a Chicago, Illinois, business.

In 1894, Jacob Sechler Coxey, an Ohio businessman, organized a protest march of workers from Ohio to Washington, DC. Coxey hoped that this march would force the federal government to provide assistance to workers during the Panic of 1893.

Coxey's Army, as it eventually became known, reached the nation's capital with only 600 marchers. Local police arrested Coxey and the march's other leaders.

The rest of the marchers quickly dispersed. The government refused to intervene.

Fortunately for the United States populace, the Panic of 1893 ended by the end of 1897.
MANSFIELD  In an effort to assist job seekers to prepare for the upcoming Employapalooza Job Fair event on Aug. 21, The Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development, Ohio Means Jobs Richland County, Mansfield/Richland County Public Library, and North End Community Improvement Collaborative (NECIC) will be hosting four workshop sessions focused on interviewing and resume development.

These events will take place on:

Aug. 3: Main Library Branch Computer Lab, Mansfield from 6 to 7 p.m.

Aug. 5: Ontario Branch Library from 6 to 7 p.m.

Aug. 10: Lexington Branch Library from 6 to 7 p.m.

Aug. 12: NECIC, 134 N. Main Mansfield from 6 to 7 p.m.

All four events the "Marketing Yourself to Employers" events are free and open to the public, whether you are seeking full-time or part-time employment.

Workshops will begin at 6 p.m. and will include interactive discussion about preparing for interviews, information about things employers want to hear from you, and the opportunity to have a resume reviewed or created.

There is no sign-up or registration required, and all will start promptly at 6 p.m.

We are extremely excited about the new look and feel that we are rolling out for the 2021 version of the job fair," said Clint Knight, Director of Workforce Development. "We want to make sure that job seekers are as excited about it as we are. All of the partners behind this event are working to make sure that it is welcoming, encouraging, and filled with opportunity.

The idea behind these workshops is to make sure that our local job seekers feel positive and confident when they attend Employapalooza on Aug. 21.

Over 40 local businesses are already registered to welcome job seekers at the Employapalooza Job Fair, which will take place at the Mid-Ohio Conference Center on Saturday, Aug. 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be companies from a large variety of industries, including medical, manufacturing, cosmetology, insurance, food service, professional, services, and many others.

A full list of participating companies is posted at www.RichlandAreaChamber.com.

Follow Employapalooza Job Fair on Facebook and Instagram for frequent updates and participating company profiles.
MANSFIELD -- Here is today's Richland Source daily podcast for Aug. 4.

Want to adopt Charmer and others like him? RCF grant will help reduce the cost

https://www.richlandsource.com/news/want-to-adopt-charmer-and-others-like-him-rcf-grant-will-help-reduce-the-cost/article_b2230026-f45e-11eb-a5a4-7b545cceddbc.html

Then & Now: Ohio Bird Sanctuary 1946

https://www.richlandsource.com/area_history/then-now-ohio-bird-sanctuary-1946/article_075e53ae-03d6-11e5-8d0b-d7da3ebdff06.html

Open Source: Will decorative arches be lit as part of Mansfield's Main Street improvement plan?

https://www.richlandsource.com/open_source/open-source-will-decorative-arches-be-lit-as-part-of-mansfields-main-street-improvement-plan/article_3debccac-c90b-11eb-a776-7b61ae59bb15.html

Centerburg's Ellis receives Distinguished Citizen Award

https://www.knoxpages.com/thrive/centerburgs-ellis-receives-distinguished-citizen-award/article_6b43462a-f3f5-11eb-b56a-f7b5d0f67e09.html

Obbie Jarrell

https://www.richlandsource.com/obituaries/obbie-jarrell/article_f905972e-eeeb-11eb-b398-2ffed6bd5589.html

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 - Want to adopt a dog? Well, youre in luck an RCF grant will help reduce the cost.

Thanks to a grant from the Richland County Foundation, the adoption of pups will get cheaper!

On Tuesday, Richland County commissioners voted to accept a $250 donation from the We Above Me Alex Switzer Memorial Fund. Its money that will be used by county Dog Warden Missy Houghton to defray costs associated with adopting dogs trained in the prison program.

In the program, inmate handlers take dogs from the shelter, as well as a couple of area humane societies, and take them to the prison for basic training.

Houghton says they focus on basic obedience commands and manners -- sit, stay, heel, walking on a leash and getting into a crate.

The training process can take four to eight weeks, depending on the dog.

Currently, a dog named Charmer is the only dog in the program from the county dog shelter.

And Charmer will soon be ready for adoption from the Richland County Dog Warden's Office!

Charmer is between 1 and 2 years old and has a slight neurological problem that causes him to lose his balance sometimes.

Right now, the cost to adopt a dog from the shelter is $169. That includes neutering, microchipping, a license for the first year, and the dog's DLPPP vaccine, which protects against distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus.

And in the case of Charmer, and other dogs that go through the MANCI Cell Dogs program, that cost will be reduced.

Houghton said the shelter currently has 40 dogs in its case with more than 20 currently available for adoption.

If you are interested in adopting Charmer or another dog from the shelter, call (419) 774-5892.

And make sure to visit us at richlandsource.com for photos of this adorable pup.

Before we continue, wed like to thank our sponsors at Richland Public Health When we stopped wearing masks to prevent covid 19 that was a big change. What hasnt changed is that the virus is still with us and coronavirus variants are easily spread among unvaccinated people. Richland Public Health urges you to find a no cost local covid 19 vaccination provider at richlandhealth.org.

Do your part so we can all enjoy Richland County TOGETHER.

Now, some local history

Did you know that Richland Countys Ohio Bird Sanctuary wasnt always a haven for avian wildlife? Not long ago the nature preserve was home to a different kind of wild thousands of screaming Boy Scouts each summer.

Known for 50 years as Camp Avery Hand, the rolling and wooded hills above the Clear Fork Reservoir were established as a Scout reservation in 1941 when the group outgrew their campground at Fleming Falls northeast of Mansfield.

While the eagles of today are different from the Eagle scouts of yore, you can visit, walk the trails, participate in educational programs, and help injured feathered friends return to the skies.

Next, were answering a question from our readers and listeners like you...

Todays question? Will decorative arches be lit up as part of Mansfield's Main Street improvement plan?

Todays question was posed by John Leach who had fond memories of the lighted arches in Mansfield along Main Street many years ago.

We reached out to city engineer, Bob Bianchi, to ask if the feature would return. The answer maybe!

The two planned arches are at the intersection of Main and South Park and Main and North Park. Theyre exploring the possibility of lighting them both.

But, Bianchi explained that the lighted arches used to be every 100 feet up to Fifth Street... and due to the expense it wouldnt be feasible to replicate that look today.

The Mansfield City Council approved a two year design and engineering effort that may ultimately lead to a $7.5 million dollar project to improve the road.

And in May, K.E. McCartney and Associates in Mansfield were awarded about $1 million to do the design and engineering services for the project. When its all said and done, Bianchi hopes that Federal and state grants will cover 75 percent of the costs.

While still in the early stages, the hope would be to help make downtown Mansfield a destination for residents and visitors alike.

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.

Now, wed like to take a moment to highlight Deb Napier.

Its been 5 years since she lost the love of her life. But now, every time she helps a young couple begin their journey into married life, she feels him by her side.

Napier is a professional wedding officiant. Shes officiated nearly 100 weddings.

Oftentimes, she likes to share her own story with the couple.

She met her second husband during the early days of online dating. And after getting to know each other through instant messaging and email, they agreed to meet in-person at a TGI Fridays.

They talked all through lunch and stayed until it was dinnertime. From that moment on, they were inseparable.

They were married 17 years. But one day he left for work and had an aneurysm and passed away.

There are still days where the grief of her loss takes a toll, but Napier continues to share her story with the couples she marries in hopes that it will inspire them to cherish every moment of their life together.

To contact Napier, email wvdeb@yahoo.com or visit Weddings, Renewal, Romance on Facebook.

Next, from Knox Pages

Some people hesitate to get involved when they see an altercation, but not Centerburg resident Willis Ellis Jr. Instead of standing around gawking, Ellis jumped into action.

On July 5, Sheriff's Deputy Curt Kelly heard a commotion outside of his office and went out to investigate. He discovered 21-year-old Reese D. Patrick standing in the intersection of Main and North Clayton streets.

Patrick, unprovoked, launched an attack on Deputy Kelly. Thats when Ellis saw the struggle and jumped in to help Kelly.

In recognition of Ellis' assistance, Shaffer presented a Distinguished Citizen Award to Ellis during Monday's council meeting.

Patrick was later indicted on two felony counts: first-degree felonious assault and fourth-degree assault on a police officer.

Finally, wed like to take a moment to remember the life of Obbie Jarrell of Mansfield.

Obbie was born in Fort Gay, West Virginia and he was a kind man who never met a stranger. He loved god, his family, and enjoyed making people smile. You couldn't help but be happier in his presence.

Obbie spent his career at Norfolk Southern Railroad. He enjoyed working on cars and had the greenest of thumbs, growing his many plants and his cats kept him company.

He is survived by his wife, four children, seventeen grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren and two brothers.

Thank you for taking a moment with us today to remember and celebrate Obbies 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 -- James Weiner didn't hold back Tuesday evening while telling Mansfield City Council about a proposed free, public wi-fi system in the downtown.

"Out of all the projects I have brought you over the years," the city's IT director said, "I am most excited about this one. This is a great thing for the city of Mansfield."

The enthusiasm was infectious as council, which was scheduled to just discuss the project in caucus Tuesday, opted to move it forward for a final vote and gave the $47,626 project unanimous approval.

The vote came after Weiner and Downtown Mansfield Inc. CEO Jennifer Kime told council the proposal to offer the wi-fi in a several-block radius is just the first phase of a longer-term, "Smart City" approach.

"This is a project that came out of Mansfield Rising ... it's another one of our initiatives," Kime said. "A lot of other communities have it. We're not breaking ground here. This is just something that helps us level up and keep up with other communities.

"It provides an amenity for businesses and residents and helps people have reasons to gather."

The wi-fi coverage area would encompass land from East Fifth Street on the north and Park Avenue East on the south with east-west boundaries of South Adams Street and Main Street.

Funds for the project, which will use existing city bandwidth, will come from the Downtown Improvement Fund, created by City Council in 2018 to fund projects by adding $5 to the cost of local motor vehicle registrations.

Free public wi-fi is one of the goals identified in the Mansfield Rising Downtown Reinvestment Plan in 2019. The proposal was previously recommended by the Downtown Improvement Advisory Board and approved by the city's Board of Control.

Kime said last week the project will attract more visitors and more community events and also offer greater broadband equity.

"We know a lot people have unlimited data, but we also know a lot of people don't. This service will help that segment of the community," she said.

Weiner said the plan is to get basic infrastructure in place and tested and ensure it's functioning as planned before expanding the wi-fi footprint to more of the downtown and perhaps also to public transit buses, city parks and more.

"It gives the city of Mansfield the opportunity to build an instructure that we could then build a 'Smart City' initiative on," Weiner said.

The city is partnering with Northwest Regional Systems, a Mansfield company that has installed wireless internet systems around the country.

Kime praised the efforts of Northwest owner Patrick Simon for offering "a great price" and his expertise in designing the system the city hopes to install. His company is located at 485 Oak St.

Simon has said his company has done about two dozen similar-size projects in California, Tennessee, New York, Florida, Illinois, Nevada and Colorado and hundreds of smaller wi-fi efforts in other locations.

Simon said his relationship with manufacturer Cisco Meraki helped "hold down" equipment costs and he was also providing a bit of a "hometown discount" on the labor.

"We have been working on this project for a couple of years now," Simon said. "We are excited to see it moving forward."

Barring shipping delays of equipment, Simon has said he hoped to begin installation in September.

The ultimate goal for a "Smart City" is the creation of an urban area that uses different types of electronic methods and sensors to collect data. Insights gained from that data are used to manage assets, resources and services efficiently; in return, that data is used to improve the operations across the city.

In other matters Tuesday, City Council:

-- moved a proposed $1.5 million engineer/design project for the North Lake Park dry damn out of committee and scheduled it for three readings and a final vote on Sept. 21.

-- give first reading to amendments to the city's emergency alarms ordinances.

-- approved legislation to ordinances related to splash pads at Johns Park and North Lake Park.

-- approved payment of $150 to George Warne, 151 Ausdale Ave., for damages incurred during a sewer back-up in November 2020. The payment was previously approved by council's claims committee.

-- approved legislation adding outbuildings as part of previously approved structural demolitions at 53 Florence Ave. and 461 Busch Place.

-- approved the donation of playground equipment from Richland County Newhope for usage at Sterkel Park.

-- approved paying $157,000 to pay Utility Service Co. Inc. for an annual water meter maintenance program through a "then-and-now" certificate.

-- approved the appropriation of $200,000 from the parks and recreation fund for various purposes, including new playground equipment at Burton Park and Redwood Park, removal of old playground equipment, demolition of the Prospect Park pavilion, engineering and architectural services for Sterkel Park restrooms and a new F250 pickup truck.

-- approved the appropriation of $201,300 to purchase a new 2022 Ford E450 Braun Chief XL ambulance for the fire department. The Board of Control approved the proposal last week. Funds for the purchase come from the department's EMS transport fees. Fire Chief Steve Strickling said delivery of the new squad is not expected until 2022.
GREEN TOWNSHIP, Wayne County  A Minnesota pilot was injured Wednesday morning when his crop duster plane crashed along Bechtel Road in Green Township of Wayne County.

Tyler James Vold, 24, of Breckenridge, Minn. was taken to Wooster Community Hospital for minor injuries, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol Post in Wooster.

An OSHP press release said Vold was the only person on board the plane, an Air Tractor AT-502, and that he was crop dusting when it struck a wire and he lost control. The plane crashed into several power lines and utility poles until coming to a stop in a yard next to a garage.

There were no injuries to anyone on the ground or near the residences, the news release said.

An OSHP trooper said Vold called police at 10:28 a.m. The trooper said it was too early to know if the pilot was impaired or not.

He said the Federal Aviation Administration was on the scene as of 2:15 p.m. to investigate the crash.

Authorities said electric and cable lines were damaged in the crash. Crews from American Electric Power and MCTV, an internet service provider, were on scene to restore service.

According to AEP's outage map, 1,733 customers were without power as of 2:30 p.m.

It was unclear how many MCTV customers experienced an outage.

Other agencies on scene Wednesday included the Wayne County Sheriff's Department and Central Fire Department.

Departments on scene: Ohio State Highway Patrols Wooster Post, Reconstruction Unit and Aviation. Wayne County Sheriffs Department and Central Fire Department.
A few years ago, we spotted an internet picture of a toddler licking a pig on the snout. Its funny, and it usually gets the Ewww reaction from everyone that sees it.

We use the licking a pig picture at the Richland County Fair and Bellville Street Fair to remind people that some things just arent very sanitary. Logic dictates that you do the best to protect yourself: in this case Dont lick a pig.

In general, though, if you visit the animal barns or exhibits at the Fair and touch an animal, our best advice is to wash your hands (or use one of our convenient hand sanitizer stations). This is especially true if you are going to get something to eat.

Wash your hands first because you dont know where that animal has been (or what it has rolled in  even that cute fluffy bunny in the rabbit barn).

This year when you go to the Fairs, theres a possibility that someone you meet might be infected with coronavirus. We arent suggesting that the person is a filthy animal, (cue cheeky reference to Home Alone) but we are suggesting that you dont know where theyve been, what they've touched, or what germ or virus they might be carrying, even if they appear to be perfectly healthy.

So, Richland Public Health is asking you (frankly, we are begging you) to use any hand sanitation station at the Fairs frequently. Or visit a wash room and use soap and water. Or carry your own sanitizer in your pocket or purse.

The one consistent message weve used throughout this time of COVID-19 is Wash Your Hands Frequently. That guidance hasnt changed since day one.

So: what about masks? You knew we were getting to this right? Again, we are talking about the safest thing you can do, not always the most convenient. Our recommendation is that everyone, fully vaccinated or not, wear a mask when you are among a large group of people, and Fairs tend to be very crowded. And yes, this includes even if you are outside.

Those that are fully vaccinated may still carry a viral load that wont make them sick but can be transmitted to an unvaccinated person. If you are unvaccinated, you can reduce your chance of getting sick or passing the virus on to someone who cant be vaccinated (children younger than 12, for example). Wearing your mask helps stop this transmission.

So thats all we are asking: wash your hands frequently and wear a mask for everyones protection.

After all, you cant lick a pig if you are wearing your mask.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story was written in response to a reader-submitted question through Open Source, a platform where readers can ask Richland Sources newsroom to investigate a question. More than one reader has asked for an update on the accident involving Source Media reporter Dillon Carr.

MANSFIELD -- An 82-year-old Mansfield man has been charged with improper passing after his vehicle collided with a bicycle July 21 on Marion Avenue.

Elvin Burnell of 1220 Sheirer Road was charged with the minor misdemeanor on Monday after an investigation by the Mansfield Post of the Highway Patrol into the accident that injured Dillon Carr, a reporter for Source Media.

Burnell, who left the scene after the accident, turned himself into the patrol post on July 24 after he was told by his daughter someone had been injured in the crash, which occurred between Home and Trimble Roads at 7:45 a.m.

Carr was near the end of an 18-mile bicycle ride and was headed to his home in the Woodland neighborhood of Mansfield. He exited the Richland B&O Bike Trail and turned east onto Marion Avenue.

Burnell was driving a 2017 Toyota Highlander SUV.

According to the accident report completed by Trooper Andrew Nelson, "(Burnell) stated he was east(bound) on Marion Road and there was another car/vehicle headed west."

"He stated he misjudged the distance between himself and the bike and he struck it," Nelson wrote. "He stated he turned around and could not locate the bike and got confused. He did not think there was any injury due to his vehicle not being heavily damaged so he went home."

"His daughter read the article (on the Source website) and talked to her father and when he heard there was injury to the bicyclist, he turned himself in right away," Nelson wrote.

"Mr. Burnell was remorseful and cooperative throughout the investigation," Nelson said in his report.

Burnell is scheduled for arraignment in Mansfield Municipal Court on Aug. 13, according to court records.

The SUV sustained minor damage to its right front. The bicycle was disabled in the accident.

It's not clear if other charges were considered by the OSHP. The initial page of the accident report says Burnell's vehicle "fled the area" in the narrative describing the accident. On the second page, the "hit/skip" box is checked.

Carr, 29, said he had been passed by a couple of cars before he was struck.

"I have ridden on that road countless times and it's always sort of busy," he said. "People often drive fast there and it was at the forefront of my mind to be conscientious and stay to the right.

"I had just crested a hill and was making my way to the next one when all of a sudden I hear a crunch and I am flying through the air," Carr said.

"The car put on its brakes and looked like it was stopping, even turning around. I was angry, I knew something was wrong with my shoulder, I was holding it in place. I was looking for my phone. I was looking for my shoe. My bike was a crumpled mess.

"I didn't really look that hard at the driver. I thought for sure this person would stop and try to help. But it just turned around and drove past me in the complete opposite direction it had been going," said Carr, an Ontario High School graduate who grew up in the area.

Carr was treated at OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital for a rare posterior shoulder dislocation, a compressed fracture of his T-11 vertebra near the base of his spine and "some really gnarly road rash" on the left side of his body.

He continues to recover from his injuries.

"The right shoulder is stiff and sore. I keep it in a sling for the majority of the day and try to ice a lot. There's limited mobility, but it's definitely better than it was. Some days are better than others," Carr said.

"The back is annoying. I've never broken a vertebrae, so it's hard to describe the pain. I've just been saying it's a constant reminder that I'm injured. I feel like every movement -- daily things like sitting and standing, turning around to see what's behind me -- is wrong or that I'm doing more damage. I wear a back stabilizer," Carr said.

Carr said he has an appointment with a neurologist Thursday and an orthopedic doctor Monday, who has told him an MRI will be needed.

Messages for Nelson and Burnell were not returned by the time this story published.
Richmond, KY (40475)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 66F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 66F. Winds light and variable.
Weather Alert

...Strong thunderstorms will impact portions of Ozaukee, Milwaukee, southeastern Fond du Lac, southeastern Columbia, northern Waukesha, eastern Dane, Washington, northern Jefferson, Dodge and southwestern Sheboygan Counties through 700 PM CDT... At 526 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along a line extending from 6 miles northeast of Kewaskum to near Watertown. Movement was east at 30 mph. HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and penny size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible. Locations impacted include... Milwaukee, Waukesha, West Allis, Wauwatosa, New Berlin, Brookfield, Greenfield, Menomonee Falls, Oak Creek, West Bend, Watertown, Mequon, South Milwaukee, Cudahy, Beaver Dam, Hartford, Whitefish Bay, Greendale, Pewaukee and Brown Deer. People attending The Wisconsin State Fair, and The Iron Ridge Firemans Picnic should seek safe shelter immediately! PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways. && MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN; MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
Rocky Mount, NC (27804)

Today

Cloudy skies this evening followed by thunderstorms late. Low around 70F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Cloudy skies this evening followed by thunderstorms late. Low around 70F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.
RYAN HUTTON/Staff file photo The city of Peabody is suing a commercial real estate appraiser it hired back in 2015 to assess the value of the O'Shea Mansion before taking it by eminent domain in 2016.
Seattle voters got a better understanding of who will move forward to the Nov. 3 general election with the first batch of votes in the primary election released on Tuesday night.

The crowded mayoral field was whittled down from 15 candidates to two likely frontrunners with former City Council President Bruce Harrell and current Council President M. Lorena Gonzalez receiving 38.02% and 28.60% of the early vote, respectively. Current City Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda looks primed to defend her seat against a lesser-known candidate, while Fremont Brewing co-owner Sara Nelson and community organizer and attorney Nikkita Oliver will likely advance for Position 9 on the council.

However, one important race remains too close to predict following Tuesday's count: Seattle city attorney.

Incumbent Pete Holmes, who is seeking his fourth term, is currently neck and neck with his two opponents, Republican Ann Davison and abolitionist public defender Nicole Thomas-Kennedy, who are challenging his record for prosecuting crime in Seattle. In the latest batch of results released Wednesday, Davison was leading with 34.92% of the vote, followed by Holmes with 32.66% of the vote and Thomas-Kennedy trailing close behind with 32.10%.

The city attorney is one of the most powerful elected officials in the city with over 100 attorneys on staff to handle 12,000 civil and criminal litigation cases a year. The city attorney does not handle felonies, which are instead referred to King County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg.

Surprisingly, Holmes is positioned as the more politically center-left candidate in the race. His record includes supporting cannabis legalization, and he also worked to vacate past criminal convictions for possession at a time when marijuana legalization was still considered radical. He's also been involved with the federal consent decree since the beginning, which has gone through high turnover from Seattle officials. In his pitch to voters for reelection, he argued for continuity as city leadership changes.

During last year's racial justice protests following the murder of George Floyd, Holmes stated his office would not file charges against people arrested during the protests for misdemeanors, such as reckless endangerment or lower level assaults, if they agree to engage with a diversion program.

GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI

Holmes has been criticized by some of the city's larger business associations for being "soft on crime." His two opponents are also capitalizing on his record on both sides, either arguing that he has allowed the city to reach a state of lawlessness by not prosecuting enough, or has prosecuted too many smaller crimes.

Davison, who unsuccessfully ran for lieutenant governor last year as a Republican, seems to show a fundamental misunderstanding of what the office does and instead capitalizes on fear of rising crime in Seattle. Her website and campaign materials include city statistics on rape, homicide and aggravated assault, felonies that would not be handled by the city attorney's office. She reasons that many of the people who commit these crimes often have previous interactions with the city attorneys office, although she doesn't state how she would then divert low-level offenders from committing a felony.

"It should be the goal of the City Attorney to make prosecution decisions that lead people away from a life of more serious crimes and the data does not support success in that," her website states.

Entering the race last minute as a more progressive option against Holmes, Thomas-Kennedy is running on an abolitionist platform that would stop prosecuting low-level offenses that often disproportionately target low-income communities and communities of color. Misdemeanor convictions can create a barrier to housing, employment and other social services.

"We must address the root causes of poverty, homelessness, and despair, which is why I will refocus the civil division of the office to go after large scale harms: wage theft, corporate landlords, and oil companies that destroy the environment," Thomas-Kennedy wrote on her website.

Endorsements from newspapers have been given to both candidates challenging Holmes: Davison managed to snag the approval of the editorial board at The Seattle Times, while Thomas-Kennedy was endorsed by The Stranger.

The next drop of ballots, which could change the currently tight race, will occur at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Heralding another step toward pre-pandemic life in Washington, vaccinated American tourists will be able to cross the northern border into Canada starting Aug. 9.



The U.S.-Canada border has been closed for nonessential travel since March of 2020, when the two countries mutually agreed to shut the border as COVID-19 began to spread throughout North America. Canadian tourists wont be able to enter the U.S. until at least Aug. 21.



However, for the foreseeable future, crossing into Canada wont be as simple as it once was. If youre planning a trip north after the border reopens on Aug. 9, you should consider the following six things.

Before heading to Canada, vaccinated Americans will need to complete two important things. First, youll need to pass a COVID test. The test must be taken within 72 hours of the time you arrive at the border, so make sure your results will be available before you attempt to cross.

Second, you will need to fill out a travel questionnaire on Canadas ArriveCAN app. The app is free and available for download on iOS and Android. Its also accessible online. If you pass your COVID test, this is where youll certify that youve tested negative.



This is also where youll upload your proof of vaccination. A photo of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention record card you received when you were vaccinated will suffice. If you were vaccinated in Washington but lost your card, you can access your vaccination records online.



The ArriveCAN app will ask you to come up with a quarantine plan, but if youre vaccinated and passed your COVID test, you wont need to quarantine.

DNY59/Getty Images/iStockphoto

Have your paperwork ready

Even though you certified that youre vaccinated and tested negative for COVID through the ArriveCAN app, you will still need to provide documentation for both at the border.

Prep for testing at the border

You will need to take a second COVID test upon entering Canada. Most travelers will be tested on the spot by Switch Health. You can expedite this process by making a Switch Health account online.



If you are not tested on the spot, you will be given a testing kit and will need to test yourself once you arrive at your destination. There will be instructions inside the kit on how to submit your sample to authorities.

Decide how youll get to your destination

Starting Monday, travel requirements will be the same whether you enter Canada by air, land or sea. But not all transportation options will immediately resume service on Aug. 9.

Some ferries that take passengers from Washington to Canada have signaled that theyll wait until they have a better understanding of Canadas entry requirements before they return to service. Greyhound Lines, Inc., has also said it will likely delay bus service to Canada until after Aug. 9. Amtraks website says its trains will resume travel to Canada once the border reopens, but its unclear whether that will happen immediately.



If youre not going far, the simplest way to enter Canada is to drive. Motorists traveling from Washington can cross the border at the Peace Arch or Pacific Highway in Blaine, Lynden-Aldergrove in Lynden, or Sumas-Huntingdon in Sumas. More border crossings in Washington can be found on the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys website.



If youd prefer to fly, airports in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Halifax, Quebec City, Ottawa, Winnipeg and Edmonton will all accept international travelers starting Aug. 9.

Start making reservations now

Many businesses in Canada are still operating at a limited capacity, and with the border opening for the first time in more than a year, you can expect space at hotels, restaurants, or cultural events to fill up fast.

gilaxia/Getty Images

Check local regulations and bring your mask

Each province in Canada has its own COVID-19 restrictions in place.

For example, in most settings, everyone must a wear mask indoors in Yukon, but in nearby British Columbia, wearing a mask indoors is optional in most settings, even for those who are unvaccinated.

Destination Canada, which promotes tourism to the country, put together a province-by-province guide to help visitors understand the differences. You can find it here.
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.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden may have averted a flood of evictions and solved a growing political problem when his administration reinstated a temporary ban on evictions because of the COVID-19 crisis. B ut he left his lawyers with legal arguments that even he acknowledges might not stand up in court.

The new eviction moratorium announced Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention could run into opposition at the Supreme Court, where one justice in late June warned the administration not to act further without explicit congressional approval.

Landlords from Alabama whose bid to lift the earlier pause on evictions failed returned to federal court in Washington late Wednesday, asking for an order that would allow evictions to resume.

The administration is counting on differences between the new order, scheduled to last until Oct. 3, and the eviction pause that lapsed over the weekend to bolster its legal case. At the very least, as Biden himself said, the new moratorium will buy some time to protect the estimated 3.6 million Americans who could face eviction from their homes.

Some legal scholars who doubt the new eviction ban will stand up say its legal underpinnings are strikingly similar to the old one.

Meet the new moratorium, same as the old moratorium! Ilya Somin, a George Mason University law professor who backed Biden over former President Donald Trump last year, wrote on Reason.com.

Nicholas Bagley, a University of Michigan law professor, said he expects landlords "all over the country to turn immediately to the courts in an effort to secure a preliminary injunction, an order that would effectively allow evictions to resume.

The basic legal issue is whether the CDC has the authority in the midst of a public health crises to impose a pause on evictions, under existing federal law that dates to 1944.

U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich ruled in May the CDC exceeded its power under that law, a decision Bagley called measured and sensible. But Friedrich kept her ruling in favor of the Alabama landlords on hold pending appeal.

In June, the Supreme Court voted 5-4 to allow the moratorium to remain in place through the end of July, even though one justice in the majority, Brett Kavanaugh, wrote that he believed CDC lacked authority to order it. Extending the moratorium any further, Kavanaugh wrote, would be possible only with clear and specific congressional authorization (via new legislation).

Congress has not acted. Neither the House nor Senate had the votes for a temporary extension, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi did not so much as hint Tuesday that she would try to move legislation through the House.

Today is a day of extraordinary relief. Thanks to the leadership of President Biden, 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.

Biden was told a new nationwide moratorium, like the one that just expired, would likely be blocked by courts, according to a senior White House official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

But the administration went ahead without Congress weighing in, after officials devised a plan with enough changes to, they hope, make it less vulnerable to court challenges.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki insisted Wednesday that Biden, who has a law degree, would not have supported it if he was uncomfortable with the legal standing or approach, despite the doubts he aired publicly a day earlier.

This is a narrow, targeted moratorium that is different from the national moratorium. Its not an extension of that, Psaki said.

Pelosi helped recruit Harvard University Professor Emeritus Laurence Tribe to work on a solution and persuade the White House that a narrower moratorium could stand up in court, according to a person who was granted anonymity to discuss private conversations.

The new order protects renters only in parts of the country where there is significant COVID-19 transmission, though in practice it initially covers areas where 90% of the U.S. population lives. Evictions can resume once there is a lasting reduction in new infections.

The differences are significant, some legal scholars said.

What this does is very directly link the moratorium to the control of COVID-19, said Emily Benfer, a Wake Forest law professor who studies health and housing. With all the information that is now known about the new delta variant, the war on COVID has changed since last time the question of the moratorium was before the Supreme Court, she said.

Brianne Gorod, of the liberal Constitutional Accountability Center, also cautioned against reading too much into Kavanaughs one-paragraph comment on the moratorium from late June.

Courts will consider how the spread of the delta variant and its significant transmissibility make clear the need for this more targeted moratorium, Gorod said.

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which encompasses Tennessee, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio, ruled in late July in a separate lawsuit that CDC lacks the authority to issue pauses on eviction. And the CDC order itself says it does not apply to the extent its application is prohibited by federal court order.

As a result, Barbara Peck, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee state court system, said Wednesday that lawyers for courts in her state had advised that it is not applicable in Tennessee.

Some housing advocates said the new system would be complicated but would prevent some evictions. Their clients were grateful for the reprieve.

Antoinette Eleby, 42, of Miami, said she had been worried as she expected an eviction order within two to three weeks after she said her landlord twice refused to take federal rental assistance. She had sent five of nine children to live with her mother in another county.

But after hearing about the new CDC order, Eleby said she was hopeful the additional time would persuade her landlord to take the federal funds and she could remain her home. She has been told by her lawyer that the order means she cannot be evicted by sheriffs officers.

Now that this happened, Im kind of at ease. I am just seeing what are the next steps. I just have to continue hoping for the best, said Eleby, who couldnt work for part of the pandemic after her family contracted COVID-19.

___

Associated Press writers Lisa Mascaro, Darlene Superville in Washington and Michael Casey in Boston contributed to this report.
VARIBOBI, Greece (AP)  Greece evacuated people in boats from an island beach Wednesday amid heavy smoke from a nearby wildfire and fire crews fought to keep flames away from the birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games as the country sweltered under a record heat wave.

With over 100 wildfires burning in Greece, the European Union sent assistance to it and other southeast European countries grappling with huge wildfires. The help came a day after another major blaze burned more than 100 homes and businesses near the Greek capital of Athens.

Civil Protection chief Nikos Hardalias said 118 wildfires broke out over the past 24 hours, and warned that even worse days could lie ahead for the hard-pressed fire service.

We are making a titanic effort on many fronts, he told an evening briefing. According to our threat forecasts, tomorrow too is expected to be a difficult day ... The toughest part lies ahead of us, the next days and weeks will be even harder. Our key target is to protect human lives.

Evacuations were taking place in Greece's southern Peloponnese region due to a major fire near ancient Olympia  where the Olympics were held every four years from 776 B.C. for more than a millennium. The adjacent town of Ancient Olympia was evacuated, with another seven nearby villages. The area was ravaged by wildfires in 2007 that cost dozens of lives but spared Olympia's ruined sports venues and temples.

The mayor of the nearby town of Pirgos said a strong firefighting cordon had been placed around the verdant site.

I think the sites security is at a satisfactory level, Panagiotis Andonakopoulos said.

The coast guard evacuated about 90 people stranded on a beach near the northern village of Rovies on the island of Evia. Private boats helped in the operation. Media reports said three firefighters suffered burns. Several homes were burnt as well as swaths of forest.

Temperatures in Greece reached 45 degrees Celsius (113 Fahrenheit) Wednesday, in what authorities described as the worst heat wave since 1987. Neighboring countries face similar conditions, fueling deadly wildfires in Turkey and blazes in Italy and across the Mediterranean region. Officials in Albania said one person died of smoke inhalation near the southern city of Gjirokaster,.

An EU disaster response group said firefighters and water-dropping planes were being sent from EU members to Italy, Greece, Albania and North Macedonia.

Following the situation with great concern. European solidarity is at work to fight these terrible fires, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted.

The EU Atmosphere Monitoring Service said smoke plumes from the region's wildfires were clearly visible in satellite images, which also showed that the intensity of the wildfires in Turkey was at the highest level since records started in 2003.

Greek scientists said the total destruction in just three days this month in Greece exceeded 50% of the average area burnt in the country in previous years. An Athens Observatory report said an estimated 6,000 hectares (14,800 acres) went up in smoke in the wildfires between Sunday-Wednesday  compared to 10,400 hectares in the whole of last year.

The causes of the Greek wildfires were unclear, but authorities say human error and carelessness are most frequently to blame.

Outside Athens, low-flying helicopters and planes dumped water on charred forests around Tatoi, 20 kilometers (12 1/2 miles) north of Athens, where more than 500 firefighters had battled through the night to contain the blaze that started Tuesday. At least 80 cars were burned.

The ground crews did vital work, (fighting) nightmarish fires in suburban forests, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said, visiting a mobile control center. We had no loss of human life. ... Homes will be rebuilt and over time the forest will grow back.

Firefighters pumped water from a swimming pool to douse the flames, and water-dropping buckets were attached to military helicopters. Authorities said more than 100 homes and businesses had been seriously damaged or destroyed, and more than 500 people were put up for the night in hotels.

The fire sent clouds of smoke over the Greek capital. It also raged close to a large forested estate and palace that once belonged to Greeces royal family and is now a public park but Greeces Culture Ministry said Wednesday the Tatoi estate was not harmed.

It said artifacts of particular historic and artistic value were removed from storage areas in the estate as a precaution. Under a major restoration program, thousands of artifacts from the former palace  including ceremonial carriages, luxury cars, antiquities, paintings and clothes  have been stored for years on the estate pending conservation.

Sporadic power outages occurred after the flames toppled electricity transmission towers, adding more strains to Greece's overloaded national power grid at the height of the key summer tourist season.

The heat wave is forecast to hover over Greece and Turkey until the end of the week.

___ Derek Gatopoulos in Athens and Elena Becatoros in Argostoli, Greece. contributed.

___

Follow all AP stories on climate change issues at https://apnews.com/hub/climate.
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.
MEXICO CITY (AP)  The Mexican government sued United States gun manufacturers and distributors Wednesday in U.S. federal court, arguing that their negligent and illegal commercial practices have unleashed tremendous bloodshed in Mexico.

The unusual lawsuit was filed in U.S. federal court in Boston. Among those being sued are some of the biggest names in guns, including: Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc.; Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Inc.; Beretta U.S.A. Corp.; Colts Manufacturing Company LLC, and Glock Inc. Another defendant is Interstate Arms, a Boston-area wholesaler that sells guns from all but one of the named manufacturers to dealers around the U.S.

The manufacturers did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Mexican government argues that the companies know that their practices contribute to the trafficking of guns to Mexico and facilitate it. Mexico wants compensation for the havoc the guns have wrought in its country.

The Mexican government brings this action to put an end to the massive damage that the Defendants cause by actively facilitating the unlawful trafficking of their guns to drug cartels and other criminals in Mexico, the lawsuit said.

The government estimates that 70% of the weapons trafficked to Mexico come from the U.S., according to the Foreign Affairs Ministry. And that in 2019 alone, at least 17,000 homicides were linked to trafficked weapons.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation, the U.S. firearm industrys trade association, said in a statement that it rejected Mexicos allegations of negligence.

These allegations are baseless. The Mexican government is responsible for the rampant crime and corruption within their own borders, said Lawrence G. Keane, the group's senior vice president and general counsel. The Mexican government is responsible for enforcing its laws, he said.

The group also took issue with Mexicos figures for the number of guns recovered at crime scenes and traced back to the U.S. It said that traces were attempted on only a fraction of the recovered guns and only on the ones carrying a serial number, making them more likely to have originated in the U.S.

Alejandro Celorio, legal advisor for the ministry, told reporters Wednesday that the damage caused by the trafficked guns would be equal to 1.7% to 2% of Mexicos gross domestic product. The government will seek at least $10 billion in compensation, he said. Mexico's GDP last year was more than $1.2 trillion.

We dont do it to pressure the United States, Celorio said. We do it so there arent deaths in Mexico.

Ebrard said the lawsuit was another piece of the governments efforts against guns. The priority is that we reduce homicides, he said. We arent looking to change American laws.

Mexico did not seek the advice of the U.S. government on the matter, but advised the U.S. Embassy before filing the lawsuit.

Steve Shadowen, the lead attorney representing Mexico, said that in the early 2000s about 30 U.S. cities brought similar litigation against gun manufacturers arguing that they should be responsible for increased police, hospitalization and other costs associated with gun violence.

As some cities started winning, gun manufacturers went to Congress and got an immunity statute for the manufacturers. Shadowen said he believes that immunity doesnt apply when the injury occurs outside the United States.

The merits of the case are strongly in our favor and then we have to get around this immunity statute which we think were going to win," he said. "That statute just simply doesnt apply. It only applies when youre in the United States.

He said he believes it is the first time a foreign government has sued the gun manufacturers.

Adam Winkler, a law professor at the University of California, Los Angeles and expert on gun policy, called Mexico's effort a long shot.

It is a bold and innovative lawsuit," he said. "We havent seen anything like this before. The gun manufacturers have enjoyed broad immunity from lawsuits for now two decades.

He said he had not seen arguments that the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act applies only to damages in the United States.

The sale of firearms is severely restricted in Mexico and controlled by the Defense Department. But thousands of guns are smuggled into Mexico by the countrys powerful drug cartels.

There were more than 36,000 murders in Mexico last year, and the toll has remained stubbornly high despite President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's pledge to pacify the country. Mexicos nationwide murder rate in 2020 remained unchanged at 29 per 100,000 inhabitants. By comparison, the U.S. homicide rate in 2019 was 5.8 per 100,000.

In August 2019, a gunmen killed 23 people in an El Paso Walmart, including some Mexican citizens. At that time, Foreign Affairs Secretary Marcelo Ebrard said the government would explore its legal options. The government said Wednesday that recent rulings in U.S. courts contributed to its decision to file the lawsuit.

It cited a decision in California allowing a lawsuit against Smith & Wesson to move forward, a lawsuit filed last week against Century Arms related to a 2019 shooting in Gilroy, California, and the $33 million settlement reached by Remington with some of the families whose children were killed in the Newtown, Connecticut, Sandy Hook Elementary mass school shooting.

Winkler, the UCLA professor, mentioned the Sandy Hook lawsuit as one that initially few thought would go anywhere.

The plaintiffs in that case made an innovative and bold argument, too, he said. They argued that the immunity statute does not prevent these gun makers from being held liable where they act negligently.

Over the past year or so, weve seen some cracks in the immunity armor provided by federal law, Winkler said. Even if this lawsuit moves forward, it will be extremely difficult for Mexico to win because it will be hard to show that this distribution process or their distribution practices are a manifestation of negligence on the part of the gun makers.
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.
TUNIS, Tunisia (AP)  A day after naming a new economy minister, President Kais Saied on Tuesday added Tunisia's ambassador to the United States to a rash of dismissals, but he has yet to say who will replace the prime minister he fired less than two weeks ago or when.

Saied, who took on executive powers July 25 and began ruling by decree, has also undertaken globe-spanning consultations, meeting Tuesday with the foreign minister of Egypt, a critical ally in the Middle East.

Local polls say there is large support for Saieds controversial actions, which importantly included freezing Tunisia's parliament,

The North African country has been cementing its democracy since chasing out its former autocratic ruler a decade ago, triggering the Arab Spring. Tunisia is the only success story to emerge from those chaotic times, and allies, from the United States to Europe and the Middle East, have worried about what comes next.

Tunisia is coping with economic, social and health crises, with the coronavirus pandemic overwhelming its hospitals. Saied, using an article in the constitution that allows a president to step in under grave circumstances, has said he did so to save the country.

In his meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukry, the president highlighted the correlation between Egypts and Tunisias security and stability, the official TAP news agency said.

Egypt's envoy said that Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi backed Saieds moves with his full support for the historic steps of the Tunisian leader, TAP added. Egypt and Tunisia are working together to ensure stability not only in the two countries, but also across the region, the agency quoted the foreign minister as saying after the meeting.

The important Economy Ministry got a new acting minister Monday, with the dismissal of Ali Kooli, as did the Communications Technology ministry.

The rash of firings that began when Saied assumed all executive power continued Tuesday. Tunisias ambassador to Washington, Nejmeddine Lakhal, was the latest dignitary terminated, the official news agency said. No explanation was given. Also Tuesday, the president fired the governor of the important Sfax region in eastern Tunisia.

Some lawmakers have not been spared, snared by judicial officials on complaints that could not be prosecuted earlier. The president lifted the immunity of the parliamentary body when he took on all powers, and a handful have been summoned to answer to charges they had escaped.
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.
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Good morning, Bay Area. Its Wednesday, August 4, and Californias largest wildfire is continuing to force evacuations. Heres what you need to know to start your day.

Californias eviction moratorium lasts until Sept. 31, but some 148,000 households in the nine-county Bay Area are behind on rent, according to an estimate by the National Equity Atlas. Households like the one headed by Victoria Medina, who lost her job as a contract kitchen worker at Google last spring.

Medina, a 47-year-old mother of three, started selling tamales for $3 each near the Mission apartment where her family has lived since 2004. But shes still $9,000 behind on rent and two applications for rent relief have yet to pan out. For lower-income renters like Medina, Gov. Gavin Newsom has vowed to use $5.2 billion in emergency funding to pay 100% of pandemic rent debt from April 2020 to September 2021.

But public records obtained by The Chronicle show that seven months after the federal government first announced the unprecedented aid effort, state and local rent relief programs in the Bay Area have paid out just $88.5 million as of mid-July. Thats about 10% of the $889 million the U.S. Treasury allocated to the region.

Reporter Lauren Hepler explains whats drivings delays  and whos most at risk.

Related: How to apply to California's COVID rent relief programs

More pandemic coverage:

 S.F. to allow booster shots for those who received Johnson & Johnson vaccine and will bring COVID vaccines to peoples homes for small groups.

 BART service returns to near-normal levels, but the post-pandemic future could be something different.

 S.F. exploring potential mandate requiring vaccination proof for entry to indoor restaurants, gyms. Reader poll: Would you support a vaccine mandate for indoor venues?

 For weary San Franciscans, the masks are back.

 The latest news on our live updates page.

Fire updates

Noah Berger/Associated Press

The Dixie Fire  burning across more than 253,000 acres of Plumas and Butte counties  is only 35% contained and threatens more than 7,000 structures. On Tuesday, the Plumas County Sheriff's Office issued a mandatory evacuation order for the east shore of Lake Almanor as firefighters battled the growing blaze. Read more.

 The Bay Areas urban exodus led many to Californias most fire-prone areas.

 Dixie Fire leaves Rich Bar, a Gold Rush-era ghost town, in ashes.

 PG&E power line may have started the Fly Fire that merged with bigger Dixie Fire.

Around the Bay

Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

 Three incidents: S.F. Mayor Breed to be fined almost $23,000 for series of significant ethics violations while in office.

  We barely got this right  : Assisted death is legal in California, but some patients die waiting. A new bill could help.

 Last of series of restaurants: Korean hot spot Namu's pioneering Mission space closes after 9 years.

 Recall: Jane Fonda explored recall run amid concerns about Newsom's vulnerability. More from Joe Garofoli: Republicans in first California recall debate have to do more than bash Newsom.

 Missing runner case: Body believed to be that of Philip Kreycik found near game trail hidden from view.

Total SF

Quentin Kopp is a former San Francisco supervisor, state senator and judge  but he's known to local journalists as the most prolific angry-letter writer in the city.

On a recent episode of the Total SF podcast, co-hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight visit the self-professed "curmudgeon" to talk about his life, his letter-writing process, what he really thinks of them.

Listen to more here.

More podcasts:

 Its All Political: How Gavin Newsom Could Get Recalled

 Extra Spicy: You can eat unagi, but should you? Inside the billion-dollar black market for glass eels.

Bay Briefing is written by Taylor Kate Brown, Anna Buchmann and Kellie Hwang and sent to readers email inboxes on weekday mornings. Sign up for the newsletter here, and contact the writers at taylor.brown@sfchronicle.com, anna.buchmann@sfchronicle.com and kellie.hwang@sfchronicle.com.
A judge tentatively ruled Wednesday that Gov. Gavin Newsom, facing a recall election next month, can argue in the states ballot pamphlet that he is the target of an attempted power grab by Republican supporters of former President Donald Trump.

The proposed decision by Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Laurie Earl rejected arguments by two organizers of the recall that the effort was nonpartisan and that Newsoms attempt to portray it as a Republican power play violated a state law banning false or misleading statements in the ballot materials distributed to voters.

Earl held a brief hearing later Wednesday and said she would issue a final ruling by Thursday. The losing side could appeal, but election officials said they need a decision before the weekend to prepare materials for the Sept. 14 election.

The suit filed Friday by Orrin Heatlie and Mike Netter seeks to delete the main arguments Newsoms campaign submitted in materials to be sent to voters for the Sept. 14 election: that the recall was an attempt by national Republicans and Trump supporters, those who fought to overturn the presidential election, to force an election and grab power in California.

Those statements cant be accurate, attorney Eric Early said at the hearing, because Republicans account for only 24% of the states registered voters, but a recent opinion poll showed 43% favoring the recall. He also noted that Republicans make up just over half of the 46 candidates seeking to replace Newsom.

The term Republican recall is materially misleading, Early told the judge. He also said Newsoms claim of a power grab and other arguments falsely implied that the campaign was an abuse of the recall process authorized by California law.

But Earl asked Early whether individual candidates affiliations were as significant as those of the people behind the recall. In her tentative ruling, she said the organizers and major donors to the campaign are Republicans and that another recent opinion poll found that 95% of Republicans surveyed planned to vote to recall Newsom, compared to 6% of Democrats.

Earl also noted that the front page of the state Republican Party website reads, Recall Gov. Newsom, followed by a pop-up asking for donations.

It is not too hyperbolic to refer to the recall as a Republican recall, the judge said in her written opinion, issued several hours before the hearing. While the recall itself is legal, she said, it is not false or misleading to call it a power grab.

Earl said Newsoms statements in his ballot arguments were mostly accurate and, if exaggerated in parts, were well within the limits of hyperbole and opinionated comments common to political debate.

John Keker, a lawyer for Newsoms campaign, endorsed the tentative ruling dismissing the lawsuit.

This is a Republican-run, Republican-supported, Republican-promoted recall, Keker said at the hearing, citing multimillion-dollar contributions from the Republican National Committee and the California Republican Party.

California has had one previous statewide recall election, in 2003, when Democratic Gov. Gray Davis was removed by the voters and replaced by Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Davis pursued a strategy similar to Newsoms, trying to rally Democratic voters to his campaign by dismissing the recall as a right-wing power grab and portraying it as a ploy by advisers of then-President George W. Bush, in line with the disputed vote count in Florida during the 2000 presidential election.

The recall was financed by right-wing Republicans who want to replace our progressive agenda with their conservative agenda, Davis argued in his official ballot statement in 2003.

Schwarzenegger appointed Earl to the bench in 2005. A registered Democrat, she had previously worked as a public defender and a deputy district attorney in Sacramento County.

She is also the judge who ruled July 21 that Larry Elder, a far-right radio commentator seeking to replace Newsom, could appear on the ballot without releasing his tax returns. Secretary of State Shirley Weber had ordered all candidates to submit five years of income tax returns, as required by state law for candidates in primary elections, but Earl said the recall was not a primary and that the returns are not required for any candidate.

San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Alexei Koseff contributed to this report.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko
San Franciscos public school teachers and staff are not required to get vaccinated against the coronavirus to return to the classroom in less than two weeks. However, the district has asked employees to submit their vaccination status, officials reiterated at a town hall last week.

We have encouraged all of our staff to get vaccinated, Vincent Matthews, the districts superintendent, said Tuesday. We are currently assessing exactly who is vaccinated. Were going to use that data to determine what our next step will be.

District officials also said that they no longer require cohorts or physical distancing at schools, and classes will not automatically quarantine in case of exposure.

Schools are no longer mandated to conduct daily screenings or weekly testing for students and staff, but can rely on the honor system of parents keeping children who show symptoms of COVID-19 at home.

In July, California announced that masks will be required indoors at schools.

We are using the best science and data to guide the reopening guidance, said Dr. Naveena Bobba, the citys deputy director of health. It really is the things we discussed  masking, vaccination, hand hygiene and really staying home when sick.

The meeting, which was held online, was meant to reassure parents about the districts Aug. 16 reopening.

All of this is a risk-benefit ratio that each family has to decide  the risk of having their child stay at home versus COVID, said Bobba.

San Francisco is only offering remote learning options to a very limited number of students who have a medical condition recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Matthews said. Students who are required to quarantine will receive instructional materials from their schools, but there will not be an option to attend school virtually.

Cases of COVID-19 among children under 12, who are not yet eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, have risen in San Francisco and across California in recent weeks, as they have among unvaccinated adults.

But health experts say, compared to adults, children remain at relatively low risk for illness serious enough to require hospitalization, or death, even with the easier-to-catch delta version of the virus.

Even so, with much still unknown about the coronavirus itself, health experts are closely monitoring how children fare as vaccination rates fall short of the level needed for herd immunity protection. Research, for example, is exploring the prevalence and nature of so-called long COVID in youth  symptoms that can last for months but have been little studied in kids.

I absolutely dont expect us to have to close schools for the fall, Matthews said. We will be back full time, five days a week. Just imagine December of 2019 but with everyone wearing masks.

San Francisco parent advocacy group Decreasing the Distance is not yet taking a stance on vaccine mandates, which would affect 9,700 staff members  including administrators.

Its complicated, said Meredith Dodson, founder of Decreasing the Distance. Our position has always been we follow DPH guidelines, adding that parents and teachers should not dictate health and safety policies in schools, public health experts should.

Some districts, including San Jose and Los Angeles, are requiring teachers to be vaccinated or get tested up to twice a week.

Marin County school officials said on Wednesday that they will require teachers and staff to present proof that theyve been vaccinated or the results of a weekly negative COVID-19 test when the school year resumes. Ken Lippi, deputy superintendent for the Marin County Office of Education, said the requirements were in keeping with federal and state guidelines, and that proof of vaccine status would be kept confidential.

No other district in California so far mandates teachers or staff to get vaccinated, although some cities and private companies are requiring that employees get the shots before returning to work.

United Educators of San Francisco, the union representing teachers in the San Francisco school district, said this week that it supports the requirement that workers either be vaccinated or be required to get tested regularly as a measure to keep workers, students and communities safe. .. Given the upsurge in the Delta variant, regular testing is necessary for all educators and our employer should provide for regular testing.

On Wednesday, UESF clarified that the requirements were advocating for are in line with what CA, Los Angeles, New York City and now San Jose Unified and Marin are doing - either get vaccinated or get tested regularly. No exceptions.

San Francisco Chronicle staff writers Nanette Asimov and Emma Talley contributed to this report.

Aidin Vaziri is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: avaziri@sfchronicle.com
San Mateo County has sued consulting giant McKinsey & Company, Inc. in federal court for what it says was the companys role in helping opioid manufacturers boost sales in the county.

The suit alleges that McKinseys work with Purdue Pharma, which manufacturers the opioid painkiller OxyContin, helped it to turbocharge sales of the drugs by advising Purdue to aggressively market the drug to certain doctors, resulting in it being over prescribed.

The law firm of Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy is representing the county in the case.

In an emailed statement, a spokesperson for McKinsey & Company said it would defend its past work for opioid manufacturers which it characterized as lawful.

The recent settlements with state attorneys general provided us an opportunity to be part of the solution to the opioid epidemic and contained no admission of wrongdoing or liability, the statement added, apparently referring to a $600 million settlement it reached earlier this year with 49 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories over its role in the opioid crisis. The firm reached a similar agreement with Nevada in March.

Purdue did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

According to the complaint, more than 24 million opioid pills were prescribed to residents of San Mateo County in one year, which the county estimated at more than three dozen pills for each adult resident in the county.

The suit is in addition to recent suits filed against opioid distributors and manufacturers, all of which seek to recoup costs incurred from the impacts of the drugs on county residents.

The opioid epidemic has touched the lives of so many in San Mateo County, every death and every addiction is a tragedy, San Mateo County Counsel John C. Beiers said in a statement.

He said the epidemic of opioids had also cost the county millions of dollars.

This lawsuit is a continuation of our efforts to pursue the corporate bad actors who have caused the opioid epidemic, Beiers said.

In its statement, McKinsey said it believed its multimillion-dollar settlement with states also resolved claims brought by local governments like San Mateo County.

The State Attorneys General are the chief law enforcement officers for their states and are in charge of managing investigations and settlements such as this one, the statement said. Furthermore, the funds provided by this settlement will be used by the state governments to support communities throughout those states.

The suit also alleges that McKinsey helped Purdue counter negative press and emotional messages from mothers with teenagers that overdosed [o]n OxyContin, including working on what it called misinformation strategies after Purdues parent company pled guilty to illegally marketing OxyContin in 2007.

San Francisco also sued Purdue Pharma and other manufacturers in 2018 over its role in fueling the nations epidemic of opioid addiction.

Chase DiFeliciantonio is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: chase.difeliciantonio@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ChaseDiFelice
As Californias drought escalates, thousands of farms and water agencies from Fresno to the Oregon border, including some in the Bay Area, will face new water restrictions under plans advanced Tuesday by state regulators.

The sweeping cuts, enacted by the State Water Board, come in the form of a rare application of Californias water-rights hierarchy. They force property owners who have less seniority to stop drawing water from rivers and creeks in the vast Sacramento-San Joaquin River watershed.

These waterways, which crisscross 40% of the state from the Sierra Nevada to the San Francisco Bay, are simply too low for everyone to use, officials say. After two extraordinarily dry years, officials want to preserve at least some level of flow to support fish and protect water quality. They say they have no choice but to tell ranchers, growers, utilities and even whole towns to find alternative sources of water  or simply do without. The breadth of the restrictions is unprecedented.

Were definitely losing the bulk of our supply, said Cathy Lee, general manager of the Carmichael Water District in Sacramento County, which is having to stop pumping water from the American River to the 42,000 people it serves. Its just a difficult year for everyone.

In June, the State Water Resources Control Board notified 4,300 junior water rights holders in the delta basin, including the Carmichael Water District, that their share of water was no longer available because of the drought. The state chose not to begin enforcing the rationing, however, first wanting to lay out a process for enacting cuts and adopt emergency regulation, which the board did Tuesday.

The extra measures came out of an abundance of caution. The State Water Board faced several court challenges when it tried to restrict water rights holders during last decades drought, which it hopes to avoid this go-round.

Since June, a small but unknown number of water rights holders have stopped their draws after getting word from the state about the lack of water. The Carmichael Water District, for example, turned off its pumps in the American River and began using groundwater as well as purchased supplies from a neighboring community. It also stepped up conservation.

For rights holders that continued to take water, the State Water Board said it will proceed with sending out official curtailment orders between Aug. 16 and Aug. 19. Those that dont stop diverting will face fines of up to $1,000 for each day theyre in violation and $2,500 for each acre foot of water taken illegally. The restrictions will stay in effect until the board sees fit to loosen them.

As weve said, the imperative here is to act, said Joaquin Esquivel, chair of the State Water Board, during Tuesdays nearly seven-hour public hearing. We have more than an abundance of information when it comes to hydrology and the need to curtail.

The initial orders are expected to apply to those in the delta watershed who have water rights acquired since 1914. The board has indicated that, because conditions are so dry, restrictions will likely be extended to water users with pre-1914 water rights as well as those with land adjacent to a waterway, known as a riparian right.

These more senior water users, which have seen few if any restrictions in the past, have been less receptive to the boards crackdown. Some are vowing to fight the curtailments.

The court told the State Water Board it had limited authority, said Valerie Kincaid, an attorney who represents the San Joaquin Tributaries Authority, a coalition of water agencies that draw from the San Joaquin River watershed and challenged the boards restrictions during the last drought. I think we could have crafted a draft regulation that respected those orders.

One of the many legal sticking points is whether the State Water Board has the power to restrict those with water rights that pre-date the boards regulatory authority, granted in 1914.

While several Bay Area water agencies get their supplies from the delta basin, including the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and the East Bay Municipal Utility District, both suppliers have put water into storage, where it is not affected by curtailment orders.

EBMUD officials were notified in June that there wasnt enough water to exercise their 1924 right to divert water from the Mokelumne River to the Pardee Reservoir nor their 1949 right to divert water from the Mokelumne River to the Camanche Reservoir. The district, however, had already stopped drawing water because the river was so low.

The SFPUCs rights to divert from the Tuolumne River, including at Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in Yosemite, are more senior. The agency is yet to be told that there is insufficient water to meet its claims.

The brunt of the curtailments is likely to be felt by farmers. Not only do they make up the bulk of Californias water rights holders, but they often have fewer water sources and less storage to turn to when surface flows arent available.

This year, the giant state and federal water projects that typically supply much of the agricultural industry provided only limited water deliveries because of the drought. The curtailments only add to the problem. Already, more than 20 crops have been scaled back statewide because of the water shortage, according to the California Farm Water Coalition.

Theres plenty of pain to go around, said Karen Ross, secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, who voiced support for the states actions Tuesday, saying the board didnt have any other option. This drought is very real.

Water users in the Russian River watershed also were subject to the sting of the water rights system this week.

The State Water Board ordered 861 water rights holders in Sonoma and Mendocino counties Monday to stop drawing water from local rivers and creeks. The move aims to preserve whats left in Lake Mendocino for future needs as well as maintain minimal flows in waterways for fish and wildlife.

Kurtis Alexander is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kalexander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kurtisalexander
Victoria Medina has always loved to cook. But lately, theres a lot more urgency when she steams her chile verde tamales.

After losing her job as a contract kitchen worker at Google last spring, the 47-year-old mother of three started selling her tamales for $3 each near the Mission District apartment where her family has lived since 2004. But Medina is still $9,000 behind on rent and owes another $2,500 for utilities. Two applications for rent relief have yet to pan out. So she prays in the bedroom she shares with her youngest daughter, her two older children splitting bunk beds in the living room.

Mas que nada ahorita estoy buscando la ayuda, Medina said.

More than anything right now Im looking for help.

Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

From San Francisco to San Jose to outlying Solano County, some 148,000 households in the nine-county Bay Area are behind on rent, according to an estimate by the National Equity Atlas. For lower-income renters like Medina, Gov. Gavin Newsom has vowed to use $5.2 billion in emergency funding to pay 100% of pandemic rent debt from April 2020 to September 2021.

But public records obtained by The Chronicle show that seven months after the federal government first announced the unprecedented aid effort, state and local rent relief programs in the Bay Area have paid out just $88.5 million as of mid-July. Thats about 10% of the $889 million the U.S. Treasury allocated to the region.

Though housing experts say the programs are crucial to keep people housed, interviews with two dozen tenants, landlords, public officials and advocates reveal that the historic expansion of the housing safety net has given way to frustration and confusion about a maze of state and local programs distributing the money.

In a state where housing prices have long risen faster than wages  forcing tenants into crammed apartments, garages, RVs and other unstable situations  they say rent relief is about more than paying down debt before another eviction moratorium expires Sept. 30. Its an attempt to hold together a housing market that increasingly resembles a house of cards.

Theres a huge amount of money thats flowing, said Beth Daviess, a staff attorney at Legal Services of Northern California. That money just hasnt gotten to where its supposed to go.

Officials stress that payments are accelerating after state lawmakers moved in June to make it easier for tenants to directly apply for 100% relief, instead of a previous version of the program where landlords had to forgive some debt. But attorneys like Daviess report that eviction cases are already piling up, and some renters are still struggling after massive unemployment delays or taking out loans to pay for housing.

Whats causing rent relief delays varies from place to place, since different public agencies and contractors run the programs. San Francisco hadnt paid out a single dollar in local rent relief funds as of July 12, a spokesperson told The Chronicle, even as a separate state program in the city paid out $10 million. In Solano County, the opposite was true; the county had paid around $1 million to cover rent debt by mid-July, but the state program had paid $0. Oaklands city program temporarily stopped taking applications after overwhelming demand. Some counties report the amount awarded or approved, but its unclear how much has actually been paid.

Among the common challenges are sorting out which program will pay for what, how to get through to hard-to-reach renters and preventing fraud while publicizing a huge amount of cash available. Lawmakers emphasize that tenants who pay 25% of back rent or have a pending rent relief application will be allowed to stay past the Sept. 31 eviction moratorium  if they take steps to document hardship, have proof of their application and can withstand any legal threats.

Amid an uneven economic recovery and resurgent virus, the pressure is once again rising to stave off a wave of pandemic-induced displacement. Newsom acknowledged as much at a July 14 event publicizing the states rent relief efforts.

If we see mass evictions, we will have seen something weve never experienced in our lifetime, and thats the number of people on the streets and sidewalks that will overwhelm, the governor said. Thats why this program is so important.

An overnight safety net

When California created its Housing Is Key rent relief program early this year, it followed the lead of Texas and other states by hiring the Mississippi consulting firm Horne LLP to run its online applications. At first, the process took about two hours on a strong internet connection, required extensive income documentation and offered only rough translations in a few languages.

This spring, as the state worked to address those issues, things got more complicated. Counties and cities could choose different models to distribute funds. Option A counties let the state keep running the program, like in Contra Costa, San Mateo and Napa counties. Option B areas took over themselves, as in Alameda, Marin and Sonoma counties, plus the city of Fremont. Option C allows hybrid state and local programs, as in San Francisco, Santa Clara and Solano counties, plus Oakland and San Jose.

The result is a patchwork leaving thousands of people in limbo, unsure if old applications are still being processed or where to go for help with debt from certain months. In San Francisco, local officials are offering to pay rent after April 2021, but residents must fill out a separate state application for back rent before then. Those who applied to earlier city programs must complete a new application.

The pronouncement of everybodys gonna get 100% relief  it doesnt stand up to scrutiny right now, said Shanti Singh, communications and legislative director for advocacy group Tenants Together. Its got holes like Swiss cheese.

When Medinas corporate kitchen closed with the rest of the Bay Area last spring, there was no fallback plan for a disaster where thousands of people were suddenly unable to pay some of the nations highest rents.

As San Franciscos unemployment rate spiked from 3% to more than 13%, Medinas family scraped together savings to cover their $1,500 rent. Then she contracted the virus, as did her dad and brother back in the central Mexico state of Morelos. When they died, she felt guilty about not being able to send money home.

Last summer it all became too much. Medina and her husband split up. Debt added up, and she started selling the tamales. She applied for a program that she heard from a tenant group would pay 80% of back rent, then applied for a different program to repay 100%.

Medina received an email in late July saying that her application for the $9,000 in rent debt had been approved, but she hasnt gotten any details since then, and she fears that her landlords patience is running thin. Shes still struggling to find more stable work with morning hours, when she can arrange child care.

What am I going to do? Medina said in Spanish. I dont want to stay in debt. I want to pay already  to get out of this.

Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

Some other persistent renters have started to get answers. Jackie Lowery lives in Contra Costa County, in an Antioch home that she and her husband rent with their son, his wife and her twin grandchildren. She called the state rent relief program twice a week after they applied in March.

The wait was long, she said, but the results were life-changing.

More Information How to find Bay Area rent relief Who's eligible? Renters impacted by COVID-19, and their landlords, who make 80% or less of the area's median income. Those who earn less than 50% of median income will be prioritized. What's covered? Unpaid rent dating back to April 1, 2020, plus future rent through Sept. 30 What do I need to apply? U.S. citizenship is not required, but applicants must submit personal identification and proof of housing instability, like a past-due rent bill or eviction notice. Income documentation will expedite the process. Can I be evicted before I get rent relief? California's eviction moratorium is in effect until Sept. 30, 2021. After this, tenants must have proof of a pending rent relief application or pay at least 25% of the rent from Sept. 1, 2020, to June 2021, and submit a declaration of hardship to their landlord. Where can I get more information? Text "rent" to 211211, visit housing.ca.gov or call (833) 687-0967. See More Collapse

Lowery had retired after decades of work in refinery construction and was settling into remission from breast cancer when the pandemic hit. Her husband and son lost their jobs as security guards, and the family fell $10,000 behind on rent.

When Lowery finally heard this summer that theyd been approved for rent relief, months of stress evaporated. As she waited for the check to clear, she started looking for a way out of the rental grind with first-time home buyer programs  though those, too, can come with long odds as Bay Area home prices keep breaking records.

Lets face it, after this pandemic, I think a lot of landlords are going to be shy to even rent out anymore, Lowery said. The rental market, its not gonna change anytime soon.

An invisible challenge

While the stories of renters like Medina reveal cracks in Californias COVID rent relief efforts, advocates are most worried about those still outside the system entirely.

A big concern is the people I dont see, that never make it to my office, said Tiffany Hickey, an attorney with civil rights advocacy group Advancing Justice-Asian Law Caucus. People just being afraid of that debt or who have moved on their own, or succumbed to the landlord harassment.

Hickeys office filed a formal complaint with the state last month over ongoing language access issues with its rent relief program, and officials say theyre still working to improve the process. In June, lawmakers made those who already left apartments, or self-evicted, eligible for rent relief, though advocates fear many will be hard to track down or fearful of retribution while searching for a new home.

One nagging challenge is that no one knows for sure how much tenants owe, or who exactly is behind. In San Francisco, a June city report gave a low estimate of $147 million and a high estimate of $355 million  a difference that could mean running out of rent relief money before many people apply.

A more systemic issue, said Vincent Reina, an associate professor of city planning at the University of Pennsylvania, is that housing assistance programs tend to leave out certain groups, in particular nonwhite renters. Reina found in a July report that rent relief applicants so far skew disproportionately white.

Were building on historic disinvestment in housing, Reina said. That very much means there are groups that repeatedly dont receive any resources or are on the losing side of lotteries.

Public officials continue to plead for anyone behind on rent to apply for rent relief. Dozens of community groups have been hired in different counties to help with outreach, though tenants and landlords say theyve had mixed results getting help with applications. While most local governments are not yet publicly reporting how much rent relief money has been paid, a new state dashboard shows that its program has paid out a total of $242 million across California as of Aug. 3. San Franciscos program also sent out its first checks totaling $2.7 million in late July, a spokesperson said.

Behind the scenes, bigger political conversations are happening about how rent assistance could be improved and potentially catalyze other social services reforms.

A primary concern for researchers like Reina is shadow debt impacting renters who ran up credit card bills or sacrificed other spending to keep paying for housing. The state is developing a plan to address $2.7 billion in utility debt, and lawmakers are debating measures to limit the impact of pandemic-era debt on credit scores and rein in debt settlement companies. Assembly Member Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) said the scramble has also revived calls to consolidate applications for public benefits like food stamps, unemployment and rent assistance.

We have to have a more streamlined way for people to access social safety nets, Wicks said. Theres been ongoing talk in this space of, Can there be one portal?

For now, Medina is left to wrap her tamales at night. She sets out in the summer mornings to make deliveries.

Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

Lately, as she juggles her cooking schedule with calls to tenant groups, shes noticed a new problem: more competition from others going to extremes to make ends meet in an uncertain moment.

La verdad es, hay mucha gente vendiendo comida, Medina said.

The truth is, there are a lot of people selling food.

Lauren Hepler is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: lauren.hepler@sfchronicle.com; Twitter: @LAHepler
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Indoor mask mandates are back in seven Bay Area counties because of the highly transmissible delta variant, and the risk isn't just for unvaccinated people: post-vaccination cases are also on the rise. UCSF's Dr. Bob Wachter joins host Cecilia Lei to explain breakthrough cases, and what the latest public health guidance means for the future of the pandemic.
Coffee was central to Santana Tapias childhood in San Francisco. Every night at their home, her Mexican family would drink cups of cafecito and eat pan dulce while they talked about their day.

But as a transgender Latina adult in San Francisco, the citys cafes have rarely felt like welcome, accessible spaces. She watched as the affordable coffee shops of an earlier San Francisco were supplanted by trendy third-wave shops selling $6 oat milk lattes and longed for a safe gathering space in her native city.

Thats why on Monday she and co-owners JoJo Ty and Shannon Amitin, who are also transgender, opened their own coffee shop at the La Cocina Municipal Marketplace in the Tenderloin. Called Fluid, the worker-owned cafe is devoted to unapologetically celebrating trans and queer identity as much as serving a great cup of coffee.

Fluid is part of a wave of new Bay Area coffee shops run by people who feel like theyve been historically underrepresented in high-end coffee, such as people of color and queer people, and are intent on centering culture and identity in their businesses. Its a significant shift in an industry dominated by white owners, and one thats long struggled with diversity and inclusion. Abanico Coffee Roasters, which opened in the Mission in May, highlights drinks from owner Ana Valles native El Salvador. The Bayviews new Tallios Coffee & Tea employs people who live in the neighborhood and names its roasts after communities of color. The queer-owned Milk SF, which opened on Aug. 6 and carries the name of Harvey Milk, will host drag shows and feature LGBTQ art.

Nicole Morrison/

These new cafes are far from the only minority-owned, community-driven coffee businesses in the Bay Area, but theyre a sign of growing diversity in the local coffee world. They join the ranks of Oaklands Black-owned Red Bay Coffee and its mission to diversify coffee, and worker-owned cooperative cafes Alchemy in Berkeley and Hasta Muerte Coffee in Oakland, among others.

Several of the newer cafes describe themselves as fourth-wave coffee, which integrates thoughtful sourcing and social justice into a more community-focused mission. The aim: a reclamation of coffee culture, said Dee Derisse, who with co-owner Natasha Podogova, opened Hey Neighbor cafe in San Franciscos Portola neighborhood in June.

We want to emphasize smaller roasters, Black roasters, African roasters, Indigenous women  just putting a different face to what coffee is instead of white and male, said Derisse, a Haitian American filmmaker and former Four Barrel barista. Im just trying to be something different, like a breath of fresh air.

Nicole Morrison/Special to The Chronicle

At Abanico Coffee Roasters in the Mission, Valle is serving the coffee she grew up drinking with her grandmother in El Salvador. Theres the classic cafe con leche, sweetened with condensed milk and spiced with cinnamon, and the Salvadoran horchata, brewed with morro seed, which is native to El Salvador and has a mild, floral flavor. Yes, you can order a straightforward cortado or cold brew  but theyre notably listed on the second half of Abanicos menu, after the Spanish names of Valles signature drinks.

Its no accident that Valle opened her first cafe in the Mission. Valle was born in El Salvador and moved to the United States as a 7-year-old. On weekends, she and her parents would go from Daly City to the Mission to buy groceries, to eat familiar food at restaurants and to speak their native language.

This is where my parents were welcomed and were able to access resources, she said of the predominantly Latino neighborhood. Making that connection was important to me.

I didnt want to just open a coffee shop and serve lattes and something they can get down the street. I wanted to bring that personal touch to it, she added.

Other cafes similarly have menu items that reflect identity. Fluid serves a cafe de olla, the traditional Mexican coffee drink brewed in a clay pot, in homage to Tapias heritage, and a calamansi drink, a nod to Tys Filipino roots.

Calaca Coffee co-owner Christian Sotos family is from Guadalajara, Mexico, while co-owner Jose Rodriguezs father is from Mexico City. At their coffee truck in Crockett, they serve a twist on family horchata recipes: a cinnamon cold brew topped with vegan horchata foam. They also serve mochi conchas, a way of meshing two different worlds, Rodriguez said.

Courtesy Kayla Robinson

The beans themselves also play into the role of being a fourth-wave cafe. Calaca Coffee serves Proyecto Diaz Coffee, which sources beans from the owner of the roasters family farm in Oaxaca, Mexico. Fluid is using coffee from two trans-owned companies, Queer Wave Coffee in Oakland and Maquina Coffee Roasters in Pennsylvania, as well as beans from LGBT-owned Equator Coffee & Teas in San Rafael.

Getting to this point hasnt been easy; several of these owners said it felt harder to break into the coffee business as people of color. Soto and Rodriguez love coffee and are running Calaca on the side while holding down full-time jobs, Rodriguez at an electric scooter company and Soto at Simco Restaurants in San Francisco. When the childhood friends who grew up in the Bay Area decided to open a cafe, they were dismayed hearing about the amount of capital and connections it would require. They didnt see many other minority-owned cafes and impostor syndrome creeped in  a feeling that they didnt belong. It took them several years to save up $10,000 to open their tiny coffee truck in a parking lot in Contra Costa County, painting the lots drab concrete walls with bright colors and images of plants reminiscent of their visits to Mexico.

The owners of Fluid, who dont have enough funds yet to buy an espresso machine, said that particularly as immigrants, opening a business in San Francisco felt out of reach. They were lucky to get connected with La Cocina, which helps immigrant and low-income entrepreneurs start businesses. If you didnt grow up with money and you didnt grow up with society support, that was going to be basically impossible, Tapia said of opening on their own.

In recent years, coffee companies have been the center of conversation around racial discrimination. There was the arrest of two Black men sitting in a Philadelphia Starbucks in 2018, which touched off debate about racial profiling and lack of diversity in coffee. Locally, Four Barrel Coffee founder Jeremy Tooker left the company after allegations of sexual harassment and toxic workplace culture. Ritual Coffee faced its own internal racial reckoning last year, followed this summer by the firing of the owners husband after he used a racial slur at work. Staff at popular San Jose cafe Paper Moon Coffee Co. recently accused the owner of creating a toxic work environment, including criticisms about the owners treatment of employees of color and staff who are transgender. Owner Wendy Warren apologized on Instagram, said she started executive coaching and pledged to offer more diversity and inclusion training.

Derisse, who identifies as nonbinary and uses the pronouns they/them, felt their coffee knowledge as a barista was often dismissed in the traditional high-end coffee world. They want Hey Neighbor to be a place where customers feel comfortable asking questions about coffee without feeling self-conscious or judged.

It always felt quite lofty and inaccessible, Derisse said of the coffee industry. It kind of still is.

The owners of both Fluid and Milk SF opened with the express purpose of providing a welcoming space for the LGBTQ+ community thats not a bar or nightclub. Fluid will host open mike nights, drag bingo and mentorship opportunities for transgender youth. Calaca Coffee, meanwhile, has invited other local minority-owned businesses, such as jewelry and plant vendors, to pop up there. The owners also hope to grow food in a community garden.

Anyone can open up a coffee shop nowadays, but it takes something different to be more than just another business, (to) be a community space, Ty said. We really want to be the thing we wanted to see when we were younger.

Nicole Morrison/Special to The Chronicle

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

Olton Rensch also opened Tallios Coffee & Tea in the Bayview to build community through coffee. He didnt want Bayview residents to have to leave the neighborhood for a cup of specialty coffee, like he long had.

Rensch names each coffee roast after places that he feels have been stereotyped as crime-ridden, low-income cities, from Bessemer, Ala., to Brownsville in East Brooklyn. He wants to highlight them as being more than that reputation. Tallios most popular roast, the Bayview, is inspired by the vibrant Black community on San Franciscos southern edge, a description reads. He also sells a T-shirt emblazoned with images of a cable car and the Bayview Opera House. Next to the cash register is a stack of maps that highlight Bayview businesses.

We have positive businesses now in the Bayview and other marginalized neighborhoods. That is the perception were trying to change, Rensch said.

But theres an extra weight that comes with personalizing coffee, Valle said. She feels it when she makes sure to sign off every wholesale email with her labels: woman-owned, Latina-owned, locally roasted. The labels, while true to her identities, can start to feel like static definitions beholden to other peoples expectations.

The Latina woman label does not mean that the standard of coffee being roasted and served is only one thing, or that at our coffee shop we cannot make amazing classic lattes, or that our roasted coffee is not of high standard or of quality, Valle said. Having it adds pressure to both represent Latina women and to prove herself, she added.

Its overwhelming, she said. I just want to be human for a minute.

For some of these cafe owners, though, advertising their identity can also feel like a way to honor their predecessors. The owners of both Milk SF and Fluid mention as part of their origin stories Comptons Cafeteria, an all-night diner and popular gathering place for queer and transgender people in the Tenderloin. In 1966, queer and transgender customers there rioted against police violence  a historic protest now cited along the famous 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City. Fluids new home on Hyde Street is just three blocks from where that moment of revolution took place years ago.

Around 50 years ago, our people were being brutalized and arrested in the same area for being themselves, and now we get to come in and not only own a business that will make sure that everyone is safe there but be focused around our identities, said Tapia. I think thats powerful and very poetic.

Abanico Coffee Roasters: 2121 Mission St., San Francisco; abanicocoffee.com

Calaca Coffee: 649 Loring Ave., Crockett; calacacoffee.com

Milk SF: 302 Valencia St., San Francisco; milk-sf.com

Hey Neighbor Cafe: 2 Burrows St., San Francisco; heyneighborcafe.com

Fluid Cooperative Cafe: 101 Hyde St., San Francisco; fluidcoopsf.com

Tallios Coffee & Tea: 4732 Third St., San Francisco; tallioscoffee.com/

Elena Kadvany is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: elena.kadvany@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ekadvany
People throughout the Bay Area are masking up again under revived mandates  a familiar drill in a region long accustomed to requirements for face coverings that were relaxed for the first time only a few weeks ago.

But the latest surge is being fueled by the delta variant, which experts say has made them rethink their previous guidance. Their more cautious approach is based on scientific findings that delta is a more formidable foe, up to twice as contagious as the original coronavirus strain.

While vaccines remain highly effective at preventing serious illness resulting in hospitalization and death, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported increasing signs that the delta variant is better able to infect people who are fully vaccinated  and they may also be able to transmit the virus just as easily as those who are unvaccinated.

So will your go-to cloth mask suffice this time around? Should you consider any changes to your old masking routine to maximize your safety? And are the best practices different depending on your vaccination status or age?

Heres the latest advice from experts on masking during the delta surge.

One mask or two? And what type?

Cloth or surgical masks are still the minimum protection youll need, experts say  but some are now also recommending double-masking in certain situations, even if youre fully vaccinated.

UC Berkeley infectious disease expert John Swartzberg said any mask is better than nothing, but the more barriers the mask has, the more protection is afforded.

He said double-masking for everyone is reasonable for the current situation, and says to follow CDC guidance that recommends layering a cloth mask over a surgical mask.

Double-masking adds another layer of protection and creates a better seal around the masks, Swartzberg said. I would do this when Im inside any building with other people or outside in crowds.

For fully vaccinated people, UCSF infectious disease expert Peter Chin-Hong prefers a simpler approach: A well-fitted surgical mask (tied with a knot on the ear loops) or even a cloth mask should be sufficient, he said. If youre just darting in and out of the store to buy something, he said, a cloth mask is probably fine. If you want to see a movie and eat popcorn, or sing indoors for hours, he suggests wearing a well-fitted surgical mask.

Remember the power of a vaccine is like several masks already, so you add one to reduce the risk of errant viral particles and you dont have to go crazy, he said.

Monica Gandhi, an infectious disease expert with UCSF, recommends double-masking or wearing a cloth mask with a filter insert for both vaccinated and unvaccinated adults in inside settings with mixed unvaccinated and vaccinated people such as stores or other inside spaces.

We are not concerned about severe breakthrough infections in vaccinated individuals, we are concerned about mild breakthrough infections as delta is circulating at high levels, she said. The issue is that cloth and surgical alone simply doesnt do the blocking as these other options.

Nina Riggio/The Chronicle

Advice for unvaccinated and immunocompromised people

Chin-Hong advised extra precautions for those not fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and for those who are immunocompromised.

For unvaccinated people, he said he would probably be nervous with anything other than a well-fitted surgical mask or a double mask when indoors.

For immunocompromised people, Chin-Hong recommends double-masking or a well-fitted surgical mask.

In times of high transmission, like now, and with uncertainty as to whether there are enough neutralizing antibodies after full vaccination, its probably best to have the gold star protection when out and about, particularly indoors, he said.

What should children under 12 wear?

For unvaccinated children younger than 12, Chin-Hong said any type of mask is sufficient in most indoor settings, since people that age still have a much lower chance of infection and transmission even with delta, compared to older folks.

However, he said, unvaccinated adolescents over 12 have almost the same risk as adults of acquiring infection, so upgrading to a better mask is probably a good idea.

Gandhi said a cloth mask or surgical mask for children should be OK, but a stronger mask for immunocompromised children is recommended.

Swartzberg recommends giving children a mask that gives the most protection and is tolerable in higher risk environments, such as an indoor public space with other people.

More important than a mask is trying to avoid having children in environments where there is considerable potential for transmission, Swartzberg said.

Should I upgrade to a KN95, KF94 or N95?

Chin-Hong does not suggest people upgrade to N95 respirators, unless they are in a risky indoors situation with poor ventilation for hours, are looking for protection from wildfire smoke, or are in the health care field in certain situations such as the emergency department or the ICU.

Swartzberg said vaccinated individuals who are at risk for severe illness, such as people older than 64, have a comorbidity or are immunocompromised, should consider wearing an N95 respirator. Make sure they are from the FDAs list of NIOSH-approved respirators.

KN95 masks are imported from China and KF94 masks come from South Korea, and meet their respective countrys standards, but not U.S. standards. They can both offer good protection, but experts say consumers should make sure they are not counterfeit and that they come from reputable retailers.

Do I need to wear a mask outdoors?

Overall, experts agree that fully vaccinated people dont need masks in most outdoor settings. Swartzberg said he doesnt wear one when hes outside, but brings one with him if he ends up in a crowd of people.

According to state guidance and the CDC, people generally dont need masks outdoors, regardless of vaccination status. However, face masks are recommended in areas of high transmission for individuals who are not fully vaccinated in crowded outdoor settings, or in situations with sustained close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated.

Kellie Hwang is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kellie.hwang@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @KellieHwang
The surge in coronavirus cases fueled by the delta variant has quickly propelled California into the COVID very high risk category, joined by nearly half the states in the U.S.

Just a week ago, California was in the high risk category  the middle tier of the five-tier risk scale calculated by the nonprofit COVID Act Now.

The jump to the second-highest tier is a sobering reality check compared to mid-June, when newly reopened California was in the second-lowest, medium risk category with low case rates and masks optional for vaccinated residents.

COVID Act Now uses six key metrics to determine its five levels of risk, including daily new cases, positive test rate and infection rate, which is the estimated number of new people each coronavirus-positive person will infect.

The website on Tuesday showed California with the nations 18th-highest case rate, at 25 cases per 100,000 people, a positive test rate of 6.5% and an infection rate of 1.22.

As of Tuesday, the states variant tracker showed the highly contagious delta variant accounted for 84% of cases sequenced in July. According to Californias COVID-19 dashboard, total coronavirus hospitalizations on Aug. 1 were 4,772, more than three times the number a month ago, but the death rate was still relatively low at 0.03 deaths per 100,000.

On Monday, seven Bay Area counties reinstated mask mandates, joining Los Angeles, Sacramento and Yolo counties, in an effort to stem the spread of the delta variant. They account for almost half of the states population. Chronicle data shows the highest case rates in a handful of counties statewide, including Contra Costa. As of Tuesday, 53% of Californias total population had been fully vaccinated.

COVID Act Now showed Louisiana as the only state in the severe risk tier, with the nations highest case rate of 99.4 per 100,000, a positive test rate of 15.5% and an infection rate of 1.39. Gov. John Bel Edwards on Monday said the current surge is the worst one we've had thus far, and announced an indoor mask mandate for everyone 5 and older, regardless of vaccination status.

On Tuesday, Louisiana recorded 2,112 COVID patients in hospitals with 222 on ventilators, a pandemic record. Officials said childrens hospitals in the state are at capacity with COVID patients. Only 37% of Louisiana residents are fully vaccinated, but data shows a significant increase in vaccinations in the past two weeks.

Florida has the second-highest case rate in the country, according to COVID Act Now, with 73.6 cases per 100,000, a positive test rate of 19% and an infection rate of 1.41. Half of the states population has been fully vaccinated.

Florida recorded its highest one-day total case count of more than 21,683 on Saturday, and on Tuesday hit a pandemic record of 11,515 hospitalizations. Gov. Ron DeSantis has refused to enact a mask mandate or lockdown, and local jurisdictions are still barred from implementing their own COVID restrictions.

The state recording the third-highest case rate was Arkansas, with 63 cases per 100,000, a positive test rate of 11.2% and an infection rate of 1.15. The state has been experiencing a surge for weeks, and on Monday saw its highest one-day spike of 1,220 hospitalizations since the pandemic began. Thirty-seven percent of the state population has been fully vaccinated.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson urged residents to get vaccinated, and last week asked the state Legislature to lift its ban on allowing public schools to implement mask mandates. On Tuesday, the Legislature approved the governors COVID-19 emergency declaration, made at the end of July when cases were spiking.

At the bottom of COVID Act Nows case-rate rankings were South Dakota, with 4.3 cases per 100,000; Maine, with 5.9 cases per 100,000; and Vermont, with 6.6 cases per 100,000. Vermont has the highest vaccination rate in the country, with 67% of its population fully vaccinated, and Maine trails slightly at 64%. But South Dakota is quite a bit lower, with 48% of the population fully vaccinated, below the U.S. rate of 51%.

In an opinion piece last month for the Washington Post, Ashish K. Jha, dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, wrote about why South Dakota and Vermont were previously classified by COVID Act Now in the low risk category. Jha said the two states share many similarities politically and demographically, but Vermont is now better protected with a high vaccination rate, while South Dakota is better protected with natural immunity, linked to a surge in infections late last summer that was tied to the Sturgis motorcycle rally attended by nearly half a million bikers.

Kellie Hwang is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kellie.hwang@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @KellieHwang
In another push to reach the unvaccinated in San Francisco, the city will be bringing COVID-19 vaccines to peoples homes, Mayor London Breed announced Tuesday.

If a person can get anywhere from five to 12 people together who want to get vaccinated, the city will send a mobile vaccine unit  doctors or nurses plus vaccine equipment  to their home or workplace to administer the vaccine.

The mobile vaccine unit has been serving vulnerable populationssuch as seniors in residential homes, and people who are homebound or homeless  since February and has given around 6,000 doses. Now, the service is available to anyone who organizes a small group, even if its just their own family members.

Its important that we make it as easy as possible for people to get vaccinated, Breed said at an early afternoon news conference at Sheba Piano Lounges outdoor dining space.

Breed noted that vaccination rates among San Franciscos Black and Latino communities still lag.

As of Tuesday, 77% of all eligible San Franciscans had been fully vaccinated, and 84% had gotten at least one dose. But for the Black community, only 64% had gotten their first shot, and only 74% of Latinos had, according to county data.

Breed added that of the 93 people now in the hospital with COVID-19 in San Francisco, most are Black or Latino.

I understand that people have concerns regarding the history of the health care system, she said. But the fact is, were at a different time, where we need to focus on saving lives.

This is really a matter of life or death, Breed added, calling getting more people vaccinated the last hurdle of the pandemic.

She also noted that San Francisco has recorded fewer than 600 deaths related to COVID-19, far fewer than other major cities  Los Angeles County has had a total of 24,690 deaths, and New York City has had 33,557.

But with the delta variant fueling a surge in cases, San Francisco health department models show that at the current rate, around 300 more deaths are likely within a couple of weeks, Breed said  the vast majority among unvaccinated people.

We should be so proud of how San Francisco has fared so far in the pandemic, Breed said. So lets not stop now.

Vaccines continue to be our way out, Dr. Grant Colfax, the citys health director, said. The best protection is the vaccine, the masking and telling your friends, your family members and your community members to get vaccinated today.

Even though some breakthrough infections are occurring among fully vaccinated people, getting vaccinated is the difference between sniffles and suffocation or a few days in bed at home versus a few weeks in an ICU bed, Colfax said.

This is not a good time to be unvaccinated, he said.

To schedule a vaccination visit in San Francisco, go to the mobile vaccine units website. You can also call the San Francisco Department of Public Health vaccine call center at 628-652-2700.

Danielle Echeverria is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: danielle.echeverria@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @DanielleEchev
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.
Associated Press/Gregory Bull

Regarding Biles has every right to be brave face of the Olympics (July 29): Simone Biles is a very courageous young woman. Imagine being encouraged, even pressured, to sign sponsorships, agents and sponsors and TV networks clamoring for her name to make money. And finally, she had to make a decision that was the best one for her well being and physical safety, to withdraw from competition because she was having the twisties as described in Ann Killions column.

She was criticized and scorned in the social media as a result of her decision. At one time, I think the public would have been sympathetic about her situation and hoped for her healthy recovery. But not these days. These days remind me of previous Guest Opinion essay by Timothy Egan (June 25) titled America is getting meaner. People are meaner, angrier, intolerant of others who are not like them and will take whatever they want, whenever they want. It makes me very sad to see the erosion of our country by people without an ounce of consideration for the other person. So I salute people like Biles and hope there are enough brave people in this country to turn it around before it is too late.
When I was 15, my father took me to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust museum in Israel. When I saw Marcelle Swergolds Torah, at first I thought it was a sculpture of a thorny bush, until we were close enough to realize they were twisted bodies and barbed wire.

I am haunted to this day by the exhibits  the piles of shoes from those killed in the gas chamber, a lampshade the Nazis made from the skin of dead Jews and the eternal flame inscribed with three words:

Lest we forget.

Many in this country want to forget.

Theres been much controversy over Americas fraught history with race and how or if we should even teach about it in our schools.

One teaching concept is critical race theory, and it has become a scourge for conservatives and derided by those who refuse to accept our countrys history of racial inequality and how that past shapes our present.

Critical race theory is not a means for teaching children to hate white people or America. It simply points out that racial inequality is not the result of biological difference but rather a symptom of age-old racist practices that have become entrenched in the laws, rules and regulations of U.S. social institutions such as housing, education, labor, health care, or the criminal justice system. These practices can lead to differential outcomes based on ones race, according to the theory.

Passing laws that prevent our children from learning about the history of racism in America will not help them understand why people are marching in the streets for Black lives.

Protesting for voting rights or equal justice under the law is not new. If teachers are not allowed to answer students questions with nuance, what are we going to tell them when they ask? James Baldwin once said, Not everything that is faced can be changed but nothing can be changed until it is faced.

When my son, Stefan, was in the second grade, my father took him to Washington, D.C., for the same reason he had taken my sister and I when we were in elementary school  to turn the history we were learning in the classroom into something real and personal.

Stefan and my father visited Mount Vernon, the Smithsonian, Arlington Cemetery, all of the memorials; the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Holocaust museum.

When Stefan returned, he didnt hate America or white people for the things he learned about our history of slavery, plantation culture, the civil rights movement, Indian removal or the sins of our founding fathers.

Stefan returned with a sense of awe, pride, empathy, but more than anything else, an absolute conviction that equality and human dignity matter. He loves the United States of America, with all her beauty marks and blemishes, just like his father and his grandfather do.

Our children deserve the truth. They must learn to handle the truth or else they will repeat our worst mistakes, lest we forget.

Teaching us history is something my father did throughout my childhood. For the 40th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, we went to Hawaii.

We visited Iolani Palace where we learned about the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom and the treatment of Asian indentured laborers on the sugarcane plantations.

On Dec. 7, 1981, my father and I stared down at the remains of the battleship Arizona at Pearl Harbor. I was 11. We stood beside a family of Japanese tourists. Their son was my age, and I wondered how it felt for them being at a site so emotionally charged for what it represented to the Americans standing in silence.

Later, they sat three seats from me in the memorials video viewing room. I remember feeling angry at them. The son smiled at me and I didnt smile back.

Gomen nasai, he said.

I didnt understand Japanese when I was 11. It meant nothing to me at the time.

In October 1993, while stationed in Okinawa, Japan, as a U.S. Marine, I visited Hiroshima Peace Park and stood beside a Japanese family. I wasnt alive when the atomic bomb dropped, yet I still felt sorry and a sense of responsibility for that place and what it represented. Some people around me were in tears. I turned and apologized to the family beside me. The grandmother had surely been alive in 1945.

Gomen nasai (Im sorry), I said.

I bowed to her and left.

Stephen (Kepano) Richter is a former U.S. Marine, an award-winning playwright and filmmaker. He is a candidate for a doctorate in literature  translation and adaptation studies at UC Santa Cruz.
In the coming months, parents will receive hundreds of dollars as the Internal Revenue Service begins paying out the Advance Child Tax Credit, providing financial support to families and combating child poverty. Yet one significant group will be left out: parents of undocumented and certain non-citizen children.

The tax code excludes these parents because of immigration status, even though many have spent years in the United States dutifully paying state and federal income taxes along with property and sales taxes.

Using tax law to patrol the border is not new. In the 19th century, several states enacted constitutionally unsound tax laws to target migrants. New York raised a tax on oceanic migrants for hospital moneys. Massachusetts supplemented its foreign passenger tax by requiring a bond of $1,000 for any newly arrived lunatic, idiot, maimed, aged, or infirm person.

The Supreme Court found the taxes unconstitutional, explaining that whether foreigners will be compelled to pay a tax, before they will be permitted to put their feet ashore is exclusively a federal question. Even after this decision, California imposed special taxes on Chinese migrants until the state supreme court intervened.

Migrant taxes have largely evolved from explicit fees at entry ports to punitive federal tax provisions that cast immigrants financially adrift.

Although federal tax law allows and requires people without Social Security numbers to file taxes using an Individual Tax Identification Number, those filers are excluded from many tax credits. Consider that the CARES Act conditioned COVID-era stimulus payments on not only the recipients Social Security numbers, but also their loved ones. The law initially excluded even citizen spouses from receiving the payment, if they filed jointly with a non-citizen without a Social Security number. Meanwhile, citizen children of parents without Social Security numbers were likewise left aside.

These exclusions echoed immigration-status restrictions in the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit  two provisions upon which working-class and poor families depend. They also evoke the IRSs direct collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security in violent workplace raids. (An IRS investigation into a Tennessee meatpackers tax compliance ended with allegations of armed state and federal officers violating workers civil rights with machine guns, racial slurs and mass detentions.)

Americans appear skeptical of tax-based immigration enforcement, which also treads on uncertain legal ground. In a poll from last year, there was more support than opposition to extending pandemic payments to those who pay U.S. taxes, even as support for other punitive enforcement measures prevailed.

Recent lawsuits challenged the CARES Acts exclusion of citizen relatives of undocumented workers. In R.V. v. Yellen, citizen plaintiffs alleged that the denial of emergency tax relief to otherwise-eligible children for their parents lack of a social security number violated equal protection. In another case, lead plaintiff Ivania Amador and her three children possessed Social Security Numbers while her husband did not. She argued that denials based on their spouses undocumented status violated their marriage-based due process and equal protection rights, as well as their First Amendment speech and associational rights. Tax laws policing of borders may unconstitutionally cross the boundaries of familial integrity.

As the federal government financially casts undocumented immigrants aside, some individual states are starting to offer lifelines. New York recently created an Excluded Workers Fund to provide financial relief to noncitizens excluded from unemployment insurance and federal programs. States including California and Oregon, meanwhile, have extended their state-level EITCs to undocumented immigrants, potentially including employment considered illegal under federal law. These financial and tax laws generate thorny questions about where state authority ends and federal power dominates.

Federalism limits states and cities abilities to directly regulate immigration. Yet despite these limitations, states still possess unique tax powers, particularly to promote residents health and safety across immigration statuses. Cities and states are choosing to foster inclusion to balance the weaponization of federal tax law against immigrants. While the Supreme Court may ultimately weigh in again on limits to state and local action, for now, states and localities should feel legally comfortable pursuing a range of immigrant-inclusive financial and tax policies.

Federally, effective methods exist to deal with tax noncompliance beyond cooperation with immigration enforcement. In 2017, the Treasury Inspector General suggested a more focused strategy on employers and payroll service providers to reduce tax noncompliance. Unlike using tax law to deport migrants, focusing on employers could raise needed revenue and comply with the Supreme Courts employer-focused interpretation of immigration enforcement statutes. In contrast, cooperation between tax and immigration authorities could inhibit undocumented immigrants tax compliance, for fear that information sharing could lead to deportation.

Policing poor immigrants through tax law weakens the borders between immigration and tax law meant to protect citizens and noncitizens alike. Respecting those borders is as important as respecting territorial ones.

Shayak Sarkar is a lawyer and economist at the University of California-Davis, where he researches immigration laws intersection with tax and financial regulation.
WASHINGTON  President Bidens signature infrastructure deal expected to soon pass in the Senate could mean a windfall for California, to the tune of tens of billions of dollars.

But the negotiated bipartisan deal also leaves out some of the priorities the Bay Areas lawmakers had fought for in the House, and its unclear if they are willing to accept the bill without them.

According to estimates released by the White House, the infrastructure bill would bring $25.3 billion for highways, $4.2 billion for bridges and $9.45 billion for public transportation over five years to California. The state would also be able to apply for more from pools of money for individual projects.

The bill would also support expanding electric vehicle charging networks, with $384 million to the state over five years and the opportunity to apply for more, the White House said. Another $100 million would come to California to boost broadband internet access, plus more than 10.6 million Californians would be eligible to receive discounts on their broadband bill, the White House estimated.

There are also pots of money for high-priority issues in California, including water management and wildfire resiliency. Democratic Rep. Josh Harder of Turlock (Stanislaus County) touted the bill containing $8.3 billion for water infrastructure in the West, with $1.15 billion for water storage specifically.

It would be the single largest investment in storage weve ever had, Harder said, saying hes confident the Central Valley and surrounding area would have a good chance of getting some of that money for its water needs.

Another $73 billion in the bill will support improving the nations energy grid, including new transmission lines. Many of Californias recent fires have been sparked by electrical grid equipment. Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., specifically had some of his proposals included to put $5 billion over five years toward preventing blackouts and fires sparked by utilities by hardening the grid to extreme weather events, a priority in the Bay Area.

Padilla also touted his provisions to support zero-emissions school buses and to replace lead pipes and service lines nationwide.

There are also a few goodies specific to Northern California tucked into the 2,700-page bill. Lake Tahoe would get $17 million for restoration and to fight invasive species. Another $24 million will go to water quality and wetlands restoration efforts in San Francisco Bay. Both were requested by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., who also had a hand in the water provisions and a measure to increase federal firefighter pay.

But the Senate deal, which was painstakingly negotiated with the White House to get to the all-important 60 votes necessary to advance legislation in the 50-50 divided upper chamber, doesnt include much of what the Democratic majority in the House passed last month. That bill made greater investments and policy changes to combat climate change, a major priority for local lawmakers, and included hundreds of millions of dollars in specific earmarks for the Bay Area and nearby regions.

Those earmarks included improving Highway 37 in the North Bay, Caltrain crossing upgrades in the South Bay, and BART renovations in the East Bay. It is possible those projects could be eligible for funding under the Senate deal, but they would have to apply for it.

Its not a given the House will accept the Senate bill, which is expected to pass this week, although the White House has been heavily promoting it.

Last time I checked, the House of Representatives was a co-equal part of the U.S. Congress, Concord Democratic Rep. Mark DeSaulnier said last month regarding the House infrastructure bill.

Fremont Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, a leader of the Houses progressive caucus, said the Senates deal could pass, as long as stronger climate provisions end up in a $3.5 trillion counterpart bill Democrats are expected to try to muscle through without Republican votes, which would also fund so-called human infrastructure like family leave and child care.

If the package is gonna pass the House and not lose 30 to 40 progressive votes, its got to stick to that $3.5 trillion, Khanna told reporters last week. If you have the $3.5 trillion, and it has strong climate provisions, then I think many will support the bipartisan deal as well.

Tal Kopan is The San Francisco Chronicles Washington corres-pondent. Email: tal.kopan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @talkopan
At least 2,700 San Francisco city employees have not been vaccinated against the coronavirus  including some frontline workers  and could eventually lose their jobs if they continue to refuse the shots, according to city data exclusively obtained by The Chronicle.

The overwhelming majority of San Franciscos 36,000-person workforce is vaccinated against the coronavirus. But the San Francisco Police Department, Municipal Transportation Agency and Department of Public Health each had hundreds of unvaccinated employees as of Wednesday, according to data collected by the Department of Human Resources.

Frontline city employees were among the first groups eligible for the vaccine. The data provided to The Chronicle does not reflect how many employees plan to claim valid religious or medical exemptions.

San Francisco was the first major U.S. city to announce it would require all its employees to get vaccinated once the Food and Drug Administration fully approves the shots, possibly as soon as early September. The vaccines are now under emergency use authorization. Unless employees claim a legitimate religious or medical exemption, they could risk losing their jobs.

All 36,110 employees were originally asked to submit their vaccination status to human resources by Friday, but about 8,500 employees either did not respond or logged their information incorrectly. The department has given employees a grace period until Aug. 12.

The unvaccinated represent a fraction of the citys workforce. Still, the numbers raise concerns that some employees interacting with the public  including police officers, bus drivers and medical professionals  are unprotected against the virus and putting others at risk.

We have set a clear policy for our workforce, and we need people to follow it if they want to work for the city and county of San Francisco, said Jeff Cretan, a spokesman for Mayor London Breed, who has at least four unvaccinated employees in her 127-person office.

Cretan said the mayors office is going to continue doing outreach to those who are unvaccinated and dont have a valid exemption, and do everything we can to make sure they are comfortable getting the vaccine.

Nick Otto/Special to The Chronicle

The vaccine is safe, its effective, and it will help us protect the health of our workers and the public, he said.

About 80% of San Franciscos eligible population has received at least one dose of the vaccine. City officials have been scrambling to vaccinate the rest, especially as the highly contagious delta variant drives a surge in cases and hospitalizations, mostly among the unvaccinated.

Mawuli Tugbenyoh, chief of policy for the Department of Human Resources, said the city implemented this policy because the health and safety of our employees and the public is our preeminent concern. Unlike New York, which has a similar mandate for city workers, San Franciscos employees cannot substitute weekly testing in place of getting vaccinated.

According to the data, nearly 70% of the citys workforce said it has received at least one shot  a number that experts say is likely higher than most other U.S. cities. Another 9% of employees incorrectly recorded their information, but Tugbenyoh says they are most likely vaccinated.

Several union leaders representing nurses, bus drivers, firefighters and sheriffs deputies told The Chronicle some workers have medical or religious reasons for not getting vaccinated or mistrust a health care system historically biased against people of color. Many also dont want an employer meddling in a personal decision.

Our concern is when is it going to stop? said Roger Marenco, president of Transport Workers Union Local 250A, the union representing Muni operators.

Marenco represents 2,200 employees, mostly bus drivers, who work for the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. At least 304 employees, or 5.2% of the agencys workforce, are unvaccinated. As of Wednesday, there were still about 2,600 employees in the agency who incorrectly input information or have not responded, including Marenco, who did not provide his status to the city or The Chronicle.

The San Francisco Police Department has one of the highest shares of unvaccinated employees: 17% of the workforce, or at least 480 people. About 530 employees still needed to report or correct their vaccination status.

Matt Dorsey, a spokesman for the Police Department, said the number of unvaccinated employees is larger than wed hoped. He added that the department will continue educating our members about city policy and other factors that may help mitigate vaccine hesitancy.

Nick Otto/Special to The Chronicle

While the city has not officially decided what it would do with unvaccinated employees, Tugbenyoh said a non-disciplinary separation is possible. In a worst-case scenario, the situation could lead to short-staffing in departments such as police and the Municipal Transportation Agency that already say theyre strapped for resources.

The concept of mandated vaccines is not new: some San Francisco workers are already mandated to get certain shots, like for measles and mumps.

Still, even in the Department of Public Health  which is leading the citys vaccination effort and pandemic response  about 200 employees are unvaccinated.

Department of Public Health nurse Mayela Gutknecht is one of them.

She said she still has antibodies from a coronavirus infection in November, according to her last blood draw three weeks ago. She said she wants to see how long her natural immunity lasts, even though experts have said that a coronavirus infection confers weaker immunity than the vaccines and that even those whove had the virus should get shots.

She said when her immunity does wane, she would consider getting a vaccine, but said she would look at case rates to gauge the need. But even then, she still has lots of questions about the shots, she said.

I would rather mask up at work and social distance and support families in various ways and reduce the risk of being exposed to it or exposing families than get shots every year, she said.

According to the citys health order, no one  from nurses to a UPS delivery person  will be able to go into a high-risk setting, like a skilled nursing facility or homeless shelter, without being vaccinated or having an exemption by October.

Dr. Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at UCSF and a practicing physician at San Francisco General, said its critical for frontline city employees such as police officers and health care workers to get vaccinated  not only to protect themselves, but the vulnerable people they often interact with.

But Ken Lomba, the head of the San Francisco Deputy Sheriffs Association, said that if the vaccines are mandated, some workers will retire or leave their jobs. There are at least 163 unvaccinated employees in that department, or 16% of the workforce. Another 160 either did not report or reported incorrectly.

Meanwhile, at least 169 employees in the Fire Department, or about 10% of the workforce, are unvaccinated. There are 371 people left to report or correct their status.

San Francisco is not alone in lagging vaccination rates, particularly among its law enforcement agencies. Some other cities, like Los Angeles and New York City, have much lower numbers, with about half their police forces refusing the shots.

Regardless, Bibbins-Domingo said San Franciscos relatively low rate of unvaccinated public employees is too high as the city battles the game-changer delta variant.

Even if youre not personally concerned, theres a risk to spread to others when you interact in situations that are not within your control, she said. We have to, as people working in health and safety, do everything we can to protect the public.

Trisha Thadani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tthadani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TrishaThadani
They were hastily implemented at the start of the pandemic as a way to give San Francisco residents more space outdoors to exercise and recreate while social distancing. Now, some of the citys Slow Streets, which discourage through traffic by automobiles, are poised to have a permanent place in the citys evolving streetscape.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agencys Board of Directors approved the first batch of Slow Streets to keep post-pandemic, kicking off the next phase in the citys quest to determine which Slow Streets will be here to stay. Unless mandated otherwise, Slow Street designations are supposed to expire 120 days after the end of the citys emergency pandemic order.

Of the 31 Slow Streets implemented across San Francisco, the SFMTA board extended four of them: Lake Street in the Richmond District, Golden Gate Avenue in the North of the Panhandle neighborhood, Sanchez Street in Noe Valley and Shotwell Street in the Mission District.

These four Slow Streets were the first to go before the board because they met the agencys criteria for permanent consideration, according to an SFMTA report. Theyre in low-volume residential corridors; they have strong community support; and data collected by the agency indicates that their permanence wont cause significant transportation impacts on adjacent streets, according to the report.

Once extended by the board, it will take the city about three to four months of community outreach to redesign the Slow Streets, which require another stamp of approval from the board. SFMTA staff already gathered public input on two Slow Streets  Shotwell and Sanchez  and could get the boards design approval later this month, according to a board presentation.

San Franciscos Slow Streets use barricades with signage as a way to deter general vehicular traffic from entering the streets. Some span only a couple of blocks. Others, such as the Kirkham Slow Street in the Sunset District, cover the perimeter of entire neighborhoods. Theres also a wide variance in their use. Some Slow Streets are widely used by pedestrians and cyclists, while others are not.

SFMTA Director Jeffrey Tumlin said Tuesday that Slow Streets have been the agencys most popular COVID experiment. Other, more polarizing pandemic experiments include road closures on the Great Highway and portions of Golden Gate Park, and the city is also considering their post-pandemic fates.

Like those pandemic-era measures, Tuesdays Slow Streets discussion drew dozens of residents, most of whom voiced support for keeping the four Slow Streets for good. Several Slow Streets have garnered loyal followings during the pandemic from residents who say the road closures on some of these streets have given them a sense of safety.

Some residents remained critical of the road closures, telling the board that they would only worsen congestion on neighboring roads once pre-pandemic traffic levels return to the city. As with the debates on the Great Highway and car-free John F. Kennedy Drive, some opponents questioned the citys transparency regarding how its staff decides what to recommend to the SFMTA board.

By moving forward with the four Slow Streets, SFMTA staff said theyre trying to address criticism voiced by many residents: For some Slow Streets, the current designs dont actually do much to keep through traffic from entering the street.

I dont think what we have is enough to divert vehicles, Slow Streets supporter Lisa Church told the board Tuesday.

The Sanchez and Shotwell Slow Streets will have different designs, and future Slow Streets approved by the SFMTA board, long term, could also get redesigned depending on public feedback, said Shannon Hake, SFMTAs Slow Streets program manager.

The Mission Districts narrow Shotwell Slow Street, for example, will be redesigned to include left-turn restrictions to try and deter vehicle traffic. The well-trafficked Sanchez Slow Street, on the other hand, will see little changes beyond new way-finding signs.

The agencys Board of Directors unanimously approved the four Slow Streets. While some board members acknowledged the divisiveness among residents about the future of road-closure projects such as Slow Streets, several also described the projects as innovative ways to help improve safety and reduce pedestrian fatalities on San Franciscos streets.

The need for this (Slow Streets) network does not go away when the pandemic goes away, Vice Chair Amanda Eaken said.

Ricardo Cano is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ricardo.cano@sfchronicle.com
The sun rose over the Bay Bridge and the Transamerica Pyramid, casting a golden glow as San Francisco began to stir Monday morning. Cable car No. 1 trundled out of the barn at Washington and Mason streets for the first full-service ride since March 16, 2020, the day the citys beloved fleet went into a pandemic-induced hibernation, its clanging bells gone quiet.

Though the moment felt divine, the names of the two men running the car were only a coincidence. Jesus Villasenor, the conductor, stood toward the back of the car. And Jesus Vargas worked as the gripman at the front, handling the device that clutches the cable under the street that pulls the little car halfway to the stars at 9 miles an hour.

Im very excited  I missed all the people, said Vargas, whos worked on the cable cars for 25 years. He loves to joke and jabber with tourists, but he knew this inaugural trip was special. It symbolized that San Francisco is starting to come back.

I cant do any stunts today, he said with a wink. I cant pop a wheelie.

Now Playing: After a 15-month hiatus, San Francisco's beloved iconic cable cars are back on the streets. Long-time gripman Val Lupiz talks about how the return of the cable cars symbolize the city's gradual recovery from the pandemic. Video: Erika Betty Carlos

I rode with Vargas and Villasenor for two hours, taking in the views, marveling that the technology from 1873 still works and feeling proud as I listened to tourists rave about the city so many locals cant stop complaining about. And I made a promise to ride as much as possible in August  with free rides all month on all three lines.

Six months ago, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency leaders said cable cars might not run at all in 2021. That did not go over well with the desperate tourist industry, and the city sped up its plans to bring them back.

Their wonderful return comes  like every part of the citys reopening, it seems  with big questions about the future of transit as the delta variant surges and a quick economic rebound is uncertain.

Ensuring that all neighborhoods have reliable, robust bus service must be the SFMTAs top priority, but bringing cable cars back was crucial for a city that prizes history and ingenuity and that relies heavily on tourists. We can acknowledge, though, that cable cars need new ideas to survive, and Muni might not look the same in the future as it did in the past.

Jeffrey Tumlin, director of the SFMTA, gave an interview from a wooden cable car bench at a news conference later in the day about the agencys continued dire financial picture.

His agency received $1 billion in federal stimulus money, half of which it already spent just to stay afloat, avoiding major layoffs and even worse service reductions. It will spend $300 million more to balance its budget this year, leaving just $200 million to weather the next few years of uncertain ridership levels.

Even as our country needs to invest in transit to help beat climate change, the infrastructure deal in Congress includes far more money for roads than it does for public transit. The sliver of federal dollars going to transit is the smallest share since the Nixon administration, according to Streets Blog.

So far we have zero assurances from the state, federal or local governments for more additional operating funds, Tumlin said.

By the numbers $70.3 million Cable car operating expenses in 2019 $24.5 million Cable car ticket revenue in 2019 $45.8 million Cable car net deficit in 2019 Source: National Transportation Database See More Collapse

The SFMTA is slowly bringing back routes and hours, but theres no promise full service will ever return without a new, stable source of revenue. A ballot measure in 2022 to raise revenue is being discussed.

Not all of the 27 cable cars scheduled to be running each day are actually out and about, and their schedules are limited to 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., a loss of 4 hours of daily service compared to before the pandemic. Operators and their union boss argue that they must be restored to full service soon under city charter, but Tumlin didnt commit.

Just like with all of our services, were working as hard as we can to get back to 100%, he said.

Cable cars have been money losers for years since their 148-year-old technology gets harder to maintain, labor costs keep growing and fewer people are riding them. Id argue that theyre priceless, but they need a fresh eye to make the finances pencil out better.

For example, data provided by the SFMTA to the federal government shows cable cars brought in $24.5 million in 2019, less money than they raised in at least eight years. Over that same amount of time, the agency raised fares on cable cars from $5 each way to $8. If, even with higher fares, they bring in less money, even this English major can tell the fares are set too high.

Thats especially true for locals. Taking a family of four on a round-trip cable car ride costs $64. No transfers to pay for the trip back. No discounts for kids.

Sure, tourists might splurge for the rides, but local families sure arent going to make it a regular practice. Why not sell locals an annual membership  similar to what you can buy for a museum or the zoo  that offers unlimited rides? Perhaps theres a way to run the cable cars like the Asian Art Museum, administered by the city, but supplemented with nonprofit fundraising.

Also, the SFMTA could do a better job attracting sponsors for the cable cars and boosting an existing but rarely used program that allows people to pay to host an event on a cable car. Those are on hold during the pandemic, but lets hope they start soon  talk about the coolest birthday party ever.

One big problem with cable cars is that they stack up at the turnarounds, keeping huge lines of people waiting. Kevin Davis, the union representative for cable car operators, said cable cars should be leaving every four minutes from the Powell Street turnaround and every eight minutes from the others. But anybody whos waited in those lines knows that rarely happens.

Privately, some operators say their colleagues take breaks that last way too long, blocking the rest from moving. Davis said the union has agreed to speed the frequency of cable cars, meaning more people can ride them.

People will be seeing them leave more frequently, Davis said. It will be better.

But for now, lets rejoice that our treasured cable cars are back.

We are making history today! Vargas announced as the car spun on its turnaround at Powell Street. A tourist from Minnesota asked if the cable car would just move back and forth on that Powell Street block or if it actually went somewhere.

Vargas kindly explained that, yes, cable cars go places. For this one, Fishermans Wharf.

Calvin Hom, a San Francisco native, stood at the front, gripping a bar, the same position hes angled for on the cable cars since he was 10 years old.

Its like being on it for the first time! he squealed. I couldnt sleep last night, I was so excited.

This is a perfect day, he said. A perfect day.

It was a perfect day  and for a city thats seen so few of them in the past 17 months, thats something.

San Francisco Chronicle columnist Heather Knight appears Sundays and Wednesdays. Email: hknight@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @hknightsf
A Danville bowling alley has come out in opposition to the indoor mask mandate rolled out by seven Bay Area counties earlier this week.

Danville Bowl is going so far as to refuse enforcing the mandate, their reasoning being that "everyone has the right to freedom and not constant retracting restrictions from the government."

"If you would like to wear your mask inside while you bowlfeel free," reads their post published Tuesday. "If you dont want too, thats okay. The choice is up to YOU, as it always should have been. Not to mention if youre vaccinated you should have nothing to worry about anyways."

While most cases of the virus are among unvaccinated individuals, especially with the delta variant, breakthrough infections  in which a vaccinated person contracts COVID-19  are still a reality. (Some studies, however, have found proof that delta variant spread is less among breakthrough incidents than their unvaccinated counterparts.)

The post ignited intense back-and-forth among locals, with some boycotting the business for their stance and others promising to come visit as a result of their staunch opposition to the mandate.

While the new delta-induced mask mandate has no official end, county officials will monitor hospitalization rates and other data for possible changes to the policy.

Contra Costa County, where Danville is located, is among the Bay Area counties that issued a mandate. A spokesperson for the county's health department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from SFGATE.
BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) _ Geo Group Inc. (GEO) on Wednesday reported a key measure of profitability in its second quarter.

The Boca Raton, Florida-based real estate investment trust said it had funds from operations of $84.4 million, or 70 cents per share, in the period.

Funds from operations is a closely watched measure in the REIT industry. It takes net income and adds back items such as depreciation and amortization.

The company said it had net income of $42 million, or 29 cents per share.

The private prison operator, based in Boca Raton, Florida, posted revenue of $565.4 million in the period, beating Street forecasts. Three analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $561.2 million.

For the current quarter ending in October, Geo Group expects its per-share funds from operations to range from 59 cents to 63 cents.

The company expects full-year funds from operations in the range of $2.51 to $2.57 per share.

The company's shares have decreased 22% since the beginning of the year. The stock has dropped 38% 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 GEO at https://www.zacks.com/ap/GEO
This article was first published on NerdWallet.com.

Humanity remains in the dark about so many great mysteries. What is consciousness? Are we the only intelligent life in the cosmos? And whats the difference between main cabin and basic economy airfare?

Ive written a lot about basic economy, explaining when to book it, how much it saves and why the airlines themselves dont really want you to book these low-priced fares. But the topic remains a mystery for many, including this columns most devoted readership: my family.

I booked a basic economy flight for my nephew recently and, judging from my familys reaction, youd think I sent him to Siberia. What if hes bumped off his flight? they asked. Huh? I responded.

To be fair, airlines have made the rules and fees associated with basic economy fares extraordinarily complicated, so nobody should feel bad for being confused. But there are some common misconceptions about basic economy fares that are worth clearing up before considering that low-cost ticket for your next flight.

Misconception 1: You might not get a seat

If you havent flown much in the past few years, you might have missed a major change in how airlines handle seat assignments. In the olden days, youd buy a ticket, pick a seat and that was it. Now, seat assignments are treated like a perk, with fees and restrictions applied to the mere action of selecting any seat at all.

These confusing fees are baked into the basic economy game as well. Other than American Airlines, all major U.S. airlines severely restrict seat assignments during the purchase of a basic economy fare.

Lets break down what this actually means: On most airline basic economy tickets, you wont be able to select your seat ahead of time. Instead, youll be assigned one at check-in or the gate.

So you're not any more likely than any other passenger to get bumped from the flight. Your basic ticket confirms that you'll get a seat on the plane  it just doesnt confirm which seat that will be.

Misconception 2: The basic economy experience is the same on every airline

I recently did an in-depth analysis of U.S. airlines' basic economy rules and was shocked by how many differences I found. For starters, some give these fares another name. JetBlue calls them Blue Basic. Alaska calls them Saver. (Annoying, I know.)

More importantly, the airlines have completely different rules for trip flexibility, how miles are earned, how standby is managed and how much they upcharge for main cabin fares.

Here's a look at how the price differences vary between basic economy and main cabin tickets:

Alaska Airlines: $60.

Delta Air Lines: $86.

Hawaiian Airlines: $74.

JetBlue Airways: $93.

United Airlines: $76.

There's a $33 difference in price between the highest and lowest cost markup.

Note: American Airlines is excluded from this list because, weirdly, we couldn't find enough basic economy fares on American. (This is a good thing and means the cost of an American flight in search engines might be significantly lower than the effective cost of other airfare.)

I further boiled down all of the differences to a simple 5-point rating system to show which basic economy ticket is least basic.

American came out on top.

These ratings are helpful for determining which basic economy fares to avoid and which to target. They're not very useful, however, for understanding the underlying rules. If you often fly with, say, Delta, and manage to wrap your head around its rules for basic economy, that wont help you understand whether to book a similar fare on Alaska.

Unfortunately, theres no way to say Basic economy means X. Instead, think of it more like: Basic economy on Y airline means X.

Misconception 3: You can change or cancel basic economy tickets for free

There was a lot of hoopla in the travel world last year when most major U.S. airlines eliminated change and cancellation fees. You might have heard this news and determined, understandably, that it meant that airlines had indeed eliminated change and cancellation fees.

But there's a big caveat that many stories overlooked: These policies don't apply to basic economy fares. Instead, and quite specifically, most basic economy fares can't be changed or canceled  period.

This distinction is major, and is now the biggest reason to pay the upcharge for a main cabin fare. Unless youre absolutely sure of your travel plans, its likely worth paying more for an effectively refundable main cabin fare to avoid the potential of having to book an entirely new basic economy ticket.

The bottom line

If you feel overwhelmed or confused, take heart. I literally do this for a living, and every time I book airfare, I twist myself in knots over whether to buy basic economy or upgrade to main cabin. Its confusing by design.

Yet if you understand some common points of confusion, you'll be ahead of the bulk of other travelers. Seat assignments have nothing to do with getting bumped from a flight. Every airline has its own rules for what basic economy actually means. And you cant change or cancel most basic economy fares (even if an airline has presumably eliminated change and cancellation fees).

Does that make sense, Dad? Err  dear readers?

Sam Kemmis writes for NerdWallet. Email: skemmis@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @samsambutdif.

The article Ask a Travel Nerd: Whats the Deal With Basic Economy? originally appeared on NerdWallet.
This article was first published on NerdWallet.com.

As travel returns, you might start feeling some airfare sticker shock.

It's not necessarily because more people are vacationing again, though they certainly are. Its more likely because fewer people are doing trips for business.

And when business travelers dont travel, leisure travel can get more expensive. It may seem counterintuitive, but these premium-paying travelers generally help subsidize leisure travel.

The impact of business travel on leisure travel

There are two key areas where leisure travelers and airlines feel the absence of business travel.

Revenue: Business travelers spend more

While leisure travelers seek out basic economy airfares for cheap Las Vegas getaways or jump on deals for trips still a year out, business travelers typically buy at the last minute and spend significantly more.

And its not even necessarily because theyre more likely to fly first-class. According to an analysis of International Air Transport Association data by American Express Global Business Travel, business travelers spend more for the same economy seats than their vacationing counterparts.

By looking at spending on economy class flights between the U.S. and Europe in 2019, American Express Global Business Travel found that business travelers spent 63% more than leisure travelers for the same type of ticket.

There are a couple of reasons why business travelers spend more.

Business travelers prioritize flexibility

These are the folks willing to pay for peace of mind that their tickets can be changed or canceled at the last minute.

For example, a fall 2020 NerdWallet analysis of Southwest airfares found that Southwest Business Select tickets  which are fully refundable and can be changed for same-day travel if seats are available  are, on average, 349% more expensive than the airline's lowest cost Wanna Get Away fares for the same flight route.

While Wanna Get Away fares can be canceled, refunds are issued as Southwest travel credits, rather than money back.

Business travelers tend to book last minute

"Leisure travelers tend to plan  and book  vacations farther out, but most corporate travelers book a month or closer," says Jeremy Quek, a principal consultant for American Express Global Business Travel.

While last-minute travel deals exist, most experts agree that booking in advance, especially airfare, means better deals.

Availability: Business travelers increase route demand

With business travelers paying more, airlines lure in vacationers with deals to fill the remaining seats. But thats not the only reason why business travel is beneficial: Theres also flexibility.

Increased demand from business travelers means airlines offer more routes. More routes mean leisure travelers can choose more favorable times to fly  perhaps an earlier flight to avoid paying extra for late checkout from a hotel. Vacationers might fly into a smaller, regional airport closer to their resort. Flexible vacationers might choose the route with the cheapest airfare.

But COVID-19 forced airlines to cut many routes. Another study from American Express Global Business Travel looked at the number of routes between two airports: Boston Logan Airport and New York-LaGuardia Airport, which Quek said is a strong route for business travelers. In 2021's second quarter, the number of flights available was 78% lower than the same period in 2019.

"Historically, in that market, leisure could have expected 25-30 flights per day in each direction," Quek says. "Its not just about price but also timing."

Whats holding back business travel?

A June analysis by the U.S. Travel Association discovered that about 35% of U.S. businesses are currently conducting business-related travel.

Business travel fell, and has struggled to come back, for reasons like border closures, quarantine mandates and COVID-19 test requirements. The U.S. Travel Association also cited confusing regulations and an uneven patchwork of state and local guidance governing large gatherings as contributing to the decline.

And heres a big one: fewer conferences and other professional events.

Spending on travel for large, in-person professional meetings and events dropped 76% in 2020 versus 2019  a $97 billion loss  according to the U.S. Travel Associations report. According to a survey conducted in 2021 by research firm APCO Insight, 81% of people who attended work-related events and conventions pre-pandemic said they now miss doing so.

Business travelers will be demanding when they come back

When business travel returns, it will be complicated. Employees are demanding benefits in the name of COVID-19 safety, including the ability to choose direct flights, stay in four- to five-star hotels and select premium seating, like first or business class, according to responses from a survey of 3,850 business travelers conducted in the spring by Wakefield Research for travel company SAP Concur.

Many of those demands come from younger workers, over half of whom said they would ask to limit business travel or search for new positions if their company doesn't implement policies that protect their health.

And those arent the only demands that could complicate business travel. Of those surveyed, 62% of respondents said they would demand full vaccination of the clients or colleagues they visit.

The silver lining

With fewer business travelers booking business- or first-class seats, it may be more likely that you get an upgrade if you have elite status or points to use.

And even though business travel has been slow to return, travel as a whole is coming back. Over the Fourth of July weekend, the Transportation Security Administration saw more than 10 million passengers travel through the nation's security checkpoints, with some airports surpassing 2019 travel volumes. Similarly, the U.S. Travel Association predicts that domestic leisure travel will reach 99% of its pre-pandemic peak by 2022.

"Peoples confidence to travel again has improved significantly," Quek says. "We are absolutely confident business travel will come back. The bigger note is just the pace at which it will."

As far as where and when travelers might expect rising prices, look at the competitive landscape.

"Watch out for routes where theres been significant change in capacity or schedules," Quek says.

On routes where competitors or schedules have been cut, expect prices to go up.

So far, a busy summer vacation season has resulted in airlines adding routes. Southwest says it will resume flights to all of its previously served international destinations by Nov. 7, focusing on flights to beach destinations including Hawaii, Costa Rica and Florida. Delta is leaning into international routes with relatively few travel restrictions, including Croatia, Greece, Iceland and Italy.

But business travel may not return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of this year. And if it doesnt, then the airfare business model is in jeopardy.

"Fewer competitors, fewer routes and fewer choices means prices will go up," Quek says. "Business travel is absolutely critical to the health of overall travel."

Sally French writes for NerdWallet. Email: sfrench@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @SAFmedia.

The article Your Vacations Could Cost More Until Business Travel Returns originally appeared on NerdWallet.
MADRID (AP)  Some of the summer hires on the Mediterranean party island of Ibiza are different this year: they include private detectives posing as tourists who tip off police about illegal parties during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The gumshoes are needed to infiltrate a growing number of prohibited parties and allow local police to break them up, Ibiza officials said Wednesday.

The city council of Eivissa, also known to foreigners as Ibiza Town and the islands largest city, has hired a detective agency to recruit sleuths who look like tourists. They must also come from outside the islands so they can't be recognized by locals.

Ibiza is famous for its nightlife, which attracts the worlds top DJs. Hundreds of thousands of tourists have headed to the Spanish island in recent months, as more Europeans get vaccinated and travel restrictions are eased.

But gatherings in large numbers are outlawed in Ibiza to fight the spread of COVID-19. The island has Spains highest infection rate, with 904 cases per 100,000 people over 14 days recorded Wednesday, compared with a national average of 633 cases.

Ibizas legendary nightclubs have been shuttered for more than a year and bars have to close at 1 a.m. to 6 a.m., a maximum of 10 people who live together can be in the same dwelling. But after the bars close, many people go on to covert parties in secluded areas or at private houses. Up to 200 people are known to have attended some events, authorities say.

The illegal parties are well-organized, cashing in on the lack of late bars, despite a potential 600,000 euro ($710,000) fine for organizers.

Hiring the undercover detectives is a pilot scheme that will be assessed in September.

___
When the pandemic closed everything down, more folks began giving into their dreams of running an urban farm, complete with chickens.

The boom in raising chickens led to an estimated 400% rise in sales at Mill Valley Chickens, owner Leslie Citroen told the Associated Press in December 2020. Citroen said at the time that her phone was ringing off the hook and sales had not slowed down. First-time chicken owners made up the bulk of her customers in 2020.

Similarly, Biofuel Oasis in Berkeley told The Chronicle that when shelter-in-place began, they not only sold out of chicken feed, but chicken heaters and waterer sales increased by 500%. (SFGATE and The San Francisco Chronicle are both owned by Hearst but operate independently of each other.)

But now it seems the gloss of raising chickens has worn off for some hobbyists: Some rescue organizations are reporting that theyre being overloaded with unwanted chickens. One animal advocacy group in Chicago said it could no longer accept chickens because they already had too many, and that their vet bills are tremendous." Another rescue group in New Jersey also had to stop taking in the birds  the rescue said it doesn't typically get any chickens, but now have up to 20.

As recently as Tuesday, a San Jose Safeway store confirmed to SFGATE that a group of five live chickens in a cage was abandoned in their parking lot, perhaps from a regretful chicken owner. (The chickens were eventually picked up by someone, an employee said over the phone.)

But the issue isnt necessarily the hens, as Alta Journal recently reported. The problem can lie with roosters, with one animal sanctuary director telling the news outlet that COVID has been a disaster for backyard chickens.

The number of requests we get to take in unwanted roosters has nearly doubled, with some people trying to rehome four or five roosters, not just the standard single oops rooster of previous years, said Ariana Huemer of Hen Harbor told Alta.

An oops rooster is often the result of an unsuspecting first-time chicken keeper; those who purchase their chickens often purchase chicks from hatcheries, and its difficult to identify whether the chicks are male or female. As many as 10% of sexed chicks can turn out to be roosters.

The downside to roosters? They cant lay eggs, and as ticked-off neighbors may tell you, they have a tendency to crow. A lot. Some roosters can also get aggressive. And as some new owners may have found out, many cities have zoning laws or widely varying restrictions on, say, the number of hens or roosters one can keep.

Huemer told Alta that when she receives a report of an abandoned chicken, there is a 99.99% certainty it will be a rooster. For her part, Huemer works with chicken owners to try and work out any issues people are having with their roosters, before taking them in as a last resort, she told Good Times.

The other issue can be for those who are looking to raise chickens strictly for eggs. As one person who rescues chickens told Vogue.com, it not only takes hens six months to start laying eggs, but they don't produce eggs in winter and eventually will stop laying eggs due to age.

It all sounds good on paper, but chickens will devastate your back yard, Claire Badener told Vogue. People get Easter chicks and dont realize how involved it is.

This isn't to say all new chicken owners have forsaken their flocks. But for the chicken owners now having regrets, the worst thing one can do is abandon them (and it does happen). Chickens can't survive in the wild, and rehoming them through an organization is the best course of action  assuming that organization is still taking chickens.

To read more about the backyard pandemic chickens, head to Altaonline.com.
It's pretty clear that a strong plurality of California voters are not sure what to do at the bottom of the ballot in the Gavin Newsom recall election.

For those unfamiliar with the process, the ballot  which will be mailed out to voters beginning Aug. 16  contains just two questions: 1. Should Gov. Gavin Newsom be recalled? 2. Which candidate should replace him?

Recent polls show that 40-50% of voters are undecided on question two, but those voters will have a chance to evaluate many of the replacement candidates on Wednesday night.

At 6 p.m., Republican candidates Kevin Faulconer, John Cox, Kevin Kiley and Doug Ose will participate in a 90-minute debate that will be televised on Fox 11 in the Los Angeles area and KTVU in the San Francisco Bay Area. It can also be live-streamed at Fox LA Live and available on radio on KRLA 870 AM.

Conservative radio host Larry Elder, the candidate who has led recent polls, is not attending the debate and will instead be at a fundraiser. His spokesperson warned that the debate could turn into a "circular firing squad" and that candidates should focus their fire on Newsom. Reality TV star Caitlyn Jenner, who has been in Australia filming "Celebrity Big Brother," will also not attend the debate, nor will the governor himself.

Obviously, the biggest question going into the debate is how many people will actually watch it. Poll after poll has shown there is a large enthusiasm gap in the race, with Republicans paying far more attention to the recall than Democrats and independents. Democrats can still vote for a replacement candidate (even though the Newsom team wants them to leave question two blank), and can use the debate to determine which Republican they'd be least worried about becoming governor should Newsom lose on question one.

Ballots will be mailed out in just two weeks' time, so one would think that the debate offers a prime opportunity for those previously disengaged to tune in. Or, the current level of apathy may hold and many voters won't make up their minds on replacement candidates until the very end (if they vote at all).

Hopefully, KTVU and Fox LA will make television ratings data available in the coming days.
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP)  A federal appeals court on Wednesday affirmed a Maryland beach town's right to ban women from topless sunbathing.

A three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond ruled unanimously that Ocean City's law, which allows men to be topless but not women, is constitutional.

Ocean City passed its law in 2017 after one of the plaintiffs in the case, Chelsea Eline, contacted Ocean City police and asserted a right to go topless.

The panel's ruling notes that courts across the country have upheld laws banning women from topless sunbathing on public beaches. While the law imposes a restriction on women that is not imposed on men, Judge A. Marvin Quattlebaum Jr. wrote that Ocean City's elected leaders are within their rights to enact laws that protect public sensibilities.

The judicial legacy of justifying laws on the basis of the perceived moral sensibilities of the public is far from spotless. Some government action that we now rightly view as unconstitutional, if not immoral, has been justified on that basis. Even so, in this situation, protecting public sensibilities serves an important basis for government action, Quattlebaum wrote.

Town leaders said they received calls and letters overwhelmingly supporting the ban.

In a concurring opinion, Chief Judge Roger Gregory wrote that U.S. Supreme Court precedent requires upholding the ban. But he suggested the court should reconsider the issue.

At first glance, Ocean Citys ordinance seems innocuous enough. ... But we must take care not to let our analysis be confined by the limits of our social lens, Gregory wrote. Suppose the ordinance defined nudity to include public exposure of a womans hair, neck, shoulders, or ankles. Would that law not run afoul of the Equal Protection Clause?

A town spokesman and an attorney for the plaintiffs did not immediately return calls seeking comment Wednesday afternoon.
NEW YORK (AP)  A long-awaited report issued Tuesday by New York Attorney General Letitia James into sexual harassment allegations against Gov. Andrew Cuomo detailed several accounts from accusers who have gone public.

But the report also revealed previously unknown accusations, including one by a state trooper assigned to Cuomo's security detail.

Investigators hired specifically for this case said they corroborated the accounts of at least 11 women.

Cuomo denied many of the allegations, saying he never touched anyone inappropriately. Those he didnt deny  like kissing women on their cheeks and calling them names like sweetheart  were innocent or overblown, he said.

Here's a look at the women and their allegations, as described by the investigators, and Cuomo's responses:

___

TROOPER NO. 1

A state trooper whom Cuomo successfully sought to have assigned to his security detail said the governor kissed her cheek, touched her belly and back and made inappropriate, gender-based remarks to and about her, including asking her why she did not wear a dress. Several other troopers witnessed these acts and corroborated her allegations, according to the report. The trooper wasn't identified by name in the report and has not told her story publicly.

A 26-page statement issued by Cuomo's attorney, Rita Glavin, after the report's release does not mention the trooper, whose account was not public before Tuesday.

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT NO. 1

A woman who worked in Cuomo's office became visibly emotional watching a press conference early this year in which Cuomo denied ever touching anyone inappropriately, investigators wrote. She told colleagues Cuomo had reached under her blouse and groped her breast in his office at the governor's mansion three months earlier. The governor's staff later reported the allegations to Albany police.

The woman also told investigators Cuomo had, on various occasions since 2019, grabbed her buttocks, kissed her on the lips, hugged her inappropriately and pried into her personal life.

Cuomo says he never groped her, pointing to text messages the executive assistant sent to other staff on the day in question, indicating nothing was amiss, as evidence it didn't happen. He told investigators she initiated their hugs, and that he was more in the reciprocal business. CHARLOTTE BENNETT

Bennett, a low-level aide to Cuomo, said the governor asked her about her love life, including whether she ever had sex with older men, whether she had been with older men and whether she was monogamous. He also told her that he was lonely and wanted to be touched, according to the report.

When Bennett complained to administration officials that she felt like the governor was hitting on her, she was transferred to another job. The administration did not formally investigate or report the allegations to the governor's Office of Employee Relations, the attorney general's investigators determined.

Cuomo apologized to Bennett in a recorded video released in response to the attorney general's report, saying that he had been trying to counsel her after she confided in him that she is a sexual assault survivor because someone in his family had suffered a similar experience.

STATE ENTITY EMPLOYEE NO. 1

A woman who worked for an entity affiliated with the state told investigators that Cuomo tapped and grabbed her butt while they posed for a photo at a 2019 event sponsored by her organization. She told friends about it at the time, the report states.

Cuomo's statement does not mention this interaction.

VIRGINIA LIMMIATIS

Virginia Limmiatis, an energy company worker, said Cuomo ran his fingers on the lettering that ran across the chest of her shirt when they met in a rope line at a 2017 event. He then told her he was going to say there was a spider on her shoulder and proceeded to brush her chest with his hand, the report said.

Limmiatis immediately told other attendees what had happened, investigators found, but she didn't come forward until seeing Cuomo's press conference this year denying he'd touched anyone inappropriately.

The statement from Cuomos attorney does not mention this interaction.

LINDSEY BOYLAN

The report found that Cuomo kissed, touched, and made inappropriate comments to Lindsey Boylan while she served in various roles working closely with the governor. He commented on Boylan's physical appearance and attractiveness, compared her to a former girlfriend and suggested they play strip poker, investigators found.

The attorney general's report also says that "the Executive Chamber actively engaged in an effort to discredit her" after Boylan, the governor's first accuser to go public, reported the harassment in December 2020. This included leaking records related to her departure from her job.

The statement released by Cuomo's attorney delves into those details, saying Boylan was dismissed for bullying subordinates and suggesting she made up her sexual harassment claims to further her own political aspirations.

ALYSSA McGRATH

Cuomo made inappropriate comments to another executive assistant, Alyssa McGrath, including commenting on her neckline after staring down her loose shirt, regularly asking about her marital status and asking whether she would tell on Executive Assistant No. 1 if she were to cheat on her husband, the report says.

Cuomo's attorney's statement concedes he referred to McGrath and Executive Assistant No. 1 as mingle mamas, but only after they said they were single and ready to mingle ahead of a business trip.

KAITLIN

Another woman, listed just as Kaitlin in the report, was hired to work for the governor after meeting him at a fundraising event in December 2016. Cuomo regularly made Kaitlin uncomfortable by commenting on her appearance and telling her she was not ready for work if she was not wearing makeup, and by calling her sponge  apparently a reference to his advice to soak up knowledge from others  which she told investigators she found embarrassing, condescending and demeaning.

Glavin's statement says the governor frequently comments on staffers' appearances, usually in a complimentary fashion. It also says he was frustrated with Kaitlin's job performance.

ANA LISS

Ana Liss worked as an aide in Cuomo's office from 2013 to 2015, and told investigators he kissed and touched her, addressed her almost exclusively as sweetheart or darling," made inquiries about her relationship status and made inappropriate remarks about her appearance. In the report, Liss explains that she did not immediately come forward about the harassment because, in the governor's office, the typical rules did not apply.

Cuomo's attorney's statement notes that Liss tweeted favorably at and about Cuomo long after she left his office, suggesting that undercuts her account. The attorney's statement also suggests the timing of Liss coming forward was politically motivated.

The governor's interactions with Alyssa McGrath, Ana Liss and Kaitlin were unremarkable, Glavin's statement says.

STATE ENTITY EMPLOYEE NO. 2

A doctor at the state health department told investigators Cuomo made a sexually suggestive comment just before she performed a COVID-19 nasal swab test on him during a televised press conference at the start of the pandemic.

You make that gown look good," Cuomo said after thanking her during the press conference.

She told investigators she found the comments demeaning and felt Cuomo wouldn't have made them to a male doctor.

Glavin's statement doesn't address this allegation.

ANNA RUCH

In September 2019, Anna Ruch met Cuomo at a wedding reception for one of Cuomo's staff members. She told investigators Cuomo touched her bare back and, after she removed his hand, grabbed her face and kissed her. Ruch said the governor remarked, Wow, youre aggressive." Ruch's friend photographed the encounter.

Cuomo says he commonly kisses people on the face, attributing it to his Italian heritage, and said he didn't mean to make Ruch feel uncomfortable.
DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. (AP)  Advocate Aurora Health will require its 75,000 employees in Illinois and Wisconsin to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by Oct. 15, the hospital group announced Wednesday.

With the highly contagious Delta variant spreading nationwide, Advocate Aurora inpatient COVID-19 hospitalizations have increased five-fold over the past three weeks, and the systems test positivity rate is the highest its been since January, the system said.
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP)  U.S. and Afghan airstrikes hit Taliban targets overnight in southern Helmand province in an effort to dislodge the insurgents after they captured much of the provincial capital of Lashkar Gah, officials said Wednesday.

The United Nations and Human Rights Watch asked both sides to take care to prevent civilian casualties as the fighting rages on. The Taliban have waged a fierce push over the past months as U.S. and NATO forces complete their pullout from the war-torn country. They have taken large swaths of land and have now turned their guns on larger urban centers.

Ghulam Wali Afghan, a lawmaker from Helmand, told The Associated Press that his relatives and constituents in Lashkar Gah have told him of bodies in the streets and residents hiding inside their homes, too afraid to venture out and collect the dead.

After a night of heavy airstrikes, the Defense Ministry said Wednesday that the Taliban have suffered heavy losses in Lashkar Gah, though there was no immediate way to confirm that statement. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid denied the losses.

The authorities did not say whether Afghan forces have retaken back territory. On Tuesday, residents and officials had said the Taliban control nine out of 10 districts in the city.

The fall of Lashkar Gah would be a major turning point in the Taliban offensive and it would also be the first provincial capital to be captured by the insurgents in several years. The fighting this week has kept residents of Lashkar Gah trapped and hunkered down inside their homes.

On Wednesday, the province's hospital chief, Sher Ali Shakir, urged people to remain in their houses, saying that in past 24 hours at least seven civilians were killed and 101 were wounded. Most of the injuries were bullet wounds, he said.

The airstrikes late Tuesday and ongoing street battles in Lashkar Gah have destroyed several houses and markets. The Helmand provincial council chief, Attaullah Afghan, charged both sides with ignoring the safety of civilians.

Earlier Tuesday, a dramatic call for people to evacuate the neighborhoods captured by the Taliban came from the Afghan forces' commander for Helmand, Gen. Sami Sadat, who in an audio message shared with journalists asked the residents for forgiveness for the hardship they are going through.

We will not leave the Taliban alive, Sadat said. I know its 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. The push on the cities came after the Taliban swept through dozens of districts across the country, many in remote and rural, sparsely populated areas. Along with Lashkar Gah, the provincial capitals of Herat, in western Herat province, and Kandahar, in southern Kandahar province have also been under Taliban attack.

Save the Children's country director for Afghanistan said the aid group was devastated by reports that 18 civilians, including women and children, have been killed during airstrikes on the city of Kandahar."

Christopher Nyamandi, citing local media reports, said some 49,000 people have been displaced since the violence flared up yesterday, including an estimated 29,400 children." He said that Save the Children was providing aid to the displaced families.

There was no confirmation from the government on the report of 18 civilians killed.

In Herat, Afghan forces pushed the Taliban out of the city but were badly needing new supplies, according to Omar Nasir Mujadidi. He said Wednesday that pro-government militias, led by U.S.-allied warlord Ismail Khan, were aiding the Afghan security forces but need additional weapons. He said the government promised another 2,000 weapons for Khan's followers.

The fighting in Herat in the last week has has killed 34 people and wounded more than 150, said physician Mohammad Aref Jalali, the provincial hospital chief in Herat.
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A New Jersey man facing a 12-count indictment for his role in the Jan. 6 breach of the Capitol is set to plead guilty.

An attorney representing Scott Fairlamb said Wednesday that his client plans to plead guilty to assaulting an officer and obstructing an official proceeding in a hearing scheduled for Friday in Washington, D.C.

Hes anxious to assume responsibility for what hes done and continue forward with his life, attorney Harley Breite told The Associated Press.

Fairlamb has been in jail in New Jersey and Washington, D.C., since his arrest in January. A federal judge in New Jersey initially ordered him released on bond with electronic monitoring, but reversed course after prosecutors filed an objection.

An affidavit filed in the case earlier this year shows a photo of someone authorities identified as Fairlamb allegedly punching a police officer in the head.

Authorities also alleged the former mixed martial arts fighter, who has owned a gym in Pompton Lakes in northwestern New Jersey, picked up a collapsible baton and is heard in a video saying patriots would disarm them and storm the Capitol.

A friend of Fairlambs identified him, and the FBI also compared still photos and videos of Fairlamb at the Capitol with his drivers license photo, according to court documents.

Videos and still photos from Jan. 6 included in court documents, some taken by Fairlamb, show him climbing scaffolding outside the Capitol, entering the building, and, outside the building, attacking the officer.

Even among other rioters, the defendant's aggression stood out, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth wrote in an April 26 opinion denying Fairlamb's request to be released on bail. At a hearing a few days earlier, Lamberth called Fairlamb completely out of control and a clear, future danger.

The government is seeking a 51-month sentence for Fairlamb, Breite said Wednesday. He said he will argue for a lesser sentence.
After 24 long days, and a massive search effort, a body has been found on a ridge in Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park.

The deceased is believed to be Philip Kreycik, the 37-year-old runner who went missing on July 10, police said.

"Everything leads us to believe that we did find Philip up there on the ridge," said Sgt. Ray Kelly of the Alameda County Sheriff's Office at a press conference Tuesday evening. "Our mood is very somber. We wanted to bring him home alive and safe."

"I know there will be a lot of questions ... why didn't we find him sooner?" Kelly added. "There's a lot of factors at play, and nothing's perfect. But a lot of energy went into this. We'll treat this case with the utmost investigative integrity ... to make sure we don't miss anything, because at the end of the day, his family wants answers as to how and why. And they deserve those answers."

Capt. Lance Brede of the East Bay Regional Park District Police Department told the media that the body was found far from any trail, and that the area was not readily visible from the trail he was running on. "We believe that Philip was located in a very remote are of the park," Brede said. "It is not a designated trail. He was located 250 yards off the trail, near a tree."

Police said that at around 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday a volunteer spotted the body under the tree in the northern part of the Pleasanton Ridge, and speculated that Kreycik may have cut back from his intended route or gotten disoriented. The environment out there, it plays tricks on your eyes, Kelly said.

Only this weekend, police said that they had searched "100%" of places that Kreycik could be.

Kelly said that there were not currently any signs of foul play, and that a coroner will soon be making an identification of the remains.

"We are heartbroken today. We send all our love and support to the Kreycik Family. Philip touched all of us who worked on the search team," the Alameda County Sheriff's Office said in a tweet. "We are thankful to our community volunteers and the people of Pleasanton who never wavered in their commitment. We will always remember Philip."

Berkeley resident Kreycik went missing on a run at Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park on July 10. The PG&E analyst and avid runner parked his car near the Moller Ranch staging area about 11 a.m., after telling his wife he was going for an hourlong run. When he didn't return home as expected that afternoon, his wife reported him missing. Kreycik's car was found undisturbed, with his wallet and cellphone in it, police said.

Today's news brings to a close an unprecedented search effort that involved multiple agencies, drones, cadaver dogs, airplanes equipped with thermal imaging technology and more than a thousand volunteers.

"Obviously his family is forefront in our thoughts and prayers right now ... we're very heartbroken over this," Kelly said.






RIO DE JANEIRO (AP)  President Jair Bolsonaro swore in his new chief-of-staff Wednesday in a move to shore up congressional support for legislation, and also seen as aimed at stifling an impeachment push and scoring votes in Brazil's poorer northeast region.

After Bolsonaro tapped Sen. Ciro Nogueira to occupy the post last month, he described the position as his administration's "soul. Nogueira belongs to a centrist political bloc known for ideological malleability and the old-style politics of delivering support in exchange for positions  a practice Bolsonaro had vowed to his supporters that he would never embrace.

The conservative president drew closer to the so-called Centrao this year as his administration's pandemic response was targeted by a Senate committee's investigation, his popularity plunged ahead of his 2022 reelection bid and the opposition staged nationwide protests calling for his impeachment. He has said in recent days that he was part of the Centrao during his political career.

"I want to tell all of you, the arrival of Ciro Nogueira now is a demonstration by the government that ever more we want to deepen our relationship with Congress, he told attendees at the presidential palace. He added that the executive and legislative are effectively one government branch, since they rely on each other to implement most anything.

Nogueira hails from Piaui state in Brazils northeast, a region that has long been a stronghold of the Workers Party. The party's most prominent member  former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva  is expected to challenge Bolsonaro in next year's election and opinion polls put him well ahead in a runoff.

Bolsonaro kept saying he was going to do away with old politics, da Silva wrote on Twitter last week. What is his new politics? Become hostage to the Centrao?

Members of the Centrao held key positions in all administrations since Brazil's return to democracy, including da Silva's, but have never before secured the chief-of-staff post.

Ahead of Nogueira's swearing-in ceremony, video of a 2017 television interview circulated widely on social media showing him saying that Bolsonaro had a "fascist, prejudicial character and that da Silva had been Brazil's best president, especially for the northeast.

On Wednesday in Brasilia, he was eager to show allegiance to his new boss.

Were crossing the Cape of Storms  political, economic, social and institutional storms  and your excellency, President, you are our helmsman, Nogueira said. And I will be your helper, constantly at your side and advising of dangers along the route. ___ Associated Press writer Marcelo Silva de Sousa contributed to this report.
FUJAIRAH, United Arab Emirates (AP)  The hijackers who captured a vessel off the United Arab Emirates in the Gulf of Oman left the ship Wednesday, the British navy reported, as radio traffic appeared to reveal a crew member onboard saying Iranian gunmen had stormed the asphalt tanker.

The incident  described by the British militarys United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations the night before as a potential hijack"  revived fears of an escalation in Mideast waters and ended with as much mystery as it began.

Hints of what unfolded on the Panama-flagged Asphalt Princess emerged with a maritime radio recording obtained by commodities pricing firm Argus Media and shared with The Associated Press. In the audio, a crew member can be heard telling the Emirati coast guard that five or six armed Iranians had boarded the tanker.

Iranian people are onboard with ammunition, the crew member says. We are  now, drifting. We cannot tell you exact our ETA to (get to) Sohar, the port in Oman listed on the vessels tracker as its destination. It was not clear whether the crew members, whom he identified as Indian and Indonesian, were in danger at the time of the recording.

No one took responsibility for the brief seizure, which underscored mounting tensions as Iran and the United States seek a resolution to their standoff over Tehran's tattered 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

In an apparent response, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh on Tuesday denied that Iran played any role. He described the recent maritime attacks in the Persian Gulf as completely suspicious.

The rising tensions have played out in the waters of the Persian Gulf, where just last week a drone attack on an oil tanker linked to an Israeli billionaire off the coast of Oman killed two crew members. The West blamed Iran for the raid, which marked the first known fatal assault in the shadow war targeting vessels in Mideast waters. Iran denied involvement.

Late on Tuesday, the intruders boarded the Asphalt Princess sailing off the coast of Fujairah, authorities said. The official news agency of Omans military said it received reports that the Asphalt Princess had been hijacked and immediately dispatched Royal Air Force maritime patrol aircraft and naval vessels to contribute to securing international waters.

In the recorded radio traffic, when the Emirati coast guard asks the crew member what the Iranian gunmen were doing onboard, he says he cannot understand the (Iranians), his voice muffled, before trying to hand over the radio to someone else. The call then cuts off.

Speaking from Washington, State Department spokesman Ned Price said that American officials also believe that these personnel were Iranian, but were not in a position to confirm this at this time.

Possible signs of trouble began to emerge that evening when six oil tankers off the coast of Fujairah 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.

Satellite-tracking data had showed the Asphalt Princess gradually heading toward Iranian waters off the port of Jask early Wednesday, according to MarineTraffic.com. Hours later, however, it stopped and changed course toward Oman, just before the British navy group declared the hijackers had departed and the vessel was safe.

In an analysis, maritime intelligence firm Dryad Global described the seizure of the Asphalt Princess as the latest Iranian response to outside pressures, economic conflicts and other grievances.

Iran has consistently shown that in conducting this kind of operation, it is calculated in doing so, both by targeting vessels directly connected with ongoing disputes and (vessels) operating within the grey space of legitimacy, which may be involved in illicit trade, Dryad Global said.

The owner of the Asphalt Princess, listed as Emirati free zone-based Glory International, could not be reached for comment.

The U.S. militarys Mideast-based 5th Fleet and the British Defense Ministry also did not respond to requests for comment. The Emirati government did not acknowledge the incident.

The Gulf of Oman sits near the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all traded 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, after then-President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from Iran's nuclear deal and imposed crushing sanctions, the waters off Fujairah have witnessed a series of explosions and hijackings. The U.S. Navy has blamed Iran for a series of limpet mine attacks on vessels that damaged tankers.

In 2019, Iran's Revolutionary Guard detained a British-flagged tanker, the Stena Impero, near the Strait of Hormuz. Last year, an oil tanker sought by the U.S. for allegedly circumventing sanctions on Iran was hijacked off the Emirati coast and later 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 claimed it detained the ship over pollution concerns, it appeared to link the seizure to negotiations over billions of dollars in Iranian assets frozen in South Korean banks.

Last week's attack on the oil tanker Mercer Street off Oman, killing two, has drawn criticism from the U.S., the United Kingdom and Israel. Israel has launched a diplomatic effort at the United Nations over the attack. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab on Wednesday about the attack.

Blinken and Raab spoke about ongoing efforts to forge a coordinated response to Irans attack, according to the State Department. Raab stressed on Twitter the need for Iran to stop its destabilising behavior.

___

DeBre reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
LOUISVILLE, Ky (AP)  Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has recommended that the federal Appalachian Regional Commission approve a roughly $1 million infrastructure project that would extend wastewater collection and treatment service to the Central Kentucky Regional Airport.

Existing water and sewer systems at the airport cannot support the anticipated future transportation needs, Beshear said Tuesday. The need for upgrades is amplified by the presence of the Eastern Kentucky University flight school at the airport, which soon will create an aviation mechanic program that will use airport facilities.
GRAND ISLE, La. (AP)  U.S. Coast Guard crews rescued a fisherman who was suffering from heart attack-like symptoms off the Louisiana coast in the Gulf of Mexico, authorities said.

In a statement, the Coast Guard said it happened Tuesday, about four miles (six kilometers) south of Grand Isle.
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP)  A federal appeals court on Tuesday rejected efforts by a libertarian-leaning group in New Mexico to shield future financial contributions from public disclosure in defiance of requirement enacted by the city of Santa Fe.

The 10th District Court of Appeals in Denver rejected a request by the Albuquerque-based Rio Grande Foundation to invalidate city campaign finance provisions as unconstitutional.

The dispute stems from a failed city ballot initiative in 2017 to tax sugary beverages and shore up preschool funding, marked by millions of dollars in campaign spending.

The Rio Grande Foundation issued an online video that was critical of the soda tax proposal, prompting an investigation into possible violations of the city's campaign finance code.

The foundation complied with a city order and disclosed two relatively minor donations of $7,700. Later it sought to invalidate the city regulations, citing a chilling effect on political contributions and, thus, free speech.

The court noted in its ruling that the mere concern that speech will not occur does not amount to an affirmative claim that the speech really will not occur.

Foundation President Paul Gessing struck a defiant tone on the ruling, vowing to seek a rehearing.

The decision was made due to a supposed lack of standing, which we strongly disagree with, Gessing said in an email. We wont disclose our donors until or unless the court specifically demands we do so. Well continue to protect our donors privacy to the fullest extent of the law.

The city's defense was supported by several advocacy groups for transparency in political spending, including the Brennan Center for Justice, New Mexico Ethics Watch, the League of Women Voters and Common Cause.
LAFAYETTE, La. (AP)  A driver is in custody accused of vehicular negligence and third-degree feticide after a crash in south-central Louisiana.

Police say they arrested Noe Sanchez, 37, of California, in connection with the crash Monday that happened at around 9 p.m., KATC-TV reported. A hometown for Sanchez was not immediately available.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  Some farmers in one of the country's most important agricultural regions will have to stop taking water out of major rivers and streams because of a severe drought that is threatening the drinking water supply for 25 million people, state regulators said Tuesday.

The Water Resources Control Board approved an emergency resolution empowering regulators to halt diversions from the state's two largest river systems. The order could apply to roughly 86% of landowners who have legal rights to divert water from the San Joaquin and Sacramento river watersheds. The remaining 14% could be impacted if things get worse.

The rule won't take effect for another two weeks and it includes exceptions for some uses, such as water for drinking, cooking, cleaning, sanitation and generating electricity. Without the order, officials warned much of the state's drinking water supply would be at risk if the drought continues into next year.

This decision is not about prioritizing one group over the other, but about preserving the watershed for all, said E. Joaquin Esquivel, chair of the Water Resources of the Control Board.

The vote came one day after regulators halted water diversions from another Northern California river system, the Upper Russian River, warning Lake Mendocino would be empty by the end of the year, putting both people and wildlife in harm's way.

Tuesday's vote is significant because it applies to the Sacramento and San Joaquin river systems, which together drain 40% of California's land and account for at least a portion of the water supply for two-thirds of the state's nearly 40 million residents.

Known as the California Delta, the river systems get their water mostly from snowmelt in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The past two years have been the second driest on record. The soil was so dry that it absorbed much of the snowmelt that was supposed to flow into the state's rivers. This year, California lost so much water this way that it would be enough to fill nearly all of Folsom Lake.

Extreme conditions like these are often from a combination of unusual random, short-term and natural weather patterns heightened by long-term, human-caused climate change. Climate change has made the West much warmer and drier in the past 30 years, increasing risks for drought and wildfires.

The board's action is possible because Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an emergency declaration earlier this year giving them permission. Newsom, who is facing a recall election next month, has asked residents and businesses to voluntarily cut their water use by 15%.

Newsom's administration has also relaxed rules about how much water must be available in rivers and streams for environmental purposes. And they've built a stone wall in the West False River to prevent saltwater from the Pacific Ocean from creeping into the freshwater rivers and contaminating the water supply.

But even with those actions, demand for water from the San Joaquin River watershed is about 16 times the available supply while demand for the Sacramento River watershed is about three times the supply, according to Lisa Hong, an engineer for the Water Resources Control Board.

The fact remains that water supplies are extremely limited across the state and we are running out of options, said Ernest Conant, regional director of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. He told board members on Tuesday he supports the new rule.

The rule gives state regulators authority to enforce it, including fines for noncompliance. The state is hiring 15 people to help with enforcement, according to Erik Ekdahl, deputy director for the division of water rights.

Ekdahl said the state would mostly respond to complaints about people breaking the rules. He said the state usually gets about 50 complaints per year. But during the drought, that has increased to about five per day.

Farmers are discouraged and dismayed, said Chris Scheuring, senior counsel for the California Farm Bureau.

In general, farmers understand drought and they understand lean rain years. That's the business were in, he said. But they don't understand the downward slide in water reliability we are facing in California, sort of on a systemic level.

California's complex water rights system will govern who is impacted the most. In general, people who have held water rights the longest will be impacted the least.

The Westlands Water District, one of the largest agricultural water districts in the country, supports the new rule because they say it will stop people from illegally taking water from rivers and streams. But the San Joaquin Tributaries Authority opposes the rule, saying it is overly broad and asks water users to trust the government to manage their systems.

I think there is a fundamental issue with trust, said Valerie Kincaid, an attorney for the San Joaquin Tributaries Authority.
BOSTON (AP)  After a federal eviction moratorium was allowed to lapse this weekend, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a new moratorium Tuesday on evictions that would last until Oct. 3.

The new moratorium aims to keep millions in their homes and prevent the spread of the coronavirus delta variant. The order cites the fact that there are lower vaccination rates in areas most at risk for eviction.

The moratorium also give states additional time to get out nearly $47 billion in rental assistance, most of which has yet to be distributed to tenants and landlords.

WHO BENEFITS FROM THE NEW MORATORIUM?

Most tenants facing eviction and who counted on the CDC moratorium in the past should be protected. The new ban would temporarily halt evictions in counties with substantial and high levels of virus transmission and is expected to cover areas where 90% of the U.S. population lives.

The number of tenants protected is likely to change, however, since it would stop being applicable in counties that go 14 days without seeing substantial or high levels of coronavirus transmission. Counties that are not covered now, but later experience spikes, would also fall under the moratorium when that happens.

There are concerns among advocates that judges, especially in rural areas, may ignore the CDC moratorium as some did earlier in the pandemic. Already, a lawyer in North Carolina said Wednesday that a judge refused to accept it as a defense because the Administrative Office of the Courts has not provided any guidance on it.

HOW CAN A TENANT USE THE MORATORIUM TO PREVENT AN EVICTION?

Just like the original CDC moratorium, a tenant facing eviction for nonpayment of rent must fill out a form and present it to their landlord or the owner of the property.

The new order makes clear that someone protected by the original CDC order would still be protected. It also says that anyone in court for nonpayment of rent but whose case has not yet been completed would be protected by the order.

But as was the case previously, the order would not protect someone who engaged in criminal activities, damaged their apartment or threatened the health and safety of other residents among other violations

WILL THIS ORDER SURVIVE LEGAL CHALLENGES?

After pushing the CDC to reconsider its options, President Joe Biden acknowledged Tuesday that he wasn't sure the new moratorium could withstand lawsuits about its constitutionality. Landlords had successfully challenge the original order in court.

When the U.S. Supreme 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.

Landlords groups reacted to the new order as they did the old one, criticizing it as an unfunded government mandate. They have yet to detail their legal strategy, though most housing advocates are counting on more lawsuits. Even if the order is overturned in court, advocates are hopeful it gives states enough time to get rental assistance out.

WHAT MORE COULD BE DONE FOR TENANTS?

Housing advocates have called the extension the best option given the current situation. Most would have liked Congress to take up the issue and pass a comprehensive eviction moratorium. But that is unlikely in the current political climate.

The other option is for states and cities to pass their own moratoriums, as many did during the pandemic. California, New York and New Jersey are among a handful of states that still have moratoriums in place.

But it's unlikely that states or cities will enact their own, especially with the CDC extension in place. For most advocates, the focus remains on getting states to speed up the distribution of rental assistance  seen as the best long-term option to keeping tenants housed over the long-term and making landlords whole.
HELENA, Mont. (AP)  Gov. Greg Gianforte announced Wednesday allocation of over $35 million in coronavirus relief dollars.

More than $32 million will go towards COVID-19 screening and testing in Montana schools.

Over $1.6 million will go towards an employment and training program that assists people supported by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program gain skills and workforce experience.

Gianforte said the funds will help SNAP recipients become self sufficient.

Currently, the program is only available in three Montana counties: Yellowstone, Missoula, and Lewis and Clark.

Gianforte also approved $1.2 million for a program that provides early intervention services for infants with significant developmental delays or disabilities.

The Montana public health department reported that enrollment in the program dropped by 48% during the coronavirus pandemic. Around 1,540 infants were served by the program in the 2020 fiscal year.

Over $300,000 will go to Montanas Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act grant to provide training and technical support to teams responding to child abuse in the state.

Every child deserves to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment, Gianforte said in a statement. When that doesnt occur, these funds ensure well-trained professionals are there to provide care, counseling, advocacy, and supports for the child.
OCEAN CITY, Md. (AP)  A 12-year-old Pennsylvania girl suffered injuries after a suspected shark attack in Maryland that left her with 42 stitches for 20 cuts, family members said.

Jordan Prushinski and her family told WBRE-TV that they were on vacation Monday at the beach in Ocean City when Jordan went into knee-deep water. She was swimming with her family when she limped out of the water bleeding from the leg.
GUATEMALA CITY (AP)  Guatemala named a new anti-corruption prosecutor Tuesday, two weeks after the previous one was fired and fled the country, citing fears for his safety.

Attorney General Consuelo Porras named Rafael Curruchiche as the new prosecutor. Curruchiche is considered to be one of Porras' inner circle and has himself been questioned for allegedly protecting businessmen accused of illegal campaign contributions from prosecution.

His appointment seemed unlikely to quell international criticism or calm street protests against corruption following the departure of former anti-corruption prosecutor Juan Francisco Sandoval.

Edie Cux of the transparency group Citizen Action said Curruchiche was the wrong person for the job.

He is someone who does not have the knowledge or ability to run the country's top anti-corruption office, Cux said. Moreover, he has a history of not being an independent prosecutor.

The firing of Sandoval in July lead the United States to say it had lost confidence in Guatemalas commitment to battling corruption. The U.S. government temporarily suspended cooperation with Porras office.

Thousands of Guatemalans took to the streets in protest Thursday, blocking highways and calling for a national strike over the governments apparent unwillingness to tackle corruption.

President Alejandro Giammattei has previously spoken of his friendship with Porras, who was appointed by his predecessor, President Jimmy Morales.

Sandoval said after his firing that as his investigations got closer to Giammattei and members of his Cabinet, Porras made efforts to block him. Porras said she fired him because his investigations were ideologically biased.

Sandovals office was a critical remaining piece of Guatemalas anti-corruption efforts. In 2019, the Morales forced out the United Nations anti-corruption mission, which had worked closely with Sandovals office to dismantle graft networks.

On Thursday, Giammattei expressed his concern that the suspension in U.S. cooperation would be counterproductive because it would affect the countries common goals of fighting organized crime and corruption. He said he had asked the finance minister to look for budget support and called on friendly countries to help keep efforts from being diminished.

Eleven opposition lawmakers sent a letter to Porras asking her to resign over Sandovals firing. You are no longer independent nor ideal to continue in the position, the letter said.
GENEVA (AP)  The head of the World Health Organization called Wednesday for a moratorium on administering booster shots of COVID-19 vaccines as a way to help ensure that doses are available in countries where few people have received their first shots.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the appeal mostly to wealthier countries that have far outpaced the developing world in numbers of vaccinations. He said richer countries have administered about 100 doses of coronavirus vaccines for every 100 people on average, while low-income countries  hampered by short supplies  have provided only about 1.5 doses per 100 people.

WHO officials say the science is unproven about whether giving booster shots to people who have already received two vaccine doses is effective in preventing the spread of the coronavirus.

The U.N. health agency has repeatedly called for rich countries to do more to help improve access to vaccines in the developing world. It has argued that no one is safe until everyone is safe because the longer and more widely the coronavirus circulates, the greater the chance that new variants could emerge  and prolong a global crisis in fighting the pandemic.

The agency has no power to require countries to act, and many in the past have ignored its appeals on issues like donating vaccines, limiting cross-border travel and taking steps to boost production of vaccines in developing countries.

Tedros pointed to a WHO target he had announced in May seeking to ensure that 10% of the populations in all countries receive vaccines against the coronavirus.

Accordingly, WHO is calling for a moratorium on boosters until at least the end of September to enable at least 10% of the population of every country to be vaccinated, he told a news conference.

To help take the heat out of the pandemic, WHO has been focusing on getting vaccines to older adults, health care workers and other target populations in many countries before booster shot campaigns are carried out.

Dr. Bruce Aylward, a special adviser to Tedros, said the moratorium was about an appeal to countries considering booster doses to put a hold on such policies until and unless we get the rest of the world caught up" in the fight against the pandemic.

As weve seen from the emergence of variant after variant, we cannot get out of it unless the whole world gets out of it together. And with the huge disparity in vaccination coverage, were simply not going to be able to achieve that," Aylward said.

Israel, France, Germany and many Middle Eastern countries have already started administering boosters, and other nations, including the United States and Britain, are considering plans to do so in the wake of the emergence of the highly transmissible delta variant.

Dr. Katherine OBrien, WHOs vaccines chief, noted that a very limited number of countries were giving booster doses though a larger number were contemplating it.

The evidence is evolving. Its moving. We dont have a full set of evidence around whether this is needed or not, O'Brien said, adding that the main message was that we need instead to focus on those people who are most vulnerable.

Asked about the WHO position, White House press secretary Jen Psaki called it a false choice and suggested the United States could both donate vaccines abroad and provide boosters at home.

We announced just yesterday that we hit an important milestone of over 110 million vaccines donated to the world. That is more than any other country has shared combined, she said. We also, in this country, have enough supply, to ensure that every American has access to a vaccine. We will have enough supply to ensure, if the FDA decides that boosters are recommended for a portion of the population, to provide those as well."

WHO officials reiterated their call for global solidarity to help battle the coronavirus pandemic and appealed to wealthy countries and corporations to help.

We need everyones cooperation, especially the handful of countries and companies that control the global supply of vaccines, Tedros said, appealing in particular to the influential Group of 20 large economies. The G-20 has a vital leadership role to play as the countries that are the biggest producers, the biggest consumers and the biggest donors of COVID-19 vaccines.

He urged the G-20, which currently is chaired by Italy, to make concrete commitments to support global vaccination targets.

We call on everyone with influence  Olympic athletes, investors, business leaders, faith leaders and every individual in their own family and community  to support our call for a moratorium on booster shots until at least the end of September, Tedros said.
BOISE, Idaho (AP)  The leaders of some of Idaho's largest health care providers warned residents Wednesday that coronavirus cases again are again threatening to overwhelm hospitals and primary care clinics as cases climb statewide.

The top medical officials with Primary Health, St. Luke's Health System and Saint Alphonsus Health System urged people to wear masks indoors and to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in an online news conference with Boise Mayor Lauren McLean.

Dr. David Peterman, a pediatrician and the CEO of Primary Health Medical Group, said the number of positive coronavirus tests his clinic is seeing is comparable to what they saw in January, when statewide numbers were surging.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that communities try to keep positive case rates at 5% or less of the total population, Peterman said. The rate of positive tests being done at Primary Health's 21 clinics in southwestern Idaho is far higher.

We're four times that rate, Peterman said. The number of people actually being tested in our clinics  requiring tests  has tripled.

The number of positive cases has increased in every age group, and positive cases in 5- to 12-year-olds has tripled, Peterman said.

Statewide, COVID-19 infections among those younger that 12 have doubled in the past two weeks, Idaho's deputy state epidemiologist Dr. Kathryn Turner said during a separate news conference on Tuesday.

The health experts said the increase is likely because the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus has become the dominant strain in Idaho. Turner said the variant is at least twice as contagious as the original COVID-19 virus, with one person infected with the delta variant able to infect an average of five to nine other people.

Dr. Patrice Burgess, the executive medical director of Saint Alphonsus, said her hospital system is also seeing a dramatic increase, and COVID patients in the intensive care unit are younger and sicker than they were during previous surges, with people in their 30s ending up on ventilators. They are also unvaccinated, Burgess said.

At St. Luke's hospitals, patients are being held for long periods of time in the emergency room while they wait for ICU beds to become available, St. Luke's chief medical officer Dr. James Souza said. The number of COVID patients admitted has doubled in the past two weeks, he said.

We're kind of entering the Class V rapids of this pandemic, said Souza, referring to a category of whitewater rapids that are extremely dangerous for rafters to navigate. To preserve hospitals' capacity to care for patients, Souza said, every single rower's got to put their oars in the water at the same time and the left and right sides of the boat have got to work in tandem.

That means people need to get vaccinated, follow CDC guidelines and wear masks if they are indoors with people outside of their immediate family, Souza said.

Some communities statewide are also beginning to urge residents to resume wearing masks in an effort to slow the spread of the virus.

The Fort Hall Business Council announced last week that it was requiring nearly everyone aged 2 and older to wear masks in public places and businesses on the Fort Hall Reservation. The Boise School District announced Tuesday evening that it was reinstating the masking requirement for all K-12 schools in its district.

Idaho Gov. Brad Little warned on Tuesday that schools could again be disrupted as coronavirus variants continue to spread.

Simply put, we need more Idahoans to choose to receive the vaccine for kids to have a chance at a normal school year, one that is entirely in person, without outbreaks and quarantines, Little said.

Idaho's vaccination rates remain low compared with the nation. Just over half of those aged 12 and older have received at least one dose of the vaccine, compared with the national average of more than 67%.

Statewide, 680 new cases were reported on Tuesday, according to numbers from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Idaho has reported more than 202,000 cases since the pandemic began, and more than 2,200 of those patients died of the illness.
BROOKLYN, Ill. (AP)  An Illinois police officer died early Wednesday while trying to stop a car fleeing police into Missouri, authorities said.

The officer from Brooklyn was struck around 3 a.m. on the McKinley Bridge, which connects the two states. He was setting up stop sticks, which flatten tires, when he was struck by a red Dodge Charger, according to Illinois State Police.

The officer was identified as Brian Pierce, who was new to the department and in his 20s, Brooklyn Police Captain Antonio White told KMOV-TV.

Officer Pierce was a very fine young man. Very energetic," White told the station. When he came to work, he put a smile on your face. Hes an officer that youd love to have on your team, your unit, hes there all the time. If he was off work hed show up, he just loved doing his job and this is what he loved to do as a police officer.

Police didnt offer details on what prompted the police chase, which began at a Brooklyn nightclub where officers were working to obtain video.

Brooklyn is a community of about 450 people roughly six miles from St. Louis.

The Charger, which had temporary Illinois tags, was found abandoned in Missouri, according to police.

While authorities were investigating the officers death on the bridge, another vehicle crashed through a roadblock and hit police cars, prompting investigators to open fire. The driver, who was wounded with non-life threatening injuries, was arrested along with three passengers, according to police.

It was unclear if the incidents were connected.

Lt. Michael Lewis with Illinois State Police described the scene on the bridge with back-to-back incidents as chaotic, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP)  A key protection against evictions would be restored and a new round of funding would flow to utilities to cover unpaid customer bills under legislation advancing through the Democrat-controlled Virginia General Assembly.

Those provisions are among a host of other priorities lawmakers are considering this week as they meet in Richmond for a special session to allocate billions of dollars in federal coronavirus relief, intended to cover pandemic response needs and bolster the economy.

The budget legislation, which received initial approval in the House and Senate on Wednesday, reinstates what housing advocates say was a significant protection against eviction that expired at the end of June: a requirement that a landlord must have applied for rental assistance on their tenant's behalf before an eviction for non-payment of rent can proceed.

While the protection does not amount to an eviction moratorium, housing advocates had worried that evictions would surge, and homelessness could eventually follow, if landlords didn't face a requirement to tell tenants about the relief money.

Martin Wegbreit, director of litigation for the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society, said it makes sense for landlords to handle the applications.

Theyre the ones who know whos behind (on rent), and they are the ones who will end up with the money," Wegbreit said. And that will keep them paid and keep tenants staying in their apartments.

As of July 14, more than $308 million had been paid out statewide to support more than 48,000 households, according to the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.

The protection would take effect after the bill is passed and signed by Gov. Ralph Northam, and it would remain in place through June 30 of next year, under the version of the budget that advanced out of the House and Senate money committees Monday.

The deliberations in Virginia come after the Biden administration allowed a federal moratorium on evictions to expire over the weekend. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday issued a new moratorium that would last until Oct 3.

Michael Hipps, an attorney representing various landlords in Virginias Hampton Roads region, said that shifting the onus back on to landlords to apply for rental assistance would not be terribly burdensome for large-scale landlords.

But he said it could pose a challenge to landlords who only have one or two properties. They would have to navigate the application process without many resources, he said.

Also in the Democrats' budget plan is a new round of funding to cover certain unpaid water, electric, natural gas or other utility bills. It would allocate $120 million to provide assistance to residential utility customers with accounts over 60 days past due.

The State Corporation Commission would establish an application process to distribute the funds directly to utilities, according to the legislation. Funding is to be awarded proportionally based on the total amount of money owed.

The SCC doesnt currently have an accounting of what's owed, spokesman Ken Schrad said. The legislation directs the state to undertake one.

Utilities may ask customers to attest that they have experienced a financial hardship due to the pandemic, according to the bill. They are not required to do so.

Dominion Energy Virginia, the state's largest electric monopoly, is excluded from the funding.

State regulators have routinely found that the company has over-earned, but Dominion has pushed through legislation in recent years that limited state regulators ability to mandate refunds or rate reductions.

Instead of allowing Dominion to tap into the new pool of money, the budget contains language that says Dominion cannot disconnect certain low-income customers until March 1 of next year.

Rayhan Daudani, a Dominion spokesman, said the company has flexible payment options even for customers who don't fall into that category.

In addition to the rent and utility provisions aimed at helping Virginians, the budget also allocates money for various state agencies to pay for costs associated with the pandemic, including $34.8 million for the Department of Corrections to cover ongoing COVID testing, the purchase of personal protective equipment and the expansion of telehealth services and video visitation.

It further provides $20 million to the Department of Health to provide targeted outreach on COVID-19 vaccines in hard-to-reach communities; $10 million to backfill COVID-related revenue shortfalls at veterans care centers; and $15 million over two years to address Medicaid eligibility re-evaluations, appeals and operational backlogs at the Department of Medical Assistance Services due to COVID-19.

The budget also contains language clarifying that a state law prohibiting the wearing of masks in certain places doesnt apply to Virginians wearing a face covering to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The issue had been an area of some ambiguity since Virginia's state of emergency due to the pandemic lapsed at the end of June.

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Finley reported from Norfolk. Associated Press writer Denise Lavoie contributed to this report from Richmond.
Preservation of evidence is critical to understanding why a Florida oceanfront condominium collapsed and to protect the legal rights of victims and others, a judge said Wednesday.

Miami-Dade County is expected later this month to hand over control of the Champlain Towers South site to a court-appointed receiver. That receiver, attorney Michael Goldberg, said discussions are ongoing regarding how experts such as engineers will gain access to the property and the building's steel-and-concrete remains, some of which are stored in a local warehouse.

We are not going to be delaying this," Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Michael Hanzman said at a hearing. Everyone will have the opportunity to do the investigations they need. We don't want to be in the position of being accused of spoiling evidence."

The 12-story condominium building in Surfside collapsed for unknown reasons June 24, killing 98 people and leaving dozens more homeless. The cause of the collapse, one of the deadliest of its kind in U.S. history, is still under investigation.

The hearing conducted remotely Wednesday concerned lawsuits filed by family members of victims, unit owners, mortgage holders and others seeking damages for their losses.

Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett said access to evidence by experts could help officials avert similar building disasters by understanding what happened at Champlain Towers South.

It has to be done a lot sooner than later. There are lives at stake, Burkett said.

One survivor, Sharon Schechter, said she barely escaped from her unit on the 11th floor but raised concerns at the hearing that renters such as herself might be left with little or nothing despite losing their possessions.

I don't know where I stand. I lost everything I had, Schechter told the judge. Everything was working great and then my life was turned upside down.

Hanzman said Schechter and other tenants will have a claim for their losses as the lawsuits move forward. They are likely to be consolidated into a single class action affecting all of the collapse claims that will be filed in mid-August.

But Hanzman said even with the proposed sale of the Champlain Towers property and insurance payouts, there probably won't be enough money to go around.

There will likely not be enough to compensate everyone for what their claims may be, the judge said. But he cautioned attorneys to make sure their cases are ironclad. I'm not interested in hail Mary claims.

Another hearing was scheduled for next Wednesday.
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP)  New Mexico prides itself on having the best chile in the world, but a shortage of farmhands could leave a big portion of this years bumper crop rotting on the vine.

We have one of the best chile crops the state has ever seen because the weather just set up perfectly in most areas, Joram Robbs, executive director of the New Mexico Chile Association, told the Santa Fe New Mexican on Tuesday.

There are some farmers that got hit by monsoons in a negative way, but theres tons of chile on these plants, so were going to see a huge loss if we dont get it picked, he said.

Some Republican lawmakers and farmers in the Hatch Valley are blaming the labor shortage on the extra unemployment insurance benefit payments they believe are keeping workers at home instead of in the field, and theyre urging Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to immediately cut them off.

In a letter to the governor, Sen. Crystal Diamond of Elephant Butte and Reps. Rebecca Dow of Truth or Consequences and Luis Terrazas of Silver City contend the supplemental unemployment benefits are responsible for a lack of workers in virtually every area of our states economy.

Red and green chile are the iconic crop of our state and your administrations lackluster response to this problem may cost our state a valuable crop season for these family farms and may drive some out of business altogether, they wrote. People in southern New Mexico are witnessing firsthand how the chile industry is becoming a casualty of our flawed supplemental unemployment insurance program. Though the chile farmers of our state may bear the early burden of this labor shortage, it is not long before other agricultural industries feel the effects of this policy.

Its already happening, said Joe Paul Lack, who grows chile in addition to onions and pecans. He said hell probably only be able to harvest half of the 80 acres of onions he grew this year because he doesnt have enough workers to do the job.

We were probably 20% short last year, but were more than 50% short this year on our help, he said. You go around in Hatch and just look up and down the streets, theres plenty of people; theres just nobody working.

Lack said he asks past employees why they arent working for him now and that they tell him they dont need the money because theyre collecting unemployment, including an extra $300-a-week payment set to expire in September.

Nora Meyers Sackett, the governors spokeswoman, wrote in an email that there is no evidence that the federal unemployment supplement is somehow singlehandedly driving or solely responsible for workforce re-entry issues in New Mexico or elsewhere.

She pointed to a working paper by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco that found the $300 weekly supplement has been making a small but likely noticeable contribution to job-finding rates and employers perceptions of worker availability.

Still, Sackett said the Lujan Grisham administration is considering a variety of ideas to help chile farmers, including the possibility of assigning federal stimulus funds to support temporary wage supplements for farm workers.

Lt. Gov. Howie Morales and Agriculture Secretary Jeff Witte met with farmers and the New Mexico Chile Association this week to discuss industry concerns and identify possible solutions.

Those conversations about the issue have been productive and are ongoing, she wrote. As anyone in the industry will tell you, labor has been an issue in agriculture for a long time; the pandemic has only exacerbated the problem.

But the Republican lawmakers believe the extra unemployment insurance benefit payments are keeping people at home instead of going to work.

In an action some consider an incentive to get the unemployed to return to work, other states, primarily those led by Republican governors, stopped paying the $300-a-week federal supplemental benefit. New Mexico will keep it in place until it expires in September.

Lujan Grisham said in June that ending the benefit early was "punitive.

But we do want to incentivize workers to go to work, she said at the time.

Gary Shiflett, who has been farming for 43 years, said nobodys gonna get out and work as long as the government keeps giving everybody money. He said what could end up happening is New Mexico chile farmers could go out of business, ending the states reputation for having the best chile in the world.

Our governor, Im sorry, but shes horrible, he said. She dont understand.

Robbs, the head of the chile association, said farmers usually start harvesting crops the first or second week of August.

Were a little bit too late on this problem; it took everybody by surprise, he added. I guess we should have seen it coming. But we were hopeful that there would be workers once the state opened back up. But theres not. Theyre staying at home.

Robbs said the association has gotten a lot of pushback on social media from people asking why employers in the chile industry dont offer higher wages.

Theres only so much that these farmers and processors can pay until theyre making negative income, he said. Businesses cant just pass on costs like that when theyre in the produce industry. Where does it stop? Wheres the threshold when people stop buying chile?

Diamond, the state senator, said shes been hearing from concerned farmers not just in the Hatch Valley but across Dona Ana County, as well as Luna and Sierra counties.

All of them are echoing the same concern that this labor shortage is threatening the entire chile harvest this year as a whole, she said. Were going into chile season within days, and we do not have a workforce, and so theyre afraid that that window is going to come just too late. So, we have two problems: Either there just wont be chile available, or what little chile is available, the cost will be passed on to consumers, which is a concern for all New Mexicans.

House Republicans attacked the governor on Twitter, saying the states chile crop is being left to rot by (Lujan Grishams) economic failures.

Diamond said the issue isnt political.

This isnt a D or an R issue, she said. This is a red or green issue.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  Louisiana State University students will have to wear masks in classrooms and at campus events this fall to help fight the spread of COVID-19, but won't have to be vaccinated to return to school, university officials announced Wednesday.

LSU will require students to either have proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test within five days of arriving on campus. It also will require monthly tests for unvaccinated students. Some students living on campus may be required to take more frequent tests, university system President William Tate said.

The decision against requiring students to get the immunization was certain to anger some faculty who had pushed for mandatory coronavirus vaccines before returning to in-person instruction. Tate only encouraged vaccination instead.

It is the single most effective thing you can do to help us restore normal operations to the university, Tate wrote in a message sent to faculty, staff and students.

Wednesdays announcement came as Louisiana reported 4,778 new coronavirus cases, 44 more deaths and 135 more hospitalizations  pushing the state's daily COVID-19 hospitalization count to an all-time high of 2,247.

Hospitals under stress are getting federal help to arrange extra staffing.

Louisianas largest hospital, Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center in Baton Rouge, saw assistance arrive Monday from a disaster medical response team of nearly three dozen health care workers. On Wednesday, Baton Rouge General started receiving a staffing boost as well, with more than 100 medical workers arriving that it said will help its hospitals and other health care facilities in the area.

The additional staff includes doctors, registered nurses, respiratory therapists and certified nursing assistants. With their help, Baton Rouge General said it will be able to open up as many as 110 more hospital beds to care for COVID-19 patients.

Gov. John Bel Edwards continues to urge people to get vaccinated. And he said a statewide indoor masking mandate that he ordered, which took effect Wednesday, was the least onerous we can to do in order to try to curb transmission and give some breathing room back to our hospitals.

At a town hall meeting hosted by The Advocate newspaper, the Democratic governor said he doesnt intend to return to further restrictions on businesses.

This is a very targeted and limited approach that we believe will be effective, Edwards said of his mask mandate, which expires Sept. 1 but could be extended.

Asked if he intended to require proof of vaccination against the coronavirus for entrance into large events or New Orleans Saints games, Edwards said: Were not entertaining that here in Louisiana. But we do want people to be vaccinated.

He said he would consider requiring a vaccination for state workers, but not until the FDA has given full approval to one of the coronavirus immunizations.

Meanwhile, three students at a north Louisiana medical school have joined Attorney General Jeff Landry in a lawsuit fighting that schools vaccination requirement. The suit against the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Monroe was filed Tuesday in federal court.

The lawsuit states that the three students are being required to get vaccinated in violation of their religious beliefs.

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Follow APs coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.

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McGill reported from New Orleans.
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)  A man suspected of stabbing and setting on fire a homeless man who later died at a hospital in Oakland has been charged with murder, authorities said.

Andre Weston, 58, was charged Tuesday in the killings of William Vann, who died of his injuries at a hospital on March 8, five days after Weston allegedly attacked him during an argument, the Oakland Police Department said in a statement.
DENVER (AP)  A Black man who was pistol-whipped and choked by a suburban Denver police officer said Wednesday that he feared for his life during the violent confrontation that led to assault charges against the officer and later his resignation.

In an interview, Kyle Vinson said he was afraid of dying when Officer John Haubert of the embattled Aurora Police Department held a gun to the back of his head and pointed it at his chest while arresting him on July 23 for a probation violation. The run-in was captured on Haubert's body-worn camera.

The arrest July 23 stirred new anger over a Police Department plagued by allegations of misconduct in recent years, including the 2019 death of Elijah McClain and incidents involving other people of color.

Vinson is a homeless Army veteran who said he was trying to take a break from the midday heat when police approached. When the arrest turned violent, he said he thought about never being able to see his brother or his friends, ride his bicycle or eat again.

Just little things like that, youre just thinking, Oh, this is it. This is my time to go, right now,'" he said.

Vinson said he tried to comply with the officers' orders as best he could and control his emotions so he would not be killed, noting the deaths of George Floyd and McClain, a Black man stopped on the street by Aurora police in 2019 and put into a neckhold.

If someone was even not compliant just a little bit, they could have lost their life," he said.

Hauberts lawyer has vowed to zealously defend him but did not respond to a telephone call seeking comment Wednesday.

A week and a half after the arrest, Vinson said he still is in pain from his injuries, the worst of which is in his chest from being poked with the gun's barrel. He said he also suffers headaches and back pain and got six stitches for a cut on his head.

Haubert and another officer had been sent to investigate a trespassing report when they encountered Vinson and two other people who had outstanding felony warrants, according to court documents. The two others ran away.

Haubert is accused of grabbing the back of the Vinsons neck, pressing a gun against his head, then striking his head with the pistol at least seven times while ordering him to lie on his stomach, according to an arrest affidavit.

Youre killing me, Vinson cried as Haubert held him down and struck him, according to the video released by Police Chief Vanessa Wilson following the officers' arrests. She called it a very despicable act and apologized, saying it was an anomaly.

The second officer is accused of not intervening as required under a police accountability law passed last summer amid nationwide racial injustice protests.

The law also makes it easier to file lawsuits against police officers over misconduct allegations. One of Vinson's lawyers, Qusair Mohamedbhai, who represents McClain's mother in a lawsuit against Aurora, said a lawsuit was being considered in Vinson's case.
MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP)  Nicaraguan police arrested and then released a former beauty queen Wednesday, two days after she registered as an antigovernment candidate in the Nov. 7 elections.

The conservative Citizens for Liberty coalition said its vice presidential candidate, Berenice Quezada, had been placed under house arrest. Authorities later said she had been charged with inciting terrorism, but would be released pending trial.

Quezada would still apparently be unable to resume her candidacy because of the charges.

She was the eighth contender in the election to be arrested since May. Quezada was crowned Miss Nicaragua in 2017, and had called on citizens to vote against the dictatorship of President Daniel Ortega, who is seeking a fourth consecutive term.

On Monday, the Citizens for Liberty coalition registered as its presidential candidate Oscar Sobalvarro, a rancher and former commander in the U.S.-backed "Contra" rebellion against Ortegas 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.

As expected, the Sandinista party nominated Ortega for reelection as president and his wife, Rosarillo Murillo, for vice president.

With so many opposition contenders jailed, 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 re-election.

Electoral authorities allied with Ortega previously barred two opposition parties from even running candidates.

Ortega alleges the countrys April 2018 street protests were part of an organized coup attempt with foreign backing.
PHOENIX (AP)  The Phoenix Zoo is asking the public to help name one of its black-footed ferret litters.

The zoo is caring for 27 black-footed ferret kits and officials say its the most successful breeding season in 20 years. The first litter was born in May and the last in June.
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (AP)  A man wounded by police after he allegedly fired on officers investigating a fatal shooting in suburban Denver is suspected of being involved in the earlier shooting, police said Wednesday.

The 27-year-old man remained hospitalized following Tuesday's shooting in Commerce City but was expected to recover from multiple gunshot wounds, police said.
PLEASANTON, Calif. (AP)  Human remains found under a tree in a rugged Northern California park likely belong to a man who went missing last month after going for a run, police said.

A volunteer searcher found the body Tuesday about a quarter of a mile from the trail that Philip Kreycik had charted on a fitness app for his run at Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park, said Capt. Lance Breed of East Bay Regional Park District police.

Kreycik, 37, left his Berkeley home the morning of July 10 and drove to the park for an hourlong run. When he didnt return by the afternoon, his wife called authorities.

Hundreds of volunteers and officials used drones, aircraft and off-road vehicles to look for weeks for the father of two young children.

We wanted to bring him home alive and safe, so to deliver this news today is hard for all of us, said Sgt. Ray Kelly of the Alameda County Sheriffs Department.

Kelly said the remains had on running clothes and Kreyciks distinctive running shoes. He said there were no immediate signs of foul play.

The day Kreycik went missing, temperatures reached 106 degrees Fahrenheit (41 Celsius).

The body was discovered near a game trail, commonly used by wildlife such as deer, Lt. Erik Silacci of the Pleasanton Police Department told the San Francisco Chronicle.

Its a trail that if you saw it, it looks like trampled grass and that you may take, particularly if you were disoriented and in search of a way back to your car or something, Silacci said.

The body was found under a tree on a ridge in a spot not readily visible from the sky or near the trail he was thought to be running on, Kelly said.

A coroner will be making a positive identification of the remains to try to determine the time and cause of death, officials said.
BERLIN (AP)  A German-Swiss group that campaigns for human rights in Belarus called Wednesday for Western companies to stop buying airtime for advertising on the authoritarian countrys state broadcasters.

Libereco said major consumer goods companies such as Procter & Gamble, Nestle and Mars were among the top advertisers on Belarusian state TV, according to a week-long analysis of primetime ads last month.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  San Francisco will provide an extra dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for people who got the single-shot Johnson & Johnson variety but public health officials aren't calling it a booster, authorities said Tuesday.

In a possibly unique decision in California, the Department of Public Health said people who request it can receive a supplemental dose at city-run clinics. The second shot will be a vaccine produced by either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna.

Both of those companies offer vaccines that require two doses.

While Johnson & Johnson's vaccine is effective at preventing serious infections, we have gotten requests based on patients talking to their physicians, and thats why we are allowing the accommodations, said Naveena Bobba, the department's deputy director of health.

Confusion has swirled around the various vaccines and whether they are effective against the delta variant of the virus, which is sparking a troubling upsurge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in California and other states.

Potential benefit, no downside. To me, as we look at the future of this virus and now were facing a fourth surge, it does make sense, said Dr. Chris Colwell, chief of emergency medicine at Zuckerberg San Francisco General, according to KGO-TV.

State health officials on Tuesday reported more than 7,300 new cases of the coronavirus and 6.7% of tests were positive over a seven-day period, a steep increase from just a few weeks ago although still far lower than during a fall and winter surge.

Local and state health officials say the upswing is being driven by the unvaccinated.

Vaccines decrease the severity of the illness, reduce hospitalizations and decrease the risk of death. Clinical trials showed that a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was 72% effective against moderate to severe COVID-19 in the United States, compared with 95% for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

Last month, Johnson & Johnson said its vaccine provided at least eight months of immunity from COVID-19 and generated strong, persistent activity against the delta variant.

Public health officials described the shot as a supplement rather than a booster shot.

Its not a booster because its not specific for some of the variants, which the booster ultimately will be, Colwell said.

This move does not represent a change in policy," a public health department statement said. We continue to align with the (U.S.) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance and do not recommend a booster shot at this time."
Like many roller coaster lovers, Brooke O'Connell and her son Declan always threw their hands up in the air during descents.

"Mom, put your hands up!" he shouted while the two shared a ride on a corkscrew coaster at an amusement park in Orlando.

But Brooke couldn't raise her arms. She figured the centrifugal force kept them down.

After getting off the ride, Brooke's neck felt a little sore.

A week later, back home in Rhode Island, Brooke left a 12-hour shift as a pharmacist and was on her way to dinner with her family. Walking into a restaurant, she called her husband, Michael, to see where they were sitting. She dropped her phone, picked it up and dropped it again. Her older son, Quinn, waved his hands to get her attention, but she didn't see him.

When she finally found their table, Michael immediately saw something was wrong. Brooke seemed disoriented and her speech was slurred.

Her sister-in-law, also at the table, insisted they call 911. Within a minute, Brooke was walking and speaking normally again. Still, they decided to go to the emergency room.

A CT scan showed Brooke had experienced a transient ischemic attack, also known as a mini-stroke. It is often a warning sign of a looming massive stroke.

Her TIA was caused by a dissected carotid artery, which is essentially a tearing inside one of the main pathways in the neck delivering blood from the heart to the brain. Doctors thought the fit 43-year-old likely suffered the damage during the roller coaster ride.

A stroke "wasn't even on my radar, because I was young and active, with no health issues," Brooke said.

She stayed in the hospital overnight. Doctors concluded the tear wasn't big enough to repair and that it would heal itself. They told her to take it easy for a while, avoid strenuous exercise and take low-dose aspirin for a year.

While she was parked on the couch watching television on her first day home, a friend came by to visit. She got up quickly to let her in.

They talked for a few minutes, then Brooke's speech slurred and she slumped against the couch. It was happening again.

Michael called 911. She was soon back at the hospital.

Doctors determined Brooke had a severe stroke caused by a clot from the tear, perhaps dislodged by her jumping up to answer the door.

Despite those flukes, she also had some good fortune.

It started with the quick response from her husband and the EMTs. Then there was the fact that the hospital had a specialist trained in what was then in 2019 the relatively new procedure of mechanical thrombectomy. In some people, doctors can use a catheter and device to grab the clot and remove it from the brain. Doctors also placed four stents in her carotid artery to keep it open.

Brooke's only physical after-effect is in the finger joints of her left hand, which don't bend as fluidly as they used to, slowing her typing speed.

The doctor told her later that if her stroke had happened before the new procedure was widely available, her husband either would be planning her funeral or building her a ramp.

Mentally, Brooke struggled.

Although doctors told her what happened to her was a fluke and it had been repaired, she remained fearful.

"In the beginning, I was scared to be by myself in case anything happened," she said. "I never really had anxiety before, but now I definitely feel a little anxious about things that are out of my control."

She went to a behavioral therapist to learn coping mechanisms, which helped. She also found solace in her new sidekick, Okie, the family's Goldendoodle.

"We were not dog people at all," Michael said. "But now it feels like he's another member of the family. He is right there by Brooke's side every moment that she's home, which has really helped her.  I'm just really proud of her for how she's handled everything she's gone through."

Both Brooke and Michael have been active in spreading the word about stroke, especially among younger people, and about funding research for cutting-edge treatments, such as the one she received.

Later in 2019, Brooke spoke to more than 400 people at the American Heart Association's Southern New England Heart and Stroke Ball.

"I'm not a huge fan of being the center of attention," she said, "but I would stand on the rooftop and shout to get the word out."

Stories From the Heart chronicles the inspiring journeys of heart disease and stroke survivors, caregivers and advocates.

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TEL AVIV, Israel (AP)  Three rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israeli territory Wednesday and the army responded with sustained artillery fire, Israel's military said. There was no immediate information on damages or casualties.

The announcement came after sirens sounded in northern Israel warning of a possible rocket attack from Lebanon. Two rockets landed inside Israeli territory, the army said, adding that it fired artillery back into Lebanon.

Channel 12 reported that one rocket exploded in an open area and another was intercepted by Israel's defense system, known as the Iron Dome.

The warnings went off near Kiryat Shmona, a community of about 20,000 people near the Lebanese border.

A Lebanese army official said the military had no comment pending investigations. Other Lebanese security officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press.

However, several witnesses in the border area in south Lebanon said two rockets landed in an Israeli community across the border, followed by multiple artillery shells that were fired from Israel. The Israeli shells landed in an area between the Lebanese villages of Marjayoun and Khiam, they said, adding it was not clear where the rockets were fired from.

There have been several similar incidents in recent months.

The rocket fire is believed by Israeli authorities to have been launched by Palestinian groups based in Lebanon and not the militant Hezbollah group. However, its unlikely that Palestinian groups could operate without Hezbollahs consent.

U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price condemned the rocket fire from Lebanon.

Israel has the right to defend itself against such attacks," he told reporters in Washington, adding that the U.S. would remain engaged with partners in the region in an effort to de-escalate the situation.

At the United Nations, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, was aware of the rocket fire and Israel's artillery response. He said the UNIFIL commander, Maj. Gen. Stefano Del Col, appealed for a cease-fire and urged both sides to exercise maximum restraint to avoid further escalation."

___

Karam reported from Beirut. Associated Press writers Matthew Lee in Washington and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report.
Koji Sasahara/AP

TOKYO (AP)  Sonys April-June profit rose 9% to 211.8 billion yen ($1.9 billion) as the Japanese electronics and video game maker continued to benefit from a sales perk from the hit Demon Slayer animation film.

Healthy results in its music streaming business and robust demand for digital cameras, image sensors and the PlayStation 5 video game console helped Tokyo-based Sony Corp.s quarterly sales grow 15% to 2.26 trillion yen ($20.7 billion), the company said Wednesday.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)  The mayor of South Carolina's capital city has mandated the use of masks in city schools where some students are too young to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, a move he says will protect vaccine-ineligible children amid the pandemic's resurgence.

What were facing right now with the rise of the delta variant is a pandemic of the unvaccinated, Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin told The Associated Press on Wednesday, ahead of a news conference to discuss his plans. Adults can make decisions for themselves. ... Children do not have that ability or autonomy, and its important that we do what we should do, as a mature, compassionate, civilized society, and provide for our children.

The effort  which requires face coverings for children between ages two and 14, as well as faculty, staff and visitors in the city's schools and day cares, both public and private  puts Benjamin, a Democrat, at odds with Republican Gov. Henry McMaster as well as the GOP-controlled Legislature, which recently barred such policies for all public schools.

The challenge is that our babies are unvaccinated," Benjamin, currently in his third and final term as Columbia mayor and among South Carolinas most notable Democrats, said during a City Council meeting Tuesday.

If we as a community are not willing to do what is necessary to keep them safe and keep them alive, then that is indeed a statement on who we are as a people, he added.

Disagreements over the school masking issue have been percolating as districts and colleges plan to head back to classes this fall.

On July 1, a budget proviso took effect explicitly prohibiting educational institutions from using public funds to enact their own mask mandates. Tuesday, the University of South Carolina reversed its requirement that students and staff be masked indoors on campus after Attorney General Alan Wilson weighed in on that proposal, saying that the proviso  while inartfully worded  made the mandate illegal.

Noting that the proviso forbids a school mask mandate, the state Department of Health and Environmental Control said last month that it strongly recommends mask use for all people when indoors in school settings, especially when physical distancing is not possible. State Education Department officials have noted publicly that they couldnt follow updated federal guidance recommending masks in schools.

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  has applauded that measure, acknowledging the dangers posed by the delta variant but saying shutting our state down, closing schools and mandating masks is not the answer. Personal responsibility is.

Benjamin, who is also an attorney, said Wednesday that he felt he had the legal authority to implement the policy, which he said City Council members would consider at a meeting Thursday.

Saying he had fielded bipartisan support for his actions, Benjamin noted that he hoped to avoid a lawsuit, adding that he felt the mandate didn't violate state law because he planned to use city, and not state, funds to provide masks to the city's schools.

All the masks that we are mandating people to use, we will provide, as a city, to the schools, said Benjamin, adding that he had discussed the measure with Wilson before announcing it. It is not affected by the budget proviso at all.

Wilson's office did not immediately return a message seeking comment Wednesday.

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 in South Carolina, with the average number doubling in the past two weeks to more than 400 cases a day amid no signs of slowing down, according to state health officials.

During an event Monday promoting vaccination, Dr. Anna-Kathryn Rye Burch, a pediatric infectious disease specialist, said Prisma Health Children's Hospital in Columbia is at capacity almost every day as the pandemic resurges.

Our ICU is full of children with respiratory viruses, and some of those are COVID, she said.

Given those escalating numbers, Benjamin stressed what he saw as the need to take whatever measures necessary to safeguard children too young to receive vaccines.

The most important thing that we can do is provide for the safety of our children, Benjamin told AP on Wednesday. We need to decisively act to provide and protect them.

___

Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)  A statue of a Native American woman has been stolen from a Kansas City park, The Kansas City Star reported Wednesday.

A Kansas City parks spokeswoman told the newspaper that officials are searching for more details about the $80,000 statues disappearance from Northland Park.
PEACHTREE CORNERS, Ga. (AP)  A California company that makes surgical robots will invest $500 million in an Atlanta-area expansion, hiring 1,200 new workers by 2024.

Intuitive Surgical, based in Sunnyvale, California, announced its plans Wednesday. It's one of the largest announcements in terms of jobs and investments in Georgia this year.

Intuitive said it already has about 180 employees at an office in Peachtree Corners, northeast of Atlanta. The company said it would build out a larger campus in the Gwinnett County suburb in phases by 2024. The company says it will create 750,000 square feet (70,000 square meters) of space for manufacturing, engineering, medical worker training and administration.

One of the robot systems can cost $2 million or more. Surgeons worldwide used the company's robots to perform more than 1.2 million procedures in 2020, Intuitive said. Its best-known product is the da Vinci Surgical System.

Marie Hodge Gordon, a spokesperson for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, said she couldn't say how much incentives would be worth to Intuitive because the state has not yet signed a final agreement.

Intuitive could claim various tax breaks, including an income tax credit allowing it to annually deduct $1,250 per job from state income taxes, up to $7.5 million over five years, as long as workers make at least $28,000 per year.

Intuitive faces rising competition but told investors last month that it wants to continue to build out its offerings as a way of fighting new entrants to the market.

We still think this is a great opportunity to continue to invest in ecosystem of products and capabilities at this point in time before a competition really gets any kind of toehold, Chief Financial Officer Marshall Mohr said on a conference call. And so were going to continue to invest.

Intuitive needs a highly educated, committed, and diverse workforce; quality infrastructure; and the right geography to meet the rising demand for minimally invasive surgical technologies, Intuitive CEO Gary Guthart said in a statement Wednesday.
FARGO, N.D. (AP)  An attorney for a man accused in the gruesome killings of four people at a North Dakota property management firm said Wednesday that the case amounts to a rush to judgment based on bad information that led to the wrong conclusion. A prosecutor, though, said every piece of the puzzle leads to the defendant.

Chad Isaak, 47, of Washburn, is on trial for the April 1, 2019, deaths of RJR Maintenance & Management co-owner Robert Fakler, 52, and co-workers Adam Fuehrer, 42, and spouses Bill and Lois Cobb, 50 and 45. He pleaded not guilty to four counts of murder and three other counts.

It was one of the most heinous crimes in North Dakota history, defense attorney Bruce Quick acknowledged in his opening statement. Three of the victims were shot and stabbed. Combined, the four of them were stabbed about 100 times.

Prosecutor Karlei Neufeld began the trial being livestreamed from Mandan by describing the horrific crime scene and said evidence would include photos, surveillance video, lab reports, bullet fragments, and a knife and other things found during searches of the suspects home and vehicle.

Each piece of evidence you will receive in this case will be like a piece of a puzzle, Neufeld told the jury. And ... as you start putting them together, youll be able to see a clear picture of what took place.

Quick spent a good chunk of his opening pointing out what evidence was overlooked or not investigated. Law enforcement was under a tremendous amount pressure to solve this case and only took four days to decide that Isaak, a Navy veteran and chiropractor, fit the description of the killer, he said.

Among the numerous possible suspects were people who have either been evicted or sued by RJR, as well as a long list of disgruntled RJR employees who were fired, Quick said. The longtime defense attorney from Fargo said police failed to check out the hot-headed ex-husband of a woman who allegedly had an affair with Fakler.

This case is a rush to judgment based on erroneous information that led to erroneous conclusions, he said.

Quick accused law enforcement of contaminating the crime scene by in many cases failing to wear protective gear or signing a log book indicating they were there. One of the prosecutions key witnesses, a woman who allegedly identified Isaak as the man she saw outside of a McDonalds near the crime scene, estimated the man to be about 5-foot-9 when Isaak is 6-foot-4, Quick said.

Quick ended his opening statement by listing numerous items connected to Isaak that either showed no DNA link to him or relevance to the case.

Earlier, Quick noted that nobody has been able to find a motive for the slayings. RJR managed the mobile home park where Isaak lived, but he has been described as a model tenant who paid his rent early with a credit card.

This is not a case about what happened, this is a case about who did it, Quick said, later adding that there is no why."
ISTANBUL (AP)  Turkeys foreign ministry has called the United States irresponsible after the Biden administration announced it would expand efforts to assist at-risk Afghan citizens with the major caveat that the adjudication process would take months in a third country.

Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tanju Bilgic said Wednesday the U.S. statement had suggested Turkey as an application spot without consultation. He said Turkey does not have the capacity to shoulder another migration crisis.
SAN FRANCISCO - Yogi and Carolyn Vindum were still asleep late last year when their Tesla Model S beamed an alert that charging was interrupted.

Twelve minutes after that, they awoke to a blaring car alarm and a fire consuming their house in San Ramon, Calif. The blaze had started in one of the two electric vehicles in their garage and spread to the other.

"If we had lived upstairs in this house, we'd be dead," said Yogi Vindum, a retired mechanical engineer.

The fire, which has not previously been reported on in the news media, is one in a string of recent examples showing what can happen when electric cars are left parked in garages to charge overnight. The issue is causing mounting concern as a number of electric-vehicle makers have warned owners not to leave the cars charging unattended in certain circumstances, or sitting fully charged in garages.

Automakers including General Motors, Audi and Hyundai have recalled electric vehicles over fire risks in recent years and have warned of the associated dangers.

Chevrolet last year advised owners not to charge their vehicles overnight or keep their fully charged vehicles in garages. It recalled more than 60,000 of its Bolt electric vehicles over concerns about the cars spontaneously combusting while parked with full batteries or charging, after reports of five fires without prior impact damage. The company issued another recall last month covering the same vehicles after two reports of battery fires in repaired vehicles.

"We don't think every vehicle has this rare manufacturing defect," General Motors spokesman Dan Flores said. "But we can't take a chance, so we're recalling all the vehicles."

Tesla, which does not typically answer media inquiries, did not respond to a request for comment. A spokesman for Hyundai, which recently recalled Kona and Ioniq EVs and advised owners to park the vehicles outside, did not respond to a request for comment. Audi did not immediately have comment.

Automakers face numerous challenges as they race to get electric vehicles to consumers ahead of regulatory and company deadlines for shifting production away from gas-powered vehicles. They face skepticism about the availability of charging stations, concerns about vehicle range and apprehensions over cost. Fires have drawn attention because of the high-profile recalls and blazes that followed product rollouts, analysts say, further complicating the automakers' calculations.

Tesla in the past has argued that its cars are 10 times less likely to catch fire than gas-powered vehicles, drawing on data from the National Fire Protection Association and U.S. Federal Highway Administration.

Still, safety experts note that the fires can burn more intensely and last much longer.

"Battery fires can take up to 24 hours to extinguish," Tesla's website says in an emergency response guide for the Model S. "Consider allowing the battery to burn while protecting exposures."

Tesla owners have reported numerous fires involving older-model vehicles, though not all under the same circumstances. The Washington Post has documented at least five fires involving the Model S, including the blaze on Dec. 30, 2020, that destroyed much of the Vindums' home in San Ramon. In that case, Yogi Vindum recalled, at least six firetrucks came to the home.

Also late last year, flames started shooting out of a five-year-old Tesla Model S in Frisco, Texas, and firefighters struggled to gain access to the cabin after the motorized doors failed to open. Tesla said in 2019 that it had sent investigators to the site of an explosion involving a Model S in a Shanghai car park. Surveillance video showed smoke billowing from the parked car before a fiery blast. In 2018, a Tesla Model S caught fire "out of the blue" on a Los Angeles street, said actress Mary McCormack, whose husband owned the vehicle. Tesla acknowledged that the flames came from the battery.

In late June, a new, top-of-the-line Tesla Model S "Plaid" was destroyed when it erupted in flames shortly after the owner took delivery of the vehicle.

Meanwhile, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been investigating Tesla's battery management system since 2019. The agency said Tuesday it does not comment on open investigations.

Tesla had come under scrutiny over concerns it allegedly manipulated battery software in older vehicles to lessen the risk of fire. The company has proposed a settlement over the issue, and Elon Musk tweeted late last month: "If we are wrong, we are wrong. In this case, we were."

NHTSA opened an investigation into Chevrolet Bolt fires in October 2020, before the initial recall of that vehicle.

Battery-powered vehicles have not been shown to catch fire at rates higher than gasoline cars, but when fires do erupt, they burn longer and hotter, propelled by lithium-ion batteries that supercharge the blazes, experts say. Including gas-powered cars, the National Fire Protection Association says there were 189,500 overall highway vehicle fires in the United States in 2019, encompassing passenger and other types of road vehicles.

The case involving the Vindums' cars is unique because it involved two electric vehicles parked next to each other in a garage, demonstrating the explosive force they can unleash when burning.

A fire inspection report obtained by the Vindums in July cited the Tesla Model S's thermal management system as one of two possible causes of the fire, the other being a fault in the car's electrical system as it was charging.

Tesla did not respond to a request for comment on the specifics of the Vindums' case, including a short narrative of the events and the Vindums' view of Tesla's response to the fire.

John Thys/AFP via Getty Images

Yogi Vindum, who described himself as a fan of Tesla's, missed the initial alert to his iPhone at 5:25 a.m. In the garage, where the 2013 Tesla Model S 85 had been charging overnight, flames broke out and began spreading rapidly. The other Tesla Model S was parked next to it. The garage erupted in flames, with violent explosions powerful enough to blow off the metal garage doors, they said.

A blaring car alarm woke them up. The house was filling with smoke and alarms were going off as they escaped, he said.

From across the street, the Vindums watched as their home went up in flames. Footage from a nearby doorbell camera includes audible explosions.

The Vindums have not been able to live in their home since the Dec. 30 fire, which led to more than $1 million worth of damage, according to a report from the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District, which was viewed by The Post.

"The firemen said it was so hot that they couldn't walk up the driveway," Vindum said.

Vindum eventually replaced the Teslas with a gasoline-powered Audi from the insurance payout, which covered the Blue Book values of the cars. He was disappointed, he said, in what he described as Tesla's lack of interest after the fire. The charred shells of the cars sat in the couple's driveway for weeks "waiting for Tesla to assess what went wrong."

"They never showed as far as I know," Vindum said.

The fire at his home changed his perspective on whether vehicle fires present a unique risk for owners of electric cars.

"Gasoline driven cars don't catch fire in the garage when they're sitting there. And that's the difference," he said. "I don't worry about [my] Audi catching fire downstairs when it's not running."
MUGLA, Turkey (AP)  A coal-fueled power plant in southwest Turkey and nearby residential areas were being evacuated Wednesday evening as flames from a wildfire reached the plant, a mayor and local reporters said as sirens from the plant could be heard blaring.

Milas Mayor Muhammet Tokat, from Turkeys main opposition party, has been warning of the fire risks for the past two days for the Kemerkoy power plant in Mugla province. He said late Wednesday that the plant was being evacuated. Local reporters said the wildfires had also prompted the evacuation of the nearby seaside area of Oren.

Turkeys defense ministry said it was evacuating people by sea as the fires neared the plant. The state broadcaster TRT said the flames had jumped to the plant. Strong winds were making the fires unpredictable.

Authorities have said safety precautions had been taken at the Kemerkoy power plant and its hydrogen tanks were emptied. TRT said flammable and explosive substances had been removed. The privately run plant uses lignite to generate electricity, according to its website.

Videos from the area showed bright orange, burning hills with power towers and lines crisscrossing the foreground. Pro-government news channel A Hbr broadcasting live from near the evacuated power plant late Wednesday said firefighters were working inside the compound cooling equipment and dousing sparks in an effort to keep the fire away. The channel's crew showed an incinerated police water cannon.

As the mayor announced the evacuation on Twitter, Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was speaking live on A Hbr and said the power plant was at risk of burning. Three ministers were there to oversee developments, he said, and added planes and helicopters had been there all day to fight the fires.

But the mayor said air support came infrequently and only focused on the closer flames around the plant rather than addressing the wider fires in the area that were being fanned by shifting winds. At night, air support was not possible at all and videos showed flames in the plants vicinity.

The wildfires have turned into yet another partisan issue in Turkey. Erdogan accused opposition party members of a terror of lies for criticizing Turkeys lack of adequate aerial firefighting capabilities and inadequate preparedness for large-scale wildfires. The president said the municipalities were also responsible for protecting towns from fires and that responsibility did not fall on the central government alone but the mayors say they weren't even invited to crisis coordination.

Firefighters have been trying to protect the power plant for the past two days. Along with police water cannons, they fought back the flames Tuesday night while other rescuers dug ditches around the Kemerkoy plant. Videos from an adjacent neighborhood in Milas showed charred, decimated trees.

Scorching heat, low humidity and strong winds have fed the fires, which so far have killed eight people and countless animals and destroyed forests in the past eight days. Villagers have had to evacuate their homes and livestock, while tourists have fled in boats and cars. In the seaside province of Mugla, where tourist hot spot Bodrum is located, seven fires continued Wednesday. In Antalya, at least two fires raged on and two neighborhoods had to be evacuated.

Officials say 167 fires had been brought under control and 16 continued in five provinces. Thousands of firefighters and civilians were working to douse the flames.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said another firefighting plane and its staff would come from Azerbaijan on Thursday morning and 40 firetrucks would drive to Turkey to help with the fires. He announced four rented firefighting planes had landed and two from Israel would come Thursday.

Environmental groups and opposition lawmakers in Turkey have also been voicing fears that fire-damaged forests could lose their protected status.

Turkey's parliament passed a law in July that gives the tourism ministry power to manage all aspects of new tourism centers, approved by the president, including in forests and on treasury lands for public good, taking away responsibilities from the ministries of environment and forestry. The law says these locations would be identified according to their tourism potential, considering the countrys natural, historic and cultural values.

Turkish officials, including Erdogan, have firmly rejected the speculation that the forests were in danger of construction and said the burned forests were protected by the constitution and would be reforested. While the exact acreage burned in the past week remains unclear, officials have promised the affected areas would not be transformed for other purposes.

Environmentalists were already protesting mining licenses issued for parts of some forests and trying to stop companies from cutting down trees. They have staged sit-ins across Turkey.

A 2020 report by the Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion showed that 58% of Turkeys forests have been licensed to mines. About 59% of Mugla, where the fires have been raging, has been designated for mines, it said.

I wont be able to see the forests that will be replanted. Maybe my kids wont even see them, said Resit Yavuz, a resident in Marmaris, in Mugla province. There are no trees left. Theres nowhere left for fires to erupt.

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 reached an all-time high of 45.5 C (114 F) on Tuesday.

The heatwave is forecast to continue in Turkey and Greece until the end of the week.

___

Bilginsoy reported from Istanbul.
SAN FRANCISCO (BCN)

A Concord man convicted in May of conspiracy to commit arson received an 18-year prison sentence Tuesday for orchestrating the firebombings of properties of people on his enemies list.

David Jah, 47, will also serve a three-year term of supervised release following his prison term, according to the sentence delivered in federal court in San Francisco by U.S. District Judge William H. Alsup.

Jah was convicted of conspiring with two other men -- Kristopher Alexis-Clark, 27, of Vallejo, and Dennis Williams, 41, of Fairfield -- to conduct multiple firebombings targeting the residences of people Jah believed had wronged him, according to a news release issued Tuesday by Stephanie M. Hinds, acting United States attorney for the Northern District of California.

Alexis-Clark and Williams carried out three arson attacks Jah orchestrated in October and November of 2018 using Molotov cocktails. One of the attacks mistakenly firebombed the home next door to Jah's intended target.

The attacks caused no serious injuries, officials said.

"When Mr. Jah was unable to achieve his objectives in court, he turned to violence," said Acting U.S Attorney Hinds. "That is never acceptable."

Jah's enemies list included attorneys, former neighbors and the purchaser of his childhood home in Richmond.

"David Jah conspired to use extreme levels of violence to intimidate and retaliate against his perceived enemies," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig Fair. "Thanks to the collaboration between the FBI, ATF, and our local law enforcement partners, we were able to put a stop to these violent attacks."

Officials said Alexis-Clark and Williams both pleaded guilty to crimes regarding their respective roles in the scheme but have not yet been sentenced.

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.
By Lloyd Alaban

San Jose Spotlight

Lead levels at the Reid-Hillview Airport in East San Jose are dangerously high for children in the surrounding area, according to a report issued by the county.

The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors commissioned the lead study in 2020 using 17,000 blood samples collected between 2011 and 2020 from children living near the airport.

County officials announced the results of the study at a news conference at the airport Tuesday, which included Supervisor Cindy Chavez, whose district contains the airport, Mary Ann Dewan, county superintendent of schools, and Captain Adam Cosner of the Santa Clara County Fire Department.

"What this very thorough study proves is that we literally have a crisis on our hands," Chavez said. "This is a public health issue, it's an environmental justice issue and it's an equity issue because the people who live around Reid-Hillview are among those who are least affluent in our community."

The study found elevated lead levels in the children's blood during periods of high traffic at the airport, on par with the lead levels in children during the Flint, Michigan water crisis.

Unlike cars, where leaded fuel is banned by federal law, some airplane fuel still contains lead. Decades of research suggests that it contributes to cancer.

According to the county, there are 21 schools and childcare centers surrounding the airport.

"It's really clear from what you've heard today and we've known for a very long time: lead is dangerous for children," Dewan said. "Many people believe lead exposure is rare. It is not. Many people believe lead exposure can be mitigated. It can't. Research demonstrates the effects on children's educational attainment, cognitive function and behavior and emotional regulation."

The study comes amid a fight over the future of the 84-year-old East San Jose airport, as a growing number of leaders demand its closure.

Supervisors voted in November to begin the planning process for closing the airport and repurposing the land. They also voted to explore the possibility of consolidating Reid-Hillview's aviation with the San Martin Airport, about 23 miles southeast of Reid-Hillview just outside of Gilroy.

Advocates for decades have called for the airport's closure, saying it poses safety and noise concerns and that the land could be better used for much-needed affordable housing. Opponents, however, say the airport serves a critical purpose for smaller planes and emergency operations.

Dr. Stephen Harris, a pediatrician with Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, said Tuesday studies show there is no safe level of lead in the blood of children and adults.

"It's also dangerous for pregnant women, and can be transmitted through the placenta to the developing child," Harris said.

Advocates representing the Latino-heavy neighborhoods around the airport, including the Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley and the Close Reid-Hillview Airport Now! Coalition, claim the airport is an example of environmental injustice due to its proximity to low-income neighborhoods. The groups will hold a rally Saturday near the airport to urge for its closure.

If Santa Clara County supervisors go through with the consolidation plan, San Martin residents fear they could be exposed to elevated lead levels from the redirected traffic. Opponents also worry more air traffic to the village of approximately 7,000 people will tax the resources of the smaller San Martin Airport.

"The whole move is just a bad idea," Stephen McHenry, president of the San Martin Neighborhood Alliance, told San Jose Spotlight.

The group is pushing Chavez to keep Reid-Hillview open for disaster relief, such as fighting wildfires and rescue efforts for natural disasters, such as earthquakes.

Cosner, a captain in the Santa Clara County Fire Department and president of IAFF Local 165, said the airport was used for helicopter refueling for last year's SCU Lightning Complex fire. But that was the only time it was used for fighting wildfires in 37 years.

"The runways at Reid-Hillview are not long enough to accommodate the Cal Fire fixed-wing aircraft which we use in the hills here, and it wouldn't make much sense to do it here because of the fact that Hollister is where they have their base for operations," he said.

A group of San Jose State University students surveyed residents in the vicinity of Reid-Hillview in June. They found a majority of the 40 respondents are in favor of closing the airport. Meanwhile, a District 5 United survey found two-thirds of 1,300 people surveyed are in favor of keeping the airport open.

The county will hold two community meetings to solicit input about the study: one on Aug. 11 at 6 p.m. primarily for East San Jose residents and another on Aug. 12 at 6 p.m. for South County residents.

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.
The first word that comes to mind as I walk through San Francisco International Airports new Harvey Milk Terminal 1 is "serenity."

Which, understandably, may seem like an oxymoron. Airport terminals are humanity's most chaotic, necessarily awful invention, second only to perhaps the DMV in how much anxiety and turmoil these bureaucratic institutions inspire among even the most grizzled of human beings.

That, coupled with the perpetual stress of the pandemic  I was at the Transportation Security Administration screening area when seven Bay Area counties once again issued a mask mandate  should not make for a particularly soothing experience.

And yet, here I am, seated at Gate B18 on a Monday afternoon, people-watching and at peace. As I nurse a creamy mango boba drink from the Filipino fast-casual restaurant Goldilocks, it almost feels like Im at a park watching slackliners and picnickers, except here Im watching travelers stroll to baggage claim. (More on the food  local, delicious and sometimes shockingly cheap  in a future story.)

Maybe it was because I wasn't rushing to my gate with a barely zipped suitcase in tow (I had purchased a $50 one-way ticket to Vegas that I had no intention of taking just to hang out at Harvey Milk all day in the name of journalism), but I felt at ease at an airport for the first time in years.

Relaxed? At an airport?

Harvey Milk Terminal 1 is, dare I say it, peaceful  the least distressed I've been in a Bay Area airport during quarantine (or bear with me) ever. It's certainly one of the few nonstressful experiences I've had at an airport as an adult.

Many of the decisions that contribute to the terminals chill factor are intentional.

The new $2.4 billion domestic terminal, which is named after the legendary gay rights activist (and is the first in the world to honor an LGBTQ leader), is being opened in phases. The most significant launch in the yearslong process took place in May, while the rest is set to open in 2024, nearly eight years after SFO broke ground on redevelopment.

The Milk terminal is a "quiet terminal," which, by SFO rules, means a kibosh on flight announcements blaring for everyone to hear (except at their respective gates).

Another key change to the airport experience that feels like a legitimate game-changer: the aforementioned security screening area.

In most airports, after removing your shoes and sending your luggage through the scanner, the unloading area where your things are deposited is usually just a few feet long. At Harvey Milk, it is extended to let at least three or four people's stuff linger on the belt while each retrieves their respective belongings and gets their bearings.

As someone who has, more often than not, rushed to put my shoes back on and flee the TSA check-in area, it's remarkable that such a simple design change can fundamentally alter how I feel about the most stressful part of the airport experience.

Joshua Bote/ SFGATE

So much space for activities

The terminal has a trendy, mid-century feel, with modernist chandeliers in the gate area, marbled and curved tables, mirrors and play spaces and a lot of faux-nature. Walking Harvey Milks quiet corridor feels like an idle stroll through an Ikea at closing time, or an Apple Store in the sky. In the best way.

But the key design choice that sets the terminal apart is space.

So many airport terminals (ahem, Oakland; double-ahem, other SFO terminals) just feel so tightly packed, with minimal room to walk and restaurants placed willy-nilly next to each other. Theyre like a preview of what the next six hours of your cross-country flight will look like  people and objects crushed into a proverbial tin of sardines.

Harvey Milk isnt that. It is open and bright, as if they took the edict to socially distance and made that the entire ethos for how the terminal should feel. (Despite the fact that the terminal was in the works for years before the pandemic hit.)

Theres so much floor space to leisurely explore that even on a Monday afternoon, with a slew of flights about to depart, I found an area that was nearly empty  something Id never seen outside of spending a night at an airport.

And it's not just floor space.

The ceilings reach all the way to high heaven, with massive windows and printed art on the walls that's larger than life. (Right now, it's photos of Harvey Milk and cute maneki-neko cat statues.) It's great for making sure that noise  and ostensibly air  is as distributed as possible.

Workers seem to like it, too, especially in comparison with other terminals.

They have areas away from everybody that you can sit down and just really relax, said Jesus Trevino, the general manager at Bourbon Pub in the terminal.

Hes worked at other parts of the airport over the past two decades, and hes not kidding when he says Harvey Milk is gorgeous.

If I go to Terminal 2, I almost get depressed, Trevino joked. If I go to Terminal 3, then I get really depressed.

You can really tell, like, just like how low the ceiling is in Terminal 3, he said, in comparison with where Bourbon Pub is now.

But first, some downsides

To be sure, I wouldnt just jaunt to an airport if I didnt have to.

It's still an airport during a pandemic, so the occasional message will blare reminding fliers to keep their mask on lest they get fined or kicked out. Occasionally, youd overhear a snippy customer being mad about, like, the bread choices at a sandwich shop, or being curt to a bartender.

And one too many times, the terminal-wide speaker would blare with airport workers asking for people to come to their gates (including another person also named Joshua, which made me think I was about to miss a flight).

But man, when I found myself getting drowsy after a second airport drink (a Golden State Jamaica cider from Drakes, in this case), I sincerely considered taking a quick nap in the remote area, far away from all the gates, just like Trevino suggested.

I don't think I'll find myself at an airport all too often, especially now that the delta variant is altering our new normal once again. But as the worst part of travel goes, SFOs Harvey Milk terminal makes this normally miserable experience unexpectedly pleasant.
FARRELL  Mayor Kimberly Doss could face penalties prescribed by Farrell City Council, or even criminal charges, for her actions at a crime scene last month involving her nephew, Justin Malik Norris, 24, of Sharon.

One official, who asked not to be named, said the mayor was very upset with police and running her mouth and throwing her weight around at the scene.

A criminal complaint prepared by Sharon police said Norris, 1298 Stambaugh Ave., had allegedly fired several rounds from a firearm into the ground and a wooded area north of his residence.

Last week, Sharon police Chief Edward Stabile confirmed the mayor was at the scene at Norris residence, near the Farrell border. Both Sharon and Farrell police responded to the incident, which occurred at about 12:32 p.m. on July 20.

Sharon police charged Norris with disorderly conduct.

During a Farrell City Council meeting last week, Doss said she feared police might kill her nephew. Sources confirmed Norris is Doss nephew.

Now, somebody innocent could have been killed because of them, Doss told city council members.

Farrell police union President Joey Brant told city council the union would have a letter for them concerning the incident. He declined further comment.

The citys Home Rule Charter prohibits council members and the mayor from giving orders to city employees, who are under the control of the city manager. The charter states council members shall prescribe penalties, if any, for violating the ordinance.

+2 Farrell mayor chastises police at meeting FARRELL  Farrell Mayor Kimberly Doss on Monday lashed out at the Farrell police chief and c

Additionally, Brant told The Herald last week he did not know if criminal charges would be filed against the mayor.

Sharon and Farrell police and state Probation and Parole agents set up a perimeter around Norris residence, after he reportedly went inside the house, Sharon police said. Police also requested help from the Mercer County Critical Incident Response Team.

Sharon police said they heard several bystanders yelling and complaining that the police wanted to kill Norris.

Family members contacted the suspect by telephone and text messages. Norris reportedly refused to come out of the house; Stabile moved the perimeter back to entice Norris to leave the residence and reduce the chance of conflict.

Doss reportedly accused Farrell detective Capt. Chuck Rubano of rolling his eyes at her, which he denied.

At about 2:05 p.m., officers were advised to clear the scene and allow family members to speak with Norris.

The incident sparked a testy exchange between Doss and Farrells police chief last week, after the police union president requested an executive session with council members to discuss the dispute between Doss and police.

Doss said the incident was personal and shouldnt involve city council; city Solicitor Stephen J. Mirizio told Brant an executive session for personnel matters must concern city employees, not an elected official such as the mayor.

If you got something personal, dont bring it out in council, because it (has) nothing to do with me being the mayor, Doss told police Chief Jon Rococi during the meeting. You got all you alls cops there. No one is scared of you all, because what you all do to people is wrong.
You are now listening to the sounds of the New Generation. A podcast created for those who desire a new way of gaining information rather than reading a traditional newspaper. In our show we will discuss everything from sports, pop culture, politics, and local news. To stay up to date on our latest episodes every week be sure to follow us on your favorite podcast service. And dont worry, we keep it short.
HART  The Michigan State Police Hart Post announced Wednesday afternoon that a crash late Monday night claimed its second life.

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, Brittini Goda, 31, of Manistee, died as the result of injuries sustained in the crash. Her 2 1/2-year-old daughter remains in the hospital.

According to a press release Tuesday, 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 Goda. Godas daughter was riding in a car seat. The Buick Park Avenue was southbound on 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 release on Tuesday.

Goda was initially treated at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital before being transported to Mercy Health Mercy Campus in Muskegon, according to Tuesdays 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.
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In today's tech epoch, buzzwords that are ruling the internet is low-code and no-code. First and foremost, a low-code and no-code principle is to speed the development and delivery of applications. Although they are not new happening, low-code has been around for over two decades. Nevertheless, with extensive digital transformation across industries, it is obtaining a pre-eminent status. While firms launch versatile digital applications, these low-code, no-code platforms have permitted them to swiftly develop solutions that meet right in with their practices and processes.

Low-code and no-code modular methods let developers instantly create apps by helping them write code line by line. These approaches also enable business analysts, office administrators, small-business owners and others to build and test applications. Here people will build applications without any knowledge of traditional programming languages, machine code or the development work behind the platform's configurable elements.

Adaptation of low-code/no-code tools

Low-code/no-code platforms began from earlier rapid application development (RAD) tools such as Excel, Lotus Notes, and Microsoft Access that put excellent development-like capabilities into the hands of business users, i.e., non-IT professionals. Still, those tools wanted users to learn the business apps thoroughly and their development conditions to develop capabilities. In detail, with low-code and no-code options' drag-and-drop features, users need minimal or no knowledge of the tools or development in general.

Besides, development with RAD tools usually provides abilities employed by the individual who built the functionality or by a limited number of users connected with the creator. Apps built on low-code or no-code platforms are robust enough to be used across businesses and by outside users such as clients and business associates.

Benefits of low-code/no-code development platforms

Low-code and no-code platforms can be utilized to produce apps for various business or technical purposes. The apps have no complicated programming requirements and need no customization.

Moreover, these programs can be applied to create business apps used by workers and apps used by business partners; they can also be used to create customer engagement apps. It is also used to improve legacy systems, whereby supporting organizations promote their digital transformations, further their migration to the cloud, or keep their use of newer innovative technologies such as IoT and artificial intelligence.

Content platforms such as WordPress have long supported writers publish online without understanding any HTML coding. And now, platforms that enable anyone to develop, publish and manage apps with no knowledge of computer code are gaining traction. Web development platforms with WYSWYG (what you see is what you get) editors, such as Wix, came next, allowing anyone to build and publish a full-fledged website. Platforms specific to use cases, such as Shopify, which allows anyone to set up an e-commerce platform, have also become important. The development of this place and its capabilities will unleash and have consequences for web developers, tech companies, and anyone who wishes to publish an app.

Low-code/no-code applications to empower Indian IT services

Indian IT services providers have seen enhanced adhesion for low-code, no-code technology solutions. They enable non-technical professionals, or citizen developers, to quickly develop apps through simple drag and drop features and user-friendly layouts.

Industry experts say the Covid-19 pandemic heightened interest in low-code, no-code technology as companies created digital applications for customers. Businesses have started using such technology as non-technical executives or citizen developers create applications when entire workforces have shifted to a remote working model.

Salil Parekh, chief executive of Infosys, said at a Nasscom conference last week. We see more increased automation, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. These technology components will impact the business model because the way they communicate with customers is going to be automated, is going to be made by artificial intelligence".

Tata Consultancy Services chief operating officer N Ganapathy Subramaniam said that such technology has been helpful when "rapid prototyping is required" to demonstrate an application to a customer before deploying it across an organization.

"For the purpose of quickly showing something to the client, you could use the low-code, no-code technology to quickly put together an app to say that, this is the way the given platform could work. One can then refine it, use it and then see whether it can scale," he said.

While such solutions are predominantly given by technology leaders such as Microsoft, Amazon, Appian, Pega, and ServiceNow, Indian firms like Infosys, HCL Technologies, and Tech Mahindra are also building their low-code, no-code technology.

Mrinal Rai, a chief analyst at technology consulting firm ISG, said, "Indian managed service providers regularly partner with pure-play low-code, no code platform vendors as well as with the hyper-scalers that now also offer this capability. They leverage the existing solution platforms to enhance their domain-specific capabilities".

"There are some exceptions though. Infosys has developed low-code capabilities specifically targeting the banking industry. Tech Mahindra offers its own Phenom solution for low code. HCL announced Domino Volt - a low-code capability solution," Rai added.

Muzammil Patel, Global Head Strategy & Corporate Finance, Acies said - Despite financial institutions growing bigger, they had been staring at the prospect of disaggregation. New players, including fintech, neo banks, and consumer platforms, are chipping away at these traditional institutions.

Maintaining/upgrading legacy technology still consumes approximately 75-80% of their technology budgets. This constrains the quantum of spend on the adoption of new cheaper technology and impairs their ability to compete effectively with new entrants. No-code platforms allow financial institutions an opportunity to break out of this vicious cycle and move to a path of optimized innovation.

Future of low-code/no-code applications

As per Gartner's forecast, low-code will be responsible for over 65% of application development activity by 2024. Low-code and no-code use is likely to progress among LOB workers, while more professional developers will also adopt it to help them with more ordinary programming tasks.

According to Forrester, the top cities for low-code use are business process or workflow applications, web and mobile front ends, and customer-facing applications. But low-code has expeditiously become a standard practice for fast application development, as shown by adapting to COVID-19 pandemic-related scenarios such as employee contract tracing apps. Experts predict that eventually, low-code will expand into broader areas such as reengineering technology stacks and ecosystems.

However, companies will practice traditional development for applications requiring extensive application functionality, data governance, and deployment to specific architectures or environments.
By Dato' Dr Amar-Singh HSS

About a week ago I wrote an article about "Prepare for the Delta Wave of COVID-19 Outside the Klang Valley" to highlight the deteriorating situation in some states. This article is to share the realities and crisis that is already upon us.



Situational analysis

The graphic below shows a situational analysis of what is potentially impending for different states. The crisis situation in the Greater Klang Valley (Selangor, WPKL, Putrajaya and Negeri Sembilan) will probably slowly settle over the next 2-4 weeks due to the huge Delta outbreak, massive vaccination ramp-up and enhanced resources poured in (government and civil society). However, total numbers in the country and even deaths may not come down as the Delta wave hits other states hard, especially Sabah, Kedah, Perak, Johor and Pulau Pinang. These states are deteriorating rapidly and may become worse than Klang Valley as they have low vaccination rates (due to low vaccine supply) and some have a weak hospital infrastructure (especially Sabah). All these states have second dose (completed) vaccination rates under 20%.

The table below shows the ICU beds COVID-19 usage for these five states. It is important as we look at this data to understand the realities:



1. The trend of ICU bed usage for July is a steep upward curve.

2. Almost all have exceeded their official ICU bed numbers. These are the original ICU beds they had and are of far better quality than repurposed ICU beds.

3. Kedah and Perak have exceeded their total ICU beds (original and repurposed beds) and are in full crisis mode.

4. Sabah may 'look' better but Sabah's total hospital admissions for COVID-19 have reached the crisis numbers of last year. The state hospitals are struggling to cope.

5. Remember that these numbers do not count patients who should be in ICU beds (Category 4 and 5) but are being managed in Emergency Departments (casualties) and quarantine centers. Kedah also has a high number of brought in dead patients.

Data Source: MOH, Malaysia https://github.com/MoH- Malaysia/covid19-public

We can never be prepared enough for Delta

We need an all-of-society approach to deal with the crisis as it grows. I would like to make some suggestions for the health departments, state governments, corporate bodies, civil society and the general public. More details can be found in the 'Health Emergency Action Plan: Roadmap to Recovery from COVID-19' we wrote recently.

1. True, reality based data sharing of the situation by state health departments

It is vital that the public in each crisis state (Sabah, Kedah, Perak, Johor and Pulau Pinang) be aware of the full reality. The time for "don't worry, everything is OK" or "we are in control of the situation" or "we have prepared for this crisis" is past, these statements are of no value. Delta does not respect or care about these attempts to 'not alarm' the public. We can never be prepared enough for Delta and the Klang Valley, with all its resources, shows this clearly. State health departments must have daily crisis sharing with the public (media, Facebook, other online outlets). Trust is crucial to fighting the pandemic and this is based on transparency.

2. State-level disaster management teams led by state Health Directors supported fully by State governments and with a strong liaison to corporate bodies and civil society (NGOs).

Those of us outside of the Klang Valley know that no help is coming for our states. The federal government has limited funds, having invested significant resources to support the Klang valley. Hence we must work very closely with wealthy business leaders and NGOs to ramp up resources and services. We need strong, decisive leadership and not individuals from the state administration looking to make a financial gain out of the crisis.

3. Don't put all our eggs in the vaccine basket

While we advocate for more vaccine supply and ramp up vaccination we must not put our hopes in that measure alone; we need to use good public health measures as the World Health Organization repeatedly tells us. Lockdowns are not the solution. Good mask use, avoiding all unnecessary social interaction, effective contact tracing, using RTK-Ag testing for confirmation, etc. The continued use of large PPVs is a risk for COVID-19 transmission. We should fully transition to using maternal and child health clinics, school health teams, GPs, private hospitals, outreach teams.

What can corporate bodies, civil society (NGOs) and the public do to support their states?

1. Purchase and donate equipment to hospitals, quarantine centers

Corporate bodies, NGOs and the public should liaison directly with individual specialists and medical offers to know the real needs on the ground while protecting their identity. They will better inform you about what items they need and where to get them.

a. Important items to manage patients include: Oxygen Concentrators, Oxygen tanks, Oxygen regulators, Infusion pumps (to deliver drugs), Portable suction machines, Portable vital sign monitors, BP Monitoring Sets, ECG machines, Stretchers, Canvas beds, etc.

b. Support the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) of health staff which are in high usage, including: N95 masks, powered air-purifying respirators (PAPR), isolation gowns, face shield or goggles, gloves, disposable caps, foot wear, etc.

c. Provide MDA approved RTK-Ag saliva test kits to enable health staff to speed up and increase testing of all contacts in clusters and the community.

d. Consider offering reliable emergency transport services because the health department ambulance services will be overrun. This may help reduce brought in dead cases.

e. Grow ICU capacity by creating new ICUs  this requires the larger corporate bodies to fund and rapidly construct (within 2-4 weeks) purpose-built ICU facilities (with HDUs) at major hospitals.

2. Supporting positive individuals and contacts

Individuals who are found positive or are contacts of positives will be required to home isolate or be admitted to quarantine facilities. Those in home isolation will require support including:

a. Reliable finger pulse oxymeters for monitoring.

b. Medical support for monitoring (video calls daily from health professionals).

c. Some may require practical support in terms of meals.

d. RTK-Ag saliva testing support for those who are contacts (symptomatic or asymptomatic). We should also fund these so that we can enable the public to self-test.

e. Purpose-run Quarantine Facilities for those that do not have homes or accommodation suitable for home isolation (crowded homes, limited space, migrants, etc). This would mean using hostels and hotels to house them (good ventilation and no central air conditioning; private rooms with toilets).

3. Supporting communities hard hit economically by the pandemic

A significant portion of our public is struggling with daily needs and we need to support them. Although government agencies are doing some of this work, many 'fall through the cracks' and have minimal support. Some mechanisms to do this are:

a. Partner with reliable local NGOs and disaster organizations that are doing food delivery to the poor and are setting up and maintaining food banks.

b. Family to family support - adopt poorer families for 6-12 months and offer a fixed sum of money monthly to aid groceries and utility bills.

c. Giving away food coupons that can be redeemed at sundry shops/convenience stores to buy groceries.

d. Hire individuals who have lost jobs to work as volunteers to support others.

e. Also remember we need to support families traumatized by COVID-19, who have lost loved ones, lost their jobs, etc and are struggling to cope emotionally. This includes children who have become temporary (both parents hospitalized) or permanent orphans.

I appeal to the state governments of Sabah, Kedah, Perak, Johor and Pulau Pinang to be transparent so that extensive and comprehensive emergency actions can be taken by all of society to deal with the crisis that is at hand. There are mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers who need to be saved in the coming weeks. Please let us not wait until we reach a Klang valley crisis status.

(Dato' Dr Amar-Singh HSS is a Senior Consultant Pediatrician.)
PETALING JAYA, Aug 4 (Sin Chew Daily) -- Malaysian students are still in the dark if they will be going to universities in China, Taiwan or Hong Kong next month.



Many Malaysian students studying in China are unable to return to their campus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A check with the Embassy of China reveals that the Chinese government is still looking into drafting a program for foreign students to return to China.

An embassy spokesman told Sin Chew Daily the relevant department in the Chinese government had received requests from students to return to the campus and the department was looking into the matter.

Bock Chek Lim, president of the Association of Graduates from Universities and Colleges of China, Malaysia, said universities and colleges in China will reopen in September but Malaysian students are unlikely to be able to leave for China.

In an interview with Sin Chew Daily, Bock said China had yet to open its borders to foreign students.

"As the COVID-19 pandemic is getting worse here, China may not allow Malaysian students to enter China even if it is gradually opening up to allow foreigners to go to China," he said.



Without support from the Malaysian government, even if the association was requesting China to allow Malaysian students to return to China, the request would not be entertained, he said.

Bock suggested that the government collaborate with the Chinese government to initiate a 'transfer bubble' similar to travel bubble for students to return to universities in China.

"Such program will allow Malaysian students to undergo quarantine first and then vaccination. A screening can be held prior to departure. If this is feasible, the program can be used throughout the world.

Bock said the Chinese government had set a precedent by allowing businessmen and students from Korea to enter China in July last year.

Since last September, the Association has received letters from Malaysian students studying in China seeking help as they are unable to return to the campus in China and unable to attend online classes.

He said some students were unable to continue with their classes as the universities did not conduct online classes.

Based on the data collected by the association, Bock said at least 145 medical students from Malaysia had been unable to carry out clinical practice due to the pandemic.

He hoped that close to 5,000 Malaysian students, including those scheduled to leave for China in September, would receive their inoculation appointments soon.

Hong Jin Xing, president of the Federation of Alumni Association Of Taiwan Universities, Malaysia, said Taiwan had yet to announce whether it would allow Malaysian students to travel to Taiwan.

An announcement is expected to be made in mid-August.
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 4 (AFP) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin refused to yield to mounting calls to quit Wednesday but said he would face a no-confidence vote in parliament in September.

Political tensions have been escalating in the country after the king rebuked the administration for misleading parliament and hundreds staged a rare anti-government protest last weekend.

The latest blow came Tuesday when several members of the United Malays National Organisation (Umno), the biggest party in his coalition, publicly pulled their support, and a cabinet minister resigned from his post.

Umno leaders said the withdrawal of support means Muhyiddin no longer commands a majority in parliament.

Muhyiddin met with key advisers late into the night and on Wednesday had an audience with Malaysia's king, Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah, whose support is important in Malaysian politics.



"In the meeting, I informed the king that I have sufficient declaration letters which has convinced me that I still have the confidence of the majority of MPs in the parliament at the moment," he said in a televised address.

"Hence the stepping down of myself as prime minister under the constitution... does not arise," he added.

"A vote of confidence for my leadership will be proposed in parliament which will meet in September."

Muhyiddin said the king agreed to his proposal.

Malaysia's premier took power last year at the head of a scandal-hit coalition but his government is in crisis after key allies withdrew support, and he has been heavily criticised for his handling of a worsening coronavirus outbreak.

The country has recorded 17,105 new Covid-19 cases Tuesday, raising the infection total to 1,163,291, with more than 9,500 deaths.

Parliament last month began sitting for the first time this year, but a final session scheduled for Monday was cancelled after the discovery of several coronavirus cases in the legislature.

Muhyiddin's rivals say the cancellation was an excuse to dodge a no-confidence vote.

Political activities had been suspended under a state of emergency, ostensibly to fight the coronavirus outbreak. The emergency officially ended on Sunday, although a nationwide lockdown remains in place.
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An electronic sign trailer parked outside of Australias biggest mining conference promising $1000 per swing bonuses for drillers offsiders was an all too obvious reminder of the skills shortage facing parts of the industry.

The advertisement by Kalgoorlie business Terra Drilling parked next to the venue of the annual Diggers and Dealers conference is the latest in incentives being offered around the industry to attract workers.

An electronic sign trailer outside the Diggers and Dealers conference in Kalgoorlie trying to attract new drillers offsiders with $1000 swing bonuses. Credit:Peter de Kruijff

Mining may be booming, with high commodity prices across the board buoying many companies in the sector, but state and international border closures are causing havoc for accessing shutdown crews and for supplementing the workforce pool. Drill rigs are also in demand in a red hot exploration field, adding to the ongoing skills shortage.

Some junior and middle-tier companies have been feeling the pressure of holding onto workers when the big companies are able to offer more cash.
Theres a dirty secret of carbon accounting, and it could soon be exposed. Thats because the assumptions most companies base their calculations on could be wrong.

Lets take a step back. Corporate financial accounting tells you how much a company earned, how much it spent and how much it owes. You can generally trust those numbers because most large companies employ skilled, expensive auditors to ensure that the figures are as accurate as possible. When companies mess up, they can expect harsh punishment from regulators, ranging from large fines to prison time. That means they have to be able to justify every figure on every line.

Carbon accounting is nowhere near as rigorous. Unlike financial accounting, almost all carbon accounting is voluntary and based on voluntary standards. Accurate or not, the company will probably come in for praise just for trying. No matter how egregiously a carbon accountant messes up, theyre unlikely to see the inside of a jail.

Unlike financial accounting, almost all carbon accounting is voluntary and based on voluntary standards. Credit:AP

While companies can be fairly accurate about the emissions they directly produce (called Scope 1), that accuracy drops rapidly when they have to account for emissions from their supply chain or users of their products (called Scope 3). Even in the best case, therefore, carbon accounting is based on a huge number of assumptions.
But most other big employers have avoided mandates entirely. Amazon, the second-largest private employer in the country, has not announced any plans to require immunisations, nor has Apple or many of the biggest banks. We are strongly working to get our employees vaccinated, Amazons chief financial officer, Brian Olsavsky, said in a call with reporters last week, and we hope everyone else gets vaccinated and this goes away. Vaccination rates stagnate The coronavirus, however, shows no signs of going away. With vaccination rates stagnating in many parts of the country and the Delta variant surging, a new wave of infections is forcing businesses to act. Douglas Brayley, an employment lawyer at Ropes & Gray, said the rise of the Delta variant is on peoples minds.

I think they are looking around and seeing a greater number of employers start to mandate, and so theyre wondering whether they should reconsider as well, he said. But vaccine hesitancy remains an entrenched and emotionally charged issue inside many workplaces. Many companies, already facing staffing shortages, are worried that requiring vaccines could give employees another reason to quit. At the same time, companies are struggling for new ways to encourage workers to get vaccinated after efforts like offering cash bonuses did not boost immunisation rates quickly enough. Much of the remaining hesitancy to vaccines appears to be rooted in a complex mix of politics, cultural beliefs and misinformation that no cash payment or gift certificate from an employer can overcome.

The reason many workers are refusing the vaccine has been for political and ideological reasons, said Stuart Appelbaum, the president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, which represents workers in food manufacturing plants in the Midwest, where vaccination rates are relatively low. In places where we have the largest number of Trump supporters is where we are seeing a large number of vaccine resisters. But many unions are wary of mandates for a different set of reasons. They say many of their members are worried about potential health side effects or bristle at the idea of an employer interfering in what they regard as a personal health decision. Wary unions Marc Perrone, the president of the United Food and Commercial Workers union, representing 1.3 million employees in grocery chains like Kroger and at large meatpacking plants, said he would not support employer mandates until the Food and Drug Administration gave full approval to the vaccine, which is being administered on an emergency basis. You cant just say, Accept the mandate or hit the door,  Perrone said on Monday. After Tyson announced its vaccine mandate on Tuesday, Perrone issued a statement that the union 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.

Asked whether he supported vaccine mandates, Appelbaum said, I am not prepared to answer that yet. But he did say that companies needed to closely negotiate the terms of any such requirements with workers and that they also needed to expand benefits, such as paid sick time, for workers during the pandemic. Together, Perrones and Appelbaums unions represent more than 30,000 workers in Tyson plants, which complicates the meat companys plans for a mandate. Tyson and others in the meatpacking industry were criticised during the pandemics early stages for not doing enough to protect workers as several meat plants became virus hot spots. Now, it is requiring its leadership team to be vaccinated by September 24 and the rest of its office workers by October 1. Front-line employees have until November 1 to be fully inoculated, extra time the company is providing because there are significantly more front-line team members than office workers who still need to be vaccinated, a Tyson spokesperson said. Cautious moves Throughout the pandemic, companies have treaded carefully in implementing public health measures while trying to avoid harm to their businesses.

Last year, when major retailers began requiring customers to wear masks, they quietly told their employees not to enforce the rule if a customer was adamant about not wearing one. Companies like Walmart have tried a similarly tentative approach with vaccine requirements. Walmart announced last week that it was requiring the roughly 17,000 workers in its Arkansas headquarters to be vaccinated but not those in stores and distribution centres, who make up the bulk of its 1.6 million US employees. In a statement, the retailer said that the limited mandate would send a message to all workers that they should get vaccinated. Were asking our leaders, which already have a higher vaccination rate, to make their example clear, the company said. Were hoping that will influence even more of our front-line associates to become vaccinated.

Uber and Lyft last week both told their corporate employees they would need to show proof they had been inoculated before returning to company offices. Requiring vaccinations is the most effective way to create a safe environment and give our team members peace of mind as we return to the office, said Ashley Adams, a spokesperson for Lyft. Gaping divide But those mandates did not extend to the workers the companies contract with to drive millions of customers to and from their destinations. The drivers are being encouraged to be vaccinated, but neither Lyft nor Uber has plans to require them. Public health experts warn that limited mandates may serve to reinforce the gaping divide between the nations high- and low-wage workers without furthering the public health goal of substantially increasing vaccination rates.

They also say its naive to think that workers who resisted vaccines for ideological reasons would suddenly change their mind after seeing a companys higher paid executives receive the shots. Ultimately we want to ensure that they really have the broadest reach, Dr. Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, the vice dean for population health and health equity at the University of California, San Francisco, said of company directives. Failing to do that, I think, will only cause others to be more suspicious of these types of mandates. Legally, companies are likely on solid ground if they mandate vaccines. Last year, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said employers could require immunisation, though companies that do could still face lawsuits. George W. Ingham, a partner at the law firm Hogan Lovells, said companies with mandates would potentially have to make difficult decisions. They are going to have to fire high performers and low performers who refuse vaccines, he said. They have to be consistent. Reasons an employee could be exempted include religious beliefs or a disability, though the process of sorting those out on an individual basis promises to be an arduous one.

Companies may also have to contend with pushback from state governments. Ten states have passed legislation limiting the ability to require vaccines for students, employees or the public, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Loading Disney is among the few big companies pursuing a broad vaccine mandate for its workforce, even in the face of pushback from some employees. In addition to mandating vaccines for nonunion workers who are on-site, Disney said all new hires  union and nonunion  would be required to be fully vaccinated before starting their jobs. Nonunion hourly workers include theme park guest-relations staffers, in-park photographers, executive assistants and some seasonal theme park employees. It was the furthest that Disney could go without sign off from the dozen unions that represent the bulk of its employees. Walt Disney World in Florida, for instance, has more than 65,000 workers; roughly 38,000 are union members.

Disney is now seeking union approval for the mandate both in Florida and in California, where tens of thousands of workers at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim are unionised. Most of the leaders of Disneys unions appear to be in favour of a mandate  as long as accommodations can be worked out for those refusing the vaccine for medical, religious or other acceptable reasons. Vaccinations are safe and effective and the best line of defence to protect workers, front-line or otherwise, Eric Clinton, the president of Unite Here Local 362, which represents roughly 8,000 attraction workers and custodians at Disney World, said. Clinton declined to comment on any pushback from his membership, but another union leader at Disney World, speaking on the condition of anonymity so he could speak candidly, said a fair number of his members were up in arms over Disney-mandated vaccinations, citing personal choice and fear of the vaccine. The company has probably done a calculation and decided that some people will unfortunately quit rather than protect themselves, and so be it, the person said. The New York Times
No one would argue that Amanda Lohrey doesnt deserve her Miles Franklin win for The Labyrinth. Shes at the peak of her game after decades of impressive work dissecting the hearts and minds of Australians. But should there be a Miles Franklin award at all? Some dont think so.

Critic David Free thinks that literary prizes are such a terrible idea that he turned down the chance to be a judge himself. The prospect of sitting down with a couple of strangers to haggle about our respective tastes in literature struck me as radically unappealing, he wrote in this masthead. With me on it, the panel would probably end up picking a book that was nobodys favourite.

Amanda Lohrey won his years Mile Franklin award for The Labyrinth. Credit:Peter Mathew

Im sorry Free turned down that chance. He might have found his powers to persuade other judges were stronger than he thought. As a former judge of several prizes, I believe in them and what they can do. I have always found judging a positive experience, and Ive had nothing but respect for my fellow judges.

Yet Free touches on one unavoidable truth: the books are at the mercy of the entirely subjective likes and dislikes of a tiny group of people, and somehow these people must discuss or argue their way to a consensus.
The Naked City podcast will take a journey into the dark depths of the Australian criminal underworld. In this series you will hear recordings of some of Australia's most dangerous criminals, all of whom have been remarkably frank in their recollections.

The man who made a profession out of hunting other humans Christopher Dale Flannery was not used to being the prey.

The hitman who moved to Sydney after being acquitted of the murder of Melbourne businessman Roger Wilson Flannery had run out of friends.

Christopher Flannery loved his work. When offered a contract he wouldnt ask why  just how much.
A block of 101 units in Sydneys south-west has been locked down for the next 14 days as authorities investigate nine cases of COVID-19 across multiple households.

The complex is on Warby Street, Campbelltown  one of the eight local government areas of concern in Sydneys expanding outbreak.

A South Western Sydney Local Health District spokesperson on Wednesday afternoon said nine cases had been identified but the number of impacted households is under investigation.

Abel Tuamasaga and his family were tested for COVID-19 at their Campbelltown apartment block on Wednesday morning. Credit:Kate Geraghty

All residents of the building have been determined to be close contacts and are required to undergo repeat testing and isolate for 14 days, the spokesperson said, Testing will be provided to residents in their apartments, as they cannot leave during their isolation period.
Tames fire burns brightly as she speaks truth to power, blasting open the doors of cant and privilege and holding the Prime Minister to account. Go, Grace. Deb McPherson, Gerringong Hard to be proud in light of such shameful deeds Monica Duxs advice has made me think about whether I should own up to being an Australian on the census (Cultural Catholics must come to their census, August 4). I think of the history of the Indigenous peoples; the betrayal and swindling of East Timor; the refusal to act on climate change; the supine dependence on the United States and rush to join its failed wars; the increasing secrecy that claims to protect national security; the billions of dollars earned by manufacturing and selling weapons to unstable and despotic regimes; the willingness to detain innocent people indefinitely; the stifling of dissent by charities; the bribery that accompanies electioneering; and the lies, back-stabbing and naked ambition of certain talentless politicians. I admit my churchs many serious mistakes, but Im proud of the unacknowledged good it does. Im wondering about Australia, though. Sister Susan Connelly, Lakemba

Dux has given us chapter and verse for leaving the Catholic Church. Unfortunately, we cannot escape our own need for redemption and healing. We need the healing help of a God prepared to endure what we endure. The failings of the institutional church confirm the insufficiency of unaided human resources. We encounter the same God in those very failings and in the people who have been failed by that church. The many reasons for leaving become the only reason for staying. That is the paradox. Mark Porter, New Lambton Dux appears to make a sensible point. But then again, the spiritual yearning in humans is so innate and so strong, that it cannot be overcome, even by rational human thought, no matter how eloquently enunciated. Pasquale Vartuli, Wahroonga Those who design the census are locked into a traditional format since they require current answers to traditional questions to be able to present trends. But what if those traditional questions are losing their relevance? There is only one section devoted to our attitudes on todays social issues and that is the very traditional Religion. It will be interesting to see the 2021 census numbers on religion compared with the last two censuses  the top trending section there is No Religion. Perhaps the only social attitude important enough to be on our census is disappearing into irrelevancy. Australia are going through a period of unprecedented change in attitudes to traditional societal problems: why isnt the census used to obtain data on these issues? Such data would be infinitely more useful to a government wishing to keep in touch with its constituents rather than wasting valuable census space on an emerging irrelevancy. Ed Raftery, Davistown No needling desire to save nation

They say a week is a long time in politics. COVID-19 seems to be rewriting that adage. On Tuesday our Prime Minister was outraged that Labor was recommending monetary incentives for vaccination. It was a bribe. It was un-Australian. On Wednesday, Scott Morrison proposes lottery prizes to reward those who get the vaccine (Lotteries an option in next test for rollout, August 4). What will Thursday bring  beside lockdowns, vaccine shortages and confused messaging? Lorraine Hickey, Green Point Australians often state that they live in the best country in the world. I would therefore expect its citizens to accept the need to become fully vaccinated without any incentive, but rather as a responsibility to every other citizen. If society wants to maintain this nation status, just get on with doing the right thing. Why expect some financial reward for what is a citizenship responsibility? Bruce Clydsdale, Bathurst The reason most vaccine-hesitants wait is for Pfizer. If were going to throw $300 at them to accept AstraZeneca instead, why not just buy enough Pfizer? Im pretty sure if we offered the company up to $300 a dose, or even a third of that, itll come flooding in like a monsoon rain. Then we just have to fix the online booking system that takes hours. It certainly seems a more positive approach than army jackboots on the ground, cheap politics, bribery to perform a civic duty and this new vaccine apartheid from the privileged whove already been served. Shayne Chester, Potts Point If our Premier is thinking of lifting some of the imposed restrictions caused by the latest outbreak come August 29, could she urgently consider rewarding those doubly vaccinated with visits to their favourite barber or hairdresser? Im sure her polling numbers would reach atmospheric levels as well as her vaccination goals. Ruth McMahon, Wahroonga I agree entirely that it is ridiculous to suggest we can open up and live with any level of COVID-19 virus infection (Is cost of living with virus too high?, August 4). The eradication of this virus must be the dominant strategy of all state governments. Gladys Berejiklian has clearly abandoned any hope of controlling the Sydney outbreak through strict restrictions and is now pinning all hope on a vaccine-only strategy. Vaccination is not about stopping infection and it wont stop the potential of new variants developing that may be worse. Mark Berg, Caringbah South

Testing patience Although it may be disruptive to cancel HSC trials, it may not be such a problem (Dozens of schools cancel on-site HSC trails, August 4). In the end schools have to provide an assessment mark and there is no requirement for a trial exam to be held. The key is for students to have exposure and practice with questions of sufficient depth and complexity, which can be done through online resources, to ready them for the state-wide exam. In the end let us put faith in our teachers to prepare this year 12 cohort, just as we have done for decades. Michael Blissenden, Dural A fighting chance The destructive animosity between Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese is detrimental to Australia, particularly in this time of extreme challenges (Morrison and Albanese come out fighting, August 4). There seems little or no possibility of bipartisan agreement on an endless list of challenging problems such as incentives for vaccination, the huge problem of climate change, electric vehicles, growing inequality and housing affordability. An extremely attractive policy which Albanese could consider prior to the next election is to listen to opposition ideas and arguments respectfully and always consider a compromise. Geoff Harding, Chatswood

Not on his watch Christine Holgates $1 million payout may be adequate monetary compensation (Christine Holgate takes $1 million payout from Aus Post but no apology, smh.com.au, August 4). It should certainly be seen as public exoneration for any perceived wrongdoing on her part. But that still leaves an indelible memory of an ill-informed PM on the floor of the House, virtually sacking her on the spot: She can go! Can he find it in himself now to make some acknowledgment in the House? Or pick up the phone and say a personal sorry to her? It would be such a good example and would mean a lot  both to her and to the electorate, particularly women all over Australia. Margaret Johnston, Paddington Morrisons parliamentary temper tantrum about $20,000 worth of Cartier watches has cost us $1,100,000. Great economic management. Toni Lorentzen, Fennell Bay

Grinding to watch Is it too early to pile on to the most boring Olympic events (Letters, August 4)? No? Then allow me to kick it off. Synchronised swimming used to be seen as the event where only the audience should be drug tested but skateboarding comes a close runner-up. Heres how it goes: you stand on a skateboard; you roll down to a flight of stairs and hop up onto the bannister of the stairs; you fall off; then you do it again. Come on, top that. Joseph Whitcombe, Bronte Flagging an issue Every time I see our flag rising above the Olympic podium, I think of Jerry Seinfelds description of the Australian flag: England by night (Letters, August 4). Jennifer Katauskas, Wahroonga

Sadly, Ian Morris, I am reminded of the Cronulla riots every time I see the local member in his face mask. Sue Bolton, St Ives Chase The Australian flag may or may not need changing but it is still our flag, and the sight of it draped over our Prime Ministers nose as a face mask seems somewhat disrespectful and disturbing.

Josephine Abode, St Ives Our flag does not define us. What we say and do as a nation defines us. Go and get bloody vaccinated yesterday. Michael Keene, Stanwell Park PM of conviction Great to see a letter from Paul Keating (Letters, August 4). I experienced a frisson of excitement as I read him setting the record straight, articulating the principles behind decisions made. In these awful times, like many, I yearn for a leader of Keatings intelligence, vigour, vision and commitment. Wayne Duncombe, Glebe

I love it when we hear from Paul Keating. Theres a job opening at the top of the Labor Party for which I think hed be perfect. Marie Del Monte, Ashfield Come back Paul, your country needs you more than ever. Your political acumen, wit and intelligence is sorely missed. Kim Smith, Rozelle Groundhog day With much respect to John Fogerty and Creedence Clearwater Revival could the song Bad Moon Rising be revamped as Covid Stats Arising (Letters, August 4)? Graham Tooth, Kings Point Waking up every morning to The Sound of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel. Patricia Miller, Bexley
NSW Health has given school principals less than 24 hours to provide the names and contact numbers of all HSC students eligible for a Pfizer vaccination because they live or study in one of eight hotspot local government areas.

The letter was sent just after midday on Wednesday and the details must be provided to education officials by 9am on Thursday. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced year 12 vaccinations a week ago as part of her plan to send them back to school on August 16.

However, the plan contained little detail about how year 12 would return safely. Amid deep concern from schools and families as case numbers remain stubbornly high, Ms Berejiklian on Wednesday flagged even more changes to that policy.

HSC students will be sent a booking link within days to get a COVID-19 vaccination. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

Our intention still is that where thats necessary that will occur, she said. But exactly how often that occurs, and in what context, is being determined this week. Its likely we wont have a uniform policy but one that reflects whats happening in their communities.
Three teenagers have been charged over an alleged assault that has left a 16-year-old boy critically injured and on life support.

Paramedics were called to a house on Perigee Close in Doonside, in western Sydney, about 5.30pm on Wednesday where police say the boy was found unresponsive with injuries to his head and chest.

Its believed the boy went into cardiac arrest and was taken to Westmead Hospital, where he remained on Thursday night in a critical condition and on life support.

Residents nearby reported seeing low-flying helicopters after the incident and local streets were blocked off.

A 15-year-old boy was arrested on nearby Rosenthal Street, Doonside about 11.50pm on Wednesday, while a 13-year-old boy and 15-year-old girl were arrested on intersecting Mikado Way about 8am on Thursday.
The writing of wills has drastically changed during the pandemic, with lockdown and other restrictions rendering the traditional rule of all parties signing off in person difficult, if not impossible.

Australian courts have enacted temporary changes so wills can be finalised remotely using the likes of video conferencing. However, Queensland University of Technology researchers are concerned that remote methods increase the risk of elder abuse and the coercion of those writing a will.

The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded many people to create a valid will, or update their current final wishes. Credit:Getty.

Research co-author Associate Professor Tina Cockburn said already one remotely created will had to go before a Queensland court for validation because a page had not been signed.

The reason for the age-old requirement in will-making that everyone has to be together in the same room to sign the documents was to stop the risk of undue influence and pressure, she said.
A 24-year-old woman has been in Queensland after she escaped a quarantine hotel on the Gold Coast.

Police are searching for the woman who was directed to isolate in the hotel for 14 days on Monday.

Police monitor entrances to quarantine hotels. Credit:Matt Dennien

A police spokeswoman said she escaped by forcing a glass door open overnight.

The woman was swabbed for COVID yesterday and results today have indicated that she is negative, she said.
A Supreme Court judge has been forced to keep a man in jail for a further three months because there are no beds at the states secure hospital, a situation she described as very unfortunate.

Despite more money being directed towards the Thomas Embling forensic mental health hospital in this years budget, the Supreme Court heard on Wednesday that more men were still waiting for beds.

Maud Steenbeek was attacked and killed in her Heidelberg West home.

Xochil Quetzel ONeill, 30, who killed his neighbour Maud Steenbeek in her Heidelberg West home on January 28 last year was found not guilty of murder because of mental impairment.

Ms Steenbeek, a 61-year-old yoga and pilates instructor, was on a Skype call to her brother in the Netherlands when ONeill came into her home and repeatedly struck her to the head and body with a Samoan wooden paddle.
A man who escaped his Perth hotel quarantine room by climbing down a makeshift bedsheet rope has been fined $4500 for the breathtakingly arrogant stunt.

Travis Myles flew from Brisbane to Perth on July 19 but did not have permission to enter WA and was directed to leave the state within 48 hours.

The WA man escaped hotel quarantine in Perth using bedsheets tied together to create a makeshift rope. Credit:WA Police

He was escorted to Great Eastern Motorlodge in Rivervale to isolate while he awaited a return flight.

With a guard posted outside his room, the 39-year-old climbed out his fourth-storey window and used bedsheets tied together at the ends to shimmy down the side of the building.
Its an extraordinary story of entrepreneurialism and good timing. On Monday, Australian tech company Afterpay became subject of Australias largest ever corporate deal when US giant Square bought it for $39 billion.

The company was founded by two Sydney men just 8 years ago. One of those men, Nick Molnar, is now just 31 years old.

On this episode of Please Explain, business editor John McDuling joins Tory Maguire to explain how it happened.

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The federal government has insisted former infrastructure minister Alan Tudge had full authority to approve up to $660 million in grants for commuter car parks as he declared he knew nothing about a list of 20 marginal electorates that helped decide where the money was spent.

Despite the Auditor-General revealing a marginal electorate list was maintained in the office of Alan Tudge, the now-Education Minister on Tuesday said he had no knowledge of the list that was also shared with the office of Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Former infrastructure minister Alan Tudge has justified the Coalitions $600 million commuter carpark program by saying people voted for the Coalition. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

It was the first time Mr Tudge faced questions over the car park program since the Auditor-Generals highly critical report which found that 77 per cent of projects were in Coalition seats. Just two of the promised 47 car parks have been completed, some have been abandoned and, in at least one case, the Auditor-General found the price of a single car space will be more than $211,000.

Many were promised in south-eastern Melbourne where senior ministers including Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar faced serious challenges at the 2019 poll.
Politicians are usually not shy when it comes to standing shoulder to shoulder with the military, whether it be appearing at dawn services or visiting troops in remote lands.

So it was surprising that the federal government took a low-key approach to an event with enormous consequences for the armed services, the release of the Department of Defences reform plan to respond to Justice Paul Breretons report on war crimes in Afghanistan.

The document was quietly placed on the departmental website late on Friday without even a press release let alone a press conference by either the minister, Peter Dutton, or Australian Defence Force chief Angus Campbell.

The four-year plan for rebuilding the armys reputation makes for painful reading. It once again highlights the damage done to the militarys reputation by the findings that there was credible information of serious and disturbing breaches by Australian troops of their moral, legal and professional responsibilities  not least of all the alleged unlawful killing of 39 individuals.

The 36-page blueprint outlines the militarys co-operation with criminal prosecutors, who are considering bringing charges against some of the soldiers, as well as potential internal disciplinary proceedings such as revoking honours and awards. It promises legal support and counselling to those affected.
On the day Victoria was able to boast that its Delta outbreak had reached zero cases, Gladys Berejiklian had no explanation on Wednesday as to why Sydneys COVID-19 numbers were not budging.

The city is in its sixth week of lockdown and nothing is changing. The Premier cannot say whether Sydney has reached the peak of its second wave. All she could offer was her humble guess that the situation was likely to worsen.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian delivers the update on Wednesday. Credit:James Brickwood

The number of cases moving about the community while infectious  which Berejiklian insists must get down close to zero  has not shifted in weeks. On Wednesday, it was 47. By that measure, freedom is getting no closer.

At the same time, Berejiklian and the federal government have stressed that vaccination rates must also rise for Sydney to have any chance of a very limited easing of restrictions after August 28.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has abandoned the promised full-scale return of HSC students to classrooms as case numbers remain stubbornly high and fears mount that the virus has spread beyond metropolitan Sydney.

With 1000 contact tracers now working on stopping the spread of COVID-19 in NSW, authorities were becoming increasingly concerned about the quantity of virus fragments found in waste water around Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and southern Port Stephens. There have been no cases recorded recently in those areas.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian at Wednesdays COVID-19 briefing. Credit:James Brickwood

Ms Berejiklian on Wednesday conceded her ambitious plan to get year 12 students back to face-to-face learning would need to take a different form than expected, making a humble guess that the worst of the outbreak was yet to hit.

She said it was unlikely there would be a uniform policy for schools across Greater Sydney, given areas like south-west and western Sydney had higher levels of transmission than others.
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie says a good portion of his squad is pretty angry at the behaviour of winger Marika Koroibete, back-rower Isi Naisarani and prop Pone Faamausili after a late night drinking session resulted in the trio being stood down for Saturdays Bledisloe Cup opener against the All Blacks.

In a major blow for the Wallabies ahead of their quest to win back the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 2002, Koroibete, Naisarani and Faamausili have been handed one-match bans for breaking team curfew and continuing to drink in one of the players rooms on Saturday evening before a day off.

The wider playing group and staff had dinner and drinks at the teams Auckland hotel and were advised to call it a night at a certain time, which Rennie declined to specify on Wednesday.

He did say, however, the trio took leftover alcohol and continued to drink for more than two hours beyond the curfew upstairs.
Mugla, Turkey: A coal-fuelled power plant in southwest Turkey and nearby residential areas were being evacuated on Wednesday evening (Thursday AEST) as flames from a wildfire reached the plant, a mayor and local reporters said as sirens from the plant could be heard blaring.

On the Greek island of Evia, coast guard vessels helped with evacuations, where residents escaping fires had fled to a beach for safety.

Fires burn at the back of the Kemerkoy Thermal Power Plant in Mugla, Turkey. Credit:Getty

Milas Mayor Muhammet Tokat, from Turkeys main opposition party, has been warning of the fire risks for the past two days for the Kemerkoy power plant in Mugla province. He said late on Wednesday that the plant was being evacuated.

Local reporters said the wildfires had also prompted the evacuation of the nearby seaside area of Oren.
The World Health Organisation called for a halt on booster shots of coronavirus vaccines through at least September, as poorer countries struggle to access doses, even for high-risk populations such as healthcare workers and the elderly.

We cannot and we should not accept countries that have already used most of the global supply of vaccines using even more of it while the worlds most vulnerable people remain unprotected, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday (Thursday AEST) at a news conference.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says the poorer countries need the vaccine now. Credit:AP

Tedros said the focus for now should be meeting the UN health agencys goal of 10 per cent vaccination coverage in every country by the end of September. So far, more than 80 per cent of vaccine doses globally have gone to high and upper-middle income countries that represent less than half of the worlds population.

The remarks come as the United States and other wealthy nations weigh if and when booster shots are necessary and consider how to balance domestic calls for additional doses against growing evidence of an alarming vaccine gap around the world.
New York: An air passenger assaulted three flight attendants, punching one and groping the breasts of two others, on a US flight from Philadelphia to Miami, prompting one crew member to tape him to his seat until the plane landed, the authorities said.

Part of the altercation was caught on video by other passengers, who jeered as the man was restrained for the remainder of Frontier Airlines flight 2289.

Frontier Airlines said in an initial statement that the flight attendants would be relieved of flying while it investigated, which drew sharp criticism from the Association of Flight Attendants, the nations largest flight attendants union. The airline later said that paid leave was in line with an event of this nature.

Maxwell Berry, 22, of Norwalk, Ohio, was arrested at Miami International Airport. He was earlier taped to his seat by flight staff due to unruly behaviour. Credit:AP, Twitter

The Association of Flight Attendants said that the encounter was emblematic of the hostilities faced by airline crews since the loosening of travel restrictions that had been put in place because of the coronavirus pandemic. It came amid a surge of reports filed by airlines with the Federal Aviation Administration about unruly passengers, who have faced steep fines for disruptions.
Washington DC: A Pentagon police officer was killed during an attack at a bus platform outside the military headquarters that prompted gunfire, a lockdown of the sprawling facility in Virginia and a massive police and fire response.

The officers apparent assailant also was killed in the encounter on Tuesday morning, according to two law enforcement officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to comment on an investigation that they were not authorised to discuss publicly. The officials said there was nothing to indicate terrorism was a motive.

But the circumstances of what transpired remained murky. During an afternoon news conference, Pentagon Force Protection Agency Chief Woodrow Kusse offered scant details and repeatedly deflected reporters questions about what had happened.

The situation has been resolved, Kusse said, but the investigation must continue, and I dont want to do anything to jeopardise the integrity of the process.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The St. Maarten Tzu Chi Foundation continued to spread seeds of love across the ocean when it sent its third shipment of relief to St Vincent to assist persons affected by the recent volcanic eruptions in that island.

The foundation sent a full 20-foot container containing food items to assist more than 800 families. The container arrived in St. Vincent on June 26, 2021.

All the items were donated by Tzu Chis headquarters in Taiwan thanks to Tzu Chi Founder Master Cheng Yen.

Donated were 67 cases (containing 804 packs) of milk powder; 27 cases (810 packs) of dried red beans; 89 cases (801 bottles) of cooking oil; 160 cases (1,600 packs) of flour; 67 cases (804 units) of baking powder; 200 cases (1,600 packs) of brown rice; 80 cases (1,600 packs) of spaghetti; and 2 cases (4,000 units) of face masks.

The items were sent to the Park Hill Evangelical Church Elder Brian Dabreo and his senior pastor Conroy Huggins for further distribution to 800 persons.

Dabreo thanked Tzu Chi for the generous donation and for helping the people of St. Vincent, on behalf of the Churchs leaders and members, the Park Hill Volcano Relief Committee, parliamentary representatives, and the Prime Minister of St. Vincent.

In the meantime, the distribution of relief packages to assist persons locally continues as the foundation does its utmost to help alleviate the burdens on households in the community.
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News

spotlight

Retiring Kenyon chief recognized for humility, personal approach

Austin native Lee Sjolander retires as Kenyon Police Chief Aug. 1, 2021. He finished his last shift and signed off at noon Monday. A community party is planned for Sunday to honor Sjolander and his 26 years of service in the law enforcement industry, a majority of which were served in Kenyon. (Michelle Vlasak/southernminn.com) Kenyon Chief of Police Lee Sjolander was one of the guest readers at the Kenyon Library for the Read Like a Knight event during the 2016 Christmas in Kenyon. (File photo/southernminn.com)

If you live or work in the community of Kenyon, theres a good chance youve shared a conversation or two with Lee Sjolander.

Sjolander, who began working in Kenyon in 1995 as a part-time police officer and announced his retirement May 1, is well known for his one-on-one approach. On Sunday, Sjolander finished his last shift as Kenyon police chief, a position he held for 14 years.

The Austin native now begin the next chapter of his life, filled with plans of camping, going on trips and spending some well-deserved time with his family. He plans to continue helping people, just as he did throughout his career, by serving as a school paraprofessional.

Helping others

As a child, Sjolander became familiar with law enforcements role in helping others by living in what he describes as a chaotic home life. While some find themselves good with numbers, writing or working with their hands, Sjolander realized he was good at helping people, and had good problem-solving skills  important for police officers to possess.

Before starting part time at the Kenyon Police Department, Sjolander did light maintenance for the School Sisters of Notre Dame in Mankato. A connection with the then Kenyon police chiefs daughter led him toward the Boulevard of Roses. He began working as a full-time officer one to two years later until the department was disbanded in 1998. He then worked with the Goodhue County Sheriffs Department, serving as a school resource officer in Pine Island and later working in narcotics investigations until coming back to Kenyon in 2007, when the police department was re-established. His first shift as chief was Aug. 1, 2007.

Over the years, Sjolander has seen some great advances in technology in the law enforcement, most which helped to create more efficiency both in the workplace and out in the field. He remembers when the department got its very first cellphone, so they could be away from the office longer.

In times where the dial-up internet wasnt as convenient, pen and paper were used to write reports. Squad cars, then basic, now feature nice radios with strong coverage no matter the location, and lighter/more efficient equipment.

Typewriters in the office have been replaced with high-tech laptops, and heavy, bulky bullet resistant vests were discarded in favor of lighter-weight options.

Sjolander says hes enjoyed the pace of working in a small town and the fact the local department doesnt have too many strict policies. He believes when officers know the public it helps them do their job more efficiently and typically leads to less harm.

We can truly reach our public, learn together and they are more patient with us, said Sjolander.

Sjolander says he will miss watching those who have gotten clean/sober continue to have victories along the way. Throughout his career, he focused on serving the public, knowing that sometimes people require a bit of help finding work or housing, or getting back on track. Though small communities are common places for new officers to start, Sjolander is thankful to have played a role in building their career.

As a whole, he feels southeastern Minnesota law enforcement does a good job of being chameleons, and blending into the community. Events such as the Garage of Goodness and free bike programs help show the public that officers are human too, and help them get to know those they serve.

With all of thats going on in the nation, Sjolander hopes to see a shift toward healing, working together and getting to know each others neighbors. He is excited for his coworkers to work/learn from Sjoblom and generate new ideas.

One of a kind

City Administrator Mark Vahsling, who knew Sjolander prior to coming to Kenyon, describes Sjolander as the most community-oriented police chief hes ever seen.

Hes very connected in the community, and was very concerned and empathizes with the residents, especially people with mental health issues, said Vahlsing. The Police Department has also done a real good job trying to work with the (lost) dogs and cats to find their owners or new homes. He has a great sense of humor. I really enjoyed working with him. I wish him the best and Ill miss working with him.

Vahlsing recalls a time where he was the Pine Island city administrator and Sjolander was the Pine Island school resource officer. From 2001-04, both of Vahlsings children worked with Sjolander to learn about bike safety. To this day, Vahlsing remembers how much his children loved working with the chief, and how everybody knew him in that community, just like they do in Kenyon.

Though Kenyon Police Department Administrative Assistant Linda Bean has only worked for the KPD for about a year and a half, she has come to know Sjolander quite well. Prior to working for the KPD, Bean resided in Kenyon with her husband for six years.

As a resident, Bean said she knew she could always count on Sjolander to be there if she needed help. When it comes to explaining what makes Sjolander special, Bean says she could write a whole book. While sitting outside Sjolanders office each day, she has been able to get a good perspective.

The chief and I have shared a lot of similar life experiences that allowed me to get to know him outside of the uniform. I can say that there are no chiefs that serve a city the size of Kenyon, where the chief knows who you are, where you live, the cars you drive, the name of your pets, etc, said Bean. The fact is that almost everyone in town has his cell phone number and know they can call him at anytime, if needed. He has been available days, nights and weekends even when he is off duty. He has given of himself completely to Kenyon.

Most importantly, Bean says Sjolander is the most humble man she has ever met.

No one will ever know all of the things he has done over the years. He wanted to make his final sign off on Monday at noon and then walk off into the sunset, said Bean. Im glad we are having a retirement party for him on Aug. 8. It will give the community a chance to say Thank you to the man for a job very well done.

Above all, Bean said she will miss working with Sjolander, but is glad he has the opportunity to go on some new adventures. She expects he will enjoy having more time with his family and friends.
Sports

spotlight

PROFILES: Students and coaches persevere through hardwood hardships

Raiders senior captains Annika Richardson, Emma Hodapp and Emma Rasmussen celebrate Hodapps buzzer-beating game winner. Also pictured are Samantha Ims, left, and Regan Childress, right. The pandemic didnt keep his squad down, said coach Paul Eddy, who praised his players for their willingness to persevere. (Photo courtesy Jim Wellbrock Sports Photography)

Raiders girls basketball coach Paul Eddy said while COVID made for a difficult 20-20-21 season, his players stepped up, organizing and leading practices during the pandemic. (Photo courtesy Jim Wellbrock Sports Photography)

When the state of Minnesota went into shutdown in March 2020, the winter sports season was in its final stretch; spring sports were set to begin.

The Minnesota State High School League announced the cancellation of the girls and boys basketball tournaments March 13, 2020, ending the season effective immediately. At the time it was unknown how long the shutdown would last, and as spring turned to summer and fall planning began, it was apparent that the fall sports in the state of Minnesota were going to be impacted by the ongoing pandemic.

(Photo courtesy Jim Wellbrock Sports Photography)

I spent all summer last year with three to four Zoom calls a week to determine how things would work in the fall, said Joel Olson, Northfield High Schools activities director.

It was clear that as school resumed, there was going to be an ever-changing dynamic that was going to make the lives of students, parents, teachers, administrators and coaches more difficult than a typical school year.

The first effect we felt was going into our summer training. Raiders varsity girls basketball coach Paul Eddy said. We had to separate the players into pods and they couldnt co-mingle outside of their pods.

This put a lot of the onus on student leaders to step up and lead their teammates in outdoor practices if they wanted to improve their skills and teamwork. With in-person coaching impossible, the coaches utilized technology to stay connected. We encouraged our coaches to use Zoom practices, mostly to touch base with the kids and see how they were doing. said Olson.

(Photo courtesy Jim Wellbrock Sports Photography)

The players all took it in stride and we still had a very productive offseason. Eddy said. The girls just found ways to come together and play together by playing on the outdoor courts at the high school and middle school.

As the fall semester began and it was clear fall sports were going to be in flux, concerns starting seeping in for the winter sport athletes as well.

The kids were resilient, stated Olson, when are we gonna start and what will this look like were questions I faced and I had to answer honestly that I didnt know.

This continued to affect the girls basketball team it prepared for a season in limbo. We couldnt have any open gyms in the fall like we traditionally would. said Eddy, The seniors were afraid as dates were being pushed back that there might not be a season.

(Photo courtesy Jim Wellbrock Sports Photography)

Eddy recalled a morning he shared with his daughter, a member of the team. She told me she needed a ride to the high school at 7:30 a.m. on the first day of MEA break, the third week in October. Despite the temperature being around 30 degrees, she said it would be fine and the sun would be coming up soon, so they put together a workout.

After several potential start dates came and went, the season came to life in January much to the excitement of everyone involved.

As they finally did start to play they were so grateful and they were happy to be there together. said Eddy. They were so happy to be playing the game they love.

(Photo courtesy Jim Wellbrock Sports Photography)

Despite the season officially being underway, there were constant challenges.

It was a time of patience, flexibility, empathy as things were coming from the national level, state level and all these different entities with guidelines to follow. said Olson, the AD. Coaches and kids and families really had to be flexible as we had to make changes almost weekly.

Despite these challenges, the girls showed their true character, according to Eddy.

We had three captains selected by the players and they did a great job just leading us through it all, starting with the captains practices on the outdoor courts in the fall. he said. They provided great leadership and were great participants in the virtual gatherings. Because of that this ended up being the most cohesive team Ive ever been able to coach.

The Raiders would go on to post a 10-5 regular season record for a fourth-place finish in the Big Nine Conference.

Eddy says many lessons were learned navigating the 2020-21 school year, particularly that students need to be together.

The kids need co-curricular activities and need that connection from other kids and adults, and providing them a place where they can participate and feel connected. They wanted to be here and participate in their sports and activities.

But it was the resilience of the players and their willingness to push through the challenges that really stood out.

They ultimately came together to work on their games and develop as a team, he said.
News

spotlight

Developer happily preserves city's heritage with downtown project

The iconic white wood paneling came off the former Jerry's Supper Club in downtown Owatonna last month. Despite all the new projects in the area, the historic building will remain and be fully restored. (Annie Granlund/southernminn.com) After removing the wood paneling from the building, Mac Hamilton, CEO of Hamilton Real Estate Group, said they were finally able to come up with a solid design for the renovation of the historical building on the corner of Cedar Avenue and Vine Street. (Photo courtesy of Hamilton Real Estate Group) As the building comes back to life, the entrance for the new restaurant at 203 North Cedar Avenue will move to the corner of the building. (Annie Granlund/southernminn.com) A Marriott Courtyard is being planned for the 200 block of North Cedar Avenue between Vine and Pearl streets. Developer Mac Hamilton said he plans to incorporate the former Jerrys Supper Club location to be an in-house restaurant for the hotel, as well as providing a location for Old Town Bagels to potentially expand their dining area. (File photo/southernminn.com)

There is a lot of new coming to downtown Owatonna, but the developer behind the planned hotel and apartments projects is making sure nobody forgets the past.

In last month, the Jerrys Supper Club sign was stripped from its North Cedar Avenue perch along with the white wood paneling that had signified the iconic downtown restaurant since its 1960 opening. After the restaurant was shuttered in 2009, the paneling continued to serve as a reminder of a local favorite.

But as the paneling came down, Mac Hamilton, of Hamilton Real Estate Group, quickly saw a bright future.

We thought it was important to preserve heritage where it is merited to be preserved, and thats here, said Hamilton, developer of the planned Marriott Courtyard on the 200 block of North Cedar as well as the apartments being built on Pearl Street. We suspected Jerrys would be a good-looking building underneath all that wood, so we were really excited when we tore that off and saw those cast iron columns running up almost two full stories.

Though the hotel project called for the demolition of the former Flooring Frenzy and Bishman Insurance buildings, Hamilton said from the beginning that they would be completely renovating the building that housed Jerrys and the Old Town Bagels restaurant. When Hamilton announced his intentions in October, he said the bagel shop would be able to double the size of its footprint and that a new restaurant would be brought in to occupy the former Jerrys space and serve hotel guests.

Because what lay underneath the wood paneling remained unknown, Hamilton said it wasnt until the last two weeks that they were able to fully realize a vision for the buildings future.

We had somewhat of a concept before removing the wood but we had to remain open minded, Hamilton said. Now we know that we are going to be able to do something dramatically more exciting than we originally expected.

Hamilton said the building will have windows all around the front, wrapping around the corner of the building. The front entryway will also move back to its original location on the angled corner of the building, allowing guests to walk into the bar area.

Behind the bar where there was previously a deli, will be a private dining area that can serve as many as 25 people, Hamilton said. The bar will run along the whole valance of the south side of the building and open up to the primary dining area on the western portion.

The restrooms will also be relocated in front of the restaurant to help create a sound barrier between the kitchen and the rest of the building, Hamilton said, adding that the plans are very attractive. The most expensive part of the renovation will be the roof, at roughly $700,000 for a complete replacement. Aside from the roof, Hamilton said they were pleasantly surprised by the condition the restaurant was in.

With so much changing, Owatonnans seem pleased to learn that the building will be renovated as opposed to being torn down.

Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism President Brad Meier said keeping buildings such as these in a downtown area is crucial to the overall idea of revitalization.

For downtown, keeping historical buildings is an important part of the future  people are interested in historic buildings, they add character and a sense of place, Meier said. They also bring us back to our roots and the history of the community.

Meier praised Hamilton for recognizing the importance of renovating versus demolition, and said the overall project is a game changer for the community.

Though a new restaurant is yet to be identified, Hamilton said he's feeling confident about the options they have in filling the space. One of the possibilities is Andiamo Italian Ristorante, an Italian restaurant that was located on the north side of town from 2013-15. Hamilton said he recently visited the restaurant's Woodbury establishment and was pleased with the experience.

Owatonna has changed an awful lot since they left town and we have heard around the community that people would like to see them come back, Hamilton said. There is no assurance that will happen and we will keep looking for other operators, but we are hopeful with Andiamo.

Hamilton said that the owners of Andiamo as well as the other restaurateurs they have interviewed have all shared concerns with being able to staff the facility if they were to be selected. Hamilton said it will be important to make sure there is ample wait staff for whichever restaurant moves in, especially with the additional outdoor seating that will be provided following the completion of the downtown streetscape project. The project is expected to expand the sidewalk by 8 feet.

Im really excited for the whole town. Combining these projects with the new high school is going to open a lot of peoples eyes to wanting to live in Owatonna, Hamilton said. Right now there is a war for talent and whether its Federated or Daikin or Life Fitness that wants to hire somebody that somebody is going to have competitive offers from others in other communities. The scope of opportunities for incoming employees is meaningful to a towns growth.

Hamilton has been involved in several development projects in Owatonna including the South Pointe apartments on 18th Street and the 111 Vine Street apartments. Hamilton, who's based in Rochester, said the Owatonna Community Development staff is one of many reasons he keeps coming back to town.

It is a really good experience working here, Hamilton said. I have worked in a lot of different communities, and Owatonna is the best community Ive worked in.
News

spotlight

Months after society has reopened, restaurants still can't find workers

Tom Linde, general manager of the Miller-Armstrong building, of which Starfire Grill is a part, had to close the grill late in June after months of being unable to find prospective employees. (Julian Hast/southernminn.com) Torey Statlander, chef and co-owner of Toreys Restaurant & Bar in Owatonna, said he has never seen a workforce shortage like this before. (File photo/southernminn.com) Meier

Tom Lester and Connie Lee bought and reopened Faribaults beloved Basilleos Pizza in August 2018 after it had been closed for seven months. They renamed it Basilleos Pizza 2.0, signaling plans to revive it to its original glory, back when it first opened in 1960.

Today, things are not so simple. Lester said that he has been actively trying to recruit new workers nonstop for a year and a half. The problem began back when lockdowns were put into place in March 2020. In the last few months, with society reopening, things only got worse.

This is definitely the toughest its been in terms of trying to find help, Lester said.

Basilleos is not the only restaurant in the region continuing to struggle. Despite hopes that a reopened society and recovering economy would lead workers back into the workforce, eateries across Rice, Steele and Waseca counties have only seen their workforce shortage problem deepen.

The result, for Basilleos remaining workforce, has been fewer employees holding down busier shifts. Though it hasnt had to refuse business yet, it has required nearly every employee to work weekends. Its also raised wages to keep those employees from leaving for other jobs.

We havent raised prices yet, but were not far away from it, Lester said.

At Toreys Restaurant & Bar in Owatonna, the story is similar: looking for employees for months, recruiting fruitlessly through a wide variety of media, and experiencing a strain on the existing workforce that has only worsened in recent months.

In past years, theres always been plenty of people out there that want to cook, said Torey Statlander, owner of Toreys. Ive never seen it like this before.

Unlike Basilleos, Toreys has experienced a serious enough lack of cooks and line cooks that it has had to cut back on its hours  the existing workforce simply cannot handle the current volume of customers. It has also had to turn down additional sources of revenue, like private catering.

Im hoping it changes soon, because I hate turning business away, Statlander said.

Asked why, with a reopened society and offers of higher wages from many hiring businesses, the workforce shortage has not improved in recent months, Lester and Statlander gave the same answer: $300-per-week bonuses paid through the federal American Rescue Plan to people on unemployment.

Theyve adapted their lifestyle to that money theyre getting for free and theyre just staying home, Statlander said. I dont think theres that many people out there that are scared to go to work.

Lester said that once supplemental benefits are dropped Sept. 6, he believes well see a lot more people coming out looking for work.

Compared to some restaurants, though, things at Basilleos and Toreys arent so bad  theyre still open, after all.

Starfire Grill of Waseca  located in the Miller Armstrong Center, along with Club 57 and Jonnie Beans  released a statement on its Facebook page June 29 saying that it would be closing the restaurant until further notice due to a staffing shortage. It had been offering $18-24 an hour to prospective hires for months, after some former Stargrill Grill employees left for jobs offering pay and benefits that the buildings general manager Tom Linde said he couldnt afford to match.

I dont blame them for leaving, Linde said about his former employees. They found better jobs.

Linde mused about various other reasons the workforce shortage could be persisting into late summer, before getting around to the unemployment benefits.

Dont get me wrong, that unemployment is there for a reason, he said. Me, personally  this is my personal opinion  if they gave the $300 to the people that were working, you would be surprised at how fast people would go back to work.

Although a lot of people do need those benefits, Linde said, he wondered if they were being abused. If he could make more sitting on unemployment than he could working, he said, he would question the point of working too.

I dont want to sound cruel, he said. I just hope it gets back to normal.

What about those unemployment benefits?

Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce President Brad Meier isnt so sure about the impact of those supplemental payments on the workforce shortage.

Theres not that many people sitting on the sidelines, to be honest, Meier said. Its not a silver bullet.

He still thinks that the unemployment benefits ending will have a modest effect on the workforce shortage. But, he pointed out, the last time the Chamber checked, there were about 1,100 people in Steele County on unemployment amid 1,600 job openings, and not all those on unemployment were ever going to be able to go back to work to begin with.

Our unemployment rate has been dropping and dropping and dropping, Meier said.

The bigger problem for workforce shortage, he said, has to do with generational turnover  as the Baby Boomers retire, the generation taking their place behind them is smaller. The pandemic only accelerated that process.

We have to remember, weve been predicting this as a nation for a long time, he said. We have more opportunities than we have people to fill them.

The combination of accelerated generational turnover and a red-hot economy pumping up demand, Meier said, makes the moment feel especially dramatic.

Theres all kinds of factors to this thing, he said. No easy one answer thats gonna fix it all.

Not all restaurants have suffered equally

For Craig Korvela, manager at Reunion in Northfield and Redemption in Faribault, things have improved much more in the last few months than he originally predicted. In May, he thought that hitting the sales levels Reunion had prior to the pandemic was probably unlikely. Today, hes at 80-85% and expecting 100% going into the fall.

Like other restaurateurs, Korvela has not avoided workforce shortages. He thinks he may have been able to ward off its worst effects, though, simply by offering more interesting work than fast food chains offering similar wages.

Would you rather be flipping burgers or getting a different culinary experience when youre cooking? he asked.

Whats more, he said, although he has fewer staff than hed like, and far fewer staff than Reunion had when it opened two years ago, he believes they actually over hired during that period.

With the extra $300 bonus checks ending, Korvela thinks he might get a few more applicants, but hes not banking on it. Right now, hes focused on adapting to a smaller workforce.

Staffing shortage persists According to the most recent National Federation of Independent Business Research Center COVID-19 survey, a full quarter (25%) of small employers reported that their current staffing shortage worsened in the past month, while two-thirds (67%) reported no improvement at all. Nearly half (48%) also reported receiving fewer job applications for their open positions than they received a month prior, with only 5% receiving more and 39% reporting no change, despite 63% of small employers offering higher wages and 13% offering increased paid time off and/or offering or enhancing hiring bonuses.
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.
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The more this theoretically idyllic vacation progresses, the worse it seems to actually become. And to say people pay to be this miserable?! All across the resort, the guests are fighting, plotting, and humiliating each other as if their lives depend on it (which, to be fair, they might).



Aside from Tanya, who has suddenly met a deep sea fisherman (I know), had dinner with him, got confused about what "BLM" stood for in his case, didn't think more of it though, and then slept with him. To be perfectly honest, finding an orange-hued man fumbling around with your hotel room door and justifying his mistake by insisting he had the wrong room isn't that big of a turn on for me, but this is Tanya, and she let it go pretty quickly (too quickly? You're in danger, girl!). I do wonder if there's a more sordid story behind this fateful meeting, it just seemed, well... too easy, and too insistant on Greg's part. Also, it causes Tanya to stand up Belinda, who was diligently working on her business proposal for their never going to happen joint venture. I feel for Belinda, I really do, because she seems like the nicest person on the resort at this point, and her falling for Tanya's heartfelt but likely unrealistic offers is a little heartbreaking. However, I do not believe one can simply write up a business proposal in one evening (the market research alone...) and be ready to go, but that's just me nitpicking, since I also do not believe it'll ever go through.

"Dude's going down. You are fucked now, bro."

Belinda's day doesn't get better from there, unfortunately, since she also has the immense pleasure of promptly realizing that 1. Armond's relapse certainly wasn't a one time thing, 2. it led him to acting on his little crush on Dillon in a very graphic way, and 3. bringing Shane along with her (against her will, to be fair) wasn't the best idea since he too, witnessed Armond and Dillon's "party".If Shane's gleeful parting words are anything to go by, his feud with Armond may well end right then and there based on what he can now allege against Armond. Sidenote: I do wonder if Mark had been receptive at all, if Armond could have seduced him too (there's still time though, you never know).And while Mark may not have led quite the double life his father did, the apple certainly didn't fall far from the tree since we learn, through Quinn, that Mark actually cheated on Nicole. Just once though! Or, well, with one woman, Mark amends. Do we know what Mark does professionnaly, that he can afford 75K worth of bracelets "from his own money"?! Or is that "joint account" money? Still, unlike everyone else, Quinn is having a week of realizations about how incongruous the resort life is compared to the native Hawaiians who are made to work for, and entertain, the guests on their land. His sister, on the other hand, is more preoccupied with getting what Paula has, i.e. the cute bus boy: Kai. Firstly, I'd like to get more scenes with Kai and not just from afar, please. Secondly, we now know that Olivia doesn't have unrequited feelings for Paula or whatever, but rather she's the kind of friend who is your "friend" only as long as she feels like she has the upper hand and gets whatever she wants, which happens to include whatwants. And low and behold, she immediately goes after Kai once Paula has vacated the premises, which... I feel will not end well.After realizing that Armond indeedtheir drug bag, it miraculously reappears, but sans drugs. Armond knows they can't really list the missing "items" though, and gets away with keeping all their loot, much to Olivia and Paula's displeasure.The Patton family isn't faring much better, and I do mean "family" since joy unbounded, Shane's mother has joined the party! During her son's honeymoon! Shane is genuinely delighted, Rachel is genuinely outraged. Seriously, who does that? Seeing Kitty in action does make Shane's brashness more understandable though, it's no wonder now where he learned his charming manners and disregard for less fortunate people. His dismissal of Rachel's own mom and her lack of funds to join them was particularly telling. I'm honestly baffled as to how Shane is the only one we know is still alive by the end of the trip, considering how quietly infuriated Rachel is, thanks to his actions.Kitty doesn't seem to remember much about the wedding, and insists so many times that I wonder if something more sinister is at play here.- Since we have new players this week, this adds some variety! Rachel drugged Kitty during the wedding and didn't hesitate to do it again to get rid of her, with a more potent tool after her insufferable behavior- Olivia and Paula fight to the death over Kai, unfortunately ending in his own demise and he gets hit by some heavy furniture- After having to discuss his swollen balls, suffer through his monkey imitation, navigate a flame-less marriage, and finally live through her family learning Mark had cheated on her, Nicole finally snaps and messes with Mark's equipment during one of his scuba diving sessions- Greg turns out to be a menace to more than just deep sea fish, and kills Tanya to get her moneyThat's it for this week! Only two episodes to go, what do you guys think will happen? As usual, sound off in the comments!
The Problem of Dual Coverage

Without some means of coordinating Social Security coverage, people who work outside their country of origin may find themselves covered under the systems of two countries simultaneously for the same work. When this happens, both countries generally require the employer and employee or self-employed person to pay Social Security taxes.

Dual Social Security tax liability is a widespread problem for U.S. multinational companies and their employees because the U.S. Social Security program covers expatriate workers--those coming to the United States and those going abroad--to a greater extent than the programs of most other countries. U.S. Social Security extends to American citizens and U.S. resident aliens employed abroad by American employers without regard to the duration of an employee's foreign assignment, and even if the employee has been hired abroad. This extraterritorial U.S. coverage frequently results in dual tax liability for the employer and employee since most countries, as a rule, impose Social Security contributions on anyone working in their territory.

Dual tax liability can also affect U.S. citizens and residents working for foreign affiliates of American companies. This is likely to be the case when a U.S. firm has followed the common practice of entering into an agreement with the Department of the Treasury pursuant to section 3121(l) of the Internal Revenue Code to provide Social Security coverage for U.S. citizens and residents employed by the affiliate. In addition, U.S. citizens and residents who are self-employed outside the United States are often subject to dual Social Security tax liability since they remain covered under the U.S. program even if they maintain no business operations in the United States.

Other features of U.S. law increase the odds that foreign workers in the United States will also face dual coverage. U.S. law provides compulsory Social Security coverage for services performed in the United States as an employee, regardless of the citizenship or country of residence of the employee or employer, and irrespective of the length of time the employee stays in the United States. Unlike many other countries, the United States generally does not provide coverage exemptions for nonresident alien employees or for employees who have been sent to work within its borders for short periods. For this reason, most foreign workers in the United States are covered under the U.S. program.

Paying dual Social Security contributions is especially costly for companies that offer "tax equalization" arrangements for their expatriate employees. A firm that sends an employee to work in another country often guarantees that the assignment will not result in a reduction of the employee's after-tax income. Employers with tax equalization programs, therefore, typically agree to pay both the employer and employee share of host country Social Security taxes on behalf of their transferred employees.

Under the tax laws of many countries, however, an employer's payment of an employee's share of a Social Security contribution is considered to be taxable compensation to the employee, thus increasing the employee's income tax liability. The tax equalization arrangement generally provides that the employer will also pay this additional income tax, which in turn serves to increase the employee's taxable income and tax liability even further. The employer again pays the additional tax, etc., etc.

As one can readily see, the employee's foreign Social Security coverage results in a substantially greater tax burden for the employer than the nominal Social Security tax alone. Depending on the other country's tax rates, in some countries this "pyramid" effect has been known to increase an employer's foreign Social Security costs to as much as 65-70 percent of the employee's salary, as illustrated below.
NORWALK  As a stopgap step during a larger assessment of industrial properties, the city is considering a temporary moratorium on construction of new self-storage facilities in portions of South Norwalk and East Norwalk.

Distribution warehouses would also be tabled for the time being in the citys industrial one zones that are concentrated in the two neighborhoods. A developer withdrew an application last February to build such a facility at the massive Norden Park complex just off Interstate 95 in East Norwalk after nearby homeowners voice opposition on concerns for an increase in truck traffic.

Norwalk wants to buy time as it undergoes an overhaul of its approach to zoning, with the goal of hitting on an optimal mix of properties for heavy and light industries; utilitarian uses like warehousing; and growing businesses like boutique food and beverage producers that mesh well with residential neighborhoods.

Milford enacted a similar moratorium more than two years ago, then a permanent rule restricting new self-storage facilities to its Housatonic Design District. Miami and Bainbridge Island, Wash., are among other locales nationally to seek a hiatus on self-storage development.

Steve Kleppin, Norwalks director of planning and zoning, said Wednesday that he is not aware of any current or prospective applications that would be impacted by the self-storage moratorium. He added that two more existing zones along the Route 1 corridor allow for self-storage.

This is probably where they will continue to be allowed but under very specific conditions, Kleppin said.

The Norwalk Zoning Commission convenes Thursday to hear pros and cons on the specific proposal, even as the city contemplates a deeper overhaul of its building zoning rules next month via a five-day planning session scheduled for Sept. 17-21.

A separate industrial zones oversight committee has been meeting since last November to brainstorm ways to encourage the development of businesses that offer the potential for employment or community interaction.

At a public hearing in April, a Boston consultancy recommended Norwalk scrap its existing system of eight zoning designations that allow for industrial uses in favor of three zones. The industrial one designation would be reserved for heavy industries largely clustered along the lower reaches of the Norwalk River. A light industrial zone would include warehousing, with another encompassing boutique production companies like bakeries, breweries and artisan studios.

The committee recommended Norden Place be singled out for some type of unique accommodation, given the sprawling buildings location in a largely residential neighborhood, including an Avalon East Norwalk building next door. That could include direct ramps on and off I-95 to limit traffic on an existing residential route authorized for trucks.

Self-storage companies have mushroomed in close proximity to new residential complexes across Connecticut. In addition to indoor units, many operators lease parking lot space for any boats and recreational vehicles that owners do not want to keep in their own driveways or yards.

SelfStorage.com lists five facilities in Norwalk and close to 330 in Connecticut. But the website undercounts the actual number, omitting some smaller independent operators, as well as chains like Westy Self-Storage which has a large facility on Keeler Avenue in Norwalk and three more in Stamford, Wilton and Fairfield.

While some operators have converted vacant buildings for self-storage, the biggest self-storage companies have focused on boxy new facilities designed for easy access.

Norwalks newest warehouse is located on Wilson Avenue, having been purchased in March with the possibility of a conversion to self-storage. South Norwalk is in the midst of an apartment boom with new additions including Soundview Landing, Harbourside Norwalk and the SoNo One Apartments.

Public Storage CEO Joe Russell said Tuesday that household moves during the pandemic sent leases through the roof in some markets that had greater vacancies, and said he expects the company to retain those contracts after people have settled into their new cities and towns.

Public Storage is the nations largest self-storage operator, with 13 locations in Connecticut including in Norwalk, Bridgeport, Stamford and Danbury.

Even as many of those markets return to some level of normal activity, with the opening up of businesses ... weve really seen no degradation in demand or occupancy levels, said Russell said.

Includes prior reporting by Abigail Brone;

Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman
Depositphotos

Squared Capital , a firm that focuses on investing in public service projects such as telecommunications, announced the purchase of Kio Networks , a Mexican information technology services company and one of the first unicorns in the country.

As reported by El Financiero , these days both companies signed an agreement for Squared Capital to acquire Kio Networks. This agreement involves several investments whose goal is to invest 3 billion dollars . For Squared Capital, this acquisition strengthens its digital infrastructure portfolio.
By Lina Marcela Garzon, Digital Consultant and Public Relations Manager at SpicyMinds

In recent years, the podcast has positioned itself as one of the most attractive digital content formats for users. If yesterday reading a three-minute article on a blog was something much more accessible than reading a physical magazine, today, listening to this same content in audio format is much more practical and inclusive than reading.

Colombia has not been immune to the exponential growth of the format. In Latin America: Colombia is in the top 5 of the countries that grow the most in consumption and production together with countries such as Mexico, Argentina, Chile and Brazil and, worldwide, it is in the top 3 of countries with the highest growth in listening to podcasts along with India and Turkey. It is also in the top 5 of the fastest growing countries for podcasting alongside Brazil, the UK, Canada and Italy. In conclusion, Colombia is exploiting the world of podcasting at its best.

2020 was a year that forced a large part of the population to stay at home, explore new activities and adapt our lives to new routines, forms of communication, learning and leisure. The interest of people led to more podcasts appearing, which increased to more than 400% in Spanish and Portuguese as of November 2020.

Now, how do these figures impact or benefit marketing and business? Here we have 5 keys to understand the world of the podcast and use this tool to position and sell a brand or idea.

1. The podcast is a 90% engagement strategy, 10% exponential sales

Image: CoWomen via Unsplash

It is important to understand this in the first place, because although sales move the existence of a business, these will not happen constantly and exponentially without convinced users of what and why they acquire the product or service. Good content is not focused on selling, but on bringing some benefit to those who read it, such as solving a problem, clarifying a doubt or teaching something. The sale is only one consequence of this process. It is better to have a client committed to three occasional ones, hence strategies such as: brand ambassadors, earning points for frequent purchases in establishments, having discounts for recommendations or generating loyalty programs. The podcast has become one of the tools to attract, retain and be an opinion leader in a topic or industry.

2. Content must be accessible to everyone everywhere

Image: Juja Han via Unsplash

And this is because at present, we are within a scenario in which consuming is totally connected to technology, accessibility and practicality. A format such as a podcast allows people with visual or hearing difficulties to access information and make life easier for them. Additionally, the distribution and hosting platforms charge very low prices for uploading these recorded materials, adding that they are within reach of the palm of the hand, through smartphones, which makes access to podcasts easy.

3. Advertising on podcast platforms is heard more than in any other medium

Image: Soundtrap via Unsplash

In the study The State of the Podcast Universe 2020 where the advertising trends of this format are discussed, it is mentioned that as with any type of media that begins without advertising, it can be a complicated battle to get consumers to accept the herself. However, the podcaster industry knows that based on data from the past few years, the fight is worth it for the degree of engagement from listeners.

A hard-to-reach audience with traditional advertising is quite open to podcast ads. Almost half of them (44%) say they pay more attention to podcast ads than any other media outlet, and 37% of them say podcasting is the best way for a brand to reach them .

Even before the pandemic, programmatic advertising not only grew by 137% year-on-year at the end of 2019, but that growth continued, and in the first half of 2020 it rose a further 65%.

4. Content marketing is growing

Image: Austin Distel via Unsplash

Content marketing is a way to involve our target audience and grow the network of leads and customers through the creation of relevant and valuable content, attracting, involving and generating value for people and, in this way, create a positive perception of the brand generating more business. With this concept in mind, in a world where marketing 3.0 and 4.0 are what are moving industries to focus on values, purpose, humanization, focus on consumer emotional needs, omnichannel and hyper-connected media and generating genuine value, the podcast is a master answer.

According to a report posted on Neil Patel's blog , 78% of consumers will trust a brand if it creates more personalized content. Likewise, it mentions that content marketing costs 62% less than traditional marketing and generates approximately 3 times more contacts. By investing your resources (i.e. time and money) into content marketing, you will reduce costs and at the same time generate up to 3 times the leads that we would have achieved with native or traditional advertising. Smart marketers don't put all their eggs in one basket. They diversify their efforts to get the best results. So we do not advise abandoning traditional marketing completely (because it can generate quick sales), but paying more attention to creating premium content.

5. It is a new source of income

Image: Austin Distel via Unsplash

If we manage to bring to life a successful podcast that has thousands or millions of listeners, it can be monetized and used to generate income. How? There are many ways both directly and indirectly.

Directly, through sponsors who pay a fee to appear in the program, inserting advertising spots like the ones we hear in traditional radio programs, by revenue share from platforms such as Anchor , Spreaker or Ivoox , affiliate marketing, among others.

Indirectly, the podcast is not monetized by itself, but thanks to it, visibility increases, positioning as an opinion leader, a community is born and the income does not come because they pay for the podcast, but for other products that the brand offers as an expert. in a certain area.

In conclusion, over time, not only can it help us position ourselves in Google searches, but it can also be used in conjunction with other tools such as the website and social networks so that potential clients arrive more easily. If you dare to take advantage of the benefits of the podcast for business, you will be able to publicize your idea or business. build trust among potential customers, find a new way to earn income and bet on a format with a future without the need to invest large amounts of money.

Copyright 2021 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
The history of theater dates back to Greece, circa 429 B.C. when early playwrights like Sophocles penned detailed, dramatic Greek tragedies.

The newly opened Legacy Theatre of Stony Creek, Branford is offering audiences a unique opportunity to be carried dramatically to a land far away and long ago, for a rare performance of Oedipus Rex, a timeless classic. Ian Johnston has provided the translation.

Oedipus, masterfully captured by Mitchel Kawash, is King of Thebes, a country burdened by a plague, not unlike the pandemic that threatens our world today. Anxious to end the illness, he learns that finding the murderer of King Laius is the mystery he must solve. Oedipus accuses Creon (Tom Schwans) of the crime, but Creon vigorously denies the deed. Upon further investigation, Oedipus comes to a disturbing truth, that he himself may be the real culprit. Years before events took place, of which he had no knowledge, Oracles had predicted that Oedipus would one day kill his father and marry his mother  with horrible consequences he could not even fathom.

Since those revelations, Oedipus has wandered the earth, fleeing far from his place of birth to ensure that those events could never be realized. Suddenly, he must fact the truth that they have, in fact, occurred and he is guilty of both. His wife, Jocasta (Mariah Sage) may, indeed, be his mother and he must accept the fact that he is adopted and King Laius is his real father.

Fate and fatal flaws figure prominently in the plot. Director Keeley Baisden Knudsen keeps the drama intense with an involving set and intriguing lighting by Jamie Burnett, projections designed by Lauren Salatto-Rosenay, costumes by Katya Vetrov assisted by Callie Liberatore, and sound by Adam Jackson. Others in the cast include Michael Sayers, Tyrell Latouche, and chorus members Jessica Breda, Emmett Cassidy, F. Liam Devlin, Barbara Hentschel and Michael Steinman.

Of the 120 plays written by Sophocles, only seven remain and Oedipus Rex is considered his finest, the most powerful and purest example of tragic Greek drama.

The play continues through Aug. 22, with performances Thursday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m.., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. For tickets ($45-75) call 203-315-1901 or online at LegacyTheatreCT.org. The theatre is located at 128 Thimble Island Road, Branford, exit 56 off 1-95.
Charles Brown via DEEP / Contributed

After over 100 years, the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection says the black-and-gold bumblebee has been recorded in Connecticut again.

The agency said three of these bees were seen in three different parts of the state so far this year. Most recently, one was spotted at Belding Wildlife Management Area in Berlin on July 16.
CT State Police / Contributed

HARTFORD  A pedestrian was pronounced dead at the hospital late Tuesday after being hit by a vehicle heading eastbound on Interstate 84, according to Connecticut State Police.

The state police report said the woman  identified Wednesday as Melissa M. Doyle, 33, of Manchester  was hit on I-84 eastbound near Exit 48 A/B at 11:55 p.m.
Milton, PA (17847)

Today

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable.
(From left to right) Bobby Rush, Kayla Gilmore, Heather Mathews, and Jamie Mathews are the cast and crew behind The Learning Train.
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The Competition Council is analyzing the transaction through which Banca Transilvania intends to takeover Idea Bank, and, indirectly, Idea Investment, Idea Leasing IFN and Idea Insurance Broker.

According to a press release sent by the institution to AGERPRES on Wednesday, Banca Transilvania is the main company of the Banca Transilvania Financial Group which supplies a large array of financial services in Romania, such as: banking services, investment services, services for managing portfolios and leasing.

Idea Bank, Idea Investment, Idea Leasing IFN and Idea Insurance Broker are part of the Idea Group in Romania, Agerpres informs.

Idea Bank offers banking-financial services, Idea Investment offers financial consulting services for companies within the Idea Group, while the Idea Leasing IFN provides with financial leasing services and loans for legal entities. Idea Insurance Broker is the intermediary for insurance products.

In accordance with the provisions of the Competition Law (21/1996), this operation needs to be authorized by the Competition Council. As such, the competition authority will evaluate the transaction in order to establish compatibility with a competition environment and will issue a decision in the legal timeframe.
Romania will sell Ireland 700,000 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccine, Secretary of State with the Health Ministry Andrei Baciu told AGERPRES on Wednesday, adding that the respective amount of vaccines is not necessary for the domestic vaccine rollout.

"Romania has concluded an agreement in principle for the sale of COVID-19 vaccine to Ireland. Subject to this agreement are 700,000 doses of Pfizer BioNTech vaccine, with the very important mention that this amount is not necessary at this time for Romania's vaccination campaign. Romania is well stocked for both the continuation of the vaccination campaign and the potential administration of a third dose, should such a decision be made," Baciu said.

He said the vaccine reselling price is the same as the purchase price, Agerpres informs.

"Regarding the price, things are very clear. The contracts made by the European Commission, Romania's contract included, clearly state: reselling vaccine for profit is forbidden, regardless of the type of vaccine or the manufacturer. The price is the same as the one we bought the vaccine for. It would actually be inhuman, immoral and unethical to make profit by reselling vaccines in times when they are so highly needed," Baciu said.

The Health official reminded that the vaccine must be used before the expiration date.

"We now see scientific studies providing proof that this shelf life can be extended based on very robust evidence. (...) As Romania's need for COVID-19 vaccine is currently in a decline, we have practically a surplus; we knew from the beginning that we will reach this point where we either donate or resell. It is vital that all the doses in excess can be used," the Secretary of State said.

According to him, talks are underway with several states for the resale of vaccine doses.

"We are talking now about these steps with Ireland, and probably some more approaches will be completed in the next period. ... In the next days we'll probably see other announcements, as the agreements are finalized and we promptly make them public," Andrei Baciu said.
Romania's Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu on Tuesday had a telephone conversation with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, regarding the attack on the ship Mercer Street, a conversation initiated by Aurescu in continuation of the political and diplomatic steps undertaken by Romania so far, agerpres reports.

Aurescu "reiterated the gravity of the incident and a deliberate nature of the attack, which Romania and other international partners blames on Iran based on available information," according to a press statement released by Romania's Foreign Ministry (MAE).

The head of the Romanian diplomacy also reiterated the firm condemnation of the attack against a civilian target, as well as the impact of this incident on the freedom of navigation in the region, in accordance with the international law. He presented the assessment of the Romanian side on its political and security implications.Aurescu "pleaded for strengthened solidarity on the part of the European Union and for the public condemnation of this incident by the world community." At the same time, MAE "informed about the diplomatic steps taken after the incident and specified that Romania will continue bilateral coordination together with its strategic partners, as well as steps at multilateral level, to identify the most appropriate response measures. In this case, it will keep the European senior official up to date on these developments."In his turn, Josep Borrell extended his condolences over the death of the Romanian citizen and highlighted the gravity of this attack, assuring that the European Union "stands in solidarity with Romania as a member of the European Union affected by the incident, closely and actively following the developments in this case."The European Union and NATO on Tuesday condemned last Thursday's attack on the Arabian oil tanker Mercer Street, which the United States, Israel and the United Kingdom attributed to Iran, but called on the European Commission to avoid any action detrimental to peace and stability in the region, according to the AFP news agency.The Japanese-owned oil tanker Mercer Street operated under the Liberian flag by the Zodiac Maritime company, which belongs to the Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer, was the target of an attack on Thursday while sailing without cargo in the Arabian Sea, off the coast of Oman. A Romanian member of the ship's crew and a British employee of the Ambrey security company were killed.The US on Monday promised a "collective response" along with its allies against Iran after the attack, which according to Israel, the United States and the United Kingdom was carried out with a drone, arguing that Iran is behind it, which Iran denies.
Registration to the SIMFEST International Film and Television Festival taking place in Targu Mures between September 13 - 19 has closed, with 403 audiovisual productions from 56 countries across all continents entered in the competition, the organizers of the festival announced.

"The 18th edition comes with a lot of novelties. First of all, SIMFEST remains the only television festival in Romania (and one of the few of this kind in Europe), but due to the many requests from the country and abroad "it has expanded its scope to everything audiovisual creation. As a result, its new title is the SIMFEST International Film and Television Festival," the organizers said in a release.

Journalism and audiovisual organisations will join the SIMFEST edition this year, Agerpres informs.

"The Union of Romania's Film and Audiovisual Professionals UPFAR-ARGOA offers the Grand Prize of the festival worth 3,500 euros. The European Journalism Prize, worth 2,500 lei, is offered by the Association of Romania's Independent Journalists AZIR, the national branch of the Association of European Journalists. Also contributing prizes in objects (books and music CDs) are the publishing house Tritonic Books and the online bookstore company LIBRIS.ro. The Union of Romania's Professional Journalists UZPR is a partner in organizing a debate titled: 'Is the press still the fourth estate?' The Society of Romanian Audiovisual Authors DACIN-SARA supports the promotion of the Romanian film," the release states.

A "Romanian Film Week" will be organized under the festival's banner, where five Romanian films awarded at festivals will be screened..

"The filmmakers from OWH Studio Chisinau propose a special emotion-filled moment: we will commemorate together the tragic beginning, 80 years ago, of the Stalinist deportations to Siberia of the Bessarabian Romanians, through the public screening of the documentary 'Siberia in the Bones' directed by Leontina Vatamanu. The most important moments will be broadcast live via online streaming," the SIMFEST organisers said.

The organizer of the festival is the SIMFEST Cultural Association, and the producer is ASTRA DELL ARTE Bucharest.
Prime Minister Florin Citu asks of ministers "responsibility and performance", emphasizing that he does not accept requests for the additional allotment, in the budget rectification, of 40 billion RON, given that the budgetary execution shows that 20 billion RON remained unspent.

"I demand responsibility and performance from ministers. I do not accept requests for the additional allotment, in the budget rectification, of 40 billion RON, as the execution, at 6 months, shows that 20 billion RON remained unspent. Romanians must know that, in my mandate, we will not mock their money," wrote Florin Citu, on Wednesday, in a post on his Facebook pag, Agerpres informs..
Romania wants to expand its forested area, said President Klaus Iohannis on Wednesday, on the occasion of a visit he paid to the Comana Natural Park.

Asked about a European initiative through which forests should be protected, an initiative that Romania initially did not support, the president said that "there are some unanswered technical issues."

"There are some unanswered technical issues, but Romania wants to expand its forested area and its working in this direction. (...) I participated, you know that, since you were there with me, in reforestation and afforestation actions, and I won't give up these ideas. Romania needs to expand its forest area and to make the exploitation of forests much more ecological, in order to reach the 21st century with this issue as well. If we are talking about reducing emissions, especially reducing carbon dioxide and absorbing it, then we understand very well why forests are needed," he said, Agerpres informs.

He reminded that the forest not only has the capacity to create a very good microclimate, to protect species, but it has the capacity to absorb carbon dioxide and added that such areas are needed, very large ones, if we want to reach a climate neutrality by 2050.

"These things need to be taken very seriously and these issues are not related to any scientific or political ambitions of Brussels, they are related to our lives. We want to have a healthy, pleasant, good environment for the future generations. We cannot consume all our resources and leave behind an overheated land, without forests, without fertile agricultural land, all these things are connected and we need a lot of involvement, a lot of pro-nature, pro-environment policy (...) So we have a lot, a lot of work to do, and we have now this special opportunity of the funds from the National Recovery and Resilience Project, a large part of which is designed for such measures that we generically call green," said Klaus Iohannis
President Klaus Iohannis visited the Comana Natural Park on Wednesday, underscoring the importance of actions to combat climate change, as well as the need to protect the environment.

"We need to be aware of the utmost importance of actions to combat climate change, and at the same time we have to protect the environment. An area like this, which is very close to Bucharest, has almost the same value to Bucharest residents as a local park (...) It is very easy to get here, a very beautiful, very pleasant area and (...) the people of Bucharest come here in large numbers, that is why we need to be aware of the importance of these places for the leisure sector as well," said Iohannis.

He added that his visit was designed to draw attention to the importance of protected natural areas, Agerpres informs.

"Through my visit here today, I want to draw attention to the importance of these protected natural areas. We have several such areas in Romania and they obviously have a special importance to the environment (...), but at the same time, they are extremely important when considering good measures to combat climate change. You see, this is a very hot day, but the forest keeps the temperature a little lower. Likewise, when there are storms, heavy rainfalls, forested areas retain water, and I think there is no one who can deny climate change. We had this spring and this summer, unfortunately, a lot of extraordinary weather phenomena, we had hot days, much more than ever, there were storms, torrential pouring. You know that in the last weeks we had serious floods in several areas of the country," Iohannis said.

He congratulated the local administrations on their plans to expand the area. "You've got a ten from me," Iohannis said.

Chair of the Giurgiu County Council Dumitru Beianu unveiled to Iohannis some development projects for the area.

He pointed out that the projects aim at the ecological reconstruction of the Comana pond by raising the elevation of the dam, creating a bicycle lane from Bucharest through the Comana Park, a defence dam to Giurgiu, some trails through the park for the thistle and peony reserves, a parking and event area and a social and cultural centre inside the Comana Monastery.

Iohannis and local officials toured the Comana Natural Park by boat.
Bucharest, Aug 4 /Agerpres/ - Senate Chair Anca Dragu is campaigning for an "Accessibility Code", an integrated set of laws that would provide tools for the application of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

"The drama facing the persons with disabilities, their struggle to lead a normal life, their need to be understood and helped all this is hard to realise and put into words. Society feels three decades of ignorance for this category of people, and their independence must be a national goal. Hearing-impaired children are still learning from textbooks created before the Revolution. It is a harsh example, but relevant to the reality of the special education system, and the list can go on," Dragu wrote on Facebook on Wednesday.

She emphasised the need to develop an "Accessibility Code" dedicated to the integration of people with disabilities.

"Romania needs the Accessibility Code, an integrated set of laws that will provide tools for implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. I am pleased to join the initiative to set up a working group in Parliament to build the code. The integration of people with society is a natural process and so it must be for people with special needs," Dragu said.
The chairman of the General Association of Teachers of Romania (AGIRo), Viorel Dolha, said, on Wednesday, during the International Congress of Romanian Teachers at home and abroad which is taking place in northwestern Oradea, that "without much, much, much higher pay" of teachers we cannot have an educated Romania.

"We would all want an educated Romania. To have much better teachers. We all want better professors. Without them however having much, much, much higher pay, it's all for nothing. To be direct. The children today are not fighting to become teachers because they know the salaries of their teachers. Only if there will be much better salaries than now, the top spots on the school desks will be thinking about becoming teachers. Because you can't have good teachers unless from star students. So without the quality of teachers and without higher wages it's not possible," said, for AGERPRES, Viorel Dolha.

"Together with us are several colleagues from Serbia, Ukraine meaning the Odessa Region as well, Cernauti and Transcarpathia, from the Republic of Moldova where AGIRo Moldova is functioning, from Hungary. They came to share with honesty. Sure they are not happy, because things are not good, they're not flourishing. Besides the issues that are in all the countries, they have the issue of keeping their Romanian mother tongue," said Dolha, Agerpres informs.

In the Republic of Moldova, states the AGIRo chair, there is need for synchronization, meaning there is need for the Education Ministry to work on curricula, as well as on manuals, so that they speak "a single language".

In Hungary, there are few Romanians, around seven villages, but the Hungarian state ensures their rights.

"The model of Hungary should be requested to Serbia as well. Or better the model of Romania which treats minorities excellently. We should ask of Ukraine, Serbia, Bulgaria to have the same standards that Romania has," Viorel Dolha also said.

Nearly 300 teachers, of the 450 present at the congress, participated on Wednesday, in the Hall of the Queen Mary Theater in Oradea, respecting social distancing and health restrictions, in the plenary session of the international congress, organized by the Association of Bihor County Teachers. Practically, it is the 43rd Congress of the General Association of Teachers of Romania and will last until August 6.

During the conference an exhibition is to be organized as well, titled "Arc over time", which will comprise documents from the period of the first congress of teachers hosted also in Oradea, in 1937.
Although The Sound of Music is based on the true story of the musical Trapp Family, who fled Austria rather than submit to Hitlers rule, theres no denying that it plays more as a fairy tale than as a historical account. Accordingly, Kunkel imbues the production with a sunny romanticism while hinting at the menace emerging from the shadows.

Particularly impressive are the small touches, such as a floppy hat that signals Marias lack of pretension, and costume changes achieved with quicksilver efficiency.

Rockwell brings verve and nuance to Maria, capturing the characters blend of warmth, wit and insecurity. Hayden is outstanding as the gruff but morally unshakable Von Trapp. The children are spiritedly played by Elizabeth Teeter, Victor de Paula Rocha, Amelie Lock, Parker Dzuba, Jillian Depke, Abby Hogan and Kate Scarlett Kappel.

Powers and Scherer set a new standard for jaded sophistication. And as the Mother Abbess, Bryonha Marie Parham delivers Climb Evry Mountain, a song that rivals The Impossible Dream for overfamiliarity, with such grandeur and grace that it sounds brand new.

Scenic designer Paige Hathaway, lighting designer Shelby Loera and costume designer Tristan Raines lend the show a captivating storybook ambiance that takes on particular poignancy in its final moment.
DC Comics was so enamored of Gunns success, he says, that the company let him make a film of any of its comic-book properties that he liked. DC offered him Superman, but he didnt want to make Superman. When he was offered The Suicide Squad, he asked what he would have to keep from the first movie.

Nothing, DC said, so he started to think about it, along with two other projects.

I really wanted it to come from a creative place, he says.

I spent about a month playing with different forms. I started writing what became the plot of this movie, and it started to sing. It started to become its own thing. I was very excited about the story of it, and thats what made me want to do it.

As Gunn sees it, the movie is a war-caper film, like The Dirty Dozen, Where Eagles Dare or Kellys Heroes  movies, often with a lighthearted touch, in which a group of tough soldiers go on a dangerous mission.

The Suicide Squad, though, is set in the world of comic books.
To introduce viewers to sounds they may not have heard, he reached out to Juan de Marcos Gonzalez, a celebrated Latin musician who agreed to play Andres.

Growing up in Cuba, Gonzalez was steeped in the sounds that permeated the country. As his music career progressed, he created the first Afro-Cuban band and played songs that inspired classic rock musicians. Vivo, he says, captures them beautifully.

Its a privilege to be in this film, Gonzalez says. I hope it is going to send a message of love for everyone.

Although Vivo was originally slated to be a DreamWorks Animation film, it was shelved, then revived in 2016 by Sony Pictures Animation. Director Kirk DeMicco came in and added his own spin. Vivo and Andres had already been developed, but there wasnt a Gabi to help propel the story. DeMicco and Hudes fleshed out the character; during production, Miranda came up with a theme song for her, a hip-hop anthem.

Gabis song  My Own Drum  was born between the off times of Vivo voice recording sessions, Hudes says. Miranda was sitting on the floor of one of the control rooms, and he said, On drum. Ho hum. He was like, I think Ive got something, guys. And Gabis song was born.
But insurers could try to do more, like penalizing the unvaccinated. And there is precedent. Already, some policies wont cover treatment necessitated by what insurance companies deem risky behavior, such as scuba diving and rock climbing.

The Affordable Care Act allows insurers to charge smokers up to 50% more than what nonsmokers pay for some health plans. Four-fifths of states follow that protocol, though most employer-based plans do not do so. In 49 states, people caught driving without auto insurance face fines, confiscation of their car, loss of their license and even jail. And reckless drivers pay more for insurance.

The logic behind the policies is that the offenders behavior can hurt others and costs society a lot of money. If a person decides not to get vaccinated and contracts a bad case of COVID, they are not only exposing others in their workplace or neighborhoods; the tens or hundreds of thousands spent on their care could mean higher premiums for others as well in their insurance plans next year. Whats more, outbreaks in low-vaccination regions could help breed more vaccine-resistant variants that affect everyone.

Yes, we often cover people whose habits may have contributed to their illness  insurance regularly pays for drug and alcohol rehab and cancer treatment for smokers.
Haq is also concerned the delta variant is not only highly contagious but could cause more severe disease.

This time around Im seeing more COVID pneumonia in younger children (previously was seeing COVID pneumonia mainly in tweens and up), now seeing in neonates to preschoolers, Haq wrote.

Strand said she is seeing kids admitted with COVID who are otherwise healthy.

We are not seeing that they have other comorbidities that make them more at risk, these are kids who just happen to have COVID, and it happens to be of a degree that they need hospital-level support, she said.

Theres no predictive model for who is going to be hospitalized and who is going to be able to go home.

She said its too early to tell for certain if the delta variant is making kids more sick. While she is seeing more children being admitted, that may be because more kids are getting infected, she said. Most children coming to the emergency department end up having mild enough symptoms to recover at home.

But she expects that could likely change based on what other regional hospitals are experiencing.
Police later found the Charger abandoned in St. Louis, and authorities were searching for the driver.

Pierce had been with the force about nine months. He formerly worked for about two years with the police department in Spillertown, Illinois, near Carbondale, in addition to his work with the Makanda fire agency.

Pierce wasnt conscious or breathing when help first arrived. What appeared to be a body covered by a sheet remained on the bridge, in a westbound lane, hours later. The Madison County coroner arrived before 9 a.m. and the body was taken away by an ambulance.

After Pierce died, investigators on the bridge fired shots at another car whose driver crashed through a roadblock on the bridge. Illinois State Police, the Madison County sheriffs office and Brooklyn police were investigating Pierces death about 3:50 a.m. when a gray Kia Optima sped through the roadblock, State Police said. The Kia hit police cars and nearly struck officers, authorities said.

Madison County sheriffs deputies and Brooklyn officers fired shots at the car and struck the driver. The Kia then crashed into two State Police vehicles.

The Kias driver was shot and suffered injuries not believed to be life-threatening, police said. The driver and three passengers were arrested.
JEFFERSON CITY  Anti-abortion activists returned to the Missouri Capitol Wednesday to continue their push to defund Planned Parenthood, which operates the lone abortion clinic in the state.

In testimony before a Senate panel probing how to strip government funding from Planned Parenthood and its St. Louis clinic, abortion opponents again railed against the procedure and the use of public money by the organization.

We do not want our tax dollars to pay for abortion services, said Susan Klein, executive director of Missouri Right to Life. Were looking to you to defund Planned Parenthood.

Anti-abortion activist Bonnie Lee, a retired registered nurse, said she doesnt want any taxpayer funding going to any facility that is associated with the killing of unborn babies.

By contrast, Linda Raclin, a former law professor at St. Louis University and Washington University, said Missouri doesnt have the authority to defund Planned Parenthood.

No courts have ever determined that this is something that a state may do, Raclin said.
WASHINGTON  Roughly two decades before she was elected to Congress, Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri lived in a Ford Explorer with her then-husband and two young children after the family had been evicted from their rental home.

So for Bush, a first-term Democrat from St. Louis, the debate over whether to revive the moratorium on evictions during the pandemic is deeply personal. To dramatize her point, she started to sleep outside the U.S. Capitol last Friday to call attention to the issue as part of the effort to pressure President Joe Biden and Congress to act.

On Tuesday, she won. After coming under intense pressure, the Biden administration issued a new eviction moratorium that will last until Oct. 3, temporarily halting evictions in counties with substantial and high levels of virus transmissions, which covers areas where 90% of the U.S. population lives.

Bushs experience sets her apart from the more conventional partisan sniping and grandstanding in the capital because of her direct connection to an urgent problem affecting millions of Americans.

I know what its like to be evicted and have to live out of my car with my two babies, Bush said in an interview Saturday. As long as I am a sitting U.S. congressperson, I will not keep my mouth shut about it.
ST. LOUIS  Plans for a hearing Wednesday on the citys decision to reopen the Medium Security Institution, the jail known as the workhouse, have gone by the wayside despite an aldermans earlier plans for one.

Alderman Joe Vaccaro, chairman of the public safety committee of the Board of Aldermen, said Tuesday he couldnt hold a hearing because jail officials refused to show up this week.

They said they could give me two hours on the 28th or 29th of August, he said. To give me a date a month out, its unacceptable.

Vaccaro said he had hoped to get some answers on the administrations plans for the jail, which reopened Saturday despite Mayor Tishaura O. Jones closing it in May, citing unsanitary and inhumane conditions. The transfer of 140 detainees from the downtown City Justice Center to the workhouse came after repeated security incidents. Officials did not offer a timeline for another workhouse closing in a news conference on Sunday.

Mayoral spokesman Nick Dunne said interim Public Safety Director Daniel Isom, who oversees city jailers, could not attend Vaccaros hearing because an internal meeting on jail matters conflicts. Dunne said Isom has offered to attend a public hearing Aug. 19 instead.
In the end, only 10 of 180 workers quit, and McNeil said Canterburys nursing home, independent living and assisted living facilities have reported no new COVID-19 cases since February.

It was a gamble that paid off for us, McNeil said. I thought more people would have mandated it by now.

At Jewish Home Family in Rockleigh, New Jersey, only five of 527 workers at its nursing home and assisted-living facilities quit. Westminster Village in Bloomington, Illinois, lost only two out of 250.

Its important to educate, but at some point we have to end this pandemic, said Scott Crabtree, CEO of Lambeth House in New Orleans, which lost only 10 of 200 workers after it started requiring shots when they became available last year. When do we say, Enough is enough?

More than 130,000 nursing home residents in the U.S. have died from COVID-19, making such institutions by far the deadliest place to be during the pandemic. About 80% of residents have been vaccinated, double the rate for staff, according to the government.

Some workers have rejected the vaccine because they think it was rushed into development and is unsafe, or they feel protected because they already got COVID-19.
BROOKLYN, Ill. (AP)  An Illinois police officer died early Wednesday while trying to stop a car fleeing police into Missouri, authorities said.

The officer from Brooklyn was struck around 3 a.m. on the McKinley Bridge, which connects the two states. He was setting up stop sticks, which flatten tires, when he was struck by a red Dodge Charger, according to Illinois State Police.

The officer was identified as Brian Pierce, who was new to the department and in his 20s, Brooklyn Police Captain Antonio White told KMOV-TV.

Officer Pierce was a very fine young man. Very energetic," White told the station. When he came to work, he put a smile on your face. Hes an officer that youd love to have on your team, your unit, hes there all the time. If he was off work hed show up, he just loved doing his job and this is what he loved to do as a police officer.

Police didnt offer details on what prompted the police chase, which began at a Brooklyn nightclub where officers were working to obtain video.

Brooklyn is a community of about 450 people roughly six miles from St. Louis.
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Israel recently confirmed that it had used swarms of military-grade quadcopters equipped with encrypted communications and a guidance system that enables a swarm (dozens or more quadcopters) to be controlled by one human operator. This allows one person to easily direct the swarm to move to a large area and use night-vision vidcams to scrutinize a large area for certain types of activity.

Gaza was an ideal place to use a quadcopter swarm because it is small; 41 kilometers long and for most of that length it is about ten kilometers wide. The largest urban area (Gaza City) is in the north and contains nearly a third of the Gaza population. There are plenty of back yards and alleys to conceal launching sites for rockets stored underground next to or under launch sites.

During the 2014 war with Hamas in Gaza the fighting lasted 50 days because Israel had no way to find all the rocket launch sites without sending in ground troops. That was done and it took time and meant more Israeli casualties. That led to development of aerial surveillance systems that could quickly detect these launch sites and quickly direct artillery, missile or guided bombs to destroy the target.

Israel has not provided a lot of details on what quadcopter was used or details of the software that controls the swarms. However, there are the usual suspects. Israel and several other nations have been working, since the 1980s, on how to make swarm tech work. There is plenty of open-source data on the progress of these efforts. For example, several nations have working swarm software, but none of them have used it in combat yet. Now Israel has, which is normal in this part of the world because in this part of the world the welcoming committee comes heavily armed with hostility and patience. After 70 years of failed attacks there arent many enemies left, mainly Islamic terrorists, Iran and corrupt Palestinian leaders obsessed with staying in power by trying to destroy Israel.

Swarm software has benefitted by major advances in collision avoidance for aerial vehicles of all sizes, including quad-copters. Most quad-copters have collision avoidance software which millions of users know works quite well. Swarm software is still largely for military use although commercial developers are creating versions for civilian use. Encrypted communications between aircraft and people on the ground have been around for years.

Swarms of quadcopters self-navigating (like a flock of birds or school of fish) swarms has not only become a real possibility but Israeli showed off their success in this area during the 2018 Independence Day celebration when there was a spectacular light show put on using hundreds of quadcopters operating in unison (a swarm) over Jerusalem. This was impressive and military experts viewing it realized that this could revolutionize aerial surveillance of large areas.

Israel also had a special operations unit, the Ghost Company, quietly testing the use of quadcopter swarms in combat situations. This was kept secret since these swarms can be defeated or their usefulness reduced if an enemy knows they exist. Israel has long had special military equipment development and test units that got new tech to test. This stuff usually involves new electronics and guidance systems for weapons. Special test units got the new gear ready for combat and kept it all secret until, and often after, the new equipment was used. Israel went public with some details of their swarm capability because a lot of experts in the field had figured out it existed and that the Thor military grade UAV was probably a major part of it.

Israel did not reveal the model of quadcopter used but it was probably the Elbit Thor, which is a military-grade quadcopter introduced in 2017. Thor is more rugged than comparable commercial models and has secure (difficult to jam or eavesdrop on) communications. Thor has an endurance of 75 minutes and operates as high as 650 meters (2,000 feet). The comm-link is capable of operating in built-up areas where normal line-of-sight communications do less well. Operational range is ten kilometers and cruise (economical) speed 40 kilometers an hour while top speed (which drains the battery faster) is 65 kilometers an hour. Payload is three kg (6.6 pounds) and standard equipment is a day/night high resolution vidcam. Thor costs over $50,000 each depending on accessories. The Israel military had at least a few hundred Thors at the time of the May 2021 war with Hamas in Gaza. That conflict was over in ten days largely because rocket launching and storage sites were detected and fired on much more quickly than ever before. This was made possible with the use of quadcopter swarms being sent to urban areas at night, where they could scrutinize a neighborhood where older surveillance methods had detected lots of rockets being launched but not the exact location of these targets. Exact location was important because Hamas, and most Islamic terrorists, deliberately places launch sites and their nearby underground rocket storage facilities in residential areas. To minimize civilian casualties, you have to use a weapon with precision guidance, which Israel has a lot of, that can hit launch sites and destroy underground rocket storage as well. The Thor swarms were able to do this. Because of the short (70 minutes) flight time of the Thor UAV smaller swarms of a few dozen quadcopters were used in shifts to provide long enough surveillance to detect where the rockets were coming out of the underground bunkers and being set up for firing.

Thor is very quiet and at night virtually undetectable without special sensors. The quadcopters in the swarm avoided collisions, even when it was windy, by constantly communicating with each other to coordinate safe swarm movement and location of each quadcopter in it. Each Thor was also equipped with a return to launch site feature if communications was lost with the swarm operator, for any reason. This could be electronic jamming or just equipment problems on the quadcopter. Thor has automatic takeoff and landing software, as do many commercial quadcopters. The difference is that Thor can do so as a swarm where one human operator tells the swarm where to go and look and for how long. Israel had earlier announced a new fire control system that can quickly accept target data from many sources and immediately determine which system (ground or airborne) is capable of and available to fire on the target. The fire control system can also assign target priorities and thats what swarm targets got, meaning launch sites and storage bunkers were found and destroyed with a rapidity Hamas was not prepared for. Israel had a decade of experience using software that can analyze digital video and identify what is there.

After a few days they knew they were defeated and after a week were pleading with Egypt to find out what Israeli ceasefire terms were out and quickly broker a halt to the Israeli attacks. The Egyptians, without knowing about the swarm tech, had warned Hamas not to attack Israel again and used that to get Hamas to agree to whatever terms Israel offered.

Israel admitted that it is adapting this system for use against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Currently many of the Hezbollah underground storage sites and above ground rocket launch sites are built within ten kilometers of the Israeli border. At the very least, moving all those bunkers farther from the border will be expensive, more expensive than Hezbollah can afford right now because the revived, in 2017, American economic sanctions on Iran translated into a 50 percent cut in the money Iran sent to pay its thousands of armed members and build new facilities.

It's not enough to have new tech, you have to be able to continually update it in wartime because the enemy, in this case Iran, is able to quickly develop countermeasures. Doing so has become a matter of life and death for the religious dictatorship that has misruled Iran since the 1980s. The average Iranian is fed up with their religious dictatorship and increasingly pro-Israel. The Iranian government has suffered a long string of defeats because of superior Israeli tech and tactics and getting a few wins is a matter of survival for the Iranian rulers.
The prime minister openly acknowledged the important role J5M (June 5Movement) has played in obtaining government reforms. J5M has recently dropped its boycott and now supports the CNT (National Transitional Council). This is a contentious issue with some foreign donors because the populist J5M organized and sustained months of demonstrations in the capital to make the August 2020 coup possible and force a corrupt president out. J5M initially criticized the composition of the 121 member CNT because of the 22 army officers on it, in addition to some shady civilians. Most of the CNT members are less suspect and do represent a wide spectrum of groups. Nevertheless, in 2020 J5M declared a boycott against the CNT and refused to cooperate with it. J5M represents civilians who seek a less corrupt and more effective government and do not see a military dictatorship making a difference.

There is one problem; the main leader of J5M is Moslem cleric Mahmoud Dicko. He has been the de-facto spokesman for J5M and managed to maintain that position. Dicko is a popular senior imam (Moslem cleric) who studied Islam in Saudi Arabia and came to be chairman of Malis High Islamic Council. Despite (or because of) his education in Saudi religious schools, which stress the need for Islamic law, Dicko openly backs a secular government, but one run by honest, or a lot more honest than now, politicians and officials.

Dicko recently visited Saudi Arabia where he discussed the Saudi desire to provide financial and other aid to promote Islamic education in Mali. That means promotion of the very conservative Wahhabi interpretation of Islam that dominates Saudi Arabia. After the Saudi visit Dicko pledged to support the Mali military officers who were behind the latest coup.

Imams like Dicko are one reason Islamic terrorist beliefs have not spread to the majority of Malians, most (95 percent) of them Moslem. Many foreign students in Saudi religious schools note that for all its piety Saudi Arabia is very corrupt as are most other Arab oil states. There were some exceptions but, without all that oil wealth, many Arab governments would be undergoing the same political pain Mali is suffering.

Many Mali politicians and economic leaders dont trust Dicko, feeling that he must be in touch with Islamic terror group leaders and is really willing to try a religious government. Dicko has never expressed support for that, and more Malians believe him rather than less popular and trusted politicians and other prominent Malians. Imams like Dicko put themselves in danger by taking the initiative to negotiate some matters with Islamic terrorists, like getting hostages released or temporary agreements that would halt attacks on innocent Moslems. Islamic terrorists justify the deaths of these civilians by designation them as involuntary martyrs', something that does not earn support from local Moslem civilians.

Imams like Dicko are often seen as traitors to Islam and marked for death. Its not only difficult to deal with Islamic terror groups, but for imams it is often fatal. At the same time foreign aid supporters, whether they are infidels or Moslems, are uneasy about dealing with Islamic clerics like Dicko, even though some nations have developed ways to do it effectively. Israel is one example, and the Israeli approach is similar in some ways to what the Saudis have developed. The methods used by the Israelis and Saudis are not solutions but effective adaptations for dealing with troublesome Islamic clergy. This adaptation is no magic bullet and requires a deep knowledge of local customs and building personal relationships with the families or clans that produce a lot of imams. There is no one, local or foreign, in Mali who can effectively deal with clerics like Dicko. This is a common problem in most nations that are Moslem majority or have large Moslem minorities. The main problem with the new coup group is what they want beyond elusive clean and efficient elected officials to run the government. Since the second coup on May 24th there have been doubts about meeting the election deadlines, but with the support of Dicko and J5M there are fewer obstacles to meeting the voting schedule and replacing the CNT.

The Corruption Culture

In Mali the corruption problem extends to those who claim they are fighting corruption. Mali is currently a very vivid example of this. Mali has suffered three military coups (government takeovers) since 2012. None of these takeovers were about corruption, but rather anger at the corrupt politicians stealing money meant to finance operations against Islamic terrorist and separatist minorities in the north. That crisis was not unexpected but the intensity of the violence in the north was, by 2011, more than the army was prepared for. Mali never needed much of a military and that was reflected in how decades of corrupt rulers treated it; as another source of jobs for supporters. Many of the officers thought otherwise and argued for more realistic treatment of the military and the threats it was facing up north.

Foreign aid donors agreed with the minority of Mali officers who called for more professionalism. The most popular, in the army, officers were both professional and corrupt and thats how we got a military government that staged a coup against itself (the 2020 coup) recently (May 24th.)

The May coup was not well received by foreign aid donors. This includes France, which pays for its 5,100 counterterrorism troops who operate throughout the region. The military was not happy with foreign donor demands that they cooperate with political factions that made possible the 2020 coup. These groups and the coup leaders formed the interim (and foreign donor approved) CNT government. The foreign donors insisted that a civilian lead the CNT with one of the military coup leaders as his deputy. The army and civilian members of the CNT did not get along. The main disagreement that triggered the May coup was about efforts to negotiate with Islamic terror groups and ineffective measures to prosecute corrupt politicians.

The May coup was led by the army colonel who was appointed deputy head of the CNT, and he replaced the civilian who originally held that job. The May coup promptly replaced many CNT officials with army officers or civilians known to be pro-military. When foreign donors, including France, criticized this, the army threatened to call on Russia to replace the Western foreign aid donors and troops in Mali. While this threat made for great headlines it ignored the reality of how Russia and China operate in Africa, where these two nations are often the cause of corruption and never the cure. Russia is too broke to provide foreign aid and if you want Russian troops or military contractors you have to pay for them, preferably in advance. China is even more mercenary, demanding payment in natural resources or other assets. China is a buyer, not a peacekeeper or charity. The Mali officers threats said a lot about their motives, which was mainly about maintaining their power and helping themselves to a portion of foreign aid.

July 31, 2021: The prime minister selected by the CNT said the existing schedule for the elections would be met. This is what neighboring countries and foreign aid donors demanded.

July 28, 2021: In the northeast, the three-borders (Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso) area (south of Gao) there was another Islamic terrorist massacre across the border in Niger where 19 villagers were killed. Three days earlier a similar raid in that area left 14 villagers dead. These attacks are made to intimidate local civilians into cooperating with the Islamic terrorists by not reporting terrorist activities to the security forces and turning over food and other supplies on demand. There is less of that kind of Islamic terrorist violence in Mali and there could be more if the security forces do not respond to civilian reports of Islamic terrorist activity or threats.

July 26, 2021: In the north (near Kidal) there were two attacks on peacekeepers in the last 48 hours. Today five peacekeepers were wounded by a roadside bomb. Yesterday a peacekeeper camp was fired on with rockets or mortar shells but there were no injuries.

July 21, 2021: In the northwest (Menaka) French troops acted quickly on intel reports that two ISGS (Islamic State in Greater Sahara) officials were at a rural terrorist camp. The raiders hoped to capture the two targets but the two leaders fought to the death. The bodies were identified as the ISGS head of finance and logistics along with the chief ISGS judicial official. Many Islamic terrorist groups appoint a prominent cleric as their chief judge to justify punishments or executions of civilians or misbehaving members. The French noted that they had cooperated with the Americans who regularly carried out aerial surveillance of the area and concentrated on tracking the ISGS officials. This Franco-American cooperation has been going in Africa for two decades. In addition to sharing intel t he U.S. provides a lot of air support in the form of aerial surveillance (including large UAVs and electronic monitoring), satellite surveillance, air transport and aerial refueling. All these capabilities have been useful for the French counterterrorism efforts in Mali and adjacent countries. The Americans are especially interested in keeping track of ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) activity in Africa. There are small ISIL operations in Somalia and Egypt while most of the ISIL activity takes place further south. Since 2018 there have been two ISIL provinces in central Africa. The smaller one is ISGS, which showed up in 2018. ISGS is currently active in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. The other, slightly older and much larger, ISIL province was ISWAP, which is actually a faction of the Nigerian Boko Haram Islamic terrorists who had been around since 2004. ISWAP personnel are mostly in northeastern Nigeria as well as smaller numbers in Chad, Niger and northern Cameroon. ISWAP recently took control of most of Boko Haram in Nigeria.

July 20, 2021: In the north, near the Niger border, a French Mirage 2000 fighter bomber crashed after having taken off from its base in Niger. The French jet experienced equipment problems and the two crewmen aimed the aircraft at a remote area before ejecting. The two airmen were soon picked up by British helicopters based in the area, which also brought in troops to safeguard the wreckage so that it could be examined to determine exactly what went wrong. This was done by hunting down and killing the leader of the Boko Haram faction that opposed ISIL.

July 17, 2021: In the southwest, near the border with Guinea, armed men attacked a road construction site and kidnapped three Chinese and two Mauritanian employees of the Chinese firm that is building the road. The raiders destroyed heavy equipment and stole five pickup trucks to carry their captives and loot. largest Islamic terror group in Mali is JNIM (Jamaah Nusrah al Islam wal Muslimin, or Group for the support of Islam and Moslems) which later took credit for the attack and released videos of the captives.

July 13, 2021: In central Mali a catholic priest kidnapped on June 21st by local Islamic terrorists was released. It is unclear if a ransom was paid. The priest was taken, along with four local Catholic, as the five were driving to a funeral. At first it was believed that all five had been released on June 23rd but it was soon realized that the priest was still being held. The kidnappers originally only wanted the car, and did not want to get involved with kidnapping or murder. But once they realized one of their captives was a priest, they kept the car and the priest and let the others go. Only about two percent of the population is Roman Catholic and they tend to live in Catholic neighborhoods in cities and largely Catholic villages in rural areas. Killing or kidnapping local Catholics is usually carried out by ISIL members, but in central Mali al Qaeda affiliated Islamic terrorists are usually the culprit. Catholics, especially foreign priests, generally fetch larger ransoms than local Moslems. In this case the captive priest was a local man and that complicated matters for the kidnappers because demanding a ransom for a highly respected Malian priest could further inflame the resistance the Islamic terrorists were encountering with locals.
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- MAIA Biotechnology, Inc., a targeted therapy, immuno-oncology company focused on developing first-in-class oncology drugs, today announced that it has appointed Mihail Obrocea, M.D., as Chief Medical Officer and Head of Development, and Charlotte Tsou as an independent member of its board of directors.

Were thrilled to welcome Mihail and Charlotte to the MAIA team, who bring significant clinical development, financial and leadership expertise that will be important as we advance our cancer pipeline to patients, stated Vlad Vitoc, MD, MAIAs Chief Executive Officer and President. Mihail is a distinguished physician scientist and accomplished drug developer who has brought numerous oncology drugs to patients in need. Charlotte is an outstanding business leader who will provide a global perspective to our growth strategies. Both Mihail and Charlotte bring diverse expertise to MAIA and we are eager to benefit from their insights and guidance as we continue to build a world-class biotechnology company.

New Appointment Biographies:

Mihail Obrocea, M.D. is a hematologist/oncologist with over 20 years of experience in drug development in both academia and pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry with expertise in the development of cell therapy, cancer vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and small molecules. Dr. Obrocea has played an instrumental role in the development and commercialization of numerous drugs, including IMBRUVICA, BESPONSA, and BREYANZI. Prior to joining MAIA, he served as Project and Clinical Lead at Atara Biotherapeutics where he supported the clinical development of the Ataras allogeneic CAR-T platform. He has held multiple senior level positions over the last two decades including leading the Medical Affairs Oncology group at MedImmune, serving as VP, Clinical Development Oncology at MannKind Corp., Global Project Lead for AbbVie Biotherapeutics, Head, Medical Sciences at Pharmacyclics, VP of Clinical and Medical Affairs at SFJ Pharmaceutical Group, US Clinical Lead at Nanobiotix Corp, and clinical Program Lead at Juno Therapeutics Inc. Dr. Obroceas research has been published in major oncology peer-reviewed journals, he has co-authored books related to cancer vaccines and immunology, and holds several patents in the biotechnology field.

Dr. Obrocea received his M.D. from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania and completed an internship and residency program in Internal Medicine at Yale-New Haven affiliated hospitals in Connecticut followed by a fellowship program in hematology/oncology and later appointed as Instructor of Medicine, division of Hematology & Oncology at Mary Hitchcock Medical Center and Geisel Medical School at Dartmouth in New Hampshire.

Charlotte Tsou is a global business leader with several decades of multi-national experience holding leadership positions in the U.S., Asia, and Latin America in the Banking & Financial Service sector. Currently, Ms. Tsou is Head of Marketing Analytics and Insights, overseeing business solutions, consumer research, and experiments driven by AI at Prudential Financial. Prior to joining Prudential Financial, Charlotte spent 17 years with HSBC, held multiple leadership roles in Strategic Planning, Partnerships, Digital & CRM Transformation, and built one of the largest AI-driven Data & Analytics centers in banking.

Ms. Tsou earned a B.A (Hons). in Media Communication from NYU & Shin Hsin University and an M.A. in Integrated Marketing Communication (Specialized in Digital & Database Marketing) from Northwestern University. She is currently a Doctoral Candidate with the SBS Swiss Business School.

About MAIA Biotechnology, Inc.

MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. is a targeted therapy, immuno-oncology company focused on the development and commercialization of first-in-class drugs with novel mechanisms of action that are intended to meaningfully improve and extend the lives of people with cancer. Drug candidates include (i) THIO, a potential first-in-class cancer telomere targeting agent in clinical development for the treatment of telomerase-positive cancer cells and (ii) two compound families in pre-clinical evaluation for the treatment of prostate cancer and breast cancer using a potentially novel mode of action targeting androgen receptor (AR) and direct FKBP52 co-chaperone inhibition. For more information, please visit www.maiabiotech.com.

Forward Looking Statements

MAIA cautions that all statements, other than statements of historical facts, contained in this press release, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our or our industrys actual results, levels or activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those anticipated by such statements. The use of words such as may, might, will, should, could, expect, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, project, intend, future, potential, or continue, and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements. However, the absence of these words does not mean that statements are not forward-looking. For example, all statements we make regarding (i) the initiation, timing, cost, progress and results of our preclinical and clinical studies and our research and development programs, (ii) our ability to advance product candidates into, and successfully complete, clinical studies, (iii) the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals, (iv) our ability to develop, manufacture and commercialize our product candidates and to improve the manufacturing process, (v) the rate and degree of market acceptance of our product candidates, (vi) the size and growth potential of the markets for our product candidates and our ability to serve those markets, and (vii) our expectations regarding our ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for our product candidates, are forward looking. All forward-looking statements are based on current estimates, assumptions and expectations by our management that, although we believe to be reasonable, are inherently uncertain. Any forward-looking statement expressing an expectation or belief as to future events is expressed in good faith and believed to be reasonable at the time such forward-looking statement is made. However, these statements are not guarantees of future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors beyond our control that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it was made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. In this release, unless the context requires otherwise, MAIA, Company, we, our, and us refers to MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804006106/en/

Investor Relations, Media & General Inquiries:

Amy Conrad

ir@maiabiotech.com

Source: MAIA Biotechnology, Inc.
FILE PHOTO: A sticker reads crude oil on the side of a storage tank in the Permian Basin in Mentone, Loving County, Texas, U.S. November 22, 2019. REUTERS/Angus Mordant/File Photo

By Scott DiSavino

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Oil prices fell for a third day in a row to a two-week low on Wednesday on a surprise build in U.S. crude stockpiles, negative U.S. economic report and worries the spread of the coronavirus Delta variant will weigh on global energy demand.

Traders noted the oil price drop came despite reports of increased Mideast geopolitical tensions.

Brent futures fell $2.03, or 2.8%, to settle at $70.38 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell $2.41, or 3.4%, to settle at $68.15.

That was the lowest close for both benchmarks since July 20.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said crude stockpiles rose by an unexpected 3.6 million barrels last week, while gasoline inventories fell by a bigger-than-forecast 5.3 million barrels. [EIA/S]

"Crude prices remained heavy after the EIA crude oil inventory showed stockpiles unexpectedly rose last week," said Edward Moya, senior market analyst at OANDA, noting "the report was mixed as gasoline stockpiles fell more than expected."

With U.S. gasoline futures near their highest since October 2014, the gasoline crack spread - a measure of refining profit margins - closed at to its highest since hitting a record in April 2020 when WTI settled in negative territory.

Coronavirus cases worldwide surpassed 200 million on Wednesday, according to a Reuters tally, as the more-infectious Delta variant threatens areas with low vaccination rates and strains healthcare systems.

The United States and China, the world's two biggest oil consumers, are grappling with rapidly spreading outbreaks of the highly contagious Delta variant that analysts anticipate will limit fuel demand at a time when it traditionally rises in both countries.

The World Health Organization is calling for a halt on COVID-19 vaccine boosters until at least the end of September as the gap between vaccinations in wealthy and poor countries widens.

Also weighing on oil prices was a report from ADP showing U.S. private payrolls increased far less than expected in July.

Tensions in the Mideast Gulf, meanwhile, gave oil prices some support.

On Tuesday, three maritime security sources claimed Iranian-backed forces seized an oil product tanker off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, though Iran denied the reports.

Oman on Wednesday identified the Panama-flagged Asphalt Princess as the tanker involved in a hijacking which Britain's maritime trade agency earlier said was over.

This is the second attack on a tanker since Friday in the region, which includes the Strait of Hormuz. Britain and the United States are also blaming Iran for the earlier incident, in which drones crashed into the vessel and killed two sailors. Iran denies the reports.

(Additional reporting by Ahmad Ghaddar in London and Naveen Thukral in Singapore; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Diane Craft)
By Chibuike Oguh

(Reuters) -Apollo Global Management Inc said on Wednesday its second-quarter distributable earnings more than doubled thanks to a surge in profits from asset sales in its private equity business and transaction fees from its credit division.

The result, which beat estimates, was the first full quarter reported by Apollo with its co-founder Marc Rowan serving as chief executive officer. He replaced Leon Black, who relinquished control of the firm in March following a review of his ties to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Apollo's other co-founder, Josh Harris, announced in May that he would leave Apollo by early next year. He has now been removed as a "keyman" in Apollo's flagship private equity fund, Rowan said during an analyst earnings call. A keyman in a private equity fund is a fund manager whose absence can lead to the suspension of a fund's investment period.

Apollo's shares were down 1.2% in early afternoon trading in New York at $59.91.

New York-based Apollo's distributable earnings, which represent the cash for paying dividends to shareholders, rose to $501.6 million from $205.2 million posted a year ago.

That resulted in distributable earnings per share of $1.14, ahead of a Refinitiv consensus estimate of 71 cents.

Apollo said it invested $27.8 billion during the quarter, mostly in its credit and private equity portfolios. It also cashed out investments worth $9 billion, mainly in its holdings of public and private companies. The firm collected about $55 million in transaction fees from its credit unit, which encompasses its Athene franchise.

Rivals Blackstone Group Inc, Carlyle Group Inc and KKR & Co Inc have also reported strong second-quarter results, as buoyant public markets and a rebound in economic growth allowed private equity firms to sell investments.

Apollo said its private equity funds appreciated by 9.5% during the quarter, while its corporate credit and structured credit funds rose 2% and 4.5% respectively. By comparison, private equity funds managed by Blackstone, Carlyle and KKR grew 12%, 13.8% and 9% respectively.

Under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), Apollo reported a net income of $648.6 million, up 48% from a year ago driven by a rise in gains from investment activities.

Apollo ended the quarter with $471.8 billion in assets under management and $47.6 billion in unspent capital. It raised $12 billion in new capital and declared a quarterly dividend of 50 cents per share, unchanged from the previous quarter.

(Reporting by Chibuike Oguh in New York; Editing by Edwina Gibbs and Chris Reese)
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 4, 2021) - BMEX Gold Inc. (TSXV: BMEX) (OTCQB: MRIRF) (FSE: 8M0) ("BMEX" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the details of its exploration plans for H2 of 2021 on its King Tut Property and Dunlop Bay Property. The company is fully funded for its 2021-2022 exploration programs.

King Tut

The project is located 65 km east of Amex Exploration's Perron Property (see Figure 1). BMEX completed an inaugural 4,500-metre drill program on King Tut during the first half of the year. Nearly every hole returned anomalous gold values related to quartz-carbonates veining indicating that a hydrothermal gold-bearing system is hosted on the property. Highlight hole TUT-21-018 assayed 81.89 g/t Au over 0.45 metres and targeted the western edge of the known gold bearing structure at King Tut which left almost 2 km of strike in the property to test westward. (see press release of June 14, 2021)

Figure 1: Location Map of King Tut property.



To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5785/91980_7027124b54293938_002full.jpg

July 2021

BMEX conducted a drone magnetic survey on the property as a follow up to the drill program. Data is currently being processed; detailed magnetic maps can be expected in the next 2 weeks.

August - September 2021

Magnetic survey data processing, correlation with geological data from previous drill program and geological modelling to identify key drill targets in collaboration with Laurentia Exploration.

Complete permitting for drill program.

October - November 2021

Up to 3,000 metre drill program to commence on the identified targets.

BMEX has secured a turn-key service for the drilling program (rig, geological and technical team).

December 2021 - January 2022

Assay results from drill program expected.

Three-dimensional geological modeling based on assay results and drill program planning for 2022.

Dunlop Bay

The Property is located immediately north of the Matagami Base Metals District, 15 km north-east from Glencore's Matagami Lake Mine Plant, processing zinc, copper, silver, and gold material from the Bracemac-McLeod Mine (see Figure 2 for the location of the property).

Q4 2021

The company will review current data, conduct a drone magnetic survey and a field program, followed by data Integration and 3D geological modeling.

Upon compilation of the data, a drill program will be finalized.

Figure 2: Location of Dunlop Bay property.



To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5785/91980_7027124b54293938_003full.jpg

Corporate Update

In addition, BMEX is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert Pryde as President and as a Director of the Company.

Mr. Pryde, is a seasoned geoscientist with over 38 years of experience in both the mining and energy exploration sectors having held various positions in both the junior mining and energy sectors, exploring for gold, base metals and diamonds, as well as hydrocarbons throughout Canada and the United States. During his career he has led and supported projects through various stages of exploration, from pre-discovery to development and production.

Mr. Pryde's appointment follows the departure of Mr. Warner Uhl, the Company's former CEO and Director. The Company would like to thank Warner and wishes him every success in his future endeavours.

In connection with Mr. Pryde's appointment, he has been granted 200,000 stock options exercisable at $0.19 per share for a period of five years.

About BMEX Gold Inc.

BMEX Gold Inc. is a junior Canadian mining exploration company with the primary objective to acquire, explore, and develop viable gold and base metal projects in the mining-friendly jurisdiction of Quebec, Canada. BMEX is currently fully focused on earning 100% interest in its two projects, both located in the prolific Abitibi greenstone belt:

King Tut Project consists of 120 contiguous claims on 5,206 hectares

consists of 120 contiguous claims on 5,206 hectares Dunlop Bay Project consists of 76 mineral claims that cover 4,226 hectares

BMEX common shares trade under the symbol "BMEX" on the TSX-V and under the symbol "MRIRF" on the OTCQB and "8M0" on the Frankfurt Exchange.

For further information please contact:

BMEX Gold Inc.

Dylan Sidoo, Business Development

Tel: 1 (604) 423 4499

Email: info@bmexgold.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/91980
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An airman receives the COVID-19 vaccine at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, Jan. 29, 2021. (Tyler Greenlees/U.S. Air Force)

DAYTON, Ohio (Tribune News Service)  As of noon Wednesday, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base returned to health protection condition Bravo, representing heightened awareness of the continuing COVID pandemic.

It's a step away from health protection condition Alpha, to which the base had shifted in early June. Alpha was a step closer to the day when more workers would once again populate the state's largest single-site employer. The base was in alpha for about two months.

Most base workers have been working remotely since the spring of 2020, with base leaders gradually allowing more workers to return in the months since.

The transition to Bravo is "a function of the elevated risk caused by the Delta variant, specifically (its) high transmissibility," the base said Wednesday.

Installation Commander Col. Patrick Miller is scheduled to address the issue today at a 4:30 p.m. Facebook town hall.

The Department of Defense has protocols for public health emergencies, known as health protection conditions. Commanders review and update these conditions  sometimes called HPCONs  based on risk levels within a local community

Masks and face coverings were made mandatory indoors across the DOD late last month. Service members, federal employees and contractors, regardless of vaccination status, are expected to wear a mask while indoors on installations or other DOD- controlled facilities, the base and other installations said July 29.

Masks are not required in outdoor settings, regardless of vaccination status, for individuals who can safely maintain physical distancing. People actively working out in a gym setting, are also not required to wear a mask.

The updated DOD guidance is based on the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention community transmission classification for surrounding areas. As of late July, three of four counties surrounding the base  Miami, Greene and Montgomery  were considered "significant" in COVID transmission. Clark County was considered "moderate."

(c)2021 the Dayton Daily News (Dayton, Ohio)

Visit the Dayton Daily News (Dayton, Ohio) at www.daytondailynews.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
France's President Emmanuel Macron, meets French carmakers at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Monday, July 12, 2021. (Michel Euler/Pool via AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron has stepped up criticism of radical anti-vaccine demonstrators who oppose his push to boost vaccination across the country.

"I won't give in to their radical violence at all," Macron said in an interview with Paris Match magazine, according to excerpts made available online before the full article is published on Thursday. "Their attitude is a threat to democracy. They mix up everything."

"A few tens of thousands of people have lost their minds to such an extent that they are capable of saying we live in a dictatorship," Macron said. Anti-vaccine activists claim that government measures that make vaccination almost mandatory for those who wish to resume a normal life are oppressive.

The French president also accused some politicians whom he didn't name of being too soft on the movement.

Macron's comments come after a third consecutive weekend of demonstrations in major French cities against a government plan to impose a vaccine passport for people to access places such as restaurants and museums, as well as trains. Reporters covering the demonstrations have been physically attacked by anti-vaccine protesters, who also stormed vaccination centers, according to local media.

A poll published on Wednesday by Elabe showed only 37% of those surveyed supported the protests. Depending on the context, between 55% and 63% of people interviewed said they had no issue with presenting a health passport.

The passport, referred to as a health pass, includes data on coronavirus test results and vaccination status. The government also wants people who test positive to self-isolate, as well as mandatory vaccination for health care workers and sanctions on those who refuse to get vaccinated. Macron will end free tests in the fall for those who want to travel or attend events without getting shots.

The Elabe poll for Les Echos newspaper and Radio Classique also showed that 61% of those surveyed were in favor of compulsory vaccination, unchanged from a month ago. Two-thirds of French adults are fully vaccinated, according to government data.

Opponents of the health pass say the government measures infringe on their liberties and that vaccines haven't prevented a recent spike in infections propelled by the more contagious delta variant of the coronavirus.

France reported 26,829 new daily infections on Tuesday, about 5,000 more than the seven-day average but still far below this year's peak in early April of 84,999 cases. There were 44 daily COVID-related deaths on average over the last seven days. The jabs boom means that those vaccinated are less likely to develop serious symptoms if they're infected.
Vistors sunbathe on Barceloneta beach near the The W Hotel, operated by Marriott International Inc., in Barcelona, Spain, on June 5, 2021. (Angel Garcia/Bloomberg)

On most summer days this year, venturing down Barcelonas leafy Las Ramblas has felt surprisingly relaxed  devoid, for once, of thick tourist crowds and elbow-jostling.

But the rattling of suitcase wheels against the narrow, cobbled streets of the gothic quarter has slowly started to return since international tourism resumed in May, and so have the groups of travelers. Theyre not just wandering discreetly in pairs: Theyre sizable groups led by guides with megaphones, and this time theyre standing in large, socially distanced circles that fill up entire streets.

Foreign visitation to the city is still a fraction of what it was in 2019. That year, almost 1 million overseas travelers came in the month of June, compared to 191,475 visitors during the same period in 2021. But theres no desire to go back to what was. Pre-pandemic, Barcelona was at the heart of global debates around overtourism, with locals having elected Mayor Ada Colau in 2015 on her promises to curb the clogged streets, litter, noise, and rent hikes that they attribute to a disproportionately large visiting population.

Now there are additional concerns, namely, a fifth wave of COVID-19 thats brought a spike in cases and hospitalizations. In late July the 14-day rolling case count had shot up to 1,218 per 100,000 inhabitants, making Barcelona the largest virus hotspot in Spain and filling more than 10% of the regions hospital beds with COVID-19 patients. As a result, curfews have been reinstated at 1 a.m., and the government has ordered all nonessential activity to end at 12:30 a.m. Also citing alarm over the high number of cases, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention raised the travel warning for Americans visiting Spain to a Level 4, the highest rating, on July 26.

Not all progress has been undone, though. The vaccine rollout is advancing with more than 56% of the population having received both doses as of July and restaurants and bars remaining open at 50% capacity, with up to six people allowed at indoor tables and groups of 10 outside. And shops, museums, and other cultural venues are open at 70% capacity.

Only certain visitors are allowed in. Europeans can now visit thanks to the mid-July debut of the European Unions COVID-19 passport, which exempts fully vaccinated people from testing or quarantine. Americans and Australians are also allowed to travel freely, and Britons can enter Catalonia with proof of vaccination or a negative coronavirus test  though U.K. rules require them to quarantine upon returning to their home country. For most of the rest of the world, holidaying in the country isnt on the horizon.

Those who return will find a city marked with for sale and to let signage. More than half of Barcelonas hotels remain closed, and more than 30% of businesses and restaurants say they wont reopen, according to a recent government survey.

But the absence of tourists has brought some joy to those whove been there to witness it. Locals are rediscovering the neighborhood, says May Jong, who runs Hotel Neri, which is carved out of a medieval building and an 18th century mansion. And as places such as Casa Fuster, a palatial property on central Passeig de Gracia, have reopened, locals have been eagerly supporting them. From 7 to 1 there was not a free table on the terrace, says waiter Kevin Bausson about the spots opening night on July 1.

Eduard Torres, chair of the citys tourism board, Turisme de Barcelona, says growing engagement with locals is probably the biggest pandemic silver lining for the citys ailing hospitality sector. We hope that this relationship will be maintained, because the most beautiful thing there is for a foreign visitor is to go to a place where locals go, he says.

Between its struggles to tamp down the pandemic and rewrite its tourism strategy, Barcelona is a city in flux. Heres what to expect if you plan to visit.

Customers on a restaurant terrace on Barceloneta promenade in Barcelona, Spain, on June 5, 2021. (Angel Garcia/Bloomberg)

The Dining Scene

Terraces have always been a big part of Barcelonas restaurant scene, so the city was well equipped for the new global phenomenon thats outdoor dining. But the citys food culture has evolved in other ways. Some of the most famous places to get tapas, paella, or pintxos  where youre charged by the toothpick for self-serve tapas on tiny skewers  were unable to withstand the worst months of the pandemic, including the beloved seaside spot Cal Pinxo. Other notable closures: the 100-year-old Cafe de Barcelona and famed El Bulli chef Albert Adrias three lauded spots. Fortunately the temporarily shuttered stalls of the famed La Boqueria market, however, have reemerged to find a semblance of normality. And alongside them are new spots prioritizing sustainability and  unusual for a city that loves its vermouth  natural wine, not unlike the neo-bistro movement that swept Paris in the last decade.

One is Contracorrent, literally translating to against the grain, which opened amid the pandemic near the Arc de Triunf. Its sunny terrace is now a backdrop for zero-kilometer tapas like clams with ginger and tapioca caviar or eggplant carpaccio with edible flowers; theyre typically paired with natural wines and served directly from a chef whose pedigree includes the best-in-the-world Celler Can Roca.

In the Born neighborhood, Proper is similarly focused on the local but also on fermentation and wood-fired grilling, thanks to its Argentine chef Augusto Mayer, who pickles figs and makes his own bread starters. The spot opened this summer and stocks a large list of biodynamic and natural wines.

Further off in Eixample is the newly minted local favorite Besta, with a spacious terrace for seafood-heavy dishes like sea bass tartare with Jerez hollandaise that borrow heavily from both Galician and Catalonian traditions. To drink, the restaurant makes its own gin  Barcelonans are famously devoted to the G&T.

Visitors sunbathe on Barceloneta beach in Barcelona, Spain, on June 5, 2021. (Angel Garcia/Bloomberg)

Culture Makes a Comeback

The rise of the delta variant  and the ensuing curfews have given nightlife a false start in the Catalan capital. But theres plenty to do before the bars take last call.

If youre COVID-weary: Travelers dont often make it to the hilltop Parc de Montjuic area on the outskirts of the city, though it contains a triad of cultural triumphs. Of the Jardi Botanic de Barcelona, the Museum of Art of Catalonia, and the Fundacio Joan Miro  each spectacular in its own ways  the Miro museum is the most irresistible. Its rooftop terrace alone is worth the trip, with colorful and larger-than-life sculptures framing views of the Barcelona skyline.

If you need a gentle reentry: The trippy architectural complex known as Casa Batllo is almost completely outdoors, making it especially COVID-friendly. That said, theres a new twist to the iconic attraction. The 10D Experience, a 21,500-square-foot digital interactive gallery on-site, is like a ticket into the inner workings of Antonio Gaudis own mind, using video projections, aromas released by motion sensors, and nature-inspired sounds to immersively re-create his sources of inspiration.

If you want to pretend the pandemic never happened: Given that nightclubs have once again closed, it isnt exactly easy to party like its 2019. Your best shot is planning a visit for mid-August or late September, to coincide with Barcelonas famed cultural festivals. The Festa Major de Gracia, which is pegged to the Assumption of Mary in the third week of August, is a week-long arts and culture fest that locals use as a reason to party daily in streets that are temporarily filled with enormous and colorful art installations; last year many events were canceled, so 2021 will likely compensate. A few weeks after, in late September, comes the Merced festival, paying tribute to the citys patron saint. Its when human pyramid competitions and ronda-style dancing fill the squares and bars get packed with revelers.

How to Get Around

Barcelona is very walkable, with a compact city center that makes any two points easily accessible on foot within half an hour. Subways, tramways, and buses are running as usual  down to the crowds and the heat  and they wont easily take you to Montjuic, which is best accessed via Uber or taxi. Biking has becoming the popular alternative, with the city having added 15 miles (24 kilometers) of bike lanes since the pandemics start. Tourists can rent bicycles through Bicing, the councils public bike scheme, or use e-scooters, of which there are many choices. The most common rental apps are Lime, Bolt, and Tier.

The Lingering COVID Etiquette

You can be fined $119 (100) for not wearing a mask indoors unless youre eating or drinking  and locals have retained the convention of masking up outside, despite the fact that the rules for doing so dropped in June. Shopkeepers have also been keeping on high alert, watching for patrons that dont sanitize their hands upon entering and asking them to do so. And forget about air kisses for greetings. These days, elbow bumps and leg shakes  a pseudo handshake of the feet that looks like a soccer move gone wrong  are a far more common, if also more awkward, way to say hello.
A Smith and Wesson XD-40 compact lays on a desk. (PIXABAY)

MEXICO CITY  The Mexican government sued several major U.S.-based gun manufacturers Wednesday, alleging that lax controls contribute to the illegal flow of weapons over the border.

The unusual suit - filed in U.S. federal court in Boston - seeks unspecified financial compensation from the companies but does not target the U.S. government.

Mexican authorities argue that American-made weapons have fueled an explosion in homicides in this nation over the past decade. Around 2.5 million illicit American guns have poured across the border during that period, according to a Mexican government study released last year. Legal gun sales in Mexico are tightly restricted.

"If we don't file a suit like this and win it, they're never going to understand, they're going to continue doing the same thing and we will continue having deaths every day in our country," Mexico's foreign minister, Marcelo Ebrard, said at a news conference.

Security experts in Mexico saw the lawsuit as an attempt to raise the profile of gun-trafficking issues but one unlikely to lead to a legal victory. A U.S. law that took effect in 2005 shields gun manufacturers from most civil liability claims.

The legal action "sends a statement and creates a pressure point with the Biden administration," said Alejandro Hope, a Mexico City-based security consultant. "But I don't think the Mexican government is expecting to win."

The suit names companies including Smith & Wesson Brands, Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Beretta USA, Glock and Colt's Manufacturing Co.

In addition to financial damages  which Mexican officials estimated could run to $10 billion if the legal action is successful  the suit also seeks tighter controls on sales and better security features on weapons.

The companies did not respond to requests for comment. In a statement, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, a trade association for the American firearms industry, rejected the claims that U.S. gun manufacturers were negligent.

"These allegations are baseless," said Lawrence Keane, the group's senior vice president and general counsel. "The Mexican government is responsible for the rampant crime and corruption within their own borders."

Cross-border trafficking has created a growing pool of weapons that circulate among armed groups in Mexico. The most powerful guns go to large drug cartels, and older, smaller weapons find their way into the hands of lower-level criminals.

"Because of the abundance of firearms, now every little gangster has AK-47s or Barrett .50s," said Ioan Grillo, author of the book "Blood Gun Money: How America Arms Gangs and Cartels." "Then there's the spillover effect, when cartels send 'burned weapons' to streets and you have schoolkids buying them."

The ease with which Mexican cartels can access military-grade weapons has fundamentally altered the challenge faced by the country's security forces.

"State police and municipal police have kind of melted away," Grillo said. "They're not going to fight against guys with .50-calibers," Grillo said.

If local police are not intimidated, they are often bought off by crime groups, security analysts say.

The lawsuit maintains that the U.S. arms manufacturers "are conscious of the fact that their products are trafficked and used in illicit activities" in Mexico, according to a document from the Foreign Ministry.

"Nonetheless, they continue to prioritize their economic benefit, and use marketing strategies to promote weapons that are ever more lethal, without mechanisms of security or traceability," it continued.

The government alleges that U.S. gunmakers design weapons that will appeal to Mexican crime groups  citing, for example, a Colt .38 Super pistol engraved with an image of revolutionary hero Emiliano Zapata. That model of handgun was used in the assassination of an investigative journalist, Miroslava Breach, in 2017.

"It is difficult to read this complaint without coming to the conclusion that, as a matter of ethical business practices, there is no defense to what these companies have done," said Adam Skaggs, policy director with the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.

Still, he said, the case will be tough to win, because of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which bars most civil lawsuits against arms companies after their guns are misused. The Mexican government's case argues that the 2005 measure immunizes the gun industry only from lawsuits involving violence in the United States.

Arms trafficking is hardly the only thing fanning violence in Mexico. The nature of the drug trade has changed in recent years, with cartels splintering into smaller, feuding groups that have diversified into extortion, kidnapping and other criminal activities.

Successive Mexican presidents have tried to stanch the violence by overhauling the justice system, arresting drug kingpins and providing job programs to lure young people away from crime. But they have achieved few results. Security analysts say the government has not had the political will to carry out a more profound transformation of the courts and police.

Mexican authorities said several recent U.S. cases had given them hope their lawsuit could succeed. Among them was a judge's decision that survivors and relatives of a 2019 shooting at a California synagogue could move ahead with a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the weapon used in the attack.

U.S. analysts say policy changes such as an assault-weapons ban and universal background checks for gun buyers would reduce trafficking. But the Mexican government, they say, has come to doubt that those changes will happen.

"It's not surprising that they're looking for other ways to either bring awareness to the issue or correct it," said Eugenio Weigend, the director for gun-violence prevention at the Center for American Progress.

The Washington Post's Sammy Westfall and Taylor Telford in Washington contributed to this report.
Buy Photo Beachgoers play and relax at Zushi Beach in Kanagawa prefecture, Japan, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. (Daniel Betancourt/Stars and Stripes)

YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan  Local authorities in Kanagawa prefecture are putting a pandemic damper on summer fun by discouraging visits to popular beaches to slow the coronavirus spread.

But official bans at the beaches in Zushi and Hayama, on Sagami Bay about seven miles west of Yokosuka, may be weakly enforced, at least in Zushi, a city official there said Wednesday.

With temperatures set to reach 98 degrees the next two days in the greater Tokyo metropolitan area, and with the city center off-limits to the U.S. military, Kanagawas beaches beckon off-duty service members and their families.

Buy Photo Beachgoers cool off in the water at Zushi Beach in Kanagawa prefecture, Japan, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. (Daniel Betancourt/Stars and Stripes)

However, a surge in cases of COVID-19, the coronavirus disease, prompted the central government to impose a state of emergency in Kanagawa along with neighboring Tokyo and Chiba, Saitama and Osaka prefectures. The declaration took effect Monday and lasts through Aug. 31.

The numbers of newly infected people announced each day in the greater metro area are the highest of the pandemic, thus far.

The number of new positive cases within the prefecture is increasing dramatically with cases over 1,000 a day, said a July 30 statement by Yuji Kuroiwa, governor of Kanagawa prefecture. I have to say that we have entered a serious situation in regard to the spread of infection.

Once the emergency took effect, Zushi city and the town of Hayama announced their beaches would close. Yokosuka passed that word to its population by social media.

Zushi, which attracts visitors from neighboring prefectures, cited the surging virus and the emergency, the head of the citys economic and tourism division, Hidemasa Kuroha, told Stars and Stripes.

There could also be risks of infection while people travel to Zushi, he said Tuesday by phone.

However, Kuroha said, Zushi cannot legally prevent people from coming to the beach, though the city wants people to stay away. Visitors are expected there throughout the summer, he said.

For anyone affiliated with nearby Yokosuka, coronavirus restrictions imposed by base commander Capt. Rich Jarrett dont expressly prohibit a trip to the beach.

However, U.S. service members, Defense Department civilians, contractors and their families are expected to comply with the emergency measures, a base spokesman said Wednesday.

Weve asked our community to abide by this request from the Japanese government, spokesman Randall Baucom told Stars and Stripes by phone. Its important that we abide by these requests and remain good partners with the Japanese community.

Kuroha said lifeguards and security personnel will be at the beach to encourage people to abide by city rules, which include bans on alcohol, loud music, barbecue grills and visible, threatening tattoos.

Visitors will be expected to limit their stays, he added.
Buy Photo People pose with the Olympic cauldron in Ariake, Tokyo, July 30, 2021. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)

TOKYO  The fifth wave of coronavirus in Japans capital city set its third one-day record for new infections with 4,166 cases on Wednesday, according to public broadcaster NHK.

The unprecedented viral surge in Tokyo coincides with forecasts for two days of scorching, 98-degree heat and potential rain from a tropical storm passing on Saturday. And the delayed 2020 Olympic Games are heading into their final four days.

Wednesdays number of newly infected people is close to 1,000 more than a week prior, 3,177, illustrating the dramatic rise in case numbers, according to data from the metropolitan government.

Farther south, Okinawa prefecture expected another 600 people to test positive on Wednesday, a new one-day record, according to NHK, which cited an unidentified source. Gov. Denny Tamaki this week called on the islands young people, especially, to abide by emergency measures, refrain from socializing and to get vaccinated.

The U.S. military in Japan on Wednesday reported 11 new infections from the previous week, all affiliated with U.S. Army Japan.

Four people fell ill with symptoms of COVID-19, the coronavirus respiratory disease; one individual tested positive for the virus as part of pre-travel screening; and six tested positive in quarantine after having contact with a previously infected person, according to an Army news release.

Japan reported 12,045 new cases on Wednesday, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, 295 shy of Saturdays one-day record. Nearly 31% of Japans population is fully vaccinated.

At the Olympic Games, another 29 people tested positive, according to the Tokyo 2020 update Wednesday. They include 19 contractors, four athletes, four volunteers and two members of the media.

Since July 1, 322 people associated with the Olympics, including 28 athletes, have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Okinawa, Tokyo, the surrounding prefectures of Chiba, Saitama and Kanagawa and, to the west, Osaka, are under states of emergency due to rising case numbers.
U.S. Forces Korea does not track local workers vaccinations but said in a statement Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, that over 80% of its service members and civilians are inoculated. (Jordan Garner/U.S. Air Force)

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  South Koreans working for the U.S. military have widely accepted coronavirus vaccines offered by the American government, months before they were able to sign up for shots in their country.

South Korea was heralded for its initial handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, but 18 months later has been unable to quickly make vaccines widely available. The government announced last week its intent to begin scheduling citizens ages 18 to 49 for inoculations later in August.

Over 20 million people, or 39% of the countrys population, have received the first dose of a vaccine, as of Tuesday, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. About 14% of the population has been fully vaccinated.

The U.S. donated nearly 112 million doses to 65 countries, including South Korea, according to a White House statement Tuesday. Over a million vaccines were sent to South Korea, some of which were administered to the military and South Koreans employed by the U.S. government.

The U.S. military employs around 12,500 South Koreans, according to the Korean Employees Union. Those workers were initially offered a vaccine on a priority basis in late December, depending on their duties and their level of interaction with U.S. troops.

But, as of this month, nearly all the U.S. militarys local employees have been offered a vaccine, with shot drives still underway. USFK does not track local workers vaccinations but said in a statement Tuesday that over 80% of its service members and civilians are inoculated.

A 60-year-old South Korean business owner at Camp Humphreys, the largest overseas U.S. military base, told Stars and Stripes that she immediately signed up for the vaccine once it was offered by USFK in April.

Obviously, it feels good, and Im thankful, she said Friday, adding that most of the Korean nationals who work here wanted to get vaccinated.

The business owner and other South Korean base workers interviewed for this story insisted on anonymity because they wished to keep their vaccination status private.

An administrative office worker at Camp Humphreys also explained that she and her coworkers were anxious as U.S. troops on the base were receiving their vaccinations.

We really wanted to be vaccinated on base, the office worker said. The office people were asking each other, Hey, when are we going to get the vaccine?

The South Korean government as early as April was already behind its vaccination schedule, the office worker said.

When we heard that we were going to get the vaccine soon, we were so happy, she said.

The office worker noted that there were a few holdouts among local employees, but the vast majority were vaccinated.

According to a Gallup Korea poll conducted in February, 71% of South Korean respondents said they were willing to get vaccinated, 14% said they were probably not and 5% said they would never get vaccinated.

A 27-year-old driver who delivers supplies across the Korean peninsula said he had no hesitation when signing up for the vaccine and that he will take a booster shot if it becomes available.

Many young Koreans cant take the vaccine right now, so I think its a good chance for me, he said. Its a good chance for Korean people.

Union members are widely appreciative that the vaccine was offered by the U.S. military, said Son Gio, the secretary general of the Korean Employees Union.

We have employees who are thankful that they were able to be vaccinated ahead of time, Gio said Tuesday. We have been going through a tough time together like this  I wish we could get through this hard time well by working shoulder to shoulder.

Stars and Stripes reporter Yoo Kyong Chang contributed to this report.
Buy Photo Afghan journalist Zainullah Stanikzai keeps photos on his phone of Aliyas Dayee, his friend and a fellow reporter, who was killed Nov. 12, 2020 in southern Helmand province when a bomb attached to his car detonated. Stanikzai said on Aug. 2, 2021 that he hopes to come to America through a program to allow those who worked for U.S. media companies and are under threat to receive a visa. (J.P. Lawrence Stars and Stripes)

KABUL, Afghanistan  Hoshang Hashimi escaped his hometown of Herat on the same day the Taliban captured two other journalists.

He left quietly, saying goodbye only to his mother and father, and packing two small bags with his professional camera equipment and other essentials.

Hashimi said that because he had worked for international media outlets like The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse, he would be in danger if the Taliban took the city.

So on Monday, he flew to the relative safety of Kabul on one of the last planes out of Herat before mortar rounds struck the citys airport, suspending all flights.

Like dozens of other Afghan journalists from across the country, Hashimi is now in the capital taking refuge from Taliban offensives after the withdrawal of most U.S. and coalition troops.

Hoshang Hashimi, an Afghan photographer, left his home in Herat, Afghanistan on Aug. 2, 2021, after a Taliban offensive encircled the city. Hashimi is one of about 90 reporters who have fled rising violence throughout the country for the capital city of Kabul. (Hoshang Hashimi)

The 34-year-old is part of a generation of journalists who began their careers partly as a result of American nation-building efforts over the past two decades.

But Afghanistans free press, long seen as a notable success story and the most independent in the region, is under threat from Taliban violence, journalists and activists told Stars and Stripes.

We will lose a lot of our freedoms if things keep going as they are, said Najib Sharifi, the president of the Afghan Journalists Safety Committee, and a longtime contributor to NPR and other news organizations.

Some 136 cases of violence against journalists were recorded in the first half of the year, the Kabul-based committee said.

The Taliban has forced about 90 journalists to flee to Kabul, the group said. More than 300 journalists have left the profession since the beginning of the year.

Taliban violence and economic pressures caused by decreasing foreign aid threaten press freedom in Afghanistan, Sharifi said.

He also mentioned increased repression by the Afghan government, which arrested four reporters in the southern province of Kandahar recently.

The U.S. has invested millions to support Afghan media, believing that strong, independent journalism would support the growth of democracy and promotion of human rights.

Tolo TV, one of Afghanistans most popular television channels, began after a $220,000 grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development.

But while Afghanistan ranks highly in press freedom compared with nearby countries, it remains one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists, with over a dozen media workers killed since last fall.

Buy Photo Journalists work in the newsroom of Pajhwok news agency on Sept. 4, 2019. Many Afghan reporters from across the country have taken refuge in Kabul from Taliban offensives following the withdrawal of most U.S. and coalition troops. (Phillip Walter Wellman/Stars and Stripes)

Among them was Indian photojournalist Danish Siddiqui, who worked for Reuters and was killed while embedded with Afghan forces in southern Kandahar province last month.

In April, Human Rights Watch accused the Taliban of intimidating and killing journalists as part of a wave of assassinations that also targeted judges, lawyers and activists.

The militant group has denied involvement in the killings, which remain unclaimed, and it has since said it would not target Afghans who worked for U.S. news organizations once international forces leave. But many media professionals said they dont believe the Taliban.

The militant group took over the FM radio station Radio Nawbahar in the northern province of Balkh this summer. The head of the station, Nabi Hamdard, told Stars and Stripes that music is now banned.

They only broadcast about religious issues, Taliban (poetry), verses of the Quran, said Hamdard, who like most of the stations employees fled when the militants took over.

Some journalists say they are getting threatening messages on social media that they believe come from pro-Taliban accounts, with stock images and made-up names that translate to Watcher Watcher and Fix Yourself.

Last fall, Taliban fighters called Zainullah Stanikzai, a reporter in the southern city of Lashkar Gah, and demanded that he tell them how many reporters there were working for foreign media.

Stanikzai, whose friend and fellow reporter Aliyas Dayee had just been killed in a car bomb attack, knew he had to flee to Kabul.

After working for Reuters for nine years, Stanikzai hopes to come to the United States on a visa program recently announced by the State Department to help those who worked for U.S. news organizations.

The new Priority 2 category of the U.S. Refugee Admission Program will apply to Afghans and members of their immediate family who may be in peril.

Stanikzai, 40, said he never wanted to leave his home country. But the violence of the past year as U.S. and allied troops left changed his mind.

It was very fearful for me, he said. Were not people who have armored cars; were journalists.

Sharifi, the president of the Afghan Journalists Safety Committee, has mixed feelings whenever he sees Afghan media professionals leave the country.

He said he knows the dangers they face, but he hopes the media can persevere.

If we lose all our journalists, that will be a big loss for Afghanistan, Sharifi said. I want to stay. I want to fight. Whos going to save this country if everyone leaves?
Ebrahim Raisi, Iran's president, holds his first news conference following his victory in the presidential election in Tehran, Iran, on June 21, 2021. (Ali Mohammadi/Bloomberg)

Iran's oil comeback, already taking longer than many traders expected, will be further complicated by shipping attacks in the past week, including a deadly drone strike on a tanker near the Gulf of Oman that the U.S., U.K. and Israel all blamed on Tehran.

With talks held up by a change of presidency in Tehran, the incidents add friction to a process that could return 1 million barrels of oil a day to the global market within months. Even if the allies decide against a military response, Washington may be less willing to ease sanctions on the Islamic Republic's energy exports.

"It looks inevitable that this will cast a black cloud over nuclear talks" between Iran and world powers including the U.S., said Bill Farren-Price, a director at energy-research firm Enverus.

The negotiations -- to revive a 2015 pact that limited Iran's atomic program in return for sanctions relief -- had already stalled. A sixth round in Vienna broke up last month. Diplomats are waiting for Iran to re-enter talks now that Ebrahim Raisi, an austere cleric who has long argued against a rapprochement with the U.S., has become president.

Restoring the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action -- which then-President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of in 2018 -- is key to Iran's ability to increase oil production. Its crude exports have plummeted to almost nothing from more than 2 million barrels a day in mid-2018.

Many oil investors had expected a new nuclear deal before Iran's elections in mid-June.

While Raisi and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could resume negotiations soon, there's still much for the sides to overcome. Iran wants a guarantee that future U.S. administrations won't withdraw from any deal, as Trump did. It also insists sanctions are removed across the board -- on its shipping and banking industries as well as on energy exports.

Washington is wary of both demands. Another sticking point is the JCPOA's so-called "break out" clause. It was designed to constrain Iran's nuclear activities enough that it would need a full year to build a bomb if it chose to exit the accord. Some U.S. officials believe Iranian scientists have made enough progress in the past three years to construct an atomic weapon within a few months.

Still, Iran and the U.S. have both said they'll continue to negotiate. Washington sees a deal as a way to help stabilize the Middle East -- even if it doesn't address Tehran's ballistic missiles or support for proxy forces in the likes of Yemen and Lebanon -- while sanctions have battered the Iranian economy.

"There will be more tanker attacks but they are not what's standing in the way of a nuclear deal," said Scott Modell, managing director of Rapidan Energy Group, a Washington-based consultant. "Neither is Iran's incoming hardline president, who's not about to trot out a whole new series of demands. But he will continue pushing for concessions."

Modell predicts there'll be an agreement by September, allowing Iran to raise daily oil output by around 1 million barrels by the end of the year.

For now, oil traders are more concerned about the spread of a delta coronavirus variant than a lack of supply from Iran. Brent crude has slipped 5% this week to around $72 a barrel. But with prices still up almost 40% this year and most analysts forecasting a tightening market over the rest of 2021 as major economies recover, Iran's absence could soon be felt.

Last Thursday's drone attack on the Mercer Street, an oil-products vessel managed by an Israeli company, makes the prospect of U.S. sanctions being removed "ever more remote," according to Helima Croft, chief commodities strategist at RBC Capital Markets.

"The key question that comes from the Mercer Street incident is whether the Supreme Leader has calculated that a return to the JCPOA is not a top-of-the-agenda item and brinkmanship may produce more benefits," she said.
Syrian Democratic Forces conduct a patrol during a joint operation with U.S. soldiers in Syria on May 8, 2021. Seven years after the Islamic State group swept through parts of Syria and Iraq, ISIS it remains a threat, but hasn't been able to mount any deliberate attacks on coalition forces in more than two years, the U.S. military said. (Isaiah J Scott/U.S. Army)

The Islamic State group remains a threat seven years after it swept through Syria and Iraq, but it has not mounted any deliberate attacks on coalition forces in over two years, the U.S. military said.

This week marks the anniversary of ISISs slaughter of some 5,500 members of the Yazidi minority in northwestern Iraq and forced enslavement of over 6,000 others in 2014.

Its been over two years since the terrorist group was ousted from the last of its territorial strongholds in Iraq and Syria, but it continues to exploit sectarian, political and security weaknesses in the region.

U.S. Central Command believes that the terrorists can likely operate indefinitely in the Syrian desert at current levels, the Defense Department Inspector Generals office said in a quarterly report to Congress published Tuesday.

ISIS continued operating as a low-level and well-entrenched insurgency in rural areas of Iraq and Syria, said the IG report, covering the period from April to June.

Syrian Democratic Forces conduct a patrol during a joint operation with U.S. soldiers in Syria in May 2021. Seven years after the Islamic State group swept through parts of Syria and Iraq, ISIS it remains a threat, but hasnt been able to mount any deliberate attacks on coalition forces in more than two years, the U.S. military said. (Isaiah J Scott/U.S. Army)

The group continues to use hit-and-run style attacks and roadside bombings, and it maintains cash reserves likely in the tens of millions of dollars, stated the report, which cited assessments by CENTCOM, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the Treasury Department and other agencies.

ISIS is also seeking to recruit boys at the sprawling al-Hol displacement camp in Syria and is financially backing foreign female residents of the camp who have increased radicalization efforts on social media, the report stated.

Radicalization of lone actors remains the most serious threat from ISIS to the U.S. homeland and Europe, the DIA told the IG.

The nearly 140-page report comes a week after a meeting in Washington between President Joe Biden and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi at which Biden agreed to end the U.S. combat mission in Iraq by years end.

Hundreds of American troops are expected to remain in Iraq to provide training, advice and support to government forces, which continue to struggle to secure the border with Syria, the IG report states.

ISIS fighters in Iraq likely have a higher level of operational maturity, compared with those in Syria, as suggested by their ability to carry out more complex attacks, the DIA told the IG.

In recent months, the militants have attacked electrical transmission towers and carried out bombings in urban areas, including a pair of blasts in the Sadr City neighborhood of Baghdad in April and June.

They have also long exploited a security vacuum in a rugged and remote disputed area between federally controlled territory and the semi-autonomous Kurdish Regional Government.

But in June, the Kurdish security forces known as peshmerga conducted their first joint patrol with troops under Baghdads command.

Calling the patrol a milestone in the ability of the two forces to fight ISIS together, DOD IG Sean W. ODonnell said the two sides have also set up four new joint coordination centers in the northern provinces.

The U.S. this year resumed paying stipends to the peshmerga that were suspended last year in anticipation of a drawdown in counteroffensive operations, ODonnell said in the report.

The payments also help provide security for U.S. and coalition troops.

Meanwhile in Syria, the group has not mounted any deliberate attacks against U.S. or coalition forces since the January 2019 bombing in Manbij that killed four Americans, including Senior Chief Petty Officer Shannon Kent.
Lebanese and U.S. service members unload humanitarian aid supplies delivered by a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III at Beirut, Lebanon, Aug. 6, 2020. (Justin Parsons/U.S. Air Force)

BEIRUT  Lebanon held a day of mourning Wednesday to mark the first anniversary of the huge explosion at the Beirut port that destroyed much of the city, wrecked the lives of tens of thousands of people and helped propel Lebanon's economy further toward collapse.

The day quickly also turned into a day of anger as Lebanese gathered near the port to protest the authorities' failure to offer an explanation of the cause of the blast or to hold anyone to account.

At 6:08 p.m., the precise moment of the explosion, a minute's silence was held in honor of the victims. A bell tolled as the names of the dead were read over a loudspeaker to family members seated in plastic chairs at the site, clutching photos of their loved ones.

In streets nearby, clashes erupted between police and demonstrators who were attempting to march on the nation's parliament to protest the failure of the authorities to properly investigate the blast and to take action to halt the country's spiraling economic decline. Police fired tear gas and water cannons as the demonstrators attempted to break through barricades blocking roads leading to the parliament, and dozens of injuries were reported.

More than 200 people died, 7,000 were injured and tens of thousands of homes were damaged in what has been ranked as one of the biggest nonnuclear explosions in history. The blast was caused by a fire that ignited a stash of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate left unattended for more than six years in a warehouse.

A year later, many questions remain unanswered, including what caused the fire, who owned the ammonium nitrate, why it had languished for so long at the port and why no one has been held responsible. An official investigation has stalled many times, and politicians representing the country's divided factions have rallied to thwart efforts to interrogate senior figures

"Given the scale of this tragedy, it is astounding to see how far the Lebanese authorities are prepared to go to shield themselves from scrutiny," said Lynn Maalouf, deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International, in a report highlighting the lack of accountability.

"Revenge, revenge, until the regime falls," chanted protesters as they marched through one of the badly damaged neighborhoods en route to the port. "The people want the fall of the regime," said another group, echoing the calls of a protest movement that began in 2019 but has since fizzled as political elites have refused to heed calls for reforms.

Many homes and buildings remain in ruins because their owners don't have the money for repairs, or in some cases have left the country, a daily reminder of the trauma that still haunts the city's residents.

"It's been a year and still we don't know anything," said Randa, 41, whose family members were injured when their home in the Ashrafiyeh neighborhood was destroyed in the blast.

For some, the occasion brought back terrifying memories. Sister Marie-Joseph Salameh, 57, was at the Rosary Sisters Hospital when the explosion brought ceilings, masonry and glass cascading onto patients and staff, badly injuring her arm. She said she has been reliving the moment over and over, especially as the anniversary approached.

"The wound cannot be removed. You keep reliving this memory," she said.

Amar Suliman, 23, a medical student, said she hoped the anniversary would also prove to be an opportunity to revive popular pressure on the Lebanese authorities.

"It's also a day to remember that at any given moment, these people are willing to kill us, to injure us, just so that they continue with their rule and preserve their corruption," she said. "It's a political fight, and not just on August 4."

Initial hopes that the explosion would jolt the country's squabbling politicians toward a solution to an economic crisis brought on by years of corruption and ineptitude have faded. Instead, a year later, the country still has no government to replace the one that resigned in the wake of the blast, because politicians have been unable to agree on how to distribute posts among the country's competing sects.

In the meantime, Lebanon's decline has accelerated. Its currency has more than halved in value in the past year, and is now worth less than 90 percent of what it was on the eve of the crisis in 2019. More than half the population now lives below the poverty line, according to a report published in the spring by the World Bank, which cited fears that the country could descend into civil unrest.

In a reminder that Lebanon also risks becoming ensnared in escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, three rockets were fired ahead of the commemorations across the Lebanese border into Israel, prompting volleys of Israeli artillery fire into Lebanon. Southern Lebanon is controlled by the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement, which Israel said it held responsible for the attack.

"Lebanese leaders seem bent on a stalling strategy, which I regret and I think is a historic and moral failure," said French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking at the launch of an international donors conference in Paris that aims to raise at least $350 million in humanitarian aid to help those Lebanese most in need.

But Lebanon needs billions of dollars to resolve its deeper financial crisis, funds that the international community has made clear will not be forthcoming until there is a government capable of implementing political and economic reforms.

The work of forming a government that will combat corruption and stem the decline "has to start now," President Biden told the conference in a videotaped address, announcing $100 million in U.S. assistance. "If the leaders of Lebanon make that choice, the United States will be here every step of the way to support your efforts," he said. "We're there to help, if you do it."

Sly reported from London.
Buy Photo Iraqi soldiers detained an Egyptian man and confiscated 27 artifacts, right, believed to be several thousand years old and looted from an Iraqi museum during the early days of the war, according to Gen. Jaleel Khalaf Shawail, a one-star general in charge of the Iraqi 1st Brigade. On Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, Iraq said that the United States handed back more than 17,000 smuggled artifacts confiscated by U.S. authorities. (Stars and Stripes)

Smugglers have looted Iraq of thousands of ancient artifacts, many dating back 4,000 years, in the two decades since the U.S. invasion and fall of Saddam Hussein. Many of Iraq's stolen antiquities have ended up in museums and personal collections in the United States  a dynamic depriving Iraqis the fruits of their own history.

On Tuesday, some of that historical record was set straight when Iraq said that the United States handed back more than 17,000 smuggled artifacts confiscated by U.S. authorities.

Iraqi Culture Minister Hasan Nadhim called the restitution "the largest in the history of Iraq," according to the Associated Press. He said the Iraqi government and its embassy in Washington had been working for months on the arrangement.

While the majority of the artifacts were recovered from the United States, other items in the cache came from Japan, the Netherlands and Italy. The Iraqi government said it planned to put the most significant artifacts on display in the country's National Museum.

Nadhim on Tuesday praised international efforts to apprehend smugglers and return the looted possessions.

"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," he said, adding, "The smugglers are being trapped day after day by these laws and forced to hand over these artifacts."

But he said efforts had to be continuous.

"There's still a lot of work ahead in this matter," he said, the AP reported. "There are still thousands of Iraqi artifacts smuggled outside the country."

Late last month, U.S. federal authorities took ownership of a rare cuneiform tablet, known as the Gilgamesh Dream Tablet, from craft company Hobby Lobby, which had purchased the item for nearly $1.7 million to showcase at the Washington, D.C.-based Museum of the Bible.

Authorities said the tablet and the epic poem inscribed on it  thought to be one of the world's oldest literary and religious texts  had been illegally brought into the United States, after which Hobby Lobby privately purchased it through an international auction house.

"Thwarting trade in smuggled goods by seizing and forfeiting an ancient artifact shows the department's dedication to using all available tools, including forfeiture, to ensure justice," Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Polite of the Justice Department's Criminal Division said in a statement.

Communities across the Middle East have long decried the loss of their antiquities to Western collections and museums; in some cases, items were stolen violently by colonial rulers.

Some collectors and preservationists have argued that not all countries are equipped to protect the artifacts. But critics of this claim say that international efforts should go toward supporting local capacity so that each country can be in control of its own cultural heritage.

In Iraq, the chaos that followed the 2003 U.S.-led invasion and toppling of Hussein provided a perfect storm for plundering artifacts. In one notorious incident, days after U.S. troops took over, Iraqis looted Baghdad's National Museum of an estimated 15,000 items, just over a fourth of which had been returned as of March.

In the years since, corruption and the neglect of archaeological sites due to a lack of funds have enabled further looting. The Islamic State, which between 2014 and 2017 controlled a third of the country, notoriously destroyed some antiquities while smuggling and selling others.

In 2015, the United States handed over more than 400 ancient artifacts to Iraq that U.S. Special Operations forces had seized during a raid on the house of an Islamic State leader.

Three years later, in 2018, U.S. authorities returned to Iraq nearly 4,000 smuggled antiquities that had been confiscated from the Green family, the evangelical owners of Hobby Lobby and a driving force behind the Museum of the Bible. In a settlement, Hobby Lobby agreed to pay a $3 million fine for the illegal importation.

In Europe, pressure has been growing on some countries to return collections plundered from formerly colonized communities across Africa.

In May, Germany became the first country to pledge to return to Nigeria hundreds of ancient artifacts belonging to the Benin Kingdom, which ruled southern Nigeria until Britain invaded in 1897. Germany's minister of culture called the restitution plan "a moral imperative."

previous coverage Lawmakers debate repealing Saddam-era war measures on Iraq
David Harris, 51, a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve and FBI special agent tasked with investigating crimes against children now faces sex crime charges of his own. Harris was arrested last month in Ascension Parish, Louisiana. (Ascension Parish Sherriffs Office)

BATON ROUGE, La. (Tribune News Service)  FBI Special Agent David Harris was tasked with investigating crimes against children, including child pornography. But, off the clock, he was committing child sex crimes of his own, including repeatedly exposing himself to teen girls, according to newly filed court records.

The records cite a series of text messages over the past few years. During a 2019 exchange on the topic of what he prefers, Harris said: I mean they have to be in their teens. Im not a weirdo. ... Unless I move to Kentucky where 16 is the age of consent.

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.

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.

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 dont 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 shell 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. Thats so unfortunate ... they are not just the help ... they grow the best watermelons and really improve everyones 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.

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 hasnt 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.

___

(c)2021 The Advocate, Baton Rouge, La.

Visit The Advocate, Baton Rouge, La. at www.theadvocate.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
This April 2021 image provided by the Cobb County Sheriffs Office shows a booking photo of Austin Williams Lanz. On Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, a Pentagon police officer 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. The suspect was identified by multiple law enforcement officials as Austin William Lanz, 27, of Georgia. (Cobb County Sheriffs Office via AP)

WASHINGTON  As officials seek clues about what prompted a Georgia man to fatally stab a Pentagon police officer, details of the suspect's troubled past emerged Wednesday through interviews and court records.

Austin William Lanz, 27, was arrested last April for a break-in at a neighbor's home and drew police attention months earlier for an ongoing harassment campaign involving sexually explicit photos and messages, according to interviews and records obtained by The Associated Press.

Investigators have not revealed a motive in the ambush-style killing of Pentagon police officer George Gonzalez. But Lanz's past brushes with the law, and neighbors' accounts of recent menacing behavior, appear to suggest the violence was more likely the act of a troubled, violence-prone individual than part of a broader conspiracy.

"I wish there was a better way to address those mental health issues that people have," said Phillip Brent, who shared a backyard fence with Lanz in Georgia and describes repeated harassment directed at himself and his then-fiancee. "It feels like it was just a clear failure of our system to help someone out who needed that help."

The FBI on Wednesday said the burst of violence at the Pentagon began at about 10:40 a.m. Tuesday when Lanz exited a bus at the Pentagon Transit Center and immediately stabbed Gonzalez without provocation. The two struggled and Lanz shot himself with Gonzalez's weapon. Other "officers engaged the subject, who ultimately died at the scene," the FBI said.

Investigators were examining Lanz's background, including his criminal history, jail records, financial information and any online accounts, in search of a motive, a law enforcement official said.

One episode of likely interest to investigators is an April arrest in Cobb County, Georgia, in which Lanz was accused of breaking into Brent's home in the Atlanta suburb of Acworth in the middle of the night with a crowbar.

He was recorded on video by the security system roaming the house for 13 minutes, turning on all the lights and leaving what were described as "inappropriate photographs and notes." He left without taking anything, according to arrest reports and court filings.

After the homeowner provided the video to law enforcement, Lanz was arrested and booked on charges of burglary and trespassing charges. When informed he was being charged, Lanz objected to the arresting officer, saying, "but I didn't take anything," according to the arrest report. He then went on to make statements to a police officer about how planes had been flying over the neighborhood and tracking his cellphone.

As he was being processed at the county jail, Lanz, who was listed as 6 feet, 3 inches tall and roughly 190 pounds, is alleged to have attacked two sheriff's deputies in the intake area without provocation, including one who sustained a chipped bone and torn ligament in her knee. After he was restrained, Lanz reportedly accused the officers of being "gay" for teaming up on him and asked to be uncuffed so he could fight them one-on-one.

A judge reduced his bond in May to $30,000 and released him, imposing some conditions, including he not take illegal drugs and he undergo a mental health evaluation. The charges against him are still listed as pending. A spokesperson for the Cobb County Sheriff's Office confirmed Lanz had been held at the agency's detention center but referred all other questions to the FBI.

An attorney who represented Lanz in the Georgia cases didn't immediately respond to a phone message and email seeking comment. Messages left with family members at Lanz's home in Acworth were not immediately returned.

The April break-in was the culmination of a harassment campaign that involved sexually explicit and "vaguely threatening" messages that Lanz was caught on surveillance camera slipping into the mailbox of the neighboring home where Brent and his then-fiancee lived, Brent said. The harassment briefly stopped after the police, presented with the video footage, confronted Lanz with a warning, Brent said.

But it later resumed, including in the form of a cardboard sign that was duct-taped on Brent's front door and said, cryptically, on one side: "I'm done wondering for real" and "Wut is the point of that" on the other.

By the time of the break-in, Brent said, he was so unnerved that he had taken to sleeping at his sister's house. One day, at about 4 a.m., he was alerted that the alarm company had reported a break-in at his home. He pulled up the video camera on his phone, "and I was like, oh, it's Austin."

He said Lanz had broken into the home with a sledgehammer and, though it is not mentioned in the police report, was also carrying a handgun.

Brent and his former fiancee, Eliza Wells, said they were frustrated with the criminal justice system, which they say failed to initially take the harassment claims with appropriate seriousness and then permitted him to be out on bond.

Brent said he learned from a prosecutor that Lanz's lawyer was seeking a bond modification that would permit him to travel to the Washington, D.C., area to work with his father, who did not return messages seeking comment.

"It just causes me to wonder what could have been done differently to help Austin, mentally, and give him practical tools and resources if he needed, instead of just letting him out on bail and allowing him to travel out of state, and that sort of stuff," Wells said.

Associated Press writers Colleen Long in Washington and Lolita C. Baldor, Matthew Barakat and Sagar Meghani in Arlington, Va., contributed to this report.
Pentagon police officer George Gonzalez was attacked and killed Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, at the Pentagon bus platform. (Pentagon Force Protection Agency)

WASHINGTON  The man who killed a police officer at the Pentagon on Tuesday had just exited a bus outside the building before he stabbed the officer and used his victims service weapon to shoot himself, the FBI said Wednesday.

Officer George Gonzalez, an Army veteran who had only been with the police force for three years, was working at about 10:40 a.m. when 27-year-old Austin William Lanz got off a bus at the Metrobus platform outside the Pentagon and immediately, without provocation, attacked him with a knife, the FBI posted on Twitter.

A struggle ensued, in which the subject mortally wounded Officer Gonzalez and then shot himself with the officers service weapon, the FBI tweeted. Other [Pentagon Force Protection Agency] officers engaged the subject, who ultimately died at the scene.

No motive has been reported. The Pentagon declined to provide Gonzalezs age or job duty on Wednesday, citing the ongoing investigation.

As a Pentagon police officer, [Gonzalez] took our mission of protecting those who protect our nation to heart, the Pentagon Force Protection Agency said Wednesday in the statement. Officer Gonzalez embodied our values of integrity and service to others.

Gonzalez, a Brooklyn, N.Y., native, joined the Pentagons police force in July 2018 after a career serving at the Federal Bureau of Prisons and Transportation Security Administration. He was promoted twice during his time with the Pentagon Force Protection Agency and attained the rank of senior officer in 2020, according to the statement.

He was gregarious and well-liked and respected by his fellow officers, the agency said. As we mourn the loss of Officer Gonzalez, our commitment to serve and protect is stronger. Officer Gonzalezs family is in our thoughts and prayers. May he rest in peace.

Gonzalez also served as an active-duty cannon crewmember in the Army from 2003-2005 and remained in the Army Reserve until 2011, according to his service record. He deployed to Iraq from August 2004 to July 2005, earning an Army commendation medal.

His other military honors include an Army achievement medal, Iraq campaign medal with campaign star, Global War on Terrorism service medal, Korean defense service medal, Combat Action Badge and Meritorious Unit Commendation, according to his service record.

It remains unclear why Lanz, of Acworth, Ga., was at the Pentagon. He had never served in the military, though he enlisted in the Marine Corps in October 2012 but was administratively separated less than a month later and never completed boot camp, the AP reported Wednesday.

Lanz was also facing several criminal charges from April in Cobb County, Ga., including a count of making a terrorist threat, the AP reported. He was out of jail on a $30,000 bond when the Pentagon attack occurred.

The Pentagon was on lockdown Tuesday for nearly two hours after the stabbing. It reopened shortly after noon, though the Metro entrance where Gonzalez was stabbed remained closed Wednesday.

Several other people were injured in the response to the stabbing, which included an exchange of gunfire, PFPA Chief Woodrow Kusse told reporters Tuesday at the Pentagon. Among those hurt was a civilian bystander, the FBI said Wednesday.

The Pentagon Transit Center, which includes the Metrobus platform and Metro train line below it, also remained closed Wednesday, with trains and busses diverted instead to Pentagon City as the investigation continues.

Flags flew at half-staff at the Pentagon in honor of Gonzalez starting Tuesday evening at the direction of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who was not in the building during the attack. He visited the PFPA headquarters Tuesday to offer his condolences to the Gonzalezs colleagues, according to chief Pentagon spokesman John Kirby.

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 Tuesday night. He and his fellow officers are members of the Pentagon family, and known to us all as professional, skilled and brave.

Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was spotted talking with PFPA officers Tuesday evening before leaving the building. Shortly after, he issued a statement extending his deepest condolences to the family, friends and Pentagon Force Protection Agency colleagues.

This officers bravery will always be honored, Milley said. We are forever grateful for the professionalism, dedication and courage he and every officer exhibit to ensure the safety and well-being of all of us who serve at the Pentagon.

Caitlin Doornbos

previous coverage Officer dead, suspect killed in violence outside Pentagon
(Wikicommons)

AUBURN, Maine (Tribune News Service)  In sentencing an Auburn Navy veteran Tuesday to 20 years for arson, a judge chastised the U.S. military for discharging a veteran without treatment for his post-traumatic stress disorder.

Prosecutors also pointed to the mental health treatment of Justin Knight, 36, of 138 Spring St., at the hands of the U.S. Navy as "deplorable."

Knight was sentenced in Androscoggin County Superior Court on four arson charges to 20 years in prison. He pleaded guilty to them in April.

Justice Harold Stewart II suspended 12 years of that sentence. Knight has spent the past three years at Androscoggin County Jail, time for which he'll be credited toward the eight years he was sentenced to serve.

On Sept. 30, 2018, Knight set fire to a 138-year-old building at 63 Academy St. that was run as a boarding house.

The Empire-style building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 and had been owned by the same family for three generations spanning more than 70 years.

Members of that family told the judge Tuesday of the impact the fire had on them and the community.

The owner of the building, Lisa LeBrun, recorded a 10-minute photo montage that was shown in court of the fire's destruction, which was estimated to have caused roughly $2 million in damage.

Assistant District Attorney Andrew Matulis told Justice Stewart that a police officer responded to a dispatched call shortly after midnight to the boarding house where he found the porch engulfed in flames and tenants fleeing the burning building.

Officers went inside to clear the remaining residents, but by the time they reached the second floor, the interior walls and a bathroom were on fire, Matulis said.

Six of the building's nine tenants were inside at the time of the fire, Matulis said.

All of the residents lost their property, he said.

A police detective said the gas cap of a vehicle parked outside the building had a burning dollar bill sticking out of the gas tank opening, but the flame hadn't ignited the gasoline.

A fire investigator said there were two areas of the building where fires had been set.

A witness told investigators she had seen a man setting the fires, including in a trash can on a porch on one side of the building. She also saw a man carrying boards up to the other side of the building. She said she "could hear the breaking of wood and then saw flames coming from the other porch."

Knight had also unsuccessfully attempted to ignite the gas tank of a pickup truck parked in the area, Matulis said.

Police interviewed Knight after a domestic violence call involving his girlfriend. He eventually confessed to setting the fires at what he called the "big scary house," Matulis said.

Knight, who lived near the boarding house, said he had been fighting with his girlfriend at the time. He said he saw the cardboard and he lit it on fire, Matulis said.

Knight told police the cardboard was under the porch. He admitted setting a second fire in a trash can on the other porch.

On Tuesday, Knight, who appeared in court by videoconference from Androscoggin County Jail, said: "I grew up in a loving home with a loving family. I was taught morals. I'm not a bad person. I was just going through a lot of stuff, and I still am."

Knight said he'd like to apologize to "everybody I hurt, the people inside that building. I know it could have killed somebody that night. I really am sorry if there are people I hurt. And I'm sorry for everything that you guys are going through."

He continued, "I'm not a bad person; I just did a very bad thing that night. I am really a good person. I truly am sorry for what I did. I never meant to harm anybody. I don't know what caused me to do what I did that night, but I can't take it back and I wish I could, I really do."

In LeBrun's video, she narrated the depths of destruction the fire caused the structure as well as the depths of despair it caused her, her family and tenants as she sought to salvage whatever she could of the belongings of the people who lived there and the historic structure's integrity, architectural beauty and family heirlooms.

She detailed the laborious process of trying to keep out the weather with no roof through the following fall and winter months.

Her sister, Estelle LeBrun-Ramsey, told Justice Stewart that "the grief is as intense today as it was on that dreadful morning, two years, 10 months, and four days ago" when the fire left their family's "cherished" property "blackened, charred and without life."

LeBrun-Ramsey said, "It is a cruel reality that has broken hearts, many hearts."

The family members offered Knight forgiveness and hoped he'd get the mental health assistance he needed.

Knight served more than a decade in the Navy after graduating from Edward Little High School in Auburn, including tours in combat, defense attorney Donald Hornblower said.

Knight experienced two traumatic events during his time aboard a military vessel that likely cause his PTSD, including watching as one of his best friends drowned while maneuvering between two boats.

That man was a husband and father.

Knight, who was single, "started to think, 'That should have been me,'" Hornblower said.

Feelings of guilt and shame led to alcohol and drug abuse as he sought to self-medicate, Hornblower said.

Another time, while his ship was aiming to guard a cargo ship, a Somali pirate pointed a grenade launcher at him.

"And he was frozen with fear and thought, 'Is this when I die?'" Hornblower said. Instead, it was those pirates who ended up dying.

"They were killed, they're on fire and they were jumping in the water," as Knight looked on, Hornblower said.

Knight was treated for his substance abuse, then left the Navy with less than an honorable discharge.

He received no treatment afterward and no veteran's benefits.

Only recently has the military stepped up and taken responsibility for his treatment, Hornblower said.

Shortly before ordering his sentence, Justice Stewart noted the irony that Knight's traumatic experiences were later revisited on the victims of his criminal conduct.

"What's happened here is someone that had untreated pain, untreated PTSD, over a course (of) time became exacerbated, resulting in even further exacerbation, even broader pain," Stewart said, referring to the lack of treatment by the military after Knight's discharge. "And I think it's safe to say, further PTSD, to those that were directly impacted, the residents and owner of the building, family members and community at large. And so this is a tragic example of how untreated emotional well-being, particularly PTSD, can just become far broader in scope."

Stewart also sentenced Knight to concurrent sentences of eight years apiece to the three other arson charges as well as six months on a domestic violence assault charge.

After his release from prison, Knight will be on probation for four years, during which he'd be barred from having alcohol or illegal drugs for which he can be tested at random. He won't be allowed to have any incendiary or explosive devices for which he can be searched at random.

He must undergo mental health and substance abuse counseling, enroll in a certified batterers' program and abide by a curfew.

Knight must pay restitution to Lisa LeBrun of nearly $50,000 as well as $1,000 apiece to two insurance companies.

(c)2021 the Sun Journal (Lewiston, Maine)

Visit the Sun Journal (Lewiston, Maine) at www.sunjournal.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Korean War veteran John Thomas Lody, left, receives a Pennsylvania House of Representatives recognition presented by Pennsylvania state Rep. Carl Walker Metzgar, R-Somerset/Bedford, 69th District, on Tuesday Aug. 3, 2021. (Screenshot from The Tribune-Democrat video)

CENTRAL CITY, Pa. (Tribune News Service)  John Thomas Lody is one of the few surviving members of the 5,000 combined United Nations, United States and Greek forces who successfully defended Outpost Harry against an attack by the numerically superior Chinese during the Korean War.

The weeklong battle took place in June 1953, about one month before an armistice was signed.

On Tuesday, Lody was honored for his contribution with an award of Congressional recognition and Pennsylvania House of Representatives citation during a Veteran Community Initiatives rural outreach event at Central City-Shade Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7457.

It means a lot, said his son, John Jacob Lody. Growing up with him, he didnt talk about the war very much for obvious reasons. Im sure it brings up a lot of painful memories. But as hes gotten older, hes revealed more about his service to the country. As Ive matured as an adult, its made me super-proud of what my dads accomplished.

For the longest time, I knew him as a town barber, but I also know him as a hero, a war hero. Its been absolutely an honor to watch him sort of embrace a part of his life that is painful, but also remember he did it for everybody else to ensure we are all free in a free country.

John Thomas Lody, now a 90-year-old Army veteran who lives in Central City, spoke about the unbelievable hell of killing people, but also expressed how wonderful it felt to share the day with his family.

U.S. Rep. John Joyce, R-Blair, 13th District, presented the congressional certificate, thanking Lody for maintaining the incredible freedoms that our fore-founders fought for and offering heartfelt and sincere thanks on behalf of the federal government for what you did for us in the Korean War.

State Rep. Carl Walker Metzgar, R-Berlin, 69th District, told Lody that he is eternally grateful for his service during the war.

We live in a world today where there are people who they want us to forget that were the greatest nation that has ever been on this earth and they want us to stop believing in American greatness, Metzgar said. I think youre a testament to that American greatness.

(c)2021 The Tribune-Democrat (Johnstown, Pa.)

Visit The Tribune-Democrat (Johnstown, Pa.) at www.tribune-democrat.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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
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TCP After Dark will present the Revolutionists on Friday, Aug. 13 at 7 p.m., and Saturday, Aug. 14 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. The performances will be held at the First Presbyterian Church on 315 E. Shawnee.

From left: Laura Carter, Tammy Schmidt, Sheila Fritts, and Misti Hanrahan-Biggs.
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
Brian D. King | Daily Press

John Bennett at the Hillside Church in Tahlequah told members of the Cherokee Chapter of the 2nd Amendment Association that the government is going door-to-door to register citizens that have not taken the vaccine.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports an alarming uptick in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations nationwide, especially among young adults. Floridas COVID-19 numbers are following the same trend and the transmission rate is high.
What just happened? The number of PlayStation Plus subscribers and monthly active users has fallen, but Sony isn't worried; it says last year's stay-at-home orders boosted numbers, and with restrictions relaxing, a decline is to be expected.

In its Q1 financial results, which cover the three months ending June 30, Sony reported 46.3 million PlayStation Plus subscribers. That's up 1.3 million year-on-year, but more than a million fewer than the previous two quarters. According to Resetera (via VGC), it's the first time PlayStation Plus users have dipped significantly between quarters in at least eight years.

The change in the number of monthly active users also made for worrying reading. The 104 million unique accounts that played games or used services on PSN during the last month of the quarter is down 10 million YoY and 5 million lower than the previous quarter.

Sony says much of the decline can be blamed on the pandemic. Gaming, streaming, and online shopping were all boosted by 2020's stay-at-home restrictions and are now returning to more expected levels of engagement.

Sony's chief financial officer, Hiroki Totoki, said the figures weren't necessarily something to worry about. "Of course, 104 million is not a strong number, but are we looking at it as a declining trend? We don't think so," he explained during a webcast. "We are trying to analyze different elements, but there are no conspicuous trends that we can capture. Maybe this month or next month, we will have to continue to watch and do an analysis."

Totoki emphasized the pandemic's effect on the number of PSN users last year. "At the risk of repetition, may I say that last year the stay-at-home demand was so significant in hindsight, so compared to that period last year as a trend of course [it's declined]. [But] compared to fiscal 2019 there is an increase."

"So, we will monitor the situation carefully, and we will deepen the engagement and enhance the platform, therefore during the coming fiscal year, we will take actions to support this business."

It wasn't all bad news for Sony. We recently heard that the PlayStation 5 is now the fastest-selling console in the company's history, having sold 10 million units just eight months after launcha feat that took the PlayStation 4 nine months to achieve. It's especially impressive given the pandemic, chip shortages, and scalping problems we're still facing.
In brief: Samsung is once again expanding its tablet portfolio with new products. The latest addition is the Galaxy Tab S7 FE, a cut-down S7+ offering everything that defines the flagship tablet at a more reasonable price. Available with or without 5G support, both models include an S-Pen, which might come in handy for various tasks.

Samsung has finally launched the Galaxy Tab S7 FE, or "Fan Edition," in the US, providing customers with a flagship-like tablet with some cut-down specs compared to the S7+ tablet. Both 5G and non-5G models run Android 11, but while the former features an octa-core Snapdragon 750G, the latter comes with a Qualcomm SM7325 chipset.

Like the original S7+, the Fan Edition features a 12.4-inch display with a 2560x1600 resolution, but instead of being OLED, it's LCD. Memory and storage configurations have also been changed, with the S7 FE packing 4GB of RAM and 64GB of local storage, but it can be expanded to 1TB with an SD card. The camera configuration has also been downgraded, with an 8MP on the back and a landscape-oriented 5MP shooter on the front.

The Tab S7 FE models also come with a 10090mAh battery, support for Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi, stylus support (S-Pen included), a fast-charging USB-C port, a metal unibody, and a dual speaker system with Dolby Atmos support. The 5G model will only be available in black, but the Wi-Fi model can come in black, silver, pink or green.

Samsung also explained that the new tablet will be compatible with the remaining "ecosystem of Galaxy devices," including Galaxy phones and earbuds. Moreover, it announced the Book Cover keyboard to protect your tablet and give you a laptop-like experience, further improved when using Samsung Dex.

"The Galaxy Tab S7 FE offers today's tablet users the flexibility they need to enjoy their favorite content from anywhere, and with an ultra-large display it delivers a premium experience for the smart shopper," said Leroy Williams, SVP of Mobile Business at Samsung America.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE 5G in black will launch tomorrow for $669. The non-5G model will be available for pre-order starting tomorrow in black, silver, green, or pink, and will cost $529.
(Photo : GettlyImages/ LIONEL BONAVENTURE ) AWS deal with Greece

Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced that it partnered up with Greece's government to turn the country into a regional space hub.

This is the first agreement AWS has that focuses on a country's economic and technology initiatives that aim to expand its space presence globally.

Amazon Web Services and Greece to Work Together

Under a Statement of Strategic Intent agreement, Greece's government and the AWS will team up to promote the country's space economy. The two will also work together to attract and train astronauts and aerospace professionals.

The agreement includes Greece's access to the AWS Active program, which offers tools and resources for using its cloud networking technology, according to Geospatial World.

Professionals and organizations from the country may also have the chance to get a sponsorship from AWS so they could get qualified to work with space-related data. The sponsorship will be through the Registry of Open Data on Amazon Web Services.

Also Read: Amazon Web Services aims for Germany, boasts new partner

The agreement is between the company and two departments: The Ministry of Development and Investment and Digital Governance, according to Reuters.

Last year, AWS worked with Greece's Ministry of Digital Governance and signed a Memorandum of Understanding to update the services with applications supported by the Amazon Web Service's cloud networking technology.

Cameron Brooks, the director of the public sector in Europe at AWS, said in a statement posted on Amazon's site that they would work closely with the Ministries to support Greece's focus on innovation in technology, aerospace, and digital economy.

AWS stated that it had picked 10 US and European space startups for an accelerator program design to operate for four weeks. It is set to boost the cloud computing and analytics skills of space startups.

In 2020, AWS Aerospace and Satellite Solutions was launched as part of Amazon's space industry expansion, and its British investor, Seraphim Capital, backed it up.

In 2019, Amazon launched AWS Ground Station. The department uses the company's cloud to control satellites, download their data and record their findings.

Amazon has also announced that it will invest $10 billion to develop its constellation named Project Kuiper. The project will consist of 3,236 satellites that will provide broadband services worldwide. More than 500 people are assigned to work on the project.

Even though Amazon has not revealed when the launch date will be, the company will have to deploy half of its constellation by 2026 to comply with its regulatory license.

Amazon has now recruited a group of satellite experts that previously worked for Facebook to work on the constellation.

AWS Pandemic Controversy

AWS had laid out its plans for the next few years despite being the center of controversy last year during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic.

In May 2020, a top official at Amazon Web Services had quit due to the conditions of the company's warehouse. Tim Bray, the VP of AWS, expressed his dismay at how Amazon handled the whistleblowers who revealed the treatment of the warehouse employees who were terrified of the COVID-19 virus.

The whistleblowers were fired, and the issue regarding the warehouse was never entirely solved. Now, AWS is working on several projects, and it is unclear if the conditions are better than it was last year.

Related Article: Amazon Web Services Bolsters Its Cloud Platform With Cloud9 Acquisition

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Written by Sophie Webster

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The rising COVID-19 cases are currently forcing various government agencies to vaccinate their residents as soon as possible, especially since new coronavirus strains, such as Delta and Lambda, are now appearing.

Recently, CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and WHO (World Health Organization) warned various countries that the new Delta could become the most dominant strain of COVID-19. Now, it seems like the predictions are true since the United States and other parts of the globe are facing rising Delta cases.

Now, Dr. Ghassan Kamel of St. Louis revealed two new lung x-rays of vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals to show how alarming the ongoing pandemic really is. Based on his photos, the unvaccinated patient's lungs appear to be completely white.

This means that it is filled with COVID-19 particles. On the other hand, the vaccinated individual's lungs still have some black spaces, showing that the person can still breathe since plenty of air is flowing free from the virus.

Unvaccinated Vs. Vaccinated: Younger People Now At Risk

According to the Daily Mail UK's latest report, various experts are now seeing younger people getting infected by the new COVID-19 variants.

When the pandemic is just beginning, medical researchers said that older people should be prioritized when vaccines arrive since younger ones are not highly at risk of getting infected.

Also Read: COVID-19: Oklahoma Man in Need of Double Lung and Heart Transplant After Contracting COVID

However, Dr. Kamel confirmed that young individuals are now highly at risk of Delta and other new variants. He added that they saw a rising number of young patients from 2020 until 2021.

The COVID-19 expert added that they now see very sick individuals in different hospitals and other medical firms.

"They definitely at least would require oxygen and sometimes they would require more than just oxygen," he added.

Aside from this, the doctor also warned unvaccinated individuals that if they are somehow infected by COVID-19 now, they could be on life support and other medical severe scenarios.

Microsoft Now Requires COVID-19 Vaccination Proof

Since COVID-19 is getting more dangerous, The Verge reported that Microsoft is now one of the giant tech firms requiring COVID-19 vaccination proof before people enter its buildings.

The giant tech developer already informed its employees to show their vaccination documents starting this coming September. However, there are still special accommodations for those with unique cases, such as religion, medical condition, and other reasons that prevent them from getting vaccinated.

For more news updates about COVID-19 and other related stories, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: COVID-19 Vax Proof Will Be Required by NYC for Indoor Public Settings

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 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : GettlyImages/ SOPA Images ) Apple digital ID app

Apple will expand its digital ID feature to more universities in the United States and roll out the feature in Canada as thousands of students are expected to return to school this year.

Students will be able to use a digital ID on their Apple Watch or iPhone so they can make purchases and do transactions safely.

Apple's Digital ID Roll Out

Canadian students can now add digital IDs to the Wallet app. The rollout will begin at the University of New Brunswick and Sheridan College, according to CNBC.

In the United States, a new batch of schools is set to adopt Apple's digital IDs, including Northern Arizona University, Auburn University, University of Maine, and New Mexico State University.

Jennifer Bailey, Apple's VP of Apple Pay, said they would work with more schools in the United States this year. They are preparing to introduce digital IDs in Canada to provide a more convenient and secure way to get around the campus.

Also Read: Apple Tales Of Account Recovery: Widow Needs Court Order To Get Late Husband's Apple ID Password

Both the students and school faculty can use their devices as a way to access buildings, buy meals, recreation areas, and more.

A lot of universities are slowly moving away from traditional plastic cards and taking a digital approach to their ID programs, allowing students and staff to use digital IDs in Apple Wallet to complete their transactions that would have previously required a traditional ID.

The coronavirus pandemic has caused a lot of establishments to back away from traditional payment methods for health reasons, and digital IDs are the best way to pay for items without having to touch anything.

Ditching Plastic IDs

In April, CNET reported that students used their digital IDs more than plastic IDs to purchase and access buildings in their respective campuses.

This year, the University of Alabama will be the first university to discourage the use of plastic IDs and have all 38,000 students use digital IDs instead.

Jeanine Brooks, the Action Card director at the University of Alabama, said that the response from their community for the digital ID was overwhelmingly positive.

The transition began last year, and the change saved the university a lot of time and money as they no longer have to produce ID materials. Apple is also reportedly working on replacing driver's licenses and passports with digital IDs.

Students use digital IDs to access recreation centers, student events, residence halls, libraries, vending machines, and more.

Since the digital IDs are stored in their device, the number of lost ID cases decreased significantly.

Meanwhile, the University of New Brunswick is preparing to be the first university in Canada to offer the digital ID service.

Digital IDs are known for their flexibility, and they offer an extra level of security and privacy since they are stores on Apple devices. Students will no longer have to worry about misplaced IDs.

If you ever misplace your device, you can use the Find My app to lock your iPhone or Apple Watch and locate it, according to 9to5 Mac.

To enable the digital ID on your Apple Wallet, you will need to enter your campus credentials. Apple partnered with Transact, TouchNet, HID Global, Allegion, Atrium, and CBORD for broader transactions.

Related Article: Apple Rolls Out Of Digital Credit Card To Select Customers

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Written by Sophie Webster

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : Screenshot From Apple Official Website) Apple Store Down Update | Store Tab Re-added to Main Site

Apple Store down update. The Apple Store had just recently been down and when users would attempt to access it, they would then be given a "Be Right Back" message. However, it seems like the website was temporarily unavailable only to re-add one of the more classic tabs, the "Store."

Apple Store 'Be Right Back'

According to MacRumors, the official Apple Store was down and for those that are attempting to access it in order to make a purchase, the message that will meet them is "Be Right Back."The issue has finally been resolved and things are back to normal with an addition of a new product.

The article by MacRumor describes other things that might have happened while the site was down. The article notes that given it was just a regular day in the United States and technically there are no expectations of new products as of the moment, it is quite likely that the problem is only temporary.

Apple Store Temporary Maintenance

It was described as most likely a temporary maintenance outage which the article clarified was not really related to any new product release. The Apple Store was down at the time of their writing. The article then noted that they would provide an update should the site be back up and they did. When it comes to the Apple App Store, there are instances where scam apps are able to make it through.

The update stated that the online Apple Store is finally back up and that the company has decided to re-add a particular "Store" tab to the main site. It was also noted that as of the moment, that might have been the only change and the article suggests that the outage was actually mostly another behind-the-scenes maintenance update.

Read Also: Telstra Aims to Make Public Pay Phones 'Payless' Under New Initiative | Free Phone Calls

Periodic Website Maintenance

Maintenance is very important especially if the website is widely being used by a number of people and especially if it also sells products online. Maintenance happens not just when a certain site has been compromised but it can also be a form of upgrade in order to anticipate and protect the site from an upcoming attack or just to add security. Apple claimed that they saved their users from $1.5 Billion App Store fraud back in 2020.

Most big sites, games, and other online platforms do have periodic maintenance but sometimes, they are hardly noticeable. Since some maintenance is periodic, the company usually makes the most out of it and does the most within a short period of time. When maintenance happens, the company speeds up the update or fix in order to provide a better service to their users.

FingerprintMarketing explains the importance of maintenance noting that it is not just fixing or updates, it also involves regularly checking the website for certain issues and mistakes making sure that everything available is updated and relevant. In the case of Apple, the re-addition of "Store" was the reason behind the maintenance but there might also be a few updates happening behind the scenes.

Related Article: Twitter Shuts Instagram Stories-Like Platform 'Fleets' | Copycat No More?

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Written by Urian B.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
When you think of a supermassive black hole eating its way through the universe, you somehow cannot help but think of a larger-than-life black hole that just slurps up anything and everything in its path at a speed you cannot fathom. That may not exactly be the case.

Astronomers have used the Hubble Space Telescope as well as the Very Large Telescope and the Atacama Large Millimeter Array to have a closer look at the eating habits of a supermassive black hole.

What they found out, according to Space, is that a supermassive black hole's "lengthy meals, however, are not very substantial."

Supermassive Black Hole's Eating Habits

The supermassive black hole that scientists studied is the one located at the heart of a galaxy known as NGC 1566. The NGC 1566 galaxy is around 40 million light-years away from Earth.

Scientists saw that before the supermassive black hole even began to eat, dusty materials already headed its way at a speed that can reach 50 miles per second. These materials then split into long, wispy streaks of dust that whirled around the nucleus before they were eventually sucked up.

"The black hole appears - at first - to have quite the appetite as it slurps up dust filaments that are reported to be several hundred light-years long and less than ten light-years wide," according to the article by Space. Scientists, however, do not think that a supermassive black hole's meal is very substantial.

"In this one, we calculate[d] the rate of infalling material to be much less than 1/100 the mass of the sun per year," Astronomer and lead author Almudena Prieto told Space in an email.

Related Article: Astronomers Caught Supermassive Black Hole Burping Twice For The First Time

Hubble Space Telescope and Very Large Telescope Image Black Hole Eating

The astronomers made use of the Hubble Space Telescope as well as the Very Large Telescope to study the eating habits of the supermassive black hole found in the NGC 1566 galaxy. The Atacama Large Millimeter Array in Chile was also used by the astromers in the study.

"This group of telescopes has given us a completely new perspective of a supermassive black hole, thanks to the imaging at high angular resolution and the panoramic visualization of its surroundings," according to Prieto.

What is a Supermassive Black Hole?

A supermassive black hole is considered as the largest type of black hole to exist.

According to COSMOS, most supermassive black holes are located too far away to be observed. Those that scientists have been able to study have a million to a billion times more mass than that of a stellar black hole.

Scientists also believe that supermassive black holes are usually located at the center of large galaxies. The Milky Way galaxy is one of those galaxies.

Also Read: Albert Einstein's Theory of General Relativity Prediction Happens: Light Behind Black Hole Detected by Telescopes

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 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : Screenshot From Pexels Official Website) Zoom Lied About 'End-to-End Encryption' and Gave User Data to Facebook and Google Without Consent | $85 Million Settlement

Zoom, the popular video conferencing platform, is now paying $85 million to its users as part of a full class-action lawsuit settlement. The company was accused of lying about its offering end-to-end encryption within its service while providing its user data to Facebook and Google even without the users' permission.

Zoom to Pay $85 Million Settlement

According to ArsTechnica, Zoom has currently agreed to pay $85 million in order to settle complaints made against the video conferencing giant. The proposal was reportedly filed on Saturday at the official US District Court for the Northern District of California.

The whole class-action settlement applies to all of the different categories of users regardless whether they actually have a paid or a free Zoom account. Despite the massive value of the settlement, this will only result in about $15 or $25 for every single user.

Zoom Promises to Improve Practices

According to 9to5Mac, in addition to the recently made agreement, Zoom now promises to improve its practices in order to improve both the security and privacy of the platform. Zoom has acquired Kites GmbH to help with the software's real-time translation.

It was noted that nine months after Zoom had previously agreed to secure improvements as well as a "prohibition on privacy and security misrepresentations" in a statement with the FTC, the Federal Trade Commission settlement, however, still did not include compensation for its users.

Zoom 'End-to-End Encryption'

In addition to the payments, Zoom has also agreed to over dozens of different major changes to the company's practices. This includes changes designed to help improve meeting security, safeguard consumer data, and even bolster privacy disclosures.

Back in 2020, it was also reportedly revealed that Zoom did not offer any form of end-to-end encryption despite the company claiming to do so. Following these particular reports, the platform was then updated with a much better encryption system as well as more privacy controls.

Read Also: Apple Store Down Update | Store Tab Re-added to Main Site

Zoom Revenue Spike

With the whole ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Zoom's massive revenue soared from just $622.7 million all the way up to $2.7 billion in the course of just 12 months! This year, Zoom is now expected to deliver even more results as more and more people are starting to use Zoom for not just work but also studying at home.

The article by ArsTechnica notes that the class lawyers will be getting their attorneys' fees which could go up to 25% of the whopping $85 million and even up to $200,00 in order to reimburse their expenses. The $85 million is small compared to the Zoom Q1 2021 revenue of $952 million.

There are also reportedly about a dozen named plaintiffs that are seeking approval of payments to receive amounting to $5,000 each. A particular hearing regarding the plaintiff's motion for preliminary approval of the widespread settlement is scheduled this coming October 21, 2021.

Related Article: Spotify 'Plus' Could Cost Just $0.99 a Month BUT Still Include Ads

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Written by Urian B.

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Xiaomi's Mi Mix 4 is launching on August 10 and is likely to flaunt a flexible screen along with an under-display selfie camera, making the upcoming Android smartphone the first in-display shooter from the Chinese phone maker.

GizmoChina noted that the Xiaomi Mi Mix 4 debut event is commencing a day earlier than the Unpacked event of Samsung, wherein the South Korean giant is launching next-generation devices, such as the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Galaxy Z Fold 3, together with the Galaxy Watch 4 series and the Galaxy Buds2.

Xiaomi Mi Mix 4 Launch

Xiaomi is reportedly not only introducing the Xiaomi Mi Mix 4 on its launch, but it will also be announcing the Mi Pad 5 series, Mi CC11 lineup, and the new MIUI 13.

As per XDADevelopers, Xiaomi already confirmed that the earlier rumored moniker, the Mi MIX 4, is indeed coming after the Chinese behemoth shared a teaser of the upcoming device on Weibo, a Twitter counterpart in the Asian country.

It is worth noting that the last time that the giant phone manufacturer released a device that sported the "Mi Mix" name was way back in 2018. So, after a couple of years, it was only on May 11 when Xiaomi brought back the previous moniker for its foldable flagship, the Mi Mix Fold.

Xiaomi did not reveal any further details of the upcoming device, aside from confirming its name and its launch date.

However, a prominent Chinese leaker that goes by the name Digital Chat Station exposed some info about what to expect from the Mi Mix 4.

Xiaomi Mi Mix 4: Flexible and Under-Display Selfie Camera

The Chinese leaker predicted that the Mi Mix 4 is likely to flaunt an innovative flexible display. Not to mention that the upcoming device is also possibly featuring an under-display front-facing camera.

To further prove the information about the yet-to-be-launched Xiaomi device, Digital Chat Station attached a video that exhibited the seamless display, sans the punch hole provision for the selfie snapper.

The clip also showed how the flexible display of the Mi Mix 4 works with its screen curving on both sides of the device.

Read Also: Xiaomi Beats Samsung in Europe with 700K More Shipments and a Massive 67.1% YoY Growth

Xiaomi Mi Mix 4: Other Details

As per the Xiaomi Mi Mix 4 leak last June 20, the device is sporting a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor and a better display resolution, but some reports are saying that it is likely to get the newer Snapdragon 888 Plus.

The flagship smartphone chip is expected to be powered by a 5,000mAh battery that could support 120w fast charging.

It also turned out that the upcoming device did not stop at removing the punch hole eyesore. It is also rumored to flaunt an FHD+ display resolution.

The upcoming device will be installed with a MIUI 12.5, which is based on the Android 11, alongside its support for mmWave 5G support and UWB.

Related Article: The Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 Looks Awesome: Can The $500 Device Challenge The $1,000 iPhone 8?

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Written by Teejay Boris

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Samsung's XCover line-up has been showing some uniqueness compared to other smartphone series. This 2021, the latest of the batch is the XCover 5, which appears to be a more convenient version of the former XCover Pro.

From its price to its weight, the newest XCover release is intended for those who have rough jobs. Dubbed as the 2021 Hulk Phone, this smartphone promises so much potential, especially due to its military-grade usage.

Should you purchase it at the end of the day?

Samsung XCOver 5 Features

The usual feature of XCover phones is the prominent red button located on the left side. This specific part, known as the XCover key, has been useful when scanning a barcode.

The most common users of this Hulk phone are those logistic workers who need to inventory and track the products through a barcode scanning application.

For those who are stuck in the dark, the XCover 5's key button is not only used to gain access to the barcode scanner. This could also transform into an easy-access flashlight that will guide you in the dark.

GSM Arena reported that the XCover 5 has a replaceable battery. Many smartphones nowadays do not adopt that transition, but switching batteries could provide more convenience to the users, especially during emergencies.

Since this is a military-grade phone, it is most preferred by those who don't mind something heavy in their pockets.

The good news for this phone is its durability since several modern phones would be destroyed upon falling to the floor. Samsung's newest XCover flagship will not do the same thing. Plus, its 1.5m-deep-water resistance will allow you to retrieve it with ease when soaked in water.

Pros of Samsung Galaxy XCover 5

According to Bangkok Post, even though the Hulk phone is popular due to its rubberized case and durable exterior, the phone's speed might be disappointing when compared to other line-ups.

The speedy phones that are currently existing could run multiple apps with ease, but the XCover 5 might render slow operation upon opening an application.

Besides requiring more load time, its display is only limited to 720p.

Read Also: Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Might Not Get AMD-Powered Exynos Chip [LEAK]

Cons of Samsung Galaxy XCover 5

The slow computing of this smartphone could make up for its impressive battery life.

If you are looking for long out-of-town vacations, this phone could be your best friend. It could last for two days if you set aside opening gaming apps. There is also a POGO charging port made for users who usually engage in fieldwork.

If you are working in a rough job industry like engineers and construction workers, this phone will suit your needs.

Previously, some leaks pointed out XCover 5 specs. Somehow, the rumors showed that it could have thick bezels and small displays.

In related news, Samsung said last month that its upcoming phones would have a telephoto pro mode for enhanced mobile photography.

Related Article: Samsung Galaxy XCover 5 vs. XCover Pro: Price, Specs, and More

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Written by Joseph Henry

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
In the latest report by Kaspersky said that the number of DDoS (distributed-denial-of-service) attacks have plunged in the second quarter of 2020 by 38.8%.

What is DDoS Attack

According to the cybersecurity site, Kaspersky, DDoS attacks usually stem from a specific network. The hackers for instance could target the website of the company and send successive requests until the website could no longer welcome them.

Amid pandemic scare, the ransom-driven DDoS attacks boomed. Possibly, the attacks have been more organized since many people rely on the usage of technology.

The cybercriminals took this as an opportunity to exploit the system, files, and information from the people.

What Kaspersky Discovered About DDoS Attacks

From the recent analysis released by Kaspersky, the most prominent country which houses DDoS tools was China. The United States, Poland, and Brazil have been found out to be some of the countries struck by the attacks.

As technology improves, the scammers' way to launch DDoS attacks improves as well.

For instance, those who use the STUN (Session Traversal Utilities for NAT) protocol have been growing rampant. Somehow, other hackers were known to exploit DNS servers through the TsuNAME vulnerability.

DDoS attacks are not selective in the attacks -- either it's a small business or a tech giant like Microsoft, the exploitations will still continue to operate.

According to Kaspersky, the report suggested that the daily fluctuation of 500 to 800 took place. Out of these numbers, only 60 of them have been known to be recorded, especially during the quiet days.

Somehow, China was the previous bearer with the most number of DDoS attacks, but the United States caught up at 36%. Poland was the newest country to be included in the list.

Furthermore, the cybersecurity experts found out that China has the most number of malicious servers and bots at 31.8% followed by the US at 12.5%, and lastly Germany at 5.9%.

"The second quarter of 2021 was calm, as we expected. There was a slight decrease in the total number of attacks compared to the previous quarter, which is typical for this period and is observed annually," Kaspersky DDoS Department business manager, Alexey Kiselev said.

Read Also: DDoS Attacks: Larger and Far More Sophisticated

How to Stay Protected Against DDoS Attacks

DDoS attacks could hit you anytime by surprise. The hackers are becoming more crafty in their scheme that's why people need to be more cautious of them. Here are some tips that Kaspersky shared for your protection, as per Security Brief.

Recognize the trend of traffic

Designate experts that will help you understand more about DDoS attacks (web source operation maintenance)

Always validate agreements especially from third parties.

Consult professionals to help you keep safe against DDoS attacks

Be defensive-minded and set a strategy for your service.

Related Article: Massive DDoS Attack Targets Belnet: Hackers Constantly Change Tactics to Disrupt More Than 200 Organizations

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Written by Joseph Henry

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The COVID-19 quarantine of this Singaporean man is a little less boring than other folk's 14-day isolation as his $7,000 gaming PC setup accompanies him as he got it shipped to his hotel.

This man wanted to make the most out of his two-week-long COVID-19 quarantine, wherein he will be staying inside the confines of his hotel room, by bringing along his expensive PC setup.

Now that the risk of COVID-19 due to the Delta variant remains high, some countries still require a 14-day quarantine for those suspected to be carriers of the virus, or even people coming from overseas.

The Singaporean that goes by the Instagram username @vickygoesnuts belongs to the latter group as he had been out of the country since January. The man had to undergo Stay-Home-Notice, the health protocol imposed in Singapore that locks him up in a hotel for two weeks before he actually goes home.

COVID-19 Quarantine and $7,000 Gaming PC Setup

As per Mothership, a Singaporean news outlet, the maker of the custom PC, Aftershock, said that the owner of the $7,000 gaming rig is a business traveler, adding that it was delivered to the home address of the customer a few months ago even as he was out of the country.

So, it is not a surprise that the owner of the expensive gaming setup was excited to use his gaming PC and wanted it to be delivered to his isolation hotel room.

As such, Aftershock made sure that the PC will be properly shipped to their customer and assigned a team to help bring it to the quarantine location.

$7,000 Gaming PC Setup

It is to note that Aftershock assembled the custom gaming PC and also added the premium peripherals, such as the wireless mouse, mechanical keyboard, headphones, and an ultrawide monitor. It further dubbed the custom gaming rig as the "ultimate hotel gaming setup."

The custom PC company, which boasts itself to be the number one in Singapore, revealed that the pricey gaming rig is water-cooled. But it did not disclose further details about the setup aside from that.

Mashable noted that the mechanical keyboard, shown in the photo posted by the PC company, is perhaps a Keychron K2, probably due to the keycap combination that the brand carries by default.

Read Also: AMD Will Power Tesla Model S, Model X Built-In Gaming Rig - Play The 'Witcher 3,' 'CyberPunk 2077' In-Car

$7,000 Gaming PC Setup Owner's Response

The owner of the expensive gaming setup even replied to the post of Aftershock on Instagram, thanking the company for bringing it to his hotel room while calling the PC maker "the true Gangsta!"

He further responded to one of the commenters on the Instagram post who goes by the username @hydragzz, who mocked the hotel wifi. The owner of the gaming PC went on to reveal that the internet speed is at 30mbps with 4ms of ping.

Elsewhere, if you are building your gaming PC setup, here is a ZOTAC Gaming NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti Restock, which sells below its $400 SRP.

Related Article: Prebuilt Gaming PC 2021: Why You Should Consider Buying One Right Now

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Written by Teejay Boris

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A U.S. state located along the east coast has the worst COVID-19 hospitalization rate among children in the whole country.

Florida's hospitalization rate is the worst among all U.S. states, and many of the children ending up in hospitals are vaccine-eligible teens.

It is worth noting that children who are aged 11 years old and younger are not yet eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine.

Worst COVID-19 Hospitalization Rate Among Children is Florida's

Florida, the U.S. state with the worst COVID-19 hospitalization rate among children, saw an average of 32 children being admitted to hospitals per day from July 24 to 30, according to a report by Newsweek.

Based on the report, 11,048 COVID-19 cases involving children aged 12 to 19 were recorded in the state from July 23 to 29. Meanwhile, 10,785 cases were recorded involving children below 12 years of age during the same time period.

The Florida Health Department likewise reported that out of all the vaccine-eligible youth aged 12 to 19 in the state, only 38% have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

Related Article: COVID-19 Vaccine Can't Be Given to Children Yet, Here's Why

Still No Face Mask Requirement as Children are Set to Return to School

Children are set to return to schools this month despite the growing number of COVID-19 cases driven by the Delta variant. It seems, however, that wearing face masks while in school will not be mandatory.

According to the Newsweek report, "Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order threatening to withhold funding from schools in the state that require students to wear face masks."

Because of this new executive order, plans to implement face masks mandates have been dropped.

Alarming Spike in Pediatric COVID-19 Cases

As the United States faces a surge in COVID-19 cases driven by the highly contagious Delta variant, health experts have expressed alarm over infections involving children.

In an internal document shared within the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Delta variant is said to spread as easily as chickenpox.

Florida is not the only state in the U.S. to hit the news due to a spike in COVID-19 cases among children. Last month, a COVID-19 outbreak took place in a summer camp in New York after 31 children under the age of 12 tested positive.

In Alabama, a doctor's Facebook post went viral after she shared her experiences of "admitting young, healthy people" in the hospital.

"One of the last things they do before they're intubated is beg me for the vaccine. I hold their hand and tell them that I'm sorry, but it's too late," Dr. Brytney Cobia's post reads.

To make things worse, it is not just COVID-19 cases among children that are on the rise. Both COVID-19 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus cases have risen in states such as Florida, Texas, and Louisiana as well.

Also Read: COVID-19 New York Summer Camp Outbreak: 31 Children Under the Age of 12 Test Positive in Camp Pontiac

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Jodie Comer was left terrified after an alleged stalker threatened to kill her.

The 28-year-old actress - who is best known for her role as the assassin Villanelle in 'Killing Eve' - alerted the police after receiving a number of terrifying messages including one which read "I am coming to England to create carnage."

The authorities tracked the messages to an unnamed man, 44, in the French city of Roubaix and he was arrested at his home in an armed dawn raid, last month.

A spokesman for Lille prosecutors said: "Following an official approach by the British authorities, a man was taken into custody for acts of harassment against an English actress."

A police source told The Sun newspaper: "We were contacted by British police on June 30 and asked to make inquiries. A local man aged 44 was arrested as a result.

"The investigation is still ongoing but involves threats and harassment made via social media to the British actress Jodie Comer."

It is believed that Jodie was first contacted in June via her Instagram account.

The man is also believed to have tracked down members of her extended family and sent threats to them via Instagram and their personal emails.

During the investigation, Jodie was noticeably absent from Instagram but recently returned to the social media site.

However, she has limited comments on her latest posts.

A spokesperson for Facebook, which owns Instagram, said: We take threats of violence on our apps incredibly seriously.

"We have clear policies against this and recently announced well take tougher action against people breaking our rules in DMs.
As the fourth wave of COVID-19 continues to inundate Louisiana hospitals, pediatric facilities have also seen a swift rise in the number of patients.

At Children's Hospital New Orleans, one patient has died during the most recent surge and there were 17 hospitalized Thursday morning, the most the hospital has seen during the pandemic, officials there said.

"There's a higher number of (pediatric) patients who require hospitalization compared to any other time during the pandemic," said Dr. Leron Finger, a pediatric critical care physician at Children's. "Talking to my colleagues in Baton Rouge and Shreveport, they've also seen the same number."

In Lafayette, Our Lady of Lourdes Women's & Children's Hospital is treating six COVID-19 patients younger than 18, hospital spokesperson Elisabeth Arnold said Thursday.

Ochsner Lafayette General on Thursday said its youngest COVID patient was 19. In a Wednesday news conference, Ochsner officials said it had 90 COVID patients in the system's Acadiana hospitals. About 40% of those patients were younger than 50.

In New Orleans, the number of pediatric patients has grown quickly. Six pediatric patients were hospitalized at Children's with COVID-19 on Monday, Finger said. That rose to 11 on Tuesday. By Wednesday morning, it had grown to 17. Some went home, but were quickly replaced by new patients on Thursday.

The child who died while being treated for COVID-19 at Children's had no severe underlying conditions. Citing patient privacy, hospital officials did not give more details about the patient's age or residency.

About two-thirds of the children recently admitted to the hospital are too young to be vaccinated and the vast majority do not have underlying illnesses, Finger said.

The statewide rate of vaccination for children ages 12 to 17 is 12%.

Hospital officials attribute the increase in cases to the delta variant's grip on the state.

"Not just in New Orleans, but across the entire state, children under the age of 18 appear to be affected by this variant of the virus more so than previous iterations of the virus," Finger said.

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Children are not as susceptible to severe disease or death from the coronavirus as adults are, with only around .01% of cases resulting in death. Roughly 500 children across the U.S. have died of COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nine of those who died were Louisiana residents.

However, as more virus circulates through the community, more children will get sick and more may die, Finger said. The number of exposures children experience can be driven down by vaccination.

"Unvaccinated family members by and large are giving this disease to their children," said Finger. "This is an urgent wake-up call for those in our community who have thus far been vaccine hesitant to get the vaccine."

Ochsner Health has also seen cases rise among children. The positivity rate among coronavirus tests in kids jumped from 7% to 21.4% in less than one month.

"This does show that we need to protect our kids by continuing to increase vaccination in adults and those around them and continue to protect (kids) by wearing masks in those situations where people are at risk," said Dr. Katherine Baumgarten, medical director of infection control and prevention at Ochsner.

As parents gear up to send their children back to schools in a little over a week, it will be without a statewide mask mandate as things stand today.

The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, which is responsible for setting policies for the state's public school systems, has left the decision about masking up to local school officials. Only one local school district has made such an announcement  New Orleans, which is requiring masks be worn inside school buildings.

Meanwhile, children's hospitals are still full of patients suffering from a surge in respiratory viruses.

"We're full," said Finger. "My colleagues in larger pediatric facilities across the state, really the region, are at capacity every day."

Staff writer Megan Wyatt contributed to this report.
'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.
In an attempt to quell the states aggressive fourth coronavirus surge, the Baton Rouge Diocese will now require all parishioners to wear face coverings during Mass and other church gatherings, Bishop Michael Duca announced Wednesday.

The updated guidelines coincide with the governors statewide mask mandate, which also took effect Wednesday.

Starting immediately, face masks will be required of everyone attending any indoor church events (including Mass), at all parish gatherings held indoors at a church facility, and at all communal celebrations of the sacraments.

Dispensation from Mass obligation ends this weekend for Baton Rouge-area Catholics The bishop of Baton Rouge wants the area's 212,000 Roman Catholics back in the pews this weekend, when his dispensation from their Sunday Mass

We all know what to do. Our pastors know what to do. Thats why the directives I have are pretty simple, Duca said during a news conference outside Baton Rouges Catholic Life Center Wednesday afternoon. I think our pastors will continue to guide our people in the ways that are best for our communities.

Mandating that all churchgoers wear masks for indoor events is the most effective way to quell the virus spread, Duca said, adding that as long as worshippers are diligent about wearing masks, there should be no need to limit the number of people allowed inside the church at a given time.

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Diocese of Baton Rouge to restart in-person Mass; masks required, reservations possible Roman Catholics will be able to return to churches for Mass this coming weekend, rather than having to watch services online, but the Bishop o

Since the pandemic started last year, Duca has shuttered churches, then allowed limited attendance, then opened them more broadly. He also granted a broad dispensation from Sunday Mass attendance that expired in June.

Masks will continue to be given to those who enter the church without them, and Duca said the church will reevaluate the mandate in the future based on medical advice, common sense, and wisdom.

We begin another month, tired and weary due to this pandemic, he said. But our eyes are fixed on a future filled with hope knowing that our courageous actions now will again yield much success in days to come.

+2 Replay: Gov. John Bel Edwards answers COVID questions from readers As Louisiana experiences a fourth surge of COVID cases and hospitalizations, a mask mandate went into effect Wednesday morning.
Gov. John Bel Edwards said Wednesday once the U. S. Food and Drug Administration gives final approval to COVID-19 vaccines, possibly by Labor Day, the action should pave the way for the mandatory vaccinations of LSU students and state employees.

"It would be my expectation that once full authorization is granted . . . then that vaccine will be added to the list and will work just like the current mumps, measles and other vaccines," Edwards said.

The governor made his comments during a 30-minute virtual town hall meeting hosted by The Advocate and Times-Picayune.

Edwards answered questions from Peter Kovacs, editor of the paper, mostly based on those submitted by readers for the event.

The three coronavirus vaccines in use today -- Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson -- are authorized by the FDA for emergency use only.

The federal agency is under heavy political pressure to quickly give final approval to the vaccines so college leaders and others feel they are on more comfortable legal ground in mandating the vaccine.

Edwards said The New York Times reported Tuesday approval is near.

"I think that is going to happen relatively soon, perhaps by Labor Day," he said.

+2 Replay: Gov. John Bel Edwards answers COVID questions from readers As Louisiana experiences a fourth surge of COVID cases and hospitalizations, a mask mandate went into effect Wednesday morning.

LSU leaders on Wednesday said students will not be required to be vaccinated to register for classes but those who are not will have to undergo monthly tests for the virus.

Edwards, an attorney himself, noted that the 7th U. S. Court of Appeals recently upheld the University of Indiana's right to require students to get the vaccine after a district court ruled the same way.

"In Louisiana we are taking a different approach," he said.

"It is not just LSU," Edwards noted.

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"It is all of higher education in Louisiana that is approaching this from this same angle and I am not going to involve myself in that decision," he said of waiting for FDA approval.

Several private schools, including Tulane University, Loyola University and the University of Holy Cross, have made vaccinations for students mandatory and report vaccination rates in the mid-90's and higher.

LSU to require unvaccinated students to take monthly COVID tests; vaccine not required LSU won't require its students to get the coronavirus vaccination to attend this fall, but those who don't will have to be tested monthly, the

The vaccination rate for LSU students is believed to be less than 30%.

Edwards on Monday said he was re-imposing his indoor face mask mandate amid the state's skyrocketing rate of coronavirus cases.

But he said Wednesday he has no plans to resume restrictions on businesses and other steps he ordered earlier in the pandemic.

Baton Rouge hospitals see spike in COVID-sick children  and doctors fear it could get worse As a fourth wave of COVID fueled by the contagious delta variant inundates Baton Rouge hospitals, pediatric facilities are seeing a rise in th

"I have no intention of doing that. I have not been requested to do that. That is not a CDC recommendation," he said, a reference to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"The least onerous thing we can do to try to curb transmission and give some breathing room to hospitals is to reinstate the mask mandate," the governor said.

"We didn't close any businesses. We didn't limit any hours. This is a very targeted and limited approach that we believe will be effective."

Edwards was asked why the state does not delay the start of public schools because of the fourth surge of the coronavirus.

He said both the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics concluded students who wear face masks can safely return to classes.

Edwards also noted that the state Department of Education said Tuesday students who attended in-person classes scored 15% better on key math and English tests than those who relied on virtual learning during the 2020-21 school year.
LSU won't require its students to get the coronavirus vaccination to attend this fall, but those who don't will have to be tested monthly, the newly installed president announced Wednesday.

None of Louisianas other public higher education colleges, universities and vocational schools are requiring the shots either, despite a federal appellate court decision that found mandating vaccinations doesnt interfere with a students Constitutional rights.

More than 600 colleges nationwide, public and private, have mandated their students get vaccinated, and seven private colleges in Louisiana are doing the same.

+2 COVID protocols at LSU: Vaccine mandate not likely, but here's what could be required Though the final decision hasnt been made by the newly installed leadership at LSU, students returning to campus in a few weeks probably will

LSU's new president, William F. Tate IV, announced his decision on the controversial topic in a statement to students and staff Wednesday.

"We require all students to submit proof of either a COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. Unvaccinated students must test on a monthly basis throughout the semester," he wrote. "For the fall semester, we extended the mask mandate currently in place, which means masks or face coverings continue to be required indoors at all times, except when individuals are alone in their offices. This is consistent with the governors recent order. In addition, we require masks outdoors within 50 feet of entrances to buildings."

The lack of mandated vaccinations in the directive is sure to anger many LSU faculty members, who have agitated for weeks that the roughly 30,000 students, only about 29% of whom have been inoculated, show proof of vaccination before returning to the Baton Rouge campus for classes, which begin Aug. 23.

LSU Professor Inessa Bazayev, the Faculty Senate representative for the College of Music and Dramatic Arts, said Wednesday her phone was ringing off the hook with emails and texts from colleagues who, like her, are grateful with what has happened so far, but its not enough.

Monthly testing seems inadequate, said Bazayev, who teaches music theory and analysis. Our concern is, its one thing to mask in the classroom, but students will still go to parties and gatherings and not be masked."

The nine colleges in the University of Louisiana System, which include the University of New Orleans and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, also wont require vaccinations, and neither will the community colleges and technical schools that are a part of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, which oversees about a dozen schools with 60 campuses statewide.

Southern University never lifted its mask mandate, and it remains in place, spokeswoman Janene Tate said. The university is not mandating the vaccine but is strongly encouraging students and staff to get it, including a "Don't Wait, Vaccinate" campaign that offers incentives to get the shots.

"They can win everything from iPads to meal plans to partial tuition," Tate said.

Gov. John Bel Edwards office has discussed the decisions with the university systems but will not interfere, said Matthew Block, the governors executive counsel.

The legal situation is confused because the COVID vaccines are in use on an emergency basis. Once the federal Food and Drug Administration fully authorizes the vaccine, state law is fairly clear that the state health department can add the COVID vaccines to the list that students must take as a prerequisite to attending school. The current list includes shots for measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, poliomyelitis, meningococcal disease, and Hemophilus influenzae Type B invasive infections.

One of the big issues for governors throughout the country has been having communications with the White House about it, hoping for there to be a sooner-rather-than-later decision from the FDA about full authorization because it is something that is at least a relevant point to consider, Block said.

Javin Bowman, LSU Student Government President, is fully vaccinated, but says he hears mixed feelings about vaccinations among students; some oppose it, some are all for it. He said he supports LSU's requirement to wear masks.

I think mandating the vaccine would be a quicker way, he said. But with the legal and political arguments involved, that would be a dumpster fire nobody wants to tackle.

Bowman said its been encouraging to see the number of LSU students getting the vaccine grow from about 8,000 in mid-July to more than 11,700 this week.

State Senate Education Committee Chair Cleo Fields, D-Baton Rouge, said he doesn't know whether "mandating it on college campuses without the FDA giving it full approval is the appropriate thing to do at this time.

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When the FDA gives it full approval, and hopefully that is sooner rather than later, I think it is going to be a mandated vaccine, period, he added.

The lack of clarity between emergency use and full authorization seems the stumbling block for system presidents that run Louisiana public universities.

The UL System, as has the LSU System, asked the Louisiana Department of Health to add the COVID vaccines to the mandatory list once theres full FDA approval.

Care must be taken in order to not conflate Louisianas immunization schedule with a vaccine mandate," said UL System President Jim Henderson. "Adding the COVID-19 vaccine to a universitys schedule does not prevent the presence of unvaccinated students in the classroom, the unvaccinated can only be excluded at the recommendation of the Office of Public Health. Additionally, a mandate, especially from public entities, may produce even more hesitancy. Our efforts are better focused on dispelling misinformation and providing those in our communities the clear and compelling evidence that these vaccines work.

Monty Sullivan, president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, said guidance from their legal counsel is that the Legislature gave exclusive authority over such decisions to the state health officer and the Office of Public Health.

"As such, we defer to their expertise and will continue to faithfully fulfill our legislative directive of requiring all students, prior to enrollment, to provide either proof of vaccination for the vaccines on the Office of Public Healths Immunization Schedule or documentation of their choice to not be vaccinated due to religious, health or personal beliefs, he said.

When asked where the Board of Regents, which oversees Louisiana's public universities, stands on the policies being released by the college and university systems, Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Hunter Reed said in a short statement released by her press office that shes working to convince more students to voluntarily get vaccinated.

We are all continuing to review the case law on these issues as it relates to higher education as well, Reed added.

A 7th U.S. Court of Appeals ruling Monday allowed the University of Indiana, that states public flagship college, to require its students to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition for attendance.

Mandating vaccinations doesn't violate due process rights under the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ruled the 7th Circuits three-judge panel  all appointed by Republican presidents. Citing a U.S. Supreme Court decision from 1905 concerning smallpox, the judges determined that refusing to be vaccinated carries no constitutional protections.

To the contrary, vaccination requirements, like other public-health measures, have been common in this nation, the opinion stated.

Winston DeCuir Jr., LSU's general counsel, has said that due process is aimed at the government and, as public institutions, Louisianas public colleges and universities are specifically forbidden from mandates  a burden that private institutions dont share.

The 7th Circuit noted that public universities set conditions for attendance, such as paying tuition, that dont violate the Constitution. The First Amendment, for instance, forbids the state from forcing people to learn to read and write. But public universities can and do require reading and writing skills of the students they admit, the 7th Circuit wrote.

When asked if the 7th Circuits ruling impacts Louisianas public schools, LSU officials released a statement: In these cases, we have to do a full analysis on when it is appropriate to encroach on an individuals constitutionally protected fundamental liberties. Currently, the Louisiana Department of Health has not included any COVID vaccinations in the mandatory schedule for schools in Louisiana. Our states attorney general has also expressed his view that it is illegal to mandate a vaccine that has only received emergency use authorization. Taking these factors into consideration, as a state government entity, we do not believe mandating a vaccine is a viable option for us at this time.

State Attorney General Jeff Landry, through a spokesperson, disagreed with the 7th Circuit opinion and also pointed out that Louisiana is under the jurisdiction of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals  and as such isn't controlled by the other court's ruling.

And on Wednesday, Landry sued a private medical school in Monroe, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, over its mandatory vaccine policy. Landry, who filed the federal lawsuit along with several students, argues that Louisiana law allows students to provide a "written dissent" that exempts them from such a requirement. The lawsuit also contends that the medical school is governed by the same rules as public universities because is it is located on the University of Louisiana at Monroe campus.

Six other private colleges in Louisiana are also requiring vaccinations. Tulane University, Xavier University, Dillard University, Loyola University and the University of Holy Cross, all in New Orleans, and the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University in Baton Rouge all mandate the shots, according to the state health department.

Staff writer Ellyn Couvillion contributed to this story.
Starting today, Louisianans 5 years and older are once again required to wear a mask indoors, regardless of vaccination status.

Face masks that properly cover the wearers mouth and nose should be worn indoors at all times, unless a person is in a home, officials said.

Gov. John Bel Edwards reissued the statewide mask mandate amid an unprecedented surge of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations as the delta variant continues to rapidly spread.

The mandate will be in place at least until Sept. 1., the governor said.

Who has to wear masks?

Mask-wearing is required for everyone 5 years and older. Children younger than five who are enrolled in kindergarten are required to wear one as well.

The Louisiana Department of Health recommends children 2 to 4 years old wear a mask even though it is not required.

The exemptions are:

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Anyone who has a medical condition that prevents the wearing of a face covering.

Anyone who is consuming a drink or food.

Anyone who is trying to communicate with a person who is hearing impaired.

Anyone who is giving a speech for broadcast or to an audience.

Anyone temporarily removing his or her face covering for identification purposes.

Where do you have to wear a mask?

Masks are required at all indoor public places in Louisiana including:

schools

businesses

universities

churches

Businesses that fail to enforce the mask mandate could be subject to citations, according to the governors proclamation.

Why was the mask mandate reissued?

The increased caseload and hospitalizations, most of which involve unvaccinated patients, caused by the variant have put a strain on hospitals across Louisiana and facilities are reporting staffing shortages. Doctors and hospital CEOs joined Edwards in the announcement Monday, pleading for the public to wear masks to help slow the spread.

On Tuesday, there were a record-breaking 2,112 total coronavirus patients in hospitals across the state along with 3,783 more confirmed cases and 53 more confirmed deaths.

Read more about the mandate, along with where you can tested or vaccinated in Louisiana.
Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has filed a federal lawsuit against the state's newest medical school, joining three students who claim the private institution is violating their rights by imposing a coronavirus vaccination requirement on students.

Landry filed the suit Tuesday against the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, located in Monroe, after he and college officials exchanged letters about the requirement. Though Landry has threatened several institutions over vaccine mandates, this is the first time the AG has tested the rules in court. The action comes as an increasing number of private institutions across the country are turning toward mandating vaccination, with the delta variant causing a steep spike in COVID cases.

Landry has repeatedly accused the medical school, known as VCOM, of violating state and federal law with the vaccine requirement. VCOM officials have argued they have a duty to protect both their students and patients with whom they interact amid a surging pandemic. Medical school officials have also said they have a process that students can use to request exemptions if they have religious objections or a disability that prevents them from receiving the vaccine.

The suit was filed in the Monroe division of the Western District of Louisiana. Along with Landry, the three plaintiffs include Rachel Magliulo, Matthew Willis and Kirsten Willis Hall. They are asking the courts to issue a temporary restraining order against VCOM preventing the medical school from mandating the coronavirus vaccine as a condition of enrollment, and preventing VCOM from "retaliating against, coercing, threatening or discriminating against Plaintiffs for availing themselves of their right not to be vaccinated against their will."

They are also requesting a permanent injunction.

The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty, whom former President Donald Trump appointed to the bench in 2018. Doughty issued an order late Wednesday telling the plaintiffs that they needed to address questions about why the federal courts should have jurisdiction over the case by the end of Thursday.

"The claim of Landrys lawsuit that VCOM told the three students it would deny any request for vaccination exemption and threatened to punish the students for their refusal is simply not the truth," said Dr. Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, VCOM's president and provost, in a statement late Wednesday. "VCOM is disappointed that anyone, whether it be the students or their attorney, would spread a rumor like this for personal benefit."

Pleadings included with the lawsuit show that VCOMs founding dean, Dr. Ray Morrison, emailed students in late June telling them that they needed to be vaccinated before attending school in the fall. He said requests for exemptions would be heard on an individualized basis with appropriate verifications (proof).

Attorney General Jeff Landry advises employees how to avoid school COVID restrictions Attorney General Jeff Landry sent a departmentwide email blast to his employees Monday suggesting strategies for getting students out of the m

VCOM expects a medical student to be informed on and stay abreast of evidence-based medicine rather than the media or political opinion regarding COVID-19, reads the VCOM vaccine guidance. There is a predominance of evidence that vaccination is the only means to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and lead to an assurance for the health and welfare of patients.

One section of the VCOM guidance on immunization requirements notes that the medical school does not waive immunization or student health requirements for religious or personal preferences. But the school also allowed students to apply for religious exemptions.

The religious exemption forms note that anyone who requested them needed to provide documentation from a minister, rabbi or religious officer; a copy of their church doctrine prohibiting vaccination; and explanations of whether they had received other vaccines throughout their lives.

But Landry and the students cite a Louisiana state law in their suit that says a student can provide a "written dissent" if they refuse to receive a vaccine mandated by an institution. Their lawsuit also argues that because VCOM is located on the University of Louisiana at Monroe campus, the private medical school is subject to the rules that govern public universities.

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 

"Following its receipt of correspondence from the Louisiana Attorney General, VCOM amended its policy to consider objections by students and allowing 'accommodations,' but VCOM's amended policy is nothing more than a charade with the primary intent to refuse to allow students who refuse the vaccine to meaningfully continue their medical education and participate in its curriculum," the lawsuit states.

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VCOM officials have said in repeated letters to Landry that the committee in charge of reviewing exemption requests will meet for the first time August 6. A VCOM spokesperson said four students have applied for exemptions so far, and that "no student has been denied the ability to attend classes at VCOM based on their vaccine status." The medical school has 300 enrolled students.

The pleadings show a few exchanges between VCOM administrators and Magliulo.

You voiced concern that not enough is known about the vaccine, a VCOM attorney wrote to her. By 2022, the vaccine will have been used for a period of one year and on more patients than any other vaccine in a trial. If this remains your concern, we have offered a deferral until the next academic year.

+2 Jeff Landry targets new Louisiana medical school over coronavirus vaccine mandates Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is threatening to sue the states newest medical school over its coronavirus vaccine policies after thr

VCOM officials have also maintained that the school is a private institution. In one letter included with the court filings, Tooke-Rawlins wrote that the school leases land from ULM and collaborates with the university "to offer students from Louisiana more opportunities in education and research."

"While we fully recognize and embrace that we are subject to the laws of Louisiana, (as we would expect any private college operating within the state should be), we are a private college," she wrote.

In the same letter, Tooke-Rawlins wrote that she heard Landry say in a radio interview that the VCOM president was not vaccinated against the coronavirus, and that he referred to her as a man.

"I am a woman and am fully vaccinated," she wrote.

Landry and the students argue in their lawsuit that the rise of the highly transmissible delta variant of the coronavirus does not make getting vaccinated any more imperative, because "VCOM candidly admits that the delta variant, the most prevalent variant, is resistant to 'certain vaccines.'"

Physicians and health officials across the state have made the opposite argument, saying the vaccine is more important than ever. Louisiana hospitals have reported that more than 90% of their coronavirus patients are unvaccinated. VCOM noted in its response to the lawsuit that other institutions, including hospital systems in Louisiana, are now requiring the vaccine as coronavirus case numbers rise to a level "that will likely lead to a crisis again."

"Can anyone imagine how they would feel if their family member was hospitalized for another issue and contracted a COVID-19 infection from a student they thought would be vaccinated?" Tooke-Rawlins wrote. "What if that patient died? Who is liable  the Attorney Generals office?"

VCOM has argued in previous letters to Landry that it is the medical school's duty to protect patients whose care has been entrusted to students.

"The College assumes liability for the student and the supervising physician when providing oversight of the student who is providing care," VCOM officials wrote. "Therefore, as a private College who holds the responsibility for the care provided, VCOM is requiring students in all four years to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. This requirement is both for the safety of the student and for the vulnerable patients they will be caring for."

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that the lawsuit was filed in the Monroe division of the U.S. Western District of Louisiana.
Louisiana test scores plunged five percentage points in the first glance at how public school students fared on major exams during the coronavirus pandemic, officials said Wednesday.

The exams, called LEAP 2025, measure what students know in math, English, science and social studies.

Scores have risen by a percentage point or two in recent years, which means the latest results represent a significant step backwards amid unprecedented turmoil in classrooms.

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

In a break with tradition, state Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley said he will discuss the results on Aug. 11 rather than the day the scores were released.

Students in grades 3-12 took the tests in the spring after back-to-back years of interruptions caused by the pandemic.

The exams were cancelled last year.

The state's longtime goal is for students to achieve the fourth highest achievement level: "mastery." By 2025, students will have to average mastery for a school to earn an A-rating.

But the number of students scoring mastery or above in grades 3-8 fell five percentage points since 2019, the last time the scores were recorded.

A total of 29% of those students reached mastery, down from 34% two years ago.

Every school district in the Baton Rouge region declined compared to 2019, but their relative rankings stayed largely the same. For example, Zachary remains at the top in the state, but this year tied with Ascension Parish and Central for that honor  all of them had 48% of their students scoring mastery and above.

West Feliciana and Livingston parishes were close behind, with 47% and 42% mastery and above performance.

These high performing school districts declined by as much as seven percentage points in the case of Zachary and as little as two percentage points in the case of neighboring West Feliciana Parish.

At the other end, St. Helena Parish declined the least in the region, by just one percentage point, but its 5% mastery and above showing still meant that it was third to last in the state in terms of performance. Little better were the Recovery School District in Baton Rouge, 7%, and the City of Baker schools, 8%.

East Feliciana Parish saw the biggest decline in the region after Zachary, dropping from 28% to 21% mastery and above. Similarly, East Baton Rouge Parish schools, the largest district in the Baton Rouge region, declined from 30% to 24%.

Statewide, only one school district improved overall, Jackson Parish, which grew one percentage point. The district with the sharpest decline was Evangeline Parish, falling 10 percentage points.

LEAP results mostly unchanged, Zachary again state leader Louisiana's drive toward a key education target barely moved for the fourth consecutive year, according to figures released Thursday by the st

Sandy Holloway, president of the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, said the results show the impact of school closures in 2020 and other disruptions.

"I am proud of our state's commitment to in-person instruction this past school year but it in no way was it enough to ensure that critical learning gaps were closed and the data proves that to be the case," Holloway said in a text message.

"We remain at the bottom of the country and this is not good enough," she said.

The decline in this year's results showed up across all grade levels, subjects and subgroups, according to the state Department of Education.

The department also said learning gaps deepened among struggling students.

The number of students that scored "unsatisfactory"  the lowest of five levels  rose by five percentage points.

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Louisiana students will resume testing soon, but how will the exam results will be used? One year after key tests were canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, Louisiana public school students will soon resume traditional year

Hardest hit were disadvantaged students, third- and fourth-graders and math students.

The results were similar for high school students, with those achieving mastery falling from 37% two years ago to 32% this time.

Algebra showed the biggest decline -- nine percentage points -- and English II the smallest -- two percentage points below the 2019 results.

The drop in scores was not surprising and mirrors trends in other states.

A report by McKinsey & Company said, at the end of the 2020-21 school year, students on average were five months behind in math and four months behind in reading.

The state Department of Education noted drops in other states that have published scores, including Texas, Florida, Tennessee and Indiana.

Those states showed drops of up to 15 percentage points.

State officials also noted that 97.5% of students took the tests, one of the highest turnouts in the nation.

Louisiana's high school graduation rate rose from 80.1 in 2019 to 84.0 this time.

But state education officials said the increase likely stemmed from onetime flexibilities sparked by the pandemic, including assessments traditionally required for graduation.

In the face of immense adversity, students, teachers, administrators and parents showed unwavering resiliency, demonstrating a deep commitment to both safety and learning, Brumley said in a statement that accompanied the announcement.

This LEAP 2025 data will be invaluable in guiding our instructional, policy, and resource allocation decisions as we recover and accelerate from this unprecedented interruption to student learning.

But Carrie Monica, executive director of the advocacy group Stand For Children, said the state has to address learning loss, with a priority on in-person classes.

"Today's release of testing data for the spring of 2021 LEAP assessments proves what we suspected -- that the pandemic would have a significant negative impact on student performance," Monica said in a statement.

"With more students scoring unsatisfactory and fewer at mastery, with achievement gaps widened, our state has much work to do."

Jim Garvey, an attorney in Metairie and the longest serving member of BESE, said he expected the drop in scores to be twice as large amid back-to-back interrupted school years.

"I would say the reduction in scores are not nearly as bad as I was expecting," Garvey said.

In Louisiana, classrooms closed nine weeks early in March 2020 during the early stages of the pandemic.

The 2020-21 school year featured a mixture of in-person classes and distance learning.

However, the school year ended with about 75% of students attending classes in person.

Advocate staff writers Charles Lussier and Katie Gagliano contributed to this story.
The Prime Minister has released the findings of the Doherty Institute modelling that informed the vaccination thresholds for the National Plan to reopen Australia. It shows that their four-phase plan is extremely risky.

To move to Phases B and C of the plan  where COVID-19 would circulate in the community with only low-level restrictions  there needs to be near-perfect test, trace, and isolate capabilities to keep COVID-19 under control.

The Prime Minister has released the findings of the Doherty Institute modelling that informed the vaccination thresholds for the National Plan to reopen Australia. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

If these capabilities are not up to scratch, the only options are either a high death toll, or more lockdowns.

And the policy changes in Phase C  where the government said vaccinated people would be exempt from any domestic restrictions  are not reflected in the modelling. Such exemptions would likely undermine the effectiveness of containment measures.
Offices are empty across Melbournes CBD, with demand for space falling below that of the 1990s recession and slumping to the lowest in the country.

More than one-10th of the citys office floor space was untenanted in July  the highest vacancy rate since January 2000  as the effects of Melbournes five lockdowns hit business confidence and workers desire to return to their offices.

Even with restrictions easing again, many workers are reluctant to return to the office. Credit:Eddie Jim

The Property Council of Australias Office Market Report, released on Thursday, showed the St Kilda Road precinct had Melbournes highest vacancy rate (16.3 per cent) followed by Southbank (15.2 per cent).

A survey of Australias top 50 companies, conducted by The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald last month, revealed that no surveyed company expected staff to come back into the office five days a week. Just six companies intended to set a number of office hours staff must work each week.
West Australian authorities are unsure whether the states latest positive COVID-19 case is shedding viral particles from a past infection, or if he contracted the disease recently from a traveller who flew from Queensland to Perth.

The fly-in, fly-out worker in his 30s returned a weak positive test for COVID-19 before testing negative, with the government confident the new case wont lead to another lockdown in Perth.

The man flew out to FMGs Cloudbreak mine on July 20. Credit:Glenn Hunt/File photo

The man transited through Perth Airport at the same time as a traveller who arrived in WA after completing hotel quarantine in Queensland before later testing positive for the virus.

In an unusual twist, the FIFO worker had previously been sick with coronavirus in March and April 2020, leading authorities to question whether he might be a shedder.
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.
The countrys top Indigenous organisations have applauded the federal governments $1.1 billion Closing the Gap implementation plan, but warn underfunding of programs and services remains the biggest challenge ahead.

The federal, state, and territory governments reached the historic new National Agreement on Closing the Gap with the Coalition of Peaks last July, aimed at reducing the inequality faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Pat Turner alongside Prime Minister Scott Morrison as they announced the national agreement last July. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

The federal government will now hand down its first plan outlining how it will achieve progress on its commitments this morning.

We have seen governments slowly walk away from the previous closing the gap agreement, our programs were being defunded, and governments were no longer working together, said Arrernte and Gurdanji woman Pat Turner, lead convenor of the Coalition of Peaks.
Loading All members of the committee, including Labor MPs Dr Thien Kieu, Sheena Watt and Kaushaliya Vaghela, were involved in the drafting of the initial recommendations before the ALP members voted to water them down for the final report. Among the axed recommendations was that all people with a minor cannabis conviction should have it removed from their criminal record. Liberal MP Georgie Crozier was on the committee but an opponent of legalisation. In a move indicative of a resistance to significant change on cannabis policy, the government chose to alter the report before it was released. The decision means the Andrews government will avoid coming under pressure to pass legislation enacting the recommendation, which may have prompted opposition from sections of the community before next Novembers election.

Several of the Andrews governments social reforms, including legalising voluntary assisted dying and establishing a spent convictions scheme, were enacted after parliamentary committees investigated the policies and recommended changes. A Victorian government spokeswoman told The Age that our focus is on fighting the pandemic and creating jobs  we have no plans to legalise cannabis. Reason Party MP Fiona Patten is in favour of legalising cannabis. Credit:Eddie Jim Well continue to invest in reducing drug related harms and supporting Victorians affected by drug use and will consider the recommendations in that context, she said. Ms Patten, in her comments accompanying the final report, said the overwhelming majority of stakeholders supported the need for cannabis law reform.

Time and time again the committee heard that the current criminalisation approach to cannabis in Victoria is not addressing problematic use of cannabis and is in fact contributing to the harms experienced by vulnerable groups. Ms Patten said the inquiry was established in 2019 to investigate how to prevent the harms of cannabis and keep it out of the hands of young people and criminals. It heard about 29 per cent of young Victorians use cannabis, more than those who smoke tobacco. Cultivating small amounts of cannabis became legal in the ACT in 2020. Credit:David Dermer Evidence suggested benefits of legalisation would include keeping young and vulnerable people out of the criminal justice system, preventing them from becoming involved with criminals and improving education and treatment by removing the stigma around cannabis. Estimates prepared by State Parliament suggested Victoria would save $725 million over 10 years due to a reduction in justice and police costs. Taking a further step and legalising cannabis for over-the-counter-sale, taxed at a rate of 30 per cent, would net the state $835 million over a decade.

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir told the inquiry in June that significant harm was caused by use, cultivation and trafficking of cannabis. This harm is particularly prevalent in young people and can manifest in mental health problems, unemployment, education problems, association with antisocial peers and engagement in criminal offending, he said, adding cannabis was detected in the body of one in five road deaths in 2020. Mr Weir said police were closely watching research from overseas jurisdictions, including Canada and 19 states in the US, that have legalised marijuana in the past five years. Our observation of the experiences overseas tell us that it is really hard, once you go down a certain path, to put the genie back in the bottle, he said.

Loading In an example of health experts evidence in favour of decriminalisation, Professor Tom Decorte, director of the Institute for Social Drug Research at Belgiums Ghent University, said this whole debate is not about whether or not cannabis does contain risks. But it is all about a better strategy to fight the phenomenon and to get a better grip and more control over the phenomenon. He said the prohibition of cannabis had not significantly decreased use or the associated harms in most Western societies. It is not effective, it is not working, and that is why regulation of the phenomenon seems to be a better strategy in combating, in struggling, in waging a war on cannabis use, Professor Decorte said.

The Australian Lawyers Alliance, comprised of 1500 members, called the current policy clearly ineffective, serving to criminalise drug users rather than facilitate their treatment. The criminal justice system carries the major burden of drug policy in Australia ... as a result, significantly more public resources are expended on criminal law enforcement as opposed to health or treatment, it wrote in its submission. Possession of cannabis has been decriminalised in South Australia, the Northern Territory and the ACT for nearly 30 years. The ACTs Labor government passed laws in 2020 allowing adults to grow and possess small amounts for personal use. The 17 recommendations of the final Victorian report suggested the caution system for those under 18 who commit low-level cannabis offences, currently a discretionary policy for police, instead become legally mandatory. It also recommended a review of school-based drug education. Victorian crossbench MP David Limbrick from the Liberal Democrats said he attended almost every meeting and hearing of the cannabis inquiry and was very disappointed with the outcome.
Victorias Ombudsman has accused public servants of failing to use discretion and ignoring the human rights of thousands of people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the past 12 months, the states public sector watchdog received more than 3000 complaints about human rights breaches.

Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass says the pandemic has presented her office with a difficult balancing act. Credit:Penny Stephens

They range from people losing their place in testing queues because they needed a toilet with wheelchair access to claims a woman was forced to urinate in a bottle after being refused access to a bathroom on her way to a quarantine hotel.

Victoria is one of only three jurisdictions in Australia with dedicated human rights legislation. But Ombudsman Deborah Glass said many public agencies had failed to understand the basic rights of the people they are intended to protect.
Jerusalem: Israels army has escalated its response to rocket attacks this week by launching rare air strikes on Lebanon.

The army said in a statement on Thursday that jets struck the launch sites from which rockets had been fired over the previous day, as well as an additional target used to attack Israel in the past. The army blamed the state of Lebanon for the shelling and warned against further attempts to harm Israeli civilians and Israels sovereignty.

The overnight airstrikes were a marked escalation at a politically sensitive time. Israels new eight-party governing coalition is trying to keep peace under a fragile cease fire that ended an 11-day war with Hamas militant rulers in Gaza in May. Several incidents leading up to this weeks rocket fire from Lebanon have focused attention on Israels northern border and the United States swiftly condemned the attacks on Israel.

The Hezbollah-owned Al-Manar TV reported the strikes at around 2am, saying they hit an empty area in the Mahmoudiya Village in Marjayoun district.

Avichai Adraee, the Israeli armys Arabic-language spokesman, said the Lebanese government is responsible for what happens on its territories and warned against more attacks on Israel from south Lebanon
Last week Australia marked a milestone in its push to protect our Pacific island neighbours from COVID-19, with vaccine donations passing the 1 million mark. But the achievement came by a peculiar route: with many Australians either reluctant to take up the AstraZeneca vaccine or advised against it, supplies had been freed up (to use Minister for the Pacific Zed Seseljas phrase) for countries in need such as Fiji, East Timor and the Solomon Islands.

It showed once again that even Australians decision not to do something can have profound consequences for people whom Prime Minister Scott Morrison has described as family. But as our international editor Peter Hartcher has pointed out, our island neighbours only seem to warrant our close attention in a crisis like this pandemic.

Minister for the Pacific Zed Seselja with football great Mal Meninga promoting vaccine take-up in PNG.

The grim truth is that even before the island nations and their tourist industries  for many an economic mainstay  went into lockdown, they were facing life-or-death challenges. The targets set in 2000 by the United Nations known as the Millennium Development Goals  which sought to eradicate hunger, achieve universal primary education, ensure maternal health and gender equality and combat diseases such as HIV/ AIDS and malaria  were certainly not all met by the 2015 deadline, but no region fell as far short as the Pacific.

Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Kiribati achieved none of the goals and some Pacific countries were further from reaching them than they had been in 2000. Extreme poverty of a kind we tend to associate with Africa or south Asia is now the daily lot of people in our region.
IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 3, 2021 -- Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today reported total July sales of 32,739 vehicles, an increase of 35.9 percent compared to July 2020. Year-to-date sales totaled 221,906 vehicles; an increase of 45.1 percent compared to the same time last year. With 27 selling days in July, compared to 26 the year prior, the company posted an increase of 30.9 percent on a Daily Selling Rate (DSR) basis.

CPO sales totaled 6,704 vehicles in July, a decrease of 3 percent compared to July 2020.

Sales Highlights

Second-best July sales with 32,739 vehicles sold.

Best-ever July sales of the CX-30 with 5,598 vehicles sold.

Best July sales of the CX-5 with 16,299 vehicles sold.

Best July sales of the CX-9 with 3,264 vehicles sold.

Best July sales of the MX-5 since 2006 with 1,226 vehicles sold.

CPO sales achieved its second-best July ever with 6,704 vehicles sold.

Sales numbers for Mazda Canada, Inc., will be shared on August 4, due to a Canadian holiday.

Mazda Motor de Mexico (MMdM) reported July sales of 3,950 vehicles, an increase of 56.5 percent compared to July last year. Year-to-date sales increased 19 percent, with 28,352 vehicles sold.

Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through approximately 780 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada Inc. in Richmond Hill, Ontario, and operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at InsideMazda.MazdaUSA.com/Newsroom.
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.
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson stands next to a chart displaying COVID-19 hospitalization data as he speaks at a news conference at the state Capitol in Little Rockon July 29.
Up for debate:

Live legislation tracker

Check out the latest developments on bills pending before state lawmakers in four key topics.
Demonstrators shout slogans while carrying a sign calling for a recall on Gov. Gavin Newsom on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, during a protest against a stay-at-home order amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Huntington Beach, Calif.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis replaces his mask after speaking during a news conference at a COVID-19 testing site, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, outside Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Biden joins chorus of calls for Cuomo to step down following report on sexual harassment claims
A decrepit house is seen in an undated photo take in Braddock, Pennsylvania.
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The rule requires weekly COVID-19 testing for personnel in health care settings to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in health care settings, which can be waived with a proof of vaccination.
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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
Jeff Robbins, a former assistant U.S. attorney and delegate to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, was chief counsel for the minority of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. An attorney specializing in the First Amendment, he is a longtime columnist for the Boston Herald, writing on politics, national security, human rights and the Middle East.
News

County to receive $13M in new federal funds

RUTHERFORDTONRutherford County is set to receive millions of dollars in new federal funding, through the American Rescue Plan (ARP).

Significant funding is being provided to local governments across the United States in response to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rutherford County commissioners voted to formally accept the ARP funds at their meeting Monday night.

County Manager Steve Garrison said his office is working to ensure it has the accounting structure in place to be able to comply with all the reporting requirements.

The total amount Rutherford County government will receive is estimated to be slightly more than $13 million. The first tranche of these funds, in the amount of $6.5 million, has already been received.

This infusion of federal resources is intended to help turn the tide on the pandemic, address its economic fallout, and lay the foundation for a strong and equitable recovery, Garrison said.

The funds must be spent only for certain purposes specifically authorized by the federal legislation that created ARP. These uses of the funds must be COVID-related. Garrison pointed out that a 151-page document from the federal government lists the guidelines.

Some of the guidelines are complex and vague on specific project eligibility, so staff are attending multiple UNC School of Government, National Association of Counties, and the N.C. Association of County Commissioners virtual meetings every week in an attempt to align eligible projects with our community needs and priorities, Garrison said.

Officials say projects the county is considering, will align with county goals and community priorities; leverage and align with other funding sources, make the best use of the funds for the long-term, have the greatest impact on quality of life, and demonstrate the ability to be sustainable beyond 2021, when the ARP funds must be fully spent.

Garrison said potential projects could relate to enhancing behavioral and mental health services, support the local health and safety workforce, improve the design and execution of health and public health programs, and address disparities in public health outcomes. There could also be support for small business and nonprofit organizations, aid to impacted industries, improve the effectiveness of economic relief programs, and even improvements for water, sewer and broadband infrastructure.

Currently we are waiting to see what potential projects the state will find with ARP funds it has received, as many of the local projects we are currently evaluating may qualify for state ARP funds, Garrison continued. We are also waiting on the final rules to be handed down by the federal government.

Officials expect the process for determining which projects to pursue with ARP funds to take at least another couple of months.
17 suspects were arrested as part of child sex predator sting in Florida, the Polk County Sheriffs Office announced on Aug. 3, 2021. (Polk County Sheriff's Office)

17 Arrested in Undercover Child Predator Operation, Including 3 Disney Employees

Undercover detectives in central Florida have arrested 17 peopleamong whom were three employees of Walt Disney Worldover charges related to the targeting of children online for unlawful sexual activity, the Polk County Sheriffs Office announced on Aug. 3.

The six-day-long undercover operation, dubbed Operation Child Protector, took place from July 27 through Aug. 1, during which law enforcement officers posed as children on social media platforms, mobile apps, and online dating sites to investigate potential predators who prey upon children for unlawful sexual activity.

A total of 17 people were arrested, representing 49 felony charges and two misdemeanor charges in all. The suspects ages ranged from 26 to 47. They were mostly from the central Florida area, with the exception of one who was visiting from California.

At an Aug. 3 press conference, Grady Judd, the sheriff of Polk County, described the suspects as incredible deviants, dangerous, and nasty, nasty, nasty people.

According to a statement from the Polk County Sheriffs Office, the suspects showed up to an undercover location in the county at separate times to meet who they thought would be children. Six of the suspects brought condoms, and nine of them have criminal histories that amounted to 27 previous felonies and 22 previous misdemeanors in total.

Some of [the suspects] transmitted pornographic images while grooming and soliciting the children online, and they were appropriately charged for that as well, according to the statement.

Three of the suspects were employees at Walt Disney World.

Judd told reporters that two suspects, Savannah Lawrence, 29, and Jonathan McGrew, 34, worked as custodians at Walt Disney Worlds Hollywood Studios. They spoke to an undercover detective posing as a 13-year-old girl online and told the girl that they wanted to engage in sexual activity together. McGrew went even further and described to the girl various role-playing scenarios they could enact, Judd told reporters.

Another Disney employee, 26-year-old Kenneth Aquino, was arrested at the undercover location when he went there in his work clothes, Judd said. Aquino worked as a lifeguard at the Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge and had left his pregnant girlfriend to engage in sexual activity with what he thought was a 13-year-old child, the sheriff said.

Aquino was working toward a dive team or a SEAL team or some kind of special ops job, Judd said. They did a background check on him and found he had friends or affiliates that were gang members, and they tossed him.

Walt Disney World did not immediately respond to The Epoch Timess request for comment.

Judd noted that one of the male suspects was HIV-positive, but due to the 1996 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), he couldnt identify the person.

Did you hear what Im telling you? Hes HIV positive. He showed up to have unprotected sex with what he thought was a child  with a little girl. Fortunately, our detectives were there instead of a 13-year-old child, Judd said.

The Auburndale, Orlando, and Winter Haven police departments and the Orange County Sheriffs Office participated in the operation. Judd praised the officers involved in the operation as the very best.

Theyre skilled in talking as if theyre 13- and 14-year-old children, and they worked around the clock for a week in order to arrest 17 people, he said.

Judd told reporters that in relaying news of the arrests, he and other officers cant even use the words [the suspects] used.  We obviously cant show you the pictures and the video clips that they sent to what they thought were 13-year-old little girls and little boys.

The charges dealt to the suspects include traveling to meet a minor for sex, attempted lewd battery, use of a computer to seduce a child, unlawful use of a two-way communication device, and transmission of material harmful to a child.

The details of each individual and their charges are listed on the Polk County Sheriffs Office website.
Smoke rises, seen from Marjayoun, near the border with Israel, Lebanon, on Aug. 4, 2021. (Karamallah Daher/Reuters)

2 Rockets From Lebanon Strike Israel, Drawing Israeli Retaliation

JERUSALEMTwo rockets launched from Lebanon on Aug. 4 struck Israel, which responded with several rounds of artillery fire amid heightened regional tensions over an alleged Iranian attack on an oil tanker in the Gulf last week.

Israels Magen David Adom national ambulance service said there were no casualties on the Israeli side of the hilly frontier, where the rockets ignited a brush fire.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the rocket strike, launched from an area of south Lebanon under the sway of Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorists.

Sirens warning of a rocket attack sounded in several Israeli communities, including the northern town of Kiryat Shmona, near the Lebanese border.

In a statement, Israels military said three rockets were launched from Lebanon, with one falling short of the Israeli border and the others striking inside Israel. Witnesses in Lebanon also reported that several rockets were fired at Israel.

In response, [Israeli] artillery forces attacked Lebanese territory, the military said. Some two hours after the initial shelling, the military said its artillery had fired again at targets, which it didnt identify, along the frontier.

The border has been mostly quiet since Israel fought a 2006 war against Hezbollah, which has advanced rockets.

But small Palestinian factions in Lebanon have fired sporadically on Israel in the past, and two rockets were launched at Israel on July 20, causing no damage or injuries. Israel responded to that incident with artillery fire.

The latest border incidents occurred after an attack on July 29, which Israel blamed on Iran, on a tanker off the coast of Oman. Two crew members, a Briton and a Romanian, were killed. Iran has denied any involvement.

On Aug. 3, Britain, Romania, and Liberia told the United Nations Security Council it was highly likely that Iran used one or more drones to strike the Mercer Streeta Liberian-flagged, Japanese-owned petroleum product vessel managed by Israeli-owned Zodiac Maritime.

The United States and Britain said on Aug. 1 that they would work with their allies to respond to the attack. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said on Aug. 3 that Israel was keeping open the option of acting alone against Iran if necessary.

By Jeffrey Heller
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo declares a state of emergency Tuesday due to the ongoing violence in New York City on July 6, 2021.(Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

4 Democratic Governors Demand Cuomos Resignation After AGs Sexual Harassment Report

Four Democratic governors on Tuesday called on New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to resign following a state attorney general report that alleged he engaged in a pattern of sexual harassment and intimidation that violated state and federal laws.

Governor Cuomo should resign from office, said New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, and Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee in a joint statement.

The governors said they were appalled at the findings of the independent investigation by the New York Attorney General.

Their statement came shortly after President Joe Biden said that he believes Cuomo should step down. The president said at a press briefing on Tuesday that the state legislature may decide to impeach the Democratic governor.

It came after New York Attorney General Letitia James released a report saying that Cuomo engaged in sexual harassment and that 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, Jamess report said.

She added that the governors office was filled with fear and intimidation.

The report followed a nearly five-month, non-criminal probe, led by James and two outside attorneys.

Albanys district attorneys office, meanwhile, is criminally investigating Cuomo, District Attorney David Soares said in a statement on Tuesday, adding that his office would welcome any further potential victims 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, he said in a statement. 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.

Cuomo, a Democrat in his third term in office, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and all allegations against him. He defied calls to step down on Tuesday despite the findings of the probe.

Please take the time to read the facts and decide for yourself, he said in a video message. I never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances.
7 Guilty of Murdering Teenage Law Student in Botched Drive-By Shooting

Seven men have been found guilty of murdering a law student who was mistakenly gunned down in a botched drive-by shooting.

Tyre firm boss Feroz Suleman, 40, arranged the execution of a rival businessman in broad daylight but the gunman he hired instead shot dead innocent passer-by Aya Hachem.

The 19-year-old was said to be in the wrong place at the wrong time as the long-running feud between the neighbouring tyre companies culminated in Blackburn, Lancashire, on the afternoon of May 17 last year.

A Toyota Avensis driven by Anthony Ennis, 31, with hitman Zamir Raja, 33, on board drove past Quickshine Tyres on three occasions shortly before the fatal fourth journey.

Aya Hachem in an undated handout photo issued by Lancashire Police. (Lancashire Police/PA)

Footage from CCTV cameras captured Suleman stood outside his premises next door at RI Tyres with a ringside seat to the shooting he had arranged of Pachah Khan, the proprietor of Quickshine Tyres.

The first shot hit the front window of Quickshine and the second was let off as Lebanese-born Hachem walked by, hitting her rather than the intended target.

On Tuesday, a jury at Preston Crown Court took less than four hours to find Suleman, from Blackburn, guilty of murder and the attempted murder of Pachah Khan.

Raja, of Stretford, Greater Manchester, and Ennis, of Partington, Greater Manchester, were also convicted of murder and attempted murder, as were other accomplices Kashif Manzoor, 26, of Blackburn, Ayaz Hussain, 35, of Blackburn, Abubakr Satia, 32, of Blackburn, and his brother Uthman Satia, 29, of Blackburn.

Feroz Suleman, who has been convicted, at Preston Crown Court, of the murder of Aya Hachem and attempted murder of Pachah Khan, in an undated handout. (Lancashire Police/PA).

Uthman Satias girlfriend, Judy Chapman, 26, of Great Harwood, was cleared of murder and attempted murder but found guilty of manslaughter.

Hachem was shot in King Street while on a shopping trip to the nearby Lidl supermarket to buy food ready for when her family would break their Ramadan feast that evening.

Earlier, Manzoor made sure the Avensis was ready for the shooting as he jump-started the vehicle bought for just 300 ($420) by Abubakr Satia a week earlier.

Zamir Raja, who has been convicted, at Preston Crown Court, of the murder of Aya Hachem and attempted murder of Pachah Khan, in an undated handout. (Lancashire Police/PA)

Hussain, described as Sulemans right-hand man, acted as an intermediary with gunman Raja.

Chapman and Uthman Satia drove the Manchester assassins away from the scene.

The court heard the feud started in early 2019 when Quickshine began selling tyres next door to RI after previously restricting itself to washing cars.

Matters deteriorated on Dec. 3 of that year when someone set fire to RI Tyres in King Street in the early hours of the morning.

Ayaz Hussain, who has been convicted, at Preston Crown Court, of the murder of Aya Hachem and attempted murder of Pachah Khan, in an undated handout. (Lancashire Police/PA)

On May 1 last year, Suleman called the police and reported Pachah Khan had prevented workmen from entering Quickshines yard to finish putting up a new sign for RI Tyres, the court was told.

In 2001, Suleman was convicted of causing the death of a 67-year-old man by dangerous driving.

He ran away from the scene of the incident in Blackburn and claimed his vehicle had been stolen before he finally pleaded guilty to the offence on the day of his trial and was jailed for three-and-a-half years.

The seven male defendants will be sentenced on Thursday. Chapman will be sentenced in October.

Anthony Ennis, who has been convicted, at Preston Crown Court, of the murder of Aya Hachem and attempted murder of Pachah Khan, in an undated handout. (Lancashire Police/PA)

In a statement, Hachems family said: We thank God for the justice that has been served today.

To our dear beautiful angel in heaven we know you are in a better and more beautiful place. God chose you from amongst many and blessed you with martyrdom.

We are so proud of you and we miss you so muchour lives are difficult without you. This is Gods decree and praise be to God for this. You will remain in our hearts forever.

You loved life and despite all the struggles and barriers that we faced in this country, it did not stop you contributing to your community and charities including The Childrens Society and fundraising at Salford University where you were studying to become a barrister.

God chose you as an angel in his heaven. Heaven is yours and may God give us the patience after your murder. We love you.

Detective Chief Inspector Zoe Russo, of Lancashire Police, said: Throughout this long and incredibly complex investigation, our focus has been clearto find the people involved in this most serious course of offending, bring them before the court and to ensure that Ayas family receive justice.

We must, however, not forget that these convictions will not bring Aya back. Her family continues to mourn her loss. Aya was a remarkable and much loved 19-year-old woman.

Aya and her family had left Lebanon for the safety of England. Her dream was to qualify and practise as a solicitor.

Hachem was one of the youngest trustees of The Childrens Society charity.

By Kim Pilling
Gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin, of the United States, celebrates after winning the women's 400-meter hurdles at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, on Aug. 4, 2021. (Petr David Josek/AP Photo)

USs McLaughlin Wins, Sets World Record in Womens 400-Meter Hurdles

American hurdler Sydney McLaughlin won the womens 400-meter hurdles on Aug. 4 at the Tokyo Olympics in world-record time.

McLaughlin finished in 51.46 seconds, almost a half-second faster than her previous world mark, set during the U.S. Olympic Trials in June.

Im absolutely delighted. What a great race. Im just grateful to be out here celebrating that extraordinary race and representing my country, the 21-year-old from New Jersey said.

Second place also was taken by Team USA, as defending Olympic champion Dalilah Muhammad finished her sensational run with a personal best of 51.58 seconds.

Silver medalist Dalilah Muhammad, of the United States, poses during the medal ceremony for the womens 400-meter hurdles at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, on Aug. 4, 2021. (Francisco Seco/AP Photo)

Gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin, of the United States, poses during the medal ceremony for the womens 400-meter hurdles at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, on Aug. 4, 2021. (Francisco Seco/AP Photo)

Muhammad, a 31-year-old New York City native and former world record holder with a time of 52.16 seconds, won gold in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and was attempting to become the first woman to repeat as champion in the 400-meter hurdles.

No mixed emotions, she said. Sure, there are always things you want to do better. But you use this as a springboard to the next. This is not my last race.

Muhammad was followed by the Netherlands Femke Bol, who finished third and took home bronze with a European record of 52.03 seconds.

I just went out like crazy for the first 300 to be with them, the bronze medalist said.

In the mens 400-meter hurdles, Norways Karsten Warholm also set a world record, finishing in 45.94 seconds. The Norwegian already entered the race as the world record holder and shattered his own mark by more than half a second.

Karsten Warholm of Team Norway celebrates after winning the gold medal in the mens 400-meter hurdles on day 11 of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, on Aug. 3, 2021. (Matthias Schrader/Pool/Getty Images)

I never thought in my wildest imagination that this would be possible, Warholm told reporters after the race while expressing his thoughts on obliterating his own world record.

I was just running over the line because I didnt take anything for granted today. All respect to Rai for running 46.17thats just crazy, he added.

American sprinter Rai Benjamin, who took home silver, is the second-fastest man in the history of the event.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

From NTD News
Members of the Jewish community hold a protest against Britain's opposition Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn and antisemitism in the Labour party, outside the British Houses of Parliament in central London on March 26, 2018. (Tolga Akmen/AFP via Getty Images)

Antisemitism of the Left

Commentary

To hear Democrat politicians talk, you would think antisemitism was solely a right-wing phenomenon, that it doesnt exist on the left.

In the United States, as in Europe and the UK, antisemitism is surging, not in admission to elite clubs or in quotas for admission to Harvard, but in radical campus activism, and among leftist politicians and progressives who pride themselves on their opposition to racism.

Lets look at the threat to Jews from the left, not because theres none from the right or from genocidal Islamists, but because the lefts antisemitism is typically denied. The threat from the left has achieved respectability and acceptance in the U.S. Congress, the media, and academia not seen on the right even in the 1930s.

Denial and Deflection

The Democrats self-image and appeal to ethnic and racial minorities has long depended on its presenting itself as the party of opposition to oppression. You would think antisemitism would have no place in such a party.

And so the party claims.

In 2019, when a reporter asked the Democratic mayor of New York about the global spread of antisemitism on the left and the spike in antisemitic hate crimes in New York itself, Bill de Blasio insisted that it was a phenomenon of the right.

I want to be very, very clear that the ideological threat that is antisemitic is very much from the right, de Blasio said. He offered no evidence and was contradicted by his own police chief, who recognized that many hate crimes occur in neighborhoods that Hasidic (and so easily recognizable) Jews (mainly Republican-leaning) share with black and Latino populations that lean heavily Democratic.

The bulk of hate crimes against Jews seems to have nothing to do with the right or with white supremacy. In their January 2020 article in the Washington Examiner, The truth about antisemitism, Philip Klein and Seth Mandel quote a baffled Chaim Deutsch, then a Democrat council member representing Brooklyn where many of the attacks on Jews in New York were taking place, as saying, I have not seen any white supremacists coming in here committing these hate crimes.

The Los Angeles Times reported on the climate of fear surrounding Jews in Los Angeles. It described the caravans of cars with people flying Palestinian flags driving into areas with Jewish businesses yelling expletives. In May, a pro-Palestinian mob attacked Jewish diners in what the mayor, Eric Garcetti, reportedly called an organized anti-Semitic attack. The assailants were, witnesses told CBSLA, waving Palestinian flags and yelling antisemitic slurs.

A year earlier in May 2020, during the nationwide rioting linked to Black Lives Matter, attacks occurred in the Fairfax neighborhood of Los Angeles that the San Diego Jewish World called a modern, American-style pogrom. Not only were Jewish businesses targeted and sacked, but five synagogues and three Jewish schools were reportedly vandalized in George Floyds name by thugs.

Palestinians and the Left

The acts of pro-Palestinian demonstrators who attack Jews in the United States are clearly antisemitic. They are acts of Jew-hatred aimed at Jewish people, businesses, schools, and places of worship that were not representatives of the Israeli government or public adherents of its policies.

But are these pro-Palestinian assailants of the left?

The Palestinian movement as it developed in the 1920s was more aligned with the antisemitic right than the socialist or progressive left. It was a movement of Jew-hatred, determined to prevent Jews from having their own state, even a small one surrounded by and coexisting peacefully with larger Arab and Muslim states. It was genocidal and antisemitic from the start.

When Israel became a sovereign independent state in 1948, the aim of the Arabs who went to war was to destroy it and establish a non-Jewish state from the river to the sea, as leftist demonstrators chant to this day. They lost.

From 1920 to 1948 the key leader of the Arabs in the Palestinian territories was the Jew-hating, pogrom-inciting Amin al-Husseini, whom the British appointed as grand mufti of Jerusalem. Husseini favored Hitler and his policy of annihilating the Jews, hoping to apply it in the Middle East. As Sean Durns says in Mosaic magazine in his new essay on Husseini, he propagandized for the Nazis and helped recruit for an all-Muslim SS division. After the war, he allegedly orchestrated assassinations of King Abdullah of Jordan and the founder and first prime minister of independent Lebanon, Riad al-Solh. As Durns puts it, Their crime? Openness to negotiations with Zionists.

Husseinis legacy, passed down to Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) leader Yasser Arafat and through him to current leader Mahmoud Abbas, was, First, the movement should gain control of the West Bank and Gaza Strip . Next, it should use this land as a base for destroying Israel.

In short, Husseini played the British, consolidated his power, and then worked against them and Western influences with their backing. Its a pattern continuing, Durns argues, to this day.

With Germanys defeat, the Soviet Union became the key supporter of the Arab states and Palestinians who sought to destroy Israel. The substitution of the totalitarian left for the totalitarian right expanded hatred of the Jews and Israel globally and won support of Western leftists to the cause.

The Russian communist rhetoric established a narrative that singles out Israel, among all the places in the world where there are territorial disputes (not least in Russia and China), for unique and obsessive hostility.

The dressing up of antisemitism as anti-Zionism has been key to the rhetoric of calling for the destruction of the worlds only Jewish state and the driving out or killing of most of the Jewish population that lives there.

Anti-Zionism as the Lefts Antisemitism

As Mosaic magazine columnist Ruth Wisse puts it, Anti-Zionism is the Communist or far-leftist version of anti-Semitism, directed not against the individual Jew but against the Jewish people in its homeland.  All the slogans of anti-ZionismIsrael as imperialist usurper, colonialist occupierare Soviet leftovers refreshed for contemporary use.

The key to the spread of anti-Zionism through much of the world is the substitution of Palestinian for Arab and Muslim, Wisse argues. The new state of Israel was weak and looked indefensible, surrounded by Arab armies seeking to destroy it. But the SovietArab alliance lost in 1967 and 1973; Israel was no longer the underdog. The USSR and its Arab allies switched to an approach that defined Zionism as racism and labeled Israel as a colonial-settler state and tool of U.S. imperialism.

The picture of Arabs threatening to destroy the tiny Jewish state and targeting women and children to prevent its rebirthnever an attractive image in Americaturned into its opposite. The hundreds of millions of Arabs and 1.8 billion Muslims became identified with the oppressed, the Palestinian refugee victims of the Jews.

The totalitarian left always, in the 1930s as now, had more appeal to American intellectuals and students than the totalitarian right with their master race ideas.

But no one espousing either fascist antisemitism or communist anti-Zionism was elected to Congress. Until now.

Today, there are members of Congress who attack and undermine Israel. They echo the anti-Zionist line internationally in slandering Israel, pushing a narrative that falsely accuses Israel of ethnic cleansing, of systematically murdering Palestinian children, or of being an apartheid state, according to Jonathan Greenblatt, head of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) (a liberal organization for Jewish liberals).

Take Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), chair of the House Appropriations Committee on Defense, whom Greenblatt uses as an example of the new antisemitism in the Democratic Party. In introducing a bill to restrict U.S. military aid to Israel, McCollum suggested that this would stop Israel from bombing Gaza into oblivion.

Greenblatt says this about her description in his opinion piece in Newsweek declaring Its Time to Admit: The Left Has an Antisemitism Problem:

This is a blatant and irresponsible mischaracterization of the facts on the ground, especially considering the great pains taken by the Israel Defense Forces to avoid civilian casualtiesmeasures not duplicated by any other fighting force in the world.

Anti-Zionism is Antisemitism

Not all anti-Zionists start out hating Jews. Some of the most ardent are Jewish liberals who support the full anti-Zionist program, including the dismantling of the Jewish state. They provide a fig leaf for the lefts increasingly open hostility to Israel.

Antisemitic acts dont have to involve hatred of Jews, author Joshua Muravchik argues. Anti-Zionism doesnt always start out as personal animus against Jews, though it easily morphs into it and is indistinguishable in practice.

As Pope Francis, who has been critical of Israel and sympathetic to Palestinians, says, To attack Jews is anti-Semitism, but an outright attack on the State of Israel is also anti-Semitism. In May 2015, President Barack Obama said that denying Israels right to exist as a Jewish homeland was ultimately an expression of antisemitism.

That understanding of anti-Zionism as inherently antisemitic was once shared by Americans across mainstream party lines. Thats no longer the case.

Paul Adams writes on ethics, marriage and family, and social policy. He is professor emeritus of social work at the University of Hawaii. He has also taught at Case Western University and the University of Texas.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Guns are on display at a gun shop in Roseburg, Ore., on Oct. 2, 2015. (Cengiz Yar Jr./AFP via Getty Images)

Appeals Court Upholds Federal Ban on Illegal Aliens Having Guns

The categorical ban that prevents illegal aliens from possessing firearms doesnt violate the Second Amendment, a federal appeals court held.

The ruling by a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit came July 29 in United States v. Perez, court file 19-620-cr.

Cam Edwards writes at Bearing Arms that the ruling is an odd decision, in that the judges didnt actually rule on whether or not the Second Amendment protects the rights of illegal aliens to possess a firearm.

In the case, the defendant, Javier Perez, appealed from a conviction for possessing a firearm and ammunition while unlawfully present in the United States. He had fired a gun to break up a gang fight and was charged with violating the federal ban.

Perez was born in rural Mexico in 1989 and entered the U.S. without permission at age 13, according to the court. From entry to arrest in 2018, he worked for himself as a carpenter. As a young man, he was involved with the Ninos Malos gang but said he ceased being a member in 2012.

On July 23, 2016, Perez attended a barbeque in Brooklyn, New York, when a violent fight broke out down the street. Several young men holding bats and machetes were attacking a member of a rival gang. Perez broke up the fight by borrowing a gun from an acquaintance and firing several shots into the air, after which he returned the weapon to its owner.

Days later, the New York Police Department obtained a video showing the incident and, following an investigation, concluded that the shooter was Perez. Perez was arrested by police for a separate incident in April 2017, and he admitted discharging the gun in 2016, at which point he was unlawfully present in the United States.

He challenged the federal statute under which he was convicted, known as 18 U.S.C.  922(g)(5), arguing that it violates the Second Amendment right to bear arms by imposing a categorical bar on his ability to possess a firearm or ammunition, according to the court.

The Second Amendment states, A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. Perez argued that the people includes aliens like him who are present unlawfully but have developed substantial connections to the country.

He was convicted and sentenced to 20 months of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release.

Assuming without deciding that, even as an undocumented alien, he is entitled to Second Amendment protection, we hold that 18 U.S.C.  922(g)(5), as applied to Perez withstands what is called intermediate scrutiny and affirmed his conviction, the court ruled.

The standard of intermediate scrutiny is a middle ground between strict scrutiny, the highest level of judicial review, and a lower, more relaxed rational basis standard.

To withstand intermediate scrutiny, the law must be substantially related to the achievement of an important governmental interest, the court held.

We have observed that regulation of firearms has always been more robust than governmental measures affecting other constitutional rights. Thus, our only role is to ensure that Congress formulated the challenged regulation based on substantial evidence.

Perez conceded that public safety in the context of using firearms is an important governmental objective. We turn our attention, then, to whether  922(g)(5) bears a substantial relation to the achievement of that objective and conclude that it does.

In other words, Perez might be entitled to Second Amendment protections, but the governments interest in public safety allows it to override those protections.

Writing for the panel, Judge John M. Walker acknowledged that the court failed to find whether the long-term illegal alien Perez has a right to keep and bear arms.

Our court has declined to address the extent to which the Second Amendment protects conduct or individuals beyond the core guarantee of a law-abiding persons right to keep firearms for self defense.

Walker wrote that the Supreme Courts landmark 2008 decision in District of Columbia v. Heller, which protects an individuals right to keep and bear arms for self-defense, created a vast terra incognita as to what conduct or characteristics disqualify a person from the Second Amendments protections.

Our practice in those cases has been to assume that a given firearm restriction implicates rights guaranteed by the Second Amendment and determine whether the restriction would nonetheless withstand the appropriate level of scrutiny. We see no reason to abandon that approach here.

The Supreme Court may have an opportunity to clarify some of the issues involved in gun ownership rights when it hears New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Corlett in the fall term. The issue is whether New York states denial of litigants applications for concealed-carry licenses for self-defense violates the Second Amendment.

It wasnt clear at press time whether Perez would appeal the decision.
Arizona AG Heads Effort to Oppose Bidens Delay of Trump-Era EPA Lead Regulation

Arizonas Attorney General (AG) Mark Brnovich is leading a group of AGs in filing a petition challenging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)s decision to postpone the Trump-era Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR).

While the Biden Administration talks a lot about preserving clean air and water for future generations, they have failed to ensure clean drinking water for our children now, Brnovich said in a press release on Friday.

On June 10, the EPA signed a final rule to extend the effective date of LCR Revisions to Dec. 16, 2021, to allow the agency to continue conducting virtual engagements to gather valuable input from communities that have been impacted by lead and to seek feedback from national water associations, Tribes and Tribal communities, and EPAs state co-regulators.

The AGs argue that the Delay Rule is unlawful and will have adverse health effects that exceed the reduced costs on water system operators, and is an illegal attempt to kill the LCRR through serial delays, rather than following the necessary procedures for an outright repeal.

The Arizona Attorney Generals Office (AGO) said that the LCRR would have protected children from exposure to lead in water, a neurotoxin that can lead to damage in a childs brain, causing developmental and behavioral issues.

According to the AGO, if the regulations had been finalized in January 2021, it would have added stricter protections against lead under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich speaks at a news conference in Phoenix, Ariz., on Jan. 7, 2020. (Bob Christie/AP Photo)

The Delay Rule thus postpones the effective date of important improvements in the regulation of lead in drinking water.  The crisis in Flint, Michigan, beginning in 2014, is a particularly acute reminder of the dangers posed by lead in drinking water.

The AGs argue that the Trump lead regulation would make a difference in lead levels in the more immediate future.

The LCRR would have imposed a new trigger level at 10 parts per billion, which when exceeded would have require[d] public water systems to initiate actions to decrease their lead levels and take proactive steps to remove lead from the distribution system, wrote the AGO.

Those who support the EPAs delay rule, say that the Trump-era LCCR did not get rid of the issue of lead in the nations water pipes and still exposed communities to toxic lead in drinking water.

The EPA review of the wholly ineffective Lead and Copper rule is welcome, but we have a long way to go to carry out President Bidens promise to pull 100 percent of the nations lead pipes out of the ground. Lead was taken out of gas and paint in the 70s; its long past time to get this notorious poison out of our water, starting with communities of color that are disproportionately exposed to lead, said Erik D. Olson, Senior Strategic Director for Health with Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

NRDC filed a lawsuit against the Trump LCRR in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit at the beginning of 2021 but the challenge is on hold while the EPA reviews the regulation.

Meanwhile, the bipartisan infrastructure bill allocates billions of dollars to begin replacing the nations lead pipes, which will take years.

As a critical part of what will be the largest investment in clean drinking water in American history, the bipartisan infrastructure bill provides over $11 billion in additional general drinking water funding that states can apply toward the full replacement of all lead pipes and service lines in the country, for a total of over $26 billion. Thats nearly half of the deals full resources for clean drinking water, reflecting what a driving priority this is, Andrew Bates, the deputy press secretary, said.
Police stand at the scene of a shooting incident, in the Nasby area, of Kristianstad, Sweden, on Aug. 3, 2021. (Johan Nilsson/TT News Agency via AP)

At Least 3 Wounded in Sweden Shooting

HELSINKIAt 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.

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.
A minor walks over others inside a pod for females at the Department of Homeland Security holding facility run by the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) in Donna, Texas, on March 30, 2021. (Dario Lopez-Mills/Pool/Getty Images)

Audio Released Detailing Complaints of Abuse of Unaccompanied Minors at Migrant Facility

After two federal workers came forward as whistleblowers filing a complaint with Congress over how unaccompanied minors are being treated at a temporary facility at Fort Bliss, audio recordings of conversations have been released and published by NBC News.

Fort Bliss, in El Paso, Texas, and part of the largest Department of Defense controlled airspace in the world, is where unaccompanied minor children have been held since the spring under the oversight of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. HHS contracted with multiple groups to provide a range of services.

One contractor, Servpro, which specializes in water cleanup after fires and storm disasters with no public record related to dealing with child welfare, was contracted to care for nearly 5,000 children housed at Fort Bliss in May.

With the potential to house as many as 10,000 children, the Fort Bliss site became the largest emergency intake site HHS opened and was plagued by multiple allegations of poor, unsanitary and otherwise inadequate conditions.

In response to the allegations, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra visited the facility, and local residents demanded that it be shut down. Becerra said his administration had made progress since he was confirmed to his post in mid-March. By late June, Fort Bliss held fewer than 800 children, he said.

Becerra maintains that HHS takes every allegation of wrongdoing seriously. Every emergency intake site we have launched, we started from scratch. We constantly work to improve the conditions and services required to care for children in these challenging shelter settings.

But an audio recording from a May training meeting sheds light on how allegations of misconduct were handled two months after Becerra took office.

We have already caught staff with minors inappropriately. Is that OK with you guys? according to an audio recording of a federal contractor speaking at the meeting.

The staffers replied, No! The female contractor replied, I hope not.

If you catch them, especially if its a staff member, you separate that minor from that person immediately, she said. However, she did not instruct staff to report the incident to supervisors.

At the time of the recording, there were 3,000 minors being held there.

Young children lie inside a pod at the Department of Homeland Security holding facility run by the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) in Donna, Texas, on March 30, 2021. (Dario Lopez-Mills/Pool/Getty Images)

The contractor mentions incidents of child abuse, saying, I know there have been a lot of complaints from minors about staff members waking them up in the morning. Weve got some staff members that are picking up and shaking the bed to wake up the minor. Or theyre bouncing them on the bed. They think theyre being playful, but that constitutes child abuse. I want you guys to know that.

The recording was released after two whistleblowers, Arthur Pearlstein and Lauren Reinhold, detailed their concerns in a report filed with Congress by the Government Accountability Project.

There were so many of them that complained that they had no underwear or one pair with nothing to change into, Pearlstein told NBC News. I began to ask some of the management officials, Well, cant a federal employee that has a purchase card just go to Walmart or Costco?'

He says he was told, No, the contractor needs to wait for it.

In another meeting with employees, a doctor working for the U.S. Public Health Service wouldnt provide COVID-19 data, according to audio obtained by NBC News.

I cant give you daily numbers and breakouts and graphs and things like that, he said. Assume everyone has Covid, act appropriately.  Sorry, its not a great answer.

In responding to reporting by NBC News on the allegations, an HHS spokesperson said the children meet with a case manager weekly and we have close to 60 mental health and behavioral counselors on site working with the children. It remains our policy to swiftly report any alleged instances of wrongdoing to the appropriate authorities.

Fort Bliss is not the only facility plagued by reports of abuse. In April, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott demanded that the Biden administration shut down a federally run facility in San Antonio after hearing of allegations of child abuse. He included a memo from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission that summarize allegations of sexual assault, bullying, understaffing, and disregard for COVID-19 protocols within the facility.

The State of Texas previously warned about overcrowded conditions at these facilities, and now those conditions have led to allegations of child abuse and neglect, Abbott said at the time. Our repeated warnings and questions have gone ignored by President Biden, yourself, and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas. In your role as Border Czar, you have a duty to these children and the American people to act immediately. I implore you to act immediately to protect these children, secure the border, and end this crisis.

At the time, roughly 1,370 minors were being held in the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio.

Abbott still has not received an answer from the Biden administration, which he maintains is presiding over the abuse of children.

By Bethany Blankley
Hail at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Jan. 20, 2020. (Photo by Rohan Thomson/Getty Images)

Australian Parliament Resumes With Strictest Safety Measures in Place

Federal ministers have returned to Canberra after the winter break to sit in Parliament for four of the next five weeks, and the Senate leader is assuring Australians of the strict COVID-19 safety measures in place.

Simon Birmingham said very extensive safeguards proportionate to the risk of the Delta variant have been implemented for parliament.

The public have been banned from entering Parliament House, and many ministers have not flown in as they remain isolated in their home states.

It will be a slimmed down parliament in terms of the number of parliamentarians attending, dramatically slimmed down in terms of the number of staff working in parliament house, Birmingham told ABC radio.

Defence Minister Peter Dutton will remain in home isolation in Queensland because his sons attend a school linked to the growing outbreak in the state.

In addition, around 60 percent of staff are also working remotely, with only essential staff allowed on site.

Manager of Opposition Business Tony Burke praised the House Speaker Tony Smith and Senate President Scott Ryan for implementing much tougher restrictions in the Parliament House than the rest of the Territory.

So theyre doing everything possible to guard against [a super spreader event], Burke told ABC radio.

He added that it was essential for parliament to sit in person to pass legislation and be able to scrutinise Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

When parliaments on, he has to front up every single day at question time, Burke said. Theres plenty to be asking about.

The Speaker and Senate President have said that those from the Greater Sydney lockdown area pose virtually no risk as they had already completed quarantine and produced negative COVID-19 tests.

In addition, ministers from affected areas in Queensland have also been tested prior to entry.

Parliament meeting as safely as possible has always been our priorityboth for the ACT and for those returning to other parts of Australia, they told The Canberra Times. This is the first time we have gone substantially above the local ACT Health requirements and returned the building to an effective minimum staffing level as was the case last year.
The headquarters of Chinese technology firm Tencent is seen in Beijing on Aug. 7, 2020. The Canada Pension Plan held a substantial position in the Chinese tech firm as of March 31, which has since lost about 30 percent in value due to Beijings regulatory tightening. (Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images)

Beijings Crackdown on Foreign Money Sends Stern Warning to Investors

Canadas public pension plans have been bullish on Chinese stocks

Beijings regulatory crackdown on Chinese companies has sent shockwaves through its stock markets, and experts say the investment climate in China has shifted and needs reevaluation.

The Chinese communist regimes recent sudden changes in laws and regulations governing businesses across multiple industries remain a topic of discussion and debate regarding its purpose, extent, and endgame. But those actions have more clearly shown the elevated risk of investing in China.

Whats doubtless happening here is that there is a level of risk now in Chinese investments that wasnt there before, Peter St. Onge, a research fellow at The Heritage Foundation, told The Epoch Times. St. Onge was formerly a senior fellow at the Montreal Economic Institute and professor at Taiwans Feng Chia University.

Among the many Chinese tech firms to get singled out was Tencentdown about 30 percent from March 31, when the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) disclosed its holdings of nearly $4.5 billion in Tencent stock.

The CPPIB had in 2018 announced plans to ramp up investment in China to 20 percent by 2025. As of March 31, it owned roughly $20.6 billion in Chinese stocks, which made up just over 15 percent of its approximately $134 billion foreign publicly traded stock holdings. The CPPIB only provides public updates of its stock holdings once a year and would not comment on specific stocks.

St. Onge said a 20 percent allocation to China is absolutely imprudent given that the country accounts for less than 10 percent of the worlds stock market capitalization. He added that it also exposes investors to a higher level of regulatory risk than what exists in comparable markets and that Chinese president Xi Jinping has displayed increasingly authoritarian tendencies.

Another large Canadian investor in China is the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan. It declined to provide a comment to The Epoch Times.

Eliminating Foreign Influence

The FXI, an exchange-traded fund of the largest Chinese stocks, is down nearly 10 percent in the last month, while stock markets in North America are close to record highs.

Chinese ride-hailing company Didi, which raised US$4.4 billion in an initial public offering (IPO) in Junethe biggest stock sale by a Chinese company since Alibaba in 2014became the subject of investigation shortly after its market debut. Chinese authorities cited national security and public interest concerns about the data it collects. Didi shares have since fallen by about 40 percent.

China is closing its mind to the world and trying to eliminate foreign influence, said China expert Gordon Chang, author of The Coming Collapse of China.

I think that it [Didi] will be a watershed, and it is one of those things that are going to convince Americans that the risk of China is too high, Chang told NTDs The Wide Angle on July 31.

Private education companies have also been caught in Beijings crosshairs, as the government banned these firms from making profits, raising capital, or going public in late July.

Losses in Chinese tech and education stocks have exceeded US$1 trillion since February, according to Bloomberg.

Its not just in public markets where China is out of favour. Venture capital declined for the second straight quarter in China, while every other major venture market detailed in CBInsights State of Venture Report for the second quarter of 2021 moved higher.

Business Risk

While some investment managers may see the sharp drop in Chinese stocks as a potential buying opportunity, one fund manager who maintains no allocation to China due to lack of personal freedoms is Perth Tolle, the founder of Life + Liberty Indexes. She treats all Chinese companies as state-owned and says that all data the companies collect belongs to the government.

We have no China exposure for the precise reason their market is collapsing right now, lack of freedom and outsized government control/intrusion into private business activity. Names hit hard overnight include Tencent and Meituan, again, due to capricious government constraints, Tolle tweeted on July 27.

CPPIB held nearly $1.4 billion in food delivery company Meituan as of March 31.

St. Onge added that it doesnt bode well for Canadian companies doing business in China given that they often have to partner with a Chinese firm.

However badly [the Chinese regime has] treated foreign investors in the past, it appears that they are willing to  ramp that up now, he said.

Shell Game

Companies in a number of sectors in China are prohibited from having foreign ownership and from directly listing on exchanges outside the country, said Gary Gensler, chair of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in a July 30 statement.

Structuring China-based companies as variable interest entities (VIEs)by establishing a shell company in another jurisdiction to issue stockhas helped those companies circumvent Beijings restrictions on raising foreign capital.

VIEs pose a particular risk for investors since they are not actually owning direct stakes in a Chinese firm. Instead, they own interests in an offshore shell company that has no equity ownership in the Chinese firm but is only related to it through service contracts and other agreements.

I worry that average investors may not realize that they hold stock in a shell company rather than a China-based operating company, Gensler said.

He added that investors face uncertainty about future actions by the government of China that could significantly affect the operating companys financial performance and the enforceability of the contractual arrangements.

The SEC, mandated to protect investors in U.S. capital markets, has halted IPOs of Chinese companies unless they increase disclosures of risks for investors.

St. Onge said Ontario securities regulators might follow the SECs lead. Very few Chinese companiesmostly small and focused on the resources sectorlist on Canadian stock exchanges.
Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers keep watching the site of the Aug. 3 night-time car bomb blast in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 4, 2021. (Stringer/Reuters)

Blast Hits Afghan Capital as Taliban Claims Attack on Ministers Compound

KABUL, AfghanistanA blast near the office of Afghanistans main security agency wounded three people on Aug. 4, hours after a bomb and gun attack on a ministers compound brought surging Taliban violence to Kabul, the countrys capital city.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the late Aug. 3 car bomb and gun attack on the home of acting Defense Minister Bismillah Mohammadi. The was no immediate claim for the Aug. 4 blast.

While Mohammadi survived the attack on his compound in a heavily fortified part of Kabul, the violence was a stark illustration of the deterioration in Afghanistans security as U.S.-led foreign forces complete their withdrawal and the insurgents seize swaths of territory.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said his group targeted the ministers residence as an important meeting was underway there.

Government forces battled the attackers for more than four hours, and the Ministry of Interior said that at least eight civilians were killed and 20 were wounded.

The Aug. 4 explosion near a facility of the National Directorate of Security wounded two civilians and a security official, police said.

The Taliban has stepped up its campaign to defeat the U.S.-backed government since April, as foreign forces complete their withdrawal after 20 years of war.

A member of Afghan security forces looks at a damaged car at the site of the Aug. 3 car bomb blast in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 4, 2021. (Stringer/Reuters)

Fighting has been particularly heavy around the city of Herat, near the western border with Iran, and Lashkar Gah and Kandahar in the southern portion of the country.

An Afghan military spokesman said an emergency had been declared in Lashkar Gah, and government forces were getting reinforcements and U.S. air support.

Special forces have been sent to the area. They are in good morale, armed forces spokesman Gen. Ajmal Omar Shinwari told Reuters.

The loss of Lashkar Gah would be a huge blow for the government, which has pledged to defend strategic centers after losing many rural districts to the Taliban in recent months.

Scores of families have fled from their homes in the small city, which serves as the capital of the Helmand Province, as government forces launched a counterattack against the Taliban.

The U.N. reported on Aug. 3 that at least 40 civilians had been killed in Lashkar Gah in the previous 24 hours.

Taliban fighters had taken control of some radio and TV stations in the city and were moving into homes to stop people from helping government forces, residents said.

By Kabul bureau
Parents and students gather to protest wearing masks in front of the Orange County Department of Education in Costa Mesa, Calif., on May 17, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Board of Education Sues California Governor Over School Mask Mandates

The Orange County Board of Education (OCBE) voted during an Aug. 3 special session to sue Gov. Gavin Newsom for extending the state of emergency and mandating masks for students during the next curricular year.

The boards decision came after Newsom announced an extension to the state of emergency, requiring a mask mandate for students in grades K12. Trustee Rebecca Gomez was absent during the vote.

I want to do whats in the best interest of the kids in our community, OCBE President Mari Barke told The Epoch Times.

OCBE Vice President Ken Williams told The Epoch Times that the board fears this could be a repeat of last year, and the attempt is to removeby the state Supreme Courtthe abuse of the emergency power, that Newsom is usurping.

There is no emergency that exists that he should be able to use the emergency powers to mandate such a statewide decree, Williams said.

Around this time last year, the board filed a lawsuit against Newsom and the California Department of Public Health officer for mandating schools to instruct virtually.

We had concerns last year, we still have those concerns now, and now this time is different, Williams said.

There is no run on hospital care. There are lots of emergency rooms and hospital rooms available for care. Weve reached herd immunity. We have, I think close to two-thirds of America already vaccinated  Now, the time period is very different than last year.

Williams said its the children and the families that are being negatively impacted by the governors orders.

The board contracted the Murrieta-based legal team Tyler & Bursch for the newly filed lawsuit.

Robert Tyler, one of OCBEs legal representatives, said Newsom is no longer entitled to cling desperately to the state of emergency, and could not force children to wear face masks in school.

The law, under the Emergency [Services] Act, prohibits the state of emergency from continuing indefinitely. It actually requires that it be terminated at the earliest possible moment, Tyler told The Epoch Times.

Tyler said the basis of the state of emergency was to prevent flooding the hospital system to ensure that health care was available.

The governor has come out and publicly declared how weve curbed the threat to the hospital system. The cases are down; deaths are down. And in addition to that, the governor in legal arguments  actually made all of these arguments, effectively the same as saying theres no longer an emergency.

In another case, earlier this yearGodspeak Calvary Chapel v. Ventura County and the State of Californiathe State Attorney General said the case should be dismissed on grounds that [one,] the hospital system is no longer threatened by the coronavirus. Two, the case rates are way down. And three, that there are therapeutics that are now available and useful in the treatment of coronavirus, Tyler said.

Hes still clinging on to a state of emergency.  He cant hang on to it indefinitely, because thats a complete violation of how our system is supposed to operate with our legislaturehaving public hearings, establishing law through the normal process, and then sending it to the governor for his signature or veto. Its not to be flipped on its head where the governor, acts as a dictator, creating a system of laws that run indefinitely.

OCBE issued a statement during the special session emphasizing the boards role in keeping our children safe at school and free from policies or practices that will cause them harm. When necessary, the board will fight to protect the health, safety, and welfare of our countys kids at school.

Unfortunately, with the governors most recent action to force Orange Countys children, even those as young as 5 and 6 years old, to endure an academic year covering their faces for hours on end, the time to fight has come again, the statement reads.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on July 9 updated its guidance for schools, advising the unvaccinated to wear masks.

However, the California Department of Public Health said the state will continue to prioritize mask-wearing for all teachers and students indoors.

Theres no substitute for in-person instruction, and todays CDC guidance clearly reinforces that as a top priority, issuing recommendations for how schools throughout the country can get there, Dr. Tomas Aragon, director of the California Department of Public Health and state public health officer, said in a press release. Here in California, well get there through continued masking and robust testing capacity.

Newsoms office didnt respond to a request for comment by deadline.
A protester wears a cap with badges reading "All against the Health pass" in a protest against the compulsory vaccination for certain workers and the mandatory use of the health pass in Paris on July 24, 2021. (Alan Jocard/AFP via Getty Images)

California Health Care Provider Begins Issuing Vaccine Badge Tags

The University of California San Diego Health appears to be the latest health care system to require badge tags for employees stating whether or not they have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

In an Aug. 2 internal memo released anonymously to The Epoch Times, UCSD Health stated, given the current environment, the badge tags are an important update to COVID-19 protocols.

According to the memo, the badge tags will provide a visual cue regarding a team members vaccination status, and will be available this week for all vaccinated employees.

There will also be a special thank you to recognize all employees for your hard work, the memo added.

Obtaining a badge tag will require proof of vaccination, the memo added. However, if employees dont have any vaccine verifications, we will evaluate CDC vaccine cards on a case-by-case basis.

The badge tag is tamperproof and will be attached to an employees ID to show vaccination status.

Under the new protocols, unvaccinated health care workers will be required to wear N95 masks in all areas of health care while under strict enforcement.

Regarding testing for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) virus that causes COVID-19, vaccinated staff showing no symptoms are encouraged, but not required, to receive a one-time COVID-19 test. Unvaccinated employees showing no symptoms will have to test for the virus twice weekly.

UCSD Health CEO Patty Maysent did not return a call seeking comment.

Jackie Carr, Executive Director of Communications and Media Relations, did not respond to an email about the badge tags as of publishing time.

As the debate over privacy laws concerning vaccination status continues to rage nationwide, a number of health care providers have already approved vaccine badges or stickers for their employees.

Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics in Texas, for example, began issuing green stickers for employees, volunteers, and providers who have been fully vaccinated. On June 1, Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Tennessee began distributing vaccinated ID badges to employees.

The stickers allow employees to be quickly identified as fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and will assist with streamlining business and operational processes such as for in-person meetings and in non-clinical areas to quickly identify employees who are fully vaccinated and not required to wear a mask, according to the centers website.

In response to the many patients asking about the vaccine status of employees, the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha said it has begun distributing ID badge stickers to the fully vaccinated.

Since all UNMC students, faculty and staff must comply with the requirements at our clinical partner sites, UNMC also will be distributing unique ID badge stickers to individuals who are fully vaccinated and have their COVID-19 vaccination recorded in the Health Tracking System.

This reinforces our commitment to the policies being utilized by our clinical partners to protect their patients and staff, the centers website stated.

Facing a backlash, Tennessee-based Ballad Health nixed plans to launch a badge buddies programblue badges for vaccinated employees, orange for unvaccinated.

Ohio-based Attorney Thomas Renz, who is fielding numerous lawsuits related to the governments response to the pandemic, including whistleblower allegations of vaccine-related deaths numbering in the tens of thousands, said he believes the vaccine badges are beyond unethical.

They should be illegal, Renz told The Epoch Timesno different than requiring anyone who has herpes to have to wear a gold star on their forehead.

Im calling on any business that wants to do this to any employee to show whether they have STDs [sexually transmitted diseases] and how sexual[ly] active they are, he added facetiously.

Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), vaccination information is classed as Protected Health Information.

However, HIPPA only applies to HIPPAA-covered entitieshealthcare providers, health plans, and healthcare clearinghousesand their business associates, according to the May 25, 2021, HIPPA Journal.

If an employer asks an employee to provide proof that they have been vaccinated in order to allow that individual to work without wearing a facemask, that is not a HIPAA violation as HIPAA does not apply to most employers.

Moreover, it would not be a HIPAA violation for an employer to ask an employees health care provider for proof of vaccination.

It would however be a HIPAA violation for the employees healthcare provider to disclose that information to the employer unless the individual had provided authorization to do so.

Renz said the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution regarding illegal search and seizure provides a stronger legal argument against vaccine IDs.

I think this is very much a right to privacy thing, he said.

While federal Equal Employment Opportunity laws do not prevent an employer to require employee vaccinations, they also do not prevent or limit employers from offering incentives to voluntarily disclose their vaccination status.

By the same token, employers may legally offer incentives for employees to be vaccinated.
California Republicans Head to First Debate in Newsom Recall

LOS ANGELESRepublican candidates heading into their first televised debate Wednesday in Californias looming recall election face a gamble: whether to pile up on Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom or try to undercut each other in front of a statewide audience.

Thats the risk in the evening contest at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library in Orange County, California, which will provide a first-time look for many voters at a partial Republican field that hopes to see Newsom ousted from office in the Sept. 14 election.

The two best known candidates will be conspicuously absent: Caitlyn Jenner has been in Australia filming a reality TV program, while conservative talk radio host Larry Elder will be at a Bakersfield fundraiser. His spokeswoman said Elder wants to debate Newsom and warned in a Twitter post that a circular firing squad among GOP candidates would only benefit the governor.

That was echoed by Tim Rosales, a consultant for candidate Kevin Kiley, who said the four competitors on stage need to keep firing at Newsom.

For Kiley, a Sacramento-area assemblyman, This is his first real, big opportunity to introduce himself to voters across the state, Rosales said. Hes going to be talking about the contrast between himself and Gov. Newsom.

The stakes are elevated with mail-in ballots going to voters in about two weeks. Polls suggest the race is growing tight, with Newsoms once-comfortable edge slipping as coronavirus cases reportedly climb and mask restrictions return across much of the state.

The debate comes at a time when Republicans already have witnessed signs of infighting that could drive down turnout and distract from the goal of toppling Newsom. Candidate John Cox, who was defeated by Newsom in the 2018 governors race, has accused GOP insiders of trying to steer an endorsement to Kevin Faulconer, the former San Diego mayor.

The recall, which could remove Newsom in the midst of his first term, grew out of widespread frustration during the pandemic over whipsaw stay-at-home orders, crushing job losses from business closures, and long-running school closures that together disrupted life for millions.

Joining Kiley, Cox, and Faulconer will be former congressman Doug Ose, who represented a district in the Sacramento area.

Library officials said Newsom did not respond to an invitation.

Every candidate on that stage is trying to connect with voters, Ose said in an interview. I always talk about kitchen table issues. These arent partisan issues.

Ose said he intended to make clear that his experience in Congress and on water, agriculture, and energy issues sets him apart from his rivals.

Faulconer, too, said he intended to stress his experience as a Republican elected in Democratic San Diego: I get that across, were gonna do good.

The contest is being watched nationally as a barometer of the public mood heading toward the 2022 elections, when a closely divided Congress again will be in play. A Republican upset in the heavily Democratic state would be a stunning rebuke, and Newsom has warned that his ouster would have national implications in politics and policy-making.

Republican candidates have depicted Newsom as an incompetent fop whose bungled leadership inflicted unnecessary financial pain during the pandemic. Democrats have sought to frame the contest as driven by far-right extremists and supporters of former President Donald Trump.

Newsom earlier appeared well-positioned to beat back the recall attempt. But his standing has slipped, with polls showing Republicans are eager to vote while many Democrats have shrugged at the election. Newsom also is being faulted by GOP candidates for rising crime rates and energy and water shortages.

Voters will be asked two questions: First, should Newsom be removed, yes or no? The second question will be a list of replacement candidates from which to choose. If a majority votes for Newsoms removal, the candidate who gets the most votes on the second question becomes governor.

With 46 replacement candidates on the ballot, its possible a winner could emerge with as little as 20 percent of the vote should Newsom be recalleda fraction of what a candidate would need in a typical statewide election.

That unusual election math also has allowed Republicans to largely target their campaigns at Republicans and right-leaning independents, which could provide a sufficient coalition to win.

By Michael R. Blood and Kathleen Ronayne
FILE - In this July 13, 2020 file photo, a For Rent sign hangs on a closed shop during the coronavirus pandemic in Miami Beach, Fla. Having endured what was surely a record-shattering slump last quarter, the U.S. economy faces a dim outlook as a resurgent coronavirus intensifies doubts about the likelihood of any sustained recovery the rest of the year. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

CDC Announces New Order to Ban Evictions for 60 Days for Most of US

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a 60-day moratorium on Tuesday, a day after the White House said the agency didnt have the authority to do so.

The order (pdf) is intended to target specific areas of the country where cases of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus are rapidly increasing and likely would be exacerbated by mass evictions, the CDC said, noting the recent surge in cases across the country.

This will apply to about 80 percent of U.S. counties or about 90 percent of the U.S. population, where the rates of transmission of COVID-19 in the community are deemed substantial or high, according to the CDC.

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, Rochelle Walensky, the CDC director, 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 new eviction moratorium will last 60 days, expiring on Oct. 3. It will be more limited compared to a prior CDC eviction moratorium that expired on Saturday at midnight.

More than 15 million people in 6.5 million U.S. households are currently behind on rental payments, according to a study by the Aspen Institute and the COVID-19 Eviction Defense Project, collectively owing more than $20 billion to landlords.

The CDC had ordered a nationwide eviction moratorium in September 2020 in an effort to prevent the spread of the CCP virusthe idea being that evicted people would be likely to move in with relatives or friends or crowded homeless shelters and potentially undermine social distancing restrictions.

The moratorium was extended for another 30 days in June and officials at the time said it would be the final extension, which expired on Saturday.

The Supreme Court ruled in late June that any extension to the moratorium would have to be approved by Congress. A federal court later ruled in July that the CDC had overstepped its authority in halting evictions.

It remains unclear if the Supreme Court will regard the new moratorium differently, given that it is more limited in scope.

President Joe Biden on Sunday asked for a new scaled-down moratorium, but the CDC at the time turned down the request, saying it lacked legal authority owing to the June Supreme Court decision.

Biden was urging an extension and wanted some $40 billion of unused money approved by Congress to help pay unpaid rent to be distributed to renters and landlords.

But on Monday, White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said the administration lacks the legal authority for a new, targeted eviction moratorium, despite a push from a growing number of Democrats asking the administration to take action.

No congressional action could be taken because the House of Representatives had adjourned on Friday for its scheduled August recess.

Biden on Tuesday acknowledged the legal risks of moving ahead with a new moratorium but said it will probably give some additional time to renters as the issue makes it way through the courts.

He also called on state and local governments to extend or put in place eviction bans for at the least the next two months, according to Psaki.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi late Tuesday issued a message on Twitter praising the CDC order.

Today is a day of extraordinary relief, she wrote. Thanks to the leadership of @POTUS the imminent fear of eviction and being put out on the street has been lifted for countless families. Help is Here! Democrats have worked tirelessly for this action, which is based on public health needs.

She added, This brand new moratorium will provide time for the money allocated by Congress to flow, as it helps stop the spread of the virus. I am especially pleased about what this means to the children who have had uncertainty about their housing, their health and their education.

Some states like New York and California have already extended state eviction bans past July 31.

Reuters contributed to this report.
An aerial view shows a flooded road following heavy rainfall in Zhengzhou, Henan province, China on July 23, 2021. (Aly Song/File Photo/Reuters)

China Lodges Representations With BBC Over Flood Reporting

BEIJINGChina has lodged a stern representation with Britains BBC over its reporting of the floods in Henan and a statement over how foreign journalists were being treated, the foreign ministry said on Tuesday.

The head of communications for the BBC World Service declined to comment.

The broadcaster had said in a statement last month that the Chinese government should take immediate action to stop attacks that endanger foreign journalists.

The Foreign Correspondents Club of China had said journalists from several media outlets covering the floods were harassed online and by local residents, including some receiving death threats.

The BBC statement is inverting black and white, Chinas foreign ministry said on its official website.

It said the BBC reports on the Henan floods were an attack on the Chinese government, and were prejudiced, without giving further details.

The death toll from last months floods in Henan rose to 302 as of Monday, officials said, triple the figure of 99 that was reported last week, with most of the fatalities reported in the provincial capital Zhengzhou.
Chinese Authorities Blow Up Dam, Flood Town

Chinese authorities blow up a dam, flooding several villagesin order to protect wealthier areas. Whats more, authorities banned all rescue efforts in the name of the pandemic.

Chinas flood season isnt over yet, and an epidemic already seems to be around the corner. Amid the water-logging and damages, a number of villages are now hugely contaminated by dead livestock.

Wuhan plans to test all of its 12 million residents for the virus. The city is facing a new round of rigorous pandemic prevention measures.

American Airlines is offering some customers 30 minutes of free access to TikTok. But cybersecurity experts warn that Beijing has used the video app to spy on Americans.

A nuclear power plant in China shuts down one of its reactors to fix a leak, more than a month after the problem was first announced to the public.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more first-hand news from China.

For more news and videos, please visit our website and Twitter.
A police officer walks near cocaine seized from a cargo ship at a Philadelphia port during a news conference at the U.S. Custom House in Philadelphia, Pa., on June 21, 2019. (Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images)

Chinese National Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison Over Money-Laundering Scheme to Aid Drug Traffickers

A Chinese national found guilty of a money-laundering scheme to move tens of millions in drug proceeds was sentenced to seven years in prison on Aug. 3, while his Chinese co-conspirator pleaded guilty a day earlier, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced.

Li Xizhi, 48, who pleaded guilty to a money laundering charge on Aug. 2, was one of six Chinese nationals charged in 2020 for their involvement in a transnational money-laundering network spanning countries including Belize, China, Guatemala, Mexico, and the United States. According to a statement from the DOJ, Li played a leadership role in the network, which included foreign and domestic front companies.

Among the six was Liu Tao, 46, who was sentenced to seven years in prison on Aug. 3. Liu, born in China and a resident of Hong Kong, pleaded guilty in April to charges of money laundering and bribing a U.S. public official.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) warned about Chinese money laundering groups in March, when the agency published its 2020 National Drug Threat Assessment report (pdf).

Law enforcement reporting indicates an increase in Chinese money laundering groups and Mexican TCOs [transnational criminal organizations] collaborating to move/launder money, the DEA report states.

Money laundering tactics employed by Asian TCOs generally involve the transfer of funds between China and Hong Kong, using front companies to facilitate international money movement.

Lis network laundered at least $30 million in drug proceeds, mainly from drug-trafficking activities involving cocaine, dating back to around 2008. According to an indictment (pdf), Li, who was born in China but lived mainly in Mexico and Guatemala, built close relationships with drug traffickers and drug-trafficking organizations in countries such as Columbia, Guatemala, and Mexico. He then secured contracts to move their drug proceeds and was paid a commission.

Court records show that Li laundered money on behalf of a Central American cartel led by Marisela Iron Lady Flores-Torruco. Additionally, Li had ties to Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, the former leader of Mexicos Sinaloa cartel.

To facilitate the laundering of drug proceeds, Li purchased a casino in Guatemala and registered it under the alias Francisco Ley Tan. The casino was then used by Li and his co-conspirators in part to hold meetings with drug traffickers.

The money-laundering scheme involved the use of bank accountssome opened under false identitiesin countries including the United States and China. According to the indictment, Li used his alias to obtain bank accounts in Miami. The scheme also involved the use of accounts in Chinas state-owned financial institutions, including the Agricultural Bank of China and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.

These [Chinese] accounts were used to receive and transact money derived from drug sales, including the sale of cocaine, in the United States, the indictment states.

The laundering scheme included the transportation and smuggling of cash in bulk.

One of the six Chinese nationals, Li Jingyuan, 49, of San Gabriel, California, was involved in gathering cash generated by illegal activities in the United States, including the unlawful sale of drugs, according to the indictment. He also pleaded guilty in April.

Liu also picked up bulk drug cash, which he then deposited into bank accounts provided by Li Xizhi.

Lius bribery charge was connected to his attempt to obtain fraudulent U.S. passports for himself and other individuals. According to the indictment, he bribed an undercover DEA agent for about $10,000. The agent, who posed as a corrupt U.S. State Department official, told Liu that U.S. passports could be bought for $150,000 each.

Liu agreed to that amount and transferred about $10,000, including $5,000 in cryptocurrency, as a down payment to buy a passport for himself.

The defendants laundered millions of dollars on behalf of drug traffickers through the global financial system in a manner that concealed the source and nature of the illicit funds, said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the DOJs Criminal Division in the statement.

Global money-laundering networks enable drug cartels to profit from their deadly trade.

Li and his co-conspirators used encrypted platforms such as WhatsApp and Chinas WeChat to discuss their illegal activities, the indictment states.

According to the DOJ, co-conspirator Chen Jiayu, 46, of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced to 60 months in prison over money laundering on July 20. Chen was also ordered to forfeit $2.8 million.

Another co-conspirator, Eric Yong Woo of Alhambra, California, is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 21, according to the DOJ. The last co-conspirator, Chen Jianxing, who lives in Belize, is waiting to be extradited to the United States following his arrest in Peru.
Chris Cuomo Silent on Brothers Sexual Harassment Scandal

CNN host advised Gov. Cuomo on how to handle sexual harassment allegations, testified in probe

CNNs Chris Cuomo on Tuesday completely ignored a scandal involving his brother, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Chris Cuomo said nothing about how New York Attorney General Letitia James earlier in the day released a report substantiating sexual harassment and assault claims against the governor.

Chris Cuomos Cuomo Prime Time airs for an hour at 9 p.m.

Chris Cuomo was deeply involved in the scandal. Investigators found he was part of a team that advised Gov. Cuomo on how to respond earlier this year to a growing number of sexual harassment allegations.

Rich Azzopardi, one of Gov. Cuomos top advisers, described the group, none of whom were compensated, as people who have been with us for a long time who we could trust.

When you feel like youre in battle, you turn to those you trust, he told investigators, who were appointed by James.

The inner circles outside group, who did not work for the Executive Chamber, was regularly provided with confidential and often privileged information about state operations and helped make decisions that impacted State business and employeesall without any formal role, duty, or obligation to the State, investigators said in their report.

According to internal documents obtained by the team, Chris Cuomo counseled his brother to express contrition after published reports detailed allegations from Charlotte Bennett, a former aide to the governor.

One email appeared to show Chris Cuomo helping draft a statement that Gov. Cuomo later issued about the allegations.

Investigators also revealed they had sat down with Chris Cuomo to ask him questions about the situation.

CNN didnt respond to requests for comment.

Chris Cuomo apologized in May for helping advise his brother, after reports indicated at the time that he had.

Today, there are stories out there about me offering my brother advice. Of course I do. This is no revelation. I have said it publicly and I certainly have never hidden it. I can be objective about just about any topic, but not about my family, Chris Cuomo said.

My family means everything to me and I am fiercely loyal to them. I am family first, job second, he added.

Still, doing so was a mistake because it put his CNN colleagues in a bad spot.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (L) and his brother Chris Cuomo, a CNN anchor, at an event in New York City in 2018. (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival)

At the time, a CNN spokesperson told news outlets that what Chris Cuomo did was inappropriate.

Chris has not been involved in CNNs extensive coverage of the allegations against Governor Cuomoon air or behind the scenes. In part because, as he has said on his show, he could never be objective. But also because he often serves as a sounding board for his brother, a spokesperson said.

However, it was inappropriate to engage in conversations that included members of the governors staff, which Chris acknowledges. He will not participate in such conversations going forward.

Chris Cuomo interviewed his brother on-air multiple times last year, often spending time joking during the COVID-19 crisis. Critics say Gov. Cuomos policies led to more deaths, while supporters say the governor did the best he could and that the policies prevented deaths.

Newspapers often include disclosures of such relationships, such as The Washington Post noting in any story involving Amazon that Amazons founder Jeff Bezos owns the paper. But theres been no such disclosures on CNN, so viewers have not been made aware of the full situation, Andrew Schotz, a member of the Society of Professional Journalists Ethics Committee, told The Epoch Times.

There remains a lack of clarity on whether Chris Cuomo broke any rules and, if he did, whether he was punished in any way. His show was never taken off the air.

Nobodys saying you cant talk to your brother, period. That would be absurdyoure a brother. In this case, the idea of you cant talk to your brother about a scandal hes involved with, thats perfectly reasonable, because you need to separate. You cant have your foot in both worlds, Schotz said. 

Im in the newsroom thats covering it, even if Im not on the story, but I have my foot in the news as its unfolding, Im helping to make the news. Those things dont go together and I just dont see any evidence that hes acknowledging that or that CNN is acknowledging that. If they have, they havent told anybody.

Joe Concha, a media critic for The Hill, added on Twitter that Chris Cuomos silence on what happened showed how he is not a straight news host.

Not sure CNN understands what this activist playing an anchor is doing to its credibility, he wrote.

CNN declined to comment to its own media reporter on the situation.

After Chris Cuomos show on Tuesday, he handed things off to Don Lemon, another anchor for the network.

They expressed love for one another before Lemon fully took over. Lemon then immediately began covering the sexual harassment scandal.
CRT Shares the Same Ideology as Chinas Cultural Revolution, Chinese American Warns

The Heritage Action for America, a partner organization of the Heritage Foundation, hosted a panel discussion on critical race theory (CRT) in Georgetown, Delaware, on July 29. Six speakers stressed the dangers of CRT and how it has penetrated American society. One speaker compared the similarities of CRT and Chinas Cultural Revolution.

About 500 people attended the event in person, while thousands watched it via livestream.

At the beginning of the panel discussion, Jonathan Butcher, senior policy analyst at The Heritage Foundation, talked about the history of CRT and what its all about. He said CRT, an offshoot of Critical Theory from the neo-Marxist Frankfurt School, is built upon Karl Marxs ideas and has slowly and methodically worked its way into American society, infecting the education system, workplace, military, and everything in between. He added that CRT is destructive and advocates for the exact opposite of what it claims to betreating individuals differently based on the color of their skin.

CRT adherents believe America is systemically racist, that racial oppression exists in every institution, and an individual is either an oppressor or oppressed based on the color of their skin. They reject the idea that America has strived, for more than two centuries, to fully live up to the founding creed that all men are created equal and should be treated so under the law.

Feels Like Communist China

Keynote speaker Xi Van Fleet told the audience that America is starting to feel like communist China during the Cultural Revolutiona sociopolitical movement that occurred between 1966 to 1976 under former Chinese leader Mao Zedong.

We have been seeing that America is going the wrong direction, she said, in reference to CRT.

Heritage Action for America hosted a panel discussion in Georgetown, Delaware, on critical race theory (CRT), on July 29, 2021. Xi Van Fleet (center), who grew up in communist China, talked about CRT and the Chinese Culture Revolution. (Lily Sun/The Epoch Times)

Van Fleet was attending elementary school as a first-grader when the Cultural Revolution began. After she completed her education, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) forced her and other young adults to work in the countryside for three years.

After the panel discussion, Van Fleet told The Epoch Times, Its the same tactic; its Marxs tactic. So what they do is to create chaos. As Mao said, When the worst chaos emerges, that is when the greatest control can be achieved. They want to create chaos so that they [can] overthrow the existing system.  Cancel culture is the same because what the people [want to] do here is to overthrow the American founding [principles], just like [in] Chinato overthrow the traditional culture and our civilization.

I did not really want to go  public. It is difficult for the Chinese; most of us would rather be quiet. But now I feel like its really not about me. Its about America.

She continued, I want Americans to know that whats happening today is communism taking over.

CRT Versus Chinese Cultural Revolution

Van Fleet realized that todays woke revolution, driven by CRT, has a twin brotherthe Chinese Cultural Revolution, which derived from Maos Class Conflict Theory (CCT).

The grandfather of CRT and the CCT is the same guy, Karl Marx. And the ideology is cultural Marxism, Van Fleet said. Just like CRT, Maos CCT divides people into groups: [the] oppressors and the oppressed. The only difference is  class rather than race.

Van Fleet said that during the Cultural Revolution, everyone can be a class enemy; that is Maos way to ensure he always had an ample supply of fake class enemies. Similarly, CRT creates fake racial divisions, and redefines the concept and the definition of racism. So divid[ing] people and pit[ting] them against each other is the hallmark of Marxism, and that is the business model for the CCP and CRT, she said.

During the Cultural Revolution, Van Fleet witnessed how students were violent with each other and with their teachers. She said Mao launched the Cultural Revolution by unleashing the Red Guards to create chaos. The Red Guards were communist youth who were led by Mao to persecute those who were identified as the CCPs enemies. They resorted to violence, looting, rioting, and destroyed all the known enforcement and court systems. Thats exactly what we saw on American streets last year, she said, referring to the riots organized by Black Lives Matter activists. Furthermore, Van Fleet believes that theres no difference between the social justice warriors today in America and Maos Red Guards.

She said that Mao also ordered these Red Guards to destroy the Four Olds: old ideas, old culture, old customs, and old habits. They tore down Buddha statues, destroyed temples, raided homes, and destroyed personal property such as antique furniture and family heirlooms.

Maos Red Guards also changed street names, store names, school names, and personal names. Thats what the cancel culture [is], Van Fleet said. They want to destroy the entire western civilization, Christianity, and the American founding [principles]. [They are] the same thing.

She believes the United States is experiencing a culture war. Cultural Marxism and American ideals, theres no common ground.

Van Fleet concluded, We have to fight this war and win it to preserve America.

Audience Members Moved by Van Fleets Speech

Many audience members appreciated Xi Van Fleets speech.

Marilyn Booker, the chairperson for the Sussex County Delaware Republican Committee, told The Epoch Times: Hearing Xi Van Fleet speak about what went on in communist China, and her being able to draw those parallels to whats happening in this country, I found it fascinating and scary, to be perfectly honest. Booker added: We are a meritocracy, where we used to be, and we need to continue to be, so there will be people who will do better in some things than others.

Jim Boothby, the pastor of the Mountain State Baptist Church in West Virginia, told The Epoch Times that he was also impressed by Van Fleet. In Maos China, she experienced it with her flesh, with her body. Its not about reading a book to her. Boothby said Van Fleet told him two days ago: We are further down the road of our cultural revolution in America, which may result in a similar type of disaster [as Chinas Cultural Revolution]. He added, Prescient words. Scary words.

Boothby shared that anti-CRT proponents won three seats on the five-person school board which used to support CRT in Queen Annes County in his home state of Maryland. He said they have worked very hard to stop CRT because its deeply connected with communism. This is the secret: school boards elect the right people, he said.

Another keynote speaker, Joe Mobley, a podcaster, agreed with Van Fleets views on communism. I think, as Xi Van Fleet said, the [communist] indoctrination has gone on for at least 60 years, maybe as much as 100 years. So the institutions are indoctrinated from the military to the financial institutions, to schools; universities are completely far gone, he said.

Joe Mobley, a podcaster and a U.S. Army veteran, gives a speech at a panel discussion on CRT, hosted by Heritage Action in Georgetown, Delaware, on July 29, 2021. (William Huang/The Epoch Times)

Mobley believes that religious freedom is still pushing back against communism under the protection of the constitutional rights of the First and Second Amendments.

He emphasized: I dont want to live in a socialist country. I dont want a social credit score. I dont want the government to redistribute land or wealth or educational opportunities. I want to live in a meritocracy.

Carmela Ciliberti, a lawyer running for clerk of courts in Chester County, Pennsylvania, told The Epoch Times after the panel discussion that she felt inspired. Its just heartwarming to see others stand up, speak so clearly about the threat that we face here in America, and work to get the grassroots motivated to push back on these ideas.

Ciliberti said, I think hearing the personal stories, especially from Xi [Van Fleet], clearly described what we have ahead of us and what is currently being used. Its the same skeleton that we find here.

The host of the event, Melody Clarke, senior regional coordinator at Heritage Action, mentioned a bill in her speechthe Stop CRT Actthat the organization supports. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) introduced the bill in July 2021. It would implement former President Donald Trumps executive order banning federal agencies and contractors from using CRT training.

Walt Babich contributed to this article.

Lily Sun
A pig carcass lies in floodwaters on farmland following heavy rainfall in Henan Province, China on July 25, 2021. (Aly Song/Reuters)

Dead Livestock Litter Parts of Central China After Flood

Widespread flooding in central China has devastated farmers livelihoods, and their lost livestock are now a potential pathogenic threat. Waterlogged animal carcasses and temperatures over 90 degrees Fahrenheit have combined to create the risk of airborne diseases.

Floods hit cities, towns, and villages in Henan Province on July 20 and not long after, photos of dead pigs began showing up on Chinese social media.

Officials from Nanweiwu village published a letter on July 29 requesting disinfectants, protective equipment, and a professional team to dispose of dead livestock and to help clean up farmlands.

They said that over 90 percent of the dead livestock were still floating in the water.

Pigs are seen amid floodwaters after heavy rainfall in a village in Henan Province, China on July 25, 2021. (Aly Song/Reuters)

Authorities said over 6,000 swine drowned in the flood, but one local named Wang Shi (pseudonym) told The Epoch Times that at least 10,000 pigs had died.

The swine will swim for a while, and then begin to die after three days, Wang said on July 31. Its the tenth day today.

He said the waters rose every day for over a week, peaking at about 6-and-a-half feet deep.

As a result, Wang said many farmers had considered ending their lives, since they will not be able to afford the millions of loans taken out to raise the livestock.

Local farmers usually raise pigs in large sheds, housing between 700 to 800 of the animals. One shed is normally worth over $300,000. Farmers always own at least two sheds, according to Wang. He expects that livestock and crop losses combined will exceed $15 million.

Authorities in Nanweiwu have not stated whether they will provide financial support to flood victims. According to the agriculture ministry, heavy flooding has killed almost 250,000 swine nationwide and affected 15,000 farmers.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on July 20, 2021. (Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters)

Democrats Would Lose House Majority If Midterms Were Held Today: Official

One of the top House Democrats issued a warning to other vulnerable Democrat representatives that they have to change course or the party risks losing its majority during the 2022 midterms, said a Democrat official.

Tim Persico, executive director of the Maloney-chaired Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), confirmed to Politico on Tuesday that Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-N.Y.), the chair of the DCCC, shared data with incumbents showing that if the midterm elections were held today, Democrats would lose their slim majority and hand the House over to Republicans.

We are not afraid of this data  Were not trying to hide this, Persico told the news outlet. If [Democrats] use it, were going to hold the House. Thats what this data tells us, but we gotta get in action, he added.

The Epoch Times has contacted Maloneys office for comment.

One of the issues for Democrats, according to the report, is messaging and what Democrats are trying to do to reboot the countrys COVID-19-hit economy.

The point is, to make sure that were all on the same page, that we understand the stakes, Persico told the outlet. Heres the good news: Everything we are doing and everything weve talked about doing is incredibly popular.

Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-N.Y.) at a press conference in Newburgh, New York, on Oct. 3, 2016. (The Epoch Times)

Internal polling, he claimed, suggested that President Joe Bidens infrastructure plan was wildly popular and said that nothing in this poll suggests anything about altering our agenda. Its about emphasis.

Generally, the party that wins a presidential election loses at least one of the chambers of Congress. In 2018, two years after former President Donald Trumps victory, the House flipped back to being Democrat-controlled.

But in 2020, Republicans made strong gains in the House and flipped a number of seats. Two Republicans in early May also advanced in a special runoff election as the top two vote-getters for Texass 6th Congressional Districtwith no Democrats advancing. Several days ago, Republican Jake Ellzey defeated fellow GOP candidate Susan Wright to become the latest member of Congress.

One of the losing Democrat candidates in early May issued a warning after her defeat, saying that the midterms could be a major setback for Democrats in the House.

On Saturday, Republican candidates got 62 percent of the vote to 38 percent for Democrats (R+25). All the things I thought would motivate Democrats, such as the attempted violent overthrow of a legitimate election result, along with Snowmaggedeon  failed to get our voters out, Democrat Jana Lynne Sanchez wrote on Monday after finishing third with 13 percent.

Im sounding the alarm bell: If Democrats dont organize and prepare, 2022 could be a major setback to our gains of recent years, she said.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Hubert H. Humphrey Building, in Washington on Nov. 15, 2016. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Documents Reveal One-Stop Fetal Tissue Shop at University of Pittsburgh

Millions of federal tax dollars have been spent as part of an effort to create a one-stop fetal tissue shop at the University of Pittsburgh, according to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) documents revealed Aug. 3.

Nearly $3 million in federal funds went to the school beginning in 2015, according to more than 250 pages of documents obtained by Judicial Watch through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against HHS.

The lawsuit was filed after HHS failed to respond to the conservative nonprofits April 28 FOIA request for copies of grant applications for the universitys tissue hub and collection site. Judicial Watch submitted its FOIA on behalf of the Center for Medical Progress.

Judicial Watch said in a statement announcing receipt of the documents that:

The aims of the project listed in the original 2015 proposal were to develop a pipeline to the acquisition, quality control and distribution of human genitourinary [urinary and genital organs and functions] samples obtained throughout development (6-42 weeks gestation)  [and] generate an ongoing resource to distribute fresh developmental human genitourinary samples from various stages (6-42 weeks) to the GenitoUrinary Development Molecular Anatomy Project (GUDMAN) Atlas projects.

In the proposal, Pitt notes that is has been collecting fetal tissue for over 10 years  include[ing] liver, heart, gonads, legs, brain, genitourinary tissues including kidneys, ureters and bladders.

Pitt noted in 2015 that we have disbursed over 300 fresh samples collected from 77 cases. The collections can be significantly ramped up as material could have been accrued from as many as 725 cases last year.

The Health Sciences Tissue Bank at Pitt is embedded within the Department of Pathology  thus providing rapid access to very high-quality tissue and biological specimens.

In addition, the documents indicate that school officials boast of having a lab boasting a ButcherBoy band saw for sectioning bone and a frozen section has digital video feed to and from operating rooms. This allows for instantaneous discussions with the surgeons [as] immediate show and tell for them.

Judicial Watch also pointed out that the schools funding proposal to the federal government included a racial target for the human body parts to be harvested from what it called aborted subjects.

Under the target, school officials told HHS they planned on half of their subjects to be unborn aborted babies from minority mothers because the city of Pittsburgh is a diverse populace. Judicial Watch noted that U.S. Census Bureau data indicates that Pittsburgh is almost 70 percent Caucasian.

The funding proposal included among the documents also boasted of the schools close relationship with laboratories at the Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh.

These documents show taxpayer money is being used to turn the University of Pittsburgh into a one-stop human fetal tissue shopfrom procuring the tissue from elective abortions, subdividing the human remains, to distributing and shipping the harvested tissue, Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said in the statement announcing receipt of the documents.

Release of the University of Pittsburgh documents comes only a few months after Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra ended regulations promulgated under former President Donald Trump that severely limited research using fetal tissue.

A University of Pittsburgh spokesperson said, This grant-supported research is to find new therapies for diseases of the kidneys, bladder, and urinary systems, which are a leading cause of organ failure. By providing a central hub for researchers across the country, this program allowed scientists across the country to access tissue necessary to tackle this growing public health concern.

Researchers have no part in any decisions as to the timing, method, or procedures used to terminate the pregnancy. All tissue was obtained in compliance with the Pennsylvania Abortion Control Act, as noted in the grant.

As previously reported by The Epoch Times, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) said in April that HHS would end both a ban on research funded by the NIH using fetal tissue procured from elective abortions and regulations requiring prior ethical review on such studies.

NIH reminds the community of expectations to obtain informed consent from the donor for any NIH-funded research using human fetal tissue, and of continued obligations to conduct such research only in accord with any applicable federal, state, or local laws and regulations, the notice reads.

Becerra also determined there are no new ethical issues that require special review, NIH said in the statement.

HHS didnt immediately respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment.

Pro-life groups are actively opposed to the use of fetal tissue obtained from aborted babies. Planned Parenthood, the nations largest provider of abortion services, has been implicated in commercial sales of fetal tissue.

Fox News recently reported that three invoices unsealed in a lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood against independent journalist David Daleiden, whose controversial undercover videos in 2015 sparked widespread calls for official investigations, showed that the abortion provider charged a total of nearly $25,000 for products of procreation, or POCs.

Congressional correspondent Mark Tapscott may be contacted at: mark.tapscott@epochtimes.nyc. Follow him on Twitter at @mtapscott and on Parler at @Mtapscott.

Update: This article was updated with comments from a University of Pittsburgh spokesperson and no immediate response from HHS as of 5:40 p.m. EDT on Aug. 4.
In this photo illustration, a smart phone screen displays the logo of Facebook on a Facebook website background, in Arlington, Va., on April 7, 2021. (Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images)

Facebook News Kicks Off in Australia

Facebook has announced a phased rollout of Facebook News to a small group of Australian users, as well as a $15 million (US$11.1 million) news fund.

Facebook News will provide personalised news content for users in a separate tab on its app.

It comes after Australia implemented a media bargaining code, which Facebook strongly opposed. In February, the social media giant banned all Australian news content on its platform in retaliation to the legislation.

After heavy backlash, Facebook eventually reversed the decision, particularly for shutting down essential emergency news services from government agencies.

In this photo, a message is seen on Facebook mobile on February 18, 2021, in Melbourne, Australia. (Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Since then, the platform has negotiated and finalised deals with every major Australian publisher, agreeing to pay them millions for their news content.

These agreements include those made with News Corp in March, Seven West Media in May, and Nine and The Guardian in June. There have also been agreements made with some smaller publishers.

Facebook will continue to support the news industry through products and programs to promote premium journalism and drive referral traffic and revenue for publishers, Facebook Australias Head of News Partnerships Andrew Hunter said in an announcement. Were planning to expand Facebook News to more Australians through the coming months.

The media bargaining code means platforms, such as Google and Facebook, are required to negotiate and come to agreements with the media to publish their content.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said it was to ensure that news media businesses are fairly remunerated for the content they generate and provides a framework for good faith negotiations.

[The code] addresses the bargaining power imbalance between news media businesses and digital platforms, he said in February.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said the deals between Australian news businesses and Facebook would not have been achievable without the media bargaining code.

Theres no debate about that, ACCC Chairman Rod Sims told The Australian Financial Review. We are in a great spot. Its better that you get deals done where youve got an equal bargaining framework versus having to be done by an arbitrator.

The logos of mobile apps Facebook and Google on a smartphone in Sydney, Australia, on Dec. 9, 2020. (The Epoch Times)

The social media platform has also created two news funds worth $15 million to invest in public-interest journalism over the next three years.

The Newsroom Sustainability Fund will allocate $2.5 million per year for innovation and revenue-generating projects, just as subscription paywalls and membership program development.

The Public Interest Journalism Fund will allocate the same amount to small, regional, and independent publishers and journalists to create projects of public interest.

We are particularly focused on how the fund could provide support for underserved communitiessuch as Indigenous Australians, LGBTQI+ community, youth and womens issues, rural affairs, and local civic journalism, Hunter said.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, speaks during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on May 11, 2021. (Jim Lo Scalzo/Pool via AP)

Fauci: Biden Admin Going to Need Local Mandates on COVID-19 Vaccines

Dr. Anthony Fauci, one of the White House COVID-19 advisors, on Tuesday shifted the goalposts on herd immunity and said that he wants to see as many as 90 percent of American adults vaccinated against the virus in the near future.

About 70 percent of U.S. adults have received at least one shot, according to federal data. But Fauci suggested that when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) grants its final approval to COVID-19 vaccines, there will be more pressure to get people vaccinated.

Speaking during a news conference at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Fauci said that he would settle for 70 percent or 80 percent, but Id love to see 90 percent, describing the likely FDA approval as a game-changer. Currently, the COVID-19 vaccines are being distributed and administered under the agencys emergency use authorization.

Later in the news conference, Fauci said that the Biden administration will need to rely on vaccine mandates at the local level.

To get to the 93 million unvaccinated people, he said, we are going to need local mandates.

Fauci said that some enterprises are going to [feel] much more confident in local mandates for the vaccines.

When the FDA authorization is handed down, he said, Youre going to see more universities  places of businesses, once they get the cover of the mandate  youll start seeing more vaccines. Because if you get the majority of the people vaccinated, we wouldnt be having this conversation now.

Over the past week or so, the administration has ramped up its rhetoric around vaccines, including a mandate that federal workers either get the shot or be tested regularly for COVID-19. Disney, Facebook, Google, and Walmarts corporate office also said that employees need to receive them.

New York City, meanwhile, became the first city in the United States to announce a vaccine passport-type system for restaurants, gyms, and theaters. Starting in mid-September, those businesses will have to require that customers show whether theyve been vaccinated against COVID-19 by either using their Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) card or a New York state or New York City app on their phones to show their vaccination status.

Vaccine mandates or passports have been criticized by civil liberties groups and some conservatives as a potential invasion of privacy, and may potentially create a segregated society of vaccinated and unvaccinated people.

Various officials and corporate executives said the vaccine requirements are due to the Delta COVID-19 variant, which researchers say is fast spreading.

COVID-19 is the illness caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.
Fight Social Media Censorship by Suing for Discrimination, Think Tank Head Urges

The best way to fight social media censorship is to promote model state legislation all across the country that gives users the right to sue when a tech platform engages in discrimination, John Hinderaker, president of Minnesotas Center for the American Experiment, told The Epoch Times in an exclusive interview.

In a July 30 column at the Power Line blog, Hinderaker contends that creating a private cause of action allowing users to sue when a social media platform practices viewpoint discrimination, instead of diving deep into the minutiae of Section 230 of the federal Communications Decency Act (CDA) as many conservatives favor, could help restore free speech in social media.

Section 230 of the 1996 statute shields internet service providers and other online entities from being held liable for what others say and do, creating a broad protection that has allowed innovation and free speech online to flourish, according to the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

John Hinderaker, president , Center for the American Experiment. (courtesy Center for the American Experiment)

Hinderaker writes that the basic idea behind his right-to-sue model legislation is to ban discrimination in the moderation of content on social media sites on the basis of race, sex, religion, or political orientation.

Our freedoms are under threat as they have not been in a very long time. The question is, what to do about it. Private action is appropriate; we should support non-leftist alternatives to platforms like Facebook and Twitter, for example. But that is not going to be good enough, Hinderaker writes.

These tech companies cannot afford to keep getting sued, particularly if some of the major states like Texas and Florida pass the right kind of legislation, Hinderaker told The Epoch Times in the interview.

I really think its the one thing that could cause the tech companies to just give it up.

Self-Executing

The beauty of this state legislation is that it is self-executing, Hinderaker said, adding such model legislation would provide for statutory minimum damages and allow the recovery of attorneys fees.

By self-executing, he said he meant enforcement does not require any government action, and it is properly incentivized.

You dont have to wait for an attorney general or someone like that to get around to enforcing the law, Hinderaker said. If somebody thinks hes been discriminated against, he can just sue. And if hes got a plausible claim, hes going to be able to find a lawyer because youve got statutory damages plus attorneys fees. So having passed the law, you can sit back and let it work.

Anti-discrimination laws that cover employment, public accommodations, housing, and other areas are already well-established in this country, he said. By taking the anti-discrimination route, which is what I think is the most promising, you import the pretty well-developed principles of anti-discrimination law that have been applied in other contexts.

Applying anti-discrimination law in a new venue is not going to be susceptible to some of the First Amendment arguments and other kinds of arguments that the tech companies will try to throw up, he said.

The prospect of left-leaning social media platforms arguing a case before jurors in a conservative, Republican-red state such as South Dakota or Arkansas would inspire fear in their hearts. Such a thing would terrify Silicon Valley companies as they imagine going in front of a South Dakota jury to try a case where its alleged they discriminated against a conservative.

Platforms have punished or banned users for supposedly advocating violence when they have done no such thing, Hinderaker said.

And you sue them and they say we did it because you were advocating violence. And you say, well, lets see what I said in my tweet was X, not in fact advocating violence. So then the question is, how did you treat other people who tweeted things that were similar or worse? How did you treat the woman who held up the [simulated] severed head of Donald Trump or the 37,000 people who tweeted the hashtag, #RapeMelania?

So if you could show inconsistent treatment  then you could argue that their stated ground for suspending your account or moderating you in some way, was pretextual and in fact was based on one of the prohibited kinds of discrimination, he said.

First Amendment Applicable

In his column, Hinderaker scoffs at the idea that censorship by Silicon Valley giants, which suppress facts and opinions that deviate from Democratic Party orthodoxy, is beyond remedy because they are private companies is ridiculous.

When they cut off communications at the behest of the government, they are state actors subject to the First Amendment, he writes, accusing Twitter, Facebook, and Amazon of reprising the contemptible role played by Pravda, Tass, FARS, Granma, Xinhua News and other state-run or state-dominated organs of censorship in totalitarian countries.

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas wrote something similar in a decision earlier this year, saying the day when privately-owned social media platforms become subject to the First Amendment may be approaching.

In a concurring opinion in Biden v. Knight First Amendment Institute, Thomas wrote that todays digital platforms provide avenues for historically unprecedented amounts of speech, including speech by government actors  [as well as] concentrated control of so much speech in the hands of a few private parties. We will soon have no choice but to address how our legal doctrines apply to highly concentrated, privately owned information infrastructure such as digital platforms.

Although a private entity normally is not constrained by the First Amendment, it is if the government coerces or induces it to take action the government itself would not be permitted to do, such as censor expression of a lawful viewpoint, Thomas wrote.

Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, appointed by President George H. W. Bush, sits with fellow Supreme Court justices for a group portrait at the Supreme Court Building in Washington, on Nov. 30, 2018. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)

The government cannot accomplish through threats of adverse government action what the Constitution prohibits it from doing directly.  Under this doctrine, plaintiffs might have colorable claims against a digital platform if it took adverse action against them in response to government threats.

Left-wing politicians have been urging Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms to censor content of which they dont approve. Last month, President Joe Biden himself accused social media platforms of killing people by allowing content opposing vaccinations against the CCP Virus that causes the disease COVID-19.

I mean, theyre really, look, the only pandemic we have is among the unvaccinated, and thatstheyre killing people, Biden claimed without providing evidence.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki has acknowledged the Biden administration is collaborating with social media platforms to censor content it opposes.

The administration is regularly working to make sure social media platforms are aware of the latest narratives dangerous to public health  We work to engage with them to better understand the enforcement of social media platform policy.

Psaki said the White House wants to ban a dozen anti-vaccine websites that she claims are spreading misinformation, such as one that asserts that coronavirus vaccines cause infertility.

Were dealing with a life or death issue here and so everybody has a role to play in making sure theres accurate information, she said. Theyre a private sector company, Psaki said, referring to Facebook. Theyre going to make decisions about additional steps they can take.

Congressional Action Unlikely

However, for the time being at least there is little point in acting federally because Democrats, who are aligned with powerful Silicon Valley interests, control both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, Hinderaker said in the interview.

In the foreseeable future, theres nothing thats going to pass in Congress, he said.

While the Communications Decency Act is important, it isnt the formidable obstacle some make it out to be, according to Hinderaker.

The joke is that if an Amazon Prime truck rear-ends a vehicle on the highway, and they get sued, their first defense is section 230 of the CDA. Theres this fantasy that that section protects them against just everything, any kind of liability. I dont understand how you can read that section that and hold that view. It clearly does not authorize discrimination, thats for sure.  But in Washington, people are so tied up in knots  theres all these proposals to repeal or revise section 230  like thats the holy grail.

Well, its not, he said. One, it isnt going to happen, and two, it just doesnt get to the point.

Taking action at the state level makes more sense because free-speech advocates control around 30 states, he said.

Legislation targeting social media censorship has been introduced in at least 31 state legislatures, though it is unclear how many of the draft laws incorporate Hinderakers recommended right-to-sue provision.

The states where bills have been introduced are: Alabama; Arizona; Arkansas; Florida; Hawaii; Idaho; Indiana; Iowa; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Maine; Michigan; Minnesota; Mississippi; Missouri; Montana; Nebraska; New Hampshire; New Jersey; North Carolina; North Dakota; Oklahoma; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; South Carolina; South Dakota; Texas; Utah; West Virginia; Wisconsin; and Wyoming.

The website of the Illinois-based Heartland Institute reported in April that the group was working on 59 pieces of legislation in various states taking aim at social media censorship. Heartland supports the right-to-sue approach.

Allowing a private cause of action for social media users who have been silenced for expressing reasonable political or religious views is perhaps the best tool policymakers can use to encourage more free speech on the internet and to assure citizens that robust public debates are still sacrosanct in the United States, according to the site.

Hinderaker wrote the model legislation that was introduced in the Minnesota legislature. The bill died earlier this year but he said it will be reintroduced when the next legislative session begins in the new year. Columbia Law School professor Phil Hamburger has also drafted an impressive model bill that incorporates the anti-discrimination element and other ideas, he added.

Floridas Ban on Censorship

And Im going to be in touch with people in other states, encouraging them to do something, something similar and hopefully over the next couple of years, well get some real action.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, signed Senate Bill 7072, which outlawed de-platforming political candidates, into law May 24.

The law allows Floridians to sue for monetary damages and forbids platforms from banning candidates for public office in the state, imposing fines up to $250,000 per day. The measure authorizes the state attorney general to take action and bans offending companies from contracting with any public entity.

But an injunction was issued against the Florida law June 30 by U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle, a Clinton appointee. The order stated that it preliminarily enjoins enforcement of the parts of the legislation that are preempted or violate the First Amendment.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in Miami, Florida on July 13, 2021. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

The Florida statute got tangled up in various issues, Hinderaker said.

One of them was, they cant suspend candidates during campaigns  or if they do certain things, that counts as an in-kind contribution to a candidate, he said.

Having the statute ban censorship by social media platforms isnt the way to go, he said.

As soon as you start talking about censorship, youre running smack into the First Amendment, and the fact that, in general, private companies can censor.

The virtue of Hinderakers legislation is it doesnt prevent the platforms from moderating content to improve the user experience by doing things such as banning terrorist content or child pornography, he said.

All Im saying is that in the course of moderating, you cannot engage in discrimination. Thats ityou can moderate to your hearts content.

Antitrust

Antitrust litigation might also force social media platforms to change their ways, said Hinderaker, an attorney who practiced antitrust law for decades.

Antitrust law is based entirely or almost entirely on economics, he said, adding that the law is all about pricing and monopolization because it has been developed by economists at least as much as by lawyers. The law is premised on the assumption that the only reason someone would want to be a monopolist is to raise prices above a competitive level, he said.

Theres just no body of law about monopolist misbehavior thats not economic, and so it would be open to the U.S. Supreme Court to hold that under the Sherman Act there are several reasons why monopolies can be bad, and one reason might be because they use their power to unduly influence elections.

I would love to see the Supreme Court, one of these days, take up that issue.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis departs after signing into law Senate Bill 7072 at Florida International University in Miami on May 24, 2021. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Florida County School Board Changes Course Again on Defying Governors Ban on School Mask Mandates

Broward County schools on Aug. 3 again changed course on whether to comply with or defy an executive order by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis which prohibited schools from imposing mask mandates on students.

In a written statement to The Epoch Times, the school board has not changed its policy but paused it.

In light of the governors executive order, the district is awaiting further guidance before rendering a decision on the mask mandate for the upcoming school year. At this time, the districts face covering policy, which requires the use of masks in district schools and facilities, remains in place.

The School Board plans to discuss next steps at a special meeting on August 10.

Dr. Vickie Cartwright, interim superintendent of Broward County schools is looking into the executive order further.

The school board is reviewing information and looking for language from our executive rules as a result of the governors executive order, Cartwright said in a video statement.

On July 30, the governor signed an executive order that protects parents right to make decisions regarding the masking of their children as a means of protecting them from COVID-19. A month earlier, he signed a bill that protected the parents fundamental right to make decisions for the upbringing, education, health care, or mental health of their minor children.

Many Florida schoolchildren have suffered under forced masking policies, and it is prudent to protect the ability of parents to make decisions regarding the wearing of masks by their children, DeSantis said.

Initially, the Governor was pleased that the school board had reversed its decision.

Were glad to see that Broward Schools reversed its overreach and is now following the science while respecting parents rights, Christina Pushaw, the governors press secretary, said in a statement emailed to The Epoch Times.

As a general rule, school districts and governmentslocal, state, or federalmust not infringe on parents rights to direct the upbringing, education, health care, or mental health of a minor child, Pushaw added. School districts are within their rights to recommend the wearing of masks on their campuses. They just cannot require students to wear masks.

The Broward County school board initially defied the executive order when it voted unanimously last week to require all students and school personnel to wear protective masks regardless of their vaccination status. The board then reversed its decision and chose to comply with the order, fearing the loss of revenue from the Florida Department of Education.

In a similar action, the school board in Gadsden County, located in north Florida had decided to require masks for students for the coming school year. They too reversed the decision.

The governors executive order has caught the attention of Washington. At a recent event in the Everglades where DeSantis was giving updates on water quality issues, he said the White House was blaming him for taking parental rights away from Floridians.

I think the White House tried to say I prohibited parents from making that decision. Its just the opposite, were empowering them, DeSantis told reporters Tuesday. Parents can choose how they want to equip their kids for going to school. We believe parents have that right.
The home of Ishaya Bishara in Kigam village in southern Kaduna state, Nigeria, burned by alleged Fulani herdsmen on Aug. 3, 2021. (Courtesy Luka Binniyat)

Fulani Terrorists Murder 22 Unarmed Farmers in Kaduna State, Nigeria

KADUNA  Having mowed down large swaths of ripe crops in the predawn of Aug. 3, armed assailants stormed into four villages in Southern Kaduna state, central Nigeria, killing 22 and burning down 134 houses, according to Kaduna State Police.

Kaduna State shares a border with Plateau State to its east. The area inhabited by the Chawai Chiefdom is approximately 140 miles east of Kaduna, the capital city of Kaduna state.

These attacks are likely a spillover of the violence from neighboring Bassa LGA [Local Government Area] of Plateau state, Kaduna State Police Command Spokesman (ASP) Mohammed Jalige told The Epoch Times in Kaduna Tuesday afternoon.

This is sad. I have asked my counterpart in Plateau state to furnish me with what happened in Bassa LGA to help us reach an understanding of what happened in Chawai, in this part of Kaduna state. But our men are on ground and the situation is now under control, he said.

These attacks in both Kaduna and Plateau State are not random, nor are the fresh targets of Fulani militants, said Kyle Abts, co-founder of the International Committee on Nigeria (ICON).

Each village has been attacked in recent weeks, months and years. The security forces and government have to know that this is a systematic onslaught by these marauders who are endeavoring to destroy not only homes, communities and farmlands, but most importantly lives, wrote Abts in a message to The Epoch Times.

The Irigwe people of Miango District, Bassa LGA of Plateau state, which shares a hilly border with Chawai Chiefdom, suffered a series of deadly attacks in the past three days, after several hectares of their farmlands were destroyed by those alleged in the Nigerian media to be armed herdsmen.

The crops of a corn farm cut down by alleged armed Fulani herdsmen in Unguwan Magaji village in southern Kaduna state, Nigeria, on Aug. 3, 2021. (Courtesy Luka Binniyat)

The President of Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), Hon. Jonathan Asakea former member of Nigerias House of Representativeswho leads the umbrella body of the 67 ethnic nationalities of Southern Kaduna, told The Epoch Times in an exclusive chat on the afternoon of Aug. 3, that 27 persons were killed, hundreds of homes burnt, and scores of hectares of farms bearing different types of grains and root crops destroyed by the attackers last night.

SOKAPU has continuously insisted that there is an ongoing genocide in Southern Kaduna targeted at the indigenous Christians population and the aim is to force or intimidate us to abandon our faith or leave our ancestral lands for the armed herdsmen, he said.

Some of the attacked villages, like Kigam and Unguwan Magaji have been attacked at least three times in the past six years with mass graves where scores were buried standing as a testimony of what we are saying. Not a single church or school is left standing. Not a single herdsman has been apprehended all these years, he said.

It is unfortunate that while Kaduna State government and the Federal Government is playing blind to it, the larger world, especially the western media do not believe that our lives are worth any news, he lamented

A survivor, Markus Joseph, from Unguwan Magaji, who spoke to Epoch Times from his hospital bed and asked that his location should not be mentioned, narrated how only by luck did he miss being killed.

We had been informed that they were on their way to Chawai Chiefdom after fleeing from the Rikwe in Bassa LGA of plateau state, he said.

We have no weapons other than our locally fabricated den guns [a kind of shotgun loaded with lead balls or with any sort of shrapnel], and machetes, spears and stones, he said.

We laid an ambush for them and waited all through the night, he said.

Then by around 3 a.m., their cattle were the first to arrive; large numbers of them, he said.

It was dark, and we could not make out if they were hiding among their cows, but we waited still to be sure, he said.

Then we heard gunshots from ahead of the cows. That means that some of them were hiding among the cattle and have reached our village without being spotted, he said

As we were retreating back to the village, some of them started to fire at us from the rear end of the herd of cattle, he said.

I fired back and started loading the gun again. Then I was hit twice on my right thigh and one bullet broke my bones, he said.

I ran for a short distance, then I crawled into the bush, and I was bleeding very badly, he said.

The last thing I saw was fire from the village and I heard women and children screaming. Then I fell asleep, he said.

According to him, he woke up to sharp pains and discovered that he was being carried into an opened back truck. It was morning already.

I am told that nothing is standing in my family compound and that three of my relatives were among those that were killed, he said.

Hon. Jonathan Asake, president, Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU). (From the album of Hon. Jonathan Asake, Aug. 4, 2021)

According to the SOKAPU President, Jonathan Asake, in Ungwan Magaji, where Joseph comes from, five people were killed, and one, Timothy Auta, was still missing the afternoon of Aug. 3. 76 houses were burnt, he said, and about 20 hectares of maize, rice, millet and other crops were destroyed by the rampaging herds of cattle or were chopped down with machetes.

At Kikoba-Sama village, six people were killed, and 45 houses burnt, and 16 hectares of farms left wasted, he said. Another five persons were left dead by the invaders at Kigam village.

According to Asake, at Kishisho village six were killed and 23 hectares of farmlands ravaged by the invaders.

At least 90 houses were burnt in Kishoho village, he said.

A Fulani leader, spoke to The Epoch Times on the condition of anonymity.

He said that the Fulani herdsmen were carrying out reprisal attacks on all the ethnic Christian villages of southern Kaduna state who had chased them away from living among them because of the crimes committed by other Fulani in far-away places.

They forgot that They were supposed to live as brothers and sisters since most of us were born and raised among them, he told Epoch Times.

They burned our huts and stole our cattle and chased us away since 2012, he said. Now we either return, or they wont have a place to stay also, he said.
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) speaks during a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, on April 21, 2021. (Graeme Jennings/AFP via Getty Images)

GOP Senators Introduce Bill to Crack Down on Foreign Influence Operations at US Colleges

Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) on Aug. 3 introduced legislation targeting gifts and donations to U.S. colleges and universities that come from foreign adversaries such as China, in a bid to blunt the impact of foreign influence operations.

The bill, called the Greater Insight into Foreign Transactions (GIFTs) in Higher Education Act (pdf), seeks greater transparency in higher education gifts and donations, while making U.S. colleges and universities more accountable for reporting such transactions.

Hostile foreign adversaries, including the Chinese Communist Party, routinely seek to infiltrate our higher education institutions to steal our research and exploit our intellectual property, Rubio said in a statement.

Rubio and Cramers bill expands the gift and donation disclosure requirements under Section 117 of the Higher Education Act to include faculty, professional staff, and all staff engaged in research and development. All federal funding to colleges and universities would, under the bill, be dependent on compliance with the expanded disclosure requirements.

The Department of Education last year released the findings of a probe (pdf) into institutional compliance with reporting laws. It found that many universities and colleges aggressively and systematically pursued and accepted foreign gifts while failing to comply with reporting and transparency laws.

Universities have long been on notice that a substantial amount of foreign money is coming from sources hostile to the United States seeking to project soft power, steal sensitive and proprietary research, and spread propaganda, the report stated.

Last year, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned that U.S. colleges were becoming hooked on Chinese Communist Party cash, while Beijing works to siphon cutting-edge U.S. research to China.

We cannot allow this tyrannical regime to steal our stuff to build their military might, brainwash our people, or buy off our institutions to help them cover up these activities, he said.

Rubio and Cramers bill also codifies designated foreign adversary sources and establishes a list of designated foreign adversary governments, that includes China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, Cuba, Syria, and Venezuela.

There is absolutely no reason that bad actors should be able to run these foreign influence operations that seek to undermine America, Rubio said. We need to bring greater transparency to donations from foreign adversaries and hold our institutions and the Department of Education more accountable to reporting these transactions in a timely manner.

Rubio and Cramer said in a fact sheet (pdf) accompanying the release of the draft bill that the Department of Education worked to enforce Section 117 under the Trump administration and called on more aggressive action in this area by the Biden administration.

Their bill would require the Department of Education to publish disclosures within 30 days of submission deadlines, while requiring gifts and contracts worth $50,000 or more from designated foreign adversary sources to be disclosed within 30 days of the transaction dates.

If a university accepts foreign money or gifts, their students, donors, and taxpayers deserve to know, Cramer said in a statement. Our bill would improve oversight of foreign funding in higher education by holding universities accountable to ensure their reporting is full, accurate, and transparent.
A Home Depot store is seen in Washington, on Aug. 18, 2020. (Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images)

Home Depot Says All Employees Must Mask Up Due to COVID-19

Home Depot became the latest national retailer to reimplement a policy mandating that employees wear masks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The policy will apply to both vaccinated and unvaccinated employees, the firm said this week.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our number one concern has been for the health and safety of our customers and associates, the company said in a statement.

Signs directing people to wear masks will be present at the entrance of Home Depot stores, the firm stated.

Store workers will ask people if they have a mask and will provide them with a free face covering if they dont, but wont deny them entry.

Its simply too dangerous to have our associates forcibly or physically deny entry, a spokesperson for the company stated, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Other than Home Depot, Walmart and Target have also said they would require employeesregardless of vaccination statusto wear masks in certain areas. Masks wont be required for customers, however.

The companies said the COVID-19 Delta variant is the reason why the masking requirements are being reimplemented.

As the Delta variant of COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the U.S.  well require all associates, contractors, and vendors to wear a mask while indoors at all U.S. Home Depot stores, distribution centers, office locations, and customers homes or businesses, regardless of vaccination status, Home Depot said in the statement. Well ask customers to wear masks while in our stores and continue to offer masks to those who dont have one.

Home Depot stated that its following updated masking guidelines that were provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention after the agency released an update to those guidelines last week.

Mask mandates were also reinstated in federal government buildings, the White House, and Congress last week. San Francisco and six other California Bay Area counties have issued similar mask requirements for indoor public settings.

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 Associated Press contributed to this report.
I Dont Think Businesses Should Take a Political Stance: Whole Foods CEO John Mackey

Its a mistake for corporations to take stances on political issues in the current delicate political climate, Whole Foods CEO John Mackey says.

I dont think businesses should take a political stance. They should be good citizens in their communities in terms of trying to help solve social problems where they have competence to do so or where they can make philanthropic contributions that will help the communities theyre part of, but taking political positions, is, I believe, a mistake, Mackey said in an interview with EpochTVs American Thought Leaders program.

Ive not agreed with what Ive seen happen in the last few years, with more and more corporations taking certain advocacy position on political issues, because first of all, thats going to be the leaderships opinion thats running those companies, that may not be the opinion of the of the investors, it may not be the opinions of the employees that work there, or the customers, or anyone else. Its just the opinions of the leaders. And theyre forcing those opinions on their larger stakeholder group. And they risk alienating their customers who dont agree with itcustomers may stop doing business with them because theyre mad at them. They may find alternatives, they may just become disgusted and lose their respect for that organization, he continued.

And the reality is, a country like the United States is very politically polarized right now. So taking sides is not in the best interest of your stakeholders, its not in the best interest of your shareholders. Its not in the best interest of your customers.

Numerous large companies in recent years have opined on political issues, including coming out against an election reform law that Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed this year. That led to a high-profile clash between Republicans in the state and companies that spoke out against the bill, including Delta Airlines and Coca-Cola.

A number of companies also expressed support last year for Black Lives Matter, a contentious movement that alleges racism is pervasive throughout American society and agitates for radical changes to longstanding institutions and ways of life.

Whole Foods has attempted to remain politically neutral. Mackey said he learned his lesson on expressing views on political issues in 2009 when he promoted alternatives to what is widely known as Obamacare, the healthcare system implemented through the Affordable Care Act.

In an op-ed at the time, Mackey said healthcare reform was clearly needed but expressed opposition to implementing a system that would lead to new unfunded deficits, and move the country closer to the government running the system. He outlined eight potential reforms he said would lower the cost of healthcare for everyone.

Whole Foods was viciously attacked by people who didnt agree with my point of view, even though it wasnt Whole Foods point of view, I went out of my way to say these are not Whole Foods ideas, these are my ideas. They couldnt distinguish between me and Whole Foods, so they attacked Whole Foods for disagreeing with my views. And that was a huge learning lesson for me, Mackey said.

So I have not taken political stance personally ever since in any kind of public way because I didnt want the company to be harmed or hurt. And so I think the CEOs who are speaking up are actually damaging their businesses in the long run, he added.

Zachary Stieber Reporter Zachary Stieber covers U.S. news, including politics and court cases. He started at The Epoch Times as a New York City metro reporter. zackstieber
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo makes a statement in this screen grab taken from a pre-recorded video released by Office of the NY Governor, in New York, on Aug. 3, 2021. (Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo via Reuters)

Impeachment Investigation Against Cuomo to Move As Quickly as Possible: NY Assembly Speaker

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo can no longer remain in office, a top Democrat legislator said on Aug. 3.

Cuomo, a Democrat, sexually harassed multiple women, violating state and federal law, the states attorney general announced earlier in the day, following a months-long investigation.

Democrats in the New York Assembly met to discuss the report after it was released.

It is abundantly clear to me that the governor has lost the confidence of the Assembly Democratic majority and that he can no longer remain in office, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said, following the meeting.

Once we receive all relevant documents and evidence from the attorney general, we will move expeditiously and look to conclude our impeachment investigation as quickly as possible.

Letitia James, the New York state attorney general (AG), said her office was cooperating with the Assembly.

At the Assemblys request, we have provided the Assembly Judiciary Committee with the report that was released today, and we will provide them with all relevant evidence. We will cooperate with their investigation as needed, the Democrat AG said in a statement.

Cuomo, whos in his third term, is refusing to resign. But lawmakers in the state are signaling that they may move to impeach him over the harassment and assault allegations that the investigators tapped by James said theyve substantiated.

Impeachment would require a simple majority to approve a resolution in the states lower chamber. A trial would then be held in the New York Senate. A two-thirds vote among senators and state appeals court judges is needed to convict an official on impeachment charges.

Numerous state lawmakers said they wanted Cuomo to step down, with some saying that they would move to impeachment if he didnt do so.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, center, is applauded by New York Assembly Speaker, right, and New York Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, second from right, after he signed a law in New York on April 4, 2016. (Richard Drew/Pool/Getty Images)

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins was among them, though she didnt mention impeachment.

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, she said in a statement.

Democrats control both legislative chambers in New York state. Many Republicans want Cuomo removed, either through resignation or conviction.

The entire New York congressional delegation also called on Cuomo to resign, including Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.).

Confronting and overcoming the COVID crisis requires sure and steady leadership. We commend the brave actions of the individuals who have come forward with serious allegations of abuse and misconduct. Due to the multiple, credible sexual harassment and misconduct allegations, it is clear that Governor Cuomo has lost the confidence of his governing partners and the people of New York. Governor Cuomo should resign, the pair said in a joint statement.

Cuomo in a video message on Aug. 3 accused the investigators of being biased and asked New Yorkers to peruse a report he had produced by his lawyer (pdf) that alleges the investigators ignored the Governors testimony and substantial corroborating evidence.

I want you to know directly from me that I never touched anyone inappropriately or made inappropriate sexual advances. I am 63 years old. I have lived my entire adult life in public view. That is just not who I am and thats not who I have ever been, the governor said, as pictures of him hugging and kissing various officials were shown.
Police stop a car for what appears to be drunk driving. It turns out that while there were several open Coronas in the car, it was the passenger who was drinking, not the driver. (Holly Kellum/The Epoch Times)

Infrastructure Bill Would Mandate Alcohol Monitors for All New Cars

The more than $1 trillion infrastructure package would require that alcohol monitors be installed in all new cars.

Within the 2,700-page proposal is a section that mandates that new vehicles have a system that  passively and accurately detect[s] whether the blood alcohol concentration of a driver of a motor vehicle is equal to or greater than the blood alcohol concentration of 0.08, which is generally the limit to drive in most states.

If the driver has a higher than 0.08 blood alcohol concentration, the cars system would prevent or limit motor vehicle operation. It isnt clear whether the detection system would have to be a breathalyzer, which requires a driver to blow into a device, or something else.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) recommends that cars have a driver monitoring system, including touch-based systems that can read your blood alcohol concentration through your fingertips and air-sampling systems that can test and isolate just the air exhaled by the driver, according to a report from the group.

Some convicted drunk drivers are required to use devices attached to an ignition interlock before starting their vehicles.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) said last year in a study that alcohol-detection systems that prevent impaired driving could save upward of 9,000 lives annually.

Drunk driving deaths cost the United States $44 billion in economic costs and $210 billion in comprehensive societal costs annually, according to a 2010 study. U.S. police departments arrest about 1 million people per year for alcohol-impaired driving, IIHS said.

Of the 36,096 traffic fatalities in 2019, an estimated 10,142 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, according to federal data.

The infrastructure bill would require the U.S. Transportation Department to set a technology safety standard within three yearsand then give automakers at least another two years to complyas long as new requirements are reasonable, practicable, and appropriate.

Twenty years ago, this technology didnt exist, Jason Levine of the Center for Auto Safety told The Verge. We have the technology available now. We can install tech in vehicles that helps to monitor whether someone is impaired and stops that person from hurting themselves or others.

The bill, which is awaiting a Senate vote, cleared several procedural hurdles in late July. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D.-N.Y.) has said that the final vote on the measure could happen this week, although Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) warned Democrats that he might block the package if its rushed.

This is an extremely important bipartisan bill, McConnell told reporters on Aug. 3. Theres 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 its a mistake.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Invasion by Any Other Name

Commentary

Semantics are important for how we communicate and define issues. One who controls words controls the narrative.

So, take the words migrant and invader. Is there a difference? Its all in how they are perceived by some, and the effect their illegal border crossings have on the United States.

One definition of invasion should focus our attention: The entrance or advent of anything troublesome or harmful 

Does anyone want to argue that the tsunami of humanity coming across our southern border overwhelming border patrol is not troublesome or harmful? Two motels in La Joya, Texas, are housing migrants who have tested positive for COVID-19. Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley is paying the bill and insists the migrants are being kept in isolation, though many report seeing them wandering outside of the motel. Many migrants are even getting bus tickets to fan out across the country. How many of them are carrying the virus?

Instead of securing the border, the Biden administrations Justice Department sued Texas and its governor, Greg Abbott, seeking to block an executive order that restricts the transport of migrants through the state and authorizes state troopers to pull over vehicles suspected of doing so. On Tuesday, a federal judge temporarily blocked Abbotts order. Is the administration trying to encourage more migrants to come? And coming they are by the tens of thousands. Is there to be no end?

What about the rights of American citizens and their property along the border? Texas rancher Brent Smith, who is also an attorney for Kinney County, told Fox News he sustained thousands of dollars in damages to his property from trespassing migrants. The administration has money to help the migrants. Who will help Smith and other property owners who suffer damages?

Gov. Abbott has ordered state police to arrest migrants as trespassers, but they are likely to have only minimal success due to the overwhelming numbers. He also has ordered a chain-link fence to be erected along some of the most porous sections of the border, but experience shows those can be easily traversed.

The problem as well as the solution begins at the top with the Biden administration. Despite Bidens claims that entire families who seek to cross the border illegally are being turned back, most are not.

Its no accident. By now it can only be called administration policy. The Biden administration appears to want to flood America with people from other countriesCentral America, Mexico, even Africa. Isnt Vice President Harris supposed to be in charge of resolving the problem? Where is she?

How much morehow many morecan we take? All presidents swear an oath to uphold the Constitution and the laws of our country. President Biden is not enforcing immigration laws passed by previous congresses and signed by former presidents of both parties. If he were a Republican, especially if Donald Trump was still in office, Democrats would likely be clamoring for impeachment. With Biden, Democrats barely give lip service to the invasion and then change the subject, speak talking points, or lie.

A rose by any other name is still a rose. And an invasion by any other name is still an invasion. We cannot sustain a country with what amounts to an open border no matter what it is called.

John Calvin Thomas has been a syndicated columnist, author, and radio commentator for more than 35 years. His latest book is Americas Expiration Date: The Fall of Empires and Superpowers and the Future of the United States.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
A security guard hands out a instruction sheet outside of a State of Michigan Unemployment Agency office in Cadillac Place in Detroit, Michigan on March 26, 2020. (JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images)

Labor and Housing Shortages, Supply Chain Breakdowns Bedevil Michigan

A trio of economic woes is hindering Michigans recovery from the downturn created during the CCP virus pandemic.

According to Pure Michigan Talent Connect, a job placement portal run by the state, there are currently 88,000 job openings in the Great Lakes State.

There are help wanted signs in front of almost every store, factory, or business. It is an extremely tight labor market, Carl Osentoski, executive director of economic development for six counties in Michigans Thumb region, told The Epoch Times.

To fill the thousands of available jobs, Osentoski said businesses in the region are raising wages, offering signing bonuses, and getting creative in wooing new employees.

Firms around the state are offering flexible work schedules, child care, post-hire training in lieu of experience, and free seasonal housing in some of Michigans prime resort communities to attract workers.

Companies are also using temporary seasonal workers who have entered the U.S. on special visas and will return to their home countries after a specified amount of time.

The labor shortage in Michigan is worsening despite the state posting a 5 percent unemployment rate in June.

Last month, Michigans Democrat Gov. Gretchen Whitmer vetoed a bill passed by the Republican-controlled state legislature to eliminate enhanced unemployment benefits that pay some workers as much as $300 per week on top of their regular benefit.

Its hard to get people to go to work if you are paying them so well to sit home, said Doug Gielow, founder of Gielow Pickles Inc., a food processing firm with plants in Michigan, Florida, and Washington state.

The 86-year-old Gielow, who still goes to his office every day, told The Epoch Times, We had to temporarily close our Washington state plant last week because not enough people came to work to operate it. At one of our Michigan plants, only half of the scheduled crew showed up last Saturday. Every supplier we have is experiencing similar issues.

Luke Forrest, executive director of the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan, pointed out that the states labor shortage may be exacerbated by an extreme shortage of housing.

Small businesses say potential employees are often priced out of the market when it comes to rents or reasonable mortgages, Forrest told The Epoch Times.

Diona McLaughlin, communications manager for a regional job training and placement program called GST Michigan Works, told The Epoch Times that, even for some people with a strong work ethic, the housing shortage is dire.

Weve seen employees living in their cars and bathing in the factory restrooms. In a survey at one of our resource fairs, 80 percent of the 143 participants said they needed help with housing. We have got to resolve not only the housing crisis, but the shortage of child care before we will see more people back to work.

McLaughlin said the child care industry in Michigan was decimated when sites were forced to close during the lockdowns and mandatory school shutdowns.

As a result, 136,000 Michigan women were forced to leave the workforce, adding to the labor shortage, she said.

New home construction in Michigan never recovered from the Great Recession. In the pre-recession year of 2005, more than 45,000 building permits were issued for single-family homes. The figure plummeted to 5,000 in 2009. Fifteen thousand permits were issued in 2019 and 2020. For 2021, the Michigan Association of Homebuilders is forecasting around 16,000 permits.

With higher prices for building materials and owners of existing homes getting top dollar for their properties, Michigan builders have turned to the construction of high-end houses in order to remain profitable. This trend has forced many moderate-income Michiganders seeking to upgrade to a nicer home out of the market. The situation is forcing them to stay in their homes, creating a shortage of listings that bids up home prices. This in turn keeps renters seeking to buy a starter home renting longer, thereby creating a shortage of affordable apartments and rising rents.

On July 27, Whitmer proposed using $100 million of pandemic relief money to produce 2,000 new rental units, many of which would be constructed in the city of Detroit, where the need for affordable housing is particularly high.

The labor shortage meanwhile, has affected the supply chain.

We cant get vinegar at our Florida plant because the vinegar company has no truck drivers, so the product we need is just sitting on their loading dock. Other supplies we used to get in a week now take seven to 10 weeks to be delivered, Gielow said. Production costs are going up, which will be reflected in higher consumer prices.

Other food producers around the U.S. are struggling to find enough workers. The Colorado-based meat producer Pilgrims Pride has increasingly automated its factories to compensate for the labor shortage, and Arkansas-based Tyson Foods is running at reduced capacity.

In Michigan, supermarkets have curtailed their advertising spending for newspaper circulars. One grocer told The Epoch Times, We are hesitant to promote items which we may not be able to reliably purchase in quantity or get them at all.

This ripple effect has proved devastating to smalltown newspapers across the state that rely on supermarket advertising for as much as 25 percent of their ad revenue.

The interplay of the labor shortage, the housing shortage, the disintegration of much of the child care industry, and the disruptions caused by an unreliable supply chain have combined to create feelings of economic insecurity among many Michigan residents.

Though the state of Michigan put in place its own extension of the federal eviction moratorium that expired July 31, lengthening it to Sept. 30, nearly 81,000 Michigan residents say they fear being evicted in the next two months. Where they will go remains unclear. A temporary solution for them may lie in the pool of $500 million of pandemic emergency rental assistance dollars that hasnt yet been distributed.
Laguna Beach to Implement Vaccine Mandate for City Employees

The city of Laguna Beach, California, is introducing a number of new safety measures in response to Orange Countys rising COVID-19 cases from the Delta variant, it said Aug. 2.

Later this month, it will require all city employees to be either fully vaccinated against COVID or be tested at least once a week, a statement said.

Effective Aug. 3, masks will be required inside all city facilities when in contact with another person, as well as for all employees who share work areas without barriers separating them, regardless of vaccination status.

The city said it deferred to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines when crafting its own regulations.

To maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, CDC guidelines for those who are fully vaccinated recommend wearing a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission, Laguna Beach spokesperson Cassie Walder told The Epoch Times.

Laguna Beach City Council, commission, and board meetings have also reverted back to a hybrid format, which will take place over Zoom, the city said. Vaccinated councilmembers, commissioners, and board members will be allowed to participate in in-person meetings as long as theyre vaccinated, though theyll be spaced apart and divided with plexiglass.

Members of the public who wish to comment during meetings will be allowed to enter the chambers briefly while wearing a mask and must exit after making their comments, regardless of vaccination status.

Safety partitions made out of plexiglass and an enhanced check-in system for visitors will remain in place at city halls customer service counters.

The new safety regulations dont have an expiration date, and it is unclear how long theyll remain in effect.

The city of Laguna Beach will continue to protect the health and well-being of employees and the community as long as necessary to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant, Walder said.

Laguna Beach isnt the only Orange County city to take this measure, with Irvine announcing Aug. 1 that it will be requiring all city employees to show proof of vaccination or participate in weekly testing. Long Beach and Los Angeles have enacted similar mandates.

Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen thanked those who have been vaccinated.

These additional measures will help protect the health and safety of the public and our employees against the spread of COVID-19, Whalen said in a statement. I want to thank the 70 percent of Laguna Beach city staff members who have already been vaccinated against COVID-19 and strongly encourage those who have not been vaccinated to do so as soon as possible to protect their health and the health and safety of others.
The Liberals' new proposed legislation would police online communication service providers such as Facebook and YouTube. (Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Reuters)

Liberals Online Harms Proposal Alarms Free Speech Advocates

Legislation proposed by the federal government to combat online harms worries free speech advocates, who say it could limit discourse on social media platforms.

The framework proposes establishing a Digital Safety Commission of Canada that would include three bodies: a Digital Safety Commissioner, a Digital Recourse Council (DRC), and an advisory board.

Together, they would police what the proposal terms online communication service providers (OCSPs), such as Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, and Pornhub. The ostensible goal is to eliminate hate speech, terrorist content, content that incites violence, intimate images shared without consent of the participants, and child sexual exploitation.

OCSPs would be required to implement measures to proactively monitor for harmful content, including via automated systems. They would have to respond to complaints flagged by any user within 24 hours, including removing that content if deemed harmful.

In addition, OCSPs would have to meet reporting requirements, which have confidentiality restrictions in order to protect information such as that involving privacy, national security, or commercial interests. The restrictions would include allowing OCSPs to designate certain information as confidential, which would preclude them from notifying affected users.

Platforms that fail to comply could face fines of up to $10 million or 3 percent of their gross global revenuewhichever is higherimposed by the Digital Safety Commissioner. Alternatively, the commissioner could refer offences to prosecutors, in which case the fines could be up to $25 million or 5 percent of the platforms gross global revenue, whichever is higher.

The commissioner could also apply to the Federal Court to require telecommunications service providers to block or filter access to all or part of a service in Canada that has repeatedly refused to remove child sexual exploitation or terrorist content or both. The commissioner would also collect and share information with other government departments and agencies.

The proposals discussion guide calls for changes to the Canadian Security and Intelligence Service Act to give CSIS the ability to more quickly obtain the subscriber information of those involved in spreading ideologically motivated violent extremist content online.

The commissioner could even send inspectors into workplaces and homes to examine or acquire documents or other information of concern, including computer algorithms and software.

Section 35 of the proposals technical paper tasks the commissioner with engaging with and considering the particular needs of and barriers faced by groups disproportionately affected by harmful online content such as women and girls, Indigenous Peoples, members of racialized communities and religious minorities and of LGBTQ2 and gender-diverse communities and persons with disabilities.

The DRC would review complaints by people affected by OCSPs content moderation decisions and rule on whether the content is indeed harmful as defined in the legislation. The council would consist of three to five members appointed by the governor-in-council, who is to consider the importance of diverse subject-matter experts from the aforementioned minority groups in making appointments.

The commissioner and the DRC may conduct hearings in secret if this is deemed to be in the public interest, such as where there are concerns related to privacy, national security, international relations, national defence, or confidential commercial interests.

A Problem for Freedom of Expression

Cara Zwibel of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association expressed concerns with the legislation.

Its got some things in it that we, of course, were hoping it would not. Its got 24-hour takedown requirements. It allows for website blocking. So theres a lot in there that were pretty concerned about and we think Canadians will be concerned about, Zwibel said in an interview.

The big issue with the proposal is that theres a potential to interpret these things very broadly. And by creating these 24-hour takedown requirements, youre incentivizing social media companies to err on the side of removal, which is obviously a problem for freedom of expression.

Zwibel is also concerned that the task of dealing with such large volumes of content could create a bloated bureaucracy while ultimately not accomplishing its objective.

This content just moves around. People try to get it taken down off this platform, it shows up on a different one. Try to get to take them off that one, it shows up on another one. So Im not sure about the effectiveness of these tools, she said.

One of the most troubling things in the proposal has to do with the mandatory sharing of information between social media companies and law enforcement.  Co-opting of private companies as forms of law enforcement is a concerning development that we need to pay pretty close attention to.

The proposal, for which the government intends to introduce a bill in the fall, is touted as the regulatory complement of Bill C-36. Put together, Lisa Bildy of the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF) sees trouble.

This is, frankly, one of the most egregious attacks on the free society in living memory. It undermines the liberal legal order, which protects freedom of expression, the marketplace of ideas, constitutional neutrality, and important legal protections like the presumption of innocence, Bildy told The Epoch Times.

She said the proposal dovetails with other dangerous legislation that the JCCF is already preparing to challenge as unconstitutional.

They all appear to be related. Bill C-36 proposes to punish a much broader range of hate speech in disturbing ways. And Bill C-10, with the help of the new digital safety bureaucracy, will ensure that it is pulled down from the internet immediately. The whole scheme treats freedom of expression as a threat to, rather than a feature of, a liberal democracy.

Bill C-10, which went to the Senate for consideration after passing in the House in June, seeks to amend the Broadcasting Act to start regulating audio and audiovisual content delivered over the internet by digital platforms. Its a controversial bill that critics fear may lead to everyday Canadians being censored for social media postings.

In a recent blog post, University of Ottawa law professor Michael Geist also condemned the legislation.

Far from constituting a made-in-Canada approach, the government has patched together some of the worst from around the world, Geist wrote.

The government says it is taking comments until September 25th, but given the framing of the documents, it is clear that this is little more than a notification of the regulatory plans, not a genuine effort to craft solutions based on public feedback.

Zwibel believes the expected federal election could provide another valuable opportunity for Canadians to weigh in.

It maybe will be a topic of discussion, if there is an election, [as to] what we want to see happen with regulating the social media companies, she said.

There is an opportunity for Canadians to say, This isnt what we want. This isnt something we think will be effective, or We think it will have dangerous consequences.
Lithuanian army soldiers install razor wire on the border with Belarus in Druskininkai, Lithuania, on July 9, 2021. (Janis Laizans/Reuters)

Lithuania Denies Belarus Reports of Migrant Death on Border

Lithuanias interior ministry on Wednesday dismissed Belarusian reports that an Iraqi migrant had been found beaten to death after being turned away at the Lithuanian border, describing it as part of a hybrid war being waged by Minsk.

Lithuania has accused Belarus of manufacturing a refugee problem on its border in retaliation for European Union sanctions on President Alexander Lukashenkos government. Belarus denies doing so.

Lithuania has reported a surge in illegal border crossings from Belarus and accused Minsk of flying in migrants from abroad and sending them across the border.

Belarus announced an investigation into what it said was the death of an unnamed Iraqi migrant. The head of the Belarusian security council, Alexander Volfovich, said the man was beaten so badly that Belarusian border guards were unable to help him.

This is a method of hybrid war, disinformation. There was no incident on the border this night, no use of power, said a spokeswoman for the Lithuanian Interior ministry.

Lithuania has authorized its border guards to use force if necessary to turn migrants away.

I would like to mention in the course of those two days, fortunately there were no situations where our border guard officers used any kind of force, Commander of the Lithuanian State Border Guard Service, Rustamas Liubajevas, told Reuters.

Liubajevas said reports of migrants being injured were fake news and said he knew about the allegation of the Iraqi migrants death only from Belarusian media.

The European Union said last week it would consider sanctions against migrant smugglers and those involved in human trafficking to address a surge in irregular border crossings from Belarus.

By Lewis Macdonald and Tarmo Virki
Los Angeles Officially Restores Ban on Homeless Encampments

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti restored a pre-pandemic restriction of homeless encampments in public areas after the city council voted 13-2 to approve the ordinance. Councilmembers Mike Bonin and Nithya Raman were the two dissenting votes.

The ordinance, restored during a July 28 council meeting, bans the homeless from sitting, lying, or sleeping or storing, using, maintaining, or placing personal property in the public right-of-way; this includes spaces within 500 feet of schools, parks and libraries, 500 feet from an overpass, freeway ramp, tunnel, bridge, or subway, and 5 feet from building entrances. It also gives city council members the ability to ban encampments in parts of their districts.

For them to continue to allow someone to live in an environment without running water, without toilets without trash service, when we know that the life expense expectancy for those on the street is 20 years less, when we know theyre much more likely to be a victim of violent crime  How is it compassionate to allow that? Councilmember Joe Buscaino said during the meeting.

Councilmember Kevin de Leon said for months Los Angeles has watched the problem of homelessness bloom into the worst humanitarian crisis the city has ever experienced.

Resident Says Encampments Caused an Increase in Violence

More than 66,000 unhoused people in Los Angeles County will be affected by the measure, according to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) in 2020. LAHSA recorded a 12.7 percent increase in homeless numbers in 2020.

Prior to the pandemic, Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) Sec. 56.11 and Sec. 41.18 banned both encampments and personal property in most public spaces. The measures were rolled back in early 2020 as an attempt to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, according to officials.

The lack of enforcement created an outcry among residents, particularly in Venice Beach, who said trash, needles, feces, pollution, fires, violence, and encampments were negatively impacting the community.

The interesting thing is that when COVID-19 happened, we were able to know that we had to stay indoors. But as we look right outside our windows, we saw this encampment grow to over 100 people, Venice resident Chie Lunn told The Epoch Times in a previous interview.

A homeless man sorts through his things in Venice Beach, Calif., on June 8, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

And people come in and going daily throughout the night coming and going as we went on throughout COVID, she said.

Lunn said the neighborhood saw an increase in RVs parked alongside parks and an increase in violence.

And even our park was labeled by Mike Bonin and as a place for kids to go during COVID to feel safe and to get internet access, but yet at that very park we had three RVs exploding and drug use, she said.

According to Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) statistics provided to the Venice Neighborhood Council, data show that robberies have nearly tripled since the same time last year. Homeless-related robberies are up 260 percent, homeless-related assaults with a deadly weapon are up 118 percent, property crimes and area burglaries are up 85 percent, and grand theft auto is up 74 percent.

Mixed Reactions from Angelenos

The ordinances supporters argue the measure will clear the sidewalks and public areas, ensuring people can access business and public transportation with ease. During a July 28 council meeting, dozens of residents called in to show their support or opposition.

There has to be a balance between a full heart for people that do not have homes, and also full hearts for our community and our sense of neighborhood and safety, one caller said.

Councilmember Paul Krekorian, one of the authors of the code, said last month the ordinance does not make homelessness illegal, but that it will protect the unhoused and users of public transportation from being put into positions of interaction with automobiles, around loading docks, driveways and so forth. It guarantees access to our fire hydrants, entrances to buildings.

Krekorians office did not respond to a request for comment by press deadline.

Those who oppose the ordinance criticized the city councils approach to homelessness, with some saying politics has a disproportionate influence on homeless policies in Los Angeles.

In a Twitter thread Wednesday, Raman said city council members who receive large amounts of homeless complaints will likely ban camping in most areas of their districts, moving the unhoused into other districts and low-income neighborhoods. Raman argued the council should focus on real solutions, such as housing, outreach and services instead of enacting harmful and illusory quick fixes.

Women walk past homeless encampments in Venice Beach, Calif., on June 8, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Both Raman, whose districts include Hollywood and Silverlake, and Bonin, whose district includes Venice Beach, are currently subjects of recall campaigns by residents. Organizers cite the officials handling of the homelessness crisis as the main reason to hold a recall election.

Others in opposition argued the approach to homelessness should be centered on housing rather than shelter. When the council requested the city attorney to draft the ordinance on June 29, the council advised the city administrators office to implement a 30-day Street Engagement Strategy to offer homeless people shelter, temporary housing, or permanent supportive housing.

Bonin said in a previous meeting the ordinance shows people where they cannot sleep but does not show them where they are allowed to sleep; nor does it provide shelter or housing. Bonin shared his own experience being homeless, saying, I cannot tell you how demoralizing and dehumanizing and defeating that experience is when you dont know where youre going to sleep.

Daniel Conway of the human rights coalition LA Alliance said the focus on clearing public spaces is just one piece of the equation. LA Alliance, a group of stakeholders and residents, sued Los Angeles County last year requesting the county to house more than 66,000 unhoused people in the county.

The [city council] is convinced its an unsolvable crisis, and its reflected in the policies they enact, Conway told The Epoch Times.

Conway also called on the county to step up on the issue, saying its lack of involvement was embarrassing.

Were missing a true partnership between county and city, Conway said.

Both Ramans office and Bonins office did not respond to a request for comment by press deadline.
People, some in masks, head to a St. Louis Cardinals game in downtown St. Louis in St Louis, Mo., on Aug. 3, 2021. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Mask Mandate in St. Louis County Temporarily Blocked by Judge

Residents of St. Louis County in Missouri wont be mandated to wear masks for at least two weeks after a local judge granted a temporary restraining order against the requirement that was issued in July.

Circuit Judge Ellen Nellie Ribaudo on Aug. 3 ruled in favor of state Attorney General Eric Schmitt, who had filed a lawsuit to halt the mask mandate that was first announced by County Executive Sam Page and St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones.

The judge has scheduled a hearing on a preliminary injunction for Aug. 17.

Last week, the county council voted 52 to repeal the mandate that would have required masks to be worn in indoor public settings regardless of vaccination status, but the county executive insisted the mandate remained in effect.

The court notes that although some will take this courts 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, Ribaudo wrote in her ruling. 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 that Ribaudos ruling was a huge win for county residents.

This is an important, hard-fought victory, but our fight against unreasonable and unconstitutional government overreach continues, Schmitt said in a statement.

Page said on Twitter that hes disappointed in the judges decision as more and more mask requirements are put in place across the country to help slow this deadly virus.

The CDC recommends wearing masks in public places and we ask everyone to follow that guidance as we continue our vaccine efforts, he wrote.

The Delta strain of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus was first identified in India late last year and currently makes up approximately 83 percent of all new sequenced cases in the United States, according to federal officials.

The CDC has updated its guidance to say 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.

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky told reporters last month that research indicates that on rare occasions, some vaccinated people infected with the Delta variant after vaccination may be contagious and spread the virus to others.

Fully vaccinated individuals who contract the Delta variant may have the same viral load as people who are unvaccinated, Walensky said.

This new science is worrisome and warrants an update to our recommendations, Walensky said.
A group of illegal immigrants waits for Border Patrol after crossing the Rio Grande from Mexico into Del Rio, Texas, on July 25, 2021. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

McAllen, Texas Setting Up Emergency Shelter for the Overwhelming Number of Stranded Immigrants

McAllen officials on Tuesday approved setting up a temporary emergency shelter in response to the increasing number of migrants coming across the southern border, and after the mayor signed an emergency declaration because of the surge in COVID-19 cases.

The city officials are asking Hidalgo County to place a temporary emergency shelter on property in McAllen on 23rd Street for the overwhelming number of immigrants stranded in McAllen by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), states the citys press statement.

McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos told local news station KRGV on Aug. 3 that things were going smoothly with the immigrant office and Catholic Charities processing migrants, until about two weeks ago when his community was inundated by a surge of migrants that their system could not handle.

It was working wonderfully, a couple of weeks ago when we started getting a higher number of immigrants coming in. And then the problem even got a little worse with the fact that the COVID, the positivity rates started going up. So now we have Catholic Charities who are trying to quarantine people, cant transport them. It got a little more difficult,  we have the governors order stating that look, as far as the transportation, its kind of tying our hands, making it a little more difficult, said Villalobos.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott on July 28 had issued an executive order (pdf) prohibiting any person from transporting migrants who had been detained by border patrol for crossing the border illegally. Prohibited transportation also prevents organizations like Catholic Charities from transporting COVID positive immigrants to separate facilities.

Illegal immigrants just released from detention through catch and release immigration policy stand at a bus station before being taken to the Catholic Charities relief center in McAllen, Texas, on April 11, 2018. (Loren Elliott/Reuters)

The McAllen press release describing the reason the temporary shelter was needed, states that the city had to sign the disaster declaration in order to obtain county and state resources to address the situation. The city also needs the federal government to provide relief due to the increase of migrants being released into the city.

The current immigration surge began in 2014 under the Obama administration and has continued for seven years to the present surge the community is now experiencing.  For context, in 2020 the total number of Tittle 42 Expulsions on the Southwest Border was 381,928. To date in 2021, in less time, a total of 566,959 Title 42 Expulsions have occurred on the Southwest Border, states the press release.

According to a Fox News report, since mid-February of 2021, there have been over 7,000 confirmed COVID-19 positive immigrants released into the city of McAllen by CBP, including over 1,500 new cases in the past seven days.

The Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley has said that migrants were tested before entering the facility. Negative cases were housed at their facility and positive cases were placed in other facilities to avoid the spread of COVID-19.

Despite the City of McAllen and its community partners best efforts, the sheer number of immigrants being released into the city has become a crisis: a crisis the City of McAllen did not create and has proactively tried to avoid for seven years, stated the press statement.

On Monday, the city of McAllen issued a local disaster declaration to receive resources from Hidalgo County and the state of Texas. Hidalgo County had also issued a local disaster declaration.

The disaster declaration was necessary because we need help immediately from the federal people and quite honestly, even from the state people Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez told KRGV, adding that temporary housing is needed because, these immigrants need to be served, safely, efficiently and effectively, and weve run out of space and resources to do so.

Then youre (federal government) putting us in a very critical dangerous way because were right in the middle of a pandemic. We know that, statistically, about 8 percent of the immigrants we have tested before do have COVID. In the last week, that amount grew from 8 to 16 percent, so its not getting better, its getting worse, said Cortez.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) walks past the chamber as the Senate advances to formally begin debate on a roughly $1 trillion infrastructure plan, a process that could take several days, at the Capitol in Washington on July 30, 2021. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)

McConnell Makes GOP Demands for Government-Funding Deal

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Wednesday announced the GOP has its demands for Congress on future government spending bills.

When it comes to floor consideration, we cannot and will not start planting individual trees before we have bipartisan consensus on the shape of the forest, McConnell said during a speech on the Senate floor, coming about two months before the Senates deadline to fund the government to avoid a partial shutdown.

Members of Congress often use a short-term continuing resolution to avoid government shutdowns, and they might pass such a resolution in late September to avoid one starting in October.

Democrats will need 60 votes in the Senate to overcome a Republican filibuster and pass a measure to keep the government funded.

In his floor remarks, McConnell said the GOP wants to ensure that defense spending rises in equal measure to non-defense spending. The Republican leader also said both parties need to avoid provisions that would sink the bill.

In response, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) stated that McConnell is engaging in revisionist history, saying that he is negotiating with Republican leaders about the overall amount that should be spent.

I am not going to put forward an allocation at this time. I believe that would only divide the Committee, and delay our typically bipartisan work, Leahy said Wednesday. I have been urging for months that we begin bipartisan, bicameral negotiations with the White House on spending top-lines, and I continue to believe that is the right way to proceed.

Since 1980, there have been several government shutdowns after Congress failed to pass spending legislation. The longest shutdown in American history was 35 days in late 2018 and early 2019, and it occurred over a dispute regarding funding for the border wall along the U.S.-Mexico border that was touted by then-President Donald Trump. Before that, there was a 21-day shutdown during the Obama administration over the Affordable Care Act.

Last month, meanwhile, the Congressional Budget Office warned that the U.S. Treasury Department is projected to exhaust its borrowing authority in October or November and hit the debt limit.

If that occurred, the government would be unable to pay its obligations fully, and it would delay making payments for its activities, default on its debt obligations, or both, the non-partisan CBO said in a statement on July 21, noting that a failure to work out differences over spending could also lead to a shutdown of the government.

The Biden administration called on Congress to resolve partisan issues when attempting to pass a spending measure.

We expect Congress to act in a timely manner to raise or suspend the debt ceiling as they did three times on a broad bipartisan basis during the last administration, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters last month.
Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Huawei, arrives at B.C. Supreme Court to attend her extradition hearing, in Vancouver, B.C., on Aug. 4, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck)

Meng Wanzhous Lawyer Returns to Court to Fight Extradition of Huawei CFO

Meng Wanzhous lawyer returned to court on Wednesday to fight the extradition case of Huawei Technologies chief financial officer.

The final round of hearings for Mengs extradition case began in the British Columbia Supreme Court in Vancouver.

Defence lawyer Mona Duckett told the court that the United States misused the extradition process and accused the United States of acting in bad faith.

Mengs legal team recently obtained internal email chains and spreadsheets from HSBC through a court agreement in Hong Kong, which they submitted to the B.C. Supreme Court, arguing that they prove the United States had misled the court in its summary to Canada and therefore undermined its fraud allegations against Meng.

On July 9, Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes ruled against admitting the evidence submitted by Mengs lawyers, saying in her ruling that the documents do not expressly support Mengs claims.

It is only inferences from the documents that support those facts or conclusions, and they are not the only reasonable inferences the documents support, Holmes wrote in the ruling.

Meng was arrested by the Canadian police on a U.S. warrant in December 2018 at the Vancouver airport while en route to Mexico.

Meng was charged with bank fraud for lying to multiple financial institutions, including HSBC, about Huaweis business with Iran, leading them to violate U.S. sanctions against the Middle East country.

Both Huawei and Meng have denied these allegations.

Meng was released on bail roughly a week after her arrest, and has been living in one of her multi-million dollar mansions in Vancouver.

Shortly after Mengs arrest, the Chinese authorities arbitrarily detained two Canadian citizensMichael Spavor and Michael Kovrigcharging them with espionage. The two men have been in Chinese prison since December 2018. The move was widely seen as a retaliation against Canada by the Chinese regime.

Legal arguments are expected over the next few weeks from the Department of Justice and Mengs lawyers over whether she should be extradited to the United States.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
A sign for the Department of Justice hangs in the press briefing room at the Justice Department in Washington, on April 18, 2019. (Patrick Semansky/AP Photo)

Michigan Representatives Ask Justice Department to Explain Why It Dropped Probe Into Nursing Home Deaths

Three members of Congress from Michigan are asking the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Justice to conduct a formal inquiry as to why the department dropped its investigation of nursing home deaths in the state.

The DOJ announced July 22 it would cease an investigation into Michigan nursing home deaths from COVID-19 and whether those deaths were a result of Gov. Gretchen Whitmers policies. The investigation was begun during the administration of former President Donald Trump.

Families all across the state are demanding answers for why their loved ones were locked in facilities with Covid carrying individuals, according to the letter signed by Republican U.S. Reps. Lisa McClain, Tim Walberg, and Bill Huizenga.

The three members of Congress noted 5,681 people died in the states long-term care facilities as of July 21, 2021.

For over a year, Michiganders have demanded answers from their governor to no avail, they wrote. 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.

The lawmakers ask who within the department made the call to end the probe, what information officials had gathered from Whitmers office, whether the Biden administration, and specifically the White House itself, had interceded in the probe.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced in March her office also would not conduct an investigation, saying her department determined there wasnt enough evidence to support an official inquiry.

Though I will not hesitate to act when justified, I also will not abuse the investigatory powers of this Department to launch a political attack on any state official, regardless of party or beliefs, Nessel wrote at the time.

Eric Ventimiglia, executive director for Michigan Rising Action, argued that the Justice Department under the administration of President Joe Biden is protecting Whitmer, a fellow Democrat.

The Democrats shameless attempt to give political cover to Governor Whitmer so she can avoid being held accountable for her deadly nursing home scandal is a new low in American politics, Ventimiglia said in a statement.

By Bruce Walker
Mark and Patricia McCloskey stand in front of their house holding firearms as protesters walk through the gated neighborhood in the Central West End of St. Louis, Mo., on June 28, 2020. (Laurie Skrivan/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)

Missouri Governor Pardons Couple Who Pointed Guns at Protesters

Missouri Governor Mike Parson on Tuesday announced that he has pardoned the McCloskey couple who recently pleaded guilty to several misdemeanor charges after they wielded guns last year to defend their home from activists who walked through their private, gated neighborhood.

The McCloskeys were two among 12 people who were granted clemency on Friday.

Governor Parson has instructed his legal team to continue reviewing clemency files and working to reduce the backlog inherited by his administration, according to a statement from Parsons office.

The governor had said last year that he would without a doubt pardon the couple when they were dealt felony charges by St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly Gardner, calling the felony charges outrageous.

Gardner was later removed from a role in the McCloskeys case after a judge in late 2020 ruled that she appeared to have started prosecution against the two for political purposes.

Mark and Patricia McCloskey, both personal injury lawyers, pleaded not guilty in October 2020 to felony charges of unlawful use of a weapon and evidence tampering.

The two later pleaded guilty in June this year to misdemeanor charges. Mark McCloskey, 64, pleaded guilty to a Class C misdemeanor of fourth-degree assault, while Patricia McCloskey, 62, pleaded guilty to a Class A misdemeanor of second-degree harassment. They were required to pay maximum fines of $750 and $2,000, respectively.

As part of the plea agreement, the two surrendered the guns that they wielded when Black Lives Matter protesters marched past their home last summer.

Mark McCloskey explained his decision of the guilty plea to Newsmax in June, saying, [Prosecutors] dropped all the felony charges, all the gun charges, and charged me with a crime that said I purposely placed other people in apprehension of imminent fear of physical injuryand, by God, I did it.

Thats what the Second Amendment was there for, and I couldnt say no to that one, he added. Thats what the guns were for. The guns were there to scare people off and make sure they didnt approach us. And thats what the guns did.

He had pointed an AR-15 rifle while his wife brandished a semi-automatic handgun at protesters in June 2020 when the protesters moved through their private neighborhood through a gate marked Private Street.

Patricia McCloskey said last year that the protesters told the couple that they were going to kill them.

Mark McCloskey previously said he was literally afraid that within seconds [the protesters] would surmount the wall, and come into the house, kill [the couple], burn the house down and everything that [he] had worked for and struggled for  for the last 32 years.

The incident drew national attention and the couple was interviewed by multiple national and local media outlets.

Mark McCloskey is seeking to run for the U.S. Senate in Missouri after having filed campaign papers in May. He is seeking the seat currently held by Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), who is retiring. Other contenders for the seat include former Gov. Eric Greitens and state Attorney General Eric Schmitt.

McCloskey told The Epoch Times in June, When Roy Blunt announced that he was not gonna run for re-election, people started asking whether or not I had an interest in it. You know, Ive been a life-long Republican but Ive never had any particular desire to run for office. In fact, if you asked me a year ago today what I wanted most in the world, Id say for the world to leave me the heck alone. I like peace and comfort. But the world chose differently. And  it became kind of a calling.

I didnt think that having three to five hundred angry rioters break down my gate was a good thing, but maybe in the long run it will turn out that way, he added.

Jack Phillips contributed to this report.
A counselor wearing a protective face mask plays with children as summer camps reopen amid the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at Carls Family YMCA summer camp in Milford, Mich., on June 23, 2020. (Emily Elconin/Reuters)

Missouri Parents Censored Online for Opposing Mask Mandates in School

Online censorship is being questioned by parents in Missouri. Throughout the pandemic, popular platforms like Facebook and Twitter offered a place for people to socialize despite lockdowns. The platforms allowed support groups to continue to meet virtually.

Smaller, lesser-known platforms like nextdoor.com also host plenty of community conversations.

But for Missouri native Josh McCollum, nextdoor silenced his ideas by deleting personal posts. He said this confused him because it happened right after he joined.

He spoke with The Epoch Times about it, I only got onto nextdoor to share a few things regarding our local school system which I was concerned about.

McCollums concerns relate to mask mandates and other controversial school policies that allow the teaching of critical race theory (CRT). He created an online petition urging his childs school district to allow masks to remain optional, but his online friends said they never saw it. He believes his posts that share the petition have been purposefully suppressed.

While many social media platforms utilize algorithms to discern which posts violate community standards, their systems may not understand context. Satire sites have openly noted that their posts are being flagged.

When McCollum tried to share the petition on nextdoor, the post was flagged with a notice that said that anything posted about COVID-19 should have a source link to the CDC, WHO, or local agencies.

(Image from nextdoor.com)

Users were allowed to share the source material without editing it if they choose the publish option, but the notice shows that nextdoor is making it more difficult for people to openly discuss mask mandates.

Nextdoors support did not respond to a request for comment, but their website lists six community guideline rules relating to respect, discrimination, and harmful activity.

(Image from nextdoor.com)

Whether McCollums posts were considered harmful or discriminatory was not addressed. The posts were simply deleted.

Twitter Ultimatums

Dash Crowlee also opposes mandatory mask mandates and lives within the same school district. He fears that masking children for long periods of time will have negative social consequences and is vocal about it on Twitter, but he experienced a different form of censorship.

During the election he had numerous tweets deleted and his account suspended, but it was when he posted about masks that his account was nearly banned altogether. This past spring he grew so upset at the changing mask requirements that he decided to reach out to Dr. Anthony Fauci. Unable to find direct contact information, Crowlee took to Twitter and responded to Faucis tweets.

Within hours he received a warning that his account would be banned if he did not delete the tweets opposing Dr. Faucis methods. He said, Its like they want you to admit defeat. They could just delete the tweet automatically, but they cuckold you and make you do it.

Twitter did not comment on this issue, but like nextdoor, they have a long list of rules involving safety, privacy, and authenticity which start out with this statement:

(Image from Twitter )

Censorship and Government Intervention

Debates over the efficacy of masks are still ongoing and new studies are challenging the validity of CDC guidelines. Parents and students have publicly spoken before teachers and administrations to voice their concerns over mask mandates.

As ad campaigns for mask mandates were put in place across the nation, individuals who questioned the necessity have been censored. Former White House coronavirus adviser under the Trump administration, Dr. Scott Atlas, had a tweet removed for posting that face coverings do not work.

During his July 7 news conference, former President Donald Trump accused the federal government of using Facebook, Twitter, and Google as its de facto censorship arm during the COVID-19 pandemic. One claim that was censored, he said, was the assertion that COVID-19 emerged from a Wuhan virology lab in 2019. Earlier this year, President Joe Biden said many members of the U.S. intelligence community now view the theory as viable.

Similar issues have been experienced by many across the nation since the installment of Facebooks fact-checkers and collusion with the White House to flag problematic posts.

Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) introduced on July 28 the Disclose Government Censorship Act (pdf) which would require social media companies to publicly disclose information relating to requests or recommendations made by government entities to moderate content.

Government involvement in social media is still a new concept. Many elected officials have expressed their concerns about Big Tech censorship and what it means to the American people. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) even wrote a book about it.

(Image From Regnery Publishing)

As more individuals and officials question the validity of online censorship, those in favor of it argue that social media companies are privately owned and have their own terms of service. If a user violates those terms they have a variety of other platforms to choose from.

Social media has become such an important tool that some argue that it should be regarded as a public utility.

What the courts will decide remains uncertain, but when censorship is used to silence parents who express concerns over decisions that affect their childrens health, the efforts from social media companies to restrict discussion on important topics take America into unprecedented territory.
Missouri Rep. Billy Long Joins Crowded US Senate Race

U.S. Rep. Billy Long (R-Mo.) is entering the crowded race for U.S. Senate in Missouri in hopes of succeeding Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), who isnt seeking reelection, the Republican congressman said on Aug. 3.

I am entering the race for the United States Senate. I followed Roy Blunt into the House. I have his congressional seat, Long said as he announced his candidacy on Tucker Carlsons Fox News show. I want to follow him into the Senate.

Long joins a growing list of candidates in the 2022 primary race to replace Blunt, a Republican who confirmed his retirement in March, after serving more than a decade in the Senate.

The former auctioneer and radio host, who was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2010, said he sees himself as an electable contender while expressing urgency for the Republican Party to get the Senate back and fight back against this craziness going on.

The ludicrous things they are doing to our country, Long said. The Constitution is out and communism, socialism is in.

We need to get the Senate back. Youre not going to get anything until you get the Senate back, and Im the guy that can win that Senate seat in Missouri and make sure that we dont have a big race there.

The 65-year-old congressman is running along with attorney Mark McCloskey, who recently pleaded guilty to several misdemeanor charges after his wife and he wielded guns last year to defend their home from activists who walked through their private gated neighborhood. The couple was pardoned by Gov. Mike Parson on Aug. 3.

Mark McCloskey visits the republican HQ in Scranton, Pa., on Sept. 30, 2020. (Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images)

Parson said last year that he would without a doubt pardon the couple when they were dealt felony charges by St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly Gardner. The governor called the felony charges outrageous.

Other Republican candidates for the Senate seat include former Gov. Eric Greitens, who left office in 2018 after being accused of sexual assault, along with Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt and state Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler.

The declared candidates on the Democratic side are Air Force veteran and small business owner Jewel Kelly; retired Marine Corps officer Lucas Kunce; former Sen. Scott Sifton (D-Mo.); activist Tim Shepard; and entrepreneur Spencer Toder.

From NTD News
House Intelligence Ranking Member Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) questions National Security Council Director for European Affairs Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman during testimony before the House Intelligence Committee in the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington on Nov. 19, 2019. (Shawn Thew-Pool/Getty Images)

Nunes Sues for Defamation Over Rachel Maddows Comments on Package From Russian Agent

Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) has filed a defamation lawsuit against NBCUniversal Media, alleging MSNBC host Rachel Maddow falsely accused him of criminal conduct on her show.

According to a complaint obtained by The Epoch Times that was filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Texas, Nunes attorneys allege that Maddow and the network made, published, and republished numerous false factual statements regarding Nunes that accuse and impute to him multiple crimes, including obstruction of justice and treason.

Nunes attorneys pointed to statements Maddow made during her March 18 show suggesting the California Republican refused to turn over to the FBI a package that he reportedly received from a suspected Russian agent.

The complaint singles out three statements made by Maddow that purportedly suggest Nunes was guilty of criminal conduct.

Andriy Derkach is sanctioned by the U.S. government as a Russian agent. He is singled out by name by the Director of National Intelligence as someone under Vladimir Putins direct purview who helped run this organization targeting our election last year. Congressman Nunes accepted a package from him. What was in it? the first statement reads, according to the complaint.

Congressman Nunes has refused to answer questions about what he received from Andriy Derkach. He has refused to show the contents of the package to other members of the intelligence community. He has refused to hand it over to the FBI which is what you should do if you get something from somebody who is sanctioned by the U.S. as a Russian agent, Maddows second statement reads.

Still, the Republicans have kept Mr. Nunes on as the top Republican on the intelligence committee. How does that stand? How does that stay a thing? the third statement reads.

The attorneys allege that the statements are materially false and expose Nunes to public ridicule, scorn, contempt, censure, and prejudice in his role as a Congressional representative.

The complaint says that Nunes did not accept a package from Derkach, nor did he have any unexplained interactions with the alleged agent. According to the Treasury Department, Derkach has been a Russian agent for over a decade.

The lawsuit says the package, which was addressed to Nunes, was in December 2019 sent to the FBI by a designated staff member in Nunes office, following protocol and without the package ever being opened.

It also says that in January 2020, Nunes and top Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee briefed the FBI on their concerns about the package.

Further, Nunes attorneys say he neither refused to show the package to members of the intelligence community nor did he violate any rules or procedures with regard to the package.

The suit alleges that Maddow knew, prior to her March 18 program, that the package had been delivered to the FBI, while claiming that she and the network harbor an institutional hostility, hatred, extreme bias, spite and ill-will toward Nunes.

Rather than being based on fact, the attorneys allege that Maddows comments about Nunes were motivated by his emergence as the most prominent skeptic in Congress of Maddows marquee news narrative from 2017 to 2019: that the Trump campaign colluded with Russians to hack the 2016 presidential elections.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages.

NBC representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Epoch Times.
Obama Scaling Back 60th Birthday Party Due to Delta Variant

Former President Barack Obama is scaling back the size of his upcoming 60th birthday party because of the spread of a variant of the CCP virus.

This outdoor event was planned months ago in accordance with all public health guidelines and with COVID safeguards in place. Due to the new spread of the delta variant over the past week, the President and Mrs. Obama have decided to significantly scale back the event to include only family and close friends, a spokeswoman for the ex-president told news outlets in a statement.

President Obama is appreciative of others sending their birthday wishes from afar and looks forward to seeing people soon, she added.

Obama reportedly invited hundreds of people to the party, which is set to take place at the estate he owns at Marthas Vineyard. Some questioned the size in light of new recommendations and rules issued by state and federal authorities in recent days to the increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.

COVID-19 is the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.

Marthas Vineyard is labeled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as an area with moderate virus spread. People in areas with high or substantial spread should wear masks indoors even if they are vaccinated, the agencys director announced last month.

Marthas Vineyard issued an indoor mask advisory in July. Massachusetts also issued a mask advisory. Masks remain mandatory in some settings, including on transportation systems like taxis.

President Joe Biden was never planning to attend the party, a White House official told outlets, but White House press secretary Jen Psaki defended the bash in a recent press conference.

This event, according to all the public reporting, is outdoors and in a moderate zone. But in addition, there is [sic] testing requirements and other steps they are taking, which Im sure they can outline for you in more detail, Psaki, who used to work in the Obama administration, told reporters in Washington.

Asked if people who saw Obama having a huge party should think that it was okay to have hundreds of people over, Psaki added, 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.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican, told reporters on Tuesday that he was not invited to Obamas party.

But I can tell you If I were invited I would have declined. Because I think 700 people at an event like that is not a good idea, Baker said. Its a judgment call all the way around, but thats the beauty of judgment calls. We can all make our own decision about what we think is most appropriate to us.
In this file image, Edward Wilks shows a gun to at his store in Rifle, Colorado on April 24, 2018. (Emily Kask /AFP/Getty Images)

Pennsylvania Democrats Call for ID to Buy Ammunition

A bill requiring photo identification to purchase firearm ammunition in Pennsylvania is intended to keep loaded guns out of the hands of minors, according to its sponsor, Democratic state Rep. Brian Kirkland.

Current law prohibits ammunition from being sold to anyone the seller has reasonable cause to believe is younger than 18 or 21 depending on the type of ammunition. However, sellers are not required to verify the buyers age by asking to see an ID.

The legislation would require all ammunition buyers in Pennsylvania to provide an official form of photographic identification with every purchase of ammunition. It would reinforce current law, ensuring ammunition is not sold to children, without infringing on any individuals Second Amendment rights, Kirkland said.

This is very safe legislation, Kirkland told The Epoch Times. I dont think this is making it harder for anyone to get a gun. You get carded to buy alcohol or tobacco. There is no accountability for the person selling ammunition.

The plan adds accountability by imposing on sellers a $1,000 fine for a first offense, $2,000 for a second offense, $3,000 for a third offense, and any offenses after that would result in a 30-day prohibition on selling ammunitions.

With the gun violence in my neighborhood (Chester, Pa.) and Philadelphia and Pittsburgh you just see every time you turn the TV on, its a 15-, 16-, 17-year old being shot or doing the shooting, Kirkland said. They are going to have illegal guns or ghost guns on the streets. They need ammunition to use them. He added that some teens look like adults and currently it is possible for them to walk into a gun shop and buy ammunition.

This seems like something we should have in place. If we can agree to make laws on alcohol and tobacco age limits, this should be something we can all agree on. We are not taking anyones guns away.

The bill has 19 Democrat cosponsors. Kirkland has proposed this legislation every legislative session since 2018 but he says the bill has never moved in committee.

Im hoping I can get some bipartisan support, he said.

Gun Owners of America Pennsylvania Director Val Finnell says his group is opposed to the proposal.

There are already laws in place about purchasing ammunition, Finnell told The Epoch Times.

Pennsylvania law makes it a misdemeanor for anyone to sell ammunition or a deadly weapon to a minor.

I dont know why there are age restrictions to purchase ammunition. Its just another restriction placed on our constitutional rights, Finnell said. The Democrats are against voter ID laws. But they are for ID when buying guns and ammunition. To me, its just hypocrisy. There shouldnt be a restriction.

When it comes to providing identification for voting, Kirkland said there have not been many cases of voter fraud, although he did mention someone was caught voting for a dead relative in his district. He remains opposed to voter ID.

I dont want to discourage voting in communities that look like me. That is a way to discourage voting. Anything that is going to hinder voting, Im absolutely against, Kirkland said.
Pentagon Identifies Officer Slain in Attack as Officials Seek Clues

WASHINGTONFederal investigators were digging Wednesday into the background of a Georgia man who officials say fatally stabbed a Pentagon police officer at a transit station outside the building before being shot and killed himself.

The Pentagon Force Protection Agency identified the slain officer as George Gonzalez, a New York native and Army veteran who served in Iraq and joined the police force three years ago. He died after being attacked Tuesday morning on a bus platform outside the Pentagon.

The burst of violence temporarily placed the U.S. military headquarters on lockdown and jangled the nerves of a region already primed to be on high alert for violence and potential intruders outside federal government buildings.

The FBI was leading the investigation into the violence and the suspect, identified by multiple law enforcement officials as Austin William Lanz, 27, of Georgia. The authorities were examining Lanzs background, including his criminal history, jail records, financial information and any online accounts as they tried to identify a potential motive for the attack, a law enforcement official said.

Booking photo of Austin Williams Lanz. (Cobb County Sheriffs Office via AP)

Gonzalez was ambushed by Lanz, who ran at him and stabbed him in the neck, according to two law enforcement officials who could not discuss the investigation publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Responding officers then shot and killed Lanz.

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.

He 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.

At a Pentagon news conference Tuesday, the PFPA chief, Woodrow Kusse declined to provide even basic information about how the violence had unfolded. 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, saying they didnt want to compromise the ongoing investigation. But Kusse said we are not actively looking for another suspect at this time.

Pentagon Police Chief Woodrow Kusse speaks during a briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, on Aug. 3, 2021. (Andrew Harnik/AP Photo)

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.

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 inand who visitthe 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.

The attack 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. The facility was on lockdown for more than an hour.

Emergency vehicles are seen outside the Pentagon Metro area in Washington on Aug. 3, 2021. (Andrew Harnik via AP)

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.

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 violence. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Austin returned to the building and went to the Pentagon police operations center to speak to the officers there.

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.

By Lolita C. Baldor, Eric Tucker and Michael Balsamo
Presidents in Pictures: 3 Classic Movies About United States Presidents

Why are three movies made seven decades ago worth watching? History. American Historya lesson in a system that honors laws that treat all equally.

Although July 4 has passed, its always a good time to celebrate American history with inspiring classic films. Hollywood during its Golden Era made many movies about U.S. presidents, using their biographies as the groundwork for inspiring, patriotic stories.

Three excellent classic films about famous U.S. presidents are Abe Lincoln in Illinois (1940), Tennessee Johnson (1942), and Magnificent Doll (1946). The first two deal with Abraham Lincolns life and events, although Lincoln is unseen in the second film. The third is set during and after the Revolutionary War. In these films, a total of four U.S. presidents are depicted: Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Abraham Lincoln, and Andrew Johnson. Made in the 1940s, they reflect the patriotic feelings of World War II as well as the times in which they were set.

Three Patriotic Stories

Abe Lincoln in Illinois begins in 1831, when Abraham Lincoln (Raymond Massey) leaves his backwoods Kentucky home to transport pigs to New Orleans. He becomes a storekeeper in New Salem, Illinois, enjoying lovely Ann Rutledges (Mary Howard) company. Abe eventually becomes the local postmaster and runs for State Assembly. He proposes to Ann after her fiance is gone for two years, but she dies of brain fever before they can marry.

Raymond Massey as Abe Lincoln. (RKO Radio Pictures)

Abe wins his political position and moves to Springfield, where he studies law. There, he meets Mary Todd (Ruth Gordon), who declares that her future husband will become president of the United States. Abe reciprocates her romantic interest but is concerned about her ambitions for him. He breaks their engagement but eventually returns and marries her. As his political career advances, he constantly opposes his old rival for Marys hand, Stephen Douglas (Gene Lockhart).

Tennessee Johnson also begins in the 1830s, when runaway apprentice Andrew Johnson (Van Heflin) persuades a friendly Tennessee blacksmith to remove his ankle cuff. While Johnson establishes himself as a local tailor, librarian Eliza McCardle (Ruth Hussey) teaches him to read and encourages him to fight for voting rights for non-property owners. They fall in love and marry. His speeches make him unpopular with local authorities, but he responds by running for sheriff. He is elected and begins his political career.

Ruth Hussey and Van Heflin in Tennessee Johnson. (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)

Years later, Johnson refuses to exit Congress with the other Southern senators when the Civil War begins. He fights for the Union and becomes Abraham Lincolns vice president in his second term. As Lincolns assassination forces him to spearhead postwar reconciliation, Congressman Thaddeus Stevens (Lionel Barrymore) fights to impeach him with powerfully crooked politics.

Magnificent Doll begins as the Revolutionary War ends, when Mr. Payne (Robert Barrat) returns to Virginia to sell his plantation and free his slaves. He also promised a dying friend that his daughter, Dolley (Ginger Rogers), would marry his Quaker son, John Todd (Stephen McNally). Dolley reluctantly agrees. Although her resentment toward Todd lessens in time, Dolley only realizes she loves her husband as he dies from yellow fever.

Now widowed, she and her mother (Peggy Wood) start a boarding house in Philadelphia. Their first boarder is Aaron Burr (David Niven), a charismatic congressman who romances Dolley. Another boarder, timid Sen. James Madison (Burgess Meredith), also loves her. Aaron entrances Dolley, but his greedy political ambitions frighten her. Eventually, she realizes she loves Jamess unselfish dedication to freedom, while Aarons love for her and lust for power grow.

Ginger Rogers as Dolley Todd and David Niven as Aaron Burr in Magnificent Doll. (Universal Pictures)

The Real Men

The introduction of Tennessee Johnson states, The form of our medium compels certain dramatic liberties, but the principal facts of Johnsons own life are based on history, but this statement applies to all three movies. Each focuses on real historical figures, dramatizing or fabricating relationships rather than inventing fictional characters. This lends authenticity and provides an opportunity for getting to know the central characters. These three films bring the presidents to life.

Americans familiar with the faces of our Founding Fathers will notice that these actors bear faint resemblances to their real-life counterparts, except Raymond Massey. Aided by excellent makeup and flawless mannerisms, Mr. Massey convinces one by the end of the film that he is Honest Abe himself! His wiry frame, chiseled features, and solemn expression convey everything we know from the $5 bill, and more. This film portrays Lincoln not as being refined and confident but, surprisingly, as a man who is sensitive, with insecurities and fears. His droll voice and awkward, lumbering speech make him endearing and very human.

Van Heflin brings a similar sensitivity to Andrew Johnson. Like Lincoln in the previous film, Johnson spends most of his political career declaring himself unfit for positions that others encourage him to pursue. With his fiery temper, he passionately defends freedom and unity. This character transforms from a bitter, self-loathing youth to a confident, selfless patriot when Eliza teaches him that social classes have no place in America. During the Civil War, he stands alone among his fellow Southerners, since he is an American first. He puts aside political differences to join President Lincoln in the fight for the Unions preservation. The characterization is aided by Heflins convincing aging and intensity.

Although Magnificent Doll focuses on Dolley Madison, it depicts two U.S. presidents, Thomas Jefferson (Grandon Rhodes) and James Madison. Founding Fathers Jefferson and Madison must fight for the preservation of the fledgling United States. Thomas Jefferson is a smaller character in this story, remaining friendly and honest while striving to fulfill his duty. As the Constitutions primary author, James Madison would presumably have every confidence in its ideas. However, we see him occasionally falter, wondering if this ideal government can survive. His wise wifes love and support encourages him to keep defending freedom.

The often-comical Burgess Meredith plays against type as the very serious but likeable Madison. For example, his explanation of Americas fight for freedom to Dolley in the empty Senate is one of the most inspiringly patriotic speeches in Hollywood history.

Fighting for Freedom

When enemies of freedom arise, its tempting to grab a musket or look for the nearest hanging tree. However, these films remind us that America cannot be defended by breaking our laws, even for a good cause.

In Tennessee Johnson, young Andrew Johnsons speeches about equal voting rights lead to a fight and his friends death. When his comrades want to form a mob and hang the murderous sheriff, Andrew explains that violence will only cause more death: Mob fighting, shooting, and hanging, and burning, that aint the way!  Yes, I tell you to fight for your rights. But the Constitution aint for the dead. Its to protect the living!  It says the people got the right to make the laws!  And thats how were going to win our fight election day!

Similarly, a mob wants to hang Aaron Burr after he is acquitted of treason at the end of Magnificent Doll. Dolley uses all her persuasiveness to make the angry people realize that they will be killing more than one man if they hang Burr: This is not freedom!  Freedom is something you live, under law.  You and I must live the example of a free people. We must prove  that with clean hands and united hearts, we are able to deal with traitors as a people, under law and with order. This reflects Americas history of putting fair laws above emotional reactions, a heritage of which we can be proud.

Let us find inspiration for guarding our freedom during the most trying times from the great leaders of the past. In a short, brilliant speech, Abraham Lincoln (Raymond Massey) says: I dont think we want to be [the terror of the world.] I think we would prefer to be the encouragement of the world. The proof that at last man is worthy to be free. But we shall provide no such encouragement unless we can establish our ability as a nation to live and grow, and we shall surely do neither if these States fail to remain united.  A house divided against itself cannot stand!

These movies have gained greater value as theyve aged. Instead of reacting with despair and un-American violence to the trials of political unrest, we can remember these movies, which remind us that the only way to save our country is by fighting for and not against our laws. As Dolley Madison poignantly says: When you made those laws, you agreed to live by them and obey them. If theyre not strong enough to protect you, strengthen them in orderly processes. But never take them into your own hands in mobs like this. This is not freedom!

Tiffany Brannan is a 19-year-old opera singer, Hollywood history/vintage beauty copywriter, film reviewer, fashion historian, travel writer, and ballet writer. In 2016, she and her sister founded the Pure Entertainment Preservation Society, an organization dedicated to reforming the arts by reinstating the Motion Picture Production Code.
A member of a civilian watch group shows the slingshot he used to oppose terrorists in Rirom County of Plateau State in Nigeria on Aug. 2, 2021. (Masara Kim/The Epoch Times)

Slingshots Defend Against Terrorists AK-47s in Nigerias Plateau State

Civilians armed with slingshots and homemade shotguns in Nigerias north are scrambling to fend off assault rifle-toting terrorists, according to a leader of a group that battled the attackers on the night of July 31.

We laid in the grass firing stones with our slingshots and firing the few Dane guns [shotguns] in our possession to scare the attackers, according to a civilian watch leader, who declined to give his name.

The locally made ones [guns] fire only pellets not bullets. The shots dont go more than 50 meters and cant be automatic, unlike the AK47/9 [used by the terrorists] which can fire up to 3 rounds/sec and a distance of 300-400m, Gabriel AdOfikwu, a retired major in the Nigerian army, said in a text message. They are by far inefficient to repel the attackers.

Despite their weak firepower, the vigilantes were unyielding during the invasion, blocking the terrorists for long enough that women and children could evacuate, the young citizen watch leader told The Epoch Times.

Beginning July 31 at around 7 p.m., an estimated 500 terrorists armed with assault rifles descended on 15 villages in Bassa County of Plateau state, home of the 3rd Division of the Nigerian army.

The combined death count as of Aug. 3 was 68, according to numbers obtained by The Epoch Times from Enos Hospital in Miango, as aid workers search homes and the local brush for more bodies. The marauders looted food stores and burned the houses and vehicles of civilians, even as the military looked away, according to a tribal leader who spoke to The Epoch Times.

Civilians carrying homemade shotguns in Jebbu, Plateau state, Nigeria, on Aug. 3, 2021. (Masara Kim/The Epoch Times)

The attack appears to be the latest in a sectarian campaign waged by the Muslim Fulani ethnic group against predominately Christian farmers in Nigeria.

Several hours before the brutal assault, a military unit was in the village of Jebbu, which was nearly surrounded by terrorists, yet the military left the area in the afternoon for unknown reasons. Jebbu is 13 miles west of Jos, the Plateau state capital.

The army and police were in the area when threats started [on July 31], said Mallison Davidson, spokesperson of the Irigwe Tribal association, but they withdrew before the real violence started hours later.

In the morning, we had security threats from our attackersFulani herdsmenwho attempted to invade these villages but with the help of the security agents, they were curtailed. But around 7 p.m., they went back and reinforced and remobilized, came here in their numbers.

They started setting these houses ablaze from Zanwhra down to Kpatenvie in Jebbu Miango [District]. They set over 250 houses ablazethats an estimate. They destroyed several farmlands. They carted away domestic animals and household items, Mallison said.

On Aug. 1, women and girls were seen trooping out on foot carrying small bags of clothes, while boys and men guarded the still-smoking houses with shotguns, clubs, and slingshots.

The terrorists struggled for hours to get closer to residences until men in military uniform reportedly assisted them to break the resistance, according to an eyewitness. Seven civilians, chiefly members of the civilian volunteers, were killed after the military arrived at the scene.

Women carrying their belongings flee their homes in Plateau state, Nigeria, on Aug. 3, 2021. (Masara Kim/The Epoch Times)

The army has claimed the latest incident was a communal clash, which it averted.

Troops of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) deployed to maintain peace and security in Plateau state and environs has thwarted what would have been a deadly clash between the Irigwe youths and Fulani herders at Rafin Bauna and Ijebu Miango community in Bassa local government area of Plateau state, according to a statement released by an Army spokesperson, Maj. Ishaku Takwa, on Aug.1.

Police offered a similar account.

On 31/07/2021, the Command received a report that there was a conflict between gunmen suspected to be Fulani Militia and youth from Irigwe at Jebbu Miango, Bassa LGA of Plateau State. Unfortunately, fifty houses were torched, and four natives were also shot dead. Upon receipt of the report, the tactical team of the Command were immediately deployed to the scene to tighten the security of the area and to restore peace, Assistant Superintendent of Police Gabriel Uba, the spokesperson of the Plateau State Police Command, wrote in a text message.

However, 10 more villages were destroyed in the area, with the attacks spreading to neighboring Riyom County, less than three hours after the two statements circulated.

The officials statements are an attempt to cover their crimes, says human rights lawyer Solomon Dalyop.

In the first place, there has never been a clash between the Fulani and the natives that accommodated them, sharing their food and land with them for years. And there has never been a clash where people are attacked and killed in their sleep.

I am happy the military is admitting that they were there, yet scores of people were killed, hundreds of houses were razed, and crop farms were mowed down. All these losses were recorded on the side of the farming natives of Bassa and not one on the side of the Fulani, who left their settlements to come and attack in their hundreds, yet no arrest was made.

The military has confirmed our fears that they have a hand in this, particularly as they have gone ahead to arrest the natives who were protecting their houses, while more killings and destruction continued for three days, Dalyop told The Epoch Times.

A Nigerian Army armored personnel carrier in Bassa County, Plateau state, Nigeria, on Aug. 3, 2021. (Masara Kim/The Epoch Times)
Premier Brian Pallister rises during question period in the Manitoba legislature on April 7, 2021. Pallister was accused of racism for his comments in early July on the toppling of two statues in Winnipeg on Canada Day. (The Canadian Press/Kevin King  POOL)

Social Darwinism and Playing the Race Card

Commentary

A lot of the racist policies and sentiment in the West in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, including racism against aboriginals in Canada, had their roots in social Darwinism, an offshoot of Charles Darwins theory of evolution. Unfortunately this doctrine is now being revived, this time in the name of critical race theory (CRT).

In his famous 1859 book On the Origin of Species, Darwin argues that animals, birds, and plants adapt to their environments. With this observation, he suggests that the success of a species is specifically dependent on its ability to adapt to changing environments. Organisms that adapted survived to parent the next generation, while organisms that failed to adapt had few, if any, offspring.

Darwin called this process natural selection.

Soon after the publication of Darwins book, Herbert Spencer, an English biologist, expanded the concept of natural selection and coined the phrase the survival of the fittest. Applied to humans, Spencers thinking was that some races and ethnic groups were more adaptable, both physically and mentally, than others. Thus, he argued that the fittest groups were more likely to survive and reproduce while those not as fit were more likely to dwindle and perish.

Social Darwinism

Spencers theory became known as social Darwinism, an ideology which assumes that individuals and their groups respond to the same pressures of natural selection and survival as animals, birds, and plants. This theory has been used to explain why populations differ from place to place, and why some groups have successfully expanded into the territories of other groups.

By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, social Darwinism had become a well-accepted view in Western Europe and provided a strong justification for the colonial expansion of European powers. Nazi Germany, of course, embraced the theory as a justification for its genocidal behaviour toward the mentally handicapped, Jews, and a variety of other non-Aryan people.

The defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II slowedbut failed to stopthe use of social Darwinist theory in explaining and justifying racial and ethnic differences. The ideology is, in fact, still an implicit assumption underlying much social interaction today.

Surprisingly, minority groups that have been subjected to considerable discrimination in the past now seem to be basing their assessment of others on social Darwinist ideology. The most obvious example is critical race theory, which posits that all whites have inherent advantages over all other groups of people, and consequently this belief results in whites discriminating against blacks, indigenous people, etc. CRT accepts this idea as axiomatic.

Playing the Race Card

The argument, even if it is fallacious, is used by minority groups to justify their animosity toward members of the majority group. For example, during the first week of July, Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister gave a public statement responding to the toppling of the statues of Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth in Winnipeg:

We need to respect our heritage, just as we need to respect one another, he said at a news conference. The people who came here to this countrybefore it was a country and sincedidnt come here to destroy anything. They came here to build. They came to build better.

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) described the premiers comments as the worst kind of racist dog-whistling imaginable. Wab Kinew, the leader of the provincial NDP and an indigenous person, said: I think the question is, for every remaining PC cabinet minister, do you stand by Mr. Pallisters racist comments? Or do you agree with Minister Clarke? He was referring to former minister of indigenous and northern relations Eileen Clarke, who resigned over Pallisters comments.

Reread the premiers words. Do you see disparaging words about indigenous peopleor any other race?

He merely said that many immigrants to Manitoba held positive attitudes toward the communities they were building. Even so, the charge of racism continued over the next week or so when the premier and his new minister of indigenous reconciliation and northern relations, Alan Lagimodiere, were condemned, even more harshly, not once, but several times. Are Pallister and Lagimodiere racist simply because the AMC and Wab Kinew say so?

Blatant charges like these have become known as playing the race card.

This means that people with certain racial and ethnic pedigrees can, very quickly, shut down debates by attacking their opponents in a disparaging way. In other words, these people can freely make ad hominem comments about other people with impunity, forcing them to back down and to even apologize no matter how innocent their remarks.

Activists like the AMC and Kinew are reviving 19th-century social Darwinism to claim that races are fundamentally different and often hostile toward each other. They are engaged in a zero-sum game of power grabbing, which is contrary to the notion of multiculturalism and national harmony that Canada aspires to achieve.

These neo-racists have no time for either civil dialogue or reconciliation, and their objective is to divide Canadians from each other.

Free and Robust Debate

Obviously, in robust discussion and debate, people are easily misunderstood. But for civil discourse to be effective, it is necessary for people to continually work through these inherent difficulties. It is necessary for people to have tolerance, humility, and empathy, especially when interacting with people from different ethnic and racial groups,

But when some people call other people pejorative names, like racist and reacting as a dog to a whistle, civil discourse, justice, and democracy increasingly become tenuous.

Canada, even with all her faults, needs to preserve free and robust debate where all people can vigorously discuss policies without being called disparaging names implying that they are irredeemable.

Justice and democracy depend on Canadians not making claims from a social Darwinist perspective. For the good of all Canadians, and for the good of our country, it is time to send both social Darwinism and ad hominem remarks to the dustbin of history.

Rodney A. Clifton is a professor emeritus at the University of Manitoba and a senior fellow at the Frontier Centre for Public Policy. He is co-editor with Mark de Wolf of the book From Truth Comes Reconciliation: An Assessment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report, which can be ordered from the Frontier Centre for Public Policy and Amazon.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
RAPID CITY, S.D.Jessica Castleberry is a member of the South Dakota Senate. On Tuesday evening, the senator brought her mother and son to see Shen Yun Performing Arts after waiting over a year for it to return to Rapid City.

Castleberry purchased tickets to see Shen Yun in March, 2020 but the performance was delayed for over a year due to the pandemic. She expressed that seeing the show was a celebration of a 2019 trip they did to China.

I am absolutely loving this performance, and I especially appreciate the perspective of providing pre-communism China, Castleberry said. We were so moved by the message that China is more than communism.

New York-based Shen Yun is dedicated to depicting China before the ruling communists took power in 1949.

Shen Yun is celebrating the rich history in China that happened before communism took over, said the Republican senator.

Something I feel that it is really important that more Americans realize is that its really easy to decide you want to be a communist when you live in a free country, but its impossible to decide that you want to be free when you live in a communist country, she stated firmly.

We are absolutely, completely supportive of anything that we can do with Chinese people that is looking to inform and educate on what communism does.

Not only did Shen Yuns message make an impact on the senator, but the superb performers did as well. Everything was just so flawless and excellent, she said.

We were so happy to have the opportunity to come to the production, and appreciated the fantastic performance, she said. I think that a performance like this is really going to open the eyes of a lot of Americans to the rich history and the rich culture .

Castleberry elaborated saying that people from China, or who are currently living in China, should want to spread their 5,000 years of rich culture.

This production has done an excellent job of bringing the true culture of China to the United States, she said.

I hope that Americans are open to attending these performances every single year, and are looking at how we can be more inclusive and welcoming of their culture and how we can possibly help.

Regarding building a better relationship with China, she said, The key is just like the final performance here where were talking about compassion, where we have compassion for one another, where were willing to have open conversations.

Reporting by NTD, Ilene Eng, and Maria Han.

The Epoch Times considers Shen Yun Performing Arts the significant cultural event of our time and has covered audience reactions since the companys inception in 2006.
People wait in line for COVID-19 test at a testing site which is temporarily set up at a public health center in Seoul, South Korea, on July 9, 2021. (Heo Ran/Reuters)

South Korea Detects 2 Cases of New Delta Plus COVID-19 Variant

SEOULSouth Korea has detected its first two cases of the new Delta Plus COVID-19 variant, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said on Tuesday, as the country battles with its fourth wave of infections.

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, 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. The source of transmission is under investigation.

Test results in around 280 people who were in contact with the man found that only his son was positive too, Park Young-joon, a KDCA official told a briefing.

Park said it was unclear whether the son was also infected with Delta Plus.

The second case was found in a traveller who returned from the United States. The person had been vaccinated with both shots of AstraZeneca before the trip, Park 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.

Genetic analysis of 3,014 infections last week found 64 percent were the Delta variant, KDCA data showed, a clear sign the variant has become the dominant strain in South Korea as well. Cases among the fully vaccinated remained low.

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 1,202 new COVID-19 cases for Monday, raising the total to 202,203 infections, with 2,104 deaths.

The country on Tuesday said it has given 20 million people, or 39 percent of its population, at least one dose of a vaccine, while 14.1 percent have been fully vaccinated.

South Korea aims to immunize at least 36 million people by September.

By Sangmi Cha
People walk at the Fatherland Liberation War Martyrs Cemetery as part of events marking the occasion of the 68th anniversary of the end of the Korean War in Pyongyang on July 27, 2021. (Kim Won Jin/AFP via Getty Images)

South Korean Opposition Party Worries North Korea Will Use Hotline Reopening to Influence Presidential Election

After more than a year, South and North Korea reopened the cross-border hotline on July 27. Both sides say they hope to improve ties through the communication channel. However, several members of the South Korean opposition party are concerned that North Korea will use this opportunity to influence the 2022 presidential election.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un have been exchanging personal letters since April this year. As a result, both sides agreed to restore the inter-Korean hotline, Seouls presidential Blue House announced on July 27.

Moons Defense Ministry and Unification Ministry also expressed their expectations to improve ties with the North.

However, some politicians from South Koreas most prominent opposition party, the National Power Party, say North Korea intends to intervene in the presidential election by restoring communication.

North Korea may think it is time to take action for establishing a regime in Korea that they can easily control in next years election, Yoo Seung-min, former legislator and presidential candidate for the National Power Party, wrote on his Facebook page on July 28.

If the government only provides the food and support that North Korea needed, and covers up the core problem between the South and the North, and its political vanity show even influences next years election, the government will have to accept the judgment from the people, Yoo added.

Popular presidential opposition candidate, Yoon Seok-youl, welcomed the resumption of ties between the two Koreas, but hopes that the path to peace on the Korean Peninsula will be realized through substantial denuclearization, according to a report by South Koreas Maeil Broadcasting Network (MBN) on July 27.

The North must make a sincere apology for its unilateral demolition of the inter-Korean liaison office and the killing of Korean civil servants, Yoon added.

North Korea cut the hotline in June 2020 as cross-border relations soured after a failed second summit in February 2019 between Kim and former U.S. President Donald Trump, which Moon had offered to mediate. Soon after, the North blew up an inter-Korean joint liaison office in the North Korean city of Kaesong near the border. Then, in September of the same year, the North Korean military fatally shot a South Korean fishery official and burned his body near Yeonpyeong, an island near the border. The Souths defense ministry condemned it as a brutal act. The North-South relationship has deteriorated sharply since then.

(We) cannot exclude the possibility of North Korea using the Korean government as leverage to demand food and vaccine aid, Thae Yong-ho, member of the National Power Party, wrote on his Facebook page on July 28.

Through rebuilding ties, North Korea obtains actual benefits, while Moon and his ruling party would regard the new relationship as a bargaining chip to reinforce power, Thae added.

Thae, who had served as North Koreas ambassador to the United Kingdom, fled to South Korea in 2016. He wrote that Kim Jong-uns father, Kim Jong-il, had survived the economic crisis by pretending to agree on the U.S.-North Korean nuclear deal in Geneva.

On Oct. 21, 1994, the Kim Jong-il regime and the United States signed the DPRK-U.S. Nuclear Agreed Framework in Geneva, under which North Korea was to abandon its nuclear program and receive 500,000 tons of heavy oil per year from the United States to fuel its heating and power generation. However, in December 2002, North Korea backtracked on its commitment and restarted its nuclear reactor at Yongbyon.

The reopening of communications comes at a difficult time for the Kim Jong-un regime. According to a recent report released by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), North Korea is facing a food shortage of around 860,000 tons this year.

FAO warned that without food imports and humanitarian aid to cover the shortages, North Korea could experience a harsh lean period between August and October.

Presidential candidates of the ruling Democratic Party, including Lee Nak-yeon and Lee Jae-myung, governor of Gyeonggi Province, are optimistic about reopening communication between the two Koreas. Lee Jae-myung said on July 27 that this is a valuable result of the exchange of personal letters between the heads of the two Koreas, MBN reported.

With less than 10 months left in Moons term, a July 8 poll by Korean pollster Realmeter shows high approval ratings for Lee Jae-myung at 32.4 percent, and Yoon Seok-youl of the main opposition party at 33.2 percent.

In April, Moons ruling camp lost in the Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections, casting a shadow over his partys re-election.
A security guard stands at the entrance of the Great Hall of the People during the fourth plenary session of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress in Beijing on March 13, 2018. (Wang Zhao/AFP via Getty Images)

The Complex Power Hierarchy Behind Chinas Internal Spy Chief

News Analysis

Surveillance, intimidation, and manipulation act as the grease for the gears that drive all communist systems. Whether it was the regimes of the past, or the leading communist country of our modern day, the systems all share these characteristics.

For communist leaders to control those below them, they are fully dependent on whoever controls information. In China, thats the job of the state secret police, according to an article published through the Chinese Epoch Times on July 21 by Chinese internal affairs analyst Cheng Xiaonong.

On July 15, Chinese leader Xi Jinping assigned a military chief of staff to be the new director of Chinas internal spy bureau, according to state-run media reports. The new director, Zhou Hongxu, is now in charge of the Central Security Bureau (CSB).

The CSB has similar strongarm intimidation tactics as other communist secret police from the past, such as the KGB or Stasi. The CSB is colloquially referred to as the bodyguard for the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) headquarters, as it nominally functions to protect political officials.

Cheng wrote that the promotion is highly unorthodox, usurping the usual promotion order. Further, Hongs experience is in the military, not in surveillance activities. But according to Cheng, even though the choice may further jeopardize Xis lifelong reign over the CCP, the Chinese leader has other priorities.

Xi Needs Loyalty

While scant public details are available on Zhou or his allegiance to Xi, Cheng points out that the hiring process was unprecedented.

Before Zhou was appointed, the previous director had stepped down in 2019. The CSB leadership position remained vacant for a year and a half. Cheng said that since the bureau was established in Maos time, it has never been without a director.

Additionally, Cheng said that whoever is in charge of Chinas intelligence community is the de facto leader of the CCP. He said that is because whoever can control the largest number of senior officials will have the most power in the party. Monitoring officials, which is what the CSB is responsible for, is crucial to this control.

Cheng said that under this particularly Maoist system, rebellion among senior officials becomes a precious act. Officials cant meet in private because security secretaries will always report their actions. They further contact through phones, since private use is prohibited, and the phones are also under surveillance.

In this way, the CSB acts not only as the protector of officials, but also as a 24-hour surveillance system.

Monitoring and controlling politicians is the source of the CCP leaders power. Cheng said that it is likely Xi did not trust the next candidates in line for promotion in the bureau hierarchy. Cheng added that power struggles have very likely once again started at the top tiers of the CCP.

According to state-run outlet DW, appointing someone outside of the CSB was to avoid hiring someone who had long been involved in power struggles at the top of the CCP. Media reporting was otherwise limited on Zhou assuming the position.

Cheng said that Xis move is a double-edged sword. Cheng said that outside hiring is a method for Xi to tackle these high-level power struggles. However, it also throws the self-interest of high-ranking CSB officials into question, as future promotions are no longer guaranteed to them.

Cheng warned this could further sow doubt in Xis leadership.

Daniel Holl is a Sacramento, California-based reporter, specializing in China-related topics. He moved to China alone and stayed there for almost seven years, learning the language and culture. He is fluent in Mandarin Chinese.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping (L) and member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Wang Huning (R) arrive at the closing session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on March 13, 2015. (Feng Li/Getty Images)

The Gang of Fudan Behind Xi Jinpings Anti-America Narrative

New Analysis

The Chinese idiom everything under the sky submits to the one ruler has been heavily stressed in recent years by Chinese regime media and Chinese leader Xi Jinping as he tries to build up his absolute authority with the help of several of his senior advisors, known as The Gang of Fudan.

The gang is headed by Wang Huning, a member of the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) top decision-making body, the Politburo Standing Committee. Wang is a former professor and dean of the law school at Fudan University. Known in China as the state advisor for three dynasties, Wang has been the advisor for three generations of CCP heads including Jiang Zemin, Hu Jintao, and Xi.

As the first secretary of the central secretariat of the CCP, Wang is in charge of ideology and propaganda and has played an important role in shaping Xis strategies and policies.

Wang enrolled as a graduate student in the Department of International Politics at Fudan University in 1978 and later became a professor before he was promoted to the dean of the Department of International Politics in 1989 and Dean of Fudan University Law School in 1994.

From there he started his political career as the Head of the Political Team of the CCPs Central Policy Research Office in 1995 and climbed up the ranks fairly smoothly.

In 2017, Wang reached the pinnacle of his career when he was promoted to the Politburo Standing Committee. He invented the Three Represents for Jiang Zemin, the Scientific Outlook on Development for Hu Jintao, and the Socialist Thought on Chinese Characteristics in the New Era for Xi Jinping, which was written into the regimes constitution.

As the head of the regimes propaganda work, Wang depicted Xi as the only one to look up to for everything in China. However, Xis newly shaped philosophy of governance and diplomacyfrom the U.S.-China trade war to the dealings of the CCP virus pandemic, to wolf-warrior diplomacy, an aggressive, brazen attitude adopted by the regimes diplomatshas time and again made things worse for Xi.

Zhang Weiwei

Another important member of the Gang of Fudan is Zhang Weiwei, director of the China Institute of Fudan University.

On May 31, Xi presided over the Politburo of the CCP for a collective study. In China, the regime requires officials to gather for meetings to study Maos thoughts and now Xis thoughts. The study was on Strengthening Chinas International Communication Capacity and Zhang was invited to give a lecture to the Politburo Standing Committee, for which he was called a new teacher of the nation.

Although the details of Zhangs lecture have not been disclosed, the regimes most prominent mouthpiece, Xinhua, published a report the following day and said that Xi stressed the importance of telling the China story well, and strengthening Chinas international communication capabilities, while Zhang gave a lecture on these issues and made work suggestions. The comrades of the Central Politburo listened carefully to his lecture and discussed it.

On June 2, Zhang was interviewed in English by another regime mouthpiece, the Peoples Daily, and shared his insights on the misunderstanding and misperception of China in the West.

On the same day, a number of Chinese language media outlets posted an article titled Chinese Scholar Who Once Fought with CNN and BBC Is Invited to the Group Study Session of The Politburo Committee. The article portrays Zhang as a great fighter who once gave beautiful counterattacks when CNN and BCC reporters raised sharp questions against the regime.

Zhang holds quite a few glittering titles, such as a member of the Council of National High-End Think Tanks, Senior Researcher at Shanghai Chunqiu Institute of Development Strategy, etc.

He is also a well-known expert on disparaging the United States, whose representative statements include China is well-off, while 40 million people in the United States are living in poverty.

Zhang also authored a book, Chinas War against the Pandemic, in which he claimed that the pandemic was the catalyst for the worlds rapid tilt to the East, bringing the West down to its knees.

Zheng Ruolin

Another person who coined the wolf-warrior diplomacy theory for the CCP is Zheng Ruolin, a researcher at Fudan Universitys China Institute and a contributor to the party media Wen Wei Po.

On May 10, Zheng told Chinese language media, Observer, that wolf-warrior diplomacy is far from enough if China wanted to win the war on public opinion. He said media and academics should get involved and called on the Chinese media to assume the role of the main force in the war on public opinion against the West, and most importantly, to repeat, repeat, repeat.

A lie repeated a thousand times will really become the truth, he openly stated.

Zheng also suggested fully supporting international friends who speak for the CCP, such as buying the copyright of their books and introducing them to the world; we should give them some Chinese book awards and journalism awards; they should be invited to visit China; our universities should hire them as professors.

Shen Yi

Another member of the Gang of Fudan is Shen Yi, an associate professor in the Department of International Politics at Fudan University. He is very popular among the little pinks in China because of his outlandish comments on nationalist positions.

Little pink refers to a group of blindly patriotic young Chinese nationals who have been brainwashed by the CCP and cannot differentiate China from the CCP.

On May 1, the official social media account of the CCPs Political and Legal Affairs Commission released a post titled China lighting a fire vs. India lighting a fire, which contrasted a picture of China launching a rocket with an image of Indians cremating bodies of those who died of the CCP virus pandemic.

Shen immediately took to social media to applaud the picture, saying it was a normal response to Indias sultry cheapskate ways.

Tang Qing, a columnist for The Epoch Times, said the Gang of Fudan has stirred up nationalism and superficially hailed Xi. But has also botched Sino-U.S. relations and actually pushed Xi into a predicament not seen in a century.

Shi Shan, a U.S.-based commentator on China issues, told The Epoch Times that Shanghai, where Fudan University is located, is the home of former CCP leader Jiang Zemin and his son Jiang Mianheng, who have had close ties with Fudan University.

According to Shi, Wang was directly promoted by Jiang Zemin. However, after many members of Jiangs faction were purged by Xi, the internal power struggle between Jiang and Xi have become more intense. Wang, the core figure of the Gang of Fudan placed at Xis side by Jiang, is now in a precarious situation.

Guggy Dong, a Chinese scholar who once also studied at the School of Management of Fudan University, told The Epoch Times that as the state advisor for three dynasties, Wang actually played different roles in all three, He was Jiang Zemins helper, he monitored Hu Jintao, and now, he is destroying Xi Jinping.

Shawn Lin Shawn Lin is a Chinese expatriate living in New Zealand. He has contributed to The Epoch Times since 2009, with a focus on China-related topics.
A man holds up a sign against Critical Race Theory during a protest outside a Washoe County School District board meeting in Reno, Nev., on May 25, 2021. (Andy Barron/Reno Gazette-Journal via AP)

The Scramble to Defend Critical Race Theory

Commentary

Currently, at least 22 states have legislation pending that would forbid the teaching of critical race theory (CRT) in K-12 public schools. Six statesArizona, Idaho, Iowa, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texashave turned those bills into law. Thatplus a grassroots uprising of parents against indoctrinating youngsters with the idea that systemic racism is baked into all American institutionshas caused panic among the progressive academics and their media allies for whom CRT seemed to be the next big pedagogical thing.

Only yesterdaytwo years ago in August 2019, to be exactthe 1619 Project, a Pulitzer Prize-winning brainchild of the New York Times holding that Americas true founding occurred when a slave ship landed in Virginia during the early 17th century, was being incorporated into high-school curricula in major cities such as Chicago and Washington, D.C.

Nowwell, the same academics and journalists are scrambling to come up with rationalizations for why CRT should continue to be taught at all in the face of extraordinary popular opposition. The rationalizations are across the board: every argument from no, its not really critical race theory to its good for young people to learn CRT to a combination of both of the above. Ive collected a list of those hasty arguments made just over the past week or so in various media outlets.

Critical race theory is just a right-wing bogeyman thats not even being taught.

Critical race theory does not exist as a course or curriculum in K-12 education, declared Harvey J. Graff, an emeritus professor of English and history at Ohio State University, in an Aug. 2 op-ed for the website Inside Higher Education.

It is also a very advanced curriculum that requires a mastery of complex social concepts, which is why it is typically found in university environments.  I know of no high school district in the country that is adopting CRT as its official social studies curriculum, J. Kevin McCarthy, a social-studies teacher in Palm Springs, wrote for the Desert Sun on Aug. 1.

McCarthy said the fight against CRT was a new version of the war on Christmas waged by secularist liberals thats supposedly a conservative obsession.

Teaching critical race theory is simply teaching history, and its opponents want to prevent children from learning history.

Thats the stance of teachers interviewed in an Aug. 3 story in the Texas Tribune about Texass new anti-CRT law, which goes into effect in September. The law doesnt bar teaching about such historical wrongs as slavery, Jim Crow laws, or lynchings, but the teachers told the Tribune that they will now hesitate to challenge todays dominant historical narrative, which is essentially white peoples perspectives.

Its terrifying to me to think that there could potentially be a generation of young people that will grow up not knowing anything about the real history of our nation, James Gaillard, a Democratic assemblyman in North Carolina, which is debating an anti-CRT bill, told the Daily Tar Heel, the University of North Carolinas student newspaper, in a July 23 story.

Erika Wilson, a law professor at UNC, said that CRT opponents are using the theory as a dog whistle to ban the teaching of historical facts that they find offensive.

Opponents of CRT are hysterical right-wing crazies stirred up by the right-wing media and shouldnt be listened to.

Please do more reading and thinking on critical race theory and see if the Tucker Carlson version really seems like the truth, South Dakota Public Radio contributor Kevin Woster begged the states Republican Gov. Kristi Noem in an Aug. 2 opinion piece. Noem has signed an executive order barring the states education department from seeking federal grants related to CRT before the end of the South Dakota legislatures 2022 session. Please listen to the 1619 podcast by the New York Times, Woster continued. Its a powerful example of seeking historical truth. He warned Noem that she was veering dangerously close to Marjorie Taylor Greene and Mike Lindell territory.

In his Inside Higher Education op-ed, Ohio States Harvey Graff added Christopher Rufo, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and a leading anti-CRT activist, to the list of villains supposedly responsible for stirring up hysteria among parents and legislatures. [T]his well-funded, coordinated national campaign fuels grievances, provides sample legislation that is copied by right-wing state and federal legislators, supplies guidance on how to disrupt local school board meetings, and offers instructions on how to run for election to boards of education, Graff wrote. It joins the movements to suppress voting rights, free speech, womens and LGBTQ rights, and racial equitymovements that together represent the greatest assault on American democracy in my lifetime.

Theres obviously something contradictory about these arguments: denying that critical race theory actually exists as subject matter in the nations public schools, while at the same time asserting that children will be inadequately educated in history if they fail to be taught it. Dismissing CRT opponents as fringe crazies while fighting on every front a tide of legislation that actually signals broad public support. The greatest assault on American democracy in my lifetime? Thats a voice of desperation. Its also a sign of a healthy belief among Americans that systemic racism isnt all that their country is about.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Time to Overturn Roe v. Wade

Commentary

In May, the Supreme Court put abortion on the docket for its upcoming session by agreeing to hear Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization.

The high courts decision to hear this case registered on the seismometer of every American that carefully follows the abortion issue. It means that Roe v. Wade, which has defined abortion reality in the country since 1973, is open to review and could be overturned.

The Mississippi law in question, which bans abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, was struck down by an appeals court in 2019. The state then appealed to the Supreme Court.

Last week, Mississippis attorney general submitted its brief to the Supreme Court.

A central point of contention will be the issue of viability. Viabilitythe point at which the unborn child can survive outside of the wombhas been the legal criterion for drawing the line beyond which a womans alleged right to destroy the child within her is no longer assumed.

Given that viability is assumed to occur at 24 weeks, the 15-week provision of the Mississippi law upends this standard.

The Mississippi attorney general questions the relevance of the viability standard, challenging particularly that there is any basis for it in the Constitution.

But we must dig deep here, because were not just dealing with the question of viability of the unborn child. We are dealing with questions about the viability of our society and our country.

Can we really function as a society and as a nation while turning away from the most central issue that any society facesawe of the mystery of life?

There might indeed be a point in time when an unborn child can be removed from its mother and physically survive. But although there may be a point where that child might not need its mother to survive, it still needs others. Someone must take care of that child, meaning someone must care about that childs life. If not, that child will die.

So, the legal idea of viability that has been sustaining the Roe v. Wade world really has no meaning.

In 2014, the Vatican hosted an international colloquium on The Complementarity of Man and Woman.

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, the former chief rabbi of the UK, gave an address about marriage. He spoke of the idea of the love that brings new life into the world. Sacks observed that life begins when male and female meet and embrace.

It is hard to believe that in our nation today, when there is so much outrage about racism, many of those who see racism as a problem do not see indifference to the sanctity of life as a problem.

But if all life is not sacred, if every human being is not a unique creation in the image of God, what is wrong with being a racist?

Why would slavery be a problem if every human being is not a divine creation?

It is no accident that following the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, we have seen a collapse of the American family and now the general collapse of birth itself.

The Wall Street Journal reported last week: In half of all states last year, more people died than were born, up from five states in 2019. Early estimates show the total U.S. population grew 0.35 percent for the year ended July 1, 2020, the lowest ever documented, and growth is expected to remain near flat this year.

A society without family and children, with increasing drug overdoses and suicides, with reports of far too great a frequency of individuals pointlessly murdering people they dont know, is a society whose soul is in bad shape.

Restoring sanctity of life in the womb is a good place to start turning things around.

My prayer is that the U.S. Supreme Court will agree.

Star Parker is the founder and president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education (CURE) and host of the new weekly news talk show Cure America with Star Parker.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Maricopa County ballots cast in the 2020 general election are examined and recounted by contractors working for Florida-based company, Cyber Ninjas, at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix, Ariz., on May 6, 2021. (Matt York/AP Photo)

Top Arizona Lawmaker Asks State AG to Investigate Maricopa County Over Subpoena Resistance

A top Republican senator in Arizona is asking the states attorney general to probe Maricopa County officials over their refusal to fully comply with election audit subpoenas deemed lawful by a judge.

Arizona Senate Majority Whip Sonny Borrelli submitted a formal request on Aug. 3 to Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich, a fellow Republican, to probe the countys Board of Supervisors for the failure to comply.

The supervisors are acting as if they are above the law, and it is an insult to the citizens of our state, Borrelli said in a statement.

The request, made public by Arizona Sen. Wendy Rogers, shows that Borrelli is accusing the county of breaking state law governing compliance with subpoenas issued by the state legislature.

The request was made under Arizona Senate Bill 1487, passed in 2016. It says that the attorney general shall investigate any action taken by a governing body of a county, city, or town that is alleged by one or more members of the legislature to have violated state law or the states Constitution.

The attorney general is directed to make a written report of his findings within 30 days of receiving a request.

If Brnovich finds a violation, the county must rectify the violation within 30 days of the finding, or face a loss of funding.

Maricopa Countys board, which oversees elections, late last year refused to comply with subpoenas issued by the state Senate that requested ballots, tabulators, and other election-related materials and items to conduct an audit of the 2020 election.

Supervisors claimed the subpoenas were overbroad and an overreach of state authority, but a judge ruled in February that the subpoenas were legal and enforceable.

Supervisors opted to provide much of the requested items and data, but withheld routers and router images, claiming that providing either would present a security risk.

Arizona Senate President Karen Fann and another top Republican last month issued fresh subpoenas, asking for the withheld items along with ballot envelopes, voter records, and keys to access voting machines at an administrative level.

Maricopa Countys board and Dominion Voting Systems responded on Aug. 2. The board said the countys recorder, Stephen Richer, would produce some of the requested items, but refused to provide the routers. Dominion said it wouldnt hand over any information.

The Board has real work to do and little time to entertain this adventure in never-never land, Jack Sellers, chairman of the board, wrote in a formal letter to Arizona senators.

Please finish whatever it is you are doing and release whatever it is you are going to release.

That open defiance rankled some Republicans, such as Borrelli, who is now asking Brnovich to probe the supervisors.

Enough is enough! The level of disrespect and contempt from the supervisors toward Senate leadership and Arizona voters is appalling, he said. I respectfully announce the Attorney General investigate this clear violation of the law. Arizonans expect no less.

The 1487 request to the Arizona Attorney General has been filed against the Maricopa Board of Supervisors by @SonnyBorrelli on behalf of the Arizona Senate. I support this and hope the @GeneralBrnovich lays the smack down. Throw the book at them! pic.twitter.com/vJkfoTvozp  Wendy Rogers (@WendyRogersAZ) August 3, 2021

Brnovichs spokespersons didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Maricopa Countys board declined to comment.

Fann said in a statement late on Aug. 2 that the state Senate was poised to acquire copies of ballot envelopes and voter registration data from Richer, the Republican recorder who has repeatedly denigrated senators, auditors, and the audit on his Twitter account.

That is progress, and the final audit report will be better because of it, she wrote.

Fann accused the county of stonewalling on a request for information into a server breach that took place around the election and said that senators were weighing options for getting access to the routers and election machine passwords.

It is unfortunate the noncompliance by the County and Dominion continues to delay the results and breeds distrust, she wrote.

The Arizona Senate could vote to hold Maricopa Countys board in contempt for refusing to fully comply with the subpoenas, but Republican Sen. Paul Boyer blocked such a vote in February, saying he wanted more time for the parties to negotiate.

Boyer has more recently turned against the audit, along with fellow Republican Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita. Republicans control the state Senate with a slim 1614 majority, meaning opposition from even one GOP member would lead to a failed vote. Democrats in the chamber unilaterally oppose the audit, which began in mid-April.

Auditors completed a third ballot count last week, and are now finalizing other work and preparing a draft report to send to Fann and others. After a review, they plan to release it to the public.
Former President Donald Trump prepares to speak at a conference in Phoenix on July 24, 2021. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Trump Asks Court to Block Release of Tax Returns to Congress

Former President Donald Trump asked a court on Aug. 4 not to allow Congress to obtain his tax records, arguing that the Department of Justice shouldnt have reversed itself on the matter last week.

The departments Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) said in a memorandum last week that tax officials must hand over the records to a congressional panel because the panels demand for the documents serves a legitimate legislative purpose.

That was a shift from 2019, when the department backed Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin after he declined to give the returns to Congress, asserting that the attempt by the House Ways and Means Committee was partisan and lacked a legitimate legislative purpose.

Trumps lawyers noted that Rep. Richard Neal (D-Mass.), the chairman of the panel, has previously said that he wanted the tax returns made public and that other Democrats have suggested that the returns could contain damaging information, including some sort of connection to Russia.

The new OLC opinion does not deny the record of impermissible intent, but instead gives wobbly justifications and shallow reasoning for why the executive branch should ignore that evidence, they wrote in the new filing.

The governments complete reversal on the legality of Chairman Neals requests came, of course, under President [Joe] Biden, a Democrat who ran against President Trump and made the disclosure of President Trumps tax returns a campaign issue.

Trump is asserting violations of federal law and the Constitution, including the First Amendment.

Neal said in 2019 that he wanted six years of Trumps returns to ascertain whether the Internal Revenue Service properly enforces federal tax laws against sitting presidents.

The recent reversal by the Department of Justice shows that the law is on our side, Neal said in a recent statement.

Trumps attorneys said Neals requests are pretextual, citing the earlier ruling by the department.

No one could reasonably believe that the Committee seeks six years of President Trumps tax returns because of a newly discovered interest in legislating on the presidential audit process, the agencys legal office said at the time.

The court should declare Neals requests unlawful and unenforceable and block enforcement of them, the new filing states.

Some of Trumps tax records were given over to the Manhattan district attorneys office in New York earlier this year, after the Supreme Court declined to intervene. Those records havent been made public.
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)

Carey, Brown Win in Ohio Special Election Primaries

Candidates backed by former President Donald Trump and House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) appear to be headed to Congress after winning primaries in special elections for two vacant House seats representing Ohio.

Mike Carey, a former coal executive, easily toppled a crowded field, taking more than 18,600 votes, according to a preliminary vote count late on Aug. 3.

State Rep. Jeff LaRe, backed by former Rep. Steve Stivers (R-Ohio), who vacated the seat earlier this year, was in second but had managed only 6,724 votes.

Carey won the Republican primary, but is expected to win the general election for the seat, which represents the 15th Congressional District.

Great Republican win for Mike Carey. Big numbers! Thank you to Ohio and all of our wonderful American patriots. Congratulations to Mike and his family. He will never let you down! Trump said in a statement.

Carey said that Republican voters sent a clear message to the nation that President Donald J. Trump is, without a doubt, the leader of our party.

I could not be more grateful for his support, and I am proud to deliver this win to advance his America First agenda, he said.

In the Democrat primary for the other vacant congressional seat, Shontel Brown topped former state Sen. Nina Turner.

Democrat Shontel Brown is seen in an undated file photograph. (Shontel Brown for Congress via AP)

Brown, chair of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party, was backed by Clyburn, while Turner had received support from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

The preliminary count showed a close race: Brown had 37,666 votes to Turners 33,420.

No other candidate received more than 1,400 votes.

The primary was for an election to fill a seat left vacant when former Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) left to join President Joe Bidens administration.

Brown thanked voters, volunteers, and donors.

Lets get to work! she said late on Aug. 3.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) also weighed in on the apparent win.

In Shontel Brown, a proud daughter of Cleveland, voters from the 11th Congressional District of Ohio elected a strong advocate for working families and a fervent voice for strengthened civil rights in America, Pelosi said in a statement.

Shontels strong experience in local government will be essential to our Caucus as we fight to Build Back Better from the pandemic. House Democrats and I congratulate Shontel Brown on a hard-fought victory and look forward to working with her come November.
A logo of China Evergrande Group is displayed at a news conference on the property developer's annual results in Hong Kong, China March 28, 2017. (Bobby Yip/File Photo/Reuters)

Two More Suppliers Say Payments Are Overdue From Indebted Evergrande

HONG KONGAdvertising firm Leo Group said it is applying to a Chinese court to freeze $356 million yuan ($55.06 million) in assets of Evergrande Group for overdue payments, the latest supplier to sue the indebted property developer.

Leos lawsuit disclosed in a securities filing late on Monday comes after Huaibei Mining Holdings said last week its construction unit is suing Evergrande over an overdue $400 million yuan in fees.

And Langfang Development said last week a court has ordered Evergrandes shares in the company be frozen for three years following a ruling on a lawsuit between Evergrande and an investment company.

Worries over the financial health of Chinas No.2 developer intensified after it said in June it did not pay some commercial paper on time, and on news last month that a court froze a $20 million bank deposit held by the developer on the request of Guangfa Bank.

Separately, Lets Holding, a construction R&D company, said in a securities filing at the weekend it does not rule out taking legal means to resolve Evergrandes overdue commercial paper of $33 million yuan.

Evergrande did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the filings by Leo Group and Lets Holding.

Rating agency Moodys downgraded Evergrandes corporate family rating (CFR) by two notches on Monday to Caa1 from B2, and the senior unsecured ratings to Caa2 from B3, following similar action from S&P and Fitch earlier.

The downgrades reflect the firms heightened refinancing risk over the coming 1218 months given its weakened funding access and liquidity position, Moodys said.

Shares of Evergrande dropped as much as 4.9 percent on Tuesday morning in Hong Kong, versus a 1.1 percent decline in the broader market.

($1 = 6.4655 Chinese yuan renminbi)
Prime Minister Boris Johnson watches First Responder Caroline Cook getting her vaccination as he visits a vaccination centre at Ashton Stadium in Bristol, England, on Jan. 11, 2021. (Eddie Mulholland/WPA Pool/Getty Images)

UK Firms Warned of Legal Risks If They Adopt Jabs for Jobs Policy

British businesses requiring their employees to receive COVID-19 vaccines will face potential legal actions over discrimination, the co-chairman of the UK governments flexible working taskforce has warned.

Peter Cheese, who also serves as chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), said he would strongly caution companies against adopting a jabs for jobs principle or policy.

He said the policy is fraught with lots of potential discrimination and legal issues and is therefore on shaky legal ground.

There are valid reasons why people may not want to take a vaccination and employers have to understand and accept that, he told The Telegraph.

Some of this will get tested in courts of law because its a relatively new phenomenon. Thats the risk companies are facing.

Last week, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), the UKs equalities watchdog, urged businesses to be proportionate and non-discriminatory when considering adopting vaccine mandates for their staff.

Employers are right to want to protect their staff and their customers, particularly in contexts where people are at risk, such as care homes, said an EHRC spokesman.

However, requirements must be proportionate, non-discriminatory, and make provision for those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.

The UK Parliament approved legislation in July to introduce compulsory CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus vaccinations for care home staff in England.

From the autumn, anyone working in a Care Quality Commission-registered care home in England must have two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine unless they have a medical exemption.

Some British businesses have adopted similar policies. Pimlico Plumbers said in June that it will enforce a no jab, no job recruitment policy.

Some government ministers have been openly sympathetic to such actions. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said on July 29 that he thought it was smart policy for companies to insist on vaccinations.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said on July 30 that its a good idea for people to be double jabbed before returning to the office, but he said the government will not legislate on the matter.

But Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said he didnt support a jabs for jobs policy.

He said he could see a case for vaccine passports for international travel and mass events, but didnt agree with its use for day-to-day access to workplace, health services, or restaurants.

In response to media queries, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) said it welcomes firms efforts to encourage vaccine take-up among their staff members, and will need to consider legal implications.

While we would welcome employers encouraging their staff to be vaccinated, employers who propose to check the vaccination status of staff will need to consider how this fits with their legal obligations under employment, equalities, data protection, and health and safety law, a government spokesperson said on July 30 in a statement emailed to NTD, sister media outlet of The Epoch Times.

PA contributed to this report.
A member of staff poses with a vial of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination centre in Cardiff, Wales, on Dec. 8, 2020. (Justin Tallis/Pool/Getty Images)

UK Offers 16 to 17 Year Olds One Dose of Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine

The NHS has been asked to prepare to vaccinate 16 to 17 year olds as soon as possible, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said on Wednesday.

It comes after the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) published its recommendation to offer one dose of Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to everyone in the age group.

Official data from early July indicated that about 40 percent of students in England had antibodies. Public Health England said the one dose of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine should act as a booster to their immunity.

The JCVI said it will update its recommendation before the second doses are due at approximately 12 weeks after the first dose.

The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is currently the only CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus vaccine that is authorised for use on children over 12 years old.

The JCVI has previously recommended offering two doses of the vaccines to children over 12 years old who are at higher risks of getting severe symptoms from COVID-19 and who live with an immunosuppressed person.

In a statement published on Wednesday, JCVI said that it considers the potential benefits of getting the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine continue[s] to outweigh potential harms for adults.

But when it comes to healthy children, there is more uncertainty in the precision of the harm-benefit balance when considering the impacts on children and young people themselves, the JCVI said, adding that older children are more likely to benefit from vaccination than younger children.

On July 19, the JCVI has said it held the view that the minimal health benefits of offering universal COVID-19 vaccination to children do not outweigh the potential risks at the time, but would keep new data under review.

It said on Wednesday that the UK Chief Medical Officers had asked it to accelerate its planned review in view of the progress in offering COVID-19 vaccination to all adults and recent changes to the epidemiology of COVID-19 in the UK.

The JCVI said its advice is based on the main focus that the decision should benefit children and young people themselves rather than indirectly benefiting others, and with the understanding that the UK public values the safety of the vaccines more than their potential benefits.

In consideration of the safety of the vaccine, the JCVI said the adverse reactions after vaccination in the 12 to 17 age group are generally mild, self-limiting, and short-lived, typically lasting 1 to 2 days.

As for the reports of myocarditis [inflammation of the heart muscle] and pericarditis [inflammation of the membrane around the heart] after receiving Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, the JCVI cited U.S. official data on adults, suggesting these reactions are extremely rare, occur more frequently shortly after the second dose, and are of a milder phenotype with most people recovering quickly. The cause of these adverse reactions is currently unknown, and medium and long-term safety data of the vaccines are not currently available.

According to official data, fewer than 30 children have died because of COVID-19 in the UK as of March this year, corresponding to a mortality rate of two deaths per million.

The JCVI said that current clinical data suggests Pfizer/BioNTech is 100 percent efficient against COVID-19, but the trial was too small to assess the efficacy against severe COVID-19 in 12 to 15 year olds.

Among the 449 cases of Paediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome following COVID-19 infection between March and July 2020, 44 percent were in intensive care and 1.1 percent died. The JCVI said the epidemiology and underlying cause of the syndrome are largely unknown, and there is no real-world estimate of vaccine effectiveness.

The JCVI also took into consideration the mental health and education impacts of COVID-19 on children and young people, which are mostly caused by government intervention methods to control the spread of the virus.

The extent to which vaccination may mitigate the mental health and educational impacts of COVID-19 on children and young people is difficult to quantify, the JCVI said.

Two models on what impact vaccinating children and young people could have on hospitalisations and deaths in older adults were also considered, but the JCVI concluded that such benefits are highly uncertain.

The JCVI also considered the disruption a school-based vaccination programme could bring to education, but alternative treatments or prevention against COVID-19 were not mentioned in the statement.
The U.S. flag flies over shipping cranes and containers in Long Beach, Calif., on March 4, 2019. (Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images)

US Company Executives Rate Home Country as Top Stakeholder: Survey

A global pandemic, supply chain shocks, and rising geopolitical tensions have elevated the importance of national security for business leaders. A new survey showed that company executives in the United States rate their home country as a top stakeholder, placing it above shareholders and customers.

The days when the companies fixated only on creating long-term value for shareholders seem to be coming to an end. Business leaders are shifting their focus to a stakeholder model from shareholder value, and for many multinational firms, the home country is now emerging as a powerful new dimension among stakeholders.

According to a new survey by global public relations firm Weber Shandwick, 58 percent of multinational company executives around the world say their home countries are very important stakeholders. And 56 percent of them rate national security as a very important factor when making crucial business decisions.

Home country is no longer an unspoken stakeholder, Michelle Giuda, executive vice president at Weber Shandwick, said in a report.

As corporate leaders reset their strategies for a new geopolitical and post-COVID era, they are considering how they deliver and communicate value to their home country stakeholder. Executives are saying corporate responsibility includes national responsibility, and leaders must plan accordingly.

The survey was conducted from Feb. 18 to April 5 among more than 1,200 CEOs and corporate presidents of leading large multinational firms based in 12 countries.

In a majority of the countries surveyed, executives placed home country among the top three very important stakeholders. Importance of the home country, however, was much higher in the United States and Canada.

American executives rated home country as the No. 1 stakeholder, followed by shareholders, customers, partners, and workers. Nearly 70 percent of U.S. executives believe the home country is a very important stakeholder.

In a majority of the countries surveyed, including Germany, Japan, and the UK, executives rated customers as the top stakeholder.

Consideration given by companies to their home countries national interests has grown over the past five years, according to the survey report. And 83 percent of firms around the world stated that national security or countrys economic interests should come before bottom line.

Companies should always put the interests of citizens and customers above profits and business interests, a U.S. executive of a telecommunications and technology company told Weber Shandwick.

The survey results reveal the souring sentiment against globalization, which has shaped the world economy over the past few decades. With the pandemic, the retreat from globalization has gained momentum, forcing governments and companies to refocus on national interest and economic security. Washington is now implementing policies to bring back manufacturing.

The rise of national security as a corporate stakeholder issue is not surprising, not least in the light of cyber attacks, trade wars, and great power tension, Michael OSullivan, author of the book The Levelling: Whats Next After Globalization, told The Epoch Times.

It also suggests that free trading globalization is behind us and that overseas investment and corporate partnerships will now have an extra geopolitical filter.

Ninety-seven percent of U.S. executives, according to the survey, said that aligning business decisions with American values is very or somewhat important. In recent months, pressure has mounted on U.S. brands to stand up for their values, especially when it comes to human rights abuses in China.

In addition, 87 percent of global executives said they feel the pressure to take a position on geopolitical issues, and 55 percent of them warned that their companys board of directors was not well prepared to deal with geopolitical risks.

This 21st-century contest for national economic sovereignty and supremacy has thrust business leaders into the geopolitical frontlines like never before, Giuda said.
President and CEO of Dominion Voting Systems John Poulos testifies during a hearing before the House Administration Committee on Capitol Hill on Jan. 9, 2020. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

US Judge Sanctions Lawyers Over Fantastical 2020 Election Lawsuit

A federal judge sanctioned two lawyers on Aug. 4 who represented clients claiming Dominion Voting Systems and other parties interfered with the 2020 election through a coordinated effort.

The case was thrown out in April due to a lack of standing. But defendants, including Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, filed motions for sanctions, arguing that the attorneys for the plaintiffs should have meaningfully investigated the allegations their clients put forth.

U.S. Magistrate Judge N. Reid Neureiter, an appointee of other judges, agreed.

The judge took issue with how the suit was filed in Colorado federal court but named officials from other states, including Pennsylvania and Michigan, asserting that even first-year law students would know that district courts cant exercise jurisdictions over out-of-state defendants in most cases.

Gary Fielder and Ernest Walker, the plaintiffs lawyers, eventually dismissed the out-of-state defendants.

When asked why it took motions to dismiss before Plaintiffs counsel researched the question of personal jurisdiction, and why the research had not been conducted prior to the filing of the lawsuit, Mr. Fielder had no rational answer, Neureiter said.

Filing a lawsuit against an out-of-state defendant with no plausible good faith justification for the assertion of personal jurisdiction or venue is sanctionable conduct.

Fielder and Walker didnt respond to requests for comment by press time.

The ruling came several weeks after the judge held a hearing on the motions for sanctions, filed by Wolf, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Facebook, the Center for Tech and Civil Life, Dominion, and former Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar.

In one court document filed last month, Walker suggested the jurisdiction matter wasnt clear-cut, arguing that the 10 plaintiffs from Michigan consented to filing the complaint in federal court in Colorado, in part because its the home state of Dominion.

Defendants, Ms. Whitmer and Ms. Benson, admitted to service, and submitted to the jurisdiction of this Court for purposes of filing their respective motions to dismiss and objections to the Plaintiffs motion to amend the complaint. Both could have waived any objection to personal jurisdiction, but instead objected and only entered in their official capacity, through the Office of the Michigan Attorney General. Because of that, counsel for the Plaintiffs could not establish with certainty that these Defendants were subject to Colorados long-arm statute, he wrote.

Now, instead of litigating the allegations, these Defendants simply declare that the 2020 Presidential election was fairly conducted in Michigan. Thus, these Defendants have chosen to avoid examination and scrutiny of the so-called most secure election in history at all costs. Integrity-minded voters want the truth. However, these Defendants just want everyone to be quiet and to sanction any attorney that dares to defend the rights of those damaged.

In his order, Neureiter noted that the lawyers said the lawsuit wasnt an attempt to challenge the presidential election results, but alleged that the effect of the allegations and relief sought would have sown doubt over the legitimacy of President Joe Bidens presidency and the voting systems in numerous states.

In short, this was no slip-and-fall at the local grocery store. Albeit disorganized and fantastical, the Complaints allegations are extraordinarily serious and, if accepted as true by large numbers of people, are the stuff of which violent insurrections are made, he said.

The attorneys were told to pay the defendants reasonable fees for preparing and arguing the motions to dismiss. The defendants were directed to submit detailed billing records for each lawyer as part of a process in figuring out the amount the plaintiffs attorneys would need to pay.
An armed U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agent stands watch at the border fence next to the beach in Tijuana, at the Border State Park in San Diego, Calif., on Nov. 16, 2018. (Mike Blake/File Photo/Reuters)

US to Outfit Border Agents With Body Cameras in Major Oversight Move

WASHINGTONThe United States will require thousands of border agents to wear body cameras, according to two officials and government documents, a major operational change that could increase oversight of agents and also help capture criminal activity.

The cameras are expected to be rolled out in parts of Texas and New Mexico during the summer and expanded to Arizona, California, Vermont, and Texass busy Rio Grande Valley in the fall and winter, according to a recent government assessment of how the devices could impact privacy.

Pro-illegal immigrant activists will likely welcome the increased oversight. But a union for border patrol agents also supports cameras, saying they could assist criminal investigations and help show that agents act professionally.

The American Civil Liberties Union and other groups have called on Border Patrol to use the cameras to improve accountability in the wake of several high-profile fatal shootings by law enforcement over the past decade.

Brandon Judd, president of the National Border Patrol Council, stressed that agents should have access to the footage, including when an agent is accused of wrongdoing.

Theres no way to erase the footage, theres no way to doctor the footage, so theres no reason the agents shouldnt have access, he said in an interview.

Border Patrols parent agency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), is the largest law enforcement agency in the United States, which presents a unique challenge for video footage collection and storage.

Recordings of illegal activity, use of force, or agent misconduct could be used as evidence in investigations or prosecutions, the privacy assessment said.

A section of border fence is pictured by the U.S.Mexico border in the Rio Grande Valley near Hidalgo, Texas, on Oct. 7, 2019. (Loren Elliott/File Photo/Reuters)

The cameras could offer new insight into the policing of the southern border, where migrant arrests have risen to 20-year highs in recent months and encounters sometimes take place in remote areas.

In cases where footage could be used as evidence in a criminal case, it could be retained for up to 75 years, according to the privacy assessment. Footage that does not have value as evidence would be destroyed within 180 days.

After a bipartisan group of lawmakers spearheaded efforts to secure funding for bodycams, CBP awarded a $13 million contract to Axon Enterprises in September 2020 to equip 3,800 Border Patrol agents with body cameras and to connect the cameras to a cloud-based storage system.

Axon declined to comment on the rollout. CBP did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

CBP conducted a small pilot of body cameras in 2015, but ultimately opted not to deploy them then.

An agency assessment at the time said the cameras would likely reduce the use of physical force on the job, but cited a number of reasons not to adopt the devices, including cost and agent morale.

Gil Kerlikowske, who was CBP commissioner at the time, said another consideration was that the cameras did not hold up particularly well in the field, where they could be knocked off in the brush or mucked up with dust and dirt.

Body cameras have become more commonplace since the 2015 effort. The U.S. Department of Justice said in June that its agents would be required to wear cameras when serving search and arrest warrants.

Kerlikowske said many law enforcement officers support the idea, too.

There are now police officers who wont go on the street without their body camera, he said. They want that video image.

By Ted Hesson
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus attends a press conference organized by the Geneva Association of United Nations Correspondents (ACANU) amid the COVID-19 outbreak, caused by the novel coronavirus, at the WHO headquarters in Geneva, on July 3, 2020. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images)

WHO Calls for Halt to COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots

The World Health Organization (WHO) Wednesday called for a moratorium on COVID-19 booster shots until the end of next month to address a shortfall in vaccines for poorer countries.

I understand the concern of all governments to protect their people from the Delta variant, but we cannot and should not accept countries that have already used most of the global supply of vaccines using even more of it while the worlds most vulnerable people remain unprotected, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a news conference on Wednesday.

As a result, he said, the organization wants a moratorium on boosters until the end of September at the very least to make sure that 10 percent of every countrys population has received a dose. More than 80 percent of the worlds vaccine supplies have gone to more wealthy countries for less than half the worlds population.

Previously, WHO officials have warned that richer countries desire to only produce vaccines for their own populations could be counterproductive because COVID-19, the illness caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, would still easily spread in poorer countries and then mutate into variants that could breach vaccine protection.

Some WHO officials, separately, have said there isnt enough evidence about the long-term effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, noting theyve only been used for a few months.

The call from the UN health agency comes as the UK and Germany both announced plans to provide the booster shots as soon as next month. Starting last week, Israelone of the most vaccinated countries in the worldis also offering a third shot of the Pfizer CCP virus vaccine for citizens aged 60 and older.

In Germany, the booster vaccinations will be done using mRNA-vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, regardless of what was used before, according to Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn in a comment on Tuesday.

Therefore, children and teenagers  can decide to get vaccinated after a medical consultation and thus protect themselves and others, Spahn said.

Pfizer announced in July that it and its vaccine partner, BioNTech, would seek clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to distribute a booster shot. In response, FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officials dismissed Pfizers calls and said Americans dont need the booster shot.

Americans who have been fully vaccinated do not need a booster shot at this time, said the CDC and FDA in a joint statement.

Pfizer claimed that a third dose of its mRNA vaccine is needed after data provided by the Israeli Ministry of Health suggested that it was effective at preventing infection and symptomatic COVID-19.

On Tuesday, President Joe Biden said the federal government has shipped over 110 million vaccine doses to 65 countries and will share its supply with the rest of the world after logistical issues are addressed.

In other countries, Thai and Indonesian authorities recently stated that theyd give health workers booster shots made in Europe or the United States after some health workers contracted the CCP virus after getting two doses of the Chinese-made Sinovac vaccine. The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain authorized Pfizer booster shots for individuals who received another Chinese-made vaccine, known as Sinopharm.
Woman Chose Life for Triplet Daughters 24 Years Ago Despite Doctors Advice to Abort

Despite the lack of support from her husband, the derision of her community, and the advice of her doctor to abort, an Indian woman chose life, bravely raising triplet daughters by herself.

My daughters are my strength, Auxiliary nurse-midwife Jasbeer Kaur, who currently resides in Rajasthans Ganganagar district in northern India, told The Epoch Times. I have no regrets, no burden on my heart. If I would have committed the sin [of abortion], I would have died just with the guilt.

Jasbeer Kaur with her triplets. (Courtesy of Sandeep Kaur)

Jasbeer got married in 1995, and it quickly transpired that her husband was an abusive alcoholic. A few months after the nuptials, Jasbeer became pregnant. Standing at 5-foot-2-inches tall, Jasbeer, then 26 years old, knew something was different about her pregnancy when she had grown extremely large within just the first three months. She thus decided to get an ultrasound done.

My sister was with me. My husband did not support me at all, she recalled. Jasbeer was told she was pregnant with three girls, in a practice of disclosing the sex of unborn babies to their parents which has since become illegal. On hearing the news, she was shocked, as she hadnt known anyone, back then, who had given birth to triplets.

At home, Jasbeer gleaned support from her mother, yet the words of her doctor were ringing in her ears: she should have an immediate abortion, to save her future finances, and also her marriage.

The doctor herself was a lady, and it surprised me that her thoughts were such, said Jasbeer. I was very angry in my heart. I thought this was such a huge sin  She said, It would just feel like a normal delivery, you will not have any problems.'

Contemplating the next step, Jasbeer reasoned that these were innocent little souls, who were not even born, who had not even seen the world, so how could we just discard them in the garbage?

When I used to work in the hospital, I used to watch how some people would abort their babies, Jasbeer said. How fully-formed babies would just come out and drop into the bucket.

During that period of time, a female child was also undesirable in Jasbeers community. No girl had been born in her husbands side of the family for the last three generations, and he was not prepared to support triplet daughters, nor his wife, if she refused to abort, thus asking her to leave.

However, Jasbeer was clear that she wouldnt be able to live a peaceful life if she made the decision to abort.

Thus the determined expectant mother left her house with the support of her faith and family.

Jasbeer Kaur chose life for her three daughters. (Courtesy of Sandeep Kaur)

Strangers, she said, would stare with derision at her growing frame. Yet her mother, brother, and sister-in-law reassured her that they would manage. Jasbeer suspects that God gave her courage of conviction.

Jasbeer said she asked God to make sure her daughters were born healthy. That is all I wanted, she recalled.

Beautiful babies Sandeep, Mandeep, and Pardeep were born on Dec. 3, 1996, in Punjab, a state in the northern part of India. Jasbeer took two daughters with her while she worked in Rajasthan to support her family. Meanwhile, the third child remained with Jasbeers mother in Amritsar, Punjab, joining them later when Jasbeer could cope.

Life was hard, and the challenges were many.

I had to continue with my nursing job and had to look after my home, Jasbeer said. My pay scale was very low. I had to educate my daughters, and I had no other support for educating my children in good, reputed schools.

Jasbeer Kaurs triplet daughters as children. (Courtesy of Sandeep Kaur)

Yet, relentless hard work and a mothers love worked wonders for Jasbeers growing girls, who share a striking resemblance. Today, they are 24 years old and thriving.

Sandeep is a makeup artist; Pardeep, after completing a hotel management qualification, works in a hotel. Following the footsteps of her mother, Mandeep works in the nursing field with an NGO called FRHS India and lives with her mother.

Jasbeer says that her daughters successes speak for themselves. Her community, she said, even speculates that the girls may not have fared so well if they were born in another home.

All the credit goes to my lion-hearted mother, who never imposed any restrictions on us, Sandeep told The Better India. She aced both the roles of a mother and father. She never, for once, let us feel that something was missing.

Sandeep, Mandeep, and Pardeep Kaur. (Courtesy of Sandeep Kaur)

After a decades-long career, Jasbeer is due to retire, but the immense respect she has earned as a midwife, woman, and mother will follow her into her next phase of life.

People respect them, she said of her daughters while speaking to The Epoch Times, and today, I am also so respected because of them. I feel, because of them, I am alive.

Dont kill your daughters, love them, educate them, raise them. Give them your love and receive their love back. They bring sunshine into your homes.

(Courtesy of Sandeep Kaur)

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
A historic run on Connecticut real estate could be at an end, after July sales sank 11 percent from boom-market totals of a year ago, when New York City owners and renters sought an exit during the COVID-19 pandemic.

About 5,200 homes statewide sold in July, according to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties, which did not record an increase in any one Connecticut county compared to a year ago. Home sales remain up 20 percent on the year with 30,200 units changing hands.

The pandemic gave many Connecticut homeowners an opportunity to cash out after years of listings in their neighborhoods failing to command pricing power. But the rapid escalation in prices squeezed out many buyers ready to move in the spring and summer of last year, only to see their offers fall short of competing bids.

Connecticuts median-priced home this year sold for $317,500, up 17.6 percent from the equivalent home sold in the first seven months of 2020.

Sales maintained momentum in pockets of Fairfield County, led by Greenwich where sales were up two-thirds from July 2020 to more than 160 units sold. It was a record total for any month according to Mark Pruner, a Berkshire Hathaway agent in Greenwich who tracks the market on his Greenwich Streets blog. Pruner said many buyers expect to have to go into the office on an intermittent basis only for the duration of the pandemic  and perhaps longer, with the rapid adoption of online conferencing.

What really drove things in 2020 was tiny apartments with people in them 24/7 in New York City ... with no backyard and no ability to get out, Pruner said. What really drove sales (this spring) was this whole work-life balance, which is a once-in-a-century change. ... The question is, how is that going to play out in the next couple of months? Have the people who wanted to move done so, or do we have a bigger wave coming?

The COVID-19 delta variant remains the wild card, with its rapid spread possibly nudging people off the fence who had felt initial confidence in the protection of available vaccines.

Stamford led the state with more than 200 units sold in July, up nearly 30 percent, with New Canaan seeing a 25 percent gain.

But with mammoth gains in sales the norm statewide for much of the past year, those municipalities are now the outliers. Only in Monroe and Darien did sales increase from July 2020, and only barely in the case of the latter town.

In Westport, where many lightning deals got done in the early days of the pandemic, sales were off 31 percent.

In its own monthly report, William Pitt Sothebys International Realty noted that Fairfield County sales were still 7 percent higher than in July 2019, with far more limited selection of houses for buyers to consider.

Sales were down slightly in Bridgeport, Danbury and Norwalk from July 2020. Most New Haven County towns saw sales flatten or decline, with the exception of the city of New Haven where transactions were up 17 percent from a year ago.

Paul Breunich, CEO of William Pitt Sothebys International Realty based in Stamford, said he believes there are still many buyers that have been waiting for listing prices to flatten or decline before taking up the search anew. He said Julys sales figures remain elevated in the context of summer months prior to 2020, indicating sustained interest in Connecticut real estate.

When inventory comes on, its being sold, Breunich said. The demand is still very strong  theres no question in my mind. Its not as strong as it was last July which is understandable, but its still at historical levels.

Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman
In addition to outdoor fun and great eating, summer is a time to kick back with a good book, podcast or video. Between seasonal activities, Marsha and I have managed to delve into some enjoyable distractions.

If you had an unfulfilled yen to go to France this summer, I can recommend a couple of books that may scratch that itch.

In The Seine, The River That Made Paris, Elaine Sciofino traces the route and the history of the river from the mountains in the north of Burgundy to the sea at Le Havre. The emphasis is on Paris with an inside look at the role of the river over time. The book includes the famous bridges that cross it and the lives of the people who live on and along it.

With vivid storytelling, this book is much more than a history and geography text. Its a revealing insiders understanding of the importance of the river to French culture and history. Food, central to French culture, doesnt get much coverage here, but Sciolino touches on its role.

She says at one point, Food is important (this is France after all) and describes the full-service kitchen that feeds the police River Brigade around the clock. Sciolino also manages to score an interview with chef Guy Savoy at his famous restaurant which happens to have a magnificent view of the river.

For a more lighthearted but very authentic literary vacation in France, get The Granite Coast Murders by Jean-Luc Bannalec. The book, well translated from French, follows Commissaire Georges Dupin on the Brittany Coast for a beach vacation hed rather not take. Fortunately, some crimes turn up that he investigates eagerly but discreetly since this is not his jurisdiction.

Equally fortunate, is the excellent restaurant at his hotel. By page six, the dinner menu and wine is described in enthusiastic detail. At the end of the first chapter the local food specialties are cataloged. Further on, Dupin and his companion enjoy another waterside dinner accompanied by two bottles of wine and two after dinner whiskies each. Trenchermen to be sure.

As Dupin investigates, Bannalec delivers an enticing picture of a small French resort town complete with hotels, a boulangerie, a gossipy newspaper store, and a very well-informed hairdresser. Dont worry too much about the crime. The pleasure here is in the daily life and routine of the town.

You might need to put down the book and run out to the Rive Bistro in Westport for a French food fix of steak frites and chicken dijonnaise.

For rainy afternoons or quiet evenings, tune into High on the Hog on Netflix. Based on the book of the same name by Jessica B. Harris, the four-part series explores the little-known world of Black cuisine and its impact on American culture.

Starting in Africa at the slave port of Benin, chef Stephen Satterfield tours the food markets with Harris. Yams and okra, building blocks of Southern cuisine, are staples here. The story moves on to the foodways of the Carolina coast, where rice was king and the coastal Gullah culture maintains an oral history of slavery and the culinary traditoins of that era.

Satterfield then explores the role of chefs and cooks in the slave households. Both Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, we now know, were fed by the notable enslaved chefs James Hemings and Hercules. Finally the story moves to Texas and the food history of black cowboys and barbecue.

A trip to Bobby Qs in Norwalk may be necessary to load up on hickory wood slow-smoked brisket or ribs.

Although Satterfield is not a particularly charismatic presenter, his thoughtful way of interviewing and discussing this little-known and difficult history seems just right. By the end of the series, the impact of African cooking and culture on American eating is unmistakable. Like all good food journalism, it makes you hungry.

On road trips this summer, weve tuned in to the podcast Books that Cook, Food and Fiction by Jennifer Cognard-Black. Its a new Audible exclusive from The Great Courses. Cognard-Black, a professor of English at St. Marys College in Maryland, discusses food in fiction, both contemporary and classic; cookbooks that tell stories though recipes; and novels where food and cooking are a main character. Her articulate insights across 10 episodes make the miles roll by.
At a time of hype and headlines about trillions the president wants to invest in infrastructure, a railroad man with a long memory oversees the Department of Transportation in Connecticut, a state thats been an unreliable steward of rail since the neglected New Haven Line was left to its care half a century ago.

Joseph J. Giulietti, recruited as DOT commissioner immediately after Gov. Ned Lamonts election in 2018, started on the New Haven Line in 1971 as a 19-year-old conductor for Penn Central, then a dying railroad about to cede ownership of the line to a state unready for the responsibility.

He was there when Penn Central gasped its last and yielded management of commuter rail to Conrail in 1976, and when Metro-North was born as a subsidiary of New Yorks Metropolitan Transportation Authority and took over in 1983. Giulietti left in 1998 for a rail job in Florida, returning in 2014 as Metro-Norths president.

Giulietti is 69 now, and the DOT is the last stop in a 50-year career that neatly coincides with passenger rails transition to a wholly governmental responsibility. The buzz in Washington is that Congress is poised to make its biggest investment in rail since it created Amtrak from the ruins of 20 private railroads in 1971.

Joe Biden became a regular Amtrak passenger two years later, a senator who would commute from Delaware to Washington for 36 years. The new House Appropriations chair is Rosa L. DeLauro of New Haven, an Amtrak regular since taking office 30 years ago. And Amtrak Joe is in the White House now.

If there was ever a time that the stars are starting to align, were seeing it, Giulietti said.

Behind the headlines are hard realities. The political coalition behind the infrastructure bill is fragile, and the $66 billion it offers for rail over five years is both historic and inadequate. A little more than half would go to the northeast corridor between Boston and Washington, the one region where Amtrak runs trains at a profit.

The Northeast Corridor Commission, whose members represent Amtrak, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the eight states and nine transit agencies on the corridor, recently released Connect NEC 2035, its vision for speeding rail. Dubbed C35, it is a $117 billion, 15-year plan.

Giulietti says he needs at least $8 billion for the portion in Connecticut, much of it for long-overdue work on the New Haven Line. His priorities, outlined in Time for CT, a plan released in June, align with C35s priorities, not surprising given that Giulietti is a voting member of the commission. C35, which breaks up the corridor into regions, calls for $9 billion for work on the section in Connecticut and Westchester County, N.Y.

The problem is we have so badly underinvested in the northeast rail corridor that there is $40 billion, at least, of what we call state-of-good-repair projects that we just need to do in order to make sure that the rail doesnt fall apart, projects we need to do just to maintain existing service, said U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn. And so, the bipartisan proposal doesnt even fund the state-of-good-repair projects. Now, thats devastating for us in Connecticut.

Tectonic changes

The story of the New Haven Line is the story of passenger rail.

It reflects tectonic changes in postwar American life and commerce, including the shift from rail to highways for the movement of freight and passengers. And it exposes a shared failing of capitalists and politicians  the tendency to sacrifice the future for immediate gains, on balance sheets or at the polls.

Metro-North is a case in point.

After building a reputation for good service, it began in 2013 to experience a string of accidents attributed to a mix of factors, including insufficient maintenance and a culture that came to value on-time performance over safety. Giulietti, who then was the executive director of the Tri-Rail system in South Florida, was asked to come back and trouble-shoot a railroad under a microscope from the Federal Rail Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.

Nobody wanted to touch Metro-North, nobody who had a career ahead of them, Giulietti said. Because the FRA had 75 officers on the property, and there were five NTSB investigations going on.

Giulietti stayed three years, winning good reviews for changing the culture of the railroad by resisting demands for quick improvements to service in favor of a longer-term push for first re-establishing safety and reliability. He retired in 2017.

Giulietti was a semi-retired consultant when Lamonts transition team targeted him as a priority hire. His predecessor, James P. Redeker, also had a background in transit, but Lamont wanted a fresh start.

I love the guy because he was the president of Metro-North, Lamont said. We didnt have a great relationship with New York. And I just figured two and a half years ago, if Im going to speed up rail from New Haven to New York, who better to take the lead on that than the guy who used to run Metro-North? Hes a great rail guy. Hes surrounded with really good guys.

Paul Mounds, the governors chief of staff, said the attraction to Giulietti was twofold: Giulietti had a reputation for fixing things and telling bosses and customers unpleasant truths; and his resume gave the new administration a certain gravitas on transportation.

A career rail guy

Giulietti was a student at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, his hometown, when he went to work on the railroad.

The college gig turned into a career pushing trains as a locomotive engineer, then rising through the ranks, mastering the arcane skills of scheduling trains, appreciating the limits imposed by track geometry, learning a little politics and recognizing why a simple mud puddle can foretell trouble.

Career rail guys inevitably are rail historians, students of disappointment and decay. To Giulietti, there is no mystery why the trip from New Haven to Grand Central Terminal takes longer today than in 1970, when Penn Central filed for bankruptcy protection. It is the consequence of disinvestment.

That was very deliberate, Giulietti said. Penn Central sucked out every dollar.

His assessment of Connecticuts stewardship of its rail lines is less quotable but nonetheless damning.

Connecticut has been slow to put those dollars back, moving at glacial speeds to modernize signalization, among other things. (Dont get him going about mud spots.) The culture and DNA of the DOT is dominated by men and women who design, build and maintain highways and roads, not public transit. And, unlike most other states, no significant transportation improvements come without borrowing.

I always felt bad for the people that were in the position Im in right now, because they didnt have the support to get the money to go into the maintenance that was necessary, Giulietti said.

Connecticut owns trains capable of reaching 100 mph, and the maximum authorized speed limit where the New Haven Line is in good repair is 90 mph. But the average authorized speed is 66 mph  with some spots restricted to 37 mph and, at least one, just 30 mph. In other words, for many commuters, its faster to drive.

When I came back as the president of Metro-North, I couldnt believe how many speed restrictions existed on this rail system, Giulietti said.

His Time for CT plan drew a scathing review from one prominent transportation writer, Alon Levy. Like C35, the improvements in the Time for CT, a plan would shorten the ride between New Haven and Grand Central by 25 minutes over the next 15 years. With new express service, some trips could be 10 minutes quicker next year.

Levy called it shelf art, a plan whose costs are high enough and the benefits low enough that its unlikely the report will lead to any actionable improvement. More than anything, Levy wrote, the needs outlined amount to indictment of DOTs poor maintenance practices.

Giulietti doesnt dispute the indictment of the DOTs maintenance history. But he is adamant that Time for CT, and the needs assessment on which it is based, are grounded in reality.

Theres no bullsh _ _ in that report, Giulietti said. Its very, very factual, detailed and laid out.

The B.S. reference may reflect sensitivity to criticism that the DOT and Northeast Corridor Commission set their sights too low. A non-governmental organization, North Atlantic Rail, seemed to emerge from nowhere after the New Year to goad transit planners to be more ambitious.

North Atlantic floated a $105 billion concept for 200-mph bullet trains from Boston to New York, high-speed service between Hartford and Providence and Springfield and Boston, and a tunnel under Long Island Sound. There is no rail right-of-way between Hartford and Providence, and the only rail between Springfield and Boston are owned by freight lines, not Amtrak.

Unlike the Northeast Corridor Commission, no one connected to North Atlantic owns or operates rail.

North Atlantic succeeded in getting language into a House infrastructure bill that could be useful in establishing it as a multi-state compact, but it was scaled back from a version that U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, said would have given it a federal charter with powers to override state transportation agencies.

Believe it or not, it actually would explicitly exclude the participation of state departments of transportation, just completely override all the existing checks and balances, Courtney said. The offending language was stripped, but the attempt was jarring.

Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin is North Atlantics biggest backer in Connecticut, and he notes that its early priorities closely align with C35. But he is unapologetic about the scope of the groups ambition, even if aspects prompt eye rolls.

Of course, during the Trump era, Infrastructure Week became a joke, but after Bidens election, it became clear that we might have a historic, once-in-a-generation opportunity to make transformative infrastructure investments, Bronin said.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said the delegation speaks with one voice about rail money: Giuliettis priority list is their list.

Murphy was blunter.

Listen, were not going to build a tunnel under Long Island Sound. I mean, I wish we could think that big, but I do not think that thats worth our time and energy, Murphy said. Its not feasible to build a tunnel under Long Island Sound or build a whole new rail line through eastern Connecticut.

Murphy called North Atlantic a distraction that the northeast cannot afford, an assessment Giulietti and senior staff find reassuring.

The importance of getting Amtrak and the eight states on the corridor to speak, more or less, with one voice to Congress cannot be understated in Giuliettis view. The point was underscored when he interrupted an interview to take a call from a counterpart in New Jersey, then ended it to keep an appointment with Connecticuts senior senator, Blumenthal.

Lamonts goal for the system when he took office was 30-30-30  30 minutes from Hartford to New Haven, 30 from New Haven to Stamford, and 30 from Stamford to Grand Central.

After 15 years of improvements, Time for CT would take 25 minutes off a New Haven-to-Grand Central ride that now takes nearly two hours on average. With new express service, some trips could be 10 minutes quicker next summer.

The mud spots

There is no backlog of shovel-ready projects, should the federal spigot start flowing, nor is the state necessarily ready to contribute whatever matching funds are required.

The first project in Time for CT would improve drainage and lessen curves, allowing higher speeds in the Bridgeport to Stratford area. Drainage is not as sexy as new cars, stations or bridges, but mud spots are the bane of railroads.

Mud spots are a misnomer, a railroads bland name for something dangerous. The recipe for temporarily transforming solid ground into an unstable slurry is simple: Add water, then vigorously vibrate  say, by running a heavy train over it 50 times a day.

The New Haven Line has 95 mud spots and 5,700 compromised concrete ties.

That first project is $250 million, said Richard W. Andreski, the chief of the state Bureau of Public Transportation. We have the funding to do the preliminary design. We dont have funding for the final design and construction.

So, Connecticut waits for news from Washington.

Giulietti knows that the governor, who spent his first year on a failed effort to return highway tolls to Connecticut, is eager to see improvement.

Hes always frustrated, because he wants it to go faster, and he wants it to go faster tomorrow, all right? Giulietti said.

Giulietti has his own frustrations. It takes him a year to hire an engineer under Connecticuts sclerotic hiring rules and the fondness of the Office of Policy and Management to keep jobs open and save money.

Connecticuts reliance on plain-vanilla financing  going to the bond market  limits what it can borrow. Wall Street demands a 2-1 ratio of revenue to debt service costs, a protection for bond buyers.

Nothing about rail is simple.

Any major improvements require coordination in design, financing and construction. In Connecticut, the New Haven Line is owned by the state and used by Metro-North and Amtrak. CTrail, which is part of DOT, offers passenger rail on tracks owned by Amtrak between New Haven and Springfield on the Hartford Line and between New London and New Haven on Shoreline East.

Who pays for it all

Using a formula set by federal law, Connecticut pays Amtrak for a share of the upkeep on the tracks used by CTrail, and Amtrak pays Connecticut for the use of the New Haven Line. When the accounting is done, the net is $4 million paid to Connecticut.

Europe and Japan have built and maintained modern rail systems, helped by consistent funding that eludes rail and other infrastructure in Connecticut and much of the U.S.

The state raised the wholesale fuel tax in 2005, but less than half the $1.84 billion revenues raised from that tax would be used for transportation through 2011, when Gov. Dannel P. Malloy took office and confronted a deficit equal to nearly 20% of general fund spending. He eventually increased capital funding for transportation, and Lamont took office in 2019 promising to build on that progress.

Lamont failed to win approval of highway tolls to stabilize the states shaky Special Transportation Fund, which uses fuel taxes and share of sales taxes to pay DOTs budget and debt service on transportation projects. An initial plan would have raised $740 million annually; a downsized revision, $320 million. He settled this year for a stopgap, a $90 million highway user fee on large trucks.

Im always amused that the Republicans in Washington claim they want to pay for the infrastructure bill with a user fee, and the Republicans in Connecticut said, Over my dead body. Essentially, the president and I have the same issue, Lamont said. Everybody supports infrastructure. Nobody really wants to pay for it.

In Connecticut, the state may own parking lots around Metro-North stations, but they often are controlled by the municipality through leases.

Its unlike the rest of the country, where you have that cooperation and multiple forms of revenue supporting a system, said Garrett Eucalitto, the deputy commissioner since January 2020. So, thats one way were not set up for success.

His expertise is transit-oriented development and infrastructure finance, and he was brought to the DOT to make changes.

Weve posted for a job or two that are going to bring in a different type of financing mindset, Eucalitto said. Were looking for a firm to come in and help us develop new policies and procedures, to evaluate projects for alternative financing and delivery, as well, to build that in-house expertise.

Giulietti said the governor and legislators would like to see the projects outlined in Time for CT finished long before 2035.

Can we go faster than whats in that plan? Giulietti said. If we had the money, we can do a hell of a lot faster.

He knows where to find the mud spots.
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.
Salida, CO (81201)

Today

A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Partly cloudy skies. Low 56F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Partly cloudy skies. Low 56F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph.
Elizabethtown, KY (42701)

Today

Partly cloudy skies during the evening giving way to a few showers after midnight. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies during the evening giving way to a few showers after midnight. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.
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18.5m people in Thailand have received COVID jab

BANGKOK: A total of 18.58 million people in Thailand had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine as of last night (Aug 3).

CoronavirusCOVID-19healthVaccine

By Bangkok Post

Wednesday 4 August 2021, 03:54PM

Acting British ambassador Mark Gooding with the container containing 415,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine, after its arrival at Suvarnabhumi airport last night (Aug 3). Photo: British Embassy

The COVID-19 information centre reported the figures today. It said 28% of the population had now been vaccinated, with 4.08mn of the 18.58mn having also received a second dose. Yesterday 379,271 people were inoculated, and 94,363 of them got their second dose. Also yesterday, 415,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine donated by the UK arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport about 9pm, the British embassy in Bangkok reported. Mark Gooding, the acting British ambassador, handed the vaccine shipment over to Dr Sophon Iamsirithaworn, deputy director-general of the Department of Disease Control, at the airport. The shipment is part of the 100 million vaccine doses the UK government has committed to donating to other countries by June next year.
190 drivers refused entry to Phuket on first day of island isolation

PHUKET: A total 190 drivers were refused entry to Phuket at the Phuket Check Point onto the island yesterday (Aug 3) on the first day of the island isolation from domestic arrivals from the mainland.

COVID-19Coronavirushealth

By The Phuket News

Wednesday 4 August 2021, 12:49PM

The list of medical facilities in Phang Nga that provide COVID tests and issue the required certificates. Image: PR Phuket (Click to enlarge.)

The news came from Phuket Provincial Police Deputy Commander Col Aganit Danpitaksat during a live broadcast from the Sandbox Emergency Operations Center (EOC) this morning (Aug 4).

For the first day of the enforcement of the new measures, we found that our people paid attention to our entry measures and realised the necessity of the disease control measures very well, Col Aganit said.

Yesterday, 743 vehicles and 670 people were allowed to enter Phuket, as they were all exemptions [sic, meaning allowed special permission to enter Phuket], he said.

Meanwhile, 190 arrivals were refused by officers at the checkpoint as they were not exemptions [to the requirements] and had no necessary reason to enter the island. They accepted being refused entry and returned to their provinces, Col Aganit said.

For our brothers and sisters working in the delivery transport industry, the Phuket Provincial Government and relevant officials recognise the problems you are facing and are discussing measures to help you under these restrictions, he said.

Among the entry requirements is that even those allowed to enter Phuket under special permission must be vaccinated and must present COVID test results issued within 72 hours of arriving confirming that the arrival is not infected with COVID-19.

To assist those arriving, Phuket officials yesterday posted a list of medical facilities in Phang Nga that provide COVID tests and issue the required documentation. The list included prices and contact details for each medical facility listed (see list in gallery above).

I would like to say that anyone attempting to come to Phuket at this time, please stay in your home province. For people in Phuket, please stay on the island, as other provinces also have their own entry requirements, he said.

The 190 refused entry to Phuket by road yesterday is less than half of the almost 400 people attempting to enter Phuket by road on July 20 being refused entry for failing to satisfy the revised entry requirements, which were announced just two days earlier.

Lack of clear information and short notice were identified as the main causes for confusion at that time.

This time, the announcement that all traffic at the checkpoint onto Phuket will be closed to all but essential traffic from Aug 3-16 came last Friday  four days before the new measures were brought into effect.

Entry requirements

The new requirements for entering the island were introduced via a provincial order issued by Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew last Thursday (July 29). The restrictions will remain in effect until at least Aug 16.

Under the order, the only persons and vehicles to be allowed onto the island during the period are as follows:

1) Medical ambulance emergency patient, lifeguard, rescue

2) Transport drugs, materials, medical supplies, medical chemicals

3) Transport consumer goods, agricultural products, livestock, animal feed

4) Transporting cooking gas fuel

5) Transport for banks, money, financial institution

6) Transport of parcels and publications

7) People who need to travel through international channels Phuket International Airport (must have a ticket of the travel date only)

8) Persons who have been ordered or have a written assignment from the agency to perform duties in the prevention and control of diseases in Phuket

9) People who have been ordered by government agencies to go or perform urgent missions in Phuket

10) Those who have an appointment according to the court proceedings prosecutor or the investigating officer which must have clear documentary evidence that if postponing the said appointment will seriously damage the consideration process or an appointment to register rights and juristic acts only in case of urgent need that cannot be avoided otherwise it will cause damage to the parties or greatly affect the economy.

11) Transport construction materials, machinery and spare parts used for maintenance. Only used in the implementation of projects to solve the flood problem. or projects of the state, state enterprises, other government agencies in solving problems of peoples troubles or in case of urgent need

12) Any other cases that have practical problems that need to be diagnosed and ordered The incident commander at the Phuket checkpoint shall have the authority to consider on a case by case basis.

Even then, the checkpoint onto Phuket will remain closed to all traffic except for emergencies from 11pm to 4am each night.

In order to be allowed into Phuket, all of the above exceptions still must be vaccinated against COVID-19 by having received two doses of the Sinovac or Sinopharm vaccine, or one injection of the Sinovac vaccine and one injection of the AstraZeneca vaccine, or at least one injection of the AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least 14 days before arriving.

Alternatively, arrivals must have been discharged from medical care for recovering from CVOID-19 no more than 90 days before arriving.

Also, in order to be allowed into Phuket, all arrivals must present results of an RT-PCR test or antigen test performed by a medical facility within 72 hours of arriving proving that they are not infected.

Additional reporting by Eakkapop Thongtub
Sandbox Express Bus to help tourists stranded in Phuket

PHUKET: A joint initiative by Phuket officials and the private sector has launched a Sandbox Express Bus service so that Sandbox tourists stuck in Phuket under the current shutdown of flights and buses can travel to other provinces.



By The Phuket News

Wednesday 4 August 2021, 06:05PM

Bangkok Airways has suspended its Phuket-Samui flights, but is still operating its Bangkok-Samui flights and launched a new Singapore-Samui service on Saturday (Aug 1).

Nok Air has requested permission to keep operating its flights from Phuket to U-Tapao, near Pattaya in Chon Buri.

Flights to and from Phuket have been cancelled en masse since the lockdown restrictions were ordered in Bangkok and other dark red maximum control provinces.

All interprovincial buses throughout the country have been suspended.

The project was explained this morning (Aug 4) by Nanthasiri Ronnasiri, Director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Phuket office, and Jaturong Kaewsaki, who took up the position as the new chief of the Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) just two days ago.

The Sandbox Express Bus initially travels only from Phuket to Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok, Ms Nanthasiri said.

From July 21, flights to and from the dark-red provinces [now 29 provinces designed as maximum control areas] are now suspended, but some Sandbox arrivals, either tourists or Thai people returning home, have plans to travel to other provinces after completing their 14-day stay in Phuket, she explained

Some Sandbox tourists have plans to travel to other provinces like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Hua Hin or Koh Samui, but they do not have any flights to go there. Additionally, some tourists also have return flights home departing from Suvarnabhumi airport, she added.

So the Phuket TAT, the Phuket Tourist Association and other private companies together created the bus service to help tourists traveling from Phuket to the airport [in Bangkok], she said.

Interested tourists can online register in our Google form [click here]. We use 40-seat buses but only allow about 20 passengers per trip. Some trips may have only 10 passengers, she added.

This is just a short-term solution to the problem, Ms Nonthasiri noted.

Tourists can also rent a car and drive to their destination by themselves. We have immigration officers standing by the Phuket Check Point to check their documents, she said.

We have also contacted Nok Air to have special flights from Phuket to U-Tapao [near Pattaya, in Chon Buri] from Aug 3 to 5, she said today.

Nok Air Phuket - U-Tapao Flight DD 789 will depart Phuket at 3:20pm tomorrow and land at U-Tapao at 4:40pm

Nok Air has requested permission to continue operating the once-a-day flight.

PLTO Chief Mr Jaturong explained today that the parties involved in launching the Sandbox Express Bus will meet later to come up with a solution for tourists who want to travel to other provinces.

If there is enough demand from tourists to travel [outside Phuket], we will need to arrange vehicles for them while flights are still suspended, he said.

First of all, we need to understand that the project must be done carefully because the CCSA [Centre for COVID Situation Administration in Bangkok] have classified 29 provinces as dark-red provinces. If we do not have strict measures or good communication with the other provincial governments, the tourists and drivers may have problems while travelling, Mr Jaturong said.

We will rush to find the best solution for tourists who need to go to the airport [in Bangkok] and those who want to go to other provinces. We will see what we can do, and we will see how transport operators can be a part of this under the current restrictions, he added.

We have to unite to get through this crisis together, Mr Jaturong said.

All interprovincial buses to and from Phuket were suspended last month as the chief of national service operator Transport Co Ltd (BorKorSor) ordered to extend temporary suspension of all bus services throughout the country from Aug 3 until further notice.

While some limited services continued to operate, following another announcement yesterday all interprovincial bus services have been suspended.

Flights to and from Phuket airport have been cancelled en masse after Bangkok was declared a dark red maximum control zone last month.

Of note, Bangkok Airways has suspended its Phuket flights to Koh Samui, which Sandbox tourists are allowed to travel to under the Samui Plus Sandbox scheme, but is maintaining its Bangkok-Samui flights and launched its Singapore-Samui flights on Saturday (Aug 1).
Search continues for man dragged out to sea at Freedom Beach

PHUKET: Officers and rescue teams today continued their search for a 21-year-old man who was dragged out to sea by a strong rip current at Freedom Beach, south of Patong, on Monday (Aug 2).

marineSafety

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Wednesday 4 August 2021, 06:29PM

A search team departs the beach this morning to scour the waters offshore. Photo: Patong Surf Life Saving

Akkarapol Pattranonwere, 21, originally from Surat Thani, was dragged away from the shore while he was swimming with his friend Thanakit Srisuwanwichian, also 21, who managed to make it back to the beach safely.

The search continued at Freedom Beach this morning (Aug 4), with Marine Police and personnel from the Third Naval Area Command as well as Kusoldharm rescue workers and Patong lifeguards all joining the efforts.

Teams of personnel on boats searched for Mr Akkarapol in the waters offshore, where conditions were still dominated by large waves and strong winds, while another search team scoured the rocky areas along the coast.

The search began on Monday after Mr Thanakit made it back to shore to raise the alarm.

The search teams have not indicated how long they will continue their search for Mr Akkarapol.
Southern Pines, NC (28387)

Today

Isolated thunderstorms early, then mostly cloudy overnight with heavy thunderstorms becoming likely. Low near 70F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near an inch..

Tonight

Isolated thunderstorms early, then mostly cloudy overnight with heavy thunderstorms becoming likely. Low near 70F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near an inch.
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Local area rates are for Randolph, Chambers, Clay and Cleburne counties in Alabama
FILE - In this Feb. 1, 2019, file photo, Bill and Melinda French Gates pose together in Kirkland, Wash. The divorce of Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates has been finalized. The Microsoft co-founder and his wife announced in May 2021 they were ending their 27-year marriage and on Monday, Aug. 2, a King County Superior Court judge signed the dissolution decree.
Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., speaks to crowds that attended a sit-in at Capitol Hill after it was announced that the Biden administration will enact a targeted nationwide eviction moratorium outside of Capitol Hill in Washington on Tuesday, August 3, 2021. For the past five days, lawmakers and activists primarily led by Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., have been sitting in on the steps of Capitol Hill to protest the expiration of the eviction moratorium.
Montgomery County officials opened a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Parkside Shopping Center, in the former Petco location, in Willow Grove.
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.
NEW YORK (AP)  Carnegie Hall will return from the coronavirus pandemic with a gala concert featuring the Philadelphia Orchestra on Oct. 6.

Carnegie has not had a performance since March 13, 2020.
Running a business or a government agency is difficult enough during the pandemic. Imagine being broadsided by a ransomware attack.

All at once, computer screens freeze. A cybergang pops up to explain the methodology for paying the ransom in cryptocurrency, and what happens if the requisite bitcoins never show up.

Encryption will entomb gigabytes of data. Social Security numbers, drivers license numbers, medical information and other personal data will get spilled out online for identity thieves and other criminals to devour. Businesses could go bankrupt, government operations could seize up.

Some companies and government bodies have succumbed to cyber thieves demands. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul opted not to pay. His office was hit on April 10 with a ransomware attack that, according to the hackers, amounted to a theft of about 200 gigabytes of data. The gang, which called itself DoppelPaymer, threatened to release the data, some of which contained personal identity information.

Paying ransom to cyber thieves is tantamount to throwing chum in the water. As more hacked entities capitulate, a growing number of hackers and criminal outfits will be dazzled by the ease of the crime and will want in on the action.

Defeating the scourge of ransomware, however, will require more than just saying no to payouts. Governments at every level, along with the corporate world, must waste no time beefing up their cybersecurity lines of defense.

Three months before the ransomware attack on Raouls team, Illinois Auditor General Frank Mautino released a report that put the attorney generals office on a list of agencies and universities hampered by cybersecurity weaknesses. Raouls office told Mautinos team it had created a new job in the office, security analyst, and stressed they were maintaining a highly secure computer environment.

Then the April 10 hack happened. The attack crippled much of the offices functionality, forcing it to do much of its work through telephone and mail.

Other victims in Illinois include the Rockford Public School District, LaSalle County government and Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville which paid a $472,000 ransom after the hack shut down the campus computer system.

Recent high-profile hacks, including attacks on a major East Coast fuel pipeline and Brazilian meat processor JBS SA  which supplies over a fifth of the beef in the U.S.  have reinforced the need for the Biden administration to treat ransomware as an urgent priority.

Companies and government bodies must take a hard look at their cybersecurity strategies and beef up what needs to be beefed up. That can include ramping up encryption of data, and mandating two-factor authentication for all computer system users.

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.
BROOKLYN  A police officer is dead following an early Wednesday morning incident on the McKinley Bridge.

At about 3 a.m. Wednesday, the Illinois State Police responded to a request from the Brooklyn Police Department to assist with an officer involved death. Preliminary reports indicated a Brooklyn Police officer was fatally struck by a red Dodge Charger involved in a pursuit originating in Brooklyn.

According to authorities, Brooklyn Police Officer Brian Pierce, 24, was struck by the Charger on the McKinley Bridge after he deployed stop sticks. Pierce died from his injuries.

Officer Pierce was a very fine young man. Very energetic, Brooklyn Police Capt. Antonio White told KMOV-TV. When he came to work, he put a smile on your face.

Hes an officer that youd love to have on your team, your unit; hes there all the time, White said. If he was off work hed show up. He just loved doing his job and this is what he loved to do as a police officer.

Police didnt offer details on what prompted the police chase, which began at a Brooklyn nightclub where officers were working to obtain video. The Charger, which had temporary tags, was later located Wednesday, abandoned, in Missouri.

At about 3:49 a.m. Wednesday state police, the Madison County Sheriffs Department and Brooklyn Police were on scene while the bridge was shut down for an investigation into the officers death. At that time a gray Kia Optima drove through the roadblock towards the crime scene at a high rate of speed, according to state police.

The Optima reportedly struck multiple police vehicles and nearly struck multiple officers. Preliminary reports indicate officers from the Madison County Sheriffs Department and Brooklyn Police fired shots into the vehicle and struck the driver.

The vehicle crashed into two state police vehicles assisting with the investigation.

All four occupants of the Optima were taken into custody, including the driver who was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The investigation continues into the incidents. State police said more information will be released as soon as it becomes available.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday issued a new moratorium on evictions that will last until Oct. 3.

The moratorium targets evictions in counties with substantial and high levels of COVID-19 transmissions and would cover areas where 90% of the U.S. population lives, per the AP.

The ban could help keep millions in their homes across the nation as the coronavirus's delta variant continues to spread and states have been slow to release federal rental aid. Illinois has multiple times issued federal rental aid and has a program set up for people to apply for those programs.

Multiple area counties are affected by this new ban on substantial and high transmission areas. That includes Madison County and all surrounding counties near the Metro East. Only six counties in Illinois are not affected by this new ban, with the closest being Henderson and Jasper counties.

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 also limits how housing authorities around Illinois are able to do their jobs.

"It meant that we could not conduct business as usual," said Andy Hightower, the executive director of the Madison County Housing Authority. "Our philosophy is that anyone can have a bad month, but to have three bad months in a row is a problem. It tied our hands when they put the moratorium in place."

Hightower estimated before the eviction ban was put back in place that there were about 150 potential evictions in the Madison County Housing Authority system. That same strain is also felt by the Alton Housing Authority, another housing authority in the area.

"We had a lot of people get behind on their rent," said AHA Executive Director Gregory Denton. "We helped them as much as we could, tried to work with them to make payment agreements, not everybody that didnt pay rent got laid off."

Per the AP, 3.6 million Americans are aided by the eviction moratorium. Even if the eviction moratorium is challenged in court, it could give extra time to states and cities to release billions of dollars in federal relief to renters.

Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., camped outside the U.S. Capitol for several days in protest of the eviction moratorium ending. On Monday, several other Democratic House members switched places with Bush.

The CDC, in issuing this new moratorium, cited the slow pace of state and local governments dispersing housing aid as justification.
To help ensure a safe return to in-person learning, the Illinois Department of Public Health announced on Wednesday that it is expanding free COVID-19 testing access to all K-12 public schools across Illinois outside of Chicago, which received its own federal funding.

Schools can choose to utilize the SHIELD Illinois saliva-based test developed by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, which is able to detect SARS-CoV-2 and its variants in symptomatic, pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals.

"In-person learning is a priority and we want to make sure students, teachers, and staff are able to return to the classroom as safely as possible, IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said in a statement. With the surge in COVID-19 cases and Delta variant, the sooner we know if someone has been infected, the quicker we can take action to prevent the spread of the virus to others. Not only is testing the best way to identify these cases, it can also help keep kids in school with a new Test-to-Stay protocol. We encourage all school districts to take advantage of this free resource."

Students and teachers who have been identified as a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case can, instead of quarantining, now participate in a Test-to-Stay protocol. Close contacts must be tested on days one, three, five and seven after exposure. As long as close contacts remain negative, they are not required to quarantine. Close contacts are only eligible for Test-to-Stay if their school requires universal indoor masking of all individuals (age 2 and older), regardless of vaccination status, and both the close contact and infected individual were wearing masks at the time of exposure.

The IDPH encourages all schools to implement weekly testing of their unvaccinated students and staff. Schools that implement weekly testing will be prioritized for Test-to-Stay and outbreak testing when required.

SHIELD Illinois tests were previously offered to schools in predominantly low-income communities that have experienced high rates of COVID-19 infection at no cost. Due to additional funding from the federal CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan, IDPH has expanded free testing to all K-12 schools outside of Chicago.

From the onset of the pandemic, the University of Illinois System has been committed to helping the state and its people navigate and safely emerge from this crisis, U of I System President Tim Killeen said. The decision by IDPH to provide our test-and-trace system at no cost to many thousands of K-12 students will allow a return to in-person learning and the kinds of educational opportunities for these young people that mean a better tomorrow for us all. We are grateful to state health officials for their leadership through this difficult time, and their ongoing partnership with the U of I System.
BERLIN (AP)  The mayors of three German towns badly hit by last month's deadly floods are appealing for more help from the state and federal governments, saying the disaster caused billions of euros (dollars) worth of damage.

Speaking at a news conference Wednesday, the mayors said they had written to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the governor of Rhineland-Palatinate state, Malu Dreyer. They said they were seeking further financial help and the appointment of a special commissioner to oversee the reconstruction in the Ahr Valley, where at least 138 people were killed.
PONTOON BEACH  Madison County Transit (MCT) will be making minor adjustments to three bus routes starting Aug. 15.

MCT is the primary means of transportation for many individuals and families in our county, said MCT Managing Director SJ Morrison. These adjustments will enhance the routes for commuters to popular job sites and make the service more convenient for our passengers.

The route changes include:

 No. 5 Tri-City Regional: Reroutes all trips in Brooklyn to travel on Illinois 3 until Washington. The No. 5 will then make a one-block loop in Brooklyn utilizing 3rd and Canal and then head back to Illinois 3.

 No. 20X Gateway Commerce Center Express: Morning service remains the same. Trips currently operating in late morning, early afternoon and late evening are being replaced with service during afternoon peak hours when there is greater demand.

 No. 24X Alton-Gateway Commerce Center Express: Extends all trips of the No. 24X to Lakeview Commerce Center on New Poag Road from Illinois 111.

MCT reminds passengers that masks are required while on MCT buses. For detailed schedule information visit www.mct.org, call 618-797-INFO (4636) or e-mail info@mct.org.
MULTAN, Pakistan (AP)  A Muslim mob stormed a Hindu temple in a remote town in Pakistans eastern Punjab province on Wednesday, damaging statues and burning down the temple's main door, police said.

The attack followed an alleged desecration of a madrassa, or religious school, by a Hindu boy earlier this week, the police added.

In general, Muslims and Hindus live peacefully in the predominantly Muslim Pakistan, but there have been attacks on Hindu temples in recent years. Most of Pakistans minority Hindus migrated to India in 1947 when India was divided by Britains government.

In Wednesday's assault, the mob briefly blocked a key road nearby after attacking the temple in the city of Bhong in Rahim Yar Khan district, police official Asif Raza said. He said the vandals were incited by a court ruling that granted bail to the 8-year-old Hindu boy in the alleged madrassa desecration.

The boy was earlier arrested on charges of intentionally urinating on a carpet in the madrassa's library that housed religious books.

The mob alleges the boy committed blasphemy, an act punishable by the death sentence in Pakistan. Mere accusations of blasphemy have incited mobs to violence and deadly attacks in the past.

Raza said Pakistani troops were called in to restrain the attackers and bring the mob under control but the temple had already been damaged by the time the soldiers showed up.

Ramesh Kumar, a Hindu community leader, later said in a video posting on Twitter that the situation has been brought under control. He said the initially slow response from the police had made the situation and the damages to the temple worse.
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
WOOD RIVER  Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday afternoon mandated masks for all schools, day cares and long term care facilities, public and private.

His mandate came one day after Madison County hospitals recorded 39 COVID-19 patients, the most ever for one day since the pandemic began in March 2020.

Of those patients, six were on ventilators, according to the Madison County Health Department.

Tuesday saw a return to triple-digit COVID-19 case totals in Madison County, with 115 new confirmed and probable cases reported by the MCHD. Twenty of those new cases were in Granite City, with Alton reporting 19, Edwardsville reporting 13 and Godfrey reporting 12.

More than half of the new cases were in patients younger than 40.

No additional deaths were reported Tuesday, leaving the total at 538. To date the county has recorded 32,561 cases and 365,968 tests.

The three-day positivity rate for Madison County was 11.15% on Tuesday, the third highest tally since January. The seven-day positivity rate for the county was 10.48% and the 10-day rate was 10.25%.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends people in areas with substantial or high COVID-19 spread wear a mask in public indoor settings, even if fully vaccinated.

On Wednesday afternoon, Pritzker announced universal masking at all day cares and pre-K through 12th grade schools regardless of vaccination status. The masking requirement extends to indoor but not outdoor activities and sports.

He also said all state employees must be vaccinated by Oct. 4 and that masks must be work in all long-term care facilities, both private and public.

Every time we think we know where this virus is headed, it changes and it shifts, Pritzker said. For example, unlike before, people 29 years old and younger accounted for 12 percent of hospitalizations. All across the nation, we are seeing young people with no underlying conditions now on ventilators.

I want to say specifically to young adults: Please do not think that the worst case scenario cant happen to you, he said. It can happen. It is happening. Get vaccinated.

In Illinois, 6.5 million people  51.2% of the population  are fully vaccinated while 73 percent of the population that is older than 12 years of age has received at least one dose of the vaccine.

Of the millions of fully vaccinated individuals, 714 have spent time in the hospital with COVID-19, according to the IDPH. Since January, 180 vaccinated individuals have died of COVID-19 symptoms, accounting for 2.58 percent of the COVID-19-related deaths this calendar year.

That number increased by 11 from the states reporting of the numbers last week. Thats about 0.01 percent of vaccinated individuals who have been hospitalized for the virus and 0.003 percent who have died of complications.

The Illinois Department of Public Health on Wednesday announced vaccination data for both residents and staff in long-term care facilities is now available on the IDPH website at http://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/long-term-care-facility-data.

The site includes an interactive map where users can view either the percentage of staff or percentage of residents who have been vaccinated. The site will also show weekly confirmed cases, total confirmed cases, weekly COVID-19 deaths, total COVID-19 deaths and vaccination rates.

The vaccine is the primary way to get to the other side of this pandemic, said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. We need to continue to reduce spread of the virus by wearing a mask and getting as many residents and staff vaccinated as soon as possible.

The overwhelming majority of cases, the hospitalizations, the deaths are among those who are not vaccinated, Ezike said. And the majority of transmission is also among the unvaccinated.

But the key is that we actually have the tools to turn the tide on the next wave, she said. And that next wave wants to threaten us if we dont avail ourselves of these tools.

Pritzker said there are two routes to enforcing the mask mandate: civil liability for schools not enforcing the mandate and the removal of recognition status by the Illinois State Board of Education.

As of Tuesday, 233,674 Madison County residents had received at least one COVID-19 vaccination. The county had 117,804 residents fully vaccinated, or 44.54%.

Other fully vaccinated county rates include Monroe County with 48.01%, Clinton County with 43.88%, St. Clair County with 42.64%, Jersey County with 41.73%, Macoupin County with 41.31%, Montgomery County with 39.46%, Bond County with 35.58%, Calhoun County with 33.51% and Greene County with 30.34%.

The MCHD has eight COVID-19 vaccination clinics planned at schools through Sept. 1, including one Thursday 3:30-7:30 p.m. at Alton High School. For details visit www.madisonchd.org. Walk-ins are accepted, but appointments are preferred. For assistance, call 618-692-8954, Ext. 2.

As of Tuesday night 1,165 people in Illinois were hospitalized for COVID-19, including 246 in intensive care unit beds and 94 on ventilators. The state reported another 18 deaths on Wednesday, a high since June 24. That brought the death toll to 23,476 since the pandemic began with another 2,428 deaths reported with probable links to COVID-19.

Pritzker said the state is evaluating every day the trajectory of the virus and what other potential mitigations may be needed.

Capitol News Illinois contributed to this story.
ALTON  Riverbend school superintendents are cautiously preparing for their students return this fall.

On Wednesday, the RiverBend Growth Association hosted a superintendent forum focused on those reopening plans. Participating were Alton Superintendent Kristie Baumgartner, Bethalto Superintendent Jill Griffin, East Alton-Wood River High School Superintendent Rob Miller and Marquette Catholic High Schools Dean of Students Tim Harmon.

The educators comments came merely hours before Gov. J.B. Pritzker mandated masks inside all Pre-K through 12th grade schools because of the COVID-19 pandemic  underscoring educators remarks that many reopening plans remain fluid.

The Alton school district has students returning to full five-day instruction. It also is partnering with SHIELD Illinois to provide weekly COVID screenings for all Pre-K through 12th grade students.

The non-invasive, saliva-based PCR tests take about five minutes and will require students to spit or drool a small sample of saliva into a testing container. Results will be sent to parents and the school nurse within 24 hours. Families can opt their children out of the screenings.

Masks will be optional for non-vaccinated students if families elect for their student to participate in COVID screenings each week. Non-vaccinated students  whose families opt them out of the weekly COVID screenings  will be required to wear a mask.

Mask use will be optional for vaccinated students and staff. Families of vaccinated students will need to provide proof of vaccination or have their students participate in weekly COVID screenings for mask use to be optional. Masked will also be required for all students on buses

Baumgartner said one challenge will be lunchtime for high school and middle school students.

Trying to create cafeterias and staging areas when students arrive or leave the school  that physical distancing becomes more of a challenge, she said. The schools are looking to use not only cafeterias but also other alternate dining options, she said.

Baumgartner noted the situation is fluid and subject to change. The first day of school in Alton is Thursday, Aug. 19

Griffin said Bethalto will use a similar plan. In addition to the SHIELD testing, the district is doing antigen testing for those who are symptomatic. For example, in the spring when allergies are present, students with a cough or runny nose who test negative with the antigen test can still go to class.

Hopefully with those testing efforts, well be able to keep kids in session longer and we wont have to interrupt the education, Griffin said. This is the third school year interrupted by this virus, so it is very challenging.

The first day of school in Bethalto is Wednesday, Aug. 11.

Miller said the opening plan for East Alton-Wood River will be released to the public on Wednesday, Aug. 11.

Ive purposefully slow walked this process because of the fluid situation of it, he said. Not to hold any information, but to make sure were informing them (parents) with as much accurate information as possible.

Harmon said Marquette also plans to come back full time and in-person, much like other schools. However, the major difference is that students, faculty and staff who are not vaccinated are required to wear a mask, whether at school or at a school sporting event.

We were looking at the number of vaccinated students and staff and decided this was the best course of action, Harmon said. Its a very fluid situation.

Harmon said that the school plans to meet again this Friday for possible changes to the plan.

Across all districts in Madison County, remote learning will no longer be an option unless the student is being quarantined.


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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
As more people look to book holidays and head abroad in the coming months, a list of the best firms to travel with has been compiled by Which?

Exodus, Explore and Discover Egypt were the only three firms given the top rating of green+ as they were the only ones able to guarantee refunds in the event a customer was told to self-isolate prior to travel, according to its new holiday checker tool.

The consumer group compared the booking policies of more than 80 of the UK's package holiday providers and rated each as red, amber, green or green+, depending on how they perform against criteria set by experts.

Aside from the three 'best' travel firms, British Airways Holidays, First Choice, Hays Travel, Jet2 Holidays, Trailfinders and Tui were put in Which?'s green list, based on their refund policies.

Only three companies were found to have the highest rating of Green+ on Which?'s new tool

The tool has been created in response to the travel industry's reaction to the coronavirus pandemic.

Holidaymakers are likely to have long memories after last year with thousands complaining their provider was taking months to refund them - or they couldn't get through to their travel firm at all.

As a result, the tool looks to help point customers in the direction of the companies with the best flexible booking options so they can book with greater confidence and know they're less likely to be left out of pocket should something go wrong.

The research considered each firms policies on coronavirus-related disruption.

This included whether firms would refund customers in the event of a lockdown, if FCDO advice changes, if the customer is told to self-isolate before travelling and if customers are forced to quarantine in a hotel on their return.

Following a rise in concerns about people being contacted by NHS Test and Trace before they are due to travel, the experts also asked companies if they would provide full refunds in the event someone is told to self-isolate.

Only three firms including Exodus, Explore and Discover Egypt guaranteed refunds in this situation, as well as every other situation put to them by Which? and were rated green+ as a result.

Meanwhile, companies that committed to offering refunds in most scenarios put to them by Which? include British Airways Holidays, First Choice, Hays Travel, Jet2 Holidays, Trailfinders and Tui which were rated green.

This will likely provide some reassurance to customers who have already booked with these firms as well as encouraging others to book with them in the future.

Meanwhile, there were several companies placed on the red list with holidaymakers advised not to book with these providers.

Lastminute.com, Love Holidays, On the Beach and Teletext were all on the list after they were found to be putting customers at risk of being out of pocket if they are unable to travel as planned.

The research found these firms faced many shortcomings with their booking terms and commitments including not refunding customers in the event of coronavirus-related disruption with a lack of transparency about their policies.

In response, an On the Beach spokesperson said: 'We know it's difficult to make a decision about going on holiday at the moment  it's part of the reason that we stopped taking new bookings for this summer back in May and we continue to provide customers with as much flexibility as possible.

'If the FCDO advises against travel to a destination, our customers can change their holiday destination or dates free of charge, and we will waive any of our admin fees.

'If they wish to cancel their holiday, we will fully refund hotel and transfer costs, and our regulated, ring-fenced trust account means that we are able to do this quickly and always in cash rather than credit notes or vouchers.

'Prior to the pandemic, when the FCDO advised against non-essential travel to a destination, this triggered the closure of airspace and the cancellation of all non-essential flights.

'During the pandemic this has often not been the case, with airlines continuing to fly to affected destinations and many consumers still wanting to go on the holiday they have booked.

'Our holidays include flights from multiple third party airlines and the decision on whether to operate those flights lies with each airline. If the airline cancels the flight, then we will, of course, pass the refund straight on to our customers in full.

'Wherever customers are entitled to cancel and receive a full refund under the Package Travel Regulations then we will refund customers in full and in cash.'

A number of holiday providers were put on the Red list including Lastminute.com & Teletext

It added that if a customer wishes to cancel their holiday due to FCDO advice but the flight operates as planned, the airline retains the monies paid for the flight and in those instances this leaves it unable to pass a refund onto its customers.

However, Lastminute.com, Love Holidays and Teletext did not provide comment.

Companies that did not provide clear information on their booking policies were also rated as red for a lack of transparency.

While red companies' policies were not necessarily in breach of consumer law, some have faced investigations from the Competition and Markets Authority in the past year over failure to refund their customers including Love Holidays and Teletext.

Therefore, Which? is advising consumers against booking with a red company and to check before they book to ensure their holiday provider offers a good flexible booking policy.

Companies' ratings will be regularly evaluated to keep up to date with any changes to their policies as well as any changes to rules around international travel.

However, the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) has hit back at Which? over the new tool claiming it is unfair to list firms as Red when the travel industry has been one of the worst hit.

Chris Rowles, Chairman of AITO, said: 'In a pandemic when no travel company has been able to trade for 17 months and all have had to dig deep into their own pockets to refund customers as quickly as they could, one expects better of our so-called consumer champion, Which?

'It may have escaped the attention of the team at Which? that, during the pandemic, travel companies have earnt no income whatsoever  they are paid only when clients depart on holiday, and our Government has not permitted any outbound travel from the UK except, mostly, for truck drivers.

'This is clearly not normal business practice and one would hope that those who run Which? might perhaps have been a tad more understanding than normal in recognition of these key facts and the struggle to survive that the travel industry has faced over the past year and a half.'

Several holiday firms have been ordered to refund customers by the CMA after taking too long

It is perhaps unsurprising that some of the firms are in the red list with This is Money previously reporting that Teletext could face legal action after failing to return more than 7million in refunds to customers.

The CMA said in May that the holiday firm had failed to address complaints from hundreds of customers who had not received refunds on cancelled trips within 14 days as required by law.

In response, hundreds of customers told us they had been waiting months, if not over a year, for a refund from the firm.

Many were waiting for thousands of pounds back but found it impossible to get through to the company by either phone or email.

Love Holidays was also investigated by the CMA in December of last year and was forced to refund 44,000 customers more than 18million for trips cancelled during the pandemic.

Meanwhile, Lastminute.com also agreed to pay over 7million in refunds to customers for cancelled holidays in the same month after many customers complained they had to wait longer than the legal requirement to be compensated within a fortnight of cancellation.

Rory Boland, editor of Which? travel, said: 'Between changing travel restrictions, both in the UK and abroad, and the ongoing risk of being told to self-isolate, booking a foreign trip still comes with some uncertainty and things can go wrong if you've chosen the wrong provider.

'The best companies won't leave you high and dry though, so it's vital to do your research before booking.

'The difference between choosing a red company over a green company could be losing the entire cost of your holiday if circumstances change and you have to amend or cancel your plans.'
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.'




Investors were quick to make their displeasure known after Smiths Group announced the sale of its medical division.

Shareholders showed their disappointment at the 1.7 billion price tag, as the stock tumbled 10 per cent, or 157.7p, to 1414.5p.

The deal with private equity firm TA Associates was announced after the stock market closed on Monday  and as traders got back to their posts yesterday, shareholders were hot-footing their way out of Smiths Group.

Investors were quick to make their displeasure known after Smiths Group announced the sale of its medical division

They had been expecting around 2 billion for the medical unit, which makes ventilators and tracheotomy tubes. But Smiths said TAs approach was superior and ditching the division would allow it to focus on its core industrial technology business, which makes items including components for the aerospace industry and baggage screening devices.

Investors unenthusiastic reaction comes as MPs and City institutions claim private equity firms are plundering Britain. Firms from Aggreko to St Modwen Properties have been snapped up after low-ball bids from private equity. The FTSE 100 was up 0.3 per cent, or 24 points, to 7105.72.

Gold miner Fresnillo provided a boost when profits soared 445.8 per cent to 222 million as it benefited from higher metals prices. Its shares climbed 1.9 per cent, or 15.6p, to 838.4p. Defence giant Babcock International rose 5.7 per cent, or 14.9p, to 278.2p after one of its subsidiaries, Cavendish Nuclear, was awarded a 10 million contract at Hinkley Point A.

Cavendish will be in charge of processing and packaging waste from the Somerset nuclear power plant. Its rise helped the FTSE 250 index climb by 0.4 per cent, or 81 points, to 23,289.65 points.

Gold miner Fresnillo provided a boost when profits soared 445.8 per cent to 222 million as it benefited from higher metals prices

Insurer Hiscox added to the mid-cap indexs gains, swinging back to a profit as it tried to put the Covid crisis in the past. The company infuriated many of its small business customers last year, when it refused to pay out on policies designed to cover losses when firms were forced to close their doors.

STOCK WATCH: JOULES Countryside clothing business Joules has returned to profitability. The Leicestershire group known for its tweed jackets and rugby shirts saw online sales climb 48 per cent to 122 million in the year to May 30. They now account for 77 per cent of all its retail revenues. And though Joules sales in stores and at country shows took a hit last year, the company managed to pull in a profit of 2 million compared to a 24.8 million loss a year earlier. It said the hit from Brexit stood at between 800,000 and 1 million in the year. The stock slipped 3.7 per cent, or 10p, to 260p.

Hiscox claimed the policies were not designed to cover a pandemic. It eventually had to pay out on most of the policies. But in its half-year results, Hiscox said its 2020 Covid claims were unchanged at 341 million, while 2021 claims were probably going to be lower than expected at 12 million. Shares rose 6.6 per cent, or 56.8p, to 922.4p.

Rotork weighed on the FTSE 250, as it announced its chief executive would step down. Kevin Hostetler will return to the US to be with his young family, the company said. The business, which makes filtration and measuring instruments for the oil and gas and other industries, also released a lacklustre set of half-year results, though they did show Rotorks revenue returning to growth after being weighed down by the pandemic. But shares slid 7 per cent, or 25.2p, to 337.6p.

Smaller business Lamprell, which also provides engineering services to the oil sector, slipped too. Its bid pipeline has increased by 15 per cent, and it should break even for the full year. But Lamprell said it would still need to go cap-in hand to investors to raise between 22 million and 43 million. Shares fell 2.3 per cent, or 0.95p, to 41p.

Travis Perkins, which supplies building and construction materials, tried to sound a positive note as it hiked its profit forecast to at least 310 million, up 10 million from its previous guidance. But most of the gain came from its property portfolio, and it flagged up that it was dealing with much higher costs now than a year ago. The construction industry has been beleaguered by rising prices, as Covid bottlenecks have pushed up the cost of raw materials. Shares edged down 0.8 per cent, or 14.5p, to 1706.5p.
BP will reward investors by splashing more cash on its prize dividend after rising oil prices helped the company return to profit.

The energy giant is going to raise its payout by 4 per cent and buy back a further 1 billion of its own stock by November in an effort to hand as much money as possible to hardpressed shareholders.

They will receive at least 4.4 billion this year  3 billion through the dividend and another 1.4 billion from buybacks. However, BP also unveiled ambitious 14 billion plans to purchase 1 billion of shares every quarter until 2025.

BP will reward investors by splashing more cash on its prize dividend after rising oil prices helped the company return to profit

It swung to a profit of 2 billion in the second quarter, up from an eye-watering loss of 13.5 billion in the same period of 2020. The plunge in oil prices at the start of the pandemic forced the FTSE 100 group to halve its dividend last summer for the first time in a decade.

In the most recent quarter, BP said it had seen a spike in sales of petrol and jet fuel, an indication that travel and daily life are returning to normal. Between April and June this year Brent crude prices averaged $69 a barrel. This compares with a price of less than $30 last year  when strict lockdowns grounded planes, took vehicles off the road and brought many industries to a juddering halt.

Boss Bernard Looney (pictured), who took the helm weeks before Covid brought the world to a standstill, said the rapid rollout of vaccine programmes had given the company the confidence to hike the dividend.

Looney said: What youre seeing around the dividend is really a story of confidence. Confidence in the underlying performance of the business, confidence in the balance sheet.

Bernard Looney took to the helm of BP weeks before Covid brought the world to a standstill

The dividend cut last summer dealt a hammer blow to millions of ordinary Britons as BP is a staple stock for many pension funds and savings accounts, which had already been hit hard by turmoil on the stock market. BPs announcement yesterday that it could afford to keep increasing the dividend by 4 per cent per year between now and 2025 was a surprise to the City.

It had previously said that it would only be able to hand excess money back to investors through buybacks. Investors cheered the news  with BP shares rising 5.6 per cent, or 16.35p, to 306.1p last night. But some analysts were more sceptical.

Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets, said of the buyback plan: Its certainly ambitious but its easy to make promises. Pretty much all of the profits BP has reported today come from areas they have pledged to cut. The number might add up today, but I dont see how they will for much longer.

Looney, 50, unveiled sweeping plans to turn BP into a green energy behemoth when he took over last year. The company has since made major investments in wind and solar energy, including submitting plans to building floating wind farms off the UK coast. But investors worry about the huge costs needed to turn it into a renewables powerhouse at a time when the company is recovering from Covid and oil and gas sales provide its most reliable source of income.

Looney added: Twelve months on from when we laid out our strategy, of course the worlds in a very different place. Global GDP is now back to pre-pandemic levels, the vaccines clearly are working and people are travelling more.

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: The question of whether the buybacks actually make any lasting difference has to be addressed, especially in light of the argument that BP needs to invest in its core operations. Handing cash back to shareholders does not make BP a better business or company, even if it provides investors with some near-term gratification. Nor does it necessarily help the share price much.
Paving the way: Seb James, the boss of Boots

Seb James, the boss of Boots, wants to help the nation's women rediscover the glamour factor after a year in lockdown Lycra, with their faces half-hidden behind masks. He believes demand for make-up will soar as women return to work and start to socialise again.

There are early signs he might be right. The No7 Beauty company has reported a 61 per cent increase in the volume of lipstick sales in the second quarter of this year. Bold, showstopping colours are in favour, apparently. Overall, sales of beauty products have gone up 85 per cent in the third quarter of this year as life gradually returns to normal and women reach for their make-up bags again.

Boots is introducing a blizzard of new make-up brands, including cult labels such as Drunk Elephant and Fenty, along with Korean skincare Dr Jart+ and Kylie Skin.

'We are seeing a huge surge in beauty,' says James. whole gamut from expensive designer slap to budget brands.

'That's how women shop for cosmetics now  they are happy with a 2 mascara and a really luxurious 'During the pandemic, people were really focused on skincare. Now we are seeing cosmetics and fragrance take off as people are going out again.'

Boots, he points out, stocks the lipstick. This is why we are being crowned Queen of Beauty in the media  not me personally, but the stores,' he smiles. As he acknowledges, the 55- year-old retailer does not seem the most likely candidate for the nation's king of cosmetics.

But when he arrived in 2018, having previously run Dixons Carphone, with the task of revitalising one of the nation's most-loved retailers, he soon became expertly versed in the intricacies of beauty brands.

'When I came in we were miles behind. Just over lockdown we have launched 65 new brands, which is quite a thing to have done. Now, we have done lots of smartening up the shops and we have a lot more to do.'

What male grooming products does he like? 'All of them, I need all the help I can get,' he says. It's heartening to hear Britons are grooming and preening again as the world opens up. High streets have been hit hard by the pandemic, which has brought store closures and thousands of job cuts.

When I came in we were miles behind. Just over lockdown we have launched 65 new brands, which is quite a thing to have done

Boots  which was founded in Nottingham in 1849  is no exception. The chain made a 258 million loss in the year to the end of August 2020, with revenues down 10.8p per cent to just under 6 billion. It received 36 million in furlough cash and business rates relief that reduced its bill by 55 million. A round 6,500 jobs have been lost, in a mix of redundancies, voluntary exits and natural attrition.

The pingdemic, where people are forced to isolate, has added to James's problems, as so many of the 52,000 staff have had to stay at home. Absence rates in his 2,330 stores increased by around 50 per cent. In up to 20 per cent of shops, more than four in ten staff are off and in some cases as many as 70 per cent are absent.

James has called for the rules to be changed so those who have received two doses of vaccine and test negative can carry on working. But Boots' woes are not entirely pandemic-related: profits had been falling even before Covid. The UK chain is part of a $40bn international pharmacy group, Walgreens Boots Alliance, which is listed on Wall Street.

Boots was founded in Nottingham in 1849. Pictured, an early Boots store

The empire is the creation of Stefano Pessina, an Italian billionaire, who took it over in a private equity deal in 2006. James's strategy has been to make the three main strands of the business  pharmacy and medicines, vitamins and well-being and beauty  work better together. As well as expanding the cosmetics and skincare ranges, he has been pouring effort into digital healthcare.

'I hope we haven't wasted the time in lockdown when the world has been slowing down,' he says. 'We think the relationship between people and their health has changed pretty fundamentally as a result of Covid.

'People are more interested in preventative care, it is at the top of their minds. And they are now very comfortable with the idea of testing, so we could test for a whole range of conditions. The NHS is under significant pressure in all kinds of areas. There is a huge backlog and we think we can help.

'We want to start helping with blood tests and so on. People have begun to interact digitally with healthcare professionals in a way that absolutely wasn't happening to any significant extent before. That is a big change and opens up the ability for Boots and others to provide primary care services and advice.'

Glamour factor: Boots introduced 65 new beauty brands in lockdown

Boots has a long heritage of providing over-the-counter remedies dating back more than a century and now wants to move into the digital age. To that end, it is launching health hubs, giving health advice in stores and online.

The 100th service has just been launched on the hub, the Leva Clinic which helps patients manage pain. And the Boots online doctor can deal with 45 conditions, giving quick access to advice and prescriptions. Additional services include Covid testing, mole scanning and help to stop smoking.

'In many cases during the pandemic, the only way you could see a GP was digitally. Many people have got used to the idea,' says James. H E believes Pharmacists could relieve some of the pressure on GPs.

He says: 'We would like a totally symbiotic healthcare service that works end to end.' What about the high street after the pandemic? In the past, he has called for reform of business rates, saying that the 'increasingly fragile ecosystem' of high streets and town centres was under threat from online operators who paid much less. Covid has accelerated the shift to online shopping and heaped ever more pain on traditional retailers.

'If the Government wants vibrant high streets it will have to do something about the cost of retail property,' he says. 'At the same time, we have seen an economy that has moved massively online. 'It is appropriate that some of the cost of that should be borne by online distribution, including our own.'
The Hut Group is set to snap up online-only beauty retailer Cult Beauty for 275million.

The online health and beauty retail group THG expects the acquisition to bolster its sales for the next full year by 140million, with an earnings increase of around 10million.

London-listed THG, which was valued at more than 5billion in a mammoth stock market float last year, also told investors it was on track to pass previous sales growth targets for the current financial year.

In charge: The Hut Group's chief executive and chairman Matthew Moulding

It raised its guidance by around 50million to sales of 2.23billion for the current year, representing 38 per cent growth compared with a previous forecast of 35 per cent.

Cult Beauty was launched in London in 2008 by co-founders Jessica DeLuca and Alexia Inge and has built a strong following of customers searching for emerging, independent brands.

THG said the move will be 'highly complementary' to the rest of its beauty portfolio, which includes brands like Lookfantastic and Glossybox.

The firm said it saw a 'compelling opportunity' to grow Cult Beauty internationally, with less than half of its sales currently stemming from outside the UK.

THG's move on Cult Beauty comes just two months after it struck a deal with Japanese technology group SoftBank that provided it with a further bumper warchest for strategic acquisitions.

Connections: Prime Minister Boris Johnson and The Hut Group's boss Matthew Moulding

Matthew Moulding, executive chairman and chief executive of THG, said: 'Cult Beauty is frequently the partner of choice for emerging indie brands due to its personalised, content-led approach and enthusiastic consumer base who are continually seeking new, innovative solutions to complement their beauty routines.

'Cult Beauty's first-to-market reputation makes the brand an exciting fit for our THG Beauty division.

'When retailing brands to consumers THG Beauty will run with two unique fascias within our main continents: THG will principally service customers within North America via our Dermstore and Lookfantastic brands, while in the UK, Europe, Asia and the Rest of the World the key brands will be Lookfantastic and Cult Beauty.

It's a deal: Cult Beauty has been bought by The Hut Group for 275m

'We anticipate fully migrating Cult Beauty onto the THG Ingenuity platform by the end of the year (within the first six months of acquisition), giving the brand access to the global digital features to underpin significant future growth.

'Further to the announcement made on 2nd February 2021, we are also pleased to confirm the Dermstore integration strategy remains on plan with the migration to Ingenuity already completed ahead of schedule.'

THG's purchase of Cult Beauty is the latest in a number of high-profile transactions in the online beauty sector, which has boomed during the pandemic.

Last week, Sephora, the French cosmetics giant, purchased Feelunique, for 132million, while Revolution Beauty listed on the London Stock Exchange last month. BeautyBay, another player in the sector, is currently preparing to go public.

Shares in London-listed THG are currently up 1.73 per cent or 10.00p to 589.50p.
The City yesterday welcomed news that Rolls-Royce has made a breakthrough with ambitious plans to bounce back from the pandemic.

The FTSE 100 group, long the most prestigious name in British engineering, has sold its Bergen Engines business to Nottinghamshire industrials group Langley.

And, after the market closed, Rolls announced it is in exclusive talks, led by private equity group Bain Capital, to sell Spanish division ITP Aero, which makes parts for Eurofighter Typhoon jets.

The City yesterday welcomed news that Rolls-Royce has made a breakthrough with ambitious plans to bounce back from the pandemic

Rolls is aiming to sell businesses worth 2 billion to bolster its books after the pandemic virtually wiped out its major source of income for more than a year.

It makes a large chunk of its money from servicing engines on long-haul planes. Bergen and ITP Aero have been earmarked for sale for many months now.

The numbers in the Bergen transaction are small compared with the overall goal, with Rolls set to make around 60 million from the sale and keep another 34 million of cash sat in the division.

But it is a relief for investors after a setback in March when Norway dramatically vetoed a 131 million deal Rolls agreed with Russian train maker Transmashholding (TMH) because of links between TMHs bosses and Vladimir Putin.

Bergen makes engines and technology for boats, including Norways navy. It is unclear at this stage how much Rolls could recover from the sale of ITP Aero. However, it has been widely reported ITP Aero could be worth 1 billion, potentially bringing Rolls halfway towards its goal in one fell swoop.

Rolls releases its half-year results today. Shares rose 1.4 per cent, or 1.4p, to 104.54p. The FTSE 100 finished 0.3 per cent higher, up 18.14 points, to 7123.86, while the FTSE 250 climbed 0.3 per cent, or 58.08 points, to 23347.73.

Construction and infrastructure group Morgan Sindall was the second-biggest mid-cap faller despite stonking results

The mid-cap indexs rise came despite bruising sell-offs for Ferrexpo and Morgan Sindall. Investors in Ukrainian iron ore miner Ferrexpo had a lot to celebrate after sky-high metals prices sent its profits surging in the first six months of 2021.

Its backers will get a half-year payout triple what they received for the same period last year. Prices of iron ore, a key ingredient in steel making, have ballooned as the global economy has started to rebound from the Covid crisis. But Ferrexpo fell 9.3 per cent, or 46.2p, to 449p after it said it expects to see demand for iron ore decline.

STOCK WATCH: Cora Gold Mining minnow Cora Gold reported extremely encouraging results after it drilled another two holes to hunt for metals at its gold project in southern Mali. In the ninth round of exploring the Sanankoro site, Cora said it had found more highgrade deposits and that the discoveries surpassed the companys expectations. Cora will finish its current drilling programme this month and is hoping to be able to upgrade the official estimates of how much gold is in the Sanankoro area. Shares in the AIM-listed group climbed 23.9 per cent, or 2.75p, to 14.25p.

Construction and infrastructure group Morgan Sindall was the second-biggest mid-cap faller despite stonking results, which included first-half profits tripling to 54m on record revenue of 1.56 billion. It fell 6.6 per cent, or 160p, to 2280p.

Brick maker Ibstock made gains  finishing 1 per cent higher, up 2.2p, to 223.2p  after it said it had benefited from the DIY boom, with homeowners continuing to splash out on renovations. AIM-listed drug developer Avacta Group was in the red after it began shipping its rapid Covid tests. The Wetherby firm is behind a 20-minute lateral flow test that has been CE-marked for professional use in the UK and the EU.

Avactas share price mushroomed last year, but it has been falling since, and ended down 1.9 per cent, or 2.5p, to 128p. There were robust updates from video game developers Keywords Studios and Team 17, which thrived during lockdowns when millions of people turned to their computers and consoles to socialise as well as play.

Technical and creative services provider Keywords (down 3.9 per cent, or 114p, to 2816p) said turnover was up 37 per cent and profits by 80 per cent in the first six months of the year. Debbie Bestwick, boss of the Wakefield-based developer Team 17, home to the original Worms games, said it was entering the second half in great shape in a brief stock market statement. The shares fell 0.6 per cent, or 5p, to 835p.
Aston Villa have completed the signing of Jamaica forward Leon Bailey from Bayer Leverkusen for a reported fee of around 30million.

Bailey, who celebrates his 24th birthday next week, has passed his medical and agreed personal terms on a deal running to 2025.

Villa boss Dean Smith is looking forward to working with his new recruit.

Leon is a hugely exciting young striker with great pace and creativity, Smith told the clubs website.

He has enjoyed a successful career at Leverkusen and we are now looking forward to watching him show his skills and talents for Aston Villa in the Premier League.

The announcement comes amid speculation over the future of Villa captain Jack Grealish, who has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City.

Aston Villa have signed Leon Bailey (David Davies/PA)

Bailey, who had reportedly caught the eye of a number of top English clubs last season, scored 39 goals in three and a half campaigns for Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, as well as featuring in the Champions League and Europa League.

What will @LeonBailey bring to Aston Villa? 



"I'm always there for the team whenever the team needs me, and always put on a great show for the fans." #WelcomeLeon  Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) August 4, 2021

And the 10-cap international is now relishing the challenge of showing what he can do in the Premier League.

For me, its a great club with a big history and its the right step for me. Im excited to get started, he said on the clubs website.

Its always been somewhere that Ive wanted to play. I feel like now is the right time and Im excited about it.

Hopefully I can do what I do best and have a great season in the Premier League.

He continued: I like to give assists and I like to score, thats always been me. I like to score and be the one who gives the pass in a decisive moment and not be selfish.

Im not always thinking about scoring, Im more so thinking about the team. Whichever situation were in, I try to adapt to it and better the team.

Im a flair type of person, I like to entertain the fans, do my tricks, use my speed and make life difficult for defenders.
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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
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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
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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.
COXSACKIE  The proposed Flint Mine Solar farm cleared what is perhaps its last major hurdle Wednesday when the state Public Service Departments Siting Board lent its approval to the 100 megawatt (MW) project.

Flint Mine had been on track for approval since August 2020 when the Public Service Department found that the plan was compliant with guidelines and requirements for such a project. But Wednesdays decision brought it a step closer to groundbreaking.

Todays unanimous approval is a very big step for FMSafter five years of development effort, Bill Moore, the principal in Hudson Energy Development, which is building the farm. I think the path forward to a groundbreaking, possibly later this year, is clear.

Still needed is the specific construction plan and a separate approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Thats because a small part of the project would be in wetlands under federal jurisdiction.

But even opponents said the project appeared poised to move forward.

I don't know what we can do at this point, said Nancy Harm, a member of Saving Greene, a group worried about the size of this, and other projects, including a 50 MW proposal by Hecate Energy. All in all, Saving Greene notes that seven solar projects have been proposed for the area around Coxsackie and Athens, where part of the Flint Mine will also be located.

Group members say they worry the size of the farms could hamper the tourism and real estate markets that have grown in the area, especially since the pandemic prompted renewed interest from people downstate.

Two years ago, proponents of the project also went to court to fight a town zoning law that would have prevented construction of the project. The case was later settled.

State utility officials on Wednesday praised the approval.

With todays decision, we are helping deliver on New Yorks strategy for carbon reduction and a clean-energy economy, said John Howard, who is Siting Board chair and Public Service commissioner. The Public Service Commission oversees the department and siting board.

The Flint Mine solar farm will benefit all New Yorkers by reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, said Howard.

At 100 MW, the facility should generate enough power for about 21,000 homes. It will connect to the National Grid electric utility.

The developer has said it could create nearly 490 manufacturing, supply and construction jobs worth $41.3 million in wages. Once built, however, it, like most solar farms, will entail relatively few jobs.

Hudson Energy plans to buy as much as 90 percent of the land needed for the project directly from current landowners, with a price tag of about $15 million.

Local governments will get payments in lieu of taxes over 25 years going to the towns of Athens and Coxsackie, Greene County, the Coxsackie-Athens school district, the West Athens-Limestreet Fire Co. and Coxsackie Hose Co. #3, and the Coxsackie and Athens libraries.

For example, payments of special district taxes to fire and library districts are estimated to total an additional $192,257 and $243,585 annually, respectively. Additionally Hudson Energy agreed to buy conserve the 62.5-acre Flint Mine Hill parcel and create a nearly 300-acre grassland conservation area improved with a recreational walking trail near Flint Mine Road.
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.
(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)

Caroline McCulloch, Florida International University

(THE CONVERSATION) Cuba recently erupted in the largest protests seen there in six decades, reflecting popular anger over a crippling economic crisis, scarce food and medicines and a half-century of repression.

Cuba remains largely an enigma to outsiders, and especially to Americans. Myths prevail because of Cuban government censorship and the United States historic tendency  born of the Cold War  to stereotype and simplify the communist island.

The truth is that Cuba is often more talked about, idealized or vilified than known, wrote Martin Mosquera, editor of the Latin American edition of Jacobin, a leftist publication, recently.

This article examines five common areas of confusion about Cuba, Cuban Americans and the U.S.-Cuba relationship.

#1. The Cuban Revolution

Fidel Castro and a band of guerrillas overthrew the brutal U.S.-backed dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista in 1959. At the time, Castros political ideology was unclear; he had not yet publicly committed to communism. Anti-communist revolutionaries allied with him.

In Castros famous 1953 History Will Absolve Me speech, he said his revolution would return power to the people and proclaimed Cubas liberal democratic 1940 Constitution as the Supreme Law of the State until the people should decide to modify or change it.

The revolution was a nationalist revolution for most Cubans, then, not a communist one. When Castro installed a socialist economy and a one-party political system, many fellow revolutionaries felt betrayed. Cubans fought to form a government that would answer to the Cuban people, rather than foreign interests. They got Castros Soviet-backed regime.

Many poor Cubans revered Castro for implementing policies that promoted equity and minimized discrimination, including major reforms in land, agriculture, education and housing.

Others fled because of fear and persecution. Exiles included large landowners, Batista supporters, religious leaders, the middle class and revolutionaries who opposed Fidels manner of governing.

#2. The US embargo

The Cuban government blames the United States for poverty on the island, but many of Cubas economic problems are homegrown.

The U.S. embargo originated in the early 1960s to prevent the spread of communism from Cuba to other Latin American countries. It also sought to compel Cubas new government to compensate American corporations for property expropriated by the regime and to prevent further confiscations.

Today the embargo has evolved to include six separate pieces of legislation.

Some laws put pressure on the Castro regime in the 1990s, when Cubas economy was vulnerable after the fall of the Soviet Union. They deny U.S. visas to leaders of companies that invest in Cuba. Additional embargo policies restrict Americans from traveling or sending money to Cuba  though there are loopholes enabling U.S. Treasury-licensed food and medical supply sales to Cuba.

The 60-year-old embargo inhibits the fledgling Cuban private sector and makes it harder to obtain the goods they need.

Many people in the U.S. and beyond are urging President Joe Biden to lift the embargo to ease Cubas current food and medical shortages. But the president of the United States cannot do that unilaterally. Lifting the embargo would require Congress to either certify that Cuba has become sufficiently democratic according to the 1996 Libertad Act or pass a new bill overturning it.

However, the embargo is not the primary reason Cuban people are struggling.

The Cuban government has a history of political repression and fiscal mismanagement, both of which harm the economy. For example, it tightly controls who may obtain state-issued licenses to start their own businesses. It bans independent labor unions, which would protect workers from exploitation.

Finally, few countries still limit trade or diplomatic relations with Cuba because of the embargo. They have created laws that help protect their businesses from retaliatory U.S. legal action when operating in Cuba.

#3. US interference in Cuba

Just as it blames the U.S. embargo for poverty in Cuba, the Cuban government blames U.S. interference for political unrest there, as it did after protests erupted on July 11.

Indeed, the U.S. government has upheld Cuban dictators  before Castro  and employed wide-ranging coercive sanctions against the country. The United States even occupied Cuba, in the early 20th century. After Castro took power, the U.S. supported anti-Castro uprisings.

Ultimately, though, the Cuban governments long record of human rights abuses and repression created the current political instability.

Cuba has a well-documented history of harassing, intimidating and imprisoning activists and dissidents. Over 700 Cuban protesters have been detained or disappeared since July 11, according to the human rights organization Cubalex.

The government continues to suppress freedom of expression and closely monitor civilians, which has spurred resistance from artists, journalists and civil society organizations. LGBTQ people still face persecution.

#4. Cuban Americans

The media often stereotypes Cuban Americans as overwhelmingly conservative. But they are a racially, economically and politically heterogeneous community.

Cubans whove come to the U.S. since 1990 are even more diverse than the largely white first waves of exiles who came after the Cuban Revolution.

Cuban Americans political opinions differ depending on their race, socioeconomic status, gender and age. Cuban Americans as a group became overwhelmingly Republican after Ronald Reagan courted them in the 1980s, but they are increasingly independent voters. In the 2020 presidential election, around 55% of Cubans in Florida voted for Donald Trump.

#5. Race and equality in Cuba

Castros Communist revolution brought disadvantaged Cubans greater access to education and universal health care. Many poor Cubans became world-class doctors, scholars and scientists.

However, Cuba is not an egalitarian society. Its political leaders are overwhelmingly white and male, and the government does not treat all Cubans equally.

Afro-Cubans, who comprise at least one-third of Cubas 11.3 million people, experience widespread discrimination. As a result, they have higher poverty rates, less access to stable currency and low rates of property ownership. Afro-Cubans also suffer more police violence than white Cubans.

[Over 100,000 readers rely on The Conversations newsletter to understand the world. Sign up today.]

Black and brown Cuban artists are leading the current protests. The rap song Patria y Vida  which means Homeland and Life, a word play on the revolutionary slogan Homeland or Death  has become an anthem for Cuban government opposition.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/5-ways-americans-often-misunderstand-cuba-from-fidel-castros-rise-to-the-cuban-american-vote-164996.
BRUNSWICK  As a sailing instructor and skipper with a 100-ton captains license, Alex Borton had sailed in the waters off Mexico, Chilean Patagonia, British Columbia and the San Juan Islands.

The 1987 Troy High School graduate has lived in Bellingham, Wash., on the Puget Sound for 25 years and long dreamed of sailing through Alaskas fabled Inside Passage. He was drawn to its wildness, dotted with glaciers and ringed with snow-capped mountains, and the challenges of its tricky tides and currents. It beckoned with the romance of a Jack London novel.

The Inside Passage is a proving ground and I always wanted to do it, said Borton, 52, a mental health counselor who works with troubled youths, for whom he developed a therapeutic outdoor trekking program.

Meanwhile, his father, David Borton, tinkered on solar boat designs in a garage-turned-workshop in Rensselaer County. Borton, 77, is a retired Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute faculty member and physicist by training. He got interested in solar in 1974 and taught solar engineering for most of his career. He started a decade ago by creating a solar-powered Adirondack canoe, progressed to a 44-foot Hudson River tour boat and helped establish a solar boat company along the way. He drives a Chevy Volt and designed their house as passive solar.

This summer, father and son joined forces and overcame coronavirus pandemic obstacles to post a footnote in the annals of maritime and green energy history. They successfully piloted what is believed to be the first 100 percent solar-powered, carbon-neutral electric vessel along 1,400 miles of the Inside Passage from Bellingham to Alaskas Glacier Bay.

They were not allowed to step foot in British Columbia because Canadas borders remained closed to American tourists due to COVID-19 precautions. That meant that the Bortons, subsisting on fried potatoes and onions and rice and beans cooked on a propane camping stove, did not touch terra firma for the first 20 days of their journey. They left Bellingham on May 25 and arrived in Ketchikan, Ala., on June 13  and promptly went ashore

This was no luxury cruise and certainly not a vacation. There were no showers, unless you count the two times Alex dove into the icy water to clear seaweed from the propeller.

The journey aboard the 27-foot Wayward Sun tested the mettle of the sons seafaring abilities and the fathers solar engineering skills. It also served to advertise their fledgling boat company, Solar Sal.

If a boat has done the Inside Passage, its considered a serious boat. We wanted to establish ourselves as makers of serious solar electric boats, the son said.

They call the solar way a unique boating experience: quiet and fuel-free, with very low maintenance, minus smelly engine exhaust and doing something good for the environment.

It was also an experiment, with an uncertain outcome. A major factor was constantly cloudy, overcast weather  with only occasional stretches of sunshine that meant a robust battery charge. Whenever there was daylight, that meant the batteries were recharging at least a little.

There is no backup. Anchor and wait for the sun to recharge the batteries, the father said.

Of course, its more complicated than that. Every mile of their 1,400-mile journey was a calculation. With heavy cloud cover, they ran the electric motor generally at no more than 25 percent throttle to conserve charge. Their speed was typically 3 to 4 mph, compared to a top speed of 7 mph. That meant 30 to 40 miles on a good day.

We adjusted based on how much sun we had and other factors, the father said. Sometimes, they awoke at 2 a.m. to take advantage of a slack tide.

The Wayward Sun was specially outfitted for the arduous journey. They added two more solar panels, for a total solar output of 1,700 watts. A full charge could cover up to 100 miles in ideal conditions. They installed additional electronics for navigation and increased the battery capacity with six German-made Torqueedo batteries for a total of 21 kilowatts of battery energy. Each battery was roughly the size of a truck battery. The outboard engine was also made by Torqueedo and is rated at about 20 horsepower.

Their nemesis was wind.

A heavy wind in our face and big waves shut us down, the son said. If we werent making headway, we were just draining our batteries and putting ourselves in danger.

Wind speeds in excess of 20 mph, swells higher than 5 feet and heavy whitecaps that lashed the windshield with sea spray sent them in search of safe anchorage.

Harriet Borton, wife and mother to the sailors, was back in Brunswick, 3,500 miles away, fretting. I was nervous. I knew the dangers, she said.

She filled her time uploading photos and editing notes into a blog of the journey, which trended on the popular internet forum aggregator Reddit. She tracked their movements with an automatic identification system, or AIS, that employs transceivers on vessels that track more than 90,000 commercial ships simultaneously worldwide to avoid collisions and enhance safety.

Harriet Borton, 80, was a Peace Corps volunteer with her husband in Ghana in the mid-1960s. The couple has been married 56 years and she retired after a long career as an informational technology specialist at RPI. They have two sons and three grandchildren.

Alex was Mr. Fix-it on the voyage, repairing both a malfunctioning electrical toilet and a dead satellite phone.

Father and son grew closer on the journey. They appreciated each others skill sets.

I was constantly monitoring the battery levels and how we were using the power, while Alex was making calculations about tides and wind and doing all the navigating, the father said.

We got along extremely well, the son said. We saw things differently all the time, debated back and forth, and settled on whichever idea was better.

They reveled in the stunning scenery and wildlife sightings, including three types of whales, seals, sea lions, sea otters, moose, grizzly and black bear. The father took a side trip to Thorne Bay to explore whats left of an old Alaskan logging camp where he worked in the summer of 1963 when he was 19. Once in Glacier Bay, Alexs son, Kai, replaced his grandfather aboard the Wayward Sun.

They witnessed the effects of climate change and the accelerating pace of melting glaciers in Glacier Bay. Its troubling to see the loss, the father said. It underscored his half-century espousal of solar energy.

They all flew home and shipped the Wayward Sun back to Bellingham by ferry. They invested $300,000 in the custom wooden vessel, which was built by Devlin Boat Builders in Olympia, Wash. It is up for sale, while the father pursues construction of a fiberglass 24-foot version that will halve the cost and they hope will be more marketable.

Solar electric vessels will appeal to a certain type of boater.

If you want loud, smelly and fast, its not for you, David Borton said.

Paul Grondahl is director of the New York State Writers Institute at the University at Albany and a former Times Union reporter. He can be reached at grondahlpaul@gmail.com
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP)  Lawyers for a senior Huawei executive argued in a Canadian court Wednesday that the United States strategically crafted a misleading record of the fraud case against her and acted in bad faith when presenting reasons she should be extradited.

Huawei Technologies Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou, who is the daughter of the companys founder, was arrested at Vancouvers airport in 2018 at the request of the U.S., which has charged her with fraud. Her arrest infuriated Beijing, which sees her case as a political move designed to prevent Chinas rise.

The U.S. accuses the Chinese communications giant of using a Hong Kong shell company called Skycom to sell equipment to Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions. It says Meng committed fraud by misleading HSBC bank about the companys business dealings in Iran.

Defense lawyer Mona Duckett said the U.S. omitted facts, obscured the law and inaccurately summarized documents to support a false narrative.

The only remedy for the court is to deny the extradition request, Duckett said.

Meng attended the hearing and followed the proceedings through a translator.

Over the next three weeks, Association Chief Justice Heather Holmes will hear final arguments on whether Meng should be extradited to face trial in the United States.

Holmes likely wont make her ruling until later in the year. Whatever her decision, it will likely be appealed.

In past hearings, Mengs lawyers have argued her extraction should be halted because Canadian Border Security Agency officers detained and questioned her without a lawyer, asked questions that benefited U.S. authorities, seized her electronic devices and put them in special bags to prevent wiping, and compelled her to give up the passcodes before her official arrest.

They have also argued that comments by then-President Donald Trump showed he hoped to use Mengs arrest as part of a bargaining chip in trade negotiations with China.

Soon after Mengs arrest, China arrested Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig in apparent retaliation and charged them with spying. Both have remained in custody with limited access to Canadian consular officials.

Canadian consular officials had online visits with Kovrig on July 29 and Spavor on Tuesday, the Canadian Foreign Ministry said.

It said officials continue to provide consular services" to the men and their families but Canadian law prevented the release of further information.

The Canadian government remains deeply concerned by the arbitrary detention by Chinese authorities of these two Canadians since December 2018 and continues to call for their immediate release," the ministry said in an emailed statement.

Meng remains free on bail in Vancouver and is living in a mansion.
ALBANY  Clifton Park businessman Michael Mann was sentenced Wednesday to 12 years in prison in his $100 million bank fraud scheme that led to the collapse of his payroll company, MyPayrollHR in 2019, an implosion that left thousands without paychecks and threatened to destroy the institutions that did business with him.

Senior U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence Kahn imposed the sentence after Mann apologized for carrying out one of the largest financial crimes in the region's history.

"I want to apologize to everyone that was harmed by my actions," Mann told the judge. "I am completely aware I caused all of this."

"I am ashamed. ... What I did was wrong. To everyone that was harmed by my crimes, I am very sorry," he continued.

Mann, who pleaded guilty last fall to 12 felonies, ranging from wire fraud conspiracy, identity theft and filing false tax returns, remained free after his sentencing. The judge ordered him to begin his prison term on Sept. 21.

Prosecutors in Acting U.S. Attorney Antoinette Bacon's office had asked that Kahn sentence Mann to 264 months in federal prison, or 22 years behind bars. Mann, 51, would have served prison time into his 70s under that scenario.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett, who led the case, said he would leave the door open for a possible appeal of Kahn's sentence after earlier having argued that Mann deserved at least two decades behind bars.

Mann's attorney Michael Koenig had argued for a more lenient sentence based in large part because Mann had voluntarily turned himself in and confessed to prosecutors just days after the collapse of MyPayrollHR over Labor Day weekend 2019, saving the government millions of dollars and years investigating Mann and bringing him to trial.

But Barnett told Kahn in court that Mann conducted his crimes over a six-year period - and the losses his victims experienced would have been much less if he had turned himself in earlier before he was forced to divert funds from MyPayrollHR to try and cover his tracks.

"He didn't stop, and he only stopped because his bank accounts had been frozen, and that's how everything unraveled," Barnett said. "It was a decision of last resort. He would have shown a lot more integrity and character if he had confessed a few weeks earlier."

Many of Mann's victims attended his sentencing at the U.S. District Courthouse in Albany. Those interviewed afterward said they were disappointed Mann was not given a longer sentence.

"I think it was very light given the scope of what Mr. Mann perpetuated," said Tricia Canavan, CEO of United Personnel, a Springfield, Mass., staffing agency that used MyPayrollHR and had to deal with hundreds of workers losing not only pay but also having unauthorized withdrawals from their bank accounts. "He made a very persuasive statement about his guilt and his acceptance of responsibility ... but as far as I am concerned, having lived through the impact of what he did, it's far from enough."

Canavan was the only person to speak in court Wednesday, but Kahn received 165 letters from victims explaining how Mann's crimes hurt them. She said her company is out $500,000 and has suffered long-term damage to its reputation. The workers it places in area companies had initially assumed United Personnel was to blame - leading to a angry mob gathering at her headquarters.

"We experienced unimaginable chaos," Canavan told Kahn in court. "I was receiving personal death threats."

Bonnie Rosengrant drove three hours from Rindge, N.H., to attend Mann's hearing after she was forced to shut down the diner she and her husband had run for years just six months after MyPayrollHR's collapse. She said her accountant had recommended using Mann's payroll services.

Rosengrant and her husband had to use $30,000 of their life savings to pay their employees, and now she suffers long-term anxiety and anger. She says she regrets how much time she missed caring for her dying mother at the time as she was dealing with the crisis.

"This guy is going to get a slap on the wrist, and you are going to get screwed," she fumed outside after Mann's sentencing. "That's what happens, the little guy gets screwed all the time. They need to change the laws and regulate these payroll companies."

Kahn also agreed to recommend that Mann serve his sentence at a federal facility in Butner, N.C. Mann and his wife currently live in North Carolina, and it would make it easier for Mann's wife to visit if he is incarcerated in Butner, Koenig has argued. The U.S. Bureau of Prisons will ultimately decide where Mann serves his time.

Mann's scheme began in 2013, federal prosecutors say, during a period of time when Mann was creating and acquiring many different companies to try and expand a consulting company that he owned called ValueWise.

One of the companies Mann acquired was MyPayrollHR, a payroll services firm that had legitimate operations and revenues.

Mann funded these business ventures by obtaining millions of dollars in business loans from various finance companies and banks using forged financial documents that inflated the revenue stream of his businesses, some of which had no operations. Mann also obtained a $42 million line of credit from Pioneer Bank of Colonie.

When Mann had trouble repaying the loans, he would divert payroll money from his MyPayrollHR clients, money that Mann returned before anyone could figure out what he was doing.

That was until Labor Day weekend of 2019 when Bank of America and Pioneer Bank froze Mann's accounts after uncovering suspicious activity. That led to the collapse of MyPayrollHR, along with several other payroll companies that Mann has invested in. At least one of Mann's vendors that helped to move payroll money electronically was forced to file for bankruptcy. Pioneer Bank is involved in several civil cases that could take years to resolve.

The massive scheme left thousands of workers across the country without paychecks and Mann's lenders struggling to survive massive financial losses totaling more than $100 million.

For many of Mann's victims, the days that followed that holiday weekend ended up becoming a nightmare and a major turning point in their personal and professional lives, according to victim impact statements collected by prosecutors. Thousands suddenly found themselves without pay and businesses that used MyPayrollHR to process paychecks faced angry employees who initially believed their employers were to blame.

Mann and his wife sold their home on Great Sacandaga Lake after his guilty plea in 2020 and moved to North Carolina, where they have ties.

As part of his punishment, Mann must pay $100 million in restitution to victims, although the government has yet to itemize $47 million of that amount and who it is owed to. Mann has already forfeited $17 million he had in Bank of America accounts at the time of his arrest, along with 30,000 shares of Pioneer Bank stock and a Jeep. He is turning over half of the proceeds of the sale the Edinburg lake house, which sold for $587,000.

Mann's attorney has argued that Mann did not enrich himself with his fraud - instead using the money to buy or invest in businesses. Mann paid himself a $200,000 annual salary, but otherwise did not live lavishly or spend the tens of millions of dollars in ill-gotten loans on things like vacation homes and other luxuries that some white collar criminals have done in the past.

"I wish he had done that, then we would have more things to seize," Barnett told Kahn. "He basically flushed that money down the drain. We can't get at it anymore."
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.
SARATOGA SPRINGS  The mother of a 16-year-old who was allegedly assaulted and robbed by five other teenagers in June is questioning if arrests in the case were delayed in order to protect one of the suspects charged - the 18-year-old son of the city's finance commissioner.

The mother, who requested anonymity to protect her son's identity, said it took police 50 days before an arrest was made, despite at least one of the five suspects being positively identified by her son. One of the two suspects arrested was Commissioner of Finance Michele Madigan's son.

Both teens, the other being an 18-year-old from Ballston Spa, were charged with robbery causing physical injury, a class C felony, in the June 1 incident. The 16-year-old, as his mother described it, was jumped, kicked in the head and dragged down the street by his backpack, which was stolen. The victim's wallet was recovered, but his money and debit card were gone. An initial press release on the arrest said the victim's arm was injured during the attack. The Times Union is not identifying any of the teens involved in the alleged incident.

The victim's mother spoke during public comment at a City Council meeting on July 6 about why the case appeared to be languishing. At the time, she had no idea Madigan's son was allegedly involved. The two arrests were made July 20 and July 22.

Im not into conspiracies, but it makes me wonder, in hindsight, is this one of the reasons it took so long? the mother said. It makes you suspicious.

Police also did not contact the mother when the suspects were charged, and have also refused to release the arrest report - a right which is guaranteed to the victim under state law.

Saratoga Springs police spokesman Robert Jillson refutes the victim's mother's characterizations, and said the fact that Madigan's son was one of the suspects did not slow the investigation.

We did not give preferential treatment to the son of an elected official in the city, Jillson said in an email to the Times Union. Each case presents its own issues, as we experienced in this case, and arrests take time. Along the way we assess any potential concerns with our victim that necessitates earlier police action. Here we had conversations with mom and no concerns were reported to us.

The mother said she learned of the arrests on Facebook. The posting on the police Facebook page has since been removed. The Twitter post about the arrests remains, but the link does not go to the press release that was sent out on the Friday evening of the arrest.

I feel like they are being very secretive, she said.

Again, Jillson disagreed.

Since this is still ongoing, I cannot go into details on how the case has evolved, Jillson continued. However, the mother was kept aware of progress and challenges associated with the case. Our hope is to be able to hold the others involved accountable for their actions.

Madigan acknowledges her son was arrested, but in a statement said he was not an active participant in the assault and robbery, instead alleging it was others who have not been arrested. Police have not released any motive for the alleged assault.

"There were others present and involved in the dispute who have not been arrested. It is my understanding that further arrests are possible. Those who assaulted the victim are still being sought," she wrote in her statement.

The victim's mother said her son planned to meet one person in front of the East Side Recreation Park off of Lake Avenue, but five individuals showed up.

She said as the case lingered in June, her son had to face the prospect of seeing the suspect he identified during the final days of the school year at Saratoga Springs High School.

My son has said public safety is not there to keep me safe,'" she said. "If they were trying to keep him safe, they would have arrested someone earlier or put out an order of protection. That's what public safety should be. checking in on the people who are vulnerable and making sure they are safe.

What heightens sensitivity in the case is that it happened at the same time Saratoga Springs Assistant Chief Joseph Catone alleged at a press conference on June 28 that there is an uptick in violence in the city that police blame on Albany "gangs" and activists associated with Black Lives Matter.

Saratoga Springs police have since provided no evidence in response to Times Union inquiries that "gang" members from other cities are causing crime in Saratoga.

Another mother, Marissa Altimar, came forward recently to say her daughter was punched in the face in Congress Park by other local teens June 22. She said local teens are "are going around beating kids, stealing and robbing them. This is a big problem."

At that time, which would have been after the 16-year-old was allegedly beaten but no arrests had been made, Jillson said, "Younger people have been involved in the recent incidents. We have made arrests or referred people to probation as we work through the bail reform legislation."

The mother of the 16-year-old is also concerned that police removed the commissioner son's arrest on Facebook "but splash all over on Facebook when they arrest Black people for disorderly conduct at a protest. That's a misdemeanor. This is a C Class felony." Two of the five people police charged at a July 14 Black Lives Matter rally were Black, police have said.

Madigan addressed that as well in her statement saying her son's arrest has nothing to do "with the recent influx of violence in Saratoga Springs" and to conflate that is "unconscionable."

"These matters are completely unrelated, have no bearing on one another, and do nothing to address the issues raised by local activists," she said.



Last week, police denied the mother of the 16-year-old her request for a copy of the incident report, telling her its still under investigation.



According to the state Office of Victim Services, police are required to provide the victim a copy of the police report at no charge. State Executive Law Article 23 (Fair Treatment Standards for Crime Victims), Section 646.1 Police reports states,  A victim of crime shall be entitled, regardless of physical injury, without charge, a copy of a police report of the crime.

This process is such a nightmare, she said. It really makes me think about people who have fewer resources than I do in terms of money, transportation and connections. No wonder people dont trust the legal system.

The mother submitted her July 6 City Council comments, in writing, to all of the council members, after she was cut off by Mayor Meg Kelly for exceeding the two minute public comment window. She said she got no response from the two on the council she wanted to hear from: Kelly and Commissioner of Public Safety Robin Dalton. Neither returned calls to the Times Union about the case.

I dont expect police to be therapists and counsel me and my son, but like, they need to have more information to help families navigate the system, she said. Transparency is a problem. If you are not transparent with the public, who is going to trust what you do?
Desmond Boylan

The voices of thousands of Cuban protesters who went out to the streets on July 11 are being silenced. The U.S. right is co-opting their voices to demand that the U.S. government inflict punishment on the communist regime via sanctions and even military intervention. The U.S. left is distorting their message into a complaint primarily about economic hardship  a hardship that they claim is entirely the product of the U.S. embargo. What is being silenced? A broad range of different types of critiques internal to Cuba that have little, if anything, to do with the United States and its foreign policy. Protesters are asking the Cuban government for freedom of speech. They are asking for the release of imprisoned political activists. They are asking for equal access to essential goods that are currently available only to those who receive foreign currency from abroad. They are asking for recognition of the need to address racial and LGBTQ inequalities in Cuba. They are asking for the government to invest more in the immediate needs of the people and less on building hotels. Cubas problems are much more complex than the caricatures American political groups are painting. Unbeknownst to many, Cuban politics are not American politics. Cuban protesters are not striving for or against the hopes and dreams of the conservatives and progressives of the world, but for their own.

Maite Cruz
Provided photo

Most Capital Region counties have now reached the threshold of new COVID-19 cases beyond which the federal government recommends masks be worn in indoor settings, but local officials have not yet mandated it.

With an eye on the new pandemic surge, being blamed on the highly transmissible Delta variant of the coronavirus infecting the unvaccinated, some area restaurants have again started requiring employees to wear masks while on duty, regardless of vaccination status. (Almost all local hospitality staff are fully vaccinated by now.)
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.
Faye Louise Musick, 77, passed away Tuesday, August 3, 2021, following a long illness. She is the daughter of the late Thomas George and Wilda Glide (Saffle) McCord of Fairmont. She was born on November 28, 1943, in Fairmont, WV, and graduated from Fairmont Senior High School in 1961. She at
In this Nov. 6, 2015 file photo, an elderly couple walks down a hall of a nursing home in Easton, Pa.
Majority of NY Assembly would oust Cuomo if he doesn't quit

A majority of state Assembly members support beginning impeachment proceedings against Gov. Andrew Cuomo if he doesnt resign over investigative findings that he sexually harassed at least 11 women
Attorney: New Jersey man to plead guilty in Capitol breach

A New Jersey man facing a 12-count indictment for his role in the Jan. 6 breach of the Capitol is set to plead guilty
August 04, 2021





The payment sector has transformed greatly with the introduction of card machines. The portability feature in the card machines has become imperative for businesses to adapt to the booming card payments industry. The most obvious reason why portability is a r?quired specification in a card machine is the convenience and efficiency it brings. The introduction of wireless terminals is a strong reason to celebrate the worldwide acceptance of advancements in technology. Wireless credit card machines have created a space for more dependable and faster payments. The technological shift in card machines needs to be applauded because it has traveled its journey towards growth.







Unraveling the card machine journey

The Diners Club born in 1950 gave a kickstart to the credit card, or more profoundly called cashless culture. A couple of decades later, magnetic strips coded with information, also known as the electronic terminals for cards, were introduced. Then, the point-of-sale terminal or POS was instituted in the payment processing. This technology eliminated human errors, gave shoppers a smooth experience, and leveraged an easy checkout process. This proficient technology swayed many retailers to switch to a technique-driven card processor machine.

Strengthening digitization paved the way for portable card machines

Adoption of the newest technology with the portable card machine has emerged to be beneficial for every business to render easier and safer transactions to its customers. In the era of fast-growing Internet demand, it has become imperative for restaurants, malls, and other service providers to use wireless card readers. The terminals such as the myPOS Combo, Carbon, Slim, Smart, or Smart N5 easily connect through Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, providing a secure contactless payment to customers.

Supreme features of myPOS

Easy to install

Activation of the myPOS devices is easily comprehensible for vendors. It takes just a few clicks. All you need to do is log into your account, click on Activate Your Device and follow the instructions. An activation code will be generated. Enter it on the myPOS device and make sure it is connected to Internet. The device will display a confirmation screen. Thats it!

Long-lasting battery

The battery life of myPOS machines is astonishing. They manage to stay up-and-running for the whole working day effortlessly.

Travel faster than light

With myPOS the connectivity and authorization time is minimalistic. Merchants can enjoy instant settlement of funds without paying monthly, annual or sign-up fees. The card machines also have high-speed thermal printers that manage to cut the receipt printing time.

Compact and movable

The myPOS card readers are lightweight, easy to carry, and ready to execute payments of sales on the go. These terminals will also help you keep your margins intact since this payment solution is all-inclusive.

Supports Google (News - Alert) and Apple Pay

You will be able to dive into a broader customer base because these payment aggregators have widespread usability and accessibility.

The latest security and standard features

Safety first will always be the unchanged objective of myPOS. Therefore, the compact credit card terminals integrate PCI (News - Alert) PED certification to make sure that the PIN entry device's security is intact during a financial transaction. Adhering to such safety protocols assists in rendering a safeguarded Bluetooth technology, disbursing quicker payments.

Portable machines will bring the payment terminal to the customers because flexibility is the USP of these card terminals. All the customers expect an easy and convenient payment gateway, which these mobile card machines render and help achieve a memorable user payment experience.
[August 04, 2021] Aptean Announces Availability of RFP Template to Help Food & Beverage Manufacturers Begin Digital Transformation

ALPHARETTA, Ga., Aug. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Aptean , a global provider of mission-critical enterprise software solutions, announced the availability of a new Request for Proposal (RFP) template designed especially for food and beverage manufacturers that are looking to drive more effective and efficient operations. The template, which is downloadable at www.aptean.com, includes key questions derived from thousands of software selection engagements that companies must ask as theyre searching for the right Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution.

Aptean, which specializes in software built for specific industries, has participated in thousands of software selections within the food and beverage manufacturing industry. Through that selling process and its successful installations of Aptean Food & Beverage ERP around the globe, the company identified critical questions that buyers should ask during their shopping process to help ensure strong customer satisfaction, fster installations and the inclusion of critical features and functions to the food and beverage manufacturing industry.



Most companies dont invest in a new ERP system more than once every eight to 10 years, said Bob Kocis, Apteans Chief Revenue Officer. Given the rapid pace of digital transformation, companies looking to move their systems to the cloud or to progress from a basic solution need to ask very different questions today than they would have just five years ago. The tailored RFP template is designed to act as a checklist for companies preparing to evaluate how well an ERP system can fit their specific organization. Selecting an ERP in the food and beverage industry is different than identifying a solution in other industries, continued Kocis. Food and beverage companies must ask very specific questions of their potential vendors and Aptean is thrilled to offer our RFP template to help these businesses through this important step in their growth.

The Aptean ERP RFP Template for food and beverage manufacturers may be downloaded here. About Aptean

Aptean is one of the worlds leading providers of industry-specific software, enabling our customers to be Ready for Whats Next, Now. Our enterprise resource planning and supply chain solutions are uniquely designed to meet the needs of specialized manufacturers and distributors in over 20 industries, while our compliance solutions serve specific markets such as finance and life sciences. In total, Apteans solutions are used by over 6,500 customers around the world. With both cloud and on-premise deployment options, Apteans products, services and unmatched expertise help businesses of all sizes to scale and succeed. Aptean is headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia and has offices in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. To learn more about Aptean and the markets we serve, visit www.aptean.com. Aptean is a trademark of Aptean, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated. For Media Inquiries Please Contact

Nicole ORourke

Chief Marketing Officer

Nicole.Orourke@aptean.com

(770) 715-0362



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[August 04, 2021] Archway Marketing Services Moves to Cloud with 8x8 XCaaS to Drive Technology Enhancement Initiative

8x8, Inc. (NYSE: EGHT), a leading integrated cloud communications platform provider, today announced that Archway Marketing Services, a leading provider of supply chain services, has selected 8x8 XCaaS (eXperience Communications as a Service) to enhance employee communications and customer engagement. Archway will deploy 8x8's (News - Alert) integrated, cloud communications and contact center product with the 8x8 Voice for Microsoft Teams direct routing solution to drive its technology enhancement initiative across 12 locations for more than 700 employees. Archway offers a suite of proven logistics solutions to streamline marketing, product support, and execution through the US and Canada. As the company grew, disparate on-premises solutions and downtime disrupted business, especially as the company was expanding hybrid work initiatives. Archway needed a reliable communications solution that would allow distributed employees and agents in the US and Canada to engage quickly and effectively with each other and customers. "We take pride in our availability and commitment to our customers. We knew we needed an integrated cloud-based communications and customer engagement platform when our legacy on-premises systems were no longer supporting the level of service customers required," said Jeff Kish, Chief Technology Officer, Archway Marketing Services. "8x8 provides us with the integrated communications tools we need to ensure uninterrupted collaboration and engagement not only with our customers, but across all of our teams in the US and Canada. 8x8 XCaaS enables our employees to work from anywhere so we can continue delivering the exceptional ervices customers expect."



With 8x8 XCaaS, Archway is able to improve collaboration and reliability, ensure business resiliency, and strengthen its operate-from-anywhere workforce. 8x8 XCaaS includes integrated contact center, voice, video meetings, and chat capabilities, and is built on the resilient, secure, and compliant 8x8 Experience Communications Platform, which offers the highest levels of reliability. Following a service outage with Archway's previous provider, 8x8 worked with the company to establish a new cloud communications service for one of their locations within 72 hours. Additionally, 8x8 Voice for Microsoft (News - Alert) Teams allows Archway employees to continue leveraging a native Teams interface for collaboration and engagement while using 8x8's enterprise-grade telephony and the Microsoft-certified for Teams 8x8 Contact Center solution. "New work requirements are clearly highlighting that legacy, on-premises technology no longer meets the employee and customer experience needs for a distributed workforce. The ability to transition smoothly and quickly to the cloud is imperative," said Amrit Chaudhuri, Chief Marketing Officer, 8x8, Inc. "Enterprises, like Archway, are recognizing the value of a single-vendor integrated cloud and contact center solution for driving customer success and growth efforts. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Archway and enabling their technology enhancement journey."

About Archway Marketing Services: Archway is a leading provider of logistics and supply chain services for some of the world's biggest brands. They're known for the best brains and hands that service, source and distribute for large companies to help their clients market, sell and distribute products better than they already do. Archway team members solve client challenges and deliver results with greater efficiencies and better customer experiences by putting people first, collaborating with others and working with unstoppable passion to deliver on their commitments. Operating 3.5 million square feet of distribution space in 12 metropolitan areas across North America, the company has approximately 1500 employees. About 8x8, Inc. 8x8, Inc. (NYSE: EGHT) is transforming the future of business communications as a leading Software-as-a-Service provider of contact center, voice communications, video, chat and API solutions powered by one global cloud communications platform. 8x8 empowers workforces worldwide to connect individuals and teams so they can collaborate faster and work smarter. Real-time business analytics and intelligence provide businesses unique insights across all interactions and channels so they can delight end-customers and accelerate their business. For additional information, visit www.8x8.com, or follow 8x8 on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. 8x8 and 8x8 X Series are trademarks of 8x8, Inc. Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. Readers are directed to 8x8's periodic and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ( SEC (News - Alert) ) for a description of such risks and uncertainties. 8x8 undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005300/en/

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[August 04, 2021] Benson Hill Launches Food System Innovators Program to Validate Technology Concepts, Enhance CropOS Technology Platform

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Benson Hill, Inc. (the "Company" or "Benson Hill"), a food tech company unlocking the natural genetic diversity of plants with its cutting-edge food innovation engine, today announced the launch of the Benson Hill Food System Innovators Program (the "FSI Program"). Through the FSI Program, the Company is collaborating with leading farmers to evaluate its technologies in commercial production environments. Insights from the FSI Program will further expand the capabilities of the Company's proprietary CropOS technology platform and optimize field-specific product outcomes and quality traits. One near-term focus of the FSI Program is to continue maximizing the protein content of the Company's innovative soybean varieties intended for the human food ingredients market. "With Benson Hill's Food System Innovators Program, we're able to be on the cutting edge of what's happening in agriculture today," said Benson Hill Food System Innovators Program farmer Aaron Lee of Cornerstone Family Farms in Salem, Indiana. "We're striving to produce the best product we can and add value to our operation, and Benson Hill is right there beside us. We're eliminating waste, improving efficiency and driving toward a more sustainable operation. It's exciting to play a role in changing the food system." The FSI Program initially includes farmers in six states for the 2021 crop year. The FSI Program is designed for farmers who have a demonstrated track record as early innovation adopters, including deploying precision agriculture technologies. It enables a two-way flow of information, directly connecting farmers with Benson Hill's research and product development team. Participating farmers will benefit from early access to the latest Benson Hill product concepts and potential premium opportunities in plant-based protein and other high-value markets. "Real-time feedback on performance, productivity and other factors is foundational to future innovation at Benson Hill," said Matt Crisp, Chief Executive Officer of Benson Hill. "Our farmer partners recognize the growing market demand for plant-based food solutions as an opportunity rooted in better seeds. They share our vision for a modern and more resilient food system that can deliver high-quality, high-protein, sustainable ingredients to meet this demand while supporting strong farmer ROI." The Benson Hill Food System Innovators Program is one of several farmer programs the Company has developed to deliver food made better from the beginning through its integrated supply chain. Learn more at www.bensonhill.com/farmers. Benson Hill's relationship with its farmers is unique in that it utilizes the Company's integrated model, spanning the entire supply chain. The Company works with farmers, processors and others to support identity preservation and product tracing from seed to ingredient. Benson Hill anticipates that the result is an end-product that provides more sustainably produced, traceable, less processed and more affordable food choices to consumers.

About Benson Hill

Benson Hill moves food forward with the CropOS platform, a cutting-edge food innovation engine that combines data science and machine learning with biology and genetics. Benson Hill empowers innovators to unlock nature's genetic diversity from plant to plate, with the purpose of creating healthier, great-tasting food and ingredient options that are both widely accessible and sustainable. More information can be found at bensonhill.com or on Twitter at @bnsonhillinc.



On May 10, 2021, Benson Hill announced a definitive business combination agreement with Star Peak Corp II (NYSE: STPC). Upon the closing of the business combination, Benson Hill will become publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the new ticker symbol "BHIL". Additional information about the transaction can be viewed at: https://bensonhill.com/investors/ or https://stpc.starpeakcorp.com/. Additional Information

This communication is being made in respect of a proposed merger (the "Merger") and related transactions (the "proposed transactions") involving Star Peak and Benson Hill. The proposed transactions will be submitted to stockholders of Star Peak for their consideration and approval at a special meeting of stockholders. In addition, Benson Hill will solicit written consents from its stockholders for approval of the proposed transactions. In connection with the proposed transactions, Star Peak has filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), which includes a proxy statement to be distributed to Star Peak stockholders in connection with Star Peak's solicitation for proxies for the vote by Star Peak's stockholders in connection with the proposed transactions and other matters as described in such Registration Statements and a prospectus relating to the offer of the securities to be issued to Benson Hill's stockholders in connection with the completion of the Merger. After the Registration Statement has been declared effective, Star Peak will mail a definitive proxy statement / prospectus and other relevant documents to its stockholders as of the record date established for voting on the proposed transactions. Investors, Star Peak's stockholders and other interested parties are advised to read, when available, the preliminary proxy statement, and any amendments thereto, and the definitive proxy statement in connection with Star Peak's solicitation of proxies for its special meeting of stockholders to be held to approve the proposed transaction because the proxy statement / prospectus will contain important information about the proposed transaction and the parties to the proposed transaction. Stockholders will also be able to obtain copies of the proxy statement / prospectus, without charge, once available, at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or by directing a request to: Star Peak Corp II, 1603 Orrington Avenue, 13th Floor, Evanston, Illinois 60201.

No Offer or Solicitation

This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Participants in the Solicitation

Star Peak and Benson Hill and their respective directors, executive officers, other members of management, and employees, under SEC rules, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies of Star Peak's stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction. Information regarding the persons who may, under SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transaction, including a description of their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is set forth in the Registration Statement that has been filed with the SEC by Star Peak, which includes the proxy statement / prospectus for the proposed transaction. Information regarding the directors and executive officers of Star Peak is contained in Star Peak's filings with the SEC, and such information is also in the Registration Statement that has been filed with the SEC by Star Peak, which includes the proxy statement / prospectus for the proposed transaction. Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this communication may be considered "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or Star Peak's or Benson Hill's future financial or operating performance. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding estimates and forecasts of other financial and performance metrics and projections of market opportunity. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "should," "expect," "intend," "will," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "predict," or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Star Peak and its management, and Benson Hill and its management, as the case may be, are inherently uncertain factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: 1) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the definitive merger agreement with respect to the business combination; 2) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Star Peak, the combined company or others following the announcement of the business combination and any definitive agreements with respect thereto; 3) the inability to complete the business combination due to the failure to obtain approval of the stockholders of Star Peak, to obtain financing to complete the business combination or to satisfy other conditions to closing; 4) changes to the proposed structure of the business combination that may be required or appropriate as a result of applicable laws or regulations or as a condition to obtaining regulatory approval of the business combination; 5) the ability to meet the New York Stock Exchange's listing standards following the consummation of the business combination; 6) the risk that the business combination disrupts current plans and operations of Benson Hill as a result of the announcement and consummation of the business combination; 7) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the business combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain its management and key employees; 8) costs related to the business combination; 9) changes in applicable laws or regulations; 10) the possibility that Benson Hill or the combined company may be adversely affected by other economic, business and/or competitive factors; 11) Benson Hill's estimates of its financial performance; 12) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on business and financial conditions; and 13) other risks and uncertainties set forth in the sections entitled "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in Star Peak's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on March 31, 2021, in the Registration Statement containing the proxy statement / prospectus relating to the proposed business combination, and other documents filed or to be filed with the SEC by Star Peak. Nothing in this communication should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward looking statements will be achieved. There may be additional risks that Star Peak and Benson Hill presently do not know or that Star Peak and Benson Hill currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Neither Star Peak nor Benson Hill undertakes any duty to update these forward-looking statements, except as otherwise required by law. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/benson-hill-launches-food-system-innovators-program-to-validate-technology-concepts-enhance-cropos-technology-platform-301347996.html SOURCE Benson Hill

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[August 03, 2021] CHAMPS Group Purchasing Announces Partnership with JobsOhio

CLEVELAND, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Supply chain specialists CHAMPS Group Purchasing, a business affiliate of the Northeast Ohio regional hospital association The Center for Health Affairs, recently finalized a series of agreements with Ohio-based suppliers thanks to the collaborative efforts of JobsOhio. These partnerships further solidify CHAMPS' commitment to supporting local, diverse and small business domestic suppliers to progress the economy of the communities it serves while supporting the needs of its membership nationally. The scope of the collaboration allows for additional contracting opportunities to become available for CHAMPS members in the future. Each supplier offers a specific line of personal protective equipment (PPE) and COVID-19 related products, available to CHAMPS GPO members at competitive rates. The suppliers and their product offerings include ALG Health, a Defiance, Ohio-based manufacturer of N95 disposable masks; Commercial Cutting, a Level 1 disposable polyethylene isolation gowns manufacturer based in Mansfield, Ohio; GVS Filtration, a company that produces N99 disposable and reusable P100 respirators in Findlay, Ohio; Mark One Medical, a Minster, Ohio-based producer of disinfecting wipes and alcohol spray; and Sensical, Inc., a manufacturer based in Solon, Ohio, that makes Level 1 & 2 disposable polyethylene isolation gowns, level 2 spunbond isolation gowns and spunbond shoe and hair covers.



"CHAMPS Group Purchasing's decision to include five Ohio companies in their PPE supply chain will bolster in-state manufacturing of this critical resource with home-grown talent," said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. "Domestically-produced PPE offers numerous economic development and safety benefits for companies and workers, alike, and these new partnerships will help and prevent critical supply shortages in the future by reducing our country's reliance on PPE from overseas." As CHAMPS GPO and The Center responded to the needs of its membership during the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization identified and prioritized several solutions to assist its members. As CHAMPS' response efforts took shape, the need to support domestic manufacturers emerged as a forefront priority. Recognizing Ohio as a leading hub for industries like healthcare and manufacturing, CHAMPS' actions led to a strategic partnership with Team NEO, a leading Northeast Ohio business development organization and entity that partners with JobsOhio, the statewide economic development group. Through this collaboration, JobsOhio introduced CHAMPS to several Ohio-based manufacturers who are fulfilling PPE and supply needs for GPO members, adding value for CHAMPS' membership and Ohio businesses alike.

"This partnership is the result of collaboration between organizations who truly represent and support Ohio well," said Tracy Wise, senior vice president of business operations and administration for The Center for Health Affairs and CHAMPS Healthcare. "From the moment the pandemic hit our state, we at The Center and CHAMPS have worked tirelessly to find ways to further support our members while also improving the overall health of our community. On behalf of The Center and CHAMPS, I extend our thanks to JobsOhio and Team NEO for this opportunity to help progress our regional economy." "As part of our economic development strategy, JobsOhio will continue to support open, secure supply chains across critical industries," said Andrew Deye, JobsOhio VP, Strategy. "We thank CHAMPS for their continued engagement on PPE supply chain issues and for being a responsive, open-minded and forward-thinking partner." Membership to CHAMPS Group Purchasing is free and serves members in all classes of trade, including healthcare, education, hospitality, and business & industry across commercial sectors. JobsOhio is a private nonprofit corporation designed to drive job creation and new investment in Ohio through business attraction, retention and expansion efforts. Team NEO, a designated JobsOhio Network Partner, is a private, nonprofit economic development organization aimed at accelerating business growth and job creation throughout the 18 counties of the Northeast Ohio region. For more information about CHAMPS Group Purchasing and its membership benefits, contact us. About The Center for Health Affairs The Center for Health Affairs, the nation's first regional hospital association, has served as the collective voice of Northeast Ohio hospitals for more than 100 years. Together with its business affiliates, CHAMPS Group Purchasing and The Essentials Group, The Center continues the legacy of its founders, working collaboratively to increase the efficiency of healthcare delivery, providing insightful healthcare information to the public and undertaking initiatives aimed at improving the health of the community. For more information, visit www.neohospitals.org. Press Contact: Tracy Wise

2162553695

http://www.neohospitals.org View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/champs-group-purchasing-announces-partnership-with-jobsohio-301347765.html SOURCE The Center for Health Affairs

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[August 04, 2021] Cloudleaf and ELPRO Announce Real-time Environmental Monitoring Partnership for Pharmaceutical, Life Science and Healthcare Applications

In the continued expansion of Cloudleaf's solution ecosystem, we are excited to announce Cloudleaf, Inc. and ELPRO-BUCHS AG's strategic partnership. Cloudleaf provides a SaaS (News - Alert) digital intelligence platform that leverages IoT and digital twin technologies to bring enhanced solutions to the world's supply chains. ELPRO is a trusted global leader in environmental monitoring hardware and software solutions, servicing the world's largest pharmaceutical, life science and healthcare companies. Increasing end-to-end shipments and supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic have presented unprecedented challenges to manufacturers and forced optimization of their logistics and distribution networks. Together Cloudleaf and ELPRO are providing qualified, real-time cold chain monitoring solutions to ensure global visibility and help provide safe and effective delivery of medications to patients. ELPRO brings over 30 years of pharmaceutical regulatory compliance experience and an innovative spirit. The company was first to market with a real-time monitoring solution (LIBERO Gx) utilizing the LTE (News - Alert) -M/NB-IoT network. The solution monitors temperatures as low as -200 C for cryogenic shipments and delivers the longest battery life among leading competitors. "ELPRO is pleased to partner with Cloudleaf to develop integrated and qualified real-time environmental monitoring intelligence for clients on a platform that provides global continuous visibility. Together we will develop solution that provide customers meaningful insights into their data to enable faster decisions impacting regulatory compliance, as well as the safety and security of temperature-sensitive products," says ELPRO CEO, Philipp Osl.



"In continuing to connect across the supply chain technology ecosystem, Cloudleaf powers the digital supply chain from world-class data sources. ELPRO is the world leader in providing monitoring solutions for the life sciences," says Cloudleaf's CEO, Mahesh Veerina. "We are excited to build solution offerings that will positively impact not just supply chains, but also the end-to-end chain down to the health and safety of patients through better management of those supply chains." For more information, please go to www.cloudleaf.com and www.ELPRO.com.

About Cloudleaf Cloudleaf powers next-generation digital supply chains with insights from ground truth and real-time decision-making. Our SaaS platform leverages hyper-scale cloud, digital twin, AI/ML, and IoT technologies to deliver continuous visibility and intelligence. We enable business leaders to make the right decisions in real-time to increase revenues, avoid disruptions, deliver better business outcomes, improve customer satisfaction and increase sustainability. For more information, visit: www.cloudleaf.com. About ELPRO-BUCHS AG For over thirty years, ELPRO has been a Swiss-based, global manufacturer of innovative environmental monitoring solutions for the pharmaceutical, life science, biotech and healthcare industries. As the knowledge and innovation leader in the industry, ELPRO offers next generation real-time IoT data loggers and SaaS platforms including data analytics, and a global team of GxP experts to support the system integration into new or existing business processes. Sales and technical support offices are located in Switzerland, USA, Canada, UK, Germany, the Nordics, Benelux, Hungary and Singapore. For more information visit www.elpro.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005108/en/

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[August 04, 2021]

CRTC Broadband Fund to introduce or improve Internet access services and mobile wireless services for 46 communities in five provinces

OTTAWA, ON and GATINEAU, QC, Aug. 4, 2021 /CNW/ - Today, the CRTC announced that 10 projects will receive up to nearly $20.5 million in funding from the Broadband Fund.

The projects will potentially benefit approximately 3,625 households in 46 communities, including 16 Indigenous communities, in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Broadband Fund will allocate funds to:

TELUS Communications Inc. ( British Columbia )

) Bell Canada ( Ontario , New Brunswick , Newfoundland and Labrador )

( , , and ) ATG Arrow Technology Group Limited Partnership ( Alberta )

) TELUS Mobility ( Alberta )

) Rogers Communications Canada Inc. ( New Brunswick )

With today's announcement, the Broadband Fund has to date committed up to nearly $177. million to improve broadband services for 153 communities, representing approximately 28,125 households. Among the projects previously approved, regional governments and smaller companies will receive up to $82 million in funding to close the digital divide in the most isolated communities of Canada. This includes funding for a satellite project in northern Manitoba and for two transport projects in Nunavik.

The funding recipients will have to provide broadband Internet access services or mobile wireless services that either meet the universal service objective or move communities closer to attaining it. In some cases, the projects will introduce broadband services to communities that currently have no such services.

Prior to receiving funding, recipients must complete a statement of work setting out the details of each project, including schedules and costs, which must be approved by the CRTC. It is anticipated that construction for most projects announced today will start in the first half of 2022 at the earliest.

The CRTC is continuing to evaluate the applications submitted under the second call for applications. Further funding announcements will be made as additional projects are approved.

Quote

"As many Canadians have adopted new ways to work, learn and live, the COVID-19 pandemic has confirmed that poor Internet connections can disadvantage those who need Internet access the most. Canada's remote communities face unique connectivity challenges. The projects from today's announcement will enable residents of dozens of communities to benefit from distance education, help promote the talents of local artists and provide for new business opportunities."

- Ian Scott, Chairperson and CEO of the CRTC

Quick Facts

The universal service objective target for fixed Internet access service is that all Canadians have access to download speeds of at least 50 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of at least 10 Mbps, with an unlimited data option. The target for mobile wireless service is the use of the latest generally deployed mobile wireless technology (currently long-term evolution [LTE]) in Canadian homes and businesses and on major transportation roads.

Applications were assessed based on many factors, including their technical merit, financial viability, level of community consultation, and the amount of funding committed from other sources  both public and private.

In November 2019 , the CRTC issued a second call for applications for projects to improve broadband Internet access services and mobile wireless services across Canada. The second call geneated 586 valid applications requesting more than $1.5 billion in total funding.

, the CRTC issued a second call for applications for projects to improve broadband Internet access services and mobile wireless services across Canada. The second call geneated 586 valid applications requesting more than in total funding. The CRTC Broadband Fund will provide up to $750 million over the first five years to support projects that improve broadband Internet access services and mobile wireless services in underserved areas in Canada . It is designed to complement private-sector investments and public-sector initiatives.

. It is designed to complement private-sector investments and public-sector initiatives. In 2019, 45.6% of rural Canadian households had access to broadband Internet access services offering speeds of 50 Mbps download, 10 Mbps upload and unlimited data.

In 2018, the availability of 50/10/unlimited service in First Nations reserves was behind rural areas, with only 31.3% having access to this level of service. This service was not accessible to First Nations reserves in Saskatchewan , Newfoundland and Labrador , Yukon , and Northwest Territories .

, and , , and . The CRTC expects fixed broadband Internet access service to be available in 90% of Canadian homes and businesses by the end of 2021, and 100% as soon as possible.







Ask a question or make a complaint

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SOURCE Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
[August 04, 2021] Decom Holdings Provides Solution to Monetary Authority of Singapore on Global Challenge for Retail CBDC

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Aug. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As a response to the Global Challenge for retail Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) solutions organized by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) on 23 June 2021, a group of experts from Decom Holdings Vietnam has proposed innovative ideas and solutions to address 12 different problem statements raised by the MAS and partner organizations from all over the world. These statements are centered on three key areas: CBDC Instrument; CBDC Distribution; and CBDC Infrastructure.

All senior experts in different time zones and working environments have worked diligently together to come up with the most original and innovative proposal possible for this contest. With a group of experts expertise and experience in financial and banking, blockchain security, cryptography, and other blockchain applications, the team is very confident in contributing to enhance payment efficiencies and promote financial inclusion through the Global Challenge for Retail CBDC Solutions launched by MAS. This project marks the first time ever to have an independent research team on blockchain in Vietnam, with members from a variety of fields such as finance, cryptography, technology, marketing, etc., work togeter remotely on a public project with an international scale.



We are overjoyed to be a part of this competition hosted by the Singapore government. It is a great way to encourage organizations, groups and individuals across the globe to share their brilliant proposal for retail CDBC solutions, said Trung Phan, Chairman of Decom Holdings Joint Stock Company, an expert in investment and DEFI solutions. We learned about the competition only a few weeks ago, but we quickly put together a team and started the project right away. We did run into some obstacles during the process due to the intense Covid outbreak in Vietnam right now, but the team still tried our best since we dont want to miss this opportunity to share our knowledge and foster the mass adoption for Blockchain via CBDC. To add on, Ms. Lynn Hoang, Director of Binance Vietnam and Blockchain expert of Vietnam Innovation Network, shared: The challenge launched by MAS is extremely essential. Many central banks in China, UK, Germany, US and around the world are actively exploring the issuance of national digital currencies, while having to explore a range of policy and technology challenges. This competition encourages creative communities around the world to develop and showcase solutions that can maximize the potential of CBDCs to bring efficiency to payment services, improve financial inclusion in line with central banks' core mission of stabilizing currencies.

About Decom Holdings: Decom Holdings Joint Stock Company specializes in DEFI investment and solution search, providing their customers with secure and high-quality services. Decom Holdings is also running a blockchain-focused community with more than 11,000 active members including experts who are senior leaders at leading enterprises in Vietnam and people with endless passion for blockchain platforms. Photo: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f765b334-7243-4851-9333-c9e5adcc365a

NGUYEN THANH THU(Ms) +84-907-60-4300 thunt@decomlab.com

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[August 04, 2021] Demetria Launches AI-based Agtech Solution to Boost the Growth of High Value Coffee

- Ag and foodtech startup successfully completes pilot with Nespresso, effectively demonstrating capabilities of its pioneering technology for a division of the world's largest food and drink company BOGOTA, Colombia and TEL AVIV, Israel, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Demetria , the first AI-powered taste and quality intelligence SaaS startup for the coffee supply chain, today unveils a working application that identifies the successful reproduction of high value coffee seedlings. Demetria has entered into a commercial agreement with Nespresso to deploy this solution having conducted a pilot, enabling the coffee brand to enhance operational capacity and efficiency by providing high quality coffee plants to farmers. Spearheading the transformation of the coffee industry, Demetria empowers producers and roasters with first-of-its-kind insights utilizing near infra-red sensor technology and AI-driven data intelligence. The company is launching a suite of SaaS-based solutions to deliver taste assessment and profiling of green coffee beans as well as swift, accurate quality measurement and traceability throughout the supply chain. As part of Nespresso's work to bring high quality sustainable coffee to its discerning customers, the brand continually develops new coffee varieties through grafting of coffee tree seedlings, a horticultural technique used to join two plants so they grow as a single plant. To date, Nespresso relied on the experience of a few trained experts to manually examine the seedling to detect if the grafting process was successfl and the plant was viable.



Demetria applies its handheld sensor technology and machine-learning models to enable Nespresso's operational teams to measure and classify grafted stems of specific coffee tree seedlings with the same precision as a highly trained expert. During the pilot, Demetria's application was used to classify over 240K seedlings in a three-month period that have since been supplied to Nespresso's selected network of farmers in Colombia. The technology provides Nespresso the ability to greatly amplify operational capacity and efficiency while achieving process consistency given the automated measurement and classification of coffee plants. The outcome of this joint process will provide coffee farmers across Colombia with high-quality grafted plants, contributing to their productivity and livelihoods.

"Demetria was able to understand, design, develop and deploy a solution to meet our needs in the field in a very tight timeframe", says Santiago Arango Green Coffee Project Manager Nestle Nespresso. "This work is an introduction to our long term plans with Demetria. We are embarking on applying their pioneering technology to build a suite of applications that will allow our network of farmers to accurately measure and manage their post-harvest processes for the first time, in order to consistently produce optimal coffee quality." "Demetria leverages technological innovation to create shared value across the coffee supply chain with a particular emphasis on positively impacting the livelihoods for the crop's smallholders," says Demetria's co-founder and CEO Felipe Ayerbe. "We're delighted to be working with Nespresso at such an early stage in our company's growth and we hope this application is just one of many high value use cases we can provide, bringing a new level of efficiency to a critical stage of coffee production while minimizing the cost of failure for both the roaster and the farmer." Demetria recently emerged from stealth and announced a seed funding round led by LatAm-Israeli investor Celeritas and a group of private investors including Mercantil Colpatria, the investment branch of Grupo Colpatria, a leading player in the Colombian financial sector. About Demetria Demetria is building the world's first coffee quality and traceability data cloud to drive efficiency and transparency across the entire coffee supply chain. Pioneering the ability to accurately assess the taste of green coffee beans, our AI-powered platform serves all players in the value chain including farmers, traders and roasters. Principally, Demetria empowers farmers to consistently measure and manage crop quality, and receive a fair and accurate payment for their produce, safeguarding the industry's sustainability. See demetria.ag for more information. For more information, please contact: Diane Mckaye

+44 7771 926726

diane.mckaye@si14global.com

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[August 04, 2021] Enedym, Inc. Announces Two New Appointments To Board of Directors

Enedym, Inc. ("Enedym"), the technology company that develops next generation switched reluctance motors (SRMs), electric propulsion, and electrified powertrains, announced today that it has appointed Robert Lee, former Vice President of Engines, Electrified Propulsion, and Advanced Powertrain Engineering at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and Ron Harper, President and CEO of JFE Shoji Power Canada Inc., to its board of directors. "We are so pleased to welcome Bob and Ron as new directors to Enedym's board," said Ali Emadi, Founder, President, and CEO of Enedym. "They join Enedym at an exciting time as we expand our operations and development capabilities in order to continue to transform the electric motor and electrified powertrain sector. Bob's deep experience in the global automotive sector will bring valuable experience to our rapidly growing automotive electrification business. Ron's expertise in manufacturing and supply chain management will be valuable in developing Enedym's emerging global supply chain." Dr. Emadi added, "The addition of these directors complements our current board of directors' skills and experiences. We are confident that both Bob and Ron will provide valuable perspectives as we execute our strategy and drive growth, and we look forward to their contributions." Bob Lee brings to Enedym a wealth of experience from ore than 40 years in the automotive industry, having previously served as the Vice President of Engines, Electrified Propulsion, and Advanced Powertrain Engineering at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (now Stellantis). Mr. Lee is based in Brighton, Michigan, U.S.



Ron Harper currently serves as President and CEO of JFE Shoji Power Canada Inc., one of the largest providers of transformer cores, magnetic materials for electrical engineering applications and electrical engineering support and design services in North America. JFE Shoji Power Canada is part of the JFE Shoji Corporation electrical materials and products group, with supportive ownership from JFE Holdings of Japan. Mr. Harper is based in Burlington, Ontario, Canada. Enedym recently announced a $15 million financing round from an international group of strategic investors within the U.S., Canada, Europe, and India.

About Enedym, Inc. Enedym is a technology start-up company from McMaster University. The company is headquartered at the McMaster Innovation Park in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Enedym has ownership of over 50 patents and pending patent applications and related inventions developed by the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Hybrid Powertrain Dr. Ali Emadi and his research group at the McMaster Automotive Resource Centre (MARC), McMaster University. Enedym's vision is to reduce the cost of electric propulsion motors significantly and power a new paradigm in the electric motor industry through novel switched reluctance motor (SRM) drive technologies. Enedym aspires to help save the planet, one electric motor market at a time. To learn more about Enedym, please visit www.enedym.com and our YouTube (News - Alert) channel at Enedym YouTube. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005014/en/

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[August 04, 2021] Former DOD Principal Director for Cyber Dr. Daniel J. "Rags" Ragsdale Joins Two Six Technologies

ARLINGTON, Va., Aug. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Two Six Technologies, a high-growth, technology-focused provider of products and expertise to U.S. national security customers, announced that Daniel J. Rags Ragsdale, Ph.D. has joined the company as Vice President - Architect. With decades-long service in the U.S. Army, deep experience at the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and DARPA, and unparalleled expertise in cybersecurity, the addition of Ragsdale to the Two Six Technologies leadership team will help drive the companys aggressive growth.

Im thrilled to announce the addition of an accomplished military, DOD, and DARPA veteran like Rags to our leadership team, said Joe Logue, CEO of Two Six Technologies. Rags reputation goes before him, and his unmatched experience and expertise in cyber and other sectors will have a significant impact on our organic growth and strategic expansion. Ragsdale most recently served as Acting Director of Defense Research and Engineering for Modernization, where he was responsible for driving DOD-wide innovation by facilitating the rapid development and disruptive integration of advanced technologies to deliver vastly enhanced capabilities for the Joint force. He was also responsible for unifying and advancing the investment and capability analysis of the Pentagon's modernization priorities outlined in the National Defense Strategy. He managed and provided leadership oversight for Artificial Intelligence; Autonomy; Biotechnology; Cyber; Directed Energy; Fully Networked Command, Control, and Communications (FNC3); Hypersonics; Microelectronics; Quantum Science; Space; and 5G. Previously, as Principal Director for Cyber, Ragsdale was responsible for coordinating cyber modernization efforts across the DOD. Among his specific responsibilities were the establshment of DOD-wide policies, and portfolio management of all DOD cyber modernization programs and activities, including research and engineering, technology development, prototyping, experimentation, test and evaluation, and capability transition.



Prior to his return to the DOD in early 2019, Ragsdale was the founding director of the Texas A&M Cybersecurity Center. In that capacity, he led, coordinated, and facilitated cybersecurity research and educational activities across the university. Ragsdale also previously served as a DARPA Program Manager, where he managed a $175M portfolio of R&D programs focused on cybersecurity, cyber operations, and behavioral science. Before joining DARPA, Colonel (retired) Ragsdale served 30 years in the U.S. Army in a variety of operational, R&D, and educational roles. His combat deployments included Operations Urgent Fury (Grenada), Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), and Iraqi Freedom (Iraq). Ragsdale served nearly 15 years at the United States Military Academy, West Point, in an array of teaching and research roles, which culminated in his service as Vice Dean for Education.

Two Six Technologies is a brilliantly formed, forward-looking, and people-focused company. It has a proven track record of rapidly developing breakthrough innovations which directly address some of the most critical challenges facing our government and military, said Ragsdale. Im beyond excited to have the opportunity to work closely with the deeply passionate and well-respected experts who comprise the Two Six Technologies team. Im very confident that collectively we will accelerate the delivery of leap-ahead capabilities, which will be instrumental in addressing the increasing array of threats to U.S. national security interests. Ragsdale is a graduate from the U.S. Military Academy. He earned a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from the Naval Postgraduate School and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Texas A&M University. About Two Six Technologies

Two Six Technologies is a high-growth technology company providing products and expertise to national security customers. The Company solves complex challenges in six focus areas: cyber and space operations, data science, information operations, microelectronics, decision support and planning, and nextgen communications. The Company offers a family of operationally deployed products including Pulse, IKE, SIGMA, 8Wire and others. Major customers include DARPA, Department of State, U.S. Cyber Command, Department of Homeland Security and the broader Department of Defense and Intelligence Community. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, Two Six Technologies has more than 300 employees and a global operational footprint that includes a technical presence in more than 40 countries, coupled with native proficiency in more than 20 languages. For more information, visit twosixtech.com.

More Information and Media Contact: David Leach Two Six Technologies (703) 782-9473 David.Leach@twosixtech.com

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[August 04, 2021] Golden State Continues to Attract Top Advisors as They Rapidly Expand Across the Country

SOUTH COAST METRO, Calif., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Golden State ("RIA"), an investment advisor registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, continues to attract top talent as they rapidly grow their national footprint. Headquartered in California, Golden State now has advisors across eight additional states including Arizona, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. The RIA has increased its advisor count by 50 percent and has more than doubled its advisory AUM to over $1.3 billion just over the last 12 months. Nearly one-half of this AUM is managed by women advisors of whom make up approximately one-quarter of the RIA's advisor community. Golden State supports a DBA structure, so advisors can own their own brand. Committed to transparency and efficient business strategies, the RIA's robust infrastructure gives financial advisors a broad spectrum of support the moment they choose the organization. In addition to marketing and technology assistance, Golden State provides a turnkey asset management platform, a mergers and acquisitins program, a brokerage insurance agency, a mortgage and lending program, a digital advice platform and a support network that includes a dedicated community of advisors.



"Financial advisors are attracted to the flexibility of the advisory model. At Golden State, we can provide advisors with the tools, technology and support they require regardless of their physical location. This was the Golden State business model prior to COVID-19 and it continues to serve our advisor's needs as we progress forward out of the pandemic," said Daniel R. Catone, CEO of Golden State. About Golden State

The Golden State family of companies, comprised of Golden State Wealth Management, Golden State Equity Partners and Golden State Asset Management, are investment advisers registered with the SEC dedicated to financial professionals and their clients. The firm's initial company was founded in 2013 by a group of executives who collectively contribute over 50 years of industry experience and has partnered with advisors serving over $1.3 billion in advisory assets. The Golden State family of companies maintain business alignments with LPL Financial, the nation's largest independent broker/dealer, Raymond James, TD Ameritrade Institutional and Charles Schwab, some of the nation's largest independent custodians, who provide comprehensive tools and research necessary in today's complex markets.

Recognized as one of Orange County's largest RIAs, Golden State's flagship office is located in South Coast Metro, California. With a goal to continue expanding offices across the country, Golden State is committed to creating an atmosphere that benefits both advisors and their investors. For more information about Golden State, visit www.teamgoldenstate.com. As of April 2021.

As reported in Financial Planning magazine, June 1996-2021, based on total revenue.

As reported in Orange County Business Journal, June 1, 2021, based on assets under management. Media contact:

Jennifer Nahas

949-433-6860

Jennifer.nahas@teamgoldenstate.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/golden-state-continues-to-attract-top-advisors-as-they-rapidly-expand-across-the-country-301347899.html SOURCE Golden State Wealth Management

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[August 04, 2021] Indiana Digital Alternative School is Ready to Give Students a Second Chance in the New School Year

Indiana Digital Alternative School (INDA), a full-time, tuition-free public school of the Union School Corporation is ready to kick off the new school year and inspire students in grades 9-12 to reach their full potential. After launching in the spring, INDA students and teachers will open their laptops to start the 2021-2022 school year today. Staffed by state-licensed teachers, INDA has the goal of providing students with credit recovery options and encouraging them on their path to graduation. Despite wide-spread evidence of a "COVID slide" of learning loss for students in the U.S. during the pandemic, Stride K12-powered schools like INDA reported lower learning loss rates than those reported in national studies. And in some cases, students enrolled in Stride K12-powered schools experienced learning gains. Additionally, students who attend INDA also have the opportunity to look to the future through the Career Prep Program. They can enroll in classes that will help them discover their passions and explore various fields, such Business and Marketing, Health Services, and Information Technology. As they make progress towards completing their diplomas, students can also earn college credits, giving them a head start in their state and potentially saving them thousands of dollars in college tuition costs.



For most families, especially those with students who may have fallen behind, the new school year comes with cautious optimism. Many families realized during the pandemic that attending school online is a safe alternative that allows them to focus on their child's future. According to a recent survey by Stride, Inc., 91 percent of parents agree that it's important for their children to have multiple school choices. INDA provides a school option designed for students to feel empowered to succeed, no matter their educational background. "INDA was born from the idea that all students deserve an education option that works for them, and not all students are the same. At INDA, we are passionate about providing students with a motivating and encouraging experience. Our entirely online approach gives our students an individualized approach to learning that not only helps them stay on track, but helps them thrive," said Elizabeth Sliger, INDA's Head of School.

INDA is still accepting enrollments for the 2021-2022 school year. To learn more about INDA and how to enroll, visit inda.k12.com or download the Stride K12 mobile app for iOS and Android (News - Alert) devices - where families can enroll, prepare for the first day of school, and monitor students' academic progress throughout the school year. About Indiana Digital Alternative School Indiana Digital Alternative School (INDA) is an online public-school program of the Union School Corporation, serving students across the state of Indiana. INDA is tuition-free and provides families the choice to access the curriculum and tools provided by K12, a Stride Company (NYSE: LRN). Stride offers learners of all ages a more effective way to learn and build skills for their future. For more information about INDA, visit inda.k12.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005007/en/

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[August 04, 2021] Levitee Labs Completes Acquisition of Earth Circle Organics, Adds Superfoods Company to Portfolio

Acquisition adds 180+ SKUs across three brands to the Levitee portfolio: Earth Circle Organics, Earth Shift Products, and Ojio

Combined, the three brands generated over USD $2.0M in revenue in the past 12 months, with USD $600,000 in EBITDA

Levitee plans to integrate the Earth Circle Organics brands with its MONKE Nutraceuticals products to leverage supply chain and distribution synergies and accelerate growth by increasing ad spend and inventory levels

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Levitee Labs Inc. (CSE: LVT) (the "Company" or "Levitee), an integrative wellness company with a diversified portfolio of healthcare and wellness assets, is pleased to announce that it has completed the acquisition of all the issued and outstanding shares of Earth Circle Organics Chain Inc. (Earth Circle Organics) as of August 3, 2021. Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, Earth Circle Organics is a direct-to-consumer (DTC) and wholesaler of supplements and superfood products. Earth Circle Organics sells it products primarily in the United States, but it also has a presence in Canada. Earth Circle Organics sells a robust portfolio of organic products, including Ayurvedics, nuts, seeds, berries, coconut oil, premium Himalayan pink salt, chlorella powder, fulvic acid, Nori seaweed, and much more, through multiple distribution channels. Many Earth Circle Organics products sold on Amazon.com consistently are rated 4.5-5.0 stars across thousands of aggregate consumer ratings. With more than 180 SKUs across three brands (Earth Circle Organics, Earth Shift Products and Ojio), Earth Circle Organics has achieved over USD $2.0M in revenue in the past 12 months, with approximately USD $600,000 in EBITDA.1 Levitee plans to integrate the Earth Circle Organics brands with the Companys MONKE Nutraceuticals products to leverage supply chain and distribution synergies and accelerate growth by increasing ad spend and inventory levels. Levitee intends to finalize new distribution agreements that will place all the brands in additional brick-and-mortar retail stores across the U.S. and Canada. We are very pleased to close the acquisition of our sixth cash flowing asset. The Earth Circle Organics portfolio of brands fits perfectly into our model as a vertically integrated wellness company with operations and distribution networks thrughout North America, commented Pouya Farmand, Chief Executive Officer at Levitee. Work has already begun in collaboration with the existing Earth Circle Organics management team on transitioning the products under our umbrella and leveraging synergies to implement aggressive growth initiatives in the vertical.



I'm excited and proud to announce we have been acquired and are now part of the Levitee Labs family. When I first met the team at Levitee what struck me the most was how passionate and knowledgeable they were about our industry, and the calibre of industry experts they have on their team. I know Earth Circle Organics is in good hands. I'm looking forward to seeing the direction and growth they take the brand, commented John Ward, Owner of Earth Circle Organics. In consideration for the acquisition of Earth Circle Organics, Levitee issued 488,702 shares at a deemed value of CAD $0.51 per share and paid USD $1,675,000 in cash on closing, with an additional USD $125,000 having been previously paid as a deposit. The Company may also be required to pay up to an additional USD $500,000 pursuant to an earn out mechanism based on gross revenue generated by Earth Circle Organics in the six months following closing.

The previous co-owner of Earth Circle Organics, John Ward, has agreed to continue to run the operations of Earth Circle Organics for a period of six months after closing to ensure continuous business operations and a smooth transfer of Earth Circle Organics business to Levitee. About Earth Circle Organics Chain Earth Circle Organics is a direct-to-consumer and wholesaler of supplements and superfood products in North America. Earth Circle Organics has a robust portfolio of organic products, including Ayurvedics, nuts, seeds, berries, coconut oil, premium Himalayan pink salt, chlorella powder, fulvic acid, Nori seaweed, and much more, totaling over 180 SKUs. Earth Circle Organics products can be found at www.earthcircleorganicswholesale.com and www.earthshiftproducts.com. About Levitee Labs Levitee Labs is establishing itself as a leader in the integrative wellness space. Through leveraging an M&A regimen that focuses on the centralization of complementary integrative wellness assets, Levitee Labs aims to transform mental health and addiction treatments through the integration of psychedelic medicines and therapies.? Further information about the Company is available on its website at? www.leviteelabs.com .?? Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain?statements that may constitute forward-looking information under applicable securities laws. All statements, other than those of historical fact, which address activities, events, outcomes, results, developments, performance, or achievements that Levitee anticipates or expects may or will occur in the future (in whole or in part) should be considered forward-looking information. Such information may involve, but is not limited to, statements?respecting the integration of Earth Circle Organics products with Levitees existing portfolio; the expected benefits and synergies created from the acquisition of Earth Circle Organics; expected revenues and financial performance of Earth Circle Organics; the expected growth of Earth Circle Organics and MONKE Nutraceuticals; Levitees ability to place its products in brick-and-mortar retail stores; the Companys planned acquisitions, and the expected benefits of same; and Levitees?business plans and proposed products. Forward-looking information is based on currently available competitive, financial and economic data and operating plans, strategies or beliefs as of the date of this news release, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Levitee to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information.?These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those identified and reported in the Companys public filings under the Companys SEDAR profile at? www.sedar.com . Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in its forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that any such statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether?as a result of?new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise.?Any and all?forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.?????? The CSE (operated by CNSX Markets Inc.) has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this press release.? For further information about Levitee, please contact: Levitee Media Contact media@leviteelabs.com Levitee Investor and Corporate Communications ir@leviteelabs.com 1 Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization ("EBITDA") is a Non-GAAP measure. EBITDA should not be construed as alternatives to net income/loss determined in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). EBITDA does not have any standardized meaning under IFRS and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. The Company believes that EBITDA is a meaningful financial metric as it measures cash generated from operations which the Company can use to fund working capital requirements and fund future growth initiatives.



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[August 04, 2021] Minerva provides AI results to Triumph Gold for the Freegold Mountain Project, Yukon

VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 4, 2021 /CNW/ - Minerva Intelligence Inc. (TSXV: MVAI) ("Minerva" or "the Company"), an artificial intelligence (AI) company focused on knowledge engineering, is pleased to announce delivery of results of geochemical analysis for the Freegold Mountain Project, owned by Triumph Gold Corp. ("Triumph Gold" or "Triumph) (TSXV: TIG). Minerva utilized both DRIVER, the Company's cutting-edge AI software, and K-Means Cluster Analysis to undertake evaluation of multi-element drilling data in order to enhance understanding of Triumph's Nucleus and Revenue deposit areas. Results contributed to Triumph's understanding of the complex geology and mineralization of the Nucleus and Revenue deposits, providing valuable information with which to guide plans for the next phase of evaluation of the extensive property. Results included: At the Nucleus Deposit, DRIVER revealed new vectors to gold and copper mineralization not characterized in the current mineral resource, delivering superior exploration models and a clear path forward for resource expansion



At the Revenue Deposit, DRIVER has identified under-evaluated areas at the northeast and southern contacts of the intrusive breccia providing credible drill-ready exploration targets



In the Revenue-Nucleus Area, K-Means Cluster Analysis highlighted semi-quantitative alteration styles allowing for robust modelling and vectoring toward zones of high-grade mineralization John Anderson, Triumph Gold's Interim CEO, Chairman and Director, was thrilled with the results. "DRIVER is like a silver bullet for exploration targeting," said Anderson. "We saved hundreds of thousands of dollars using DRIVER to identify and verify a large number of exploration targets, giving us absolute confidence in our upcoming drill program." "Our ongoing relationship with Triumph Gold is a win-win for our respective companies," said Minerva CEO Scott Tillman. "Triumph's embrace of our state-of-the-art mining and exploration software is proof positive of the value our cognitive AI technology can bring to mining and exploration companies, regardless of their size." DRIVER Results Minerva's DRIVER software analyzed a comprehensive database of analytical results compiled from multiple generations of drilling on the Freegold Mountain Project, then delivered multiple wireframes models and preferred orientation data for each element. Data for two primary areas of interest, the Nucleus and Revenue deposit areas, were evaluated using DRIVER. Nucleus is a focused deposit, having at least two steeply dipping dyke swarms, 1) generally east-west trending Quartz Feldspar Porphyry dykes, and 2) a northwest-southeast trending felsic dyke swarm. In addition, Leucogranite in the northern portion of the deposit area is present as southward projecting dykes and/or apophyses alternating with Schist. In the Revenue deposit area, the main areas of interest are the Blue Sky and WAu breccias within the Revenue and Blue Sky Zones, both localized within, or immediately adjacent to, an Intrusive Tuff Breccia, itself hosted by Granodiorite. Several other mineralized centres have been previously identified in the Revenue deposit area, including the Gruder Revenue West, Grainger and Keirsten zones. Key outcomes for the Nucleus Deposit were close agreement: between DRIVER results, specifically the linear optimal orientation identified for gold, and the gold probability shell developed for the Resource Estimate, and between the linear optimal orientation for gold and the spatially associated felsic dyke swarm as a dominant control on gold mineralization. The gold probability shell delineated for the Resource Estimate is more rigorously defined than comparative DRIVER volumes. Although the respective volumes vary in detail, overall outlines defined by the 0.1 g/t shell are comparable, interpreted to suggest DRIVER volumes represent a cost-effective means to determine whether subsequent, more rigorously defined Resource Estimation is warranted. Furthermore, DRIVER output can be utilized to similarly evaluate other metals as potential co- and by-products on a semi-quantitative basis. DRIVER results for the Revenue Deposit area are dominated by the high density of drilling in the eastern Revenue and western Blue Sky zones, spatially associated with the Blue Sky and WAu breccias. As a result, groups identified, and optimal orientations determined, tend to be localized in this area. Notable exceptions are groups identified along the southwest margin of the Revenue Zone, at the mutual boundary with the Guder Zone. DRIVER results for Gold and Copper delineate the southern contact between Intrusive Tuff Breccia and Biotite Granodiorite, clearly defining areas recommended for subsequent evaluation. In addition, results are interpreted to indicate the northern contact may be similarly mineralized, but relatively under evaluated. This supports interpretation of K-means Cluster Analysis results, similarly interpreted to indicate mineral potential along the northern margin of the Revenue Zone. DRIVER results with respect to the Intrusive Tuff Breccia agree very well with Triumph's lithological block model. On the basis of these results, very good mineral potential is interpreted along the entire southern contact, as well as to depth, representing a very good, although progressively deeper, drill target. Minerva is able to deliver valuable insights (such as those above) through their proprietary DRIVER software, effectively identifying multi-element zones in drilling data that are typically too time-consuming and complicated to identify by conventional means. Multi-element zones identified through DRIVER can then be evaluated with respect to relevant lithologies and structures. A key outcome is that potential exploration vectors can be identified from a company's exploration data relying on cost-effective computer reasoning. Minerva's cognitive reasoning platform then compares identified elemental associations to hundreds of past and present mines throughout the wrld, identifying those most similar to a client's targets, which can serve as reliable models upon which geologists can confidently develop their exploration and/or development strategies.



K-Means Cluster Analysis 1. Nucleus Deposit Area

a. Alteration Intervals identified as "Sulphide Zone" have higher iron values, consistent with secondary minerals associated with both alteration and mineralization. These intervals are closely associated with intervals designated as "Skarn", interpreted to indicate skarn-style metasomatism is a dominant control on both alteration and associated sulphide mineralization. Potassium tends to be normal or depressed. Magnesium alteration is interpreted to be preferentially associated with Schist, having a low to very low content in Cluster 1 (dominated by Granitoids). Lithologies within the Nucleus Deposit area have been subjected to a highly variable degree of potassic alteration, predominantly expressed as secondary sericite rather than alkali feldspar ("Kspar") alteration. Alteration trends are also interpreted to indicate secondary plagioclase (predominantly Albite), largely independent of Kspar. These results are interpreted to be consistent with predominantly skarn-style metasomatism. A very small proportion of intervals are interpreted to suggest Kspar alteration, potentially indicating a subtle Porphyry-style signature. Furthermore, a small proportion of the data are interpreted to indicate more extensive alteration, expressed as Chlorite and/or Clay alteration. b. Precious Metal Mineralization Results are interpreted to suggest Skarn, with closely associated Sulphide Zone mineralization, predominate in the Nucleus Deposit area. The cluster having the highest proportion of skarn has relatively few Sulphide Zone intervals, however, interpreted to represent more distal occurrences. More extensive skarn-style alteration is interpreted to be associated with a higher level of mineralization. Clusters 13 through 17 are of the most interest with respect to Ag and Au (as precious metals), together with Cu (strongly associated with the precious metals in these clusters). Clusters 1 through 9 have a high number of anomalous values for Au and Cu, without accompanying Ag, interpreted to suggest a separate and distinct deposit style as they are dominated by "Granitoids" and Schist, as opposed to Skarn, lithologies. 2. Revenue Deposit area a. Alteration Results for barium, calcium, potassium and sodium have a very similar character, delineating highly localized and, potentially, focused alteration centres. The Blue Sky Porphyry area and the southern margin of the Intrusive Tuff Breccia (Revenue Zone), together with the Granger and Keirsten zones, document very high values for these elements, interpreted to reflect the effects of alteration. There is a subtle difference between barium and calcium, potassium and sodium, in that barium has a local high over an unnamed zone south of the Keirsten Zone, not evident for the other elements. In addition, barium and potassium document a larger areal footprint, interpreted as a potential halo to highly altered centres. Arsenic, iron and magnesium have a similar surface expression and document a larger areal footprint. The largest centre, together with the most extensive alteration, is associated with the Blue Sky Porphyry and contacts of Intrusive Tuff Breccia with host granites; Biotite Granodiorite along the southern margin of the Revenue Zone trending west to the Revenue West Zone, and Biotite Hornblende Quartz Monzonite to Granodiorite along the northeast margin of the Intrusive Tuff Breccia in the Revenue Zone. Localized, slightly smaller (potentially underexplored) centres documenting interpreted high-grade alteration include the Granger, Keirsten and Revenue West, as well as unnamed centres south of the Keirsten Zone and east of the Revenue Camp, north of the Revenue Zone. Interpreted alteration evident at each of these centres is interpreted to be very focused, as there is little evidence of a gradational decrease into (a) lower grade halo(es). Structural control, supported by a preferred east-west orientation for the Quartz Feldspar Porphyry dyke swarm and the long dimension for the ovoid shaped exposure of the Intrusive Tuff Breccia, is evidenced by a preferred east-west trend evident in alteration centres. The Quartz Feldspar Porphyry dyke swarm is interpreted as a control on mineralization. In general, data document a "least altered" field, with potassic alteration, consistent with initial phyllic (muscovite) alteration, delineating a trend toward K-micas (as sericite). Subsequent alteration is evident in two populations, one interpreted to suggest "Advanced Argillic alteration" (potentially related to Porphyry-style alteration) with a second, slightly more prevalent trend, interpreted to represent "Adularia" alteration. Strata in the Revenue Deposit area have been subjected to alkali alteration (Na depletion  K addition). The dominant potassic phase is Muscovite, with only a small subset interpreted to indicate minor potassium feldspar ("Kspar") alteration. Such alteration is considered consistent with the 'Low Sulphidation' deposit model proposed for the deposit area, with potential for subtle, highly subordinate Porphyry-style alteration. b. Mineralization The strongest centre of mineralization, at surface, is located in the eastern Revenue / Blue Sky Zone. The Blue Sky Zone is a centre of mineralization, while the contact of the Intrusive Tuff Breccia with immediately adjacent host "granites" is the apparent locus of mineralization along the southern and northeast margin of the Revenue Zone. Smaller centres are evident, to varying degrees, in Granger, Keirsten, and Revenue West, as well as two unnamed centres (south of Keirsten and east of the Revenue Camp / north of the Revenue Zone). Gold has the greatest distribution at surface, followed by Ag, Pb and Zn. Copper has a slightly more restricted expression at surface over the deposit area. A lower proportion of drilling in the southern Blue Sky Zone / Happy Creek Gold Showing area has documented a number of high-intensity mineralized intervals. In addition, a relatively small area of anomalous mineralization is present at the western margin of the Revenue Deposit area (adjacent to the Nucleus Deposit area). Both are considered worthy of follow-up evaluation. More information on Minerva's DRIVER can be found at https://minervaintelligence.com/DRIVER. Rick Walker, M.Sc., PGeo, Senior Geologist for Minerva Intelligence, is a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Walker has reviewed and approved the technical content in this news release. About Minerva Intelligence, Inc. Minerva Intelligence Inc. is a knowledge engineering company based in Vancouver, Canada, with a subsidiary office in Darmstadt, Germany. Their proprietary evidence-based decision-making software applies the benefits of artificial intelligence technology to industries dependent on reasoning with complex technical and scientific data. Currently, Minerva's AI applications focus on earth science-related domains, including, but not limited to, natural hazards and mineral exploration; their technology has applications in diverse industries and domains. Minerva's common shares are currently listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (symbol MVAI). For further details, please refer to their website www.minervaintelligence.com or follow Minerva on Twitter or LinkedIn. About Triumph Gold Corp. Triumph Gold Corp. is a Canadian based, growth-oriented precious metals exploration and development company with a district scale land package in mining friendly Yukon. Triumph Gold is focused on creating value through the advancement of the district-scale Freegold Mountain Project located in the Dawson Range Gold Belt of Yukon, Canada. About the Freegold Mountain Project Triumph's Freegold Mountain Project is located approximately 200 km northwest of the city of Whitehorse and 70 km northwest of Carmacks within the Dawson Range in southwestern Yukon. The project area covers highly prospective rocks along the Big Creek fault zone. The project is endowed with three significant mineral deposits, including the Nucleus Au deposit, Revenue Cu-Au-Mo-Ag deposit, and Tinta Hill polymetallic vein system, as well as numerous other gold showings. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, "U.S. persons," as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act, unless an exemption from such registration is available. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Forward Looking Information: This news release includes certain information that may be deemed "forward-looking information". Forward-looking information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "plans" or similar terminology. All information in this release, other than information of historical facts, including, without limitation, the availability of financing to the Company are forward-looking information that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in such forward-looking information are based on reasonable assumptions, such expectations are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information include changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, regulatory changes, delays in receiving approvals, and other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities in Canada. Mineral exploration and development of mines is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. For more information on the Company and the risks and challenges of our business, investors should review our continuous disclosure filings which are available at www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. The TSX Venture Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this press release. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. SOURCE Minerva Intelligence Inc.

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[August 04, 2021] OpsGuru Achieves Google Cloud Premier Partner Status

VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 4, 2021 /CNW/ - Cloud consulting company, OpsGuru, a Carbon60 Company, announced that it has achieved Google Cloud Premier Partner Status. This partnership celebrates OpsGuru's success with helping customers leverage Google Cloud and highlights their advanced Google Cloud capabilities and expertise. As a premier partner, OpsGuru helps customers leverage Google Cloud offerings no matter where they are in their cloud journey. With technical expertise in big data, machine learning and Kubernetes, OpsGuru's signature product - the OpsGuru Cloud Launchpad - helps customers achieve rapid cloud deployment with a secure and scalable foundation. "OpsGuru has demonstrated strong expertise and has helped multiple customers to successfully leverage Google Cloud capabilities. We are happy to have received this status and continue to support customers in their cloud journey," said Anton Mishel, CEO at OpsGuru. The Google Cloud Partner AdvantageProgram is designed to provide Google Cloud customers with qualified partners that have demonstrated technical proficiency and proven success in specialized solutions and service areas.



"Premier Partnership proves the deep capabilities of OpsGuru with Google Cloud Technologies. OpsGuru has demonstrated strong expertise and proven customer success across multiple Google Cloud product areas, " said Paul Kerr, Director Partners, Google Cloud Canada. OpsGuru's team of Google Cloud Certified Fellows and Google Cloud certified engineers, architects and data scientists are ready to architect, build and transform workloads on Google Cloud with full consideration of security, scalability and cost-efficiency.

"With two Google Cloud Certified Fellows in hybrid and multi-cloud on staff, OpsGuru is well-positioned to enable multi-cloud deployments powered by Anthos ," said Robin Percy, Chief Technology Officer at OpsGuru. The company's proven expertise in Anthos allows OpsGuru to help customers modernize their apps faster and establish operational consistency. What This Means for OpsGuru Customers This partnership provides OpsGuru with additional access to Google Cloud resources to help our valued customers unlock more choices when deciding where to deploy their critical applications.

Prospective customers can ensure they are choosing a Google Cloud partner with proven advanced expertise for Google Cloud and cloud-native technologies. About OpsGuru, a Carbon60 Company In May 2021, OpsGuru was acquired by Carbon60 and now encompasses a combined 160-person team, including certified Google Cloud consultants, software developers, and a 24/7 SOC2 compliant cloud operations service desk. The acquisition accelerates OpsGuru's mission of becoming an end-to-end multi-cloud service provider, helping support Canadian companies in their digital transformation by achieving rapid cloud deployment with a secure and scalable cloud foundation. With a driving force of accelerating cloud-native adoption and development, OpsGuru's key services include Cloud Adoption, Kubernetes Enablement, Application Modernization, Data Analytics, Cloud Security, and Managed Cloud Operations. For more information, visit www.opsguru.io and LinkedIn . SOURCE OpsGuru

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[August 04, 2021] Oracle to Add Payroll Support for India

Oracle Cloud HCM expands its global footprint to support built-in payroll for 10 countries AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Oracle today announced that it plans to add support for India to Oracle Fusion Cloud Payroll, part of Oracle Fusion Cloud Human Capital Management (HCM) . This new offering is intended to help make it faster and easier for local and multinational companies to pay workers in India while allowing customer to follow local regulations and practices. With the addition of Payroll for India, Oracle Cloud HCM will provide built-in payroll support for a total of 10 countries including Canada, China, Kuwait, Mexico, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States. India is one of the largest business markets in the world with nearly 500 million workers. There is a significant opportunity in the country for a major cloud-based payroll option that integrates directly with a complete HCM system. Companies with employees inIndia currently rely on expensive, outdated systems or third-party vendors to pay their employees in accordance with complex local regulations around taxes, overtime, and minimum wage. Managing payroll through these workarounds can be cumbersome and slow, resulting in more work for HR teams and delays in getting workers paid.



Oracle Payroll for India is intended to give HR teams the tools they need to hire and pay workers in India. It is planned to include key enhancements to meet the needs of the local market, such as the ability to calculate taxes based on locally recognized tax systems, consideration of common local allowances and deductions, and recognition of wage rate regulations across all of India's 36 states and union territories. Payroll for India is expected to provide the following benefits to organizations:

Reduced Manual Processes: By integrating directly with Oracle Cloud HCM, Payroll for India can automatically use the most up to date information about an employee when calculating their payroll. HR and payroll teams will no longer need to spend extra time or effort ensuring that information is synchronized between the systems.

By integrating directly with Oracle Cloud HCM, Payroll for can automatically use the most up to date information about an employee when calculating their payroll. HR and payroll teams will no longer need to spend extra time or effort ensuring that information is synchronized between the systems. Enhanced Workforce Insights: By using the same data as the core HR system, Payroll for India can include payroll data alongside other HR data such as skills, demographics, and performance. This will give organizations a more comprehensive view into talent insights to guide strategic decisions such as how many workers to hire with a specific skillset or whether to change benefits offerings.

By using the same data as the core HR system, Payroll for can include payroll data alongside other HR data such as skills, demographics, and performance. This will give organizations a more comprehensive view into talent insights to guide strategic decisions such as how many workers to hire with a specific skillset or whether to change benefits offerings. Robust Security: By using the built-in security available in the Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications suite, Payroll for India will help protect personal information stored in the system without introducing additional risks by having to share sensitive employee data with outside applications. "Oracle's customer-first mindset drives an ongoing commitment to deliver new features and functionality that meet the needs of our rapidly expanding customer-base. Many of India's largest employers use our cloud HR software, so we're delivering new offerings that are specific to India to help customers grow their business," said Chris Leone, senior vice president of development, Oracle Cloud HCM. "With Oracle Payroll for India, organizations in India will be able to gain new insights into their workforce while improving the accuracy, efficiency, and local compliance of payroll." See here for more information about Oracle Payroll: https://www.oracle.com/human-capital-management/payroll/ ### About Oracle

Oracle offers integrated suites of applications plus secure, autonomous infrastructure in the Oracle Cloud. For more information about Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), please visit us at oracle.com. Trademarks

Oracle, Java, and MySQL are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/467598/Oracle_Logo.jpg

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[August 04, 2021] Raiven Capital Invests in Scopio, An AI-Driven Visual Artists Marketplace

Raiven Capital, a Canada-US, early-stage venture fund, today announced its investment in AI-driven platform Scopio, which allows artists from everywhere to sell their images -- photography, art, illustrations -- anywhere. Currently, artists from 150 countries are represented on the site. Others joining the round include Lightspeed Ventures, DV Collective, and other angel investors: Gaingels, Joanne Bradford, former President of Honey, and VC Andrew Ogawa. "Scopio's mission is to empower artists by allowing them to monetize their work. Our platform opens the door for artists -- 99 percent of them -- that have not been able to generate revenue. CEO and Founder Christina Hawatmeh and her team have a strong vision we believe in," said Raiven Capital Venture Partner Anna Shen. "Raiven welcomes Christina and Nour, our first female founders, sourced y our partner, Anna Shen -- a celebration of our diversity in action," said Paul Dugsin, General Partner, Raiven Capital.



"Scopio is thrilled to have Raiven as a strategic investor. We share a common DNA and philosophy that innovation is global. Raiven has instantly brought significant value, expertise, and a network of relationships," said Hawatmeh. "The creator economy is in its infancy and we are excited to participate," said Supreet Manchanda, General Partner at Raiven Capital. "Scopio has identified a key social need and has developed a compelling technical solution. The world's visual storytelling will be richer for all," he said.

Today, consumers are demanding comprehensive representations of life, especially millennials who want to see authentic images of the real world. "Our AI is geared to be responsible and accountable, helping root out bias, identify and tell the world's stories," said Nour Chamoun, Scopio co-founder, who was also featured in Forbes 30 Under 30. Consider the potential of the creator economy, fast becoming a recognized sector. Thanks to platforms like Twitch and YouTube (News - Alert) , creators and influencers have generated $104BN in revenue. Generation Z is the most prolific group powering visual content in history, capturing about 1.8 billion photos a day. About Raiven Capital Raiven Capital is a Canada-Silicon Valley Series A technology venture fund focused on the opportunities created by artificial intelligence, 5G and the Internet of Things. Raiven actively seeks passionate founders developing companies that optimize supply chains across cybersecurity, finance, energy, environment, health, medical devices, and food. Once growth is robust, Raiven exits its portfolio companies to later-stage capital in Silicon Valley and beyond. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005490/en/

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[August 04, 2021] Robotic Assistance Devices Announces Dealer Agreement with BSN Security, LLC

Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions (News - Alert) , Inc., (OTCPK:AITX), which provides AI-driven security and productivity solutions for enterprise clients, today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Robotic Assistance Devices Inc. (RAD) has signed BSN Security LLC as an authorized dealer. BSN Security is Arizona's largest locally-owned and family-operated security firm. Through this agreement, BSN Security will expand its offering to include all of RAD's autonomous remote security solutions. "We are excited to bring to our clients and prospects RAD's incredible line up of security solutions," said Brad Zellers, President of BSN Security, LLC. "Many of our clients are experiencing the issues that RAD devices are known to help deter and eliminate. We're confident that RAD will be a hit with our clients," Zellers concluded. Zellers indicated that the company anticipates several immediate orders from Arizona-based construction companies presently struggling with an increase in theft and trespassing on their construction sites. "We're pleased to welcome BSN Security to the RAD dealer network," said Steve Reinharz, CEO of RAD. "RAD continues to add strong regional dealers like BSN Security that have the ability to immediately showcase RAD solutions to their clients and prospects. We look forward to securing the great opportunities that BSN will be bringing to the RAD table." Specifics of the dealer agreement were not disclosed, but the companies confirmed that the agreement covers all RAD security devices, mobile and stationary, including the popular ROSA180 unit. ROSA180 is experiencing an acceleration in market acceptance due to its low-cost and high-performance in expanding any facility's security operations. ROSA180 is a compact, self-contained, security and communication solution that can be deployed in about 15 minutes. Like other RAD solutions, it only requires power as it includes all necessary communications hardware. ROSA180's AI-driven security analytics include human and vehicle detection, license plate recognition, responsive digital signage and audio messaging, and complete integration with RAD's software suite notification and response library. Two-way communication is optimized for cellular, including live video from ROSA180's dual high-resolution, full-color, always-on cameras.



Follow Steve Reinharz on Twitter (News - Alert) @SteveReinharz for AITX updates. Robotic Assistance Devices (RAD) is a high-tech start-up that delivers robotics and artificial intelligence-based solutions that empower organizations to gain new insight, solve complex security challenges, and fuel new business ideas at reduced costs. RAD developed its advanced security robot technology from the ground up including circuit board design, and base code development. This allows RAD to have complete control over all of design elements, performance, quality and the user's experience of all security robots whether SCOT, ROSA180, Wally, Wally HSO, AVA, or ROAMEO. Read about how RAD is reinventing the security services industry by downloading the Autonomous Remote Services Industry Manifesto.

CAUTIONARY DISCLOSURE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements in this news release other than statements of historical fact are "forward-looking statements" that are based on current expectations and assumptions. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the statements, including, but not limited to, the following: the ability of Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions to provide for its obligations, to provide working capital needs from operating revenues, to obtain additional financing needed for any future acquisitions, to meet competitive challenges and technological changes, to meet business and financial goals including projections and forecasts, and other risks. Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement(s) and/or to confirm the statement(s) to actual results or changes in Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions expectations. About Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions (AITX) AITX is an innovator in the delivery of artificial intelligence-based solutions that empower organizations to gain new insight, solve complex challenges and fuel new business ideas. Through its next-generation robotic product offerings, AITX's RAD and RAD-M companies help organizations streamline operations, increase ROI and strengthen business. AITX technology improves the simplicity and economics of patrolling and guard services, and allows experienced personnel to focus on more strategic tasks. Customers augment the capabilities of existing staffs and gain higher levels of situational awareness, all at drastically reduced cost. AITX solutions are well suited for use in multiple industries such as enterprises, government, transportation, critical infrastructure, education and healthcare. To learn more, visit www.aitx.ai and www.roboticassistancedevices.com, or follow Steve Reinharz on Twitter @SteveReinharz. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005402/en/

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[August 04, 2021] Singapore FinTech Festival 2021 to take place from 8 to 12 November, with key focus on Web 3.0

SINGAPORE, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) today announced that the Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF) will take place from 8 to 12 November, as a hybrid digital and physical event. A company limited by guarantee (CLG) will also be incorporated to spearhead future growth of the SFF and lead a series of new initiatives to provide year-round engagement with the global FinTech community. SFF 2021 2. SFF 2021, organised in partnership with The Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS) and in collaboration with Constellar Exhibitions, a subsidiary of Constellar Holdings (formerly known as SingEx-Sphere Holdings), will provide a combined online-offline platform for the global FinTech community to engage and connect in spite of the current challenges with international travel. The first three days of the SFF will feature a hybrid conference and exhibition; on 11 and 12 November, participants can attend global satellite events and industry events online and at physical locations. 3. The theme for SFF2021 is "Web 3.0". Over three days, SFF2021 will bring together global experts to discuss how Web 3.0 and key technological advances will power the future of financial services. In particular, the conference will examine three key structural drivers that could re-shape financial services in the coming decade: Re-configuration of financial products and services delivery through Embedded Finance (#EmFi), decentralised finance (#DeFi) and Digital Currencies

Integration of ESG into the core design of financial services

Pervasive adoption of foundational digital infrastructure (Digital Identity, Trusted Data Exchange, Interoperable Payment Systems and Consent Systems) 4. SFF2021 will also organise deep-dive sessions that will brainstorm how Web 3.0 technologies can be harnessed for more efficient financial intermediation, advance key objectives like green finance and financial inclusion, and examine implications for financial regulation and supervision. Other highlights include: Participants can expect an inclusive global programme with 'live' broadcasts featuring leading industry and government leaders globally. Last year's SFF featured global leaders such as Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand ; H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta , President of Kenya ; Francois Villeroy de Galhau, Governor, Banque de France ; Bill Gates , Co-Chair and Trustee, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Sundar Pichai , Chief Executive Officer, Google and Alphabet; and Jane Fraser , Chief Executive Officer, Citigroup.

with 'live' broadcasts featuring leading industry and government leaders globally. Last year's SFF featured global leaders such as Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of ; H.E. , President of ; Francois Villeroy de Galhau, Governor, Banque de ; , Co-Chair and Trustee, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; , Chief Executive Officer, Google and Alphabet; and , Chief Executive Officer, Citigroup. Participants can also look forward to the showcasing of winners of the MAS Global FinTech Hackcelerator [1] , Global CBDC Challenge [2] , a revamped SFF FinTech Awards [3] and Innovation Lab Crawl.

, Global CBDC Challenge , a revamped SFF FinTech Awards and Innovation Lab Crawl. The World FinTech Festival [4] will continue to support the development of local FinTech ecosystems and drive greater collaboration opportunities across regions. Key partners [5] from Brazil , Cambodia , Hungary , Japan , Nigeria , Poland , the Philippines and the United States will host their satellite events round-the-clock on 11 and 12 November 2021 .

will continue to support the development of local FinTech ecosystems and drive greater collaboration opportunities across regions. Key partners from , , , , , , and will host their satellite events round-the-clock on 11 and . Curated hybrid meetings will be at the heart of the FinTech festival, with recommended matches, hosted meet-ups and a comprehensive exhibitor directory to drive dedicated matchmaking throughout the event. New entity (Elevandi) to drive SFF 5. Named 'Elevandi' (which means to lift up or to raise up), the company's mission is to foster an open dialogue between the public and private sectors to harness FinTech for growth and development in the new digital economy. Elevandi will build a global knowledge and collaboration platform, aimed at bringing together the global financial and FinTech community to address pain points in the workings of the financial system, and harness technology and innovation in finance to improve the well-being of individuals, economies and societies. 6. Elevandi will have an international Board of Directors to oversee its mission and work. The Board will comprise members from the public sector, financial services sector and experienced global industry leaders. Each Director will contribute unique perspectives on the current and future state of FinTech, and insights across key FinTech markets globally. Sopnendu Mohanty, MAS' Chief FinTech Officer, will be one of the Directors. 7. To drive the next phase of growth, Elevandi will expand its programme of activities beyond the SFF to a broader range of engagement platforms to drive greater collaboration with the global FinTech community. Elevandi's activities will continue to be run in partnership with ABS and in collaboration with Constellar Exhibitions. These include: Green Shoots Series , monthly meetups for the global FinTech community to discuss critical topics trending in FinTech and the digital economy.

, monthly meetups for the global FinTech community to discuss critical topics trending in FinTech and the digital economy. Deal Fridays , monthly events between investors and start-ups to drive deal-making opportunities.

, monthly events between investors and start-ups to drive deal-making opportunities. Oxygen by APIX , an upskilling platform for financial institutions, FinTechs and tech enthusiasts with carefully curated masterclasses, panels, podcasts and research content from industry experts dedicated to promoting worldwide knowledge sharing.

, an upskilling platform for financial institutions, FinTechs and tech enthusiasts with carefully curated masterclasses, panels, podcasts and research content from industry experts dedicated to promoting worldwide knowledge sharing. Elevandi Forum , purpose-driven roundtables aimed at bringing the public and private sectors together to advance developments and issues within the FinTech industry.

, purpose-driven roundtables aimed at bringing the public and private sectors together to advance developments and issues within the FinTech industry. Elevandi FinTech Insider Report, an annual report on digital advancements for the global FinTech industry. 8. Mr Mohanty said, "For the last five years, MAS has grown the SFF into a leading global platform for FinTech. It is now time for the SFF to further a global mission. Singapore has an important role to play as a knowledge centre and as a platform to enable greater collaboration and exchange between the public and private sectors around the world." 9. During the week of the SFF2021, Enterprise Singapore will also host the Singapore Week of Innovation and TeCHnology (SWITCH). Together, these two marquee events will feature exciting innovation and technology activities for the global innovation community. For more details, visit www.fintechfestival.sg to register for the SFF 2021 and receive updates, and www.fintechfestival.sg/about-us to learn more about the new entity. For more details on SWITCH, visit www.switchsg.org. PR Newswire is the Supporting Media Partner of Singapore FinTech Festival 2021.







1 MAS' announcement on the launch of the Global FinTech Hackcelerator for a greener financial sector:

https://www.mas.gov.sg/news/media-releases/2021/mas-launches-global-fintech-hackcelerator-for-a- greener-financial-sector 2 MAS' announcement on the launch of the Global CBDC Challenge:

https://www.mas.gov.sg/news/media- releases/2021/mas-partners-imf-world-bank-and-others-to-launch-global-challenge-for-retail-cbdc-solutions 3 MAS and SFA invite entries for 2021 FinTech Awards:

https://www.mas.gov.sg/news/media- releases/2021/mas-and-sfa-invite-entries-for-2021-fintech-awards 4 Comprising 45 satellite events hosted by partner cities across the world in 2020. The full list of SFF 2020 satellite

events hosted in partnership with FinTech and innovation hubs across Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas can

be found at https://fintechfestival.sg/world-fintech-festival . 5 The key World FinTech Festival partners are the National Bank of Cambodia, Cambodia Association of Finance

and Technology, Association of Banks in Cambodia, Fintech Philippines Association, So Inc, the Central Bank of

Hungary, Fintech Association of Nigeria, FID21 and Treasury.

About the Singapore FinTech Festival Singapore will host two marquee events for the global innovation community from 8 to 12 November 2021  the Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF) and Singapore Week of Innovation and TeCHnology (SWITCH). SFF is the world's largest FinTech event and a global platform for the FinTech community comprising FinTech players, technopreneurs, policy makers, financial industry leaders, investors including private equity players and venture capitalists, and academics. In 2020, SFF and SWITCH saw 60,000 participants from over 160 countries with more than 2,000 speakers, over 1,300 exhibitors, 27 international pavilions, and 45 satellite events hosted by partner cities across the world during the 5-day round-the-clock event. The SFF is organised by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) in partnership with The Association of Banks in Singapore and in collaboration with Constellar Holdings. Find out more about SFF, the largest and most impactful gathering of FinTech professionals in the world, and SWITCH, Asia's leading tech festival at www.fintechfestival.sg and www.switchsg.org. About The Association of Banks in Singapore The Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS) plays an active role in promoting and representing the interests of the banking community in Singapore. In doing so, ABS works closely with the relevant government authorities towards the development of a sound financial system in Singapore. Since its establishment in 1973, ABS has promoted common understanding among its members and projected a unifying voice on banking issues. It has brought its members closer together through various guidelines and banking practices as well as the support of projects of mutual benefit to face the challenges of the financial and banking community in Singapore. Today, ABS has a membership of 154 local and foreign banks. More information on ABS is available on the website: www.abs.org.sg. About Constellar Holdings Pte Ltd Constellar Holdings connects a global eco-system of event partners and consumers through a holistic portfolio of intellectual property (IP) in the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) industry. As Asia's partner of reference for curating innovative event and venue experiences, Constellar activates impactful networks to bring global markets, businesses and consumers together for sustainable growth. With our expertise and dedication, we are invested in helping you build trusted relationships with stakeholders for the long term and enabling cross-industry collaboration through world-class audience engagement solutions. Constellar is headquartered in Singapore. Founded in 2021, it brings together decades of experience with an intrepid team of experience specialists around the world. Visit www.constellar.co for more information. SOURCE Monetary Authority of Singapore

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[August 04, 2021] Steffes Announces Expansion into Southeast

SHELBY, N.C., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Steffes, LLC of Dickinson, North Dakota, a leader in the development and production of innovative energy technology and advanced manufacturing has announced their decision to expand into the southeast through the acquisition of a manufacturing facility in the town of Shelby, North Carolina. Steffes has announced to expand into the southeast through the acquisition of a facility in the town of Shelby, NC .



This investment of $20.9 million in Cleveland County will create 130 new, full-time jobs over the next five years. Start of production is expected to begin in late 2021 with plans be fully operational in the first quarter of 2023. Steffes plans to provide advanced comprehensive metal fabrication services to support production of Steffes OEM products and customer production in the region. "This expansion is the realization of the company's strategic vision," said Todd Mayer, Co-President of Steffes. "The combination of customers and friends in this area combined with the workforce potential and community support made Shelby the best fit for us. We are excited to become part of the community and support innovation in the region."

Steffes is a privately held, diversified original equipment and contract manufacturer headquartered in Dickinson, North Dakota with additional manufacturing and customer support facilities in Grand Forks, North Dakota, Midland, Texas; Casper, Wyoming; and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Steffes specializes in: The design, manufacturing and service of energy technology products that support the extraction and processing and gas management of oil & gas.

Innovative product development and manufacturing of electric thermal storage and load management control technologies to meet our country's adoption of sustainable electricity distribution and storage to meet decarbonization goals.

Steel fabrication, electrical services and engineering support for companies requiring prototype and manufacturing partners to support their business success. Through its customer-oriented culture and unwavering commitment to innovation, Steffes has successfully delivered products and services throughout North America and select locations in Europe for more than 50 years. We have been recognized as one of North Dakota's top employers for 6 straight years. For additional information contact:

Kaylee Lapp, Marketing Manager

Phone: (701) 690 3503

Email: steffes@steffes.com

Website: www.steffes.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/steffes-announces-expansion-into-southeast-301348039.html SOURCE Steffes Corporation

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[August 04, 2021] Tsingyuan Ventures Rebrands to Foothill Ventures, Closes Oversubscribed $100M Fund

Tsingyuan Ventures, one of Silicon Valley's most active seed-stage investors focused on deep tech, has closed an oversubscribed $100M fund, beyond its $70M target. Simultaneously, the fund is rebranding and will operate as Foothill Ventures going forward. The Tsingyuan Ventures partnership team is largely alumni of TEEC Angel Fund, which made seed-round investments in six unicorns during their tenure, including Zoom Video, Quanergy, Ginkgo Bioworks, Carta, Iterable, and Plus. After forming Tsingyuan Ventures in 2017, the trend continued, with a seventh unicorn, WeRide, and several others approaching that distinguished benchmark. "We want every one of our investments ultimately to reach a mountaintop, but that begins with the first phase of the climb, the seed funding," said Managing Partner Jinlin Wang. "Our previous brand, Tsingyuan Ventures, was a reference to the fact that our partnership was founded by a group of graduates from China's legendary Tsinghua University, often called China's MIT (News - Alert) . A major area of differentiation for our firm was investing in the huge talent pool of Chinese engineers in the United States. We have had great success with this approach - investing in seven seed-stage unicorns, five of which were founded by engineers who had emigrated from China." Explaining the rationale behind the name change, Wang continued, "However, as we have grown, our partnership and capabilities have expanded. Many of our successful investments don't have a China connection. They still usualy have technical founders, and usually immigrant founders, especially from India, but also from Israel, Romania, Russia, and elsewhere. We realized that what we've learned by helping technical founders from China become successful is generally applicable to a wider group of founders. As a result, we have changed our name to Foothill Ventures, where the metaphorical journey to success begins."



Foothill Ventures will continue the approach that has led to today's success: a focus on seed-stage investments in technical, usually immigrant founders and their businesses. The team is well matched to this approach, with a majority of partners being immigrants themselves, holding PhDs in fields ranging from computer science to materials science to oncology. The increase in resources means an evolved strategy that may include writing larger checks at the seed stage, establishing greater ownership earlier, and expanding the firm's focus to a broader set of entrepreneurial backgrounds. Jonathan Roosevelt, Managing Director at $5B Industry Ventures, commented, "Through our hybrid fund of funds product, we are investors in over 90 funds, including Tsingyuan Ventures. The team's ability to discover, with due diligence, and support highly technical founders really stands out, and has resulted in exceptional returns - which led to a dramatic oversubscription of this fund raise. We are looking forward to continuing our partnership with the rebranded and extraordinary Foothill Ventures team."

Rob Devlin, CEO of "lens on a chip" startup Metalenz added, "We have had Tsingyuan Ventures as our investor since our pre-seed round. Even though we have no direct link to China, there was an excellent fit due to the highly technical nature of our product. Tsingyuan was one of the few VCs who could immediately see the potential of Metalenz because of their vast experience turning scientists into entrepreneurs. They were able to provide critical guidance and support at every step of the way. We're excited to see the team continue to evolve as Foothill Ventures." Learn more about Foothill's investments and the team's vision. About Foothill Ventures, formerly known as Tsingyuan Ventures Foothill Ventures is a $200M AUM American venture capital firm, based in Los Altos, California. With a portfolio that spans software, life sciences and deep tech, Foothill recognizes technical differentiation as a major competitive advantage. The firm focuses on seed-stage projects from technical founders in North America. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005175/en/

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[August 04, 2021] US Navy Awards L3Harris Technologies $393 Million Undersea Training Range Contract

The U.S. Navy has awarded L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) a $393 million contract to install increments II and III of the Undersea Warfare Training Range (USWTR). The award follows nearly 10 years of execution by L3Harris on Increment I and will replace and upgrade the remaining underwater training range sites. USWTR Increment I included installing the ocean sensor and shore electronics subsystems instrumenting the approximately 500-square-nautical-mile area near Jacksonville, Florida. Under Increments II and III, L3Harris will upgrade and replace the previously installed systems at the U.S. Navy's three other range locations near Hawaii, Bahamas and Southern California. The USWTRs enable ships, submarines and aircraft to track targets on the surface and subsurface for anti-submarine warfare training. The ranges each include more than 600 miles of undersea cables, several hundred sophisticated acoustic sensors, as well as shore-based control, display and processing facilities. "I'm proud of our team for delivering Increment I two years early so we could accelerate this award to support the sailors and provide them with early access to the best undersea range technology available to maintain operational readiness," said Christopher E. Kubasik, Chief Executive Offcer, L3Harris. "For six decades in partnership with both our U.S. and international Navy customers, L3Harris has successfully developed, manufactured, installed and supported undersea training range technology. Our capabilities ensure that sailors train in an environment that is as close to their mission environment as possible, giving them a competitive advantage."



About L3Harris Technologies L3Harris Technologies is an agile global aerospace and defense technology innovator, delivering end-to-end solutions that meet customers' mission-critical needs. The company provides advanced defense and commercial technologies across air, land, sea, space and cyber domains. L3Harris has approximately $18 billion in annual revenue and 47,000 employees, with customers in more than 100 countries. L3Harris.com.

Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect management's current expectations, assumptions and estimates of future performance and economic conditions. Such statements are made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results and future trends to differ materially from those matters expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Statements about the value or expected value of orders, contracts or programs or about technology capabilities or delivering early or achieving initial operational capability ahead of schedule are forward-looking and involve risks and uncertainties. L3Harris disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005174/en/

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[August 04, 2021] XACT Robotics Announces Successful Completion of over 100 "Hands-free" Percutaneous Procedures Using Its Robotic System

HINGHAM, Mass., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- XACT Robotics today announced that the company's robotic system has been used in over 100 percutaneous procedures in the human body. XACT's robotic system is the world's first and only "hands-free" robotic system that can improve targeting accuracy, efficiency, and consistency in percutaneous procedures, enabling physicians to reach small targets inside the body and potentially supporting earlier diagnosis and intervention. In more than 100 cases performed at leading medical centers in the U.S. and Israel, including Lahey Hospital & Medical Center (LHMC), Sarasota Interventional Radiology and Hadassah Medical Center, XACT's robotic system was consistently able to reach small areas of interest in the abdomen and lung. "We are very pleased to be commemorating this historic milestone, which is a reflection of the dedication of our employees and the radiology teams who have recognized the considerable advantages that this technology delivers to patients and hospital systems," said Chen Levin, CEO of XACT Robotics. "This significant achievement is especially impressive given that we launched the system and reached over 100 cases even during the COVID-19 pandemic. As more hospitals around the world adopt XACT's robotic system and access to care continues to expand, we anticipate achieving new levels of momentum in the adoption of this technology by leading radiology practices around the world." XACT Robotics' system is the first and only technology that combines image-based procedure panning and monitoring with hands free robotic insertion and steering capabilities to deliver instruments to a desired target in the body. It is the only technology that can steer an instrument through a non-linear trajectory.



In percutaneous procedures for diagnosing and treating certain cancers and other diseases, accuracy in reaching targets of interest within the body is extremely important. In many cases, movement caused by the patient or within the body can change the location of the target of interest during the procedure. With percutaneous procedures that are carried out and completed manually, it is often necessary to repeat a procedure if an instrument does not reach its target successfully, increasing risk for both patients and healthcare providers. XACT Robotics' technology helps improve accuracy and consistency so any user can reach targets that are small or in hard-to-reach areas, typically on the first insertion, potentially leading to better patient outcomes. "Since adopting this system, we have been impressed by the robot's ability to consistently reach very small targets on the first insertion regardless of tissue density, structure, or elements. The robot can also reach the target even if it moves," said Dr. Gerald Grubbs, radiologist at Sarasota Interventional Radiology. "The accuracy of the XACT ACE Robotic System has helped us reach locations in the body that would be very challenging using traditional manual methods and it represents a significant advance in care for patients with cancer and other serious diseases."

About XACT Robotics Founded in 2013, XACT Robotics is a privately held company with offices in Hingham, MA, USA and Caesarea, Israel. The company is advancing the field of radiology with the introduction of the world's first and only hands-free robotic system combining image-based planning and monitoring with instrument insertion and steering capabilities for percutaneous procedures. For more information, visit www.xactrobotics.com. Media contact:

Holly Stevens

Berry & Company Public Relations

hstevens@berrypr.com

929 334 5229 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/xact-robotics-announces-successful-completion-of-over-100-hands-free-percutaneous-procedures-using-its-robotic-system-301348031.html SOURCE XACT Robotics

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[August 03, 2021] TAIGER readies for hypergrowth with SAP APJ President Stephen Watts joining as Chief Operating Officer

SINGAPORE, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Singapore-based AI company TAIGER announced today the veteran technology executive, Stephen Watts, has joined the company as its Chief Operating Officer. Watts brings to TAIGER extensive global leadership in software and services. He has a proven track record of driving transformative growth in early stage and global operations. He served as President and COO of SAP across Asia Pacific Japan from 2007 to 2013, leading the company's massive revenue acceleration to over 2.6Billion annually before focusing on his passion for early-stage companies in software technology industries. Steve's appointment is a clear reflection of the immediacy of opportunity that TAIGER is capturing. "Steve is a force of nature in the technology industry. His leadership and operational vision accelerate our momentum in service of our customers and as a strategic partner enabling growth at scale." said Sinuhe Arroyo, founder and Chief Executive Officer at TAIGER. "We ae on a mission to unlock better growth and productivity in every global enterprise through hybrid A.I. Steve's joining lends a strong hand and it's perfectly timed as we accelerate globally."



TAIGER is present in Singapore, Madrid, Moscow, Dubai and Mexico with more than 50 global projects across various industries. Today's announcement builds on the earlier appointment of long time IBM executive Bruno Di Leo to the TAIGER Board of Directors as the company accelerates its success in the automation of mission-critical and cognitive processes with their natural language processing and hybrid AI technology. "TAIGER has an exciting vision and tremendous technological capabilities that bring new opportunities to businesses and government agencies globally, expanding a critical market segment within the information technology industry," said Watts. "Customers are leveraging TAIGER solutions to reinvent yesterday's business processes and unlock business value in real time. I am excited to join this incredible team at this inflection of growth and customer success."

About TAIGER TAIGER unlocks better growth for enterprises by giving them the tools to automate complex cognitive tasks in end to end operations. Its hybrid AI platform, Omnitive has helped global banks and financial institutions like Banco Santander and Otkritie Bank, and various government agencies in Singapore accelerate digital transformation and maximise ROI. TAIGER's technology is accredited by Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and has won numerous industry awards and recognition including Gartner's Hype Cycle for Natural Language Technology and Ontology in 2020 and IDC innovator in AI in 2019. TAIGER is headquartered in Singapore with presence in Madrid, Dubai and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.taiger.com or follow us @taiger on LinkedIn. Contacts: Joshua Kwah

joshua.kwah@taiger.com

+65-9657-0242 Daniel Lee

daniel.lee@taiger.com

+65-9636-4943 SOURCE TAIGER

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[August 03, 2021] Omni & Apollo-X Launch First Ever Initial Dex Offering (IDO) on New Immersive Platform, Achieve 10x Valuation

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Omni, a blockchain-based social media mega app, announced that it had successfully completed its IDO on the new Apollo-X IDO Launchpad platform. Billing itself as a launch experience, the new Apollo-X launchpad event saw art, technology, and finance meet in style, with live DJs, music, digital art, and a VR experience for social interaction, all geared towards bringing fun to the investment community. Participants were able to stake PAID Network tokens as well as participate in live NFT sales, interacting across seven virtual worlds, all hosted by the Apollo avatar, Apollo-X's brand symbol. The launch event was a coordinated effort by Apollo-X, OMNI, and GROW marketing and events team. GROW's team of writers, graphic designers, video producers, event planners worked tirelessly to create an immersive, illusory, story-world experience. "The launch attracted around 3300 OMNI holders and over 5 million pooled OMN in the eight days after the launch, resulting in a huge success for OMNI and underlining the potential of Apollo-X's social investment model to define the future of the IDO market", says Peter Carroll, CEO of GROW. Prior to the actual IDO, the Apollo-X team hosted a virtual launch party headlined by world-touring DJ NASTIA. During her performance, community members could tour a virtual space on a YouTube 360 video broadcast or with VR goggles. This immersive experience allowed them to interact with others or admire the incredible NFT artwork created by artist DIGO and Andres Moncayo. Both Apollo-X and OMNI are working to put community first and help their respective industries become more user-oriented. John Sears from Apollo-X stated, "It was an absolute pleasure to help kick-start OMNI's community as part of the Apollo-X launch campaign. We were pleasantly surprised by the scale of engagement with hundreds of thousands of community members signing up for the beta app whitelist. Manny and the OMNI team show relentless energy and passion; combine that with a great product, and we are convinced that they are firmly on track to achieve their goal of a fair creator economy. There are several launchpads out there, but many of them are about as exciting as filling out a job application. Apollo-X is the first launchpad to really try to foster community engagement and social interaction around exciting and disruptive projects coming to market. We're hosting launch parties, interacting, answering questions, and guiding users through this chaos to help make it a positive experience. Every launchpad has its ups and downs for IDOs as we're still beholden to the market in this early stage. But the downs are less painful and the ups more satisfying when you have a group of friends to share it all with. " Manny Hernandez, OMNI CEO, feels the same way. "Apollo-X innovation on the IDO industry comes as a breath of fresh air. They bought a true event-based concept to the table that not only allowed us to educate our community, but it helped us engage with them in ways that were not possible before. Their Virtual IDO event brought OMNI to the spotlight allowing us to position ourselves as a true competitor in the space even at a time of down markets.



We're one step closer to taking power back from the large tech companies and giving it to the users. Social media is a great tool that allows people to express themselves freely, but the financial rewards didn't keep up. OMNI will change that by rewarding people fairly for participating on the platform and matching brands with influencers. We look forward to the day when a digital economy of scale exists in our sandbox, and all are reimbursed fairly." Orion Depp, OMNI Advisor and Managing Partner of the Master Ventures Polkadot VC Fund stated "The Omni and Apollo-X Launch represents a huge step forward for blockchain and cryptocurrency because of their use of cross-chain functionality and their planned use of Polkadot/Kusama networks' technology. In addition, Apollo-X's mission to guarantee IDO allocation to its users and stakers of the PAID Network token embodies Polkadot's philosophy and goal to decentralize the funding and ownership of the internet as seen in Polkadot founder Gavin Wood's Web3 Foundation."

We've recently seen extreme fervor in the cryptocurrency markets surrounding Polkadot and Kusama due to Kusama's Parachain auctions. Projects including Acala/Karura, Astar/Plasm/Shiden, Phala/Khala, Moonbeam/Moonriver & Bifrost have attracted over 1 million Kusama (KSM) tokens staked, or over $200 million in USD equivalent. We believe this is just the start." OMNI's blockchain component uses the Substrate framework as developed by Parity technologies, the backers of Polkadot & Kusama. Apollo-X's IDO launchpad utilized the PAID token. The PAID Network plans to build on Kusama and bid on a Kusama network Parachain. Overall, the launch was a success. It kicked off at 07/16/2021, 13:30 UTC and all pools filled within an hour, completing the $200,000 raise. The token price reached a high of $0.10 two days after launch, 5 x up from the seed price of $0.02. After one week, the token price stabilized at around $0.7-0.8, with a circulating supply of 28,651 million tokens and a market cap of $2.292 million. About Apollo-X Apollo-X is a featured product of the PAID Network, operating as a decentralized swapping protocol that allows blockchain-based token projects to offer their private and public auctions. The platform features Ethereum, Binance Smart Chain (BSC) and Polkadot functionality. Apollo-X is different from other auction platforms in that it properly vets and selects only top-tier cutting-edge projects. Its multi-level incentivization mechanisms for participants of published projects will encourage HODLing that supports both the project founders and the community. Apollo-X isn't just a trading platform; it FUELs projects and takes fundraising to the next level. Apollo-X brings quality projects, fixed swaps, and equitable lottery participation to the PAID community. PAID Apollo-X Platform: Apollox.PAIDNetwork.com Telegram: @Apollo-X

Twitter: @Apollo_X

Medium: @Apollo-X About OMNI OMNI is an all-encompassing social media app with specialized video, chat, & e-commerce features that enable user-driven social media monetization over the blockchain. OMNI's blockchain component uses the Substrate framework as developed by Parity technologies, the backers of Polkadot & Kusama. Combining some of the best features of popular apps such as TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, WeChat, Facebook, Telegram & Shopify, OMNI also uses proprietary technologies including OMNI Feed AI, a proprietary Brands & Influencer Matching engine, and an e-commerce engine powered by NFTs. OMNI's partners include AIOZ, Beyond Finance, Dfyn, Splyt, Polkamusic, Raze, and Metis DAO. Omni is venture-backed by Master Ventures, Moonboots Capital, MorningStar Ventures, Exnetwork Capital, Black Dragon, X21, Dutch Crypto Investors, DAO Capital, Maven Capital, Titan Ventures, Latitude Blockchain Services, Durty Crypto, Social Cre8tive, Influx Group, OIG - Oracle Investment Group, & Aussie Capital. Its Team, Whitepaper, Tokenomics and other info can be found at www.omni.ai. Telegram: @OMNI_App

Twitter: @OMNI_AI

Medium: @OMNI-App Contact:

Orion Depp

Orion@omni.ai View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/omni--apollo-x-launch-first-ever-initial-dex-offering-ido-on-new-immersive-platform-achieve-10x-valuation-301347784.html SOURCE Omni

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[August 03, 2021] Lendistry to Administer an Additional $1.5 Billion in Assistance to California Small Businesses and Non-Profits

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Lendistry announced today that it will administer three additional rounds of grant funding through the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program. With the additional $1.5 billion expansion, for a total of $4 billion, California's small business relief program is the largest in the country to support small businesses and nonprofits that have struggled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the only fintech CDFI, Lendistry's mission is to provide underserved small business owners with access to the capital they need to grow. The lender's proprietary technology, combined with its foundation of community development relationships, made it the ideal partner to deploy grants to small businesses when the pandemic made rapid response capabilities essential to relief efforts. Based in a Los Angeles Opportunity Zone, Lendistry is proud to continue serving its home state. As Lendistry CEO Everett K. Sands states, "We are excited to continue supporting the small businesses and nonprofits within California." The California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program began with $500 million in funding in December 2020 and added $2 billion in March 2021 in response to demand. To provide relief to as many small businesses and nonprofits as possible, Governor Newsom on July 13, 2021 signed into law the largest economic recovery package in state history, which includes an additional $1.5 billion to the California Relief Grant program. These new funding rounds are designed to address the continuing need for support following Rounds One through Six of the program. Round 7: Waitlisted applicants from certain previous rounds: Selection Window: Tuesdy, Aug. 3 through Thursday, Sept. 16



Eligible applicants: This is a closed round and only available to eligible applicants who were waitlisted in certain previous rounds - only existing waitlisted applicants will be selected to move forward in the validation and verification review process. Selection does not guarantee approval or an award. If you were waitlisted, you do not need to reapply. New applications will not be accepted in this round .

. Eligible grant award: $5,000 to $25,000

to Details: This is a closed funding round; no new applications will be accepted Round 8: Nonprofit cultural institutions only: Application window: Friday, Aug. 27 through Wednesday, Sept. 8

Eligible applicants: Only non-profit cultural institutions with any revenue size that meet eligibility criteria found at CAReliefGrant.com.

Eligible grant award: $5,000 - $25,000

- Details: Approximately $16 Million dollars remain under the Nonprofit Cultural Institutions Program. Eligible nonprofit cultural institutions must complete a new application even if they already applied in Rounds 1, 2, 5, or 6; nonprofit cultural institutions that applied in Round 4 do not need to re-apply; grants will only be available to nonprofit cultural institutions that did not receive funding in any previous rounds; grants will be prioritized based on the documented percentage revenue declines based on a reporting period comparing Q2 and Q3 of 2020 versus Q2 and Q3 of 2019. Round 9: New Applicants and Waitlisted applicants from certain previous rounds Application window: Thursday, Sept. 9 through Thursday, Sept. 30 Eligible applicants: current waitlisted applicants from certain previous rounds and new applicants that meet eligibility criteria found at CAReliefGrant.com.

that meet eligibility criteria found at CAReliefGrant.com. Eligible grant award: $5,000 - $25,000

- Details: Applicants not selected to move forward in the review process in Rounds 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, or 7 do not need to re-apply and will be automatically moved into Round 9. New applicants will need to apply at CAReliefGrant.com. Using its proprietary platform, Lendistry will distribute the grants to all California counties, giving priority to businesses in geographical areas and industries that have been hardest hit by the shutdown, as well as historically disadvantaged communities. About Lendistry B.S.D. Capital, Inc. dba Lendistry (lendistry.com) is a minority-led and technology-enabled small business and commercial real estate lender with Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and Community Development Entity (CDE) certification. Lendistry ranks second nationwide in SBA Community Advantage lending, providing responsible financing to small business owners and their underserved communities. Lendistry is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, and is headquartered in a Los Angeles Opportunity Zone. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lendistry provided Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans to small businesses in all 50 states and was selected by the states of California, Pennsylvania and New York to administer their small business relief programs, which distributed grants to businesses that lost significant revenues during the pandemic. Lendistry and its nonprofit partner organization, The Center by Lendistry, are dedicated to providing economic opportunities and progressive growth for underserved urban and rural small business borrowers and their communities. For more information, contact: communications@lendistry.com Related Images lendistry-logo.png

Lendistry logo View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lendistry-to-administer-an-additional-1-5-billion-in-assistance-to-california-small-businesses-and-non-profits-301347783.html SOURCE Lendistry

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[August 03, 2021] DHL Express shapes future for sustainable aviation with the order of first-ever all-electric cargo planes from Eviation

Companies take off together to electrify airspace

Twelve zero-emission eCargo aircraft will form world's first electric Express network

First - ever fully electric plane "Alice" creates sea change in commercial aviation

Alice's first flight will happen later this year SINGAPORE, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- DHL Express, 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 1,200 kilograms (2,600 lbs).It will require 30 minutes or less to charge per flight hour and have a maximum range of up to 815 kilometers (440 nautical miles). 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.

"My compliments to Eviation on the 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. 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 e-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." 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 CO 2 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.  End  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 . SOURCE DHL

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[August 03, 2021] NEXT BIG to Convey Taiwan's Entrepreneurial Energy to the World

TAIPEI, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- To strengthen Taiwan startups' international reputation, on top of the national startup brand Startup Island TAIWAN, the National Development Council (NDC) launched the NEXT BIG project. Together, the startup communities and industry key opinion leaders jointly nominated nine startups to become NEXT BIG representatives. Taiwan hopes to drive more innovation with NEXT BIG leading the way and showcasing Taiwan's endless entrepreneurial energy. The nine NEXT BIG are: CoolBitX: founded in 2014, CoolBitX is committed to blockchain security technology's innovation and development. They produced the world's first cold wallet "CoolWallet" and provided tailor-made software services for the product Sygna Bridge, simplifying the compliance process while allowing dealers to comply with the anti-money laundering regulations in various countries.

founded in 2014, CoolBitX is committed to blockchain security technology's innovation and development. They produced the world's first cold wallet "CoolWallet" and provided tailor-made software services for the product Sygna Bridge, simplifying the compliance process while allowing dealers to comply with the anti-money laundering regulations in various countries. Greenvines: established in 2011, Greenvines is a skincare brand, also the third B corp in Taiwan . It is also the only B corp in Asia that has won the "Best for the World" environmental award for five consecutive years. Relying on science and sustainability, they discarded more than 2,700 non-essential ingredients and streamlined the daily skincare routine, making it a sustainable practice.

established in 2011, Greenvines is a skincare brand, also the third B corp in . It is also the only B corp in that has won the "Best for the World" environmental award for five consecutive years. Relying on science and sustainability, they discarded more than 2,700 non-essential ingredients and streamlined the daily skincare routine, making it a sustainable practice. Gogoro: established in 2011, Gogoro is a leading smart electric scooter, moped and motorcycle brand in Taiwan . They've gained national recognition since their first product, making their products the new generation of environmentally friendly automotive vehicles. Having recently signed a contract with Hero MotoCorp Ltd., a leading motorcycle brand in India , they hope to develop electric motorcycle blueprints in the two countries and to establish the collaboration as a model for global electric motorcycle development.

established in 2011, Gogoro is a leading smart electric scooter, moped and motorcycle brand in . They've gained national recognition since their first product, making their products the new generation of environmentally friendly automotive vehicles. Having recently signed a contract with Hero MotoCorp Ltd., a leading motorcycle brand in , they hope to develop electric motorcycle blueprints in the two countries and to establish the collaboration as a model for global electric motorcycle development. iKala: established in 2011, iKala's mission is "AI Empowerment". They provide AI-driven solutions for companies to achieve business transformation, acceleration, and creation of new business models. They currently provide services to more than 400 companies and 15,000 advertisers and brand owners across 8 countries in Asia .

established in 2011, iKala's mission is "AI Empowerment". They provide AI-driven solutions for companies to achieve business transformation, acceleration, and creation of new business models. They currently provide services to more than 400 companies and 15,000 advertisers and brand owners across 8 countries in . KKday: established in 2014, KKday has become Asia's largest in-depth travel e-commerce platform covering more than 30,000 itineraries in 92 countries, and 550 cities around the world. They have received US$75 million of C round investment from Cool Japan Fund, National Development Fund, CDIB Capital Group, Darwin Venture , and others.

established in 2014, KKday has become largest in-depth travel e-commerce platform covering more than 30,000 itineraries in 92 countries, and 550 cities around the world. They have received of C round investment from Cool Japan Fund, National Development Fund, CDIB Capital Group, , and others. KDAN MOBILE: established in 2009, KDAN MOBILE provides enterprise cloud solutions. Their products have already achieved more than 200 million downloads and have accumulated more than 10 million registered members worldwide. 65% of their users are based in Europe and America. They are devoted to helping enterprises create mobile offices.

established in 2009, KDAN MOBILE provides enterprise cloud solutions. Their products have already achieved more than 200 million downloads and have accumulated more than 10 million registered members worldwide. 65% of their users are based in and America. They are devoted to helping enterprises create mobile offices. Pinkoi: established in 2011, Pinkoi is the leading design e-commerce platform in Asia , helping more design brands to enter the international market. By providing digital transformation online, and brand experience offline, they continue to make an impact on the current and future generations of designers.

established in 2011, Pinkoi is the leading design e-commerce platform in , helping more design brands to enter the international market. By providing digital transformation online, and brand experience offline, they continue to make an impact on the current and future generations of designers. 17LIVE: established in 2015, 17LIVE is the largest live streaming platform in Asia . Starting from Taiwan , it has expanded to Japan , Hong Kong , Southeast Asia , the United States and other regional markets. It combines AI and machine learning technology applications to provide more authentic, zero time difference streaming services.

established in 2015, 17LIVE is the largest live streaming platform in . Starting from , it has expanded to , , , and other regional markets. It combines AI and machine learning technology applications to provide more authentic, zero time difference streaming services. 91APP: established in 2013, 91APP is the first to provide Online Merge Offline (OMO) new retail software cloud service in Taiwan . They provide three self-developed retail software clouds, helping brands to quickly enter the e-commerce market. In May this year, it became the first SaaS company listed in Taiwan , with a market value exceeding NT$40 billion .



TAIWAN is the national startup brand co-created by the NDC and the startup communities. Its primary goal is to promote Taiwan's entrepreneurial ecosystem and to assist startups in expanding to international markets. Going forward, the brand will continue to bring the startup communities together to enhance Taiwan's visibility to the world as the "Startup Island". For more information, please follow Startup Island TAIWAN on its social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/startupislandtw/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/startupislandtw

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupisland.tw/

SOURCE Startup Island TAIWAN

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[August 04, 2021] Parade Technologies Reports Second Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Parade Technologies, Ltd. (Taipei Exchange: 4966.TWO), a leading high-speed interface IC supplier, today announced financial results for the second quarter fiscal year 2021 ended June 30, 2021, and provided guidance for the third quarter of fiscal year 2021. Consolidated revenue was US$175.25 million and consolidated net income was US$45.07 million. Basic and fully diluted after-tax earnings per share ("EPS") were US$0.57 (NT$15.98) and US$0.56 (NT$15.62), respectively. These results compared to consolidated revenue US$121.54 million and consolidated net income of US$28.22 million, or US$0.36 (NT$10.81) and US$0.35 (NT$10.54) per basic and fully diluted share, in the year-ago quarter. In US dollars, the second quarter of 2021 consolidated revenue increased 14.47% sequentially and was up 44.19% year-over-year. The gross profit in the second quarter of 2021 was US$83.49 million, representing an increase of 21.00% from the previous quarter and an increase of 55.17% compared to the same quarter of last year. On June 15, 2021, Parade announced the TC3400 and TC3402, the world's first highly integrated eDP timing controller (Tcon) devices with embedded source drivers and touchscreen controller (tTED) for the notebook LTPS (Low-Temperature Polysilicon) and Oxide in-cell LCD panel markets. Both devices target the latest notebook platforms by Intel and others by supporting Embedded Display Port (eDP) 1.4b with features such as Multi-SST Operation (MSO) operation and Panel Self-Refresh (PSR). The TC3400 device supports TrueTouch in-cell capacitive touch and active stylus functionality for commercial notebook applications, while the TC3402 provides a robust TrueTouch touch only solution for mainstream notebooks. The TC3400 combines Parade's broad portfolio of patented display and touchscreen technology as well as proven display processing and high-speed signal technology to provide a low-power, highly integrated display and touchscreen solution for notebook in-cell displays. On June 21, 2021, Parade announced the availability of its PS8461 retimer device in an automotive grade, the PS8461V. Using a retimer function, the PS8461V provides jitter cleaning of a DisplayPort video transport to increase signal reach, improve data reliability, and increased resilience to crosstalk and other electrical interference. The PS8461V is AEC-Q100 grade 2 certified with a -40 to 105C operating temperature range. The PS8461V is one example of a high-performance, consumer-oriented display product that Parade is making available for the automotive industry, and we plan to continue the roll-out of such automotive grade product options. On August 3, 2021, Parade announced the availability of the PS195 and PS196 DisplayPort 2.0 to HDMI 2.1 protocol converters for computer system motherboards, docking stations, and protocol converter dongle applications. The PS195 and PS196 products are fully compliant with the VESA DisplayPort v2.0 and HDMI v2.1 specifications. The DP receiver supports up to 4 lanes at the HBR3 (8.1Gbps) link rate and supports optional DSC compression, both in decoding of the DP input or pass-through to the HDMI output. The HDMI output supports up to 4 lanes of FRL at 12Gbps data rate per lane, enabling display resolutions up to 10K when using DSC pass-through. The HDMI output also provides backward compatible with HDMI 2.0 and earlier versions, providing TMDS signaling up to 6.0 Gbps. Parade's PS195 and PS196 DP 2.0 to HDMI 2.1 protocol converters offer the best power performance available on the market. The very low power consumption during standby and low power states greatly benefits portable system battery life. Based on current business outlook, Parade is providing the following guidance for the third quarter of fiscal 2021: Revenue: US$176.5 ~194.5 Million

Gross Margin: 44% ~ 48%

Operating Expense: US$32.5 ~ 35.5 Million The financial figures detailed above for the second quarter of 2021 have been audited by independent accountants. About Parade Technologies, Ltd. Parade Technologies, Ltd. is a leading supplier of mixed-signal ICs for a variety of popular display and high-speed interface standards used in computers, consumer electronics and display panels. The fabless semiconductor company was founded in 2005 and publicly listed on Taipei Exchange ("TPEx") in 2011 (stock code: 4966). Parade's portfolio of IC products serves the growing demand for HDMI, DisplayPort, SATA, and USB ICs for display, storage and interface applications. In addition to being a technology innovator, Parade is an active participant and leader in industry standards-setting organizations. Parade Technologies, Inc., a wholly owned US-based subsidiary of Parade Technologies, Ltd., is a member of VESA (Video Electronics Standard Association). Parade Technologies, Inc. has made key contributions to the development of VESA's DisplayPort digital video interface standard. Parade leverages its close relationships with market leading Tier-1 OEMs to develop ICs that provide unique system capabilities. Many of the company's devices integrate proprietary technologies that offer superior system signal integrity, advanced system integration and enhanced power efficiency. As a result of the company's "standards-plus" design philosophy, Parade ICs have been designed into products offered by nearly every leading computer and display vendor worldwide. Parade Technologies, Ltd. and Subsidiaries. The reader is advised that these consolidated financial statements have been prepared originally in NT$ and conformed with the adoption of IFRSs. In the event of any differences between NT$ and US$ version, the NT$ version shall prevail.







CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2021 AND 2020

(SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2020 IS UNAUDITED) USD in Thousands NTD in Thousands Sequential Quarter Three Months ended Six Months ended Sequential Quarter Three Months ended Six Months ended Jun 30,

2021 Mar 31,

2021 Jun 30,

2021 Jun 30,

2020 Jun 30,

2021 Jun 30,

2020 Jun 30,

2021 Mar 31,

2021 Jun 30,

2021 Jun 30,

2020 Jun 30,

2021 Jun 30,

2020 Revenue 175,254 153,107 175,254 121,543 328,361 219,903 4,903,589 4,343,653 4,903,589 3,632,919 9,247,242 6,594,548 Cost of goods sold 91,767 84,111 91,767 67,738 175,878 122,200 2,567,624 2,386,235 2,567,624 2,024,686 4,953,859 3,664,539 Gross profit 83,487 68,996 83,487 53,805 152,483 97,703 2,335,965 1,957,418 2,335,965 1,608,233 4,293,383 2,930,009 Research & development expenses 19,088 17,503 19,088 15,198 36,591 29,096 534,076 496,562 534,076 454,265 1,030,638 872,743 Sales & marketing expenses 8,308 6,894 8,308 5,239 15,202 10,103 232,457 195,583 232,457 156,612 428,040 303,054 General & administrative expenses 5,898 4,986 5,898 4,516 10,884 8,157 165,030 141,463 165,030 134,965 306,493 244,610 Total operating expenses 33,294 29,383 33,294 24,953 62,677 47,356 931,563 833,608 931,563 745,842 1,765,171 1,420,407 Operating income 50,193 39,613 50,193 28,852 89,806 50,347 1,404,402 1,123,810 1,404,402 862,391 2,528,212 1,509,602 Non-operating income and (expenses) (115 ) (419 ) (115 ) 143 (534 ) 960 (3,206 ) (11,888 ) (3,206 ) 4,256 (15,094 ) 28,864 Income before income taxes 50,078 39,194 50,078 28,995 89,272 51,307 1,401,196 1,111,922 1,401,196 866,647 2,513,118 1,538,466 Income tax expense 5,009 2,759 5,009 772 7,768 2,397 140,170 78,263 140,170 23,084 218,433 72,012 Net income 45,069 36,435 45,069 28,223 81,504 48,910 1,261,026 1,033,659 1,261,026 843,563 2,294,685 1,466,454 EPS - Basic (In Dollar) $ 0.57 $ 0.46 $ 0.57 $ 0.36 $ 1.03 $ 0.63 $ 15.98 $ 13.13 $ 15.98 $ 10.81 $ 29.12 $ 18.81 Shares used in computing EPS-Basic (In thousands) 78,914 78,701 78,914 78,034 78,808 77,955 78,914 78,701 78,914 78,034 78,808 77,955 EPS - Diluted (In Dollar) $ 0.56 $ 0.45 $ 0.56 $ 0.35 $ 1.01 $ 0.61 $ 15.62 $ 12.82 $ 15.62 $ 10.54 $ 28.42 $ 18.33 Shares used in computing EPS-Diluted (In thousands) 80,735 80,621 80,735 80,012 80,732 80,021 80,735 80,621 80,735 80,012 80,732 80,021

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

AS OF JUNE 30, 2021 AND 2020

(JUNE 30, 2020 IS UNAUDITED) USD in Thousands NTD in Thousands Jun 30,

2021 Jun 30,

2020 Jun 30,

2021 Jun 30,

2020 Current assets Cash & cash equivalents 285,336 272,560 7,949,466 8,075,953 Accounts receivable, net 58,787 57,635 1,637,799 1,707,712 Inventories, net 60,448 33,248 1,684,077 985,135 Other current assets 23,322 12,444 649,767 368,725 Total current assets 427,893 375,887 11,921,109 11,137,525 Non-current assets Property, plant and equipment, net 16,277 10,211 453,465 302,529 Right-of-use assets 9,489 5,023 264,360 148,839 Intangible assets 114,072 113,516 3,178,062 3,363,513 Deferred income tax assets 8,117 5,253 226,142 155,633 Other non-current assets 73,918 12,453 2,059,345 368,985 Total non-current assets 221,873 146,456 6,181,374 4,339,499 Total Assets 649,766 522,343 18,102,483 15,477,024 Current Liabilities Accounts payable 36,860 29,177 1,026,922 864,510 Other payables 70,978 70,442 2,020,870 2,137,572 Current income tax liabilities 26,143 18,975 728,350 562,223 Lease liabilities - current 3,397 1,936 94,628 57,378 Other current liabilities 4,007 8,201 111,645 242,992 Total current liabilities 141,385 128,731 3,982,415 3,864,675 Non current Liabilities Lease liabilities - non-current 6,092 3,087 169,732 91,461 Total non-current liabilities 6,092 3,087 169,732 91,461 Equity Ordinary shares 26,636 26,343 808,705 800,100 Capital reserves 142,358 105,244 4,281,780 3,201,278 Retained earnings 369,703 281,263 11,167,756 8,584,981 Other equity (31,453 ) (19,029 ) (2,168,732 ) (963,746 ) Treasury shares (4,955 ) (3,296 ) (139,173 ) (101,725 ) Total equity 502,289 390,525 13,950,336 11,520,888 Total liabilities and equity 649,766 522,343 18,102,483 15,477,024 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2021 AND 2020

(SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2020 IS UNAUDITED) USD in Thousands NTD in Thousands Jun 30,

2021 Jun 30,

2020 Jun 30,

2021 Jun 30,

2020 Cash flows from operating activities Income before income tax for the period 89,272 51,307 2,513,118 1,538,466 Depreciation and amortization (including the right-of-use assets) 12,225 7,384 344,389 221,526 Loss on disposal of equipment 63 - 1,776 - Share-based compensation cost 7,883 5,080 232,928 156,620 Interest income (49 ) (857 ) (1,392 ) (25,800 ) Income and expenses having no effect on cash flows 20,122 11,607 577,701 352,346 Accounts receivable (3,354 ) (17,690 ) (93,442 ) (524,159 ) Inventories (3,741 ) (1,767 ) (104,223 ) (52,370 ) Other current assets (5,081 ) (759 ) (141,559 ) (22,487 ) Net changes in assets relating to operating activities (12,176 ) (20,216 ) (339,224 ) (599,016 ) Accounts payable (6,710 ) 2,953 (186,946 ) 87,498 Other payables 1,814 6,433 50,543 190,622 Other current liabilities (1,616 ) 1,860 (45,027 ) 55,102 Net changes in liabilities relating to operating activities (6,512 ) 11,246 (181,430 ) 333,222 Cash provided by operations 90,706 53,944 2,570,165 1,625,018 Interest received 49 857 1,392 25,715 Income taxes paid (1,999 ) (7,036 ) (56,326 ) (211,067 ) Income taxes received 2 1 53 12 Net cash provided by operating activities 88,758 47,766 2,515,284 1,439,678 Cash flows from investing activities Acquisition of equipment (6,157 ) (2,806 ) (173,444 ) (84,169 ) Acquisition of intangible assets (81 ) (31 ) (2,292 ) (934 ) Increase in refundable deposits (66,311 ) (32 ) (1,847,422 ) (955 ) Increase in other prepayments (3,938 ) (4,992 ) (110,926 ) (149,754 ) Acquisition of business combinations - (37,169 ) - (1,112,458 ) Net cash used in investing activities (76,487 ) (45,030 ) (2,134,084 ) (1,348,270 ) Cash flows from financing activities Proceeds from exercise of employee stock options 143 349 4,036 10,475 Repayment of the principal portion of lease liabilities (2,018 ) (1,126 ) (56,844 ) (33,769 ) Purchase of treasury shares (10,038 ) - (281,882 ) - Treasury shares reissued to employees 11,052 - 310,416 - Distribution of cash dividends (24,455 ) - (733,641 ) - Cash dividend regain from canceled share-based compensation 40 48 1,203 1,432 Net cash used in financing activities (25,276 ) (729 ) (756,712 ) (21,862 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (805 ) 173 (194,701 ) (99,593 ) Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (13,810 ) 2,180 (570,213 ) (30,047 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 299,146 270,380 8,519,679 8,106,000 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 285,336 272,560 7,949,466 8,075,953 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210803005643/en/

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[August 04, 2021] Nishant Mishra accepted into Forbes Agency Council

Forbes Agency Council Is an Invitation-Only Community for Executives in Successful Public Relations, Media Strategy, Creative, and Advertising Agencies NEW DELHI, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Nishant Mishra, Co-Founder, The Higher Pitch, an experience consulting company, has been accepted into Forbes Agency Council, an invitation-only community for owners of and executives in successful public relations, media strategy, creative, and advertising agencies. Nishant Mishra was vetted and selected by a review committee based on the depth and diversity of his experience. Criteria for acceptance include a track record of successfully impacting business growth metrics, as well as personal and professional achievements and honors. "We are honored to welcome Nishant Mishra into the community," said Scott Gerber, founder of Forbes Councils, the collective that includes Forbes Agency Council. "Our mission with Forbes Councils is to bring together proven leaders from every industry, creating a curated, social capital-driven network that helps every member grow professionlly and make an even greater impact on the business world."



As an accepted member of the Council, Nishant Mishra has access to a variety of exclusive opportunities designed to help him reach peak professional influence. He will connect and collaborate with other respected local leaders in a private forum. Nishant will also be invited to work with a professional editorial team to share his expert insights in original business articles on Forbes.com, and to contribute to published Q&A panels alongside other experts. Finally, Nishant will benefit from exclusive access to vetted business service partners, membership-branded marketing collateral, and the high-touch support of the Forbes Councils member concierge team.

Commenting on the occasion Nishant Mishra, Co-Founder, The Higher Pitch said, "The future of Customer Experience lies in collaboration and idea exchange. I am pleased to be inducted into the Forbes Agency Council, and I look forward to exchanging best practices and learnings with my peers across the globe. The Higher Pitch is at an interesting point of growth, working at the intersection of marketing and technology. As part of the Council, I would be keen to see how we can do better as well as add value to the Chapter's objectives." ABOUT FORBES COUNCILS: Forbes Councils is a collective of invitation-only communities created in partnership with Forbes and the expert community builders who founded Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC). In Forbes Councils, exceptional business owners and leaders come together with the people and resources that can help them thrive. For more information about Forbes Agency Council, visit forbesagencycouncil.com. To learn more about Forbes Councils, visit forbescouncils.com. ABOUT THE HIGHER PITCH: The Higher Pitch is a customer experience consulting company that differentiates global brands blending marketing and technology. The company offers brand transformation services, digital and demand engineering solutions, and persona-driven user experience programs. Founded in 2016, The Higher Pitch partners with Fortune 500 companies, blue-chip technology brands, and mid-cap companies globally. The company has over 100 employees across Delhi, NOIDA, and Bangalore. For more information, visit www.thehigherpitch.com Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1588050/Nishant_Mishra.jpg

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[August 04, 2021] Thales Enters Into Agreement in View of Selling Its Ground Transportation Systems Business to Hitachi Rail

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) and Hitachi (News - Alert) Rail announce today that they are entering into exclusive negotiations on the sale of Thales's Ground Transportation Systems Global Business Unit ("Ground Transportation Systems" or "GTS") for an enterprise value of  1,660 million. With around 9,000 employees at the end of 2020, Ground Transportation Systems is a global leader in Rail Signaling and Train Control Systems, Telecommunications and Supervision systems and Fare collection solutions, key technologies for a more sustainable mobility. Around 8 billion passengers benefit from GTS's rail technologies every year. Thanks to the engagement of GTS employees and, more globally, of Thales's (News - Alert) management team, the business achieved a remarkable turnaround over the past 5 years, delivering in 2020 and H1 2021 its best financial performance of the past 7 years, in spite of the Covid-19 crisis. Thanks to the strong technical, geographical and commercial complementarities between Hitachi Rail and Ground Transportation Systems, the combination will create a leading rail signaling provider with a broader product offering and stronger capabilities to meet customer demand around the world. In addition, it will offer GTS's employees enhanced professional opportunities. The combined strength of Hitachi and GTS's digital expertise will also help Hitachi Rail to accelerate its Mobility as a Service ("MaaS) offering. Through this transaction, Thales reinforces its strategic focus on 3 long-term high technology growth markets: Aerospace, Defense & Security, and Digital Identity & Security. Each of its businesses is an industry leading pure player focused on intelligent systems and digital solutions, able to sustainably deliver double-digit EBIT margins. This move enables the Group to now target an EBIT margin of 12% in the medium-term. The transaction will also strengthen Thales's balance sheet and provide substantial cash optionality. "After discussions with key market players, Thales has selected the best industrial partner to ensure a successful long term development of its ground transportation business. This move is creating significant value for our clients, employees and shareholders, and enables Ground Transportation Systems to be at the forefront of growth in sustainable mobility." - Philippe Keryer, EVP Strategy, Research & Technology, Thales "With this major strategic move, we will be able to focus on the development of our 3 high-tech long-term growth businesses, each of them able to sustainably deliver double-digit margins -- Aerospace, Defense & Security, and Digital Identity & Security -- further strengthening their best-in-class market position." - Patrice Caine, Chairman and CEO, Thales "Today's announcement marks an exciting opportunity for the teams at Hitachi Rail and Thales's Ground Transportations Systems business to create new value for our customers, cities and passengers around the world. Not only will we grow the reach of our core signaling capabilities as part of our turnkey offering, but we are also bringing together our digital and MaaS capabilities. The strong teams, customer relationships and technologies at GTS will help us grow to become a major player, further enabled by Lumada and the digital engineering of our teams t GlobalLogic and the broader Hitachi Group." - Andrew Barr, Chief Executive Officer, Hitachi Rail



Updated 2021 financial outlook Since the transport segment will be treated as discontinued operations in the 2021 financial statements, Thales's 2021 financial outlook is updated as follows:

As in 2019 and 2020, a book-to-bill ratio above 1;

Sales in the range of 15.8 billion to 16.3 billion;

An EBIT margin in the range of 9.8% to 10.3%, up 180 to 230 basis points from 2020. Next steps Employee representatives of both Thales and Hitachi Rail will be informed and consulted on this project according to the laws of involved countries. The completion of the transaction will require the carve-out of the business in several countries, and is subject to usual conditions including regulatory and antitrust clearances. It is expected to close by the end of calendar year 2022 / early in calendar year 2023. Deal background Scheme: 100% acquisition of "Ground Transportation Systems" business by Hitachi Rail following carve-out from Thales, subject to approvals from employee representatives and relevant regulatory bodies

Price: Enterprise Value of  1,660 million (215bn), corresponding to an implied valuation of 13.8x EV/EBIT, based on reported H2 2020-H1 2021 segment EBIT. The final purchase price will be determined after customary adjustments for net working capital and net debt based on actual amounts at the closing date.

Source of funds: Paid (News - Alert) by cash at hand at closing

Offer approved by both Thales's and Hitachi's Boards of Directors

Transaction advisors: In connection with the transaction, Lazard acted as financial advisor to Thales, and BDGS, Baker McKenzie and August Debouzy acted as legal counsels. **** This press release contains inside information as per the definition of article 7 of EU regulation No. 596/2014. It contains certain forward-looking statements. Although Thales believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, actual results may differ significantly from the forward-looking statements due to various risks and uncertainties, as described in the Company's Universal Registration Document, which has been filed with the French financial markets authority (Autorite des marches financiers - AMF). About Thales Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies, investing in digital and "deep tech" innovations - connectivity, big data, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and quantum computing - to build a confident future crucial for the development of our societies. The Group provides its customers - businesses, organisations and governments - in the defense, aeronautics, space, transport, and digital identity and security domains with solutions, services and products that help them fulfil their critical role, consideration for the individual being the driving force behind all decisions. Thales has 81,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2020 the Group generated sales of 17 billion. About Hitachi, Ltd. Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is focused on its Social Innovation Business that combines information technology (IT), operational technology (OT) and products. The company's consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2020 (ended March 31, 2021) totaled 8,729.1bn ($78.6bn), with 871 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 350,000 employees worldwide. Hitachi is working to increase social, environmental and economic value for its customers across six domains; IT, Energy, Industry, Mobility, Smart Life and Automotive Systems through Lumada, Hitachi's advanced digital solutions, services, and technologies for turning data into insights to drive digital innovation. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at https://www.hitachi.com. About Hitachi Rail Hitachi Rail is a fully integrated, global provider of rail solutions across rolling stock, signalling, service & maintenance, digital technology and turnkey solutions. With a presence in 38 countries across six continents and over 12,000 employees, our mission is to contribute to society through the continuous development of superior rail transport solutions. We are proud of our global achievements, from our world famous 'bullet trains', to our signalling solutions and turnkey projects, state-of-the-art traffic management and digital solutions. Drawing on the wider Hitachi Group's market-leading technology and research-and-development capabilities, we strive for industry leading innovations and solutions that can deliver value for customers and sustainable railway systems that benefit wider society. For information about Hitachi Rail, visit www.hitachirail.com. PLEASE VISIT Thales Group

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[August 04, 2021] Holisol Logistics Expands Network Space by 35% in Q1FY22 to reach a total area of 1.3 million sq. ft.

Adds Dark Stores, Fulfilment Centres and Hyper-Local Network NEW DELHI, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Holisol Logistics, India's leading E2E tech-enabled supply chain logistics company, which owns and operates one of India's largest independent fulfilment centre networks, today reported the addition of a 0.4 million sq. ft. network area in the first quarter of the current financial year. This network expansion provides 35% additional coverage to Holisol's existing customer base of global & domestic brands, which enables them to reach their end consumers quickly and fulfil their orders faster. In addition to serving more than 80 established marquee brands, Holisol's network is also aligned to serve new-age brands which are catering to the changing consumption pattern of end consumers. The majority of Holisol's new customer additions are fast-growing D2C companies and brands focusing on digitally serving the end consumers. Holisol's customized solutions and geographically expanded network offer agility, flexibility and faster fulfilment for its customers. Holisol's network now consists of 25+ fulfilment centres, 60+ hyperlocal fulfilment centres and 30+ integrated in-plant engineering & customised packaging sites. Holisol's pan-India presence, omnichannel capabilities, and ability to resolve the supply-side complexities of its customers is helping it achieve new highs in monthly revenue while maintaining healthy operating profit margins. Holisol is looking forward to doubling its revenue in the current year on the strength of a strong demand pipeline from its existing and new customers. Its value-proposition of Design-Implement-Manage the end-to-end supply chain is delivering real-world margins andsavings for its customers as they are able to sell more, while at the same time reduce their logistics costs.



"This network expansion takes us closer to our mission of building and operating one of the biggest fulfilment networks in Asia with 100 FCs & 800 HFCs and create seamlessly connected logistics super grid. This logistics super grid will enable our customer success by providing the opportunity to store and move their inventory seamlessly within the network. Enabled by ML & AI the 'logistics super grid' will create higher visibility and provide intelligent inputs which will be predictive and prescriptive in nature," said Rahul S Dogar, Managing Director & Co-Founder, Holisol Logistics. Holisol has created a strong tech-enabled network of pick-up centres, customer experience centres, rapid fulfilment centres, return/refurbishment centres, dark stores, exchange stores, and omni-channel fulfilment centres for industries spanning retail, fashion, lifestyle, FMCG, online marketplaces and auto industries. Holisol's Multi-User Fulfilment Centres makes it easier for customers to come on board and avail the benefits of state-of-the-art infrastructure with best-in-class service levels.

Holisol's domain expertise in multi-channel fulfilment solutions for B2C & B2B businesses enables centralised management efficiencies across multiple ecommerce platforms and physical platforms that define modern retail. It also provides integrated packaging, logistics and returnable solutions to automobile, farm equipment & heavy engineering businesses. Holisol recently raised its fifth round of funding by availing debt of USD 3.0m from Northern Arc Capital. The first angel round happened in 2013, raising USD 1.5m from Sundeep Bhandari promoted Datavision Systems Pvt. Ltd. In 2015, Holisol raised USD 10m from CLSA Capital Partners and in 2017, CLSA did a follow-on round of USD 10m followed by USD 2.74m debt from Black Soil in 2019. About Holisol: Holisol was co-founded in June 2009 by Rahul S Dogar, Naveen Rawat and Manish Ahuja, with a value-proposition of Design-Implement-Manage that enables customer experience of working with their own extended team with affordable, strategic, and operational expertise. Holisol is today India's largest independent E2E tech-enabled supply chain logistics platform. Headquartered in Delhi, Holisol today has a workforce of +200 supply chain enthusiasts who are continuously building value through leadership, innovation, and relationships. The company offers multi-channel fulfilment solutions for B2C & B2B businesses spanning across retail, fashion, lifestyle, FMCG, online marketplaces and auto industries. It also provides integrated packaging, logistics and returnable solutions to automobile, farm equipment & heavy engineering businesses. Holisol has a pan-India presence and manages ~1.3 million square feet of fulfilment space spread across 25+ fulfilment centres, 60+ hyperlocal fulfilment centres and 30+ integrated in-plant engineering & customised packaging sites. Holisol serves 80+ large global and domestic brands across all its lines of business. For more information, please visit www.holisollogistics.com

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[August 04, 2021] PluginHive becomes the first Indian company to be listed as eCommerce Integration Partners by Purolator Inc., one of the leading freight, package and logistics solutions providers in Canada

BANGALORE, India, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- PluginHive by Solvilor Technologies Private Limited is a SAAS-based eCommerce Shipping Software Company that specializes in automating the complete shipping process for Small and Medium Business owners (SMBs) across the globe. Now, eCommerce merchants from Canada using Purolator for order fulfillment can utilize the PluginHive shipping solution. On this occasion, PluginHive CEO & Founder Ahammed Mirdas, mentioned, "Covid has accelerated eCommerce growth. With the ready-to-use eCommerce platforms like Shopify, the overnight express services provided by Purolator, and the complete shipping automation provided by PluginHive, the eCommerce store owners can now provide the same customer experience which is provided by large eCommerce giants. With the specialized product offerings and excellent delivery experience, more and more customers are trusting smaller eCommerce brands, which is an interesting trend and we are excited to be a part of it." PluginHive is specialized in integrating eCommerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, BigCommerce, and PrestaShop with the top shipping carriers. PluginHive automated shipping solutions allow merchants to provide accurate shipping costs and delivery estimates at checkout, print 100s of shipping labels in a button click, and send the delivery tracking updates to customers.



Partnership with PluginHive will help Purolator acquire more eCommerce merchants in Canada. More than 6 years of expertise in handling wide business domains and products ranging from skincare, alcoholic beverages, large furniture, perishables with Dry Ice, Hazmat, etc, for over 70,000 merchants globally makes PluginHive a preferred partner for the best shipping companies in the world. PluginHive is a UPS, FedEx, Canada Post, Chile Express, Hongkong Post, and Australia Post Certified solution provider and integrates with many other shipping companies like USPS, DHL, Parcelforce, Delhivery, Aramex, Blue Dart & TNT.

PlugiHive team is located in Bangalore, the silicon valley of India, and supports merchants 24x7 in 220 countries for setting up business-specific shipping requirements. The PluginHive team has so far received nearly 2000 5 star reviews from merchants which in itself is a testament to their commitment to eCommerce merchants. The PluginHive vision is to offer affordable shipping solutions starting from $9 per month and to onboard more than 1 million merchants globally in the next 5 years. eCommerce merchants and one who requires an automated shipping solution for their store, one can reach out and talk to PluginHive shipping experts. About PluginHive Founded in late 2014 by Ahammad Mirdas & Minal Kokane, PluginHive is a team of 50 members headquartered in Bangalore, India & supports eCommerce merchants round the clock. The company has partnered with the top shipping companies & eCommerce platforms to provide an end-to-end order fulfilment solution. Having a certified partnership with Shopify, FedEx, & UPS, PluginHive aims to support operations in 220+ countries. With popular carriers like USPS, Canada Post, Purolator, PluginHive has provided eCommerce merchants across North America more choices. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1588071/Team_PluginHive.jpg

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[August 04, 2021] Dukaan Launches Social Commerce Platform Dukaan Plus

BENGALURU, India, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Dukaan, a leading SaaS platform that helps create an online storefront, today announced the launch of Dukaan Plus, a social commerce platform aimed at course correcting the existing environment. With Dukaan Plus, merchants will be able to source the best quality products from the top 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. With the increasing number of product returns, unhappy customers, and faltering sales, technology is the all encompassing solution for the social commerce industry. 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. Dukaan Plus is onboarding multiple manufacturers and vendors from across the country, and will be an early enabler of accessibility to various direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands like Bewakoof.com and Cosmos Beauty inthe 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. "Bewakoof is India's largest D2C fashion brand. 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 Bewakoof's 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. About Dukaan Dukaan, founded in June 2020 by Suumit Shah and Subhash Choudhary, is a highly user-friendly, personalized, and AI-driven platform that enables millions of SMBs and first-time internet entrepreneurs to sell their products and services online. It powers over 3.5 million small and medium-sized businesses across India to start, grow, market, and manage their businesses over the internet in over 40 categories of businesses like grocery shops, restaurants, fruits and vegetables stores, electronics shops, fashion and apparel, jewellery, furniture stores, etc. Dukaan has been funded by Matrix Partners and Lightspeed India Partners.

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[August 04, 2021] Deloitte Canada acquires Dataperformers Company Inc., bolstering Montreal-based talent and AI technology

TORONTO, Aug. 4, 2021 /CNW/ - Deloitte Canada is acquiring early-stage engineering and applied artificial intelligence (AI) company, Dataperformers Company Inc. ("Dataperformers"), to increase its capabilities in AI and machine learning, particularly in computer vision and machine learning operations (MLOps). By joining Deloitte, Dataperformers completes a host of acquisitions for the firm in 2021, bringing with it an experienced team of new and highly sought-after Montreal-based talent in the AI and computer vision space. Dataperformers' multidisciplinary team will be joining Deloitte's Omnia AI business in offices across Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto. Joining the firm as a new partner is former CEO and co-founder of Dataperformers, Mehdi Merai, along with new Director, former COO and co-founder, Amine Ben Ayed. Also joining Deloitte as Senior Managers are former CPO, Ali Elawad, and former CTO, Gabriel De Lisi. "Bringing Dataperformers into the Deloitte fold is a great strategic win for the firm, both in terms of talent and technology," said Anthony Viel, CEO, Deloitte Canada. "While this move will certainly build on our leadership and capabilities in AI, machine learning, and computer vision, we're also gaining Dataperformers' eminent, well-connected leaders and strong brand in the Montreal AI community, which is in demand now more than ever." With this acquisition, Deloitte is also set to gain Dataperformers' AI-powered platform, Macula AI, providing cutting-edge end-to-end computer vision solutions for visual inspection. "Joining Deloitte's Omnia AI practice is no small step for the Dataperformers family, and we can't wait to see what this winning combination means for our clients, present and future," said Mehdi Merai, Deloitte partner, former CEO, Dataperformers. "By connecting the dots between the AI community in Montreal, and the nation-wide firm that is Deloitte, it feels a bit like we're about to join the mothership. All I can say is, we're ready." Deloitte Canada's Corporate Development Office (CDO) actively pursues and responds to merger, acquisition, and alliance opportunities that bolster our capabilities to serve clients. On February 18, 2021, Deloitte Canada acquired digital consulting firm, The Working Group Inc. to strengthen its capabilities in digital transformation. On March 30, 2021, Deloitte Canada also acquired Groundswell Group Inc. to aid its mid-market and large clients in AI and cloud transformation, and further enhance Deloitte's global digital strategy. And on August 3, 2021, Deloitte Canada acquired Clockwork Inc., increasing its capabilities across SaaS solution deployment, cloud migration, and custom application development.



Omnia AI is Deloitte Canada's Artificial Intelligence practice. With over 650 practitioners across the country, Omnia AI has doubled in size over the past few years to support clients in all facets of their AI transformations. Since launching the AI Institute and the CortexAI platform, Deloitte has raised awareness of how AI can fuel the growth of enterprises across industries and continued to accelerate the way organizations rapidly develop and deploy scalable AI solutions to make a big impact in Canada and globally. About Deloitte

Deloitte provides audit and assurance, consulting, financial advisory, risk advisory, tax, and related services to public and private clients spanning multiple industries. Deloitte serves four out of five Fortune Global 500 companies through a globally connected network of member firms in more than 150 countries and territories bringing world-class capabilities, insights, and service to address clients' most complex business challenges. Deloitte LLP, an Ontario limited liability partnership, is the Canadian member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee, and its network of member firms, each of which is a legally separate and independent entity. Please see www.deloitte.com/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited and its member firms.

Our global Purpose is making an impact that matters. At Deloitte Canada, that translates into building a better future by accelerating and expanding access to knowledge. We believe we can achieve this Purpose by living our shared values to lead the way, serve with integrity, take care of each other, foster inclusion, and collaborate for measurable impact. To learn more about Deloitte's approximately 330,000 professionals, over 11,000 of whom are part of the Canadian firm, please connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. SOURCE Deloitte & Touche

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[August 04, 2021] RIGGED Is Awarded Best Documentary Feature by the World Premiere Film Awards 2021

RIGGED, a new full-length documentary, has been awarded Best Documentary Feature by the World Premiere Film Awards 2021. See the RIGGED trailer and full-length film here. Since its online premiere in April, RIGGED has been earning official selections at major film festivals around the world, including the Best Documentary award from The Toronto Film Magazine Festival. Other festival selections for RIGGED include The Montreal Independent Film Festival; The New Vision International Film Festival; The Direct Monthly Online Film Festival; The Monthly Film Festival; The Toronto Documentary Feature and Short Film Festival; and the Bronx Social Justice Matters Film Festival.



RIGGED explains how the long prevailing Wealthist value system in U.S. higher education limits opportunity and upward mobility and thus undermines U.S. democracy. RIGGED builds on the historical premise that growing economic imbalance ultimately leads to social unrest, political upheaval, and war. Through interviews with authors, historians, educators, and students, RIGGED shows how the value system underlying U.S. higher education constitutes a major risk factor for triggering these historic consequences and how this value system can be changed. RIGGED includes compelling footage of innovative and courageous educators who are leading the movement to replace a value system that selects for wealth with one that meets genuinely motivated students where they are and advances them regardless of their economic background - a movement that could transform colleges and universities into new engines for education and social mobility. RIGGED recalls the origins of the American Dream, when the linchpin of economic opportunity was access to land. Following passage of the Homestead Act in 1862, the federal government doled out over 10 percent of the land mass of this country to individual citizens. While the outcome for settlers was far from guaranteed, the chance for individual economic advancement was undeniably real. Although the dark side of the settling of the U.S. West was the federal government's forcible seizure of native lands, there is no question the Homestead Act provided economic opportunity for the enfranchised citizens of the time. This vast federal giveaway of land - what was then the fundamental element of economic opportunity - established the U.S. as the "land of opportunity" and built deep national loyalty and unity among the citizenry.

RIGGED points out that while land ownership remains a symbol of economic power today, we are long past the era in which the fundamental currency for economic opportunity is access to land. As the film explains, not only are we long past the Agrarian Age, we have also raced past the Industrial Age and the Knowledge Age into a new Learning Age. In this new Learning Age, where the pace of change is not only fast but accelerating, the fundamental basis for economic opportunity is no longer access to land, access to factories, or even access to knowledge. It is access to the full and formal development of learning skills, critical thought, and innovation - i.e., the elements for economic opportunity that hard-working students acquire today through any great modern university. RIGGED argues that if these modern elements of opportunity can be made broadly and freely available to all ambitious citizens regardless of their economic background, we can write the new and most important chapter in the story of the American Dream. As to the difficulty in achieving this, Jim Wolfston, Executive Producer and narrator of RIGGED, offers a thought experiment: "Imagine that following the nation's founding during the Agrarian Age, our nation's land mass comprised 3,000 feudal estates, each run by a board of trustees comprising wealthy notables. Each citizen who desired to develop a parcel of land within one of those estates would fill out an application, provide credentials and letters of recommendation, and take tests whose scores correlated most closely with whether that citizen already came from a wealthy family. Further, for the vast majority of the citizens lucky enough to be admitted to work the land on an estate, each would pay the estate's tuition by taking on huge, oppressive debt obligations that would follow them for years into their productive careers." Given that 3,000 four-year higher education institutions largely control the modern currency for economic opportunity in this country today, you can see by parallel the crippling effect this system is imposing on U.S. social mobility. The paradox is that the people with the most power to break this system and overhaul it are the ones who have successfully risen through it and are thus the most naturally inclined to defend and preserve it. Yet because our higher education system inspires the greatest form of critical thought - the power to question one's own ideas - RIGGED suggests there's a good chance that more and more of today's leaders in U.S. higher education will step up to challenge the Wealthist value system, despite the fact that that system provided the context for their own journey to personal success. The release of RIGGED comes at a time when 70 percent of the students who are admitted to U.S. colleges and universities and 90 percent of their graduates are from above the median income. "Higher Education is the most important asset in the Learning Age," says Wolfston. "If we can distribute this vital asset across the economic spectrum, we can optimize our nation's human capital development, prepare the next generation for citizenship, and ensure social and economic opportunity. Most importantly, by rejecting the current trend toward on-campus economic homogeneity, higher education institutions can offer their students the chance to encounter a more challenging mix of people with diverse ideas, perspectives and backgrounds. Collisions with the unexpected and unfamiliar are what best sharpen and prepare innovative minds. Thus, economic inclusion not only promotes social justice and equality of opportunity, it's also an optimizing strategy for educating tomorrow's innovators." Read more about RIGGED and watch the trailer and full documentary here. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005350/en/

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[August 04, 2021] Interac and many of Canada's leading financial institutions enhance Interac e-Transfer to introduce instant digital payments for businesses

Interac e-Transfer for Business supports critical finance transformation as corporate Canada pursues recovery and growth TORONTO, Aug. 4, 2021 /CNW/ - Today, Interac Corp., with the support of 13 leading Canadian financial institutions, is launching Interac e-Transfer for Business, an innovative solution that builds on the widespread adoption of the Interac e-Transfer service. The solution enables real-time digital payments to personal and commercial bank accounts with confirmation of funds received within seconds. With more than eight in 10 (83 per cent) business leaders calling for new commercial payment products as part of their post-pandemic digital transformation, according to recent research from Interac1, this allows Canadian businesses to send and receive payments faster and more efficiently than ever before from the safety and security of their financial institution. Businesses are still reliant on cheques, with over 389 million commercial cheques in market in 2019 representing an average value of $9,000 each2. With higher limits of up to $25,000, Interac e-Transfer for Business transactions have the potential to displace upwards of 200 million of these cheques3. "The launch of Interac e-Transfer for Business in collaboration with Canada's banking and credit union community marks a milestone in the modernization of Canadian payments and provides a timely solution as businesses embrace financial transformation to aid their recovery and growth plans," said William Keliehor, Chief Commercial Officer at Interac. "It reflects an increasing focus from Interac on the commercial market as we respond to the accelerating need for secure, data-rich, real-time business payments, made especially evident during the pandemic." Despite the challenges of COVID-19, the Interac commercial payments research shows that business respondents are optimistic about recovery with 8 in 10 (82 per cent) aspiring to grow over the next two years. Within this period, 83 per cent of finance professionals surveyed say applying digital transformation to their function is a priority. The majority (77 per cent) want their finance team to spend less time on transactional processes and more time on higher value-add functions. Interac e-Transfer for Business makes this possible by alleviating the need to follow up with suppliers as payment confirmation is provided within seconds, while also reducing time consuming manual reconciliation processes through data-rich payments. With higher transactional limits of up to $25,000 and flexible payment routing options, this solution gives commercial users more choice, a higher level of efficiency and control in managing receivables and cash flow. Users will also have the added flexibility of sending funds directly to account numbers they have on record, in addition to traditional Interac e-Transfer payment routing options of an email address or mobile number. The applications of Interac e-Transfer for Business also span multiple industries and business sizes. A small business owner can use the solution to pay employees while spending less time on administration, a franchise can facilitate just-in-time vendor payments, while an insurance company can leverage it to distribute claims with funds received and available for use within seconds. "Interac e-Transfer for Business is poised to do for business payments what Interac e-Transfer did for the personal cheque," said Todd Roberts, Canadian Payments Leader at Deloitte Canada. "We expect businesses will respond favourably to this introduction as it accelerates their ability to fully participate in Canada's post-COVID-19 economic recovery." Working with Interac, over 90 per cent of Canada's financial institution market share is able to receive real-time, data-rich transactions. Leading Canadian financial institutions such as ATB Financial, BMO Financial Group, CIBC, Desjardins Group, HSBC Bank Canada, Manulife Bank of Canada, National Bank of Canada, Peoples Trust Company, Royal Bank of Canada, Scotiabank, TD Bank Group and Canada's Credit unions including Meridian, First West and Vancity, are enabling this functionality for their customers. Depending on the customer segment, BMO Financial Group, CIBC, Peoples Trust Company, Royal Bank of Canada and Scotiabank are enabling the ability to initiate these transactions. Many more financial institutions are anticipated to enable these capabilities for their customers over the coming months. "Business owners told us they want to spend less time on transactional processes and more time focused on the growth of their business, and Interac e-Transfer for Business was developed with this in mind," said Anurag Kar, AVP, Money Movement, Interac Corp. "Bringing the market together to create a simplified way to pay or be paid, which boosts cash flow management and overall efficiency, will help the thousands of businesses participating in Canada's economic recovery." The launch of this solution by Interac builds on a track record of delivering made-in-Canada innovation at scale over many decades. The company connects nearly 300 financial institutions and collaborates within the payments ecosystem to deliver transformative products that meet the evolving needs of Canadians. As recently announced, Interac is working with Payments Canada as the exchange solution provider for the country's new Real-Time Rail (RTR), a new real-time payments system. Once the RTR is live, Interac e-Transfer for Business payments will utilize the new RTR exchange for processing. In August 2020, Interac e-Transfer was designated a prominent payment system under the Payment Clearing and Settlement Act. Interac e-Transfer for Business is the first significant change for the service following this designation. Learn more about Interac e-Transfer for Business

Millions of Canadians already use Interac e-Transfer in their personal lives, and now businesses can streamline paper-based accounting processes to maximize working capital and reduce the operational inefficiencies associated with traditional payment options including cheques and EFTs  all through Interac e-Transfer for Business. Those interested in using the solution are invited to learn more by visiting Interac.ca/business, In The Know and to discuss the offering with their financial institution. *About the Interac Commercial Payments Research

Interac commissioned Phase 5 Consulting to conduct an online survey of 152 financial decision-makers in Canadian mid-sized businesses with 100-499 employees. Participants were recruited via an online research panel. Fieldwork was conducted in English and French in May 2021. About Interac

Interac Corp. empowers Canadians to transact digitally with confidence by providing payment and value exchange services. Through our world-class privacy, fraud mitigation, governance and digital identity and authentication expertise, we help keep Canadian customers safe and secure when transacting. With nearly 300 financial institutions connected to our network, Canadians choose Interac products an average of 18 million times a day to pay and exchange money. Interac champions workplace culture and corporate citizenship based on the principles of responsibility, diversity and inclusion. We are proud to be one of Canada's leading and most trusted financial brands. For more information, visit In the Know. Interac and Interac e-Transfer are registered trade-marks of Interac Corp. Contributed Quotes: "Peoples Trust Company is excited to be a part of the launch of this innovative solution, bringing access to Interac e-Transfer for commercial users that did not previously have this option. With the world class messaging capabilities of ISO 20022, we are confident that Interac e-Transfer for Business will enhance the way Canadian businesses send and receive payments." - Howard Klein, President of Peoples Payments and Cards, part of Peoples Group. "Interac e-Transfer for Business is a game changer for Scotiabank's business clients. They demand safer and easier ways to pay and get paid. Interac e-Transfer for Business meets that need, and can dramatically streamline reconciliation processes and maximize working capital. It's also an important first step in delivering modernized payment services for Canadian businesses." - Dougal Middleton, Vice-President of Enterprise Payments at Scotiabank.

"Fast, efficient payments are critical to the operational success of a business in a digital, always-on economy. By introducing greater speed, flexibility and valuable insights within the payments process, Interac e-Transfer for Business helps businesses optimize their cash flow, shift from expensive and time-intensive paper cheques, and drastically simplifies the accounting reconciliation process for them. RBC is proud to offer this latest enhancement as part of our continued efforts to foster market-leading payment innovations and digitally-enabled banking experiences for our clients. In doing so, we're making it easier for our clients to bring their big ideas to life, spend more time with customers and focus on growing their business." - Ramesh Siromani, Senior Vice-President, Enterprise Payments at RBC.

"As an integral member of Canada's banking system, processing more than 645 million payments annually on behalf of 295 credit unions, financial institutions, and government organizations across Canada, Central 1 is delighted to support the credit union system by ensuring they are at the forefront of Canada's digital payments future. By embracing innovation and the post-pandemic digital transformation, First West Credit Union and Vancity are well positioned to provide great new payment experiences to business and retail members." - Scott Robertson, Central 1 Product Director, Payment Applications







_________________________________ 1 2021 Interac Commercial Payments Research, Phase5 2 Source: 2019 Canadian Payments Methods and Trends Report 3 Interac based this estimate on the conservative assumption that more than half of the commercial cheques in market hold a value of less than $25,000.

SOURCE Interac Corp.

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[August 04, 2021] Wpromote Expands Reach And Ecommerce Offering with Visiture Acquisition

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Wpromote , the leader in the most recent Forrester Wave for Performance Marketing Agencies, announced the acquisition of Visiture , an ecommerce agency based in the Southeast. The addition of Visiture to Wpromote's rapidly expanding service offerings will ensure clients are well-positioned to take full advantage of the acceleration to ecommerce driven by covid-19. "Visiture has been doing incredible work with some amazing brands, and we're thrilled to bring their leadership and expertise to Wpromote," says Mike Mothner, founder and CEO of Wpromote. "We'll be able to help Visiture's high-growth clients get to the next level, while their advanced web development capabilities for ecommerce storefronts add serious firepower to Wpromote's roster of experts." Wpromote's investment into new complementary services like Performance Creative, technology development and digital intelligence, and holistic media strategy will provide enhanced support and growth opportunities to Visiture's clients, such as Gerber Childrenswear, Case-Mate, and Pelican Products. Wpromote's clients will benefit from Visiture's background in building powerful, performance-driving ecommerce stores and the strong partnerships thy've nurtured with Shopify and Adobe.



Visiture's CEO and co-founder, Brian Cohen, noted that "this acquisition is really about our people and the depth of talent we have on the Visiture team. We realized we would be able to do even more for our clients by joining Wpromote because they would have access to more resources and a wider variety of channel expertise, while our employees would have more opportunities to grow and develop as part of a larger organization." Crucially, the two companies found they had clear cultural alignment as well, more important than ever in a world where the future of work is uncertain. Wpromote was included in Inc. Magazine's list of Best Places to Work 2021 and its employee-led approach to office reopenings was recently featured in The Washington Post.

Wpromote's move to expand their footprint into the Southeast highlights the importance of the area for the future of the marketing industry at large. "Our business is more geographically diverse than ever, and the Southeast is a critical part of our strategy," explained Mike Stone, Chief Relationship Officer at Wpromote. "We have a growing number of relationships with clients, key partners, and employees in the area, so putting down roots is an essential component of our growth." Visiture is the sixth acquisition for Wpromote in the last five years. About Wpromote

Wpromote is a digital marketing agency that helps our clients Think Like A Challenger: from enterprise brands to fast-growing digital disruptors, we believe that the right marketing strategy can help every business connect with customers and drive profitable growth. With 6 offices across the United States, we help leading brands like Whirlpool, TransUnion, Zenni, Adobe, and Frontier Airlines achieve their goals through cross-channel marketing powered by digital intelligence. As the top Performance Marketing Agency in the latest Forrester Wave, we're proud we don't answer to anyone's interests but our clients. For additional information, visit http://www.wpromote.com . About Visiture

Visiture is a digital commerce agency specializing in development and system integration (Magento Commerce (now Adobe Commerce), BigCommerce, Shopify Plus), SEO, paid media, email marketing, analytics, and customer retention. For over 10 years, high-growth businesses and brands have relied on Visiture to help them acquire and retain customers and accelerate revenue growth. For additional information, visit https://www.visiture.com . Contact:

Marcy Stelle

marcy@wpromote.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wpromote-expands-reach-and-ecommerce-offering-with-visiture-acquisition-301347772.html SOURCE Wpromote

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[August 04, 2021] OTC: ILUS, ILUS International (Ilustrato Pictures International Inc), Appoints Experienced Senior Product Manager for Fixed Fire Systems

NEW YORK, NY, Aug. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire -- ILUS International Inc (OTC: ILUS) is a M&A company focused on acquiring and developing technology-based companies globally. The company has already completed three acquisitions in 2021 and has recently signed two Letters of Intent for the acquisition of two US companies, for which it is completing the final stages of Due Diligence. One of ILUS current acquisitions, BCD Fire, is a supplier and installer of fixed fire systems and life safety equipment and ILUS is also assessing fixed fire system options in the United States.

ILUS has recently appointed Pawel Zbrozek as its Senior Product Manager for Fixed Fire Systems. Pawel is a seasoned Research and Development engineer with more than 20 years professional working experience in fixed fire systems, primarily with water mist, gas, and condensed aerosol systems. In the short term, the Senior Product Manager for Fixed Fire Systems will be responsible for completing the testing and certification of ILUS Water-Mist Kitchen Fire Suppression Systems and Battery Compartment Suppression Systems. He will also lead the ongoing development of the companys fixed fire system solutions. In addition to its kitchen and battery fire suppression systems, ILUS is also developing water-mist fire suppression systems for transformers, engine compartments, buses, and trains. Pawel will be based at ILUS Dubai, UAE facility. Having completed a masters degree in Fire Safety Engineering, Pawel spent 15 years at the Science and Research Centre for Fire Protection in Poland, rising to the position of Senior Engineer and Deputy Head of the Testing Centre, where he was responsible for research and development related to fire protection projects, design and assembly of fixed fire extinguishing systems, and the auditing of water mist, gas, and condensed aerosol systems to NFPA, ISO and EN standards. Pawel then moved to the National Headquarters of the State Fire Service in the role of Crisis Management Specialist. Here he was responsible for auditing the crisis management plans of government and private companies. Pawel then gained a further 7 years experience in the position of Senior Research and Development Engineer at a leading European fire suppression design and installation company. Responsibilities included designing, testing, and gaining certification for multiple low and high-pressure water mist systems, inert gas fire suppression systems, condensed aerosol fire extinguishing generators, clean agent fire suppression systems and small enclosure water mist fire protection systems. During his career, Pawel has been the author of 4 patents for fire extinguishing systems, some ofwhich have received innovation awards. He has also co-authored a book on the theory and operation of water mist in the fire environment, the criteria for selection of water mist extinguishing devices, appropriate applications, and the review of selected water-mist extinguishing devices according to ISBN and CNBOP-PIB standards.



ILUS Managing Director, John-Paul Blackwell, said the following of Pawels appointment: Pawel is very well known as a water mist and fixed system expert in the fire protection industry. We are incredibly excited to have someone with his level of experience and passion join our company at such an important time, where he will certainly ensure that the highest standards are met by our revolutionary fixed water mist suppression systems for kitchens, battery compartments and similar applications. For further information on the companies please see their communication channels:

Website: https://ilus-group.com Twitter : OTC_ILUS

Contact: Email: IR@Ilus-Group.com Source: ILUS Related Links https://ilus-group.com

Forward-Looking Statement Certain information set forth in this press release contains "forward-looking information", including "future-oriented financial information" and "financial outlook", under applicable securities laws (collectively referred to herein as forward-looking statements). Except for statements of historical fact, the information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements and includes, but is not limited to, the (i) projected financial performance of the Company; (ii) completion of, and the use of proceeds from, the sale of the shares being offered hereunder; (iii) the expected development of the Company's business, projects, and joint ventures; (iv) execution of the Company's vision and growth strategy, including with respect to future M&A activity and global growth; (v) sources and availability of third-party financing for the Company's projects; (vi) completion of the Company's projects that are currently underway, in development or otherwise under consideration; (vi) renewal of the Company's current customer, supplier and other material agreements; and (vii) future liquidity, working capital, and capital requirements. Forward-looking statements are provided to allow potential investors the opportunity to understand management's beliefs and opinions in respect of the future so that they may use such beliefs and opinions as one factor in evaluating an investment. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and undue reliance should not be placed on them. Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or result expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although forward-looking statements contained in this presentation are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") has provided guidance to issuers regarding the use of social media to disclose material non-public information. In this regard, investors and others should note that we announce material financial information via official Press Releases, in addition to SEC filings, press releases, Questions & Answers sessions, public conference calls and webcastsalso may take time from time to time. We use these channels as well as social media to communicate with the public about our company, our services and other issues. It is possible that the information we post on social media could be deemed to be material information. Therefore, in light of the SEC's guidance, we encourage investors, the media, and others interested in our company to review the information we post on the following social &media channels: website: https://ilus-group.com Twitter : OTC_ILUS Note: ILUS Coin does not sit within ILUS International Inc (Ilustrato Pictures International Inc) so the public are recommended to follow the correct Media Channels relating to the public company OTC: ILUS.



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[August 04, 2021] Chicago and WeWork Launch Covid-19 Relief Partnership to Foster Economic Recovery

Today the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, and WeWork announced a strategic partnership to help foster post-pandemic economic recovery by supporting a safety-focused, flexible return to work for local businesses. The partnership with Chicago is the fifth of its kind for WeWork, which has launched partnerships focused on supporting local economies with the cities of New York, Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Miami this year. As Covid-19 continues to shape and reshape return-to-work efforts, the economic prosperity of industries relying on downtown foot-traffic is severely impacted. To help foster economic recovery, cities are increasingly looking for hybrid solutions that provide businesses with a focus on both safety and flexibility. By providing resources and incentives to local businesses, as well as access to safety-focused, hybrid space and key data, the Chicago x WeWork partnership aims to help businesses return to work and to support local communities. "We are proud to partner with WeWork to help Chicago come back stronger than ever this fall and beyond," said Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. "As leaders, it is vitally important that we help our residents and businesses adapt to unprecedented events and help them rebuild their sense of community, which in turn makes our city stronger and more resilient. Partnerships like the one forged with WeWork will help our businesses find the space they need to not only safely return to work, but also continue enriching our neighborhoods and our entire city." "We ar focused on the future of Chicago's economy and building a collective voice for our communities to help them thrive. Our partnership with WeWork will allow us to not only support economic growth, but also help small businesses navigate a complicated return to work amidst unprecedented times," said Samir Mayekar, Deputy Mayor of Economic and Neighborhood Development of Chicago. "We're happy to partner with WeWork and support a safety-focused, community-building return to work and revitalize economic growth in our city."



The Chicago x WeWork partnership is the fifth of its kind for WeWork. As part of the partnership, members of Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce will have access to certain incentives, including 1 month off of dedicated space when making a 6 month commitment, 2 months off of dedicated space when making a 12 month commitment, or a discounted WeWork All Access membership. Such incentives have been particularly helpful in "accelerating the return to work for small businesses," as companies "aren't saddled with upfront costs" and can also choose an appropriate size footprint for their business, according to Jessica Walker, President of the Manhattan Chamber and a leader in WeWork's existing partnership with NYC. "WeWork is excited to partner with the city of Chicago and strategically support a return-to-office that helps the local business community," said Sandeep Mathrani, CEO at WeWork. "As Covid-19 has fundamentally changed the way people work, businesses have had to rethink their approach to workspace. With WeWork's unique ability to quickly provide companies large and small with flexible solutions for the new hybrid world of work, we hope to help Chicago businesses find what works best for their needs."

WeWork has made the health and safety of its global members and employees a priority throughout the last 18 months. Its pandemic response plans, sanitization enhancement, space modifications, air quality control and other health and safety measures have been independently audited and endorsed by Bureau Veritas and awarded a certificate of conformity. WeWork has also retained world-leading medical services company International SOS (News - Alert) to serve on its COVID-19 response team and provide strategic direction on medical considerations on an ongoing basis. In addition to safety-focused flexible space and key incentives, data analysis has played a critical role in WeWork's partnerships nationwide. According to a recent report by JLL, cities should turn to data such as space usage, mobility, health, and worker sentiment when planning their post-pandemic efforts. As part of the Chicago x WeWork partnership, WeWork is utilizing data to help Chicago fully understand trends and track the impact of change. Since March, localized WeWork data shows a 165% increase in WeWork On Demand bookings in Washington, D.C. and a 487% increase for WeWork All Access memberships in New York City. Similarly, Miami has seen a 76% increase in WeWork On Demand bookings since April. As the partnership begins in Chicago, WeWork will provide similar data, tailored to the city's priorities. "Accelerating Chicago's economic recovery and providing support to businesses across the region is critically important to our future," said Jack Lavin, President and CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. "The Chicago x WeWork partnership provides Chamber members and Chicago's business community with a new, flexible way to return to office and support our economic revitalization." About WeWork WeWork was founded in 2010 with the vision to create environments where people and companies come together and do their best work. Since opening our first location in New York City, we've grown into a global flexible space provider committed to delivering technology-driven flexible solutions, inspiring spaces, and unmatched community experiences. Today, we're constantly reimagining how the workplace can help everyone, from freelancers to Fortune 500s, be more motivated, productive, and connected. For more information about WeWork, please visit us at wework.com. About the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit organization that represents more than 1,000 member companies, which collectively employ 400,000 employees and generate $24 billion in revenue. The Chamber combines the power of membership with its legacy of leadership and business advocacy to drive a dynamic economy. To learn more, visit www.chicagolandchamber.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005398/en/

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[August 04, 2021] VMworld 2021 Returns in October, Bringing Together the Best in Multi-Cloud

VMware, Inc. (NYSE: VMW) today announced that VMworld 2021 will be a global online event, taking place October 5 - 7, 2021. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005382/en/ VMworld 2021 attendees will learn about the latest developments in Multi-Cloud, App Modernization, Security, Networking, Edge, End User Services, as well as hear about VMware's vision and strategy for accelerating innovation and inspiring change. (Graphic: Business Wire) This year's theme, "Imagine That," encapsulates the breadth of opportunities that VMworld 2021 offers attendees to learn and connect. Attendees will learn about innovative new solutions, hear perspectives on multi-cloud challenges from industry experts and VMware executives, dive into educational and technical content, and engage with experts across the industry ecosystem. On October 4, VMware will host DevOps Loop at VMworld, a new collaborative, one-day event for DevOps practitioners to share and discuss how DevOps is evolving in a world of modern apps and Kubernetes. Starting on October 5, VMworld will feature general session keynotes featuring customers, partners and VMware executives, and hundreds of breakout sessions and customer panels, certification trainings and labs on industry topics. VMworld attendees will learn about the latest developments in App Modernization, Multi-Cloud, Security, Networking, Edge, End User Services, as well as hear about VMware's vision and strategy for accelerating innovation and inspiring change. "VMworld is the epicenter of indstry conversations and breakthrough technological innovations-from virtualization at its outset to multi-cloud today," said Sumit Dhawan, President at VMware. "With peers from around the globe, including customers, partners, VMware executives and technologists, and best-in-field knowledge experts, we hope to inspire attendees to imagine the possibilities to address their technology challenges and accelerate innovation by sharing their learnings and insights."



?At VMworld 2021, attendees will be able to: Discover new and emerging product breakthroughs, best practices, and case studies

Learn how global companies are using multi-cloud solutions from VMware to meet their competitive needs

Meet with subject matter experts who bring new perspectives to pain points and opportunities across today's industries

Engage with VMware's partner ecosystem, industry leaders, and other IT executives - a "who's who" in digital business

Gain direct experience in expert-guided hands-on labs and VMware certification opportunities VMworld 2021 Registration

To register to attend VMworld 2021 for free with a General Pass, please visit: http://www.vmworld.com

To register to attend DevOps Loop at VMworld for free, please visit: https://devopsloop.io/

For questions about press registration, please contact: vmworld@archetype.co

For questions about analyst registration, please contact: vmworldar@spotlightar.com

For a current list of VMworld U.S. sponsors and exhibitors, please visit: https://myevents.vmware.com/widget/vmware/vmworld2021/sponsors Follow VMworld 2021 on social media for live updates:

Facebook (News - Alert) : http://www.facebook.com/vmworld

Twitter (News - Alert) : https://twitter.com/vmworld

LinkedIn (News - Alert) : https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2028037/ About VMworld 2021 VMworld 2021 is the world's premier cloud computing and digital infrastructure event. VMworld features 600+ unique sessions and labs, more than 75 sponsors, and several networking events to accelerate the journey to a software-defined business - from mobile devices to the data center and the cloud. VMworld attendees will have unparalleled access to the knowledge and tools they need to master the new cloud landscape and transform their business. To learn more about VMworld, please visit: www.vmworld.com. About VMware VMware software powers the world's complex digital infrastructure. The company's cloud, app modernization, networking, security, and digital workspace offerings help customers deliver any application on any cloud across any device. Headquartered in Palo Alto (News - Alert) , California, VMware is committed to being a force for good, from its breakthrough technology innovations to its global impact. For more information, please visit https://www.vmware.com/company.html. VMware and VMworld are registered trademarks or trademarks of VMware, Inc. in the United States and other jurisdictions. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005382/en/

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[August 04, 2021] KE Holdings Inc. to Report Second Quarter 2021 Financial Results on August 11, 2021 Eastern Time

KE Holdings Inc. ("Beike" or the "Company") (NYSE: BEKE), a leading integrated online and offline platform for housing transactions and services, today announced that it will report its unaudited financial results for the second quarter of 2021 after the U.S. market close on Wednesday, August 11, 2021. The Company's management will hold an earnings conference call at 9:00 P.M. Eastern Time on Wednesday, August 11, 2021 (9:00 A.M. Beijing Time on Thursday, August 12, 2021). For participants who wish to join the call, please complete online registration using the link provided below at least 20 minutes prior to the scheduled call start time. Upon registration, participants will receive the conference call access information, including dial-in numbers, Direct Event passcode, a unique registrant ID and an e-mail with detailed instructions to join the conference call. Participant Online Registration: http://apac.directeventreg.com/registration/event/1752298 A replay of the conference call will be accessible through August 19, 2021, by dialing the following numbers:







United States Toll Free: +1-855-452-5696 Mainland, China: 400-602-2065 Hong Kong, China: +852-3051-2780 International: +61-2-8199-0299 Conference ID: 1752298

A live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available at the Company's investor relations website at https://investors.ke.com About KE Holdings Inc. KE Holdings Inc. is a leading integrated online and offline platform for housing transactions and services. The Company is a pioneer in building the industry infrastructure and standards in China to reinvent how service providers and housing customers efficiently navigate and consummate housing transactions, ranging from existing and new home sales, home rentals, to home renovation, real estate financial solutions, and other services. The Company owns and operates Lianjia, China's leading real estate brokerage brand and an integral part of its Beike platform. With 20 years of operating experience through Lianjia since its inception in 2001, the Company believes the success and proven track record of Lianjia pave the way for it to build the industry infrastructure and standards and drive the rapid and sustainable growth of Beike. For more information, please visit: https://investors.ke.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005579/en/

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[August 04, 2021] Options Announces Partnership with Packets2Disk To Provide Market Leading Network Analytics Solution

Options, the leading provider of cloud-enabled managed services to the global capital markets, today announced its partnership with Packets2Disk to offer best-in-class trade-latency monitoring and business analytics as a fully managed service. Options' Telemetry Analytics service has been specifically designed to meet the demands of the Capital Markets Industry, covering all asset classes from Equities through to Fixed Income, FX, and Commodities. This service provides network and business analytics with nanosecond granularity that propels technology and front office teams with impactful, actionable data. Telemetry Analytics, powered by Packets2Disk, records traffic with high fidelity packet capture technology with the power to decode and store market data and trading messages for detailed monitoring and analytics. The data is stored for each client and can be output in multiple formats; common client use cases include trade-latency, order execution, microburst, and TCP flow analyses. Core to this solution is a user-friendly GUI for reporting and analytics. This provides easy access to enrich, organise, and transform real-time and historical data, generating metrics in filtered and highly customisable reports and dashboards for audit and analysis. Additionally, Telemetry Analytics ties into Options' robust infrastructure and application monitoring suite, allowing for single-pane-of-glass that provides complete environment transparency. Options' Monitoring services offer multiple optional notification streams for alerts, including SMS, emails, and calls as appropriate. The instantly accessible alerts and analytics provide our clients with actionable insights to condense issue resolution times, increase vendor accountability, and reduce overall risk exposure to technology issues or anomalous market activity. As a fully managed service from Options and Packets2Disk, Telemetry Analytics runs inside Options' extensive global environment on high-performance compute and all-flash Pure Storage. Options' expert team maintains an open dialogue with clients to design and implement business-logic specific environment monitoring rules, in a manner that is bespoke, and compatible with existing applications. Deployments are integrated with highly accurate PTP timing service and are supported by Options' 24/7 follow-the-sun global support coverage. Micah Kroeze, Options Senior Vice President, Product Management said, "The expertise and cost required to use legacy trade analytics appliances have historically been prohibitive, preventing trading firms from maximising their value or even justifying their use. Telemetry Analytics breaks the mould, providing a game-changing, fully managed, and integrated analytics service to Options clients across the world. Packets2Disk has been a great partner in bringing this vision to life, and we are very excited to be able to provide the benefits of their industry-leading technology to our clients." Jon Axon, Packets2Disk Managing Director, added, "We're delighted to be partnering with Options to make our market-leading software available to clients worldwide. Together we can offer best in breed capture and analytics as a fully managed, easy to deploy solution globally. Clients benefit from speed and ease of deployment, managed configuration and changes, powerful but easy to use analytics, and the high levels of support Options clients have come to know and expect." Today's news marks the latest in a string of announcements for Options, including a win at TradingTech Insights USA Awards in the Best Managed Services Solution for Market Data category, launch of Market-Leading PTP Compliance Reporting Tool, Tempus, and a decade of SOC compliance.



In 2019, Options received investment from Boston-based Private Equity Firm, Abry Partners. This investment has enabled Options to accelerate its growth strategy and develop its technology platform whilst expanding its reach in key financial centres globally. ENDS

If you would like to benefit from this fully managed, ground-breaking solution across Options' global footprint, please get in touch with our team today at colosales@options-it.com. About Options (www.options-it.com): Options Technology is the No. 1 provider of IT infrastructure to global Capital Markets firms, supporting their operations and ecosystems. Founded in 1993, the firm began life as a hedge fund technology services provider. Today, the company provides high-performance managed trading infrastructure and cloud-enabled managed services to over 200 firms globally, providing an agile, scalable platform in an Investment Bank grade Cybersecurity wrapper. Options clients include the leading global investment banks, hedge funds, funds of funds, proprietary trading firms, market makers, broker/dealers, private equity houses and exchanges. With offices in 8 key cities; New York, Toronto, Chicago, London, Belfast, Hong Kong, Singapore and New Zealand, Options are well placed to service their customers both on-site and remotely. In 2019, Options secured a significant growth investment from Abry Partners, a Boston-based sector-focused private equity firm. This investment has enabled Options to considerably accelerate its growth strategy to invest further in its technology platform and expand its reach in key financial centres globally. Options has been named among the U.K.'s leading growth companies in the 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017 Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200 league table. For more on Options, please visit www.options-it.com, follow us on Twitter at @Options_IT and visit our LinkedIn page. About Abry Partners (www.abry.com) Abry is one of the most experienced and successful sector-focused private equity investment firms in North America. Since its founding in 1989, the firm has completed over $82 billion of leveraged transactions and other private equity or preferred equity placements. Currently, the firm manages over $5.0 billion of capital across their active funds. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005618/en/

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[August 04, 2021] Rob Crawford Joins Diversified Search Group

Diversified Search Group (DSG) announced today that Rob Crawford has joined their New York City office as Managing Director in the firm's Private Equity, Financial Services, and Financial Officers practices. Crawford is joining DSG from Egon Zehnder, where he was a core member of the Financial Services, Private Equity, and Financial Officers Practices. His expertise in advising C-level executives, Boards, and investors on talent and strategic matters makes him a prized executive search consultant for clients across a wide spectrum of industries. "Rob's leadership experience in Financial Services, Private Equity and Executive Recruiting will further strengthen our firm's platform in providing the best human capital solutions to our clients," said Dale E. Jones, the firm's CEO, in making the announcement. Upon joining the firm, Crawford said: "I've known DSG's leadership for my entire career and have long admired and respected the firm's culture and commitment to putting its clients first, and delivering diverse executive talent solutions." He continued, "DSG is on an impressive growth trajectory, and I am honored to be joining the firm at a time when its core mission - to cultivate new leadership for a changing world - has met its moment." "We are thrilled that Rob has chosen to join DSG and contribute to our very strong momentum and growth," said Aileen Alexander, DSG's Vice Chair. "With a stellar reputation in the industry, Rob will bring invaluable experience and insights to our clients as they seek new leaders who will shape our future." At Diversified Search Grup, Crawford will leverage his industry experience, advising Fortune 500 and Financial Services clients, as well as private equity firms and their portfolio companies, on critical searches to attract the executive leadership required in today's competitive market. Crawford will also serve as a core member of DSG's Financial Officers practice. He has worked closely with Financial Officers throughout his career and brings deep experience helping public and private companies recruit CFOs and fill key direct reporting roles to the CFO, including corporate controllers, chief accounting officers, tax leaders, and divisional finance executives.



Prior to his career in executive search, Crawford spent over two decades in various leadership roles in private equity and investment banking. He was a Managing Director at Fair Oaks Capital, a corporate credit-focused investment firm, as well as a Managing Director at IMB Partners, an independent financial sponsor. Prior to moving to the buy-side, Crawford was an investment banker focused on providing M&A advisory primarily to private equity clients. He was a senior banker at Lincoln International, where he helped establish the firm's New York office, and a Co-founder and Partner at Watch Hill Partners, a merchant banking firm focused on serving private equity clients. Previously, he served as an investment banker focused on M&A and Financial Sponsors Coverage at Bowles Hollowell Conner and M&A at Goldman Sachs, where he began his investment banking career as an Analyst and later rejoined the firm as a Vice President. Crawford received his MBA from Harvard Business School and his BA from Morehouse College, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa and was class valedictorian.

ABOUT DIVERSIFIED SEARCH GROUP Diversified Search Group (DSG) is the largest woman-founded executive search firm in the world and is a new model in the industry with a combination of specialty firms: Diversified Search, BioQuest, Koya Partners, Grant Cooper, and Storbeck Search. With their collective resources and expertise, the combined firms have deep and broad industry knowledge with unparalleled access to expansive candidate networks. The firms collaborate across sectors to access diverse talent whose values align with their clients' purpose, producing among the best rates in the industry for placements of women and people of color, repeat clients, and candidate retention. Headquartered in Philadelphia, DSG operates in over a dozen cities across the country and worldwide as the official U.S. partner of AltoPartners, the international alliance of executive search firms with 63 offices in 36 countries around the world. For more information, visit diversifiedsearchgroup.com and follow us on Facebook (News - Alert) , Twitter, and LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005167/en/

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IDC Forecasts Companies to Spend Almost $342 Billion on AI Solutions in 2021

Worldwide revenues for the artificial intelligence (AI) market, including software, hardware, and services, is estimated to grow 15.2% year over year in 2021 to $341.8 billion, according to the latest release of the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Semiannual Artificial Intelligence Tracker. The market is forecast to accelerate further in 2022 with 18.8% growth and remain on track to break the $500 billion mark by 2024. Among the three technology categories, AI Software occupied 88% of the overall AI market. However, in terms of growth, AI Hardware is estimated to grow the fastest in the next several years. From 2023 onwards, AI Services is forecast to become the fastest growing category.

Within the AI Software category, AI Applications has the lion's share at nearly 50% of revenues. In terms of growth, AI Platforms is the strongest with a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 33.2%. The slowest will be AI System Infrastructure Software with a five-year CAGR of 14.4% while accounting for roughly 35% of all AI Software revenues. Within the AI Applications market, AI ERM is expected to grow slightly stronger than AI CRM over the next five years. Meanwhile, AI Lifecycle Software is forecast to grow the fastest among the markets within AI Platforms. Additional market share details and a graphic illustrating IDC's (News - Alert) worldwide forecast for the AI Software category are available by viewing this press release on IDC.com.

"Disruption is unsettling, but it can also serve as a catalyst for innovation and transformation. 2020 was the year that accelerated digital transformation and strengthened the value of enterprise AI," said Ritu Jyoti, group vice president for AI and Automation Research at IDC. "We have now entered the domain of AI-augmented work and decision across all the functional areas of a business. Responsible creation and use of AI solutions that can sense, predict, respond, and adapt at speed is an important business imperative."

The AI Services market was estimated at $19.4 billion in 2020, representing the fastest growth relative to hardware and software. For 2021, it is forecast to grow at 19.3%. Over the next five years, it is expected to enjoy the best CAGR at 21%. This technology category breaks down into two segments: IT Services and Business Services. IT Services is the larger of the two, accounting for nearly 80% of all AI Services revenues. From a growth perspective, the two markets are similar with five-year CAGRs of 21%. Overall, AI Services is expected to be a $50 billion market by 2025. Additional market share details and a graphic illustrating IDC's worldwide AI Services forecast are available by viewing this press release on IDC.com.







"AI has emerged as an essential component of the future enterprise, fueling demand for services partners to help organizations clear the many hurdles standing between pilot projects and enterprise AI," said Jennifer Hamel, research manager, Analytics and Intelligent Automation Services. "Client demand for expertise in developing production-grade AI solutions and establishing the right organization, platform, governance, business process, and talent strategies to ensure sustainable AI adoption at scale drives expansion across both IT services and business services segments."

AI Hardware is the smallest category with 5% share of the overall AI market. Nonetheless, it is forecast to grow the fastest in 2021 at 29.6% year over year. It is also expected to hold the best growth spot in 2022. Over the next five years, its CAGR is estimated at 19.4%. This technology category breaks down into two markets: Server and Storage. Server has the larger share at approximately 82% while Storage is forecast to have better growth with a five-year CAGR of 22.1%. Additional market share details and a graphic illustrating IDC's regional forecast for the AI Hardware category are available by viewing this press release on IDC.com.

"The market for AI servers and storage was less impacted than anticipated by the COVID-19 pandemic and is now rapidly picking up steam again, especially at the edge," said Peter Rutten, research director, Infrastructure Systems, Platforms and Technologies at IDC. "The infrastructure of choice is coalescing around massively parallel compute using co-processors and server clusters with fast interconnects and networks."

The IDC Worldwide Semiannual Artificial Intelligence Tracker publishes AI vendor share and market forecast data on a semi-annual basis. It provides data and insights into all the key technology areas - server, storage, software, and services - built on IDC's comprehensive methodology involving vendor product, market, and workload modeling. Over 700 companies are currently published in the Tracker, ensuring that the competitive landscape is well represented across all the three technology categories. Data is available on a total of 27 countries and five rest-of regions. In this July 2021 release, we are adding deployment type segmentation on the software data for the first time. Through its broad and in-depth coverage, the Tracker can be relied on by users to assess which areas within the AI market are expected to grow during these unusually challenging times and optimize their business plans accordingly. In the next release, scheduled for January 2022, IDC will expand the Tracker with more market details, especially in the software space.

About IDC Trackers

IDC Tracker products provide accurate and timely market size, vendor share, and forecasts for hundreds of technology markets from more than 100 countries around the globe. Using proprietary tools and research processes, IDC's Trackers are updated on a semiannual, quarterly, and monthly basis. Tracker results are delivered to clients in user-friendly Excel deliverables and on-line query tools.

For more information about IDC's Worldwide Semiannual Artificial Intelligence Tracker, please contact Kathy Nagamine at 650-350-6423 or knagamine@idc.com.

Click here to learn about IDC's full suite of data products and how you can leverage them to grow your business.

About IDC

International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,100 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology, IT benchmarking and sourcing, and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC's analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a wholly owned subsidiary of International Data Group (IDG), the world's leading tech media, data, and marketing services company. To learn more about IDC, please visit www.idc.com. Follow IDC on Twitter (News - Alert) at @IDC and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the IDC Blog for industry news and insights.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005239/en/
[August 04, 2021] Banner|Aetna to Enter the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Individual Insurance Exchange Marketplace in Arizona for January 1, 2022

Banner|Aetna, a joint venture owned by Banner Health and Aetna/CVS, will offer health insurance plans to residents of Maricopa, Pinal and Pima counties through Arizona's individual marketplace (also known as the Exchange) effective January 1, 2022. Previously, the insurer marketed health benefit plans exclusively to employers in the state. With this announcement, residents of these three counties can now enroll in coverage that brings together the clinical expertise of Banner Health, one of the largest non-profit health systems in the U.S., with the resources of Aetna, a CVS Health company. Individuals can purchase the coverage via healthcare.gov or through Banner|Aetna's own website, even if they are receiving subsidies that lower premium costs. These new Gold, Silver and Bronze health plans give members access to Banner|Aetna's high-performance network of health care providers, no- or low-cost 24/7 access to virtual primary care, and 24-hour Nurse Now access. Additionally, the plans provide members with unique and convenient retail, pharmacy, and no- or low-cost health care services offered at MinuteClinic, CVS HealthHUB and CVS Pharmacy locations across Arizona. "As an Arizona-based company, we are excited to offer affordable, high-quality coverage to individual members and their families," said Tom Grote, CEO of Banner|Aetna. "We're a unique kind of insurance company in that we team with high-performing local physicians and hospitals to discover new ways to help consumers navigate the health care system and access high-quality care." Grote added that consumers can expect Banner|Aetna premium prices for individuals and families to be competitive, regardless of whether they opt for the Gold, Silver or Bronze plan. "Banner Health is proud to play a key role in helping to transform care at the local level through Banner|Aetna," said Chuck Lehn, president of Banner Health Network. "As an organization already committed to providing the best possible care, we're now using that same expertise to help bring innovative health benefits to so many Arizonans." Along with an enhanced direct enrollment experience via Banner|Aetna's website, the plan also features: No- or low-cost visits at any of the 36 MinuteClinic / HealthHUB locations in Maricopa, Pinal and Pima counties that offer convenient locations, flexible hours, and one-on-one concierge support for acute and chronic care needs.

that offer convenient locations, flexible hours, and one-on-one concierge support for acute and chronic care needs. No- o low-cost on-demand, text-based primary care through 98point6, providing members with 24/7/365 access to board-certified doctors for diagnosis and treatment anywhere, anytime.

providing members with 24/7/365 access to board-certified doctors for diagnosis and treatment anywhere, anytime. 20% off select CVS Health-branded health and wellness products at any one of the 10,000 pharmacy locations.

products at any one of the 10,000 pharmacy locations. 90-day refills and no-cost direct specialty drug prescription delivery through Banner Family Pharmacy.

and no-cost direct specialty drug prescription delivery through Banner Family Pharmacy. A simplified member experience that lets consumers pay their premium at any CVS Pharmacy and manage their account with a mobile app or online.

that lets consumers pay their premium at any CVS Pharmacy and manage their account with a mobile app or online. Nurse Now line 24/7/365 support, which allows members to consult with a registered nurse day or night.



In addition to Arizona, Aetna/CVS Health is entering the individual exchange market in Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Texas and Virginia.*

Open enrollment begins November 1. *Filings in each state are complete. Final approval to entry is pending state and federal reviews/certifications. About Banner|Aetna Banner|Aetna is a health insurance company focusing on bettering member outcomes at a lower cost, all while improving the overall member experience for employers and consumers in Arizona. The collaboration combines Banner Health's high quality, local providers and delivery systems with Aetna's health-plan experience, care management and health-information technology. Banner|Aetna is the brand name used for products and services provided by Banner Health and Aetna Health Insurance Company and Banner Health and Aetna Health Plan Inc. For more information about Banner|Aetna, visit https://www.banneraetna.com/. About Banner Health Headquartered in Arizona, Banner Health is one of the largest nonprofit health care systems in the country. The system owns and operates 30 acute-care hospitals, Banner Health Network, Banner - University Medicine, academic and employed physician groups, long-term care centers, outpatient surgery centers, and an array of other services, including Banner Urgent Care, family clinics, home care and hospice services, pharmacies, and a nursing registry. Banner Health is in six states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada and Wyoming. For more information, visit bannerhealth.com. About CVS Health CVS Health is the leading health solutions company, delivering care in ways no one else can. We reach more people and improve the health of communities across America through our local presence, digital channels and our nearly 300,000 dedicated colleagues - including more than 40,000 physicians, pharmacists, nurses and nurse practitioners. Wherever and whenever people need us, we help them with their health - whether that's managing chronic diseases, staying compliant with their medications, or accessing affordable health and wellness services in the most convenient ways. We help people navigate the health care system - and their personal health care - by improving access, lowering costs and being a trusted partner for every meaningful moment of health. And we do it all with heart, each and every day. Learn more at www.cvshealth.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005370/en/

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[August 04, 2021] Marketing 360 Releases Content Marketing Case Study

FORT COLLINS, Colo., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Most business owners know and understand the importance of content marketing and search engine optimization. Afterall, if done correctly, the right content marketing strategy can lead to an abundance of free clicks and extremely high-quality leads. Although content marketing is a long game, with some patience and understanding that it takes time, business owners can see great long-term success with content marketing. In this case study, Marketing 360 shares how a Texas-based professional licensing company, with the help of their Content Marketing Specialist, saw huge, long-term results with an effective content marketing strategy. They saw hundreds of thousands of impressions, thousands of clicks, and hundreds of conversions, almost all coming from organic search, in just a three-month priod. Compared to the three-month period prior, the efforts put forth through content marketing resulted in an incredible increase in conversions of 19%! Furthermore, they saw a 9% increase in impressions and a 15% increase in clicks.



The strategy? First, their Content Marketing Specialist went through their entire website and optimized it for relevant keywords and phrases, like "Texas real estate licence" and "Texas real estate school." Next, they began to add fresh, new content, in the form of blogs and new pages, to their site on a consistent basis. The new content also included infographics and videos. They also began to post regularly on social media. Lastly, they made it a priority to obtain reviews from past clients to help build trust. This content marketing strategy delivered big results, and the business will continue to implore these strategies.

Through many tools and integrated apps, plus the backing of a Marketing Success Manager, Marketing 360 makes it easy for small businesses to manage their business and marketing, all from one place while saving time, money, and tons of manual work. Learn more about Marketing 360 at https://www.marketing360.com/. About Marketing 360

Marketing 360 is a technology company that provides business management and marketing software and services for SMBs and franchises. The Marketing 360 platform gives SMBs everything they need to manage and grow their business from a singular platform, including the ability to  build a professional website, accept and manage payments, manage leads and customers, book appointments, monitor reviews, manage social media, syndicate business listings, manage content marketing, run multi-channel digital advertising campaigns, and more. Marketing 360 was founded in 2009 with the mission of enriching communities by helping small businesses grow, and is headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado, with offices in Austin, Texas. Learn more about Marketing 360 at https://www.marketing360.com/. Contact:

Farra Lanzer

315832@email4pr.com

970-541-3284 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/marketing-360-releases-content-marketing-case-study-301347893.html SOURCE Marketing 360

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[August 04, 2021] Sustainability Becoming Mandatory for Business Growth Says Global Solutions Firm TUV SUD Vice President Simon Lemin During July Visit to Sichuan's Meishan California Smart City

CHENGDU, China, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- With the official opening of Phase 1 of COFCO-developed Meishan California Smart City (MCSC), scheduled for Q3 2021 in Sichuan-Tianfu-Meishan New Area, Sichuan Province continues building its momentum as a global force in sustainability. Business, government, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and institutional leaders from around the world have been hosted at MCSC and praised Sichuan's sustainability leadership. In a recent visit to explore opportunities at MCSC, Simon Lemin, Vice President of Industry Services for South Asia at TUV SUD, emphasized how critical sustainability has become to creating a successful business. "Sustainability is important to business in two ways," Lemin stated. "Firstly, it drives growthsustainable companies are economically successful, not just with better performing stock prices, but also the internal and external transparency of being sustainable can be used as a powerful marketing strategy. And, of course, in many value chains today 'sustainability' and 'sustainable operations' are becoming a mandatory aspect of some markets. For example, the new draft EU Battery regulations requires sustainability to be considered throughout the entire supply chain. The second aspect of sustainability is related to public perception  being 'sustainable', wearing 'sustainabl' or living 'sustainable' is a major topic for many people and considered a 'must have.' Simply put, sustainability is the pathway to a future for all of us and generations to come."



As encouraged by the UN 2015 Sustainable Development Goal 7, which is to "Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all", MCSC will promote use of sustainable energy throughout. The conceptual plan for MCSC, inspired by California and designed by AECOM, embraces clean energy, green technology, and sustainability in every aspect of its design to support live-work quality. The smart infrastructure at MCSC will enable rapid incorporation of new and improved technologies to ensure the development grows smarter over time. According to Jeffrey Chang, Chairman of Meishan California Smart Town and Development Co. Ltd., "This type of iterative growth quality is the essence of a truly sustainable development. It is also completely aligned with the principles of socially responsible investing because it promotes the most productive use of resources." For more information, please visit https://cnmcsc.com/video?lang=en

Media Contact:

Susan Xiao

86-13207172800 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sustainability-becoming-mandatory-for-business-growth-says-global-solutions-firm-tuv-sud-vice-president-simon-lemin-during-july-visit-to-sichuans-meishan-california-smart-city-301347912.html SOURCE Meishan California Smart Town and Development Co. Ltd.

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[August 04, 2021] BQE Software Names Austin Miller as Chief Marketing Officer

TORRANCE, Calif., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- BQE Software Inc., a leading cloud-based software provider to professional service firms, recently announced Austin Miller as the company's new Chief Marketing Officer. His primary focus will be to facilitate growth and increase sales by developing comprehensive marketing campaigns that improve brand recognition and increase market share. Having worked with Visionary Leaders, Inspirational Leaders, Brilliant Analysts, Imaginative Marketers, and Operation Ninjas, Miller's diverse background makes him a perfect fit for BQE's expansion plans in the coming months and years. "I'm a firm believer that we are products of our environment," Miller said. "I've worked with some of the brightest minds in the SaaS space, and have taken the best of what they have to offer and made it my own." Miller brings decades of sales and marketing expertise to BQE, along with a data-driven marketing approach. He believes that great products market themselves, provided they solve problems and add value in a unique and ROI-positive way. A great product and an incredible team initially drew him to BQE, where he is charged with ensuring all marketing strategies are aligned to deliver the right messages to the right people at precisely the right times. "Mr. Miller's breadth of experience gives him theability to have a universal perspective when it comes to solving problems, working in cross-functional teams, and capitalizing on opportunities," added Shafat Qazi, the CEO and Founder of BQE Software. "This, coupled with his work ethic, get-it-done mentality, and rare combination of creative thinking and analytical prowess, make him highly effective when working independently and unstoppable when working as a part of a team."



To learn more about BQE, the company's award-winning platform - BQE CORE - or Mr. Martin himself, visit BQE.com . About BQE Software:

BQE Software develops innovative business management software for professional services firms. Its flagship product, BQE CORE, centralizes and streamlines the way firms enter and use information for time tracking, billing, project management, and accounting. This gives them the speed and insight necessary to rapidly make informed decisions, increase productivity, and grow profits. BQE Software is trusted by leading architects, engineers, accountants, attorneys, IT specialists, and business consultants. The company is headquartered in Torrance, California, with offices in Sydney, Australia. For more information, visit www.bqe.com .

MEDIA CONTACT :

BQE Software Inc.

Steven Burns, Chief Creative Officer

(310) 602 4010

315851@email4pr.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bqe-software-names-austin-miller-as-chief-marketing-officer-301347669.html SOURCE BQE Software Inc.

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[August 04, 2021] Fintech Zeni Announces $34 Million Series B In Wake of 550% Revenue Growth

AI-powered finance concierge Zeni today announced it has raised a $34 million Series B funding round led by Elevation Capital with participation from new investors Think Investments and Neeraj Arora. Zeni has seen 550 percent revenue growth year-over-year driven exclusively by referrals and organic growth. Today, Zeni manages more than $500 million in funds each month across more than 100 startup customers, which range from pre-revenue startups to businesses generating more than $100 million in annual revenue. Zeni will use the capital infusion to bring its intelligent bookkeeping and accounting platform and services to more customers by investing aggressively in its team in the U.S. and India across product, technology, marketing, sales, and finance operations. Existing investors Saama Capital, Amit Singhal, Sierra Ventures, Twin (News - Alert) Ventures, Dragon Capital and Liquid 2 Ventures also participated in the round. Digital transformation is fueling the growth of businesses like Zeni as the startup and small business sector is feverishly digitizing and automating every part of their business operations. According to a recent report from McKinsey & Company (News - Alert) , based on surveys with more than 900 C-suite executives, workplace conditions over the past year forced businesses to accelerate adoption and deployment of digital solutions across the enterrise, accelerating businesses' transformation by up to three years.



"Startups and small businesses are fundamentally changing how they operate based on digital-first tools and services that are displacing the traditional, slow and human-intensive services across every category," said Swapnil Shinde, Co-Founder and CEO, Zeni. "There is a huge demand from startups to digitize and automate their business finances, leading Zeni to experience 550 percent revenue growth and 375 percent customer growth year-over-year. Zeni is tackling the root of startup risk-financial management-by applying artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotic process automation to create a fast, streamlined, intuitive way for startups to manage their finances." Zeni is the only bookkeeping and accounting platform that provides real-time insights and flux analysis of a company's key financial metrics via its AI-powered Zeni Dashboard, including Cash In and Cash Out analysis, Universal Search of transactions across a startup's entire finance stack, Spend and Income Trends for every customer and vendor in their ecosystem, and more.

"Our focus at Zeni is to make finance management as seamless as possible for our customers, which carries over to the minimalist, intuitive product experience within the Zeni Dashboard," said Snehal Shinde, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer, Zeni. "Every feature we introduce has an explicit purpose based on our customers' needs, and is meticulously crafted to allow startup founders to find the answers to their questions in the most direct, actionable way possible." Zeni welcomes Ravi Adusumalli, Founder and Managing Partner at Elevation Capital to its board. Commenting on the funding, Ravi Adusumalli said, "Swapnil and Snehal's track record of serial entrepreneurship has given them a keen understanding of the daily frustrations founders experience in managing their business' finances. This experience has also given them a clarity of vision which sets them apart from their peers. Digitizing and automating the bookkeeping and accounting functions and giving founders an up-to-the-minute understanding of their finances is critical for informed decision-making in a fast-paced start-up environment and Zeni is making these tasks infinitely easier for founders." To learn more, visit www.zeni.ai. About Zeni Zeni is the first AI-powered finance concierge for startups powering high velocity decision making. With Zeni's intelligent bookkeeping, accounting, tax, and CFO services, startups have access to real-time financial insights via their Zeni Dashboard, and a team of finance experts to manage every finance function for a flat monthly fee - daily bookkeeping, yearly taxes, bill pay and invoicing, financial projections, budgeting, payroll administration, and more. Zeni was founded in 2019 by twin brothers and serial entrepreneurs, Swapnil Shinde and Snehal Shinde, who also founded Mezi, the AI-powered travel assistant acquired by American Express (News - Alert) in 2018. Zeni has raised $47.5 million in funding to-date, backed by Amit Singhal, Dragon Capital, Elevation Capital, Firebolt Ventures, Liquid 2 Ventures, Neeraj Arora, Saama Capital, Sierra Ventures, SVB Financial Group, Think Investments, and Twin Ventures, and prominent angel investors including Manish Chandra, Nickhil Jakatdar, Ed Lu, Anupam Mittal, Gokul Rajaram, and Kunal Shah. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005691/en/

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[August 04, 2021]

Experts Demystify Artificial Disc Replacement For Patients

RESTON, Va., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Spine Health Foundation today announced the public release of their free, patient webinar series on Artificial Disc Replacement, featuring award-winning spine surgeons from across the nation.

Experts answer all your questions about artificial disc replacement in a free patient webinar series at spinehealth.org.

The 3-part webinar series has two panels focused on cervical (neck) disc replacement and one panel centered on lumbar (low back) disc replacement. Ten spine surgeons, all part of the NSHF Medical & Scientific Board, participated in this patient-centered event originally broadcast live on Facebook and YouTube.

"Our goal is to ensure patients are educated and empowered by information and knowledge as they ourney through any kind of spinal health issue, including artificial disc replacement surgery," said Dr. Rita Roy, CEO of the NSHF. "Patients won't find better access to unbiased, top notch spine surgeons anywhere else."







Each webinar panel covers a variety of questions related to the disc replacement procedure, including considerations for potential surgery, preparation and recovery tips and how to choose the right surgeon.

Each panel, led by Dr. Thomas Schuler, CEO of Virginia Spine Institute and Chairman, NSHF Medical and Scientific Board, also took questions submitted by patients in the NSHF patient support community.

NSHF aims to educate the public about the many treatment options available for a wide variety of spine conditions. Their powerful patient community frequently gets the opportunity to hear from those on the cutting edge of artificial disc replacement and other vital surgeries and treatments.

Watch each portion of the webinar here:

Part 1 https://spine-talks.org/artificial-disc-replacement-neck/

Part 2 https://spine-talks.org/artificial-disc-replacement-neck-pt-2/

Part 3 https://spinehealth.org/

NSHF regularly hosts webinars, panels and interviews with experts in the field of spine health. You can learn more about these events by subscribing to their monthly newsletter.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/experts-demystify-artificial-disc-replacement-for-patients-301347792.html

SOURCE National Spine Health Foundation
[August 04, 2021] Security Innovation Experts Bring Exploit Expertise to Black Hat 2021 and DEF CON 29 for Fifth Year in a Row

WILMINGTON, Mass., Aug. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Security Innovation, an authority in software security assessments and training, is delivering advanced training workshops and hands-on hacking at the Black Hat USA and DEF CON 29 conferences. Among the premier cybersecurity events in the world, these annual conferences convene the most innovative and creative researchers to explore new exploits, discuss trends and findings, and collaborate on pressing cyber security issues.

Offensive Mobile Reversing & Exploitation

The companys Mobile Center-of-Excellence lead, Dinesh Shetty, returned to Black Hat USA 2021 and Black Hat Asia 2021 with an updated version of this popular course that includes expanded coverage of ARM64, mobile browser security, and more in-depth coverage of Mobile apps and operating system security. House of Heap Workshop

The sold out House of Heap Work workshop at DEF CON 29 is the results of over a years worth of research. This hands-on introduction to GLibC Malloc heap exploitation will help attendees learn how the allocator functions, understand heap specific vulnerability classes, and gain root access with a variety of techniques. Heap exloitation is a subject that has evaded many people for years for one primary reason - they focus on the techniques instead of the allocator, said Maxwell Dulin, Security Consultant at Security Innovation. By learning with an allocator-first style, the techniques are easily understood and practical to use. I look forward to presenting this novel approach.



Three Security Innovation engineers with deep expertise in Heap exploitation will join Maxwell to ensure students get the most tailored training possible: James Dolan, Security Engineer

Nathan Kirkland, Security Researcher & Engineer

Zachary Minneker, Security Researcher & Engineer

DevOps CTF

Security Innovation is running one of the DEF CON CTF events again this year. InfiniCrate is the companys latest cyber range, an ultra-realistic cloud storage repository built on AWS and inspired by vulnerabilities that the companys Security Engineers have discovered in commercial engagements. Attendees will be tasked with exploiting CI/CD pipelines, hijacking AWS Lambda functions, and escalating privileges through AWS access controls.

Get Involved

The company will make abridged versions of this training available to the public as webcasts and open-enrollment hacking events later this year. To be notified, please visit our Web site. ABOUT SECURITY INNOVATION

Security Innovation is a pioneer in software security and literally wrote the book on How to Break Software Security. Since 2002, organizations have relied on the companys assessment and training solutions to secure software wherever it runs. Recognized 6x on the Gartner Magic Quadrant for computer-based security training, CMD+CTRL Training combines role-based courses with hands-on cyber ranges to build skills that stick. With over 3.5 million users, CMD+CTRL helps all software security stakeholders address the risk of todays tech stacks  flawed design, defenseless code, expanded attack surface and misconfigured deployments. For more information, visit https://www.securityinnovation.com/ or connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter.

Media Contact: Bre Quinn Marketing Communications Director, Security Innovation +1.978.578.1237 bquinn@securityinnovation.com

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[August 04, 2021] Enzyvant Announces Publication of Positive Clinical Data in Pediatric Patients with Congenital Athymia Treated with Investigational RVT-802 (allogeneic processed thymus tissue-agdc)

Kaplan-Meier estimated survival at one year and two years post treatment with investigational RVT-802 was 77% and 76%, respectively

Follow-up time in the Efficacy Analysis Set (EAS) ranged from 0 to 25.5 years; For patients who were alive at one year post treatment, the Kaplan-Meier estimated long-term survival rate was 93% at a median follow-up time of 10.9 years The most common (>3%) adverse reactions occurring in patients treated with investigational RVT-802 were low platelets, neutropenia, fever, protein in the urine, hair loss, and wound dehiscence CAMBRIDGE, Mass. and BASEL, Switzerland, Aug. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Positive results from clinical trials of Enzyvants investigational RVT-802 (allogeneic processed thymus tissue-agdc), engineered human thymus tissue implanted in 105 pediatric patients, were published today in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.1 Families battling congenital athymia have been the heart and soul of the RVT-802 clinical trial program for more than two decades and I am deeply grateful to them, as well as the healthcare practitioners and others who have made investigation of this regenerative therapy possible, said Louise Markert, M.D., Ph.D., principal investigator for RVT-802 clinical trials and Professor of Pediatrics and Immunology at the Duke University School of Medicine. These data suggest we are on the threshold of a brighter day for pediatric patients with congenital athymia. Pediatric congenital athymia is ultra-rare with an estimated incidence in the U.S. of ~17 to 24 live births each year.2 Children who have this condition are born without a thymus, which leads to profound immunodeficiency, life-threatening immune dysregulation, and high susceptibility to potentially fatal infections. With only supportive care, children with congenital athymia typically die by age two or three. There are currently no FDA-approved treatments for congenital athymia. With evidence of long-term survival up to 25.5 years and a study group of 105 patients, investigational RVT-802 is unique among regenerative medicine candidates for ultra-rare diseases, said Rachelle Jacques, CEO of Enzyvant. The scope and quality of these data underlying RVT-802 for pediatric congenital athymia are testaments to the extraordinary vision of Dr. Louise Markert and the tireless efforts of the Duke University Medical Center team. Engineered human thymus tissue has been studied by researchers across 10 clinical studies at a single center for more than 25 years. RVT-802 clinical trials at Duke University Medical Center have been supported with funding from Enzyvant. 1 M. Louise Markert, Stephanie E. Gupton, Elizabeth A. McCarthy, Experience with cultured thymus tissue in 105 children,

Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2021, ISSN 0091-6749. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0091674921010563?dgcid=author

2 Hsieh, E.W.Y., Kim-Chang, J.J., Kulke, S. et al. Defining the Clinical, Emotional, Social, and Financial Burden of Congenital Athymia. Adv Ther (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-021-01820-9 Ten prospective single-arm, open-label studieswith patient enrollment from 1993 to 2020 form the basis of the investigational RVT-802 data set. One hundred and five patients were surgically implanted with RVT-802 under one of 10 Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved protocols. Ninety-five patients were included in the Efficacy Analysis Set (EAS) and 105 patients were included in the Safety Analysis Set.



Patients were tested in clinical trials after implantation with RVT-802 to detect naive T cells using flow cytometry at three, six, and 12 months. Survival rates were analyzed with the longest follow-up period of 25.5 years. In the EAS, Kaplan-Meier estimated survival rates (95% CI) were 77% (67.084.4) at one year and 76% (65.783.4) at two years. For patients who were alive at one year post implantation, the Kaplan-Meier estimated long-term survival rate was 93% at a median follow-up time of 10.9 years. Patients in the clinical trials started out with very few naive T cells but those who survived to one year after implantation developed mature and naive T-cell levels sufficient to fight infection and support survival. To explore the number of infections over time following treatment with investigational RVT-802, the number of infections were analyzed for the first six months post implantation and compared to the number of infections in the second six months after implantation. There was a significant decrease (p<.001) in the number of infections in the second six months. The number of infections were also compared between the first and second year after implantation with similar results. There was a significant decrease in the number of infections (p<.001) in year two after implantation.

The most common adverse reactions (incidence in at least two patients) reported following implantation with investigational RVT-802 were thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, pyrexia (fever), proteinuria, alopecia, wound dehiscence (wound re-opening), Coombs-positive hemolytic anemia, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, hemolysis, rash, blood bicarbonate decrease, diarrhea, and autoimmune hepatitis. Of the 105 patients, 28 patients died after receiving RVT-802, including 22 deaths in the first year (< 365 days) after implantation. Causes of death in the first year included 13 deaths due to infection or complications due to infection, five deaths due to respiratory failure/hypoxia, three deaths due to hemorrhage-related events, and one death due to cardiorespiratory arrest. Of the six patients who died more than one year post implantation, two died due to respiratory failure and one died due to each of the following: cardiopulmonary arrest, intracranial hemorrhage, infection, and unknown cause. About the Thymus and Congenital Athymia The T in T cell stands for thymus because it is where T cells are selected to fight infections or are destroyed if they have the potential to attack the body instead of invaders. Congenital athymia is an ultra-rare condition in which children are born without a thymus, causing profound immunodeficiency, vulnerability to potentially fatal infections, and life-threatening immune dysregulation. With only supportive care, children with congenital athymia typically die by age two or three. Congenital athymia is initially detected by T-cell deficiency observed in newborn screening for SCID (severe combined immune deficiency), which is now required in all 50 U.S. states. SCID and congenital athymia are both primary immunodeficiency disorders but they are distinct conditions. The estimated incidence of pediatric congenital athymia in the United States is 17 to 24 live births each year.2 About Investigational RVT-802 Investigational RVT-802 is a novel one-time, tissue-based regenerative therapy used for immune reconstitution in pediatric patients with congenital athymia. It has been studied by researchers at Duke University Medical Center across 10 clinical studies for more than 25 years. Investigational RVT-802 is engineered human thymus tissue designed to regenerate the thymic function that children with congenital athymia are missing and does not require donor-recipient matching. Investigational RVT-802 has been granted multiple U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designations including Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy (RMAT), Breakthrough Therapy, Rare Pediatric Disease, and Orphan Drug. The RVT-802 Biologics Licensing Application (BLA) was resubmitted this year and the expected action date provided by the FDA under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) is October 8, 2021. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has granted Orphan Drug designations and the Advanced Therapy Medicinal Product (ATMP) designation for RVT-802. About Enzyvant Enzyvant, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitovant Biopharma Ltd. (wholly owned by Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd.), is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing novel, transformative regenerative therapies for people with devastating rare diseases. Enzyvants lead asset is the investigational tissue-based regenerative therapy, RVT-802, for congenital athymia, an ultra-rare and life-threatening pediatric immunodeficiency. For more information about Enzyvant, visit Enzyvant.com. Follow @Enzyvant on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. About Sumitovant Biopharma Ltd. Sumitovant is a global biopharmaceutical company with offices in New York City and London. Sumitovant is the majority shareholder of Myovant (NYSE: MYOV) and wholly owns Urovant, Enzyvant, Spirovant, and Altavant. Sumitovants promising pipeline is comprised of early-through late-stage investigational medicines across a range of disease areas targeting high unmet need. Sumitovant is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma. For further information about Sumitovant, please visit https://www.sumitovant.com. Follow Sumitovant on LinkedIn. About Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd.

Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma is among the top-ten listed pharmaceutical companies in Japan, operating globally in major pharmaceutical markets, including Japan, the U.S., China and the European Union. Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma is based on the merger in 2005 between Dainippon Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. Today, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma has more than 7,000 employees worldwide. Additional information about Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma is available through its corporate website at https://www.ds-pharma.com/. Media Contacts: Enzyvant

Eliza Schleifstein

6 Degrees

(917) 763-8106

Eliza@schleifsteinpr.com Sumitovant Biopharma

Maya Frutiger

VP, Head of Corporate Communications

media@sumitovant.com



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[August 04, 2021] Molekule continues significant momentum with new retail presence on Amazon Canada and Home Depot E-Commerce Platforms

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Molekule , the leader in reinventing air purification, announced today that its Photo Electrochemical Oxidation (PECO) air purification devices, Air Mini, Air Mini+, Air, and Air Pro, are now available for purchase via Amazon Canada (Amazon.ca) and HomeDepot.com. Molekule is also expanding its Canadian offerings on Molekule.ca with the addition of Air Mini and Air Pro. Available for order immediately, customers can turn to their favorite online retailers to purchase their desired air purifier, including the FDA cleared Molekule devices Air and Air Mini+, great for home offices, bedrooms, or even businesses, to better their indoor air quality. The news comes just months after Molekule's Air Mini and Air Mini+ received FDA 510(k) Class II medical device clearance for the destruction of viruses and bacteria, making them two of only a few air purifiers on the market to have such a clearance. "We're proud of the progress Molekule has made over the past year in our efforts to provide clean air for all, and having major retail partnerships makes getting our revolutionary air purification technology even more accessible to everyday consumers," said Jonathan Harris, CEO of Molekule. "2020 was a challenging year for many, and access to tools for better air quality shouldn't be difficult to come by. We're grateful for our customers who've already chosen Molekule to protect themselves in their homes, offices, small businesses, and more, and look forward to opening up even more distribution channels to continue this momentum." As global air pollution grows and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues, international demand for air purification solutions persists. Independent air quality testing laboratories have consistently validated the effectiveness of Molekule's PECO technology to destroy pollutants, including viruses and bacteria in the air. Air Mini+ is ideal for 250 square feet of space and houses a particulate matter sensor and Auto Protect mode, which enables the device to automatically adjust its fan speed based on particles sensed in the air. Air Pro is designed for up to 1,000 square feet of space, delivers increased airflow, detects three particle sizes and destroys pollutants with Molekule's PECO technology. The company continues to carry out rigorous testing of its breakthrough patented air purification technology, PECO. In January 2021, Molekule announced testing from the University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering and College of Veterinary Medicine that demonstrates Molekule's air purification technology inactivates coronavirus strains (bovine and porcine strains) and the H1N1 flu virus by up to 99.99% in single pass experiments. The testing further validates PECO's robust proven ability to use oxidation to destroy airborne pollutants, and is now peer revieed .



Today's retail agreements with Amazon Canada and Home Depot mark the latest milestone for Molekule, whose recent highlights and milestones also include: Global Expansion

United States - In addition to today's agreement with Home Depot, Molekule signed retail agreements with Amazon and Best Buy in 2020, bringing Molekule's award-winning technology to even more consumers across the United States .

- In addition to today's agreement with Home Depot, Molekule signed retail agreements with and in 2020, bringing Molekule's award-winning technology to even more consumers across . Canada - Today's new retail presence on Amazon Canada comes with an expansion of its product offerings on Molekule.ca for Canadian customers, with Air Mini and Air Pro now added just months after Air Mini+ joined the Molekule Air on the company's retail site in October 2020 .

- Today's new retail presence on Amazon Canada comes with an expansion of its product offerings on Molekule.ca for Canadian customers, with Air Mini and Air Pro now added just months after Air Mini+ joined the Molekule Air on the company's retail site in . India - In November 2020 , Molekule announced the availability of Air Mini in India via Amazon.in, one of the country's most popular online marketplaces. Air Mini+ later launched in the market in May of 2021.

- In , Molekule the availability of Air Mini in via Amazon.in, one of the country's most popular online marketplaces. Air Mini+ later launched in the market in May of 2021. Japan - Molekule entered the Japanese market in September 2020 after closing a partnership with Sourcenext, a market maker for brands. Air Mini+ and Air Pro are now available in Japan .

- Molekule the Japanese market in after closing a partnership with Sourcenext, a market maker for brands. Air Mini+ and Air Pro are now available in . Korea - Molekule brought its award-winning PECO air purification solutions to the Korean market in December 2020 . COSMO & COMPANY, Inc. oversees the distribution of Molekule devices across numerous channels, including e-commerce, high-end retail department stores, and general electrical specialist (GES) channels. Devices currently available in the region include Air Mini, Air Mini+, Air Pro, and Air Pro RX. Product Innovation FDA Clearance - Molekule now has three FDA cleared products on the market today. In March 2021 , the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the 510(k) premarket notification for Molekule's consumer air purifiers, Air Mini and Air Mini+ , classifying them as Class II medical devices and clearing them for medical use to destroy bacteria and viruses. In April 2020 , Molekule announced that its medical-grade air purifier, Air Pro RX , received FDA 510(k) clearance. The device is now in use across medical facilities, schools, hotels, offices and more.

- Molekule now has three FDA cleared products on the market today. In , the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cleared the 510(k) premarket notification for Molekule's consumer air purifiers, , classifying them as Class II medical devices and clearing them for medical use to destroy bacteria and viruses. In , Molekule announced that its medical-grade air purifier, , received FDA 510(k) clearance. The device is now in use across medical facilities, schools, hotels, offices and more. Air Pro - In September 2020 , Molekule unveiled the latest of its product innovations: Molekule Air Pro . Leveraging Molekule's proprietary and award-winning PECO technology, this professional-grade air purifier is built with 3x the airflow, 3 sizes of particle sensing, and 3 ways to protect against pollutants. Air Pro is Molekule's fourth air purification solution available to consumers today. About Molekule

Molekule is on a mission to provide clean indoor air to everyone, everywhere. Based on 25 years of research and development, the company's patented photo electrochemical oxidation (PECO) technology destroys the widest range of pollutants, including VOCs, mold, bacteria, viruses, and allergens, when compared to conventional filters. Molekule's range of air purification solutions have been reviewed and validated by third-party laboratories, as well as continual internal testing, and its medical-grade products have been granted medical device clearance by the FDA. Today, Molekule is available at Home Depot , Best Buy and on Amazon. It is also sold internationally in India, Japan, South Korea, and Canada. For more information and customer reviews , visit https://molekule.com. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/molekule-continues-significant-momentum-with-new-retail-presence-on-amazon-canada-and-home-depot-e-commerce-platforms-301348183.html SOURCE Molekule

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[August 04, 2021] English-language training app enguru raises pre-series A round funding from group of investors

NEW DELHI, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Live English-language learning app enguru has raised funding from institutional and individual investors including Potencia Ventures, Bisk Ventures, LetsVenture, Ronnie Screwvala and Arihant Patni. Existing investor Dell Foundation also participated in the pre-series A round for the Bangalore-based startup that provides live English classes for young adults and children through their Android apps (https://enguruapp.com/). This is the first direct investment in India for US-based companies - impact investment firm Potencia Ventures and early-stage venture capital firm Bisk Ventures. Phillip Schmidt has been appointed Director and Advisor. Schmidt was previously the Chief Investment & Strategy Officer at Babbel-one of the highest grossing language apps globally. enguru provides live classes that have grown 30 times since their launch in January 2020. The app currently has over 200,000 monthly live class sessions with more than 18,000 classes and 200+ teachers. The funds raised will be used to scale up the live class offering including the launch of a new enguru Kids app focused on conversational and reading classes for children from the ages of 6-16. enguru will lso build on a range of new complementary offerings. These include the launch of personalised reading programs in partnership with Penguin Random House and the Upskill from Cambridge English Assessment created in partnership with Cambridge English. With such exciting projects in the pipeline, enguru hopes to continue to grow as a platform and cement its position as the largest live English learning app in India.



Speaking about the funding, Arshan Vakil, Founder & CEO of enguru, said, "We are very excited to have Potencia, Bisk, LetsVenture, Ronnie Screwvala & Arihant Patni join us in our journey to make high quality English training affordable and accessible across India. English is a pre-requisite for most jobs in the service industry and young Indians are very often at an unfair disadvantage due to a lack of access to effective training. enguru's live classes give learners a platform to practice speaking in English through an unlimited subscription model. It's been tremendous to see our learners spending over 90 minutes a day over a sustained period of time. With these funds, we aim to bolster the technology in our live classes to facilitate peer to peer interactions more efficiently. We are also building complementary offerings to help our user's boost their employability starting with the launch of an AI-based English Assessment called Upskill from Cambridge in collaboration with Cambridge English." Patrick Maloney, Investment Advisor of Potencia Ventures, said, "The enguru team has a deep understanding of the need for functional English training for aspiring youth in India. Their offering is tailor made for this requirement and the initial data indicates that they are onto something. We are excited to partner with them."

About enguru Founded in 2014, by Arshan Vakil & Udit Hinduja, enguru English learning app is a self-learning app, that aims to solve the problem of access to a high quality English language training. It offers industry-specific English courses in over 12 different vernacular languages & has a focus on speaking through AI-enabled stimulated conversations. he app makes learning easier as it starts teaching the users right from the basics up to more complex conversations. Users go through a placement test when they first use the app, which identifies their starting point. This test includes a combination of English proficiency and general preference questions including reasons for learning English and career aspirations etc.

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[August 04, 2021] SOFR Academy Completes Series of U.S. Official Sector Meetings Regarding the Across-the-Curve Credit Spread Index (AXI)

SOFR Academy Inc., a digital education and data provider, announced that it has recently completed a series of meetings with United States government agencies regarding the Across-the-Curve Credit Spread Index known as AXI. The index is a robustly defined, forward looking credit-sensitive spread added to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) to support the transition of loan products away from the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). Meetings included those with representatives of member agencies of the Financial Stability Oversight Council. Marcus Burnett, Chief Executive of SOFR Academy, said, "It made sense to invest time with market regulators on this important topic." The U.S. Official Sector have said that the same deficiencies exposed with LIBOR must not be replicated in the development of a credit sensitive index or spread. "There were a few key messages that we highlighted: Firstly, that AXI is not a LIBOR-like rate. The primary input data for AXI are a deeper pool of unsecured bank funding transactions with maturities out to five years. Second, because AXI automatically adapts to future changes in bank funding composition, its robustness and representativeness are sustained over time. Third, because AXI is a credit spread add-on to SOFR and not a standalone rate, it further reinforces that SOFR is a bedrock benchmark rate and will promote its adoption," added Burnett. In a letter to the Alternative Reference Rates Committee (ARRC), SOFR Academy committed to operationalizing AXI in a considered and measured way that incorporates feedback and guidance from a wide range of stakeholders and prioritizes the stability of the global financial market. This may involve alignment with the ARRC's Key Principles for a forward-looking SOFR Term Rate, and licensing AXI initially for use in derivative markets only for end-user facing derivatives intended to hedge cash products that reference SOFR + AXI.



About the Across-the-Curve Credit Spread Index (AXI) AXI was discussed during the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's Credit Sensitivity Workshops, which were intended to explore a credit sensitive add-on to SOFR. AXI was conceived in an academic paper by Professor Antje Berndt, Professor Darrell Duffie, and Dr. Yichao Zhu. Qualitatively, the index is a measure of the recent cost of wholesale unsecured debt funding for publicly listed U.S. bank holding companies and their commercial banking subsidiaries. Quantitatively, the index is a weighted average of credit spreads for unsecured debt instruments with maturities out to five years, with weights that reflect both transactions volumes and issuance volumes. To learn more about AXI, please visit: SOFR.org/AXI

About SOFR Academy SOFR Academy is a U.S. based digital education and data provider. SOFR Academy's panel of advisors includes academics from Harvard University, the MIT (News - Alert) Sloan School of Management, the University of California Berkeley, New York University, Tsinghua University, and Australian National University as well as experienced financial services professionals. The Firm provides educational services to corporations, financial institutions, governments, regulators, and individuals on important topics that impact the global economy. It is also operationalizing AXI as a credit spread add-on for SOFR for use in lending and derivative markets. SOFR Academy is a member of the Loan Syndications and Trading Association (LSTA). About the Secured Overnight Financing Rate SOFR is published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and is subject to The New York Fed Terms of Use. The New York Fed has no liability for your use of the data. AXI is not associated with, endorsed, or sponsored by The New York Fed. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005719/en/

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[August 04, 2021] Guidepost Solutions Welcomes Russell Holske, Drug Enforcement Administration Leader and Pharmaceutical Investigations Chief

Guidepost Solutions, a global leader in compliance, investigations, monitoring, and security consulting, announced the appointment of Russell C. Holske, Jr. as a senior managing director in its Washington, D.C. office. Holske, an experienced leader in global investigations, including pharmaceutical diversion, will support the company's global investigations and controlled substances compliance practices. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005306/en/ Guidepost Solutions appoints Russell Holske as a senior managing director, based in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Business Wire) "Russ joins us after a distinguished career with the DEA and security leader in the private sector," said Julie Myers Wood, CEO of Guidepost Solutions. "His experience will benefit ou clients operating internationally, especially in Asia, and in the complex global pharmaceuticals business landscape."



Holske had a distinguished career of over 30 years with the Drug Enforcement Administration, overseeing global investigations and including multiple leadership positions in the United States, Asia Pacific, and Europe. In his last DEA post (2016-2019), he led DEA operations in Bangkok, Thailand with oversight for 18 offices in 13 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. As the regional director and a member of the Senior Executive Service, Holske acted as the principal U.S. official in Asia for all narcotics, pharmaceutical, and money laundering operations and led efforts working with China to stem the flow of fentanyl and precursor chemicals into the United States. Prior to his overseas posting, Holske served as chief of the DEA's Pharmaceutical Investigations Section where he was responsible for oversight for pharmaceutical investigations and administrative actions for 23 DEA division offices throughout the United States, including 66 tactical diversion squads.

Immediately prior to joining Guidepost, Holske served as the regional security director, global security & brand protection for Estee Lauder Companies, Asia Pacific. In this Hong Kong-based position, he led a team of investigators to address cargo theft, including maritime and air shipments, across international borders and jurisdictions, and led brand protection efforts to disrupt and dismantle illegal manufacture and downstream online and off-line distribution of elite cosmetics and skin care products to protect consumers and business operations. He also led security design and system integration for a Shanghai-based R&D facility and Tokyo-based manufacturing plant. As a member of the crisis management team, Holske provided critical support to regional management during crisis situations that included political instability, natural disasters, and at the forefront of the Covid-19 crisis, providing projections, business continuity planning, and access to sensitive intelligence. Holske received a Master of Business Administration, Honors from Saint Leo University and a Bachelor of Science in Corporate Security, from Northeastern University (News - Alert) . About Guidepost Solutions LLC Guidepost Solutions offers global investigations, compliance, monitoring, and security and technology consulting solutions that keep you moving forward. Whether you are facing a challenge or pursuing an opportunity, our team of experts provides leadership and strategic guidance to address your needs. With offices in key markets including Bogota, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Honolulu, London, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Oakland, Palm Beach, Phoenix, Sacramento, San Francisco, Seattle, Singapore, and Washington, D.C., we are your Guidepost. For more information, visit www.guidepostsolutions.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005306/en/

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[August 04, 2021] D2L ACQUIRES BAYFIELD DESIGN ASSETS TO DELIVER WORLD-CLASS DIGITAL CURRICULUM

Kitchener, Waterloo, Aug. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global learning technology innovator D2L announced today that it has acquired exclusive course content, development tools, and talent from Bayfield Design, a provider of digital learning courseware. With this acquisition, D2L will offer teachers and students premium digital curriculum resources that work in harmony with D2L Brightspace, an industry-leading learning innovation platform. More than ever, educators need modern and integrated digital resources that help them deliver personalized learning experiences to their students. D2Ls acquisition of Bayfield Design assets responds to this need with new resources to deliver high-quality curriculum content alongside a high-quality learning platform. This powerful integration raises the bar for learning innovation and will help teachers spend more time reaching every learner, and less time searching for the resources they need. At D2L, we put teachers and students at the center of everything we do, because our goal is to transform and humanize the way the world learns through technology, says Tom Donnelly, Chief Corporate Development Officer at D2L. Acquiring Bayfield Design talent and resources is an exciting step for our company and our customers. This additional bench strength will give us new capacity to deliver digital courseware so we can help teachers do what they do best  make meaningful one-to-one connections with their students.>



Curriculum-aligned Ontario Elementary digital resources

Content development expertise

Instructional design and multi-media production

Software tools to deliver digital courseware Learn more about digital courses and resources.

ABOUT D2L

D2L is transforming the way the world learns  helping learners of all ages achieve more than they dreamed possible. Working closely with clients all over the world, D2L is supporting millions of people learning online and in person. Our more than 950 global employees are dedicated to making the best learning products to leave the world better than where they found it. Learn more about D2L for K-12, higher education and businesses at www.D2L.com. ABOUT BAYFIELD DESIGN

Bayfield Design creates meaningful and effective online learning experiences for organizations to deliver to their learners or employees. They have written, designed, and developed over 200 online courses of varying lengths and levels. Their commitment to education is rooted in 20+ years of experience creating courses and working with leading online schools in North America. D2L MEDIA CONTACT

Christine DAngela

Director, External Strategic Communications, D2L Corporation

pr@D2L.com Twitter: @D2L  2021 D2L Corporation.

The D2L family of companies includes D2L Corporation, D2L Ltd, D2L Australia Pty Ltd, D2L Europe Ltd, D2L Asia Pte Ltd, and D2L Brasil Solucoes de Tecnologia para Educacao Ltda.

All D2L marks are trademarks of D2L Corporation. Please visit D2L.com/trademarks for a list of D2L marks.



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[August 04, 2021] Middle East & Africa Online Payment Methods Market Report 2021: E-payments Gained Momentum, Especially After the Onset of COVID-19 - ResearchAndMarkets.com

The "Middle East & Africa Online Payment Methods Market, 2021" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. "Middle East and Africa Online Payment Methods 2021" provides insights into the current state and future trends of the online payment market in the Middle East and Africa. Among other findings, the publication reveals that even after the removal of social isolation measures, consumers planned to continue using mobile phones/smartphones for shopping. It takes into account a wide definition of online payment, including payment methods used in online shopping and mobile payment, such as remote and proximity payments. In addition, information related to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID19) on digital payments in the Middle East, Africa, and worldwide was included in this report. E-payments worldwide gained momentum, especially after the onset of COVID-19, encouraging consumers to adopt and learn more about them Online payments and alternative to cash are gaining momentum in the world, even more progressively after the onset of the pandemic in 2020. Among the top common payment methods in the world remain credit and debit cards. QR codes, which had been growing in acceptance globally, were projected to decline in usage frequency due to the acceleration of features such as card acceptance via NFC smartphones that are now easier to adopt. Another payment form that is gaining momentum presently is cryptocurrency. A recent survey cited in this report revealed that a significant share of young consumers became more open to this new currency in 2021 compared to the previous year and over 70% of them are ready learn more about it. Consumers in the Middle East and Africa steadily increased their usage of online payments and acceptance of emerging payment forms grew The Middle East and Africa's online payment industry has accelerated since the beginning of 2020. One of the major drivers was the COVID-19 pandemic. Consumers in the region were open to adopting digital payments and even trying new emerging ones such as cryptocurrency, biometrics, QR code and others, since these are fast, secure and contactless. Many surveyed consumers opted for using cryptocurrency more than they did last year. In addition, even after the removal of social distancing/social isolation measures, most shoppers still preferred to use mobile phones/smartphones to purchase. Overall, a considerable portion of consumers from UAE chose online payments because they believed these help them save money. Whereas in Israel, online shopping was preferred due to lower risks of COVID-19 infection in 2020. Generally, in the countries of the two regions, card and mobile payments dominated.



Namely, in South Africa and Egypt, the value of card payments was expected to grow steadily in the next several years. In Egypt, the number of electronic cards increased considerably from December 2017 and exceeded 40 million in December 2020. In Morocco, local card payments prevailed foreign card payments. The value of digital transactions via Moroccan cards rose to over MAD 4 billion (about EUR 400 million) in the first 9 months of 2020, while online payments value with a foreign card declined from 2019 and reached slightly above MAD 225 million (over EUR 21 million) in the first 9 months of 2020.

Mobile payments also grew in acceptance in the two regions. Namely, in Jordan the transaction volume made via a mobile payment system increased in 2020 and was over 1 million in December 2020. Whereas in Kenya, the number of mobile payments continued to grow annually and equaled over 60 million at the beginning of 2021. Key Topics Covered: 1. Management Summary 2. Global Developments Value of Digital Wallet Spending, in USD trillion, 2020 & 2025f

Number of Digital Wallet Users, in billions, 2020 & 2025f

Value of Mobile Commerce Transactions, in USD trillion, 2020 & 2025f

Cash Usage in Emerging Markets, by Countries, in % of Total Transactions Volume, 2010 & 2020e

Cash Usage in Mature Markets, by Countries, in % of Total Transactions Volume, 2010 & 2020e

Share of Contactless and E-Commerce Payments, in % of Total Digital Wallet Spend, 2025f

Number of QR Code Payment Users, in billions, 2020e & 2025f

Share of QR Code Payment Users, in % of All Mobile Phone (News - Alert) Users, 2025f

Value of Instant Payments, in USD trillion, 2020e & 2025f

Share Instant Payments, in % of Total B2B and Consumer Digital Money Transfer and Banking Payments Value, 2025f

Value of Mobile Payment Transactions Authenticated via Biometrics, in USD trillion, 2020 & 2025f

Share of Adults Who Expected Digital Payment Options being Offered When Shopping In-Person, in %, and Particular Digital Payment Options Expected, in % of Adults, November 2020

Breakdown of Blockchain Usage Cases, in %, 2021e

Top Online Payment Methods, in % of Respondents, August 2020

Top Payment Methods Consumers Consider Using In the Next Year, in % of Consumers, March 2021

Top Payment Methods Available, by B2C and B2B, in % of Payment Decision-Makers, 2020

Share of Mobile Commerce Transaction Value, in % of Overall E-Commerce Transaction Value, 2021e & 2025f

Share of QR Code Payments, in % of All Digital Wallet Transactions, 2020 & 2025f

Perception of Cryptocurrency, in % of Millennial Consumers, March 2021

Top Payments Methods For Fraud Actions, in % of Fraud & Payment Professionals, August 2020

Value of Losses Due to E-Commerce Fraud, in USD billion, 2020 & 2021e

Number of Users Making Online Payment With Facial Recognition, in billions, 2020 & 2025f

Number of Users Who Will Be Confirming Transactions With Voice Recognition, in millions, 2020 & 2025f 3. Middle East & Africa 3.1. Regional COVID-19 Impact on Online & Mobile Payment, July 2021

Share of Adults Who Plan to Use Cryptocurrency as a Payment Method in the Next Year, in %, March 2021

Share of Adults Who Were More Open to Using Cryptocurrency Than a Year Ago, in %, March 2021

Share of Adults Who Would Avoid Businesses That Don't Accept Electronic Payments, in %, March 2021

Share of Adults Who Prefer to Shop More at Omnichannel Businesses, in %, March 2021

Change in Usage of Shopping Channels When Social Distancing/Social Isolation Measures Are Removed, in % of Respondents, 2020

Overview of Mobile Money Statistics, incl. Number of Live Services, Registered Accounts, in millions, Active Accounts, in millions, Transaction Volume, in millions, & Y-o-Y Growth, in %, by Sub-Region, 2020

Total Investment Raised by African FinTech, in USD million, 2019 & 2020e

Breakdown of Funds Invested in Equity-Funded Verticals, in % of Total, 2020 4. Middle East 4.1. UAE 4.2. Saudi Arabia 4.3. Israel 4.4. Jordan 5. Africa 5.1. South Africa 5.2. Egypt 5.3. Nigeria 5.4. Morocco 5.5. Kenya Companies Mentioned American Express

Apple Pay

Google (News - Alert) Pay

Klarna

PayPal For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/2x7dqv View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005766/en/

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[August 04, 2021] As Industrial Automation Market Explodes, Third Wave Automation Closes $40M Series B

UNION CITY, Calif., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Third Wave Automation, Inc. ("Third Wave") today announced the closing of its Series B financing, a $40M round led by Norwest Venture Partners including participation from prior investors Innovation Endeavors and Eclipse, along with Toyota Ventures. The additional funds will accelerate growth and commercialization efforts. As a part of today's announcement, Matt Howard, General Partner at Norwest Venture Partners, will join Third Wave's board of directors. "I've been tracking Arshan and the team at Third Wave for some time and have been consistently impressed," said Howard. "When I last visited the Third Wave facility and saw its forklifts easily completing picks and places my jaw dropped, and I knew Norwest needed to be a part of this journey. We are thrilled to support the Third Wave team as they fundamentally alter the warehouse and material handling industry." "While we weren't actively raising, having the opportunity to bring Norwest and Matt's expertise into our orbit was too good to pass up," said Arshan Poursohi, CEO of Third Wave. "This extra capital will allow us to accelerate hiring and speed our path to the commercial market following our recent successful technical trials. We are now in active conversations with the top 20 3PL's and retailers in the industry. There is a real need for our technology and we are eager to meet that need." Third Wave's unique approach to industrial automation was conceived with artificial intelligence and computer vision at its core. Following years of research and development, Third Wave recently signed a commercial agreement and strategic partnership with industrial powerhouse Toyota Industries Corporation, Inc. With this additional funding, Third Wave is set to define the industry's agenda for the next generation. Industrial Solution for a Growing $100 Billion Market Third Wave's first focus is on the forklift, the workhorse of the global supply chain. The industry is over $100 billion globally. A forecasted 9% CAGR from 2021 to 2027 will result in shipments of over 2 million units annually by 2027. Because of the complex and dynamic tasks required of forklifts, innovation in the category has lagged. But, this customer base is ungry for technology advancements that will improve safety and efficiency, yielding a tremendous opportunity for Third Wave.



Third Wave's solution is unique among its peers, leveraging a proprietary mix of adaptive automation, shared autonomy and continuous learning. The end result is a system that is highly flexible, quickly deployable, capable of constant improvement, and delivers a rapid return on customer investment. Third Wave's system renders improvements in safety, efficiency and throughput while delivering unparalleled functionality, such as high rack pick-and-place. Investor Validation

"Third Wave's machine learning first approach to industrial automation has enabled them to develop a solution that has previously been unavailable to the global supply chain," said Seth Winterroth, who led Third Wave's seed funding for Eclipse. "Since our initial investment in 2018, the team has executed tirelessly to build a product that arms their customers with the operational efficiency and resiliency needed in today's heavily burdened supply chains. With this funding, Third Wave is poised to become the most significant industrial automation company of the modern era." "Third Wave uses next-gen robotics to solve decades-old challenges with warehousing, which drives huge improvements to both worker safety and productivity," said Scott Brady, partner at Innovation Endeavors. "Solving these problems helps build resilience against issues that arise in logistics and across the supply chain. We congratulate the Third Wave team on their continued growth and are excited to support them as they roll out even more of these advanced robotics solutions." About Third Wave

Third Wave Automation was founded in 2018 in Union City, Calif. as a producer of advanced autonomous industrial solutions. Third Wave's technology is at the forefront of autonomous material handling, with improved efficiency and throughput by leveraging shared autonomy - a breakthrough in machine learning, computer vision, and robotics. Third Wave is backed by $59 million in venture capital from leading investors including Norwest Venture Partners, Eclipse Ventures, Innovation Endeavors, Heartland Ventures, Homebrew, and Toyota Ventures, and counts Toyota Industries Corporation as a strategic partner. To learn more about how Third Wave Automation is driving next generation industrial automation solutions using Shared Autonomy, please explore www.thirdwave.ai. About Norwest Venture Partners

Norwest is a leading venture and growth equity investment firm managing more than $9.5 billion in capital. Since our inception, we have invested in more than 600 companies and currently partner with over 160 companies in our venture and growth equity portfolio. The firm invests in early to late stage businesses across a wide range of sectors with a focus on consumer, enterprise, and healthcare. We offer a deep network of connections, operating experience, and a wide range of impactful services to help CEOs and founders scale their businesses. Norwest has offices in Palo Alto and San Francisco, with subsidiaries in India and Israel. For more information, please visit www.nvp.com. Follow Norwest on Twitter @NorwestVP. About Eclipse Ventures

Eclipse Ventures is a technology-focused venture capital firm specializing in complex, industrial operations and full-stack solutions. Founded in 2015 and based in Palo Alto, CA, Eclipse partners with entrepreneurs boldly transforming the essential industries that define and propel economies. About Innovation Endeavors

Innovation Endeavors is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in visionary founders, transformational technologies and emergent ecosystems. The firm's central investment thesis, the Super Evolution, combines data, leading-edge computation, and advanced engineering to transform industries, from agriculture and logistics to life sciences, transportation and more. Its investments include: Eikon Therapeutics, Fabric, Freenome, Planet, Plenty, Replica, SoFi, Uber, Zymergen, and more. For more information, visit www.InnovationEndeavors.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/as-industrial-automation-market-explodes-third-wave-automation-closes-40m-series-b-301348247.html SOURCE Third Wave

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[August 04, 2021] Instacart Announces Consumer Technology Veteran Carolyn Everson is Joining the Company as President

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Instacart, the leading online grocery platform in North America, today announced it has appointed Carolyn Everson as President, effective September 7, 2021. Everson brings with her a 30-year proven track record of leading at-scale, global consumer technology teams with a focus on growing global partnerships, industry-leading business development and pioneering advertising platforms. As President, Everson will oversee Instacart's Retail, Business Development and Advertising businesses, as well as the company's People, Policy & Government Affairs, Legal, Partnerships, Instacart Pickup and Care teams. Everson will report directly to Instacart's Chief Executive Officer Fidji Simo. Everson will succeed current President Nilam Ganenthiran, who has been appointed to a new senior leadership position - Strategic Advisor to the CEO - also reporting directly to Simo. "I've had the privilege of working with Carolyn for a decade and know just how lucky we are to have her leadership and talent at Instacart. Carolyn's an industry legend, best known for cultivating strong, trusted relationships that drive strategic value for partners. At Instacart, partnerships and relationships are at the heart of everything we do. With more than 600 retail partners and thousands of advertisers helping power our marketplace, Carolyn's unmatched experience and authenticity will be a key driving force for our business as our teams prepare for our next chapter of growth," said Fidji Simo, CEO of Instacart. "With Carolyn at the helm as President, I'm excited to reimagine the role Instacart plays in the future of food by unlocking more inspiration, personalization and accessibility for consumers around the world, while also driving even more growth and engagement for our partners and the broader grocery industry." "Instacart's in a league of its own with a pioneering, sustainable business model that delivers more value and delight to customers more growth and customer engagement to retailers and more sales and product discovery to brands. Working with Fidji again is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as Instacart redefines the connection consumers have to food during a pivotal moment of innovation within our industry," said Carolyn Everson, incoming President of Instacart. "I'm thrilled to join Fidji's leadership team and combine my love for advertising and partnerships with my deep passion for global team building. We are in a period of rapid grocery e-commerce adoption and Instacart is incredibly well-positioned to play an important part in people's lives for many years to come."



Everson joins Instacart following more than a decade at Facebook, where she was most recently the Vice President of Global Marketing Solutions, leading the company's relationships with top advertisers and agencies. In that role, she oversaw a team focused on global partnerships and agencies, as well as Facebook's Creative Shop. Throughout her more than 10 years at Facebook, Everson played a pivotal role building and growing the company into the second largest digital ads platform in the world. Prior to Facebook, she was the Corporate Vice President of Microsoft's Global Advertising Sales and Trade Marketing Teams, where she led the company's advertising business across Bing, MSN, Windows Live, Mobile, Gaming, Atlas, and the Microsoft Media Network. She also spent nearly seven years at MTV Networks, where she served as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of U.S. Ad Sales for MTV Networks. Everson holds a bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts and Communications from Villanova University, from which she graduated summa cum laude. She also earned a master's degree in Business Administration from Harvard Business School, where she was a Baker Scholar. Everson is on the Board of Creative Artists Agency, as well as the Humane Society of the U.S., the Mobile Marketing Association, and the Advertising Women of New York Foundation. She is also a member of the Villanova University Board of Trustees.

About Instacart

Instacart is the leading online grocery platform in North America. Instacart shoppers offer same-day delivery and pickup services to bring fresh groceries and everyday essentials to busy people and families across the U.S. and Canada. Instacart has partnered with more than 600 beloved national, regional and local retailers, including unique brand names, to deliver from nearly 55,000 stores across more than 5,500 cities in North America. Instacart's platform is available to over 85% of U.S. households and 80% of Canadian households. The company's cutting-edge enterprise technology also powers the ecommerce platforms of some of the world's biggest retail players, supporting their white-label websites, applications and delivery solutions. Instacart offers an Instacart Express membership that includes reduced service fees and unlimited free delivery on orders over $35. For more information, visit www.instacart.com . For anyone interested in becoming an Instacart shopper, visit https://shoppers.instacart.com/ . View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/instacart-announces-consumer-technology-veteran-carolyn-everson-is-joining-the-company-as-president-301347831.html SOURCE Instacart

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[August 04, 2021] Chase Expands Retail Branches to All Lower 48 States

Chase today announced that it has officially opened bank branches in all of the lower 48 states, marking an important milestone in its expansion plans and as the first national bank to have a retail presence in the contiguous United States. The bank opened its first branch in Billings, Montana earlier this week following openings in Arkansas, Iowa, Maine, Mississippi, New Mexico, North and South Dakota, Wyoming and Vermont in July. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005697/en/ (Graphic: Business Wire) The bank is more than halfway through its plans to open 400 branches in new markets by the end of 2022. Since announcing expansion plans in 2018, Chase has opened more than 220 branches and entered 25 new states and the District of Columbia. Approximately 30 percent of these branches will be in low-to-moderate income communities. "This is an important milestone for us. We are proud to be able to bring the power of our branches to more households, businesses ad communities across the country," said Jennifer Roberts, CEO of Chase Consumer Banking. "For us, it's important that our branches serve as community anchors connecting our neighbors and local businesses to critical resources that meet their financial needs and help them build a secure financial future."



As part of its branch expansion, Chase expects to hire 3,000 employees in these new branches by the end of 2022, with more than 2,000 hired so far. More than 75 percent of hires are external to the firm and local to their community. "When we talk about entering new markets, we're talking about our own communities, our own neighborhoods. We're hiring locally and are bringing all the benefits our firm has to offer to drive economic growth," said Dan Deegan, Head of Market Expansion at JPMorgan Chase. "We're designing branches that allow us to effectively serve our customers and that reflect the vibrancy and diversity of each one of our communities."

Additionally, the expansion will grant Chase Qualified Public Depository status across the contiguous United States, allowing the bank to serve vital community institutions including local governments, municipalities and universities. Chase's branch expansion builds on its ongoing investment in its retail network. Last October, the firm committed to opening 16 new Community Center branches, designed with extra space for the community to host financial health workshops, small businesses pop-ups and technical training sessions. These branches are placed in historically and culturally significant communities that lack access to traditional banking - often urban areas with larger Black and Latinx populations. Chase plans to complete its 400 branch expansion effort by the end of 2022. To check for updates or to learn more about Chase's branches, products and services, please visit Chase.com. About Chase Chase is the U.S. consumer and commercial banking business of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), a leading global financial services firm with assets of $3.7 trillion and operations worldwide. Chase serves more than 60 million American households with a broad range of financial services, including personal banking, credit cards, mortgages, auto financing, investment advice, small business loans and payment processing. Customers can choose how and where they want to bank: More than 4,800 branches in 48 states and the District of Columbia, 16,000 ATMs, mobile, online and by phone. For more information, go to chase.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005697/en/

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[August 04, 2021] Government of Canada invests over $41 Million to bring improved Internet speeds to 93 communities in rural Manitoba

Underserved communities to benefit from increased connectivity OTTAWA, ON, Aug. 4, 2021 /CNW/ - The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how much we rely on our connections. Now more than ever, Canadians across the country need access to reliable high-speed Internet as many of us continue to work, learn, access essential services and stay in touch with friends and family from home. Right now, too many Canadians living in rural and remote communities lack access to high-speed Internet. Through the Connect to Innovate (CTI) program and the Rapid Response Stream of the Universal Broadband Fund (UBF), the Government of Canada is taking immediate action to get Canadians connected to the high-speed Internet they need. Today, the Honourable Daniel Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development, announced over $41 million in federal funding through the CTI program and Rapid Response Stream (RRS) of the UBF for 11 projects to bring high-speed Internet to 93 communities across rural Manitoba. Through the four CTI projects, backbone infrastructure has the potential to improve Internet speeds for over 14,000 households. Through these seven RRS projects, 4,200 underserved households will be directly connected to broadband. Through the CTI program, the funding distribution and communities to be connected are as follows:







Provider Funding amount Communities to be connected Kici Sipi Communications LP $16,567,992 Cross Lake, Norway House Broadband Communications North Inc. (BCN) $6,563,884 Barren Lands (Brochet), Berens River, Bloodvein, God's Lake First Nation, Gods River (Manto Sipi Cree Nation), Lac Brochet (Northlands Denesuline First Nation), Little Grand Rapids, Oxford House (Bunibonibee Cree Nation), Pauingassi First Nation, Poplar River (Poplar River First Nation), Pukatawagan (Mathias Colomb), Red Sucker Lake, Shamattawa First Nation, St. Theresa Point, Tadoule Lake (Sayisi Dene First Nation), Wasagamack (Wasagamack First Nation) Xplornet Communications Inc.





$561,277 Ebb and Flow First Nation RFNow Inc. $9,239,057 Altamont, Austin, Bagot, Baldur, Belmont, Birdtail Sioux, Bradwardine, Cardinal, Chemawawin Cree Nation, Clanwilliam, Culross, Cypress River, Dunrea, Elm Creek, Fannystelle, Graysville, Greenway, Harding, Haywood, Holland, Kane, Kenton, Lavinia, Manhattan Beach, Margaret, Mariapolis, Miami, Myrtle, Nesbitt, Ninette, Notre Dame de Lourdes, Oakner, Pierson, Rathwell, Rosebank, Roseisle, Somerset, Springstein, St Leon, St. Alphonse, St. Claude, Starbuck, Stephenfield, Stockton, Swan Lake Reserve, Treherne, Wawanesa

Through the Rapid Response Stream of the UBF, the funding distribution and communities to be connected are as follows: Provider Funding amount Communities to be connected RFNow Inc. $609,867 Hartney, Elgin, Deleau, Belleview Westman Communications Group $3,075,203 Benito, Bowsman, Birch River Xplornet Communications Inc



$140,144 Valley River, Waywayseecappo First Nation, Angusville, Crescent Cove Beach, Sifton, Ochre River, Laguna Beach, Oako Beach, Dauphin Beach Waywayseecappo First Nation $884,191 Waywayseecappo First Nation Westman Communications Group $2,304,662 Clear Lake, Onanole, Sandy Lake Fiber.CA Inc $878,807 Inglis, Dropmore, Angusville, Kilman, Silverton, Shellmouth Fiber.CA Inc.





$655,127 Keeseekoowenin Reserve, Elphinstone The $2.75-billion UBF was launched in November 2020. Projects funded under the UBF, as well as through other public and private investments, will help connect 98% of Canadians to high-speed Internet by 2026 and achieve the national target of 100% connectivity by 2030. By 2023, the Government of Canada's $585-million Connect to Innovate program aims to improve high-speed Internet services in over 975 rural communities, including 190 Indigenous communities. Today's announcement builds on the progress the Government of Canada has already made to improve critical infrastructure in Manitoba. Since 2015, the federal government has invested more than $827 million in over 1632 infrastructure projects in Manitoba communities with a population of fewer than 100,000 people. These investments mean 169 km of new or upgraded roads that are making our communities safer; more than 293 projects to provide residents with cleaner, more sustainable sources of drinking water; and more than 827 additional housing units built in rural communities, helping ensure all Manitobans have a safe place to call home. Quotes



"High-speed Internet service is essential to the success of everyone living and working in rural communities across Manitoba. Today's investment will bring reliable, high-speed broadband access to 93 communities in the province. This will help create jobs, improve access to health care and online learning services, and keep people connected to their family, friends and loved ones. Our government has committed $223 million to 22 broadband projects in Manitoba, which will connect over 91,000 more households to better, faster Internet. We will continue to make investments like these to help connect every Canadian to the high-speed Internet they need."  The Honourable Daniel Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development Quick facts Canada's Connectivity Strategy aims to provide all Canadians with access to Internet speeds of at least 50 megabits per second (Mbps) download / 10 Mbps upload.

Connectivity Strategy aims to provide all Canadians with access to Internet speeds of at least 50 megabits per second (Mbps) download / 10 Mbps upload. The Universal Broadband Fund (UBF) is a $2.75-billion investment designed to help connect all Canadians to high-speed Internet. Applications to the UBF were accepted until March 15, 2021, and are now being evaluated.

investment designed to help connect all Canadians to high-speed Internet. Applications to the UBF were accepted until March 15, 2021, and are now being evaluated. The UBF is part of a suite of federal investments to improve high-speed Internet. The suite includes the Connect to Innovate program, which is expected to connect nearly 400,000 households by 2023, and the recently announced $2-billion broadband initiative from the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

broadband initiative from the Canada Infrastructure Bank. The Government of Canada has committed $2 .5 billion to broadband projects from coast to coast to coast that will connect over 1.2 million homes to high-speed Internet. Associated links Backgrounder: Universal Broadband Fund and Telesat low Earth orbit satellite capacity agreement

Universal Broadband Fund

Connect to Innovate Program  Project status updates

Canada Infrastructure Bank announcement

High-Speed Access for All: Canada's Connectivity Strategy Stay connected

Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on Twitter: @ISED_CA SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

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[August 04, 2021] Garland Veteran Receives $7K to Repair Aging Home

A $7,000 Special Needs Assistance Program (SNAP) subsidy from Veritex Community Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) funded the repair of Army veteran Robert Young's home. The subsidy funded the addition of a new ramp as well as repairs to the existing siding of the home, windows and doors. It also provided funding for insulation throughout the house. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005810/en/ An Army veteran recently received help with repairs at his Garland, Texas, home. (Photo: Business Wire) Mr. Young served in the U.S. Army for 10 years and later worked for an entity that helped people with disabilities get jobs until he recently retired. He and his wife have lived in their home for 17 years. Built in 1944, the wood within the home began to rot and insulation issues made it hard to protect him and his wife from outside temperatures. Mr. Young learned about SNAP through an internet search for veterans and people with disabilities. He found the program online and applied through FHLB Dallas member Veritex Community Bank. "I am so thankful. There are not strong enough words to express the gratitude I have for everything that was done," said Mr. Young. "It has renwed my home for years to come."



Through member institutions such as Veritex Community Bank, SNAP provides subsidies for the repair and rehabilitation of owner-occupied housing of eligible, special-needs individuals. The maximum SNAP award per household is $6,000 unless the member or another lender contributes $350 toward the rehabilitation costs and/or inspection fees. Then the maximum award per household is $7,000. "SNAP has the ability to help veteran homeowners such as Mr. Young," said Melanie Goodman, Community Reinvestment Act officer at Veritex Community Bank. "This program is crucial for our community."

FHLB Dallas set aside $2.5 million of its 2021 Affordable Housing Program funds for SNAP, and all SNAP funds were allocated in January for the highly sought-after program. Last year, FHLB Dallas awarded $2.5 million in SNAP subsidies that assisted 421 families. Since the program's 2009 inception, nearly $20.5 million in funding has been awarded across FHLB Dallas' five-state District. "Partners such as Veritex Community Bank make the SNAP subsidy a success," said Greg Hettrick, first vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas. "We are honored to keep working alongside member banks to provide such valuable programs." To learn more about SNAP, visit fhlb.com/snap. About Veritex Community Bank Veritex Community Bank is a mid-sized community bank serving its customers with a full suite of banking products and services. The bank has several conveniently located branch locations in Houston, Fort Worth and Dallas, Texas, with total assets of over $8 billion. The bank, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, specializes in providing depository and credit services to small- to mid-size businesses, which have been largely neglected by national banks. The name "Veritex" is derived from the Latin word "veritas," meaning truth, and "Texas." About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank System created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $58.6 billion as of June 30, 2021, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced loans and other credit products to approximately 800 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. For more information, visit our website at fhlb.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005810/en/

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[August 04, 2021] Planting Trees in Brampton as Part of Two Billion Trees

BRAMPTON, ON, Aug. 4, 2021 /CNW/ - There is no path to net-zero emissions that does not involve Canada's forests. Planting trees is a natural climate solution that removes and stores carbon from the atmosphere while providing other benefits, such as better air and water quality, particularly in urban settings; decreases the risk of wildland fire to rural communities; and supports biodiversity. It also provides spaces for recreational opportunities that improve our quality of life and connection to nature. Today, Maninder Sidhu, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development and Member of Parliament for Brampton East, on behalf of the Honourable Seamus O'Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources, announced $1,280,000 to the City of Brampton in support of the Government of Canada's plan to plant two billion trees over 10 years. This project will see 8,000 trees planted across the region this year and contribute to the rehabilitation of the city's urban tree canopy. The city will be planting in naturalization sites, along streets, as tableland trees in parks, within boulevards and as community plantings. The Two Billion Trees program continues the Government of Canada's existing efforts to advance tree planting as an important part of the solution to climate change. Canada's plan to plant two billion trees is projected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 12 megatonnes annually by 2050. It will create up to 4,300 green jobs. With the help of dedicated organizations across the country, we look forward to growing our healthy, vibrant and sustainably managed forests, leaving behind a legacy for future generations. Natural Resources Canada is implementing this plan with support from Environment and Climate Change Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The Two Billion Trees program represents a 40-percent annual increase in the number of trees planted in Canada and will see trees planted in both urban and rural areas across the country. n 10 years, the new trees will cover over 1.1 million hectares, an area twice the size of Prince Edward Island.



Quotes "Planting trees across Canada, including right here in Brampton, will help us reach our 2030 climate targets and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The two billion trees initiative will provide the residents of Brampton with cleaner air and expanded forest canopy for greater shade, as well as creating green jobs. I am so thrilled about this investment, as it will have an impact on this generation as well as generations to come!"

Maninder Sidhu

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Development

Member of Parliament for Brampton East "Planting two billion trees is more than a plan for climate action. It's a plan for creating thousands of good, green jobs. We're rolling out tree-planting projects right across the country. Planting trees gets us to net zero." The Honourable Seamus O'Regan Jr.

Minister of Natural Resources "Brampton is a Green City, and we are committed to protecting our trees, plants and green spaces. Our urban forest is an integral part of our community, and I welcome this funding to help achieve our goal of planting One Million Trees in Brampton by 2040 and support the Government of Canada's plan to plant two billion trees over 10 years." Patrick Brown

Mayor, Brampton Quick facts The Government of Canada has committed up to $3.2 billion over 10 years, starting in 202122, to deliver on this commitment.





has committed up to over 10 years, starting in 202122, to deliver on this commitment. This is part of a broader Government of Canada approach to embrace the power of nature, recently announced as part of Canada's strengthened climate plan, A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy .





approach to embrace the power of nature, recently announced as part of strengthened climate plan, The government has established an advisory committee of experts on nature-based climate solutions to advise on program delivery to maximize emission reductions and deliver on key biodiversity and human well-being co-benefits to improve the quality of life for Canadians. Associated Links

2 Billion Trees Commitment

A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy Backgrounder

Nature-based solutions for climate change mitigation and adaption Follow us on Twitter: @NRCan (http://twitter.com/nrcan) SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

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[August 04, 2021] The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Announces CAMFED, the Campaign for Female Education, as the 2021 Recipient of the Hilton Humanitarian Prize

The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation is pleased to announce that CAMFED, the Campaign for Female Education, a pan-African movement revolutionizing how girls' education is delivered, has been selected as the 2021 Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize recipient and will receive $2.5 million in funding. As the world's largest annual humanitarian award presented to a nonprofit, the Hilton Humanitarian Prize recognizes extraordinary contributions toward alleviating human suffering. To date, the Hilton Foundation has awarded more than $39 million to recipients of the Prize. CAMFED joins the roster of 25 Prize Laureates, including Homeboy Industries, METAdrasi, SHOFCO, icddr,b and The Task Force for Global Health, among others. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005218/en/ "They elected me because of the advocacy I was doing [and] because they know that I would be able to bring something back to the community. My community members say it's because of me girls are now in school. The role I am playing in the community motivates other girls to follow in my footsteps." - Hawa Tambo Alhassan.?L to R: Memunatu*, Hawa Tambo Alhassan, Janet* and Ayisha*. The first girl in her community to complete secondary school, and now an elected district councillor, Hawa Tambo Alhassan continues to mentor girls at her former high school in Karaga District, Ghana. Having grown up in the community she now represents, Hawa has firsthand experience of the challenges her constituents face and a deep-seated desire to bring about lasting change.? Photo by Eliza Powell. *Last name withheld for privacy "The Jury's selection of CAMFED as the recipient of the 2021 Hilton Humanitarian Prize speaks first and foremost to its community-led approach and to the power of investing in girls," said Peter Laugharn, president and CEO of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. "CAMFED has revolutionized how girls' education is delivered, tapping into local expertise in a way that is sustainable and scalable. Further, the pandemic has had a catastrophic effect on families and girls, with estimates that 11 million girls may not return to school as a result of the crisis. The time for the global community to learn from this model is now." CAMFED was founded in 1993 in response to the scale of girls' exclusion from education, and in recognition of the transformative benefits that accrue when the right to education is secured for all girls. What began in Zimbabwe as a program supporting 32 girls in two schools has now become a movement that has already supported more than 4.8 million disadvantaged students in 6,787 schools across 163 district in Ghana, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.



CAMFED's model, which has been thoroughly tested and refined, provides financial and social support for girls to attend and thrive in primary and secondary school. Post-school, CAMFED provides business training, finance, and support for young women to access higher education and employment opportunities, so that they can safely transition to a secure and fulfilling adulthood. Those joining the CAMFED Association, the pan-African peer support and leadership network, commit to mentoring and supporting each other, as well as the next generation, as they grow into respected role models in their communities, working to secure every child's right to go to school, and change the status quo for girls for good. The CAMFED Association, founded in 1998, now includes 178,000 young women who serve as mentors and trainers, work as teachers, health care workers, and climate-smart entrepreneurs, and each support with their own resources another three girls - on average - to go to school each year.

Data compiled by CAMFED and others demonstrates significant improvements in school attendance and retention rates for girls supported by CAMFED, reduced school dropout rates, an increase in student learning outcomes, and an increase in the age of marriage and first-time birth. There are numerous examples of CAMFED Association leaders sharing their expertise in national and international fora and engaging with local, national and global policymakers. CAMFED's community-based model has sustained and evolved to become a locally led organization that perpetuates a virtuous cycle of prosperity, equality, and hope, led by young women. CAMFED's Executive Director, Angeline Murimirwa, was one of the first young women to receive support from CAMFED to go to secondary school and is a founding member of the CAMFED Association. She now oversees the delivery of CAMFED's mission, working closely with all CAMFED offices. Angeline understands from experience both the desire for education and the enormous hurdles girls face in securing their right to education. "We are thrilled to have this recognition at this critical moment," said Angeline Murimirwa, CAMFED Executive Director - Africa. "So much is at stake. Around the world we are faced with the question: 'How do we navigate the impact of COVID-19 and climate change without turning back the clock on women and girls?' The Hilton Humanitarian Prize shines a bright light on our movement, rising from Africa. This Prize belongs to our communities, for rallying around the education and leadership of young women who know intimately what poverty and exclusion feel like, and what it takes for girls to succeed. Because when girls succeed, and women lead, we can tackle the world's most intractable challenges together." The CAMFED model of investing in girls' education from childhood through their formative years, with a focus on celebrating the agency of the next generation of female leaders, is a proven success even in the face of adversity. As a result, the organization has been recognized by notable leaders and thinkers across the globe. "CAMFED has demonstrated an ability to make a large-scale difference to girls' lives through education," said The Honourable Julia Gillard AC, 27th Prime Minister of Australia and Chair of the Global Partnership for Education. "I have been truly impressed by their approach to scaling their model while retaining an unremitting focus on reaching girls who are the most vulnerable and 'invisible.' Their results are well-evidenced, sustainable and replicable, and the societal consequences are deep and profound. CAMFED is creating a movement of future leaders who I believe have the potential to transform a continent. I am thrilled to see this recognized by the Hilton Humanitarian Prize." Each year, the Hilton Foundation reviews nomination submissions from notable nonprofits throughout the world, and an independent, international panel of distinguished jurors makes the final selection after a rigorous vetting process. The following individuals served on the 2021 Hilton Humanitarian Prize jury: The Right Honourable Helen Clark; Leymah Gbowee; Steven M. Hilton; Her Majesty Queen Noor; Mark Rosenberg, M.D., M.P.P; Zainab Salbi; Ann M. Veneman; and Dr. Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de Leon. In place of what has previously been an in-person Prize ceremony and symposium, this year, the Hilton Foundation will once again host a virtual Prize ceremony and an online conversation series in partnership with Devex under the theme "The Future of Humanitarian Action: The Power of Communities." The Prize Ceremony will take place virtually on Wednesday, October 13, followed by the conversation series later in the fall. Nominations for the 2022 Hilton Humanitarian Prize will be open August 19, 2021, through September 29, 2021. About the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation: International hotelier Conrad N. Hilton established the grantmaking foundation that bears his name in 1944 to help people living in poverty and experiencing disadvantage worldwide. Today, the work continues, concentrating on efforts to ensure healthy early childhood development and sustainable livelihoods for youth, support young people transitioning out of foster care, improve access to housing and support services for people experiencing homelessness, identify solutions to safe water access, and lift the work of Catholic sisters. Additionally, following selection by an independent, international jury, the Foundation annually awards the $2.5 million Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize to an organization doing extraordinary work to reduce human suffering. The Foundation is one of the world's largest, with approximately $7.5 billion in assets. It has awarded grants to date totaling more than $2 billion, $207 million worldwide in 2020. Please visit www.hiltonfoundation.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. About CAMFED: CAMFED was founded in 1993 by Ann Cotton OBE. It began in Zimbabwe with financial support to a group of 32 girls. By 2021, support had been extended to more than 4.8 million children through a network of partner schools in Zimbabwe, Ghana, Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia. CAMFED as an organization has literally 'grown up' with the first cohorts of girls who received support. They are united in the CAMFED Association, the network of women leaders educated with CAMFED support, founded in 1998. Together, they have inspired a new wave of support for girls' education in their communities. Through the CAMFED Association, women are leading action on the big challenges their countries face - from child marriage, and girls' exclusion from education, to climate change. This unique pan-African network of teachers, nurses, doctors, sustainable agriculture experts and entrepreneurs now numbers 178,000, and is growing every year as more girls complete school and join them. They in turn provide the pipeline of future leaders across all sectors of society in their communities and countries. CAMFED's CEO, Lucy Lake, joined CAMFED in 1994. In 2017, Lucy appointed Angeline Murimirwa as Co-Executive to recognize the expert leadership that comes from lived experience. Angeline and her peers in the CAMFED Association are now at the forefront of CAMFED's leadership, and setting a new agenda for girls' education and women's leadership in Africa. For more information visit https://camfed.org/. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005218/en/

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[August 04, 2021] Alliance Memory in Stock With Scarce Genuine Micron NOR Flash Memory Products

KIRKLAND, Wash., Aug. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alliance Memory today announced that it has begun receiving its phase II shipments of a wide range of legacy NOR Flash devices from Micron Technology . Alliance Memory is now stocking select offerings from Microns M29F 5V Parallel NOR Flash, M45PE Serial NOR Flash, the N25Q Serial NOR Flash, the J3 Parallel NOR Flash, and the P30/P33 Parallel NOR Flash families, all of which Micron previously discontinued with product change notification #32163 (last time buy: March 2018).

Weve made a major commitment to meeting our customers legacy Micron flash component needs, and with the stock were going to receive now through Q3, we expect to be able to support our customers through 2022 and beyond, said David Bagby, president and CEO of Alliance Memory. At a time when so many suppliers cant take an order  much less ship  in 2021, Alliance Memory customers can count on us to have, in stock, a very wide range of the Micron flash products they need right now. Micron-made legacy NOR Flash parts highlighted in the following sections are now available directly from Alliance Memory: M29F 5V NOR Flash

The AEC-Q100-certified components feature a 55ns access time and are offered with -40C to +85C and -40C to +125C extended temperature ranges in the 48-pin TSOP and 44-pin SOP packages. Additional density and configuration options are available on request. M45PE 3V Serial NOR Flash

Microns M45PE Series produts are 3V page erasable Serial NOR Flash memory devices accessed by the SPI-compatible bus. The memory can be written or programmed 1 byte to 256 bytes at a time using the PAGE WRITE or PAGE PROGRAM commands.



N25Q 1.8V and 3V Serial NOR Flash

Microns N25Q series consists of high-performance multiple input/output Serial Flash memory devices manufactured on 65nm NOR technology. It features execute-in-place (XIP) functionality, advanced write protection mechanisms, and a high-speed SPI-compatible bus interface. The innovative, high-performance, dual- and quad-input/output instructions enable double or quadruple the transfer bandwidth for READ and PROGRAM operations. J3 and P30/P33 Parallel NOR Flash

Microns J3, P30, and P33 series consist of high-performance single-bit cell (SBC) and multi-level cell (MLC) parallel flash memory devices manufactured on 65nm NOR technology. They feature advanced write protection mechanisms, x8 and x16 bus widths, and are common flash interface (CFI)-compatible.

To discuss long-term support of the legacy Micron NOR Flash devices, customers are invited to call or email their nearest Alliance Memory contact: EMEA  Sue Macedo

+44 (0)787 634 4055

sue@alliancememory.com Americas  Tom Gargan

+1 514 639 0914

tom@alliancememory.com Asia / Pacific  David Bagby

+1 650 868 1211

david@alliancememory.com About Alliance Memory Inc.

Alliance Memory is a worldwide provider of critical and hard-to-find memory ICs for the communications, computing, consumer electronics, medical, automotive, and industrial markets. The companys product range includes flash, DRAM, and SRAM memory ICs with commercial, industrial, and automotive operating temperature ranges and densities from 64Kb to 8Gb. Privately held, Alliance Memory maintains headquarters in Kirkland, Washington, and regional offices in Europe, Asia, Canada, and South America. More information about Alliance Memory is available online at www.alliancememory.com . Editor resources: Link to detailed product info:

https://www.alliancememory.com/micron-nor-flash/ Agency Contact:

Bob Decker

Redpines

+1 415 409 0233

bob.decker@redpinesgroup.com



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[August 04, 2021] athenahealth Announces That It Will Not Attend HIMSS21 Conference

athenahealth, a leading provider of network-enabled software and services for medical groups and health systems nationwide, today announced it has made the decision not to attend the 2021 HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition from August 9-13, 2021, in Las Vegas due to the recent surge of COVID-19 cases in Nevada and growing concerns regarding the Delta variant. athenahealth will continue to participate in the conference virtually. As a leading player in the healthcare industry, and in light of the evolving COVID-19 situation, athenahealth felt it was prudent to re-evaluate its participation in the event. In an effort to protect the safety of its employees and the broader public, athenahealth concluded that attending the conference in-person presented an avoidable risk. "This was not an easy decision, but our number-one priority is to protect the health and safety of our employees and their families, as well as our communities and customers," said Bob Segert, chairman and chief executive officer of athenahealth. "We remain committed to supporting HIMSS and partnering with hem in the future."



Over the last two months, athenahealth and its partners have spent a considerable amount of time and effort preparing for the conference. As an active member of HIMSS, athenahealth looks forward to engaging with the healthcare IT community virtually this year and in-person in March 2022. To provide access to some of the content and resources for the conference, athenahealth partnered with HIMSS to develop a virtual HIMSS booth for registered attendees.

About athenahealth, Inc. athenahealth partners with medical organizations across the country to drive clinical and financial results. Our vision is to create a thriving ecosystem that delivers accessible, high-quality, and sustainable healthcare for all, and we are pursuing this through our medical record, revenue cycle, patient engagement, and care coordination service offerings. Our expert teams build modern technology on an open, connected ecosystem, yielding insights that make a difference for our customers and their patients. For more information, please visit www.athenahealth.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005877/en/

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[August 04, 2021] Hannah Lloyd Honored as CompTIA Member of the Year

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A passionate and dedicated leader who has earned high praise and respect from her peers in the dynamic technology world is the Member of the Year at CompTIA, the nonprofit association for the global technology industry. "Hannah is an inspiration for any individual interested in pursuing a career in tech- especially young women." Hannah Lloyd, vice president of channel sales at inSOC, is recognized by CompTIA for her outstanding service to and impact on the association and the industry. Lloyd started her career as a sales representative one month before graduating from Queen Mary University of London at the age of 21. Seven years later, while being based in the UK, she is leading channel sales at a Los Angeles-based global cybersecurity company delivering an AI-driven Open-XDR SOC-as-a-service solution to MSPs and MSSPs globally. Lloyd also serves as the vice chair of the CompTIA UK Business Technology Community and actively contributes to the CompTIA Advancing Tech Talent andDiversity Community, the CompTIA Benelux Business Technology Community, and the CompTIA Cybersecurity Community.



"Hannah is an inspiration for any individual interested in pursuing a career in tech- especially young women," said Nancy Hammervik, executive vice president of industry relations at CompTIA and CEO of the CompTIA Tech Career Academy. "Twice, Hannah has been recognized with a CompTIA Spotlight Award and it's been fantastic to watch her grow her career as she grew her engagement with CompTIA.?Her passion and dedication are remarkable and greatly appreciated." In addition to her work on the different communities, Lloyd is currently leading a cross-continent team of volunteers to enhance and build a resource library for solution providers. The end game is to provide tangible documents to help MSPs grow their businesses in efficient ways while providing guidance. The initiative will continue to bolster CompTIA as a go-to resource for industry education and thought-leadership.

"I am extremely honoured and humbled to be awarded this accolade from CompTIA," said Lloyd. "I thoroughly enjoy contributing to the industry and giving back to the community both within the UK and within the global forum. I attribute a lot of my success, growth and continuing professional maturity to the support I have received from the CompTIA team, and the opportunities I have received through my involvement with the organisation. I cannot wait to continue my work with CompTIA and all that the future has to bring." The industry is honoring Lloyd this week during ChannelCon Online, CompTIA's annual industry gathering of technology business thought leaders, decision makers, entrepreneurs and visionaries. Lloyd is the sixth technology industry leader to receive the CompTIA Member of the Year award. Past honorees include Nellie Scott, Angel L. Pineiro Jr., Victor Johnston, Tracy Pound and John Tippett. To read a profile of Lloyd, check out the latest edition of CompTIA World, the association's magazine. About CompTIA

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is a leading voice and advocate for the $5 trillion global information technology ecosystem; and the estimated 75 million industry and tech professionals who design, implement, manage, and safeguard the technology that powers the world's economy. Through education, training, certifications, advocacy, philanthropy, and market research, CompTIA is the hub for advancing the tech industry and its workforce. Visit https://connect.comptia.org/. Media Contact

Roger Hughlett

CompTIA

rhughlett@comptia.org

+1 630-678-8644 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hannah-lloyd-honored-as-comptia-member-of-the-year-301348466.html SOURCE CompTIA

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[August 04, 2021] CoreLogic and QOMPLX Join Forces to Expand Insurance Data and Model Offering

TYSONS, Va., Aug. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- QOMPLX is proud to announce a new relationship with CoreLogic, an industry-leading provider of property intelligence and data analytics, providing industry access to CoreLogics Oasis LMF- enabled models via the QOMPLX:OS marketplace.

Q:HELM will include access to CoreLogics next level contiguous US Earthquake Model and Japan Earthquake Model, which provide insight into the damage that can occur following an earthquake and how aftershocks can amplify the effects months after an event. Similar to QOMPLXs other collaborations, the relationship with CoreLogic expands the geographic range and catastrophe offerings of Q:HELM. CoreLogic is seeking to help the market take advantage of the additional flexibility and choice provided by placing its catastrophe models onto the Oasis Loss Modeling Framework. We are delighted to be providing our models as part of QOMPLX offering to further increase that opportunity, said William Forde, Senior Director, Product Management, Insurance and Spatial Solutions at CoreLogic. Broadly, this relationship will further expand QOMPLXs offering of cutting-edge insurance data, services, and models to the insurance and reinsurance industry. We provide a high-performing ecosystem of diverse offerings inside Q:HELM, and the CoreLogic models will be a major addition to the platform, said Steve Smith, QOMPLX Director, Insurance Product & Modeling. QOMPLX has an important role to play in bringing together more complete information and insights needed for industry to address broader weather and climate risk callenges on an ongoing basis said Jason Crabtree, CEO of QOMPLX.



The QOMPLX:OS marketplace provides customers access to services that can be purchased on-demand and offers significant advantages to provide more informed insurance underwriting decisions and better risk selection. Key features include: One-Stop Shop  A single platform with a common user interface

 A single platform with a common user interface Mix and Match  Choose offerings based on your specific needs

 Choose offerings based on your specific needs Multiple Contract Options  Customers can pay as you go

 Customers can pay as you go Diverse Suite of Offerings  Variety in models, data and services This robust offering for insurers and reinsurers is emblematic of QOMPLXs unique role in risk analytics. We provide solutions to mitigate major long-term risks to capital and climate that are foundational to our modern global economy. The underlying capabilities of the QOMPLX core data factory fuel our cloud insurance risk analytics offering with the ability to rapidly ingest, transform and contextualize data at scale, much faster than traditionally seen across the industry.

About CoreLogic

CoreLogic, a 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. About QOMPLX

QOMPLX helps organizations make intelligent business decisions and better manage risk through our advanced, proprietary risk cloud. We are the leaders at rapidly ingesting, transforming, and contextualizing large, complex, and disparate data sources through our cloud-native data factory in order to help organizations better quantify, model, and predict risk. Our specialized experts and technology solutions in cybersecurity, insurance, and finance power leading global corporations and mission critical public sector agencies. For more information, visit qomplx.com and follow us @QOMPLX on Twitter. CONTACT:

James Faeh, Director of Corporate Communications, QOMPLX

james.faeh@qomplx.com



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[August 04, 2021] Connecting Canadians in Linguistic Minority Communities Across the West and North

Government of Canada funding will help develop and deliver digital media content in linguistic minority communities. WINNIPEG, MB, Aug. 4, 2021 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is helping connect Canadians living in official language minority communities across the West and North by investing in an online initiative that will produce and deliver culturally relevant digital media content in French. The goal is to promote online interaction between members of official language minority communities, giving them access to local and regional content they wouldn't normally have and increasing their sense of belonging beyond their province or territory. The Honourable Daniel Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs and Member of Parliament (Saint BonifaceSaint Vital), announced today that the Government of Canada is investing $3.8 million in Web Ouest, a project lead by the Societe de la francophonie manitobaine in partnership with Productions Rivard. He made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages. Following a successful 2015-2017 Manitoba pilot project, Web Ouest is expanding to include Francophone organizations in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Online programming will include web series, blogs, major events, cultural activities and virtual drive-in evenings featuring content from western and northern producers, all promoted across social media channels. In addition to creating new content, the project will provide training and mentorship opportunities to people working in entry-level positions, like production assistants, and to Francophone post-secondary students interested in online video production. Funding is being provided by Canadian Heritage's Development of Official-Language Communities Program. Quotes "Now more than ever, the Government of Canada recognizes the importance of stayin connected and is investing in community organizations that are helping Canadians make those connections. Canada's official language minority communities across the western and northern landscape will be able to link together in online experiences, encouraging conversation and celebrating Francophone culture and community vitality."



The Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages "The Societe de la francophonie manitobaine is a champion of Canada's Francophonie, sharing innovative ideas and creating new opportunities beyond Manitoba's borders. Working with Productions Rivardanother Manitoba successand community partners across the West and the North, the SFM is building a vital online community of French-speaking Canadians and residents, bringing them together with relevant programming no matter where they live."

The Honourable Daniel Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs and Member of Parliament (Saint BonifaceSaint Vital) "Web Ouest is an excellent opportunity to collaborate with our western and northern partners who share the common goal of promoting the use of the French language. The SFM is extremely proud to be part of a project that unites Francophone communities and builds bridges between people who share a love and appreciation of the French language."  Christian Monnin, Chair, Societe de la francophonie manitobaine "Web Ouest is content that has been imagined and designed based on the public's interests. It is a project that connects people who share French as a common language and invites Internet users to consume content made by, for and with them. It is a new platform built around events, people and the rich and diverse Francophonie spread across the West and the North."  Louis Paquin, Producer, Productions Rivard Quick Facts The Development of Official-Language Communities Program enhances the vitality of Canada's English- and French-speaking minority communities and supports their development. The Cooperation with the Community Sector component supports the engagement of community organizations and builds their capacity to act to achieve measurable gains in terms of community vitality, while encouraging innovation and excellence. This sub-component received additional funding under the Action Plan for Official Languages 2018-2023. The Action Plan for Official Languages 20182023: Investing in Our Future proposes an unprecedented investment of $2.7 billion over five years, including $500 million in new funding, to support official language minority communities and promote bilingualism across the country. Associated Links

Action Plan for Official Languages 20182023: Investing in Our Future English and French: Towards a substantive equality of official languages in Canada Cooperation with the Community Sector  Development of Official Language Communities SOURCE Canadian Heritage

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[August 04, 2021] Exchange Bank Announces Second Quarter 2021 Earnings

Exchange Bank (OTC: EXSR) today announced results for the second quarter of 2021, reporting net income after taxes of $8.22 million, compared with $7.85 million for the same quarter in 2020, an increase of 4.71%. The Bank's net interest income increased slightly from $23.19 million during the three months ended June 30, 2020 to $23.24 million the same period in 2021. The 2021 interest income was supported by the PPP loans booked in both 2020 and 2021 and the fees associated with these loans. In the second quarter of 2021, the Bank recognized $1.52 million in PPP loan fees; there were no PPP loan fees recognized in the first six months of 2020. The Bank expects net interest margin to be a challenge for the remainder of 2021 and into the near future with the expectation that treasury yields will remain low. The Bank's results continue to be influenced by the changing patterns of behavior by both business and consumer clients as well as the fiscal and monetary response of the U.S. Government to the coronavirus pandemic. Non-interest income increased from $4.74 million in the second quarter of 2020 to $5.95 million in the similar period in 2021. A highlight of the favorable non-interest income is Trust and Investment Management with an increase of $0.55 million over the second quarter of 2020 to $2.64 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021. In contrast to the overall increase in non-interest income, three areas are experiencing a downward trend: lower account service fees due to higher than normal compensating balances across both business and consumer deposit accounts; a decline in interchange fees as a result of dramatically reduced consumer spending; and lower SBA fee income due to diminished business activities during this period. These fee-based decreases are a continuing trend from 2020 which the Bank expects to continue for the remainder of 2021. The quality of the Bank's loan portfolio remains strong; however, due to the economic uncertainty that exists today, the Bank elected to strengthen its reserve for potential future losses with a provision for loan loss totaling $0.8 million during the second quarter of 2021. The Bank did not take a provision for loan loss during the similar period in 2020. The previously discussed increases in revenue were supplemented by the Bank's decreased operating expenses. The Bank had a decrease operating expenses during the three months ending June 30, 2021 by approximately $0.10 million or 0.06% in comparison to the three months ended June 30, 2020. The Bank experienced a dramatic increase in deposit balances which were up year-over-year by approximately $395 million or 15%. This increase in deposits started during the second quarter of 2020, resulting from business deposits relating to the deposit of PPP loan funds received by Bank clients. The PPP loans issued in 2021 have added to the increase in deposits. Additional sources of the increase in deposits are the economic stimulus received by our customers and both business and consumer customers who chose to hold more liquid assets during this period of great uncertainty. The increase in deposits led to a material decline in deposit service fee income as a result of the waiver of fees associated with higher customer compensating balances. It is possible the Bank could experience a significant runoff of the excess deposits due to their unusual and short-term nature as they are used to support small business and consumer-related expenses over the next year. Overall, the Bank's balance sheet growth for the year-ending June 30, 2021 was bolstered by the PPP loans and deposit growth as previously noted. Total assets increased to $3.43 billion as of June 30, 2021 up from $3.04 billion in 2020, an increase of 13%. Gross loans decreased from $1.85 billion in 2020 to $1.68 billion in 2021. A significant portion of the decrease relates to PPP loans which had a balance of $264 million as of June 30, 2020 vs. $182 million as of June 30, 2021. The Bank's investment portfolio increased $351 million during the twelve months ended June 30, 2021. During the six months ending June 30, 2021, the Bank achieved net earnings of $16.71 million, compared to $16.48 million during the similar six-month period in 2020, an increase of $0.23 million or 1.38%. The change was driven by the same factors related to net interest income and non-interest income as described previously. Net interest income declined $0.58 million from $47.09 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 to $46.51 million for the same period in 2021. $5.49 million of PPP loan fees are included in 2021 net interest income. During the six months ending June 30, 2021, the growth in the Bank's Trust and Investment Management business, which was up approximately $1.01 million, helped offset declines in deposit fee and SBA income, compared to the similar six-month period in 2020. The Bank's capital ratios remain well in excess of the regulatory definitions of "well capitalized." As of June 30, 2021, the Bank reported total risk-based capital of 19.68%. "The Bank's extraordinary efforts to assist our customers during this pandemic, especially with PPP loans, have had a significant effect on the size and asset mixture of our balance sheet," said Troy Sanderson, president and CEO. "Through the management of liquidity and strong credit quality, we intend to remain a trusted resource for those same customers as we continue fighting our way through this pandemic together." 50.44% of the Bank's cash dividend goes to the Doyle Trust which funds the Doyle Scholarships at the Santa Rosa Junior College. FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: The following appears in accordance with the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This press release may contain forward-looking statements about the Company, including descriptions of plans or objectives of its management for future operations, products or services, and forecasts of its revenues, earnings or other measures of economic performance. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate," or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "would," "should," "could," or "may." Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are subject to risks and uncertainties. A number of factors - many of which are beyond the Company's control - could cause actual conditions, events or results to differ significantly from those described in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. The Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date forward looking statements are made. About Exchange Bank Headquartered in Sonoma County and founded in 1890, Exchange Bank is a premier community bank with assets of $3.4 billion. Exchange Bank provides a wide range of personal, commercial and trust and investment services with 17 retail branches in Sonoma County, a commercial branch in Roseville, and trust and investment offices in Santa Rosa, Roseville and Silicon Valley. The Bank's legacy of financial leadership and community support is grounded in its core values of Commitment, Respect, Integrity and Teamwork. Exchange Bank is a 15-time winner of the North Bay Business Journal's (NBBJ) Best Places to Work survey, a recipient of the 2020 North Bay Community Philanthropy Award and the 2020 Healthiest Companies in the North Bay Award. The Press Democrat Best of Sonoma County Reader's Choice 2021 named Exchange Bank Best Bank and the NorthBay biz magazine named Exchange Bank the 2020 Best Consumer Bank and Best Business Bank. The Sonoma Valley People's Choice awards named Exchange Bank the Best Local Bank 2021 and the North Bay Bohemian's Best of 2020 Readers Poll named Exchange Bank the Best Business Bank and Best Consumer Bank. Exchange Bank can also be found in the NBBJ's Book of Lists as a leading lender and wealth management advisor-retaining the #1 position in SBA 7(a) lending in Sonoma County for 2020. www.exchangebank.com. Member FDIC - Equal Housing Lender - Equal Opportunity Employer







EXCHANGE BANK and Subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) June 30, 2021 and 2020 (In Thousands) Change % Change ASSETS 2021 2020 21/20 21/20 Cash and due from banks $ 26,701 $ 36,618 $ (9,917 ) -27.08 % Federal Reserve Bank 472,344 277,490 194,854 70.22 % Total Cash and cash equivalents 499,045 314,108 184,937 58.88 % Investments Interest-earning deposits in other financial institutions 26,000 45,000 (19,000 ) -42.22 % Securities available for sale 1,103,578 734,406 369,172 50.27 % FHLB Stock 14,465 13,483 982 7.28 % Loans and leases Real estate 1,082,379 1,119,111 (36,732 ) -3.28 % Consumer 132,491 136,493 (4,002 ) -2.93 % Commercial 463,427 579,841 (116,414 ) -20.08 % 1,678,297 1,835,445 (157,148 ) -8.56 % Less allowance for loan and lease losses (43,790 ) (39,878 ) (3,912 ) 9.81 % Net loans and leases 1,634,507 1,795,567 (161,060 ) -8.97 % Bank premises and equipment 19,354 19,115 239 1.25 % Other assets 134,050 114,509 19,541 17.07 % Total Assets $ 3,430,999 $ 3,036,188 $ 394,811 13.00 % LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Deposits Non-Interest Bearing Demand $ 1,217,718 $ 1,107,804 $ 109,914 9.92 % Interest Bearing Transaction 573,803 513,679 60,124 11.70 % Money market 452,325 307,381 144,944 47.15 % Savings 654,235 561,151 93,084 16.59 % Time 179,650 193,198 (13,548 ) -7.01 % Total Deposits 3,077,731 2,683,213 394,518 14.70 % Other liabilities 44,274 60,797 (16,523 ) -27.18 % Total liabilities 3,122,005 2,744,010 377,995 13.78 % Stockholders' equity 308,994 292,178 16,816 5.76 % Total Liabilities and Stockholder's Equity $ 3,430,999 $ 3,036,188 $ 394,811 13.00 %

EXCHANGE BANK and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) For the Period Ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 (In Thousands, except per share amounts) Six Months Ended Quarter Ended Six Months Ended Change % Change 2021 2020 2021 2020 21/20 21/20 Interest Income Interest and fees on loans $ 19,570 $ 19,775 $ 39,476 $ 39,565 $ (89 ) -0.22 % Interest on investments securities 4,098 4,268 7,947 9,490 (1,543 ) -16.26 % Total interest income 23,668 24,043 47,423 49,055 (1,632 ) -3.33 % Interest expense Interest on deposits 431 858 912 1,967 (1,055 ) -53.63 % Total interest expense 431 858 912 1,967 (1,055 ) -53.63 % Net interest income 23,237 23,185 46,511 47,088 (577 ) -1.23 % Provision (reversal of) for losses on loans 800 - 2,000 - 2,000 0.00 % Net interest income after provision for loan and leases 22,437 23,185 44,511 47,088 (2,577 ) -5.47 % Non-interest income 5,947 4,743 11,355 10,613 742 6.99 % Non interest expense Salary and benefit costs 9,360 9,409 18,035 19,435 (1,400 ) -7.20 % Other expenses 7,656 7,714 14,700 15,473 (773 ) -5.00 % Total non-interest expense 17,016 17,123 32,735 34,908 (2,173 ) -6.22 % Income before income taxes 11,368 10,805 23,131 22,793 338 1.48 % Provision for income taxes 3,148 2,952 6,418 6,308 110 1.74 % Net income $ 8,220 $ 7,853 $ 16,713 $ 16,485 $ 228 1.38 % Basic earnings per common share $ 4.79 $ 4.58 $ 9.75 $ 9.62 $ 0.13 1.38 % Dividends per share $ 1.20 $ 1.20 $ 2.40 $ 2.40 $ - 0.00 % Earnings per share is computed by dividing net income, by the weighted averaged number of shares outstanding during the year. Total average shares outstanding for both 2021 and 2020 was 1,714,344 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804006005/en/

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[August 04, 2021]

WIRELESS TELECOM GROUP ANNOUNCES 2nd QUARTER 2021 FINANCIAL RESULTS WILL BE RELEASED AUGUST 11, 2021

Parsippany, New Jersey, USA, Aug. 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wireless Telecom Group, Inc. (NYSE American: WTT), a leader in wireless communications and radio frequency instrumentation, announced it will release its 2nd quarter financial results on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, before the market opens.



The Company will host a conference call on Wednesday, August 11, 2021 at 8:30 am EDT in which management will discuss 2nd quarter financial results. To participate in the conference call, dial 800-346-7359 or 973-528-0008. The conference identification number is 248319. The call will also be webcast over the internet at the following URL:

https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/1690/42411

A replay will be made available on the Wireless Telecom website following the conference call.

- END -

About Wireless Telecom Group

Wireless Telecom Group, Inc., comprised of Boonton, CommAgility, Holzworth, Microlab, and Noisecom, is a global designer and manufacturer of advanced RF and microwave components, modules, systems, and instruments. Serving the wireless, telecommunication, satellite, military, aerospace, semiconductor, and medical industries, Wireless Telecom Group products enable innovation across existing and emerging wireless technologies. With a product portfolio including peak power meters, signal generators, phase noise analyzers, signal processing modules, LTE PHY/stack software, power splitters and combiners, GPS repeaters, public safety components, noise sources, and programmable noise generators, Wireless Telecom Group supports the development, testing, and deployment of wireless technologies around the globe. Wireless Telecom Group is headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, in the New York City metropolitan area, and maintains a global network of Sales and Service offices for excellent product service and support. Wireless Telecom Groups website address is http://www.wirelesstelecomgroup.com.









Contact

Michael Kandell: +1 (973) 386-9696

SM Berger:+1 (216)-464-6400

Wireless Telecom Group Inc.

25 Eastmans Road

Parsippany, NJ 07054

Tel: (973) 386-9696

Fax: (973) 386-9191

www.wirelesstelecomgroup.com
[August 04, 2021] Converge Announces Second Quarter 2021 Financial Results Conference Call Date

TORONTO and GATINEAU, QC, Aug. 4, 2021 /CNW/ - Converge Technology Solutions Corp. ("Converge" or "the Company") (TSX: CTS) (FSE: 0ZB) (OTCQX: CTSDF) is pleased to announce that it will release the results for its second quarter for the period ended June 30th, 2021 on Wednesday, August 11th, 2021 after market close. Subsequently, the Company will hold a conference call on Thursday, August 12th, 2021 at 9:00 am EST hosted by Shaun Maine, Chief Executive Officer and Matt Smith, Interim Chief Financial Officer. A question and answer session will follow the corporate update. Conference Call Details: Date: Thursday, August 12th, 2021

Time: 9:00 AM Eastern Time Participant Dial-in Numbers:

Local  Toronto (+1) 647 794 4605

Toll Free  North America (+1) 888 204 4368

Germany  0800 589 4609

United Kingdom  0800 358 6377

Conference ID: 7839132 Recording Playback Numbers:

Toronto (+1) 647 436 0148





North America (+1) 888 203 1112

Passcode: 7839132

Expiry Date: August 19 th, 2021 A live audio webcast and archive of the conference call will be available by visiting the Company's website at https://convergetp.com/investor-relations/. Please connect at least 15 minutes prior to the conference call to ensure time for any software download that may be needed to hear the webcast.

About Converge

Converge Technology Solutions Corp. is a software-enabled IT & Cloud Solutions provider focused on delivering industry-leading solutions and services. Converge's regional sales and services organizations deliver advanced analytics, cloud, and cybersecurity offerings to clients across various industries. The Company supports these solutions with managed services, digital infrastructure, and talent expertise offerings across all major IT vendors in the marketplace. This multi-faceted approach enables Converge to address the unique business and technology requirements for all clients in the public and private sectors. For more information, visit convergetp.com. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/converge-announces-second-quarter-2021-financial-results-conference-call-date-301348688.html SOURCE Converge Technology Solutions Corp.

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[August 04, 2021] Huawei Canada Media Statement

VANCOUVER BC, Aug. 4, 2021 /CNW/ - Today, Meng Wanzhou returns to the British Columbia Supreme Court. Over the next several weeks, counsel for Ms. Meng will argue that the United States manipulated the case for committal and the certified evidence before the Court; that the United States has both mischaracterized evidence and omitted other evidence in order to establish a case of fraud; and that its misonduct in certifying misleading evidence, coupled with its shifting theory of the case, has corroded the fairness of the Canadian legal proceedings.



Ms. Meng's abuse of process motion is based on four branches of misconduct: (1) the politicization of her case by former U.S. President Trump and others; (2) an arrest which was a masterclass in how to violate a person's Charter rights; (3) the certification by the United States of manifestly unreliable and potentially misleading evidence aimed at the Court; and (4) a claim of jurisdiction by the United States that constitutes a brazen violation of customary international law. Ms. Meng's lawyer will urge the court to consider the cumulative impact of the different branches and a stay of the proceedings should be granted as a remedial and compensatory measure. Finally, counsel for Ms. Meng will argue that the United States has failed to establish a plausible case for prosecution because the record before the Court discloses no evidence upon which a reasonable trier of fact, properly instructed, could find Ms. Meng guilty of fraud. It follows that committal must be denied and Ms. Meng be allowed to return home.

Please see the following statement from Huawei Canada: "As the case enters its next phase, Huawei remains confident in Ms. Meng's innocence. We will, as always, continue to support Ms. Meng's pursuit of justice and freedom." SOURCE Huawei Canada

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[August 04, 2021] Ares Management Corporation to Host Investor Day

Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES) will host an Investor Day on Thursday, August 12, 2021 via live video stream. During the event, members of Ares' senior leadership team will provide an update on the firm's businesses, growth strategy and future outlook. Prepared presentations will begin at 8:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) followed by a Q&A session. To register for the event and to access to the live video stream, please visit the Investor Resources section of the Company's website at www.ares-ir.com. For those unable to attend the live stream event, a replay and the Investor Day presentation slides will be made available on the Investor Resources section of the Company's website. About Ares Management Corporation Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES) is a leading global alternative investment manager offering clients complementary primary and secondary investment solutions across the credit, private equity, real estate and infrastructure aset classes. We seek to provide flexible capital to support businesses and create value for our stakeholders and within our communities. By collaborating across our investment groups, we aim to generate consistent and attractive investment returns throughout market cycles. As of June 30, 2021, including the acquisition of Black Creek Group, which closed July 1, 2021, Ares Management's global platform had approximately $262 billion of assets under management with approximately 2,000 employees operating across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. For more information, please visit www.aresmgmt.com. Follow Ares on Twitter (News - Alert) @Ares_Management.



Forward-Looking Statements Statements included herein or made during the Investor Day may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which relate to future events or our future performance or financial condition. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, condition or results and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Ares Management Corporation undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made herein or during the Investor Day webcast, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law.

Nothing in this press release constitutes an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of Ares or an investment fund managed by Ares or its affiliates. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804006066/en/

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[August 04, 2021] TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp. Announces Second Quarter 2021 Financial Results

TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp. (NYSE: TPVG) (the "Company," "TPVG," "we," "us," or "our"), the leading financing provider to venture growth stage companies backed by a select group of venture capital firms in technology and other high growth industries, today announced its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021 and the declaration by its Board of Directors of its third quarter 2021 distribution of $0.36 per share. Second Quarter 2021 Highlights Signed $250.8 million of term sheets with venture growth stage companies at TriplePoint Capital LLC ("TPC") and TPVG closed $102.5 million of new debt commitments to venture growth stage companies;

Funded $76.0 million in debt investments to seven portfolio companies with a 13.2% weighted average annualized portfolio yield at origination;

Achieved a 13.9% weighted average annualized portfolio yield on total debt investments for the quarter;

Increased net asset value to $403.1 million, or $13.03 per share, at June 30, 2021;

TPVG portfolio companies Bird Rides, Inc., Enjoy, Inc., Inspirato LLC and Sonder, Inc. announced plans to go public through SPAC mergers and Groop Internet Platform, Inc. (d/b/a Talkspace) closed its SPAC merger;

Earned net investment income of $9.4 million, or $0.30 per share, and had a net increase in net assets resulting from operations of $12.0 million, or $0.39 per share;

Five portfolio companies raised in the aggregate over $600 million of capital in private rounds of financing during the quarter;

Realized a 9.5% return on average equity, based on net investment income during the quarter;

Held debt investments in 34 portfolio companies, warrants in 72 portfolio companies and equity investments in 28 portfolio companies at June 30, 2021;

Redeemed at par the $74.8 million aggregate principal amount of outstanding 5.75% fixed-rate notes due 2022 (the "2022 Notes") on April 5, 2021;

Ended the quarter with a 0.67x leverage ratio;

In April, DBRS confirmed TPVG's investment grade rating, BBB Long-Term Issuer rating, with a stable trend outlook;

Declared a third quarter distribution of $0.36 per share, payable on September 15, 2021; bringing total declared distributions to $11.14 per share since the Company's initial public offering; and

Subsequent to the end of the second quarter of 2021, TPVG portfolio company Revolut Ltd announced the closing of an $800 million private equity raise at a $33 billion valuation. Based on this event, TPVG preliminarily estimates that the combined fair value range of its equity and warrant investments in Revolut Ltd is approximately $10 million to $20 million, up from a combined fair value of $1.8 million at June 30, 2021, with the final fair value subject to completion of TPVG's quarterly valuation process for the third quarter. Year to Date 2021 Highlights Earned net investment income of $18.3 million, or $0.59 per share, and had a net increase in net assets resulting from operations of $23.8 million, or $0.77 per share;

Paid distributions of $0.82 per share;

Signed $443.0 million of term sheets with venture growth stage companies at TPC and TPVG closed $192.9 million of new debt commitments to venture growth stage companies;

Funded $132.9 million in debt investments to 13 portfolio companies with a 13.0% weighted average annualized portfolio yield at origination;

Funded $2.5 million in direct equity investments in private rounds of financing to six portfolio companies;

Achieved a 13.6% weighted average annualized portfolio yield on total debt investments;

Increased revolving credit facility ("Credit Facility") capacity to $350 million from $325 million;

Raised $200 million in aggregate principal amount from the private issuance of 4.50% institutional notes due 2026 (the "2026 Notes") and used a portion of the proceeds to redeem all of the 2022 Notes;

Three TPVG portfolio companies closed their SPAC mergers and five TPVG portfolio companies announced plans to go public through SPAC mergers; and

Estimated undistributed taxable earnings from net investment income and realized gains of $12.4 million, or $0.40 per share, as of June 30, 2021. "We are pleased to have increased signed terms sheets by more than 30% over the previous quarter, increased our new debt commitments and funded high quality companies," said Jim Labe, chairman and chief executive officer of TPVG. "We remain well positioned to capitalize on the strong demand for debt at venture growth stage companies and draw on our substantial liquidity to grow our investment portfolio." "The prospects for our portfolio companies continue to be promising," said Sajal Srivastava, president and chief investment officer of the Company. "Based on their continued fundraising and potential exit activity, we believe our equity and warrant investments are in a favorable position to increasingly generate capital gains for shareholders and contribute to our net asset value growth." PORTFOLIO AND INVESTMENT ACTIVITY During the three months ended June 30, 2021, the Company entered into $102.5 million of new debt commitments with six portfolio companies, funded debt investments totaling $76.0 million to seven portfolio companies, acquired warrants valued at $2.2 million in seven portfolio companies and made equity investments of $0.2 million in two portfolio companies. Debt investments funded during the quarter carried a weighted average annualized portfolio yield of 13.2% at origination. During the quarter, the Company had $46.0 million of principal prepayments and $23.1 million of scheduled principal amortization. The weighted average annualized portfolio yield on total debt investments for the second quarter was 13.9%. The Company calculates weighted average portfolio yield as the annualized rate of the interest income recognized during the period divided by the average amortized cost of debt investments in the portfolio during the period. The return on average equity for the second quarter was 9.5%. The Company calculates return on average equity as the annualized rate of net investment income recognized during the period divided by the Company's average net asset value during the period. As of June 30, 2021, the Company held debt investments in 34 portfolio companies, warrants in 72 portfolio companies and equity investments in 28 portfolio companies. The total cost and fair value of these investments were $654.5 million and $647.7 million, respectively. Total portfolio investment activity for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 was as follows:







For the Three Months Ended

June 30, For the Six Months Ended

June 30, (in thousands) 2021 2020 2021 2020 Beginning portfolio at fair value $ 633,696 $ 713,155 $ 633,779 $ 653,129 New debt investments, net(a) 74,444 20,126 130,087 97,151 Scheduled principal amortization (23,113 ) (12,134 ) (38,183 ) (17,947 ) Principal prepayments and early repayments (46,000 ) (25,105 ) (81,966 ) (26,105 ) Amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts, net and end-of-term payments 494 4,266 1,612 8,048 Payment-in-kind coupon 2,232 2,764 4,213 3,616 New warrant investments 2,246 153 3,867 1,227 New equity investments 509 125 3,153 1,545 Proceeds from dispositions of investments - (20,658 ) (15,000 ) (20,658 ) Net realized gains (losses) on investments - 1,277 (15,703 ) 988 Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments 3,209 8,884 21,858 (8,141 ) Ending portfolio at fair value $ 647,717 $ 692,853 $ 647,717 $ 692,853 _____________ (a) Debt balance is net of fees and discounts applied to the loan at origination.

SIGNED TERM SHEETS During the three months ended June 30, 2021, TPC entered into $250.8 million of non-binding term sheets to venture growth stage companies. These opportunities are subject to underwriting conditions including, but not limited to, the completion of due diligence, negotiation of definitive documentation and investment committee approval, as well as compliance with TPC's allocation policy. Accordingly, there is no assurance that any or all of these transactions will be completed or assigned to the Company. UNFUNDED COMMITMENTS As of June 30, 2021, the Company's unfunded commitments totaled $163.5 million, of which $33.3 million was dependent upon portfolio companies reaching certain milestones. Of the $163.5 million of unfunded commitments, $70.2 million will expire during 2021, $85.3 million will expire during 2022, and $8.0 million will expire during or after 2023, if not drawn prior to expiration. Since these commitments may expire without being drawn, unfunded commitments do not necessarily represent future cash requirements or future earning assets for the Company. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Total investment and other income was $20.3 million for the second quarter of 2021, representing a weighted average annualized portfolio yield of 13.9% on total debt investments, as compared to $23.8 million and 13.7% for the second quarter of 2020. The decrease in total investment and other income was primarily due to lower weighted average principal outstanding on our income-bearing debt investment portfolio, partially offset by greater prepayment activity. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company's total investment and other income was $40.3 million, as compared to $44.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020, representing a weighted average annualized portfolio yield on total debt investments of 13.6% and 13.2%, respectively. Operating expenses for the second quarter of 2021 were $10.9 million as compared to $12.3 million for the second quarter of 2020. Operating expenses for the second quarter of 2021 consisted of $4.1 million of interest expense and amortization of fees, $3.1 million of base management fees, $2.4 million of income incentive fees, $0.5 million of administration agreement expenses and $0.8 million of general and administrative expenses. Operating expenses for the second quarter of 2020 consisted of $4.3 million of interest expense and amortization of fees, $3.2 million of base management fees, $2.9 million of income incentive fees, $0.6 million of administration agreement expenses and $1.3 million of general and administrative expenses. The Company's total operating expenses were $22.0 million and $20.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. For the second quarter of 2021, the Company recorded net investment income of $9.4 million, or $0.30 per share, as compared to $11.5 million, or $0.38 per share, for the second quarter of 2020. The decrease between periods was driven primarily by lower investment and other income. Net investment income for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was $18.3 million, or $0.59 per share, compared to $23.8 million, or $0.78 per share, for the six months ended June 30, 2020. During the second quarter of 2021, the Company recorded $0.1 million of net realized gains on investments and $0.7 million of net realized loss on extinguishment of debt. The loss on extinguishment of debt was a result of the Company's redemption, in full, of the 2022 Notes on April 5, 2021. During the second quarter of 2020, the Company recorded net realized gains on investments of $0.8 million. Net unrealized gains on investments for the second quarter of 2021 were $3.2 million resulting primarily from fair value adjustments. Net unrealized gains on investments for the second quarter of 2020 were $8.9 million. The Company's net realized and unrealized gains were $5.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, compared to net realized and unrealized losses of $7.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. The Company's net increase in net assets resulting from operations for the second quarter of 2021 was $12.0 million, or $0.39 per share, as compared to $21.2 million, or $0.69 per share, for the second quarter of 2020. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company's net increase in net assets resulting from operations was $23.8 million, or $0.77 per share, as compared to $16.1 million, or $0.53 per share, for the six months ended June 30, 2020. CREDIT QUALITY The Company maintains a credit watch list with portfolio companies placed into one of five credit categories, with Clear, or 1, being the highest rating and Red, or 5, being the lowest. Generally, all new loans receive an initial grade of White, or 2, unless the portfolio company's credit quality meets the characteristics of another credit category. As of June 30, 2021, the weighted average investment ranking of the Company's debt investment portfolio was 2.06, as compared to 2.11 at the end of the prior quarter. During the quarter ended June 30, 2021, portfolio company credit category changes, excluding fundings and repayments, consisted of the following: one portfolio company with a principal balance of $25.0 million was upgraded from Yellow (3) to White (2). The following table shows the credit categories for the Company's debt investments at fair value as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020: June 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Credit Category

(dollars in thousands) Fair Value Percentage of

Total Debt

Investments Number of

Portfolio

Companies Fair Value Percentage of

Total Debt

Investments Number of

Portfolio

Companies Clear (1) $ 42,705 7.3 % 3 $ 74,276 12.7 % 5 White (2) 483,280 82.7 29 413,193 70.8 24 Yellow (3) 36,481 6.2 1 59,489 10.2 2 Orange (4) 22,068 3.8 1 21,377 3.7 1 Red (5) - - - 15,000 2.6 1 $ 584,534 100.0 % 34 $ 583,335 100.0 % 33 NET ASSET VALUE As of June 30, 2021, the Company's net assets were $403.1 million, or $13.03 per share, as compared to $400.4 million, or $12.97 per share, as of December 31, 2020. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES As of June 30, 2021, the Company had total liquidity of $383.4 million, consisting of cash and cash equivalents of $33.4 million and available capacity under its Credit Facility of $350.0 million (which excludes an additional $50.0 million available under the Credit Facility's accordion feature), subject to existing advance rates, terms and covenants. The Company ended the quarter with a 0.67x leverage ratio, and an asset coverage ratio of 249%. DISTRIBUTION On July 28, 2021, the Company's board of directors declared a regular quarterly distribution of $0.36 per share for the third quarter of 2021, payable on September 15, 2021 to stockholders of record as of August 31, 2021. As of June 30, 2021, the Company had estimated spillover income of $12.4 million, or $0.40 per share. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Since June 30, 2021 and through August 4, 2021: The Company closed $15.7 million of additional debt commitments;

The Company funded $18.2 million in new investments; and

The Company received $18.2 million of principal prepayments generating $0.4 million of accelerated income. CONFERENCE CALL The Company will host a conference call at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, today, August 4, 2021, to discuss its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2021. To listen to the call, investors and analysts should dial 1 (844) 826-3038 (domestic) or 1 (412) 317-5184 (international) and ask to join the TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp. call. Please dial in at least five minutes before the scheduled start time. A replay of the call will be available through September 3, 2021, by dialing 1 (877) 344-7529 (domestic) or 1 (412) 317-0088 (international) and entering conference ID 10158945. The conference call will also be available via a live audio webcast in the investor relations section of the Company's website, http://www.tpvg.com. An online archive of the webcast will be available on the Company's website for 30 days after the call. ABOUT TRIPLEPOINT VENTURE GROWTH BDC CORP. TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp. is an externally-managed business development company focused on providing customized debt financing with warrants and direct equity investments to venture growth stage companies in technology and other high growth industries backed by a select group of venture capital firms. The Company's sponsor, TriplePoint Capital, is a Sand Hill Road-based global investment platform which provides customized debt financing, leasing, direct equity investments and other complementary solutions to venture capital-backed companies in technology and other high growth industries at every stage of their development with unparalleled levels of creativity, flexibility and service. For more information about TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp., visit https://www.tpvg.com. For more information about the TriplePoint Capital, visit https://www.triplepointcapital.com. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, condition or results and involve a number of substantial risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are generally beyond the Company's control. Words such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "will," "may," "continue," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "would," "could," "should," "targets," "projects," and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Actual events, performance, condition or results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including as a result of changes in economic, market or other conditions, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the Company's and its portfolio companies' results of operations and financial condition, and those factors described from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. More information on these risks and other potential factors that could affect actual events and the Company's performance and financial results, including important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from plans, estimates or expectations included herein or discussed on the webcast/conference call, is or will be included in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management's opinions only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp. Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities (in thousands, except per share data) June 30, 2021 December 31, 2020 Assets (unaudited) Investments at fair value (amortized cost of $654,502 and $662,423, respectively) $ 647,717 $ 633,779 Cash and cash equivalents 33,443 38,219 Restricted cash - 6,458 Deferred credit facility costs 2,573 3,152 Prepaid expenses and other assets 1,784 1,901 Total assets $ 685,517 $ 683,509 Liabilities Revolving Credit Facility $ - $ 118,000 2022 Notes, net - 73,964 2025 Notes, net 69,248 69,148 2026 Notes, net 197,932 - Other accrued expenses and liabilities 15,209 21,962 Total liabilities $ 282,389 $ 283,074 Net assets Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (50,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding, respectively) $ - $ - Common stock, par value $0.01 per share 309 309 Paid-in capital in excess of par value 413,609 412,514 Total distributable earnings (loss) (10,790 ) (12,388 ) Total net assets $ 403,128 $ 400,435 Total liabilities and net assets $ 685,517 $ 683,509 Shares of common stock outstanding (par value $0.01 per share and 450,000 authorized) 30,950 30,871 Net asset value per share $ 13.03 $ 12.97 TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp. Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands, except per share data) For the Three Months Ended

June 30, For the Six Months Ended

June 30, 2021 2020 2021 2020 (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) Investment income Interest income from investments $ 19,743 $ 23,269 $ 38,933 $ 43,542 Other income 579 527 1,362 1,095 Total investment and other income $ 20,322 $ 23,796 $ 40,295 $ 44,637 Operating expenses Base management fee $ 3,146 $ 3,235 $ 6,070 $ 6,010 Income incentive fee 2,351 2,884 4,578 2,884 Interest expense and amortization of fees 4,138 4,312 8,489 8,474 Administration agreement expenses 470 574 988 1,255 General and administrative expenses 814 1,255 1,860 2,241 Total operating expenses $ 10,919 $ 12,260 $ 21,985 $ 20,864 Net investment income $ 9,403 $ 11,536 $ 18,310 $ 23,773 Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) Net realized gains (losses) on investments $ 55 $ 801 $ (15,642 ) $ 471 Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments 3,209 8,885 21,858 (8,140 ) Net realized loss on extinguishment of debt (681 ) - (681 ) - Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) $ 2,583 $ 9,686 $ 5,535 $ (7,669 ) Net increase in net assets resulting from operations $ 11,986 $ 21,222 $ 23,845 $ 16,104 Basic and diluted net investment income per share $ 0.30 $ 0.38 $ 0.59 $ 0.78 Basic and diluted net increase in net assets per share $ 0.39 $ 0.69 $ 0.77 $ 0.53 Basic and diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding 30,917 30,747 30,899 30,315 Basic and diluted distributions declared per share $ 0.36 $ 0.36 $ 0.72 $ 0.72 Weighted Average Portfolio Yield on Total Debt Investments Ratios For the Three Months Ended

June 30, For the Six Months Ended

June 30, (Percentages, on an annualized basis)(1) 2021 2020 2021 2020 Weighted average portfolio yield on total debt investments(2) 13.9 % 13.7 % 13.6 % 13.2 % Coupon income 9.9 % 10.1 % 9.8 % 10.0 % Accretion of discount 0.7 % 0.9 % 0.7 % 1.0 % Accretion of end-of-term payments 1.4 % 1.7 % 1.4 % 1.7 % Impact of prepayments during the period 1.9 % 1.0 % 1.7 % 0.5 % _____________ (1) Weighted average portfolio yields on total debt investments for periods shown are the annualized rates of interest income recognized during the period divided by the average amortized cost of debt investments in the portfolio during the period. (2) The weighted average portfolio yields on total debt investments reflected above do not represent actual investment returns to the Company's stockholders. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804006081/en/

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[August 04, 2021] MetLife Announces New $3 Billion Share Repurchase Authorization

MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET) today announced that its board of directors has approved a new $3 billion authorization for the company to repurchase its common stock. The new authorization is incremental to the $475 million remaining under the company's prior authorization announced in December 2020. "We continue to pursue a balanced, long-term approach to creating shareholder value," said MetLife President and CEO Michel Khalaf. "Last year, we invested approximately $5 billion to drive profitable growth both organically and through acquisition. This April, we announced a 4.3% increase in our common dividend. And today's announcement reflects our commitment to returning excess capital to shareholders." About MetLife MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates ("MeLife"), is one of the world's leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to help its individual and institutional customers navigate their changing world. Founded in 1868, MetLife has operations in more than 40 markets globally and holds leading positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.



Forward-Looking Statements The forward-looking statements in this news release, using words such as "commitment," "continue," "drive," "pursue" and "returning," are based on assumptions and expectations that involve risks and uncertainties, including the "Risk Factors" MetLife, Inc. describes in its U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings. MetLife's future results could differ, and it has no obligation to correct or update any of these statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210804005978/en/

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Project will create 45 jobs in Montgomery County

Oldcastle APG is leading North American manufacturer of concrete building and hardscape products

NASHVILLE, Tenn.  Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Oldcastle APG leaders announced today that the company will expand operations in Clarksville, creating 45 new jobs.

As part of the expansion, Oldcastle APG will invest $10.2 million to retrofit and expand its existing facilities to increase production of concrete paver products, which are used in applications such as home renovations, commercial projects and roadways.

With more than 180 locations across the U.S., including 36 in Tennessee, Oldcastle APG is North Americas leading manufacturer of concrete building and hardscape products. The companys products range from the structural masonry used in urban construction projects to the finishing touches in backyards. Oldcastle APG is a subsidiary of CRH plc, a leading global diversified building materials group.

Over the last five years, TNECD has supported nearly 10 economic development projects in Montgomery County, resulting in 2,500 job commitments and $700 million in capital investment.

QUOTES

When an existing company chooses to expand in Tennessee, it is a clear indication of our successful economic policies and highly-skilled workforce. Oldcastle APG is a valued member of the Montgomery County community, and Im thankful for its continued investment in Tennessee.  Gov. Bill Lee

Oldcastle APG is a leading global brand that has a well-established presence across Tennessee. Were grateful to Oldcastle APG for creating additional family-wage jobs and supporting economic growth in Montgomery County.  TNECD Commissioner Bob Rolfe

We look forward to fortifying our global footprint with expanded operations in Tennessee. With demand for our products growing every day, particularly throughout the Southeast, we are confident this investment will greatly increase production and allow us to best serve our customers for years to come.  Oldcastle APG President Tim Ortman

TVA and Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation congratulate Oldcastle APG on its decision to expand operations in Clarksville. Its always an exciting day when we can celebrate a companys commitment to continued growth in the Valley. We are proud to partner with the Clarksville-Montgomery County Economic Development Council and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to support companies, like Oldcastle APG, create new job opportunities and investment in the Valley.  John Bradley, TVA senior vice president of Economic Development

We are excited that Oldcastle APG continues to choose Montgomery Countys diverse and highly-skilled talent pool and unparalleled quality of life to grow their business. I congratulate them on this sizable expansion and appreciate the work done by Governor Lee, Commissioner Rolfe and our local officials for bringing these new jobs to Clarksville. It is an honor to partner with them to see that Tennessee is a business-friendly state that attracts good jobs.  Sen. Bill Powers (R-Clarksville)

We are proud Oldcastle APG has chosen to expand their operations in Clarksville. Our highly skilled workforce and business-friendly climate makes our community the perfect place for businesses to invest in. I congratulate all who were involved with making this expansion possible and wish Oldcastle APG continued success in Montgomery County.  Rep. Curtis Johnson (R-Clarksville)

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

###
Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund  State Guidance for Local Governments

Eligible state, local, territorial and tribal governments will receive American Rescue Plan funds from the U.S. Treasury for coronavirus recovery. These funds will be distributed directly to local governments from the U.S. Treasury, while funds for non-entitlement units in Tennessee will be distributed through state government.

Specific distribution information for Non-Entitlement Units (NEU) of local government (population under 50,000) is available here.
An announcement released just moments ago: Kansas City pandemic rules, regs and dress code strengthened for an upcoming cowtown country music fan event.



To wit . . .



KANSAS CITY MASK MANDATE CRACKDOWN CONFRONTS GARTH BROOKS FANS AT ARROWHEAD!!!



Take a look . . .



A hot take . . .

This is the most high profile enforcement of the mask mandate that we've seen in Kansas City throughout the course of the plague and it's clear that it's targeting locals who might "lean conservative" and likely wouldn't vote for our elected officials anyhoo . . . What's tragic is that the selective enforcement only serves to further politicize a conversation about public health as COVID delta numbers continue to spike.



Check the www.TonysKansasCity.com news links . . .

Garth Brooks concert-goers to be required to wear masks while in enclosed areas of Arrowhead Concert-goers heading to Saturday night's big event - Garth Brooks at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium - will need to make sure to have a mask with them.Stadium officials just announced, in following with Kansas City, Missouri's updated indoor mask mandate, all concert guests will be asked to wear masks when in enclosed areas of the stadium, regardless of vaccination status.

Fans at Garth Brooks' Kansas City concert required to wear masks when in enclosed areas by: Heidi Schmidt Posted: / Updated: KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Masks will now be required in certain areas at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium during Saturday's Garth Brooks concert. Arrowhead Events updated its existing health and safety protocols and announced the policy change Wednesday afternoon.

Garth Brooks concert-goers will have to wear masks in certain areas, Arrowhead announces KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- Those attending this weekend's Garth Brooks concert will be required to wear a face covering in certain areas---including enclosed public areas--- regardless of their vaccination status, Arrowhead Stadium officials announced Wednesday. The venue said the policy brings the event in accordance with the city's mask mandate that went into effect on Monday.

Developing . . .
The Republican front-runner in the Kansas AG contest continues to boost his right-wing credentials. Here's his latest blast that deserves a look . . .



Kris Kobach Appears on Fox News to Discuss COVID Pouring Over the Border

August 3, 2021 (Topeka) -- Kris Kobach appeared on Fox News' Ingraham Angle with Brian Kilmeade to discuss the Biden administration pushing vaccine and mask mandates on Americans while allowing COVID to pour over the border.



"How in the world can the Biden administration lean on vaccine-hesitant Americans so heavily while they are knowingly bringing in COVID-positive illegal aliens into our country by the tens of thousand every month," said Kobach. "Earlier this week information leaked from the Rio Grande Valley sector there was a 900% increase in illegal aliens testing positive for COVID."



Kilmeade pointed out Centers for Disease Control Director, Rochelle Walensky earlier in the day on Fox News downplayed the fact illegal immigrants are contributing to the spike in positive tests in the region.



"When you're bringing in tens of thousands of illegal aliens who have the virus it is going to increase COVID cases in a massive way," said Kobach. "It shows that the administration is pretending that they care so much about this virus and that is why they want Americans forced to get vaccinated, yet at the same time they obviously don't care about bringing COVID in across the border."

#########

The clip . . .

You decide . . .
A legal battle starts a war of words against unpopular municipal policy that might or might now stand up in court.



Here's what's more important from our blog community of pro & amateur legal eagles . . .



WHO WILL WIN THIS KANSAS CITY COVID MASK MANDATE COURT FIGHT?!?!



Let's not forget that small biz tried & failed to fight back against pandemic public health precautions . . . But the Mayor's outrage betrays the seriousness of this legal push back.



Check the www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Missouri attorney general files lawsuit over Kansas City's mask mandate Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced Tuesday that he has filed a lawsuit over Kansas City's mask mandate that went into effect Monday.Schmitt said the lawsuit, which was filed in Jackson County, argues that the mask mandate imposed is unreasonable, unconstitutional, and arbitrary and capricious.

Missouri AG sues Kansas City over masks, says mandate is unconstitutional by: Heidi Schmidt Posted: / Updated: JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt sued Kansas City Tuesday in an effort to end Kansas City's mask mandate that took effect Monday. The lawsuit claims the mandate is unreasonable and unconstitutional.

Kansas City Mayor Lucas Lashes Out At Missouri Attorney General Schmitt Over Mask Lawsuit Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt on Tuesday made good on his threat to sue Kansas City over its new mask mandate, drawing a swift rebuke from Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, who lashed out at him for politicizing the issue.

Developing . . .
@IsaacAvilucea on Twitter

Isaac Avilucea is The Trentonians main municipal scribe. A two-time prior restraint winner and testicular cancer survivor, he relishes his reputation as the "Mean Girls" reporter that followed his 18-day stay at the now-defunct North Adams Transcript.
Terre Haute, IN (47803)

Today

A few clouds with an isolated thunderstorm possible after midnight. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

A few clouds with an isolated thunderstorm possible after midnight. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
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 
Sunny: Your second dream trip is one my husband and I hope to do when he is fully retired. (Well, minus George Clooney unless he's just along to drive!)

If it will make you feel better, that trip actually might be better in the future. Since no one can leave the country easily, everyone's here and filling up the national parks, campgrounds, etc. I did a similar trip with my family when younger and we didn't have to make reservations months in advance and just went where we felt like going.

If money were no object, I'd love to do a "grand tour" of Europe. There are so many places we'd love to visit.
Citizens of 20 countries allowed to enter Azerbaijan by air.

From August 5, 2021, citizens of 20 countries, as well as citizens of other states and stateless persons permanently residing in these countries, will be allowed to enter (exit) to Azerbaijan by air.

According to the government's press service, the Cabinet of Ministers has made changes to the resolution "On measures to extend the special quarantine regime and remove some restrictions."

"By the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers, from 5 August 2021, citizens of 20 countries and foreigners permanently residing in these countries, as well as stateless persons, will be allowed to enter and leave Azerbaijan by air," the government said in a statement.

The list includes: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ireland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovenia, Slovakia and Greece.
Im one of those New York cyclists who have kind of forgotten how to drive a car as I rarely find myself behind the wheel of a gas (or electric) operated vehicle. (When did cars start being made without key ignitions?) But, I do have friends (and friends of friends) who drive and sometimes its nice to get out of the city, car camp, and ride bikes in a new locale.

Car camping has two general definitions: (1) driving to a campsite (as opposed to hiking to one) and setting up a tent and (2) literally sleeping in your car. For this article, Im writing about the latter.

I was resistant to the idea of car camping for a long time, mainly because my father once insisted my three brothers, my mom, and I all sleep in the family van on a road trip from Ohio to Florida at Christmas time which did not result in much sleep at all (and a very cold night somewhere in Georgia). But, gear and car camping have come a long way since then.

You can, as my father did on that ill-fated trip long ago, simply fold down the seats of your automobile and try and sleep, but theres some amazing car camping gear out there that will make the experience so much better. You dont necessarily need a lot of stuff.

And heres a video by New Yorker and cyclist, Angelo Calilap (a friend of a friend), demonstrating how to properly use a lot of it

Roam Adventure Co. Rooftop Car Awning

ROAM Adventure Co. Rooftop Awnings ROAM Adventure Co. amazon.com $279.00 Shop Now

Available in various sizes including four, five, six-and-a-half, and eight feet, Roam Adventure Co. rooftop awnings provide shelter from rain and sun. All sizes come with a universal mounting kit that allows you to attach it to the roof rack on your vehicle though, the company recommends purchasing awning brackets directly from your specific roof rack manufacturer.

Made from waterproof ripstop material and aluminum poles (and as demonstrated in the youtube video above), these awnings are easy to set up and takedown.

Luno 2.0 Air Mattress

Compatible with over 1800 vehicles (according to the manufacturer), this Luno air mattress is designed specifically for sleeping in your car. The mattress is wider at the head portion which fits into the space directly behind the front seats, thus utilizing all the available space efficiently.

One of the unique features of the Luno is its two-part design which means you can inflate each side separately if desired  using the included electric air pump.

Paired with your favorite sleeping bag or blankets, youll definitely get a good nights sleep.

Cosmic 40 Sleeping Bag Kelty rei.com $104.73 Shop Now

Snow Peak stoves, furniture, and dishware

Snow Peak, a Japan-based company, has been making sustainable outdoor products with a lifetime guarantee since 1958. Established by mountaineer Yukio Yamai, who found the quality of most outdoor gear lacking and endeavored to create his own, more superior versions, the company utilizes specialized equipment based on the skills of the metalwork craftspeople of Yamais hometown of Tsubame Sanjo.

While all of their products are well designed and made, here are some of the best for car camping adventures.

Takibi Fire and Grill Set

Snow Peak - Takibi Fire and Grill Snow Peak amazon.com $319.95 Shop Now

Including a fireplace grill, fireplace grill bridge, a pack and carry fire pit, baseplate stand, and carrying bag, this compact fire and grill set has everything you need to cook up a good dinner after a day of adventuring.

According to multiple Amazon reviewers, this product is sturdy and well made, but heavy - perfect for car camping but not necessarily recommended for backpacking.

Collapsible Coffee Drip for Pour-Over Coffee

Snow Peak - Collapsible Coffee Drip CS-113 Snow Peak amazon.com $29.95 Shop Now

Stainless steel and foldable, this coffee maker is ideal for camping and allows you to enjoy your favorite coffee wherever you may be. Simply insert filter and coffee grounds, place it on top of your mug, and pour hot water.

Ti-double 450 Mug

Snow Peak Japanese Titanium 600 Mug, Made in Japan, Ultralight for Camping and Backpacking Snow Peak amazon.com $59.95 Shop Now

The double-wall insulation of Snowpeaks titanium mug keeps hot beverages hot and cold beverages cold for a long time while not transferring the inside temperature of the mug to the outside (so you dont burn your fingers). The foldable handles make this mug easily packable.

Now that your sleeping, eating, relaxing, and coffee needs are covered, the only thing left to do is jump on your favorite bicycle and head off for a day of climbing mountains and sweeping views. It also probably doesn't hurt to grab a portable power station, in case you don't want to run your car the entire time you're camping.
Tucson, AZ (85741)

Today

A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Partly cloudy. Low 77F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. Partly cloudy. Low 77F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.
Tucson, AZ (85741)

Today

A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. A few clouds. Low 78F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible early. A few clouds. Low 78F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.
Two men appear before the Princes Town Magistrates Court -- in separate matters, but both are accused of sex crimes against teenagers.

And, police report more breach of curfew arrests
Last year, the volume of mutual trade in goods and services between Canada and Ukraine decreased by 9%.

Ukraine's Ambassador to Canada Andriy Shevchenko said this in an interview with Ukrinform.

"In bare numbers, last year looks sad, since the volume of interstate trade decreased by 9%. Meanwhile, this is comparable to both the overall downturn of the economies of both countries and the decrease in global trade," Shevchenko said.

He noted that the free trade agreement "softened the blow that the pandemic has inflicted on our trade and economies." "If you look closely at the statistics, there are very interesting indicators. For example, the export of Ukrainian services to Canada in 2020 decreased by only 0.7%, which, against the background of the general economic downturn, can be considered a very good result," the ambassador said.

According to him, Ukraine and Canada will have the opportunity to take full advantage of free trade.

As reported, the free trade agreement between Canada and Ukraine entered into force on August 1, 2017 and made it possible to mutually cancel or reduce import duties on most commodity items.

ish
Ukraine and Canada are in the final stages of negotiations to expand the Free Trade Agreement to cover services and investment.

Technical consultations between the two countries, which were held in a virtual format, have already been completed. Now everything is ready to switch to the final stage of negotiations, Ambassador of Ukraine to Canada Andriy Shevchenko said in an interview with Ukrinform.

CanadaUkraine trade has great potential for expansion, he stressed. Current CanadaUkraine trade is crumbs against the background of the great potential that exists between our two forty-million states, one of which is among the most powerful world economies, said the Ambassador.

Shevchenko pointed out that certain trade items come through unexpectedly in mutual trade. According to last years data, every fourth liter of apple juice in Canada comes from Ukraine. Until a few years ago, we would have been very surprised if someone said that apple juice could be such a powerful item of export to Canada. In 2020, Ukraine also overtook Japan among the leading buyers of Canadian fish and seafood. This also surprised many because we rarely see ourselves as large seafood consumers, he said.

The diplomat called on Canadians and Ukrainians willing to implement profitable projects to look closely at the opportunities that arise between our countries.

The CanadaUkraine Free Trade Agreement entered into force on August 1, 2017, and allowed for the mutual abolition or reduction of import duties on most commodity items.

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Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak arrived in Washington to prepare for the U.S. visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Thats according to Kulebas Facebook post, seen by Ukrinform.

"Today Andriy Yermak and I are in Washington to prepare for the first official visit of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky to Washington at the invitation of U.S. President Joseph Biden, which will take place on August 30," he wrote.

According to the minister, meetings are scheduled with U.S. President's National Security Adviser Jacob Sullivan, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, a number of senators, and U.S. analysts.

Kuleba also noted that the president of Ukraine will be the second leader from Europe, after the German chancellor, to visit the United States at Bidens invitation.

"Presidents have a number of big topics. But whatever they are, there will be no heightened tone or any blackmail. There will be a conversation of allies who are working together to address complex issues of security and prosperity of Ukraine, Europe, and the Euro-Atlantic space," Kuleba stressed.

Also, the top diplomat believes, it is important that the president is flying to the United States having a strong position, immediately following the largest international event in Ukraines history: the inaugural summit of the Crimean Platform, which will be attended by more than three dozen Ukrainian partners, including a high delegation from the United States.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, the Crimean Platform summit will be held in Kyiv on August 23.

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Through public diplomacy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs seeks to improve Ukraines global recognition within the next five years, to make sure it is seen as a democratic European state, and to promote the Ukrainian unique identity.

Thats according to First Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzheppar who addressed the Ukraine 30. Image of Ukraine Forum on Tuesday, August 3, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

She emphasized that the Strategy of Public Diplomacy is a very practical document on applied issues.

"In the next five years, we set ourselves three specific tasks: first  the world learns more about Ukraine, that is, increasing the level of its recognition and understanding by wider foreign audiences, second  Ukraine is perceived as a democratic European country moving towards full EU and NATO membership despite Russia's external aggression, and third  in its foreign policy, Ukraine relies on an effective system of combating malign narratives aimed at compromising the Ukrainian nation, and actively promotes its own unique identity," Dzheppar said.

The Strategy of Public Diplomacy provides for the implementation of these tasks in seven areas  cultural, economic, expert, culinary, scientific and educational, sports, and digital diplomacy, the senior diplomat added.

"Each of these areas will see special attention of both diplomats and experts working with the Foreign Ministry," the first deputy minister emphasized.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, in March 2021, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs adopted the first-ever five-year Public Diplomacy Strategy, which formulates seven areas where efforts must be taken to promote the countrys positive image.

im
Reflecting on the past, present, and future of the new migration crisis

On August 1-2, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson was in Lithuania to discuss the latest migration crisis provoked by the Alexander Lukashenko regime. She spoke with the country's leaders, visited the Lithuanian-Belarusian border, and, importantly, supported Lithuania's plans to build a barrier on the border with Belarus. However, she stopped short of elaborating on whether this would be an EU-funded project while noting that the bloc is paying for much the equipment to ensure that integrated border management is sufficiently secure. Further discussions will continue, the official said.

"FENCE ON BORDER" IN PLANS. BUT WHAT ABOUT NOW?

Lithuanian Interior Minister Agne Bilotaite was more specific, stating that border guards had already drafted a plan to build a barrier on the border. Before the plan moves forward, it is necessary to cover the entire border with Belarus with barbed wire, concertino, put up in a pyramid formation, with three skeins below, two more on top of them, and another one above. Next to them, physical barriers will be set up, she explained. According to Bilotaite, it will be difficult to pass through such a fence. On the other hand, rights defenders are yet to speak out who have previously hinted at the inadmissibility of using this type of barbed wire that injures violators skin cover.

Agne Bilotaite / Photo: Lithuania

On the one hand, of course, we might sympathize with illegal migrants, those ill-fated people whom the Minsk regime is now so cynically exploiting. Moreover, according to an investigation by Lithuania's national broadcaster LRT, Lukashenko is also profiting off of the trafficking scheme. Those people save up money to leave their troubled life behind and move to tranquil Europe, which their traffickers assure them will be a safe trip. Instead, they find themselves in a temporary detention camp, facing prospects of being deported. A truly hopeless situation

Lithuanians, on the other hand, also must be heard out. Working hard for the past years to overcome the consequences of Soviet occupation, they are trying to adjust their lives to European standards. And then, out of the blue, their usual way of life which theyve so eagerly sought to achieve gets turned head over heels. And all due to the Belarusian dictators revenge, his cynical attack through deploying migrant "pawns."

In this sense, the rallies at and around the Rudninkai training ground are rather indicative. Last week, local residents protested against a potential camp for migrants that could emerge in the immediate proximity to their homes. This week, it was migrants who rallied in the area, outraged over a soaked tent. Its clear that these are only harbingers of wider unrest.

Rudninkai training ground / Photo: Orestas Gurevicius, Delfi

On Monday, it was reported that Iraq was opening three more flights to Minsk  from Basra, Erbil, and Sulaymaniyah. At the same time, tickets for some flights have already been sold out until late August, and for some  until October. (It should be recalled that earlier, on July 23, the Baghdad-Minsk flights started arriving four times a week instead of the previous two.

What was Johansson's reaction to the news? She said the bloc needs to respond urgently and meet with the Iraqi government and other officials as soon as possible to discuss ways to curb the number of flights. Not too strict of a measure, it seems, when the word discuss is used.

Ylva Johansson / Photo: D. Umbrasas / LRT

Thus, Lithuania, other Baltic States, and the rest of Europe are yet to fully comprehend the current situation. For example, options are being offered to accommodate migrants arriving from Belarus including in other EU countries; discussions are ongoing on ordering Lithuanian border guards to return illegal migrants back to Belarus ("the possibility of applying force depends on the situation"), so that they arrive in checkpoints where they may file their asylum applications.

Its clear though that these are all half-measures...

LUKASHENKOS ANNOUNCEMENT OF HYBRID ATTACK

Meanwhile, this year, 4,000 illegal migrants (most of them from Iraq) have already crossed the Belarusian-Lithuanian border. Bilotaite predicts that some 10,000 illegal migrants may arrive in Lithuania by year-end, which marks a significant rise from the previous estimates. And these numbers may not be final. (This Sunday, a daily record was set with 289 migrants crossing in).

Lithuania is a small Baltic country with a population of just several million, which has no experience in tackling such crises. What's worse, we still see no concept of a pan-European reaction to Lukashenko's attack. The new package sanctions targeting his regime have been adopted, but not yet implemented  apparently, in hope that he might come to senses and stop the inhumane, hybrid attack by exploiting illegal migrants. But Lukashenko isnt going to come to his senses. And his handler in the Kremlin isnt pulling a bridle. So let's recall their past moves, to be able to model some of their future ones...

How interesting and unpredictable is the way historical gears cling to each other. Does anyone today see the connection between the forced landing in Minsk of a Ryanair flight carrying an opposition journalist Roman Protasevich and the intensifying migration crisis?

artoon by Sergei Yolkin

Lukashenko's air piracy incident unfolded on Sunday, May 23, which was immediately followed by a rather sharp reaction of Western countries. And then on May 26, addressing the parliament he effectively controls, Lukashenko elegantly threatened Western powers: "We used to stop drug and migrant flow  now youll have to eat that and catch them on your own."

At first, the threat seemed confusing and vague. And in this sense, it was a logically illogical continuation of Lukashenko's previous statement that, by force-landing the Ryanair plane in Minsk, he was "protecting Europe from terrorism." But a few days of the latest trafficking arbitrariness was enough for the situation to start clearing up. Lithuania, in particular, its border with Belarus, is now under hybrid attack.

Also worth noting is a statement Lukashenko voiced on June 22, at a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the beginning of the Soviet-German war: Today, they (Western powers  ed.) start howling. Oh dear, Belarusians dont protect them. Thousands and thousands of illegal migrants rushed to Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland. They demand that we protect them from smuggling and drugs. A signal can be heard as far as across the Atlantic: help them, as you used to, detain nuclear materials not to allow them surfacing somewhere Europe."

It is important to note that Lukashenko is complaining here about the problem he, himself, designed.

MINSK DICTATOR BLACKMAILING LITHUANIA AND EU

The next point of reference is Lukashenko's statement of July 2: "I honestly said that we would no longer be holding off those who you (Western powers  ed.) oppressed in Afghanistan, Iran, and Iraq. We have neither the money nor strength to do as a result of your sanctions. And, you know, no one knows whats happening in Lithuania and at the border, it's plain fact."

This was actually a weird mix of truth and lies. Lithuania is honestly named as the main target of the attack (Belarus has a 462km border line with the neighbor), while other EU border countries are not mentioned (the Belarusian border with Poland is 399 km long, while that with Latvia stretches for 143 km). And then comes a lie when Lukashenko claims that no one knows whats happening on the Lithuanian border. Iraq then is honestly named as the largest "supplier" of illegal migrants to Minsk. But at the same time, it is put in third place, hidden behind the much less relevant Afghanistan and Iran.

But heres the pinnacle of Lukashenko's straightforwardness in this statement: he says there is "neither money nor strength in Belarus as a result of your sanctions" to tackle the migrant flow. In other words, here the dictator is actually offering the terms of the deal: you lift sanctions  I stop the migration crisis. The West, however, ignored his words. And whats most annoying for the dictator, they may not have noticed the statement at all.

artoon by Sergei Yolkin

Lukashenko's next milestone statement on the issue came on July 20. However, a bit of background is needed here. Earlier on the same day, the Belarus border guards said they had detained several groups of Iraqi illegal migrants who illegally crossed the Belarusian border from Lithuania, where they said they hadnt been fed, while being beaten, forced to give false testimony against Belarusian border guards, and forced, including at gunpoint, to penetrate the Belarus border. The logic in this impressive piece obviously limps. Why would Lithuania send back to Belarus such valuable witnesses if they had allegedly forced them to wrongfully testify on Belarusian border guards?

But lets not judge the statement too strictly as it was only a preamble, passing the ball to Lukasheknos pitch. The latter than comes into play: The fact that people flocked there (to Lithuania  ed.) is just the beginning. Ive already told you today: then will come armed people to protect such offended persons. If someone who has been to war gets there (to Lithuania  ed.) armed, theres no guarantee hey will only be protecting pregnant women who have moved from the Middle East and Afghanistan. You know what will happen there. We see this happening in Western countries, and we see how they react."

AFGHANISTAN MENTION  DELIBERATE MOVE OR SLIP?

While the statement might seem too simple at first glance, let's take another look at his earlier quotes and draw parallels with some international news. As the United States and its allies were withdrawing forces from Afghanistan, the topics involving this country and its refugees were moving up Lukashenko's agenda. Here Lukashenkos bluff must be called out  the one where he claims that armed men might start coming to Lithuania through Belarus. For comparison: Russia, while seriously trying to play the Afghan card and flirting with the Taliban, at the same time tries to mold stronger ties with Central Asian countries, vowing protection from that very Taliban. However, at a St Petersburg meeting with Putin on July 13, Lukashenko discussed with the Russian leader "the issue of CSTO member states countering threats in Central Asia in connection with the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan."

So this might be an example of exaggerating and some wishful thinking as it seems Lukashenko was so amused by the scheme of threatening others with Afghan refugees that he immediately wanted to apply it to Lithuania. Its obvious though that the logistics of mass trafficking of illegal immigrants from Afghanistan to Belarus and further to the Lithuanian border would be much more complicated than direct flights from Iraq. While the scheme is more difficult, it doesnt mean it must be ruled out (after all, refugees from Africa do get to Lithuania one way or the other). In general, the Minsk dictator seeks to make the migration flow to the Baltic country not only massive but also heterogeneous, in order to make the situation on both sides of the migration camps fences as unstable and conflict-ridden as possible.

Photo: kremlin.ru

Another interesting question here is as follows. Why does Lukashenko, despite his first statements, chose only Lithuania to attack it with illegal migrants? Why not go for Poland and Latvia? Thats because he needs to achieve max effect off of one specific example. Besides, speaking of Poland with a population of 38 million, the countrys potential, including human and financial is times higher than that of Lithuania (2.7 mln population). Therefore, Lukashenko is now hitting a single selected country, the closest one with the longest common border line.

LESSONS: RUSSIA'S PART IN 2015 MIGRATION CRISIS

Let's recall the history of the migration crisis in Europe, which erupted in 2015. There were two main routes  through Turkey-Greece, as well through Libya-Italy. But there were others, too. For example, the one through Russia where illegal migrants were brought to the Finnish and Norwegian borders. Moreover, the count also went to thousands, while Norway also suggested the country should build a wall on the border. And in the case of the Finnish border, reports came of the Russian intelligence role in the scheme (one of such situations involved precisely Afghan refugees). It all didnt happen too long ago, it was 2016, but amid the ongoing pandemic the issue seems to have been back-shelved.

Photo: Jussi Nukari / Lehtikuva

In other words, the latest scheme with the Iraqi migrants is no invention by Lukashenko. The Minsk dictator only follows in Russias footsteps. But are there any guarantees that the previous trafficking scheme will not be revived  in its original or amended form? After all, Russia has visa-free travel with post-Soviet Asian countries, which offers plenty of room for maneuvers.

If masterminds wish so, they could as well use the previous route - delivering refugees to the Finnish or Norwegian border. Or they could diversify supplies, transferring part of them to the borders with Estonia and Latvia... At the same time, why get own hands dirty if you can do the job through someone else? That is, Afghan refugees could indeed be transferred to Belarus so that Lukashenko would further use them in his hybrid attack on Lithuania. Also, a more massive flow could be organized, to also target Poland and Latvia.

Today, these plans might seem out of science fiction. But in fact, they are quite practical and not so complex. And they could come into life unless the West comes up with a common line to deter the ever-growing arrogance of Europe's last two dictators.

Oleh Kudrin, Riga

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Head of the Ukrainian President's Office Andriy Yermak has said he is ready for friendly dialogue and cooperation in Washington as preparations are underway for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to the United States.

Yermak wrote this on his Facebook page.

"Today in Washington. We arrived here together with Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba. We are preparing the visit of the President of Ukraine to the United States. [...] We are ready for friendly dialogue and fruitful cooperation, because we have a lot in common," Yermak wrote.

He added that Zelensky's visit to the United States would be of great importance for the further development of Ukrainian-American relations.

"Our stay here will be short, but the schedule is very tight. The agenda includes meetings with U.S. National Security Advisor Jacob Sullivan, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, representatives of the Senate and leading think tanks," Yermak said.

He also stressed that one of Ukraine's main priorities on the world stage was to strengthen cooperation with the United States in defense, military-technical, economic and political areas.

"First of all, this is determination in the protection of democratic values and interests of the state," Yermak said.

Earlier reports said that Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak had arrived in Washington to prepare Zelensky's visit to the United States on August 30.

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A total of 5,430 illegal migrants were exposed in the Czech Republic In the first half of this year, more than half of whom turned out to be Ukrainian citizens.

Thats according to Ukrinform referring to the Czech police.

Since the beginning of 2021, a sharp increase has been observed in the inflow of illegal migrants  foreign nationals staying in the Czech Republic without an official permit. This is more than double the last years number. In general, police have been recording a gradual increase in illegal migration volumes since July last year. This is due, not least, to the pandemic situation.

Read also: Ukraine to donate barbed wire to Lithuania to protect its border with Belarus

Of the total number of illegal migrants, it was Ukrainians who were exposed most often in the first half of the year. Police say 3,088 Ukrainian nationals were detained. The other major groups by nationality were citizens of Moldova, Afghanistan, Vietnam, and Georgia.

The largest number of illegal migrants was recorded in Prague, amounting to a third of the total.

Most often, illegal migrants arrive in the Czech Republic by car from Slovakia, claiming during border control routine that they are allegedly traveling to Germany via the Czech Republic.

"Most of the cases concerned foreigners who did not fall under the exception that allows entry into the territory of the Czech Republic in line with the precautionary measure introduced by the Ministry of Health," said Renata Grecmanova, the spokeswoman for the Czech police for foreigners.

Exceptions allowing entry to the Czech Republic currently apply for those traveling for employment or business purposes, as well as to take care of sick family members, while regular tourism is currently banned. In all listed cases, foreigners shall obtain a relevant visa.

"Citizens of Ukraine and Moldova come mainly under the visa-free regime holding biometric passports and remain in the Czech Republic in violation of the protective measures of the Ministry of Health," the police said.

It should be noted that the Czech Republic considers illegal migrants those who come from third countries (non-EU) that are recognized as high-pandemic risk zones, meaning they are banned from crossing in, with certain exceptions.

According to Ukrinform, Ukraine is on the list of such countries.

Unlike most EU member states, Prague has not opened its borders to Ukrainians, despite a decision passed in Brussels.

Thus, if a Ukrainian who has legally arrived in another EU country for tourism purposes then decides to visit the Czech Republic, they automatically fall into the category of illegal migrants.

Therefore, Ukrainians must be aware that visa-free travel across the EU thus doesnt currently operate in its regular form.

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Promotion of Ukraine, including Ukraine NOW branding, is designed for Europeans and Americans. It does not take into account the linguistic and cultural specifics of East and Southeast Asia.

All our promotion programs in Ukraine, including our national brand, are designed for English-speaking countries. They are aimed at those countries that understand what Ukraine NOW, UA is. Unfortunately, English is not widespread in this region where I work now, strange though it might sound. So, it is necessary to create a promotion program in the language of a host country, Ambassador of Ukraine to Japan Serhiy Korsunsky said at the Ukraine 30. Image of Ukraine forum on August 3, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

The diplomat noted that the literal translation of the brand would be perceived completely differently due to the content of hieroglyphs and words in the languages of the region.

This should be a separate area of activity as the specifics of languages, hieroglyphs, and alphabets used in the countries of the region have slightly different content. You have to be a bit careful. People involved in this should not just have knowledge of the Japanese language but also understand all the details of its specifics, the ambassador said.

In addition, Korsunsky emphasized the need to change the messages during the promotion in Southeast Asia. According to him, the leading countries in the region  China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam  demand greater creativity in terms of regional specifics.

The same goes for messages. Some of our programs ... they contain points that will be very well understood by a European, a North American, but not understood everywhere across Southeast Asia, the diplomat stressed.

As reported, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine launched the UKRAINE.UA to tell the foreign audience about modern Ukraine. The website has English, German, French, and Spanish versions.

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Some 509,400 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, donated by Denmark, have arrived in Ukraine, according to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.

"This supply is a direct aid to Ukraine from the Danish government, which plans to transfer 3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to various countries by the end of 2021," the ministry wrote on Facebook.

Vaccines from this supply are intended for those who are to receive the second dose, and for use at vaccination points.

UNICEF supported the delivery by providing international transportation of the vaccines from the Danish Serum Institute to Kyiv.

The ministry reminds that Ukraine receives COVID-19 vaccines in three ways, namely: through direct purchases from manufacturing companies at the expense of the state budget, through the COVAX Facility, and as humanitarian aid.

As of August 4, Ukraine has already received 11.9 million doses of various vaccines.

A total of 5,911,202 doses have been administered in Ukraine since it launched a vaccination campaign, with 3,759,403 people receiving their first dose and 2,151,799 people receiving both doses (two people received their first dose abroad).

Some 984 new coronavirus cases were registered in Ukraine on August 3.

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Ukrainian tourists who have biometric passports and have completed a full course of vaccinations will be able to visit French overseas territories without a visa.

The French Embassy in Ukraine announced this on Twitter.

Great news: Ukrainians with biometric passports and a full vaccination schedule no longer need a visa to travel to French overseas territories. This confirms the dynamism of our tourism exchanges, the embassy said.

Overseas France consists of thirteen French-administered territories outside Europe, mostly remains of the French colonial empire that wanted to stay French but voted for various status after decolonization. Overseas France includes island territories in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, French Guiana on the South American continent, and several peri-Antarctic islands as well as a claim in Antarctica.

Earlier, despite the visa-free travel between Ukraine and the European Union, a French visa was needed to visit Overseas France.

As Ukrinform reported, on July 15, the Council of the European Union added Ukraine to the list of countries for which coronavirus-related travel restrictions on non-essential travel into the EU should be lifted.

On July 28, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba said that Ukrainian citizens can currently travel to 124 countries of the world, including popular tourist destinations.

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David Arellano does physical therapy at Spine & Sport Physical Therapy on Thursday, July 29, 2021 in El Cajon, California. (Jarrod Valliere/The San Diego Union-Tribune/TNS) David Arellano does physical therapy at Spine & Sport Physical Therapy on Thursday, July 29, 2021 in El Cajon, California. (Jarrod Valliere/The San Diego Union-Tribune/TNS)
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
(@FahadShabbir)

(UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 05th Aug, 2021) ABU DHABI, 4th August 2021 (WAM) The second session of the virtual Digital Next Leadership Series concluded today August 4, 2021 under the theme The Revolution of Digital Government Engagement, with the participation of high-level global experts, VIPs, executives, government officials and representatives from global technology companies.

Hosting the second virtual session was the Department of Government Support (DGS) represented by the Abu Dhabi Digital Authority (ADDA) and organized by Messe Frankfurt middle East (MFME). The session was part of the pre-event webinars lined up in preparation for the Digital Next Summit Second Edition on February 22-23, 2022 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

During the event, the high-level attendees engaged in insightful discussions on a range of issues impacting the transformation and future of digital government services.

Aisha Ibrahim Al Marzooqi, Executive Director of ADDAs Government Services Sector, tackled the role of leadership in digital government during her detailed introductory presentation.

She highlighted the stages of development of government services, with their delivery shifting from traditional to digital channels. Al Marzooqi also discussed the impact of innovation and digitization on the efforts to offer a seamless and integrated government customer experience.

Furthermore, Al Marzooqi shed light on the concept of Invisible government, which is predicted to be the future of digital governments. She explained that the concept is based on the idea of providing proactive services with multiple characteristics and features. Under this framework, digital identity is the sole requirement for the completion of services and transactions, in addition to paperless and cashless transactions as the main highlights of the process.

Al Marzooqi said: "The second session was full of relevant topics designed to advance and showcase the digital government concept on the global stage. For Abu Dhabi, it was an opportunity to highlight their relevant efforts to the world and how the countrys citizens and residents have been benefiting from the digital transformation initiatives, in line with our wise leaderships vision and directives. We aimed to put the spotlight on the strengths of our national programs to fast-track our common goals, as well as the concrete outcomes of our actions to provide our communities with government digital services that bring happiness to our people. It was a time to consolidate our thoughts, ideas and implementation plans to accelerate our journey towards establishing a genuine, inclusive and sustainable digital government."

"Moreover, we focused on new technological tools that could boost engagement and interaction between government entities and the people while learning from the success of each others digital government programs. All of this would enable us to effectively handle and anticipate challenges and optimize future opportunities for the benefit of everyone. We had a fruitful session during which all of us had gained meaningful insights on how to elevate vital digital government engagement," she added.

The session also featured a panel discussion.

Apart from Al Marzooqi, the panelists included Siim Sikkut, Government Chief Information Officer of Estonia; and Gheorghe Ursoi, Deputy Director of the E-Governance Agency of Moldova. In addition, Rami Yazbek, Managing Director  Health and Public Services, Accenture, shared his expertise during a discussion titled Building the World's Most Innovative Government. Sohail El Abd, Director of International business Development and MEA, Esri, was present in the online gathering as well to provide an in-depth look into the growing significance of geographic information system (GIS) technology in many governments digital shift. The panel discussion was moderated by Aida Al Busaidy.

Sikkut, for his part, noted: "The economic, social, and environmental challenges facing governments today require innovation and collaboration. Geo-enablement is adding the spatial dimension that provides a collaborative environment that has changed the way businesses and governments interact, from understanding to responding to problems on scales ranging from local to global. Particularly, GIS advocates for making government information widely available to increase both the transparency of government and the participation of citizens in decision making. More than anything, its application in the MEA region and all over the world has shown the value and need for real-time location-relevant data as well as spatial analysis."

Ursoi commented: "The citizens served as a key element of the webinar. During the event, we looked into the joint efforts of the government and private sectors to digitize public services while reducing costs, time, number of visits and documents needed to access these services. All these were from a citizens perspective. I was also delighted to be given the opportunity to share with the audience about Moldovas plans to make public services accessible to anyone from anywhere in the world, the tools we are using and the barriers we are facing in the process, and our efforts to overcome the challenges. Furthermore, it was a fruitful experience to hear the views of international experts on the current and future trends in the modernization of public services from a citizens perspective."

Other topics during the second session were the role of the private sector in the delivery and evolution of digital government services; the benefits of combining the traditional physical service channels with the digital ones; the importance of key global strategies designed to ensure a faster shift of users and customers to digital channels; and the projected long-term changes in government services, available service channels and customer expectations.

Running until December 2021, the Digital Next Leadership Series will provide exclusive and engaging content on the key pillars of government digital transformation initiatives. The topics are selected based on the Digital Next Summits content pillars of Gx Next, Data Next, Technology Next, and Cyber Next. The series also offers an opportunity for delegates to network with each other via online chats and video calls, as well as explore the innovative products and solutions showcased by the events online exhibitors.
ABU DHABI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 04th Aug, 2021) Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, a UAE national airline, has announced adding two new destinations to its network, by providing flights to Tirana in Albania and Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina, bringing its network to a total of 31 routes.

The flights to each destination will commence 11th September and 3rd October respectively.

The flight to Tirana will operate twice a week on Tuesday and Saturday, while flights to Sarajevo will operate twice a week on Wednesday and Sunday. Tickets are on sale on wizzair.com and the airlines mobile app (also available in Arabic), with fares starting as low as AED 179.

Kees Van Schaick, Managing Director of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, said, "We continue to add a diverse and eclectic mix of destinations to our network to ensure that there is an appealing travel option for all.

Tirana and Sarajevo are fascinating destinations, rich in culture and both set amid impressive mountainous backdrops."

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

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has the youngest fleet composed of four brand new state-of-the-art Airbus A321neo aircraft, offering the lowest fuel burn, emissions, and noise footprint.
MIRPUR (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Aug, 2021 ) :Aug 04 (APP):Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) President Sardar Masood Khan Wednesday termed August 5,2019, as the darkest day in the history of Kashmir and said that the attack launched by India on this day to colonize Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) was still continued.

In a message issued on completion of two years of India's illegal action of August 5,2019, the AJK president said two years ago, India invaded, reoccupied, and besieged the Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The occupation continues; the siege continues, the president underlined and added that in these past two years, thousands of men, boys, and children had been illegally detained and tortured in prison houses and concentration camps.

"Millions of Hindus from India have been illegally domiciled to reduce Muslim majority in the occupied state. Eighty percent of the Kashmiris' land has been expropriated for Hindu settlements and businesses. Hundreds of Kashmiri youth have been killed in the cordon and search operations," he narrated.

He said that India bifurcated the disputed territory into two parts last year illicitly and declared that Kashmiris in IIOJK would be ruled by Delhi, without their consent. Khan said now in another sinister move this year, Delhi launched massive import and transfer of Hindus from India to settle them in the occupied territory in order to change the demographic composition of the state.

This was a flagrant violation of the 4th Geneva Convention and international law, the AJK president stated.

"India has committed war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. Under the Geneva Convention and international law, India must be held accountable for these heinous crimes. The cover of impunity given to India should be withdrawn. Against this backdrop, India has no right to sit in the Security Council or preside over it," he demanded.

The Indian occupation army, he said, had killed hundreds of young men, incarcerated thousands of boys and children, and forcibly disappeared Kashmiris. All pro-freedom leaders were under illegal detention. Concentration camps had been set up in the IIOJK and India to force political activists to discard their quest for liberty. The occupied territory's economy had also been ruined, he added.

He condemned India's terrorism in the occupied territory and demand that the international community should take action to save Kashmiris from decimation and destruction. We are grateful to world parliaments and media networks for speaking up for Kashmiris in the past, but now when the identity of the state and its people is being erased, the world is silent.

"The people of Jammu and Kashmir would repulse Indian designs of colonisation and secure their freedom through self-determination," the state President vowed and paid tributes to mothers and daughters, fathers and sons and, above all, martyrs for liberty in the Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Wednesday called upon India to rescind its unilateral action of August 5, 2019 on Jammu and Kashmir and end all instruments of oppressions and state-terrorism

ISLAMABAD (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Aug, 2021 ) :Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Wednesday called upon India to rescind its unilateral action of August 5, 2019 on Jammu and Kashmir and end all instruments of oppressions and state-terrorism.

"India must respect the United Nations Security Council's (UNSC) resolutions and let the Kashmiris exercise their right to self-determination," the foreign minister said in his address at the Islamabad Policy Research Institute.

Qureshi said India in a state of "power drunkenness" had embarked upon a Hitlerian final solution to the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

He termed the August 5 decision on Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) a beginning of intensification of the tsunami of Indian state-terrorism.

He mentioned that the resolutions of the UNSC, at which India covets a permanent seat, were cast aside and no tool of cruelty was deemed excessive by the world's so-called largest democracy. The foreign minister said two years on, the Kashmiris continued to languish in the "largest concentration camp on the planet".

"On top of that, they are being held incommunicado. They do not have access to regular or even emergency medical facilities, a plight not shared even by the worst criminals," he stressed.

He said even COVID-19, which generated unprecedented empathy in the human race, had done nothing to bring even an iota of relief to the Kashmiris.

India, he said, was trying to eliminate Kashmiris altogether as the young men were disappearing without a trace.

New domicile rules and land laws had been thrust upon the Kashmiris to re-engineer IIOJK's demography, he added.

"In its delusion of grandeur, India expected the world and more pertinently Pakistan, to acquiesce," he said.

Qureshi said Pakistan, guided by the clarity of Prime Minister Imran Khan's vision, stood its ground and focused on rousing the international community.

"I am happy to note that our efforts have not been in vain. The Security Council has discussed the Jammu & Kashmir dispute thrice since August 2019," he said.

He said the world leaders, parliamentarians, media, humanists and civil society at large had understood that "beyond the smokescreen of Indian sophistry, lies Kashmiris' perpetual nightmare".

Qureshi said that the government of Pakistan was absolutely clear that it would continue to lend moral, political and diplomatic support to Kashmiris.

He called upon the international community to exhort India to "treat Kashmiris like human beings".

"This will pull out the dagger, which rankles in the heart of bilateral and regional peace and bodes ill for international peace and security," he said, adding that it would also unlock the potential of South Asia.

Qureshi said Pakistan was shifting focus from geo-politics to geo-economics and wanted peace with India, but not at the expense of the Kashmiris.

"We hope Indian leadership will prefer statesmanship over populism," he said, and added that together, it could weaken the extremist narrative through a genuine pacific settlement of a festering dispute.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Wednesday paid tribute to the martyrs of Pakistan Police who rendered meritorious sacrifices while defending the motherland

ISLAMABAD (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Aug, 2021 ) :Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Wednesday paid tribute to the martyrs of Pakistan Police who rendered meritorious sacrifices while defending the motherland.

Director General Inter Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar in a tweet shared the message of the Army Chief on Police Martyrs Day.

The COAS paid salute to martyrs of Pakistan Police on Police Martyrs Day.

"Pakistan Police has made monumental sacrifices in the line of duty over the years, contributing immensely in bringing peace and stability to the country, " the COAS said.
Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar on Wednesday said there should be no speculations over Pak-China relations, particularly the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Aug, 2021 ) :Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar on Wednesday said there should be no speculations over Pak-China relations, particularly the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The resignation of former CPEC Authority Chairman Asif Saleem Bajwa was his personal decision, which would have no effect over the projects under CPEC, he said talking to a private news channel.

Asad Umar said he had recommended the name of Khalid Mansoor as new chairman of the CPEC Authority and Prime Minister Imran gave his consent after detailed discussion.

All the projects in the filed of science and technology, agriculture and industrial sectors, he said, would be completed under public private partnership.

The local firms would forge joint ventures with international companies for investment in CPEC projects, he added.

The minister said the government was also providing facilities and removing hurdles for international investors, who would ultimately contribute in Pakistan's development.

He said a Pak-China steering committee had been constituted to resolve the issues of investors on priority basis.

The minister said the fourth wave of Covid-19 was too much dangerous and the people should fully follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to avoid any infection. He had warned the masses some three months ago about the current situation, he added.

The people should get themselves vaccinated as early as possible to save not their own lives but those of their kit and kin, he added.

He said about 25% population of the Federal Capital had been fully vaccinated and 50% got single dose of vaccine so far.

By the end of August, 40% population of major cities would have inoculated single dose, he added.

Asad Umar said the Federal Government was fully supporting the Sindh Government to deal with the alarming rise in Covid case. The NCOC in consultation with the Sindh Government would devise a plan for curbing the spread of pandemic in the province, he added.
BANGKOK (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 04th August, 2021) The foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) reached a consensus on the appointment of Brunei's Second Foreign Minister, Erywan Yusof, as the ASEAN Special Representative for Myanmar on the third day of negotiations, the member countries said in a joint communique on Wednesday.

"We welcomed the appointment by the ASEAN Chair for the Minister of Foreign Affairs II of Brunei Darussalam to be the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar, who will start his work in Myanmar, including building trust and confidence with full access to all parties concerned and providing a clear timeline on the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus before the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting," the communique said.

ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar, adopted at the meeting of ASEAN Foreign Ministers on April 24, 2021, proposes an immediate cessation of political violence in the country; the start of a constructive dialogue among all parties concerned; the work of a special envoy of the ASEAN Chair acting as a mediator for dialogue with the support and assistance from the ASEAN Secretary General; the provision of humanitarian assistance; as well as a visit to Myanmar by a delegation supposed to meet with all parties concerned.

In February, the military came to power in Myanmar by arresting civilian leaders. A fierce confrontation between the military authorities and the opposition is currently taking place, as a result of which more than a thousand people have died in clashes between anti-government demonstrators, the police, and the military in six months alone.
(@FahadShabbir)

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 04th August, 2021) Boeing said it will not launch its Starliner spacecraft on Wednesday.

"We're not proceeding with #Starliner launch tomorrow. Our team cycled the Service Module propulsion system valves and is taking time to gather data for next steps," the company said on Twitter.

"We've ruled out software as a cause for the unexpected position indications," it said.
(@FahadShabbir)

At least 150 houses were destroyed by a violent blaze that had surrounded a monastery and a dozen villages on the Greek island of Evia on Wednesday, firefighters and a local official said

Athens, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Aug, 2021 ) :At least 150 houses were destroyed by a violent blaze that had surrounded a monastery and a dozen villages on the Greek island of Evia on Wednesday, firefighters and a local official said.

The wildfire is just one of some 40 blazes tearing through parts of Greece as a heatwave hits the country.

Three monks from Saint David Monastery on Evia had refused to leave, firefighters on the island said, adding that everyone else had been evacuated from the villages nearby.

"The flames are 30 to 40 metres high and surrounding the monastery. We're suffocating due to the smoke," one of the monks told the ANA Greek news agency by phone.

Argyris Liaskos, the deputy mayor of a nearby village, told Skai television that no aircraft "were deployed to extinguish the fire." "At least 150 houses burnt," he said.

Evia island is off the Attica peninsula which also encompasses the Greek capital Athens.

A blaze also started near Olympia, the birthplace of the modern Olympic Games, but the ancient site is not under threat, firefighters said.

Around 100 firefighters are battling the flames there, aided by three helicopters and two water-dropping planes.
Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine continue to comply with the European Union's visa-free travel requirements, the European Commission said in a fresh report published on Wednesday

BRUSSELS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 04th August, 2021) Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine continue to comply with the European Union's visa-free travel requirements, the European Commission said in a fresh report published on Wednesday.

"Overall, visa-free movement continues to bring positive economic, social and cultural benefits to EU Member States and partner countries. The Commission considers that all countries concerned have taken action to address the recommendations made in the previous report and continue to fulfill the visa liberalisation requirements," the Commission said in a statement.

The 25-page report said, however, that the countries need to put more effort in addressing existing corruption, financial fraud and money laundering.

"Countries concerned should also take action to effectively phase out investor citizenship schemes or refrain from systematically granting citizenship by investment," the statement read.

The EU has a visa-free regime with 61 countries, with their citizens allowed to enter the bloc for a period of up to 90 days without first obtaining an entry visa. Moldova joined the bloc in 2014, while Georgia and Ukraine followed in 2017.
The suspected hijacking of a ship in the Gulf of Oman has ended and the vessel is safe, a British maritime security agency said Wednesday, days after a deadly attack on a tanker in the region

Dubai, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Aug, 2021 ) :The suspected hijacking of a ship in the Gulf of Oman has ended and the vessel is safe, a British maritime security agency said Wednesday, days after a deadly attack on a tanker in the region.

Oman on Wednesday named the vessel as the Panama-flagged Asphalt Princess, an asphalt and bitumen tanker, and said it had deployed aircraft and naval ships to the area.

Since February, Iran and its arch-enemy Israel have been accused of engaging in a "shadow war", in which vessels linked to each nation have come under attack in waters around the Gulf in tit-for-tat exchanges.

It follows a July 29 reported drone attack off Oman on the Israel-linked MT Mercer Street tanker that left two dead, and which the United States and Israel blamed on Iran, but which was denied by Tehran.

An Omani maritime security source said Wednesday the Asphalt Princess had been involved in "a hijacking incident in international waters".

"The Royal Air Force of Oman is carrying out sorties near the area, while the Royal Navy of Oman deployed a number of ships from its fleet to help secure international waters in the region," the source said, quoted in a defence ministry statement.

"Boarders have left the vessel. Vessel is safe. Incident complete," United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) tweeted, without elaborating.

The shipping industry intelligence site Lloyd's List reported that armed men had boarded the Asphalt Princess and ordered it to sail to Iran.

The UKMTO said the "potential hijack" of the ship took place 60 miles east of UAE emirate of Fujairah as it headed towards the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's busiest waterways.

Richard Meade, editor of Lloyds List, told The Times that "armed forces" had boarded the vessel and had been "directing it towards Iran".

British and US naval operations were monitoring the situation, Lloyd's List added.

But Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh said Tuesday that the "reported 'incidents' in the Persian Gulf and broader region appeared utterly suspicious".

"Reaffirming our strong commitment to regional stability and maritime security, Iran stands ready to offer assistance in case of any maritime accidents," Khatibzadeh added.

- 'Deeply concerning' - Washington short of assigning blame for the latest episode, but State Department spokesman Ned price said there had been "a very disturbing pattern of belligerence from Iran".

White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the United States was in close touch with Britain over the "deeply concerning" incident.

While Iran has denied any involvement in last week's blast on the Liberian-flagged MT Mercer Street, the US and Iran's arch-enemy Israel both say an Iranian drone caused the explosion.

Two crew members, from Britain and Romania, died on the MT Mercer Street, which is managed by prominent Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer.

On Wednesday, Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz urged ambassadors in Jerusalem to "hold Iran accountable for its actions".

He named a senior Iranian in the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps he said was responsible for attacking the tanker and other strikes.

"Saeed Ara Jani is the Head of the IRGC's UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) Command. This is the man that is personally responsible for the terror attacks in the Gulf of Oman," Gantz said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has vowed a collective response against Iran over the Mercer Street tanker incident, which he called a "direct threat" to freedom of navigation.

The tensions come as Iran on Tuesday inaugurated the Islamic republic's eighth president, the ultraconservative cleric and prosecutor Ebrahim Raisi.

He succeeded Hassan Rouhani, who sought to repair relations with the West, and whose administration unsuccessfully sought to negotiate a revival of a nuclear accord with the United States.
A bus transporting Syrian military personnel exploded in western Damascus, killing at least one and injuring three others, Syrian broadcasters reported on Wednesday

CAIRO (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 04th August, 2021) A bus transporting Syrian military personnel exploded in western Damascus, killing at least one and injuring three others, Syrian broadcasters reported on Wednesday.

According to Ikhbariya, the explosion took place in Masaken al-Haras and was triggered by a short circuit.

Sources told the media outlet that the bus driver is presumed dead.
ZURICH (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 05th August, 2021) Swiss prosecutors on Wednesday charged a Libyan imam with a hate crime over a sermon in which he called for attacks on people of other religions or ethnicity, media said.

Cantonal prosecutors opened a probe in 2017 after the SRF broadcaster reported that the cleric called on his supporters in a mosque in Biel to "destroy Jews, Christians, Hindus, Russians and Shiites.

"

The 68-year-old is also accused of welfare fraud. He allegedly received some 600,000 Swiss francs ($660,000) in state funding over 13 years, according to the broadcaster.

Abu Ramadan has been reportedly living in Switzerland as a settled foreign national after losing his refugee status. He faces deportation if found guilty.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 03rd August, 2021) Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev approved on Tuesday legislative amendments allowing employers to suspend workers who refuse to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

A bill on the amendments was passed by the parliament last week and entered into force after it was signed by the president and published.

"In case an employee refuses to undergo a prophylactic vaccination, carried out as provided by law (given there are no health contraindications), an employer has the right to suspend them from work," the legislation said.

The amendment, introduced into article Suspension From Work of the Uzbek Labor Code, also provides for conducting prophylactic vaccination without citizens' consent in case there is a threat of the spread of infectious diseases, requiring lockdown measures, based on the decision of the chief medical officer.

"In accordance with the new amendments, employers can now suspend an employee from work until they get vaccinated, with no salary paid during the suspension period. Still dismissal shall not be applied - it is regulated by other legal norms," the justice ministry clarified to Sputnik.

Uzbekistan launched its vaccination drive on April 1, with Chinese Anhui Zhifei Longcom Biopharmaceutical, Russian Sputnik V, Sweden-British AstraZeneca and US Moderna vaccines used in the country. Over 1.2 million people got fully vaccinated since April 1, which makes up only 3% of the population. Since July 19, immunization is mandatory for people over 18, working in retail, food service, education and security services.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 04th August, 2021) The Bolivian Foreign Ministry called the conversation between Russian and Bolivian presidents Vladimir Putin and Luis Arce a fruitful one.

Earlier, the Kremlin reported that Putin and Arce discussed the coronavirus response, taking into account an agreement on the supply of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine to the country. The phone conversation was requested by Bolivia.

"Amid excellent bilateral relations between the governments of Bolivia and Russia, the two countries' presidents, Luis Arce Catacora and Vladimir Putin, had a fruitful conversation, during which they discussed the fight against COVID-19," the Bolivian ministry said in a statement.

The presidents also discussed topics of mutual interest, including energy, economics, trade and others, according to the statement.
Valdosta, GA (31601)

Today

Thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Low 72F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Low 72F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.
Valdosta, GA (31601)

Today

Thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Low 73F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms early, then variable clouds overnight with still a chance of showers. Low 73F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
The Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC) is holding its Virtual Plenary Meeting. It is the third online assembly since the pandemic.

Fr. Paul Samasumo  Vatican City.

On the first day of the Plenary, Monday, the president of SACBC, Bishop Sithembele Anton Sipuka of the Diocese of Umtata, thanked the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Peter Wells, for conveying to the Holy Father the disturbing social unrest that engulfed Southern African countries of Eswatini and South Africa.

Pope Francis call for peaceful collaboration

Thank you for conveying to the Holy Father the disturbing and life-threatening situations in the two Conference countries, eSwatini and South Africa and the subsequent message of the Holy Father calling for peaceful collaboration in solving these problems. We appreciate very much this pastoral solicitude from the Holy Father, Bishop Sipuka told the Apostolic Nuncio, who was also participating in the online plenary.

The exemplary work of pastoral agents

Referencing some of the challenges Southern African countries are grappling with, Bishop Sipuka thanked priests and pastoral workers who have continued to minister, in creative ways, during constraining times of Covid-19. Some of the priests, religious and pastoral workers have, in the process, contracted the coronavirus and succumbed to it.

Our plenary meeting is taking place in the context of unrelenting attack of Covid-19 infections, increasing unemployment, social destabilisation in South Africa and political revolution in eSwatini. Luckily, in Botswana, there appears to be no crisis of pronounced nature yet. On the side of the Church, its life and work has been going on but hampered by the situation of Covid-19, said the prelate of Umtata.

The Big man syndrome of politics and the Church

On the political situation of Eswatini and South Africa, Bishop Sipuka urged the Bishops to add their voices to calls from the street. He said Bishops should join calls seeking justice and accountability for the violence and looting in the two countries. The Bishop criticised what he termed as the Big man syndrome in political governance. He warned, however, that the Church was not immune to the Big man syndrome, which presents itself as clericalism.

Holistic and not piecemeal development

We need to ride the wave of this moment to demand serious economic upliftment of the poor majority instead of piecemeal grants. I am not sure exactly what those areas of upliftment would be, maybe our Justice and Peace Department could identify them, but education and rural development appear to be the most urgent, given that about 63% of young people (in South Africa) are not employed, urged the SABC President.

Tribute to South Africas great musicians

During this year, we also lost a number of artists in South Africa, Sibongile Khumalo, Jonas Gwangwa, Tsepo Tshola, Steve Kekana and recently a film producer Shona Ferguson. With their gifts of singing and creativity, these artists helped us give expression to our human emotions of joy and sorrow. They lifted our spirits and soothed our souls, enabling us to get in touch with the deepest parts ourselves. With music and drama, they communicated messages beyond words. We thank God for the rare gift of these artists with which they brought us together as a nation in song and drama. May their souls rest in peace, Bishop Sipuka said.

(paul.samasumo@spc.va)
Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo of Jakarta on Tuesday blessed 8 vehicles that will be used to vaccinate poor communities in and around the Indonesian capital.

By Robin Gomes

As Covid-19 cases and deaths skyrocket in Indonesia, stretching the countrys healthcare system to near collapse, a Catholic diocese has launched a mobile vaccination initiative to reach out to marginalized communities.



Act of compassion

Serviam Vaccination Service (SVS) is the name of the mobile Covid-19 vaccination initiative by 3 Catholic schools run by the Ursuline Sisters in the capital, Jakarta, Radio Veritas Asia reported. Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo of Jakarta, presided over the inauguration of the service on August 3, blessing the vehicles that will be used to carry out the immunization programme among the marginalized people.

"These cars are concrete manifestations of the act of compassion and sharing of love to people in need," said the cardinal as he blessed the vehicles.

Joining hands with others

This vaccination is not a programme but a movement, which means this movement must be done together, said I Gusti Ayu Bintang Darmawati, Indonesias Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection, who was present during the occasion.

This is proof of the synergy of the government, local government, and community institutions to work together to meet the 100 percent vaccination target," she said during the launch of the drive.

Governor Anies Baswedan of Jakarta also expressed his support for the activity. "We thank everyone," said Anies at the launch at St. Ursula School. "Jakarta is dominated by densely populated areas. Mobile vaccination cars can reach residential areas, he said.

Angela Basiroen, head of the SVS committee said 8 vehicles destined for the service will go around Jakarta to vaccinate people, especially those aged 12-17 years, and the vulnerable communities.

Our target is the marginalized community, but we also go to schools, she said. Each car can carry 100 to 200 doses of vaccines. The initiative also aims to reach out to residents in areas with a high number of Covid-19 cases and poor communities.

Ursuline motto of service

The Ursuline Sisters, who are particularly dedicated to education, arrived in Indonesia in 1856. Serviam, the motto of all Ursuline schools worldwide, is Latin for I will serve. It is inspired by the teachings of St Angela Merici, who founded the Ursuline Order in 1535, in Italy.

The Serviam Vaccination Service is the expansion of the Serviam Vaccination Centre that the students and alumni of the Ursuline schools of Sts. Ursula, Thresia and Maria in Jakarta started on March 20, to help the government in the countrys fight to contain the Covid-19 pandemic. Volunteers and health workers also joined the initiative. Initially, the Serviam Vaccination Centre was scheduled to be operational until June 10.

Indonesias pandemic surge

Indonesia on Wednesday surpassed 100,000 confirmed deaths, a grim milestone in a country struggling with its worst pandemic wave fueled by the Delta variant. The largest among south-east Asian nations has recorded more than 3.5 million Covid-19 cases since March 2020. July was its deadliest month since the pandemic began, with more than 30,100 deaths  more than triple the 7,914 reported in June.

It took 14 months for the world's fourth most populous country to exceed the 50,000-death mark at the end of May, and just over nine weeks to double it. The Health Ministry recorded 1,747 new deaths of Covid-19 on Wednesday, bringing the total to 100,636. The figures are believed to be an undercount.

Its current per capita death rate is one of the worst in the region, second only to Myanmar. The World Health Organization says Indonesias hospitals are in need of isolation rooms, oxygen supplies, medical and personal protective equipment, as well as mobile field hospitals and body bags.

Catholic Church lends a hand

The Catholic Church in Indonesia has been seeking ways to help in the nations fight against the virus, with many institutions offering some of their facilities for the treatment or isolation of patients and reaching out to those who have been hit by the impact of closures.

Jakarta Archdiocese has turned its Samadi Pastoral Centre into an isolation ward. Personnel and staff of the St. Carolus Hospital, which is managed by the Charles Borromeo sisters and a government health center in the area, are helping run the facility. The center accepts patients regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status, as long as they have mild and asymptomatic symptoms of the disease.
National Constitutional Assembly leader Lovemore Madhuku says once any person in Zimbabwe forms a party of their choice the next thing is that the state must make a mechanism to fund political parties. He says there is noting wrong for accepting the POLAD vehicle from President Mnangagwa.
Some Zimbabweans staged a peaceful demonstration today outside the Zimbabwe Embassy in London in an attempt to press British authorities and other stakeholders to stop the deportation of more people linked to criminal activities and failed asylum seekers.

The protests were led by Restoration of Human Rights Zimbabwe International (ROHR Zimbabwe), political activists and individuals, who claimed that President Emmerson Mnangagwas government may harass and intimidate deportees said to be political opponents.

ROHR Zimbabwe spokesperson, Panyika Karimanzira, told VOA Zimbabwe Service that such protests would continue until the British government stops deportations.

We are unhappy with the agreement that was made by the British and Zimbabwean government. We are saying the political situation in Zimbabwe is still tense and therefore sending people back home in inhumane, said Karimanzira.

Opposition Movement for Democratic Alliance activist, Edgar Makuni, also urged the two governments to stop the deportations.

It might be prudent for people who were involved in crime to be removed from the country but where are they doing to. If you call them criminals, fair enough but to remove criminals to other criminals, how does it help. They have no sanctuary where they are being taken to  So, we are saying, yes, you might have offended, you might have committed crimes here and there but does that warrant a death sentence. They are taking us to a place where our security is not guaranteed.

But Zanu PFs Simba Mavaza said all foreign criminals in various nations are subjected to the same treatment.

Who wants to keep criminals in his or her country. Nobody. Those that have committed crimes should be deported and I dont agree with claims that these people being sent back home will be victimized. The problem is that some of these people are not pretend to be MDC activists when they are facing deportation and claim that they will be victimized by the Zanu PF government. Thats not true.

The British government recently deported 14 Zimbabwean nationals, who were described by the Home Office in London as convicted foreign criminals, following what it said was a historic landmark agreement between the two nations to send some Zimbabweans back home.

In a tweet, the Home Office said the deportees were sentenced to a combined total of over 75 years in prison for various crimes, including rape and murder.

The British government, which has deported 7,985 foreign criminals from the United Kingdom since January 2019, says it wants to keep its communities safe from criminals. Indications are that the country is planning to deport at least 150 Zimbabweans per month, especially those that have committed serious offences and failed asylum seekers.
This article is an extract from the book Fake wars and big lies.

See Contents.

The  Arab Springs  organised by

Washington and London

When the Soviet Union collapsed, the US elite believed that a period of commerce and prosperity would follow the Cold War. However, a section of the military-industrial complex imposed rearmament in 1995, followed by a very aggressive imperialist policy in 2001. This faction, which identifies itself with the  Continuity of Government  group, stood ready to take over power in case of the destruction of elected institutions. It prepared the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq in advance, although they were not launched until after September 11, 2001. Faced with its military failure in Iraq and the impossibility of attacking Iran, this group changed its strategy. It adopted the British project of overthrowing the secular regimes of the Greater Middle East and remodeling the region into small states administered by the Muslim Brotherhood. Progressively, it took control of NATO, the European Union and the UNO. It was only several millions of deaths and trillions of dollars later that it was challenged in the United States by the election of Donald Trump, and in France by Francois Fillon.

Donald Rumsfeld (Defence Secretary), George W. Bush (President of the USA) and Dick Cheney (Vice-President of the USA).

US Supremacy

When the Second World War ended, the United States was the only victorious nation that had not experienced war on its own soil. Profiting from its advantage, Washington chose to succeed London in the control of its Empire, and to enter into conflict with Moscow. Over the next 44 years, a Cold War followed the real war. When the Soviet Union began to fall apart, President George H. Bush Sr. decided that it was time to do business. He began to scale down his armies, and ordered a revision of foreign policy and military doctrine.

Washington then claimed, in its publication  National Security Strategy of the United States , (1991) that  The United States remains the only state with genuinely global strength, range and influence in all dimensions - political, economic and military. There is no substitute for American leadership .

President George H. Bush (the father) pushed Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to invade Kuwait so that he could present himself as a defender of international law. He then encouraged the major states to sign up under his banner, so that Washington could assert its dominance in the world.

This is why they reorganised the world during operation  Desert Storm  - they pressured their Kuwaiti ally to steal Iraqi oil, and at the same time, to demand arrears on the reimbursement of Iraqs allegedly free aid against Iran. Next they encouraged their Iraqi ally to resolve the problem by annexing Kuwait, which had been arbitrarily carved out by the British 30 years earlier. Finally, they invited every state on the planet to support them - instead of the United Nations - in the reaffirmation of international law.

Signing of the Dayton Accords, November 21, 1995 in Paris, in the presence of the main heads of state and government (including Russian) behind President Bill Clinton.

But since the two empires were propped up one against the other, the disappearance of the USSR ought logically to have brought about the fall of the other super-power, the United States. In order to prevent its collapse, the US parliamentarians forced President Bill Clinton to rearm in 1995. The armed forces, which had just demobilized a million men, began to rearm, although at that time they had no enemy who could equal them. The dream of Bush Sr. of a unipolar world led by United States business gave way to an insane chase to hold onto the imperial project.

Since the dissolution of the USSR, US domination of the world has been imposed through four wars which were waged without the approval of the United Nations - in Yugoslavia (1995 and 1999), in Afghanistan (2002), in Iraq (2003) and in Libya (2011). This period came to an end with the ten Chinese and 16 Russian vetos at the UN Security Council, which explicitly forbade open conflict with Syria.

The Gulf War had hardly ended when Republican George H. Bush Sr. asked his defence secretary, Dick Cheney who relayed the orer to Paul Wolfowitz, to write the Defense Policy Guidance [1] (this was a classified document, but extracts were published by the New York Times and the Washington Post [2]). This militant Trotskyist and future Assistant Secretary for Defense, presented therin his theory concerning US supremacy.

 Our first objective , he wrote,  is to prevent the re-emergence of a new rival, whether on the territory of the former Soviet Union or anywhere, that could pose a threat similar to that formerly posed by the Soviet Union. This is the predominant consideration underlying the new regional defense strategy, and requires that we endeavour to prevent any hostile power from dominating a region whose resources would, under consolidated control, be sufficient to generate global power. These regions include Europe, the Far East, the territories of the ex-Soviet Union, and South-East Asia .

There are three additional aspects to this objective:

 Firstly, the U.S. must show the leadership necessary for establishing and protecting a new world order capable of convincing potential competitors that they need not aspire to a greater role or pursue a more aggressive posture to protect their legitimate interests.

Secondly, in non-defense areas, we must represent the interests of the advanced industrial nations efficiently enough to discourage them from challenging our leadership or seeking to overturn the established political and economic order.

Finally, we must maintain the mechanism for deterring potential competitors from aspiring to a larger regional or global role .

The  Wolfowitz Doctrine  was supposed to prevent a new Cold War and guarantee the United States its place as the  world policeman . President Bush Sr. massively demobilised his armies, because they were no longer to be anything more than a police force.

And yet what we saw was the opposite of that  first of all with the four wars mentioned above, as well as the war against Syria, then the war in Ukraine against Russia.

It was in order to demonstrate the  necessary leadership  that Washington decided, in 2001, to take control of all the hydrocarbon reserves in the  Greater Middle East  - a decision that launched the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

It was in order to  dissuade [their allies] from challenging [their] leadership , that it modified its plan in 2004 and decided to apply the British suggestions (1) to annex the non-recognised Russian states - starting with South Ossetia - and (2) to overthrow the secular Arab governments for the benefit of the Muslim Brotherhood  the  Arab Springs .

Finally, it is in order to dissuade Russia from playing  a global role  that it is currently using the jihadists and ex-jihadists in Syria, in the Ukraine and in the Crimea.

Paul Wolfowitz served first the Secretary of Defense, Dick Cheney, during the term of Bush Sr., then the Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, during the term of Bush Jr.

To be implemented, the Wolfowitz Doctrine thus required not only financial and human means, but also a powerful a powerful hegemonic will. A group of political and military officials hoped to find their man by promoting the candidacy of the son of George Bush Sr. - George Bush Jr. This group asked the Kagan family to create a lobbying group within the American Enterprise Institute - the Project for a New American Century. They were obliged to falsify the Presidential election in Florida - with the help of Governor Jeb Bush, Jr.s brother  in order to allow W to clamber into the White House. But well before that, the group was actively militant for the preparation of new wars of invasion, particularly in Iraq.

But the new President was not particularly obedient, which forced his supporters to organise a shock for public opinion, which they compared to a  New Pearl Harbor , on September 11, 2001.

The crash of September 11

Everyone thinks that they know about 9/11, and can quote from memory about the planes that hit the Twin Towers and the destruction of part of the Pentagon. But behind these events and their interpretation by the Bush administration, something quite different happened.

When two planes smashed into the World Trade Center, when the offices of the Vice-President were devastated by flames, and explosions were heard in the Pentagon, the National Coordinator for Counterterrorism, Richard Clarke, launched the procedure for  Continuity of Government  (CoG) [3]. Developed during the Cold War, in case of a nuclear confrontation and the decapitation of the centres of Executive and Legislative Power, this procedure was devised to save the country by handing over all responsibility to a provisional authority which had been secretly designated beforehand.

But on that day, none of the elected leaders died.

The entrance to site "R", one of the three secret underground cities of the US armies. It was from this gigantic installation that the "continuity government" - and no longer the Bush administration, Congress and Justice - ruled the country during the day of September 11, 2001.

Nevertheless, by 10 a.m., George W. Bush was no longer President of the United States of America. The Executive Power was transferred from the White House in Washington to site  R , the Raven Rock Mountain bunker [4]. Units of the army and the Secret Services circulated in the capital, to collect and  protect  the members of Congress and their teams. Almost all of them were taken,  for their safety , to another mega-bunker close to the capital, the Greenbrier Complex.

Designed to receive all members of Congress, their teams and their families, the Greenbrier megabunker even includes a large room to hold the joint sessions of the two chambers ... under the protection of the continuity government.

The alternative government, whose composition had not changed for at least nine years, included  as if by a miraculous coincidence  several personalities who had been in politics for a long time, including Vice-President Dick Cheney, Secretary for Defense Donald Rumsfeld and ex-Director of the CIA, James Woolsey.

During the afternoon, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon interfered in the crisis and addressed the citizens of the United States, while no-one knew anything about the implementation of the Continuity of Government plan, and there was no news of George W. Bush. He declared the solidarity of his people, who had also been long a victim of terrorism. He spoke as if he was convinced that the attacks were over, but without indicating his sources, and as if he represented the American state.

Finally, at the end of the afternoon, the provisional government handed back executive power to President Bush, who made a televised speech, and the Congressional representatives were freed.

These are proven facts, and not the outlandish tales that the Bush administration concocted, with kamikaze warriors hatching a plot in an Afghani cave to destroy the greatest military power in the world.

In a book published thirty years earlier, destined to become the Republicans bedside book during the electoral campaign of 2000, Coup detat - A Practical Handbook, historian Edward Luttwak explained that a coup detat is all the more effective when no-one realizes that it has happened, and therefore do not oppose it [5] . He should also have added that in order for the legal government to obey the conspirators, it is necessary not only to maintain the illusion that the same team is in  Power , but for the conspirators to be part of it.

The decisions imposed by the provisional government on September 11 were approved by President Bush during the days that followed. Concerning the interior, the Bill of Rights - the first ten amendments of the Constitution - was suspended by the USA Patriot Act for all affairs of terrorism. Concerning exterior affairs, regime changes and wars were planned, both to hinder the development of China and to destroy all the state structures of the Greater Middle East.

President Bush held the Islamists responsible for the attacks of 9/11, and declared the  War on Terrorism  - an expression which sounds macho enough, but is nonetheless nonsensical. Indeed, terrorism is not a world power, but a method of action. Within a few years, the terrorism that Washington claimed to be fighting had increased 20-fold throughout the world. George W. Bush qualified this new conflict as an  Endless War .

Four days later, President Bush presided an implausible meeting at Camp David, during which the principle was adopted for a long series of wars aimed at destroying all the as yet uncontrolled states in the  Greater Middle East , as well as a plan for political assassinations throughout the world. This project was named by the Director of the CIA, George Tenet - he called it the  Worldwide Attack Matrix . This meeting was first mentioned by the Washington Post [6], then denied by the ex-Supreme Commander of NATO, General Wesley Clark. By  Matrix , it is important to understand that this was only the initial phase of a much more far-reaching strategy

The Mayfower Pact inspired the drafting of the US Constitution. This was profoundly changed by the first ten amendments (the Bill of Rights) which the USA Patriot Act rendered inoperative. The Presidents Bush are direct descendants of one of the 41 signatories of this document.

Who governs the United States?

In order to understand the institutional crisis which was brewing, we have to take a step back.

The founding myth of the United States claims that a few Puritans, convinced of the impossibility of reforming the British Church and monarchy, decided to build a  New Jerusalem  in the Americas. In 1620, they sailed to the New World on board the Mayflower, where they gave thanks to God for having allowed them to cross the Red Sea (in fact, the Atlantic Ocean) and to escape the dictatorship of Pharaoh (the King of England). This is the origin of the feast of Thanksgiving.

The Puritans claimed to obey God by respecting both the teaching of Christ and the Jewish Law. They did not venerate the Gospels in particular, but the whole of the Bible. For them, the Old Testament was as important as the New. They practised an austere form of morality  they were persuaded that they had been chosen by God, and thus blessed by Him by means of their wealth. Consequently, they considered that no man can improve himself, whatever he does, and that Money is a gift reserved by God for His faithful.

This ideology has many consequences. For example, their refusal to organise a form of national solidarity (Social Security), replacing it with individual charity. Or again, in penal matters, by the belief that some people are born criminals, which led the Manhattan Institute to promote, laws which in many states punished repeat offenders with very heavy prison terms, even for minor infractions, like not having paid for a subway ticket.

Even though the national myth has by now mostly buried the fanaticism of the  Pilgrim Fathers , the truth remains that they set up a sectarian community, established corporal punishment, and obliged their women to wear veils. In fact, there are clearly many similarities between their way of life and that of contemporary Islamists.

The War of Independence unfolded at a time when the populations of the colonies had been profoundly modified. They no longer came exclusively from the British Isles, but now included Europeans from all over. The patriots who fought the King of England hoped to become masters of their own destiny, and create institutions which were both Republican and Democratic. It was for them that Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence in 1776, inspired by the Lumieres movement in general and the philosopher John Locke in particular. However, after victory was won, it was a very different source which inspired the Constitution. This was founded on the Mayflower Pact, that is to say the Puritan ideology, and the wish to create institutions comparable to those of Great Britain, but without the element of hereditary nobility. This is why, rejecting popular sovereignty, it instituted the sovereignty of the governors of federal states. As such a system is absolutely unacceptable, it was immediately  balanced  by 10 constitutional amendments which form the Bill of Rights. The final text therefore reserves political responsibility for the elites of the federal states and gives citizens the right to defend themselves in court against the  Reason of State .

By signing the "USA Patriot Act", President Bush Jr. rescinds the "Bill of Rights". Now, US citizens are no longer protected from the reason of state if they have become involved in terrorism.

By suspending the Bill of Rights in all affairs which may be connected to terrorism, the USA Patriot Act has dragged the Constitution two centuries in reverse. By depriving citizens of their legal rights, it has once again destabilized institutions. It has submitted Power to Puritan ideology and guaranteed only the rights of the elites of federal states.

Real estate developer Donald Trump is the only person to question, on the afternoon of September 11, 2001, the Bush Administrations version of the Twin Towers collapse. Keeping a cool head, he says that according to his engineers (who built the World Trade Center), airliners cannot have caused this destruction.

The coup detat of September 11 split these elites into two groups, depending on whether they supported it or pretended to ignore it. The few personalities opposed to it, like Senator Paul Wellstone, have been physically eliminated. A few citizens chose to speak out nonetheless, notably two real estate billionaires. Thus, on the evening of September 11, Donald Trump contested what was becoming the official version on Channel 9 in New York. After having reminded his listeners that the engineers who built the Twin Towers had since joined his company, he considered it impossible that the collapse of such massive towers was due to the impact of planes (and fires) alone. He concluded that there had to be other factors involved which were as yet unknown. Another entrepreneur, Jimmy Walter, spent his fortune buying pages of publicity in the newspapers and distributing DVDs to analyze the true causes of these destructions.

Over the next fifteen years, these two groups  the conspirators and the passive accomplices - although they were pursuing the same objective of interior and exterior domination  were to confront one another regularly, until both were apparently overthrown by a popular movement led by Donald Trump.

(To be continued).
Bo Burnham in Inside. Photo: Netflix

After dropping on Netflix in late May, Bo Burnham brought his special Inside to theaters for one weekend only, from July 22 through July 25. Unlike most comedy specials, Inside has no live audience and no stage managers that helped with the production. It was filmed by Burnham himself, in his home, during the course of the pandemic. Inside covers the typical topics of a Burnham special, such as media, internet culture, and existential guilt. It contains about two dozen songs, as well as monologues and scenes, throughout. The special has since been nominated for six Emmy Awards and has been praised by multiple critics as one of the defining pieces of pandemic art.

Burnham has spoken publicly about the anxiety and panic attacks he used to experience while performing live, and I remember feeling a sense of relief when he quit stand-up comedy and pivoted to film after Make Happy in 2016. With that framing, I was wary of Inside from the moment Burnham announced it. My first viewing experience of the special was exceedingly emotional  I found myself unable to enjoy the comedy because I was preoccupied with concern over Burnhams mental state. Most of the songs in it have comedy tinged with anxiety and cynicism, and I struggled to find the humor among the darkness.

I went to see Inside in a theater because I was drawn to the idea of watching such an intimate and claustrophobic special in the company of strangers. As soon as it was announced, I bought a ticket at my local Alamo Drafthouse in Leesburg, Virginia, for the first screening on July 22. (At the time, it was the only screening, but after tickets sold out nearly immediately, Burnham announced additional shows through the weekend.) I arrived right before showtime and made my way past rows and rows of young millennials, all clearly excited to see Burnham on the big screen. The screening opened with the same Alamo Drafthouse PSA used before Burnhams film Eighth Grade, with Burnham himself welcoming us to the Alamo and telling us not to talk during the show because youre not that interesting. Before the special started, the Netflix N logo appeared onscreen with the infamous bu-dum sound, which stirred a huge laugh from the audience. I assumed I had a good sense of what to expect in the theater, but as I watched Inside, there was one thought I couldnt get out of my mind: Why isnt this as sad as I remember?

On previous at-home viewings, my focus kept returning to Burnhams apparent despair. The frustrations in FaceTime With My Mom (Tonight) overpowered the charming relatability of technologically inept family members, and the humanizing bridge in White Womans Instagram got lost among the shuffle of the mocking photo ops. These quieter, more comical moments were able to take full effect in a theater, providing a much-needed counterweight. There was also the consistent joy ringing in from the audience around me. Sockos appearance in How the World Works got huge applause, there was cheering throughout Unpaid Intern, and everyone around me was mouthing the words (if not fully singing along) to the Jeffrey Bezos song. Everyone at the screening paid to watch something they had already seen, which allowed for a slight Rocky Horror interactive energy from the crowd: People quietly sang along to their favorite songs and laughed with their friends, even putting their hands up when Burnham commanded it in All Eyes on Me.

And its not just that the audience shifted attention to the happier moments  it also lightened the load of the darker ones. Its almost as if there was strength in numbers, and the crowd allowed for a diffusion of the shows tension. Throughout Inside, Burnham attempts to gauge the audiences response, which is a tool comedians relied on pre-pandemic. The entire song Dont Wanna Know shows Burnham trying to take the audiences temperature with lines like Are you finding it boring? and Do I have your attention? But unlike live stand-up, Burnham couldnt adjust and refine his act based on audience reaction; its one-way communication. For better or worse, Inside doesnt do away with the rough edges another stand-up act might have smoothed out prior to a special taping. In the theater, the sudden jump cuts and the stark tonal contrasts that I found jarring at home were now the biggest laughs of the night.

Seeing Inside in a theater also has a formalizing effect on the special. In the theater, Burnham is no longer in our space, which allows the line between performer and audience to be more clear. The theater showcases the artifice of the special and reminds the audience how manufactured it all is, which is especially needed with an artist who invites parasocial concern as strongly as Burnham. It also blows up the behind-the-scenes elements that are woven throughout the show, like the changing aspect ratios, Fight Clubstyle subliminal pop-ups, background whiteboards in Comedy, and Burnham inviting the audience to pause between songs and watch him go through takes or reset a shot. Its a reminder that its a comedy special made by someone who worked on it through various iterations and multiple takes, with immense technical skill and a deft editing touch. At home, these moments felt as if I were in captivity alongside Burnham, but in a theater setting, they are opportunities to consider the process and remember the performative aspect of Burnhams work.

There was one time previously when I saw a movie in a theater after seeing it at home and perceived it entirely differently. Experiencing Jaws on the big screen at MoMI in Queens made it absolutely terrifying. I sat in the theater, watching Richard Dreyfuss and Robert Shaw share scar stories, and I thought to myself, Oh, Ive never seen Jaws, have I? Inside was, in some ways, the opposite  the packed audience of Burnham fans seemed to have a neutralizing effect on the taxing nihilism of the special. When viewing it at home, I found myself fixated on the darker elements, but seeing Inside alongside a receptive and enthusiastic crowd allowed all of the specials charm and insight to rise to the top.
The Real Housewives of New York City Ho Ho Holidays Season 13 Episode 13 Editors Rating 3 stars * * *  Previous Next Photo: Bravo

Before we get to Sonja Tremont Morgan of the Asbestolene Fire Retardant Pants Morgans, who had a humdinger of an episode (not a ding hummer of an episode, at least according to Ramona and the man she took home from their birthday party), we have to talk about something else. Why do both Leah and Ebonis dogs have two names? Leahs wheatgrass shot of a Chihuahua is named Angel Marie like it is Scheana Maries cousin (they both have nails that are far too long), and Ebonis dog is named Carey James like its the mascot for a brand of direct-to-consumer cookware that comes in fun colors but singes if you use it on an electric stove. Isnt one name good enough for these dogs? Ramonas dog, Coco, the oldest living dog in New York, only has one name. Is that because they are so old? Do all the young dogs have as many first names as all serial killers, most child actors, and a few former presidents? Were lucky that Sonja remembered to give her dog even one name; how do you think she could settle on two?

Speaking of which, Sonja Morgan has $10,000 of uncashed checks sitting around her House for Wayward Interns. More than a pair of panties laundered in a bidet, this is the most Sonja Morgan detail ever. We learn this during a meeting with her business partners Gaurav and Laura, the VP of Sonja Morgan Brands. What? Sonja Morgan Brands now has employees? When did this become a legitimate business? One second we have Will, a former intern and certified hunk, advising Sonja on her business ensemble like shes about to bellow Right on top of it, Rose, and the next minute she has an actual employee. If Sonja is paying people to work, does that mean Will is now free to pursue the career of his dreams: modeling matching harness and jockstrap ensembles in my bedroom. Oh wait, that is Wills career of my dreams. The Housewives Institute regrets the error. (It does not.)

We actually learned quite a bit from this business meeting because Sonja was smart enough to invite Ramona to attend it as well. Say what you will about Ramona, but she has built a very successful apparel business and made so much money that she could buy a huge house in the Hamptons and then kick her ex-husband out of said huge house after walking in on him diddling a younger woman in it. That, ladies and gentlemen, is the American Dream. As Eboni instructed her earlier this season, Sonja asks Gaurav how much money theyre making, and he just gives her the sunny projections of her future. He says that Sonja will reach Martha Stewart level sooner than we thought. He wasnt talking about Marthas level of wealth, though; he was talking about Marthas level of highness after shes been hanging out with Snoop Dogg. Now, SMIFFEE (which is short for Sonja Morgan Is my Favorite Flooze for Ever and Eternity), but Sonja will never reach Martha Stewart level of anything. Not even Bethenny is at Martha Stewart level and she is what all Housewives aspire to be.

Heres the thing about Sonjas business meeting: It was sort of like Rashomon, but one of the narrators is a litchi-and-mango bubble tea, and the other is a blown-out semi-truck tire on the side of the Long Island Expressway. No one here is telling the truth or, frankly, making any sense. Gaurav says that Sonjas brand makes $50,000 a month, so Ramona asks, So why isnt Sonja getting any money from it? A very fair point. This is when Gaurav says that Sonja has the $10,000 in uncashed checks. Sonja says that he sent her a $2,000 check and it was such an insult that she lost it and never cashed it. What? I once cashed a check for $0.76 that I got from some mineral rights that my grandmother left me. I mean, yes, Sonja should be getting more than $2,000 if her line is selling as this guy says it is, but letting $2,000 slide when she cant even afford the guac at Chipotle is insane.

Then Guarav tries to explain that he was going to pay Sonja $80,000, but $60,000 of it had to go to attorneys fees or something. Wait, why are the attorneys being paid out of Sonjas cut? Why cant this guy pay for the attorneys on his own? I think this is a case of Sonja being completely oblivious about how to do business, and a guy who is most likely taking advantage of her, and the two of them come together to make this perfectly horrible concoction, like mint-flavored mashed potatoes. Sonja says she wants to see the books, but does she even know what the books are? Is she expecting the Twilight saga to be plopped on her front door? Would she even know what the books meant? I like that shes trying to take control of her destiny, but I feel like shes already in bad.

The other sad bit about Sonja is that she shows up to lunch with Luann and Ramona the afternoon after her and Ramonas joint birthday party and talks about how she hooked up with Dylan, the long-haired model at the party. When Lu asks if they had sex, Sonja says, Did I have sex with him? I cant even walk today. Im Sonja Morgan!

Well, later, at Luanns Christmas-song music-video shoot, Ramona tells Luann that while Sonja went back to Dylans hotel room, his girlfriend was there and Sonja passed out in the bed and Hank, Luanns gay, had to come at 2 a.m. to get her in a car and take her home. Sonja even left the caviar she was gifted for her birthday in the suite. Speaking of which, what the hell was up with Luanns video shoot? Ramona shows up and wants to drink the Champagne that is there for the set. Then there is caviar for the women, but its not for the video, its just so they can  eat caviar in the middle of a workday? I cant believe that no one tried to open the presents in the Chanel bags and Tiffany boxes under the tree. I would have opened all of those boxes if someone told me that Leahs sexy brother Danny and his so-pervy-its-chaste mustache were in one of them. And then he and Sonjas intern Will would start making out and I would take off  sorry. Sorry. Were filming a Christmas video, not a new installment for my OnlyFans.

So, yeah, Lu and Ramona tell everyone that Sonja totally made up having sex with this dude to burnish her image as the straw that stirs the drink. Then Sonja basically tells Leah that she knew the GF was there, but she wanted some dick so she just got it on with the two of them. Sonja doesnt come out and say that she had a three-way with them, but either she is totally lying or she doesnt remember exactly what happened. Actually, SMIFFEE, but I think she is totally lying and doesnt remember exactly what happened.

All of the women arent actually upset that Sonja lied to them, theyre more, like, sad. Ramona just says, She lies. She lies. She lies, three times in three different tones with three little shrugs in between all of them in a way that is both patronizing and accepting, like the way you say, No, but have a good day when someone from UNICEF accosts you on the sidewalk in the middle of rush hour. Eboni says that Sonja thinks she always has to have some funny, sexy story to entertain the ladies, but she doesnt have to sing for her supper. Amen! Luann says that Sonja told this story as if to say, I still got it, but all the women know that she still has it. Luann says Sonja has nothing to prove to them.

Luann is missing the point. Its not that Sonja has something to prove to them, its that she has something to prove to herself. She wants to embrace this mythology that she is a fun, sexy woman those younger men want to bone. She needs to believe that shes still the bombshell and center of the party that she was back when she was younger or when she was married. The thing about Sonja is that shes always trying to claw something back: the fame, the money, the attention, the D, the tags in a bathing suit she wore on someone elses yacht.

Maybe this all comes back to her daddy issues, something that she shares with Eboni. This episode we learned that Kenneth, the man who Eboni thought might be her father was not, and that Ashley, the woman she thought might be her sister, is not related to her either. That leaves Eboni searching for who her real father might be.

The same goes for Sonja. After her father visited her at a seance (it is an event that Sonja thinks is real, so we have to treat it as real), she meets with her healer, Aleta St. James, which is also the name of a line of chunky jewelry for older gals you can buy at Walmart. But wait, you are thinking, didnt the medium tell Sonja she needed actual therapy rather than a healer? You are correct, but Aleta had a Groupon for eight (8) sessions, and Sonja is working through those before seeing an actual therapist.

Anyway, Aleta comes by and bangs her drum and shocks Sonjas chakras with her symbols like they are clitoral suction cups on a space-aged vibrator. Sonja tells her about her father, who abandoned her when she was 3. She also tells her about her stepfather, who loved his biological children more than he loved Sonja. Once he even pulled up in his convertible and when all four of the kids piled in, he kicked Sonja out so that only his kids could go for a joy ride. Sonja stood by the Thunderbird, kicking the Pennsylvania dust as they whizzed around the block, dreaming of the vanilla cone with a chocolate dip that her sister was surely enjoying while she stared up at the already turning leaves of the trees. She thought about a place far from home where she could remake herself, where everyone would adore her, where her life would be nothing but caviar at music-video shoots with two-named dogs and Liza Minnellis accompanist. Aleta bangs her drum, and the vision vibrates. She bangs it again and nearly scares it away, but Sonja clings on, she always clings on, not letting her projected self out of her grasp even as her reality takes a spin around her childhood in an empty car that she almost cant remember.
I still remember the feeling I had on December 13, 2020 -- the date the first vaccines rolled out of the Pfizer facility in Michigan, destined for hospitals and vaccination centers in every state in the country. Typically reserved scientists described it as the "medical moonshot" we had all been waiting for: a powerful tool against the new virus that had paralyzed the world for almost a year. Those first doses shipped out across America were supposed to signal the next phase of this pandemic -- and it felt as if the whole country could soon let out a collective sigh of relief.

As I waited to get my first shot, I remember thinking how completely ordinary, and how completely extraordinary, it was all at the same time. Here was a snippet of messenger RNA from the virus, delicately wrapped in a little lipid envelope and delivered to each of our bodies via two shots, spaced a few weeks apart. This mRNA would prompt each of us to manufacture a little piece of the coronavirus (the spike protein) which would in turn prompt our immune system (our body's defense mechanism) to create antibodies and other immune cells in response.

While the vaccines seemed to be created within months, whereas they normally take years, the technology behind this vaccine was actually the culmination of a couple of decades of work by some of the most brilliant minds in science and medicine. It quickly became clear the vaccines worked extraordinarily well and have the potential to truly revolutionize medicine beyond this pandemic.

I kept reflecting how this moment could be a turning point -- the beginning of the end of the pandemic; light at the end of a very long, devastating tunnel.

The more things change, the more they stay the same

Eight months ago, while I was waiting for my turn to get the shot, the headlines were about the surging numbers of cases, hospitals buckling under pressure, dire predictions for more of the same in the months to come, and the politics of mask wearing.

Today, I'm heartbroken to read the same headlines: case numbers climbing, hospitals in some places inundated with patients, predictions of "the worst is yet to come," and cries against mask mandates. And this time, vaccine mandates, too.

I want to be clear: This was not inevitable. Even without vaccines, the country became far sicker than it should have. The vaccines were supposed to wrap us with near-impenetrable armor and provide longer lasting protection. Of course, armor only works if you wear it, and the same is true of vaccines.

If you look at the map, the five states with the highest percentage of new cases in the US are Florida, Texas, California, Louisiana and Georgia. Almost one in every five new cases of coronavirus -- 19.2% -- are from Florida alone, yet the state only has 6.5% of the US population. All of those states, except California, have fewer than 50% of their populations fully vaccinated.

Among the states with some of the lowest rates of new cases per 100,000 people, you'll find many of them have among the highest rates of vaccination in the country, such as Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Maryland.

President Joe Biden's chief medical adviser, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and others warned this great vaccination divide would cleave the country in half, especially when coupled with the very transmissible Delta variant that has been sweeping the country.

"When you have such a low level of vaccination superimposed upon a variant that has a high degree of efficiency of spread, what you are going to see among under-vaccinated regions -- be that states, cities or counties -- you're going to see these individual types of blips. It's almost like it's going to be two Americas," Fauci predicted on CNN at the end of June.

"You're going to have areas where the vaccine rate is high, where more than 70% of the population has received at least one dose. When you compare that with areas where you may have 35% of the people vaccinated, you clearly have a high risk of seeing these spikes in those selected areas," he said.

Fauci called the situation "entirely avoidable, entirely preventable."

Vaccines protect us from getting sick

Despite the latest news and research -- showing that even among people who are vaccinated, there is some risk of getting infected with the coronavirus -- the most recent data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows only about 6,600 breakthrough cases were severe out of more than 163 million fully vaccinated people, and more than a quarter of those were classified as "asymptomatic or not related to Covid-19." Put another way: More than 99.99% of people who are fully vaccinated have not had a breakthrough case resulting in hospitalization or death. And yes, that's even taking into account the more transmissible Delta variant.

There is some good news. The pace of vaccination is picking up across the country. An average of 681,373 doses are reported administered each day, according to the CDC's latest data. That includes an average of 446,300 people getting their first shot each day -- a 24% increase over last week and the highest it's been since July 4.

Worst to first

The vaccination rate is picking up even in states where residents have been more reluctant to get vaccinated. For example, Louisiana, where just 37% of the population is fully vaccinated -- and which had the most new cases per capita last week -- saw daily vaccination rates rise 111% compared to three weeks ago. The state ranks 47th overall for the share of the population with at least one dose of vaccine, but last week ranked first in new vaccinations per 100,000 residents. Alabama, whose average more than doubled from three weeks ago, ranks 46th overall in vaccine coverage but third in last week's pace; and Mississippi was 50th overall but eighth last week.

"This may be a tipping point for those who have been hesitant to say, 'Okay, it's time.' I hope that's what's happening," National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins said Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union."

"That's what desperately needs to happen if we're going to get this Delta variant put back in its place."

But we still have to do better if we want to get this pandemic under control. Our average of 446,300 people getting their first shot each day is still well below our peak in mid-April, when an average of nearly 2 million people were doing so. As things stand now, there are about 140 million people in this country who have still not even gotten one shot, and of that, more than 90 million are age 12 and older and thus eligible to be vaccinated.

If we had maintained the vaccination pace of early spring, the entire eligible population would've gotten at least one shot by now. It didn't happen, despite the widespread availability and zero cost. Having just returned from Japan, where only 30% of people are vaccinated, I was reminded just how scarce -- therefore valued -- these vaccines are around the world. In India, just 7.5% of the population is fully vaccinated. In many African countries that number is less than 5%, and in Haiti, it's less than 1%.

Where's the rub?

So, now that a remarkable feat of science has been created, we have to address the obstacles that prevent it from having its maximal benefit. In many other countries, it is access, but in the United States, it is hesitancy, which comes in all sorts of different forms. We have to combat vaccine hesitancy -- an issue as old as vaccines themselves, the first instances appearing soon after the first vaccines were popularized in the 1800s.

According to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll released in mid-July, concerns about side effects, the newness of the vaccine, and perceptions about not needing to get vaccinated were among the top reasons people gave for not getting their shot.

So, let me try and address these one by one. These are the same conversations I have been having with my own neighbors and friends.

As far as safety goes, more than 4 billion doses of coronavirus vaccines have been administered worldwide. In the United States alone, more than 347 million doses have been administered.

These are some of the widely used medical products on the planet, and as a result there is a remarkable amount of real world data.

Throughout the vaccination campaigns, the number of side effects have been and remain consistently and extraordinarily low. The CDC is constantly searching for side effects. That is how the agency was able to confirm 28 cases of rare blood clots among the 8.7 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine administered in the US. The side effect monitoring system is very sensitive and the news has been good. Overall, side effects have been minuscule.

What is not minuscule is the number of deaths caused by Covid-19: more than 4.2 million deaths worldwide, including more than 610,000 here in the United States.

As for the newness of the vaccine, and the fact that the ones here in this country are not fully approved -- simply "authorized" -- by the US Food and Drug Administration, the agency has said it is working as fast as possible to get that done. But it is a complicated and time-dependent process that, until recently, used to take more than a decade to complete.

To give an emergency use authorization, the FDA had asked for two months of data, whereas for full approval the agency requires six months' worth. There is also a review of manufacturing facilities and even discussion about how it will be marketed in the future. It adds layers of complexity that can be agonizingly slow, but may also provide a layer of confidence in the process.

"I can't speak to a date when we intend to have this done. But what I can say is we are going to move with all due diligence to get the review done with our usual high quality, as rapidly as we can," Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, told The Washington Post on Friday.

"We know how important it is for people to be able to get vaccinated. We know that there are students going back to college who would like to see a licensed vaccine before they get vaccinated. And we understand that, and we will work toward getting this across the finish line as rapidly as possible," he said.

The last of the top three reasons for not getting vaccinated -- perceptions about not needing the vaccine -- might be the trickiest to tackle, although it shouldn't be because the statistics are stark.

Covid-19 is a disease that wasn't known to us 20 months ago, but still became a leading cause of death in the US last year. Its closest competitor, heart disease, doesn't have a vaccine to prevent it, but Covid-19 does.

And even though millions of people in the US have become infected with the coronavirus, and hundreds of thousands have died of Covid-19, there are still many pockets of the country where people feel they escaped the worst of the pandemic and no longer need to worry, or that they never had to worry in the first place.

But the Delta variant has changed that calculation. Delta is unforgiving and will take advantage of even a quick chance encounter to infect.

If you look at the data, the death rates and hospitalizations have plummeted over this spring and summer, but that is only part of the story. If you dig a bit deeper, there are alarming trends. According to an analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation, of about half the states (those that provided data), more than 95% of hospitalizations and deaths have been among unvaccinated people. That number now includes young and formerly healthy people, not just older Americans and those with underlying health conditions.

The country is no longer being split into vaccinated and unvaccinated. It will quite simply be divided between vaccinated and infected. It is also why masks will once again be commonplace for a time. As we hopefully continue to increase vaccination rates, we want to simultaneously hit the brakes on viral transmission, and masks in high-risk areas are the most effective way to accomplish that; masks, to help us bring viral transmission to low levels around the country, and high levels of vaccination to keep us there.

One of the most common questions about the vaccine: What if I previously had Covid-19? It is a very fair question, and there is plenty of evidence showing that natural infection can provide good immunity. I want to be clear before I continue: By now you must realize that achieving immunity by naturally getting infected is a terrible idea and could land you in the hospital or worse. Vaccination is an exponentially safer way to achieve immunity. But, the question you are likely asking is more nuanced: Do you still need a vaccine if you already had Covid-19?

The official guidance from the CDC is yes. And, here is why. Existing data provides evidence that the vaccine will provide more durable immunity, and may also be protective against future variants.

These are always critically important metrics, and even more so now, as we deal with the Delta variant. Again, this isn't dismissing the immunity from a previous Covid-19 infection, but making the case that adding a vaccine will provide better protection going forward. While the United States recommends a full two-dose course of the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, some countries have recommended getting at least one shot in those with previously known Covid infections. The rationale is the original infection provided the same initial immunity as the first shot of a vaccine, and then a second shot would act as a powerful booster.

These are the real discussions I have been having with friends and colleagues and I know winning over people in this last camp may be the most difficult of all, because it does involve conversation -- possibly a series of ongoing conversations -- with loved ones, friends and perhaps a personal physician or trusted pastor, who can talk to the hesitant or reluctant person in a way that resonates with them personally. And victory will be hard won, measured one person at a time.

I try to do it all the time. For example, as I walk through my daily life, as an on-air correspondent, as a doctor, and in this space. I do it not only because I love my family, but because I love yours, as well.

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An outcry over mandatory face masks in schools. The protest happening at Tuesday's school board meeting and just hours before Huntsville City Schools students head back to the classroom.

"We want to make sure the board hears our voices," said Adam Stephens, Huntsville City Schools parent.

People opposed to Huntsville City Schools requiring the wearing of masks indoors this school year hold up signs outside Tuesday's Huntsville City Board of Education meeting People opposed to Huntsville City Schools requiring the wearing of masks indoors this school year hold up signs outside Tuesday's Huntsville City Board of Education meeting

Many joined the crowd gathering before the Huntsville City Schools Board of Education meeting. Holding signs and chanting, including parents like Stephens and teachers.

"They were not hearing from their actual constituents that put them in office so we were very upset with that," said Stephens. "We're not anti-mask, but we're pro-choice," said Andy Blalock, Huntsville City Schools teacher.

On the first day of school, Huntsville City Schools students, faculty and staff will be required to wear a mask inside school buildings.

WAAY 31 asked Superintendent Christie Finley what would happen if students don't cooperate with the mask policy.

"That's just an opportunity for the principle or classroom teacher to have a conversation with that student," said Finley.

"We need your input, but we also need you to respect the decision that we make," said Ryan Renaud, HCS Board of Education member.

Many of the people who showed up wanted to speak during public comment, but only two out of the nine who were signed up actually spoke.

"Take a look at the parents that may have said that had signed up for citizen comment and we can circle back with them, close that loop, and see if we can make sure their voice is heard," said Finley.

Stephens has a message for the board: "Pay attention to what's out here. All you have to do is look around, pay attention. You work for us and you need to hear from us."

Parents do have the option right now to enroll their student in the virtual academy for the semester. That option ends Monday morning.
Former Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely's felony theft and ethics convictions could be quite costly. Not only is he out of a job, but also he could lose his entire retirement pension.

According to an Alabama law passed in 2014, all state employees receiving retirement benefits would lose their pension if convicted of a felony. For the sheriff of almost 40 years, that would be a significant amount.

Blakely hasn't lost his money yet, because the decision is based on a final conviction. Blakely's defense team will likely go through the appeals process to try and overturn those two guilty verdicts.

If found guilty after the appeal, Blakey's pension benefits would be suspended if he's currently receiving some, or forfeited if he hasn't received any yet. The latter is likely considering he was still an active sheriff.

Local attorney Michael Timberlake says the law does not only apply to state employees convicted of a felony while on the job, it's a felony offense in any manner.

"It is interesting to me that this is not just a rule for state employees that are convicted of felonies during their state employment, like Blakely was. It is just any felony. So if it's conviction of a felony offense in any manner then you would forfeit your state pension," explains Timberlake.

He says the money would likely go back to the state retirement fund and be used for other retirement purposes.

WAAY 31 reached out to the Limestone County Commission to see what their retirement benefits look like for elected officials, but have not heard back at this time.
For some school districts in North Alabama, back-to-school calls for mandatory masking.

Madison City Schools, now joining Huntsville and Arab City Schools.

Superintendent of Madison City Schools, Dr. Ed Nichols, said the decision to require masks came after the Alabama Department of Public Health released its back-to-school kit.

Dr. Nichols said they reversed their masking policy, not because of rising coronavirus cases, but because the CDC changed their quarantining guidelines.

"In the past, even if you had a mask on, even if you were in six feet, you were quarantined, but this year you have a mask on and are between three and six feet, then you're not quarantining," said Dr. Nichols.

Dr. Nichols said last year, quarantining affected in-person learning for students and their teachers. This school year, Dr. Nichols wants to ensure students stay in the classroom.

"I'm looking for that point when I know we won't have mass quarantining," said Nichols.

For some Madison City Schools parents, there's disappointment. For others, they feel like they can finally take a deep breath.

"We could have a petition of 400 and there are 24,000 parents, at what point does that make a difference," said Dr. Nichols. "I listen to that input and I appreciate it, but I'm not swayed by trying to figure out a vote, I'm not a politician."

Laura Harper is one of the parents who is feeling relieved as she prepares her three kids for their first day of school.

"My kids are happy they're going back to school," said Harper. "They knew the only way I was going to let them go to school is if they wore a mask."

Harper also said she understands the frustration of sending a child to school with a mask.

"This is not the ideal way to do school," said Harper. "I can completely sympathize with people who are very disappointed that their kids are wearing masks because it's not the best way to learn."

Dr. Nichols said he's looking forward to making a change and going back to mask optional. In a letter home to parents on Wednesday night, Dr. Nichols said, "I plan to reevaluate the mask requirement no later than Labor Day."

One of the schools remaining mask optional is Albertville City Schools. The Superintendent, Dr. Boyd English, said the district has plans in place if there's a spike in coronavirus cases.

In the Alabama Department of Public Health and CDC back-to-school toolkit, both mention requiring masks when on buses.

"Sometimes in our early grades kindergarten through fourth grade, they may forget a mask, but it's a partnership between the city school system and our parents to make sure students who ride the bus are protected," said Dr. English.

Madison County Schools also shared its back-to-school plans. The district plans to remain mask optional but will enforce masks when students are on the bus.

The full list of North Alabama schools that are mask optional and requiring a mask, can be found here.
Tyson Foods announced Tuesday that it is requiring all workers to be fully vaccinated for coronavirus by Oct. 1.

This applies to Tysons Alabama facilities, as well.

The company also plans to provide $200 to frontline team members.

Heres more from the Tyson announcement:

To protect team members, their families and their communities, Tyson Foods (NYSE: TSN), is requiring its team members at U.S. office locations to be fully vaccinated by October 1, 2021. All other team members are required to be fully vaccinated by November 1, 2021, subject to ongoing discussions with locations represented by unions.

This action makes Tyson Foods the largest U.S. food company to require COVID-19 vaccinations for its entire workforce. Almost half of Tyson Foods U.S. workforce has been vaccinated and coronavirus infection rates among team members remain low.

Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is the single most effective thing we can do to protect our team members, their families and their communities, said Dr. Claudia Coplein, Chief Medical Officer, Tyson Foods. With rapidly rising COVID-19 case counts of contagious, dangerous variants leading to increasing rates of severe illness and hospitalization among the U.S. unvaccinated population, this is the right time to take the next step to ensure a fully vaccinated workforce.

Since February, Tyson Foods has hosted more than 100 vaccination events for team members across the country and more than 56,000 U.S. team members have been vaccinated so far. Additional onsite vaccination events will be scheduled, and the company will continue to collaborate with local health departments and healthcare providers to make the vaccine more accessible.

To support efforts to fully vaccinate all team members, the company will also provide $200 to its frontline team members, subject to ongoing discussions with locations represented by unions. This is an expansion of the companys existing policy of compensating workers for up to four hours of regular pay if they are vaccinated outside of their normal shift or through an external source.

Exceptions to the vaccination mandate will involve workers who seek medical or religious accommodation.

Tyson Foods and Matrix Medical have worked together since the beginning of this pandemic to develop and implement strategies to mitigate the risk of the virus to Tyson employees and their families, as well as the communities where they live and work, said Matrix Chief Medical Officer and Group President, Daniel Castillo, M.D., M.B.A. Matrix clinicians and Tyson team members have worked hand-in-hand to implement a broad array of workplace safety measures at Tyson, and we now feel the rising number of new cases across the U.S. warrants advanced clinical strategies  including requiring vaccinations.

To date, Tyson Foods has spent more than $700 million related to COVID-19, including on efforts to combat its spread, such as buying masks, face shields and temperature scanners, installing protective barriers and providing on-site testing and vaccinations. It also partnered with an independent medical provider to bring medical services on site, hired an additional 200 nurses and its first Chief Medical Officer. In addition, Tyson Foods has invested countless hours educating our team members, in dozens of languages, about the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination.
Decatur, IL (62521)

Today

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 68F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 68F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Najibs United Malays National Organisation, the largest party in the new ruling coalition, presented letters to the king in August saying its lawmakers no longer backed the prime minister, ostensibly costing him his majority. Muhyiddin may prove otherwise, however, if he can gather support from enough other MPs. The process is complicated. Muhyiddin could call for a confidence vote in parliament, but if he loses the government would fall. If the king believes Muhyiddin doesnt have sufficient support, he can call on him to either resign or recommend parliament be dissolved. Should Muhyiddin resign, the king could immediately appoint another prime minister whom he believes can command a majority, or ask Muhyiddin to stay on until a replacement is found. If the king agrees to dissolve parliament, a general election would have to be held in 60 days. Muhyiddin had resisted pressure to call a new election, saying he wanted to wait until an independent committee declares that its safe to proceed. Opposition politicians had accused him of using the pandemic as an excuse to stay in power.
 In Iran: Israel is widely thought to be behind the assassination of five Iranian nuclear scientists since 2010 and several attacks on nuclear sites inside the country. Iran accused Israel and the U.S. of being behind the killing of scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh in an ambush on the outskirts of Tehran in November last year. Both Israel and the U.S. declined to comment on the killing. In another incident in April this year, Iran blamed Israel and vowed revenge for an explosion at its largest uranium enrichment facility in Natanz, which it said caused significant damage to its centrifuges. It was the second time in less than a year that the site had been hit by a suspicious blast. Israel neither confirmed nor denied it was responsible for either attack.
Ailey, who died at 58 in 1989 of an AIDS-related illness, kept his romantic affairs largely private for fear of rocking the boat too much as a choreographer who was both Black and gay, according to the film. In one extended sequence, a discussion of Aileys homosexuality is accompanied by footage of him shaking hands with President Ronald Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan, a reminder of the repressive social environment during the AIDS crisis. It adds another layer of context to the portrait Wignot paints of Ailey.
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The site has dropped some of what Ramshaw calls the baggage of legacy news organizations  including the medias tendency to treat both sides of every controversy as respectable, even when one isnt. Not long after President Donald Trump and many Republican lawmakers provoked an insurrection at the Capitol in January, for example, the 19th changed its self-description from nonpartisan to independent.
Some travelers are concerned enough to call off upcoming trips. Heather Clark has an uncommon barometer for public sentiment. She owns a business in Tempe, Ariz., Pomchies, that specializes in manufacturing fabric masks. Orders were up 700 percent the last week of July, with her factory shipping out 15,000 packs of masks every day. So she wasnt surprised when her elderly parents cut their summer vacation short and returned to Michigan on the advice of their doctor.
And this fall, the Citizen Hotel is slated to open with 10 guest rooms in the 1913 building that once housed the now-defunct Tucson Citizen newspaper. Family-owned Sand-Reckoner Vineyards will blend and bottle its wines in the hotels 5,000-square-foot cellar, which is lined by volcanic stone quarried just beyond the city limits. Hotel guests are invited to complimentary wine tastings; anyone can stop by for a glass in the lobby bar.
So when does ambivalence become a problem? In the 18th and 19th centuries, nostalgia was considered a serious psychiatric condition. Being too attached to the past meant one couldnt adapt to the present  which could ultimately lead to death. While nostalgia is no longer classified as such, Damasio says that negative emotions of any kind can infringe on your physical health, as they involve chemical molecules that result, for example, in increases in blood pressure, repeat tightening of blood vessels and changes in cardiac rhythm. These can cause diseases in blood vessels and the heart.
Whats going on? Experts Ive spoken to over the years have told me that foxes are curious, as interested in playing with a toy as a dog or a cat. They may like the mouthfeel of a newspaper. They may want to adorn their den with something soft. One way a mother fox teaches its young to hunt is by bringing it bits of food, along with stuff that isnt food. Dragging a newspaper around is a good way to learn how to drag a squirrel around.
Numerous investigative reports have revealed that President Trump, through the complex arrangements of his personal and business finances, has engaged in multiple aggressive tax strategies and decades-long tax avoidance schemes, the lawsuit stated. Congress and the Committee, however, have thus far been unable to evaluate the Presidents claims about the IRSs audit process or to assess if and how President Trump has been able to take inappropriate advantage of the tax laws.
Coronavirus in the DMV: What you need to read

FAQ: D.C. | Maryland | Virginia

Latest news: Delta variant dominates in Virginia and Maryland | What its like to be a breakthrough case

Vaccine: Breakdown | Rollout information | Your questions answered | State tracker

Masks: DC requires masks again as covid cases rise | Washington region considering mask mandates | Smithsonian to require all visitors to wear masks | Mask mandates in suburban Maryland

Mapping the spread: Known deaths and cases in the region | Nationwide cases | Those vaccinated by occupation | Stories of those we lost

Get the latest local news: Morning newsletter | Afternoon newsletter

Have a question about the delta variant? Ask The Posts science reporters.

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As of Tuesday, the five major localities in Northern Virginia were all in the substantialcategory, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines as 50 or more total new cases per 100,000 people in the past week. High transmission is 100 or more total new cases per 100,000 people in the past week. Only about a dozen counties in the state are below this standard, including Madison and Rappahannock.
At least two of Dr. Levins inventions showed considerable commercial promise. The first, a process to remove phosphorus from wastewater, was used at several sewage treatment plants around the world. The other, an offshoot of his work for NASA, was an artificial sweetener derived from a form of left-handed sugar with molecules arranged in the opposite direction of standard sugar. The result was a sweetener that had fewer calories and would not cause tooth decay. Marketed as Lev-O-Cal, it was briefly used in Slurpees, but it proved too expensive to produce in large quantities.
In 1986, Mrs. 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.
Psychologists and psychiatrists can do wonderful things. But these days you would think that there is no such thing as normal, she wrote in the Times in 2003. If you are still grieving a loved ones death two months later, you fit the category of major depressive disorder. Insurance companies want you quickly fixed, drug companies have a pill for every occasion, and friends and family are too overworked to provide the irreplaceable support for grief that is present in other countries. We are damaging the nature of friendship, teaching people that they need experts to treat them for everything.
Lanz, 27, was most recently a resident of Acworth, Ga., the FBI said. He had tried to enlist in the Marines but did not make it through boot camp, a spokesman said. He also faced a number of charges that were pending at the time of the attack outside the Pentagon. His family did not respond to requests for comment.
More than a dozen young adults have come to depend on the building in Manassas, Va., as a place where they can spend their days with friends and staff members who know them and their needs. Kamara was working to create a similar outlet for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities on the other side of the building, and despite the pandemic limiting funding and the construction hitting snags, she was only a few tasks away from making that happen.
These were among reports received by the Calvert County Sheriffs Office and the Maryland State Police for this edition of Local Living. Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to call 410-535-2800 or 301-855-1194 or use the Submit a Tip feature on the mobile app. Call the Crime Solvers line at 410-535-2880 or the state police Prince Frederick Barrack at 410-535-1400.
Howell acknowledged that sheriffs department pay was a problem, but said it would be better addressed along with State Police compensation in the regular session that begins in January, after a study on the subject is completed in October. She also said Northam has already promised to include money for law enforcement raises, not temporary bonuses, in the budget hell propose in December. The one-time federal funds cannot be used for raises because they are an ongoing expense.
Vaccine would be provided to those facing deportation as well as migrants likely to be released into the United States pending a court hearing, said one of the two officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the tentative plan. Migrants who are quickly sent back to Mexico under the Title 42 public health law would not be offered a dose, at least during the initial phase, the person said.
The resurgence of the virus has also caused an uptick in overall vaccinations, with the president finally meeting his goal of having at least 70 percent of adult Americans get at least one dose of a vaccine. Biden had aimed to meet that goal by the Fourth of July, but it took until Monday.
The case was dismissed in April, but Neureiter ruled that the attorneys had violated their ethical obligations by lodging it in the first place and by peppering their motions with wild allegations that they had made little effort to substantiate. Legal rules prohibit attorneys from clogging the court systems with frivolous motions or from filing information that is not true.
But current advisers said the turn against him in the Assembly was probably a fatal blow. While Cuomo wants to make his case to individual members and try to dissuade them from impeachment, it is unlikely to work, they said. And because the governor and his team have a history of tirades against lawmakers  even allies  they have been unable to secure any defenders, former advisers said.
The 38-year-old, who splits her time between Brooklyn and the Albany area, started as communications director in 2013 and became the governors top aide in 2017. She was key to helping craft Cuomos response to the coronavirus pandemic and assisted him in the writing of a book about his handling of the crisis, for which he was paid a $5 million advance. The role of state employees in the project is under investigation by New York state authorities.
We all want to be with our family and friends again, and the best way to make that happen is by getting the vaccine as soon its available to you, the former first lady said in April.
Featured speakers also include pastors from across the country: Brittany Jones, who with her husband, Travis, started Motivation Church in Richmond, Virginia, known for its ethnic and racial diversity; Aaron Burke, who with his wife Katie, started Radiant Church in Tampa, Florida, which now has five locations; Waleska Ramos-Orellana, who leads the family-based Casa de Amor y Fe in Lakeland, Florida, with her husband, Roberto; and Greg Ford, who with his wife, Shaylyn, moved to Columbus, Ohio, and in 2010 started One Church, which has continued to expand, according to the conference website.
The bloggers claims of poor documentation and plagiarism in Fault Lines are not well-founded. McDurmons weak argument is based on his preference for quoting in an academic style of documentation and formatting, rather than the Chicago Manual of Style, which is the standard for popular-level works published not only by Salem Books but also for most of our peer publishers in the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, Peterson said in an email statement to Religion News Service.
Kovrig and Spavor, held in cramped cells in separate prisons, have been largely cut off from sunlight, their families and the outside world since their arrest on vague charges of spying on and stealing state secrets. In the more than 960 days since theyve been detained, theyve had a handful of calls with their families  combined  and 25 visits each from consular officials. Kovrig has passed the time by walking in circles, according to his family.
Iranian people are onboard with ammunition, the crew member says. We are  now, drifting. We cannot tell you exact our ETA to (get to) Sohar, the port in Oman listed on the vessels tracker as its destination. It was not clear whether the crew members, whom he identified as Indian and Indonesian, were in danger at the time of the recording.
Lawrence Young, a virologist at Warwick Medical School, warned that Britain may never reach population immunity or herd immunity if children are not vaccinated. Some estimates suggest 85 percent of a population must be vaccinated or have had a previous infection to stop the pandemic, and people under 18 make up about 20 percent of the British population. This pool of unvaccinated people could keep the pandemic going on and on, increasing the potential for new variants of concern.
In the meantime, Lebanons decline has accelerated. Its currency has more than halved in value in the past year, and is now worth less than 90 percent of what it was on the eve of the financial crisis in 2019. More than half the population now lives below the poverty line, according to a report published in the spring by the World Bank, which cited fears that the country could see civil unrest.
Iran is responsible for dozens of terror attacks across the Middle East, Gantz said in the meeting. He further charged that Iran has violated all of the guidelines set in the [2015 Iran nuclear agreement] and is only around 10 weeks away from acquiring weapons-grade materials necessary for a nuclear weapon. He added: It is time for diplomatic, economic and even military deeds  otherwise the attacks will continue.
While the British vaccine rollout has been one of the worlds fastest  with 89% of adults having had one dose and 73% of adults fully vaccinated  the country has been fairly slow in offering vaccine jabs to youths. There have been growing calls for the vaccination drive to be expanded to younger people following a spike in infections this summer as a result of the more transmissible delta variant and the lifting of lockdown restrictions.
In Afghanistan, he said, the IS affiliate has expanded its presence in several provinces and in and around the capital Kabul, despite leadership, human and financial losses during 2020. In Kabul, most of its attacks have targeted minorities, civil society actors, government employees and security forces, he said.
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
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Covid19

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AppHealthCare director 'pleading' for people to get vaccinated as CDC releases new mask guidance

File photo Vaccine clinics have been set up across the High Country to administer the COVID-19 vaccines.

WATAUGA  Based on current COVID-19 trends and having a low vaccination rate, AppHealthCare Health Director Jennifer Greene said that the community should be preparing for another wave of COVID-19.

We are carefully watching the data and are seeing case increases for both Ashe and Watauga Counties, Greene said. Based on the current guidance, any area with substantial or high transmission should wear a mask in public indoor spaces. With this in mind, we would recommend individuals (vaccinated or not) wear a mask in public indoor spaces to add a layer of protection and limit potential spread in the community.

With the increasing COVID-19 cases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its mask guidance recommending that those who are fully vaccinated wear a mask when in a pubic indoor setting when in an area of substantial or high COVID-19 transmission.

This decision was made with the data and science available to CDC at the time, including a valuable public health partnership resulting in rapid receipt and review of unpublished data, said CDC Director Rochelle Walensky in a statement.

Some of that data used to help the CDC rework its mask data was published on July 30 and showed that the Delta variant results in similarly high COVID-19 viral loads in vaccinated and unvaccinated people. Walensky said in a statement that high viral loads suggest an increased risk of transmission and raised concern that vaccinated people infected with Delta can transmit the virus, unlike other COVID-19 variants.

This finding is concerning and was a pivotal discovery leading to CDCs updated mask recommendation, Walensky said in a statement. The masking recommendation was updated to ensure the vaccinated public would not unknowingly transmit virus to others, including their unvaccinated or immunocompromised loved ones.

Watauga County has had 29,096  or 52 percent  people partially vaccinated as of Aug. 2 and 27,257  or 49 percent  of people fully vaccinated.

Greene said that people wearing masks  regardless of vaccination status  adds another layer of protection and lessens spread of the virus. She said this is especially important for individuals who are immunocompromised, older adults and children under 12 who are not able to be vaccinated now.

As of Aug. 2, Ashe County is listed as having a high COVID-19 transmission rate while Watauga County is listed as having a moderate transmission rate by the CDC.

Greene said that COVID-19 trends are not going in the right direction and with recommending masks and vaccination, we can limit the impact COVID-19 will have in our local communities.

Between July 1 and July 30, Watauga County had 49 new COVID-19 cases and Ashe County had 57, according to AppHealthCare. AppHealthCare also reported that hospitalizations are also up in recent weeks.

According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the Triad HealthCare Preparedness Coalition region  which includes Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Caldwell, Catawba, Davie, Davidson, Forsyth, Guilford, Iredell, Randolph, Rockingham, Rowan, Stokes, Surry, Watauga, Wilkes and Yadkin  has 290 people hospitalized with 77 of those being adult intensive care unit patients.

The virus is transmitted mainly among those who are unvaccinated and also in settings where people are in close contact with one another, Greene said. We dont have specific numbers on the Delta variant locally, but believe it is safe to assume the majority of cases now are the Delta variant.

Greene said the bottom line is clear: do not wait to get vaccinated. The risk of COVID-19 infection is 3.5 times lower after a person has gotten vaccinated, according to AppHealthCare. Those who are vaccinated are also eight times less likely to get ill from COVID-19 and the risk of hospitalization from COVID-19 is almost 25 times lower.

You are at risk if you are not vaccinated, Greene said. They are free, available at our local pharmacies, many physician offices and our office. Due to the nature of the Delta variant, I am pleading with you to get a vaccine now, not later. I am afraid without your needed action, we will see greater impacts and more people die from COVID-19. None of us wants to see that outcome.

Greene said she wants to thank those who have already been vaccinated and ask that they help encourage friends and family to get vaccinated. Information on how to find and schedule a COVID-19 vaccination can be found at www.apphealthcare.com/covid-19-vaccinations/.

Greene said that COVID-19 testing for Ashe and Watauga counties has decreased in the summer compared to earlier in the year. However, Greene said there was an increase in testing the last few weeks of July for Watauga County.

The rise in COVID-19 cases is taking place before App State students return in full for the fall semester.

We are working closely with the university to prepare for the fall semester and provide public health recommendations to limit potential spread, Greene said. I am pleased with the efforts that Chancellor (Sheri) Everts and the App State team have put into place this semester to protect students, faculty, staff and our broader community. We have resumed weekly calls with university staff and are also communicating regularly throughout the week. We appreciate and are grateful for their partnership in this response effort.

App State students can begin to move into the campus residence halls on Aug. 9. According to NCDHHS, 39 percent of people between 18-24 are at least partially vaccinated in North Carolina. In Watauga County, 42 percent of those 18-24 have been fully vaccinated.
Tom Wolf is the governor of Pennsylvania. This opinion editorial is part of a series from Governors of the states that comprise the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) footprint, as well as the ARC Federal Co-Chair. The ARC, www.arc.gov, is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 420 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARCs mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the Region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation.
Its a neat coincidence that as US payments heavyweight Square was announcing its $39 billion bid for Afterpay on Monday, the Bank for International Settlements issued a paper on the regulation of big techs in finance.

The staff paper is timely because Squares acquisition of Afterpay illustrates how rapidly the fintech sector is growing and evolving, bringing together Afterpays buy-now-pay-later business into a mini financial conglomerate that offers everything from payments hardware to retail information management, marketing support and basic banking services.

Fintechs, even the big ones, arent banks and arent regulated like banks. But they are increasingly offering a range of services and products that look like, and compete with, banking services and products.

The $39 billion takeover of Afterpay announced this week highlights the urgent need for more regulation of the growing fintech sector. Credit:Renee Nowytarger

Regulators around the world have generally encouraged the emergence of fintechs to generate competition to traditional lenders and drive consumer-friendly innovation even as they have loaded ever more and ever more costly prudential regulation and obligations on the banks, such as stringent anti-money-laundering laws.
The Australian sharemarket closed above 7500 points for the first time ever as a slew of major companies hit record highs in the lead up to what could be more merger activity and a bumper results and dividends season.

Miners led the way with BHP - the markets biggest company at $250 billion - rising 2.1 per cent to a new record close of $54.06

Rio Tinto gained 1.5 per cent to a new peak of $134.40. In the lithium sector Pilbara Minerals closed over $2 for the first time ever while the Gina Rinehart-backed Vulcan Energy gained 15.9 per cent to $11.53.

The ASX 200 closed 0.4 per cent higher at a new record 7503.2 on Wednesday. Credit:Louie Douvis

The benchmark S&P/ASX closed 0.4 per cent higher at 7503.2 points. The index has now risen nearly 14 per cent since the start of this year, despite the economic interruption caused by lockdowns.

Head of equities at the RBC Capital Markets institutional trading desk, Karen Jorristma, said the recent merger activity has spurred traders into action. She noted volumes on Mondays session were higher than usual, even though it was a public holiday in New South Wales.

I think there is a direct link between volumes and the merger and acquisition (M&A) we saw from both Oil Search, Santos and Afterpay, Square, she said.

Other recent deals include a $22 billion offer for Sydney Airport, and Telstra netting $2.8 billion for its mobile phone tower network.

I would attribute a lot of this (trading) activity down to M&A because it has reminded the market there is plenty of M&A activity to be had and you dont want to be short of targets. I think people are definitely conscious of what looks appealing from an M&A perspective. Is something undervalued, could it be better under different management?

The banks were split with Commonwealth Bank up 0.8 per cent, and both ANZ Bank and Westpac up 0.2 per cent, while National Australia Bank and Macquarie Bank both declined.

Bunnings owner Wesfarmers hit a record high of $62.77 during trade.

Building materials supplier AdBri closed at an 18-month high of $3.82. In the hot buy now, pay later sector Zip Co closed 0.6 per cent lower and Afterpay dropped slightly to $126.67. But Splitit jumped 23.1 per cent higher at 64 on the All Ords.

Oil producers closed higher despite crude prices falling to a two-week low on expectations of more travel lockdowns across Asia as the COVID Delta strain spreads into more regions.

Woodside Petroleum was up 1 per cent despite forecasting a 5 per cent cost increase in the Scarborough project.

Santos gained 0.6 per cent, and Oil Search added 1 per cent.
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.
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.
Shane Hempenstall was working as an interstate truck driver when he was struck on the head and suffered a brain injury that caused him to become totally and permanently disabled (TPD).

Before the accident, his employer Scott Group had signed the 58-year-old up to an MLC superannuation fund which claimed to have a TPD payout of about $130,000.

However, when Hempenstall applied to receive this money after his injury, after having his disability verified by doctors, MLC declined the claim. The policy did not cover interstate truck drivers.

Super fund members should check their insurance to see if it is suitable for their profession. Credit:Fairfax Media

Hempenstall is now suing the Scott Group through lawyers Maurice Blackburn, who argue the company broke its duty of care by failing to enroll him in a super fund with insurance suitable for his profession.
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
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.
Fortescue chief executive Elizabeth Gaines said she would lock down Cloudbreak if needed after a contractor tested positive to COVID-19 after a swing at the Pilbara iron mining site in Western Australia.

Ms Gaines stressed such a measure had not yet been deemed necessary based on health advice from the WA government in regards to the peculiar case of a fly-in, fly-out worker in his 30s, who caught the virus in March last year but returned a weak positive result on Wednesday in Perth.

Fortescue chief executive Elizabeth Gaines at the Diggers and Dealers conference in Kalgoorlie. Credit:Peter de Kruijff

The state government has not yet mentioned a lockdown in relation to the case, which may have been acquired from a Queensland traveller at Perth Airport on July 20, when the contractor was travelling north to the Fortescue site for a week.

Ms Gaines said she was confident contact tracing of workers who were on site at the same time as the contractor would be finalised by Thursday.
A homeless tent city has appeared on the doorstep of Parliament to protest the shortage of affordable housing in Western Australia.

About a dozen people slept in tents and mattresses at Solidarity Park on Tuesday night, flanked by two banners with the words housing crisis, humanitarian crisis.

Balladong Noongar man Desmond Blurton outside of Dumas House. Credit:Marta Pascual Juanola

Volunteers helped the rough sleepers with warm drinks, food, and clothing.

It comes six months after homeless people camped at Pioneer Park in Fremantle as the states housing crisis reached breaking point, and just hours after mourners gathered at the steps of Parliament to honour Noongar mother-of-six Alana Garlett, who died in hospital after falling ill while sleeping rough in Perths CBD.
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.
New laws to force big gas producers to pay the cost of removing their offshore rigs from the ocean are expected to pass parliament this week, sparking an unlikely division between the federal government and the petroleum industry.

Resources Minister Keith Pitt said the total industry bill for decommissioning oil and gas rigs would hit $60 billion and his reform is needed to prevent a repeat of the Northern Endeavour incident, in which the decommissioning cost for an aging production vessel ended up on the Commonwealths books.

Resources Minister Keith Pitt expects his reforms for the petroleum industry to pass parliament. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer.

Ive been very clear with industry that we need to make sure who is responsible and who is paying [for decommissioning], Mr Pitt said.

Offshore petroleum companies sign binding decommissioning commitments to gain approval for their developments, but a loophole in the law allows them to pass on the liability if a production facility is sold before their statutory end-of-life.
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.
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.
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.
Wilmington, DE (19810)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 68F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph..

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Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 68F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
GRAPHIC | Indiana woman charged in gruesome murder, and asking her kids to help
JCPS is now offering one-stop shopping for physicals and COVID vaccinations at various school locations as students get ready to head back to class.


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Weber State Offers New Degree Options Beginning Fall Semester

August 3, 2021

OGDEN, Utah  When Weber State Wildcats head back to school this fall, they will find a number of new degrees and programs to energize their academic pursuits, including a new bachelors degree in energy engineering.

The degrees are offered in a wide range of disciplines, everything from advanced certificates to a masters degree in social work. The programs were created to meet industry demand in specialized fields. Weber State offers more than 225 degrees and programs. The new courses of study include:

Master of Social Work

Bachelor of Science in Energy Engineering

Bachelor of Science in User Experience; emphasis areas in Stack Web Development, and Design

Bachelor of Arts in Geography

Associate of Applied Science in Outdoor Leadership

Associate of Science in Sound Production/Recording

Associate of Applied Science in Physical Science

Five new certificates in business, engineering and cyber security

Four of the certifications are for individuals who have earned a bachelors degree in the field. All are part of Utahs Learn & Work educational initiative, which provides scholarships for students who enroll in the certification courses.

The new areas of study will add to a wide array of options for our students and will increase their employability, said Ravi Krovi, WSU provost. These offerings are designed to meet the labor demands of the post-pandemic economy and will fill critical workforce gaps in the STEM, business and social science disciplines.

Consistent with Weber States focus on sustainability, the new energy engineering program, housed in the College of Engineering, Applied Science & Technology (EAST), will educate engineers to design the most efficient, sustainable and cost-effective ways to operate buildings, power plants and manufacturing processes. As one of the more recent engineering fields to emerge, energy engineering combines the fields of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, environmental science and economics. According to data from the Department of Workforce Services, graduates can expect a median salary in Utah of $89,700.

High demand, high-paying jobs are the driving force behind the many new degrees and certificates offered in EAST.

We are creating degrees, like systems engineering and energy engineering, that represent our communitys needs, said David Ferro, dean of the college of EAST. The salaries in these areas are much higher than average as well. We welcome anyone who wants to create solutions for wicked problems and have fun while doing it.

Elaine Cope is a 2017 manufacturing engineering technology graduate and Northrop Grumman engineer. She returned to Weber State to earn the post-baccalaureate certificate in systems engineering and sustainable engineering with an eye to a future Master of Science in Systems Engineering, which is in the review process now.

I used the certificate as a Try before I buy to make sure that I really loved systems engineering  and I did, Cope said. Weber State has very hands-on learning. They teach the theory as well as how to write the processes and the procedures to quickly work through problems and get parts into production.

Post-bachelors certificates have become a popular option because in the tight labor market, employers are trying to help develop the skills they need with the employees they have.

High demand is also why Webers State College of Social & Behavioral Sciences created the new Master of Social Work (MSW).

According to Mark Bigler, professor and chair of the Department of Social Work and Gerontology, the program will focus on clinical social work practice and spend more time training students to provide therapy than the generalist programs do.

We wanted to be unique. Thats certainly part of the reason we chose a clinical emphasis, Bigler said. It gives graduates from our masters program a bit of a leg up in a growing area of demand.

The programs clinical focus was also determined in collaboration with community partners, Bigler said, who report facing significant difficulty filling clinical positions that require a masters level credential in the field.

Weber State already has a thriving undergraduate program, which produces 50-75 social workers each academic year, providing a solid foundation for a masters program.

Undergraduate students interested in science, will have additional flexibility to find their focus with the new Associate of Applied Science in Physical Science.

The degree in physical science is designed as a stackable credential. Upon completion, students are prepared to either enter the job market or continue on to a bachelors degree in chemistry, physics, or earth & environmental sciences.

Students will have a diverse array of science career options available to them including laboratory technician, chemical technician, geological technician, environmental technician or research assistant, said Andrea Easter-Pilcher, College of Science dean. Students who choose to pursue a bachelors degree in any of the physical sciences can complete that degree in an additional two years.

The new degrees and certificates support Weber States dual mission to provide educational steps, so students have flexibility to earn certificates and advance from associate to bachelors to graduate degrees easily and efficiently.

The innovations in our curriculum reflect a continued commitment of Weber State University to offer in demand programs in collaboration with industry and community partners, Krovi said.

Students interested in Weber State still have time to enroll for the fall semester, which begins Aug. 30. For more information visit weber.edu/registration.

For catalog information about the new courses, visit these links:
New Sound System, Flooring for Allred and Austad Theaters in Browning Center at WSU

August 3, 2021

OGDEN, Utah  The Val A. Browning Center for the Performing Arts at Weber State University is undergoing some improvements that will make performances even more enjoyable for patrons and performers as it prepares to open its doors this fall.

Events at the venue were cancelled throughout 2020-21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This allowed the university to get a jump-start on new features and upgrades to enhance future shows.

A performing arts center is more than a building, said Jim Craig, Browning Center director. Its a giant machine that allows us to support the fantastic performances we present.

The Austad Auditorium and Allred Theater each received a sound-system upgrade. In Austad, a L-acoustics line-array system and an Avid VENUE S6L audio console were installed, which will provide a significant upgrade that delivers even sound levels across the theater, Craig said. Every seat in the house was analyzed and perfected for sound.

The Allred Theater is also getting a new floor and orchestra pit cover. Construction is scheduled to be finished during the first week of fall classes. The new sprung floor is soft enough to protect performers from injury and strong enough to hold heavy lights and set-construction equipment, Craig said. The orchestra pit cover has 21 individual platforms that can be removed to fit the needs of a given performance.

The Browning Center will also soon have a new recording studio, which will be sonically isolated from the rest of the building. Designed by Peter Gruinsen, the studio will have a control/mixing room and an isolation booth where performers will be recorded. The recording studio is the first phase of technology upgrades for the colleges new sound production and recording program. The minor will allow students hands-on and project-oriented courses to address the techniques, philosophy and artistry of sound production and recording.

In the second phase of renovations, the Roland Perry Recital Hall will be redesigned and renovated to provide a digital connection to the recording studio, allowing larger groups and performances to be recorded.

This is another tool and part of the performing arts machine that we use to produce the best possible content and to teach our students with industry-standard technology, Craig said. Students will be working with the very best.

Visitors to Weber States campus may also have noticed the ongoing construction of the Utah Transportation Authoritys Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in front of the Browning Center and Shepherd Student Union. Once the route is finished, concert and theatergoers will have a direct line from downtown Ogden to the front doors of the Browning Center. The Austad Auditorium can host audiences of up to 1,408, while the Allred Theater has 272 seats available for performances.

Deborah Uman, dean of the Telitha E. Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities, said the construction all around campus is a hopeful sign for students this fall.

Last year, we focused on adapting and streaming our performances. This year, we will be celebrating our return to campus, she said. The renovations at the Browning will give our students places to share their talents on stage and to project their performances across time and space.

Renovations to the Browning Center were made possible by donations from R.A.M.P., the Browning Foundation, Ray Kimber, state funding and the Lindquist College.

For more information about the college, visit weber.edu/arts-humanities.

For photos, visit this link.

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- Western Mass News is getting answers on how local school districts are making the choice to either wear masks or not this fall.

When Alan Loudfoot talked to his grandkids about school, he said the idea of mask wearing has become second nature to them.

They dont mention the masks, Loudfoot said.

Its a comfort level he said is important with cases of the delta variant spreading and many students not able to get vaccinated.

So far, Vermont is requiring students to wear masks this fall. Connecticut hasnt made a decision yet and Rhode Island and Massachusetts are recommending masks, but not requiring them and leaving the decision up to individual districts.

Springfield schools have already decided that their students will wear masks this fall. Agawam is one of the districts thats taking a few days to look over all of the guidance and make the decision to mask or not.

Masks will be required at Springfield Public Schools this fall SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - As COVID-19 cases continue to grow, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno said everyone at Springfield Public Schools

Some schools are playing it safe in saying everyones going to wear a mask whether theyre vaccinated or not, staff, students, pre-K through 12. Now personally, I dont agree with that in Agawam. It may be necessary for a community that is doing that, said Agawam Mayor William Sapelli.

Sapelli explained how the district is crafting their decision.

You have to independently look at your facilities, your state, your community, and work with your health department because they're the key to this, Sapelli added.

He said depending on the number of cases in the community, the district may consider a mask option for only some students.

Those who cant be vaccinated right now, lets say K-6 would wear masks. Others would not need to wear masks unless they wanted to or unless they werent vaccinated, Sapelli noted.

He said the district's decision is coming in the next week or two. The Westfield school district is also planning to announce their decision soon. Officials told Western Mass News they should have an answer by August 16. Chicopee and Holyokes decisions are expected to come next week.

For Loudfoot, who has one grandchild who is too young to get the vaccine, he thinks masks are important for those who are already used to protecting themselves.

The kids don't care. They do what theyre told and it protects everyone, Loudfoot said.
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP)  Fatal drug overdoses in Kentucky  an ongoing scourge that has ravaged communities in the state  surged nearly 50% last year and isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic was a major contributing factor, a state report concludes.

More than 1,964 Kentuckians died from drug overdoses in 2020, according to the report from the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet and the Office of Drug Control Policy. The official count easily eclipsed the state's prior record level of fatal drug overdoses and mirrored a national increase in overdose deaths, the report said.

Kentucky's rising death toll was driven by opioid abuse. A key factor was the prevalence of fentanyl  involved in about 71% of the state's overdose deaths for the year, according to the report, issued Tuesday. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid increasingly added to other illicit drugs to boost potency.

Kentucky has long been plagued by high rates of addiction to opioid painkillers. But the Office of Drug Control Policy pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic as a major contributing factor in the surge in deaths.

The interruption of routine for those in recovery, the sense of isolation, economic concerns and anxiety all contributed to the dramatic increase recorded, the report said.

Matt Brown, a senior vice president for Addiction Recovery Care, a private behavioral health organization that provides drug treatment and recovery services in eastern and central Kentucky, said the pandemic created a "storm that helped to fuel a fire that was already burning. Demand for services dropped for months after the virus hit as people hunkered down, he said.

Addiction is a disease of isolation," Brown said. "And the antidote to addiction is healthy connections and healthy relationships. ... COVID destroyed some of that support network.

That sense of isolation was heightened by pandemic-related lockdowns that temporarily suspended in-person group meetings and treatment services for people in recovery as well as in-person services at churches, another key source of support, officials said.

Matthew Davidson fell victim to the deadly surge in 2020. The 31-year-old was beating his heroin addiction, attending group recovery meetings, and had a restaurant job. When the pandemic hit, Davidson lost his job. He started staying home alone in his apartment near Georgetown, Kentucky  depressed and yearning for his recovery support group that had stopped gathering in person, said his cousin Melanie Wyatt. His girlfriend came home to find him dead of a drug overdose.

Another factor contributing to the 49% increase in Kentucky's drug overdose deaths was the availability of potent, inexpensive methamphetamines, the report said.

Kentuckians in the 35-44 age group represented the largest demographic in overdose deaths, followed closely by the 25-34 age group and then the 45-54 group, it said.

Nationally, overdose deaths soared to a record 93,000 last year in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. government reported recently. That estimate far eclipses the high of about 72,000 drug overdose deaths reached the previous year and amounts to a 29% increase.

For years, money has flowed into Kentucky to try to beat the drug epidemic, and political leaders from both major parties have declared it a top priority.

Gov. Andy Beshear's administration said it has awarded grant funding across the state to increase access to treatment services and recovery programs. State efforts include programs that focus on reducing addiction, preventing reincarceration, increasing the distribution of the life-saving drug naloxone and removing barriers to treatment.

This past year has been devastating, the Democratic governor said. "Between the battle against the global COVID-19 pandemic and the opioid crisis, Kentucky has been hit hard. Now more than ever, we need every resource and everyone working together to stop this scourge, which continues to shatter families and ravage our communities.

U.S. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell has delivered almost $300 million of federal funding to support Kentuckys prevention, treatment and enforcement efforts, the Kentuckian's office said.

Meanwhile, a new Kentucky law is designed to bolster those grassroots efforts. The measure aims to make Kentucky communities recovery ready by having an array of resources in place, including employment, transportation, recovery meetings and support groups.

State Rep. Adam Bowling, the measure's lead sponsor, said it recognizes the "importance and value of engaging our communities to seek local options for prevention, treatment and recovery from the substance use epidemic.

Kentucky also stands to eventually reap more than $460 million to combat its opioid-addiction problems as its share from a possible $26 billion settlement with several pharmaceutical companies, Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron announced recently.

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The KY Help Call Center is available to help. Call 833-859-4357 to speak one-on-one with a specialist.

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Associated Press writer Adrian Sainz in Memphis, Tennessee, contributed to this report.
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 head of the World Health Organization is calling for a moratorium on administering booster shots of COVID-19 vaccines as a way to help ensure that doses are available in countries where few people have received their first shots. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the appeal mostly to wealthier countries that have far outpaced the developing world in numbers of vaccinations. WHO officials say the science is unproven about whether giving booster shots to people who have already received two vaccine doses is effective in preventing the spread of the coronavirus. WHO has repeatedly called for rich countries to do more to help improve access to vaccines in the developing world.
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Ramin Karimloo will be joined by the Broadgrass Band for an evening of musical theatre and folk tunes in December, it has been revealed.

With tickets going on sale on Friday, the evening will see Karimloo (known for his appearances in The Phantom of the Opera and currently starring in a Japanese presentation of Jesus Christ Superstar) present a new spin on classic musical numbers. He explained today: "Over the past decade we have organically developed a unique, rootsy sound called Broadgrass'  breathing some bluegrass into Broadway and bringing some drama into Bluegrass. Featuring the passionate drama of musical theatre hits, original songs and covers that mean something to us in the band, it's an eclectic show. But, as always, it's all about the stories in the songs."

He added: "I can't wait to return to London to perform these songs with the Broadgrass Band at Hammersmith's legendary Eventim Apollo this December. We'll be pulling out all the hits for what I promise to be a celebratory evening that's been a long time coming."

The show will take place on 15 December 2021.
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
As the world's first spirits brand, Glenfiddich operates its truck fleet with self-produced biogas. It is extracted from the residues of whisky production using a technology developed by William Grant & Sons. This low-carbon gas produces only minor emissions.

It has taken more than a decade for Glenfiddich to become the first distillery to process 100 per cent of its waste residues on its own site, then to be the first to process those residues into biogas fuel to power its trucks. We are proud of these renewable energy breakthroughs in our industry as we scale up the decarbonising benefits of this closed-loop process across our entire transport fleet, Stuart Watts explains, director of the William Grant & Sons distilleries.

Significant reduction in CO2 compared to fossil fuels

"Fuelled by Glenfiddich - turning whisky waste into ultra low carbon fuel" is written on the trucks that have been specially converted for running with this biogas. The special petrol stations have been set up for this on the grounds of the Glenfiddich distillery.

This means that transport from the production facility in Dufftown in the north-east of Scotland to filling and packaging is almost climate-neutral. The route includes four William Grant & Sons locations in central and western Scotland,  a recent press release explains."Compared to fossil fuels, each truck saves up to 250 tons of CO2 annually, which corresponds to a similar benefit for the environment as planting around 4,000 trees a year."

This innovative change will not remain the only measure in terms of sustainability. After converting Glenfiddich vehicles to Biogas, Wiliiam Grant & Sons plan to extend this low-carbon technology to its entire transport fleet and industrial supply chain. They also want to make this technology available to the entire Scottish whisky industry.

The Scotch Whisky Association's schedule for sustainability

William Grant & Sons are working hard to implement the schedule drawn up by the Scotch Whisky Association SWA to achieve the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. The four main areas of SWA for the industry are:

Combating climate change by ending all greenhouse gas emissions by 2040

Sustainability of packaging that is reusable, recyclable or recyclable by 2025 be made compostable

Achieve responsible water consumption goals by 2025

Maintaining the land through the active conservation and restoration of Scotland's peat ecosystem by 2035.

Images: Glen Grant & Sons
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For updates on the status of COVID-19, you can also follow updates online from the Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization, or sign up to receive their email updates.
Willmar, MN (56201)

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KAIROUAN, Tunisia (AP)  As Tunisia faces a surge of COVID-19 cases, demand for life-saving oxygen has grown higher than the supply, leaving patients desperate and family members angry at the government as they say they are forced to find oxygen on their own.

As the misery grows, traders have seized on an opportunity for profit, buying supplies of oxygen and other treatments and then renting them or selling them at higher prices. The profitable enterprise that is growing online has prompted citizens to call on authorities for intervention.

I was subjected to various types of blackmailing. People were trading and brokering with everything. Believe me, with everything," said Abdou Mzoughi, 43, whose nearly 80-year-old mother died June 26 from COVID-19 after he spent six days trying, but failing, to get the lifesaving oxygen treatment she needed.

We were looking for a bed with oxygen in any hospital, he said. He couldn't even find her a place in a field hospital, or obtain a larger oxygen concentrator for at-home treatment.

The pandemic comes as the nation in North Africa  the only success story of the Arab Spring of a decade ago  finds itself beset by overlapping political and economic crises. Last month President Kais Saied fired the prime minister, froze the parliament and took on executive powers in what he says is a bid to save the country. He began ruling by decree after nationwide protests over the nations deteriorating social and economic situation  topped by the raging coronavirus epidemic.

Tunisia, with a population of 12 million, has reported more deaths per capita in the pandemic than any African country and has had among the highest daily death rates per capita in the world in recent weeks. More than 20,000 Tunisians have died so far, and the vaccination rate remains low.

Mzoughi said the market price of oxygen has more than doubled as demand grows in Kairouan, an ancient desert city that is considered among the holiest in Islam and is recognized by UNESCO for its rich architectural heritage. It is also one of the poorest cities in Tunisia.

Renting an oxygen concentrator can now cost up to $200 a week  an amount that Mzoughi roughly makes in a month with a steady job in the regional office of an online newspaper.

Now he visits his mother's grave daily and describes still being in a state of shock over her death.

Ahmed Jridi, who owns a shop in Kairouan selling medical devices, said he has seen more sales in oxygen devices.

I discovered that those who are renting these devices do not have sick people who need oxygen, but rather they are merchants, and when they knew that it was a profitable business, they bought many oxygen devices and began to control the high rental price, he said.

Private hospitals and clinics are also witnessing unprecedented pressure and intense demand for resuscitation and oxygen beds. That has caused a shortage of liquid oxygen in hospital tanks, and prompted the health authorities to request supplies from Algeria to enhance its strategic stock and avoid interruption in health units.

It has also led to the use of spare oxygen bottles, or the transfer of some patients to other hospitals.

The oxygen is exhausted. The reserve in the cistern is only used for a few minutes. So to protect our patients we have prepared large bottles of oxygen between the beds of patients who are in artificial respiration, said Dr. Kaies Traoui, a resident in the department of anesthesia and resuscitation at Aghlabid Hospital in Kairouan.

Authorities have now ordered private clinics to contribute oxygen until there is a return to the normal oxygen supply pattern.

Tunisia consumed between 25,000 and 30,000 liters of oxygen daily before the pandemic. Now, the North African nation consumes 10 times the amount, between 230,000 to 240,000 liters of oxygen per day. Meanwhile, its production capacity is only at 100,000 liters per day, according to the Ministry of Health.

An especially moving video posted in mid-July on social media showed a man described as an official of Mateur Hospital, in the north, collapsing in tears because there was no oxygen for his patients. The video, posted by a Tunisian journalist, made the rounds at home and was widely picked up by French media.

However, the ministry denies claims that the health system in Tunisia is collapsing, saying it has received adequate aid from Arab and European countries, including oxygen machines, vaccines and field hospitals.

Still, on July 21, President Saied ordered the military to take over management of the national response to the pandemic.

The United States, France, Italy and China are among countries who recently supplied millions of doses of vaccines, and France opened a maritime bridge less than two weeks ago for the French Navy to bring in medical oxygen and other health equipment.

The representative for the World Health Organization in Tunis, Yves Souteyrand, said Monday there were positive signs the virus crisis was easing, with a recent decline in positive test rates, from 35% to 24%, the official TAP news agency reported.
JOHANNESBURG (AP)  The cars lined up by the strikingly modern mosque and were guided to parking bays where the drivers soon got jabs.

The brisk pace at the Houghton mosque COVID-19 vaccination center is seeing 700 people per day getting shots and is expected to soon reach 1,000 a day.

This is exciting! Were vaccinating more people than we expected, said Yaseen Theba, chairman of the Muslim Association of South Africa a day after the vaccination center opened last week. We created this drive-thru site to accommodate as many people as possible, in a situation where they are comfortable. And it's working! We'll keep it going as long as people need to get vaccinated.

Hitting its stride after a faltering start, South Africa's mass vaccination drive gave jabs to 220,000 people a day last week and is accelerating toward the goal of 300,000 per day. With large deliveries of doses arriving and some vaccines being assembled here, South Africa appears on track to inoculate about 35 million of its 60 million people by the end of the year and 40 million by February.

More than 7.7 million South Africans have received at least one dose, with more than 100,000 fully vaccinated, representing 1.6% of the population, according to official figures. Across Africa, less than 1.5% of the continent's 1.3 billion people have been fully vaccinated, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

After starting with just a dozen vaccination sites, South Africa now has more than 3,000 including government and private hospitals, pharmacies, mines, factories, churches and mosques.

South Africa now appears to have an adequate supply of doses. More than 5.7 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine have arrived this week from the U.S., part of President Joe Biden's distribution of more than 110 million surplus doses to more than 60 countries. South Africa has also purchased more than 40 million Pfizer/BioNTech doses, which are being delivered in regular shipments, and 30 million Johnson & Johnson doses.

Another encouraging factor is the enthusiasm for the vaccines. More than 70% of South Africans say they are eager to get vaccines while just 10% say they are opposed, according to surveys.

South Africa has shouldered by far the largest burden of COVID-19 in Africa, with more than 35% of the cases reported by all of the continents 54 countries, although its population is just 4.6% of the continents total. More than 72,000 South Africans have died of COVID-19 according to official records, but statistics indicate its likely that nearly three times that number have actually died.

South Africa is currently the only country in Africa to be able to manufacture COVID-19 vaccines. Its dependence on imported vaccines is set to decline.

A local firm, Aspen Pharmacare, is assembling the J&J vaccines from large batches of the ingredients and putting them into vials, a process called fill and finish. The factory in Gqeberha can produce more than 200 million J&J doses which will be distributed across the continent.

Pfizer has announced that the Biovac Institute in Cape Town will assemble its COVID-19 vaccines in the same fill and finish procedure. Both Pfizer and J&J have agreed that eventually the South African production facilities will be able to manufacture the vaccines from scratch.

The most recent surge of infections, driven by the delta variant, brought President Cyril Ramaphosa to tighten restrictions, including limiting the sales of liquor to Monday through Thursday, to reduce the number of people going to hospital emergency rooms after alcohol-related incidents. Ramaphosa recently visited vaccination sites in the capital, Pretoria, to encourage people to get jabbed.

South Africa is slowly but steadily coming out of the third wave with a curve that is on a downward trajectory. The peak of the third wave was higher than the previous two peaks and a slightly more severe situation in terms of caseload, said Mosa Moshabela, professor of public health at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Our vaccination drive is a source of pride in the current climate. It is building momentum," said Moshabela. "We are beginning to see a lot of creative approaches to reach more people using workplace approaches, trying to get people in hard-to-reach areas.

At the Johannesburg mosque's drive-thru vaccine center, Tumi Sedumedi pulled into the waiting area after getting her J&J jab and bowed her head for a quiet moment of prayer.

I wanted to give thanks that I received the vaccination, said Sedumedi. Im so relieved that I got it, so I wanted to pray about it and just be grateful. To pray for these people that are offering the service. And to hope that all can get vaccinated and we can bring this pandemic under control."
Winchester, VA (22601)

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Winchester, VA (22601)

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Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 64F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph..

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Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 64F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.
NEW YORK (AP)  A long-awaited report issued Tuesday by New York Attorney General Letitia James into sexual harassment allegations against Gov. Andrew Cuomo detailed several accounts from accusers who have gone public.

In this image taken video provided by Office of the NY Governor, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo makes a statement on a pre-recorded video released, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, in New York. An investigation into New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has found that he sexually harassed multiple current and former state government employees. State Attorney General Letitia James announced the findings Tuesday. (Office of the NY Governor via AP )

NEW YORK (AP)  A long-awaited report issued Tuesday by New York Attorney General Letitia James into sexual harassment allegations against Gov. Andrew Cuomo detailed several accounts from accusers who have gone public.

But the report also revealed previously unknown accusations, including one by a state trooper assigned to Cuomo's security detail.

Investigators hired specifically for this case said they corroborated the accounts of at least 11 women.

Cuomo denied many of the allegations, saying he never touched anyone inappropriately. Those he didnt deny  like kissing women on their cheeks and calling them names like sweetheart  were innocent or overblown, he said.

Here's a look at the women and their allegations, as described by the investigators, and Cuomo's responses:

TROOPER NO. 1

A state trooper whom Cuomo successfully sought to have assigned to his security detail said the governor kissed her cheek, touched her belly and back and made inappropriate, gender-based remarks to and about her, including asking her why she did not wear a dress. Several other troopers witnessed these acts and corroborated her allegations, according to the report. The trooper wasn't identified by name in the report and has not told her story publicly.

A 26-page statement issued by Cuomo's attorney, Rita Glavin, after the report's release does not mention the trooper, whose account was not public before Tuesday.

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT NO. 1

A woman who worked in Cuomo's office became visibly emotional watching a press conference early this year in which Cuomo denied ever touching anyone inappropriately, investigators wrote. She told colleagues Cuomo had reached under her blouse and groped her breast in his office at the governor's mansion three months earlier. The governor's staff later reported the allegations to Albany police.

The woman also told investigators Cuomo had, on various occasions since 2019, grabbed her buttocks, kissed her on the lips, hugged her inappropriately and pried into her personal life.

Cuomo says he never groped her, pointing to text messages the executive assistant sent to other staff on the day in question, indicating nothing was amiss, as evidence it didn't happen. He told investigators she initiated their hugs, and that he was more in the reciprocal business. CHARLOTTE BENNETT

Bennett, a low-level aide to Cuomo, said the governor asked her about her love life, including whether she ever had sex with older men, whether she had been with older men and whether she was monogamous. He also told her that he was lonely and wanted to be touched, according to the report.

When Bennett complained to administration officials that she felt like the governor was hitting on her, she was transferred to another job. The administration did not formally investigate or report the allegations to the governor's Office of Employee Relations, the attorney general's investigators determined.

Cuomo apologized to Bennett in a recorded video released in response to the attorney general's report, saying that he had been trying to counsel her after she confided in him that she is a sexual assault survivor because someone in his family had suffered a similar experience.

STATE ENTITY EMPLOYEE NO. 1

A woman who worked for an entity affiliated with the state told investigators that Cuomo tapped and grabbed her butt while they posed for a photo at a 2019 event sponsored by her organization. She told friends about it at the time, the report states.

Cuomo's statement does not mention this interaction.

VIRGINIA LIMMIATIS

Virginia Limmiatis, an energy company worker, said Cuomo ran his fingers on the lettering that ran across the chest of her shirt when they met in a rope line at a 2017 event. He then told her he was going to say there was a spider on her shoulder and proceeded to brush her chest with his hand, the report said.

Limmiatis immediately told other attendees what had happened, investigators found, but she didn't come forward until seeing Cuomo's press conference this year denying he'd touched anyone inappropriately.

The statement from Cuomos attorney does not mention this interaction.

LINDSEY BOYLAN

The report found that Cuomo kissed, touched, and made inappropriate comments to Lindsey Boylan while she served in various roles working closely with the governor. He commented on Boylan's physical appearance and attractiveness, compared her to a former girlfriend and suggested they play strip poker, investigators found.

The attorney general's report also says that "the Executive Chamber actively engaged in an effort to discredit her" after Boylan, the governor's first accuser to go public, reported the harassment in December 2020. This included leaking records related to her departure from her job.

The statement released by Cuomo's attorney delves into those details, saying Boylan was dismissed for bullying subordinates and suggesting she made up her sexual harassment claims to further her own political aspirations.

ALYSSA McGRATH

Cuomo made inappropriate comments to another executive assistant, Alyssa McGrath, including commenting on her neckline after staring down her loose shirt, regularly asking about her marital status and asking whether she would tell on Executive Assistant No. 1 if she were to cheat on her husband, the report says.

Cuomo's attorney's statement concedes he referred to McGrath and Executive Assistant No. 1 as mingle mamas, but only after they said they were single and ready to mingle ahead of a business trip.

KAITLIN

Another woman, listed just as Kaitlin in the report, was hired to work for the governor after meeting him at a fundraising event in December 2016. Cuomo regularly made Kaitlin uncomfortable by commenting on her appearance and telling her she was not ready for work if she was not wearing makeup, and by calling her sponge  apparently a reference to his advice to soak up knowledge from others  which she told investigators she found embarrassing, condescending and demeaning.

Glavin's statement says the governor frequently comments on staffers' appearances, usually in a complimentary fashion. It also says he was frustrated with Kaitlin's job performance.

ANA LISS

Ana Liss worked as an aide in Cuomo's office from 2013 to 2015, and told investigators he kissed and touched her, addressed her almost exclusively as sweetheart or darling," made inquiries about her relationship status and made inappropriate remarks about her appearance. In the report, Liss explains that she did not immediately come forward about the harassment because, in the governor's office, the typical rules did not apply.

Cuomo's attorney's statement notes that Liss tweeted favorably at and about Cuomo long after she left his office, suggesting that undercuts her account. The attorney's statement also suggests the timing of Liss coming forward was politically motivated.

The governor's interactions with Alyssa McGrath, Ana Liss and Kaitlin were unremarkable, Glavin's statement says.

STATE ENTITY EMPLOYEE NO. 2

A doctor at the state health department told investigators Cuomo made a sexually suggestive comment just before she performed a COVID-19 nasal swab test on him during a televised press conference at the start of the pandemic.

You make that gown look good," Cuomo said after thanking her during the press conference.

She told investigators she found the comments demeaning and felt Cuomo wouldn't have made them to a male doctor.

Glavin's statement doesn't address this allegation.

ANNA RUCH

In September 2019, Anna Ruch met Cuomo at a wedding reception for one of Cuomo's staff members. She told investigators Cuomo touched her bare back and, after she removed his hand, grabbed her face and kissed her. Ruch said the governor remarked, Wow, youre aggressive." Ruch's friend photographed the encounter.

Cuomo says he commonly kisses people on the face, attributing it to his Italian heritage, and said he didn't mean to make Ruch feel uncomfortable.
KAIROUAN, Tunisia (AP)  As Tunisia faces a surge of COVID-19 cases, demand for life-saving oxygen has grown higher than the supply, leaving patients desperate and family members angry at the government as they say they are forced to find oxygen on their own.

KAIROUAN, Tunisia (AP)  As Tunisia faces a surge of COVID-19 cases, demand for life-saving oxygen has grown higher than the supply, leaving patients desperate and family members angry at the government as they say they are forced to find oxygen on their own.

As the misery grows, traders have seized on an opportunity for profit, buying supplies of oxygen and other treatments and then renting them or selling them at higher prices. The profitable enterprise that is growing online has prompted citizens to call on authorities for intervention.

I was subjected to various types of blackmailing. People were trading and brokering with everything. Believe me, with everything," said Abdou Mzoughi, 43, whose nearly 80-year-old mother died June 26 from COVID-19 after he spent six days trying, but failing, to get the lifesaving oxygen treatment she needed.

We were looking for a bed with oxygen in any hospital, he said. He couldn't even find her a place in a field hospital, or obtain a larger oxygen concentrator for at-home treatment.

The pandemic comes as the nation in North Africa  the only success story of the Arab Spring of a decade ago  finds itself beset by overlapping political and economic crises. Last month President Kais Saied fired the prime minister, froze the parliament and took on executive powers in what he says is a bid to save the country. He began ruling by decree after nationwide protests over the nations deteriorating social and economic situation  topped by the raging coronavirus epidemic.

Tunisia, with a population of 12 million, has reported more deaths per capita in the pandemic than any African country and has had among the highest daily death rates per capita in the world in recent weeks. More than 20,000 Tunisians have died so far, and the vaccination rate remains low.

Mzoughi said the market price of oxygen has more than doubled as demand grows in Kairouan, an ancient desert city that is considered among the holiest in Islam and is recognized by UNESCO for its rich architectural heritage. It is also one of the poorest cities in Tunisia.

Renting an oxygen concentrator can now cost up to $200 a week  an amount that Mzoughi roughly makes in a month with a steady job in the regional office of an online newspaper.

Now he visits his mother's grave daily and describes still being in a state of shock over her death.

Ahmed Jridi, who owns a shop in Kairouan selling medical devices, said he has seen more sales in oxygen devices.

I discovered that those who are renting these devices do not have sick people who need oxygen, but rather they are merchants, and when they knew that it was a profitable business, they bought many oxygen devices and began to control the high rental price, he said.

Private hospitals and clinics are also witnessing unprecedented pressure and intense demand for resuscitation and oxygen beds. That has caused a shortage of liquid oxygen in hospital tanks, and prompted the health authorities to request supplies from Algeria to enhance its strategic stock and avoid interruption in health units.

It has also led to the use of spare oxygen bottles, or the transfer of some patients to other hospitals.

The oxygen is exhausted. The reserve in the cistern is only used for a few minutes. So to protect our patients we have prepared large bottles of oxygen between the beds of patients who are in artificial respiration, said Dr. Kaies Traoui, a resident in the department of anesthesia and resuscitation at Aghlabid Hospital in Kairouan.

Authorities have now ordered private clinics to contribute oxygen until there is a return to the normal oxygen supply pattern.

Tunisia consumed between 25,000 and 30,000 liters of oxygen daily before the pandemic. Now, the North African nation consumes 10 times the amount, between 230,000 to 240,000 liters of oxygen per day. Meanwhile, its production capacity is only at 100,000 liters per day, according to the Ministry of Health.

An especially moving video posted in mid-July on social media showed a man described as an official of Mateur Hospital, in the north, collapsing in tears because there was no oxygen for his patients. The video, posted by a Tunisian journalist, made the rounds at home and was widely picked up by French media.

However, the ministry denies claims that the health system in Tunisia is collapsing, saying it has received adequate aid from Arab and European countries, including oxygen machines, vaccines and field hospitals.

Still, on July 21, President Saied ordered the military to take over management of the national response to the pandemic.

The United States, France, Italy and China are among countries who recently supplied millions of doses of vaccines, and France opened a maritime bridge less than two weeks ago for the French Navy to bring in medical oxygen and other health equipment.

The representative for the World Health Organization in Tunis, Yves Souteyrand, said Monday there were positive signs the virus crisis was easing, with a recent decline in positive test rates, from 35% to 24%, the official TAP news agency reported.
About 9,000 Canadian Border Service Agency workers are preparing to begin job action across the country on Friday and say travellers should expect long lineups and lengthy delays at border crossings and airports.

A CBSA officer places a document on the windshield of a car entering Canada and asks it to pull off to the side in Niagara Falls, Ont., Friday, July 16, 2021. A union representing about 9,000 Canadian Border Service Agency workers says its members will begin job action across the country on Friday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter Power

About 9,000 Canadian Border Service Agency workers are preparing to begin job action across the country on Friday and say travellers should expect long lineups and lengthy delays at border crossings and airports.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada and its Customs and Immigration Union, which represent the workers, said that it served a strike notice to the government on Tuesday and is now readying its workers to up the ante.

If a contract isn't reached by 6 a.m. Friday, the union said its members will begin a "sweeping" series of actions at Canadian airports, land borders, commercial shipping ports, postal facilities and headquarters locations.

We truly hoped we wouldnt be forced to take strike action, but weve exhausted every other avenue to reach a fair contract with the government, said Chris Aylward, the union's national president, in a release.

Treasury Board and CBSA have been clear they arent prepared to address critical workplace issues at CBSA at the bargaining table.

The Treasury Board of Canada said the federal government made a formal request Tuesday for the federal labour relations body to appoint a mediator. It said it has confirmed one will be appointed.

"The Government of Canada has great respect for border services officers and the important work that they do and remains committed to reaching agreements with all bargaining agents that are fair to employees, mindful of todays economic and fiscal context and reasonable for Canadian taxpayers," reads a statement from the Treasury Board of Canada

"The Government of Canada has reached agreements covering 95 per cent of the federal unionized workforce for this round of bargaining and is confident that an offer has been put forward that provides a reasonable basis on which to reach an agreement."

Ninety per cent of frontline border workers have been identified as essential so they will continue to offer services, if there is a strike, said the CBSA, in an email.

The CBSA "will respond quickly to any job action/work disruption in order to maintain the safety and security of our border, ensure compliance with our laws, and keep the border open to legitimate travellers and goods," said spokesperson Jacqueline Callin.

The dispute comes as Canada is preparing to allow fully vaccinated Americans to visit without having to quarantine starting Aug. 9 and will open the country's borders to travellers from other countries with the required doses of a COVID-19 shot on Sept. 7.

PSAC-CIU represents 5,500 border services officers, 2,000 headquarters staff and other workers at Canada Post facilities and in inland enforcement jobs employed by the CBSA and Treasury Board Secretariat.

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The union members have been without a contract for about three years because they and their employers have been unable to agree on better protections for staff that the union argues would bring them in line with other law enforcement personnel across Canada and address a "toxic" workplace culture.

Union members voted last month to strike as early as Friday, if the two sides couldn't reach an agreement, prompting their employers to agree to return to the bargaining table.

The union said a public interest commission formed when the two parties couldn't reach a consensus outlined a series of measures in late July that both sides should explore going forward.

Those measures, said PSAC-CIU, include starting discussions about a paid pensionable meal period for union members, paid firearm practice time, a fitness allowance for officers and new protections for disciplined employees.

The union also said the report encouraged the parties to negotiate expanded seniority rights for scheduling, parameters regarding student work, language ensuring officers arent required to work alone and a streamlining of grievance procedures.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 4, 2021.
TORONTO - Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa remembers dressing up her Barbies as doctors, poets and performers when she was a young girl, but none of the dolls looked quite like the woman she aspired to be.

TORONTO - Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa remembers dressing up her Barbies as doctors, poets and performers when she was a young girl, but none of the dolls looked quite like the woman she aspired to be.

Now, the Canadian physician, spoken word poet and advocate is not only living out her childhood dreams, but has a Barbie made in her image to show for it.

Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa is seen holding her Barbie likeness in Toronto's discovery district in an undated handout photo. The 27-year-old physician, spoken word poet and advocate is not only living out her childhood dreams, but has a Barbie made in her image to show for it. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Visual Bass, Tobias Wang, *MANDATORY CREDIT*

Oriuwa hopes the creation of a one-of-a-kind doll celebrating her success will show kids there aren't any limits on their play or their potential.

"What is even more beautiful about this opportunity is that the Barbie is a Black female doctor that is made in my image," said Oriuwa, a psychiatry resident at the University of Toronto.

"That really speaks to my core value and my core belief that you can truly become anything and you can truly occupy any space and thrive."

Dr. Chika Stacy Oriuwa is seen holding her Barbie likeness in Toronto's discovery district in an undated handout photo. The 27-year-old physician, spoken word poet and advocate is not only living out her childhood dreams, but has a Barbie made in her image to show for it. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Barbie, *MANDATORY CREDIT*

Oriuwa is one of six women who inspired Mattel's special collection of Barbies honouring health workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis.

Also among the female scientists being celebrated are U.K. vaccinologist Sarah Gilbert, who co-developed the Oxford-AstraZeneca jab, and Brazilian biomedical researcher Dr. Jaqueline Goes de Jesus, who is credited with leading the sequencing of the genome of a COVID-19 variant in Brazil.

Only one doll was made for each of the real-life "role models" and will not be available for sale, a Mattel spokeswoman said.

The toymaker recognized Oriuwa for her advocacy against systemic racism in health care.

The 27-year-old has spoken openly about the discrimination she faced as the only Black student in her class during her first year in medical school in 2016, and helped spearhead efforts to diversify the program.

She became the first Black woman to be selected as sole valedictorian for University of Toronto's faculty of medicine upon graduation last year.

From a young age, Oriuwa said she strained against the "subconscious messaging" that she didn't fit the mould to work in the medical field.

Even as she played out her fantasies of adulthood with Barbies, Oriuwa said the brand didn't offer many Black dolls, particularly ones with her skin tone and Afro-textured hair.

"Not only did I not necessarily have a Barbie that looked like myself in the field I wanted to pursue, but I actually didn't know any Black female doctors at all until much later on in life," she said.

"It would have been so pivotal for me to have had a Barbie that can really help to solidify more of my dreams and letting me know that it really is something that is tangible."

Oriuwa worked with the Barbie team to design a doll that depicts her features accurately, complete with medical accessories including a white coat and a stethoscope.

"A part of this is also changing the narrative of what a doctor looks like," she said.

"I really wanted to be able to send that messaging back to the younger generation of girls to inspire them and let them know that truly any one of them can occupy this field or any field that they aspire towards."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 4, 2021.
BOSTON (AP)  After a federal eviction moratorium was allowed to lapse this weekend, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a new moratorium Tuesday on evictions that would last until Oct. 3.

BOSTON (AP)  After a federal eviction moratorium was allowed to lapse this weekend, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a new moratorium Tuesday on evictions that would last until Oct. 3.

The new moratorium aims to keep millions in their homes and prevent the spread of the coronavirus delta variant. The order cites the fact that there are lower vaccination rates in areas most at risk for eviction.

The moratorium also give states additional time to get out nearly $47 billion in rental assistance, most of which has yet to be distributed to tenants and landlords.

WHO BENEFITS FROM THE NEW MORATORIUM?

Most tenants facing eviction and who counted on the CDC moratorium in the past should be protected. The new ban would temporarily halt evictions in counties with substantial and high levels of virus transmission and is expected to cover areas where 90% of the U.S. population lives.

The number of tenants protected is likely to change, however, since it would stop being applicable in counties that go 14 days without seeing substantial or high levels of coronavirus transmission. Counties that are not covered now, but later experience spikes, would also fall under the moratorium when that happens.

There are concerns among advocates that judges, especially in rural areas, may ignore the CDC moratorium as some did earlier in the pandemic. Already, a lawyer in North Carolina said Wednesday that a judge refused to accept it as a defense because the Administrative Office of the Courts has not provided any guidance on it.

HOW CAN A TENANT USE THE MORATORIUM TO PREVENT AN EVICTION?

Just like the original CDC moratorium, a tenant facing eviction for nonpayment of rent must fill out a form and present it to their landlord or the owner of the property.

The new order makes clear that someone protected by the original CDC order would still be protected. It also says that anyone in court for nonpayment of rent but whose case has not yet been completed would be protected by the order.

But as was the case previously, the order would not protect someone who engaged in criminal activities, damaged their apartment or threatened the health and safety of other residents among other violations

WILL THIS ORDER SURVIVE LEGAL CHALLENGES?

After pushing the CDC to reconsider its options, President Joe Biden acknowledged Tuesday that he wasn't sure the new moratorium could withstand lawsuits about its constitutionality. Landlords had successfully challenge the original order in court.

When the U.S. Supreme 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.

Landlords groups reacted to the new order as they did the old one, criticizing it as an unfunded government mandate. They have yet to detail their legal strategy, though most housing advocates are counting on more lawsuits. Even if the order is overturned in court, advocates are hopeful it gives states enough time to get rental assistance out.

WHAT MORE COULD BE DONE FOR TENANTS?

Housing advocates have called the extension the best option given the current situation. Most would have liked Congress to take up the issue and pass a comprehensive eviction moratorium. But that is unlikely in the current political climate.

The other option is for states and cities to pass their own moratoriums, as many did during the pandemic. California, New York and New Jersey are among a handful of states that still have moratoriums in place.

But it's unlikely that states or cities will enact their own, especially with the CDC extension in place. For most advocates, the focus remains on getting states to speed up the distribution of rental assistance  seen as the best long-term option to keeping tenants housed over the long-term and making landlords whole.
GENEVA (AP)  The head of the World Health Organization called Wednesday for a moratorium on administering booster shots of COVID-19 vaccines as a way to help ensure that doses are available in countries where few people have received their first shots.

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, left, and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi watch the opening ceremony in the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (Leon Neal/Pool Photo via AP)

GENEVA (AP)  The head of the World Health Organization called Wednesday for a moratorium on administering booster shots of COVID-19 vaccines as a way to help ensure that doses are available in countries where few people have received their first shots.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the appeal mostly to wealthier countries that have far outpaced the developing world in numbers of vaccinations. He said richer countries have administered about 100 doses of coronavirus vaccines for every 100 people on average, while low-income countries  hampered by short supplies  have provided only about 1.5 doses per 100 people.

WHO officials say the science is unproven about whether giving booster shots to people who have already received two vaccine doses is effective in preventing the spread of the coronavirus.

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus arrives at the opening ceremony in the Olympic Stadium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 23, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (Leon Neal/Pool Photo via AP)

The U.N. health agency has repeatedly called for rich countries to do more to help improve access to vaccines in the developing world. It has argued that no one is safe until everyone is safe because the longer and more widely the coronavirus circulates, the greater the chance that new variants could emerge  and prolong a global crisis in fighting the pandemic.

The agency has no power to require countries to act, and many in the past have ignored its appeals on issues like donating vaccines, limiting cross-border travel and taking steps to boost production of vaccines in developing countries.

Tedros pointed to a WHO target he had announced in May seeking to ensure that 10% of the populations in all countries receive vaccines against the coronavirus.

"Accordingly, WHO is calling for a moratorium on boosters until at least the end of September to enable at least 10% of the population of every country to be vaccinated," he told a news conference.

FILE - In this file photo dated Tuesday, July 14, 2020, Director General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, attends the Bastille Day military parade, in Paris. The head of the World Health Organization has appealed Wednesday Aug. 4, 2021, for a moratorium on administering booster shots of COVID-19 vaccines, to ensure doses are available in countries where few people have yet received their first shots. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, FILE)

To help take the heat out of the pandemic, WHO has been focusing on getting vaccines to older adults, health care workers and other target populations in many countries before booster shot campaigns are carried out.

Dr. Bruce Aylward, a special adviser to Tedros, said the moratorium was about an appeal to countries considering booster doses to "put a hold" on such policies "until and unless we get the rest of the world caught up" in the fight against the pandemic.

"As weve seen from the emergence of variant after variant, we cannot get out of it unless the whole world gets out of it together. And with the huge disparity in vaccination coverage, were simply not going to be able to achieve that," Aylward said.

Israel, France, Germany and many Middle Eastern countries have already started administering boosters, and other nations, including the United States and Britain, are considering plans to do so in the wake of the emergence of the highly transmissible delta variant.

Dr. Katherine OBrien, WHOs vaccines chief, noted that a "very limited number" of countries were giving booster doses though a larger number were contemplating it.

"The evidence is evolving. Its moving. We dont have a full set of evidence around whether this is needed or not," O'Brien said, adding that the main message was that "we need instead to focus on those people who are most vulnerable."

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Asked about the WHO position, White House press secretary Jen Psaki called it a "false choice" and suggested the United States could both donate vaccines abroad and provide boosters at home.

"We announced just yesterday that we hit an important milestone of over 110 million vaccines donated to the world. That is more than any other country has shared combined," she said. "We also, in this country, have enough supply, to ensure that every American has access to a vaccine. We will have enough supply to ensure, if the FDA decides that boosters are recommended for a portion of the population, to provide those as well."

WHO officials reiterated their call for global "solidarity" to help battle the coronavirus pandemic and appealed to wealthy countries and corporations to help.

"We need everyones cooperation, especially the handful of countries and companies that control the global supply of vaccines," Tedros said, appealing in particular to the influential Group of 20 large economies. "The G-20 has a vital leadership role to play as the countries that are the biggest producers, the biggest consumers and the biggest donors of COVID-19 vaccines."

He urged the G-20, which currently is chaired by Italy, to make "concrete commitments to support global vaccination targets."

"We call on everyone with influence  Olympic athletes, investors, business leaders, faith leaders and every individual in their own family and community  to support our call for a moratorium on booster shots until at least the end of September," Tedros said.
SAULIEU, France (AP)  An international conference on Lebanon on Wednesday raised some $370 million in aid to meet the country's humanitarian needs, one year after the massive explosion at Beiruts port, the French presidency said.

People pass next of a justice symbol monument that sits in front of towering grain silos gutted in the massive August 2020 explosion at the Beirut port that claimed the lives of more than 200 people, in Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021. A year after the deadly blast, families of the victims are consumed with winning justice for their loved ones and punishing Lebanon's political elite, blamed for causing the disaster through their corruption and neglect. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

SAULIEU, France (AP)  An international conference on Lebanon on Wednesday raised some $370 million in aid to meet the country's humanitarian needs, one year after the massive explosion at Beiruts port, the French presidency said.

The pledges, to be delivered over the next 12 months, go beyond the $357 million sought in the third global effort to show support for the Lebanese people, President Emmanuel Macron said at the virtual conference co-hosted by France and the United Nations.

France's President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he attends an international video conference at the Fort de Bregancon, in Bormes-Les-Mimosas, southern France, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021. The virtual event, co-hosted by France and the United Nations, is meant to show support towards Lebanese people, French President Emmanuel Macron said. France will provide 100 millions euros ($118.6 million) in the coming months, Macron said in his opening remarks. (Christophe Simon/Pool Photo via AP)

France will provide 100 millions euros ($118.6 million) in the coming months, Macron said. Paris will also send 500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines for the country.

President Joe Biden, who addressed the conference in a video message, pledged to give $100 million in new humanitarian assistance.

The conference drew 33 states, some represented by heads of state or government, diplomats and 13 international organizations, plus five representatives of Lebanese civil society, according to a final statement from Macron's office. Participants included Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Egypts President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, King Abdullah II of Jordan and European Council President Charles Michel.

Lebanon's current humanitarian needs have been estimated by the U.N. to be at least $357 million. Aid is to focus on food, schools, the health sector and clean water supply.

Wednesday's event was also meant to mount pressure on Lebanese leaders to form a new government able to implement reforms and start rebuilding the country.

France's President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he attends an international video conference at the Fort de Bregancon, in Bormes-Les-Mimosas, southern France, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021. The virtual event, co-hosted by France and the United Nations, is meant to show support towards Lebanese people, French President Emmanuel Macron said. France will provide 100 millions euros ($118.6 million) in the coming months, Macron said in his opening remarks. (Christophe Simon/Pool Photo via AP)

Lebanon is going through the worst economic and financial crisis of its modern history, and a political stalemate has kept the country without a functioning government for a full year.

Biden said that no amount of outside assistance will ever be enough, if Lebanons own leaders do not commit to do the hard but necessary work of reforming the economy and combating corruption. Thats essential, and has to start now.

Lebanese politicians have only made the situation worse by placing their individual and political interests above the Lebanese peoples interests," Macron criticized. Lebanon definitely deserves better."

Macron said that humanitarian aid promised Wednesday will be unconditional.

However, he warned that there will be no blank check to the Lebanese political system because it is defaulting. ... Lebanese leaders seem to opt for the deterioration (of the situation). I regret it. I think its an historical and moral error.

Michel, the European Council President, stressed that the EU adopted a few days ago a sanctions framework ... to target those in Lebanon who obstruct efforts to end the political crisis. We obviously hope that we will not be obliged to activate it.

Macron, who went to Beirut twice since the explosion at the port, has led international efforts to try to help the former French protectorate by providing emergency aid. Last year's conference on Lebanon, organized in the wake of the explosion, raised about 280 million euros ($332 million).

In a statement laying out the conference's conclusions, participants said that Lebanon's development model needs to be overhauled to ensure the country gets back into a sustainable and people-centered development process.

Humanitarian assistance cannot be a long-term solution, the conference concluded, noting that structural economic and financial assistance will require profound changes expected from Lebanons leaders.

The conference said a new government under Lebanon's new Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati must start by swiftly launching, conducting and concluding negotiations in good faith with the International Monetary Fund," as well as preparing transparent and impartial" elections for 2022, and repairing the damaged port.

According to the U.N., over half of Lebanese people now live in poverty, one in three Lebanese suffer from food insecurity and nearly 4 million people are at risk of not accessing safe water.
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.

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.

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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.
NEW YORK (AP)  The U.S. nursing home industrys resistance to forcing workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19 for fear that too many of them might quit began to crack this week when its biggest player announced its employees must get the shot to keep their jobs.

FILE - In this Dec. 15, 2020, file photo, a droplet falls from a syringe after a health care worker was injected with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at a hospital in Providence, R.I. Genesis Healthcare, the nations largest nursing home operator which has 70,000 employees at nearly 400 nursing homes and senior communities, told its workers this week they will have to get COVID-19 vaccinations to keep their jobs  a possible shift in an industry that has largely rejected compulsory measures for fear of triggering an employee exodus that could worsen already dangerous staffing shortages. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)

NEW YORK (AP)  The U.S. nursing home industrys resistance to forcing workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19 for fear that too many of them might quit began to crack this week when its biggest player announced its employees must get the shot to keep their jobs.

The new requirement at Genesis Healthcare, which has 70,000 employees at nearly 400 nursing homes and senior communities, is the clearest sign yet that owners may be willing to risk an exodus at already dangerously understaffed facilities to quickly vaccinate the 40% of workers still resisting shots and fend off the surging delta variant.

Some experts are calling for mandatory vaccinations at nursing homes, warning that unprotected staff members are endangering residents. Even residents who have been inoculated are vulnerable because many are elderly and frail, with weak immune systems.

More than 1,250 nursing home residents across the U.S. were infected with COVID-19 in the week ending July 25, double the number from the week earlier, and 202 died, according to federal data.

Its so easy now to say, Well, Genesis is doing it. Now well do it,'" said Brian Lee, who leads Families for Better Care, an advocacy group for long-term care residents. "This is a big domino to fall.

Lawrence Gostin, a professor of health law at Georgetown University, said he likewise foresees a snowball effect. He said resisting vaccination mandates at this point is unconscionable.

Some local governments are taking the decision out of the industrys hands, with Massachusetts and Denver announcing mandatory vaccinations at nursing homes this week.

The question has become more urgent as the highly contagious delta variant drives up new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. to about 90,000 a day on average  the most since mid-February  and sends hospitalizations surging in states like Florida and Louisiana to the highest levels since the pandemic began.

Despite the terrible toll taken by the disease at nursing homes, many of the nations 15,000 such institutions have rejected mandatory vaccinations for fear large numbers of workers will leave in protest. Nearly a quarter of nursing homes are already short of nurses or nurses aides.

But Associated Press interviews this past week with managers at 10 mostly smaller nursing home operations across the nation that are requiring vaccines found that the threat of workers quitting en masse over the shots may be overblown.

After Canterbury Court in Atlanta announced a mandate in January, CEO Debi McNeil was so fearful of a massive walkout that she brought in medical experts to talk to workers, met with holdouts one-on-one and invited staff to gather in the community room for meetings that occasionally got heated.

In the end, only 10 of 180 workers quit, and McNeil said Canterburys nursing home, independent living and assisted living facilities have reported no new COVID-19 cases since February.

It was a gamble that paid off for us, McNeil said. I thought more people would have mandated it by now.

At Jewish Home Family in Rockleigh, New Jersey, only five of 527 workers at its nursing home and assisted-living facilities quit. Westminster Village in Bloomington, Illinois, lost only two out of 250.

Its important to educate, but at some point we have to end this pandemic, said Scott Crabtree, CEO of Lambeth House in New Orleans, which lost only 10 of 200 workers after it started requiring shots when they became available last year. When do we say, Enough is enough?

More than 130,000 nursing home residents in the U.S. have died from COVID-19, making such institutions by far the deadliest place to be during the pandemic. About 80% of residents have been vaccinated, double the rate for staff, according to the government.

Some workers have rejected the vaccine because they think it was rushed into development and is unsafe, or they feel protected because they already got COVID-19.

Its too soon to put that crap in my body, said Christina Chiger, a nurses aide at a nursing home in Tampa, Florida. It took how many years to perfect the polio vaccine? This was done in months.

Others have been swayed by false rumors that the vaccine was made from dead babies or contains microchips or will make you infertile. That last notion concerned Michaela Murray, a nurse's aide at an Alabama nursing home that made vaccinations mandatory.

I was kind of worried, but I talked to the doctors and they put my mind at ease, said Murray, who agreed to get a vaccine to keep her job at Hanceville Nursing & Rehab Center, which had only six of 260 workers quit. I had had COVID and didnt want to go through that again.

Pennsylvania-based Genesis said volunteer vaccinations were appropriate earlier in the pandemic, but not now, as the more infectious variant spreads and only 65% of its staff has received shots. Genesis is giving employees until Aug. 23 to get their first shot.

To succeed against the delta variant is going to require much higher vaccination rates," said Chief Medical Officer Richard Feifer. Our tactics in the fight have to change.

Jennifer Moore of Hollywood, Florida, whose husband is living at a nursing home where only 35% of the staff is vaccinated, said its also a matter of ethics.

Whenever I see a story about somebody being anti-vax, I just want to scream, said Moore, whose husband, Thomas, has Parkinsons disease. I understand people have concerns about the vaccine, but these people are working with the most vulnerable population. They have a duty to their patients."



AP reporter Todd Richmond in Madison, Wisconsin, contributed to this report.
SALEM, Ore. (AP)  The future ownership of an Israeli spyware company whose product has been used to hack into the cellphones of journalists, human rights workers and possibly even heads of state is up in the air.

FILE - This Oct. 30, 2019, file photo show the Oregon State Treasury office in Tigard, Ore. Oregon was Novalpina's first major investor. Stephen Peel and Stefan Kowski, two founding Novalpina Capital partners, showed up at Oregon treasury offices in the Portland suburb of Tigard in November 2017 to make a pitch to the Oregon Investment Council, which oversees the state's $90 billion pension fund. Novalpina Capital has been saddled with both an internal dispute among its founding partners and an explosive report showing NSO Group's spyware has been widely misused around the globe. (AP Photo/Andrew Selsky, File)

SALEM, Ore. (AP)  The future ownership of an Israeli spyware company whose product has been used to hack into the cellphones of journalists, human rights workers and possibly even heads of state is up in the air.

Major investors in a private equity firm that has majority ownership of NSO Group, the maker of the Pegasus spyware, are in discussions about what action to take. The Oregon state employee pension fund is one of the largest investors, if not the largest, having committed $233 million to Novalpina Capital, the private equity firm, in 2017.

Novalpina Capital has been saddled with both an internal dispute among its founding partners and an explosive report showing NSO Group's spyware has been widely misused around the globe.

Oregon State Treasury spokeswoman Rachel Wray told The Associated Press in an email Wednesday the department is getting involved. State officials previously said investors have limited say in private equity investments once they are completed.

I can confirm that, consistent with our fiduciary duties to Oregon beneficiaries, and along with other limited partners, (Oregon State) Treasury is involved in discussions related to our investment in Novalpina, Wray said Wednesday.

The development comes amid a serious disagreement among the three co-founders of London-based Novalpina Capital that, according to press reports from Britain, resulted in investors moving to strip control of the fund after concluding that relations between the three had deteriorated so much that they could no longer work together.

Sky News reported the dispute was about future deployment of Novalpina's 1 billion euro ($1.18 million) fund.

On top of that internal strife, an investigation published in July by the global media consortium Forbidden Stories showed that at least 180 journalists around the world have been selected as targets by clients of NSO Group. In one case highlighted by the Guardian, Mexican reporter Cecilio Pineda Birto was assassinated in 2017 a few weeks after his cellphone number appeared on a leaked list of more than 50,000 cellphone numbers.

French President Emmanuel Macron is one of several world leaders who may have been targeted using the spyware that is capable of checking a cellphone's emails and other data and turning on its microphone and cameras.

NSO Group denied that it has ever maintained a list of potential, past or existing targets. In a separate statement, it called the Forbidden Stories report full of wrong assumptions and uncorroborated theories.

The company insists it only sells to vetted government agencies for use against terrorists and major criminals and that it has no visibility into its customers data. Critics have provided evidence that NSO directly manages the high-tech spying.

Oregon State Treasurer Tobias Read, who serves as the states chief investment officer, is following and (is) concerned about the reporting surrounding Novalpina and the NSO Group, Wray said.

Wray said she cannot get into specifics about the discussions among Novalpina's investors because of confidentiality restrictions and Oregon's obligations as a limited partner. Read declined an interview request.

Oregon was Novalpina's first major investor. Stephen Peel and Stefan Kowski, two founding Novalpina Capital partners, showed up at Oregon treasury offices in the Portland suburb of Tigard in November 2017 to make a pitch to the Oregon Investment Council, which oversees the states $90 billion pension fund.

As investors, we assume we have to be contrarian, Peel told the council. We have to find deals that other people dont see or dont want to do for various reasons.

The Oregon Investment Council unanimously approved a $233 million commitment. It has so far provided to the fund $65.7 million, according to the most recent statistics. The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation and Englands South Yorkshire Pensions Authority invested $59 million and $33 million respectively.

In 2019, Novalpina Capital and the founders of NSO Group acquired a majority stake in NSO Group from another private equity firm, Francisco Partners, that the Oregon pension fund had previously invested in.

Novalpinas largest investors are now considering picking Berkeley Research Group to replace Novalpina, the Financial Times reported. If appointed, the California-based global consulting firm would be given a mandate to return investors money by selling the three companies Novalpina owns, including NSO, for the highest possible price, the London newspaper said.

Berkeley Research Group did not respond to a request for comment. The groups website says it helps leading organizations advance in three key areas: disputes and investigations, corporate finance, and performance improvement.
NEW YORK (AP)  Quintin Sweat and Renee Harrison live only 15 minutes apart by car, with the U.S.-Canada border between them.

Suzi Malinovitz sits in the kitchen of her apartment in Rehovot, Israel, as she video chats with her daughter, Ronit Malinovitz, from Phoenix, Ariz., Tuesday, July 27, 2021. While Ronit's parents were able to visit her in the Phoenix suburbs in the spring, she called off a trip to Israel this summer to see them and other relatives because of what she said was an overwhelming amount of paperwork involved in applying for Israeli passports for her two teenage daughters. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)

NEW YORK (AP)  Quintin Sweat and Renee Harrison live only 15 minutes apart by car, with the U.S.-Canada border between them.

But the couple, who got engaged in 2019, has only been able to be together three times during the pandemic. Travel restrictions mean Harrison must drive four hours from her Windsor, Ontario home to the Toronto airport in order to fly to Detroit where Sweat lives. For Sweat, it means a mandated two-week stay in Canada.

The two even drove to the outer limits of their respective borders just to see each other but they were still so far away that they looked like dots, Sweat said.

Shes gone to the edge of Windsor and Ive gone to the edge of Detroit and we can see each other, but we cant actually be with each other, he said. They have delayed their wedding to 2022.

Since the start of the pandemic, a constantly changing and confusing web of travel restrictions have separated loved ones around the world. For people whose lives cross international borders and for immigrants who leave their homes behind to move to a new country, not knowing when they can see their relatives again compounds the pain of separation.

For Sweat and Harrison, there is some relief in sight when Canada begins letting in fully vaccinated Americans on Aug. 9. Harrison still can't drive in to Detroit, however, as the U.S. is restricting entry by car from Canada and Mexico until at least Aug. 21.

The U.S. still bars travelers from specific countries  Brazil, China, India, Iran, South Africa and much of Europe. The European Union recommended allowing in U.S. travelers in June, although individual European countries make their own rules. Britain opened its borders to fully vaccinated travelers from the U.S. and the European Union on Monday.

With the cities of Windsor, Ontario, Canada, left, and Detroit, right, seen in the background, Quintin Sweat Jr, poses with his fiancee Renee Harrison, seen on his phone, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, on Belle Isle in Detroit. Sweat and Harrison live only 15 minutes apart by car, with the U.S.-Canada border between them. But the couple, who got engaged in 2019, has only been able to be together three times during the pandemic. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

The U.S. airline lobby is pushing the U.S. government to reopen travel with low-risk countries, and European officials have pressed their case as well. But a White House official said July 26 that the U.S. will keep existing international travel restrictions in place for now because of surging infection rates due to the delta variant.

Alyson Sicard, who lives in Tampa, Florida, with her husband, who is on a research visa, lost a relative to suicide several weeks ago and her father got married in June. She has not been able to return to her home in France for any of it because of the U.S. travel restrictions

My neighbor can go to my fathers wedding but I cannot, Sicard said. I told her, go there. And take pictures for me.

For some immigrants, it's the countries they left that are keeping them out now. Some countries have shut their borders for the entirety of the pandemic, like Australia. Others closed their borders, reopened them, and closed them again.

Imelda Norton, who lives in Denton, Texas, hasnt seen her mother, brothers and their families, who live in the Riau province of Indonesia, since 2016. She was supposed to go in 2020 but that was spiked because of the pandemic. Now its unclear when shell get another chance. Indonesia's borders are largely closed, and COVID cases there have surged.

I told my mom, you know, please take care of yourselves, if anything happened to any of you, I cant really go, she said.

Travel restrictions aim to stop populations from mixing in order to slow the spread of the virus. Its not a long term solution and ultimately the only fix is global distribution of vaccines, said Wilbur Chen, a professor at the University of Maryland who specializes in vaccines.

There is a debate among public health experts about how and when to restrict travel during a pandemic, said Jennifer Nuzzo, a Johns Hopkins University public health researcher. Its been difficult to control COVID-19 even with travel bans in place, she said.

I dont yet see compelling data saying yes, travel restrictions worked, except for maybe a few examples, such as New Zealand, she said.

Some travel restrictions may be circumvented by some people with the extra time and money to do so. Michelle Lariviere, who lives in a village about 45 minutes from London, flew to Croatia at the end of July, staying in a hotel there for two weeks, and then going to New York, because Croatia isnt on the U.S.'s list of restricted countries while the U.K. is.

She says what shes doing is nonsensical, but shes desperate to see her daughter and grandchildren. She hasnt seen them since September 2019, when they were 4 weeks old and 11 months old, and she had to take out a loan to pay for her trip.

I have to listen to my daughter crying on the phone wanting me to get there, she said.

For some U.S. visa holders who have long been frustrated with having a life in limbo, the pandemic made a bad situation worse. Raj Karnatak, a doctor in Milwaukee, has for years been on a decades-long backlog for a green card. Now he can't see his parents, who are in their 70s and live in India. There was a death in the family, and he and his wife couldn't go to mourn with their relatives.

We are not machines, we are humans. We have families, said Karnatak, who's required to get a visa stamp at the U.S. consulate in India to reenter the U.S., and thats not possible right now because consular services remain largely closed. The travel restrictions are the biggest problem I have in my life.

Many countries around the world have barred flights from India because of the outbreak there and the spread of the delta variant, first found in India. India, meanwhile, has largely limited travel by foreigners since March 2020.

Even when travel is theoretically possible, restrictions can leave would-be travelers tangled in red tape. While Ronit Malinovitz's parents were able to visit her in the Phoenix suburbs in the spring, she called off a trip to Israel this summer to see them and other relatives because of what she said was an overwhelming amount of paperwork involved in applying for Israeli passports for her two teenage daughters.

So last summer, we said hopefully next year. Now, Im telling you, hopefully next year, next summer. Thats what we keep telling ourselves, Malinovitz said.

__

Zeke Miller contributed from Washington.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Federal investigators were digging Wednesday into the background of a Georgia man who officials say fatally stabbed a Pentagon police officer at a transit station outside the building before being shot and killed himself.

Police vehicles are seen outside the Pentagon Metro area Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, at the Pentagon in Washington. The Pentagon is on lockdown after multiple gunshots were fired near a platform by the facility's Metro station. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

WASHINGTON (AP)  Federal investigators were digging Wednesday into the background of a Georgia man who officials say fatally stabbed a Pentagon police officer at a transit station outside the building before being shot and killed himself.

The Pentagon Force Protection Agency identified the slain officer as George Gonzalez, a New York native and Army veteran who served in Iraq and joined the police force three years ago. He died after being attacked Tuesday morning on a bus platform outside the Pentagon.

The burst of violence temporarily placed the U.S. military headquarters on lockdown and jangled the nerves of a region already primed to be on high alert for violence and potential intruders outside federal government buildings.

Police are looking at a scene and items are seen on the ground near a Metrobus outside the Pentagon Metro area, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021 at the Pentagon in Washington. A Pentagon police officer died after being stabbed Tuesday during a burst of violence at a transit station outside the building. That's according to law enforcement officials. The Pentagon officer was stabbed and later died, according to officials who were not authorized to discuss the matter and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

The FBI was leading the investigation into the violence and the suspect, identified by multiple law enforcement officials as Austin William Lanz, 27, of Georgia. The authorities were examining Lanzs background, including his criminal history, jail records, financial information and any online accounts as they tried to identify a potential motive for the attack, a law enforcement official said

Gonzalez was ambushed by Lanz, who ran at him and stabbed him in the neck, according to two law enforcement officials who could not discuss the investigation publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Responding officers then shot and killed Lanz.

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.

He 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.

This April 2021 image provided by the Cobb County Sheriff's Office shows a booking photo of Austin Williams Lanz. On Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, a Pentagon police officer 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. The suspect was identified by multiple law enforcement officials as Austin William Lanz, 27, of Georgia. (Cobb County Sheriff's Office via AP)

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.

At a Pentagon news conference Tuesday, the PFPA chief, Woodrow Kusse declined to provide even basic information about how the violence had unfolded. 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, saying they didn't want to compromise the ongoing investigation. But Kusse said "we are not actively looking for another suspect at this time.

This undated photo provided by the Pentagon Force Protection Agency shows Pentagon Police Officer George Gonzalez. On Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, Gonzalez died after being stabbed during a burst of violence at a transit center outside the Pentagon building, and a suspect was shot by law enforcement and died at the scene. (Pentagon Force Protection Agency via AP)

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.

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.

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The attack 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. The facility was on lockdown for more than an hour.

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.

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 violence. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Austin returned to the building and went to the Pentagon police operations center to speak to the officers there.

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 in Washington and Lolita C. Baldor, Matthew Barakat and Sagar Meghani in Arlington, Virginia, contributed to this report.
A subsidiary of Winnipeg-based Richardson International Limited has closed its acquisition of the largest durum and semolina processor in the U.S., Italgrani USA Inc.

A subsidiary of Winnipeg-based Richardson International Limited has closed its acquisition of the largest durum and semolina processor in the U.S., Italgrani USA Inc.

The milling facility and company headquarters is in St. Louis, Mo., and the company has storage and grain input facilities in North Dakota and a merchandising office in Minneapolis.

The acquisition is part of Richardsons fairly aggressive expansion into the processing side of the grains business as well as gaining increasing presence in the U.S. market.

The deal is part of what is now a two-decade long investment strategy, first into canola crushing, then oats processing and now durum and semolina.

That process began in 1999 with the acquisition of a canola crushing plant in Lethbridge, Alta. followed by the construction of another canola crushing plant in Yorkton, Sask.

In early 2019, it acquired the Wesson cooking oil business from ConAgra with its large production facility in Memphis. Tenn.

It has acquired a string of oat processing facilities starting in 2013 including Can-Oats in Portage la Prairie and facilities in Saskatchewan, Alberta and Nebraska. In 2017 it acquired European Oat Millers, in Bedford, Eng., the second-largest oat miller in Europe

No financial details of the Italgrani acquisition were released, but it is a large operation that undertook a major expansion a couple of years ago. In 2016, the company had revenue of US$381 million.

"We are excited to further diversify our processing operations  building on the success of both our value-added canola crushing and oat milling businesses  and expand our grain origination capabilities in a new marketplace," said Curt Vossen, president and CEO of Richardson International.

As with its other recent acquisitions, the company has said all of Italgranis more than 100 employees will continue working with Richardson.

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Curt Vossen, president and CEO of Richardson International, says the deal continues the companys expansion into the grains processing sector.

In an interview with the Free Press, James Meyer, president of Italgrani USA, said, "The interesting thing about this is that Richardson is a family-owned company and that has been our entire history. While Richardson is a much larger organization than ours you get a fair degree of comfort in the fact that culturally it is a tremendous fit."

Italgranis milling operation in St. Louis underwent a US$37-million expansion that was completed in 2019, expanding its capacity by 40 per cent.

Meyer said the operation accounts for slightly more than 20 per cent of all the durum and semolina processing in the U.S.

Richardson has been in a significant expansion mode for some time.

In early 2021, the parent company James Richardson & Sons Ltd. acquired Bison Transport, adding $1 billion in annual revenue.

It is also in the process of doubling the capacity of its Yorkton canola crushing operation, as well it is upgrading the capacity of its Richardson Pioneer network of grain elevators throughout Western Canada.

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Kelcey Vossen, a spokeswoman for Richardson International, said the deal achieves several components of the companys strategic plans at the same.

"It is expansion into the U.S., diversifies our processing capabilities, and is part of our long-term strategy to build further value-added operations."

At one time Richardson International was almost exclusively into grain handling and now it is has significant holdings in canola processing, oats processing and now durum processing.

"This deal expands our grain origination capabilities and diversifies our capabilities to process more of the commodities we handle," she said.

Meyer said the pasta market has seasonal demand dynamics in the U.S. with the fall and winter being the busier period. The U.S. is a net importer of durum and most of its domestic crop is grown in northwestern North Dakota and the eastern third of Montana.

martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca
MUGLA, Turkey (AP)  A coal-fueled power plant in southwest Turkey and nearby residential areas were being evacuated Wednesday evening as flames from a wildfire reached the plant, a mayor and local reporters said as sirens from the plant could be heard blaring.

People stand in front of Kemerkoy Thermal Power Plant with the blaze approaching in the background, in Milas, Mugla, Turkey, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans government is facing increased criticism over its apparent poor response and inadequate preparedness for large-scale wildfires that have left eight people dead and forced thousands to flee their homes. (AP Photo/Emre Tazegul)

MUGLA, Turkey (AP)  A coal-fueled power plant in southwest Turkey and nearby residential areas were being evacuated Wednesday evening as flames from a wildfire reached the plant, a mayor and local reporters said as sirens from the plant could be heard blaring.

Milas Mayor Muhammet Tokat, from Turkeys main opposition party, has been warning of the fire risks for the past two days for the Kemerkoy power plant in Mugla province. He said late Wednesday that the plant was being evacuated. Local reporters said the wildfires had also prompted the evacuation of the nearby seaside area of Oren.

Turkeys defense ministry said it was evacuating people by sea as the fires neared the plant. The state broadcaster TRT said the flames had jumped to the plant. Strong winds were making the fires unpredictable.

Authorities have said safety precautions had been taken at the Kemerkoy power plant and its hydrogen tanks were emptied. TRT said flammable and explosive substances had been removed. The privately run plant uses lignite to generate electricity, according to its website.

Videos from the area showed bright orange, burning hills with power towers and lines crisscrossing the foreground. Pro-government news channel A Hbr broadcasting live from near the evacuated power plant late Wednesday said firefighters were working inside the compound cooling equipment and dousing sparks in an effort to keep the fire away. The channel's crew showed an incinerated police water cannon.

People stand in front of Kemerkoy Thermal Power Plant, right, as a wildfire approaches in the background, in Milas, Mugla, Turkey, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. 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.(AP Photo/Emre Tazegul)

As the mayor announced the evacuation on Twitter, Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was speaking live on A Hbr and said the power plant was at risk of burning. Three ministers were there to oversee developments, he said, and added planes and helicopters had been there all day to fight the fires.

But the mayor said air support came infrequently and only focused on the closer flames around the plant rather than addressing the wider fires in the area that were being fanned by shifting winds. At night, air support was not possible at all and videos showed flames in the plants vicinity.

The wildfires have turned into yet another partisan issue in Turkey. Erdogan accused opposition party members of a terror of lies for criticizing Turkeys lack of adequate aerial firefighting capabilities and inadequate preparedness for large-scale wildfires. The president said the municipalities were also responsible for protecting towns from fires and that responsibility did not fall on the central government alone but the mayors say they weren't even invited to crisis coordination.

A fire engulfs the area in Oren, near Bodrum, Turkey, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans government is facing increased criticism over its apparent poor response and inadequate preparedness for large-scale wildfires that have left eight people dead and forced thousands to flee their homes. Fire crews, meanwhile, pressed ahead with their weeklong battle against the blazes that have been fed by strong winds and scorching temperatures. (AP Photo/Emre Tazegul)

Firefighters have been trying to protect the power plant for the past two days. Along with police water cannons, they fought back the flames Tuesday night while other rescuers dug ditches around the Kemerkoy plant. Videos from an adjacent neighborhood in Milas showed charred, decimated trees.

Scorching heat, low humidity and strong winds have fed the fires, which so far have killed eight people and countless animals and destroyed forests in the past eight days. Villagers have had to evacuate their homes and livestock, while tourists have fled in boats and cars. In the seaside province of Mugla, where tourist hot spot Bodrum is located, seven fires continued Wednesday. In Antalya, at least two fires raged on and two neighborhoods had to be evacuated.

Officials say 167 fires had been brought under control and 16 continued in five provinces. Thousands of firefighters and civilians were working to douse the flames.

People stand in front of Kemerkoy Thermal Power Plant with the blaze approaching in the background, in Milas, Mugla, Turkey, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans government is facing increased criticism over its apparent poor response and inadequate preparedness for large-scale wildfires that have left eight people dead and forced thousands to flee their homes. (AP Photo/Emre Tazegul)

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said another firefighting plane and its staff would come from Azerbaijan on Thursday morning and 40 firetrucks would drive to Turkey to help with the fires. He announced four rented firefighting planes had landed and two from Israel would come Thursday.

Environmental groups and opposition lawmakers in Turkey have also been voicing fears that fire-damaged forests could lose their protected status.

Turkey's parliament passed a law in July that gives the tourism ministry power to manage all aspects of new tourism centers, approved by the president, including in forests and on treasury lands for public good, taking away responsibilities from the ministries of environment and forestry. The law says these locations would be identified according to their tourism potential, considering the countrys natural, historic and cultural values.

Turkish volunteers prepare to fight wildfires in Turgut village, near tourist resort of Marmaris, Mugla, Turkey, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021. 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.(AP Photo/Emre Tazegul)

Turkish officials, including Erdogan, have firmly rejected the speculation that the forests were in danger of construction and said the burned forests were protected by the constitution and would be reforested. While the exact acreage burned in the past week remains unclear, officials have promised the affected areas would not be transformed for other purposes.

Environmentalists were already protesting mining licenses issued for parts of some forests and trying to stop companies from cutting down trees. They have staged sit-ins across Turkey.

A 2020 report by the Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion showed that 58% of Turkeys forests have been licensed to mines. About 59% of Mugla, where the fires have been raging, has been designated for mines, it said.

Turkish volunteers rest as they fight wildfires in Turgut village, near tourist resort of Marmaris, Mugla, Turkey, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021. 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.(AP Photo/Emre Tazegul)

I wont be able to see the forests that will be replanted. Maybe my kids wont even see them, said Resit Yavuz, a resident in Marmaris, in Mugla province. There are no trees left. Theres nowhere left for fires to erupt.

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 reached an all-time high of 45.5 C (114 F) on Tuesday.

The heatwave is forecast to continue in Turkey and Greece until the end of the week.

Bilginsoy reported from Istanbul.
VANCOUVER - The United States acted in "bad faith" when requesting the extradition of Meng Wanzhou from Canada, says a lawyer for Huawei's chief financial officer.

Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Huawei, leaves B.C. Supreme Court with an acquaintance during a lunch break at her extradition hearing, in Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, April 1, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rich Lam

VANCOUVER - The United States acted in "bad faith" when requesting the extradition of Meng Wanzhou from Canada, says a lawyer for Huawei's chief financial officer.

Mona Duckett told a B.C. Supreme Court judge Wednesday that the United States "misused" the extradition process, calling its conduct "egregious" and "troublesome."

The court should grant a stay of proceedings to "meaningfully denounce the misleading conduct" of the United States, she said.

America was "selective" in what it disclosed to Canada in its case for Meng's committal in the extradition request, she told the court.

"Partnership requires trust," she said. "That trust will be informed by the good faith of our partners."

Canada relies on its extradition partners to tell the truth without "deliberate manipulation" and a "cavalier disregard" for information, Duckett said.

Lawyers for the attorney general are expected to answer to the abuse of process claims in arguments later this month.

Documents presented to the court by Meng's lawyers and released to the media on Wednesday say the United States is a "repeat misleader," that it mischaracterized evidence and omitted other information in an effort to establish a case of fraud.

"The requesting state has abused the judicial process, frustrated the extradition scheme, and undermined the trust and co-operation required between Canada and the requesting state to maintain international legal order," the document says.

Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Huawei, leaves B.C. Supreme Court during a break from her extradition hearing, in Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

It says evidence supports Meng's claim of deliberate deception by the United States in its record of the case.

"Misleading a party is one thing; misleading the court is an affront of a whole other dimension."

Meng is wanted on allegations that she misled HSBC about Huawei's relationship with another company, putting the bank at risk of violating American sanctions against Iran.

Both she and Huawei deny the allegations.

In July, Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes ruled against allowing new evidence in the extradition case because it did not "expressly'' support Meng's claim that the American legal summary of allegations against her were unreasonable.

Duckett argued that the record of case provided by the United States summarizing the accusations against her client is "manifestly unreliable."

The United States behaved in a way "to trick the court to make the case seem stronger," she said.

"How will you know that the wool has been pulled over your eyes?" she asked, noting the judge is relying on the accuracy of the summary of information provided by the United States.

The court relies on the diligence, candour, accuracy and good faith of the United States in putting forward all the information, she said.

The court would not have known about the "depths of deception" by the United States had it not been for Meng's pursuit of HSBC documents, Duckett told the court.

The Huawei executive's legal team obtained evidence from her alleged victim, HSBC, through a court agreement in Hong Kong earlier this year.

The documents include internal email chains and spreadsheets that Meng's team argued show that the bank's senior executives knew more about Huawei's control over the company that did business in Iran than U.S. prosecutors claim.

However, Holmes did not allow the evidence to be admitted in the case.

Meng has been out on bail, living in one of her multimillion-dollar homes since her arrest at Vancouver's airport in December 2018.

Her detention has heated relations between Canada and China, and the arrests of Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig that followed it are widely seen as retaliation by the Chinese government.

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Huawei Canada said in a statement Wednesday that it is confident of Meng's innocence.

"We will, as always, continue to support Ms. Meng's pursuit of justice," it said.

A statement issued by the Department of Justice Canada on Tuesday said Meng has been and will continue to be afforded a fair process before the Supreme Court of British Columbia in accordance with Canadian law.

"It is an independent B.C. Supreme Court judge who determines whether the test for extradition is met and it is she who rules on whether Ms. Meng is committed for extradition or discharged," the statement said. "This speaks to the independence of Canada's judicial system."

Meng's lawyers will continue their arguments on Thursday. The actual extradition hearing is set for later this month.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 4, 2021.
TORONTO - Police and politicians' efforts to limit public access to recent events in Toronto and Vancouver Island have cast a spotlight on the role of journalists and spurred concerns over freedom of the press.

Police remove encampment supporters as they clear Lamport Stadium Park encampment in Toronto, Wednesday, July 21, 2021. Police and politicians' efforts to limit public access to recent events in Toronto and Vancouver Island have cast a spotlight on the role of journalists and spurred concerns over freedom of the press. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

TORONTO - Police and politicians' efforts to limit public access to recent events in Toronto and Vancouver Island have cast a spotlight on the role of journalists and spurred concerns over freedom of the press.

The decision by authorities in Toronto to fence off public parks last month as municipal staff and police cleared homeless encampments sparked backlash from media outlets and advocates, who have petitioned the city to allow reporters on site during the operations.

The push for media access in Toronto came on the heels of a court decision that ordered RCMP in British Columbia to allow reporters entry to blockades in Fairy Creek, where demonstrators have been protesting old-growth logging. The judge in that case, which was launched after journalists reported being blocked from the site, found police should only restrict access if there is an operational or safety concern.

In Toronto, the city has moved to dismantle several homeless encampments -- which emerged during the pandemic as many avoided shelters over fears of COVID-19 -- sparking protests and confrontations that have at times erupted into violence.

The Canadian Association of Journalists called the move to bar reporters from Toronto parks during the clearing of the camps "disappointing to witness and wholly unacceptable," and stressed media rights are enshrined in law.

"Stop arresting or threatening reporters for no good reason. That's a red line that cannot be crossed," Brent Jolly, the association's president, said in an email.

Tensions boiled over at Lamport Stadium Park two weeks ago after a large crowd refused to leave the site that authorities had fenced in. Multiple scuffles broke out and police were seen pushing those who didn't comply. By the end of the day, police said 26 people were arrested and charged with offences that included assault with a weapon, assaulting a peace officer and trespassing.

A day earlier, an encampment at Alexandra Park was cleared by city staff and police after a fence was put up. That operation also saw several people arrested, including a photojournalist with The Canadian Press who was escorted out of the closed-off area in handcuffs. He was issued a notice of trespass, which doesn't carry a charge but bars him from returning to the site for 90 days.

A spokesman for the city said staff closed off the parks during the clearings and prevented anyone from going in, "not just media," in order to speak to those living in the encampment, as well as remove tents and debris.

"We understand and appreciate the concerns raised by the media and the role they have in bearing witness and documenting city operations," Brad Ross said in a statement.

He said the city arranged pooled media coverage for the Lamport Stadium operation, which typically allows select members of the media access to an event so they can later share the material they gather with others.

"The pool arrangement was designed to allow media to see the city's actions, while ensuring the safety of all, as well as addressing the sensitivity around privacy," Ross said.

The CAJ's Jolly said, however, that the pool coverage the city set up for the encampment clearing was "inadequate" because it restricted the ability for journalists to "freely cover" evictions taking place in a public park.

"Attempting to control the work of journalists while they are doing their job is entirely inappropriate," he said, adding that a pool arrangement is generally used when there is limited space for press.

"The work journalists do is both professional and conducted in service to the public and any attempts to short-circuit that work is wholly incompatible with the long-standing tradition of a free press in Canada."

Carissima Mathen, a common law professor with the University of Ottawa, said mounting an effective legal challenge to get access to "relatively short-term" events is difficult because it likely won't be possible to get an injunction in time.

"It's possible that you could try and make the case right after the fact to get some kind of declaration, but it's usually not very practical," she said.

Mathen said it is important to consider questions like how far from a fence police and city staff are when they're carrying out their operations, whether reporters can speak with people as they come out, and how long barricades will stay up.

In the case of Fairy Creek, since it had been happening for weeks, those journalists were able to get an injunction to stop the RCMP from barring them from entering the blockades, Mathen said.

Five Toronto councillors who wrote to the city's mayor last month denouncing the "extreme show of force'' during the clearing of encampments said any obstruction of media access to the operations is "undemocratic and unconstitutional.''

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 4, 2021.
HALIFAX - The election campaign in Nova Scotia may not be getting much attention on the national stage, but the federal Liberals in Ottawa are almost certainly keeping a close watch on the race.

Premier Iain Rankin followed by his wife Mary Chisholm, visits a market after meeting with Lt.-Gov. Arthur LeBlanc to call an election in Halifax on Saturday, July 17, 2021. The provincial election campaign in Nova Scotia may not be getting much attention on the national stage, but the federal Liberals in Ottawa are almost certainly keeping a close watch on the race. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

HALIFAX - The election campaign in Nova Scotia may not be getting much attention on the national stage, but the federal Liberals in Ottawa are almost certainly keeping a close watch on the race.

With Justin Trudeau's Liberals appearing poised to seek a third term in office  a feat their Nova Scotia cousins are now trying to accomplish  the federal party is keen to to discern how the electorate is feeling heading into what could be Canada's first post-pandemic election, says Tom Urbaniak, a political science professor at Cape Breton University.

"A weak performance by the Nova Scotia Liberals would be somewhat concerning to the federal Liberals," Urbaniak said in an interview Tuesday. "There seemed to be a high level of support going into the (Nova Scotia) election for the incumbent (Liberals). If that level of support is eroded, that would signal to the federal Liberals that the public is volatile."

Voters in Nova Scotia go to the polls Aug. 17, and the low-key, midsummer campaign  now at the halfway point  hasn't generated much of a buzz.

The provincial Liberals  led by 38-year-old Iain Rankin, Canada's youngest premier  have made it clear their campaign is based on a sense of optimism as the pandemic appears to be subsiding.

"COVID has shown us that we can take on big challenges when we do it together," Rankin said last week during a televised leaders debate. "Nova Scotia is at a pivotal moment .... This election is about our recovery."

That approach is likely to be emulated by the federal Liberals, now that most provinces are easing health protection measures and opening their economies.

"It feels like a post-pandemic election, and there's something exciting about (candidates) going door-to-door," Urbaniak said of the Nova Scotia campaign. "It's a sign of things returning to normal life. That's what this election represents."

However, it would be a mistake to think Nova Scotia's Liberal party is just a junior version of the national party.

Unlike the big-spending approach of the federal Liberals, who committed to more than $100-billion in new spending in their April budget, Nova Scotia's Liberals have stuck to a tight-fisted game plan. Former Liberal premier Stephen McNeil won two back-to-back majorities by preaching fiscal restraint and delivering four consecutive balanced budgets.

Rankin, a soft-spoken former business manager, has made it clear he won't deviate from that course.

"We've seen some big-spending moves from the PCs," said Erin Crandall, a political science professor at Acadia University in Wolfville, N.S. "And we have the Liberal party saying, 'Yes, we have to invest in health-care and assisted-living homes, but we have to make sure we're not overspending."

During last week's leaders debate, Rankin warned about going too far into the red: "We can't have billion-dollar deficits today without that impacting our future economy." As well, he admonished Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Houston for pledging to deliver 2,500 new long-term care beds, saying that amounted to an "overbuild" of the health-care system.

To distinguish themselves from the decidedly right-of-centre Liberals, Houston's Tories have shifted to the left by focusing their campaign on improving health care by investing an additional $430 million in annual funding.

"No one cuts their way out of an economic downturn," he said during the first week of the campaign.

Meanwhile, Houston has made a point of distancing his party from the federal Conservatives, led by Erin O'Toole. In March, Houston said it "wasn't helpful" when federal party members rejected a resolution that said the party believes "climate change is real."

As for the New Democrats, led by United Church minister Gary Burrill, they have rejected the centrist politics that brought the party to power in Nova Scotia for the first time in 2009. Instead, they are campaigning on a traditionally progressive platform that promises rent control, a $15 minimum wage and 10 paid sick days for all workers.

The Green party, which has virtually no profile in Nova Scotia, is being led by an interim leader Jessica Alexander. The party does not have a full slate of candidates.

The Liberals entered the fifth year of their mandate in May and were reduced to a minority in the legislature following resignations of several members. At dissolution they held 24 of the 51 seats, followed by the Progressive Conservatives with 17 and the New Democrats with five. There were three Independents and two vacancies.

"The Liberals started out (the campaign) with nowhere to go but down," said Urbaniak, adding that their decision to keep the provincial legislature closed for over a year limited their rivals' public exposure.

Rankin, who was elected to lead the Liberals in February, benefited from extensive media coverage by taking part in frequent COVID-19 briefings, which often reinforced the province's largely successful efforts to limit the spread of the virus.

"The Liberals know they have to extrapolate from pandemic management to economic recovery  and they have to make that link," said Urbaniak. "That's why they are running on a message of optimism .... To some extent, this election will ride on, are Nova Scotians feeling optimistic and secure, or are they feeling anxious about the future?"

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 4, 2021.
Drought and grasshoppers have all but destroyed Amy Nikkels fields of oats and hay.

Drought and grasshoppers have all but destroyed Amy Nikkels fields of oats and hay.

"We cut down our oats, about three weeks ago, as green feed for the horses because they were getting eaten down by the grasshoppers," she said. "It was very obvious there was going to be nothing left."

SUPPLIED Grasshoppers have flourished in dry conditions, devouring Nikkels crop near Lundar.

As for the hay crop on the farm near Lundar, 120 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg, Nikkel said they should be able to harvest about 10 bushels. Thats down roughly 90 to 95 per cent.

Plagues of grasshoppers have flourished in the dry conditions as they seek out cereal grains and other grasses, gnawing the stalks and destroying yields.

While many farmers rely on crop insurance and other safety nets, Nikkel and her family had decided not to invest in insurance. Instead, theyve stocked extra grain bins full of oats, which Nikkel said will get them through to next year.

But they have nothing to show after seeding and months of tending to the crops that were supposed to replenish their stock.

Nikkel is wary.

SUPPLIED Amy Nikkel says shes lost her entire oat crop and most of her hay.

"As farmers, we need to be considering that climate change or climate chaos is likely going to be a trend," she said.

If drought persists for years, it will spell disaster for many Manitoba farmers, particularly those in the Interlake region, such as Nikkel.

The provinces most recent crop report shows only five per cent of oats, spring wheat, barley and canola are rated "good to excellent." Peas, the best-performing crop in the region (of those with sufficient data), have only a 25 per cent good-quality yield.

While the Interlake region has been particularly hard hit, with eastern Manitoba trailing closely, almost all crops around the province have suffered. Fifteen municipalities have declared an agricultural state of disaster.

Charles Fossay, vice-president of Manitoba Canola Growers, said the area around Starbuck has crop losses of 30 to 60 per cent, with the quality as poor to fair. There isnt enough time for many of the grain crops to recover, he said. Without a significant rainfall soon, his soybean crop will likely be down about 75 per cent.

"But we need at least an inch of rain, if not more, to help these crops," he said.

With drought and a deficit of crops, particularly hay, theres another problem. Cattle farmers struggle to feed and water their livestock. Once again, the Interlake has taken the brunt of this shortage.

"If I had an endless supply of money, I could find something to feed my cows," said Kirk Kiesman, a cattle farmer and manager at Ashern Auction Mart, a livestock auction house.

Kiesman said he and others in the area are scrambling to scrape up enough feed for their livestock and often have to either dig expensive wells or expand pastures to reach new water sources as reliable sources dry out.

However, many farmers are forced into even more desperate measures. Kiesman held a cattle auction on July 7 and 21 and will have another today. In normal years, farmers auction off cattle just once a year, in the fall.

In order to reduce costs, or because they cant afford to feed livestock, farmers are selling their animals  sometimes half, sometimes 75 per cent, sometimes the whole herd, said Kiesman.

Farmers spend about $800 per cow in a season, he said, so with typical herds of 150 to 200 cows, the cost adds up. Thats why offloading livestock is sometimes the only option.

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Kiesman said hes worried this will begin to discourage cattle farmers, who may be forced to seek other work and move from an area his family has lived in for more than 100 years.

"Agriculture in the rural communities are the backbone of (rural municipalities). If all of a sudden they have to leave or move on to new jobs, then what do you do about the hospitals out here and the schools out here?" said the father of four children.

Manitoba Beef Producers president Tyler Fulton said he expects to lose cattle farmers this year, not only in the Interlake, but in various regions around the province.

"Ive spoken with several who really dont know how theyre going to recover," said Fulton.

Fulton said the stress is wearing on many cattle farmers, a sentiment echoed by several grain and vegetable producers across Manitoba. One small vegetable and livestock farmer even refused to speak about it, citing stress and adding, "This year is real bad, and Im kind of tired of talking about it."

cody.sellar@freepress.mb.ca
More residents of Split Lake were to be flown to Winnipeg to escape a 6,600-hectare wildfire that is closing in on the northern community.

More residents of Split Lake were to be flown to Winnipeg to escape a 6,600-hectare wildfire that is closing in on the northern community.

People from the Tataskweyak Cree Nation, who have high-priority health issues, along with their partners, were sent by bus to Thompson, starting Tuesday, Red Cross spokesman Jason Small said.

SUPPLIED Steinbach Fire Department crews working to protect a cabin on Davidson Lake.

Tuesday night, about 100 of them were flown to Winnipeg, where they will stay in hotels. Small couldn't say how many more people would be flown to Winnipeg Wednesday.

The agency is helping with transportation, lodging and meals, among other supports.

The blaze is about 6.4 kilometres away from the community, northeast of Thompson.

The First Nation's leadership asked community members to pack essential items and prepare to leave quickly, in a post on its Facebook page late Monday.

The fire jumped Highway 280, which risked the hydroelectric line from Keeyask Dam. The province shut down the highway from Split Lake to Gillam, the First Nation's leadership said. It later reopened once the smoke died down.

Air tanker crews held the west side of the fire Tuesday, while westerly winds helped to push the fire away from the community.

Smoke is the main concern, the fire spokesman said, but cooler temperatures and rising humidity will help the firefighting effort.

Seven crews from northern communities as well provincial personnel are working the fire, in conjunction with air tanker support.

In southern Manitoba, the Steinbach Fire Department sent a five-member crew to help battle a 5,100-hectare blaze in Nopiming Provincial Park that forced cottagers at Davidson Lake to evacuate the area earlier this week.

The Steinbach firefighters helped set up sprinklers on cottage roofs, chief Kelvin Toews said.

"Two of them remain there and are there until Friday on fire watch... I believe their job is ensuring the equipment is all still working and (to) be ready to go into action if the fire comes close," he said.

It's rare that fire crews from Steinbach would be dispatched to a provincial fire.

"Not since I've been chief," Toews said.

"I remember in the past... 10 to 12 years ago in the Stuartburn area when we had forest fires down there, we assisted."

However, he thinks it will become more common because of the extreme drought.

"If we don't get a whole lot of rain in the near future, I could see it happening more often this year," Toews said.

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As of Tuesday, there were 154 active fires in the province: 36 in the east, 28 in the west and 90 in the north.

The Canadian Armed Forces is assisting with monitoring and suppressing fires in six different areas, with the most recent deployment to a wildfire at Pinaymootang First Nation (Fairford) in southern Manitoba.

The military says 120 soldiers are working throughout the province.

The federal government said Wednesday neither Canada nor the United States can lend each other firefighters as they deal with one of the most severe wildfire seasons in recent memory.

The provincial fire spokesman said resource sharing between Manitoba and the U.S. is rare, though it has happened in the past.

erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca
After a couple of months where slow and steady seemed to guide Manitoba's pandemic response, Premier Brian Pallister has reminded its citizens he has no capacity for delayed gratification.

After a couple of months where slow and steady seemed to guide Manitoba's pandemic response, Premier Brian Pallister has reminded its citizens he has no capacity for delayed gratification.

On Tuesday, Pallister emerged from a self-imposed, 18-day bubble  a bid to insulate himself from a series of self-inflicted political wounds  and promptly announced he was dismantling the majority of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions now in place.

Manitoba accused of going too far by removing mask mandate Click to Expand We have to learn how to live with COVID, says chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin. (Alex Lupul / Winnipeg Free Press) Posted: 3:15 PM Aug. 3, 2021 Manitoba is scrapping its mask mandate in the most significant scaling down of restrictions of the pandemic as it prepares to learn to live with COVID-19. Face coverings will no longer be required, but will be recommended, in indoor public spaces, the province's top doctor announced Tuesday. Read Full Story

It was pretty clear going in Pallister and Dr. Brent Roussin, chief provincial public health officer, were going to allow larger numbers of people to gather indoors. Given the pace of immunization  Manitoba has nearly 75 per cent of its residents fully vaccinated  allowing more people indoors is defensible from an epidemiological perspective.

Manitoba did maintain some capacity limits for churches, restaurants and bars, and will still require full vaccination to attend sporting events and concerts. Unvaccinated people will still have to quarantine for 14 days after travel or contact with a confirmed case.

However, Pallister could not resist the temptation to remove capacity limits for a host of other indoor public spaces and  more importantly  eliminate the mandatory mask mandate. Now, face coverings are only "strongly recommended."

The timing of these decisions could not have been worse. Although fully vaccinated people face minimal risk, there is growing concern continued outbreaks among the unvaccinated will lead to a vaccine-resistant strain of COVID-19. If that happens (many epidemiologists believe it is only a matter of time) the entire vaccination campaign will be back to square one.

The No. 1 thing we can do to avoid that apocalyptic future is to continue the use of masks in public indoor spaces. It is simply unfathomable Pallister and Roussin could have simply overlooked this epidemiological reality.

Instead of acknowledging the leading-edge of pandemic thinking, Pallister has given Manitoba a series of completely nonsensical, illogical changes.

ALEX LUPUL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS No matter how incompetent or offensive, Premier Brian Pallister always finds something or someone else to blame and then readies himself to make the same mistakes over again.

What possible benefit will accrue from allowing full capacity in fitness centres, with no requirement to be fully vaccinated or continue wearing masks?

What scientific evidence is behind the decision to allow full capacity of both vaccinated and unvaccinated patrons in bars and restaurants, with nothing more than a request people do not "mingle" between tables?

What could be accomplished by allowing up to 1,500 people to attend a church service, with no requirement to wear masks?

Why would full vaccination status be required to attend a Winnipeg Blue Bombers game with no capacity limits, but not be required at big box stores and shopping malls which, over the course of a day, would have huge crowds pass through their gates?

What scientific evidence is behind the decision to allow full capacity of both vaccinated and unvaccinated patrons in bars and restaurants, with nothing more than a request people do not "mingle" between tables?

It's almost as if the entirety of the political and public health decision-making hierarchy in Manitoba has forgotten the novel coronavirus spreads through the air.

This is, however, the kind of response you get from a government led by a man who finds no fault with his past actions. No matter how incompetent or offensive, Pallister always finds something or someone else to blame and then readies himself to make the same mistakes over again.

(Pallister showed that tendency again Tuesday, when he offered a ridiculously qualified apology for his recent comments absolving colonial settlers of atrocities against Indigenous people.)

In Tuesday's revised public health orders, Pallister is demonstrating an enduring loyalty to the same strategy that twice triggered the worst COVID-19 outbreaks on the continent. He won't change now because he actually thinks he has done a good job  all empirical data to the contrary.

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In Tuesday's revised public health orders, Pallister is demonstrating an enduring loyalty to the same strategy that twice triggered the worst COVID19 outbreaks on the continent.

Pallister cited a recent news release by the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, which produces a quarterly "Misery Index" to assess the relative success or failure of provincial pandemic responses. The premier said, with some measure of pride, it showed Manitoba had the best overall performance of any province outside Atlantic Canada.

What he left out was Manitoba's overall ranking was a modest B, well behind Atlantic peers and only slightly ahead of Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Ontario. He neglected to point out the ranking improved dramatically in the current index only because Manitoba is just now coming out of its third wave; other provinces are already fighting a fourth.

Pallister knows the numbers are not flattering, and they are not a good way of comparing provinces, but uses them anyway. How can we possibly expect more from a man who would make an intellectually dishonest claim like that, all the while keeping a straight face?

While there is still a lot of uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, you can bet on one thing: if these current public health orders go horribly wrong, Pallister will find someone else to blame.

dan.lett@freepress.mb.ca
In less than three weeks, Manitoba's new Indigenous reconciliation minister went from describing residential schools as well-intentioned training centres to seeing them as an act of genocide.

In less than three weeks, Manitoba's new Indigenous reconciliation minister went from describing residential schools as well-intentioned training centres to seeing them as an act of genocide.

Since the day he was sworn in (July 15), and immediately called out for saying the stewards of residential schools had good intentions, Alan Lagimodiere says he's been on an intense, and at times overwhelming, listening and learning journey.

On Tuesday, he referred to the establishment of Indigenous residential schools as "genocide," at a 150th anniversary event for the signing of Treaty 1.

"I did say it was genocide," Lagimodiere repeated Wednesday.

"It wasn't just cultural genocide," he told reporters taking part in a teleconference to announce the province's $500,000 contribution toward a Chief Peguis statue on the grounds of the Manitoba legislature.

"They weren't just attempting to erase the culture," said the minister of Indigenous reconciliation and northern relations, who has Metis roots.

NDP Leader Wab Kinew (right) interrupted Alan Lagimodiere's first news conference as Indigenous reconciliation minister July 15. (Steve Lambert / Canadian Press files)

Canada's first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, supported residential schools and assimilation of Indigenous children, he said. "His plan was to eliminate Indigenous people from Canada and that, to me, is genocide."

Lagimodiere wouldn't comment on what he thinks should happen with local monuments to Macdonald, saying it's a discussion he'd need to have with Indigenous leaders. As for the Chief Peguis statue, an independent committee will choose the design and the location, after the request for qualifications competition closes Oct. 31.

The minister didn't offer any updates for the statues of Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II toppled at the Manitoba legislature July 1, after the discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves at former residential school sites in Western Canada.

Lagimodiere, who issued an apology for his initial comments July 16, said the words of survivors and descendants moved him during his subsequent 12-community tour.

"I was very overwhelmed by some of the comments, especially the elders and survivors from the residential schools  the tremendous hardships they endured and the stories about how residential schools continue to impact the survivors and the Indigenous people who lost relatives," he said.

"We need to move forward, acknowledging how deeply wrong some of those decisions made by our past elders were. We need to acknowledge the serious impacts those decisions had, not only on Indigenous population but all Canadians."

"I was very overwhelmed by some of the comments, especially the elders and survivors from the residential schools  the tremendous hardships they endured and the stories about how residential schools continue to impact the survivors and the Indigenous people who lost relatives."  Alan Lagimodiere

In June, a motion by MP Leah Gazan (NDP, Winnipeg Centre) in the House of Commons calling on the federal government to recognize the residential school experience as genocide was rejected. She's waiting to see if Lagimodiere's actions support his words.

"It's one thing to apologize. It's another another thing to demonstrate that apology in action. So I test the sincerity of an apology by action. I guess I'll have to see how he does moving forward," she said Wednesday.

Gerry Shingoose, who spent nine years suffering abuse in the residential school system, said she was hurt when Lagimodiere initially described them as places to teach children skills.

"I dont trust his current statement because his initial statement was very insulting and degrading, as a residential school survivor," Shingoose said. "Action is needed from him. He acknowledges genocide  what is he going to do about it?"

On Wednesday, Lagimodiere defended the actions of NDP Leader Wab Kinew, who interrupted his first news conference as Indigenous reconciliation minister July 15.

Lagimodiere said he began researching his own Metis background in the late 1970s with an uncle who was a family elder and a knowledge keeper. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press files)

Lagimodiere didn't describe the encounter  during which Kinew challenged the new minister's initial statements on residential schools  as "bullying," as the Progressive Conservative party caucus suggested in a social media post since deleted.

"Mr. Kinew has his role in government and his role as a witness for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (of Canada)," the minister said. "He did what an Anishinaabe warrior should do if there's concerns about someone's statements concerning the Truth and Reconciliation Commission."

Lagimodiere said he began researching his own Metis background in the late 1970s with an uncle who was a family elder and a knowledge keeper.

"We started to do extensive research as to where our family came from... (and) how did we end up where we are today," he said. "I was saddened to see in our family tree records of marriages to individuals identified as, I remember, 'Sarah: Indian.'

"I haven't to this day been able to find out who she was or her background. It's a sad testament as to how we used to record information in the past."

Such data is crucial for reconciliation, Lagimodiere said. "It's difficult to know the direction we're heading without knowing where we come from."

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca

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Grant Hamilton is getting married Saturday, and while bride and groom will be able to share a kiss, they wont be able to share a first dance.

Grant Hamilton is getting married Saturday, and while bride and groom will be able to share a kiss, they wont be able to share a first dance.

Manitoba announced Tuesday  starting the same day Hamiltons set to be wed at a rural venue  indoor wedding attendance limits would jump to 50 people (or 50 per cent of room capacity) and outdoor events could allow 1,500 (or 50 per cent capacity), with no requirements those people be fully vaccinated.

However, public health orders coming into place Aug. 7 include the requirement dance floors remain closed, and many typical wedding hallmarks would not be allowed.

"Activities that encourage close gathering and mingling are not recommended at any location, indoors or outdoors, for these types of events," a spokesperson from the province said Tuesday.

"This will include things that bring people into close contact, such as dancing or not having people gather in close to catch a bouquet, and making sure people practice physical distancing."

CRYSTAL SCOTT PHOTO Grant Hamilton and fiancee Amy Breen wont be able to share a first dance at their wedding on Saturday.

The Footloose-style ban is an unwelcome turn for the couple and their 35 fully vaccinated guests.

(In the 1984 movie Footloose, a small Midwestern town has banned dancing and rock music.)

"From what I can see of the orders it's unequivocal: it's no dancing. I don't think that permits a first dance, unfortunately, and I think that's a real shame," Hamilton said.

The fact Tuesdays announcement means he could technically have 1,500 unvaccinated people at his wedding (if outdoors) and has no specific benefits in place for weddings that committed to vaccinated guest lists was a "gut punch," Hamilton said.

The province had promised additional benefits for fully vaccinated Manitobans just months earlier.

"I'd love to be able to say, 'Hey, you can have no masks because we're outdoors, and we're all fully vaccinated.' Or maybe, we can have a dance, because we're all fully vaccinated, or we can mix and mingle at the tables, which is currently, I guess, permitted, but highly discouraged," Hamilton said.

"This will include things that bring people into close contact, such as dancing or not having people gather in close to catch a bouquet, and making sure people practice physical distancing."  Provincial spokesperson

He believes the province was likely thinking about much larger events when making the rules. He hoped speaking up will influence the province to provide more specific clarifications to the upcoming orders.

"Hopefully, they can do that sooner rather than later and give us a little bit of clarity. But the upshot is: we're in love, we're going to get married, and we're going to have a great day one way or the other," he said. "And that's what really matters."

At the World Famous Palomino Club in downtown Winnipeg, there are two DJs at work  one inside, one outside. The one working outdoors, assistant manager Scott Townsend said Tuesday, was hoping to get to do his job starting Saturday.

"We have the best DJ in Canada, and we tell him to be bad. We tell him to play bad, you know, don't use your skill, because we're not allowed to have people dancing," Townsend joked.

But there wasnt much for Townsend to laugh about when the new COVID-19 restrictions were announced. In the brief time the Palomino has been allowed to reopen to the public amid the pandemic, its dance floors have had to stay closed.

JESSE BOILY / FREE PRESS FILES In the brief time the Palomino has been allowed to reopen to the public amid the pandemic, its dance floors have had to stay closed.

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While it is a heavy blow for any night club, it feels especially bitter for the Palomino, Townsend said. The club has an outdoor dance floor management expected would be able to open, considering other patios have been open to the public for weeks and other situations that might encourage dancing are allowed.

"Are they going to have the health department walk around these concerts that they're now allowing, seeing if there's dancing? Because I guarantee you there's dancing at concerts," he said.

Nightclubs  or at least the few that have managed to stay open  have been working through a "stigma" that paints the industry as a super-spreading hub, Townsend said. The decision to keep dance floors closed is another example of the province painting a wide range of situations with one brush, he added.

malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: malakabas_
Caribou, whooping crane, Gibsons big sand tiger beetle and dwarf western trillium are among the estimated 80,000 known species (not including viruses and bacteria) in Canada. Of these, scientists have enough information on almost 30,000 species to know that about 20 per cent are imperilled to some degree.

Opinion

Caribou, whooping crane, Gibsons big sand tiger beetle and dwarf western trillium are among the estimated 80,000 known species (not including viruses and bacteria) in Canada. Of these, scientists have enough information on almost 30,000 species to know that about 20 per cent are imperilled to some degree.

When Canada developed its first national Biodiversity Strategy in 1995, it did so under the assumption that a strong foundation of laws and policies was already in place. Twenty-five years later, however, prevailing biodiversity trends indicate otherwise.

For example, prairie grasslands have lost at least 70 per cent of their historical extent, and grassland birds have declined by 57 per cent since 1970. Only 24 per cent of 125 Canadian marine fish and invertebrate stocks are currently considered healthy, with 18 in critical state.

Our new research demonstrates how the management of biodiversity in Canada is undertaken through a bewildering array of laws, regulations and other tools administered by different federal, provincial and territorial departments. Collectively, these provide fragmented and inadequate protection to species and ecosystems.

More must be done immediately to overcome the inherent weaknesses of a federal system that prioritizes regional natural resource development over national goals to protect biodiversity.

Canadas biodiversity legal protection system

With rich biodiversity across its huge landmass and coastal marine areas, Canada has a major role to play in addressing global biodiversity loss. Canada was the first industrialized country to sign the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1992. The CBD seeks to compel the development of national strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. Canada has been an active player in negotiations to renew and strengthen the treaty ever since.

Yet, in our research, we identified 201 laws in Canada with some bearing on biodiversity protection, and the vast majority provide few direct safeguards for species and ecosystems.

Many of these laws govern the extraction of natural resources, and focus on mitigating negative effects rather than avoiding them in the first place, or manage the harvest of wildlife or fish populations. A variety of other statutes, ranging from pollution control to climate change, may incidentally benefit biodiversity.

Of those laws with biodiversity protection as the paramount purpose, most are devoted to protected areas and species at risk, containing provisions that vary in strength and are unevenly distributed across the country. No Canadian jurisdiction has any statute in force specifically devoted to biodiversity conservation.

Nova Scotia did, however, pass a Biodiversity Act in early April. Its the first legislation in Canada ostensibly devoted to the protection of biodiversity in the full meaning of the word, but it faced so much opposition that the act was stripped of its prohibitions and enforcement measures.

The act remains a purely enabling statute that merely grants the provincial environment ministry the power to take certain actions, like setting up a "biodiversity management zone." This means the ministry has no authority to forbid or issue permits for activities that cause harm to species or ecosystems, as was originally envisioned.

Taking responsibility

A big challenge to biodiversity protection is the fragmented division of responsibilities. In Canada, provinces and territories exert control over natural resources. The laws that encourage the development of those resources operate under the assumption that public land can meet the needs of multiple users, and adverse effects from its development can be successfully minimized.

Just this week, however, the United Nations World Heritage Committee reported that Wood Buffalo National Park, the largest in Canada, "likely meets the criteria for inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger." This is largely due to the cumulative effects of industrial developments outside the park stemming from unco-ordinated and piecemeal decisions by Alberta and British Columbia governments.

To add to this challenge, environment ministries responsible for biodiversity protection have little financial bargaining power at the cabinet table relative to revenue-generating ministries responsible for the natural resource development. Yet the bulk of responsibility for co-ordinating action on biodiversity rests with these small and under-funded agencies.

Making biodiversity conservation a priority or guiding principle in the bones of decision making, as the CDB envisions, is nowhere in sight. Similarly, efforts recognizing the need to break out of policy silos and address the combined crisis of biodiversity loss and climate change in a synergistic way are nowhere to be found outside of occasional pieces of government rhetoric.

A call to action

Our research provides an important look at why it is urgent that Canadian jurisdictions work together to confront the striking mismatch between stated national goals and the ability or willingness to achieve them. For example, Canadas commitments to protect 30 per cent of its land and oceans by 2030 is an important expression of federal leadership that will rely in large part on provinces and territories to implement.

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The principal drivers of biodiversity loss within Canada  land conversion, overfishing, climate change, pollution and invasive alien species  mirror those around the world. Right now, the 196 countries that are parties to the CBD are working together on virtual platforms to complete the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, which will set new targets to achieve by 2030, as the nature counterpart to the 2015 Paris Agreement for climate change.

Once this is in place by the end of 2021, attention should immediately turn to domestic implementation. Canada must replace the aged and incomplete Canadian Biodiversity Strategy so that jurisdictions can co-operate to actively reduce pressures on biodiversity outside of protected areas.

The development of a new Canadian strategy and associated action plan could play a key role in defining how to achieve transformative change to address biodiversity loss. It should include actions like mainstreaming biodiversity considerations into policy making across jurisdictions, proper valuation of nature as an asset while halting harmful financial subsidies, and leading co-operative implementation across Canada, with an important emphasis on Indigenous-led conservation.

Together, these steps would provide an opportunity to identify the regulatory, legislative, enforcement, financing and accountability measures required to address the ongoing loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services in this second largest country of the world.

Justina C. Ray is an adjunct professor in the department of ecology and evolution, Andrea Olive is an associate professor of political science and geography and Jaime Grimm is a PhD student in the department of ecology and evolution at the University of Toronto.

This article was first published at The Conversation Canada: theconversation.com/ca.
Growing up on reservations, I and other Indigenous children were told horror stories of residential schools  so much so that the very idea of being put into a residential school terrified me as a child. If I had been born two years earlier, I could have been taken away from my family to endure what Indigenous elders have gone through for years.

Opinion

Growing up on reservations, I and other Indigenous children were told horror stories of residential schools  so much so that the very idea of being put into a residential school terrified me as a child. If I had been born two years earlier, I could have been taken away from my family to endure what Indigenous elders have gone through for years.

The idea that residential schools were created to educate Indigenous children is false. It is part of what happened in these schools, but education was not the reason, nor the purpose. The real reason residential schools were created was to assimilate nations. A colonial ruse. A fabrication to take the "quote-unquote" Indian out of the child.

I dont even know my own language. I know how to say hello; I know how to say thank you; I know how to count to three. But that is it. I am not all that connected to my own culture, and its little realizations like these that make me believe the Canadian government and the church were successful in taking the "Indian out of the child."

I have lost a part of me  a part of me that I am so desperately fighting to take back, and I am not the only one. Many Indigenous people are fighting to take back their identity  identities that were taken from us because of the actions of the Canadian government and the church. We are faced with the consequences of our past every day of our lives. So why cant the government and the church face theirs?

The effects of residential schools are still being felt today. The trauma, the heartache and the pain are still very present in the lives of many Indigenous people. The proof can be seen on the streets of Winnipeg, where the homeless population is made up mostly of Indigenous people.

The reason most homeless people in Winnipeg are Indigenous is because of addictions caused by the trauma of attending residential schools. The trauma caused by these residential schools is the type of trauma that lives through generations, and my family is an example of that. My grandpa lived it. My dad felt it. And I deal with it.

My grandfather does not talk much about his time in residential school, and rightfully so. Residential schools were extremely traumatizing for every Indigenous child who attended them. In Canadas residential schools, Indigenous children were not allowed to speak their native language or practise their religion or spirituality. If Indigenous children tried to practise their culture, they would be punished physically, mentally and/or sexually.

Canadas residential schools taught Indigenous children that it was OK to physically, mentally and/or sexually abuse the people around them for disobeying. This was the reality for my grandfather.

As a kid, I was told the stories of how abusive my grandfather was to his family as a young man  horrific stories that I could not believe at the time, because of the man he is today. However, my dad felt and experienced all the abuse my grandfather had passed onto him from residential schools.

Throughout my dads childhood, he learned by watching my grandfather that it was OK to abuse the people around you, even if they were your loved ones. That led to me growing up in my own house of abuse.

When I was a child, my father was an alcoholic and extremely abusive to my mother. I saw my mother endure a lot of physical and mental abuse. I remember one night when my mother and I were watching movies in the living room; we fell asleep in the living room, and at around 3 a.m., we both woke up to a loud bang at the front door.

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My dad burst through the front door, visibly angry and drunk. After shouting obscenities and accusations at my mom, he jumped on top of her and proceeded to beat her in front of me. While crying and screaming, my mom told me to go next door to my grandparents place.

When I got there, we called the police. However, because we lived on the reserve, the police would not get to our house for another 20 minutes. The next time I was my mom, she was badly bruised and bloody.

This happened long ago, but I still cannot get it out of my head. As a kid, I could never make sense of why abuse could have infected our family for so long. It was not until I studied Indigenous history at the University of Manitoba this past year that I could finally make sense of it all.

If I had never learned more about residential schools through my time in university, I would have never known about this trauma, this heartache, and this pain that is caused directly by the residential schools created by the Canadian government and the church. Its because of my education I can finally understand my grandpa and my dads pain and trauma.

It does not excuse what they did to their families. Both of them face the consequences of their actions every day. So, I ask again: why cant the Canadian government and the church face the consequences of their actions committed against the Indigenous people of Canada?

Tyrell Bird is a musician, mental-health advocate, public speaker and part of the Indigenous collective known as Red Rising. He is from Black River First Nation and is currently studying to become a teacher.
WINNIPEG - Federal Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller says he is concerned provinces that are lifting COVID-19 restrictions could lead to a Delta-driven fourth wave among Indigenous people.

Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller speaks to media at the Frobisher Inn in Iqaluit, Nunavut, on Friday, July 23, 2021. Miller says he is concerned provinces that are lifting COVID-19 restrictions could lead to a Delta-driven fourth wave among Indigenous people. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Emma Tranter

WINNIPEG - Federal Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller says he is concerned provinces that are lifting COVID-19 restrictions could lead to a Delta-driven fourth wave among Indigenous people.

Miller says many areas of the country opened too quickly last year during the second wave and it was "dangerous and devastating to many Indigenous communities."

"Its of great concern to me," Miller said Tuesday in an interview with The Canadian Press.

Prairie provinces, where there are high populations of Indigenous people, are moving away from most of their COVID-19 restrictions.

Manitoba announced earlier this week it would end its mask mandate and remove many restrictions on businesses and group sizes this Saturday.

Saskatchewan has also dropped most restrictions put in place to stop the spread of the pandemic, while Alberta is facing criticism from health-care experts after lifting all of its public health orders.

Miller said a proper health strategy involves vaccines, awareness and continued public health measures.

"But that's all for not if economies open up too quickly and provinces open up too quickly," he said.

First Nations leaders sounded the alarm last fall when it became clear the second wave of the pandemic was having devastating effects on Indigenous people. Many reserves went into lockdown and put in measures to stop the spread.

In Manitoba, the median age of death from COVID-19 is 80 for non-Indigenous people but it's 63 for those who are First Nations. First Nations people also made up 20 per cent of the province's deaths due to COVID-19, despite making up about 10 per cent of the province's overall population.

There have been more than 33,000 positive cases on reserves  the vast majority on the Prairies.

Miller said Indigenous people are three to five times more susceptible to getting COVID-19 because of crowded living conditions and other socioeconomic determinants of health.

Some provinces prioritized getting doses of the vaccines to Indigenous people and Miller said there has been a good uptick due to the efforts of Indigenous health experts and leaders.

But, he said, there are still significant risk factors.

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. Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's chief public health officer, said the more infectious variant, which first became prominent in India, is expected to gain steam among younger unvaccinated people.

Miller said a large proportion of the Indigenous population, especially on reserves, are children under the age of 12, who are not eligible to get a dose.

"That puts the community at risk for their mass immunization," he said.

"There is a real, real risk that the Delta variant ... gets into communities and spreads among the unimmunized."

Some outbreaks have begun to pop up on reserves in recent weeks. Black Lake First Nation in northern Saskatchewan went into lockdown last month amida Delta-fuelled spread in the community of about 1,600.The Athabasca Health Authority, which is responsible for the First Nation, said this week it resulted in more than 200 people being required toself-isolate.

Grand Chief Arlen Dumas of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs said he hoped the plans to lift restrictions would have been more cautious and involved added input from Indigenous health professionals and community leaders.

"I think it's really irresponsible. I think we should know better," Dumas said.

Dumas continued to urge caution as restrictions loosen. He saidit'snot worth the risk when children's health is at stake.

"I feel that there's light at the end of the tunnel," Dumas said.

"I feel there's an opportunity for all of us collectively to move forward but I think we need to be strategic and as careful as we can be."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 4, 2021.
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.
Massachusetts regulators said they were troubled by the systemic failures and pervasive culture of non-disclosure at Wynn Resorts.

The company agreed in November 2019 to accept $20 million in damages from Steve Wynn and $21 million more from insurance carriers on behalf of current and former employees of Wynn Resorts to settle shareholder lawsuits accusing company directors of failing to disclose misconduct allegations.

The agreements made no admission of wrongdoing.

In another ongoing legal case, the Nevada Supreme Court is considering Steve Wynns appeal of a decision last December by the Nevada Gaming Commission to consider fining him up to $500,000 and declare him unsuitable to renew his gambling ties to the state.

Steve Wynn also has a pending defamation lawsuit against The Associated Press and an AP reporter based on a story about accounts to Las Vegas police from two women who alleged sexual misconduct by Wynn.

Wynn owned, built and operated notable Las Vegas properties including the Golden Nugget, The Mirage, Treasure Island and Bellagio before building the Wynn and Encore resorts on the Las Vegas Strip.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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The Daley Farm is appealing to the Minnesota Court of Appeals, asking the Court to grant them the farm expansion variance previously denied by Winona County. The District Court ordered them to return to the new Winona County Board of Adjustment to seek a variance.

For 20-plus years, Winona County has had an animal unit cap of 1,500 animal units  on farms. The Daleys proposal, if granted, would allow them to expand to 5,289 animal units -- more than three times what current county law allows.

I dont get what the Daleys and their two Winona County Board boosters, Marcia Ward and Steve Jacob, dont understand. The law was put in place precisely to protect local water quality and the financial viability of small and mid-size livestock farms.

No matter where who we are, or where we sit on the political spectrum, one thing is certain, the people of Winona County want clean water for our future and prosperity.

In the past, Ward and Jacob have routinely carried the interests of factory farms and Big Ag (and the frac sand industry and bluff top developers) when theyve had the majority vote on the County Board. It is hypocritical for them and the Daley Farm to continually whine when they do not get their way.

Doug Nopar

Winona

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Many, many, many, many kids across the globe have been wearing masks now for the last 18 months, she said. Theyre not causing kids to get sick. Theyre not causing new health problems. They are protecting them from giving and getting COVID.

Board discussion

Schenck, a parent of a child in the district, said his goal is to maximize the time that we get our kids in school in person and that making masks optional would mean more in-person time lost due to quarantines.

Retired educator Peterson agreed, adding that the priority also needs to be on students safety.

I believe, as you can tell by my emotion, that this is the route to go to keep our kids safe, get them back in person, she said of a mask mandate.

Kujak, a retired teacher, said he favored making masks optional, noting the most vulnerable populations have high vaccination rates and that parents have access to more data to inform their decisions now than last year. Parents, he said, are asking to have a choice.

Thome pointed to data that shows, as of July 29, 1% of children in Wisconsin who contracted COVID-19 have been hospitalized, while three children have died from it.
In posts to social media, the health department has urged people to get tested if they have any symptoms of the virus due to the high transmissibility of the Delta variant, even in vaccinated people.

Sauk County recorded its first death due to COVID-19 since May in mid-July. As of July 27, there were 27 new confirmed COVID-19 cases in the county, with one new hospitalization in addition to the death over the period of a week. Of the roughly 64,400 residents in Sauk County, slightly more than 33,000, or 51.2%, are fully vaccinated, according to CDC data. More than 84% of residents 65 or older are fully vaccinated as of July 27, according to the Sauk County Health data hub.

Sauk County is offering a number of walk-in vaccination clinics in August in addition to a number of weekly, and even daily, appointment-based sites. The full schedule is listed on the health department website.
While running the registration check on the vehicle the registration did not match and came back for another make and model. The driver was identified as Ashley Winchel verbally and from past police contacts.

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WInchel said she did not have a drivers license and that she had warrants. After confirming the warrants Winchel was placed in the back seat of the squad car and transported to the Juneau County Jail by another member of the Mauston Police Department.

At about 2:45 p.m., Chief Kyle Walker of the New Lisbon Police Department arrived on the scene of the traffic stop and observed K9 unit Timo perform a free air sniff of the vehicle. Timo alerted to the odor of illegal drugs. The vehicle was impounded and moved to the Juneau County impound lot.

On May 19, Walker received a signed warrant to search the vehicle.

A search of the vehicle located a container under the drivers seat holding a glass pipe consistent with methamphetamine use, a digital scale in the passenger side glove box, a container behind the drivers seat holding dabs of refined marijuana extract, a broken glass pipe in a tote, and a container with the words keep out written on it holding cotton balls, a small glass vial appearing to contain dried blood and about 10 medical syringes.
PHOENIX (AP)  Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona used his first speech in Congress on Wednesday to pay tribute to John McCain, the late Republican U.S. senator whose seat Kelly now holds.

His legacy is something that cannot be matched, Kelly said. But it's what inspires me serving in this Senate seat. And it's his example of bipartisanship and independence that continues to demand more of us."

McCain's widow, Cindy McCain, watched from the gallery as Kelly's guest. Shes awaiting Senate confirmation after President Joe Biden nominated her as the U.S. representative to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture.

Kelly was elected last year to finish the last two years of McCain's final term. He is a top target for the GOP and faces a tough reelection fight next year for his own six-year term.

Kelly has gone out of his way to pay his respects to McCain, a Vietnam War hero who was tortured during more than five years of captivity. He visited McCains grave at the U.S. Naval Academy the day before taking office last year and talks regularly about being inspired by McCains example not just as a politician but also as a fellow Navy fighter pilot and a prisoner of war.
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.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Marshall man linked to a drug deal in Lodi. The deal was supposed to be for methamphetamine but it was rock salt.

Jayson A. Mathison, 30, Marshall, has been charged with falsely presenting a non-controlled substance, a class I felony, and second degree recklessly endangering safety, a class G felony.

Columbia County Circuit Judge Todd Hepler issued the arrest warrant for Mathison on July 29. According to the criminal complaint, in February a Columbia County Sheriffs Deputy responded to a report in Lodi of a man shaking, feeling cold and have difficulty breathing. The caller believed the man was having a heart attack.

Deputy Kevin Jones arrived at the home while EMS attended to the man. The man, only identified as Victim 1 in the complaint, told authorities he believed he had attempted to use methamphetamine.

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However he told Deputy Jones he believes he injected himself with rock salt.

Deputy Jones was told Mathison had supplied what he thought to be methamphetamine. The victim arranged to meet with Mathison in Lodi and returned home with his purchase.
School board salaries

In addition to the annual budget, electors also approved to set an annual salary for school board members rather than an hourly rate set in previous years.

The school board president will receive a $2,250 annual salary. The vice president, treasurer and clerk will receive $2,000 a year and all other board members will receive $1,750 per year.

School board members had previously been paid $60 for the first two hours of each regular monthly meeting plus $20 for each additional half-hour, according to the meeting minutes from the last annual meeting held Aug. 3, 2020. The hourly rate previously paid $30 for the first hour of each special meeting, plus $20 for each additional half-hour, $30 for the first hour of each committee meeting, plus $20 for each additional half-hour. The clerk received $15 for taking special meeting minutes.

According to Administrative Assistant Brenda Gurgel, last year School Board President Jennifer Gavinski was paid $1,910, Vice President Kathy Anderson was paid $1,830, Clerk Jesse Weaver was paid $2,225 and Treasurer Bob McClyman was paid $1,760. Board Members Erik Backhaus was paid $1,890, Jim McClyman was paid $1,770 and Joey Van Dinter was paid $1,830.

Regular board meeting
FLY CREEK, N.Y.  Fly Creek Cider Mill will reopen next week for the first time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

In January, owner Bill Michaels planned to close the venue for good and sold all of its remaining stock and inventory. Then at the end of June, Michaels posted on social media announcing plans to reopen after all.

The grand reopening will take place on Saturday, Aug. 14, starting at 10 a.m.

The West Edmeston Fire Department will be there with a new fire truck on display that kids can explore.

Fly Creek Cider Mill is located at 288 Goose St.
NEW HARTFORD, N.Y.  New Hartford police are seeking help identifying a woman regarding multiple thefts at the Target in Sangertown Square.

The woman in question was seen getting into a red Pontiac Vibe after leaving the store.

Police posted photos of the woman and the vehicle on social media Wednesday to see if the public could provide any leads on her whereabouts.

Anyone who might be able to help identify this woman can call New Hartford police at 315-724-7111. Callers will remain anonymous.
New York is set to lose a seat in Congress based on the most recent census data, and changes to the congressional and state legislative districts in the state are imminent.

The New York State Independent Redistricting Commission is holding virtual meetings to get public input on how the district lines should be redrawn before any final decisions are made.

Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, D-119, says the state legislature has to review the data, and the process may start before the end of the month.

State officials, through the legislative body, make those decisions of where those new district lines would be. Based on the 150,000 individuals, butwe need to see the data, she said. We're hoping in the next two weeks, and to your point, talk within the hearings, of what can be done and how that redistricting can best identify and work for individuals.

Buttenschon said prison populations are not included in the census, which doesnt necessarily reflect the needs of the area, since inmates still use local services like EMS.

The meeting for the Mohawk Valley and North Country regions will be held Thursday, Aug. 5 at 2 p.m.

The next meeting will be held on Monday, Aug. 9, for those in the Southern Tier and Central New York.

For more information or to sign up to testify at a meeting, click here.
UTICA, N.Y.  The final suspect indicted in the murder of Lemeke Pittman, who was shot at a Utica barbershop in May, has been arrested.

Several agencies worked together to locate 31-year-old Christian Rodriguez, who was arrested in Queens by members of the U.S. marshals fugitive division.

Christian Rodriguez Christian Rodriguez

The fugitive task force officers had to forcibly enter a residence to take Rodriguez into custody. He was remanded to the Oneida County jail on Aug. 3 on the second-degree murder charge.

Pittman was shot inside the barbershop at the corner of Seymour Avenue and James Street the afternoon of May 7. He was taken to the hospital where he later died from his injuries.

On June 11, the first of the three suspects, 21-year-old Jaleak Scarborough, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a firearm.

Nearly one month later on July 6, a second arrest was made in this case when another suspect was found in Georgia. Hakim Muhammad, 19, was arrested with the help of the U.S. marshals office and police in Norcross, Georgia.

All three were indicted by a grand jury in Pittmans murder.
The founder of The Zogby Poll doesn't think the NYS Legislature will have to pull the plug on Governor Andrew Cuomo's political career; he thinks Cuomo, himself, will realize he has no choice, but to step down.

"He has the majority of the democrats in both houses of the legislature calling on him to resign. He has the President of the United States doing the same thing. You have 12 Gannett newspapers, that's all the newspapers they have in NY State, front page, calling upon him to resign," says John Zogby. "Nobody wants him around anymore. He's damaged goods."

Zogby says there is no surviving NYS Attorney General, Letitia James', report, finding that Cuomo sexually harassed multiple women, including a NYS trooper and one of his own staff members. The women gaved detailed accounts of their interactions with Cuomo. Many were corroborated by witnesses.

"The rebuttal that he gave yesterday just doesn't convince anyone. People don't go to governors, especially when they're young women, for counseling," says Zogby.

Zogby says there is one group that could stand to benefit, politically, if the governor were to hang around.

"This is the kind of game changer that could enable a Republican party that otherwise has been in terrible shape," says Zogby. "Fortunately for the Democrats, the Republican party in this state is smarting. It's hurting. It doesn't have the money or the infrastructure but there's certainly a fast way for them to have the money and the infrastructure and that is for Andrew Ccuomo to hang around."

Zogby doesn't expect Cuomo to walk away tomorrow; he thinks efforts to remove him will begin -- but that he will likely resign before they conclude.
Here is a look at the life of Rosalynn Carter, wife of former US President Jimmy Carter.

Personal

Birth date: August 18, 1927

Birth place: Plains, Georgia

Birth name: Eleanor Rosalynn Smith

Father: Wilburn Smith, a mechanic

Mother: Allethea (Murray) Smith

Marriage: Jimmy Carter (July 7, 1946-present)

Children: Amy, October 19, 1967; Jeff, August 18, 1952; James Earl III (Chip), April 12, 1950; Jack, July 3, 1947

Education: Georgia Southwestern College, 1946

Other Facts

Founder and president of the board of directors for the "Rosalynn Carter Institute of Caregiving" at Georgia Southwestern State University. The mission of this organization is to help professional and family caregivers with the important role they play in our long-term health care system.

Works for Habitat for Humanity, a group of volunteers who builds homes for the needy.

Advocate for mental health, early childhood immunization, human rights and conflict resolution.

Timeline

1953 - The Carters return to Plains, Georgia, and run the family peanut, seed, and fertilizer business.

1962 - Jimmy Carter enters politics and wins a seat in the Georgia Senate.

1977-1981 - As first lady, she focuses national attention on performing arts and mental health.

1977-1978 - Serves as the Honorary Chairperson of the President's Commission on Mental Health, and is instrumental in the passage of the 1980 Mental Health Systems Act.

1982 - Founds the Carter Center with her husband.

1984 - Her book, "First Lady from Plains," is published.

1985 - Initiates the annual Rosalynn Carter Symposium on Mental Health Policy.

1987 - "Everything to Gain: Making the Most of the Rest of Your Life," with Jimmy Carter, is published.

1991 - Co-launches Every Child By Two, a nationwide campaign to promote childhood immunizations, with Betty Bumpers, the wife of Senator Dale Bumpers of Arkansas.

1991-1999 - Serves on the policy advisory board of The Atlanta Project, a program of the Carter Center that addresses the social ills associated with poverty and quality of life around Atlanta.

1994 - "Helping Yourself Help Others: A Book for Caregivers" is published.

1999 - Is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

1999 - The book, "Helping Someone with Mental Illness: A Compassionate Guide for Family, Friends, and Caregivers," with Susan K. Golant, is published.

2001 - Carter is inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame.

March 22, 2005 - Carter and her husband step down as the leaders of the Carter Center's Board of Trustees.

2010 - The book, "Within Our Reach: Ending the Mental Health Crisis," with Susan K. Golant and Kathryn E. Cade, is published.

August 22, 2012 - Speaks at the ribbon cutting for phase one of the Rosalynn Carter Health and Human Sciences Complex at Georgia Southwestern State University.

October 13, 2014 - Announces the next Rosalyn and Jimmy Carter Habitat Work Project will be building homes in Nepal. The Carters' goal, with thousands of volunteers, is to help build shelter for 100,000 Nepali families by 2016.

February 18, 2018 - Undergoes surgery to remove scar tissue from a portion of her small intestine. The scar tissue formed after a cyst was removed many years ago.

May 16, 2019 - Carter is released from the hospital after being admitted for feeling "faint." Her husband is released from the hospital the same day after being admitted for falling on his way to go turkey hunting.

October 17, 2019 - Having been married 26,765 days, Carter and her husband are now the longest-married presidential couple in history (George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush previously held the record).

December 10, 2020 - The US House of Representatives passes a resolution recognizing Carter's 50 years of mental health advocacy.

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Here's a look at the life of actor, filmmaker, activist and philanthropist Ben Affleck.

Personal

Birth date: August 15, 1972

Birth place: Berkeley, California

Birth name: Benjamin Geza Affleck

Father: Tim Affleck, a social worker

Mother: Chris Affleck, a teacher

Marriage: Jennifer Garner (June 29, 2005-November 7, 2018, divorced)

Children: Samuel Garner (February 27, 2012), Seraphina Rose Elizabeth (January 6, 2009), Violet Anne (December 1, 2005)

Education: attended University of Vermont and Occidental College

Other Facts

He has been nominated for an Academy Award twice and won both; and has been nominated for an Emmy Award four times.

Affleck and Matt Damon met as children, shared an Oscar for writing and four Emmy nominations, started a production company and have appeared in four films together, "School Ties" (1992), "Chasing Amy" (1997), "Good Will Hunting" (1997) and "Dogma" (1999).

Casey Affleck, Ben's brother, has worked with him in three films, "Chasing Amy" (1997), "Good Will Hunting" (1997) and "Gone Baby Gone" (2007).

During his relationship with Jennifer Lopez, the media nicknamed the couple "Bennifer." They appeared in two films together, "Gigli" (2003) and "Jersey Girl" (2004).

Affleck starred in, directed, and produced the movie "Argo" (2012), which earned awards for acting, directing, producing and writing.

Timeline

February 1981 - First film, "Dark at the End of the Street" opens.

March 23, 1998 - Wins, with Damon, the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for "Good Will Hunting."

2000 - Develops, along with Damon, Project Greenlight, a multi-media contest project aimed at aspiring filmmakers. The grand prize winner directs his/her own movie with a $1,000,000 budget. The reality program has led to four Primetime Emmy Award nominations.

January 2001 - Starts production company LivePlanet with Damon.

August 3, 2001 - Checks into the Promises Rehabilitation Center in Malibu, California for alcohol abuse treatment.

October 19, 2007 - The opening of his directorial debut for a major film, "Gone Baby Gone."

December 18, 2008 - Documentary short, "Gimme Shelter" directed by Affleck, depicting the work of the UNHCR in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is released.

2010 - The Eastern Congo Initiative, an advocacy and grant-making initiative which is wholly focused on working with and for the people of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, is founded by Affleck and other philanthropists.

March 8, 2011 - Gives testimony before the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights on the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Securing Peace in the Midst of Tragedy.

October 12, 2012 - "Argo" is released. The film is based on a true story about the rescue of six US diplomats during the Iran hostage crisis, and is co-produced and directed by Affleck.

February 24, 2013 - "Argo" wins the Oscar for Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

January 2017 - Steps down as director of the Batman standalone film, titled "The Batman," to focus on his role acting as Batman in the film.

March 14, 2017 - Discloses his treatment for alcohol abuse.

October 11, 2017 - Apologizes for acting inappropriately after he is accused of groping a woman on the set of MTV's Total Request Live in 2003. The accusation, and his subsequent apology, came moments after Affleck posted a Twitter message denouncing embattled movie executive Harvey Weinstein for his unacceptable behavior towards women.

August 22, 2018 - Affleck enters rehab for treatment of alcohol abuse.

October 4, 2018 - Posts an Instagram statement in which he reveals that he completed a 40-day stay at a treatment center and continues his outpatient care for alcohol addiction.

April 11, 2020 - Hosts a virtual poker tournament to raise money for Feeding America, a hunger relief organization. The charity event raises around $1.75 million for Covid-19 relief.

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TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) -- West Lafayette Mayor John Dennis had some strong words for those not vaccinated against COVID-19.

He spoke about it Wednesday during a live-streamed Tippecanoe County Health Department news briefing.

Dennis discussed misconceptions about the vaccine and used a crude word to reference unvaccinated people.

"There are people that still think that this is something that we've made up," Dennis said. There are people that think that this is some sort of governmental power trip to try and control the population base, and oddly enough, they still think that this is something that is absolutely fabricated and does not have any impact on their life at all and they could not be more wrong. I lost my temper at a council meeting here recently, and I referenced them as unvaccinated ***holes, and unfortunately, that sometimes is accurate. That's true."

According to the Indiana State Health Department's website, there are more than 26,500 unvaccinated people in West Lafayette.

Click here to watch the full news conference.
White House Press Secretary to speak at William & Marys Opening Convocation

New students from this year and last invited to participate

White House Press Secretary and William & Mary alumna Jen Psaki 00 will speak at the universitys 2021 Opening Convocation ceremony, scheduled for Sept. 1 at 5:15 p.m. in the Wren Yard.

The annual tradition serves to welcome W&Ms newest students to campus. Because last years event was virtual due to COVID-19, this years in-person ceremony will not only celebrate incoming students but also all students who joined the university community in the 2020-2021 academic year.

Both groups of students are invited to participate in the event, including the traditional walk through the Wren Building at its conclusion.

This is such an important moment for our community, said President Katherine A. Rowe. Students and alumni cherish it. Staff and faculty experienced it first-hand, this summer. Thanks to our commitment to the health and safety of the W&M community, we will gather to celebrate the opening of the academic year.

As White House press secretary during 2021, Jen Psaki has had to navigate a unique set of circumstances under pandemic. She has used all her William & Mary skills to communicate the decisions and vision of the president to the country. We are honored to have her return to Alma Mater, and we look forward to hearing her message for students as we kick off a new year together in person.

Psaki, who double majored in English and sociology at W&M, took on her current role in January 2021 when U.S. President Joe Biden took office, and she oversaw the confirmations team for the Biden-Harris transition. During the Obama-Biden administration she served as deputy White House press secretary and deputy communications director. Other senior roles during that administration included terms as White House communications director and State Department spokesperson under then-Secretary of State John Kerry.

She is a veteran of three presidential campaigns. Psaki served as deputy press secretary in John Kerry's 2004 campaign, as traveling press secretary in 2008 and then as traveling press secretary and senior advisor in 2012 during the Obama-Biden campaigns. Psaki has also served as spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and as communications director to former Congressman Joe Crowley.

Prior to joining the Biden-Harris Transition Team, she was the vice president for communications and strategy at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and a CNN contributor.

While a student at W&M, Psaki was a member of the swim team and Chi Omega sorority. She also served as a campus tour guide and admission intern. Psaki has remained closely tied to her alma mater since graduation. She was featured on the cover of the spring 2021 W&M Alumni Magazine and recently threw out the first pitch at Nationals Park for W&M Day on July 18.

In addition to speaking at Opening Convocation, Psaki will meet with small groups of faculty and students the day of her visit.
Conversational Customer Engagement Platform Dixa Announces $105 Million Funding Round

Today, much of the buzz around customer service methodology includes something called conversational customer engagement. At its core, its about messaging customers in a way that works best for them. Customers no longer want to wait on hold for an agent who might (or might not) be able to help them. Instead, customers are looking for easy asynchronous messaging that they can interact with when the time is right for them. This kind of messaging is achieved with smart chatbots.

Not only do customers feel comfortable and engaged, but the efficiency gains for business are instant, and the cashflow impacts is significant, according to Webio. At a time when movement restrictions are causing customers to do more on digital platforms, there is an increasing desire for conversations that enable us to interact more naturally.

Simple single purpose chatbots were a good idea, but they havent allowed companies to progress to more complex interactions. AI-powered chatbots add in natural language understanding and machine learning with smarter tools, allowing companies to do more within each customer interaction by collecting more information needed to move the conversation toward a positive outcome.

Dixa, a Danish startup company developing conversational customer engagement software, announced this week that it raised $105 million in a series C funding round. The company says the proceeds of the funding round will be put toward product development, new acquisitions following Dixas purchase of Melbourne, Australia-based Elevio in January of this year, and quadrupling Dixas engineering team by the end of 2022.

Dixas platform allows brands to unify channels in a single system, equipping agents with tools like cross-channel prioritization, routing capabilities, and integrations. It offers a phone system that runs in any web browser and it provides email workflows as well as support for chat apps including Facebook (News - Alert) Messenger and WhatsApp.

The profitability and efficiency mindset that has been the industry standard for years simply helped brands keep up with customers, said Mads Fosselilus, CEO of Dixa in a statement. That was the omnichannel approach in technology, but its time has passed. In response to a major shift to value in consumer behavior, brands need a truly agile, productivity-enhancing tech stack that evolves with customers and doesnt lag behind. This is how we shift from transactional, tickets-based customer service to value-added customer engagement.

Edited by Luke Bellos
The Blue Grotto is a system of seven sea caverns, located on the outskirts of the southern town of Zurrieq, on the small Mediterranean island nation of Malta. The area should not be confused with its namesake, the Blue Grotto in Capri, Italy. The caverns are themselves unique limestone formations, with stunning views of water, flora, and fauna. The largest and most popular cavern is commonly referred to as the Blue Grotto Cavern.

Visiting The Blue Grotto

Tourist boats in the sea near the Blue Grotto.

The grotto is popular among visitors to Malta, which is easy to navigate because its area spans only 17 by 9 miles at its extents. Malta is easily accessible by plane, within three hours from many major European cities, and from them connections to the UK, North Africa, and the Middle East. There is ferry access to Sicily, Italy, from the port in Pozzallo. Getting to the grotto from Zurrieq involves travelling around 1.2 miles (2 kilometers) west to the harbor of Wied iz-Zurrieq, and hiring a "dgnajsa", a water taxi, for around 8 ($8.67 USD). In addition to regular boat tours, there are also rock climbing, scuba diving and snorkeling tours for those so inclined.

Attractions

Inside the caves of the Blue Grotto.

Blue Grotto features a 140-foot arch, Il-Hnejja. The arch is a unique byproduct of the local coralline limestone, which tends to fracture and erode from the constantly pounding waves. The grotto is also widely recognized for its ultra-clear water, which appears as stunning shades of cobalt blue when sunlight hits the white sand at the bottom of the caves, and reflects against the colors of plants, sea creatures, and minerals in the limestone. Filmmakers favor the area for its inimitable natural aesthetics.

Flora And Fauna

Maltese wall lizard.

The limestone of the grotto contains marine fossils, because the entire island of Malta was submerged millions of years ago. Plants and animals are visible through the water in the caverns, and divers can see barracudas, jacks, octopus, and morays in the water itself. The caverns also offer a view of Fiflia, an inlet uninhabited by humans, which is home to endemic species, such as the Maltese wall lizard. As one would expect, culinary fish and seafood are available throughout Malta. Local delicacies include sea urchin and octopus, as well as lampuka fish, which is the main ingredient in Maltese lampuki pie.

Threats To The Ecosystem

Trailing ice plants on the cliff tops, Blue Grotto, Malta.

Malta has a good reputation as a very safe destination, and a trip to Blue Grotto can be made safely with the assistance of experienced tour guides. It is not possible to touch the floor of the sea, so access to life jackets is crucial, especially for children and those who are not proficient swimmers. The waves, and their tendency to erode the rocks, can be dangerous, especially in stormy conditions. Even when the weather is calm, boat guides carefully time entrance to the caves in relation to the rhythm of the waves.

Unfortunately, the natural infrastructure of the Blue Grotto, and all of Malta, is extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change, particularly to rising sea levels and coastal erosion. Rising temperatures provoke devastating invasions of local ecosystems by non-native wildlife as well. Malta has made climate change a serious priority, in part because its only significant natural resources are said to be its mild climate and limestone. Increasingly, tourists are encouraged to see the Blue Grotto less as an idyllic blue water paradise, and more in terms of its rich heritage and as a hot spot for eco-tourism.
Gunman shot 3 workers at SmileDirectClub in Tennessee before officers killed him, police say
Content Producer

Blake was born and raised in Central Ohio where he began working in TV broadcast in 2011 before moving into morning radio. Blake joined the WSMV team in October 2019. Any news stories and ideas can be sent directly to blake.summers@wsmv.com
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.
Just days after the Australian National Cabinet announced a premature roadmap to end COVID-19 lockdowns, government leaders are laying out plans to further speed up the lifting of safety restrictions, even as outbreaks of the highly dangerous Delta variant continue to run out of control, threatening the populations of Sydney and Brisbane.

The push is being spearheaded by New South Wales (NSW) Premier Gladys Berejiklian, despite her Liberal-National Coalition state government being directly responsible for the spread of the infections in Sydney. After five weeks of partial lockdowns, more than 200 new cases are still being reported daily, and the total number of cases since the outbreak began on June 16 exceeds 4,000.

Unemployed workers outside an inner-western Sydney Centrelink office in March 2020 [Source: WSWS Media]

Berejiklian yesterday declared her governments hope to lift the stay at home orders in Sydney by the end of the month if 50 percent of the states adult population is vaccinated by then, even with just one dose. That would be only about a third of the population, counting those under 16, even though the Delta mutation is hitting growing numbers of children in Australia, as it is internationally.

This reopening drive, just like the Berejiklian governments refusal to shut down the city for 10 days after the outbreak erupted, is entirely motivated by the demands of the financial elite for workers to be fully pushed back into workplaces in order to generate profits, regardless of the health consequences.

Today I want to talk about kids getting back to school and workers getting back to work, Berejiklian told a media conference on Monday.

Yesterdays editorial in the Australian Financial Review underscored the corporate message. It denounced the National Cabinet roadmap as being too slow and effectively demanded that governments defy the advice of health experts. As throughout the pandemic, Australias political leaders have again deferred to the ultra-cautious health advice, based on epidemiological modelling, it declared.

Berejiklians 50 percent target is far below even the 70 percent threshold set out in last Fridays roadmap for reducing the likelihood of lockdowns. That 70 percent figure itself represents only 56 percent of the population yet Berejiklians government is proceeding with the clear backing of its federal Coalition counterpart, led by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who yesterday ramped up his calls for people to learn to live with the virus.

A concerted effort is underway to condition public opinion to accept the supposed need for deaths in any exit strategy. At Morrisons media conference yesterday, the federal chief medical officer Paul Kelly said: We do need to accept that there will be cases. We need to accept that there will be hospitalisations, there will be ICU [intensive care unit] admissions and there will be deaths.

For days, the NSW government has been already undercutting the limited health orders in Sydney by granting ever-greater numbers of exemptions to employers. Factory workers report being instructed to return to workplaces in industries that are far from essential.

Construction sites have been reopened as well, except in eight western and southwestern local government areas, where the predominantly working class populations are bearing the main burden of infections, as well as being subjected to saturation surveillance and harassment by police, now reinforced by military troops.

In a show of force, soldiers are patrolling streets, knocking on doors to enforce stay at home orders and maintaining a visible presence at vaccination centres, where there have been long queues, amid widespread anger over the continuing lack of access to vaccines.

Year 12 school students and their teachers in Sydney have been told to return to classrooms by the middle of the month, regardless of the proven dangers to young people and mounting opposition among students as well as teachers. The governments promise to inoculate the students with one vaccine dose by then, even if delivered, will obviously not protect them in time.

Far from taking action to halt this offensive, the Labor Party and trade unions are backing it, in line with Labors majority role in the National Cabinet, a de facto coalition government. Their role is typified by the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU), which has joined hands with the construction employers and property developers to call for construction workers to be added to the list of those permitted to leave the eight western and southwestern areas to work on sites.

This flies in the face of statements by NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant about high levels of transmission in workplaces, including meat processing plants, distribution centres and freight companies. Earlier attempts by governments to blame households for the spread of infections have been exposed by the reality that workplaces are the major sources.

Although the Delta outbreak in Brisbane has yet to exceed 20 new infections per day, it is still spreading and the total number of active cases has reached 100. Hospitals are already under stress with more than 400 healthcare professionals having to quarantine because they are close contacts of students infected at a number of schools. As one affected doctor told the media, school children have become superspreaders of the disease. As a result, the Queensland state Labor Party government has been forced to extend a limited three-day city shut down for a week.

The kinds of calculations being made in ruling circles was indicated by a report in the Australian Financial Review yesterday about modelling being performed to gauge how many daily deaths Australians would tolerate after governments lifted restrictions.

According to the report, the modelling by Accenture, a global consulting giant, makes a crucial assumption that Australians would tolerate an average of 20 COVID-19-related deaths a day, and 10,000 new infections daily, once vaccination rates were above 70 percent.

This modelling is reportedly based on what has been happening in the US and UK, where infection rates are soaring again because the Biden and Johnson governments have presided over similar corporate-driven reopening operations.

Professor Jodie McVernon from the Doherty Institute, which produced the report that underpinned last Fridays National Cabinet roadmap, yesterday warned that at 5060 percent vaccination, there would still be rapidly growing outbreaks that would be very difficult to control.

The Doherty Institute report itself contains disturbing scenarios, which have gone unreported or misleadingly reported in the corporate media.

At a vaccination rate of 50 percent of the adult population, the modelling estimates 10,311 people would die within six months following community transmission if there were only minor social distancing restrictions and partial effectiveness of tracing, testing, isolating and quarantine measures. There would be about 1.2 million infections and over 48,000 hospital admissions, with more than 11,000 patients in ICUs.

Even at the National Cabinets 70 percent inoculation level to enter Phase B, making lockdowns unlikely, 3,563 people would die, more than 600,000 people would suffer infections, over 22,000 would be hospitalised and more than 5,000 would be in ICUs.

Media reports, however, indicate that Berejiklians government has drawn up a plan by which, once the 50 percent mark is reached, all students would be back in classrooms, pubs and clubs would be allowed to host outdoor dining and gyms could reopen.

Because of the federal governments delayed and chaotic vaccination program, less than two-thirds of the countrys over-50s population, who were supposed to be prioritised, have received even a first dose of a vaccine. The vaccination rates are much lower among younger adults and children who are the most likely to be infected and to transmit the Delta virus. Rates are also highest in wealthier areas, and lowest in working class areas, where the populations are younger and less likely to be able to access doses.

In Sydney, the contact tracing system is already unable to cope with the volume of cases, exposing the claims of Morrison for many months that it was gold standard and therefore no lockdowns were needed. Since July 25, mystery case numbers every day have been greater than those traced to a known case or cluster.

Because of the severe effects of the Delta strain, more people are in Sydneys hospital intensive care wards than during the peak of last years second-wave outbreak in the neighbouring state of Victoria, which had substantially more active cases and killed 768 people, but involved the original wild COVID-19 virus.

At the peak of hospitalisations last August, the Victorian government reported 675 people in hospital. Of those, 44 were in ICUs and 29 were on ventilation. According to NSW Health data on Monday, 232 COVID-19-positive patients were in hospital, 54 of whom were in ICUs and 25 on ventilation.

Governments repeatedly claim that Australia has one of the best hospital systems in the world, but hospitals in both Sydney and Brisbane are under such stress that so-called elective surgeries have had to be cancelled.

Infections are developing in aged care homes, which became epicentres of deaths last year. In Sydneys inner-west, the Wyoming Nursing Home has had 18 patients and two staff infected. About 83 percent of the residents and 75 percent of the staff had been vaccinated, but the Delta virus still spread.

Tragically, two more people died in Sydney yesterday, taking the outbreak total to 17 and the national pandemic toll to 927. One of yesterdays victims was a young man in his 20s, who died at home in southwestern Sydney.
Health authorities are scrambling to contain an outbreak of COVID-19 spreading across China, after the delta variant infected workers at Lukou Airport in Nanjing. It had seen 381 cases across China by the end of July, 75 new cases on August 1, and 98 on August 2.

Though China was the initial epicenter of COVID-19 after it emerged in the city of Wuhan in December 2019, a scientific policy of strict lockdowns and contact tracing halted domestic spread of the coronavirus by June 2020. Since then there have been isolated outbreaks from individuals arriving in China after having been infected abroad. Now the most serious such outbreak is underway, due to the delta variants extraordinary virulence.

The contrast between the response of the Stalinist Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regime and that of the imperialist powers of North America and Europe is staggering. The number of cases found so far in China in this outbreak is under 1,000dozens of times less than the 27,000 daily cases found in France or 89,000 in the United States. Yet while officials in NATO powers insist that workers must learn to live with the virus, in French President Emmanuel Macrons words, Chinese health authorities are mounting a public health offensive to halt the contagion.

Yesterday, Chinas Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) confirmed that on July 20, it had received a report that cleaning staff at Lukou Airport, vaccinated with Sinovac or Sinopharm vaccines, had showed positive in PCR tests. Testing of staff and travelers reportedly found that the virus came aboard Air China flight CA910 from Moscow. Chinese authorities have repeatedly suspended CA910 after COVID-19 cases were imported aboard this flight.

Yesterday afternoon, top officials in Chinas Jiangsu province, where Nanjing is located, held a press conference. They reported that contact tracing and testing has revealed that 44 percent of cases in Nanjing are among airport cleaning staff, 52 percent are among their contacts (primarily families), and the remainder are travelers who were infected abroad, before their arrival in China. Of the 220 cases, 82 are asymptomatic and six are severe.

Several reports in Chinese state media said cost-cutting and poor safety measures for workers at subcontracting firms working for the Lukou Airport and its corporate parent, Eastern Airport Group, caused the outbreak. The state-run Peoples Daily contacted several of the subcontracting firms, who either denied that they were involved or refused to answer journalists questions.

Chen Mou, a manager at Nanjing Property Management, told the paper, The cleaning of the airport and of airplane cabins at Nanjing-Lukou was given to several subcontracting firms The reason why such a big problem occurred this time is that the airport did not carry out proper daily supervision, and in order to save money, the subcontracting firm did not properly separate workers in domestic and international operations.

The Peoples Daily wrote that overwork of cleaning staff played a major role: In order to save money, subcontractors had the work originally assigned to two people carried out by only one.

The Peoples Daily reported that on July 23, CCP Jiangsu provincial committee secretary Feng Jun was fired from his post and as a member of the Eastern Airport Groups corporate board. The paper criticized Feng for not having handled the operations of the Eastern Airport Group in a professional manner, allowing the COVID-19 pandemic to spread.

A vast public health campaign to eradicate the delta variant in China is underway.

Entire city districts are being placed on lockdown, and tens of millions of people tested for COVID-19 to identify, isolate and care for the sick, and prevent further contagion. The entire populations of Nanjing (8 million) and Wuhan (11 million) are to be tested. Mass testing is also underway in Yangzhou, Xiamen, Chongqing, partially flooded Zhengzhou, and the capital, Beijing.

Mass testing and contact tracing rapidly tracked the spread of the virus across China. As of the end of July, the 381 cases included 243 in Jiangsu province, where Nanjing is located; 91 in Yunnan province, 12 in Henan and Hunan provinces, 8 in Sichuan province, and 5 in northeastern Chinas Liaoning province. There were two in Beijing, Chongqing, and in Fujian; and one each in Guangdong, Shandong, Ningxia and Hubei provinces. Since then, further cases have been found in Shanghai and in Shaanxi and Fujian provinces.

The town of Zhangjiajie, a tourist destination in Hunan province, is hard hit with 13 cases detected as of yesterday and is in lockdown. The towns WeChat social media account is naming those infected and identifying where they have gone in the town, to alert inhabitants or tourists who may have come into contact with them. Schoolteachers and other public sector workers are ordered to shelter at home and await mass mobilization orders on epidemic control operations.

Hunan authorities said that the situation in nearby Zhuzhou, where there is community spread of the delta variant and over one million people are in lockdown, is grim and complicated.

The efforts of Chinese workers and health authorities expose the criminality of COVID-19 policies in most of the rest of the world. Calls to live with the virus also predominated in the Brazilian regime of fascistic President Jair Bolsonaro, Indias Hindu-supremacist regime, and the post-Soviet capitalist kleptocracy run by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Above all, the imperialist powers rejected scientific policies, making their own British Prime Minister Boris Johnsons infamous call, No more f***ing lockdowns, let the bodies pile high in their thousands!

The result is that since the pandemic began, fewer than 5,000 people died in China, the original epicenter of the virus, while in the NATO alliance, grouping the worlds wealthiest imperialist powers in Europe and America, 1.7 million people have died.

This is not because, as is claimed in NATO countries media propaganda, eradicating the virus is impossible. It is because the degenerate political criminals who run these governments pursued a policy that the BMJ (British Medical Journal) correctly branded social murder. While giving trillions of dollars, euros and pounds to the financial aristocracy in bank and corporate bailouts, they rejected scientific social distancing policies that have saved millions of lives in China.

It is not to excuse the CCPs indubitable corruptioninseparable from its restoration of capitalism in 1989, and its exploitation of the Chinese working classto state that this corruption is not the main cause of the contagion spreading from Nanjing. Outbreaks like that of today, of January 2021 centered in Shijiazhuang, or of May-June 2021 in Guangzhou are caused above all by circulation of COVID-19 outside China, as infected travelers or contaminated frozen goods arrived from overseas.

The pandemic is a world catastrophe that can be halted only by the coordinated, global implementation of the scientific measures now being adopted in China. Imposing such policies requires building an international movement of the working class against capitalism. This underlies the utter bankruptcy of the Stalinist CCPs nationalist policy. Unable and unwilling to appeal to workers internationally, it has no way of halting the pandemic disaster unfolding outside Chinas borders.

Viewed from the standpoint of workers internationally, however, events in China have a different significance. While protests in Europe against science and vaccination are led by neo-fascists, popular support in China for mass mobilization and scientific policies against COVID-19 are a distant echo of great struggles of the 20th century like the 1949 Chinese revolution. It testifies to the vast potential for science and revolutionary struggle to resolve even horrific problems such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Florida reported Tuesday 11,515 hospitalizations caused by COVID-19, up from just 1,000 in mid-June and another indication of the virulent spread of the coronavirus Delta variant in the state, nationally and internationally. This marked the third day straight that the current number of patients hospitalized has exceeded the previous record of 10,170 set in July 2020.

The Florida Hospital Association reports that of those hospitalized, 2,400 are in ICU beds. Hospitals have also reported that emergency room patients have had to be put in hallways because there are not enough rooms in which to put patients. Medical workers have also noted that the average age of patients is dropping, pointing to the increased ability of the Delta variant to cause severe illness even among young and ostensibly healthier victims.

Florida seniors have their temperatures taken before receiving the second dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at Jackson Health System in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

The surge in hospitalizations follows the sharp rise of daily new cases in Florida, which have now reached a seven-day average over 17,000, more than 1,000 higher than the states previous peak in January. In response, Republican Governor Ron DeSantis reiterated his pledge to reject implementing any policies to contain the virus such as mask mandates or the closure of non-essential businesses. At the same time Governor DeSantis celebrated his executive order banning mask mandates issued by schools, threatening to withhold funding from schools that attempt even minimal measures to protect the lives of their students, staff and parents.

While Florida has become the epicenter of the pandemic in the United States, it is a window into the future for the rest of the country as the Delta variant continues to spread uncontrolled. The US as a whole is currently reporting an average of nearly 87,000 cases each day, more than double the number of cases reported just two weeks ago. This is higher than last summers peak and the rate of the spread matches the explosive increase in cases last October that led to a murderous peak in cases last December and January, a time when more than 3,000 people a day were dying from the virus.

The dangers are further underscored by the sharp rise in hospitalizations elsewhere in the US, particularly in the South and parts of the Southwest. In cities such as New Orleans and the surrounding areas, there are 20 or more COVID-19 hospitalizations per 100 available beds. Louisiana as a whole is second only to Florida in statewide coronavirus hospitalizations, with 15 out of every 100 beds occupied by pandemic patients.

Other states are suffering similar disasters. Between 10 to 15 percent of hospital admissions in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Nevada and Oklahoma are coronavirus related. Sharp rises in hospital admissions over the past week have also been seen in California, Kentucky, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas. The United States as a whole has had 43,583 COVID-19 hospital admissions in the past seven days, an increase of nearly 33 percent over the previous week.

The situation is particularly dire in areas such as North Texas, where hospitalizations have quadrupled in the past month to 1,700. State officials have, however, denied hospitals requests for emergency staff to help deal with the surge, demanding that local resources be redirected from other social programs to fight the pandemic.

Despite the surge in cases and hospitalizations nationwide, there have been no public safety measures mandated by the Biden administration. Instead, Biden denounced Republican governors such as DeSantis and Texas Greg Abbott on Tuesday for not imposing their own mandates, declaring, Florida and Texas account for one-third of all new COVID-19 cases in the entire country.  If you arent going to help, please get out of the way.

He did not, however, announce a national mask mandate or any other measures in the face of the growing surge. At best, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced that masks are merely recommended in public, indoor settings where the spread of the virus is substantial or high, despite the fact that such high rates of the coronavirus last year prompted limited lockdowns and actual mandates.

Moreover, Biden and Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, along with the heads of the teachers unions, have insisted that in-person schooling must go forward full steam this fall. While some school districts have issued their own mask mandates, there has been no suggestion that schools close and move to online learning, despite the fact that open schools have been shown to spur on community transmission of the virus, and that the Delta variant attacks younger age groups more virulently than previous variants.

Biden has justified his inaction by asserting that the real solution to the pandemic is vaccines, with the media echoing the claim and focusing on the fact that 70 percent of US adults are at least partially vaccinated, a target missed by a month. In a press conference Tuesday, Bidens main focus was that the United States has sent 100 million vaccine doses overseas, part of its pledge to distribute 500 million doses internationally.

In reality, these are at best token amounts. The most effective vaccines are the two-dose mRNA types, meaning that at most the Biden administration has provided enough vaccines to fully vaccinate 50 million people, about the population of Uganda or South Korea. In contrast, the World Health Organization has called for 70 percent of the worlds population to be fully vaccinated by the end of the year, which requires about 11 billion doses. Four billion have so far been administered, and the majority of those have been used in the wealthier Western nations. On the other hand, less than one percent of the population has been even partially vaccinated across sub-Saharan Africa.

Vaccines are also not the panacea that Biden and other heads of state would have the worlds working class believe. Bloomberg has cataloged over 100,000 breakthrough cases of the Delta variant in the United States alone, where people have become infected despite having the vaccine. While those who contracted the virus while vaccinated rarely get severely ill, they have been shown to act as a vector of transmission of the virus for those who are unvaccinated and more vulnerable to the virus.

Moreover, the virus itself is evolving to resist the vaccine, a product of the hundreds of millions of cases internationally, a significant percentage among those partially or fully vaccinated. Among the most worrying developments is that the Lambda variant, first identified in Peru, is more resistant than the Delta variant to vaccine-induced immunity. A preprint study published last week by researchers at the University of Tokyo shows that the Lambda variant has three specific mutations that help it evade antibodies.

So far there are just over 1,000 confirmed cases of the Lambda variant in the US, and cases have been detected in 28 other countries. The potential for this variant to evade immunity, however, raises the still colossal dangers of the pandemic. The more the virus is allowed to spread, the more it mutates and will all but inevitably become immune to the vaccine. Such dangers make it imperative that other public health measures such as testing, contact tracing, social distancing and the closure of non-essential businesses are combined with mass vaccination campaigns as the only way to stop even more unnecessary deaths.
A drone attack on an oil tanker in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Oman July 29 killed a Briton and a Romanian. It has provoked a belligerent response from Washington, London and Tel Aviv who have blamed Iran for the attack, heightening tensions between Tehran and the imperialist powers and increasing the likelihood of a military confrontation.

Yamina party leader Naftali Bennett, left, smiles as he speaks to Yesh Atid party leader Yair Lapid during a special session of the Knesset, whereby Israeli lawmakers elect a new president, at the plenum in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in Jerusalem on Wednesday, June 2, 2021. (Ronen Zvulun/Pool Photo via AP)

The MV Mercer Street, enroute from Dar es Salaam in Tanzania to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates with no cargo, was carrying a Liberian flag of convenience. Owned by a Japanese company, it is managed by the London-based Zodiac Maritime, in which Eyal Oferfrom a family of Israeli shipping magnateshas a stake.

After a first drone attack, the ships Romanian captain and the British chief security officer sounded the alert, went to the command bridge, and were hit by a second drone that killed them both. The attack is apparently the first in a spate of attacks on shipping in or near the Persian Gulf, a vital trade route and a choke point for crude oil exports from the resource-rich region, that has resulted in a loss of life.

On Sunday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington was confident that Iran conducted this attack, apparently after intelligence sent by Israeli officials linking Tehran to the strike, although he presented no evidence to back up his claim. It was, he said, one in a series of attacks by Iran over many months and that he was not sure it was 'anything new or augurs anything one way or another for the new government.'

He added that such actions threaten freedom of navigation through this crucial waterway, international shipping and commerce and the lives of those on the vessels involved.

He emphasised, 'We are in very close contact in coordination with the United Kingdom, Israel, Romania, and other countries. And there will be there will be a collective response' to the attack.

UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab released a statement condemning the attack and saying the UK believed it is 'highly likely' that Iran carried it out. Britain believed the attack was deliberate, targeted, and a clear violation of international law by Iran. He threatened, Iran must end such attacks, and vessels must be allowed to navigate freely in accordance with international law, adding, The UK is working with our international partners on a concerted response to this unacceptable attack.

The UK Foreign Office said that since February, there had been at least three other attacks on Israel-linked ships in the region and claimed that Iran was almost certainly responsible for attacks on two vessels that caused little damage in the Gulf of Oman in 2019. The attacks took place a year after President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 nuclear accord with Tehran and imposed a maximum pressure sanctions campaign that has led to soaring poverty rates in Iran and stymied the countrys attempts to obtain vital medical supplies to combat an accelerating spread of the coronavirus.

Israel had earlier blamed Iran for the attack. Newly installed Prime Minister Naftali Bennett warned that Israel was capable of acting against Iran, with or without Blinkens collective response, saying that 'Iran knows the price that we exact when someone threatens our security.'

While his government was working to ensure international support, Bennett insisted, 'But meanwhile, we also know how to act alone. The Iranians must understand that it's not possible to sit calmly in Tehran and set the whole Middle East on fire. That is over.'

The US, UK and Israeli threats are supposedly based on intelligence gathered and shared by the three countries. Last week, Britains S ky News reported on leaked intelligence documents, purportedly created by Intelligence Group 13, a unit belonging to Irans Revolutionary Guards Corp, dubbed, Irans secret cyber files. The files, extensively discussed in a Haaretz article, reportedly revealed Irans efforts to find ways, based on openly available information, to use cyberattacks to target vessels and cargo ships, for example by causing their fuel pumps to malfunction and explodealthough sources claimed they were probably more for defensive than offensive purposes.

Tehran rejected Israels claims, with Irans foreign ministry warning Israel, If you sow the wind, you reap the whirlwind. However, Reuters cited unnamed sources as reporting that Irans state-owned Arabic-language television network Al-Alam, had said the attack on the ship was a response to a suspected Israeli attack on Dabaa airport in Syria. That attack on July 22, one of hundreds of Israeli strikes against Iran-linked military targets during the 10 year-long proxy war for regime change in Syria, killed two people linked to the Iranian axis of resistance, implying pro-Iranian groups such as Lebanons Hezbollah.

The attack on MV Mercer Street comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and Iran and takes place after a long-running, covert offensive by Israels naval, air, security and intelligence forces against Iran. This has included assassinations of key nuclear scientists, theft of documents, attacks on its main uranium enrichment site at Natanz and explosions at crucial infrastructure facilities.

In March, the Wall Street Journal, citing US officials, revealed that Israel had in the previous two and a half years attacked at least a dozen ships bound for Syria. Most were carrying Iranian oil, while some were carrying weaponry to Tehrans allies in Syria, including Hezbollah.

According to Haaretz, around 20 Iranian tankers were sabotaged but not sunk, with an estimated loss to Al Quds, Hezbollah and the Shiite militias of $500,000 over two and a half years. These attacks, which damaged but deliberately avoided sinking the vessels, were for the dual purpose of disrupting Irans supply of oil to Syria and choking off the revenue stream that paid the Shiite militias and Hezbollah supporting the Syrian regime forces. The newspaper confirmed earlier Syrian and Iranian claims about an explosion on an Iranian tanker in the Red Sea in late 2019.

The leaks to the Journal, like the leaks to the New York Times in April about Israels mining of the cargo ship MV Savizowned by the state-linked Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, in the Red Seaare believed to have come from officials opposed to Israels efforts to torpedo the talks in Vienna aimed at restoring the nuclear accord with Iran and isolating China. Once the covert naval war became public, Iran had no option but to open its own naval offensive targeting merchant boats linked, however tenuously, to Israel.

The attack on MV Mercer Street comes as the talks in Vienna have paused until after todays inauguration of President Ebrahim Raisi. While the Iranian delegation had originally expressed optimism that outstanding obstacles could be resolved, the Biden administration has thus far insisted that Iran roll back its increases in enrichment and stockpiles of uranium built up in response to Washingtons unilateral abrogation of the agreement and illegal reimposition of sanctions. Washington is reportedly pressing Tehran for further concessions on its conventional missile programme as well as demanding it surrenders its influence in the broader Middle East, bowing to the US quest for hegemony.

No less a factor in the mounting tensions is the political crisis in Israel. While Israeli politicians routinely tout Irans nuclear programme, which Tehran insists is for civilian purposes only, as an existential threat to the Zionist state, the greatest danger to the interests of the countrys capitalist ruling class comes from within. Last May saw widespread and unprecedented demonstrations and a general strike by Israels Palestinian citizens in opposition to the criminal assault on Gaza, the lethal crackdowns on Palestinians worshipping at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound and the ethnic cleansing of Palestinian residents in Sheikh Jarrah, Silwan and other neighbourhoods in East Jerusalem.

The Palestinians won small but significant support from Jewish Israelis, who like the Palestinians in the occupied territories and in Israel, face increasing poverty while a handful of families that control the economy grow ever richer. It is the fear on the part of Israels plutocrats of a unified opposition to its rule by Israeli Palestinians, who make up 20 percent of the population, and the Jewish working class, as was seen in recent struggles by health care and social care workers, that has driven Israels rabid nationalism and anti-Arab chauvinism as well as its efforts to divert growing social tensions outward through unrelenting militarism.
Amid the explosive spread of the Delta variant across the United States, Detroit-based automakers and the United Auto Workers said they will reinstate masking requirements in auto plants. The announcement reverses the policy change instituted several weeks ago that allowed vaccinated individuals not to wear masks in the auto factories.

The announcement by Detroit automakers and the UAW follows the move by Ford and General Motors to reinstate mask mandates at facilities in Missouri, an epicenter of the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant.

Autoworkers leave the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Warren Truck Plant in Warren, Michigan (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

The elimination of mask requirements in the auto factories in June was justified by reference to new politically motivated guidelines from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which claimed that only non-vaccinated people should still wear masks. For weeks, the Biden administration, the Democratic Party, the corporate media and the unions had been falsely trumpeting the virtual end of the pandemic. The aim of this campaign was to remove whatever public health restrictions remained which impacted economic activity, sacrificing health and lives for profit.

On July 4th, Biden gave a speech telling people, take your mask off, you've earned it. Democratic Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer held a similar press conference at Belle Isle Park in Detroit in late June, in which she declared, Effective today, there are no more capacity limits, indoors or outdoors. Effective today, our pure Michigan summer is back.

These statements have now been exposed as lies. Last Friday, daily cases in the United States surpassed 100,000 for the first time since February, according to Worldometer. Moreover, a leaked report from the CDC has revealed that in contrast to public statements from the Biden administration, vaccines, while providing better protection, are by no means a guarantee against infection, with more than 35,000 breakthrough cases detected each week in the US. This has generated enormous anger among workers, who rightly feel they have been lied to and put at risk.

The CDC has since reversed itself, issuing new guidelines encouraging workers to wear face masks at job sites in areas of high or substantial COVID-19 spread, regardless of vaccination status.

On July 31, about 79 percent of US counties were in this category, according to the CDCs data tracker, with the South the most concentrated area of spread, but with significant spread in northern industrial states as well.

According to the CDC, as of Monday more than half of the counties in Michigan, the center of US auto production, were in areas of high or substantial coronavirus transmission. Last week only 10 counties in Michigan were in those categories.

Meanwhile, Governor Whitmer restated her opposition to reinstating any masking or social distancing requirements in the state, insisting that the spread of COVID-19 is entirely the responsibility unvaccinated individuals.

In recommending wearing masks, the CDC pointed to breakthrough cases among vaccinated individuals, who can spread the disease even with few or no symptoms.

The decision to reinstate masking requirements in auto plants was issued by the COVID-19 Joint Task Force, a corporatist body set up in March 2020 by the companies and the UAW. Its first act was to cook up a deal to keep workers in the factories during the crucial initial weeks of the pandemic, a deal which was torpedoed by the resistance of workers themselves by wildcat strikes which forced a two-month shutdown of the industry.

During the shutdown, the UAW worked behind the scenes to prepare to reopen the plants by elaborating out a series of inadequate safety protocols including masking, cleaning, testing and quarantining, which have not prevented massive outbreaks inside the factories. However, almost as soon as they were announced, management began reneging on these safety measures in the interests of maintaining full production.

The purpose of the Task Force since reopening has been to downplay and minimize the danger of infections inside the plants while the companies forces autoworkers to work massive levels of overtime to make up for lost revenue. It has not released any information on the actual spread of the disease inside the plants or the number of workers who have died, in what amounts to a union-company cover up.

In a statement Tuesday, the UAW declared, The Task Force met and, after reviewing the recently changed CDC guidelines and community COVID-19 trends, decided it is best for worker safety to resume wearing masks in all worksites. It continued, While we know that masks can be uncomfortable, the spread of the Delta variant and recent data outlining the alarmingly high rate of transmission among those unvaccinated is a serious health threat.

A worker at the Stellantis Jeep complex in Toledo, Ohio, who wished to remain anonymous, told the World Socialist Web Site Autoworker Newsletter, If you go out for exposure, and have no symptoms, Human Resources is telling people you can come back without taking a test. He added that Human Resources is telling workers that if you test positive, they don't want you to tell anyone, and that if youre cleared for having no symptoms, youre allowed to come back without getting a negative test.

He added, Meanwhile, our entire union committee is currently out for exposure, after one UAW official tested positive. But they didn't tell anyone who went into the committee room and may have been exposed who it was or that they were even exposed.

The UAW statement on re-masking evoked many angry posts on Facebook from workers, many confused and angry about the sudden reversal. One worker wrote, Well if youre truly looking out for the membership safety then keep the mask mandate also demand total vaccination. If not then I feel the UAW is looking at this virus the same as the management.

The virus will help us get rid of the legacy cost. If the member gets COVID-19 and dies [they] save 35% on pension if that member takes it home and their spouse dies we save 100% of pension cost. So lets go back to what the great sit downer started, a reference to the militant strikes in the 1930s which built the UAW as a mass organization.

Another wrote, I'm ... sick of it. The ones that makes the decisions are doing it from a air conditioned conference room not on a steamy hot plant floor. What a f--king joke our union and management are.

The socially criminal decision by the ruling elite to keep auto plants and other nonessential industries running throughout the pandemic has led already to the mass spread of infection and death. In auto plants and other industries where social distancing is impossible, masking is inadequate to stop the spread of COVID-19, particularly with the highly transmissible Delta variant.

From the start of the pandemic, the Socialist Equality Party and the World Socialist Web Site have called for necessary safety measures, including the shutdown of nonessential production, with full compensation for workers paid out of the re-appropriation of the trillions in bailout money handed to Wall Street, until the pandemic is contained. Human life must not be sacrificed any longer on the altar of corporate profits.

To build this program, the SEP and WSWS have assisted autoworkers, teachers, Amazon workers and other sections of the working class in building a network of rank-and-file safety committees at workers across the US and internationally. These committees, democratically controlled by workers themselves and in opposition to the union bureaucracy, demand that workers, with the assistance of independent medical experts, have control over all safety decisions.

To join or for help building a rank-and-file safety committee at your workplace, contact us today at wsws.org/workers.
Statistics produced by NHS (National Health Service) Trusts on levels of hospitalisation for patients with Covid has produced a flurry of denunciations by the right-wing press, supported by Conservative government ministers, of previous safety measures and lockdowns as an unnecessary infringement on freedom.

NHS Trusts were mandated to produce a breakdown of all patients with Covid into two categoriesthose in hospital with Covid as their primary care need and those who were diagnosed with Covid following their admission with other primary illnesses.

The latest NHS data for England shows that 23 percent of Covid infections in hospital, nearly one in four, were patients admitted for other reasons. The data shows that of 5,021 patients last week classed as hospitalised by Covid, 1,166 were admitted for other reasons.

Clinical staff care for a patient with coronavirus in the intensive care unit at the Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge, England, May 5, 2020 [Credit: Neil Hall Pool via AP]

The statistics were immediately jumped on by right-wing pundits to claim that such possibly asymptomatic infections (this is not proved as these infections could have developed into more serious cases) demonstrated that the risk of hospitalisation from Covid has been historically overstated, that the previous lockdowns were unnecessary and lessons must be learnt.

Learning the lesson that no future infringements on the right to profit must be tolerated was always the aim of producing such a statistical breakdown. NHS England began collecting the more detailed hospital Covid data in June 2021, at the request of Professor Keith Willett, NHS Strategic Incident Director. The official aim of publishing the new figures is, according to the government, to underscore the effectiveness of vaccines in preventing serious illness. But the breakdown was to be utilised to legitimise the removal of all Covid protections by the government on its planned Freedom Day on July 19.

The official key criteria in the governments lockdown measures throughout the pandemic, imposed on it by popular pressure, was to protect the NHS from being overwhelmed. The three previous lockdowns in March 2020, November 2020 and January 2021 were only announced at the point when the NHS was already at breaking point. The argument now being made is that the pandemic threat was historically exaggerated and, with the vaccine programme, is certainly being overstated today.

The Telegraph, which initially leaked the figures in an exclusive, quoted Professor Carl Heneghan, director of the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine at the University of Oxford, an opponent of lockdowns and mask wearing throughout the pandemic. Heneghan was a signatory to the pro-herd immunity Great Barrington Declaration. He said of the data, 'This needs to be fixed as a matter of urgency,' adding that the previously published data on hospital admissions could lead the public 'towards false conclusions', exaggerating the true levels of pressures on hospitals. The Telegraph, in its haste to whip up right-wing fervour in their first article claimed that some 56% of patients had Covid as a secondary concern. It only revised the numbers contained in its exclusive three days later when the statistics were more widely published.

Greg Clark, Conservative MP and chairman of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee, said in response that he would write to Sajid Javid, the Health Secretary, asking him to publish the breakdown on a regular basis. 'If hospitalisations from Covid are a key determinant of how concerned we should be, and how quickly restrictions should be lifted, it's important that the data is not presented in a way that could lead to the wrong conclusions being drawn,' he also said.

That the unnecessary deaths of over 150,000 from the pandemic can be defined as overstated and exaggerated reveals the indifference of the ruling elite to the mass loss of life. Moreover, the reality is that the National Health Service continues to be under enormous stress.

The UK has the highest levels of infections throughout Europe, averaging 23,000 per day. Last Tuesday, NHS leaders said the health service is as stretched now as at the height of the pandemic in January and made a plea for extra funding. In a letter to the prime minister, chancellor and health secretary, NHS Providers, which represents hospital trusts, raised fears the situation could get worse before it gets better. They blamed this on 'very different pressures', including a 'massive backlog' of patients in need of care, high numbers of staff self-isolating or on annual leave. But this is a short-sighted picture.

Despite the best efforts of NHS staff to keep these numbers down, the massive rise in community transmission, a product of the governments negligent response to rising cases, the lack of adequate personal protective equipment, produced a tragedy. Left unchecked it will do so again, especially as autumn and winter approaches.

The UK has among the fewest hospital beds per 1,000 of the population among developed countries, and NHS hospitals routinely run hot at over 90 percent capacity. There is a staffing crisis where around one in eight nursing posts and one in 11 medical vacancies are unfilled. The number of patients going to hospital for other reasons then found to be infected with Covid points to the continued high incidence of infections despite the vaccine programme.

Each one places additional strains on the NHS. As Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter, from the Winton Centre for Risk and Evidence Communication at the University of Cambridge, stressed, 'The main role for hospitalisation statistics is to indicate the pressure on the NHS. Patients with Covid have to be treated in a resource-intensive way, whether Covid was the primary reason for their admission or not, and even if they caught it in hospital. From this he insisted, 'Therefore the total number in hospital with Covid seems an appropriate overall summary statistic, although this new breakdown does provide additional information.'

Deaths from Covid have always been most likely among those with co-morbidities. Those cases now being classed as 'primarily non-Covid' could include those where the virus was a significant factor in a potentially grave or fatal outcomesuch as a patient whose primary diagnosis was a stroke but where Covid could have increased the risk of a stroke, or whose conditions will likely be made more serious by infection, particularly respiratory infection or anything that makes breathing more difficult.

In addition, the level of deaths through hospital transmission is not even mentioned. According to the Guardian, between March 2020, and May 2021, Up to 8,700 patients died after catching covid-19 in English hospitals. This was based on Freedom of Information requests sent to all 126 acute hospital trusts, with 81 replying. A total of 32,307 patients admitted with other conditions had contracted Covid-19 while in hospital, of which 8,747 (27 percent) died within 28 days. The continued admission of so many infected patients, including those only discovered after admission for other reasons, shows how dangerous hospitals are as sites for community transmission.

There has been no challenge by the Labour Party to the selective use of data to end all protective measures or support for the NHS to manage the unbearable demands placed upon it. On the contrary, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called on the government to bring forward the date on which double-jabbed people will no longer be told to self-isolate in England. Starmer wants to bring England into line with Wales, which confirmed on Thursday that isolation rules would be eased on August 7. The measures are due to start in England on August 16. Starmers concern is that is has been 'a summer of chaos' for families and businesses.

The governments lifting all protections under the mantra of learn to live with the virus, backed by Labour and the trade unions, is placing millions at risk. Workers must act independently through the formation of rank-and-file safety committees in their workplaces and throughout the community to protect themselves.
A National Labor Relations Board hearing officer has determined that Amazon substantially interfered in the carrying out of a unionization drive at its BHM1 fulfillment center in Bessemer, Alabama, earlier this year. According to statements released by both Amazon and the plaintiff Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, the federal labor board has recommended a revote.

Last spring, the RWDSUs campaign to be recognized as the bargaining representative for over 5,800 Amazon warehouse workers suffered a massive defeat. Despite heavy press coverage and public support from national Democratic and Republican Party officials, including President Joseph Biden, only 738 Amazon workers voted in favor of the RWDSU, or roughly 13 percent of the total workforce.

Bessemer warehouse on eve of unionization vote (WSWS Media)

The RWDSU appealed the vote, alleging that Amazon used manipulative tactics to interfere in the election process. Its chief complaint was that Amazon ordered a mailbox be installed on the companys property to collect votes. According to the RWDSU, this act gave the impression that the company would be involved in counting ballots.

According to NLRB official Kerstin Meyers, Amazons conduct in causing this generic mail receptacle to be installed usurped the National Labor Relations Boards exclusive role in administering Union elections. The official stated, 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.

Amazon also held captive audience meetings and subjected workers to anti-union propaganda, potentially further slanting the outcome in the companys favor, the NLRB officer said.

While Amazon management campaigned against the RWDSU, the union was completely incapable of gaining any substantial support from workers despite widespread discontent with wages and conditions. The campaign to unionize the Bessemer plant was a top-down operation involving big business politicians, celebrities and union bureaucrats, The RWDSU officials did not advance any demands on corporate management to improve workers conditions. On top of this, the long record of betrayals by the RWDSU in the poultry plants in Alabama and Georgia, and by the United Steelworkers, the United Mine Workers and other unions in the economically depressed Birmingham area has left workers completely alienated from the corporatist trade unions.

Predictably, RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum hailed the NLRB determination. 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, declared Appelbaum, who signaled his intentions to retry the campaign.

The decision now rests with an adjudicator in the NLRBs regional office in Atlanta, Georgia, who should present the ruling in weeks. If the judge rules in favor of the RWDSU a new election may then proceed.

Contrary to the RWDSUs claims that it was the victim of a corporate onslaught, the organization in fact had bipartisan support from some of the United States most powerful establishment figures and corporate entities. The RWDSU conducted a months-long promotional campaign that was publicly supported by Biden and Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, among many others. In early March, the Democratic president recorded a video in which he declared the vote in Alabama vitally important. Biden declared that [t]he National Labor Relations Act [of 1935] didnt just say unions are allowed to exist. It said we should encourage unions.

Workers in Bessemer rejected the RWDSU even though there is widespread opposition to the notoriously exploitative corporate giant. Workers at the warehouse spoke out to the World Socialist Web Site about the difficult conditions at the warehouse, with workers passing out on the property due to exhaustion.

The workers in Bessemer were justifiably suspicious of the RWDSU, which refused to name a single condition that it planned to improve. Even after a worker collapsed at the BHM1 facility and later died, the RWDSU issued no statements or demands, even after being contacted by WSWS reporters about the death.

The decision of Bidens NLRB to intervene on behalf of the RWDSU and push for a revote has nothing to do with defending the democratic rights of Amazon workers. Instead, the American president is seeking to elevate the pro-corporate RWDSU and other unions to contain rising class tensions in the United States and prevent an explosion of working-class opposition to social inequality, austerity and the sacrifice of human life to corporate profit. These conditions, which have all been accelerated by the global pandemic, are producing a growing wave of strikes and other struggles which threaten to escape the clutches of the trade union bureaucracy.

In April, the White House announced the formation of a task force to assist the trade unions. According to a statement by a White House labor adviser, the goal of the committee is to have more skilled, more experienced workers while avoiding labor strife.

While Biden has publicly complained that Amazon trampled over the rights of workersin order to help promote the unionsthe Democrats real attitude to the dictatorial powers of the corporations was shown last week during his public appearance at a Mack-Volvo assembly plant in Macungie, Pennsylvania. Biden posed for photo-ops alongside the companys corporate executives and United Auto Workers trade union officials, who conspired to overturn the democratic decision of Volvo workers in Dublin, Virginia, to reject three UAW-backed concessions contracts. Biden has not issued a word of criticism towards the Swedish multinational company, which unilaterally imposed its last, best and final offer after workers voted to reject it, brought in strikebreakers to replace them and threatened to destroy the jobs of striking workers. Rather than oppose this blatant strikebreaking the UAW ordered workers to vote again on the same contract they rejected and then claimed it had passed by 17 votes.

In the event that the RWDSU were to win a revote in Bessemer, Amazon workers would find themselves in a battle on two frontsagainst the corporation and the unionjust like the Volvo workers in Virginia. That is why Volvo workers formed their own, independent rank-and-file committee to link up with workers at Mack Trucks, in the auto plants in Detroit and other cities and with Volvo workers in Belgium and other countries. Whether the RWDSU comes into the Bessemer warehouse or not, Amazon workers will have to build rank-and-file committees just like the Volvo workers, Amazon workers in Baltimore and increasing numbers of workers across the US and internationally.

A worker at Amazons BWI2 facility in Baltimore and part of the Baltimore Amazon Workers Rank-and-File Committee expressed contempt for the RWDSUs efforts to rerun an election. He said the RWDSU was using a deceptive tactic to control workers at the company. The worker referenced an episode during the Volvo strike in which Amazon executives flew down to the NRV facility, which produces its delivery trucks, in order to bring the struggle to an end.

They tried to intervene and influence contract negotiations, the worker said. Even so, Volvo workers voted against all three versions of the contract they were presented. Despite this, the UAW, with support of Volvo executives, eventually forced them to accept a fraudulent and unreasonable contract.

A recent statement by the Baltimore Amazon Workers Rank-and-File Committee declares: What happens at Volvo affects what can happen at Amazon warehouses The working class must respond with equal and opposite force against efforts to confine its struggles to one workplace. The bosses want to contain these struggles locally? Then we must break them out into the world sphere.
Political fallout from the exposure of government use of the Israeli-based NSO Pegasus spyware continued last week as protesters rallied to demand the resignation of the right-wing government in Hungary.

On July 26, approximately 1,000 people organized by opposition political parties demonstrated at the House of Terror museum in Budapest in response to revelations that the Hungarian government had been using the spyware to monitor the activity of journalists, businesspeople and politicians. The House of Terror museum is housed in the building where individuals were interrogated, tortured and murdered and contains exhibits about the victims of both the fascist and Stalinist regimes in the twentieth century.

Photo shows the logo of the Israeli NSO Group company on a building where they had offices in Herzliya, Israel. The NSO is the company behind the Pegasus spyware. (AP Photo/Daniella Cheslow)

The protesters demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Justice Minister Judit Varga, who has the authority under Hungarian law to sign off on secret surveillance without judicial oversight.

The events in Budapest were touched off by investigative reporting two weeks ago from a consortium of 16 media outlets called the Pegasus Project that analyzed leaked documents showing that more than 50,000 individuals had been targeted by the software and potentially had their smartphones hacked and transformed into 24-hour per day surveillance devices. Among the countries these individuals come from are Hungary, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Azerbaijan, India and France.

The software firm NSO Group developed Pegasus ostensibly as a tool for stopping terrorists and criminals, but instead the leaked information showed that the numerous government customers of the Israeli firm were using the malware to spy on major political figures including sitting president and prime ministers and monarchs.

Headed up by the Paris-based Forbidden Stories and Amnesty International, the Pegasus Projectwhich also includes the Washington Post and the Guardian performed forensic analysis on the smartphones of some of the individuals on the Pegasus target list and showed that their devices exhibited evidence of either hacking attempts or successful spyware installation.

While the leaked information included the phone numbers of approximately 300 Hungarian citizens, the forensic analysis demonstrated that Pegasus had been used to break into the smartphones of at least five Hungarian journalists. According to InsightHungary, for example, the smartphones of Szabolcs Panyi and Andras Szabo of investigative reporting outfit Direkt36, had been broken into. The phones of opposition politician Gyorgy Gemesi who leads the New Start Party and Janos Banati of the Hungarian Bar Association president were also on the leaked list of Pegasus targets, but these devices did not undergo the forensic examination to confirm that they had been breached.

While the journalistic investigation points to the involvement of the Hungarian government in a spyware operation, InsightHungary reported on July 22 that government officials have neither confirmed nor denied the use of Pegasus. They did, however, state that covert surveillance in Hungary occurs only in accordance with relevant laws.

Speaking in Brussels more directly on the subject without confirming the use of Pegasus, Justice Minister Varga said, Lets not be ridiculous, every country needs such tools! Its an illusion if anyone tries to make an issue out of it. Additionally, Prime Minister Orbans chief of staff told the press that the cabinet did not discuss the issue and had no plans to conduct an investigation into the spying allegations, according to InsightHungary.

The political crisis in Hungary follows close behind that of the far-right regime of Narendra Modi in India, where approximately 1,000 people were targeted by the Pegasus tool, including journalists, activists, lawyers and academics. Among the mobile numbers found on the leaked data list were two devices used by Congress leader Rahul Ghandi along with five of his close personal friends.

While NSO Group continues to absolve itself of any responsibility for the deployment of its hacking software by governments around the worldthe company has refused to disclose a list of its 60 accounts within 40 or more state clientsthe company has moved to block several governments from using Pegasus pending an investigation of the allegations.

An anonymous NSO Group representative told NPR on July 29, There is an investigation into some clients. Some of those clients have been temporarily suspended. The source added that NSO, will no longer be responding to media inquiries on this matter and it will not play along with the vicious and slanderous campaign. The Washington Post reported that the clients that have been suspended include Saudi Arabia, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and some public agencies in Mexico.

Cyber-security experts have identified Pegasus as one of the most powerful spyware tools developed and deployed to date. As opposed to previous techniques, which require a user to click on something contained in a text message or email in order to install the malware on the device, Pegasus is a zero-click hack that penetrates the security of a smartphone simply by sending a text message to it that does not even need to be opened by the user to infect their system.

Dr. Tim Stevens, director of the Cybersecurity Research Group at Kings College London, explained the nature of zero-day vulnerabilities to BBC Science Focus magazine, It is a fact that all very large pieces of software, like an operating system like Apples iOS or Android or any other, including open source operating systems, have bugs. None of them are perfect. They present openings or opportunities for people to use to gain access.

Its like locking up all the doors and windows, but leaving the kitchen window open overnight. If the burglar is going to recce the whole house, they will find it eventually, no matter how large your house. And thats exactly what goes on with software. ...

Pegasus effectively jailbreaks your phone, it unlocks all this kind of administrative functionality that it then uses to position itself and hide itself and have access to everything thats going on in your phone. Its a very novel and impressive technical feat.

Once the spyware is on a smartphone, it can be used to monitor all activity within both the apps such as email, browser activity, text messaging and photo images as well as the hardware such as the microphone, speakers and front-facing and rear-facing cameras.

In response to the Pegasus leak revelationswhich he called the story of the yearwhistleblower and former intelligence analyst Edward Snowden published a blog post on Substack on July 26 entitled, The Insecurity Industry. In it, Snowden wrote that prior to the Pegasus revelations, most smartphone manufacturers along with much of the world press collectively rolled their eyes at me whenever I publicly identified a fresh-out-of-the-box iPhone as a potentially lethal threat.

He went on to say that despite years of reporting that implicated NSO Groups for-profit hacking of phones in the deaths and detentions of journalists and human rights defenders and despite evidence that smartphone operating systems are riddled with catastrophic security flaws, that he has often felt like someone trying to convince their one friend who refuses to grow up to quit smoking and cut back on the boozemeanwhile, the magazine ads still say Nine of Ten Doctors Smoke iPhones! and Unsecured Mobile Browsing is Refreshing!

Snowden, who has been living in asylum in Russia for more than eight years, exposed in 2013 the existence of a massive surveillance operation being run by the US National Security Agency and Central Intelligence Agency that was monitoring the electronic and phone activity of everyone on earth.

Of the Pegasus spyware, Snowden wrote in his blog post that he considered the leak and revelations about it to be a turning point and added that NSO Group and the global commercial hacking industry involves cooking up new kinds of infections that will bypass the very latest digital vaccinesAKA security updatesand then selling them to countries that occupy the red-hot intersection of a Venn Diagram between desperately craves the tools of oppression and sorely lacks the sophistication to produce them domestically. Snowden has called for this industry to be dismantled.
The pseudo-left website Revolution permanente (Permanent Revolution) is attempting to give a left veneer to the extreme-right mobilisation against a scientific health policy against the coronavirus. Echoing the arguments cited by Jean-Luc Melenchon and Unsubmissive France (La France insoumiseLFI) to call protests against mandatory vaccination at the same time as the far right, Revolution permanente is calling upon the trade union apparatuses to join this movement.

Macrons health pass is a reactionary policy, which the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) and the World Socialist Web Site oppose. Without educating caregivers and the rest of the population about the need for vaccination, Macron is authoritatively withholding pay if they refuse to be vaccinated. This is part of a policy pursued by the ruling class throughout the European Union to force people back to work and school and to let the virus spread in defiance of scientific recommendations.

Anti-vaccine protesters march during a rally in Strasbourg, Saturday, July 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias)

However, the Parti de LEgalite Socialiste (PES, Socialist Equality Party of France) insists that the struggle against the pandemic and against police dictatorship is an international struggle, which must be conducted through the mobilisation of workers in complete independence from capitalist parties and trade union apparatuses. Revolution permanente takes a diametrically opposed position, calling on the trade union apparatuses to intervene and direct sections of workers toward protests called by the extreme right.

This is what emerges from its reactionary statement, entitled Against Macrons authoritarianism, for a real health strategy: in the streets this Saturday! It welcomes a broadening of the mobilisation that went hand in hand with a certain radicality, as in Poitiers where the demonstrators invaded the town hall to take down a portrait of Macron. If the central watchword remains the opposition to the health pass, they applauded several calls of the demonstrators making the link between this authoritarian attack and the anti-social attacks of the government.

The protests are hostile to vaccinations, which are necessary to limit coronavirus deaths. Moreover, Revolution permanente is well aware that the protests were being held at the call of neo-fascists, such as Marion Marechal-Le Pen, Florian Philippot, the former adviser to Marine le Pen, Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, and libertarians within Unsubmissive France like Francois Ruffin.

They write:

While the far right was able to intervene and call for a mobilisation, the general tint of the demands is marked by confusion, expressing an initial politicisation. A politicisation that is marked by the discrediting of the claims of the government, which has opened up space for doubts, some of them legitimate, about vaccination.

Revolution permanente then applauded trade union apparatuses that have denounced vaccinations. If they criticized the union apparatuses, it was only for not having supported more aggressively the movement of the extreme right. They continue:

New sections of the labour movement have moreover called to join the movement. These include CGT [General Federation of Labour] Commerce, but also local structures like in Dreux or in the Bouches-du-Rhone, where the CGT and FO [Workers Force] jointly called for a mobilization. However, these calls have the limitation of not being accompanied by a call for a strike and are not enough to compensate for the shameful passivity of the union leaderships. This passivity plays into the hands of the extreme right, which will be present again tomorrow to try to take control of the movement.

In fact, the far right is not trying to take control of the movement; it launched it. Revolution permanente falsifies the origins of the protests in the calls of the extreme right that they had just referred to. The aim of this is obviously to conceal their increasingly direct alignment with the political activities of the far right.

Explosive anger is rising across Europe and internationally against the ruling elite, which has refused to take the necessary health measures to stop the pandemic. Instead of following a policy of social distancing, with strict containment to stop the transmission of the virus, followed by a policy of tracing to prevent a resurgence, they have repeatedly done partial lockdowns and called for living with the virus. After more than 110,000 deaths in France and 1.1 million in Europe, the emergence of the Delta variant threatens a new wave of deaths.

An international health and political crisis has developed, with the possibility of an independent intervention by the working class to impose a scientific health policy. In March 2020, spontaneous walkouts by workers across Italy and Europe imposed a strict lockdown to allow workers to shelter in their homes. But Revolution permanentes response to this crisis is to try to line up angry and desperate health care workers behind the extreme right.

Mandatory vaccination against many diseases, including the coronavirus, is not an attack on democratic rights, as Revolution permanente claims. It is part of the social gains obtained by the struggles of the working class in the 20th century, which allowed for improvements in working-class life expectancy. The vaccination against the coronavirus is an elementary requirement of public health and self-defense of the working class.

The arguments provided by Revolution permanente to justify its alignment against science are fraudulent. First, in an article entitled Some elements of analysis on the emerging mobilization against the health pass, Revolution permanente insists that the mobilizations called by the far right against vaccinations are similar to the yellow vest movement:

'First, these protests have a multi-class character, with a significant presence of petty-bourgeois as well as working-class layers and first-time demonstrators, who mobilized against Macron as part of an initial process of politicisation. Second, there is the spontaneous character of the demonstrations, largely organized on social media, without a precise trajectory, slogan or organization. The generally peaceful character of the protests also recalls the illusions about nonviolence that animated the very first yellow vest demonstrations. Finally, the protests expressed a strong anti-Macron content, crystallizing the anger with the return of the slogan 'Resign, Macron!''

It is true that a layer of yellow vests has joined the anti-vaccine demonstrations at the call of the far right. This only underscores the weaknesses of a movement that declared itself apolitical. Nevertheless, it is wrong to compare the anti-vaccine protests to a movement like the yellow vests, which were part of an international explosion of strikes and demonstrations against social inequality.

While the yellow vests had the support of an overwhelming majority of the French population, as did the strikes against the attacks on pensions, the current demonstrations represent only a minority. Roughly 70 percent of the population has said it supports the health pass, not because Macrons health policy is popular but because of support for vaccinations.

The neo-fascists who launched these protests, on the other hand, are the fiercest opponents of any coronavirus restrictions. Like their political ancestors in the fascist dictatorships of the 20th century, they embody the ruling elites hatred of equality and the masses. And indeed, thanks to the stimulus packages during the pandemic, European billionaires have increased their collective wealth by more than $1 trillion during the pandemic, while 1.1 million people died in Europe.

In their deadly policy, the European financial aristocracy has obtained the support of the French trade unions. Indeed, the CGT supported European bailout stimulus packages that granted more than 750 billion to banks and large companies, as part of the ending of social distancing against the pandemic.

This unmasks the counterrevolutionary role of the petty-bourgeois forces in Revolution permanente, as well as the New Anticapitalist Party (NPA) from which they emerged. The NPA slandered the yellow vests by calling them poujadist, i.e., neo-fascist, in order to justify its hostility to a social movement launched independently of the trade union apparatuses on social media. On the other hand, Revolution permanente aligns itself with anti-vaccine demonstrations truly called by the extreme right.

In order to hide the reactionary character of its politics, Revolution permanente calls upon the trade union apparatuses to intervene, allegedly in order to push the anti-vaccine protests to the left.

'Yet it would be just as erroneous as in 2018 to reduce all the protesters to the movements most reactionary components. After bringing together more than 100,000 people on July 17, this mobilisation process could be the beginning of a non-reactionary movement against the government. It is therefore the duty of the organizations of the workers movement and of revolutionaries to do everything within their reach to develop and give a class perspective to the politicisation underway, by proposing their own demands and methods of struggle.'

It is undoubtedly true that the demonstrations are very heterogeneous. Health care workers and yellow vests participated. But far from intervening to clarify political questions, to oppose the anti-vaccine policy of the neo-fascists as well as Macrons reactionary policies, Revolution permanente strives to strengthen the hold of the trade union apparatuses and align them with the far right.

Revolution permanentes assurances that its intervention in the anti-vaccine movement will push the unions to the left reflects a politically criminal complacency. Hundreds of thousands of lives have been devastated in Europe by the coronavirus, and neo-fascist army officers are threatening a coup on French soil. Meanwhile, the pseudo-left align themselves with the far right, while remaining silent on the tribunes published by officers in Valeurs actuelles to threaten to launch military operations and kill thousands of people in France.

Nothing progressive will come out of the red-brown alliance between the far right, the union bureaucracies and the pseudo-left that they are campaigning for. The record of the NPAs sordid practice of covering up for far-right movements should serve as a warning to workers about the role that Revolution permanente is currently playing.

Indeed, Revolution permanente was founded as a faction of the NPA after it supported a neo-fascist coup detat launched by the CIA in Ukraine against a pro-Russian government in 2014. The NPA justified itself as follows: While the main organized forces are for the moment, right-wing and far-right, we support the social and political forces that are trying to build a left opposition within the movement.

The result was the advent of an extreme right-wing regime in Ukraine, the outbreak of a civil war between the west and east of the country and the collapse of its economy. Finally, the Ukrainian regime granted an honorary pension to veterans of the Ukrainian nationalist militia, who had participated in the genocide of Jews alongside Nazi troops in the Soviet Union during World War II.

The Parti de LEgalite Socialiste (PES, Socialist Equality Party of France) is fighting to mobilize workers internationally to stop the pandemic and the capitalist elites race to dictatorship. This means closing down non-essential places and expropriating the financial aristocracy to allow for the broadest possible vaccinations. Conducting such a policy presupposes a social revolution that would place power in the hands of the working class not only in France but throughout Europe and the world.

The building of rank-and-file committees in every school and workplace would ensure the safety and health of workers and youth, and mobilize them for a scientific health policy, against both Macron and the danger of a neo-fascist coup. The construction of the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC), independent of the national trade union apparatuses, however, requires a conscious and merciless break against the confusion sewn by Revolution permanente.
Former British diplomat and whistleblower Craig Murray has begun serving an eight-month prison sentence in Scotland over his supposed jigsaw identification of witnesses in a failed sexual assault case against former Scottish National Party (SNP) leader Alex Salmond.

Murrays jailing for contempt of court is a settling of scores over his long record of exposing the crimes of British and US imperialism.

He surrendered himself to St Leonards police station in Edinburgh Sunday. Surrounded by supporters, the 62-year-old, whose pleas for mitigation on health grounds were rejected by courts in Scotland and England, embraced his wife Nadira and their two young children.

Since 2002, Murray has earned the enmity of the British state, its intelligence services, judiciary and media over his exposure of human rights abuses by the imperialist powers extending from Central Asia to Londons Belmarsh Prison.

As British Ambassador to Uzbekistan in 2002, Murray exposed British and US complicity in torture as part of the war on terror. One year after the US invasion of Afghanistan, he blew the whistle on the widespread use of torture by the US-backed regime of Islam Karimov, including rape with objects such as broken bottles; asphyxiation; pulling out of fingernails; smashing of limbs with blunt objects; and use of boiling liquids including complete immersion of the body.

Murrays expose cut across long-term strategic plans set in motion after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Within weeks of 9/11, Karimov allowed the US to establish a military base in southern Uzbekistan, with the US funnelling $79 million to Uzbekistans security forces. Torture was used to extract false confessions, with information fed to British and US intelligence, and used to justify the invasion and military occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq.

In 2018, Murray used his knowledge of the intelligence services to expose British imperialisms efforts to utilise the poisoning of former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia to ramp up hostilities against Russia, skewering their lurid claims that Moscow had manufactured and deployed Novichoks on British soil.

Left, Craig Murray and his family outside St Leonard's police station Edinburgh on the day of his incarceration for contempt of court. (Wikimedia Commons). Right, Julian Assange

But it was in 2019 that Murray came to worldwide prominence for his eloquent defence of persecuted WikiLeaks founder and journalist Julian Assange. After Assange was seized from the Ecuadorian Embassy in London by a police snatch-squad in April and indicted under the Espionage Act for his exposure of US war crimes, Murrays defence of his friend was unrelenting. His daily reports during extradition hearings in February and September 2020 won an audience of millions, cutting through the lies, filth and hypocrisy of British judicial proceedings overseen by the CIA.

In 2020, Murrays exposure of #MeToo-style court proceedings against Salmond provided the ruling class with its opportunity to silence him. The former SNP leader was charged with rape and sexual assault in 2019 based on allegations passed to police by the Scottish government. Murray later reported with a high degree of certainty that First Minister Nicola Sturgeons Chief of Staff, Liz Lloyd, was behind reports in the Scottish press in 2018 alleging sexual assault by Salmond.

Despite a massive police operation to encourage women to testify against Salmond, including some 400 police interviews, the jury exonerated him. Witnesses made claims that were impossible to verify, were frequently implausible and were sometimes disproven in court. But while Salmond was proven innocent, Murray was charged with contempt over his supposed jigsaw identification of witnessesa claim that he has comprehensively refuted.

Murrays jailing is a further milestone in the collapse of democracy. Lady Leeona Dorrian, who presided over the Salmond trial and later sentenced Murray, is leading efforts to abolish jury trials in sexual assault cases. As Murray wrote Sunday, We will then have a situation where, as established by my imprisonment, no information at all on the defence case may be published in case it contributes to jigsaw identification, and where conviction will rest purely on the view of the judge

The right to have the facts judged in serious crime allegations by a jury of our peers is a glory of our civilisation. It is the product of millennia, not lightly to be thrown away and replaced by a huge increase in arbitrary state power. That movement is of course fuelled by current fashionable political dogma which is that the victim must always be believed. That claim has morphed from an initial meaning that police and first responders must take accusations seriously, to a dogma that accusation is proof and it is wrong to even question the evidence, which is of course to deny the very possibility of false accusation.

Like Assange, who was targeted via state manufactured sexual assault allegations in Sweden, Murray is a victim of the states utilisation of gender politics to suppress fundamental democratic rights, aimed above all at silencing those who expose the crimes of imperialism.

The sentencing of Murray has set a dangerous precedent above all in its singling out of independent media. The judges June 8 High Court ruling insisted, it is relevant to distinguish his [Murrays] position from that of the mainstream press, which is regulated, and subject to codes of practice and ethics in a way in which those writing as the applicant does are not.

This is sickening hypocrisy. What codes of practice and ethics were the mainstream press exhibiting when they recycled state propaganda about Iraqs Weapons of Mass Destructionlies used to illegally invade, occupy and destroy an oppressed country leading to 1 million dead?

Murrays imprisonment extends the precedent set by Assanges indictment under the Espionage Act. Amid a pandemic that has triggered an historic breakdown of the world capitalist order, the ruling class fears the eruption of mass working class opposition to malignant social inequality, austerity, police violence and authoritarianism, and the escalating drive to war.

In 2010, WikiLeaks exposures of war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan, torture, rendition and state corruption sparked mass movements of the working class and oppressed in Tunisia that led to the Arab Spring. The ruling class responded by designating Assange a high-tech terrorist, in the words of Joe Biden, with former CIA Director Leon Panetta telling German public broadcaster ARD that Assange was being targeted to send a message to others not to do the same thing.

Last Thursday, Murray issued a press statement that was ignored by the mainstream media, I believe this is actually the states long sought revenge for my whistleblowing on security service collusion with torture and my long-term collaboration with Wikileaks and other whistleblowers. Unfortunately important free speech issues are collateral damage.

In January 2018, the International Editorial Board of the World Socialist Web Site issued a call for an international movement to fight internet censorship. Describing efforts by Google, Facebook and Twitter to suppress access to socialist and anti-war news sites throughout the world, the WSWS warned, the technological scaffolding of a 21st century capitalist police state is being erected.

The WSWS has itself been a central target of corporate censorship, through Googles deliberate suppression of search results via algorithms and an army of censors. Of the 150 top Google search terms generating traffic to the WSWS prior to April 2017, by the summer of that year 145 no longer produced even a single search result for our website. These restrictions, coordinated by state intelligence agencies in the US and Europe, have tightened further, with the ICFIs German section, the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (SGP), designated an extremist organisation by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) in 2018.

The WSWS has insisted that the defence of democratic rights must be waged by the working class against the capitalist state and independently of all of its political defenders. We urge workers and youth throughout the world to raise the demand for the immediate release of Murray and Assange as the spearhead of the struggle against imperialist war and authoritarianism.
The United States is in the midst of a massive surge of COVID-19 infections due to the spread of the highly infectious and virulent Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2. In the past month alone, the seven-day moving average of daily new cases has skyrocketed by over 500 percent to exceed 91,000 as of Monday.

Amid this deepening surge of the pandemic, the Biden administration released a document Monday making clear that the drive to fully reopen schools over the coming weeks will continue apace. This is despite the fact that as of July 29, only 28 percent of 12- to 15-year-olds in the US were fully vaccinated, while children under 12 years old will likely not be eligible for any vaccine throughout the fall semester.

A student wears a face mask while doing work at his desk at the Post Road Elementary School, in White Plains, N.Y., in this Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

In pushing to fully reopen schools, the White House is giving the green light to the criminal banning of mask mandates in schools, which have now been signed into law by Republican governors in Florida, Texas, Iowa, South Carolina, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Utah and Arizona. These states, each of which is experiencing a significant surge in daily new cases, provide public education to a combined roughly 12.7 million children who will be packed into poorly-ventilated buildings for hours each day.

The most extreme measure has been taken in Florida, where Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, an acolyte of former President Donald Trump, signed an executive order Friday which allows the cutoff of funding to any school district that issues a mask mandate. The order was signed into law on the same day that Florida set a single-day record of new cases, logging an astronomical 21,683 confirmed infections. The executive order prompted Broward County Public Schools to rescind its mask mandate on Monday, leaving roughly 260,000 students at heightened risk of contracting COVID-19.

Only eight states in the US are requiring masks in schools, serving another 12.7 million children, while the remaining 34 states, which serve roughly 25 million children, are leaving this decision up to local school districts. From the standpoint of public health, this haphazard and uncoordinated policy is absolutely criminal.

The Department of Education (ED) document released Monday, titled, Return to School Roadmap, notes that under Biden, Americas public schools have been steadily reopening for in-person learning, and students are returning to classrooms. We must continue that progress and provide every student, from every community and background, the opportunity to return to in-person learning full-time this fall. We must keep opening school doors and welcoming students back into classrooms.

The document lists three landmark priorities: Prioritize the health and safety of students, school personnel, and families, Build school communities, and support students social, emotional, and mental health, and Accelerate academic achievement.

Each of these contains a subset of documents for school districts to refer to in justifying their school reopening plans, all of which will supposedly be fully funded by the $125 billion allocated to K-12 schools through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). In reality, the ARPA funding is spread out over two and a half years, averaging to only $50 billion annually, a drop in the bucket compared to the estimated $200-300 billion funding that states require to stabilize their K12 education budgets and meet even a portion of their additional costs over the next year and a half.

The Orwellian language of the Return to School Roadmap is meant to gloss over the horrific reality confronting parents, children and educators, millions of whom are terrified of the dangers that lie ahead.

Significantly, one of the bullet points of proposals by the Biden administration claims they promote Investing in school infrastructure to rebuild schools in underinvested communities and address health and safety issues beyond ventilation. Were the document honest, it would say except ventilation, as only a tiny fraction of the ARPA funding is going to upgrade the antiquated ventilation systems that are estimated to be in roughly 36,000 schools across the US.

An NPR article published to coincide with the release of the document began, U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona has a message for schools across the country ahead of the new school year: Students need to be in classrooms. That's where students learn best, Cardona told NPRs A Martinez. The article quotes Cardona as stating that schools can hit the reset button, but that whats preventing them from doing so is complacency.

Cardona was picked by Biden to head the DOE because of his proven record of ruthlessly reopening Connecticut schools one year ago. In all essentials, Cardona implemented the Trump administrations agenda of fully reopening schools long before vaccines were even available.

The current push to fully reopen schools amid the spread of the Delta variant has already proven to be disastrous in multiple districts that have reopened.

On Friday, news broke that in the first week of classes in the Marion School District in northeast Arkansas just west of Memphis, Tennessee, seven students and three staff tested positive for COVID-19, with 169 students quarantined due to possible exposure to the virus. On Tuesday afternoon, the district announced that by Monday there were already 18 total positive cases, leading to an additional 253 students in quarantine.

At Union Academy Charter School in Union County, North Carolina, southeast of Charlotte, more than 150 students and staff are now quarantined as a result of 14 positive cases of COVID-19. Only after this massive outbreak did the charter school decide to implement a universal mask mandate.

Within one week of classes resuming in Anderson, Indiana, over 100 students in at least six classrooms at four schools in the district went into quarantine due to possible exposure to the virus. Taylor Garrett, a mother of a quarantined child, told local news outlet WTHR, I feel like on the fourth day of school, and youre quarantining six separate classrooms, that should be a red flag.

Coinciding with the school reopening campaign, there are growing reports of child hospitalizations across the US.

Local news station WFTV in central Florida reported Tuesday, One week before school starts in Orange County, more than 30 children in the area are hospitalized and many more are very sick with COVID-19. Dr. Federico Laham, the medical director for pediatric infectious diseases at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, told the news outlet, Compared to the last prior two or three months, were seeing a tremendous increase in the number of kids coming in for medical care.

WJHL News in Johnson City, Tennessee, reported Monday that Ballad Health has four children [that] were hospitalized with COVID-19, with three of them in the PICU at Niswonger Childrens Hospital.

At a press conference Tuesday, Dr. Mark Kline, the Physician-in-Chief at Childrens Hospital New Orleans, made an ominous warning on the dangers that the Delta variant poses to children. He stated, I have practiced pediatric infectious diseases for more than 35 years. Ive worked all over the world. Ive studied pandemics and worked with epidemic and pandemic diseases for my entire career. And I have to tell you that Im as worried about our children today as I have ever been.

He continued, This virus, the Delta variant of COVID, is every infectious disease specialist and epidemiologists worst nightmare. I dont think as Americans, in our lifetimes, we have ever seen an organism that possesses the dual characteristics of the contagiousness that this virus has together with its virulence, its ability to produce disease.

Dr. Kline concluded, There was a myth that circulated during the first year of the pandemic that children were somehow immune. There were people who said children dont get the disease, they cant transmit the disease. 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.

Following in the footsteps of Trump, the most notorious promoter of the myth that children cannot catch or transmit COVID-19, is Biden, who in February told a second-grader at a CNN town hall, Youre not likely to be able to be exposed to something and spread it to mommy or daddy. He stated, Kids dont get  COVID very often. Its unusual for that to happen, adding, Youre in the safest group of people in the whole world. Under far more dangerous conditions, the Biden administration is pushing the same pseudoscience to reopen schools everywhere in order to pressure parents back to work and boost corporate profits.
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature

Latin America

Chilean copper miners set to strike

Miners from BHP Escondida Copper overwhelmingly rejected a proposed contract and have announced their intention to strike over wages and profit sharing. Escondida, in Chiles Atacama Desert, is the largest privately-owned copper mine in the world.

In an attempt to prevent the strike by the 2,175 miners, management offered US $23,000 per worker, a combination of sign-in bonus and loans, far short of the workers demands of one percent of dividends. BHP management is demanding givebacks on job conditions and working hours under conditions of record copper prices across the world.

Miners point to the sacrifices many of them have made under conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic, which have seen scores of workers infected. A year ago, BHP management had confirmed the infection of 150 miners at Escondida.

This will be the first strike by Escondida miners since the 44-day strike of 2017, their longest work stoppage ever.

Teachers demand education reform

The National Educators Union organized a protest rally last Wednesday across the western province of Guayas, Ecuador, to demand that education reforms approved by the outgoing parliament be implemented. Since then protests have continued across the country. On August 2, teachers blocked bridges in the port city of Guayaquil. Union leader Jose Escala warned the government that teachers were fed up and ready to take radical measures unless the government and courts carry out the reforms.

The reform legislation set a minimum wage of US $1,000 per teacher and called for the rehiring of teachers laid off during the COVID pandemic, the rehiring of special education teachers and the right of teachers to retire after 30 years on the job. However, the Ecuadorean government of President Guillermo Lasso insists that there is no money for teachers.

Over three weeks ago, on July 12, 30 teachers declared a hunger strike in the Ecuadorean cities of Quito, Guayaquil, Portoviejo and Cuenca, demanding that the Constitutional Court rule in favor of the education reform.

Others have joined the hunger strike since then, increasing the number to 80, including teachers, parents and students from across Ecuador. Union leaders fear that the situation is getting out of their control and are calling for a compromise solution.

Guatemala national strike demands the resignation of President Giammattei

On July 29, students, peasants and social organizations rallied in Guatemala demanding the resignations of President Alejandro Giammattei and other public officials, an end to corruption and a science-based attack on the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected 360,000 people in Guatemala, killing more than ten thousand.

The rallies took place in Guatemala City and in the nations 22 departments, with participants blocking roads and organizing other acts of protest. Joining in the protests have been many sections of the working class, including part-time transportation workers.

United States

Pittsburgh nurses vote to authorize strike over staffing shortage

Nurses at West Penn Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania voted to authorize a strike after six months of negotiations. Nurses are frustrated that hospital management has failed to respond to their request for measures to deal with the nurse staffing crisis, which is placing enormous stress on the workforce.

A nursing crisis has been happening before the pandemic, Kayla Rath, a postpartum nurse, told a rally last month. Its just gotten much worse. I know many nurses that left because it was too stressful and we havent replaced them.

Despite the fact that the hospital has consecutively earned the Magnet designation for excellence in nursing, management has not seen fit to respond to the crisis. In August of 2020, the 650 nurses voted to join the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

West Penn Hospital is part of the Allegheny Health Network, which comprises several facilities. The SEIU already represents some 4,000 workers at Allegheny Health, and there is no indication that they will seek to unite these workers in a common struggle. Dan Laurent, vice president of corporate communications, responded to the strike vote, saying, This is a normal part of negotiations and it does not mean that a strike will occur.

Workers conclude three-day strike against Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Some 235 skilled trades workers ended their three-day unfair labor practices strike July 29 against the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, in Livermore, California. Members of the Society of Professionals, Scientists and Engineers (SPSE) Local 11 were protesting managements recent move to make on-call work rotations mandatory without negotiating with the union.

On-call work had been voluntary for a number of years, but according to SPSE, management was not hiring a sufficient number of workers and was placing restrictions on the process. The result was that workers began to refuse on-call work, leading to the labs move to make it mandatory.

The National Labor Relations Board ruled against Lawrence Livermore National Security (LLNS), a group led by the University of California and Bechtel National, which manages the lab. A court date has been set for October.

But other issues clearly underlay the strike conducted by electricians, mechanics, plumbers, pipe-fitters, sheet metal workers, welders and other skilled trades. The LLNS and the union have been bogged down in negotiations since the old contract expired in 2019. A spokesperson for LLNL said the two sides remain separated by several economic issues and management rights.

The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory oversees research and development of weapons, manages the United States nuclear arsenal and is involved in security and intelligence planning in relation to global adversaries.

Canada

Toronto Bombardier workers ratify contract; De Havilland workers continue strike

One thousand five hundred aerospace workers, members of Unifor, voted Saturday to ratify a new three-year contract after a five-day strike against aircraft manufacturer Bombardier. The contract ratification leaves another 700 De Havilland workers, also members of Unifor, in the lurch. The workers remain on strike at the same Downsview manufacturing facility.

The 2,200 workers build Bombardiers Global business aircraft and the final orders for De Havillands discontinued Q400 Dash 8 turboprop. Although full details of the just ratified Bombardier contract have not been released, workers took deep concessions on wages. With cost-of-living indexes in Canada running to 3.4 percent year-over-year, the new contract provides for increases of only 0.5 percent in Year 1, 0.75 percent in Year 2 and one percent in Year 3in effect a significant real-wage cut.

At the De Havilland operation, the 700 workers are continuing their strike. Hundreds of workers assigned to the Dash 8 operation are already on layoff as production comes to an end. Although no plans have been officially announced, Unifor fears that the company will move any future contracts to another facility in Alberta.

Unifor is insisting that any contracts for new De Havilland turboprops must be located in the Greater Toronto Area. De Havilland has refused to offer this commitment. The union has been lobbying the Ontario and federal governments to support initiatives that would keep any future production in the province. De Havillands parent company, Longview Aviation Capital, also operates in Calgary, Alberta and Victoria, British Columbia under Unifor contracts.

In earlier statements, local union officials told reporters that should either contract remain unsettled, Unifor would strike both companies because they share some of the same facilities at the Downsview complex. However, the union has quickly jettisoned that so-called commitment with the ratification of the deal at Bombardier.
WABASH VALLEY, Ind. (WTHI) - A photo of an Indiana State Police cruiser will be included in a nationally released calendar - and it's all thanks to your votes.

It was part of the National Best Looking Cruiser Contest.

The picture earned ISP sixth-place.

Earning the top spot was our neighbor to the south, Kentucky. Other states in the top five were Ohio, Georgia, Texas, and Nebraska.

You can pick up the calendar in mid-September. Learn how you can find them when they go on sale here.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - A new veteran's clinic is opening up in Terre Haute this fall.

It's located at 5080 East Bill Farr Drive.

This facility is equipped to serve 10,000 veterans. It will provide primary care and mental health as well as outpatient services.

Some of these specialty services include optometry, audiology, a dispensing pharmacy, physical therapy, and much more.

No longer will veterans have to make long commutes to various cities all over the state to find specialty care. Now, it can all be found under one local roof.

One veteran is really excited to save both money and time when it comes to finding a care provider.

"if I had to go to Indianapolis it would be quite a bit of time...an hour and a half away or so" veteran Gary Kapperman said.

The clinic is set to open later this fall. The project manager, Julie Webb wants people to be aware that this is not a hospital, it is an out-patient clinic.

The hours of operation for the Terre Haute VA Clinic will be 7:30 am-4:30 pm, Monday-Friday.

The best way for veterans to find out if they're eligible to use the new facility is to contact the VA by visiting their website. You can also call 877-222-8387 or scan the QR code below.

News 10 will continue to keep you updated on the progress of this clinic as it becomes available.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - A Terre Haute hospital is changing its visitor policy once more. It's in response to new CDC COVID guidelines.

The changes are for Terre Haute Regional Hospital. There are several of them, but one of the major policy shifts means patients are now limited to one adult visitor at a time from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

You can see the other policy changes by clicking here.
SULLIVAN, Ind. (WTHI) - A Sullivan woman was arrested after officials accused her of hurting a child.

Indiana State Police arrested 30-year-old Jennifer Ballard.

The investigation into Ballard started back in April. Sullivan County DCS told police about allegations of battery against a child.

That child was under 14-years-old.

Ballard was arrested on Tuesday. She will face charges of neglect of a dependent and domestic battery on a person less than 14-years-old.
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.
TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) - North Mississippi Health Services is requesting that individuals who have an outpatient appointment or are visiting or accompanying a patient at an NMHS clinic or facility bring their own mask if possible.

NMHS was the recipient of a large supply of donated masks from area businesses and individuals last year, and these have been given to outpatients and guests until now.

Since then, that supply has dwindled and NMHS is now having to rely on its own supply.

Due to the lessening number of available masks, NMHS asks all visitors to bring their own when possible, so that they will have enough to provide for their staff members.
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WTVA) - Someone approached a man Monday night and shot the victim in the leg, Columbus Police Chief Fred Shelton said.

The shooting happened at approximately 9:00.

The shooting victim was standing outside the Country Air Apartments on Lehmberg Road.

Shelton said the victim is out of the hospital and investigators continue to look into the incident.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
JACKSON, Miss. (WTVA) - The state health department says someone is posing as an employee and asking the public for the last four digits of Social Security numbers.

The Mississippi State Department of Health issued the warning on Tuesday.

This is not a practice of the Department of Health. Please do not respond to these calls, the warning reads.
BLUE SPRINGS, Miss. (WTVA) - Toyota is reinstating its mask mandate in its facilities in the United States.

This includes the manufacturing facility in Blue Springs.

The company released the following statement on Tuesday.

With the health and safety of our employees as a top priority, following CDC guidelines, effective August 4, we are reinstating the use of masks/face shields as a requirement in our U.S. facilities. We will continue to monitor and adjust as circumstances require.

The company later confirmed the mandate only applies to masks. The company will not require face shields.
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Steven Keith is a food writer and restaurant critic known as The Food Guy who writes a weekly column for the Charleston Gazette-Mail and has appeared in several state, regional and national culinary publications. Follow him online at www.wvfoodguy.com or on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest as WV Food Guy. He can be reached at 304-380-6096 or at wvfoodguy@aol.com.
Tim Miley was elected as the speaker of the West Virginia House of Delegates in 2014 after serving as chairman of the Judiciary Committee. He received his undergraduate degree in finance at Southern Methodist University and his Juris Doctorate from Duquesne University.
Harry and Meghan at 'The Lion King' European Premiere at Leicester Square on July 2019 in London. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been tipped to present an Emmy at the upcoming awards night in Hollywood.

It's been suggested the couple could make their California red carpet debut at the ceremony in September, where their friend Oprah Winfrey has been nominated for her interview with them.

According to The Sun, they could be invited as guests of Netflix, with which they have a multi-million dollar production deal.

The couple previously walked a red carpet when they attended the Lion King premiere back in London.

On that occasion Harry was overheard telling an executive that Meghan could do voiceover work and soon after she was confirmed as voicing Disney's Elephant documentary.

If Harry and Meghan do decide to attend they could see their friend Winfrey scoop the Emmy for outstanding hosted nonfiction series or special.

Winfrey and her team were nominated for the interview she carried out with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, about their time in the Royal Family and why they stepped back from senior royal duties.

But the royal couple themselves are not nominated.

Also in the same category for nonfiction series or specials are My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman, Stanley Tucci: Searching For Italy, United Shades Of America With W Kamau Bell and documentary series Vice.

Watch: Meghan accuses UK royals of racism

Harry, 36, and Meghan, 40, gave their side of the story about the decision to leave their senior royal roles during the CBS special, revealing some of their mental health struggles and accusing the palace of a lack of support.

Meghan said she'd felt suicidal and was told she could not get help, while Harry said he felt let down by his father Prince Charles, who he claimed stopped taking his calls.

Although Harry and Meghan have lived in California since March 2020, they have not made big appearances anywhere because of the lockdown.

They have stepped out on a handful of occasions and made video appearances, but this would be a big debut moment for them.

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Harry attended the Vax Live concert in person, but then-pregnant Meghan sent a video message.

Meghan announced her first Netflix project, a children's series called Pearl, on which she will be an executive producer, and Harry has already released his first project for the platform - a documentary called Heart of Invictus.

Watch: Duchess of Sussex turns 40: a look at her style transformation
Meghan Markle's favourite bag brand has 60% off. (Getty Images)

Yahoo Lifestyle's editors are committed to independently selecting wonderful products at great prices for you. We may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Pricing and availability are subject to change.

Today, we're wishing Meghan Markle a big happy birthday, as the Duchess of Sussex celebrates turning 40.

She is likely to be spending her special day "privately" at home with her husband, Prince Harry, and their two children, Archie and Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, at their home in Montecito, California, according to a source close to the duchess.

Here, across the pond, we'll be raising a glass to her, too - and likely also our bank cards, as one of Meghan's favourite brands has just launched a 60% off sale.

Everlane is a go-to brand for fashion insiders who want good quality, long-lasting basics and wardrobe essentials.

The duchess opted for a jumpsuit from the brand when she and Vogue editor Edward Enninful worked together in 2019, when Meghan guest-edited an issue of the fashion bible.

She also paired the piece with black heels and gold statement earrings for a panel discussion about women and business in South Africa, when she joined Prince Harry for a royal tour in September 2019.

Unsurprisingly, the Japanese GoWeave Essential Jumpsuit sold out almost immediately.

Meghan Markle in an Everlane jumpsuit in September 2019. (Getty Images)

The mother-of-two was also spotted around London clutching her roomy Everlane tote on several occasions, including to the infamous Invictus Games of 2017, where she made her first ever public appearance with Prince Harry.

So, in honour of the duchess' birthday, we've picked out 10 of our favourite pieces from the Everlane sale.

10 pieces in the Everlane sale to snap up now

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(Everlane)

Watch: The comfy bra everyone is talking about
DUBAI (Reuters) -The United Arab Emirates will on Thursday lift a ban on transit flights including from India and Pakistan, the National Emergency and Crisis Management Authority (NCEMA) said on Tuesday.

India and Pakistan are important markets for Emirates, Etihad Airways and other UAE carriers flydubai and Air Arabia.

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.

NCEMA said on Twitter that passengers travelling from countries where flights had been banned would be able to transit through its airports from Aug. 5 as long as they present a negative PCR coronavirus test taken 72 hours prior to departure.

Final destination approval would also have to be provided, the authority said, adding that UAE departure airports would arrange separate lounges for transiting passengers.

The transit ban had also included Nepal, Sri Lanka, Uganda and Nigeria.

Dubai state carrier Emirates welcomed the government's decision to allow travel to resume from the affected countries. There was no immediate comment from other UAE airlines on the announcement, which also eased an entry ban on residents returning from countries where flights had been suspended.

NCEMA said 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.

Those working in the medical, educational or government sectors in the Gulf Arab state as well as those studying or completing medical treatment in the UAE would be exempt from the vaccination requirement as would humanitarian cases.

(Reporting by Alexander Cornwell, Editing by Jane Merriman and Timothy Heritage)
The New York Times Company announced its second quarter earnings Wednesday, revealing the media brand has just hit 8 million subscribers. Times leadership would like to see 8.5 million subscribers by years end.

The company adding 142,000 new digital subscribers, of whom 77,000 subscribed to the News app and 65,000 subscribed to Cooking and Games.

New York Times Company president and CEO Meredith Kopit Levien said in a statement, Just after the end of the second quarter, The Times crossed another mile marker on our path to scaling direct, paying subscriber relationships: We now have more than 8 million paid subscriptions across our digital and print products  a testament to the success of our strategy, the strength of the market for paid digital journalism, and our unique opportunity to meet that demand. That milestone follows a second quarter with strong revenue and profit growth and progress on advancing our underlying model.

The Times also announced that the diluted earnings per share from continuing operations in Q2 was $.32, up from the second quarter of 2020, which saw $.14. Adjusted diluted earnings per share fro continuing operations was $.36, also up from $.18 during the same period last year. Operating profit went up to $73.3 million. In the second quarter of 2020, it was significantly lower at $28.8 million. Finally, the adjusted operating profit increased from $52.1 million in the same period last year to $92.9 million this year.

Levien said, The combined strength in our subscription and advertising revenue streams more than offset cost growth and, as a result, we recorded $93 million in adjusted operating profit, a 78 percent improvement compared to the same quarter in 2020. Given the opportunity we see  an addressable market of at least 100 million people who are expected to pay for English-language journalism and a unique moment in which daily habits are up for grabs  we are continuing to invest in both the value of our individual products and the broader bundle. We believe these investments will enable us to grow our market share and also to build a larger and more profitable company over time.

Read original story New York Times Hits 8 Million Subscribers At TheWrap
The Supreme Court on July 24, 2021.

WASHINGTON  When the time came for their daughter to start high school, Amy Carson and her husband didnt need to debate for long where she would go: The obvious choice was the same Christian school they both attended years ago.

But the decision had a big financial drawback. While Carson's home state of Maine provides subsidies for private school when a local district doesn't have its own secondary school, the state doesn't extend the assistance for religious instruction.

So when it came to the money, Carson and her husband were on their own.

Carson and another family are now challenging that policy at the Supreme Court  arriving for consideration at a time when the six-member conservative majority is looking favorably on claims brought under the First Amendments right to practice religion free from government interference.

"I don't think, just because you have the word 'Christian' or 'Catholic' in a schools name that it should preclude your child from receiving the tax funds you're paying," Carson said. "People automatically go to, I don't want my tax dollars going to religious things.' I don't want my tax dollars going to a lot of things they go to. Where do you draw the line?"

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The appeal, which the court agreed to hear last month, pits two constitutional principles against one another: The prohibition on government passing laws that prohibit the free exercise of religion and the ban on laws "respecting an establishment" of religion.

Maine officials argue sending taxpayer money to religious schools violates the second principle, or the so-called wall of separation between church and state.

"The state has good reasons for not funding religious schools: They're concerned about favoring particular religions and putting the state's imprimatur on religious schools teachings, said Zachary Heiden, chief counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine, which supported the state as the case was in the lower federal courts.

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Amy Carson, right, with her daughter, Olivia, and husband.

Parents know best?

A ruling against Maine could raise other questions and more litigation about how religious schools that accept taxpayer money would navigate anti-discrimination laws. What would happen, for instance, if an openly gay teacher applied to work at one? What if a Muslim student was denied admission to a Christian school because of her religion?

Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey, a Democrat, said the likely answer to those questions is why the state barred the schools from receiving public money.

"Religious schools can and do advance their own religion to the exclusion of all others, discriminate in both the teachers they employ and the students they admit, and teach religious views inimical to what is taught in public schools," he said. "Parents are free to send their children to such schools if they choose, but not with public dollars."

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LGBTQ: Supreme Court declines to hear transgender bathroom case

The Supreme Court ruled last year that religious schools are exempt from most employment discrimination claims, but that case didn't address whether public funding would change the calculation.

Maine's program is unusual, the result of a rural state where it often doesn't make sense to build a high school in a community with a small number of students. Vermont is the only other state with the system, though many other states are eyeing the case.

That's because the outcome, expected next year, could have implications beyond New England if the Supreme Court gives parents more power to redirect public funding to private schools. Several groups that support vouchers  a system that lets parents use public money to pay for private schools  have filed briefs supporting the parents in the case.

Critics of Maines policy say another principle is at stake: Parents' right to choose what's best for their children. Because Maine's program is based on an individual's choice, they say, the state shouldnt be able to foreclose religious schools by denying tuition funding while giving it to secular education.

Some parents might choose a school that focuses on science, said Michael Bindas, a senior attorney with the libertarian Institute for Justice, which is representing the parents. For others, they may want a school to emphasize foreign languages or the arts.

"For others, it's going to be schools that provide religious instruction, and a parent should be just as entitled to pick that type of school as they are to pick any of those other types," Bindas said. "And that's all this case is about: Can government single out and exclude schools simply because they teach religion?"

Part of the reason Carson chose Bangor Christian School for her daughter, Olivia, was the connection it had to her family. Not only did Carson and her husband attend, but her mother-in-law taught there. Her husbands father went to church there.

"It's really an extended family," Carson said of the school.

The Supreme Court heard arguments on Jan. 22, 2020, in a dispute over a Montana scholarship program for private K-12 education that also makes donors eligible for up to $150 in state tax credits.

Started on the playground

The Supreme Court has been inching closer to the parents' position in a series of recent decisions  underscoring its favorable view of claims challenging laws and regulations that burden religious exercise. Those challenges have been successful in striking COVID-19 rules that impose limits on the size of indoor worship services, for instance.

And last month a unanimous court ruled that Philadelphia couldnt stop working with a Catholic foster care contractor because it declined to screen same-sex partners.

In 2017, the high court concluded that a Lutheran church in Missouri could apply for a competitive state grant that paid for playground resurfacing. Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, said that Missouri's attempt to deny that funding solely because the entity applying is a church was "odious to our Constitution" and "cannot stand."

Last year the court's conservative majority ruled 5-4 that a Montana scholarship program could not exclude religious schools. Roberts wrote that decision as well, asserting a state doesnt have to provide money to private schools but if it chooses to do so, it cant "disqualify some private schools solely because they are religious."

Six of the nine justices attended Catholic high school.

The Supreme Court heard arguments on Jan. 22, 2020, in a dispute over a Montana scholarship program for private K-12 education that also makes donors eligible for up to $150 in state tax credits.

In a subtle but important distinction, the court has recognized a difference between denying money to a school because of its status as a religious entity and withholding money that could be used for a religious purpose, like teaching the Bible or Koran. In other words, Montana lost because it withheld funding from schools solely because they were religious.

The Boston-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit concluded in October that the funding in Maine's case was not denied just because the schools are Christian but rather because of what the schools intended to teach  that they intended to use taxpayer money to advance religious purposes. The Supreme Court did not address the question of religious use of funding in the Montana case last year.

Since then, the court has become more conservative  and more sensitive to religious freedom claims  with the addition last fall of Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett. That could mean the court is now less likely to draw a distinction between religious use of taxpayer funding and status as a religious or religiously affiliated entity. Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch has already asserted there is no difference.

"What point is it to tell a person that he is free to be Muslim but he may be subject to discrimination for doing what his religion commands," Gorsuch wrote in a concurring opinion in the Montana case last year. "Calling it discrimination on the basis of religious status or religious activity makes no difference: It is unconstitutional all the same."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court to consider public funding for religious school tuition
With in-person shopping largely limited, many millennials went straight to their favorite international brands websites for purchases during the first half of 2021, a new survey has found  with clothing and footwear among the most-purchased categories.

Over the last six months, 52% of people age 25 to 34 made direct-to-consumer e-commerce purchases from international brands, according to eShopWorlds July Global Voices: Pre-Peak Pulse 2021 survey of about 15,000 consumers in 14 countries.

More from Footwear News

Shuttered stores and reduced access to physical shops prompted consumers to purchase items online that they normally would have validated and bought in-store, ESW said in a statement.

By region, 63% of millennials in both South Africa and India purchased their favorite international brands online, the survey found, followed by 56% in the United Arab Emirates, 53% in China, and 52% in the United States, said ESW, an e-commerce company for brands and retailers.

Brands that understand the evolution of traditional retailing see the importance of blending their direct international e-commerce trading with their existing omnichannel structure, said Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne, ESWs president and CEO of the Americas. 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.

ESW also surveyed Gen X and baby boomers, and found that even more people purchased international brands online as the age bracket increased. Among those 25 to 44 years old, 58% of people bought international brands online, said the report. Of all global shoppers not limited to age, 46% of people said they purchased items from outside of their home countries.

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In terms of purchases made by all shoppers, by category, 25% of items bought were clothing and accessories, 19% of purchases were for footwear, and 18% were of luxury items.

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, ESW said.

The company recommended that, because of this strong spending, retailers must try to understand international markets more  and across buying channels. Only then can they truly open up the cross-border commerce opportunity by both maintaining the loyalty of existing customers and attracting new ones, said Martim Avillez Oliveira, chief commercial officer of EMEA and APAC at ESW.

Best of Footwear News

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Donald Trump did not win the 2020 presidential election. Nor was he reinstated on March 4, the original inauguration day for presidents before 1933. President Joe Biden has not been outed as a lizard-person. There has been no storm leading to a roundup of Hollywood celebrities, the Clintons or any other members of a fictitious evil cabal of blood-drinking pedophiles.

In short, none of the absurd prophecies of the conspiracy theory known as QAnon, which an estimated 15% of Americans believe in, have come true. With so many unmet promises, the QAnon movement should be a relic of the political theater of the Trump administration.

Instead, QAnon is adapting to the post-Trump era. Its members are shedding the Q label that has united them, and they are trying to rewrite the brief history of the movement by falsely claiming the QAnon moniker never really existed  that it was created by the media to sully the reputation of conspiracy researchers.

Experts on conspiracy theories say that reflects a shift away from the most bizarre elements of the QAnon myth by some of the movement's most vocal supporters, driven in part by an effort to circumvent social media bans on QAnon propaganda. Meanwhile, the community of QAnon followers is embracing new conspiracy theories, from anti-vaccine tropes to lies about election fraud.

QAnon in hiding: QAnon has receded from social media, but it's just hiding

What is QAnon?: What is QAnon, the far-right conspiracy theory causing controversy at the RNC?

In this Jan. 6, 2021, file photo, Trump supporters, including Doug Jensen, center, confront U.S. Capitol Police in the hallway outside of the Senate chamber at the Capitol in Washington. Some followers of the QAnon conspiracy theory are now turning to online support groups and even therapy to help them move on, now that it's clear Donald Trump's presidency is over.

Experts warn that the movement formerly known as QAnon is metastasizing into a less conspicuous, larger and more powerful political force. Across the country, at the urging of movement leaders, QAnon adherents are running for local offices: the school board, city council, mayor.

It is absolutely going to survive, said Mike Rothschild, a conspiracy theory researcher who wrote a book on QAnon. Theres no giving up. What they are doing is rebranding.

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The absurd conspiracy: A satanic cabal that murders children and drinks their blood

The QAnon conspiracy theory surfaced in late 2017 on the online message board 4Chan, with posts purported to be authored by someone who signed off with Q, a reference to a type of top-secret government security clearance.

The posts were wide-ranging and bizarre. They soon attracted a cottage industry of online soothsayers who claimed to be able to interpret what became known as Q drops. The focus of the drops was a conspiracy theory rooted in antisemitism: that a cabal of powerful satanic pedophiles, including George Soros, former President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, was trafficking children and feasting on their blood and adrenaline.

The cabal, the theory went, was opposed by a top-secret team within the government, led by Trump. Adherents believed a sudden event known as the Storm would see the pedophile cult leaders jailed.

Supporter of President Donald Trump in a QAnon sweatshirt at a rally on Oct. 3, 2020, in Staten Island, New York.

Despite being wholeheartedly debunked, QAnon gained steam throughout 2018 and 2019, with members of the community gathering at conferences and rallies. Trump event attracted growing crowds of QAnon supporters, and by the 2020 election, the movement was estimated to be several million people strong.

When Trump lost, a small faction of the QAnon community wavered. On Jan. 6, when thousands of QAnon supporters joined a crowd of Trump loyalists in the insurrection, more of the faithful saw the light and abandoned their beliefs.

The insurrection failed to stop the election results from being certified. The "storm" never came. Trump quietly left office and Biden was inaugurated without incident.

Fact check: Conspiracy theory falsely says Biden arrested in plot to make Trump president

These were just the latest failed prophecies for a movement that has been defined by a total lack of validation. Again and again, watershed events predicted in Q drops failed to materialize. Yet the faithful donned QAnon T-shirts and bought bumper stickers reading WWG1WGA, a shorthand for their rallying cry: Where We Go One, We Go All.

Every time theres a major disaster, a disconfirmation of QAnon and theres a shining opportunity for people to ... walk away from it, they dont do it, Rothschild said. They double down, they dig in more. They find a reason to explain why the failure was actually a success, and thats a very powerful aphorism because it means that youre never wrong  youre only temporarily wrong, youll be right in the end.

The QAnon movement attempts to rewrite history

Recently QAnon influencers have tried to rewrite history by pretending the term QAnon never really existed.

Logan Strain, who has written about QAnon for years under the pseudonym Travis View and co-hosts a podcast on the movement, said this whitewashing stems from a September 2020 Q drop.

It said that, There is Q, and there are Anons, but there is no QAnon, Strain said. It was very strange because Q had never objected to the term QAnon before, and this seemed like a weird sleight-of-hand, designed to delegitimize all the media coverage.

Rothschild said the revisionism is nonsense.

They were talking about themselves as QAnon right from the very beginning, Rothschild said. They threw around the term constantly. The Q poster used the term constantly. The most popular pro-Q book is, QAnon, an Invitation to the Great Awakening.

QAnon demonstrators on Aug. 22, 2020, in Los Angeles, California.

This attempt at erasure epitomizes the QAnon movement, experts said.

By claiming QAnon never existed, the very people pushing those beliefs can avoid having to explain their support for a ridiculous conspiracy theory that has never come to pass, Strain said.

Whenever a QAnon follower encounters a news article about QAnon, they now react not by examining the content of the article, but by saying, 'There is no QAnon,' Strain said. Its the same kind of dismissal as fake news.

The disavowal has a more practical application, Rothschild said. Since Twitter and Facebook banned millions of QAnon-affiliated accounts and started clamping down on conspiracy theories, the QAnon label and hashtags like #WWG1WGA have become targets.

It's safer for the QAnon community to unite under vague terms like "Save the Children" that are harder for social media companies to police.

As QAnon expands beyond its origins  there have been no Q drops since Dec. 8  believers have united under new conspiracy theories. People who once shared interpretations of vague posts authored by Q now share lies about election fraud, vaccines and COVID-19.

Fact check: False QAnon-related conspiracy theory claims Arizona ballots are secretly watermarked

QAnon supporters run for local office

In February, the left-leaning watchdog Media Matters for America claimed that QAnon message boards and influencers were encouraging their followers to run in local elections.

The effort stemmed, the researchers said, from a podcast interview by political operative and former Trump strategist Steve Bannon with Dan Schultz, an attorney and a member of the Arizona Republican Party. Schultz and Bannon said filling these positions with Republicans could result in a grassroots takeover of the Republican Party.

QAnon adherents heeded the call. They have run for school board positions around the country, winning some. A school board member in Grand Blanc, Michigan, was outed in November for posting incessantly about QAnon on social media. In June, the National Education Association, the largest teacher's union in the country, published an article asking, Is QAnon radicalizing your school board?

It read: Across the county, conspiracy theorists and proponents of fake news are winning local elections. And their new positions give them a powerful voice in everything from local law enforcement to libraries, trash pickup to textbook purchases.

Its not just local races. Media Matters for America researchers recently compiled a list of 42 candidates for Congress in 2022 who have embraced QAnon.

A new voting bloc

While a minority of political candidates have voiced wholehearted support for QAnon, and even fewer have won office, experts on the movement say it will continue to have an impact on politics.

Political candidates, particularly Republicans, ignore or rebuff QAnon at their peril, said Jared Holt, a fellow at the Atlantic Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab who has studied the movement since it began.

It has to be catered to, otherwise all that energy will cannibalize them, Holt said. It puts Republicans in the position where they have to make the calculation of whether they want to channel some of that energy  as a lot of Republicans are choosing to do  or make the decision to posture as a principled, values-oriented Republican.

Back in 2020, candidates in conservative districts had a third option: They could feign ignorance, claiming they had vaguely heard of QAnon but couldnt say one way or another whether they supported it. That's what Trump did last August.

In this file photo taken on January 06, 2021, supporters of then-President Donald Trump, including QAnon supporter Jacob Anthony Chansley, center, also known as Jake Angeli, enter the Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Jan. 6 changed that.

The image of the QAnon Shaman Jake Angeli, whose legal name is Jacob Chansley, adorned in a horned beavertail hat, his face painted red, white and blue as he stormed the Capitol rotunda, practically made it impossible for political candidates to feign ignorance of the movement.

QAnon's lasting impact

Conspiracy theories have long been part of American politics. For two or three years, QAnon managed to unite disparate, desperate conspiracy theorists under what has been termed a big tent conspiracy theory, experts said.

Some of the people inside that tent are now trying to distance themselves from the actions of people like Angeli, and from the original ideas of Satan-worshipping, child-eating pedophiles.

But the lasting impact of QAnon is that unification, experts said.

They no longer talk about it in terms of expecting Q to come and save the day, or ride in on a white horse, Strain said. They talk about it in terms of saying, Q woke me up. They say they had a conversion experience because of their involvement with Q, and theyre now working as digital soldiers to spread the disinformation that they think of as the truth.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: QAnon conspiracy theory evolves for post-Trump era
Barack Obama

ALEX EDELMAN/AFP via Getty Barack Obama

Barack Obama's upcoming birthday celebration has been scaled back as the delta variant of COVID-19 is spreading across parts of the United States.

The former president and his wife, Michelle Obama, initially planned to celebrate his 60th birthday next weekend with friends, family and former staff on his 29-acre oceanside property in Martha's Vineyard. But the lengthy guest list, which drew criticism from conservatives after details were first reported, has now been reduced.

"This outdoor event was planned months ago in accordance with all public health guidelines and with COVID safeguards in place," Hannah Hankins, a spokeswoman for the Obamas, tells PEOPLE. "Due to the new spread of the Delta variant over the past week, the President and Mrs. Obama have decided to significantly scale back the event to include only family and close friends."

"He's appreciative of others sending their birthday wishes from afar and looks forward to seeing people soon," Hankins said in her statement.

PEOPLE previously reported that guests attending the party will be required to undergo COVID testing. The event will be overseen by a medical professional who is intended to ensure that state and local pandemic protocols are followed along with the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

President and Mrs. Obama have been strong advocates for vaccinations, too, getting inoculated alongside other former presidents and first ladies in March. "I encourage everyone to get a vaccine as soon as they have an opportunity," the former first lady told PEOPLE at the time.

RELATED: Rising Delta Cases Are Disrupting Return-to-Office Plans for Companies Around the Country

First Family Easter Portrait

Pete Souza/The White House via Getty Pete Souza/The White House via Getty

Still, the party comes at a time when COVID cases on the rise thanks to the delta variant, which now accounts for the vast majority of infections in the United States.

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Just last month, Fourth of July celebrations in Provincetown, Massachusetts  also on the Cape  led to an outbreak of 900 cases. It prompted the CDC to issue new face mask recommendations and continue to push for COVID-19 vaccinations.

Amid the health risks, many critics slammed President Obama, suggesting his birthday party should be scuttled. "This just isn't safe," Twitchy.com editor Greg Pollowitz tweeted. "Obama must cancel his birthday party,"

Others, like Texas Rep. Dan Crenshaw, a Republican, called out the Democrats' alleged double standard. "We're not going to ignore the hypocrisy here," Crenshaw said on Fox News Tuesday morning. "This has consistently been the case with the left. ... This is what they do. It's rules for 'thee' and not for 'me.' "

"Just like President Obama, every American should have the right to celebrate their milestones without arbitrary government mandates and interference," New York Rep. Nicole Malliotakis told The New York Post. "But we all know if this were President Trump, the left would be screaming."

It's unclear how many people will now be in attendance at the party. Outlets like Axios had reported the original guest list had around 475 confirmed attendees, but the Obama camp would not attach numbers or names to the shrunken guest list.

RELATED: MA Outbreak of 900 COVID Cases Leads to Only 7 Hospitalizations: 'The Vaccines Are Working'

Barack Obama Speaks At Georgia Get Out The Vote Rally With Senate Candidates

Jessica McGowan/Getty Barack Obama campaigns in Georgia in November

A source no longer going to the party tells PEOPLE that "no one needs to feel sorry for Barack Obama."

"This is the reality so many people are facing with COVID and it's the right thing to do," the insider says, adding that the Obamas "have no interest in being a distraction from the basic point: that everyone should get vaccinated."

At least a handful of celebrities are still expected to attend by virtue of their close friendships  and partnerships  with the former first couple. Bruce Springsteen, for example, is currently working on a book with President Obama after doing a podcast together.

One news outlet had reported that Pearl Jam was to perform at the party though the former president's tastes lean more toward hip-hop, rap and pop classics. But a spokesperson for the rock band told Fox News: "Pearl Jam is not performing at Obama's 60th birthday party this weekend."

The former first family has entertained some A-list guests in the past for milestone birthdays. Beyonce, JAY-Z, Ellen DeGeneres, Sarah Jessica Parker, and John Legend were just a few of the big names in attendance at President Obama's 55th birthday at the White House in 2016.

The Obamas also hosted Hillary Clinton, Michael Jordan, Paul McCartney and Janelle Monae at the former first lady's 50th in 2014.

One thing the partygoers won't need to bring: presents.

"In lieu of gifts, 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 including the My Brother's Keeper Alliance, the Girls Opportunity Alliance, or the Obama Foundation's Global Leadership programs," a source previously told PEOPLE.
Signs of the bubonic plague have hit California. Earlier this week, chipmunks in the South Lake Tahoe area tested positive for the disease, the Tahoe Daily Tribune reported. A spokesperson for El Dorado County told the paper that the mammals hadn't had any contact with humans.

As a precautionary measure, Taylor Creek Visitor Center and Kiva Beach  including their parking areas  will be closed off through Sat., Aug. 7, for "plague treatment," according to a sign on a barrier. The U.S. Forest Service will use a vector control method to treat the region, the Associated Press reported. The areas are expected to reopen by the weekend.

While the term "plague" is best known for the deaths of millions of people during the Middle Ages, it continues to have a presence in rural parts of the western United States, as well as Asia and Africa, according to the CDC. The disease usually transfers to humans by a rodent flea bite or after handling an infected animal. Common signs of the bubonic plague include swelling and pain in the lymph nodes, and can usually be treated with antibiotics upon early diagnosis.

South Shore Lake Tahoe from the California side.

Jason Doly/Getty Images

The plague is known to be present in parts of California, though it rarely transfers to humans. Last August, a South Lake Tahoe resident became the first person in five years to test positive, believed to have been bitten by a flea during a walk along the Truckee River, the local paper reported at the time. The Taylor Creek area, currently closed off, was also the site of another chipmunk outbreak in 2012.

"It's 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 county's public health officer, said in a statement last year. "Human cases of plague are extremely rare, but can be very serious."

In 2019, the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in Colorado shut down for about a month after a colony of prairie dogs was infected with the plague.
A lightning storm that passed over the region Tuesday night set five wildfires on public land, including three small fires in the Cle Elum area, authorities said.

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest said the storm started three small fires on Washington Department of Natural Resources land in the Cle Elum area, and all are staffed with firefighters.

Fires also started on Forest Service-managed land in the Methow Valley west of the Lost River Resort, and on DNR land in the Methow Valley. Firefighters are in place.

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest said an observation plane will fly over six reports of smoke along with any new incidents reported Wednesday morning.
MONROE, La. (AP)  Federal prosecutors are investigating whether Louisiana State Police brass obstructed justice to protect the troopers seen on long-withheld body camera video punching, dragging and stunning Black motorist Ronald Greene during his fatal 2019 arrest.

It marks a significant expansion of the federal inquiry that began as a blow-by-blow examination of the troopers violence against Greene and their apparent efforts to cover it up. Investigators are now moving up the chain of command, probing allegations that supervisors disregarded the video evidence, quashed a recommendation to arrest one of the troopers and recently pressed a state prosecutor not to bring any charges, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press and a half dozen people familiar with the case.

Their investigation is far beyond just use of force, said Ron Haley, an attorney for Greenes family, who met with federal authorities at length last month. They're casting a very wide net.

The development comes as federal prosecutors are preparing to present their findings to a grand jury by the end of the summer, which could bring the first charges of any kind in a case thats long been shrouded in secrecy.

Greenes deadly arrest on May 10, 2019, came after he eluded a stop for a traffic violation and led troopers on a chase near Monroe at speeds topping 115 mph. Troopers initially told Greenes relatives the 49-year-old died from a crash at the end of the chase, despite his car showing little damage, and only later did state police acknowledge a struggle.

It took 474 days for state police to launch an internal inquiry and officials from Gov. John Bel Edwards on down refused to release body camera video for more than two years. That was until the AP obtained and published it in May, showing white troopers beating Greene and dragging him by his ankle shackles, even as he pleaded for mercy and wailed, Im your brother! Im scared! Im scared!

A key point under scrutiny in the federal investigation came just a day after the AP published the video, when the head of the state police, Col. Lamar Davis, and his chief of staff, Lt. Col. Doug Cain, made a hastily arranged attempt to dissuade state prosecutors from charging troopers in the Greene case, according to several people familiar with the investigation who spoke on condition of anonymity because they werent authorized to discuss it.

Davis and Cain traveled to District Attorney John Beltons office in Ruston  more than 200 miles north of Baton Rouge  on May 20 to review the video frame by frame and make the case that the troopers actions were justified. Belton, who told colleagues he was deeply disturbed by the footage, referred the case to federal authorities in September 2019 but has not ruled out prosecuting the troopers at the state level.

Capt. Nick Manale, a state police spokesman, said the agency is continuing to cooperate with the federal investigation and intends to release all documents and investigative files at the appropriate time. He said the federal inquiry prevents the release of further information.

Davis has declined repeated interview requests. Cain did not respond to messages seeking comment.

Why would the top command people be so adamant on protecting their officers when its apparent that the officers didnt do everything right? said Andrew Scott, a former Boca Raton, Florida, police chief who testifies as an expert witness in use-of-force cases. Theres a culture and a custom and practice that this type of behavior is condoned or winked at by command staff and has been allowed to perpetuate itself over the course of many years.

Of particular interest to federal investigators is why the state police failed to arrest Chris Hollingsworth, a veteran trooper who can be seen on the video stunning Greene and was later recorded boasting to a colleague that he choked Greene and beat the ever living f- out of him.

Seven days after Greenes death, on May 17, 2019, state police detectives told their superiors that Hollingsworth should be arrested for turning off his dashboard and body cameras before the high-speed pursuit and later when he realized one of the devices was recording him talking about beating Greene, according to notes written by the lead investigator, Det. Albert Paxton.

But state police commanders in Monroe pressured their detectives to hold off, the notes say. Among those present at the meeting were Capt. John Peters, the regional troop commander, and Bob Brown, then the major over statewide criminal investigations.

The meeting became very heated, the notes say, with the commanders warning that charging Hollingsworth would cause investigators to have issues with patrol.

The detectives also suggested Hollingsworth be charged with aggravated battery. Peters responded, What is evidence and who decides?

Hollingsworth was never arrested and was only fired in September after he admitted to bashing Greenes head with a flashlight  a use of deadly force internal investigators said was unjustified. The 46-year-old died in a singe-car highway crash in Monroe hours after he learned of his firing.

Also under scrutiny, according to those familiar with the probe, is why the state police failed to provide the body camera video and even the most basic police reports for the official autopsy. It listed Greenes cause of death as cocaine induced agitated delirium complicated by motor vehicle collision, physical struggle, inflicted head injury and restraint. The forensic pathologists, however, say the lack of supporting materials left them unable to determine whether the crash or excessive police force caused his most severe injuries.

The FBI recently asked the pathologist to make another attempt at such a conclusion accounting for the evidence state police initially failed to provide.

As federal prosecutors home in on possible obstruction charges, state police leaders have redoubled their hunt for leaks in a case thats steeped the agency in controversy and divided its ranks.

At least six high-ranking state police officials  including Peters, Brown and Col. Kevin Reeves, the head of the state police at the time of Greenes death  have retired amid the growing fallout from the case.

Last month, Peters announced his departure as head of the Monroe-based Troop F  which has become notorious for its harsh treatment of Black suspects  with an email saying, Shamefully, we have now seen there are those within our own ranks tearing this agency apart from the inside.

Peters didnt mention in his email that he recently received a 32-hour suspension for signing off on a use-of-force report without reviewing the body camera footage of his troopers beating yet another Black motorist, according to state police records. Peters, who was among the commanders to sign off on the use-of-force reports in Greenes case, told investigators it was common practice for him to approve such documents without reviewing the materials. He declined to comment to AP.

Leading the federal inquiry is Assistant U.S. Attorney John Luke Walker, a Lafayette-based prosecutor who won accolades for his role in a sprawling child exploitation case that resulted in dozens of convictions.

Walker is also investigating Louisiana state troopers beatings of at least two other Black motorists. They include Aaron Larry Bowman, who was pulled over near his Monroe home just 20 days after Greenes death and was struck 18 times with a flashlight, leaving him with a broken jaw, ribs and wrist, and a gash to the head.

Trooper Jacob Brown, the son of Bob Brown, was arrested in December on second-degree battery and malfeasance charges in Bowmans beating. Brown did not respond to requests for comment.

Bowmans lawyer, Donecia Banks-Miley, said federal prosecutors met with her and her client in June and showed them Browns 2019 body camera footage for the first time.

Its been covered up for so long, Banks-Miley said. Its just been covered up.
Greensboro, NC (27407)

Today

Cloudy skies early, then thunderstorms developing late. Low 69F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then thunderstorms developing late. Low 69F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%.
Whether Democrats care to admit it or not, there is a very real danger that liberal policies
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.
YORK  Joseph T. Walton, 32, of Henderson, saw his bond reduced from $100,000, 10% to $50,000, 10% this past week in York County District Court, in a case where he is accused of damaging the interior of a Henderson residence with an axe and threatening to kill a woman in the presence of a toddler and an infant.

Upon entering, it was apparent with a lot of destruction that something had occurred, the trooper said in the affidavit. The victim was very shaken up, crying, saying he scared her, hit the walls and the couch with an axe. She said he had not been drinking or using marijuana. The couch had been chopped with axe, several places on the walls had been hit with an axe and in the kitchen a wooden chair was broken into pieces/split with an axe and there were more axe gouges in the walls. In the living room, several hundred DVDs were scattered all over the floor. A two-year-old and a child younger than one year old were in the living room when I arrived.
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:
This last item is especially important. Government agencies and land trusts have long sought to convince landholders to enter into conservation easements. These are contracts that restrict development on land for conservation purposes. When a landowner enters into an easement, they are surrendering a portion of their private property rights to a third party, which is typically the federal government or a land trust. In Nebraska, conservation easements are perpetual unless the contract specifies otherwise. Once the contract is signed, future generations cannot go back and reconsider whether land should remain under restriction.

Its critical for Nebraskans to understand the tax consequences of conservation easements because they are expected to play a significant role in the Biden Administrations quest for 30 x 30. At my direction, NDORs Property Assessment Division analyzed properties in Nebraska with Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) conservation easements. The NDOR analysis showed that these lands, on average, lost 59% of their taxable property value. As some land loses value and pays less in property taxes, everyone else in the area has to pay more in taxes to repair roads, fix bridges, and fund schools. Furthermore, the federal government doesnt pay taxes on property it holds. In 2020, the Department of Interior made payments averaging $2.50 per acre in lieu of taxes  a bargain compared to what private landowners pay.
New Delhi: After a slight gain in July 2021, gold prices have started to crawl back in the first few days of August 2021. On Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), October gold futures plummeted by Rs 230 per 10 grams on Tuesday (August 3), closing at around Rs 47864 per 10 grams.

However, on Wednesday (August 4), October gold futures are currently trading with a slight gain at around 47880 per 10 grams, amid gains in international precious metal prices.

In the international market, gold was trading in the green at USD 1,815 per ounce, while silver was flat at USD 25.71 per ounce, according to a report by news agency PTI.

Gold prices this week (August 02-06)

Day Gold (MCX October Futures)

Monday Rs 48086/10 grams

Tuesday Rs 47864/10 grams

Wednesday Rs 47875/10 grams (Currently trading)

Gold prices last week (July 26-30)

Day Gold (MCX August Futures)

Monday Rs 47461/10 grams

Tuesday Rs 47573/10 grams

Wednesday Rs 47577/10 grams

Thursday Rs 48281/10 grams

Friday Rs 48001/10 grams

Gold cheaper by about Rs 8300 from record highs

In 2020, gold prices had jumped to their record highs, courtesy of heavy investments in the bullion exchanges. The rally was fueled due to the stock market crash, as in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, investors flocked to safer investment options. Also Read: WhatsApp rolls out disappearing messages for all: Check how to send view once photos, videos

Finally, in August 2020, gold prices touched their highest level of Rs 56191 per 10 grams on MCX. In comparison, gold is currently trading at around Rs 47900 per 10 grams on MCX. This means that gold is currently selling cheaper by Rs 8300 from record highs, offering a golden opportunity to investors to put their money on the shining yellow metal. Also Read: Markets maintain record run on earnings boost; Sensex scales 54,000-mark for 1st time
New Delhi: IndiGo on Wednesday (August 4) revealed that Indias largest carrier will celebrate its 15th anniversary with a three-day sale begging August 4. During the three days, IndiGO will be offer flight tickets at discounted prices as compared to usual flight fares. The airline company has announced that the ticket price during the sale price will start just from Rs 915 on domestic flights. Customers will also get a discount on interconnecting international flights.

In a statement, IndiGo CEO Ronojoy Dutta said that its a momentous occasion for IndiGo as the airline celebrates 15 fulfilling years. We would like to express our gratitude towards our customers and employees for their confidence in us even during the worst times. On behalf of team IndiGo, I would like to thank all our customers, partners and members of the aviation fraternity who have made this journey so successful, he added.

IndiGo 15th anniversary sale booking dates

If youre planning to buy air tickets at discount during the IndiGo 15th anniversary sale, then you need to buy tickets between the three day period which starts on August 4 and ends on August 6.

IndiGo 15th anniversary sale travel dates

Flyers who are planning to buy tickets during the IndiGo 15th anniversary sale need to select travel dates between September 1, 2021, and March 26, 2022. IndiGo isnt offering a special 15th anniversary discount on flights scheduled for dates before and after the promotional offer.

IndiGo 15th anniversary card offers

During the IndiGo 15th anniversary, HSBC credit cardholders can get an additional 5 per cent cashback of up to Rs 750. However, the cashback will be provided on a minimum transaction of Rs 3000. Also Read: Tata Motors launches 2021 Tiago NRG: Check price, specs and features

IndiGo is also offering discounts on 6E add-ons such as Fast Forward, 6E Flex, and 6E Bagport, among others. Also Read: Online selling and buying of old notes, coins: Know what RBI's caution message says

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New Delhi: Kumar Mangalam Birla has stepped down as non-executive director and non-executive chairman of Vodafone Idea, the company said on Wednesday. Himanshu Kapania, a nominee of the Aditya Birla Group, has been appointed as the non-executive chairman, Vodafone Idea Ltd (VIL) said.

The changes come at a time when VIL is struggling to stay afloat.

"The Board of Directors of Vodafone Idea, at its meeting held today, have accepted the request of Kumar Mangalam Birla to step down as Non-Executive Director and Non Executive Chairman of the Board with effect from close of business hours on 4 August, 2021," it said in a regulatory filing.

Consequently, the board has "unanimously elected" Himanshu Kapania, currently a non-executive director, as the non-executive chairman, the company said.

Kapania is a telecom industry veteran with 25 years of experience, including significant board experience in telecom companies globally.

He has also served on the Global GSMA Board for two years and was also chairman of the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) for two years. Also Read: How to withdraw up to Rs 1 lakh advance from EPF for medical emergency  Follow these 10 easy steps online

"Further, based on recommendation of Nomination and Remuneration Committee, the Board has appointed Sushil Agarwal, a nominee of Aditya Birla Group, as an Additional Director (Non Executive and Non Independent) with effect from 4 August, 2021," VIL added. Also Read: ITR Filing alert! Deadline extended for e-filing of various form

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New Delhi: The country's biggest bank SBI on Wednesday posted a 55 per cent rise in standalone net profit at Rs 6,504 crore for the first quarter of the current financial year, helped by decline in bad loans.

The lender had reported a net profit of Rs 4,189.34 crore in the April-June quarter of 2020-21.

State Bank of India's (SBI) standalone total income increased to Rs 77,347.17 crore in the first quarter of 2021-22 as against Rs 74,457.86 crore in the same period a year ago, according to regulatory filing.

The bank's gross non-performing assets (NPA) of the total advances declined to 5.32 per cent at June-end from 5.44 per cent at June-end last year.

Similarly, net NPAs also declined to 1.7 per cent in June 2020 against 1.8 per cent a year ago.

On a consolidated basis, SBI's net profit also rose by 55 per cent to Rs 7,379.91 crore as against Rs 4,776.50 crore in the same quarter a year ago.

At the same time, total income increased to Rs 93,266.94 crore as compared to Rs 87,984.33 crore in the first quarter of the previous fiscal.

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New Delhi: The CBIC on Wednesday launched a portal to provide information on customs procedures and regulatory compliance. The Indian Customs Compliance Information Portal (CIP) at www.Cip.Icegate.Gov.In/CIP will provide free access to information on all Customs procedures and regulatory compliance for nearly 12,000 Customs Tariff Items, the Central Board for Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) said in a statement.

The portal would also have information related to partner government agencies like FSSAI, drug controller, etc., to carry out imports and exports.

For using CIP, one can simply enter either the Customs Tariff Heading (CTH) or the description of the goods in question to get information to step-by-step procedures, regulatory compliances requirements like licence, certificates, etc., for imports as well as exports. Also Read: Kumar Mangalam Birla steps down as non-executive chairman of debt-ridden Vodafone Idea

This includes import and export through posts and courier, import of samples, reimport and re-export of goods, self-sealing facility for exporters and project imports.

Another important feature of CIP is a pan-India map showing all the Customs seaports, airports, and land customs stations, etc. It also contains addresses of the regulatory agencies and their websites, the CBIC said. Also Read: Komaki XGT-X5 electric scooter launched for elderly and specially-abled: Check price, range and other details
New Delhi: Music composer Kapil Jangir is riding high on the success of his latest release 'Kajaliyo' hitting 100 million views on YouTube. The Rajasthani track by Akanksha Sharma has received a warm response from the viewers and it clearly shows on the mammoth views.

"Rajasthani music is my inspiration and heritage. Whatever language I sing in, I will always be eternally connected to Rajasthani music. I want people around the world to know more about our culture and traditions. Through my music I want people to connect more with our culture and know the intricacy that Rajasthan holds" music composer Kapil Jangir said.

With a fanbase of millions, Kapil has till date composed 30 hit songs, which are highly popular and appreciated by his beloved audiences. His fan base also continues to grow thanks to his popular songs such as Banni and Piya Aao.

Kajaliyo has been sung by Aakansha Sharma and features her in the lead. It has been uploaded by KS Records.

Currently, this talented music artist is looking forward to releasing many new songs under his own label, as well as work on collaborations with other talented artists too.

He is also working on an upcoming Hindi album.
New Delhi: Afghan Foreign minister Haneef Atmar on Tuesday (August 3, 2021) called on India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and urged him to hold a special session of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as violence by the Taliban escalates in his country. The request comes days after India assumed the Presidency of the United Nations Security Council for the month of August and decided upon the working of the top United Nations body.

An Afghan government readout said that Atmar called Jaishankar to discuss convening an emergency UN Security Council Session on Afghanistan and that the UN and the international community must play a greater role to stop the unfolding tragedy in Afghanistan due to the Taliban violence and atrocities.

Atmar also appreciated the lead role of India as the current UNSC President.

The Afghan foreign minister also briefed the foreign envoys including Indian envoy Rudrendra Tandon on the situation in his country and how the Taliban is being supported by international terror groups including Pakistan-based anti-India Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

The development comes even as the Taliban has increased offensive in many parts of the country including Herat, Kandahar, and Helmand.

On Monday, UNSC President and Indian envoy to the UN, TS Tirumurti had said that the situation in Afghanistan is of deep concern to all members of the security council.

"We have seen in recent days, violence is only increasing..and targetted killing has increased," he had added.

Tirumurti made the comments at the customary presser by UNSC President on the first working day of the council. He also highlighted that India has supported every opportunity that can bring peace, security, and stability to Afghanistan.

"We should address the question of violence and the targetted attacks," Tirumurti had said/\.
New Delhi: In view of the sharp decline in coronavirus cases, the Bihar government on Wednesday (August 3) announced an ease in COVID-19 curbs imposed to reduce virus transmission. The fresh Unlock 5 order, issued from August 5-25, permits all malls, cinema halls, educational institutions, markets and bazaars to reopen.

As per the government notification, schools for classes 9-12 can reopen from August 7 and for classes 1-8, they can reopen from August 16, with 50 per cent strength. Staff and employees who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus will only be allowed to come to school to attend classes.

Public transport is allowed to play at full capacity. Cinema halls, shopping malls to open with adequate COVID restrictions.

Meanwhile, all religious places and places of worship will continue to remain shut. Bazaar and markers are allowed to function with one weekly-off.

The crisis management committee, in its meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, formulated certain guidelines under 'unlock 5', including making schools operational with 50 per cent attendance of students above class 9 from August 6. It will assess the situation and is most likely to open schools from Class 1 to 8 after August 15.

The Nitish Kumar-led government in Bihar has also allowed coaching centres to be open for students above Class 10, to benefit those preparing for competitive examinations. Besides, cinema halls, theatres, and malls are also allowed to operate from August 6, at 50 per cent of their actual capacity.

According to the Health Department, corona cases have reduced drastically with the PMCH having not a single infected patient. The IGIMS, the NMCH and Patna AIIMS have collectively 16 patients -- 12 in the IGIMS and two each in the other two.

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Noida: A police constable was allegedly stabbed by a person during an anti-encroachment drive being conducted by the Noida Authority.

The incident occurred on Tuesday (August 3) in Sector 125 when officials from the authority asked some vendors to vacate public spaces they had illegally occupied.

The people on the scene got into an altercation with the authority members and allegedly manhandled them. That is when the officials called in the police for assistance.

The authority official said that they were carrying out a routine drive to remove the vendors from the roadside.

The officials asked them to move to the authorised vending zones to conduct their business. When they misbehaved with the staff, the police were called in, said the official.

As head constable Anwar Abbas Zaidi, who works with the Dial 112 force, tried to resolve the matter, he was stabbed by a man, who fled soon after the incident.

Police personnel were sent to deal with the situation. When the head constable tried to intervene and sort the matter out, one man assaulted him with a knife and then fled the area, deputy commissioner of police (Zone 1) Rajesh S was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

We have identified at least two involved in the incident and efforts are on to nab them. There are no CCTV cameras at the spot but three teams are working on tracing them. We will register a case against them for assault and take necessary action, he added.

Also Read: Noida market association urges authorities to regulate crowd, ensure adherence to COVID-19 protocols amid closure fear

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New Delhi: Child rights body NCPCR on Wednesday asked the Delhi Police and Twitter to take action over Congress leader Rahul Gandhi posting on the microblogging site a photo of the family of a Dalit girl allegedly raped and killed here, saying it violates the Juvenile Justice and POCSO Acts.

Gandhi on Wednesday met the family of the nine-year-old girl and asserted that he is with them on the path to justice and "will not back down even an inch".

Later, he posted a picture of his meeting with the girl's parents on Twitter and wrote in Hindi, "Parents' tears are saying only one thing -- their daughter, the daughter of this country, deserves justice. And I am with them on this path to justice."

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) sent a letter to the resident grievance officer of Twitter, saying it received a complaint that a photo of the victim's family has been posted on the Twitter handle @Rahul Gandhi with the caption stating that they are the father and the mother of the child.

"In the said photo, the faces of the victim's father and mother can be seen which thereby reveals the identity of the girl," the apex child rights body said.

"Therefore, posting of the photo of the minor victim's family on the said Twitter handle has been observed by the commission to be a violation of Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, Section 23 of the POCSO Act, 2012, Section 228A of the IPC and the guidelines of the Hon'ble court as well," it said.

Accordingly, the complaint is being forwarded for appropriate action against the Twitter handle... And removal of the tweet from the platform, it said.

The NCPCR also wrote to the Delhi Police and sought action against Gandhi, saying he is in violation of provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act, POCSO Act and the IPC.

It requested that an action-taken report from both the Delhi Police and Twitter in the matter may be sent to the commission within three days.

The move comes shortly after BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra accused Gandhi of violating the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and another law dealing with juveniles by tweeting a picture of the girl's parents as disclosing any aspect of a rape victim's identity is an offence.

Patra urged the NCPCR to take cognizance of the matter and issue notice to the Congress leader.

Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, prohibits disclosure of the identity of children while Section 23 of the POCSO Act, 2012, lays out the procedure for media coverage of such cases and Section 228 of the IPC prohibits publishing the identity of sexual assault and rape victim.

The girl died under mysterious circumstances when she went to get water from a cooler at a crematorium in the Old Nangal area in southwest Delhi. The girl's parents alleged that she was raped and her body was forcibly cremated by a crematorium priest who had falsely claimed that she was electrocuted.

Hundreds of locals, including the victim's parents, have been staging a protest near the site of the incident, demanding capital punishment for the convicts. Police had on Monday said that based on the statement of the victim's mother, rape charges have been added in the FIR.

Four people, including the priest, have been arrested. The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) has launched an inquiry into the incident.
NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday (August 4) met with the family of the Delhi Cantt victim and consoled them in their time of grief and sorrow. He assured the family of all possible support from the Delhi government.

The Chief Minister announced that the Delhi government will provide the family an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh and order a magisterial enquiry into the rape and murder of minor girl. He further said that the government will appoint top lawyers so that the culprits get strict punishment for their crimes.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by Social Welfare Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam and Delhi Commission for Women Chairperson Swati Maliwal along with other MLAs of Aam Aadmi Party.

After meeting with the victim's family, CM Arvind Kejriwal assured the family of full support from the Delhi government and said, "A nine-year-old girl had to unfortunately suffer a heinous crime and was then murdered. I met her grieving parents. The injustice that has happened with the family is very distressing. Their loss can't be compensated for but the Delhi government will provide them Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia. We will order a magisterial enquiry into the matter and appoint the best lawyers available so that the culprits get strict punishment."

The Chief Minister stressed upon the detrimental law and order situation of Delhi and said, "There is a requirement to fix the law and order system in Delhi. I appeal to the central government that concrete measures be taken in this regard and the Delhi government will fully cooperate with the Centre in order to fix the law and order situation in the city. Delhi is the national capital. If such incidents take place in the city, it does not send out a good message about the city. It makes the people feel unsafe and internationally sends a message that Indias national capital is witnessing such heinous incidents."

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New Delhi: As the government and the Opposition continue to spar over the Pegasus spying scandal, the Centre on Wednesday added a delectable twist to the Trinamool Congress-led protests over the alleged snooping issue.

Taking a dig at Trinamool Congress MP Derek O Brian, who is facing intense criticism for his papri chaat remark, Union Minister and senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said 'he could have fish curry if he was allergic to papri chaat.

Naqvi also gave the TMC MP a piece of advice, saying dont turn Parliament into a fish market. If hes allergic to chaat-papri, he can have fish curry. But dont turn Parliament into a fish market. Unfortunately, the manner in which work is being done with conspiracy to malign Parliaments dignity was never seen before, Naqvi said.

The BJP leader added, If you malign the dignity of the Parliament, such activities are neither in their interest nor ours. It is not even in the interest of the Parliament traditions.

If he's allergic to 'chaat-papri', he can have fish curry. But don't turn Parliament into fish market. Unfortunately, the manner in which work is being done with conspiracy to malign Parliament's dignity, was never seen before: Union Min MA Naqvi on TMC MP Derek O'Brien's tweet pic.twitter.com/BRjBLdYCO7  ANI (@ANI) August 4, 2021

It may be noted that the firebrand TMC MPs caustic tweet has riled Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has slammed him for his derogatory comments about the way the government was passing the crucial bills in Parliament

The government had on Tuesday raised the issue of comments made by Opposition MP as Rajya Sabha was adjourned twice till 12 noon and then till 2 PM.

Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Minister of Minority Affairs and Deputy Leader of the Rajya Sabha, raised a 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".

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New Delhi: A nine-year-old girl was gang-raped and murdered in New Delhi. According to the police, the girl had gone to fetch water from a crematorium near her house when a priest and three others allegedly raped and killed her. The girls family told the media the perpetrators cremated her body against their wishes.

Zee News Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary on Wednesday (August 4) discussed how certain politicians including Rahul Gandhi launched an attempt to politicize the entire matter.

The incident had occurred on Sunday, August 1, but there was no visible outrage till August 3. However, as soon as the caste of the victim was revealed, that she belonged to the Dalit community, and when it emerged that one of the perpetrators is a priest, several politicians latched on to the incident to score political mileage. These leaders made the victim's family's house a tourist destination.

Notably, the four accused belong to different religions and castes. Among them are Hindus and one of the accused is also from the Muslim community. But the opposition leaders of our country focus on the religion and caste of the victim but they do not talk about the religion and caste of the accused.

Today, Rahul Gandhi was one of the first politicians to pose for a picture with this victim's family in Delhi. Gandhi interacted with the parents of the victim in his car and after that, he gave a statement to the media. The thing is that all this happened like a planned event. Even before Rahul Gandhi's arrival, Congress party supporters had reached there in large numbers. Apart from this, the media was also informed before Gandhis arrival.

Rahul Gandhi also posted a picture on Twitter of his meeting with the victims family. He forgot that this could harm the reputation of the family.

According to Section 23 of the POCSO Act and Section 74 of the Juvenile Justice Care and Protection Act, no person can reveal the identity of the rape victim and her family or share their personal information. But Rahul Gandhi did not take care of the consequences of his actions and publically shared the picture of the family. In this matter, a complaint could be filed against him by the police.

The entire episode reminds of the Hathras gang-rape incident. Even then, Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had gone to meet the victim's family. Their desperation to have their picture taken with the victims family only increased the trouble for them.

Today, Rahul Gandhi said that he is with the victims family and will help them in every possible way till justice is done. The statement was quite similar to what he had said after the Hathras incident last year. It all seems like staged, scripted event management.

Just like today, in the Hathras incident, the opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi had made the victims place their picnic spot in the name of getting justice. But not long after this, the incident was forgotten. Neither Rahul Gandhi nor other opposition leaders ever went back to Hathras again.

Today, apart from Rahul Gandhi, Left leader Brinda Karat also reached Delhi to meet the victims family and she also posed for pictures. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also met the family today and announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh. And Chandrashekhar Azad of Bhim Army was also one of the politicians to reach there.

It is unfortunate that the opposition leaders of our country are more interested in the caste of the victim rather than the gang rape and murder of the girl. In all likelihood, if the girl were not a Dalit, these leaders would not have even posted a tweet for her, let alone meeting the family.

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Chennai: Experts from Nutrition International, a Canadian not-for-profit organization, have emphasized that a mothers breast milk is like a vaccination that nourishes the baby life-long. They said, it builds immunity and cognition, reduces the risk of stunting, and protects the baby from diseases and death.

Breast milk is naturally fortified with nutrients and antibodies making it even more important in COVID-19 times to protect both babies and mothers, said the organization. They also highlighted the need to debunk the myths surrounding breastfeeding amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the sidelines of World Breastfeeding week that is observed during the first week of August, the nutrition experts said that COVID-19 has disrupted serviced provided and Anganwadis, health sub-centers, besides a reduction in institutional deliveries as a result of which there is a decline in important pre-birth and post-birth services, counselling of pregnant, lactating women, and weighing of children.

They pointed out that the fear of COVID-19 infection transmission via breast milk and rumors in this regard are discouraging the practice. Inadequate maternity leave legislation, unregulated and inappropriate marketing activities within the breast milk-substitute industry are also reasons that have caused a decline in the practice, they added.

According to Mini Varghese, Country Director, India, Nutrition International, ensuring the implementation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth during all institutional deliveries will be an important step.

On the myths and its detrimental effects on breastfeeding, Anganwadi worker, Nidhi Shrivastav from Madhya Pradesh said, COVID-19 positive mothers who give birth, refuse to breastfeed as they fear passing on the infection to their babies. However, we work on counselling these new mothers and their families on the lifesaving benefits of breastfeeding.

We also encourage them to take precautions such as washing their hands, wearing masks and sanitizing surfaces for safe breastfeeding practices, she added.

Nutrition International said that despite breastfeeding being cost-effective, baby food companies continue to attack and replace breastfeeding with their products. It also mentioned World Health Assembly (WHA) endorsing the "International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes which recognises commercial marketing of baby foods as harmful to the health of infants.

In India, the Infant Milk Substitutes Feeding Bottles, and Infant Foods (Regulation of Production, Supply and Distribution) Act 1992, and Amendment Act 2003 (IMS Act) bans all forms of promotion of foods marketed to children up to two years of age, said the organisation.

While India has a law to protect breastfeeding, it needs action for enforcement, said Mini Varghese. She added that the concerned stakeholders including professional associations need to come forward to support the government to ensure that the IMS Act is implemented in its true spirit.

Also Read: Kalonji may help in treatment for COVID-19 infection: Study

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New Delhi: The Union Home Ministry has recommended disciplinary action against former CBI director Alok Verma for allegedly misusing his official position and violating the relevant service rules.

The officials said the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has written to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), the nodal ministry for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), to take necessary disciplinary action against Alok Verma.

The action, if approved, may include temporary or permanent forfeiture of Verma's pension and retirement benefits, the officials said.

During his stint in the CBI, Verma, a 1979-batch (retired) Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, was engaged in a bitter fight with Gujarat-cadre IPS officer and his deputy Rakesh Asthana over corruption charges.

Both Verma and Asthana had accused each other of corruption. Asthana is the Delhi Police Commissioner now.

"Verma has been accused of misusing his official position and violating service rules. Necessary action has been recommended against him by the home ministry," a senior official said, requesting anonymity. The Home Ministry is the cadre controlling authority for IPS officers.

The DoPT has forwarded the MHA's recommendation to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), the recruitment body for IPS officers, the officials said.

The UPSC needs to be consulted before imposing a penalty on IPS officers, they said. Verma took over as the CBI chief on February 1, 2017 for a fixed two-year tenure.

However, Verma was removed from the post on January 10, 2019 and posted as the Director-General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards -- a less significant portfolio.

Verma did not accept the offer and wrote to the government, saying he should be considered as deemed superannuated as he has completed 60 years age of superannuation on July 31, 2017.

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New Delhi: The Kerala government on Wednesday (August 4) said that a triple lockdown will be imposed at locations in the state where there are more than 10 COVID-19 cases detected among 1000 people.

According to a newspaper report, Kerala's health minister Veena George said that the triple lockdown will be imposed at locations in the state where there are more than 10 COVID-19 cases detected among 1000 people.

She further stated that only shops selling essential items will be allowed to open in such locations, adding that otherwise all shops will be allowed to function on six days except Sundays.

According to the New Indian Express report, the minister urged people to remain vigilant of the Covid spread in the state, adding Shops should have arrangements to manage crowds and ensure social distancing during the festive season. Police and local bodies should supervise the arrangements.

Notably, the state has the highest average test positivity rate (TPR) of close to 12 per cent and over 1.74 lakh active patients.

On Tuesday, she said that a total of 13,325 covid deaths has been reported in the state till June 15, 2021, while replying to questions of MLAs' in the state Assembly.

She also added that the state government was following the ICMR and WHO guidelines to report covid deaths.

According to her, the government was planning to deal with the challenges of the second wave of Covid with the support of the public. The state government aims at covering the maximum number of vaccinations as early as possible as over 50 per cent of the population are in the susceptible category according the latest sero survey, she told the House.

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New Delhi: Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana on Wednesday recused himself from hearing the plea of Andhra Pradesh which alleged that Telangana has deprived it of its legitimate share of drinking and irrigation water from River Krishna.

The bench, which also comprised Justice Surya Kant, took note of the submissions of the counsel appearing for Andhra Pradesh that the state wanted adjudication of the case by the apex court bench instead of opting for mediation.

Then let the matter be listed before another bench, the CJI ordered.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, said that the central government has no objection if the CJI-led bench hears the plea of Andhra Pradesh.

Earlier, the top court had suggested mediation to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for settling their dispute, saying it did not want to interfere unnecessarily.

"I don't want to hear this matter legally. I belong to both states. If the matter can be settled in mediation, please do that. We can help with that. Otherwise, I will transfer this to another bench," the CJI, who hails from Andhra Pradesh, had observed on August 2.

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New Delhi: The long-drawn power tussle between the Delhi LG and the AAP dispensation resurfaced on Wednesday (August 4) with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal accusing Anil Baijal of holding "parallel" meetings with officials "behind the back" of the elected government. Kejriwal's remarks came in response to a tweet by Lt Governor Baijal sharing details of a COVID review and preparedness meeting held by him along with top Delhi officials, including Chief Secretary Vijay Dev.

The chief minister, in a tweet, said holding "parallel" meetings by the LG was against the Constitution and Supreme Court judgement and asked Baijal to avoid holding such direct meetings with officials. "It is against Constitution and SC CB judgement to hold such parallel meetings behind the back of elected govt. We are a democracy. People have elected a council of ministers. If you have any questions, please ask ministers. Avoid holding direct meetings with officers. Let's respect democracy, sir," he tweeted.

It is against Constitution n SC CB judgement to hold such parallel meetings behind the back of elected govt. We r a democracy. People hv elected a Council of Ministers. If u have any Qs, pl ask ur ministers. Avoid holding direct meetings wid officers Lets respect democracy, Sir https://t.co/SQCkHRNyt4  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 4, 2021

In the COVID review meeting by Baijal which was objected to by Kejriwal, apart from the chief secretary, senior officers such as the additional chief secretary (home and health), divisional commissioner and secretary (health) were also present. Baijal advised the Health department officers to commission oxygen production and storage facilities by August 30, arrange medicines stocks for Covid and black fungus and ramp up targeted testing, in view of a possible third wave of the viral infection.

Also read: Vision 2047: Arvind Kejriwal launches vision to make Delhi world's number 1 city

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had last month raised the issue of Baijal holding meetings with senior Delhi officers over issues, he claimed, was under the jurisdiction of the elected Aam Aadmi Party government. Sisodia in July shot a letter to Baijal objecting to the L-G holding meetings with officers without information of ministers concerned and instructing them on works that "fall under the purview of the elected government", saying it was "unconstitutional" and against the verdict of the Supreme Court.

The deputy chief minister, whose AAP government is mired in a long-running power tussle with the Centre-appointed LG, had urged Baijal to desist from such actions. In reply, Baijal had asserted that he was working within the ambit of Constitutional provisions and Supreme Court order, rebutting the charge of him encroaching upon the jurisdiction of the elected government in Delhi. In his letter to Sisodia, Baijal had rejected as "baseless, lacking facts and evidence" the latter's charges of him holding meetings with bureaucrats and instructing them about works that fall under the purview of the elected government.

The latest round of tussle that started with the Home Ministry notifying GNCTD (Amendment) Act, 2021, in April empowering the LG as effective in-charge of Delhi, has also seen him differing with the AAP dispensation over the appointment of special prosecutors in cases related to the 2020 Delhi riots and violence and vandalism on Republic Day in the city this year.

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NEW DELHI: On the basis of the inputs provided by the central intelligence agencies, the NIA, Karnataka and J&K Police have busted a pan-India ISIS module. The ISIS module was conspiring to target right-wing leaders and top media organizations.

Five ISIS-inspired members from Karnataka (Mangalore and Bangalore) and J&K (Srinagar and Bandipore) have been detained in the process. During the search operation, the NIA sleuths recovered digital media devices, Islamic State literature, knives, IS-linked financial trails etc.

As per sources, among the five detainees, Deepthi Marla from Mangalore is suspected to be the mastermind behind radicalisation of the arrested accused in the busted module. She is a converted Muslim and linked with IS-Khorasan and J&K-based handlers. She unsuccessfully tried to perform Hijrat to Khorasan, Afghanistan.

In a coordinated operation, led by Indias central intelligence agencies, NIA and the J&K Police, an Islamic State (IS)-inspired module led by Mohammed Ameen (Malappuram, Kerala) was neutralized on March 14-15, 2021 with the detention of 06 Keralites, including 02 females from New Delhi, Kannur and Kollam.

Of the 06 detainees, 03 (Ameen, Mushab and Dr Rahees) were formally arrested by the NIA. The module was responsible for disseminating ISIS propaganda on a large scale in cyberspace and was responsible for influencing many impressionable young minds.

Besides disseminating the ISIS propaganda, the module was also involved in instigating Indian youth for armed jihad, planning and targeted assassination of select right-wing leaders and personalities and mobilizing funds from sympathisers for ISIS.

After the arrest of three individuals in March 2021, interrogation of arrested persons as well as data from the seized digital media was meticulously analysed for identification of other members of the module.

This module first came to the notice of intelligence agencies almost a year ago as they were found peddling a large volume of Islamist propaganda on an Instagram Channel, Chronicle Foundation, with members (over 5000) from across the world.

Meticulous analysis of cyber intelligence led to agencies breaking the anonymity module members were exercising. This led to many of the members having been identified on the ground by intelligence and law enforcement agencies.

During the course of the investigation, it was established that the module had a pan-India network and some of the associated members were also planning to travel to IS-conflict theatres like Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Some of the members even unsuccessfully attempted to travel to Afghanistan via Iran in April 2019. They were also in contact with IS-Khorasan (ISKP) based handlers over cyberspace, including Rashid Abdullah (since killed in Afghanistan), and IS operatives based in Syria, Iraq and Africa.

The leader of the module, Ameen, even intended to travel to Pakistan and J&K to join terror groups. Besides, they were also involved in raising funds for jihadi activities and even transferred a portion of collected money to IS entities operating in J&K.

The module deliberated to carry out targeted actions against the Right Wing leaders and media organizations and documents related to IED making methods were also found from the digital devices of Dr Rahees (one of the arrested accused.

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Lucknow: A video of a girl slapping a cab driver, for allegedly driving rashly, had gone viral a couple of days back. The Krishna Nagar Police had taken action against the man, Shahadat Ali, and his two companions. However as a second CCTV image surfaced, it became apparent that there was more to the incident that met the eyes initially. Here, we bring you the post viral truth.

The driver said that the woman attacked him for no fault of his. "I was on my way home and waiting at the signal of Alambagh Nahariya Chauraha, following the traffic rules. The woman crossed me from the right side and then she came back and started beating me," Shaddat said in an interview to Zee News Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand. The woman had earlier claimed that she was almost run over, thanks to his rash driving, a claim the driver rejected.

Shaddat said that the matter became worse as the police took them to Krishna Nagar police station and registered a complaint based on the woman's version, while he was not heard, he said. "She broke my mobile, which is my employer's. My car was damaged too, I suffered a loss of around Rs 60,000," Shaddat said, adding that she also tried to take the money kept on his car's dashboard.

Netizens were angry with the UP Police for allegedly taking action against the driver and his companions and not the woman. Shahadat and his friends, Wazirganj residents Inayat Ali and

Dawood Ali were reportedly booked for breach of peace. But after the emergence of the second CCTV footage, police registered a case against the girl as well. "A case has been registered against the girl for attempting to commit robbery, voluntarily causes hurt and committing mischief and thereby causes loss or damage to the amount of fifty rupees or upwards," Additional deputy commissioner of police, central zone, Chiranjeev Nath Sinha told the Times of India.

When asked what he wants now, Shaddat said, "Everyone has seen what has happened. I want my self respect back."

Shaddat's lawyer has now said that investigations are on and they will be pressing charges against the woman.

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New Delhi: Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday suspended six TMC MPs for the day for carrying placards while protesting along with other opposition MPs over the Pegasus spying issue.

Just as witnessed since the start of monsoon session, slogan-shouting TMC and other opposition MPs trooped into the well of the House, some holding placards, to demand a discussion on the issue of Israeli-made, military-grade Pegasus spyware allegedly being used to snoop on opposition leaders, government critics and journalists.

Naidu took exception to the placards, which had anti-government slogans, before adjourning the proceedings of the House till 2 pm.

He first asked members to go back to their seats and then threatened to invoke rule 255 against those holding placards.

As the members refused to budge, he ordered that those "disobeying the chair and raising placards shall leave the House under rule 255."

He, however, did not name anyone and said Rajya Sabha Secretariat will give the list.

Later a Parliamentary Bulletin identified the six MPs suspended for the day as Dola Sen, Md. Nadimul Haque, Abir Ranjan Biswas, Shanta Chhetri, Arpita Ghosh and Mausam Noor.

These "members of the Rajya Sabha who entered the well of the Hosue displayed placards, disobeyed the Chair and whose conduct was grossly disorderly in the House this morning (August 4, 2021) have been directed to withdraw immediately from the Council under rule 255 by the Chairman," it said.

The six MPs, it said, "shall absent themselves during the remainder of the day's meeting."

Earlier soon after taking of oath by new member Jawhar Sircar and laying of official documents on the table of the House, Naidu said though he has not admitted notices given under rule 267 by Ramgopal Yadav and Vishambhar Prasad Nishad of the Samajwadi Party and V Sivadasan of the CPI(M) over farmers agitation over three farm laws, a discussion on the issue under a different rule has been admitted.

"I have gone through it. It is an ongoing issue but important. So it is admitted for discussion under other provision," he said.

A notice under rule 267 calls for setting aside of the business of the day to take up discussion on the issue being raised.

Naidu, however, rejected 267 notices by Sukhendu Sekhar Roy (TMC), Mallikarjun Kharge and K C Venugopal (both Congress), CPI(M)'s Elamaram Kareem and V Sivadasan and Binoy Viswam of the CPI over the Peagus issue.

"Now there is agreement about farmers' agitation. And also about price rise, economic situation. The government has also expressed willingness to discuss. Let us discuss the farmers' issues. Let us discuss the economic situation, price rise and other issues," he said.

Just then TMC and other MPs holding placards rushed into the well.

Naidu said this is not the way. "Please go back to your seats."

"All these members who are in the well of the House with placards... All of them are named under rule 255. I direct these members who are in the well of the House to go back to their seats, otherwise, you are named and you are suspended for the day," he said.

But the MPs refused to budge.

"Please obey the chair (and) go back to your seats," he said as opposition MPs shouted, "We want discussion on Pegasus."

Naidu then asked for the names of the MPs holding placards.

As Rajya Sabha Secretariat started collecting names, Naidu said, "Whoever is in the well, disobeying the chair and then raising these placards, they are all asked to leave the House under rule 255."

MPs named under rule 255 have to withdraw from the House proceedings for the rest of the day.

"You know what will happen... Secretariat will give the list," he said before adjourning the proceedings till 2 pm.

Even after the House proceedings were adjourned, the TMC and other opposition MPs did not leave the House.
New Delhi: After giving a crushing blow to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly election, Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee has vowed to defeat the ruling BJP in upcoming the 2023 Assembly polls in Tripura.

Addressing a press conference in Agartala on Monday, Abhishek Banerjee told media persons that the "TMC will form a government in Tripura in the next 1.5 years and bring governance to its doorstep." He also vowed to put an end to the BJP's misrule in the state.

Putting forth his resolve on social media, the young TMC General Secretary tweeted, "The @BJP4Tripura government has failed the people of #Tripura. For years, @BjpBiplab deprived them from all benefits! And today, this is the same reason why people wish to do away with the #DuareGunda Raj of @BJP4Tripura and welcome #DuareSarkar wholeheartedly!"

The @BJP4Tripura government has failed the people of #Tripura. For years, @BjpBiplab deprived them from all benefits! And today, this is the same reason why people wish to do away with the #DuareGunda Raj of @BJP4Tripura and welcome #DuareSarkar wholeheartedly!#EbarTripura pic.twitter.com/M9WVy57ExT  Abhishek Banerjee (@abhishekaitc) August 2, 2021

In another tweet, he said, "Tripura will rule Tripura! We will continue to prioritise people - their needs, their demands and their joys over everything else. @BjpBiplab has single-handedly FAILED the people of #Tripura and his insensitivity will soon cost him dearly."

Tripura will rule Tripura! We will continue to prioritise people - their needs, their demands and their joys over everything else.@BjpBiplab has single-handedly FAILED the people of #Tripura and his insensitivity will soon cost him dearly.#EbarTripura pic.twitter.com/wWJAWyp4fl  Abhishek Banerjee (@abhishekaitc) August 2, 2021

"It's pack up time for @BJP4Tripura! Enough of @BjpBiplab and his tyranny. Come 2023, the Dawn of Democracy shall shine brightly upon the people of #Tripura. Each and every single person will smile as they become the key drivers of change," the TMC leader added.

It's pack up time for @BJP4Tripura! Enough of @BjpBiplab and his tyranny. Come 2023, the Dawn of Democracy shall shine brightly upon the people of #Tripura. Each and every single person will smile as they become the key drivers of change. This is our promise. #EbarTripura pic.twitter.com/hV9vJiMIL6  Abhishek Banerjee (@abhishekaitc) August 3, 2021

Banerjee, the Diamond Harbour MP and nephew of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had also alleged that his convoy was attacked in Tripura on Monday by BJP workers.

BJP MLA and the party's Mahila Morcha state chief Agnimitra Paul, however, refuted Banerjee's claim and told media that "Abhishek Banerjee did not oppose the attack on the convoy of BJP national president J P Nadda in December last year."

Meanwhile, the Trinamool Youth Congress activists staged protests in various parts of West Bengal on Tuesday against the alleged attack on the party's national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee's convoy in BJP-ruled Tripura.

The TMC activists staged demonstrations at Panihati in North 24 Parganas, Bardhaman town in Purba Bardhaman district, Jalpaiguri, and several other parts of West Bengal, according to police.

Senior TMC leader and state minister Jyotipriyo Mullick said that the party will continue democratically protesting the "audacious attack" on Banerjee.

TMC's Dinhata MLA Udayan on Tuesday threatened to "look after" BJP leaders and workers in the Dinhata area of West Bengal's Coochbehar district "in a proper manner".

The BJP, however, has demanded penal action against the MLA for issuing a threat in public against activists of an opposition party.

It seems the TMC has started "Khela" for the 2023 Assembly election in Tripura, and Abhishek Banerjee took over the command to lead the state party workers from the front.

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New Delhi: Bengaluru has issued new prohibitory orders to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the city. It implemented a night curfew from 10 pm to 6 am till August 16, news agency ANI reported. Section 144 of the CrPC, which prohibits the assembly of four or more people, has been imposed till August 16, 6 am. A night curfew between 10pm and 5am has also been extended until August 16, the order issued by Bengaluru Police said.

Earlier, the Karnataka government had directed the BBMP Chief Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners of the districts to strictly monitor COVID-19 situation in their respective jurisdictions and impose further curbs if required.

Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has 141 micro-containment zones, according to the latest report, which is a significant increase from last week. Authorities are declaring apartments as micro-containment zones where three or more positive cases are being found. Mahadevapura, Bommanahalli and the West divisions of Bengaluru have emerged as COVID hotspots.

Earlier, the government extended the regular restrictions until August 16 and said that a decision on weekend lockdown and night curfew will be taken after reviewing the situation. On Wednesday, the state reported 1,769 positive infections.

The sudden worsening of the COVID-19 situation set off an alarm bell for Karnataka which made negative RT-PCR mandatory for people travelling to the state from Maharashtra and Kerala.

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Bengaluru: Karnataka will continue its legal battle on implementation of Mekedatu project across river Cauvery, Law Minister Basavaraj Bommai said on Monday, as Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa's letter to his Tamil Nadu counterpart urging him not to object to it, did not elicit a positive response.

However, the Opposition Congress has termed Yediyurappa's move of writing a letter to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin regarding Mekedatu project as 'wrong'.

"Tamil Nadu has objected to all our projects from KRS to till now.As the government has changed there, our intention was to make them aware that this project was aimed at drinking water and power to Karnataka, and to manage water between both states during distress year," Bommai said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said the tone and tenor of the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's response to Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa's letter was not appropriate.

"We have been fighting for Karnataka's rights in the Cauvery basin and have been successful, this matter is also before the Supreme Court, we are putting forward our case.We will continue our legal battle for our rights.We are confident of winning it and completing the Mekedatu project," he said, adding that the state will also get required approvals and clearances from the Centre.

Yediyurappa on Saturday wrote to his Tamil Nadu counterpart Stalin urging him not to oppose the Mekedatu project "in the right spirit" and offered to hold a bilateral meeting to address any issues.

In response, Stalin on Sunday urged Yediyurappa not to pursue the Mekedatu project, as he rejected Karnataka's stand that implementation of the project would not affect the interests of Tamil Nadu farmers.

Stating that Tamil Nadu has the right to ask for its share of water as per the tribunal's order, Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, Siddaramaiah said: "However, we need not ask for their permission to construct a "balancing reservoir within our territory".

"Yediyurappa writing a letter to Stalin (TN CM) was wrong, he (TN CM) will naturally oppose it. We need not ask them, without asking we can go ahead with our work. While we (Congress) were in power, we had sent to the Centre (seeking necessary approvals), put pressure on the centre, take necessary approvals and go ahead," he added.

State Congress President D K Shivakumar too termed Yediyurappa writing a letter to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister as "outrageous" and reflection of a lack of political will.

"After Hon'ble SC had unequivocally stated in its Constitutional Bench judgement that a State need not seek permission from another riparian State for its projects, Karnataka CM seeking permission from TN CM is outrageous.It is a clear reflection of a lack of political will," he tweeted.

"When Congress was in power in Karnataka, we had already begun the process of floating tenders for Mekedatu project.Why couldn't the CM simply carry on with the same process and give out tenders? Being misinformed is one thing, lacking intent is another," he added.

JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy asked the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister to take a decision on the Mekedatu project with a sense of magnanimity considering Kannadigas as brothers, and thereby cooperate in ensuring cordial relationship between both states.

"It is the responsibility of Karnataka to provide TN's share of water as per the tribunal's order.It is our opinion that we should be like brothers.They (TN) also should not forget that farmers of both states are like brothers. The intention behind the Mekedatu project is to store excess water that is going into the sea and it will be beneficial to both states," he said.

Mekedatu is a multipurpose (drinking and power) project, which involves building a balancing reservoir, near Kanakapura in Ramanagara district.

Tamil Nadu has been vehemently opposing it, raising apprehensions that the state will be affected if the project takes shape.

The project once completed is aimed at ensuring drinking water to Bengaluru and neighbouring areas (4.75 TMC) and also can generate 400 MW power. The estimated cost is Rs 9,000 crore.

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New Delhi: The initial public offerings of Windlas Biotech, Exxaro Tiles, Krsnaa Diagnostics, and Devyani International were fully subscribed within hours of opening for subscription on Wednesday, helped by strong retail investors' response.

Four initial public offerings (IPO) -- Windlas Biotech, Exxaro Tiles, Krsnaa Diagnostics, and Devyani International -- have opened for subscription from Wednesday.

This comes at a time when the equity market is witnessing a dream run, with the BSE benchmark crossing the 54,000-mark for the first time on Wednesday.

On the first day, Windlas Biotech's IPO was subscribed 3.15 times, Exxaro Tiles 4.63 times, Krsnaa Diagnostics 1.98 times, and Devyani International, the largest franchisee of Pizza Hut, KFC, and Costa Coffee in India, 2.69 times.

Windlas Biotech's IPO was subscribed 3.15 times on the first day, with the retail individual investors category receiving 6.12 times subscription.

The IPO received bids for 1,93,37,310 shares against 61,36,252 shares on offer, as per data with the NSE. The non-institutional investors' category was subscribed 34 per cent.

Windlas Biotech, a manufacturer of pharmaceutical formulations, on Tuesday, said it has raised over Rs 120 crore from anchor investors.

The company's initial public offer comprises a fresh issue of up to Rs 165 crore and an offer-for-sale of up to 51,42,067 equity shares.

The three-day offer is in a price range of Rs 448-460 per share. At the upper end of the price band, the initial share sale will fetch Rs 401.53 crore.

Windlas Biotech's offer is being managed by SBI Capital Markets Limited, DAM Capital Advisors Limited, and IIFL Securities.

Meanwhile, Exxaro Tiles, a leading manufacturer of vitrified tiles, has raised Rs 23.68 crore from anchor investors on Tuesday.

The Rs 161.08-crore IPO received bids for 5,30,66,375 shares, against 1,14,50,675 shares on offer, translating into 4.63 times subscription, as per NSE data.

The portion meant for retail individual investors (RIIs) was subscribed 9.24 times and those for non-institutional investors 65 per cent. Exxaro Tiles qualified institutional buyers(QIBs) category was subscribed 95 per cent.

The initial public offer of Exxaro Tiles of 1,34,24,000 equity shares comprises a fresh issue of up to 1,11,86,000 equity shares and an offer for sale of up to 22,38,000 equity shares.

The price range for the IPO, which would conclude on Friday, is Rs 118-120 per share.

Pantomath Capital Advisors is the manager of the offer.

Meanwhile, Krsnaa Diagnostics and Devyani International's public offering also witnessed oversubscription in the retail individual investors' category.

Krsnaa Diagnostics Rs 1,213.3-crore offer has been subscribed 1.98 times.

The offer received bids for 1,40,63,685 shares against 71,12,099 shares on offer.

The retail individual investors' category was subscribed 9.55 times and those for non-institutional investors 15 per cent. The QIB portion of Krsnaa Diagnostics was subscribed 48 per cent.

Krsnaa Diagnostics has raised Rs 537 crore from anchor investors.

The company's initial public offer comprises a fresh issue of up to Rs 400 crore and an offer for sale of up to 85,25,520 equity shares.

The offer is in a price range of Rs 933-954 per share.

JM Financial, DAM Capital Advisors, Equirus Capital, and IIFL Securities are the managers of the offer.

Krsnaa Diagnostics provides a range of technology-enabled diagnostic services such as imaging (including radiology), pathology/clinical laboratory, and teleradiology services to public and private hospitals, medical colleges and community health centres pan-India.

Devyani International's initial public offer has been subscribed 2.69 times.

The IPO received bids for 30,22,97,985 shares against 11,25,69,719 shares on offer.

The retail investors' category was subscribed 11.35 times, while both qualified institutional buyers(QIBs) and non-institutional investors portion received 77 per cent subscriptions each.

Devyani International's initial public offer comprises a fresh issue of up to Rs 440 crore and an offer for sale of up to 15,53,33,330 equity shares.

The offer comes in a price range of Rs 86-90 per share.

Devyani International on Wednesday said it has mobilised Rs 825 crore from anchor investors.

Devyani International is an associate company of RJ Corp, the largest bottling partner of food and beverages (F&B) major PepsiCo, and has interests in the Indian retail F&B sector.

The company is the largest franchisee of Yum Brands, operating core brands such as Pizza Hut, KFC, Costa Coffee besides its own brands such as Vaango, Food Street, Masala Twist, Ile Bar, Amreli, and Ckrussh Juice Bar.

It currently operates 297 Pizza Hut stores, 264 KFC stores, and 44 Costa Coffee as on March 2021 in India. Also Read: Noida Authority reeking with corruption, in cahoots with Supertech: SC on Emerald Court case

Kotak Mahindra Capital Company, CLSA India, Edelweiss Financial Services and Motilal Oswal Investment Advisors Limited are the managers of the offer. Also Read: You can earn lakhs if you have THIS special 25 paise coin, check details
New Delhi: To support its subscribers during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has allowed its members to avail COVID-19 advance.

An EPFO subscriber can also take up to Rs 1 lakh medical advance for the treatment of any life-threatening diseases including COVID-19. For the purpose of for withdrawing advances, however, the EPF Subscribers dont have to submit an estimate of the hospitalisation cost to the EPF office

The PF advance withdrawal can be done online by logging on to EPFO portal. Check out the entire process to file your claim.

Here are 10 easy steps to claim Rs 1 lakh advance from EPFO for medical emergencies.

1. Login to Member Interface of Unified Portal --https://unifiedportalmem.epfindia.gov.in/memberinterface

2. Go to Online Services>>Claim (Form-31,19,10C & 10D).

3. Enter your Bank Account and verify.

4. Click on Proceed for Online Claim.

5. Select PF Advance (Form 31) from the drop down.

6. Select purpose as Outbreak of pandemic (COVID-19) from the drop down.

7. Enter amount required and Upload scanned copy of cheque and enter your address.

8. Click on Get Aadhaar OTP.

9. Enter the OTP received on Aadhaar linked mobile.

10. Your Claim will be submitted.

Notably, the provision for special withdrawal to meet the financial need of members during pandemic was introduced in March 2020, under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY). An amendment to this effect was made by Ministry of Labour & Employment in Employees Provident Funds Scheme, 1952 by inserting therein sub-para (3) under paragraph 68L, through notification in the Official Gazette in May 2021. Under this provision, non-refundable withdrawal to the extent of the basic wages and dearness allowances for three months or up to 75% of the amount standing to member's credit in the EPF account, whichever is less, is provided. Members can apply for lesser amount also.

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New Delhi: Noida Authority on Wednesday drew flak from the Supreme Court for failing to provide sanctioned plan to the Supertech's Emerald Court project home buyers saying, you (the authority) are reeking with corruption right from your eyes and nose.

A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and M R Shah, which reserved verdict on the appeal of Supertech against the Allahabad High Court order directing demolition of twin 40-storey towers, said that when homebuyers asked for the plan, the authority wrote to the developer on whether to share it, and refused to give the plan to them at its behest.

"This is a shocking exercise of power. You (NOIDA) are not only in league but in cahoots with the Supertech. When home buyers asked for a sanctioned plan, you wrote to Supertech whether you should give the document or not and on denial you refused to give them the plan.

"It was only after the High Court expressly directed you to give that you had given them. You are reeking with corruption from eyes, nose and on the face of it, the bench said.

The top court, during the day-long hearing, also asked the NOIDA that being a regulatory urban planning authority it should take a neutral stand.

"Being an authority, you should take a neutral stand instead of defending the acts of Supertech. You cannot take a private stand for any promoter, the bench told advocate Ravindra Kumar, appearing for NOIDA.

Kumar drew the flak from the court when he tried to justify the construction of the twin 40-storey towers in the project saying it was done as per the plan approved by the authority.

The bench remarked that how did NOIDA, in its eternal wisdom, allow a 40-storey tower to come up in the green area.

Kumar said it was not a green land as alleged by home buyers as a concrete structure was shown in the 2006 sanctioned plan where these towers have come up.

Dealing with the NBCC inspection report, Kumar said it was prepared after discussion with home buyers and Supertech and NOIDA were not involved in the meeting.

They (NBCC) have said that twin towers defied the distance criteria between the two buildings but I was not involved in the meetings. We had objected to the findings of the NBCC, he said.

Senior advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for Supertech Ltd, defended the construction of twin towers and said that there was no illegality in it.

He said that Supertech lost the case before the High Court on two counts -- one is distance criteria and other not taking consent of home buyers before constructing the towers.

Singh said that Emerald Court Owner Resident Welfare Association, which has filed the case before the High Court challenging the construction of twin-towers was not even in existence when the plan was sanctioned and construction had begun.

Our plan was sanctioned in 2009 and thereafter construction began. The RWA came into existence in 2013, then how can I get its consent as required by law before the construction began, he said, adding that the builder cannot knock at the door of each and every flat buyer and seek consent.

Dealing with minimum distance criteria between two buildings, Singh said that between 40-storey Tower 17 and 11- storey Tower one there is a distance of 9.88 metres, which is around 32 feet distance, enough to allow a fire brigade to move.

The National Building Code prescribes 9 metre distance between two buildings. This is being followed by the Delhi Development Authority. Many states have a minimum distance criteria of 9 metres to 16 metres. We have followed the minimum distance required, he said.

Singh said that out of 633 people booking the flats initially, 133 have moved out to other projects, 248 have taken refunds and 252 home buyers have still had their bookings with the company.

We have followed the minimum distance criteria, followed the fire safety norms and all other parameters. There was no illegality as canvassed by the home buyers. There was no blockage of view of the green area from tower-1 as they did not have any balcony or window on that side. They had only one window in the toilet facing that area where construction of these towers are done, Singh said.

Senior advocate Jayant Bhushan, appearing for home buyers, opposed the arguments of Singh and said that building by-laws were not followed in the construction of both the towers. The bench asked all the parties to file their written submission by August 9 and reserved its verdict.

On Tuesday, the top court had told Singh that what his client has done is palpably wrong as the towers were constructed by encroaching upon the green common area of the housing society.

Supertech had told the top court that its Emerald Court owner Resident Welfare Association has been terrorising the builder by making unwarranted claims.

The top court was hearing appeals of Supertech Ltd and other petitions filed by home buyers for or against the Allahabad High Court's 2014 order directing demolition of the twin towers for being in violation of norms.

The two towers, Apex and Ceyane of Emerald Court Project of Supertech, together have 915 apartments and 21 shops. Of these, initially 633 flats were booked. Also Read: Kumar Mangalam Birla steps down as non-executive chairman of debt-ridden Vodafone Idea

On April 11, 2014 the Allahabad High Court ordered the demolition of the two buildings within four months and the refund of money to apartment buyers. Also Read: CBIC launches portal to provide info on customs procedures, regulatory compliance

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New Delhi: Vivek Mishra, ex Bigg Boss contestant and nude yoga trainer, in his recent interview revealed that he was approached by the makers of the reality show to feature in its OTT version - Bigg Boss OTT. The digital version of the show will be hosted by filmmaker Karan Johar and is expected to be 'over-the-top' ala show's tagline.

Vivek Mishra told Times of India, "I was offered to be a part of OTT and do nude yoga or semi-nude yoga to spice up the content. I was taken aback to hear it. They said that they are looking for 5 former contestants to spice up the show. Been there done that, so why would I perform nude yoga to add content to a pioneer reality show. I am too sexy and expensive to do that. I did say to them that if you expect me to do this then pay me Rs 50 lakhs for a day. I am not a starlet or want to get featured in a show on the basis on nude yoga."

The yoga trainer has turned down the offer.

"Honestly, the reality show doesn't run solely on anchor, of course, it does contribute, but the major reason for its success is contestants and the content they give. So, whether it's Salman Khan, Karan Johar or even Jennifer Lopez, they will add on to the show with their personas, wit and glamour but the show will only be a hit if the contestants are good. I have said no to it, and I prefer to do one quality project in 5 years than meaningless projects, appearances, cameos. I have something lined up but it's a comedy zone and it is being very aesthetically shot," he added.

Vivek Mishra was seen in Bigg Boss season 7.
Dhaka: At least 17 people were killed and more than a dozen injured on Wednesday when lightning struck a wedding party on a boat in northwestern Bangladesh, officials said.

The lightning hit as the boat reached the bank of the Padma river in Shibganj town as the wedding-goers made their way to the bride`s house, police official Farid Hossain said.

"We have information of 17 people who died and several others were admitted to hospital," Hossain said.

Fourteen people were injured and taken to hospital, Fire Service official Meherul Islam said. The bridegroom was among those hurt.

Lightning kills hundreds of people every year in Bangladesh, which declared lightning strikes a natural disaster in 2016 when more than 200 people died in the month of May alone, including 82 people on a single day.

Most lightning deaths usually occur during the warm months of March to July.

Experts say the rise in fatal lightning strikes is related to deforestation, which has led to the disappearance of many tall trees that earlier would have drawn lightning strikes.

Also Read: Lightning strike kills 56 in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Prayagraj alone reports 14 deaths

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Recently, a video went viral in which a young girl is repeatedly slapping a cab driver at a busy crossroad in Lucknow. The drama was enhanced because the cab driver was not retaliating and a traffic cop was also standing nearby.

Then another video surfaced in which the same girl was seen grabbing another guy by his shirt. Soon after, the social media started demanding her arrest for callous behavior.

Now, she is saying that she was being harassed for two years before the incident in a conversation with a Zee Salaam journalist. She showed scars on her leg and hand, and said that she has been beaten.

She said that she saw a vehicle approaching that had modified lights, and got scared of the accident. She alleged that the vehicle had broken the signal and speeding.

She also claimed that some people had come in the form of a mob and beat her up. On being asked to be specific, she remained vague and said that there were at least 300 people who dragged and beat her up.

Read: Know all about Lucknow girl who slapped cabbie

She further alleged that a group of eve-teasers has been harassing her for two years, especially when she went out for a walk, and she has been suffering from multiple diseases.

When the incident that took place on July 31, came to light, the Lucknow Police booked the cab driver and arrested him. Later, after the social media uproar, the girl was also booked. In his complaint, the cab driver has said that the woman slapped her without any reason in full public view and also broke his phone. He also alleged a robbery of Rs 600 from his car.
New Delhi: Pakistan has put up its Prime Minister`s official residence in Islamabad on the market for rent, the move comes as the country deals with a severe financial crunch.

PM Imran Khan already vacated the residence back in 2019 when the ruling party Tehreek-Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had announced its plan to convert the Prime Minster`s House into a university. Khan has been living at his Bani Gala residence and only uses the PM's office.

Now, the government has instead decided to rent out the property, as per a report by Samaa TV. The cabinet has decided to allow people to hold cultural, fashion, educational, and other events at the premises.

The auditorium of the Prime Minister`s House, two guest wings, and a lawn can be rented out to generate funds, according to sources cited by local media.

"Two committees have been formed for this purpose, to ensure the discipline and decorum of the PM House are not violated during the events," Saama TV was quoted as saying.

Pakistan's economy has shrunk by $19 billion in the last three years despite Khan's taking austere steps to cut down the government expenses to provide some respite to the country's failing economy.

(With inputs from ANI)
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 has announced on Tuesday (August 3, 2021), making it the first big city in the US 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 patronise these establishments indoors will be if you're vaccinated," de Blasio said on Tuesday.

"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."

Join us live at City Hall for a major announcement on how New York City will lead the way in fighting back COVID and driving up vaccinations. https://t.co/MV5jan14NT  Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) August 3, 2021

The Democrat said some details needed 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 August 16 but inspections and enforcement won't begin until September 13 " the 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 would 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 USD 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.

About 66 per cent of adults in New York City are fully vaccinated, according to official data.

Were doing everything we can to get more people vaccinated. In the past two weeks, we have seen a 55% increase in the average number of new people getting vaccinated every day. In the last 7 days alone, nearly 3 million Americans have gotten their first shot.  President Biden (@POTUS) August 3, 2021

On Monday, the US reached the president's goal of getting at least one COVID-19 shot into 70 per cent 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.
New Delhi: 'Never accept drinks from strangers' - almost all of us have in some way or otherwise been warned about it by our elders. We have all heard incidents of women having their drinks spiked at nightclubs and parties so that predators can have their way with them.

In a chilling video shared by UK mother Claire, an 18-year-old girl appears to be frozen and having seizures after her drink was allegedly spiked during an outing at a bar. Sharing the girl's picture on Facebook, her mother wrote: "This is what being spiked looks like...please be careful when out." The girl was discharged from the hospital after recovery.

The video shows 18-year-old Millie Taplin unable to move her facial muscles and hands as she lies on a hospital bed. Her fingers and facial expressions give the impression that she is unable to move. According to reports, she was unable to walk for hours and started feeling unwell after taking a few sips of her drink at a nightclub. She immediately rushed outside the bar to throw up when her friends reached out to her and rushed her to a nearest hospital. As per nypost.com, doctors treating her came to the conclusion that she was given two different drugs, one of which left her paralysed.

"She looked possessed," Claire told the Mirror. "When I made contact with her I could see that she was there, she was trying to me eye contact with me but she couldnt speak."

(Millie Taplin: Facebook)

Millie was enjoying her first night of partying as a legal adult on July 31 at a local Southend bar, Moo Moo, when she and a few friends met a group of men, including a few with whom she was familiar. However, the night took a dark turn when one man with the group offered her a drink, which he described to her as vodka and lemonade.

"I had a couple of sips of the drink and went to the smoking area," Millie told the UK outlet. "I came back and felt like Id drunk too much, and then I went outside to be sick."

She said that she could understand everything what was going around but could only reply to people in her head. " It was scary", she said.

The girl was discharged after she recovered within several hours.
New Delhi: For the first time, the Afghanistan government has publically named Pakistan-based terror groups supporting the Taliban amid the ongoing escalation of violence in the country. Afghan foreign minister Haneef Atmar on Tuesday (August 3, 2021) briefed foreign envoys based in Kabul on the situation in the country and how actions by the Taliban have led to the killing of more than 3,000 people and displacing over 3,00,000.

Atmar noted that the Taliban attacks were carried out in direct collusion with more than 10,000 regional terrorists from Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Ansarullah, Jundallah, al-Qaeda, East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), a readout of Afghan foreign ministry said.

Atmar also pointed out the recent massacre of more than 100 people in Spin Boldak, forced marriages, destruction of more than 300 public infrastructures, and suspension of services in Taliban-controlled areas.

The statement comes amid Taliban mounting a massive offensive against the Afghan govt including Herat, Kandahar and Helmand.

While talking about the presence of foreign fighters along with the Taliban in the country, Atmar pointed out that due to the widespread crimes and human rights violations, currently 18 million people face a dire humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.

Along with envoys of other countries, Indian Envoy to Kabul Rudrendra Tandon and UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan Deborah Lyons were also present.



During the meeting, Atmar also highlighted the Afghan government's security plans and regional and global diplomacy and said, "Afghan government's security plan would be charted out and implemented soon in coordination and support of all political and social strata to strengthen the government's positions in strategic points and metropolitans".

He explained that Kabul needs four areas of cooperation from the international community, which is, 'repelling Taliban's attacks on metropolitan areas, preventing a human catastrophe and human rights abuses, accelerating the Afghan Peace Process, and implementing a six-month security program.

This is to be noted that Zee Media had recently broken a story as to how the Afghanistan government has informed the Indian side that Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba is shifting its base inside the country.
Washington: A Pentagon police officer 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, the Pentagon said.

The Pentagon, the headquarters of the US military, was temporarily placed on lockdown after someone attacked the officer on a bus platform shortly after 10:30 AM. On Tuesday. 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 Metro entrance to the Pentagon is closed. Corridors 2 and 3 entrances will be open for visitor and tenant access. Corridors 5, 8, and the River/Mall entrances will be open. For more information go to https://t.co/vgMLgVxayN or @PFPAOfficial  Pentagon Force Protection Agency (Official) (@PFPAOfficial) August 3, 2021

The deaths of the officer and the suspect were first confirmed by officials who were not authorised 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 Lanz's 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 AP on condition of anonymity.

Lanz had enlisted in the US 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.

The episode on a busy stretch of the Washington area's 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 can't 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 General 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.